Category Archives: Editor’s Log

Editor’s Log: 6+1 Traits for Writers

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About 12 years ago, the Deadwood Writers did a 2-part workshop on the 6+1 Traits for Writing. The thinking was to use the language of the traits in our critique sessions, so that the feedback conversations were on point regarding author craft. Today, those conversations continue to be influenced by the Traits. Admittedly, we do need a refresher. The group membership has evolved, there is a core of stalwarts from the time of the workshop, and later established members who came on board after those sessions.

When sharing a writing piece for feedback, the writer shares questions for feedback. When based on the Traits, as the following excerpt from their site shows:

The feedback from the group is more targeted and supportive. There are always opinions to be shared. Conversations within the scope of one of these areas helps ensure that the feedback can be substantive and use text evidence from the writer’s work. This helps the writer reflect on how the feedback aligns to their work.

In posts that follow, I will take a closer look at each of these traits for how best to support the work of the Deadwood Writers, and other groups that are interested in this approach to conversations.

 

Editor’s Log: Creativity Wisdom from a Rock & Roll Star: Bono

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Writing is a journey without a permanent destination. Each story that we tell is only the part of the iceberg that appears above the surface. Sure, the great authors show tremendous depth in their stories like Toni Morrison, Ernest Hemingway, and Chinua Achebe. One of the ways that their stories are remarkable is by what’s left unsaid.

Writing is like other creative processes in that the skills to acquire and strengthen are limitless in how much one can develop. Bono, the lead singer of U2, reminded me of this in his recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine. The article is titled: Bono: The Rolling Stone Interview. Much of it sounds like a recording of a conversation between two people in a room, which I suspect was the case.

In the interview Bono shares much about his creative process and growth. It resonates with what I’ve heard others who create for a living. After 40 years of success in an industry that is tough to stay relevant, Bono and his bandmates continue to seek growth.

  • He talked about learning how to write music through structures like from musical theater as way to create sounds that stay with people—in a good way J
  • He reads voraciously across multiple genres. For example, he references the work from Saint Paul, “…he writes this ode to love, which everybody knows from his letter to the Corinthians: “Love is patient, love is kind. . . . Love bears all things, love believes all things” – you hear it at a lot of weddings.”
  • He analyzes song lyrics such as from Dylan like one does with poetry. Because good music IS poetry.

Creativity is a demanding mistress who is there for you if you commit totally to her. Dedicating time and thought brings about moments where I feel like I’m in “the zone”—this perfect cocoon of synchronicity where ideas, emotions, and structure flow melodically.

Bono reminded me that to get those moments requires preparation, study, and dedication. Sometimes it’s easy to get distracted with doing “stuff” that feels real in the moment. It’s getting stuck in the minutia and not organizing time set aside for that which we love the most: Creating. My takeaway is a reminder to do these things more, if I want to stay creative:

  • Reading others
  • Journal
  • Dialog on topics that move me to laugh and to tears with people who disagree and agree with my perspectives. Avoiding “the conversations” diminishes the depth of creativity
  • Being comfortable with being uncomfortable
  • Exercise
  • Notice how I am creative in areas of work and non-work
  • Most importantly: truly listen to others, the world, and my inner self

These last couple of days, I’ve been listening to U2 songs, both the ones that I’ve always loved, and now the ones that I’ve not paid too much attention. I listen for the joy, and to learn author craft from someone I admire even more now that he’s shared the gifts of his reflections.

Editor’s Log: Brain Training – Commitments not Resolutions for 2018

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Have you every wondered why it was so hard to do something that you want to do, but seem to avoid doing it? For example, wanting to write for an hour to get started on that story–suddenly the dishes need hand washing, the trash cans need clearing out, and the dogs need walking. While completing these chores, the plan to write is still present, but never happens.

I listened to a scientist on NPR talk about how the brain builds connections that solidify the habits we engage in. The brain wires and rewires, in part, based on what we focus on doing. Spend lots of time doing the same things in the same way, and the brain records those practices. This might explain why habits are so difficult to change.

There is hope. The brain is adaptable. We just need to plan reasonably and patiently what is to be accomplished, or what new habits to create. Using the above example, writing for an hour in a day might not be where the person’s can find success. Start with 5-10 minutes of dedicated writing. This goal is easier to accomplish than the hour. If you write longer once, celebrate the moment with a fist pump. Then get back to it. At some point, in a week or month, add 5-10 minutes. Again, keep it “easy”–writing is never easy 😉 This repeated practice can lead to the brain recording new habits.

Keep the rules and boundaries simple and limited. Less is more. It’s not important that you write in the morning, use a specific journal or word-processor, or sit at a certain cafe table because that is most conducive to your writing. Those restrictions can be obstacles to the important outcome: Just write. When those conditions are available–great–just do not allow them to get in the way.

