Self-Publishing Part 2
If you found the idea of self-publishing intriguing, you might want to check out Joe Konrath's blog: jakonrath.blogspot.com
To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish?
That is the question these days, isn't it? If you had asked me a few years ago if I would ever consider self-publishing I would have blown you off your feet with the force of my "NO!"
But nowadays I am saying, "Never say never." Because the industry is changing lightning fast and every day new opportunities are opening up for writers.
I recently read about Amanda Hocking who self-publishes her paranormal fiction on Kindle. She has sold over 900,000 copies and apparently made over $2 million dollars. And her "Trylle" trilogy has just been optioned by Terri Tachell. I say, "Go Amanda!!" To learn more about her writing visit her blog at: www.amandahocking.blogspot.com
The times they certainly are a changing for writers. It is exciting for sure. But I think to be a successful writer today you need to wear a few hats, and you need to wear them well. You need to be a good writer, a good self-promoter, a good business person and have decent computer skills. Sure it is a bit daunting, but I also think there has never been a better time to be a writer.
But nowadays I am saying, "Never say never." Because the industry is changing lightning fast and every day new opportunities are opening up for writers.
I recently read about Amanda Hocking who self-publishes her paranormal fiction on Kindle. She has sold over 900,000 copies and apparently made over $2 million dollars. And her "Trylle" trilogy has just been optioned by Terri Tachell. I say, "Go Amanda!!" To learn more about her writing visit her blog at: www.amandahocking.blogspot.com
The times they certainly are a changing for writers. It is exciting for sure. But I think to be a successful writer today you need to wear a few hats, and you need to wear them well. You need to be a good writer, a good self-promoter, a good business person and have decent computer skills. Sure it is a bit daunting, but I also think there has never been a better time to be a writer.
Week #133
For over twenty years Walter Sorley had been sitting on his porch every evening, eagle-eyed and dog-breathed, silently daring the world to do something interesting.
Graywolf Press
If you aren't already aware of "The Art of" Series published by Graywolf Press you might want to check it out. Here is how Graywolf describes their stellar series:
"The Art of Series is a line of books reinvigorating the practice of craft and criticism. Each book is a brief, witty and useful exploration of fiction, nonfiction or poetry by a writer impassioned by a singular craft issue."
Some of the titles are:
The Art of Description by Mark Doty
The Art of Time in Fiction by Joan Silber
The Art of Attention by Donald Revell
And there are plenty more. Honestly, I am in love with this series. Click here to learn more.
"The Art of Series is a line of books reinvigorating the practice of craft and criticism. Each book is a brief, witty and useful exploration of fiction, nonfiction or poetry by a writer impassioned by a singular craft issue."
Some of the titles are:
The Art of Description by Mark Doty
The Art of Time in Fiction by Joan Silber
The Art of Attention by Donald Revell
And there are plenty more. Honestly, I am in love with this series. Click here to learn more.
Writing Adventure Exercise
Go outside with your notebook. If you can, find a bench or picnic table with a view of a tree. Get comfy, open your notebook and take a stab at describing the tree. (Hint: it's not as easy as it sounds.) Once you've described how the tree looks, try using some of your other senses. Is it a windy day? Is the tree making a sound, for instance? Is it a flowering tree? Does it have a scent?
When you've finished that consider different ways of creating moods in your writing using description. Let's say you were writing a spooky scene. How could you describe the tree in a way that would make the scene more sinister? There are endless ways to create atmosphere with something as simple as describing a tree. Can you think of three different moods you could create by describing your tree differently?
When you've finished that consider different ways of creating moods in your writing using description. Let's say you were writing a spooky scene. How could you describe the tree in a way that would make the scene more sinister? There are endless ways to create atmosphere with something as simple as describing a tree. Can you think of three different moods you could create by describing your tree differently?
More Grant Writing Info
For those of you seeking more information on grant writing I discovered a fabulous website, Mira's List. Check it out!
Grant Writing Info
For those looking to improve their grant writing skills, or maybe thinking of applying for their first grant I recommend, "The Artist's Guide to Grant Writing" by Gigi Rosenberg. I picked this book up recently and it is filled with useful information. Though much of it is geared to writers and artists in the USA, this writer still found lots of helpful advice that applied to the grant writing process in Canada. I will be keeping this book close at hand when I apply for my next grant.
Author Interview: Jill Sooley
Random Exercise
Okay, I made it through Easter. The long weekend was lovely, but it whizzed by too fast. But I trust your brains are rested up and are ready to create something new. So...
If you were going to invent a holiday what would it be? What would it be called? How would it be celebrated? Feel free to go crazy here. I mean really, we just had a holiday where a rabbit delivers eggs?!?
Have fun!
If you were going to invent a holiday what would it be? What would it be called? How would it be celebrated? Feel free to go crazy here. I mean really, we just had a holiday where a rabbit delivers eggs?!?
Have fun!
Musing from the Desk
*Warning*
This is more like, "Whining from the Desk". But I have received three rejection letters in the last three days. Sorry, I had to tell someone. That's rough, is it not?
This is more like, "Whining from the Desk". But I have received three rejection letters in the last three days. Sorry, I had to tell someone. That's rough, is it not?
Dialogue Exercise
Use this line of dialogue to inspire a short story. Use it as the first line, last line or any line in between!
Line:
"There were too many to count."
Line:
"There were too many to count."
Week #129
I admit, I have always had difficulties telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Quote
"You do not even have to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait. Do not even wait, be still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet."
~ Franz Kafka
~ Franz Kafka
Description Exercise
In this exercise you are going to describe a person. You can pick someone you know, someone you don't know but see around your neighbourhood or at your workplace, or you can choose a character from a piece of fiction that you are writing. Fix this person in your mind and then begin to describe them. Once you've got down their physical description, tell us how they move. Tell us what their voice sounds like. What are some of their favourite expressions? What do they say when they are angry? Can you describe this person in such a way that if I walked into a crowded room, I would recognize them right away?
Musings from the Desk
Time is the most democratic of things. We are all given twenty-four hours a day. Time is not like money where some people have lots and other people have none. Each day we all have the same amount of time.
As I rush through my days this is what I try to remind myself, if I have the time, that is.
I meet many people who want to write, but who tell me they don't have time. I understand this, but only to a point. (I'm also a yoga teacher and hear the same thing about exercise.) I have discovered that with writing (and with exercise) much can be accomplished in short periods of time, as long as you commit (and here is the trick) to it every day. For example, over the course of a month you will get more writing done if you write for 15 minutes a day than if you write for one hour once a week. Trust me, you will. Pick a time and show up at your desk or in your notebook and write for 15 minutes. Even if you are working on a piece of fiction treat it like a timed writing exercise: show up and keep those words flowing for your allotted 15 minutes. Then do it again the next day and the day after that. You'll be amazed by how much you manage to write in a month. You will be. I promise.
