Eva Hunter

Archive for the ‘Getting Published’ Category


Choosing Organization for Your Story

In Becoming a Writer, Creative Nonfiction, Creative Writing, Getting Published, Literary Nonfiction, The Craft of Writing, Uncategorized, Writing a Book, Writing a Novel, Writing Fiction, Writing nonfiction, Writing Short Stories on October 9, 2010 at 12:24 pm

THE CRAFT OF WRITING

part eight–Converging Narrative, section two

(If you are new to this series, please check  the archives for previous selections in THE CRAFT OF WRITING)

In the previous selection in this series, I introduced the idea of Converging Narrative as an organizational form–that is: two (or more) related stories run independently until they converge–or come together as one story–in what is usually the final pages of the composition. In this segment, I’m going to talk about the writing of my short literary nonfiction story, David’s Journey.

My specialty in those days (early to mid-1990s) was short literary nonfiction for magazines and newspapers, so I was always on the lookout for good stories. Just to review, literary nonfiction is defined as “real stories about real people and the dramatic events in their lives, using the techniques of fiction.” This does not mean, however, that literary nonfiction is a hybrid of fiction and nonfiction. That “hybrid” simply does not exist in the formal literary world.

Anyway. I had done a story about an organization in Portland, Oregon, that matched  veteran parents of disabled children with parents of newborn children who were born with disabilities. As part of the story, I interviewed a cranial-facial surgeon. I mentioned to him that I’d like to do an in-surgery story with him–meaning I would follow the progress of a surgery from inside the operating suite. A few weeks later he called  to let me know he would be doing a surgery on a child, now seven years old, with severe facial deformities.

The little boy’s name was David, and he was born to a first generation Mexican family who lived in Springfield, Oregon–which was about a two hour drive south of Portland. In the weeks preceding the surgery, I drove to Springfield several times to interview the family. What I found was Read the rest of this entry »


Try This On For Size!

In Becoming a Writer, Getting Published on August 7, 2010 at 10:12 am

Five Things Editors Hate

PROFESSIONAL WRITING COACH recently e-interviewed ten editors from newspapers, magazines, and book houses to get their “pet peeves.” Does it surprise you that they pretty much said the same things? Here are the five points all ten editors had in common.

1. Inappropriate proposals. Research what they do! If they’ve never done a romance novel, they’re not doing them now. Magazine editors say take a look of at least six issues of their publication within the last year. If you’re thinking of offering them something that is entirely different from what they’ve been doing–don’t! Publications have a focus. If they wanted to cover “catching tadpoles in Southern ponds,” they’d have similar articles in other issues.

2. Books that start off with a long explanatory preface. Just tell the story.  If the story doesn’t tell itself, it is  not well enough written. Prefaces are often added after the book is done. Who reads them, anyway?

3. Stories that start with  (or even contain) well-known quotes or pithy sayings.

4. Stories that wander around, not getting to the point for three or four pages, or ever.

5. Stories that claim to be “hybrids”–both fiction and nonfiction. There ain’t no such dog. It’s one or the other.

Practice for Writing–Be A Spy

This week your assignment is to do something fun–go out for coffee. It should be a place where people linger, rather than just grabb a cup at the window and walk away. Starbucks, perhaps? Order you latte, then find an empty table near a group of two to four people. Your notebook or laptop is your prop–you’re just writing a letter, or checking email, right? Pretending to mind your own business, eavesdrop upon and watch your group. A pair of sunglasses helps hide the direction you’re looking. Read the rest of this entry »

Looking for a Writing Workshop?

In Getting Published, The Writer's Workshop, Writing a Book, Writing a Novel, Writing Classes, Writing Classes in Mexico, Writing Courses, Writing Workshops on August 7, 2010 at 9:24 am

In Writing Classes in Mexico, Writing Workshops on April 16, 2010 at 5:14 pm

Consider a three-week, or several day writing adventure in beautiful San Miguel de Allende, in Guanajuato, Mexico. Click on WRITING WORKSHOPS above for the PROFESSIONAL WRITING COACH’S schedule for fall 2011. The next available workshop starts in September-–but don’t worry: there  are workshops throughout the fall  and into the winter. THE PROFESSIONAL WRITING COACH’s students get published.


