The Writing Bug

Painting the West

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Osmundson) — Wed, 30 May 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Posted by Linda

Stephie Morton, Creative Specialist, at Laurel Elementary School of Arts and Technology in Fort Collins, invited me to participate in the fourth grade art show, Painting the West.

She and the fourth grade teachers followed my PowerPoint program about my book, How the West Was Drawn: Cowboy Charlie’s Art with an expanded unit on the West. The classes read my book and read more historical books/stories about the Wild West.

The culminating activity required students to draw a western picture. They didn’t copy pictures from my book but drew from their imagination and applied what they had seen of Russell’s works. They wrote a short story to accompany each picture.

Stephie set up a museum setting to display the pictures and invited all classes on May 25^th to view the show from 1:15-3:15 pm. She invited parents between 4 & 6 pm. And, she invited me for both.

I contributed my posters and homemade period costumes. Students wanted to don the costumes but time limits prevented it. Instead, I held the outfits in front of several students and Stephie took their pictures. I talked about the artists, suggested students find the snake in the Russell cover picture and the riderless horse in the Remington cover picture.

Stephie shared some of the stories that accompanied the paintings. They related cowboy and Indian fights, sad or interesting tales. One fourth grader’s work stood above the others. His six or seven sentences included active verbs which painted wonderful word pictures; he used no passive verbs. Writers could learn from him.

The teachers plan to repeat and possibly expand the unit next year. I enjoyed the day, students, and parents. Hopefully, next year more parents take part. Congratulations, Stephie, on a job well done.

Last Monday Book: Shimmering Images

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Mon, 28 May 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Post by Jenny

This annual day of remembrance has me thinking about memories and the importance of preserving them through story. Shimmering Images – A Handy Little Guide to Writing Memoir, by Lisa Dale Norton, is exactly what the title says it is. (Little in this case meaning 116 pages, which worked out well for me as I only got around to picking it up last Friday. May is such a crazy busy month.)

I am a memoir novice. I’ve read a few good ones, but, other than my self-indulgent journaling years, have never considered writing in depth about myself and my life. And, while we’re on the general subject, what exactly is the difference between a memoir and an autobiography (which my journals also were not)? Norton differentiates in this way: memoir is a “slim section (of a life), full of power, that demands to be told.” An autobiography is a chronological overview of an entire life, from birth to present.

In helping aspiring memoirists find their footing, Norton also addresses another tricky issue: truth versus fact. Most writers want a story to be honest in the telling. But memory is fallible, and what if we’re not sure that events transpired the way we remember them? This is especially challenging when our truth might make for some awkward family get-togethers. “Writers of life stories,” Norton writes, “are not journalists….Facts over emotional truth is not the point.” In short, be accurate when possible, and write with compassion the truth of your life as you know it.

But what to write about? For some memoirists, that isn’t a problem. The aforementioned slice of life stands out like a billboard. For others, the process will be more like picking through a box of memorabilia. Go slow, Norton writes, go deep. And keep an eye out for the “shimmering images,” the memories that rise “in your consciousness like a photograph pulsing with meaning.” They won’t surface all at once or in the logical order of a novel’s plot outline, so take a lot of notes. Expect to wade through at least a couple of messy drafts, but that’s par for the course with writing in general, right?

This small book offers much wisdom and inspiration for beginning and experienced memoirists alike. I may not be ready to jump into that type of project, but I’m going to try to pay more attention to the shimmering images that appear before my mind’s eye.

Are you working on a memoir?

Writing Podcasts

noreply@blogger.com (Dylan Book Reader) — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Post by Dylan

Nowadays there are many different ways for information to be broadcast: blogs, newspapers, cell phones, television, etc. As writers it is our job to stay current with these different media, especially when writing modern day fiction. Now, I don’t know about you, but, as you can guess from my title, I enjoy listening to Podcasts while I write, specifically ones on writing or involving author interviews.

In recent years, there has been a huge wave of writing podcasts being broadcast on the internet. Trust me when I say that not all of them are keepers. However, there are definitely a few out there that stand supreme and I listen to constantly. The reason I find these podcasts so helpful is they not only entertain you and give you something stimulating to listen to while writing; they also can give you insightful information or news from your favorite authors.

I would definitely recommend writing podcasts to any writer who enjoys listening to something while they write, but just can’t find the right music. They are entertaining and on many occasions have related to something I was writing at that moment and have helped me break through a little bit of writers block. So, not only are they fun to listen to they are also very helpful. There is no reason not to try listening to a writing podcast. In fact, I will give you a list of a few just to get you guys started.

Science Fiction/ Fantasy specific podcasts:

- SF Signal
- Adventures in SciFi Publishing
- Speculate ( This podcast has featured Colorado authors Carol Berg and Courtney Schaffer)
- The Author Hour (Has also featured Carol Berg)

General Writing podcasts:

- Writing Excuses
- Writing for YA ( Hosted by Colorado author Victoria Hanley)

Do you guys have any podcasts you listen to? Let me know in the comments below.

A Writing Break

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Osmundson) — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:33:00 +0000

Posted by Linda

Over the last month, I wrote eight articles for various sources and finished/submitted my third in the How the West Was Drawn series. I needed a writing break.

