I'm in the midst of teaching my first online course through Pennwriters and I'm thrilled at the quality of work that's been submitted. My students are asking great questions that force me to think about various areas of craft. For me, this is one of the greatest benefits of teaching - I learn as much from the students questions and submissions as they do by taking the course.
Even better is the fact that we have a variety of writing styles and genres in the online course. We have romance, fantasy and literary to name a few, represented by the participants.
I have always believed that writers from various genres and forms learn the most by interacting with those who write in different genres and forms. I think this course, as well as the in person course I'm teaching at Running Wild is proving this.
An example is that an unnamed student in the Running Wild Workshop had attended a workshop run by a different group/person. In the Running Wild Worshop we have persons who write in crime fiction, literary fiction, fantasy, historic, and who typically write plays.
The unnamed student said she was a little disappointed in the other workshop because the writing seemed homogonized and that everyone was too positive so that the writers didn't learn how to improve.
Of course I felt vindicated when she said she prefered interacting with writers from a variety of backgrounds because she learns so much more. I'm so happy that students find value in the courses.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Change
In the midst of change we find ourselves, even if we lose ourselves a bit along the way.
Change is what drives story. Something has changed. A love is no longer. A calm sea is in distress. A once stable marriage is in tumult. Nations war. A child is born. A broken heart. A healed heart. Friends become enemies. Enemies become friends.
Without change there is no story, no conflict, no interest, no reason to read or become engaged.
Yet change in our lives can be haphazard, difficult, nerve wracking, joyous, painful, euphoric.
In the next few weeks, I will have major life changes that will hopefully come to resolution.
The final ties of a relationship long ago broken should be severed. This sounds horrid but it is something I have anticipated for three years now. I have been in wait for the day to come, October 20, in which hopefully the final verdict will be made and I can move on with my life. The door opening, greater opportunities available on the other side.
An agreement signed for the company I work for to be taken over by another. A takeover for which we have been preparing for nearly a year. Another door that has been closed will become open with the final inking of official documents. The blessing of countries finalizing a corporate bond. Another ending that promises greater beginnings.
The months or years of anticipation have included all of the emotions mentioned above but mostly a feeling of living in wait. A type of "life pause" that involves preparation and promises much yet at times can feel unbearable especially when I only want resolution. A final verdict. An ending to initiate a beginning.
And these experiences are what stories come from. They seed the subconcious and are then fertilized and watered with time and experience to one day join the roots and branches of the ever growing tree of self to then reroot in the form of a story about a shop, a poem about architecture, a painting of lillies, a photo of a lake.
Change is what drives story. Something has changed. A love is no longer. A calm sea is in distress. A once stable marriage is in tumult. Nations war. A child is born. A broken heart. A healed heart. Friends become enemies. Enemies become friends.
Without change there is no story, no conflict, no interest, no reason to read or become engaged.
Yet change in our lives can be haphazard, difficult, nerve wracking, joyous, painful, euphoric.
In the next few weeks, I will have major life changes that will hopefully come to resolution.
The final ties of a relationship long ago broken should be severed. This sounds horrid but it is something I have anticipated for three years now. I have been in wait for the day to come, October 20, in which hopefully the final verdict will be made and I can move on with my life. The door opening, greater opportunities available on the other side.
An agreement signed for the company I work for to be taken over by another. A takeover for which we have been preparing for nearly a year. Another door that has been closed will become open with the final inking of official documents. The blessing of countries finalizing a corporate bond. Another ending that promises greater beginnings.
The months or years of anticipation have included all of the emotions mentioned above but mostly a feeling of living in wait. A type of "life pause" that involves preparation and promises much yet at times can feel unbearable especially when I only want resolution. A final verdict. An ending to initiate a beginning.
And these experiences are what stories come from. They seed the subconcious and are then fertilized and watered with time and experience to one day join the roots and branches of the ever growing tree of self to then reroot in the form of a story about a shop, a poem about architecture, a painting of lillies, a photo of a lake.
Friday, October 02, 2009
I Have Lost My Blinkin' Mind
An amazing friend recently texted me and called me SuperWoman. I'm not sure this was intended as a compliment. She referenced the fact that my plate overfloweth with activities.
