Check Out Tim Ferris's latest blog featuring author, Neil Strauss

Tim Ferris' latest post begs to be shared. It contains humor, the salty grains of bitter truth and proof that good taste and hypocrisy are not mutually exclusive: So You Want to Be a Writer? Read This First.

Also, take a look at Neil's latest book, Everybody Loves You When You're Dead. The book trailer on Amazon promises a great read.

How to Write When Burn Out Is Trending Toward Combustion

 It's been a while since I've posted. I outlined two potential posts, and they're sitting in my notebook waiting for the polish. If I'm honest, I need to dig a little deeper, to organize myself more effectively and put this blog near the top of my to do list--with my current course work, the kids , the job that pays for my day to day, etc. If I'm honest, I also have to admit that I'm a bit burnt. Like when you're running that last interval in your workout--digging deep to squeeze out a little more speed and get your knees a little higher--all without twisting your ankle on the landing.

As luck would have it, I came across a most excellent post from Freelance Writing Jobs, "Writing is Like Sex." Attention grabbing isn't? Well, it also provided me with a much needed dose of laughter. I think I'll be able to finish up those other two posts now.

Write On....


On My Book Shelf

When Celeste Temple sets out to learn why her fiancee has jilted her, she stumbles upon a bloody mystery.The mystery has a most "unnatural" process at its center.  She determines to discover its origin while bringing her erstwhile fiancee to justice for his undeserved mistreatment of her.

Dahlquist weaves a twisting, science-fiction mystery that brings readers to the edge of their expectations then makes them consider new ones. The story is wild, sensual and an intellectual exercise. If you want to  explore steampunk fiction, these books are a great place to start.

Does Your Writing Career Have an Expiration Date?

Writing Inspiration

We all live in a state of potential. Yes, every moment we make choices that transmute the potential into fact and action--a thing realized. Even with these choices, the potential to be different and do things differently remains constant.

This summer the New Yorker published  a list of "20 Under 40," writers showing the promise or potential to give the world literature that endures. Articles, commenting on the writers selected and the usefulness of the age 40 as the metaphorical finish line to this potential or promise, soon followed the revelation of this list.

I recommend reading this essay, "How Old Can a 'Young Writer' Be?" by Sam Tanenhaus. He takes a fairly balanced look at what it means to be a "young writer" or a master writer at the height of their craftsmanship.

I believe that a person's potential is endless not inversely related to one's age. If you haven't written your great work,  published it and had it widely recognized by the age of 39, don't fret. There's always tomorrow--until you take your last breath. Art is an endeavor of endurance, so persevere.

Craft

A great plot does not ensure the success of a story. The plot captures a reader's imagination as they review the blurb on the back of the paperback; the characters living the plot keep them reading. As readers, we want to know what happened to the people in the story, how they felt and what they did. Some of us even want to be someone else for a few hours. That only happens when well developed characters populate a story.

Take some time to make a list of your favorite characters. Then analyze what made them work. How did the author introduce them? What bits of information and habits were shared and how were they revealed? Next, take a look at the characters in your writing. Is there enough there to draw the reader in--to pique their interest or emotions--and keep them reading even if your plot should hit a slow spot?

Check out this interview with Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni at Women on Writing. She talks a great deal about how her characters influenced the shape of her novel. Here's a take away tip from the interview: She kept a notebook of the details she wanted to use to develop each of nine characters in her book, One Amazing Thing.

Resources

Obviously, I am a bibliophile. I love books and when I received an email from the Very Short List about Five Books, I was hooked. This site is great to get reading recommendations about an eclectic collection of topics. Think of it as a fun syllabus for the writing life. As writers, we're perpetual learners. You never know which information may prove useful as you pursue different projects.

I also discovered Book Glutton this week. Read, share, publish, make annotations to books you're reading or have read and discuss books all online. There are popular as well as public domain books available on this site.

On My Bookshelf

Are You a Brand in the Making or an Artiste?

