Writing Panes

Eight Months of Good, Bad, Ugly

2011-09-03T20:15:00.001-04:00

The past eight months have been good, bad, and ugly. It's been that long since my last post, and I wonder just what happened during this time. So, list-maker-me came up with the following to share. Life happens to all of us, and opportunities present themselves in all sorts of disguises. Take a look and consider making a list of events Jan - Aug 2011. It's amazing what we see, when we take time to look

The good:
Husband's health improvements are dramatic
Finished a writing course at Stanford University (online)
Writer's critique group revived
Invited to teach a writer's workshop in October
Negotiated a publishing op with a non-profit org
Secured a private writing space (office)
Attended a webinar by T. Suzanne Eller (great webinar)
Worked to create a life balance

The bad:
Lost sight of my writing world for a while

The ugly:
PC problems - tons of them
Website problems - including this site
Email problems - except on the Droid

Take a look at the three lists. It's easy to see that my choices, actions and reactions to opportunities, played a positive roll in the 'good' list. And the 'ugly' list has nothing to do with events I can change.

"God grant me the serenity.....and the wisdom to know the difference." Reinhold Niebhur (1892 - 1971)

Dog Days, Shooting Stars, and To Kill A Mockingbird

2010-08-11T13:30:00.001-04:00

Today is the last day of Dog Days, the hottest, most humid part of summer. Tradition uses July 3 - August 11 to mark these sultry days. Let's hope the mercury will start sliding down the scale and hover at a tolerable temperature. In my area of Appalachia, the thermometer has crept as high as 104 degrees. Whew! It bakes my brain to be outside.

Tomorrow, August 12, 2010, look to the western skies around 10 p.m. for a chance to see a spectacular meteor shower. Shooting stars will be painting the heavens with streaks of light. Don't miss it.

This blog wouldn't be complete without a word about Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. Introduced to readers 50 years ago this year, Lee's message resonates with as much truth now as it did in 1960. There's a good article by Loretta Ellsworth in the September 2010 issue of "The Writer." Ellsworth shares what she learned about writing from Harper Lee.

My childhood has similarities that run parallel with Scout's recollections. The Boo Radley of my youth was a street lady who offered presents of rusted pop bottle caps or wrinkled comics from Bazooka bubble gum. Though not as recluse as Boo, she was every bit as scary.

Scout will no doubt live forever. I've met a dozen or more young girls over the years, who've been honored to carry the name Scout. In an excerpt from one of Dean Koontz' Frankenstein novels, he likens one of his characters to the young tomboy we love in TKAMB.

Finally, I'll add that recently I learned Robert Duvall played Boo Radley in the 1962 movie To Kill A Mockingbird, starring Gregory Peck. We're going to talk about Duvall next time, not in a gossipy way.

Now, as an exercise let your writing muse have its way with these events, Dog Days, Meteor Showers, and anything related to Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. Stretch your skill in a paragraph, a memory, or a short story incorporating all three. Write something new and fresh. Fiction or non. Reread the book or rent the movie. You'll be glad you did.

That's a Wrap

2010-07-09T07:31:00.037-04:00

A couple of things to wrap up the week, first

check out Dancing With the Gorilla, and read the post about heart attacks in women. My mother mistook her heart attack as indigestion, too. The post is a good reminder of symptoms women may experience during a heart attack.
Then, mosey on over to A Country Boy Can Surmise. Read the author's take on disastrous destruction of our natural resources, the BP oil leak and mountain top removal.
Since my writer's retreat, a new author has befriended me via text messaging. She is writing a mystery novel starring protagonist Secret Agent Mac. She is ten years old, and quite an aspiring author. Besides finishing her story, she plans to send a book on tour via The Sketchbook Project. Join me in wishing her the best of luck.
Did you notice this blogger's new look. I hope you like it. I've had problems getting my gadgets to work (those little things to the right that you can click on). Everything appears to function as it should, now. I apologize, from my techno-challenged heart, if you have any trouble.
Mail call. I got the crits back from the west coast. I kissed the envelope. Smelled it. Held it up to the light for a peek inside. Slapped it against my left palm several times, took my letter opener out, and did a drum roll in my head. Sliced the sucker open, and.......
Well, not exactly what I expected. The promise was two (2) critiques of two (2) full pages each. I didn't expect to find a form letter, in 14pt Times New Roman, with barely enough room between categories to write a phrase, let alone a whole sentence. However, I considered the comments valuable and out of a possible 100 my scores were 73 and 89. So, I'm encouraged. Fiction, my current genre, is harder to write than the non-fiction this blogger used to cut writer's teeth.
I made contact with http://www.writeeyes.com/. This service is unavailable until September, if then. I'm still on the hunt for a critique / editing service. Feel free to toss out recommendations.
To wind down this post, there's a writer's workshop coming to the South in October. Cecil Murphey, NY Times best selling author is slated as the keynote speaker. Mr. Murphey's bio states he's written over a hundred books. Now, that's impressive!

For this week, that's a wrap. Happy writing, happy weekend.

Writing Retreat

2010-06-28T03:10:00.012-04:00

Just got back from a writing retreat. Wow. It was absolutely, possitively, fantabulous! Four days and three nights of writing.

