Writer's Corner

Profound...

2012-01-23T14:25:00.001-08:00

A book is made from a tree. It is an assemblage of flat, flexible parts (still called “leaves”) imprinted with dark pigmented squiggles. One glance at it and you hear the voice of another person, perhaps someone dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, the author is speaking, clearly and silently, inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people, citizens of distant epochs, who never knew one another. Books break the shackles of time, proof that humans can work magic. ~Carl Sagan

Great Quote!

2012-01-20T22:31:00.000-08:00

“When I was five I learned to read. Books were a miracle to me - white pages, black ink, and new worlds and different friends in each one. To this day, I relish the feeling of cracking a binding for the first time, the anticipation of where I'll go and whom I'll meet inside.” ― Jennifer Weiner

Open the Flood Gates

2012-01-20T16:14:00.000-08:00

Each semester, students ask me about writer's block and how to get past it. And I always tell them there's no "magic trick," no pill they can swallow that will release those creative juices. Instead, I've found a few things that open up the floodgates of creativity (most of the time):

1) Open yourself to the process. That sounds more "new age-y" than it really is, but I find that if I force myself to think about the novel (assuming the writer's block is happening in the middle of a work), my mind goes there. To the work. To the characters. To that world I've created. I'm "there" again, because I've made a conscious decision to place myself there. And suddenly, new ideas begin to form....

2) Read something you've written. When I'm having trouble jump-starting my writing, I like to open up a document--whether it's something I'm currently working on, or something I've written in the past--in order to reconnect with my own style, my own voice. It takes the pressure off of the "writing" aspect when I allow myself just to start reading. I'm always amazed how this act can spur me on to want to create something new (or add to something old).

3) Make yourself write. Sometimes, that old Nike adage, "Just Do It" is the best thing for writer's block. Tackle it. Jump on it. Pin it down. Conquer it. Just write. Even if it's not great. Even if it's not your personal best. At least it's something. And that counts for something.

4) When creativity hits, even in whispers, LISTEN to it. Tonight, I had a creative seed of an idea. But I was tired, after a long day of meetings and errands. I could've easily dismissed that seed, let it die out on its own, tried to pick it back up later. But I chose to listen. I chose to let it flourish. The seed was actually a big one, an ambitious one: taking an old work and changing the main character. Entirely. I'm talking, a total re-vamp -- new name, new physical appearance, new identity, new personality. Because I like the story well enough, but have always felt the main character wasn't identifiable, wasn't special. Wasn't as flawed or as insecure or as likable as I've wanted her to be. So tonight, when I paid attention to the seed, entertained that idea of creating such a major change, something happened. The flood gates opened, and idea after idea after idea tumbled through, so quickly that I had a difficult time typing them down fast enough.

And it was the best feeling in the world.

So, in the end, as excruciating as writer's block can be, it's worth it to hang in there, be patient with yourself, and push through it with all your might. Because the end result can be nothing short of exhilarating.

Amen!!

2012-01-16T22:25:00.000-08:00

You should write because you love the shape of stories and sentences and the creation of different words on a page. Writing comes from reading, and reading is the finest teacher of how to write.

“

—	Annie Proulx (via wordpainting) (via booklover) (via coffeeandwords)

Great Quote!

2012-01-16T22:20:00.000-08:00

INDEED!

Chase down your passion like it’s the last bus of the night. ~ Glade Byron Addams

A Little Gem

2012-01-16T10:03:00.000-08:00

It's funny how even cheesy, melodramatic, poorly-written t.v. movies (I'm looking at you, Lifetime and Hallmark channel) can still contain a writing "gem" in them. A truth or a bit of unexpected poetry in the dialogue. I admit it--I do watch said cheesy films, and when I do, I always look for that gem.

I found one yesterday, while watching the latest in uber-predictable Hallmark movies. It's called "Recipe for Romance." In one scene, a little girl (exceptional actress!) was telling her father how much she misses her deceased mother. How she can no longer "hear her voice," telling her what to do, guiding her.

And that's so true in real life -- when we lose someone, either by break-up or by death, often, over time, we "forget" the details of their smile, the timber of their voice. Those details are lost to us, and it seems almost cruel. Like we're losing them a little bit each day.

But in that same scene, the father explains to his daughter why this happens. This isn't some enormous revelation, but I do think he's spot-on, and I liked the wording of it:

He tells her, "That's what happens when you lose someone you love--it's your mind's way of protecting you, making you forget a little bit, so that your heart doesn't keep on breaking."

A lovely way to think about it--the loss of those details isn't cruel. It's actually salvation. Protection, to ease our pain.

Yay, for some depth in a Hallmark movie! ;-)

Literary Magnifying Glass

2012-01-16T09:28:00.000-08:00

I'm in the process of editing a novel and I'll be honest -- sometimes, it's easier to get a little lazy. I've edited this manuscript about three times already, so sometimes, it's easier just to "read" and call that editing. To tell myself that my only job is to catch the big inconsistencies, find the grammar mistakes, remove obvious cliches, etc. Rather than to EDIT. Rather than to dig in, examine each sentence with a literary magnifying glass, to make certain that every word "earns its right to live" on that page. Because that's what needs to happen, I think, in the final editing process. We're supposed to be picky. We're supposed to examine our own writing in excruciating detail. And most importantly, to hold ourselves up to the highest possible standard.

What inspires me to get "picky" with my own writing is to read someone better than me. To pick up a novel where the descriptions are rich and lush and poetic and purposeful. To pause after I read a paragraph and think, "Wow. I wish I could do that."

Watching someone else rise to their better writing self, reach their own potential, makes me want to reach mine.

And because I experienced that last night (reading a passage that made me think, "Wow!"), I'm going to up my game today, in my own writing. I'm going to edit carefully, slowly. To give my work the attention it deserves. And to give my (hopefully) future readers the best they deserve.

Too True!

2012-01-15T20:54:00.000-08:00

LOL - saw this on a blog, thought it was adorable:

"When People Interrupt Me While I'm Reading...." (<--click)

The Problem with Series TV

2012-01-14T07:24:00.000-08:00

I tend to watch TV/movies through a writer's eyes (can't help it!), and I've noticed something, regarding series TV. If it has a "bigger picture" type mystery, it just doesn't work.

I was watching the new "The Firm" last night. Yep, based on the Grisham bestseller (in fact, Grisham is an exec producer). I loved the novel and wanted to give this show a chance. But as I watched--some of it intriguing, some of it dull with bland side stories--I figured out why I wasn't fully enjoying it.

Because with the novel, I had concrete evidence in my hand that it would end. And I knew exactly when it would end. On those last couple of pages, I knew I would finally discover the "big picture" mystery of what was going on in that mysterious firm. It's what kept me reading (quickly!) for those few hundred pages. To get to the end, the finish line. And I knew I would be rewarded.

But with a TV series, it's much different. Those "last couple of pages" don't happen until....the final episode. Which could be years away, not pages away! Sorry, but I don't have the patience for that.

Or worse, the series could be cancelled well before we ever find out those final answers, so all our viewing was in vain (isn't that just like the last few chapters of a novel being completely ripped out, with no way to retrieve them??). I made the mistake of watching the show "Reunion" years ago (about a high school reunion in which one friend was killed by another in the first episode, and the rest of the episodes were one great big who-done-it). The problem? I never DID find out who done it because the series was cancelled after a dozen episodes. I searched online, trying to find out any scrap of detail I could about the proposed ending. But all I found was an interview the writers did, in which they confessed, "We don't know who done it -- we hadn't written that far ahead yet."

(Which brings up yet another issue with series TV -- because of the long-term format, writers haven't yet mapped out their ending, so even they don't know how it'll end. I like to TRUST my writers, but how can I do that if they don't know where they're leading me??).

Even worse, still, is the build-up that occurs for years, the expectations on the part of viewers, only to be....*gulp*.....disappointed with the ending. (*I'm looking at you, LOST!!*).

So, what's the solution? I can only think of two. That mysteries in series TV should be one-season-long ONLY (yay, "24," for getting it right, for wrapping up the mysteries at the end of each season!), or that I just stop watching shows like "The Firm" altogether. Which I plan to do. ;-)

In Medias Res

2012-01-09T10:58:00.000-08:00

I teach this concept (Latin, for "in the middle of things") at the beginning of my creative writing courses. Because many students (most, actually) don't yet have a grasp on when or how to start. They either start their short stories or novels with wayyyy too much needless back story (info dumps) or with a very confusing action sequence.

This blog entry by Kristen Lamb (click here) is a wonderful examination of "in medias res," loaded with big, rich, relevant examples.

I actually struggle with "in medias res" in my own writing sometimes. I tend to start my stories in the wrong place (usually too early). So, these examples Ms. Lamb gives really resonated with me...

Enchanted Things, Higher Things

2012-01-03T07:35:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth Berg (wonderful author of women's fiction) just posted something interesting on her Facebook page. Rather than try to sum it up, I'll post it below. What struck me about it (the quote she offers) is how much I agree with this notion -- that art/music/writing DOES lift the spirits, does take humans to a higher plain. It removes us, for a time, from the doldrums of this sometimes-heartbreaking life. And for a moment, we're transported out of it, thanks to ART.

That's why I read, and that's mostly why I write...

Here's Ms. Berg's posting:

Every year, I go to the Nutcracker Ballet. Every year, I cry when it snows on stage. This year, I went out into the lobby of the Auditorium Theater to get a grip on myself and came upon this wonderful quote up on the wall, said by Mayor Harrison on the dedication of the auditorium. I want to share it with you because it says so much of what I believe about art in general.

"I wish that this great building may continue to be to all your population that which it should be, opening its doors from night to night, calling your people away from cares of business to those enjoyments and entertainments which develop the souls of men and inspire those whose lives are heavy with daily toil--and in this magnificent and enchanted presence lift them for a time out of dull things into these higher things where men should live."

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T18:30:00.000-08:00

So, 2012 is officially underway, and people are talking about goals and resolutions...

I'm not a huge fan of resolutions. I think they place unnecessary guilt trips on us, for the things we'll never accomplish. Still, though, it's good to look at a new year as an opportunity -- to look at our lives and make changes, or to accept the things that won't change.

In terms of writing, it's also a good idea to set realistic goals for the new year. To have a plan, create a structure for these coming months. I'm the type who has to have a plan.

So, here it is -- my writing goals for 2012:

* Finish editing a novel I wrote a couple of years ago (which has been edited at least four other times, but this time through, it's a careful, tedious "polish until it shines" edit). I've already been working through the Christmas holidays on it, and plan to finish the edits by next week (my last week of vacation before faculty meetings start).

* Edit my most recent novel during the spring semester--in between grading and teaching and attending meetings...

* Finish a novel that I'd started last summer, during this coming summer. It's do-able - I have a good head start and have mapped out the plot, etc.

After that? Who knows. I've always toyed with the idea of creating a sort of "Anne of Green Gables" type series, which would be a departure for me (since I write adult women's fiction).

But at least I have a solid plan for most of this year. I always have plenty to do, it seems. And, if I don't meet those specific goals, it's fine. I'll just do the best I can.

So, what are your writing goals for 2012? I'd love to hear about them...

Spotting the Flaws

2011-12-29T09:27:00.000-08:00

I'm currently reading a novel by a favorite author (who shall remain nameless for reasons that will become apparent). Though I'm near the end of the book and have decided to finish it, I've been quite disappointed, overall. Things like awkward pacing, poor dialogue, overuse of adverbs (I counted five in one small paragraph!) have left me scratching my head. This is the author's sixth novel, so the quite-obvious flaws in it make me wonder if she was in a hurry to complete a deadline.

