Editor-Proof Your Writing

I have just begun working through Don McNair’s book Editor-Proof Your Writing: 21 Steps to the Clear Prose Publishers and Agents Crave.

Now, there are 21 steps I’m more than willing to take. In fact, it got me back to the novel I began writing in 2007. (Who knows? Maybe this time I’ll push through and finish it.)

Chapters include “Your manuscript is a Christmas Tree,” “Don’t discuss sows’ ears with silken words,” and “Watch for foggy phrases.”

McNair covers the expected topics: hooking your reader, point of view, and how to avoid being too wordy – among many others.

He also includes chapters on writing query letters and synopses.

I love that each chapter includes “Your Assignment.” Hammering out a solid first chapter will make it much easier to craft each subsequent chapter.

So far, I’ve found the book easy to understand yet rich in practical information. Editor-Proof . . . is a writing course in approximately 200 pages.

I, for one, don’t want a first reader at some publishing house to toss my manuscript in the reject pile because of something she sees in the first paragraph – or the last, for that matter.

McNair was approached by an unpublished author who was wondering why her manuscripts were being rejected time and again. “This lady was basically a good writer. Her blogs sparkled, she dreamed up creative plots, and her heart was certainly in her work.” If all that was true of this author, is there hope for us?

Apparently, “she’d made a major craft mistake in that chapter and, presumably, in all twelve of [her other manuscripts]. It was a mistake that almost guaranteed she’d never be published.” Eek!

Well, they discussed the problem, she got it, and has “now been published many times.”

If McNair’s advice can help this author, it may just help us as well. So, if you have at least one chapter of your novel written and are willing to do some serious editing, grab a copy of Editor-Proof Your Writing . . . and get to work.

What are some of your favourite books on the craft of writing?

Book Review – Being Born . . .

Being Born: The Doula’s Role by certified doula Jewel Hernandez introduces the role of the doula to very young children.

The author takes the reader from one side of the globe to the other, from those who live in “grass huts” to those who live in “tall brick buildings.”

Our dwelling places may be diverse, but mothers having babies and our need for loving support are universal.

Whether they’re called doulas or not, everywhere you go, woman are offering encouragement and comfort to expectant and labouring women.

From hospital births to home births, they are all portrayed as normal.

How exactly do doulas help before, during, and after birth? The author offers a wide variety of examples.

R. Michael Mithuna’s illustrations of doulas, moms, and babies bring Hernandez’s words to life.

The author ends with these words: “Every woman should have a doula, or someone like her, when she has a baby.”

I wasn’t blown away by the text. It was informative but not necessarily engaging. I was, however, thrilled to see that resources are becoming available to educate children – and adults – about this truly amazing profession.

To order your copy of Being Born . . . visit amazon.ca or amazon.com

Finding Esta

Creepy. Intriguing. Compelling.

Finding Esta by Shah Wharton is definitely not my typical genre of choice, but my regular readers know, for me, it’s all about the characters.

Do Wharton’s characters come alive? Are they three-dimensional? Do I care what happens to them?

I most definitely care about the inhabitants of Finding Esta. They are, without a doubt, multifaceted.

And do they come alive? The answer is yes – even the characters who aren’t alive. (Oops . . . should I have prefaced that with “spoiler alert”?)

From abusive parents I want to throttle to otherworldly characters who offer companionship to the protagonist – (spoiler alert) except when they can’t – there are many who engage my emotions. I can grow attached or grow angry. Either is okay and Finding Esta makes both happen.

How could they?

Who are they really?

What will happen to them?

See? It’s about characters. Yes, I do want to know what will happen, but not for the sake of the action. I want to know if my favourites will find peace. This is classified as urban fantasy, so that may not happen. I also want to know if “the bad guys” will get what’s coming to them. Again, with fantasy, you just never know.

Would I recommend Finding Esta? I would. In fact, though I rarely give stars, I would give this book four out of five.

That said, in the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you I had to set it aside for now. One scene – and one scene only – was too graphic for me. I’m a visual learner and the picture Wharton created in my mind was just a little too much. I’m fairly certain, at some point in the not too distant future, I will pick it up again to see if the protagonist is successful in Finding Esta.

Review of “Trees of the Book”

Kimberley Payne has written about faith, family, and fitness . . . and now she has written about foliage as well. (Yes . . . yes, I do like alliteration.)

You’ve climbed them. You’ve chopped them up for firewood. Perhaps your house is made of them. But have you ever considered how many trees are mentioned in God’s Word?

Oak. Fig. Cypress. And many more. Readers young and not-so-young will learn interesting facts about these and many others in Trees of the Book.

But Kimberley’s latest work isn’t just a list of facts. It’s so much more than that. Each vignette is told from the tree’s perspective. Each write-up includes questions to take readers beyond information to application. And, being an activity book, there are a variety of things to do right in the book (word search, colouring page, etc.) – as well as a list of suggested activities near the end. (It is written primarily for children in Grades 2 and 3, but will appeal to a much broader audience.)