I've struggled with the concept of self-branding, so much so that I've opted to use a pen name for a few of my intended projects. Our current social order focuses intently on categorizing everything. While it serves a function on my favorite playground, the Internet, it also makes it difficult to express myself as a writer; I'm an eclectic melange of ideas, interests and  projects. I also recognize that many web surfers have keyword searching down to a science. If I want to be discovered in web searches, I need to offer searchable content. In order to receive maximum benefit (site traffic) from this situation, I must make my content and projects part of a consistent theme and approach, a brand. I'm resistant to this. I have many things to say on many topics. I found myself nodding and pounding my desktop while adding a few cries of "Hear, Hear!" as I read Maureen Johnson's post on BlogHer, regarding the heavy push for self-branding on the Internet.  What do you think? Have we (writers--any type) over extended the concept of branding in an effort to keep our coffers full?

Rediscover the Basic Joys of Storytelling

Writing Inspiration

During a recent family movie night, my son exclaimed,"Now that's a climax!" The movie had reached its apex and begun its descent to the end. For him at least, the story portion of the film accomplished every story's underlying purpose. It used a series of engaging events to create anticipation then guide the viewer to the main event of the story. It seemed like he enjoyed the experience more since he knew the parts, much the same way music gains depth and meaining for educated listeners.

When writing fiction, a writer must effectively provide an exposition, a series of ascending events, a climax and a fitting resolution. All of these elements comprise the "plot" of a story.  The simplicity or complexity of the plot must be dictated by the story itself--how the development of each element most effectively relates to the story told.

Writers must exploit these elements to the best advantage of each story they write. My son's observation reaffirmed the importance and significance of knowing the technical parts of a story well. Films, books, operas even video games--the best begin with a really great story. This knowledge enhances a reader's or viewer's appreciation of a story, because they can sense and discern the elements moving in concert. 



Craft

Who remembers diagramming sentences? If you ever completed such an assignment,  I commisterate with you. It was tedious; it was a pain; and it worked. You may not have mastered dangling participles, but you definitely know the basics, subject, verb, adjective and adverb. You probably could even still identify direct objects, prepositions and prepositional objects in a pinch, because you learned sentence structure.

Here's this month's challenge: create a story diagram. Take one of your previously written pieces preferrably a short piece or one of your favorite short stories. Make copies and then diagram the parts of the story. Mark the exposition, the ascesnding events, the climax, any descending events/resolution and the end. Does the story move clearly and effectively through each phase of the plot? Is it well paced? Does the story move too quickly or too slowly at any point? Is the climax fitting or does it underserve the building events, creating an anti-climax?

Have fun. I'll post my efforts to diagram one of  my short stories at the end of the month.

Resources

The Oxford University Press has just launched a new version of its Oxford  Dictionaries online.  Check out the quotes, games, reading and writing articles and many other offerings that can improve your reading and writing experiences.

Booktrib.com compiles posts and reviews from book blogs across the internet. They also offer a weekly book giveaway.

On my bookshelf

Use the Longer Days of Spring to Try Shorter Types of Writing

Writing Inspiration

If you're like me, the sunshine and warmer breezes of early spring call you away from your desk more often than they should. Writing is hard work and you want to play. Use the new vigor that spring infuses into its longer brighter days to fuel your writing. Take your writing inspiration from the early festivals, fairs and sporting events emerging on your calendar. Experiment with shorter pieces. If you write poetry revisit the haiku form or write a shorter piece of free verse; challenge your self to say the same thing with fewer lines or words.

May is unofficially short story month. Try to write one or a few. The beauty of short stories rests on two elements, they're an exercise in discipline. They are also a more limited time commitment when compared to writing a novel.

This month is also National Runners Month. Write about your fitness practice or goals. A healthy body allows us to keep a healthy mind; don't neglect exercise in favor of your keyboard or pen. Better still, try taking it with you. Get a digital recorder, so you can keep track of ideas as you walk. If you run, it's still great thinking time. I've done some deep thinking on the treadmill.

