Coming from a different writing perspective, I was surprised by the vehemence of some writers to phrases like, "I wish we went with them," she groaned. The 'she groaned' is considered a saidism.
Now, I love these quick descriptive phrases. However, when I started to look at them from this new perspective, I found the challenge fun and the outcome of such worth that I love to work on them.
As a writer, they can pull you out of the story. To prevent that, I write the way I'm used to - then I go back in the edit phase and edit them. It's quite hard work - at the beginning - but when I'm finished, the piece is more vibrant, clearer, can take care of descriptive difficulties, and fills me with satisfaction.
I still use 'she groaned' and such, but with decreased frequency.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Lesson Learned - Again
I truly believe the best way to learn how to write is to talk and interact with other authors. When you bounce ideas off a friend, they can be helpful, but another author knows what questions to ask.
(See yesterday's posting) We sat at a table in Panera's as my friend told me her character was coming into a scriptorium. I 'saw' a huge room with a domed ceiling and lots of books and tables and chairs about. No. Her scriptorium was dark and small with only one tiny unshielded light bulb hanging from the ceiling. Wow! Now that's a big difference.
It screamed to me, 'description is important to get across the mood.'
We laughed a lot. She could 'see' my scenario and I could now see hers. Her character comes in and up to a table where a snake was at. I saw the snake on the table. She saw the snake sitting on a chair. Again - Wow! What a difference. I was thinking of where a 'real' snake would sit. She was thinking of where her character would sit.
We laughed some more. Then we got to the dialogue. Now that she knew what needed to be added and how her character was interacting with the other character, she knew what the dialogue had to be. It turned out to be so much shorter than she thought, which was a good thing. But the dialogue was also more forceful, more dynamic since she could 'see' the entire scene, see how the characters were standing/sitting, and what now had to be said.
A quiet afternoon turned itself into a great learning experience.
Life is throbbing.
(See yesterday's posting) We sat at a table in Panera's as my friend told me her character was coming into a scriptorium. I 'saw' a huge room with a domed ceiling and lots of books and tables and chairs about. No. Her scriptorium was dark and small with only one tiny unshielded light bulb hanging from the ceiling. Wow! Now that's a big difference.
It screamed to me, 'description is important to get across the mood.'
We laughed a lot. She could 'see' my scenario and I could now see hers. Her character comes in and up to a table where a snake was at. I saw the snake on the table. She saw the snake sitting on a chair. Again - Wow! What a difference. I was thinking of where a 'real' snake would sit. She was thinking of where her character would sit.
We laughed some more. Then we got to the dialogue. Now that she knew what needed to be added and how her character was interacting with the other character, she knew what the dialogue had to be. It turned out to be so much shorter than she thought, which was a good thing. But the dialogue was also more forceful, more dynamic since she could 'see' the entire scene, see how the characters were standing/sitting, and what now had to be said.
A quiet afternoon turned itself into a great learning experience.
Life is throbbing.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
I'm Back
I can't tell you how great it feels to finally have those cords attached to my computer. Every now and again I swear I could feel them trying to wrap themselves around my ankles.
Though the computer`s been down, I haven't been. I met with a friend per her request. God bless her, for some reason she thinks I write good dialogue. We had a great session. She read a small part of her book where she wanted to put in dialogue.
This is what I told her and what I do. Hope it helps.
I envision the scene as if I were watching a play. I see where each speaking character is standing/sitting/whatever. I've got to have that straight because body language speaks, too.
Then I recall the personalities of the speaking characters so I have continuity. I can't write dialogue that they wouldn't speak.
Last, I close my eyes and let the Muse do the rest. Trusting my Muse is imperative. I've done the groundwork. I know my setting, my characters, and what needs to be said. It works for me. I'm sure others have techniques that work for them.
Though the computer`s been down, I haven't been. I met with a friend per her request. God bless her, for some reason she thinks I write good dialogue. We had a great session. She read a small part of her book where she wanted to put in dialogue.
This is what I told her and what I do. Hope it helps.
I envision the scene as if I were watching a play. I see where each speaking character is standing/sitting/whatever. I've got to have that straight because body language speaks, too.
