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Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Writing Craft » Page 37

Writing Craft

Write Like Jazz

By Bob Hostetleron August 2, 2017
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Years ago, I was helping a friend brainstorm and outline a book, and at some point in the course of our conversation about writing, I said, “Writing is like jazz.”

Both of us were jazz aficionados, so the phrase was apt, and it stuck. He has reminded me of it repeatedly ever since.

What did I mean? Three things, basically:

Craft

Duke Ellington was raised by pianist parents, started piano lessons at age 7, and learned from numerous teachers during his formative years. Trumpeter Miles Davis took music lessons from Elwood Buchanan and attended Julliard School of Music before joining Charlie Parker’s quintet. Nina Simone studied under Carl Friedberg at Julliard and took private piano lessons with Vladimir Sokoloff before recording her debut album, Little Girl Blue. These and many jazz musicians acquired the rudiments of their craft. They learned the rules and gained experience in working within those rules.

Similarly, writers who wish to be published—and read—must learn the basics: spelling, grammar, composition, structure, etc. They must know the difference between “its” and “it’s,” and between “your” and “you’re.” They do well to read The Elements of Style. They should write a lot (not alot), like a musician learning theory and practicing scales.

This also comes into play with every new thing a writer begins. Whether it is a novel, nonfiction book, essay, review, or poem, good writing starts not only with good materials but also with good structure. The foundation must be firm before the walls go up and windows are installed. Good writers, whether they’re “planners” or “pantsers,” begin with an outline, synopsis, or some kind of framework in mind.

Creativity

The 2016 film, Genius, portrayed the relationship between New York editor Maxwell Perkins and novelist Thomas Wolfe. A memorable scene in the movie occurs in a Harlem jazz club. Wolfe takes his staid editor there to try to convey through jazz how Wolfe’s writing mind works. The musicians begin with a familiar tune, playing it straight, as it would have been written on a page of sheet music. Soon, however, they begin to improvise and embellish, not only playing the music but playing with the music and playing off of each other, turning one work of art into something new, fresh, and lively.

A writer who has learned the rules and mastered the tools of language and persuasion can successfully bend or even break the rules, experimenting and improvising, and sometimes turn a simple sentence or scene into a work of art. Such a writer doesn’t ignore spelling, grammar, structure, and so on, but may transcend those things, playing with the music of thoughts and words, creating something new, fresh, and lively.

Clean-up

When a jazz musician—a good one, anyway—discovers a new groove or improvises a new riff, the musicianship doesn’t end there. She may sing or play it a hundred times, sharpening and smoothing it more and more. He may record the tune, transpose it into a different key, or hear how it sounds on a different instrument or in a different voice.

That resembles the writer’s tasks of rewrite and revision. No matter how engrained the skills are and how inspired the writing was, plenty of clean-up always remains to be done: cutting, fitting, rearranging, shaping, sharpening, polishing, and more. Speaking for myself, even after thirty years as a professional writer, I don’t even show my wife my first drafts. And I seldom show anyone my second drafts.

I often tell people in writing seminars, “If you’re not sick of your article, story, or book by the time you submit it for publication, you probably haven’t reviewed, rewritten, revised, and edited it enough.”

Writing, like jazz, is a lot of work…and loads of fun. When it is done well, it is almost like being in love.

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Category: Art, Creativity, Inspiration

Should I Use Song Lyrics in My Writing?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 13, 2017
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While catching up on newspaper reading, I ran across an article about movie soundtracks and how uneven they can be. The article’s author offered praise for some for adding atmosphere, while opining that the soundtrack took away from other movies. But what about books? Do song lyrics offer atmosphere, or add to characterization? In my opinion, song lyrics are more problematic than they’re worth, …

Read moreShould I Use Song Lyrics in My Writing?
Category: Craft, Writing CraftTag: Song Lyrics, Writing Craft

