Florence Witkop's Blog, page 51

Now I remember why I love winter. 6 inch

Now I remember why I love winter. 6 inches last night and more coming today. It’ll be a winter wonderland this Christmas. http://ow.ly/i/BwgwX

What do you consider the most essential steps in self-editing your writing?

 I have always self-edited. I’ve never had another editor and my work has been published in numerous places without changes. So I think I know a very small bit about self-editing.

There are two things you should do:

Wait long enough for your mind to get away from the ‘writer’s mindset and into the ‘reader’mindset. That way, when you read, it’ll be as if a reader was reading — and everyone knows that readers find all kinds of mistakes, typos, etc. If you are in ‘reader’ mode, so will you.
Don’t just edit your work once. Every time you sit down to write, go over what you’ve already written— or the latest chapter/few pages/part if you are writing a long, long piece— to look for flaws or ways to say it better. Every time. No exceptions. I guarantee that each time you do this you’ll find something that you missed earlier. Do it. It’ll work.

How can one incorporate good humour in t

How can one incorporate good humour in their writing? In other words, how does one write witty jokes?

I don’t recommend writing actual jokes because people have very different senses of humor and what one person considers funny another may consider an insult.

Instead, simply include scenes in your writing that are humorous without any jokes. Little kids are always fun. Same with animals, especially baby animals. And there are other scenes that make readers smile. Just spend some time thinking and more will come to you.

How can one incorporate good humor in their writing? In other words, how does one write witty jokes?

I don’t recommend writing actual jokes because people have very different senses of humor and what one person considers funny another may consider an insult.

Instead, simply include scenes in your writing that are humorous without any jokes. Little kids are always fun. Same with animals, especially baby animals. And there are other scenes that make readers smile. Just spend some time thinking and more will come to you.

In January, ForGetMeNot Romances is having a party!

In January, ForGetMeNot Romances is having a blow-out, so if you like clean romances, check it out and sign up for a drawing for a free book for the winner and lots of pretty nice stuff just for signing up! It’s not up and running yet but I’ll let you know when it starts.

In January, ForGetMeNot Romances is havi

In January, ForGetMeNot Romances is having a blow-out, so if you like clean romances, check it out and sign up for a drawing for a free book for the winner and lots of pretty nice stuff just for signing up! It’s not up and running yet but I’ll let you know when it starts.

It’s cold out. Those of you who know me

It’s cold out. Those of you who know me know that winter is one of my favorite times of the year. Not because I like cold — brrrrr, I’m not into sufferig — but because it’s a quiet time. A time of reflection. Of thoughts running hither and thither. Of thinking about writing. About writing.

And all those things make winter wonderful. http://ow.ly/i/Bmpu0

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I’m writing a story and switching perspectives. Should I make a new chapter every time it switches?

You can do it that way. Switching viewpoints by chapters is common because it works and the reader doesn’t get confused about which character’s head he/she is in.

You can do it other ways, if you wish. And if you are able to keep the reader clear as to whose head you’re in at the moment.

I’ve read scenes where the viewpoint switches every sentence or so and it worked because the author did it well.

So it all depends on you as a writer.

Getting reviews of Shhh — Don’t Tell,

Getting reviews of Shhh — Don’t Tell, my clean, small-town, chick lit romance. Some are posted, some still to come. Thanks to all you wonderful people who read, liked, and reviewed my latest novel. http://ow.ly/HWca30h9mg4

What was Shakespeare’s writing style?

Shakespeare is my favorite author.

I’m not a snob where writing is concerned. I seldom like so-called ‘literary’ works.

But Shakespeare wasn’t a literary writer even though his works are now taught in every literature class anywhere. He was a popular writer whose plays were seen by people of all walks in life, from the most educated to the least.

So, even though he is one of the greatest — possibly the greatest — writer of all time, his style was what was popular at the time.

And that included poetry because most things did at that time.