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Insights from Women's Fiction Author, Elizabeth Berg

7/26/2014

7 Comments

 
Picture
Authors Cathy Shouse and Elizabeth Berg at Midwest Writer's Workshop (Photo by Matt Shouse)
Seeing an author whose books I enjoy is a rare thrill for me, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to hear Elizabeth Berg speak. In case you don’t know, Elizabeth Berg is a New York Times best-selling author, writes contemporarily fiction and bought her dad a red Cadillac after her book Open House was featured on Oprah’s Book Club. What I like about her books is that they’re about marriage, friendship and complicated family relationships, which is also the style of books I write. According to my agent, it’s a small niche in the women’s fiction market, which is dominated by romances. Here are the words of wisdom this successful author shared at the Midwest Writer’s Workshop. 


Your day job can make you a better writer. Elizabeth Berg’s experience as a nurse required her to give patients “unconditional positive regard” and notice everything from a twitching knee to their facial expression. Since she worked in critical care, she learned that what matters in life isn’t the big things, but the little details. It’s the yellow coffee cup you drink your morning coffee from or the dog curled up at the end of your bed that matter to people. This is also what creates a beautiful scene and a memorable story. 


Berg offered insights into her own writing process, but emphasized that we should honor what works for us. She doesn’t plot her story out ahead of time because she likes to be surprised. “I don’t want to know where it's going. I want to dream it into being.” Preferring to work in the morning, she writes one day without censoring herself. The next day she goes back and edits it. She encourages writers to “Go shopping for ideas inside yourself” rather than trying to imitate others.  


“The best thing to do to be a good writer is to be a good reader,” Berg said. She likes to read Alice Munro, E.B. White, the graphic artist Lynda Barry as well as non-fiction. Reading a variety of genres is good for writers. Her advice for writer’s groups is “Be honest but kind.”  


When asked how she juggles several book ideas, she said she can’t work on two novels at the same time. “It’s like you’re married to it.” So, she suggested treating your story ideas like you would children: tell them you love them and you’ll get to them later, but right now Mom has to do this. People who are bombarded by several ideas should write each of them down and put them in a drawer. 


Berg concluded with a few positive words about publishing. Despite the changing industry, she said, “Editors are still looking for good writers. They need you as much as you need them.” Write the story you want to write first, she advised, and worry about marketing later. “All of you are engaged in a noble business. . . . Good luck! I hope you love what you’re doing.” 



If you enjoy reading happy endings with a twist, try A SISTER’S PROMISE, WHAT HAPPINESS LOOKS LIKE or ON THE VERGE. Look for A WEEKEND GETAWAY by Karen Lenfestey, coming soon to Amazon. 
Thanks to my friend and fellow author, Cathy Shouse, for the picture in this blog.

7 Comments
Judith Post link
7/27/2014 10:42:05 am

Good post. Enjoyed this. Great picture of Cathy!

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Sia Marion link
7/28/2014 07:34:36 am

Good advice. Thank you for sharing it. I also love the picture. It looks so professional! I think the little things in a story are the intimacy.You made me think: I guess there's a division in women's fiction between those who like romance and those who like intimacy. Good stuff. Thanks

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Karen Lenfestey link
7/28/2014 09:31:54 am

Thanks, Judy and Sia! Matt Shouse took the photo and he does professional photography and videography. His website is www.mattshousefilm.com

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Dale harcombe link
8/1/2014 08:09:55 am

Great post and pic. Thanks. I'm a fan of Elizabeth's book precisely because of what she writes about.

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Sandra Nachlinger link
8/1/2014 09:00:59 am

Thank you for sharing Elizabeth Berg's words of wisdom. I'm always delighted to hear about a panster (like me!) who doesn't plot out her books before she writes them. I've enjoyed several of Berg's books and didn't realize she had a new release. I'll read it for sure!

Reply
Karen Lenfestey link
8/1/2014 11:40:40 pm

Sandra--I'm a bit of a pants-er myself. Sometimes I try to plot it out, but then it takes on a life of its own.

Reply
Carol Fragale Brill link
8/1/2014 09:34:08 pm

Thanks for a great interview summary. I've been an Elizabeth Berg fan for years and admire the same things about her books as you.
best,
carol

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