Author: Gene Linzey

I am the owner of P&L Publishing & Literary Services. Contact us at plpubandlit2@gmail.com and speak with a person - not a recording. Also, you may check us out at plpubandlit.org for more information.
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Learn from Others, but Be Yourself

Babies learn about speech by listening. They learn to talk by imitating. They get good at conversation by practicing. Is there a lesson here for writers? I think so.

We learn about writing by reading. We learn to write by imitating. We get good at it by practicing. Does that sound too simple? Well, if I could reduce it any further, I would.

I’ve heard it said, “Learn from the best, but don’t copy them.” I agree, but I modify it this way, Read, study other writers, and learn all you can. But when it’s your turn to publish your work, don’t copy someone else. Be yourself.

Years ago, my dad said, “My mentors at the writer’s guild told me that I have to write what people want to read. And I have to write it a certain way or I’ll never sell much. What do you think?”

I didn’t want to give advice that conflicted with his mentors because there was some truth in their statements. But they missed an important piece of the puzzle.

After a minute or so, I responded. “Dad, they have great advice if your goal is to make a paycheck. But my advice is to write your passion, about what’s in your heart and mind. But write it well! Learn from them, polish your style, but be yourself.”

How did he do? A few years later he told me that his books sold very well, and he was happy for the freedom of expression I gave him.

So, learn from the best, but don’t try to copy their style. Be yourself, and …

Write Creatively

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First Impressions

You’re going for a job interview. How do you dress? If you’re applying for a managerial position, don’t dress like a surfer. If you’re going for a position as a plumber, a suit and tie might not be appropriate. Your appearance, interaction, and attitude must convince the manager that you are the person for the job. First impressions are usually long-lasting, and can make the difference whether you get the job.

In a similar manner, when someone picks up your book, he or she must be quickly convinced that the book is worth reading. Your first sentence, or at least your first paragraph, must arrest the reader’s attention. For example …

In the book, APRIL 1865 (Jay Winik, HarperCollins, 2001), Mr. Winik opens his introduction with: “Atlanta had been overwhelmed. Columbia had been surrendered – and burned. Charleston had been abandoned. The peace conference at Hampton Roads had been fruitless. And the British and the French had refused to intervene.”

That opening salvo got my attention! I continued reading.

Like Jay Winik did, we must make that very important first impression in the opening lines of our book. We don’t want readers to put our book down until they devour the whole story.

And remember, the last lines of each page must prompt the reader to turn the page. The last page of the chapter should present a hook to pull the reader to the next chapter. And the first paragraph of each chapter should be a lure to entice the reader to keep reading. Yes, the book must be interesting!

All that is wrapped up in two words:

Write Creatively

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3 Steps to a Good Page-Turner

Yes, I know. Most of you have heard something like that many times, and I understand there are many more than 3 steps, but don’t go away. This could help burgeoning authors, and I won’t bore you veterans with unnecessary verbiage.

There is no shortcut to writing a great book. Although it takes time, it takes a lot of thinking, and it’s not easy, it is simple. In fact, this may sound too simple, and you might toss it aside. That’s okay with me, but read it first.

What do you need for the great book you want to write?

1. Enthusiasm, Passion

Simply put, you need an idea that means a lot to you. Tell a story that would keep your interest. Why? Writers tend to be more passionate about their own ideas; therefore, they can more energetically write the story. Infuse your writing with energy.

2. Exciting Characters

No one knows more about your characters than you do. Why? They are born out of your imagination. You assign to them looks, size, attitudes, strengths, flaws, skills, blemishes, character, and all the rest, so make them interesting. Make sure they fulfill their purpose for being in the book, and they dynamically drive the story in the direction you want it to go. Even if you have a dog, cat, or a chicken in the book, give it a purpose for being there.

3. Resolvable Tension

There is a need for nice, sweet stories like Pollyanna. But even in Pollyanna, there was tension. To keep readers turning those pages, there must be conflict. Let that controlled conflict empower the story throughout the book and grip the readers’ imagination.

