Writers and Change

The last Christmas story has been left up longer than I expected due to unforeseen circumstances. Nevertheless, it has received a huge number of readers, and for that, I am grateful. 

Christmas is behind us, and the New Year is creeping up. People make resolutions that they break in mere weeks. Writers set goals that end up forgotten, just like those resolutions. It's the human in us that makes it happen all too often.

For writers, I think the end of the year is a good time to make an assessment of your writing world. Ask yourself questions like these:

A. How often did I submit my work for publication?

B.  Did I set aside writing time on a regular basis?

C.  Did I act on the story ideas that swirled in my mind?

D.  Did I have any of my work published in 2024?

E.  Did I attend any writing workshops this year?

F.  How many books on writing did I read this year?

G.  How many first drafts are still in my files?

H.  Am I still passionate about writing?

I.  Am I discouraged about my writing world?

J.  Did I make any money from my writing this year? If so, how much?

In other words, take a good look at your writing life over this past year of 2024. Do this before you make some goals for 2025. Consider the things you did right, and also those that you might improve on this next year. Be honest in your assessment. Nobody knows the answers but you, so tell it like it is.

If there are some things that you can change, make it a point to work towards doing so. As the poster tells us, it can be the small things you decide on or change that can have great bearing on your writing world. 

 

Ready, Set, Write!

 

Neil Gaiman gives two opinions on how to write. Just sit down and put one word after another until it's done. Then he qualifies it by saying 'It's that easy, and that hard.' Anyone who's tried it will nod their head in agreement. 

What do you need to do to put that great idea that's been swirling in your head into the printed word on your computer or by hand in a notebook?

You need to stop merely thinking about writing and actually engage your mind and fingers to putting words, one after the other in a printed form. We all procrastinate now and then. Partly because we worry that if we actually write something, it might be a bunch of drivel. Your subconscious tells you that you needn't be concerned if you don't actually write. A cop-out? Yep!

You should set aside time to write. If you're a professional writer, you have a set amount of time to write almost every day. If you're a hobbyist writer, or a part-time scribe, you need to work out a schedule so that each day includes some writing time. 30 minutes, an hour, 2 hours--whatever you can manage in your life. The key is to be consistent as much as you can. There are always going to be interferences, but if you promise yourself to write a certain amount each day, stick to it as much as possible. If you do, you'll create a habit. 

There will always going to be little problems with whatever you write. This part of the story didn't work out like you planned. Another part ended up too sappy. Yet another lacked life. Don't worry about that when you start a new writing project. Keep writing--putting one word after another--until you complete a first draft. Finishing a first draft gives you a sense of accomplishment, even though you know you have more to do.

That 'more' includes setting the first draft aside for several days, then bringing it out and starting the editing and revision process. You might need to continue this process two or three times until you feel satisfied. 

Next, it's time to look for a market that your story might fit. Matching story to markets is not an easy task. It can sometimes become a guessing game. Some are obviously not the correct market for your story, so are easily eliminated. Others are definte while still more are 'maybe' kind of markets. That easy and that hard? Yes!

Submitting what you have written is a part of the writing life, too. An important part if you want to be published. Sometimes you're successful and many times, you aren't. All part of the process.

It appears writing is a mixed bag of easy and hard. If you have a passion for putting words together that people will want to read, it's a little easier. That passion can drive you to keep writing. If you're so-so about wanting to be a writer, you're probably going to find lots of excuses why you aren't going to actually string words together but only think about them. 

Once again, it's up to you! 

Dump Many 'That' Words When You Write

 

Do I need all these words?

This morning, I received a critique for a short piece I'd subbed to my online writing group. The person who sent me her thoughts and suggestions had some nice things to say, and she also pointed out some places where I might change words. More than once, she marked the word 'that' and suggested it be deleted.

I should have smacked myself in the head, because using an unnecessary word like 'that' is a mistake I should not have made. I've written about it more than once on this blog. It shows that even a seasoned writer can make mechanical errors and not even be cognizant of the common mistake. 

Yes, it is a common mistake to add words to a sentence that don't add a thing and are no loss when deleted. Several common words end up in that category. They're added fluff. A few of them are:  very, that, really, rather, quite, somehow. Those words take up space and add no extra meaning to the sentence. There are many others. Use a search engine to find full articles on this topic.

Today, I am focusing on the unnecessary word 'that.' Two examples from the short piece I subbed are below. 

     ....so close to the tracks that we could look in the windows. 

    ...so close to the tracks we could look in the windows.  Nothing is lost by removing 'that'

    ...I quickly learned that I was not  to touch...

    ---I quickly learend I was not to touch...  Nothing lost by removing 'that'

  Concentrate on removing the word 'that' when it adds nothing to your sentence. Instead of trying to keep an entire list of words in your mind, stay with this one for a while. If you have a habit of inserting this unnecessary word, it could be easier to break yourself than if you attempt to keep track of a list of words.

Are there times when you do need the word 'that?' Yes. If you write 'That blue car ran a stoplight.' the word 'that' is necessary. It's descriptive. Don't go through a story or essay you wrote and slash every 'that' word you see. Some of them work quite well. 

Losing this unnecessary word when you write is not crucial to selling your work to an editor, but it may help. An editor might take notice if you make this mistake numerous times. Small errors throughout add up.

