The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine since 1998

01 December 2008

The Fine Line The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

Writers' Village University - F2K: Free Fiction Writing Course - ePress-online
Writers' Village University Membership Information

The Fine Line

Sfrench@wvu.org

The world of the writer is unique. The challenges and obstacles we face are often not the same as those of others in more traditional occupations. We walk a fine line between our real and imaginary (written) worlds, often feeling like we are performing a juggling act on a tightrope. T-zero's FineLine column offers discussion and advice regarding the difficulties and struggles we face during the process of writing lines.

Dear Fine Line,

My family is really beginning to annoy me. I thought when I began writing that I would get more support than what I have. In fact, it seems they would rather I not write at all. I have wanted to write since I was nine years old, and even then didn't get support from my parents. I write because it makes me happy, yet it seems my family doesn't want me to be happy.

My children are getting older now. It seems to me that all they want is to be driven around. Being teenagers I know they no longer want or need my attention, as they once did, yet they continue to demand so much of my time. I have catered to them for years and was happy to do it. I am so frustrated. I love them and want them to be happy. Should I continue to give up my writing for their needs? How am I supposed to balance family and writing? I just want to be the best writer I can be, to be in the one percent that makes it and gets published. Plus, I really am encouraged by all the classes at WVU. There is so much support and input, and I really don't want to give any of it up.

I wonder how many other writers have this problem. I think that I should write because if I am happy, then my family is going to be happy but I also feel selfish when I try to take time from them for my writing. I would appreciate any advice you can offer.

Sincerely,

Feeling Hurt in Washington

Dear Feeling Hurt,

I think you will find that you're not alone in this problem and I don't believe it is one that is unique to writers. Often parents who devote themselves to their children have this kind of struggle with time to do it all when the children get older and the parent's priorities shift.

It might be wise to keep in mind that not only are the children changing, but you are as well. This doesn't mean that change isn't a good thing, but it's been proven that most people resist changes.

When children hold on to the same expectations they had in childhood as they enter their teens, they often appear uncaring and selfish. Sometimes it almost seems as though this is a requirement to be a teenager!

I feel that this problem can be more pronounced and last longer for parent writers because they usually remain in the home when they return to this work or hobby. They are there and seemingly available to the family, who then find it difficult to accept that the parent's life has changed. Here are a few suggestions that might help you through this transition period:

Understand, in your own mind, what you are trying to accomplish and why.
Communicate this to your children. It might take more than one attempt, but it is worth helping them to understand. Support and encouragement should follow this understanding.
Make sure you have the support of your spouse. If s/he is not already supportive, include her/him in the activities below. It won't hurt to persuade your spouse to your side before you approach the kids. You certainly don't need to deal with opposition to the changes from the other authority figure in the home.
Analyze your family's weekly schedule. One way to do this is to create a twenty-four hour, seven-day chart. Write in all your family's activities. Highlight times when they are out, sleeping, or otherwise occupied. Use another color to highlight the times when you know they will want something from you, whether it is dinner or taxi service. A pattern should emerge where you can find the time, within the schedule, to reserve for your writing. If this is too limited, try to find ways to get help from your spouse or friends with things like carpooling the kids, trading off time, etc. Also, look at the things you currently do for your family that they might be able to help with or do themselves.
Work together. Share your feelings with your family without anger. Share the end result of the above chart with them. Make the changes in family routine beneficial to everyone. Reviewing the schedule can increase their awareness of all you do and their appreciation. Negotiating often works very well; "If you do this, then I'll do that."
Make use of your talent. If emotions are easily stirred, try writing a letter. The written word helps us say the things we want to say, the way we want to say them, without interruption. It allows the recipient to mull over the words before reacting.

You said it best when you wrote, "I think that I should write because if I am happy, then my family is going to be happy." I agree with this statement wholeheartedly. I believe happy, fulfilled people pass those feelings on to the people around them. If "what comes around, goes around" is true, then this certainly isn't a bad cycle of which to be a part. Taking the time you need for yourself just might make you a better parent.

Don't fall off the line and keep on writing those fine lines!

Do you have any comments or suggestions about this letter? Do you have a

problem with some area of your writing life? FineLine would love to hear from you! Please direct your letters to Sherry putting "FineLine" in the subject field.

