Falklore: Senior Tips

Okay seniors (and others). We’ve written about research, writing what you know, learning from others, writers clubs, a comfortable work area, spending a lot of time at your computer and a bunch of other things that are very important in writing. The two worst things I think you could do is not spend enough time writing and not having the most important tool – a computer. In short that means purchasing a computer and printer. A search will net you a very good and reasonably priced outfit. For some, buying it won’t be easy, but if you are intent on writing, it should be your main requisite.

I’ve been typing for fifty years --- professional sports publicity and promotion, college, newspaper reporting and feature writing, public relations and writing stories, and I easily recall how erasing or whiting out errors or wrong phrases was such a pain. A computer eliminates those problems. It makes writing fun instead of work. A backspace with a processor and your problem is solved, and more importantly, much time is saved.

Now – back to writing. A goal: Like a sprinter, get off the block fast. While you are sprinting toward the tape, give serious thought to the following, some of which is pointed out in The Writer’s Digest Handbook of Novel Writing.

Point of View: Be clear from the story’s beginning so readers won’t have to guess whose perception they are seeing through (1st person, 2nd person, etc.)

Conflict: Action proceeds from characters in conflict and pulls readers into your story. (The faster, the better.) By clearly posing conflict for the reader, you may surprise yourself by reaching for more active phrases and situations that create immediacy (something that is happening).

Exposition (setting forth the meaning and purpose of the writing) and background: Avoid, long, mundane descriptions of characters and places. That often time becomes boring, unbelievable, and intrudes on illusions. A single sentence, if well imagined and worded can do far more immediately than long drawn out passages. In other words, keep sentences short and active and well written. Go over sentences or passages a dozen times. Cut out unnecessary words. That is so important.

Activate all the readers’ senses – smells, sounds, feelings and tastes.

There is more, but right now think about these and try to follow them as you write. Ask yourself questions like: Is this too mundane? Is this passage believable? Well cover more in my next column. A good idea: Start a reference file.

Questions/Comments? Contact Jim at james@jamesfalk.net, or visit www.jamesfalk.net.

James Falk, as a teen-ager, used to dream of being a big-time racketeer. Fortunately, his dream didn't come true. A 10th grade dropout, he finished highschool after four years in the Marines and went on to earn a B.A. in Journalism and an M.A. in Communications.