September is my favorite month, probably because I was always ready for school after a long summer, even one spent riding around in the bookmobile my father drove and reading all day long. I have a feeling most if not all the writers on this blog loved school as well and were the students who read more than anyone else in class.
Each year when I begin teaching my editing fiction class, I give my students two assignments. One is to pick out 10 books of different genres by authors they've never read, of which they'll read five during the semester; the other assignment is a two-page "literary autobiography" telling me how they started reading, how they learned they loved it, what books they loved, and also when they started writing. Some of my students wrote their own little books when they could barely write; the mother of one student wrote her daughter's journal for her when she was just four or five. Their stories are all so fabulous that I wish I could make a book out of their stories; however, knowing what I know about a book’s marketability, I don't think the book would sell beyond the students and their parents. Maybe BYU Archives would like copies. I'm definitely going to ask.
We've occasionally shared favorite books and early writing experiences on this blog, and it's kind of magical just to hear the name of a favorite book. Can you imagine anything more fun than taking a class with 30 other people who all love books, as you do? Tomorrow they turn in a short response to their first novel of the five they read; I don't expect everyone to love love love the book they've chosen since we don't love all the books we read. A few times I've had two different students read the same book with exactly polar reactions. And I've stopped recommending my favorite books since several students have disliked books I've liked. But we can all share the feeling of loving a book so much we stay up too late at night, we don't do laundry or dishes, we cancel appointments, or take the book along with us to read for as long as we can.
I realize I haven't said anything new or terribly helpful in this blog. I just want to take a few minutes to sing the praises of September--and books.
Monday, September 13, 2010
What's Your Literary Autobiography?
Friday, September 10, 2010
How Do I Start WRiting?
I've been having an interesting dialogue with a fellow who excelled in Toastmasters. They encouraged their members to try new skills, so he thought it would be interesting to try his hand at writing. After several back and forth conversations, these are some of the questions he's asked and my answers.
Q. What skills and tools do you learn by attending a creative writing class in college?
A. You learn about goals, motivation and conflict, all essential elements of any good story, as well as how to present your story in logical sequence, the proper construction of sentences, and the elemental "stuff" of which stories are made. If you're fortunate, you'll learn the building blocks of suspense or how to keep your writer involved in the story.
Q. What are the advantages of attending writer seminars and workshops?
A. You meet other authors, agents, publishers, editors and see what is going on in the publishing world today.
Q. What do you learn there?
A. You can learn the craft of writing, how an editor wants your manuscript presented, and what is being accepted now by the various publishing houses, as well as specialized classes on different elements of writing.
4. How do you find out about them and are they very expensive?
Q. Check out Writer's Magazine and The Writer, as well as on line. Some are expensive - the Maui Writer's Seminar is way out of my league, but watch your local newspaper for local groups. A group in Mesa/Phoenix, Arizona, ANWA, has a conference, as well as the LDS Storymaker's Writers Conference in Utah, both in the spring. Los Angeles is filled with them and San Diego State University has an excellend writer's conference every year. Most are very affordable.
Q. Does the Church, Deseret Book, Seagull Publishing, or Covenant Books sponsor writer's seminars or workshops?
A. No, none of them do. I got my start at a writer's conference at BYU-Hawaii where Deseret Book, Covenant and Bookcraft editors attended. The closest thing to that that I know of is the LDS Storymaker's conference in Utah or ANWA in Arizona.
Q. Are there LDS writer's groups around?
A. Depending on where you live, there are many LDS writer's groups. I've never belonged to one here in California. My writer's critique group consisted of all non-members except me - a historical romance author, a children's book author, a science fiction writer, a hard-boiled detective writer, a paranormal writer and me - suspense or romantic suspense, or mystery - whichever category I fall into.
Q. How do you develop the creative imagination and vision of a writer or is it a natural-born gift?
A. That's hard. I can't tell you how to develop creative imagination. I can only tell you that if you want to write, you must just do it and it will become easier. Creative imagination may be a natural gift, but the ability to write can be developed.