A fellow Dixieland Jazz enthusiast invited my husband and me to share his very large timeshare in Cabo San Lucas. I checked the safety of the area, Googled the resort (Playa Grande), and decided it might be a fun trip although we wouldn’t know two of the other three couples sharing the four bedroom condo.

I wondered if I could really keep from writing for a week. Would I return re-energized? We accepted the trip and I vowed to have fun and refrain from writing.

I loaded my laptop into my carry on. Not to write. I only planned to check my emails and download pictures.

Our resort oasis sported plush vegetation with beautiful flowers in the unexpected desert of the southern tip of Baja California. Our host promised we could sleep late, read, relax, and bash politicians. I was ready.

The first day we shopped at Costco and WalMart for supplies. Throughout the week, each couple took turns cooking meals. Most everyone retired early to their private bedroom suites (larger than my master bedroom at home). I only turned on the TV twice for a half-hour bit of news. I checked emails but didn't write.

The first night I took pictures of the wedding in the little gazebo below our deck. I told myself the pictures could help write an article once we returned home.

I walked the beach and watched the skim boarders ride the high waves that broke against the sand. I hurried to the room and grabbed my camera. I wondered if I should take notes - nah!

The rest of the week included a walk to town to haggle with vendors at the Flea Market. I read two books. Each evening I mentally noted how the grounds keepers raked the sand or cleaned the area around the gazebo. We watched two more weddings, listened to outdoor music performances, witnessed a fireworks show, and enjoyed the nightly breezes. The week ended.

The first day at home I received three writing assignments. My mental notes and Cabo pictures offer plenty of fodder. I succeeded in taking a break from writing for a week. Now I'm re-energized and have caught the Writing Bug again.

All That's Fit to Print

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Post by Jenny

Writers and printers have worked together since Johannes Gutenberg invented the movable type printing press in 1440. I had the chance last week to join Kerrie and some other NCW folks for a tour of Citizen Printing, a local company that has been committing words to paper since 1906.

Digital printing has changed the business almost as much as Gutenberg did. It’s faster and greener than typesetting, which makes the process easier for both the print shop and the author. But there are still factors that writers must take into consideration. For instance, for all of us plugging along in Word, well, it’s not a professional print production format. PDF files are easier to manipulate and correct, and Adobe and Publisher are even better. Don’t want to learn those? A good print shop will have a pre-press department with a patient guru who can make a document look polished and professional without subjecting the author to those hair-pulling, head-banging, ‘why isn’t this working?’ moments.

A good print shop will also have a variety of papers, sizes, and covers from which to choose. They will provide plenty of proofs, colors, and stay within budget. They will offer advice and guidance to help a client arrive at a pleasing end product.

And then what?

I hate to use the “m” word, but here it comes: marketing. Authors, before you have any materials printed in a quantity larger than whatever will comfortably fit in, say, your microwave, you must have an idea of where they will end up. (Hint: not your garage.) And guess what? The internet is not a marketing plan. Neither is dropping books off an overpass, sneaking them in mailboxes under cover of darkness, or stuffing them into Girl Scout cookie boxes.

A print shop can be a great way for an author to self-publish, but—and this is the biggest lesson I learned—don’t put the cart before the horse. Know ahead of time why you’re publishing, who will read what you’ve done, and how you’ll get it into their hands. And then, when you’re ready to go for it, find a reputable printer who will help make your dream come true.

Thanks to Rick, Mike, and Ben at Citizen for sharing their time and expertise with us. And for the pizza. Mmmm, pizza.

Have you ever published using a print shop?

The Big Wait

noreply@blogger.com (Kerrie) — Sat, 19 May 2012 19:57:00 +0000

NCW Member, Maggie Goins will be taking the place of Laney and blogging for The Writing Bug every other Friday. Welcome Maggie!

Writers write, of course, but we also wait. We wait a lot, especially if we’re among the Great Unpublished submitting our work to agents and editors. It’s what we must do. No other choice here.

After a while, the Big Wait becomes a part of us. It’s on our mind, an annoying companion always there, one who whispers things like, “See that guy over there in line? The one with the red face and steam coming out of his ears? No way he could be a writer. He’d never survive me. How’re you holding up?”

The Big Wait can be tough. Really, we’re waiting to find out if our submission is right for someone’s list, if they love it and think it will sell, if working with us on the project will be worth their time and effort. What if the response is none of the above? Unfortunately, that’s most often the case. But we keep trying because our writing success is that important to us. It. Just. Is.

So, how do we writers keep from: giving up, melting down, throwing our computers out the window, punching out the next person who asks if we’ve heard yet? Not sure, but we manage. Most of the time. Since we all have to deal with the Big Wait, let’s think about ways to deal with it. Wait, here’s some now:

Start a new project that isn’t writing related.
Get caught up on all the life stuff we left hanging when this writing project became all there was.
Spend time with someone who will be able to talk us down off the I-can’t-do-this-anymore ledge.
Try not to think about it. I know. Sorry.
Research a topic we’d love to write a story or an article about.
Read. Always a good decision.
Make a list of Big Wait busters and share it with waiting writers everywhere.

