tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84370273643057592832024-02-28T22:50:12.321-08:00A Writer Writes . . . SometimesDonita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-79085062522769317232014-01-02T19:56:00.000-08:002014-01-02T19:57:31.229-08:00Don't Plant Trees!<b>"In writing fiction, the more fantastic the tale, the plainer the prose should be. Don't ask your readers to admire your words when you want them to believe your story." Ben Bova </b><i>Benjamin William Bova (born November 8, 1932) is an American author of more than 120 works of science fact and fiction, six-time winner of the Hugo Award, a former editor of Analog magazine, a former editorial director of Omni (magazine), a past president of both the National Space Society and the Science Fiction Writers of America, and lives in Florida. wikipedia</i> I've read books where there is so much detail that I forget what the characters are doing. The truth for the author to assimilate is this: Don't plant trees around your splendid forest. Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-13635799122373846582014-01-01T19:10:00.000-08:002014-01-01T19:10:28.920-08:00New Year's resolution- WRITE!You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little
as if you have lost a friend. ~Paul Sweeny<br />
<br />
Paul Sweeney seems to be more famous for his quotes than for his books. The titles remind me of textbooks:<br />
<span itemprop="name"><em></em></span><br />
<span itemprop="name"><em>Ireland's Economic Success: Reasons and Lessons; <br />Ireland's Economic Success: Reasons and Prospects; <br />Race and Racism in the West: Crusades to the Present; <br />Ri Im/TB Organizational Behavior; </em><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2665327-selling-out"><span style="color: black;"><em>Selling Out?: Privatisation in Ireland; </em></span></a><br /><em>The Celtig Tiger: Ireland's Economic Miracle Explained</em> <br />
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><br />
<span itemprop="name"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span itemprop="name"><br /><span itemprop="name"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="color: black;">I don't know what a Celti</span><span style="color: red;">g </span><span style="color: black;">Tiger is, and I'm not really interested in his topics. But I am captivated with the private reading habits of such a scholarly man. It's interesting that an intellectual finds books compelling enough to be "friends." I'm supposing these are works of fiction he refers to. Even with my overactive imagination I cannot conjure up the image of a man holding a book under his arm with affection when the title of the tome is "Weightier Biorhythms in the Western Hemisphere."</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I have books on my shelf (and in my Kindle) that I have returned to read again. I hope that the books I write will be friends that will lighten lonely hours, give counsel to confusion, and draw readers to yearn for a better life. Of course, Jesus is the answer to loneliness, confusion, and higher planes!</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: black;">I have a Pinterest board that captures all sorts of readers. <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/donitakpaul/reading-everybody-s-doing-it/">Reading? Everybody's doing it!</a></span></span></span></span> </span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"> </span>Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-68709622541395824552012-04-16T13:39:00.002-07:002012-04-16T13:39:46.769-07:00Is a book bought a book read?<h4>
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRJzAeel8mNQnxqsIzaCxiTAvPxVyhyLbyBeYoU-2v1jMznOSI_" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></h4>
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRJzAeel8mNQnxqsIzaCxiTAvPxVyhyLbyBeYoU-2v1jMznOSI_" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><h4>
<img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRJzAeel8mNQnxqsIzaCxiTAvPxVyhyLbyBeYoU-2v1jMznOSI_" width="200" /></h4>
</a>There are some books of which scores of copies are bought for one which is read,
and others which have dozens of readers for every copy sold. --John Ayscough I am both of these readers. I buy books on sale, at garage sales, from used book stores. and even brand new. But I don't always read them. My TBR (to be read) pile is tall enough to cause a hazard should it avalanche. But I also loan books. When I have a favorite book, I urge others to borrow it and share my enjoyment. I'm not one to go deep in a discussion of a book. I like to hear what others have to say, but for the most part, I don't like over-thinking, second-guessing the author, and disecting plot or character. I just want to enjoy the book. <!-- |**|end egp html banner|**| -->Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-68343046712295034692012-03-01T22:12:00.001-08:002012-03-01T22:12:12.869-08:00<span style="color: blue;">"As long as there have been people in the world, there have been stories."
