MAKE IT FLOW

 

What is flow and what does it have to do with writing? Flow is simple. It’s also known as cohesision. According to The Writing Center of Gustuvas College, https://gustavus.edu/writingcenter/handoutdocs/cohesion.php, it’s the seamlessness of one sentence flowing into another. There should be no changing of the subject in a paragraph. The sentences should flow or run together seamlessly into one another without jerking the reader around. The changing of a paragraph should be done the same way with a transition, so your flow doesn’t break up and jerk your readers around.

Start your transition to your next paragraph by making your last line in the earlier paragraph about what you want the next paragraph to be. For example, they last sentence in your first paragraph could be something like: “They had to climb the mountain to arrive at their destination.” The next paragraph would show them climbing the mountain, stepping over or around obstacles in their way. Maybe the obstacle is an attacking mountain lion? This would be a surprise for the reader. It would also be a plot twist since fighting your main character is fighting the mountain lion. That would hinder the climb over the mountain, but the flow or cohesion hasn’t broken since they’re still climbing that mountain.

Look at the picture of the river above. See how the river flows without breaking? It gently makes it way to the ocean flowing over rocks and other obstacles in its way. Now, imagine that you’re rowing a boat down that river. The river doesn’t jerk you around at all. In your rowboat, you gently and seamlessly flow down the river passed the woods on the riverbank. What happens when the river comes to a rock in the river does it stop its flow? No. It takes a detour by going around the rock or splashes over it. I like to think of this as putting a twist in the plot.

The same can be done with chapters with one small difference. The end of a chapter should be like the season finale of a TV show. You can’t wait for the next season to start to see what happens next. End your chapter the same way you do a paragraph but with something jaw dropping. So, your reader keeps turning those pages. That’s what you want them to do!

 

Here’s a video I found on the subject that I hope will help.

For more information see:

http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/flow/

 

Five Ways to Make your Writing Flow Better

http://waldenwritingcenter.blogspot.com/2013/12/five-ways-to-create-flow-in-your-writing.html

 

 

 

FREE EBOOK!

FREE EBOOK!

Here's the live link to the FREE ebook! 

https://www.amazon.com/Where-Can-We-Have-Party-ebook/dp/B0759ZTTTS

 

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WRITE?

Some people say that you should write seven days a week until you get to a certain word count. They also claim that writers should use a flexible schedule. Then again, others say that you should only write when the muse inspires you. Do I do any of these? Yes. Should you or I? Yes.

I’ve found that I do best when I use the flexible schedule. I may or may not get some writing done on Saturdays depending on what my health allows. By doing a process of elimination and listening to my body, I’ve found it pays off for me to take Sunday off. After all, it is the day of rest. I do have to admit that there are Sundays when I’m on the computer writing away. That’s when I’m under a deadline.

It's been proven that like other muscles in your body, your brain needs a rest too. Science has found that you’ll be more creative and productive. The trick here is---again---to listen to your body. Your body will tell you when to give your brain a rest. Giving your brain a rest is taking time away from your writing and do anything that doesn’t concern writing. Don’t forget exercising and meditation. This helps immensely and even helps you with if you have writer’s block! But how do you know when to give you brain a rest?

Do you know the feeling you get when you’re so sleepy that you can hardly hold your eyes open?  You’re getting a message here from the brain to take a break. When you keep right on writing and get exhausted, tired, I-can’t-move-another-finger-on-the-keyboard feeling? Your body is screaming at you to stop! So, how do you rest your brain?

I know that the first thing that’s comes to mind is taking a nap. Believe it or not, that is a way! So are needlework, woodworking, going to the gym, watching movies, reading, or listening to an audiobook, cooking, or any other hobby. When the weather is nice, I like to take a walk and visit friends. The key here is to do what you like where it doesn’t involve your writing words. Don’t forget daily exercise and meditation.

Try the meditation video below called, Meditation for Writers: Meet Your Muse. Just sit in your desk chair, close your eyes, and focus on the music. I guarantee that you’ll feel 100% better!

