January 7, 2010 by Cathy R.
“A book is full of meaning only to the extent that it touches the heart of readers. To accomplish this, an author has no special effects, no fancy sound systems, no video—only words.” —Shiloh author Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Writing Friends
Happy 2010! Jerry Peterson invites everyone in TWS to a New Year’s party at his home in Janesville on January 9. Bring your family. Bring your resolutions. Come have some fun. That’s this Saturday at 1 p.m. Jerry and wife Marge are still a-holidaying, it seems, so when you come expect to see a train or two (miniature we hope), an antique toyshop and other delights.
The next Fifth Tuesday approaches and first-and-third group members will host the event at Booked for Murder in Madison on March 30. Some writers are already thinking of topics for the evening’s 500-word writing challenge. How about this: “A Night at the Bookstore”—imagine what happens after they turn off the lights? Send your other suggestions to the group site for consideration.
Resolve to write: As always, please send material and suggestions to our newsletter editor or post in our Yahoo! Groups file “Stuff for the Editor.”
Commit to edit: The weekly news, that is. Sign up for a month and join the fun. Learn what a hyperlink is—and so much more. February, March and April are still open. — Cathy
Last Meeting
Ten writers, including guest Diane Washa, a plein air painter and writer, met January 5 at the bookstore. The group worked on six different pieces of writing. “Man, there was a lot of talent sitting around that table,” our guest said later. “But the critiques were constructive and valid. (Everyone) seemed interest in helping each other grow. I will consider joining.”
Judith McNeil’s short story Little Waves, about a dark-thinking narrator who wades out to sea while reflecting on unhappy events, left some wondering if the story couldn’t be a poem. Many thought the piece would be stronger if it were a suicide note, and if the death of the narrator’s beloved dog were not left to chance. Many thought the narrator should take the dog into her arms then go in the water to drown them both.
Alicia’s Connolly-Lohr’s two chapters of her period novel drew a variety of responses. Some thought the plot advanced nicely, others including the author said the section might be scrapped completely. At issue, too: how to augment the struggle between middle-class abolitionists Rutherford and company and their now-legal foe Matson, who is of higher social standing. As for the abolitionists, is their effort just a hobby? About the two gossipy townswomen who see the jailing of the slave family, would that really happen?
With John Schneller’s Chapter 9 rewrite: The large bird is different from the vultures so maybe there could be more differentiation between them. What if the shadow of this eagle scares away the other vultures? If Dinswiller were mistaking another child for Broken, the collar and rope would be a giveaway. Also, given recent movie releases, perhaps now’s the time to change the name of the city from Avitar to something else.
Millie Mader’s poem Loss drew praise for nice imagery and use of the word “gentling.” But headwaters don’t really lash or have much action, so the group discussed other water terms to use to convey the movement of grief. Alicia wanted to know, what was the loss about? Confusion reigned over meaning of “secret” versus “secrete” when both are used as verbs. Do the words “shroud” and “blanket” crowd each other when on the same line?
Clayton Gill’s chapter 6: What’s the fish been eating? Everything apparently. It’s cold in the river, so the fish are not eating much there, but the one in the warm classroom is. Far-fetched? John doesn’t think so. Maybe it could have eaten some of the fish that were in the aquarium with it. Would John consider setting this at a lake versus a river? Grandmother’s character intrigued the group. At a press conference, lights were fixed on the mic, so how do they shift to Miker?
Amber Boudreau’s chapter five in her YA novel left many wondering if main character Moira is starting to think she’s going crazy. Alicia said more conflict would move the story along, and Moira’s questioning of her sanity would add tension. Clayton advised Amber to sort out how she delivers Moira’s musing, whether via dialogue, omniscient narrator or attributed thoughts. Kane suggested dialogue in sections where “her rotten little brothers” were mentioned.
Who’s Up Next
January 12 (Second-and-Fourth) Carol Hornung, (scene, Asperger Sunset), Patrice Kohl (Welke Farm), Holly Bonnicksen-Jones (Chapter 12 Coming Up for Air.) Meeting at Barnes & Noble West 7 p.m.
January 19 (First-and-Third) Alicia Connolly-Lohr (Lawyer Lincoln,) Amber Boudreau (chapter 6, YA novel), Judith McNeil (short story), Jerry Peterson (???), Clayton Gill (chapter 7, Fishing Derby.)
