Solitaire Parke's Blog, page 6
August 14, 2023
6 Questions Writers Often Ask
What’s the difference between a story’s “hook” and the “inciting incident”?
The “hook” of the story is just the opening sentence or paragraph that attracts the reader’s attention and fires up their curiosity to keep reading further. An example would be someone running for their life, looking up at the sky and seeing something unusual, a dead body being found in a boathouse, a huge explosion, or anything that creates an urgency for the reader to want to discover “why.” The actions or emotions create an urgency to find out the backstory or motivation behind what is happening.
The “inciting incident,” is the key event in the main character’s life that gets their story moving forward. It sets them on a journey that continues throughout that character’s life, literally causing them to take some action to try to restore balance or stability. For example, in The Wizard of Oz, the tornado that spirits Dorothy away to Oz is an inciting incident. It motivates her need to do everything she can to return home. In The Mysterious Island, a mega storm causes an air balloon to crash on an island. The passengers are then in survival mode which ultimately motivates them to find a way off the island and back to civilization.
Is it okay to eliminate “he said/ she said” when there are just two people talking in a dialogue?
This is a question that I considered in my writing. The answer is, yes. If just two characters are talking, the dialogue tag can be omitted. It all depends on whether there is clarity for the reader. If it is obvious which person is speaking, no tag is required. However, sometimes several sentences of narration will come between lines of dialogue (for example, the point of view character’s thoughts). In that case it might be necessary to tag the next person who is speaking. Otherwise, the reader may not be sure which one is resuming the conversation. Clarity is the main objective here because we don’t want to lose or confuse the reader.
Is it a good idea to use a Prologue?
Many bestselling authors do start their books with a prologue – but keep in mind that these authors have established a large readership who will buy their books regardless of style. That being said, if you need to let the reader know information that is not in the novel, set up the main story, or jump into the middle of a story without having to set a scene or explain main events, you might need to have one. If the understanding of your story is not damaged in any way, then you probably don’t need one.
What if I can’t find the genre of my story? Is “literary” a genre?
If your story does not fall into the broad popular genres (Mystery, Thriller, Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror) yet is still popular fiction, it is often referred to as simply “mainstream fiction.”
How long should my book be?
From a publishing standpoint, it doesn’t matter how many pages you’ve written. What matters is word count. Any publisher or agent will want to know how many words you’ve written, not how many pages. Below is a quick cheat-sheet on word count.
Flash Fiction: Generally, up to 1,000 words.
Short Story: 1,000 to 20,000 words
Novella: 20,000 to 80,000 words.
Novel: 80,000 to 100,000 words. This is the sweet spot.
Science Fiction or Fantasy: Can be over 100,000 words, but the content should be strong enough to warrant the size.
While you may come across different schools of thought on these word counts, consider these numbers an average of industry standards.
The important thing is to enjoy writing and flexing your creative muscles. Each of these pieces will fall into place as the process evolves for you. Focus on your work first, then worry about the rest.
Solitaire
August 4, 2023
Summer Heat Wave!
Wow! Summer Heat Wave
These last few months have been unbelievably warm so, it’s a good thing I stay inside for the most part. I think you could actually cook on the streets and sidewalks out there this year. I’m afraid my yard, although it’s being watered by sprinklers, is not looking as pristine as when the days were cooler. My grand kids are thoroughly enjoying the pool though even if it is unseasonably warm – kind of a big hot tub right now. My two dogs want nothing to do with being out there and bark at the kids to come back in. I’m afraid they are not into swimming. Comfort and keeping cool are much more important to them.
Thankfully, I can stay cool in my office and work on my writing. I’m now in chapter 12 of my new book, Between Two Worlds.
Between Two Worlds is a complete breakaway for me, a book that was a long time coming and initially inspired by a series of books in the fifties called, the Winston Classics. Each book was a standalone story about a boy on the verge of manhood attempting to walk in the shadow of either his father or an older brother. Through calamities outside their control, each boy is forced to taste defeat under the brutal assault of their families when they cannot live up to expectations. Each is propelled into an industry that seems anemic in comparison to their predecessors.