Craft

The challenge of the short story is to get it right with less--fewer words, fewer characters and fewer events. The form forces a writer to discipline themselves and still convey an engaging and complete story. The short story is being re-embraced all over the Internet on Twitter and and in newsletters and on websites from publishers and authors. They are an effective and fun way to test drive ideas. On occasion a short story can become the seed of a longer piece, a novella or novel. 

Read a few of my short stories here. I'd love to receive comments.
Scribbles
Going Out


Resources

Oxford Bibliographies
Author Marketing Toolkit

On My Book Shelf

Click on the cover to learn more about the book or pick up a copy.

I'm reading this book at the moment, and it is a page turner. I'll review it next month. It's about a grisly murder in New York during the 1800s.

This tale about the relationship between an old man and a young woman in late adolescence proved intriguing and disturbing. I recommend it.

Action, adventure, science-fiction/fantasy and a little romance make this well written book a weekend read worth making the time.

Writing Roundup: Romance Writers, This Is Your Season

Can you smell the sweet scents of rose petals and chocolate? Do you hear the satisfied sighs of happy lovers? Can you empathize with the anguished feelings of people suffering the pangs of unrequited love? Do you imagine the joy filled weddings that will occur in June following the flurry of romantic Valentine's Day proposals? If these thoughts and sensations fill your day dreams, put pen to paper--or fingers to keyboard--you can write a romance novel.

In recent years, romance fiction has become one of the hottest selling book genres. In 2008, romance fiction dominated books sales generating $1.37 billion despite the general downward trend in booksales. The subgenres of titles found under the romance category have also exploded. Science-fiction, paranormal, mystery thriller, historical, christian, and other romance subgenres allow authors to craft romance novels that capture the imaginations and inspire the hearts of readers. 

I enjoy a mixture of themes when I'm reading romance.  I get bored with a standard boy meets girl, boy loses girl, girl and boy reconcile romance plot--unless its exceptionally well written.  The romance authors that I enjoy most write paranormal and action adverture romance. Diana Gabaldon, Charlaine Harris, L. A. Banks, and Sherrilyn Kenyon all write smart romances with unexpected plot twists. They also fill their books with well imagined and crafted characters. Romance writing may be fun, but it also requires the same hardwork and attention to detail as other genres. My favorite authors' understanding of this show in their ability to craft characters which capture readers' imaginations and consistently maintain several interesting storylines in their very popular series.

Whatever your romance style, enjoy your season and if you're feeling inspired, write one.


Here a few of my most recent romance reads:
The Devil Inside (Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist, Book 1)
An Echo in the Bone: A Novel (Outlander)
Bad Blood (Crimson Moon, Book 1)
Switch

Check out these resources for romance writers:
Romance Writers of America
Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies
WOW! Women on Writing--Issue No. 37: Romance Writing

Help Save RIF!: Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) Funding Cut From Government Budget

My mother read to me from an early age. She grew up in a household of teachers; she understood the importance of introducing literacy early and reinforcing it often. She deserves most, but not all of the credit for my love of a good book. The Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program sealed the deal.

When I was in kindergarten RIF visited my school and scattered books on, under and around a large table positioned center stage in our auditorium. I selected my book then as I do now, with great patience and consideration. I was one of the last to leave. A RIF sticker saying, "This book belongs to Desiré," was centered in the front cover of the book completing the exchange. It was the first time that I chose the story; that day, my reading life became my own, and I became a writer in the making.

Stories like mine are being jeopardized by recent budget cuts. Given the successful 42 year history of the program and the consistent lament regarding the state of literacy in the U. S., a state of decline, how can this budget cut have been supported? If you believe in RIF's Mission, write your Congress person and let them know that you want funding returned to this successful and necessary program.

Turn Your New Year's Resolutions into Writing Goals

Happy New Year!

Tomorrow brings the first day of the New Year, and for many the downward spriral of failing resolutions. As the year marches forward, the good intentions of January 1st become daily afterthoughts, or postponed tasks. How do you keep this from happening to the list of resolutions you selected after a solid investment of time and reflection?

