book

When Is The End Not Really “The End”?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

30471991148_cf93aa3845.jpg

 

I just finished writing the last chapter of book three in my Simon Says series.  In my mind, I write the words “THE END” just like authors used to do (on paper) decades ago.

But when is “THE END” of a book not really “THE END”?

The way I view it, if your book is part of a series, then only the last book in that series can claim that declaration.

So, how should each book within the series “end”?

The end should be satisfying and feel like a conclusion, but then I suggest using the Epilogue to give hints of what is to come in the next book in the series.

The reader should be enticed to keep reading, but they should also feel confident that if they don’t, the current book has concluded in the best way possible.

I use the Prologue to introduce Book One and its Epilogue to segue into the second book and so on through out the entire series. 

When the last book is written, its Epilogue may have a little more of a finish than the others, but personally, I like leave the door slightly ajar, so that if I want to pick up the story again and write another book in the future, I can do so.

For Auld Lang Syne

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

 

30763174246_e0310b4b1a

 

Many of us sang poet Robert Burns’ song “Auld Lang Syne” on January first.

Almost no one, however, remembers that those famous words mean “days gone by.” (I looked it up).

A friend tells me that she doesn’t like to read books that require her to keep a dictionary nearby so she can look up unfamiliar words.

She likes to read fiction for pleasure.

I found out that only half of Americans read at an Eighth Grade reading level.

And get this, when reading for fun and relaxation, people prefer to read TWO GRADE LEVELS BELOW what they are capable of reading.

You may want to keep this fact in mind if you are beginning to write a new book this year. In fact, I would suggest that before you publish the one you are currently writing, you pare down any difficult vocabulary.

Make your book a pleasurable read!

 

Writing Acuity

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

5312551987_36a112892b

 

Most of us look ahead to the coming year–2020. This one, especially, since it is historic—number-wise, at least. 

Many of us set goals for the coming year, so I decided to clarify just what 20/20 means in relation to eyesight.

20/20 is considered “normal” vision when measured on a Snellen visual acuity chart. It is a Fighter pilot minimum. It is required to read stock quotes in the newspaper, numbers in a telephone book and (in almost all states) to drive a car without the restriction of eye-glasses on one’s license.

However, 20/20 is not perfect. 20/15 and 20/10 are even better.

Should 20/20 be our writing goal for the coming year? 

Well, if you are content to be “normal” or average, then aim for 20/20. But if you are intent on raising your game, then a goal of 20/15 or 20/10 might be worth striving for.

So, what would 20/15 or 20/10 writing look like?

Imagine exciting “show-don’t-tell” writing, colorful adjectives, stimulating conversation, vivid imagery.

Imagine superior editing, unique style, interesting characters with real depth.

You get the idea.

If our personal goal is to be the best we can be, if our writing goal is to achieve more in the coming year than in the last, then we cannot settle for average. 

We cannot be content with what we’ve achieved thus far.

We must set our sites on a “writing acuity” that will reflect excellence in the year ahead.

 

Write on Christmas Day

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

35294772960_969c158110

 

For those of you who feel strongly that you should write every day of the year, may I suggest the following alternatives on Christmas Day?

  • Don’t just sign your name on Christmas cards. Instead, write a newsletter including highlights from the past year, or consider at least writing a short, personalized paragraph at the bottom of each card.
  • Write a blog post.
  • Write a letter or email to someone you have lost contact with over the years.
  • Write affirmations to be share around the dinner table on Christmas Day.
  • Take a small gift to your neighbors and include a short note.
  • Practice your skills by writing a short story about an especially  meaningful Christmas in the past, someone who has been instrumental in your life this year, or plans for the year ahead.
  • Write a love letter to that special someone in your life.
  • Write out some of your favorite recipes, tie them with ribbon, and give them as a gift, door prize, or …

You get the idea. There are many alternatives to actually working on your book on Christmas Day, so use your writing to connect with those you love.

Merry Christmas to each of you. May the New Year be filled with endless possibilities…

 

Germination

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

th-6.jpeg

 

I feel guilty about not being at my computer the past few days while I have battled an upper respiratory infection.

However, I realized this morning (as the fog began to lift from my brain) that while my fingers have been inactive, some ideas have begun to germinate.

I looked up the word to make sure I understood what was happening. The dictionary said that germinate means “to begin to grow…after a period of dormancy.”

So, while my body was recovering, my brain was taking the opportunity to germinate. New ideas/changes to my plot and characters were actually benefiting from this period of inactivity. 

