So I've written a novel

[catrose]

And now I'm rewriting. It's SF, starring a futuristic union and its struggles. (When I was done, I realized I'd told the story of the Great Lock-out and Strike of 1985 in my own union--suitably fictionalized, of course.)

I've realized from the beta readers' feedback that most people have no idea what a union is or does. So part of the rewrite is to instruct them. So what points for Union 101 do you think need to be included? I have my own list, based on all the things people didn't understand so far, but I'd be interested in your feedback.

[4ricksren]

1. union thoughts

i would think some basic concepts are:

collective bargaining,
dues,
expulsion,
right-to-work non-union jobs if no jobs are available,
strikes,
labor actions,
picketing,
boycotts,
internal hierarchy rules,
organized crime,
political and governmental conflicts,
graft,
geographical jurisdiction,
conflict with other unions,
unions part of larger labor umbrellas,
legal actions against employers,
anti-trust laws,
competition between union and non-union workers

that's all i can think of right now!

[catrose]

5. Thanks so much

I've made a list of these, and I'll check off each item as I slip it into the story. Sorry for the late response: I've been dealing with overuse injury, and by the end of the day, my arms are on fire.

[Brickbat]

2. Great question, and congrats on finishing the novel.

* The union is the members; it's not some monolithic third party that "gets between" employees and employers.

* People organize for much more than money.

* It takes a lot of time and work to organize. It's a 24/7 effort.

* Nobody wants to go on strike. A strike is a last-ditch attempt to get results, not the first.

[catrose]

6. Thanks!

Some very good points, which I'll be sure to include. My union is more about worker protection than money; so your second point really resonated.

I've been dealing with overuse of my arms; so I've been staying away from the keyboard outside of work (and I have to keep working, being a contract employee with no union).

[Lilyhoney]

3. Congratulations on making it through the first draft.

I too am writing a novel. I am several edits and rewrites into the process. I have learned so much about writing a novel since I started a year and a half ago.

Please understand that at some point when the story is finished, you have to write a summary for the publisher/agent. You will also write the summary for the jacket that buyers will read. If they have interest in a union-ish story they will have a basic understanding of unions. The point I am going to try to make is that your readers are smart and should be treated as such. Too much explaining and they will feel like you think you think they are not smart.

It may take several rewrites to weave the necessary information into the story, which you will see how to do that after you have read your story many times.

DU has a writing group which may be of help to you. Also, a blog I visit regularly and have learned so many valuable lessons is theeditorsblog.net I hope you give it a look. Look through the archives. Also, Pintrest has some great links and writing info.

I might be interested in being a beta reader in the future. Keep me in mind.

Best of luck to you.

Keep going.

Lilyhoney

[catrose]

8. Thanks!

Yes, the only way to learn to write a novel is to write it. And rewrite and rewrite and edit and rewrite some more.

I have written my log line already and even submitted it in some of the open-calls that some publishers hold. (Hey, you only have to have 3 chapters to submit.) But I know I need to polish.

I did take it to a professional writers' workshop. That's where I became aware that many really smart people who know a lot about a lot of things don't necessarily understand unions. But, yeah, I can't just lecture them or even fall back on the old Encyclopedia Galactica. I'll have to wiggle the details into the story.

The only overtly union SF novel I can think of offhand is 1632. So the field's not overcrowded.

I'll be sure to check out the links, and I'll keep you in mind for a gamma reader. (Is that what comes after beta?) I'm still plowing through Team Beta's critiques and will want fresh eyes after that.

[Omaha Steve]

4. Unions are democracy in the workplace

Things like safety meetings come to mind.

The violence used against organizers through US labor history.

Raygun PATCO.

[catrose]

7. Thank you, Steve

Yes, definitely safety and union sabotage (PATCO) needs to be in there. And sadly, violence.

I apologize for the late response; I've been overworking my arms on the job and have been staying away from the keyboard at night.