Then I recall the personalities of the speaking characters so I have continuity. I can't write dialogue that they wouldn't speak.
Last, I close my eyes and let the Muse do the rest. Trusting my Muse is imperative. I've done the groundwork. I know my setting, my characters, and what needs to be said. It works for me. I'm sure others have techniques that work for them.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Surgery And Other Things
You know I would write if I could.
I had 'surprise' eye surgery on Wednesday and haven't been able to write here... let alone anywhere else.
The patch has come off. I have salivated for this day.
I also moved a couple weeks ago. Going through boxes and boxes of paperwork drove my nose to sneezes. Keeping the tissue box nearby, I went through another box today. It contained old stories. My gosh. I wanted to weep as I read them.
I know I've spoken of this before, but I cannot understand authors who cringe when confronted with 'old' writings. The stories I read today were all from seven to ten years ago. I still love them. I am not a doddering fool in that I refuse to see flaws in what I wrote (or put that in present tense). Their were definitely errors. The POVs were funny. The descriptions flaccid. But the stories overall still spoke to me. This hoard of old tales touched my heart. I wanted to weep and fly at the same time.
Life is incredibly good.
I had 'surprise' eye surgery on Wednesday and haven't been able to write here... let alone anywhere else.
The patch has come off. I have salivated for this day.
I also moved a couple weeks ago. Going through boxes and boxes of paperwork drove my nose to sneezes. Keeping the tissue box nearby, I went through another box today. It contained old stories. My gosh. I wanted to weep as I read them.
I know I've spoken of this before, but I cannot understand authors who cringe when confronted with 'old' writings. The stories I read today were all from seven to ten years ago. I still love them. I am not a doddering fool in that I refuse to see flaws in what I wrote (or put that in present tense). Their were definitely errors. The POVs were funny. The descriptions flaccid. But the stories overall still spoke to me. This hoard of old tales touched my heart. I wanted to weep and fly at the same time.
Life is incredibly good.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Getting Excited
First, the desk has come in. We're going to try to assemble it this afternoon. The computer is still in shambles, but once I have a place to set it, I'm going to try to get those pesky cords corralled and attached to where they belong. I'm sure they'll try to trick me, but I'll get it done. If I can't, I've got a friend or two in the wings who are committed to help.
Second, I went to my writing class last night. The teacher is also my editor. She just had her latest book published. It's not mentioned on the website yet, but it's really cute. http://www.laurieknowlton.com/
She liked my 'Blame It On The Women' piece but isn't sure where I can sell it. I'll not give up on it. I still have two vignettes to write and then I'll try to find publishers to send it to.
Life is deep breaths.
Second, I went to my writing class last night. The teacher is also my editor. She just had her latest book published. It's not mentioned on the website yet, but it's really cute. http://www.laurieknowlton.com/
She liked my 'Blame It On The Women' piece but isn't sure where I can sell it. I'll not give up on it. I still have two vignettes to write and then I'll try to find publishers to send it to.
Life is deep breaths.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Music
Presenting my idea of the 'musical' edition of 'Sorrysorrysorry' to my editor at class tomorrow. Not sure what she'll think about the idea. I've lost my recorder in the packing and unpacking. Hoping to find it soon. Well, actually, I've got two. I haven't seen either. I hope they were packed!
Had Skyline Writers' Group on Saturday. I didn't present but we had a great discussion about another author's fantasy work. She's already published one book and is working on her second. A pretty good one called, 'Island of Tory.'
Afterwards came the real gem. One of my favorite authors from the group and I stood outside and chatted for awhile. She's writing two books. One is a thriller, cityscape fantasy. It's incredibly chilling. The other is an agrarian fantasy set in some type of medieval time. Not sure if it is this world or another. Doesn't matter.
It's always fun to get together with authors of your same genre. It's like you speak English but with a different twist to it. You understand each other. You don't have to explain things.
We talked about epic tales and numerous characters and how these tales had fallen out of 'favor' awhile back. She felt that the mood was changing and that these were coming back into style.
I remarked that I saw an ad on TV for 'Downton Abbey' where they prided themselves on the fact that there were thirty-three characters introduced in the first installment.
