Ellen Gable's Blog, page 90
March 12, 2013
Narrative Voice, Characterization and Reading to Improve Writing
My latest post at the CWG Blog:
Novelists should always be willing (and eager) to improve their craft. Writing fiction is difficult and complex because of the many complicated aspects (narrative voice, writing style, imagery, plot lines, characterization, setting etc).
Whether you’re a bestselling author or an aspiring novelist, one of the best ways to improve your writing is by reading well-written novels. Read books and dissect them. Ask yourself, What makes this particular novel great? What makes it not-so-great?
William Faulkner once said, “Read, read, read. Read everything – trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write.”
Currently, I read at least 100 books a year, mostly novels. I enjoy immersing myself in a compelling story with believable, relatable characters, rich imagery. These are the types of novels I aspire to write.
I read at night before bed and often first thing in the morning. I read manuscripts that are submitted to my publishing company. I enjoy a variety of contemporary novels and often read a classic or two here and there.
When I was a newbie, my editor recommended I read several books, then asked me to figure out what each book’s strength was. The first novel on the list was a book entitled “Picture Perfect,” by Jodi Picoult. (Spoiler alert) It’s a novel about spousal abuse. Picoult brilliantly creates an abusive – yet sympathetic – husband. So much so that when the abusive husband is begging his wife to return, I said out loud, “Oh, give the poor guy another chance.” I eventually came to my senses, but I realized that it was the author’s brilliant characterizations that made me want the abused wife to return to her abuser.
The following list is recommended for helping with character studies and narrative voice. It is, by no means, definitive. There are literally thousands of great novels with excellent characterizations.
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (I own a hard copy but downloaded this on Kindle for .99). This has remained my favorite book of all time and I read it every few years. Mitchell only wrote one novel but it is the quintessential novel, especially if you’re writing romance. This book has the whole package: excellent, crisp writing, compelling story, intricate, believable and brilliant character studies. (More on the “Whole Package” novel in my next post.)
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult: The winner of numerous awards, this novel is filled with brilliant character studies and narrative voices. The movie version was okay, but the book is much better (although like most of Picoult’s books, the ending is unexpected).
The Complete Stories by Flannery O’Conner: Just pick any of the short stories in this thick book and you’ll learn from O’Connor, who was a master of crisp, edgy writing and excellent characterizations.
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh: A classic. Brilliant characterizations.
Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather: (read my review here) Also a classic.
The Lottery (short story) by Shirley Jackson (available free online) Excellent character studies.
Jewel by Bret Lott: This novel’s strength is the main female protagonist’s believable, moving, well-developed character.
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway: This is my personal favorite of Hemingway’s novels. In this atypical war romance, I think the author’s strength is in the characterizations of the two main characters. I saw the movie with Rock Hudson and Jennifer Jones first, but the book captures their characters better than the movie. (Currently .99 on Kindle)
Do you have any favorite books or short stories that are strong in narrative voice and characterization? If so, please feel free to comment below.
Next month: The Whole Package and Reading Books that encompass great characters, unpredictable compelling stories AND rich, crisp writing.
Copyright 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach
March 11, 2013
Want to Promote Theology of the Body? Read and Recommend a TOB Novel!
One of my favorite ways to promote the Theology of the Body is to recommend novels with a great TOB message. My publishing company publishes novels with Theology of the Body themes.
Speaking of novels we publish, our company has recently signed a contract with author Erin McCole Cupp to publish her suspense novel, “Don’t You Forget About Me!” We look forward to working with you, Erin!
Want to learn more about the Theology of the Body? Interested in promoting it? This list is not all-inclusive…and pardon the shameless self-promotion of my own TOB books… (Note: not all of these books have been published by Full Quiver Publishing.)
The Mystery of Things (Debra Murphy)
Emily’s Hope (Ellen Gable)
(Ellen Gable)
Stealing Jenny (Ellen Gable)
Passport (Christopher Blunt)
Angela’s Song (AnnMarie Creedon)
Fatherless (Brian Gail)
Lessons in the Journey (Patrick Dawson)
Do you have any favorite TOB novels to add? Please feel free to comment below!
Copyright 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach
March 9, 2013
Sunday Snippets – March 9
Image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
The weekend is here, along with Sunday Snippets where Catholic bloggers meet up at RAnn’s Place to share posts.I’m still working diligently on my upcoming novel, so only two posts this week:
7 Quick Takes Friday – March 8
March 8, 2013
7 Quick Takes Friday – March 8
It’s time for 7 Quick Takes Friday over at Jen’s Conversion Diary.
1. Adopt a Cardinal
If you haven’t already done so, consider “adopting” a cardinal and praying for him during the upcoming conclave.
2. There’s A Saint For That
Thanks so much to Aniya for alerting me to this cleverly illustrated website that showcases different and unusual patron saints. I knew there were patron saints for things like the internet, accountants and brides…but I never realized there were saints for mad dogs, beekeepers and other unusual occupations and situations. Information on where the saint was born and died, as well as a brief biography, are listed.
