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Playing Wordsmith for a Day

Every Wednesday, I face off with Wordsmith.org and write on whatever term Mr. Anu Garg, Logophile Extraordinaire, tosses out. He’s hit me with some oddities, like buskin and artiodactyl, and some familiar but not-so-writerly words like quantum and cagey. I love the challenge to write on whatever word surfaces on Wednesdays, and I also love to share that challenge.

Last month, I embarked on a tradition of inviting a fellow writer to take on Wednesday’s Word of the Day. The only difference, so far anyway, is that I get to play Ms. Wordsmith Master. I don’t haul out my College Dictionary – which currently holds down the fort on a shelf in my living room – but, I do have my own versatile word bag at home (courtesy of Ariel Gore).

E. Victoria Flynn, fellow mother writer and first victim, wrote a great piece on Wednesday’s Word, which you can read HERE.

Today, I’m excited to give you a preview of this week’s Word of the Day Challenger: Ann M. Lynn, from Shadows in Mind.

When I think about Ann, I am reminded of a response I received from a seasoned writer, when I said I loved to write but didn’t know what to write about.

“Why don’t you start by writing about what you know,” he said.

If each of us writes about what we know, then I imagine Ann has a host of stories bubbling inside of her. Ann is a writer, an artist, a photographer, a singer, a dancer, a student of martial arts. Rumor has it, she even knows how to fence. She belongs to Liberty Hall Writers, a community online that poses a weekly Flash challenge: take a prompt, go on a 90 minute writing spree, then submit your story. Online. For the rest of your collegial writers to read.

Ann is very brave.

She jumped at the chance to participate in Wednesday’s Word of the Day. And, I cannot wait to see how she incorporates…well, you’ll have to come back on Wednesday to find out her word.

While you eagerly await the next 24 to 36 hours, click on over to Ann’s blog. Her recent post continues a discussion – and offers great insight – on the psychology of naming your characters. On her sidebar, she lists some excellent links to writing prompts of different styles. And, for a taste of her flash writing, check out this post based on an image as prompt.

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Ann M. Lynn is a writer of speculative fiction. One of her favorite hobbies is reminding people that hope and kindness can exist in the darkest of places. She resides in a place of light and shadows, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with her husband, cat, and dog.

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‘Til Wednesday!…

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My Favorite Letters of the Alphabet

Apparently, I in love with M and J.

I finished a really rough outline of my novel yesterday. I re-numbered the chapters and wrote out the actions. I listed characters who appeared in each scene, and I began to notice a slight trend. My cast of characters includes:

  • Millie
  • Her mother
  • Mrs. Wilson
  • Mr. Millstead
  • Marcie
  • Mr. Jackson
  • Jonathon
  • Note: Millie’s last name is Jones

Oh, sure, there’s a Deloris and a Brenda. There’s even a Quinn (thank God for Q).

But, clearly I’m mesmerized with just a few select letters.

Mmmmm, I love rewrites.

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Cut, Paste, Sigh. And, Repeat.

Since last Friday, I’ve done a lot of reading and reflecting on the novel that I am trying to write. This novel writing business isn’t easy.

During the last week, I flipped through – and clicked through – several great articles on theme and irony, character goals, and ways to breathe life into your story. My recent post on theme and irony stirred up a flurry of comments and more great information from Lydia Sharp. As well, the March issue of The Writer has turned out to be a wealth of information for a fledgling novelist like myself.

I say “fledgling,” because I wavered back and forth between thoughts that “this thing will never fly” to the word that pops up almost every other day in conversations on writing: persistence.

I highlighted the title of my novel and marked it as “temporary.” And (almost kicking and screaming), I went back to the beginning of the draft. I dropped in a brand new opening scene. Then, today, instead of diving into a rewrite of the next chapter, I took out chunks of the story that suddenly switched up the plot (like when the main character’s mom died, no she didn’t, yes she did…CUT). And, I started making an outline.

Starting with an outline would likely make for a smoother rewrite in the future. Now, I know. As a writer, I feel myself growing in all directions. I am reminded again of a quote from one of my favorite writers, Margaret Atwood:

A lot of people do have a book in them – that is, they have had an experience that other people might want to read about. But this is not the same as “being a writer.” Or, to put it in a more sinister way: everyone can dig a hole in a cemetery, but not everyone is a grave-digger. The latter takes a good deal more stamina and persistence (26).

There’s that word again. Anyone can find inspiration for a story, but it takes perseverance (and a willingness to go back to the beginning) for that story to take root and flourish.

This novel continues to be my exercise in developing plot, character, and structure, as well as in sticking with a project until the end. Even if the story never gets published, I will be a different writer once I put the manuscript down for good.

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Atwood, Margaret. Negotiating with the Dead: A Writer on Writing. New York: Anchor Books, 2002. Print.