I’m also about to read Help Thanks Wow from Anne Lamott. I know I will love this book, because I absolutely adore Lamott!
writers
Dialogue
“One line of dialogue that rings true reveals character in a way that pages of description can’t.”
Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Natalie Goldberg recommends that you listen carefully to dialogue and speech when you are in public places. Yes, it’s eavesdropping. But it’s also professional development. You’re not listening to be nosy. You’re listening so that you can be a better writer. Listen carefully to cadences, slang, vocabulary and observe mannerisms, facial expressions and reaction times.
How do people reveal themselves? What are they wearing? What does disappointment look like? What about fear? Joy?
Writers are keen observers. Dialogue is part of honesty that Lamott mentioned in chapter one of Bird by Bird.
The more accurate you are about observing and recording, the more authentic your story will be.
The Key to Writing Great Fiction
“The very first thing I tell my students on the first day of a workshop is that good writing is about telling the truth.”
Anne Lamott in Bird by Bird
The truth. It’s clear we want the truth, even in fiction. We can spot a lie within a fiction story instantly. That character would never do that! And then we get angry. Have you ever watched your favorite TV series and then someone does something completely out of character and it makes you so angry you quit watching? Ahhhh…for the love of ratings!
Great art is about presenting the truth. It has to come honestly from the heart, not from the desire to shock or manipulate emotions or increase your follower count.
Lamott emphasizes throughout her book the importance of allowing the characters to come to you and to reveal themselves to you. She cautions against inserting dialogue, action and plot that doesn’t emanate naturally from the characters. It will sound forced because it IS forced.
I’m not a painter, sculptor, photographer or actor, but I believe this philosophy pertains to all arts. As a famous sculptor once said,
“…a knot of wood or a block of marble made it seem that a figure was already enclosed there and my work consisted of breaking off all the rough stone that hid it from me”.”\
Auguste Rodin (The Guardian)
Observe. Wait. The truth will reveal itself.
Wanted: Trailblazers
Artists are powerful because they appeal to people’s hearts and minds. Painters, sculptors, writers, musicians and other artists are changemakers. Writers, for example, can be drivers for social equity.
Two Asian actors in “Hawaii Five-O” just left the show. When they signed on, they were the big names. No one really knew the two white lead actors (Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan). Daniel Dae Kim was coming from “Lost” and Grace Park was famous for her work in “Battlestar Galactica.” The Asian actors were really the draw for the show. Now, seven years later, the Asian actors are still not making as much money as the lesser known leads.
NPR had an intriguing and informative interview with writer Rick Najera and Jeff Yang (podcast host). Najera made the assertion that the power lies in the hands of the writers:
NAJERA: The writers’ room can decide whether that actor is a supporting actor or a leading actor. So it’s very easy to make that decision. So you can sit there and say, well, we have two Asian actors on a show set in Hawaii, which is predominately very Asian, let’s make them leads. They can make that decision early on. I think Hollywood’s kind of catching up to that thought and wants to. It’s just everyone in Hollywood wants to be second, no one wants to be first.
I believe artists outside of Hollywood – the independent filmmakers and artists – are the people who will make (are making) this happen.
Be the first!
Spotlight on Marie Myung-Ok Lee, Writer
Hello all, I published this two years ago. I thought I’d publish it again for those of you who may have missed it:
“If you really want to do something, you’re going to have to go for it.”
Marie Myung-Ok Lee
I first learned about Marie when I was researching Korean-American history for a San Francisco State University’s ethnic studies class I was going to teach for Dr. Grace Yoo (during her sabbatical). Her book, Somebody’s Daughter, expertly covers both the adopted child/adult’s perspective as well as that of the adoptee within two cultures. Marie Myung-Ok Lee is a Korean-American author and essayist, writing often for The New York Times, The Atlantic and Newsweek. She’s been published in Witness, The Kenyon Review, TriQuarterly and Slate. She teaches creative writing at Brown University and Columbia University.
If you’re interested in being a writer, Marie is sure to inspire you. She is not only an accomplished writer, but a loving mother to an autistic teenage boy. Her essay for The Atlantic Monthly “What My Son’s Disabilities Taught Me About ‘Having It All’” is one of the most moving, enlightening articles I have ever read.
Despite her extremely busy schedule (she’s working on her next novel), she graciously and generously spoke with me on the phone. She is a modest, hard-working, intelligent and creative person. When I informed her of my objective with my blog (to help others achieve goals by reading of people who have already accomplished them), she got right to the point:
“I constantly write. Every single day from 4:30am to 6pm. I never take a day off.” She lives in NYC in a small apartment with her husband (a professor), and their son. Previous to writing, she was an investment banker for five years. Although writing does not even come close to the money she made before, Marie couldn’t be happier with her work, “I love it.”
Another tip: “I get 10 rejections to each offer. You have to be committed to writing. If you really want to do something, you’re going to have to go for it.”
Marie is down-to-earth, honest and practical. When I congratulated her on all of her great work, she was quick to point out that it took her eight years to write her novel, and that she couldn’t live on her salary alone. The family is on her husband’s insurance and she constantly juggles motherhood and her work. When she left banking, she was a ghost writer, a freelancer, an editor. She obtained fellowships and worked hard at her novel.
