Sunday Musings- What I’ve learned about writing…

The last writer’s meetup included the topic of ‘what we’ve learned about writing’. So I felt this might help some others writers out there who are just starting out.

-Grammar and punctuation are important. I’m stunned by the number of writers who think lightly of grammar and punctuation. There are the tools of the trade, and are just as vital to story crafting as character, plot, and the other elements of a good novel. They also touch upon a writer’s skill with words. If you blog and can’t remember to punctuate correctly, how can readers consider you a ‘good’ writer?

-You need to start a story with the conflict. Books of the old days included lots of back story and/or description. Published books of the modern era now expect the author to throw the reader smack dab into the middle of the troubles and carry them along to the end.

-Writer rules are often guidelines, but you still need to learn the rules to know when, and how, to break them. For any rule someone lists as as a rule for writing, you can find something that is published that broke that rule. There are exceptions, of course, but more importantly, reasons as to why the ‘rule’ was broken. Learn em and know the difference.

-You need to understand the business side to writing if you hope to publish. Publishing companies are naturally looking for good stories, but they are a business looking for a sellable product. Business also includes marketing that weather you self-publish or go with a brick-and-mortar publishing company, you still need to understand how to market your writing.

Post below your own tips on what you’ve learned along the writer’s journey.

Technorati Tags: writing,tips,learning,authors,novel,pubslihing

Some thoughts on success

 

I see success as something that takes effort and persistence, although to be fair some folks seem to be better at it than others. The attempt to try to succeed, without a safety net can be a harrowing ordeal, for instance.

But here are a few things I agree on the topic of success:

-Success doesn’t happen on its own. Success takes some effort on your part, but also opportunities must be also be in place to take advantage of them. How to find those opportunities? Put yourself out there- meet people, go places (writer classes, workshops, or conventions). And be prepared for when those opportunities present themselves.

-Success requires failure. This sounds like it goes against the concept of what success is about, but every great idea, great book, or whatever, took its turn at failing. Just look up the number of times the famous authors endured rejections. They could have just as easily quit then, but they didn’t. They showed persistence to find their goal.

-Success can also be unexpected. In other words, you can find in success in goals you don’t even know you have in the first place. I never really thought of success in regards to my writer’s group, but its been going strong now for years, with members who enjoy and find the meetings offer them something of value- so that is a success of mine I never really set for myself.

-Success comes easier if surrounded by encouraging people. It helps they are also successful, to help guide you along or set you back on course if you stray too far. You can find encouraging people in writer’s group, meetup groups, churches, community groups, etc.

-Success often holds a different meaning to different people. For some, success ties into money and income or fame. Other people, writers specifically, might find success in completing a novel, publishing a short story or article, or gaining subscribers to their blog. Its up to you to define what success means to you.

What do you think? What does success mean to you? Do you follow the dictionary definition- a favorable outcome of something attempted- or does it have another meaning for you? What goals and success do you  hope to achieve as a writer?

Technorati Tags: goals,success,writing,novel,fiction,authors,blog

 

Letter from my muse;

Dear Frootbat31, aka Sharon;

You may have noticed here of late I haven’t been around. I’m annoyed with you- seriously annoyed. You haven’t been writing the fiction you promised me. As much as I enjoy your stories, where did they go? Instead, you write emails, blogs, articles, and fill up an idea folder without anything in the shape or form of an actual story.

I’m disappointed in you. And a disappointed muse is not something a writer wants, trust me.

We thrive on creativity. Ideas are fine, but they are crumbs compared to the actual creation of plot and character. Sentences and paragraphs fill me with joy- not the broken fragments of possible stories you might write later.

I also realize that jerk, The Inner Editor, has no business sitting on your shoulder where my place should be, but you’ve been very generous with him. He’s grown fat off all those doubts and worries. You give him power over you each time you let him ‘fix’ your writing.

Its not even his turn yet! I get to work with you first, then he gets a turn to help shape the story into something publishable, but that won’t happen if you can’t get the story finished in the first place.

So for the love of God, please kick his butt to the curb, put aside those other ideas, and let’s work on your current project. You will be happier for it, and I know I will appreciate the attention.