As I mentioned, writing is not easy, but it is simple. Improve your skill, enjoy your writing, and

Write Creatively

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Energize Your Writing

Do you know that your choice of words is as important as how you use them? Also, writing a compelling sentence often has a higher priority than writing a literally correct sentence. These concepts are part of what makes the editing process so powerful, and what makes the editor so valuable. Identifying weak areas and refining/editing the work can transform a good story into a great story.

The following is an example of weak narrative.   

George looked out the window. He saw an airplane flying very low, and wondered if it would make it to the airport. 

The author should find a way to infuse life into the narrative. There are many ways that can be accomplished, and here is one idea:

George couldn’t believe what he saw. “You’ll never make it to the airport; the plane is too low! Bring it up!” George yelled at the closed window. He couldn’t hear the crash, but a massive fireball and cloud of black smoke erupted as the commercial airliner plowed into the forest at 165 mph.

Changing the sentence structure not only energized the narrative, it also added depth to the story. This kind of writing prompts readers to keep turning the pages.

Let’s not waste our time by writing boring stories for bored people. Let’s offer them a dynamic adventure by …

Writing Creatively

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Today, You Get a Short Note

If you’ve read my blogs on either web site for a while, you’ll note that not all of them are pertinent to your situation. You’ll also note that a few seem redundant, and many of them overlap.

That’s okay. Accept and learn by what applies/appeals to you, and let the rest go.

One of my newspaper column readers called the managing editor and complained, “I really do not agree with Mr. Linzey. I don’t like today’s article.”

The editor asked, “Did you like his column last week?”

“Oh, yes, I did.”

“How about the week before?”

“Yes.”

“Then, you’ll like his column next week, too. So just throw this one away.”

In like manner, you folks are encouraged to use whatever information you can and ignore the rest. And all of us will do our best to …

Write Creatively

Oh, and if you have an extra 10 minutes, you can look us up and find out more about us at https://plpubandlit.org/.

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I’m Going to Write a Book …

Do you hear people saying that? Are you saying it?

If “yes” is the answer in either question, what does it mean? I’ll tell you. It means the book isn’t being written. And in many situations, it won’t be written for some time. In order to write a book, the proposed author must decide to get moving. For example …

An airplane, be it propeller-driven or jet powered, can sit on the runway for years and never fly if it doesn’t move. And if it does move, it must reach a critical speed related to it’s type and weight to lift off the ground. (Note: I am not referring to anyone’s size or weight.)

A watercraft, be it a kayak or a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, has a critical speed for the rudder to take effect. If the craft moves, but hasn’t reached its critical speed, the helmsman can turn the rudder all he wants to, but the boat or ship will not turn.

Writing a blog or book is similar: we can talk about it all we want to, but if we don’t get moving, it will not get written. And if we do move, we must “reach that critical speed” to see our situation change.

So, what are you going do? Change your thinking and you will change your activity. Then you can say, “I’m writing a book.” And then …

Write Creatively

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Write About Your Passion

I suppose that is a goofy way to start this blog, but let’s talk about it in a literary sense.

One of the reasons I had difficulty writing when I was a kid was simple: I had to write about the topics teachers gave me. I wasn’t interested and my writing proved it. But with the help of my 7th-grade teacher, I developed an interest in history. Later, I got interested in several areas of science. Then, the Bible came alive to me in a way I never dreamed possible, and it became my foundation.

With the Bible, history, and science as my passions, the process of writing became not just meaningful, but fun! It was enjoyable because that same passion drove me to read more, and my well of knowledge began filling. Reading and writing became a major direction in my life, but it was the passion – the love of the Bible, history, and science – that motivated me.

However, I still had a difficult time writing what people wanted to read. I didn’t have their passions, and my writing was a little flat. Call it boring! So I decided to write about my own interests. My newspaper columns, my scientific endeavors, my teaching, and my preaching all revolved around the Bible, history, and science. And would you believe it? I had stumbled onto a very important principle, and people wanted more.

Bestselling author Jerry Jenkins said in his blog, The Secret to Compelling Writing, “Write the book you would read. Write it in a way that would keep your interest, and your book will find all the readers you want.”

