Use Time to Add to Tension

The passing of time can add depth and tension to short stories or novels. Writer Susan Breen, sites Raymond Carver's short story, "Cathedral" as an example. The reader knows as the afternoon turns to evening, the characters' interactions will lead to greater conflict.

Foreshadowing a future event with symbols adds another dimension. In my short story, "Leaving Jersey", Hada's afternoon shopping begins with light snowfall. We feel her cold fingers unlocking the car door to leave packages before continuing to the next store. When she runs into her friend and they hug, the snow from Geborah's coat collar melts on Hada's face. Her internal conflict is resisting a long visit to California. She doesn't want to leave New Jersey where she's lived all of her sixty-nine years. At the end of the chapter, she drives toward home in what is now a snow storm that covers her tracks as if they were never there. The implication is that she won't return from California and as time passes, her life in Jersey will no longer leave an imprint. "Leaving Jersey" is Chapter 12 in the novel. It's a foreshadowing scene but since it is symbolic, it doesn't reveal the end.

I didn't realize the significance of that chapter until I was in the third draft. I'm grateful to Susan Breen's comparison of short stories and novels, particularly how effective time can be used in each, for a deepening awareness to use in my writing.

Laurie McLean's eBook Symposium

Friday, November 12th, my friend Jan and I attended this one day workshop that was filled with epublishing information. Overwhelming as it was, I felt inspired to surmount the learning curve and dive into one of the several links we were given. The speakers broadened my knowledge of the many opportunities available. Now I need to decide what to do first.

I think I will investigate how to submit to Untreed Reads. The author benefits seem to fit for me.

Check them out: www.untreedreads.com

My Second Place Contest Award

The Redwood Writers Conference (a branch of the California Writers Club) granted me the second place award for my short story in their contest this year. What is unusual in this contest is that the judges give a comment on each of the stories that won. Here is what Judge Rebecca Lawton said about my "A Cup of Change":

"Full of conflict from the opening, "Change" takes more turns than a labyrinth. The author engages in story telling in a good, old-fashioned way: pulling us in, making us wonder, and resolving in the end without making it too "neat". Fabulous use of background images echoes the protagonist's journey. Fun, and a bit of snark."

It's not only interesting but encouraging to read someone else's review of my work.

This is my sixth contest award, the other five were first place and each experience has been different. This time, although second place, feels just as thrilling because of the review. Thank you, Judge Lawton.

Audrey Niffenegger

One of my top ten favorite novels is Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife. I had hoped for a sequel, but forgot to check if she had written anything recently.

When I happened to spot her name on Her Fearful Symmetry at Borders last week, I was surprised that it isn't a sequel. It's about two sisters who move to their aunt's flat after she is deceased and it happens to border a cemetery. Normally I don't read "cemetery" kinds of stories, but I like Niffenegger's writing so much, that I trust it will be more than a spooky story.

Polish Your Fiction Class Starts Tomorrow

At the Dublin Senior Center, I will be teaching a Polish Your Fiction Class for eight weeks on Monday mornings, 10:00 to 12:15. It will include fresh writing techniques and an easy, powerful way to polish your writing projects. The revision system takes the "ugh" out of editing and makes the process of revisions as much fun as writing the first draft. At the end of eight weeks, your work in progress will have increased clarity, cadence, and reader interest.

If you're interested come tomorrow and sign up: 7600 Amador Valley Blvd., Dublin CA 94568. 925-556-4511

I'm planning to do another eight weeks starting in January with new techniques and tips.

Hero Archetype

Carol Pearson, in her books about the hero within and the hero's journey, she states:

"Everyone who takes a journey is already a hero."

"The journey is fundamentally about metamorphosis."

Is the hero/heroine in your story embarking on a journey and heading for a metamorphosis?

Archetypes

In Christopher Vogler's book, he quotes the motto over the door of Carl Jung's house:

"Summoned or not, the god will come."

Sometimes characters for our writing do the same thing...pop up, summoned or not.