Learned or Innate?

I received my Writers Digest Book Club monthly mailing today. Thirty-one pages of books and software promising to make me a better writer.

The books offered vary widely in range. Some provide step-by-step instructions for writing a novel. Others offer inspiration. Some contain historical or factual details which may be useful. Others address common concerns such as grammar and use of idioms.

I've bought a few books over the last year or so. My favorite is Between the Lines, which includes an in-depth discussion of the subtleties of writing a good novel. I have a few research books, and I've bought some books for two of my sons who are aspiring writers.

I've heard some writers say they never use those books, preferring to write strictly by instinct. I know other writers swear by books, workshops, seminars--anything to help.

So what makes a good writer? Can writing be learned, or is it an innate talent? Could a gifted writer rise above a mediocre education to produce great literature? Could someone with a scientific mind be taught how to write well? What do you think?

I want to write my blog tonight, but the words aren't there. I just came home from 3 1/2 days of traveling. We're taking off again on Friday, insha Allah.

There are times when I'm writing and my character is rendered nearly speechless by something someone has said or done. So I use body language instead. He nods silently. She walks away.

Like they say, actions speak louder than words.

Something Different

This afternoon I was interviewed by a reporter at Bridges TV. It was an enjoyable experience.

Of course, what author doesn't like talking about her creations? We discussed themes and characters, along with a little personal background. The reporter was professional and courteous. It went well.

He expects the program to air in May or June, insha Allah. I'll let you know.

You Can't Win 'Em All

Today I woke up to an email from someone on a writer's site I've joined. He said my books are "boring and cheap."

He's never read my books, and is going only by the brief description I posted on the site. And he's not a literary heavyweight. He's a 15-year old who lives on the other side of the world and aspires to write fantasy. I didn't comment on the work he posted because I'm not really into fantasy. To each his own genre.

So my young critic is not highly qualified to pass judgement--he just know what he likes. And that's fine. He doesn't have a fancy title, but everyone above the age of 14 who reads is qualified, in some sense, to critique my work. And not everyone will like it.

It's tempting to have dreams of changing the world with my words. That's my fantasy. But not everyone will read my books. And not everyone will love them. That's life.

We can't change the wotld--only our own small patches of the universe.

Fact or Fantasy?

Should children be exposed to fairy tales? You know, the ones where the wicked stepmother plots against the beautiful girl or where the lazy young man steals and murders the rightful owner. That's right. The ones many of us grew up with. The ones which have become part of our culture.

The tales are violent, exhibiting the worst in human character. They also teach lessons about jealousy and greed. Sometimes you take the good with the bad.

Or should our children be steered away from fantasy altogether? Should they be exposed to only facts instead? Certainly there is enough in the world to learn.

What about storytelling as a whole? Is it a waste of time or a useful cultural expression? I've heard both viewpoints. And all of these points matter more when we are talking about our children.

Like Cleaning the House Before the Maid Arrives. . .

When I wrote my first novel, I had full confidence in my own ability to edit the manuscript. I pored over the words and phrases, watching for grammatical errors and smoothing my expressions. I was quite proud of myself.

Now I feel embarrassed. My atttitude was typical of the hubris of the beginner. I can do it. I know it all. In reality, I knew much less.

My last three novels have been professionally edited. The editor meticulously checks the grammar, down to the last comma. She also peruses the plot for holes or inconsistencies, and offers valuable hints.

The strange thing is, before I send a manuscript to her I make sure it is as error-free as possible. I become obsessed. I don't want to send her a piece full of holes, even though her job is to plug up the holes--within reason, of course.

I wonder how many other writers edit their works before sending them to the editor.

To Be Concise

Last week I was asked to write a sentence or two in tribute to someone. That simple exercise took me three days.

Before my books are published, I must write a short bio and a synopsis, each with a word count. I dread doing these.

I'm currently working on a novel which runs about 370 pages--before editing and formatting. This is easier for me than to write a short piece with a limited word count.

Some people think that writing a book requires more talent, but I'm in awe of the short story writer.

Getting the Word Out

My books are selling on Amazon at an unprecedented rate. I just checked.

The reason I'm writing is to offer a different perspective and a fresh understanding of Islam in America. I want people to read my books and come away with lasting impressions. As one teenage reader said, reading Rebounding helped her to become a better Muslim.

It would also be nice to write a best seller sometime before I die. But that's not why I write.

Each of us has to do his or her part to spread truth and peace in whatever way possible.

Stressful Writing

I just finished writing an argument. I like writing arguments because I can think of the meanest, most hurtful thing one character could say to another. It's a catharsis.

But it's also stressful. That's why I'm taking a break right now before plunging back into my story.

Finding Isaiah

In Echoes, he was an infant. He barely received mention in Rebounding. Turbulence showed him as a caring, curious--and somewhat rebellious--teen. In Ripples, he takes the spotlight.

I have never had as much trouble with a character as I've had with Isaiah. He's stubborn and sweet, intelligent and immature. I started writing Ripples three times before I could find Isaiah's voice. In one incarnation, he went completely over to the dark side--so to speak. In another he was weak and ineffectual.

I have it now. Isaiah is a young man full of nuances and contradictions.

Aren't we all? (Well, not young necessarily, but you know what I mean!)

Exhilaration

It's nearly 1 a.m. and I barely noticed the time. I'm just now feeling sleepy.

That's writing can do to you.

Looking for a Perfect World

On Monday night I finished another revision of Ripples, the next book in the Echoes Series. I guess that's why I haven't written in my blog since Monday. My routine has been disrupted. The fact is, for the last two nights I've shut my laptop down before realizing that I hadn't blogged. I was tired and decided to leave it for the next day.

In both reading and writing, there's a letdown at the end. I'm about 10 pages away from completing a novel, and that will also be a bit disappointing. For days, I have become involved in the lives of the characters. Soon I will close the book and leave them behind.

I plan to begin another revision of Ripples sometime this weekend--maybe even tomorrow. I used to count the number of revisions. Now I don't. What matters is that the finished product is almost as good as it could be. It will never be perfect. (Ask my publisher how often I've annoyed her by trying to make last minute changes before the book goes to print.)

Which is probably why I haven't read Turbulence yet--not since receiving my copies. I'm afraid of finding a terrible mistake I somehow overlooked. I'll wait for the reactions of my readers before picking it up and going back into that world.

I've heard it said that most artists are perfectionists. I know I am. Though I gave up long ago in my efforts to mold the world into my vision. Raising six boys will do that to you.

The world I live in is not perfect. But I hope to make the world of my characters as close to the ideal as possible.

Conveying Emotions

A few days ago, my 14-year old son came to me for some writing advice. How, he asked, can I make the characters so real that their experiences will affect the reader?

My first piece of advice is the one I share frequently, especially with new writers. Don't worry about the first draft. Just get the story down on paper. After that's done, you can go back and add the finishing touches.

Also, I told him that I empathize with my characters. When I'm writing, their struggles, even their thoughts, become mine. It's hard to draw the line. I imagine their voices. I can picture them. When I'm writing, they are real to me.

And add physical description. In Rebounding I wrote a major fight scene. In order to get the scene written correctly, I silently acted out some of the easier moves--when no one was looking. Later I asked my boys to actually pantomime the fight, which they were eager to do. I needed to see where a right jab would land in order to imagine how much damage would be done, especially if the fight continued over several minutes. Again, I want to emphasize, my boys only pantomimed the scene. No one was hurt.

My biggest challenge, when writing emotion, is finding different ways to convey 'smiling' or 'crying.' I need to be careful that my writing doesn't become redundant. Other body language helps. Though, once, I was writing about an African-American reacting to shocking news and, in my first draft, I said, "She turned white." Later, of course, I changed it--after I had a good laugh at myself.

Emotions are complex, and we want our readers to feel them. I love to hear someone say I made her cry. That means I did my job well.

Satisfaction

Copies of Turbulence showed up at my door today, courtesy of UPS. Alhamdulillah.

I eagerly opened a box and held a copy. I flipped through it, reading passages I became very familiar with when they existed only on my laptop monitor. See your own words in print is a wonderful experience.

I've already related my difficulties in writing Turbulence. I ran up against some real-life difficulties in the two or more years since starting this story. I also encountered a few dilemmas within the story itself.

The first third of the book didn't exist in early versions. I wrote that in later. And still, I knew the story was lacking. The answer came to me, but I tried to ignore it. I didn't like it. Still, it nagged at me and wouldn't leave me alone. Finally I gave in. I adopted a new angle in my story line, going back and editing the text to make it more feasible. The story began to gel. At last.

Turbulence has been my most turbulent writing experience to date. There were times when I thought it would never be published.

Alhamdulillah.

"Nothing New Under the Sun"

I had an interesting discussion with my 17-year old last night. He's an avid reader and an aspiring writer, and he remarked how there seems to be no new plot. He's worried that when he's ready to complete his novel (he started one a couple years ago, but abandoned it), there will be nothing new to say. "Hasn't it all been said before?"

Yes, I believe it has. The love story, and all the possible complications of love. War. Fear. Anger and revenge. Crime stories. Horror stories. Fantasy and even science fiction. The details change, but the basic plot structure has been done countless times before.

His next question was, "Why do people read the same plots then?" My example was the movies he likes. Many of the extra-terrestial movies blend together in my mind, all more similar than different. But he watches them all, and we've purchased several of them. Even if he watches the same movie twenty times, he still finds something to enjoy.

I don't know why this happens, but it does. As it was written over 2500 years ago, there truly is nothing new under the sun.