As I rush through my days this is what I try to remind myself, if I have the time, that is.
I meet many people who want to write, but who tell me they don't have time. I understand this, but only to a point. (I'm also a yoga teacher and hear the same thing about exercise.) I have discovered that with writing (and with exercise) much can be accomplished in short periods of time, as long as you commit (and here is the trick) to it every day. For example, over the course of a month you will get more writing done if you write for 15 minutes a day than if you write for one hour once a week. Trust me, you will. Pick a time and show up at your desk or in your notebook and write for 15 minutes. Even if you are working on a piece of fiction treat it like a timed writing exercise: show up and keep those words flowing for your allotted 15 minutes. Then do it again the next day and the day after that. You'll be amazed by how much you manage to write in a month. You will be. I promise.
Week #128
For six years Sylvia had been saving money so she could go to Paris, France and eat one meal at the famous restaurant, Les Trois Souhaits.
Writing Adventure and a maybe a story idea....
For this exercise I suggest you walk around your own neighbourhood and try to see it the way a tourist or someone visiting it for the first time would. Look at it closely with fresh eyes. What new beauty do you see? Or what do you notice that is ugly? How many red things can you count? Do you ever wonder why the streets are named what they are? What do you think the neighbourhood looked like fifty years ago? A hundred years ago? (If you are really curious about this you can visit your city archives and look it up.) What do you imagine it will look like fifty years from now? Write about your neighbourhood.
I have to admit that the "Writing Adventures" are my favourite exercises. I love getting away from the desk to go exploring and let the world inspire me. Today I wandered around my own neighbourhood to "test drive" this exercise and I found something great. On the sidewalk someone has spray painted:
Jess 416-781-2053 Please.
Isn't that wonderful? A story just waiting to be told.
I have to admit that the "Writing Adventures" are my favourite exercises. I love getting away from the desk to go exploring and let the world inspire me. Today I wandered around my own neighbourhood to "test drive" this exercise and I found something great. On the sidewalk someone has spray painted:
Jess 416-781-2053 Please.
Isn't that wonderful? A story just waiting to be told.
Quote
"If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would astonish ourselves."
~ Thomas Edison
~ Thomas Edison
Description Exercise
Choose an object that you see every day. Like your alarm clock, or keys, for example. With the object in front of you, write a description of it. Try to use all five of your senses.
Still searching for a name...
Remember when I was involved with the River of Stones project back in January? And I said I was going to keep posting 'stones' occasionally and then didn't? Well, I have kept writing them (they're fun). But I wanted to come up with a new name for them and so far haven't. I'm terrible at naming things. Good thing I don't have kids, huh?
Here's what I wrote yesterday:
Amongst the still brown grass
glows the purple crocus
- spring's shy face.
(*There is nothing wrong with the name 'River of Stones' by the way. It's a great name, in fact. It is simply that that project is ongoing and run by cool and stellar people and I didn't want to look like I was stealing the name.)
Here's what I wrote yesterday:
Amongst the still brown grass
glows the purple crocus
- spring's shy face.
(*There is nothing wrong with the name 'River of Stones' by the way. It's a great name, in fact. It is simply that that project is ongoing and run by cool and stellar people and I didn't want to look like I was stealing the name.)
Musings from the Desk and an Exercise
One bit of advice that writers hear again and again is: write what you know.
I have never found this to be helpful. Some days I wander around not even sure of what I know (am I alone in this?). Anyway, I've always found it to be more helpful, and more interesting, to write about what you don't know, but are intrigued by. That way you are curious and enthusiastic, which will automatically make your writing more alive when the words start hitting the page.
So, think of something you don't know much about, but wish you did and then start doing research. Do a Google search, go to the library, talk to experts, read books, watch a documentary. Maybe a character in your latest short story loves Japanese food, but you've never tasted it yourself. Great! Read cookbooks, visit a Japanese restaurant (or two) and then learn how to make sushi (and invite me around for dinner). Learning about something new can be a great way to wake up yourself and your writing!
I have never found this to be helpful. Some days I wander around not even sure of what I know (am I alone in this?). Anyway, I've always found it to be more helpful, and more interesting, to write about what you don't know, but are intrigued by. That way you are curious and enthusiastic, which will automatically make your writing more alive when the words start hitting the page.
So, think of something you don't know much about, but wish you did and then start doing research. Do a Google search, go to the library, talk to experts, read books, watch a documentary. Maybe a character in your latest short story loves Japanese food, but you've never tasted it yourself. Great! Read cookbooks, visit a Japanese restaurant (or two) and then learn how to make sushi (and invite me around for dinner). Learning about something new can be a great way to wake up yourself and your writing!
Random Exercise
This is more of a fun word game than a writing exercise, but sometimes it is good to wake up your brain and just be silly with words.
Grab a dictionary and find a word that you don't know the meaning of. When you find one - do not look at the meaning! Jot down the word on a piece of paper and make up your own meaning for it. Then search for another word. Keep going and let yourself get more and more outrageous. Maybe when you have a list of silly words you'll be inspired to write a nonsensical poem.
(*When you are finished you may want to look up the actual meanings of the words. Did you have any of them right? Close? I hope not!)
Grab a dictionary and find a word that you don't know the meaning of. When you find one - do not look at the meaning! Jot down the word on a piece of paper and make up your own meaning for it. Then search for another word. Keep going and let yourself get more and more outrageous. Maybe when you have a list of silly words you'll be inspired to write a nonsensical poem.
(*When you are finished you may want to look up the actual meanings of the words. Did you have any of them right? Close? I hope not!)
Musings from the Desk
Don't you love when inspiration hits? The muse, she kissed me this morning. There I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth when a short story unfolded itself in my mind complete with a title (I am terrible with titles!). Then the narrator of this story started whispering in my ear and I tell ya, I started spitting out toothpaste in the rush to get to my desk. Of course, everything that seemed so easy and brilliant in front of the bathroom mirror turned out to be much harder when I actually tried to squeeze those words out of me at my desk, but things went pretty well and I'm hoping this one fulfills its early promise and actually develops into a short story.
My second novel is coming along well. I work on that every weekday morning. But I love it when someone totally new and unexpected arrives in my imagination, fullblown and ready to make a debut on the page like today. That's what keeps me writing.
(And you thought it was the fabulous wealth and super-stardom, didn't you?)
My second novel is coming along well. I work on that every weekday morning. But I love it when someone totally new and unexpected arrives in my imagination, fullblown and ready to make a debut on the page like today. That's what keeps me writing.
(And you thought it was the fabulous wealth and super-stardom, didn't you?)
