BarbsWriteTree

Name:
Location: San Marcos, California, United States

Southern gal living in California. Have been writing since the age of ten and am addicted to the written word. Have stacks of books-to-be-read in almost every room. I teach writing on a volunteer basis and in a paid position. I once worked with foreign customers for an aerospace company; interesting job that gave me great insight into other cultures. Family scattered all over the US so have excuses to travel.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

CLEAN-UP OF ARTICLES

Writers toil hard at their craft. We sit our butts in the chair, reread those notes, highlight all the research, and begin to write. At last, it looks like all of our work on this idea is coming to fruition. We'll have something great to send out in just a few hours. Hours? Hold up there, partner.

In spite of the experience we have writing, we often get in a hurry to get our unique article idea out there for all to read. Sometimes we forget all of those lessons we learned: write the first draft, let it sit for a week or so, rewrite, let it sit a bit, and then give it one last look-over before sending it out. I think we should stop and make sure our best work is going out.

Is our subject matter something unique or a new line on an old tale?

Have we studied the publication we are sending it to: is it right for them, will it appeal to their readers?

Is our word count within their guidelines?

Have we verified our sources, confirmed the spelling of all expert names and their titles?

Have we double-checked our facts, statistics, dates, or the acuracy of any history we are using in our piece--did it actually happen, or should we refer to it as a legend?

Have we not only used spell-check but gone over and over our work looking for typos, mispelled words, and the right grammar usage? Reading it aloud is an excellent way to catch many errors, and to get an idea of how it will read/sound to our audience.

Doing our homework is vital. If we have covered these points, we can feel certain we have done all possible to guarantee a sale.

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Saturday, February 21, 2009

ASSIGNMENT FOR READERS

Recently I gave my students an assignment based on a book they were reading, or had enjoyed in the past. I asked them to take the first line of that book and to write a short-short or flash fiction piece (not over 100 words). They were to showcase what, as writers, they would have written for the first paragraph following that first line.

I challenge you to do the same: Find your favorite book or a favorite first line. Write the next paragraph you think should appear.

Here's what I wrote:

"I was arrested in Eno's diner." (From "Killing Floor" by Lee Child.

I was arrested in Eno's diner.

If you're going to be picked up by the police, I guess it might as well be after you've enjoyed a plate of the best New Mexico-style green-cheese burritos, rice and beans ever prepared. Because I had been alone when I discovered the body of a yet-to-be-identified child and because I was what some might call a homeless accountant--well, you can see how I could be at the top of the suspect list consisting of one, can't you?
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I wrote this because on this computer I have a story started, "New Mexico Nights" about a traveling auditor/accountant who finds the body of a child and the suspicion surrounds the only stranger in town-her. The beginning is too slow (of course, beginnings never stay the same when I go into edits/rewrites) and I will be looking for something to grab the reader. I hadn't thought she would be arrested, just under investigation. But maybe I'll change my mind. And you do know, I can't use Lee Child's first line, don't you?

Friday, February 20, 2009

SOUTHERN WRITER, I AM

Souhern writer. I have been told I have a southern voice when I write fiction. I hope that is true. As a daughter of the South, I grew up with the creations of writers of that region. Although I have found some great new authors from that area in recent years and read their work with enthusiasm, I am amazed to admit I remember those dead writer's work better than the new.

An article in "The Oxford American," a great southern magazine, gives us a glimpse into the resting places of some famous Southern writers. It also offered some of the epitaphs on their tombstones.

Do you remember Edgar Allan Poe's tales? He was considered a Souhern writer and is buried in Baltimore, Maryland--a state some still consider more southern than northern. When first assigned to read him, I was taken back by the darkness of his stories. But the more I read, the more I was hooked. Some say Poe was the author of the first mystery. Maybe that was how I became an avid mystery reader/writer. His tombstone had no epitaph at first; then when family managed to come up with money to engrave "Here at last, he is happy," the stonemason broke the stone while carvng. And when friends collected money for a new stone, Poe's birthday was the wrong day in January. Mystery? Or just the spirits getting even for all those chilling stories?

"Look Homeward, Angel," the most famous book by Thomas Wolfe, was written in his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina where he is buried. On his tombstone are words from that book--"The last voyage, the longest, the best."

I remember reading Marjorie Kinnan Rowlings, "Cross Creek" when a youngster. I loved the description of Florida, never knowing I would live in that very area as an adult, and the relationships warmed me, a child often alone except when in the world created by books. On her stone is written, "Through her writing she endeared herself to the people of the world." Especially this young girl.

In the era I grew up in the South, reading authors of color was not promoted. I never knew much about Zora Neale Hurston until Alice Walker went to the Garden of Heavenly Rest Cemetary in Fort Pierce, Florida, to place a momument on the unmarked grave of this famous author who died in poverty. Carved on her tombstone are the words: A genius of the South. Novelist Folklorist Anthropologist.