3. Duty of the Moment
One of my favorite passages from Catherine Doherty is on the “Duty of the Moment,” which can be found here at the Madonna House website. A brief quote below: “The duty of the moment is what you should be doing at any given time, in whatever place God has put you. If you have a child, your duty of the moment may be to change a dirty diaper. So you do it. But you don’t just change that diaper, you change it to the best of your ability, with great love for both God and the child. Do you do it that way? You can see Christ in that child.” I highly recommend all of Catherine’s books, most of which are available from Madonna House.
4. A Subtle Grace Research
I thoroughly enjoy the research that takes place while writing an historical novel. The other day I wanted to visually see what the inside of an 1881 Douay Rheims (Latin Vulgate) Bible looked like and here’s what I found:
5. Excellent Article by Jen
“Why I Lost Faith in the Pro-Choice Movement”
6. Reading Shelf
The Third Testament by John Eklund
Becoming A Great Grandparent by Paraclete Press
7. Game Over Cartoon
image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach
copyright 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach
March 6, 2013
Adopt a Cardinal
Please consider adopting a cardinal and praying for him now and throughout the upcoming papal conclave. Our family has adopted a cardinal and we are praying daily for him.
For more information, click here.
March 3, 2013
Sunday Snippets – March 3
Image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
Join me at RAnn’s Place for Sunday Snippets where Catholic bloggers share posts from the previous week.7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 61 (Update on A Subtle Grace, Farewell to Pope Benedict, a cartoon etc.
Copyright 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach
March 1, 2013
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 61
It’s time to join with other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.
1.”A Subtle Grace” Progress
The latest stats for my work in progress: 141,582 words, 490 pages, 790,000 characters (letters that is, not actual story characters!), 15,000 lines. I’m still in the editing stage so I’m not certain how long the finished book will be.
2. Recent Review
My latest review for CatholicFiction.net is for a book entitled “Fallen Men.”
3. Mist and Snow
copyright Ellen Hrkach
4. Farewell, Pope Benedict
5. Communion in the Hand
Great article by Dana Doyle on Communion in the Hand.
6. Happy Birthday!
I’d like to wish my favorite singer, writer, performer and all around great husband a very Happy Birthday today!
7. NFP Low Cost
Cartoon copyright James & Ellen Hrkach/Full Quiver Publishing
Keep us in prayer this weekend as we speak to a group of engaged couples at the Diocesan Marriage Preparation Course.Thanks to all who commented on last week’s Quick Takes regarding popular names of 1871-1880. The winner of the book was Amy and she properly guessed two of the names. (The top five girls’ names in that time period were: Mary, Ann, Elizabeth, Emily and Ada.)
Copyright 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach
Cartoon copyright James and Ellen Hrkach, Full Quiver Publishing
February 28, 2013
Farewell, Pope Benedict
Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI
O God, true shepherd of all the faithful,
look with kindness on your servant Pope Benedict XVI,
whom you set as head and shepherd of Your Church.
We give you thanks for your grace at work in him
as he had led us by word and example:
in his teaching, in his prayer and in his great love.
Grant him your strength in frailty, comfort in sorrow,
and serenity amid the trials of this world;
and guide your Church, built on the rock of Peter,
with the power of your Spirit as we continue on the path that leads to you.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
February 27, 2013
Fallen Men – Book Review
My latest review for Catholic Fiction.net is for a book entitled “Fallen Men” by Brian O’Hare:
St. Maximilian Kolbe once said, “No one in the world can change Truth.”
I am a Catholic novelist who writes books with Theology of the Body themes. I am also trained in the Theology of the Body and have been a certified Natural Family Planning teacher for 29 years. In light of this, I looked forward to reading Fallen Men, a novel that tells the stories of three fictional Catholic priests: Ray, Dan and Tony.
The novel’s setting is present day Northern Ireland and Ireland. Father Ray and Father Dan are young priests and good friends; Father Tony is their superior and the temporary bishop of the local diocese. Ray is assigned to a new parish in Drumkillen where the elderly pastor, Father McGennity, is a liberal, self-centered, cruel priest. Because of past circumstances, Ray is a troubled soul. He organizes the youth choir and is immediately attracted to a teenager with a beautiful voice, Maria. He tries to resist the temptation, but scandal soon follows. When Ray tells his superior (Tony) about the scandal, Tony’s initial response is, “What have you done to me?” This self-centered reaction says a lot about the temporary bishop. Ray eventually finds himself on trial for statutory rape in Dublin. Much of this particular plotline was executed extremely well.
