Issue 39

By Kimberly Hamilton, International Book Management Corporation

Nooks, Readers and Kindles are everywhere! Technology is out-of-this-world to the point where traditional books may have serious competition!

Amazon reported that this past Christmas, e-books outsold real books on the site. This isn’t a surprise considering Kindle was announced as “the most gifted item ever.” Digital Reader consumers of course wanted to stock their readers with their favorite books immediately; since then e-book sales have only continued to increase. While Kindle took over half of the market share, Sony’s E-Reader came in second and Barnes & Noble’s Nook sold out before December.

Although this appears to be a digital revolution, most avid readers would be expected to not only buy their favorite e-books to fill their hard drives but also to buy the real book to fill their shelves.

By Carlotta G. Holton

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is Hamlet redux. In this modern version, author David Wroblewski substitutes the castle of Denmark with a Wisconsin farm where a couple breeds a fictional type of dog – the Sawtelle. Edgar, thinly disguised as a young Hamlet, is born a mute with whom the parents devise a unique system of communication, not readily understood by outsiders, (alienation theme?) but comprehended by the dogs.

In this coming of age story, tragedy strikes when Edgar discovers his dying father Gar’s body in the barn. Unable to save him since he cannot use the telephone, he is left with anger and guilt. Subplots surface, such as the long-standing grudge between Edgar’s father and his brother, Claude (shades of Claudius), but there is never an explanation or resolution of the problem. How is the reader to accept Claude as evil, when none of his flaws have been exposed? They argue and fight and Edgar’s mother, Trudy (reminiscent of Queen Gertrude) never clears up the mystery at the source of the feud. The author could have used some of the 570 pages to tie up this loose end.

While the author exhibits eloquent prose, there is just too much of it. What transpires is large and seemingly unnecessary descriptions given to the old letters from his grandfather and the information on all the dogs. This does not contribute to the story line. Then there are the many pages about the training of the dogs. While the author does take chances; there are chapters, a la Watership Down, written from one of the dog’s point of view, the sheer verbosity bogs down the central plot.

The story never picks up the pace so that the reader is left wading through page after page of descriptions or characters that are never fully or even partially developed. For example, we are introduced to Forte, the stray puppy. I found myself hoping that as we caught a rare glimpse of Forte, some cathartic message would also come to light. It didn’t.

After seeing his father’s ghost, Edgar convinces himself his uncle, Claude, is responsible for his father’s death. He plots revenge by exposing the crime. To his credit the author wrenches the reader’s sympathy for the young boy without the heavy handed sentimentality he might have utilized. Edgar is a likeable character and we feel for him while hoping he finds a way out of his morass. Mimicking Hamlet’s staged play within a play device, Edgar stages a scenario that accuses his uncle of murder. When this backfires, he flees from home taking three dogs with him.

The extensive journey is again a lengthy and unnecessary romp through the forest. Edgar returns and the denouement is imminent. Besides the unanswered questions and pointless subplots, I was very disappointed in the lack of originality coupled with the over the top ending which strains the reader’s belief. As to the ending; alas, poor Yorick, we knew it well.

By Amanda Linsmeier

Awarded the Newbery Medal, The Giver is a beautiful novel about truth, society and the essence of human life. Jonas is almost twelve and with that distinctive benchmark approaching, he is becoming nervous. Because in Jonas world, the Ceremony of Twelve marks an auspicious time in a child’s life. It is the last of all the age ceremonies, in which children are given their Assignments. Jonas isn’t sure what he wants to do for a career, for a calling. But soon after the ceremony, when Jonas is given the duty of Receiver of Memory, he realizes that he’s different than his friends and that his assignment is going to be much harder than he thought. His list of rules for his new assignment includes not discussing any of his training with members of the community, even his own parents. He’s also permitted to lie, which is unheard of. With mixed emotions, Jonas goes to his first meeting with an old man, with the same strange, light eyes as himself, a man who he calls the Giver of Memory. This man’s job is to transmit to Jonas all the memories of the past, memories of the whole world, of humankind. As Jonas struggles with the tasks ahead of him, he must deal with the pain and hypocrisy of his new knowledge. For in his perfect world, a world with no war or fear or choices, there is also a lack of love, freedom and pleasure. From the beauty of music, to the chill of snow, Jonas has gone without. Now that he finds his world dull, empty and his community stifling, Jonas must make the dangerous decision to run and risk not only his life, but yet another child with the same light eyes.

The Giver is wonderful! Even though it’s not a book for adults and the main character is a 12-year old boy, I was so involved in it. I thought Jonas was incredibly brave and intelligent and so glad he made the decisions that he did. It was a far-out concept, for sure, but Lowry made it seem so plausible. This world that Jonas lives in is Utopian in theory, but once Jonas realizes what else is out there, his life now seems ridiculous, his choices non-existent. It is only when he breaks free that he can change not only his life, but the life of his community. The Giver is a terrific story that I know I’ll read it over and over again.

Stephen Coonts is a best-selling thriller and suspense novelist. Flight of the Intruder is based in part on his experiences as a bomber pilot and spent 28 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. He has written several other series and stand-alone novels, but is most notable for the Grafton books. Seventeen of his books have been New York Times best sellers. Artic Gold will be released February 2009.

