a Covid tip for writers

You can stream just about anything these days. Ever want to visit a normal service at a synagog, church, or temple. To hear and see the sermon. Want to go to Comic-Con but couldn't afford it? How about virtual vacations? Anytime you're writing and the need to really get into the details of a scene at some place you've never been and have little from TV, then search for video or streaming.

Writing a scene requires precision. One mistake can sink you in the eyes of some readers. And some of them yelp about it in their reviews. be there, you're at home anyway. Before Covid, some writers who make enough $$$ take tax-deductible trips to the location(s) in their novels. Sit back and watch. Some places have security and won't let most in. But have you tried a virtual approach?

Reflections & guest Tricia Hopper Zacher

Today I want you to consider the matter of charm in a story. They say if you show a gun in the first chapter it best be used later. I call that a reflection. Here's my idea: never have a singular reference of importance in a novel. Always reflect upon it or show it in a different form later in the story. For instance, the poem I showed last week had a veiled reference early in the book. Readers like closure and tidying up loose ends. This week I present a work by one of my critique group partners. Tricia Hopper Zacher is a brilliant author who employs all the tools of the craft and puts her heart into her stories. I'm sure anybody who likes women's fiction will love this story:

Tricia Hopper Zacher: The "What Ifs" of Writing

I am often asked how come up with my story ideas. In Many a Sudden Change the story started with a simple "what if" from my daughter. One day while enjoying an afternoon together the conversation veered toward her autistic son and the challenges of raising him. She asked, "What if" something happened to her and her husband, who would take care of him?

In my mind, there was no question. I knew I would be willing to take on the responsibility. But, would every grandmother? At the time he was still very young, and a handful, often prone to raging fits. He was a big boy and very strong. Raising him was not for the faint of heart. The challenges would need to be balanced with love and acceptance.

In my book, Many a Sudden Change, the grandmother Clarice does not feel capable of raising her grandson Eric on her own when her daughter dies, nor does she understand his special needs. She convinces herself it would be best to contact his estranged father in hopes he will want to raise the boy.

So that's how I started. Stay tuned to find out how the character of Matthew, the father, turned out to be a Marine serving in war-torn Afghanistan.

The book is already available on Amazon in paperback and for those of you who read ebooks it is available for pre-order and will launch on July 19th.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08C4V3BKF?pf_rd_r=2KRQKVFWMPW0N5TSEQPX&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee

Infusing your story

Do you have that run-down feeling? Is your prose wimpy, lifeless? Aside from informal interior thoughts of the most personal kind what can you do to perk it up?
Try poetry or song.
It would not be the first time a suiter springs poetry on his heroine or visa versa, but if well written it will convey more in a stanza then might be offered in a whole scene, because poetry unveils the heart and depth of feeling. At the very least you offer charm. A bit of magic never hurt a manuscript.
Be careful, though when offering recognizable songs subject to copyright. Do it right or offer a legal glimpse at the lyric or song. (homework here, for those interested.)
Here's a poem I'm fond of from my upcoming novel to be released by The Wild Rose Press. It's about a shuttered, neglected black teenager, locked in her room.

“Black Magic Rose.

Black Magic Rose, pressed in a book dark.

No sunlight to warm, no space to breathe.

No soil to nurture, no wind, no bees.

No garden of friends, just dying memories.

   

Black Magic Rose, the book opens.

She kisses the rose, a tear falls,

Throws away the rose. Closes the book.

With no love, Black Magic Rose dies.

   

To bloom again, in rich sunshine.

Nurturing soil, wind, bees, garden of friends.

Living memories and new ones abound.

A boy picks Black Magic Rose.”

Odds & Ends

I couldn’t decide what to post this week so I present snippets:

·        1. On the news, I witnessed U.S. Veterans talking to students about heroism. The message across their speeches was the same. Care for the other is heroism. A Viet Vet told of a Vietnamese soldier who covered him on incoming and lost his life. I thought of a simpler thing. When I walk my three-year-old grandson, I pull up my mask when people approach (usually somebody crosses the street.) I was showing them I care about them, even though I’m probably healthy. We all can be heroes if we just save one life by our good example.

·        2.  ABC is airing dramatic summaries of their first two seasons 18 years ago. Many of us have not seen how this iconic and highly rated (Nielson) show got started and perhaps how they improved. Spoiler alert: marriage and kids (later) resulted from the first season of The Bachelorette. Over the years the women have done better than men at picking mates. Are men just dolts?

·        3. The best romance novels have two main points of view because both the man and the woman* are involved in solving the problems they confront in both their inner & outer lives. Guess what, in the end, they must agree, lol. *guy/guy or gal/gal etc.

·        4.  According to Romance Writers of America 9% of romance novels are guys. Is it true that guys rather watch football than make love? Try this at home, if ever we see another football game. Actually, I can’t distract my wife when the NFL is on. 
      
      Tom Hanks talks with a kid president about heroes:

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=tom+hanks+talks+to+a+ikid+president&docid=608006956174347113&mid=641658CA8357CFC29A48641658CA8357CFC29A48&view=detail&FORM=VIRE