But that shouldn't discourage us writers. Our challenge is to take an age-old story and tell it with engaging characters and, perhaps, a new twist.

Isn't that what creativity is all about?

Turbulence!

During the week, I frequently check out Amazon. Tonight, when I searched for the "Kolocotronis" page, I had a pleasant surprise. Turbulence is now available.

My publisher, Sr. Widad, has informed me that my copies of Turbulence have shipped and, I assume, they will arrive soon. Two sisters have pre-ordered, and I'm offering them special discounts.

Because of the death of my website administrator, I can't yet upload information on Turbulence to my site. But I hope you will look for Turbulence on the web. In addition to Amazon, you can find the description and cover at www.muslimwriterspublishing.com.

Read the story of Brad Adams. He's a complicated man with a turbulent history few have been aware of, and his journey is only the first step.

And be sure to let me know what you think!

Unexpected

We all know humans are mortal, but we're still shocked and surprised when someone whom we know is taken. Death happens. . .but only to strangers. Right?

Last Saturday, I learned that the webmaster for my writer's website had died unexpectedly. He was around my age, probably younger. Too young to die. Right?

I knew Morey only online. There were weeks when I never thought of him. But his absence is felt by all the writers who depended on him. Now he's often in my thoughts.

Life may be short. . .or shorter. Only Allah knows how long each of us has. And when someone you know dies, even if the relationship is only in cyberspace, you are forced to confront your own mortality.

Many thoughts ran through my mind when I heard. What about Morey's novel, the one he hoped to make into a movie? What about his family and friends? Did I tell him enough about Islam? Why didn't I send the updates for Turbulence earlier so he could have posted them? What should I do now?

We laugh nervously at funerals. We think about the impact on our own lives. And we wonder about death. Often, we're too uncomfortable to speak of it. But we know it's there.

Nobody lives forever. So we'd better do as much as we can while we're able. Right?

The Family Business

I attended my 17-year old's parent-teacher conference today. Several of the teachers remarked on what a gifted writer he is.

He has a distinctive style, often choosing ornate words when something simpler would suffice. But his writing doesn't sound pretentious. It flows. Four of his teachers said they're anxious to see what he's doing in ten years, and they expect him to be well-known.

My 14-year old is also a writer. His genre is horror, and he never passes up an opportunity to compose stories about violent encounters with the natural and the supernatural.

So we have at least three writers in the family, all very different. And my granddaughter is already showing signs through her love of books.

Not all of my children are writers. One strongly dislikes having to write, though he comes out with some very literary expressions sometimes. Another writes short, non-descriptive sentences and paragraphs. Fluid, but not very enthusiastic.

I'm proud of all six of my sons. And it is nice to know that two of them, at least, are interested in following in my footsteps.

Continuing the series

While I wait for my copies of Turbulence to arrive, I'm working on the rest of the series.

Ripples is coming along slowly. Today I didn't write at all. I attended a history conference instead. But the characters are slowly coming together, becoming stronger, and the writing is getting more concise.

During the conference today, I tried listening to a speaker whose lecture I had anticipated. Unfortunately, his voice was so soft I could hear almost nothing he said. Fortunately, he did provide a handout. So I read through the handout and packed it up for future reference.

Then I pulled out my writing notebook and developed an approach I've been considering for Silence, the last book in the series. I managed to write more than a page, and I think it will work. I need to do more research.

When I submitted my first book, Innocent People, to various publishers (ultimately I decided I couldn't wait and self--published) I wondered what I would do during the months it would take for the publishers to get back to me. I decided to immediately start another book, which became Echoes. I need to stay busy. It helps.

I don't write every day, but I can't really stop either.

What about you?

Days of Turbulence

You know how it starts--if you read Rebounding, anyway. A tragedy or a mystery? That's the first question.

And I've told you that the main character in this book is Brad. He's first-born, an accomplished mechanical engineer who has worked his way through the ranks. He has two sons and a wife. They live in Evanston, a suburb of Chicago, in a five-bedroom house with a three-car garage. Success and prosperity mean a great deal to Brad. In fact, they define him.

Until the plane crash. That changes everything.

And that's where I need to stop. Brad's journey is complex, and cannot be summed up in a few sentences. Besides, I don't want to spoil any of the surprises.

Turbulence is ready for you. Are you ready?

Get Ready!

Technically, Turbulence has already been published. The official date of publication was February 9. But, in my own eyes, it's not published until I hold a copy in my hands.

That day is coming soon. Today I sent in my order to the printing company. I should have them in two weeks--possibly less.

Holding my newly-published book can't compare to holding my newborn. But it is a special moment. All those hours. All those pages. All those commas. And writing a book actually takes longer than carrying an unborn child. (It's also much easier on the body!)

Two readers have already contacted me with their orders. Over the next week I'll work to update my website. I'm nearly ready for the new arrival.

And once you read Turbulence, I really want to discuss it with you.

Nearly ready!

The final proof has been approved and Turbulence is now officially ready for the printer.

The writing of this book has been turbulent. It began in a little white house in Worcester, MA. When we moved to Wisconsin, I set aside my writing long enough to pack. And unpack. Soon after we arrived, I began teaching part-time. I lived for the moments before, after, and between classes when I could return to my story.

Not only that. The book which Turbulence has become is much different than the story I started out with. I was on my third or fourth draft when I realized I was leaving out an important point. I tried to ignore it, but it wouldn't go away. As I've said, and as other writers will say, I didn't so much create the story as discover it. When I stepped back and allowed my instincts to take over, the book began to come together.

Turbulence is also special in another way. Back in 2003, I think, I had a very interesting dream. There were many components and it was rich with plots. The dream inspired me to write Echoes--the main character of my dream was Joshua. Echoes flowed into Rebounding and then Turbulence. All three books emerged, in some way, from that single dream.

Now I am making revisions on Ripples. This story is also engaging. But I struggled to begin, to identify my characters, because this is the first book which is not part of that one dream. By the time you read it, I hope it will be every bit as strong and interesting as the others.

But Turbulence is special. In a few weeks you'll be able to read it, and I think you will see what I mean.

Overcoming intimidation

About a week ago, I wrote that I had trouble writing because I was at a difficult scene and didn't have time to adequately deal with it.

I managed to procrastinate all this time. Finally, this morning, I sat down and worked with the scene. It's smoother now, and more powerful.

And I learned that the only impediment to my success was my own fear.

The Problem with Creativity

I received a note from my son's science teacher today. He has A's in every area except homework. That area needs to be worked on. But the teacher noted that he is creative. Very creative.

Which is probably why it's so hard for him to do the homework. Who wants to sit and write out answers when your mind is writing stories. A few minutes ago he finished telling me his plot for one of his books. He has two series planned. (He's ahead of me. After Echoes Series, I can't think of starting another one.) His stories are full of blood and revenge. The plots hold together. I can't wait to read them.

But he doesn't want to do his homework. He refuses to fit into the norms of society. He always has. I did have a talk with him. I showed him the website of a college in Europe which I know he would like to attend. I emphasized that he will have to do well in high school in order to attend this college. (He's in 8th grade now.) I hope that will be a strong enough incentive.

I'm sure his mind will wander, though, when he's supposed to be taking notes or writing down formulas. Just as mine always has. He'll stare at the blackboard while envisioning swords and dragons. And next fall another teacher will tell me he's not doing his homework and he has trouble focusing.

An imagination is a wonderful thing. The problem is trying to keep it reined in.

That's something I'm still trying to learn. As old as I am, it probably doesn't matter anymore.

Can't figure this out

For some reason, my last two posts for this blog have appeared in my other blog, Echoes of Peace. I hope you will check them out.

And I hope to fix this soon. I'll keep working at it.

Not enough sleep

I just wrote today's post for this blog and accidentally uploaded it to a different blog. I need to go to bed earlier. Later I'll correct it.

Remember, getting adequate sleep is important for writers. And other people, too.

Afraid to write (well, kind of, in a manner of speaking)

As I've said, I'm working on revisions for Ripples, the fourth book in the Echoes Series. (I'm waiting for the word on Turbulence. Very, very soon.)

But I have a problem. I'm at the point of revising a major scene. Much emotion. It has to be done just right.

So what am I doing these days? I'm shopping. I'm surfing the internet. I'm watching TV. I'm interacting with my family.

And every day I open my Ripples file. I look at the first few sentences of that scene. I minimize and run off to my next activity. Because I know once I get started on that scene, it will require all of me.

I won't be able to dabble with it. I can't change a few lines before picking up my purse or polish a sentence during the commercial break. It's not that kind of scene.

I'm stuck in limbo. I want to work on my book, but I know I have to deal with that scene. Right now I simply don't have the time or concentration it needs. I won't be able to do it justice. I simply open the file and think about else I need to be doing.

I can't wait until my life becomes a little quieter so I can jump back into Ripples and run with it. Soon, I hope.

I'm not really writing these days (I've said that a lot lately, haven't I?). But I am enjoying myself. And when I do get back to it, I will be so ready no one will be able to stop me.

I hope.

Don't give up

When I was in high school, I wrote many short stories. And one novel. None has been published. I did make a few hesitant attempts to publish one or two of my short stories. But I didn't really think it would happen. And it didn't.

It took me over 30 years to try again. When i did, I decided not to accept rejection or defeat. It's still a long, hard road somedays. Trying to get my books noticed. Searching for the marketing approach which could catapult me into the national spotlight. Wishing and dreaming. Sometimes planning.

