Monthly Archives: January 2012

Snowy Woods and Frozen Lakes

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Outtakes 25

 

Snowy Woods and Frozen Lakes

I was in the sixth grade when my dad received orders for Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, Maine. I hated the thought of leaving my friends, and my boy friend, Johnny Vaughan, but the moves were part of military life. So once again, we packed up and headed north. As we drove the three thousand miles from Louisiana to Maine, I focused more on what I was losing than what I would gain. (Hey, I was a kid.) This change of station shaped so much of my life. Even now, some fifty years later, I can close my eyes and see Maine, the friends I made, and recall the lessons I learned.

I was fortunate to have an English teacher who made creative writing and appreciation of literature a part of the curriculum. You see, Mr. Jordan was a student of four-time Pulitzer Prize winning poet, Robert Frost. This teacher helped me to appreciate the poetry of Frost, Sandburg, T.S. Elliott, Poe, and the older masters. But to this day, Robert Frost remains my favorite poet. Frost had the ability to paint a portrait of New England life. Birches, The Road Not Taken, Mending Wall, Death of the Hired Man, Fire and Ice, and Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening bring back such vivid memories of an area of the country I came to love. The words are beautiful on the surface, but they also require thought and introspection. By reading and rereading Frost’s poems, I was able to see beyond the beauty of New England and find simple wisdom beneath the words.

The point of this Outtake is Mr. Jordan’s character. Mr. Jordan was not a writer; he was a Junior High School teacher. He was wise enough to understand each student’s limitations, and base expectations on talent and ability. At the same time, he expected each of us to reach higher and do better. In my opinion, this is the essence of a good teacher. He instructed and then gave us our wings. Sometimes we flew, and at times we fell. But we all tried.

As I was an honors student, he never let me get away with sloppy work. I didn’t appreciate that at the time, but now I realize he had my best interests in mind. I thank him for caring so much. I also thank him for not trying to make a poet of me. I don’t have that talent. I can write simple verse to do little songs for my Sunday school class, but I’ve never been able to capture the intricacies of rhyme, meter, and imagery needed to write good poetry. I envy those who have this talent.

Not only did he teach English, he made me realize I am obligated to give back to others.  You see, Mr. Jordan learned from a master and passed his knowledge on to the next generation. I think Robert Frost said it best in the closing lines of Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.

…But I have promises to keep

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Whatever talent we possess, we have in essence, an I.O.U. or a promise to teach others. It’s not enough to leave behind  just our written words. It’s more important to reach out to instruct and inspire others to be their best. Talent is a use it or lose gift, and we need to pay back the loan. No writer should be satisfied to rest on his laurels. He should have the desire to, like Mr. Jordan; pass his knowledge to future generations. I’ve been blessed to come into contact with writers who shared their gifts with me. I only hope I do as good a job for others as they have done for me.

Cait Collins

Beginning, Middle and End – WHAT A RIDE!

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A story has a beginning, middle and an end.

Make a brief outline answering these questions to create a story skeleton to build upon.

  1. The Beginning: What event happens to person, that creates a problem or a need?
  2. The Middle: What struggle does the character face in solving the problem or the need?
  3. The End: How is this person changed and what have they learned as a result of the struggle?

This is where the story is made. Imagine the process like a roller coaster. The reader’s attention is captured by the alluring promises made by the title and then they are locked into their seat at the beginning of the ride. Tension builds as the chain’s click-clack pulls them higher into the problem, and then drops them into the middle of the story where there’s no turning back. The reader struggles back and forth, and then up and down along with the characters to solve the problem. The ride then comes to an end where there is resolution showing a change created by the struggle.

Rory C. Keel

Will I or Won’t I?

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Outtakes #24

 

Will I or Won’t I?

There’s a gentleman in our congregation who prays beautiful prayers. He doesn’t use fancy language, or perfect oration. He prays simply and from the heart. And he is deaf. Instead of focusing on what he is not able to do, hear, he explores what he can and will do. He takes part in most of the congregation’s activities; he always smiles, and is perpetually upbeat. He serves as an example and encouragement to me because he is optimistic.

Many times as writers and as humans, we tend to view life in the negative instead of looking for the positive. We think in terms of “I can’t” instead of “I can”. Often the real problem is in what we will do or will not do. It is essential to take stock of our attitudes and determine to focus on the positive.

Look at it this way. I cannot write poetry, but I can write an inspirational article. I choose to write popular fiction instead of the Great American novel. While I’m inept with writing horror, I can do humor. Have I determined I cannot craft a specific genre without making an attempt in the category? Am I willing to experiment with different styles and techniques? Will I risk rejection?