SAY WHAT YOU MEAN

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Osmundson) — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:02:00 +0000

Posted by Linda

How many times have you reread a sentence and found yourself laughing. Or, at your critique group, someone read your manuscript and everyone giggled. Embarrassing, to say the least. You probably put a clause, phrase, or participle where it modified the wrong noun or pronoun. Example: “We saw the flowers walking in the garden.” What the writer meant was “While walking in the garden, we saw the flowers.”

"When still a puppy, I taught Fido to shake hands.” Were you a puppy? Add a noun or pronoun to correct the meaning. "When he was still a puppy, I taught Fido to shake hands." Or take "I" out – “When still a puppy, Fido learned to shake hands."

Can you reword these sentences so they say what you mean?

“Being in a dilapidated condition, I was able to buy the house very cheap.”

“As a mother of five, with another on the way, my ironing board is always up.”

“Wondering irresolutely what to do next, the clock struck twelve.”

Orphaned pronouns also cause misunderstanding in a sentence. "The dog bit my tire and then it sprang a leak." Although the pronoun "it" is closer to tire, it still seems to refer to the dog because of the word "then." Instead, say "My tire sprang a leak when the dog bit it."

If a modifier rests too far from the word it modifies, the meaning can be confusing, amusing and/or distracting. "Later I saw the dog with a girl on a long leash.” If we place the phrase closer to dog, we correct the meaning. "Later, I saw a girl with the dog on a long leash."

Remember, when you condense words to write tight, that you need to avoid the mistakes shown above.

Thanks, Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Post by Jenny

(Today’s post is a rerun from a couple of years ago, but the sentiment is still the same.)

Yesterday was Mother’s Day, and I’d like to say thanks to my mom. I can’t completely credit her for my desire to be a writer—I’m pretty sure I would have had that in me, regardless. But I can, and do, give her a tremendous amount of credit for never stomping on my dream. As an elementary and junior high school teacher, my mom encouraged hundreds of kids to read, write, and think creatively. But nobody benefited from it more than her two daughters.

A true lover of story, my mother slogged her way through my early manuscripts—the unpublishable messes I now refer to as ‘learning experiences’—without complaint. Abidingly positive, she can always find something good to say about what I’ve written. Even if I don’t necessarily agree with her more critical assessments, they never fail to give me food for thought. Most importantly, she continues to stick with me through all my growing pains as a writer—which have lasted considerably longer than even the angst-filled teenage years.

I hope that when I’m my mother’s age, I have her creative energy and enthusiasm for writing. I hope I can still dream big, as she does. (Though I will no doubt also share her inability to master any and all technological advances.) And, boy, do I hope I’ve published a novel by then.

To my sons…thanks for making me a mom. I’ll do my very best to support you in your creative endeavors—as long as they don’t involve extreme tattoos or piercings, man-eating reptiles, speeds of greater than 75 miles per hour, clown college, changing your names to numbers, or throwing anything sharper than a Frisbee. And worms. You know how I feel about worms.

Finally, a few thoughts on mothers from some of the writers who have said it best:

And so our mothers and grandmothers have, more often than not anonymously, handed on the creative spark, the seed of the flower they themselves never hoped to see -- or like a sealed letter they could not plainly read.

~Alice Walker

Thou art thy mother's glass, and she in thee
Calls back the lovely April of her prime.
~William Shakespeare

My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.

~Mark Twain

What women have inspired you in creativity and life?

Friday Fun From Inkygirl

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:55:00 +0000

After all the time I spent reading A to Z blogs in April, I couldn't pass up sharing this cartoon. If you're not familiar with Debbie Ridpath Ohi, please take a minute to visit her website. She's an author/illustrator/blogger with apparently super-human levels of creativity and energy. Maybe she doesn't sleep. Maybe she's a cyborg. Regardless, she's incredibly talented.

(Cartoon appears courtesy of Debbie Ridpath Ohi/Inkygirl.com.)

What's keeping you busy this weekend?

Cheers,

Jenny

STYLE - WORDY TO CONCISE

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Osmundson) — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:22:00 +0000

Posted by Linda

Worditis, a tendency to ramble, is the biggest problem with style. Don’t Let Your Participles Dangle in Public, by M. Kay duPont, corrects the most common worditis problems in Chapter 5. Granted, the chapter is dedicated to professional letter writing, but it applies to all writers.

I write mostly non-fiction and sometimes confuse the readers with a wordy explanation. My critique group asks, “What does that mean?” After I verbally explain, they suggest, “Write what you just said.”

The first chapter suggestion is to be natural and “Write the way you speak.” Simple, right? Not really. Written words tend to become formal rather than natural. Kay duPont illustrated the point well when she revised the small printed, two-page Declaration of Independence to a short, one-page in her book.

The 67 word first sentence/paragraph says:

“When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitles them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare causes which impel them to the separation.”

She makes it a 17 word sentence: “Sometimes we have to break ties with those who taught us and strike out on our own.”

At times, authors become wordy. If I’m quoting a resource I may say “(insert name) is of the opinion that” when I could say “(insert name) thinks.”

She also gives a list of writing redundancies. Remember last week’s “free gift?” Here are a few examples where the words in parentheses could be eliminated:

(adhesive) tape

8:00 a.m. (in the morning)

(absolute) guarantee

(close) proximity

for (a period of) 10 days

forever (and ever)

(in order) to

(necessary) requirements

(true) fact

(twelve o’clock) noon or midnight

Can you reread your manuscript and condense as duPont has done? Try it.

