I was recently invited to join a conference call by my friend and author, Martha ‘Marti’ Tucker, owner/operator of Urban Classic Books, a self-publishing company in Culver City. For a couple of weeks after, I’ve been thinking about what it means to have your worked critiqued.
During the call, writers were allowed to read from their works (no more than 2-pages) and then get feedback from their fellow writers. Normally when I am a guest, I try not to say too much unless asked, but I felt a need to comment on one of the writer’s works. Though I felt his chapter was well written, I had a minor suggestion—to rework or move a sentence that I believed did not help the flow.
I thought I was giving a very minor suggestion but unfortunately it caused not just comments from the other writers, but it also left the writer feeling his work was being criticized. I explained that it was more of a critique but to that writer it felt like his work was being disparaged. But I feel there is a difference between the two words. To critique ones work means to give a review or commentary on that person’s work; to criticize is the act of criticizing, mainly adversely which was not my intention.
I’ve been on both sides of the fence being a writer and an editor. I’ve even run across writers who’ve asked my opinion about their writings, for instance, the structure or flow of the story, etc., but then too often when I am honest, I don’t hear from those writers again and I can’t help but wonder—did they really want an honest opinion?
When I received my manuscript back from my editor Jean, I was miserable. Forget the fact that she believed my book was sellable. The only thing I could think about for weeks was the red marks.
Successful writers, authors and editors will tell you to let your friends read your work but getting feedback from them can come with a double-edge sword. Some friends may feel that they can’t be honest because they don’t want to hurt your feelings and will use the standard, “it’s great”, while others may just be poor at evaluating your work because they aren’t readers or even fans of your genre. And still some may just be haters and give you nothing but negative feedback. Yup, even your friends can be haters. Blah!
And what about the editors that we pay to edit our work? Do we handle those critiques any better? I’m not saying that I love to have my work critiqued or even criticized but I do try to stay open especially if I am in an environment where my work is being critiqued or if I’ve asked a friend or paid an editor. But then there are so many other ways writers and screenwriters have to go through this agonizing albeit necessary process. How many?
Stay tune for Part II – Thick Skin.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
Brother Can You Spare a Dime?
In 2002 when American Idol first appeared on Fox, many of my friends suggested that I should try out. I opted-out stating that I was no longer in love with the idea of singing and that I had found a new passion, writing. But I could not help wonder how well I would do on a show like Idol. Back then, I definitely had the chops to compete and maybe even make it past the first couple of rounds with the judges but what about when it came time for the audience participation.
In the 80s when we had shows like Star Search, the only people you had to wow were the judges. These days you have to not only wow the judges, but hope that you can also win favor with the audience. So I ask the question—for the ones who won was it all because of their talent?
I’m sure there were factors on why singers like Jennifer Hudson or Clay Aiken didn’t win and I wonder if one of those factors had anything to do with the amount of family or friends, or friends of family they had or didn’t have. Winning by popularity has been around for a long time. In the 1930s, the Apollo Theater was one of the first venues to have a talent show winner be picked by an audience and most times it had a lot to do with how many friends and family you've invited.
Now, what does this have to do with writing…?
Take self publishing. Although I went that route with my non-fiction, Seasons of Writing, I decided that I do not want to go that route with my novel. When you self publish you have to take care of everything including: design and interior of your book, formatting, pricing, distribution but most of all, marketing and public relations. And yes I know there are writers, who have been successful with self publishing, but I also believe the old adage—it’s not what you know but who you know that often applies.
Self-promotion is extremely hard and for a writer it’s even harder. Unlike a singer who is often given a couple of minutes to do a song, a writer may only have the opportunity to put what might be a 300-page novel or a two hour script into a short synopsis or a logline or if you’re even luckier, show a short trailer with hopes that you’ve grabbed your audiences attention.
Screenwriters and filmmakers can now utilize sites such as, YouTube and Kickstarter but you still need to promote. I am not good at self-promotion and if I’ve already said that a couple of paragraphs ago please forgive me, but it bears repeating. But I have no problem in helping others like director, Graham Cribbin and writer/producer Roger Lewis and producer Clinton Allen promote their work, Grisly. I know what type of labor it takes to putting together a short-film or trailer. Hell, I even know what it takes to put together a Kickstarter package. But even if I were not a writer I would still be able to understand what it takes to work on a passion and for that alone I will donate and help whenever I can. I hope you will do the same.
