Thanks so much Russ. Your son is my son's home room teacher at the Oaks, and Caleb loves having him. He brings so much thoughtfulness and insight not only into the classroom, but into students themselves. Thanks for your support!
I found it humorous that you used the phrase “belly of the beast”, because I used the very same phrase within the book chapter that I read to my family during Thanksgiving.
On your point number one : I hope you never give into the temptation to please people. It’s easy to do. Both to succumb to the temptation and to actually please people. Politicians do it all the time. But knowing the kind of guy you are, I know you would hate yourself. Just humbly and gently plop the ugly, messy, ( to them), truth into their lap.
On your point number two : I largely agree with this point. But remember, some of the best, most famous authors, created new words.
Whenever I see someone use the word interlocutor, I think, “Why didn’t they just say conversationalist?“ I think, maybe, I might prefer “communer”.
On your point number 3 : ( First, some context. I may have mentioned in the past that, since the beginning of 2022, I have been writing a semi-autobiographical book about my autism and comorbidities, and how I have come to understand how they have affected me at various points in my life. For me, it’s not too difficult to write because I’m writing about what I know: my life, as I have lived it, as I remember it, as I have come to understand past events in light of my new understanding of who I am.
But the hard part is recalling enough of the right life experiences to fit the context of a given chapter. And then to present that information in a pleasing and palatable way; the way a good chef plates a meal.).
I agree that people prefer to read stories. The chapters of my own book that I like the most are those that are essentially one cohesive story.
On your points numbered four through eight: I agree with these also.
On your point number nine : I am way ahead of you on this one ( : But I have found that if people can’t see a way to relate to my story, they will reach for what they are familiar with if it seems to be close to what I am referencing. Unfortunately, this has led to more of the same judgments and misunderstandings that my book is meant to shed light on.
On your point number 10 : Very good. Also, writing may be therapeutic. I may have to rely on that. So far I have received very little positive feedback from my family as I’ve read my completed chapters to them. I know what that means. “If you can’t say something nice…“.
Maybe I just need to do more editing. That’s what I do the most of. ( :
Yes. It's funny I got this in my inbox this morning. How timely. The past two months I had to switch from poetry to writing a short story. That writing, rewriting, editing, getting it critiqued, then rewriting from scratch was very hard. Then this month, I had to write an essay. That was also hard. To make the switch from that back to poetry has been rough. And yes, writing is really like giving birth. I gave birth four times. But I still wouldn't call my work babies because I have real babies....lol.
I suddenly had some additional thoughts that may be helpful.
First, upon rereading your quote from CS Lewis, it seems that he is making the opposite point of the one you’re trying to make.
Second, on the issue of limiting words, I would say that this is a good practice if you are trying to make an academic or philosophical point. However, I strongly believe this rule needs to be reversed while you are telling a story. Stories demand a flourish of words at every opportunity where they may help paint a picture. I would say if anyone gives you pushback on this point you need to seriously reconsider whether they have a good understanding of what storytelling is all about🧐 🙂
Good insights about publishers, Nicholas, as well as about pastors who don't read .
Thanks so much Russ. Your son is my son's home room teacher at the Oaks, and Caleb loves having him. He brings so much thoughtfulness and insight not only into the classroom, but into students themselves. Thanks for your support!
Interesting about the small publishers, and yes, reading aloud is the best. I tell my students that all the time! Read, re-read, repeat! Nice advice.
Glad to hear, VK!
P.S.
I found it humorous that you used the phrase “belly of the beast”, because I used the very same phrase within the book chapter that I read to my family during Thanksgiving.
Love it.
On your point number one : I hope you never give into the temptation to please people. It’s easy to do. Both to succumb to the temptation and to actually please people. Politicians do it all the time. But knowing the kind of guy you are, I know you would hate yourself. Just humbly and gently plop the ugly, messy, ( to them), truth into their lap.
On your point number two : I largely agree with this point. But remember, some of the best, most famous authors, created new words.
Whenever I see someone use the word interlocutor, I think, “Why didn’t they just say conversationalist?“ I think, maybe, I might prefer “communer”.
On your point number 3 : ( First, some context. I may have mentioned in the past that, since the beginning of 2022, I have been writing a semi-autobiographical book about my autism and comorbidities, and how I have come to understand how they have affected me at various points in my life. For me, it’s not too difficult to write because I’m writing about what I know: my life, as I have lived it, as I remember it, as I have come to understand past events in light of my new understanding of who I am.
But the hard part is recalling enough of the right life experiences to fit the context of a given chapter. And then to present that information in a pleasing and palatable way; the way a good chef plates a meal.).
I agree that people prefer to read stories. The chapters of my own book that I like the most are those that are essentially one cohesive story.
On your points numbered four through eight: I agree with these also.
On your point number nine : I am way ahead of you on this one ( : But I have found that if people can’t see a way to relate to my story, they will reach for what they are familiar with if it seems to be close to what I am referencing. Unfortunately, this has led to more of the same judgments and misunderstandings that my book is meant to shed light on.
On your point number 10 : Very good. Also, writing may be therapeutic. I may have to rely on that. So far I have received very little positive feedback from my family as I’ve read my completed chapters to them. I know what that means. “If you can’t say something nice…“.
Maybe I just need to do more editing. That’s what I do the most of. ( :
So glad to hear about this project, Bob! Looking forward to reading.
Yes. It's funny I got this in my inbox this morning. How timely. The past two months I had to switch from poetry to writing a short story. That writing, rewriting, editing, getting it critiqued, then rewriting from scratch was very hard. Then this month, I had to write an essay. That was also hard. To make the switch from that back to poetry has been rough. And yes, writing is really like giving birth. I gave birth four times. But I still wouldn't call my work babies because I have real babies....lol.
Glad it was an encouragement. I can tell you take joy in your writing, and that's what brings me joy about it! Keep going.
And yes, I have no real right to compare books to child-bearing. I should have said becoming a first time parent.
Maybe you should have said, “Writing a book is like building a child from whole cloth and found parts.”
Hahaha
Nicholas,
I suddenly had some additional thoughts that may be helpful.
First, upon rereading your quote from CS Lewis, it seems that he is making the opposite point of the one you’re trying to make.
Second, on the issue of limiting words, I would say that this is a good practice if you are trying to make an academic or philosophical point. However, I strongly believe this rule needs to be reversed while you are telling a story. Stories demand a flourish of words at every opportunity where they may help paint a picture. I would say if anyone gives you pushback on this point you need to seriously reconsider whether they have a good understanding of what storytelling is all about🧐 🙂