I find epitaphs in old cemetaries interesting. Once I traveled through several Western states, visiting old graveyards and making rubbings of creative epitaphs. I wish I still lived in the South to go on a search for some of my favorite Southern writers. Good excuse for a trip home?

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Thursday, February 19, 2009

HAPPENINGS ON THE WAY TO A BEST SELLER

I have just completed a book. "Rejectiion, Romance & Royalties" by Laura Resnick (2007). A seasoned writer of romance and fantasy epicis as she calls them, I enjoyed her honesty, her humor and the many tips she offered writers of all genres and status. One of the most interesting chapters was one where she collected the horrors of what that masterpiece book you've sold to a wonderful publisher can look like when you receive your first copy.

Here are some of the slips:

One author's name was left off the cover of her book. Another had such an awful cover design, bookstores would not put it on the shelves (too risque? too macabre?).

An author received her book and the middle 40 pages was missing. Another had her title and name on cover and title pages, but someone else's book printed inside the cover. Still another had many pages printed upside down. In both of these instances, the author had been sent a galley copy to check for errors--these mistakes were not on the galley copy.

The story I have heard about James Mitchner's book, Texas, was also repeated in this book. His massive book was printed with 64 pages missing. Thousands of copies were sent out; recalls for them were sent out. Not too many were returned. Does that mean they wanted to keep it as a souenier thinking it might be worth a great deal of money one day? Or did they not read the huge tome?

And how steamed would you be if the publisher had accepted your work, signed a contract with you for a certain number of words and then, during the printing process, cut the number of acceptable words--so he just wacked off the last three chapters of your book--leaving your story with no climax, no ending?

One author appeared at a bookstore for a signing and found that the store had ordered copies of a children's book by an author with the same last name. Now, how do you sell your book when there are no copies to be sold? Do you do a quick read of the children's book (okay, you can read fast if it is a picture book) and speak about this other author's great product? Do you cancel the whole thing? Or do you pull out your business cards, hand them out and offer the buyers a discount to order your book at your web site or at your email address?

If any of you writers have ever had a bad experience with the IRS, or whatever the taxing entity in your country is called, you will appreciate the author whose publisher sent to the IRS an outrageous amount of earnings for the author. Can you imagine how long it took her to straighten out that mess?

Some of us who have not often (or ever) been published might welcome some of the problems these authors have just to see our creation on any bookstore shelf and in the hands of readers. However, these kind of missteps cost many authors a readership they would have earned had it not been for the publishers or printers errors. Writers must be as vigilant as possible, joining with the publisher as a partner to get the correct work out, to market that work, and to urge everyone in this loop to do their best work.

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Friday, February 13, 2009

AGELESS CHANGE

The life which is examined is not worth living.
- Plato

When we women reach a certain age, many of us begin to look over our shoulder, wonder where we went wrong, or what more we could have done with our lives. Though I have, on more than one occasion, been guilty of regretting past events or missed opportunities, I agree with Plato—looking too close at our past is a waste of time.
What would we do different? Go to college? Or change our major? Yes. And yes. Many women wish they had become archeologists or scientists instead of the teacher or nurse encouraged to become. I, for example, grew up in the era (and area of the country) where women were encouraged to hone their skills in homemaking, not yearn for extended education.

Do you wish you had married someone else? I can see the nods through this paper. Yes, I was one of those too, although I found a jewel in my second husband who supports my writing and the creative life I have pursued in the past years. Other women wish they had been more adventurous, married the bad boy who became owner of his own fleet of ships, or followed their heart to cross nationality boundaries to marry their true love.

I hope that all of you have, or will let yourself, rectify the mistakes of early life, learn to not look back at what we might have done, and face the rest of our lives with joy, excitement—and well-earned wisdom.

We should write those books we always wanted to create, blow that glass, form the sculptured piece, create a scene in oils, or dance to music that no other person hears but us.

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Thursday, February 12, 2009

SON AS A FAN

We writers do have a personal life. Mine includes a great hubby, Ray, who is my first editor, greatest supporter and love of my life, two children and two step-children. We've just had visits from the two steps and a great time was had by all. The rains held off until they were all home in Arizona and Nevada. They're good company but they never say anything about my writing. My daughter is a love but she's so busy with three children, three grandchildren, hardworking husband, and a 50-hour per week job, she doesn't pay any attention either. It takes a son to make you feel like you're a bestselling author (although you are far away from that status).

Eddie has always been a great supporter of my writing. He has purchased more than several copies of my books; told friends all about them and urged people to "buy one of my mom's books." He keeps asking me when the next book will come out and I hope I can tell him in the next few months that one is on the way.

