Scribatious

My response to a literary fiction writer

2012-01-21T19:23:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Andrea Grassi's post on literary writers and selling out over at Little Red Umbrella. Grassi makes the well-worn point that if literary writers want to attract more readers they should focus more on storytelling and not run away from genres. Of course, I agree with her on this.

She also points out how literary minded authors have more access to grants and seem to rely on them to finish their work. Oh, to be a writer who could rely on a grant...but I digress. Anyway, I posted a comment with my thoughts over there if anyone cares to read it.

Nano redux

2011-11-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

Just after midnight last night, I typed out my first words for Nanowrimo this year. Technically I'm doing what I call "Cheatowrimo". In the strictest interpretation of the rules, your project only "counts" if you lay down the first words on November first. I started with around 19,000 words on my current novel; I'll be using Nano to add to, and hopefully finish, this draft.

Maybe I don't have the same stake in it as someone who's starting from scratch. But whatever gets me writing, right?

Contest winner

2011-10-31T13:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the contest contributors. This was a tough one to judge. The creepy secrets of clowndom vs. the untold adventures of PeeWee Herman...I am overwhelmed.

While hoyty's tale provided some much-needed levity, I've decided to award the free copy of All Hope Lost to Jaleta Clegg. The tale of a father passing on the unknown secrets of clowns freaked me right the hell out. Shoot me an email (remove the x) to let me know whether you'd prefer AHL in Kindle or Nook format.

And again, thanks to both of you for participating!

What's in the box? Tell me and win a book

2011-10-27T10:31:00.000-07:00

This contest is now closed! I'll announce the winner tomorrow afternoon.

We're four days out from Halloween, the moment of the year when the veil between the worlds is thinnest. In honor of this dark and contemplative holiday, I thought it would be fun to poke around at that edge. Take a stab at exploring the unseen. And win a free creepy read in the process.

I want you to tell me a story. It's simple. In the comments below, in 250 words or fewer, let me know what's inside this box:


Photo by Clay Larsen

I'll pick my favorite this Monday, October 31st. The winner will receive a free copy of my horror P.I. novella All Hope Lost for either the Kindle or Nook. You'll also get bragging rights for telling the best damned story around.

All entries must be received by Sunday, October 30th, at 11:59pm. So get writing!

All Hope Lost for the Nook!

2011-10-12T22:43:00.001-07:00

You can now purchase All Hope Lost for your Nook-compatible device. Just head on over here.

All Hope Lost is now available!

2011-10-11T06:33:00.000-07:00

You can now purchase my horror novella All Hope Lost for your Kindle, PC, or device with a Kindle app. Head over to this Amazon link. AHL will also be available for the Nook very soon. I'll post again to let you know as soon as it is.

A twofer!

2011-10-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

I got a little behind in my updating, so here are two guest posts that have gone live:

Genre blending at the Literary Handyman
Working with a small epublisher at the Locoblog

Also, my publisher has revamped its website. Isn't it all pretty?

Oh Brother! Clarion blog

2011-10-03T12:23:00.001-07:00

My post at the Clarion Blog is up today. I'm over there talking about how sibling relationships can deepen fiction. Please stop by and say hi.

"All Hope Lost" Blog tour

2011-09-27T19:08:00.000-07:00

Update 10/01/11: New appearance announced!

Throughout the month of October, I'll be blog touring to talk about my upcoming novelette, All Hope Lost. For those unfamiliar, a "blog tour" is the electronic version of a book tour. Instead of dressing up and driving to a bookstore to illuminate the fawning masses, I get to do it from home in my unmentionables (I know, too much sharing). Here are some of the places you'll be able to find me:

October 3rd: Clarion Writers Craft Blog
October 5th: The Literary Handyman
October 11th: Tracy S. Morris
October 19th: Immortyl Revolution

Thanks to all these wonderful writers for hosting me. Please stop by their blogs and say hello.

More sites to be announced. Stay tuned!

"All Hope Lost" cover

2011-09-20T12:27:00.000-07:00

Here it is, the cover for my upcoming novelette, All Hope Lost:

Isn't it beautiful? You can buy it on October 10th from Escape Collective Publishing.

Novelette release

2011-09-08T13:40:00.001-07:00

I'm finally ready to announce the news I've been sitting on for (what feels like) forever:

My novelette, All Hope Lost, will be published next month by Escape Collective. The release date is October 10th. I should have cover art to post soon. If you or any of your friends are into Lovecraft, horror, and/or detective stories, check it out!

Woo!

Context

2011-08-25T12:01:00.000-07:00

This weekend I'll be attending Context 24. This will be a laid-back con for me; all I'm committed to is the Broad Universe Reading on Sunday at 1:00. If you're around and you enjoy Lovecraftian detective stories, stop by for a listen.

Booklamp vs. Novelist

2011-08-18T10:26:00.000-07:00

I was just reading about a "new" idea in matching readers with books. It's called Booklamp, and the developers describe it as "Pandora for books". (FYI, I'm familiar with Pandora but haven't used it myself.) The idea is, Booklamp takes data from the books you love, analyzes such data as plot, characters, etc., and based on those analyses provides you with some other titles you might enjoy. It's a great idea. That's why Novelist has been doing it for years.

As far as I can tell, the difference between Booklamp and Novelist is that you need a public library card to access Novelist. And since I'm a public librarian, I'm going to plug Novelist right now for those library users who aren't familiar with their libraries' wonderful database collections. If you've got a public library card, visit your library website. You'll probably see a button on the main page that says something like "Premium Resources" or "Databases". For example, on Columbus Metro's Page you'll see it in the dropdown menu under "Reference".

When you click that tab you should see a number of resources. Scroll down until you see Novelist. (Disclaimer: of course not every library webpage is arranged the same way, so the process at your library may be a bit different.) When you click it, you'll probably be prompted to enter your library card number and possibly your pin, so have those handy. Now go to town. If you're lucky enough to accessing Novelist from your library, the friendly librarian there will help you with any questions, but you should be able to navigate it pretty easily.

