The Power of Words

As an author, I have always known that my words could have the power to instruct, to inspire, to heal. But, the recent events in my home state of Arizona have made me step back and think of how our words affect people.

Words have the power to hurt, to destroy, to shatter the lives of others. We, as authors, need to be circumspect about our words. I came to the profession of writing to inspire people for change, or to enlighten those who are struggling to find themselves. I do not pretend to know all the answers, but I do hope my words can instill hope, compassion, and peace.

To all my fellow authors, think carefully about your words. Though my books are aimed at a particular audience and appeal to a select few, I would never, with my words, espouse hate. I write with abandon because I love to write, I love the spoken and written word, and I love the free flow of ideas. But, when we use our words for hate, we become no better than the people who caused this tragedy.

Let us lift our voices to better our world, not to add to the anger and division in our society. Hate has become so commonplace we do not seem to be shocked by it, until something like this occurs. As writers, we have the ability to affect so many with our words - let us use this senseless tragedy for change, with the only tool we have, our words.

Getting Started

I will freely admit that I am still a new author. Though I have been fortunate to have three books accepted for publication, I am realistic; I will probably never be on the New York Times Bestseller List, nor will I ever win a Pulitzer Prize.

However, writing is my vocation and my obsession. I love to write - for me it is the pleasure and the emotional release I find in writing. So, when another writer contacts and says they do not know how to get started, I don't really know how to respond.

The one problem I don't have is starting a project. I can't remember ever starting a project on page one, but starting, to me, is the easiest part. I outline, chapter by chapter, so I will not forget what I want to include in the book. From there, I can build my proposal package, cover letter, and synopsis. Half the work is done already.

For me, the hardest part is knowing when to end a project. How much research to include? How long is too long? Should I divide it into more than one book? These are the questions which plague me. Making chapter after chapter flow evenly, editing, adding detail, these are the mechanics of writing. At some point, I need to step back, put the project aside for a few days, then take another look at it.

Too much information, too much description, too much of anything in writing, is counterproductive. So, I usually advise new writers, don't sweat the beginning. Get something on paper, it can always be edited, but starting is your spark of creativity. To be afraid to start is like trying to stifle your voice. Never fear the beginning of a project - you are the master of your creation. Jump in with both feet and enjoy the ride.

Does Writer's Block Really Exist?

Most writers (and books on writing) stress the importance of setting a schedule to write, to be creative, since writing is in fact a career. But, what do you do when you sit in front of a blank computer screen and there are no words to write?

I am a writer who does not follow a schedule. I know when I am more apt to be productive and when it would just be a waste of time to even try. My creativity ebbs and flows depending upon the time of day. So, why should I try to force myself to be creative? Writers out there may disagree, but a schedule, to me, seems to defeat the purpose. Of course, their retort is that it trains the mind to be creative.

I write because I love to write, I am obsessed with writing as an outlet for creativity and personal expression. Why would I want to sit and stare at a blank screen and feel that awful doubt creeping in: am I really good enough, is my work really worth it?

Forcing yourself to write may be a cause of writer's block. I personally don't believe in writer's block, so to speak. I do feel a sense of sadness when I complete a work. And, I need time to step back, relax, and recharge, before I can write again. Is that writer's block? I say no. As with any artistic endeavour, one cannot be creative all the time.

When "writer's block" hits, maybe it is just your creative mind telling you it's time to take a break. I could not imagine writing every day at the same time and expecting my work to be the best all the time. Writing should not be forced, it should flow onto the page from that well deep within the writer's mind, that creative spark that first turned you into a writer in the first place.

Works in Process

As the year comes to an end, I reflect on the books which I have not yet completed. Some still call to me, some may end up being shelved for a while.

I am working on a fourth book in my Egyptian magic series, this one focusing on healing and life magic. I have completed most of the research and just need to do some additional expansion on some of the chapters, so that one should be finished first.

I'm trying to get back into a writing schedule, but have not succeeded yet. But, that means, I have two novels sitting on my desktop, in various stages of "doneness" (I know that is not a word, so be gentle), a short story that needs revision, and a two non-fiction titles, one on early Biblical history, the other is more of a true-crime novel.

