Monday, June 17, 2013

MEET JUDY HOGAN

Judy Hogan's contribution to Be A Real Writer packs a wallop. If you want to write a novel you'll learn a lot from this short piece. If you're a time-waster/procrastinator, you'll feel embarrassed and guilty. If you whine that you 've written two or three novels and can't sell them so you aren't going to write any more--publisher's loss--read on, and learn. Judy Hogan is a perfect role model for all of us.


A REAL WRITER?
            For twenty years I debated: am I a real writer?  I finally decided I was.  I’d been writing: diary, poetry, even a novel.  Nothing published, but it finally hit me: a writer is one who writes.  Then at age thirty-one my first poem was published in a poetry journal a friend, Paul Foreman, and I started, Hyperion Poetry Journal.  My writing life now, at age seventy-six, is more settled, confident, and ritualized.  I have five poetry books out, two non-fiction, and a mystery, Killer Frost.  I expect another mystery, Farm Fresh and Fatal, and a new poetry book, Beaver Soul this fall.

            I have about seventy unpublished books.  I have a great drive to write and feel best when I’m writing.  I use a schedule, spend two hours each morning writing in my diary, then, when I can free the time to write a book, two hours in the afternoon, and two hours in the evening.  I set aside two months when I won’t be teaching or otherwise distracted, this year, July-August.  I’ll do my farm work, a good break from the intensity of creating, let my mind go slack, pick figs, preserve soups for the winter, read mysteries. 

            Elizabeth George’s Write Away gave me my model.  Once I get my basic idea, I use George’s character prompt form to brainstorm new characters: what they look like, how they talk, what their goal is, in life and in the story, significant events, etc.  I want them to become alive for me.  Then I start sketching out the scenes.  I can usually rough out the whole novel.  Some chapters have several scenes; some only one. 

            Then I start composition. If the story moves in an unexpected way, I trust that intuition and follow it, even if the killer changes.  I often draft the whole novel in six weeks, normally 60-70,000 words.  I write by hand and revise as I type it on the computer.  Generally, I don’t change a lot.  I compose like a Japanese painter–study what I want to make vivid, see it clearly in my mind’s eye, and when it is quite real to me, then I describe what I see and hear.  I hear the dialogue better than I see the people.  The roughed out scenes are a guide, and I always reread what I wrote my last session, or more if I need to get into the flow of the novel.  Then I send it to two readers who like my work and help me find inconsistencies or more detail I might need.  Typing and later getting it published and promoted I can do with more interruptions, but composition needs me to become immersed in my book.  It’s work, but very gratifying, and it uses all of my mental life: feelings, experiences, personal history, concerns for justice.  I’ve been active in my community to improve conditions, but my best gift to other people and to justice is the books I write.
 
Judy Hogan’s first mystery novel, Killer Frost, was published by Mainly Murder Press in CT on September 1, 2012 in both trade paperback and e-book formats.  Her second novel in the Penny Weaver series comes out October 1, 2013. Beaver Soul, a poem written about her early experiences in Russia, will come out from Finishing Line Press, in KY, on September 1, 2013.  Judy founded Carolina Wren Press (1976-91) and was co-editor of Hyperion Poetry Journal, 1970-81).  She has also published five other volumes of poetry and two prose works with small presses. She has taught all forms of creative writing since 1974. She joined Sisters in Crime in 2007 and has focused on writing and publishing eight traditional mystery novels.  In 2011 she was a finalist in the St. Martin’s Malice Domestic Mystery contest for Killer Frost.  The twists and turns of her life’s path over the years have given her plenty to write about.  She is also a small farmer and lives in Moncure, N.C., in Chatham County near Jordan Lake.
 
Judy's website has fascinating information. Pop over there for a visit.

14 comments:

  1. I loved reading about Judy's writing process. I do the same--visualize until every nuance is illuminated, then write what I see--which means I spend time staring vacantly out the window. Took hubby a while to realize that gazing out the window is part of my work. :D

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  2. Enjoyed reading about Ms. Hogan, her writing schedule and career.
    Thanks!

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  3. Thanks for sharing. She sounds like a very intriguing writer and I like her approach to the craft.

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  4. How inspiring to hear Judy's story! That's the hallmark of a real writer ... writing, writing, and continuing to write with publication as icing on the cake, not the means to an end. Seventy unpublished books. Wow and double wow! Makes me want to strive to write more.

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  5. Linda - I don't do the "gazing thing." Maybe I should try it. :)

    Michele - You are so right. Wish I could sit and talk with her for a day or two!

    Sylvia - I like her approach too. And the book Write Away is really good. I have it. I should put it into action.

    Julie - I agree about the hallmark of a real writer. I can't believe how easily discouraged I am. I let every set-back ... set me waaaaay back! :)

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  6. Inspired by Judy's approach to writing. I intend to pick up Elizabeth George's book as well. No more excuses...I need to sit and write.

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  7. Fantastic post! I am very inspired by Judy and her writing process. And her determination. Well done. I should try some of her methods myself. I do not get near enough writing done, and I definitely do a lot of revising along the way. But writing by hand? That has never worked for me. I can't read my own hand writing, LOL. Thanks for sharing this fabulous post!

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  8. This falls directly in line to William Bernhardt's method for outlining, only reinforcing the need to think before you type. Thank you, Judy. I've been doing my thinking on the second book in a series, while finishing up the first. Excellent post.

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  9. Thank you, all, for liking what I posted. It always helps to know other people like what you write. Over the years people have told me they like my writing. I'd rather write a new book than publish an old one, but I am trying to get more books in print now, and then there's the amazing experience of having a reader like it, someone I've never met. Eliz George tells us we need "bum glue." Sometimes the words come slowly, but I try to be patient, and sometimes, looking back, that passage wasn't as bad as I thought. I do love it when the words rush out. Good luck with all your writing efforts. Judy Hogan

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  10. Thank you for sharing, Judy. A great lesson in the art of goal and commitment; which I believe not only to be the key to writing, but also the key to life.

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  11. I agree, Anna. When I do lifestyle workshops for writers, I have them set goals for 3 months, a year, 5 years, 10 years. Some find that hard to do. I think it helps me get as much done as possible, even though I don't always reach all my goals. When you write regularly, the brain helps you out. It gets into writing at certain times of day, which are normally your writing times. Or think of the Muse as a partner. I used to tell my writing students to "feed your muse cream." Judy Hogan

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  12. I'm in awe of Judy's perseverance. Off to do some of my own writing!

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  13. Thanks everyone. I appreciate your comments.

    I agree, Damyanti. I'm in awe of Judy's perseverance too.

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