By assessing attitudes we are better able to determine the difference in ability and in self limitation. This year, resolve to challenge yourself. Attempt to write the Great American novel. If you’re a guy, write a romantic short story. Ladies, write a football or auto racing piece. Submit your work to an objective reader or editor. Better yet, search the web for an agent or publisher, and send a proposal. You are the only person able to take control of your writing career and make a publishing contract your goal for 2012.

Cait Collins

The Genre Wardrobe

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POST CARDS FROM THE MUSE

The Genre Wardrobe

 Standing in front of the mirror I adjust the lapel of my jacket. This outfit is a little too professional. I take the jacket off and change from stilettos to loafers. Now it looks a little on the casual side. So I change the slacks for a skirt and put on a pair of boots. Now I look a little flouncy. I change the skirt to jeans, the blouse to a button up shirt and go back to the loafers. Now I look comfortable but fairly dressy. So I change the loafers to sandals and the shirt to a t-shirt.

The point is that changing from one genre to another is as simple as changing the style of outfit. You start with a basic plot story—main character with a goal, arch enemy throwing obstacles at the main character, and a conclusion of win it all or lose it all. To make it look like a certain genre you simply change an element or add a twist.

If you want romance, add attraction that cannot be ignored. If you want science fiction, add outer space and aliens or futuristic elements. If you want horror, add fear and blood. If you want western, horses and cattle and American wilderness are what you need. And if you want fantasy, you need magic. There’s even a genre called “main stream” for stories that don’t fit anywhere else. And it has become popular to mix the genres so that you get things like paranormal romance, psychological thriller, historical fiction.

So here’s your assignment for the week. Take one of your favorite fairy tales and dress it up in a different genre. You should get some surprising results.

Congratulations. You have just received a post card from the muse.

Nandy Ekle

 

TRANSLATION

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TRANSLATION
by Sharon Stevens
Recently a student brought textbooks into our bookstore to sell. None of them were being used for the next semester, and a couple were so damaged we were unable to buy them back. Rather than tossing them into the dumpster they decided to leave them with us after we explained that the Mortarboard at WTAMU had a fundraising project to recycle used books.
After the students left I thumbed through some of them. One was “The Western Heritage” and covered not cowboys or cattle drives, but Greeks, Romans, Thucydides, Aristrophanes, and the like, the very basis of our civilization. All Greek to me. Another of the books was “Searching, Researching Internet and the World Wide Web”. More Greek.
By far the most interesting of those left behind was the ones with a language I couldn’t decipher, unable to make heads nor tails of the titles. One of the books even appeared to be an inspirational day book with an inscription or dedication handwritten in Chinese characters. Thats when I discovered they were written in Korean. Or at least this is what the one page printed in English read.
I would have loved to have known the story of who wrote the words. I wonder if it was given to a student by his or her parents as they prepared to leave their ancestral home to cross the world to study at a foreign university? Could it have been inscribed by a beloved teacher or grandparent and given as a gift to give them strength as they ventured out into the world?
Who would ever know the memories treasured within? Surely not me. I can’t read Korean, and I don’t have friends that can translate either.
This reminded me of a letter I found in Loula Grace Erdman’s scrapbooks housed at the Cornette Library on the campus at WTAMU. Erdman’s publisher R.T Bond with Dodd, Mead & Company Inc. sent a note dated November 14, 1960 concerning her book “Years of the Locust”, informing her that this was to be translated into Arabic, Persian, Urdu and Indonesian. The body of the letter explained, This will pay you only about Sixty dollars-but think of the fun you will have in reading your own writing in Urdu!
Barbara Brannon author and marketing manager for Texas Tech University Press received inspiration from Erdman’s book, The Wind Blows Free for her Christmas greeting with music and verse for “Red Hawk in the Sky/Fe’lark in the Grass, Two Plains Fables for the holiday season 2011”. Brannon will be the guest speaker for the January meeting of Panhandle Professional Writers (PPW) and will be speaking on “Circles of Desire: A Workshop for Refining Your Plot and Synopsis (Fiction or Creative Nonfiction).”
And this is what links me to this blog. You never know where you will find that next bit of trivia that will brighten your story, or even lead it in another direction. A word, phrase or quote can change things in an instant, drag you back to reality, or give your character dimensions you never knew they possessed.
Even though you think a book has no connection to the story you are writing you may find the catalyst to spur it forward. Any genre can benefit with a fresh look from another perspective to keep it bright and alive instead of stale and flat. Reading something outside your focus just might be the ticket to help you break free.
Take for example my last blog about buses. Who knew that it would link to so many memories? And one of the responses from “Neeks” spurred me to share with my writing critique group her idea of using three words and making a story out of it.
To get back on track. Beginning with the January meeting of the Panhandle Professional Writers I am going to set up a table of all sorts of discarded books from our bookstore in hopes that someone might find inspiration within the pages. All proceeds will go to benefit the Frontiers in Writing Conference.
There will also be an extra jar for loose change collected for scholarships for Opportunity Plan Inc., This is one of our pet projects at our Buffalo Bookstore.
On display will be all sorts of books. Some of them on public speaking can help spur you on with how to face an audience at a booksigning or as a guest speaker. We ALL need to be prepared. Government books can direct you to write about politics or political history. What a great time to live in a democracy! It doesn’t have to be just about Freedom or Civil Rights to make a good story. Look at “The Help”. What a tale Kathryn Stockett wove around a period in our history.
And how about a book on marketing to expand your horizons on social media or community projects or marketing in general. Retail, salespeople, customer service can open your eyes to the workplace or writing for business, or even a “Chicken Soup For the Soul”.
What about exercise? These books never go out of date and those used in physical education can be useful when you hit a wall in your writing. It only requires a few moments to get out of your chair and stretch that can brighten your focus to face your worst writers block.
Come see what books you can find to inspire you in your writing. Celebrate the journey, not your destination. You never know where you will find something that will help in the translation.
Loula Grace Erdman’s letter from Dodd, Mead tells her, This is a Franklin Publication and is a part of the American effort to bring the best things in America to the Attention of the World Beyond. Now we will both stand up and face the flag while the Star Spangled Banner is played.”
Please make plans to attend the Panhandle Professional Writers bi-monthly meeting on Saturday January 21, 2012. PPW is a wonderful, active, organization that is doing some great things for all levels of the writing community. The Frontiers in Writing Conference at Amarillo College in June will be an exciting time for any writer. Jodi Thomas’ Writing Academy in July rounds out the summer programs.
PPW’s meeting will be held at the East Campus of St. Stephen United Methodist Church, 4600 S. Western, Amarillo. The meeting is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch is $10 and requires an R.S.V.P. Please call or email Janet Taylor, Hospitality Chair, at 282-1227 or “mailto:ppwlunch@gmail.com” by Tuesday, January 17. There is a $5 program guest fee, which will be deferred if the guest joins PPW that day. PPW dues are $30 annually and renew each January. (That’s this month, folks!) Students with school ID will be charged a $1 guest fee. Our January program, Circles of Desire: A Workshop for Refining Your Plot and Synopsis (Fiction or Creative Nonfiction), will be presented by writer, photographer, musician, artist, and Marketing Manager at Texas Tech University Press, Barbara Brannon. Janet Cooper Taylor 1918 S. Tyler St. Amarillo, TX 79109 806-282-1227
Sharon Stevens

