Jan Marquart's Blog, page 10
August 23, 2011
Pen and Tea
I headed to the table with my journal and cup of green tea this morning, then realized that I haven't written without sipping on a cup of tea for decades. I'm on my 90th daily journal and it makes me wonder just how many cups of tea have I had over the years while I wrote. The same holds true when I write my books. If I know I am going to be at my desk all day working on editing I often make a pot of tea and sit it close to my computer. I skip meals but I always have tea on hand.
Is it the taste of tea that needs to accompany the movement of my pen? I don't think so because when I write I hardly notice the taste. So what is it I wonder? Could it be that the warmth is so comforting it allows me to safely open my mind? Could it be that it satisfies an oral desire that nurses me deeper into myself?
Looking back over several decades I remember when I was in college and had lengthy philosophical papers to write I wouldn't be able to sit and focus without a pepsi and package of Oreo cookies. And one night when I awoke at three in the morning and headed to a 7-11 for a 6-pack of pepsi did I realize I was addicted to the darn stuff. I turned around, went home and haven't had a pepsi since; That was 1975. Maybe that's when I switched to tea. I don't remember.
Writing makes me raw, depending upon what kind of writing I'm do. Hemingway drank wine. I tried that a few times and it certainly took away my inhibitions but it also took away my concentration, so that didn't work. I can't have a glass of wine and do much of anything at the same time anymore.
Over the years dropping my pen's point to the paper or turning on my computer with a mind full of thoughts has to be accompanied by a warm cup of tea. Maybe it is just a matter of being warm and comforted inside. I'll have to ponder this longer.
What about you? Do you smoke while you write? Do you munch on M&M's? Do you need soft music in the background? Do you need your dog near you -- oh -- that reminds me. Echoes from the Womb, a Book for Daughters; The Breath of Dawn, a Journey of Everyday Blessings, and Meeting the Moon, a Journal Notebook for Reclaiming your Emotions was edited with my cat on my lap. I'd read the books aloud and she'd sit on my lap, eyes open as if she could hear everything. But here is the weird part. She'd reach out her paw and place it on my palm. If something sounded off balance, she'd look up at me. If I needed to take my hand away, she'd meow. How weird is that? She was the best editor I ever had.
Getting back to my question. What about you? What habits accompany your writing? Do you clean your house before you can write? Do you need an open window or use a particular pen before you settle into your thoughts?
Do tell...
Is it the taste of tea that needs to accompany the movement of my pen? I don't think so because when I write I hardly notice the taste. So what is it I wonder? Could it be that the warmth is so comforting it allows me to safely open my mind? Could it be that it satisfies an oral desire that nurses me deeper into myself?
Looking back over several decades I remember when I was in college and had lengthy philosophical papers to write I wouldn't be able to sit and focus without a pepsi and package of Oreo cookies. And one night when I awoke at three in the morning and headed to a 7-11 for a 6-pack of pepsi did I realize I was addicted to the darn stuff. I turned around, went home and haven't had a pepsi since; That was 1975. Maybe that's when I switched to tea. I don't remember.
Writing makes me raw, depending upon what kind of writing I'm do. Hemingway drank wine. I tried that a few times and it certainly took away my inhibitions but it also took away my concentration, so that didn't work. I can't have a glass of wine and do much of anything at the same time anymore.
Over the years dropping my pen's point to the paper or turning on my computer with a mind full of thoughts has to be accompanied by a warm cup of tea. Maybe it is just a matter of being warm and comforted inside. I'll have to ponder this longer.
What about you? Do you smoke while you write? Do you munch on M&M's? Do you need soft music in the background? Do you need your dog near you -- oh -- that reminds me. Echoes from the Womb, a Book for Daughters; The Breath of Dawn, a Journey of Everyday Blessings, and Meeting the Moon, a Journal Notebook for Reclaiming your Emotions was edited with my cat on my lap. I'd read the books aloud and she'd sit on my lap, eyes open as if she could hear everything. But here is the weird part. She'd reach out her paw and place it on my palm. If something sounded off balance, she'd look up at me. If I needed to take my hand away, she'd meow. How weird is that? She was the best editor I ever had.
