My New Word of the Day

As a writer, I'm often on the lookout for - or at least open to - language opportunities. New to me phrasing. Picking up a new word. Seeing or hearing what Jessica Morrell calls "firefly words" (or phrases). Catching a linguistic gem which crosses my visual or auditory path.

Today I received one of those in an email. And the email has nothing to do with writing or writers - except it was, obviously, written.

The email came from Chef Glenn of BackpackingChef.com. This is the place where I learned about making bark and other handy snacks in my dehydrator; no, I'm not planning a long backpacking trip where I need to be concerned about the weight of my body's fuel for the trek. But I do need some portable foods for those long days where I'd rather not have to go to a restaurant all the time or my schedule changes and I need food fuel on hand.

The word was right there, near the top of the email. Perfect. And, no, I don't really know how to say it. But here on the page you don't have to listen to my lack of accent mimicability!

Here it is - my new word, yes, it's German:

Naherholungsgebiet

... a natural or recreational area nearby where one can relax.

See? Isn't that a very good word for where I am? Perfect. Thank you, Chef Glenn - for your recipes and the word.

Lester's naherholungsgebiet is as close as the front porch.

Challenge : C is for Candle

There is no such thing as an artist: there is only the world lit or unlit as the light allows. When the candle is burning, who looks at the wick? When the candle is out, who needs it?

                                                     ~Annie Dillard

                 
On the first day of the A to Z Challenge, this quote showed up in my blog reader list, thanks to Jessica Morrell on her The Writing Life Too blog. I don't remember seeing that quote before but I knew I had to use it. I had to share it. And then I realized that I had to include it in this month's posts. I'd already posted my "A" word so I thought I might go with "D" for Dillard. But that didn't work for me, so I read it again and again and settled on "C."

So there it is.

Here it is.

C is for Candle. At this moment I'm stumped for what more to say because "who looks at the wick" and "when the candle is out, who needs it" are so clear nothing more is needed.

The idea of Candle being the source of "the world lit or unlit as the light allows" delights me.

I love candles. I like the soft light they put out, combined with the warmth and the pulsing glow. I don't use them much because, like so many other people, my life is busy and I rarely have time to sit and ponder the flame heating air, heating wax, light seeping into the surrounding room and let it wash over me in quiet contemplation. With all the hurrying I know I'd only blow it out in my wake or I'm afraid I'd get caught up in emails and phone calls and editing the story, texting a student, calling my partner, feeding the cat, exercising, doing laundry, getting ready for work, and - I'm afraid maybe I will leave the flame too long and that might not be a good thing.

To busy to sit in the comfy chair or on the couch or to soak in a cleansing bath with Candles.

But this quote. The candles. The flames. The world lit or unlit. Knowing that what's important isn't the wick.

*

Books. Workshops, and other Stuff for Writers

I started to write this post about Natalie Goldberg's newest book, which will be out in just a few days. I will still note that below, but other workshops and such have come up since I first started this, so it's become more of a few writerly things I heard about and want to pass along.

Later I will write more. For now, I'll just say that I'm still in editing phase of the memoir and exchanging work on a weekly basis with my Monday writing group; I've written a couple more blog posts for Portland Center Stage; I have ideas galore for more writing including a play. And I'm interpreting "Blood Knot" at Profile Theatre this Thursday with the fabulous Rich Hall, the Poetry Out Loud regional competition this Saturday with the fantabulous Steve Nail, and next Thursday am interpreting "The Whipping Man" at Portland Center Stage with a three-interpreter team including Rich Hall and the amazing Jayodin Mosher. So - I'm creatively busy and in a good flow. And did I say busy? So, for now, the things which have crossed my attention recently which could be of interest to writers!

Natalie Goldberg's newest book, The True Secret of Writing, will be available March 19th.

Lidia Yuknavitch is teaching an online class at LitReactor called, "Ecstatic States, Sex, Death & Memoir." This is sure to be a powerhouse master class and the number of participants is limited to twelve.

Ariel Gore has two offerings this spring: both her fantabulous 8-week Lit Star Training course, which starts March 16th, and her 12 assignments in 12 days intensive. Her courses are always helpful, inspiring, and the participants are great. The Lit Star Training may or may not still have a spot left, but check it out if you're interested; totally worth it!