An example of something that (I thought) needed to be re-edited: In an attempt to create suspense, the author withheld key information from the reader for about a hundred pages, so that when the details did come to light, it felt like the author re-wrote history. Either that, or the author was purposely manipulating the reader to believe one thing, while an entirely different thing was actually true. Sometimes that technique works -- but in this case, for me, it did not.

Still, even through my disappointment of these "weak spots," I'm able to gain some value in them. Reading any work through a writer's eye can always be a positive experience. Being able to spot weaknesses actually makes me a better writer. Because hopefully, by recognizing flaws in someone else's work, I can learn to spot the weaknesses in my own.

In fact, reading is such a vital learning experience that, whenever I'm consumed with grading freshman essays and don't have the creative energy to write, I always make time to READ. Because as much as I learn from well-written work (I like to study the craft, to see how they "do it"), I can also learn from poorly-written work (what not to do, which is equally important to know).

Chipping Away

2011-12-27T17:01:00.000-08:00

So, I was editing a scene yesterday and my gut told me it wasn't quite "there" yet. But I was feeling lazy and ignored the voice and kept reading.

But it bothered me enough today to take a second look. So, I decided to spend time working on two pages that just needed....work. They needed time and care and tweaking. I didn't change anything in a major way--in fact, I was simply tightening phrases or removing words that didn't belong. Nothing earth-shattering. But now that I read over those pages again, things are smoother, better.

Chipping away at your novel can be tedious, even pain-staking. But if you keep listening to your gut, that inner editor, all that chipping can result in a better piece of work. It's worth it!

Writing Meets Art

2011-12-25T21:57:00.000-08:00

My 90-year-old grandmother is an artist (oil painter) and we often discuss the similarities between art and writing: hard work, grueling hours, people misunderstanding us, no guarantee of payment/publication -- as well as the benefits: entering another world of our creation, feeling free while doing so, both abandoning ourselves and finding ourselves through our work, etc.

Well, this Christmas, her art met my writing as she painted me this BEAUTIFUL rendition of a pub that's in one of my novels. Just, wow. What a treasure.

Be a Fan of Your Own Work

2011-12-23T10:46:00.001-08:00

So, I'm sitting here editing a scene in my novel (yes, I'm "working" on Christmas break!), and I've just read through a scene I enjoyed. Like, really enjoyed. So much so that I nearly forgot I was the one writing it.

And it occurred to me that I would buy a book like this if I saw it on the shelf.

That's not as arrogant as it sounds--it just means that I've succeeded, at least in that scene, in meeting one of my writing goals: enjoying something I've written as a reader. That's a great litmus test for whether a scene is "working" or not. Take off your writing hat and put on your reader hat to see if a scene passes muster.

I think it's important that writers become fans of their own work. That they occasionally have the thought, "Hey - I would actually pay money to read that!"

Also, becoming a fan of a specific scene tells you whether you're on the right track. If you get so absorbed in the characters and the story that you "forget" to edit? Well, that's a pretty good sign that you're doing it right.

Querying Statistics

2011-12-22T08:47:00.000-08:00

I found a really interesting blog entry (from writer Adam Heine) on query statistics. I love it when authors are kind enough (and bold enough) to share their real-life stats like this....

Click here

EDIT -- I've been reading several pages of Adam's blog, and enjoyed it so much that I've added it to my right-hand blog list! The blog is called "Author's Echo." Some really great stuff there.....

Permission to Use a Thesaurus

2011-12-20T11:08:00.000-08:00

I'm currently editing one of my novels, and I'm being picky, picky, picky with word choice. As someone once wisely said: "A word must earn its right to live on the page."

I couldn't agree more.

To that end, I occasionally use a thesaurus. And I still can't seem to shake the idea that it's a "crutch" that's frowned upon by good writers who don't "need" it. But I know that's not true. A thesaurus serves a specific purpose -- it spotlights a word that was already there, somewhere, floating around in my brain anyway. It's a tool, a device, and I think writers should use it boldly and proudly.

In fact, this past semester, I gave my students "permission" to use a thesaurus when they write. And half the class seemed grateful--as though perhaps they, too, had felt the same bit of ridiculous shame as I, when using one. Now sure, if a writer has to rely on a thesaurus for every other word, I do think it becomes a crutch. And, even more importantly, I think it squashes a writer's natural voice. Sometimes, a writer's initial instinct, his own personal wording, is the best wording of all. Because it is natural.

I do find myself using a thesaurus for those occasions where I'm repeating descriptions in a passage. When I need a new way to describe things like: "he smiled" or "she shrugged" or "she sipped her tea." If I'm constantly describing actions and using the same words, it becomes much too repetitive. That's where a thesaurus comes in handy.

Anyway, here, today, for anyone reading this entry, I hereby give you permission to use a thesaurus--proudly, and guilt-free. ;-)

"Date a Girl Who Reads"

2011-12-16T09:16:00.000-08:00

Totally brilliant blog post by Rosemarie Urquico: Click here

Love this. Love, love, love.

Backward?

2011-12-10T10:12:00.000-08:00

First, a confession: I watch The Young and the Restless. I know, I know. It's cheesy/campy, melodramatic. But I've watched it since college, and it's a guilty pleasure I just can't quit.

Anyway--yesterday's episode was....unusual. And not in a good way. The writers tried to get all creative and have an entire episode written BACKWARD. Like, every scene was in reverse of the bigger picture. It started out with something shocking (Nikki marrying Deacon Sharpe!), and then kept reverting back - 20 minutes earlier....40 minutes earlier....4 hours earlier....to show, at the very end, what led up to that event.

On the surface, yes, it does seem creative. I understand the motive--to create suspense, interest. But as a viewer, I've always hated "backward" episodes. Seinfeld did it once, and even my favorite show, Thirtysomething (which was better written than any "backward" episodes I've ever seen).

Here's my beef with this kind of episode. It forces the viewer to work too hard. Now, don't get me wrong--I love to watch or read something that makes me think, makes me ponder. But watching an episode backward is like trying to fit in missing puzzle pieces that are being kept from us. We don't have all the information we need to form conclusions. And all that does is frustrate me.

I realize this is a personal choice, my loathing of backward episodes/stories. And some writers can clearly handle them better than others (again, the Thirtysomething episode was more than tolerable, though I still didn't enjoy it very much).

Maybe it's just a pet peeve I have, but I think stories should generally be told in the order in which events occurred. I mean, we don't live life backward, do we? So, it just feels unnatural to watch a story unfold that way. *shrug*

Ahh, FREEDOM

2011-12-10T07:48:00.000-08:00

Well, I turned in my 1,300 (<--or thereabouts) grades yesterday and attended graduation in my cap and gown. Then I promptly slept 9 1/2 hours, lol. That's what grading for 2 weeks straight can do to a body, I guess.

So--Christmas Break is officially here! Which means something else for the writer in me. I get more time to WRITE! I have a month--in between the wrapping, baking, socializing, cleaning, Christmas-ing--to work on my book. And that thrills me to no end. I've missed it!

Isn't it interesting, how some people (non-writers, of course) would look at me and think I'm strange, for essentially using a break from work in order to....work?

But writing isn't work. Well, not the kind I dread or the kind that makes me cringe. It's the kind that fills me up with something no other job I've had does. I can't put my finger on it, really, why writing means so much to me, why I use precious breaks in my "real" job to toil on it.

Maybe it's better left a mystery. That makes it more fun. ;-)

Great Quote!

2011-11-18T08:42:00.000-08:00

And so true!

"Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen." ~John Steinbeck

Food for Thought...

2011-11-17T23:11:00.001-08:00

Here's an interesting blog entry on "Nine Pieces of Bad Writing Advice" - link here

I actually teach a few of these in my Creative Writing class (try to avoid cliches and passive voice, etc). But I do agree that, in the end, creative writing rules can be bent or even broken, and that not every rule will apply to every writer.

I think the key is about following your gut, in the end...

I Needed This Today...

2011-11-12T14:10:00.000-08:00

"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be." ~Shel Silverstein

Be tenacious. Write, write, write. Try to get published, if that's your heart's desire.

Never. Lose. Hope. ;-)

Paradox of Time

2011-11-08T07:32:00.000-08:00

I was thinking about this today -- how, when I'm absorbed in my writing, time both slows down and rushes by at the exact same time.

It slows down in the sense that I don't feel pressured or hectic or frazzled when I write. It feels like there's this little space, this private window of time, where I can sit comfortably and not worry about the clock. Not worry about schedules or deadlines or to-do lists. It reminds me of this quote I so love:

"Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else." ~Gloria Steinem

But, ironically, time also rushes by when I write. Because when I finally look up from that space, when I wriggle my way out of it, back to the real world, I realize that hours have passed. That I've been consumed with writing, and life has gone on without me.

I've lost time, but I've also gained it, if that makes sense...

Slump

2011-10-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

Most of the time, my goal on this blog is to be positive, motivational, inspirational (both for myself, and for anyone who might be reading).

But sometimes, as writers, we hit a slump. A period of self-doubt mixed with frustration. Or, a period of non-productivity due to one thing: lack of time.

My little slump has been mostly from the latter, brought on by work--grading hundreds (literally!) of freshman essays over the past few weeks (hence, my lack of blog posts). Whether I like it or not, it's true: the grading takes time away from the writing. It's not that I have NO time to write--it's that, when I do, my brain is already fatigued from reading/editing other people's work. It just takes too much energy to create my own.

So, how do I get out of the "slump?" One way is that I remember my writing. Make it a priority again. Squeeze out the few precious moments I do have, to do...something. To write something. And when I do that, I remind myself what writing does for me--how it excites me, puts me in another world, lets me focus on that part of me that adores reading and writing. I also make a habit of reading (even for a few minutes a day) a really good novel. I study the craft, even when I'm not working on my own craft.

Finally, I look back. I take time to sift through my current project and read for awhile--remember what it was I had become so passionate about. It doesn't take long before I'm in there again--in that place, excited about the writing.

Slumps don't have to be a bad thing--in fact, sometimes, they're just necessary parts of the writing process. It can be healthy, to take a little break from writing and come back to it, "fresh." The trick is not letting the slump become a permanent hiatus...

What brings on your slump? And how do you get out of it? Any special tips or tricks? I'd love to hear from you in the comments...

I Miss It

2011-10-16T21:39:00.000-07:00

It's times like these, mid-semester, where I miss my writing. When other priorities push writing away - things like grading essays and mid-terms, doing lesson plans, attending mandatory meetings. They squeeze out my writing time, but never the desire to write.

Sure, I could bite the bullet and just visit my material for a few minutes, here or there. But I'm usually too (mentally) tired by the time I get those extra minutes.

This post isn't a complaint about my job, not really. It's just a sad resignation that I don't have the kind of time I want, to write. To step back into a world I've created and spend leisurely time there -- more than a few sporadic moments.

But I guess it's a good thing, missing my writing time, my characters. It shows that there's a pull there, a longing to be in that place again. And, surely, that longing is enough to lure me back. Even if it is only for a few precious minutes...

The Power of Words

2011-10-12T15:55:00.001-07:00

I have to tell a cute story about a Creative Writing student. Today, we were talking about the new Edgar Allen Poe movie (*shudders*) and this student mentioned how much she LOVED Mr. Poe. Even though he's "scary."

She related the story of how she first read his work, a couple of years ago: "It was 'The Fall of the House of Usher,'" she said, "and I got to a certain part of the story and got SO scared, that I slammed the book shut!"