</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://carmelauthors.com/authors/voth_big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://carmelauthors.com/authors/voth_big.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>DR. GRANT L. VOTH</strong> is Professor Emeritus at Monterey Peninsula College in California. He is the author of insightful scholarly books and articles on subjects ranging from Shakespeare to Edward Gibbon to modern American fiction.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">The power of words should never be underestimated. Words can educate, illuminate, dominate, encourage, and even heal.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Labeling can be negative or positive. Call a boy stubborn, and he is mule-headed, thick-necked, and incorrigible. Call the same boy persistent, and he is determined, resolute, firm, and confident. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Word strung together to make stories can accomplish much. A society can be convinced evil is good, wrong is right, and progress is regression. As Christians writing, we are obligated to use stories to enlighten, exhort, and engage people in the search for truth. </span></span>Jesus did in parables. <br />
What joy it is to take a difficult concept, blend it into a story, and allow the reader to discover a truth about God.<br />
Make all your words profitable today.Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-22815655364181700532012-02-17T13:01:00.000-08:002012-02-17T13:01:04.139-08:00<span style="color: blue;">"The trick is not to become a writer, it is to stay a writer. Day after day,
year after year, book after book. And for that, you must keep working, even when
it seems beyond you."
</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Harlan Ellison </span><span style="color: black;">(</span><span style="color: black;">In a career spanning more than 40 years, he has won more awards for the 75 books
he has written or edited, the more than 1700 stories, essays, articles, and
newspaper columns, the two dozen teleplays and a dozen motion pictures he has
created, than any other living fantasist.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wondered why I was not familiar with Harlan Ellison until I looked at his work. I have to say he uses more profanity and vulgarity than I can handle. But his quote is wonderfully right on target. If you really enjoy writing, then you also constantly try to improve your skills. Every book is a challenge. With every book, you raise your standard. And logically, every book is harder to write. It doesn't get easier; it gets harder. In addition to that, you have lost the glow of first love. The honeymoon is over. This is work. (Pardon the cliches. I wouldn't allow those in any book I wrote, but I'm going to trust you can handle two cliches so I can get this posted and get back to work.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I admit, from time to time, I've fallen into the pit of "beyond you." Didn't Little Christian of Pilgrim's Progress fall into the slough of Despond? I have to give myself a lecture. "This is fun. Quit thinking about the miles of work ahead and stick to the moment. Because, talking dragons are fun. Yes, they are. You betcha!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This Twilight Zone was written by Harlan Ellison.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/InhOmdFTx0I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm going to go have some fun now. You keep at it, too!</span>Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-22309126944078537462012-01-30T23:46:00.000-08:002012-01-30T23:48:06.858-08:00Born to Write?<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRHkF8aQk-Kiyn34CV7mm0qCH0_imK7E2Qr8LrcBDjXICBGucHt" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRHkF8aQk-Kiyn34CV7mm0qCH0_imK7E2Qr8LrcBDjXICBGucHt" width="178" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Each of us has been designed for one of two immortal functions, as either a
storyteller or as a cross-legged listener to tales of wonder, love and daring."
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bryce Courtenay</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">(contemporary, best-selling author in Australia <cite><a href="http://www.brycecourtenay.com/">www.<b>brycecourtenay</b>.com/</a></cite><a href="http://www.brycecourtenay.com/"></a> )</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I agree with this statement. I have found, though, that I also enjoy being the listener, or the reader. Storytelling started around the campfires right after language became useful. I can see in my mind, primitive folks way back then, who probably did a mime type storytelling we would think of as charades.</span></div>Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-31814252122180436462012-01-23T23:51:00.000-08:002012-01-23T23:51:38.493-08:00Remembering<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"It's a poor sort of memory that only works backward."
