New Website!

     About a week ago, I launched my website for my company, Kali Tedrow Editing. To keep everything in one place, I am now going to be blogging on my website. Please visit at www.kalitedrowediting.com! If you would like to read my most recent blog post, you can find it here: http://kalitedrowediting.com/2020/07/22/how-to-choose-a-topic-that-interests-your-audience/.

How to Include Animals in Your Fictional Book

One of my favorites parts of writing fiction is the room it gives the author for creativity. There are many ways to add color to one’s story so that it comes alive for the reader. One such way is by adding animals to your book. An animal character in your story can benefit you in several ways if you follow certain guidelines.

Benefits of Animal Characters

You can benefit from adding an animal character in three ways. One way is by making the story more interesting and natural. Animals are a part of our everyday lives and including them in your characters’ lives can make your story more believable. They don’t necessarily have to be a pet either. Even a wild animal can add to your story and grab your readers’ attention.

Another way an animal can add to your story is by moving the plot along. You can tie the animal into the plot line somehow and use that animal to drive the action. Take, for instance, a mystery novel. You can use your character’s dog to unveil a clue or rescue another character from the antagonist. There are many possibilities depending on the animal and type of story you choose.

A final benefit of an animal character is the possibilities for side stories or comic relief. A cat with odd mannerisms or a birdseed-stealing squirrel adds personality to your plot and helps develop your characters as they interact with these animals. The animal can also add humor to your novel so that readers can have comic relief amid heavy action scenes and drama.

Advice for Writing Animal Characters

Adding an animal to your fictional work may be beneficial, but that is only true if it is done right. There are several recommendations you should follow if you add an animal character to your story that will help you avoid some common mistakes.

            The first tip is the most important: authenticity. As a writer, you need to make sure you are giving your readers accurate information. It doesn’t matter if you are writing fiction; authenticity is critical. Be certain you are portraying your animal character accurately. It won’t add to your story if it doesn’t feel natural to the reader. It will especially cause problems if someone familiar with that animal sees something inaccurate.

            The best way to avoid mistakes is by completing thorough research. If it is possible, you should go see the animal in-person or interview an expert so that you can get all your questions specific to your story answered. Such in-person research can be more beneficial because you can get the answers necessary for what you want to write rather than generic information you might find in books and on websites.

            Another piece of advice to practice is consistency. Make sure that as your plot moves along, your animal characters don’t suddenly disappear and reappear at random. It can jerk the reader out of the story because it breaks the flow and causes the reader to backtrack.

            This is one area where notes are invaluable. Keeping track of details will keep your story consistent and make it feel natural. So, if you have a cat lying on the main character’s couch, don’t forget that fact and allow a visitor to sit on the poor cat. Readers will notice!

            A final practice you should implement is moderation. Don’t let your animal character become so prevalent or quirky that they overshadow your characters and plotline. You want your readers to focus on the action and the point you are trying to make, not the animal. If your animal character becomes too distracting, it will undermine its purpose in your writing.

Conclusion

           Your story should take your readers into its world. One way you can accomplish this is by adding an animal into your book. Animals can be a fun addition that helps move your story along. If you do add an animal, be careful to portray it accurately and consistently. If done right, animals can make your book more interesting and capture your readers’ attention.

How To Balance Your Intentions with Your Audience's Interests

            For every document, article, and book there are two interested parties: the author and the audience. It doesn't matter if you have an assigned topic or freedom to choose; either way, the interests of both you and your audience will affect what you write and how you write it. As the author, you might find it tricky to balance your interests with that of your audience. Before you begin writing, there are three questions you need to ask yourself to help you determine the best balance.

            The first one is deceptively simple: Who is my audience? Sometimes it will be obvious, but not always. Rather than assuming you know, take the time to think about what you are writing and who will be most likely to read it. Who is going to be most likely to look at your work? You can’t begin to balance the intent of your writing unless you know who you are communicating the information to. If you are lucky, you can choose the audience you direct your work towards. It can sometimes be easier when you get a choice in the audience you write to, especially if you have a subject already in mind. If you have an assignment, an audience is already in place. In the former case, it is important to know who you want your audience to be so that you can ensure that your topic is of importance to them. In the latter, knowing who your audience is will help you determine the direction your writing will need to take.
            Once you have identified your audience, you need to do a little research about them. The second question you need to ask is “What does the audience want to know?” This is a key question once you know whom you are writing to. If you have a particular audience you want to reach, this question will give you advice on what to write about. The author is reflected in the information and writing style while the audience is represented in the topic. Whatever you write about should answer the questions of your target audience. In the case of an assignment, researching your audience is important because it will tell you what to communicate to them in a way that will solve a problem for them.
            The third question also involves researching your audience, but from a different angle. By this time, you have determined what you will be writing about and who you are writing for. Now the answer to this final question will tell you how to write. You need to ask, “What does the audience already know?” The answer to this question will tell you what voice and tone to use as well as other stylistic choices such as how much jargon to include. If your audience is beginner users of a software and you need to explain certain functions to them, you will need to write more descriptions with plain language to make your directions clear to them. On the other hand, an advanced user looking for information about advanced settings in the software will be fine with minimal descriptions and use of technical terms. Once you know where your audience is at concerning your topic, you will know how to proceed in explaining your point clearly.
            Writing reflects the author and serves to share that author's message. It also needs to address the audience and their needs. By answering the questions of who, what, and how; the author can find a perfect balance between the author's intentions and the audience's interests. These questions will guide you in deciding what information to share and how best to share it.

