A - Z Writer's Toolbox: Entertainment
A to Z Disclaimer:
Like all craftspeople, writers need to keep a bag of tricks handy. A set of tools for the job m (writing), if you will. Some of these traits or tools are obvious--like the need to have a hide as thick as a brick, for instance. Some are not. This month, I've been challenged to do a post every day of the week (excluding Sunday) that begins with a letter of the alphabet. I'm going to use this challenge to examine some of those necessary writing tools, both conventional and not. Hold on to your #2 pencil, here we go!
NOTE: I've added a page dedicated to my A to Z Writer's Toolbox posts. I figured I'd soon have a bunch of these things and it'll make it easier for you to browse any of the letters you might have missed. You can find a link to the page under the, "MORE STUFF" heading at the top of the right-hand column of this page.
E is for entertainment
Sometimes when I'm writing I forget all about the audience. There, I said it. Chastise away. *holds out wrist for slapping*
I know, I know. In the Writing Bible commandment # 8 very clearly states, "Thou shalt always know thine audience and never forsake them." (Or something like that ...) Still, sometimes I get so swept up in telling myself the story that I completely forget that I'm writing (at least partially) for the sake of sharing. Sometimes I forget that what makes me giggle--yes, I giggle--, grit my teeth in anger or shed a tear doesn't always resonate with other folks. In short, I forget that I'm an entertainer.
Now I know that there are literary purist (I'll refrain from calling it snobbery) that could care less about the reader's enjoyment. However, I'd argue that unless you're writing a journal or some other type of writing that is "for your eyes only", the audience needs to be considered. This is particularly true for writing that comes with a price tag. The way I see it, if you're charging it becomes a show, and you'd better entertain the folks who bought a ticket.
In a strange way, I think it's kind of liberating to think of myself as an entertainer. It makes me take chances with my writing. It pushes me to try to conjure the word that will make the reader gasp, or to compose the sentence that will make the reader push to the next chapter even though it's two hours past their bedtime.
So today I'm telling you to roll out the red carpet, flip on the spotlights and crank up the spectacle. Give your readers something they'll never forget, and make your story the ride of a lifetime!
~EJW~
A-Z Writer's Toolbox: Denial
A to Z Disclaimer:
Like all craftspeople, writers need to keep a bag of tricks handy. A set of tools for the job m (writing), if you will. Some of these traits or tools are obvious--like the need to have a hide as thick as a brick, for instance. Some are not. This month, I've been challenged to do a post every day of the week (excluding Sunday) that begins with a letter of the alphabet. I'm going to use this challenge to examine some of those necessary writing tools, both conventional and not. Hold on to your #2 pencil, here we go!
NOTE: I've added a page dedicated to my A to Z Writer's Toolbox posts. I figured I'd soon have a bunch of these things and it'll make it easier for you to browse any of the letters you might have missed. You can find a link to the page under the, "MORE STUFF" heading at the top of the right-hand column of this page.
D is for denial
When faced with great odds, great people routinely ignore them. Like a dog will seek out a sliver of sunlight on the floor to warm in, survivors and thrivers will find the slimmest bits of hope to cling to in times of trial. As unusual as it sounds, denial is the stuff of success and champions.
"Never tell me the odds!" ~ Han Solo, The Empire Strikes Back
Why Writers Need to Burry Their Heads in the Sand:
Writing has always been a game for dreamers and explorers. History has taught us that players in those types of games don't always succeed. The Spanish explorers never found that city of gold, and most of the people who moved to California for the "Gold Rush" were poorer for their efforts.
Perhaps the most vexing question facing all writers is: Will the hours you devote to mining for creative gold yield anything but eyestrain, sore fingers and a caffeine addiction?
If you write long enough, there'll be loads of people who will try to convince you that it's an ultimately fruitless activity. A hobby to be done between more serious pursuits. After all, who would devote weeks, months and maybe even years to something that could potentially earn them not a dime? Children and crazy people, that's who.
