Ready for November?

November...a time for pumpkin spice everything, beards of all shapes and sizes and red, white and blue "I voted" stickers. But for readers in the know, November is for nonfiction books. Personally I love November because I love celebrating nonfiction books (and by nonfiction I mostly mean history). If you're out there yawning at the thought of a book about the tea trade in the 1800s or battle plans of the Civil War, remember that nonfiction encompasses so much more than just history. What else can you read?

Memoirs/Biographies - There's a newly released 900+ page book about Mark Twain on the shelves but so many more (shorter) books about random people who have led interesting lives.

Hobbies - Whatever your hobby (or wanna-be hobby), you can find a book out there. Recently,  I've read about growing dahlias, writing mystery novels, building birdhouses. What do you want to know more about? My son (a fabulous chef) has a cookbook with meals based on meals from Star Wars. See, something for everyone.

Humor - These books can range from biographies of comedians to collections of essays on specific topics to your basic joke books popular with grandfathers of elementary school children. Because every kid loves a Poppy who can tell a good knock-knock joke.

Travel - Imagine my surprise at fellow WOW blogger Renee Roberson's post about a recent trip to Greece when I'm halfway through a book about Greece that is my favorite division - 75% stunning photos and 25% text.

Sports - With cold (and rainy) weather setting in, it may be too nippy for your favored sport. But you can read playing tips, biographies, rehashes of notable games and so may "underdog wins" books.

Self-Help - What do you want to improve? Your diet? Your parenting skills? Your memory? Your home organization? You general outlook on life? Definitely a book for that!

As writers, I think we should all stray away from our favorite genres and topics. Different types of books are written in different styles and exposure to many styles can only improve our own writing. Kristin Hannah and Stephen Ambrose write about the same time period but in vastly different ways. We can learn from both authors.

Plus, nonfiction books give us so many new ideas. You never know where a book will prod you. A World War II history book held the kernel that led to my novel in progress. A quiz book about the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" led to my writing being included in a military trivia book. A Polish cookbook led me pen a listicle about stuffed pasta around the world.

Can you commit to just one book for #NonfictionNovember? I'm busy finishing up my book on Greece.

Jodi M. Webb writes from her home in the Pennsylvania mountains about everything from DIY projects to tea to butterflies.  She's also a blog tour manager for WOW-Women on Writing. In November, she's blogging about her nonfiction reads at Words by Webb. 

Thanks to She Reads Nonfiction for the fun graphics as well as hosting a weekly catch up for participants of #NonfictionNovember on Mondays. You can just read the host's thoughts or answer the writing prompt.

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3 comments Jodi M. Webb, nonfiction, Nonfiction November, writing styles

Ooh, Shiny Penny!

Children’s stories and poems never submitted, outlines for short stories and notes for articles--in notebooks, on scraps and spread across several file folders. My mind is ever-open to new ideas and I’m quick to jot them down on the nearest surface-- the electric bill perhaps? Now, where was that web address…? So, as I read yesterday’s "Speak Out" post I felt admiration for Jo Barney with her finished projects fluttering about. Then I thought, "Hey, I’m that prolific--at titles, lead-ins and cryptic synopsis--it’s the follow-through where I fall through."

I don’t think it’s an issue of focus, if so I would never finish anything. Is it an organizational problem? Not really, well yes—I shouldn’t write on the bills, but for the most part my jottings are in notebooks. No, I think it is time I admit to myself that I have Shiny Penny Syndrome.

Ooh, shiny penny—that’s a pretty one! The plot flashes before my eyes, I get a feel for the mood, a taste of the characters. For the next few hours, I’ll add little notes. I feel the excitement, think of places to submit the piece, imagine the book trailer. Then in the distance, I hear a voice. Reluctantly, I bring my attention back to the moment. A friend is speaking to me and out of his mouth falls a new shiny penny.

By Robyn Chausse

Do you have Shiny Penny Syndrome or a discipline to share for following through with those sparkly inspirations? Share your thoughts!

photo by robyn chausse

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4 comments Robyn Chausse, Shiny Penny Syndrome, writer inspiration, writers tips, writing advice, writing goals, writing ideas, writing life, writing process, writing styles

Word Magic for Writers: A Review

Ever write a piece, reread it and think, 'Wow, that doesn't have any pop'?

The missing pop may be caused by your choice in words. Writing is a combination of essential ingredients that form a vivid finished product. If your work tends to fall flat or lacks any luster, check out Cindy Roger's Word Magic for Writers: Your Source for Powerful Language that Enchants, Convinces, and Wins Readers (copyright 2004, Writer's Institute Publications).

Sure, you discovered how to craft similes and metaphors in elementary school. Do you remember learning the A-Z's of writing? I know I did not learn all of the vocabulary Rogers introduces in high school or even college writing courses.

Rogers asserts that by mastering word tricks, like alliteration, polysyndeton, repetition, paradox, personification, and zeugma, your writing will enchant readers.

She's right. The first section of the book is filled with examples of word devices and techniques that will take a scene from blah to wow! The first 117 pages give pertinent examples from literature, newspapers, and magazines. After each concept is introduced, Rogers features an exercise that will jumpstart your creative juices. Each chapter ends with a summary of main points and definitions of the introduced vocabulary.

