Don’t hold your breath waiting for these fines!

What do Keith Richards, George Washington and I have in common? We all love the library, and have the fines to prove it!

Have you seen the new Spencer Road Library?  My husband says they built at least one wing with the late fees I’ve had to pay through the years. (Hey, I was busy.) However, my guilt has been assuaged. I recently learned that delaying the return of books follows a strong tradition dating back to the beginning of our country. 

Currently, I have two overdue books that will go back tomorrow, bringing my fine to a hefty $7. Richards and Washington, however, have fees that are significantly more substantial. Richards confessed that he failed to return books borrowed from his early teens, and Washington checked out two on Oct. 5, 1789 that have yet to be returned. Although there is no exact figure for Richards, adjusting for inflation, Washington’s fine would be somewhere in the ballpark of $300,000. 

So tell me, what’s the largest fine you’ve ever had to pay?

Write soon,

Mary

Read more: http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/celebrity/keith-richards-293662.html#ixzz2Z4lClyfC

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/apr/18/george-washington-library-new-york

Take these words, please!

“Sometimes your eraser produces better prose than your pen.”

thEditors.com

One of the most difficult aspects of writing and editing is deciding what to take out. St. Louis writer and teacher Catherine Rankovic mentioned in her interview a few weeks ago the value of studying journalism because it teaches writers how to edit. I couldn't agree more.  

In my book, Strengthen Your Nonfiction Writing, I list common words that can be removed without changing the meaning of a sentence. I’ve chosen several to highlight here along with explanations and illustrations using many of the same weak words, which was surprisingly easy.

Remove these weak words from your writing:

Just – My favorite, I just can’t help using it in just about everything I write.

Completely – Completely unnecessary.

Really – Really? Is it really that hard to eliminate that word? (See also “That.”)

That – That is a word that is generally overused. (See also “Really.” "Generally," and “Actually.”)

Then – If you remove this word, then your writing will improve. (See also “Actually.”)

“To be” verbs – When you have a choice of using “to be” verbs, or not “to be,” verbs, go with “not” (I'm channeling Shakespeare). These are state-of-being verbs, and include: “is,” “am,” “are,” “was,” “were,” “be”, “being,” “been.”

Particular – This particular word is generally unnecessary. (See also “Generally.”)

Generally – I generally avoid this particular word. (See also “Particular.”)

Actually – I almost used this one in my opening paragraph, well, actually, I did, but then deleted it. (See also “Then,” and “Almost.”) You probably noticed the word “actually” in the previous sentence, and “probably” in this one, and can see that they are unnecessary. (See also “That.”)

Definitely – You definitely don’t need to use this word.

Almost – I used this in my explanation of “actually,” which probably weakens it and makes me a bad writer. (Note to self: I should probably add “probably” to this list.)

Basically – It's basically the same as definitely. (See also “Something” and “Got.”)

Things – Use something more descriptive. (See also “Something.”)

Something – If you’ve got something that is basically unnecessary, why keep it? (See also “Basically,” and “Got.”)

Got – If you’ve got it, flaunt it. (This use might be acceptable had we not been told to avoid clichés like the plague – lol, old joke, I know.)

Probably – You probably don’t use this as much as I do. (See also “Almost.”)

Very – Mark Twain said: “Substitute 'damn' every time you're inclined to write 'very'; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.”

Old jokes – (See also “Got.”)

Which words do you automatically delete?

Write soon,

Mary

Lesson learned

A couple of months ago I entered a first paragraph contest, and after editing that paragraph about 30 times, I sent it in and waited for the top prize and the accolades to roll in. In reality, it took fourth place. Of course, when I sent it, I thought the paragraph would win, and an agent would read those few sentences and offer me a publishing contract with a huge advance. After I entered it, I read it again and realized why it didn’t win.

Every sentence was about the same length, with identical formatting. Each one was divided by a comma in the middle, pretty much like this sentence and the one before.

Why didn’t I see the pattern BEFORE I sent it in? You can bet that the next time I write or edit a paragraph, I will look more closely at sentence length, structure and patterns. I also reminded myself that it's never too late to learn a valuable lesson.

Write soon,
Mary   

Rankovic to speak on "Holy States of Authorhood" May 25

Catherine Rankovic will speak at the May 25th meeting of Saturday Writers. She is the author of Meet Me: Writers in St. Louis, Island Universe: Essays and Entertainments, and Fierce Consent and Other Poems. She is also a contributor to Walrus Publishing’s Flood Stage: An Anthology of St. Louis Poets.

Her essays have appeared in The Missouri Review, Iowa Review, The Progressive, and Natural Bridge. Her poetry has been published in numerous journals, including River Styx, and Boulevard. She has taught creative writing courses at Washington University and Lindenwood University, and helps authors prepare their books for publishing through her business, Bookeval.com. 

When did you first know you were a writer?

I first knew I was a writer at age five when I wrote a two-line poem and read it to my mother. She said, "Such poetry!" and I felt proud of myself.

Why is writing important?

Writing is the breath of humanity. It is how we most precisely transmit human history, intelligence and spirit. Music does that too, but music can be reduced to mathematics. Dance could do that too, but dance can be reduced to mappable repetitive motion. Each piece of writing is unique and irreducible.

How has studying journalism helped (or hindered) your creative writing?