T-Zero: The Writer's Ezine
http://TheWritersEzine.com
Copyright 1998 - 2007, Writopia Inc. All Rights Reserved

Sparks The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

The Writer's E-Zine Home

Writers' Village University - F2K: Free Fiction Writing Course - ePress-online
Writers' Village University Membership Information

Sparks

Karenika@wvu.org

How Bad Do You Really Want That?

This month we talk about desires and priorities. Let's say you've always wanted to visit Hawaii. You tell everyone you'd love to go to Hawaii. It's your favorite place on earth to visit, etc. Now, let's say your favorite uncle comes to you with a round-trip ticket to your favorite place on earth. He says you can go but you have to leave the day after tomorrow and you only have one ticket. Do you still want to go?

Hmmm, maybe not. You can't leave work on such short notice. You have to pick up your son from basketball practice that day, and you have dance classes you don't want to miss. Suddenly, a million things are in the way. So how bad did you really want to go to Hawaii? Not that much after all.

This exercise is to be used as a means to get to know your characters better. If you want to get to know yourself better, feel free to do it on yourself first. You might be surprised at how many things aren't as important to you as they have seemed.

Once you decide on whom to do the exercise, pick up a pen and paper or get comfortable in front of your computer. We are going to make a few lists. For the first ten minutes, make a list of all the things you, or this character, wish to have or do. Here's an example:

I wish to:

Quit my job
Travel the world
Write for a living
Marry Tim
Have children
Learn how to speak Japanese
Buy a dog

Now that we have our list of wishes, it's time to enhance it. Go through each item on the list and write two or three sentences that reflect what's keeping you from fulfilling that wish. The above list could be expanded as follows:

Quit my job: I really want to quit my job, but what if I can't find another job? What makes me think all jobs aren't like the one I have? I really should wait until the end of bonus time. Maybe in a couple of more months.

Travel the world: But for me to travel the world, my boyfriend has to quit his job, too. How fun is traveling the world if you're alone?

Write for a living: There is no way I could afford the pay cut right now. How will I find jobs? How will I think of things to write each time? What if I get lonely?

Marry Tim: What if I'm too young? What if he's not the one for me? I don't get another chance, you know.

You get the idea. So make changes to each of the items in the list. This will not only give you a good idea of your character's priorities, but it might help some fantastic plots to emerge as well.

As always, make sure to have fun, fun, fun!

T-Zero: The Writer's Ezine
http://TheWritersEzine.com
Copyright 1998 - 2007, Writopia Inc. All Rights Reserved

Inclinations The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

The Writer's E-Zine Home

Writers' Village University - F2K: Free Fiction Writing Course - ePress-online
Writers' Village University Membership Information

Inclinations

Priscilla@wvu.org

Here we have it, an Inclination from our own Bob Hembree and excerpted from the Fiction 99 lessons - "Have fun!" Yes, a man of succinct explanations, our Bob, yet so rich in content. As the newly indoctrinated students read the sage advice given at the end of each lesson, they ask the Mentors, "Are we having fun yet?" while they struggle with Point of View and Theme. Our answer in the Martini Room? You betcha!

Do you have fun when you write? Or are you disciplined, nose to the grindstone, ever-suffering? Julia Cameron (The Artists' Way) says, "Think of discipline as a battery, useful but short-lived." She goes on to point out that "over any extended period of time, being an artist requires enthusiasm more than discipline." Wow! I like this perspective.

I do tend to take exception with many of Julia's opinions, so this is a breakthrough for me. She calls it "an artistic defense against what is perceived as a hostile environment". In other words, my artistic child is sulking when I object to one of her pronouncements. Whatever!

Needless to say, I exude enthusiasm when I write. But I do love it when a non-writer remarks, "Gee you must have a lot of discipline to write hour after hour." Of course, I agree with a broad grin and say meekly, "Well, you know, I just love to write." Little do they know I'm having fun.

Think about it. Children in school learn more and faster if they're having fun. I hear writers say, "I just can't make myself sit and write today" or "I guess I'm lazy, I just don't feel like writing this morning." Even "I have so much work to do, I can't find the time". Sounds like they've lost their lust for writing. Lost the fun, the adventure of wondering where this character is going to lead them.

