Tag: Writing

A Helpful Writing Contest

On By Robert EvenhouseIn Writing contest2 Comments

Yesterday I posted my 100 word challenge. It comes from the site Julia’s Place (here) and I’d like to mention it to my readers. I believe her contests are tremendously helpful for the writer trying to hone their skill and if you are a writer trying to reach the next level of the craft, sign up and try next week’s prompt.

The 100 word challenge makes you be selective and confines your writing, forcing you to exercise your writing muscles. The premise is, you are given a few words and they need to be included in the 100 words you write. Then follow the instructions to post your link on her site.

See yesterday’s post for an example.

Special thanks to Josh Mosey for bringing them to my attention.

I apologize for the short post, but I have something I am working on.

I will inform you all next week.

Keep Writing – 1000 words this weekend? You can do it!

Cheers,

Bob

100 Word Challenge – Together The Flames

On By Robert EvenhouseIn Uncategorized21 Comments

Curses echoed from the headmaster’s office. Mikey ran down the corridor knowing the headmaster would discover what he did, but didn’t realize it would be so soon.

The office door flung open.The headmaster, never one to run, marched briskly in pursuit. Mikey yanked on the common room door handle, it was mercifully unlocked.

A fire burned in the hearth and seventeen boys huddled nearby. Mikey marched like a hero, flashed the ledger containing the daily punishments and stood over the fire. The headmaster entered. It was too late for together the flames erased the unjust punishments.

The boys cheered.

The Traveling Writer

On By Robert EvenhouseIn The Writing Process4 Comments

Routine is the writer’s best friend. It might not sound glamorous, but it’s true. Think about it. What could be better for the artist then set times to flex their writing muscles? Having an hour or two or more per day to write. How fast would you complete your novel, short story, or poem? Days? Weeks? A mere month or two?

It sounds great I know. I am salivating just thinking about it. Anyway, there are times however, where that can be the very worst thing. What is the writer’s second best friend? I submit that it is vacation, travel, a change of pace whichever provides the opportunity for perspective. As long as this change of pace is not something difficult or traumatic, it can be enlightened, invigorating, and best of all, freeing.

Recently, my wife and I took a trip from our hometown of Grand Rapids MI, through Ontario, Canada, to Brockport, New York to visit family. It is a trip we take often. Nine hours on the road Friday night after work. Nine hours on the on the return trip Sunday or Monday. This might seem awfully short and maybe not worth it to the normal individual but that is where you begin to see that I am not normal. I love freedom travel brings. My guess is that I think clearest at 2 or 3am when everyone else is asleep in the car. I love driving at that time. You might think, perhaps, this is because I am a parent of two young children?  But no, I have always loved it.

Traveling gives perspective. It gives opportunities to break the mold, destroy the routine, and perhaps get us out of life and writing’s repetitive doldrums. This perspective is essential and especially effective in small doses.

Are you having trouble getting through a part of your novel? Go for a walk at 2am. Is there something that you are trying to get out that is just not sounding right? Take a drive to a lake or a walk through a nearby park and jump in a river. Whatever you can do to find a “vacation” or a change of pace, do it dear writer. It is spectacularly refreshing.

Keep Writing,

Cheers,

Bob

 

Blogging 101: Maintaining Readership

On By Robert EvenhouseIn Blogging8 Comments

Unlike writing, blogging can be a science. If you follow certain rules and maintain a certain rhythm of posting, the blogger can be successful. However, once you are established in the blogosphere, and your friends no longer check your FaceBook page to see if you have posted anything new, the beginning blogger might lose some steam. I know I did.

So, how do you maintain this platform? How do you maintain and acquire new readership? (Obviously this post is for novice bloggers. However, it is always good for the veteran to brush up on the basics). Here are three reason your readers might be running.

The Trithemis Aurora is a ...zzzzzz
The Trithemis Aurora is a …zzzzzz

1. You Don’t Keep to Your Theme– This is the simplest reason bloggers lose traffic. If you are a blogger, writing about say, hockey, be sure to include it in each post. You can share a little anecdotal back story of how you sharpened your skates on the pond behind your parents’ house when you were three. However, if you inked a heart-wrenching story about a certain species of dragonfly and how they were going extinct, it might sound a bit off like a stray note at a concert. Your hockey readers might flee for something a bit more on topic.