In a subplot, Father Dan counsels a professional couple in his parish, Terence and Patricia, who have recently lost a baby because of placental abruption. They have been told by their doctor to become sterilized because another baby “would likely kill her.” Dan tells them (somewhat harshly) that they must not consent to sterilization and gives them information on “natural rhythm.” (By the way, the term “Rhythm” is no longer used. Modern natural methods are called “Natural Family Planning” or “Fertility Awareness.” Modern NFP is 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.)
Patricia wants to follow the Church’s teaching. However, Terence refuses to support Patricia in finding information on “natural rhythm” and she ends up pregnant. The doctor pressures them to have an abortion, which Patricia does not want. The couple asks Father Dan to speak with the doctor who tells Dan, “…continuing the pregnancy would be a greater risk to the woman’s life than would ending the pregnancy…” Dan asks the doctor, “Is it possible that Patricia went to term [sic], the baby could, in fact, be safely delivered?” The doctor answers that it is possible, but the risk is high. Dan then says, “there is one moral axiom that Catholics have to live by…[W]e cannot do evil in order to bring about a perceived good. In this case, there is a risk, but there is also the possibility of a successful birth…[T]his child…is a human being with human rights and entitled to life. Abortion is murder…”.
Predictably, tragedy follows and Father Dan questions his faith.
Later, when Tony confronts Dan about his “tight-assed fundamentalism,” I was disappointed with Tony’s advice and the author’s characterization of Dan. It’s important to have compassion, always, but contraception is a mortal sin. There will be grey areas, but I don’t believe the fictional (and unbelievable) case created by the author in this novel is one of them. (My husband and I experienced a situation in which we were pressured by our doctors to become sterilized because they said I would die if I risked future pregnancies. We refused the sterilization; instead, we used NFP to effectively avoid pregnancy.) In the novel, Tony says to Dan, “You could not have condoned artificial contraception simply to prevent pregnancy, but what about contraception as a way to save a woman’s life…[U]ltimately, the issue wasn’t one of contraception. It was about saving a life.” With all due respect, I question Tony’s “theology” here. It was most certainly about preventing a pregnancy. NFP, had it been properly encouraged, accepted and taught to this couple, would have “saved the woman’s life.” NFP would have been morally acceptable and prevented pregnancy just as effectively as contraception. Father Dan was harsh in his approach, but at least he was attempting to state the truth of the Church’s teachings.
The fact that many Catholics ignore the Church’s teaching on contraception does not refute the truth of the teaching. The truth is, like abortion, contraception is “intrinsically evil” (CCC 2370). This teaching is based on objective truth and natural/moral law as well as the constant teaching of the Church. The Catholic Church is not a democracy. Truth cannot be changed because a “majority” of Catholics would like it to be changed. Truth and love are inseparable; this novel (which I believe is weak on truth) misses the point about authentic Christ-like love in the hearts of the priests for the people they serve. The only priest (Dan) who appears to be faithful is then convinced by his superior that he should have “given permission” for Terence and Patricia to become sterilized (supposedly to “save the mother’s life”).
Then again, it is a novel called Fallen Men. Was the purpose to show priests in as bad a light as possible?
I realize that some priests (wrongly) give their own opinions when counseling couples, “giving permission to couples to use contraception” instead of stating the teachings of the Church. No Catholic priest may “give permission” to do what is against the teaching of the Church. My main criticism of this subplot is that the author presented the information in such a way that the “right” way was that Father Dan should have counseled the couple to become sterilized. This message, in my opinion, has the potential of causing confusion, especially with young adult readers.
Moral concerns aside, O’Hare has a pleasant, easy-to-read writing style. I have written five books and edited five others, so I realize the hard work and effort that go into writing a full length novel. In that regard, there are aspects of this book that I thoroughly appreciated. The topic of sexual abuse is dealt with sensitively. There are no attention-seeking graphic descriptions. The flashbacks of child sex abuse and the depictions of the depression, guilt and breakdown after a rushed abortion are particularly well done. I found the court sequences to be believable and compelling.
John Paul II’s Theology of the Body is mentioned, but only in passing. This novel could have been an ideal opportunity to illustrate the Theology of the Body. Instead, this book’s message is one that discourages faithfulness to Church teaching.
Despite novice writing flaws (such as overuse of adverbs as well as a zealous use of exclamation points) and aforementioned moral concerns, this is definitely an author with natural storytelling ability. Because of the less-than-faithful advice given by the fictional priests and the message that advice gives, this novel has the potential to confuse impressionable Catholic readers. So I would only recommend it with caution.
February 24, 2013
Sunday Snippets – February 24
Image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
It’s time for Sunday Snippets at RAnn’s Place where Catholic bloggers share their previous week’s posts. Here are mine:
All Six Full Quiver Books on Bestsellers Lists Earlier this week, all of my company’s books (including my four) were on at least one Bestseller list simultaneously (first time ever!)
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 60 An old video of Pope Leo XIII, a cartoon, exciting news and an opportunity to win a print book.
President’s Message Catholic Writers Guild news and a message from the CWG President (me!)
Copyright 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach
