Uncategorized - J.K. Conibear

Daedalus Remembered

A painter translates Daedalus onto canvas

Drawing the inventor as a field hand who plows

uneven furrows that match the folds of his clothing

A tunic that should be long, flowing and Greek

boats in the background that should be pointed, narrow and sleek

* * *

Bruegel’s painting was medieval, staid and woolen

it captured a day the father remembered forever

the oddly green brightness of the sun as it

reflected upwards into an expansive sky

shining with cheerful possibilities as his child

Icarus slid into the sea with a splash, and died

My parents dragged me through huge museums in every country they visited and the privilege was completely lost on me. However, this month of October I am thoroughly enjoying a tour of old and new master paintings, and using them as writing prompts for poetry. It is good fun. A complete explanation of Ekphrastic poetry starts here with the talented Instructor John Brantingham, a local English professor. Join me!

Most writers I know are too humble to sa

Most writers I know are too humble to say “this book is so good, come and get it” but by their lack of promotion that’s how their book sales are happening! http://ow.ly/PrKzU

The Perfect Pitch

A pitch is your story compressed into 25 five words. Or less.

Lorna and Larry Collins have been practicing their pitches for assorted memoirs, short story anthologies, mystery and romance novels for quite some time. In their presentation at the California Writer’s Club they explained that the world of publishing has changed, but the need for a “perfect pitch” has not. Agents, readers and friends want to know what great novel is in the works, and the writer must grab attention in one sentence. While polite friends may enjoy a rambling explanation, today’s socially-media minded readers are too busy for niceties. Agents are even more impatient. They are looking for reasons to triage their monthly work pile from three hundred manuscripts to a single pertinent manuscript.

So, what is a pitch? A pitch is your story compressed into 25 five words. Or less. It is a description of the arc of the story, covering the beginning, middle and end. It should introduce an interesting character and that character should have a goal or a crisis. The setting, place or situation should intrigue your target audience. Examples follow, and note that more detailed information can be found on their website:

What if four little guys go on a dangerous quest to destroy a stolen ring? (Lord of the Rings)
What if a matchmaking young woman focuses on her friends but misses her own perfect match, who has been there all along. (Emma)
A tornado blows Dorothy to Oz, incurring the wrath of a witch. A scarecrow, woodsman, and lion seek a powerful wizard to send her home. (Wizard of Oz)

Consider your pitch successful when it generates follow-up questions. Try it. When people ask for details, you’ll know it’s working. If the response is, “Oh, that’s nice. Wanna get coffee?” you should probably purchase something stronger than a coffee to drown your sorrows (my opinion, not the presenters.) Seriously, go back to the keyboard to make it perfect. The pitch is often an introductory line for the “back book” description which is then expanded. Even if your manuscript is unfinished, having a solid pitch keeps the writer focused on a powerful storyline.

K. & Lorna Collins can help you with any aspect of writing or publishing. Read about their books: 31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park, Murder… They Wrote, Murder in Paradise, Snowflake Secrets, Seasons of Love, The Art of Love, An Aspen Grove Christmas, …And a Silver Sixpence in her Shoe, award-winning Directions of Love, Lakeview Park, The McGregor Chronicles, Ghost Writer, and The Memory Keeper at www.lornalarry.com

RT @LMBush4 “pic.twitter.com/oIt6CxuceI

RT @LMBush4 “pic.twitter.com/oIt6CxuceI”

Muses of Inebriation and Inspiration

When do modern writers do their best work?

When do modern writers do their best work? When they are driven by sadness? Drunk?

Writers have always fretted and worried about inspiration. The Greeks, Shakespeare and Keats yearned for nubile muses to imbue the air with a dreamlike mist of inspiration. There is also a belief that a cup of Inebriation pairs well with Inspiration. The Norse, the Greeks, Romans, the Chinese and the masters of Western literature honor a man’s melancholic or hard-bitten disposition, especially when it gives way to drink and despair because the hope is that this will fuel their best work.

My experience is that the “Drunken Poet” is an old myth. I’ve sat through many presentations by writers and they all have figured out a system to write when they’re rested, a time of day and a methodology that suits their lifestyle.

Personality, or Mindset? What drives success?

Ever notice how people can be introverted when they talk about themselves but glowing extroverts when the topic is about something they are passionate about? I have noticed this about writers. They do not define themselves as writers, until someone asks a question about their book, and then they never shut up. This paradox has always made me laugh.

Recently, I listened to a TED talk by Susan Cain, an author who published a bestselling book in 2014 called Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. I was surprised to discover that to a psychologist an introvert is not a reserved person. Introverts are not shy people who are afraid of public speaking–they do all those things very well. Introversion is not about timid behavior but a cognitive expression of how information is processed. Introverts spend hours pondering the inner world; their focus is on concepts and ideas. An extrovert is more interested in people and the things that make up the outer world. The differences show up in the way these two groups of people approach life. Introverts work in an internally focused manner, they prefer to prepare and practice before revealing their thoughts. Extroverts, on the other hand, get their energy by interacting with others and are willing to talk extemporaneously, even on topics they know little about. They can be charming, and often annoying, all at the same time.