You Tube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqXl9W-F1jM

In short, how many days a week should you write? That’s completely up to your body. Try the different types of schedules above and your body will tell you!

Elves For A Day               

Where Can We Have The Party?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRING YOUR STORY TO LIFE!

What in the world? You’ve just finished your latest and (hopefully) your greatest story. You’ve let your friends read it and of course, they liked it. They’re your friends. You also read it to Rex, asleep in the corner of your office. He gave a yawn of approval too. So, you proofread your manuscript and proofread some more. Is the punctuation okay? Check. Does each word move the story along? Check. What’s wrong with it? Try reading it to Rex again and listen to your words. Forget about your friends and family since they’re just going to tell you what you want to hear. There. Hear that? Read that section again. There’s no life in your character nor is there good description in the narrative. You have write visually and bring your book to life.

 

What is writing visually? It’s something we’ve all heard before. Show, don’t tell. For those of you who haven’t heard those particular words here’s my definition: It’s when you reader is able to put himself/herself in your book. You should engage all five senses to do this. Have your characters talk naturally. Describing in a few words what they feel (emotionally), see, question, etc. Also, people aren’t robots in real life. When was the last time you saw someone talking and their expression never changed, they didn’t talk with their hands, or they didn’t fix their hair when the wind blew?

 For instance: Keira left school. “I’m going to the mall,” she said to Sasha. Here’s the same sentence brought to life. Keira raced down the hall stopping when she saw Sasha putting her books in the locker. “I’m going to the mall after school,” she puffed. “Wanna come?” “Sure! Wait a sec until I fix my hair. Maybe that new guy will be there.” Which description would you rather have in your manuscript? Which one shows more instead of tells?

Take a look at these sentences: The three young people climbed the hill. Okay. Now read this: As the three friends climbed, they swatted flies away from their faces. Bees buzzed around them while low-hanging tree branches smacked them in the face. Which sentence shows more thus giving it life?

The trick is to give your characters some character not only in the dialogue but in the narrative as well. In the narrative, your reader can see them struggling up that hill. In dialogue they can see, feel the emotions of the girls and relate to them.

Here’s a video by The Three Minute Writing Teacher that will help you along the way to bring your book to life!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d68vWb5rvso

 

I’ve also found some books, blogs, or websites that will help you with this.

 

BOOKS

Word Magic for Writers by Cindy Rogers  http://www.amazon.com/Word-Magic-Writers-Cindy-Rogers/dp/1889715247/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420086148&sr=1-1&keywords=word+magic+for+writers

You Can Write Children’s Books by Tracey E. Dils  http://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Write-Childrens-Books/dp/1582975736/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420086272&sr=1-1&keywords=you+can+write+children%27s+books

Picture Writing by Anastasia Suen http://www.amazon.com/Picture-Writing-Write-kids-library/dp/1582970726/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420086481&sr=1-1&keywords=picture+writing

 

Blog

How To Write Visually by Donald L. Vasicek http://www.donvasicek.com/writing/how-to-write-visually/

 

 

 

 

REVIEW OF BABY MUNCHKIN

 

TITLE: Baby Munchkin

AUTHOR: Stacy Salomone Whitfield

PUBLISHER: Birley & Baxter Publications

FORMATS AND PRICES: Hardcover-$24.00, Paperback-$12.95

ISBN: 9781961978256

“A new baby sister! YAY!” This is how Baby Munchkin by Stacy Whitcomb starts. This adorable picture book in rhyme is a must-have for any young family who is expecting another child.

The bulk of the book has to do with naming the baby. Mommy and Daddy have many, many baby name ideas and Big Sister adds her idea to the list. Does anyone listen to Big Sister’s idea? No.

Baby Munchkin is the perfect book to get your child when you’re expecting your next addition to the family. With it’s pastel-colored illustrations, the book shows that a new baby sister or brother is exciting!

If you'd like this adorable book for your big brother or big sister, you can purchase it at https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Munchkin-Stacy-Salomone-Whitcomb/dp/1961978253.

