Q & A: "Writerly" Questions--Pt. 1

Writers get asked a lot of questions, usually by those who are taking their first steps into the writing life or others who have been there for a time but aren't satisfied with the way their publishing efforts are working out. Here are a few examples, some taken from my blog and others as yet unpublished. I've tried to choose the ones I think might be most helpful, no matter where you are in the writing process. Because I've collected quite a number of these, I'm thinking these posts might end up as a kind of series, rather than just one too-lengthy entry.

-----

Q. Could you refer me to a good writers handbook or style book?

A. There are so many of these! Over the years, a writer builds up quite a collection. There are also usage handbooks and grammar handbooks and references--some more reliable than others. The ones I tend to use most often include the Chicago Manual of Style; The Careful Writer (Theodore Bernstein); Merriam-Webster's Manual for Writers and Editors; Merriam-Webster's Concise Handbook for Writers; Merriam-Webster's English Usage; Dictionary of Modern American Usage (Bryan Garner); The St. Martin's Handbook (Lunsford and Connors); A Dash of Style (Noah Lukeman--who also has quite a collection of books and tips for writers ... Google him to find most of these); and of course the old but reliable classics, Fowler's English Usage and Strunk and White's Elements of Style. 

Q. Do you believe a writer should journal--and do you? ? 

A. I believe journaling is important only to the writer who believes it is and thinks she benefits from in some way from the process, whether it's professionally or spiritually or emotionally. 

I've tried--more than once, actually--to journal. But what I learned about myself is that the time and energy required to keep a journal seemed to drain time and energy away from my writing. I soon developed a kind of distaste and impatience for even the briefest journal entry and had to stop. 

It was almost a disappointing realization. There are all these neat journals available--electronic and bound ones--and for a long time I had this preconceived notion that writers must benefit from keeping a journal because so many seem to do it.  I didn't especially like learning that it didn't work for me at all, that in fact it worked against me. 

In time I realized that the same effect that accompanied the act of journaling also applied to talking about my WIP. Other than a rare (and brief) brainstorming session with a friend, describing to any extent the novel I'm working on at any given time tends to draw a measure of excitement and energy away from the project. 

So as much fun as it is to yack about current WIPs or write about them in elegant leathery journals, apparently it's verboten  for me. But it might be just the thing for you. The only way to find out is to experiment. 

Q. Do you use any writing software programs to develop your novels?

A. No. Like journaling, this is also something I've tried, experimenting with different programs such as Scriveners, Write it Now, StoryMill and others, all with the same result: I disliked them and found that, for me, they're a waste of time. Actually, it seemed to me that they took far too much time away from the writing itself and restricted my creativity. I think that's largely because the process of writing is almost a hundred percent instinctual for me. There's nothing organized about the way I work. I found that trying to make it organized directed the energy and flow of the work in the wrong direction.

That's not to say they're not good for some writers. I know many writers--published and unpublished--who strongly believe in writing software and use it on a regular basis. Again, using or not using these programs depends on what kind of writer you are and what works best for you. This is another place where experimenting is the best way to discover what's "right" and beneficial for your writing. 

Q.    I have a great idea for a novel, but my grammar leaves a lot to be desired. How sharp do I have to be in that area? Won't my editor correct any mistakes I make anyway?

A.    I think I hear a few editors grinding their teeth. Look--your editor will try to catch any errors you might make, but his/her job isn't mopping up your spills. You'll greatly improve your chances of selling that great novel if upon reading those first few pages the editor sees that you have a good strong command of the language and how to use it. Do yourself (and your editor) a favor and take a refresher course in grammar skills either in the classroom or with a good "how-to" book. An editor wants to concentrate on working with you as a partner in making your novel not just "good," but better than good--think "excellent--" but he's going to expect you to do your job, not just lean on him. And good grammar is definitely a part of that job. 

Q.    Where can I get the best education to become a good writer (and a published one)?

A.    Life and experience. In that order. 

More in the next entry.

BJ