Find Your Writing Group(s)

Writers need creativity, comradery . . . and lots of time to write independently. A writers’ group gives you good company, fresh eyes, and a little encouragement when the words just won’t come. Finding your group will help you sharpen your craft, share a few laughs, and discover that sometimes the best stories grow from the wisdom and support of fellow writers.

Here are a couple Minneapolis/St. Paul groups that have been both fun and a help for me. (And you don’t have to be a distinguished–or even published–writer to enjoy these groups!)

Open Writing Group, Northfield, MN:

Contacts: Joan Ennis at jcennisbooks@gmail.com or Torild Homstad at homstad@gmail.com

Two upcoming meetings in 2027, plus our anthology release party!

At our House on the Hill Launch Party, I’ll be reading the first page of my short story:

Rodney and The House on The Hill

I was focused on paddling around the branches of a massive American Elm that had toppled from the eroding riverbank. The tree stretched half-in and half-out of the S-shaped waterway carved through the valley. Low-hanging branches had been known to sweep an unprepared kayaker off their ride and into the wooden strainer, where the current could drag you under faster than you could suck in a dying breath.

Perched high above, a formerly peaked roof drooped in the middle like a tired smile. The house looked over the cut bank, perhaps understanding that it, too, like the tree and the kayaker, may topple into the river someday.

I saw the tree.

Read the water.

Anticipated my move.

Turned, ducked, leaned, and that’s when the canvas sack dangling above the swirling surface caught my eye. The bag had a gaping hole on the bottom and was cinched to a broken branch.

Odd, I thought, just as an arm-sized wooden limb whacked me across the face.

My kayak tipped.

I toppled.

On a good day, I could have screw-rolled and righted the narrow boat, rotating up and out of the water.

This wasn’t a good day.

My inverted kayak was jammed between enormous wooden fingers. I lashed out for something to hold onto, and my fist came back with a canvas bag a single heartbeat before the swirling eddy sucked me to the riverbed. My brain raced.

Feet downstream.

Toes up.

Protect your face.

Fight the urge to inhale.

After what seemed like forever, sunlight…and air.

Caked with mud, muck, and sand, I dragged myself to the shore and flopped face-first on the riverbank, gasping.

That’s when I noticed the gunny sack beside me was writhing. A squirming bulge was taking shape under the wet fabric. Inside, something was inching toward the bag’s torn bottom. I spun and planted my buttocks in a clump of grass and cattails as a pink nose emerged.

A drenched and furry bandit crawled from the opening. It was a sable ferret! He was long, thin, soaked…and curious. The gaping hole in the sack meant the ferret’s littermates, if there had been any, had likely fallen into the river. We were both surprised, wet, and alone.

I took the little guy home.

SouthSide Writers, Eagan, MN.

Two upcoming meetings in 2027.

Contact: Helen Montgomery: hlmontgomery@earthlink.net

If you’re an author, or just like to write, get yourself in a group!

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Welcome to Opine…a few opinions.

Welcome to Opine is a dystopian science fiction novel that allows humanity a nine-billion-year do-over–and it goes exactly like you’d expect. Despite the gained knowledge and medical expertise, the new-and-improved Homo sapiens can’t create a perfect society–but it ain’t for lack of trying. They’ve genetically engineered away selfishness—and, as an inconvenient side effect, the sex drive. What the social planners [dreamers] failed to take into account was, as usual, human psychology and adaptability. The Opinions suppressed their own human desires, but Matthew Marullo lampoons the future us, who still believe we can pacify human passions…if we just desire it enough. Nine billion years of progress still can’t save us from ourselves.

The book was clever, though slow-moving. A handful of clever quotes jumped out. Here are a few:

Absurdity, when used sparingly, can catch the reader off guard. This passage did just that:

“Guara Bottlebrush told Nolana she was welcome to invite her husband to dinner, if she had one. Nolana said thank you, but her husband had drowned in the ocean three years ago while trying to get a better look at a lovely spotted sea trout.”