WHY ARE CRITIQUE GROUPS IMPORTANT TO YOU AS AN AUTHOR?

Why are critique groups so important? It’s usually suggested that you join one, but how do you find one? What kind should you join? How will it improve your writing?

A critique group will improve your writing

It’s true. In critique groups, there’s usually a schedule to follow. A person submits his or her story, and his or her critiques have to be in by the end of the week. Some groups have two people submit, and those critiques have to be in by the end of the week. Why? The reason for this is simple. It prepares the writer to write on a deadline.

You’ll get honest feedback and suggestions for improvement from the other members, and this is so important! Your fellow critiquers can help you see problems in your story that you’ve missed. Your critique group can help you improve your manuscript with their feedback. Because of the other member’s honest feedback, you’ll be able to catch your mistakes more easily. This improves your writing.

It’s Fun

It really is fun! You develop friendships with the other members that can go beyond the critique groups. Writers live in their own solitary worlds. Developing a friendship with another writer is a precious thing.

You can discuss writing with other writers

That’s right! Talking to another writer is priceless! Yahoo Groups are chat enabled so you can talk to each other. Google still has Google Groups, but I haven’t been in Google Groups to know if they’re chat enabled.

What kinds of critique groups are there and where can I find them? I guess you already know that there are two kinds of critique groups. There are the physical ones and the ones that you find online. 

PHYSICAL CRITIQUE GROUPS

Where can I find physical critique groups in my area? Check your favorite search engine. Put in these keywords: critique groups + (your town and state). You get a list of local groups. If you don’t want to do that, you can check your local bookstores, libraries, churches, etc. I was in a critique group once that not only met on ZOOM, but occasionally met in a local restaurant!

In these physical ones, you read your story to the others and get feedback right then and there. You’re face-to-face with other people.

ONLINE CRITIQUE GROUPS

If your town doesn’t provide a physical group, there’s no reason why you can’t belong to a critique group. They abound on the internet. You might have to try several groups before you find one that’s the perfect fit for you. Where can you find these online critique groups? You can do this easily by going to your favorite search engine and typing in “Children’s Critique Groups.” You’ll get a long list of groups. Once you click on “groups” that takes you to a page where you can search for a children’s critique group. You can do the same thing on Google. Go to their homepage and click on Google groups. All that’s missing in the online groups are the snacks.

A great place to start is Kidlit 411. Another great way to find one is to go to your favorite search engine and type in ‘children’s critique groups. I found there are a lot of critique groups on Facebook (even children’s) so don’t forget to check all of your social networks.

One last thing

Critique groups also give you an advantage over other writers. You’ve already had several other sets of eyes scrutinize your work, and they haven’t.

So, whatever kind of critique group you decide to join, physical, online, or both, stay a while to make sure it’s the right group for you. There are a few ways you can do this. Ask yourself these questions: Am I learning something here? Is the group schedule too much for me to handle? Do the other members take the time to explain their suggestions? Am I comfortable here? Are the other members encouraging? Is there a risk of anyone stealing my ideas? This question should be able to be answered honestly by the moderator. If you can’t answer yes to any or some of these questions, it’s time for you to find another group. When you find the perfect group for you, you’ll be able to answer yes to these questions and more! 

 

 

 

TITLE: How Mack Found His Quack

AUTHOR: Diane Anderson Doumas

PUBLISHER: Sunflower House Publishing

FORMATS AND PRICES: Paperback-$9.99

ISBN: 979-8289675217

 

 

 

Mack the Woodland Duck can squeak and whistle, but he can’t go QUACK! Why? He has to find his purpose first. In ‘How Mack Found His Quack’ we follow Mack learns about friendship, getting your feelings hurt, danger, and helping others.

 

The author has placed different activities at the end of the book. She has Guided Question Ideas, a coloring page, a dot-to-dot page, puzzles, and more.  Your 4–8-year-old will definitely learn from this book and enjoy the activities!

 

The watercolor pictures bring Mack, his friends, and family to life!

 

If you would like ‘How Mack Found His Quack’ on your home library shelf, you can find it on Amazon.com.