http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/39195088/fran-briggs-releases-the-best-of-autumn-reading-2018-volume-i
Friday, September 28, 2018
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
On Being a Better Writer -
I have the luxury of having advanced degrees in English, Comparative Literature, and writing, in addition to being a professor of writing. As an author, I read excessively from the greats, both classical and current, to see what is strong writing — and also what is not. I try to model strong writing in my own authorship and avoid the weaker writing as much as possible. Since I consider myself a bit of an expert in writing, I think I may have some good points, but if it doesn’t work for you, take it with a grain of salt! Just one person’s opinion in the end.
When it comes to basic mechanics of writing (by this, the words we choose to put in our text — grammar, structure, word choice, etc) that contribute to our written voice, I have noticed some less-than-stellar writing in many author’s works, both traditional and indie published, but mostly indie. For those looking to migrate to a traditional publisher or present equally to those traditionally published, this information may be helpful.
Here is my list of what I have noticed in the last several books I have read. Read Stephen King, Diana Gabaldon, John Steinbeck, or John Grisham for examples great writing that employ all of these tips:
1. Obvious/paired adjectives. Some nouns just don’t need an adjective. I don’t need to know the structure of every stone in the castle or the exact shade of every article of clothing. Sometimes a blue work shirt is just a blue work shirt. Focus on the nouns that are most important to that scene or moment. Also, the excessive paired adjectives are getting to me. Not every noun needs two adjectives - “the large, dark room.” Pick the focus that is most relevant to the idea you are trying to present. Once or twice on a page is fine, but every single noun? It contributes to a redundant writing structure, which leads right to my second point:
2. Redundancies in writing - especially with a “power” word. One element of writing I teach in all my classes is sentence variety and word choice. I just read one book where EVERY SENTENCE, and. I am not exaggerating, in one paragraph began with “They were.” EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE. I would have marked this up in an ENG 100 level paper in a heart beat - perhaps the editor just didn’t catch it? Then repetitive wording in general - the wonderful aspect of using a power word is its punch, but if you use it four times on one page, it loses that punch. “Capricious” or “eccentricity” are great words but lose their impact when they appear repetitively on one page. There are other words you can use that will still showcase your written voice.
These two writing ✍️ aspects are ones that we would most likely catch in the revision process, as I tell my writing students. They are ones that I endeavor to correct in each of my revisions and in the final editing process - in my most recent book, I found I used the horrible verb “felt” way too much (among other words!) Not only is it redundant but it does not meet the “show don’t tell” aspect of writing. I had a lot of work in the editing process to fix that.
Ok, so that is Professor Dalrymple’s writing tip of the day! Use it as you will!
I have the luxury of having advanced degrees in English, Comparative Literature, and writing, in addition to being a professor of writing. As an author, I read excessively from the greats, both classical and current, to see what is strong writing — and also what is not. I try to model strong writing in my own authorship and avoid the weaker writing as much as possible. Since I consider myself a bit of an expert in writing, I think I may have some good points, but if it doesn’t work for you, take it with a grain of salt! Just one person’s opinion in the end.
When it comes to basic mechanics of writing (by this, the words we choose to put in our text — grammar, structure, word choice, etc) that contribute to our written voice, I have noticed some less-than-stellar writing in many author’s works, both traditional and indie published, but mostly indie. For those looking to migrate to a traditional publisher or present equally to those traditionally published, this information may be helpful.
Here is my list of what I have noticed in the last several books I have read. Read Stephen King, Diana Gabaldon, John Steinbeck, or John Grisham for examples great writing that employ all of these tips:
1. Obvious/paired adjectives. Some nouns just don’t need an adjective. I don’t need to know the structure of every stone in the castle or the exact shade of every article of clothing. Sometimes a blue work shirt is just a blue work shirt. Focus on the nouns that are most important to that scene or moment. Also, the excessive paired adjectives are getting to me. Not every noun needs two adjectives - “the large, dark room.” Pick the focus that is most relevant to the idea you are trying to present. Once or twice on a page is fine, but every single noun? It contributes to a redundant writing structure, which leads right to my second point:
2. Redundancies in writing - especially with a “power” word. One element of writing I teach in all my classes is sentence variety and word choice. I just read one book where EVERY SENTENCE, and. I am not exaggerating, in one paragraph began with “They were.” EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE. I would have marked this up in an ENG 100 level paper in a heart beat - perhaps the editor just didn’t catch it? Then repetitive wording in general - the wonderful aspect of using a power word is its punch, but if you use it four times on one page, it loses that punch. “Capricious” or “eccentricity” are great words but lose their impact when they appear repetitively on one page. There are other words you can use that will still showcase your written voice.
These two writing ✍️ aspects are ones that we would most likely catch in the revision process, as I tell my writing students. They are ones that I endeavor to correct in each of my revisions and in the final editing process - in my most recent book, I found I used the horrible verb “felt” way too much (among other words!) Not only is it redundant but it does not meet the “show don’t tell” aspect of writing. I had a lot of work in the editing process to fix that.
Ok, so that is Professor Dalrymple’s writing tip of the day! Use it as you will!
Monday, September 24, 2018
Monday, October 8, at 7 pm -- JOIN US -- for an online book release party on facebook! Follow the link below to join!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1177664505717530/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1177664505717530/
Saturday, September 22, 2018
My order for books for my first official book signing just went it. Those, plus bookmarks should be here in the next week or so. Work is keeping me busy enough, but all the busy-ness of my book release and getting ready for my online book release party and my books signing, PLUS keeping up on writing for book 2 and some short romance is making my head spin! Thank you everyone for all your support and encouragement!