2. You Don’t Post Rhythmically– What does this mean? This means that no matter how often you blog, be sure to have fresh content at the same time. I see writers who update their blogs monthly, daily, or every second Tuesday of the month. However you do it, find a schedule — and stick to it. You can stray a bit from time to time, but 99% of the time, do what your readers expect so they know when to visit your blog for new content.

3. You Stop Interacting – The most successful blogs create little communities. The readers know what to expect (theme), they know when you are going to post (rhythm). They want to know about your topic, but they want to share their bit too. And it could be an invaluable bit. A new book, a unique way to sew a pair of trousers, whatever. You might learn something from them, and that is the point isn’t it? Learning, growing, making your blog a tight little band of misfits who all enjoy, or are all striving toward, the same thing.

These are three simple things. Do you know of other tips that would help a blogger gain or maintain readership? Please share below! If you have posted something similar on your blog, please feel free to include the link below in the comments section.

Cheers,

Bob

Advice For Aspiring Writers

On By Robert EvenhouseIn Writing Tips5 Comments

 

Stephen J Cannell died a couple of years ago. I probably would not know who he was if he was still alive. However, when obituaries are posted around the web and condolences flood it, I get suspicious. It was then I discovered one of the writers for the A-Team, one of my favorite shows from the 1980s. 

Mr Cannell wrote every day for 5 hours! He co-wrote or co-created over 40 TV shows and wrote several novels. Below is a fantastic interview for writers who are in the grand struggle of producing a work.

Here’s a couple of clips:

Find some time to write this weekend.

Cheers,
Bob

 

How Does a Writer Measure Progress?

On By Robert EvenhouseIn World of Writing5 Comments

Every now and then I look back on the Unmentionables that are my first drafts. I see the path of my writing and, though it has sloped a little way up the hill of mastering the craft, I see I have come a long way.

As I thought about this more, I wondered. So, if I have come “far”, how does a writer measure that exactly? Better yet, How do I, as a writer, measure progress?

The answer for you could be simple. It could be that you now have 30,000 words, and you had 5,000 a year ago. It could be that your vocabulary has grown tremendously, that your scenes of harrowing danger and swashbuckling duels are now believable, or that your love scenes are now devoid of most of their cheesiness.

I believe it is a smattering collection of these things. I see that my writing is cleaner. I see that I don’t use that that often, (pun intended). My words are more diverse and the dialogue is smoother.  However, I am at a loss. I know writers learn by doing. They learn by mastering the craft in order to abide by the laws and break them at their will.

But, How do you measure the progress of your writing?

Keep Writing,

Cheers,

Bob

Everything Has A Story

On By Robert EvenhouseIn The Writing Life4 Comments

It’s been almost three years now since I’ve had a space to write. My two daughters took precedence over a writing area and this, alas, left no room for a desk or study. Now, however, the time has come for a writer retreat to take form in the basement of my fine new abode, and I am thrilled beyond words.

As I unpacked the items that would comprise this writer’s retreat I thought of the essentials. Books? Of course. A desk? A must have. Lamp? Yes indeed. However, as I pulled out a few other items from long forgotten storage in my garage, memories of when I bought these items or the individual who gave it to me flooded my mind. I realized these belongings, though second hand and quite old, have stories of their own to tell.

The first item I would like to draw your attention to is in the top right corner of the photo. It is a picture of two warships. I know it might seem silly to have a couple of random war vessels plastered on the wall, but these are not random. They are not mere warships but, rather, photos of two ships my deceased grandfather Robert Evenhouse served on during the Korean Conflict.

The next item that might (or might not) catch your eye is that simple black chair that sits in front of the desk. That belonged to my grandparents when they managed an apartment complex. They bought this chair, and an identical one, after my grandfather had a stroke. It exudes comfort and I am grateful to have inherited it.

Now, onto the prized possession of that plain light colored desk I use to compose my stories. That my dear friends cost me $85.00. Why would you pay $85.00 for a desk that you could probably buy for $30.00-$50.00? Simple, I was swindled by a salesman at a second hand shop. I have absolutely no clue as to what thinking at the time. I wager I was just too excited to have something to write on, apparently no matter the cost.