And if your library doesn't have Novelist, call them up and ask them what the deal is.

Seriously, Novelist is pretty cool. I just used it to discover Algernon Blackwood based on my preference for H.P. Lovecraft. I'll be checking him out soon.

But back to the original topic: Booklamp. Has anyone used it? (I understand it's still in beta.) Anyone used both Booklamp and Novelist and have a preference?

Inboxitis

2011-07-19T18:11:00.000-07:00

I'm deep in the grips of inboxitis. That's where I obsessively check my inbox several times a day, holding my breath, waiting to see if I've gotten a response on a submission yet. I never do. Then I experience "the wave", the second-long period of unfulfilled anticipation, mixed with relief that I haven't been rejected yet.

I think I've got it because I'm in a funky transitional phase right now. I have two projects circulating that I haven't heard back on, no upcoming publications, and am in a sketchy place on my new project. I'm antsy. So I hold my breath, check my inbox, and wait.

Anyone else get this?

Thoughts from a first-time slush reader

2011-06-22T11:07:00.000-07:00

Working as blog editor for Loconeal Publishing has been a pleasure. I've gotten to talk to some great writers who have shared their insights on the writing process.

Recently, I've also gotten the chance to read through the slush pile for Loconeal's upcoming anthology. I encountered some well-written, thought-provoking work that I can't wait to see in print. I also saw some stories that were almost there. With just a little tweaking, they could have gone from good to great.

Over at the Locoblog I go into detail about some common errors I ran across, and how they can be fixed. Please head on over and check it out.

My Marcon schedule

2011-05-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

Once again, I'll be a panelist at Marcon, which is going on this weekend. Here's my schedule:

Friday 5:30pm Are You Bi-Speculative? Science Fiction vs. Fantasy
Saturday 10:00am Broad Universe reading (I'll be reading from my horror novelette, All Hope Lost
Saturday 2:30pm Reading (I'll be reading from my urban fantasy novel Southpaw Junction)
Saturday 7:00pm How to be Edited
Sunday 10:00am Young Adult Sci-fi and Fantasy

See you then.

Vacation reading

2011-05-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

Over vacation I read Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon, his most recent book. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in sampling his style who doesn't have the fortitude to wade through Gravity's Rainbow (I haven't tried that one yet; I hear it's a challenge). IV is accessible, fun, and hilarious in the way that only Pynchon can manage. Here's the trailer:

Upon reading more about it online, I discovered that a movie of the book is in the developmental stages. At first the news made me nervous. None of Pynchon's books have been portrayed on film before. Was this going to be a Michael Bay summer blockbuster attempt? But three pieces of news set me at ease:

1. The film's director is P.T. Anderson, one of my favorite directors (Magnolia is right at the top of my favorite films list);

2. Pynchon is working closely with Anderson on the script. Considering Pynchon's reluctance to put himself anywhere near a public spotlight, this is big news; and

3. Robert Downey Jr. will likely play the lead.

So now I'm psyched to see this film. I'll have to wait a while, though; Anderson won't start filming until the fall. I also wonder if the film will introduce more casual readers to Pynchon's books, which are generally aimed mostly at the literary fiction set.

Who knows, maybe it'll even inspire me to pick up Gravity's Rainbow.

Motivation

2011-04-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

This week has been a trial in motivation. I'm in the first stages of a new project, the sequel to the urban fantasy novel I finished early this year. I've created a mini-outline with new characters who interest me, and a fun adventure story that will take my world in new directions. Now it's simply a matter of sitting down and letting the words flow. Right?

I wish.

This past week I started writing the first draft, with enough character and plot exploration to shine a dim light at least a few pages ahead of me. In past projects, the first week has been a word explosion: fresh territory to explore, a blush of optimism enough to carry me through to the tangles of the early-middle muddle. No worries; once I wrote through the first few pages, the light would shine brighter, showing me new pathways I hadn't seen before I arrived.

But not this project. This time, I found myself floundering through the first scene, unsure in my narration, struggling with sentence structure, unable to break free of my inner editor's strangling grip. What gives?

Allow me to engage in some melodrama. In the film The Neverending Story, Atreyu and his horse must face the Swamps of Sadness, through which he must trudge to reach his destination. If he stops for even a moment and reflects on the sorrow of the place, he will sink into it. He must trudge through, immune to the weight of negativity in his surroundings. While Atreyu makes it, his horse is not so disciplined.

I'm not saying that the writing life is a bog of sorrow, though sometimes it can feel like it. I currently have two projects in limbo: the first book in this series, and a novella I'm waiting to hear back on. I believe I'm struggling in my current work because I've allowed myself to be weighted down by dark uncertainty. I glanced below and behind me, succumbing to the sorrow of the unknown, the fear of rejection. And failing to see the path ahead of me, I began to sink.

But I'm over that now. Seeing the cause of my weak-kneed dawdling, I must now power through it. I will not be consumed by the unforgiving bog of writer's depression. I will fight through with words, sentences, and scenes, until I break through to the far shores of completion and victory.

Fellow writers in the grips of flagging fluency: don't give up. Find the strength to power through your own Swamp of Sadness. I'll meet you on the far shore, and we can stare back and spite the darkness behind us.

Pardon me now, I have a novel to write.

Why I use Open Office

2011-03-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

Last week I finished the switch from Microsoft Office to Open Office on both of my computers.

I had several reasons, the first of which was practical. I just replaced my desktop computer after the last one bluescreened its way to its final meltdown. The new machine is a refurbished model from Red Rabbitt, which included a free trial of Microsoft Office. This means that every time I opened Word I got an annoying pop-up message telling me how many more times I could use it without paying. When I clicked “OK”, it would urge me on to the Microsoft page to spend an ungodly amount of cash on a software program no person should spend money on if it's not included with the new computer they buy (and unless you're buying a Mac or know where to find a computer preloaded with Linux, you get Microsoft Office).

And why didn't I shell out $150 for a program I use every day? Because there's a better one available at only the cost of a five minute download.