Let me brag about my progress. Sub deadline is September 1, 2010. Word limit is 3,000. I chose to start a short from scratch rather than rewrite an existing. Day 1 = 1,996 words. Day 2 = 1,997 words. Day 3 = editing to less than 3,000 for a manuscript of 2,892 words. Yippee! Story still needs work, but hey. Yippee!

Now, the location. We rented a guest cottage from a nearby college situated on a mountaintop. The view inspiring, the facilities adequate, and places to write abundant. Though temps lingered in the mid 90's, the shade offered up a nice breeze everyday. The lobby for guest housing provided comfortable seating, small fridge, coffee, and microwave.

The library, while not as plush as the lobby, included chair with laptop tables attached to the arms and coffee house tables, for writer's who like to perch a tad higher.

We carted coolers for snacks and cold drinks and Panera Bread Bagels for breakfast, but for lunch we went to this fabulous little cafe. The chef trained in Chicago, Louisiana, and France. Thinking now of his presentation of Shrimp n' Grits, Pork Sliders, and Mac n' Cheese is making my mouth water.

If you've considered a writing retreat, by all means give it a try. There are affordable stays out there and / or close to home. Pull together a handful of writing friends and plan the essentials. It can be a memorable and productive writing experience.

If my group goes again, and I hope it does, I plan to attend. Meanwhile, I'm going to rewrite and sub my story by deadline. Until next time, happy writing.

The Not An Option Option

2010-06-11T07:00:00.002-04:00

Wow! The first day of summer is just around the corner. I've been looking over sub-options, since most of the university presses take the summer off.

I sent a sub to a contest with an entry fee of $50. Steep, huh? Well, I'm suppposed to get back two (2) professional critiques / editorials in exchange for my hard earned bucks. Oh, I'm going to let you know whether it was worth it.

In the meantime, I spoke to a writer friend who directed me to http://www.writeyes.com/. This website offers handwritten notes on my story copy and a type written critique on structure, character, and dialog. The price of $3 / page seems reasonable ($30 minimum). Of course, I'll let you know how that works out, too.

Now, back to the submission options. You know about the contests, lit journals, magazines, etc. But, the one option that isn't a real option is when to send. The answer: only when you can't improve your story further.

Submitting top quality work is Rule #1. You need this critique / editing feedback. It's way difficult to know where your writing is missing the mark unless a professional looks at your story.

So, try it. And we'll swap experiences.

Writing Classes -- Pick an Option

2010-05-03T06:00:00.004-04:00

I'm so glad to be writing again. Thank you for your emails and well wishes. Now, back in the writing saddle.

This week let's talk about writing classes and the available choices. Local colleges, online courses, and self study are options to fit just about any schedule. To lower the cost of a college course, consider auditing the class, especially if you already have a degree in another field. Often the cost to audit is much lower than the cost of credited classes. Classes will differ from school to school. Try to make an appointment with the instructor, before signing up, if you can.

Online classes can be pricey, too. Make sure you can research the instructors credentials. And find out if there is a refund offered for early outs, in case the course doesn't live up to your expectations.

Writer's Digest offers Writer's Digest University, a new webpage on this day. But check out Gotham Writer's Workshop, too. Don't underestimate the value of professional feedback. If your writing is improving, you'll reap future monetary benefits from the course.

Self-study requires the same commitment as community or online classes, maybe more. The disadvantage is lack of feedback. Look to your writing group for thoughts about whether your writing is getting better as a result of a self study course.

The Teaching Company offers excellent home writing courses to purchase on CD. Before you gasp with an anxiety attack, watch for a potential course to go on sale. From my experience, these are true sales prices and not markdowns of discontinued items. My personal library from The Teaching Company includes, Building Great Sentences taught by Professor Brooks Landon, and Masterpieces of Short Fiction taught by Professor Michael Krasny.

Books may be the cheapest of all self-study courses. Most libraries offer used books for sale. Look to buy used college textbooks. Do the reading and writing exercises. Or, flip through the pages of On Becoming a Novelist by John Gardner. Buy it as a study guide, if you like what you see.

Reading is the best teacher of all, in my humble opinion. As writers, we can glean a wealth of information from a universe bursting with books. The trick is learning to read like a writer.

Lastly, some authors, like Nicholas Sparks, offer writing tips on their personal websites. Mr. Sparks has a section for teachers and one for writers. Surf your favorite authors, and bookmark these sites as you come across them.

Don't rule out writing classes as a way to improve your craft. If funds are limited, start with the least expensive option or a combination of the above preferences. Feel free to share the pros and cons of your writing class experiences.

Next time...submission options. Any questions?

The Writer's Journey

2010-03-15T06:36:00.000-04:00

As a writer, journeys are essential. Lately, I've started a writer's journey of sorts. My travels so far have been in the direction of the epicenter of my inner most being. The place where I live all by myself and am afraid to visit at times.

