Helpful How-to’s or a Reason to Procrastinate?

April 6, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

As writers, we often find ourselves collecting as many “how-to” articles and books on writing we can digest, and then some. My library is overflowing. Space won’t allow me to name them all, but Hooked, Structuring Your Novel, and Write that Book Already! are a few of my favorites.

Some of the books in my library I reference on a regular basis, The Emotion Thesaurus is one.

However, when we collect how-to-books to the point learning our craft becomes a distraction or another reason to procrastinate from completing your our own work in progress (WIP), we’ve stopped learning.

If you’ve ever done any of the following, you may be how-to obsessed, or second guessing your ability as a writer.

Have you ever:

Red-inked a story, chapter or novel based on a particular books recommendations.
Re-written a story, or chapter based on a books recommendations.
Started your novel over completely.
Attempted to be a plotter when you’re a panster at heart.
Or, used tools that don’t fit your personality because they were recommended.

As a result, your WIP sits unfinished on your desk which leads to frustration and more procrastination.

Stop it.

I’ve loved self-help books, on any topic, for as long as I can remember. And my kids will tell you receiving my favorites as a gift are as inevitable as Christmas Day. But, quitting something has never been an option for me. It isn’t who I am. So it’s time for me to close the how-to’s, clean out my mail box and open my Scrivener file.

In 1908, John D. Swain novelist and screenwriter wrote a letter to his son who was beginning his student life at Yale. Here is what he told his son about quitting.

“…Finally, if you make any of the teams, never quit. That is all the secret of success. Never quit! Quitting, I like to believe, has not been a striking characteristic of our family, and it is not tolerated in our college.

If you can’t win the scholarship, fight it out to the end of the examination.

If you can’t win your race, at least finish—somewhere.

If your boat can’t win, at least keep pulling on your oar, even if your eye glazes and the taste of blood comes into your throat with every heave.

If you cannot make your five yards in football, keep bucking the line—never let up—if you can’t see, or hear, keep plugging ahead! Never quit! If you forget all else I have said, remember these two words, through all your life…”

(Source: The Book of Man: Readings on the Path to Manhood; Image: Yale football team, 1908, courtesy of Manuscripts & Archives, Yale University.)

The past couple of years has given me any number of reasons to procrastinate, reevaluate my life, priorities and even put writing on the back burner permanently, but I’ve never been a quitter. All of the how-to-books I have are excellent resources. I’ll use them when necessary but for now, I’ll sit my butt down and write.

Dinner on Demand

March 26, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 6 Comments

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Sybil placed the dinner plates on the table and prepared his coffee the way he liked it, with a shot of bourbon.

The king of the house, as he called himself, demanded a three-course meal, on the table at six sharp, bourbon coffee, and total silence for the first hour.

She mixed the crushed tablets into his potatoes, covered them in gravy, and stirred an extra helping into his coffee.

She helped him to the sofa when he complained, tidied the kitchen, washed the dishes, and waited.

When daylight returned the king was dead, Sybil free and the silence, golden.

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#172 prompt this week: …when the daylight returned the king was dead…

Do You Prefer Real Books or eReading Devices?

March 19, 2015April 12, 2015 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

Photo courtesy of :
theeducatedprocastinator.com

In a recent Pew Research Study 78% of readers preferred real, paper books over e-reading devices. I’m not surprised, I do, too.

Before receiving my Kindle people told me, “You’re gonna love your it and you’ll read more.”

Photo Courtesy of pslibrary.com

It’s convenient unless the battery runs down in the middle of a chapter, which happens more often than I care.

Thousands of free books can be downloaded on an eReader, but all those freebies can overwhelm you, leaving you with a library of books you may never read. In addition, paying for a book on the bestsellers list can become pricey.

Amazon has addressed the cost, somewhat, by offering Kindle Unlimited. For $9.99 a month you can download and read as many books as you like, that’s $120 a year! Why pay when I can check out a hard copy at my local library?

But, aside from the convenience of having books available in an instant, and the light weight, I prefer old fashion hardback books. And, I’m not alone.

According to the article, Paper Books, alive and well, published, March 13,2015, in the Chicago Tribune, a significant percentage of readers prefer the paper copy. (You can read the full article here).

