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 For Authors: December 31, 1969 Issue [#3004] |
  For Authors This issue's editor: shannonchapel More Newsletters By This Editor   1. About this Newsletter 2. A Word from our Sponsor 3. Letter from the Editor 4. Editor's Picks 5. A Word from Writing.Com 6. Ask & Answer 7. Removal instructions     Welcome to the For Authors Newsletter. I am shannonchapel and I am your guest editor this week.    TITLE 
{bitem: {bitem: {bitem: {bitem: {bitem: Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter! http://www.Writing.Com/main/newsletters.php?action=nli_form  Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter! http://www.Writing.Com/main/newsletters.php?action=nli_form Don't forget to support our sponsor! InstantPublisher.Com: Self publishing made easy and affordable. All file types accepted with many options. Starting at $100 for 25 copies in 7-10 days! Visit us today!  Feedback The following is in response to "For Authors Newsletter (August 26, 2009)" :winniekay says, "Shannon, you have brilliantly answered a question I have had in the back of my mind while searching the halls of memories in my brain cells. Am I limited to what I know? If that is the case, I am indeed dead in the water as an author. You have awakened an untraveled hallway in my mind--imagination--and I can't wait to start pulling open some new files and discovering uncharted territory. Thank you." Winnie, I couldn't ask for more encouraging feedback than that. Thank YOU, darlin'.  crystalraine says, "Only 'writing what you know' implies that you're not willing to learn anything else. But don't write about being an astronaut without researching first. Lots and lots of research because bad information will cast doubt on the whole story, not just the one detail. I still remember the cowboy romance I read where everytime the cowboy jumped on his horse, he kicked it in the withers. The withers is the high point of the shoulder just under the saddle horn. The author meant flanks (not a good idea either but at least a more accessible body part to kick). That detail cropped up a whopping three times in the whole story and yet it ruined an otherwise wonderful story for me. And there's a huge difference between a critique and a criticism though sometimes they sound a lot alike. Knowing how to present constructive criticism is as important as knowing how to take it. ALWAYS have a solution if you're going to poke at a problem. ALWAYS cite a grammar rule or some other verifiable source. The gentleman in your group could have said, 'What you portray in your story isn't accurate because...' and state what you missed. Constructive is the applicable term there. Criticism tears down but if you're not willing to help build back up, better than before, you're not being constructive." Excellent advice, Raine. I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you! kristilove says, "This was a most interesting and enlightening newsletter! I love, simply love, your last paragraph with all the comparisons! Brilliant to say the least. Thank you so much for putting this together for all of us!" Thank you, Kristi!  And you are very welcome.tangerinedream says, "I had something similar happen to me in a writing class. It can be difficult to hear what some well-meaning people see. At first I was offended and thought they must be joking about my characters. Later I wondered if I'd written merely junk. But deep down I knew that either they weren't understanding because it wasn't clear enough or they expected much more right away since they normally write short stories, and this wasn't. They were right about a few things, but this took time for me to realize. But sometimes it was so discouraging and not very tactful. Consider the source, and try not to take it too personally. You never know where that reader is coming from." I agree. I think most people really want to help, but every once in a while you cross paths with that guy--the one who ruins it for everyone else, squelching the hopes and dreams of every aspiring writer in the room. Thank you for reminding us not to give him the satisfaction. grcubby says, "Great newsletter, Shannon. I enjoyed this very much. And as a co-leader of a writing group at my library, I was sorry to hear about your negative experience. Our group has grown and will be one year old in October. We meet once a week for three hours. So far we have only shared positive comments, but this week, we who are interested, will be handing our work over to another member for individual critquing. Some members are nervous about this. My hope is to keep our suggestions at an encouraging level, like most members do here. Thanks for a wonderful newsletter!" Thank you, Cubby! And why don't you move to Boise? That's the kind of writing group I want to join.  jmpdk3 says, "So sayeth the flock! Great advice! I totally agree. The literary world would be extremely small and void of many greats if every writer only wrote what they knew. If it can be researched, then it can be written. To me, the phrase 'write what you know' can only be applied to emotion. Everyone has experienced the basics (fear, anger, etc) in some form, but not everyone has given birth or held their mother's hand