Three tour guides are directing my adventure. In no particular order, the first is Natalie Goldberg. My copy of "Writing Down the Bones" is the 1986 printing. Goldberg teaches us how to reach into the depths of our soul and expose our unknown self -- to our known self. She leads us gently into areas of our lives, worthy of exploration, void of explanation, and stripped of expectation in search of who we are inside. Using writing practices and encouraging honesty, she creates a stirring to discern and learn about our covert self.

Next, is Julia Cameron author of "The Artist's Way". It's a book of healing, personal development, and artistic discovery. The textbook and / or the accompanying workbook is chock full of exercises and ideas to nurture the artist that lives with us. The course is a how-to and includes encouragements and ideas for losing the baggage that keeps our creative self struggling to move forward. My version is part of a volume that includes The Artist's Way, Walking Through This World, and Finding Water.

The last, but not least, of my tour guides is Andy Couturier, author of "Writing Open the Mind." His exercises are not traditional writing exercises but unique techniques that stretch the imagination and waken the writer with calistenics for the brain.

This will be my first time through Cameron's twelve week process and Couturier's eleven step system. I'll keep you updated about this adventure and in the meantime encourage you to start your own writer's journey. Stimulate your right brain. Let me know how it goes.

Note: Painstaker, author of Writing Panes, has not received compensation in any form for the mention of any author's books listed in this blog. I would like to thank author Darnell Arnoult for her blog that mentioned Julia Cameron's work, which initiated my interest in taking a personal writer's journey.

Cold Mountain - Literature or History

2010-03-01T05:00:00.005-05:00

Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier is one of my all-time favorite books. Whether as literature or history, this book is a wealth of writing inspiration for all levels of creative writing courses . Writing students can learn from Frazier’s varying degrees of deprivation, attention to detail, and characterizations. I would love to talk to Mr. Frazier about some of the passages in Cold Mountain. If you know him, please direct him to this blog. (Mr. Frazier, if you read this, please comment.)

It may be unfair to point out symbolism in Cold Mountain. Some authors, Hemingway for one, preferred his audience read for enjoyment rather than pick and digest his work like a roasted chicken (my words not Hemingway's).

Still, I’m compelled to share my thoughts about this vivid story. I’ll start with the some chapter titles.

Chapter 1 – the shadow of a crow. Things are not as they appear. Look at these examples.

Inman sails his hat out the schoolroom window, and it settles near the edge of a field "black as the shadow of a crow squatted on the ground."

Pages further, Inman's friends say their goodbyes, when the army sends Inman to a hospital in his home state to die from a neck wound. The neck does not bring death.

From Inman’s perspective, the war is not as it appears, neither is Balis (another wounded soldier), or freedom from the army hospital.

Chapter 2 – the ground beneath her hands. Life is at its lowest for Ada. She's not prepared to cope with mountain life. The daughter of a preacher, she has no domestic skills, no money to get to back to Charleston, SC, and no social life. She even believes the flogging rooster wants to kill her. Ada touches the dry ground, full of chicken feathers and chicken poop.

Chapter 3 – the color of despair. This phrase is from a curse, “To Destroy Life,” taught to Inman by his Cherokee friend, Swimmer. Inman repeats the curse "aiming it out at the world at large, his enemies." He speaks it out for several miles until he thought "the words were just flying back to strike him alone." In the despair of this chapter, Inman finds a glimmer of hope (when do you see it) but can't bring it to fruition in his mind. He sinks low again.

We'll look at other chapters in the future. In the meantime, I'm curious what inspires you as you read a book, any book?

If you haven't read Cold Mountain, consider reading it this year. Mark the passages that teach you creative writing. Learn to read like a writer. Any questions?

Notebooking Part 3 of 3 - Skill Bill

2010-02-25T04:00:00.003-05:00

Whether writing is a full time job or not, skill building is an important step towards getting published. Meet Skill Bill. My homework, assignment, writing prompt, note taker.

When I study the craft of writing, I shift into student mode. I underline in my books, write comments in the margins, and work my assignments in Skill Bill.

Page After Page and Chapter After Chapter both by Heather Sellers has writing assignments at the end of each chapter. In Skill Bill, I outlined the chapters of Between the Lines by Jessica Page Morrell.

Andy Couturier teaches great techniques in Writing Open the Mind: Tapping the Subconscious to Free the Writing and the Writer. One of my favorite exercises is in the first chapter.

Important notes, writing mantras, teacher comments are quick to find in Skill Bill. Now, remember I said, no writer knows it all. Good writers are forever learning, better writers are practicing what they learn.

Remember I said, study interviews of other writers. Sent you over to Paris Review. Encouraged you to subscribe and get the four-volume set. Skill Bill holds quotes by Truman Capote, William Falkner, and others. More recent entries include assignments from Dancing With The Gorilla blog.

Learning to construct great sentences, analyzing short stories, reading author interviews, working through writing exercises, are just a few of the ways to improve our writing. Use a notebook to keep everything you learn in one convenient, easy to find, pseudo-reference book created by you for you.

Without a doubt any writer can keep a number of notebooks. Right now, my magic number seems to be three.

Blog Heaven for scrawling out blogging ideas ahead of time
Infernal Journal for insights into myself and life
Skill Bill for note taking, writing exercises, mantras, and etc

If you keep a notebook, consider how it supports your writing. If you're just starting, I hope this short series has encouraged you to try notebooking. Once you start and stick with it, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.

