“The task of a writer consists of being able to make something out of an idea.”
— Thomas Mann
Tag: how to
Parallel [straight & narrow] Structure
Laurie E. Rozakis, Ph.D. on parallel structure:
“Parallel structure means putting ideas of the same rank in the same grammatical structure. Your writing and speech should have parallel words, phrases, and clauses. Parallel structure gives your writing many admirable strengths, including the following:
- Rhythm
- Emphasis
- balance
- Impact
- Crispness
- Conciseness
Parallel words share the same part of speech (such as nouns, adjectives, or verbs) and tense (if the parallel word are verbs).
- My date was obnoxious, loud, and cheap; no doubt he thought I was gorgeous, personable, and witty.
- We pleaded, begged, and prayed—to no avail.
Parallel phrases create an underlying rhythm in your speech and writing…
- “For taking away our Charters, abolishing our laws, and altering the Forms of our Government . . . ” (Declaration of Independence)
- “Now the trumpet summons us again—not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need—not as a call to battle, though embattled we are—but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle…” (John F. Kennedy’s inauguration speech)
Parallel clauses can give your writing balance as well….
- “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty.” (John F. Kennedy’s inauguration speech)
- “Our chiefs are killed; Looking-Glass is dead; Ta-Hool-Shute is dead.” (Chief Joseph’s surrender speech, 1877)”
Rozakis‘s book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Grammar and Style, is an excellent resource for writers of all kinds. You can find it here.
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Highly Critical Eye
“A writer is a spectator, looking at everything with a highly critical eye.”
— Bernard Malamud
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Be Dramatic, Or…
“To be a dramatic writer takes hard work, talent, and discipline. And that’s why I just make up crap.”
— Colin Mochrie
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Write Now—More Than Ever
“But I work harder now because I have so much more exposure. And actually the harder you work as a writer, the better you get at it. It’s like anything else. It’s a muscle you have to exercise. I write more now than ever.”
— Ron White
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Quick book-signing trick
[found on acuff.me; by Jon Acuff]
“Pssst Writers! Quick book signing trick.
If you’re an author, and lots of you are, you are going to sign books. Here’s a trick my friend Robert D. Smith taught me.
Always sign in blue sharpie, not black. Why? Well, the publisher can publish in black. Sometimes books are printed with a signature. If you sign in blue though, readers know with completely certainty that you actually signed it. It’s a small thing, but small things can be awesome.
Go blue!”
[found on http://acuff.me/2014/10/pssst-writers-quick-book-signing-trick/]
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Risk Being Misunderstood
“A writer who is in a hurry to be understood today or tomorrow runs the danger of being misunderstood the day after tomorrow.”
— Johann Georg Hamann
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Hook Your Literary Agent
[found on writersdigest.com]
“The 4 Components That Hook Literary Agents
1. Tell the literary agent who you are
State your name and job title, or the title of the position you’re seeking. “Hi, my name is Miranda Mechanic, and I’m a licensed automotive mechanic who writes how-to articles for women who don’t want their cars to get the best of them.”
2. Literary agents want to know what you want
Don’t beat around the bush. State what you’re after. “I’m interested in placing some of my articles with your magazine, Auto Care for Everybody.”
3. Show the literary agents why you’re the best choice
List any degrees, writing credentials, training or experience that relate to what you’re seeking. “I’ve been taking mechanical things apart since before I could walk, and I’m the owner-operator of my own body shop.” Be sure the qualifications match your stated goal. Saying you want to write an article on mechanics and then listing your degrees in early Russian literature won’t help. If you’re unable to come up with any related experience, name qualities or skills you possess, such as attention to detail, passion for the subject and so on.The key is to be brief and memorable. You’re looking for that special something that separates you from the crowd.
4. Give literary agents a call to action
You can do a great job selling yourself, but if you don’t follow through by asking for what you want, you’ve wasted your time. Take a deep breath and go for it. “I’d like to show you copies of my articles, including ‘How to Change a Tire When It’s Twenty Below Zero’ and ‘How to Add Oil When You’re Wearing a Power Suit.’ ” The call to action is what leads to further interaction. Don’t neglect this most important step.”
[found on http://www.writersdigest.com/literary-agents?et_mid=691229&rid=239481182]
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Like Being Alone
“And I find – I’m 63, and my capacity to be by myself and just spend time by myself hasn’t diminished any. That’s the necessary part of being a writer, you better like being alone.”
— John Irving
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One Reason to Write
“As far as I’m concerned, the entire reason for becoming a writer is not having to get up in the morning.”
— Neil Gaiman
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