So I encourage all of you, find your literary passion. Go with it, and …

Write Creatively

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Are You a Writer or Storyteller?

In a proverbial nutshell, there is a difference between a writer and a storyteller.

A writer uses words in various styles and techniques to communicate ideas. A writer’s prose and/or poetry can be so polished that by using imagery and metaphors the writer can enrapture people with their literary brilliance even without a well-defined plot. The emphasis is in the choice of words.

A storyteller is someone who communicates about events in images, and sounds. Excellent storytelling resurrects old worlds or creates new worlds. Storytellers enable us to watch the forces of Attila the Hun clash with the Roman Legions. They help us to walk through the distant past and watch the pterodactyls fly overhead. People are enabled to experience fear as they see and hear the battle between imaginary interstellar forces.

Storytelling is a social activity that draws the listener to a different dimension of time and space. The wording can be rough and crude, and that’s forgiven because the emphasis is in the plot.

But can a person be both a writer and a storyteller? The answer is a resounding YES.

I think it’s something we should all be striving for, because that would enhance the quality and the value of our work – and the number of sales of our books.

I want to be both a good writer and a good storyteller. I’ve got the verbal storytelling down okay; it’s the writing part that I’m still working on. So, yes, I’m still endeavoring to …

Write Creatively

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Editors are an Unnecessary Expense … or Are They?

Often, what someone tries to convey in writing isn’t what the reader perceives. Also, the writer sometimes makes errors that his or her own mind glosses over. That’s why, after the document is completed, the author needs to become objective. So edit it: read it, and rewrite it . Make sure you take the time to revise it and make the story say what you want it to say. Edit the document to the best of your ability, then be willing to ask a knowledgeable friend to review the manuscript for you. But often close friends and family members don’t want to hurt your feelings, and that can color their judgment.

Marie called. She was distraught because she asked for and received advice from numerous friends about how to proceed. However, the advisors conflicted with each other and deepened her confusion. After we answered her questions and helped her understand what was involved, she hired our P&L Publishing and Literary Services editor who helped the message flow smoothly.

Editing takes time because the editor objectively reads every word. Depending on the genre, size of the book, and the level of editing the author requests, the process can take several days to a month. A good editor will not hurry because he/she wants to assure that your book is excellent. With that in mind, P&L’s highly experienced editor endeavors to complete the job within two weeks. Check P&L out at https://plpubandlit.org/.

The following statement may not surprise you, but you might not often think about it: A well-written book generates more sales than a poorly-written book. Therefore, give a lot of thought to editing. If you are good at it, you can save money. Otherwise, a good editor can help you make the sales, and therefore, earn you money. For a few more ideas, order our book, Publish Your Book the Easy and Inexpensive Way. (https://www.amazon.com/Publish-Your-Book-Easy-Inexpensive/dp/B0BVT8KWN2)

Write Creatively

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Writing Takes Time, but isn’t always Difficult

I like what best-selling author Randy Ingermanson said in his discussion about writing stories. He likes to start a story to see how it ends because when he starts one, it takes on a life of its own and he writes what’s happening. But remember yesterday’s blog about imagination? Randy has a prolific imagination, and he writes what he sees and hears.

It takes time to write – we have to make ourselves sit down and do it. But it isn’t always difficult if we set our imagination loose and write what you see and hear.

Years ago at a scientific laboratory when I wrote reports for my supervisor, he said, “I just read the report you wrote for me. I’m baffled because it looks exactly the way I would have written it. How do you do that?”

“George, I know the information you need, I know the sound of your voice, I know how you think, and I know your work ethic. Therefore, when I sit at my computer, I begin typing what I mentally hear what you say.” I got a big raise that year.

So, you should “know” your characters inside & out. Then when you begin writing, type what you “hear” them say. Allow yourself to enter the story, and as it develops, write what you “see” happening.

Writing is laborious, but not always difficult. And P&L Publishing and Literary Services is ready to help you publish your work when you are ready. (https://plpubandlit.org/)

Write Creatively