LOL! That image just tickled me. Because, what happens when we see a scary movie? We shut our eyes or put up or hands to filter the screen, or even mute the t.v. But when we're reading a book, we usually just skim the gory stuff if we're wimps (like me). So, it cracked me up, the idea of a student being so moved, so frightened by mere words on a page, that it resulted in a physical reaction, slamming a book shut.

Yep, words can be mighty powerful. ;-)

400 posts? Really??

2011-10-11T12:16:00.000-07:00

I didn't know I could be so verbose! lol

Thanks to those of you who've stuck with me through all 400 posts, and over the past two years. I'm so grateful that anyone reads this blog...

So as not to waste #400 with self-congratulation, I'll turn this into an actual post with actual thoughts about writing:

I watched a George Clooney interview the other day (on the Charlie Rose show). And he talked about the craft of being an actor, of making movies. He denounced the "fame" aspect of it (saying it was fleeting), and said that over the years as he's grown, he's learned something. I'm paraphrasing here, but essentially he's learned that the craft is bigger than the actor. And that a piece is a success when the actor loses his/her ego, and all elements come together (writing, directing, producing, acting) in order to serve the story.

That's so true of writing, isn't it? We're more successful when we stop being enamored with our own writer's voice - when we get out of our own way to serve the story, the characters.

I think that's why editing can be such a challenge. We've poured hours and hours into those words, and the thought of slicing them, erasing them with one click of a keyboard can be heartbreaking. But we have to ask ourselves one question -- does that act (of editing something out) ultimately serve the story/characters? If so, it's the right thing to do...

Steve Jobs...

2011-10-08T17:06:00.000-07:00

The co-founder of Apple/Macintosh passed away this week. He left us, all too soon. And he left behind products, innovations, technology, and creativity, the likes of which we might not see again in our lifetime.

He also left behind inspiration. Creative inspiration. I've been seeing lots of Steve Jobs quotes floating around since his passing, particularly from his 2005 commencement speech at Stanford University. I felt like sharing them today because being artists, being writers -- being human beings -- these are important reminders to us all:

Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations.

I'm convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.

You've got to find what you love and that is as true for work as it is for lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking and don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you've found it.

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Source here And here

LOL! Ain't It the Truth?!?

2011-10-05T16:13:00.001-07:00

Credit: Jim C. Hines

Practice Makes (More) Perfect

2011-10-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

A musician friend of mine just posted this and I had to share. It goes back to that Sonny Rollins interview I blogged about last week -- how, even in his 80's, the jazz great still practices at least two hours a day.

As writers, we should be practicing, too. Always!

LOVE this...

2011-10-01T22:49:00.000-07:00

Apparently, elaborate paper sculptures have been mysteriously popping up all over Edinburgh's libraries -- here's the link.

"One day in March, staff at the Scottish Poetry Library came across a wonderful creation, left anonymously on a table in the library. Carved from paper, mounted on a book, with a tag reading: 'We know that a library is so much more than a building full of books… a book is so much more than pages full of words.… This is in support of libraries, books, words, ideas…' Nobody knows whether there are more to come and if so, where they might appear. "

How beautiful, that someone (or someoneS?) who loves books so much and wants to honor them, and honor libraries, would remain anonymous. These sculptures obviously took hours and hours to create, and would probably go for a lot of money. I just love stories like this...

It Only Takes Two Notes...

2011-09-30T06:55:00.000-07:00

So, I'm watching the t.v. show, "X-Factor" (when there's time away from grading, of course ;-). And this week's auditions had a frumpy, non-descript, average-looking 30-year-old trying out. He slings burritos for a living and brought his mom to the audition. By all appearances, it seemed his audition would probably not go well.

But then, he opened his mouth to sing. And it literally only took two notes to convince the audience (and a doubtful Simon!) that he had the talent. He had the X-Factor. Out of this frumpy, unassuming frame came the most soulful, raw, earnest voice. Absolutely amazing.

Link to his whole audition here

And it made me think: isn't it the same with writing? Can't we, as readers, often tell whether we'll like a novel within the first two pages -- maybe even the first two paragraphs?

So, as writers, we must see the importance of beginnings. First impressions are vital. That's why you'll hear, over and over, advice about making that first chapter, that first page, POP. You want it to be memorable. Irresistible. You want to hook the reader. Of course, the rest of the book should have that high standard of quality, as well.

But the first few pages could either gain you a loyal audience, or help you lose them altogether.

Excellent Advice!

2011-09-25T08:30:00.001-07:00

Here's a great blog entry on the pitfalls of social media, specifically geared toward writers. It's wonderful advice to keep in mind:

Link here

Keep Practicing

2011-09-24T15:47:00.001-07:00

I always love hearing writers, musicians, artists, talk about their craft.

Well, Tavis Smiley interviewed jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins last night. Mr. Rollins is now 81 years old, and he blew Tavis away when he said, "I still practice. Every single day. At least 2 hours, sometimes more." Tavis said, "Even now? After decades of success, you still feel like you need the practice?" Mr. Rollins said, "Oh, yes. I've always got to improve."

That's exactly what I tell my Creative Writers. I'll never reach a point where I'm 100% satisfied with my craft (and neither should they). But that's the beauty of writing, the excitement of it. For the rest of my life, I'll know that there's always something new I can learn - about the craft, about myself, about the process. How boring would it be, if we didn't need to practice? If we'd already reached our full potential?

I'm glad I'm an imperfect writer. And that there's still so much more for me to learn...

How Can a Writer NOT Be a Reader??

2011-09-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

I just read this wonderful GalleyCat entry - link here - and couldn't agree more with this part:

Buzz Poole points out that reading is often more enjoyable than writing: “While the moments of magic happen, writing, for me, is hard work and at times incredibly frustrating. Reading, on the other hand, is not a struggle. It is an utter pleasure. And it is in this pleasure where I first took up the challenge of writing, in trying to emulate the wordsmiths whose stories possessed me so completely that the rest of the world would fade away so long as I kept turning the pages and allowed their words to fuel my imagination.”

I feel the same way. I was an insatiable reader from the youngest possible age (thank you, Teacher Mom, for teaching me to LOVE reading). I was the goofy nerd who got incredibly excited, seeing the Book Club books that I'd ordered from the school catalog 6 weeks before, stacked up on my English teacher's desk. Then at age 12, during a little "Creative Writing" session, I started to realize that somebody -- some actual human being, some writer -- had created all those lovely books that I so cherished. I also realized I could become a writer and possibly give that same gift to a reader, that same rush I felt whenever I read a book.

Truly, READING is the reason I became a writer.

So, it always confuses me when writers claim they "don't like to read" or "never read." Huh?!? Really? Isn't a LOVE of language, of writing, the reason they write? How can they not enjoy reading? Color me confused...

I always tell my Creative Writing students about the importance of reading -- that we're "studying" the craft when we read other writers (especially ones from our genre). Faulkner says it so much better than I could:

Read, read, read. Read everything-- trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out the window.

*NOTE - this post is not a judgment against those rare writers who don't read -- but I just, for myself, couldn't imagine reading and writing NOT going hand-in-hand...

Art and Writing

2011-09-18T13:25:00.001-07:00

I've always considered creative writing to BE art, so I loved this thought-provoking quote when I saw it today. From the master, himself:

"Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen." ~Leonardo da Vinci

Have You Been Bitten?

2011-09-12T14:42:00.000-07:00

A Creative Writing student made my day this morning. She stopped by my office to tell me how much she was loving the class, especially the first-chapter-of-a-novel assignment. She's never written a novel before, and said she was recently flooded with ideas, and was "obsessed" with the characters. She even stayed up until 4AM working on it (the paper isn't due for another two weeks!).

Who else but a WRITER can have this much enthusiasm about writing? I saw myself in her at that age -- the sparkle in her eye, the awareness that she'd just discovered something greater than herself (the appeal of writing). She's caught the writing bug, no doubt.

And it made me think -- any writer who loves writing, who sees it as a passion, has at one time or another been bitten by this bug.

Symptoms may include:

* excited lilt in the voice and brightness of eye when talking about writing

* forgoing sleep in lieu of writing "just one more page...."

* dreaming about your characters

* eternal hope that yes, one day, you might be published

* being utterly baffled that NOT EVERYONE IN THE WORLD shares your passion about writing (how can that be???)

* no longer reading for pleasure, but reading with a "writer's eye" - studying/observing the craft, the dialogue, the technique of another writer

* experiencing something and immediately thinking, "That would make a great storyline!"

* eavesdropping on people -- making mental (or literal) notes about the way people converse, dress, interact, react -- all so you can put it into a story later...

There are many more symptoms, but these were the ones I've experienced the most.

So -- have you caught the bug??

Warning: There's no cure. And those who have the bug don't want a cure. ;-)

The Power of Lyrics on 9/11

2011-09-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

I've always considered song lyrics to be actual poetry. Someone wrote those words (which often contain rhyme), just as they might a poem. The only difference is, they've set them to music.

Since this weekend marks 10 years since 9/11, I thought I'd share an example of the power that song lyrics can hold. Sting wrote a song years ago called "Fragile," about (supposedly) the death of John Lennon. But when Sting was about to perform it in Italy on 9/11/01, he'd heard about the tragic events in the U.S. that very morning, and decided to sing "Fragile" as a tribute to those who'd just lost their lives.

It's shocking and poignant, how the lyrics meant for else actually fit this American tragedy so perfectly.

Here's the link to Sting's video

And here are the lyrics:

If blood will flow when flesh and steel are one
Drying in the colour of the evening sun
Tomorrow's rain will wash the stains away
But something in our minds will always stay

Perhaps this final act was meant
To clinch a lifetime's argument
That nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could
For all those born beneath an angry star
Lest we forget how fragile we are

On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star, like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are, how fragile we are.

Find Your Inner Awesome

2011-09-04T08:41:00.000-07:00

A friend sent me this blog entry today. It's insightful, well-written, and it struck a chord with me, way deep down. The premise is basically that we, as children, were at one time NOT so deeply and so painfully self-aware. That we went about our days with joy, with confidence and excitement. And that, somewhere along the way (through someone's harsh words or the realization that we didn't "match up" to society's expectations), we lost much of that confidence. And that it takes effort and diligence to get it back.

Of course, I think this could be related to the writer's journey easily (especially a writer who's trying to get published). In the beginning, we're full of hope. We write our rough drafts of our very first novels and pat ourselves on the back for the ENORMOUS accomplishment of finishing it. Then, we polish it and....send it out. And get rejected. And rejected. We revise, polish again, send it out again.....and get rejected. Again. And soon, as the rejections pile up, we lose our confidence. We let the nagging doubts come: Is this good enough? Am I good enough? Those thoughts are, sadly, completely normal. But -- the danger is in letting them cripple us. Stop us from trying altogether.

So, today, I urge you to regain it -- that initial confidence. To find that hope, that excitement and giddiness that comes to a writer, pre-rejection. Because we should be proud of ourselves. We should feel enormous pride from just putting ourselves out there, for finishing that novel, for TRYING.

That's enough, by itself, to feel awesome!

Creative Encouragement

2011-09-01T08:52:00.000-07:00

A good friend named Mary Lou wrote this for me, as an encouragement. She knew I needed it today. What a great (and clever, and creative) friend!!