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Monday, September 17, 2018
My first few reviews have started to come in. How exciting! It has been a crazy few weeks -- this part of the writing process is not one I am familiar with. I have been a writer my whole life, but not a published author to this degree. Thank you to every one who helped me on this journey or who is reading my book! Book 2 is halfway done! Also - to keep up to date with everything that is going on, be sure to join my newsletter! Click on the link to the right!
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Need more time to read!
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
•. °•❃ NEW RELEASE ❃ °•. 💞
❃•ðŸ’ž To Dance in the Glen 💞•.❃
💞 ❃.•°❃•°.💞°•❃•°ðŸ’ž°❃•°•.❃•
💞 ❃.•°❃•°.💞°•❃•°ðŸ’ž°❃•°•.❃•
“Fall” into a great book this September!
Available Everywhere:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H2V16H6
Available from Kobo, Itunes, Scribd, 24symbols, and Barnes and Noble: https://www.books2read.com/u/md02ZO
Amazon Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1720064466
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07H2V16H6
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07H2V16H6
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07H2V16H6
Amazon MX: https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B07H2V16H6
-- Expectations ---
-Ewan-
-Meg-
Ewan becomes smitten with Meg, falling in love with a woman below his station.
He manages to win her over as she finds herself under Ewan's protection and they begin a passionate love affair. Along the way when Meg is accused of witchcraft and Ewan's past entanglements come back to haunt him, their love overcomes the suspicions and obstacles.
-Together-
Can they rise above to help each other overcome the challenges in their way?
BONUS: This version contains an excerpt of the second The Glen Highland Romance series - "The Lady of the Glen."
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Nailbiting!
We are coming down to the final days before my first romance novel drops. Fun, sexy, adventuresome, I hope that reads find it an engaging read and come back for book two later this year.
Writers have a love/hate relationship with their work. We often love our stories; even if we know it's not the next great American novel, lesser novels had still made their impact. We think its a good story, but we worry, what if it's only a good story to the writer? And we hate that - opening our souls to the judgment of readers. Then, by the time our book has a cover and passed final edits, we almost hate the story, having read it so many times!
As an English professor, I only have so much time for writing (much to my chagrin) - I have to parse out my time in class, in prep time, and most of all, grading - the largest time suck of all. However, I do have some hope that, as an English Prof, perhaps I was able to write something with a sharper turn of the pen, a differently engaging line or quote, that catches my readers.
In my final proof review last Friday (where I HOPE TO GOD I caught all the last little fixes), what I noticed the most is that I still liked my story. I liked my characters, their assessments and zingers, their decisions and emotions. Any maybe, just maybe, other will like the story, too.
We will find out this week.
Happy Reading!
Michelle
Writers have a love/hate relationship with their work. We often love our stories; even if we know it's not the next great American novel, lesser novels had still made their impact. We think its a good story, but we worry, what if it's only a good story to the writer? And we hate that - opening our souls to the judgment of readers. Then, by the time our book has a cover and passed final edits, we almost hate the story, having read it so many times!
As an English professor, I only have so much time for writing (much to my chagrin) - I have to parse out my time in class, in prep time, and most of all, grading - the largest time suck of all. However, I do have some hope that, as an English Prof, perhaps I was able to write something with a sharper turn of the pen, a differently engaging line or quote, that catches my readers.
In my final proof review last Friday (where I HOPE TO GOD I caught all the last little fixes), what I noticed the most is that I still liked my story. I liked my characters, their assessments and zingers, their decisions and emotions. Any maybe, just maybe, other will like the story, too.
We will find out this week.
Happy Reading!
Michelle
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MDDauthor/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelledalrympleauthor/
On Amazon’s Author
page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07C784SJ6
Monday, September 03, 2018
Pre-Release Excerpt!
💓💓Introduction - To Dance in the Glen Pre-Release September 5! 💓💓
The thrum of the horses’ hooves on the ground made the earth vibrate in announcement. The horsemen scattered all about the land, searching for a woman who had been missing for nearly a day. The woman’s husband, Laird of the clan MacLeod, Colin MacLeod, was beyond distraught, bordering on insanity in his search for his wife, the Lady Caitir MacLeod of MacLeod. A tall, strong beautiful woman in hair blacker than the night sky and the most piercing blue eyes a soul had ever seen, it was rumored that God himself crafted her body in addition to her soul, carving her out of the most coveted jewels found on earth -- sapphires, diamonds, onyx.
More than her appearance, however, was her very nature. While she practiced Catholicism as all good Christians did, she was raised with a deep-rooted belief in the old religion and tied it to her Catholic beliefs. She used herbals and prayer to heal the sick, advice and prayer to help the souls of clansmen and women who came to the Laird for help. She was genuine and honest and would give her very last shift to a poorer soul if they needed it. It was oft said that she kept Colin grounded since Colin, though he was a full-grown man reaching nigh two score of years, could still be a rash and hot-headed man much of the time. However, just a movement or gesture from Caitir was usually enough to calm the storm that was her husband. All these reasons and more made her the most loved person in the clan MacLeod.
No one, however, loved her more than Colin. He was infatuated with her and did everything in his power to spend most his waking moments in her presence. He scheduled hunts, farming, even his business for accounts on Market Day around Caitir and how often he could be with her. Friends and family made jokes about how Caitir led Colin around by his nose, or other body parts, but instead of growing angry, Colin just laughed at the comments. He knew them to be true.
But today, it was not laughter the Colin felt, it was anger and concern, more concern than he had ever felt in his life. Even more than when his oldest had fallen off a tree and landed awkwardly. They feared that the future Laird would be crippled from a broken leg, but it turned out to be naught more than a twisted ankle, and the lad healed fine. This time, however, there was little hope that all would be fine.
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