Your faithful muse

____

Dear Muse:

You’re right. I apologize for neglecting you. We’re working tonight on the story so I expect you there. Inner Editor (aka Mr. Doubt) will be shoved into a closet for later.

Thanks for the pep talk.

Sharon.

PS- What do you suppose other writers out there, what their muse would say to them?

____

Dear Sharon;

I don’t know, but my guess would be to just write!

Your muse

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Strengthen your verbs

A simple tip to strengthen your verbs is to use the ‘find’ function of your computer in your document. Once you open your document, hit the Cntr+F keys. This uses the find feature, and highlights every instance of that word. 

Find words (known as linking verbs) like was, is, should, has, and so forth, which often weakens writing.

He was running to the store.

To make this sentence stronger, delete the word ‘was’ and focus instead on the verb running. Running is the action. Its what you want the subject is doing. So ask- How was he running? Also consider using a stronger verb choice to illustrate the type of running.

He raced to the store.

See how the verb now strengthens the sentence? 

As with many so-called rules, this is not a carved-in-stone suggestion. It simply invites the writer to be mindful of their style in writing and invoking stronger, more powerful words to describe the action.

Technorati Tags: verb,tips,writing,authors,blog

Idea Bubbles

There are times I wonder if I’m not Attention Deficient Disorder. Many times, when a thought flutters through my mind at the oddest moments, I find have to quickly find pen/paper or grab my Iphone to use the note taking app to get that idea down.

Believe it or not, sometimes I still lose it because I wasn’t fast enough. Its like a bubble that simply burst into nothing before I could catch it.

Inspiration can come at odd times as well.

Doing chores.  I tend to daydream while listening to music as I wash dishes, fold laundry or vacuums the floor. Doing something repetitive and mundane allows me to let my mind wander aimlessly, into areas of my creativity where I believe my elusive muse resides.

Right before sleep.

While I’m driving.

While I’m writing something else.

Listening to music.

Generally, I use the following tips to capture these ideas as they come, before they burst and disappear into the nether.

Keep a notebook on hand. You can get small notebooks to jot down ideas, plots, character ideas, and just about anything quickly.

Voice recorder. This is even better in those moments you can’t write- like driving. Simply tell the recorder the idea and viola! you have the idea stored for later. Android phones, Iphones, and many MP3 players have voice recorders in them.

Check your phone for voice recording. Many cell phones have a voice recorder in them. Even my son’s $10 tracphone had a voice recorder. Iphone and android phones also have apps for this.

When do you get inspired? Do you have special tips to share on capturing those ideas? Feel free to add in comments below.

Technorati Tags: ideas,isnpiration,writer’s block,voice recorder,app,muse,writing,authors,blog

A new tip for productivity

As a homeschooling mom, I do all my planning for the week on Sundays. I use a spreadsheet that lays out the full week, organizes by topic, and lets me see in one page what needs to be done, and even how to do it.

So it occurred to me the other day- Why don’t I use the same technique for writing?

Writing Planner- I created a table with 7 columns for each day of the week, and the rows are broken up on labels such as;

Appointments- to list important meetings I must attend (and I add the time).

Writing- This is writing specific to stories and things I will publish.

Blogging- With keeping a blogging schedule, I find its faster to post and even brainstorm ideas by knowing when I need to update a new post.

Marketing- This includes things I do for my web sites, blogs, and my business (learnthepc.net).

Other includes specific projects I’m working on. This could also include something like making a card for someone’s birthday.

Exercise- This was recently added to remind me that I need to exercise regularly. Sitting at the computer all day is not healthy, if not dangerous to your health. Get up and move. Take a walk, Join a gym. Don’t be a lump.

Web Sites- As a webmaster (or blogger), you should spent some time working on updating design, checking comments, and making sure links are active.

Not everything is scheduled every day, but this seriously improved my focus on what needs to get done and when it needs doing.

Feel free to use my idea, and let me know if it work out for you.

Technorati Tags: productivity,writing,blog,tips,hint,idea,authors,scheduling