Q. You said you physically go to many of the places that you write about. Is that what many authors do?
A. Many authors travel as I do to authenticate their work or get into the atmosphere of the place and setting. Others do all their research on line. There are advantages to both methods of research, but I don't want to be making mistakes when I'm describing a setting because I have only seen a picture of the place and haven't seen the rest of the surroundings.
Q. How much of your writing incorporates your actual physical research of the place and how much involves your own imagination?
A. Most of my writing incorporates the physical, on-site research I do. I keep pictures, brochures and articles I've picked up surrounding my computer so I can put myself back into that time and place as I write. Since memories aren't perfect, it's nice to have a picture so I can get it right - instead of how I may have remembered it.
Q. Do you ever add things to a location such as a castle, a village or a river that are not actually at the place that you are writing about?
A. I do add elements that aren't there if I need to spice up my story. The mansion in Santa Barbara in my first ten books was a figment of my imagination. The estate on which I created it was a golf course in Tehachapi that I simply moved to the coast above Santa Barbara and placed the mansion on it. The old English mansion in Pursued was also conjured up for story effect. It simply depends on the story. Many times I have not had to add a single fabrication in location.
This is half of the questions and answers that we ended up with, but I'll save the other half for next time so this won't get too long and boring.
Please feel free to weigh in on any of these with your own answers and I'll forward them on to this potential writer. Like the rest of us, he can use all the help he can get. :)
Q. What skills and tools do you learn by attending a creative writing class in college?
A. You learn about goals, motivation and conflict, all essential elements of any good story, as well as how to present your story in logical sequence, the proper construction of sentences, and the elemental "stuff" of which stories are made. If you're fortunate, you'll learn the building blocks of suspense or how to keep your writer involved in the story.
Q. What are the advantages of attending writer seminars and workshops?
A. You meet other authors, agents, publishers, editors and see what is going on in the publishing world today.
Q. What do you learn there?
A. You can learn the craft of writing, how an editor wants your manuscript presented, and what is being accepted now by the various publishing houses, as well as specialized classes on different elements of writing.
4. How do you find out about them and are they very expensive?
Q. Check out Writer's Magazine and The Writer, as well as on line. Some are expensive - the Maui Writer's Seminar is way out of my league, but watch your local newspaper for local groups. A group in Mesa/Phoenix, Arizona, ANWA, has a conference, as well as the LDS Storymaker's Writers Conference in Utah, both in the spring. Los Angeles is filled with them and San Diego State University has an excellend writer's conference every year. Most are very affordable.
Q. Does the Church, Deseret Book, Seagull Publishing, or Covenant Books sponsor writer's seminars or workshops?
A. No, none of them do. I got my start at a writer's conference at BYU-Hawaii where Deseret Book, Covenant and Bookcraft editors attended. The closest thing to that that I know of is the LDS Storymaker's conference in Utah or ANWA in Arizona.
Q. Are there LDS writer's groups around?
A. Depending on where you live, there are many LDS writer's groups. I've never belonged to one here in California. My writer's critique group consisted of all non-members except me - a historical romance author, a children's book author, a science fiction writer, a hard-boiled detective writer, a paranormal writer and me - suspense or romantic suspense, or mystery - whichever category I fall into.
Q. How do you develop the creative imagination and vision of a writer or is it a natural-born gift?
A. That's hard. I can't tell you how to develop creative imagination. I can only tell you that if you want to write, you must just do it and it will become easier. Creative imagination may be a natural gift, but the ability to write can be developed.
Q. You said you physically go to many of the places that you write about. Is that what many authors do?
A. Many authors travel as I do to authenticate their work or get into the atmosphere of the place and setting. Others do all their research on line. There are advantages to both methods of research, but I don't want to be making mistakes when I'm describing a setting because I have only seen a picture of the place and haven't seen the rest of the surroundings.
Q. How much of your writing incorporates your actual physical research of the place and how much involves your own imagination?
A. Most of my writing incorporates the physical, on-site research I do. I keep pictures, brochures and articles I've picked up surrounding my computer so I can put myself back into that time and place as I write. Since memories aren't perfect, it's nice to have a picture so I can get it right - instead of how I may have remembered it.
