Wonderful book for writers

We live in an increasingly curated world. We are given suggestions on what to read and what to watch by sophisticated algorithms. These complex calculations determine what we will like by what we have enjoyed in the past. The problem with this approach is that we find ourselves being channeled into a narrow pathway like cattle sent down a shoot. 

There is something to be said for randomness and serendipity. I like to wander the secondhand stores and library sales to discover books that haven't been chosen for me. I delight in finding books that I've never heard of from authors tat are new to me. These books often take me to new and wonderful places that I didn't even know existed.

I just picked up a book that I found in just this way, The Little Virtues by Italian writer Natalie Ginzburg. This little book is a collection of essays about her life during and after World War II. The essay titled My Vocation is a very instructive and entertaining piece for any aspiring writer. When the Coronavirus Crisis is over I intend to track down some more of Ginzburg's books. 

One passage is particularly applicable in this time of quarantine: "at the moment someone is writing he is miraculously driven to forget the immediate circumstances of his own life."

Keep writing and stay safe.

Jim Busch 

John D MacDonald on what makes a story

What makes a story a story? Is it just a collection of words? An article on choosing a lawnmower is a collection of words, but it is hardly a story. Stories engage us. They pull us in and hold our interest. Here is author John D. MacDonald"s definition of what makes a story a story:

"Story is something happening to someone you've been led to care about."

A good story has two elements, characters we care about and a sequence of events which happen to them. 

Keep your cheeks in the seat and your fingers on the keyboard and keep writing. 

Thanks

Jim Busch

Great Flaubert quote

"It is a delicious thing to write, to be no longer yourself but to move in an entire universe of your own creating. Today, for instance, as man and woman, both lover and mistress, I rode in a forest on an autumn afternoon under the yellow leaves, and I was also the horses, the leaves, the wind, the words my people uttered, even the red sun that made them almost close their love-drowned eyes."--Gustave Flaubert

"This I Believe" writing workshop

Please join the Ligonier Valley Writers for a fun and informative writing workshop based on the classic Edward R. Murrow "This I Believe" radio program and books. Check out this link for info:        
http://triblive.com/aande/moreaande/13238335-74/ligonier-valley-writers-hosts-workshop-for-essays-on-guiding-beliefs

We hope to see you there. Thanks for reading

Jim Busch

The writer's duty according to Ursula K Le Guin

I have just learned that the great writer Ursula K Le Guin passed away at the age of 88. A prolific author she penned 20 novels, 12 books of poetry, hundreds of short stories and 13 children's books. Her books were translated into 40 languages and she sold millions of copies around the globe. Here is how Ursula K Le Guin described the true work of a writer.

"The writer's pleasant duty is to ply the reader's imagination with the best and purest nourishment that it can absorb."

Check out the LVWonline.org site for information on our upcoming programs. This spring we will be presenting programs on writing an Edward R. Murrow style "This I Believe" essay and a program on writing historical fiction in conjunction with Fort Ligonier.

Thanks for reading this post.

Jim Busch

How many writers does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

How many writers does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Six. One to screw it in, one to sharpen all the pencils in the house, one to make more coffee, one to call a friend to chat, and one to complain that there's never time to do any writing. Wait, that's only five — that's why they need editors.

This is a great joke but if you're serious about writing join the Ligonier Valley Writers in 2018. 

Thanks

Jim Busch

Advice from one of America's most successful writers

Louis L'Amour was a successful writer in anybody's book. In his life he wrote over 100 novels, published more than 250 short stories and had 320 million books in print in over 10 languages. He was a hardworking writer who knew how to engage his readers. Here is L'Amour's advice on how to start a book:

"Begin every story in the middle. The reader doesn't care how it begins, he wants you to get on with it."--Louis L'Amour

If you want to learn how to be a great writer, join the Ligonier Valley Writers. Information on joining and on our upcoming programs visit LVWonline.org

Thanks for reading

Wishes for a new book

Here is a verse found on an old bookplate that I feel that would serve as a sort of a "grace" for a new book:

May this volume continue in motion,
And its pages each day unfurl'd,
Till an ant has drunk up the ocean,
Or a tortoise has crawl'd round the world.

Long live writers and long live your book. If you want to write a book that lasts until the ants drink up the ocean, join the Ligonier Valley Writers. For more information go to lvwonline.com

How to lie by telling the truth

Here is a great quote on our art from the great novelist, Isabell Allende:

"You can tell the deepest truths with the lies of fiction."