So - the fifty characters in my first book aren't too bad. *g*
Life is delightful.
Had Skyline Writers' Group on Saturday. I didn't present but we had a great discussion about another author's fantasy work. She's already published one book and is working on her second. A pretty good one called, 'Island of Tory.'
Afterwards came the real gem. One of my favorite authors from the group and I stood outside and chatted for awhile. She's writing two books. One is a thriller, cityscape fantasy. It's incredibly chilling. The other is an agrarian fantasy set in some type of medieval time. Not sure if it is this world or another. Doesn't matter.
It's always fun to get together with authors of your same genre. It's like you speak English but with a different twist to it. You understand each other. You don't have to explain things.
We talked about epic tales and numerous characters and how these tales had fallen out of 'favor' awhile back. She felt that the mood was changing and that these were coming back into style.
I remarked that I saw an ad on TV for 'Downton Abbey' where they prided themselves on the fact that there were thirty-three characters introduced in the first installment.
So - the fifty characters in my first book aren't too bad. *g*
Life is delightful.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Music And Books
Though I only have a few moments every day to get onto a computer, the mind never stops. I am getting terribly antsy about writing. I know I could do it with my trusty rusty yellow pad, but at the moment, I want my computer.
I haven't even thought much about 'Blue' lately, but the mind has been churning and getting excited about looking again at sending out 'Sorrysorrysorry.' However, I took the little one to an event at the local library and it's given me some thoughts.
A troupe from a local school put on a concert based upon a book. Sadly, I don't remember the book, the concert was such fun to watch. Sixth graders brought a busload of instruments. Drums, all different sizes of xylophones, maracas, and other percussion instruments, along with recorders.
Now, I learned music through a recorder and enjoyed it. My little one played with the instruments afterwards. It seemed a great way to 'expand' a book.
My thoughts. Why not write music to go along with the giraffe story? I know I could do it. I've got three songs that are published and used internationally. The music would have to be simple so that grade school orchestras/bands could do it as this group did.
I think I'll talk to my editor. Not sure if the music should be on each individual page or at the back of the book. We'll see. Exciting!
BTW -- I see that some ebooks have music along with them now. Darn those ebooks. Trying to corner the market.... *g*
As for 'Blue' -- darn it all. I've got to get back to that god-forsaken valley and get my heroine out of there.
Life is disconcerting.
PS -- thanks to my readers who have been loyal through this computer debacle.
I haven't even thought much about 'Blue' lately, but the mind has been churning and getting excited about looking again at sending out 'Sorrysorrysorry.' However, I took the little one to an event at the local library and it's given me some thoughts.
A troupe from a local school put on a concert based upon a book. Sadly, I don't remember the book, the concert was such fun to watch. Sixth graders brought a busload of instruments. Drums, all different sizes of xylophones, maracas, and other percussion instruments, along with recorders.
Now, I learned music through a recorder and enjoyed it. My little one played with the instruments afterwards. It seemed a great way to 'expand' a book.
My thoughts. Why not write music to go along with the giraffe story? I know I could do it. I've got three songs that are published and used internationally. The music would have to be simple so that grade school orchestras/bands could do it as this group did.
I think I'll talk to my editor. Not sure if the music should be on each individual page or at the back of the book. We'll see. Exciting!
BTW -- I see that some ebooks have music along with them now. Darn those ebooks. Trying to corner the market.... *g*
As for 'Blue' -- darn it all. I've got to get back to that god-forsaken valley and get my heroine out of there.
Life is disconcerting.
PS -- thanks to my readers who have been loyal through this computer debacle.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Lost
I think that's what happens sometimes as I'm writing. It's not that I'm terrified (well, sometimes I am) about where the story is going. It's not that I don't have the time (who does???). It's about being lost in the story and wondering where on earth (or why) the Muse has decided to go off on some gallivant.
If you use an outline, you probably don't have this problem. Though it would seem to me that, if the Muse decided to veer off, you'd still be lost. Love my Muse!
