Just Write

Two new books of interest to writers arrived at the library today:

Manuscript Makeover:  Revision Techniques No Fiction Writer Can Afford to Ignore                  by Elizabeth Lyon

Professional editor and author Elizabeth Lyon offers aspiring novelists the guidance and instruction they need to write and edit well-crafted and compelling stories that will stand out from the competition and attract the attention of agents and publishers, including:

• Stand-out style techniques, from accessing an authentic voice to applying techniques of "wordsmithing" that transform prose
• How to rewrite characterization for dimensionality, a universal need, and theme
• Adjustment suggestions to match the prose style and structure of specific genres
• Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style
• Strategies to strengthen story beginnings and endings
• Methods for increasing plot stakes, creating movement, and adjusting pace for maximum suspense

The Power of Point of View:  Make Your Story Come to Life                                                                 by Alicia Rasley

The difference between a pedestrian telling of a story and a powerful telling is in how the point of view is handled. A well-written story is one in which the author allows POV to guide not just how the plot develops, but how the story—the merging of plot and character—develops. In The Power of Point of View, readers will learn POV basics and then how to use POV to influence a story from the ground up.   The Power of Point of View features genre-specific POV tips, techniques for crafting POV to individual stories and writing styles, engaging exercises, and more.

These and other books on the craft of writing can be placed on hold while online at www.gcls.org. 

Two new books of interest to writers arrived at the library today:

Manuscript Makeover:  Revision Techniques No Fiction Writer Can Afford to Ignore                  by Elizabeth Lyon

Professional editor and author Elizabeth Lyon offers aspiring novelists the guidance and instruction they need to write and edit well-crafted and compelling stories that will stand out from the competition and attract the attention of agents and publishers, including:

• Stand-out style techniques, from accessing an authentic voice to applying techniques of "wordsmithing" that transform prose
• How to rewrite characterization for dimensionality, a universal need, and theme
• Adjustment suggestions to match the prose style and structure of specific genres
• Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style
• Strategies to strengthen story beginnings and endings
• Methods for increasing plot stakes, creating movement, and adjusting pace for maximum suspense

The Power of Point of View:  Make Your Story Come to Life                                                                 by Alicia Rasley

The difference between a pedestrian telling of a story and a powerful telling is in how the point of view is handled. A well-written story is one in which the author allows POV to guide not just how the plot develops, but how the story—the merging of plot and character—develops. In The Power of Point of View, readers will learn POV basics and then how to use POV to influence a story from the ground up.   The Power of Point of View features genre-specific POV tips, techniques for crafting POV to individual stories and writing styles, engaging exercises, and more.

These and other books on the craft of writing can be placed on hold while online at www.gcls.org. 

New at the library this week: 

Dialogue:  Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Effective Dialogue by Gloria Kempton

How do some writers craft conversation so authentic, it feels like they've been eavesdropping? What's the secret behind getting characters to talk to each other? How can writers make their dialogue sing?

Answers to all of these questions and more can be found in Gloria Kempton's in-depth look at this crucial component of fiction. Readers will learn how to create dialogue that sizzles, with tips on:
* Creating dialogue for specific genres
* Bringing characters to life with revealing dialogue
* Identifying and fixing common dialogue problems

Each chapter features numerous examples of successful dialogue drawn from bestselling novels, and chapter-ending exercises help readers apply the lessons learned.  This is one of four in the Write Great Fiction series by Writer’s Digest Books.

Recommended Reading from Gwynne Scheffer:  A Writer’s Notebook: Unlocking the Writer within You by Ralph Fletcher

About ten years ago I worked as a professional developer on school reform initiatives in Baltimore, MD.  We pulled on a variety of resources to share with elementary school teachers to help improve student performance in literacy.  Recently while organizing my professional bookcase Ralph Fletcher’s A Writer’s Notebook nearly jumped off the shelf as the title caught my eye.  As an aspiring writer I am always open to new ideas and strategies to improve my craft but I never imagined I would be engaging a book geared towards elementary school children.  “A writer’s notebook is different from any journal you’ve ever kept before…A writer’s notebook gives you a place to live like a writer…”  It’s a helpful tool for capturing the thoughts, ideas, and dreams of middle-aged, grey-haired writers too!

New this week at the Logan Library:

Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors by Bill Bryson

A useful and readable guide to the problems of the English language most commonly encountered by editors and writers.  Covering spelling, capitalization, plurals, hyphens, abbreviations, and foreign names and phrases, Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors is an indispensable companion for all who care enough about our language not to maul, misuse, or contort it.

This dictionary is an essential guide to the wonderfully disordered thing that is the English language. As Bill Bryson notes, it will provide you with “the answers to all those points of written usage that you kind of know or ought to know but can’t quite remember.”

New this week at the Logan Library:

Publicize Your Book! - An Insider's Guide to Getting Your Book the Attention It Deserves by Jacqueline Deval

From the publisher:  This indispensible guide from a book-publicity insider offers everything authors need to know to assist in publicizing, marketing, and promoting their books. From working alongside professional publicists on campaigns and marketing plans to innovative ways authors can generate their own publicity, Publicize Your Book provides essential information for the first time author or the seasoned professional including:

· Effective networking
· Defining your target readership
· Developing a press kit
· Creating pitches for talk shows
· Getting newspaper and magazine coverage
· Marketing on the Internet and in other outlets
· Preparing for interviews and touring
· Setting up bookstore appearances and signings
· Hiring an independent publicist

Includes online publicity strategies and updated resources.