tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082591064765805412024-02-18T18:04:16.522-08:00Sharyl A. HeberWriterAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-80040792209466138842016-07-06T09:23:00.001-07:002016-11-30T08:19:14.191-08:00Self Editing - Imperative and Perilous<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Self Editing</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Imperative and Perilous</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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By Sharyl Heber</div>
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<span style="color: #131313; font-size: 12.0pt;">“When reading I pretend I’m an editor, though when writing I realize I’m
not.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fierce Dolan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve
done much reading, a lot of writing and fair amount of editing and I have a
quote of my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The experience of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">creating </i>a story can be light-years away
from the experience of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">reading </i>it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In
creation mode, stories flourish on the vibrant no-flaws movie screen in our
minds. Our inner experience transcends the need for a myriad of mandates that
must ultimately be addressed. And, while spelling, punctuation and grammar jump
out first, they are the least of those concerns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In
creation mode, and perhaps even into early drafts we are, by definition, in a state
of delusion. Polish is not needed here and in fact can hinder our creative
process. But at some point we need to get back to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the reality of audience</i></b>. I
say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we,</i> because I mean me too. We can
help each other by providing feedback. Because, <u>while in creation mode,
while musing</u>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">There’s no mandate to provide a product that will
suspend disbelief, as there’s no one else to contest our story’s viability. We
are blissfully bamboozled by our own imagination.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We don’t require the introductory hook – there are multiple
points in our story that fascinate us simultaneously.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We don’t need to establish a clear story problem or
character goals, we’re exploring broad concepts.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We have no confusion between the identities of our multiple
characters. We know them perfectly.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We can visually position objects and players
accurately and precisely on our mind’s stage. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We are naturally entertained by our own chimera and
may not feel the need for them to be moved or changed. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">There is no need to mine the thesaurus for
power-word-choice or for any particular word choice because we experience our
story as dynamic brain-region interactions, not as ink & information on the
page.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We perceive great importance and profundity in our own
subject and theme.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We inherently feel every emotion, no need to find
words to describe them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We soar over leaps in logic, because we know our
intended destination.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We disregard story-world rules because, while still in
our heads, there is no consequence for breaking them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Our characters don’t need to be fleshed out as complex,
flawed or quirky with logical motivations because they appear to us as plot
devices in random, abbreviated bursts of intention.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We can plop in characters and objects and solve plot
problems miraculously (Deus ex machina) because, while musing, there is no need
for solid foundation. We can skip critical rungs in plot structure to hover
over more satisfying conclusions. We can arrive in hyper-drive at our story’s
climax without need of crafted obstacles, mystery or suspense. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We revel in our own excessive flowery language. It’s
fun to compose!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We tolerate our simplistic phraseology because we are <i>sensing</i>, not <i>reading</i> our story. We fail to notice choppy, clunky sentences
because we have an adequate understanding of the intended meaning. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">There’s little need to establish and reveal setting on
the page because the required imagery is vibrant in our minds.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Obvious, on-the-nose dialogue will suffice because it
provides us the minimum information required to get in and out of the scene. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Our characters can all sound the same. They’re ours. We
can distinguish between them perfectly.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Ordinary, cardboard character names may not leave us
feeling flat because they do their job as person-placeholders through story construction
and we’re not depending on them to contribute to character depth, personality, intrigue
or fresh perspective.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">No need for poetic turn of phrase or to sculpt
word-beauty because we’re in story development and because we’re intrinsically
moved by our own notions.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">No crafting of symbolism, metaphor or subtext is required
as we’re inherently privy to any deeper meanings. Layers and depth may not be
required while we’re entertaining ourselves with plot.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Repeated words are of no concern because they do,
after all, accurately describe our intention.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We can <i>tell</i>
not <i>show</i> the story because we already
<i>see</i> the required imagery in our minds.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We allow excessive, expository passages and bland backstory
because it’s accurate and informative and we’re still figuring out the who’s,
what’s, why’s and where’s.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We abbreviate and truncate necessary prose because, in
our minds and at our desks, time has no meaning— the beat and the pace have no
mandate. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We may not detect lags in tension because we can mentally
flit from highpoint to highpoint, imagining the desired impact. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We may not recognize, or we have little concern over,
fresh perspective; it’s <i>new</i> to us
right now as we’re writing, and we’re not comparing our <i>creative</i> <i>experience</i> to what’s
available in print in the world market.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We don’t get bored with our own musings; we can drop
them at will and them pick them up again weeks later when the mood suits us. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Un-evocative titles suffice because we’re not standing
in a bookstore, bombarded with an avalanche of gripping competitive banners,
ready to make that all-common consumer decision... Should I reach for this book
cover? Should I pay money for this
story?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We’re</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"> interested because when the visions are streaming and the words are
flowing, story creation is exhilarating. But, are endorphins clouding our
judgment? We can’t perceive problems on the page while a blockbuster is thriving
on the exclusive movie screen in our heads ...the public has not yet been
granted entrance.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">In creation mode, </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">we <i>feel</i> the impact we <i>hope</i> our stories deliver.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">But,
are we confusing passion with skill? In creation mode, everything is a placeholder
for something more polished. After preliminary drafts, it’s time to land the
flights of fancy on solid ground. Unless we’re writing a journal kept under our
mattress, there is an audience<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>to
consider. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Readers
share none of the musing-mode luxuries listed above. And, here’s how they react
to a piece that fails to deliver as we’d dreamed: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hey! I’m
out here, trying to make sense of this hot mess!</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">impatient, bored,
confused, frustrated, incredulous, fed up, and pissed off! A tree just died for
nothing and I just wasted precious time and money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We are not communicators unless our missives can
be absorbed by others...” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rachel Gordon</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Rigorous
self-editing is imperative, and a skill that can and must be honed. The points
above can add to our training. But, relying solely on our myopic perspective can
be perilous. Skilled critique groups, peer editors and beta readers can help. Publishers
use professional editors for a reason. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Insisting that we
alone edit our own work may be a literary conflict of interest. Of course we
think it’s perfect, we wrote it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>And a</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> note of caution regarding our critique
groups</b>— Even if highly skilled, while invaluable, they do love us. They
sense our fragility and will nurture, praise and support us. They will not risk
friendship to tell difficult truths. They won't push us to go deeper if it brings discomfort. They may only address broader issues. They
may not require or take the time to <u>scrutinize</u> a written copy. They
won’t demand a publish-ready product and may well be swayed by the dramatic
performance in our oral readings. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My
critique group loved it</i>, may not mean it’s ready.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t invite them to be honest, </span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">beg them
to be ruthless.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-13088645721503924562016-07-06T09:10:00.001-07:002016-07-06T09:10:09.955-07:00Crafting Tension<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>CRAFTING TENSION</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Musings by Sharyl Heber</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">My Critique Group:</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> “Your story lacks tension.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Me:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> “Thanks for that vague and amorphous critique.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> How do I fix it?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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Tense about creating tension? Me too. <i>MasterWriter </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dictionary</i> defines tension like this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The interplay of conflicting elements in a piece of
literature; A device for regulating tautness; Mental, emotional, or nervous
strain; Barely controlled hostility or a strained relationship between people
or groups. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many writing problems are misdiagnosed
when the true culprit is sagging tension, and so many writing problems cause a
lack of tension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ruminate on this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just so I don’t suffer alone, I offer these
thoughts and strategies on crafting tension:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Risk:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is at
risk?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fair question to ask of every
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If nothing important is at stake,
where is the story? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Conflict:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, how will
it be resolved?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, conflict itself
does not inherently equal tension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two
guys shooting at each other evokes minor concern until… one of them is
protecting the local water supply from terrorists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I care, now I feel tense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Conflict + Risk = Tension. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Protagonist
vs. Antagonist:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well-matched heroes and villains with opposing
goals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Need,
Desire, Goal:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If no one needs or desires anything, where is
the story? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Complications
and Obstacles:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there are no impediments to a character
achieving his/her goal, where is the story?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Craft solid barriers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more
insurmountable the odds, the greater the tension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mystery: </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who are they? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who did it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why did she do it? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s he
going to do next?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unkowns + problem solving with clues. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stories in genres other than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mystery</i> need this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Discovering what is unknown <u>but alluded to</u>,
keeps us reading.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Suspense:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anticipation,
curiosity aroused, uncertainty, expectation, ambiguity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stories in genres other than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thrillers</i> need this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something is going to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Set it up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pull us through step by step and give it time
on the page. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The intruder watches from
the street, he hides in the bushes, he opens the window, he creeps down the
hall, he turns the bedroom doorknob...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Surprise: </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A singular shocker
event may not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sustain</i> tension but
could be the perfect introduction or boosting of tension and the establishing
of a story question— An explosion, a Dear-John letter, a positive pregnancy
test, a bouquet of flowers, a long lost friend, an ambush. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A Story
Question:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most (all?) stories benefit from a story
question up front, and the provision of the answer in the end. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tension sags when we don’t know why we’re
reading or have no sense of direction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Stick to the
Path: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>String a subject-matter zipline from intro to conclusion, then keep us
tethered to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the object of
the story?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when playing with time
or multiple POV’s, wandering too far from the central goal or premise can drain
tension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forays and subplots should be
carefully crafted with their own tension, and both relate and return to, the
main story focus. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Twists and Reversals:
</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the overall story direction may be
relatively stable, introducing new forces or shifting advantage between rivals can
ratchet up tension.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sharp Fresh Dialogue:
</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tension plummets with insipid banter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clipped dialogue or unfinished sentences can
add a mini-punch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Subtext:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Story buried
beneath the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Smoldering
suppressed emotions emerge in character choice, action and dialogue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Props and location can harbor past trauma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is not said but intended is powerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Threat of
Trouble: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Foreshadowing and alluding to upcoming trouble keeps
us reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Human Frailties:
</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Striving for and attaining (or failing to
attain) forgiveness, courage, self-esteem...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Battling fear, pride, illness, addiction or prejudice...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cliff
Hangers:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paragraph or chapter endings that leave us a
tantalizing indication of something to come. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to know, so we read on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Scarcity:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Diminishing
critical resources: air, water, food, money... The lack of it can cause fear,
suspense and conflict.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Beware of
Fate:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Simple adversity, fate, or bad luck with no hope of triumph, does not
make for much of a story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No conflict,
no battle, no victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If using these,
consider crafting so fate can be outwitted and conquered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Injustice:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our compelling
drive to right wrongs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From small
inconsiderate gestures to genocide, we will read for vindication and
comeuppance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Plagues of Conscience:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Opposing
internal forces to be resolved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grappling
with guilt, doing the right thing, good vs. evil.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Good vs.</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Good:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Equally valid, positive forces or options in
irreconcilable opposition. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Remorse /
Regret:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially when <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">alluding</i> to an event to increase the mystery.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Retribution
/ Retaliation:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Relentless, single-minded revenge or a
passive pay-back. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Battling or Conquering
the Elements:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tsunamis, draughts, earthquakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Climbing Mount Everest, Hiking the
Appalachians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From a mud puddle in a
picture book to The Perfect Storm, Mother Nature can be the focus of, or add
complications and tension to, a story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A Crucible: </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Characters
stuck in a closed environment; elevator, walled city, abusive home, religious
cult, spaceship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No escape creates
tension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every story world should be
it’s own crucible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there is simple
escape from the problems, where then is the story?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Unstable
Character: </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An unpredictable, off balance character,
they’re ill or crazy, pushed to the limit, capable of anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Loss: </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of anything
important – Love, friendship, memories, skills, possessions, our minds!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loss can = pain or fear or danger, and then, what’s
to be done about it?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dilemma:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Working
through excruciating options or seemingly impossible choices.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Urgency:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A deadline,
the ticking clock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Irony: </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Incongruity between what might be
expected and what actually occurs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hope: </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope in itself
is meek and does not deliver much tension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps better to craft its fulfillment as if it were suspense (see
suspense above.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Misunderstandings:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Characters
misreading a situation then feeling or taking action based on faulty
perception. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tragic
Accidents:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>A crash, a surgical blunder, a bungled caper. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An inevitable chain of events to come based on
misjudgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Accidents are set ups for
conflict, internal fortitude, and need for restoration.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deep Emotion:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rage, grief,
loneliness, devotion, passion... Show-don’t-tell is helpful here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Substance: </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There must be enough
substance in a topic to carry a full story. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the subject is average or mundane, it needs
a power-injection. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The journey of Grandma’s
dishes may be lackluster until it is told through WWII memories of loss and
trauma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I Dare You:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A double-dog
dare, would add some suspense and tension to a story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">High Stakes
Game:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gambling or a mega game with potential for devastation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blackmail:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know what
you did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can expose you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Breach of
Ethics: </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From white lies to criminal activity,
patient/therapist or teacher/student boundary violations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$$ for favors, conflicts of interest,
accepting a bribe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any breach can set up
tension with fear of discovery and reveal seedy character.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cold
Threats:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know where you live. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know where your children go to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pictures of you... Someone is watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone knows all about you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">POV: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Changing
point of view, e.g., from a distant 3<sup>rd</sup> person retelling of a tale
to a more intimate and immediate 1<sup>st</sup> person POV can add a bit of
power to a story (or finding the perfect POV to maximize tension.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Temporal
Tense: </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try shifting from past tense recollections to a
present tense inclusion of the reader in the experience as the story unfolds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Show-Don’t-Tell:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sick of this
phrase?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know, try to get over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is much tension to be gained by taking
something out of ‘journalistic’ descriptive narrative and ‘showing’ it via
fresh example or by placing it into a scene with action and dialogue.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>More
elusive but critically important:</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A Fresh
Perspective: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Quirky, offbeat, distinctive… Peculiarity alone can’t
carry a story but the lack of it may diminish or sink the piece. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have we heard this narrative, this word
configuration, author voice, or point of view a hundred times before? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
Writer-Manager-Creative
Consultant, Rachel Gordon, describes this pitfall in a brilliant power-phrase, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Typing
up common knowledge commonly</b>.”</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
love this caution. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hangs like a
warning skeleton at the drawbridge to my creative process. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It challenges me to see and feel and write
fresh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stale</i> sucks tension into a black hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Insidious Tension Suckers</b><span style="font-size: large;">:</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most any writing
problem can slow or stop a reader’s flow, which sucks tension from the reading experience.