Shrove Tuesday Celebrations

 

Today is the day before the Lenten season begins for Christians. Known as Shrove Tuesday, and sometimes Fat Tuesday, the day is full of merriment and festive happenings, as well as lots of eating. When we have special days like this, writers need to focus on how they can use the events of the day in their writing. 

Perhaps an article on the history of the Mardi Gras festivites in New Orleans and other southern cities. Or why women in Liberal Kansas run down the street flipping a pancake in a frying pan. Articles like this can work in a children's magazine or one for adults. Any such article would need to be submitted several months earlier. Write it now while these events are happening and save it to submit a few months down the line. 

Mardi Gras is a well known event. A huge, gala celebration with parades, costumes, food, drinks, more food and music. And huge crowds. This Fat Tuesday party began as a way to enjoy all the foods and drinks we love before the fasting period of Lent. Not a full blown fast, of course, but people gave up eating and drinking things they loved. So, on the day before Ash Wednesday (tomorrow), they feasted royally. 

A lesser known event takes place in two cities in the world. One is Liberal, Kansas and the other is Olney, England. Several women in each town compete in a Pancake Race. The competitors run 415 yards down a main street of each town while flipping a pancake in a frying pan. This race has gone on for 70 years with Liberal winning 40 times and Olney 30. The race has grown over the years as other events have been added to the day. Pancake Feeds, for sure and other things the townspeople can enjoy. Who will win this year? We won't know until later in the day. Newspapers and magazines have published stories on this annual race. Did you ever try running while flipping a pancake in a pan? I'm not sure I could do it standing still! 

When special days like this one come along, take advantage of them and write something--a poem, a story, a personal essay, a factual article. 

Writing Goals for 2023--Are You Keeping Them?

 

We're six plus weeks into 2023. At the beginning of the new year, I wrote a post about setting goals in your writing life. Some of people who read it decided to set some writing goals for the next twelve months. How many have kept working towards them, and how many have already discarded or ignored them? Some of each, I'm sure.

This morning, I read a daily devotion booklet that has very short devotions. Part of it hit home with the thought of setting and keeping goals. The author wrote the following:

"We have good intentions, but then we hit a barrier. Fear, doubt, greed, laziness, or lack of motivation, and we realize the old ways are the old ways because we have embraced them day after day."

Yes, we do have good intentions of working towards those goals we set. Then, some of those ingredients listed above prove to be road blocks. Fear, doubt, greed, laziness, and lack of motivation. Whew! That's quite a list. How easy it is to 'embrace' them day after day. 

Whenever we set goals in our writing life, we definitely have good intentions. Why, then, do we allow those barriers to keep us from achieving what we hoped to? We have to be made of stern stuff to surmount all those problems, but it can be done. Working to get rid of those blocks is not an easy task.

I know that setting too many goals at one time can be defeating. How in the world can we keep up with all those worthy intentions? One thing that might be a factor is that we don't make those goals with real determination. Our passion for writing doesn't shine through. Goal setting is serious business.

We also find those deterrents mentioned above, like fear, doubt, greed, laziness, and lack of motivation, to defeat us on our road to achieving our goals. I've suggested in other posts that you make a list of the goals you set and post it somewhere in the area where you usually write. Seeing them on a daily basis might act as motivation. Not every day, but many days. Out of sight, out of mind--that may be a cliche, but it works here. 

How about revisiting those goals you set? Or, if you never got around to making any goals in your writing life for this year, it's not too late. There's a great deal of 2023 left. 

Goal making and goal keeping are two different paths. Let's try to make those paths meet like a fork in the road. 

Write to Preserve Memories

 

Well-known author, Isabel Allende, says 'Write what should not be forgotten.' Six words that give sound advice. 

How many times have you seen something or been somewhere that especially impressed you and thought 'I need to write about this.' and then never followed up later? It's a common mistake many writers make. Thinking about writing and actually doing it can be two different things. 

Have you ever been a witness to a conversation that made you stop and listen? Eavesdropping? It's not such a bad thing when writers do it. It's justifiable. (Picture me winking here!) That conversation might be something you can use in a story you're writing. You need to jot it down somewhere in a hurry. We think we'll remember, but when we try later, we may only retrieve bits and pieces. 

We also need to write those family stories that should not be forgotten. We should preserve them for future generations of our family. It's a known fact that most very young people are not interested in family history or lore, but as they get older, their interest increases. Sometimes, they wait until the older members are gone, and it's too late to ask questions. If those stories and history have been written, these people have a place to learn more about their family. 

Years ago, baby books were quite popular. I'm not sure if mothers today use them or not. When my children were infants, I recorded many 'firsts' in each one's baby book. Also birthday parties and who attended. Or a first trip and how it went. The first tooth that appeared, illnesses, and more. I have the baby book my mother had for me. Reading it as an adult was such a pleasure, and it gave me a good idea of what my mother was like as a young woman of 21. It also showed me how much I was loved by my parents and extended family. Baby Books can also be a medical history if the parents add the illnesses the child has had.

In the same manner, wedding remembrance books are helpful. My daughter-in-law had a wedding planner book made for me. I still have it. My son and his wife had their wedding videoed, back in 1992. When their two little girls were very young, one of the favorite activities was to watch Mommy and Daddy's wedding video. They were gaining family history. I don't know if their mother or father wrote about the wedding, but I did. 

