Tag: writing

Categories
Craft Writing with Humor

One Word Can Make All the Difference Between Funny or Ho Hum

One Word Can Make the Difference Between Funny or Ho Hum. Click to read Three Tips to Help.

One word can make all the difference between funny or ho-hum. 

For instance, let me introduce you to four kids:

Faith, Hope, Joy, and Jack.

The name Jack is so unexpected, I can’t help but chuckle. It’s the difference between funny and a just list of names. 

Check out these three tips for choosing the right word:

1. Choose An Unexpected Word

We’ve already seen the effectiveness of this technique.

As we hear the names Faith, Hope, and Joy, our minds jump to thoughts of virtuous children with commendable attributes.

Then we hear the name Jack.

It’s a fine name, but it’s not expected, so it makes us laugh. 

Consider Beatrix Potter’s garden-loving rabbits: Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-Tail, and Peter. Right away we know Peter is going to be different. He doesn’t disappoint. 

2. Choose A Word with a “K” Sound

“Fifty-seven years in this business, you learn a few things. You know what words are funny and which words are not funny. Alka-Seltzer is funny. You say ‘Alka-Seltzer’, you get a laugh… Words with ‘k’ in them are funny. Casey Stengel, that’s a funny name. Robert Taylor is not funny. Cupcake is funny. Tomato is not funny. Cookie is funny. Cucumber is funny…Cleveland… Cleveland is funny. Maryland is not funny.”  (Willy Clark, The Sunshine Boys)

The name Jack makes the “k” sound. According to Willy Clark, that makes it funny. I think he’s right. If their names were Faith, Hope, Joy, and Jeff, that would be funny, but Jack is funnier.

3. Put the Funniest Word at the End

The punchline always belongs at the end. Ba-dum bump. Humor 101.

Faith, Jack, Hope, and Joy is just a list of children. Ho-hum. (No offense to Faith, Jack, Hope, and Joy.)

Faith, Hope, Joy, and Jack. That’s funny.

Pay close attention to word choice, and it will pay off in laughs. Just one word can make all the difference.

[bctt tweet=”One Word Can Make All the Difference Between Funny or Ho Hum. Learn 3 tips how.”]

Categories
The Writer's PenCase

Plot Twists—Part II

The Writer's PenCase

Last time we talked about all the elements needed to create a stunning plot twist. This time, we’ll talk about reader reactions and other tips to create a plot twist they’ll never forget.

[bctt tweet=”Readers have one of three reactions to a plot twist: 1) “No way!” 2) “Huh. Nice!” and 3) “Oh, yeah!” “]#plottwists #amwriting

“No Way!”

With the “No Way!” reaction, you’ll structure your plot twist with certainty that what they read is the only way it could have turned out. It was the only possible solution.

“Huh. Nice!”

Lead your readers into uncertainty. Cloud the clues, the issues, and disguise the ending, so the reader has no clue where you’re taking them. Make sure it’s compelling enough to follow, throw in those suspicions and red herrings. You don’t want them figuring out your twist ahead of time.

twist“Oh, yeah!”

Here’s where cleverness leads the way. You’ll want to make sure earlier on your story that you show the special thing the protagonist has available to him/her, but they’ve forgotten about until that crucial moment when they use that to get themselves out of their predicament.

Here are a few questions to ask your manuscript regarding twists and turns in your plot.

  1. Where do I need to shade the details and foreshadowing so the twist is the most credible, inevitable ending to my story?
  2. What clues or evidence do I need to include to make the story stand on its own without the twist?
  3. Is the story improved by the twist? In other words, is it richer and more meaningful? If not, how can I construct the twist so that it adds depth to the story?
  4. How can I use this twist to both turn the story on its head and move it in a more satisfying direction?

Here are a few more tips:

  1. [bctt tweet=”More tips for a spectacular plot twist: 1.Create multiple worlds of inevitability; 2.Turn expectations on their head; 3.Eliminate the obvious; 4.Redirect suspicion; 5.Avoid gimmicks; 6.Write toward your readers’ reaction.”]

Have you had any of these reactions when you read a good plot twist? Which one(s)? Leave a comment and let me know. #amwriting #plottwists

Categories
Grammar and Grace

Five Words or Phrases to Avoid

Lots of time we hear verbal patterns that may be acceptable (to some people) in speech, but they are considered ungrammatical in the written word. Below are five examples of words or phrases to avoid in your written communications.

  1. Being as/Being that–Don’t use in place of because or since.

Being as the cake was frosted, we had to eat it.  Wrong

Because the cake was frosted, we had to eat it.   Correct

  1. Can’t hardly—This phrase is a double negative and not acceptable in standard English.

I can’t hardly wait for the first day of summer.  Wrong

I can hardly wait for the first day of summer.     Correct

I can’t wait for the first day of summer.              Correct

 Could of/Should of/Would of—These expressions are ungrammatical uses of could have, should have, and would have. They probably originate from the contractions in speech, could’ve, should’ve, and would’ve. Use the proper form in written English.

  1. Different from/Different Than—The correct usage is different from, not different than.

North Carolina eastern style barbeque is different from western style.

  1. Due to—This expression is a wordy construction. Use because

Due to the fact that Duke lost the game, the team didn’t advance. Wordy

Because Duke lost the game, the team didn’t advance.                   Much better

 Clean up your manuscripts by avoiding these ungrammatical expressions. Clean up your speech patterns by avoiding them, too.

Happy writing!

Categories
Child's Craft Uncategorized

Writing is like crossing the streets of India

I traveled to Hyderabad, India recently and we had one day of sightseeing and shopping in the city. This city had streets like no other in the USA. Though two lanes of traffic were designated, at least four lanes of traffic ensued, in all directions. If there was a light signal, it was merely a suggestion, but one that was never followed. In intersections, four lanes of traffic moved in all directions at one time: cars veered left at the same time vehicles charged forward, all the time while people and wild dogs attempted to cross the street, which we did.

A group of five of us women headed to a salwar store late one evening so we’d look beautiful for the upcoming Republic Day ceremony. Usha, a native, escorted us. We were merely two street crossings away from the beautiful salwars. She instructed us to hold one hand up, grab hold of the person next to us and follow her across. Well, cars flew by in all directions as she held her hand up and stepped into the oncoming traffic. The others followed. I did not. Cars weren’t stopping! Usha looked back and saw me standing on the side, “Jill, you have to cross with us!” I couldn’t move, so they returned for me.

