Tuesdays with Story

“There are some books that refuse to be written. They stand their ground year after year and will not be persuaded. It isn’t because the book is not there and worth being written — it is only because the right form of the story does not present itself. There is only one right form for a story and if you fail to find that form the story will not tell itself.” — Mark Twain, courtesy of The Story Merchant (http://www.storymerchant.com/) by way of Jerry Peterson

Writing Friends

Stephen King is a lucky Ghost of Christmas-Yet-to-Come for soldiers wishing to return to Maine for the holidays. Not to say King’s superstitious, but he must believe that luck has its limits. This news comes Yahoo! Via the Bangor Daily News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091213/ap_on_re_us/us_people_stephen_king_troops).

“BANGOR, Maine — Author Stephen King and his wife are donating money so 150 soldiers from the Maine Army National Guard can come home for the holidays.

“King and his wife, Tabitha, who live in Bangor, are paying $13,000 toward the cost of two bus trips so that members of the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Unit can travel from Camp Atterbury in Indiana to Maine for Christmas. The soldiers left Maine last week for training at Camp Atterbury. They are scheduled to depart for Afghanistan in January.

“Julie Eugley, one of King’s personal assistants, told the Bangor Daily News that the Kings were approached about giving $13,000. But Stephen King thought the number 13 was a bit unlucky, so the couple pitched in $12,999 instead. Eugley chipped in $1 to make for an even $13,000.”

Give the gift of inspiring, motivating, or nagging others to write: We need articles, news and information about writing, writers, words, publishing… and winter stories for the December 23 issue of TWS News. Send directly to me, or post in our Yahoo! Groups file “Stuff for the Editor.”  – Clayton

Last Meeting

On Tuesday, December 15, 7:00-8:45 p.m., seven TWS First-and-Third members met at the Alicia Ashman Branch Library in Madison: Amber, Clayton, Jerry, John, Millie, Pat, and Shel. 

Clayton Gill was first up for review, having brought with him hard copies of the first half of Chapter 6 of Fishing Derby. By way of apology for the late and incomplete submission, he also brought secret recipe “ranger” oatmeal cookies, which got a positive review. The chapter opens after school with the main character, middle school student Miker in detention hall. Jerry recommended eliminating scene description that was unnecessary to the story, such as the detail about the TV van parking in a special needs school bus parking space which Miker could see from the school window. John pointed out the chapter has some logistics challenges, especially in having Miker’s grandmother arrive at the school as Miker watches, then having her present in a meeting Miker attends very soon afterward. TWS members also asked, what would Miker’s reaction be to being pulled out of detention by a teacher with whom he’s had problems? How can Miker’s feelings be described in limited third-person narrative? Jerry noted that the football coach who supervises detention hall would not soften his orders to students with “please.” Some members suggested moving the subsequent meeting scene from the principal’s office to the school library: More neutral atmosphere and more space for necessary characters. Otherwise, there is the problem that Miker and the other kids think they’re in trouble, when really they’re part of the solution for the impending ecological disaster of the escaped, genetically-engineered catfish. Also, Pat and others debated the advantage of having Miker meet the two other Biology Club members prior to the meeting so they can induct Miker into the Club on the spur of the moment. Members questioned the necessity of administrative assistant Ms. Bunster in the pre-meeting scene. Also, does the reader need to know the door to the meeting is wooden? In the meeting, Gram appears with titanium chopsticks as hair pins, which raised eyebrows among TWS members. Clayton said, “Well, Miker’s grandmother is a bit eccentric.”

Amber Boudreau offered Chapter 4 of her as-yet-unnamed YA fantasy, in which main character Moira regains consciousness following her fall into a hole in the ground. TWS members looked for clues to help Moira identify whether she was in a cave, as she believes, or other underground chambers, such as a sinkhole, mine shaft, well, etc. Shel focused on light in the scene: There would be very little light away from the opening immediately above. If she fell in the morning, then by late afternoon, it would be quite dark. Jerry suggested that “creature” may be a better term to come to Moira’s mind, rather than “beast.” The animal she encounters is only a little larger than an average dog. Pat liked the way the creature is non-threatening, even helpful, akin to the creatures in Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. She also suggested ways the suspense of the scene could mount: Moira may be fearful of the dark or of being alone in a place where an evil-doer could lurk. Another question arose regarding the use of pain as a “barometer” of feeling in a character. Members suggested physical changes to show fear or trepidation, such as sweaty palms, hair rising on the neck, etc. Clayton and Jerry read the chapter in relation to previous chapters as showing the first inkling of a parallel world, which Moira may be able to enter when she suffers her “time lapses.” Clayton suggested that the cave of the creature suspected to be a dragon could even be below Moira’s home, say, with a secret entrance in the basement. When she first encounters the creature, Moira decides not to throw a rock at it because that behavior might be “rude.” Shel considered this thought process unlikely because a girl, fallen into a dark hole in the ground and armed only with a rock, would first think of self-defense, not courtesy toward a non-human animal. However, Pat said she was okay with Moira’s behavior because any encounter with a dragon would be an extraordinary meeting.