Thanks for reading. If you want to get better at telling your truth with "the lie of fiction" the Ligonier Valley writer is here to help. For more info check out lvwonline.com

Nationally known author Randy Ross coming to Ligonier to speak

Randy Ross, author of God Bless Cambodia, will speak at the Ligonier Town Hall community room 7 PM on March 29^th. Booklist Online and other reviewers have praised Ross’s book, a fictional travel memoir, and compared it to Anne Tyler’s best-seller The Accidental Tourist. Mr. Ross is an entertaining and engaging speaker who has performed his work on stages across the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom. He will speak on the trials and travails of getting his novel published.

This performance is sponsored by the Ligonier Valley Writers.

Go to LVWonline.org for more information.

Lynda Barry on story structure

Here's a great quote from cartoonist/writer/graphic novelist Lynda Barry. I think I would file this under--Once you learn the rules you are allowed to break them! Barry has build a successful career by breaking with conventions and following her own unique muse. Her creativity is evident in the metaphor contained in this quote:

"People think if you're writing a story you have to follow story structure--it's like thinking the only reason we have teeth is because there are dentists." Lynda Barry

Thanks for reading. Be sure to visit  LVW.org to check out some of the exciting new programs for aspiring writers and all lovers of great storytelling.

 Jim Busch

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

Isaac Asimov's Thoughts on What Makes a Good Writer

Isaac Asimov was one of the young Carl Sagan's idols. He admired Asimov's great mind, his boundless curiosity and his way with words. Once Asimov got to know the young physicist and would be author, the feeling between these two men of science became mutual. A recently published book of Asimov's letters contained his thoughts on what made Carl Sagan a great writer. Here is what he wrote to him upon reading Sagan's work:

"I have just finished The Cosmic Connection and loved every minute of it. You are my idea of a good writer because you have an unmannered style, and when I read what you write, I hear you talking."

Both of these men had extraordinary vocabularies and a great facility with words, yet they both were able to communicate complicated subjects using simple words. This is great advice for anyone who aspires to be a writer.

Here is another bit of good advice for anyone who wants to write, or who would like to improve their writing...Join the Ligonier Valley Writers. The LVW offers writers opportunities to have their work published. We also offers a number of seminars throughout the year on a wide range of subject of interest to writers. To learn more about go to lvwonline.org

Thanks for reading.

Forget the facts, tell me your story!

The world of science and the world of the arts seldom overlap but here is a great quote from cognitive scientist Roger C. Shank that connects the two:

"Humans are not ideally set up to understand logic; they are ideally set up to understand stories."

I spent many, many years as a professional persuader, also known as a salesman. During my career I saw some of my colleagues talk themselves blue in the face going over the facts and details of their products to no avail. Those who could tell a good story describing how the items they happened to be selling would help the prospective clients almost always got the sale. Everybody has to tell stories to get through this world, we writers are just a little more honest about what we do than the average individual.

If you need help telling your stories, be sure to keep checking the Ligonier Valley Writer's website ( LVWonline.org ) for upcoming events and classes.

Thanks for reading.

Jim Busch 

Creating an Empathy Machine

I was listening to a radio interview with John Landgraf, the CEO of the cable network FX. He was talking about the importance of story in building an audience for his company. The show's host asked him how he defined what constitutes a "good" story. I really like he answer and believe that it not only applies to TV scripts but to any good writing. Here is what he said,

" A story is an empathy machine that allows us to see the world through the eyes and minds of others."

I think this succinct statement is as good a definition of a good story as any I have read. We writers are the mechanics who build "empathy machines" to help others see the world from a different perspective.

Thanks for reading.

Jim Busch for the Ligonier Valley writers.  

Opportunities to Publish Your Non-Fiction Writing

Creative Non-Fiction is a magazine dedicated to publishing quality non-fiction articles, memoirs and essays. Founded by Lee Guttkind, the self proclaimed "Godfather" of the creative non-fiction genre, this literary magazine publishes the work of some of America's greatest writers as well as pieces from new writers. Currently their website ( https://www.creativenonfiction.org ) lists two contests and a request for queries for its regular columns.