So, if an illness or unexpected company or obligations seem to disrupt your writing schedule, use the time to let things germinate.

You just might find, as I did, that “down time” can be positive, helpful, and healing.

Critique Partners

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

46165589511_419e43c7a8

 

For one reason or another, you may find that your critique group has become smaller and smaller.

That’s what happened to my group this past summer.

Left with just two of us (instead of our ideal number of 4) we had a decision to make.

We asked ourselves if we should we disband and each join another existing group, ask others to join us, or if we should simply hang together.

We talked about it. Tossed around the pros and cons.

Finally, we decided to stay together and see how it might work out.

Now, instead of a Critique Group, we have become Critique Partners.

And, so far it is working out very well.

We are able to devote more time to each other… critique to a greater depth. I feel more responsible for my comments and take the time to give more suggestions.

Also, one of the nicest benefits has been the opportunity to get to know each other better. I feel like we are growing our friendship—and that is always a very good thing.

Journey Ended

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

 

6342532860_c45277b707

 

Today is the Grand Finale of our Journey Through the Genres. The last five genres to peruse are:

Historical: This genre offers readers events and fictional characters that occur within a historical setting. Some authors even include real people that interact with the fictional characters.  

Humor: This genre’s goal is entertainment. However, it should also convey an underlying concept.

Realism: These stories are true to life or sometimes may simply be “inspired” by real events. (Example: The TV series Law and Order.)

Short Stories: This type of story may fit into any number of genres, but is so short that there is only one plot—no sub-plots. 

Westerns: These stories take place in the Old West, usually in the late 1800s or early 1900s. They may include the other genres of romance, suspense, and/or realism.

So, that’s it. We’ve covered quite a bit these past five or six weeks. It is always good to refresh our memories as to what genres are available to us. Why not try writing a scene in several different genres? It may not only be fun, but you may be inspired to see what writing a longer version might lead to…

Genre Journey Continues

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

 

2356142045_147a4845dd

Fables: In many of these stories, animals speak certain truths to readers in more or less supernatural ways. (Aesops Fables are perhaps the most well known.)

Fairy Tales: Any story about a magical land or creatures. (Think Snow White, Cinderella…)

Folklore: Myths and/or legends passed down through the generations. Example: Johnny Appleseed.

Mythology: Narratives that have become part of our societies over time. These stories may be based on human events, natural phenomenon, or religion. (Well known myths are: Norse, Greek, Aztec, Inca, Maya.)

Tall Tales: Stories that exaggerate their characters’ abilities to perform impossible tasks. (Remember Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill?)

Nowadays, many of these genres are found in collections.

Next week, we will finish off our Genre Journey by taking a brief look at Westerns, Short Stories, Realism, Humor, and Historical.

 

Journey Thru the Genres

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

48189577647_23db3f7163

 

This week, our focus is on four additional genres: Drama, Crime, Horror, and Science Fiction.

 

Drama:  Mostly written for the movies and theatre, this genre makes use of prose, verse, and/or scenes. (Think of Westside Story and Julius Caesar).

Crime: The focus is on how the criminal gets caught. Action and dialogue are used to express conflict and emotion. (Notably Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky).

Horror: the goal of this genre is to create feelings of fear and dread. Any technique that creates those feelings is fair game. (Fahrenheit 451 and Dracula).

Science Fiction: As a stand alone, or included to some degree in other genres, science fiction examines the past, current, and future impact of science on our culture and society. (Current: Black Autumn and Catalyst).

Next week, we will continue our Journey thru Genres.

Classic vs. Fan Fiction

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

3377199651_7b1d60e7a2

This week’s post seeks to explain the difference between classic fiction and fan fiction:

Classic fiction: a creative narrative worthy of academic discussion. These can be novels or short stories, but must have literary merit. Many of these were written in the 19th century. Most noteworthy are works by Charles Dickens and Jane Austen as well as epic poems such as The Divine Comedy and The Illiad.

Like myself, you are probably aware of classic fiction. But, fan fiction may not have been on your radar. Here is what I found:

Fan Fiction:  the author uses familiar characters and settings from novels, movies, and/or video games from the original creator as a basis for their own writing. TV shows and movies sometimes use fan fiction (Example: The Twilight Series).

Note: Fan fiction is rarely authorized by the original creator or publisher and rarely professionally published. Some people like reading about characters they know and love in new scenarios, but others may feel these are not creative and—even more so—are a form of plagiarism.

Did you know?  Many classic works of literature are actually classified as fan fiction. For example, Inferno by Dante and Paradise Lost by John Milton.