Jim Falk

There has been an abundance of information and advice from authors from this end for those who are interested in writing either novels or short stories. Many of the articles have described what potential authors can do to improve their writing and thus, their chances of publishing. There’s a lot of work involved, a lot of sources from which to garner what is necessary to succeed. One of the sources suggested is to get involved with a writers club, a club with which assigns homework that is presented at its meetings. The finished products are interesting, helpful, and a lot of fun during discussions of the works.

Following are some of the assignments used to progress writers. Choose a number of them and complete the assignments, each between 500 and 750 words–no more. Then try to do an objective critique of your own work. That is difficult, so to get a better objective discussion about your work, do what has been suggested by several WritersNewsWeekly contributor, join a club. Here are some potential subjects:

1. Objective description of a place in which something has or is about to happen.
2. An experience of déjà vu or a prior life.
3. Analyze the opening two pages of a novel.
4. Write a scene where a couple meets for the first time since their divorce.
5. Write about a very old house that you’ve seen or visited.
6. Have a character explain why he/she stole an object.
7. Write about one of your most embarrassing experiences.
8. Write what you think made Scrooge so mean.
9. Write about your favorite author and why.
10. Create the following characters: a rich snob whose closest friend is a homeless person; a wealthy prostitute who doesn’t like sex; an old West sheriff who is a serious academic.
11. A Christmas story without mentioning Santa Claus.

Now, go over your work with a fine tooth comb, covering points that have been pointed out in Writers News Weekly. Undoubtedly, it will be a very difficult chore to analyze your work objectively, but try it anyhow. Finally, realize how advantageous it would be to have other writers critique your work and offer their comments to you during a writers club meeting.

If you would like some feedback on your work, e-mail a completed assignment to james@jamesfalk.net.

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.

Okay, seniors who want to publish. We've written about research,
writing what you know, learning from others, writers clubs, a comfortable work area, spending a lot of time writing, costs and a bunch of other things you should do that are very important when it comes to writing successfully. To me, the two worst things to not do or have is not spending enough time writing, and not having the most important tool: a computer.

If writing is your goal, no matter what age, then dig deep and spend a few hundred dollars for a computer. A web search will net you a very good and reasonable priced outfit. Buying equipment won't be easy, but if you are intent on writing, suffer the pain.

I can type over a hundred words a minute, but I've been typing for fifty-five years doing professional sports publicity and promotion, college, newspaper reporting, feature writing and public relations propaganda. I recall how erasing or whiting out errors or wrong phrases was such a pain and always caused my most vile Marine Corps expletives to erupt. And that wasn't too swift in a crowded editorial news room.

A computer eliminates those problems – well, not all of them.
I still have a few eruptions on the golf course. But a computer does make writing fun instead of work. (Too bad I can't say that about a five iron.) Instead of using White Out by the gallon, I now tap my computer delete key and voila - my anger management problem is solved without consulting a psychologist. The time I had to spend on the couch can now be used for writing. Sometimes you might feel like a good psychologist would come in handy. But don't let that slow you down. Every writer goes through some difficult times. You just have to tough it out.

Set your goal for the day, week or whatever, and like a sprinter, get off the block fast. While sprinting toward the tape, give serious thought to the following, some of which are 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 - and the faster the better. By posing conflict clearly for the reader, you may surprise yourself by reaching for more active phrases and situations that create immediacy.

Exposition: Avoid long, mundane descriptions of characters and places. This often times 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 your sentences or passages a dozen times. Don't get cute. Cut out unnecessary words. That is so important. Activate all the readers' senses - smells, sounds, feelings and tastes.

There are more, but right now absorb these and try to follow them as you write. Ask yourself questions like: Is this too mundane? Is this passage believable? Is this character believable? That sounds like a lot to grasp, but practice and it will soon become second nature. That's enough for now. We'll cover more in a future column.

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.

When outlining a novel or even a short story, knowing characters as though you've known them all your life is vital. It goes hand in hand with a column I wrote a week or two ago about morphing yourself into the characters, male or female, in your story. Today, it's the importance of utilizing a "Characterization Chart."

Other than an outline of the plot itself, the chart can easily be the most important tool for the novel and one that will save the writer a lot of time trying to remember things about your characters, some of which are easy to forget. They are the mini-biography references that reveal everything there is to know about your characters. If you can't remember, just refer to the chart. It will keep every character and even animal just the way you want it to be. A chart follows:

CHARACTERIZATION CHART

Character's name: _______________________
Sex _______
Age _______
Ht______
Wt._______

Physical appearance including body type, hair, eyes, facial features, dress, posture, movement, mannerism, speech.
------
Personal history that may influence motivation including education, family, early childhood experiences, financial situation, profession, marital status, other relationships, friends (their status in life: professional and otherwise), habits, health, where s/he grew up.
------
The inner person including distinctive personality traits, self-image, yearning/ dreams, apprehensions, sense of humor, code of ethics, attitudes.
--------
Other details including hobbies, favorite food, colors, books, music, art, etc.
-------
Positive traits.
-------
Negative traits including character flaws, etc.
------
Why is it important for this character to have these traits/attitudes to play his or her intended role in your novel?

