Rebecca Klempner's Blog, page 19
March 3, 2014
Time to be funny! Turn things upside down! It’s really Adar this time. I promise.
Okay, so for those who have no idea what the title of today’s post means, I’ll clarify:
Don’t you wanna dress up for Purim?
The Hebrew month of Adar contains the wacky holiday of Purim. The thing is, when there’s a leap year, there’s an entire extra month of Adar–because if you’re going to have a month that comes twice, it might as well as be the one that’s known as the happiest of the year. But there’s only Purim in the second Adar.
After a month of tolerating a giant “SIKE!” the second Adar of...
February 27, 2014
Reading is for everyone, even those with no bookshelf
In The L.A. Times, I just read a touching article by YA author Amy Goldman Koss about her efforts to offer reading material to the homeless. Her program is in a Glendale, California homeless shelter, but I was reminded of the role libraries play in the lives of the homeless, as well.
In local libraries, I’ve encountered the homeless on nearly every visit. Many patrons will complain about their presence, but to me, the fact that they can access reading materials, computers, and–yes–water founta...
February 24, 2014
How writing a novel differs from writing a screenplay: my last post on STORY
After reading my earlier posts on STORY, you might think I’m 100% sold on the book. I have to admit that I’m a fan, but I do have some quibbles, largely on the adoption of screenwriting techniques for short story or novel writing.
Differences between writing for readers and for viewers that limit the utility of STORY:
1) (The only one I noticed pointed out by McKee) You may get inside the characters heads and explore their thoughts in literature. This creates a greater intimacy between the narr...
February 18, 2014
Most writers procrastinate. But why?
My best friend and fellow writer, Cy, sent me a link to an article in the current Atlantic about why writers are infamous procrastinators.Read it hereand tell me what you think. And don’t forget to include the reasons you procrastinate in your comment. Personally, it took a relative taking me aside and disabusing me of the notion that talent is the source of success (or even deserves any praise). But my current biggest barrier to writing is poor time management. I tend to pick distractions or...
February 17, 2014
More about McKee’s STORY: How two of my stories measured up
I’m still reading STORY and have so much to say on its utility that you’ll just have to bear with me for a few more posts on it.
THE GAP
Writer! Mind the gap!
McKee has a theory that the material a story is made of is not words, not paper and pen (or computer) but something he calls the GAP. The Gap develops when a main character acts and discovers that his/her expectations regarding the response s/he’s going to get conflict with the reaction s/he really gets. This discrepancy forces the charact...
February 16, 2014
You might have suspected trolls are crazy…it turns out they are.
I just had to share this brief but fascinating article about a study that demonstrated internet trolls are in fact sadists. Check it out here.
February 12, 2014
Reading books on writing–STORY by Robert McKee and how writers cope with limits
“But it’s about screenwriting!” I said.
Story, by Robert McKee is a book that has come up again and again with my writing friends. A colleague even coached me in some of McKee’s techniques. And I’ve recommended it to random people in the library looking for books on screenwriting. But it was not something I’d ever actually read.
I think my block was this: I’m not planning to write a movie. I haven’t even seen one in a theater for (it’s now official!) ten years. Why would I read a book about scr...
February 9, 2014
Coping with rejection, again.
Okay, so I’ve written about rejection a lot of times. Like, a whole lotta times. But since the story I revised and returned to my wonderful editor is still deemed insufficiently engaging by her, I’m coping with rejection again. (Honestly, she gave me the option of cutting half its length, but I have officially washed my hands of the whole situation.) If I have to cope with it, I might as well post about it.
When I first got the news that my story had been declared unfit for public consumption,...
February 6, 2014
Exploring other media to conquer writer’s block
So, earlier this week, I had a case of the blahs. I suppose I didn’t technically have writer’s block–the problem was more that I didn’t want to do anything, not that I couldn’t write–but the results were the same.
My muddle
My best friend phoned. I told her my sad story. I didn’t want to write. I felt uncreative and just foggy in the head. She suggested I do something different, maybe go for a walk. Just don’t even try to write. Reboot.
The way out
For some reason, I’ve been getting back into art...
February 3, 2014
Announcing the 2014 The Whole Megillah Picture Book Manuscript Contest
Reblogged from The Whole Megillah:
It's back! The Whole Megillah's contest for Jewish-themed picture book manuscripts! Kar-Ben publisher Joni Sussman will be judging. Of special interest: creative Hanukkah stories!
Submission Guidelines:
Send the entire manuscript of your Jewish-themed picture book to The Whole Megillah at barbarakrasner (at) att (dot) net. It should be double-spaced and use 12 point type, preferably Times Roman. Please use a cover page with your name, contact information, and...