Give a Kid a Book

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Post by Jenny

If you feel something special in the air this morning, perhaps it's because Children's Book Week begins today. Established in 1919, it is "the longest-running literacy initiative in the country." Together with Every Child a Reader and the Children's Book Council, this week celebrates the importance of books and reading in kids' lives.

I saw this firsthand recently when I volunteered to work the midday shift at the cash register for my son’s elementary school Scholastic Book Fair. Business was pretty slow until lunch time, when a pack of third-graders descended upon me with moist dollar bills crumpled in their hands, sandwich baggies heavy with coins, and a hundred simultaneous questions. Did we have (fill in the blank)? Would I hold (fill in the blank) for them until tomorrow? Could (fill in the blank) be ordered? Would I help them count their money?–which they then proceeded to spill out in jingling heaps on the table. By the time lunch was over, I had handled more quarters than a toll-booth attendant at rush hour.

It was so great to see kids buying books. And most of them weren’t using crisp twenties from mom’s wallet. They paid with their hard-earned allowance and—given their ages and the gaps in their smiles—tooth-fairy money. Not to be outdone, parents and teachers bought books, too. Stacks of books. Board books, easy readers, books in Spanish, mysteries, science fiction. Books to use in classrooms. Books to give as gifts.

Summer is coming, and hopefully we all remember how great it was to be a kid stretched out in a shady spot reading a book just for the fun of it. So, here’s my challenge to you wonderful readers and writers: in honor of Children's Book Week, do something to get a book into the hands of a child. Purge your son's or daughter’s bookshelf (with his/her permission, of course. I’m sure we’ve all learned that lesson.) and drop off the extras at a daycare or preschool. Take books to a baby shower. Visit your local bookstore and buy a book for the neighbor kid who waters your flowerpots. Donate to an organization such as BookTrust, which works with Scholastic to provide low-income kids with the opportunity to purchase 2 or 3 books a month.

While you’re at it, pick up a great summer read for yourself, too.

Do you remember being given a book you loved as a kid?

Friday Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Everyone worked hard this week and needs a laugh, right? (Even if you didn't, go ahead and raise your hand. I won't tell.) Here are a few funny quotes about writing:

“The freelance writer is a man who is paid per piece or per word or PERHAPS.” --Robert Benchley

“If you can’t annoy somebody, there’s little point in writing.”--Kingsley Amis

“Your manuscript is both good and original, but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good.”– Samuel Johnson

"I have been correcting the proofs of my poems. In the morning, after hard work, I took a comma out of one sentence…. In the afternoon I put it back again.”– Oscar Wilde

“No passion in the world is equal to the passion to alter someone else's draft.”– H.G. Wells

“I never write 'metropolis' for seven cents when I can write 'city' and get paid the same.”– Mark Twain

“From the moment I picked your book up until I laid it down I was convulsed with laughter. Some day I intend reading it.” – Groucho Marx

“A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.”– Thomas Mann

“Only a mediocre writer is always at his best.”– W. Somerset Maugham

“There are no dull subjects. There are only dull writers.”– H.L. Mencken

“Cut out all these exclamation points. An exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke.”– F. Scott Fitzgerald

And, in honor of Saturday's Kentucky Derby:

“The profession of book-writing makes horse racing seem like a solid, stable business.”– John Steinbeck

Happy Writing!
Jenny

TIGHTEN YOUR WRITING

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Osmundson) — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:03:00 +0000

Posted by Linda

My critique group says they think of me anytime they write "ly" or "ing" words, passive verbs, and "that." Many times words are unnecessary and could be left out or replaced. Kathleen Phillips in How to Write a Story gives several examples.

"There are five things that are important to remember." In this sentence, the verb is passive and “that are” is not necessary. Change the sentence to "Five things are important to remember." The "that" disappears but the verb does nothing. Change it again to "Remember these five important things." Sounds a little better but now "things" probably need to be named.

Many times we say the same thing twice without realizing it. Here are some examples.

"First began" - the words mean the same. The sentence could read "First, . . . ." and state the rest.

Here is a common mistake – "Free gift." Isn't a gift always free? Of course, "free" is the hook for anything where the phrase might be used.

"Little tidbits. . . ." – tidbits are little. I watch my use of tidbits when describing my books – "tidbits of information follow." I think "little" each time I use "tidbits," but stop myself before saying it.

"Final conclusion" A conclusion is final. If other points have been made, perhaps this is the final point.

"Consensus of opinion" - leave out "of opinion." Consensus is an opinion.

"Carry out the implementation" - either "carry out" or "implement."

The "ly" and "ing" words can often replace an inactive verb. Look at these examples.

"walked slowly" - I checked my Flip Dictionary (a user friendly Thesaurus) and found these words – stroll, amble, mosey, ramble, roam, rove, saunter, wander.

"walked unsteadily" - staggered, limped, hobbled. And for stagger - lurch, careen, reel, rock, hobble, stump, sway, totter, waver, weave.

"was driving" Instead use the active verb "drove." Any time you use an "ing" word, check to see if a form of the word could be the verb instead.

Consider these examples when revising and tighten your writing.