You don't....unless those resolutions go through a conversion and become goals. Goals are accomplished in measurable increments and have deadlines or due dates. Take a look at your list. Then, for each of your resolutions, write the steps required to accomplish them. Next, go through your calendar and select a due date for each step, followed by a deadline for completion of the actual goal. It's a little more work upfront, but the odds of success go up exponentially.

Here are a few suggested goals for the writing life in 2008:

1. Improve your current organizational systems, or if you don't have any, get some.
2. Get a planner and use it. I'm trying out the Franklin Covey 365 system from Target.
3. Learn how to sell yourself. In this competitive publishing world, auhtors have to be their own best publicist--just the way it is.
4. Get more and better sleep.
5. Get fit. Writing is not only about genius;it's about longevity--outlive the competition. You'll up your chances of large scale, long term publishing success.


Suggestions anyone?

I've really been enjoying my time at Gather.com. The conversations have been lively and stimulating. If you haven't found an online writer's workshop or found the right place to connect with other writers online, I'd definitely recommend Gather.com. The site provides these elements and more:

• Live chats with popular authors, like one of my personal favorites, Diana Gabaldon
• Special Election 2008 Group
• The opportunity to earn points which can be redeemed for products, gift cards, and if you get enough of them cash

Word for the Week

community

ownership or participation in common

Keep informed on Gather.com! Content ranges from politics to cooking, and we earn Gather Points™ or cash for using the site!View my content here: desireh
desireh.gather.com

Are profit and posterity mutually exclusive?

Quote for the Week


"The fact that writers will go through so much to remain writers says something, perhaps everything. It would be far easier (and nearly always more profitable) to become a real estate agent." -Maria Lenhart

Five Ways To Hunt and Capture Great Writing Ideas

1. Scan the newspaper for stories that catch your eye. Who know's one might inspire you to write a manuscript in the tradition of Truman Capote.

2. Revisit a place that you used to frequent, but no longer visit quite as often or at all. Why did you used to go there? Why did you stop?

3. Listen to your local NPR station or visit npr.org. NPR is full of opportunities to cull news and features for ideas based on current events, historical references, and scientific discovery.

4. Make a list of the most interesting people you know or have known. How could you create a composite of their most outstanding characteristics to feature in your next story or novel?

5. Create a list of all of the places you'd like to visit. Then write about them. This will require stellar research and ideally a personal visit.

Market Recommendations: Krista Barrett's Weekly E-zine

If you're looking for markets, a writing job, a way to network with other writers, and solid free-lance advice, check out Krista Barrett's Writer Gazette. Each weekly issue, is full of opportunities like these and more. She also offers writing classes and her writing texts are available for purchase at Lulu.com. You can also promote your work and accomplishments in the Writer Gazette (Remember, there's no such thing as too much pub).

Get To Know Other Writers

As writers, we spend a great deal of time working in solitude. I believe that in order to produce a continuous flow of meaningful work, a writer must strike a balance between living their craft and experiencing the world in which the live. It also means forging relationships with other writers.

Writers must challenge themselves to expand their circle of relationships to include more writing colleagues. I've started building more connections online, because as a parent my time is somewhat limited. I also attended the Kansas City Literary Festival last weekend and picked up some great information there as well as joining a few mailing lists. Other possibilities are writing conferences and author events in your area.

There are several benefits with getting to know other writers. The more writers you know the better informed you become regarding the publishing industry and the writer's craft. Getting to know other writers allows you to build a circle of people with whom you can workshop, exchange constructive criticism or even plan events of your own. It helps you keep perspective when you interact with other people taking on similar endeavors; being a writer is great, but it's not easy.

Here are a few links to get you started:

Gather.com

Associated Content.com

My Writer's Circle.com

Edit Red.com

A Multi-leveled Labyrinth Holds The Muse

As we practice the craft of writing, some days it proves a frustration and others a delight. Writing can become like finding one's way through a multi-level labyrinth. Think in terms of the space which is fabled to have held the Minotaur. However, unlike the home of the Minotaur, a writer's labyrinth is not static; it is ever-changing. The lighting within it ebbs, grows and flows as we seek our destination. Each corner holds a new and different treasure. When we solve the puzzle and exit the space, we are eager to move on to the next challenge.

