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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
December, 2010
In This Issue:
1. Preview
2. Publisher's Note
3. Stieg Larsson's Final Gift to Readers and Writers
4. Helpful Hints
1. Preview
The Writer's Connection explores the creative process
of writing and the interplay between thoughts, feelings,
and actions. We are an interactive community of authors
and readers who share ideas to enhance our knowledge,
skills, and experiences in writing fiction in any genre,
but our emphasis remains mystery and suspense thrillers.
Published monthly, the Newsletter offers writing tips
for authors, coaching suggestions, editing, and marketing
information.
Topics are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton
and represent only his ideas on producing your first manuscript,
and are provided to the general public. Because we are
an interactive community of writers, other viewpoints
are welcomed and may be printed in future monthly newsletters
with permission from Keith Barton.
2. Publisher's Note
December, 2010
Dear Writer's Connection Subscriber,
This month's newsletter features: Stieg Larsson's Final Gift to Readers and Writers
3. Stieg Larsson's Final Gift to Readers and Writers
I can think of no better way to go out on my monthly newsletters for writers than to express
my gratitude to Larsson's posthumous gift to writers for his trilogy: The Girl With the Dragon
Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.
If you watched
60 Minutes last month and are a Stieg Larsson fan, you know he died of a massive heart attack at
age 50 after delivering the three manuscripts to his publisher. He intended to write ten novels
on Lisa Salander and Mikael Blomkvist, but his untimely death prevented him from leaving his
incredible gift of storytelling. There is a rumor that he had almost completed a fourth novel
and it remains to be seen if his father and brother (his heirs) will find a ghostwriter to
complete his manuscript.
Despite the legal battle between Larsson's long-time girlfriend of 32 years that is expected
concerning his estate now administered by his brother and father (Sweden does not recognize
common law marriages) and Larsson did not leave a will, I for one hope that the fourth book
will be completed. In a way, the ending for his third book left no doubt that there were
many plots still to unveil between his male and female protagonists, Mikael and Lisa.
From a writer's perspective Larsson did not follow the
rules for writing crime mystery. His plots were many,
his backstories filled voluminous pages, and his subplots
often left the reader sidetracked. But Larsson was not
your typical "by the book" writer. He had an uncanny ability
to ensnare the reader and lead them on wild rides through
Sweden, Europe, and the Caribbean. The unlikely combination
of a 26-year old antisocial, tattooed lady with Asperger's
and a middle-aged man who was a philanderer with a failed
marriage and no kids take on the Vander family, SAPO,
and government corruption at the highest levels. His cast
of characters is ten times Grisham's noteworthy characters,
yet the reader is enticed to keep reading till he or she
finds themselves ensnared in Larsson's hornet's nest of
intrigue, sexual perversion, corruption, greed, envy,
and love.
I saw the first movie with subtitles which was a fair representation of his first book and intend to
see the other movies now that I've read his trilogy. I can tell you that cinema cannot capture the
suspense that is found on each of his 1600 pages. When I started on Grisham's latest bestseller,
The Confession, I felt like I was reading an easy 1-2-3 prosaic approach to crime and punishment.
Don't get me wrong; I am a Grisham fan and will continue to read his books. Both authors are social
liberals who wish to correct the social injustices to people and resonate with us common folk who are
overwhelmed with big government and greedy corporations.
As I leave my loyal fans who have stayed by me for the past six years of monthly newsletters, I trust
that you will continue to read and write with imagination and enthusiasm. In this age of electronic
IPads, notebooks, Kindles, and Nooks, I encourage you to take pens and keyboards to the far reaches
of your cranium folds and write for yourself; believe in yourself; and some day, you will look back
on your unpublished and published manuscripts as pure enjoyment and a privilege to have enough gray
matter to plot an interesting story and engage your readers. It has indeed been an honor and a privilege
to cajole, prod, coach, and champion your writing talent. With this, my last newsletter, I intend to
take a break from my monthly newsletters, but never will give up on my coaching and writing. WRITE ON!
Helpful Hints:
- Start or continue writing 500 words a day. Stop when you think you're finished;
leave the manuscript on your computer for three months. Then go back and reread your first draft.
You will know if you have a story worth sharing.
- Continue with the craft of writing. Attend workshops, take courses, get on mailing lists
of your favorite authors and make writing a part of your life.
- Set a goal of reading one book monthly for pleasure and one of the classic literature
novels like Moby Dick or The Great Gatsby. Explore different genres and centuries.
Subscription
The Writer's Connection SM is a free publication.
If you want to continue to receive this Newsletter, you
can
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We do not sell, rent or share our mailing list with anyone.
Contact Information
Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Voice: 281-583-5005
Fax:281-583-5008
Web: >http://www.virtualwritingcoach.com
E-Mail: keith_barton@att.net
(c) Copyright 2010 A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
All rights reserved.
Distribution Rights
The Writer's Connection SMis copyrighted, but
you may retransmit or distribute it to whomever you wish
as long as not a single word is changed, added, or deleted,
including the contact information. However, you may not
copy it to a web site.
Republication of The Writer's ConnectionSM
in paper media is encouraged and permitted by individuals,
organizations and associations, as long as the issue is
reprinted in its entirety, without change, and includes
the contact information.
With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue
to fit your space requirements. Republication also is
encouraged under other circumstances. However, the advance
permission of A. Keith Barton, Ph.D. must be obtained
in the event that changes in the text are desired.
The Writer's Connection SM Mission:
The Writer's Connection SM is dedicated to
helping first-time authors create their first manuscript
for publication and to offer an exchange of ideas and
opinions from our readers who might be interested in becoming
authors.
The Writer's Connection is a publication of The Virtual
Writing Coach and Keith Barton, Ph.D. and a registered
trademark.
We would like The Writer's Connection SM to
be as interactive as possible. If you have feedback, comments,
topics you would like addressed, or can suggest additional
resources to benefit us all, please email us at any time.
Send your e-mail to
keith_barton@att.net.
Please forward this issue to anyone you think would find
The Writer's Connection SM interesting and
beneficial. Your recommendation helps us keep growing,
and ensures an excellent exchange of information and techniques.
Archives
You can read previous issues of The Writer's Connection
SM in our archive section.
About Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University
of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist
for over thirty years. He is currently enrolled in MentorCoach
and is accepting new clients.
He has been an adjunct professor at the University of
South Carolina, consultant to Fortune 500 companies in
executive development, founded and managed Texas Community
Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing group home
services to persons with mental retardation. Keith founded
and has been running a clinical practice in Northwest
Houston since 1990.
He writes part-time with the goal of completing one novel
a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate
interest in helping others become attuned to their creative
powers of storytelling.
Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family
therapy and health psychology. He has published articles,
made presentations and conducted workshops about:
Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self-esteem
Communication skills
Marital/relationship enrichment
Wellness issues
The relationship between psychology and spirituality |
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