The last item, but not the least, is the futon. “Anyone make that mistake?” As Jim Gaffigan jokes, “There is never enough fu in the ta. It’s like sleepin’ on a grill.” This beauty was purchased eleven years ago and has served as a couch and bed in my dormitory at collage, the first couch my wife and I ever had, and is the current bed for my in-laws or sister-in-law to sleep when they visit.

All things travel.

All things have a history.

And, therefore everything has a story to tell.

Keep Writing,

Cheers,

Bob

The Best Writing Advice, Ever

On By Robert EvenhouseIn World of Writing6 Comments

Since watching A Midnight In Paris with Owen Wilson, I have wondered what it be like to have Hemingway deconstructing my sentences. Then, I thought, what would it be like to have Gertrude Stein dissecting my novel or discuss my novel with the various writers or artisans that graces Paris in the twenties during that Movable Feast?

I have a lot of writing hero’s and writers that I admire. If I could resurrect any writer I think it would either be Jules Verne or Tolkien.

Why? I love the pace of Verne’s stories. They are simple tales indeed but, he is an expert of pace. The stories start out with a recruiting section. Once the adventure is plotted and the characters are selected the race to the end begins.

Tolkien, its obvious isn’t it? I would need his help developing my world. I have no plans on adding languages as that is a bit further that I would want to go, however, his expertise in realm creation would be appreciated.

How about you? Who are you writing heroes and why? Who would you seek for the best writing advice, ever? Post your answer in the comment section below.

Cheers,

Bob

 

 

Are You A Writer or A Blogger?

On By Robert EvenhouseIn The Writing Life6 Comments

Sit down for a moment writer. Pour your tea or coffee if you must, but let’s take some time to reflect.

Survey the last week. Think about the time you spent writing. Whether this has been a productive week for blogging or working on your book, or journaling, it does matter. But I challenge you place that time in three categories: Book, Blog, Personal.

Okay. Now, think about this question: What do you spend the most time on?

I find that a lot of times how we spend our time is who we are. But, in our mind we pretend we are something else. I know I do. If I take this survey of my writing time I see that I spend more time working on my blog and less time working on my novel. Albeit, the fun part of the novel is over. Now it is editing, writing proposal pieces, and gathering names for agencies and agents.

I write this blog post to recommit to my novel. To give it not thought, but time.  After all, what is a writer’s platform if he has nothing to share from it?

Write this weekend my friends.

Cheers,

Bob

The Dust Jacket of Calelleth

On By Robert EvenhouseIn My Novel5 Comments
The Seige of Calelleth

Yesterday (see here), I promised to post the synopsis of my book as I continue to work through sections of my proposal. I am pleased to say I got a bit closer to the place I wanted to be, though there is always a (perhaps obsessive) need for the writer to refine and improve.

I have to admit I was a bit depressed by the perpetual mustering of strength  my synopsis required. I was trying so hard and focusing all of my energy on writing a synopsis that is good and gripping and inviting that I nearly tired of writing altogether.

Now, I know it is only a couple of hundred words but I am proud of them. Proud enough to hope that the thrill of finishing this portion of my proposal will be able to carry me through the next. I also hope it offers a potent enough spell to banish that depressive Bob that rears his ugly head every now and again to tell me I’m not cut out for this. You can go to seed, dear friend. This novelist no longer needs you.

Custos is a Humili – both farmer and volunteer in the Calellethian guard. Though war hasn’t happened for centuries, opportunities abound for a young man to display his talent with the sword and bow during the Harvest Celebration. However, before Custos is able to participate, he is chosen to fill a revered post that becomes available once in a generation: The Guardian, the protector of the future Sage of Calelleth.  

After Hailea is elected Sage in Waiting, but before the people of Calelleth discover they are not alone in the world, she befriends her bodyguard Custos and together they uncover a nasty secret buried beneath the city: a labyrinth of passageways leading to ancient ruins and piles of decayed bodies.

As Custos and Hailea struggle with the gravity of this discovery amid the political squabbles and backstabbings that usually encompass their daily life, an innumerable army arrives at the Calellethian gates demanding to have their captive families released to the utter bewilderment of the city leaders.

Will Custos and Hailea be able to devise a plan to appease the ferocious force in order to save Calelleth? Or will the city of Calelleth and its inept army be obliterated by the consequences of a forgotten past?

Keep Writing.

Cheers,

Bob