Monday, September 17, 2012

WRITE To the Heart of the Matter: Have You Read Any Good First Sentences Lately?

Wired for Story
The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence
by Lisa Cron

Anyone who has heard me speak about writing know my passion for first sentences.  First sentence do not a book, chapter or paragraph make, but it can be the deal breaker if it puts the reader to sleep.

Imagine my delight when I saw the title for this new book by Lisa Cron.  Like any good reader, I flipped to the back cover, skipped the endorsements, and checked out the book details. Not only was there going to be action on first sentences, there was also a promise to "ignite the brain's hardwired desire to learn what happens next."

I turned to the first page and read:

"In the second it takes you to read this first sentence, your senses are showering you with over 11,000,000 pieces of information. Your conscious mind is capable of registering about forty of them."
I fell in love with the first sentence and the layout of the page spread.  The left page showed THE COGNITIVE SECRET..."We think in story, which allows us to envision the future," and THE STORY SECRET..."From the very first sentence, the reader must want to know what happens next."

Above the chapter heading was the Flannery O'Connor quote: "I find that most people know what a story is until they sit down to write one."

Every chapter follows the same format. Cron writes what every writer needs to know and shares in a way every writer wants to write. I knew I was in the right place and reading the right book

Looks like my Christmas gift list for my writer just grew a little bit longer.

To find out more about Cron, visit wiredforstory.com.





Monday, September 10, 2012

WRITE to the Heart of the Matter: A Memoir of Art and Creation

Just Kids
by Patti Smith

I love to read memoirs, biographies, and, of course, family histories.  I am irresistibly drawn to hear each person's story.  I share in their struggles, their day to day activities and enjoy seeing how they overcome their obstacles.  Of course it is easier when you know their life will be a great success, especially since they have written a book about it.

When I decided to read, or rather listen to, Patti Smith's book "Just Kids," I knew nothing of her life's struggles and successes.  I knew she was a songwriter/musician. I never listened to her music. If you had asked me the title of one of her songs, I wouldn't have been able to name one. As I started her book, I did not know what to expect.

I discovered Patti Smith is brutally honest.  About her life, her loves and her choices.  I also would have never guessed that this rock star was so well read. Now I know she is truly a poet and performer. What I discovered about her put me in awe of her accomplishments.

Patti's book tells of her life, focusing on a story of love and creativity. While  I knew little about her, I knew absolutely nothing about the other half of the "Just Kids" title, Robert Maplethorpe.  Robert and Patti journeyed through life creating art, being art and living art.  They struggled together, lived together and developed their talents in parallel careers. Their dedication to art and to each other outlasted their time together. As I said, it is a story of love, but that does not make it a love story, at least not in the conventional sense.

I was familiar with the Chelsea Hotel, and it turns out Patti lived there for years. The parade of celebrities who passed through this hotel made it the epicenter of Patti's link to the artistic world she so desperately sought after for years. From Jimi Hendrix to Janis Joplin and Grace Slick, many of the people who frequented the Chelsea Hotel also influenced Patti and helped her along the way. 

Struggles were plenty. And, Robert's creations are not a match for my artistic taste. There are times I wanted to yell at him to stop and change his direction, but there was no going back for him. Frustrating, just like real life. Yet, I could not stop listening to the book  What makes this story impossible to walk away from? The three human circumstances which drew me into the vortex are:

  1. How they bonded and lived for art and, in turn, inspired each other to live their dream.
  2. How they grew their art and developed themselves into artists. 
  3. How they tried and continued and failed and tried and continued again and again before any true success came their way.
I still hear their voices clearly in my mind. Patti's powerful yet simple words haunt and hang in the air. The book made me believe I was there and saw it all happen. They were "Just Kids" and I am grateful Patti shared her and Robert's story with the world. Now I am going to listen to her music.


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

WRITE to the Heart of the Matter: Writing


Several short sentences about writing
by Verlyn Klinkenborg

A few weeks ago, I wanted to read something different from my recent fictional and biographical fare. The book was to be read on an airplane so I also wanted to travel light. I found this book at the library and loved its simplicity. The cover is simple, clean and clear.  I choose well.

I started to read and was amazed at the SHORT SENTENCES.  Short, powerful sentences.  These sentences offer a depth of writing skill and understanding that others would have required pages or chapters to generate.

Klinkenborg is one of those influential people with whom I was unfamiliar. He has great credentials as a member of the New York Times Editorial Board and teacher. He has spent years writing boiling down the essence of a thought to a simple sentence. He had the insight to write:

"Everything in this book is meant to be tested all over again, by you.  You decide what works for you. This is perhaps the most important thing I have to say....Part of the struggle in learning to write is learning to ignore what isn't useful to you and pay attention to what is. If that means arguing with me as you read this book, so be it."  Klinkenborg, Prologue.

That said, I felt no need to argue.  This book's poetical style uplifted and inspired me with every turn of the page.  I could feel how I write and how I could improve it simply by following Klinkenborg's words.  I read the book over two weeks ago, and I am ready to enjoy the experience again.

If you are a writer and also on my Christmas list, I'm sorry you won't have any surprises when you open your gift this holiday.  Yes, it's that good.