Once you make a habit of utilizing the chart, your characters will be bigger than life -- or smaller if you wish.

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.

I hope whoever is reading this column is getting some good from it. I find writing this particular one helped me to remember or recall some of the important things I have left slip away. Intangibles in writing effectively are what slip away if we are not careful. A while back I listed a number of things writers need—necessities such as a computer, a quiet room, a ream of paper, a cup of strong coffee, etc. These and others are tangible items, easily attainable and easily maintained. However, it is the intangible things that really need personal attention and as a writer, one must strive vigorously to master them. And that takes work. Intangibles worth striving for were compiled by members of our Pen to Paper Writer's Club in Tecumseh, Michigan.

1. Self-confidence or Ego. As a writer, you have to fully believe that you've got something worth writing about, something that others will find worth their time (and perhaps their money). You can't harbor self-doubt or excesses of humility.

2. Inner Discipline. As a writer, even if you are a pro with a paycheck and deadlines, you need to motivate yourself to sit down (repeatedly) and write; to sit down (repeatedly) and re-write. You have to provide and maintain your own structure to keep up productivity.

3. Sensitivity. As a writer, your senses need to be heightened so you hear, see, smell, taste, feel in a vivid and deep way. You need a sensitivity to language—to develop your skill at selecting words.

4. Flexibility. As a writer, you need to be able and willing to shift gears, to discard what doesn't work, to make repeated trips to the drawing board, to start over, to accept criticism.

5. Sense of Humor. As a writer (and as a human being), you can't ever take yourself too seriously. If you can't draw back and see the humor in about 80 percent of human activity, you can easily grow neurotic and morose. What you write from that perspective will not be worth reading except by those who are neurotic and morose.

6. Curiosity and observation. As a writer you need to be detail-oriented. An exceptional curiosity will serve you well whether you are writing about people, places or designing a plot. Relating the truth, employing a keen awareness of the senses, and noting details sets a written work apart.

As you read works of publishing authors, you will surely find that each possess virtually all of the above attributes. Join the posse.

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.

The September issue of The Writer includes an article titles “104 Worst Creative-Writing Clichés” by Professor Randy Nelson at Davidson College, Charlotte, North Carolina. The article can be used as an excellent writing exercise. Consider the cliché "worried sick."

He was worried sick as he approached the judge.

This is not a good sentence. Remove the cliché for a stronger sentence.

He was worried as he approached the judge.

It is so easy to fall into the cliché trap and so difficult to avoid. Following are a few of the 104 clichés mentioned in the article: fiery eyes, sheds light, staring in the face, when all else fails, doggedly, falls silent, reveals her/or his true feelings, couldn't be further from the truth, bored to tears, defined by Webster, stop and think, fist or headache pounds, safe haven, the finishing touches, emerges slowly, uses foul language, a blend of strength and sensitivity

Try the following for a good exercise. If you stumble across a cliché while reading a book, retain the meaning of the sentence and replace the cliché with a word or words that will improve the sentence.

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.

After you decide what kind of story you want to write, where do you go from there? There's only two directions. One is to construct a plot outline and follow it throughout the manuscript -- from the first paragraph to the climax. I think that takes a lot of work and a lot of planning that sometimes can be frustrating as the plot veers from the intended direction. I go in another direction, I just let things fly.

I get an idea for a plot, something that can really cause problems. For instance, during the Gulf War I read a suggestion that everybody should write a letter to a serviceman. Don't worry about to whom. Somebody will get it. As I read that, I thought what a stupid thing to do, write and not know who is on the other end. I knew guys in the service who could have easily been psychopaths, and guys like them were getting the letters?

So I began to think what could happen if a psychopath did get some letters, some of which -- as I pointed out in "The Pen Pal Murders” -- set up a psychopathic sting operation of murder and robbery while leaving a lot of well-meaning letter-writers dead.

For me and writing, it's take what comes, write it and run with it -- no outline. There will be changes, but start with the premise, the problems, the characters and let it fly from there. You will introduce exciting characters that you never expected would be a part of your story and I think that will keep your readers locked in.

So I started off with a woman who did write and whose husband suddenly disappears. That was followed by mysterious phone calls and continued in a frightening but very possible direction. As I wrote, I imagined new situations or extensions of older ones and drew upon them. I never gave it a chance to slow down -- always trying to
keep the reader on pins and needles.

Following is a method I like. It was used in my Master’s work and we called it "Living Your Story." We studied Shakespeare and in doing so each class member had to play roles. One time I was King Lear's daughter, Reagen. The fun part of it was not only trying to act like Reagen, but also to talk like her and in a voice pitched like a woman’s. It was the same for all the characters, and it was fun.

It did help me with my writing. I really lived the characters in Pen Pals, and later in Sitting Duck. I talked out loud like I thought a psychopath might talk and think, and I used that approach for each character. I thought, talked like and became the female protagonist. I embodied a police officer, talked and thought like him. I became a female reporter -- thought and talked like her. I did that with every character, bar none, and I think it made each one of them more believable. I was a bastard in the final chapter working out what I was going to do to the women I was holding prisoner. Don't ask me about it. It was scary. Sometimes as I was doing all of this I frightened myself. But I think by using that method, I created characters and a story that nobody could say: "That could never have happened."