There are so many milestones that we can and should write about throughout our life. It gives a two-fold benefit. We can relive the occasion and also preserve it for future generations. 

It's human nature for us to think about writing those things that should not be forgotten but somehow never get around to doing it. Our intentions are good, but life gets in the way. The longer the time after the event, the less inspired we are to write about it. 

It's not only writers who should write about those things that should not be forgotten. All of us can do this. Do it and your family will be appreciative, more so as time goes on. 

If a Writer Waits Too Long...

 

Today's photo poster is one that's pleasing to the eye. It also has a valuable piece of advice. It could be used in many parts of our lives, but since this is a blog for writers, I'm going to narrow it down to that group.

Writers often have good intentions as to what they plan to do while on their writing journey. Special stories that are swirling in their heads that they want to write. Conferences they want to attend. A poem about a sight they witnessed--they are going to write it. Soon. Maybe. Someday. 

We plan to write our goals for 2023. We want to finish some stories that only need a bit of polishing before submitting for publication. We are going to clean out our files. And the top of our desk. This is the year we will write those family stories told around the holiday dinner table.

Yes, we all have plans for our writing life. Too often, they get put on hold. The intention is good, but the action might not be. Why? 

Some writers, like some non-writers, are career procrastinators. If a writer starts putting things off, it becomes easier and easier to continue in the same vein. The longer we avoid some action on our intentions, they begin to fade until suddenly we don't even think about them anymore. That is a sad state of affairs.

The list of things writers have not gotten around to grows and grows. When that happens, the writer truly feels defeated. She/he might even give up. A good story idea might float away, never to be found again.

Lists are good aids. Make a list of what you want to get done in your writing life. Go through it agan and put a star by the most important ones. Those are the tasks you should work on first. When you complete one, draw a line through it, or put DONE n caps next to it. Seeing those stars or DONE should give you a sense of accomplishment and spur you onward. 

I'm well aware, and you are, too, that other parts of our life often throw a monkey wrench into our writing plans. Deal with what you must, then get back to your writing world.

What about the writer who writes short stories, personal essays, and a few poems, but he/she has a deep desire to write a full-length novel? Someday. The longer you wait, the older you'll be. Just like our poste says. Why wait?

Fear that you might not be able to accomplish writing an entire book is one reason that writers hold off. You'll never know unless you try. You don't have to write an entire book in a week or a month. Give yourself time. You've waited this long, you have no real deadline, so take it slowly. 

There are writers who have files filled with stories, essays, articles or poems they've written but never had the courage to submit to an editor. Why wait? You'll never know what response you might get unless you start submitting. It doesn't have to be scary. Either it works or it doesn't, and if it doesn't, you keep trying. 

If you're a writer who waits on many parts of your craft, heed what the poster says:  If you wait, all that happens is you get older.  

Read Writing About Writing

 

 Our walking graphic today shows a person, no doubt a writer, with a large stack of books. And a shiny, red apple on top. 

Why is that writer carrying myriad numbers of books? I'd like to think that they are all books dealing with the craft of writing. That this is a writer who knows the more he/she reads about the craft, the better writer he/she will become. Consider the amount of knowledge that can be gained by reading that stack of books.

I've known writers who say they don't need to read books about writing. They just do it. Of course, no one must read these refernce books, but those who do are going to move much faster on their writing journey. 

Will you soak up every bit of information in each of those books? Probably not, but you will get a great deal of it, especially when it comes to the kind of writing you do. If an entire book doesn't appeal to you, read the sections that pertain to your writing, but at least skim through the rest. You might be surprised at what you find. 

There will be writers who say they can't afford to purchase all those reference books. So, they don't read any of them. You need not buy these books if you have a library in your community or area. The library carries all kinds of reference books, including many on the writing craft. Find that section and start checking them out one by one. Keep a list of the ones you've read. Put a star by the ones you liked best and might consider buying to have on hand at home. 

You can also find the books about writing on Amazon and purchase the less-expensive kindle copy. Or do a trade with other writers. 

Use your favorite search engine to find the 'best' books about writing. I experimented and found many places that give you a list of what the editor/author of the article considers the 'best.' I noted that many had some of the same titles. When you see a title over and over, that's a sure sign it's one to check. 

My own favorites are:

On Writing by Stephen King

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Beginnings, Middles, and Ends by Nancy Kress 

The books above are aimed at fiction writers, but all writers can gain something from them. There are many others that deal with specific types of writing--memoir, essays, scientific articles and more. 

Another excuse writers give for not reading books about writing is that it takes up preceious writing time. Yes, it does, but it is still beneficial to you, the writer. Soaking up the information in books about writing will make you a better, stronger writer. And perhaps one that can add more publishing credits to their resume. 

Cleaning for Writers

 

The beginning of the year is a good time for writers to set some goals in their writing life, but it's also the perfect time to clean up your writing area and your writing files. 

I hesitate to say writers are messy people, but it is very easy to let things in your writing area pile up, or spread all over. We all mean to get to those bits and pieces of paper where we wrote ourselves notes. They become buried pretty easily. I would be a bit embarrassed if you saw my computer desk and the little stand next to it. On the whole, I am a person who likes order and things kept neat. But I seem to lose the ability to do that in my writing area. 

