Week #7: Lessons from a Writers' Conference
When you read a line that is so well-written, you just close the book and stare at the wall for a minute. - Anonymous
That’s such a huge goal, but what a splendid one. To have a reader stop and reflect on something you’ve written is a gratifying compliment.
My cousin sent me the photo above after we discussed fiction and I told her about the novel I’m revising. And it is a goal of mine now.
I’ve met many people who want to write, but I can see in their eyes that it is a daunting task to begin. I can sense it when they have ideas, but they aren’t writing. I get it. I’ve written newsletter articles and posts, but not fiction, at least that I’ve submitted for publishing. Writing leaves me feeling exposed, like I’m running naked down the street.
But writing has become an important part of my life. Through journals, short stories, these posts, novels or a caring note for someone who experienced a tragedy in their lives, I strive to write meaningful words. These forms are a way to explore my ideas, thoughts, and expressions. I want to become a better storyteller. Good stories are transformational and we anchor our lives with the stories we hear and tell.
And stories become ‘unputdownable’ when the author has a command of the character’s emotions. The workshop at the Women’s Fiction Writers Association conference that had the most impact on me taught us how to write with emotions. Laura Drake, the workshop facilitator, challenged us to name the emotion our character is feeling, then dig deeper and name more emotions that could surface. She advised us to write the scene with an emotion that isn’t the first one you think of, to dig deeper and to have the courage to write scenes with raw emotions.
Here are a few other lessons on writing that I learned:
Share your story and practice your elevator pitch.
Strive to write one line that would cause someone to put down the book and stare at the wall.
Be courageous when writing a scene loaded with emotions.
Look at every scene as a mini-story.
Research takes more time and librarians are happy to help.
I’d love to hear from you in the comment box below with what you write or want to write.
Here are a few photos from the Womens Fiction Writers Association conference in Chicago and my research trip to Peoria and Bloomington.
Have a lovely weekend!
May you be happy
May you be blessed
May you be free and peaceful
May you be ever loved
May you be always loving
- Thich Nhat Hanh
Thank you so much, Kathy, for sharing so much of what you learned at the conference. Of course, your sharing is no surprise, as you are always so generous with your knowledge, care and wisdom.
To answer your question: I want to write from a more emotional place and tell more stories about my own life experiences. Apparently, on social media, that is what is wanted: personal stories with emotion and vulnerability.