Some frequent offenders below:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Distracting or unprofessional formatting</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Repeated words </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Unidentifiable speakers – This takes careful
management.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Minimizing dialogue tags, </span><u style="text-indent: -0.25in;">recognizing
when they are needed</u><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">, and maximizing distinctive speech.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">In any case, we have to know who’s speaking
or the moment is lost.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Unclear or confusing narrative descriptions </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Long bulky
sentences</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Excessive or
confusing use of pronouns – She, she, she repeated or, which she in the scene -</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Gladys, Mona or Trudy?</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Adverbs – ‘ly’
words. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">“One per chapter allowed,” she
said begrudgingly. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">(One might be too many.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Inactive verbs </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">– Is, was, were, has, had, have been
etc. Which is more powerful? Willy was on the corner or, Willy vomited on
the corner (or danced, raged, sulked, paced...)
Active verbs show-don’t-tell. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Overwriting – Excessive or flowery prose</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Awkward phrasing </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Mixing past and present tense erroneously.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Shifting point of view (POV) erroneously.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Tentative, equivocating phrasing – Maybe, almost, kind
of, its like, I think, might be, could have, sort of, sometimes, can
possibly... These drain power.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Dependent clauses – Because her bed lay next to the
open window, he was able to climb in and murder her. That formal structure is distancing and better
suited to non-fiction.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Credibility – Readers must be able to suspend
disbelief. If the story world is not
adequately established, credibly set up, then we won’t believe it and tension plummets.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Wimpy, cardboard characters. </span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Does my
memoir need tension?</b><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> I say, YES! I would make a distinction between journal
and memoir. In my journal, I recount
events, feelings, conversations etc. for my eyes and my heart only. I have <i>lived</i>
the material so there is no mandate to flesh it out in any particular way. I keep it under my bed. When I call it <i>memoir</i> and pull it out for others to see, I’m now compelled to draw
the reader in and keep them reading. I’m
now telling a story. Story is drama,
which requires crafting tension. Considering
the bullet points above may help. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Grammatically Correct ~ Dramatically
Inept</b>.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made this ditty up and
staple-gunned it to my forehead when I discovered my pages riddled with the
inactive verb, ‘was.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a concept
that applies to other tension-sucking pitfalls too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is the story grammatically correct?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, but where’s the drama? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drama and tension are soul
mates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">MasterWriter Thesaurus</i> offers these alternatives to the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dramatic</i>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vivid, potent, meaningful, moving, forceful,
effective, startling, thrilling, expressive...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Picture books are not exempt. Each of the musings above can be adjusted for
genre. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>When the piece is bland or flat,
we can rework it. </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>We’re writers. We <u>rewrite</u>. We craft oomph!</b></span></span><!--EndFragment-->
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-32691548648518957302016-07-06T08:44:00.000-07:002016-07-06T08:44:02.669-07:00Crafting Irony - And the irony of that is...<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Crafting Irony</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The Musings of Sharyl
Heber on the Gift of Literary Irony<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m a big fan of irony in the written word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My MasterWriter software defines it in this
way:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Incongruity
between what might be expected and what actually occurs.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The use of words
to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A literary style employing such contrasts for humorous
or rhetorical effect.</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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In my own writing, I’m trying to train myself to drill down
and ask at every turn, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>And the irony of
that is?</b></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below are some ideas I have
on its crafting:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Plot Structure (sometimes
deliciously linked to, or played out in, poetic justice):<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A classic example— O. Henry’s </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Gift of the Magi</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">, (spoiler alert)
she sells her hair to buy him a watch chain, he sells his watch to buy her hair
clips.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A confederate-flag-waving white supremacist is
trapped in his burning house and the one willing to risk his life to save him
is, of course and perfectly, a black man.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A wealthy, big shot, college fraternity (un-convicted)
serial rapist finds his future doomed by his victims who post his picture throughout
the rest of his life, “This Man is a Rapist.”</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">(A short story I’ve yet to write.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The children of elitist ‘protected’ war-mongering
politicians, mercenaries and arms dealers are kidnapped, brutally boot-camped
and dumped onto the front lines of a raging war. (A short story I’ve yet to
write.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A search party to another planet to save earth’s
population returns with a galactic pandemic microbe.</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sentence Configuration:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Every once in a while my aunt can dig deep into
that shallow character of hers and pull out some resolve.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">His surface appearance with that </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Hitler</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> mustache, spoke volumes about his
inner core.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The more I learn about writing the more I know I
do not know.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">“There’s so much humanity in a love of trees.”
Muriel Barbery</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; text-indent: -0.25in;">“When
tea becomes ritual, it takes its place at the heart of our ability to see
greatness in small things.” Muriel Barbery</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; text-indent: -0.25in;">His
haute couture had just sunk to a new low.</span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dialogue: (can be a
nice way to inject some humor)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">“He was a caustic old bastard and I loved him dearly.”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">“Of course it’s till death do us part,
darling.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Don’t push your luck.”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">“If you take that last cupcake I’ll cut your
liver out with my Martha-Stuart-scallop-edged craft scissors.”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">“Smart, prolific and talented, capable of so
many things, why not anaphylaxis?”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">“Yes, we’re poor as church mice, Marjory. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Let’s go buy that yacht.”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">“You never tell me anything.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">How am I supposed to know what you’re
thinking?</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Why do I have to be the one to
always bring it up…” </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">(e.g.,</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">If she’d shut up he could talk!</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">)</span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Environment:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A homeless camp fosters a warm and tightknit
family of souls</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A drug-infested slum harbors a school that
produces poor but gifted prodigies</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A bucolic country village is polluted with toxic
chemicals</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The earth-saving water supply requires a journey
across a killer desert</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A deadly forest holds the secret to eternal life</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The compound of a spiritual retreat is
booby-trapped to prevent escape</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Per the movie…</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">the town of </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Pleasantville</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
lives only in black and white</span></li>
</ul>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Character Names:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A Chihuahua named Moose or… a bruiser named Tiny</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">An evil cult leader named Faith</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Her name was Curtsy, but she was crippled, so
she couldn’t</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A ne’er-do-well bum named Lord Standish</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A hateful bitch named Lovey</span></li>
</ul>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Personality Twists:
(which might also serve as plot material)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Pious/religious but mean as a snake</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Uber wealthy and not a friend in the world</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Animal rescuer by day, serial killer by night</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Exercise/healthy diet guru, secretly binges and
purges</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Nursery school teacher runs a drug smuggling
ring</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Family-values politician caught in a sex slave
scandal</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Keeps a meticulous daily calendar but logs nothing
of consequence</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Profoundly annoying but clueless about their impact
on others</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Chronic complainer leads a life rich with
blessings or… Destitute and complains of nothing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Freely dishes out criticism but cannot receive
it</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Frets over minutia and ignores the big problems</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">In therapy for relationship issues while
sleeping with her therapist</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A brilliant mind disintegrates into dementia or
madness</span></li>
</ul>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Socratic
Irony:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From— <a href="http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/Socratic%20irony">http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/Socratic%20irony</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast">
A technique where the questioner admits (falsely) to
not knowing something as a way of tricking the other person into revealing his
own lack of knowledge or a flaw in his logic, thus the irony.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #343434; text-indent: -0.25in;">TV
detective Colombo was a master at this.</span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dramatic
Irony:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From— <a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/170979/dramatic-irony">http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/170979/dramatic-irony</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast">
A plot device in which the reader’s knowledge
surpasses that of the character’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
words and actions of the character’s therefore take on a different meaning for
the reader than they have for the character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This may happen when a character reacts in an inappropriate or foolish
way or when they lack self-awareness and thus act under false assumptions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">In the Oedipus cycle, the audience knows that
Oedipus’s acts are tragic mistakes long before he recognizes his own errors.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">William Shakespeare’s Othello’s trust in the
treacherous Iago</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Anton Chekov’s story “Lady with the Dog,” an
accomplished Don Juan engages in a routine flirtation only to find himself
seduced into a passionate lifelong commitment to a woman who is no different
from all the other number of women with who he has flirted.</span> </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The opportunities to employ irony seem endless and
entertaining when crafted with subtlety or in the extremes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For every name, situation, and character flaw
there may be a compelling surprising opposite to enrich a story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
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I have many opinions on writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, the irony of that is…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not exactly prolific and have hardly
published a thing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-91252827986893628042016-07-06T08:26:00.001-07:002016-07-06T08:26:11.235-07:00A Useful Critique - Revised<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">A Useful Critique<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Group Guidelines and Critique Criteria Options<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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By Sharyl Heber<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Rev 7/6/2016</span><!--EndFragment-->
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We eat, sleep and breathe our
own stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We dream about them, they
live in our minds with vivid clarity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
feel the emotions, see the imagery, and sense the tension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We laugh and cry in all the right places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our minds, our own stories are perfect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">How could anyone else not get it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">How? Because we are
blissfully bamboozled by our own imaginations. Even the great writers need a
reality check from a reader who comes to the work fresh, with no previous
exposure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Critique groups can offer some
of this feedback, and generally, free of charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While they may not be professional literary
editors, group members can provide a first level review and give invaluable
feedback on points of confusion, and a multitude of things that may or may not
work in the writing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The best outcomes emerge when
members feel completely free to give their honest reactions, and writers feel
completely free to flush the feedback down the toilet if it doesn’t resonate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The below guideline
recommendations may sound strict but groups have gone awry without vigilance and
it’s not a pretty thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At its best,
folks adore their critique group members and wonder how they could survive their
writing journeys without them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: 35.1pt; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 472.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">***<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A note of caution regarding our critique
groups</b>— Even if highly skilled, while invaluable, they do love us. They
sense our fragility and will nurture, praise and support us. They will not risk
friendship to tell difficult truths. They may only address broader issues. They
may not require or take the time to <u>scrutinize</u> a written copy. They
won’t demand a publish-ready product and may well be swayed by the dramatic
performance in our oral readings. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My
critique group loved it</i>, may not mean it’s ready.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Don’t invite them to be honest, beg them
to be ruthless.</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Critique
Group Guidelines:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Agree on Guidelines:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Agree on these below, or some
other set of group guidelines so that all members have the same understanding
of the expectations and follow the same etiquette during the process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Agree on Logistics:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Agree on optimal meetings
times, frequency, and location. Agree on
a process format, e.g., will you exchange chapters electronically only, for a
line-item edit? Will you meet face-to-face
and read to each other aloud – for an oral critique? Will you bring paper copies for each
member? Will you dine together first or
share snacks? What is a reasonable
amount of time to devote? It may be
helpful to agree up front on a page limit.
It can be very frustrating when a member consistently sucks up time and
attention with more than their share of pages.
These decisions should work for the majority of members. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Group Facilitator:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Groups, especially new groups,
may benefit from a facilitator to keep the process on track. Avoid the concept of ‘Leadership’ if
possible. Remember to leave your egos at
the door. Generally, critique groups are
comprised of peers. There may be varying degrees of expertise. The best functioning groups may be those who
have grown to trust each other and who can proceed on task, without need of a
facilitator. Even if there is a member
with more experience, as long as sound group process and etiquette are
followed, a facilitator may not be required.
If the facilitator concept is one that is necessary or works well, it is
best that all group members agree on the assigned facilitator to minimize
tension or conflict. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">If you don’t want public comment on a piece of work,
do not bring it to critique group: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The critique process assumes
the work will be read by others and will need to be as powerful and clear as
possible. Some writing we do only for
ourselves and we don’t care what others think; diaries, journaling, deep
personal work, etc. If you don’t want honest
comment, do not bring it to group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Do not bring the work to critique expecting only
praise:</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The group is not assembling
for the purpose of telling you how magnificent you are. Be open to all feedback, positive and
negative. If the feedback is
consistently of no value to you, consider joining another group, perhaps more
genre-specific or with more experienced writers. You are here to learn what works and what
doesn’t work from differing perspectives.
