The Writer's Connection, ^SM
a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach ^SM

 

"The Creative Process of Writing is a Liberating and Therapeutic Experience"
 
www.virtualwritingcoach.com

April, 2006

 

I love anagrams. These mnemonic devices help us remember larger bits of information. Let’s face it—writing is W-O-R-K. I’ve included a description of each letter as relates to the subject of writing.

 

W is for Will Power: To stay with the big dogs you’ve got to plan ahead and think big. Those of you who’ve faced rejection know that thick skin is needed in the writing business. Those who write for small audiences will remain small in their craft. If you intend to publish your book you’ve got to know the landscape and that includes the good and bad agents. A bad agent can set you back years after a promise of publishing your next American novel. There are many websites and literary publications that can help you avoid picking a bad agent. Know that rejection does not mean that your writing is not worthy of publication. It simply means that the competition is extremely tough for first-time authors given a shrinking market for novels and the declining profit margins for major publishing houses. Jeff Herman’s “A Guide to Literary Agents and Publishers” is an excellent resource for targeting your query letters to the right agent. This is updated annually and can be found in most book stores.

 

O is for Organization: I’ve talked to writers who say they just sit at their computer and compose. Even they don’t know where the story is going and their excuse is that they want to “create” a story rather than “tell” a story. Any good storyteller (or preacher) has a beginning, middle, and ending. Even in action thrillers and mysteries the protagonist arrives on the scene in the first view pages. Something happens to thwart his/her quest for solving the riddle, puzzle, murder, etc. and the middle part of your story is set against a background that builds tension. Some insignificant event or series of events “hooks” the reader in wanting to know more and who will win in this all out battle of good versus bad or protagonist (or hero) versus the antagonist (or villain). The drama should build to a crescendo towards the last fourth of your story and leave the reader breathless, speechless, or incredulous, if your story is truly inspiring with its characters, pacing, scenery, action shifts, and subplots.

 

R is for Resourceful:  Writing requires research. If you’re going to use the island of Bermuda as a backdrop for your story, you’d better know Bermuda. The people who live where you’re writing about are your toughest audience and you want those who haven’t lived there to experience a sense of place as if they’d lived there for a long time. I typically begin my research for a book about six months prior to writing the first word. I keep articles, books, Internet dialogue, and try to visit a place at least two weeks if I’m going to write about it. Most of my books are updates from my childhood experiences of living on location for two to three years. Georgia, Bermuda, Texas, and Mexico are places I’m familiar with the people, language, and culture. Authenticity is critical to putting your reader in the scene.

 

K is for Knowledge:  Attend workshops, critique groups, writer’s forums, and writing seminars at every opportunity. There is no substitute for knowledge. Although writing is a creative process, it follows a linear formula and there are excellent “How To” writing books. Robert McKee’s, Story, Harper & Collins, 1997, is an excellent book on screenwriting. Another resource book is The Novel Writer’s Toolkit by Boy Mayer, Writer’s Digest Books, 2003.  The art of writing is a developed (learned) skill that requires knowledge, in addition to talent and ability.

 

Helpful Hints:

 

1. Attend a writing class for at least six weeks. Network with other writers in the class.

 

2. Look up writing seminars offered at your local community college or university. Talk to the instructor about auditing the class.

 

3. Pick your favorite author and look at the acknowledgement page and find out who his/her agent is and look them up on the Internet or Jeff Herman's book on Literary Agents and Publishers.

 

 

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