Open Office includes a full suite of programs comparable to Microsoft Office, but because it's open source, you can use and share it freely without the risk of criminal charges. Since I really only use a Word Processing program, OO Writer serves essentially all my needs. It has the added bonus of converting and opening Word documents, and the ability to save Open Office text files in Word (an ability that my last machine, running Microsoft Works, lacked. What a pain.).

I recently bought a Netbook that included the Microsoft 7 “Starter” pack. The only word processing capacity on it was Notepad, which I have never liked. Initially I tried installing Ubuntu on the Netbook, which includes Open Office, but the installation failed (still working on that). In the meantime, I transferred Open Office from my desktop to my Netbook on a USB stick. No piracy violations, no licensing key to enter, just a quick painless download. Plus, now that I'm using the same software on both my machines, I don't have to worry about converting files.

In addition to practicality, I'm a big supporter of the Open Source movement. When you license proprietary software, you're bogged down with restrictions: you can't transfer the program to another machine without violating copyright, and you don't have access to the source code. That means that, if you're a programmer type, you don't have the ability to alter the way your program works. (I'm not, but it's an important point for programmers.)

Open Source programs, on the other hand, can be downloaded freely, used by anyone, and altered by anyone. That means if you want to change the way the program works and share that change with others, you're free to do so.

Open Source (related to the free software movement) also builds community. The programs are free, but you're encouraged to contribute to their creation, distribution, and promotion. When I installed Open Office, I was thanked for using the software, and asked to help. Since I'm not a programmer, I chose to help by spreading the word about Open Source software. So, here I am spreading it, and happily so.

Accidental Alchemy

2011-03-07T10:14:00.000-08:00

[This post also appears on the Locoblog.]

Sometimes stories don’t go where we tell them to.

We can set up a neat outline, with beginning, middle and end firmly in place. We could have solid story and character arcs set up. But when we lay the words out on the page, they just don’t work. The characters wouldn’t do that, or the conflict is sludgy. There’s no way this story is going to end up the way we intended. Naturally, plotters are more likely to run into this than pantsers, but anyone can end up dead on the page at any point.

When I find myself staring dumbly at an obstinate story, I like to think of the Zildjian Cymbal Company.

Photo by Hillarie

If you’ve seen a drum set with cymbals, you’ve likely seen the Zildjian name in flowing script atop a high hat. But Zildjian cymbals were never meant to be.

The company’s story goes back to the seventeenth century,* when an Armenian alchemist set about experimenting with his craft. The proto-science of alchemy sought dual goals: 1) transmuting base metals into gold; and 2) the acquisition of the ‘elixir of longevity’, which would grant the alchemist life far beyond the natural span.

Our alchemist accomplished neither of these. He combined a mess of tin and other metals into thin discs which were, frustratingly, not gold. However, the discs did produce an unparalleled clarity of sound. So unparalleled that Sultan Osman II named the man Zildjian (literally 'cymbal maker') and hired him to create cymbals for his Janissary bands. The bands used the cymbals as noisemakers to frighten enemies in battle.

Zildjian's heirs continued the company business, eventually shifting to producing musical instruments. This led to an international company of cymbal makers, all bearing the Zildjian name.

When our secret-seeking hero set out to combine those metals, he failed in his original goal: no transmuted gold, no life-extending potion. However, he gained massive amounts of gold working for the sultan, and even today, the man’s name and story are known worldwide. His metal craft has served millions of musicians. I would argue that he achieved alchemy’s goals through unexpected means.

'Unexpected means' are a key to story development. I have never written a story from beginning to end where I knew every move it would take along the way. Connections always happen in the process, new approaches that make the tale fresh and interesting. I can't know what shape those connections will take beforehand; I have to work through the unknown, tolerate the less-than-expected or -stellar, and let the work create its own shape.

So when faced with a story that’s failed to produce intended gold, don’t despair. Keep writing. Trust your craft. You may end up with a tinny mess; or maybe, you’ll find transmuted glory in a twisting path of words you could never have planned.

*The history of the Zildjian company is fascinating; you can view a time line of it here.

Gary Wedlund's thoughts on writing

2011-03-01T21:32:00.000-08:00

Over at the Locoblog, Gary Wedlund tells us what he's learned about the craft of writing, and why it's important that we teach one another. Check it out and share your thoughts.

New editing gig

2011-02-18T14:32:00.000-08:00

I'm proud to announce that I'm the new blog editor for Loconeal Publishing. Loconeal publishes and promotes the work of Ohio authors, and has plans to expand in the coming year. I'm excited for the opportunity to work with this awesome small press, and looking forward to start a dialogue there with readers, writers, and fans. Please stop by and say hi.

New spec fic mag/Recondite Curiosa

2011-01-05T15:48:00.001-08:00

My short story Recondite Curiosa is featured in the inaugural online issue of Title Goes Here. Have a look.

New Story!

2011-01-02T11:41:00.000-08:00

Recondite Curiosa will appear in the inaugural online issue of Title Goes Here later this week (hopefully). I'll provide a link as soon as it's up.

Nano Slutting

2010-10-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

I have a confession: I'm a writing slut. I try to devote myself to one project, but it just doesn't work. A shiny new idea comes into view, and I chase it down and tackle it like a satyr at a frat party.

Case in point: I've been editing my second novel, a process that's taken far, far too long. I started strong; fresh from a whirlwind first draft, I was going to settle down and make an honest manuscript of him. But then one day stretched into the next monotonous day. He was unwieldy and boring. I began to lose my passion, fearing we were heading for a separation.

Then a new player appeared on the scene: Nanowrimo. I thought to myself, I shouldn't succumb to temptation. Sure, he's sleek and exciting. But I'm devoted to my novel who, while boring right now, has the chance to blossom.

Just an off-word, I told myself. I won't really cheat; just a blurb here, a plot twist there. I can keep my distance. Of course I gave in. Now Nano and I are sloppy kissing, ready to go to the next level on November first.

