There are weeks when writers are alone all the time. Just the chair and the screen. But other weeks are really busy.
A BOOK CLUB PRESENTATION
I had such a week last week and it was super pleasant. A tennis friend of mine had asked back in October that I present a program to her book club. ”But I’m not published,” I said.
“It doesn’t matter,” my friend said. ”You can talk about your process or your book story, I know my club will be thrilled to have you.”
I agreed to do it. The presentation was last Tuesday afternoon and my friend drove me to her club, who met at a member’s home. A group of twenty friendly ladies who welcomed me with the best southern hospitality.
I had decided to not talk about my book in detail. I offered the outline but I focused my presentation on my writing process, especially how I approached my revisions. I gave examples of before and after. I showed how I strengthened my manuscript with rhetorical devices, deeper POV and power words.
I opened the program with the analysis of Kelley Armstrong’s opening of her Young Adult novel, The Summoning.
Mommy forgot to warn the babysitter about the basement.
Here’s my analysis of this great opening. First, with “Mommy”, the POV is clear and tells me the protag is young. The verb “warn” is strong and it’s the writer’s promise of a good thrill. To end on “basement” is powerful. Basement evokes darkness, dampness, spiders and spookiness. It makes the reader want to keep reading and see what’s in the basement and what will happen to the POV character.
The group loved this analysis. I don’t think they ever thought of writing in such a way. One lady told me she thought writing was a simple matter of stringing words together until you reached the end.
“You are quite right,” I said. ”Writers knit about 100,000 words together to write a novel. But it’s so much more. It has to be the right words, in the right order, in the right format.”
I had a great time presenting to this book club, and I do hope they left their meeting knowing a little bit more about the PROCESS of writing.
SISTERS IN CRIME
Sisters-In-Crime of Upstate SC received Nina Bruhns Thursday night and I attended the meeting. Nina Bruhns is a best-selling author of nearly 30 novels and is the Editorial Director for Entangled Publishing’s suspense line.
After dinner, Nina opened her chat with SIC by saying she loves to play the fairy Godmother. Some time ago, she used an app on her Kindle to “listen” to a self-published book, Playing With Poison. Despite the robotic voice, she laughed so much she just knew she had to acquire the author. Cindy Blackburn was sitting in the room with us and, on the spot, Nina offered her a two-book contract.
Isn’t that a great way to open a meeting?
Nina talked about Entangled Publishing and its unique structure and how editors are linked to the success of their writers. When I’m finally ready to submit my current manuscript, Entangled will be a serious pursuit of mine.
How was your writing week?
This was fun! I haven’t spoken to any groups, but I’m game. It sounds as if you had a good time and the group gained knowledge. It’s not easy knitting those words together. Best to you!
Thanks Sandy. You should be speaking to groups, you are published, you could share so much. I’d love to hear you speak.
I haven’t spoken to any groups yet either, but it looks like fun. The new WIP finally started to take off, so I was happy about that. I received some wonderful cover quotes from Grace Burrowes on The Seduction of Lady Phoebe. That put me over the moon and I was unproductive for the rest of the day.
Oh, Ella, you have got to find a speaker event. It’s a great experience! On any scale.
I love book clubs. I learn a lot from their perspective of my book. They see things I never thought of.
I should belong to one. I’m thinking about it.
Reading this post made my heart start racing all over again! Thanks for mentioning it, Carole. I have a book club presentation in a few weeks. I hope I do nearly as well as you did!
I’m sure you will. You have an incredible story to share!
Congrats again, Cindy. It was uplifting to share this live moment with you, even from across the room.
Bravo, Carole. So many writers would wait until a published book bearing their name was on the shelf to make a presentation, but I feel that is too late. Small, friendly groups give you practice and confidence. So glad you had fun. And, SC is now richer in its population of more enlightened readers.
Thanks, Sherry.
Presenting also serves the purpose of getting rid of the fear of speaking in public. I know some writers who break into a sweat just at the thought.
You and I are cool as punch.
Sounds like you had a great time at the book club! You’re right about that Kelley Armstrong line – it absolutely makes me want to read more even though I’m scared already.
Thanks for stopping by, Karen. I love analyzing openings.