I'm in Las Vegas right now and am amazed by how many of the wonderful people I have gotten to know over the years are writers! Reed Philips, past President of Southern California University of Health Sciences has written numerous books in the chiropractic world. His wife writes books about cleaning and organizing. Lester Lamb, a friend and recent newlywed from Western States Chiropractic College admitted to me, in front of his wife, that he loves writing short stories. One of my on the road buddies, Dr. Jeff Miller from Footlevelers just had his first book published. Over and over again, I heard people sharing their dream about writing!
The common thread between us is that we have friends, families and readers who are encouraging us to keep on writing! NO, our first attempt might not be worthy of the best seller list, but if we can't learn rejection well, how do we expect publishers and editors to want to work we us?
One thing any writer needs to know up front is that you've got to have a thick skin if you ever expect to be published. If you are sensitive to every critisim or suggestion for rewrite you get, you'll never make it!
So for now, learn to listen and apply suggestions people give you about your work! 'Cause this ain't Vegas, Baby!
Buttons! Buttons! Everywhere!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Part Two … How I Got Here
I was browsing through a magazine several years ago and found an ad for the Algonkian Writers Retreat. This was to be my first submersion in the writers world. I had no experience and was too naïve to realize what I was headed for.
The program took place along the Potomac River in Washington, DC. There were two cabins with five bedrooms and two baths in each. Men and women were mixed in each cabin, though I can say, everyone worked together wonderfully.
On Day One the instructor, Michael Neff, pulled us all together in one cabin, plied us with a few donuts and rolls, then proceeded to give us an earful about how few of us would ever follow through what he'd be teaching us and actually write! He told us we didn’t have a clue about what we were doing and more than likely were crappy writers. It felt like boot camp. By the time Michael left for the evening, there wereten really disgruntled people. We all crabbed about Mike, bonding like we were Polident on dentures.
We put up with his degradation for one more day, then launched at him like pit bulls. He laughed right out loud, making us finally realize he’d meant it as a group exercise all along. Before the week was done, we'd written some wonderful and imaginative short stories and were feeling like we had had learned a great deal about what might lie ahead for us.
I still think about that group and the encouragement they gave me.
At the end of the week, I knew I wanted to write…….and Michael Neff? He turned out to be an okay guy.
The program took place along the Potomac River in Washington, DC. There were two cabins with five bedrooms and two baths in each. Men and women were mixed in each cabin, though I can say, everyone worked together wonderfully.
On Day One the instructor, Michael Neff, pulled us all together in one cabin, plied us with a few donuts and rolls, then proceeded to give us an earful about how few of us would ever follow through what he'd be teaching us and actually write! He told us we didn’t have a clue about what we were doing and more than likely were crappy writers. It felt like boot camp. By the time Michael left for the evening, there wereten really disgruntled people. We all crabbed about Mike, bonding like we were Polident on dentures.
We put up with his degradation for one more day, then launched at him like pit bulls. He laughed right out loud, making us finally realize he’d meant it as a group exercise all along. Before the week was done, we'd written some wonderful and imaginative short stories and were feeling like we had had learned a great deal about what might lie ahead for us.
I still think about that group and the encouragement they gave me.
At the end of the week, I knew I wanted to write…….and Michael Neff? He turned out to be an okay guy.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Writing for the senses
Think back to a place that was or is your favorite place in the world. Jot down three or four things that make you think of that place.
My favorite place is in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick for simple reasons. As a child it was the only place on earth I ever felt safe and really loved. So I used this setting in my book. I didn’t just describe how it looked, I described how it made me feel.
I visualized with words the falling of a tree, its death in the woods, how the dirt mushroomed up around it when it hit the ground, lifted then settled into the smell of sweet pine. I gave a picture of a Belgium horse tethered to the felled log, its nostrils flaring, the bit clanging in his mouth as he anxiously awaited the command to run. Back then, I felt the power of the hard work that went into foresting the logs from the woods. Now I hope to make you feel it as well. That’s part of the craft of writing. Taking ordinary parts of life and making the reader “feel” like they are part of it.
So how do we do that? We use the senses. We look for words that evoke feeling. Instead of….”It smelled outside,” we’d say “the air smelled like licorice, dark and sweet.” Or with taste, instead of saying “it was sour,” we’d say “he closed his eyes as the liquid hit his tongue, his face puckering”. You get it!
