HardCovers Vs. EBooks?

The digital world seems to be taking over. Many love the power of today’s technology and what has become available to the common user. Modern cities are crowded with pedestrians walking with their total focus on their smart phones or seemingly conversing with themselves, oblivious to the world around them. Kindles and nooks are crowding the lunch tables where once we would have seen an actual paper newspaper or a newly released fiction. With technology surrounding us all I still prefer the feel of a hardcover to any ebook. Hardcovers Vs. EBooks, which do you prefer?

6 Tips On Becoming A Better Writer.

 

Search and you can find many suggestions for becoming a better writer. Through my own research on the web, in books and experience I have formed my own list which I have found to be the most essential in creating a better writer.

1. Read, Read, Read. The most important exercise to becoming a better writer is to read. Experiencing the styles and techniques of other writers is essential in evolving your own writing abilities. One cannot expect to write a successful story if they have limited experience reading other author's work.

2. Practice. As with most other things in life, writing improves with practice. Writers need to do just that, Write. By engaging in the craft of writing, abilities can and will improve. Without practice there can be no expectation of getting better.

3. Write What You Know. When writing, you should stick to what you know. It is usually obvious to readers when an author writes about a topic they have little or no experience in. If you are not knowledgeable on a specific topic, stay clear of it.     However, when well researched, a topic that was formally unknown can become a learning experience that may evolve into a well written piece. In fiction writing, researching specifics can add legitimacy to the story and create a fuller experience for the reader. Unless you are willing to devote the time to the research before writing, unknown topics should be avoided.

4. Watch Your Spelling and Grammar. Nothing is more distracting to a story than misspelled words and grammatical errors. At a minimum, spell check your work. Even this will not eliminate all writing errors but it should clean it up enough for a first draft.

5. Edit and Rewrite. No work should ever be complete on the first draft. The bulk of your labors should be done in the first draft but it doesn’t end there. No one is perfect, including even the best writers. When editing your work, not only are you looking for simple writing mistakes, but think about whether or not the story flows well and will make sense to the reader. You are the only one that knows what you mean, if your writing is unclear, no one else will ever know.

6. Open to Suggestions. Unless you are writing a personal journal or diary, where you are the intended audience, comments from others are important. It’s not easy hearing negative feedback about your work but sometimes it is essential to becoming a better writer. Writers need to be thick skinned and open to creative criticism.

These six activities I have found to be essential to gaining experience and improving a writer’s abilities. Do you have any particular technique that has helped to improve your own writing? If so please share.

Top Tips For Breaking Writer’s Block. What is your method to beat it?

I am currently writing my first novel. It’s not exactly my first attempt, but it is my first serious project that I intend to reach the end of. I have easily spent hundreds of hours writing, editing and researching, but am only at around 40,000 words. This is a work that I am very proud of, even if I will never be able to get interest from a REAL publisher.
In order to write a story that flows properly I have a chart of events (time line) that is several pages long, a listing of characters which contains details about them and an additional list of items that need to be addressed in future chapters. I have an idea of where I want the novel to go but am letting each chapter develop on their own.

With this being said, writer’s block can sometimes delay my writing for up to a month. I have found that for me, the best way to fight through this barrier it to just keep on writing. I focus on what the next chapter should be about and just write. Even if the whole chapter is a bust and is scrapped, at least the beast known as writer’s blog can be somewhat combated.


If you are a writer, accomplished or aspiring, as this phenomenon afflicts all types, what is your method for beating writer’s block?

Modern vs. Classic Novels?

As a collector of rare and fine books, I receive enjoyment from more than just reading the story within. A hardcover from the late 1800s that looks great on a shelf and holds that wonderful old book smell is also part of the experience. Nothing beats an old book with plenty of great illustrations. A favorite illustrator of mine is Gustave Dore because of the darkness which he is able to capture in his work. Although this type of book isn't the best choice to bring to they beach, 9 times out of 10 I would choose a classic over a modern novel.

Who is your Favorite Classic Author?

Who is your Favorite Classic Author? This is a tough question. For those of us that enjoy reading the classics, picking one favorite of the many authors is not an easy choice. I have to say that for myself, my top pick is Charles Dickens. For me, he seems to have written novels that are so full of deep, creative stories, plus there are so many that he has written that are wonderful reads.

Writing of a Novel

     Breezed through writing chapters 29 and 30 of my first novel. Chapter 31 has created a wall that seems impassable. I’m going to try to write today and see where that leads me.

A look a Brad Thor

    Brad Thor is a New York Times best seller's list author of many thrillers. I was unacquainted with this novelist so decided to pick up one of his older novels, “The State of the Union" (2004). This was his third published novel. For a quick summer type read I really enjoyed this authors writing. His plot seemed very well researched but the characters left a little to be desired. Overall I felt that Thor writes a well thought-out, quick paced thrilling novel. Particularly, his description of a torture scene toward the beginning of this novel was excruciating to even read. It involved a dental operation conducted by someone the reader can be assured lacked any proper dental degree from any accredited college. This year we can expect the release of his latest novel, "Hidden Order" which I am looking forward too.