WELCOME TO DAY 6 OF #RRBC’S JULY “SPOTLIGHT” AUTHOR TOUR FOR KAREN BLACK! @KARENSSTORIES
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Day 6 of RRBC’s July “SPOTLIGHT” Author Tour for Karen Black, a member of Rave Reviews Book Club.
BLOG POST #6
One of my biggest difficulties in creative writing was laboring over detail. The story was there, but the description needed to bring it to life wasn’t coming together easily. I couldn’t figure out why I was having so much trouble getting it right.
During one of my online wanderings, I discovered RWISA, a group of top-notch authors, and contacted them. At Nonnie Jules’s suggestion, I enrolled in “RWISA U.” It is an online program that includes hours of educational material, and experienced authors and editors who will review writing samples and point out the positives, as well as those areas that could use improvement. That program helped me find the answer I needed.
In a past life, I wrote contracts and policies, and also built cases for presentation in Arbitration hearings. The writing had to be non-ambiguous. Clarity and specifics were paramount. It was a just-the-facts approach to writing.
In contract-speak, “a tree blocked the view,” explains why the girl couldn’t see out the window. Creatively, however, that doesn’t work. Rather, “a sycamore tree, with leaves the size of footballs, towered outside of the double-hung window and blocked a view of the narrow gravel path.” More words, but a better picture. Simple, right?
The supporting authors from RWISA U hit the switch that turned on the light. I realized that I had been struggling with the transition from technical to creative, or from concise to descriptive. I was fighting the detailed descriptions and the subconscious battle caused much more effort than should have been needed. It was a simple show-not-tell solution, but one that I didn’t figure out on my own.
Thank you, Rave Reviews Book Club!
One of my biggest difficulties in creative writing was laboring over detail. The story was there, but the description needed to bring it to life wasn’t coming together easily. I couldn’t figure out why I was having so much trouble getting it right.
During one of my online wanderings, I discovered RWISA, a group of top-notch authors, and contacted them. At Nonnie Jules’s suggestion, I enrolled in “RWISA U.” It is an online program that includes hours of educational material, and experienced authors and editors who will review writing samples and point out the positives, as well as those areas that could use improvement. That program helped me find the answer I needed.
In a past life, I wrote contracts and policies, and also built cases for presentation in Arbitration hearings. The writing had to be non-ambiguous. Clarity and specifics were paramount. It was a just-the-facts approach to writing.
In contract-speak, “a tree blocked the view,” explains why the girl couldn’t see out the window. Creatively, however, that doesn’t work. Rather, “a sycamore tree, with leaves the size of footballs, towered outside of the double-hung window and blocked a view of the narrow gravel path.” More words, but a better picture. Simple, right?
The supporting authors from RWISA U hit the switch that turned on the light. I realized that I had been struggling with the transition from technical to creative, or from concise to descriptive. I was fighting the detailed descriptions and the subconscious battle caused much more effort than should have been needed. It was a simple show-not-tell solution, but one that I didn’t figure out on my own.
Thank you, Rave Reviews Book Club!
AUTHOR BIO:
Karen Black lives in the eastern United States, with her husband and a variety of critters, wild and domestic. Hobbies include herb gardening, wildlife watching and wine making, though all are put on hold when she’s caught up in a story. With a lifelong affection for animals, a fascination with the supernatural and a background in criminal justice, the author draws on experience, as well as imagination to create stories that are believable, unique and entertaining. Expect the unexpected.
Karen Black lives in the eastern United States, with her husband and a variety of critters, wild and domestic. Hobbies include herb gardening, wildlife watching and wine making, though all are put on hold when she’s caught up in a story. With a lifelong affection for animals, a fascination with the supernatural and a background in criminal justice, the author draws on experience, as well as imagination to create stories that are believable, unique and entertaining. Expect the unexpected.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: @KarensStories - https://twitter.com/KarensStories
Facebook: Stories by Karen - https://www.facebook.com/StoriesbyKaren/
Website: Stories by Karen - https://storiesbykaren.org/
My most recent eBook, “Treacherous Love,” is a short story about misdirected passion that often occurs in situations of domestic abuse. It is the first of several stories that will be included in my next anthology.
To follow along with the rest of her tour, please visit the “SPOTLIGHT” Author forum on the RRBC site!
If you’re an author and interested in receiving this kind of support for you and your work, please join us at RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB! We look forward to adding your name to our roster and your books to our catalog!
If you’re an author and interested in receiving this kind of support for you and your work, please join us at RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB! We look forward to adding your name to our roster and your books to our catalog!