So, early January seems a good time to sift and sort, put away and toss. It's on my agenda for this week. Because of other obligations, I'm aiming for Friday. I might do it in dibs and dabs through the week, which might make the chore seem no so overwhelming. 

The other place where we need to do some cleaning is in our writing files. We can approach that job with these thoughts:  

A.  Make a folder of unfinished projects that you promise faithfully to work on later

B.  Delete things that have no relevance any longer. Be select with this. If something is in your files that you have worked on over and over, submitted unsuccessfully over and over, maybe it's time to get rid of it. If you have trouble doing that, put it in the Unfinished Folder and tackle it again someday.

C. Make a list of the pieces that you want to submit this year. Work on the list a little at a time.

D. If you have duplicates, get rid of one. 

If you end this month with your writing area cleaned up and your files reorganized, you should feel pretty satisfied. You'll be ready to get on with writing projects and submitting your work. 

Tomorrow's topic will be Submitting Your Writing. 

Book Review: Ann of Sunflower Lane

 Ann of Sunflower Lane by Julie A. Sellers is a YA book geared toward girls in the mid-teens. This senior citizen thoroughly enjoyed the story of a young girl who ends up on a Kansas farm in 1989 when a court in Denver decrees that her grandparents should take temporary custody, Her father travels around the country with small bands, neglecting his duty as a single parent. 

Ann Alwyn goes to live with her maternal grandparents whom she has never known. Ann's mother died when she was born leaving her to be raised by an often-absent father and an older step-sister. She knows very little about her mother and even less about her grandparents. 

Ann is about to turn 16 and a Junior in high school when she comes to the farm for a short visit, or so she hopes. Her grandfather is a kind man who tries to make her comfortable. Grandma is a bit bristly and hard to please, full of rules. The biggest and hardest rule to follow is 'no boys.' 

Grandpa gives Ann a copy of Anne of Green Gables, one of her mother's books that had been saved. Ann falls in love with everything about this other Anne, the one with an 'e' and quotes the books frequently. She meets two teens on the next farm. Corrie is a year younger than Ann and also a devotee to the Anne of Green Gables books. She and Ann become 'bosom friends.' Her brother, Cameron is a year older than Ann, and she does all she can to avoid him, fearing her grandmother's wrath. 

The book follows a year in Ann's life in Kansas, where she expected to stay only a few weeks. Her father becomes more and more distant, and Ann finds that talk about her mother's marriage is discouraged. She feels desperate to learn more about her mother but also fears the truth. Over the course of the year, Ann learns the meaning of family and friendship and a way of life she'd never encountered before. 

Julie A. Sellers has woven a good story of a troubled teen whose life moves from a big city to a small farming community in Kansas. She has captured the rural Kansas area with almost poetic descriptions, as well as the people of the area. We watch Ann mature through the year as she becomes close to her grandpa and learns to understand her grandma. 

The characters are well-developed. Ann's constant references to the other Anne, the girl in Anne of Green Gables, contrast nicely to the many adages Grandma uses. Grandma is not unkind, but she is also not openly loving, and we find out why later in the book. Grandpa is the kind of grandfather every child would love. His kindly manner softens Grandma's strictness. Other characters in the farming community add to the story, as well.

Young teens today may not be familiar with the Anne of Green Gables books. Being exposed to the many references to them in this book should pique their interest. Those who have already read the Green Gables series of books will enjoy the relation of the two girls named Ann(e) in this story. This is a book that can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike. 

In her debut novel, Julie A. Sellers has penned a winner. Find the book at Amazon or Barnes and Noble, or by googling the title to find other bookstores where you can order. 

Deadline Dates for Submissions

 

'Nothing makes me more productive than the last minute.' So says our poster for today. Haven't we all been there rushing like crazy to make a deadline or get ready for company in our home or to have a report prepared for a meeting? Any number of things catch us in a busy world, so we put it off until there is no more time for doing so.

Many contests or publications give a deadline date for when submissions will be accepted. We have good intentions, but sometimes we wait until the last minute to get a piece ready to submit, get it in just under the line, and sigh with relief.

You did it, but it may not be the best way. When an editor gives a deadline date, he/she has read hundreds, maybe more, submissions before those final ones slip in. Maybe the editor has already found the right number he/she needs, or perhaps the judge for a contest has read several entries before yours arrives. The latecomers will need to be outstanding to be given full attention. 

Chicken Soup for the Soul editors urge writers to submit early. They have often selected the stories they like best long before the deadline. If yours arrives the day before the last date, it will need to be an excellent story to make the cut. 

We know what the deadline date is, but we keep putting off getting our submission ready. There are other things calling to us. 'I'll do it later.' runs through our head. Our intentions are good, but later gets 'later and later.' That nasty little word, procrastination, comes into play here.

Do I always get my submissions in early? Not 100%. I'm as human as you are. It seems to be human nature to put things off, at least for a good many people. Perhaps we take in how important it is to us. I've been to a few conferences where writers have given presentations that were obviously not well prepared ahead of time. They probably put it altogether the night before. That's not fair to the audience members, or really, to themselves. When a writer presents, they are giving the world an impression of who they are. 

That old Girl Scout motto, 'Be prepared,' might be adopted by writers, too. 

