On Writing

Writer’s Wisdom 25

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James Patterson

Today’s spot is dedicated to James Patterson– a genius writer.  With 47 New York Times best selling titles, and more than 170 million books sold worldwide, he seems to be unstoppable and would hold the title of Muse’s King, if there was such.  Is #1 on the New York Times adult fiction and children’s chapter books best seller lists. 

His method is something out of this world.  He is known to have over 15 books going on at the same time, while working on them simultaneously.  Sometimes, doing up to 10 drafts.  He co-authors, and has mention in some interviews that he keeps a file with over three thousand ideas for books.   His outlines are 30-40 pages long; according to him, to keep him organized.  He is a writing machine! 

But not only, is he a writing machine, he is a reading machine too.  He reads 150 books a year.  James Patterson can be called the Madonna of writing; he keeps reinventing himself – and because of that, he is a target for much criticism. 

Despite his huge success as a writer, he keeps a down to earth approach, and  does not take himself to seriously; seems lay back.  He is a family man first, a writer second – although, he is well known as a prolific author. 

He is called America’s #1 Storyteller, and I happen to agree. 

 

Writer’s Wisdom 24

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How do you write?

Best selling author Nora Roberts shared her method to writing in an interview with Borders.

Quote:  “Well, first: There ain’t no muse. If you sit around and wait to channel the muse, you can sit around and wait a long time.” 

She believes that writing is hard work; she works really hard to make her writing “as fluid as possible, as readable and entertaining as possible.”  She writes the first draft, without editing, because according to her, she doesn’t know yet what will happen next.  Once she has down her story, she starts editing, page by page, chapter by chapter.  She pays attention to how it sounds, mistakes, emotion, and adds anything that she needs to.  Once she’s done, she goes back one more time and pays attention to language, rhythm, and that all loose ends are tied.  She makes sure that she has “been true to the story.” 

This is how magic happens to best selling author Nora Roberts.  But there is a method to her magic.  

Today my question to you is:  Are you following your own magic?   

Writer’s Wisdom 23

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Writing, Just Do It!

Best selling authors agree on this.  You can take as many creative writing classes and seminars, read books on writing, but if you don’t do it, your knowledge is just that – knowledge.

There is no minimum or maximum amount of pages to write a day.  It is different for everyone, and you should find what works for you.  Best selling author Eloisa James, writes 20 pages a day.  She says that, “writing is hard work; it is tough.” (interview with Borders).  John Grisham from 5-8 + pages a day.  I recommend Janet Evanovich’s book:  How I Write, Secrets of a Best Selling Author.  It is full of information, and real life advice on writing – excellent book for aspiring authors.

One of my favorite quotes, is from best selling author Sherrilyn Kenyon, and has become inspiring to me:  “Over, under, around or through, there’s always a way to get where you want to go; you just have to find it.”

We have to find our own way in writing, our own path.  Debbie Macomber is one of the greatest inspirations in writing.  As told in an interview with Borders, she was dyslexic, and learned to read in the 5th grade.  She is a best selling author, and in her own words:  “I Loooooove to write.”

Author Claire Cook is another inspiration.  She knew all she wanted to do was to write, but it took her 25 years because she was afraid of the big step.  Her recommendation to aspiring writers:  “Just try it; small steps every day take you there.” (Borders)

And who can say it better than one of my favorite authors – The Donald.  In an interview with Borders, for his book Think Big and Kick Ass, he said:  “Keep your left up; never ever quit.” – Donald Trump.

So, if you love writing, but are procrastinating, stop now, go pick up your pen, (or mouse), and let it flow; don’t think about it, just do it! 

Writer’s Wisdom 22

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The World(s) in your story

When you are writing a story, immediately, you are confronted with –  where is it taking place?  Time and place are essential to a story, especially in historical novels.  If you are writing about a place in reality, then you have to research its history and what it looks like, and many other details.  When you are writing fantasy or just making up the setting, you are free to give range to your imagination.  The world or worlds that you create are entirely up to you.

Best selling author Gregory Maguire puts it this way: “Your inventive culture/world should be convincing.  Work this world in your mind, even if you do not write all the details in the story.”  (Borders interview)

The important issue here is that you have a clear picture of what your world looks like, feels like, and works like.  When the vision of your world is clear, the characters will move more freely in it, and their interactions will flow easier.  Just because a world is fantasy, it doesn’t mean that it won’t be convincing.  The reader will step inside that world, and navigate around it through its characters.  If you want your reader to keep visiting that world, and exploring it, it is your job as a writer to make it alive for the reader – to make it convincing.  Character creation follow the same rules, your characters should be believable, but where they are interacting should be as well.

Fantasy or reality, the setting of your story will capture the reader or turn him/her away.

