Category: On Writing

Posted in On Writing

Voice > First Lines

Posted on by iefaber

If you are a writer then you have heard time and time again how important your opening sentence is in any story, yet as a reader, I personally have difficulty committing to a book based on first lines only. Another important piece of advice writers hear is to have a voice. For me personally, an opening sentence may perhaps grasp my attention, but too often I struggle to stay attached to books during that first chapter. I am by no means an expert, but sharing my experience as a reader may help show how very important this second piece of advice can be.

First lines are important, but if the rest of your first chapter isn’t strong I will be easily disconnected as a reader. Continue reading “Voice > First Lines” →

Posted in On Writing

Secret Society of Writers

Posted on by iefaber

I attended my very first SCBWI event this past weekend.  It was MG/YA Day in Lancaster PA. Guest speakers included editor Rick Chillot of Quirk Books, agent Zoe Sandler of ICM Partners, middle-grade author Jennie K. Brown and young adult author Abbey Nash.

I will be honest with you; I don’t know why I went. This was an event put together by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. (SCBWI) It was designed specifically to help Middle-Grade authors and Young Adult authors. (hence MG/YA Day) I can remember not knowing those abbreviations once upon a time. So I know I’ve come a long way from the 2nd-grade student who liked to write stories, on the other hand, am I worthy of being among those in that “society”? Was there going to be a secret handshake? Continue reading “Secret Society of Writers” →

Posted in On Writing

Gorey Stories

Posted on by iefaber

‘Life is Distracting and Uncertain,’ She said and went to draw the curtain

A line from Edward Gorey’s story The Shrinking Treehorn.

Naturally, as I begin my journey online and at home to move my stories from my private world to the public world, life gets in the way.  I remember this quote because I once was in a play titled “Gorey Stories” in my community college. It was a fascinating production for me especially since I was already a bit of a fan. I was cast for only a very small part, but for the purpose of experience, I attended every single rehearsal and the set design meetings as well.  During one meeting, not too far from opening night, we were told one of the leads had a broken ankle and could not perform. I suspected she might have actually just dropped out because ours was such a small production and it was indeed a strange play. Whatever the reason, the director needed someone to stand in her place, and because I had been to every rehearsal and only had one or two lines of my own, I was given her part. Continue reading “Gorey Stories” →

Posted in On Writing

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Nobody,

Posted on by iefaber

I am writing blog posts for no one to read.

I have done nothing to promote my website or even have it visible by any web searches. This site is not even completed, yet I post. I do this for several reasons.

First – I want to visit my website pretty regularly right now as inspiration, a reminder, something to hold me accountable. I have all these stories and I have let them sit around for far too long.

Second – practice. I want practice writing for the public. Practice writing in my own voice, not a character’s. Practice keeping a schedule that is about MY life, not someone else’s.

Third – I will eventually use these posts as tests when I begin using tags and SEO tactics.

I’ve had blogs in the past, but they had no direction or purpose. Well, they sort of did, but that’s maybe for another post. Another post for no one to read.