For instance:
1. I am teaching a workshop at Running Wild. I am loving the workshop. The participants are amazing, the writing is great and the conversation lively. Great elements for the beginnings of a successful workshop.
2. I am teaching an online course, How to Be Your Own Best Fiction Editor. We have 26 participants signed up for the class. Luckily, I'm an Internet junky and normally operate on limited sleep otherwise I doubt I would be able to respond to all of the wonderful email conversations. So far the discussion has been interesting and looks like we have a lot of talented persons signed up for the course. I'm sure they'll keep me on my toes.
3. I am preparing a condensed version of "How to Be Your Own Best Fiction Editor" for the upcoming Pennwriters Conference in 2010. This course will be broken into two sessions. The first session will be in a lecture format and the second session will involve the students applying the lessons from the first session. I call this HTBYOBFE on hyperspeed.
4. I have an interesting and challenging day job as a senior project manager.
5. I run Pennwriters, as if you hadn't noticed that before.
6. I'm working on my own manuscript that is currently in bits and pieces on my hard drive but hopefully will look more like a fully realized story in upcoming months.
For instance:
1. I am teaching a workshop at Running Wild. I am loving the workshop. The participants are amazing, the writing is great and the conversation lively. Great elements for the beginnings of a successful workshop.
2. I am teaching an online course, How to Be Your Own Best Fiction Editor. We have 26 participants signed up for the class. Luckily, I'm an Internet junky and normally operate on limited sleep otherwise I doubt I would be able to respond to all of the wonderful email conversations. So far the discussion has been interesting and looks like we have a lot of talented persons signed up for the course. I'm sure they'll keep me on my toes.
3. I am preparing a condensed version of "How to Be Your Own Best Fiction Editor" for the upcoming Pennwriters Conference in 2010. This course will be broken into two sessions. The first session will be in a lecture format and the second session will involve the students applying the lessons from the first session. I call this HTBYOBFE on hyperspeed.
4. I have an interesting and challenging day job as a senior project manager.
5. I run Pennwriters, as if you hadn't noticed that before.
6. I'm working on my own manuscript that is currently in bits and pieces on my hard drive but hopefully will look more like a fully realized story in upcoming months.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Manuscript Triage - Part Six
This is the final installment of my revision process. I have:
- Analyzed the primary and secondary characters.
- Identified/confirmed the plot and its arc.
- Eliminated unneeded scenes, chapters, characters, and the like.
- Performed a line edit to remove unnecessary words, sentences, paragraphs.
- Re-read the manuscript as reader to identify if the story works, holes in the story, etc.
- Identified on each page if there is action and use of at least one sense (smell, taste, touch, sound). If there wasn't action on the page and the use of at least one sense, then I added that element.
- Performed a revision to fill holes.
- Re-read the story again to ensure it works.
Alrighty, let's fast forward to today. I have sent the revised manuscript to three very generous volunteers. All come from quite different backgrounds and were asked to read because of certain fortays (voracious reader, detailed writer and excellent "reader" writer, one of my stellar readers).
With this, I'm returning to writing a different manuscript that I have recently received great guidance on. So far, I am really happy with the results. This fledgling piece is not nearly as advanced in terms of completion. I haven't written a solid first draft yet. I look forward to when I can claim that badge.
Until next time, happy writing (or reading as the case may be).
- Analyzed the primary and secondary characters.
- Identified/confirmed the plot and its arc.
- Eliminated unneeded scenes, chapters, characters, and the like.
- Performed a line edit to remove unnecessary words, sentences, paragraphs.
- Re-read the manuscript as reader to identify if the story works, holes in the story, etc.
- Identified on each page if there is action and use of at least one sense (smell, taste, touch, sound). If there wasn't action on the page and the use of at least one sense, then I added that element.
- Performed a revision to fill holes.
- Re-read the story again to ensure it works.
Alrighty, let's fast forward to today. I have sent the revised manuscript to three very generous volunteers. All come from quite different backgrounds and were asked to read because of certain fortays (voracious reader, detailed writer and excellent "reader" writer, one of my stellar readers).
