I would like to propose an INK "Summer Schedule" meeting venue in which INK would get together for its regular 7 p.m. meetings around town beginning with the June 20th meeting until we go back off Daylight Savings Time. Coffee houses, bookstores, cafes; places that would be conducive to writers and writing, where we can meet, talk, offer advice, and include group exercises.
Thoughts? Or is this just a bad idea?
Showing posts with label From the C to the S. Show all posts
Showing posts with label From the C to the S. Show all posts
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Call for unpublished writers!
CALLING WRITERS AS YET UNPUBLISHED
In the Footsteps of Gilgamesh
(Edited by Mark S. Deniz)
1st April 2009 Gilgamesh Press will publish their first anthology, In the Footsteps of Gilgamesh. They want to help promote new writers – one of their company goals – by reserving a slot in the anthology for a story from a writer who is, as yet, unpublished in any fiction medium.
The anthology will concern itself with tales from Assyrian mythology, such as the creation story and the Epic of Gilgamesh. However, the stories in In the Footsteps of Gilgamesh will be interpretations or re-writes of these tales, and will come under the genre umbrella of speculative fiction.
This means that before you write, you are to familiarise yourself with stories from Assyrian mythology before coming up with a story that has one of the tales from old Mesopotamia as its base.
You may write, for example, a futuristic science-fiction tale, a fantasy short story which takes place on another world or a straight horror story, as long as there is clearly some reference to the story you are basing it upon within.
Your story should be between 3,000 – 5,000 words and must contain speculative fiction elements (such as those mentioned above).
Any questions for those unsure of the theme are welcome and can be directed to: mark.deniz@gilgameshpress.com
Submissions must be sent in Rich Text Format (.rtf), Double Spaced in Courier New font and the subject line should state ‘Submission: (your story title)’. Send your submissions to: competition@gilgameshpress.com
Your stories will be read by a panel of six judges and the winning entry will be chosen to be published in the anthology. The winner will also receive two copies of the book.
The deadline is 1st December 2008 and all writers will be notified as to the status of their story as soon after this date as possible.
In the Footsteps of Gilgamesh
(Edited by Mark S. Deniz)
1st April 2009 Gilgamesh Press will publish their first anthology, In the Footsteps of Gilgamesh. They want to help promote new writers – one of their company goals – by reserving a slot in the anthology for a story from a writer who is, as yet, unpublished in any fiction medium.
The anthology will concern itself with tales from Assyrian mythology, such as the creation story and the Epic of Gilgamesh. However, the stories in In the Footsteps of Gilgamesh will be interpretations or re-writes of these tales, and will come under the genre umbrella of speculative fiction.
This means that before you write, you are to familiarise yourself with stories from Assyrian mythology before coming up with a story that has one of the tales from old Mesopotamia as its base.
You may write, for example, a futuristic science-fiction tale, a fantasy short story which takes place on another world or a straight horror story, as long as there is clearly some reference to the story you are basing it upon within.
Your story should be between 3,000 – 5,000 words and must contain speculative fiction elements (such as those mentioned above).
Any questions for those unsure of the theme are welcome and can be directed to: mark.deniz@gilgameshpress.com
Submissions must be sent in Rich Text Format (.rtf), Double Spaced in Courier New font and the subject line should state ‘Submission: (your story title)’. Send your submissions to: competition@gilgameshpress.com
Your stories will be read by a panel of six judges and the winning entry will be chosen to be published in the anthology. The winner will also receive two copies of the book.
The deadline is 1st December 2008 and all writers will be notified as to the status of their story as soon after this date as possible.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
The Reveal
While watching the special features for "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" yesterday one of the threads they followed was how JK Rowling (super writer complete with cape) employed a wonderful device with her characterization. What impresses me is that she used the same device with a huge number of important characters in her books and still kept it fresh.
The device is: No one is as they seem.
