Eva Hunter

Archive for the ‘Writing a Book’ Category


I Want You to Look At Sol

In Creative Writing, Literary genre, The Craft of Writing, Writing a Book on July 20, 2011 at 1:16 pm

I’m going to begin a new series in the next issue of PROFESSIONAL WRITING COACH, called “Writing the Perfect Sentence.” So you have some homework while you’re waiting. Find what you think is the perfect sentence. I’m not going to tell you what the elements that make up a perfect sentence are in this column. That’s what you’ll be finding out over the next several months in the new series. But here’s a hint: Often the best sentence in a piece–short or long, fiction or literary nonfiction–is the first sentence. See what you can find. Send your “perfect” sentence in through the comments section below. I’ll use them as examples.

But what’s this about Sol? Am I talking about Mexican beer, an acronym for “shit outta luck,” or–getting closer now–the Spanish word for “sun.” Sol: English Writing in Mexico is the on-line literary magazine published by Professional Writing Coach and a team of talented editors, in conjunction with the San Miguel de Allende Chapter of International PEN. We have a reading series every year, which begin this year with prolific author, Joseph Dispenza , reading from his new book (out in September in hard copy as well as Kindle) Old er Man/Younger Man: A Love Story. The proceeds from the readings, which will be twice monthly, go to scholarship funds for Mexican youth.

Our fourth issue of Sol has just been published. You can find it at   http://www.solliterarymagazine.com

And here’s an easy way to find your perfect first sentence. Choose it from either fiction or nonfiction in the current issue of the magazine!

Here’s an example from the beginning of Deborah  Ken Stein’s nonfiction piece, Saying Goodbye to Miss Spetgang.

The roof of our school was flat as a plank, and covered with a smooth, rubbery substance that gave a little bounce to my feet when I ran.

That’s a really good first sentence, and I’ll tell you why in the next issue. Meanwhile, start checking out the good writing in Sol: English Writing in Mexico and send me some sentences you think are perfect, by clicking on “Comment” below, and writing them in. Remember–not your first sentences, but something you’ve found already published. Identify the source, please.

Here’s how you get to Sol: English Writing in Mexico: www.solliterarymagazine.com


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 »


Writing Exercise: Using Description

In Creative Nonfiction, Creative Writing, Writers Resouces, Writing a Book, Writing a Novel, Writing Fiction, Writing nonfiction, Writing Short Stories on October 9, 2010 at 10:49 am

What’s wrong with this sentence?

“I walked down the street, bustling and filled with activity, early one morning in Mexico City.”

It seems like a perfectly correct sentence, right? The commas are in the right place, it uses activity, it identifies a setting. So why isn’t it a good sentence? The answer is that it really doesn’t evoke much of a picture–it doesn’t put the reader in the scene. Now consider a short passage from Sandra Cisneros’s  Carmelo:

The racket of the street bustle–street cleaners, merchants with all of their merchandise on their back, chairs, baskets, brooms, the fruit vendor, the sherbet vendor, the charcoal vendor, the butter vendor, whistles and shouts, rattle of wheels, clip-clop of horses, hum of electric trains, hoarse, sad cries of the mules hauling streetcars, slap of guaraches, click-click-click of hard boots, the unmistakable Mexico City morning smelll of hot aotmeal, orange peel, fresh-baked bollilo bread, and the ripe tang of sewer foulness.

See the difference? Description is made by using details–details that essentially “paint” the scene in the reader’s mind.  So now it’s your turn. Take this sentence, and turn it into a rich, sensual experience. Then send me what you’ve come up with!

I was two blocks away from my childhood elementary school, and it had been 20 years since I walked down this small-town street.

Go for it!

 

TEN THINGS EDITORS WON’T TELL YOU

You’ve bought all the reference books.  You’re subscribing to at least one writers’ magazine. Each month you’ve read it from cover to cover—looking for special tips and “insider” information. You’ve studied advice about query letters,  read all the updates about new magazines and what they pay, and attended a writers’ conference or two. You’ve listened to countless hours of advice about how to get an 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.


Choosing Organization for your Story

In The Craft of Writing, Writing a Book, Writing a Novel, Writing nonfiction on August 7, 2010 at 8:38 am

THE CRAFT OF WRITING

If you are new to this series, please refer to “The Craft of Writing” archives

part six in the series: “function as form”

 

We’ve already discussed the classic writing organizations of chronological, revised chronological, flashback, and the trip; and there are more to come. The organization we’ll look at today is perhaps a little less elegant than what we’ve looked at before. But–caution–that doesn’t mean that it’s not meticulous to build.

And “build” is the right concept to begin with. Tracy Kidder, that National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize winner, used function as form in several of his books. Consider House, first published in 1985. In this book, the blurb says, Kidder takes us from the “first nail  to the final coat of paint.”

What Kidder did, then, was organize his book around the specific stages of building a house. And since information about how many inches of concrete were poured for the foundation would be boring material,  except perhaps  for concrete pourers, Tracy chose a house that was contracted for by a specific family, and told their story–and the story of the crew–throughout the book. The disappointments, the joys, the misunderstandings, nail by nail, floor by floor, until the house, and the story, and the book, were done. Kidder brought the emotional aspects of having a house built to the fore: What happens when the actual room doesn’t look like the owner thought it would?  What if one goes away for the weekend and returns to find the kitchen sink in the wrong place?

Kidder’s story is classified as literary nonfiction, and we know the definition of literary nonfiction, don’t we: “Real stories about real people and the dramatic events in their lives.”

That’s “function as form.” How could you use it as an organization in your stories?

Next issue: Converging narrative as an organizational form

What Eva’s proteges say

In Testimonials, Writing a Book on April 16, 2010 at 5:13 pm

One of my big, important life goals was to write a book. I had no idea it would be a novel. And I didn’t know how to make my dream a reality. In retrospect, I realize now, I didn’t even know where to begin. Then I met Eva Hunter. Eva has a unique ability to coach, edit, and teach with a gentle, yet firm touch. She challenged me and stretched me in ways I could not have imagined. Eva not only helped me get organized so I could move forward more efficiently and effectively; she helped me understand the art and craft of writing in a deeply fulfilling way. Eva is a real pro. It is truly a delight to create and collaborate with her.–Ron Savarese, whose first novel will be out in early 2011.

I found Eva Hunter on the internet. Since I had not met her before, it was a guessing game. I was very pleased with the first month-long workshop and before it was over, I signed up for the next month. Eva’s teaching style is gently frank and helpful with all aspects of the writer’s craft . She is never discouraging or impatient with the learning process. As a novice fiction-writer, I feel that I am in good hands. My book is progressing and in spite of personal moments of doubt, Eva has spurred me to carry on.–Rosita Arvigo



“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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