Jim Potter's Blog, page 34
August 23, 2017
Creative Writing
· Fake News ·
By Coles Studio, 1937, Glasgow, MontanaToday the media talks about the alarming impact of “fake news.” No doubt that in our instant, mass communication world, one fraudulent or deceptive story can cause massive confusion with grave consequences.
Check out this “exaggeration” post card from 1937 showing a rather large grasshopper that died of lead poisoning.
Similar manipulated, tall-tale images had been in circulation since the early 1900’s, the Golden Age of Postcards. The popularity of early cards was due to the ability of photographers like William H. Martin (he was the best) to prove a point by producing a picture worth a thousand words.
Farmers especially enjoyed postcards displaying over-sized produce because they could send the cards to family back East as humorous, visual proof of their rich agricultural land keeping them busy and wealthy while harvesting all year round.
One day during my Master Gardener training (K-State Research & Extension), on the topic of entomology, I was surprised, really shocked, to see “my” grasshopper photo-postcard included in the presenter’s power point presentation!
For fun, the bug expert had included a newspaper headline and story beside the grasshopper photo. In bold print the news flashed: “FARMER SHOOTS 23-LB. GRASSHOPPER!” Reported by Steve Dunlop of Weekly World News, this fabricated story was supposedly from New Zealand.
Photo by F. D. Conard, 1937, Garden City, KSThe opening line is superb! I love this writing! “A 48-inch grasshopper chewed its way through an acre of corn before farmer Barry Gissler drew a bead on the creature with his 30-30 rifle–and shot it dead!”
In contrast, I share my subdued introduction in my character-driven novel, Taking Back the Bullet. “By two in the morning, Jailer Jennings had booked in three DUIs. Eight hours down and four to go before he could go home, catch some z‘s, then return to do it all over again.”
Granted, there is a difference between shock news and literary fiction, but they certainly have one thing in common: There must be a hook, a grabber, a reason for the reader to continue.
At home, on the Internet, I continued reading the supermarket tabloid’s bizarre article about this once ravenous creature. The second paragraph stated: “Now university experts are studying the 23-pound insect’s carcass in hopes of finding out where it came from and why it grew so big.”
I compared my second paragraph to Dunlop’s: “After two years working the jail, Jennings viewed most drunks as clones to their intoxicated peers. He’d heard, ‘I only had two beers,’ so often that he no longer shook his head in disbelief or judged them as desperate liars. Instead, he smiled. It was a joke. Police humor.”
One thing I take from this comparative exercise, is that the writing is similar though the genre is different. In both stories, the writers have created a setting and invite the reader to accept it as real, to enter and continue into a fantasy world.
Photo by F. D. ConardIf the reader is curious, then they will read the next sentence, maybe the next paragraph. They will decide if this is where they wish to spend their time, hoping they can catch a break from the speeding world around them and be entertained for a few hours.
I don’t know if the “reporter” from Weekly World News used a fictitious name, but I know I’d be interested in learning if he, or she, had tips on creative writing or wrote any novels.
I’ll bet they’re really good.
Until next time, happy writing and reading!
The post Creative Writing appeared first on Sandhenge Publications.
August 16, 2017
Best Character Descriptions
· WANTED FOR MURDER ·
I’ve been collecting “Reward” postcards since I was first hired by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office (KS). I find the descriptors fascinating. Most of these penny postcards were quickly printed and mailed once a criminal offense was reported to local law enforcement. Of course, this was in the day long, long before instant communication. The sheriff told the receivers of the card (other law enforcement agencies) that he could be contacted by wire, meaning via telegraph.
When a postcard would describe a stolen horse or an escaped prisoner, often there was no photograph to accompany the best description authorities had on hand. These cards, without photos, are often the most interesting to me because I enjoy reading the words and attempting to physically reconstruct the crime and the outlaw.
My favorite postcard was sent by the sheriff of Natrona County, Casper, Wyoming, in 1920. The wanted man, with the alias of “Richie,” is called a lot of things, including “a degenerate of the lowest type,” and “has the appearance of a fat boy instead of a man.”
It’s humbling for me to recognize how this information-packed postcard has created a better, fuller description of a person than I’ve created in a complete novel of characters! I’ve got so much to learn.
When you read the postcard, did you blink your orbs upon reading of his “squinty blue eyes”? Did you roll your tongue after reading that “Richie” had “three or four badly decayed upper front teeth”? I imagined this guy beating his way on to freight trains, then I conjured up a bigger bully with a bigger club.
Not only does this postcard give an excellent example of how writers have an opportunity to fine tune their literary characters, it also creates a setting from the past. Imagine the year 1920 in Casper, Wyoming. Those were some rough times, especially around the oil fields.
Natrona County Courthouse, Casper, Wyoming, 1918.If you were writing a historical novel, would you show “Richie” escaping on horseback, jumping a freight train, or driving a stolen automobile? Would “Richie” be captured or get away?
If you’d like to create your own short story using the details of the above postcard, I’m interested in hearing your version of his escape, capture, conviction, and/or prison sentence. After extensive historical research, I’ve learned those details and much more, including “Richie’s” real name.