While each story is from a specific portion of scripture, there are lists of references for further study. (I never realized what a prominent role trees play in God’s Story.)

Perhaps the most powerful section – from my perspective, at least – is the list of additional times trees are mentioned in the Bible. For example, think of the tree that was used to fashion the Saviour’s cross. Just thinking about it makes me stop short.

Learn more on March 24 when Kimberley will be my guest on SNEI.

Also, check out Kimberley’s Facebook page.

To order your copy of Trees of the Book, visit Amazon.

Hidden in the Heart

Adoption . . . A subject that touches many of us. Hidden in the Heart . . . a book that touched my heart, a book I highly recommend.

I read Catherine West’s Yesterday’s Tomorrow and enjoyed it. It was a good story with well-developed characters. Plus, it gave me insights into the Vietnam War. However, it wasn’t a book I could really relate to. Hidden in the Heart, on the other hand, gripped me and held me until the end.

I value a good plot, but I am relationship-driven. Therefore, I want a novel to be inhabited by “real” characters, those I love – and those I want to pummel. The characters in Hidden in the Heart fit the bill. (There was only one individual I would like to beat. But, knowing him, it wouldn’t help. However, a number of the others could have used a good talking to at certain points in the story.)

Another thing I look for in the novels I read is evidence that their story started before Page 1 and will continue long after I close the book. I’ve known for a long time that the latter was important to me. I want to “hit the ground running.” However, it wasn’t until I’d read Hidden . . . that I learned it matters that the characters go on without me.

I want a cathartic read. Whether I have a smile on my face, a tear in my eye, or both, I crave the “emotional purging.” Things don’t have to be perfect. They don’t have to be tied up neatly in a pretty bow. (Unless it’s a fairy tale, I’m not much for fairy tale endings.) On the other hand, I don’t want to be left shaking my head and thinking, “Really?”

Endings have to be one of the most difficult things to write. Loose ends have to be tied up, but the characters have to go on living. Burning questions have to be answered while leaving something to the imagination. Characters have to grow and evolve, but they have to be left with a foible or two. We all have them. In a well-written book, the resolutions must be as organic as the tragedies and challenges along the way.

Hidden . . . is about real characters on a real journey encountering real obstacles and overcoming them with help from the people in their lives and heaven-sent grace.

And how did the author make the characters and their story come alive? She dipped into the well of her own emotions, her own reality. You can read  about it on Catherine West’s website.

If adoption has touched your life – or if you simply appreciate a well-written story with well-defined, believable characters, check out Hidden in the Heart.

Darth Vader and Son

 

I haven’t written a book review in a while and was going to wait until I finished Finding Esta by Shah Wharton or Finding My Father by Kevin Albright. However, my son handed me Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey Brown and insisted I take a few minutes and read it.

“Time well wasted” like The Comedy Network says of themselves? Absolutely not.

I was around when the Star Wars franchise began. I’ve seen Episodes 4, 5, and 6 several times and Episodes 1, 2, and 3 as well. I grew up watching sci-fi. (I still remember looking forward to watching the original Star Trek with my dad each week.)

I took my eldest to see the re-release of A New Hope and couldn’t believe it had been 20 years since the first time I’d seen it. Craziness!

If you know the story, you realize Vader would never win Father of the Year. However, this book might change your mind about that.

Parents, have you ever told your kids to stop blowing bubbles in their milk? Envision this scene at the cantina, Vader and Luke sitting at the bar.

And what would happen if our kids could use the force to get the cookie jar no matter how high we put it?

Adults aren’t the only ones who will enjoy Darth Vader and Son.

Kids, you shouldn’t complain. After all, when we were your age, we “didn’t even have star destroyers.”

While all my history with Vader and Luke and Leia and Han made the read far more enjoyable, I think anyone with even a cursory understanding of the story will appreciate Brown’s book. For me, it was definitely laugh-out-loud funny. (My daughter couldn’t read it all at once. Sarah was laughing so hard she couldn’t breath.)

I can’t wait until the spring when Vader’s Little Princess becomes available.

Grammar Girl . . .

I receive Grammar Girl’s emails in my inbox. So, when I saw Grammar Girl Presents the Ultimate Writing Guide for Students at a local bookstore, I just had to grab it.

Although I’m not officially a student, it is set up in the easy-to-read, easy-to-understand way I enjoy. Mignon Fogarty (aka Grammar Girl) even gives hints to make memorizing the rules easier.

She also explains to readers why it’s okay to split infinitives. She insists we must be willing “to boldly go where no-one has gone before.” Did you catch the split infinitive there? (She’s a Star Trek fan. How could I not like Grammar Girl?)

The book is divided into five chapters. Following the introduction, “Grammar Schmammer,” readers learn about the following: “Parts of Speech,” “Sentenced for Life,” “Punch Up Your Punctuation,” “Quick and Dirty Tips,” and “Your Write to Write.”

