"You can’t say, I won’t write today because that excuse will extend into several days, then several months, then you are not a writer anymore, just someone who dreams about being a writer."

— Dorothy C. Fontana

The February Meeting of the Eden Lit Club

"Keep writing, because not only does practice improve skill, it gives you more chances to score on the market. I did that for eight years before making my first sale" ~Piers Anthony

Quotes and notes about how to counteract the crippling influences of writer's block; that was the main theme of our discussion this month. We've all felt the fear of failing that seems to strike almost every writer at the beginning of any new writing project. That sinking feeling that maybe this time all that you will be able to write is crap. Doesn't it always feel like it's that first sentence or first paragraph that is the trouble maker? Sometimes you get a few pages in and the brilliant idea begins to fizzle and then you are left with this great idea that is going nowhere.

We started out the meeting by defining what writer's block really is and why it's such a wide spread problem for creative people. We touched on the fact that most of the time the "block" is actually our fear of either failure or even success that drives our ideas below the surface and keeps us from finding the words to say what we so desperately NEED to say. This fear is insidious and hides best in the dark recesses of our natural desire to slink away and avoid the spot light.

How does one counteract this nasty little bump in the road to our own success? Why, to write! Keep on writing even if what you write is complete and utter crap. Some well know authors will write the same sentence over and over until they get so bored that they MUST write anything else. Other's rewrite simple twiddles or just journal their frustration and anger out until the muse strikes and the "magic" occurs. Often a successful writer will tell you that there really is no magic it's just writing over and over until the piece says exactly what the author wants it to say- or goes in such a different direction that it shocks everyone.

The real lesson here is just to sit your butt down and write your way through the creative morass. Write as though your life depends on it, for some of us our sanity might just be hanging in the balance!

Here's the meeting forum if you'd like to read our discussion and weigh in on the topic, yourself.


In other news Sneakersandpearls hosted a workshop called "Helpful Tips on Grammar and Article Structure". This great little workshop answered some common grammar issues and article structure questions for our interested authors.
She compiled a handy fact sheet for quick reference:

Than/Then
Than is a comparison word used. My hair is darker THAN yours.
Then designates a time element or part of an if/then statement.
I will go to the store then come home.
I didn't know about it then.
If I miss dinner, then I will be hungry.

Poll/Pole
A poll is a questionnaire. A pole is a structure or magnetic pole.

Apostrophes
Apostrophes show possession. They never show a noun to be plural except if you are talking about letters or numbers. Example: Sneakers has two e's in it. Some children have a problem writing 8's.

To show possession, use 's if it is a singular noun, regardless of what the ending letter is. The man's pen. The woman's book. Jonas's toy. However, if it is an ancient name, like Achilles, and ends in s, use s'. Achilles' heel. If it is a plural noun that does not end in s, use 's. The children's books. If it is a pural noun that ends in s, use s'. The dogs' bones.

Semicolons ;
Use a semicolon to connect two independent but related clauses. I bought a new couch; it was comfy.

Active/Passive voice
In the active voice, the subject acts upon the direct object. Example: Jon kicked the ball.
In the passive voice, the subject is acted upon. Example: The ball was kicked by Jon.
Use the active voice whenever possible.

Article structure
An article has 3 parts: introduction, body, and conclusion.

Plagiarism and quoting
Do not quote another source without using quote marks and giving proper credit.
Do not use large blocks of quote. It's bad form.

Beware of opinions
Opinions can sometimes masquerade as facts. Be vigilant in what you are saying.

Sentences and proof reading
Make sure you vary the length of your sentences.
When you finish writing, walk a way for at least an hour. Come back and read your article out loud to make sure it sounds right.

If you would like some further help check out the #Eden Lit Lessons. Just type in #Eden Lit Lessons to the search engine on the Eden Lit forum. You'll find a variety of helpful fact sheets that will help with both review and article writing!