October 2002 Meeting

Joshua Ortega
Author of self-published "Frequencies," which has subsequently been picked up by a traditional publisher. He promotes his book on tours, is writing the screenplay for it, and has other works-in-progress. He is a night person, and at home that comes in handy for two o'clock feeding and changing of his new baby daughter.

Jack Cady
A former professor at Pacific Lutherian University, he has won the Iowa Award for literature and his novel "The Burning," among others, has been published.

Words from the Panel

Glenn:
You need to have a drive to do something. I became a stock broker, but got tired of it. I decided to do what I really like: writing.
I became really inspired by Natalie Goldberg's book, Writing Down the Bones. She says you need to turn off your internal "editor" and simply write. I took classes from Robert Ray at the UW, and he showed me how to build scenes: Dialogue, Action. Create the scene, don't tell it. Be there now.
I can recommend Ann Tyler's The Accidental Tourist as a text book example of good writing. You should use characters from your own experience. If you see somebody interesting, even if you don't talk to the person, you could still imagine what they'd be like, and use them as a character in your story.
My advice: "Let your own voice come through."

For more on his books contact: www.poetswest.com, info@poetswest.com

Joshua:
You need to categorize your work. My [first] novel crosses several generes, but the publishers and booksellers need something they can call it.
My advice: Inspiration is the most important thing."

Jack:
Publishing changes all things. The publishers do not themselves know what is going to sell(!). New York is not a trend-setter, rather a follower. Sooner or later something you've written will be what they want. So keep everything you've written; consider it "inventory."
My advice: Avoid passive verbs and don't change point-of-view without a transition.