Menu

Aspiring Writer

Articles for the aspiring writer on how to say stuff. Explores elements of writing to help you improve your writing and publish your work.

Why Read Sci-Fi?

Why Read Science Fiction (Sci-Fi) Novels?

,

Science fiction stories are about other worldly things or a clash of science with modern everyday life. Some of the best sci-fi books are about space, experiments gone wrong, strange planets, mutations or maybe even space invasions. During my childhood days, I whittled away hours and hours reading some of my favorite sci-fi novels.

Science Fiction is The Ultimate Escape

I’ve read all kinds of books. While I do avoid some genres, generally, I’m open to giving most books a try. Even so, great sci-fi books capture every part of my imagination. From the texture and sounds of new worlds to the dangers and strangeness of alien creatures. With sci-fi it’s easier to escape the known, our lives and ultimately our comfort zones.

Some Benefits

When I was young, I read science fiction because it was the best of escapes. Today, I enjoy getting out of my adult life, even if for a few minutes a day, to jump into new worlds or futuristic tomorrows. There are all kinds of issues to tap into, like worlds with different people, strange species of sentient beings and sci-fi eccentricity coupled with the same issues of modern life. As a writer, I learn about how authors deal with evolved or sometimes socially devolved civilizations. The one constant in all of them is human relationships and that’s the magic. Reading these stories as a writer gives me insight into how to better create characters, give details about the world around those characters and when I’m lucky, to find strangeness in the everyday things.

What Science Fiction Writers Do

Great science fiction writers paint with broad strokes to show us the best and sometimes the worst of humanity. From them we can expand our viewpoint and think about the impossible. Sometimes, these books have a long arm of influence. The real people who read them, may boldly inject, for good or bad, an author’s vision into this very planet. Sci-fi authors imagine new science, technology, and unique planets, but no matter what they imagine, people or other types of sentient beings interact in these stories. At its best, sci-fi marries technology and other worldliness with great characters.

Why Read Science Fiction

A Brief History of Science Fiction

Way back in the 2nd century Lucian of Samosata wrote, A True Story. His novella has aliens, planet colonization and space travel. It is the epitome of science fiction. It looks at possibilities and creates a whole world around those concepts. In a time, when there wasn’t any modern technology as we know it, this author presented us with artificial life forms. Every sci-fi concept in A True Story, is still fodder to today’s writers.

From the 10th century we have One Thousand and One Nights. A collection of stories written by various Middle Eastern authors. The stories are timeless. They have bandits, magic lamps, wizardry and science. Now, these ancient stories are a part of modern culture. We know the tales of Aladdin & Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves best. They are popular Disney movies and stories that are retold again and again. I once owned a book set of these stories. I took them to college with me. I left them in storage. When I went back for them, someone had taken them. I still miss them.

The 13th century writer, Ibn al-Nafis likely wrote the first modern science fiction novel Theologus Autodidactus. It’s a full-length novel about a boy who just came into existence by spontaneous generation. A concept that modern scientists continue to discuss. It’s a coming of age where this isolated being enters society and causes an apocalypse. So interesting.

In the 14th century we get into stories that incorporate real science into fiction. An anonymous work, The True History of the Good King Alexander, has all kinds of superhuman feats, unproven technology like submarines, and some mystical creatures. A true combination of science and fantasy.

Getting to The List

Beginning in the 17th century, it gets pretty standard. Authors put more science and more fiction into their stories. Science Fiction becomes a genre. From New Atlantis to Gulliver’s Travels things shift into fiction with scientific premises. We get stories like the Mummy, Frankenstein and The Time Machine.

Modern authors, from the 20th century, like J. R. R. Tolkien, George Orwell, Isaac Asimov, Orson Scott Card, Octavia E. Butler, Douglas Adams, Kurt Vonnegut and so many more take us into what sci-fi is all about. Moving forward, I fear science fiction will become all fantasy without the science. That thought saddens me. With that said, here’s the list:

Dune by Frank Herbert (Books 1 – 3)

The story takes place on the planet Arrakis where a desert people live. Mining spice, a mind-expanding substance, and the desire to control it creates a power struggle on the planet. Paul Atreides is the main character. He is a young man caught in the middle of feuding governments and a planetary take over, but his powers grow because of his use of spice. There’s a lot more to it. In order to get the details, you’ll need to read it. My summary is boring in comparison. It doesn’t do any justice to this science fiction series.

There are fifteen books in the Dune series, but I’ve only read five or six of them. Can’t remember because I only liked books 1 through 3.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis (Books 1 – 7)

This is a fantasy series. When I was a child, I loved all the talking animals and the brave mouse Reepicheep. It’s kind of religious symbolism, so as an adult, it’s not a series I’ve reread too often. Every book in this series is a wonderful journey for the young mind. I have given a box set to my nephews, nieces and my friends children. Additionally, I’ve read them aloud to most of the children in my life. While these books are especially good for young readers, I recommend them to first time adult readers as well.

Why science fiction-a history

Ender’s Game Series by Orson Scott Card (Books 1 – 4)

Books 2 through 4 are my favorite in this series. This series takes place after an earth invasion. The military groomed young children to fight a war against the invaders. It’s true blue science fiction. Ender Wiggins comes into the series as a boy. The only boy who could win against an unseen, unknowable enemy. While the first story is good and engaging, it’s the next three books that captured me. In this series, Card takes us to strange planets, has humans interacting with alien creatures and in every novel, he creates another new and wonderful story.

Ender’s Shadow / Shadow Saga Series (Book 1 & 2)

These books give a parallel view to the Ender’s series. Bean, a super intelligent, tiny boy who by book three is a giant was also likely capable of ending the Bugger wars. As the story goes, he remained in the shadow ready to step in should Ender fail. That didn’t happen. What did happen after Ender won the war was a fight for world dominance. Bean went back to Earth to deal with the conflict.