With this, I'm returning to writing a different manuscript that I have recently received great guidance on. So far, I am really happy with the results. This fledgling piece is not nearly as advanced in terms of completion. I haven't written a solid first draft yet. I look forward to when I can claim that badge.
Until next time, happy writing (or reading as the case may be).
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Manuscript Triage - Part Five
I am in the middle of the line edit and I'm finding really interesting themes in my writing.
1. Elaborate - I write summary sentences and then elaborate. In actuality, I write a sentence that is succinct and then I think, "Hey, I should really explain that" and I go on to explain or describe what I mean. If you think about it, this is not surprising. Much of our writing life in schooling is writing essays and papers. The classic paragraph is to write a summary sentence and then back it up with additional information. So some of this is unlearning what we've been taught or rather learning how to identify the summary statements and then knowing what to do with them. During the revision process, I eliminated the original summary sentence and kept the descriptive sentences.
2. Many metaphors/analogies - I tend to have multiple descriptive sentences that basically say the same thing. He is awkward like a bear in a tutu. He walks like a drunken duck. Okay, bad examples but you get the idea. So, I select the ones that are strongest and delete the others.
3. And then, and then, and then - I have a lot of useless words, such as "a lot" or "many" or "sometimes". Delete!
4. Crystallize - I use vague words like "should". Again, common when business writing (because absolutes are rare) but not so good when trying to form an image for a reader. I also create characters that are intended to be tertiary but stay on stage for a bit and then become integral to the storyline. I describe them but I don't name them. Congratulations writer, you have now given birth to a hundred and thirty pound waitress! Time to give her a name. Joan Mekran is a good name. Welcome Joan.
5. Pacing - Some sections need to have better pacing. What I mean is, I have sections that are summaries and might be great if this was an article in the NY Times or the Philadelphia Inquirer but for a novel it needs more. By adding description, details, and dialogue I can elongate the scene, make it vivid, and make a scene fuller and robust versus a few squat paragraphs.
6. Should it stay or should it go - During my revision process, I stumble across paragraphs or even chapters that I'm not sure if I need them. Instead of deleting them, I bold them so I can return to them later. What I have found is that the section is one that the story needs but it may need a bit of sprucing like a fresh coat of paint or incense. For those writing YA, strawberry lipgloss.
1. Elaborate - I write summary sentences and then elaborate. In actuality, I write a sentence that is succinct and then I think, "Hey, I should really explain that" and I go on to explain or describe what I mean. If you think about it, this is not surprising. Much of our writing life in schooling is writing essays and papers. The classic paragraph is to write a summary sentence and then back it up with additional information. So some of this is unlearning what we've been taught or rather learning how to identify the summary statements and then knowing what to do with them. During the revision process, I eliminated the original summary sentence and kept the descriptive sentences.
2. Many metaphors/analogies - I tend to have multiple descriptive sentences that basically say the same thing. He is awkward like a bear in a tutu. He walks like a drunken duck. Okay, bad examples but you get the idea. So, I select the ones that are strongest and delete the others.
3. And then, and then, and then - I have a lot of useless words, such as "a lot" or "many" or "sometimes". Delete!
4. Crystallize - I use vague words like "should". Again, common when business writing (because absolutes are rare) but not so good when trying to form an image for a reader. I also create characters that are intended to be tertiary but stay on stage for a bit and then become integral to the storyline. I describe them but I don't name them. Congratulations writer, you have now given birth to a hundred and thirty pound waitress! Time to give her a name. Joan Mekran is a good name. Welcome Joan.
5. Pacing - Some sections need to have better pacing. What I mean is, I have sections that are summaries and might be great if this was an article in the NY Times or the Philadelphia Inquirer but for a novel it needs more. By adding description, details, and dialogue I can elongate the scene, make it vivid, and make a scene fuller and robust versus a few squat paragraphs.