Last Monday Book: The Art of War for Writers

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Post by Jenny

I’ve never had the desire to read The Art of War, the ancient Chinese how-to war manual written by Sun Tsu. It seems like something only military historians or the Michael Douglas character in Wall Street would be interested in. But when I saw the cover of The Art of War for Writers, by James Scott Bell, I was drawn to it. No doubt this was partly due to the bright red color and the cover image of a fountain pen crossed with a ninja sword. (We know which one is mightier, right?) But I was also attracted by its implied messages of strategy and strength.

I admit it. Sometimes, as a writer, I‘m a total wuss. My psychological armor is rusty, I have no eye of the tiger, and my battle plans usually involve ingesting a rather unhealthy amount of chocolate and then taking a nap.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Following Sun Tsu’s example, The Art of War for Writers is divided into three sections:

1. Reconnaissance: about the “mental game of writing, because what happens in your head affects everything else;”

2. Tactics: practical techniques for improving craft; and

3. Strategy: how to move confidently through the tricky world of publishing.

Bell makes it clear that this book is “not a comprehensive ‘how-to’ on fiction.” (He has written two other books—Plot & Structure and Revision & Self-Editing—for that). Indeed, this book offers the kind of advice you’d want to get if you were paying for it by the word—short, to the point, and tremendously valuable. It’s great reading cover-to-cover, but it’s also a book to pick up for specific advice at various points during the writing process.

For writers needing an attitude adjustment, I would recommend the chapters entitled “Whining will not help you win the battle for publication,” and “Turn envy into energy and more words.” For motivation: “Write hard, write fast, and the fire of creation will be yours.” For plot: “Progressive revelation keeps readers turning pages.” For dialogue: “The clever use of narrative dialogue will avoid the sin of small talk.”

This is a fun book, a helpful book, indeed a “field manual for all writing wretches.” I am one of those wretches, and I’m grateful that this book has sharpened my mental ninja-writing-sword.

Do you have a battle plan for writing?

The Grapes of Wrath Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Dylan Book Reader) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:49:00 +0000

Post by Dylan

The Grapes of Wrath was one of the classics that I had to read for school. Because it is a classic, I figured that it would be a good book to review on The Writing Bug. So, here goes.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is a novel about a family in Oklahoma, The Joads, during the 1930’s. The book follows their various trials and tribulations as they travel to, and arrive at, California. The book itself was much better than the previous novel I read by Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, and had much more substance. However, since I am a hard critic on the classics I was a hard one to please.

Most of my problems with The Grapes of Wrath had to do with its plot. The story itself was very episodic in how it was written, and that really bugged me. Each chapter would have a little mini-climax and then, and while that was fun for a while, it quickly got old. The fact that the novel itself failed to have a true climax did not help the fact either. One of my biggest pet peeves as a reader is when a story is anti climactic. The Grapes of Wrath was probably one of the biggest offenders of this that I have seen to date.

There was a saving grace though, the characters. The Joads and company were a very broad bunch of characters, which always made the story enjoyable. They each had their own perspectives on life, liberty, and, as it would have it their own pursuit of happiness. Steinbeck also has a very deft hand when it comes to character development as a whole. Overall, the novel was enjoyable, for the most party. While I probably would not read it of my own accord, it was one of the better classics I have read so far.

If you've read The Grapes of Wrath, please share your thoughts.

EATS, SHOOTS, AND LEAVES

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Osmundson) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:26:00 +0000

Posted by Linda

My high school English teacher said to put a comma in a sentence to indicate a pause. Because of that simple advice, I scored very high on the English part of my college entrance exam. Since then, however, I've learned a few more rules about commas and other punctuation.

As a writer, I purchase many grammar books that sit on my shelves as reference material, such as Strunk and White's The Elements of Style. I use it frequently as a quick guide. I'm not a "punctuation stickler" but I run in the race.

Look at the title of the pictured book. It looks fine until you realize it describes a panda bear. The joke on the back tells of a panda who "walks into a cafe. He orders a sandwich, eats it, and then draws a gun and fires two shots into the air. " When a waiter asks why, he throws a poorly punctuated wild life manual over his shoulder and says, "I'm a panda" . . . . .Look it up." In the manual the waiter finds a description written as shown on the title of this book.

Many may read the phrase and see nothing wrong. The panda tries to eliminate the problem, a misplaced comma. British editor/writer, Lynne Truss, approaches punctuation through history and her "stickler" attitude. It is a truly funny, fun read.

Truss explains that Greek dramatists two thousand years ago, added commas so actors would know when to pause. Thus a modern day slogan explains why cats aren't commas.

"A cat has claws at the end of its paws.
A comma's a pause at the end of a clause."

Get it?

Truss not only talks about commas. She discusses apostrophes, colons, semicolons, and other punctuation marks. She illustrates their use via humorous stories.

Buy, steal, or borrow her book. Learn a thing or two about punctuation and laugh a lot in the process.

Blog Power

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Post by Jenny

On April 12, in a post no doubt heard ‘round the writing world, Jessica Faust of BookEnds Literary Agency bid her blog adieu. As of yesterday, the post had 110 comments from saddened readers expressing gratitude for all they have learned from Jessica over the past five years. I did not leave a comment, but if I had, it would have been more of the same. I enjoyed reading the blog and found it to be enlightening and encouraging. I will miss having it as a resource.