Any questions?

Notebooking Part 2 of 3 -- Infernal Journal

2010-02-22T05:00:00.003-05:00

Last Tuesday, I panicked, when I thought I left my briefcase in the conference room. My Infernal Journal. What if someone takes it out, just to ID the case? What if the page spills open to where I'm calling names, less than nice, spurred by incompetent, rude work associates.

An email, notice pops up. Subject: "I read your journal. Your are messed up."

OMG. My heart could not pound harder. I spun in my chair and caught sign of my briefcase parked by the office door in my rush to do who knows what.

Okay, I embellished a bit. (I am a writer) I don't fill my notebook with slurs against my co-workers. And I didn't leave my briefcase in the conference room. But...

My Infernal Journal is private. It's about me. I don't be ugly. I be honest. I write letters to me expressing my thoughts, responses, reactions. I explore my inner self and discover me, entry by entry. I can process my feelings in my Infernal Journal. On occasion, I go back to my earliest memories and write about my feelings now concerning what happened then.

My Infernal Journal helps me stay real with my fiction. I borrow phrases written straight from the heart to use in a short story scene or dialog. This notebook keeps me balanced. I can forgive me, encourage me. When I need to get away, I can time travel to the past or the future.

I can set goals, tap into my writer's intuition, and open a new world -- a world discovered by me, for me.

My notebook is a diary of sorts, a friend, a confidante. My expressions increase the love I have for me. And self love can bring about healing and personal growth. The Infernal Journal loves me, and I love the Infernal Journal. I keep it close, just in case I need a solid unmovable shoulder.

If you don't keep a notebook for recording your thoughts and feelings, try it. It just might set you free, help you find your creative self, and give you the strength to chisel through your writing challenges, which in turn can set your writing free. Keep a notebook. It's good advice.

Any questions?

Notebooking Part 1 of 3 -- Blog Heaven

2010-02-18T05:38:00.001-05:00

Keep a notebook, a suggestion echoed by writers since time began, my time anyway. The value of toting spiral notebooks in my back pack didn't weigh much until I gave each book a name. The one I scribbled in today is Blog Heaven. In one thunderous brainstorming session, I jotted down topics for seven (7) weeks of blogs. Celestial, huh? It is for me.

Magically, when I visit Blog Heaven I root around in my subconscious unearthing the acorns of ideas covered over by the cares of work, life, and responsibility. Ideas waiting for me to dig them out, like buried treasures.

Blog Heaven is my nirvana of blog ideas. In between, posting topics I scrawl quotes, character sketches, and plot points. The more I visit Blog Heaven the more I can depend on it to ignite my inspiration. Weird as it sounds, I've got an intimate relationship with my notebook. Blog Heaven shelters my ideas and encourages me to scratch, scribble, and scrawl until I've emptied my mind. I visit every day just to glance over the fruits of my storming sessions and, sometimes, stroke the pages as though to comfort a mourning friend.

For me, using a notebook is like using a pastry blender. You won't see the benefits until you use it as intended. So, give notebooking a try. It's an old idea that can yield new surprises and inspiration. Next week I'll discuss the other two notebooks I use. Infernal Journal and Skill Bill.

In the meantime, any questions?

Writing Craft and Art

2010-02-15T09:13:00.002-05:00

Encarta defines craft as "a profession or activity that requires skill, training, experience, or specialized knowledge.

Master crafters are the best of the best. And being a master takes years of practice, learning, perfecting. Endless hours serving as an apprentice.

Dedication lives in the heart of a master. For writers, this means writing every day, studying other writers, and rewriting to improve and to apply (to our work) the skills we learn.

Most of us don't have the privilege of a mentor. Neither did Checkhov, Poe, or Joyce. If we're graced with talent, we still devote hours honing our craft.

When writing is life-changing, thought-provoking and beautiful, it is art. Consider craft and art as the preparation and presentation of writers.

Sometimes, we get ahead of the process and make a presentation of our work before the preparation is complete. This can leave an unappealing, unsatisfying taste in a reader's palate. Quite discouraging for a writer.

Don't be so anxious to send your work to an agent or an editor. Let the story perculate, simmer. When it rises, punch it down like bread dough; let it rise a second time. Patience and hard work will pay off in the long run.

Write, rewrite, study. Prepare. Present. Any questions?

Priceless Writing Inspiration

2010-02-08T00:01:00.001-05:00

A 500-sheet pack of paper, $12.00; a 1950's Royal typewriter at a yardsale, $5; two boxes of ribbon for the typewriter, $10; my mother's memoirs, priceless.

Mom was my best friend, and losing her in September was devastating. The dysfunctional family situation surrounding her funeral was traumatic and enough to send lesser women to a therapist for life. But I have my mother's strength, a fact that has crystallized as I've read the memoirs she left behind. Memoirs I encouraged her to finish. And she did. This alone is inspiration for me.

Though we shared a lasting closeness, Mom withheld some pleasant and surprising secrets throughout the years. She concealed these only to reveal them in her writings. And each revelation has brought tears of joy and sadness. There are lessons, truths, and wisdom in her words.

