Telling Tuesdays 1/31/12--"She felt sick."

Welcome to Telling Tuesday, a day reminiscent of those in school when I looked forward to seeing what everyone brought for show and tell. This weekly feature was inspired by an article on WriteToDone.com, called "How to Show (Not Tell): A Writing Lesson from John LeCarre."


It is one of the best articles I've seen on the rule all writers know--show, don't tell--because it doesn't just tell us how not to tell, it shows us some of LeCarre's very own examples.

" . . . descriptions can set the scene, convey the inexpressible, and turn the reader into a witness, instead of remaining a mere bystander." -- Mary Jaksch, author of the article

Each week, I'll give a "telling" prompt, and invite you to show us, to make us a witness, not a mere bystander. Feel free to use the prompt, or the photo (if a photo is shown.) Of course, if you have a completely different "telling" prompt, you can "show" us that, too.


As always, I invite you to leave a link to your website or blog with your comments.

THIS WEEK'S PROMPT:
The other day, for some unknown reason, I began to feel sick to my stomach shortly after eating lunch. Thus, my prompt for this week. To "show" feeling sick, I've used an excerpt from Broken Dolls. At this point, I'm not sure if I'll use in the final draft of the book or not.

She felt sick.

Sumiko clutched her stomach and knew she must be an awful shade of green. She’d had morning sickness before boarding the ship, but comparing that to the queasiness she'd felt since the Korea-maru left Yokohama was like comparing waves on a shore to a tsunami.  Whether she was standing or sitting, awake or asleep, the room rolled left and right, up and down. There was no way to escape it. And how could she possibly hover at the edge of retching once again? Surely by now, her stomach was completely empty.

Chopsticks trembled in her hand as she forced herself to take another bite of rice. She could not risk losing the child growing inside her, the only part of Taro she would ever have.

Morrill's Monday Morning Mashup - 1/30/12

MASH-UP

A creative combination

or mixing of content

from different sources.

For me, the past week has been full of writerly challenges. First, after a series of editing back-and-forths with my editor for Broken Dolls, I'd begun to have some concerns that the Japanese culture and the "little girl' nature of my character, Sachi Kimura, were being taken from the story. It was a tough decision, fraught with indecisiveness and fears that my editor had a world more of experience than I, and that I was giving up. But finally, by mutual decision, we ended our editorial relationship and wished each other the best.


Of course, that leaves me with the question, "What now?"


Second, because I had been so devoted to the editing process, I had decided not to enter any of the contests for the Oklahoma Writers' Federation 2012 Story Weaver's Conference this year. But, after the events referenced in my first paragraph, I decided--five days before the deadline--that I would pull together some stories and send them in. Good thing I work well under pressure.


Here are a couple of articles I found that helped me along the way this week:

C.S. Lakin

Once again, Jane Friedman to the rescue. If you haven't yet begun to follow her blog in one of the ways given in last week's mashup, you're missing out. I found useful information on the editing process in two posts this week. On JaneFriedman.com, Jane's guest blogger, C.S. Lakin, posts the article, "Four Ways to Find the Right Editor." Ms. Lakin's article provides good information, as well as links to other helpful sites. But it was in something she said about "fit," that brought me some comfort:

"Sometimes the fit just isn't right."

http://janefriedman.com/2012/01/30/4-ways-to-find-the-right-freelance-editor/

Jane Friedman

One of the links that Ms. Lakin refers the reader back to is Jane's article "Should You Hire a Professional Editor?" This post lists three elements that explain why hiring a professional editor sometimes leaves her feeling "less confident about an author's work."

http://writerunboxed.com/2010/03/19/should-you-hire-a-professional-editor/

Kristin Nador

For those of us who are challenged with keeping up our blogs, Kristin Nador has an excellent series called "Sharpen Your Blogging Habits." From finding your audience to amplifying your blogging voice, she gives step-by-step ideas on one of the best ways to build your social network.

http://kristinnador.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/sharpen-your-blogging-habits-golden-rule/

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:


You must meet the outer world
With your inner world or
Existence will crush you.


      -- Mark Nepo

#FlashFriday #FridayFictioneers: That Girl

Welcome back, Madison Woods! Though she says it's a long road back to reality after her memorable vacation, it's good to have her back! We missed you, Madison!

I thought this week's photo prompt was different from most, but as always, I enjoyed the challenge.

You can read how it inspired other Fictioneers on Madison's blog at: http://madisonwoods.wordpress.com/flash-fiction/first-contact/

As always, feel free to leave a link with your comments!

That Girl

     I lit a cigarette and thought about how I hated to see her go. Again. Thank God for dark glasses.

     "Wow, Mister."

     The kid snapped me out of thoughts of our bedroom farewell. “Wow, what?" I asked.

     "That's some pretty girl you got."

     I took a long drag. Yeah, tell me about it.

     I heard a whistle . . . and it wasn't the train's. It was the steward, gawking up at my girl.

     Hell. I'd sure miss her.

     Another drag and I headed back to my empty bed, wondering if I'd ever quit smoking.

Telling Tuesdays 01/17/12

Welcome to Telling Tuesday, a day reminiscent of those in school when I looked forward to seeing what everyone brought for show and tell. This weekly feature was inspired by an article on WriteToDone.com, called "How to Show (Not Tell): A Writing Lesson from John LeCarre."