Over time, they not only succeed but go on to become living legends, finally justifying their place in the families of proud heroes and men of great courage. In the end they each save the day, win the girl, and live happily after, watching their own sons on similar journeys. I collect these books to this day and re-read those marvelous stories again and again.
I have tried to follow the format of those timeless books with the hope that Between Two Worlds will have the same impact on new readers that I felt first so long ago.
Solitaire
If you have books that you like to read over and over again and have affected you in a similar way, please comment and let me know. Thanks!
July 5, 2023
2023 SMASHWORDS Annual July Summer/Winter Sale
July 1, 2023 – July 31, 2023
Why is it called “Summer/Winter”? Here in the Northern hemisphere, it’s mid-summer. Readers are loading their e-reading devices for summer beach reading and long-awaited vacations. South of the equator they are now in the middle of winter. They’re ready to curl up in front of the fireplace and enjoy a great read too!
Hello to all the readers and authors out there! All my eBooks will be on sale for 50% off, so take advantage and stock up on plenty of books to read over the summer/winter. It’s an opportunity to find exclusive discounts from your favorite indie authors and discover new future favorites. You will find every type of genre, with books from terrific authors all over the world. So, check it out at SMASHWORDS.COM.
I’m currently working on my new book, Between Two Worlds. Stop by my website and read all about it at www.solitaireparke.com.
If you are a lover of dragons, you might enjoy reading The Dragomeir Series. For a new twist on the OZ books, check out Tinker Smith & the Conspiracy of OZ.
For those who like a good horror/thriller, Vengeance of the Wolf might be the one for you.
Whatever genre you like, you can be sure to find it at Smashwords.
Happy Reading to everyone!
Solitaire
June 29, 2023
What is July 4th and why do we celebrate it?
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY 2023!
What is the 4th of July, anyway? It is also known as Independence Day – an annual American holiday that is significant in our history. On July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the United States became its own nation, separate from Great Britain. Before America was its own country, it was comprised of 13 Colonies established by the Brits: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
Great Britain passed legislation that gave it more control within the Colonies, especially when it came to taxation, in order to boost revenue for The Crown. The Colonies did not have a say in the Crown’s policies. This became known as taxation without representation. All of these tensions led to the colonial militias battling the British troops and the American Revolutionary War began.
In June 1776 the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and a committee was formed to draft an official independence document, which became known as the Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted, and America became a free nation. After declaring independence, America continued to fight in the Revolutionary War and officially defeated Great Britain in September 1783.
Although the 4th of July has been celebrated each year since 1776, it did not become a federal holiday until 1870 and it became a paid holiday for federal employees in 1941.
America’s early independence celebrations – People would attend bonfires, concerts, and parades to celebrate the new nation. The Declaration of Independence was often read aloud, and cannons were fired afterward. People celebrated proudly.
Today we celebrate with local fireworks displays, sparklers, barbecues, games and crafts, local 4th of July shopping sales, and planned trips during this holiday.
Americans remember this country’s fight for freedom, and we celebrate with friends, family, food and fun. Happy birthday, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
Solitaire
June 5, 2023
New books and Revisions
Here I am back again after Memorial Day, working on my latest book “Between Two Worlds.” I’m in the fifth chapter and going strong, but MS Word is being the usual annoying program that it is and slowing me down. I’d really rather concentrate on including everything that should be in the chapter, but no, here we go again with formatting issues. OK, I have to admit that some of the problems might be me, but whatever it is, my editor will figure it out if I don’t. Right now it’s a work in progress that’s coming along nicely.
I’m also working on a revision for one of my previous books – having the interior re-edited and having a new book cover as well. I’m creating a second book as a sequel, making this a saga. So, my work is cut out for me in the days ahead. Plenty to do. It will probably have typos, possible plot holes and characters that I’m not sure what to do with, but it will all work itself out in the end and hopefully create a two-book thriller that will keep people up at night. That’s the plan, anyway.
Every now and then I take a break to get some new input, whether it be from watching a movie or getting feedback from those around me on a particular character or subject. It helps to get a different point of view to make things well rounded or to bring up something I hadn’t thought of which could add to the story structure. Various forms of research are always needed, depending on what subject you are tackling and how much you know or don’t know , and how critical it is to making things accurate. If you decide that it’s not what you wanted – rebuild it. Read through from start to finish and you’ll catch things you missed. You have the power to create whatever you want for your particular world or story. That’s your superpower as the author and it’s pretty tremendous.