"Denial ain't just a river in Egypt." ~ Mark Twain
And those are just the people who know nothing about publishing! The outlook isn't much rosier coming from people who've actually been there, done that. If you follow agent blogs and listen to the chatter of other writers, you know the immeasurable odds of getting the attention of professional eyes, much less their endorsement. Sadly, it seems the opportunities for traditional publishing are diminishing. Bookstores are closing, and the publishing giants are feeling the financial squeeze of a new world economy, simply struggling to find their place in the modern reading world. Increasingly, new authors are often seen as a risk, not an investment.
So why do we continue to write when logic, time and finances are against us? For me, it's because I still believe that my next word will be the profound one. That my next sentence will be the one that an entire story is built upon. That my next paragraph will be the one that no one else could craft. That my next story will be the one that people will clamor to read.
Maybe that's denial, or maybe I'm just blissfully unaware. Either way, not regularly staring down the odds has allowed me to write with more confidence and purpose. So the next time someone asks me about how difficult it is to get published, I think I'll just tell them I'm not sure and keep writing.
"I have a very highly developed sense of denial." ~ Gwyneth Paltrow
~EJW~
P.S. ~ I quoted Han Solo, Mark Twain AND Gwyneth Paltrow today ... did I mention I'm really enjoying this A-Z thing? :-)
A-Z Writer's Toolbox: Camaraderie
UPDATE:
This post made the Publishing Daily TwitterZine. Lots of great articles, be sure to check it out!
A to Z Disclaimer:
Like all craftspeople, writers need to keep a bag of tricks handy. A set of tools for the job at hand (writing), if you will. Some of these traits or tools are obvious--like the need to have a hide as thick as a brick, for instance. Some are not. This month, I've been challenged to do a post every day of the week (excluding Sunday) that begins with a letter of the alphabet. I'm going to use this challenge to examine some of those necessary writing tools, both conventional and not. Hold on to your #2 pencil, here we go!
NOTE: I've added a page dedicated to my A to Z Writer's Toolbox posts. I figured I'd soon have a bunch of these things and it'll make it easier for you to browse any of the letters you might have missed. You can find a link to the page under the, "MORE STUFF" heading at the top of the right-hand column of this page.
C is for camaraderie
Writing is a solitary business. It is a process of cajoling, teasing and forcing things that--taken individually--are nothing but shapeless vapors wafting in our minds, and forming them into a cohesive substance that can be handled by all. If a medium is a material with which an artist works to make her creations, then I might argue that writing is the only form of art with no true medium.
A painter cannot color with language. A sculptor cannot chisel memories. A composer cannot sound notes with mental images. Yet, given enough time and study, a writer can use those things to construct entire worlds. Not surprisingly, this process doesn't lend itself to teamwork.
Isaac Asimov once said, "Writing is a lonely job. Even if a writer socializes regularly, when he gets down to the real business of his life, it is he and his type writer or word processor. No one else is or can be involved in the matter."
So why am I suggesting that you can't do it alone?
Camaraderie, as defined by Webster's, is a spirit of friendly good-fellowship. Only a dog knows the joys of chasing one's own tail, and the sadness of seeing an owner walk out the door alone. Similarly, only another writer will understand how a single story can devour 4 years of your life, or how soul-destroying a simple 'no thanks' can be when it comes from THE agent.
Like a tornado needs a trailer park, we need each other, if for no other reason than to provide some form of focus to a seemingly chaotic act. Writer friends will be there to commiserate your disappointments, to celebrate your accomplishments, to cheer your progress and jeer when your writing sags. All the while, they'll be pushing you to dig deeper and to express more by saying less.
If you don't have any writer friends, make some. (I'd recommend Meetup.com or any of the popular writing community websites. Heck, you could even start a writing blog! :-) No tool will be more valuable to your writing abilities, or your sanity.
~EJW~
A-Z Writer's Toolbox: Boggart
A-Z DISCLAIMER:
Like all craftspeople, writers need to keep a bag of tricks handy. A set of tools for the job at hand (writing), if you will. Some of these traits or tools are obvious--like the need to have a hide as thick as a brick, for instance. Some are not. This month, I've been challenged to do a post every day of the week (excluding Sunday) that begins with a letter of the alphabet. I'm going to use this challenge to examine some of those necessary writing tools, both conventional and not. Hold on to your #2 pencil, here we go!
