All posts tagged: Kathy Steffen

Write On, Wednesday: World Building for Women’s Fiction

By Leslie Lindsay I have been working on the second draft of my first novel for awhile now.  It’s one of those two- steps-forward-one-step-back type of thing.  If you’re a writer, then you probably know exactly what I mean.  An important piece to the second draft  is adding my “magic” (as my writing partner likes to refer to it).  Call it your “voice” or character development or perhaps worldbuilding, or whatever you need to, but just make sure you get it in there.  Wait a minute, back the novel train up!  “Worldbuilding,” you exclaim “is for fantasy and sci-fi, not for women’s fiction.”  Oh, but I beg to differ.  Every book–whether it’s historical fiction, a spy novel, or women’s fiction–deserves to have special attention paid to it’s ‘world.’  Worldbuilding is simply constructing an imaginary world often in conjuction with a fictional context.  Here’s how worldbuilding can enhance your work:  It defines a sense of place Worldbuilding is the landscape of imagination It adds depth and meaning, perhaps symbolism and way to infuse theme Can be a great way to brainstorm within your …

Write On, Wednesday: Creating a World So Believable Your Critique Partners Think You’re Having an Affair

By Leslie Lindsay Last evening, I took my writing to the library critique group.  I have been going and sharing my work with this bunch of writers for about two years now.  I know most of the folks pretty well, even though it’s not an inclusive group–it’s constantly changing, as all good groups do. These writers are very familiar with the current story–well, novel–I am working on.  It’s title, “Slippery Slope.”  It wasn’t really intended to turn into a novel.  Heck, I never saw myself as a novelist…it sounds so fancy and grown-up.  But I knew I wanted to write.  There is a point of all of this:  I got some good feedback.  I got some ideas for revision.  I got some new thoughts, too.  Thank you, fellow writers.  But here is one thing I wasn’t expecting to hear:  “Oh my!  It sounds like you are really having an affair!”  Helllooo!!  My character is.  Emphasis on character. It’s an emotional affair at this point, but I think that still counts, huh?  (and no, I am not having …

Write on, Wednesday: Decontrusting a Novel

By Leslie Lindsay We writers love to read.  It kind of goes with the territory.  So, it is surprise that while I was away on a writing retreat at the University Wisconsin-Madison last week, we talked about just that…writers who read and readers who write.  Now, if you have a book you are wild about, why not take it apart…I don’t mean literally, but more in a metaphorical way.  It will help you become a better writer.  Here’s the deal: Get your hands on a book/novel you really like.  You’ve read it before, I am sure. Now, prepare a little worksheet (I know, it sounds like school…but I did mine on a piece of scrap paper from the kitchen last night). What’s the title?  Write it down on the top of your paper.  Author, too. What does the back cover blurb say?  Write it down or make a photocopy.  What are some of the familiar (everyday, commonplace) themes/elements in the book?  [doctors, families, moms, infidelity] What’s the unique angle?  (what makes this book different from …

Write on, Wednesday! Writin’ by the Lake

By Leslie Lindsay (image retrieved from the Madison Visitors Center website 6.21.12)   I am having an absolute ball here in Madison, WI at the “Write-by-the-Lake” retreat hosted by the University of Wisconsin.  Here’s how life doesn’t get much better:  writing instruction, good group of peers who also like to write, good shopping, a nice location, yummy things to eat, and some time alone.  Here are the downsides: I miss my dog. And my family.  That’s why I just spent the afternoon doing a little shopping for them…arrowheads and university tee shirts and books…now if I could only find something for the hound).    Another downside to all of this learning and time alone:  I perseverate.  A lot.  As our instructor, Kathy Steffen says, “I am throwing you all of this information like a fireman with a hose.”  It’s a lot.  I think I have acquired something like 22 hand-outs/worksheets since the first day of class.  Have I looked at them again?  Well…not exactly.  (But shhhh….don’t tell Kathy Steffen).  In fact, there is a little something to …