Q. Do you ever add things to a location such as a castle, a village or a river that are not actually at the place that you are writing about?
A. I do add elements that aren't there if I need to spice up my story. The mansion in Santa Barbara in my first ten books was a figment of my imagination. The estate on which I created it was a golf course in Tehachapi that I simply moved to the coast above Santa Barbara and placed the mansion on it. The old English mansion in Pursued was also conjured up for story effect. It simply depends on the story. Many times I have not had to add a single fabrication in location.
This is half of the questions and answers that we ended up with, but I'll save the other half for next time so this won't get too long and boring.
Please feel free to weigh in on any of these with your own answers and I'll forward them on to this potential writer. Like the rest of us, he can use all the help he can get. :)
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Resoring Honor Rally
On 8/28/2010 I stepped onto the grassy area to the east of the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, DC. The time was 6:30 am, and I was with my sister and two of my best friends. Thousands of others were walking from buses, cars, and the metro to gather for the Restoring Honor Rally organized by Glenn Beck.
We came prayerfully, peacefully, positively, and with a grand feeling of camaraderie. We came without political posters, but with American flags; without rancor, but with resolve to better ourselves and our families; without despondency, but with faith that with God's help we could restore America to the vision of the Founding Fathers.
At 7:30 am there were 100,000 people gathered, at 8:30 there were 300,000, and at 9:30 there were 500,000. The crowd filled in all the area along the reflecting pool, and stretched from the Lincoln Memorial to the World War II Memorial--a distance of 3/4 of a mile. To the east of the WWII Memorial there were thousands of people sitting on the hillock surrounding the Washington Monument.
With open hearts and minds we came to honor the brave, strong, and generous--not only in the military, but everyday Americans among us who live their lives with faith, hope, and charity.
In my sleep the night before the rally, I'd had many dreams of what the content of the rally might be. One image stood out clearly and remained with me upon waking. It was of a young boy scout standing before us and leading the assembled throng in the Pledge of Allegiance. As the rally began, and a young boy scout approached the speaking platform, my tears came freely. The Pledge of Allegiance from the lips of 500,000 patriots was stunning.
That day we also honored the great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, whose "I Have a Dream" speech was delivered on 8/28 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Dr. King prayed that one day we would not judge people by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Amen.
The feeling of that day permeated my heart, as I know it did the others in attendance. It was a life changing experience.
After the rally my sister and I walked the grassy areas where the event had occurred. 500,000 people and there was not one piece of garbage, scrap of paper, or plastic water bottle left to litter the grounds. It may seem like a small thing, but actually, what does it say about content of character?
We came prayerfully, peacefully, positively, and with a grand feeling of camaraderie. We came without political posters, but with American flags; without rancor, but with resolve to better ourselves and our families; without despondency, but with faith that with God's help we could restore America to the vision of the Founding Fathers.
At 7:30 am there were 100,000 people gathered, at 8:30 there were 300,000, and at 9:30 there were 500,000. The crowd filled in all the area along the reflecting pool, and stretched from the Lincoln Memorial to the World War II Memorial--a distance of 3/4 of a mile. To the east of the WWII Memorial there were thousands of people sitting on the hillock surrounding the Washington Monument.
With open hearts and minds we came to honor the brave, strong, and generous--not only in the military, but everyday Americans among us who live their lives with faith, hope, and charity.
In my sleep the night before the rally, I'd had many dreams of what the content of the rally might be. One image stood out clearly and remained with me upon waking. It was of a young boy scout standing before us and leading the assembled throng in the Pledge of Allegiance. As the rally began, and a young boy scout approached the speaking platform, my tears came freely. The Pledge of Allegiance from the lips of 500,000 patriots was stunning.
That day we also honored the great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, whose "I Have a Dream" speech was delivered on 8/28 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Dr. King prayed that one day we would not judge people by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Amen.
The feeling of that day permeated my heart, as I know it did the others in attendance. It was a life changing experience.
After the rally my sister and I walked the grassy areas where the event had occurred. 500,000 people and there was not one piece of garbage, scrap of paper, or plastic water bottle left to litter the grounds. It may seem like a small thing, but actually, what does it say about content of character?