B is for boggart
A boggart is a supernatural creature of English origins that is closely associated with poltergeist or other ruckus causing ghost entities. The legend of the boggart has been around forever, but it wasn't until J.K. Rowling/Harry Potter came around that the term entered the pop-culture lexicon.
For our discussion, I'm going to use the Harry Potter version of the creature. Here's the basic idea, courtesy of Wiki:
"A boggart is a shape-shifter that takes on the form of its intended victim's worst fear. It likes to hide in dark, enclosed places, such as closets and cabinets."
The writer's boggart...
I'm not suggesting that we all start writing spooky stories, or that every story needs to include supernatural creatures. (Although I know many a teen who might argue that ...) I'm suggesting that every story needs emotion, and not the 'happy', 'sad' or 'upset' kind, either. I'm talking about the elated, hopeless and pissed kinds of emotion. The emotion that sweeps us up and consumes us, or threatens to burn us out if we hold it in. That kind of emotion only comes around ever so often in real life, but it needs to flow through our stories like a river--persistent, unwavering and always there. Sometimes with a roar, and other times with the gentle trickle of water over rock, but always there.
In many ways, fear is the root of all other emotions. I could argue that love, happiness and anger all have their beginnings in fear. Fear of being alone. Fear of being sad. Fear of the unknown, or being afraid of things that don't fit our own ideas. Fear is the ultimate motivator. It drives us, and it should similarly drive our characters.
"He who is not every day conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
The ability to harness fear is an essential writer's tool. The most successful horror authors have said time again that they write about things that make them afraid. J.K. Rowling said that many of the horrible things done by the bad guys in her stories were a manifestation of the real atrocities she had learned about during her time working for Amnesty International.
Oddly enough, the essence of creating a false reality (fiction) is the writer's ability to bind the story to reality.
So how do we do it? I'm suggesting you use a boggart. When you need something to motivate your characters, or if your story falls flat, close your eyes and imagine what you fear most. Now open your eyes and imagine having to face down that fear in the next moment. Write down the emotions you feel, the actions you would take and the possible outcomes. Now put yourself in your character's shoes and do the same thing for them. You can also do this with people you know well (parents, children, spouse, friends, etc.) and come up with some really brilliant character traits and motivations.
It can be extremely difficult to fabricate emotion, so why not use the real thing?
"Fear makes us feel our humanity." ~ Disraeli
Hope to see you back Monday for the essential tool that begins with the letter C. Have a great weekend!
~EJW~
Like all craftspeople, writers need to keep a bag of tricks handy. A set of tools for the job at hand (writing), if you will. Some of these traits or tools are obvious--like the need to have a hide as thick as a brick, for instance. Some are not. This month, I've been challenged to do a post every day of the week (excluding Sunday) that begins with a letter of the alphabet. I'm going to use this challenge to examine some of those necessary writing tools, both conventional and not. Hold on to your #2 pencil, here we go!
B is for boggart
A boggart is a supernatural creature of English origins that is closely associated with poltergeist or other ruckus causing ghost entities. The legend of the boggart has been around forever, but it wasn't until J.K. Rowling/Harry Potter came around that the term entered the pop-culture lexicon.
For our discussion, I'm going to use the Harry Potter version of the creature. Here's the basic idea, courtesy of Wiki:
"A boggart is a shape-shifter that takes on the form of its intended victim's worst fear. It likes to hide in dark, enclosed places, such as closets and cabinets."
The writer's boggart...
I'm not suggesting that we all start writing spooky stories, or that every story needs to include supernatural creatures. (Although I know many a teen who might argue that ...) I'm suggesting that every story needs emotion, and not the 'happy', 'sad' or 'upset' kind, either. I'm talking about the elated, hopeless and pissed kinds of emotion. The emotion that sweeps us up and consumes us, or threatens to burn us out if we hold it in. That kind of emotion only comes around ever so often in real life, but it needs to flow through our stories like a river--persistent, unwavering and always there. Sometimes with a roar, and other times with the gentle trickle of water over rock, but always there.
