If I write then revise will it be better than it was before? Or maybe I am supposed to write than revise to make it better then it was before? Once I get my rejection letter do I accept it or except it? Is it Neither nor or Either or?
I get so confused! Do you? I found a great site that has some fantastic word notes.
http://www.sparknotes.com/writing/style/topic_69.html
It is definitely worth checking out for all those little word issues.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Friday, March 9, 2007
She Stold My Idea!
Have you ever written something so brilliant that you beamed like a lighthouse? Just sure that you had written "the one". Only to happen on a story that is so similar you swear that your idea has been taken. Never mind the copyright for the similar story was given years sometimes decades before you wrote your first word!
Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary, 1984 Newberry Medal recipient, tells a story of a boy dealing with the separation of his parents through letters to his favorite author. His father, a trucker, used to talk about the shoes he would see on the highway. The family would play a game and make up songs about why the shoe was there.
Now, I haven’t written a story about a boy dealing with the separation of his parents through letters to his favorite author, however, the whole shoe thing was so totally my idea. (Please note the sarcasm in that last statement)
I pondered for days over a story about a boy who ate cinnamon on everything. (Inspired by my own son who insists cinnamon sugar belongs right next to the salt shaker) Surely this was an original idea; after all, how many kids eat cinnamon on their spaghetti? Well to my dismay at least one. While reading through Highlight’s Magazine short story collections I found a story: Cinnamon Spaghetti!
I guess the “moral” of the story is that there are a million stories out there. The chances of something being out there that is similar to yours are very likely. It is what you do to make yours original that will make you stand out above the rest.
Make it your own!
Have A Great Writing Day!
Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary, 1984 Newberry Medal recipient, tells a story of a boy dealing with the separation of his parents through letters to his favorite author. His father, a trucker, used to talk about the shoes he would see on the highway. The family would play a game and make up songs about why the shoe was there.
Now, I haven’t written a story about a boy dealing with the separation of his parents through letters to his favorite author, however, the whole shoe thing was so totally my idea. (Please note the sarcasm in that last statement)
I pondered for days over a story about a boy who ate cinnamon on everything. (Inspired by my own son who insists cinnamon sugar belongs right next to the salt shaker) Surely this was an original idea; after all, how many kids eat cinnamon on their spaghetti? Well to my dismay at least one. While reading through Highlight’s Magazine short story collections I found a story: Cinnamon Spaghetti!
I guess the “moral” of the story is that there are a million stories out there. The chances of something being out there that is similar to yours are very likely. It is what you do to make yours original that will make you stand out above the rest.
Make it your own!
Have A Great Writing Day!
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Writing Exercise
Do you find yourself telling more than you do showing in your stories? Here is an exercise I use to practise up on the art of showing.
Write the words: Has, Had, Is, Was, and Were at the top of a page.
Write about anything but do NOT use these words. If you want to say something like:
Jimmy was standing in line because he had to wait for the bathroom.
Try this:
Jimmy pranced from foot to foot. The line for the bathroom reached out to the playground. "Geesh!" he sighed. "I don't think I can wait."
If you're training to run a marathon you run every day until you build yourself up for the big race. Writing is no different; train yourself and soon showing will be second nature.
Happy Writing!
Write the words: Has, Had, Is, Was, and Were at the top of a page.
Write about anything but do NOT use these words. If you want to say something like:
Jimmy was standing in line because he had to wait for the bathroom.
Try this:
Jimmy pranced from foot to foot. The line for the bathroom reached out to the playground. "Geesh!" he sighed. "I don't think I can wait."
If you're training to run a marathon you run every day until you build yourself up for the big race. Writing is no different; train yourself and soon showing will be second nature.
Happy Writing!
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