Writing Ghost Stories
Consider Monsters are real, ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win. – Stephen King, The Shining Several times a year, Succeed and Soar offers Wordsmith Stars, which provides insights and information for those write and enjoy reading. Each year, the Associated Writing Programs’ conference offers fantastic, carefully curated panels and workshops. Several years ago, I attended one titled, “Writing About Ghosts and The Undead.” Phantoms, ghouls and things that ‘go bump in the night’ had never been of interest until I learned they could be frightening in ways I hadn’t expected. Here are my notes about the ways spooks and spirits can be haunting: Writing about ghosts can be hopeful because the stories suggest that there is something more Ghosts are spirits without bodies. The zombie is a body without a spirit. [Can ghosts resume physical form? What happens if zombies receive souls?] The ghost can serve as a metaphor for loss [something lost] There are times when a loss haunts The death the ghost represents could be of an idea or culture These stories can present a crossroads, a choice of direction I did watch an episode of Ghosts, and found the show adorable. Plus, the programs provides a great example of how variety [different types of personalities] makes the character interactions more interesting. But I have not watched the show enough to understand the characters as metaphors. Perhaps, they’re merely entertainment. What do you think? I also hope you’re thinking of writing a ghost story. If so, here are six tips for writing modern ghost stories, which include deciding what your ghost looks like and what they can do. What fun! See more. Best of all, magazines exist that will pay for these stories. Here are ten. Worth considering are these words from Laurie Halse Anderson’s Wintergirls, “In one aspect, yes, I believe in ghosts, but we create them. We haunt ourselves.” Succeed and Soar! COMMENT. Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Shower Curtains As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, greeting cards and more The high quality and unique Shower Curtains by Fine Art America: Are made of 100% polyester fabric Include 12 holes at top for ease in hanging Dimensions 71” wide, 74” tall Cost: $68 to $78 NOTE: Sometimes art size must be adjusted for whole image to fit. CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Over 60 background colors can be chosen [shades of yellows, blues, greens, grays and more]. Purchase this shower curtain View All Shower Curtains Shop All Art and Collections HERE. Thanks for your support!
The First Five Pages
Consider There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you. Beatrix Potter This Wordsmith Stars post reminds that agents and editors must choose a special few manuscripts from thousands received each year. How do they decide? Here are insights I’ve gained from the Associated Writing Programs Conference & Bookfairs. As explained in the video below, agents and editors hunt through piles of submissions every week looking for quick reasons to say, “No.” Erin Cox began her publishing career in publicity, then became an agent and publicist. Of selecting a book, she reminded that agents often receive material no one has seen except the writer’s mother and, perhaps their writing groups. Of the first five pages, she asks: Do I want to read the next five pages? David Graff had been an editor at Crown and became an independent editor. He advised writers, “to make sure material is as ready as possible.” Graff added that the first sentence and the power and the authority of the writer is what grabs. What market and readers demand is suspense. Of those opening pages, Graff reminded that every novel is a mystery novel. There really has to be a sense of a major question being posed from page one. If you can thrust the reader into the midst of something, suggesting what could happen, then you could have a reader or an editor miss their subway stop because they’re engrossed. How? Writers Relief offers five valuable ingredients for those first five pages, including skipping a prologue, focusing on characters, showing where the story happens and more. Write me with your story goals or questions. Succeed and Soar! Shop Sandra’s Galleries Buy Sandra’s art framed, on canvas, as posters. Also on totes, weekenders, tee shirts, journals, caps, baby onesies, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, shower curtains and more. Purchase this puzzle. Shop All Collections HERE.
How to Pitch Your Story
Consider A piece of writing’s purpose is to express oneself, convey information, persuade … earn money. – Richard Martin, AuthorsCast.com David Graff had been an editor at Crown Publishing and was working as an independent editor when I attended his “The First Five Pages” panel at the Associated Writing Programs Conference. In contacting an agent, Graff said the query letter should answer these questions: What’s the book about? Who’s the book by. Publishers want to publish authors (people). What other books are like yours? What tradition is your book in? Who would read your book? What “groups” will be interested? What about the book is new, interesting and fascinating, making it different from similar books (perhaps through your voice or humor or unique vision)? Understand: The query letter should be shorter than 200 words. Those words must entice an agent/editor to spend a year of their life on your book. Drafting a query letter can be a good way to envision the book. But the book needs to be well planned if not finished before querying an agent. This post’s videos provide great information. That said, all advice offered here should be considered: General Tips. Agents’ web sites will present their specific requirements. Shop Sandra’s Gallery Buy Sandra’s Art framed, on canvas, as posters as well as puzzles, shirts, infant onesies, phone cases, ornaments, journals, blankets, clocks and more. Each item is individually made, just for you. Purchase this puzzle. Shop All Collections HERE.