Wring the Most out of Your Writing
A Flash from the Past
For those of you still in diapers, so to speak, I’m going to tell you the origin of this article before I actually, well, write the article.
I was born in 1948, and during my early childhood, modern conveniences were unheard of in our household. My folks were lower-middle class, and they worked hard to pay the bills. There just wasn’t any money left over for conveniences.
One thing I clearly remember from those very early days was my mother doing the laundry down in the basement. We did not have a washing machine. All laundry was done using what I call a wringer washer. There was a metal tub, and a hand-cranked wringer. You dipped the clothing in the tub of water, cranked it through the wringer to get the moisture out of it, and then you hung it on the clothesline to dry.
Now consider your writing. Are you wringing the most out of it, or are you putting it on the clothesline while it is still dripping wet?
You may not know what I’m talking about, but hopefully you will by the time I’m done with a few examples. At the risk of seeming self-serving, I’m going to use some passages from my last novel, Resurrecting Tobias, and from my latest, unfinished, novel, Shadows Kill, to demonstrate how you can dig deeper and get the most out of your writing.
I have mentioned before my admiration for writers like John Steinbeck who seemed to embrace brilliance in every paragraph that they wrote. On my best days I might write one brilliant sentence. To do that over and over again for three-hundred pages is beyond my imagination….but that is my goal. I don’t know what your goal is, but if you are interested in moving to the next level of your craft, then these examples might prove helpful to you.
Setting the Mood
From "Resurrecting Tobias:"
“This is the underbelly of the monster we call civilization, the side of town you won’t find in the tourist brochures, and it is featured each night in every city across the Red, White and Blue. Take a deep breath and inhale the aroma of piss and vomit, ten-day old trash and fear. Hope flows from the building gutters. Misery pools on the streets below. The politicians ignore it and hope it will go away without affecting tourism too badly. The “decent folks” avert their eyes and drive just a bit faster on their way to Grandma’s house, and the residents sentenced to life without bars just keep on keeping on, waiting for nothing and expecting less.”
My goal with this passage was to establish a dark mood. I believe I did so by appealing to the senses of my readers. Hopefully, as you read this passage, your senses are on alert. You can see the darkness. You can smell the piss and vomit. You can sense the fear and possibly even hear the sounds of agony in the background.
Most of you have seen such a scene in your own lives, so you have a frame of reference that you can relate to. That is what a writer hopes to achieve. The writer is a miner, digging for commonalities that the reader will recognize.
Tapping into Emotions
Again from "Resurrecting Tobias:"
“ Whatever my problem was in the past, this time was different. The years rushed by parallel with the hours. Sights and sounds from the past invaded my semi-consciousness, faces and names and actions taken and not taken, all there for me to see; all there for me to learn from. The mistakes were served up with a side dish of humble pie. The acts of good were sprinkled in for flavoring. All together it was a tasty meal of my past and a promise of a better future. I saw my mom and dad again. I saw a man wearing prison orange. I saw the insignia of government power wrapped in the red, white and blue, the faces of those gone far too young, and a child I never held, and yet, loved.
Maria floated by smiling her love, whispering words of support, and lifting me up with her touch, and faces of those I had helped along the way stopped by for a howdy and a shoulder punch. I also saw three children I did not recognize, playing in a yard, laughing as they ran through a sprinkler, youthful and lanky and obviously in love with life, and next to them three people who died much too early because of my actions, smiling at me and telling me that it was all right.”
Some writers use dream sequences as a way of foreshadowing what is going to happen in the remainder of the book. I decided to have my main character visit an Indian sweat lodge. The passage refers to what he saw during a hallucination while in that sweat lodge, and it all serves the purpose of foreshadowing. In effect, I have told my readers what is going to happen during the rest of the book, without really giving away any important plot facts.
Finding Our Dark Side
For this lesson, let’s visit my latest novel, "Shadows Kill:"
“I do not want you to suffer, my dear. It is Mr. Baker who will feel the pain of loss. I will make your ordeal as painless as possible. I promise you that. Perhaps you would like to know what I am going to do. Yes?”
“This is a lovely knife, don’t you think? Perfectly balanced you know. The Japanese take great pride in crafting only the finest knives. This particular one is called a Hira because of its blade design. See how the edge bevels reaching all the way from the ha to the mune with no flats in between? This tanto is twelve inches long and approximately two-hundred and fifty years old. Nothing but the finest for you, my dear.”
He placed the point of the tanto on her chest.
“Now you must not squirm so or I’ll miss my mark. I am going to plunge this into your heart. You will only feel pain for a second or two and then nothingness will fall upon you, that blessed destination we all secretly long for. Shhh, don’t carry on so. Now, where was I? Oh yes, there will be the initial cut, and then after you have left this world I will carve out a specific design for our Mr. Baker. I’m sure he will find it interesting.”