If a deadline date is close, but you have something to submit, should you back away and not send it? I don't think so. It's better to submit late than not at all. But next time...  

Writers Must Believe in Themselves

 

As many of you know, I am a big Kansas State University football fan. This season, the team offered us all a lesson in believing in yourself. They were picked to finish fifth out of ten teams in the Big 12 Conference. They lost a nonconference game to Tulane, and the fans mumbled and grumbled.

They lost two more games in conference play. The team also had some good wins, beating top teams. They ended up #2 in the conference and played in the Big 12 Championship game this past Saturday vs the #1 team in the conference, TCU. 

Article after article pointed out that this K-State team believed in themselves. They beleived they could be conference champions despite three losses in the full season. 'Believe' was a word they spoke over and over, and one they saw on signs in the locker room. That belief carried them to victory on Saturday, beating #1 TCU in overtime 31-28. Our team came home the victors after a hard fought battle. TCU didn't win the conference title, but they will play as one of the top four teams in the nation in a few weeks. 

So, what's all this football tak on a blog about writing? It's one word. Believe. Every writer must find a way to believe in their ability to write, to submit, to be published. Teddy Roosevelt is quoted on today's photo. 'Believe you can and you're halfway there.' 

It's not an easy task to merely say you believe in yourself; it's something you must work at. The K-State team believed, but they were a big group who held one another up in believing. You, as a writer, are a team of one. You are the person who must be the believer. You must assume the idea that you will be a published writer someday. Or, if you are already published, that it will happen again. 

To believe in yourself is to have a positive attitude. No shooting yourself down when a rejection pops up. Believe that you can submit elsewhere and perhaps have success. Believe that you can make some revisions to have a better piece of writing. Believe that you will continue to learn your craft and become a stronger writer. 

Several times I've suggested a simple exercise for writers to do. Stand in front of a mirror and keep repeating a phrase like 'I am a writer.' 'I am a good wirter.' Now try using the phrase 'I believe in myself.' Say it until it becomes fact. Do it several times each day until you can claim it as truth. 

There is so much more to writing that putting words on paper or a screen. Believing in yourself as a writer is only one of many. 

Stringing Pearls as You Write

 Today's post is a repeat, one that I wrote quite a few years ago but is still relevant today, especially when writing your family stories.

We do not remember days,

we remember moments

I read the quote above at the bottom of a Happy New Year greeting I once received. It fit perfectly with the topic I'd selected for today's post. I wish that the person who wrote this quote had been named. Sadly, it is anonymous.

We do remember the special moments in our lives with a clarity that I find amazing. I've had special moments that have stayed with me for the many decades I've walked this earth, and it's been those moments that have created memoir stories that seem to be perfect for many anthologies.

Each one of those special moments is like a pearl, and as writers, we can string them together to create a memoir of our lives. The individual moments shine in our memory bank like the pearls on a necklace. They gleam and step forth clearly so we can write about them.

One of my favorite pearls is a story I wrote for a Chicken Soup Tea Lovers book. My grandmother and I had afternoon tea at the famous Walnut Room at Marshall Field's department store in Chicago when I was four years old. Only a young child, I still remember it as clearly as if it happened yesterday. Because the memory remained vividly in my mind, I found I could recreate the event well enough to have the story published.

Another is a story about a valentine box my dad made for me during my second-grade year. I believe I remember it so well because a revelation hit me while Dad and I spent time together making the box.

Yet a third special moment memory that produced a publishable story is about the first time I had surgery. I was four and staying in the hospital proved frightening until a beautiful and compassionate nurse eased the experience for me. She set me on a path of service to others for the rest of my life.

The events that impressed us the most are the ones we remember as though they happened only yesterday, not years ago. Those moments are the individual pearls that we string together.

When an event occurs in our life that has some importance in shaping our character or signifies love and family, the memory becomes more important than the mundane things in our days. The memories are stored until we pluck them out and add one more pearl to our life's necklace. All it takes is a little trigger to bring the memory forth. Once it's there, it's up to you to write the story.

  

Writing Obituaries and Tributes

 

We attended my husband's brother's funeral in the Chicago area this past week. His obituary listed many of the things he'd done in his long life, and the tributes at the funeral added something more to the memory of this fine man. 

On the long drive home, I started thinking about writing obituaries and tributes. There are forms to help people write the obits, and funeral home staff can be helpful to bereaved families giving guidance.

What about writers? Shouldn't they be able to write an obituary for a family member and do it quite well? Answers to that question may vary. Some might say "I'm a sci-fi writer, so what do I know about writing an obituary?" Or "I write steamy romances, you don't want me to write my sister's obituary." Or "I write technical articles for the airline industry. Don't expect me to write my father's obit." 

Years ago, many young journalists began their newspaper career by starting at the bottom rung of the ladder. They were given the job of writing obituaries for the paper after getting information from the family. Maybe that wasn't such a bad idea. They learned to gather all the facts, the same as they would need to do when writing news stories. 

I think writers would be able to write quite eloquent obituaries using the tools of their craft. Those who read this blog regularly know that I advise writers to write in a different genre occasionally. It's good practice. It would certainly help in writing about someone who had passed away. 

Most newspapers have a certain fee that is charged for a minimum number of words. More words cost  more money. It's up to the family to make it short or a real bio of the deceased. 