The constant expectation of being offended, of seeking and tallying micro-aggressions, of suggesting that words are violence by some in today’s society is captured in this description of the Opinions:

“It was rather common for an Opinion’s composed demeanor to quickly deteriorate into mini panic attacks over relatively minor mishaps.”

The Opinions valued equality and contentment above all–it was the objective of their society. Despite that pursuit, the ruling class made exceptions for themselves, not unlike the wealthy and politically elite who travel around the world in their private jets to postulate about climate change. Marullo captured it well here:

“Entrepreneurs, celebrities, the executives, and all the rest who, through the rigor of their ingeniuity and ambition, were able to acquire more assets and wealth than the majority of the population…[but] the Opinions were not against individuals in high profile professions, like entertainment or sports, to earn gargantuan incomes. The key was to inculcate cultural values into every citizen that defined who the “winner” must always be.”

And, the book had a few sentences of lovely description, moments where the satire and the characters stopped briefly:

“On the way out of the rotunda, several guests noticed a middle-aged woman staring up at the foliage of a red oak. The mid-October leaves were an iridescent coalescing of yellow, green, orange, red, and brown, mirroring the floral pastels decorating many of the guests attire. One leaf in particular was dangling off its stem, a final clinging goodbye flutter before it’s seasonal descent…the people stared at the leaf.”

On the whole, the book was reflective and mildly entertaining. Matthew Marullo is clearly a creative and a deep thinker. Those who enjoy thoughtful dystopias and satirical novels that lampoon our own society would love this. Lots won’t.

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Your Novel’s Soundtrack

Writing involves reading, and researching, and, in this case, listening to some fantastic Chicago Blues. Often while working on the The Worst Thing About Sam, I listened to Chicago Blues music. A few of the Blues artists that I’ve grown to love while writing this book follow:

Illustration of Chicago Skyline with keyboard in the foreground. Text reads The Blues behind the Story, which is referencing The Worst Thing About Sam, a new novel by Dann Hurlbert
  • Buddy Guy
  • Muddy Waters
  • Susan Tedeschi
  • Koko Taylor
  • Robert Johnson (and Jake & Elwood Blues)
  • Keb’ ‘Mo
  • Delbert McClinton
  • Pokey LaFarge
  • John Lee Hooker
  • Magic Slim
  • Junior Wells
  • Big Momma Thorton

Some of the songs fit scenes in the book perfectly! So, I created a “soundtrack” for the novel. (This book would be great on film, too.) Below is The Worst Thing About Sam YouTube playlist, and here’s the link, so you can share it!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOHSOEiBdv8&list=PLMalmeBRtN6a1u9TPmIy9Sn96h3FVtyIV

Enjoy! (And, if the cello songs throw you off a little, it’s OK. Samira, in The Worst Thing About Sam, plays the cello, and she gets a couple numbers, too.

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I’m thankful I’m a writer because…

Finding an encouraging and talented writers’ group is a must for authors. At each of our meetings, in addition to sharing and critiquing each other’s recent writing, our group’s facilitator provides a writing prompt. Attendees then have 10 minutes to craft a short story.

This week’s prompt: I’m thankful I’m a writer because…

Tuesday is trash day. I try to meet Steve Frankenlick, the truck driver, at the curb.  He has three kids and a dog with three legs.  The latter rides in the truck with him every day.

After the curbside conversation, I pull on my sneakers. Melinda Schwinger teaches at the Fitness club.  She’s an athletic brunette with an incredible posterior and more pep than any woman in lycra I’ve ever met.  She’s the reason Carl, Edward, and the rest of the lonely widowers take yoga.

After Steve heaves my hefty trash bags, and Melinda lifts my libido, I head to The Pirates Cove Coffee Shop. It’s Bucky’s store.  He grew up in Colorado and had a skiing accident at age 17.  The accident is why he walks with a pronounced limp, and his ski pole is the reason he wears a patch over his left eye. Both injuries are why the Pirate’s Cove Coffee got its name.  If you ask for the special, he’ll add a shot of Rum to your French Roast.