Jessica confessed to having lost passion for the blog, but she also wrote this: “It doesn't seem like blogs have as much ‘power’ as they used to, especially with the ease and speed of sources like Twitter and Facebook.”

That made me think.

For anyone participating in the A to Z Challenge, as I am, April is a very blog-intensive month. Writing 26 alphabetical posts, and visiting, commenting on, and following as many blogs from the list as possible makes for a whole lot of activity in the blogosphere. In 2010, A to Z’s first year, there were nearly 100 participants. This year, 1,722 bloggers signed up to at least give it a whirl.

So, are blogs getting stale? The growth of A to Z alone makes me think ‘no.’ But the blogs themselves are what convince me that blogging isn’t in its death throes. I’ve read so many fun, quirky, thoughtful, poignant, personal, and informational posts that clicking through the list has become addictive and wish I had more time to do so.

Moreover, it must be the writer in me, but I enjoy the blog format more Facebook and twitter. I understand that those two cornerstones of social media are fast, effective ways to spread information. And McDonald’s is a fast, effective way to have a meal, but that’s not enough to get me in the door.

So, tell me. Do you get more information from blogs, FB, or twitter? Will you miss Jessica’s blog? Do you predict that next year’s A to Z will have more participants or fewer?

As for A to Z, only a handful of letters remain. It is the hope of the organizers that every participant finish with 100 followers, so keep discovering great new friends from all corners of the blogging world.

ROUGH ROAD TO BOOK COMPLETION

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Osmundson) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:23:00 +0000

Posted by Linda

We leave or a long weekend to visit friends soon. I can’t consider a trip until I complete my current six month journey through a new book manuscript on women's western art.

Once my second book on Remington's art was accepted, edited (??? See prior post), and sent to the printer, I trekked through research on women who painted the west. I’ve hit roadblocks, encountered detours, gotten lost, run over rough roads, and slogged an uphill drive.

The trail led through research book after book.I plan to include thirteen women - one painting or sculpture each. Roadblocks led to deceased collectors who sold works or hid away objects/information and left no paper trail. The worse roadblock occurred when one estate wanted to charge one-fourth of my total book advance for the use of only one picture that could not go on the cover. Side trips led to more artists whose work and information were equally hard to uncover. Detours required that I research and write other article assignments, post blogs, update social media, and plan a book release event.

I crashed one roadblock on a trip to Fort Worth, Texas. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway’s art collection includes many women western painters. The company offered permission for the use of any I choose at no cost. YEA!

When people think of a woman western artist, the first who comes to mind is Georgia O’Keeffe. However, her popular close-up flowers fail to invoke the images I seek – images of how the old west looked around the turn of the 20^th Century. Finally, research uncovered a painting that fits.

A friend edited pages for me, checked for punctuation, understanding, and spelling. All that is left is the 250 words about O’Keeffe and a tweak to the backmatter suggestions for further readers’ learning. I’m approaching my destination – submission of the finished manuscript. Then I’ll look forward to flying off for a relaxing long weekend away from the computer.

Pitching Practice

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Post by Jenny

For baseball players young and old, spring is in full swing. My sons are dusting off their gear and getting started, and the major leaguers are a couple of weeks into the season—though they’ve been prepping for much longer. Because the position is so demanding, major league pitchers report early--in February--for spring training. (Catchers, too, because it’s hard to be a pitcher without one.) To avoid injury, they start slow and increase their pitch counts until they are ready for the regular season.

Still, with all the prep, pitching performances this time of year can and do vary widely. In the National League so far this season, pitchers’ earned run averages range from .60 to 10.61. (If you don’t follow baseball, lower is better.) Some guys are in their grooves. Some guys aren’t. Pitching isn’t easy—and never is this more apparent than when a regular Joe throws out the ceremonial first pitch and bounces the ball twelve feet in front of home plate.

Pitching isn’t easy for writers either. I honestly don’t know why we get so worked up about it, because agents and editors are usually professional, encouraging, and friendly. Chalk it up to nerves, I guess. It’s our version of baseball’s save situation, where the game is on the line. And even though other games will come along, you always want to win the one you’re in.

Even though I didn’t have an official pitch session at the recent NCW conference, it became apparent to me in casual conversations that my pitch is rusty. In fact, I seem to have forgotten how to talk about my work--because I haven’t practiced. I haven’t put myself through the writer’s version of spring training. I haven’t availed myself of a pitching coach: anyone with ears who could hear my pitch and give me feedback. And I haven’t worked on my repertoire. Just as any baseball pitcher worth his salt has different pitches for different situations, writers should too.

I’m not sure I believe that practice makes perfect, but practice builds confidence, and that’s an excellent place to start. So, tell me—if you’ve signed up to pitch at an upcoming conference, do you feel ready? And if you pitched recently, how did it go? Was it a strike, or did you throw one in the dirt?

Word Count

noreply@blogger.com (Dylan Book Reader) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:23:00 +0000

Post by Dylan

Over this past week, I did my regular rounds of all my favorite author blogs. When I went to Maria V. Snyder’s blog (I did a book review of one of her books a few months back) I was inspired.

The post I read was not only about her finishing the rough draft of her next novel, a topic very near and dear to my heart currently, but also about word count. On the blog, she posted the past few books she had written, their word count, and her pace. This reminded me of what I do in the summer, which is post a sticky note to keep track of each week’s word count.

