The True Power of the Pen

How descriptive do you think your writing is? Well, the more effective you are, using all those descriptive sensors to create colorful images, may give your writing more power than you think.

I was reading this article about the effect media has on increasing aggressive behavior. Though many have claimed violence in movies, music, and video games impacts human behavior in a negative way by increasing violent actions, one particular media has been left out. Reading. Yep. A research team from Brigham University has conducted a study with experiments to provide evidence that reading fiction causes certain psychological behaviors. Whether the reading describes physical or relational aggression, i.e. aggression that harms one's personal relationships, the more descriptive the scene is will create vivid images in a person's head. And if it's violent ... well, you get the "picture".

So remember this, authors, your words have power in ways you may never have considered!

If you want to read more ...

Reading Fiction Impacts Aggressive Behavior

Here We Go Again.

The thought must cross authors' minds when they write how their work will be received, especially if the books are for middle grade and high school students. After all, themes which appeal to this age group can be controversial. The question is how do adults decide? And what do they use as criteria? 

I taught at the high school level, teens with mild disabilities, with emotional problems, some who came from dysfunctional homes. I always felt certain themes should be embraced and taught in the classroom, those that many adults would rather choose to protect kids from. It's a fine line and not an easy decision -- to read or not to read. That is indeed the question. 

In recent news a story came out about a mother in a certain school district who objected strongly to John Green's Fault of Our Stars, about two teens who have cancer. Death is a theme, but there's love, acceptance, survival as well. Mom's reasoning is that middle schoolers have enough issues dealing with their own mortality let alone reading a book about it. Well, she convinced the school board and it's been pulled from district middle schools. 

As no surprise, authors usually have a defensive response to censorship. I know I do, both as an author and a teacher. However, John Green's reply was something special. Take a look and read what he had to say, then let me (us) know what you think. 

The Fault in Our Stars Has Been Banned in Schools 

by Joanna Robinson

It’s All About That Bass, i.e. Great Writing

The truth is when you write, it’s all about that bass, too. How so? Well, first, let’s look at the song. I’d guess many who listen to it initially think it’s all about the physical. However, there’s figurative meaning in the message, too. Right? That bass, deep and substantive, it’s part of who we are. In fact, it’s the importance of who we are. Beauty is nice, but it’s the personality, the heart, all the “bass stuff” that keeps people coming back for more and it's the glue to sustain relationships.

So, what about in writing? How does an author sustain reader relationships? I’d like to think in a huge way it is all about that bass – the plot with its twists and turns, and its complexity; those dynamic characters with layers and layers to make them a challenge to figure out; the setting descriptions meant to pop with every one of the five senses; the dialog, authentic and purposeful. Writing with anything less is a half-hearted effort.

I say, don’t kid yourself. Readers know. They are an intelligent species whose demands should never be ignored. Otherwise, it can be a painful death to an author’s career. As I’ve stated countless times: writing is hard ... very hard work. There’s a reason for revision. Your story in its initial stage might have all the “surface beauty”. It looks pretty and shiny at a glance, but then … Did I mention that readers have demands? Yes. You must edit, revise, layer upon layer, and repeat. Add that bass. Your writing deserves the best effort. Your readers do, too!

Happy Holidays!

www.kathrynlong.webs.com

Writing, and Then There's Patience

I finished the first book in a new mystery series -- Grave Maker Blues. Satisfying as it seems, at least for a brief time, I queried it to a handful of agents. That quenched my productive, creative urges. For a brief time. So, I outlined the next story in the series. Just last week I started writing book 2. I figure it will take me two or three months to finish a rough draft. That should satisfy me ... for a brief time. 

Admittedly, the little voice in my head won't let me stop. I have to keep going, moving on to something new, while I wait for whatever I hope to accomplish. I'd like to stop. Give a brief, restful pause to enjoy those things that tend to be overlooked or ignored while I'm busy producing, achieving, waiting. Ah ... it's just that little voice, the cheerleader in my head ... it won't let me stop.

Could it be the mentality of all those great minds throughout the course of history? Could they possess that voice? Am I like that, included with those great minds? .... Nah, it's just me, like anyone trying to satisfy the productive, creative urges, just one in a gazillion. Yep, that's who I am. 

Still, I think I will try to stop, at least for the holidays. It's only fair, to me, to my family, friends ... now, where was I? Oh. Yeah. Book 2. And then, more letters to agents. And how about promotion ideas for A Deadly Deed Grows? It's coming out in a couple of months. I'm hopeless!

Happy Holidays to all!

And If You Like Mysteries, Click on This!

It's Not Real ... Oh Yes It Is!

Ever have that moment ... you know ... the one where you've been waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and ... then it comes? But you think it's a dream because of all that waiting and after all, you've convinced yourself that maybe it's not going to ever happen. Yeah, that kind of moment? Well, I heard from the editor and she emailed me the galley of A DEADLY DEED GROWS to review. How about that? I think my arm is black and blue from pinching. Yes, I guess we're moving along ... Just two more steps to go!

To be continued ....

It's In The Details

Whenever I look at the cover of a book, I like to search for the tiniest details. Reminds me of that online mystery game. You know the one where you have to find the hidden objects in the picture, which of course are clues to solving the mystery? I love reading mysteries as well as writing them. I figure the details in a book cover may be clues to the story. I know when I give a publisher's cover artist my ideas for the covers, I think of that. For instance, in DYING TO DREAM, the grave marker's dates are backwards. And no, it's not a typo! There's a very good reason for this detail. And no, again. I'm not going to tell you what it means and spoil the fun, if you decide to read my work. :-)

Take the cover for Grisham's SYCAMORE ROW. How perfect to have the tree as the focal point. But the fogginess in the background sends a message to me as well. When I first looked at the cover -- and you should know I highly recommend the book -- I wondered if the fog is meant to imply the answers to the mystery are behind it, literally and figuratively. Or maybe it's there to make the other trees seem insignificant compared to the one at the forefront. Of course, I guessed the tree would play an important role as the story unfolded. It made me curious, as all covers should do, enough to read the book.