May's Feature Book: The Thread That Runs So True

            If you have been reading these literature posts, you might have noticed a trend by now. I will gladly admit I have a weakness for 19^th century British literature. This month I decided to be adventurous by reading an American classic from 1949 titled The Thread That Runs So True. This book is an autobiography by Jesse Stuart that focuses on his work in education in eastern Kentucky. Mr. Stuart was passionate about changing every child’s life through education. Through his book, he hoped to open America’s eyes to both the value of education and the struggles of the teachers trying to provide it.

            This is a book I’m glad I chose. Not only did it take me in a completely different direction in subject matter, but it also reminded me of how blessed I am. Recently, I was complaining that I wasted my time getting a degree. Mr. Stuart showed me that no education is a waste of time. With the complexities of this world, it is easy to forget how valuable some things are. Mr. Stuart's love for education comes through his writing and it’s infectious.

            Jesse Stuart never intended to make teaching his career, but life is good about throwing someone a curveball. In Mr. Stuart’s case, it was a good thing both for him and his county’s education system. He dedicated many years of his life to making sure all children had an opportunity to learn. Sometimes that meant teaching but at other times it meant going to court to fight the corruption of the county’s educational system. Kentucky wasn't always very welcoming of his help, and yet he continued to offer it. He believed that education was what would preserve their children's livelihood and freedom.

            Even though the focus of the book is Jesse Stuart’s experiences as a teacher, there are two other themes that I noticed while I read. The first is to stand up for what’s right. He wasn’t willing to just go with what was, accept people’s reasonings, or let someone else handle it. He knew what he was seeing was wrong and he did something about it. He armed himself with facts and he wouldn’t back down. Because of him, teachers and students had someone representing them and the problems they faced.

            The second theme is the benefits of hard work. Mr. Stuart worked for everything; he truly earned every success he had. His education took years to complete because he worked for it. He gave his all to every position he held. And he also passed on his work ethic to his students, even if they didn’t realize it. Impossible wasn’t a word in his vocabulary, and frankly, I find that admirable. Technology allows people to achieve things so much easier, and I’m not sure that is always a good thing.

            The Thread That Runs So True offered plenty of inspiration and thought for me, and I hope it will do the same for you. Jesse Stuart also devoted his life to writing along with education. He wrote many short stories and poems that you might also find enjoyable. What do you think of Jesse Stuart and his fight for education? Do you agree with his ideals and methods?

Use Your Punctuation: Semicolons

            At some point, you have probably been told—most likely by your mother— “Use your words!” That person knows that words are a huge part of communication. The different nuances of each word allow us to express ourselves very specifically. The same is true in writing, but words are not the whole story. You need to use your punctuation! We can do so much more if we go beyond the basic comma and period. To help you make better use of your punctuation, I would like to introduce you to my beloved punctuation mark: the semicolon.

            The semicolon is most easily described as a cross between a colon and a comma in both appearance and function. A semicolon, generally speaking, indicates a pause in a sentence that is more pronounced than a comma. Because of this, semicolons spend most of their time somewhere in the middle of a long or complex sentence. If you read classic literature, you are most likely very familiar with semicolon usage. Past authors made great use of semicolons. Some even used the punctuation mark to string clauses together so much that a single page could only fit a few sentences.

            You probably don’t want to use semicolons that much, but they can still improve your writing. There are three ways you can use semicolons in a sentence. The first is by placing a semicolon between two independent clauses. It can take the place of the comma next to the conjunction or both comma and conjunction. Semicolons tend to create a more pronounced pause than a comma which means they can stand alone without the conjunction if necessary.

Another way you can use semicolons is to reduce the confusion that comes with long lists that include many commas. If commas occur within the items of the list, semicolons can prove especially handy in separating the items instead of using commas. They also create that greater pause which can be useful when list items verge on the side of long phrases. The semicolon’s goal is to bring clarity to your writing.

A final way you can use the semicolon is in combination with adverbs to connect clauses. This is one usage I used to practice a lot until my college professors started to complain; therefore, I don’t do it as often anymore. The semicolon works when the adverb acts as a conjunction between the clauses. The structure is usually an adverb preceded by the semicolon and followed by a comma. If the adverb appears elsewhere within the clause, it only needs two commas. The exception is at the beginning of the sentence where an adverb would need one comma to follow it.