Dialogue Exercise
Work this line of dialogue into a short story. It can be at the beginning, in the middle or even the last line of your story. Have fun!
"He had a great time, it was me who hated it."
"He had a great time, it was me who hated it."
Ask an Author
Mostly I write this blog to try and inspire others to write. But I would also like to provide you with the sort of information you need to be successful. So, if you have a burning question about the writing process or the publishing business, leave me a comment or send me an email at: reallyratherbereading(at)gmail.com and I'll do my best to answer it.
(And don't worry about whether it is a 'stupid' question or not. I happen to believe there are no stupid questions. I spent ten years asking every writer I met every question I could think of, stupid or otherwise, and I got my novel published!)
(And don't worry about whether it is a 'stupid' question or not. I happen to believe there are no stupid questions. I spent ten years asking every writer I met every question I could think of, stupid or otherwise, and I got my novel published!)
Musings from the Desk
There are days when I just don't understand the publishing world.
When my novel, The Last River Child, came out I was surprised by how much I was expected to promote the book myself. I was completely unprepared and found myself on a quick, steep learning curve to finding ways to get the book reviewed and myself interviewed. I was so grateful to everyone who helped me along the way and gave my book a mention.
When things settled down with promoting Last River Child I decided to use this blog to help other writers by adding author interviews and the occasional book review. I decided to focus on two areas that I thought would be of interest to you, my readers: books about writing and the creative process (Laraine Herring, author of "The Writing Warrior" and "Writing Begins with the Breath" was our first guest) and also first time authors from small presses (Erika Dreifus, author of the short story collection, "The Quiet Americans" kicked off that series).
And so I have been contacting authors when I have the time to try and arrange reviews/interviews. So far all of the authors have responded enthusiastically and it has been fun for me to 'meet' new writers. But today I learned one of the publishers was not willing to send me a review copy until they knew how much traffic my blog received. I have sent them the numbers and now am waiting and see if they deem this blog worth whatever the postage will cost them to send me a book. All day this has been making me feel sad and weird. It is so tough to get a book written, and it is so tough to get a book published, and it is so tough to get a book some press. I thought it would be easier to help other writers with their books but today it felt like it was even tough to do that! I'm probably just tired and having a bad day but that's how things felt at the desk today.
(As for this writer, don't worry. I am looking forward to having them as a guest on First Lines and they will make an appearance here, whatever their publisher decides.)
When my novel, The Last River Child, came out I was surprised by how much I was expected to promote the book myself. I was completely unprepared and found myself on a quick, steep learning curve to finding ways to get the book reviewed and myself interviewed. I was so grateful to everyone who helped me along the way and gave my book a mention.
When things settled down with promoting Last River Child I decided to use this blog to help other writers by adding author interviews and the occasional book review. I decided to focus on two areas that I thought would be of interest to you, my readers: books about writing and the creative process (Laraine Herring, author of "The Writing Warrior" and "Writing Begins with the Breath" was our first guest) and also first time authors from small presses (Erika Dreifus, author of the short story collection, "The Quiet Americans" kicked off that series).
And so I have been contacting authors when I have the time to try and arrange reviews/interviews. So far all of the authors have responded enthusiastically and it has been fun for me to 'meet' new writers. But today I learned one of the publishers was not willing to send me a review copy until they knew how much traffic my blog received. I have sent them the numbers and now am waiting and see if they deem this blog worth whatever the postage will cost them to send me a book. All day this has been making me feel sad and weird. It is so tough to get a book written, and it is so tough to get a book published, and it is so tough to get a book some press. I thought it would be easier to help other writers with their books but today it felt like it was even tough to do that! I'm probably just tired and having a bad day but that's how things felt at the desk today.
(As for this writer, don't worry. I am looking forward to having them as a guest on First Lines and they will make an appearance here, whatever their publisher decides.)
Writing Adventure
The weather is getting a wee bit warmer here so I am itching to get outside for a writing adventure.
Find yourself a spot outside where you can sit comfortably for a few minutes. Take a look around. Then open your notebook. (I know that you faithfully carry a notebook with you everywhere because you are a WRITER.) In your notebook describe your surroundings. When you are finished, close your eyes and sit for a few minutes absorbing your surroundings again. What new things did you notice? How did having your eyes closed change the place for you? Open your eyes and describe the place a second time in your notebook.
Find yourself a spot outside where you can sit comfortably for a few minutes. Take a look around. Then open your notebook. (I know that you faithfully carry a notebook with you everywhere because you are a WRITER.) In your notebook describe your surroundings. When you are finished, close your eyes and sit for a few minutes absorbing your surroundings again. What new things did you notice? How did having your eyes closed change the place for you? Open your eyes and describe the place a second time in your notebook.
Timed Fiction Exercise
It was Natalie Goldberg who got us all doing timed writing exercises. Lately I've been thinking about using the same techniques to write fiction. Why not? So many times we sit staring at that white page in front of us, or at the cursor on our computer blinking away up there in the top left-hand corner of our screen, unable to put down a single word, feeling that anything we think up isn't good enough. This exercise is intended to smash through that resistance. Forget about plotting your story before you begin it, forget even who the characters are. Just dive in and see what emerges. (My favourite times at the desk are always when something unexpected happens in a piece that I am working on.)
How this works: Decide how long you want to write for. It can be ten minutes, twenty minutes or an hour. Then grab one of the sentences below (or use your own first sentence) and begin. The only rule is you must keep writing. You are not allowed to stop and think about what the next sentence will be. You must keep your hand moving! Don't think! Don't plan! Just write, not knowing what is going to happen next. Trust your creativity! Trust yourself!
The sentences:
Justin been afraid of clowns ever since his sixth birthday party.
I usually never remember my dreams, but last night's was so vivid, so real.
Lucy stared into the chicken coop and wondered what had ever possessed her to become a farmer's wife and move to this wretched place.
How this works: Decide how long you want to write for. It can be ten minutes, twenty minutes or an hour. Then grab one of the sentences below (or use your own first sentence) and begin. The only rule is you must keep writing. You are not allowed to stop and think about what the next sentence will be. You must keep your hand moving! Don't think! Don't plan! Just write, not knowing what is going to happen next. Trust your creativity! Trust yourself!
The sentences:
Justin been afraid of clowns ever since his sixth birthday party.
I usually never remember my dreams, but last night's was so vivid, so real.
Lucy stared into the chicken coop and wondered what had ever possessed her to become a farmer's wife and move to this wretched place.
Mary Oliver interview!
Okay, I know that this blog is about fiction, and it isn't the place to talk about poetry, but for my favourite poet, Mary Oliver, I'm going to make an exception. Mary Oliver almost never gives interview but she did this month in the new issue of O magazine. Click here to read the interview. (It's really great!)