Being a writer isn’t so much inventing characters; it’s recognizing that we’re all characters . . . and whatever quirks or habits make us . . . us, also make each of us fantastic characters.

I hope all the other authors out there find a group, and if you’re a writer . . . why are you thankful you are?

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Good Descriptions and Figurative Language (Peter and the Star Catchers)

I’m a sucker for descriptions that help me smell, taste, feel, or otherwise visualize a location. William Kent Kreuger does it better than anyone in his novel This Tender Land, and I tried to capture some of that in my own novel Suddenly Rural Girl. Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson do it well throughout their Peter and the Star Catchers prequel to Peter Pan series. Here are a few examples:

The line below from Peter and the Shadow Thieves captures an oppressive atmosphere that sets the mood for an oppressive scene.

“The pale, sinking, northern sun was no match for the city’s blanket of clouds and dark gray fog, thickened by coal smoke and soot drifting out of ten thousand chimneys.”

and

“In the city’s wealthier areas, the streets were illuminated–somewhat–by gas lamps, each creating a small, round island of light (or at least diminished gloom).

Once out of the city, we’re introduced to the ocean, a clear and beautiful contrast:

“He didn’t mind being sent up to check the sails, because he enjoyed the view so much. The ocean spread out before him like a vast blue tablecloth, interrupted by the occasional white stitch of foam on wave.”

and the ocean can turn on the sailor’s too…

“For another minute, the sea continued to bubble and boil, as one by one, other desperate swimmers were suddenly sucked below. Then, at once, the sea quieted, becoming as flat as a country pond.”

The authors also used those atmospheric descriptions to make a character even more ominous.

“An inhuman roar of rage, like wind from a deep, cold cave, filled the night.”

and

“Caw! Caw! The sound came from a half dozen ravens circling high above Ombra’s carriage, following it obediently like dark kites on invisible strings.”

Finding ways to describe a scene with figurative language in a way that connects the reader to time, place, mood, and character is important. Barry and Pearson do it as well as anyone.

If you recall Peter Pan fondly, you’ll love Peter and the Star Catchers . . . and the over books in the series. You can find more about the novels and authors on Goodreads.

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A Touch of Humor. (Peter and the Star Catchers)

Let’s take a look at a few more passages from Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson in their Peter and the Star Catchers series. These are a few that made me chuckle. The Pearson/Barry combination expertly sneaks humor into passages throughout the novels. I’ll post a few of my favorite quotes from the book here and in a couple of future posts.

One in a series is not like the other. Here, Barry and Pearson give us three proper and formal names, and then the image of a dog, perhaps with references to a brass instrument, physical exertion, and anatomical slang. The Lion King movie did something similar with the three hyenas: Shenzi, Banzai, and . . . Ed.

“Louise and Molly,” said Leonard,” may I present Mister Cadigan, Mister Hodge, and Mister Jarvis. The dog’s name, I’m afraid, is Hornblower.“

Later, the smarter captain belittles his associate with an impossible exaggeration, and the first mate still doesn’t get it.

“You are an idjit, Smee.”
” Aye, Cap’n.”
“If you were to engage in a battle of wits with a sponge, Smee, my money would be on the sponge.”

Another great bit, and character description is the pirate Black Stache’s affection for his mother.

“Black Stache had no love for the Queen. No love for women of any sort, except for his ma. He had a real soft spot for his ma, and was truly sorry for the time he marooned her.”

If you recall Peter Pan fondly, you’ll love Peter and the Star Catchers . . . and the other books in the series. You can find more about the novels and authors on Goodreads.

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Physicality in Peter and the Star Catchers

Peter and the Star Catchers, and the subsequent novels by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson are treats, especially for those who fell in love with the story of Peter Pan years ago. It’s the first of their prequel novels, and the Pearson/Barry combination expertly weaves all of the magic and playfulness into a story that explains the magic and playfulness of Peter Pan, itself. I’ll post a few of my favorite quotes from the book here and in a couple of future posts.

