Writing and journalism: remembering why

Last Thursday I had two great opportunities to recall some basics on creative writing and my first profession, journalism. In exchange for the use of our facilities at my workplace, the Port of Seattle,  we got a seat in a creative writing seminar series. I signed up for one on getting your novel started, and it happened to be led by Seattle author Robert Dugoni. He is a the author of a number of books  and legal thrillers including the David Sloane series. I have not read any of them yet — it’s not my genre — but intend to. He won some Pacific Northwest Writers Association literary awards which I’m sure helped along the way to publication, and I believe he created a very strong character in Sloane, so I can learn from Dugoni’s work.  

My novel is historical fiction, and I’m on my fourth revision. I don’t need help getting started, but I am never satisfied with that opening line, that opening paragraph, and wondering have I started my story in the right place. I made a big shift after the first draft, to start with the action. This is the recommendation from many writers conferences I’ve attended, and from Dugoni as well. One of the other participants said if the book is a mystery “I want blood and guts in the first paragraph.” Not so much from historical fiction, but you’ve still got to hook your reader.

Another of Dugoni’s recommendations was to make sure you create a question in the reader’s mind with the first paragraph, and really with every paragraph. That’s what makes them keep going. That’s how you create a page turner. Another conference presenter said it a different way: End your chapter in the middle, never at the “end.” It’s all to keep the reader eager to find out what happens next.

One of the no-nos Dugoni called out was the use of flashback. If you need to go back in time you’ve got to put the reader right in that time. Flashbacks stop the story. So, I’ve got a flashback in my third chapter and it is one of my “darlings” that I have to decide whether to delete. A couple of literary agents have told me they like my story but could not quite connect with (fall in love with) the protagonist. The scenes from the past are, I think, what make her endearing and make her who she is in the present time. I just have to be more crafty in how I get that information across. Some days writing is a blessing, and some days it is a pain in the ass!

That same evening I met a friend for dinner and we went to see “Page One,” the documentary about the New York Times. The premise is that print journalism is not dead, because that is where the online news sites get their content. Really — how many bloggers have been to Iraq? Most just comment on what someone else has researched and written, and there is no concern about balanced reporting or truth.

My friend and I both graduated from University of Florida’s journalism school, and we had some amazing instructors so after that the passion for journalism is in your blood. I never did investigative journalism, just daily news stories and my strength really was profiles and feature stories. But I fell in love with the NYT writers who are keeping the passion alive, fighting back against those who have no care for information but only for Lady  Gaga stories that they think bring in the bucks. They talked about the struggle of reporters and editors having to work for owners and leaders who do not share the same values. I know a bit about that. And David Carr, oh my gosh what a character and what a strong person. If you are a journalist, even at heart, you must see this movie and remember why we all do it.

It’s an interesting coincidence that both of these events ended up happening on the same day, and both of them touching that writer in me. I wanted to write since I was in first grade, but for most of my life told myself I couldn’t. My college roommate encouraged me to major in journalism and I will always be grateful for that, because writing has been the cornerstone for everything in my career. Dugoni and Page One remind me I can be proud of that. Success to me has never meant NYT best seller list, Oprah, or anything like that. I heard a long time ago that, if you tell your story and it reaches the heart of one person, you have succeeded.

I’ll finish the revision of my historical novel soon, and put it out there one way or another for that one reader. It’s called “The Wideness of the Sea,” and it’s about an Irish peasant girl who, in 1650, vows to avenge the destruction of her village by assassinating Oliver Cromwell, so keep an eye out in case that one reader is you.

Blog to Book and Podiobook

At the Association for Women In Communication conference last month I had the chance to talk with Tom Masters, author of Blog to Books and Beyond: A New Path to Publishing Success. His book gives a general overview of what blogs are and what makes them successful, and takes a look at specific cases like Julie Powell and The Julie/Julia Project — which also became a motion picture, and Diablo Cody, whose first blog Darling Girl led to a book about her life as a stripper, and eventually to her book, Juno. You know the rest of that story.

Tom is also president of Book Publishers Northwest, so he is particularly aware of some of the options in my region. He offers some advice for how best to structure a blog, and things to think about if you want to blog your novel. I’ve been looking at differences in blogs and blog strategies a lot because there is some interest in establishing one for my employer, so much of what Tom talks about is familiar to me. What was new to me was the idea of podcasting a novel.

He gives a brief case study of Scott Sigler, science fiction writer, whose novel EarthCore got picked up by AOL/TimeWarner, but they “scrapped the imprint” just before his book was to be printed. So, he decided to put his book out for free via podcast. He created 22 audio eposides, 45 mins each, by recording in a closet. Tom likens it to the old 1940s radio shows. Sigler had to provide all the character voices and generate enough drama to keep the listeners interested, but evidently was successful because he quickly built an audience of 5,000 listeners. His second novel Ancestor drew 30,000 listeners. I believe he had some help getting the word out via an online science fiction network.

I have not investigated this yet but I am intrigued by it. His podcasting success attracted a Canadian publisher which published both books. It comes down to the same story I’ve been hearing for a while — pubishers are reluctant to take a risk on an unknown author, especially in these economic times, so if you can prove to them you already have a sizeable audience, they’re more willing to give you real consideration.