You should include things like dates of birth and death, parents, spouse, (or spouses if more than one marriage) children, grandchildren and special friends are sometimes included. You can add education history, career history, military service,  hobbies or interests pursued, and organizations the person belonged. Awards he/she might have received. Many include the cause of death. Add service times and place and memorials if any have been selected. 

When asked to give a tribute to the memory of the deceased at a funeral service or a celebration of life in some other venue, you can be more personal telling what you admired about the person, why you were close friends, cousins or whatever. Humor can certainly be included here. My husband told some things about his brother that few others knew, but I think they appreciated hearing these bits and pieces of their growing up years. 

As writers, you can use words well. Why not use them when writing an obituary or giving a tribute to someone you and your family have lost.? Or for a deceased close friend.

What about writing your own obituary and keeping it where a family member can find it when the time comes to use it? I have written mine and my husband's, but after thinking about what we witnessed this past week at the family funeral, I am going to revise and add. 

Some of you may be thinking this is a gloomy topic, or that you don't want to even think about such things. Death is a part of life, and we would be wise to be prepared. My apologies if I have offended anyone with today's post.

One Trait Every Writer Needs

 

Our quote today is by Octavia Butler, who was a science-fiction writer. She didn't sugarcoat her thoughts in this one. The reason I like the quote is that she highlights one of my two keywords for writers--persistence. 

When we start writing, our work doesn't look professional yet. It isn't usually an example of strong writing, poetic prose, or scintillating sentences. We shouldn't expect it to be any of those things when we begin our writing journey. 

If we're persistent and keep writing week after week, day after day, we can become a better, stronger writer. If a newbie writer writes something new every other month, or even once a month, it's not enough. Cliche that it may be, the saying "Practice makes perfect" can be applied here. 

A sculptor starts out making simple pieces of art, and he/she learns along the way. With each new sculpture, the artist improves and most likely learns something, too. A carpenter who is just starting out cannot be classified as a master carpenter, but after years as an apprentice and then on his own, he perfects his trade. If you've ever read any of Julia Child's books about the art of cooking, especially French cuisine, you'll know that she was not a born chef. She learned from her many mistakes, but the most important thing was that she persisted. She was a very determined woman. 

Determined is what writers should also be. Persistence is what helps you continue with determination. Most poets don't write prize-winning poems with their first or second try. They pen scores of poems before they reach success in winning a prize or achieving publication. 

Persistence in writing means writing something every day. You needn't write an entire story every day, but do write a few paragraphs, a journal entry, or a writing exercise. Write a letter to a friend! But write each and every day. 

Persistence means not giving up when a writing project doesn't go well, or when rejections arrive. Keep going, keep learning.

Persistence means reading about the craft of writing. It means attending workshops and conferences to continue learning.

By now, you may have remembered, or guessed, my other keyword for writers. Patience. That persistence which I recommend takes patience. They go hand in hand, and each one can benefit new writers, intermediate writers, or the highly successful ones. 

Octavia Butler knew what she was talking about!

Book Review by Lisa Carter, Guest Blogger

 

A review of Walking the Bowl: A True Story of Murder and Survival Among the Street Children of Lusaka, by Chris Lockhart and Daniel Mulilo Chama

By Lisa Carter

Narrative non-fiction stories have always held a special place in my reading heart. I find it such a privilege to be transported into the lives of others, inspired by how they face the challenges of life and appreciate the will that leads to their triumph.

Walking the Bowl was an even deeper honor to read and to witness than usual.

According to the publisher: “For readers of Behind the Beautiful Forevers and Nothing to Envy, this is a breathtaking real-life story of four street children in contemporary Zambia whose lives are drawn together and forever altered by the mysterious murder of a fellow street child.”

The story behind how this book came to be is itself nothing short of a dedicated miracle. Over five years, the co-authors and a small team documented the lives of street children in the vast slums of Zambia’s capital city. Lockhart, Chama, a graduate student and four former street children immersed themselves in the culture, taking hundreds of pages of notes and over a thousand hours of recordings.

When a young boy, who became known as the Ho Ho Kid, was found murdered at the city dump, the team dedicated their efforts to follow the investigation in real time and discovered a connection to many of the children they were already in contact with.

Lusabilo is a self-titled “chief-of-the-rope” at Chunga Dump, who has not only survived there for years but now wields a certain beneficent authority over other waste-picking kids. When he finds the Ho Ho Kid’s body, he is forced to assist the police in their investigation.

Along the way, Lusabilo is led to Moonga, a recent arrival in the capital, whose distant uncle never meets him at the bus station. Taken in by a gang of beggars who sniff glue, he becomes hooked but never stops dreaming of one day going to school. 

Timo is a youth who just wants to control his circumstances, and the only way to do that in his world is as an ambitious, ruthless gang leader. His “street wife,” Kapula, is forced by her aunt to work at a brothel and hand over all her earnings. Exhausted and determined, she hides a few coins each day with a plan to take her little brother and escape the slums.

The connections between these four kids, each of whom ekes out a brutal existence, and the murdered boy is told unflinchingly, unsentimentally and compassionately.

