East Texas Writers' Guild

This evening we were privileged to have Dr. Mark Barringer speak to the group.  Dr. Barringer is Associate Dean of Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches.  He credited much of his knowledge and enthusiasm to having worked with Dr. Ben Proctor at Texas Christian University.  As an aside, he mentioned that Dr. Proctor authored a 2-volume biography on William Randolph Hearst, and suggested we might read that.

Dr. Barringer was an associate editor for the East Texas Historical Journal for six years.  He mentioned that out of receiving possibly 250 submissions to the Journal for a year, about ten or 11 would be published.  He emphasized the importance of professionalism in research and execution of submitted articles.

While doing research in North Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, he read through documents in their archival library.  From this he wrote Selling Yellowstone, a book that chronicles the effect of capitalism on the tourist industry within the park. 

To write about historical events, Dr. Barringer touched on three points:  1. Research 

2. Organize   3. Pay attention to your craft (mechanics, word choices)

Dr. Barringer also emphasized that when beginning to research a topic, to start with a detail that can be developed.  Then do a broad research gradually narrowing down to your topic.  You end up with a great deal more information than you can use.  The next important step is organizing your material.  He is a strong believer in making outlines, but recognizes that not everyone can work that way.  However, the author must know the starting point, and where the story is going.  Otherwise keep doing research.  "Organization is the single most important point."

Dr. Barringer then suggested writing a paragraph without changing the subject.  Every paragraph tells a piece of the story.  You should be able to get the story by reading the first two sentences of each paragraph. 

He stated, "Getting published is great, but make sure it's what you really want."  To write well, you must read a lot, but distinguish good from bad.  Let the forces take you into the story. 

Pay attention to the CRAFT of writing:  anyone can chronicle in 1-2-3 order.  He insists that mechanics must be sound.

Non-fiction stories must have documentation of sources.  He kept repeating to know the rules before you know whether you are breaking them.  Regarding word choice, the cadence of the sentence makes a difference how something is read.  Dr. Barringer cited an article he wrote about the anti-war movement which began with "slow" writing leading to quick-moving sentences and hard verbs.  He noted that one probably uses 35-40 percent of material found in research.  The choice of detail can change the story for the better.  The writer really has to know what to omit.  "Keep it lean, spare.  Use little instead of big." 

He went on to say that the writer needs to ask himself, "What is this about? and What do I care about?  Go to the documentation and see how footnotes are formatted.  Little things make the story work.

Finally, Dr. Barringer said it's not important to turn in a masterpiece every time.  The editor looks for reasons to reject, then passes the story on to two or three more readers who are also looking for reasons to reject.  If you received a work back with suggestions, that is a positive thing.  But don't change just to make everyone happy.  Too much change will alter the article or story so much, it no longer looks like the author's work.  Be clear about simultaneous submissions.  Follow the publisher's rules.  Dr. Barringer closed his talk by saying, "Keep writing."  Then he fielded questions from the group.