The Wild Mountain Memoir Retreat. Ariel Gore is one of the teachers at this retreat, which takes place March 15 - 17 in Washington's Cascade Mountains. (If I wasn't going to be interpreting poetry that weekend, I would probably make this trip; being in a nature setting, writing, perfect!) Click on the link to get more details.

The Summer in Words Writing Conference, put on by Jessica Morrell has a great lineup. It will take place June 21 - 23 in Cannon Beach, an even more perfect setting for writing - the Oregon coast.

*

Advice : from Jess Walter

Thank you to Jessica Morrell for posting this on her site, The Writing Life Too. I needed to hear this today. And I want to share it.

Yes. I needed this. And will need it again because I will forget again, and climb into my head.

 "Be patient. Be bold. Be humble. Be confident. Don’t give in to the speed and surface banality of the culture. Don’t give in to jealousy, commerce, or fear. Do charity work, or coach kids, or be a Big Brother or Sister, or something. Whatever it takes to get out of your own head and avoid authorial narcissism. And whatever you do, don’t ever take advice from authors."                            Jess Walter: How I Write

*

Renewed

*
The decision to get up early on a Saturday morning to attend the "Making it in Changing Times" one-day writing conference was worth it. It was a day filled with books and writing and inspiring and knowledgable speakers. And food. As we were reminded several times, there's lots more food left, eat more.

But it was the people who made the day. The "writers' tribe" as Jessica Morrell called it - yes, these were my people even though I only knew two others and knew of (had met, have read their work) the speakers: Jessica Morrell (who put this conference together), Lidia Yuknavitch, Polly Campbell, Deborah Reed, and Kevin Sampsell.

And thanks to Wallace Books, my bag was a little heavier as I left the building and was walking back to my car, thinking, Why is this bag heavier now than when I went in - I drank my coffee and the bottle of water? Oh - books.  I didn't buy all of the books I wanted today, but I bought several.

Jessica is an entertaining and straightforward writer and editor, who had much to say. I've heard her speak before at the Willamette Writers Conferences. And I'll hear her again. I'm hoping that the next time she offers Line by Line I'll be able to take it; and if not the next time, then the time after that.

Lidia was, not surprisingly, powerful. The is entertaining and puts it all out there. She is the badass for sure. And inspiring. I'd also love to do a class or workshop with her. One in person, rather than online. She had a lot of really good things to say.

They were all good.

I'm still absorbing information from the day and may post some favorite quotes later. But not now.

And it did inspire me. It took a little bit of down time, and dinner. And watching another episode of my current streaming Netflix TV program. And then I dove into revising my current WIP.

And I mean I really dove in. I have been working on this for a while and the revision stage is slow and sometimes difficult and sometimes overwhelming. But I'm doing it. In this current set of chapters I'm revising for the Monday writing group there is one particularly rough to edit chapter. It was written early in this process and it shows. It was written with a workshop prompt in mind, and that shows, too. So I have to take out those obvious assignment elements. I had to clean up the awkward language - actually clean up the voice which no longer fits with how my writing has evolved and the voice of this WIP has evolved.

I also cut some monumental chunks. Nearly one entire page and several entire paragraphs. And I rewrote several paragraphs as well. It needed it - they weren't frivolous or temperamental cuts; they were necessary.

I made progress. Significant progress. And it felt good.

Thank you, Jessical Morrell for a well-spent and inspiring day.

Thank you to all of the speakers - I enjoyed them all. But a special thanks to Lidia and her idea that "the page will hold you (when you write your truth)" and to identify one risk we can take in our writing today; her talk on The Worth of Risk.
*

Mecca, James Beard, "Making it in Tough Times"

*
I should be in bed right now. I will go to bed in a few minutes, as soon as I finish writing this and send it out into the world.

Really. I will. I have to get up very early tomorrow. Remember that time is relative. For someone who works until past midnight several days a week and goes to plays on other nights of the week, getting up at 7:00 AM is very early, indeed. Not so for my running and mountain climbing friends, I know.

But what's up with the title of this piece? It's my creative live over the past couple of weeks.

Last week I interpreted "The Road to Mecca" by Athol Fugard at Profile Theatre. And it was wonderful. The play is beautifully staged and acted and directed. The story well told. And my team interpreter was awesome to work with. And I feel we did well. I also had the opportunity to see someone I haven't seen for a few years who attended the performance - himself a playwrite, author, sign coach, and more.

