Reading for insight

I reread books to find clues to how other authors create tension, connect the dots, keep readers turning the pages. Currently I'm interested in multiple point of view characters and techniques to structure these in a story. In the Time Traveler's Wife Henry and Claire each are primary POV characters. Each tells the story of their love affair from their own perspective. Each scene is identified in terms of time and age of the two characters. The reader always knows where she is in time and whose POV is 'telling' the story. Each scene is written in first person. Everything about the story flows, each character relates his/her viewpoint in their own voice. Excellent structure for handling multiple characters, shifts in time, and creating story tension.
See new post on Dubious Grief page.

Writing first lines

In the short story class I've taken the instructor - Nina Hoffman - encourages students to write first lines for stories. These first lines generate ideas for the story and aim to generate interest in the reader. I took up the challenge and over the past several days I've written opening lines for each of the fifteen chapters I envision for my reorganized Dubious Grief. With each attempt at generating first lines my insight into what each chapter is about emerged more clearly. Some of my chapter titles changed as well as two section titles. This exercise has brought clarity to some hazy concepts. And I now have a better roadmap from which to rewrite my story.

I'm Back!

Let's just say I took a short hiatus from blogging to READ - WRITE - REWRITE but mostly to THINK about my Dubious Grief story. I struggled through the memoir writing class for the third time and was at my wits end trying to find my voice and my story. I pondered the essential question: what is this book about? throughout February - March - April. And then one day in early May a voice somewhere inside my skull screamed "GRIEF you idiot!" Even the title - Dubious Grief - shouted the story; how could I have missed it all this time? Immediately I embarked on devising a new story structure based exclusively on my grieving. Where had my grief begun? What had awakened my grief? Changing the focus from what happened to Glen, his struggle and my reaction to it, I now focus on what was happening with me during that time. This book is about my journey with grief and hence the working title became: Dubious Grief: A Journey because grief is not an event, it's a journey. Yesterday I drafted sixteen pages about my two-day getaway in July 2008 and how taking care of myself landed me on my path of awakening grief. That is when and where my story began.

Upward turn?

It's been a while since I've posted. It has been a difficult few months but now I feel I'm moving out from that stuck place where writing is difficult if not impossible. I struggled through the memoir writing class but last night I read a piece I've been trying to write for a long time. But it was not the right time until now. And this morning I awoke feeling lighter, as if a heavy weight has been lifted from my heart. Tomorrow is the fourth anniversary of my husband Glen's death. The piece I wrote over several weeks and read last needs some rewriting, but I've posted it on the Dubious Grief page. Now I feel I am truly moving forward with my life - not that my journey is over, but that my life has meaning, purpose, and is worth living.
New post on Dubious Grief page.

Back in the writing grove

With the holidays behind me I've settled back into my writing grove; two hours creative writing and an hour of editing. A good balance between right and left brain activity. Two weeks into the memoir writing class, connecting with other writers, and writing with my fellow writer on Friday morning keeps me writing. It's all about motivation, connection, and dedication.
See new post on Dubious Grief page.

Holiday Scramble

I've not posted in over a month - and have not written much either. Instead I've been caught up in the "holiday scramble." For me it begins with Thanksgiving; shopping, food preparation, and sharing the meal with friends and family. It's nonstop from there. Creating gifts, shopping at the holiday market for special hand crafted gifts, wrapping and mailing. Then there was the ten day trip to the east coast to visit my 92 year old mother, my sisters, and nephews. So now that the scramble is over - yeah! - I turn my attention to writing. I've jotted down several ideas for short stories and now it's time to let the words flow. Writing is my gift to myself. It replenishes my soul, my spirit, my life.

Halloween Trilogy: Part Two

Attended the short story writing class this week and received feedback on the 1000 word short story Rat Plagued Hobgoblins. I have reworked it, adding some Scottish phrases to make the setting - rural Scotland in the early 20th century - clearer for the reader. I originally did a little research on hobgoblins and found these little helpers are part of Scottish Folklore. Although I hinted at the Scottish origins, several of my classmates felt readers needed more to indicate the setting. I've posted the revised story on the shot story page. This week I turned in the third story for the halloween trilogy - Immodest Witches - for critique. I will add it to the short story page after receiving feedback.