Well, hello. Let’s get to it.
My Plans for the Weekend and How They Almost Crashed and Burned, AKA What I’m Doing Having To Do With Writing
If you haven’t heard, until very recently I was under the mistaken impression I was scheduled to do a book fair event today, right about the time this newsletter is coming out. However, I was wrong.
To be honest, I was a bit embarrassed to have thought it was today rather than tomorrow for so long. However, I’m also keeping things in perspective. It’s not like I forgot to go into school on a day I had to work, for example. And I’ll be going to the event, so it’s not like I’m missing out.
The event will be tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at MERGE, 136 S. Dubuque Street, in Iowa City, part of the week-long Iowa City Book Festival. Here’s a link to the event page. When you do get on there, I’d urge all of you to check out the other writers planning on being at the event, including an old classmate of mine from Muscatine, Juan Fourneau. It looks like there’s going to be a lot of great authors there1.
What I’ve Been Writing
I’ve been busy this week with some decent original fiction. For the first time in a while, pretty much all of the writing (except for here) has been focused on The Yank Striker 2. I’ve gotten past a main stumbling block in the rough draft and I’m moving forward with the next part of the story – what happens after my main character DJ’s first game and what eventually becomes an after party for him.
This is the part of the newsletter where I’m obligated to warn about SPOILERS for both The Yank Striker and The Yank Striker series. If you are allergic to such things, stop reading for a bit.
One of the things about The Yank Striker: A Footballer’s Beginning I somewhat regretted was introducing so many new characters briefly near the end of the book as DJ meets his new teammates at Donford at the first time. However, I still feel I stopped the book at the right time, right after DJ finally makes the choice to go to London and join Donford.
What I am really happy with is the opportunity the second book brings to talk more about Donford FC and it’s players and coaches. There’s Lexx, the Brazilian forward and fellow LGBTQ player, for example. One of the reasons DJ even gets a chance to play for Donford is because the club believes he could serve as support for Lexx, who they see as a potential world soccer superstar. Lexx is definitely unlike any other character in my fiction up to this point, and I’m really excited about exploring him further in this book.
There also many other great characters to talk about, like DJ’s fellow American transplant Gord and a Dutch player who insists on everyone calling him Jojo. There’s so much dramatic and comedic potential in these characters, which will only strengthen DJ’s story. I can’t wait for you to have a proper introduction to them.
All Right, Spoilers Over
Writing Advice for the Week
This week, it’s time to talk about the fourth of George Orwell’s six rules of writing. During the past few weeks, I’ve been reviewing the first couple of rules. Orwell, the author of 1984 and Animal Farm, is a longtime idol for me.
“Politics and the English Language” is one of his best essays, which explores the connection between the deterioration of the language and political thought. He thought politicians were obscuring their true intentions behind vague or meaningless language. It’s worth a read in full.
So, number four on the list is:
Never use the passive when you can use the active.
This is going to require some explanation, but I think you’ll get it by the time I’m done.
Essentially, this is referring to active verb versus passive verb sentences. Passive verb sentences are arranged so they run in this order: object, verb, subject. I’ll use an example I have often used when I am teaching this in front of students:
The body was dragged by Sam and Dean Winchester into the living room.
As you see, the sentence is focused on what is happening to the body, not who is dragging it. Essentially, the object has now taken the subject’s place.
Active verb sentences are arranged so they run in this order: subject, verb, and object. An active verb version of my passive verb sentence example would be:
Sam and Dean Winchester dragged the body into the living room.
Notice how direct and simple the active verb sentence. It also has the advantage of giving the same information in a fewer amount of words.
In most cases, you should use an active verb rather than a passive verb sentence. There are exceptions to this rule, however. In headlines or other areas, your reader interest might be in the actions the subjects of your sentences take rather than the subjects themselves. However, the more active verb sentences you can use, the better.
Writing Quote(s) of the Week
Anthony Trollope seems to get my idea of working small but steady. The big gesture, when it comes to writing, never seems to work with me.
A small daily task, if it be really daily, will beat the labours of a spasmodic Hercules.
- Anthony Trollope
I also think that Ursula K. Le Guin would vibe with Orwell concerning the importance of exact and clear language.
A writer is a person who cares what words mean, what they say, how they say it. Writers know words are their way towards truth and freedom, and so they use them with care, with thought, with fear, with delight. By using words well they strengthen their souls. Story-tellers and poets spend their lives learning that skill and art of using words well. And their words make the souls of their readers stronger, brighter, deeper.
- Ursula K. Le Guin
Where I’ll Be and Where You Can Find my Books
After this weekend, there’s only one book event on my calendar. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, I will be at the Elwell Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds as part of the 8th Annual Indie Author Book Expo. If something else comes up, I’ll let you know.
I’ve got links to my books in paperback and ebook format in the sidebar here, but you can get them in person at these fine Iowa bookstores:
- Beaverdale Books, 2629 Beaver Ave # S1, Des Moines
- Pella Books, 824 Franklin St, Pella
- The Book Vault, 105 S Market St, Oskaloosa.
All three are great independent bookstores who deserve your support.
Final Thoughts
Sorry this was out slightly later than usual. In this case, I was just a bit caught up in writing something else and the deadline crept up on me.
Take care, everyone.
– 30 –
While I do appreciate you following this blog, I really would like you to subscribe to my Substack page. By subscribing to that page, you’ll not only be receiving my Substack newsletter, The Writing Life With Jason Liegois (the companion blog to this one), but you’ll also be signing up for my email list. Just click the button below.
- Consider this my Reading Recommendations for the Week. ↩︎
Liegois Media 