When we write fiction, we sometimes have to venture out of our "comfort zone," and write what we do not know. I was faced with just such a scene recently, a confrontation between my protagonist and antagonist, and the resulting fight scene.
Now, I know nothing about physical combat, and, originally, knew even less about ancient weaponry. So, I did my research first to be knowledgeable about the weapons used in New Kingdom Egypt. The khopesh, a slashing weapon with a curved blade, and the mace, often with a heavy, carved stone head, were the most common weapons, as well as the dagger and the bow and arrow.
But, in close quarters, the bow and arrow are useless. So, on to the other weapons. The khopesh could inflict great damage, open up chest and abdominal cavities and the mace could crush bones and skulls. But, the injuries have to be severe enough, but not lethal, or my protagonist is done for. After choreographing the scene and investigating the proper treatment of wounds, I was ready to write the crucial scene.
Two men, each with their own reasons for the conflict, face off. Little is said, but the drama needs to build and be sustained with action and injury. To make sure the scene worked, I shot off a copy of the completed scene to a fellow author, Bruce Thole, who could give me the proper perspective, from the eyes of a man.
This may seem like a lot of work for one scene which is only a fraction of the total book, but the scene is critical. To shortchange the reader is just not an option. Stepping into unfamiliar territory is how a writer grows and becomes better at his/her chosen craft. And, without the support of other writers to read and critique, a good scene may be acceptable, but feedback can make it great.
Stretch your boundaries, try writing a scene you normally wouldn't write -- you may find a new genre to explore and write in.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Discipline in Writing?
A dear friend and fellow author, Dana Eilers, recently complimented me for being so disciplined in my writing, since I write each day. The comment took me by surprise, since I do not think of myself as disciplined. But, I am fortunate to have the time to devote to writing at the present.
I know I am more productive in the evenings, for writing, and more productive during the day for research, editing, and proofing. So, I guess I do follow a schedule of sorts. During the day, I research any plot points that need to be resolved, I proof what I wrote the evening before, and do necessary edits. Sometimes I write, sometimes I don't.
In the evenings, I turn on my favourite radio station and let the words rip. Sometimes I may not write too much because I get hung up on a particular scene or chapter. Sometimes I write 1200 words without batting an eye. So, my output changes each day. And, sometimes I write crap that just needs to be tossed in the trash and I start all over again.
My schedule works for me because I know my best times to write and because I do it each day. Your schedule works for you -- it could be every day, or once a week, but it's yours. Writing should be a pleasure, not a chore. Once it becomes too much of a chore, your writing will suffer. But, you should find a schedule that is right for you and then stick to it. You will find your work will improve and so will your output.
I know I am more productive in the evenings, for writing, and more productive during the day for research, editing, and proofing. So, I guess I do follow a schedule of sorts. During the day, I research any plot points that need to be resolved, I proof what I wrote the evening before, and do necessary edits. Sometimes I write, sometimes I don't.
In the evenings, I turn on my favourite radio station and let the words rip. Sometimes I may not write too much because I get hung up on a particular scene or chapter. Sometimes I write 1200 words without batting an eye. So, my output changes each day. And, sometimes I write crap that just needs to be tossed in the trash and I start all over again.
My schedule works for me because I know my best times to write and because I do it each day. Your schedule works for you -- it could be every day, or once a week, but it's yours. Writing should be a pleasure, not a chore. Once it becomes too much of a chore, your writing will suffer. But, you should find a schedule that is right for you and then stick to it. You will find your work will improve and so will your output.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Loss of Languages
In the course of my research this week, I had occasion to revisit an activity I enjoyed when I was younger - the study of languages. At one time, I actually wanted to be an interpreter, and had quite an ear for languages. Now, as I get older, I am reminded of how many of our words come from languages which are no longer taught in schools, primarily Latin.
I took three years of Latin in high school and could conjugate a verb like nobody's business. My love for Latin opened up opportunities to other languages, as well as a deeper understanding of my own. I was exposed to French at home (my father spoke it fluently), and to this day, though I am no longer fluent, I can still follow a converstion in French.
The love of languages should not stop when one graduates from school. And, that was brought home to me this week. Though most of my research centers on ancient Egypt, and I am comfortable with hieroglyphics, I wish to broaden my horizons, and Latin seemed like a natural progression. But, I do not intend to stop there. I still have a number of dictionaries, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Hebrew, to name a few, and have every intention of learning the basics.
So, if you think you are too old to learn a language, I don't think it is ever too late. And, I know my Latin will help me to build upon my knowledge. As a nod to the ancients: sublimiora petamus (let us seek higher things).
I took three years of Latin in high school and could conjugate a verb like nobody's business. My love for Latin opened up opportunities to other languages, as well as a deeper understanding of my own. I was exposed to French at home (my father spoke it fluently), and to this day, though I am no longer fluent, I can still follow a converstion in French.