Last night I interpreted "I Love to Eat" by James Still at Portland Center Stage. That is also well staged, the actor does a marvelous job of being James Beard, and it is a fun show. I would have loved to have had a larger Deaf audience - but those who were there for the interpreted performance were awesome. And I was prepared for that play and I had fun doing it.

Then tomorrow, yes. The reason I'm getting up early is because I'm going to a one-day writing conference put on by author and editor Jessica Morrell : "Making it in Tough Times." There is a great lineup of presenters throughout the day, promised writing time and "instant feedback" (optional). I am very much looking forward to tomorrow. Early, but worth it. Tomorrow will be a day of creativity coming in and I am looking forward to it. One friend from out of town is spending the night because she's going to the conference, too. And one of the Monday writers is going, as well.

This is a good time. It's been a little busier than I like for the past three weeks - but for good reason. The next month my schedule slows and I will take the time to enjoy it before the onslaught of March and another round of creative output for two theatrical performances and poetry competition.

And my editing of the book continues, as does the feedback from and to my Monday writing group. That is going really well. I still have some edits to finish for this week's submission to the group, but I did finish up this week's feedback for the other writers.

Yes - Mecca, Beard, Making It. Thank you universe for these inspiring and pleasant experiences.

For now, good night. And may sleep come quickly!
*

One-Day Writing Conference in Portland on 1/26/13

*
I have been looking forward to this conference. I've held the day in my schedule even before I didn't have all of the details. The only thing I knew was that it is put on my Jessica Morrell, a local author and editor whose workshops I've attended a couple of times at Willamette Writers Conferences. (She has another workshop I'm looking forward to being able to take someday when my schedule doesn't conflict with when it is scheduled; still keeping my eyes on when the next session for that editing workshop.) I also knew that Lidia Yuknavitch was the keynote speaker.

But that was all I knew.

I received the information today and - wow - I am going. Just waiting for the final registration instructions and how to pay and I will be there.

Click on the Workshops/Classes page above to see the schedule and more information.

This looks so good that I know I made the right decision a couple of months ago to hold the date.

*

Making it in Changing Times

A One-Day Writing Conference

January 26^th, Portland, Oregon

The accelerating change and innovation in the publishing industry today is dizzying, and the pace can be overwhelming. But this change/forward/fast environment is also ripe with opportunity for those who embrace it and learn to adapt and innovate. Find answers and valuable insights at a practical, one-day conference filled with just the information that you need to propel your writing career to the next level and muscle your way to publication.  

Times: 8:30-5:30

Location: Tabor Space, 5441 S.E. Belmont, Portland, Oregon

Keynote by Lidia Yuknavitch The Worth of Risk.

Workshops: 
An Editor’s Wish List, Jessica Morrell 
Kick Start Your Writing in 2013, Gigi Rosenberg
10 Signs You’re Telling, not Showing, Jessica Morrell;
Unraveling the World of Amazon Publishing, Deborah Reed
Immersed in Books: Building Your Literary Life Kevin Sampsell

Q & A: Risk It To Get Published with Jessica Morrell, Deborah Reed, Kevin Sampsell

View the full schedule at: http://jessicamorrell.com/?page_id=45

 Cost: $99 includes continental breakfast and lunch(Refund given in case of cancellation due to weather) 

(For registration information, see the Workshops/Classes page above; or go to Jessica's website by following the schedule link.)

"You don't want to miss this event. Seriously."

*

Radical Writing Advice

*
I have stacks and shelves and magazines and files and, now, e-documents (books, articles, links, bookmarks, blogs, quotes) of advice for writers. I've been to some writers' conferences and writing workshops and have been (still am) in writing groups. My first Associate's degree was Liberal Studies with a focus in Journalism/English. My second two-year degree was in Sign Language Interpreting - so it doesn't really relate to writing; well, maybe it does if you look at it as a communications and linguistic degree. Then I went for a BS (I love that!) degree in Liberal Studies, with emphasis in Writing and Theater. I've written for newsletters, edited newsletters, had some poetry published, a few short stories and essays, and some flash fiction - including an ultimate short fiction of only 50 words. I also have a creative nonfiction/memoir in revision and a novel in revision.

My point is, I have many resources, education, and experience in writing. In what it takes to be a writer.

So I can say with confidence that I do have advice for other writers.

Right now, if you only listen to me about one thing, listen to this:

Find what works for You.

That's it.