as she took her last breath or held their sister while she cried after being told she has breast cancer.... I believe for a character's inner struggle and emotion to come off as believable in these types of situations, a writer has had to experience it or some form of it (or at least know someone who has who doesn't mind their brain being picked). Thanks for confirming what I believe!" You're welcome! And thank you, Jane, for the excellent feedback. fyndorian says, "Hmmmm ... if you want to write about something, take the time and energy to research it, then do you not 'know' it? *grin* Also, one needs to remember that the experience of two people experiencing the same event will never be the same experience as they each bring a different set of life experiences into that moment! On another note ... getting ready for a road trip from Michigan to Maine to Washington state and back ... think I'll take lots of notes along the way!" You may disagree, but I've always believed there's a difference between having knowledge of something (acquired by investigation) and knowing something (acquired by experience). When I was in nursing school, we studied (knowledge of) how to insert a Foley catheter, but I didn't know how to do it properly until I actually did it (experience). That's why I say Write what you want to know and are willing to learn about. And I hope you plan to share those road trip notes and photos with us. Maine is my favorite place in the whole wide world, and I would love to live vicariously through you.  ragefire2000 says, "Great newsletter, Shannon! A screenwriting professor of mine used to say that if everybody only wrote what they knew, there would be a lot of boring movies and books out there. His advice was not necessarily writing what you know... but to research and learn enough to know what you're writing.  And thanks for featuring my item!" Exactly! And it was my pleasure to feature Penance, Jeff. Thanks for commenting!thekindred says, "How apropos. Ignorance comes in many forms. I have found that there are 'writers' on this site that have the same mentality. A person can do a lot of reaseach to the point that you are asked, 'How did you ever survive being stranded in a snow storm?' You answer, 'I never have, but I have talked to many who have.' Research is just as important as doing a character study. Soon you can write even more than you know.  " Precisely. And great word, apropos! LOVE it!vamp_cat says, "Great newsletter. I say research. That is how you get to know things outside of your everyday life. Research leads to such interesting things." I concur. I love research. I get easily swept away by it, though, so I have to be careful. Thanks for the feedback, Alice.relanda says, "Wow, if we're to write what we know, I must live in my own fantasy world and know an awful lot about medieval armor, weapons, ships ... wait. I'm in the SCA. :) Seriously though, the only time I write what I know about is when it pertains to the character ... usually. Good newsletter! I love getting this one now." Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. marchbooks says, "A great newsletter. I totally agree. Really, at the end of the day, if people are reading fiction, what they are looking for is a great story with multi-dimensional characters. I don't read a novel with an encyclopedia in one hand. Yes, it has to be plausible, but am I going to check each fact for historical accuracy? No. If a reader has been drawn into the story, the facts become so interwoven with the fabric of the story that they don't stand out--they are read but they don't stand out any more than the subtle dialogue attributes. Good job." You are so right, Lizzie! It's all about the characters and their story. If we empathize with them, we'll turn the page. Simple as that. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment! sarahreed says, "That is fantastic advice--write what you want to know about. I love doing research and find it challenging to write on topics I don't know because in the process, I learn about the topic. I may not end up writing the best piece, but I know the story is stronger for the research I did and I feel sort of enlightened by the experience. " It is exciting, isn't it? I love research and learning new things. Thanks for the feedback, Sarah!author00 says, "I know what you mean about the 70+ year old men . . . I am one of those. Our favorite pastime is belittling others, hoping to exalt ourselves. It just becomes our nature after that many years. LOL" Now that's funny! monty31802 says, "Points well made, a fine newsletter Shannon." Thanks, Monty! And thanks for taking the time to read and comment. sgcardin says, "Good advice on the critique goods--choice wisely. They must fit like an old familiar glove to really work." So true! Thanks for the feedback, Steph. hbar says, "Another quality newsletter by Shannon the Famous." Thank you, John! Submitted Items
afineline says, "I'm 16, but I've been working pretty hard on this novel. I was hoping I could get some publicity and reviews going so that I know how I'm doing. So far only one person reviewed it, and he liked it a lot, and that was a huge confidence booster for me."
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