Dialogue is Essential

“I’ve never seen, heard, nor smelled an issue that was so dangerous it couldn’t be talked about. Hell yes, I’m for debating anything!”


That is one of the quotes from one of my (and my family's) favorite movies: "1776."

And if anything summed up our family motto, this quote would do it.

Probably nothing got under my children's stepfather's skin more than their tendency to debate just about everything.

But if you're a person giving feedback to someone's writing, back and forth conversation (and a bit of debate) is essential.

Only then can you understand what the writer is trying to convey and how the writer is trying to convey it.

Don't be the "expert" who feels a story can only by told "this way" or "that way" or must have "these elements" or (horrors!) should not be written at all.

Be the person who can offer useful feedback so the writer can writer his/her/it best story possible.

And if you're the writer, be open but don't blindly accept the criticism of any beta reader/editor who is not also open to healthy debate - or at the very least, your questions about the critique.

One member of WriteOn Joliet wrote a good post about this topic.

It's called "Workshop Warnings" and you can read it here:

http://www.writingandtheprocess.com/2020/03/workshop-warnings.html?fbclid=IwAR2T3EFNF8fCJJrskExxav1K58rnw8BG5r4NrKB4_gjklFkpOicqPIaIZCU

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

How Do You Know if It's Good?

That was one of many questions a high school job shadower asked me last Friday.

First of all, a little about this student.

Over the past few years, I've had a number of students (and one adult) hang out with me for a few hours while I work, but I've never had one that put the level of thought into the time as she did.

The students typically arrive with several standardized questions they must ask. This girl, however, also compiled her own list, a list so extensive it took two hours to answer them all.

As she asked, I explained and showed portions of my job. Interestingly, every student through the years except one, is also interested in writing and publishing poetry or fiction, so we talk about that, too. And this student was no exception.

She did, however, ask one question that made me pause.

How do you know if it's good?

Good question, a really good question.

What criteria do writers use to determine if a piece of writing is good?

High sales? Perhaps. Although it's true cream often rises to the top, it's also true that bad writing often sells well while good writing languishes.

Awards? I think the previous point also applies.

Lots of readers? A band of loyal readers prepared to fiercely defend the prose?

And yet, how often do we stumble upon a really stellar obscure work and wonder, "Where have you been all my life?"

The writer says so? I mean, we are the gods of our creation (And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. Genesis 1:31). But are we the best judge of its value?

Publishing contracts? Lots of clicks and shares? Concise sentences that are free of grammar, punctuation, and style errors?

Even at WriteOn Joliet, we'll have a room full of writers who will really like or dislike the way a string of words is assembled with a minority who emphatically disagree.

So in the end, I told her, "Instinct. I think when a writer reads and writes a lot, the write just knows."

What would you have said?

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: New Writer's Group Begins Feb. 2, 2012

Monday, January 30, 2012

New Writer's Group Begins Feb. 2, 2012

The Three Rivers Arts Council (TRAC), 413 Mondamin, Minooka, is hosting a new writer's group, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. every first and third Thursday of the month. Stop in with your latest (or not-so-latest) project, enjoy some coffee, and share and learn with fellow writers. We're laid back and friendly, so please, don't be shy!

Friday night's writer's assessment was tons of fun (Yes, assessments is how we writers define fun). I had the opportunity to read a variety of fiction, and also, in some cases, had the privilege of being the first set of eyes (other than the author) to read those printed words. In addition, we raised a little money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties, so it was a great night.

From January's two assessments came a core group of people eager to meet more often to give and receive feedback on their works. Since writing is a solitary occupation, it was refreshing for me to meet others whose idea of a perfect evening is transferring their creative ideas from brain to paper.

On another "note," two of my sons accompanied me to TRAC's first open mic night. Timothy, who sings well, but only for family, friends, and empty warehouses, took the stage with three songs and "wowed" those present.

Way to go, Timothy!

Want Feedback on Your Writing? This Event is for You

From 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 12, I will be offering writing critiques for a donation $5 per fifteen minutes of time.

Bring any writing sample, and I'll assess its strengths and weaknesses. All writing assessment donations go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. Yes, you may write a check to the organization.

The writing assessments are part of the Paint night and Art Gala at Nelson’s Furniture, 209 Bridge St. in Wilmington.

In addition to the paint session by The Acrylic Zebra (which is $30 per person and must be preregistered),other artists will be displaying talents and selling their art. One artist, Matt Coundiff, illustrated two of the BryonySeries books: Visage and Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is the official BryonySeries cookbook and a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

I'll have all five published BryonySeries books for sale at the event. In addition to the two Matt illustrated, one may also purchase Bryony, Staked! Bertrand and the Lucky Clover and even flip through my marked-up proof copy of Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone, which we hope to release soon.

And, yes, Bertrand the Mouse will be there, too. And you can get your picture taken with him. For free, LOL. Follow him on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

For more information on registering for the paint night, visit visit https://www.facebook.com/events/357742544583421/

No registration is necessary to attend and browse.

For more information on the BryonySeries, visit www.bryonyseries.com.

Happy Monday, vampire fans! :)

Art Gala, Paint Night, and Writing Assessments

I was recently invited to join the following event:

"Join us for a Paint night and Art Gala at Nelson’s Furniture. This is a Free event to see local artists of all media outlets. Some artists will be offering art to purchase, others will be displaying their talents. We will also be offering a Painting session, that will be instructed by The Acrylic Zebra it will be $30.00 dollars per person. We do ask you pre-register with Nelson’s Furniture for the paint night."

The event will  be from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 12 at Nelson's furniture, 209 Bridge St. in Wilmington. Matt Coundiff, the illustrator for Visage and Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," will also be there selling his art.

At the event, I will have copies of all three books in the BryonySeries trilogy (Bryony, Visage, and Staked!), as well as the first book in the children's Bertrand the Mouse series. Alas, Cornell Dyer and Missing Tombstone won't be available for purchase, but I'll have the proof copy to flip through and, hopefully, an update on the release date,which should be this month.

Basically, I just need a few minutes to fix formatting errors, LOL.

Also for sale will be copies of Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from Bryony. All proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

I will also be offering writing critiques at $5 per fifteen minutes of time. Bring any writing sample, and I'll assess its strengths and weaknesses. I don't keep any of the money, FYI; all is donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

For more information on registering for the paint night, visit visit https://www.facebook.com/events/357742544583421/

No registration is necessary to attend and browse.

For more information on the BryonySeries, visit www.bryonyseries.com.

Thank you and have a fantastic day! :)