Getting back to my question. What about you? What habits accompany your writing? Do you clean your house before you can write? Do you need an open window or use a particular pen before you settle into your thoughts?
Do tell...
August 22, 2011
updates
Hi Everyone,
I've updated my articles on my site and blog. This week I asked the question: What would you do if you were walking down a street and a homeless person picked up something you dropped out of your grocery bag? Did it match what Katie Abrams did in Kate's Way www.createspace.com/3498926, (also an ebook)? Read the article:
http://janmarquart.com/wordpress/
I'm sure most of you think cinnamon is just for baking -- but read what else you can use it for.
http://freethepen.wordpress.com/
Hope all of you are writing and reading with joy --
I've updated my articles on my site and blog. This week I asked the question: What would you do if you were walking down a street and a homeless person picked up something you dropped out of your grocery bag? Did it match what Katie Abrams did in Kate's Way www.createspace.com/3498926, (also an ebook)? Read the article:
http://janmarquart.com/wordpress/
I'm sure most of you think cinnamon is just for baking -- but read what else you can use it for.
http://freethepen.wordpress.com/
Hope all of you are writing and reading with joy --
August 20, 2011
Reading to be a better author
Reading all genres of literature can make you a better writer, or so it has been said. Every writing workshop I've ever attended asks, at some point, if the participants read, how often and what.
I've found that reading influences the way you process language, learn new words, study character and plot and are led into a prescribed structure. Read The History of Love by Nicole Kraus and you'll see what I mean by structure. Readers know when a character isn't fully developed or a theme isn't completely thought out because our own minds speak to us when we read.
I found that studying other authors adds to my repertoire of how I write my own books. Every time I find an author who puts characters, chapters, voices or scenes into a different format than I'm used to, I am impressed. How many ways can you write a book anyway? The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (one of my favorite authors) was one such book.
The next time you read a book notice when chapters are made and how they begin. Is the book in first person or third and who is narrating it. Did the author write it from the most powerful voice? And I'm anal about first sentences. I have spent hours in a bookstore on many a rainy weekends simply reading first sentences. Surprisingly, not many seduced me to read further. But the ones that did, knocked my socks off.
Although reading is usually done for enjoyment, studying the mind of the author can be extremely invaluable in learning how to write your own books. And when I find an author I like, I read all of his/her books. By reading as many books as I can from the same author gives me a great view into the author's mind.
Some minds are scary to sit in the middle of but when I read Elizabeth Berg and Paulo Coehlo, I am so pleased to be there.
What are your thoughts on this subject?
I've found that reading influences the way you process language, learn new words, study character and plot and are led into a prescribed structure. Read The History of Love by Nicole Kraus and you'll see what I mean by structure. Readers know when a character isn't fully developed or a theme isn't completely thought out because our own minds speak to us when we read.
I found that studying other authors adds to my repertoire of how I write my own books. Every time I find an author who puts characters, chapters, voices or scenes into a different format than I'm used to, I am impressed. How many ways can you write a book anyway? The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (one of my favorite authors) was one such book.
The next time you read a book notice when chapters are made and how they begin. Is the book in first person or third and who is narrating it. Did the author write it from the most powerful voice? And I'm anal about first sentences. I have spent hours in a bookstore on many a rainy weekends simply reading first sentences. Surprisingly, not many seduced me to read further. But the ones that did, knocked my socks off.
Although reading is usually done for enjoyment, studying the mind of the author can be extremely invaluable in learning how to write your own books. And when I find an author I like, I read all of his/her books. By reading as many books as I can from the same author gives me a great view into the author's mind.
Some minds are scary to sit in the middle of but when I read Elizabeth Berg and Paulo Coehlo, I am so pleased to be there.