Lupine turns out to be a werewolf. James Potter was an ass. Sirius Black is not only a loving godfather rather than a mass murderer, it turns out that's he's part of a notoriously nasty family. Professor Moody in book four turns out to be a disguised bad guy (and we liked him so much!) The list is huge. Even Voldemort isn't what he seems to be. In fact with each book Voldy has bigger and bigger reveals that rewrite what we know or what we think we know about him. Even Harry Potter himself goes through transformations, the biggest at the end. My favorite is Snape, because I have this thing for anti-heroes. Another beautiful reveal came with Draco Malfoy. Say what you like about Rowling's flaws--with this device, she's a genius. Bravo.
It goes to show you that just because it's a mechanical device that anyone can use, that doesn't mean it's a cheat or cheap. None of the tools for the writing craft are cheats unless you mishandle them. Even writing tools that many consider bad, like 'it was all just a dream' are skillfully employed in hundreds, probably thousands of stories without going wrong. If you handle a tool in a way that's meant to bring enjoyment to the reader by deepening a world and making it unexpected and exciting, any tool, no matter how transparent, can be made to work wonders. If, however, you take a hammer and smash on the screw head because you can't seem to tighten it down to the wood and you're too lazy to pull it back out and drill a pilot hole, you're no longer employing craft. You're employing brute force, and I doubt anyone will want to buy your creation if you build it that way.
Lots of people employ writing devices without being consciously aware of them. If their subconscious is particularly clever, they might stumble on a reveal while writing the first draft and dance a little happy writer joy dance as their novel opens up to new possibilities. For the rest of us, writing devices are things we employ consciously, and usually on a second draft while we're going through and trying to figure out how to fix up the drab little house we've built. So if you've taken a look at this and have decided that you want to employ a character reveal or plot twist or an action causes the opposite of the expected effect, don't be in a big rush to start a new project. Take a look at what's collecting dust in your drawer first. It may be collecting dust because you haven't gotten out your tools to work on the raw material. Bring out the shovels, grab that router, and don't forget your level. Writing is work, and your overworked, underpaid creativity can't do it all with stone knives and bear skins.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
David Levine Speaking at INK.
When Kami and I were at RadCon, we were lucky enough to spend a little time with David Levine talking about writing, and then later in the weekend, talking about writing again. INK will be honored with his presence May 9th when he has agreed to come and talk to us about his writing life and how he got to where he is today: A Hugo Award winner.
To add another feather to his cap, he recently made the final Nebula Award list for his short story, Titanium Mike Saves the Day. If you haven't read this one, you really ought to.
BTW, his birthday was just the other day but because of things beyond his control, he's chosen to celebrate it on the 25th. Pop on over and wish him a Happy Birthday and congratulations for his Nebula nomination.
To add another feather to his cap, he recently made the final Nebula Award list for his short story, Titanium Mike Saves the Day. If you haven't read this one, you really ought to.
BTW, his birthday was just the other day but because of things beyond his control, he's chosen to celebrate it on the 25th. Pop on over and wish him a Happy Birthday and congratulations for his Nebula nomination.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Back To The Dark Side. . .
. . .but only because the other side says it is so.
It was a dark and stormy night. By warm, ambient candlelight, I was reading when I heard a whir and a click behind me, near to my ear. I turned and there was Bill, holding a gun to my head.
“You’ve got two choices,” he said and smiled in a funny, crooked little way. “You can remain safe, steadfast, and antiquated until June of 2008, or you can upgrade to Vista, now. Your choice but make it quick because soon, your future will depend on it.”
Vista. The sound makes too much of a slithering snake sound in my head. Or maybe that’s just because I’ve seen it, tried to use it and don’t like it one bit. The next upgrade coming down the pike after this one doesn’t look any prettier.
Bill’s retiring this year. My thinking is he’s got nothing but blue skies, or blue vistas, if you will, ahead of him. I’ll be lucky if I can ever retire, not officially that is. No, I think Bill’s gotten enough of my money that he can retire sooner than the other guy, the dark guy, the one he called Steve with a sneer.
