Post # 200, and 2 workshops coming soon

This marks my 200th post to Flogging the Quill since I launched it in September of 2004. Back then, when I was freelancing full time, I put up three posts per week -- the day job slowed that rate.

I've now written well over 200,000 words on the craft of storytelling, which includes my mini-edits such as the Flogometer for scores of writers.

I feel as if I've made many e-friends, and enjoy the correspondence that sometimes develops. I would appreciate it if you would use either comments or send an email to let me know how you feel about this ongoing effort of mine.

I've written two novels in that time (a full is now with an agent, fingers crossed). Hoping this doesn't jinx me, but Writers Digest Books is considering a book proposal for a book on writing craft based on material from FtQ. Cross your fingers for me.

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Murder in the Grove Conference Workshop June 8-9

I'm doing my Flash Editing workshop at the Murder in the Grove conference in Boise, Idaho. As you might deduce, the focus is on mysteries. They have a lot of excellent programs lined up, and Boise is a nice place -- I'm looking forward to it.

If you're attending and want to be in critiqued the workshop, email your first chapter to me as an attachment.

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A Writer's Weekend Conference Workshop July 1

I'm doing an in-person version of the Flogometer at Writer's Weekend in Seattle July 1. I'm calling it "Do Your First 16 Pages Cut It?" This is my third year for doing this conference, and it's a fun venue. Hope to see you there.

If you're attending and want to be critiqued in the workshop, email your first two pages to me as an attachment.

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So let me hear from you? If I've sent 200,000 words your way, how about a few coming this direction?

• Have I helped you in any way over the last couple of years?
• Do you have any favorite aspects of what happens here?
• Do you have any suggestions or questions?
• Would you be interested in a book of the best of the essays on FtQ?

You're writers -- write!

Ray

Public floggings available. If I can post it here, send 1st chapter or prologue as an attachment (cutting and pasting and reformatting from an email is a time-consuming pain) and I'll critique the first couple of pages.

ARCHIVES .

© 2007 Ray Rhamey

Comments

[Eliza]

Ray -- I'm really grateful for this blog. I refer the folks in my critique group to your craft posts at least once a month, it seems.

This is a big service to folks like me -- thanks for it!

[Belea T. Keeney]

Having read your blog consistently for the past year, time to step up to the plate and give some feedback.

Absolutely. Seeing the editing process at work is a great way to learn craft. I don't really know what happens in schools these days but I do know that I was never really edited until I hit grad school. All those red marks! All that slashing and hacking! All those admonitions on parallel construction! But, having that hands-on experience was invaluable.
You're doing the same thing here. *Showing* your readers how edits strengthen a piece.

See above. Watching it work it what helps your readers retain the information.

Nope. :)

Yep. It would probably be something I'd use when teaching writing classes. A real hands-on, before & after look at copy along with explanations on why you made the changes you did.

Also, I've referred a couple of writers your way who were looking for editors. Now, whether they followed up with you, I don't know...

Good luck with the book contract!

[Therese Walsh]

Happy 200th post, Ray. I always read and appreciate your writerly wisdom. Thank you for what you do! (I'll keep fingers crossed for you about that full...)

[Eliza]

Side note -- I found this blog originally through Writer Unboxed, I think! So thanks, Therese!

[Jennette]

I've been lurking here for over a year and just wanted to say I really enjoy your blog. Lots of good info here, especially with the first-page floggings. My 11yo daughter and I hope you sell your vampire kitty-cat book because we'd love to read it!

[Gerhi]

Ray,
I only found your blog a couple of weeks ago when I decided to get back to writing after ten years of doing other things.
I think you are doing a great job, expecially the flogometer. If you just keep doing that I'll keep reading - it has opened my eyes to so many possibilities.

[Nienke]

Your blog is one of my favorites, Ray. Instead of just theory, your 'rules in action' method gets the message across clearly and concisely.
Congratulations on post 200 and keep up the good work! And good luck with your writing projects.

[gypsy]

Thanks for helping us make our writing better. I've learned so much from your blog!
Good luck with your book.

[Marti]

Congratulations on 200 posts! I think you're providing a tremendous service to authors. We get so close to our own work, it is nearly impossible to see the mistakes. Thank you and best wishes!

[Kathleen Bolton]

200 posts? W00T! Anyone who blogs knows even one post is hard work. And best of luck on the book. Fingers crossed for you.

I like the fact that you show folks how to tighten their prose. I also appreciate another compadre in my my quest to rid the world of Florid Verbs and extraneous --ing phrases (also known as gerunds).

A toast to your next 200 posts. Clink!

[Kammy]

Happy 200th post, Ray, and thanks so much for doing this blog. I have learned a ton from your posts and from everyone's comments too. Keep up the excellent work, and I'm crossing my fingers for your vampire cat story especially!

[NJ Benson]

Hi Ray,

I've only just discovered your blog. It is terrific.

I have the first thirty of my story posted on youwriteon.com. It's a useful site for writers to (sometimes) help one another with writing. But we're all at different levels and only a few of the best get their work looked at professionally.

Your site is invaluable because your advice is practical to a newbie like me. I've put a link to it on my blog.

I echo the others in saying how grateful I am to have found this place.

Thanks.