Maybe I'm spreading myself too thin. I sit in front of my computer screen to work on one project and my mind wanders to another project. When I get a good head of steam up on one project, I suddenly run out of steam and wonder if I'll ever get it finished.

So, I have made my only New Year's resolution, because I hate making promises I can't keep. This year I promise to finish those projects on my desktop before I start outlining a new one. Maybe, this is one resolution I'll be able to keep.

Who Is The Real Writer?

This is something that has been bothering me for quite some time, and I really need to get it off my chest. I love trolling the postings on craigslist and I have read some of the most ridiculous requests.

Students, on the college level, who are too busy, or too lazy, to write their own papers for a class are now posting for professional writers to write their classroom assignments. And, more disturbing, there are writers and companies that will do it for them.

I must be under the mistaken impression that going on to an institute of higher education means actually doing the work. Once they have that degree in hand, who is going to write their business correspondence for them? Or will they hire someone then, as well. Why do so many students still insist on taking the easy way out? Are they that under-educated they can not even research and write their own college essays and papers?

Granted, I haven’t been in an academic setting for many years, but if I were a professor and found my students were paying for someone to write their papers, they would be failed for their “theft” of an education.

If you can’t compose an essay for a college class, what are you doing in college in the first place? Let someone who wants to be there, who wants to succeed, take your place. You are only cheating yourself, but then again, that seems to be a pervasive attitude in this country.

Students are routinely shuttled through the public school system, many unable to read and write. These same students apparently are going on to college and still expect a pass. If you don’t want to do the work necessary for an education, why bother?

As a professional writer, it seems to me that any other professional who would take on this type of work is doing a disservice to their profession. If I were crafting the work for a student, then I should be the person, standing on the stage at graduation, accepting that degree - I'm the one who earned it.

The Dreaded Info Dump

New writers, and I admit I struggle with this myself, don’t always recognise how much is enough, when it comes to back story and character description.

I have adopted the attitude that a little is enough. I can always add information at key moments, or introduce information through dialogue.

When I started my first novel, I knew I had way too much information. So I opted to use sparse character description knowing, in a series, I could introduce more in following books, without repeating myself.

With background location, I also try to use sparse description. I will carry a theme through the book, such as the heat or the sun, but the exterior “shots” I like to leave to my readers’ imagination. When writing about ancient Egypt, I think most people have preconceived notions about what it looked like.

In describing a room, I again try to just add enough information for the reader, without losing their interest. I cannot read a novel where a person or place is described in excruciating detail; I lose interest, I want to formulate a picture in my head, and it may not be the same as the author’s. That is part of the fun of reading a book.

Always leave something to the readers’ imagination. A few key elements, a well-placed description or facial expression, can add more depth to a story than twenty pages of well-written detail. It can be demoralising to an author, during the first, second, third, or fourth edit, when whole pages need to be cut, especially the ones you felt were the best you had written. Start small and add to the flavour of the work, piece by piece, rather than page after page.

Research and Technology

Though I willingly admit to be technologically challenged, I find the internet, for me as a researcher, to be the most amazing tool in my writing toolbox. I can literally find almost anything, at the click of a button.

Where I used to write letters of introduction to prospective sources, I can now contact them by email. I don't have to wait weeks for a response, hoping the letter isn't languishing on a secretary's desk, or worse yet, in the trash can.

And, the internet has made me more confident. I would reluctantly approach people, preeminent in their fields, feeling so inferior to them. Now, having a third book to my credit, I fearlessly (well almost) email people in my research. I have reached out to forensic pathologists, archaeologists, religious leaders, state attorneys, and other writers, all in an effort to compile just the right data, the right nugget of information.

But, the internet has made me lazy in other respects. I used to enjoy spending days at my local library, leafing through old books and newspapers; now all I have to do is click a button and print it out. The information is immediate, saving time, but is not as much fun. And, though I still hunt for the obscure texts, with the amount of books in my personal library currently, I find it harder and harder to track down new titles.

Until I turn on my computer, and hit the search button. Then, my journey begins anew, with new frontiers to challenge and excite me, always on the hunt for a new subject of research.