TRY THIS ONE FOR “WRITERS’ BLOCK.”

In Becoming a Writer, Creative Writing, Getting Published, Writing nonfiction on August 7, 2010 at 9:02 am

WRITER’S BLOCK?

Let’s talk about it!

Professional Writing Coach doesn’t  really believe in “writer’s block,” but perhaps that’s because she wrote for magazines and newspapers for so many years, and had to make those deadlines. That’s not to say that she didn’t avoid writing plenty of times–you can read about that in her guest blog for MADAME MAYO, in the archives. But, OK, she concedes that there are times when one just can’t begin the process. And the beginnings are often the issue–breaking through inertia and insecurities and fear. Read the rest of this entry »


SOL: English Writing in Mexico–Take A Look At This New Literary Magazine!

In Becoming a Writer, Creative Writing, Getting Published, Testimonials on July 10, 2010 at 11:15 am

It’s published and subscriptions don’t cost a thing–we want you to be part of  it. The first issue of SOL: English Writing in Mexico is ready for you to read, just by clicking on the link below. You’ll find writing by Tony Cohan, C.M. Mayo, Halvard Johnson, Wim Coleman, Pat Perrin and more. And submissions are now being accepted for the November issue. To find out about that, take a look at the “Sol Writer Guidelines” available on the banner at the top of the page. But for now, dig into some super reading in SOL! http://solliterarymagazine.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE CRAFT OF WRITING

Writing the Perfect Sentence

Some years ago,  in Portland, Oregon, when I was writing literary nonfiction stories, as well as some feature stories for magazines and newspapers, I covered a week-long writing workshop for The Oregonian. This wasn’t a usual assignment from the publication, but the workshop was being taught by legendary fiction editor Gordon Lish.

The workshop sounded as if it would be easy–all one had to do, the literature said, was come up with one perfect sentence. Now Lish is a demanding editor and he put the ten workshop participants through a lot of stress that week. I’ll admit I satisfied the master with a couple of sentences, but as I was a professional writer, I had a huge advantage over the other participants. Here are my sentences that Lish liked. And, by the way, the assignment was to create first sentences.

“He bought the shotgun shells.”

and

“First there is the land, and the way it acts upon those who live on it.”

I knew what I was doing, and Lish knew I knew what I was doing. So why are these good sentences?

Let’s look again at the first one: “He bought the shotgun shells.” One of the principles of writing at an advanced level is to make one’s sentences sing. We borrow from poetry to do this. Notice, then, that “bought,” and “shot,” have the same “o” sound. Read the sentence aloud and notice how it flows off the tongue. This, along, with the alliteration of s in the sentence: shotgun, shells. (three times) created a rhythm of depth, of interest. And, of course, the sentence is provocative, which all first sentences should be. Who bought the shotgun shells, the reader thinks. And continues reading to find out. Read the rest of this entry »


“Professional Writing Coach” on Getting Published

In Becoming a Writer, Getting Published, Writing a Book on April 16, 2010 at 5:08 pm

Ready, Set, Go!

Making It as a Writer.

What does it take to break in to professional writing? That’s the big question isn’t it? When I ask participants in my writing classes and seminars this question, these are their answers: (a) a good idea; (b) an agent; (c) a “contact” in a big publishing house; (d) perseverance. What would your answer be?

Here’s my answer, and it’s the most important  answer as far as I’m concerned: absolutely perfected, professional writing skills. Writing skills. Let me say that again: Writing skills.

 

That’s what this blog is mostly about. I’ll do other things with it–like give you a book recommendation or a reading list. I’ll even have entries from other people about the business, the craft, and the art of writing. But primarily you’ll be hearing from me about the craft of writing. Stick with me, and you’ll learn everything you need to know about becoming a writer. And by that I mean becoming a published writer.I’ll be writing a weekly column about the craft of writing, and if you miss any, you’ll find them in my “ Becoming A Writer” category. The first column starts now, in the left-hand column. And by the way, I’d pick “perseverance” as a second choice.

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