“But the rickshaws are flying by.” I replied. “They aren’t stopping.”

“They aren’t going to stop,” She answered sternly. “Just follow me.”

I grabbed hold of a friend as I held up my hand and we boldly strode into the crazy peril. I held my breath as cars flew around us. When I thought we were securely across, I let out my breath and released hold of my friend only to have a motor scooter whirl a left turn directly in front of me. I screamed in startlement as he laughed mockingly at me. I was scolded once again for letting my guard down too early. Too early? We’d made it to the side walk. Didn’t matter.

One more street to cross. Usha grabbed my arm and instructed me to stay with her. I threw up my hand, allowed her to escort me through the zooming rickshaws, motor scooters, dogs and cars till we arrived safely to the storefront of the clothing store.

Later I realized this is just like writing!

God convicts us with an idea to write. We either agree to write it or we don’t. When we agree, we throw up our hand in a commitment to write, grab hold of him and charge forward. All the while, Satan is shooting his blazing arrows at us: Arrows of discouragement, of accusations, of comparisons. “Who do you think you are writing this?” “You’re not qualified.” “Look at all the others getting published. You’re not like them.” Oh, Satan is just like those rickshaws, motor scooters and vehicles threatening to take us down, but we must hold onto the one who knows the way. Satan may laugh and sneer but we must allow God to grab hold of us and lead us safely to the other side. We must believe that the One who convicts us to write a story will empower us to see it through.

We had a great time shopping. Some women purchased several beautiful salwars, and others purchased just one. I, however, did not find any that fit me or that I could make work on me. And isn’t that just like writing, as well? Some stories will make it to publication, some will not. Some are meant to be shared with others close to us, or to strengthen our relationship and trust in God or for our own personal growth. We just have to be obedient and let Him direct the outcomes.

Don’t hesitate to jump in with an idea He has planted in your heart. If I had stayed on the sidewalk and never crossed over, I’d have missed the whole experience. Jump in with both feet, make the commitment and hold onto God. Those fiery arrows will fall on the ground around you and miss you completely if you cling to the One who knows the way.

Categories
The Ministry of Writing

You Already Have a Writing Team

Like me you are probably trying to build a support team for your writing — a reading group, a critique group, editors, an agent, an IT person who will come to the rescue in the middle of the night for free, publishers, publicists, etc. But you already have a writing team. A team that is easily forgotten.

The other day I contacted a guy to hire to help me do communications for a ministry I am involved in. I emailed him that I was looking for a Felicity from the CW’s Arrow and a Cisco from CW’s Flash. Like you, possibly, he didn’t have a clue what I was talking about, but lucky his wife watched the two television shows. Arrow is a television show based off the DC Comics character Green Arrow. Green Arrow is a crime fighting vigilante who wears a green hood and uses a bow. Flash is a television show based off the DC Comics character Flash who after being hit by lightning gains supernatural speed which he uses to do good in his city.

The two shows have caught my attention. For one, I was a comic book nerd back in the day, but secondly, it has given an interesting take about other people in the lives of these superheroes. Both characters have a team that helps them. Green Arrow has Diggle who helps with intelligence and crime fighting, and he has Felicity who is a computer guru. The Flash has Joe who is a detective, Caitlyn who is a scientific genius, and Cisco who is a technology guru. In every episode it is evident that the superheroes can’t accomplish their missions alone.

The shows go beyond the immediate “official” team and shows how the hero’s mission affects so many others lives. There are those who know the hero’s true identity and struggle to carry that burden. Then there are the family members and love ones who do not know the identity, but still feel the effects of the hero’s double life.

Now maybe it is self-serving to attempt to connect my writing to a superhero, but I need all the encouragement I can get. No seriously, our writing ministries are important. Like the Arrow and the Flash we are trying to change the world, and we aren’t doing it alone. [bctt tweet=”You can’t accomplish your writing mission alone — it takes a team.”]

If you have written for any period of time then you have a good team that works hard to let you “save the world.” I imagine you have a team like me. I have my wife who has for years given up her husband’s one day off and her only day to have a break from being mom to allow me to write. She has agreed to invest money into editing, critiques, contests, and writers conferences all the while knowing my promise that we would eventually make it back was a lie. Then there are my daughters who sacrifice their Daddy time and play without him even though he is just a closed door and headphones away. Then there is my congregation that has not received their pastor’s full attention so that he could write. There are my parents who know they are in trouble when they get older because their writer son is going to be busy spending 2,000 hours on a manuscript that will never see daylight and not be able to help them, and he sure is not going to have any money. They are a team player willing to offer my family a place to live if turns to that. Then my poor in-laws who know I can’t provide what their daughter deserves because I spend too much time watching stupid YouTube videos and reading “Where are the WWE Stars Now?” — uh, I mean writing. Then there are my fishing and hunting buddies who have to go alone because I’m hanging out in my office drawing ligers.

Again if you have written for any period of time you too have a team like me. Remember them. You can’t do it alone, but you already have a writing team.

 

 

Categories
WARFARE!

Hike Your Own Hike

My husband Don is starting his Appalachian Trail (AT) hike on March 13th. He’s had this passion on his heart for a few years now, and it’s finally time to go. For the past year or so he’s been preparing and learning – he talked to people who hiked it, read books, and watched documentaries.

From all that information he pulled what he liked, put together his equipment, and made his plans. He tested out a few things, made changes, and adjusted as he learned something new.

One of the things he heard repeatedly was, “Hike your own hike.” People you meet will be faster, have better equipment, seem to be experts at hiking the AT. The pressure to conform, to fit in, and to keep up may be heavy at times. Be prepared for that and make up your mind to do whatever feels right to you.

So what does hiking have to do with writing…more specifically, blogging? Every now and then I get into a funk about my blogging and begin comparing my blog to others. I compare numbers: comments, followers, shares. I compare writing styles, lengths, format, and pictures. I lamented these frustrations to Don, along with all the things I could/should/but am not doing.