The back matter includes an appendix, “Quick and Dirty Grammar at a Glance,” and a glossary.

Are you bored yet?

Well, you shouldn’t be. It’s a fun read, an easy read, and an “I-bet-your-writing-will-be-better-when-you’re-done” read.

Do you know when to use “connote” and when to use “denote,” when to use “disinterested” and when to use “uninterested,” when to use “supposedly” and when, if you’re American, to use “supposably”? Yes, it is a word. Who knew?

Do you know what the perfect tense is? Do you know what verbals are? Do you know the difference between a weak and a strong possessive pronoun? (Hint: It has nothing to do with steroids.)

I think Grammar Girl Presents the Ultimate Writing Guide for Students is in the running for my favourite grammar book. While Eats, Shoots and Leaves is technically a book about punctuation, it may just slide into second place.

I’m learning a thing or two – more actually, just don’t tell my editing clients. I guess I am a student after all. Are you?

Gettin’ Old Ain’t for Wimps

You may think gift books are a thing of the past. I beg to differ.

I won a copy of  Gettin’ Old . . . by Karen O’ Connor.

The pictures never cease to bring a smile to my face, including the one on the cover. It also helps that the vast majority of the subjects are even older than I am. (grin)

Each of the 11 “chapters” includes a story that is sure to make you grin, two quotes, a scripture verse, and a prayer.

Who wouldn’t love stories about those who are gettin’ old that include “The Honeymooners,” “My, How You’ve Changed!,” and “Chicken-Feet Hands”?

It just goes to show you that a person can be old at 30 or young at 80.

Are you looking for a gift for an older lady? Are you looking for a reason to smile?

Are you looking for a chuckle or a story that warms your heart?

This little book might be just what you’re hunting for.

And as the author says, “May we age with hope, humility, and humor.”

I’m sure the full length book is equally wonderful. You can purchase them both at Harvest House Publishers.

otherworld

I recently attended the Write! Canada conference. While standing by one of the book tables, I chatted with conference organizer N.J. Lindquist. She highly recommended one of the books named a finalist in the Canadian Christian Writing Awards.

Before I headed home, I picked up a copy of otherworld by Erin E.M. Hatton. Although I’ve only read a couple of chapters, I also give it two thumbs up. Because I was participating in the debate on which is the best type of story ending (see Join the Debate) and because I had a fairly good idea how the book would end, I jumped ahead and read the last couple of paragraphs.

Did it ruin the story? Not at all. More than ever, I wish I had more time to read. And speaking of endings, Teams Hopeful and Realistic – and maybe even Team Happily Ever After – would find it a very satisfying conclusion. Though the future of the main characters is certain, that future occurs at some point after the end of the book. So, there’s a good chance members of Team Open-ended would also be happy.

otherworld is a love story … a story of pain and heartache … a story of redemption and triumph … a story of sacrifice. It’s also a story of hope and promise.

There has also been another debate floating around cyberspace. Should Christian fiction come with a “warning”? I suppose I would want to know if a book contained course language and graphic violence — and to what degree. Perhaps, other readers would want to know beforehand if a novel contained religious content. That would be all right with me.

What I would deem unwise, however, would be dismissing a book simply because it bore that label. I’ve read young adult books, mysteries, and love stories that I’ve quite enjoyed that weren’t “Christian.”

In the same vein, I would encourage both Christian and non-Christian readers to give otherworld a chance. It’s just plain a good story: one, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to read a little more of before heading to Dreamland.

You can buy your copy at Erin E.M. Hatton’s website.

Goodnight, All … and Happy Reading!

Motherwell Maternity Fitness Plan

As a personal trainer and birth doula, I was pleased to come across Bonnie Berk’s Motherwell Maternity Fitness Plan. Human Kinetics uses it as the text for their “Exercise and Pregnancy” course. (http://www.hkeducationcenter.com/)

Chapters include “Shaping Up Before Pregnancy,” “Eating for Fitness and Baby’s Health,” “Staying Motivated Through the Second Trimester,” “Fitness for the New Mom,” and eight others.

The text is rich with information, but is written in an understandable, approachable style. I also appreciate the line drawings and clear explanations of each exercise.

Motherwell… is a good read whether expectant moms are exercise enthusiasts or simply want to make healthier choices for themselves and their unborn babies.

One of the things I appreciate most is the author’s balanced approach to the information she offers. Without judgment, she shares what is, in most cases here in the West, standard practice. However, Berk offers clear insight on what would be considered “natural childbirth practices.”

If you want to do all you can to prepare for a natural birth or if you simply want to be as healthy as possible throughout your pregnancy and beyond, I recommend Motherwell Maternity Fitness Plan. I also recommend it to professionals who will be working with pregnant women.

As a Christian, I disagree with some of the information in the chapter about meditation, but would recommend this book regardless.

You can order it here.