Giving Something Back

By Mark W. Danielson

Recently, two elementary school teachers told me how their students love to write mysteries. I could hardly believe it. At a time when so many young people prefer texting or listening to I-tunes rather than engage in conversation, to hear that students were interested in developing their creative side was heartwarming. But what makes this even more intriguing is these future writers are third and fourth graders. If their interest in writing can be ignited now, these kids will excel at anything. Stifle it and they will cross over to technology's Dark Side before they reach middle school. As a writer, they asked if I would speak to their students. I gladly accepted.
In addressing elementary school kids, I’ve learned that to be effective, I must hold their attention and keep them involved. I do this by first explaining that story writing is no different from story telling. Too much thought spoils creativity. I then lead the class through a story exercise where ideas flow while the teacher writes them on the white board. Soon, hands reach for the sky from kids eager to share their thoughts. Once we have agreed on the story’s premise, I solicit ideas for the beginning. After a good line is created, we move quickly to complete six or seven more that describe the story, and then wrap it up with a conclusion. Because kids are visual people, drawing the story in picture form can stir their creativity. Any extra class time can be spent on editing and teaching the value of words.

A week or so after my class session, I usually receive an envelope filled with hand-crafted thank you notes. Although these kids were required to make them, some notes show genuine creativity and honesty. The kids who made these are the ones most likely to develop a passion for reading and writing. Few things are more rewarding than influencing kids toward writing.

Kids need role models, and authors fit that category. Each year at Irvine, California's Men of Mystery event, four high school students from Orange County schools are recognized for their outstanding creative writing abilities. During their acceptance speeches, many refer to a single teacher or author who sparked their interest in writing. That’s pretty powerful stuff. Imagine how much better off we would be if every published author reached just one child.

I strongly encourage authors to make guest appearances at schools. Kids need to understand that race, religion, economic status, or physical conditions can never limit their creative writing. They should also know that writing isn’t about book sales, but rather the fulfillment of ideas. If you have been successful in writing, then try giving something back. You can’t reach every student, but the ones you do will never forget your name.

Men [and Women] of Misery

By Mark W. Danielson

For the past eight years, I’ve had the honor of being part of the Men of Mystery event in Irvine, California. Here, some fifty authors dine with five hundred guests to discuss their mysteries and the writing business. Last November, Michael Connelly was the keynote speakers. Having served as the inaugural speaker, he graciously returned for its tenth anniversary. During his speech, he offered some interesting comments on writing that are worth sharing.

Connelly’s opening statement was that the authors in attendance were actually “Men of Misery”. Not in the sense of Stephen King’s thriller, Misery, but rather in the dedication it takes to craft suspenseful mysteries. He admitted to writing several manuscripts where he was well into them and then shelved them because he “wasn’t feeling it”. He also spoke about spending hours on a single paragraph or two. In this sense, the misery he was referring to isn’t about the writing process, but rather its painstaking re-writes.

Another item he stressed was daily writing. One of his mentors said you need to write at least fifteen minutes each day to mentally keep you in the loop. Fifteen minutes may not sound like much, but it can be devastating if you’re stuck on a single paragraph or thought.

A most interesting remark during Connelly’s presentation is in spite of his success, he still faces the same writing demons as the rest of us, and while he writes numerous sequels, he is not a formula writer, so every book requires the same scrutiny as his first. That's one you can take to the bank.

Readers may breeze through Connelly's pages not realizing that all of his words have been carefully chosen, every setting has been visualized, and every breath from his characters has a purpose. There are no mistakes in a well-written novel. He emphasized that in writing, it is never acceptable to say, “It’ll do”.

A wonderful cast of authors makes up Irvine’s Men of Mystery and Women of Mystery events. Some authors are also screen writers and producers. Some names are more familiar than others. But every author is equally dedicated to weaving quality webs. If you wish to check out their work, try browsing their names at the Men of Mystery link: http://64.23.9.69/mom/ If you find someone interesting, then check out their personal web sites. Most have chapter previews. Their mysteries await you.