Overview

Charles is a professor and works with young adults on writing. We have a great discussion about helping the next generation learn to write and what is important in that process.

This isn't just about learning to spell or diagram a sentence. We discuss exercises and learning about editing.

His Book

https://www.amazon.com/Rocked-Time-Charles-Degelman/dp/1941861881?crid=3CBA4ULWP76K0&keywords=charles+degelman+rocked+in+tim&qid=1662912815&sprefix=charles+degelman+rocked+i%2Caps%2C763&sr=8-1&linkCode=li2&tag=discoveredwordsmiths-20&linkId=a7c5b625bf58afdd8dcfda13227d6750&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il

YouTube

https://youtu.be/3c0VDH9z95E

Transcript

So let's move on to some or stuff. And like I said, I've got a very exciting topic. I wanna discuss with you cuz it affects me in what I'm trying to do similar things.

But before we talk about that, you've written several books. So what are some things that you've learned over that time that you're doing different than you did from the beginning? I've had such good practice in terms of two different forms. One is. Working collaboratively in the theater where you're working together to create something.

Charles: So that's an odd comparison because here you are, as a writer for the most part it's often a very, as lonely is just you and that damn keyboard there and right. And the glowing screen unless you . And there are certain things that I learned in terms of collaboration, in terms of developing in, in fiction, especially seen work and characters and so on.

But the other experience I had of course, was developing this educational material. And even though that's a far it's a long distance from this kind of fiction some of the disciplines are very important. As far as I can see the thing that I learned the most had to do with making decisions often intuitive decision about whether or not I was going to write an outline the way you would say for a film script or whether I was just going to plunge into.

Material and see what, where I came out. and those are two very different approaches. Yes. Yes. But I have learned over the years that in some cases it's better to just jump in and see what happens. And in other cases it's better to lay it out. Or even if you don't start by laying it out, coming to a point in your writing where you say, oh man, I better stop a minute.

I don't know where I am. I don't know where I've been. I don't know where I'm going. Yep. Charles, so when you're writing, are there any software or services that you like to use particularly or different.

I'm pretty simple guy when it comes to that. I write I write it depends if I'm writing a film script, which I have not been doing much of lately then then oh, what's the name of that film script program?

There's a script program that, that really is very beautifully said.

Stephen: Yeah, I've heard of it. I can't think of the top of my head. But for the most part, I just write in Microsoft word. Okay. I just sit there and I that's what I'm I've dealt with Microsoft word I've been writing on Microsoft word now.

Charles: I wish they'd stopped putting bells and whistles on it. cause I don't need them. I'm just most part I'm just writing but yeah that, that's it for me is the simplest vehicle that will support my efforts without getting into a lot of fooling around and codes and every, everything just gimme something I can go left to right left to right.

Get it out there. Besides doing podcasts, what else are you doing to market your book? The social media stuff is very important. I've got it out to some reviewers through this publicist who's always, it's always helpful to have to have some reviews that come Somewhat qualified people.

I haven't hit the front page of the book section in the New York times yet, but yes, but there are awful lot of people out there doing doing very smart work looking at books and stories and you're doing part of that too.