If I ran an MFA program, all students would take a course in basic reporting. Journalism professionalizes a writer. I was a fully developed writing pro at age 21; no BFA program would have given me that. No MFA program will give you that. It trains your eye and ear to sort out what's important, and forces you to write precisely at high speed. It teaches fundamentals: how to earn the attention and trust of a variety of audiences, and to respect facts and truth. A journalist learns there is a big world out there with no mercy and issues far more important than one's own. A journalist also receives constant critiques from editors and the readership, and therefore never makes the same mistake twice. (Or one loses one's job.)

Describe your writing process.

My process for nonfiction is to be obsessed and study a subject from all possible angles. For months I was obsessed with Elvis's recording of "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" for no reason I knew. I had never been a big fan. (The recording, released in 1956, was his second #1 hit.) I watched videos of Elvis singing this song, read biographies, bought the sheet music, went to Memphis to see the studio, found that Life Magazine had done a photo story on this particular recording session showing what he wore and who was there. Writing the essay finally released me from that obsession. The essay was published in The Missouri Review. It wasn't about my obsession; it was about the recording, down to the details of when and why he took breaths between phrases. I have also been obsessed with African-American comedy, seashells, the spice trade, bodybuilding, and all sorts of things. My process for poetry is to play around with ideas and never to judge a first draft. I have an "idea box" full of scraps of paper with ideas for poems. I pull one out and draft. I pull another out and write a draft. If it ignites something in me I turn serious and keep crafting it and hammering at it and maybe it will become a real poem.

Which books or authors do you recommend to people who want to be better writers? 

Books recommended: Choose one author, your favorite, and get to know every scrap of anything he or she ever wrote. Spend years at this. Read letters, journals, interviews, academic criticism; find and study original manuscripts if you can. This will give you a valuable 360-degree view of a writer such as you'd like to be. A good writer is one who is prepared for the writing life. That's why journalism training is so valuable. How-to books and magazines give helpful tips about how to write a short story or sell it, but they will not teach you how a writer lives or thinks, and more importantly, how a writer keeps writing.

What are you working on now?

Right now I'm finishing a novel, but I have a rule that I may not discuss it in any further detail until I'm satisfied. That's called "practicing containment." Artists never finish the works they speak about.

Your presentation, titled Holy States of Authorhood, is set for the May 25 meeting of Saturday Writers. What can we expect from such an interesting title?

What can you expect from my talk? Inspiration.

Thank you so much for your time, and we look forward to hearing you speak on the 25^th.

Write soon,

Mary

Nielsen interview, Part 2

As promised, here's the second half of the interview with Sheree Nielsen.

 

5) What would you like to accomplish as a writer? (or, what is your dream project?)
Of course, I’d like to be a New York Times bestselling author.  Who wouldn’t?  But more importantly, I’d like to leave a legacy behind for friends and family, who I often write about. 

I suppose my dream project is the ultimate coffee table book, pairing stunning photography with my essays and poems.

My book “Temperate Travels of the Soul – One Woman’s Journey through Life” weaves universality through travel, nature and family.  A collection of twenty-four essay and six poems, it’s complemented by a lyrical introductory photo taken by me.  My goal is to show how we’re all connected to each other.

A second book, “Beach Dances” highlights beach photography from our favorite coastal town, Folly Beach, South Carolina.  (I won’t give away the premise of this book just yet.)  Hubby and I collaborated on this project.

I am seeking representation for both. 

6) I know you have several projects in the works. What can we look forward
to reading next from you?
An upcoming Missouri Life article due out this June showcases an inspiring woman.  Another story due out this fall is an architectural tribute to a historical home in Missouri. Well-Versed Literary Works has accepted an essay and two of my poems for inclusion, with a June publication date. 

Three local authors and I will be hosting a book-signing at Barnes and Noble, St. Peters, on June 1 in conjunction with Not Your Mother’s Book on Travel by Publishing Syndicate. The book’s co-creator, Terri Elders, is flying in for the occasion.

Other than that, I’m slowly editing a beach essay, and working on an idea for a children’s book.

7) Is there anything you'd like to add?
Just keep writing! Don’t get discouraged.  Dad used to say, “Everything in due time.” Four years ago, one of my dreams was to freelance for a travel publication and I’m doing it! (AAA Midwest and AAA Southern Traveler)

Also, I’m pysched about this month. While vacationing in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, I’ll be meeting resident and local author Jacqueline DeGroot.  She’s taking me to the Kindred Spirit Bench near Bird Island. A mailbox at the bench is filled with notebooks, pens and pencils of all who’ve journeyed there and left thoughts in the journals.

http://sunsetnc.com/kindred-spirit-mailbox-repaired/

Thanks, Sheree, and good luck with your projects!

Write soon,

Mary

Author Bio – Sheree K. Nielsen
A Missouri Writer’s Guild and Columbia Chapter of Missouri Writer’s Guild member, she’s served as Membership Chair, Photographer and Publicity Chair for Saturday Writers.  Publications include: Not Your Mother’s Book on Travel, AAA Southern Traveler, AAA Midwest Traveler, Winghaven Life, The Abaconian, The Eleutheran, Missouri Life, AOL/Patch.com, Whispering Angel Books Nurturing Paws Anthology, Storyteller, C.H.A.M.P. Assistance Dogs, Cuivre River Anthology IV and V, Folly Current, St. Charles and Monroe County Suburban Journals, among others.