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?
Writing Craft and Art
Cozy Up to Characters
Cozy Up to Characters
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?
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
The Alliterative Author
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?
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
Writing Inspiration
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.
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?
Writer Technology
Writer Technology
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?
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?
Last Words
Last Words
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
Up and Edit
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?
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
Make Time or Take Time
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?
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
Read Like a Writer
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?
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
Finding New Markets
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?
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
Writing Workshops
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?
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
Debut
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?
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?
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