If you've ever considered writing your memoirs, even for posterity, I encourage you to do it. The world you leave behind will be richer for your gift. Mom's story is not eloquent. She wasn't educated. Her book will never be a New York Times Bestseller. Yet she changed one life. Mine.

Isn't that what writing is about? Having an impact? Touching a reader? Take a little bit of time everyday to write a sentence or two about your life. Don't worry who will care. Maybe no one. Until after you've passed.

Just tell your story. Your words. Your way. Any questions?

Reading List

2010-01-16T08:55:00.002-05:00

My 2010 reading list includes The Bible. Now, I'm not like a super religious person or fanatic. And I don't consider myself a Christian Writer, though I don't write (or read) porn. I think there are lots of advantages to reading The Bible cover to cover. First, the stories are bountiful. Writing prompts and ideas springboard off the books and chapters in The Bible.

Second, there are some great quotes to reference in our writing. A writing reference library will include a book of quotes.

Third, a myriad of themes run throughout The Bible. In a way similar to Aesop's Fables, 'the moral of the story' is easy to identify. And the book of Proverbs is loaded with morals to build a story around. Look at Proverbs 21:9 -- "It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house." How many stories can you spin off of that verse?

Finally, The Bible is poetry and literature...enough said.

I'm going to read The Bible through in 90 days instead of the typical one year. I've created a great Excel spreadsheet set up to track my progress. I can start any day of the year and finish in 90-days. I'll send the spreadsheet out to anyone interested. It does work only with a Thompson Chain Bible, because that's what I bought. If you read a Zondervan NIV Bible, I can send a PDF file.

Try it once. Read The Bible through. See how many stories you can create from it. It's a great piece of literature. Any questions?

Thanks, Brian.

2010-01-15T05:07:00.000-05:00

10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer

by Brian Clark

Brian knows what it takes. Thanks, Brian. These 10 steps are from his website copyblogger.com where you'll find lots more writing help.

Write.
Write more.
Write even more.
Write even more than that.
Write when you don’t want to.
Write when you do.
Write when you have something to say.
Write when you don’t.
Write every day.
Keep writing.

Any questions?

John Steinbeck on Relationships

2010-01-13T02:00:00.014-05:00

I got a little insight about relationships from John Steinbeck's writings published online at The Paris Review, in a compiled interview, compiled as opposed to live or face to face, Steinbeck wrote "The human mind, particularly in the present, is troubled and fogged and bee-stung with a thousand little details from taxes to war worry to the price of meat. All these usually get together and result in a man's fighting with his wife for that is the easiest channel of relief for inner unrest."

Guys seldom argue with other guys, especially guy friends. They pick fights with their wives or girlfriends out of frustrations, stresses, and pressures. These days women might do the same, considering the stresses of being a career mom. If married or committed couples are connected fibers, like a knitted sweater or a quilt, it makes sense that life's burdens would take toll on the 'garment or covering'.

Remember this when writing a character who is strained and stretched by circumstances. He/she must find a "channel of relief for inner unrest." There are other outlets, too. Dean Koontz's character, Junior Cain, in From the Corner of His Eye, chose murder to lessen the turmoil in his soul. Montresor, in Poe's The Cask of Amontillado, carried a grievance in his heart towards a friend / acquaintance named Fortunato. Montresor avenged his grievance by burying Fortunato alive.

Visit The Paris Review website and read a few or all of the interviews, or do as I did and buy the interviews published in book form (the set wasn't out when I bought mine). You're going to enjoy the reads.

As writer's we can learn so much from legendary authors, not by reading only their stories, books, or biographies, but by adding to these diaries, letters, and interviews. What is your "channel of relief?"

Consider using a journal, short story, or poem, rather than a close connection, as your venting mechanism. It's less wounding and healthier. Any questions?

2010 Writing Goals

2010-01-01T08:38:00.000-05:00

A day or two ago, I encouraged you to write out your goals for 2010. The next thing is to be accountable to somebody. That's why I'm listing my 2010 writing goals and reading goals (good writers are good readers, too). You're invited to hold me accountable, and I hope you do.

2010 Goals
1)     Write 12 short stories
2)     Submit 36 short stories
3)     Start new children's book series
4)     Finish lyrics started in late 2009
5)     Read 200 short stories
6)     Read 12 novels
7)     Complete 6 skill building activities
8)     Attend 2 writing conferences/seminars
9)     Meet with writing group 24 times
10)   Search for writing mentor

I plan on reviewing/revising/resetting these goals at least once every three months, with a major update on the full year in December 2010.

By nudging each other with encouragements and updates, we can stay focused. You're invited to post your goals in the comments or send them via email.

Just be accountable to someone. Any questions?

W.R.I.T.E. S.M.A.R.T.

2009-12-30T04:41:00.002-05:00

Goal setting is our GPS on the road to publication. Sure, you can arrive without the directions, but you run the risk of getting lost and waste valuable time winging it.

The first step in setting new goals for 2010 is taking a backward look at 2009. List the successes you enjoyed this year.

How many times did you sub a single story, essay, or memoir?
How many different stories, essays, or memoirs did you write?
Was your reading on track with your reading goals?