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Words
In thinking of a topic to write about for my blog, I had a whole other subject in mind to write about until I had to give a lesson in Gospel Doctrine this past Sunday. The lesson was taken from the book of Hosea in the Bible.
The prophet Hosea used many comparisons in his writings because (this is taken directly from the lesson manual) comparing a complicated or unfamiliar idea with one that is simpler or more familiar makes it more understandable to the people who are being taught. Comparisons also help provide a lot of detail in just a few words. In addition to these smaller comparisons, Hosea also used extended comparisons, which are called metaphors or similitudes.
The fun thing we did to begin class was to pass out some of the comparisons and metaphors written in this chapter of the Bible to see what class members thought they meant. For an easy example, “To be as a lion” may suggest one has strength or is fierce. Hosea came up with some incredible comparisons and metaphors!
In all the time I have blogged on the V-Formation, I have never felt comfortable giving out advice on writing. To me, when I look at the ladies I am in company with on this blog, I am in awe of the talent that is here and I can only soak in what they have to say. So I feel very inadequate and unqualified to hand out any advice when it comes to writing. Rather, I feel I have so much that I can learn from each of them.
I know that I have a real shortcoming at over expressing myself when I write, so when I read that comparisons provide a lot of detail in just a few words, well, that caught my attention.
Maybe if I were to hand out any advice at all, it would be to don’t do what I do, i.e. over explain, over express, over talk the subject. I do it all. The same thing can be said in one paragraph that I say in three pages.
Just two more quick thoughts and I will end—
I am reminded of Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady” ( One of my all time favorite shows—I’m swooning here)
I love Professor Higgins telling everyone about the "Cold blooded murder of the English tongue."
I write how I speak, therefore I obviously have poor grammar at times.
Have you ever read a paper or an email when some word jumps out at you because of misuse? It happens all the time in my writing and I really have to watch that so that I “write” proper.
One more song that gets stuck in my head from “My Fair Lady”
Words! Words! Words! I’m so sick of words!
I get words all day through;
First from him, now from you!
Is that all you blighters can do?
Don’t talk of stars burning above;
If you’re in love, Show me!
(Isn’t that such a great song? Okay they all are from that movie!)
Next problem I have with words and writing is the “Show, don’t tell” rule. YIKES! I struggle with that one too. I’m afraid I have no advice to give and will leave that one open for my friends who are the pros where this is concerned, but again, I do think my main problem lies in using too many words.
So, ladies, any advice?
In ending I feel like I should tell my friends how grateful I am to be in their company. I am constantly learning from them, for each of them is such an example to me. I feel blessed to be friends with such a classy group of women. I love and admire each of them.
I am in awe of their unique talent for expressing themselves through writing. They truly have a gift for words.
The prophet Hosea used many comparisons in his writings because (this is taken directly from the lesson manual) comparing a complicated or unfamiliar idea with one that is simpler or more familiar makes it more understandable to the people who are being taught. Comparisons also help provide a lot of detail in just a few words. In addition to these smaller comparisons, Hosea also used extended comparisons, which are called metaphors or similitudes.
The fun thing we did to begin class was to pass out some of the comparisons and metaphors written in this chapter of the Bible to see what class members thought they meant. For an easy example, “To be as a lion” may suggest one has strength or is fierce. Hosea came up with some incredible comparisons and metaphors!
In all the time I have blogged on the V-Formation, I have never felt comfortable giving out advice on writing. To me, when I look at the ladies I am in company with on this blog, I am in awe of the talent that is here and I can only soak in what they have to say. So I feel very inadequate and unqualified to hand out any advice when it comes to writing. Rather, I feel I have so much that I can learn from each of them.
I know that I have a real shortcoming at over expressing myself when I write, so when I read that comparisons provide a lot of detail in just a few words, well, that caught my attention.
Maybe if I were to hand out any advice at all, it would be to don’t do what I do, i.e. over explain, over express, over talk the subject. I do it all. The same thing can be said in one paragraph that I say in three pages.
