Tag: creative writing

Ch-ch-ch-changes…

~ Meg ~ 12 Comments

“Turn and face the strange…” – David Bowie

Expecting Sunday’s song lyric?  Sorry if you’re disappointed!  The blog is about to get a makeover.  I’m going to ditch the song lyric, even though for me, that was a lot of fun.  Music has always been a source of inspiration.  However, not everybody gets that. I think sometimes, trying to figure out how the song fits into the story can detract from the piece itself.  So that’s out.  

You’ll see more of my serial fiction piece “Here Lies a Soldier” something I really want develop into a full length novel eventually.  I’ve also had a lot of fun writing backstory shorts starring my novel characters.  If I conjure up enough of that stuff, I could publish it as a collection.  Honestly, the constant stress of coming up with a new short story every week has really distracted from my novel writing process.  I really need to focus.  Keeping my short stories in my novels’ universe will help with that.

I’ll continue to share progress on my current projects, dispense my marginally useful writing tips and have a laugh or two at my own expense.  (Story of my life!)  Other changes are coming too.  I think it’s time for an updated photo, background image and maybe a tweak of the color palette.  Hopefully, it will give the blog a fresh new feel for the new year.    Come to think of it, I could use a new background and a tweak of my color palette, too…

Oh, and one more thing…

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for all the kind support, meaningful feedback and yes, I’ll go so far as to say, friendship. I’ve met so many awesome people this year.  It’s been an absolute pleasure interacting with you all!  Keep it coming in 2016!

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You can’t tell me what to do!

~ Meg ~ 63 Comments

I came across this photo/list of Elmore Leonard’s Ten Rules of Writing on Pinterest.  It’s an excerpt from his essay of the same title.  I thought it would be interesting to see if you all agree or disagree with these rules.

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Here’s my opinion:

1. Personally, I love a story that starts with “It was a dark and stormy night…” (just kidding, unless the author is trying to be ironic).

2. How about the prologue?  Is there a bit of the story that just needs to be set off by itself?  I’m pretty sure I’ve never had a problem with a prologue.

3. “Said” seems to have no grey area.  Writers either demand that “said” be used exclusively or they hate having to stick to “said.”  Some say it’s the mark of an inexperienced writer to use words other than “said.”  Whatever.  Sometimes, words like “whispered,” “murmured,”or “shouted” just need to be used, I think.  For example, take these three versions of the same sentence:

“That is a stupid idea,” he said.

“That is a stupid idea,” he whispered.

“That is a stupid idea!”  he shouted.

Totally different feeling is conveyed, right?  On the other hand, you could get carried away with it.  “That is a stupid idea,” he blustered, bemoaned, bellowed, whined, sneered, snapped, ranted, ejaculated….  (yeah, let’s use that one! *snicker*)

4. Here’s another reason to use a word other than “said.”  If Elmore doesn’t think you should use an adverb to modify “said” then you can’t say “said quietly.”  Which is a perfect argument for using “whisper” instead.

5.  Exclamations points?!?  Are you kidding me?!? I love exclamation points!!!!  And only 2 or 3 in 100,000 words of prose?!?!?!?!?!?  Come on!!!!! That’s crazy talk!!!!!!!!! (Obvious sarcasm)

6. I pretty much agree with 6.

7. And 7.

8.  Yes, to this too.  I think this is a case of “show don’t tell.”  You can accurately convey your character’s traits through dialogue and through another character’s thoughts and observations.

9.  Hmmm.  Maybe not always.  One of my favorite books is “My Antonia”  by Willa Cather.  There is a multitude of descriptive language in this book and quite frankly, it’s beautiful.  I think this rule depends on the type of story you’re writing.

10.  Yeah, I know what I like to read and what I skim through.  For example, Tom Clancy can describe the entire process of a bullet being fired from an assassin’s rifle.  While I’m totally impressed that he went to all that research… Yawn.  Scan.  Next.

Which of these rules do you agree or disagree with? 

Header image courtesy: Peanuts; by Charles Schultz 

Winter

~ Meg ~ 23 Comments

The days grow short and the night gets longer

The frost should chill and the winds blow stronger

By now we should have snow

But the grass continues to grow

This winter couldn’t be any wronger!

For this week’s Mind and Life Matters limerick challenge!