Looks like a Great Piece of Advice

I Enjoy Reading What Writers Have to Say About Writing, Especially Those Who Make Me Smile.

Writer Elmore Leonard left us recently. I thought I'd share his tricks for good writing from The Gotham Writers Workshop.

Mr. Leonard's 10 tricks for good writing:

1.  Never open a book with weather
2.  Avoid prologues.
3.  Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue.
4.  Never use an adverb to modify the verb "said”…he admonished gravely.
5.  Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose. 
6.  Never use the words "suddenly" or "all hell broke loose."
7.  Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
8.  Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
9.  Don't go into great detail describing places and things.
10.  Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.

"My most important rule is one that sums up the 10.  If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it."

Good Advice!

All Patronage Accepted.

A Sure Fire Way to Literary Success!

You're Very Welcome.

The Elements of Style from Jake Heller on Vimeo.

POETRY: Read More. Blog More #6

To Challenge Myself . . . Living a Haiku Year

 I recently revisited a little book called The Haiku Year, which I had originally discovered while looking for something else. Serendipity, indeed!

I had really enjoyed my original reading of this little book and the reread was no disappointment. The poetry is interesting, as is the story of the book's inception.

But what really struck me was the reactions of those who took the time daily for a year to write the haiku contained in the book.

Tom Gilroy, one of the contributors who also wrote the Forward, called the resulting poems "precious moments." And Steve Earle, who wrote the Introduction, calls his Haiku year "The best year of my life."

Reading these responses got me to thinking.

We all live busy lives, whatever our circumstances, and it is so easy to get caught up in the business of living and forget to really notice, let alone connect with, the world in which we live.

So, here's the challenge:

After rereading this short book and noting the thoughts of the participants, I have decided to challenge myself to "living a Haiku year." That is, I challenge myself to take a few moments each day to write three lines, 17 syllables, one haiku. I even have a beautiful little red book in which to record my "precious moments."

Is anyone interested in joining me?

The purpose is to take a few moments and really notice the world around you, feel it, and capture the experience. Good, bad, mediocre. It doesn't matter. It's not nearly as difficult as it may sound, and like any exercise it actually gets easier with practice.

If you need a little information on the form and its requirements there have been many books written on the subject, as well as many online resources. Some are concerned with form only while others incorporate the writing of haiku into a spiritual journey.

 
These are a few BOOKS I've read myself:

• How to Haiku: A Writer's Guide to Haiku and Related Forms - Bruce Ross
• The Haiku Handbook: How to Write, Share, and Teach Haiku - William J. Higginson
• Haiku - The Sacred Art: A Spiritual Practice in Three Lines (Art of Spiritual Living) - Margaret D. McGee
• Seeds From a Birch Tree: Writing Haiku and the Spiritual Journey - Clark Strand

And a few WEBSITES: 

Haiku World, Composing your own Haiku, Absolute Write, How to write/teach Haiku poetry,  In the moonlight, a worm...,

Here is a book that I have not read, but the title intrigues me: [UPDATE: It just arrived in the mail and is only waiting for me to begin!]

• One Continuous Mistake : Four Noble Truths for Writers - Gail Sher 

And just for fun, 
here is a website with writing tips - WRITTEN IN HAIKU. 

Scholastic Offers Teachers

Step-by-Step

Poetry writing workshops

with

some favorite authors.

Learn with: 

Jack Prelutsky (1-4), 

Karla Kuskin (4-8), 

Jean Marzollo (2-5) . . .

Check out the Teacher's Guide here.

How To (and How Not To) Write Poetry

Advice for blocked writers and aspiring poets

from a Nobel Prize winner’s newspaper column.

- by Wisława Szymborska.

To Grazyna from Starachowice: “Let’s take the wings off and try writing on foot, shall we?”

To Mr. G. Kr. of Warsaw: “You need a new pen. The one you’re using makes a lot of mistakes. It must be foreign.”

To Puszka from Radom: “Even boredom should be described with gusto. How many things are happening on a day when nothing happens?”

To Kali of Lodz: “‘Why’ is the most important word in this planet’s language, and probably in that of other galaxies as well.” 

find MORE here.

WHY TEACHERS DRINK (Lemonade. Just Lemonade)

The rebel and onion armies showed grose negligence by having many of their battles right inside national parks, like Gettysburg.

Shit My Students Write

HOW TO BE A WRITER:

1)  Don’t listen to advice from writers. 