6. Should it stay or should it go - During my revision process, I stumble across paragraphs or even chapters that I'm not sure if I need them. Instead of deleting them, I bold them so I can return to them later. What I have found is that the section is one that the story needs but it may need a bit of sprucing like a fresh coat of paint or incense. For those writing YA, strawberry lipgloss.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Fiction Writers Workshop
New Fiction Writers Workshop in September
Running Wild Writers Workshop will hold a fiction writers workshop beginning Thursday, September 24 at 7 PM for ten weeks. In the heart of an artists’ community, workshops will be held at 1241 Carpenter St., Philadelphia, PA 19147.
Members will have the chance to workshop two pieces, maximum of 5,000 words each. The pieces will be given thorough written feedback by the instructor as well as feedback from fellow attendees.
The ten week course will cost $410 for non-Pennwriters and $375 for Pennwriters.
Registration is available at www.runningwildwriters.org.
Lisa’s Bio
A former correspondent for the Philadelphia Theatre Review and Features Editor for the Picolata Review, Lisa Kastner currently writes freelance and by invitation in literature and the arts. Her literary interviews include Charles Baxter (Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature 1997) and Lee Martin (Pulitzer Prize Nominee 2006).
She is the Founder of Running Wild Writers Community, LLC and the President of Pennwriters (www.pennwriters.com), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting the novice to the award winning and multipublished writers to learn and succeed in the craft. She is the founder of the Pennwriters King of Prussia Critique Group and has led workshops on business communications. Her short stories have been published in 63 Channels Journal and The StraightJackets Magazine.
Running Wild Writers Community
Running Wild Writers Community is a not-for-profit created to assist up and coming writers to learn and excel in the craft of writing. Running Wild welcomes writers from all forms and all genres. Located at 1241 Carpenter St, Philadelphia, PA, Running Wild Writers is in the heart of an artists' community.
Contact: Lisa Kastner
Instructor
lisa@runningwildwriters.org
www.runningwildwriters.org
610-235-9626
Running Wild Writers Workshop will hold a fiction writers workshop beginning Thursday, September 24 at 7 PM for ten weeks. In the heart of an artists’ community, workshops will be held at 1241 Carpenter St., Philadelphia, PA 19147.
Members will have the chance to workshop two pieces, maximum of 5,000 words each. The pieces will be given thorough written feedback by the instructor as well as feedback from fellow attendees.
The ten week course will cost $410 for non-Pennwriters and $375 for Pennwriters.
Registration is available at www.runningwildwriters.org.
Lisa’s Bio
A former correspondent for the Philadelphia Theatre Review and Features Editor for the Picolata Review, Lisa Kastner currently writes freelance and by invitation in literature and the arts. Her literary interviews include Charles Baxter (Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature 1997) and Lee Martin (Pulitzer Prize Nominee 2006).
She is the Founder of Running Wild Writers Community, LLC and the President of Pennwriters (www.pennwriters.com), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting the novice to the award winning and multipublished writers to learn and succeed in the craft. She is the founder of the Pennwriters King of Prussia Critique Group and has led workshops on business communications. Her short stories have been published in 63 Channels Journal and The StraightJackets Magazine.
Running Wild Writers Community
Running Wild Writers Community is a not-for-profit created to assist up and coming writers to learn and excel in the craft of writing. Running Wild welcomes writers from all forms and all genres. Located at 1241 Carpenter St, Philadelphia, PA, Running Wild Writers is in the heart of an artists' community.
Contact: Lisa Kastner
Instructor
lisa@runningwildwriters.org
www.runningwildwriters.org
610-235-9626
Friday, August 21, 2009
Manuscript Triage - Step Four
And now the ever so fun part of revisions. Time to look at your scenes. Is this scene memorable? Initially, do not look at the manuscript. Think through the most memorable scenes. Guess what? Those are your strongest.
Now, skim through the manuscript. And I mean SKIM. DO NOT READ. SKIM. Is this scene memorable? Does it serve a purpose? If it does not serve a purpose then CUT IT OUT!
You'll feel better when you are done.
Now, skim through the manuscript. And I mean SKIM. DO NOT READ. SKIM. Is this scene memorable? Does it serve a purpose? If it does not serve a purpose then CUT IT OUT!
You'll feel better when you are done.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