The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) by J. R. R. Tolkien (Book 1 – 3)

This is one of the best science fiction series of all time. It’s probably more fantasy than science, but it’s still great. The whole series has the kind of magic children love, mixed with the complexity that everyone loves. I first read the Hobbit, which is my favorite book by Tolkien. In my opinion, the Hobbit is the first book of the series, but I seldom see it put that way. If you’ve not read this series, go read it. I’ve never seen the movies. Personally, I believe reading books is more of a treat to the imagination than watching movies. So, even if you’ve seen the LOTR movies and you’re not a reader pick up the books anyway.

The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov (Books 1 through 4)

The premise of this book uses real science to support its plot. A mathematical genius, Hari Seldon, using his formulas can predict the future. He foretells the fall of the galactic empire. To reduce the devastation of the coming dark age the uncertainty principle of sociology serves as a counter measure to preserve civilization and ultimately the empire.

The Hunger Games (All three books)

A new to the game series. While I liked this series for the complexity of the story, the unique story line, in terms of the hunger games, telling the story in the present tense was a little off putting to me. As a writer, I admired the author’s expert use of present tense. It’s a lesson in first person POV with a present tense narrative. A feat. Read it for that alone if you’re averse to science fiction novels.

What Science Fiction Means to Me

The listed books were for me, an opportunity to escape the everyday things. Those books that stick with me are the ones I read as a child. They have a special place in my heart and mind. Going back to read them or sharing these books with the children in my life, somehow makes my own life feel more meaningful.

What can people learn from sci-fi? Everything. It’s a world full of potential. In a way, reading such books, removes or prevents boundaries to the imagination. From sci-fi, we can not only learn about science, but about humanity. My hope is that new science fiction writers, not forget the responsibility of the genre. Science fiction, at its core is commentary on the human condition. It exposes the wrongdoing of society, the need to rise up, the responsibility of government. At its best, it gives us new ways of looking at life and the inspiration to expand science and technology past the limits of what’s currently known.

A Final Word…

At one point in my life, I listed LOTR as my favorite science fiction series. Before that, it was Dune. Sometimes, it’s the Ender’s Games series. The truth is, I can’t decide. One thing is for sure, these are my all-time top three sci-fi books.

As a side note, I want to express my confusion about some popular series. Sometimes, the series just goes too far and loses its impact. It’s like the Rocky movies which should have stopped at Rocky 3.  Once the series gets too far in there it simply become pretentious rambling or preaching. At least it’s true for Dune and Ender’s Game, specifically, the Shadow series. Of course, that little rant has nothing to do with reading science fiction.

Still not convinced, perhaps you’ll find something to read on my list of 8 Quirky Books

3 Qualities of Great Writing

3 Qualities of Great Writing

, ,

The 3 qualities of great writing are: clarity, correctness and character. Developing your unique style requires mastery of the rules of grammar and knowledge of the relationship words have to one another. From the start, we learn grammar without understanding when our parents speak to us. Later, through formal training and reading, we come to understand grammar. Even so, it’s possible not to write your best work.

The three Qualities of Great Writing

In order to speak and write the English language correctly, it is imperative that the fundamental principles of the Grammar be mastered, for no matter how much we may read of the best authors, no matter how much we may associate with and imitate the best speakers, if we do not know the underlying principles of the correct formation of sentences and the relation of words to one another, we will be to a great extent like the parrot, that merely repeats what it hears without understanding the import of what is said. – Joseph Delvin

Let’s heed the words of Delvin. In great writing, writers strive for clarity, correctness and character. These three qualities are rooted in the principles of grammar, but adherence to these ideals mustn’t happen at the expense of originality or great writing.

Making it Clear

Clarity is one of the key qualities of great writing. Clear writing does not confuse or cause misunderstanding. There are a few ways to achieve the goal of clarity. First, avoid ambiguous words or words with double meanings. Expand your vocabulary to arm yourself with an array of words. Doing so will give you the tools you need to make the best word choices. Second, let your words dance but don’t overdress them. Some writers may rely too heavily on big words, metaphors or rhetoric to make a point. Don’t do it. Finally, make simple your first choice. That doesn’t mean you should never show the power of your vocabulary or make your ideas vivid with similes or metaphors. It means, using the rules of language to write clear sentences that have proper structure, sound and syntax.

3 Qualities of Great Writing-Clarity

Write Your Best Work – Correctness

Correctness refers to quality writing. Writing that moves past getting things grammatically correct. It requires exacting expression, free from redundancy and tautology, a style unique to the writer, yet full of meaning. Most ideas of correctness seek to codify ‘good’ English, but that’s not the whole of it. Correctness allows freedom too. A freedom to paint with words, freedom to break the rules. Most of all, a freedom to say things in the best way to achieve the desired outcome while at the same time maintaining clarity. Without a doubt, correctness can only be somewhat separate from the rules of grammar. That’s because before you can find your unique voice, break barriers, twist or bend the rules you must know and understand those rules at the start.

3 Qualities of Great Writing-Correctness

Great Writing has Integrity

Character is the last but not least of the three qualities of great writing. It reflects on the integrity of the work. Quality writing avoids the use of slang, vulgarity, profanity, obsolete terms, foreign idioms, ambiguous expressions or any ungrammatical language unless it advances the story. For example, writing about specific cultures or in a style to reflect who or what your characters do and how they talk is perfectly acceptable. However, please note the use of vulgarity or profanity is likely off-putting to some readers. For me, I avoid it. Yet, some might find the need to use these tools to represent the reality of the time, place or situations they write about. In those cases, it’s likely worse to avoid it. Even so, I’ve read books where the use of profanity has caused me to stop reading. I’m no saint and I can swear like a sailor, but I find it off putting when used carelessly in the books I read. Ultimately, great writing finds a way to say what’s needed without offending its targeted readers.

3 Qualities of Great Writing-character

These 3 Qualities of Great Writing come from How to Speak and Write Correctly, by Joseph Devlin. My version is updated for modern times and in some ways, contradicts the original text. For example, Delvin advises to never use profanity or slang. He is also in the grammar correctness camp. I’m not. On these points, I disagree with him. 

Some of the best writing uses slang or break rules of grammar. The most important rule is to know the rules of grammar. When you do, you own your words and have the power to wield them.

