On translation

I once wrote a essay in French called C'est comme ca chez nous ("That's the way it is here"). It read like a short story but it was a factual (or at least as much as my memory would allow) account of something that happened to me in the Peace Corps in Guinea. I wrote it in French because it was easier for me, since the events happened to me in French.

At some point, I decided to translate it into English so I could share it with friends and family. That was a revelatory experience.

Much of it was straight forward but other parts of it were difficult. Writers are, by our nature, perfectionists, always striving for exactly the right word or phrase. Even a simple French word like etranger, did it mean stranger? Foreigner? Outsider? Any of those could have worked in my piece. They are all similar but with slightly different nuances depending on context. Which one was the *right* one? I was the author and I struggled greatly with this.

And it really made me appreciate the work done by translators of literature, as well as those of things like political documents and the like. When I translated my account, it was only 7 pages long. It was written in ordinary, contemporary French. And most importantly, I knew exactly what the author meant, what was going on in his head, because I was the author.

If I had that much of a challenge translating my own brief work, from a modern foreign language into my native tongue, how hard must it be for those translating someone else's work? Let alone the work of someone who is no longer alive to consult regarding intent. Let alone someone writing in an ancient version of a foreign language that's barely recognizable today.

In many ways, a translated work is almost as much the creation of the translator as it is of the original author. Except the translator doesn't really get much credit for that Herculean task. Just the small exercise of translating my own brief work made me appreciate that.

Third Thursday Preview

A week before Thanksgiving finds us at our Third Thursday meeting. We'll review our experiences at The Chronicle Book Fair on Nov. 7 regarding recruiting, seminars, and the launch of Ari Publishing. Zack should, far and away, have the best news for us.

No business or craft of writing topic has been selected yet, so if you have questions, please bring them. If there's something you want to explore, try to email Kay before the meeting.

We have everything from adult thrillers to children's books to review (has anyone noticed we seem to be doing more of these? Hmmm...).

Once again, we'll be in the small room next to Holden. See most of you there!

Details: 7-9pm, Crandall Library, with optional social afterward.

Book Fair

Zachary Richards, Kay Hafner, John Briggs (and friend) at the 2010 Chronicle Book Fair at the Queensbury Hotel, Glens Falls, NY, Sun., Nov. 7. Photo by Billy Neary.

Chronicle Book Fair

The Glens Falls Writers Group had a banner day at the The Chronicle's Autumn Leaves Book Fair today. Kay, Billy, and I manned the table throughout the day, Zack had an impressive launch for his first book with Ari Publishing, and we recruited several potential members. We also had several current and former members stop by for support, among them Lee Merrett, Joe Peck, Sandy Buxton, Brian Farenell, Michelle Galo, Montana Tracy, and Katie Kuhn.

For the big news, Zack found great response for his new YA novel for girls, Half Moon Falls, and was delighted by the continued interest in his first YA novel, Frostie the Deadman. He also, from all accounts, knocked it out of the park during his presentation on how to market your work to the public.

At least three people expressed serious interest in joining our group, while two other writers questioned me on joining a splinter group, the Saratoga Children's & Young Adult Writers Group. Throughout the day we attended other presentations and workshops, and networked with other authors and writers groups, including the Joy of Writing and Eastern NY SCBWI.

Honestly, I consider this one of our best Chronicle Book Fairs yet, anchored by the successful launch of Half Moon Falls and Ari Publishing.

Self-published book makes history

I not sure who reads French but unfortunately I couldn't find this story anywhere in English. France 24 has an interesting story on a literary first. "L'homme qui arrêta d'écrire" (The Man Who Stopped Writing) by Marc-Edouard Nabe became the first self-published book to be named a finalist for a major literary prize. It was nominated for the Prix Renaudot, the second most prestigious literary in French-language writing.

Writing press review

In the wake of the discussion at yesterday's meeting about character, a Glimmer Train essay talks about the topic.

The above essay also touches on the advantages and disadvantages of first person vs third person narration, as does this piece from Writers Digest (which also throws second person into the mix).

WD also had a few other good articles on:

-obstacles to writing productivity;

-obstacles to an effective plot;

-being an effective fiction writer and

-tips for finishing your novel.


Additionally, Gigaom explores e-books from an author's point of view.

First Thursday Preview

Our First Thursday meeting brings four critiques and some big group business. We’ll be looking at short stories from Bill, Billy, and Sandy , and a chapter from Zack’s ongoing sci-fi thriller, The Dead Machine.

We’ll also be discussing the group’s role at The Chronicle Book Fair this coming Sunday. Let us know if there are any seminars, readings, etc., you would like to attend or think are worthwhile for others to attend. They will be listed in this Thursday’s Chronicle.

If time allows, we’ll also have a discussion on the business or craft of writing. No firm topic has been selected, but possibilities abound. And don’t forget: if there’s a topic you’d like covered (as Crystal did with Outlining), please let Kay know. If you'd like to see something in the blog, let me know.

And don’t forget – we’ll be meeting in the small room (rather than the Holden Room) for the foreseeable future.

Thanks! See some of you tomorrow.

Details: 7-9pm , upstairs in the Crandall Library, Glens Falls , with optional social afterward.