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lewis Carroll</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTKA2zHuGvUvWuXOJ8KBc3Rf4W8CWBU9D4G7q_0nwfJ8RqTr8zpBg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTKA2zHuGvUvWuXOJ8KBc3Rf4W8CWBU9D4G7q_0nwfJ8RqTr8zpBg" width="136" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Alice laughed. "There's no use trying," she said: "one <em>can't</em> believe impossible things." <br />"I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." <br /><em>(Through the Looking Glass, <a href="http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net/books/2chpt5.html">Chapter 5</a>)</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Writing fantasy tends to open your mind to remembering things that haven't quite happened yet and believing impossible things quite easily.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now see? If you believed that statement in any way, shape, or form, you have proven it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</span>Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-14297010599969851592012-01-21T16:05:00.000-08:002012-01-21T16:11:12.921-08:00Who is your Internal Editor?<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS13xiH8VxKbxkuQayhglxzy-UpxAjeyhDnLDgSXhQP41Uyu5Kx" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS13xiH8VxKbxkuQayhglxzy-UpxAjeyhDnLDgSXhQP41Uyu5Kx" width="148" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The one thing I have learned about editing over the years is that you have to
edit and publish out of your own tastes, enthusiasms, and concerns, and not out
of notions or guesswork about what other people might like to read.--</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Norman
Cousins </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">(June 24, 1915 – November 30, 1990) was an American political </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/Journalist" title="Journalist"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">journalist</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: black;">,</span> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/Author" title="Author"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">author</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">, </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/Professor" title="Professor"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">professor</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">, and </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/World_peace" title="World peace"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">world peace</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;"> advocate.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I remember Mr. Cousins mostly for his practical use of this verse: A <b>merry</b> <b>heart</b> does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NKJV"><span style="color: black;">Proverbs 17:22</span></a><br />You can read about that adventure here: </span><a href="http://www.joeyguse.com/2007/07/how-marx-brothers-brought-norman.html">The Healing Power of Laughter</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">Experienced writers seek more knowledge, better understanding of how techniques work, and how to put them together to write more affectively. In order to maintain your own "Voice" as a writer, these cerebral influences have to be relegated to the background so a writer can just write.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">Novice writers do need to absorb as much information about the skill of writing as they can. But as they practice the craft, ultimately it must be <em>their</em> skill, <em>their</em> craft, <em>their</em> "take" on life and how they want to express the important truths in their fiction. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">Again we must say, "Write what is on your heart, and write to an audience of One." You prepare to write your story by mastery of the art. You prepare to write to your audience by being in tune with the One.</span></div>
</span><iframe frameborder="0" height="0" id="stSegmentFrame" name="stSegmentFrame" scrolling="no" src="http://seg.sharethis.com/getSegment.php?purl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D8437027364305759283&jsref=&rnd=1327190105432" style="display: none;" width="0"></iframe><br />
<div class="stwrapper" id="stwrapper" style="left: -999px; top: -999px; visibility: hidden;">
<div class="stclose">
</div>
<iframe allowtransparency="true" class="stLframe" frameborder="0" height="350" id="stLframe" name="stLframe" scrolling="no" src="" style="left: 0px; top: 0px;" width="353"></iframe></div>Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-53526632980303521322012-01-19T11:52:00.000-08:002012-01-19T11:53:52.769-08:00Success<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Of course there is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional
acceptance of life and what it brings."
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRQbIVaQFRpzIDj-3xnsOL4GNGmKVje1S0cIJqIyStW1uRwGBjO" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRQbIVaQFRpzIDj-3xnsOL4GNGmKVje1S0cIJqIyStW1uRwGBjO" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arthur Rubinstein <span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">(January 28, 1887 – December 20, 1982) was a </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/Poland" title="Poland"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Polish</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">-</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/United_States" title="United States"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">American</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/Classical_music" title="Classical music"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">classical</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;"> pianist who received international acclaim for his performances of the music of a variety of composers; many regard him as the greatest </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/Chopin" title="Chopin"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Chopin</span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: black;"> interpreter of the century.</span><span style="color: black;"> He is widely considered one of the greatest classical pianists of the twentieth century. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Rubinstein">Wikipedia</a></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.arims.org.il/image/pic007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.arims.org.il/image/pic007.jpg" width="156" /></a><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSdjTuqolC7Qnggtn-7re9Mh_Dk6k_xjxVMs8qKCd0JlCZMbinU" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSdjTuqolC7Qnggtn-7re9Mh_Dk6k_xjxVMs8qKCd0JlCZMbinU" width="183" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I like this quote. Success, in my mind, is not what other people count as noteworthy, but what God blesses. Small acts of kindness, large commitments to the betterment of others, everyday determination to follow Christ, and the realization that life is lived with more than the accolades of others, but also, the silliness of not taking yourself seriously. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Success is acknowledging Who is the Author and Finisher of our work. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12:2&version=NKJV"><strong>Hebrews 12:2</strong></a></div>
"looking unto Jesus, the <b>author</b> and <b>finisher</b> of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."<br />
<span class="keywordresultextras"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12:1-3&version=NKJV"></a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-76685029882199638562012-01-17T15:27:00.000-08:002012-01-17T15:40:38.914-08:00Jane Austen and I agree<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">"Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery."