I have noticed that some covers intentionally lack detail. Though not as interesting, they're usually done with books by brand name authors. Let's face it. If I see Stephen King's name plastered across a blank background I'm hooked -- and most likely the print size will be larger than the title's because, yes, he's a brand that sells. Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series always have a colorful solid background with her name and the title on the cover. Nothing more. It works. However, it's just not as much fun. I like the idea of a puzzling cover with its suggestive details. In teaching, it's what we call making predictions. I used to ask my students prediction questions all the time in literature class. What do you think the title implies? How about the cover? Can you make predictions on what the story will involve? Something to get the readers interested. If you think about it, by answering these questions, in an indirect way they've helped to write the story. 

So, next time you search for something to read, check out those covers. The tiny details are full of enticing tidbits, beckoning to you, teasing you with predictions of what's inside. Don't ignore them, or else you may miss out on a pretty good read!

Enjoy your next great reading adventure :-)

DYING TO DREAM

DEVILISH, DEVIOUS, AND DEADLY WITH ONE BITE

KATHRYN LONG - AUTHOR WEBSITE

Character Blogging … Pass It On!

First, I want to shout out a big thanks to my friend and fellow author, Jo Chumas, for giving me this blog challenge. I have the utmost respect for her and her work.

Though I’ve mostly written cozy mysteries, I’ve taken a departure in my latest creation. It’s a bit more serious, but still focused on entertaining, rich characters who drive the story. Now, the task at hand is to answer questions about a character from one of my books – WIP or already published. I’ve chosen the female heroine in my recent WIP mystery, Grave Maker Blues. This is the first novel in an anticipated series that takes place in the Alleghenies of northwestern Pennsylvania. I chose this setting because it’s where our family has a cabin and I have many special memories of this beautiful country -- covering sixty-some years in my lifetime. It’s rich with history and scenery. Anyway, here goes …

DESCRIBE THE MAIN CHARACTER:

Sarah Blue Mackenzie, known to friends as Mac, is a young woman who by the age of eighteen had lost both her parents. It forced her to become strong and independent. With tending the bar, Moe’s Deja Blue Bar and Grill, inherited from her father, Mac’s life is busy enough. However, she’s been given the added role of caregiver to her Uncle Chaz who is crippled and partially blind due to diabetes. His career as a writer of historical books and articles would be over if it weren’t for Mac. She’s become his research assistant, or fact finder as she likes to call herself.
Sarah is a loyal, hard working, and loving woman, yet there is a part of her that always looks for more. Love evades her, or so she thinks. And mystery seems to surround her.

SETTING – WHERE AND WHEN:

The Allegheny Forest of northwestern Pennsylvania is picturesque to say the least. But it’s also a place of adventure, rich culture with the Seneca and Iroquois people and their history, and lots of wildlife. Mac’s home is located on Roper Hollow Road, close to the Kinzua Reservoir, and not coincidently, the place you would find our family cabin! The story is in the present, though there are references to the past, which play a significant part in the mystery.

THE MAIN CONFLICT, HOW IT CHALLENGES HER, WHAT SHE CAN DO TO SOLVE IT:

As I mentioned, one of the roles Mac takes on in this story is that of researcher or fact finder. In the opening scene Mac visits a cemetery to collect birth and death data for Uncle Chaz’ latest book on the history of local Native American families. Rather than having a routine day of tedious data collecting, Mac discovers a body lying in an open grave. The problem? The face is familiar and that person was assumed to have died over ten years ago. Matters get more complicated when Mac becomes suspected of murder. Finding out the true identities of the victim and the murderer becomes a priority in Mac’s life. Throw the challenge of impending romance into the mix and you have a quite entertaining tale. Nash Redwing has been her friend since their youth, but could this be changing? Mac has her doubts, but also hopeful expectations.

BOOK TITLE AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE:

I’ve titled the book Grave Maker Blues. It’s intended as part of a series called Shades of Blue. There are many references both literal and figurative which led me to the titles. Sarah’s middle name is Blue, as are all the family members on her father’s side. There’s a story behind that, and it’s explained in the book. Wouldn’t want to spoil the fun! The bar Mac owns, which she inherited from her father, Moe, is called Moe’s Deja Blue Bar and Grill. And last but not least, Nash Redwing plays guitar and sings blues music. I think you can guess the figurative reference to Shades of Blue.

PUBLICATION?

Once I’ve polished the work to its shiny best I will start the process of pedaling it off to an agent. (Fingers, toes, and eyes crossed!) Be waiting and watching for news about this.

I guess that’s about it. Thanks again to Jo Chumas. You’ll find anything and everything about her and her work at her website/blog: 
http://www.jochumas.com/blog and Twitter: @JoChumas . Her award winning novel, The Hidden, is available through such online retailers as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

**Now, for the not so great news I won’t be passing the baton, so to speak, to move this along to future blogs. I wasn’t able to persuade anyone to take on the task, but we all have super busy lives! Right? I wasn’t even sure if I’d get this out in time. Still, it’s all good. Cheers! And happy writing, everyone!

Kathryn Long
http://www.kathrynlong.webs.com 
Mystery Writer -- Lilly M Series
Dying to Dream
A Deadly Deed Grows (soon to be released)