“I want to thank you again for assisting me, Nanci. You have been very gracious about this whole ordeal. Rest well my dear.”
I do not rub shoulders with evil very often, so writing about a character who is inherently evil was a stretch for me. I had to remember back to one of my favorite evil characters, Hannibal Lecter, for the inspiration. I wanted a character so chilling that my readers would actually have goose bumps while reading his words.
When you are writing about something you have little experience with, find inspiration from any source possible. Remember, too, that we all share certain vignettes from life. We have all seen horror movies. Tap into that and make it work for you.
Join me on my blog
- William Holland | Helping Writers to Spread Their Wings and Fly
Tips and discussions about writing
Final Thoughts
Here is the bottom line for you to consider: we will never improve as writers if we don’t stretch our limits. Get out of your comfort zone as soon as possible.
Robert Parker, an American novelist, wrote a series of novels about a private investigator named Spenser. I was a huge fan of that series for a number of years, but I began, ever so slowly, to become disappointed with the series. It seemed to me that Parker had found his comfort level, and that he really wasn’t stretching himself as a writer in his later years. That’s a purely subjective opinion, of course, but it serves as an example of the point I am making. Reach beyond what you are doing and discover what you are capable of doing.
2014 William D. Holland (aka billybuc)
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Comments
I don't vote up with "Awesome" very often but I did this time. I don't even like fiction and yet I enjoy your writing so much. You are a very talented man.
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Brie, thank you so much. That means a lot to me. I wake up every day and wonder if I'm wasting my time and fooling myself...we all need affirmation. :)
Wow, Bill. That new novel you are working on is really dark. I did have goose bumps!
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Then I succeeded, Deb. Thank you!
YOU ARE NOT WASTING YOUR TIME AT ALL. I'm telling you, you are great. I hope you have a good agent (maybe you should go to NYC after-all, they have great agents there!)
I love your advice of seriously wring the most out of your writing and am right there with you int trying to do that as often as I can now. Thanks Bill and Happy Hump Day again!!
It must take great effort to write outside of our comfort zone. I applaud you for taking such a major jump from your last two novels. I think if I wrote something gory I'd have to sleep with my lights on!
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Brie, the search for an agent continues...thank you so very much. I'll let you know when I find one.
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Janine, the good writers always try to do something new and more challenging. I have no doubt about you. Happy Wednesday my friend.
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Sha, I imagine it's like an actor getting in character for a new part....you just have to become that character and see life like he does....sometimes it isn't pleasant but it is necessary. Thank you.
Hello Bill! You are right about the 'getting out of ones comfort zone' to improve as writers.
I really do get out of my comfort zone (literally speaking) to create the best of my writings. Though it usually takes a little bit more time, more research, and a lot more of doubting myself. But, the results always amazes me.
Thanks for sharing another great write. Voted up, useful, and very interesting!
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Comfort, I think we all doubt ourselves. That's just who we are as writers. We stick our necks out daily with our writings....still, when we do stretch ourselves, and we see the results, it is all worth it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hmmm, this could be a problem. My mom hand wrung the laundry after using a washboard and then hung it up. Perhaps I should upgrade my thinking.
Great writing Bill, not only this article but your books as well! The passage from your new book is chilling to say the least.
I have been doing the same thing with my music. I work on perfecting a song and then go out in a park filled with people and share it to see what kind of reactions I get. I have always ad that self doubt when singing or playing, but the feedback tells me it is good.
Thank you for this article, it is great advice!
I agree about getting out of your comfort zones. I try new things here and there, hard things sometimes, sometimes I fail or sometimes it sounds pretty good, but I always learn something new. Jamie
Hi Bill;
As I read through the excerpts of your works I was brought to the memory of a time long ago in a land where everything ominous was in reality tame as a lamb; a land where blood curdling screams of terror cried out from beneath the soles of my shoes covered in crimson colored mud. A place where one's primary focus was sheer survival while in a perpetual flee for life; certain death inevitable without escape in sight. Strangled in cold wet tangle of twisted pillow, sheet and blanket about to give up immediate salvation miraculously appeared as the eyes were opened with one final gasp for breath and a shrilling shout.
Great ideas again Bill!
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Different strokes for different folks, Eric. :)
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Thanks for sharing that, Mark. How else will we know unless we stick our necks out to the public?
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Jamie, I know of no other way to grow my friend, and I applaud you for taking the risks. Thank you.
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And that, Pamela, is some powerful writing. Thank you for sharing that and for the kind words.
Very great work. The first example from Resurrecting Tobias is so lively a narration of the gloomy picture underlying behind the curtain of civilization. It greatly touches our senses and mind with a pinch. Voted very interesting and awesome work.