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Jane Austen</span></div>
<br />
When I pick up a book to read, I don't want to suffer along with the downtrodden. I don't want to sludge through the mires of mankind. <br />
I want to laugh. I want to look at the glass half full, and I get very impatient with people who are trying to pound it into my head that the glass is half empty. <br />
<a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRZ9iLNs9v8RQ0g5XD3NjZOewbF3M0C12hwuGoQFV-1U_Rtrl5p" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRZ9iLNs9v8RQ0g5XD3NjZOewbF3M0C12hwuGoQFV-1U_Rtrl5p" width="200" /></a>Yes, I have read some heartrending fiction. I cry easily when the plot takes me to an emotional pothole. But by and large, I don't want to DWELL on gloom, despair, and agony. The brooding hero doesn't get much sympathy from me. <br />
And therefore, when I write, I write what I would like to read. One parent gave me one of the best compliments I have ever had. She said she trusted me because even though I took her children to a dark place, she knew I would not leave them there. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRs1L3hMgBhoxh8qmiqQRG1E_PpF7JDQ6VRrIi2H2PkOh7uNedFig" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRs1L3hMgBhoxh8qmiqQRG1E_PpF7JDQ6VRrIi2H2PkOh7uNedFig" width="200" /></a></div>Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-55804139613721060792012-01-17T08:40:00.000-08:002012-01-17T08:44:10.015-08:00Writing Advice from CS Lewis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://nascentthinker.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/CS_Lewis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://nascentthinker.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/CS_Lewis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Trebuchet, "Trebuchet MS", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande", Lucida, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In 1959, an American schoolgirl appealed to C. S.
Lewis for writing advice, and he sent her a list of eight rules for good
writing: </span>Always write (and read) with the ear, not the eye. You
shd. hear </span>
</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande", LucidaGrande, Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande", LucidaGrande, Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Turn off the radio [and television].</span>
</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande", LucidaGrande, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Read good books and avoid most magazines.</span></span>
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande", Lucida, Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Write with the ear, not the eye. Make every
sentence sound good.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande", Lucida, Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Write only about things that interest you. If
you have no interests, you won't ever be a writer.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande", Lucida, Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Be clear. Remember that readers can't know your
mind. Don't forget to tell them exactly what they need to know to understand
you.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande", Lucida, Verdana, sans-serif;">6. Save odds and ends of writing attempts, because
you may be able to use them later.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande", Lucida, Verdana, sans-serif;">7. You need a well-trained sense of word-rhythm,
and the noise of a typewriter will interfere.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande", Lucida, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">8. Know the meaning of every word you
use.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande", Lucida, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Source: C. S. Lewis. Collected Letters. New
York: Harcourt, Brace and World, 1966, 291-292. Quoted in Kathryn Lindskoog,
Creative Writing for People Who </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande", Lucida, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Can't Not Write. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan
Publishing House, 1989, 253.</span> not sound nice, try
again.</span></span><br />Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-75850080330956256612012-01-11T22:13:00.000-08:002012-01-11T22:15:45.755-08:00Let it go"Kipling believed that the author's intent is the least important aspect. What
is important is that the author create his work. The later interpretation of it
has nothing to do with him, being entirely in the hands of the reader."