Wanting it, working hard, sacrificing hours each and every day, utilizing your strengths (and challenges)…going for your passions: these are the secrets to her success.
Marie’s most recent article can be found here, on Salon.com. She provides a careful analysis of the McKinney, TX pool party incident, tying in a personal example of mistreatment by an adult when she was a teenager.
You can follow Marie Myung-Ok Lee on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarieLeeWriter
Her Twitter handle is @MarieMyungOkLee
On “Perfection”
On Perfection:
Elizabeth Gilbert, American Author
“Perfection is the death of all good things, perfection is the death of pleasure, it’s the death of productivity, it’s the death of efficiency, it’s the death of joy. Perfection is just a bludgeon that goes around murdering everything good. Somebody once said I was disingenuous for saying this, because surely I try to make my work as good as it can be. And that’s absolutely true — but there’s a really big difference between ‘as good as it can be’ and perfection.” – TED, September 2015
Summer Reading
Summer break is about two weeks away and I’m building my summer reading list. I just received my copy of Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations”.
My goal is to read a little of each genre. Have you read something you can strongly recommend?
At Last…
I’ve published it.
On Amazon.com and a few other outlets, you can now purchase Esther, Mia and the Stars! It will say “Spanish version” but it’s in both English and Spanish, every page.
Esther and Mia are best friends. Esther must come up with a creative solution when she discovers that Mia is being bullied. Together, they overcome this painful event and tell their story in English and Spanish.
It’s imperfect, but it was a labor of love, illustrated by my daughters with a message of empowerment for children who are experiencing bullying.
Thank you to my blogging community! You provided much-needed support and encouragement along the way.
Self-Publishing Update
I finally received my proof for Esther, Mia and The Stars today!
It looks really good. It’s not perfect. But it’s a labor of love and I’m going to publish it. Two illustrations need to be replaced and I have to figure out how to center the ISBN code on the inner cover…but that’s it!
My friend, Sierra, translated the English to Spanish and told me it was a very fun process and that she learned a lot. I felt the same way. The process was extremely satisfying. My daughters loved making the illustrations at first, but then became self-conscious and self-critical. I hope the fact that I encouraged them to complete it will impress upon them the importance of crossing the finish line.
Mystery Blogger Award
I was tapped with the Mystery Blogger Award today. I like the premise of this idea, which is to highlight other blogs. Shamim Sobhani of My World named Kismet among her recommended blogs. Thank you Shamim! Go to her blog. She has some mind-blowing stories!
This award was originally created by Okoto Enigma of https://okotoenigmasblog.com/my-greatest-creation-yet/. Okoto is a very energetic writer. Check her out!
RULES for the Nominees:
1. Put the award logo/image on your blog post.
2. List the rules.
3. Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
4. Mention the creator of the award and provide a link.
5. Tell readers 3 things about yourself.
6. Answer the questions the blogger gave to you .
7. Nominate 10-20 people.
8. Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog.
9. Ask nominees 5 questions of your choice (one weird/funny question).
10. Share link to your best post(s).
Three Things About Me Are:
1. Writing is my world. I write and I teach writing.
2. I am the child of Korean immigrants to the United States.
3. I am grateful for my family and friends. I have the highest quality sister and brother. My parents sacrificed so much for me. My friendships are fiercely loyal – I will do anything for my friends and they for me.
For the Next Mystery Blogger Award I Nominate:
- Reimagine Therapy
- Soul Food 101
- Whippet Wisdom
- 67 Steffen
- Crazy Genes Blog
- Gaston Bessette
- Phil H52
- Robert Okaji
- Thoughts of SheryL
- Sascha Darlington
They are an eclectic group and each offers a unique perspective and information. I enjoy them!
Answers to Shamim:
1. What’s one of the most helpful tips you can offer, whether it’s about motivation, living as an expat, or about life in general? Live in presence, in the light of gratitude and grace.
2. What’s one positive thing about my blog and one thing I can improve on? So many great things about your blog! But I the first that comes to mind is your writing voice. Your personality is so strong and consistent throughout your site. Improve on? I don’t know…maybe change your calendar to something else more personal?
3. Have you ever been caught in an emergency before? If so, what happened? If not, what’s something funny or awkward that’s happened to you? Emergency: a week after giving birth to my daugher, I bled profusely due to a blood clot. I almost died. I was brought to San Francisco Emergency and all the patients waiting to be seen as I was hurriedly carried in said out loud, “Wow, she’s really pale.” They removed the clot and gave me blood and I was fine.
4. What motivates you to wake up the hour you wake up and get through the day? I wake up at 5am to work out to Jillian Michaels workouts. It makes me feel strong and alert all day.
5. If you were given the option to choose one country in the world to live in, which would it be? Hmmm. Hard to say. Country? I love my country, despite our current administration. I’d love to live in South Korea for a year, but I wouldn’t want to live there permanently. I think maybe England. 🙂
My Questions to My Nominees:
- Have you had a bad habit or vice? Have you been able to kick it and if so, how? Do you currently have a bad habit you need to break? Why?
- What is the greatest thing about your life?
- What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you and how did you overcome it?
- What’s your favorite dessert?
- What are you reading right now?
Thank you all! I love my WordPress community.
Kismet 