But then, a funny thing happened with Novel. Instead of turning from him, I found my passion renewed. New phrases for the next chapter nearly rewrote themselves. I began polishing page after page, empowered by a flame I haven't felt in months. Before I took the plunge with Nano, I felt guilty; dirty. But now, we're all the better for it.

If you desire fresh literary lust in your life, check out Nanowrimo now. You too can join the worldwide frenzy and write a novel in a month. And you may find that it rekindles the flagging embers of an old project as well.

Also, Nanowrimo runs numerous programs for young and budding offers. Even if you're not participating, consider contributing some cash.

Nanowrimo is for slowpokes

2010-08-25T13:29:00.000-07:00

I just found out about the 3-day novel contest via Nephele Tempest's blog. Veterans of Nanowrimo attempt to write a novel in a month. (Full disclosure: I've attempted Nano twice and never reached the 50,000 word mark in 30 days.) The one-month novel is an challenging first draft adventure. The three-day novel contest borders on clinical insanity.

Like Nano, the 3-day contest takes place over a set period of time every year, specifically Labor Day weekend. The rules are simple: 1) Register; 2) Write a novel in 3 days; 3) Submit your novel. You may prepare an outline in advance, but cannot write a word of text until Saturday at 12:01. No editing after the marathon weekend is permitted. The winning entry receives a publishing contract via 3-Day Books (after the novel is edited). Second and third places receive cash prizes.

While length is not specified, the contest administrators note that entries average about 100 pages. Length is a factor in judging, but it is not the only factor. Since writers have no chance for editing or over-thinking, raw writing is what matters. And the contest administrators say they can tell if you cheat.

I'm tempted at the notion; I've had an idea for another story floating around in my head for a while. Unfortunately, I have an out-of-town wedding to attend that weekend, and such an undertaking requires 72 hours of unswerving dedication.

If anyone is nuts enough to give this a try, please let me know how it goes.

"You cut my semicolon...I want a divorce!"

2010-08-18T21:26:00.000-07:00

This evening the Central Ohio SCBWI got a double treat. Two acclaimed authors, Gary Braunbeck and Lucy Snyder, shared some insights on collaborative writing. They have a special concern in terms of joint writing projects: they’re also married. They gave an informative (and amusing) presentation entitled “You cut my semicolon…I want a divorce!”

Lucy and Gary talked first about the benefits of collaborative writing in general. As Gary pointed out, a writing partner is especially helpful when working under a tight deadline. On one occasion an anthology editor asked him if he could produce a story in four days. Gary and Lucy working together were able to meet the challenge and create a compelling tale.

A fresh viewpoint is also useful when one party can’t decide which way to go with a given work. Maybe one person has a developed beginning, or a strong middle, but can’t decide whose story it is. In these cases, an outside perspective can illuminate and clarify the story.

Lucy pointed out that marriage brings unique challenges to collaborating writers. For example, when both are pounding out words under deadline, who has to clean the litter box? There can also be clashes over creative issues. When one of them is having a tough time, it’s difficult for the other to remain unaffected. Arguments might also arise over who gets time to work on creatively fulfilling projects while the other has to bring in a paycheck. Jealousy and egos can also come into play.

But they were quick to point out that marriage has its benefits, too. They never have to schedule a meeting to brainstorm; it can happen in the hallway or over laundry. They also share the bond of empathy. When Gary’s having trouble, Lucy can empathize, and vice versa. Being married to another writer allows them to share that understanding about the joys and frustrations of the creative process.

If you get a chance to work with either Gary or Lucy, I would recommend it; both are fonts of writing knowledge, and entertaining as well. As luck would have it, both will also be at Context this year. Context is an intimate convention for readers and writers of speculative fiction. I’ll be there, and I highly recommend it. While online registration is now closed, you can still register at the door. It takes place in Columbus, Ohio, August 27-29. More information is here.

Revision hell

2010-08-03T21:24:00.000-07:00

Some writers love the second draft. Having laid down the raw clay of the story, they revel in forming the loose contours into a clearly recognizable form, then moving beyond to craft it into a breathtaking final piece.

I am not one of those writers.

Last week marked the end of the first draft of a novel. Since then I've been in recovery, mooning about, staring at walls, wondering where to go from here. I've started research for a new short story that I'm eager to burst into; also, I've been leafing through this book, trying to internalize some tips. When I'm ready to revise (probably later this week), hopefully some useful advice will remain stuck inside me, and I'll be able to unstick it.

In the meantime, does anyone have any preferred revision techniques? Do you do multiple targeted revisions: once for characterization, once for tension, etc.? Or do you go in for the one-pass technique? Or maybe you're hardcore like Heinlein, and never rewrite unless an editor demands it.

Thoughts?

[ETA: Link to Heinlein's Rules for Writing]

Moderating Marcon

2010-05-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow marks the start of Marcon, Ohio's biggest scifi/fantasy convention, and I'm participating in three panels:

Is it fantasy if there is no magic?
Writing Groups
Wicca/Witchcraft/Paganism: Fact vs. Fiction

I'm moderating the first two panels. This will be my first time as a moderator, so we'll see how it goes. I have some material prepared in case discussion stops, but I don't want to overwhelm any sessions.

Does anyone have any great ideas for questions I should bring up? Any favorite fantasy books that contain no magic? Anyone in a writing group who has some experiences to share?

Thanks.

What if the arc reactor were open source?

2010-05-07T22:01:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: I am not a software developer or Marvel geek. As such, I will probably make errors in regard to both points (please correct me in the comments if you have knowledge in either area). I’m simply a curious person who just saw Iron Man 2.

Possible spoiler alert: Some of the points in this post refer to events in the movie Iron Man 2; however, nothing revealed here happens after the twenty minute mark. It’s all part of the major plot setup.

***

In the opening scenes of Iron Man 2, the U.S. government demands that Tony Stark turn over the Iron Man arc reactor technology. Stark refuses. Unbeknownst to him, the son of his father’s collaborator also possesses the technical knowledge to create an arc reactor. The son, Ivan Vanko, goes on to create his own version of the Iron Man suit. This leads to ninety minutes of bad-ass explosions.