A viewpoint other than yours can be a gift. A room full of differing perspectives can be
a windfall. You’ve no obligation to
incorporate them. Just listen and say
thank you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Provide your feedback in constructive terms: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Offer comments that explain your
perceptions. Comments like ‘this sucks’
or ‘this is great’ are not particularly helpful. Say specifically, what does work, what does
not work, and why. Try to comment on
both the positives and the negatives. The
goal is to improve the work and help members learn to increase theirs skills. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Respect for differing opinions is mandatory:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Critique group is no place
for insults or disrespect. Be vigilant
about behaving in a respectful manner even if you abhor the work, despise the
author, or are offended by the feedback.
Be considerate and professional at all times. Don’t confuse respect with traditional ‘politeness.’ In <i>Critique
Group Etiquette</i>, giving positive feedback just to be ‘polite,’ does not
serve the work or the author. Be genuine
with sensitivity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">If you disagree, do not argue:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Avoid the temptation to
defend or explain your work. Unless that
conversation can take place with a concise goal toward helping to better the
product, best to leave it alone.
Critique process can easily get derailed by explaining and defending,
which can lead to arguing. There is no
mandate to agree with, or use, the feedback.
Simply say, “I got it, thank you.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Do not insist that others adopt your style, morals, or
values:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Avoid the temptation to
impose your writing style, morals or values onto others. The goal of the critique is to help the
author be the best that he/she can be using their own unique style, drawing
from their own very personal ethics and life experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Group members have the right to opt out of a critique:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Any member has the right opt
out of a particular critique with no explanations required. If you are critiquing a piece on a subject
that is too controversial, inflammatory or difficult for you, you may simply
say, “I prefer not to offer comment on this piece.” NO QUESTIONS ASKED. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Do unto others… reciprocate the work:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">a. Avoid the cavalier brush off-<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">While members aren’t ‘forced’ to comment, do avoid the
attitude, “Oh, that’s not my genre.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Even if you don’t usually read YA vampires, use your
general expertise to find the fundamental story elements to comment upon. Is it clear, well paced, adequate tension,
character development etc. Others will
work hard to comment on your piece.
Repay the favor with good-faith attention to their details and to basic
principles of writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">b. Bring your best work possible-<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: 31.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Unless otherwise agreed upon by group members, bring
the work in the best shape possible.
Avoid placing undue burden on your members to correct obvious
problems. We all climb the hills of our
own learning curves - mistakes and genuine limitations of skill are acceptable;
sloppy and lazy are not. This includes incorporating
lessons learned from previous sessions.
It is exasperating listening to yet another chapter where Suzy mixes her
present and past tenses when she herself has agreed that it doesn’t work, but
can’t be bothered to fix them. Avoid,
‘Oh, my critique group will find those for me.’
Do the work required.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Harmony:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">If there are irreconcilable
differences or factions in the group that make the experience untenable or detract
from the group’s ability to provide helpful feedback, it may be advisable to
split into separate groups to maximize harmony and effectiveness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Leave your egos at the door: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">You are not present to show
how brilliant you are or how stupid others are.
It is not about you. It is all
about the work, and making it the best it can be, for ALL members. It is also about supporting ALL members to
enhance their skills. You are not
present to dominate any conversations or impose your will over others. No need to ‘defend’ your work. If you cannot leave your ego at the door,
give your group members the greatest gift of all, and gracefully… quit the
group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Critique Group Etiquette Reminder <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most of us are not rude or inconsiderate in our social
interactions, Critique Group Etiquette is much like the manners and
consideration we would afford in any other social relationship. It is so very important to honor those
standards. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b>Honor your attendance agreements:<o:p></o:p></b></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your host and your members have essentially, blocked out at
least an entire ½ day to the meeting.
They can’t meet any of their own obligations because they have committed
to this group. If you are cavalier in
your attendance it affects the lives of all members. Everyone has cleared their calendars and your
host has likely cleaned house and prepared snacks and drinks. If you cannot attend, call the host as far in
advance as possible. If the meeting has
to be cancelled due to non-attendance, with enough notice, perhaps the host has
a chance to plan a normal day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b>Be on time to the meeting:<o:p></o:p></b></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your members rely on your feedback. If you are late to the meeting, you deprive
the reader of important input to their work.
They may not get a 2<sup>nd</sup> chance for that input. And, if you are late, you interrupt a meeting
already in progress. You get the benefit
of all others critiquing your work, but you did not repay the favor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you telephone during the meeting to say you are not
attending, it interrupts a meeting already in progress.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b>Submit your work in a timely fashion:<o:p></o:p></b></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you send your work in electronically ahead of time, and
are late in doing so, it forces other members to scramble to review your
writing before the meeting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b>Honor you page limit agreements:<o:p></o:p></b></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Page limits are generally a good idea if you need to
guarantee time for each of your group members.
It’s beyond annoying for someone to read through multiple chapters when
you’ve agreed to a shorter limit. And,
extremely awkward to interrupt them and say… enough please. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">WHAT MAKES A HELPFUL CRITIQUE?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re new to the critique process and are unsure about
commenting, here is a small list of criteria you might use to assess for
quality:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Points of confusion</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: More information or rephrasing may be needed for
clarification.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">A Story Problem</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: A story problem or story questions (What is the
book about - generally a good idea and often best established right up front,)
may not be discernable at all or identified soon enough – so we don’t know why
we’re reading the story. The identified story problem/questions may not
be followed throughout, or may not be resolved in the end. (A
favorite resource on this topic is Bill Johnson, A Story is a Promise -
storyisapromise.com)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Sub Plots</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: Story may read as thin, and benefit from subplot(s).
Existing subplots may simply be diversions and not sufficiently tie into
or adequately support the main plot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Description</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: Inadequate or superfluous— Not enough and the scene
can't be visualized, too much and the story drags.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Over or Under Writing</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: This is a tough call as it is often
subjective. Is it literary skill or a matter of style? Sentences
overflowing with adjectives and adverbs can suck tension from the
writing. Though it might vary with genre, there may be a point of
diminishing return with the flowery descriptions— Sometimes satisfying to write
but NOT always satisfying to read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Tension</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: Generally, tension needs to remain taught. Many
misdiagnosed story problems are really sagging tension problems. Or,
perhaps the tension is too intense or prolonged and a break is needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Conflict</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: A valuable, if not necessary, story component. Are
the protagonist and antagonist identifiable? Does the author simply
‘claim’ the characters are in conflict and have to convince the reader with
narrative protestations, or do they craft the personalities and situations so
the conflict is inherent and organic, e.g., put a racist, a person of color, a
homophobe and homosexual in a broken down elevator… and maybe throw in a time
bomb. You’d have to work hard NOT to have conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Point of View</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: 1<sup>st</sup> person, 3<sup>rd</sup> person,
omniscient, etc. Who is telling the story? Through whose eyes are we
looking? Is the POV established early on and used consistently? The
choice of POV may not be the most powerful for the story. There may be
unintended changes or inconsistencies in POV. Intended changes may not be
clearly identified, causing confusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Narrative Tense</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: There may be unintended changes or
inconsistencies in past/present/future tense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Action</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: Long sections of descriptive narrative can drain
tension. Scenes may need a higher proportion of action, or some action
interspersed. Or, perhaps the action is too intense or prolonged and a
break is needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Pacing</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: The story may drag or race too quickly in general or at
particular points.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Character Development</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: We may not feel we know a character; their
personality may not be discernible. We may not care about them or their
situation. Characters may not be distinguishable from each other.
They may be too stereotypical and not quirky or interesting enough.
Motivation may be lacking for their actions. They may not have a
function/goal/purpose in the story. They may not be learning, changing or
growing if that is required of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Plausibility</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: Things may seem unlikely, e.g., this would never
happen in the unique story world the author has crafted. Or a character,
as the author has developed them, would never do or say such a thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Plotting</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: Events of the story may not flow logically, they may not
offer an adequate structure to support subsequent events, or may stray too far
from an established story problem. Depending on genre, the plot/story
events may need an arc with ratcheting tension.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Beginnings & Endings</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: A more compelling hook at the introduction or a
more satisfying conclusion may be required. A more discernable 3-act
structure may be helpful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Drama vs Melodrama</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">:<b> </b>Does the drama feel real, deep and
organic? Exaggerated emotions and stereotypical characters, dialogue
& behavior can contribute to melodrama.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Emotional Impact</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: The author may <i>describe</i> the emotions of
the character but you, as the reader, can’t <i>experience</i> or <i>feel</i>
them. <b>Show-Don’t-Tell may help</b>. The author’s protestations
that Roger is full of rage may not translate the experience as well as watching
Roger shred his mattress with a hunting knife. Taking it out of narrative
description and ‘putting it into a scene’ with action and dialogue can
help. And, do say what emotions you feel as you critique. The
author may not have intended to evoke those emotions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Dialogue</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: May be too stilted, cliché, too obvious or
‘on-the-nose’, more subtext may be beneficial. There may be a distracting
over-use of dialect, slang, or cursing. Dialogue may not be adequately grounded in
narrative context. And, also related....
<b>Voice: </b>All characters may sound the same and can’t be
distinguished. Dialogue may not be unique enough to reveal
character. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Setting / Environment</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: Is the story is set in an environment that
maximizes the drama? Is the environment adequately described and used to
best advantage in the plot?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">The Big Picture: </span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">This point is beautifully made by Jane Friedman on her
blog: janefriedman.com - "Can we glimpse enough of the Big Picture
to have that all-important yardstick? It's the 'big picture' that gives
readers perspective and conveys the point of each scene, enabling them to add
things up. If we don't know where the story is going, how can we tell if
it's moving at all?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Forward Motion: </span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";"> Is the story continually moving forward along the
plot line?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">The Five Senses: </span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">The story's impact might be enhanced by mining the
senses: sight, touch/feel, smell, taste, auditory sounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Archetypes / Universal Appeal</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: The work may not resonate as relevant to the
reader. This may be purely subjective, a matter of personal taste— but it
could also be a deeper problem of overall relevance; failure to identify and
tap into issues that readers relate to. Or, the writing my not be
appropriate for an identified audience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Theme/Subject</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: The theme or subject may not be discernable, it may
not be profound or compelling enough to carry a full story, or the story line
may stray too far from the established theme/subject.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Mood & Tone</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: There may not be a discernable mood or tone to
the work, or portions may seem out of alignment with the predominant mood and
tone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Command of the Language</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: General skill or quality of the writing or
phrasing may be lacking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Word Choice</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: Ineffective word choices, inaccurate word use, or
repeated words may diminish the story. The work may benefit from expanded
vocabulary, or perhaps, a more modest vocabulary. Tossing a million
dollar word into a simply-told story can stand out as pretentious or
incongruous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">To be, or not to be</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">: Overuse of the verb, to be, may diminish the
writing. Was, was, was… can plague a page, and while the word may be
grammatically correct, it can be dramatically inept. More active verbs can
usually replace ‘was’ and make for more powerful prose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar, Typos</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Format</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">:<b> </b>Readability on the page and professional
presentation is important. Generally,
flowery type fonts are discouraged, proper use of tabs/indentations are
expected. If the work is varying from ‘industry standard’, it is done so
with purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Factual Accuracy</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">The
above list is much abbreviated. Entire books have been written on some of
these elements and I'm sure there are many more I haven't noted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">When critiquing, also mention things that you love about the piece
or that seem to work very well.</span></b><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #262626;">•<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Portions that are phrased beautifully<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #262626;">•<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Characters you love to love, or love to hate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #262626;">•<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Sections that hold your attention or have you spell bound<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #262626; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><span style="font-size: large;">Add
your own criteria for comment as you read through the piece. Gut reactions
and first impressions. Say what works for you and what does not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ANY thoughts you have as you review the
material could be valuable to the author! Try not to second-guess your
instincts. Say what comes to mind... in a respectful, way that supports and
improves the work and the author.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-70578131814600229092014-07-17T07:47:00.000-07:002014-07-17T07:47:05.669-07:00<span style="font-size: large;">SLO NightWriters Anthology has just been published!</span> <br />
I'm so pleased to be included with excerpts from two of my novels-in-progress: Keepers of the Dream on Pg 137, and Staircase of Dreams (or In Your Dreams... I haven't decided yet) on Pg 83. <br />
<br />