Creative non-fiction is distinguished by its use of fiction writing techniques to make non-fiction pieces more engaging for the reader. A thoughtful reading of Creative Non-fiction magazine is a great way to learn from the masters of this medium and enhance your writing. Another way to polish your writing skills is to join the Ligonier Valley Writers. Check out LVWonline.org to join or to learn about upcoming event and seminars.

Thanks for reading.

Jim Busch

Mark Twain--Self-publisher and Marketer

Mark Twain is remembered as one of America's greatest writers. People often forget that he was also a genius at marketing himself and his books. When he published his first books, he felt that the publishing houses of his day took advantage of him by taking the lion's share of the proceeds from his creative work. Twain took a step that is common in our day, but was groundbreaking in his; he decided to become his own publisher. Since he was living a century before digital publishing became available, he did this by making arrangements with a printer and starting his own publishing house.

Because he lacked the capital of an established house, he sold his books by subscription, essentially selling the books before they were printed and collecting at least part of the revenue upfront. Twain recruited commissioned sales people across the country to go door to door selling his books. He gave his representatives detailed instructions on selling his books and even how to sell special editions in more luxurious bindings. You can find these instructions by Googling "Mark Twain-how to be a successful agent." When Twain learned that another publishing company was taking advantage of his dear friend Ulysses Grant, Twain stepped up and offered him a much more favorable deal for his memoirs. This turned into one of the most lucrative publishing ventures of the 19th century.

I often talk to fellow writers that tell me they've published a book (or several), but then apologize for self-publishing it. They act as if this is "cheating" and it somehow diminishes their accomplishment. My response is that, "If self-publishing is good enough for the author of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, it should be good enough for any writer."

If you want to learn more about writing, publishing or just want to spend time with other creative types, join the Ligonier Valley Writers today. You can reach the LVW at www.LVWonline.org

Thanks for reading this post.

Jim Busch

 

What's the difference between writers and liars?

Here is a great quote for writers and storytellers of all kinds:

"A storyteller makes up things to help other people, a liar makes things up to help himself." Daniel Wallace

This says something about writers, though writers are often thought of as recluses or anti-social, they are motivated out of love. They don't write for themselves (that's a diarist), they write to share with others. We all secretly hope that our work will touch others and maybe make their world just a little better.

Keep those stories coming. Thanks

Jim Busch for the Ligonier Valley Writers

An "Ad Man" on the power of words

As part of my preparation to write my monthly advertising column I reread A Technique for Producing Ideas by James Webb Young. Young was one of the original "Mad Men" and he helped create the modern advertising industry. His book is ine of the best works on the creative process I've ever found. While written for business people, I believe it has value for writers and artists as well. Here is a quote from A Technique for Producing Ideas that I think is of particular interest to writers:

"We tend to forget that words are themselves ideas. They might be called ideas in a state of suspended animation. When the words are mastered the ideas come alive again."

Young's book is still in print and available on Amazon. It is a thin volume, my 1956 edition has just 61 pages. I believe it is a good read for anyone who wants to stimulate their creativity.

If you are looking for a place to enhance and display your creativity check out the Ligonier Valley Writers Website: lvwonline.org

Thanks for reading.

Jim Busch

Louise Penny on Developing a Character

My wife and kids accuse me of watching "Nerd TV." Perhaps they are right because one of my favorite shows is "Well Read," which airs on the cable channel WQEDW (201 on my cable system). I just watched a fascinating interview with Louise Penny, author of the Inspector Armand Gamache mystery series. When asked how she created the character, Ms. Penny replied, "I imagined him as the kind of man I would like to marry." Contrary to the advice given to most first time authors, she said that she didn't consider the market when she created the first book in her series. She did not expect the book to be published, so she wrote for her own enjoyment. Ms. Penny wanted the act of writing the book itself to be her reward, her payoff,  for doing the work. She advised writers to embrace the act of writing, "You might write ten pages about a handsome man your encounter or ten pages about a bouquet of roses." These pages probably won't be part of your finished book, but write them anyway."

If you are a writer or interested in becoming one, visit the the Ligonier Valley Writers website http://www.lvwonline.org/ to learn more about upcoming LVW programs. You will also find information on submitting your articles, stories, poems or artwork for the upcoming edition of the Loyalhanna Review.

Keep writing, keep thinking , and keep the ideas flowing.

Thanks for reading.

Jim Busch