Millie Mader presented Chapter 15 of Life on Hold in which family members learn of Mum’s breast cancer and persevere through the mastectomy and in its aftermath attempt to resume a more normal family life. Pat wondered about the history of breast cancer treatment, especially medical technology and diagnostic procedures in use during the early 1970s. Would anyone have known a person’s great grandmother had died of breast cancer? Would Erin really discuss it with her friends?  It seems to be almost shockingly open. Perhaps Erin values her Mum’s openness and independent mind, a TWS member suggested. Several members praised Millie’s descriptive images, such as: “A drizzle had started, and water dribbled like baby tears down the windowpane.” And, “Her skin was as pale as a handful of powdered pearls….” Members remarked, “Millie should right more poetry!” Members recommended more description of individual reactions of Erin and Dad to Mum’s news. Quicker reaction would be more powerful. Amber asked, “And what is Dad’s reaction, exactly?” Jerry pointed out that individuals won’t have the same reaction, because they’re individuals. Others agreed. Clayton characterized such reactions as “parallel reactions” and others noted the increased drama possible with different, even opposing reactions among individuals who hear the same news. For the hospital scene, Jerry and Pat discussed the historic dress of Catholic nuns, particularly, “When did nuns break the habit?” Jerry remembers it was sometime around 1964, for the Franciscans anyway. Do orders of nuns have websites, which would include photos and other details of their history?

Jerry Peterson managed to read through half of his short story “Lights and Sirens for Santa” before repressed laughter choked him up and Shel took over. The story’s characters — former military policeman and local small-town Wisconsin private investigator John Wadkowski and others — appear in other stories by Jerry. They gather for a holiday season party at the home of lawyer and murder suspect Diane Quinn, whom Wads has helped keep out of jail. Other friends of Quinn and Wadkowski trickle in, each decked out in bizarre or hilarious costumes and each equipped with a musical instrument. Bartender Barb Larson comes with an accordion and warms up “Roll Out the Barrel,” which she calls the “Wisconsin national anthem.” One climax of the story occurs when Wads arrives with an antique tractor with a costumed astronaut on the fender, pulling a manure spreader in which a Catholic priest steadies a lighted Christmas tree. The manure spreader shows off a banner that reads “Spreading Christmas Joy.” It turns out these volunteers and other public employees were delivering donated food and gifts to needy families across the town. The discord among the public employees about a recent round of layoffs kept the story grounded in the grim reality of Christmas during recession. TWS members liked the introduction of each new arrival to the party, which step-by-step increased the merriment and added to the growing jazz ensemble. Clayton noted the procedure of mentioning characters, first by full name, then with references to them by first or nickname versus last name. Wrapping up the story, Larson breathes in Wads’ ear: “How’s your instrument?” In response, Wads takes a “mouth organ” from his shirt pocket. On first reading, Amber missed the equivalence of mouth organ and harmonica. But nobody missed the not-so-innocent flirtation between Barb and Wads. It worked on TWS members like Jerry was standing under the mistletoe himself. Good stuff.

Who’s Up Next

December 22 (Second-and-Fourth): Jack Freiburger (poems), Holly Bonnickson-Jones (Chapter 12, Coming Up for Air), Patrice Kohl (book description of Beastly Banquet and “Welke Farms” chapter), and Carol Hornung (tentative). Meeting at Jack’s place, 7:00 p.m., as a “winter solstice party.”

January 5 (First-and-Third): John Schneller (Chapter 9 rewrite, Broken), Amber Boudreau (Chapter 4, YA novel), Judith McNeil (???), Alicia Connolly-Lohn (new chapter for Lincoln’s Slave Trials), Danny Dhokarh (poem, “If my love for you shall cease”), Millie Mader (Chapter 15, Life on Hold), Clayton Gill (Chapter 6 “and a half,” Fishing Derby). Meeting at Barnes & Noble West, 7:00 p.m.

January 9 (First-and-Third and Second-and-Fourth): New Year’s Resolution Party hosted by Jerry Peterson at his home in Janesville. RSVP notice and driving directions to come in the next TWS News.

January 12 (Second-and-Fourth): Please let December’s TWS News editor know soonest.

Words and Language

Is the double-whammy of recession and winter getting you down? Besides “seasonal affective disorder,” you could be suffering from “frugal fatigue.” If the diagnosis is confirmed, you could be in even deeper economic downturn do-do.

Jerry Peterson spotted the new term on Paul McFedries’ Word Spy website (http://www.wordspy.com): frugal fatigue, n. Mental exhaustion caused by constant frugality during hard economic times. Also: frugality fatigue.