Point of View

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TRAILS END – The novel

Point of View

When I first attempted writing, I knew what every character was thinking and doing, how they felt, and why. I simply told the reader all they needed to know. Learning to write from one character’s point of view and letting them show the reader the story, became intimidating. For a while I became stifled, unable to make any progress with my story.

With the help of my good friends in Wordsmith Six, and attending the Jodi Thomas Writers Academy at WTAM, I’m learning. There is, however, a POV I still struggle with. Trails End is a main character in my novel, and I really want to incorporate the horse’s POV a few times through out the story. I just finished such a chapter, and I have no idea if it will fly. My Wordsmith Six group might have to fix it.

Have you seen the movie “War Horse”? The book was loaned to me by Natalie Bright because it’s written entirely from the horse’s POV. What a great story. So at least I know it can be done. I can only hope my novel will be as compelling.

Thanks for reading,

Joe

 

Fast Track to Being a Writer

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Fast Track to Being a Writer

Does the sound of being a writer intrigue you? Have you ever expressed the desire to write, only to be told, “You can’t write.”

Perhaps deep down inside you have a gnawing interest, an unquenchable desire, but you keep telling yourself, “I could never be a writer.”

The first definition of a writer is “n. One who writes,” American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

The way to be a writer is to write. Start by writing about yourself or describe an object on your desk. What senses such as taste, touch, sight and sounds describe your perfect vacation getaway destination?

When you write, you become a writer. What are you waiting for? Grab a pen and sheet of paper or start typing on the computer keyboard. Be a WRITER!

Rory C. Keel

Battling Guilt and New Ideas

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Battling Guilt and New Ideas

By Natalie Bright

Deadlines loom, whether self-imposed or not, on our writing. The fact is, you must have loads of self-discipline because writing doesn’t come easy. Distractions assault you from a multitude of sources.

This past year, I found myself being more and more consumed by new story ideas. I had been focusing on a series of middle grade westerns featuring a feisty eleven year old by the name of Silver Belle. Her adventures wake me up at night. However, the urge to finish an inspirational book about the loss of our baby tugged at my heart. That project is now an eBook. GONE NEVER FORGOTTEN is available on Smashwords.