I have read articles and listened to successful authors tell me that I must write daily and blog frequently in order to be successful. I've been told that writing is a solitary act and one must have expansive time alone in order to write. I've been told that a real author's books are picked up by agents who convince publishers to print them. I've been told that setting aside specific writing time is the way to go and daily writing becomes dry and habitual, uninspired. I recently have been reading that frequent blogging is not a good idea; it overwhelms or saturates your audience : slow day, pace it, spread it out. I've read or heard that writing in community is the most beneficial; keeps the words alive.

Finish the book before you pitch. Only finish the first few chapters before you pitch, don't waste your time. Contact an agent with a proposal, then write the article. Only send queries on what you know. Query about things you're interested in but don't necessarily know a lot about, but can research.

Write what you know. Don't reveal too much about yourself. Be honest. Don't lie. Make it up if you have to. Tell the truth. Fictionalize to make it engaging.

I am not saying there isn't good advice out there. There is. And there is a lot of it. What I am saying is that there is a lot of conflicting advice out there.

If you want to get published by one of the Big Six (or however many are left now), then look into what they require. Who has the connections to get you into their doors. And do it.

If you want to write memoir: read a few. See who you like. And by "like" I don't mean just to click "like" in Google+ or on Facebook or whatever social networking tools/sites you use. I mean to check out some styles of writing, content in their stories, read their articles or blogs. Read what they do and read others who read or follow them. Where do they publish? Who works with them? Read what those authors say about writing memoir.

If you are more into small presses, read some. Find an independent bookstore or a local coffee shop with zines and related material. What is there? Who publishes it? Where are they? Read them. Read about them.

If you want to do freelance writing, poke around in different publications you're interested in writing for or which you read regularly or support. Who is writing for them? What do they have to say about publication as a freelance writer? Where are their blogs or books of syndicated articles?

Find what you like. Read it. Read about it. Read about who writes it. Read the writing of those who write it or publish it or represent it.

I believe that this is how you will be a successful writer. You are your best tool. If you need to polish up your grammar, do it. If you need to enlarge your vocabulary, register for a class or find language partners and work together. If you want to write a mystery about the desert but you live where it's cloudy + rainy + green 350 days of the year, take a couple weeks off or 5 days and take a trip; experience the dry the heat the golden landscape. If you want to be indie published, find the zines and the books and read them, find the authors, look at the variety of publications. If you like to write rants and raves and vent your opinion, find bloggers with similar styles; subscribe to them; read them; contact them.

If you try to mimic someone who is not like you, it may fail. It will probably be hard. Part of you may rebel and you won't enjoy it and you may quit.

Don't quit. Look at your options. Have a sit-down meeting with yourself to see what is in your heart. Do that. Follow your heart. You writer's heart.

Trust your writer's heart.

If you're the next Stephen King, then read what he has to say about writing. I am not the next Stephen King, but I do recommend his book, "On Writing." It is one of my all-time favorite books on writing.

If your writing style is like Ariel Gore, the ultimate hip mama rebel writer, then read her book "How to be a Famous Writer Before You're Dead." Again, I recommend reading it anyway, for pretty much anyone. Definitely recommend to the indie-leaning writer. And you can check out her Literary Kitchen class offerings: online and in person.

More spiritual or zen-like? Try Natalie Goldberg or Dosho Port. Definitely listen to "Zen Howl," which is only available on CD and is by both Natalie Goldberg and Dosho Port. For general spiritual writing in the Buddhist direction, read some Pema Chodron. Or read that just to help calm and give perspective on life.

Speaking of Zen, I recently read Dinty Moore's new book, "The Mindful Writer." Great nuggets of useful information, insight in there.

A poet? Try Judith Barrington, who also has a book on writing memoir.

Spoken word? Look up Queen Juliana, Juliana Luecking. She's in New York and has some great videos up on YouTube and Vimeo and some pieces on CD.

Looking for some editing and publication preparation information? I recommend Jessica Page Morrell. She has some great books and a blog. And she presents workshops.

Bonnie Hearn Hill (who has a great YA series, StarCrossed, as well as numerous mysteries worth reading) has books on a number of writing issues and recently co-authored a book on e-publishing, which can be found for the Kindle or cloud reading on Amazon.

I could give you a long list. But why? Look around at who you like. Who speaks to you as a reader. Read them. Read what they say about writing. Read what others say about them. Read editors, agents. Find their blogs. Find small presses blogs and websites. Take a class on letterpress (IPRC if you're local has some great classes and an certificate program with a fast approaching deadline) or publishing software.

