Writing Techniques ~~ Your Author Footprint

              Writers' Tips & Techniques ~~                                  Your Author Footprint

If I say the word footprint, what's the first thing that flashes through your mind? Leaving yours on a sandy beach, in a muddy field, across a snow covered terrain, or imprinted into cement on the sidewalk next to your house?

As an author, what types of things do you write? Books, magazine articles, blogs, newspaper guest editorials, software manuals, poetry, recipes, screenplays, or advertisements? You get the general idea.

According to Merriam Webster, two of the definitions of footprint are: "a marked effect, impression, or impact; something that identifies."

When growing your reader base, it's important to bear in mind that your audience wants to hear your unique voice as they turn each page from cover to cover. Your voice can be likened to your footprint. It's what identifies you as an author.

Just for grins, try this: pluck your favorite book (other than one of your own, of course) off your bookshelf. Write down the author's name, title of the book, and in three sentences or less write out your description of his or her footprint.  Bring this into sharper focus by framing the three sentences into three adjectives or superlatives.

Here's an example: One of my favorite authors, Francine Rivers, has left her indelible footprint in many countries around the globe. Her writings convey redemption, encouragement, grace, God's love, mercy, and faithfulness among other things. She's been given many awards which attest to the strength of her footprint.

I'm reminded of a Biblical passage regarding a footprint as well which pertains to the tribe of Asher. Turn to the 33rd chapter of the book of Deuteronomy for the blessing which reads, "Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. And he said:  . . .

(Verse 24) "And of Asher he said:
Asher is most blessed of sons;
Let him be favored by his brothers,
And let him dip his foot in oil."

When one dips his foot in oil, it would no doubt leave an indelible impression. Are your writings depositing something similar?

A companion verse to the one above can be found in Genesis 49, "And Jacob called his sons and said, "Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: . . .

(Verse 20) "Bread from Asher shall be rich.
And he shall yield royal dainties."

To implement an analogy from the above verse, when people read your writings, do they feel like they've eaten the finest loaf of bread made from the most excellent, nutritious grains?

Could your words be considered royal dainties ~~ those which are attractive, appetizing, satisfying, and wholesome? Royal dainties imply they are not common, everyday edibles. It's something that people would desire -- something special, a royal treat.

A suggested exercise might be to read some of your wording aloud to another person who would be honest but not discouraging. Pretend you're offering this person her favorite dessert. If your few paragraphs or chapter tasted like bland, ordinary food, what would it take to kick it up a few notches to the royal dainty category? Some spices or flavorings? Extra seasonings or a layer of satin frosting? Restaurants spend a considerable amount of time, energy, and money pairing foods with appetizers, beverages, entrees, and desserts. Novelists could apply the same principle of sorts. Back to your favorite author or book for a second. Does the author do an excellent job of pairing characters and plot or setting and theme? If the book lacks tension, I guess they could add the equivalent of some cayenne pepper!

Applying the aforementioned, are there ways in which you can implement these principles into your writings if you're not already doing so?

Be encouraged in the fact that developing your author footprint takes time and practice just like anything else in life worth having and doing. Rome wasn't built in a day. Most likely, your book wasn't written in a day either; however, you just might want your readers to plow right through it in less than one. If this is your ultimate goal, study your existing footprint. Plan your work and work your plan as to how you can add strength, dimension, richness, indelibleness, (I just made that one up) and satisfaction to your writing.

Happy Reading & Writing,

Sheila Fabulous

www.desertsagepress.com

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Winter Vacation ~~ The Perfect One Day Writing Getaway!

Phyllis Nettleton, Sheila Eismann, Carol Green, and JoEllen Claypool

Who are the four smiling authors in the featured photo? Why, they are none other than the co-founders of ICAN, i.e., Idaho Creative Authors Network who are getting reading to host their Second Annual Spring Writers Symposium on March 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Parma High School Commons Room, 137 Panther Lane, Parma, Idaho 83660. Actually, one of the reasons for their large smiles was the near 100 degree temperature on the date the photo was taken in July of 2016 compared to the teeth-chattering 29 degrees as I type this blog post . . .

Our group is pleased to offer opportunities for already published authors as well as those who are just entertaining the thought of writing.  Our event includes writing contests, writing instruction, writing activities, a networking luncheon, and hands on activities including designing a book cover. Plan to bring your laptops!

Workshop No. 1 will feature published author and Texas Writing Academy participant, Carol Green Kjar, who will be presenting techniques on how to add power to your writing and strengthening the overall process.

Workshop No. 2 will cover preparation of your manuscript and titles presented by conference speaker and inspirational author, Phyllis Nettleton.