January 26: Let Cathy know.
A Quick Review of Us in 2009
In 2009 this group made changes. Reassessing its activities, structure and mode(s) of communications and leadership led to the formation of an online Yahoo! group. We thank Jerry and Carol Hornung for pulling this new set-up together. So far the transformation has been a success. The new site functions as a home place to send copy for critique at upcoming meetings and as a way to sort out meeting times and places, name mix-ups…and what to do when there’s a gathering scheduled during yet another Midwest snowstorm. Transfer of “Group News” from Jerry’s hands to others continues.
Looking ahead, why don’t we make this the month we update our writer biographies for the site? Share a few paragraphs about yourself. Send news of what you’re writing and, if you are published, tell us what you’ve published and where we can find it. If you have a mug shot, send it along as a jpeg. A website or blog?
From our Writers
First-and-Third TWS alumni Jeanie Tomasko is a Middleton poet with a book coming out in 2011 titled Tricks of Light (Parallel Press.) Jeanie sent us this poem (not from the book) to start the year:
paper boat
a poem can be a paper boat that you fashion with a river in mind
or a sea that can bear the freight of sorrow you no longer can;
and when it’s ready, you carry it down; piece together a prayer; set the course;
you bullet a few flat stones, hard into the silver water;
then watch as the wind catches the sail and the poem-boat
heads for the bend with your baby ache of grief and that weight,
that unnameable weight you can give to words
Publishing in the Future
Not everyone gave or received a hardcover book this year apparently. According to online book retailer Amazon, the 2009 holiday season marked the first time that e-books outsold hard cover ones. What should we make of this news? Alicia Connolly-Lohr forwarded this short article from Publisher’s Weekly.
Along those lines, are you a member of Publisher’s Marketplace yet? If not, for a monthly fee of $20 you can plug into the goings-on in the world of big-time book buying and selling, trends, contracts pending, marketing and general angst and glory. See the site at publishersmarketplace.com. Try it for a year to get familiar with the big names in the business and how they conduct themselves.
Writer’s Craft: I do Solemnly Swear…
It’s January. Resolution time. Here’s a great compellation of inspiring resolutions from Joe Konrath, writer of the Jack Daniels mystery series. This list was pulled and saved from one of Jerry’s past missives:
“Joe Konrath has four books out in his Jack Daniels mystery series,” wrote Jerry. “He wrote for 10 years before he sold the first book to a publisher, so he’s serious about our business. Were he not, he would have quit before year #10. At the end of each year, he sits at his keyboard and writes a list of resolutions for the coming year:”
Newbie Writer Resolutions
I will start/finish the damn book.
I will always have at least three stories on submission, while working on a fourth.
I will attend at least one writer’s conference, and introduce myself to agents, editors, and other writers.
I will subscribe to the magazines I submit to.
I will join a critique group. If one doesn’t exist, I will start one at the local bookstore or library.
I will finish every story I start.
I will listen to criticism.
I will create/update my website.
I will master the query process and find an agent.
I’ll quit procrastinating in the form of research, outlines, synopses, taking classes, reading how-to books, talking about writing, and actually write something.
I will refuse to get discouraged, because I know JA Konrath wrote 9 novels, received almost 500 rejections, and penned over 1 million words before he sold a thing – and I’m a lot more talented than that guy.
Next week beat poet and writer Jack Kerouac’s list of much odder resolutions for writers.
The Agent Says: Learn to Sell Yourself
Noah Lukeman has been representing writers as varied and spectacular as His Holiness the Dali Lama and The Boy Behind the Mask author Tom Hallman for 17 years now. Lukeman started his own agency when he was 22 years old. His sage advice to writers: learn how to be great artists and equally good marketers if you want to succeed in this business. For more from Lukeman Literary Management in New York, to read an interview and to download—this is great—a free e-book on how to write a successful query letter, go to http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/35-FE1-NoahLukeman.html.
Words & Language
Another great word from Wordsmith Anu Garg:
Buskin (BUS-kin) noun: 1. A thick-soled laced boot, reaching to the knee or calf, worn by actors of ancient Greek tragedies. Also known as cothurnus. 2. A tragic drama. Etymology: Perhaps from Middle French brousequin.
A thick-soled boot was a distinctive feature of a tragic actor in ancient Greece. It elevated him and raised his stature. Because those big shoes were often worn by tragedians, we came to refer to a tragedy itself as a buskin. A counterpart of buskin is sock (a comedy) after soccus, a lightweight low shoe worn by comic actors.