Two days ago I was walking through the bookstore, determined not to leave until I found the perfect book to buy with my 15% off coupon (talk about marketing!). I chose many. Some I thunbed through. It took me nearly 90 minutes to decide. Partly because I wasn't satisfied with the quality of many of the books I browsed.

My mother tells me I can write well. And various other friends and relatives. But I needed that validation. I can write as well as others whose books grab the attention of major publishers and end up on the shelves of large chain bookstores.

If they can do it, I think I can too. Some write much better than I do, but all it takes is practice and determination. I think I can. . .I think I can. . .I think I can.

No best-selling author was born that way. Each had to work for recognition. And so will I.

(Although, actually, that's just a fringe benefit. I write because I must.)

Reading and Writing

I don't normally read another novel while I'm working on one of my own, but I recently made an exception. I started the book weeks ago, and recently returned to it and became hooked on the characters.

The book is The Kite Runner. It's been on my reading list for quite a while--I bought it about a year ago. I'm glad I finally took the time to read it.

The main characters were well developed and the story was gripping as it linked the lives of the characters with events in Afghanistan over the last 30 years. The conflict was real and the ending was satisfying. I won't say anything more, for those of you who may not have read it yet. I do recommend this book.

Writers are also readers. I don't remember a time in my life when I didn't love books. My mother began taking me to the library when I was a toddler. In grade school, my best friend and I spent our time together by reading. My husband, and sons, complain sometimes about the number of books in our house. Especially when we have to move. I feel a certain excitement when beginning a new story, and a certain let down when I finish it.

In recent years, I've begun reading much more critically. I note what the author did well, and silently criticize him or her when I feel I could have done better. When reading a mystery, I read the first 20 or 30 pages and then skip to the ending. After I know the solution to the mystery, I continue reading to see how the writer arrived at the conclusion.

Reading is not only enjoyable, it's an integral part of what it means to be a writer. And I would advise any young writer to read as much as possible. Words are our tools, and we learn by studying the craftsmanship of others.

Not in the mood

I haven't kept up with my blogs this week. And I don't have a good reason for that. My health is greatly improved. I have plenty of time. It's only that I haven't felt much like writing this week.

Which is okay, once in a while. If I make a habit of it, I will be in serious trouble. But sometimes writers need breaks from the written word.

I have made some progress on my newest novel, even writing in important revisions. But I've covered only a handful of pages. Still, it is progress.

And that's what's really important. Moving ahead, sometimes plodding, occasionally pausing for a break--but never giving up.

It's been said that many have books they could write. But the writers are those of us who stick with it. Sometimes racing to the climax. Sometimes making unimpressive gains. Always writing.

Or at least thinking about it.

Show and Tell

This topic is discussed often in writers' circles, and I have probably addressed it before. But it bears repeating because it is crucial to good writing.

I am in the process of revising Ripples, the fourth books. (BTW, Turbulence will be out in a matter of weeks, insha Allah.) In my early drafts, I told. The important thing was to get the story down and I didn't take time to work with the details. In my current and later revisions, I need to pay more attention.

For instance, in one passage I simply said, "Uncle Brad is irritated." Then I went on with another part of the story.

Uncle Brad is irritated. How can you tell? What did he say? What did he do? How did you react? All these are essential.

So I'm enjoying myself these days by filling in the gaps. Showing is so much more fun than telling. I love to write a good argument. (It's a great stress reliever.)

Don't just tell your readers that Mary is sad or the building is beautiful. Show them. Describe it to them. They want to see it too.

Getting new ideas

I didn't write again today. For the first time in over a month I felt normal. So I pursued one of my favorite pastimes. Going grocery shopping. I could explain, but that's not the purpose of this blog.

Just because I wasn't sitting at my laptop doesn't mean I wasn't working on my writing. I observed. Sometimes, if I'm in a very good observational mood, I will watch others--discreetly, of course--and imagine the spaces in their lives. The woman at the check out counter. Does she have children? A husband? How was her childhood? What clues can I gain from her mannerisms, her communication, and even the way she dresses?

What about the woman strolling the aisles of the health food store with her husband? Why were they there? Did either one have a major health concern? Were they looking at the juices because they like juice or because it helps with health concerns?

And what about the lone clerk in the bookstore? Was he counting the hours until the end of his shift, or did he enjoy his job as much as he appeared to? What does he do when he's not at work? What does he read?

This all sounds very nosy, I know. But I wonder. Even when I watch the other cars on the road, I wonder where they're going. And why.

And when I write, I fill in the blanks. I develop composite characters from the people I've met or come across, assigning them emotions, backgrounds, and preferences.

Other times I watch people to find those who look most like my characters. But that's another topic.

A Writer's Day Off

I read an article recently which suggested writers should not work feverishly to complete a book. Instead, we should write for only one hour a day. At that pace, according to author of the article, the book will be completed and ready for publication at the end of a year.

I don't follow any hard and fast rules for how much time should be spent writing. Some have day jobs or small children, and so must write whenever they can. Others are able to spend large blocks of time writing and refining.

When I wrote my first novel, Innocent People, I had to force myself to sit for two hours every day and write. The more I wrote, the more comfortable I became. Now I have days when I don't pay attention to anything but my writing.

Today was not one of those days. I watched the morning news, took a shower, dozed a little, watched my soap opera (oops--my secret's out!), ate lunch, checked my email, browsed the internet, watched the evening news and, later, a movie. I never even opened the file for my newest work. I didn't attempt to enter one of the contests which ended today (I actually have nearly 3 hours left). Except for a few short emails, and my blogs, I simply did not write.

Each of us has to find a pace which works best. I prefer to run headlong toward the finish line, and then take a day off. Or two. And even though I love to write, I don't have to do it every single day. I didn't accomplish much today, but sometimes that's enough.

Cliches

I was recently told that some of my characters, at least in one section, border on the cliche. I respect the person who told me this. He has many years of experience behind him. But I respectfully disagree.

It is easy to fall into cliches. Sometimes I make a game of it. A character--someone who is older--will use a cliche. Another character will comment on this. Or a character will consistently use the same cliched phrase. We all know people who do this.

Growing up in the Midwest, I learned some great cliches. I'm not going to let them go to waste. My favorite one, which I heard several years ago, was "I wouldn't wear that to a dog fight." Descriptive, isn't it?

But of course we must be careful. And it is especially tricky when we give our characters life situations. Sometimes life seems to be one giant cliche. But we need to make our writing stand apart. Find something different. My characters, who do seem in the beginning to follow the standard American lifestyle, end up being very different.

As with everything else, using and avoiding cliches is a balancing act. All of writing is. And all of life is, isn't it?

The better word

First I must apologize because over the last two or three weeks I seem to repeat my posts. I don't realize this until the new post has gone out. I don't think I can blame my age. Fifty is the new thirty, isn't it? Maybe I can still blame the flu.

I was reading over a story I first wrote last summer. It's okay, but it's not ready for publication. What it needs, more than anything, is the better word.

Correct use of language is an exercise in precision. In a story or novel, it depends greatly on the character. While one character may say "guys," another most certainly would not. I must know my characters and sense their language, their habits. Everything.

And I must choose the best words. Should I use "come back" or should I write "return"? Again, it depends greatly on the character and the mood I want to set. Is my character a teenager? What is his or her level of education? How comfortable is he or she with language?

My premier character, Joshua, is very comfortable. That's his nature. So even after he completes his college education, he is more likely to use the casual word or phrase. Other characters though, like Evie and Brad, pride themselves on a vocabulary which exhibits a higher level of sophistication. Though it also depends on the circumstances. When Brad is relaxing with his brothers, his language is much different than when he is speaking with his boss. Isn't that true for all of us?

In a sense, I am again repeating myself. Words are everything to the writer. I have my own favorite thesaurus which I keep close at hand. It helps me keep my writing fresh and crisp. Dullness of expression will kill even the most interesting story or article.

Write carefully.

Gotta write!

I don't remember which movie it was in, but one of my favorite musical scenes is the one in which Gene Kelly sings, "Gotta Dance." And he does.

I just sent the final copy of Turbulence back to the publisher. It won't be long now. I felt relieved to be finished. When I told my mother, she asked what I will do now. I replied that I'll take a couple days off from writing before getting to work on the next books--Ripples.

I've tried to stop writing at various times, but without much success. I can go for two or three days before my fingers itch for the keyboard. And browsing the internet doesn't cure the itch. Nothing does, not even blogging. I must work on another story.

I'm in good shape now. I have three completed drafts to work on, and the first eight pages of another book. This morning when I woke up I daydreamed about where I can go with that story. It's in my queue.

I should be using my time to write articles or promote my books. But I gotta write. I guess that's my weakness.

The thrill of it

I'm nearly finished looking over Turbulence. It's nearly ready.

I'll probably take a break for a day or two, maybe even three. Then I'll get to work revising the manuscript for Ripples, the fourth book in the Echoes Series.

I wrote when I was a teenager, and of course I wrote in college. I actually enjoyed writing my dissertation, and even my doctoral exams. But for years after that, I wrote little. I was raising children instead.

I wrote as a teacher, but my creativity went into assignments and tests. Later I worked on curriculum and wrote three textbooks. I delivered papers. All of this filled a need in me.

But when I sat down to write Echoes, I found a thrill I had never before experienced. The words slid onto the page. It needed revisions, of course, but that book actually made me feel like a writer.

Now I can't stop. I try to ignore it sometimes and concentrate on other things. Usually I can't manage to do this for more than three days. The laptop calls me. The story lures me.