<br />
Jorge Luis Borges (a<span style="color: black;"> prolific</span> writer from Argentine, essayist, poet and translator born in <a href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/Buenos_Aires" title="Buenos Aires">Buenos Aires</a>. His work embraces the "character of unreality in all literature." He dabbled in everything from poetry to photography.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Borges makes clear a concept that is sometimes hard for an author to accept. Once your thoughts are formed into to words, the words are put on paper, and a random reader takes up the book, the author is no longer in control of his work. All written communication is at the mercy of the interpreter. This is a good and a bad thing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The writer must represent many things to produce meaning in the readers' minds, and feel confident enough to allow the reader to claim the images evoked and shape them to his own understanding.</span><br />
<a href="http://image01.shopzilla-images.com/resize?sq=100&uid=4033936455" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://image01.shopzilla-images.com/resize?sq=100&uid=4033936455" /></span></a><a href="http://media1.picsearch.com/is?8e-_64B4QyOESshislTt77uczNJTM5B2PWXVk5ge8DE" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media1.picsearch.com/is?8e-_64B4QyOESshislTt77uczNJTM5B2PWXVk5ge8DE" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To say windmill might bring up the image of an old wooden contraption on an dilapidated farm. Or, windmill might be visualized as rows and rows of tall, sleek steel generating energy on a wind farm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <sup> </sup></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<sup><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When the reader is allowed to bring his own memories and experiences to a book, he or she</span></sup><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> invests in the story. The consumption of the book is a more satisfying adventure. </span></sup><br />
<sup><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">A good description is only specific enough to make parameters for the reader to use in constructing his own image of the scene.</span></sup>Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-86296681188313390282012-01-10T19:06:00.000-08:002012-01-10T19:06:00.231-08:00Analysis paralysisOne of my writer friends introduced me to this term. It occurs when a writer becomes bound up in rules and can't write. As Mae West said, "I like restraint, if it doesn't go too far."<br />
<br />
So know the rules so your story structure supports your tale.Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-62832278492326986312012-01-07T14:34:00.000-08:002012-01-07T14:34:52.462-08:00Description<span style="color: blue;">"Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader - not the fact that
it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon."
</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">E.L. Doctorow (American author, with a long list of awards and accomplishments)</span><br />
<br />
This is one of my favorite quotes about description. When the author uses more than just the sense of sight to describe a setting the problem of the reader being on the outside looking in disappears.Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-29905606303214162152012-01-05T14:42:00.000-08:002012-01-05T14:46:33.494-08:00Write Good! er, um, well"There is only one way to defeat the enemy, and that is to write as well as one can."
<br />
Saul Bellow Jewish-American author, who won the Nobel Prize. <a href="http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/bellow.html">Jewish Virtual Library</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSYWITrTOneUwY7_cHf-80fr_PsRA-t06Tyj08hkZ0QY5BPANzH" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSYWITrTOneUwY7_cHf-80fr_PsRA-t06Tyj08hkZ0QY5BPANzH" width="160" /></a>This quote can cover lots of territory. Out of context, we don't know who the enemy is. <br />
Who? Our critics, reviewers with a tendency toward sadistic literary knife twisting? Definitely, superior writing will put them in their place.<br />
This cartoon is a good example of writing well. The point is made through sarcasm. Words count, but must be written with care to actually express an idea.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcScYvGYSeqSGLQGLJv0SHATcmr6-2PvUjGgqQ66778HjFqdJSbL" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcScYvGYSeqSGLQGLJv0SHATcmr6-2PvUjGgqQ66778HjFqdJSbL" width="153" /></a></div>
Or could the enemy be someone against what we hold dear? Does the enemy undermine the American dream? Thomas Paine used writing to communicate the ideas of the Revolution to common farmers as well as to
intellectuals, using words to stir the hearts of the leaders and followers of the Revolution. But Thomas Paine espoused a deist's anger against God and the Bible in later tracts.<br />
So the enemy might be a good person with a concept that does not glorify God. A bludgeon does nothing to change one's opinion, but carefully crafted words can. It behooves us to write well when we wish to influence our readers to ponder the things of God. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSGPClhuWaJBwNPjqUd-jhYhGAOnwkdpeK6XJFSS1LYhsDes-SL-Q" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSGPClhuWaJBwNPjqUd-jhYhGAOnwkdpeK6XJFSS1LYhsDes-SL-Q" /></a></div>
Writing well is a worthy goal.Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-1099486836063683612012-01-03T11:35:00.000-08:002012-01-03T11:35:38.316-08:00Perseverence and Discernment"Just keep writing. Your perfect beginning is probably right ahead of you."