“Mary, you need to hike your own hike.”

Silence.

“Wow, thanks honey, you are absolutely right!”

I need to learn: talk to others, read tips and advice, and check out other blogs. Learn how to get my blog into the readers’ hands – what social media has worked for others and how do they find their audience.

I need to apply what I learn: pull what I like from all the information on blogging and apply it to my blog and my social media interaction.

I need to be willing to make adjustments: when one social media platform doesn’t yield results, be willing to try a new platform.

Then as I blog, I need to hike my own hike: passionately write in my own style. Write about topics God stirs in my heart. Write on the schedule He gives to me.

Blog as me, not as a poor imitation of someone else out of envy for what they have that I don’t.

Don will meet a variety of people on his hike, some like him and some not so much. I can’t imagine him trying to be like everyone he meets; that doesn’t even make sense. It would wear him out, AND people would miss out on all Don has to offer as Don.

I realized I do the same thing with blogging when I don’t write as me, and when I worry too much about what others are doing. And yes, it totally wears me out!blogging, envy

God has uniquely gifted each of us who blog. Study, learn, and seek God for what will work for you. Be thankful for who He created you to be.

Then go out and hike your own hike.

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (Proverbs 14:30, NIV)

 

Categories
History in the Making

A Hidden Treasure for Historical Writers

Map of Chattanooga and Brown's Ferry by Brigadier General Wm. F. Smith, 1863

By Sandra Merville Hart

 Maps are hidden treasure for historical writers. If you haven’t used this key source of information to add authenticity to your novel, it’s worth investigating.

A treasure chest full of information can be found on old maps. Authors find railroads, waterways, and roads. How close was the town to a river? Often a little digging leads to showing the size of a city and street names.

One of the first things I look for when researching a new historical novel is an old map. It’s important to find a map dated the year of or before the setting year. Anything later runs the risk of expansion/decline, referencing businesses not there at the time, and the like.

That brings us to another wonderful feature of detailed maps: location of homes and especially businesses. Knowing the name of a mercantile or the street where the post office resides sparks reader interest, especially those familiar with the area. Such details add depth if referenced in a novel.[bctt tweet=”You may find the greatest treasure hidden in plain sight. #Author #History”]

A railroad depot in town offers an exciting setting for a scene, maybe in that sagging middle. Perhaps someone comes to visit the main character at the train station or the protagonist travels from there on a day’s excursion. These tidbits reveal that era’s everyday world.

A careful study of these maps may show where Widow Matthews lived. Maybe the widow goes to church with your characters or makes the best apple pies around. A manufacturing company or mill on the map may employ a character’s family member.

If possible, visit the area during the research phase of the novel. Walking the streets in the oldest part of town or eating at a diner gives a sense of a town. Local museums can hold a wealth of information not commonly known. Ask questions. It’s always fun to find a knowledgeable person on local history. Listen to their story even if it doesn’t directly pertain to the novel; maybe some fact will capture your imagination.

When researching for historical novels, don’t overlook maps. You may find the greatest treasure hidden in plain sight.

Categories
Grammar and Grace Uncategorized

Five More Confusing Word Pairs to Consider

We’re continuing to examine words that are used incorrectly.

  1. Enthused/Enthusiastic—Although enthused has become acceptable in standard usage, old school people still prefer enthusiastic.

My daughter was not very enthusiastic about salmon for dinner.

  1. Farther/Further—Farther is used for geographic distances. Further means “in addition to” without involving geography.

A great bed and breakfast is located about a mile farther down the road.

Further accidents can be avoided with common sense.

  1. Fewer/Less—Use fewer for groups or collections with parts that can be counted individually. Use less for things in bulk.

The fifth grade class earned fewer cupcakes than the fourth grade.

We added less butter in our brownies for a low fat option.

  1. Impact/Affect— Some people shudder when impact is used as a verb although it’s become acceptable in standard English.

The impact of the wind knocked me down.  (Yes.)

The song impacted me more than you’ll ever know. (No. This usage may bring to mind images of impacted teeth…or bowels. You don’t want that, do you?)

Instead, use affect.

The nostalgic play affected me to the point of tears.

  1. Irregardless/Regardless—Old English teachers might have rapped knuckles and said, “Irregardless isn’t a word. It isn’t in the dictionary.” My dictionary has it listed along with the definition of non standard English. Irregardless is, however, a fun café in Raleigh, NC. Please use regardless instead.

Do you agree or disagree about the usage of enthuse or impact?

Happy writing!

Categories
Dear Young Scribes

10 Tips for Reading Through the Eyes of a Writer

Book and glasses

For most writers, our passion to write was birthed from a passion to read. We grew up immersed in books. Books that touched us, entertained us, made us laugh and cry. And somewhere along the way, we discovered that we, too, wanted to create the same effect for readers through our own stories.

As writers, it’s only natural that we should want to learn from the masters. We should not only read for enjoyment, but for education as well.

Sure, there are plenty books on the writing craft that can give us instruction. I’m not against this at all. But personally, the best way I learned how to write was from reading books through the eyes of a writer.

How is this done?

Here are 10 tips for reading through the eyes of a writer:

        1. Study the plot as it unravels. When would you assume Act 1 ends and Act 2 begins? Can you identify the character’s external and internal goals at the beginning of the book? What is the conflict and unanswered questions that the author has set up? How is the backstory woven in without interrupting the story?

        2. Study the scene structure and pacing. Does it begin in a way that “grabs” you? Does it end in a way that lures you to read the next scene?

        3. Study the author’s wordsmithing. Are there words you are not familiar with? If so, highlight them and research their definition. How does the author’s word choice create tension? Strengthen mood and emotion? How does it develop characterization and paint the scene in your imagination?

        4. Study the rhythm. Read the book out loud. How do the words and dialogue flow? How are the sentences structured in a way that intensifies the mood of the scene?

        5. Study characterization. Does each character have their own unique personality, dialect, style, traits, etc.? How is this revealed in a way that shows rather than tells? How do the secondary characters contribute to the plot, and are they three-dimensional or cardboard characters?

        6. If you lose focus in the book, identify at which point your attention began to lack. Was it caused from a decrease in conflict/tension? Did it become too easy for the character to reach his/her goal? Or is it because the scenes were passive, written about the character’s day-to-day, dull life?