They're focused on the discipline of getting up, turning on the computer and writing for two hours or four hours. What does it matter? It's not fun anymore. The spontaneity of the creative process has been upended. We're not enjoying ourselves. We're stuck in a creative block and fear has us by the throat. Don't look on your writing as drudgery. Look on it as adventure. You might be amazed at what's lurking around the corner.

If you look on your creative nature as an artist child, then let your child play and you will create. If you find joy in your work, you'll feel like a kid again. Rollo May, the American psychoanalyst who wrote The Courage to Create, describes ecstasy as "the accurate term for the intensity of consciousness that occurs in the creative act." Hey, Bob says, "Have fun!" I'll go further - be ecstatic!

John Steinbeck gave us a little insight into his work day when he said, "Three hours of writing require twenty hours of preparation. Luckily I have learned to dream about the work, which saves me some working time." I'll go along with that. Daydreaming leads to creativity, our artist child at work. I can hear my old teachers now, "Stop daydreaming and get to work!" If I only knew then what I know now.

I'll leave you with a thought-provoking inclination by Caitlin Thomas (Irish writer and widow of Dylan Thomas), "There is a great gulf between the really creative person and normal people. The totally creative person does not have the rest of his life in proper proportion." Amen, brothers and sisters.

'Til next month, this is ecstatic Priscilla, the eternal optimist.

T-Zero: The Writer's Ezine
http://TheWritersEzine.com
Copyright 1998 - 2007, Writopia Inc. All Rights Reserved

Newbie Notes The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

The Writer's E-Zine Home

Writers' Village University - F2K: Free Fiction Writing Course - ePress-online
Writers' Village University Membership Information

Newbie Notes

micarr@4-writers.com

Coloring Inside the Lines

"Rules are restrictive! I hate coloring inside the lines!"
True.
"You said these classes would help me free up my creativity."
Yes.
"So, why are you expecting me to follow rules? That's not the way I write!"
Are you satisfied with the way you write?
"Of course I am! Well, I'd like to be able to"
If you just keep writing long enough, you will find out what works for you.
"That could take years!"
True.
"Oh! Just tell me what to do."
Do you mean you want me to tell you what the rules are?
"Uh..."

The rules are not walls or barricades to imprison you, but guidelines for your pen. Color inside those lines and a seemingly random collection of lines may suddenly reveal the form and shape of a face or tree or house. It probably won't be exactly the face or tree or house you have in mind. But it will be recognizable and you will learn something about how, not just the lines, but the shapes and colors go together to reveal the whole.

If you stick with the lines for a while and experiment with different colors, you will learn something about how each variation affects the whole. It is much easier to see the results of a change when you make only one change and keep everything else the same. Many of the lessons at WVU are based on that idea. Keep everything, but one factor, the same in order to see more clearly what varied difference that factor creates.

By all means, think about and question the purpose of the lines/rules. Try to figure what benefit you get from them. "Help this will" is understandable but, for most of us, "this will help" is clearer. If you are trying to give the flavor of a language that uses a different word order, then "help this will" may be just what you need. So, you move the line, or even erase it, to serve your purpose. If you cannot figure the purpose of a rule, try practicing with and without it to see if the change does make a difference.

Coloring inside the lines is not a life sentence. It is a method of learning. Once you are confident in your skills, you will find that you, the writer, will be in control both inside and outside the lines.

T-Zero: The Writer's Ezine
http://TheWritersEzine.com
Copyright 1998 - 2007, Writopia Inc. All Rights Reserved

Healthy Horizons The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

The Writer's E-Zine Home

Writers' Village University - F2K: Free Fiction Writing Course - ePress-online
Writers' Village University Membership Information

Healthy Horizons

Laurie@WVU.zzn.com
ICQ# 17599180, Yahoo Pager ID# DrSuess1962

People We Know Give Us Character

I was reading through my favorite magazine, Bonkers?, the other day and it had some interesting points regarding the character of people and their relationships with ourselves. The article discussed different behaviors. I laughed, not because it was meant to be humorous, but because I had never given it much thought.