Dream. Receive inspiration. Write. Doubt. Self-edit. Rewrite. Doubt some more. Rewrite again. Submit. Really doubt. Wait. Play "What If?" Nail bite. Wait. Doubt. Hope. Deep despair. Hope. Repair manicure. Doubt. Get an Agent/Publisher "nod." Rewrite per dangling carrot suggestion. Resubmit. More nail biting. Doubt. Hope. Doubt. Hope. Repair manicure. Add pedicure with massage chair. Doubt. Rewrite per second dangling carrot request. Resubmit. Wait. Doubt. "What if?" Doubt. Hope. Doubt.

Forever and a day later, receive publishing contract! Elation!!! Do "Happy Dance." Call and email Family and Friends. Repeat "Happy Dance." Squeal in delight. Over-consume favorite celebratory food. Throw up again. Grin. Remind self you're going to be published. Pinch self. Wait. Wait. Wait. Repeat approximately 18 months.

Book hits stores. Readers love it. Reprints ensue. Book soars to top of Best Sellers List. More celebration ensues. Whirl-wind book signing tour. Friends see you giving interviews on national TV. Friends and Family brag. Long lost friends and estranged Family members request free books and loans. More printings. More interviews. Media marvels at "overnight success." Literary works knows better.

Repeat process for every subsequent project. :-)

Following My Own Advice!

2011-08-27T12:11:00.001-07:00

So, I often tell my Creative Writers that one way to tackle "writer's block" is this: simply open the document/novel you've been working on (whether it's from yesterday or a month ago) and READ. That's all. No pressure to add a single word to it. Just read the most recent piece/chapter/scene you've written.

And what inevitably happens most of the time is that you WILL WRITE. By reading what you've written, you're placing yourself back into that world, amongst those characters. And your brain starts to churn with ideas -- so that, by the time you reach the end of that segment, you're ready to write, to add to it. Without even realizing it.

That's exactly what happened to me this morning! I've neglected my writing the past two weeks, because of mandatory faculty meetings, hours of prep work, and classes starting. So, with one precious day off, I told myself that I'd simply GLANCE at my writing, at what I wrote two weeks ago. That's all. No pressure to continue or to write a single word.

And before I knew it, I'd added five new pages! Very cool.

Best of all, it reminds me of how much I LOVE to write. I really do. When I was finished with those pages, I felt a kind of satisfaction that not even a successful teaching session could provide. There's something so wonderful, so personal about writing. It's like placing a little bit of yourself onto that page. There's nothing else like it.

Lenny Kravitz!

2011-08-25T07:38:00.000-07:00

So, I was watching an interview with Lenny Kravitz yesterday, on the Tavis Smiley show. I always perk up when I hear an artist/musician/writer talk about the PROCESS of creativity. Where it comes from, how they channel it, etc. It fascinates me...

I'm paraphrasing here, but in talking about writing songs, Lenny said something like, "The music comes to me. I don't chase after it, or seek it out. It finds me."

James Taylor has said mostly the same thing - that a song will come to him out of "nowhere" and he just transcribes it.

I actually love that the creative process is SO mysterious. That we'll have a thought, a brainstorm, an idea, and will rush to the computer and write it down -- and that we really have no idea where it came from. Or why it came NOW, as opposed to any other time.

Lenny also said that he "dreams music." That he will literally wake up and a song will be there, waiting for him. Heh, I wish my novel ideas would visit me in dreams. They rarely do. Sure would make the process easier....

So, what's your process like? What does the act of creativity feel like to you? Is it mysterious, surreal? Or does it feel more concrete, with mostly hard work and elbow grease?

Great Quote!

2011-08-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

Couldn't agree more -- it's partly why I read if I ever have "down" time as a writer:

"A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge."
-George R.R. Martin

Make a Complex Salad

2011-08-16T05:30:00.000-07:00

"People aren't either wicked or noble. They're like chef's salads, with good things and bad things chopped and mixed together in a vinaigrette of confusion and conflict." — Lemony Snicket (The Grim Grotto)

Such a true statement of fictional characters, too. Characters, like real people, should be complex. They should have flaws and contradictions and temptations. They shouldn't always be in a good mood or have perfect answers for every situation. They need to be confused sometimes. Torn. Scared. Overwhelmed.

In fact, the more real we can make our characters seem -- the more real-life traits we can give them -- the more invested readers will be in them. If we create layered characters, it will be more difficult for the readers to let them go when they turn that last page. For me, as a reader, that's the true test of a GOOD book - one I'm sad to leave when it's over (because of the characters).

The End

2011-08-13T07:55:00.001-07:00

It's official. As of this Monday, my summer is over. The End. Back to work. Back to meetings and students and grading, grading, grading.

<---Darcy's not too thrilled about it, either, lol.

Don't get me wrong, I'm insanely grateful to have had a summer off, and equally grateful to have a good job. But I look back on the past three months and can't figure out where on earth the time went...

I did write 100 pages of the new novel, which is good. It's progress. But, my goal was an entire novel. (Thank you, in part, new Corgi puppy, for distracting me - cutest thing EVER, but a real handful...more time-consuming than I'd first realized).

In any case, summer's over, and it's time to get back to life, back to reality. However reluctantly....

Voices Silenced

2011-08-12T14:54:00.000-07:00

I always think it's particularly sad when an author dies (or painter, or musician, etc). Because that person's work goes with them. When these creative people pass away, the world will never receive another word, another brushstroke, another note. Their voice, their talent, is silenced.

Thus, it's particularly wonderful when a deceased artist's lost work is...found!!

Dr. Seuss's "Lost" Stories to be Published

Condolences

2011-08-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

I just read about the real-life tragedy of Debbie Macomber (mega-best-selling women's fiction author).

Link here

My thoughts and prayers go out to her family during this horrible time. I can't even imagine her heartache right now...

Never. EVER. Give. Up.

2011-08-10T17:07:00.001-07:00

Another great reminder that TENACITY COUNTS, in this business:

Best-selling "The Help" was originally rejected by agents 60 times

Carpe Diem!!

2011-08-07T08:39:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook. I found it SO inspiring - as a writer, as a human being. It beautifully sums up the concept of "carpe diem," seize the day.

If this doesn't stir you, doesn't move you and make you want to "suck the marrow of life," I'm not sure what will.

Wow.

(click to make this larger):

Traveling Through Books

2011-08-06T16:12:00.001-07:00

Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are. ~Mason Cooley

So true. I've been sort of "stuck" at home this summer (good reason - raising an adorable Corgi puppy - click for larger size):

But staying home all this time has given me a bit of cabin fever. Especially when lots of my friends are taking grand vacations, to Alaska, to the northern states with cooler temps than the 110 the South is experiencing right now. *fans self*

Anyway, reading novels this summer has helped me travel in my mind! Mainly to Nantucket, where Elin Hilderbrand's books are based. It's been a lovely, soothing mental vacation that I look forward to taking, every time I crack open a book.

Don't you love how books take you places?? I do!

Never. Give. Up.

2011-08-03T17:20:00.000-07:00

Excellent reminder for those of us waiting on agent/publisher responses - click here

The Beauty of Nonsense

2011-08-02T08:43:00.001-07:00

‎"I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living." ~Dr. Seuss

Crucial ingredients in the life of a writer: nonsense (not taking ourselves too seriously, having FUN with language) mixed with a few dashes of imagination and fantasy...

Stitch-Worthy

2011-07-31T13:47:00.000-07:00

Mother Teresa is credited with this inspirational verse (below). And beyond the wonderful repetition that adds consistency, or the buoyant rhythm that adds musicality, it's the meaning of the words that hits me right in the gut.

There's power in the notion of being exactly who you are in this life (as a writer, as a human being) and not apologizing for it.

Absolutely love this. I need it stitched on a pillow or something, to read every day:

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway."

Google +

2011-07-25T08:48:00.001-07:00

Have you heard about this yet, Google +? It's supposedly some sort of new social media, and writers have been encouraged to check it out, create a profile, and "advertise" themselves. I've avoided it so far because I don't quite understand it. Facebook, I get. Twitter, ehh, not so much. I've been waiting around, seeing how Google + pans out before I even think about joining. And now, I'm glad I waited...

Here's the first blog entry I've seen (link here) that blatantly tells writers to hold off using Google +, at least for now. Very informative.

Have any of y'all started using it yet? What was your experience?

Showing -- It's All in the Details

2011-07-18T06:57:00.000-07:00

I've written a few blog entries on the Showing vs. Telling concept, and I spend quite a bit of time on it with my Creative Writing students. Mostly because it's so challenging to pinpoint. What IS "telling?" How can you avoid it? How do you correct it? I mean, it's not like a simple grammar error you can quickly recognize and correct--a misspelled word, a misplaced modifier, a run-on. Showing vs. Telling is much more complicated.

Well, last night while reading Elin Hilderbrand's wonderful novel, Silver Girl, I came across the perfect example of showing, rather than telling.

In a nutshell, the protagonist has experienced a traumatic event--her husband has been imprisoned for fraud, and everything she ever owned/bought has been stripped away. She's gone from being the wife of a billionaire to a poverty-stricken shell of a woman.

Instead of telling the reader that, instead of glossing over the details and giving the reader information "about" the situation, Ms. Hilderbrand takes a simple scene in which the protagonist has gone shopping with a friend, and turns it into "showing." We walk with the protagonist, through shop after shop, as she picks up something she likes (vivid descriptions of the items are given), then reminds herself she can't afford it. She puts it back.

In one fancy store, her friend looks at some crystal candlesticks and scoffs at the $400-apiece price tag. In a (sort-of) flashback, the protagonist remembers how, not even a few weeks ago, she could've bought those same candlesticks (by the dozen!) without even a second thought--how the purchase would've given her the 'rush' she needed whenever she bought something new, then how the candlesticks would have eventually sat on the shelf, unnoticed, having lost their initial appeal. Wasted.

Now, that is showing. It's all in the details, the descriptions. And the flashbacks. Instead of telling us ABOUT the protagonist's state, or making a general, vague commentary on her previous life versus this one, the author has walked us through a quick scene in which we're given detailed examples of what money used to mean to her, and what it means to her now. Ms. Hilderbrand lets her readers jump to the proper conclusion themselves, instead of forcing it on them by "telling." Brilliant.

Advice from Stephen King

2011-07-17T15:15:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already purchased Stephen King's book, On Writing, do yourself a favor, and run, don't walk, to find and devour this book. I'm too squeamish for most of his novels and stories, but as a Creative Writing teacher, I find his advice "on writing" to be completely spot-on. And brilliant. And humorous.

So, to close my little author-interview series, I thought I'd present this link. It's not a King interview, but this link contains wonderful excerpts from On Writing (courtesy of GoodReads.com).

Enjoy!

CLICK HERE

Shared Experience

2011-07-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

I've blogged before about the personal decision one makes, whether to publish or not to publish. Some writers adore the solitude and privacy of sharing their thoughts only with themselves. They want to protect what's theirs, not let anyone else see it. Which is completely fine, completely their choice. Others, though, have the desire to let others see their work, to let them read their ideas and thoughts, to share their characters and stories.

Along those lines, I must admit - I do want to see my work in print. It's about several things: wanting people's feedback, hoping readers gain some enjoyment/entertainment from my writing, even just seeing my words physically in print, in book form. It would be amazing!

Certainly, being published wouldn't change my stories, wouldn't make them more important or more valuable than when I first put them on paper. But -- for me -- they gain a new "life" when others read them. I can't even express the rush I feel whenever a friend or relative asks to read my work, then tells me how much they enjoyed it. Through that experience, we've shared something special. It's like they've taken a peek into a very personal corner of who I am, and have validated what they've seen.

