365 – Page 31 – Noreen Lace

Found Poems

Published on April 4, 2019April 2, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

This being poetry month, I thought I’d talk about poetry and share some poems with you.

When I was first introduced to the “found poem,” it seemed like plagiarism. My mentor suggested, I cite the original author or write “after….” and the name of the author the original text came from.

The Found Poem is just that – found. Take another’s work, words, phrases, or other, and rephrase or reframe forming it into your own fresh and original poem.

My found poem, “The Friendly Isle,” was originally published in DayBreak many years ago.

While I don’t have any books of poetry out – yet – I do have a number of poems published. Check out my list of publications, and check out the books I do have on Amazon.

Try one of your own and feel free to share here in our facebook group!

How to Work a Book Festival

Published on April 3, 2019March 28, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

I think writers attend book festivals for different reasons. When I attend a book festival or a conference of any sort, I want to meet people, talk to experts in the field, and make contacts.

Last year at the Los Angeles Festival of Books, I spoke with authors, publishers, and book sellers. I made an effort to shake hands, introduce myself, and ask them something specific about their product.

One book seller showed me their upcoming publications which might be of interest to my students. A science fiction author shared with me his path to success and offered me a free t-shirt. Of course, some authors are just there to sell their book and, if you’re not buying, they’re not talking. I respect that as well and don’t take their time.

Of course, festivals also have goodies – lots and lots of goodies. I love the swag!

Writers’ Conferences

Published on April 2, 2019March 28, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

Writers’ conferences are a great way to meet people, make connections, and receive information to become more successful.

Conferences are growing in numbers and size. It’s hard to know what is worth the fee to attend.

I investigate the speakers – who is presenting and what are they presenting on?

Sadly, some conferences presenters are really there to sell their services. That alone does not make it bad, but if you’re hoping to learn something and instead receive a sale presentation, it’s disappointing.

Many conferences offer “pitch meetings” for an extra fee. I look these editors up as well. Which companies are they from and what are they looking for?

I intended to go to a local conference but found the pitch meetings were with editors who were selling editing services. I found that a little dishonest of the conference organizers.

I researched one specific conference I considered going to, but the session information was vague. When I emailed the organizer, his answers to the sessions didn’t help clarify, although he added they’d done this conference for years and many people found success after attending.

If they’ve done the conference for years, I would assume he’d be able to articulate the session information a little bit better.

All that being said – there are many really wonderful and helpful writer’s conferences in which the writer can learn any number of elements of writing, publishing, and editing. Lists are available online and in Poets and Writers.

Do the research on the presenters and read the session information carefully. Email the organizers for more information and look for reviews.

Decide if the conference will benefit you and clarify what you hope to gain from it. This will help you make the decision of which conference might suit you.

Poetry Month

Published on April 1, 2019March 24, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

From the Dead Poet’s Society.

And true. True. True. Would life have any depth without the stories and poetry we share?

Teaching Poetry

Published on March 31, 2019March 28, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

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“In high school your teacher made you analyze a poem and then told you that you were wrong, correct?”

Applause. Nods. Agreement.

If at all possible, stop doing this to students. That is why so many people dislike poetry. They feel it’s too hard to understand and when they try, they are told they are wrong.

In my class, I allow students to choose which poems they want to read. Then I ask why they chose those poems. They all have their own reasons, looking for something interesting, the shorter the better, some element they can relate too. And I ask them what they got out of it.

Not what it meant. Not to analyze it. What did you get out of it? No wrong answers, no judgement.

My students have told me that I’ve allowed them to love poetry, to appreciate it for whatever they feel it adds to their lives.

We go over the elements, the possible meanings; but, mostly, I just want them to love poetry again. And it works.

I’ve taken away the fear of being wrong, of being stupid, and gave them the sheer enjoyment of language.

Deeper meaning will come – at their own pace – and when/if they want it to.

The Secret to Successful Short Stories

Published on March 30, 2019March 25, 2019 by Noreen Lace4 Comments

I spent much of my time in grad school trying to please a certain teacher and understand the secret formula for a short story.

Up until that time, I’d only written novels (or novellas), longer pieces of work in which I developed the characters and followed a plot. These felt full and complete.

Writing one small selection vexed me.

So I read and read and researched and attempted one time after another to create a successful short piece.

I suppose there is no formula and no one right answer, which is what I was looking for – the correct answer.

Of the things written in grad school, the one instructor I attempted to satisfy deemed them mostly unworthy.

It wasn’t until near the end of graduation that an instructor said “half of that story was the best he’d ever read.”

He didn’t tell me which half.

However, almost all those stories have been pulled out, dusted off, and accepted with few edits. Hence – dear teachers – they were good! I had learned something; I had accomplished something. (I must be doing something right, over 30 published in the last few years!)

There may not be one right answer, and there’s no secret, nor is there a hidden formula. Short stories need to get to a point, need to have conflict, need to show a budding of growth – perhaps.

Women Writing

Published on March 29, 2019March 24, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

women writing

Help!….

Published on March 28, 2019January 27, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

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Study the Masters….

Published on March 27, 2019March 21, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

“Read, read, read. Read everything — trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it.
Then write. If it’s good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out of the window.”

Some people feel they should not read others or study the masters because it will influence their voice; however, experts recommend that is where you begin in order to develop your voice. Finding your voice takes time and it takes writing, regardless of who you read. But you do, without a doubt, need to read far and wide.

Weathering the Storms

Published on March 26, 2019March 25, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

Is there anything worse than a bad review? Probably, but we don’t think so when we get one.

But ask yourself why you’re upset.

1. Is there some truth to the review? No – then forget it! Yes – then what is it?

One woman relayed that her one star review mentioned grammar and punctuation errors. She said, “I know there are some, but there’s not that many!”

It seems she knew she put out work that was not of a superior quality; she can’t be upset when someone calls her on it.

2. Is it someone who just wishes to malign you? Accept that there are going to be haters. Everyone has them. Remember this quote: “Well behaved women rarely make history.” If someone dislikes you – you might just be doing something right.

3. Someone told me – it’s only the writer who reads all the bad reviews. I think that’s supposed to make us feel better. But it’s true. When you look at reviews, do you search out every bad review there is? or do you read maybe the top five or ten of all the reviews?

I, personally, read a few of each. A few of the five star, a few of the three star, and a few of the one star – critical readers can tell if someone has an ax to grind or if they have real concerns.