Whether you use this as a writing exercise, or use it to jump-start a novel, good luck imagining.
Until next time, happy writing and reading!
The post Best Character Descriptions appeared first on Sandhenge Publications.
August 9, 2017
Using Metaphors
· Metaphorically Speaking ·
“Our marriage is like an iris that no longer blooms,” she said. “It doesn’t laugh. It doesn’t smile. The plant looks healthy but never joyous.”
“Jesse, you can still bloom,” the counselor said.
“Is it too late?” Jesse asked. “A healthy marriage needs the right nutrients. A good marriage, a great marriage, has the right ingredients and it has them in balance: the right amount of air, sun, and water.”
I marvel at the sight of blooming iris. They bring me pleasure. So, it’s not surprising that irises found a way into my contemporary novel, Taking Back the Bullet. The character-driven literary fiction is not a horticulture manual, but I found the opportunity to compliment the wonders of God’s creations.
Jesse explains how too little sun and too much water are both problems for rhizomes. (“They don’t like wet feet,” she said, “unless they’re Louisiana iris.”)
Metaphorically speaking, Jesse is the iris who needs a change of environment in order to thrive.
Two years ago I took a course through the K-State Research and Extension Office, called Master Gardeners. The classes were packed full of information on understanding the needs of plants and identifying the many resources at our fingertips.
Because I was engulfed in nature, in and out of the classroom, I was thinking about my irises so much that they elbowed (another metaphor, irises don’t exactly have elbows) their way into my writing. It’s not surprising. Our thoughts become our actions.
Which reminds me of the author who was castigated by his fans when he killed off a popular character in his crime novel. He tried to explain that sometimes the characters push the writer aside and take over literary control. “I couldn’t help it,” he explained. “I entered the room and found her dead.”
In my novel I also have a scene where a young character shows off her pet worms. The scene was due to a Master Gardener class that covered the topics of soil science and organic matter. The instructor introduced us to the joys of composting and raising worms, earthworms that is, red wigglers, Eisenia fetida, to be precise.
After a growing number of students built worm bins and received their mail-ordered hermaphrodites, we were soon asking each other a common question: “How are your worms?” followed by uncontrolled laughter!
When laughter comes so easily, then it’s worth recycling into your writing.
So, all you writers out there, write what makes you happy and remember to listen to conversations. Carry a notepad or write on your phone’s memo screen.
Use real life to help your writing come to life.
“Do you want to see my worms,” Suanna asked Julia and Hannah. They’re in my bedroom.” Suanna is serious, and her friends don’t laugh. Instead they’re curious, like any good gardener . . . or writer.
Until next time, happy writing and reading!
The post Using Metaphors appeared first on Sandhenge Publications.
August 2, 2017
A Writing Environment
· Peer Support ·
Sketch by J. Alex PotterDespite all the people and animals residing in our home–gerbil, snakes, cats, turtles, birds, rabbits, horses, bull, elephant–visitors often remark how much they enjoy the peace and quiet.
But once our friends get introduced to the multitude of characters, they begin to understand how many stories are interwoven into our tranquil environment.
Thanks to artist and storyteller, J. Alex Potter, our home resembles a fine art gallery. The stories are everywhere!
I’ve heard about writers who can write anywhere, anytime, and about others who require the stars to be aligned properly before beginning an epic journey. For me, my most productive time for actual writing is in the early morning hours, generally around 5 a.m.
“Cow-Cow,” sculpture and photograph by J. Alex PotterBut ideas to further my writing materialize when I’m most relaxed. These occur when I’m outside cutting our so-called grass, when I’m about to fall asleep (picture old-fashioned note cards by the bed stand), and when I’m taking a shower.
Recently, I heard a famous author discuss his all night writing schedule. “When do you sleep?” must be the most common question he receives from his fans.
“Georgina FliesLikeGhost,” sculpture and photograph by J. Alex PotterI recommend that anyone who wants to write find a kindred spirit who also has a deep drive to imagine. Having an ally in the home means there’s a peer who understands the process of creativity and productivity.
It also means a listening ear, free counseling, and free advice (whether you’re ready to listen or not).
I remain pretty isolated to any community of writers outside the home, but many inventive people are drawn to groups of like-minded artisans. They feed off the circle’s creative energy.
Today, ongoing support is relatively easy to maintain through the wonders of technology, but it still takes that initial moment of one-on-one connectivity before people feel mutual respect. When I sense care and understanding, then I’m ready to share.
I’ve been watching an indie authors group online. They offer a lot of advice and support to one another. There’s one thread that caused my eyebrows to rise. It’s titled, “Can I have a hug?” Group members ask for and receive electronic support. Hey, whatever works!
It’s vital that artists be available to help one another because being a writer can be a lonely place.
“Tang,” sculpture and photograph by J. Alex PotterA few days ago I received feedback on a story of mine that I had shared with a friend. He closed with these important words: “Good luck with your writing.”
And just today I reminded a friend who is hesitant about publishing work on a controversial subject that her writing is a gift.
We agreed with Matthew 5:15: You wouldn’t light a candle and put it under a bushel.
Until next time, happy writing and reading!
The post A Writing Environment appeared first on Sandhenge Publications.