Time to tackle Silver Belle’s second adventure? No way. The story about a frontier kid and a Comanche brave who form a friendship at a Texas Fort continues to pester my brain. Good grief; more research.

Guilt: for missing two contest deadlines, for abandoning Silver Belle in mid-adventure, and for feeding my family take out every night for a week. Even so, thank goodness I agreed to volunteer at the Scholastic Book Fair at my son’s school where I discovered a lovely book by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, EMILY’S FORTUNE.

While learning more about her work, I found this on the Houghton Mifflin Reading site:

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor says the hardest part of being a writer is focusing only on the book she is currently writing. She constantly comes up with new ideas and characters. Every time she gets a new book idea, she puts the title of the book on a three-ring binder. As she thinks up characters and scenes for that book, she jots them down in the notebook. She usually has about ten of these idea notebooks on her shelf while she is writing a book.

Isn’t that the best inspiration ever?!!!  I do keep an idea notebook. For every story idea noted, there’s at least one ignored with the thought that I’d never have time to research and write it.

In the coming New Year, I promise myself to never abandon new ideas and to joyfully write in my idea notebook, guilt free!

Have you started your idea notebook yet?

Sending wishes that you have a blessed and productive New Year in 2012!

Natalie Bright

Inspiration

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Outtakes 23

Inspiration

I work in the complaints and correspondence department of a major annuities company. I’m often required to review old documents to verify names, dates of birth, contract ownership and so on. Clients have provided wonderful glimpses into their lives by the materials they send. I’ve received French Canadian birth certificates, Mexican marriage licenses, hand-written records, legal documents that appear to have been typed on old onionskin paper. But the most interesting was entitled Non-Relative Affidavit.

Even though it was scanned into our files, the age and fragility of the document was obvious. The shading indicated the page had yellowed over the years. Wrinkles and tears marred the submission and made reading the information difficult. The affidavit verified a birth in 1929, but the verification was not entered into the county records until some fourteen years after the birth. The age and unique format fueled possible reasons for the delay in filing the birth of this child.

My speculation went along these lines. This was a point in our history when home births were more common than hospital births. Perhaps a doctor did not attend the birth and record it. If the parents were not married, the event might not have been registered in an attempt to spare the mother and child embarrassment and ridicule. Was the child of minority origins? In the Old South, were minority births always registered? Some folks did not trust the government; therefore they might not want to have the birth registered. With this in mind, I realized I had the beginnings of a possible short story. I have not filled in many details;  so for now, this sketch will go into my story ideas notebook.

The point is that our story inspiration comes in many forms. Why not take a few minutes to go through boxes of old paperwork molding in the attic. Or maybe visit the archives in your local library or museum. A name or a place or a piece of paper might just trigger the next best seller.

Cait Collins

Zombies are Among us Still?

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Zombies are Among us Still?

by Natalie Bright

 

This is a topic that I should defer to the horror writer of our group, Nandy Ekle, but I read a zombie novel, TRUE NATURE, and it blew me away. I was surprised how much I enjoyed reading about gory, flesh-eaters.

Which got me to wondering, why is everyone so fascinated with zombies?  It seems like they’ve been around forever.

A Classic Flesh Eater

The classic Night of the Living Dead started it all in 1968, so yes, they have been around for a while. The director, George A. Romero, and co-writer John A. Russo, redefined modern horror at the cinema. This classic can be found on YouTube.  Romero went on to expand this classic into a trilogy, and returned in 2000s with three more flicks (Land of the Dead, Diary of the Dead, and Survival of the Dead).

The famous deathlike stupor, typically after death, has roots in various cultures throughout the world. Africa and Haiti repeat tales of wakening the dead, past relatives coming back, or witches that can inhabit bodies. Even as recently as 1982, a Harvard ethno botanist claimed his research in Haiti resulted in the discovery of two special powders with the ability to turn a living person into a walking-dead zombie-like state.

The zombie remains undead to legions of fans through movies and books.

eBook Debut

The author of TRUE NATURE, Jere Ellison, met with our writers critique group several years ago and I knew this novel in its infancy. I was intrigued then by the characters and writing style, and I couldn’t wait to see how it would develop into a full story. I wasn’t disappointed.

Jere kept writing and kept polishing, and thank goodness, shared this story with the world as an eBook. It’s available now on Amazon.com.

Writers who Stretch and Grow

For the New Year, I’ve decided to stretch out and consider reading genres that I normally would never spend time on; horror is one of those categories.

Writers write, and in order to have a greater appreciation for the flow and order of words, I think that it’s imperative that writers read too. Even zombies can teach us a thing or two.