Thursday, September 30, 2010
Dive, Write, Sleep: Things I miss about England
Dive, Write, Sleep: Things I miss about England: " In the absence of a real blog post I thought I’d list all the things I miss about Britain. I ..."
Pimp My Novel: Banned Book Week Review
Pimp My Novel: Banned Book Week Review: "Cat's Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut Is anyone really surprised? I think not. I think that, to some extent, Cat's Cradle lives in the shadow of ..."
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
The Cre8ive: Currency redesign
I ran across this site and thought you'd enjoy seeing some of the new currency design idea being considered : The Cre8ive: Currency redesign
You're Write. Except when you're Rong.: Writers PSA
You're Write. Except when you're Rong.: Writers PSA: "Please watch. Spread the news on your blog, facebook, twitter, and at the local bar so that everyone pays attention to this important cause..."
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The Unfollowed Way
I marvel at the act of writing. The different stages of coming to a story. Forming characters and plots to a point where there becomes an overwhelming need to chronicle the mental outline in written form.
The tentative first page, written in a flash, yet contemplated during the entire manuscript's creation.
Stumbling blocks of timeline and substance, stand only as long as the author wills them exist. I say "wills them to exist" because a author writes "to fit" when an awkward passage appears. The author resists backtracking or deleting what has been written.
So the greatest moment of the writing process happens: Bridging a scene to another scene's timeline or event. If you say you have never had this epiphany moment, you have never put your creative mind to the test. Which means you have a HUGE problem waiting on the horizon. You'll call it writer's block, but it's the bridge that is out and you have no way across.
Just ask any writer what it's like, when they are tens of thousands of words into their manuscript and they have to bridge two powerful scenes that are not in perfect parallel. Ask them how satisfying and tenuous those moments are and what it's like when the challenge is overcome. Honestly, it makes you KNOW you can write, that you are truly an author, whether published or not.
A story, for an author, is about the WAY the story flows. Hitches or blockages along the path of a story are what divide the long story writers from successful authors. Welcome the challenges that come your way as you write and travel the unfollowed way, the inventive way, to make your work extraordinary.
The tentative first page, written in a flash, yet contemplated during the entire manuscript's creation.
Stumbling blocks of timeline and substance, stand only as long as the author wills them exist. I say "wills them to exist" because a author writes "to fit" when an awkward passage appears. The author resists backtracking or deleting what has been written.
So the greatest moment of the writing process happens: Bridging a scene to another scene's timeline or event. If you say you have never had this epiphany moment, you have never put your creative mind to the test. Which means you have a HUGE problem waiting on the horizon. You'll call it writer's block, but it's the bridge that is out and you have no way across.
Just ask any writer what it's like, when they are tens of thousands of words into their manuscript and they have to bridge two powerful scenes that are not in perfect parallel. Ask them how satisfying and tenuous those moments are and what it's like when the challenge is overcome. Honestly, it makes you KNOW you can write, that you are truly an author, whether published or not.
A story, for an author, is about the WAY the story flows. Hitches or blockages along the path of a story are what divide the long story writers from successful authors. Welcome the challenges that come your way as you write and travel the unfollowed way, the inventive way, to make your work extraordinary.
Followers button
If anyone out there knows how to fix my followers button, let me know......PLEASE!
Thank you for the comments on the fact it doesn't work. I have sent a note to the good Google people, but have yet to hear from them.
Update: It seems the Follower button gods have fixed the problem....Thank you!!!
Update on Update...... Follower button only working on individual posts... #@&%*!!!!!!!!
Thank you for the comments on the fact it doesn't work. I have sent a note to the good Google people, but have yet to hear from them.
Update: It seems the Follower button gods have fixed the problem....Thank you!!!
Update on Update...... Follower button only working on individual posts... #@&%*!!!!!!!!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
The Blog as Rorschach
One of the sites I visit two or three times a week is bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/. A recent post by Jessica Faust seemed to add to the number of things that can effect an author's chances of finding representation.
As I read the post, it occurred to me that the amazing Jessica was telling people what to write on their blog, and what not to... Holy Censorship Batman!!! Don't express political views if you ever want to be the next Rowling or Brown... Not really. The article was about how a literary agent may decide the views offered on a blog could indicate a potential "problem child", or someone that is more trouble than they are worth.
Writer's have known forever that agents have a "stop reading here" line. That they apply this standard to their research into a potential client shouldn't shock anyone, though it is sort of sad. People are deeper than any page or line of dialogue. Agents just don't have the time to... Life is a query letter?