Week #123
Dora watches from behind the lace curtain of the second storey window as the police knock on her neighbour's door.
Random Exercise
Look around you. Don't think. Find three things that are green. Use those three items in a short story.
(They don't have to be those three specific things. If one of your items is a half-dead houseplant that you feel really sad about, feel free to change it into a thriving, carnivorous jungle plant in your short story.)
(They don't have to be those three specific things. If one of your items is a half-dead houseplant that you feel really sad about, feel free to change it into a thriving, carnivorous jungle plant in your short story.)
Theme Exercise #6
Remember how this one works? I give you a theme and you are immediately driven into a creative frenzy and produce a piece of fiction that brings you joy and fame and riches and is made into a movie, and, yes, you write the screenplay for it and finally get to make that Oscar speech you have been practicing in your bedroom for years.
So, what are you waiting for?
The theme is:
Courage
So, what are you waiting for?
The theme is:
Courage
For all you Elvis fans...
A new short story of mine has just been published in "Lies with Occasional Truths" magazine. It is called, "Thank You Elvis" and is about a Lisa Marie Presley impersonator. And yes, Elvis is in it. You can read it here.
Dialogue Exercise
Use this line of dialogue in a short piece of fiction. It can be the first line, the last line, or any line in between! It's up to you.
The line:
"It is never going to fit."
The line:
"It is never going to fit."
Setting the Scene
Okay, I'll set the scene and you write the story:
Two sisters who have been estranged for sixteen years find themselves on the same cruise ship.
You decide who they are, why they haven't spoken and how they are going to coexist on the same ship for seven days.
Have fun!
Two sisters who have been estranged for sixteen years find themselves on the same cruise ship.
You decide who they are, why they haven't spoken and how they are going to coexist on the same ship for seven days.
Have fun!
Confessions from the Desk
I'm going through one of those periods when the well it empty: I can't seem to come up with new ideas. Or at least any ideas worth sharing. This is part of the rhythm of the creative life. I've been doing this long enough that times like this no longer make me panic. I just take it as a sign I need to withdraw into myself a bit more, be quiet and wait. And trust that the muse will smile on me again. Luckily, we've had a bit of nice weather lately which means I've been able to get out for some long walks. Walking acts like a vitamin on my creativity. So, if you are wondering where I am, I'm probably out walking in the half-melted snow, daydreaming.
Hope the ideas are flowing at your desk, though!
Hope the ideas are flowing at your desk, though!
Week #120
For hours Jeremy had been trying to pick the tiny brass lock on the drawer of the antique desk he had bought at a garage sale when it suddenly clicked open.
Quote
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."
~ Marcel Proust
~ Marcel Proust
Happy Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! In honour of this day I want you to make a list of everything you love. Notice I didn't say everyone. By all means go ahead and start with the people you love, but open it up after that. What sights do you love most? What smells? What sounds? What tastes? What activities? Spend some time exploring what makes you feel good. Unfortunately, many of us are in touch with what annoys us, but not so aware of what makes us happy. So, as a Valentine's Day gift to yourself make a list of those things - because they are the things that inspire you.
Author Interview: Erika Dreifus
Erika Dreifus is the author of the short story collection, Quiet Americans (Last Light Studio).
Welcome Erika!
1. What are you reading at the moment?
First, thank you very much for welcoming me to The First Line, Lori!
Now, to your question: I’m a regular participant in the Jewish Book Council’s Twitter Book Club (http://jewishbookcouncil.org/news.php?item.49), and I’m just about to begin reading the club’s current selection, a novel by Elizabeth Rosner titled BLUE NUDE.
2. What made you decide to be a writer?
I’m not certain that I ever “decided” to be a writer. I’m one of those people who began writing poems and stories as a child, kept a diary at an early age (and cried when my nosy little sister read it), and so on. It’s hard to remember a time when writing wasn’t a conscious part of my life.
3. If you weren’t a writer, what would you want to be?
This is a tough one. I am a writer, but I am a writer who holds another, full-time, non-teaching, bills-paying job. Is it OK if I say that in an ideal world, I could focus on writing full-time? Occasionally, I wonder what might have happened if I had pursued a career in journalism or publishing. Sometimes, I think I might have been a good literary agent, too. Again, it is hard to imagine myself doing something completely disconnected from words and books. (Stunt double, for instance, has never been an option.)
4. Describe your work habits. When do you write? Where?
I am very lucky to have “a room of my own” that is entirely dedicated to books and writing. That said, as I mentioned, I have a full-time job apart from my writing. So I start each morning with a cup of coffee (or two) and time at my home computer in that treasured room before I head out to my job. Evenings and weekends find me spending a lot of time at the home computer, too. Sometimes, I’m able to cram in some writing over my lunch hour as well.
5. What book do you think every writer should read?
Writing is so individualized that I’m not entirely comfortable being prescriptive on this. For me, returning regularly to a favorite book from childhood helps remind me about an essential aspect to the whole enterprise: engaging and inspiring readers. So I’d say that every writer should read—or reread—an old favorite from time to time.
6. What inspires you?
So much of what I write—and certainly the inspiration behind much of my new story collection, QUIET AMERICANS is connected to memory, family, or history (or combinations thereof). At times, I’ve also found that outrage can provide some inspiration. For instance, I once wrote a short story inspired by a friend’s experiences trying to advocate for her food-allergic child and the petty behaviors that she encountered along the way. I became furious about everything that my friend was going through, and that helped fuel the work.
7. Has having a book published affected your writing in any way?
It has been wonderfully affirming and added a dose of confidence.
8. What was the best advice you received as a writer?
Great question! I think that one piece of advice I appreciated right from the moment I heard it came from one of my MFA thesis readers. The thesis was a story collection, a very early iteration of what became QUIET AMERICANS. This reader assured me that I shouldn’t worry about another set of comments I had received that had suggested the manuscript contained “too much Holocaust” in it. “That’s what this book is about,” the reader said, encouraging me to trust in and respect the work’s essential nature.
9. What advice do you give other writers?
As I suggested earlier, I’m so mindful of individual variation and exceptions to every rule that I try to avoid being overly prescriptive. Over time, it has become so clear to me that each writer has unique interests, goals, strengths, and, of course, areas where improvement is particularly needed. So if I have advice for writers, it’s this: Do whatever works for YOU. If writing longhand works better than typing at a computer, then write longhand. If writing every morning from 4-7 a.m. works for you, great (I’m envious!). If you need a prompt or exercise to get a piece started, help yourself! There is no single, magic formula or approach.
On a similar note, I try to supply other writers—primarily writers of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction—with an array of tools and resources, hoping that at some point, something that I’m offering will prove to be useful to each writer. That’s part of the purpose behind my free newsletter, THE PRACTICING WRITER. (I know that you are quite familiar with the newsletter, Lori, but others can learn more about it and read the latest issue online at my website [www.erikadreifus.com].)