Look around.

Find what you like.

Look inward.

Find what you like.

And do it.

Again, one simple rule:

Find what works for You.

*

quote

(Very odd - the quote disappeared in the posting process. Take two with fingers crossed!)

"Learn how to meditate on paper. Drawing and writing are forms of meditation. Learn how to contemplate works of art. Learn how to pray in the streets or in the country. Know how to meditate not only when you have a book in your hand but when you are waiting for a bus or riding in a train." ~ Thomas Merton

Thank you, Jessica Page Morrell for the quote at The Writing Life Too.
.

Upcoming Writerly Things To Do

I'm noticing many local creative and writing opportunities coming soon. The following are just a few. This is not an exclusive list - but a list of events which have caught my attention. I could tell you why this one or not that one - but I won't.

A few upcoming things you may like if you're local at the time they're happening.

Most of them, I won't be able to make due to work or theatrical commitments. But these are worth a mention and attendance if you can!

Enjoy.

"Poetry Reading with a band of stars!"

from Write In Portland

Join Annie Bloom's Presents for a poetry reading featuring:

*Ursula Le Guin, Molly Gloss, Noel Handlon, Bette Husted, Barbara Drake, Kari Easton and Caroline Le Guin

Annie Bloom's Books! 7pm on Thursday, February 16th.

7834 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR (503) 246-0053

FREE

Summer in Words 2012

from Jessica Page Morrell at  The Writing Life Too

Folks, I'm finalizing (drum roll) the schedule for the 5th annual  Summer in Words 2012, but just wanted to let you know that the funny, smart, amazing and bestselling author Chelsea Cain will be our Keynote speaker. More to come as things shake down. Registration will open in March.

Dates are June 15-17.

Your workshop time will be spent at the Hallmark Inn & Resort, overlooking Haystack Rock and the wide, wide Pacific. You can book your room now at a reduced rate. Nearby in Cannon Beach you'll find great places to explore and wide beaches to stroll along.

This year's theme: Refinement, Resonance, & Resolve

Immerse yourself in a focused, intensive and exhilarating writing venture this summer. Well, it will be almost summer. Join us and experience the power of words.  Summer in Words will improve your writing and outlook. Really.  

Click on over to the The Writing Life Too for more information and how to contact Jessica to get more information as it becomes available.

     

Write Around Portland offers a unique generative workshop called Prompt designed for writers and aspiring writers in the greater Portland area who want to participate in a Write Around workshop and support the communities we traditionally serve who might not otherwise have access to writing and community.

Based on the acclaimed Write Around Portland model, this dynamic workshop incorporates many of our favorite writing exercises designed to inspire the writing life, including freewriting; work with writing elements; strength-building feedback and early-draft revision. The workshop caps off with a community broadside.

2012 Sessions:
Prompt #1: Ten Mondays, February 27-April 30, 6:30-8:30pm - Spaces filling fast!
Prompt #2: Ten Thursdays, April 26- June 28, 6:30-8:30pm
(...three more sessions on the website)

Location: Powell’s City of Books
1005 W. Burnside, downtown Portland

Go to the Write Around Portland (prompt) webpage for other dates and more information.

3rd Thursday & Last Sunday
Write Around Portland 

Writing Workshops at HOTLIPS Pizza

2211 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR

Join Write Around Portland and HOTLIPS Pizza to experience the transformative power of writing in community. These workshops are perfect for the new and seasoned writer. Start your day with pastries provided by Grand Central Baking, coffee, tea and the written word. Attend one, attend them all.

Thursday Workshops, 9am - 11am:
2012: Feb 16, Mar 16, April 19, May 17, (no Thurs workshop in June), July 19, Aug 16, Sept 20, Oct 18, Nov 15, Dec 20

Sunday Workshops, 10am - Noon:
2012: Feb 26, Mar 26, April 29, June 24, July 29, Aug 26, Sept 30, Oct 28 (No Sunday workshops in May, Nov or Dec.)

More information on the Workshops and Events page at Write Around Portland.

SongStory

125 NW 5th Street, Portland OR

Wednesday 7 March 2012 7:00 pm

In conjunction with March Music Moderne, SongStory is a night of stories and essays about music.

