Perfection Not Required

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor for Southern Writers Magazine

We want to do our best. We want to always present our work with the perfect grammar, spelling, wording and content. We always want to hit that mark of perfection if possible   but perfection is not required. Never has been and never will be.

Can you name an author who has yet to go back and read their work years after it has been published and dare to say it was perfection? No most go back and read it and say how they wish they had written something in a different way. They wish they had gone further with explanations or had said less with more. They wish they had changed something on every page. Is this because it wasn’t perfect? Possibly, but I think it is something entirely different.

I think we go back and see our faults or corrections we would make because we have grown as writers. I think it was perfect at the time it was written but we have grown and moved forward with additional skills, ideas or style. I think every time we write we perfect our craft a little more.

If you are now or have ever been in a writers group you have probably had someone in that group which you thought was perfection in their writing. I know of such a person. I love to hear their work read. When we have a short writing exercise   and are called on to share our work, I know we will hear the best reading from them. I never want to follow them with my work because I feel so inferior.

The puzzling thing about this writer that is so perfect in my eyes is they have never submitted a piece of work for publication. While I am thinking how superior their writing skills are, they are thinking how inferior they are. They continue to work on perfection and once it is reached it will be submitted. For me that would be never. I can’t wait and again perfection is not required.

I have described two situations which deal with this. One is the person that returns to their published work to critique and edit it with perfect 20/20 hindsight. The other person has yet to submit their work waiting on that perfect piece to be completed. Of the two I prefer the first. Write it, submit it and second guess yourself later. If it is from the heart it is a gift which others should see. If you are like the latter no one will ever see your gift.             

“Perfection is like chasing the horizon. Keep moving.” Neil Gaiman     
   
As seen on  http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/09/28/neil-gaiman-8-rules-of-writing/

Here are Neil’s 8 Rules for writing.

1. Write
2. Put one word after another. Find the right word, put it down.
3. Finish what you’re writing. Whatever you have to do to finish it, finish it.
4. Put it aside. Read it pretending you’ve never read it before. Show it to friends whose opinion you respect and who like the kind of thing that this is.
5. Remember: when people tell you something’s wrong or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.
6. Fix it. Remember that, sooner or later, before it ever reaches perfection, you will have to let it go and move on and start to write the next thing. Perfection is like chasing the horizon. Keep moving.
7. Laugh at your own jokes.
8. The main rule of writing is that if you do it with enough assurance and confidence, you’re allowed to do whatever you like. (That may be a rule for life as well as for writing. But it’s definitely true for writing.) So write your story as it needs to be written. Write it ­honestly, and tell it as best you can. I’m not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter.

Are you waiting on perfection? Are you waiting for that piece to contain everything it should and be written in the way it should be written with the skills of a perfect wordsmith? If you are I ask you to remember this, “Perfection is not required”

Unforgettable Moments

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor for Southern Writers Magazine

Do you remember where you were when you heard of the assassination of President Kennedy? November 22^nd, 2013 marked the 50^th year since his death. Many of you were too young to remember. Those of us that do remember that day remember it clearly. For another generation the same impression was made with the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7^th, 1941 and yet another generation the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. Those moments are unforgettable.   

Unforgettable moments tend to stick in our minds. We think back on them and can remember clearly where we were, who we were with, how we felt and the sudden impact on our lives. Those events mentioned above are moments shared by millions of people around the world but were experienced individually.   

The same is true for other events we hold near and dear to our hearts. The many “first” in our lives can be unforgettable. The circumstances surrounding your first bike, first car or first home can be extraordinary. 

Your first kiss, first love, first child, first grandchild is an enduring memory. Your personal success in your education, job or career is significant as well. All these things seem to be personal but we must remember these events, just as the great disasters of our time, are also unforgettable moments shared by millions of others like us. It connects us all.

It is true not everyone has the same experience but we all do have a common experience. Just as the great disasters touched each of us collectively it also touched us personally. Each personal experience has its own story unlike any other. Sharing those moments can touch others because they are connected by the common experience and understand how others could feel as they do. As writers we must realize these unforgettable moments are great connectors to our reader. Don’t hesitate to use them. As I was writing this I received a text from an associate announcing the birth of his first child, a son. You see, your numbers to share with are expanding every day. 