The love of languages should not stop when one graduates from school. And, that was brought home to me this week. Though most of my research centers on ancient Egypt, and I am comfortable with hieroglyphics, I wish to broaden my horizons, and Latin seemed like a natural progression. But, I do not intend to stop there. I still have a number of dictionaries, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Hebrew, to name a few, and have every intention of learning the basics.
So, if you think you are too old to learn a language, I don't think it is ever too late. And, I know my Latin will help me to build upon my knowledge. As a nod to the ancients: sublimiora petamus (let us seek higher things).
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Demise of a Bookseller
The loss of another brick-and-mortar store, the Borders chain, has given me pause this week. I went to the location at which I once worked, spoke with some of my former coworkers, and was astonished at how many people were actually in the store.
Often when I worked on Sunday mornings, I did not have a first customer for almost three hours. And, our store was a top performer. So, what does this all mean? I love the feel of books, but the trend is going electronic. And, I must admit, I too want a Kindle or Nook.
For me, the benefits are immeasurable. I possess a personal library of over 3000 books. How wonderful it would be for me, when travelling, if I had at my disposal, at the very touch of a button, my library with me. I could access the information I need, my research material would be constantly at my disposal.
But, what I do fear is that we have become enamoured by our electronics. We want information, but in 500-word bites. Distillation has become the norm, rather than curling up with a lovely book, in front of the fireplace or on a patio on a Sunday morning.
My fellow author and friend, Rabbi David J. Wolpe, recently posted these same frustrations on a blog post for the Huffington Post:
I used to write books. Now, I write Facebooks. Somehow it is not the same.
There was a time when being sequestered in a room was not that difficult. When I wrote my first book there was nothing really on TV at 3 am. Netflix was not. There were no emails waiting, no tweets tweeting, no IPODS purring, no seductive flashing updates that remind you if your news is more than 15 minutes old. I could write relatively undisturbed except for the manic bouncing of my own thoughts.
Now wireless follows me like a stalker. Café, library, streetcorner, no place is free from the lurking server. Yes, I know I can turn it off. I also know that I can remove my fillings and have my fingernails extracted, but I am not about to do it any more than I will cut the ethereal lifeline to the world. After all, if I sit in a room to write something with a greater half-life than last nights dessert, I may miss the urgent news item that has a half life, well, of last night's dessert. You see - it is a conundrum.
As writers, we grieve the loss of brick-and-mortar stores, like the loss of a friend. We are so wired into the digital age, we sometimes find it difficult to unplug, even to write, which is our stock and trade. So, I shall continue to support Borders, to the bitter end, and will shop at other local booksellers, to find that one jewel to add to my ever burgeoning library.
But, someday in the near future, my library shall consist of only a Nook or Kindle, loaded to the max with my treasured books. Will it be traumatic? Yes, for there is nothing that can ever replace the seductive smell and feel of a book in one's hands. Which is why Rabbi Wolpe and countless other writers, myself included, continue to write books, electronic time permitting of cours.
Often when I worked on Sunday mornings, I did not have a first customer for almost three hours. And, our store was a top performer. So, what does this all mean? I love the feel of books, but the trend is going electronic. And, I must admit, I too want a Kindle or Nook.
For me, the benefits are immeasurable. I possess a personal library of over 3000 books. How wonderful it would be for me, when travelling, if I had at my disposal, at the very touch of a button, my library with me. I could access the information I need, my research material would be constantly at my disposal.
But, what I do fear is that we have become enamoured by our electronics. We want information, but in 500-word bites. Distillation has become the norm, rather than curling up with a lovely book, in front of the fireplace or on a patio on a Sunday morning.
My fellow author and friend, Rabbi David J. Wolpe, recently posted these same frustrations on a blog post for the Huffington Post:
I used to write books. Now, I write Facebooks. Somehow it is not the same.
There was a time when being sequestered in a room was not that difficult. When I wrote my first book there was nothing really on TV at 3 am. Netflix was not. There were no emails waiting, no tweets tweeting, no IPODS purring, no seductive flashing updates that remind you if your news is more than 15 minutes old. I could write relatively undisturbed except for the manic bouncing of my own thoughts.
Now wireless follows me like a stalker. Café, library, streetcorner, no place is free from the lurking server. Yes, I know I can turn it off. I also know that I can remove my fillings and have my fingernails extracted, but I am not about to do it any more than I will cut the ethereal lifeline to the world. After all, if I sit in a room to write something with a greater half-life than last nights dessert, I may miss the urgent news item that has a half life, well, of last night's dessert. You see - it is a conundrum.
As writers, we grieve the loss of brick-and-mortar stores, like the loss of a friend. We are so wired into the digital age, we sometimes find it difficult to unplug, even to write, which is our stock and trade. So, I shall continue to support Borders, to the bitter end, and will shop at other local booksellers, to find that one jewel to add to my ever burgeoning library.
But, someday in the near future, my library shall consist of only a Nook or Kindle, loaded to the max with my treasured books. Will it be traumatic? Yes, for there is nothing that can ever replace the seductive smell and feel of a book in one's hands. Which is why Rabbi Wolpe and countless other writers, myself included, continue to write books, electronic time permitting of cours.
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