New York City Site Visit

Recently, I went to New York for a site visit. As always, at this time of the year, the city was glittering in preparation for the holidays. The weather was cloudy at the start of my trip, however after a couple of days, the sun returned.

You will recall when I blogged about the writer’s tool of observation, I suggested you not only experience the physical nature of an environment, also immerse yourself in the smells, sounds, colors and facial expressions of people you encounter. I used this technique to gather bits and pieces of the life of this great city.

Here are some photos from my trip.

Store Window

Park Avenue at dusk

Park Avenue at Night

Centerpiece in Store Window

Twinkling lights were everywher

Display in Home Decor Store

NYC Night Sky

Roz in Midtown Manhattan

Further Notes on My Literary Journey

I enjoy sharing my writing experiences with you because you have been with me from the beginning. Much that I write about on-line relates to the art of creating stories, however, the process of growth has lessons in many aspects of life.

If you’re writing, I suggest you go deep into your culture and there you’ll find all the hope you need to tell your own stories. Check your cultural cues and they will open new roads for writing and telling stories. I did just that with Friends. As an African American I pondered our world-view of friendship. I remembered how my grandmother, my mother, mother-in-law and other important women in my life interacted with their friends. It gave me a starting point.

Often friendships are as valuable as family relationships. Because families are so scattered these days, sometimes friends are more valuable. An individual’s need for connections, validation, emotional support, approval etc., can, on occasion, only be met by friends.

The coming holidays will bring many opportunities for you to be a supportive friend.

Best,
Roz

My Next Novel and An Update….

Team, just keeping you in the loop,

1.The Little Manual will be ready soon.

2.The main character in my next novel has a name. I will reveal it to you at a later date. I believe you will find the character believable and intriguing. My notebook for this novel is brimming with interesting details. I’m hesitant about revealing too much. Please stick with me as we begin another journey together.

Best,
Roz

Follow Me On Twitter!

Team, as promised, I’m now on Twitter. You can follow me at twitter.com/rozinc. I’m still moving forward toward publication of my next book.

Best,
Roz

The next stage in my literary journey

With some trepidation, I have decided to enter the arena of social media. I will soon have a Twitter account. You will be the first to know. I’m hoping to have more personal interaction with my readers.

Best,
Roz

Just to keep you posted on my progress

Life’s Little Manual is complete, however, I’m in the review and rewrite phase now. This is a very tedious process, because I must continuously go over the manuscript, printing it out, sometimes as many as three times in one day.

This is probably the loneliest time in any author’s journey, reading the same words over and over. But, it has to be done. It is during this phase many of those wonderful words, phrases and sometimes entire paragraphs are cut from the manuscript. It is like getting rid of a close friend, very wrenching. To be frank, I believe this is the most important part of the journey because you are tightening the work. You may make small additions, but cutting is a high priority at this stage.

During the many rewrites of Friends to Die For, I cut an entire chapter. After publication when I packed away and stored all those rewrites I kept that chapter with important papers. Go figure.

I hope all you budding authors will find some solace in my experience. Cutting is a vital part of the process. It makes your work leaner and cleaner.

Enough about rewrites. Once they are finished the manuscript will go to the editor.

Best, Roz

I Thank You

As you begin this New Year, it is my sincere hope you will be successful in all of your endeavors. Because you have been so supportive of my literary efforts, I want to thank you profusely.

From the beginning, 2010 was an exciting year. I had many book events. I was honored by the Twelve-In-Twelve Book Club of Columbia, Maryland as the Club’s featured author of 2010. It was very big for me. I had attended several of their annual presentations in past years, never thinking that one day I would be so honored.

Remember, if you are a member of a book club and would like me to come and speak at one of your meetings, I would be happy to do so.

Best,
Roz

Start Writing, Right NOW!

All you aspiring, but hesitant writers, what’s holding you back? As soon as you leave this blog take a pad and begin making notes. Do you have a poet’s heart? Maybe the great romance lurks in your soul. A haunting mystery or a blockbuster adventure is ready to be written. Biography? Spy novel? Whatever your passion, if you desire to be an author, START NOW. MAKE A PLAN. Take one minute and then start writing. At this point, don’t worry about style or structure. Begin to tell your story. Let your words flow freely. Don’t correct anything, just write. Until you exhaust this first burst of creativity, fight the urge to make corrections. (To be continued.)
Best,
Roz

Words Are Powerful

Last week while browsing through a bookstore, I saw a toddler about two years old. He was sitting on his heels, as only small children can, looking in a book. There were only pictures on the pages, but he was talking to them, babbling really. Just then his mother walked up and asked “Have you selected the book you want?” It was a stunning scene. Here was a very young child who was (1) a beginning reader, (2) comfortable enough to quietly study a little book on his own, (3) who had obviously been read to, because he was talking to the pictures and (4) he lived in an environment where he was permitted to make decisions at a very young age.

This child was learning the value of words. Remember it is never too early to learn the power of words. Read to your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends’ children or just volunteer to read to young people at an elementary school or the public library. They will learn how to use words to appropriately express their wants, objections and needs. Also, a good vocabulary will help them learn to persuade others to their point of view. By helping them increase their word capacity, they will do better in school and ultimately in life.

Words have power in every aspect of our lives. The appropriate words advance our causes or stop us dead in our tracks. They lift us up or put us down. Choose the right words and they will take you where you want to go.

Best,
Roz

Writers’ Tools: Part 4

Writing Craft

When you’re learning to write, especially fiction, you learn the importance of drawing the reader into the story in the first paragraph or two. One of the most thrilling beginnings I have read came in the mystery novel Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith. There is no way you can put this book down once you have read the first page.
This skill works in other types of literary works. Even in poetry, the poet learns to draw the reader immediately. Remember, Longfellow’s poem Paul Revere’s Ride. It told the story of the great Revolutionary War hero. The reader is drawn into the tale immediately. Also, check out The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and Centennial by James A. Michener.