An Unbiased Decision

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor for Southern Writers Magazine

Matt Moore is an NCAA SEC football official. He officiates as the referee, the one that can be seen in a white hat and an R on his back standing some distance behind the quarterback. Matt is one of the best, if not the best, officials in the business. He has the respect of his peers and has served as the President of the Southeastern Conference Football Officials Association.   

Matt and other officials are under intense scrutiny and graded by a committee on their weekly performances. Their grades determine post season assignments like playoffs and bowl games. Matt has scored the highest in the past and has had this honor and officiating the 2010 SEC Championship Game and the 2013 Orange Bowl among others. 

As a referee his job is to make calls based on an unbiased decision and if well done his performance will be forgettable to the average fan. As you can see from his photographs not everyone is always happy with his decision nor do some feel it to be unbiased. There are critics and conflict but that is expected, that is part of the job. 

As writers we should seek out critics, editors and the like in order to hone our skills. When we do, it may not always be pleasant for us. When our critic does a good job it may not be forgettable. But unlike the referee’s call, though it can be challenged, the critics call is not the last word. It is an offering and should be considered as such. 

You have to make the decision to follow it or not and when you do be ready to face that decision.  

To increase your odds of getting good advice I would follow those qualities we see in Matt Moore. Look for one of the best. Look for someone that is respected by their peers; someone that has past success and has been recognized for it; someone that is unbiased. Like the referee’s calls not all are easy to swallow but they do tell you a lot about the way the game is being played. Give consideration to the calls you get and be open minded. It may truly change your game as a writer.             

Technology Gone Wrong

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor for Southern Writers Magazine 

Those millions of citizens that attempted signing up for The Affordable Care Act Health Insurance, aka Obamacare, were met with technology gone wrong. This brings to mind Robert Burns poem To a Mouse which states “the best laid schemes of mice and men go often awry and leave us nothing but grief and pain for promised joy”. It is amazing that a government contractor and $500 million, a conservative figure by some, couldn’t do what two college kids in their parent’s garage could probably do on a shoestring budget.   

The city of Memphis, Tennessee, after a year of debate by the city council, recently spent several million dollars replacing their downtown parking meters. Those old metal meters, with the coin slots and hand crank on the front, were replaced with a high tech solar powered model. The meters brought to the city high technology and solar power, techie and green. It is a beautiful piece of technology and something its citizens can be proud of. But there is one problem. When it is cloudy or if the meter happens to be in an area that remains in the shadow of a building it doesn’t work. No solar no power.   

As you drive through the downtown area on a cloudy day you will see cars and meters with notes on them explaining the meter isn’t in working order. They are concerned about a ticket but few people know the one and only meter maid the city had retired recently.  

I do not mean this to be a political rant about government spending but do want to use these examples of technology gone wrong to remind us that it can. It can go wrong due to failed programs as with Obamacare or the misplacement of technology as with the solar parking meters. As writers we depend on our technology to put our thoughts on paper so to say. We depend on technology to research, store and share our work. We feel secure in it and feel we can depend on it but we must be aware it can go wrong. 

The loss of your life’s work would be a tragedy. Take precautions to secure your work. Use a good antivirus program and online backup. I use a local computer service for the antivirus program. They can renew it annually at a much lower cost than the online price. I also use an offsite backup service which will once a week download and backup all my information. Should I ever need to retrieve my information it is available for me.   

In the world of technology gone wrong these things are not a cure all but it will help you sleep at night. Take precautions, leave technology to others and continue to write with confidence.              

Challenge Your Beliefs

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor for Southern Writers Magazine 

Belly is a cement pig seated on my patio. Belly is a great companion, conversationalist and guard hog. Although Belly is made entirely of cement, he is no different from many of us. His mind is all mixed up and permanently set. There is no changing it. Don’t waste your time. He believes what he believes and that is that. 

Malcolm Gladwell is the bestselling author of The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, What the Dog Saw and his most recent workDavid and Goliath. Gladwellstated, “I write for people who are curious and don’t mind having their beliefs challenged.”  I enjoy his books and they do indeed challenge what society accepts as the norm. Obviously there is a market for people that like to be challenged.

