Great book for fiction writers

I just finished a wonderful book on the art of writing: The Lie That Tells the Truth: A Guide to Writing Fiction by John Dufresne. This book is very thorough and covers all aspects of writing novels and short stories. I particularly enjoyed his chapter on crafting dialogue. Dufresne is a very talented writer with a number of novels and story collections under his belt. This book uses examples of quality writing to illustrate the techniques he is describing. It is easy to understand and an enjoyable read. I feel that it is worth reading this book for the many quotes from writers and other artists liberally sprinkled through its  pages. The Lie That Tells the Truth   is a valuable book for writers in all genres. I look forward to reading Dufresne's book on writing the novel.

Keep writing! Thanks for reading.

Jim Busch

Lawrence Ferlinghetti's Descriptive powers

One of the things that sets the work of great writers apart is their powerful descriptive powers. Lawrence Ferlinghetti demonstrated his descriptive skills in the following excerpt from his book of experimental plays Routines. This is his answer to the question, "What is man?"

"Man is a self-balancing, 28 jointed adapter-based biped; an electro-chemical reduction plant, integral with segregated stowages of special energy extracts in storage batteries, for subsequent actuation of thousands of hydraulic and pneumatic pumps with motors attached; 62,000 miles of capillaries; millions of warning, signal, railroad and conveyor systems; crushers and cranes (of which the arms are magnificent 23 jointed affairs with self-surfacing and lubricating systems and a universally distributed telephone system needing no service for 70 years if well managed); the whole extraordinarily complex mechanism guided with exquisite skill from a turret in which are located telescopic and microscopic self-registering and recording range finders, a spectroscope etc., the turret control being closely allied with an air-conditioning intake and exhaust and a main fuel intake

Within the few cubic inches housing the turret mechanisms, there is room also, for two soundwave and sound-direction finder recording diaphragms, a filing and instant reference system and an expertly devised analytical laboratory large enough not only to contain minute records of every last and continual event of up to 70 year's experience or more, but to extend, by computation and abstract fabrication, this experience with relative accuracy into all corners of the observed universe. There is, also, a forecasting and tactical plotting department for the reduction of future possibilities to generally successfully specific choice."

Writing your own detailed description of "man" is an exercise that is sure to sharpen your own descriptive powers. Another way to become a better writer is to attend the annual Ligonier Valley Writers Conference this summer.   

Thank you for reading this blog, please feel free to comment on it and to share it with others.

Keep your fingers on the keyboard, the ideas flowing and your dreams alive.

Jim Busch

Two great events for word lovers in 2014

In today's mail I received a post card promoting the 2014 Dodge Poetry Festival. This is the event that Bill Moyers covered in his series "The Language of Life." (This series is available on video and is well worth the effort of tracking it down). My wife and I attended this biannual event several times in the past and it was one of the most enjoyable events we've ever attended. We got to hear Robert Bly read his work and Coleman Barks perform his powerful translations of Rumi. We heard the Paul Winter Consort along with many other great performers, storytellers and poets. The festival also features one of the largest selections of books of poetry, literary fiction and how to books on writing. This year's festival will take place from October 23rd to the 26th at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark's downtown arts district. For more information go to www.DodgePoetry.org This is a great event for anyone who loves the spoken/written word.

The second must attend event for word lovers, particularly writers, is the 2014 Ligonier Valley Writer's Conference. The 2013 conference was one of the highlights of my year. I learned some very valuable new writing techniques and met some interesting and very creative people. Best of all, I walked away with my creative batteries fully charged and ready to write. I am still working on several ideas that came from the workshops I attended.

Both of these events are great ways to stimulate your creativity and kickstart your writing. The LVW will soon be announcing the deatails of this years conference. If you want to make 2014 the year that you get serious about writing, make sure that you are the first person to register.

Thanks for reading. Keep your mind working, your fingers on the keyboard and your dreams alive!