In the lineup:

LIDIA YUKNAVITCH, whose memoir The Chronology of Water is a finalist for the Oregon Book Award,

KEVIN SAMPSELL, publisher of Future Tense Books and author of, among other things, A Common Pornography and Creamy Bullets,

COURTENAY HAMEISTER, essayist, filmmaker and head writer / host of Live Wire Radio,

VANESSA VESELKA, writer and musician, best known in literary circles for her novel Zazen,

BRAD ROSEN, writer and drummer recently published in The Frozen Moment,

GIGI LITTLE, whose work has appeared in Portland Noir, The Pacific Northwest Reader and lit magazines.

With special guest CYMBALMAN
*
MARCH MUSIC MODERNE is a month-long Portland music festival. Check out the myriad musical events at: http://www.marchmusicmoderne.org/

Quote: If You're Serious About Writing

photo from The Memoir Writing Club

.
"I believe that – if you are serious about a life of writing, or indeed about any creative form of expression – that you should take on this work like a holy calling. I became a writer the way other people become monks or nuns. I made a vow to writing, very young. I became Bride-of-Writing. I was writing’s most devotional handmaiden. I built my entire life around writing. I didn’t know how else to do this. I didn’t know anyone who had ever become a writer. I had no, as they say, connections. I had no clues. I just began."

~ Elizabeth Gilbert

Thank you, Jessica Morrell, for sharing this quote on The Writing Life Too.
.

Mini Writing Conference in Portland, Oregon

Making It in Tough & Changing Times

A Mini Writing Conference

January 28, 2012

At last, a practical one-day conference crammed with just the information that you need to propel your writing career to the next level and muscle your way to submission. We’ll cover everything from creating potent sentences and writing irresistible query letters that capture attention, to writing killer openers and making a living in a media-saturated world.

Time: 8:30-5:30

Cost: $99 Includes Continental breakfast, catered lunch, workshops and keynote address by author Christina Katz.

Location: Tabor Space, 5441 S.E. Belmont, Portland, OR

Keynote by Christina Katz The Prosperous Writer: Tips For Navigating The Gig Economy


Workshops: One Strong Sentence After Another, Monica Drake; Killer Openers, Jessica Morrell; Anatomy of a Scene, Jessica Morrell; Paring it Down to the Truth, Emily Whitman; What Editors Want, Adam O’Connor Rodriguez.

Panel/Q & A: Risk It To Get Published with Christina Katz, Jessica Morrell, and Adam O’Connor Rodriguez

Click on through to Jessical Morrell's website for all the conference schedule and details, as well as registration information.

Unfortunately, I just scheduled some work that day so I won't be there. Drats. I would if I could!
.

Stolen From Jessica Morrell (wth permission)

posted at The Writing Life Too

Steal This List

Writing Advice that Saves You Five Years (from the Glimmertrain bulletin)By Janis Hubschman

A writer friend recently heard Colum McCann say he likes to give his students the kind of advice that will save them five years. As a fiction writer, I'm always struggling to figure out the rules, the most economical way to go about writing and revision. I have, in fact become a collector of "ten things you should remember" lists. I recommend Elmore Leonard's famous "Ten Rules of Writing," Laura Miller's "A Reader's Advice to Writers," and the Guardian's "Ten Rules for Writing Fiction." But here are the ten craft techniques, gathered from my notebooks, that have been most helpful to me. Many of them, I notice, address characterization, the element of craft that I most enjoy exploring. They've saved me a few hours of frustration, if not years.

1. When the story stalls, ask: what is the character thinking now? Is she thinking anything? If not, why not? Characters need to learn something about themselves, about their values and assumptions.
2. Characters reveal themselves under stress. Raise the stakes. Drive the character into a tight spot. What are the psychological crutches the character relies on under pressure?
3. Readers like to learn about something when they read. The details of an unusual job or hobby, the day-to-day activities of a particular place at a particular time in history, for example, draw the reader in.
4. Trust the reader. Remember Hemingway's iceberg theory: "you could omit anything if you knew you omitted it and the omitted part would strengthen the story and make people feel something more than they understood."
5. Take apart successful published stories (or the stories of writers you admire) to see how they work.
6. Give the character something to do in the scene. It brings the character and the scene to life. A character soaking in the bathtub, thinking about her rotten marriage is boring. A character performing brain surgery, thinking about her rotten marriage is a different proposition.
7. To gain insight into a character, consider her history: Think about what happened before the story, what tortuous path led the character to this particular moment?
8. Allow the character to misinterpret another character's words or actions. In life, we often misread a situation, jump to conclusions. Interesting things can happen when characters make presumptions or project their own hang-ups onto others.
9. Let the characters connect with others. Alienated characters, the whiney and self-absorbed protagonists that blame everyone else for their predicament have lots of precedent in literature, but can hold readers at a remove.
10. Build tension by slowing down a scene. Let the scene unfold moment by moment. Linger on the details. Build silences into the dialogue