As an American medical anthropologist who has worked in Africa for decades (the “white man” in this book) and a Zambian social worker who himself was a street child (the “Outreacher”), authors Lockhart and Chama knew they wanted to reach the wider public with this story. They wanted to humanize these individuals, rather than perpetuate the tropes or appeal only to a small circle of insider professionals: 

“In the end, narrative nonfiction was the only possible answer. We also felt that the combination of narrative nonfiction with ethnographic immersion and the rigorous data collection methods we adopted was an immensely powerful approach. It not only allowed us to write about all the issues surrounding street children in a more mainstream manner, but to do so via the voices and stories of the children themselves.” 

Powerful indeed. At least seventy percent of the dialogue in this story is direct quotes, and most events were directly observed by the research team.

I felt the stabbing pain of empathy for every one of these kids, abandoned by family and society, left to survive on their own in merciless conditions. Lockhart and Chama hold nothing back. They expose what seems to be an unsolvable tragedy of poverty and corruption, helped little and often made worse by the beguiling notions of growth, expansion and development.

Yet the story they present is ultimately one of hope.

In their preface, they say, “If you were to ask us what we hope you learn from this book, we would say we hope you learn a little bit about the day-to-day lives and realities of street children and a great deal about the power of the smallest good.”

Walking the bowl—offering what little you can to another—is at the heart of this story. It’s a tale the Outreacher shares with every kid in the slums and with the White Man. (If you would like to hear it, I offer a podcast reading 

It’s a concept we know by many names: paying it forward, returning a kindness, sharing the love. It’s a deed the world needs more and more of.

Kapula thinks so too. Toward the end of the book, she tells the Outreacher, “I wonder how different things would be if everyone did the small things you do for us every day. Even if they only did one thing in their whole lives, especially if that one thing was passed on to others—like in your story. Myself, I think it would be a very different world.”

This book achieved its aim. I learned a little about others and a great deal about how I can live a more powerful life by offering the smallest good, a simple kindness to another, today and every day.

This is a beautiful, deep, impactful, necessary book. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in narrative non-fiction, memoir, Africa, Zambia, true crime, social issues, and/or inspirational titles.

May we all take its message to heart and walk the bowl.

Lisa Carter is Founder and Creative Director of Intralingo, helping authors and translators write and readers explore stories. Lisa brings two decades of professional literary experience, including nine books and multiple other pieces published in translation, and nearly as many years of contemplative and compassion practices to her work. Her inclusive, engaged, caring presence inspires people to share their stories, create new ones and feel truly heard.

A version of this recommendation first appeared in the BookLove Letter. Grateful thanks are provided to Hanover Square Press for the review copy.

Musing on Wind and a Poem

 Windstorm

Today's photo shows us trees and a car coming down a road in a windstorm. Wind opens the door for some interesting, descriptive writing. 

Think about the sensory details of these two trees bending in the wind. You see what the wind is doing to them, you can hear the wind, you can feel it on your skin if you are outside when it is blowing. What about smell? Or taste? Probably not so much. But three out of five isn't bad. When you write about wind, use these sensory details to bring your reader into the scene.

Wind can set up a great scene in mystery, when someone is being chased, or when a child is missing. The winds of a hurricane can actually become a character in the story. Might be a stretch but possible. 

What about making a comparison between wind and a breeze? What words would you use to describe each. 

For wind:  strong, writhing, whipping, terrible, wild, blustery

For breeze:  gentle, wisp, whispering, soft, slight

Wind and the storms that come with it can play a big part in a story. Practice writing descriptive paragraphs about wind and what havoc it can bring. Use as many descriptive words as you can.

I'll close today by sharing a poem I wrote about wind on one of our many windy days in Kansas. It was fun to find many words that described the wind and what havoc it created.

Portrait of the Wind

blow winds blow,

sweep the leaves

from the earth,

don't fan the fires

in our western skies,

let the aspen

trees shimmer,

ruffle our hair,

tease our skirts,

send up a shiver.

blow winds blow,

show us your might

and flippant attitude,

laugh as papers

dance down the street,

applaud when 

trash can lids

roll and clank

across the road.

blow winds blow,

bend slim branches

to the ground,

make colorful kites

dip and swirl through

a cerulean sky,

send frigid sleet,

gust after gale

to ping on winter panes.

blow winds blow,

gust after gust,

until simple exhaustion

overcomes your wont 

and suddenly you glide 

into gentle autumn breezes.

 (C)

Use Your Writer's Eye for Story Ideas

 

How often have you felt you had nothing to write about? You sat in front of your keyboard, hands in your lap and thought 'what next?' You're not alone. Many writers go through periods where inspiration is at a low level and the story ideas are flying off to others but not you.

One thing that helps is to be observant. To walk through life with a writer's eye. There are stories everywhere you go, but it's up to you to see them and harvest them.

Walk through a grocery store, aisle by aisle, and you'll see lots of people alone and others in a family group, or a couple of friends. Watch for interactions or reactions. Snippets of conversation. 

Waiting in a doctor's office, an airport, or train station provides the perfect opportunity to people watch. Everyone has a story, but it's your job to see it and perhaps use it in your writing. People watching can also help you create a character. 

Watch the news on tv. Stories there can sometimes inspire stories of your own, but you need to be alert and aware. And play the 'what if?' game.

The 'what if?' game is merely asking yourself questions. What if this happens or that happened? And then move on, what if this occurred next. Before you know it, a story idea is coming to light.