 ... And are you sure that writers even have your best interests at heart? Most writers that I know are petty, insecure, self-absorbed dicks. And writers don’t like competition. Therefore, take any advice that they give you with a grain of salt.

There is more, much more, here, by Oliver Miller.

(photo via UCSD Health System)

SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND When Reading Just About Anything

This is a news website article about a scientific paper





In the standfirst I will make a fairly obvious pun about the subject matter before posing an inane question I have no intention of really answering: is this an important scientific finding?

_____________________________________

In this paragraph I will state the main claim that the research makes, making appropriate use of "scare quotes" to ensure that it's clear that I have no opinion about this research whatsoever.

In this paragraph I will briefly (because no paragraph should be more than one line) state which existing scientific ideas this new research "challenges".

If the research is about a potential cure, or a solution to a problem, this paragraph will describe how it will raise hopes for a group of sufferers or victims.

This paragraph elaborates on the claim, adding weasel-words like "the scientists say" to shift responsibility for establishing the likely truth or accuracy of the research findings on to absolutely anybody else but me, the journalist.

In this paragraph I will state in which journal the research will be published. I won't provide a link because either a) the concept of adding links to web pages is alien to the editors, b) I can't be bothered, or c) the journal inexplicably set the embargo on the press release to expire before the paper was actually published.    . . .

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ESSAY IN ITS ENTIRETY.

It's entertaining as well as educational.

from: TheLayScientist by MartinRobbins

HERE'S A BIT OF GOOD NEWS FOR TEACHERS

Dan Ariely wrote a brief article on Plagiarism and Essay-mills.

I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER WAY TO HONOR WRITERS, THAN BY READING THEIR WORK.

It's tempting to turn the home of writers into museums to honor the writers, bring in tourists, and preserve the cultural legacy of a neighborhood. But ... to do well, they need to be in a good location and have a big operating budget. Last year, foreclosure hit the Edith Wharton House in Lenox, Mass., and the Mark Twain House in Hartford, Conn.

Trubek has a better proposal. Why not honor authors like Hughes by reading their work?

"What if we gave a free copy of his poetry to all kids?" she said.

 -  Regina Brett,

Preserving Langston Hughes' house ... .

 WHAT IS A WRITER 

IF NO ONE READS?

Theme for English B        
by Langston Hughes
 

The instructor said,

    Go home and write
    a page tonight.
    And let that page come out of you--
    Then, it will be true.

I wonder if it's that simple?
I am twenty-two, colored, born in Winston-Salem.
I went to school there, then Durham, then here
to this college on the hill above Harlem.
I am the only colored student in my class.
The steps from the hill lead down into Harlem,
through a park, then I cross St. Nicholas,
Eighth Avenue, Seventh, and I come to the Y,
the Harlem Branch Y, where I take the elevator
up to my room, sit down, and write this page:

It's not easy to know what is true for you or me
at twenty-two, my age. But I guess I'm what
I feel and see and hear, Harlem, I hear you:
hear you, hear me--we two--you, me, talk on this page.
(I hear New York, too.) Me--who?
Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love.
I like to work, read, learn, and understand life.
I like a pipe for a Christmas present,
or records--Bessie, bop, or Bach.
I guess being colored doesn't make me not like
the same things other folks like who are other races.
So will my page be colored that I write?

Being me, it will not be white.
But it will be
a part of you, instructor.
You are white--
yet a part of me, as I am a part of you.
That's American.
Sometimes perhaps you don't want to be a part of me.
Nor do I often want to be a part of you.
But we are, that's true!
As I learn from you,
I guess you learn from me--
although you're older--and white--
and somewhat more free.

This is my page for English B.

from: The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes. Copyright 1994. 

In Keeping With Yesterday's Post . . .TEACHING POETRY. A Worthwhile Endeavor.

 

Songs My Teacher Taught Me       

by Anthony Consiglio.

A series of three lesson plans intended to guide students 

through approximately one month of poetry study.

found at: poets.org.

WHY?

Reading poetry can be a great way to improve your writing skills. The principles of poetry can be applied to nearly every kind of writing you do.

* from: Learning From Poetry, on DailyWritingTips, by Erin

Myth No. 1: Poetry is painful to memorize.  - It is not at all painful. Just do a line or two a day.

Myth No. 2: There isn’t enough room in your memory to store a lot of poetry.  - Bad analogy. Memory is a muscle, not a quart jar.

Myth No. 3: Everyone needs an iPod.  - You do not need an iPod. Memorize poetry instead. 