But what if Tony Stark had not reacted by maintaining ownership of his proprietary knowledge? For one thing, come on: it’s the U.S. military. You know they’re going to get their hands on whatever technology they want if they have to step over your still-bleeding corpse to get it. So let’s say Tony Stark foresees the inevitable and grants the government access to his work, but with a catch: everybody else gets it, too.

Would the enthusiasm for open source tech extend to potential weapons? What would be some outcomes of such a liberal-minded approach?

Ivan Vanko couldn’t surprise Tony Stark with his whippy-suit get-up, because everyone else would have one, too. That includes the countries who made failed attempts at reproducing the technology, as seen in the videos at Tony Stark’s hearing. And they could certainly afford it. If the seemingly-poverty-stricken Vanko could scrape together enough cash to construct a suit on par with Stark’s, North Korea could pony up for at least four or five. Would this lead to world destruction, or simply way cooler wars?

The arc reactor could be used for non-weapon/costume purposes. Seriously, why are folks in Tony Stark’s world still driving cars powered by gas? Power plants likewise could be freed from dependence on fossil fuels. The limiting factor would seem to be the components required to construct the arc reactor.

These are just some random thoughts. What do all of you think? What would a world with open source arc reactors look like?

"Revenge Cookies"

2010-04-17T16:35:00.000-07:00

You may now read my short essay "Revenge Cookies" at Poor Mojo's Almanac(k). Also, check out the Giant Squid's showdown between witchcraft and voodoo.

Win a free, autographed copy of "Embers"

2010-03-31T21:31:00.001-07:00

That's right, you can win an free, autographed copy of Laura Bickle's awesome new urban fantasy, "Embers". Details are right here. I've read it, and it's a lot of fun. I highly recommend!

Upcoming publications and new projects

2010-03-09T17:10:00.000-08:00

I have two upcoming publications. My short story “Onyx Island” will appear in Bewildering Stories in a few months. Also, my essay “Revenge Cookies” won the Poor Mojo’s Almanac(k) Meritorious Boon contest, and will appear in that fine publication sometime this fall. For those of you curious, that is about an average turnaround time for magazines, be they print or electronic.

Also, I’ve started working on new projects while I work on getting “Slideways” published. One is a horror short I’m having some fun with. I’ve also started research for my second novel. The protagonist of this story is a paranormal researcher with a background in physics. So, guess who’s never taken a physics class? (Raises hand.) An undergrad major in Religious Studies and a Master’s in Library and Information Science require shockingly few classes in the science department.

To de-ignorance myself, I took a trip to Half-Price Books in search of “The Moron’s Guide to Physics” or its used equivalent. Instead, I found this informative volume. It’s a great read which I’m quite enjoying. On the less conventional side, I picked up this book as well. As soon as I saw it on the shelf, I thought, “This is exactly the sort of book my character would love.” I expect that reading it will give me some insight into the direction my book will take.

So how is everyone else’s writing week?

The soul-crushing synopsis

2010-03-03T16:09:00.000-08:00

I just finished the first draft of my synopsis for Slideways. So far I've sent two query letters, both to agents who did not request synopses. Unfortunately, almost all the agents on my list require the dread document, so I've been forced to write one.

For those unaware, a synopsis is a mini-encapsulation of your book. But it's not enough to simply recap the major events; it should be dynamic, interesting, and capture the essence of your novel. All in (depending on novel length and agent preference) one to eight pages.

My current synopsis is about 2 1/2 pages, single-spaced. That feels about the right length to me, and fits with the preferences I've been reading on some agents' blog. It still needs work, though. Right now I need to step away, and I'll look at it fresh tomorrow.

Agent queries: the process continues

2010-02-25T13:40:00.000-08:00

So I just polished up my query for a great agent and got it ready to send out. Then I looked online and discovered she has a blog. Great, I can read it and get a sense of what she's looking for right now. Turns out, she just had a PITCH SUBMISSION FESTIVAL and is currently working her way through 300+ queries. Ugh, could there be a worse time to query her?? Guess I'll just sit tight, keep reading her blog, and look for a good submission window. I'm glad I did my research before I sent out that query.

In the meantime, I'll keep writing, in addition to researching other agents and editors. RT is supposed to have sign-ups for agents and editors on the convention website soon, so I'll keep my eyes open.

Anyone else having adventures in writing?

The importance of saving OR: How I almost had a nervous breakdown

2010-02-19T14:42:00.000-08:00

When one creates a long word processing document, such as a novel, saving multiple versions is vital to ensure one's sanity.

Case in point: today I realized that the version I had been polishing was NOT my final version. I knew that the final version had existed somewhere, in some format; I simply could not find it. The later version contained my re-write of the climax and epilogue chapters, and brought the draft together in a satisfying way.

The version I had been editing, 25 pages from the end, had the words STOP POINT written in large red letters. This was followed by my earlier, crappy ending.

Naturally I began to hyperventilate. I'd made a grave error: in working back and forth between my desktop and laptop, I had somehow saved over my rewritten draft. I had just polished the first 190 pages of the draft with the crappy ending (though the versions up until the last two chapters were identical).

Thankfully, after searching every damned writing file on both machines, I discovered that I had been smart enough to email the corrected version to myself. After a few hours of thinking I'd have to go over my notes and do a re-rewrite of the ending, I discovered I didn't have to. I copied the 190+ pages of my polished draft and pasted on the corrected ending, creating a new Frankenstein file.

I'll finish polishing the last two chapters tomorrow. Right now I need to roll with this emotional comedown.

So, remember kids: always keep track of your drafts!

A good reminder

2010-02-09T10:38:00.000-08:00

Entersection has an excellent post on establishing habits today. The last sentence particularly resonates with me:

"Every time a resolve or a fine glow of feeling evaporates without bearing practical fruit is worse than a chance lost; it works so as positively to hinder future resolutions and emotions from taking the normal path of discharge."