Please donate at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1611058915/grisly-the-movie
In the 80s when we had shows like Star Search, the only people you had to wow were the judges. These days you have to not only wow the judges, but hope that you can also win favor with the audience. So I ask the question—for the ones who won was it all because of their talent?
I’m sure there were factors on why singers like Jennifer Hudson or Clay Aiken didn’t win and I wonder if one of those factors had anything to do with the amount of family or friends, or friends of family they had or didn’t have. Winning by popularity has been around for a long time. In the 1930s, the Apollo Theater was one of the first venues to have a talent show winner be picked by an audience and most times it had a lot to do with how many friends and family you've invited.
Now, what does this have to do with writing…?
Take self publishing. Although I went that route with my non-fiction, Seasons of Writing, I decided that I do not want to go that route with my novel. When you self publish you have to take care of everything including: design and interior of your book, formatting, pricing, distribution but most of all, marketing and public relations. And yes I know there are writers, who have been successful with self publishing, but I also believe the old adage—it’s not what you know but who you know that often applies.
Self-promotion is extremely hard and for a writer it’s even harder. Unlike a singer who is often given a couple of minutes to do a song, a writer may only have the opportunity to put what might be a 300-page novel or a two hour script into a short synopsis or a logline or if you’re even luckier, show a short trailer with hopes that you’ve grabbed your audiences attention.
Screenwriters and filmmakers can now utilize sites such as, YouTube and Kickstarter but you still need to promote. I am not good at self-promotion and if I’ve already said that a couple of paragraphs ago please forgive me, but it bears repeating. But I have no problem in helping others like director, Graham Cribbin and writer/producer Roger Lewis and producer Clinton Allen promote their work, Grisly. I know what type of labor it takes to putting together a short-film or trailer. Hell, I even know what it takes to put together a Kickstarter package. But even if I were not a writer I would still be able to understand what it takes to work on a passion and for that alone I will donate and help whenever I can. I hope you will do the same.
Please donate at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1611058915/grisly-the-movie
Monday, June 9, 2014
You Are What You Read
I love to read. Anyone who truly knows me knows that I love reading almost as much as I love writing second only to watching the Golden Girls. When a BFF buys me a book or a gift card from Barnes & Nobel or any other book franchise (sadly, I can’t think of any that are still in existence), I cherish that book.
One of my BFFs recently treated me with a ticket to see bestselling author, Walter Mosley give a reading and book signing for his latest book, Debbie Doesn’t Do It Anymore. I love when other writers talk about their writing process but it’s especially thrilling when it’s someone as time-honored as Mosley. I had the honor of seeing him 12 years ago, but it was more rewarding now since I finally made a conscious decision to write fulltime.
Usually the type of questions asked at these events are typical: what motivated you to become a writer, how do you come up with your stories/characters and my favorite, what author inspired you to become a writer? And since I love to read, I am always curious about their answer. Most times, the writer will be modest and come up with a few names instead of just one. I’m assuming they do this as to not show favoritism for a particular genre or writer.
However, Mosley did not give the typical answer. He stated, and I’m loosely quoting, […no one author can ever say what writer inspires them. Those writers typically like to name authors that they may simulate: genre, style, even ethnically]. For instance, you may think that since I am a black women writer I would say, Zora Neale or Toni Morrison.
I thought about his answer a few hours after I got home. I wondered if I were to be asked that question, would I say James Baldwin, Langston Hughes or even J. California Cooper or would I be honest and say Mary Higgins Clark or John Grisham. I do love reading books by Baldwin and Hughes and even a Terry McMillan book once in awhile, but my all-time favorite genre is mysteries and legal thrillers—genres that both Grisham and Clark write.
I can’t help but to think about my two nephews, Marcus and Maison who both love to read. But I was more surprised by the type of books they were reading when I visited with them in New York a couple of months ago. Marcus at only 15 is reading, The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare (to be honest I have never heard of this play and I have read a few of Shakespeare's work) and Maison at age 10 is reading, Poem Depot by Douglas Florian. And I don’t know who was reading, Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, a book that deals with the spiritual journey of self-discovery. I think I need to find that out.
