Writers' literary estates

 cj Sez: I’ve always known that I’m happiest when I learn something new every day. It’s the reason I take a college class every now and then. And it’s the reason I join writer groups and attend the occasional writers’ conferences.

  The following is an updated post from my archives—when I learned that I needed to think about preserving my “literary estate.” Hmmm, I thought. What a concept: As a published writer, I have a literary estate, meager though it may currently be. Wow.

  Today, I learned I was wrong when I thought that the estate lawyer who drew up my will and trust documents was all I needed.

  Not so, Grasshopper. Copyright protection requires an attorney familiar with the subject. It’s a legal specialty. I need a copyright, publishing, and media lawyer. 

  I did learn that I am moving in the right direction. I keep
files … physical paper documents in file folders in addition to digital copies that I keep on a flash drive in a safe deposit box. I have a folder of contracts, correspondence, and pertinent information about the publisher (my agent, if I ever get one will be added), and the stories/books—are they still in print and who has the rights. In my case, I have requested my rights be returned. 

  I keep a file of works-in-progress and completed but unpublished manuscripts. I also keep a paper copy of all my passwords so that they’re accessible to my executor/trix. All of these things are notated and updated in pencil as they change until I can no longer read my scratch on the paper. Then I have to retype the thing.

  Perhaps, it’s the OCD in me. Perhaps. But it’s more likely because in my B.R. jobs (Before Retired), I absolutely had to be able to put my hand on a document within short minutes when the boss asked for it. I always filed my daily work documents in their appropriate folders before I left for the day. I'm not quite that dedicated now that I'm retired, but I do try.

  There is a bit more I need to do for my literary estate . . . like finding an attorney in this town who knows what to do with copyrights in estates

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Etcetera

Susan DeFreitas (@manzanitafire), an award-winning author, editor, and book coach, writes about the all-important story opening on Jane Friedman’s blog:  https://www.janefriedman.com/the-secret-ingredient-of-successful-openings/

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  That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj

P.S.  The Haunted Bookshop has signed paperback copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER my author-graphed books or any book of your choice on-line from a favorite, indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

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Celebrate! Spring is springing today.

 cj Sez: Today, March 20, 2022, at 11:33 CST, the vernal equinox marks the start of spring in the northern hemisphere. 

  Now for a little scientific info … During the equinox, the sun passes directly above the equator and brings about twelve hours of daylight and twelve hours of night (i.e. “equinox”). 

  In the northern hemisphere, the March equinox comes with warmer weather and budding flowers. In the southern hemisphere, it brings the beginning of fall. 

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Aspiring crime and mystery writers take note: Writers’ organizations are wonderful sources for learning the craft of writing, publishing, and networking. I’m a member of Mobile Writers Guild, Alabama Writers’ Forum, Alabama Writers’ Cooperative, as well as the international organization Sisters in Crime and their online group, Guppies. 

  In addition to a couple of creative writing courses in a college setting, each of those organizations has been important to achieving my goal to become a published author. When I have a question, someone has the answer I need.

  All of the organizations are comprised of published and non-published writers, hailing from a variety of professions and bringing with them a wealth of expertise.

“Sisters in Crime is an absolute necessity for anyone stepping into the crime writing world, and a continuing joy as our careers unfold.” - Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author, five-time Agatha winner, and Sisters in Crime past president.

  Some members are judges, doctors, private investigators, law enforcement officers, and there’s even a government agent or two. The feedback from these people is informative, super supportive, and on the money. 

  I’ll mention the world-wide group Guppies, specifically, because they have a large list of specialized subgroups (for agent searches, querying, critiquing, manuscript swaps, et al.), and, like Sisters-in-Crime, they also offer a variety of on-line skill-building classes.

  If you haven’t joined a writers’ organization, you should think about doing that.

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Etcetera.

Here’s a two-fer: Support a good cause and get treated to some wonderful and touching short stories. Harbor Humane Society's THE BIG FANG anthology is tentatively scheduled for release in April. This anthology has short stories from 22 different authors—stories full of mystery, murder, love, humor and more; and always involve an animal of some shape or form.

  My latest cozy mystery, "Firebug," is included in the charity anthology, and the short story features a Beagle-Golden Retriever-mix puppy named Harley.

  THE BIG FANG will be available for purchase on Amazon and in person at the shelter and our Harbor Humane Resale Store with all proceeds returning to Harbor Humane to support their animal rescue work.

Watch for it

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  That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj

P.S.  The Haunted Bookshop has signed paperback copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER my author-graphed books or any book of your choice on-line from a favorite, indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here:

https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

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Spring is coming

cj Sez: The temperature was forecast to fall to 28° F last night in Mobile. My tender plants were sheltered, but I’m thinking about the feral kitties I feed but can’t protect. I hope they found a spot out of that cold, north wind. Winter had to make a final appearance, I guess, because the first day of Spring (in the Northern Hemisphere) is next week.

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Also coming soon …. Harbor Humane Society's first book - "THE BIG FANG" anthology is tentatively scheduled for release in April! This anthology, with short stories from 22 different authors, is full of mystery, murder, love, humor and more; and always involves an animal of some shape or form! 

  It will be available for purchase on Amazon and in person at the shelter and the Harbor Humane Resale Store with all proceeds returning to Harbor Humane to support their animal rescue work. 

P.S. My latest cozy mystery short, "Firebug," is included in this charity anthology. Watch for it!

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Etcetera.

