That line of illogical thinking was rife with writer's block. In fact, my Christmas card that year pretty much summed up how I felt I spent my days. The caricature (drawn by Nick Carmen Cosentino) showed me sitting at a typewriter pulling one sheet of paper after another out of the machine. The wadded up balls found a use as ornaments on the card's Christmas tree.
As I met more and more published authors at conferences and book signings and now through social media, I've learned we all endure the same process to complete our projects. It doesn't matter if we are just beginning our career or if we're well-established. Writers are destined to edit, cull, write and rewrite before the manuscript, short story, or article is complete. It's enough to make you want to talk to yourself and that's exactly what I suggest to you:
- READ OUT LOUD - Not to search for punctuation or spelling errors but to enjoy the story as a reader would. If you find a character adding dialogue to the story, by all means, write it down. Don't think about it. Do it. I view this stage of writing as I do a conversation at a party where an awkward pause happens and we finally think of a clever or witty comeback at two o'clock in the morning. Your character may be having that moment.
- VISUALIZE - I wasn't there when my nearly ninety-year-old grandfather took on two muggers but I knew the outcome of his story (Chapter 35 - Best Laid Plans). I had no clue as to what the martial arts moves were called but I wanted to write the best rendition possible; to accept the challenge to learn something new. I called upon experts. Watched demonstrations. Took notes and visualized. I discovered my husband could bend like Gumby, so, I cajoled him into role play. Then I pondered, visualized, and wrote.
Are you writing an action scene? Car race? Horse race? Swim meet? Set up kid's blocks and move them as the scene in your head takes form or take a cue from sports coaches and draw your moves. Think about the interaction of the characters, the motivation and story line. Think . . . visualize . . . write.
- ELIMINATE PASSIVE VOICE and SOFT WORDS - Many of the classics were written in passive voice (will, would, feel, thought, seem, etc.) but reading tastes change and so do writing styles. Now, agents and publishers seek stories showing a scene rather than telling it. It stands to reason. Our lives are spent with visual impulses -- televisions, computers, YouTube, iPhones. As you read your manuscript aloud, do you feel yourself listening to a second-hand story or are you caught up in the drama as part of the action? The reader will feel, the style you've chosen.
- SHORTEN SENTENCES - Words are musical. When you read out loud, it's possible to hear the rhythm; feel the timing. Think about where your story is taking the reader and build the emotion. Does it need more action? Tenderness? Color? Sentence structure is a wonderful tool. Don't be afraid to use it. Try eliminating conjunctions and delete unnecessary words: just, that, only, maybe, so. Write simpler sentences. Did it change the mood? Tighten the story?
- EXPLAIN WHAT'S COMING - Oh, a clever lot we bards. So clever we may leave the reader behind . . . don't want to tip our plot, ya know. While reading your story out loud, ask yourself if the reader is sitting along side you asking for more or better, yet, is he or she shouting 'Don't open that door!'? Keep the reader guessing but don't expect them to go back several chapters to find the tie-in.
As a reader, I want and deserve a story that keeps me entertained and informed. As a writer, it's my pleasure to take you on a journey away from your world into mine.
"Begotten With Love" is now celebrating its fifth week on the Amazon.com Best Seller List. Click Here to Read what others have to say.
I hope these hints will keep you talking to yourself. I wish you nothing but writing success.
To learn more about award-winning author, Jo Ann V. Glim:
AVAILABLE ON: Amazon.com/author/joannglim
BOOK TRAILER on YouTube
"Begotten With Love" is now celebrating its fifth week on the Amazon.com Best Seller List. Click Here to Read what others have to say.