* from: Got Poetry? in The New Your Times. by Jim Holt.

  

SOME OF THE BEST (and worst) WRITING ON THE INTERNET IS IN AMAZON'S USER REVIEWS

A MUST READ

Tuscan Whole Milk, 1 Gallon, 128 fl oz

Make this your only stock and store, July 8, 2008
By     Edgar (Baltimore) -

Once upon a mid-day sunny, while I savored Nuts 'N Honey,
With my Tuscan Whole Milk, 1 gal, 128 fl. oz., I swore
As I went on with my lapping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at the icebox door.
'Bad condensor, that,' I muttered, 'vibrating the icebox door -
Only this, and nothing more.'

Not to sound like a complainer, but, in an inept half-gainer,
I provoked my bowl to tip and spill its contents on the floor.
Stupefied, I came to muddle over that increasing puddle,
Burgeoning deluge of that which I at present do adore -
Snowy Tuscan wholesomeness exclusively produced offshore -
Purg'ed here for evermore.

And the pool so white and silky, filled me with a sense of milky
Ardor of the type fantastic of a loss not known before,
So that now, to still the throbbing of my heart, while gently sobbing,
I retreated, heading straightway for the tempting icebox door -
Heedless of that pitter-patter tapping at the icebox door -
I resolved to have some more.

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
'This,' said I, 'requires an extra dram of milk, my favorite pour.'
To the icebox I aspired, motivated to admire
How its avocado pigment complemented my decor.
Then I grasped its woodgrain handle - here I opened wide the door; -
Darkness there, and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams of Tuscans I had known before
But the light inside was broken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only words there spoken were my whispered words, 'No more!'
Coke and beer, some ketchup I set eyes on, and an apple core -
Merely this and nothing more.

Back toward the table turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
'Surely,' said I, 'surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore -
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; -
'Tis the wind and nothing more!'

From the window came a stirring, then, with an incessant purring,
Inside stepped a kitten; mannerlessly did she me ignore.
Not the least obeisance made she; not a minute stopped or stayed she;
But, with mien of lord or lady, withdrew to my dining floor -
Pounced upon the pool of Tuscan spreading o'er my dining floor -
Licked, and lapped, and supped some more.

Then this tiny cat beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grand enthusiasm of the countenance she wore,
Toward the mess she showed no pity, 'til I said, 'Well, hello, kitty!'
Sought she me with pretty eyes that seemed to open some rapport.
So I pleaded, 'Tell me, tell me what it is that you implore!'
Quoth the kitten, 'Get some more.'

 

THE BEST ARTICLE ON POLITICS I'VE READ YET

 

What if political scientists covered the news?
By Christopher Beam 

A new article in the Columbia Journalism Review discusses the differences between political journalism and political science. What if academics started writing the news?

A powerful thunderstorm forced President Obama to cancel his Memorial Day speech near Chicago on Monday—an arbitrary event that had no affect on the trajectory of American politics.

Obama now faces some of the most difficult challenges of his young presidency: the ongoing oil spill, the Gaza flotilla disaster, and revelations about possibly inappropriate conversations between the White House and candidates for federal office. But while these narratives may affect fleeting public perceptions, Americans will ultimately judge Obama on the crude economic fundamentals of jobs numbers and GDP.

Chief among the criticisms of Obama was his response to the spill. Pundits argued that he needed to show more emotion. Their analysis, however, should be viewed in light of the economic pressures on the journalism industry combined with a 24-hour news environment and a lack of new information about the spill itself.

Republicans, meanwhile, complained that the administration has not been sufficiently involved in the day-to-day cleanup. Their analysis, of course, is colored by their minority status in America's two-party system, which creates a strong structural incentive to criticize the party in power, whatever the merits.

At the same time, Obama's job approval rating fell to 48 percent. This isn't really news, though. Studies have shown that the biggest factor in a president's rating is economic performance. Connecting the minute blip in the polls with Obama's reluctance to emote or alleged failure to send enough boom to the Gulf is, frankly, absurd.

Democrats have also slipped in their standing among "independent voters." That phrase, by the way, is meaningless. Voters may self-identify as "independent" but in almost all cases they lean toward one party.
Poll numbers also confirmed that Americans are in an anti-incumbent mood. … Ha! Just kidding. The anti-Washington narrative was concocted by dominant media outlets based on the outcomes of a statistically insignificant handful of largely unrelated races. Sorry.