I've got my heroes running around in this horrid volcanic valley trying to find a mist-enshrouded castle. And yet, I want to write a bit more about the area, have another crisis moment, and then go on. The Muse wants to get right to the castle. Of course, I'll obey her. She's got a 99% correct track record.
Shees! I'm a control freak, but writing doesn't allow me that pleasure.
A quick 'push' -- my pitch for Sorrysorrysorry is up at the blog site below. If you like my pitch, would you please cursor down and click on 'Sharron' and vote for it. The winner gets her pitch sent off to an editor. Bless you! http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2012/03/pitch-pick-6-and-oh-susanna-how-does-pb.html
Life is joy-filled.
PS - still no computer, but I'm trying!
If you use an outline, you probably don't have this problem. Though it would seem to me that, if the Muse decided to veer off, you'd still be lost. Love my Muse!
I've got my heroes running around in this horrid volcanic valley trying to find a mist-enshrouded castle. And yet, I want to write a bit more about the area, have another crisis moment, and then go on. The Muse wants to get right to the castle. Of course, I'll obey her. She's got a 99% correct track record.
Shees! I'm a control freak, but writing doesn't allow me that pleasure.
A quick 'push' -- my pitch for Sorrysorrysorry is up at the blog site below. If you like my pitch, would you please cursor down and click on 'Sharron' and vote for it. The winner gets her pitch sent off to an editor. Bless you! http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2012/03/pitch-pick-6-and-oh-susanna-how-does-pb.html
Life is joy-filled.
PS - still no computer, but I'm trying!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Emotional Moment
Though I have not been able to get onto a computer (except for here at the library), I have been thinking about writing and also attending my meetings. Thank God for those!
Yesterday, I went to my Writers' Ink group (the WA group). Usually, we share about our lives and the impact writing has on them. Also, we share our ups and downs as far as writing is concerned.
We had a different goal set for us this time. We were supposed to bring a piece that we had written awhile ago. A piece that we found surprisingly good. You know those pieces that hide in a folder on the computer or on a shelf in our offices, forgotten.
I brought one called, "Blame It On The Women." It's a tongue-in-cheek humorous little piece that encompasses four vignettes about the women followers of Jesus on the night of the Last Supper. In fact, the scenes each take place after Jesus and his apostles leave the Upper Room. A serious subject, but I knew there had to be some humor -- what with the myriad personalities present -- Joanna, Ruth, Magdalene, Mary and Martha Cleophas, etc.
I only read one. Didn't want to hog the meeting. As I read the last line, I started to tear up. It was a total surprise. When I finished, I looked up and discovered that our intrepid leader was weeping. I was stunned. She's used to editing lots of stuff, so I felt honored that it touched her so much.
One of our other members came late. Our leader insisted I read the piece again. At the end, the tears threatened, to my surprise. I looked up and found our leader copiously crying. I got chills.
I think I best try to find a place to get this published.
Life is surprising.
PS - I still see giraffes every day!
Yesterday, I went to my Writers' Ink group (the WA group). Usually, we share about our lives and the impact writing has on them. Also, we share our ups and downs as far as writing is concerned.
We had a different goal set for us this time. We were supposed to bring a piece that we had written awhile ago. A piece that we found surprisingly good. You know those pieces that hide in a folder on the computer or on a shelf in our offices, forgotten.
I brought one called, "Blame It On The Women." It's a tongue-in-cheek humorous little piece that encompasses four vignettes about the women followers of Jesus on the night of the Last Supper. In fact, the scenes each take place after Jesus and his apostles leave the Upper Room. A serious subject, but I knew there had to be some humor -- what with the myriad personalities present -- Joanna, Ruth, Magdalene, Mary and Martha Cleophas, etc.
I only read one. Didn't want to hog the meeting. As I read the last line, I started to tear up. It was a total surprise. When I finished, I looked up and discovered that our intrepid leader was weeping. I was stunned. She's used to editing lots of stuff, so I felt honored that it touched her so much.
One of our other members came late. Our leader insisted I read the piece again. At the end, the tears threatened, to my surprise. I looked up and found our leader copiously crying. I got chills.
I think I best try to find a place to get this published.
Life is surprising.
PS - I still see giraffes every day!
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