Our culture applauds the extrovert and scolds the introvert by encouraging them to “speak up.” Childhood must seem tedious, rushed and pushy, for the young introvert. However, once we claim our identities, through work and daily routines, I don’t think that being an introvert or extrovert matters much. There’s hundreds of successful writers and engineers to fit both categories. I have found people evolve into hybrids, or even jump into the opposite category, as best suits them.

Repeating myself from my last blog, it is not what you are, but how you respond to the world and information. That’s the most intriguing measure of an intelligent nature. I find that performance, endurance, and success is in the mindset, not because of a personality type. Some people respond to new things with a growth mindset, seeking new directions and ideas. Others worry about themselves and their aspirations, until they reach a point when they become defensive and discouraged. They have developed a “fixed mindset” about their ability to learn, persuade and succeed.

I enjoy anyone with enough discernment to integrate their world. Writers fall in this category, they have an over-developed “growth mindset” and are curious about ideas, people, concepts and the world around them.

Hmmm, write more often, post more often

Hmmm, write more often, post more often and be paid more often.
http://ow.ly/LOtq8

Return The Shopping Cart

One of my favorite kind of stories. The everyday “I have been there too” tale. This one is short and ends with a humorous twist. The reader leaves with an “aha” understanding of how to make life sweet and inspirational. It reminds me that what happens to us is unimportant–correction, the experience may become a great story (and I am a believer in sharing stories) but it is how we react to things in life that is golden.

The worst competition? Yourself.

With each New Years Resolution focused on writing, I step further out of the safe and dreamy world of wishful thinking and into the messy complications of action and imbalance. I am killing myself with writing activities. These activities sabotage the act of writing by keeping me away from the keyboard yet when I sit in front of the computer I’m not working on manuscripts but managing social media and organizational activities.

Last night I researched publishing trends for 2015 for a panel discussion I am moderating for the California Writers Club. Guess what the experts say? There’s gonna be more competition in the ebook universe.

Groan.

Today’s improved technology means there is a screen in every pocket, tablets and computers in every household, and an easy way to access digital content. eBooks have become an established in libraries, elementary schools, and are willingly adopted by seniors. The five traditional publishing houses are paying attention, but, while the IT world of content and distribution is growing, the ebook trend for 2015 is going to flatten out due to more competition.

To find readers, authors must be at the top of their craft, producing attractive books, and building marketing platforms. Time-management in the world of social media will be crucial for all.

Exactly how does that work? I work part time as an administrator but I want to maintain my writer’s lifestyle. Last year I cut out evening meetings unless they were about writing. This year I’ll stop relaxing in front of the television. Sad face. After work I’ll go to the gym to pump oxygen into my tired brain so I can read at night, and get up earlier to write at work. Some perks; I have an expansive desk, nice view, and the boss arrives late to work and doesn’t do social media…

Funny thing is, writing is like spending money on your kids. No matter how bad things get, you always find a way to fund those activities and needs. Daughter’s university education is paid by taking out a loan, ignoring home maintenance, my part-time work, eating at home, and shopping second hand or thrift. It gets done. Writing is like raising a kid, you muddle through the things that are important, and it happens.

Writing Prompt: Camel

The cameI is a symbol associated with the second covenant and Sarah and Abraham. I researched this for the Jesse Tree Advent Project and I discovered information saying that the second covenant is called a “Covenant of Works, a prominent feature of Presbyterian and reformed churches…” I tried reading more, but there are too many arguments and definitions, all heavily debated. This is a seminary topic.

So, to continue from my post yesterday, here’s everything I know about camels and covenants. On our trip to Herat, a string of camels was heading towards the border to the then-Soviet Union. My mum, a handicraft addict, thought there might be rugs or copper sown into the saddlebags, so we got out of the car and accosted the nomads. The Tajikistani tribesmen would not relinquish any kelims, or saddle-bags (my mum asked) but offered us a consolation prize– a ride on a camel.

Desert camels are dromedaries, beasts with one hump, thought to be patient and strong but in reality, they are very stubborn, very mean and have very ugly teeth with very bad breath. Their long, yellow teeth are strung up into pendants on necklaces with blue evil-eye beads and sold to tourists.

The other English mother, Mrs. Jane, was undeterred and volunteered to go first. Did she ever lose her English reserve! The camel stood up awkwardly on front legs first, which threw the passenger forward, then lurched on its back haunches. Mrs. Jane shrieked and hollered like a banshee. Everyone, Western and nomadic, enjoyed the spectacle of the Cursing Englishwoman–only the camel was indifferent. However, Mrs. Jane was more than scared, she had trapped her middle finger under the wooden saddle and it was being pinched. It was even harder not to giggle when she pointed her bruised and purple digit at us, but we tried to be contrite because she was hurt.

To make amends, we made a covenant with this ancient desert creature. We promised never to ride a camel again. We would not even buy their teeth at the market!