For more on writing rules see 10 Writing Style Rules Every Writer Should Know.

 

Indie Publishers: Small Publishing Houses

Today indie publishers come in many forms and means so many different things. To some, and perhaps traditionally it means self-publishing. In a broader sense it might mean using non-traditional publishing. Another aspect is using Hybrid, Vanity or Independent Publishing Houses. For me, it means the latter. Please share your thoughts, ideas, or experiences after you read this post.

Remember how I described the woes of writing my debut novel? Well, I made every mistake under the sun. I rushed and it cost me. I paid twice for beta books and twice for Advance Reader Copies (ARCs). More than that after every proofread, I made more edits. That’s how I got all those errors in my ARC. Today, all those troubles are behind me. Now, I’m with an independent or let’s say indie publisher.

Working with an Indie Publishers

For me, handing everything over was heavenly. A life saver. The most important thing is that Kuyomi Books is not a vanity publisher. With them I did not have to pay one penny. I do have a contractual agreement, which means like any publishing house, they claim a part of my royalties for themselves. The big payoff is getting professional services.

In some ways, the whole process felt like a setback. At the point when I got to the small publisher, I was ready to put my book out to the world. Now, it’s out for review.  Many things changed. I got a new book cover. I like it much better than the old one.

In with the New
In with the New
Out with the Old
Out with the Old

There were more edits. The difference was the guidance. It was so targeted. After the editing process, I was excited about my book and no longer worried about having missed something. For the most part, the ability to hand over the responsibility is freeing. You know everything will be done as it must. That’s what traditional publishing offers. I suspect, with some indie publishers, there is also an element of working closely with the editors and design staff that makes the whole getting your book out there even more enjoyable. Yeah, I said enjoyable, but that doesn’t mean easy. It was hard work, and then you have imposed deadlines too.

What about those publishing houses?

First rule, know what type of publishing help you’re getting. Hybrid Publishers expect you to pay for publishing services. They are like being a self-publisher and farming out or contracting for all the associated publishing services. The problem with Hybrid Publishers is that you pay and they also publish. Which means, all the risk is yours. You pay for services, after that you agree to share your royalties. There is one rule to remember. Traditional. Publishing. Means. You. Don’t. Pay. Anything. What happens is that you enter into an agreement with the publisher. You may even get an advance. That’s not always the case.

Another type of publishing is vanity publishing. This means you pay to get your book published. There are so many flavors of vanity publishing. The worst of the lot are the ones that sale you some package and then up sell. There is a big difference between literary and book preparation services and vanity publishing. The difference is that one pretends to help you publish and the other provides services without having any stake in getting you published. They don’t get any of your royalties and they don’t claim to publish your book. You simply pay for services like, editing, typesetting and proofreading. The rest is up to the author.

Final thoughts on Indie Publishers

The experience I had with Kuyomi Books was exceptional. Laura, my editor, she was kind and thoughtful. She didn’t try to rewrite my work but gave helpful suggestions, fixed some stuff and when needed asked for rewrites. It was a lot of back and forth until it was time for proofreading. At that point I was not in the process. No one can deny that there are some drawbacks to traditional publishing. You give up control and you share royalties. The amount of work, time and the number of people involved in getting my book ready for publication changed my outlook. You get a lot of services for free and the upfront risk is all on the publisher.

The advantage of working with some of the smaller indie publishers is that you get a fairer deal. I like that. What do you think? Please share your experience.

Private Matters: A Novel

It Takes Time: Finishing Your First Novel

It takes time. Finishing your first novel will challenge you in many ways. I offer some lessons learned, in hopes that you can avoid them.

My Debut novel, Private Matters, is done. It took forever. In this post I will go over my five takeaways. This list reflects all of the low points in the process of finishing my novel. Seems to me, every writer has a moment of wanting to give up. I had several of them.

Tip 1: Editing

Editing takes time. More time than you like. There are three important levels of editing. Don’t skip any of them. The first step is developmental or structural, at this step you’ll make sure that your story meets expectations in terms of character, scene, genre and believability. Once you’re sure about having a sound story, it’s time to move to the next step. Nevertheless, getting the story set may take several months. Be patient. Do the work.

The next step of editing is copyediting. This is the doldrums of getting the book done. Rewrite after rewrite, after rewrite. This is where friends and family come into play. Ask for help. You need good readers to gauge your progress. If you’re working with an editor, they will keep you on track, but they too might miss problems or fail to get you to the mark. The solution to this is time.

Finishing Your First Novel

 

Tip 2: Don’t Rush

Don’t rush your final rewrites. Be sure to give time away from your work. For me, this was the biggest lesson. Put that manuscript in a drawer for a least a month. Do more rewrites and then put it away again. Let it sit for three months if you can. The time, away from the story is invaluable. After you submit your final edits to your copyeditor. It’s time for proofreading.

My biggest mistake was that I didn’t have a good plan in terms of making sure my book was ready. I rushed to beta, rushed to advance reading copies (ARCs). How did I rush? I rushed because, I did not give enough time for the book to rest. I finished my edits and then sent out the beta. Did some more edits and then sent out the ARCs.

What saved me, was that I had to put my book on hold. It sat for nine months. When I went back to it, I realized how much work it needed. I edited the book, let it sit for two months and then edited again. Then I had it right.

How important is this process? Very important. If you follow it, you’ll have a better book, and with less frustration, and you’ll possibly spend less money. I had four separate rounds of proofreading. Expensive.

Tip 3: Proofreading

Finally, proofreading is the last step. I had my novel proofread four times because I rushed things. Don’t do it this way. Self-publishing is difficult because you’re in control and you are the one making the decisions. Those decisions can cost time, money and worse than that lead to a bad book. Editing is a iterative process. So, remember to do the developmental/ structural, substantive and copyediting before you pay for proofreading.

Finishing Your First Novel

Tip 4: Beta Books

You want to have beta readers. They really help to improve the overall quality of your book. Remember to get your book to near publishing quality. I did two beta books. My story was solid out of the gate. Yet, I did my beta book as soon as I thought I had a good story. I learned that errors and structural problems are frustrating to beta readers. They are not editors. Next time, I will ensure my book has gone through developmental, copyediting and of course had the appropriate rest period.

