‘Skeleton Drafts’ Helped Dalmas To Write
Most would-be writers seek out advice on how to structure their stories. Many buy books that promise to tell them the secrets.
Well, courtesy of Spokane’s dean of science fiction, John Dalmas, I’ve decided to pass on some advice for free.
Now in the process of writing a mainstream novel, which he has tentatively titled “Second Coming,” Dalmas offered up some thoughts on the process of outlining.
“With one exception, I did not outline my early novels and don’t always do so now,” he says. “They felt better with one chapter growing from the earlier. Commonly, though, I got stuck in the middle, and wallowed awhile, which was worrisome, even grueling.
“Also, some stories I wanted to write, I couldn’t get moving in that way, and some I felt dissatisfied with. So I married my left brain to my right, so to speak, with what I call ‘skeleton drafts.’
“These are outlines in the form of detailed, before-the-fact synopses, following more or less extensive writing of character and event sketches. This system allows the muse - the right brain - freedom to work, while permitting the left brain to monitor and organize, and it permits more ambitious, though not necessarily better, projects.
“Also, the actual drafting tends to go faster and more smoothly.”
Dalmas says that he’s offered to teach a writing class through Spokane Parks & Recreation. “I believe I have something to offer,” he says.
Call the department’s program and class line (625-6200) if you agree.
Contests, etc.
Clark College of Vancouver, Wash., is offering a poetry and fiction contest. Prizes for the top three finishers are $200, $150 and $100. Deadline is Feb. 10.
For specific entry information, call (360) 992-2455 for poetry, (360) 992-2162 (fiction)
Hemmingstein’s, a literary review of the Spokane-based writers group Word Weavers, is looking for submissions for its ninth issue. Editors want prose works up to 3,000 words and poetry up to two pages per poem (five maximum poems per author).
Reading fees of $3 for prose, $1 per poem are required, and the Jan. 31 deadline is fast approaching.
Send submissions to: Word Weavers, P.O. Box 28861, Spokane, WA 99218.
The reader board
Brad Reynolds, S.J., author of “The Story Knife,” will read from his novel at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Auntie’s Bookstore.
Darlene Cohen, author of “Arthritis: Stop Suffering, Start Moving,” will read from her book at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Auntie’s Bookstore.
, DataTimes