Monthly Archive: July 2014

Word Painting 1

details in writing / Writing's distinct voice

Word Painting

  I love the book Word Painting by Rebecca McClanahan (Writers Digest, 1999). She writes about the power of description, calling it  one of the 3 parts of a story along with exposition and narration. Here are a few of her ideas. “Description is an attempt to present as directly as possible the qualities of a person, place or object.” She goes on to suggest that we work to evoke a visual or other sense as much as we actually share  it. She believes impressions of our senses have power. “A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a scent is worth...

Quotes Worth a Second Look 1

musings / quotes

Quotes Worth a Second Look

As a reader I often find phrases, sentences or paragraphs that stop me. They are the ones that create images I want to remember, usually sensory statements I wished I’d written. Tell me what you think of these. …memories as jagged and sharp as bits of glass (Angel Falls by Kristin Hannah, p. 342) But Anna was a loose marble. (Five Fortunes by Beth Gutcheon,  p. 20 (speaking of ingredients) …deep and mysterious like perfume lingering in the folds of a cashmere scarf. (The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister, p. 15) An enormous double-glazed skylight floods the room...

Re-Visioning 3

84 Ribbons

Re-Visioning

Writers often stress over editing. I know I did. It’s often a time when I become aware of holes as well as changes needed to elevate my writing. Then one year, at the Edmonds WOTS (Write On The Sound) conference, I heard a presenter suggest we stop thinking about revising a story and start thinking about re-visioning it. I immediately saw a huge difference in my attitude about editing. It became a challenge to look at the work as a whole, attempting to shine a light on what works and ramping up places where that light remained dim. Maybe it’s the same...

You’re Invited! 0

84 Ribbons

You’re Invited!

Throughout the year I want to break from my musings to allow you to be my guest and share your musings. As you notice I write short blogs but don’t let that stop you! If you have a lot to say, go for it! Here’s the plan: 1. Think of what you’d like to say about anything related to writing or reading. 2. Send me a note here, through my email (PaddyEger@aol.com) or call me at 425-420-5161. 3. Tell me when you’ll have your musings ready for me to post. 4. Send your writing to me and Voila! I’ll schedule a Tuesday...

On Being a Groupie 1

musings / writer reminders

On Being a Groupie

I admit it; I’m a groupie! When it comes to writing, I believe every author needs at least one group with whom to share their words and stories. As much as we strive to write our best, our attempts will fall short without the input of others. Sure it can be frustrating to think I’ve done a fantastic job only to discover that much of what I thought I said got stuck in my head and didn’t make it to the page. I have the good fortune to belong to two critique groups and also have writer-readers who give me feedback. I...