One scenario was about chronic complainers. We all know the type - those who call us up or visit and do nothing but complain. We listen attentively and offer suggestions but no matter what we advise, it isn't feasible to the person in question. The real kicker is this: while our friend is complaining, he/she is becoming more relaxed while we begin to tense and become frustrated. This is a transferred emotion.

My point in sharing this is that, as writers, we are obligated to give our readers true characters. We have to know our characters, what they think, how they feel, their background, etc. If we fail to do so, then we produce a story with something missing and cheat our reading public.

The scenario above proved how easily it is to overlook something important to the character. Building character is a task all it's own. We must build them from the bottom and add to them as we go along, making sure we personify their important qualities - who they are.

Sometimes everything we need to know about this person is right at hand. Other times we may need to do some research to make the character more believable. Perhaps your character has an illness. You want to know everything you could learn about this illness so that when you involve it in the story, you give your character a more real identity.

The quality of your writing depends on how much effort you put into it. Keeping a record of previous research information may speed up the process, but in many areas of life we learn more consistently. Be an avid reader and attentive listener, acknowledging each lesson in life. Leave room for more and remember that no two characters are exactly the same.

If you use these tips, you are less likely to disappoint your audience. Expressing some techniques of your own will add even more to your writing. Remember you have character!

Until next time, exalt those Healthy Horizons.

T-Zero: The Writer's Ezine
http://TheWritersEzine.com
Copyright 1998 - 2007, Writopia Inc. All Rights Reserved

Fiction Corner The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

The Writer's E-Zine Home

Writers' Village University - F2K: Free Fiction Writing Course - ePress-online
Writers' Village University Membership Information

Fiction Corner

Alison@4-writers.com

Some people just won't stay down. He's the man behind 6 major films in the last 10 years. Considering that he died over 4 centuries ago, William Shakespeare is pretty active. Mel Gibson starred in the film of Hamlet, Michelle Pfeifer in A Midsummer Night's Dream with Calista Flockhart. Leonardo DiCaprio and Clare Danes starred in Romeo and Juliet.

The recent film 10 Things I Hate about You was based on the Shakespeare play The Taming of the Shrew. Shakespeare's plays come in three flavours: Comedy (Much Ado About Nothing, Merchant of Venice), Tragedy (Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet) and History (Henry V, Henry IV parts 1 &2). I was told at school that you could tell the difference between a Comedy and Tragedy easily. At the end of a Tragedy, everyone dies. At the end of a Comedy, everyone gets married.

Whether old Will thought marriage was a comedy is probably best left to his wife, Ann Hathaway.

In all, he wrote 37 plays and many sonnets. Having tried to write one, I know sonnets are not easy. Not only do specific lines have to rhyme, there has to be a certain rhythm to each of the fourteen lines. Sonnets are a lot harder than Drabbles. To help you along, there's a Shakespeare Magnetic Poetry set, for refrigerator-side composing. Elizabethan English must be popular!

The Royal Shakespeare Company is listed in the biographies of actors Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation), Timothy Dalton (star of two James Bond films among others), Daniel Day-Lewis (Last of the Mohicans, The Crucible), Ralph Fiennes (Schindler's List, The English Patient), Jeremy Irons (The Man in the Iron Mask, Lolita), and many others.

Shakespeare dealt with themes like feuding families, mistaken identity, betrayal and war - subjects in which we're still interested. Give the old man a chance. Take in one of the movies based on his work and see how good, or otherwise, four hundred year old writing is.

Drabble of the Month

I couldn't decide between these two. Thanks to everyone who sent in a Drabble. I had a great time reading them. First, one from Meher Ansari, in India:

Night

11 am. Honolulu. An 'ICQ' message flashes on the computer of a student:
"Mamta online".
"Hi, Mamma. How are you?"
A watch by the computer, a parting gift from her mother, shows India time: 2:30 am! No time for an aging woman to be awake.
"Mamma, what are you doing at this time of the day. I mean night? Go to bed." She reprimands her mother lovingly.
"How's your sore throat? Gargle with warm water and take some herbal tea before you leave. You have your presentation today. All the best. Have a nice day."
"Thank you Mamma. Good night."

