Five
Writing Numbers
Although there are no absolute
rules in writing and I have never seen the process accurately reduced to an
equation, I have developed a number of relevant numbers that help me evaluate
written work.
One. A writer has one chance to
engage a reader, an agent, an editor or a publisher. I cringe when I hear a
writer say, “Oh, I deal with that in the next chapter (page or paragraph.) The audience may not read that far if
they don’t have a reason to continue reading right now. Gonna’ bring in the fireworks or send a
man into the room carrying a gun? Do it now.
Two. If I see two !s on page one, I
am not likely to read the page at all. I have read too many examples of a
writer trying to use punctuation to express emotion. I hesitate when I see one
! on page one. Vivid writing does not need any. Well, okay, one if you absolutely
must. !s make me think people are shouting. I have never read a story where !s
have a positive effect.
Three is about the absolute number
of characters readers can keep in their minds in the opening of a story. Two
human and a pet can work. When the number of characters exceeds the number of
pages, the audience has already lost track. Reading will soon be replaced by
something more engaging like clipping fingernails. Do you remember meeting your
significant other’s family at a holiday? What I recall is that after two
minutes, I knew none of the names. I did not remember if the person talking
with me admired General Lee or General Grant. I could not tell if the person in
the corner was eyeing me with lust, disgust or was so nearsighted that I was
out of their visual field.
Four. There are four things a writer should do that will not guarantee that their work will get accepted.
First, read the submission guidelines carefully. Second, comply with the submission
guide. I have attended writing conferences that have small groups of writers
presenting a selection of their work to an agent in hopes the agent will ask
for a larger sample and possibly consider representing the writers. Every time
at least one writer in the group presented something different from the
guidelines. And none of those authors was asked to send in more of their work.
Third, respond to requests quickly. Fourth, respond to requests politely.
Five. The reason writers should do
four the things that do not guarantee acceptance, is that, if they do, their
submission will move from immediate filing in the circular file receptacle on
the floor that is known as the trash can, to a pile that could be labeled, “maybe.”
thoughtful blog. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWise advice, Warren.
ReplyDeleteGreat hints, Warren. The writing may be the important thing, but there are basic guidelines most of us must follow.
ReplyDeleteSpot on, Warren. I was just reading a story that introduced three characters in the first half page and I've had to go back to look repeatedly to figure out who's who and where am I in the story. Number four is also very needed.
ReplyDelete