10. If you could have dinner with any writer, living or dead, who would it be? Why?
As it happens, I recently had an opportunity to have dinner with Elie Wiesel, the author of NIGHT and so many other books.(Admittedly, hundreds of other people were present, but that’s a detail!) In complete seriousness: It was a benefit dinner, and Professor Wiesel was one of the event’s honorees. But I didn’t need to share a table or even speak with him. Just catching a glimpse of him from a few tables away, and listening as he addressed the room (everyone was spellbound, I can assure you), was profoundly moving and memorable.
11. Do you have any other creative talents? Do you paint? Play a musical instrument?
Oh, how I wish I had other creative talents! Not that I haven’t tried to develop them. But it has been years since I’ve played the piano, and, truth be told, my art teachers at school and summer camp always “intervened” to help make my paintings or ceramics projects gift-worthy. I did once manage to create a set of bookends in woodshop all by myself. Does that count?
12. What are you working on now?
In addition to all of the activities surrounding the release of QUIET AMERICANS, my usual blogging, and the monthly newsletter, I’m working on a few freelance projects and my still-nascent poetry practice.
Thanks so much for featuring QUIET AMERICANS and me here on The First Line, Lori, and best wishes to all of your readers.
Thank you, Erika!
Welcome Erika!
1. What are you reading at the moment?
First, thank you very much for welcoming me to The First Line, Lori!
Now, to your question: I’m a regular participant in the Jewish Book Council’s Twitter Book Club (http://jewishbookcouncil.org/news.php?item.49), and I’m just about to begin reading the club’s current selection, a novel by Elizabeth Rosner titled BLUE NUDE.
2. What made you decide to be a writer?
I’m not certain that I ever “decided” to be a writer. I’m one of those people who began writing poems and stories as a child, kept a diary at an early age (and cried when my nosy little sister read it), and so on. It’s hard to remember a time when writing wasn’t a conscious part of my life.
3. If you weren’t a writer, what would you want to be?
This is a tough one. I am a writer, but I am a writer who holds another, full-time, non-teaching, bills-paying job. Is it OK if I say that in an ideal world, I could focus on writing full-time? Occasionally, I wonder what might have happened if I had pursued a career in journalism or publishing. Sometimes, I think I might have been a good literary agent, too. Again, it is hard to imagine myself doing something completely disconnected from words and books. (Stunt double, for instance, has never been an option.)
4. Describe your work habits. When do you write? Where?
I am very lucky to have “a room of my own” that is entirely dedicated to books and writing. That said, as I mentioned, I have a full-time job apart from my writing. So I start each morning with a cup of coffee (or two) and time at my home computer in that treasured room before I head out to my job. Evenings and weekends find me spending a lot of time at the home computer, too. Sometimes, I’m able to cram in some writing over my lunch hour as well.
5. What book do you think every writer should read?
Writing is so individualized that I’m not entirely comfortable being prescriptive on this. For me, returning regularly to a favorite book from childhood helps remind me about an essential aspect to the whole enterprise: engaging and inspiring readers. So I’d say that every writer should read—or reread—an old favorite from time to time.
6. What inspires you?
So much of what I write—and certainly the inspiration behind much of my new story collection, QUIET AMERICANS is connected to memory, family, or history (or combinations thereof). At times, I’ve also found that outrage can provide some inspiration. For instance, I once wrote a short story inspired by a friend’s experiences trying to advocate for her food-allergic child and the petty behaviors that she encountered along the way. I became furious about everything that my friend was going through, and that helped fuel the work.
7. Has having a book published affected your writing in any way?
It has been wonderfully affirming and added a dose of confidence.
8. What was the best advice you received as a writer?
Great question! I think that one piece of advice I appreciated right from the moment I heard it came from one of my MFA thesis readers. The thesis was a story collection, a very early iteration of what became QUIET AMERICANS. This reader assured me that I shouldn’t worry about another set of comments I had received that had suggested the manuscript contained “too much Holocaust” in it. “That’s what this book is about,” the reader said, encouraging me to trust in and respect the work’s essential nature.
9. What advice do you give other writers?
As I suggested earlier, I’m so mindful of individual variation and exceptions to every rule that I try to avoid being overly prescriptive. Over time, it has become so clear to me that each writer has unique interests, goals, strengths, and, of course, areas where improvement is particularly needed. So if I have advice for writers, it’s this: Do whatever works for YOU. If writing longhand works better than typing at a computer, then write longhand. If writing every morning from 4-7 a.m. works for you, great (I’m envious!). If you need a prompt or exercise to get a piece started, help yourself! There is no single, magic formula or approach.
On a similar note, I try to supply other writers—primarily writers of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction—with an array of tools and resources, hoping that at some point, something that I’m offering will prove to be useful to each writer. That’s part of the purpose behind my free newsletter, THE PRACTICING WRITER. (I know that you are quite familiar with the newsletter, Lori, but others can learn more about it and read the latest issue online at my website [www.erikadreifus.com].)
10. If you could have dinner with any writer, living or dead, who would it be? Why?
As it happens, I recently had an opportunity to have dinner with Elie Wiesel, the author of NIGHT and so many other books.(Admittedly, hundreds of other people were present, but that’s a detail!) In complete seriousness: It was a benefit dinner, and Professor Wiesel was one of the event’s honorees. But I didn’t need to share a table or even speak with him. Just catching a glimpse of him from a few tables away, and listening as he addressed the room (everyone was spellbound, I can assure you), was profoundly moving and memorable.
11. Do you have any other creative talents? Do you paint? Play a musical instrument?
Oh, how I wish I had other creative talents! Not that I haven’t tried to develop them. But it has been years since I’ve played the piano, and, truth be told, my art teachers at school and summer camp always “intervened” to help make my paintings or ceramics projects gift-worthy. I did once manage to create a set of bookends in woodshop all by myself. Does that count?
12. What are you working on now?
In addition to all of the activities surrounding the release of QUIET AMERICANS, my usual blogging, and the monthly newsletter, I’m working on a few freelance projects and my still-nascent poetry practice.
Thanks so much for featuring QUIET AMERICANS and me here on The First Line, Lori, and best wishes to all of your readers.
Thank you, Erika!
Book Review: Quiet Americans by Erika Dreifus
Tomorrow Erika Dreifus, author of the short story collection, Quiet Americans is stopping by the First Line blog for an interview so I thought I’d tell you a bit about her book before she gets here.
I have longed been awed by Erika Dreifus and the time and dedication she gives to the writing community in her Practicing Writing blog and so was thrilled for her when I learned her first book was being published. I suspected that she gave as much dedication to the craft of writing as she did to her other endeavors, and wasn’t wrong. This is an elegant, well-written, thought-provoking collection.