I Have to Stay Home from the Conference

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 6, 2017
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As I mentioned in several recent posts about conferences, sometimes your best decision is to stay home. Not to worry! You can become a traditionally published author, or maintain your momentum, without attending a conference. Although I started writing books many years ago, I never went to a conference as an author. The first one I attended was an ACFW (then ACRW) conference, as a literary agent. …

Read moreI Have to Stay Home from the Conference
Category: Conferences

Intangible Conference Benefits

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 29, 2017
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Recently I blogged about whether or not authors make money by attending conferences. While that’s not always easy to determine through cold, hard math, what you can calculate, though in a more fuzzy way, are intangible benefits: Connecting with Internet friends in person. Meeting authors previously unknown to you. Sharing time with others who understand your victories and struggles. Shaking hands …

Read moreIntangible Conference Benefits
Category: ConferencesTag: Writing Conference

How to Write Better Novels

By Steve Laubeon June 26, 2017
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The Christian Writers Institute is excited to announce a new book by Kathy Tyers called, Writing Deep Viewpoint: Invite Your Readers Into Your Story. (releasing July 14th.) It is one of few fiction craft books to explore the topic of writing the deep point-of-view. Here is what bestselling author Davis Bunn has to say about it: There is no single component of the writing craft as vital to good …

Read moreHow to Write Better Novels
Category: Book Review, Craft, Writing CraftTag: Book Review, Deep POV, Writing Craft

Will I Make Money by Attending a Conference?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 22, 2017
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When thinking of going to any conference, most authors need to consider expenses. A question friends and family might ask is, “Are you making money by going?” I wish I had a firm answer, but the fact is, you may never know. Granted, you might go to a conference, meet an agent and then sign with the agent. Then the agent presents your work to an editor. Soon you receive a contract worth much more …

Read moreWill I Make Money by Attending a Conference?
Category: ConferencesTag: writers conferences

Writing Cinematically: 10 Movie Techniques to Apply to Your Novel 

By Guest Bloggeron June 19, 2017
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Our guest blogger today is Deborah Raney. We have had the fun of working together since I first became an agent. It also happens that while at Bethany House I was one of the first to review the proposal which became her first novel, A Vow to Cherish, (the inspiration for the World Wide Pictures film of the same title) and launched Deb’s writing career. Twenty years and thirty-plus books later, …

Read moreWriting Cinematically: 10 Movie Techniques to Apply to Your Novel 
Category: Craft, Writing CraftTag: Cinematic Technique, Craft, Writing Craft

Should I Go to the Conference?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 15, 2017
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Authors want to be good stewards of time and resources so when considering whether or not to attend a conference, many factors apply. You may want to consider, in no particular order: How much will my attendance inconvenience myself and those around me? 1. Will my day job suffer? 2. How will my family cope? 3. Can I easily get to and from the conference? Have I budgeted enough funds to go to the …

Read moreShould I Go to the Conference?
Category: ConferencesTag: writers conferences

How to Ruin Beloved Characters

By Karen Ballon June 14, 2017
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Did you all read Steve’s post about Edgy Christian Fiction? An excellent post, and one that addressed vitally important issues for us as Christian who write. So why am I writing about it when Steve dealt with it so well. Because last night I experienced the ugly effects of edginess on characters I have enjoyed and loved. First, let me say that I know my experience has nothing to do with …

Read moreHow to Ruin Beloved Characters
Category: Writing CraftTag: Characters, Edgy, Writing Craft

Time to Play!

By Karen Ballon May 31, 2017
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As I was considering what to write for this week’s blog, I realized I needed a break from all the seriousness of the last few weeks. Not that I don’t love the “conversations” and insights everyone has shared. But, at the core, I’m a golden-retriever kinda gal, and I gots to play! So today seemed perfect for a game I love: First Lines. SO! Get your play on, folks, and share your first line—and ONLY …

Read moreTime to Play!
Category: Craft, CreativityTag: Craft, Creativity, first lines
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