Thanks Billybuc for another inspirational piece of information. I will definitely look at stretching myself as I pour all I have into my current novel since I still feel quite green. Voted Up.
Great hub, getting out of the comfort zone is a brave thing to do. Loved the way you have written the dark intense passage in your novel. Great write and voted up .
Another good one, Bill.I enjoyed the videos as well. Voted up and shared.
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Thank you Venkatachari....I feel I succeeded. :)
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mdscoggins, best wishes with that novel. Be patient and let the characters tell the story.
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Thank you Vellur..it wasn't easy but it was gratifying in the end.
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Thank you Lifegate, and I hope you are having a wonderful day. How could you not in Pleasant Gap?
Great passages and a great message. I too have revisited authors and been disappointed. We all need to stretch ourselves, even the famous!
I remember the old washers and mangles from my grandmother's and mum's; how easy it is now!
Getting on well with 'R T' now as I have lots more time; I'll let you know what I think!
Have a great evening, bill!
Ann
OMG! That was awesome! I have the hibbie jeebies just reading your
excerpt. You may have to put a ES (Extra Scary) rating on that book.
Or, possibly a disclaimer; "Not to be read alone, after dark!"
Super hub.
Thanks for all your help,
DJ.
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Ann, Tobias and I both thank you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. :)
I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed some well-known authors losing their edge.
Enjoy your evening my friend. It's raining here and feels quite lovely after the heat.
bill
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Thank you DJ! That's the kind of reaction I was hoping for. I want this guy to be dripping menace.
and you are very welcome my friend
bill
Loved the wringer washer example, up front. Great reminder. Keep at it. You are getting close to where you want to go... ;-)
Billybuc, WOW, all I could do was put myself in the place of the victim...Terrifying for her! I LOVE thrillers, so I hope that if you need readers for your new book, that I can be included.
This is a great hub, as always, you are an exceptional writer. Resurrecting Tobias is a work of genius.
You offer great advice about getting out of your comfort zone. Does this mean that the writer does not need to take in consideration of how this may affect people close to them? I ask this because writer Susan Shapiro said in her workshop (which I attended) that "the minute you upset your family with what you have written, you will know you have found your voice."
Thank you for another wonderful hub with very, very valuable information for writers. I am amazed how God has created millions of people who long to write and those who can pick a familiar topic, and write it with a totally different angle. THAT is the secret to success, and I learned this from you. God bless, Sparklea :)
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Thank you Bill. I'm glad someone thinks that. :)
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Lea, I'm going to use your question in next week's mailbag, if you don't mind. Right now I'm not sure how I would answer it, but I have a few days to figure that out. Thank you, of course, for your kindness, and I would be pleased if you read my next novel....if I ever finish the darned thing. :)
blessings always my friend
bill
OH I was SO hoping you would say you would include this in your mailbag! Because getting out of my comfort zone would mean writing some heavy stuff I have been through involving family...aka sharing my guts...and that would DEFINITELY make me uncomfortable. I attended a writing class at our community college last year and paid the teacher to critique some heavy stuff I wrote, and she loved it. So I am really struggling with coming out of my comfort zone. I would probably have to use a pen name if I did that and it went anywhere. THANK YOU. God bless. Sparklea
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You are very welcome, Lea. I actually have a niece who is facing this same situation, and I've been coaching her through it. :)
Hi Bill. First, let me say congrats on your book's publication. Woohoo! Your article is very helpful for us who write, and I appreciate you taking the time to teach us here. I hope you're doing well. I'm getting back to my hub writing after several months off. My mom had cancer, and I lost a couple of friends from this world. It was a rough time, but I'm now getting back to doing what I love. I hope to get back into reading more of your hubs. :-)
Stretching, out of your comfort zone. I did that this week and had some nice comments, but i must say, i wasn't too sure it was good enough. Practice, i need to do that more. I enjoyed reading your dark words. Thank's again for all you do to help us along our journey....
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Thank you, Abby, and it's good to have you back among us. Best wishes for a brighter future.
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Thank you, Ruby, and I think you did just fine leaving your comfort zone. Now build on it and move up the ladder. :)
Shadows Kill -a powerful excerpt - I'm such a coward. Oh my - Bill how is Bev sleeping these days? My big burning question which I guarantee you are not going to answer is - what happens next?
Truly this made me realise that I censor myself when I'm writing (and probably when I'm not) Back to the drawing board or picture books! Thanks for the wring -Cheers Maj
Ohhh, I just love great thrillers, and you are writing one and off to a great start!!! Thank you, dear Bill, for reminding us to get out of our comfort zone and grow as writers.
I found great satisfaction in writing out of my normal genre of writing when participating in dark challenges. So much fun and surprised that I was able to pull it off, it seems, at least from the commenting.
I look forward to your next novel with great interest.