In the seven stories that comprise Quiet Americans Erika Dreifus writes about immigrant survivors of the Holocaust. This collection was inspired, in part, by Dreifus’s own grandparents who left Germany and immigrated to the US in the late 1930s. The stories are ordered by time, beginning in prewar Berlin in, “For Services Rendered” about a Jewish doctor who owes his life, and the life of his family, to Goring’s wife. The stories then weave their way through the decades until reaching post 9/11 in the final story, “Mishpocha” about a man who uncovers a family secret while researching his family tree on the internet.
This is a strong collection and I am reluctant to single out one story to name as my favourite so let me call, “Lebensraum” the story that haunts me most. In this story we find ourselves in Iowa in 1944 with Josef, an immigrant Jewish baker assigned to oversee captured Germans in the kitchen of a prisoner-of-war camp. Each time I reread “Lebensraum” I find something new. There are so many quiet revelations, so many layers tucked within the deceptively straightforward plot that it is like rolling an opal in the palm of your hand and watching the endless play of light within the gemstone.
Since I have a personal fondness for linked stories it was a sweet surprise to discover the delicate thread that runs lightly through this collection, connecting several of the characters. This subtle linking of stories works brilliantly to illustrate how the echo of the Holocaust continues to reverberate down through the generations.
Given the subject matter of these stories you would be forgiven for thinking Quiet Americans might be a depressing read. But it isn’t. Though these stories are rooted in the horror of the Holocaust, they are also stories of love: of the love between men and women, of the love between parent and child. Dreifus has a talent for nimbly moving between darkness and light, and for never letting the reader forget that the world is made not of black and white, but of endless shades of grey.
It is the hope and purpose of literature that in the telling of our stories we build bridges between people, that we foster understanding and compassion. Dreifus does this achingly well in Quiet Americans. It is a wonderful debut collection and I look forward to reading more from Erika Dreifus.
To learn more about Erika visit her website at: www.erikadreifus.com/
Also of note: the author is donating a portion of the proceeds from sales of Quiet Americans to The Blue Card, which supports survivors of Nazi persecution and their families in the United States. (www.bluecardfund.org)
And don’t forget to come back tomorrow for my interview with Erika!
About the River of Stones
I really enjoyed participating in the River of Stones project throughout the month of January. I managed to post a stone every day - though it did start to feel like a creative marathon for the last few days! But it was wonderful to have a tool like that that made me slow down and pay attention each day. I will be continuing to write 'stones', though, perhaps, not every day. I am still trying to decide whether to post some of them here on First Lines. I'm not sure if they belong or not. In the begining all I posted here was a first line every Wednesday and then the blog grew to include more prompts and then the occasional musing or rant from me mixed in with quotes that inspired me and I hoped would inspire others. And now I have added author interviews (our next one is on Friday).
So, I thought I would let you have your say: if you enjoyed the 'stones' or hated them, drop me a comment. Another option would be for me to create a new blog and post them there. (If they stay, by the way, I'm going to give them a new name that better reflects me and what I am doing. I just haven't thought of a name I like yet.)
So, I thought I would let you have your say: if you enjoyed the 'stones' or hated them, drop me a comment. Another option would be for me to create a new blog and post them there. (If they stay, by the way, I'm going to give them a new name that better reflects me and what I am doing. I just haven't thought of a name I like yet.)
Week #118
The night was a warm one for that time of year and a soft breeze was blowing in steadily from the bay.
River of Stones - Jan 30th
sleeping in deep on a Sunday morning
bliss-drowsy under a body-toasted blanket
let the day go on without me
bliss-drowsy under a body-toasted blanket
let the day go on without me
River of Stones - Jan 29th
every day I try to catch
the moment when day becomes night
and always I find myself
in the dark
empty-handed
the moment when day becomes night
and always I find myself
in the dark
empty-handed
Random Exercise #44
Use these three words in a short story: dim, rubber, pond.
(I'm sorry, guys. I feel like I'm not posting as many prompts as usual. Things will get back to normal when January is over and the River of Stones project ends. But writing a stone every day is giving me lots of new ways of thinking about creativity, so hopefully that means new prompts!)
(I'm sorry, guys. I feel like I'm not posting as many prompts as usual. Things will get back to normal when January is over and the River of Stones project ends. But writing a stone every day is giving me lots of new ways of thinking about creativity, so hopefully that means new prompts!)
River of Stones - Jan 26th
After the squeeze of rush hour on the subway
I walk slowly home through the park
my soul unfurling.
I walk slowly home through the park
my soul unfurling.
Week #117
Children often have hiding places and adults often have secrets, and this is how nine year old Christine, crouched and barely breathing amongst the musty coats and boots in the front hall closet, came to overhear her mother's whispered conversation on the basement stairs.
River of Stones - Jan 25th
then the winter afternoon was over
and all that remained was my own face
staring back from the now darkened window
and all that remained was my own face
staring back from the now darkened window
River of Stones - Jan 24th
mint tea
and snowflakes cascading
through the darkness
- this is tonight's lullaby
and snowflakes cascading
through the darkness
- this is tonight's lullaby
River of Stones - Jan 23rd
trying to decide what to cook for dinner
as I watch the red sun
melt into the horizon.
as I watch the red sun
melt into the horizon.
River of Stones - Jan 22nd
walking on a winter night
amidst the falling snow
I reach out a hand
and try to catch what may be
raining stars
amidst the falling snow
I reach out a hand
and try to catch what may be
raining stars
Interview with Laraine Herring
I want to welcome the fabulous Laraine Herring to the First Line blog! Laraine is the author of the novel, Ghost Swamp Blues, as well as Monsoons, a fiction collection blending prose and poetry, the non-fiction work, Lost Fathers and the two great books for writers that I reviewed here yesterday, Writing Begins with the Breath and The Writing Warrior.
1. What is your favourite word?
Cat. Followed closely by chocolate and monkey.
2. What was the best advice you received as a writer?
Believe it or not, it was that I should stop writing. This was from a teacher I had in grad school and it made me so angry that I think I have written more than I might ever have. :-) To answer more what I think your question was aiming for, the best advice I ever got was to shut up and write. Not to over-think, over-plan, over-outline, but to listen to the writing itself and to get out of its way.
3. What book do you think every writer should read?
Tao te ching.
4. If you weren’t a writer, what would you want to be?
I honestly cannot imagine what else I would do. Since I already teach as well, those are the two things I’m half-way good at on this planet. Although, if I had the talent, being a blues singer like Janis Joplin would be a pretty cool thing.