There is a decision that has to be made between career professionalism (which we can not just show, but prove on our blogs) or social expression, when we create our blogs.
It comes down to the purpose you have for writing and posting. If you are hoping that a blog can be a sort of living resume of who you are and what you think, fine. If your intention is to use your blog to further your career (not just in writing, but any profession), you may want to remember that the audience you are hoping to attract may not need to know your views on "the grassy knoll" or Roswell aliens. They want to see organized and well worded thoughts you have on a chosen field of endeavor.
The thing I always remember, especially when politics rears it's ugly head, is a quote by Kierkegaard: "If you label me... You negate me." Allowing a label to be attached to you, through innuendo or by decree, you are saying you discount the value of those that would turn away from you, just as idiotically as those that would read a political view of yours and discount you in total.
We all don't think the same, interpret the same or write the same. One man's prose is another man's blather. I believe you should always write what you want, just remember that there can be a hidden cost, one you cannot conceive as possible when you hit the POST button.
BookEnds, LLC — A Literary Agency: Do Political Beliefs Impact Representation
As I read the post, it occurred to me that the amazing Jessica was telling people what to write on their blog, and what not to... Holy Censorship Batman!!! Don't express political views if you ever want to be the next Rowling or Brown... Not really. The article was about how a literary agent may decide the views offered on a blog could indicate a potential "problem child", or someone that is more trouble than they are worth.
Writer's have known forever that agents have a "stop reading here" line. That they apply this standard to their research into a potential client shouldn't shock anyone, though it is sort of sad. People are deeper than any page or line of dialogue. Agents just don't have the time to... Life is a query letter?
There is a decision that has to be made between career professionalism (which we can not just show, but prove on our blogs) or social expression, when we create our blogs.
It comes down to the purpose you have for writing and posting. If you are hoping that a blog can be a sort of living resume of who you are and what you think, fine. If your intention is to use your blog to further your career (not just in writing, but any profession), you may want to remember that the audience you are hoping to attract may not need to know your views on "the grassy knoll" or Roswell aliens. They want to see organized and well worded thoughts you have on a chosen field of endeavor.
The thing I always remember, especially when politics rears it's ugly head, is a quote by Kierkegaard: "If you label me... You negate me." Allowing a label to be attached to you, through innuendo or by decree, you are saying you discount the value of those that would turn away from you, just as idiotically as those that would read a political view of yours and discount you in total.
We all don't think the same, interpret the same or write the same. One man's prose is another man's blather. I believe you should always write what you want, just remember that there can be a hidden cost, one you cannot conceive as possible when you hit the POST button.
BookEnds, LLC — A Literary Agency: Do Political Beliefs Impact Representation
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Dive, Write, Sleep: My favourite books!
Dive, Write, Sleep: My favourite books!: "I have just spent the morning (procrastinating) updating my blog by adding Shelfani - a great widget for adding a bookshelf of favourite bo..."
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Pimp My Novel: Dan Brown-ed Up
Pimp My Novel: Dan Brown-ed Up: "Friday is both round up day and Eric's day of rest (he gets very cranky without breaks). Thus, as always on Fridays, Laura (cue sweet tunes)..."
Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent: You Tell Me: Who Has the Worst Job in Fiction?
Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent: You Tell Me: Who Has the Worst Job in Fiction?: "For some reason I got to thinking this morning about how innkeepers in fantasy novels really have it made. Everyone always seems to have a g..."
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent: What Platform Means for Writers
Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent: What Platform Means for Writers: "Thanks so much to the organizers, faculty, and attendees of the Central Coast Writers Conference for a fantastic weekend! It was such a grea..."
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Handling Writer's Block
Imagine a huge offensive lineman standing in front of you, snarling "You ain't gettin' by me!" Passing this obstacle will lead you to a clear field of view, Freedom.... To do what?
Gettin by physical or emotional obstacles won't let your mind roam freely so writing can begin anew.
Characters or Plots hanging in the air, in their imperfection? You staring at your computer screen, knowing what must be done but not doing it? Taking a break is the usual advice given,"Put it away for a while..."
Don't do it!!!!
The problem lies in your innate "self honesty" and lack of willingness to beleive that there is a problem in your work. The tug of war between what you know to be right, and disbelief, that what you have created is somehow wrong or incomplete.
Cure?
Try these two things:
1\ Take one character at a time out of your story and put them in another situation that somehow mirrors the type of charater you want he/she to be. Use a movie charaCter or TV show, and insert your character there. Pay attention to how your character would deliver a line compared to the actual actor. Look for hitches in you characters style of delivery, moment that you thought were strong enough to work will unveil themselves.
