Writer’s Mail
June 3, 2014
“A writer lives, at least, in a state of astonishment. Beneath any feeling he has of the good or evil of the world lies a deeper one of wonder at it all. To transmit that feeling, he writes.” — William Sansom
Member news…
Kristin Oakley, second-and-fourth, brought out her first novel, Carpe Diem, Illinois, back in April, Little Creek Press of Mineral Point the publisher. Saturday afternoon, she will be at Printers Row Lit Fest in Chicago, and Thursday evening next week (June 12) she will be at Mystery To Me Bookstore here in Madison. Book talk and signing, of course.
At this Tuesday’s meeting…
Millie read from Chapter Fiftyfour of Life On Hold. Andy P. wondered how necessary the whole training in Chicago is to the story. Jerry suggested a way to make it work while simultaneously making the main character’s life more miserable. Lisa expected the chapter to end differently. Pat thought a couple of paragraphs could be worked in more neatly during later dialogue. Lisa pointed out that Oak Park is not in Chicago. Cindi suggested playing up the creepiness in a particular moment. Andy B. appreciated the comedic potential provided by a couple characters.
Amber presented a synopsis of Noble to the group. Lisa suggested writing up something to be read in under two minutes. Kashmira suggested bringing some of the tone of the story into the synopsis. Pat thinks speaking it out loud could make it more smartalecky/snarky (in a good way). Andy P. offered up praise for the protagonist as a character.
Kashmira and Amit shared Chapter Three of their as yet untitled novel. Lisa said she had never read seventeen pages as fast as these. She did say she got a little lost with who was telling the story now and then, but it was decided that that might be due a quirk with MAC document transfers. Pat thought the images were vivid and lyrical, but voiced a concern that the tone seems skewed toward a younger audience. Millie liked the metaphors throughout. Jerry noted that some words aren’t typical for a sixyearold, but Andy B. pointed out that these sections are the older version of the character recalling the story.
Cindi shared Chapter Ten and Eleven of her novel, North Road. Pat liked the conversation portion of Chapter Ten, but thought that it would be stronger if the protagonist was present and involved. Andy P. was looking for more personality in the characters – enough so that he couldn’t distinguish between them. Jerry suggested cutting some backstory. Pat suggested the group look into the book Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen, which gives some great examples of withholding backstory until absolutely necessary. Andy P. didn’t think any of the details at the airport were necessary if nothing happened along the way. Pat thought the dialogue and metaphors were great. Kashmira imagined the scene as a play in the sense of not wanting to have characters show up before their scenes. Jerry noted the last paragraph of Chapter Eleven could be cut because of POV. (more…)
Tuesdays with Story 