After I finish the Echoes Series, I have two more books to write. One is completed in rough draft form. It was my Nano novel. The other has only eight pages so far. But this morning I was daydreaming about where I can go with it.

My career could have taken many different turns. I could have seriously pursued a career in teaching college. Maybe I would be a dean by now. I could have stayed with teaching. But I'm dong what I love. I write. I must.

Words, words, words

I'm in the process of reading through the final edition of Turbulence. It won't be too much longer.

It's amazing how much a single word can make a difference. My intrepid editor caught and corrected some of those places where one word improved the sentence. I've found a few more.

I know of some people who agonize over every word every time they write something. That approach drives me crazy. In fact, if I had that attitude I would never finish anything. I plunge in, at the beginning. The important thing is to get the story down. Later I refine both the story and the way I tell it. And no matter how careful I am, there's always some work for the editor.

Words are powerful. I think we all learned that in elementary school, either as the bully or the one being bullied. A single word can elate or deflate.

And in writing a story, each word must carry the tale to its ending. But don't get too caught up. First concentrate on the story. Everything else can be smoothed out later.

Family Feelings

Before I write anything else, I want to note that today is my granddaughter's first birthday. 2006 was a rough year for me, and January was very rough, but everything was better when Aisha Jamila came into our lives.

I have found I can write story lines I wouldn't have been able to manage five or ten years ago. I know how it feels to see your children grow up and move away. I've had experience with teenagers--years of experience--and children in their 20s. And I know how it is to be a grandmother.
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When I was young, everyone told me, "Write what you know." I've modified that advice somewhat. In every story I delve into less familiar territory. Heart attack. Federal prison. Disability--oops, did I give something away?

But I stick with the emotions I know. I understand having my husband gone for an extended period and getting by as a single mother. I know something of loss. And I have had a great deal of experience with teenagers. I'm glad I'm finally able to use it for something positive.

So my advice would be to write the emotions you know. I don't think I could have written about motherhood when I was a 20-year old college student. Not with the same level of emotion. At the same time, branch out. Learn something new and share it with your readers. Just make sure you have your facts straight.

Turbulence

I don't want to give too many clues. I could name many more new minor characters, but I think I would be revealing too much.

Both my publisher and my editor said this is a much different book than they expected. And they liked it.

I can't wait until you read it. I really can't. I want to discuss it with you. But I won't say too much yet. Enjoy the revelations.

Imagination

At its peak, the flu took a great toll on my body. I reached a high temperature--I'm not sure how high but I would guess around 104--and treated it only with water because most medicines bother me.

As I've rsecovered, I've noticed ways the fever affected my body. For several days my eyesight was weaker. I lost a great deal of weight. And for a while I was afraid I had lost my imagination.

In those early days of recovery, I tried to conjure up images and story lines. Nothing happened. Once I tried to imagine a room. My mind was blank. I was worried that my "imagination" brain cells had been damaged.

Fortunately, as my eyesight and weight have begun to return, my imagination is also returning. An imagination isn't necessary to live, but I have always depended on mine to take me to interesting places. And, of course, my imagination is what writes my stories.

Not everyone is creative, but I think the world could use more imagination. Approach situations from new perspectives rather than relying on the same old solutions every time. As John Lennon said, imagine a world where everyone lives together. No divisions.

I am very, very happy to have regained my imagination. Now I wish we had some in Washington, D.C.

Lack of imagination

I have always had an active imagination, but these days I feel it lacking. And I think I know why.

It's Maslow's fault. The 19th century psychologist stated that every person has certain needs. These are expressed in a triangle. At the bottom are food, water, shelter. The top is self-realization. We can't fulfill the higher needs, he said, until we take care of the lower ones.

So I'm still feeling a little sick. Not too bad, but it's there. How can I concentrate on wonderful things such as imagination while I'm working to get well.

I'm not sure that's really it. But it sounds nice.

A brief hiatus

I'm on an enforced writing vacation right now.

That's not quite true. I can always write poems, short stories, and articles. But I don't feel inspired today. And I'm anxious to get back to my novels.

Soon, I hope, the editor will send me the final polished ms for my perusal. I haven't read Turbulence for months, and while I could cheat--I have it here on my hard drive--I'll wait to look over that final copy.

After completing Rebounding, many ask when Turbulence will be available. Very soon, I hope.

Then I can get into my other novels, the last ones in the series. I'm anxious to polish Ripples and make it shine. And Silence, which still needs quite a bit of work, taunts me in quiet times like this as I inadvertently remember passages and think of how I can improve them.

All in good time. The writing life is a patient life. One who is not patient should never consider becoming a novelist.

I'm finally (panting) back

When I said last week I may be gone for a while, I wasn't kidding. It took me all last week to fight that flu. But I'm mostly recovered now and ready to go.

I haven't done any kind of writing, though, in order a week. Tomorrow I'll try to get back to you and present my report.

It is very good to be back.

Not today

No post today. I have the flu. Will be back soon, insha Allah.

Life imitating art. . .kind of

Next week, insha Allah, I will be traveling with my mother to warmer climes. Our trip will resemble, to a point, the journey of a main character in the Echoes Series.

I won't say anything more, but I will keep you posted.

Yes!

As of December 26 at roughly 1:30 a.m. the Echoes Series was finished. Well, kind of.

The third book, Turbulence, will come out at the end of February, insha Allah. I've written several drafts of the fourth book, Ripples, and expect to have it completed within six months. Last night (technically early yesterday morning) I completed the first draft of Silence, which ends the Echoes Series.

I can't wait to share these books with my readers. I hope you'll enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.

Filling in the gaps

I haven't done much writing today. But it's only 11 p.m. and I have another two hours. Maybe three.

The time I did spend writing, I worked on providing more details in an earlier section of my rough draft of Silence. And I noticed something. Not for the first time.

What I wrote today sounds stilted to me, and rough. I'm sure some of it is. But what always amazes me is that when I go back to read what I wrote previously, some of it sounds very good.

I'm not the only writer with this experience. I think it's common.

I'm come to the conclusion that we writers are our own worst enemies. We worry so much about what people will think that we tear apart our own work and sometimes don't show it to the public at all. We fear rejection. We're convinced everyone else writers better.

A little humility is a good thing. But I believe writers are, in general, an insecure lot. That's why we sometimes experience wrter's block. And that's why some writers never allow their works to be seen.

Doubting your work is normal. It probably isn't as good as it could be--not if it's a first draft, anyway--but it's yours. And you can keep working on it, polishing it, until it is very, very good.

Anguish

I'm working on a difficult story line right now. Death comes. And how many ways can people mourn?

They can moan and wail. They can softly weep. They can deny. They can collapse.

They can reminisce while they miss the one they loved. They can hide their feelings and soldier on.

I've asked it before. How many different ways can you say someone cried?

I hope my readers will feel the raw emotions of the characters. Sometimes that isn't easy to do. I come perilously close to resorting to cliches. I work hard to avoid repetition. I don't want the story to read like a soap opera.

But life is emotional. And that's what a writer must convey. Sometimes very delicately.

Another World

I was writing an intensely emotional scene tonight when my 17-year old tried to get my attention. I don't know how many times he called me. When I did finally respond he said "Never mind." But I wouldn't let him get away that easily. My concentration was broken.

Reading takes us into another world. So does writing. I imagine my characters before me. I "hear" their voices. I picture the world they see through their eyes.

Sometimes, when I'm in the middle of writing a novel, I wonder why the rest of the world is oblivious to a world in which I am totally engrossed. The anger. The grief. The joy. They're all so real to me. Why can't anyone else see them?

Which is one reason why it is such a wonderful thing to hold my printed book in my hands. Finally, others will see and feel what I have seen and felt all along.

Pulling the threads together

Every novel is composed of different story threads which, by the end of the book, come to a satisfying end of some sort.

As you know, I write from the top of my head. Sometimes the various story threads are easy and natural for me. Other times I must work at them. In Silence, the story I'm working on right now--the fifth and last book of the Echoes Series--the threads are pulling together in my first draft. That's never happened this easily before.

I guess it's like they always say. Practice makes perfect. Well, not perfect exactly, but definitely better.

I can't wait for you to read these stories so I can talk about them. In two more months Turbulence will be out, insha Allah. And I can't wait to hear what you have to say about it.

Last Chance!

Tomorrow, December 15, is the last day to buy books for Eid at a specially discounted price.

You can order MWP titles (including Islamic Rose book, Star Writers, and Halal Food and Fun) through www.muslimwriterspublishing.com.

And you can order my books--Innocent People, Echoes, and Rebounding--by going to my website at http://jamilahkolocotronis.writerswebpages.com.

If you have any questions please email me at writermom6@yahoo.com.

Books are great Eid gifts. Ask my kids!

Going Strong

It's happened twice now in the space of five or six weeks. I don't think it's a coincidence.

One night last month I wrote about how I was struggling with my NaNo novel. The next day, I found my groove and took off.

Last night I mentioned my minor difficulties with Silence, the last book in the Echoes Series. I couldn't quite find my way, writing only a few pages a day and procrastinating because I was on the verge of serious writer's block.

But I have it. It happened today. Now I'm at the point where I can write while my kids are making noise. Soon I'll be able to do it while my husband's watching a game on TV. When I'm really strong, nothing can stop me.

Maybe talking about it is what fixed it. That's my guess. You might want to try it too if you ever find yourself stuck or in slow motion.

From what i can see, it works!