In many ways, fear is the root of all other emotions. I could argue that love, happiness and anger all have their beginnings in fear. Fear of being alone. Fear of being sad. Fear of the unknown, or being afraid of things that don't fit our own ideas. Fear is the ultimate motivator. It drives us, and it should similarly drive our characters.
"He who is not every day conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
The ability to harness fear is an essential writer's tool. The most successful horror authors have said time again that they write about things that make them afraid. J.K. Rowling said that many of the horrible things done by the bad guys in her stories were a manifestation of the real atrocities she had learned about during her time working for Amnesty International.
Oddly enough, the essence of creating a false reality (fiction) is the writer's ability to bind the story to reality.
So how do we do it? I'm suggesting you use a boggart. When you need something to motivate your characters, or if your story falls flat, close your eyes and imagine what you fear most. Now open your eyes and imagine having to face down that fear in the next moment. Write down the emotions you feel, the actions you would take and the possible outcomes. Now put yourself in your character's shoes and do the same thing for them. You can also do this with people you know well (parents, children, spouse, friends, etc.) and come up with some really brilliant character traits and motivations.
It can be extremely difficult to fabricate emotion, so why not use the real thing?
"Fear makes us feel our humanity." ~ Disraeli
Hope to see you back Monday for the essential tool that begins with the letter C. Have a great weekend!
~EJW~
A-Z Writer's Toolbox: Alcohol
It's April! Not only is this the month of my birth *hooray me!*, it's also the month when droves of insane bloggers attempt to post an alphabet themed post every single day of the week minus Sunday. It's called the A-Z Blog Challenge, and frankly it's nuts.
However, being a little off-tilt myself, I've decided to take this challenge and spank it on its hind-parts. All other regular blog features may take a backseat over the next few weeks, but I promise to keep it fun and informative. Here's my plan to keep us entertained throughout this process:
Like all craftspeople, writers need to keep a bag of tricks handy. A set of tools for the job at hand (writing), if you will. Some of these traits or tools are obvious--like the need to have a hide as thick as a brick, for instance. Some are not. I'm going to use this challenge to examine some of those necessary tools, and hopefully find something for each letter of the alphabet in the process. Hold on to your #2 pencil, here we go!
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| Click Here To Read More A-Z |
We all know of the dubious link between alcohol and writers. Some of the most revered scribes of all time liked to partake of the Devil's Cool-Aid before (and during) the jotting down of their most important thoughts. From Hemingway to Stephen King and Capote to Dorothy Parker--liquor has had a vexing role in many an author's creative process.
Here's a list of the 15 most notable drunken scribblers.
This isn't to glorify substance abuse in any way. Stephen King is on record as saying his alcoholism did more harm for his writing than good, and many an author has met an early end to their brilliance due to over-indulgence. (Jack Kerouac died of alcoholism related illness at the age of 47.)
In fact, the real tool that writers need isn't the alcohol at all. It's the psychological symptoms of alcoholism.
Perhaps the single most valuable tool in a writer's toolbox is the ability to create dynamic characters. Characters with problems, mood swings and emotional baggage are the lifeblood of a good story. Furthermore, it's the unexpected that make characters really come to life. Like brothers who don't act like brothers, or a good guy who doesn't always think or do the right thing. Unfortunately, great characters are easier to read about than they are to create. Creating a hero who isn't always good, or a villain who isn't always insidious takes a lot of work.
Here's where alcohol can help. The following are a few of the psychological symptoms of alcoholism:
- Loss of control
- Sleep problems
- The collapse of the alibi system
- An increase in failed promises and resolutions to one's self and to others
- Anxiety
- Obsession
- Loss of interests
- Unreasonable resentments
- Loss of willpower
- Aggression
- Cloudy thinking
- Poor concentration
- Depression
- Stress
- Denial
Vanilla Character Twist
1 - Normal Character
1/2 Tbs - Motivation
2 tsp - Description
1 Shot - Any of the above alcoholism related symptoms
Mix all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, strain and pour. Garnish with fruit and zest of plot. Enjoy!
Come back tomorrow to see what you can do with the letter B!
~EJW~
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