When I was their age, I was reading romance novels from writers like Daniel Steel and in my late teens my preference changed to Jackie Collins whose books are more risqué. But I can’t imagine reading these types of books anymore let alone, writing them. But I do believe the books that we read when we are younger do mold us a bit when we become adults.
No matter what Walter Mosley says, I’m sure some of the writers he’s read when he was younger had some influence on him and still does today. Both Steel and Collins still inspire me in some way although I may not admit this in front of hundreds of people.
I’m not sure if either of my nephews will become writers when they get older but I like to think that what they are reading now will help mold them into the men they will one day become.
Mosley also stated that he didn’t think reading was important to becoming a writer but I strongly disagree with him. I’ve always felt that studying and reading the craft of writing is very important to ones growth as a writer just as studying films are to a screenwriter. If you decide you want to write a graphic novel but don’t know where to began or how to start, you may want to read a book like, Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman, or if YA books are more your speed, study The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. When I read a John Grisham book or another favorite of mine, Patricia Cornwell, I’m not reading to copy their style but like any good traveler, I want to explore their style of writing.
I’m a mystery writer. It’s not the only genre I plan to write in my lifetime as an author but if readers want to place me in that genre with other mystery writers, I’m good. After all, if I am what I read, then let the story begin…
One of my BFFs recently treated me with a ticket to see bestselling author, Walter Mosley give a reading and book signing for his latest book, Debbie Doesn’t Do It Anymore. I love when other writers talk about their writing process but it’s especially thrilling when it’s someone as time-honored as Mosley. I had the honor of seeing him 12 years ago, but it was more rewarding now since I finally made a conscious decision to write fulltime.
Usually the type of questions asked at these events are typical: what motivated you to become a writer, how do you come up with your stories/characters and my favorite, what author inspired you to become a writer? And since I love to read, I am always curious about their answer. Most times, the writer will be modest and come up with a few names instead of just one. I’m assuming they do this as to not show favoritism for a particular genre or writer.
However, Mosley did not give the typical answer. He stated, and I’m loosely quoting, […no one author can ever say what writer inspires them. Those writers typically like to name authors that they may simulate: genre, style, even ethnically]. For instance, you may think that since I am a black women writer I would say, Zora Neale or Toni Morrison.
I thought about his answer a few hours after I got home. I wondered if I were to be asked that question, would I say James Baldwin, Langston Hughes or even J. California Cooper or would I be honest and say Mary Higgins Clark or John Grisham. I do love reading books by Baldwin and Hughes and even a Terry McMillan book once in awhile, but my all-time favorite genre is mysteries and legal thrillers—genres that both Grisham and Clark write.
I can’t help but to think about my two nephews, Marcus and Maison who both love to read. But I was more surprised by the type of books they were reading when I visited with them in New York a couple of months ago. Marcus at only 15 is reading, The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare (to be honest I have never heard of this play and I have read a few of Shakespeare's work) and Maison at age 10 is reading, Poem Depot by Douglas Florian. And I don’t know who was reading, Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, a book that deals with the spiritual journey of self-discovery. I think I need to find that out.
When I was their age, I was reading romance novels from writers like Daniel Steel and in my late teens my preference changed to Jackie Collins whose books are more risqué. But I can’t imagine reading these types of books anymore let alone, writing them. But I do believe the books that we read when we are younger do mold us a bit when we become adults.
No matter what Walter Mosley says, I’m sure some of the writers he’s read when he was younger had some influence on him and still does today. Both Steel and Collins still inspire me in some way although I may not admit this in front of hundreds of people.
I’m not sure if either of my nephews will become writers when they get older but I like to think that what they are reading now will help mold them into the men they will one day become.
Mosley also stated that he didn’t think reading was important to becoming a writer but I strongly disagree with him. I’ve always felt that studying and reading the craft of writing is very important to ones growth as a writer just as studying films are to a screenwriter. If you decide you want to write a graphic novel but don’t know where to began or how to start, you may want to read a book like, Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman, or if YA books are more your speed, study The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. When I read a John Grisham book or another favorite of mine, Patricia Cornwell, I’m not reading to copy their style but like any good traveler, I want to explore their style of writing.