5. Describe your work habits. When do you write? Where?
I write mostly over winter and summer breaks since I have a full time teaching job that takes up a lot of my time during the academic year. There are ebbs and flows to a semester though, and I try to take advantage of the times when there’s less grading to do. I write at home and at the library. I’ve got a separate room at home and then one of the schools in my area has a beautiful library where you can get a whole view of the town and the mountains, and there’s a stream below the window. The building is made of real wood and smells like a forest. It reminds me of North Carolina, I think. :-)
6. You write both fiction and non-fiction. How does the process differ for the two?
To me, they are not any different from one another. I approach both of them from a pretty even place of not knowing what the heck I’m going to write about and then I see what happens. Nonfiction often goes a bit quicker for me, once I figure out what I’m trying to say, because it’s easier to figure out the purpose, audience, etc. Fiction is just one big mysterious dream for me.
7. What inspires you?
Animals. Other writers. Science. Remembering that I am going to die (that’s not as morbid to me as it might come across). I have a note taped to my computer: Memento Mori — which means basically remember you will die. That helps keep things in perspective and helps keep me moving forward.
8. If you could have dinner with any writer, living or dead, who would it be? Why?
Truman Capote. You have to ask why? :-) I would probably be afraid of him, and he would probably say something snarky about me, but he was a force of nature, not to mention wickedly talented, and I would have loved to be in the same room as him.
9. Do you have any other creative talents? Do you paint? Play a musical instrument?
That’s hotly debated. :-) I enjoy dancing and calligraphy and watercolor, but certainly it’s only in the “wow, I love doing this” place. I took piano lessons for many years as a child, but I don’t have a piano now and although I can still read music, I can’t really make good music. I also really love fashion (not the $4000 per sock kind, but putting together fun and funky outfits.) I think I express a lot of myself through clothing.
10. What are you working on now?
Quite a few things actually — two young adult novels, one adult novel, and another book in the same vein as Breath and Writing Warrior on sustainable creativity.
To learn more about Laraine Herring visit her website at:
www.laraineherring.com.
1. What is your favourite word?
Cat. Followed closely by chocolate and monkey.
2. What was the best advice you received as a writer?
Believe it or not, it was that I should stop writing. This was from a teacher I had in grad school and it made me so angry that I think I have written more than I might ever have. :-) To answer more what I think your question was aiming for, the best advice I ever got was to shut up and write. Not to over-think, over-plan, over-outline, but to listen to the writing itself and to get out of its way.
3. What book do you think every writer should read?
Tao te ching.
4. If you weren’t a writer, what would you want to be?
I honestly cannot imagine what else I would do. Since I already teach as well, those are the two things I’m half-way good at on this planet. Although, if I had the talent, being a blues singer like Janis Joplin would be a pretty cool thing.
5. Describe your work habits. When do you write? Where?
I write mostly over winter and summer breaks since I have a full time teaching job that takes up a lot of my time during the academic year. There are ebbs and flows to a semester though, and I try to take advantage of the times when there’s less grading to do. I write at home and at the library. I’ve got a separate room at home and then one of the schools in my area has a beautiful library where you can get a whole view of the town and the mountains, and there’s a stream below the window. The building is made of real wood and smells like a forest. It reminds me of North Carolina, I think. :-)
6. You write both fiction and non-fiction. How does the process differ for the two?
To me, they are not any different from one another. I approach both of them from a pretty even place of not knowing what the heck I’m going to write about and then I see what happens. Nonfiction often goes a bit quicker for me, once I figure out what I’m trying to say, because it’s easier to figure out the purpose, audience, etc. Fiction is just one big mysterious dream for me.
7. What inspires you?
Animals. Other writers. Science. Remembering that I am going to die (that’s not as morbid to me as it might come across). I have a note taped to my computer: Memento Mori — which means basically remember you will die. That helps keep things in perspective and helps keep me moving forward.
8. If you could have dinner with any writer, living or dead, who would it be? Why?
Truman Capote. You have to ask why? :-) I would probably be afraid of him, and he would probably say something snarky about me, but he was a force of nature, not to mention wickedly talented, and I would have loved to be in the same room as him.
9. Do you have any other creative talents? Do you paint? Play a musical instrument?
That’s hotly debated. :-) I enjoy dancing and calligraphy and watercolor, but certainly it’s only in the “wow, I love doing this” place. I took piano lessons for many years as a child, but I don’t have a piano now and although I can still read music, I can’t really make good music. I also really love fashion (not the $4000 per sock kind, but putting together fun and funky outfits.) I think I express a lot of myself through clothing.
10. What are you working on now?
Quite a few things actually — two young adult novels, one adult novel, and another book in the same vein as Breath and Writing Warrior on sustainable creativity.
To learn more about Laraine Herring visit her website at:
www.laraineherring.com.
River of Stones - Jan 20th
empty blue sky
atop fields of snow
as though the clouds have floated down
and are resting
atop fields of snow
as though the clouds have floated down
and are resting
Book Review - Writing Begins with the Breath & The Writing Warrior
(Be sure to come back tomorrow for my interview with Lariane Herring.)
I recently read two wonderful books for writers: Writing Begins with the Breath and The Writing Warrior, both by Laraine Herring. What fascinated me most about Herring’s books is her premise that writing is a whole body experience as opposed to simply an intellectual one. Herring is interested in what she calls, ‘deep writing.’ Deep writing is what appears on the page when the writer’s voice is rooted in their most authentic self. Herring believes that deep writing comes from the body, not from the brain. She presents the intriguing idea that though language comes from the mind, our stories are stored in our cells, in our bodies. It is a fresh approach and one I agree with, as will anyone who has ever been in love, grieved, or felt butterflies in their stomach. Both Writing Begins with the Breath and The Writing Warrior are intended to strengthen this connection between our heads and our bodies and to enable each of us to access our own deep writing.
In Writing Begins with the Breath Herring focuses, unsurprisingly, on the breath. She teaches how to use the breath to quiet the mind so that inspiration may bloom and also so that the writer may learn how to follow and focus their own mind. The book is divided into three parts: Focusing the Mind, The Deep Writing Process and Embracing What and Where You Are. Interspersed throughout the book are simple exercises intended to help you stay grounded during the process and at the end of each chapter writing prompts and exercises can be found. The book is well-written, well-organized and different enough from most of the books for writers that it is worth seeking out.
The Writing Warrior grows so naturally out of Writing Begins with the Breath that the two books blend seamlessly if read together they way I did. In The Writing Warrior Herring acknowledges the courage it takes to be a writer. I found myself nodding in agreement to much of what Herring offers up in both these books, but I particularly agreed with this sentiment. It does take bravery to be a writer. To write your own truth (yes, even when writing fiction), to expose yourself and hope that your words resonate and connect with readers takes courage. Herring has travelled this path and in this book offers guidance and reassurance to those who feel uncertain and stuck in their writing. The breath continues to be a focus in The Writing Warrior and a fun movement practice is added. And there are plenty of writing exercises in this book as well.
