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.

April's Feature Book: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

            Victorian literature is as familiar to me as modern literature. I've been curious how early twentieth-century literature bridged the gap between then and modern works. This month I have done some exploring. I believe nearly everyone is familiar with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This children's book has long been on my must-read list. I heard that there were differences between the book and the 1930s Judy Garland movie, which came as no surprise. What movie hasn't made changes to its source? For this month, I decided to experience the world of Oz firsthand.

            The book read differently than most novels because, after all, it is a children's book. I especially liked the childlike reasoning in this one. It is very black and white. Right is right and most things boil down to common sense. What an average adult might overthink, the characters shrug off as a simple fact. Where an adult might not think twice, the book raises questions that can stop a reader in their tracks. Reading became interesting because my notions of things were turned upside down by the reasoning in the story.

            Another part I adore about children's books is the lack of limits on imagination. The suspense of belief is easier for children; it makes room for so many possibilities. Unique creatures, color, and magic filled the book and brought it to life. What makes it better is the little bit of reality mixed in. It blurs the lines between real and make-believe to the point that it feels possible when you read it.

            The moral of the story is simply making do with what you have. The four friends all had exactly what they wanted the whole time. They only needed to realize that and use it. Dorothy had the means to reach Kansas the whole time in the magical silver shoes she wore. The Scarecrow was brilliant, but never realized how smart he was. The Tin Woodsman had a big compassionate heart despite thinking he had none. The Cowardly Lion had great courage but allowed his fear to make him believe otherwise. There is nothing wrong with desiring something. But it is important to realize that what we have is valuable too. As with the book’s characters, it's simply untapped potential until we discover it.

            I've read that The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is symbolic and acts as an allegory. I'll admit, it had a little bit of an allegorical feel to it. If it is supposed to be symbolic though, I didn't catch any of the meanings. I would expect anything symbolic to be straightforward so that a child could see it. The story might very well be allegorical; but for me, it was simply a fun novel to read.

            So, I have to ask the age-old question. Do you think the book or the movie is better? What do you think of the changes the movie makes? Honestly, I like the book better because the plotline seems more straightforward and gives a more definite ending to each character’s story. At the same time, I like the contrast because I can see where the story was changed to better relate with the movie's 1930s audience. The point is the same and just as applicable no matter what year it is.

I Wrote a Novel

            The past week has been taken up by more pressing matters, so I hope you'll forgive me for not having an actual post this week. Instead of writing and editing tips, I'm including you in my celebration. If you’ve been reading some of my other posts, you know that I have been working on a novel project for the past nine months.  Ever since my 5^th-grade creative writing class, I have been developing ideas and trying to write stories. None have been successful—until now.

            This week I finally finished writing a rough draft for a novel. What started as merely a fun personal project, has turned into an exploration of writing. I know I'm not the greatest writer, but this experiment has taught me much and helped me improve. All those experts out there that say you should practice writing are correct. This project has been the best practice for me. Now I have just under 60,000 words down on paper and many lessons to apply to future writings.

            Don't think I'm going to let my project end just yet. What self-respecting editor would leave their writing unedited? I'm now looking forward to the next step of the writing process: editing. For me, the editing stage is so much more fun than writing. Writing is wide open with possibilities, a blank canvas. My mind doesn't appreciate so many options. I like having parameters to work with. Editing provides that because the words are already there. I can take what exists and shape it into something grand. 

           Writing taught me about developing characters, creating descriptions, wording dialogue, and so much more. I am certain that editing will be the same way. Even though it is a familiar territory, I never stop learning. Language evolves and so do the people who use it. There is no end to learning. Each project I take on teaches me something new about editing and how language works. In other words, be ready for some future posts about editing fiction.

Writing with Dialects and Accents in Fiction

            I have a weakness for westerns. I blame it on genetics since I have family members who enjoy westerns too. One part that I like about these novels is the language. It isn't overly grammatical or polished, but it's plain-speaking (or straight-shooting if you prefer that expression). Different elements can give writing a new personality and color. Dialects and accents in writing can bring a story to life. If done right, they can give characters an instantly recognizable identity and build a more imaginative setting. The key to doing them right is to make sure they are identifiable. A badly done accent will both be unrecognizable and bring down the quality of the writing. This week, I’ll give some tips about how to write a better accent and why including one might be beneficial to your story.

            Dialects and accents can be tricky for any author. To make them work well for your story, there are three points you need to be careful of. The first is legibility. The wording needs to be legible for the reader. Spelling and punctuation have some leeway when trying to recreate a certain accent, but it should not be sacrificed to the point that a reader cannot decipher what is being said. If it is coming out in a way that can be hard to read, you have several possibilities to consider. First, illegible words might be a sign that you’re trying too hard to create the accent. In this case, you might want to step back for a moment and rethink how you portray the language. On the other hand, dialects sometimes use words or pronunciations that are unusual and unknown to the average reader. In that case, you should consider including cues that help a reader understand what is being said.

            Another point you should be cautious of is consistency. This is a critical point. If you start with a certain dialect, you should be finishing with it. It is imperative that the dialect is consistent throughout the whole work and doesn't come in and out. The lack of consistency will detract both from your writing and your character's authenticity. Consistency also applies at a more minute level. Not only should the accent stay true throughout the work, but the qualities of it should be consistent. The same spellings and punctuations should be used every time. The easiest way to ensure this is to keep notes about the usages you have in your work. As an editor, I suggest you have a copy of those notes available to your editor. Your editor can then know what you intended and catch any variations in your writing.

            A final caution, and the most important one to take away from this, is accuracy. If you write consistently and legibly through your whole work, it will mean nothing if you portray the dialect or accent inaccurately. Do your research and make certain that you are writing the speech correctly. And I mean truly correct and not just stereotypes of accents. If you aren’t careful about accuracy, it will sound “off” to readers and potentially offend those who do speak with that dialect or accent. You wouldn’t like it if someone misrepresented you so be careful that you don’t do it to someone else.

            With that being said, I hope I didn’t completely scare you off from trying to write a dialect or accent because it does have benefits. One such benefit is the local color an accent can bring to your writing. It is, like I said earlier, instant identity. It is a creative way to carry one’s reader quickly to a certain time and place. It can also create a connection for the reader with the story. For those familiar with the accent, it can give them a sense of investment because it is something they know. I like reading books that include a Southern accent because it reminds me of my childhood. My favorite teacher was from West Virginia and I loved hearing her talk. That brings up a third benefit. Even if a dialect isn't personally known to the reader, it can be intriguing. There is something about a foreign accent or dialect that piques others' curiosity. Either way, it can grab readers’ attention and create a more vivid picture for them.

            The next time you decide to write, why not try adding a dialect or accent to your story? It can give your work a unique flare that draws in readers and creates a setting through speech. Just be careful that as you write you keep an eye on legibility, consistency, and accuracy. These three keys will help guide you as you try your hand at writing dialects and accents.