Now something different from D. M. Grant (a.k.a. HarlieG)

A New Orleans Night

"Hey, I'm Steve."
She glanced at him as she scrunched her bag under the seat.
"Ever been to New Orleans?" His breath already stunk of JD. She shrugged a response. He didn't take the hint.
"Paaarrrty, baby!"
Past his shoulder, she saw the full moon glancing off the silver wing. How appropriate, she thought, for my return. As the plane bounced down, Steve was finally silent. She licked her lips. Rolling her bag off the plane, she savored the lingering taste of iron laced with the sour taste of JD. She sighed. The first drink home is always the best!

The Drabble theme for November is betrayal (due October 15th), the theme for December is Millennium (due November 15th) and the theme for January is stars (due December 15th).

Send your Drabbles to me.

Happy Drabbling!

T-Zero: The Writer's Ezine
http://TheWritersEzine.com
Copyright 1998 - 2007, Writopia Inc. All Rights Reserved

Tidbits The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

The Writer's E-Zine Home

Writers' Village University - F2K: Free Fiction Writing Course - ePress-online
Writers' Village University Membership Information

Tidbits

Emma@4-writers.com

October International Calendar

National Day	1st	China
National Foundation Day	3rd	Republic of Korea
National Day	3rd	Germany
Labour Day	4th	Australia
Armed Forces Day	5th	Indonesia
Deepavali	8th	Singapore, Malaysia
National Day	10th	Taiwan
Columbus Day	11th	USA
Thanksgiving	11th	Canada
Health and Sports	11th	Japan
Chung Yeung Festival	18th	Hong Kong
Chulalongkorn Day	23rd	Thailand
Labour Day	25th	New Zealand
Bank Holiday	25th	Republic of Ireland
Retrocession Day	25th	Taiwan
National Day	28th	Greece
Chiang Kai-Shek Birthday	31st	Taiwan

Did You Know...

In 1412, a young peasant girl was born. Thirteen years later, this peasant girl believed she heard celestial voices and visions of St. Michael, St. Catherine of Alexandria, and St. Margaret.

In 1429, these voices urged her to help the Dauphin (later Charles VII, King of France) overcome internal strife and claim the English throne of France. She succeeded in convincing him that she had a divine mission. After extensive examinations by a board of theologians, her claims were approved. She was given troops to command and set off to win victory for France.

She led the French in several military victories and, later that year, Charles was crowned King at the Catherdral at Reims. However, in 1430 this young girl conducted a military operation against the English at Compiegne near Paris, without royal support. She was captured by the Bourguinon soldiers and then turned over to an English ecclesiastical court at Rouen. She was to be tried for heresy and sorcery.

After 14 months of interrogation, she was accused of wearing masculine dress and of heresy for believing she was only responsible to God. She was condemned to death. She penitently confessed her sins and the sentence was reduced to life in prison. On 30 May 1431, she was condemned again, this time by a secular court for resuming masculine dress.

She was burned at the stake in the Old Market Square at Rouen as a relapsed heretic. Twenty five years later, the church retried her case and she was found innocent. Five hundred years later, she was canonized by Pope Benedict XV.

Who is this amazing woman? Joan of Arc, also called the Maid of Orleans, national heroine and patron saint of France, who united the French nation at a critical hour and turned the Hundred Years' War in France's favour.

Who are they...

St. Michael - an Archangel in Christian supernatural beings. He is ranked above the angels in the celestial hierarchy. Michael is the leader of the angels who cast out the dragons from heaven.

St. Catherine of Alexandria - 4th century Christian martyr, who protested to the emperor Maxentius at the persecution of Christians. She was placed on a wheel to be broken, hence the name "Catherine Wheel" on fireworks night. However, the wheel was shattered by an angel and she was beheaded instead. Her feast day (25 November) was removed from the church calendar in 1969.

St. Margaret (1045-93) - wife of Malcolm III of Scotland & sister to Edgar the Aetheling. She was noted for her piety and for reforming the Scottish Church in accordance with Georgian principles. She was canonized in 1250.

Literature

1986 le Carre: A Perfect Spy, novel.

943 Hywel Dda's Code of Welsh Laws.

1801 Schiller: Die Jungffrau von Orleans, German drama retelling the story of Joan of Arc.

History

2BC Julia, daughter of Augustus, banished for immorality.