We “show” not “tell”. Wow was that an eye opener! I think every writer still fights to make their work more “showing” than “telling”, but before this MFA (Masters of Fine Art) program, I didn’t realize it was part of the many “secrets” to writing! Do you have a secret you’d share with us?
This week’s must read is "Crackpots" by Sarah Pritchard. This book is such a favorite of mine. Sarah, is my mentor whom I'll speak a lot about as I blog. She is a one-of-a-kind woman with a uniqueness about her that draws the reader in. Anyone who has ever heard Sarah read can tesitfy to the wonderful sense of humor she exhibits. A great read!
My favorite place is in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick for simple reasons. As a child it was the only place on earth I ever felt safe and really loved. So I used this setting in my book. I didn’t just describe how it looked, I described how it made me feel.
I visualized with words the falling of a tree, its death in the woods, how the dirt mushroomed up around it when it hit the ground, lifted then settled into the smell of sweet pine. I gave a picture of a Belgium horse tethered to the felled log, its nostrils flaring, the bit clanging in his mouth as he anxiously awaited the command to run. Back then, I felt the power of the hard work that went into foresting the logs from the woods. Now I hope to make you feel it as well. That’s part of the craft of writing. Taking ordinary parts of life and making the reader “feel” like they are part of it.
So how do we do that? We use the senses. We look for words that evoke feeling. Instead of….”It smelled outside,” we’d say “the air smelled like licorice, dark and sweet.” Or with taste, instead of saying “it was sour,” we’d say “he closed his eyes as the liquid hit his tongue, his face puckering”. You get it!
We “show” not “tell”. Wow was that an eye opener! I think every writer still fights to make their work more “showing” than “telling”, but before this MFA (Masters of Fine Art) program, I didn’t realize it was part of the many “secrets” to writing! Do you have a secret you’d share with us?
This week’s must read is "Crackpots" by Sarah Pritchard. This book is such a favorite of mine. Sarah, is my mentor whom I'll speak a lot about as I blog. She is a one-of-a-kind woman with a uniqueness about her that draws the reader in. Anyone who has ever heard Sarah read can tesitfy to the wonderful sense of humor she exhibits. A great read!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
For New Writers
I'm going to try and put a new website on here regularly that might help new writers the way they have helped me. This week's is a site that is really fantastic! It lists contests, advice and tips to help you become a better writer! Check it out! This site is free but you can join it really cheap and it helps keep the site current! Enjoy!
www.fundsforwriters.com
www.fundsforwriters.com
How Did I Get to This Point
For those of you out there like me, who’ve always wanted to follow the dream of writing and never thought you’d be able to, hang on….there’s hope. I’ve always written. Little tidbits, short stories, notes in my Bible, you know, things I wrote for my eyes only. But I'd often whine to my husband that I wished I had the time to REALLY write, meaning, for someone else. Well, I guess after thirty plus years, his loving patience wore out.
One day he blurted out, “What’s stopping you?”
When I couldn’t think of any excuse good enough for him to believe, I gave in and admitted, “You’re right! It’s me!” I knew what to write, I just didn’t know the craft of writing, which I find fascinating.
At work they encourage employees to continue learning and support us financially to do just that. When I made the decision (at Michael’s persuation) to go back to school, we had to decide where.
From there it’s been a blur. Michael spent a lot of time parusing the internet looking for a low residency program that had integrity. We settled on Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA and I haven’t looked back. I’ll spend some time down the road talking about the great program and the people that have become a part of my life. For now, have a great day!
Oh! Thanks to all who are commenting whether here or Facebook or email! It is most appreciated! I hope as you walk this walk with me, you'll learn something new! And to my friend Marty! Thanks for the continuing English lessons on grammer and punctuation. You make me a better writer!
One day he blurted out, “What’s stopping you?”
When I couldn’t think of any excuse good enough for him to believe, I gave in and admitted, “You’re right! It’s me!” I knew what to write, I just didn’t know the craft of writing, which I find fascinating.
At work they encourage employees to continue learning and support us financially to do just that. When I made the decision (at Michael’s persuation) to go back to school, we had to decide where.