Here, let’s look at the clever physical descriptions. To me, finding a way to describe a person in a way the reader wouldn’t expect is what sucks me in. For example, the bully nemisis:

“He ducked then, avoiding the hamlike right first of Edward Grempkin. He was always keenly aware of where this fist was; he’d been dodging it for seven years now. “

Immediately, we understand the owner of the hamlike fist and the relationship between the characters. No much more is needed. Just the meaty fist. In the next passage, we meet the villain:

“He was a strikingly unpleasant figure, with a pockmarked face and a large red nose, like a prize turnip, glued to his face. His long black hair, greasy from years without washing, stained the shoulders of the red uniform coat he’d stolen from a Navy sailor on the high seas, just before escorting that wretched soul over the side of the ship. He had dark, deepset, piercingly black eyes, overshadowed by eyebrows so bushy that he had to brush them away to see . . .”

The nose like a PRIZE turnip is a fantastic description. His nose wasn’t an ordinary turnip, it was PRIZE. That made me want to look up characteristics of a prize turnip:

  • smooth, globe-shaped or uniform root contours
  • clear color separation (bright purple top where exposed to sunlight)
  • an optimal size of 2 to 3 inches in diameter
  • Perfectly symmetrical, round, or slightly flattened depending on the variety, with a clean taproot.

Of all the ways to describe a nose, a prize turnip is a fun one. In Peter and the Shadow Thieves (Book 2), the villain gets the following description:

“Nerezza’s cheeks and brow were deeply cratered amd scarred from a disease he’d picked up in some godforsaken port. His eyes were small, close-set, ratlike; his teeth, a disaster. But these weren’t the most distinctive features of his ravaged face.”

And in the next sentence, it gets worse. Fast. I won’t spoil it for you. But it’s good. It’s a description worthy of the villain.

Soon after, we get a detailed, and humorous, description of the character who would become known as Captain Hook:

“The hook was a nasty-looking semi-circle of shining steel fashioned from a dagger by one of Black Stache’s handier crewmen, and bound to the captain’s wrist stump by a stout leather strap. It was sharp as a razor, so sharp that Black Stache had several times cut himself in unfortunate places by absentmindedly scratching.“

If you recall Peter Pan fondly, you’ll love Peter and the Star Catchers . . . and the other books in the series. You can find more about the novels and authors on Goodreads.

Be sure to subscribe, below, to get updates about Dann’s reading and writing, and The Worst Thing About Sam!

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Writing Funny: Rewrite your Joke

I’m nearly done with my comic thriller, The Worst Thing About Sam, I wanted to re-post some of these “Writing Funny” tips I pulled together along the way:

Your clever line may be hilarious–but if you tweak it (or twerk it, depending on your audience), it could be funnier.

First, and always, consider your audience. Catholics tend to think Olympic Ceremonies co-mingling drag queens and the Last Supper is unfunny. Liberals rarely appreciate jokes referencing Global Cooling, Global Warming, or Climate Change . . . or whatever the trillion-dollar-grift is called now. Teen boys think “your mom” jokes are hilarious; your mom doesn’t.

Next, play with your word choice and sentence structure. Barf is a funnier dog name than Spot. Noob is funnier sounding than inexperienced. And if your rambling complaint can be summed up with eat my shorts you’re on the right track–even Bart Simpson knows that.

In his book, How to Write Funny, Scott Dikkers suggests practicing your verbal pratfalls. A comma here or a word swap there–especially with your audience in mind–can be the difference between a knee-slapper and a sigh. And, as you write, worry less. Just write and rewrite. Your audience–maybe your mom–will let you know.

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Writing Funny: Humor in Any Situation

I’m nearly done with my comic thriller, The Worst Thing About Sam, so I wanted to re-post some of these “Writing Funny” tips I pulled together along the way:

Years ago, I taught an acting and film unit called “The Seven Causes of Laughter” and it covered things like Exaggeration, Incongruity, Protection Factor, Relief of Pressure, and more. Relief of Pressure is an important concept when trying to find humor in difficult situations. When tension builds or emotions are already high, a well-timed quip can create a burst of laughter like a pressure valve letting off steam. Those who understand it, who can find humor in even the toughest situation, can get a lighten the mood and deescalate tensions . . . because they can get a laugh. And people like to laugh.