        7. If you love the book, identify why you can’t seem to put it down. Is it the writing style or the plot? Is it because the writing is concise and tight, or because suspense is woven into each scene?

        8. Study the emotion and humor. If the story makes you cry, take note of how the author tapped into your emotions. How was this emotion portrayed without “telling” or coming across as overly dramatic? If the story makes you laugh, take note of the kind of humor the author used and how they portrayed this without coming across as cheesy.

        9. Study the setting. Do you think it was well-developed and/or well-researched? Does it contribute to the mood of each scene? How did the author use sensory details to highlight unique features of the setting without interrupting the flow of the story?

        10. Study the theme. Do you have an idea as to what the theme is by the end of the book? If so, how did the author get this across without “preaching” to the reader? Or if it did come across as preachy, how could the author have subtly woven in the theme instead?

It might take longer to read a book if you study it through the eyes of a writer rather than a reader. But if you do this — if you dissect books as you read them and highlight passages when necessary — then this should result in a major improvement in your own writing.

“To succeed as a novelist, reading novels must be a priority. Don’t be afraid. You won’t lose your voice; you will only enhance it. And soon, students will be using your novels as their textbooks.”

~Linda Hall

[bctt tweet=”10 Tips for Reading Through the Eyes of a Writer @tessaemilyhall #amwriting #writingtips”]

[bctt tweet=”Can our writing improve by studying the books we read? @tessaemilyhall #writingtips #amwriting”]

Do you read books through the eyes of a writer? If so, how has it made a difference in your writing?

Categories
Craft Writing with Humor

Adding Humor to Your Writing Is As Easy as 1 – 2 – 3: The Rule of Three, to be exact.

Adding Humor to Your Writing is as Easy as 1-2-3. The Rule of Three to be Exact. by Jean Wilund via www.AlmostAnAuthor.com

Adding humor to any type of writing is as easy as 1 – 2 – 3.

Not 1 – 2 – 3 – 4.

Or 1 – 2.

1 – 2 – 3.

Research shows we like lists of three. Four sounds overdone. Two feels incomplete. Three is just right.

I guess Goldilocks and the three bears were right.

The literary device known as The Rule of Three says lists are funnier, more satisfying, and more effective in threes. 

I agree.

Here are three easy tips for adding humor using The Rule of Three:

1. Add an Unexpected Humorous Ending to a List of Three.

Whether you’re writing a serious or comedic piece, throwing in a humorous ending to a list of three grabs your reader’s attention.

Getting fit and trim is easy. Eat more fruits and vegetables, eat less processed foods, and borrow your skinny neighbor’s five kids and three dogs to chase around.

In the above example, the third point could easily lead into a serious discussion about adopting a more active lifestyle for an article on health and fitness.

It could also lead into a humorous anecdote in a novel about two friends who are opposites.

In my last article, I talked about using opposites in humor, which is otherwise known as juxtaposition for you scholarly types. Check it out here.

2. Add an Unexpected Serious Ending to a List of Three

A list that starts out humorous but ends in a more normal tone is another method for catching the reader by surprise and introducing the topic in a memorable way.

The following example could be used to introduce the topic of why every writer should join a critique group.

The most successful road to publishing awakens delusions of grandeur, unearths deep-seated insecurities, and leads through a writer’s critique group that will help keep the author grounded somewhere in between.

3. Change-up a Well-Known List of Three

Can you fill in the last word in each of these lists?

Live, Love, _____.

Friends, Romans, _____.

The good, the bad, and the _____.

Surely every American knows these famous phrases. (If not, check the bottom of the post for the answers.) 

When we take a familiar list of three and change it up with something unfamiliar, we throw our reader off and make them laugh.

I came, I saw, I bought the t-shirt.

Click to learn how easy it is to add humor to your writing using The Rule of Three.

When well-done, The Rule of Three brings a smile to our readers’ faces, encourages them to keep reading, and results in smiling authors.

It’s a win-win. 

Not everything has to be grouped in three’s.

The answers to the blanks in #3 are:

Live, Love, Laugh. 

Friends, Romans, countrymen. 

The good, the bad, and the ugly.

I came, I saw, I bought the t-shirt came from the famous quote by Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered. 

What are some favorite change-ups you’ve heard? Share them in the comments below. 

[bctt tweet=”Adding #Humor to Your Writing is as Easy as 1-2-3. The Rule of Three to be exact. #amwriting #author”]

Categories
Grammar and Grace

Five More Confusing Word Pairs

For the past couple of posts, we’ve been focusing on confusing word pairs. Today will continue with a few more. The following words may not be spelled similarly or sound alike, but they are sometimes used incorrectly.

  1. Accept and Except

Accept—is a verb that means “to receive.”

Please accept this million dollars for your excellent manuscript.

 

Except—is a preposition that means “but.”

The toddler ate everything except his kale.

 

  1. Advice and Advise

Advice—is a noun and rhymes with “rice.”

Take my advice. You need to proofread your paper.

 

Advise—is a verb and rhymes with “prize.”

The teacher will advise you on which class to take.

 

  1. Allusion and Illusion

Allusion—is a reference to something else.

Please find five allusions in Poe’s, “The Raven.”

 

Illusion—is a dream, a fantasy.

He believed the illusion that he could lose weight without changing his eating habits.

 

  1. Among and Between

Between—is usually used to show a relationship with two nouns.

Between you and me, I’m pulling for the Panthers to win.

 

Among—is usually used to show a relationship with more than two nouns.

Sadness was common among Pittsburghers when the Steelers lost the last game.

 

  1. Anxious and Eager

Anxious—can show fear.

I’m anxious about the skin test results.

 

Eager—shows strong interest.

I’m eager to be finished with doctors’ appointments.

 

These words are distinct and are easy to use properly if you remember the definitions. Good luck with your writing!

Categories
Things Every Writer Should Know Writer Encouragement

Getting Reviews Part 1

by Elaine Marie Cooper

Many authors, both new and the more experienced, get discouraged when hunting for knowledgeable readers to do advance reviews for new books. It’s all part of the marketing package that authors are expected to develop on their own: Finding folks to read and review their new book “baby.” It’s enough to prod some of us into the fetal position!