From there it’s been a blur. Michael spent a lot of time parusing the internet looking for a low residency program that had integrity. We settled on Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA and I haven’t looked back. I’ll spend some time down the road talking about the great program and the people that have become a part of my life. For now, have a great day!
Oh! Thanks to all who are commenting whether here or Facebook or email! It is most appreciated! I hope as you walk this walk with me, you'll learn something new! And to my friend Marty! Thanks for the continuing English lessons on grammer and punctuation. You make me a better writer!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
How to Comment
My friend, Susan Jones, was the first person to post a comment on the site! For that I am grateful.
Then my friend Bonnie emailed to ask how to reply. This is new to me as well, but I played around and got the answer.
For those who might not be familiar with commenting on a blog, just look at the bottom of each post for "comments".
There will be a 0 or some other number next to "comments". Click on "comments" and a box will come up that will say "post a comment". Type in what you'd like to say and hit "post". Your comments will show on the blog! It's that easy!
So have some fun with this and when you're done, go visit Susan's blog at www.charmofthecarolines.com It's a delightful look at all things Southern. Enjoy!
Then my friend Bonnie emailed to ask how to reply. This is new to me as well, but I played around and got the answer.
For those who might not be familiar with commenting on a blog, just look at the bottom of each post for "comments".
There will be a 0 or some other number next to "comments". Click on "comments" and a box will come up that will say "post a comment". Type in what you'd like to say and hit "post". Your comments will show on the blog! It's that easy!
So have some fun with this and when you're done, go visit Susan's blog at www.charmofthecarolines.com It's a delightful look at all things Southern. Enjoy!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Blog for Day One:
Here's a bit
Just opened this site and am anxious to start sharing a bit of this wonderful ride I'm having as a writer. Although we have guests arriving for dinner and it's my husband, Michael's, birthday, I'm sneaking out to visit some women in town who have formed a book club! In fact, I just found out that our town of 10,000 actually has four book clubs, all sizes and shapes, ages and religions. I'm stoked, as the writers life can be lonely. I'm often found slumped over my desk in the loft, fingers whipping across the keyboard at a pace Flash Gordon would be proud of. When I'm finished, I have written 5,000 words, backed up, rewritten 2000 of them, then erased literally a hundred words that just don't fit the piece I am working on. Hours have passed. My husband has all but given up hope that I'll ever come down. Yet when I do, I am just so happy he can see it on my face! I don't understand the pull that flying fingers on a keyboard have on me, but I'm grateful that I've seemed to find a place in my life that is fulfilling! By the way, it’s a good man who can be so encouraging when he only hears the clicking of a keyboard as he's cooking dinner…again! Hope you're that lucky!
This week's book read…………..The Help by Kathryn Stockett….A must read by a new author about a young woman's dangerous attempt to write a book about the black household help that worked in white people's homes. Set in the 1960's. A great read with fast paced writing, true-to-life dialog and a realistic ending!
Just opened this site and am anxious to start sharing a bit of this wonderful ride I'm having as a writer. Although we have guests arriving for dinner and it's my husband, Michael's, birthday, I'm sneaking out to visit some women in town who have formed a book club! In fact, I just found out that our town of 10,000 actually has four book clubs, all sizes and shapes, ages and religions. I'm stoked, as the writers life can be lonely. I'm often found slumped over my desk in the loft, fingers whipping across the keyboard at a pace Flash Gordon would be proud of. When I'm finished, I have written 5,000 words, backed up, rewritten 2000 of them, then erased literally a hundred words that just don't fit the piece I am working on. Hours have passed. My husband has all but given up hope that I'll ever come down. Yet when I do, I am just so happy he can see it on my face! I don't understand the pull that flying fingers on a keyboard have on me, but I'm grateful that I've seemed to find a place in my life that is fulfilling! By the way, it’s a good man who can be so encouraging when he only hears the clicking of a keyboard as he's cooking dinner…again! Hope you're that lucky!
This week's book read…………..The Help by Kathryn Stockett….A must read by a new author about a young woman's dangerous attempt to write a book about the black household help that worked in white people's homes. Set in the 1960's. A great read with fast paced writing, true-to-life dialog and a realistic ending!
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