2\ Read a classic novel that is nearest to your plotline or character. Most Novelist base parts of their characters on reading experiences of their pasts. They fell in love with characters that they want to see more of, or feel they could be molded into a modern image. Reading a Classic or favorite novel will give you a mirror to place your character in front of, see how they stack up.
One of my favorite novelist, Patrick O'Brien, must have read every C.S. Forrester novel. He based his writing on a more accurate portrayal of Horatio Hornblower, which gave rise to Captain Aubrey. He saw a need to add the intellectual balance of Stephen Maturin and 19 amazing novels found their way to us. Master and Commander, which was made into a movie, is an incredible example to follow if you wish to see near perfect narrative voice and distance.
Find a source for intellectual drive, don't wait for it to just pop into your head or you could be waiting a very, very long time
Gettin by physical or emotional obstacles won't let your mind roam freely so writing can begin anew.
Characters or Plots hanging in the air, in their imperfection? You staring at your computer screen, knowing what must be done but not doing it? Taking a break is the usual advice given,"Put it away for a while..."
Don't do it!!!!
The problem lies in your innate "self honesty" and lack of willingness to beleive that there is a problem in your work. The tug of war between what you know to be right, and disbelief, that what you have created is somehow wrong or incomplete.
Cure?
Try these two things:
1\ Take one character at a time out of your story and put them in another situation that somehow mirrors the type of charater you want he/she to be. Use a movie charaCter or TV show, and insert your character there. Pay attention to how your character would deliver a line compared to the actual actor. Look for hitches in you characters style of delivery, moment that you thought were strong enough to work will unveil themselves.
2\ Read a classic novel that is nearest to your plotline or character. Most Novelist base parts of their characters on reading experiences of their pasts. They fell in love with characters that they want to see more of, or feel they could be molded into a modern image. Reading a Classic or favorite novel will give you a mirror to place your character in front of, see how they stack up.
One of my favorite novelist, Patrick O'Brien, must have read every C.S. Forrester novel. He based his writing on a more accurate portrayal of Horatio Hornblower, which gave rise to Captain Aubrey. He saw a need to add the intellectual balance of Stephen Maturin and 19 amazing novels found their way to us. Master and Commander, which was made into a movie, is an incredible example to follow if you wish to see near perfect narrative voice and distance.
Find a source for intellectual drive, don't wait for it to just pop into your head or you could be waiting a very, very long time
Friday, September 17, 2010
Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent: Character and Plot: Inseparable!
Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent: Character and Plot: Inseparable!: "As promised, today is when I'm going to talk about how character and plot are inseparable. Truthfully, yesterday was going to be the day I ..."
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Marketing the Muse
If you have been trying to learn the art of the query letter, or are at least curious how to do it right, check out marketingthemuse.com. There is no better source for learning how to write a "Hook" sentence.
Taking next week off
Vacation on a tropical island? A trip into the Rocky Mountains to camp and not catch fish (I will overcome my fishing disability one day).
Nope, for me it's surgery on my shoulder for a good time! Hope to visit with some family and friends in California during my convalescence. I may have some news on the publishing front for Devin Briar soon. Cross those blog stained fingers! :-)
Nope, for me it's surgery on my shoulder for a good time! Hope to visit with some family and friends in California during my convalescence. I may have some news on the publishing front for Devin Briar soon. Cross those blog stained fingers! :-)
Sunday, September 12, 2010
The Shock of Editing
Writing a novel, for me, was shocking enough on its own. The original work held over 249,000 words... Shock!
Splitting the work (to make it attractive to an agent or publisher)into two distinct novels. Shocking!!
Now that I have two novels (one at 131,000, the other at 118,000 ) I’m almost numb with disbelief, dismay and... SHOCK!
It's the shock I have to deal with when editing. I am shocked by so many words that appear, (optionally) removable. My novel was already a fast-paced read, so editing more would make it greased lightning, right? Nope!
Same pace, just less ancillary content, fewer passive sentences and sentence fragments (like this one). :-)
To do this, I have been reading it aloud, which surprisingly has offered more insight than I would have thought...
My greatest concern is for the narrative voice, which can be harmed by taking too many words that, on the surface, seem removable or redundant, but are a part of the tenor of the book. My characters are written in a way that depends on a very defined narrator. The Narrative distance oscillates, from close to omniscient, which is hard to control when writing anything as lengthy as Devin Briar. ( by the way, the Devin Briar pages here are UN-edited)
On that note, if you are one many friends of mine on this blog, could you drop me a note when I misspell here. My editing superpowers are taxed enough on my manuscript, so I have been told I miss a few things here. Oops!