            Semicolons are an often-overlooked tool in an author’s toolbox. They can boost your writing by helping you to communicate with stronger pauses, fewer commas, and more complex sentence structure. Don’t let the idea of complexity scare you. The semicolon helps guide the reader and prevent confusion. Try using some semicolons in your writing and see how they can make you a more effective communicator.

Lessons from Self-editing a Novel

            I recently talked about completing my goal to write a novel. Now I have moved on to the editing stage. Because I am self-editing my novel, the experience has been very different from editing someone else’s writing. I’m sorry to say that I made several avoidable mistakes by not following my own advice. My mistakes have given me a new appreciation for why editors suggest certain habits.

            Every editor stresses the importance of a style guide, including me. It is difficult, if not impossible, to edit without a standard. I now understand that more than ever. I did start with a style guide when I began my project. Only, I made one serious mistake: I didn't update it. What I created at the beginning of my project, does not match what I am now trying to edit. I didn't take the time to write down changes to character names, settings, or spellings. Because I didn’t make those changes to my guide, I have to put in extra work trying to remember which is right. Authors, when an editor tells you to keep a style guide for your book, do it for your and your editor’s sanity! I deeply regret not doing so and have wasted extra time trying to correct everything.

            The second lesson I have learned while editing is to keep a timeline. I feel completely ridiculous for not doing so while I wrote. I know better after all! But here I am, trying to piece together a timeline to correct inconsistencies throughout my story. You can keep track of where your characters are, how the story is progressing, and how plausible events are by keeping a timeline. For instance, my main character goes on a trip. After I created a timeline for myself, I realized what was supposed to be a couple of days had enough scenes to fill a whole week. Something must go for the timeline to be plausible.

            A final lesson I have learned has given me more empathy for authors. Editors understand that it is hard for an author to let go of their words. Only I never realized how hard until it was my own words that needed to go. Your story may be excellent the way it is. But by being open to changing passages, you can make your work even better. As I’m learning to chop out sections that my inner editor knows don’t work, I’m discovering that it opens the window for better possibilities. Even though I’m only halfway done with the first round of edits, I already feel like I have a better story. The plot is completely altered, but it flows better. It doesn’t have as many holes in it and has more plausibility.

            I’m still very happy that I embarked on this literary adventure because not only have I grown as a writer, but now as an editor. While you are writing your story, keep in mind some of these lessons. They can make your writing better and your editor’s job easier. Keeping notes and making proper plans can save you a lot of time later in the process. It is also important to be open to new ways of telling your story because they might make it stronger.

Getting Creative with Language Conventions

            There are many, many books out there about grammar rules and what constitutes proper English. But have you ever considered where these rules came from? What we know as English today developed out of many changes over the years. The language is still changing today and the people who help create that change are those who are willing to question the conventions of language and writing. They are willing to bend the rules to make language better express what they want to say. Even if this sounds like English is doomed, stay with me. There are few rules more closely guarded than those of the English language. I’m not suggesting that one should completely disregard grammar rules like E. E. Cummings. What I am saying is that English is fluid. Words and their meanings change, sometimes daily. Why can’t we be creative with conventions to make language work better for us?

            If you are going to push the boundaries of language, moderation is key. You need to be strategic about what you change and how you do it. Basic grammar rules like subject-verb agreement and capitalization are best left alone so that readers don’t get lost. Spelling rules should also be left intact. Some things are better left alone. What I am talking about are the style choices that have room for individuality. For example, writers love commas. They are versatile and show up everywhere in text. I can appreciate a well-placed comma. I’m amongst the staunch defenders of the Oxford comma. But there is nothing like a semicolon. When I get the chance, I like replacing those commas with semicolons. It feels more definite and authoritative to me.

            These creative changes can make your writing unique and interesting. When practicing moderation, there are several things you can consider to help you plan a strategy. The first is timing. If your venture away from convention is ill-timed, it can distort the meaning of your text or frustrate readers. If you’re writing something to a client, you might want to think twice about straying from conventional type. Why risk losing a client if you don’t have to? On the other hand, a blog post might be an interesting place to insert something unconventional to keep readers’ attention and make your post memorable. If you’re writing a book, you might not want anything too wild because books have a long life span. You should think in terms of where your writing will be seen.

            The second thing you should consider when trying to moderate changes is your audience. The audience is critical for guiding your decision. Try to answer the following questions. How lenient will your audience be with the changes? Will they be able to understand what you’re doing? Think about whom you intend your work for and how your changes might be perceived. Nothing should reduce the accuracy or meaning of your writing. It also should not jolt readers out of their train of thought. If a reader gets frustrated or annoyed enough by something unconventional in your writing, they may stop reading all together.

           Have fun with your writing! It’s supposed to be creative and show your personality. As you play with the conventions of language, make sure you do it in moderation. The best way to decide what changes to make is by thinking about the timing of the change and who your audience is. When done right, your creative writing can delight readers and make you stand out from the rest.