Workshop No. 3  will be an interactive workshop with Sheila Eismann, author and publisher of soon to be 10 books, dealing with the many aspects of manuscript development.

Workshop No. 4 deals with a most important aspect of any kind of writing ~~ edit, edit, and still more edits presented by children's & inspirational author, JoEllen Claypool, who pastors Sand Hollow Baptist Church along with her husband, Dallas Claypool.

Workshop No. 5 is the grand finale which will include instruction on designing a book cover.  If you bring your laptop for the day, this workshop promises to be ultra instructional & functional taught by premiere Social Media Coach, Carol Green, a/k/a Running Granny Green, author of The Hard Run along with her children's books with the Gary Learns theme.

February 4th is the deadline to register for the Spring Writers Symposium and to enter the writing contests. Here is the Eventbrite link with all of the details and to register:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ican-spring-writers-symposium-and-writing-contest-2017-tickets-29596900125?aff=erelexpmlt

Your paid registration includes the workshops, writing contest submission, and luncheon catered by Laura McCullough, a Treasure Valley favorite.  She is back by popular demand of our former attendees!

Attending events is far more enjoyable if you plan to go with a friend or fellow writer.  So dial them up, plan to register, pack your laptop or memo pad, and join us for a fabulous day!

For additional information regarding ICAN, please check out our website: http://www.idahocreativeauthorsnetwork.com/

Happy Writing & stay warm, happy & healthy this winter!

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Writing Techniques ~~ Balance

Balance can be associated with gymnastics, scales, scorecards, life, health, walking, wheel alignments, your bank statement, and many other things. How can you implement it in your writing?  Why is it important?

Step 1: Balance helps to establish a sense of progression.

Select a scene toward the beginning of your manuscript and another one either in the middle or near the end.  What has happened to the characters in the interim?  An example would be one in which the opening chapter features a castle in a state of disrepair since your fantasy aristocracy has fallen upon hard times.  In Chapter 12, francium has been discovered by the Cofferer in the northwest quadrant of the bailey.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=what%20is%20francium


Eurkea overnight, the cast is dressed to the nines, royal dainties are served non-stop, and the mules have been replaced with million dollar thoroughbreds. Using this basic narrative, what is the net effect of the progression?  Is it positive or negative?  What writing techniques have you used to achieve this outcome?

In one of my prior blog posts, I touched on the flow of writing.  Some aspects mentioned therein could be joined with balance.  Here is the link:
http://sheilassagaciousstirrings.blogspot.com/2016/05/writing-techniques-flow.html

Step 2: Progression achieved through balance reinforces theme.

If you’ve predetermined that your particular project is theme based, balance will be of utmost importance to you.  Careful construction will prevent overuse of your theme or such scant use the reader is unable to discern it in the first place.  For instance, if your basic theme is forgiveness, there are a plethora of ways to weave this into your writing to achieve an even distribution of it.  Does your project include a theme?

Step 3:  Dodge the ditches.

Have you ever ditched something?  In Step 1, we touched on the characters, but what about the plot?  If your story stays balanced, this will help prevent it from getting off in the barrow pit which may cause a reader to ditch it as well. Let’s say you have a scene where an employee is about to be terminated by a well known corporation whose headquarters are on the top floor of a swank high rise commercial building. 

If you devote four pages to explain every step of the soon to be ex-employee leaving his apartment, getting into his car, driving to the meeting, attempting to parallel park on the street; one line where the boss tells him he's fired, and five subsequent pages describing his exit from the building, it could be that some of your enthusiasts will quit turning the pages. They'll be looking for File 13 or headed to the closest thrift shop to add to their annual non-cash charitable contributions.

Step 4:  Pick and practice your act.

A gymnast needs a balance beam to practice his skill.  During the summer months of my brother’s collegiate gymnastics career, he fashioned a set of still rings between two tall cottonwood trees in our yard.  Use what is readily available to you.  Most writers have other books or movies in their homes or apartments.  Select one of your favorites from there or your local library. Repetitive reading or watching can assist you with being able to spot where your fellow author or the filmmaker completed his balancing act.  How would you rate his act along with your own?

Step 5:  The Greek Team.

After you’ve done the best you can with your manuscript, dial up your alpha and omega team.  Instruct your alpha or beta readers to make notations concerning balance as they work their way through the pages.  Your omega team member, i.e., your editor, will definitely appreciate your balancing efforts.  The ones who will benefit the most are your readers because you will have put your work in a steady position or framework so that it does not fall.

As we continue to practice our craft, we can achieve spectacular results. Speaking of spectacular, check out this stellar image relating to balance which is located in our great state.