<br />
Johanna Harness (writer of YA fiction)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/QWERTY_keyboard.jpg/250px-QWERTY_keyboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/QWERTY_keyboard.jpg/250px-QWERTY_keyboard.jpg" /></a>I very often use the very first line I type into the blank document, but rework the other lines on the front page until the mix is just right. I've never dropped the whole first chapter or any substantial chunk of writing. Jumping into the middle of the action helps avoid the need to lop off the beginning. The "action" does not have to be a high-speed car chase. The action is more likely to be an embodiment of the main character's normal life. <br />
I know many authors who write in speed mode to get thoughts on paper. They feel that the pages they discard were valuable in getting into their characters' heads, the scene, and the tone of the book.Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-1122557991305795962012-01-02T12:08:00.000-08:002012-01-02T12:13:21.622-08:00Wow! It looks like I didn't write at all in 2011.Of course, that is not true. I did write, but I was handicapped by a bunch of physical things. Bah! Bad Body, bad! I will attempt to do better in 2012. Occasionally I will have something from my daily writing, but there might be other material here as well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.victoriahanley.com/images/SeizeTheStory-cover-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.victoriahanley.com/images/SeizeTheStory-cover-sm.jpg" /></a></div>
For instance, I recommend this book <em>Seize the Story</em> by Victoria Hanley. It is a Handbook for Teens who like to Write. Her website is <a href="http://victoriahanley.com/">Victoria Hanley</a> . I gave this book as a Christmas present to one of my young friends. <br />
So, it looks like I will occasionally mention books I've read. You can go to <a href="http://donitakpaul.com/resources/favebooks/index.html">my book list</a> to see a number of books I have liked. I no longer put number ratings on the books. I know many of these authors and they are all five star people. <br />
I love writer quotes: <br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"There is no way of writing well and also of writing easily."</span>
<br />
Anthony Trollope (24 April 1815 – 6 December 1882) was one of the most successful, prolific, and respected English novelists of the Victorian era. <br />
More info: <a href="http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/trollope/index.html">A.T. Overview</a><br />
<a href="http://www.victorianweb.org/icons2/authors/trollope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.victorianweb.org/icons2/authors/trollope.jpg" /></a>Trollope treated literature as a trade and wrote by the clock. No author has been
more methodical. He was prolific and astute in depicting those he rubbed elbows with. I confess I have never read a whole book by A.T., but I have seen the BBC works based on his writing. <br />
<br />
Here's to a new year! I pray for productivity in 2012. Good health to you and wise decisions.Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-66598996601839429892010-09-15T20:26:00.000-07:002010-09-15T20:33:46.932-07:00Transitionfinished Chapter 32!: 66,730 word count<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Writing Tip:</span> transition.<br />Effie has been under the barrage of several conflicting emotions as she talks to Old One. Quite suddenly she wants to change the subject and she says:<br />"Is Orli better this morning?"<br />But the shift is too sudden. The reader might get whiplash. So, I put an action tag before the dialog line.<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Fleeing the emotions that confused her, she sought another subject.</span> “Is Orli better this morning?”Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-32951965313890828672010-09-09T22:31:00.000-07:002010-09-09T22:35:15.654-07:00Back on Track Againchapter 31; 64,919 word count<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Writing Tip:</span> I'm not one to say that you have to eliminate all -ly words, but it is good to limit them.<br /><br />No words came from His mouth, but still she heard Him <span style="color:#cc0000;">gently</span> command.<br />Edited:<br />No word came from His mouth, but still she heard His gentle command.<br /><br />How easy was that!Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-82852369713317086232010-09-06T19:19:00.000-07:002010-09-06T19:24:18.589-07:00Back on TrackStarting Chapter 32; 64,813 word count<br /><br />I guess it is pretty obvious that I have been under the weather. Puniness comes at the most inconvenient times. I wonder if I could truly be allergic to the last third of any book I am writing, or I'm a hypochoncriac. Or perhaps, I don't eat and sleep as i should and my body gets out of whack.