Although saving time is the point of the list, an argument can be made for the value of all those hours we spend working through problems in our fiction. Remember Malcolm Gladwell's ten years or 10,000-Hours Rule for realizing success. While there's no guarantee that ten years will produce achievement, sustained effort and sometimes tedious application is necessary. For example, I revised the story that won Glimmer Train's Open Fiction contest numerous times over a four-year period. However, the story and the protagonist really started to reveal themselves to me in the final drafts when I focused on techniques #1, #3, and #6. So, in the interest of saving a few years, you might consider stealing this list.

NaNoDetour: Writing as a Process of Negotiation

.

graphic from Punkt Int'l



Thank you, Jessica Page Morrell, for posting this quote.



Writers, I think this goes with the advice to "kill your darlings."



"Arguing with editors about punctuation and the minutiae of your writing will not win you any fans. If you honestly believe not a single word can be touched because your manuscript is somehow holy, then we don't want to work with you. Neither will most other publishers. Writing is a process of negotiation (picking the right words, conveying the right meaning, changing the words where the meaning isn't clear) not divine inspiration. You are not a prophet." ~ Adam Lowe

.

Ideas for Writers from Jessica Morrell

There are some excellent ideas for writers from Jessica Page Morrell over at The Writing Life Too.

Another Ariel Gore Wayward Writers session ends, followed by a brief break until the winter session begins on November 5th. During that time, NaNoWriMo 2011 will begin.

And I wait to hear about the Graywolf contest. And my memoir is in an editor's hands. And I'm falling a little behind on my daily output.

So I found Jessica's suggestions timely.

And definitely worth sharing.

Here are a few of the highlights, or topics -- and I'll leave it to you to click on over and read the rest of what she has to say.

If you're struggling with creating a writing routine that you can stick with, then try a blitz day once a week when you write your butt off….

Build your vocabulary: Words are your tools and if your toolbox is dinky your reader becomes bored. 

Become Limber:...
Murder your darlings:...
Paint word pictures: ...

Share your Truth: The place to begin writing is from your own truth. This is a variation of the advice to write about what you know, and it’s good advice because it works. If you write about who you really are, about your pains, embarrassments, loss and grief, your  words are bound to ring with authenticity..... 

.... 

And more. Check out the rest of what she has to say. I'm pretty sure there is something there which will spark your writing!
.

Another Reason to Follow Your Heart

I've been a little busy and realize I missed posting a Razor's Edge. And when I checked in here I see it has been a week tomorrow since I posted anything.

Too long.

And I have all the edits written for the memoir and am in the process of getting them into the electronic version because they're all written by hand. For a variety of reasons, that's how it's gone - and it's a good thing - but it's taking a little longer than I projected to get all of the edits in place. Coupled with computer issues, it's been really too long. But there it is. And I wrote an entirely new story, unrelated to the memoir for my Wayward Writers assignment last week. (Truthfully, it could go into the memoir with some additions and edits - but it won't. At least not for now. But it wasn't from the memoir.)

And PICA's TBA11 started and I've been hanging out at dance and music and theatrical performances whenever I can (which is one reason some edits are written by hand - when I was in line for a performance).

And work - busy and with many attached non-billable hours for many things I'm doing. Which is fine - those hours are for causes I believe in and worth it for the community and for my spirit.

So - too long since I've posted. Focusing inward on the memoir and all that it takes to get that written - emotionally and spiritually and even physically. And focusing on exciting new theatrical projects. Not excuses - but reasons and acknowledging that I have been absent from posts.

Today there was a quote that struck me in a post from Jessica Morrell's blog, which I wanted to share. And here I am, having written a post for today. Writing begets writing!

The quote - and thank you, Jessica!

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. — Steve Jobs

.

Quote of the Day via Jessica Morrell

This appeared on Jessical Morrel's blog, The Writing Life Too and it is too good to not share.