Just two more quick thoughts and I will end—
I am reminded of Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady” ( One of my all time favorite shows—I’m swooning here)
I love Professor Higgins telling everyone about the "Cold blooded murder of the English tongue."
I write how I speak, therefore I obviously have poor grammar at times.
Have you ever read a paper or an email when some word jumps out at you because of misuse? It happens all the time in my writing and I really have to watch that so that I “write” proper.
One more song that gets stuck in my head from “My Fair Lady”
Words! Words! Words! I’m so sick of words!
I get words all day through;
First from him, now from you!
Is that all you blighters can do?
Don’t talk of stars burning above;
If you’re in love, Show me!
(Isn’t that such a great song? Okay they all are from that movie!)
Next problem I have with words and writing is the “Show, don’t tell” rule. YIKES! I struggle with that one too. I’m afraid I have no advice to give and will leave that one open for my friends who are the pros where this is concerned, but again, I do think my main problem lies in using too many words.
So, ladies, any advice?
In ending I feel like I should tell my friends how grateful I am to be in their company. I am constantly learning from them, for each of them is such an example to me. I feel blessed to be friends with such a classy group of women. I love and admire each of them.
I am in awe of their unique talent for expressing themselves through writing. They truly have a gift for words.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Bookshops vs. Bookstores
Last time I went to Lakeside (the second largest shopping mall in the UK) I commented (on this very blog, I believe) that it seemed the Americans had arrived. It has Taco Bell, a gelato stand, and adverts for Mountain Dew although I still haven't found any in the shops. Well, on Saturday I discovered that the American bookstore has also arrived on these hallowed shores.
On my first visit to Florida (my honeymoon in 2006) I went into a Barnes and Noble bookstore in Orlando. It was my first visit to an American bookshop and was blown away by how wonderful it was. First off, it was far bigger than any bookshop I'd been into in the UK but that didn't surprise me, because everything in America is bigger. What amazed me was the atmosphere, and the fact that they seemed to want you to be there looking at the books. There was a wonderful colourful children's area with a cute little safety fence around it to stop your sprog wandering off, and plenty of toys and play activities for the children to enjoy as well as the books. There were sofas and chairs, so browsing was comfortable and enjoyable, and even a coffee shop so that you could enjoy refreshments as you flicked through the books.
Contrast that with my experience of UK bookshops which are, obviously, much smaller (think Hugh Grant's bookshop in Notting Hill) and won't have any chairs at all, let alone comfortable ones. If you read much more than the backliner the scruffy owner (usually not Hugh Grant) will be at your shoulder to remind you in a menacing tone that he isn't running a library. Moreover, there are no price stickers to be seen anywhere. The price the publishers printed on the back of the book is the price you pay. If you're lucky they might accept book tokens.
But Waterstones Bookshop... bookstore... in Lakeside has a sofa and two comfortable armchairs. Nearby is a computer terminal with a search facility enabling you to find out quickly and easily whether they stock the book you want and where in the shop you might find it. There is even a branch of Costa Coffee at the back of the store which does excellent hot chocolate. Best of all, there are price stickers on the books, and offers. I bought a book for £4 when the publishers RRP was £7.99, and also took advantage of the "Buy one, get one for £1" offer saving myself £5.99. There were helpful flyers with suggestions that if you like one particular author, you might enjoy another author who writes in a similar style or genre, and the uniformed staff were friendly and helpful and seemed to rather enjoy being there, and to be avid readers themselves. Everything about it said that reading is a great pass time, and one the store wanted to encourage, even if it was on the premises.
There are many things about America which I love and would welcome here. Mexican food. Big washing machines and dryers. Basements. Of course, there are other things I don't want under any circumstances - liberal gun laws and private healthcare. But the bookstore that celebrates reading I more than welcome. Bring on the rest of the invasion!
On my first visit to Florida (my honeymoon in 2006) I went into a Barnes and Noble bookstore in Orlando. It was my first visit to an American bookshop and was blown away by how wonderful it was. First off, it was far bigger than any bookshop I'd been into in the UK but that didn't surprise me, because everything in America is bigger. What amazed me was the atmosphere, and the fact that they seemed to want you to be there looking at the books. There was a wonderful colourful children's area with a cute little safety fence around it to stop your sprog wandering off, and plenty of toys and play activities for the children to enjoy as well as the books. There were sofas and chairs, so browsing was comfortable and enjoyable, and even a coffee shop so that you could enjoy refreshments as you flicked through the books.
