writing notebooks.
The bad news? Although they were mostly salvageable, some are unreadable.
I had been meaning to go through these notebooks forever because I was convinced they contained very valuable information. Maybe not!
But I always tell students the importance of keeping notes.
Next time I will mention the value of keeping notebooks in safe places. Away from liquids.
But the other good news relates to a single page discovered inside the oldest, wettest notebook. Notes from a book I bought after reading it from the library. It may have been the very first book on writing craft I added to my newly created library.
Lee Wyndham's Writing for Children and Teenagers.
An oldie, yes, but good information and a few used copies are still floating around for sale out there. Also in libraries.
My book is not readily available so I'm glad I found this note inside a
waterlogged notebook:
And right now I need to know everything there is to know about making ENDINGS better.
In case you can't read my notes:
1. Can't just think things out
2. Something must happen to the Main Character, a powerful personal experience that shocks, rocks or floors her. Terrific impact.
3. Then have a quiet scene to show the Main Character has changed. The Main Character thinks over her actions.
4. Then a scene where she PROVES she's changed.
5. CONCLUSION: The original character has changed considerably so
Be Brisk. Be Brief. Be Gone.
I'm off to re-create my ending! Thanks, Lee Wyndham.
4 comments:
I am pretty sure I owned this book. I've given it away and other books from my writer's library as well, thinking it too outdated after all this time. Note to self: Good advice is never outdated. Sorry for the spillage, but useful for your blog. :-)
Be Brisk, Be Brief, Be Gone!
Say that 3 times fast!
I am sorry about the notes, Augusta!
Hi Augusta! Totally off topic here, but I wanted to send you BIG congrats for "Glory Be" making the top twenty mid-grade list for the year, on Amazon.com!
It's a wonderful book, and truly deserves it's place among the best books of the year!
Hugs and happiness to you always, Lisa
Wow -- I would be devastated at losing my many notebooks, so I will take your advice to heart. I like the advice on endings, tho -- good for writers of all stripes.
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