SLO NightWriters, in San Luis Obispo, CA, is an amazing organization for writers of all genres. NW has a wonderful creative collaborative partnership with the Tolosa Press News. Tolosa supports local authors by printing selected works from NW members in their weekly newspapers; Bay News, SLO City News, and Coast News. This anthology represents some of those submissions and is available on Amazon.com for $14.95. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJUSVvXcB14il0zL3wIUspvS7RXNyb8puAlQf3_eVPMH7ZN84sXMYdjPKJRWPZ4vKCpTwlxXUDveUMmB3uuHKRzhxqcqGAHlyVyBOImj7xSXQPg9vNkTuhVSKcp6-3EaxrdadamV2fEG4/s1600/NW+Anthology+Book+Cover+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJUSVvXcB14il0zL3wIUspvS7RXNyb8puAlQf3_eVPMH7ZN84sXMYdjPKJRWPZ4vKCpTwlxXUDveUMmB3uuHKRzhxqcqGAHlyVyBOImj7xSXQPg9vNkTuhVSKcp6-3EaxrdadamV2fEG4/s1600/NW+Anthology+Book+Cover+Image.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-26500696586914660122013-02-12T06:58:00.000-08:002013-02-12T06:58:38.557-08:00SLO NightWriters 24th Writing Contest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8C6dtVwj2BgluN_hMLkw1D2akiRTvJ36VgupfkIVA3tvFdf9_6ekHZ9V2Ls28u4ynl3FD85u3Pfk1G3v03BVkUAbQZPinCdJ9dLV147q1fxto4zOuGQUC6QmzFDd6VE5kdjJoGkPl-C9/s1600/slo-logo-newColor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8C6dtVwj2BgluN_hMLkw1D2akiRTvJ36VgupfkIVA3tvFdf9_6ekHZ9V2Ls28u4ynl3FD85u3Pfk1G3v03BVkUAbQZPinCdJ9dLV147q1fxto4zOuGQUC6QmzFDd6VE5kdjJoGkPl-C9/s320/slo-logo-newColor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This year I am co-director of SLO NightWriters 24th Annual Writing Contest. It's an exciting event. We've recruited an impressive gaggle of screeners and judges- editors, laureates, published authors, teachers and book store owners. We've increased our prize money this year and advertised widely with writing groups all over the internet. Winners may have an opportunity to have their entries published in San Luis Obispo's Tolosa Press newspapers.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The Contest Basics:</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>First Line or Theme: A Perfect Storm</b> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Interpret as broadly as you like)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Short Story/Memoir - 750 word max</span><br />
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Poetry - 40 line max</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Entry Fee: $10 per entry </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prizes: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">$200-First Place</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">$150-2nd Place</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">$75-3rd Place, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Plus Honorable Mentions <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Deadline: March 31, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>ALL WRITERS ARE WELCOME!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Visit
our website for contest details</span><!--EndFragment-->
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>www.slonightwriters.org</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-90619594415049063832012-12-23T06:05:00.001-08:002012-12-23T06:07:32.345-08:00<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga05shgL0Mh5WG7kFSIYd-y5DUO1EDJ7BBKgP_vEfHUuqQln1w_j0CGwQcFROVsa78QM3e4-ORtWabne80Xt0lW2tEHEouOyzPgZD-rNQgWGCLvZjmW-DXE9EwocQ1Gm5a9N1fGbRBzf9-/s1600/black+floral+christmas+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga05shgL0Mh5WG7kFSIYd-y5DUO1EDJ7BBKgP_vEfHUuqQln1w_j0CGwQcFROVsa78QM3e4-ORtWabne80Xt0lW2tEHEouOyzPgZD-rNQgWGCLvZjmW-DXE9EwocQ1Gm5a9N1fGbRBzf9-/s640/black+floral+christmas+card.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-59597216669573091222012-10-27T04:41:00.000-07:002012-10-27T04:41:15.733-07:00Smoke and Mirrors Podcast<br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Writers – Podcast Your Spooky Stories!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">Go to
www.smoke-and-mirrors.us</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How cool, I'm podcasted for posterity! Smoke and Mirrors just ran a reading of my monster story '<i>Glory Days</i>' in their October 26, 2012 edition. </span></o:p><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dennis
Miller, is “impresario” producer, host and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">instigator</i> of a great on-line
opportunity for writers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Smoke
and Mirrors</i></b> is his website which podcasts (up to) 1-hour-long shows
of short story readings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <b>Friday nights at 9:00 PM.</b> Ya know, </span>just like
radio but you log on with your computer and tune in any time you want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dennis is
always looking for new writers, readers, musicians and fresh material</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No particular resume or previous
accomplishments are required.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a
personal assistant to help him screen stories for “appropriateness to his niche,”
but he is the final word, governing if a story progresses from ‘submission’ to ‘show.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he likes the piece – it’s in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is generally seeking work of 1000 – 9000
words, with a 55-minute maximum of oral reading time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will also do compilations of shorter flash
fiction, or excerpts if they can stand alone as a story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
leans toward dark, spooky, edgy material but the show has a sense of humor
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His stated preference is sci-fi<span style="color: #2d2d2d;"> and/or stories of the macabre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Think: The Twilight Zone or Alfred Hitchcock. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Specific
submission guidelines are spelled out on the website</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dennis
has been telling stories since he was seven years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Lying is such a judgmental word…” he tells
me with a grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his youth he was
inspired by those old Twilight Zone episodes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When they went away, he thought ‘I guess I’ll just have to do this
myself.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a high-energy guy, clearly passionate about his
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began the Smoke and Mirrors
site in January of 2011.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over 90% of the readings come from new and unpublished authors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a precise disclaimer on the website
for submissions, but essentially, <b>authors maintain the rights to their own
material.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While other
publisher/producers may have pesky objections to ‘simultaneous submissions,’ Dennis
does not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
Smoke and Mirrors studio is small and simple-– a backyard shed with a desk and
hybrid mixer that takes analog sound and converts it into digital signal for
e-broadcasting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dennis prefers that
readers have their own equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not as
intimidating as it seems-- Required only are:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>a computer, a microphone, and software that digitalizes sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amadeus-for mac, Sound Forge, and Cubase are
three programs that he mentioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dennis
is the one that needs the added mixer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His readers send him a raw e-file of their voice reading the story, and
he polishes it off for podcasting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So
far, there are no submission fees collected or salaries/payment offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>Currently money comes in via the website from
much-appreciated donations.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b> </span>Dennis is
also seeking sponsors for the venture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The payoff for both readers and writers is exposure and expanded
resume/platforms - the bigger Smoke and Mirrors gets, the better the resume/bio
entry!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dennis happily supports his crew
onward and upward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Write to
Dennis at:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="mailto:WriteSmoke-Mirrors@sbcglobal.net"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">WriteSmoke-Mirrors@sbcglobal.net</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>attn:
Editor</i></b></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-69017962207629683152012-10-25T04:56:00.001-07:002012-10-25T04:56:02.599-07:00On-Line Literary Journal Publication<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>On-Line Literary Journal Publication</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The Feathered Flounder</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My short story titled, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Glory Days</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, a bit of monster whimsy, was just recently </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">published in the Fall Ed<span style="font-size: 12pt;">ition - 2012 of the online literary journal, The Feathered Flounder. A wonderful site that publishes works by folks ‘of some age’ </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt;">J </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Very fun for me to see this story in print!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Visit <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">www.thefeatheredflounder.com</span></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-81303847533002613562012-09-27T15:34:00.000-07:002012-09-27T15:34:18.801-07:00Tolosa Press and SLO NightWriters<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SLO NightWriters has a terrific collaborative relationship with San Luis Obispo’s Tolosa Press.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tolosa publishes 3 newspapers, hardcopy and electronic - SLO City News, Coast News, and Bay News.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tolosa generously supports local writers by selecting from screened NightWriter submissions to share the talent with the SLO Community. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Short, 700-word excerpts from my novels in progress have appeared in all three Tolosa publications.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week, September 27-October 3, 2012, SLO City News published an excerpt from my novel, In Your Dreams. You can read that selection by visiting Tolosa this week at <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">www.tolosapress.com</span></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-91005758528169739262012-09-25T07:57:00.000-07:002012-09-28T10:12:06.165-07:00Central Coast Writers Conference - 2012<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">Another
fantastic Writer’s Conference this year at
Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(communityprograms.net)</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">I’m a huge fan!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Conference</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b> Volunteers</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">The amazing Anna Unkovich, is our intrepid leader.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Dennis Eamon Young (denniseamonyoungphoto.com)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is
my 5<sup>th</sup> year volunteering for support/logistics. I love this conference. I always come away hopeful, educated and inspired.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">Hats off
to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Judy Salamacha</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"> the Conference
Director </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">and all the Cuesta College support staff. Judy is here with Book Reviewer Blogger Danielle Smith (theresabook.com)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">As
always, a wide variety of writing topics were covered— Genres, Crafting Suspense, Memoir, Poetry, Critiquing,
Character, Kid Lit, Travel Writing, Editing, Fantasy, Screen Adaptation, and
much more.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">And, some especially great
information about being a writer in this avalanche of electronic and self
publishing options.</span></span></div>
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opening words— a soulful, funny, and moving session.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">The
conference has a <b>Teen Program </b>that warms my heart!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">Look at all these young writers at the table on the right!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Victoria
Heckman</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(victoriaheckman.com)</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"> nurtures
these budding scriveners through the conference.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><b>Lillian Dean Contest</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><b>Page-1, Poetry, & Query Letter </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">Again our
local SLO NightWriter members have a solid presence among the Lillian Dean winners, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">6!</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"> took 7 out of 13 awards this year if
I’m counting correctly.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Anna Unkovich, Paul Fahey, Susan Tuttle, Judy Guarnera, Adrienne Harris, and Becca Wadell (Becca won twice!!)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">Here’s a picture of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><b>Susan Tuttle</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"> winning the ‘The Perfect Query Letter’ award. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">I can’t help
thinking these successes mean that fine writers gravitate toward SLO NightWriters and/or NW
services might have some positive effects on skill and talent.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">NightWriters has multiple critique group options, informative speakers at our
monthly meetings, and a fantastic supportive writing community here in San Luis
Obispo.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Check us out! www.slonightwriters.org </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">We have a new e-Line Edit Exchange program </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">that is PERFECT for out of town members!</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">Conference
volunteering is fun and comes with a special invitation to the faculty &
staff party afterward, held again this year at the beautiful <b>Morro Bay Coalesce
Book Store and Garden Chapel.</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">Incredible
food and wine! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">A relaxing breather and a
chance to schmooze and chat after two intense days of conference.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">Sometimes
agents can present as inaccessible and a bit intimidating.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NOT</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">
so with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Laurie McLean</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(agentsavant.com)</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"> literary agent with
Larson Pomada and one of my favorite speakers— dynamic, enthusiastic, savvy and
innovative in the e-self-publishing age, personable and VERY approachable.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCN2wD4SL6yaOWdKny_QpPrC2GKYzMMa3vKFicbR9SCAjU-vQuySyGIxV51bsM-AFa5z-OW1LZwRPZnPrRo5otS_kg7cLuEHgd3dWJM_MNV4MOaUtQvMKcenIiXm9_zOuROX6GlLEs4UJ/s1600/ccwc+2012+Anne+Allen+Catherine+Ryan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCN2wD4SL6yaOWdKny_QpPrC2GKYzMMa3vKFicbR9SCAjU-vQuySyGIxV51bsM-AFa5z-OW1LZwRPZnPrRo5otS_kg7cLuEHgd3dWJM_MNV4MOaUtQvMKcenIiXm9_zOuROX6GlLEs4UJ/s320/ccwc+2012+Anne+Allen+Catherine+Ryan.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12.0pt;">Catherine Ryan</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12.0pt;">, Pay it Forward and many more
novels, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(catherineryanhyde.com)</i> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Anne R. Allen</b>, novelist and e-publishing
blogger extraordinaire <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(annerallen.blogspot.com)</i>
provide a lovely backdrop for this incredible Paella.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12.0pt;">Those two wrote the book, '<b>How to be a Writer in the E-Age</b>' and held a great session on that topic. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSHhHknbpTMnui7yVLla0A5KJIA8zbpbm1A29wECOchjIYdiQWdD6c44Iuz1Inm4m5TUSBYAXiNEygW-xBLryujk8Nqo9bSieyBPVh2RDDQ6hTCRhRf_Puaf_ECxOvAF5bzy9_ff_Pf_T/s1600/ccwc+2012+Danielle+Smith+Amy+Riley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSHhHknbpTMnui7yVLla0A5KJIA8zbpbm1A29wECOchjIYdiQWdD6c44Iuz1Inm4m5TUSBYAXiNEygW-xBLryujk8Nqo9bSieyBPVh2RDDQ6hTCRhRf_Puaf_ECxOvAF5bzy9_ff_Pf_T/s320/ccwc+2012+Danielle+Smith+Amy+Riley.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12.0pt;">3 blogger/book
reviewers gave important advice on how to, and how NOT to, approach a book
reviewer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amy Riley</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(myfriendamysblog.com),</i>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Danielle Smith</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Theresabook.com)</i> and not pictured here <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pam van Hylckama Vlieg</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(bookalicio.us).</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the left in this photo is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Carrissa Kluver</b>, another blogger/book
reviewer <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(digital-storytime.com)</i></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">CRITIQUE EXTRAVAGANZA </span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SLO Night Writers - August 14, 2012</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Photographs courtesy of
Dennis Eamon Young</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">denniseamonyoungphoto.com<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvG-qZOW1mk0o2nqJ5-srPCQFwTvC1mdcVQRSgYkPxhsTrSyFADAFK7oOTB4KjZqoK9CzfdvRAhiGvqGDW7g4Jrn3ek9Fw79n6Ss93AMnvgSR-UHzOaJNr43Riv3DYUKEMmWwGSFdBZnR/s1600/pic+critique+fire+works.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvG-qZOW1mk0o2nqJ5-srPCQFwTvC1mdcVQRSgYkPxhsTrSyFADAFK7oOTB4KjZqoK9CzfdvRAhiGvqGDW7g4Jrn3ek9Fw79n6Ss93AMnvgSR-UHzOaJNr43Riv3DYUKEMmWwGSFdBZnR/s200/pic+critique+fire+works.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SLO NightWriters</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> held it’s </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;">2<sup>nd</sup> Annual <span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Night of Critique</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> at</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> the August general meeting in San Luis Obispo, CA. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As Critique Group Coordinator it's my extreme pleasure organize and
host this event. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">NW members bring 250-500 words to read at the
microphone and receive feedback from a panel of critiquers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm very grateful to our wonderful and distinguished panel
for 2012, all experienced critiquers, most of them award winning writers, and all