Of course, podcasting is an investment. Maybe not as much as self-publishing a book, but you would have to create a quality product that people wanted to listen to, and then you have to promote it to people who know nothing about you or your work. Sigler used the Garage Band program on his Mac to create and edit his episodes, including background noises just like they do now for radio feature stories. Tom told me Sigler got criticized by one of his listeners who said a character voice in his second novel was too similar to a character in his first novel. You might need some help, like drawing in friends to be some of the characters. It could be fun, or, not so much if you are a demanding and exacting producer.

My characters would have to have Irish and British accents — which I’m afraid I’m not so good at.  But, I think podcasting would be a great option for historical fiction if done right. I’d love to hear from anyone who has tried this approach for historical fiction.

Standing tall 100 years: AWC

My professional group, the Association for Women In Communications, is celebrating its centennial this year. And, because it all started with a few like-minded and determined women at the University of Washington, the UW School of Communications is co-sponsor for the AWC National Conference in October that will draw writers, editors and communicators of all types from across the nation.

I’ve attended two of these conferences in the past, and always have come away with knowledge, tips for success on the job as a corporate communications manager, and ideas for stories, strategies and new tactics to reach audiences. Plus, it’s fun, and this year in Seattle I believe it will be better than ever. I’ll be just a 10 minute drive from all the activities, but those staying in the downtown Sheraton will be just steps away from outstanding shopping and restaurants, plus all the great sights of the city.

AWC was a lifeline I grabbed onto when I first moved to Seattle. I didn’t know anyone here, I knew there were professional opportunities here but I did not really know how to access them. The connections I made helped considerably, especially when I needed references, but the friendships I made have been lasting and very rewarding.

If you work in the communications field — and are also an author of fiction or non-fiction — come. You will get something out of this. And for me, the idea of supporting an organization that has supported the rise of women in a profession typically reserved for men makes me feel part of a larger stream that makes good things happen. Some days, that helps get me through!

HNS 2009 Conference

I’m pleased to be a new member of the Historical Novel Society, and have registered for the 2009 US conference in June. Some of my favorites will be there, including Diana Gabaldon whose books I have cherished and whom I have heard a few times at the Surrey International Writers Conference. I’ll be looking forward to hearing from Margaret George and Edward Rutherfurd — plus it seems there is dinner banquet with historical costume fashion show. That will be a kick.

I’ve had some great feedback this year on my historical novel, The Snow Path to Dingle. I look forward to being with other authors — the main challenge will be to select from the concurrent sessions. How do you choose between the editors’ panel about how to sell historical fiction, and the one featuring Margaret George and Susan Holloway Scott? My goal is to learn all I can to continue to hone my craft, particularly in character development. There is always something to earn. My readers so far have loved the characters, but I would like to explore ways to grow in this area.

Anyone else attending? Drop me a line–especially if you’re traveling from Seattle.

New friends

I’ve not had great success with writers’ groups. I’ve participated in a few — one that broke up after a few months from lack of structure and forward movement; one that was virtually destroyed by a member who brutally criticized other writers’ work but never presented any of his own; and one that was helpful for a while as far as networking but did not produce the kind of results a writer needs. Everyone has an idea for what you should do with your story, but often they are just making it different, not necessarily better. If a writer talks to 15 different people about her story, she can easily come away with 15 very different ideas for what she ought to do. I’m really pleased with the writers’ group I came into with the Point Montara conference. Each writer understands this, and I think everybody has come to the table with some experience and support to offer, not a lot of ego. Any one story can be cast it 17 different ways, and that is the crux of the issue. For me, I know the story, but I search for the right chemistry, the right sequencing to make it believable, important and compelling. Right now I’m between just two options, waiting for that little spark of inner wisdom to push me over the line into the right direction. Maybe it will come from within, but maybe it will also come from my friends. The important thing for me is to keep the windows open.

Wrong, on so many counts

Just returned from the workshop. They did in fact have wireless access and I was without my card, so I blew it on that and a number of other misunderstandings! I was worried about changing my work — guess what, I will be changing it dramatically, and I have to in order to grow as a writer. But I don’t have to turn it into someone else’s story, just write mine better. The setting at Point Montara was gorgeous although I think I’m not cut out for hosteling. Too much of a city girl. Michael Neff was great, and managed in the most supportive, helpful and encouraging way to let me know I’ve got a couple years work on this manuscript — since I’ve got to keep my day job. I got some very positive responses to my writing, and got to hear the work of some of the most remarkable people I have met ever. It was an unforgettable experience and I certainly got my money’s worth.

Writers’ Workshop

So, at some expense I signed up to attend a five-day intensive writers’ workshop. I signed up in February and it starts this week (7/12/07). Has anyone attended Algonkian conferences? I didn’t come up with any negatives online so I’m giving it a shot. I’m a little apprehensive, not so much about the workshop but about how I’ll handle it. I think it will either make or break my writing from here. I know that’s a little black and white thinking, but I suspect there will be things writers are asked to do to their work that I will be unwilling to do. I’m not going to turn my story into someone else’s just to sell it. On the other hand, maybe they’ll teach me just what I need to know to take my work to a higher level. We’ll see. I don’t think I’ll have wireless access there so I may have to save my follow-up posts for post facto.