I've experienced this phenomenon of lost momentum many times in my writing. When I am working daily on a project, I am more likely to continue to work daily on it, to flesh it out, to be excited by it. But sometimes I get off track--I have too many other tasks that day, and I end the day too exhausted to produce writing. At the time, I often think, "Well, it's only one day off; I'll just pick it up tomorrow". Then the next day comes, and I have a harder time lifting up the end of my work where I left it, finding that mental groove in which to work.

That's why habit is essential. For me, the hardest part of finishing a project is the physical, mundane action of sitting down to write the thing. The more often I am able to finish a successful writing session, the more likely I am able to pick it up again the next day. Past success bolsters me on to future success.

On that note, I should get to work.

IT IS DONE!

2010-01-31T23:07:00.000-08:00

The third draft of Slideways is now complete. I've filled in the plot holes and fixed what I didn't like. It has yet to go through my crack team of beta readers; but, for the most part, THE NOVEL IS FINISHED.

I have two possible goals for February: 1) Write 3 short stories; 2) Get started on novel #2. I'm still high on self-congratulatory praise right now, so I guess I'll decide in the morning.

Ebooks and digital ownership UPDATE

2010-01-19T12:52:00.000-08:00

I know several of you are interested in hearing about the discussion I led at THATCamp on digital rights and e-book ownership. It was a great discussion and I really want to share what all was said. In going over my notes, I discovered that I have far too much material for a single, readable blog post. I also want to expand on some of the items we discussed in a more thoughtful way.

As such, I've decided to write a series of articles on some of the meandering topics that came up during the talk. I plan to publish these on another website where they'll hopefully attract a bit more attention. I'm exploring one option now, and will let you all know as soon as the first article is available. Thanks for your patience!

LibriVox collection now available

2010-01-17T22:04:00.000-08:00

To celebrate my completion of novel draft #2, I bought a decent microphone with the intention of recording for Librivox.

I mentioned LibriVox a little in my last post. It's an awesome project that seeks to take all of the printed material on Project Gutenberg and make it available in freely available audio format. To that end, scads of readers, listeners and editors, all volunteer, put in hours of love to bring these books to you. I participated by reading a short spec fic story, Celebrity, by James McKimmey.

If you'd like to take a listen, you can go download the newest spec fic shorts collection. Enjoy!

It is done!

2010-01-06T13:26:00.000-08:00

After numerous trails that led nowhere, false starts and delays, the second draft of Slideways is now complete. There is still much work to be done; I have to clean up references I made to a subplot that ended up not working out, I have to delete a little, add a little, and polish, but for the most part I love it!

There are several other projects I'm impatient to begin work on, but for now I'm going to bask in the completion. As a reward, I'm going to go out and buy myself a nice USB microphone and headset so I can finally start volunteering for LibriVox. But that's all in the future. Now is for the basking.

Many thanks to all my friends and family who shared support, ideas, and an ear for me to whine at. Hopefully soon the fruit of my labors will find a firm to mass produce it, and everyone can enjoy.

John Hodgman, Popeye, and phobias

2009-12-22T12:58:00.000-08:00

I just finished listening to Ken Plume's Annual Holiday Podcast with John Hodgman. I highly recommend--nowhere else have I heard such an insightful comparison between Robin William's rendition of "I yam what I yam" in the film Popeye and the classic Prisoner theme. Actually, it's to the former discussion that this post relates.

Mr. Plume and Mr. Hodgman spent more time talking about the Robert Altman film Popeye than some might consider listenable. I, however, found it fascinating. I viewed the film this past year for the first time since I was too young to form a solid memory of it. This is how I discovered that Popeye formed the seat of one of my lifelong phobias.

Popeye came out when I was still in diapers. I had a vague recollection of viewing the film when it became available on VHS (a primitive precursor to Blu-Ray, for those too young to remember), but I couldn't recall any details.

On a seemingly unrelated topic, I've feared large sea creatures for as long as I can remember. Strange fish mildly creep me, but anything with tentacles sends me into tremors. Luckily for me, I live in a landlocked Midwestern state. The northern portion borders on Lake Erie, but nothing with tentacles lives in those waters--I checked before ever setting a toe in. My husband has often mocked my fear--when octopi or squids appear on television, he points out how small and harmless they are. But these are not the creatures I envisioned in my mind. The tentacled monster I fear has never been captured by marine biologists, but deep in the recesses of my intuition, I know it lurks below, waiting for me.

The only time tentacled monsters become an issue is when I go on vacation to any place with an ocean. When I visited San Diego this past summer, I made plans to go surfing at La Jolla Shores. Two days before my trip, my most ridiculous phobia made national news: with no earthly explanation, giant squids suddenly began washing up on La Jolla Shores. This was one of those seminal moments that crystallized my belief in god(s), and that s/he/they love to fuck with me. Luckily for me, I surfed without incident, but part of my mind stayed ever on the squids while I surfed those waters.

A couple of months later, my husband recommended we watch the Altman film Popeye. He's an E.C. Seger fan and has often attempted to persuade me to read some of the collections of his work that hide somewhere in our house. [Note: since listening to Hodgman and Plume expound on the subject, I'm now motivated enough to search for them.] He did manage to get me to watch the film, which I stated I had seen once as a toddler.

I quite enjoyed the surreality of the film, and watched it with interest until one of the last scenes. In it, Popeye must rescue Olive Oyl from the sea, where Bluto has tossed her. Then, she gets dragged down below the water by a giant tentacled sea creature--the very sea creature that has haunted my deepest mind for decades. A sudden realization came upon me, a suppressed memory rising to the surface. This was the basis of my tentacular fear, dredged up from the most enmeshed early memories of my mind.

I don't blame my parents for exposing me to a lifetime of tentacle fear; if anime is any indicator, such a fear is healthy and expected, at least for Japanese girls. I also don't know if the revelation of my phobia's root has cured my fear. I suppose I'll find out next time I travel to the ocean.

Oh, and go listen to that podcast.

THATCamp. Yes, that one.