Failure is not an end, it’s a growth opportunity. If I write everyday and then I miss two days, stopping is not an option. Reflect on what caused the lost practice. What it just chance or some obstacle that needs to be addressed. Next: Jump back in.

As you create your writing resolutions, what are you willing to do that is already in your habits? What will take some brain growth over time? Be intentional and reasonable so that success will come.

Here are some writing commitments shared:

Wendi Knape

  1. Dive deep into A NEW LIFE, book 1 in my vampire series, and see what needs to be done so it’s ready to be published.
  2. Write on a schedule instead of when I feel like an idea is brewing.
  3. Market HOT BLACKTOP more.
  4. Continue to develop new stories in a loose format so when I’m ready I can start writing the novel.

John McCarthy

  1. Expand promotion of my book: So All Can Learn: A Practical Guide to Differentiation
  2. Read at least 12 books this year.
  3. Write 1-2 short stories.

What are your Writing Commitments for 2018? Share them in the comment section. 

I Didn’t Know How Special Sunday Afternoon Could Be…

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Sunday, May 7, at 4 o’clock, the Ann Arbor Symphony played its final concert of the season at Hill Auditorium. It was one of their finest concerts! The music was magical. It just carried me away.

 

Arie Lipsky is a wonderful conductor. He knows how to bring the best out of every musician. It doesn’t matter what instrument he or she plays. He seems to know how to reach into each one’s soul and ignite that magic spark.

 

The program opened with the Overture to William Tell and the Overture to Semiramide by Gioacchino Rossini. This was followed by the Opera Choruses by Giuseppe Verdi. The choruses were sung by the Carillon Women’s Chorale, the Livingston County Chorale, the Livingston County Chorale Women’s Chorus and Measure for Measure, the men’s choir of Ann Arbor.

 

The acoustics at Hill Auditorium are perfect. You can hear every note that is played or sung no matter where you are sitting. It was an excellent choice for the performance.

 

The stage is very wide and goes completely across the front of the auditorium. It is a thrilling sight to see the entire orchestra sitting there and then to watch the four choruses file in and stand on the risers behind them. The womens’ choruses filed in from the left while the men’s filed in from the right. It was a splendid sight once everyone was in place.

 

The choruses sang while the orchestra played. The selections were: The Anvil Chorus from Il trovatore, the Gypsy Chorus and the Matador Chorus from La traviata, Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco and the Triumphal March from Aida.

 

After the intermission, the orchestra played Capriccio Italien, Op. 45 from Tchaikovsky and The Pines of Rome by Ottorino Respighi. The music was enchanting and the moment seemed to go on forever and then it stopped. The applause was exuberant, heartfelt and passionate. Everyone felt they had experienced something extraordinarily wonderful!

Editor’s Note: Writing isn’t the Difficult Step

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So far this year, Deadwood Writers members have been actively publishing books and articles for a wider audience. Here are the books:

This list simply adds to the ongoing list of work produced by those who call themselves Deadwood Writers. Publishing work is a great accomplishment. Anyone who has done so can attest to that. But the work has only begun.

Writing isn’t the difficult step. Yes, it’s challenging, sometimes it feels impossible. Also, there are many who start and never finish. I have several incomplete manuscripts along my journey. But in relative terms, once the book is written and published, now there are the logistics of getting others to notice and read the book.

To put this in context, once someone is published, they have to sell their books. Get others to see the value of taking the time to buy the book and read it. Hopefully enough people like what they read and post a positive review.

There’s just the minor detail of getting one’s book noticed.

Creating and executing a marking plan is crucial. Rarely, and I do mean RARELY, does the publisher provide a marking budget that supports the author’s travels and their direct communications to the public. They do promote the book on their website and send it out to various media agencies, but the book is likely bundled with other’s books.

The best marketing is done by the author. No one is, or shouldn’t be, as passionate about the book as the author. Otherwise, the book is D.O.A.

Marketing requires a plan to get the message out to others. Using social media. Getting early reviews that are positive. And many more needs. One of the best steps I took for preparing my book, So All Can Learn: A Practical Guide to Differentiation is hired Sylvia Hubbard for a one hour coaching session to address any needs that I might not have considered. Sylvia provided me with an abundance of strategies and ideas from her own extensive experiences (https://sylviahubbard.com).

The website is up for So All Can Learn (www.soallcanlearn.org). I am currently lining up presentations and talks on the topic of my book, so that people who attend will get a sneak peak of the treasures they’ll find within.

Once you have a plan, implement and commit to it. The marketing work never ends.