If you want to have willing beta readers for your next book, be sure to give them a quality read.

Finishing Your First Novel

Tip 5: Advance Reader Copy (ARC)

ARCs books, tell the world you are near ready to publish. It gives those who will write reviews a chance to read, review and if they really like it, perhaps promote your book. Like my beta books, I did two ARCs. The first one had too many errors. No loss though, I used them to improve the cover design and layout. They still work for ARCs as long as you add a note saying they may contain errors and does not represent the final edited book.

ARCs may contain errors, but at this point your book should be almost perfect. When you send it out you should have finished all the editing steps. Only one step left here. The final proofread. This means only minor changes. That wasn’t the way for me. I rushed. Tons of edits after my ARCs went out. Edits introduce error. Errors suck. Readers hate them.

Overall, it is important to give every step the time it needs. We all want to get our book out and collect royalties. Yet, I urge every self-publish author to remember, a bad book is worse than no book

The final step is publishing. But what does that really mean in the world of indie publishing? Read my post Working With Small Publishing Houses for answers.

Point of View-Riding the POV

Point of View: Riding the POV

, ,

Every story has a point of view (POV). What does it mean? It means, the author has to have a strategy that lets the reader know whose story it is at every turn. From the opening lines to the last words an author must ride the POV.

The Point Of View

A POV fixes the story viewpoint at the start. More often than not, it means we get to know what at least one of the characters thinks or feels. When writers do POV right, they put the readers into the head of one or more character or if desired, keep them out. Whatever the choice, writers must stick to the POV plan from start to finish. Remember, unsuspected POV shifts upset readers. Don’t do it.

Whenever I start a new story, my first inclination is to use third person limited. It’s my favorite POV. No matter where I end up, first person, or a form of third person, I push myself to ride the POV.

What is Riding the POV?

Riding the POV means no deviations from the intended story perspective. Your story must answer four questions:

  1. Who is speaking?
  2. Who is seeing the story action?
  3. Is it possible to get into the characters head?
  4. What is the narrative distance?

Shaping these four questions into a successful piece of fiction requires the writer to think through the direction of their story. Once you make these decisions, the next step is to jump into it. Just ride the POV.

Point of View-Riding the POV

Know the Speaker

In first person, your character narrates the story giving a first-hand account of the action. When you use first person, the narrator knows everything about themselves. They are also able to share what they see, hear, feel and think. Outside of their own experience they are mere observers. First person characters can guess at, wonder about or fear what another character knows, thinks or feels, but they can’t pop into other heads to say how another character feels. For example, take these accounts from a character:

I saw the man come inside holding a gun and my heart skipped a beat. He was thinking about killing me. (the narrator can’t know what the man was thinking)

I saw the man come inside holding a gun and my heart skipped a beat. I knew I was dead.

(Here the narrator sticks to their own thoughts and feelings)

I saw the man come inside holding a gun and my heart skipped a beat. He looked straight at me, seeming angry and steamed up. I just knew I was dead.

(This works because the narrator makes an assumption based on observation without entering the character’s head.)

No matter which form of first person you choose, the same rules apply. Don’t stray away from what the narrator can believably know or observe.

There is more flexibility in third person point of view. That means, there’s also more room to mess up. Make a plan. Whether you have a single or multiple viewpoints story it’s still important to give the reader a sense of whose story it is. It can’t be everyone’s story. Pick your protagonist. Once done, make sure that as much as 70% or more comes from that character’s viewpoint. Let the reader know what the main character thinks, feels and make sure the action happens around or because of them. On the other hand, if your story has a neutral narrator be sure to use action and dialogue without drifting into the characters heads.

Third Person POV

Let’s look at a writing example from third person limited / omniscient to compare with third person objective.

Dorothy woke early that morning. The alarm hadn’t sounded, and she felt tired but decided to get up anyway. Her whole body ached. How would she get through the next few weeks without him? She made herself breakfast, but it turned her stomach, and she couldn’t eat. Feeling desperate, she called her mother.
“I miss him,” she said when her mother answered.
“Of course, you do. How are you feeling today?”
“Just awful. It’s not fair. I want to die too.”

Third Person Objective Writing Samples

Dorothy woke early that morning. The alarm hadn’t sounded but she got up anyway. She moped around for at least an hour and finally made herself some breakfast. With her breakfast untouched, she called her mother.
“I miss him,” she said when her mother answered.
“Of course, you do. How are you feeling today?”
“Just awful. I ache all over. It’s not fair. I want to die too.

Although, it’s obvious from Dorothy’s actions that she is sad, the reader has no confirmation of what the character thinks or feels until she speaks with her mother. At that point, the reader gains insight through the dialogue. In third person objective, the author must stay out of the character’s head and most of all, let the reader gain insight based on the action. For more on writing dialog read 3 Ways to Improve Your Dialogue 

Point of View- Riding the POV

Through The Character’s Eyes

In your stories the reader must know who is seeing the events as they happen. In first person it’s the narrator, but they can only know what’s happening around them.

Jane was sad. In the kitchen, she started telling her mother about breaking up with John.

(Unless the narrator is in the kitchen, they can’t know anything about Jane)

The example above shows how the point of view shifted away from first person to third person omniscient. Writing in first person makes it easier to stick to your character’s perspective. Still writers make mistakes. That’s where editing comes in. Edit out any POV shifts.

I knew Jane had been feeling down. I went into the kitchen to check on her. A moment later, she started telling her mother about breaking up with John.

(fixed)

The who is seeing mandate can get confusing in third person. That’s why it’s so important to have an authorial process mapped out at the start. Ultimately, you want to make sure the reader can follow any POV character shifts. In third person multiple viewpoints, some authors do this in chapters, some using parts or time periods and others use scene breaks. It really doesn’t matter when the POV shifts. What matters is that the reader doesn’t get confused.