Contrast that with my experience of UK bookshops which are, obviously, much smaller (think Hugh Grant's bookshop in Notting Hill) and won't have any chairs at all, let alone comfortable ones. If you read much more than the backliner the scruffy owner (usually not Hugh Grant) will be at your shoulder to remind you in a menacing tone that he isn't running a library. Moreover, there are no price stickers to be seen anywhere. The price the publishers printed on the back of the book is the price you pay. If you're lucky they might accept book tokens.
But Waterstones Bookshop... bookstore... in Lakeside has a sofa and two comfortable armchairs. Nearby is a computer terminal with a search facility enabling you to find out quickly and easily whether they stock the book you want and where in the shop you might find it. There is even a branch of Costa Coffee at the back of the store which does excellent hot chocolate. Best of all, there are price stickers on the books, and offers. I bought a book for £4 when the publishers RRP was £7.99, and also took advantage of the "Buy one, get one for £1" offer saving myself £5.99. There were helpful flyers with suggestions that if you like one particular author, you might enjoy another author who writes in a similar style or genre, and the uniformed staff were friendly and helpful and seemed to rather enjoy being there, and to be avid readers themselves. Everything about it said that reading is a great pass time, and one the store wanted to encourage, even if it was on the premises.
There are many things about America which I love and would welcome here. Mexican food. Big washing machines and dryers. Basements. Of course, there are other things I don't want under any circumstances - liberal gun laws and private healthcare. But the bookstore that celebrates reading I more than welcome. Bring on the rest of the invasion!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Media Frenzy
We truly live in a remarkable era. People can communicate in a variety of ways via such things as cell phones, texting, Twitter, Facebook, Skype, blogging, and so forth. Computers that once filled entire rooms, can now be held in the palm of one's hand. It will be interesting to see what will be invented next.
I remember typing my first novel on an electric typewriter---top of the line for its day. The down side of using this device was that whenever something needed to be corrected, it usually meant retyping an entire chapter.
How excited I was when we purchased our first desktop computer. It was a 286 IBM compatible complete with a word processor, and other software programs designed to make several tasks easier. To understand it all, I took a computer class that was being offered locally. There are still items I can do compliments of this training, despite the fact that my newest computer is now a Toshiba laptop with a 287 gigabyte hard-drive. Windows 7 is its operating system, and this laptop possesses the technology to create and play DVD's. I'm still amazed by how fast it runs in comparison to my first laptop.
This new technology has made it easier to compose manuscripts. My cell phone makes it possible for my family and friends to contact me, regardless of where I might be. It even possesses a tiny camera, if I should feel the need to snap a photo to share. And while I am grateful for these and other improvements in our world, I am also a little concerned. As with everything else, there needs to be a balance.
I've heard it said that one day books will be obsolete. That thought saddens me, and I, for one, doubt that will ever be true. I suspect there are several of us who prefer holding a book and savoring the pages, as opposed to reading text online, or via something like Kindle.
My other concern is that we aren't spending near as much time enjoying "face to face" communication. It doesn't seem that long ago when several of my neighbors and I would gather most mornings for a refreshing walk about town. Not only was this a great way to exercise, but it gave us a chance to touch base with each other. Everyone's schedules are so crazy now, we're lucky if we get a chance to wave at each other in passing. I see more of some friends online, than in person.
While I will be forever grateful for the technology that has made keeping in touch easier (I loved being able to receive e-mail from my missionary sons each week, as opposed to waiting for handwritten letters to arrive) it saddens me that so many of us are leaning toward online communication that may or may not be a healthy alternative. People can be deceiving online, taking on a persona totally different from who they really are. I believe it's much easier to discern who someone is when you can actually see their face.
