Create Your New Life

Writing a Novel

2011-08-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

I've been hard at work on my first novel, entitled The Hungry Castle, working with a Willamette Writer's critique group. The group continues to be a great help.

Many writers already know about this, but I found a great writing source for fiction -- it's three act structure.

For those of you just beginning to write your novel, just remember that the first page and first chapter are the most important to agents and publishers. Spend a lot of time on that. Make it fascinating. Introduce a character and a plot that make readers want to turn the page. Don't put a lot of "dreary" description or explanation up front; work that in. Yes, I know it is in the classics, but the television viewing public doesn't have time for it.

Help Writing College Papers and Take Home Essay Exams

2011-07-05T12:08:00.000-07:00

This is for all of you out there stumped on writing college papers or take home essay exams. You've been tossed into college ill-prepared for the writing, eh? Yesterday, we talked about structuring paragraphs, and I'll just review: 1) topic sentence (what is the paragraph going to be about), 2) refine that topic, 3) give an example from your reading or text 4) analyze the example (in your own words) 5) then write a conclusion.

Here is an example, using The Reserve, by Russell Banks (by the way, whether in school or writing, read, read, and read. All of Russell Banks books would be one good place to start).

Here is a pagraph example, given in the correct format:

Banks clearly delineates an upper class setting for the beginning of his novel. Early on, he describes the men as "classmates at Yale, Skull and Bones, class of 1908" (Banks 2), and as "having made a great deal of money" (Banks 2) to signify the social and financial standing of his characters. This is important to the author because class in America is one of the themes of the novel.

This same format can be used for the arts and the sciences as well. Also, it is good if you try to put the quotes into your own words. In the example given above, I have simply used quotes, but this must be alternated with putting the author's ideas into your own words.

Now I promised I would talk about paragraph transition. This is one of the most difficult aspects of writing a paper. I have writen a master's thesis and still I believe it to be hard. But, it is not impossible. Given the paragraph example I gave you above, the next paragraph is going to have to flow from the theme of "class in America" given in the final sentence. You can't suddenly jump and make the next paragraph about how Banks does such a wonderful job of describing settings (which he does), because then your professor is going to write "transition?" in the margin of your paper. This is why it is so helpful to do a lot of thinking about what your paper will be about and to have all you usable quotes ready before you start (in other words, don't start writing the night before).

Need a Job Right Away and Willing to Relocate Within the U.S.?

2011-07-03T22:45:00.000-07:00

I've taught a community college class on the subject, but it's really simple.

First, check out usajobs.com.

Second, you have to be able to pass a security clearance. Are you loyal to the US? Have a clean criminal record? Good credit or at least explainable (as in bad time in one period but okay in others?)

Third, for today, and for those reading who have limited education and experience, put "store associate" in the top line of the "advanced search" page. There are tons of these jobs.

Tune in Wednesday, and I'll tell you how to get your federal resume in the system, so you can apply for these jobs.
Below is the link:
www.usajobs.opm.gov/

Bye for now

Need Help with College Papers?

2011-07-03T22:23:00.000-07:00

If you are having trouble with your academic writing, you've come to the right website.

What are those pesky "topic sentences" professors keep rambling on about? Hint: You need one for each paragraph.

Begin each paragraph with a statement of the paragraph's subject (the topic sentence),
Then rephrase that statement,
then give an example from your research or text, and
(this cannot be overemphasized) your thoughtful analysis of what this means -- in your own words, your own thoughts and analysis, and
Finally, the paragraph ends with the conclusion.
Try not to end paragraphs with a quote -- this leaves the reader (your instructor) wondering "so, what about it?"

Tomorrow, I'll talk about linking paragraphs together

How to make money writing

2011-06-21T00:52:00.000-07:00

Check out the newsletter coming on this blog.

Oregon Literary Fellowship can help aspiring writters: Check out their website at http://www.literary-arts.org/fellowships/
Also, Wordstock is calling for submission for the 5th Wordstock Short Fiction competition. Guidelines at http://wordstockfestival.com/get-involved/short-fiction-competition