Q: You have said you like going to bookstores to seek out fiction offerings trying to figure out what’s not there. What’s the risk in finding that undiscovered niche in terms of finding a publisher who will take the risk vs. playing it safe with established genres?

A: Without something original in a story, a first-time novelist will find it difficult or impossible to break in. An established genre novel with an original twist, or hook, is the usual formula, but it could be a completely different genre. Originality sells in the bookstore, even if it is a tough sell to some publishers.

Q: Why are good writers, good readers? What can be learned from other writers?

A: I don't think you can be a good musician unless you listen to music, nor a writer unless you read. Perhaps an idiot savant might, but they play on another planet.
Every beginner must learn the craft of storytelling. How is it done? Before you try it yourself, you'll have a leg up if you have read for most of your life.

Q: What is your impression of writers who offer a ‘reader’s guide’ in the back of the book for book group discussions? What hints or guidelines would you offer readers of your latest book, Artic Gold?

A: I have no impression or opinion of "reader's guides," except to note that I tired of them in grade school. I don't write books for group discussions. I have no agenda, no social message to impart; there is no moral to my tale. I merely write to entertain. If I can entertain you for ten or twelve hours, I've earned my royalty.

Q: You have used you experience as a pilot and attorney to craft your fiction. How can writers draw from their own work-related experiences?

A: Your life experiences are the furniture in the fictional worlds you create. Every successful writer I know has dove deeply into life, knows and appreciates many people, has drank deeply of the cup. If you have nothing to write about, then perhaps you really need to widen your experiences, open your life: Volunteer in your community, ride around with the cops, go back to school and get another degree, join a community theatre, get a part-time job that sounds interesting. I've been a naval aviator, a taxi driver, a police officer, guard in a student bookstore, construction worker, survey party member, law student, lawyer, and now, writer.
If you want to write, get a life. Get something to write about.

Q: You suggest studying the masters of the genre in which you are interested in writing. At what point does one develop his own voice without copying the masters?

A: I think a writer will be a pretty darn good storyteller by the time he or she gets good enough to sound like Tom Clancy. Hemingway is easier, and often parodied. Yet, his style worked in his stories.
Style is merely an effective was to tell a story. Before you can pick the best way to tell your story, you need to have read a lot of styles, seen a lot of stories told.

Q: On your website, you offer new writers lots of suggestions and resources to follow up in their pursuit of writing. Why did you decide to do this?

A: I get too many emails from folks who think I will sit down and jot them off a couple of thousand words on how to write.

Carlotta Holton is the author of Salem Pact and Touching The Dead, and is a member of the National Federation of Press Women and an affiliate member of the Horror Writers Association.

Carlotta Holton has just received her second award for Touching the Dead from the National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest. Click here to purchase the book.

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.

A childrens' version of the story, entitled Angel Girl (ISBN 978-0822587392), written by Laurie Friedman and illustrated by Ofra Amit, was published in September 2008 by Carolrhoda Books of Lerner Publishing Group.

Another Holocaust memoir is being canceled by the publisher, but that isn’t stopping a $25 million dollar movie production of a script based on the book. According to a press release issued by the publisher, York House Press is in serious discussion to publish a work of fiction in early spring based on the motion picture “The Flower at The Fence,” a screenplay written at the same time as the memoir. President of Atlantic Overseas Productions, Harris Salomon said, “We are pleased that the story of Herman Rosenblat will be told to readers worldwide in spite of the controversy that has ensued over the past weeks.” Herman Rosenblat’s Holocaust memoir, titled Angel at the Fence, was to proceed the motion picture but was later canceled after the story was found to be a hoax.

According to a study by the National Endowment for the Arts, more American adults are reading literature for the first time in more than 25 years. The biggest increase is in young adults, ages 18-24, which boasts a 9% increase. The NEA research brochure Reading on the Rise is based on early results from the 2008 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts.

It truly is a sign of the times: Starting January 27, a newspaper comrpised of local blog posts will be distributed in Chicacgo and San Francisco with a New York version already in the works. The Printed Blog, as it is called, was founded by Joshua Karp. Mr. Karp is quoted as saying, “Why hasn’t anyone tried to take the best content and bring it offline?”

Artwork by Arthur Rackham, 1909

TheBabyWebsite.com is reporting that 50% of British parents polled by the site said they would not read fairytales to their children until they were at least 5 years old. The reason? 20% said that the stories are “politically incorrect”, while 17% said the stories would give their children nightmares. Overly-sensitive, or on the right track? According to a study out of 168 “Brother’s Grimm” fairytales by Purdue University, gender was not portrayed in a postive light in many of the stories. The messages in the fairytales, according to the study, include: Unattractive people are evil, women can only get by on their beauty, and Princess Charming can never rescue Prince Charming. So what is acceptable? The top bedtime story in 2008, according to the website, was The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. And the top story that is no longer read? None other than Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Do you think fairtytales are too scary for children? Email editor@writersnewsweekly.com and let us know—your opinion may be posted in a future article of Split Ends.