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.

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.

I just finished for the third time re-editing and rewriting parts of a manuscript of a book that has been accepted by SterlingHouse Publisher. I'm giving a final reading before sending it back. Corrections I found were for punctuation; others for structure - commonly called "effective writing." Do yourself a favor if you want to write interesting and clean. Type the following list in bold face, then frame it and hang it near your word processor. Refer to it after every scene you write. Remember, this column is basically for seniors, and many interested in writing may not have had the benefit of the college novel or short story writing classes. Our writing club members agree that effective writing displays the characteristics listed below. So heed them, utilize them and it just might mean the difference between selling and not selling your work.

1. Does it provide exciting reading? Passive to active will often do the trick.
2. Does it t each something - offer a learning experience?
3. Does it use at least a few words that are intriguing?
4. Is it accurate, grammatically and mechanically?
5. Is it thought provoking?
6. Does it paint a picture - draw a reader in?
7. Is it created with a sense of craft and care?
8. Does it have both simplicity and complexity?
9. Is it concise?
10. Does it make the reader want to read more?
11. Does it create emotion - make one feel the emotion?
12. Does it show attention to sentence structure?
13. Is it organized so that it flows properly?

These might seem like a lot of things to check, but all of them will not be part of one scene. If you stick to the process, it will become second nature as you edit to check for these things.

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.

My column in early December covered reading sources that would be of great assistance to aspiring writers. They were novels and instruction books by some of today's top writers, several of whom are right here at SterlingHouse.

The last sentence in the second to last paragraph of that column read, "Publishers love clean manuscripts." The person who would benefit most from that, I found, was me. I thought I did pretty good, grammar wise, editing my novel, Sitting Duck which is now available. The novel before that, The Pen Pal Murders, must have gone to my head, because editors at SterlingHouse who worked on the new manuscript must have used up a gallon of red ink. I am really embarrassed as I go over the manuscript. I read and edit what I write at least three or four times, and sometimes more.

My English professor in college claimed she had never seen a person make so many comma faults. Well, at least I was number one at something. I actually learned to improve on grammar while working as a news reporter. I also suffered a lot of harsh criticisms from my editor with words like: "Where in the hell did you ever learn to write?" The SterlingHouse editors, bless their souls, are less harsh, so I'll remember them in my will. They get all my debts.

I think I just got careless with this most recent manuscript. I had so much fun writing it that I forgot one of the most important things - caring about good grammar. Then I thought, "if I didn't have a foot in the door, my most recent manuscript would have been tossed in no time flat." The importance of good grammar and spelling is something we all should think seriously about. I know I will from now on. I have to convince Cindy - that dear, dear woman - that I'm really not that bad, and I will also try my best to keep Megan Davidson from pulling any more hair out.

As I typed this article, I began to think about those other two possible sources for improvement. One was in New York for construction and the other on the west coast. But I've changed my mind.

If you are a senior who hasn't been in a classroom for years, I think you should still utilize the book and text sources I wrote about before going further. Go back two issues and look in your library for the instructional books I suggested. If you need the titles, send me an email at james@jamesfalk.net. I will mail you a copy of the article. All you have to do is concentrate and remember what you read. Evidently, I didn't, so guess what I'm now reading.

Have a happy reading and writing New Year.

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.

I have been writing this column with the thought that it would be beneficial for senior citizens who would like to write. Again, by seniors, I'm referring to persons 50 years or older. But I do realize that much of what I and others write for WritersNewsWeekly can be useful for a person of any age. Younger people just have one advantage - - more time to pursue their dreams. That's a wake up call for senior citizens aspiring to be authors.

Many senior citizens who would love to write a novel, short story or even poetry -- if they want to succeed - - must allow time to learn. I harp on that, but it is vital. In the long run, by allowing that time, they are actually saving time. If you are a golfer, you can easily relate to this. I think of all the skin games money I could have won had I taken lessons when I first became interested in golf. Now, I think of all the money I've lost in skin games by trying to teach myself. I suffered through that, and so did my wallet. That is the same as trying to write a novel without first learning the basics.

My last column included excellent reading sources. There are many helpful sources out there. Ten years ago, I enrolled in "The Writer's Digest Novel Writing Workshop.” The workshop consisted of six worthwhile lessons and writing assignments for us to do at home. The pupil - you - is tutored by a published author. The cost was very nominal in relation to its value. The course covered, among other things: "Overview," "Objectives," "Step-by-Step Lessons," "Reading Assignments" and "Send-in Assignments." The course was relatively in-depth, meaning that everything one might need in developing and writing a novel is there for the taking.

My next column will include at least two more kinds of sources that will help you to complete a professional novel and an excellent manuscript. Publishers love "clean" manuscripts.

I was lucky to have studied writing in undergraduate and post grad courses. Yet, I surely benefitted greatly from the “Digest” course. And so will you. There were many things one just does not learn in school -- things that only come from the pros. Let me remind you to include each issue of WritersNewsWeekly in a binder or file folder for future references. And as always, let me hear from you.

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.