Not that I crave that validation (though it is extremely fulfilling!). But, having my work read by someone is a unique and personal experience that I would love to have one day on a larger scale. No doubt.

I came across a quote today, and, for me, I think it's true:

No matter how much I adore writing, no matter the pleasure my stories give me, it isn't until books are read that they really start to breathe. ~Kate Morton

Anne Tyler Interviews

2011-07-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

So, continuing this little series where I'm offering author interviews, I've found a couple of great ones from Anne Tyler. She publishes women's literary fiction. Although I don't usually read literary fiction (I admire it, but find it too dense and heady for pleasure reading), I adore Anne Tyler's fiction. She has the gift of taking ordinary, even bland situations, and breathing life into them by her brilliant writing, alone. I love the way she crafts a sentence, the way her mind works, the way she describes the human condition. I never just "read" her works -- I always end up studying them.

Interestingly, she's quite well known for not giving interviews, so these are rare gems:

Link 1 (source: USA Today)

Link 2 (source: WritersDigest.com)

Enjoy!!

Berg Interview

2011-07-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

Here's another author interview I've found, by a favorite author of mine: Elizabeth Berg. She writes women's fiction, and she's one of the few able to merge commercial and literary fiction effortlessly. Her plots and characters are entertaining and moving, while her detail and insights are deep and thought-provoking.

Link to the interview (source: A Life of Spice)

The interview is brief, but valuable, as she talks about the writing process. And, I think it's a nice little sneak peek into her book, Escaping Into the Open. In it, she discusses the writing process in great detail, talks about her own writing experiences, and offers wonderful creative exercises.

In fact, I find the book so valuable that I assign it in my Creative Writing classes. It's excellent. My students usually don't follow my weekly reading assignments (stretched out over the semester) -- instead, they gobble up Ms. Berg's book in a couple of days!

Mostly, the book feels like a lovely writer-to-writer conversation, and I think that's why it reaches writers (including myself) so successfully. The tone isn't intimidating or preachy. Ms. Berg somehow wraps up crucial information and tidbits about the writing process inside a format that's accessible and warm. I highly recommend it!

A Gold Mine

2011-07-05T05:09:00.000-07:00

So, I'm doing a little series on the blog this week, where I post links to author interviews. I find them fascinating and helpful--seeing what published authors' techniques and tricks and tips are, as well as finding out their background (how long it took to get published, whether they wanted to give up, etc).

Well, today I found a gold mine -- a link to several interviews, all on one page, of my favorite women's fiction author, Rosamunde Pilcher. She's a Scottish author (now in her 80's, and sadly, retired) who wrote The Shell Seekers and Coming Home, as well as dozens of other novels. She, perhaps more than any other author, has influenced my writing the most. She writes what I call "comfort" fiction--one of those books you want to curl up with on a cold winter's night by a roaring fireside. She has an amazing gift for detailed, vivid descriptions that put the reader right there inside the scenes.

Her son, Robin Pilcher, now writes in that same vein (and his style is extremely similar to his mother's). What a legacy!

Here's the link I found - click here. Granted, some of these interviews highlight more of Ms. Pilcher's personal life and her background than specific writing tips (although there are a couple of interviews where she does talk specifically about the writing process). But, I find even those personal details quite fascinating. I love seeing where an author came from. Enjoy!

If Only My Muse Would Obey Me This Easily

2011-07-02T19:00:00.000-07:00

Heh.

(And yes, this is partly an excuse to post another Darcy video -- she learned how to shake!!):

Author Interviews

2011-07-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

Summer has gotten away from me (halfway through, really?!?!), and I find I'm blogging less often. So, to make up for it, I thought I'd spend a few entries posting author interviews. Authors, by nature, seem a bit reclusive (or, at least, they're not in the spotlight like other celebrities often are).

Thus, when I come across a detailed, insightful interview of an author, I'm always pleased. I love reading their thoughts, especially about their craft -- how they handle the process, what their tricks are, how creativity guides them, etc. I can learn a lot from reading these interviews.

To kick off my little series, here's an interview I found, from the author I've talked so much about recently, Elin Hilderbrand -- click here. (source: Bea's Book Nook)

My favorite quote from the interview (because I'm always preaching this to my students - it's so true!): I'm always reading; I consider it as much a part of my job as writing.

Another favorite (again, so true!): Once your book is finished, get an agent. And then let him worry about selling your book; you worry about writing your next novel.

Enjoy!

Summer of Elin Hilderbrand

2011-06-30T11:44:00.000-07:00

So, I just finished reading The Island. Wonderful. Loved every minute of it. Ms. Hilderbrand chose to use four different POV's for her main characters, and it had a beautiful effect. I felt like I knew those characters inside and out because of that choice. In fact, I knew them better than they knew each other! Within their individual POV's, their diaries, their innermost thoughts, each character revealed secrets, fears, and details that the other characters--their relatives!--didn't even know. What a brilliant technique.

You know you REALLY enjoyed a book when the last page comes too soon. When you're actually sad that you won't be following those characters' lives anymore. *sigh*

She has another new novel out, and it arrived last week - yay! Can't wait to dive in! Her novels are a real blend of commercial and literary fiction. The plots are commercial -- accessible and relateable (<--okay, not a word, but it fits here, lol) to a wide audience. Yet, her language, her technique is mostly literary. Gorgeous prose without cliches or wordiness. And sometimes, incredibly poetic. I really love "studying" her style.

Here's the cover:

Speaking of "studying" style, does anybody else do this -- actually mark passages (I dog-ear the page) that are particularly brilliant or make me envious of the author's talent? I just can't help myself. When something is written so perfectly, I feel I have to mark it, acknowledge it. And yes, re-read it. ;-)

So, for me, this is the summer of Hilderbrand. What summer books are you reading right now?

The Editing Process

2011-06-29T08:56:00.001-07:00

I've read a lot of articles and books on the editing process. They were mostly fact-filled and, well, dry.

So, when I came across this video blog today by a children's writer, I was informed AND entertained. Fasten your seatbelts -- he talks REALLY fast, but has some brilliant (and hilarious) things to say.

Fast-forward to the 1:10 mark to hear the relevant editing stuff.

Link here

Arm Chair Traveling

2011-06-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

My current series (women's fiction) is set in Britain. But I live in the States. I've been to Britain once, ages ago, on a three-week tour. It was amazing. I haven't had the chance yet to return, but someday I know I will.

In the meantime, though, besides my internet research on British culture, language, food, climate, etc -- I've also done a fair amount of arm chair traveling. One of my favorite things to do is watch travel shows (Samantha Brown and Rick Steves are the best). But, I always have to keep in mind, that's a tourist's view of England. Those shows rarely visit the locals, rarely frequent the pubs or homes of actual British citizens.

In addition to those shows, I love to watch British television (thank you, PBS and BBCAmerica!). Now, I realize that, every bit as much as "Dallas" or "Seinfeld" or "24" re-runs shown in England don't exactly offer up a true representation of all Americans, shows like "Keeping Up Appearances" or "The Vicar of Dibley" or "MI-5" don't necessarily give a true representation of Britons. But...I would like to think that British idioms, British culture, and British mentality are represented somewhere in there.

Even sitcoms can provide information I might've missed in my internet research. For instance, I never knew what an "Aga" was until I saw Judi Dench using one in an episode of "As Time Goes By." Similarly, I've picked up some British slang from watching series and movies of the brilliant Richard Curtis.

My series of novels are set in the Cotswolds, but are seen through an American's (my) eyes. The readership (<--hopefully, one day!) will likely be mostly Americans. Therefore, I feel I can take some liberties, that I can create the British world that we Americans think exists. Of course, if a true Brit read my novels, he/she would probably laugh his/her arse off at me. I realize I'm probably off base, when it comes to certain representations of British life. My Cotswold locations and characters, for instance, are admittedly romanticized versions of what probably really exists.

Still, I'd like to think that arm chair traveling has helped me a little, has at least given me some accurate sense of British culture that I can use in my novels. ;-)

Turn It Into a "Do"

2011-06-26T20:22:00.000-07:00

In his blog this week, Nathan Bransford highlights "5 Openings to Avoid."

Click here!

Any others you can think of?

One of my pet peeves is the "information dump," better known as telling rather than showing. Bo-ring. Especially as an opening scene!

I'm guilty of the info dump too, sometimes, but when I realize what I've done, I try to take that necessary background info and sprinkle it in later on. Or, I turn the "telling" into a flashback. For instance, instead of telling about a marriage being a bad one, and giving vague information, why not take the reader back to one pivotal moment in the marriage in a flashback - to a particular evening where the husband didn't come home until 2 a.m., and when he did, he made the wife feel like the bad guy. Was he drunk? Was she upset? Show, rather than tell, and that will let the reader know much more about the marriage. Also, with flashbacks, we involve the reader in a way that telling never does. They become flies on the wall, and can determine, themselves, how bad the marriage was.

Ultimately, once we recognize a "don't," it's always important to figure out how to turn it into a "do." ;-)

By the way, I dug up an old blog entry on this show-don't-tell topic: If interested, click here

Keep 'Em Hooked

2011-06-21T06:40:00.000-07:00

We all know how crucial the first paragraph of a novel is. It must draw the reader in, provide certain details about character or plot, be VERY well-written, etc. Some writers probably spend more time on that opening paragraph than on the rest of the novel. Okay, so that's a slight exaggeration, but you get my point...

Well, what about the first paragraph of new chapters later on in that novel? Aren't they pretty important, too? I've always thought so. I've always seen first paragraphs as a challenge to KEEP the reader. Hopefully, yes, my opening-chapter paragraph "hooked" them. But I think it's my responsibility to keep them on the line. And one way I like to do that is to try and make opening paragraphs of new chapters (or even new scenes) fresh and interesting. Creative. I try to work almost as hard on those other "first" paragraphs as I did on that first-chapter paragraph.

Plus, when I start out a chapter or scene in a fresh, exciting way, that makes me excited about the material, and I feel more energized. I try hard never to have a bland or mediocre "first" paragraph anywhere, in the hopes that I'll keep up the level of creativity in every chapter of the novel. Not easy, not always do-able, but it's always my goal.

Get Into Their Head

2011-06-20T12:03:00.000-07:00

I think one of the hardest parts about writing is the translation. Taking the images, thoughts, ideas in my head, and translating them to the page in an accurate, interesting way -- so that someone else can read them, and create their own images.

But sometimes, I forget that the readers don't automatically know what's in my head. When they pick up my book, they don't already know the characters or the upcoming plots. They only know what I tell them, when I tell them.

Sure, there's a lot to be said for dangling carrots, or keeping readers in suspense (not telling TOO much info right off the bat, to add a bit of mystery). But sometimes, the information we withhold can be vital. And without it, the reader will be confused.

So, how do we know what to include and what not to include? How do we know when to insert certain details and when to wait?

I think the key is stepping out of our own writers' heads, and getting into the readers' head. It's critical, at least now and then, to see the material strictly from the readers' point of view. To try and forget all that we know, all the brainstorming we've done, all the upcoming plots we're aware of, and start from scratch. To look at the novel from the beginning, just as the reader would see it.

Much easier said than done, of course. But I think it's a crucial step in the process. Otherwise, it's difficult for us to tell when/how to sprinkle certain details in certain places. However, if we start to view them through the readers' eyes, things become much clearer.

What's the Problem?

