Dialogue Voices

This won't be the first post where I've extolled the invaluable help of the members of my writing group, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Each time their critique and counsel aid me in improving my writing, I want to pass on my added knowledge.  At yesterday's meeting, I experienced one of those sessions.

The first draft of a book, for me, is written quickly and without much serious thought about the details.  I'm lucky because, by reading the draft chapters to my fellow writers, I gain wisdom about what I might be failing to notice as I pound the keys to get that story on paper.

Yesterday had to do with the dialogue I had penned, involving the protagonist and her parents.  It was pointed out that the words sounded too formal for a family just talking to each other, and that my characters voices all tended to sound alike.  My son, Sean, who is a member of my group, did say that the father's voice (whose character name is Gene, which was my father's name) did remind him of his grandfather; that tickled me that he made note of the similarity to name and voice.  His suggestion was to leave his dialogue as is because that was how he spoke, but work on the other two.

I certainly didn't mean to make it too wordy, nor did I realize that I was creating dialogue clones.   This is a major reason for every writer to have a group of wordsmiths to review your work as you go, and help make it better.

Ultimately, as our group agrees, what goes into a writer's work must be that writer's decision, but a good writer should always seek and value the opinion of other members of his group.  I hope I never fail to remember that lesson.

Independence Day Revisited

It was troubling to hear that, according to a recent media poll, only 58% of those questioned could identify the year the Colonies declared their independence from England.  And many did not know what country we broke away from!  I could do a lengthy blog on my frustrations with the education system but that's not the focus of this post.  I do find it an upsetting statistic, however.

This most recent July 4th found my husband and I (and our daughter-in-law, Sande) viewing a local parade, waiting for the appearance of our son, Sean, and his son, Fletcher.  They were riding one of the last floats in the parade.. Sean recently portrayed John Adams in a theatre production of "1776", so he had donned his costume and wig for this appearance, and Fletch wore a shirt, vest and cap that reminded me of a 1930's waif; he was adorable.  They both happily waved and called out to the crowd; Fletch loving the spotlight as he usually does.  That moment spoke to me about what this day means; about freedom, and family, and the many reasons we have to be thankful for where we find ourselves, despite our hard times.

But it also brought to mind again the nights that I sat in the audience, watching Sean and his fellow actors (including my husband, R.J.) recreate the lives of the men responsible for our Declaration of Independence.  I was cheered by the positive reactions of the audience, including their standing ovations at the end of the play.  I wondered what percentage of them were learning history as they sat there.  It gave more than inner pride for my son's talents as the lead character.  It brought me joy and satisfaction to realize that this entertainment venue, with its first class production values, was giving those patrons a glimpse into all the reasons we should feel proud and strong on every July 4th.

If you've never seen "1776" onstage, you've missed something.  And I'm sorry you couldn't have seen my son as John Adams because he captured the role brilliantly.  But, if you're curious about this drama and you can't find a production of it being done, rent the movie.  It stars some of the original cast from Broadway, and is similarly moving.  I defy you not to feel national pride after viewing it.  And, should you know some young people who aren't schooled in the beginnings of our national history, have them view it with you.  Sean grew up with that movie, and always wanted to be part of its cast.  When he and R.J. (who has acted in two previous productions as well as this one) were chosen to be onstage together in this one, it was a dream come true for them both. And the memory of it will always be a cherished part of our family history.

Yes, it's personal pride I've been talking about, but it's also national pride.  And this play, first created over thirty years ago, is one of the best ways I know to instill a sense of that kind of pride in anyone.    

New Characters

Beginning a new novel is daunting, especially after living with the characters from my last one for so long.  They became real to me - which is a good thing, I believe.  It's important to have "real" people one is writing about; else how can you expect the reader to accept them?

My new writing adventure is a total departure from my last, and, though I have an idea of plot and a couple of the major characters, I'm still forming others.  Also, because this new novel jumps from one time period to another, I've struggled with my first chapter; trying to get all the exposition in that I felt the reader would need to understand what is coming.  BUT - I overdid it.

Sharing those first pages with my writing group a few days ago, they pointed out that I was giving too much away.  After all, as one remarked, "This isn't a short story; you have an entire novel to get this information out."  All of them gave pointed ways to hone what I'd written, and I'm working on that today.  Even as I was reading the chapter to them, I knew it sounded too formal and full of discourse, and the men of my group have put me on the right path to continue.

So, back to work on that - and thinking about those other characters I need to bring alive on the page.  Always challenging, but fun as well.

An Inspiring Friend

Last week I was lucky to have my best friend, Holly, visit me for four days.  We hadn't had time together - except by phone and e-mail in about a year - so we made the most of this vacation from responsibilities.  My favorite hours were those spent talking, uninterrupted, about all manner of things.  And during one of these conversations, she mentioned that she missed my blog posts.  "You haven't done one since March," she chided.