Personally, I’m not a fan of multiple viewpoints. Yet, I’ve read many books that use the technique. Some do it well. Even harder to manage is point of view shifts in third person omniscient. The narrator knows, sees, hears and feels everything. The ability to do that might cause some writers to head hop. Now, that can get downright confusing. Know whose story it is and know who’s scene, chapter, or part it is too.

Getting into the Characters Head

This is an easy one. If you use first person peripheral, the narrator can relay his thoughts and feelings, but he can’t get into the heads of the other story characters. A classic example is The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald. The narrator, Nick Carraway shares his thoughts and feelings, but only speculates about what the protagonist, Jay Gatsby thinks or feels. Here is an excerpt.

And as I sat there, brooding on the old, unknown world, I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. He had come such a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close he could hardly fail to grasp it.

Notice the narrator’s words when he speaks of Gatsby. For instance, he says Gatsby’s wonder, something the narrator observed. When it came to feelings Nick says of himself that he was brooding, that’s being in his own head. On the other hand, he says Gatsby, must have seemed. In this example, the author kept the proper perspective. The first person narrator stays in his own head.

Things get even simpler for third person objective. You can’t get into the character’s head. That’s all there is to it. Check out Hills Like White Elephants’ by Ernest Hemingway. It’s a short piece of fiction, but there is no insight into what the characters feel. From the prose we get a since of where they are and why they’re there. Nothing is explained. Whatever the reader picks up, is what the reader picks up. If done well, the reader will get the meaning as the author intended.

Point of View- Riding the POV

In my mind, third person objective leaves a lot to be desired because it’s not possible to feel close to the main character. Everything depends on the author’s intent. When you write, know how your point of view works, and you’ll get the story you desire.

Point of View & Narrative Distance

Narrative distance determines just how close the reader feels to the characters. It relates to POV because how an author shows emotional or relational distance is intwined with the limitations of the POV. In all but third person objective POV we can get right inside the character’s head, or dare I say into their bodies.

A close up: Crossing the room, his heart pounding, his hands shaking, he smiled and then stood next to her.
Let’s move out a bit: He cautiously crossed the room, feeling eager to stand next to her.
Let’s move out more: He crossed the room to stand next to her.

Zooming in or out can vary throughout the story. However, distance shifts shouldn’t happen haphazardly. If your story has been very impersonal and then suddenly without warning or progression to that point, you shift the distance, it will upset your readers. The intimacy or lack of it should feel natural and work with the type of story you want to tell. Sometimes, authors use present tense to bring the reader close to the story. A few books that used this strategy are The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Normal People by Sally Rooney.

There you have it. POV is a multi-leveled thing. Ultimately, you need a plan that answers the four point of view questions we discussed in this post. Once done, ride the POV from start to finish.

3 Ways to Improve Your Dialogue-1

3 Ways to Improve Your Dialogue

,

When it comes to dialogue, let the characters do the talking and let the things they say tell us about them and the people they interact with. Read the article to learn 3 ways to improve your dialogue.

How to Write Dialogue-1

Learn How to Write Dialogue from Examples

1. Let the characters speak for themselves

These non-descript people complain about a group of boys hanging around on the street corner. What they say gives a hint about the speaker without providing details. Based on the dialogue alone, you can assume something different about each of them. Perhaps you might decipher their gender, race, social economic status or even depending on how versed you are on speaking styles, their region.

Here are five accounts of a neighborhood problem.

“They be down the street screaming they heads off all night.”
“Every day, those unruly boys stir up a fright. Come nightfall, they’re hollering like crazy.”
“At night, I just lie awake listening to those heathens.”
“Oh, the noise. If they get any louder, I swear, I’ll crawl right under my bed.”
“They was just hooting up out there like cayotes on a rabbit.”

Do you get any impression about the speaker based on a single sentence?

2. Break Up One-Sided Dialogue

If possible, don’t include one sided conversations unless it advances your story.  Sometimes, one-sided dialogue gives insight into the speaker’s character or has some other intended purpose. In cases where this is not true, rewrite that dialogue. Do you like talking to people who go on and on about something? Probably not. Most people don’t.

Here’s an example of a one sided conversation.

“Yes, I agree. That’s the reason we saw him over there. He was just trying to date the young girl. She’s a nice girl, we all hope she’ll go ahead and marry him because she’s the type of girl every young man wants to get married to. Being as rich as she is don’t hurt either.”

How to Write Dialogue-2

Now, let’s improve this dialogue. Let’s add another character to interact with the first speaker.

“He had a right to go over there,” Andy said.”
“Yes, I agree.“
“Did he ask her or not?”
“That’s the reason we saw him over there. He was just trying to date the young girl.”
“I think he should just leave her alone. She’s nothing but trouble.”
“She’s a nice girl… we all hope she’ll go ahead and marry him because she’s the type of girl every young man wants to get married to.”
“I don’t think so Papa. I’m telling you, she’s trouble.”
“Being as rich as she is don’t hurt none. I’d be willing to deal with the trouble.”

Sometimes, although rare, monologues work. Most often, when your character talks on and on, it’s a problem. They are generally talking at people instead of to them. When you spot this problem, let them interact with another character.

3. Make sure it sounds natural

Remember sounding natural doesn’t means sounding like real-life. In fiction good dialogue is faster, focused and more direct. Real-life might sound like this:

“Hey Marge.”
“Oh, hey Jenna.”
“Um, I was thinking maybe we should go somewhere?”
“Yeah, like what were you thinking?”
“I don’t know. Where would you like to go?”
“I don’t care. Whatever you want to do.”
“I picked last time.”
“Well, I’m not good at picking, you should pick.”
“Let’s see, what you feel like doing?”
“It doesn’t matter, anything you want.”

It’s natural alright. But it’s tedious. Takes up too much space. When it comes down to it, this type of dialogue can hold up the story.

How to Write Dialogue 3

If you need more help, try a writer’s guide

Here is a natural sounding version:

“Hey Marge, let’s do something fun tonight.”
“What you have in mind?”
“Don’t know. You pick. I always like your choices.”
“Let’s go to that new club. Maybe we’ll run into Philip.”