Now, to me word count is very important. I feel that you need to try and keep a pace if you are to finish a book. Unfortunately, I have not been able to keep up to that standard recently between school, homework, and athletics (I know, excuses, excuses). Despite my slacking, I decided I would do what Maria had done and post about my own word count for my new manuscript and the previous one I wrote. Be prepared, because witnessing my pace might very well make you feel extremely proud of yourself.

Manuscript #1: Makers of Truth (Jan. 2011 – April 2012)
Roughly 165 writing days
160,463 words (so far).
Max. words in one day: About 3,500 words
Min. words in one day: 0
Average words per day: 972 words per writing day

Manuscript #2: Shadow Trials (Sept.2010 – Dec. 2011)
Roughly 160 writing days
102,180 words
Max. words in one day: About 3,000 words
Min. words in one day: 0
Average words per day: 639 words per writing day

Doing that exercise made me realize how much writing I need to get done. For me, it was an eye opener and makes me want to set more writing time aside each day. I tried to improve my pace between my new and old manuscripts, but quite frankly I still feel a bit unfulfilled. I also realized that while writing may be about the creativity, it is the word count which we use to measure ourselves, and I personally need to step up my game.

How do you feel about word count? If you did this activity, would you feel the same way?

EASTER SYMBOLS APPLY TO WRITING

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Osmundson) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:59:00 +0000

Posted by Linda

My daughter-in-law brought homemade hot cross buns to our family Easter dinner. I didn’t realize they - along with eggs, chicks, bunnies – are a symbol of Easter. Most of these symbols stand for rebirth, new life, and renewal.

Can we apply those to our writing? Yes. Perhaps it is time to renew our New Year’s goals or birth a new life of writing or rebirth an old manuscript.

Look at those goals you made in January. Are you off track or sticking to the plan? Have you accomplished any goal? Are you close?

One of my resolutions included acquiring more writing assignments. Perhaps I should have been more careful what I asked for! I’m snowed for the month of April. Has that happened to you? How are you handling the stress?

To combat stress, I write on a daily calendar what I plan to accomplish that day. When someone asked what I was doing next Thursday, I couldn’t tell them. “I don’t know. I go day by day right now.” I do occasionally look ahead in order to assure I’m ready for future activities - like my appearance on 9News, Sunday, April 15th, about 8:45 am.

When I drive somewhere, I mentally plan what I must accomplish by what date. I consider which languishing manuscripts to renew and bring to new life. After April, I plan to start researching markets again. I also make a mental list of articles I should write to promote my books. Sometimes I even write articles in my mind. By the time I arrive at home, I’m anxious to get to the computer and put the words on a page before I forget them.

Symbols remind us to keep on track, remember what is important, and help plan the future. To see more Easter symbols and their meanings, check this website: http://www.theholidayspot.com/easter/easter_symbols.htm. Apply them not only to your religious life but to your writing.

Two-Month Warning

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Post by Jenny

I’m willing to bet that even the most casual football fan is familiar with the two-minute warning. Play is stopped when two minutes of the half remain. Advertisers bombard us with commercials, and then the game resumes, in either dramatic or ho-hum fashion. The two minute warning dates back to the days when the official game time was kept by the on-field officials, not the stadium clock. Stopping the clock at two minutes allowed the officials to make sure both teams knew exactly how much time was left.

Nothing in my life is dramatic or fast-paced enough to need a two-minute warning. But when the month of April rolled around, I realized that I had reached my two-month warning. The warning being: two months until my boys begin their summer break.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love having my sons home for the summer. They are great fun to be around. And I love the lazier mornings, the slower pace of the days, and the fact that I don’t have reams of school papers coming home and padding my stacks. But when my brain shifts into summer mode, I get considerably less writing done.

Laziness aside, the distractions are more numerous—baseball games, tennis courts, the swimming pool, and, ooh, is that the ice cream man? The flowerpots need watering, the garden needs tending, and walks with the dog are longer. And is there anything better than a matinee on a hot summer afternoon?

March flew by—in like a lion, out like a cheetah—and April will likely bring more of the same. And May? Forget it. It’s the fastest one of all. As I write this, the red-eyed tree frog on my calendar has me in his unrelenting stare, and I can almost hear him croaking (in a more sinister tone than I would expect from a tiny amphibian), “Summer’s coming, summer’s coming.”

So, I am officially putting myself on notice. My writing planner is once again showing the right date (I won’t tell you how many pages I had to turn to get there), and I’m ready to buckle down. Thank goodness I can’t hear the ice cream man when I’m downstairs at my desk.

Is spring a productive time for you as a writer?

Finding Inspiration from Books and Characters

noreply@blogger.com (Laney) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:22:00 +0000

Post By Laney
In my U.S. History class, we are currently studying the American Revolution. At first I wasn't overjoyed to be learning about this time period; I would much rather be learning about WW2. But as I was immersed more and more in the subject, I soon found that I loved it almost as I love the 1940's (which I never thought would happen.) So when our teacher, Liz, told us she had bought over $500 dollars worth of narrative non-fiction books about the Revolution, I got really excited. Reading and history together, what could get better than that? The students had the choice of which book they would read and I chose 1776 by David McCullough.

