Archive for January, 2010
Writers, Let’s Write!
Over and over you hear and we (along with every other writer’s blogger and advice giver) say to Write, Write and Write more. You hear that writing is the only way to improve upon your craft of writing … that practice makes perfect.
As with any other profession or hobby, you and I need a release — a change of pace or an opportunity to write something separate from our current work. And so, I am directing your attention to the Writing Prompts.
A new writing prompt is posted every Friday specifically for your writing enjoyment or for welcomed (and maybe even unwelcomed) homework — and is conveniently located on the right hand side (just scroll down a bit :). Its purpose is to allow you to branch out in new directions with your writing, stimulating new creativity and refreshing your spirits towards your current projects.
So enjoy. Enjoy the prompts, and enjoy your writing.
–Melissa
Write Your Book: Your Writing Ritual
You can ask anyone who writes what happens or needs to happen to set creativity in motion. A quieted mind. That lucky sweater. The right setting. The little habits and routines that make setting aside time to write part of the daily grind.
I am referring to a writer’s ritual. Yours and mine and what we do to be comfortable while writing. Maybe your ritual is already well-defined or maybe you’re still placing all of the key elements in line. Sitting in a particular chair. The smell of a pipe. Moonlight or sunshine. Create a little nook; a place of comfort and security that allows your mind and imagination the freedom to roam.
The writer’s ritual is a process understood and often needed by writers. The main focus of your ritual should be allowing your environment and certain patterns play a role in how you start writing and keep your flow.
Benefits to a Writing Ritual:
Reduces Anxiety. The effort of writing can increase anxiety. The routine of a ritual, a place and time with comforting and familiar surroundings, invokes positive feelings and confidence and gives you a sense of identity.
Increased Control. A writing ritual doesn’t guarantee you will always be in control of your writing, but it can give you the feeling of such control. Once you are in that place, it is just you and the writing. An “at home” feeling gives you the power to be yourself through your work and to reach for new heights. You have decided to create a routine and now it is time to write.
Fluency. A combination of the above helps to eliminate writer’s block and enhance the flow of your writing and the development of your story. Most rituals take place during story development and idea generation, lessening the need for constant revisions.
The act of writing rituals may seem inconsequential to some, but its’ purpose is to create the setting for you as a writer and to give you whatever you need to creatively and effectively write.
And now I ask you to experiment. Try different locations and incorporate a variety of your preferred comforts. You’ll know when you have found it — the perfect scenario for your writing. It is when, where and how you are able to openly and uncritically explore all possibilities.
Share with us what you ritually do to enhance your writing.
–Melissa
Coming Soon… A look into Characters.
Write Your Book: Crafting a Voice
A Voice. It is what every writer wants to have and every reader longs to read. A written identity, yours and mine, unique to each of us. We know it’s there, in the mix of all our thoughts, ideas, and hopes for our version visible on paper. But, how do we uncover our personal writing voice and craft a personality recognizable by readers?
Written words say something about who you are, whether it is your interests, an angle you prefer to take, or something a little more personal. Your voice is your writing style. It is your story, the way you tell it.
It’s easy to get caught up in the appreciation of our favorite authors, recognizing what it is that gives them their voices. And it is also okay to practice with techniques learned from the authors you read. But don’t restrain your abilities and your voice by only mimicking what has already been done.
Here are a few ways to help keep you on the path of sharing your voice:
Let passion be your guide. Follow your urge to write. Follow your ideas and inspirations.
Find the Feeling. Each piece of writing has an underlying feeling. Find the feeling that belongs to what you are writing and let yourself go. The piece may then write itself.
Write like you talk. It may really be that simple. Try speaking aloud or recording your thoughts before you begin to write.
Keep it personal. Let who you are shine in your writing. Your specialties and interests will color your words.
Edit later. Leave the focus on mechanics to the editing stage. Just write. Let yourself make mistakes and you can fix them later. There are no bad first drafts.
The easiest free flowing form of writing is your voice; it’s the one that comes naturally and from your core. It is the internal voice that made you fall in love with writing, the voice that wants to be heard. Be yourself in your writing. Announce that this is you and this is what the readers can expect when reading your work.
–Melissa
Next Week: Let’s dig into story development. See you then…
Beware of the Exclamation Point
I thought while Melissa was doing this great series on starting a book this week I’d jump in with a quick tip to keep in mind while you’re writing.
I have a pet peeve that I’m often guilty of myself which is strange because I usually try to avoid doing my own pet peeves. But this one is there, hanging around and getting in my writing. I’m speaking of exclamation points. Of all punctuation, the exclamation point is the one that requires the most sensitive handling. Too much and your readers are annoyed and the effectiveness of the exclamation point is wasted. Too little and your writing seems dull and flat with no expression.
In her excellent book on proper punctuation use, Eats, Shoots and Leaves, author Lynne Truss has this to say about exclamation points.