Hesitant Steps

I've mentioned before that I strongly prefer to write from the top of my head over writing from an outline. The planning, which is welcome to some writers, stifles me. I'm having that problem again.

When I started writing Echoes, I knew only that the book would be about a new American Muslim named Joshua Adams and his relationship with his mother. I started from that very minimal perspective and wrote my story, encountering many surprises along the way.

Before starting Rebounding, I knew I would be including certain changes in Joshua's life--and the lives of those around him. But, for the most part, I plunged in.

In Turbulence, I knew what the central theme would be--which I won't discuss right now because I don't want to give anything away. I had one or two events in my mind. The others popped up on their own.

When writing Ripples, I felt more constricted. I needed to bridge the books while giving voices to different characters. As I mentioned, Isaiah gave me a very hard time. Kyle and Jennifer were much more cooperative. In fact, I wrote a wholly different novel while trying to define Isaiah. I may pursue that story line in another book one day.

Silence is the hardest of my Echoes Series books. I know of two major events in the book. Events which dramatically affect the other characters. But I'm struggling to express myself with everything in between. It will take me a few days or weeks to become comfortable enough. Once I am, I will write day and night until the story is written. But I'm not there yet.

So far I'm taking hesitant steps with this story. I write a little, then break to eat something or check my email. I haven't written at all yet today. I'll start in a little while, insha Allah. I will probably write only a page or two. It will take time for me to build up steam. To get to the point where I'm thinking about the story even when I shouldn't--like when I'm praying (astagfirullah).

Sometimes my writing gushes and I can't type fast enough. Sometimes I need to pull it out, gently, gradually. But I never give up. The story is there. My job is to discover it.

Four days left!

No, not NaNo. That story is safely tucked away.

There are four days left in the Muslim Writers Publishing Eid'l Adha sale. Through Friday, the 15th, you can save 40% on any book published by MWP. That includes books in the Islamic Rose series, along with Star Writers--an Islamically-oriented book for writers--and Halal Food and Fun--a great cookbook for kids or adults.

My books, Echoes and Rebounding, are included in the sale. And I have a special price also for Innocent People, which is not an MWP book.

I always buy books for my kids for Eid. It helps them value reading, which is a must. Last Eid I gave my ten-month old granddaughter some books too. It's never too early to start.

I hope you'll take a look at our books at www.muslimwriterspublishing.com and http://jamilahkolocotronis.writerswebpages.com. Don't just fall back on gifts like DVDs and video games. Give the gift of reading.

Iqra! It's the gift that doesn't need batteries and never wears out.

Building Tension

I'm at the point in Ripples right now where the tension is so great that I need to take a break. I know how it ends, and I control how it flows, but still I get involved in the story.

In order to build tension, there must first be foreshadowing. A hint of something. Whether it's horror, action, or romance, there must be that little clue. An astute reader will pick it up. Others will miss it entirely. And I imagine many readers, like me, later slap their foreheads and say, I should have seen it coming.

Sometimes the tension builds rapidly. Other times it's much slower. A single step. A noise. A doubt. Then it progresses. When writing, I like to remember Othello. Shakespeare's tragic play started out quite simply before becoming much darker.

Of course, once the tension reaches the boiling point you need a resolution. It can't be trite, either. Your resolution must reflect your characters and their motives. For me, the resolution is the hardest part. In writing Ripples I had to brainstorm all the possibilities, and write out two of them, before I could find an acceptable ending.

Building tension is fantastic for the reader. That's what makes a person stay up until 3 a.m. just to finish a book. But it's a problem for this author. When my characters get into trouble my teeth grind. I have to save my work and go on the internet until I'm ready to jump back into the fray.

Echoes Series Women

I recently received a comment from a reader suggesting I should give the women in the Echoes Series stronger voices. She especially would like to hear from Jennifer, she said.

I've thought about the roles of my women characters since I started the Echoes Series. When I wrote Heather, originally, I was going to show only her mean nature and sharp tongue. But I softened her a little because I didn't want to simply produce a stereotype. Heather has turned out to be a fun and sometimes warm character, and definitely a main stay of the series.

And I wonder too why I write primarily from the male perspective. It's a challenge, for one thing, and I always like a challenge. And I have lived in a male-populated (and often male-dominated--drop by our house on a Sunday during football season and you'll see what I mean) family for 25 years. If any woman can understand how guys think, I should be able to. (It's not generally that hard, really.) And of course Joshua has made a most compelling character.

But I have not forgotten Jennifer. Like her mother, she has a quick tongue--though she's a little better about controlling it. Like her father, she's energetic and sometimes restless. And of course she needs her turn at narration.

I'm working on her story right now in Ripples, the fourth book. But she has two coconspirators, and conarrators. Kyle, Brad's son, and Isaiah, Chris's son, both make strong appearances in Ripples.

Jennifer is growing before our eyes--from a toddler to a young woman. And she will continue to grow to the end of the Echoes Series.

Books About Writing

Some authors swear by them. Others loudly brag the'd never touch one with a ten-foot pole. Who's right?

I belong to Writers Digest Book Club. I just sent in an order. A book for me to help with an upcoming novel (Silence, the final book in the Echoes Series) where I tread unfamiliar waters. A book for my 13-year old about writing horror. (Watch out, Stephen King.) And a calendar about grammar for my 17-year old who, I think, is a budding linguist.

My favorite non-reference book for writers is Between the Lines. It deals with the subtle nuances in a story. The little things which separate pulp fiction from literature. I read a few pages at a time and always come back wit a little more writing wisdom than I had before.

Maybe you don't need books. That's fine. I don't think Will Shakespeare ordered a single volume to make his plays read smoother. But maybe you do. And that's fine too.

One thing I love about writing. Few rules. Lots of room to roam.

Synonyms

I stepped out into the cold night air. It was so cold I had to zip my jacket and stuff my hands into my pockets. He finally joined me. "Hurry up," I said. "It's cold out here."

What is it? Cold. Good, you've been paying attention.

Maybe it's a little too cold though. Three times in one sentence. We get the point already.

What about this instead?

I stepped out into the frigid night air. The cold ran through me. I zipped my jacket and stuffed my hands into the pockets. He finally joined me. "Hurry up," I said. "I'm freezing."

That's better, isn't it? It's still not literary quality, but it's easier on the eyes and the tongue. And it paints a clearer picture.

Synonyms are a wonderful tool. I advise using them whenever possible.

Intensity

I'm back to work on Ripples. This afternoon I finished reading through the printed manuscript, which I haven't looked at for the last month. Now I'm ready to start revising. Which I have.

But I needed to take a break. I had written an intense emotional scene and I needed a breather before I could go on. That's when I know I'm hitting my stride.

I may have said this before. Writing is one profession where we're happy if people cry. And the reaction starts with me. If the passage doesn't move me to tears or laughter or make my muscles tense then I'm not doing my job.

I cried the most when writing the 9/11 scene in Innocent People. The feelings of that day surged unexpectedly. I knew I had done what I was supposed to do.

I talked yesterday again about first drafts. Usually my first draft--most of it anyway--is dry, nearly void of intensity or emotion. When I revise I write like a reader, looking for the best way to make an impact.

I'm sure you've heard it before. It's not what you say. It's how you say it.

Feel Free to Criticize and Advise

I have often said that a first draft is only a beginning. It is a way to put the story to paper and see where it will take me. It is exhilarating because the thoughts in my head have become words and plots. It is also embarrassing. Many of the phrases and sentences I have written will later be deleted. They are poorly worded, redundant, or sometimes even contradictory to other parts of the book.

In short, while my first draft is helpful to me it's not something I would be willing to show the rest of the world. Until now.

I have posted an excerpt from my NaNo novel on my website. It's very rough. I've read through it again after posting and see the changes which need to be made. But it's a start. And from this seed, insha Allah, a novel will grow.

So feel free.

The Thrill of Victory

It happened last Wednesday, but I'm still elated. I am a NaNoWriMo winner. Today I downloaded my certificate. And my profile has a special little logo on it now.

Writing takes perseverance. I've spoken with many people who have started something but never finished. Of course, many have good excuses. Small children. Full-time jobs. Finishing college.

I deferred my dream for many years. Finishing college. Working full-time. Raising my children. After 9/11 I decided life was too short. The following spring I quit teaching and started writing.

I know there are many writers out there who have not finished a manuscript. I hope they are able to do so. Reaching the finish line is so sweet. Bittersweet, actually, because the book is finished. The book you have lived with for so long. But sweet nonetheless.

And for NaNo writers it's only the beginning. Now it's time to start revising.

I did it!!!

Less than thirty minutes ago I finished my NaNo story at 50,413 words.

I'll take a few days off. Then it's back to work on Book Four of the Echoes Series--Ripples. I still haven't found exactly the right approach for this book. But I hope the NaNo 50,000 word challenge has helped me.

It's a great feeling. Alhamdulillah!

Blame it on Nano

I'm sorry I haven't posted here much this week. It's NaNo's fault.

I'm up to 42,507 words. And I don't want to stop until I'm done.

Though I'll have to, of course. We're going to spend Thanksgiving with my family. I wanted to be finished before we left, but I won't quite make it.

Insha Allah, I will complete the 50,000 words before the end of the month. Then I'll put the manuscript away for a while. But I like my characters, so I'm sure they'll resurface. In a few more years, you can look for Nina Weston.

Nano fatigue

Sometimes I wonder why I'm doing this. I wonder if the story I'm writing will ever be publishable. I wonder if I should just call it a day.