This dialogue sounds natural and moves the story along. By its end, the reader is thinking— What about the new club? Who is Philip? Will they see him?

Use these tips to improve your dialogue.

5 Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

5 Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

,

Your vocabulary is the first building block of self-expression. To understand is to know the meaning of words. The broader your vocabulary, the more delightful it becomes to read, write and express your thoughts.

Forming A Vocabulary

We learn words from our community. For some, like me, my primary learning community was my family not my school. I don’t remember learning how to read. When I set out to write this post, I called my mom for some answers.

“How old was I when I started reading?” I asked my mom.
“You could always read. I think you came out reading,” she answered and we both had a good laugh. My mother really can’t remember, but we both remember how she built her children’s vocabulary.  She gave us weekly vocabulary words.
“When did you start giving out those words?” I asked next.
Again, she doesn’t remember. Those vocabulary words gave me power. With them self-expression, whether verbal or written came easy to me. In school, I was a rock star. Alright, so she didn’t know when she started giving us those words. I could live with that.
“Why did you do it?” I wanted to know.
“They had a list of words-to know in the World Book Encyclopedia. I started learning them,” she told me.

The full explanation actually surprised me. My mother figured her children should learn the words too. Without making any allowances for age, my oldest brother is ten years older than me, she had us work through the list.

Here’s how she did it. Every Sunday evening, my mom called us to the table for our lesson. First, she randomly picked one of us to give the definition of the first word. There wasn’t any sort of shaming or punishing. She just asked. If you didn’t know the answer she asked someone else. If no one knew the answer, she would have someone read the definition given in the World Book Dictionary. Looking up words was rare.

Building Learning Muscles

I do remember having some trouble with words that almost sounded alike or that were somewhat spelled alike or that were of the same length and started with the same letter or words that had almost the same meaning. These are the kinds of issues I had. Didn’t mean I forgot the definitions though.

A Good example:

      1. Irascible – easily angered and
      2. Irate – feeling or characterized by great anger

Throughout the week, I had to look up these kinds of words several times to keep them straight in my head.

5 Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary-0odpdlm7

Okay, I’m rambling. So, after we went through the words, my mother gave us five new words. We took turns looking them up and spelling them out loud. After we had settled the definitions in our brains, to Mom’s satisfaction, the lesson was over. We learned real adult words with her.  I remember so many of them. Here are a few:

  • Acumen
  • Astute
  • Eschew
  • Exacerbate
  • Facile
  • Faultless
  • Mandible
  • Masticate
  • Mundane
  • Ornate
  • Prestidigitator
  • Pristine

My mother had a brilliant idea. It was so wonderful. Now, I can’t say what my siblings thought about our lessons, but I loved them. While I can’t recall when those lessons started, I do remember them from third grade to eighth. After eighth grade I went off to boarding school. End of lessons.

Vocabulary: What is it Good For?

An expansive vocabular is crucial to heighten your reading comprehension. It’s what makes reading so much fun. When reading feels like a treat, you’ll never complain about having to read.  Many of the students I’ve worked with find reading a chore. My number one recommendation to them is… build your vocabulary.  For the struggling writers out there, I offer ways to enhance your skills through vocabulary building.

Tips on How to  Improve Your Vocabulary

1. First read. Read the best works. (See indispensable books)

Read everything. Study how your favorite authors use words. Learn what’s unique about how they structure their sentences. Do they write short sentences and easy words like Hemingway and C.C. Lewis or do they use long sentences like Charles Dickens or Chaim Potok? You can also study how they describe things. Do they have long, endless descriptions like Dean Koontz?

Reading for writing is a two step process.

  • First, read for enjoyment.
  • Next, reread to learn about writing.

2. Look up the words you don’t know.

These days, it’s much easier to look up words you don’t know. Your phone is a dictionary. Still, when I mentor young writers, they resist looking up words. Using a dictionary in conjunction with a thesaurus is a sure way to build your vocabulary.

I’ve seen some students struggle with words because they have truly limited vocabularies. If this is your issue, find alternative ways to build your vocabulary. Perhaps you might listen to some audiobooks on vocabulary building.

For those committed to broadening their vocabularies follow this plan:

  1. Look up unfamiliar words.
  2. Write out the definition by hand (that means using old fashion style pen and paper)
  3. Write down at least three synonyms (try to choose synonyms you know)
  4. Study the example sentences. Write them down too.
  5. Write your own sentences using the word. (At least three sentences)
  6. Work the word into your daily conversation for at least three days.

This is a sure fire way to permanently add new words to your vocabulary.

3. Study words in context

Whenever you encounter unfamiliar words take note of how and where they are used. Paying attention to how words are used is as important as looking up their definition. The more you learn about how, when and where a word is used, the sooner you’ll master it.

4. Pause to write your own sentence(s)

This one is tortuous for those with monumentally tiny vocabularies. But persistence can drag, even if kicking and screaming, the unwitting writer into the powerhouse of words.

5. Practice using newly acquired words when you speak and write.

Find ways to integrate your new word into your daily speech. Every time you use an unfamiliar word, it reduces your anxiety and eventually acquiring new words will get easier.

For more on vocabulary see the trouble with synonyms

Write Your Book: Getting Past the First Chapter

Write Your Book: Getting Past the First Chapter

,

Want to become an author? Right now, you might have a great idea, expertise or an absolutely fantastic story but for some reason, you haven’t written that book. Read more to discover ways to help you write your book by getting past the first chapter.

Three tested ways for getting past the first chapter

Are you an excellent writer? Perhaps, when you sit down to write, the words come easy to you. If so, you are also an unblocked writer. But still, you haven’t started or finished your book. For most, the problem is easy to identify. Life keeps us busy. Undoubtably, we all have work, dirty clothes, family obligations and other essential things. Whatever the case, something keeps you from writing your book.

Write Your Book- Getting Past the First Chapter

1. Form a Writing Habit

Do you have a writing plan? If you don’t, you’ll need one to get started on that book. First, you’ll need to set a specific place and time to write. Go to your designated spot every day and stick to the set time. Maybe for you, it means getting up earlier or staying up late. No matter the challenge, promise yourself you’ll do it. To learn more, read 6 Tips on How to Make Writing a Habit.