I once wrote a well-received children's story that was inspired by a tiny little article I read in the newspaper about libraries being used as after school daycare for working mothers, and the problems it created.  The next thing you know, I had created Wilhemina Higgins, a child whose mother sent her to the library after school every day. Boredom set in, and.... The point is to watch for story ideas when you read a newspaper or magazine. Not to copy what you read but to use it in some way as an idea for a new story, essay, or even a poem. 

There are story ideas in your neighborhood. Watch for them. Incorporate them into your writing. You needn't use a story with names and places exactly as they are where you live. But create a story of your own around what you observed in your neighborhood.  

You might hear an amazing conversation in a restaurant if the tables are close to one another. Jot notes when you leave for possible use at another time. Don't always trust your memory. Making notes is very helpful. 

Story ideas are everywhere, but it's up to you to find them and use them. Start working on using your writer's eye wherever you go. It soon becomes habit. 

Photo Prompt Writing Exercise

My husband and I had the great good fortune of visiting South Africa twice. We were guests of friends who were born and raised there. We visited Kruger National Park while there and saw animals normally seen in the zoo in their natural habitat. Another place we visited was our friends' daughter's home called Glen Afric, where the animals roam free. The site of many movies, Glen Afric is also a lodge for guests with a lovely restaurant. These photos were taken as we drove through the many acres to view the animals. After Sunday lunch at the Lodge, we were delighted to partake in the Sunday tradition of feeding the elephants with scraps and leftovers from the lodge kitchen. 

For a photo prompt exercise this weekend, write a paragraph or more using the pictures above as your prompt. Create a full story if you are inspired to do so. 

Things to include when doing a photo prompt:

Sensory details--sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch 

Strong description

A sense of place

A possible story

Active verbs

Show, don't tell

Doing photo prompt exercises help you become a stronger writer. Some of the exercises can be expanded into a full story, poem, or essay. 

The photo below will show you the rondavel huts where we lived for the three days we spent at Kruger National Park. Electricity, air-conditioning, a kitchen on the covered porch--all the comforts of home, as well as monkeys screeching in the trees.  Maybe you can use this photo for your writing exercise, as well as the ones above. 

 

Titles--Tough, Tricky, and Troublesome

 

Note:  This is a repeat post

Wouldn't it be fun to have scads of bookshelves in your house, where you could remove one book at a time, read it, and replace? On to the next one! What we see on the bookshelf are titles.

Titles are a very important tool for the writer. I think that many writers give little thought to the title of the story, book, essay, or poem they spent eons of time writing. Finished. Need a title? Grab one and plunk it above the piece I labored over. A title is important enough to give it some thought before you bestow it on whatever you've written. 

A title is the first impression; it's what draws the reader to look further. A title takes some real thought on the writer's part. The title, or name, can be tough, tricky, and troublesome. Let's look at those three T words a little closer. 

Tough  It's not easy to lure a reader with a mere spattering of words, even one word, in a title. That's exactly what that title is supposed to accomplish. You want to give a hint as to what is in the body of the story, book, essay that you've written. Keep it merely a hint as you don't want to give too much away. Think of a title as the movies term Preview of Coming Attractions. As a child, teen, and young adult, I adored movies and spent part of every weekend in a theater. I loved the previews which told me just enough to make sure I'd be back the following week. The few movies I've seen recently tell way too much in the previews. You may notice that the books in the stairway in today's photo sometimes use a person's name as the title. It doesn't tell you much about the story itself, but you know you're going to learn something about Huckleberry Finn, Peter Pan, and Pippi Longstocking. And don't you want to pick up that last one to see what in the world someone with a name like Pippi Longstocking is like? 

Tricky  If you're writing a tragic story, you don't want to use a fluffy, humorous type of title. Match the mood of the title to what you've written. In reverse, if the story is filled with humor, then don't use a generic, somber kind of title. Put a bit of humor into the title, too. The length can be tricky, too. Those proper name titles are nice and short, but if you choose to use a very lengthy title, it won't be easy to choose the right words, the ones that make the reader pull your book off the shelf to look at. You might use some unnecessary words, ones that add nothing to the meaning of the title. Cut them.

Most poetry stays with shorter titles. The poet doesn't want the title to overwhelm the poem. 

Troublesome  Yes, titles can be troublesome because you have to play around with several before you settle on the best one. One of my Chicken Soup for the Soul stories was accepted, but the editors had completely changed the title. At first, I was a bit miffed, but then I read through the story and realized the title they had selected was preferable. The editor had used a line toward the end of the story to use. I understood then why she had changed it. At least, she didn't send it back and tell me to choose another title. An editor can do that, too. 

When choosing a title, ask yourself if it tells too much or does it not give a real inkling of what the whole thing is about. I have been reworking an old story for children, and the title is what is giving me the most trouble. I had one, but then decided it sounded like an adult story. I tried another and thought that no one would rush to read the story with this title. I'm spending almost as much time deciding on a title as I did writing my story. 

Titles may be tough, tricky, or troublesome, but they are also of major importance to whatever you have written. Don't snatch one out of the air and call it quits. Spend some time trying several, even when one comes to you quickly. That may be the one you use in the end, but try others to make sure the first one is the best. I wonder how long it took the author to come up with a title like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.