But I keep pushing away. Over 26,000 words now. And less than two weeks left.

I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. . .

Hitting my stride

I'm nearing 22,000 words now, and expect to pass 23,000 before going to bed tonight. Almost halfway there. I still have a ways to go, but I have a chance.

The story is finally starting to pull together. I bumbled around quite a bit, trying to locate the plot. The character I knew, but I had to find her reason for existence. I'm getting there.

Writing a book requires patience. Lot of it. It would be nice if we could just wish it into existence, but in truth it's a great deal of hard work. The rough draft. The revisions. Lots of them. Pulling the story together and finding the nuances to make it unique. Finally the book is published--and holding your own completed books in your hands ranks up there as one of the most satisfying experiences of life.

Of course, then there's the marketing. A book won't be much good if it isn't read. This is my weak point. There are many of us who would prefer to sit behind our laptops and never have to face real people. But, with few notable exceptions, successful writers cannot be hermits.

My NaNo story is far from publication, though I do think I will one day get it published. It is extremely rough. But it's there. It exists. And it's getting stronger, which is always a good sign.

Writing is not for the faint of heart. It takes determination and perseverance. A heavy dose of impracticality always helps, I think. I mean, how practical is it for a person to sit at a keyboard for hours on end and expect to produce something which will change the world.

I always hope I'm not just tilting at windmills.

I passed the 20,000 mark

Which isn't quite enough, really, considering that the month is half over now. But I have been making good time since my slow start. The prize is still in view.

My biggest problem is that I'm not certain where the story is going. As I've said before, I'm one of those writers who jumps in with both feet, without an outline or much of a plan. I do know where I ultimately want the story to end. But it continues to surprise me.

When the month is over, I need to get back to Isaiah. That boy still needs a lot of work.

It has helped me, I think, to take this short break from the Echoes Series. I have an entirely new character, Nina Weston, with her own challenges and attitudes. When November is over I'll put Nina aside, but she exists in my writing world now. I plan to come back to her at some point and fully develop her story.

What is most differento, to me, about the Nano writing exercise is that the word count is everything. Normally I pay little attention to how many words I have. Not until after the story is finished anyway and I realize I need to cut out all the excess verbiage.

This is quite an experience. I think every writer should do it at least once. Why? Because it's there.

Dragging

Yesterday I was full of optimism. Today hasn't been quite so hopeful.

I've written, of course. Just not as much as I wanted to. I still have an hour or two before bedtime and I hope to sneak in a couple hundred words, at least. But it hasn't been easy.

I realized sometime last week that I would need to expound on some early sections in my novel. If I were simply writing, I would probably finish a very rough draft first and then go back and fill in the empty spaces.

But it's not an ordinary novel, it's a Nano novel. So after fiddling around for much of the day I finally went back this evening and provided much needed description and transition.

I briefly thought about giving up. But I still think I can do it. In fact, I feel much more hopeful than I did at the beginning of the blog. Talk about the power of positive thinking.

When I do write normal, usually more than one month novels, my first draft is basically an extended outline. All of my books, so far, have doubled in length since the first draft. In my newest novel, Turbulence, I actually started in the middle of the book. Later I realized it was the middle and I needed some very solid opening chapters. You could almost say I wrote that novel backwards.

I'm not satisfied with my NaNo effort. Given several months of revision I think it could be quite publishable. But now it is like any other long-term project--essentially bare, waiting for growth and development.

I don't know if I've helped any readers by writing this, but I have helped myself. I'm ready to go again. Two hundred words before bedtime. At least.

15,000 with 17 days to go

I started very slow. Only a few hundred words the first day. Now I', working to make it up.

This whole NaNoWriMo experience is exposing me to a very different way of writing. Normally I proof and revise as I go along. Often I change the entire direction of the story before I finish writing it. The problem is that revision takes time, and I have only 17 days left.

So I push ahead, knowing I'll need to change much of what I'm writing but not daring to pause. It is a marathon of letters and syllables strung together into a plot. It is a challenge and a competition. Mainly with myself.

I'm determined to make it, even if I don't get much sleep in the last days. When I was in college I successfully walked 20 miles to raise money for hunger relief. This endeavor is a selfish one. But on December 1, insha Allah, I will be able to relax knowing I've met my goal.

Back at the ranch. . .

6000 words and counting

I haven't been very diligent yet in my NaNoWriMo effort. Just a little more than 6000 words so far. I have my characters and a central plot. Today I simply spent too much time catching up on my email.

But I'm going to do it, insha Allah. I'll buckle down and write a couple thousand words ever day. After my granddaughter leaves next week. Which is not a day I'm looking forward to.

At least I will have my novel. And I'm determined to finish it. I just have to remember that writing, like everything else, is 99% perspiration.

Write On

I'll be out of town all next week and I don't think I'll be able to access the internet during much of that time. I plan to be back and blogging the following week, insha Allah.

Keep writing!

Finished. . .For Now

About an hour ago I finished my most recent draft of Ripples. And I always have mixed emotions. I'm happy, certainly, to complete my task. But it's always a let down to come to the end of a book--whether I'm reading it or writing it.

My new climax works, though it needs to be tuned up. I expect to spend much of the next four to five months making the writing stronger and the organization tighter.

But I have it. This story has vexed me for some time. I have had trouble nailing it down. Now I'm more than halfway there.

And I'm gearing up for NaNoWriMo. Right now I have three or four different plots in mind. I have less than a week to decide which one I'll go with.

Happy writing!

Just the right touch

I wrote one of my critical scenes today. I'm sure I will need to go back and change it. At least once.

When dealing with emotions, it's hard for the writer to find the right touch. We don't want to be sentimental or maudlin. We must stay clear of cliches. How many ways are there to say someone is crying? Whimpering? Weeping? Sobbing? Tears dropping like bombs to the floor? (No, I would definitely not use that last one--not unless I was trying to be funny.)

And how strong are the emotions? Do the characters hide what they're feeling, or do they let it all out? Do the feelings emerge in stages? What's the right pacing? Maybe it depends on the character. One may hold her feelings in, to be released at another critical moment. Another may show his emotions to the world.

I know I need to go lightly with this scene. Don't throw too much at the reader. Expose the situation in stages. Wait for just the right moment to reveal that last clue. Sometimes it's very hard to wait. I want to tell it all right now. I would make a lousy mystery writer.

Not too hard--don't pound the reader over the head with tried expressions. Not too soft--be subtle but not obscure.

I write and rewrite these scenes many times--often I'm still rewriting the day before the final draft goes to the publisher. I need just the right words, just the right mood--the right touch.

I've said it before. Thank God for word processing. (Alhamdulillah!)

Puzzle Pieces

My story is now coming together. The plot lines are solidifying and I think I finally have the right to call it a story. The breakthrough I experienced last night was just what I needed.

As I've said before, I feel like I'm discovering, rather than writing, the story. The first book in the Echoes Series, Echoes, was inspired by a dream. Each of the first three books contained part of that single dream. When I reached the fourth book, I worried because no more dreams materialized. But I knew the main characters, who have been with the Series since they were children. I could anticipate how they would act and react. Only one, Isaiah, gave me some problems because he is very conflicted. And another character, someone who emerged in this book, was supposed to make only a cameo appearance. But she was too strong, and she wouldn't leave. I don't know if I'll ever be able to get rid of her.

Struggling through a sentence, a paragraph, a page is a difficult experience, and can turn some away from writing. But discovering the key is a wonderful feeling. I think that's what keeps me writing.

Searching for the Right Fit

Every book must have a climax. Usually that's not a problem for me, but it has been in writin Ripples.

I have fully written out two climaxes for this story, and rejected them both. They simply didn't fit. Some elements of each worked well with other details of the story, but they didn't feel right.

This evening it happened that I had to wait in the car for my husband--and I had nothing to do. No book to pass the time. No reading of any kind. Just waiting.

After several minutes I grabbed a piece of scratch paper from my bag and started brainstorming. I needed to find the right climax for my story. It took several more minutes of jotting and thinking, but I finally found it. I hope.

Every story needs the right fit. All of the details must come together toward a satisfying conclusion. One of my earlier options seemed very contrived, as did some of the ideas I brainstormed. The flow of the story must be believable and acceptable to the reader. Otherwise you need to go back and try again.

Eye-Opening Lesson

I was about to write this blog last night when, suddenly, I could no longer keep my eyes open. I put down my laptop and leaned into my pillow. Only for a second.

When I woke up this morning I realized there was a lesson in this, as there is in everything. That is: You can't write with your eyes closed.

Think about it.

Copy, Cut, Paste

This happens to some extent with every book. I write a passage, and later realize it would fit better somewhere else. I copy and cut--always afraid it will escape into the black hole of cyberspace. Then I paste and rewrite to make the passage more comfortable in it's new home.

I've been doing that a lot lately with Ripples, the fourth book in the Echoes Series. In one case it was a matter of chronology--I realized the event would have to take place earlier. But sometimes it just takes me a while to find the right place for a passage. Occasionally I've banished whole paragraphs to my remnants file. They won't fit with this book, but I don't want to discard them entirely.

Copy, cut, paste. I remember when all this needed to be done manually--with scissors and glue. The modern method is much easier--just as long as I don't lose any of my words to the great beyond.

Writing in the real world

The writer creates a world where his or her characters will live. This world, the setting for the story, could be at any time--past, present or future--and in any place--even Mars. But no matter where and when the story is set, the writer must follow the natural rules of the universe.