“Ever since it came along, grammarians have warned us to be wary of the exclamation mark, mainly because, even when we try to muffle it with brackets (!), it still shouts, flashes like neon, and jumps up and down. In the family of punctuation, where the full stop is daddy and the comma is mommy, and the semicolon quietly practices the piano with crossed hands, the exclamation point is the big attention-deficit brother who gets over-excited and breaks things and laughs too loudly.” (Truss, page 138).
Whenever you type or write an exclamation point stop and consider if it serves the sentence or paragraph you just wrote, or is it being the “big attention-deficit brother.” An exclamation point is used to show strong emotion or emphasis. If the sentence you just wrote doesn’t require strong emotion it should not end in an exclamation point. Here are some correct and incorrect ways to use exclamation points:
Correct:
- Get attention: Look out! There’s a car speeding toward you!
- Surprise/Excitement: Oh my goodness, what a generous gift!
- Shock: The president has been shot!
- Urgency: Watch out for the icy roads!
- Anger: The new smoking ban is completely absurd!
- Astonishment: I cannot believe she is pregnant!
Incorrect:
- This orange is the best I’ve ever had!! It is so sweet and juicy!!!
- You’ll have the most fun you ever had in your life!!
- See you tomorrow!!
As you can see from these examples, the exclamation point has its place in writing. Without it, “Look out, there’s a car speeding toward you” falls completely flat. Be thankful for the exclamation point, but be wary of it too. Keep it in your back pocket and use it only when it’s really necessary.
Happy writing! (correct or incorrect use? You tell me J)
- Kate
Write Your Book: Get Started
So, you have been thinking about writing a book. Maybe you’ve dabbled with a page or two, or even a chapter. Your story’s topic may be well defined or in bits and pieces. Perhaps an idea for a title is already in motion.
To get started writing a book, you have to just get started. I know, I know…this is easier said than done. So let’s take a look at the dominating reasons why you, I, and almost every other writer hesitate. Why we don’t just get started.
- An overwhelming task. Writing a book is an accomplishment. We tend to focus on the end result which seems so large. Break down your final goal into stages. Piece by piece, chapter by chapter, you are another step closer. Don’t rush yourself and enjoy the process.
- Time. The truth is that there is always time for writing. Always. The only way to start writing is to start writing, right now. There is not a timeline or a deadline for your story so don’t wait and allow as much time as you think you can make available.
Each writing crutch goes hand in hand with the other and there is a very simple solution for both. Create a writing plan. Decide on a time each day and write. Don’t worry about quality — just write. You may write pages that you’ll throw out later, but they are developmental to where you are going.
Write, write, write and write. Maybe it’s notes, an outline, descriptions of scenes or characters. Or maybe you simply begin your story. Write and write more. You need nothing to start but yourself and the decision to do so.
And so, to avoid the sugar coating and faux rose scent, I tell you that there is No Other Solution. Pick a time each day and write. What will come from each effort is your story — the emerging of your book and your author voice.
Sneak peek: Friday brings Write Your Book: Crafting a Voice.
Until then, keep writing.
–Melissa
Writing Your Book: Get Inspired
I began reading a book last night. It is the kind of book where the pages continue to turn and you forget that you’re actually reading — you are seeing the story. Feeling the story. In between each break of acknowledgement, admiration, and wonder for what is to come, I couldn’t help but to think about the inspiration behind the author’s idea and motivation for his story.
How does a story begin? Where does inspiration come from? And what should you and I do with all of the ideas that come with it?
Some writers just write. Others hold off for something to stir up thoughts of grandeur. Neither is right or wrong, it is what you actively do in between your writing sessions that will inspire your creativity. When you are a writer, your palette (brain) needs to be constantly updated and refreshed to keep your resourcefulness. Your writing skills are sharpened by a combination of factors, such as your personal experience, the learned experiences of others and the knowledge you acquire by your avid reading and research into your craft.
A more detailed look into inspiring ideas:
Personal experiences: You as a child, a teen, as a lover, a parent, as an elder, a leader or follower, a teacher or student, employer or employee, a professional, victim or even culprit. Each of your various roles provides a spectrum of personal and practical knowledge for you to move back and forth through.
Experiences of others: Interact or interview various types of people from different walks of life. Breathe in the differences and welcome every story. Listen to the words and conversations of others with an open perspective. These are the roles and characters of real life and their stories will broaden your capabilities.
Reading and Research: Writing and reading go hand in hand. As a writer, you should also be an avid reader. Combine your reading and research by studying the works of authors in your related genres. Follow any magazines that contain your topic or genre and stay current on events by reading various newspapers. All reading will help to generate ideas and angles as well as update you on any writing styles or linguistic trends.
Inspiration encourages ideas. Ideas encourage inspiration. Look for your ideas. Treat every idea as your last and write it down. You may not use it, but it will be there, stored for an occasion in which it is better fit.
And so, you or I have settled on an idea — a concept. And maybe even written a little because we have been inspired. But how do we actually begin to write a book? Check back in tomorrow for Writing Your Book: Get Started.