Scott Dikkers reminds us of that in his book, How to Write Funny. What I would add is that this kind of humor must be even more sensitive with the audience–or those within ear shot. For example, a paramedic’s lighthearted quip in close-proximity of a victim’s family can be seen as insensitive and professionally problematic. (On the bright side, it may be an excellent way to initiate a career change.)

Keep looking for humor…in any situation. Then, use some of the other tips in Dikkers’ book to learn how it can be written…funny.

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Writing Funny: It’s all about the…

… timing.

Got a few more of these “Writing Funny” tips that stood out:

Truly, I think this this is what makes writing funny more difficult than performing funny. In a performance, you can hold for a split-second to be sure the audience is following before hitting them with the punchline. Then, you can stop, start, speed up, slow-down, repeat, change your inflection, or pull the escape hatch with your joke based on the immediate feedback you’re audience gives you. With prose in print, you’ve given up that control–leaving you only two weapons: word choice and punctuation . . . and you have almost no control over when or how it will hit your reader.

Scott Dikkers acknowledges that in How to Write Funny, and offered a few tips. Don’t be afraid to PUSH or stress for emphasis. It’s OK to break. things–up–with punctuation. Even offering points of elipsis. One. Word. Sentences. Or using

  • Bullet Points
  • for
  • Clarity
  • or Emphasis.

Because timing . . . is everything. And you’ve got a limited weapons cache with prose.

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The Scent of a Good Story (Peter and the Star Catchers)

Peter and the Star Catchers, by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson is a treat, especially for those who fell in love with the story of Peter Pan years ago. It’s the first of their prequal novels, and the Pearson/Barry combination expertly weave all of the magic and playfulness into a story that explains the magic and playfulness of Peter Pan, itself. I’ll post a few of my favorite quotes from the book here, and in future posts.

“The carriage interior, hot and stuffy, smelled of five smallish boys and one largish man, none of whom was keen on bathing.”

The book itself deals with unkempt boys, London, (before plumbing and air conditioning), and long days at sea. Smells play an important part. Frequently, the aromas become obstacles all by themselves:

“He fell back, momentarily staggered by the odor, then scrunched up his face and forced himself forward into the cabin, like a man walking against a gale.”

At times, those smells hinted at something pleasant, the memory of a mother for example, foreshadowing the reader’s introduction to a beautiful girl.

“But there was more: there was a . . . smell. It was flowers. New grass in a meadow right after a spring rain. A fresh orange being peeled. It was cinnamon and honey, and bread just baked and pulled from the oven. And another smell even more wonderful than all the others, though Alf couldn’t place it.”

And, that cleanliness helped create divisions in class and between characters.

“She was perhaps an inch taller than Peter, and by the look of her she took baths. At St. Norbert’s, Peter took one back a month, unless he could get out of it.”

If you recall Peter Pan fondly, you’ll love Peter and the Star Catchers . . . and the over books in the series. You can find more about the novels and authors on Goodreads.

Be sure to subscribe, below, to get updates about Dann’s reading and writing, and The Worst Thing About Sam!

To keep up on more of what I’m reading and writing, follow me on GoodReads and subscribe to my updates, below!

Writing Funny: Horror Stories are Easy

I’m nearly done with my comic thriller, The Worst Thing About Sam, so I wanted to re-post some of these “Writing Funny” tips I pulled together along the way:

Sad and scary things are universal. Evolution and Emotion have teamed up to make the dark-and-unknown scary and death-and-dying sad. Things that make us laugh is more nuanced and varies more from culture to culture, person to person . . . and political party to political party. (Memes featuring cats and ducks with guns wearing MAGA hats is currently making some conservatives chuckle and many liberals roll their eyes.)

In the quote below, Scott Dikkers poses the question that The Onion and the Babylon Bee take a stab at daily: “What if you want to make Readers laugh?”

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