Drama NL August 23, 2006

Writers will happen in the best of families.
~Rita Mae Brown

Write what matters. If you don't care about what you're writing, neither will your readers.
~Judy Reeves

My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers; when you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip.
~Elmore Leonard


From the Editor:

The Pictures on the Wall


What do you do when you are writing a novel or short story and need to see visuals or index cards denoting your plot? Do you shuffle through your cards or sort through all the various stuff on your desk to find what you need? Why? It interrupts the flow of actually writing.

I have a huge cork board on my wall by my desk. It is easy to reach and the items on it are easily seen. If I have a plot in mind, I can tack the outline there. Character sketches depend on how many I have for that particular piece. Most of what is on my big cork board are pictures. If I have a certain look, mood or setting in mind, pictures cut from magazines, or even those I take myself, can help me in these areas and keep me true to what I'm describing. If I have a certain "look" for a character, be it eyes, arms or clothing style, that too goes up on the board. If I see a certain saying or speech characteristic, it goes on the board.

All of this is set to assist me in a glance. If I need a boost, all I do is look up and there is my source of reference. When it is time to begin a new work, off with the old and on with the new. It really is a time saving and handy tool to have. I don't have to shuffle through stacks of scraps and other assorted items on my desk, it is all there, tacked to the wall. Any tool to make the writing life easier works for me!


See ya next month!
~Nikola