1289 Scotland under English influence.

1626 Battle of Wallhof; the Swedish defeat the Polish.

Science

16 First definite reference to diamonds.

1294 Peace of Tonsberg confirmed economic control of Normay by Haise.

1934 Mumps first isolated.

Arts

20BC Herod began rebuilding Temple at Jerusalem.

1555 Sir Thomas founded St. John's College, Oxford.

1919 Modiglian: Gypsy woman with baby, Italian painting.

Red Pen The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

The Writer's E-Zine Home

Writers' Village University - F2K: Free Fiction Writing Course - ePress-online
Writers' Village University Membership Information

RedPen

CaLana@4-writers.com

Adam

This is the story
'Bout a little red ant.
Traipsin' through the woods one day,
His antlers came alive.
There, right before him,
Was a homemade apple pie.

His tiny belly grumbled,
Eyes all aglow.
He raced to claim his prize, you see
And then...uh oh!

A gringo chillin' on a limb above
Scurried down the tree's bark.
"You won't get there before I, my love!"
Ant's hopes soon colored dark.

The race ensued,
Limbs rushed forward fast.
Not many seconds later
Did the gringo run right past.

Ant tried, he did
But much to dismay
Was the gringo munching happily
'Fore Ant could make his way.

"Oh man! Oh dear!, oh gosh!" he cried,
Tears trickling to the grass.
He sat right down to calm himself,
"It wasn't mine to have," he sighed.

He got right up,
And made his way ahead.
Not too long, not far away
Stood a pie for him to sup!

"This one's bigger,
Fresher, too,"
Ant said looking 'round.
"Hope there's no chigger,
Pray there's no spider,
But still I won't be blue.
Defeat I can pound...
Oh look! I see some cider!"

Note to Self The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

The Writer's E-Zine Home

Writers' Village University - F2K: Free Fiction Writing Course - ePress-online
Writers' Village University Membership Information

Note to Self

proof@earthlink.net

Writing a Cover Letter

A cover letter is a simple letter that accompanies a Manuscript upon submission. It's goal is to introduce the manuscript and the author. This is a quick guide to constructing a proper cover letter.

Format

It's the end of the millennium. If I need to tell you to print out a letter (or at least type it), then you're such a unique individual, you might as well tear into the world your own way. For the rest of us, use unlined white paper or business stationary ( 8 1/2" by 11"). Single space your sentences, and double space between paragraphs. Use the editor's name and title because it adds a personal touch. It's worth the time to find out this information if you don't know it already. Use Miss, Mrs. etc. only if you're positive of martial status. When uncertain of the individuals gender, don't use a prefix.

The full cover letter should be 2 or 3 paragraphs and typically 1 page long. It should be the front page of a single manuscript or on top of a group of pieces. Your contact information should appear in the top left corner and include your full name, address, phone, and maybe fax and e-mail address.

1st paragraph

The goal of the first paragraph is to explain what is being submitted. The first three sentences should include:

the title of the piece(s) you are submitting
a description of the piece(s)
style of the piece (i.e. fiction, poem, short story etc.) If the piece has been previously published, explain where and when. If you've been requested to send the piece, say so here.

2nd paragraph

In the second paragraph, state why the piece is unique, and/or what special experiences you've had that gives the piece individuality. If you don't have anything to say here, omit this paragraph and move to the third.

3rd paragraph

The third paragraph is a place for a quick (relevant) bio. Stick to the facts. Be modest (about yourself and your work), and avoid irrelevant information (that award you won in high school for the short story about the adventures of you and your puppy). Include your previous sales and publications. If you're previously unpublished, say nothing. End with something like this:

I look forward to hearing from you. Please call or write if you have any questions.
Sincerely (graciously, cordially etc.),
[3 line spaces]
Your name

For more information on cover letters check the Writers Market, published by Writer's Digest Books. Don't forget to cruise by WVU's course book for more about writing query letters. Remember, though, the difference between a query letter and a cover letter is that a query does not accompany a manuscript, but instead asks the editor for permission to submit one.

	T-zero Xpandizine *The Writer's E-Zine*
	Produced and published by the members of Writers' Village University since 1998 ISSN 1521-2639