Still, Democrats hope that passing health care and financial regulatory reform will give them enough momentum to win in November. Unfortunately, there's little relationship between legislative victories and electoral victories. Also, what the hell is "momentum"?

Prospects for an energy bill, meanwhile, are looking grim, since Obama has spent all his political capital. He used to have a lot. Now it's gone. Why winning legislative battles builds momentum but saps political capital, I have no idea. Just go with it.

Possible "game changers" for Obama include plugging the oil leak, peace between the Palestinians and Israelis, and World War III, although these events would be almost entirely outside Obama's control.

Looking ahead to 2012, Republicans need a candidate who can shake up the electoral map, which currently consists of "red states" and "blue states," even though there's not much difference.

The GOP—a stupid acronym we use only so we don't have to keep repeating the word Republican—will have to decide between a moderate "establishment" pick and a more conservative Tea Party favorite. In reality, both candidates would embrace similar policies in the general election.

That candidate will then face off against Obama, whose charisma, compelling personal story, and professional political operation will prove formidable. Actually, Obama will probably win because he's the incumbent. And because voters always go with the guy who's taller.

Christopher Beam is a Slate political reporter.

Copyright 2010 Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive Co. LLC

http://www.slate.com/id/2256068/

It hurt the way your tongue hurts after you accidentally staple it to the wall.

QWERTY favors us
with some interesting analogies and metaphors
from high school essays.

* She caught your eye like one of those pointy hook latches that used to dangle from screen doors and would fly up whenever you banged the door open again.

* The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.

* Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.

* The knife was as sharp as the tone used by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.) in her first several points of parliamentary procedure made to Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) in the House Judiciary Committee hearings on the impeachment of President William Jefferson Clinton.

On a different note . . .

 Love this!

(Picture found here. As usual, click on it to enlarge.)

 

GOALS ARE WHAT KEEP US ALIVE AND VITAL!

I was perusing the infamous '1001 BOOKS YOU MUST READ BEFORE YOU DIE' list the other day (click on the title to go to it), and found some interesting things about my reading habits. First off, of the entire 1001 books, I have read a measly 120. It's not that I don't read. I do it incessantly. It's just that the books I read don't seem worthy of 'must read' status.

I was compelled to look up the source of the list and find the criteria used. I found an article about the book entitled, Volumes to Go Before You Die.  Here are a few quotes from the article. (Click on title to read it in its entirety.)

If the “1001 Books” program seems quirky, even perverse, it’s no accident. “I wanted this book to make people furious about the books that were included and the books that weren’t, figuring this would be the best way to generate a fresh debate about canonicity, etc.,” Professor Boxall informed me in an e-mail message. And how. . . .

No matter how well read you are, you’re not that well read. If you don’t believe it, pick up “1001” and start counting. . . .

That’s the thing with reading lists like “1001 Books.” There’s always that host of the unread.

When you consider how many books are published in a year (approx. 295,523), and how many years since writing was invented (approx. 6000 years ago), no one can truly be said to have exhausted even one genre or topic.

But what a goal!

NEW TOY ALERT!

I received my birthday present two months early this year, and I am so excited about it! I've just begun playing with it, and I think it is something to share here. It is a PULSE PEN by LIVESCRIBE.

I write, and have always started longhand. I then entered it into the computer to revise. If I wanted to work on a piece, say, at a coffee shop, I'd have to print it out again and then reenter the new changes. What about a laptop, you query? Well, I haven't always had one, and even when I finally did, it wasn't always as convenient as it was cracked up to be. (Plugs/battery life, space & security issues, etc.)

Soooooooo ...

I had been looking at writing options for people with motor disabilities, and the thing they have most in common is high price. Universal Design for Living, however is gaining momentum in our fast paced, digital world. Who knew that things made for the convenience of "normal" people, (and I write that with tongue firmly in cheek) would be helpful to those with disabilities?

The Pulse Pen can actually record a lecture while you are writing and connect it to your notes so that you capture a more complete picture. This is important for those with motor issues as well as those with attention and input issues. Write key words and the program indexes the recording with what you wrote and when you wrote it (so you can keep actual writing to a minimum). When you get home, put the pen in its cradle and it all is uploaded. I have a MAC Air Book, and installation was effortless.

I am not describing it well, so you need to go to the website.

Oh, and I mentioned price before. The 2G model was priced reasonably - much better than some products built specifically for those with disabilities. The key is to know what you need from a program or device, and find one that meets that need. The pool of choices is expanding and I, for one am excited.

The saga will continue ...