Author Claire Dederer came to book-writing after being a
journalist for about twenty years, working as a reporter, critic, and
essayist. She began as a film critic then developed into a book critic
and a writer on culture. Poser, her 2010 memoir, weaves
together several disparate topics: yoga, motherhood, the legacy of
1970s feminism. I interviewed Claire this week to find out how she
decided to structure Poser around all these themes.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
Pros and Cons of the Workshopping Method--And How to Manage Feedback So You Keep Writing
We all have
war stories from bad feedback. If you've been writing and attending
conferences or classes for more than a few years, you know the range of
possible reactions to workshopping your stories: from annoying to
devastating, from "Let's ignore that comment" to "I'll never touch that
piece again."
We're all searching for supportive (but not coddling) and careful readers who respect our ideas yet offer good ones of their own.
Where to find this kind of feedback? Some people get it from a writers group. Some get it from workshops and classes. Some exchange writing with a feedback partner. Whatever works! As long as the comments open you to new insights, keep you writing, keep you enthused and engaged with your own writing, they are useful.
But all of these methods are based on vulnerability--sharing ideas and images and attempts with people who don't see the full vision you do. And most of these employ something called the "workshopping method," which has its pros and cons. How do you set yourself up for success? For the best possible outcome with the least risk? It's not easy--but there are definitely things to embrace and things to avoid when workshopping your writing.
We're all searching for supportive (but not coddling) and careful readers who respect our ideas yet offer good ones of their own.
Where to find this kind of feedback? Some people get it from a writers group. Some get it from workshops and classes. Some exchange writing with a feedback partner. Whatever works! As long as the comments open you to new insights, keep you writing, keep you enthused and engaged with your own writing, they are useful.
But all of these methods are based on vulnerability--sharing ideas and images and attempts with people who don't see the full vision you do. And most of these employ something called the "workshopping method," which has its pros and cons. How do you set yourself up for success? For the best possible outcome with the least risk? It's not easy--but there are definitely things to embrace and things to avoid when workshopping your writing.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Crafting Your Book's Visual Map--New Ways to Use a Storyboard
Storyboards
are a fast and easy template to check the strength of a book's
structure. More and more writers use them. I hear about famous authors
who now "design" their books via a storyboard. It's a classy idea
whose time has come.
Filmmakers will be yawning here. Storyboards are the basis of most films--they are like cartoon boxes that show the scenes and can be rearranged to create the best flow.
But book publishers use them too. Twenty years ago, I hired on every six months to an all-day storyboarding session for a Midwestern small press. Eight "experts" gathered in their conference room, bolstered by coffee and snacks and catered lunch. A facilitator drew the empty cartoon boxes of our blank storyboard on one wall, gave us our topic, and off we'd go.
Filmmakers will be yawning here. Storyboards are the basis of most films--they are like cartoon boxes that show the scenes and can be rearranged to create the best flow.
But book publishers use them too. Twenty years ago, I hired on every six months to an all-day storyboarding session for a Midwestern small press. Eight "experts" gathered in their conference room, bolstered by coffee and snacks and catered lunch. A facilitator drew the empty cartoon boxes of our blank storyboard on one wall, gave us our topic, and off we'd go.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Using an Image Board to Get Closer to the Meaning of Your Story
Guest Post by
Memoirist and Singer/
Songwriter Elisa Korenne
Elisa Korenne entered the creative-writing world as a songwriter.
She'd written a lot of
prose up to that point, mostly in the form of academic papers, but it
was songwriting that acquainted her with the thrill of word textures,
imagery, and choosing the right word for the right moment. In this
guest post, she describes her writing process and how she uses image
boards to get closer to the meaning of her story--and her songs.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Cyber Inspiration--Great Author Websites and Bios to Kick Yours into High Gear
Nicki,
a blog reader from South Carolina, is putting together a website for
her book. She wondered about great author websites or tips for putting
together an author bio.
Both are an essential part of an author's platform, a requirement for writers today.
If "author's platform"
is new to you, here's the short definition: The stage you'll stand on,
as you market your new book. If your platform is solid, if it's
developed at least a year before you publish, you'll likely garner more
of those reviews, bookstore sales, internet sales, and interviews that
will put your book in the hands of readers.
You'll
need to show agents and publishers that you're standing solid. An
engaging author bio and website are also part of your submission package
to agents and publishers.
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