2. Write a Mission Statement

Now that you’ve set the time and place to write, let’s move on to the next step needed to get past the first chapter. You must define your purpose. Have you determined what you want to accomplish with your book? Perhaps, you want to tell a great story? Teach watercolor painting? No matter your goal, your next step is to write it down. When you complete this step, you bring life to your vision and you move closer to completing that book.

For my debut novel, Private Matters, my mission had several parts. Here are two of them:

  • I want the reader to walk with the protagonist; to see and feel with her.
  • I want to put on display the healing power of community.

I completed the book but only the reader can say whether or not I achieved these lofty goals. For some, seeing the goals spelled out is all the motivation needed to write the book. Jot down your goals and let them inspire you to complete your book.

3. Outline Your Book

Getting Past the First ChapterWe all remember the pain of making an outline for a school paper. Well, this is different. You’re excited about your idea and it’s your book. Doing the outline will help you get to the finish line. If you feel stuck, this exercise can free you up. At the end, you’ll have a solid plan. Remember, it’s nothing formal.

You don’t need to fret like back in high school. Just pick up your pen and list your chapters. For non-fiction, write the subject or title of each chapter. For fiction, write down the first thing that happens in your story. Keep going until you write the last thing that happens or the last chapter title.

Now, don’t stop at the list. Go back and state the purpose of each item.

Here’s a non-fiction example:

Chapter One: How I married My Husband
Purpose: I want to show how my good fortune had everything to do with following my Grandmother’s advice.

Now, a fiction example:

My protagonist wins the lottery. (Chapter One)
Purpose: Show the events that led up to winning the lottery.

The protagonist’s brother tries to steal the winning ticket. (Chapter Two)
Purpose: Set the story in motion. Protagonist has to hide from the brother until the following morning.

Hope that doesn’t seem too difficult. When you devote your time to a plan, the book will follow. If you want to make the process even easier from the start read How to Format Your Manuscript.

10 Writing Style Rules Every Writer Should Know

10 Writing Style Rules Every Writer Should Know

, ,

This post is the first in a series using John Delvin’s book How to Speak and Write Correctly. Over the course of many posts, I will discuss various aspects of writing beginning with the Ten Commandments of Style. For convenience, I refer to Delvin’s list as 10 Writing Style Rules Every Writer Should Know.

As with most skills, it’s essential to learn the rules. Perfectly understanding the rules makes it easier to break them. In this way, your work becomes authentic and more interesting.

I do wish Delvin’s rules had a more positive spin. As they are, we get a list of Don’ts. Even so, know the rules. Although these rules consistently apply to most non-fiction, when it comes to fiction, it is essential to know how to break them.

1. Do not use foreign words.

The exception to this rule is, limit foreign words or phrases to those commonly used in English. Whatever you choose to do, remember if you use foreign words, use them with purpose to enhance the narrative. For clarity, where appropriate, follow foreign phrases with a translation. When used correctly, for the right story, foreign words can improve your work.

2. Do not use a long word when a short one will serve your purpose.

Fire is much better than conflagration. One of the common ways writers break this rule is by using facilitate instead of ‘ease’ or ‘use’.

The police facilitate their safety with protective weapons.

Much clearer to write:

The police use weapons to protect themselves.

Bigger or more complex words are not necessarily better. Clarity is the goal. In every scenario, know how to choose the best synonyms and let clarity be your guide to less obscure or vague words.

3. Do not use technical words.

Avoid technical words or those understood only by specialists in their respective lines, except when you are writing especially for such people. Just don’t do it.

4. Do not use slang.

Slang is not all bad. Especially when used in dialog or for first person POV to help create the mood and tone you want. When you match the narrative tone to the dialog, it sounds very natural.

Examples:

I went on out the door, knowing it was time to bail on the whole damn project. Finding another gig wasn’t gonna be easy and I wanted to beat the other Preppers to the work office. As far as I knew, wasn’t going to be new jobs for Preppers in a long time.

I saw Henry on my way out. “Okay, I gotta bail,” I told him. “But we’re gonna meet up later, right?” I said, trying to sound real natural. If he couldn’t see it was over, I wasn’t giving him a heads up. He was a better Prepper.

5. Do not use provincialisms

Avoid provincialisms such as “I guess” for “I think”; “I reckon” for “I know,” etc. This advice is good for most non-fiction writing. Yet, if you’re writing a provincial novel or historical fiction do your best to add a delicate balance of provincialism to capture the environment, the places and any necessary aspect of the time to make your writing feel real.

Careful use of provincialisms can give the reader the feeling of being immersed into a different time and place. This is especially important when you create your own world as in some fantasy and science fiction novels.

Style Rules Every Writer Should Know

 

6. Do not in writing prose, use poetical or antiquated words

Some example words: “lore, e’er, morn, yea, nay, verily, peradventure.” The same exceptions apply as in rule 5.

7. A Writing Style Rule to Break

Do not use trite and hackneyed words and expressions

Some example words: “on the job,” “up and in”; “down and out.”

Hackneyed words and expressions are sometimes the backbone of making characters real. Use them sparingly to lend a sense of authenticity to your characters.

“Well, I was on the job for pert near twenty years before the machines came.”

The hackneyed express ‘pert near’ makes the dialog sound more real.

8. Do not use newspaper words which have not established a place in the language as “to bugle”; “to suicide,” etc.

Yeah, don’t.

9. Break This Writing Style Rule With Care

Do not use ungrammatical words and forms

Ungrammatical words and forms such as, “I ain’t;” “he don’t.” are good in dialog. If important to the first person POV, they might work there too. Mark Twain certainly didn’t take this rule seriously and he ain’t no fool. Of all the 10 writing style rules, this is the one I break most often.

10. Do not use ambiguous words or phrases

Example of ambiguity: ”He showed me all about the house.”

This might be a perfect statement for one of your characters to make when it fits. Such variations in dialog should reflect time-period, social economic status, regional dialects and education.