Look at the list and determine if your writing activities are in line with your long term goal (publishing). If you didn't set goals for 2009, make a list of successes anyway. This will jump-start your goals for 2010.

Publishing is an outcome goal, our destination; it’s where we want to go. We get there by setting and completing performance goals.

A writer’s performance goals might include
1) Send five query letters each week
2) Write 2,000 words every day
3) Read five writing skill books this year, and
4) Join a writer’s critique group by 06/30.

Performance goals should be S.M.A.R.T. If you haven’t seen that a gazillion times, Google it. Besides S.M.A.R.T., remember this acronym as you set goals for the new year: W.R.I.T.E.

Write down your goals
Review, revise, and reset goals as necessary
Invest time and hard work to complete
Track your progress, even Ernest Hemingway kept track of his word count
Evaluate your success, but don't be too hard on yourself. A missed goal can always be revisited.

If you're procrastinating, check out Darnell Arnoult's pep talk about setting. And watch the Zig Ziglar links she has on the blog. Don't set writing goals? Start. Goals keep us focused and on track with our writing journeys. Any questions?

Cozy Up to Characters

2009-11-21T02:58:00.018-05:00

I've spent some time at the Paris Review website reading interviews that span six decades. These interviews share insight into The Art of Fiction through authors like Faulkner, Hemingway, Wilder, and Capote, Welty, Vidal, Shaw, and Steinbeck, Kerouac, Updike, White, and many more.

As writers, we can learn from these masters, these idols. In his interview, William Faulkner stated that he read Don Quixote once a year. Faulkner named a few of his favorite writers. Then, he made this remark "I’ve read these books so often that I don’t always begin at page one and read on to the end. I just read one scene, or about one character, just as you’d meet and talk to a friend for a few minutes."

We can cozy up to our favorite characters by practicing Faulkner's habit of reading, again and again, the books, scenes or characters that move us, inspire us, motivate us, teach us. My list of books to read for 2009 includes two I've read before: Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier and On Agate Hill by Lee Smith.

My re-reads for 2010 include:

Sufficient Grace by Darnell Arnoult

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Father and Son by Larry Brown, and

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.

Each of these reads have well written scenes and characters. I've used a pencil to mark my favorites. And will "roll them around in my mouth like marbles" as Darnell Arnoult suggests in her blog, Dancing with the Gorilla.

Make a list of books you can reread next year. Mark your favorite passages so you too can return, as Faulkner did, to visit with your friends and hang out in familiar places. Cozy up to characters by reading and reading again. It's a great way to learn and improve your craft. Any questions?

The Alliterative Author

2009-11-18T03:35:00.006-05:00

I like using alliteration in my writing. Not a lot. Once or twice in two thousand words. It's a technique to get into the minds of readers, and stay there. How? It's poetic, rhythmic, and can draw attention to a comparison or contrast.

It's a legitimate writing skill, underused in my opinion. It's right up there with assonance, analogy, and allusion.

We sat sad-eyed and sorrowful as we sang songs of sympathy.

Maybe that one sentence isn't the best writing. Maybe you wouldn't buy a book with that opening line. But like it or not, alliteration has a place in literature.In my worldwide crowd of writer friends, at least one doesn't like alliterations. Perhaps the consonants have trouble tumbling from the tongue; the mind mixes the mood of the message; my writing makes a devastating display of the delivery.

Whatever the reason, alliterations are not out of place in a story. And I'll continue to use this skill. Not a lot. Once or twice in two thousand words. Any questions?

Writing Inspiration

2009-11-03T03:08:00.016-05:00

My writer friend, Reggie, has a fast track story mind. She's never at a loss for story ideas. Some writers say this is the definition of a writer.

But if we must have a deck of stories shuffling in our brain to be a writer, where does that leave those who love to write but struggle finding stories, essay topics, or memoirs? Are we wannabees? No. We are writers, too. Say it. I am a writer.

Our problem is not lack of imagination. It's lack of exercising our imagination. Just like a body needs exercise, the brain needs exercise, the imagination needs exercise. These exercises can range from simple to complex. They can be difficult to the point of painful. But push through the pain and keep at it. Start out slow if you have to, just stay with it.

The tendency will be to quit. Avoid telling yourself it's a stupid exercise or it doesn't work. Sendentary couch potatoes use the same type of self talk when it comes to physical exercise. After a day or two, they're ready to throw in the (dry) towel. Yet, if you talk to someone who pushed through and succeeded, you'll hear the positive aspects. It does work, if you hang in there.