Keep pushing those limits.
Blessings always
hey just ordered the Kindle addition to this title... i will read it within the next few days.. thank you wasn't so bad 4.99...
Hi Bill,
Wow did I enjoy your excerpts from your novel and soon to be novel. Some seriously powerful, thought provoking words you penned. I found I was glued and didn't want them to end. You truly have a gift my friend and I am so honored to be your buddy. Look forward to having my own copies to read.
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Thank you Maj! I wanted it to be uncomfortable, and evidently it is. I appreciate your thoughts...now good luck with that un-censoring.
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Thank you Faith....this is a fun book to write but also disturbing, and if the author finds it disturbing then it must be close to the target. Have a wonderful day my friend, and may blessings abound.
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Thank you very much, Frank. I hope you enjoy it greatly.
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Suzie, you are a good friend...thank you! I don't know if I have a gift, but I do know I have a passion for words.
Hope all is well my dear. I'm looking forward to your next hub.
bill
I like your observation that sometimes writers (and everyone) can become too comfortable in what they do well. It happened with a college professor of mine who used to be brilliant. By the time I had him, he was living off his laurels and a pile of outdated notes. He really did not teach.
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I've seen it quite often, Flourish, and I think it is a waste of talent and very sad.
Thank you for sharing that...it illustrates this very well.
As usual, a lot of great information here, Bill! I'm currently finishing my most recent novel and am starting another! Your instructions are always welcome!
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Donna, continue on my friend. I love to hear that your novels are going well. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
Well written- refreshingly so. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you tdalexander. I appreciate your kind words.
I love exploring and thinking of possibilities. Getting out of one's comfort zone can lead to creative writing. Another great lesson to absorb, Bill.
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Very nicely said, Dianna. I can't imagine not testing the limits to find out how good you can really be.
You always inspire me, always. Voted up and awesome!
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Thank you breakfastpop...glad to be of assistance.
Thanks for sharing this lesson with us, Bill!
I enjoyed your clips from “Finding Tobias” and “Shadows Kill.” Each brilliantly taps into the mood, emotion and that dark side you outlined so well. I also enjoyed the clip by the insanely prolific and talented Stephen King. I’m in that “Twilight Zone” quagmire of the long short story of 22-25k words long he refers to…so I found this segment very interesting.
“Get out of your comfort zone as soon as possible.” So very true!
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Thank you very much vkwok!
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Thanks Genna! I love watching King talk about writing. He knows his stuff, and he struggled just like all of us do...the voice of experience counts for so much, don't you think?
I agree. And by the way, one of my stories has serial killer…he was sooo hard to write. (I’ll never do it again.) We can’t get into their sociopathic heads, so to speak; it’s impossible. We have to take a clinical approach and describe what he does and says from the perspective of a detached observer, and without emotion. It’s the only thing that works. Your use of a Hannibal-type character from which to draw upon was a smart approach.
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Genna, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the serial killer. He is the most difficult character I have ever written, and I suppose that is a good thing. LOL
I so enjoyed the snippets of fiction and they served as excellent examples. Thank you for always striving to help others be better. After all these years, you're still teaching :).
Bill, you carried me away to a place to which I never wanted to return, brought back dark memories of fear and lonelyness in the ugly part of a city where there were bars on the windows, not to keep us in but to keep evil out.
When my brothers, cousins and I lived with our grandparents whe did not have conveniences either. But that was not bad, except for the outhouse, and having to take a bath in a washtub. Everything else was good, at least as a child it was.
We have a hand-cranked wringer in the garage for washing the car.
Voted up UABI and shared.
Billy this is a great hub. I agree with that. I try to write some thought provoking hubs that keep the reader there until the end. I am one of those readers if you don't catch on the first page I probably won't go to the next. I have taught many authors that presentation is everything. Voted up and useful.
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Thank you Rhonda! It's in my blood. What can I say? :)
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Shyron, thank you so much. I love that you have a wringer in the garage. How cool is that? You just made my day young lady.
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Author Cheryl, keep teaching them that. If I had a universal complaint about the writing I see daily, it would be that. Catch me early or don't bother writing it. Thanks for sharing that.
The dark side isn't hard to reach if you have someone to call on that already lives there. Know what I mean?
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I do, Deb, but unfortunately, or fortunately, I don't know of anyone like that. :) Thanks as always my friend.
Nice post.
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Thank you dy0pxa
So true about tapping into emotions - the way you expressed the dark side had me reading every word, and let's face it, on the internet, that takes skill to get a reader to do that! When I write about music I'm always thinking 'emotions', 100 percent of the time, but the way you've expanded on it here has me thinking a little harder now. Thanks for that.
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That's very kind of you, Brite-Ideas. As long as we never forget about emotions we'll be on the right track with our writing. Thank you for the visit.
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