I’m a mystery writer. It’s not the only genre I plan to write in my lifetime as an author but if readers want to place me in that genre with other mystery writers, I’m good. After all, if I am what I read, then let the story begin…
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
What Comes First--The Chicken or the Egg?
This old riddle has puzzled generations and philosophers for ages. Which came first—the chicken or the egg? Intellectual references to the question try to identify the first case of a basis and eventually an end result. The plain answer would be the egg since according to some, egg- laying species pre-dates the existence of the actual bird while still others argue the chicken came first. But this blog is about writing not arguing philosophical equations.
But I couldn’t help thinking about this riddle a few nights ago after attending a happy hour function thrown by Producer, Clinton Allen and Writer/Producer, Roger Lewis, following the screening of their short-film, Grisly, a sci-fi/horror short.
Having been on the short-film circuit myself, I wondered what would be next for the dual so I asked Roger. He stated that their next step would be to write a graphic novel. I was surprised by his answer. After all, convention dictates that the novel is written first then it is adapted into a script not the other way around. I was quick to point this out to him—proud that I knew the ins and outs of how to get a film made. But isn't thinking outside the box more conventional these days?
It doesn’t matter anymore what comes first. There have been plenty of movies that have been turned into graphic novels for instance, Star Wars, X-men and even Star Trek. It’s a great way to market your project. Take fiction and non-fiction. You no longer have to go the traditional publishing route to get your book out there. You can now self-publish.
Spending thousands of dollars on video equipment when you can now click a button on your iPhone or iPad to make a film is in and uploading your video to YouTube is another way for your work to be discovered.
Even if you have a great idea but have no funds, you no longer have to sell your belongings and live in your car. You can now get funding from places like Kickstarter.
These days it can take just a simple idea or concept to get a picture made in Hollywood as long as you know how to market your product. If you feel like everything needs to be in place before you can even start, you may be waiting a life time.
Taking advantage of social media tools like Facebook, KickStarter and Youtube is the way of life and life is ever-changin’. Like it or not, you have to be ready. Can you keep up?
If you want to be involved with an awesome project right at the start, then please type www.Kickstarter.com in your search engine and search for, Grisly: The Movie
But I couldn’t help thinking about this riddle a few nights ago after attending a happy hour function thrown by Producer, Clinton Allen and Writer/Producer, Roger Lewis, following the screening of their short-film, Grisly, a sci-fi/horror short.
Having been on the short-film circuit myself, I wondered what would be next for the dual so I asked Roger. He stated that their next step would be to write a graphic novel. I was surprised by his answer. After all, convention dictates that the novel is written first then it is adapted into a script not the other way around. I was quick to point this out to him—proud that I knew the ins and outs of how to get a film made. But isn't thinking outside the box more conventional these days?
It doesn’t matter anymore what comes first. There have been plenty of movies that have been turned into graphic novels for instance, Star Wars, X-men and even Star Trek. It’s a great way to market your project. Take fiction and non-fiction. You no longer have to go the traditional publishing route to get your book out there. You can now self-publish.
Spending thousands of dollars on video equipment when you can now click a button on your iPhone or iPad to make a film is in and uploading your video to YouTube is another way for your work to be discovered.
Even if you have a great idea but have no funds, you no longer have to sell your belongings and live in your car. You can now get funding from places like Kickstarter.
These days it can take just a simple idea or concept to get a picture made in Hollywood as long as you know how to market your product. If you feel like everything needs to be in place before you can even start, you may be waiting a life time.
Taking advantage of social media tools like Facebook, KickStarter and Youtube is the way of life and life is ever-changin’. Like it or not, you have to be ready. Can you keep up?
If you want to be involved with an awesome project right at the start, then please type www.Kickstarter.com in your search engine and search for, Grisly: The Movie
Monday, June 2, 2014
Life Experience vs. Educational Experience
A few months ago, I went to a happy hour/networking social event in Beverly Hills thrown by a couple of friends. Since they were working on a movie project and I’m a writer, I thought it would be a good way to meet people who have similar interest.
As the evening progressed and conversations became more relaxed (alcohol was involved) a few begin to speak about their alma-mater. These guys were talking about some heavy duty schools: Chapman, UCLA, USC, and NYU and for a few seconds it crossed my mind that I might not belong here.