2011-06-18T14:40:00.001-07:00

So, looking at the first couple of chapters of my new novel, I've had a lot of stops and starts these past few days. Some things just didn't "feel" right. So, instead of pressing on, continuing in the same direction, I made a decision. I paused the writing and went back to the drawing board, looked carefully at those chapters. And after much contemplation, I've discovered the main issues (at least, I hope I have):

* Wrong Age -- I originally had a flashback where the main characters met as teenagers, but something just wasn't working. They felt more like one-dimensional caricatures, and they had an immaturity I didn't want. So, I played around with it. I aged the characters, put them in a different "place" in their lives. It was better, but not "there" yet. So, I aged them again, put them in yet another place in their lives, and now, for some reason, it's working!

* Info Dumps - We all know that too much exposition (background detail) creates more "telling" than showing, which gives the reader a less-active reading experience. I knew that, but wasn't adhering to it. I had ALL this information that the reader just HAD to have the first few paragraphs. Umm, no. I re-read it through fresh eyes, and it came across as this battery of facts, like some sort of list I had to cram into the beginning. All "telling." Ick. So, instead, I re-wrote the section, deciding to sprinkle in the details. What does the reader need to know up front? What could wait a little longer, even a couple of pages' worth? I figured out where to sprinkle in those same bits of background info (none of it changed) in intervals, and now, it feels much more cohesive. And, much more interesting and active.

I think one of the hardest parts about writing/editing is identifying what's working and what's not. As authors, we're so close to our own material, that it's hard to see those things, even when they're right under our noses.

Then, of course, we have to figure out how to fix it. But you can't fix what you can't identify. So it's worth the time and effort to dig in, get your magnifying glass out, put on your Sherlock Holmes cap, and discover what the problem is. Only then can it can be fixable.

For the Love of Reading!

2011-06-16T06:45:00.000-07:00

I love reading. Always have. My mother was a teacher, and taught me how to read at a very young age. She instilled in me a true love for the written word, which later translated into a desire to write!

And even to this day, even inside a busy life, I still absorb novels, still enjoy escaping into other worlds when I open a book.

Here's a great quote I just found from GoodReads, that says it much better than I could:

"Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another's skin, another's voice, another's soul." ~Joyce Carol Oates

Corgi Research!

2011-06-13T09:31:00.000-07:00

As y'all probably know from the last few posts, I've just gotten a new Corgi puppy. She's adorable (evidence right here):

I do plan to put a Corgi into my next novel, as a pet of a character. And now, after having observed her (Darcy) for just a few days, I can do this accurately: the Corgi bunny-hops, the laying on the back with stubby paws dangling, the little trot she does when she walks, the certain growls and noises and squeaks.

Research can be fun! ;-)

Back to the Drawing Board

2011-06-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to be working on a new novel this summer. I'd started it last summer, and have been reading through it the past couple of weeks, making changes, editing, etc.

I thought I was going down the right path with the characters and storyline choices, but my mom (who is such a great help) has read the pages and pointed out a couple of things that don't ring true. And as much as I don't want to go back and revise it, I realized she's right. The story lacks a punch, and it needs to ring with more truth. Changes need to be made. Ugh.

So, back to the drawing board. The good news is that, since I've opened up my mind and agreed that the story needs changes, I've had a burst of new ideas. And I'm actually excited about them. Looking at the book through new eyes has rejuvenated me. I think that's the key -- once you realize something isn't working, be brave enough to accept it and try something else. Sometimes, many times, the new version is so much better than the original. And even though you feel like you've "wasted" all those hours on the old version, they really weren't wasted. Because they led you to create an even better story.

Anyway, I'm now rethinking everything -- making decisions about what scenes can stay, and what scenes can't. What helps is realizing that, in the end, it's not about me. It's not about those hours I spent on a version that will never see the light of day (frustrating, yes. But necessary). It's all about the book. Making it the best book it can be, even if that means some major revisions. Whatever it takes! ;-)

Puppy Haikus

2011-06-10T07:18:00.000-07:00

Whew. So the past week has been an absolute whirlwind! Traveled to see my brand-new nephew (beautiful!), then to pick up my little "baby" (new Corgi puppy!). Though caring for a 6-week-old puppy isn't nearly as taxing as caring for an newborn baby, the similarities are there: lack of sleep, round-the-clock care, numerous feedings, the pressure of responsibility of caring for a living creature, etc. Add in puppy playtime and you've got one tired owner!

So, I wrote a few haikus about it:

New little creature

Chewing everything in sight,

Welcome to my life.

No sleep, little rest

Caring for your every need,

Worth every second.

Finally named you

After much contemplation,

Darcy it will be!!

Name That Corgi!

2011-06-02T14:50:00.001-07:00

So, looky what's been distracting me this past week! Can I get a round of "awwwwww's?" (click the picture for a major closeup).

This is my new baby Corgi. She's nearing 6 weeks old. I haven't met her yet - she'll be ready for pick up next week! Squeee!

What does this have to do with writing, you might ask? Well, two things come to mind:

1) Research! In my current "cottage" series, set in England, I like to have my characters own pets. Dogs, cats, even a cockatoo. Well, I haven't "written" a Corgi yet, shame on me! Its ancestry is Welsh, so it would fit in perfectly in these novels. Well, now, I have the chance to see one up close, study its bark, its mannerisms, its personality. And I'll be better-equipped to write about it!

2) What's in a Name? It's embarrassing, how difficult it's been to come up with the right name for this puppy so far. I'm a writer. Right? It shouldn't be this challenging. But then, I think of character names -- how important they are. How time-consuming it can be to find the right fit. And, how vital that we take our time, get to know our characters, and choose the perfect name. Whether symbolic or linguistically-beautiful, a name should "match" the character. It should fit. So, that's how I'm trying to approach this puppy-naming process.

At first, I wanted to stay true to her Welsh heritage, but I just couldn't see myself trying to pronounce something like "Amranwn," or "Ystwyth," lol. So, I'm sticking with something that rolls off the tongue a little better. I'll narrow these down over the next few days, then wait to meet the puppy and get to know her. And maybe, that way, I'll find the perfect name!

Here are my favorites so far, in no particular order. I'd love more suggestions! Please leave me some in the comments!

Brittany (<--I know, I know, too obviously "British," lol)

Darcy

Ginger

Savannah

Kasey

Lexi

Lucy

Callie

Sydney

Cheeky (<--yes, the British term for audacious, bold, saucy. I thought it would make for a unique puppy name).

Decisions, Decisions

2011-05-29T07:55:00.001-07:00

Does he have white-blonde hair or dirty-blonde hair? Does she keep her fingernails pristine and perfect, or does she chew on them? Is he hot-tempered, or merely brooding and misunderstood? Is she a confident Christian or does she struggle daily with the concept of God?

These are a few of the thousand questions I ask myself at this point in the brainstorming process (getting to know my characters, building them, fleshing them out). I both loathe and adore this vital part of the process. I loathe it because there are so many questions to ask and answer. Potentially thousands. It feels so limitless (and sometimes overwhelming!). I could spend years answering all the possible questions. But I don't have that kind of time, so I must pick and choose carefully. But I also adore this part of the process because there's so much freedom, so much potential. I can create any character I want, give them any personality, any quirk, any shady past. It's all in my hands.

Characterization is both a blessing and burden, but no matter what, it's absolutely necessary. We're essentially creating human beings that will tell our story for us. So, we must know them inside and out. And, much better than our readers. When students ask me how to create a character, I always tell them, "Ask questions." Ask yourself what color hair, eyes they have - what shade of white their teeth might be. Do they have tattoos? What's their romantic/dating history? On and on and on. I give them a character sketch to fill out - link here - and they add in more questions as part of the assignment. It's always fun, hearing their questions. They usually get very creative!

I've grappled with this characterization process more than once, as I look back over this blog and find a few entries that deal with it: Character Stew; What's in a Name?; Good Guys/Bad Guys; Casting Your Characters.

What are your tricks/suggestions/routines for fleshing out characters? I'd love to hear them!

Know Every Angle

2011-05-28T11:02:00.001-07:00

The point of view for my current novel is third person limited (getting inside the mind of one character, using third person pronouns). However, as I'm starting to place my female protagonist in important scenes with the male character (he's another "main" character, but the story isn't told from his perspective), I'm feeling a little stumped. I realized this morning that, even though this is "her" story, I don't know the male lead well enough to show his reactions to situations accurately.

So, this morning, I turned the tables. I focused only on him (in the brainstorming process), and saw the entire plot from his perspective only. And when I did that, it opened up everything. I understood his motives, saw why he would react in ways he did. And I started seeing my female protagonist through his eyes. The story suddenly feels richer, brighter, stronger. Even though, in the story, I haven't changed the POV at all (it's still "her" story).

This situation reminds me very much of the not-published "sequel" to Twilight, called Midnight Sun (okay, all you Twilight-haters, bear with me a second, here...this post has less to do with Twilight and more to do with POV). ;-)

I read Twilight years ago, at the suggestion of a Creative Writing student. I thought the writing could've been stronger, but I liked it. I thought the concept was creative. But I hated Edward. Hated him. I did not understand why the world had fallen in love with him. I saw him only as manipulative, controlling, and even a bit misogynistic. But Twilight was all from Bella's perspective, never Edward's. Thus, we only saw him through her eyes. There were whole periods of the book where we didn't "see" Edward at all (because Bella wasn't in his presence). Therefore, much of his jerky behavior was a mystery to the reader.

Well, somebody told me to go forth and read Midnight Sun -- link here. It's a novel told from Edward's perspective. It's still the Twilight story (nothing changed, plot-wise, from that book), but it totally switches to Edward's POV. While reading his side of the story, his perspective, a strange thing happened. I started to like him. I could empathize with him. I finally understood why he did the things he did in Twilight. It all made perfect sense.

And though I don't plan to write a separate novel from my male character's point of view, it's still imperative that I know who he is, why he makes the decisions he makes, and what he's thinking when my female protagonist has a scene with him.

In the end, I think it's essential that we writers know every angle of the story we're telling, and that even includes the perspective of characters whose POV we're not highlighting. The story will be stronger and richer for it.

A Gem

2011-05-27T10:29:00.000-07:00

I love watching movies (even mediocre ones) that contain something unexpectedly brilliant that pops out at me. Something literary or deep or perfectly-stated.

Well, I just finished watching a cute, quirky indie movie called Happythankyoumoreplease (<---even the title is quirky, no?). It's written, directed, and starred in by Josh Radnor (of "How I Met Your Mother").

Anyway, the film itself is sweetly charming, and a little off-beat. Just the way I like my movies. It has a few extremely well-written moments between characters, where something is described or told that feels clever and and "spot on."

My favorite part of the movie (writing-wise) was when one of the characters was trying to explain to her long-time boyfriend that she was falling out of love with him. I liked the way it was explained, because I think the analogy perfectly hits the nail on the head. (This is from memory, not word-for-word):

The character reminds her boyfriend of when she'd first become attracted to him, when she first "noticed" him. She'd gone to meet him at a bar and was clearly over-dressed and he'd joked, "Going to prom?"

After that reminder, she tells him, "You 'got' me. I knew then that you weren't going to let me get away with anything, unlike most people. And in that moment, you sort of came into focus. Like, 'THERE you are...'" Then she pauses, looks sad, and says, "But now, it seems like you're going out of focus again..."

I just loved the way this was described. Because it's so true -- some people, for whatever reason, sharpen into focus for awhile, and sometimes, for whatever reason, they fade back into "normal" view. They become fuzzy again, maybe become less important? It was a really unique way of describing it. Very creative. Wish I'd thought of it first, heh. ;-)

Anyway, it's fun when an unexpected line or notion hits me that way in a movie. As a writer, I always admire those little gems that present themselves. And, as with a well-written book, it makes me want to reach higher as a writer. And that's never a bad thing!