As writers we should consider this direction. We tend to go with what we are comfortable with. We write about topics, characters and places we know and even stick to our beliefs a large part of the time. But what if you wrote from a standpoint where you challenge the very core of your beliefs. What if you set out to disprove your beliefs? Where would that lead you? Probably in a most unfamiliar place which would lead to research that is unimaginable. During the process we may learn something. We may even truly challenge our beliefs.     

I am not suggesting you set out to change your beliefs on politics, religion, Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. I am suggesting this is another direction to take in your writing. You may find this to be too uncomfortable for you. I can understand that but it may be worth a try. Now that I think of it, Belly has never challenged my beliefs. Maybe that is why I am so comfortable with him.

   

       

Continual Success

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor for Southern Writers Magazine

Success brings to mind different things to different people.  Not only are the dreams and goals different but its limits varying from one person to the next. My idea of success may be limited by my experience and talent. But to reach my level of success is just as rewarding as the next person that reaches their success at a much higher plain.

Don Henley said, “Success can sometimes be just as disconcerting and frightening as failure, especially when you have questions about your own unworthiness and abilities.” 

Questioning your success is not unusual. Many doubt their worthiness and question their abilities. Many do so because they are concerned about the next step. Can we maintain our success, can we repeat our model for success or will my next attempt be received and accepted like the first. This can only be answered by continuing forward, just as Henley and The Eagles did. There were failures along the way but most are forgotten. 

The truth is once you reach what you thought to be your goal or dream you come to realize what you have done prepares you for the next big thing. Doors open and again it is off you go to the next level. You need to stop, take stock and make a decision on what is next. Your abilities and worthiness have lifted you to this level of success. Use what you have learned. Put the success you have with the abilities that are proven and continue on to the next level. 

There will be times of doubt or setbacks, hesitation or even failure but the key word is continual. 

Over the duration you will be a SUCCESS!        

Format after Format

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor for Southern Writers Magazine

It was 1968, I was a Senior in High School and driving a “67 Chevy Impala. It would not do until I bought and had installed a Lear Jet 8-Track tape player. It was the latest, so I thought, in music delivery systems. I would soon realize in order to hear my favorites I had collected on LPs and 45s, I would have to purchase the same artist’s music in this new format, 8-Track.

This cycle has continued. Records, 8-Tracks, cassettes, CDs and now digitally downloaded. Will it ever end? I don’t think so. I have bought the same artist on each format. The flip side is the artist enjoys new sales each time the new format comes out. What a benefit to them.

Books have followed the same trend. Books have gone from hard copy to paperback. Authors or someone with an excellent speaking voice, like our very own Gary Fearon, present the books by the spoken word on records, tape and now digital. Southern Writers Magazine offers the words of Authors in digital format with Take Five where Authors read their works. Must Read TV shares book trailers with you, much like the trailers at the movies. Southern Writers Radio Showhas interviews with various Authors on topics of great interest to writers today. Southern Writers Magazine itself is presented in online format as well as print. It is all done in order to promote and encourage authors everywhere.

What is next? It is hard to say. I have watched car manufacturers discontinue 8-Tracks, cassettes and now I understand they are going to discontinue CD players as well. Digital seems to be the current choice for music and book delivery in the spoken form.  Each change will afford writers another format in which to offer their works to their readers. Another format brings another opportunity. Change is inevitable and Southern Writers Magazine will be meeting the challenge each step of the way.                 

It Must Be Included

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor for Southern Writers Magazine 

Social mores are changing. Whether it is due to our tolerance or intolerance it is hard to say. The truth is we are accepting social behavior now that we would not have some years ago. The most obvious is our digital dependence.  It has expanded our acceptability of the norm.

Each of us has our particular irritating intrusion. Mine is the cell phone. Texting or talking in inappropriate places at the expense of others is a common occurrence. I once had a gentleman get a call in a restaurant. He left his table to take the call and walked over to our table to carry on his conversation. It is amazing how people are so clueless. The same disregard for others occurs in checkout lines and even drives thru lines at banks. We have all been held at hostage while someone finishes their conversation.   