Below are a five exercises ranging in levels of intensity. Try one. Try them all. Repeat them often. One rule: The excercises must be performed with a pad and pen or tapping a keyboard. In other words, write out the exercises. Here you go.

take one unpleasant memory and change the outcome to a happy one

take one pleasant memory and change the outcome to a tragic one

read the newspaper, choose a human interest story, and create a new fictional story. Start by asking what if this happened? Introduce a villian to your story. If the real story is a tragedy, create a comedy or a romance. Set your story in the future and add science fiction. Or set your story in the past. How would the story change without modern conveniences?

choose a person you may like only a little. Now create a character that you love. Write a scene where this lovable character does something despicable, something the person you like only a little would do. Reverse this exercise: choose a person you love. Create a character you don't like. Write a scene where this unloved person does something angelic, something the person you love would do.

make a list of accomplishments in your life: graduated college, graduated kindergarten, visited The Vatican, visited the Grand Canyon, went deep sea fishing, went bass fishing. Consider things you've done that a person your age living in a third world country may never get to experience. You'll discover even the smallest accomplishments are noteworthy. Choose an accomplishment from the list and write about it. While showing what happened, write about how you felt at the time, what you learned, and why you haven't forgotten the event. This exercise requires quiet time to recall.

Writing inspiration is everywhere -- in people we meet, places we go, things we do. As writer's we just need to exercise our imagination. Carry that pad and paper or better a recording device. Jot down or record what you see or hear. Ask those what if questions. Dig deep. Go to the place inside where you live all by yourself and write.

Say this. I am a writer. I will exercise my imagination. I will seek to take my writing where no one has gone before. Any questions?

Characters Speak -- Writers Listen

2009-08-19T05:38:00.006-04:00

Writers talk about having conversations with their characters, listening to what their characters say. It's a concept that's hard to grasp, until it happens to you.

I freaked out the first time a character came to me. She said, "I like the feel of dirt on my tongue."

As I listened and asked questions, she spoke more, and every time, I repeated her words into my recorder.

It's an awesome experience to listen to your characters, then watch them come alive on paper. If it hasn't happened to you, don't despair. It will, when you least expect. Practice patience, believe, and talk to your characters. Even if they ignore you. One of them will talk back, when (s)he knows you're ready to listen.

It took about two years of serious writing, before one of my characters paid me a visit; but, I never gave up hope.

Characters do speak. As a writer, you must listen. Any questions?

Writer Technology

2009-07-26T06:08:00.002-04:00

I admire writers who create stories with pen and paper. Since I worked for a newspaper, where all our stories were typed and sent to the proofreader, I bang out my work on a keyboard.
So, I'm a tech writer. Give me yWriter5 to outline my next project or Sonar3 to track my submissions. I keep up with my writing group using Yahoo Groups. I like Free Mind for brainstorming my plots or developing my characters.
I use a spreadsheet called Book Tracker, which I found at Writing A Novel. The spreadsheet helps me keep my project(s) and writing goals on track.
Right now, I'm using Windows Live Writer to post, edit, and publish this blog. It's my first time using this program. On my screen, to the right, I can insert maps, videos, pictures, tables, and tags.
There's nothing wrong with pen and paper. Nothing wrong with computing your way to a best seller, either. What kind of writer are you?
The most important thing you can do for your writing is write. Everyday.
Either longhand or tap that keyboard. Just write. Any questions?

Writing Groups

2009-07-23T05:34:00.000-04:00

My writing group meets this evening. So, I thought it would be a good time to post a few words about writing groups in general. When I joined my group, we were about fourteen people strong. Each member had a unique writing talent dissimilar to the others. It was a great group, a fun group.

Then, some of us wanted to do our own thing, and my writing group came together. We had high hopes and set some goals. Writing goals, publishing goals, bonding goals, conference goals. We held a successful open mic.

You might be thinking about joining a writing group. Well, here's a few things to consider before you make a commitment.

1) Diversity within the group is important, but so is commonality. Make a list of individual differences and common goals / interests. Make sure you can live with both lists.

2) Consider personalities. What are the chances yours will clash with a group member's? Is the group cliquish? Staying with a group, when you feel like an outsider, may not be worth the benefits your group provides.

3) Expect a leader to imerge. Desire it. Just make sure you're willing to follow whoever rises to the challenge.

4) Voice your opinion about the group's direction or lack of it. Keeping a group on track is challenging.

5) Keep your individual goals in sight and pursue those goals, which might differ from group goals. Don't forsake your goals to chase a group dream, unless you are 200% certain the dream will be a reality.

Group dynamics are important and the group's achievements will hinge on each member coming together as one. The writing and critiquing will fall into place.

There's a lot to consider before jumping into a writing group. Any questions?

Last Words

2009-07-21T04:39:00.000-04:00

Some people must have the last word. The rest of us allow it. We could keep it going, but choose to drop it. Let Last Word Lucy have her way.

Last words are never as important as at the end of a short story or novel. Here, as writers, we have the last word; and, it needs to carry so much impact our readers want to keep it going. They're not ready to drop our characters or leave our story world.

The beginning of a book, story, or movie can be memorable, the middle unforgettable. But, if the ending bombs readers will feel let down or cheated.

When you're thinking about the twists and turns of your story, think about the ending and how you'll leave a mark on readers' hearts, souls, and minds. Write the best last words ever.

As a writer, have the last word. Any questions?

Up and Edit

2009-07-16T05:37:00.000-04:00

Self-editing and rewrites can be a writer's demise. Some of us are in such a hurry to get our stories down, we don't take much time to polish. Let me say this. No polish. No publish.