It is one of the best articles I've seen on the rule all writers know--show, don't tell--because it doesn't just tell us how not to tell, it shows us some of LeCarre's very own examples.

" . . . descriptions can set the scene, convey the inexpressible, and turn the reader into a witness, instead of remaining a mere bystander." -- Mary Jaksch, author of the article

Each week, I'll give a "telling" prompt, and invite you to show us, to make us a witness, not a mere bystander.

THIS WEEK'S PROMPT:
We had a bit of a mishap at the bonfire on Saturday. One of the lanterns we released into the air caught a down draft and the lantern came crashing down into the grass. At first it looked like it would burn itself out, but then we could tell the grass caught fire. With the wind blowing, it wouldn't be long before the tiny fire got out of control. This gave me my prompt for the week:

Smoke got in her eyes.

     Only moments before, the group of friends had circled around a bonfire. Into the flames, they had each tossed notes jotted with things they wanted to be rid of in the New Year.
     Hers was fear.
     Now, they watched lanterns they had released into the air, filled with aspirations and blessings for the New Year. Up the bright red lanterns drifted. Up, up, up, carrying each into the Universe.
     But the wind whipped and blew one to the ground, bringing a chorus of "oh no" from the group.
     Whose lantern had crashed? She watched it begin to burn out, until another gust of wind blew.
     The embers turned the flames! The grass was ablaze!
     She ran. Ran hard, her mind filled with images of an out-of-control blaze. Breathless, she arrived at the circle of flames that danced like devils in the wind. She stomped the orange heat, but it continued to grow around her, so she stomped harder. Faster.
     Water. A shovel. She needed something. Anything. The flames spread. Smoke burned her eyes. Fire scorched her shoes.
     It was out of control.
     Then, someone came beside her and began slamming the ground with a coat. She stomped, the person next to her slammed. She didn't know, didn't care who it was. She was only glad not to be alone.
     "Don't worry, Jan," the person said, "I got your back."
     Ruth!
     "Oh, please, God," Ruth whispered. "Please help us put out this fire."
     Slowly, slowly, the flames died. Jan kept stomping. Ruth kept slamming. Until at last, every ember had burned out.
     Relieved, they hugged each other, each reliving the experience through breathless phrases.
     "Can't believe . . ."
     "Brave . . ."
     "Got your back . . ."
     "Thank God . . ."
     As they walked away from the blackened circle in the grass, Jan smiled, remembering that piece of paper she'd tossed into the bonfire.
     Fear.
     And the blessing she had released into the Universe.
     Friendship.


Okay. That was my slightly creative non-fiction of an actual event. Show me yours!


As always, feel free to offer critique (ie, was it suspenseful? Did you "feel" it? How can it be improved?) And I always invite you to include a link to your blog in your comments.

Morrill's Monday Morning Mashup - 1/23/12

MASH-UP

A creative combination

or mixing of content

from different sources.

It's another Happy Monday. I had a weekend filled with ambivalence about editing challenges. Fortunately, I was also lucky to spend an evening in front of a bonfire with good friends. As we circled around, warmed by firelight and friendship, we cast into the flames things we hoped to be rid of in 2012. For me, it was fear. Fear of making changes. Fear of disappointing . . . or disappointment. Fear of saying "no."


The best part was, as we held hands and shared our energy and support for each other's aspirations and goals, suddenly I felt less afraid.


So now, back to the mashup. I hope some of these links will be helpful in achieving your aspirations.

****

Jane Friedman has one of the best blogs I've seen for writers. Every post I've read provides useful information. "When Do You Need to Secure Permissions" is a perfect example. In this post, Jane gives us concise and useful information, with links to more detailed information about the ins and outs of fair use, public domain, copyrights, etc. If you would like to follow her on Facebook or Twitter, here are the links:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jane.friedman

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/JaneFriedman

http://janefriedman.com/2012/01/23/permissions/

****

I am still trying to learn the most effective use of Twitter. Though I'll admit it's still a challenge, every day I learn a little more about learning to "tweet", or speak the language of Twitterdom. This article, "Nine Things You Didn't Know About Twitter," which appeared in the New York Times discusses several features I did not yet know. My favorites were: "Save Your Favorite Tweets" and "Do Power Searches." Both are invaluable time savers as we all try to balance social media with writing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/19/technology/personaltech/nine-things-you-didnt-know-about-twitter.html?_r=3&emc=eta1

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Write It Sideways is another blog that consistently posts excellent information for writers. Its creator, Suzannah Windsor Freeman, posts--and invites guest bloggers to post--"writing advice from a fresh perspective." This week's mashup link is by guest blogger, David Lazar: "Five Tips for Writing an Effective Plot Twist." Not only did I find a few ideas I haven't tried, I thought all of the suggestions made great writing prompts, too. If you'd like to follow Write It Sideways, here are the links:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/writeitsideways

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/Writeitsideways

http://writeitsideways.com/5-tips-for-writing-an-effective-plot-twist/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+writeitsideways+%28writeitsideways.com%29&doing_wp_cron=1327332160

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK:


I say yes when
I mean no and
a wrinkle grows.


      -- Naomi Shihab Nye