I inwardly cringe when I see a fairly new release wallowing on Amazon with a handful of reviews. It makes me want to buy their book and pray I can give it a four or five star review to show the author that I understand all the work that went into birthing their release. There are not enough hours in my day, however, to rescue all the forgotten books destined for an early demise. Readers like to see reviews, and lots of them.

So what’s an author to do? There is really no magic here. It takes planning months ahead—long before your book releases—to gather potential supporters who will help you out. Think of it this way: You would not wait to announce the upcoming birth of your newborn a couple of days before the due date. You would send out notes, allow your friends to give you baby showers, and rev up enthusiasm for the long awaited arrival.

And so it is with a book release. Invite your friends and others to be in on the celebration.

Caution: Do not allow your cat to post reviews on Amazon
Caution: Do not allow your cat to post reviews on Amazon

Start with your social media contacts, who are already excited about your writing. Expand your list to include other authors who write in a similar genre. Gather experts in the field of your topic. Think outside the box.

 

Private message them (or email them if you know their address) to see if they are interested in reading and reviewing, possibly endorsing your upcoming release. Give them a brief synopsis of the book and tell them the genre. If they say “yes,” ask them for their email address so you can send the PDF to them. Never send a PDF to someone who has not agreed to read and review. Unsolicited PDF’s in my inbox = rudeness. Be polite and gracious.

If there are any edit issues because you are sending it early (before final final edits!) be sure to apprise them of that.

Next month I will do Part 2 of gathering reviewers early. Come back in March for a very important letter that you should include with your PDF. In the meantime, start gathering your list of potential reviewers.

 

Green Typewriter courtesy of Just2Shutter via freedigitalphotos.net

 

 

 

Categories
History in the Making

What Lincoln Teaches Us about Effective Writing in the Gettysburg Address

by Sandra Merville Hart

Gettysburg Address Plaque at Soldiers National Cemetery
Gettysburg Address Plaque at Soldiers National Cemetery

With the celebration of Presidents Day this month, Americans may remember the very famous Gettysburg Address written and delivered by President Abraham Lincoln during our nation’s greatest turmoil.

Lincoln had been invited to give a “few appropriate remarks” at the dedication of a new national cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He pondered the short speech he’d written, rewording phrases until the meaning was clear. Every sentence must count on this significant occasion.

Edward Everett, a well-known orator, spoke for two hours on a pleasant November day in 1863.

Lincoln congratulated Everett. Then the tall president, gaunt with the strain of leading a divided country, stepped in front of the crowd. Perhaps he felt inadequate to address the citizens after listening to such a talented speaker.

Then Lincoln delivered what has become one of the most famous speeches in American History for at least three reasons: an emotional hook; an acknowledgment of the obvious; and the clever use of repetition.

Lincoln hooked his audience with an emotional reminder of their noble roots. “Four score and seven years ago” a nation was born, recent enough that a few listeners might have been living at the time. Eighty-seven years ago our country began with the notion that “all men are created equal.” This reminded soldiers and citizens that the cause of slavery was worth the fight.

Lincoln also acknowledged the obvious. No one could ignore the remnants of a battle that so recently claimed a tragic number of lives. Fresh graves, destroyed fields, and bullet-ridden homes surrounded those in attendance. The dedication of the military cemetery united the mourners.

[bctt tweet=”Lincoln’s clever use of repetition drove home a vital message in the Gettysburg Address. #History #Author”]His clever use of repetition drove home a vital message. “But in a larger sense we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow this ground.” He arranged meaningful words for maximum impact.

The repetitive phrase so easily recognized by the changing of one word — a preposition — ends the speech with inspirational impact: “that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

President Lincoln took two days from a busy schedule to deliver words he feared “the world will little note nor long remember.”

History remembers, President Lincoln. Your immortal words spoken on sacred ground remind us of the Battle of Gettysburg — considered by many experts to be the turning point of the Civil War — and the national cemetery where many of our heroes lay.

 

Categories
Grammar and Grace

Understanding Lie and Lay

 

We’ll take a break from adding more confusing words to our list this time and  focus only on the two verbs lie and lay. They are often confused because they’re both irregular verbs, and the past tense of lie is lay.

(present tense)     Lie                                         Lay
(past tense)           Lay                                        Laid
(past participle)   Have lain                             Laid

*To lie means “to recline.”

I hope to lie down to sleep at 9:30.

Last night, I lay down at 10:30.

I had lain in bed for two hours before I gave up and turned on the light.

*To lay means “to put down.”

Colleen, lay the baby in the crib for a nap, please.

Colleen laid the baby in the crib twenty minutes ago.

Colleen had laid the baby in the crib before the phone rang.

Next time, we’ll continue with more confusing words.

Categories
Craft Writing with Humor

Five Ways to Add Humor Using Juxtaposition

Five Ways to Add Humor Using Juxtaposition via www.AlmostAnAuthor.com (@JeanWilund)

One of these things is not like the other. One of these things just doesn’t belong . . .

Perhaps that should be the theme song for the useful literary device called juxtaposition.

Juxtaposition — positioning two or more characters, ideas, objects, or places beside each other in order to draw comparisons and contrasts — and for our purposes, a laugh.

Regardless of what genre you’re writing, juxtaposition is a powerful tool, especially when you want to add a touch of humor.

Below are five ways juxtaposition can add humor to your writing:

1. Juxtaposition Provides an Unexpected Laugh

A non-fiction author may write about a serious subject, but depending on the topic, he may still wish to add humor. (See How Humor Helps When Writing About Sensitive Topics.)

Juxtaposition is a great way to inject humor and make any statement more memorable.

I read a poem recently by an unknown author. One line remains stuck in my head like the Nationwide theme hum by Peyton Manning, except I like this line: 

I thoroughly hate loving you.

What a perfect juxtaposition. Love and hate.

2. Juxtaposition Creates Interesting Conflict

Without conflict, there’s no story.

Novels, movies, and plays often feature lead characters with opposite attributes or personalities in order to create interesting conflict.

Consider the 1970’s TV series The Odd Couple.