I attended a small college in North Carolina right after high school. I majored in Secretarial Science (what the hell was I thinking) but I ended up dropping out before I was done and for a couple of years I was embarrassed by that fact. I remember attending a job fair at a company and during the application process when I got down to the ‘list your education’ section, I left because I just knew I was the only one who did not have a college degree. A year later, I went back to the same company and was hired and during my 5 years there, I was promoted twice. Even after that validation each time the fall season would roll around, I would dread the idea of young college students joining the company with the fear that I would be replaced.
It took me a long time to get over not having a degree. When colleges advertise to students on the importance of getting an education, the selling point is how much salary a college student can make vs. just having a high school diploma. I remember speaking to a friend about returning to school and she commented on how much more money I could make and how it would help me move up in the company. I didn’t want to tell her that I made a lot more than some of my friends who have a BA.
What about the arts? For acting, music and writing is a degree necessary? This question haunts me once in awhile. In the last 10 years, I’ve gone back twice but I had to drop out because of finances.
I personally love being in school. Not so much when I was young but as an adult, I find college very rewarding. However, I’ve had teachers who’ve read my scripts and/or short stories ask me why I was attending school. My answer was that I felt it was necessary to learn the technical skills of writing since I felt I already possessed the talent. I now have learned those skills from attending Cerritos College for two years and a year at LMU. I am in no way a grammatical perfectionist but I know enough to string together a sentence or two. Plus, I’ve worked with enough college graduates in senior positions who are terrible writers and spellers.
I’d like to think my passion and creativity would be enough to become a published author or to get an agent but I can’t help but wonder. Nonetheless, I know that there are many ways to get an education. My life in itself has allowed me to become worldly-wise. My plan is to go back to school. Why? Simple. I’m always looking on ways to grow and to challenge myself. However, I will not let not having a degree stop me from writing.
Being a writer is not mechanical or technical. It’s spiritual and imaginative. It’s inventive in its artistic realm. It’s a written-word inflection on life at its very core.
As the evening progressed and conversations became more relaxed (alcohol was involved) a few begin to speak about their alma-mater. These guys were talking about some heavy duty schools: Chapman, UCLA, USC, and NYU and for a few seconds it crossed my mind that I might not belong here.
I attended a small college in North Carolina right after high school. I majored in Secretarial Science (what the hell was I thinking) but I ended up dropping out before I was done and for a couple of years I was embarrassed by that fact. I remember attending a job fair at a company and during the application process when I got down to the ‘list your education’ section, I left because I just knew I was the only one who did not have a college degree. A year later, I went back to the same company and was hired and during my 5 years there, I was promoted twice. Even after that validation each time the fall season would roll around, I would dread the idea of young college students joining the company with the fear that I would be replaced.
It took me a long time to get over not having a degree. When colleges advertise to students on the importance of getting an education, the selling point is how much salary a college student can make vs. just having a high school diploma. I remember speaking to a friend about returning to school and she commented on how much more money I could make and how it would help me move up in the company. I didn’t want to tell her that I made a lot more than some of my friends who have a BA.
What about the arts? For acting, music and writing is a degree necessary? This question haunts me once in awhile. In the last 10 years, I’ve gone back twice but I had to drop out because of finances.
I personally love being in school. Not so much when I was young but as an adult, I find college very rewarding. However, I’ve had teachers who’ve read my scripts and/or short stories ask me why I was attending school. My answer was that I felt it was necessary to learn the technical skills of writing since I felt I already possessed the talent. I now have learned those skills from attending Cerritos College for two years and a year at LMU. I am in no way a grammatical perfectionist but I know enough to string together a sentence or two. Plus, I’ve worked with enough college graduates in senior positions who are terrible writers and spellers.
I’d like to think my passion and creativity would be enough to become a published author or to get an agent but I can’t help but wonder. Nonetheless, I know that there are many ways to get an education. My life in itself has allowed me to become worldly-wise. My plan is to go back to school. Why? Simple. I’m always looking on ways to grow and to challenge myself. However, I will not let not having a degree stop me from writing.
Being a writer is not mechanical or technical. It’s spiritual and imaginative. It’s inventive in its artistic realm. It’s a written-word inflection on life at its very core.
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