I delved into the book ravenously, absorbing every word. I ate it up, almost reading too fast that the words started to blur together, and sometimes I would have to reread to completely understand. I'm currently still working on finishing the book, which I know, is surprising. If I had all day to just read, I would have finished it by now, but sadly I don't.

Now, other then showing you a new book, I also wanted to share what this book sparked for me in the world of writing. As I ate up the information and facts about the American Revolution, I also started to think of characters that would live during this time period and stories that could be written. This book brought me inspiration for a possible new writing piece, which made me think of why reading is so important for writers. Not only do you learn about your craft, but maybe you can come up with some new ideas that you can include in whatever you may be writing. I discovered a story about the revolution and two boys named Prosper and Henrie.

This idea of inspiration is not only for fiction writers but also for freelance writers, non-fiction writers, and maybe even scientists. For example if you're a scientist and you come across the idea of photosynthesis in snap dragons, maybe you'll get a spark of inspiration to research snap dragons!

Now I'm not saying all books will bring instant inspiration, but if you continue read different books hopefully you'll find that spark. I personally recommend 1776, but that's just an idea. All and all, my final message to you is, read, it may change your writing career in more ways than you ever thought possible!
.

NCW CONFERENCE

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Osmundson) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:01:00 +0000

Posted by Linda

Kerrie and her team again provided a wonderful Northern Colorado Writer's Conference. I overheard nothing but good comments. Because of a busy writing schedule for the next few weeks, I've not taken the time to peruse my workshop notes but am anxious to do so before I forget everything. Choosing which workshops to attend proved difficult. I missed many good ones. But here, I share a few tips I learned from the workshops I attended.

Tom Hess, editor of AAA's EnCompass travel magazine, looks for experiential articles. That means he wants no Google search information but information shared from the author's experience. His calendar is already set for the rest of 2012 and he now considers articles for 2013.

Sandi Ault, author, required attendees to write tight. We wrote a five sentence scene which demonstrated some kind of change. Then, she insisted we change passive verbs to active. That was easy; my critique group knows I'll hack every passive verb. Readers of their five sentence examples revealed many excellent writers attended the conference.

Laurie Macomber, social media expert, offered suggestions for improving one's social media experience. She also presented ways to write on your blog and website to increase SEO - exposure through keywords. I need to rewrite my website to take advantage of her ideas.

Jim Davidson, author/climber, compared mountain to mountain climbing to the writer's journey in his keynote. An excellent presentation.

Author Susan Skogg's effective book promotion explained partnering with supporters who have similar aims and goals. Search for blogs which might be interested in your message and guest post. In my case, that means teachers and moms. First develop a relationship then branch into sharing your message.

Debbie Dadey offered her best advice for the business side of writing. Her fast-paced PowerPoint presentation talked about branding, record keeping, audits of royalties, promotion, and school visits, reminders of what every writer should do for their business.

Listening to the first pages in the Slush Pile readings with Kate Testerman and Nicole Resciniti revealed how agents react to first pages and what a writer should include there. If everyone adheres to the agents' comments, more manuscripts will be accepted. Again, the pages showed a multitude of good writers.

Kerrie's comparison of fly fishing to writing was a clever way to end the conference. My souvenir rock, as mentioned by Jenny in the last post, encouraged me to take the presenter's ideas and encouragement and "go write it."

These are only a few offerings from outstanding editors, authors, and agents. If you can, plan to attend next year's conference.

.

Writers Rock!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Post by Jenny

A couple of weeks ago, I knocked on my neighbor’s door and asked if I could buy some of her landscape rocks to use for a writer’s conference project. She did not close the door in my face but kindly suggested I take what I need. (We both knew she wouldn’t miss them. The previous homeowner was overly zealous with the cobblestones.)

Over the next few days, I poked around her yard, rejecting and selecting, no doubt earning a reputation as the neighborhood’s crazy rock lady. I gathered about 50 rocks, and, because they were dirty from lazing around on the ground as any self-respecting rock will do, I washed them in my kitchen sink. I took them to the home of one of my NCW partners in crime, and we began stamping them with inspirational messages.

A few days later, I gathered 50 more rocks. I washed them. This time, April came to my house, and we stamped the second batch.

Even after that, we needed more rocks. Again, I gathered and washed. My hands, which were already dry from weather and the seasonal war on germs, began to snag soft fabrics the way I imagine shark skin might. The words I stamped on the rocks grew shorter. In fact, if I could have found a way to make a single letter inspirational, I would have.

But, corny as it is, the one phrase I wish I would have thought to stamp is “writers rock.” Because we do! Whether multi-published or just beginning to get words down on a page, we’re creative, imaginative, friendly, fun people. I had a great time talking with many of the writers who attended the 7th annual NCW conference last weekend.

I’ve lost momentum in my writing, and the conference gave me a much-needed kick in the pants. As I get moving again, I’m not sure whether I’ll be sticking to my usual route or heading for the road less traveled. But I don’t think that matters right now, as long as I keep going forward.

If you were at the conference, I hope you had a great experience and want to come back. If you weren’t able to attend, well, maybe next year.

And to everyone who took a rock home: Thank you! I did not want to haul those things out of there.

If you attended the conference, please share your thoughts!