I'm always hoping to pick something up and really have it knock my socks off.
This has occurred a handful of times in the last few years - Stephen King's 'Salem's Lot, The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy (masterful mystery layout, this guy is a genius), John Connolly's Every Dead Thing (currently my favorite author).
Mostly, though, I just end up thinking - That wasn't bad.
Wow, what a ringing endorsement.
The thing is, the one piece of advice that every published author will offer in unison is to read and read widely. Identify what you like and what you'd like to write. Identify who does it well. Who does your style resemble? Then read that person and similar authors. Read them from an author's point of view (as well as a fan and reader's) and study what makes them so good. Read in that same genre and go find the seminal works. Raymond Chandler is what stands out to me as someone I ought to have read for this reason - hard boiled, American mysteries.
Then, when you've done all that, read wider. Read horror and comedies and science fiction and literary fiction and historical fiction. Read the masters in all these categories and more. Read with an eye for what works and what doesn't. Read with an eye for what works for certain genres but not others. Be a student of the game, to use a widely used sports reference.
I ask you all, mostly so I can stop wasting time on stuff that 'isn't bad' - What have you read over the last few years that has truly stood out to you as outstanding?
Oh, and two additional things.
1) I'm trying out the amazon associates marketing program and will occasionally provide links like the below to books I may occasionally mention. They will only be items I have read and highly recommend. Please don't click them and then get upset with me.
2) Speaking of Amazon, they have now brought down the once mighty Barnes & Noble. I'm more and more curious about Kindle with each passing day, especially now that you can get a WiFi only version for $139 (I think these things were over $400 when they debuted. I'd like to hear your thoughts on e-reading, if you have any. Will the ultimate victor be Apple and the iPad?
Friday, August 20, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
"There is no good writing; there is only good rewriting."
Who said it?
Well, Justice Louis Brandeis of course. You knew that, you say. Was on the tip of your tongue, yes?
This month's issue of The Writer Magazine has a quick blurb by Noelle Stern on writer's block (and no, I won't capitalize it, for you or anyone). Ms. Stern quotes His Honor as a way of dispelling all the excuses you can think of and make you feel guilty for having thought them.
No, that's not her intent. I added that inference for you.
But the quote made me think. I wrote 1,000 words this past Friday night - my first writing other than the previous blog post since 6/30/09. That's right; and from the same guy who quoted Harper Lee on Facebook today. I'm not proud it has gotten away from me for such a length of time, but I do know why.
I've been getting killed at work.
I'm stressed.
I have three young and demanding children.
Blah, blah, blah.
I can't tell you how many people say, when we get around to discussing writing, "Oh, I've always thought I'd like to try that."
And I think of Jedi Master Yoda from a certain iconic trilogy. "Do or do not. There is no try."
"You should try," I say instead. And that's when the reasons come - reasons why one cannot. I know them. I've used them. I'm angry at them.
The one that bothers me most is, "It won't be any good." It certainly won't, but that's beside the point. I started out intent to write a novel. I wouldn't be satisfied with short works or scenes to polish style or dialogue or to practice building characters or weaving together plot. I was afraid I couldn't wrap things up nicely in 2,000 words. No, not me. I'd need 80,000 at least.
Was the first draft of my first novel good? Are you kidding me? Of course not. Alas, my rewriting (see this entry's title) has been slow and slowed further by the rampant idea for my second novel, a new job and the myriad excuses above.
Write because writing is fun. Write because it is difficult and rewarding. Write because it isn't television or Facebook or the demands of job and family. Write because it is escape. I will. I do.
By the way, anyone in or from the 'East Bay' interested in contributing to a joint blog/literary journal on reading and writing? Any topic therein is on the table.
Well, Justice Louis Brandeis of course. You knew that, you say. Was on the tip of your tongue, yes?
This month's issue of The Writer Magazine has a quick blurb by Noelle Stern on writer's block (and no, I won't capitalize it, for you or anyone). Ms. Stern quotes His Honor as a way of dispelling all the excuses you can think of and make you feel guilty for having thought them.
No, that's not her intent. I added that inference for you.
But the quote made me think. I wrote 1,000 words this past Friday night - my first writing other than the previous blog post since 6/30/09. That's right; and from the same guy who quoted Harper Lee on Facebook today. I'm not proud it has gotten away from me for such a length of time, but I do know why.
I've been getting killed at work.
I'm stressed.
I have three young and demanding children.
Blah, blah, blah.
I can't tell you how many people say, when we get around to discussing writing, "Oh, I've always thought I'd like to try that."
And I think of Jedi Master Yoda from a certain iconic trilogy. "Do or do not. There is no try."
"You should try," I say instead. And that's when the reasons come - reasons why one cannot. I know them. I've used them. I'm angry at them.
The one that bothers me most is, "It won't be any good." It certainly won't, but that's beside the point. I started out intent to write a novel. I wouldn't be satisfied with short works or scenes to polish style or dialogue or to practice building characters or weaving together plot. I was afraid I couldn't wrap things up nicely in 2,000 words. No, not me. I'd need 80,000 at least.
Was the first draft of my first novel good? Are you kidding me? Of course not. Alas, my rewriting (see this entry's title) has been slow and slowed further by the rampant idea for my second novel, a new job and the myriad excuses above.
Write because writing is fun. Write because it is difficult and rewarding. Write because it isn't television or Facebook or the demands of job and family. Write because it is escape. I will. I do.
By the way, anyone in or from the 'East Bay' interested in contributing to a joint blog/literary journal on reading and writing? Any topic therein is on the table.
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