2009-12-21T20:20:00.000-08:00

The Humanities and Technology Camp, or THATCamp, was begun by the Center for History and New Media at George Mason University. An "unconference", it's a place where professionals in the fields of humanities and information discuss issues in digital humanities, and how these technological changes affect us all.

THATCamp has since spread to several cities, including Columbus, Ohio. I am honored to be selected as a THATCamp Columbus participant this year.

The (un)conference takes place January 15-16th this year. As such, a good chunk of my writing energies between now and then will be devoted to developing a fascinating and educational session. The novel comes along, albeit slowly.

If you'd like to see what I'm planning on discussing, you can take a look.

Frank Herbert's Dune

2009-12-02T11:07:00.000-08:00

I finished Frank Herbert's Dune yesterday. Before I go on, I'll take a moment to let all you other sci-fi geeks air your concerns.

Yes, I know the book's been around longer than I've been alive, and it's a classic. No, I can't justify not having read it before now, being a spec fic writer and all. Somehow, it took me this long to get to it. But, better a late geek-gasm than none at all.

Paul/ Maud'Dib's transformation in the book is probably my favorite aspect. I love watching how we shift from the perspective of outsiders, dismissive of the desert-roaming Fremen, to living with the Fremen themselves. To an outsider, the giant sand worms are at least an inconvenience, and at most deadly predators. To the Fremen, they take on the role of sacred Makers, and a valued form of transportation. I have much to learn from Herbert's writing.

I do have issues with how women are portrayed in the book, but that's a matter for another post. Now, on with finishing my own novel.

By the way, I've decided on yet another title change (yes, I know this will probably get changed by an editor anyway). I'm changing it from Slideways to The Sundering Gate. What do you think?

Starbucks is for old people

2009-11-18T11:33:00.000-08:00

At least, the one near my house is.

I occasionally like to take the laptop and write in a different location; I find I usually get more done with fewer distractions. Usually I'll head to the Caribou Coffee at the end of my street or the library down the road. Caribou is usually hopping with students and folks of all ages, talking and getting work done. The only drawback is, they play the music a bit loud, and the conversation decibel level has to exceed the music. So, for a change of pace, I biked over to the Starbucks down the road.

Noise was definitely not a problem there; you could barely hear the music. Also, the place was near-dead, both figuratively and literally. Of the 3 or 4 customers that cycled through while I worked there, I don't think one was under sixty-five. The difference in age distribution between the 2 coffee shops is bizarre; they're about a block apart. Perhaps self-segregation is at work, or maybe the kids just don't like Starbucks.

In other news, I passed the 2/3 mark on "Slideways" yesterday. I'm happy with the progress I'm making; I've solved a number of plot holes and filled in some explanatory background, all while working to maintain heightened tension. This writing stuff isn't for weaklings!

Adventures of a Cat-Whiskered Girl

2009-11-11T18:37:00.000-08:00

If you know me, you may know that I'm a big fan of Mr. Daniel Pinkwater. If you are not familiar with this brilliant juvenile/YA author, you should immediately run out and purchase this collection of five novels and this collection of four novels. These collections contain some of my favorite D.P. novels, including Alan Mendelsohn, the boy from Mars, Borgel, and two Snarkout Boys books.

But that's not why I'm blogging today. Today I want to talk about Adventures of a Cat-Whiskered Girl, which Mr. Pinkwater will be publishing in June of next year. I'm excited about this book because I've already read the first two in this series, The Neddiad and the Yggyssey, and I can't wait for the third.

Luckily for me I don't have to. While you can pre-order it, you can also read it online, right now, for free!

What are you waiting for? Go read something awesome!

Free Tarot Readings

2009-11-04T15:21:00.000-08:00

Alayna Williams, author of the upcoming book Dark Oracle, now offers free Tarot readings via her website. Just click the link in the upper right hand corner.

Lessons learned from rejection

2009-10-30T12:03:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago, I wrote a short story, one of the most enjoyable stories I've had the pleasure to write. It had everything I love: evil super-science villains working on a mad science island! Superhero spies! And one naive, conflicted man, caught in the middle. It was deliciously and unapologetically over-the-top. I love that story.

Sadly, I seem to be the only one engaged in that love. I got some mixed feedback from my peers, and I went back and did some revision. Then I sent it out to some markets.

Submission is the stage of the writing process where the writer discovers the disconnect between the brilliance she perceives in her own mind and the cold trained judgment of the editor. Two editors did go out of their way to personalize their rejections. 'The story almost caught me in a couple of places, but never quite made it.' 'The character development just wasn't there.' I appreciate their insights, and will keep them in mind when I work on future stories. However, I don't think I'm going to do any more revision on this story.

I think I understand the problem. While the story spoke to me, it just didn't touch other readers in the same way. Perhaps if I went back and tinkered some more, I would be able to alter the story enough to make it "marketable". I'm still developing my structuring and story-telling skills, and maybe I'm just not "there" yet.

But perhaps a sale wasn't the purpose of this particular story. I had a ball writing it, and it clarified some ideas I've had for a fantasy/sci-fi universe that I'll be using in future stories. I also used it to experiment with plot twists, something I've been told is lacking in my work. (As a caveat, one editor commenting on the story told me that plot twists are not a substitute for character development; but hey, at least he acknowledged the plot twist!) So for now I'm going to mark that story as an enjoyable learning experience and continue on with new projects.

Edited on: 01/19/10 to protect story name

Nanowrimo approacheth

2009-10-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

For all of you of a writing bent, Nanowrimo starts in just five days. If you don't know about Nano, hang around and learn how you, yes you, can become a real honest-to-gosh writer.

Every year during the month of November, thousands of souls worldwide attempt to write a novel in a month. Granted, the term "novel" is used loosely; you must produce a work of fiction 50,000 words in length. What about structure, developing characters, etc.? Well, Nanowrimo's motto is "No plot, no problem!" The idea is, through the journey of putting words on paper (or computer), a story will come up out of the jumble.