A story set 5000 years from now on Jupiter will, of course, leave a great deal of room for the imagination. People may fly. Strange creatures may inhabit the environment. But the writer must still "keep it real." For instance, if he introduces a slurpote as a plant-eating animal and beast of burden, then of course a slurpote cannot later eat one of the humans. The writer must follow the laws of his own world.

I write in the world we know. And I must be careful not to contradict myself. In one of my stories, a character becomes paralyzed and can no longer walk. But in an early draft I had that character "walking up to the door." Unless I insert a miracle--medical or otherwise--I cannot let that character walk again. He can move or wheel, but never walk. These are my rules, and I mut abide my them.

I could give other, more embarrassing, mistakes made in my early drafts, but I'll stop here. In short, a writer must be consistent. From my experience as well as my observation, inconsistency in a story is a very easy trap. That one reason why the writer must be thoroughly familiar with the manuscript before submitting.

Would anyone else care to share an early draft goof?

Great books

Each person, or at least each person who actually reads, has his or her own list. Many include Shakespeare as well as other classics, both time-worn and contemporary.

Tonight I began my list for Listmania on Amazon. It's not complete, and I may decide to put some books on a different list. Some of my books are classics. Others have barely registered.

What I look for in a book is heart and soul. I want emotions, though not sentimentality. I want to feel angry, hurt, or victorious, just the like the character in the book. I've listed only a few books which have touched my heart. In the coming days I plan to list more, insha Allah.

A reader's taste is an individual thing. As is a writer's. My 17-year old writes fantasy. My 13-year old writes horror--he is aspiring to be the next Stephen King, and I think he has a good chance. My 17-year old loves book series like Redwall and The Hobbit. My 13-year old is constantly on the lookout for a good scary story or film. And I love stories which touch my heart and leave me with a profound sense of satisfaction.

Each of us has his or her own "great books"--our lists are very different even though we're in the same family. We don't argue, because we recognize the difference in tastes. We also know that no matter what you like, it is very important simply to read.

Finding a Way to Do Both

Right after I posted yesterday I realized it conflicted with my post for Tuesday, in which I said I couldn't wait to start writing. I guess that sums up my state of mind these days. I don't know whether I'm coming or going.

I did write a little today. Nothing stupendous, miraculous, or earth-shaking, but at least I wrote. Well, actually I revised a little from my first draft. But that counts. Doesn't it?

The rest of the day I enjoyed spending time with my daughter-in-law and my beautiful little granddaughter. They are both very sweet. I think my granddaughter is becoming more comfortable with me now. Last night she was stunned to be carried off the plane and faced with strangers--and more uncles than she could possibly imagine. Today she began to relax. We had some real fun together.

So I spent time with my family. And I wrote. Later I will have to concentrate on my story--the kind of concentration where I barely recognize the people around me and completely tune them out. Every story, and certainly every book, needs that level of commitment at some point.

But for now I will write a little, play a little--and enjoy the best of both worlds.

When Life Gets In the Way

I probably won't write much for the next couple of weeks or so. My son and his family just arrived. And tonight I finally had the opportunity to meet my precious little granddaughter. She is every bit as sweet as I knew she would be--and did I mention she's already talking, at eight months?

Sometimes life does get in the way of our writing. But that's okay. A writer can take a break from time to time and come back stronger. And life experiences are often what goes into our writing so even while I'm playing with my granddaughter I will be preparing to write.

Sometimes writing can become life. I know it's happened to me. I live in the world of my invention, contemplating plot twists and dialogue. I sit at my computer, oblivious to my surroundings.

But for now it's time for something else. Moments of closeness with my son and daughter-in-law. Moments of joy--elation, really--with my granddaughter.

And my story hasn't gone away. It's still percolating in my brain, waiting for the time when it will burst fully formed onto the page.

(Jamilah finished working on Turbulence today so now it's time to) let her (work on) Rip(ples)

It's done. I have been working on this story for a long time. I think I started in 2004. I wrote the last part first. Then I went back and wrote in the first part. And just as everything was beginning to gel I lost 80 pages, inexplicably--at night they were there, and the next morning they were nowhere to be found. Fortunately, I knew the story well enough by then that I could successfully reconstruct.

When I began, I knew only the basics about my main character. Over the course of the novel, I continued to discover more about his personality. That's what it is to me. Not invention, but discovery. There came a point when I was realized he was not who I thought he was. That was the turning point for this book.

Every time I turned to the manuscript I found a new way of saying things. Just this afternoon I was still editing and rephrasing. That's a continual problem for writers. If we work on our books until we think they are absolutely perfect, they will never be published.

And now it's done. I think I made all the necessary revisions. The manuscript is formatted.
It's time to take it to the next level. And soon, insha Allah, Turbulence will be ready for all of my readers.

Now I can spend some time on Ripples. That manuscript has patiently waited for me. I can finally give it first priority. As with Turbulence and every other book--at the beginning--I know the main character and the primary plot. Now it's time to smooth everything out.

It's time to write!

I Can't Wait

I'm nearly finished with the nitty-gritty prep work for Turbulence. Soon it will be up to my publisher to bring the book to life. And I know she will do an excellent job.

And as soon I turn the final manuscript over to her, I can dig into my next book, Ripples. I'm ready. I've dabbled in making changes here and there, but until now I haven't been able to give this story my full attention.

Oh, and I signed up for the NaNoWriMo--the goal of which is to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November. I'll start with all new characters.

I am ready to write.

Mechanics

I didn't write anything today. I'm working on formatting my manuscript. Not very much fun, but it needs to be done.

Writing is full of mechanical tasks. Check spelling. Check grammar. Check formatting. All those little tedious details which bore those of us who are creative. But a good manuscript, a professional product, demands attention to those little nit-picking details.

Fortunately, the bulk of my writing time is taken up with creating rather than simply reviewing. That's what I love about writing.

By the way, I've signed up for the National Novel Writing Month activity--
www. nanowrimo.org. I already have enough to do, but I think it will be fun. It is certainly a challenge.

And it is possible to write the rough draft for a novel in a month. I wrote Rebounding in two weeks.

You might want to check it out.

Taking risks

I have always loved to write and for many years I moaned that I didn't have enough time to pursue my passion. Finally I decided to quit my teaching job and dive into writing. I had no net, except for my kind husband. I'm still not selling enough books to make a living, but hope springs eternal.

I have been writing novels for four years now, and I want to move out of my comfort zone. This last summer I began writing poetry. I hadn't written a single poem--well, none for mass public consumption--since I was in college. Carter was president. But I have produced possibly a hundred poems now, maybe more, and I become more confident each time I write. I still have a long way to go.

When I was in high school I tried to write short stories. I even sent one or two off to magazines. They were rejected, of course. Very recently I've begun to dabble in the short story again. I have read short stories which dazzle and amaze me, and I'm not sure I'll ever be able to compete in this category. But I would like to improve.

Writing is taking risks. It's often not recognized as a normal profession, and many make little money and no fame from it. We don't write, actually, for the money or the fame. We write simply because we must.

At some point we must be willing to take that dive. And hope Allah provides us with a safety net.

I'm pressed to express

Do you know the feeling you get when you finish reading an enjoyable book? If the book is well-written, the ending will be quite satisfying. But you have devoted hours, and probably days, to the story, and you feel sorry to see it end.

That's how I feel about my own work as well. Today I finished reading through Turbulence. Then I spent the rest of the day in limbo--not ready to commit yet to another story.

This blog was much longer, and probably more eloquent, but I accidentally deleted a couple of paragraphs. Deleting my work is worse than finishing it, of course. I have a few moments when I don't want to write at all--I don't trust my finger, the keypad, the computer.

Reading and writing are about so much more than words. They are reflections of life.

Read very carefully

I am still in the process of preparing the manuscript for my third Echoes Series book, Turbulence. I plan to be finished by Wednesday, insha Allah.

I take a long time because I know soon the manuscript will go to the printers. I can't afford to let any mistakes slide by.

And I have found several. In many places, I simply forgot to type in a word. I became so involved with the story line that I forgot about my words and just writing. Oops, I mean kept writing.

I've also found many places where another word would be more suitable. I grimace at the number of sentences in which I repeated a word a number of times. Oops, I mean more than once. To correct that, a thesaurus is indispensable. I have many in my house. My favorite is fairly new. Check out "Flip Dictionary." It's the best thesaurus I've ever found.

And of course sometimes I smply forgt a leter or mispell a wrd. Can't let the manuscript go to the printers looking like that. The amazing thing is, I can read through a manuscript several times without catching those little errors. (I should have used a thesaurus to find another word for manuscript back there, but my Flip Dictionary is another room. My thirteen-year old, a budding writer, was using it.)

Finally, having an editor is indispensable. I sent Innocent People to the presses without any help--I was the sole editor, and it shows.

We all have to read the fine print. You can have the best plot line the world has ever seen, and write it eloquently, but if you send it out into with any of these errors, you can never hope to be on the New York Times bestseller list. Or even the Podunkville Times.

Keeping the voice

I finally began in earnest today on the refinement of Turbulence. Getting rid of the rough edges and questionable passages. Making the story clear while keeping the voice.

This is very important. Writing is more than stringing words together in a grammatically correct fashion. To write is to give vibrancy to a character. And each character has his or her own way of speaking and thinking.

So my editor did give me a few suggestions for smoothing out some passages. I've already conquered the most difficult. While I was doing this, I remembered that it is very certainly not only what you say, but how you say it.

Whatever you do, always remain true to your characters.

