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Q: SD, Is it true
that most authors are avid readers?
A: Yes, it’s true.
I’m also placed in this category. I never thought about writing. I was just
happy with reading all the wonderful stories that peaked my interest. If
anything, it was my high school counselors who are most responsible for this. I
was terrible with writing and an even worst reader (unless it was technical or mathematical). Both these ladies (yes, two councilors because of the vast
difference between my math and science scores compared to my reading and
writing scores) gave me reading assignments that had me wondering if some
recreational drinking were involved. They had me reading comic books, Sci-Fi,
Epic Fantasy, Comedic, and even a few classic novels. With me working a part
time job as a bus boy & dishwasher at an Italian restaurant, a Professional
DJ, guitar lessons, and playing community basketball, TV was never a
significant activity in my life, but I killed a few brain cells with shows like
Benny Hill, Dr. Who, and cartoons. Once reading was introduced into this mix,
it was as if my world had become small next to the vast imagination that lay
dormant between my ears. I clearly remember the day when the writing bug bit
me. I was arguing with my councilors about the Stygian Witches not knowing the
future, but was all knowing and were actually manipulating the future through fear.
The following week I handed in a 35 thousand word novelette about how a lie can
turn into a rumor and then turned into the truth. Although my skills as a
writer were poor, I had subconsciously learned the art of storytelling (and expressing myself on paper). Oh, but
my effort had me embarrassed as all out hell as teachers were asking me about
when was the second installment was going to be finished. Think of it this way,
the best storytellers learn the art from other storytellers who learned from
them. I hope this helps. SD
Q: SD, Why is it
important to stay away from clichés?
A: By definition (through
google.com/search), a cliché a phrase or opinion that is overused and
betrays a lack of original thought. This should be enough to stand clear of
using clichés, but they still slip in from time to time (cliché). What’s important to understand is that clichés aren’t
terrible or totally unacceptable. The simplest reason to lessen the amount of
clichés in your work is the fact that not everyone will understand the thought
or idea you’re trying to convey. Think of a cliché’s as metaphors that will
take away from the flow of your storytelling because of the time it will take
your reader to decipher the meeting. If you wish to travel down this road
(cliché) a bit further, than consider that there are enough language barriers
going from one state to another (North
America) or regents, townships, and countries than to add an additional
barrier of misunderstanding. The most important thing to remember is that there
are truly no set rules to storytelling, except to capture the readers’
attention, imagination, and heart in the same manner you were captured to tell
your story. I hope this helps. SD
Q: SD, What is the
best way to describe clothing?
A: The short answer is to describe them the best way you
can. The long version is to first ask yourself how the necessary clothing
description is to move your story forward. The second question is what scene or
event is your characters' clothing is important. In other words, if it’s a
formal setting than a tuxedo and a non-descript gown should do just fine.
However, if you are describing a wedding dress and the nice and naughty things
that are under them, then you might want to have someone knowledgeable give you
a hand, or prepare to place an Adult Content sticker on your books cover for
certain countries. What is most important with describing clothing (my disclaimer) is the emotion the
description adds to your story telling. I.e.;/
As I stood at
the bottom of the stairs for her grand entrance, I felt like a reject from the
top of a wedding cake. I thought an ordinary dark suit would do, but someone
had to remind me this was a formal affair and that caused for nothing less than
a monkey suit. At lease I got one bit of advice that made sense and I called
her up to find out what color my bow tie should be. I was fortunate she had
said white, and that the rental place only had vest and no cummerbund in white.
I must admit I was self-conscious about what I was wearing until I saw myself…
I looked good. When I heard the sound of someone coming down… She was dressed
in a long white gown with no embellishment and white gloves that nearly covered
her arms. Her hair was up with pieces of little white flowers that was held
together with a string of pearls. It seemed if everything around her floated as
did the thin silk lace wrap across her shoulders that only added to the perfect
picture. Oh, but it was her smile that bloomed on her face when our eyes met
that changed everything between the two of us. Of all times for my best friend
to go from pigtails, baseball jerseys, and jeans to… Everything around, though,
and inside of me had stopped the moment she took my hand in hers right before
she kissed me and said, “I’m sorry I’m late. Are you ready to go?”
I hope this
helps. SD
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