Beyond The Margins |
DRAFT - Opinionator
John Wells and I have been together a very long time. If you haven’t heard of Wells, he’s a C.I.A. operative who plays the starring role in a series of espionage thrillers that I started writing a decade ago. Random House published the first, “The Faithful Spy,” in 2006. I planned to kill Wells off at its end, a la John le Carre’s Alec Leamas. But my editor told me I couldn’t end with a fade to black, that I’d have to have a funeral. I found I couldn’t write the scene. Since then, Wells has proven too tough to die, or maybe too mean. Wells predates my wife, Jackie, and our daughter, Lucy. All of which is another way of saying that John Wells has markedly enriched my life — an impressive feat for a man who doesn’t exist.
Writing Fiction and Nonfiction
Draft is a series about the art and craft of writing. When I wrote my second novel, I biked in New York City’s Riverside Park and plopped myself down where my character died in order to take in what she saw as her life ebbed. When I wrote my first nonfiction book, in one of more than 200 interviews, I grilled a woman about why she quit a sought-after job in Washington to live in Paris. I write fiction. My first work of fiction evolved as collateral damage sown from bitter experience. Five pages turned into 50 and — we’re talking 2005, chicklit’s glory moment — I began to think I might start a novel about a celebrity’s taking over a magazine, which is what happened to me when Rosie O’Donnell landed at McCall’s. On my second novel, I decided to move further from the familiar and wrote a book narrated by a dead character. Writing fiction, for me, was all about control. Brandon Schaefer A novel, on the other hand, must be true primarily on a gut level.
10 Ways to Become a Better Writer
Becoming a good writer takes time and practice, but that doesn't mean you can't speed up the process. Here are ten ways that you can become a better writer today. #1 Read, Read, Read The best writers are voracious readers. There's no better way to improve your writing skills than by reading the works of others. #2 Write as Much as You Can To become a great writer, you must practice your craft. #3 Take a Writing Course Writing isn't typically a self-taught profession. #4 Read The Elements of Style If you want to read about writing, you ought to pick up a copy of The Elements of Style by William Strunk. #5 Build Your Vocabulary You're bound to be more expressive when you write if you have more words at your command. #6 Become a Better Researcher Good writing is rooted deeply in good research. #7 Write for an Audience There's no pressure to improve your writing quite like having to share it with an audience. #8 Get Workshop Feedback #9 Learn How to Edit Your Own Work Laurell K.
Seattle Author Spotlight
I’ve lived in Seattle for a little over two years now and since AWP, the big show, is coming to town next year I thought it might be a good idea to introduce you to some of its stand-out authors. (I plan to do this periodically. ra ra ra.) And you’ll get the sense, after a while, that Seattle has a strong and growing lit scene. (the first year or so I just stayed in and took baths all day, but now I’ve ventured out and discovered some of what’s on offer. and there’s a lot.). The first spotlight’s of Richard Chiem. Richard’s great to read, talk to, be with, has great energy, and is very shrewd, kind and edgy. So, anyways, Richard Chiem’s Seattle Author Spotlight consists of a brief interview, Bio and photo. Brief Bio: Richard Chiem (b.1987) is the author of YOU PRIVATE PERSON, a collection of short stories published by Scrambler books. Brief Interview: Rauan: How does Seattle make, or make it into, yr writing? Richard: When I write about rain right now it’s about Seattle.