them published.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Left to Right: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Evy Cole</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> ~ <b>evelyn-cole.com</b> ~ Poet, novelist,
Teaches ‘Writing by Hand’ to unlock the subconscious</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Laurie Woodward</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> ~ <b>artania.net &
lauriewoodward.kritiquekritics.com</b> ~ YA Novelist, Teacher, Anti-bullying
campaigner</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Susan Tuttle</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> ~ <b>www.SusanTuttleWrites.com/womanof1000words</b> ~
Creator of ‘Write It Right’ writing program, Teacher of ‘What If” writing
classes, Paranormal Suspense & Spiritual genres</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Barbara Wolcott</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> ~ <b>sanlobooks.com</b> ~ Pulitzer
nominee for Scientific Non-Fiction</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sharyl Heber</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> ~ <b>saheber.blogspot.com</b> ~ Critique
Group Coordinator for SLO NightWriters, aspiring YA Fantasy novelist,
screenwriter and poet</span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And a special thank you to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Anna Unkovich</b></span> for her wonderful e-critique process contributions ~ <b>annaunkovhich.com</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Judith Allen reading for critique at the mic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s an informative critique process conducted in a
casual, friendly and supportive environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Panel members comment a wide range of topics including points of confusion,
character development, plotting, dialogue and much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The SLO NightWriter </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">audience </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">participates too. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's Dean Bernal giving feedback to a reader. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This year, in addition to providing oral
critiques, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">the panel offered electronic line-edits </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">to kick off a new program
for SLO NightWriter members. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">E-Line Edit
Exchange</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Very exciting to have pool of folks accessible to read and comment on our work, line-by-line! It’s my preferred method of critique. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">An oral read races too quickly to catch all glitches and too many problems can slip by unnoticed when ‘listening’ vs. ‘reading.’ </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Spelling and punctuation are the obvious culprits but more insidious— a reader can mask any number of concerns with a great dramatic reading performance: dialogue, word choice, command of language, character development, tension and so much more. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">A slow, thoughtful, line-by-line review where problems can be pondered and solutions crafted is extremely helpful. The reviewer can re-read the work as often as needed and provide a much more in-depth critique. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>We don't need to be experts to add value!</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">Join SLO Nightwriters to participate.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">www.slonightwriters.org</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">or</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">contact NW at slonightwriters@yahoo.com</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You can still join if you live out of town.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">E-Line Edit Exchange is a perfect way</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> for long-distance members </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">to participate and receive direct benefit!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvG-qZOW1mk0o2nqJ5-srPCQFwTvC1mdcVQRSgYkPxhsTrSyFADAFK7oOTB4KjZqoK9CzfdvRAhiGvqGDW7g4Jrn3ek9Fw79n6Ss93AMnvgSR-UHzOaJNr43Riv3DYUKEMmWwGSFdBZnR/s1600/pic+critique+fire+works.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvG-qZOW1mk0o2nqJ5-srPCQFwTvC1mdcVQRSgYkPxhsTrSyFADAFK7oOTB4KjZqoK9CzfdvRAhiGvqGDW7g4Jrn3ek9Fw79n6Ss93AMnvgSR-UHzOaJNr43Riv3DYUKEMmWwGSFdBZnR/s200/pic+critique+fire+works.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I’m delighted to hold the
position of Critique Group Coordinator on the SLO NightWriters Board of
Directors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means I assist NW
members in locating or starting a critique group and mange the E-Line Edit Exchange List. Guidelines, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>A Useful Critique</i></b>, for creating a
productive and satisfying critique experience can be found on my blog site, saheber.blogspot.com<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-78993168246147800932012-08-14T09:01:00.000-07:002012-08-15T08:34:56.684-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dialogue
Tags<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He Said –
She Said</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">SAID REPLACEMENTS</span></span></b></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8I_oBnFxYHp2pCSd1hMFGLZr16F1BSvEuj7qa1YBLlgFPNOLfbK_0Jw3i4cV8_-Tak-Id7cqJOOUPS3jHJfbB8Hh2S15Pa8NRRQhPTt40WyhCVs2UmalMsgFVMV2WSWuaRq9OIonL9tVe/s1600/Said+Replacements+caption.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8I_oBnFxYHp2pCSd1hMFGLZr16F1BSvEuj7qa1YBLlgFPNOLfbK_0Jw3i4cV8_-Tak-Id7cqJOOUPS3jHJfbB8Hh2S15Pa8NRRQhPTt40WyhCVs2UmalMsgFVMV2WSWuaRq9OIonL9tVe/s320/Said+Replacements+caption.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mostly, in dialogue, I
like the words ‘he said’ or ‘she said.’</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to
use them and I like to read them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Said’ seems
to safely repeat on the page-- it’s
stealthy and slips by relatively unnoticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But,
on those occasions when the tone or meaning cannot be discerned from the
dialogue content, and a clarifier is needed or interesting, it’s nice to have
some ‘said replacements’ handy— they can reveal character and break up a
cluster of said’s on the page.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
keep a running <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A-Z list of ‘Said Replacements' </b>for dialogue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">To
date, it’s 25+ pages and makes for a ridiculously long blog post so I’ve put it
onto its own page <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">(check right blog margin for ‘Said Replacements’ page.)</span></b>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While long for a blogsite, it’s a relatively
short list, given that much of the dictionary is essentially available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some quirky options on my list, but
they sing to me so I’m including them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My
favorite dialogue speaks for itself and doesn’t need much extra
qualifying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, unlike ‘said,’ these
other replacement words do NOT disappear on the page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can be superfluous and overuse of them,
as a device, becomes annoying fast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Though
I include the actual ‘Said Replacements’ sparingly, I find I peruse this
list periodically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when I don’t
actually use a replacement word, scanning the list reminds me to mine for a
fuller range of behavioral, emotional, and conversational options in the
delivery of a line and the crafting of a scene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
list is formatted like this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">accused
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">acknowledged<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">B<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">babbled<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">back
pedaled<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">badgered<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sometimes
they replace the word said—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You’ll always have employment here,”
she apologized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Other
times they appear in the sentence to follow—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How very smart of you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her jibe took him by surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dialogue
tags do help keep speakers identifiable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">really</b> hate struggling
through an exchange of dialogue where I can’t tell by the content who is
speaking, and I have to go back and count quote marks to guess. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
think if speakers are truly unique and distinguishable, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">he said/she said</i> can be minimized, as each
can be identified by their exclusive individual voices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I aspire to that as a writer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sometimes,
even better than ‘said,’ I like an action in alignment with the dialogue—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Never again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He removed his ring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Or
perhaps, more interesting, an action contrary to the dialogue—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Marriage, such bliss.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stabbed her knitting needle into his neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .9in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Kristen Lamb recommends a
great reference on her blog warriorwriters.worpress.com - helpful for using
action/behavior in place of ‘said.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
called <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Emotion Thesaurus, a Writer’s
Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It lists 75 emotions, then provides a nice
list of corresponding postures, gestures, behaviors etc. for each one</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Please
share any other ‘Said Replacements’ that come to mind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m
always updating my list and I have fun collecting them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-76979603773363225112012-08-01T06:54:00.001-07:002012-08-14T08:54:44.526-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Gpq35ikw45TH30FTwU-Wpi7GQ4DhYit6OwMBPhuHO94wM3XZruFxv94Hd_OH-OC_BAchuw3zV6V3pWDM1u-ff1TpUw9YyV8uA063OL3r_MvjWXKUhj7I9KwuHWILlwXDue9PrszhfyK4/s1600/subtext+caption.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Gpq35ikw45TH30FTwU-Wpi7GQ4DhYit6OwMBPhuHO94wM3XZruFxv94Hd_OH-OC_BAchuw3zV6V3pWDM1u-ff1TpUw9YyV8uA063OL3r_MvjWXKUhj7I9KwuHWILlwXDue9PrszhfyK4/s400/subtext+caption.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Crafting
Subtext</span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Strategies
to Minimize </span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On-The-Nose Dialogue</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">I’m a huge fan
of subtext and always looking for ways to incorporate it into my own writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">In real
relationships, saying exactly what we mean seems imperative— in fiction, it's the kiss of boredom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">I love what's smoldering underneath the spoken word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
find dialogue is a great tool for mining deeper layers— and the subtext, a
perfect antidote for dull, flat, straightforward, ‘on-the-nose’
conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Generally, my goal is to delete
or minimize expository/explain-y conversations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A favorite application of on-the-nose dialogue is with a calculated
dramatic purpose, e.g., I think it’s great for demonstrating the avoidance of
deeper issues. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">I like it best
when “Nice weather we’re having.” really means, “You conniving little weasel!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Below is a list of
strategies I am compiling to help me craft subtext, create depth, inject
tension and keep the dialogue fresh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Can anyone out there share
other techniques to avoid on-the-nose dialogue? I’d love to add to my list!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Implied information</b> allows
us to learn about people and events through interesting inference rather than
‘on-the-nose’ explanations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Alluding</b> to unspecified
incidents in the past can create history and mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Private jokes</b>,
<b>exclusive comments, or ‘loaded’ nicknames</b> can reveal intimacy and allude to
secrets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Abrupt changes in subjec</b>t can
reveal taboo issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>‘Talking around’
issues </b>rather than addressing them head-on can reveal nervousness, enhance
inter-personal dynamics, and create tension.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Strong reactions</b> of any kind
can mask feelings that reveal character and allude to deeper issues:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> -Syrupy sweet sentiment can
mask seething rage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> -Gruff standoffishness can
mask adoration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> -Cavalier indifference can
mask longing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<span style="color: black;">Apparent
indifference can mask many emotions.)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> -Maligning and
ridicule can mask jealousy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> -Machismo or
boasting can mask insecurity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> -Excessive piety
or righteousness can mask moral bankruptcy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> -Concern or
protectiveness can mask control issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> -Humor or making
light of a topic can mask pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> -Mocking can
mask jealousy or resentment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">‘<b>Freudian Slips</b>’ can eek out
bits of repressed emotion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Long repressed feelings</b> can
explode into conflict or deep emotion with surprising, irrational, or
<b>inappropriate outbursts</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Withholding or silence</b> can inform us by what is NOT being said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Ignoring a comment</b> or
question completely can reveal avoidance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Answering a question with
another question</b> can deflect responsibility or demonstrate avoidance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Answering a different
question</b>, or responding to a different comment than was stated can reveal
discomfort and an intentional redirection of the conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Multiple meanings</b> -
where each character focuses on a different meaning of a word or issue can reveal
character and create depth in a conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Teasing</b>, either good natured
or mean spirited, can reveal relationship quality, character and emotion, and
may reveal a bit of history. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Insults</b> about sensitive or
private issues can ratchet up relationship tension and allude to past history.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Casual questions</b> can border
on interrogation and indicate insecurity, mistrust, or suspicion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Physicalizing an emotion</b>
with an action in response to a question or comment can make a powerful
statement (a tender touch, shoving a knife in the back) especially when
the action seems to vary from the expected response.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Perseverating</b> on a topic can
reveal obsession. <span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><b>Sarcasm</b> can
inform about underlying feelings and create tension.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><b>Chronic
complaining</b> can indicate self-imposed victimization or failure to take
responsibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><b>Clichés</b> (strategically used) can reveal a pathetic shallow character.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><b>Symbolizing</b> or referring
to anything that symbolizes something else can expand and deepen meaning.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Speaking in metaphors</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> can
symbolize and illuminate personal issues.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Inserting poetry or lyrics</b> (our own or those of others) to speak for a character can vary the speaking style, utilize metaphors, and create depth and emotion.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>I think the best fiction writers are closet psychologists. I'm trudging through my own mini-PhD program here in my writing corner.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Do comment if
you have ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d love to hear more
thoughts on creating subtext! </b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-52938941743190059432012-07-07T07:13:00.000-07:002012-08-05T06:30:15.353-07:00<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 20pt;">A USEFUL CRITIQUE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Part II</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejj_eL5CHJ3V5p3jxuQQhkqzAZuCtOtHEnALJGnaGoN1zpO_w8Tjsf3ZHiVB_QI6HONKklOYjEabwrKTpHHYziNd_4ye6JV1sWNJqqNMfbNYRmAF7mv3BLs-x9FtrZmoRM1OYpVopUzfZ/s1600/web+What+If+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejj_eL5CHJ3V5p3jxuQQhkqzAZuCtOtHEnALJGnaGoN1zpO_w8Tjsf3ZHiVB_QI6HONKklOYjEabwrKTpHHYziNd_4ye6JV1sWNJqqNMfbNYRmAF7mv3BLs-x9FtrZmoRM1OYpVopUzfZ/s400/web+What+If+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Susan Tuttle's wonderful <b>'What If'</b> critique group. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">This SLO NightWriter's group has met happily for years </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">and combines teaching and on-the-spot flash fiction sessions </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">with a critique process. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">Find Susan Tuttle at- susantuttlewrites.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ffMuZ9QPijmWj3j5tdDYZN_bJISf0eBmAntD5oAfyaytBthXRWrpeIvOzlTOBFzqGPEJT5ihBM5GTFqW8b2eYF4iKGrFjtfEHdD0e5wwcVrsV2VT64AnS5_swkyrGF2BBvcZutRWmKnh/s1600/3+-+Portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ffMuZ9QPijmWj3j5tdDYZN_bJISf0eBmAntD5oAfyaytBthXRWrpeIvOzlTOBFzqGPEJT5ihBM5GTFqW8b2eYF4iKGrFjtfEHdD0e5wwcVrsV2VT64AnS5_swkyrGF2BBvcZutRWmKnh/s200/3+-+Portrait.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I have
the privilege of serving as Critique Group Coordinator for SLO
NightWriters. I’ve developed a starter package
for folks new to the critique group process.
