Writer’s Mail for October 22nd, 2011
by Jen Wilcher
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” — St. Augustine
Middleton writer guests with First-and-Third . . .
“Make your setting do double or triple duty,” special guest Kathleen Ernst, a writer of historical novels for young adults and mysteries for adults, told First-and-Thirders this week. “Setting should not be just a backdrop or stage for our stories.”
Ernst, from Middleton, shared her ideas on how best to integrate setting into the stories we write. Her notes are attached at the end of this issue, but here’s the quick summary:
– Setting can help reveal backstory. We can use it to tell backstory without telling backstory.
– Setting can reveal character.
– Setting can be used to show how characters change over time.
– We can use setting to advance our stories.
– Setting can reflect the tone we’re trying to establish in our books.
– We can use setting to heighten the conflict between characters.
– We can use setting to provide authenticity. We should find specific details, using all the senses, then sprinkle them into our story rather than doing a data dump.
– Setting can become a character itself.
They looked for tables at B&N . . .
A double handful of First-and-Thirders scrounged one lonely table at B&N this week around which to gather. Where had all the rest gone? Apparently elsewhere in the store, to be used for book displays.
The group added a new member, Robert Grey, on a job assignment here in Madison for a year. Yes, he does go by Robert, not Bob.
Five writers presented chapters, mini-chapters, and, one – Judith McNeil – the opening pages of a new short story for critiques. Here we go:
– Greg Spry (chapter 13, Beyond Cloud Nine): The group felt that the chapter didn’t engage the reader as well as past chapters. The characters sat around talking about events rather than showing the events. One way to spice up the meeting would be to show more of what happened near Titan on the holowindows. Let the video record do most of the explaining by playing what happened, including dialogue, etc. Stop the footage every so often and have someone comment or ask questions. The chapter probably needs to be shorter and more concise. That way, the reader won’t have as long to become bored with it. The chapter could also use more conflict and tension. A brief argument arose over whether U.N. Forces did enough to try to establish peaceful contact with the aliens before engaging them in battle. Perhaps this debate could become more heated. If fighter craft screamed past the windows, the people in the office would react. Perhaps Collins puffs out his chest at the show of strength. The mood plants should be described prior to the other furniture. For that matter, much of the description of the office given early in the chapter should be interspersed throughout the chapter later on to avoid a description data dump.
– Aaron Boehm (screenplay/part 12, Hell Cage): Greg was wondering what the consequences of being hurt or injured in Hell if the occupants are already dead. Pat really liked the incorporation of wrestling moves into the fight with the demons, but Greg questioned the legitimacy of his fighting skills since he’s essentially an actor. Most were confused by the placeholder left in the script, but it was supposed to be a pet’s name. Liam suggested that the pet name maybe would reflect something about Jack’s interest as a child.”
– Millie Mader (chapter 29, Life on Hold): I was asked to be more concise in certain paragraphs, and to quit using Detective Rob Mahoney’s first name. Also, Pat wanted more of Erin’s inner feelings, and Greg thought I had a very weak closing.
– Liam Wilbur (chapter 4, Scott & Rory): The chapter was tightened up, people agreed. Need to work on furthering the plot. It’s still confusing as to who is being talked about in the case of “Thomas” becoming “Scott,” etc. Some of the background action could be fleshed out (stop using hair colors to describe people). Over-all, it’s a descent start. Now I just have to ramp up the action.
Great opportunities for you this week . . .
James Strauss, who writes for “House”, other television series, and films – he also writes his own series of mystery novels – will share what he’s learned about writing from his career as a writer at Booked for Murder, Madison’s independent mystery store, Friday evening. Start time is 6:30 . . . and the evening get underway with pizza and beer with Strauss. Email Jerry Peterson, petersonjerry@att.net , if you can come so the store will have enough pizza for you.
Saturday, Booked for Murder hosts its third annual gathering of the Legends of the Fall, mystery writers from around the Midwest. Sixteen writers will take part in panel presentations on the business of books and writing starting at 10:15 a.m. To see who’s scheduled to appear, go to …
Also on Saturday, MATC hosts a series of workshops for writers at its downtown school, all as a part of the Wisconsin Book Festival. Here’s the link that will get you the subjects and times: http://www.bookedformurder.com/
FYI . . .
MATC is creating an online directory of writers groups. Tuesdays with Story will be listed.
Write a novel in 30 days . . .
Yes, November is National Novel Writing Month, your opportunity to write a novel – well, at least 50,000 words of it – and get some cool recognition.
If you are a NaNoWriMo alum – a number of our writers are – it’s time to go again, time to once more jump in with all 10 fingers on the keyboard.
If you’ve never done NaNoWriMo before, or maybe you’ve never heard aboutof it until today, you, too, should jump in. Here’s the link that will give you all the details: http://www.nanowrimo.org/
Who’s up next . . .
October 25: Holly Bonnicksen-Jones (chapter, Coming Up For Air), Liam Wilbur (chapter, Fog-gotten), Terry Hoffman (chapter, The Tome), and Cole Ruby (maybe).
November 1: Rebecca Rettenmund (journal entry), Pat Edwards (poems), Barb Sorensen (???), Robert Grey (???), Liam Wilbur (chapter, Scott & Rory), Jerry Peterson (chapters 17-18, Thou Shalt Not Murder), and riding alternate Jim Cue (short story).
November 15: Judith McNeil (???), Aaron Boehm (screenplay/part 13, Hell Cage), Jim Cue (short story, if not critiqued on 11-1), Millie Mader (chapter 30, Life on Hold), Greg Spry (chapter 14, Beyond Cloud Nine), John Schneller (chapter, Final Stronghold), and riding alternate Jerry Peterson (chapters 19, Thou Shalt Not Murder
FIFTH TUESDAY – November 29, 2011
Were you born in a barn? Fifth Tuesday will be held in a barn – on Hickory Knoll Farm, courtesy of Jack Freiburger. Don’t worry, he promises it will be warm!
The writer’s challenge, therefore, has an equine theme: 250 words about anything equine! Rewrite a scene from your own story from a horse’s point of view. Bring Mr. Ed forward to the future. Invent a herd of equine vampires… Try to include the word “whip” at least once!
Keep it short and sweet and send it to chornung88@aol.com. Working on a prize to be awarded for the best entry – watch this space!
In the meantime, think about what you’d like to bring! We’ll need some of the usual items: paper plates, cups, forks/spoons/knives, napkins, soda, ice, coffee. And, of course, a dish to pass. We’ve already been promised mulled cider and “cowboy pie” (a southwestern twist on shepherd’s pie).
Please let Carol Hornung know what you are bringing (see above address) and hope to see you there!
Other business
– Editors for Writers Mail:
. . . October – Jen Wilcher
. . . November – Pat Edwards
. . . December – Clayton Gill
. . . January – Liam Wilbur
Tuesdays with Story 
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