Florence Witkop's Blog, page 46

What’s the best way to approach writing the second draft of your novel?

 This is kind of a hard one. Everyone knows how to write a first draft. Just write it. But most novels published by major New York publishers go through 10 rewrites. Tenrewrites! That’s a lot of drafts. But one way to get started on that dreaded second draft is to refer back to the outline, mental… Continue reading What’s the best way to approach writing the second draft of your novel?

Another interesting factoid about black cats. (They are healthy.)

THE GENE THAT CAUSES BLACK FUR MIGHT MAKE THESE FELINES RESISTANT TO DISEASE. The mutation that causes a cat’s fur to be black is in the same genetic family as genes known to give humans resistance to diseases like HIV. So perhaps their color has less to do with camouflage than disease resistance. Scientists hope… Continue reading Another interesting factoid about black cats. (They are healthy.)

A black cat can rust. Really? Yes, really!

More about black cats: A black cat’s color is genetic. There are three variants of the black fur gene (solid black, cinnamon and brown. If a cat has a solid black hue that overwhelms other gene colors or stripes, heavy exposure to the sun can make the pigment in its fur break down to reveal… Continue reading A black cat can rust. Really? Yes, really!

Why sailors like cats. (And why I like them, too.)

Cats are sailors’ best friends. Have been for hundreds of years. Not only were cats welcome aboard British vessels to hunt mice, but sailors generally thought  a black cat in particular would bring good luck and ensure a safe return home. A few of these kitties have been enshrined in maritime history. Tiddles traveled more than… Continue reading Why sailors like cats. (And why I like them, too.)

Black cat facts I bet you didn’t know.

  IN SOME CULTURES, BLACK CATS ARE GOOD LUCK. In Japan, if you are a single lady, owning a black cat is said to increase your number of suitors. If one crosses your path from left to right in Germany, good things will happen. So maybe having a black cat as a major character in… Continue reading Black cat facts I bet you didn’t know.

Black Cats. Gotta love ’em.

There’s a lot to love about these black, fur-balls as evidenced by holidays in their honor. What, you say? Holidays just for a specific color cat? Yep. The ASPCA celebrates Black Cat Appreciation Day annually on August 17. In England, October 27 is National Black Cat Day. I mention these because my latest clean small-town… Continue reading Black Cats. Gotta love ’em.

As a writer, do you sometimes need reassurance that people care about your writing?

 The answer is ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ Because: Writers, like all creative types, appreciate reassurance that what they are doing resonates with others. (Who doesn’t?” At the same time, most writers prefer doing their own thing regardless of whether other people like it or not. (Again, who doesn’t?) I suspect that the difference between the two… Continue reading As a writer, do you sometimes need reassurance that people care about your writing?

Words are Weird

Words are weird. Take the word periwinkle. It can mean at least four different things: 1) the color lavender-blue, 2) a flower that is lavender-blue, 3) a spiral-shelled mollusk, AND 4) to pry or drag something out from somewhere. So… you could periwinkle a periwinkle in a field of periwinkle-colored periwinkles. And you thought writing… Continue reading Words are Weird

While writing in third person, what are some of the ways you can refer to the main character other than their name or ‘he’ or ‘she?’

 One of the easiest ways accomplishes more than just indicating which character is speaking or doing something. It’s called a ‘dialogue tag’ and it simply means that you mix together the description of the scene with the actions/speeches of the character you wish to pinpoint. Describe where they are or what they are doing, whichever…

I’m trying to write a plot line for a book but I keep on overthinking it and eventually hating them. How do I see it through to the end?

 Plotting is a science and the more you do it the better your plots will be. So hang in there. But — there are ways to do it that make the whole thing easier. This is only one way but it’s the way I use: 1. Describe your main character in 2 to 4 sentences.… Continue reading I’m trying to write a plot line for a book but I keep on overthinking it and eventually hating them. How do I see it through to the end?