Blog - Page 195 of 206 - Katie Ganshert

Dwight Swain: Techniques of the Selling Writer

Posted on July 13, 2009November 7, 2011 by Katie Ganshert

For the next several weeks, I will be posting about the craft of writing based on Dwight Swain’s, Techniques of the Selling Writer. Every Monday and Wednesday, I will share a bit of what I’ve learned from Swain’s book, which, to be quite honest, is a goldmine of information. Yes, it’s couched in a lot of fancy rhetoric and wording, but the gold nuggets are there. And they are beautiful. Armed with my trusty highlighter, I always resurface from this book feeling as if somebody just handed me a new and important key to writing fiction.

So come join me on Mondays and Wednesdays so I can share my keys with you.

In the meantime, Dwight says only four things are needed to write a solid story:

1. How to group words into motivation-reaction units (MRUs)

2. How to group MRUs into scenes and sequels

3. How to group scenes and sequels into story patterns

4. How to create characters that give a story life

Sound simple enough? Of course not. But we’ll learn how to do it together!

Question to Ponder: What helpful keys have you uncovered recently, and what doors did they open?

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Wishes

Posted on July 9, 2009November 6, 2011 by Katie Ganshert

Before I get all deep and serious into the nuts and bolts of writing (my Dwight Swain’s posts), I thought I’d post something a little fun today. My top ten selfish, semi-silly wishes. These have nothing to do with world peace, or ending world hunger, although I assure you, if given the choice between these wishes and a cure for AIDS, the latter would win out.

My Top Ten Selfish, Semi-Silly Wishes

1. I wish I could eat anything I wanted and never gain weight. Cinnabon, anyone?

2. I wish I could take away Bubba’s elbow displasia. He’s only 5 the poor fella is already limping around. It honestly tears my heart out.

3. I wish I could apparate like the wizards in Harry Potter. You know how much gas money I could save?

4. I wish I didn’t need sleep. Do you know how much I could accomplish with seven more hours in my day?

5. I wish I could have my own personal hair-player…I don’t think these exist. But instead of a person masseuse, I’d like a person to play with my hair every night before I go to bed.

6. I wish I could sing like Aretha.

7. I wish someone would invent a microchip that I could put into my brain and transfer information. Sort of like how you can click and drag files from your desktop to a folder. Only I could click and drag any information I wanted in the entire universe into my brain. Research would be easy-smeasy!

8. I wish I could win an all-expense paid, one month vacation backpacking through Europe with my hubby.

9. I wish I had unlimited funding to pour into my writing career. I could hire an editor. I could take classes and workshops. I could apparate (see wish # 3) to various writing conferences. Etc. etc.

10. I wish I could hire a technology expert and make my website the coolest website ever.

Question to Ponder: What is one of your selfish, semi-silly wishes?removetweetmeme

The Ultimate Concert

Posted on July 8, 2009November 6, 2011 by Katie Ganshert

I once went to a Dave Matthews concert. I went with this guy. I wasn’t even that into Dave Matthews, or the guy. But anyway, that is all beside the point. While I was at the concert, I noticed the crowd more than Dave. You could tell who the real fans were. They were the crazy ones. The ones who knew the words to every song. The ones who held their hands up in the air and danced to the music, uncaring who might be watching (me, I was watching). The ones who held up lighters. The ones who had these dreamy, euphoric looks on their faces because: Oh. My. Gosh. Dave Matthews is playing on STAGE!

I once watched a Michael Jackson concert on television when I was younger. My brother and I watched it and I remember thinking, “These people are NUTS!” I can’t tell you how many women I saw screaming and fainting and getting carried away on gurneys because they were beside themselves in uncontained, furious excitement.

What does this have to do with writing? Nothing.

What does this have to do with God? Everything.

One day, every believer will be in heaven. Every tribe, every tongue, every nation will gather around God’s thrown and we will SCREAM and SHOUT and SING and DANCE for our Lord. Can you imagine the sound of millions and millions of souls praising God? I have no idea how I’ll react. If I’ll faint, or cry, or bow down. All I know is….it’s going to blow away every other concert any of us has gone to – by a billion. The ultimate concert with the ultimate artist on stage.

Question to Ponder: Will I see you at the concert? Admission has already been paid. How cool is that?

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