I call it, <i>A Useful Critique</i>,
and will share it here in two posts.
Do copy and use it if you find it helpful!</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Part 1 - Critique
Group Guidelines & Etiquette</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Part 2 - What
Makes a Helpful Critique </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, do comment. I’m always looking for pointers on how to
maximize the critique experience and would be grateful for your suggestions!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt;">Part 2 - What Makes a Helpful Critique?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">If you’re
new to the critique process and are unsure about what to comment upon, here is
just a partial list of elements you might consider. I, myself, am guilty of ALL of the below
listed problems, and many more I'm sure. I continually kiss the feet of my mentors and critique group members
who help me identify and repair them!</span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Points of confusion</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: More
information or rephrasing may be needed for clarification.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">A Story Problem</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: A story
problem or story questions (What is the book about - generally a good idea and often best established right up front,)
may not be discernable at all or identified soon enough – so we don’t know
why we’re reading the story. The
identified story problem/questions may not be followed throughout, or may
not be resolved in the end. (A favorite resource on this topic is Bill Johnson, A Story is a Promise - storyisapromise.com)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Sub Plots</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: Story may read as thin, and benefit from subplot(s). Existing subplots may
simply be diversions and not sufficiently tie into or adequately support
the main plot.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Description</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: Inadequate
or superfluous— Not enough and the scene can't be visualized, too much and
the story drags.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Over or Under Writing</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: This is a tough call as it is often
subjective. Is it literary skill or
a matter of style? Sentences overflowing
with adjectives and adverbs can suck tension from the writing. Though it might vary with genre, there may
be a point of diminishing return with the flowery descriptions— Sometimes
satisfying to write but NOT always satisfying to read</span>.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Tension</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: Generally,
tension needs to remain taught. Many
misdiagnosed story problems are really sagging tension problems. Or, perhaps the tension is too intense or
prolonged and a break is needed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Conflict</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: A valuable,
if not necessary, story component. Are the protagonist and antagonist identifiable? Does
the author simply ‘claim’ the characters are in conflict and have to
convince the reader with narrative protestations, or do they craft the
personalities and situations so the conflict is inherent and organic,
e.g., put a racist, a person of color, a homophobe and homosexual in a
broken down elevator… and maybe throw in a time bomb. You’d have to work hard NOT to have
conflict.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Point of View</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: 1<sup>st</sup>
person, 3<sup>rd</sup> person, omniscient, etc. Who is telling the
story? Through whose eyes are we
looking? Is the POV established early
on and used consistently? The
choice of POV may not be the most powerful for the story. There may be unintended changes or
inconsistencies in POV. Intended
changes may not be clearly identified, causing confusion.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Narrative Tense</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: There
may be unintended changes or inconsistencies in past/present/future tense.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Action</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: Long
sections of descriptive narrative can drain tension. Scenes may need a higher proportion of
action, or some action interspersed.
Or, perhaps the action is too intense or prolonged and a break is
needed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Pacing</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: The story
may drag or race too quickly in general or at particular points.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Character Development</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: We may not feel we know a character;
their personality may not be discernible. We may not care about them or their situation. Characters may not be distinguishable
from each other. They may be too
stereotypical and not quirky or interesting enough. Motivation may be lacking for their
actions. They may not have a function/goal/purpose
in the story. They may not be learning,
changing or growing if that is required of them.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Plausibility</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: Things may
seem unlikely, e.g., this would never happen in the unique story world the
author has crafted. Or a character,
as the author has developed them, would never do or say such a thing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Plotting</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: Events of
the story may not flow logically, they may not offer an adequate structure
to support subsequent events, or may stray too far from an established
story problem. Depending on genre,
the plot/story events may need an arc with ratcheting tension.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Beginnings & Endings</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: A more compelling hook at the introduction
or a more satisfying conclusion may be required. A more discernable 3-act structure may be
helpful.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Drama vs Melodrama</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Does the drama feel real, deep and organic? Exaggerated emotions and stereotypical characters,
dialogue & behavior can contribute to melodrama.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Emotional Impact</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: The
author may <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">describe</i> the emotions
of the character but you, as the reader, can’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">experience</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel</i>
them. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Show-Don’t-Tell may help</b>. The author’s protestations that Roger is
full of rage may not translate the experience as well as watching Roger
shred his mattress with a hunting knife.
Taking it out of narrative description and ‘putting it into a
scene’ with action and dialogue can help.
And, do say what emotions you feel as you critique. The author may not have intended to
evoke those emotions.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Dialogue</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: May
be too stilted, cliché, too obvious or ‘on-the-nose’, more subtext may be beneficial. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">There may be a distracting over-use of dialect, slang, or cursing. May not be adequately grounded in narrative context. And related.... <b>Voice: </b>All characters may sound the same and can’t be distinguished. Dialogue may not be unique enough to reveal character. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Setting / Environment</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: Is the story is set in an environment that
maximizes the drama? Is the environment adequately described and used to best advantage in the
plot?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><b>The Big Picture: </b>This point is beautifully made by Jane Friedman on her blog: j</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">anefriedman.com - "Can we glimpse enough of the Big Picture to have that all-important yardstick? It's the 'big picture' that gives readers perspective and conveys the point of each scene, enabling them to add things up. If we don't know where the story is going, how can we tell if it's moving at all?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Forward Motion: </b> Is the story continually moving forward along the plot line?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The Five Senses: </b>The story's impact might be enhanced by mining the senses: sight, touch/feel, smell, taste, auditory sounds.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Archetypes / Universal Appeal</b>: The work may not resonate as relevant to
the reader. This may be purely subjective,
a matter of personal taste— but it could also be a deeper problem of overall
relevance; failure to identify and tap into issues that readers relate to. Or, the writing my not be appropriate for an identified audience. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Theme/Subject</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: The theme or subject may not be discernable, it may
not be profound or compelling enough to carry a full story, or the story
line may stray too far from the established theme/subject.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Mood & Tone</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: There
may not be a discernable mood or tone to the work, or portions may seem
out of alignment with the predominant mood and tone.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Command of the Language</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: General skill or quality of the writing
or phrasing may be lacking.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Word Choice</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: Ineffective
word choices, inaccurate word use, or repeated words may diminish the
story. The work may benefit from
expanded vocabulary, or perhaps, a more modest vocabulary. Tossing a million dollar word into a simply-told
story can stand out as pretentious or incongruous.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">To be, or not to be</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">: Overuse of the verb, to be, may diminish the
writing. Was, was, was… can plague
a page, and while the word may be grammatically correct, it can be
dramatically inept. More active verbs can usually replace ‘was’ and make
for more powerful prose.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Format</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Readability on the page and
professional presentation, Generally, flowery type fonts are discouraged,
proper use of tabs/indentations are expected. If varying from ‘industry standard’, it
is done so with purpose.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Factual Accuracy</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">The above
list is much abbreviated.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">Entire books
have been written on some of these elements and I'm sure there are many more I haven't noted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">When critiquing, also mention
things that you love about the piece or that seem to work very well.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Portions that are phrased
beautifully<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Characters you love to love,
or love to hate<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Sections that held your attention
or had you spell bound<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">Add your
own criteria for comment as you read through the piece. Say what works for you and what does not.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 23.85pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">ANY
thoughts or impressions you have as you review the material could be
valuable to the author!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">Try not to second-guess your instincts and first
impressions. Say what comes to mind.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-10580443347121144372012-07-07T06:56:00.000-07:002012-07-23T06:46:13.750-07:00<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 20pt;">A USEFUL CRITIQUE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Part I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYH8qVjNbX3KUnoWnChl3nS5vw2z3w-n2GzVwN1ScDOfUfcmctc6qfcDcQgmaY_eTmBXS5O0SuCqQHhR6YWnKJGyMshVwgf3vslsuGsbR0K_R80rO8GDD2IDlyDY9iXM4Bi-Od8daj2Y2E/s1600/web+Novel+Idea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYH8qVjNbX3KUnoWnChl3nS5vw2z3w-n2GzVwN1ScDOfUfcmctc6qfcDcQgmaY_eTmBXS5O0SuCqQHhR6YWnKJGyMshVwgf3vslsuGsbR0K_R80rO8GDD2IDlyDY9iXM4Bi-Od8daj2Y2E/s320/web+Novel+Idea.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">Barbara Wolcott's wonderful critique group, A Novel Idea. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">This SLO NightWriter's group has met happily for years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Find Barbara Wolcott at www.sanlobooks.com</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ffMuZ9QPijmWj3j5tdDYZN_bJISf0eBmAntD5oAfyaytBthXRWrpeIvOzlTOBFzqGPEJT5ihBM5GTFqW8b2eYF4iKGrFjtfEHdD0e5wwcVrsV2VT64AnS5_swkyrGF2BBvcZutRWmKnh/s1600/3+-+Portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ffMuZ9QPijmWj3j5tdDYZN_bJISf0eBmAntD5oAfyaytBthXRWrpeIvOzlTOBFzqGPEJT5ihBM5GTFqW8b2eYF4iKGrFjtfEHdD0e5wwcVrsV2VT64AnS5_swkyrGF2BBvcZutRWmKnh/s200/3+-+Portrait.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b>I have
the privilege of serving as Critique Group Coordinator for SLO
NightWriters. I’ve developed a starter
package for folks new to the critique group process. I call it, <i>A
Useful Critique</i>, and will share it here in two posts. Do copy and use it if you find it helpful!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b>Part 1 - Critique
Group Guidelines & Etiquette</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b>Part 2 - What
Makes a Helpful Critique </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, do comment. I’m always looking for pointers on how to
maximize the critique experience and would be grateful for your suggestions!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16pt;">Part I - Critique Group Guidelines & Etiquette<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">We eat,
sleep and breathe our own stories. We
dream about them, they live in our minds with vivid clarity. We feel the emotions, see the imagery, and
sense the tension. We laugh and cry in
all the right places. In our minds, our
own stories are perfect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt;">How could anyone else not get it?!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">I’m
betting that even the greatest writers need a reality check from a reader who
comes to the work fresh. And, I’m
guessing that even the uber-successful, best-selling authors have editors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Critique
groups can offer some of this feedback, and generally, free of charge. While they may not be professional literary
editors, group members can provide a first level review and give invaluable
feedback on points of confusion, and a multitude of things that may or may not
work in the writing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">I believe the best outcomes emerge
when members feel completely free to give their honest reactions, and writers
feel completely free to flush the feedback down the toilet if it doesn’t work
for them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">The below
group process guidelines may sound excessive but groups have gone awry without
vigilance and it’s not a pretty thing. It’s
a bit like a marriage— you need to find the right partners. When it works well, folks adore their critique
group members and wonder how they could survive their writing journeys without
them! I know I kiss the feet of mine, on
a regular basis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Every
critique group has their own style, focus and personality. Yours will be unique. Celebrate that!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">CRITIQUE GROUP PROCESS GUIDELINES <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Agree on Guidelines:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Agree on
these below, or some other set of group guidelines so that all group members
have the same understanding of the expectations and follow the same etiquette
during the process. These decisions
should work for the majority of members. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Agree on Logistics:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Agree on
optimal meetings times, frequency, and location. Will you meet in a coffee house or at
member’s homes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Agree on a Process Format:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Will you do a line-item edit or address
broader issues only? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Will you do electronic edits only or meet
face-to-face and read to each other aloud for an oral critique? Or, a combination of those?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Will you bring paper copies for each member,
or send them electronically in advance?
<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Will you read your own work aloud, or read
each others work (reading for each other can reduce the likelihood that
you’ll cover mistakes by dramatizing the work in a favorable way)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Will you wine/dine together or share snacks as
part of the meeting? Who brings the
refreshments?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">What is a reasonable amount of time to devote
per person? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Do you have a page or word limit to ensure
that all members can participate?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Do you have a membership limit to ensure that
all members can participate? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Will you welcome guests? If so, can they read and comment, or
listen only?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Group Facilitator:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Groups,
especially new groups, may benefit from a facilitator to keep the process on
track. Avoid the concept of ‘Leadership’
if possible. Remember to leave your egos
at the door. Generally, critique groups
are comprised of peers, sometimes with relatively equal footing and comparable
expertise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">The best
functioning groups are likely those who have grown to trust each other. Even if there is a member with more
experience, as long as sound group process and etiquette are followed, a
facilitator may not be required. If the
facilitator concept is one that is necessary or works well, it is best that all
group members agree on the assigned facilitator to minimize tension or
conflict. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">If you don’t want public comment
on a piece of work, do not bring it to critique group: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">The
critique process assumes the work will be read by others and will need to be as
powerful and clear as possible. Some
writing we do only for ourselves and we don’t care what others think; diaries,
journaling, deep personal work, etc. If
you don’t want honest comment, do not bring it to group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Do not bring the work expecting
only praise:</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">The group
is not assembling for the purpose of telling you how magnificent you are. Be open to all feedback, positive and
negative. If the feedback is
consistently of no value to you, consider joining another group, perhaps more
genre-specific or with more experienced writers. You are here to learn what works and what
doesn’t work from differing perspectives.