The juxtaposition of the fussy, neat freak Felix Unger with his apathetic, sloppy roommate Oscar Madison created five seasons of TV fun and plenty of awards.

Watch the following opening theme song for The Odd Couple’s humorous juxtapositions:

Continue reading “Five Ways to Add Humor Using Juxtaposition”

Categories
Child's Craft

Keep the FAITH in your Writing

Keeping the faith in your writing can be difficult. I remember sitting on my back porch with a rejection letter in my hand just sobbing. I had received the go ahead from this publisher to send in my full proposal. I’d been waiting in anticipation for several months and believed this was the publisher the Lord had provided. I’d worked so hard to perfect this manuscript but then it came. The dreaded rejection letter. It wasn’t what they needed at the time. Rejection letters weren’t new to me as I’d already received a year’s worth of them, but for some reason, this publisher hurt me the most. I just wanted to quit.

Have you been there? Are you experiencing this or something similar now? It seems that rejection letters aren’t sent so much anymore, as the dreaded silent treatment. No news is not good news in these cases. Luckily my youngest daughter, saddened at seeing her mom sobbing at that time, cuddled next to me and said, “You have to write, Mommy. You’re a writer.”

That was just what I needed to hear at the time to gradually snap me out of my Writers Pit of Despair. We all have one. Some of us visit it more than others. But believe me, we all have them.

What do we do when we don’t have a precious toddler telling us that we have to keep writing?  I think it’s okay to visit the pit once in a while for a brief pity party, but don’t set up camp down there. Claw your way back out. Keep the FAITH. That may sound cliché but I’ve come up with an acronym of FAITH for writers to keep us out of the pits of despair.

F – Fully believe in God’s anointing of your gift of writing.

God gave you the gift of writing for His glory. We don’t know what that means to Him, but we are to use the gifts He’s given to us. You may be asking, “How do I know if He’s given me the gift of writing or not?” People who do not have the gift of writing know it. They don’t like anything having to do with writing. They probably don’t journal, they dreaded writing assignments in school and don’t doodle in idle time. They aren’t looking at the world differently. They may not even enjoy reading. But if you can’t NOT write, you’ve probably got the gift.

A – Actively write or create. God is the Great Creator and I believe loves to see everyone creating in one form or another. Even when you’re visiting the pit, reach for a pen and your beautiful journal (life is too short to use ugly journals) and scribble your thoughts, your feelings and prayers down. Scratch out a note to your mother. Write a letter of praise to God. Draw. Color in those new adult coloring books. Make a craft with your child. Paint. Organize a drawer. Cross stitch. Sew. Find something to create to get your creative juices flowing again.

I – Involve yourself with other writers. Join a critique group. Word Weavers has local chapters all over. See if there’s one close to you or check out http://www.meetup.com/ to find local writers groups. Attend a conference to network with other writers. Join a writers group on facebook. Get creative to find other writers. You know they’re out there.

T- Thank God for your inspirations, for your time to write, for blessings and anything else that comes to mind. Giving thanks brings joy. In fact, giving thanks may be what lifts you out of the pit.

H – Hope, have faith. You have a hope in Jesus and in His love for you. Believe he has the best in mind for you and will use you and your writing in ways you probably can’t even fathom at this point. Be open to His leading. Believe in Him. Believe in your gifts and have FAITH.

Know you’re not alone in this. Anybody who claims to be a writer will receive a rejection or ‘silence’ at some point or many points. Rejections are the battle scars that show we’re writing. Keep writing and keep the FAITH.

Categories
Platform and Branding

Brand Basics – 2 Considerations For Writers

We’re familiar with a brand as it relates to corporations. When we think of Coke, McDonalds, and Nike these logos appear in our minds:

Coke – red background with white letters.
McDonalds – golden arches.
Nike – swoosh.

These corporations have spent millions (billions?) of dollars over the years with marketing groups and design teams to develop brand recognition. Few writers have the resources to invest in that kind of brand development but a personal brand is an important part of a solid platform.

Two important considerations for branding that every writer must consider are Content and Look.

CONTENT

Do you have a clear writing focus?

Content - writer brand

Perhaps you’re a novelist. Do you write mysteries for young adults? Romance geared toward women?

Maybe you’re an inspirational writer. Do you write devotions? Parenting articles? Bible studies?

Editors, technical writers, agents, etc. each have a special niche in the writing industry. Determine your focus, create content, and share on social media’s Big 3—Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Remember to be generous and share quotes and links from a variety of sources. Edie Melson recommends sharing only 20% of your own material. Find other writers and industry professionals who have a similar focus and share their content as well.

Don’t hesitate to share occasional random posts, but be sure to keep it kind and clean. Tweeting at your favorite sports team or sharing a funny meme on Facebook makes you a more interesting person to follow.

LOOK

Do your social media accounts have the same (or similar) backgrounds and headshots?

Develop a background and format it for each social media account. Profile dimensions change on a regular basis, so check a reliable source like Mashable for the most recent image sizes. Select a headshot that is both current and suitable for your writing.

A writer with brilliant branding is Steven James. He wears several hats: writing & speaking instructor, keynote speaker, poet, master storyteller, and suspense writer. His social media profiles and his website represent him well, reflecting his friendly yet somewhat mysterious personality.

Platforming - Steven James profile, writer brand

Your website’s About Page should include the same content focus, headshots, and background images (if possible). A consistent online image will help establish your personal brand and help lay a solid foundation for your platform.

Shareables:

branding considerations

[bctt tweet=”Start building your #writer brand by answering 2 questions, via @A3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Top 2 considerations for developing your brand as a #writer, @a3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

Sites to check out:

Steven James
Mashable: Your social media cheat sheet for perfectly sized images

Categories
The Writer's PenCase

Writing Unforgettable Fiction—Part III

The Writer's PenCase

This time, we’ll look at Character Struggles, and how they help make unforgettable fiction. Here’s a great way to start it out: “To initiate your story, your protagonist will either 1) lose something vital and try to regain it, 2) see something desirable and try to obtain it, or 3) experience something traumatic and try to overcome it.”