Dive, Write, Sleep: Writing - the good and the bad!
Dive, Write, Sleep: Writing - the good and the bad!: "What I love about writing... Creating characters and stories, putting together vivid descriptions, playing the dialogue over and over in my..."
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent: Seven Keys to Writing Good Dialogue
Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent: Seven Keys to Writing Good Dialogue: "It goes without saying (but watch me say it) that dialogue is one of the very most crucial elements in a novel. Great dialogue can make a no..."
Monday, September 6, 2010
Labor Day!!
Though still a monday, it is still a day off. Summer is coming to an end... Already?
I like Fall well enough, leaves turning, college football... Maybe even a seasonal epiphany?
Today also marks a few birthdays of note, one being Felix Salten. (Imagine the theme to Jeopardy here as you rack your brain.)
Felix Salten wrote Bambi in 1923. In 1933, he sold the rights to the movie rights, for $1000, to director Sidney Franklin, who then transfered the right to Walt Disney Studio. The original Bambi movie was released in 1942.
Star Trek debuted on NBC on this day in 1966, so I'm sure any number of Trekkie faithful will be paying homage at the alter of Rodenberry (Sorry, I prefer Stargate SG-1).
Jeff Foxworthy was born on this day in 1958... Ok....
All in all, a big day. A special day... Come on, BAMBI is worth at least a Cool ?
Happy Birthday to Rachelle Gardner, an extraordinary agent, ( http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/ )
She is the subject of a writing contest on Janet Reid's ( Carcharodon carcharias) site http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com and I plan to mention BAMBI in my 100 word or less entry.
So break out the barbeque's and have a Great Day!
I like Fall well enough, leaves turning, college football... Maybe even a seasonal epiphany?
Today also marks a few birthdays of note, one being Felix Salten. (Imagine the theme to Jeopardy here as you rack your brain.)
Felix Salten wrote Bambi in 1923. In 1933, he sold the rights to the movie rights, for $1000, to director Sidney Franklin, who then transfered the right to Walt Disney Studio. The original Bambi movie was released in 1942.
Star Trek debuted on NBC on this day in 1966, so I'm sure any number of Trekkie faithful will be paying homage at the alter of Rodenberry (Sorry, I prefer Stargate SG-1).
Jeff Foxworthy was born on this day in 1958... Ok....
All in all, a big day. A special day... Come on, BAMBI is worth at least a Cool ?
Happy Birthday to Rachelle Gardner, an extraordinary agent, ( http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/ )
She is the subject of a writing contest on Janet Reid's ( Carcharodon carcharias) site http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com and I plan to mention BAMBI in my 100 word or less entry.
So break out the barbeque's and have a Great Day!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Time flys like the wind...Fruit flies like bananas
Thinking one thing, then something else, till.... I have it! Maybe not, I'll think some more before I do....
Writing is a constant battle not to, when you really want to.... That's right, I'm talking about editing.
Writing is a constant battle not to, when you really want to.... That's right, I'm talking about editing.
Editing has the advantage of being the means to an end. A novel is never finished until the Editor Gods say "You may now rest". Which is fine...
 |
| Editing is fun! |
I saw this guy banging his head on a computer at Nathan Bransford"s site ( http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/ ). He used it to talk about query letters, but I believe it has inherent value when the word EDIT comes a' callin'. The world of writing is not simply writing a book, then it magically appears on a bookstore shelf. Finding an agent, who pleads for an Editor to work their magic on raw words to make a publisher want to invest their time and money in a book. Then they market, print, ship and wait for the sound of a cash register to Ka- Ching! The agents, in the mean time, are networking you book. Trying to get reviewers to read your book, while hypnotizing them with sparkling wit (or alcohol) into knowing the book they represent is the finest thing to come along since...( you can insert a choice here).
None of this happens without an author refining their work before it gets to an agent. Which means EDIT your work. It is ironic that the word edit is a four letter word. I have no doubt that one day people will be shouting "Get your EDITING car out of my way! or "What the EDIT?"
Just know that the people who say this are authors, both successful or unrequited, who have experienced the agony of Editing their work. Again and Again and Again....... You get the idea.
None of this happens without an author refining their work before it gets to an agent. Which means EDIT your work. It is ironic that the word edit is a four letter word. I have no doubt that one day people will be shouting "Get your EDITING car out of my way! or "What the EDIT?"
Just know that the people who say this are authors, both successful or unrequited, who have experienced the agony of Editing their work. Again and Again and Again....... You get the idea.