                                                       

South of Buhl in the Salmon Falls Creek Canyon stands the famous Balanced Rock. Over 48 feet tall and 40 tons, the wind-carved rock balances precariously on a pedestal only 3 feet by 17 inches. Nearby Balanced Rock Park is an excellent spot for a picnic. https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/natural-attractions/balanced-rock-balanced-rock-park/

Fellow authors would benefit from reading your comments regarding how you have managed to apply balance in your writing.  Thank you for your participation.  The rising tide benefits all ships!

Watch for my next blog post regarding additional writing techniques.

In the interim, stay balanced, and write well!

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Writing Techniques ~~ Voice

During the days before the advent of the internet and when people actually took the time to pen a note or letter, it was much easier to hear their voice. That is one of the reasons that to this very day, I especially enjoy receiving handwritten communication because it’s as if that person is literally sitting in my living room and speaking to me.  Most people write just like they speak.  That’s what makes it so unique.  (Can you tell I also pen poetry every now and then?)

In Literary Land, what is voice?  It’s simply the way you handle words and craft them into sentences which ultimately forms your writing style.

Joe McGinnis, one of my favorite authors, is no longer with us, unfortunately.  He was an investigative reporter who wrote such memorable works as Fatal Vision, The Last Brother, and Blind Faith.  In the midst of collecting facts and reading depositions, autopsies, and the like, he honed his craft.  I can close the hardback covers of his books and still hear his voice.  In my opinion, he had the gift of being able to place a pretty bow on the top of an already beautifully wrapped present.

A portion of the writing exercise involving voice requires the skills of both a house framer and a finish carpenter.  The skeleton or outline of the piece must be constructed first before putting the finishing touches on it. Just as with the building of a house, there’s a whole lot that happens between the time that the site is prepared and the foundation is poured until the carpeting is installed, the light fixtures are hung, and the exterior is painted.  It’s quite often called “multiple drafts”.  

Continuing with our house analogy, each of the subcontractors who work on the project don’t all sound alike. Some will be fast talkers whereas others are slow; some will be high and some will be low.  Others will be happy who offset the serious ones and on it goes.

Let’s take a minute and consider items relative to voice:

• Who is your intended audience?  This will have a bearing upon the voice implemented in your writing. For instance, I use a somewhat different approach when penning poetry than I do for my western fiction novels.
• It’s very important for your loyal readers to still be able to hear your voice.  Prior to publishing my first book titled A Woman of Substance, my good friend, Kathi, sent me an email to let me know that she was anxiously awaiting her autographed copy.  I will never forget one sentence in her message which was, “After reading it, I will be able to discern whether or not it’s your voice.”  A few months later I received another email from her wherein she assured me, “Yes, I did indeed hear your voice in your book!”
• If you are using a ghostwriter or contemplating hiring one, this will take a little extra effort on your part to keep the project on course and point in order to achieve the desired outcome.
• Do you like your literary voice or do you desire to change it?  If so, enlist a handful of honest and helpful beta readers and get their feedback.  If you’re in the market for a significant change, select a page or two from the writing of your favorite author. Then take a page or two of your manuscript or already published book, and rewrite it using his or her voice and style. Give it a little time to percolate or marinate and determine if it was a helpful exercise. The real surprise of your writing life may come when you ascertain that another writer somewhere around the globe has done exactly the same thing using your printed words on one of the pages of your book.
• Experiment with changing point of view.  If you’re penning fiction and you’re not entirely satisfied with your current writing project, try writing it in third person as opposed to first person.  Take one of your scenes and write it through the eyes of at least two different characters to see what happens.  In the end, there needs to be a compatible marriage between voice and point of view.
• Just for grins, read a portion of your writing to someone you have recently met.  Trust me when I tell you that you will receive some valuable and insightful commentary.
• In order to write well and develop your voice, ask yourself these basic questions:
• What am I passionate about?
• What do I want to explore?
• What gives me joy?
• How can I help others?
• What genres do I not like such as Sci-Fi or Paranormal?  Chances are, if we’re not keen on these to start with, why put ourselves through the wringer of trying to author one even though those types may be the hottest ones on the market?
• Do you want your voice to be heard by your readers through painting the landscape, the talking heads, tension, or all of the above?
• Make a list of ten people you know in real life.  Next to their names, write a short description of each of them such as “could be a stand-up comedian” or “quiet scholarly type”, and so forth.  Then make a list of ten authors you know and complete the same exercise.  Chances are there will be clues that emerge pertaining to their voices.  Determine which ones you want to study in depth. Ask yourself why you like that author’s voice and how you identify with it.
• Are you working with an editor? After you’ve received your final draft and before you cut him or her the check, make sure you can still hear your voice between the covers of your soon to be published book.

When it’s all said and done, please remember that there’s only one you with your unique voice.

Fine tune your voice, and Write On!

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