A viewpoint other than yours can be a gift. A room full of differing perspectives can be
a windfall. You’ve no obligation to
incorporate them. Just listen, say thank
you and assess. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Provide your feedback in
constructive terms: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Offer
comments that explain your perceptions.
Comments like ‘this sucks’ or ‘this is great’ are not particularly
helpful. Say specifically, what does and
doesn’t work, and why. Try to comment on
both the positives and the negatives.
The goal is to improve the work and help members learn to increase
theirs skills. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Respect for differing opinions is
mandatory:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Critique
group is no place for insults or disrespect.
Be vigilant about behaving in a respectful manner even if you abhor the
work, despise the author, or are offended by the content or feedback. Be considerate and professional at all
times. Don’t confuse respect with
traditional ‘politeness.’ In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Critique Group Etiquette</i>, giving
positive feedback just to be ‘polite,’ does not serve the work or the
author. Be genuine, with sensitivity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">If you disagree, do not argue:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Avoid the
temptation to defend or explain your work.
Unless that conversation can take place with a concise goal toward
helping to better the product, best to leave it alone. Critique process can easily get derailed by
explaining and defending, which can lead to arguing. There is no mandate to agree with, or use,
the feedback. Simply say, “I got it,
thank you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Do not insist that others adopt
your style, morals, or values:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Avoid the
temptation to impose your writing style, morals or values onto others. The goal of the critique is to help the
author be the best that he/she can be using their own unique style, drawing
from their own very personal ethics and life experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Group members have the right to
opt out of a critique:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Any
member has the right opt out of a particular critique with no explanations
required. If you are critiquing a piece
on a subject that is too controversial, inflammatory or difficult for you, you
may simply say, “I prefer not to offer comment on this piece.” NO QUESTIONS ASKED. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Do unto others… reciprocate the
work:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;"> Avoid the cavalier brush
off-<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">While members aren’t ‘forced’ to
comment and may opt out, do avoid the attitude, “Oh, that’s not my genre.” Even if you don’t usually read YA vampires, try
to use your general expertise to find fundamental story elements to comment
upon. Is it clear, well paced, adequate
tension, character development etc.
Others will work hard to comment on your piece. Repay the favor with good-faith attention to
their details and to basic principles of writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;"> Bring your best work possible-<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: 31.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Unless otherwise agreed upon by group
members, bring the work in the best shape possible. Avoid placing undue burden on your members to
correct obvious problems. We all climb
the hills of our own learning curves. Mistakes
and genuine limitations of skill are acceptable— sloppy and lazy are not. This includes incorporating lessons learned
from previous sessions. It is
exasperating listening to yet another chapter where Suzy mixes her POVs or present
and past tenses when she herself has agreed that it doesn’t work, but can’t be
bothered to fix them. Avoid, ‘Oh, my
critique group will find those for me.’
Do the work required of you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Harmony:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">If there
are irreconcilable differences or factions in the group that make the
experience untenable or detract from the group’s ability to provide helpful
feedback, it may be advisable to split into separate groups to maximize harmony
and effectiveness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Leave your egos at the door: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">You are
not present to show how brilliant you are or how stupid others are. It is not about you. It is all about the work, and making it the
best it can be, for ALL members. It is
also about supporting ALL members to enhance their skills. You are not present to dominate any
conversations or impose your will over others.
If you cannot leave your ego at the door, give your group members the
greatest gift of all, and gracefully… quit the group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16pt;">An Etiquette Reminder <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Most of us would not tolerate
rude or inconsiderate behavior in our social interactions. Critique Group Etiquette is no different. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Honor your attendance agreements:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Your host and your members
have essentially, blocked out at least an entire ½ day to the session. They can’t meet any of their own obligations
because they have committed to this group.
If you are cavalier in your attendance it affects the lives of all
members. Everyone has cleared their
calendars and your host has likely cleaned house, farmed out spouse and
children, and prepared snacks and drinks.
If you cannot attend, call the host as far in advance as possible. If the meeting has to be cancelled due to
non-attendance, with enough notice, perhaps the host and all other members have
a chance to plan a normal day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Be on time to the meeting:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Your members rely on your
feedback. If you are late to the
meeting, you deprive members of important input to their work. They may not get a second chance for that
input. And, if you are late, you
interrupt a meeting already in progress.
You get the benefit of all others critiquing your work, but you did not
repay the favor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If you telephone during
the meeting to say you are not attending, you interrupt a meeting already in
progress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Submit your work in a timely fashion:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If you send your work in
electronically ahead of time, and are late in doing so, it forces other members
to scramble to review your writing before the meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Honor you page limit agreements:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Page limits are generally a good idea if you
need to guarantee time for each of your group members. It’s beyond annoying for someone to read
through multiple chapters when you’ve agreed to a shorter limit. And, extremely awkward to be forced into a
position of interrupting to say… enough please. </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">See A Useful Critique Part II for </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">'What Makes a Helpful Critique'</span></b></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-54293308286506150742012-07-02T06:17:00.004-07:002012-08-30T06:52:02.006-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;">Strategic Planning </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">for SLO
NightWriters</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo62piMQn4mUNK5RJF4fNplnhOD4jJtoqzYeBYdbuuW9VmhXp_oW7oigPDdMjDybvsCg1T4L8Si8BL9IZHH9MR-Nt6YNMfUsE8JdArh9dyiYum6L3QycjPzRJEEuUhmwVRuKWDiNGXr_d6/s1600/slo-logo-newColor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo62piMQn4mUNK5RJF4fNplnhOD4jJtoqzYeBYdbuuW9VmhXp_oW7oigPDdMjDybvsCg1T4L8Si8BL9IZHH9MR-Nt6YNMfUsE8JdArh9dyiYum6L3QycjPzRJEEuUhmwVRuKWDiNGXr_d6/s200/slo-logo-newColor.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU8NfxzlU-NdejVvHOVvxl3zUncQAO7IJiOgoo7S-kK2d0Flb7uGcwICVd-DzIakrYP4Ay2AEN64uPF0NHInhvDv-pqgFEM3dQuCawigAiEGP-ovAfMu-nwLDTsriaP_uAI-DZnxYbYVQ/s1600/web+NW+board+strag+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU8NfxzlU-NdejVvHOVvxl3zUncQAO7IJiOgoo7S-kK2d0Flb7uGcwICVd-DzIakrYP4Ay2AEN64uPF0NHInhvDv-pqgFEM3dQuCawigAiEGP-ovAfMu-nwLDTsriaP_uAI-DZnxYbYVQ/s640/web+NW+board+strag+plan.jpg" width="473" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">A few of our NW Board Members. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Dennis Young and moi, Sharyl Heber in the back row, </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Judy Salamacha, Judy Guarnara, and Susan Tuttle in the front.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">I thought
when I retired from my job with the State of California I was done with
committees and 'work' responsibilities.
Now, finally I can just spend my time writing! But, it seems there's more business to come! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">For
years, as part of the Standards Compliance office in a huge hospital, I had
been heavily involved the strategic planning process for the organization. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;">I’m currently
on the Board of Directors for SLO NightWriters and, as it turns out, non-profit
organizations need strategic plans too.
So, all that business practice is coming in handy! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">NightWriters
is working with a fabulous consultant, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Delia
Horwitz</b>, co-author of Collaboration Soup, A Six Step Recipe For Co-Creative
Meetings. She’s worked with many boards
and organizations and is helping us to perfect our new strategic plan and to
facilitate effective Board meeting process.
I’m delighted to plug her services here!
She’s amazing! Find her at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">www.collaborationsoup.com</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">SLo NightWriters has a
Board that is passionate about writing.
We're deeply committed to growing the organization and serving the NW
membership. We’ve reaffirmed and
tightened our mission, crafted a wonderful vision for the future, and proposed
some exciting goals and objectives, all of which we’ll put before the NW
membership-- scheduled for the September NW meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">SLO
NightWriters has always been a great community for writers and we’ll be even
better in the future! Visit us at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">www.slonightwriters.com</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBTqAw8mE1piNPxjPZY1vAYCxXzdFmx2remrKu3JfLSqoJh37-XDH7HTb1f_S9FPIb3bdElS-jqmInhPRiJJj0gQTqXrO_hfnojwffuD_puqvqQesCmKPsFH-7Z-h3AaVUw0x2lCq2xH2/s1600/web+delia+&+dennis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBTqAw8mE1piNPxjPZY1vAYCxXzdFmx2remrKu3JfLSqoJh37-XDH7HTb1f_S9FPIb3bdElS-jqmInhPRiJJj0gQTqXrO_hfnojwffuD_puqvqQesCmKPsFH-7Z-h3AaVUw0x2lCq2xH2/s320/web+delia+&+dennis.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Here’s
Delia with our NW President, Dennis Young. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-38649255607285531732012-06-28T11:58:00.001-07:002012-07-07T06:11:35.973-07:00<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbzdoljA4P_JAoBRBYjqFoN28vVzzae_zXFZb19LnYJhx95s20wsQdwezGTAyFDvt7RhGmMhfjeKTIH3Kr5cZHTTpieNXetcBLT_-iEozucddv88AxZTUbK9dxAVbuYlxcs5CGANGZVUf/s1600/web+2011+RSVP+Gift+Basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbzdoljA4P_JAoBRBYjqFoN28vVzzae_zXFZb19LnYJhx95s20wsQdwezGTAyFDvt7RhGmMhfjeKTIH3Kr5cZHTTpieNXetcBLT_-iEozucddv88AxZTUbK9dxAVbuYlxcs5CGANGZVUf/s400/web+2011+RSVP+Gift+Basket.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Volunteering in SLO County</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">SLO NightWriter board members
are considered community volunteers and include their hours with a community
total in SLO County’s Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In 2011 we attended the annual recognition
ceremony and donated a plentiful basket of SLO NW authored books and writing
supplies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZJfNIl_EGZdWAt5DPFcaSI6nFg2Y9h-vmiDHUNziJbi8HfTGPqqcx2l7Lg-lmA3k_R8v6WH7FT7c0LYaTTiDBLsKijhtrP0NUjzW2rAusWcS2Y-oOV57nYCT9dc7lw4MoQgmnjoKpI5w/s1600/web+rsvp+gift+basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZJfNIl_EGZdWAt5DPFcaSI6nFg2Y9h-vmiDHUNziJbi8HfTGPqqcx2l7Lg-lmA3k_R8v6WH7FT7c0LYaTTiDBLsKijhtrP0NUjzW2rAusWcS2Y-oOV57nYCT9dc7lw4MoQgmnjoKpI5w/s320/web+rsvp+gift+basket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Visit RSVP for many volunteer options. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.rsvpcentralcoast.org/volunteers.html</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-40449633024218606662012-06-28T11:32:00.001-07:002012-08-30T06:57:17.741-07:00<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOA8qxQxQf9ZB4a62p1jpcpLHO4JZi68SCLRDBqvAjRrbtnER-m3L_0kMAk8ch6vpTKuygGK_jpQEz8Jf-MsFVtGTErDBI1C__3_uFdM43jlQ34m1FzN6Oe7ZUz7l3IfNGVODg-2PLtwID/s1600/web+silly+holiday+skit+cast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOA8qxQxQf9ZB4a62p1jpcpLHO4JZi68SCLRDBqvAjRrbtnER-m3L_0kMAk8ch6vpTKuygGK_jpQEz8Jf-MsFVtGTErDBI1C__3_uFdM43jlQ34m1FzN6Oe7ZUz7l3IfNGVODg-2PLtwID/s400/web+silly+holiday+skit+cast.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1Iwo2QJiEIGIFcIm-bIZ2YLCyRO4yxe4U8udc0deYyCxCJe9AqUD23qVAsdPIRAbsL3EbZ1kcvc82xZ5P0Kt8lEDjaMPmpsfZ86H6TBWQPcS-LV8gyw6AwP-BRrUamong5ImDpjHEJng/s1600/web+co+authors+silly+skits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1Iwo2QJiEIGIFcIm-bIZ2YLCyRO4yxe4U8udc0deYyCxCJe9AqUD23qVAsdPIRAbsL3EbZ1kcvc82xZ5P0Kt8lEDjaMPmpsfZ86H6TBWQPcS-LV8gyw6AwP-BRrUamong5ImDpjHEJng/s400/web+co+authors+silly+skits.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Holiday Fun with SLO NightWriters</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo62piMQn4mUNK5RJF4fNplnhOD4jJtoqzYeBYdbuuW9VmhXp_oW7oigPDdMjDybvsCg1T4L8Si8BL9IZHH9MR-Nt6YNMfUsE8JdArh9dyiYum6L3QycjPzRJEEuUhmwVRuKWDiNGXr_d6/s1600/slo-logo-newColor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo62piMQn4mUNK5RJF4fNplnhOD4jJtoqzYeBYdbuuW9VmhXp_oW7oigPDdMjDybvsCg1T4L8Si8BL9IZHH9MR-Nt6YNMfUsE8JdArh9dyiYum6L3QycjPzRJEEuUhmwVRuKWDiNGXr_d6/s200/slo-logo-newColor.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Each December SLO
NightWriters puts on a holiday bash that generally includes a very silly skit –
Susan Tuttle www.susantuttlewrites.com and yours truly, moi, are frequently
co-authors of said silliness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Somehow we
manage to coerce other NightWriter members into humiliating themselves. And, NightWriters happens to be blessed with
some actual singing talent! (NOT MINE!!)