What are your thoughts on this subject?
August 10, 2011
The Mindful Writer
The Mindful Writer, Still the Mind, Free the Pen is now an ebook on Amazon.com. Share you comments and questions with me. Everyone who has bought this book has loved it. Enjoy!!!!!!
August 8, 2011
ebooks
Many of you have written to me about making my books ebooks. I have held back on this because I personally love reading the paper version. But, I have acquiesced to the techno advances in the publishing world.
That being said, Kate's Way and Voices From the Land are now ebooks. The Mindful Writer, Still the Mind, Free the Pen is on its way and should be an ebook within days. All ebooks have been borne thorough Amazon.com.
Enjoy!!!
That being said, Kate's Way and Voices From the Land are now ebooks. The Mindful Writer, Still the Mind, Free the Pen is on its way and should be an ebook within days. All ebooks have been borne thorough Amazon.com.
Enjoy!!!
What do you think?
This is the link to my updated blog titled Three Tips on Writing Romance
http://freethepen.wordpress.com/2011/...
This is the link to my updated site titled Is This Really Beyond Belief?
http://janmarquart.com/wordpress/
Enjoy and I welcome all comments and questions. Until next time, keep the pen free and moving, Jan
http://freethepen.wordpress.com/2011/...
This is the link to my updated site titled Is This Really Beyond Belief?
http://janmarquart.com/wordpress/
Enjoy and I welcome all comments and questions. Until next time, keep the pen free and moving, Jan
August 6, 2011
Kate's Way
Just checked with Amazon.com. Kate's Way is up and running as an ebook. I thought it would take longer.
It's only $5.99
Enjoy it
It's only $5.99
Enjoy it
To Aaron Shapiro
I am assuming that you are a Goodreads author because I read about your book on the Giveaways. FYI I went onto the link at the end of the book description and it brought me to a page that didn't open. You might want to check it out. Your book is fascinating. I'd love to learn more about your philosophy.
Writing Romance
WRITING ROMANCE
Writing romance is not as easy as it seems because writing romance is similar to describing why we love chocolate. So why is writing romance so challenging? I find writing romance is challenging because we not only have to portray the hopes, wishes and desires of the heart, but we face the daunting task of resolving the struggles of two people either falling in love or trying to stay in love. And don’t we each dread that our hearts might be broken if we can’t make things work out?
Readers of romance enjoy being teased to open their hearts hoping all the conflicts will be resolved and love will conquer all. But too often writers of romantic novels struggle to add every detail of a sexual encounter. As we find in real life sex and love are not the same. By writing too many sexual details, it often sucks the life out of the fantasy we want to feel as 'romantic'-- feel the operative word here. Romance is seductive, enticing, playful with an innocence of purity. It begs the heart to open with trust and willingness.
Give your characters a unique slant on what is romantic for them. This will round out and add to the power of the relationship between your characters. What leads to romance for one person might not be the same for another. For instance, finding a red rose on a doorstep after a difficult day might be romantic for one person but another may feel romantic when a spouse buys tickets to a play, is taken to a fancy dinner by their busy husband. True romance, no matter what the content, opens the heart and fills it.
Here are three tips to strengthen romantic scenes:
1. Create a mood: A good romantic scene opens the heart and makes the reader melt before anyone takes off clothing. When someone pays attention to what is important it is romantic because it inspires intimacy. Open the heart, make a connection so the reader will feel romantic too. Ever see a fountain with colorful lights lit against the night sky? Ever hear yourself saying: “How romantic!”?
2. Stop the mind: When selecting words to describe romantic scenes, try stating romantic feelings through similes-but not too many of them. One or two will do the trick because a simile takes the reader out of the literal and drops him/her into a world where the senses take over.
3. Create a union: Readers want to know that love will change unhappiness to happiness and the ordinary to extraordinary. It is what drives us to create romance again and again. Readers want to feel joined to something bigger than them. Loving unions offer hope when something bigger than the two people involved evolve from their connection.