Like any other writer activity, edits and rewrites take discipline and practice. On my desk, I keep a copy of Harbrace College Handbook and Gramattically Correct by Anne Stilman. Spell checker isn't enough. Both books help me figure out what's wrong with my sentence structure or fragments. When I make a correction, I feel confident.

An edit is not the same as a critique. So, if you're a member of a writing group, these groups don't address editing much. More on writing groups later.

So, invest in a couple of grammar books or find a professional editor you can afford. Practice editing your work. The more you edit and rewrite the better you'll get.

Now, rise and shine. Up and edit. Any questions?

Make Time or Take Time

2008-12-08T05:11:00.001-05:00

Let's agree on this. We can't make time to write. We all get 24 hours a day. No more. No less. Making time is not an option.

That leaves take time to write. Out of your busy schedule what can you eliminate or spend less time doing?

Try this. Reduce TV time by 30 minutes a day to add 3.5 hours a week to your writing time. Come on. It's one mindless sitcom. One re-run.

Get up 30 minutes earlier to add another 3.5 hours a week. We're up to an additional hour every day of new writing time.

Are you waiting 10-15 minutes for the kids to get out of school or practice? You've got a pad handy. Right?

Need more time? Look at your schedule. Take time to write. Spend less time doing non-writing activities. Any questions?

Read Like a Writer

2008-11-16T15:32:00.000-05:00

Readers enjoy the experiences of story, plot, and character. We identify with the good guys, despise the bad ones, travel to new places, and root for a happy ending.

Writers like story, plot, and character, too. We identify the three-act structure, analyze the depths of major characters, and watch for POV changes.

Reading like a writer takes practice. It's a skill that can be learned. Here's a few guidelines to get started:

a) Look at the book jacket flaps or paperback cover. These often summarize what the book is about.

b) Read the author bio and note her/his credentials. Get insight about what qualifies her/him to write the book.

c) As you read, learn how the author uses transitions, hooks, and flashbacks. Determine if the tension rises and falls in the right places.

d) Pay attention to how the author achieves the art of showing (versus telling).

Pick up you favorite book and read it like a writer. Circle the adverbs, underline the POV changes, and note the structure. Reading like a writer will give you a better understanding of why you like the book. Do the same with a book you don't like. Yes, that means reading it again.

Read like a writer. Learn the craft. Any questions?

Finding New Markets

2008-10-09T03:32:00.000-04:00

Today, I sit in a hospital waiting room. The surgery is underway. I'm thinking about writerly things to keep my mind on pleasantries and off the potential hazards of being put to sleep.

On the table next to me, I find multiple copies of four local publications all marked "Complimentary", which means I can take one. And, I do. I view these publications as four new markets where I can submit my non-fiction articles.

Next time you're in a waiting room, at the the hospital, doctor's office, or auto maintenance shop, check out the magazine rack for free issues of local magazines. Flip through each one and decide if you can write something the publisher might accept. These may not be high paying, but consider it a means of establishing your writing reputation.

Keep your eyes open for new publishing markets. Any questions?

Writing Workshops

2008-09-30T05:59:00.002-04:00

Here's a few words about writing workshops. Not all of them are worth the money. Yep, I said it. With all the hype and buzz how do you know which to pay for and which to pass on?

The answer might be: it comes with experience. Or, you can try this.

Make sure the speaking authors are great writers. Find out who they are and read some of their published works. If you like what you read, you may enjoy hearing about the technique(s) they practice. On the other hand, if you can't find much of their work, think about whether you want to pay out the cash. Look at the speaker's website. See if writing instructions are posted or available. You might be able to get a sneak peek to help you decide.

Be selective. Don't be in a hurry to attend every workshop that hits your area. New writers are prone to this. Saving your money for one fabulous workshop is better than spending it on ten events that leave you feeling ripped off and disappointed.

Make sure the group(s) sponsoring the event has a reputation of inviting good quality speakers. This will go a long way to help decide whether to pay or pass.

I've attended workshops and festivals that were priced right, and I went home with my money's worth. Darnell Arnoult, author of Sufficient Grace, is an exceptional workshop instructor, who is more than willing to share her expertise.

Before you pay for a writing event, check out the speaker(s) on line and in print, be selective, and look at the sponsoring group's reputation. Any questions?

Debut

2008-08-26T03:34:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the first post of Writing Panes. As a published writer, I hope to help you reach your writing goals. So for starters here's a few writing tips.

Stay focused. Jumping from one writing project to another without completing any is...Well, it's trashy. If you can multitask and get published, kudos. Most writers, especially newbies, can't. Now pick out your favorite and put aside the rest. Stay with it until it's done. Too many unfinished stories leaves Jack/Jill unpublished.

Set goals. If you're new at goal setting, the goals have to be attainable. "I will write my novel in 7 days" is best reserved for the Stephen Kings and Dean Koontzes of the world. 350 words a day is a better goal for beginners.

Study the craft. There are great free sites online for learning the craft of writing. Nicholas Sparks offers Writer's Corner. And check out Peder Hill and learn about the Elements of a Novel. Build a small library of books on writing. Practice the techniques. Don't be in such a rush to crank out your first book that you ignore the art, craft, and skill of writing.

Focus, set goals, and study. Any questions?