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">So far, we’ve
spoofed a critique group of author greats --Dr. Seuss critiquing Charles
Dickens; Rewritten Christmas carol favorites and woven them into a Dickensian-reality-show-musical
<i>So You Think You Can Write</i>; Taken off
on a West Side Story rumble; and Twisted The Sound of Music into the age of
electronic publishing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In 2012, thanks
to Susan’s commitment and diligence, we’re heading toward a My Fair Lady debacle. Lets see what happens! We’ll never make it to Broadway. We’ll be lucky to make it to YouTube! But we have fun!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-641196046256459522012-06-28T11:28:00.000-07:002012-09-24T07:19:15.398-07:00Central Coast Writers Conference 2011<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6IrSOxreszGBGMkNbFknNmXW0abmJBEQWRM0BM5hu7GBPi_JZ0FPJ-TiWOSyYzD7-kqenpg0ZuQIyLi2R5lRsvAd4ty_9AcUtBWfj3OqALPuYvZ98MJw6YHExxUEpn6Eltrw5claY6-j/s1600/Web+CCWC+2011+Volunteers+grp+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6IrSOxreszGBGMkNbFknNmXW0abmJBEQWRM0BM5hu7GBPi_JZ0FPJ-TiWOSyYzD7-kqenpg0ZuQIyLi2R5lRsvAd4ty_9AcUtBWfj3OqALPuYvZ98MJw6YHExxUEpn6Eltrw5claY6-j/s640/Web+CCWC+2011+Volunteers+grp+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Volunteering at the Central Coast Writers Conference</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
look forward every year to the CCWC at Cuesta Junior College in San Luis Obispo!
The conference is held each Fall, on a
Friday evening and all day Saturday. I
love it so much, I volunteer! Checking
writers in, I see returning grinning faces and meet writers new to the
conference. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The conference has a great teen program.
It warms my heart to watch those fresh young creative souls, starting
their journeys as authors. Every year I
think, where would I be as a writer now, if I had been encouraged at a young
age, if I had participated with other more experienced writers and taken
concentrated classes in the craft. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Topics are offered on every aspect of writing are presented by successful authors, publishers, and
agents-- poetry, crafting character, genre specifics, dialogue, screenwriting,
publishing, finding an agent, social media & electronics and much more.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Breakfast is provided for all and pre-purchased lunches are available. The food is delish. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">So
many details go into making a successful event, many of which take place
before we event-volunteers even show up for the day but, once on site, we work
hard to ensure that folks are checked in, comfortable, well cared for, fed, and
oriented to their classes etc. As
volunteers we do get to attend the sessions and meet the faculty at a great
party afterward. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">SLO Nightwriters sponsors and is heavily involved in
the event. I’ve attended CCWC’s since 1998 and I always come away educated, inspired, and optimistic. It’s a wonderful venue to connect and network! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Visit www.communityprograms.net for
conference information.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-6535439988367958832012-06-28T11:24:00.003-07:002012-08-30T06:59:26.072-07:00<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">SLO NightWriters</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo62piMQn4mUNK5RJF4fNplnhOD4jJtoqzYeBYdbuuW9VmhXp_oW7oigPDdMjDybvsCg1T4L8Si8BL9IZHH9MR-Nt6YNMfUsE8JdArh9dyiYum6L3QycjPzRJEEuUhmwVRuKWDiNGXr_d6/s1600/slo-logo-newColor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo62piMQn4mUNK5RJF4fNplnhOD4jJtoqzYeBYdbuuW9VmhXp_oW7oigPDdMjDybvsCg1T4L8Si8BL9IZHH9MR-Nt6YNMfUsE8JdArh9dyiYum6L3QycjPzRJEEuUhmwVRuKWDiNGXr_d6/s200/slo-logo-newColor.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’m proud to be member of,
and on the Board of Directors for, San Luis Obispo's SLO </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">NightWriters,
the premier writing organization of the Central Coast of California. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Come join us! We have writers of every shape and size, genre
and skill level. Published, unpublished,
all are welcome! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Evening meetings are on
the second Tuesday of every month, 7pm, year round. Visit us for free, great speakers, writer
camaraderie, networking. Refreshments
are served. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Check our website for most
current meeting location www.slonightwriters.org and contact us at slonightwriters@yahoo.com<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
mission of San Luis Obispo NightWriters </span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">is to advance quality writing, </span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">promote publication,
and expand author recognition </span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">in a forum </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">that nurtures a spirit of community </span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">for all its members.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Provide venues for SLO County writers to meet and
connect with each other in a supportive environment</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Extend opportunities to advertise and expand members’
bios, publications, websites/blogs/links, services, and platforms</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Contribute education & skill training to NW
members and NW website/newsletter readers</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Offer inspiration, recognition, encouragement to its
members via meetings, contests, newsletter, website etc. </span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Present opportunities for peer review and critique via
critique groups and workshops</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Introduce members and their works to the San Luis
Obispo Community via Tolosa Press, Arts Obispo, and other local publications
and venues</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Serve as a clearinghouse for SLO County, making NW a
local go-to-hub for information on skills, writing events, resources,
opportunities etc. via website, newsletter, meetings and workshops –</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Advance recognition of the Central Coast of CA as a
known and respected entity for writer fulfillment and success via NW
website/links, book-signings, publicity, events etc.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-40016593805778889782012-06-28T11:17:00.001-07:002012-07-02T07:39:47.090-07:00<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cIhLNrHk61oy4vQsBrt96UMnL0Sc_1nNaID57LSGyREPYDpQeYTxIXmRBASRve_jFy7utJY5KQnbPmkQ2FbuuBrjvYFgRK67XKFQHyX3qH2b4LVGSeXJLtJL0RrVf2GT50L1SHEXZmWy/s1600/web+2011+nw+critique+panel+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cIhLNrHk61oy4vQsBrt96UMnL0Sc_1nNaID57LSGyREPYDpQeYTxIXmRBASRve_jFy7utJY5KQnbPmkQ2FbuuBrjvYFgRK67XKFQHyX3qH2b4LVGSeXJLtJL0RrVf2GT50L1SHEXZmWy/s400/web+2011+nw+critique+panel+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Critique Groups with SLO NightWriters</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’m delighted to hold the
position of Critique Group Coordinator on the SLO NightWriters Board of
Directors. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">That means I assist NW
members in locating or starting a critique group and provide guidelines for creating a productive
and satisfying critique experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We’re just about to host the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2<sup>nd</sup> annual <span style="color: black;">Night of Critique</span></b><span style="color: black;"> at</span> the August 2012 SLO NightWriters meeting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Last year, members brought 250-500 words to
read at the microphone and received feedback from a panel of critiquers. The
panel pictured here consisted of: myself, three critique group leaders, Barbara Wolcott,
Susan Tuttle and Lorie Brailler; and two NW women skilled and seasoned in the
art of critique, Laurie Woodward and Anne Schroeder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The work presented was varied in genre—a
screenplay, first chapters of novels, a children’s picture book, a novel
summary, even a college entrance essay! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Critiquing is an art, but not limited to an
elite few. We can all can listen and provide helpful feedback from our own
unique point of view, honing our assessment skills as we grow and learn. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The beauty of a critique group<i> </i>is the varied
perspective that it offers. We each perceive things differently and bring an
assortment of strengths and skills to the table. It’s all about supporting the
writer and the work to their highest potential. Reviewers need to stay positive
and constructive while considering the specific needs of the genre. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More on Critique Groups to come in a future post. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Part I - Critique Group Process Guidelines</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Part 2 - A Useful Critique</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-59358845432695508952012-06-28T10:37:00.001-07:002012-07-05T05:52:34.816-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI1wtgDZ1YvQe2wXVd8AGeu-JSPkSEKLrrVAViU3_R8QPEoLWkEBal8JcKJ0iGnR2EA658Q-OH5hauMdxLlz5ByzaCgVflAlm5K2a4c6ojbR0lIAGSR0wsR41WKfE-GRxE4DvwRD3t7lU/s1600/web+c+ryan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI1wtgDZ1YvQe2wXVd8AGeu-JSPkSEKLrrVAViU3_R8QPEoLWkEBal8JcKJ0iGnR2EA658Q-OH5hauMdxLlz5ByzaCgVflAlm5K2a4c6ojbR0lIAGSR0wsR41WKfE-GRxE4DvwRD3t7lU/s400/web+c+ryan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>A Workshop with Catherine Ryan Hyde</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">On April 24-25, 2010</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> I attended an intensive workshop on Self-Editing with Catherine</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">(Pay it Forward and 17 other novels, to date.) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">You’d think it would be grueling after 16 hours, but honestly,
I left feeling energized and inspired.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Seven of
us met in her Cambria studio with our first 30 pages of a work-in-progress, and
we dove right in to an in-depth critique for all.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Catherine read the material aloud (noting
that we’ll hear it the way it presents on the page and not the way we would
dramatize it for our audience – true and so beneficial.)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Each of us received a good solid hour and 45
minutes worth of devoted attention from the room.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">We covered everything from the broader issues
of substance:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Did the piece start where
it needed to?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Were we hooked?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Were there points of confusion? -- to
sentence structure, grammar and punctuation, and many topics in between.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Any and all questions were posed and
answered.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Catherine’s studio is
delightful, the pace of the process moved comfortably, and while we writers
were seriously focused, the ambiance was blissfully casual.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">The enthusiasm was high, the pressure was
low.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Catherine’s expertise is abundant
and she is a supportive and generous teacher.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">She periodically offers workshops and says she is open to requests for them
on a variety of topics.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Catherine can be
reached via her website, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>www.catherineryanhyde.com</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-59411539719037677342012-06-28T10:31:00.000-07:002012-06-29T09:16:46.459-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLYwDyiSafphQT5DEje9sDVrkrTSNEoL1HjE_oEypQU1mwA58OhuPzZusKPoXHrPO24u8tJjZoE3fu-QBks_TI8pVc7xmJhQBELiT740LYtJXofIz0SDhTdcfR0GthTD155OSQzcg1NEH/s1600/web+2010+School+District+Judge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLYwDyiSafphQT5DEje9sDVrkrTSNEoL1HjE_oEypQU1mwA58OhuPzZusKPoXHrPO24u8tJjZoE3fu-QBks_TI8pVc7xmJhQBELiT740LYtJXofIz0SDhTdcfR0GthTD155OSQzcg1NEH/s400/web+2010+School+District+Judge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Award Winning Young
Writers of SLO County! </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In April of 2010 and 2011, I joined a group of teachers to serve as judges
for the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education "Writing
Celebration" competition. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Student entries are from grades 1-12 and are
submitted in 4 categories: Poetry, Personal Experience, Expository and
Imaginative Narrative. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The first level screening occurs at the school district
level with approximately 600 entries sent to the county level to be judged. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">An
award's ceremony is held for the winners at Laguna Middle School in SLO in May.
Medals and certificates are given to the first place winners. Honorable mentions are also awarded. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It's a privilege to read this work!! There is some amazing young talent in our
county! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.slocoe.org/</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508259106476580541.post-45966391654273046212012-06-28T10:25:00.000-07:002012-06-29T09:14:46.475-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfev59LwZrZJGPzNIfYTz_c5FzQEYGvwYNLIGWU8PgmJ05tNUW-Z6DLRy6zuqEeurQxUUm7HmQTstkvKF-_hJC1yGR7t-Fs9_9mPHuGqdDs7veqvS0Z5mY3WcF4znUdwcS4bx23xiGoF2/s1600/Web+book+faire+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfev59LwZrZJGPzNIfYTz_c5FzQEYGvwYNLIGWU8PgmJ05tNUW-Z6DLRy6zuqEeurQxUUm7HmQTstkvKF-_hJC1yGR7t-Fs9_9mPHuGqdDs7veqvS0Z5mY3WcF4znUdwcS4bx23xiGoF2/s320/Web+book+faire+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>San Luis Obispo Books and Authors Faire</b></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Here we are representing SLO NightWriters
at the 2010 San Luis Obispo Books and Authors fair in the Mission Plaza, m</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">aking books authored by NightWriter members available
for sale.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Joining me here are local SLO authors
and wonderful women, Anne Schroeder </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">www.readanneschroeder.com</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">
and Ruth Goodnow with her sweet Corgi, Rosie.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> w</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">ww.kateupdikeoconnor.blogspot.com</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720843289211261566noreply@blogger.com0