I love to read a delicious novel–one whose words I can taste, chew on, let dissolve on the back of my tongue, and into my mind. I savor those novels, not because of the story or character, but because the word painting has made the story come alive. A delicious novel is one that I linger over, like a great dessert, then come back for more.
Word painting isn’t easy to teach. It is something that largely has to be felt like the love for cooking, or the ability to paint. But there are principles, and with time, a studious author can become a powerful word painter. I know I had to learn the basics before turning to word painting, but when I did, writing became for me not just storytelling but art.
I am amazed where Voices editor Lisa Jordan and her team have taken this ezine over the past six months. This issue should be in print because I’d like to get out my highlighter and go to town on all the powerful information on the pages. From our Prayer coordinator Dr. Reba Hoffman’s word of encouragement about pressing on through the storms (of rejection, challenges, life), to resident Genesis and Frasier finalist Melissa Tagg’s article about the emotional challenges of submitting in contests, to Katie Ganshert’s practical article on finding time to write, this issue will encourage the artist inside.
If you have a desire to go beyond storycrafting to serious word-smithing, then take the time to read the excellent features this month. Edie Melson’s powerful article on Creating Setting had me taking notes, and I read again and again Patricia Woodside’s thoughts on Word Painting. Dineen Miller’s article on Creating Characters will have you running to your television set and scrutinizing a cool new show. And Betsy St. Amant takes a funny look at how to handle revisions.
The Frasier Award finalists are featured, as well as fiction by our own Voices for this summer. And, to keep it all real, Rachel Hauck’s excellent article on what to do with contest feedback is a must read for everyone, published or pre-published.
Beyond that, and with ACFW (and the MBT Pizza Party/Frasier Awards) on the horizon, Ane Mulligan, the conference junkie, gives a great rundown on conference resources out there for writers while Beth Vogt gives her insights on the MBT Polish Conference from this past May. And don’t miss Tiffany Colter, our Writing Career Coach, with her nuts and bolts writing advice. Top it all off with Reba Hoffman’s article on the ingredients of a great novel (and Homemade Ice Cream!)
Don’t skip over the usual suspects: the Journey with the Voices features Amy Lindberg, our therapist Rachel Hauck chimes in on POV in Ask the Therapist, and I had a turn with the scalpel for The Doc is In: Book Therapy Session. And, there’s What’s Your Story? where Voices share their experience of getting “The Call!”
Great tools, all in one place, to help us create amazing, breathtaking fiction. Congratulations to Lisa Jordan and her staff on another amazing (and delicious!) issue! Yum!
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