Example citation: “’My vein,’ wrote Corneille, ‘often combines the lofty buskin with the comic sock, and…pleases the audience by striking contrasting notes.’” Linda Winer; Corneille With Kushner’s Help; Newsday (New York); Jan 20, 1994.
And there’s this. Lake Superior State University recently put out its 2009 List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness, according to the Associated Press. The phrase “shovel-ready” received notice thanks to over-use by politicians everywhere in speaking of taxpayer-funded work projects, meant to stimulate the economy, that are supposedly ready for implementation. Words like “czars” and “tweets,” “app” and “teachable moment” struck this Michigan university’s Word Banishment Committee as deserving to go away as well.
What would you suggest for banishment?
How about “do a search.” When did we stop searching?
Writer’s Craft: Adding Conflict to Your Writing
A few weeks ago this space contained information on the possible resurgence of short stories, with an endnote speculating as to whether there’d be a resulting increase in candidates for Master’s of Fine Arts programs. Josh Henkin (Matrimony, Swimming Across the Hudson), a writing teacher at Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn College, warns that having an MFA doesn’t automatically give writers the ability to accomplish their primary mission: telling the reader a great story. Read his essay “Letter to an MFA” on his website joshhenkins.com to learn how to advance the drama of your story or book to “get the reader to dance with you.”
A Writer’s Resource You’ll Find Handy and Fun
Wondering how to tell someone off in Hungarian? How to interpret what the guy fixing your computer just said to you about your router? Or more importantly, how to spell a word, use it correctly or discard it if it’s not the perfect one? If so, you’ll find much to use visiting the following site, chock full of dictionaries, lists, guides and explanations:
http://www.thewriterssite.com/direct_pages/research_reference.html
Conferences and Contests
There’s still time to enter the Council of Wisconsin Writer’s annual writing contest. The deadline is January 31. See www.wisconsinwriters.org for more information on how you could receive $500 and a weeklong stay at Edenfred retreat in Madison.
Glimmer Train online is, as always, “interested in reading” your original, unpublished very short story. Yes, you have to sign up and yes, there is a fee for any special category beyond a standard submission. But you’ll feel proud of yourself for writing, polishing and sending off a piece of your work and knowing you’re in the game. Very short fiction under 3,000 words will be accepted until the end of the month (January.) Award: $700 and publication. For a standard submission, the word limit is 12,000 and the deadline is also the end of the month. Winners announced by March 31. See glimmertrainonline.com
Contests abound for story and novel writers. Here are a few more:
BookRix “Family Stories” Short Story Contest. No fee and no word limit. Open December 21, 2009. Deadline is February 23, 2010. First prize $1,000. See guidelines at bookrix.com/contest. BookRix calls itself a “free social media community where you the undiscovered author can upload your work so fellow book enthusiasts around the world can read make comments and help you get ready for primetime.”
H.O.W. Journal’s first Short Story Contest open to all writers and all themes. Judged by acclaimed author Susan Minot. Submit unpublished novel excerpts that read like stories and stories 12,000 words or less. Reading fee $20. H.O.W. Journal is an art and literary journal that publishes “an eclectic mix of today’s prominent writers and artists alongside upcoming talents with an effort to raise money and awareness for the 15 million children worldwide orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Guidelines at howjournal.com/submit-contests.html
The Underwater New York Shipwreck Story Contest. For the bold and daring. For fun. Deadline February 23, 2010. Details at underwaternewyork.com/contest
Before Stewart and Colbert—David Barry.
To ease yourself into another decade, join connoisseurs of fine and/or debased humor everywhere in reading Pulitzer Prize-winning author and newspaper columnist Dave Barry’s annual piece on the past year. Sharing a laugh over this former Miami Herald staffer’s “Year in Review” column has been a tradition in journalism circles for decades. Newsrooms have been known to come to brief but screeching halts in late December when a copy editor scanning the wires finally shouts, “Barry’s column is in! It’s in!” Go to http://www.miamiherald.com/ and scroll down to the “Columnists” section. Click on Barry’s face to enjoy his pitch-perfect summation of another year of human folly.
The Last Word
Alvin Toffler, former editor of Fortune magazine and author of Future Shock:
The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”
Tuesdays with Story 
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