<br /><br />Writing Tip: Take care of yourself! You can't think creatively when all you want to do is sleep and drink something very hot for your throat and then something very cold for your throat.Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-50710862646990915162010-08-28T13:11:00.000-07:002010-08-28T13:12:43.395-07:00Naming CharactersThis is a great place to find names:<br /><br />http://www.funpetnames.com/cool-pet-names.htmlDonita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-10798552889303789172010-08-18T12:45:00.000-07:002010-08-18T16:00:59.606-07:00-ingfinished chapter 28; 58,543 word count<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Writing Tip:</span> a string of words ending in -ing really messes with the rhythm of a sentence. I even try not to have two in a row.<br />Example from today's writing:<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">"Are you proposing organizing the little band?"</span><br />Rewrite:<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">"Are you proposing to organize the little band?"</span>Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-56262442184516941112010-08-13T09:34:00.000-07:002010-08-13T12:34:25.900-07:00think, thank, thunkFinished chapter 25; 51817 word count<br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Writing Tip: </span><span style="color:#000000;">Occasionally similar words will show up in a sentence and although they are not incorrect, they have an awkward sound to them. (One of the reasons for reading your work aloud.)</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">Original:</span> He didn't want her to <span style="color:#990000;">think </span>he <span style="color:#990000;">thought</span> she was oddly dressed.<br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">Revised: </span><br />He didn’t need her to misconstrue his opinion. Effie wore odd combinations, but she managed to look comfortable, not self-conscious.Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-82858539121704776762010-08-09T12:07:00.000-07:002010-08-09T15:22:01.005-07:00Writing ToolsFinished chapter 23, 47,714 word count<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Writing Tip:</span><span style="color:#000000;"> I use YWriter5. You can get a free download from spacejock.com. </span><br />Here are some of the features as listed on the website:<br />"Organise your novel using a 'project'.<br />Add chapters to the project.<br />Add scenes, characters, items and locations.<br />Display the word count for every file in the project, along with a total.<br />Saves a log file every day, showing words per file and the total. (Tracks your progress)<br />Saves automatic backups at user-specified intervals.<br />Allows multiple scenes within chapters<br />Viewpoint character, goal, conflict and outcome fields for each scene.<br />Multiple characters per scene.<br />Storyboard view, a visual layout of your work.<br />Re-order scenes within chapters.<br />Drag and drop of chapters, scenes, characters, items and locations.<br />Automatic chapter renumbering. "<br />The reason it is so valuable to me is my many weird names need a central place of registry, so when I'm writing chapter 23, I can go back a find out how to spell that thingymajiggy I mentioned in chapter 3. Today I couldn't remember the name of a village. I am so glad I did't have to look through pages of manuscript.<br /><br />Do you have a program you use? How about sharing what it is and why you like it?Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437027364305759283.post-40538337412629420532010-07-31T15:25:00.001-07:002010-08-01T00:36:23.483-07:00Getting rid of "wases"Polished Ch. 18; 38,570 word count; Yeah! passed 200th page in the manuscript.<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Writing Tip: <span style="color:#000000;">You don't have to get rid of all wases, but too many wases on a page of your manuscript hurts the narrative. Wases can be used more in dialogue, because that's the way people talk. If you have wases in your narrative and your dialogue, your reader can become over-wased quickly. And it is so hard to get rid of them. (If it is hard to get rid of them, and your rearranged sentence is twisted beyond comprehension, just leave the was in.)</span><br /></span><br />The square of cloth he wanted to use <span style="color:#990000;">was </span>in the breast pocket of his jacket, which hung on the back of a chair clear across the kitchen.<br /><br />To fix, pick a different subject and give him something to do with the original subject.<br />Original subject: square<br />Original verb: was<br />Revised subject: he<br />Revised verb: tucked<br /><br />He’d tucked the square of cloth he wanted to use in the breast pocket of his jacket, which hung on the back of a chair clear across the kitchen.Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com1