Dealing With Writer's Block #HawaiiFictionWriters

Members of Hawaii Fiction Writers meet at Aina Haina Library on the first Saturday of each month with discussions arranged and led by author Michael Little. The latest meeting focused on the topic of writer's block. More than a few attending writers have suffered this affliction - regardless of age or depth of experience. Each shared their means of dealing with the phenomenon and most confessed that they have suffered through dry spells where the words would not surface.

However, everyone agreed with one member's contribution of

author Jodi Picoult's saying:

"You can edit a poorly written page; but you can't edit a blank page."

The bottom line is that putting thoughts to paper automatically labels you a writer, the author of your thoughts. Whether you choose to share your efforts with others, through printed publication or other means, has no bearing on your status as a writer. Following Picoult's mantra, putting thoughts and words on paper to edit later, is excellent advice for any author who suffers from writer's block. More on the subject can be read here at Melissa Donovan's blog site:

You Can't Edit a Blank Page | Writing Forward

Stephen King says authors should read for four hours each day and write for four hours each day. Others say you cannot have good output without good input. Researching a topic and reading the work of other authors often alleviates writer's block by shifting the anxiety of "needing to produce" to a more relaxed atmosphere of entertainment and gathering new information. 

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the Writer's block

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Ending Sentences and Astrology Signs #OnWriting

Evoke emotion by stimulating the reader's imagination

Hawaii Fiction Writers members met to discuss and read ending sentences in written works that illustrate the importance of culminating a story with information that will leave the reader satisfied. Whether someone has taken time to read a novel, short story, or haiku, they want to feel the time was well spent, that the take-away is worth the time.

Good book endings should do as least some of these: 

1. Conclude the story. (Cliffhangers are for chapter endings, not for sequels coming out next year!)

2. Foreshadow the future.

3. Provoke thought. (One of my favorites points.)

4. Evoke emotion (like a stimulating photograph.)

5. Give a call to action. (The final sentence of my genealogical novel encourages "others to write or tell their own stories.")

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During the second half of the meeting, guest speaker Rachel Funk Heller shared information about her soon-to-be-published novel, The Eclipse Killer, involving a series of ghoulish murders in San Francisco. Solving the cases rests with a gifted astrologer and owner of a metaphysical bookstore. 

Rachel's talk culminated in an interesting and informative discussion about tarot cards and astrology, lunar cycles, and the moon's influence upon tides and rivers.

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Opening Paragraphs To Hook the Reader #AmWriting

Iolani Palace in Honolulu on Oahu, Hawaii
the only royal palace in the USA
(recent photo)

At a Hawaii Fiction Writers workshop, authors read opening paragraphs of their current writing projects. Good opening sentences draw the reader into the writer's world to immediately hook them with promises of an action-filled thriller, conflicting emotions of a true romance, or unfolding drama in a historical novel. 

Author and Mental Health Professional, Joy Ogawa, who was born and raised in Hawaii and states she has been creating worlds and characters since age five, was invited to share news of her recently published debut historical novel: Victoria Ward and the Gilded Age of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Opening lines of Joy Ogawa's historical novel introduce the reader to the regal side of the 19th century Hawaiian Kingdom, showcasing protagonist Victoria Kathleen Robinson Ward and her family.

The Kingdom of Hawai'i

O'ahu

Iolani Palace

A beautiful part-Hawaiian, part-Caucasian woman fusses over her daughters’ Victorian finery as they exit the carriage. She arranges them in order by age, except for the guest of honor. The palace doors open, and the Royal Hawaiian Guard announce their arrival. “Your Majesty, introducing Ms. Annie Eva Theresa Einei Ward, debutant, the fourth daughter of Mrs. Victoria Kathleen Robinson Ward and the late Mr. Curtis Perry Ward. She is accompanied by her six sisters and brother-in-law.” 

King David Laʻamea Kamananakapu Mahinulani Naloiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua is a charming and handsome modern renaissance man who cuts a dashing figure in his ceremonial Victorian English royal and military dress with fashionable bushy mutton chops. Jovial, his brown eyes sparkle with delight as he formally receives the Ward family.