Writer’s Wisdom 21

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Writing with Heart

Writing a piece is more than telling a story.  If you are passionate about writing, you write with your heart.  You give something in you, to the story.  Author Harlan Coben expressed in a Borders interview:  “I like to write with heart, otherwise it is not going to work for me.”  I agree with his comment; to make a piece that captures the readers, there has to be passion in it.

Author Wally Lamb expressed:  “Write a book for yourself, and let the readers that have to find it, find it.” 

Another author that follows the same rule is Jamie Lee Curtis.  She told Borders:  “I don’t do it for achievement; it is pure expression for me.”  Another good example of this is best selling author John Grisham.  He writes legal thrillers, mostly, but he says that he writes whatever he wants; he has fun with the genre.  He says he does not know where he is going as far as sticking with a genre.  Some of his books have been made into movies (The Firm, The Appeal).  In his own words to Borders:  “You can’t get too serious, the pages have to turn.”

And perhaps, the best example we have about a best selling author who writes with heart is Stephenie Meyer.  Her first book, Twilight, she wrote for herself – at the kitchen table.  The very successful series followed, and captured the heart of fans all over.

So, next time you pick up your pen (or your mouse), ask yourself this question:  “Am I putting my heart to it?” 

Writer’s Wisdom 20

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Age in writing

Age is an important factor in your character’s development.  As you write, you have to address age appropriate dilemmas for your characters.  If you are writing a series, you are presented with the issue of aging your character or keeping it  the same age throughout the series.  The interactions of your characters should be age appropriate, around issues that affect that particular age group.  Marriage dilemmas, teen issues, younger kid’s points of view, all of that is taken into consideration when writing your characters.  In a historical novel, some of this issues differ with modern times, since women got married much younger (in their teens).  Periods in history affect the age issues in a particular piece of writing, so does cultural backgrounds and regional customs.

Although age is not something that has to be mentioned in the story, behavior and setting of the characters should be congruent with it.

Writer’s Wisdom 19

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The Inner Critic

We all know the inner critic;  it lives inside us.  It can sabotage our writing at any time – if we let it.  The inner critic creeps out when you least expect it, and takes over your brain, feelings and confidence.  Author Kate Jacobs said in an interview with Borders:  “the secret is being persistent and silencing this inner critic.”

You may be persistent and disciplined, but if you let the inner critic sabotage your writing, then it will paralyze you, and you will end up in a circle of procrastination, or over editing, because the critic says it is not good enough.  Although writing should never be “good enough,” there is a point when you should stop over editing.

Silencing the inner critic is critical if you want to move along with your writing.  Your main concern is to write the piece; once that’s accomplished move on to editing.

So, next time the inner critic shows up, give it a piece of chocolate and keep writing.

Writer’s Wisdom 18

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Read

Most writers love to read.  The written word becomes spellbinding.  Besides doing it for pleasure, reading will improve your writing.  Take note of author’s styles, use of language, dialog and description.  Notice the movement of the characters throughout the story. 

Author Maggie Stiefvater recommends to aspiring authors to read, read, read.  She did not take any creative writing classes, but she is a voracious reader (as told in a Borders interview).  Reading is like studying about writing, while enjoying a good story.  It is good to read various genres, to get a good idea of what works for your style. 

So, next time you pick up a book, think of its benefits to you as a writer, besides being pure entertainment.

Writer’s Wisdom 17

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Pen Names

A pen name is as significant as an author’s style.  Wether you use a pen name or your own name, it will identify you with your genre.  Some authors write under different pen names for different genres.  A good example of this is Jayne Ann Krentz, who also writes under the pen names of Jayne Castle, and Amanda Quick.  Some of her books are:  Running Hot (Jayne Ann Krentz), Dark Light (Jayne Castle), and The Perfect Poison (Amanda Quick).

Another good example is Lori Foster or L.L. Foster.  Some of her work:  Servant The Kindred (L.L. Foster) and Jude’s Law (Lori Foster).  In 2007 she launched a new urban fantasy series under the name of L.L. Foster (her darker pen name).

These are good examples of best-selling authors, using different pen names for different genres.  Some authors will stick with a genre and a pen name, others will shake things up between genres and pen names.

Writer’s Wisdom 16

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Your Trademark

Many have compared writing a book with giving birth to a child.  When you write, you are pouring your self, your style, into a piece of writing.  The styles of well known authors are unmistakable.  Lisa Scottoline said, in an interview with Borders, “Try to write something that is inside you; you open your heart and readers open theirs.”

Mitch Albom weaves his own anecdotes into his books; he uses a song in every book, kind of his trademark.  Your trademark (the term is not being used here in its strict definition)  identifies you in a sea of writers, it is your personal mark, your print in the story.

However you decide to leave your mark embeded in the story, eventually, it will reflect your style, and identify you.