Edited to add: Score! I just found the clip at YouTube - link here!

Measure of Success

2011-05-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

When it comes to success, I think there's something beyond raw talent that comes into play. What ultimately separates successful people from unsuccessful people is one important thing: tenacity.

It's that stubborn digging-in. That attitude of never, ever giving up. Even when the odds seem impossible, the goal unreachable. Because, really, how can you succeed if you stop trying?

Love this quote, just wanted to share:

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. ~William Feather

"It's Subjective"

2011-05-24T14:41:00.001-07:00

We writers have heard this a million times, about how subjective the publishing business is. And the reason we've heard it a million times is because, like it or not, it's true.

I was thinking about this yesterday -- how art, in general, is ridiculously subjective. A song, a painting, a novel, could be considered either beautiful or ugly according to one thing: the eye of the beholder. Because the beholder is the one who casts judgment on the piece. And because the beholder is the sum total of all his/her past experiences, beliefs, and individual tastes, then that judgment is entirely unique. And valid.

Case in point: I visited a modern museum of art a couple of years ago. And as I was viewing these enormous canvases on the wall (one with a huge line painted beside a large red circle), I marveled at how someone could look at this and call it "art." How someone could spend a hundred thousand dollars on something my five-year-old niece could do with her eyes closed. But the neat thing is, they can. That's their right, their prerogative to look at that painting and admire it. They have just as much right to say they adore that big splotchy circle as I have to say I don't.

When it comes to our writing, when it comes to our scouring the ends of the earth for an agent, and/or publisher, we always need to keep in mind how very subjective this business is. There will be those who read my work and see only a simple line with a red circle -- who will shrug their shoulders at it, or who won't "get" it, might not even like it. And, that's their right. But there might also be (*fingers crossed*) those who read my work and see something else. They'll see beauty there. They'll nod their heads, smile, and consider it "art."

Just like the pair-of-jeans analogy (link here), we writers cannot let ourselves take rejections or critical feedback to heart so much that it paralyzes us or fills us with doubt. Because what we do, what we write, is art. And the very nature of art is subjective.

When we realize that, I think we're better able to release our work into the world (whether it's into friends' hands, or those of agents/publisher), offer it up to them, and accept whatever opinion they hold of it. We don't have to agree with it, but we do need to realize it's theirs, it's valid, and most importantly, it's highly subjective.

Brilliant Post

2011-05-24T11:54:00.001-07:00

I love Nathan Bransford's blog -- it's so insightful, so spot on. And he always manages to make me think. To make me look at something in a new way.

He's done it again with a recent post -- here's the link to his brilliant thoughts on "Reversals."

Sure, I've always known that we, as authors, must throw obstacles in our protagonist's way, must present challenges and problems for them -- or else we have no plot. No drama, no tension. But I'd never looked at that process in this particular way before (as "reversals" - essentially, creating highs and lows, ups and downs, backs and forths that keep the reader interested).

I adore the Star Wars example he gives. Again, he made me look at that movie (the plot) in a completely different way.

So, thank you, Mr. Bransford!

The Right "Fit"

2011-05-24T09:40:00.000-07:00

I'm becoming convinced that the biggest criteria, the greatest factor in getting published is the right "fit." The right work fitting the right agent/publisher at the right time. It all sounds very cosmic, doesn't it? And maybe it is...

Sure, there are other things that matter: the work must be grammatically-correct, compelling, original, strong. But even so, if an agent/publisher doesn't handle your type of genre, then those things are suddenly and utterly moot.

It's like trying on a pair of jeans. Sometimes it takes dozens of "try-ons" before we KNOW - "This is the one! A perfect fit!" But here's the thing -- the ones we discard in the process might have been so close, but in the end, just weren't right. It doesn't even mean they were inferior. It might only mean they weren't THE ONE.

In some ways, this analogy is comforting. The notion that it's not the jeans' "fault" for not being selected. That it's more about the "fit," that it's out of the jeans' control, whether the fit is right or not. And -- that there's always the hope that if a pair of jeans is discarded on the shelf by one person, that the next person who picks them up to try them on could finally be "the one!"

I think if we see the publishing process in this light, we're a lot less likely to take things personally...

Just for a Giggle

2011-05-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

Proof that canines can be artistic/creative, too! click here

(Thanks to my dad for the link! ;-)

POV Shifts: Proceed with Caution

2011-05-20T08:35:00.001-07:00

As a writer (or even as a reader), I'm not a big fan of point-of-view shifts, hopping from one character's mind into another, back and forth. It can get complicated and choppy and confusing. I prefer to stick with one character (perhaps two) and get to know them better than any other character. Because when you spend a little time here with one character and a little time there with another, you feel like you know a few characters sort-of well, and none of them extremely well.

Also, POV shifts can feel incredibly jarring, if not handled deftly. One book I read years ago--I can't recall the title or author--placed the readers in the mind of one character for several chapters. We got relaxed, got comfortable, settled in to know her thoughts, the way her mind worked. Then, the phone rang. The character picked it up, and we watched her end of the conversation play out, as expected.

But when she hung up, WHAM! The reader was suddenly thrust into the mind the other character on the other end of the phone. Huh? Sure, that move could be considered uber-creative. But it was also uber-confusing. In fact, I had to re-read that shift about three times to make sure what had happened. Very jarring. In addition, I kept wondering how the other character--the one I'd gotten to know so well--was reacting at that moment. I'd invested a lot of time with her, and didn't care about this other character. I kept wanting to jump back into the other woman's POV again. I think I read the rest of that chapter and then quit reading altogether. I knew that if the author used that jarring technique once, he/she would probably use it again and again. Ick.

Of course, there are exceptions to the rule (not that this post is a "rule" - it's just my opinion, my...heh...point of view ;-).

One exception is the book I'm currently reading (and loving) - The Island, by Elin Hilderbrand. Ms. Hilderbrand starts off by allowing the reader to see one character's point of view. And just when we know the character (and like her), the POV shifts to another character. But--it's done so swiftly and smoothly that it feels natural. (A break in text is given, then the name of the upcoming character offered in big bold letters--we're prepared for the shift before it occurs. We know what we're in for. It's not a shock or surprise).

And by the time the author has shifted again (there are four characters whose POVs we see, and I'm only on page 80 right now), we not only understand the transition and are prepared for it, but more importantly, we feel we know each character thoroughly. And, this particular story couldn't be told any other way. We need to see into the minds of each character intimately to be able to know precisely what they're going through when they're together. This technique, used brilliantly, is effective and creative. Reading Ms. Hilderbrand's novel isn't just a pleasure--it's also a lesson. It gives the writer-reader a chance to see a technique executed extremely well.

Rosamunde Pilcher also handles POV shifts well (The Shellseekers has whole sections of the book entirely devoted to each character's POV, and the shift is clearly made by placing the character's name before that section).

What are your experiences with POV, both as a reader and writer? I'd love to hear them...

Meet Luke & Rachel!

2011-05-17T16:40:00.001-07:00

I'm hoping to finish a novel this summer -- it's one I'd started last summer, but had to pause in order to make some revisions to another novel. So excited about getting back into the process again! It's been hard, putting this story on the back burner for nine months. Can't wait to dive back in...

One thing that helps me at this stage of the process, as y'all know, is that I like to "cast" my characters in my mind. Call it lazy or call it a crutch, but I really like to SEE my main characters vividly, so that I can write them accurately. So, I cast them. I choose actors/actresses who have the features I'm seeing in my mind as I brainstorm the initial story. It's not that I see these exact actors/actresses in my mind when I write, but it gives me a better grasp of them if I have a specific face in mind.

So, here they are. Meet Luke and Rachel:

I'll be spending a lot of time with them this summer, delving deep into their psyches, wreaking havoc with their relationships, and doing my very best to capture them on the page.

Should be fun!! ;-)

Summer Reading!

2011-05-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

Since there's never enough time for pleasure reading during a semester, I'm always thrilled when a summer rolls around and allows me the luxury of time. Time to read!

So, I thought I'd share on the blog what I'm reading this summer.

I just finished a book called Juliet, by Anne Fortier (link here). It's an enjoyable read - an intriguing, suspenseful, unique plot, set mostly in Italy. A nice change of pace from what I'm used to...

Now, I'm reading Elin Hilderbrand's The Island. And so far, so GREAT! It's well-written and it's also a page-turner.

She's my go-to author for summer reads. She's got another book coming out in June, as a matter of fact (already pre-ordered!!).

I think summery-books are tricky, from an author perspective. They're meant to be "light" and "breezy" beach reading, but the writing quality should never be sacrificed. Which is why I really enjoy Hilderbrand's books. The quality of her writing is strong and the plots are interesting. And, somehow, she manages not to recycle old plots/characters. Every "beach read" of hers feels fresh and new. (I highly recommend The Blue Bistro - the first of hers I ever read).

So, what are you reading this summer? I'd love some recommendations!

I Own It

2011-05-15T21:12:00.001-07:00

I always love to hear artists/writers/creators talk about their craft - to hear all the unique ways they describe this magical "thing" of creating something (whether on canvas, on the page, or on a keyboard).

Last week on Oprah, writer Toni Morrison was interviewed and she described her craft, what it does for her:

After all these years, Toni has one more lesson to offer: Everyone needs to have a place that is all theirs. "It's just a place where it's you," she says. "It can be creative, it can be a computer, it can be anything. It's your sacred place and you own it." (source here)

That's my favorite part of the quote - that we "own" our creativity, that sacred place, that world we've created. It's all ours and no one else's. I think if we writers are honest with ourselves, we'd agree that a huge part of the allure of writing is the degree of control we're granted. In real life, we don't have much control -- heck, we can lose just about anything, beyond our control, at the drop of a hat: our keys, our memory, our loved ones, our health, our time, our material possessions, our jobs, and on the list goes...

But when we write, we are in FULL and absolute control. 100%. We determine the fate of every character, every plot outcome, every setting, every word. And that can be oddly liberating. Odd, because in the end, that control is just an illusion, isn't it? I mean, we have control over a world that isn't even real, except in our own minds. Still, though, that sense of control we feel when we write -- that's just as real as the keyboard I'm typing on right now.

It's a power we can own. It's ours alone.

The Nature of Creativity

2011-05-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

First of all, I'm FREEEEE! Submitted 150 grades yesterday, attended graduation, and promptly fell asleep in my recliner afterward, lol. So tired.

But this article - link here - rejuvenated me. This morning, I was wondering how on earth I would make the enormous shift in my tired brain from grader-of-essays to creative-writer again (I hope to finish a novel this summer, while I'm off). Well, this article did it. It's brilliant. It's thought-provoking. And it reminded me of why I'm creative, of why I love to BE creative. It makes me feel alive!

So, today, no matter how tired you are, how weary from an incredibly-difficult work week, try and take a few minutes to read the article, and to get creative. Even if it's only for an hour.

It's an hour well-spent.

Wow.

2011-05-10T22:58:00.000-07:00

I just read something that actually made me tear up. I didn't expect it to hit me that way. It struck such a nerve in me -- that anxious, self-doubting nerve that sometimes wonders if I'm "good enough" as a writer.

If you've ever shared those doubts, CLICK HERE. (<--I found the link on Janet Reid's amazing blog)

It will inspire you. It will touch your spirit and make you smile. And mostly, it will remind you of something very important -- that it's all about perception. If we think we can't, we can't.

