The Hammer Drill in a Writer’s Toolbox

I partner with Charity at our critique group, UnicornBell. The blog is for writers looking to improve their trade.

One post sticks in my mind, A Writer's Toolbox.

Conflict is my hammer drill in the world of prose. A hammer drill is like a piston that twists with every beat as it pounds into the wall.

Conflict is like that.

Every page of your MS requires tension whether subtle or the whiz-bang kind. All need that twist at the end of the stroke as well.

Look for examples of conflict around you. For me, it is analyzing TV shows.

I like enjoy worship Justified, about Kentucky US marshal Raylan Givens. The cinematic artistry is jaw dropping great. There are no blatant caricatures. I’ve worked with people like the ones portrayed on this program. Shoot, I’ve even guarded them.

The screenwriters sprinkle conflict throughout this hour-long show.

One episode begins with Raylan appearing at a murder site, the house where his surrogate mother has died. The scene when had learned of her death isn’t shown. The writers left that up to the viewer’s imagination.

He walks slowly up the sidewalk his mouth hard. But other than the set look of his face, doesn’t display much emotion. The first glimpse of his inner turmoil comes when Raylan confronts the law officer in charge who obviously thinks he will go off. Visibly, Raylan stops himself from making a scene with the officer and instead asks about his father. He learns that his dad is upstairs picking out a funeral dress.

At the end of this episode, Raylan is pointing a gun at the killer and for the first time displays grief at the loss of the one who raised him. His voice breaks. He swallows and turns away. Curses. Memories stop Raylan from killing the murderer.

Tension floods these scenes. Little twists hit this viewer like a hammer drill.

Okay. Long post. Let me summarize:

Is there a TV show, movie, or book that you can analyze? Examples please.

Btw, the third season of Justified begins this Tuesday, January 17^th.

Psychology of a Writer

Once upon a time, I was normal. Life was routine, a line of dominoes falling one by one.

Then I chose writing as a career and my definition of normal changed.

Example:

In the process of cleaning our chimney, I was standing on the wood stove and had my arm up the vent. And I was stuck. I mean, my sleeve was caught on the bricks and I was dancing with the stove pipe.

First thought? Wow, this would be a great scene for a book.

Second Example:

The hubby smashed the ever loving sh** out of his finger using what we’ve nicknamed BFH--Big Fu**ing Hammer.

While driving to the ER, I ignored my beloved's moans and wondered how I could portray this in a WIP.

Question: How widespread is this malady? Are others ignoring peril (got my arm out with a few scratches and much cursing) and whimpering spouses (10K hospital bill) to formulate their next book?

I need examples please so I don't feel so alone.

Reviews, Authors, and Amazon

Natalie M. Lakosil at Bradford Literary agency posted about bad book reviews and thin-skinned authors. It is becoming common for self-published authors to react, um, poorly when faced with honest reviews. In this case, the author resorted to public name-calling. Postal anyone?

Another trend is developing on Amazon. People with an agenda use the book review section as a soapbox to push their agenda. Rather than an honest review from a person who has read the book, they spout hatred of the author, the theme of the novel, or life in general. This defeats the purpose.

Sadly, this trend is creeping into GoodReads as well.

Examples:

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer: “The movie was a total waste. What a joke!”

Um, yeah. But how was the book?

Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly: “O’Reilly is a jerk with a god-complex.”

Um, okay. But what about the book?

American Sniper by Chris Kyle. “This guy is a racist thug hunting poor people in other countries and is now training others to do the same in this country.”

Some of the comments on Mr. Kyle’s page are filthy beyond belief.

Rules for a book review:

1. Read the book.
2. Give an honest review.

How difficult is that? For the people who prefer slinging excrement, it seems there are no rules.

Because it's Friday

NINE WORDS
WOMEN USE






Fine
This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

 
Five Minutes

If she is getting dressed, this means half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you are watching the game and been told to help around the house.

Nothing

This is the calm before the storm. This means something. Not ‘nothing’ and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in Fine.

Go Ahead
This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

 
Loud Sigh

This is actually a word, a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. Loud Sigh means you are an idiot and she is wondering why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to Nothing.) 

That's Okay

This is one of the most dangerous statements known to mankind. That's okay means the shovel is already in her hand. She is deciding where to hide the body.

Thanks

If a woman thanks you, do not question, or faint. Just say, “You're welcome”.

Unless she adds, Thanks a lot - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. Tread carefully and for heaven sake, do not say, “You're welcome”. That will bring on a Whatever.

Whatever
Is a woman's way of saying F*** YOU.
 

Don't worry. I got it.

Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response, refer to Nothing.

Variations include Get Out of My Way and The Ketchup’s Right In Front of You.

Politics and Bread

I like to know what I am getting into when I buy a product.

Bread, for instance.

The wrapper says split top wheat. It is soft, tasty but what about its true nature, the ingredients that give it a pleasing appearance.

A closer look, an informed look tells me this, it is not ‘whole’ wheat but lists enriched bleached flour as its first ingredient. Other *stuff* include sodium stearoyl lactylate, calcium phosphate/sulfate, ammonium sulfate and/or calcium carbonate—

Well. You get the idea. My reaction is a subtle WTF.

So I make my own bread using simple ingredients like white whole wheat flour, salt, yeast, honey, and milk. It doesn’t keep forever but the smell and taste are like a warm blanket on my senses.

Politics hit me the same way.

First off, a writing blog is not the place to expound a political view. My opinion.

I hope that my followers have no idea where I stand. But let me say, my views would appall both Democrats and the GOP.

Independent? Eh, maybe.

In this year of major political upheaval, I hope all look past the pleasing appearance and dig into what makes each participant tick. Their ingredients. Make an informed decision.

Don’t be the clueless person who listens to others. Research these political animals as you would for your WIP. 

And do some careful listening.

Skip the sound bites and the Mussolini posturing.

Check out their ingredients.