[bctt tweet=”Three types of character struggles: internal, interpersonal, and external.”]. #amwriting #unforgettablefiction @stevenjames

Continue reading “Writing Unforgettable Fiction—Part III”
Categories
Craft Writing with Humor

How Humor Helps When Writing About Sensitive Topics

How Humor Helps When Writing About Sensitive Topics by Jean Wilund

At first glance, making people laugh when addressing a sensitive topic seems absurd, maybe even callous. But then again, a little humor used the right way can make a tough topic easier for your audience to handle.

Laughter Sets the Spirit Free

“Laughter sets the spirit free through even the most tragic circumstances.

It helps us shake our heads clear, get our feet back under us and restore our sense of balance.

Humor is integral to our peace of mind and our ability to go beyond survival.”

(POW Survivor Captain Gerald Coffee.)

Capt. Coffee spent seven years as a POW in North Vietnam at the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” Speaking to a group one evening, Coffee told a story that showed how humor helped keep him sane. It started with a bite of bread.

“One day I took a bite out of my bread, and I looked at it, and I was inspired to compose my very first poem.

I said, ‘Little weevil in my bread, I think I just bit off … Coffee, you’ve got to be going off your rocker. How can you be sitting here in these abysmal circumstances laughing at your stupid little poem?’

But I was.

It just reminded me of that beautiful, traditional, axiomatic sense of humor that serves every single one of us each day.

I couldn’t do what I’ve done — you couldn’t do what you do — without that sense of humor.” [1]

[bctt tweet=”Laughter sets the spirit free through even the most tragic circumstances. – Capt. Gerald Coffee #Writers”]

Humor Hints at Hope

Just because we’re tackling a tough topics doesn’t mean we have to be grave in our delivery. We don’t want to depress the cheerful and drag the saddened down deeper. Instead, we can give hope to the hurting by inviting them to laugh with us through our tears.

We should never pretend a situation isn’t as serious as it is, but leaving our audience depressed will likely leave us without an audience, and they’ll miss our message.

Not long after subscribing to a certain blog, I had to give it up. The author continually wrote about sensitive subjects, professing hope, but consistently left me feeling only sadness.

I never sensed she was experiencing the joy she promised her readers. Her tone didn’t deliver what her words had promised.

To Laugh, or Not to Laugh

Not every topic we write about can be approached with humor, even light humor. Some experiences demand utmost seriousness. Wise judgment comes in handy at these times.

If it seems appropriate to the topic, your audience will thank you if you invite them to laugh.

Working humor into the background of sensitive topics can ease the blow and allow your message to take center stage.

In my next post, I’ll give five tips for how to use humor effectively when writing about a sensitive topic.

[bctt tweet=”How Humor Helps When Writing About Sensitive Topics. #Writers #Authors”]

 1. RECORD OF SOCIETY OF ACTUARIES 1989 VOL. 15 NO, 3B

 

Categories
History in the Making

Three Things I learned About Writing Dialogue from Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice novel with rose

By Sandra Merville Hart

 

I’ve read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice at least a dozen times and loved it every time. As a writer of historical novels, I’ve learned dialogue that thrilled Jane’s readers doesn’t work as well today.

Don’t get me wrong — the conversations between Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy still sparkle and shine. Their dialogue tantalizes and intrigues us to read on. Even though we sense the couple will marry in the end, Austen weaves convincing arguments that cause us to wonder just how they will overcome all the obstacles in their way.

Austen wrote romances that live on in our hearts.

Writing dialogue for today’s readers of historic novels isn’t quite the same. At least three things have changed over the years.

The first difference you may notice in reading Pride and Prejudice is the very long paragraphs of dialogue. One person might speak for an entire page without interruption. Such lengthy paragraphs no longer work. Readers of current historic novels will probably be tempted to skim through such passages and miss the gems contained inside. Authors must consider shortening these conversations even though it is authentic to the period.

The second difference in Austen’s classic work is that dialogue often continues for several pages with very little action. Conversation was one of the main pastimes in days gone by. Most people worked long days and looked forward to relaxing with a friend over a cup of coffee or tea, so these visits became natural scenes in their literature. Writers these days must shorten dialogue and include plenty of action to hold our reader’s attention.

Another difference about Austen’s era was the formal language. They spoke more eloquently. They communicated well. We’ve lost a little of this ability because of all the distractions in our lives.[bctt tweet=”Three Things I learned about #Writing #Dialogue from #Author Jane Austen”] Cell phones, televisions, radios, IPods, Internet sites, and YouTube videos didn’t claim the attention of Austen’s audience. Still, authors who want to remain authentic to the period they write in should soften the formality. Contractions are fine. Don’t be afraid to select words that characters from previous eras often used, but make certain the meaning is clear.

What worked for Austen probably won’t tempt our readers to keep turning pages, but they will continue to read her books. After all, her novels are classics.

 

Categories
The Writer's PenCase

Putting Fire in Your Fiction Part II

The Writer's PenCase
The Writer's PenCase
The Writer’s PenCase

We’re looking at Donald Maass’ The Fire in Fiction. @DonaldMaass #FireinFiction

I’m on a quest to learn more about writing and share it with you, Today, we’ll talk about Chapter 1, Protagonists vs. Heroes.

“…think about the people whom you deeply admire. Who are the individuals for whom you would cancel other plans? Who stirs in your awe, respect, humility, and high esteem? Are these regular people, no different than anyone else? They may not be famous but they are in some way exceptional, right? Click to Tweet

Continue reading “Putting Fire in Your Fiction Part II”
Categories
Publishing Perspectives

Writers Must Be Readers

Publishing Perspectives column

Creativity Takes No ExcusesI hope that you, as a writer, do a LOT of reading!
I think there are three types of reading you should intentionally schedule into your life:

  1. Craft books
  2. Industry news/discussion
  3. Recently published books in your genre

1. Craft books

I’m sure you already know you should read books that teach you how to write creatively. I don’t think I need to lay out a full argument of why you should do this, so I won’t waste your time. Here are a few books that I recommend:

My suggested goal: 1 section a day; no more than one chapter a week. You need time to absorb and consider the advice, time to figure out how to apply it. I recommend you immediately do a quick editing pass based on what you learned in the one section/chapter. The sooner you apply it, the more likely you are to remember what you learned.

There are a LOT of craft books out there. Leave a comment with some of your favorite craft books!