Dialogue Tips from an Expert

2011-05-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

Passing along this humorous, common-sense blog entry from Editor Lynn Price, about the perils of creating dialogue.

Here's the link

God's Adjectives

2011-05-03T17:55:00.000-07:00

I'm currently buried underneath 1,000 research papers to grade (okay, so maybe that's a slight exaggeration, lol). Still, I wanted to come up for air and offer a quote that one of my students posted recently.

Before I get there -- we all know that too much of a good thing is...well...too much. I always give the example to my students of "Good Will Hunting." Sure, Oscar-worthy movie. Sure, incredible performances. But honestly, the first time I saw it, I lost track of how many times the "f" word was used. Yes, it enhanced characterization. It made the dialogue feel more genuine, more realistic. And, it made the contrast between Will and the new circle of friends even stronger. I get it. I understand its purpose. But sheesh - did it have to be inserted in every other word? I'm no prude, but after awhile, it became a distraction. It started to take away from all that Oscar-worthy stuff (much like any word said over and over and over again, 50 times in a row, will quickly lose all meaning).

I tend to think less is more. For instance, imagine a meek, sweet, God-fearing, never-cussing grandmother shouting a profanity when she stubs her toe, then covering up her mouth in shame (even though she's alone). Fully unexpected, and fully powerful. That profanity, as opposed to Will Hunting's, packs even much more punch because it's used SPARINGLY.

Another quick example would be a book that hits the reader over the head with SYM-BOL-ISM. It punctuates each-and-every-scene with the deeper theme, that nearly chokes the reader with its earnestness. It's too much. It's over the top. Let the readers figure it out for themselves. Use words and symbols SPARINGLY. Otherwise, they lose their value, which is the opposite of what we're hoping to achieve.

This, I think, is what Mr. Twain means here (and he says it so much better than I):

God only exhibits his thunder and lightning at intervals, and so they always command attention. These are God's adjectives. [If] you 'thunder and lightning' too much, the reader ceases to get under the bed, by and by. ~Mark Twain

Love is in the Air!

2011-04-29T14:40:00.000-07:00

I still haven't seen my recording of the Royal Wedding yet, but maybe this weekend, I will. All this hype and all this talk of commoners marrying princes has me thinking about romance. I look at how blatantly it's been on display the past couple of weeks, leading up to the wedding. And how much people -- women, especially -- eat it up. Women like me!

And it reminds me again that, thankfully, there's a pretty solid market for romance in commercial fiction.

I actually write women's fiction (such a vague term, embodying MANY different genres -- chick lit, literary fiction (aka, "Oprah" books), romance, erotica). Mine are the "cozy" type, a la Debbie Macomber or Rosamunde Pilcher. I like to think of them as relationship books with a little romance sprinkled in.

So, back to William and Kate -- watching the world embrace their love story reminds me how much people love a good romance. It's apparent, from all the hype (some would say it's gone quite overboard, in fact) that fairytales still live on in our collective consciousness, whether American or English (or otherwise). And there's nothing wrong with that! I love that I write about love. That it still has a place in this jaded, modern, fast-paced world.

And mostly, I love that somewhere there's a corner, a little niche inside people's hearts, that holds room for an old-fashioned love story. One that can still capture the attention of the world, the way that Kate and William's story has.

Cheers to the happy couple! *raises cyberglass high*

Sound Your Barbaric YAWP

2011-04-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

I showed this scene (link here) from Dead Poets' Society to my Creative Writing class today. I'd forgotten what a brilliant scene it is, wow. It focuses on the idea that we should stop being SO worried about what other people think (a good tip for writers!) and just.....YAWP. There's a time to be unafraid and unreserved and not overthink things.

Honestly, I believe that's where our best writing comes. Mine seems to flow the best when I'm thinking about it the least -- when I'm not aching over every. little. word. that comes. When I'm relaxed and when I fire the little editor-dictator on my shoulder who wants to censor every single word before it hits the keyboard.

In her brilliant book, Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott talks about taking all the little "voices" (the sounds of people in your life who would want you to write a "certain way," or who might criticize what you do, or might even disapprove or make certain suggestions) and turning those voices into mice. Then, she suggests taking those mice, one-by-one by the tail, and dropping them into a big jar. Then, she says, seal the lid (poke holes in it first, of course). Essentially, metaphorically, lock the voices away so that you can have room to be YOU. Room to create without anyone else in the room.

That's basically what Robin Williams did in this scene. He covered the eyes of the painfully-shy Ethan Hawke - because only then could he tune out the other students - their giggles, their jeers, their opinions. And the result was brilliant.

So today, take a moment to relax your creative mind, to shut out all the other distracting voices (even your own!), and sound your barbaric YAWP!

Starstruck!

2011-04-25T13:15:00.000-07:00

So, today, I had the great surprise of speaking with a student whose mother wrote this screenplay -- "Man in the Moon." I saw the movie ages ago (it's Reece Witherspoon's first-ever movie - dang, was she young!!). It's a lovely coming-of-age story about first love. Very sweet.

Well, today, when I heard about this student's mother being THE writer, I got so starstruck! I know he thought I was nuts, lol, but I started barraging him with all these questions about his mom - Did she have an agent? (yes) How did she come up with the story? (it's based on HER life!) What's she up to now? (is publishing her first novel in July - link here).

He even told me that his grandfather was a pastor (a little different from in the film), and that a country church in a certain scene was THE church his grandfather preached in...

How cool!!

Just wanted to share. I figured other writers would totally "get" my being starstruck today!

I'm curious - do y'all have any author/celebrity stories to tell? People you've met where you've picked their brain about the process or their experience? I'd love to hear it!

Easter Weekend!

2011-04-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

Though I try to avoid overly-spiritual posts here (since this is a writing blog), I thought this was rather fitting today:

I looked out my window this morning, to see the most beautiful picture: the contrast of dark grey clouds in the distance, punctuated by a burst of bright sunlight. I thought it was such a poetic representation of this weekend -- the somber, dark reflection of Good Friday and Jesus' brutal death on a cross, combined with the hope and joy of an Easter morning to follow, the resurrection. It could even be an example of pathetic fallacy.

Also, I came across a great quote by C.S. Lewis I'd never read before, that was extremely thought-provoking. He's a fantastic writer. Just felt like sharing it today:

God, who needs nothing, loves into existence wholly superfluous creatures in order that He may love and perfect them....If I may dare the biological image, God is a “host” who deliberately creates His own parasites; causes us to be, that we may exploit and “take advantage of” Him. Herein is love. This is the diagram of Love Himself, the inventor of all loves.

What an ultimate “good” this {the cross} must have been...But it wasn’t a good designed for God; there is no good to be added, or deficit to be addressed in His being.

It was a good for us.

Importance of POV

2011-04-22T00:15:00.000-07:00

1st person, 3rd person, and even that almost-impossible-to-pull-off 2nd person.

Limited 3rd person, omniscient, alternating.

So many choices!! But whatever choice you make about point of view for your story, one thing is extremely important--that the voice of the character shines through. Always.

I found a GREAT quote tonight about this idea, from the blog, Murder She Writes (link here). I couldn't agree more, and love the wording of this...

The soul of the character needs to bleed through every word choice you make while in their point of view.

Should Characters Text?

2011-04-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

It's obvious that technology in the last 10 years or so has changed our daily lives to an extreme. Cell phones, Facebook, Twitter, texting...on and on the list goes, and it's growing every day. The way we communicate has changed, because of it. Face-to-face interactions have decreased, while phone-to-phone, computer-to-computer interactions have increased.

What does all this mean for the writer? For our characters, and the way they communicate with each other inside our stories?

To let our characters use technology or not use it -- that is the question.

First, I think writers have to learn to walk the tightrope of not letting technology interfere too greatly with characters/plot -- while at the same time being realistic with it (for instance, it would be almost unthinkable not to have a single mention of a character using a cell phone in a modern story).

Two main points worth considering, when it comes to characters and technology:

1) Character interaction.

In real life: Let's face it. Technology has created a new level of social rudeness. People flipping open phones in movie theaters or libraries, talking as loudly as they please, ignoring the scowls around them. I went out to dinner with an old friend recently, and she spent 90% of the meal texting someone else!! I was too nice to call her out, but honestly, it was just plain rude. She was having about five different conversations with people, and I was the last one on the totem pole, even though I was right there in front of her, live, and in person! Hrumph.

In fiction: When I have two characters out to dinner, I'm probably going to forgo the reality (people texting at the table!!) and allow my characters an actual conversation, face-to-face. (The exception, of course, is if I WANT to show that a character is rude, and therefore, might have him/her texting the entire time, lol. But unless there's a purpose to technology being at that table, I'm going to push technology aside, to favor actual character interaction).

2) Plot choices.

In real life: Looking up a long-lost friend or sweetheart is as quick and easy as spending five minutes on an internet search or hopping on Facebook. Wanna find that old boyfriend? Search for that long lost best friend you quit talking to in 1988? Just get online, do some quick searching, and voila!

In fiction: What if I want a character's search for someone to be slow? What if I want to let it simmer over 200 pages, have a character wonder and wait and second-guess herself as she tries - in vain - to find that lost love? It's not realistic, in a modern story, to have her be out of touch with technology, to the point that she doesn't even try an internet search. So, I have to get creative. Draw out the search. Have her look for that person online, but come up empty (that still happens, so it's in the realm of realism). In order to create tension, to have the reader wonder if/when a reunion will ever occur, I might have that lost love be untraceable. At least for awhile...

Funny thing is, the inspiration for this blog post came from an old episode of Seinfeld. I watched an entire episode devoted to a movie theater fiasco. Elaine, Jerry, George, and Kramer were supposed to meet at the movies, but things got in the way. In a comedy of errors, cabs got stuck in traffic, movies sold out, and everyone ended up missing each other (and the movie!).

Of course, it took place in the early 90's, when cell phones weren't attached to everyone's hip. And as I watched the episode, what cracked me up more than the episode itself was that I kept thinking, "If the characters could just whip out a cell phone and call each other, they could've all met up at the right time and the episode would be over in about 30 seconds." In that case, a cell phone would've changed the course of the plot entirely!

Bottom line - using technology or not using it in your novels is completely up to you. There's definitely a time and place for it in modern fiction (and, if it's ignored completely, it can make the story feel unrealistic). Even better, writers can use technology to their advantage, to make a plot more compelling and suspenseful (but that's a blog entry for another day....).

Carpe Diem

2011-04-20T05:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I asked my Creative Writing class what carpe diem meant. I received a variety of definitions, all accurate: "seize the day," "live life to the fullest," "time is short."

Then, I showed a clip from Dead Poets' Society (here's the link). Robin Williams at his best. The profession of teaching at its very best. The love of poetry at its best.

I was surprised how many of my 20-year-old students had seen the movie. They LOVED it and giggled along at all the right places.

Next, I had the students write a poem using carpe diem as the theme. Some of the students read them aloud, and the poems were beautiful. They were aching and raw and regretful and hopeful. Even at 20, students seem to have a sense that time is short. That they don't have as much time as they think they do.

I love to see young people take life seriously, take writing seriously. And to realize that none of us has all the time in the world. A powerful truth that does, hopefully, urge us to seize the day!

"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may..."

Great Advice

2011-04-12T22:49:00.000-07:00

Y'all know how I love a good quote. Well, here's one I just found.

Such a great analogy. Wanted to pass it along...

Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up. ~Jane Yolen, Merlin