I also think it's important to disconnect from all of the gadgetry periodically and to embrace life around us. We all need to spend more time outside, appreciating the beauty God created for us to enjoy. I think it's sad that so many people are caught up in make believe worlds online and in video games. I enjoy playing games . . . mostly old-fashioned board games or card games that have been family favorites for years. ;) I believe that games of this nature are a healthier alternative and a great way to bring families closer together.
So while I will always be grateful for the technology that has preserved my life (I've been an insulin pump patient for years. Just call me the bionic woman.) I think it's important to balance this progressive technology trend with old-fashioned values that in my opinion are never outdated.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
GOOD NEWS
I received some good news today and thought this would be a good forum for sharing it. My publisher has accepted my manuscript, MURDER COMES CALLING. Of course the title may change; it often does. I don't have a release date yet either, but I'll let everyone know once I have more details. For now I'm just happy to have a new book on its way.
The following blog was posted to my personal blog a few days ago as a follow up to the one on plot and characters and I thought I'd include it here too.
Just how important are the mechanical aspects of writing? Most of us have gotten so accustomed to the occasional typo, left out word, or misused word, we automatically read what a sentence should have said and gloss over the electronic errors that are so prevalent in today's communications. However, most of us expect something a little better from books, even though they, too, are victims of our modern dependence on electronic devices. But it is not only copy writing errors that plague large numbers of books, there is a serious shortage of meaningful editing as publishers, especially small, shoe-string publishers, and self-publishing services depend on computers instead of educated, knowledgeable people to prepare manuscripts for publication.
I recently read a novel that makes me want to cry, not because the story is sad, but because it is so poorly presented. There are typos, left out words, and wrong words galore--and this isn't even a self-published book. Simple words like desert and dessert are confused. To be perfectly honest, the characters are great and I can relate to the main characters and feel great sympathy for them. The plot is compelling and fascinating. BUT--and this is a big But--I am struggling to follow the point-of view. Every character's thoughts are revealed and I doubt the author ever heard of the scene/sequel sequence. With conflicting points of view popping up all over, it is difficult to follow the various threads. Paragraphs are thrown in here and there, revealing information only God or the author could possibly know in advance. The book is a technical mess. I can understand the publishers acceptance of the novel on the basis of the plot and characters, but I don't understand why a qualified editor didn't help the author clean up point-of view, sequence, or at least correct misused and misspelled words. I won't mention the title, author, or publisher of the book, but I won't review it either. The saddest thing about this book is that the author has considerable talent for inventing a story, but because of the poor presentation and clumsy structure of the book, he/she will probably receive few royalties and will become discouraged and give up on writing and readers will lose a potentially beloved author.
Anyone who is serious about writing needs to prepare the best manuscript possible. Don't depend on an editor to "fix" it. Most editors are spread too thin, have too heavy a work load, and cannot take the time once allowed for working on a given novel. No matter how much talent someone has in any field, to become the best he or she can be, that person must study and practice. That means for a writer, studying books on grammar, style, and novel structure. There are plenty of books on the market and in public libraries that teach the mechanics of novel writing. And if you didn't pay close enough attention in high school and college English or language courses, there are books that teach grammar and word usage, sentence structure, and parts of speech. Every would-be writer should have a really good dictionary, a big fat unabridged dictionary, not one of those little paperback college editions. A thesaurus is also helpful. The internet can be helpful too. There are all kinds of helpful online resources from dictionaries, style helps, and translations to blogs (such as The Lyons Tale by Annette Lyon) that aids in word and grammar usage, and overall writing tips and helps on LDS Publisher. Many published authors and others in the publishing field write regular features on their blogs concerning various aspects of writing. Organizations such as Romance Writers of America, League of Utah Writers, American Night Writers Association, and LDStorymakers are among organizations that offer help to their membership on a regular basis and sponsor conventions and workshops to aid writers. Many colleges and universities also sponsor writing workshops. It's unrealistic to depend on talent alone, especially when there are so many avenues available for expanding that talent with marketable skills.
In my opinion, the technical side of writing matters a great deal. Is it asking too much to have a great plot, characters I can care about, and a presentation that flows so smoothly it never intrudes on my enjoyment of the story?
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