The most appalling intrusion I have experienced was at a Christmas Cantata at a local church. A lady sitting on the back row continued with her phone conversation during the cantata without regard to anyone attending or preforming. I couldn’t help but wonder how someone could come to the point where they would think that carrying on a conversation during a church service was acceptable.

No matter the irritant we must begin using these annoyances in our writing. I am not saying they should be the central part of the story but I believe they should be a part of the character development. This kind of behavior has become an everyday occurrence so it must be used in our writing. It definitely has a connection with our readers and usually brings up strong feelings good or bad.

In your next story give some thought to adding this horrible habit to one of your characters and see where it goes. I would love to read it.          

It’s All in the Name, or the Title, or Is It?

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor for Southern Writers Magazine

Huisache, Lagniappe, Aretha Frankenstein, Brooksie’s Barn and Tin Top are the names of some of my favorite restaurants.  I know the name doesn’t give you much idea of what is inside or even that it may be a restaurant, but if you know the local flavor or language it might. These names may draw your interest to find out more.

Some restaurants have a name that tells it all. Big Daddy’s BBQ is one. Yep they serve BBQ and Big Daddy makes it. Charlotte’s Eats and Sweets serves up good food and delicious desserts made by Charlotte. When you see names like these you know what is inside. 

Book titles are similar. Some recent titles on the Best Seller List are The Cuckoo’s Calling, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Happy Happy Happy, These Few Precious Days, Outliers and Brain on Fire. With these names you may not know what is inside but may be drawn to find out. Other books have titles, such as American Sniper and How Children Succeed,which give you some insight as to what is inside. Usually the latter are works of Nonfiction.  Nonfiction gets to the point.                                                                              

So how is a title decided on? John Maxwell, author of over 50 books, has stated that he seldom gets to choose the title of his books. He has his ideas but the process involves his advisors with marketing in mind. He continues to have great sales and great titles, so why change now.

Great titles make great covers which draw readers and make sales. Will your title reflect what is inside or will it be a title that draws your interest to discover what is inside? Will the title enhance the cover design?

Chances are it will all work together to draw the interest of the reader. It will probably be decided by graphic artist and marketing experts, which will be to your advantage.

Whatever the title, we at Southern Writers Magazine want to know about your book. We have promoted 460 authors and their titles and would like to promote yours as well. Stay in touch, and all the best with your title choice.                    

Writing and a Bowl of Jell-O

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor for Southern Writers Magazine

Jell-O is brain food. As a kid I had heard this not even knowing what it meant. Later in life I realized it was a joke but a joke I like to hear. I never thought I would hear it used in a way to express someone’s opinion of one’s writing ability.

A Christmas party was held in our small city and among the attendees was our small town newspaper editor, William. William was an easy target when it came to typos or any incorrect information. After all William was the only guy in town with that kind of exposure. No one else would dare step forward and put themselves on the line like that. It was much easier to do nothing, play it safe and look for reasons to ridicule the one that does. William was even made fun of for the Chinese Proverb he used as a statement of his endeavors; “It is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness.” In this case “the darkness” obviously represented ignorance.

At some point during the party one of our citizens had enjoyed the eggnog a bit too much and decided to strike up a conversation with the Editor. He told William that each night before he goes to bed he eats a bowl of Jell-O and reads Williams weekly newspaper. William found that interesting and asked him why. His answer was, “That way I have nothing in my stomach and nothing on my mind.”

Over the years I have thought how funny that was and how many applications it could be used in. But I also know how painful that must have been to William. The newspaper was his livelihood and, as the editor and creator of the weekly editions, his baby.

The truth is each citizen of our little city knew how important this newspaper was to our community. It brought the news of the birth, education and marriage of our children. It brought to us the news of the heroics of our school teams and the beauty of our pageants. It brought us the deaths of our family, friends and acquaintances.  I also know many times the patron delivering the joke had rushed to see his name, the name of his child, wife or his championship walking horse there in print along with a photo. He wanted his endeavors shared with the world and expected William to do the honors.

William knew they joked about him but he also knew they bought his papers and more importantly he knew why. I suppose as a writer we all feel unappreciated at times. I have thought how lucky William was to know that his work was read every night before this patron went to bed. As a writer that may be enough. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. Enjoy your Jell-O.