Ogawa, Joy (2024-01-04T22:58:59.000). Victoria Ward and the Gilded Age of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Austin Macauley Publishers. Kindle Edition.

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Synopsis:   

1889, Iolani Palace, O'ahu: The majestic Hawaiian Kingdom teeters on the brink of oblivion. At its heart stands Victoria Ward, a woman of royal Hawaiian blood, bound by her lineage and duty. Armed with vast lands, ancient cultural rituals, and the unwavering loyalty of her villagers, she becomes the beacon of hope for a nation under threat.

From my Book Review:

Excellently researched and professionally written history of Hawaii alii, royalty, and family life on Oahu right up to present day headlines. Victoria Robinson Ward's strong family focus and tough business sense are highlighted throughout.

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More on "opening lines/paragraphs from "Operation Awesome (a group of writers)

Operation Awesome: Week #32 – Lord of the Flies by William Golding (operationawesome6.blogspot.com)

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Middle-of-the-Year Reading Resolution - From My #Bookshelf

Resolutions exploding like Fireworks!

Almost everyone compiles a list of resolutions, or thinks about making resolutions, at the start of each New Year. Then July rolls around, and with half the year gone, the list becomes more burden than incentive. My good-intentions list is no exception - other than for my "reading resolution" as recorded on my annual Goodreads Reading Challenge. 

A reading list keeps me focused. But personal, recommended book suggestions are always welcome and often a pleasant surprise.  

Hawaii Fiction Writers group meets monthly at the Aina Haina Library on the island of O'ahu. Recently the library extended an invitation to local writer, G.T. London, to speak about her writing and a recently published sequel to her novel, Second Chances and Then Some. 

G.T. London spent years living in England, working as a business and leadership coach, consultant, and trainer in the UK and Canada. She also served as a guest lecturer for MBA students before becoming a full-time writer and moving with her husband to live in Hawaii.

I quickly read G.T. London's first novel before the meeting and commented in my book review: 

The intrigue of a mystery and a heavy undercurrent of possible romance held my interest throughout the novel. Strong character development and a satisfying denouement deserve top stars.

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**I am eager to read the author's second novel, Eight Weeks Later, because it is set in Hawaii and has a genealogical mystery in its plotline . . . so stay tuned for future comments!**

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HAWAII FICTION WRITERS: Meet, Greet, Join

HAWAII FICTION WRITERS is a writers' group whose members meet on the first Saturday of every month at the Aina Haina Library on the island of O'ahu. Members on outer islands; in Texas or other states of the USA; England or other continents; correspond and receive updates via electronic means. HFW members are always eager to meet other writers and hear about their journeys as authors.

We also meet as a critique group on the third Saturday of the month. While HFW is an informal group, its cohesiveness is maintained via our fearless meeting coordinator, author Michael Little. Michael's novels, Queen of the Rodeo and Chasing Cowboys, are both heartwarming, light romantic comedies complete with wild horses, bulls, and even a horned toad.

  

Heading into the summer of 2024, Michael is compiling an anthology of short stories focused on a library theme, with authors choosing varied locations, plots, and genres for the stories they contribute to the collection. More information will be available soon on the project's participants and stories.

Michael also spear-headed and published another anthology around the time of Covid, when any accomplishment was considered well-done. With the publication of this particular, rather "quirky" anthology, Kissing Frogs and Other Quirky Tales, he pulled off quite a successful feat with proceeds earmarked for donation to a local library.

 

A collection of 26 new variations on familiar fairy tales, fractured for your entertainment.

Enjoy a quirky take on familiar fairy tales: Goldilocks; Snow White; The Frog Prince; Hansel and Gretel; Jack and the Beanstalk; Little Red Riding Hood; Hansel and Gretel; Pinocchio, and the Brothers Grimm. 

Kissing Frogs and Other Quirky Fairy Tales is available in print at Amazon.com