Example citations:   It seems that after a year of watching our wallets, bank accounts, and 401(k) plans with the tenacity of a wheelchair-bound Jimmy Stewart in an Alfred Hitchcock thriller, some are throwing up their hands, taking out their credit cards, and wading back into pre-recession spending habits. The official term for this behavior is frugal fatigue. It started creeping into the lexicon last spring, and now frugal fatigue — the idea that we’re getting worn down and stressed out by constantly watching our budgets — may as well be an officially diagnosed psychiatric disorder.  — Christopher Muther, “Fighting frugal fatigue,” The Boston Globe, November 19, 2009

Cohen argued that a strong Black Friday would induce consumers to relax the spending restraint they have exercised since the financial crisis erupted last fall. “Once the consumer starts to engage in spending, a momentum starts to build,” he said. “It’s what I call frugal fatigue. Consumers have been frugal for over a year. They’re tired of not buying anything.” — Tom Abate, “Anticipation builds for shopping season,” The San Francisco Chronicle, November 26, 2009

Earliest citation: The latest Gallup poll on the topic (fielded the week before last) finds 44 percent of adults believe the economy is getting better, down from 53 percent in mid-February and from 66 percent in January. In what Gallup refers to as an “intriguing twist,” though, there has not been a corresponding decline in people’s “spending intentions.” In fact, the number of respondents saying they plan to increase their overall spending during the next six months has risen, from 26 percent in February to 31 percent in this month’s poll. “This reverses a downward trend in spending intentions seen since November, and is the highest level of intended spending Gallup has recorded on this question since its inception in October 2001.” Having at least tried to restrain their spending since the recession hit three years ago, some consumers likely have developed a case of Frugality Fatigue. — Mark Dolliver, “Saving Us From Food, The Big Picture, Etc.,” Adweek, March 22, 2004

Some of McFedries’ related words: CGI fatigue, diversity fatigue, e-mail fatigue, feature fatigue, inconspicuous consumption, information fatigue syndrome, password fatigue, social networking fatigue, threat fatigue.

UW-Madison Writer’s Institute

Alicia Connoly-Lohn draws attention to the 21st Annual Writers’ Institute, April 23-25 in Madison.

Each annual Writers’ Institute presents a “featured speaker.” In 2010, it’s Janet Burroway, author of eight novels, plays, poetry, essays, texts for dance, and children’s books. The web blurb says, “Her Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft is the most widely used creative writing text in America.” UW-Madison faculty and news media and publishing professionals are among the Institute’s experts.

Participants in the Institute: “Meet with agents, editors, and publicity specialists; attend workshops designed to meet your writing needs; and attend a small-group critique session to polish your writing. The conference covers nonfiction and fiction, and improving, publishing and promoting your work.”

The Institute includes two contests:  The Poem or a Page Contest and our new The Next Elmore Leonard Contest. March 29 is the deadline for both. The fees break out according to level of involvement.

For more, visit http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/writing/awi or contact Rita Mae Reese at 608-890-3330 or rreese@dcs.wisc.edu.

Idea for Tuesdays with Story: What about getting one of the UW-Madison faculty who lead the Writers’ Institute — or more than one! — to a combined First-and-Third and Second-and-Fourth meeting? This editor would prefer not to invite one of the event organizers, rather, one of the “professors.” What do you think? If you like, discuss at your next Tuesdays meeting and let this editor know bye-and-bye: Clayton via clytngll@yahoo.com.

Nathan Bransford, Literary Agent

In his December 18 blog, Nathan Bransford recaps his reporting and perspective of the past year in publishing, which includes an account of the blow-by-blow battle of e-books to gain share in the total book market:

“The impact of e-books on the book industry remains more theory than fact at this point as they comprise only 5-10% of sales, but they’re booming, and the massive earthquake that they represent is beginning to rumble. Publishers are attempting naked rights grabs (well, the rights grabs are naked, hopefully the publishers aren’t), they’re worried about the elephant in the Amazon, and after a century where they enjoyed near complete control over what books the world reads, publishers are suddenly confronting a future where they may or may not be necessary.”

Also, Bransford sets the stage for writing contests of his own which he intends to launch in January. For more, visit http://blog.nathanbransford.com/.

PS on e-books from Alicia: Here’s a new blog devoted to “digital publishing”: eBooknewser (http://www.mediabistro.com/ebooknewser/).

Talk About Technique

The screenwriting “principles” listed below came from a link to “author, writing coach & script consultant” Marilyn Horowitz found at The Story Merchant (www.storymerchant.com), although this editor can no longer trace the particular page.

Five Principles of Screenwriting:

1. When you begin, create for yourself first. Be your own first fan.

2. Don’t get it right — get it written! Just get it down on paper, warts, missing parts and all.

3. All good writing is rewriting. So get that first draft written.

4. Tell the story from beginning to end. Never get caught up in what you don’t know yet! Just keep going.

5. Make appointments to do the work. And stick to them.

The Last Word

Alicia reports that the Merriam-Webster online dictionary and thesaurus announced “admonish” as the most-looked-up word of 2009. It’s not such a difficult word, so let it be a warning to us!