So good luck to all you writers out there who are clacking away on your computers or brainstorming for your next project. Keep up the good work and I hope you finish an amazing book!
Solitaire
May 26, 2023
Honor our Heroes this Memorial Day!
Thank you! May God Bless You!As we celebrate Memorial Day Monday, May 29th, 2023, let us remember to take a moment to honor those who have given their lives in service to our country. No matter what we do this Memorial Day weekend and on Memorial Day itself, the holiday offers a chance for the solemn remembrance of those who served our country and are no longer here with us, but who are in our hearts forever. To the brave men and women who have fought valiantly to keep our country free:
John F. Kennedy –“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
Harry S. Truman –“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”
Elmer Davis –“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”
George S. Patton“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God such men lived.”
Gen. Douglas MacArthur –“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”
Unknown –“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.”
Solitaire
May 11, 2023
How Hobbies Can Improve Your Writing
What is a hobby? As defined by the dictionary, it is an interest or activity to which a person devotes time for pleasure. Things or activities that a person does for relaxation or enjoyment.
Hobbies help to invoke passion in your life which in turn helps revitalize your writing, often by pushing your boundaries. When you give your characters interests or hobbies it fleshes out their personalities and helps the reader to be more invested and care about them. If they care about your characters, they’ll be more likely to enjoy the story and be able to make a connection. You as a writer need that passion as well. Without that enthusiasm there is little motivation to get up in the morning, head to your computer keyboard or pick up your pen and write.
Quite a few fiction writers paint. Painting helps you to look at things, create things, and show things. Anything that helps you to see is advantageous to your writing in creating characters, storytelling, locations, etc. for your books.
Giving quality time to activities you enjoy helps your performance in creative problem-solving which affects your brain’s abilities and supports your performance in life in general, as well as writing. Hobbies tend to build confidence and self-esteem. They are excellent for your mental health, they increase productivity, and can spark new ideas. When we get excited about something, it activates the reward system in the brain and motivates us to stick with it.
If you’ve ever had writer’s block, you know that sometimes you need that motivation to continue to the next chapter of your book or article. A hobby forces your mind to focus which is the enemy of writer’s block and a friend to the writer. Recharging your mind with something new or different can make all the difference in your outlook and productivity.
Hobbies give us a kind of resilience and keep us engaged so that we can write that next great novel that might be an inspiration for someone else who needs it. If you haven’t found what helps inspire you to greatness, do some exploration. There are countless ways to spark your mind!
Solitaire
April 12, 2023
12 Reasons Why Writing is Important.
Sometimes an idea makes little sense until you can see it in words. It also helps when you’re trying to explain your idea to another person—if they can see it written down, it goes a long way for understanding.Communication – It is an essential skill that allows you to communicate with people. It also helps to build vocabulary skills, which in turn can improve our social skills. Nowadays we use far less words to communicate than our forefathers.Discipline – If you learn to write on a regular basis, it builds discipline. In other words, it provides you with direction and training.It engages your brain – both the creative side and the logical or analytical side, allowing you to make sense of what is being stated. It also improves memory function and helps you make better decisions.By writing things down we can often work through an idea or problem and come up with possible solutions. It helps to keep our thoughts organized.The written word very often influences how we think in society – via authors, journalists, bloggers, speechwriters, etc.We wouldn’t know what happened in history without those who took the time to write about it.Everyone has at least one book inside of them. We all have a story to tell, and no two stories are alike. The experiences of others can be very enlightening and can often influence and be of help.Keeping a journal is very often a means to better mental health. It is important for dealing with anxiety, depression, and other issues. You may not be able to tell someone what is bothering you, but writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you to change your outlook and reset your thinking. Writing down your anxieties or fears can often diminish them in our minds and put us in a greater state of ease. In short, it promotes emotional and spiritual well-being.Sometimes you need reminders of what your goals are to stay on track. You are more likely to achieve them if they are written down and you can refer to them to keep you heading in the right direction.Making a To Do list is often extremely helpful to organize your ideas and helps you to remember important things that need to be done. We all have busy, fast-paced lives that make it difficult to remember everything all the time.When you take the time to write to a loved one or a friend it forms a bond that would not otherwise have been made. You can relate something important to them without having to be where they are. It can build memories. When you take the time to write, it tells someone that you care.