If you do decide to use ambiguous words or phrases, use the context to make the meaning clear for the reader. Who knows, using ambiguity as a part of your writing style may lend authenticity to your characters.

Write, Edit, Publish at Kuyomi Books.

These writing style rules represent guidelines for improving your writing style. I suggest, the number one rule is to know the rules. Obey them, unless you have reason to break them.

If or when you break a rule, do it deliberately to achieve the desired effect. Remember, there are all kinds of books on writing with varying opinions. For a list of my favorite books on writing see 7 Must Read Books On Writing.

Must Read Authors

Must Read Authors

It seems to me that most writers have a list of must read authors. I could be wrong, but I’d bet I’m not. For me, my list is diverse and comes mostly from those books I enjoyed in my youth.

My list of Must Read Authors

Perhaps, you’ll find a new to you author. Perhaps, you’ll take a chance on one of them and pick up one of their books to read again or for the first time. Please don’t judge me, but my top six hasn’t changed since I was a child. Listed in no particular order.

Chaim Potok

The author wrote about Orthodox Jews, but his book, The Chosen, is a coming of age story. Certainly, it’s relatable to teens from all backgrounds. It was for me. Mostly, I identified with those boys because Potok masterfully depicted the relationship between them. In addition to its value as a good read, a reader might gain some insight on how to write about complex relationships.

My favorite books from this author:

Octavia Butler

Butler’s books are mostly science fiction. Undeniably, her science fiction books are the ones I enjoyed most. Those books, masterfully explore otherworldliness, while keeping a keen eye on politics and social dynamics too. Additionally, many of her books target change, control, compliance and liberation. All these themes are best highlighted in her series books. For me, Butler is somewhat puzzling too. For example, I find her books unique, and her storytelling exceptional; yet, on occasion, it’s difficult to stay tuned in. Butler tackled the harshness of being with gut wrenching vividness. For this reason, some may have a strong resistance to reading her work.

My favorites from this author:

  • Dawn (The Xenogenesis Trilogy Book 1)
  • Wild Seed (The Patternist Series Book 1)
  • Mind of My Mind (The Patternist Series Book 2)

Among My Must Read Authors For All the Wrong Reasons

Mark Twain

Mark Twain is my most favorite writer. Although, he didn’t write any of my favorite books, I’m hooked. Irrefutably, his skill at spinning tales, using humor, showing the particulars of humanity and ultimately his mastery of vernacular speech keeps him at the top of my list. His words have rhythm. Unlike Shakespeare and other classic writers before him, Twain didn’t lean heavily on pentameters, but somehow, he managed to make his words dance. That’s why I love his work.

Some works by Twain:

 

J. R. R Tolkien

The man is a master of place. If you read these books you have a good idea of what the shire and middle earth looks like in the unspecified time of Samwise, the hobbits, Gollum, Gandalf, Frodo and Aragorn. The works of Tolkien have never been out of print. That is a magnificent feat for an author. With word pictures, he sparks the imagination of the reader. Indeed, he does the hard work of keeping the reader in the dream. Over the years, I’ve reread Tolkien’s books. Just as they captured me as a child, they still do today. As I reread, I might impatiently wait for one of my favorite scenes to come on the page. Imagine my disappointment when it seems to have moved further into the book than I remembered. At those times, I feel deliciously childish and a little irritated.  

I have never seen any of the Lord of the Ring movies. Although, I excitedly went to the opening of the first one, I walked out after twenty minutes. Somehow the motion picture corrupted my imagination of the world this author created. The movie took something magical and made it dark, warlike and sinister. That’s not the way I remember it. I could be wrong because I never gave the films another chance and I don’t intend to.

My Favorites: (Oh, that’s all of them)

  • The Hobbit (my most favorite of them all)
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
  • The Silmarillion ( I think I know who Tom Bombadil is. Do you?)

Charles Dickens

Dickens created knowable and memorable characters. In several countries, his characters have been household names for almost two centuries. We have Scrooge, which is also a term to describe a cheap, miserly or unkind person. Others include David Copperfield, Oliver Twist and Sam Weller.

Read Dickens to understand character development. Even if you don’t enjoy his stories or like is writing style use what you can to learn how to paint characters that your readers will know and see.

My favorites from this author:

Stephen King

King is a man of ideas. His stories tap into our desire for getting outside of the ordinary. He does this on so many levels. I’ve read many King books, but not a single one of them was horror. That’s not for me. Nevertheless, books like Firestarter and The Green Mile had me hooked because they tap into extra human powers. For the most part, I like his early stuff. The man is prolific. Fresh ideas can make up for issues with plot and writing. King has great ideas.                            

My favorites from this author:

  • The Dead Zone
  • Firestarter
  • Shawshank Redemption (short story – the movie is better than the short-story)
  • The Green Mile
  • Hearts in Atlantis

 

George Orwell

He is a political writer. The majority of his books are non-fiction. Even his fictional books are about politics. I was about ten years old when I first read Nineteen Eighty-Four. It was so moving. Even today, I think about how the totalitarian regime completely took over and surveilled the lives of all those citizens. Ultimately, it was the ending that really got me. As soon as Winston adopted the ideology of the Big Brother he died. Here we have an Orwellian warning. At the time, I wasn’t old enough to understand all the political themes, but it didn’t really matter. I got lost in the story.  That’s the genius of Orwell.

  • Animal Farm  (An allegory for the fight for political power – specifically in Russia)
  • Nineteen Eighty-Four
  • All Propaganda is Lies
  • Facing Unpleasant Facts
  • Orwell on Freedom

 

Kurt Vonnegut

His writing is crisp and punchy. He gets the information out and keeps you wanting more. There is an honesty to his words. From deep inside the writing you know him to be a man of truth. I like that. His books, like Orwell’s are political or societal commentary, but he seems more mellow, funnier, a bit more human and in some ways deliciously weird.

My favorites from this author:

  • Cat’s Cradle    
  • Slaughterhouse – Five 
  • Breakfast of Champions
  • Galapagos

That’s my list. Please share your list of must read authors.

Load More