In part two, Rogers shares examples of vivid imagery, contrast, implication and style. Again, the book follows the same format, offering examples and exercises to improve a writer's word choice.

The final section concentrates on the hook, including selecting a title for your work, memorable opening lines, solid endings.

During my first read through, the pages felt a bit cluttered. But as I reread certain sections and worked through the exercises, I quickly changed my mind. Word Magic for Writers is packed with so much information that will make your prose pop. It's a must-have book for all writers who are looking for encouragement and enthusiasm about the words they place on the page.

Review by LuAnn Schindler. Check out more of LuAnn's reviews at her website: http://luannschindler.com.

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Leave a Comment book review, cindy rogers, figurative language, LuAnn Schindler, metaphors, personification, Similes, sound devices, word choice, word lists, word magic for writers, writing styles

Give Your Writing a Revision Sweep

For the past week, I've been proofing and correcting articles written by my high school Intro to Journalism students. In most instances, like many professional writers, my students still struggle with the revision process.

"Nothing is perfect the first time," I chime. Are you listening?

Students shake their heads knowingly, but the next draft doesn't improve. What's a teacher - and a writer - to do?

I hand out a "sweep list", highlighters, and an article to each student and have them follow this six-step program. You may find it tightens your storytelling, too.

1. Follow the stylebook. The class uses its own stylebook for formatting, headlinges, grammar and usage, etc. When a writer submits a piece, the publication or publisher expects you to follow certain rules. For example, when I write for the newspaper, I'm expected to follow the AP Stylebook. When I submit poetry or fiction, many expect the piece to follow the Chicago Manual of Style. Best advice: familiarize yourself with the publication to which you are submitting and get up close and personal with the style guide.


2. Use your grammar text. My preferred text is The Little, Brown Handbook. It's thorough and addresses questions dealing with every aspect of writing.


3. Highlight to be verbs. Too many times, to be verbs indicate passive voice. And even if they don't push a sentence into passive mode, drop the helper verb and push it into a tighter, straightforward, stronger sentence.


4. Avoid pronouns. Pronouns tend to cloud a sentence by making an unclear reference. Make sure each incidence of pronoun use makes sense!


5. Keep dialogue tags simple. Beginning writers like to pepper a quote with flowery dialogue tags. In journalism, the KISS method works best. A simple "said" carries a sentence/quote.


6. Evict adverbs. Writers rely on the -ly words, but in a number of instances, the adverb does not add new information to the piece. Adverb overload slows the timing and rhythm. Use sparingly and for impact.

Revising and strengthening a story doesn't need to be a difficult process. A sweep list may make your nonfiction article or flash fiction piece squeaky clean! Or, at least impress an editor.

by LuAnn Schindler. Read more of LuAnn's work at http://luannschindler.com.

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1 comment adverb usage, dialogue, dialogue tags, grammar, grammar tips, LuAnn Schindler, pronoun use, revision tool, style guides, to be verbs, writing styles

Do your snacking habits show your true personality?

by LuAnn Schindler


Can what you eat determine your personality? According to food expert Juliet Boghossian, author of Food-ology: You are How You Eat, the answer is a resounding yes.

Boghossian studied 5,000 people and tracked their tastes. She found an 87% correlation between snack habits and specific traits. Boghossian's research is currently being implemented by HR experts and marketers to judge job seekers and consumers.

So, let's carry this thought one more step. Is it possible that our snacking habits determine the type of writer we are? Or, can what we eat explain how we write? Perhaps our food choices determine the content we place on paper.

Consider yourself a peacemaker? If you believe ice cream is numero uno for dessert or if sour-cream based dips get you going, you fit the peacemaking category. Foods of this nature boost serotonin levels and bring about a general feeling of calmness.

If you crave candy, you might just be a dreamer. Boghossian believes that sugar cravings mean you like to daydream. The sugar rush might just be the boost you need to recharge your energy levels.

Baby, you were born to lead if you prefer crunchy snacks like popcorn and chips. Instead of being meek snackers hiding in the corner, people who prefer the crunch-packed foods, including nuts, aren't afraid to be heard.

What about those of us who enjoy a hint of cream in our coffee or snatch the dark chocolate from the box instead of heading for the milk chocolate candies? If you fall into this category, you are definitely an individualist. Not many people are wired to enjoy sour or bitter foods, so these individuals probably also have different tastes in other areas, too.

Me? I prefer salsa to dip. I like hot, spicy foods. In fact, the spicier the better! I'm a certified risk taker. People in this category like adventure. The chemical capsaicin boosts metabolism and also ignites the subconscious thrill of excitement. Risk takers are also passionate.

While I was reading these descriptions, I thought about the topics I tend to write about, as well as my writing style. I do take a lot of risks, and the majority of my writing is packed with adventure and passion. I also prefer those crunchy treats, like popcorn when I'm watching a movie, and I sense that my organizational skills are a result of what I eat.

Take a look at your writing. And consider your food habits. Are the two related?

Probably so.

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6 comments food choices, LuAnn Schindler, writing styles