WORD FOR THE WEEK

LAZY: not inclined to work or exertion.

EXAMPLE: Lazy writers take the easy way out.

 QUOTES:

"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter - it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning."
Mark Twain

 "It's none of their business that you have to learn to write. Let them think you were born that way." Ernest Hemingway

"Hard writing makes easy reading."
Wallace Stegner

We need to strive to not be lazy in our writing. Being lazy can mean many things.

Words matter. Don't use lazy words in our writing. Words such as: was/is/are/am, got, went, often, almost, felt, things, few, some, that, really, seemed

One way to get around using these words, is by using descriptive and specific words. 

She felt cold = she shivered in the harsh wind
She felt sick = the contents in her stomach churned and her head ached

We went to the store = he jumped onto his bike and sped to the store
She packed her things in the suitcase = she packed her pajamas and teddy bear into her small suitcase and walked next door to spend a sleepover at her best friend's house.
I got up = I stood up - I woke up   

Avoid passive writing. Describe the action, not the result. 

I try not to use ly words. How do you do that? By using powerful verbs.

A lazy writer could mean a writer who doesn't write. In order to succeed in your writing, you have to write. 

Don't think about it. Don't dream about it. Don't procrastinate. Don't wish.

Writing doesn't just happen. Writing comes from reading, practice, studying, editing and determination.

I might be classified as a determined writer. I am not the best writer, but I am determined to make my writing the best I can make it. If this means working on a story until I get it right, then I will continue to rewrite it until the story is the best I can make it.  I will not give up on it until I am satisfied.

 Don't by lazy. . .

Writing can be like this lump of coal. 
Add the right ingredients and watch it grow into something beautiful!

Do you have any suggestions to share?

Happy Writing.

Posted by Janet Smart  on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.

 

WORD FOR THE WEEK

REVISION: a change or a set of changes that corrects or improves something

EXAMPLE: My critique partner gave me suggestions for revision. 

QUOTES:  

“This morning I took out a comma, and this afternoon I put it back again.” Oscar Wilde

“By the time I am nearing the end of a story, the first part will have been reread and altered and corrected at least one hundred and fifty times. I am suspicious of both facility and speed. Good writing is essentially rewriting. I am positive of this.” — Roald Dahl

Revising is more than fixing grammar, looking for better words, avoiding repetition, cutting words, or ‘gasp,’ entire chapters from your manuscript.

Revising is taking your time and doing it right.

Take a break from your first draft. Then read through it and analyze it. Read the paper out loud and read from hard copy.

Among others, ask yourself these questions: what do you like/dislike about the characters, were there places where you got bored (If so, your reader will more than likely get bored), does the plot make sense, does the story flow, do the characters jump off the page, does the story have stakes and is there a worry factor for your readers?

Cut, condense and tighten. Eliminate anything that doesn’t move the story along, even if you love that part. If it makes the book better, wipe away your tears and take it out. 

Make sure the first paragraph, first page and first chapter grab your reader. Make the last paragraph of your chapters compel the reader to continue reading.

Yes, revising is hard. I know some people who do not like to have others critique their stories. Of course, you do not have to follow all suggestions others give you, but your story needs to be seen by  eyes other than your own.

No matter what you write, whether it be articles, short stories, poems, children's literature or adult literature, you should develop a thick skin and get the opinions of others. We need to try and get it right before publication. A good first impression will go a long way. It will keep your readers coming back for more.

These are just a few suggestions. What do you think about revising? Give us your thoughts.

 

During your writing and your revision, 

strive to find something that makes your words and story unique.

 

(From now on, WORD FOR THE WEEK, will be a regular post each Wednesday. (Unless circumstances in real life take over, which is what happened this past week.)

Posted by Janet Smart  on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.

Writing Picture Books

We took a trip to Parkersburg last week and I went in Borders. I checked out with this book.


I love it! Here are pictures of the table of contents. Click on the pictures and you will be able to read it.



There are quotes throughout the book, the one in the prologue reads:

I love revisions. Where else in life can spilled milk be transformed into ice cream?
---Katherine Patterson

My son wonders why I keep revising my stories. He thinks the first draft should be the final draft. But completing the draft is only the beginning of the writing process.

I am still reading this book and I have learned a lot from it. I am using her advice and going over my picture books I have already written and revising them yet again.

She mentions the 6 Ws:
Who is your main character? The main character must come on the scene first.
What does your character want? What is the main character's problem, goal or conflict?
When is your story taking place? Give hints indicative of the time period.
Where is your story taking place? City, country, suburbs, farm, etc.
What is the tone of your story? By careful selection of words, you let them know if it is going to be sad, happy, serious, etc
WOW! Whether it be with a word or a phrase, early in the book you must hook the reader

As you can see by the table of contents above, the book covers a lot of territory. Some people think writing a picture book is easy, but it is far from it. You have to pick the right story and the right words.

Every word only has to be perfect ---- Ursula Nordstrom

The book has a section on Rhyming Books. Children love poetry, but publishers want the rhythm and rhyme to be perfect. Every word must move your story forward and the rhyme pattern must be consistent. Unless you are very good, this is hard to do and the editors will be sending your manuscript into the slush pile never to be seen again.

The first line of a poem is a hawk which won't let go of its prey. ---Gabriel Preil

If you love writing picture books, create a fabulous first line and start writing.

If you are serious about writing picture books, I recommend this Hands-On-Guide.