“A Pew Research study found that 78 percent of those from ages 18 to 24 have read a print book in the past year — compared with 21 percent who have read an e-book.” Chicago Tribune

I don’t read more books. In fact, before receiving my Kindle I read one to two books a week, sometimes more. Now, it’s maybe one a month. It’s hard to argue against the convenience of an eReader, but the same reasons I prefer “real books” over eReaders are also supported by the Pew Research study.

1- The feel and smell. There’s something about holding a book, turning the pages, and the smell of words in print that an eReader cannot copy. Sound silly?

“… College students polled in Slovakia, “1 out of 10 talked about the smell of books. There really is a physical, tactile, kinesthetic component to reading.” Chicago Tribune

2- I like to collect books I can see, touch and pick up on a rainy day. I have a rather large collection on my Kindle, but they do not beckon me as those on my bookshelf.

“… likes the satisfaction of finishing a book, placing it on a shelf alongside others and letting it quietly remind her of its contents.” Chicago Tribune

3- I’m a note taker and a visual, tactile person. For instructional or self-help books, I like to underline, highlight and scribble in the margins. You can take notes and highlight on a Kindle, but it’s not the same.

Courtesy of Amazon

What about you, which do you prefer and why? Vote in the Cow Pasture poll and let me know.

The Nook Courtesy of Barnes and Nobles

Behind the Veil

March 15, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 4 Comments

Photo courtesy of Describli: rings_vows.jpg

The bride strolled down the aisle of the packed chapel alone, smiling from ear-to-ear. Her father sat in the first row, eyes moist with tears, holding the hand of her mother. The groom stood at the front fidgeting as he waited for her to reach him. It was a disquieting scene.

***

Attractive, accomplished and financially stable, Paul and Sam (short for Samantha) looked like the perfect Barbie and Ken couple. To the outside world, marriage seemed the next logical step for them.

But, I knew the truth behind the veil. Her four thousand dollar gown covered the bruises well and the hurtful words he hurled at her, earlier in the week, forgotten in the pomp and circumstance of the day. I cautioned her, even asked her to delay the wedding but with her window for having children getting shorter by the day, she refused.

“It’s difficult to find a good man anymore,” she said, toyed with the napkin under her coffee. “Besides, Paul’s a good catch, good looking, makes an excellent salary, and we have a lot in common.”
I pointed to her arm, “Like the bruises?”
Irritation and sadness crossed her face as she tugged on the sleeve of her sweater. “You don’t understand, he isn’t always like that.”
Sarcasm dripped from my lips. “I can tell.”
She scowled in annoyance. ”He didn’t mean to hurt me. He was just trying to make a point.”
“Looks as if he made it. And, the last time or the time before that?”
“Stop.” The tone of her voice lowered to pleading. “It was an accident. He loves me, tells me every day.”
I placed my hand on top of hers and squeezed. The status diamond, he’d given her, cut into my palm. “Sam, he doesn’t love you. Not the way you should be loved. He talks down to you as if you’re stupid.”
“He does not, “she said pulling on her hand. I held tight.
“Yes, he does. He hurts you, look in the mirror. You deserve better. I’m asking you, please postpone things. If you’re determined, at least go to couples counseling.”
Her face hardened, and she pulled free. “You are my dearest and longest friend, Mel. I respect you, but you’re wrong. You don’t know him like I do. Either you can support me, be happy for me, or don’t bother coming.” She pushed from the table and stood. “I will pretend this conversation never happened. You should too. I want you at my wedding, you’re my best friend, but if you decide not to come, I’ll understand. Either way, I am going to marry Paul.” She turned on her heels and walked out of the coffee shop.

***

I listened as they repeated vows of honor, obedience, and fidelity until death, and cringed. My gut twisted as the pastor pronounced them man and wife. Paul’s long and passionate kiss sent ripples of uncomfortable laughter through the guests, releasing her when the preacher cleared his throat.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mr. & Mrs. Paul Connors.” Applause echoed through the chapel as the new couple made their way up the aisle. Our eyes met, her smile broadened, and she blew me a kiss. Paul’s mouth stretched into a thin line of tension as he searched for the recipient of his wife’s air kiss. I waved not wanting anything to ruin her day. He grinned when he saw me, wrapped his arm tighter around Sam and escorted her through the door.

I couldn’t change her mind, but I would be there for when she needed me. I took a deep breath, plastered a smile on my face and headed for the reception hall. The least I could do was wish them luck.

She was gonna need it.