I have a special affection for Nano, since the book I'm now finishing started life as a Nano project last year. With sheepishness, I admit I did not finish that draft. I actually tossed it after about 20,000 words, disgusted. I wandered, working on other projects, letting my novel idea gather dust. However, I started over and did finish what became the first draft of Slideways. Now I'm pushing on to the end.

Per the rules, I can't compete in Nano this year. All draft writing must be done only during the month of November. You can plot, brainstorm, and do as many character sketches as you want before then, but you cannot set down Chapter One until November 1st at midnight. So, while I won't be an official entrant, my goal is to complete my second draft on November 30th. I will be celebrate alongside my Nano friends, but not directly with them.

Feel motivated to try your hand at a novel creation? Pop on over to Nanowrimo and give it a go.

Free Romance Webinar

2009-10-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

I sent this information over to Laura Bickle at Salamander's Tales. Laura had the clever idea of posting this online so everyone could take advantage of it; I'm following suit. If you are a fan of romance, you should check out this free webinar from Booklist:

Booklist Webinar
Sweet Talk: Romance Fiction in the Library
November 12, 3-4 PM Central Time

Romance is hot . . . in the library, that is. Join Donna Seaman, Booklist's romance fiction editor, and a panel of librarians, authors, and publishers to discuss the state of the genre—in public libraries and in the marketplace.

Panelists include:

John Charles, Reference Librarian, Scottsdale (AZ) Public Library, and Booklist reviewer
Shelley Mosley, Adjunct Librarian at Glendale (AZ) Community College, and Booklist reviewer
Madeline Hunter, best-selling author of 17 historical romances
Kayleigh George, Library Marketing Coordinator at HarperCollins Publishers
Cheryl Herman, Library Marketing Director, Books on Tape and Listening Library (Random House)

The reservation link is: http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=general_info&id=63

The Second Draft

2009-10-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

Right now I'm slogging through the second draft of my novel, tentatively retitled "Slideways". I've been tinkering along the way, making each chapter as captivating as I am able before moving along to the next one. I've gotten up to Chapter Five; however, my husband (my first reader) pointed out some glaring problems with Chapter Three. So, now it's time to go back and revise again.

Moving ever forward...

News from Marcon

2009-05-24T21:35:00.001-07:00

I returned this evening from Marcon, a popular sci fi/fantasy convention in Columbus, Ohio. Even though I live in town, we got a hotel room for a couple of reasons. First, this was my first year participating as a panelist, and I didn't want to have to worry about driving back forth; second, I decided to host a room party this year to honor the achievements of everyone in the Ohio Writers Network, in addition to my friend Chuck Ebert who also published a story this year.

The party, while moderately successful, was more effort than I expected. Between that, the panels, my reading, and an interview with NRR Radio, I felt like I had very little time to myself this weekend. I can't even imagine how I would have handled it if I hadn't had a room to retreat back to! I did learn several valuable lessons:

--If your party coincides with a much-more-popular party, you will get "party blocked"; a glut of inebriated geeks will clog the hallway, blocking passage to your room;

--Marcon staff members are possibly the most helpful, considerate and nurturing folks on the planet (along with the other members of Ohio Writers Network, of course); and

If you have short hair, black plastic-rimmed glasses and wear a suit with tennis shoes, sci fi geeks WILL think you are dressed as the Doctor, even if that is not your intent.

My favorite panel was Writing and the Rest of Life, which I got to share with Charlie Finlay, another Columbus author who I greatly admire. Plus, I got a chance to share my work with a geek crowd. Thankfully, I have tomorrow off from my day job, so I have a chance to decon-press.

Take care.

Beyond Centauri now available

2009-02-10T16:26:00.000-08:00

Last week I received my contributor's copy of Issue 23 of Beyond Centauri. Click the link if you'd like to purchase a copy. Also, if you're of the writing bent, be sure to check out Expressions Newsletter, also by Samsdot Publishing.

Doing Nanowrimo, albeit sluggishly

2008-11-10T21:05:00.001-08:00

I entered Nanowrimo on November 9th at the urging of a fellow friend and writer. My word count is abysmal, and the choice is insane, since I've just started a new job that requires a huge time commitment. But I shall soldier on until the end.

Exciting new ideas

2008-08-14T21:50:00.000-07:00

I came up with an entirely new direction for the middle portion of my novel, and it also gives my antagonist something more interesting to do. Actually, it's based on a concept I've been wanting to work into a story for some time, but couldn't find the appropriate venue for it. Well, now I have it. My current draft will require a fair amount of rewriting; the change will, in fact, affect the whole tone and direction of the book. But it will make it far stronger as well. Now I've got that rush of excitement that comes with a new idea. So much to do!

Slogging away

2008-08-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

As the summer chugs along in its lazy way, so does my writing. After a couple of unplanned mini-writing vacations, I've launched myself back into Slideways Jalousie full steam. I keyed in the first words of Chapter Ten this evening, and they're good ones. This is the first project I've worked on where I felt just as excited at Chapter Ten as I did starting Chapter One. I'm taking that as a good sign.

Milestone

2008-07-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

I passed the 10,000 word mark on my current draft of "The Slideways Jalousie" this evening. I'm also revising my short story "Think of the Children"; thanks to Karen, Laura and Rachel for taking the time to critique it.

Plugging away

2008-06-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

I'm almost finished with Chapter three of the second draft of my current novel, tentatively titled "The Slideways Jalousie". Actually, I only wrote about 20,000 words of the first draft before I decided the story needed major revisions and started over at the beginning, keeping some portions intact. So maybe draft 1.5 would be more accurate. Also, I'm pulling out an older story I wrote and working on a second draft of that. That one's titled "Think of the Children". Back to work.

Blog dedication and first post

2008-06-25T18:44:00.000-07:00

This blog was created in response to the news that I've made my first professional writing sale. It's a short story entitled "Kairos", which will be appearing in the January 2009 issue of Beyond Centauri. BC is a sci-fi/fantasy magazine geared towards kids and young adults. I'll have more details about when and where you can pick up a copy as the publication date approaches.