My favourite part of The Writing Warrior was Part Three. Titled, ‘Dissolving Your Illusions’ this section alone is worth the price of the book. Here Herring succinctly tackles many of the obstacles writers commonly face, such as: Illusion of Time, Illusion of What a Writer is, Illusion of Control, Illusion of Distractions, Illusion of Money, Illusion of Publication, Success and Fame. Herring slays popular myths about the writer’s life and offers commonsense advice along with encouragement.
These two books, like all my favourite books on writing, are not simply about how to write, but are manuals on how to live. Herring is not only a good writer but she is also a gifted teacher, and for this we are lucky. To have her warm, knowledgeable and thoughtful voice on your bookshelf is something I wish for all writers.
To find out more about Laraine Herring visit her website at: wwwlaraineherring.com.
I recently read two wonderful books for writers: Writing Begins with the Breath and The Writing Warrior, both by Laraine Herring. What fascinated me most about Herring’s books is her premise that writing is a whole body experience as opposed to simply an intellectual one. Herring is interested in what she calls, ‘deep writing.’ Deep writing is what appears on the page when the writer’s voice is rooted in their most authentic self. Herring believes that deep writing comes from the body, not from the brain. She presents the intriguing idea that though language comes from the mind, our stories are stored in our cells, in our bodies. It is a fresh approach and one I agree with, as will anyone who has ever been in love, grieved, or felt butterflies in their stomach. Both Writing Begins with the Breath and The Writing Warrior are intended to strengthen this connection between our heads and our bodies and to enable each of us to access our own deep writing.
In Writing Begins with the Breath Herring focuses, unsurprisingly, on the breath. She teaches how to use the breath to quiet the mind so that inspiration may bloom and also so that the writer may learn how to follow and focus their own mind. The book is divided into three parts: Focusing the Mind, The Deep Writing Process and Embracing What and Where You Are. Interspersed throughout the book are simple exercises intended to help you stay grounded during the process and at the end of each chapter writing prompts and exercises can be found. The book is well-written, well-organized and different enough from most of the books for writers that it is worth seeking out.
The Writing Warrior grows so naturally out of Writing Begins with the Breath that the two books blend seamlessly if read together they way I did. In The Writing Warrior Herring acknowledges the courage it takes to be a writer. I found myself nodding in agreement to much of what Herring offers up in both these books, but I particularly agreed with this sentiment. It does take bravery to be a writer. To write your own truth (yes, even when writing fiction), to expose yourself and hope that your words resonate and connect with readers takes courage. Herring has travelled this path and in this book offers guidance and reassurance to those who feel uncertain and stuck in their writing. The breath continues to be a focus in The Writing Warrior and a fun movement practice is added. And there are plenty of writing exercises in this book as well.
My favourite part of The Writing Warrior was Part Three. Titled, ‘Dissolving Your Illusions’ this section alone is worth the price of the book. Here Herring succinctly tackles many of the obstacles writers commonly face, such as: Illusion of Time, Illusion of What a Writer is, Illusion of Control, Illusion of Distractions, Illusion of Money, Illusion of Publication, Success and Fame. Herring slays popular myths about the writer’s life and offers commonsense advice along with encouragement.
These two books, like all my favourite books on writing, are not simply about how to write, but are manuals on how to live. Herring is not only a good writer but she is also a gifted teacher, and for this we are lucky. To have her warm, knowledgeable and thoughtful voice on your bookshelf is something I wish for all writers.
To find out more about Laraine Herring visit her website at: wwwlaraineherring.com.
Week # 116
Over their twenty-four year marriage Dot had had plenty of hobbies, but this newest one had Doug alarmed.
Musings from the Desk
There is a controversy brewing. I can feel it the same way you feel a thunderstorm brewing on a hot August day long before you feel the first drop of rain. Okay, maybe I am the only person who finds this controversial. But there seems to be some discussion in certain quarters over whether you should leave one space or two after a period. (I know, it was a slap in the face for me, too.)
Apparently, some people find it old-fashioned to leave the traditional two spaces after a period. And I have noticed some magazines are asking writers to submit their manuscripts with just one lonely space after each period.
I am old enough that when I learned to type I was taught on a manual typewriter. (If I had all those manual typewriters from my old high school now I could probably sell them for a small fortune on e-bay, but I digress.) So I had it drilled into me to hit that space bar - HARD - twice with my thumb before my finger dared land on that period key. I'm not even sure I can retrain myself to only hit it once. It is so automatic. And besides, I like the satisfying bump, bump of my thumb hitting the space bar at the end of each sentence.
Truthfully, I just can't see the sense in this one. And once again I feel I am being left behind in this world gone mad for technology. I thought the two tiny spaces following a period were safe, but I guess nothing is sacred anymore.
Apparently, some people find it old-fashioned to leave the traditional two spaces after a period. And I have noticed some magazines are asking writers to submit their manuscripts with just one lonely space after each period.
I am old enough that when I learned to type I was taught on a manual typewriter. (If I had all those manual typewriters from my old high school now I could probably sell them for a small fortune on e-bay, but I digress.) So I had it drilled into me to hit that space bar - HARD - twice with my thumb before my finger dared land on that period key. I'm not even sure I can retrain myself to only hit it once. It is so automatic. And besides, I like the satisfying bump, bump of my thumb hitting the space bar at the end of each sentence.
Truthfully, I just can't see the sense in this one. And once again I feel I am being left behind in this world gone mad for technology. I thought the two tiny spaces following a period were safe, but I guess nothing is sacred anymore.
River of Stones - Jan 16th
daylight slipped so sneakily from the room
I did not notice her absence
until the page grew too dim
to read
I did not notice her absence
until the page grew too dim
to read
Dialogue Exercise
Use this line of dialogue in a short story. The line can be at the start of the story, in the middle or at the end.
Here's the line of dialogue:
"Who would kill a swan?"
Here's the line of dialogue:
"Who would kill a swan?"
Week #115
Travel Journal - Day One
When my mother warned me about the evil in this world masquerading as men, about the silky-tongued insurance salesmen, the preachers with tattoos and those blue-eyed criminals with a sense of humour, she forgot to mention travel agents.
When my mother warned me about the evil in this world masquerading as men, about the silky-tongued insurance salesmen, the preachers with tattoos and those blue-eyed criminals with a sense of humour, she forgot to mention travel agents.
River of Stones - Jan 8th
The trudge through snow
gives way to the flight of ice skates
across the pond.
gives way to the flight of ice skates
across the pond.
River of Stones - Jan 7th
North wind in my face on the walk to the subway -
better than an alarm clock.
better than an alarm clock.
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