Writer’s Mail
Tuesdays with Story
September 10, 2017
Tuesday evening at B&N
A baker’s dozen crowded into the story circle to critique the works of our colleagues. Here’s some of what was said:
- Jack Freiburger (short story, part 5, “Jesus Walked into the IHOP”) . . .
- Tracey Gemmell (chapters 19-21, Casa Something) . . . The new title option of ‘More or Less Annie’ was well received. The group considered the chapters witty and fast paced. Jerry expressed some concern that it took twenty one chapters for Annie to finally break out. However, in the story structure format Tracey is following, the switch from identity to essence typically occurs around this point. Others in the group felt the pacing was appropriate both for Annie’s character and British cultural expectations. Many thanks to all for your comments.
- Katy Sullivan (fan fiction, part 2, The Night We Met) . . . I read the second part of Birthday Night, and some thought it was a bit slow. Suggestions others had adding dialogue to the flash back, add the mood of the song to the story, and bring in the senses. Bringing the senses will help the reader feel like they are there. From this one mentioned that smell brings back memories and to add memories with that aspect.
- John Schneller (chapter 15, Final Stronghold) . . .Discussion centered around the length of middle grade novels for unpublished authors (90,000 words is too long). The possibility of splitting the story . . . and the alternate approach of pursuing a graphic novel.
- Kashmira Sheth & Amit Trivedi (chapters 1-2 , untitled novel) . . .Amit and Kashmira mentioned that they are making their 1947 historical fiction a young adult novel. Pat enjoyed the details that are woven in the story. As a true British, Tracey loved the cricket scene.
- Jerry Peterson (short story, “A new car for Boone”) . . . Jack Freiburger picked off a half-dozen problems, the largest of which was Boone asking the cop whether he was the kind who, like Norman Rockwell’s cop, hides behind billboards, waiting for speeders. “If the cop hadn’t been in World War II, Boone could really set him off by challenging him because he was,” Jack said. Pat Edwards, John Schneller and others wanted Boone to coin a line for Cronkite, the line “And that’s the way it is,” Cronkite’s signature line that he used to sign off his CBS Evening News broadcasts years later.
Fifth Tuesday
Our next is on Halloween, October 31. We will be at either Jack Freiburger’s farm or Amber Boudreau’s home. Final decision depends on Jack’s travel schedule, so stay tuned.
The writing challenge? Ahh, write a Halloween story, of course.
Who’s up next
September 19: Larry Sommers (???), Jen Wilcher (chapter 6, Hogoshiro Chronicles), Paul Wagner (???), Mike Austin (chapter, Riding with the Reed Gang), Bob Kralapp (short story, part 2, “Faith”), Rebecca Rettenmund (chapter 4, Hunting for Dad), and Kashmira Sheth & Amit Trivedi (chapter ??? rewrite, novel).
October 3: Millie Mader (???), Rebecca Rettenmund (chapter 5, Hunting for Dad), Jack Freiburger (short story, part 6, “Jesus Walked into the IHOP”), Tracey Gemmell (chapters, Casa Something), Katy Sullivan (fan fiction, part 3, The Night We Met), John Schneller (chapter 16, Final Stronghold), and Kashmira Sheth & Amit Trivedi (chapters 1-2 rewrite, novel).
Our editor
This month, it’s Kashmira Sheth. Send her your good stuff.
They’re stealing books
A story about thefts at a bookstore will have you both concerned and laughing. NPR’s Scott Simon reported it Saturday on Weekend Edition Saturday. Here’s the link: http://www.npr.org/2017/09/09/549690238/books-by-hemingway-kerouac-and-bukowski-are-stolen-most-often
Tuesdays with Story 
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