I did have excuses for the lapse.  We have moved to a new home in the last month, and that significant change with its multitude of exhausting chores attached, was enough of a distraction.  It meant I had neglected refining my query letter, writing my synopsis, and doing research for my new book.  And blog entries weren't even on my radar.

It's easy as a writer to get off-track.   I was eager to get going on the new novel, to find that perfect agent to sell my first novel, and yet I do allow household tasks, family matters, correspondence, phone calls, the internet, a good book, a long walk, the library - well, you get the idea; there are many things that divert my focus.

But when Holly left, I sat down in my new study - an improvement over my old one - and made a concerted effort to refocus my priorities.  She had given me, without realizing it I'm sure, the "kick" I needed.  I have this wonderful, inspiring new space to work in, lots of projects to intrigue my brain, and I said out loud, "It's time to get to work."

So, in the last week, I've organized notes, sat at the computer and got Chapter One of the new novel on the screen, made some important entries in my personal journal about my time with Holly (and we did have a fun four days!), and now it's time to get the blog on the go again.  So, thanks, my friend, for being an inspiration when I needed one.  Funny how you do that for me often.  And I'll try not to stray too far from center again.  

The Business End

I am mired in the "business" of getting my book sold.  That means endless hours researching potential agents, reading how-to's on drafting the perfect query letter, and preparing a synopsis of my novel that will spark the right interest while not being too detailed - just detailed enough.

Sound like fun?  It isn't.  I'm a writer - that's my passion and the reason my brain never shuts off with story ideas, characters and possibilities for "the next" work.  But, it's a fact of life that writing the queries and synopses, and dealing with the important folk who can get my hard work read is work that must be done well.  And it takes time - lots of time - if you're doing it right.

So, while I'd much rather be fashioning the opening chapter of my next book, which is racing around in my brain day and night, I am focusing on the business end of the writing world at present.  I'll let you know when I'm ready to mail out my first queries.  Should be soon.

"Normal" - What I'm Not!

I heard a "journalist" (I use the term loosely these days, especially with TV reporters, because I find very little that qualifies them to be called that) on a morning show make the statement about a certain celebrity that "he certainly isn't normal".  Granted the man he was talking about has exhibited quite unorthodox behavior, but my first thought was, "So what?"

Roget's synonyms for the word include "conventional", "traditional" and "average", and Mr. Webster defines "normal" as "conforming to a type, standard or regular pattern".  Well, then I'm definitely not "normal" - and proud of it.

I'm not saying that I don't have responsibilities, daily tasks that occupy me, but every day is different from the previous or the upcoming, and it's what keeps me involved and happy.  As an added plus, I also believe it keeps me younger than my chronological years.

Being a voracious reader of autobiographies, I'm always drawn to the "independent" personalities; the ones who push the envelope, as they say.  They defy convention, not just for the sake of doing so, but because their self-esteem is strong enough to allow them to pursue their life as they want, rather than what social standards dictate they must do.  I learn from those lives, and my work is inspired because of them.

Ever since I was a kid, I can remember incidents where I was called out for being atypical or rebellious - not in a destructive or hurtful way - but warned that my behavior defied the norm.  I said it then, and I still say, "So what?"

I like who I am.  I like my life.  I like my family (who are all unconventional, in one way or another).  I am a caring individual who sees life as a constantly renewing adventure.  I cannot envision an ordered, routine existence.  I don't judge others who choose to live that kind of life; I just wouldn't be happy doing it.

Taking unknown paths, or questioning the rules, can result in difficult consequences on occasion.  But, looking back and analyzing those times, I know I wouldn't have done anything different.  I've never broken the law, done anything purposely hurtful, or sacrificed the well-being of those I love.  And I've always pursued each new experience with a glad heart.

When my life is over (decades from now, I hope), I won't be saying "I wish I had.......".  That would be the saddest elegy I can imagine.  I would hope people remember me as an independent spirit who pursued every avenue of life with abandon.  But "normal'?  That word certainly won't be heard. 

A Busy - And Changing - Month

A month ago, I told you that my novel was finished.  That was a true statement at the time.  I took my re-edited last chapter to my next writing group meeting and the members gave me some excellent pointers and ideas to improve it even more.  I thought about their advice, pondered some ways to strengthen the ending, and have worked to do just that.

I'm still doodling with word choice, etc., but the book is really done now.  I have been researching agents, publishers, checking out the market to see who's buying the type of writing I'm trying to sell, and I've also been scouring the internet for article and short story markets.  So, I haven't been idle; I've just waited until I was sure I'd done my final editing on that memorable last chapter to share my thoughts about why I did it. 

I read recently a blog by one of my inspirations, Hope Clark, who is having her first novel published this fall.  She shared her journey, which also included several rewrites of the ending of her book.  So, I know I'm in good company!  I suppose the reason for this post is to help other writers realize that they can't just put their work out for sale until they're completely satisfied with the end result.  It does take more than one draft, or two, or three - it takes what it takes to make it your best, and you have to be wise enough to know when you've done it right.

So, back to work on my synopsis.  I'm sure I'll have lots to share about the next part of my quest.