"We must stay drunk on writing so reality does not destroy us."

Ray Bradbury

.

Quote via Jessica Morrell

This came up in my reader today from Jessica Morrell's blog, The Writing Life Too:

"At least twice a week, I pause in the rush of work and have a meeting with myself. (If I were part of a team, I’d call a team meeting.) I ask myself, again, of the project: “What is this damn thing about?” Keep refining your understanding of the theme; keep narrowing it down." ~Steven Pressfield (Do the Work)

Thank you.

Yes, think I'll call a meeting with myself.
.

Writing the Hard Stuff

Friday night I was out with a couple of writing friends for dinner and the live taping of Live Wire - which included an appearance by Anne Lamott, as well as another writer whose name I need to look up, some awesome musicians - including Holcomb Waller, director Todd Haynes, and more.

Over dinner we had a discussion about writing things that are hard. This didn't necessarily mean hard for us (though that was a part of the discussion, too) - but writing about things that may be hard for others to read or that someone may not like. We're talking about memoir. So the "hard to hear/read" and the "may not like" concern actual people and have potential ramifications.

Then at The Writing Life Too, musings and gatherings Jessica Page Morrell, there appeared this wonderful interview with author Lidia Yukanvitch about her memoir. I definitely want to read the memoir. And I like what Lidia had to say.

Here is one section that stands out for me. Click on the link below it to read the full interview.

But it’s just a veil we throw up when we say we can’t write stories because of how this or that person will react. It’s a safety veil. The reason to lift the veil and move through to your story has almost nothing to do with how the people in your life will react. You can’t control that. Ever. The reason to lift the veil is to step with your full self into your own story.


If other people find difficulty with your story, hey, they can write their own stories.

But I did list some good strategies: contact people you are worried about, change names if you must, use a composite if you can skillfully render events without distorting their truth, and this: trust art.

Full interview: Lidia Yuknavitch's The Chronology of Water
.

workshops: Ariel Gore; Jessica Morrell

*
True Tales & Likely Stories
Weekend Writing Intensives with Ariel Gore

December 17 – 20 in Santa Fe, New Mexico
January 7 – 9 in Portland, Oregon

Jump-start your writing life, get feedback on stories you’ve been working on, breathe new energy into a project, or just explore the memoir possibilities. This weekend intensive is appropriate for new and seasoned writers interested in fashioning stories from real life. Writers will receive an assignment via email one week before the workshop begins. We’ll spend these inspiring days workshopping stories and generating new material.

Click here for registration information and more details.

*
Lit Star Training
with Ariel Gore

New Online Class Starts In January, 2011

A new session of Lit Star Training, the online writing workshop, starts January 8th. The session runs 8 weeks — January 8 – March 5 — and costs the usual $275.

Click here to make a deposit, which reserves your spot, and to read testimonials. *These fill up fast!*

*

The Final Edit Workshop
Taught by Jessica Morrell

November 20, 2010
Location: Room 207, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR
Times: 10:-5:00 Cost: $75

First comes the blank page and how to fill it, then comes the written page and how to fix it. Most often it is while revising that the real writing is accomplished. This workshop offers suggestions on how to be your own editor, with a special focus on readying a memoir or fiction manuscript for submission.

We’ll cover the three stages of revision: First Revision: Looking at the big picture and analyzing the overall coherence, structure, pacing, theme, and plausibility. This is where you question if you’ve written mostly in scenes, if the scenes are needed and if they’re in the correct order. Second revision: The aim of a second pass-through is to make the story seamless and to fine tune individual scenes and the ending and to track character development and arc. Final Revision: This is where you think like a copy editor and correct language, style, dialogue, and hone in on details. This draft is also for making certain that there is enough tension throughout. Additional topics include: pacing, middles, reversals, and plot points. We’ll discuss what editors notice and reject in manuscripts. Generous handouts will be provided including checklists for revision. The workshop will be geared to the specific needs of the group, so participants are encouraged to submit questions beforehand and bring along the first pages of a novel or memoir and synopsis for feedback from the group. Additional topics will be covered.

To reserve your place: Please send a check for $ 75 to Jessica Morrell, P.O. Box 820141, Portland, OR 97282-1141. A confirmation e-mail will be sent so please include email address and phone number. For more information: contact Jessica at jessicapage@spiritone.com or phone 503-287-2150

.