He sent me an email the other night to tell me he had been reading this blog. I thought he would probably be bored out of his skull with all this writing stuff (a little personal tidbits now and then but primarily a teaching blog). What a surprise for him to say he was so proud to be my son, that he loved the blog, was impressed--well, you can believe I was overjoyed. Not for the praise per se but because he had taken the time from his busy life to keep up with what I am doing.

Eddie, you are the neatest fan. You inspire me to keep on writing so I'll have something for you to read. I love you for supporting me in this craft I love.

My Eddie is getting married in March if all the plans go well. My new daughter-in-law will be Jarkata--isn't that the most beautiful name? I haven't met her yet as she lives in the South but I have seen pictures of this lovely lady and her sweet children. I welcome you, Jarkata, to our small circle. I wish you both years and years of the happiness you both need. I pray for you to live that shared life with honor, respect and kindness for each other, and all the love you so richly deserve.

Happy Valentine's Day to you both.

Happy Birthday, dear son, on February 15.

Love to both from Mom.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

ASK ME NO QUESTIONS GOES ON

Time, or lack of it for things we feel a passion for, is sometimes such an enemy. I have managed to get a great deal of writing done these past few nights after busy days but have been neglecting this blog. I seem to often be a one-track gal.

Ask Me No Questions is a romantic suspense about a young woman whose estranged husband is a member of a crime family and, when he decides to turn informant, is killed on the courthouse steps. She realizes that she is in danger and when her brother-in-law calls her immediately after the shooting to tell her he is on the way to pick her up to be with the family, she runs. With changed name, fake papers and a new life, Callie meets Rafael under a strange, midnight rendzvous--in her own home.

This encounter begins a game of "who are you really" between two people who are very attracted to each other but afraid of what they will find out if they get too involved. Intimate scenes, suspenseful scenes, tension-between-them scenes.

There is Miguel, her landlord, Sam Ryan, a stranger who shows up unexpedtedly, and the wonderful Mexican coastal village to add drama to the story. There will be a bang-up ending involving FBI, DEA, Federales--and two people who must decide whether it is the end, or a new beginning.
***

This is a book I started several years ago and put it aside when it slowed to a snail's crawl. My Yahoo writing group called a NaNO for February--not to complete an entire book but to write each day--and I decided I'd give this one a shot again. So far I have edited the ten chapters, and have outlined the last seven--and have written one of them and part of another. I may be able to complete the first draft this month and that will be an accomplishment.

You can set a NaNo for yourself; set a goal of so many words per period, or just to write each day. The REAL NaNO is the month of November. Good writing!

Sunday, February 01, 2009

TOOTING YOUR OWN HORN

On Saturday I attended a seminar by a local writer who uses her blog as a means to sell her books. She urged all of us to start blogging if we don’t already, and to talk about our books in it. I have spoken of what I am writing on now, the struggles, the rewrites, the additions, even the desire to throw the entire manuscript out of the nearest window. But I haven’t written about the books I have completed and published, the two that are on Amazon.com.

I have been writing since the age of ten, although holding down a full-time job for twenty-six years and raising two children brought it to a trickle for many years. Upon my husband’s retirement, I decided to follow my heart and write. I began with nonfiction, which was not my first love, but where the money was. I was quite successful but I still wrote short stories for my own entertainment. In all those years, I never sent one piece of fiction out for consideration.

In those early retirement years, we traveled a lot and moved around Southern California. When we finally settled in North San Diego County in 1997, I found that my writing had really fallen by the wayside. I heard about a creative writing class at the local Senior Citizens Center taught by a retired college professor. I enrolled. It was the best decision I had made in years for it was in this class that I wrote the stories that make up the collection in “The Quilt Maker.”

There are twenty-two stories in the book; each has the title of a quilt pattern and that quilt appears somewhere in the story. Some of them are based on fact, others are purely figments of my imagination. Many of the stories have been published in magazines or literary publicatiions; others won writing contests. One published story read by Paul Harvey prompted a call from his office to tell me how much he had enjoyed the tale. To my amazement, the book is still being purchased (and I hope enjoyed) by readers five years later.

“Growing up Barefoot in the South” is a collection of personal essays written as a memoir of my childhood in the south (with a few more modern tales thrown in). I began writing these essays because my brother (ten years younger) challenged me. “You’re the writer in the family. I want to know what it was like for you growing up and about some of those kin I really never knew.” I began to write, send him copies, then he sent them to cousins—the feedback caused me to seek publication. It is a book I am very proud of. I’ve had emails/letters from all over the country reminding me that, no matter where we grew up, we all have many of the same memories.

So, I’ve told you all about my books. I have done my duty according to the blogging/author expert. I even hope you’ll buy one of my books—and the next ones that appear on Amazon this year—I hope.

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