My review of THE NEW IBERIA BLUES by James Lee Burke

A Dave Robicheaux Novel

A mystery, unflinchingly told. My rating: 5 stars

  James Lee Burke is one of my favorite mystery authors, and as always, his vivid deep-point-of- view in THE NEW IBERIA BLUES cinematically shows readers place, setting, and characters...and in this story some scenes are harsh.

  Early on in the story, Detective Dave Robicheaux, James Lee Burke’s familiar main character, describes a long-time friend as “He didn’t fit into a categorical shoe box and, consequently, got into trouble with everyone.” Fans of Burke will understand that the description is a perfect fit for Robicheaux as well. 

  Robicheaux is tempted to try to reclaim his youth when he's paired with a pretty and much-younger partner. He struggles to maintain his mature cool and stay out of trouble with the local police while he searches for an escaped prisoner who could be the serial killer leaving mutilated bodies strewn around Louisiana’s muddy bayou waters. There is, of course, a twisty ending.

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Advice. A Warning. Encouragement. For all the aspiring writers: https://www.janefriedman.com/if-you-cant-stand-the-sight-of-your-own-blood-dont-step-into-the-ring/

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That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj

P.S.  The Haunted Bookshop has signed paperback copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER my author-graphed books or any book of your choice on-line from a favorite, indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

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Gremlins and top-of-mind words

 cj Sez:  Like the gremlins of misspellings and typos that show up no matter how many times the document is proofread, beta read, edited, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera (like last week’s Lyrical Pens teaser), I will still find repeated words in my manuscripts.

  First drafts are almost always full of the words that are top-of-mind, the ones with which we are most familiar. Those familiar words allow writers to push through that raggedy first document rather than take time to search our minds or a thesaurus for better ones.

  It’s when writers get into the rewrite, rewrite, and rewrite mode that we see how our familiar words/phrases simply can’t live up to the task in our manuscripts. They rise to the surface as trite or overused once we get into the edit cycles.

  My solution is to use Word (or use whatever software you have) to “Find” how many times you repeat a word. I search my entire manuscript for some word I find too often during a quick read-aloud review, and then replace or delete (most often delete) the offending repetition. This great computer feature often leads to word choice or phrasing improvements that I didn’t see before.

Verbs. I usually start with the things I know I use too often, but one creative writing instructor I know suggests starting with the verbs . . . the “to be” verbs (is, were), but says don’t worry about occasional usage. Next go to active verbs. I find a lot of look, smile, walk, glance, shrug, frown, and variations of each.  How many are too many. I suggest that if they begin to annoy you when you see them in the text, there are too many. I also suggest that you read your work out loud. Overused words will jump off the page. 

Nouns. Don’t forget to check for nouns. I always find dozens of coffee, latte, mouth, eyes, eyebrows, and hands. I also check for “then” and “while.” When I find a lot of these, I know I have a problem with poor transitions and a lot of complex sentences that tend to slow down the reader.

Adverbs. Several years ago, The Guardian dot com ( http://bit.ly/1Xvbg5c ) published Elmore Leonard’s ten rules for writers, and his number 4 is about adverbs.  Said Leonard: “Never use an adverb to modify the verb "said" . . . he admonished gravely. To use an adverb this way (or almost any way) is a mortal sin. The writer is now exposing himself to the reader in earnest, using a word that distracts and can interrupt the rhythm of the exchange. 

  Mr. Leonard is not alone in offering this advice. That bit about the writer “exposing himself” refers to the author intruding into the reader’s enjoyment of a story. The writer is telling the readers what she/he wants them to know/sense about the character. Writers should never intrude into the reader’s story. 

 

  My suggestion: Find a strong verb that doesn’t need an “ly” helper—i.e., instead of “walked heavily,” perhaps “plodded.”

Adjectives. Are your characters often gorgeous, handsome, tall, sexy, ripped; your rooms large, tiny, trashed? Adjectives are important and necessary, but it’s incumbent on writers to find their own unique voice to describe things. Sometimes it’s by omission of the obvious words.

  One of my favorite examples (and I use it often) is the opening line of “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley. “A squat, gray building of only thirty-four stories.”  It’s the “only” that is key. By comparison, the reader is able to visualize that all the buildings in Huxley’s new world are skyscraper tall except that particular one. The building is shorter and uglier (squat, gray) than all the others in this bright new world. The line is a promise of peculiar things that will happen in that odd building.

  I find that the more often I search for/replace overused words, the fewer I find because I am learning to recognize my tendency for repetition in my drafts. Perhaps you have the same result.  What are your most overused words?  Have you searched for them?

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Etcetera and P.S.A.

Coming soon to a timepiece near most of you: Daylight saving time starts next Sunday, March 13, at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed on Saturday.

  By the by, here’s why there is a time change twice a year. According to a dot com news media article:

“The U.S. first implemented daylight saving during World War I as a way to conserve fuel with the Standard Time Act of 1918, also known as the Calder Act.”

  If you’re an author, there is a correct way to write it in your stories. The correct term is daylight “saving” (not savings) time, and the AP Style Guide says it’s properly all lower case.

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And just because it’s pretty. . .

Looking like a painting:
Son Jeff’s photo of North Point Light in IIwaco, WA

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That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj

P.S.  The Haunted Bookshop has signed paperback copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER my author-graphed books or any book of your choice on-line from a favorite, indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us 

➜ Follow me . . .     

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➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6