Writing is more than just a means of communication; it is a powerful tool that can be used to inspire, persuade, and even change the world.
Solitaire
April 5, 2023
The Great Book of Amber – Roger Zelazny
The Amber novels were written by Roger Zelazny and published over the years from 1970 to 1991. One of the most revered names in science fiction and fantasy, Roger Zelazny accumulated numerous awards – including six Hugo and three Nebula Awards – over the course of his legendary career. He wrote more than fifty books, and his Amber novels were some of his best. The Great Book of Amber is a collection of the complete Amber chronicles featuring volumes one through ten. He had a great imagination, and his outstanding storytelling inspired a generation of authors, from Neil Gaiman to George R.R. Martin.
The Great Book of Amber is a ten volume collection of the stories of Corwin and his son Merlin. Both are involuntarily thrust into staying alive while most of the other characters and family members attempt to kill them. Neither considers themselves to be heroes, although both achieve that status through a series of misadventures along the way.
I found the narrative to be brilliant, entertaining, and humorous, all testaments to Roger Zelazny’s talent with the English language. The books are fast paced and lavishly descriptive, a combination difficult to master, yet Zelazny accomplishes it with ease.
I would recommend these books to anyone who relishes swashbuckling characters, high paced action, and a deep moral conviction for good always becoming triumphant in the end.
The Great Book of Amber includes:
Nine Princes in Amber
The Guns of Avalon
Sign of the Unicorn
The Hand of Oberon
The Courts of Chaos
Trumps of Doom
Blood of Amber
Sign of Chaos
Knights of Shadows
Prince of Chaos
I wish there had been more.
Solitaire
March 14, 2023
Insights from an Author’s Desk – The Writing Process
There is no particular time or place for writing – it happens when it suits you best and everyone has his or her individual approach. I drink a lot of coffee, the think drink. My favorite of late is a mocha blend. I have two dogs who can be pretty distracting, but only when someone comes to the front door. They’re couch potatoes the rest of the time.
I listen to music during the writing process, but it has to embody the kind of story unfolding. I write a few hours in the morning, take a break, and then repeat the same amount in the afternoon. I don’t worry about word or page counts because initially it makes my books seem like near impossible future events. Toward the end of every book, it seems counterproductive to spend too much time looking at word or page counts due to the frustration of being so close to the finish line. I think it’s more important to concentrate on the story itself. Everything else is secondary and generally falls into place.
I use a method that sort of developed itself. I call it the triple threat. You have to establish where and how the story begins. Somewhere about halfway, there will be a turning point that is dictated by the story and finally there must be an end. Once that has been accomplished, I create a loose outline that only confines itself to the triple threat. All the rest comes out as the story progresses. I believe that like life, you can’t dictate what happens with every twist and turn. Spontaneity is the spice that makes a better book.
I create characters that are based on people I know. The descriptions are far more robust. Most, if not all the stories I have written came from vivid dreams, sometimes complete with plots, sub-plots, and titles. I try not to worry with how long a book should be or how many chapters, as it interferes with what’s most important, the story.
My writing space is an office with a rather large desk and an oversized, wall hung monitor which gives me extra space on the desk itself. That leads to clutter but somehow translates to a higher level of inspiration. I guess that makes me a slob, but a highly inspired one!
If I were to give any advice to others considering this undertaking I would say, don’t think about how much time it will take to write your book. Try not to push yourself to write for long periods of time each day. What works best for me is to write every day if the inspiration is flowing. Take frequent breaks and don’t let anything get in the way of finishing. Life will take its toll along the way, but never quit. The book will be finished when it’s ready.
I think patience is the greatest thing that writing has taught me. Life takes the rest of your lifetime and the book you’re writing will only take a part of it. When all is said and done, the writing becomes a person’s legacy and that cannot be taken away.
Solitaire