The Right Time to Write

I have some pressing writing to do. Over a week ago the editor sent me the third Echoes Series book, Turbulence, with her suggestions for a few changes. Not major. Shouldn't take long at all. But I haven't done them yet.

Last week I was ready. I would wake up on Monday morning and dig right into it. But when I woke up I discovered my laptop gone and all my plans changed.

So now I have a new laptop. I did look at the manuscript yesterday, and made one small change. Today I haven't been able to tear myself loose from cyberspace.

It's probably just an excuse, but sometimes I feel I need the right time, the right mood, to write. It didn't happen today.

I hope it happens tomorrow.

I didn't get much writing done because. . .

I have a new computer, alhamdulillah! And the best part is that my 22-year old son bought it for me. He works long hours hauling boxes, saving for his college tuition, but he insisted on doing this. And during Ramadan. What a great kid.

So last night and most of the day today I spent my time downloading programs, getting my new computer to look like my old one. I successfully downloaded software for the printer--a major accomplishment for me--and now I'm ready to go.

I can't wait to start writing again. I've missed it greatly. But today I had to lay the groundwork. Tomorrow I'll get down to business, insha Allah.

Pulling it all together

On Sunday night, the last time I used my laptop, I had a sudden breakthrough on my upcoming book, Ripples. I was typing along, when I realized I had my theme.

When I first write my books, they are littler more than conglomerations of scenes. There is a story line, but it's weak. As I continue to write and revise, my story becomes stronger. But sometimes I can go through many drafts before I find the one element which will pull everything else together and create a novel from all those separate stories.

In Ripples, the fourth book in the Echoes Series, the main character is Isaiah--Chris's oldest son. In Echoes, Isaiah was a baby. He was briefly mentioned in Rebounding. In Turbulence, which will come out early next year, insha Allah, Isaiah is a young man. When I came to Ripples, I knew basicaly who Isaiah was, but I had a hard time drawing the lines of his personality. He's a complex character, and I've had to struggle to highlight all the different aspects of his personality.

Finally, on Sunday, I discovered the common thread which would unite the story and give it consistency. This thread also helps to define Isaiah and his conflict.

I won't give it away, of course. I just wanted to share that. No story is complete without the ties that bind.

Thankfulness

We never appreciate something until we are without it. Breathing, eating, drinking, sleeping are all natural. Most of us take our health for granted. And we also forget to thank Allah for our wealth.

I have finished Day 3 without a laptop, and I never realized how very much I depended on that machine. Tonight my publisher emailed possible covers for the newest book, Turbulence. But our family desktop can't open the documents. My laptop could.

So often today I thought about things I needed to do, then realized I couldn't do those without my laptop. My professional life is on hold.

We must be grateful for all of our blessings. They can disappear in a flash.

Restless

My laptop is gone and I am practically computer-less. I do have this desk top, alhamdulillah, but it's slower and I must share it with the rest of the family. I waited until 11:30 tonight for my turn at the computer.

The worst part is that I can't write. I tried to use the CD for my most recent work, but couldn't access it. I don't want to start anything new on this computer. And because I must share it I can't write when I want.

Insha Allah, my husband and son have promised to buy me a new laptop on Saturday. Until then I will have to make do. I'm watching more TV than usual--not a good thing--simply because I can't think of another way to pass the time.

I need to work on my stories. I can't concentrate. I can't even think clearly. I guess I can't call myself anything but a writer.

Three more days.

The Writer's Tool

I learned how to type when I was in high school, and since then I have rarely been away from a keyboard. When I was young I bought a small typewriter where I clicked away telling stories late into the night. I gradually moved up into larger typewriters. And, finally, computers. Word processing is a dream compared to the old days.

For the last several years I have always had a laptop. Always a Toshiba, actually. I found my first Toshiba by accident, many years ago, when our neighbor was selling his. It was in excellent condition, loaded with software, and it served me well for at least seven years--as I get older, time begins to blur.

When my old Toshiba began to fade I bought a new one. Faster and larger, with CD/DVD capabilities. I spent many hours with my new machine.

But this morning I came downstairs and found it gone--the space it had occupied on my desk was empty. All day I have been quietly mourning the loss. And I feel lost without my own keyboard to pound.

My laptop didn't just walk away, of course. There were signs of a break-in. My cell phone and charger are also missing, along with some money. I think that's one reason I'm still awake.

Now I must share the family desk top with my kids and their school assignments. I waited three hours to use the computer tonight. Homework always comes first. But I have two books in progress. One has come back from the editor and needs some simple changes. The other, the fourth book in my Echoes Series, was finally starting to show progress. Last night I made a major breakthrough in the story. This morning it was gone. (Alhamdulillah, I do have CD copies of my story files.)

I'm anxious to get back into writing. But I think I must wait until I am able to buy another Toshiba--although I did see a very nice Sony on sale.

Foreshadowing and subtleties

This is my latest challenge. I want to introduce a major plot twist. I admire authors who surprise their readers. But how much foreshadowing should I allow? How many hints? How bold will my hints be?

"Subtle" is one of my favorite words in the English languages. Even the spelling of the word confirms the meaning. But a writer has to find the balance. Some surprises. Some hints. Just the right measure of both. And stir.

Another of those little things which defines good writing. I'm working on it.

Expressions

I should have discussed this topic much earlier because it is, in fact, the reason I write.

Inside I am a jumble of memories and emotions. If I try to bottle them up, I sometimes feel I will explode. So when I feel tense, or when I simply want to enjoy myself, I write.

A few words I read tonight triggered a flood of emotions. I quickly wrote them into a poem. And I feel better.

Maybe that's the reason so many people are writing these days. There is a wonderful release. Whether the piece is a personal narrative or a novel very loosely based on actual life, the writer can let go of all those jumbled up feelings and thoughts. And breathe deeply.

I write. . .therefore I am.

Don't dig too deep

When I was writing Echoes, I came up with a great plot twist while in the shower. But (for those of you who haven't read it yet, I won't give anything away) I went too far. My original idea took on a life of its own and led the story in an entirely different direction.

This is a frequent problem for me. Tonight I was writing a husband-wife argument. Those are always fun. The problem is, I dug myself so deep--made the issues so important--that I couldn't find a way out.

I finally reached daylight, with a little cliffhanger because the problem isn't resolved, only tabled. Eventually, though, I will have to finish the argument. And someone is going to win. Maybe while I'm taking a shower in the morning I can find a win-win situtation. I doubt it.

The moral of all this is: Create conflicts for your characters. But always provide an escape hatch.

Alhamdulillah!

I'm so happy and I know all praise is due to God for the easy times in my life. So, alhamdulillah.

My upcoming book, Turbulence, has been a very passionate project for me. I started writing this story in 2004, and from the beginning I had a clear idea of where I wanted to go with it. In some ways it's a story close to my heart.

All was going well until one morning when I turned on the computer and discovered that the first 80 pages of my first draft had disappeared. I called on two computer experts for help, and neither was able to recover the lost pages. They were gone forever.

Fortunately I knew the plot so well that reconstruction wasn't as difficult as I'd thought it would be. Of course, I was much more careful after that.

I toiled with my characters each day, developing them along the way. About halfway through I discovered something very important about my main character. When I write novels, I don't feel like I'm inventing stories. Rather, I'm exploring and discovering. The signs were there all along. I don't know why I didn't see it sooner. I think I was in denial.

I kept reading through my manuscript, fine tuning passages and keeping the story fresh. Finally I turned the story over to the editor.

She just informed me that, except for a few small changes, I am good to go. That is such great news. Sometimes books need major revisions. Rebounding did. It's wonderful to hear that Turbulence is right where it should be.

And it should be available to my readers at the beginning of next year, insha Allah. I hope you enjoy it.

Now I'm working on the next book in the series. I'm taking a different approach with Ripples. I'm still in the early stages, and I think it's working. By next summer I hope Ripples will be ready to join Echoes, Rebounding, and Turbulence.

And I can't wait to get started on Silence--the final book in the Echoes Series. I have many ideas. Hopefully in a few months I'll start writing and see if they work.

The moral of the story is--keep writing. And rewriting. And rewriting. And I think you'll get there. I hope I am.

My mind is elsewhere

I want to write. I really do. But these days there are so many distractions.

My son's leg is nearly healed, though he's still limping. It should be completely healed in time for the new school year. (And you know he's happy about that.) We're moving in less than two weeks--another house about a mile away. On Saturday an exchange student will be arriving to spend the year with us. The kids need school supplies--not to mention uniforms. I want to write, but I just can't concentrate.

I may not write much here in the next couple weeks. I have many projects to catch up on. I can't wait to delve into the fourth book of the Echoes Series. But not yet.

In September the kids will be in school and, I hope, I can relax. And I hope I'll be ready to write.

Writing for change

"The pen is mightier than the sword," they say. We can only hope it is so.

While the people of Lebanon suffer under nearly constant bombardment, we are able to do very little to stop the carnage. We can pray. We can talk about it. And we can write.

This is my contribution to the crisis.


Death of Innocence

Qana, ancient town
full of meaning for
many of faith

Attacked by the faithless
innocents massacred
bloody children,
crying mothers, fathers, nation

War, never pretty, made worse
with children in the crosshairs
peace becomes impossible
grief turns into revenge

Take your place in history
Auschwitz, Hiroshima, My Lai
Birmingham, New York City
murder on massive scale

Qana, grieving town
full of anger and
ready to fight


I don't know if writing a poem will have any effect. But maybe if many of us write, and spread the word, we can make something happen.

May God help us all.