– Melissa
The Value of a Video Book Trailer
Every time I go to the movies I make a point of getting there in time to see the previews. I understand that there are differences of opinion about the value of movie previews in the theatre, but my opinion is that they are worth getting to the movie early for. There’s something exciting and anticipatory about seeing a movie preview, especially if it is a movie that looks interesting to you. For me, the preview often sits in my mind and then when I see the preview on TV later it only serves to heighten the anticipation for the actual film.
Whether you agree with me about the value of movie previews or not, I think we could both agree that anticipating something is half the fun of the actual event. It’s the same way with a book release, even more so if it’s your own book. You’re anticipating its release – waiting for the day you will actually hold your book in your hand. The anticipation only serves to make actually holding the book in your hand that much sweeter. Along the way of writing your book you might even think, “How cool would it be if I could share this anticipation and excitement about my book with other people?” You may have also thought how cool it would be to actually give readers a visual “sneak peek” of what your book is about.
When you start having those kind of thoughts you may want to consider something called a video book trailer. It’s basically an “about the book” rolled into a movie preview. Only your book is the movie and your audience is your readers, some who may not know anything about you and your book yet. In our digital age where people spend a lot of time online on Web sites like Facebook and YouTube a video book trailer is really one of the best ways you can promote your book to media consumers. It makes your book come alive and like watching a movie preview, gives people an idea of what your book is about without giving away the whole plotline.
If you’re interested in a video book trailer I suggest you check out the ones Wordclay offers on their Web site. There are three levels of trailers – an author video that offers an in-depth look at you, the author, a book trailer with scenes and images from your book set to music and a premium book trailer that offers the addition of a voiceover to your trailer. They offer an excellent way to take your book and visually share it with the world.
And the next time you go to the movies give the previews a chance. You just might find a new favorite to anticipate for a while.
Happy writing,
Kate
Small Writing Ideas that Make a Big Impact
Writing any kind of book requires a lot of words and time to flesh out and build your story. While it is important to keep working on your book, taking a break to write smaller and more routine articles can actually help build your writing skills and credentials in a big way. Freelance writing is an excellent way to build those skills and credentials.
Ease your way into freelance writing by thinking local. Whether it is your local newspaper or magazine, these venues are easiest to contribute to. Local publications want local and you can offer a sense of place; an understanding of the community and its people. The smaller the publication, the more the editors rely on stable and reliable freelancers for each issue.
Freelancing requires thinking outside the box and using the knowledge you already have. For instance, if your book is about health, you already have a wealth of knowledge you can offer to a publication. Look for a niche in the health and fitness section or propose a new idea to the editor — maybe review local restaurants or create a column providing healthy activities and recipes. If you are a fiction writer, seek out your niche in an entertainment section. Or go in a completely new direction and research something you’ve always wanted to learn about and then write an article about your research.
Assuming you can get articles published in local publications, aim further. Extend your submissions to more targeted publications closer to your specific genre. For example, a health writer may submit articles to Health and Fitness or Shape magazines. If your articles aren’t getting published even on a local level, don’t give up. Try something new or take an older article from a different angle.
The main idea behind writing small is simply to add another layer to your writer self. You’ll gain notoriety and expertise to your name, plus you will have writing pieces you can use to market yourself in the publishing industry.
Here are some specific ways your career and skill set will benefit from freelancing:
- Get in the habit of writing regularly
- Deadlines enhance focus and discipline
- Practice narrative storytelling
- Understand and learn from being edited
- Learn to find the real story due to specified word counts
What you can do with your small writings:
- Build your author platform/writing resume
- Create a name for yourself and your writing
- Gain more industry involvement
Write short to break into the industry or new markets. Write for free if you have to. It has to begin with the writing and the relationships you will create with your editors and publishers. Once you have established yourself, new and paying opportunities will follow. Just get yourself in the door.
– Melissa
A Blog Letter To Readers
Greetings Readers, Writers, and Those of You whom have just stumbled here,
There is something fresh and real about the start of a new year, whether it is a truly new beginning or simply the feeling of such. Either way, I celebrate the opportunity to begin anew, with direction and new motivation for my work, myself and my writing. I hope you feel the same way about your writing in this New Year.
For some, writing a novel is an idea that never fades. For others, it is a continuous work in progress. Either way, your book deserves to be more than a dream.
The skill of writing takes practice and the knowledge of your preferred subject takes research. I know of no shortcut or easy way out. To reach your full writing potential, it is important to study your craft, know your genre and write constantly.
I propose a partnership — a friendship — between writers. Together we can filter through the chaos of a writer’s mind and the ins and outs of the writing and publishing industry.
In this New Year I hope you will consider this blog an excellent place to look for all things writing.
I (we) will focus on the development of your book through technique and style. Break down the process of book creation beginning with inspiration and idea generation to getting started to character development and plot structure. Practice writing with the weekly writing prompts that are aimed at inspiring fresh creativity.
Most importantly, I ask for your ideas and thoughts. Your experiences are welcomed. Please share any topics you have in mind. Remember, we are a team and together we will discover innovative ways to extend our crafts out into the writing world.
So, let’s get started. I’ll start small. Check back in tomorrow for ‘Small Writing Ideas that Make a Big Impact.’
Looking Forward,
Melissa