Writers write best when they write what they know. What does romantic feel like for you? What makes your heart unlock? Write those feelings out in great detail. Then give them to your character.
Jan Marquart is the author of Kate’s Way, The Basket Weaver and five other books and two booklets. Her books whether self-help or fiction, are written to advocate the strength of the human spirit and that healing the mind/body/spirit through writing is most powerful. Jan is also a licensed social worker of 30 years. You can connect with Jan through her site: www.JanMarquart.com or visit her blog: www.freethepen.wordpress.com
Writing romance is not as easy as it seems because writing romance is similar to describing why we love chocolate. So why is writing romance so challenging? I find writing romance is challenging because we not only have to portray the hopes, wishes and desires of the heart, but we face the daunting task of resolving the struggles of two people either falling in love or trying to stay in love. And don’t we each dread that our hearts might be broken if we can’t make things work out?
Readers of romance enjoy being teased to open their hearts hoping all the conflicts will be resolved and love will conquer all. But too often writers of romantic novels struggle to add every detail of a sexual encounter. As we find in real life sex and love are not the same. By writing too many sexual details, it often sucks the life out of the fantasy we want to feel as 'romantic'-- feel the operative word here. Romance is seductive, enticing, playful with an innocence of purity. It begs the heart to open with trust and willingness.
Give your characters a unique slant on what is romantic for them. This will round out and add to the power of the relationship between your characters. What leads to romance for one person might not be the same for another. For instance, finding a red rose on a doorstep after a difficult day might be romantic for one person but another may feel romantic when a spouse buys tickets to a play, is taken to a fancy dinner by their busy husband. True romance, no matter what the content, opens the heart and fills it.
Here are three tips to strengthen romantic scenes:
1. Create a mood: A good romantic scene opens the heart and makes the reader melt before anyone takes off clothing. When someone pays attention to what is important it is romantic because it inspires intimacy. Open the heart, make a connection so the reader will feel romantic too. Ever see a fountain with colorful lights lit against the night sky? Ever hear yourself saying: “How romantic!”?
2. Stop the mind: When selecting words to describe romantic scenes, try stating romantic feelings through similes-but not too many of them. One or two will do the trick because a simile takes the reader out of the literal and drops him/her into a world where the senses take over.
3. Create a union: Readers want to know that love will change unhappiness to happiness and the ordinary to extraordinary. It is what drives us to create romance again and again. Readers want to feel joined to something bigger than them. Loving unions offer hope when something bigger than the two people involved evolve from their connection.
Writers write best when they write what they know. What does romantic feel like for you? What makes your heart unlock? Write those feelings out in great detail. Then give them to your character.
Jan Marquart is the author of Kate’s Way, The Basket Weaver and five other books and two booklets. Her books whether self-help or fiction, are written to advocate the strength of the human spirit and that healing the mind/body/spirit through writing is most powerful. Jan is also a licensed social worker of 30 years. You can connect with Jan through her site: www.JanMarquart.com or visit her blog: www.freethepen.wordpress.com
August 5, 2011
Kate's Way
Hi,
Kate's Way will become an ebook on Amazon.com in about 72 hours. http://www.amazon.com/Kates-Way-Jan-M...
Here is a link to read the reviews. If this link isn't working go to Amazon.com and type in my name, jan marquart, and click on the number of reviews near the title Kate's Way. I am excited to offer you this ebook. The Mindful Writer, Still the Mind, Free the Pen will become an ebook shortly. Watch for it.
Keep the pen moving ----
Kate's Way will become an ebook on Amazon.com in about 72 hours. http://www.amazon.com/Kates-Way-Jan-M...
Here is a link to read the reviews. If this link isn't working go to Amazon.com and type in my name, jan marquart, and click on the number of reviews near the title Kate's Way. I am excited to offer you this ebook. The Mindful Writer, Still the Mind, Free the Pen will become an ebook shortly. Watch for it.
Keep the pen moving ----