Word for the Week

labyrinth

an intricate structure containing winding passages hard to follow without losing one's way; maze

Source: Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language

Mother's Day Is An Opportunity To Reflect On Our Children and Ourselves

Writing prompt

I've been showered with flowers, charm pins and thoughtful assistance this week. Mother's Day is Sunday and since my children are school age, I've pretty much had mine. Their intentions are so sweet and genuine.

Take a moment to reflect on your relationship with your mother and your own children if you have them. How are they the same? How are they different? As you consider your relationship with your children, how do you wish to shape it?

We live in a world of wide and varied relationships and family units. If you don't or didn't have a mother in the traditional sense, consider the person or persons who fulfilled the role which we usually attribute to mothers.

Happy Mother's Day!

Samara O'Shea Shows Us How Letters Remain Center Stage In the 21st Century

Word for the Week

Letter

Currently, I'm reading Samara O'Shea's For the Love of Letters: A 21st Century Guide to The Art of Letter Writing. It's the perfect how-to book to have on one's shelf in light of recent events and the time of year. We've suffered yet another national loss, the shootings at Virginia Tech, and ironically, we are about to enter the month of May, the month when many graduate from high school and college.

Both of these circumstances, seem to bring our focus upon a heightened sense of vulnerability and the desire to cement and create bonds with friends and loved ones. When moments of crisis strike, our impulse is to connect with our friends, family and loved ones. Where our predecessors relied on newspapers, television and correspondence, we have the added benefit of the internet and mobile communication. Aside from cell phone calls, we send text messages and emails to confirm the well being of the people about whom we care. These for all intents and purposes are letters--albeit most likely more brief than a traditional letter, but they're still conversations in text.

O'Shea packs great deal of information regarding letter writing in her 172 page volume. She discusses a broad range of letters, those regarding getting together as well as saying goodbye and those which recommend along with angry letters which may offend. She also touches on letters written for matters of business, thank you letters and letters of recommendation.

Her writing style is direct and conversational. The book flies. Her letter writing instructions are simple to follow. She also sprinkles example letters by herself, both from her personal life and her professional life, as a letter writer for hire at LetterLover.net, and famous authors, John Keats' declaration of love, Edgar Allen Poe's angry adieu to his estranged parent and Andrew Carnegie's letter to close a deal, are featured among others.

O'Shea makes a convincing case for letter writing. The historical background of letters that she offers illustrates how letters can change lives and shape deaths (see the letter by Marie Antoinette pages 39-41). Take the time to read this book. Then, give a gift; write a letter.

Charles Bukowski Says, If You're Going To Write, Then Do The D___n Thang!

As I read "so you want to be a writer?", I wondered if Charles Bukowski intended it as reverse psychology to treat the reader, himself or both. Of course the obvious possibility remains; he means just what he says.

Check it out, and tell me what you think: so you want to be a writer?

Visit Poets.org to find for thousands of poems, biographies, essays, and audio clips. Poets.org is a program of the Academy of American Poets.

"Poetry is that which helps us live." --Wallace Stevens

Passion and Discipline Are Key to Writing Great Poetry

The best poetry is born of passion and discipline--depth of feeling and effective application of the tools of the writing craft. When poems are written with too much of one and not enough of the other, they end up in the trash, or at least they should. Passion and discipline, the means by which we create art, cultivate them and prosper.

Quotes for the Week

Poetry is a deal of joy and pain and wonder, with a dash of the dictionary.
Kahlil Gibran

Poetry is finer and more philosophical than history; for poetry expresses the universal, and history only the particular.
Aristotle quotes

Making Time, Borrowing Time, Stealing Time ~ How To Get The Writing Done?

Writing Prompt

Life is full of distractions, from the inspiring beauty of spring to the not so inspiring like doing laundry. Make a list of the things that you view as distractions from your writing practice. Try to think of some solutions to deal with them. Are they actually the fertilizer for that next piece, germinating in the back acres of your mind?