2. Industry News and Discussion

I scan the headlines of quite a few blogs and email newsletters each day. I do not click through to read every article. Here are a few of the sources I scan:

My suggested goal: 10 minutes a day. Again, analyze everything you read to see if you can immediately apply it to your writing or your marketing.

Leave a comment with one (or more) of the industry blogs or newsletters you follow!

3. Recently published books in your genre

This is different from reading for leisure. When reading for fun, go ahead and read any genre you choose. But reading for leisure should only take place AFTER you have read for skill development. You are trying to be a professional writer, so you must intentionally act like one.

Believe me, I know you are BUSY. And you barely have time to fit writing into your day, much less reading. BUT…

Can you imagine a paint artist who said they were too busy painting to go to art museums or to art galleries?
Can you imagine an executive chef who said they were too busy cooking to go to menu tastings of their competitors?
Can you imagine a sports team who said they were too busy training to analyze game play videos of their arch rival?

So, please! Stop the excuse that you are too busy writing to spend time reading. [Tweet this]

I am willing to assert that writers who don’t read in their genre will not improve as quickly as those who do. Writers who don’t read in their genre may never improve their craft. [Tweet this]

Think back to your youth. (Ugh, how long ago was that?) How did you learn about creative writing in English class in high school and college? Was it all just writing exercises from a technical viewpoint? No, you read. A lot. Recall those reading lists. You may have even had required reading during the summer to prepare for the next semester. I’d actually bet money that you never read a writing craft book in high school or college unless you majored in creative writing. Style manuals don’t count.

After you read, you analyzed. You learned about imagery, characterization, dialogue, and narration. Then you read another book and analyzed some more. You wrote essays comparing and contrasting this and that.

And MAYBE you did one or two writing exercises of your own per semester.

So, why would you think that now that you’re trying to be a professional writer that you could stop employing this method of strengthening your skills?

What should you read? Start with award winners and best-sellers. Here are a few lists to get you started.

Leave a comment with other lists of award winners that writers should examine!

When you have one of these books in hand, what should you be looking for? Make yourself a worksheet that includes these items:

  • Point of View
  • Voice
  • Tension
  • Dialogue
  • Narrative
  • Scene setting
  • Flow of plot
  • Imagery
  • Characterization
  • Sound bites (meme content)
  • Plus anything else that you feel is a key element.

See if you can figure out what made the book win an award. How can you learn from that author and make your writing better?

Another benefit of reading in your genre is that you will be well-prepared to write the “Comparables” part of your book proposal. You will already know what is out there, because you read it. You will be able to tweak your story lines to be similar and yet unique because you know what is out there.

When evaluating an imprint or a press that you are considering working with, you should definitely read a couple of their recent releases in your genre. Does your work have a similar feel or is it so different that your book would not be a good fit? Is the editing done well? Do you like the book cover?

It really comes down to a matter of your priorities. If you want to improve your writing craft faster, I urge you to make reading a higher priority. As the meme says,

“If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.”

My suggested goal: Two genre books each month. This is about 3 chapters a day.

Leave a comment:

  1. What are your favorite writing craft books?
  2. What industry newsletters and blogs do you read?
  3. What book did you most recently read in your genre?
Categories
Truth Be Told

With the Right Bait

Truth Not Lies Board Showing Honesty

I was browsing my local paper and right in the middle of the classified section I spied this teaser:

With the right bait…you can catch anything!

Truth be told: what works in advertising works for devotions, too.

Grabbing the reader’s attention depends on a well baited hook. And a good fisher knows which hook and bait to use based on the fish they hope to catch.

I had a group critique several of my devotions and I quickly saw how different hooks and bait catch different fish.

One devotion likened our all-out enthusiasm for God to a baseball player stealing home. The women in the crowd swam right by, but the one man in the group felt like someone saw he was there and he took the bait to his soul’s delight.

As a pastor, I want a devotion that takes me to a deeper place, so hook me with the name of a noted theologian or even a definition from the original Bible language.

My husband doesn’t use worms when he fishes. He prefers leftover macaroni and cheese. He says the fish like it because it’s unusual, it grabs their attention, and it tastes good.

 

1

So who do you want to catch?

You can catch anything with right bait.

 

Categories
Developing Your Writer's Voice Uncategorized

How Your Diary Holds the Key in Discovering Your Writer’s Style

Graphic Courtesy of Keep.comA writer’s voice is the unique personality of the writer that comes through on the written page, defining his work. An often-asked question is whether a writer’s style is the same thing as his voice. The answer is no.

A writer’s style is the way in which he structures sentences; the pattern in which his words are written. Components of style are the length of the sentences, diction, tone and length of paragraphs.

A somewhat surprising tool for discovering your writer’s voice and style is your juvenile diary. Below are two examples of these early writings; exaggerated here for style comparison.

Stark

Diary, yesterday I went to the mall. I bought a dress. Mary was there.

Ornate

Dearest Diary,

I ventured to the mall in the last light of the day. I purchased a dress with a gossamer over-skirt that will make Robbie compare me to a princess. I will sit his picture on my bedside table and hopefully dream of him until dawn breaks.

The writer’s style was different in each example. The stark example’s sentences are simple and sparse. The ornate example has long, flowing sentences.

Do you have your teenage diary, the one you kept under lock and key? If so, take a trip down memory lane with the  distinct purpose of discovering your writer’s style. This early diary was unedited which allowed your authentic writer’s voice to shine through.

If you don’t have your treasured diary, compare a piece you wrote a year ago to a recent effort. Does a pattern emerge…do you recognize your writing style?

“The most durable thing in writing is style, and style is the most valuable investment a writer can make with his time.” Raymond Chandler

 

Image courtesy of www.keep.com

Categories
Craft The Writer's PenCase

Putting Fire in Your Fiction—Part I

fire-2When drafting your novel, then self-editing, go back and determine whether or not any given scene moves the story along and how important it is. Your novel is only as good as your write it. Prepare your novel for publication while improving your craft. I can’t remember how many scenes I actually cut from “Meghan’s Choice.” I learned a lot about how to decide whether a scene was important enough to keep. #amwriting #fireinfiction

Continue reading “Putting Fire in Your Fiction—Part I”