He’s right though. I do have my future to think about. I’ve got some hard decisions to make in the coming year and the sooner I sort some things out, the better in the long run. It’s my future and it’s time I invested in it.
“Ah, Bill, Bill,” I smiled back, knowing he had banked on a perceived notion that because I was old, I was resistant to change. “I do have a third option. You and I haven’t been together forever, you know. Before you, Steve and I had a thing going and even in black and white, it was beautiful. But work demanded we forge a relationship, you and I, and I left Steve for you.”
I lowered my tone and looked him dead in the eye.
“You had to have known it couldn’t last, you with your plain-looking computers, your plain Jane laptops. Where’s the appeal, Bill? Where’s the glitz, the glamour, the bling? Sex, Bill, do you know what that is because I can tell you Vista ain’t it. Vista was the last straw for me, Bill, the very last straw.”
And just like that, most all that was Bill vanished into thin air with the exception of his face looking lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory.
I don’t expect Steve will notice my return. He was always a prick, still is one actually and his keynote speeches are still just as painful to sit through as ever. Maybe his stock will go up point zero zero zero three percent this quarter after my visit last night to one of his clean, shiny, white stores, but probably not even that much. He knew where he was going way back then when I had to bid him adieu. Let’s hope he doesn’t believe in holding grudges. Let’s hope he understood then and understands now what took me so long to come back.
Today I’ve returned to the dark side and boy, does it ever feel bright.
It was a dark and stormy night. By warm, ambient candlelight, I was reading when I heard a whir and a click behind me, near to my ear. I turned and there was Bill, holding a gun to my head.
“You’ve got two choices,” he said and smiled in a funny, crooked little way. “You can remain safe, steadfast, and antiquated until June of 2008, or you can upgrade to Vista, now. Your choice but make it quick because soon, your future will depend on it.”
Vista. The sound makes too much of a slithering snake sound in my head. Or maybe that’s just because I’ve seen it, tried to use it and don’t like it one bit. The next upgrade coming down the pike after this one doesn’t look any prettier.
Bill’s retiring this year. My thinking is he’s got nothing but blue skies, or blue vistas, if you will, ahead of him. I’ll be lucky if I can ever retire, not officially that is. No, I think Bill’s gotten enough of my money that he can retire sooner than the other guy, the dark guy, the one he called Steve with a sneer.
He’s right though. I do have my future to think about. I’ve got some hard decisions to make in the coming year and the sooner I sort some things out, the better in the long run. It’s my future and it’s time I invested in it.
“Ah, Bill, Bill,” I smiled back, knowing he had banked on a perceived notion that because I was old, I was resistant to change. “I do have a third option. You and I haven’t been together forever, you know. Before you, Steve and I had a thing going and even in black and white, it was beautiful. But work demanded we forge a relationship, you and I, and I left Steve for you.”
I lowered my tone and looked him dead in the eye.
“You had to have known it couldn’t last, you with your plain-looking computers, your plain Jane laptops. Where’s the appeal, Bill? Where’s the glitz, the glamour, the bling? Sex, Bill, do you know what that is because I can tell you Vista ain’t it. Vista was the last straw for me, Bill, the very last straw.”
And just like that, most all that was Bill vanished into thin air with the exception of his face looking lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory.
I don’t expect Steve will notice my return. He was always a prick, still is one actually and his keynote speeches are still just as painful to sit through as ever. Maybe his stock will go up point zero zero zero three percent this quarter after my visit last night to one of his clean, shiny, white stores, but probably not even that much. He knew where he was going way back then when I had to bid him adieu. Let’s hope he doesn’t believe in holding grudges. Let’s hope he understood then and understands now what took me so long to come back.
Today I’ve returned to the dark side and boy, does it ever feel bright.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Motivation From the Car Muse.
Watching the evening news tonight, a story about the severe drought in the U.S. south perked up my ears. Lake Lanier in George is drying up if you haven't already seen the report. My eyes went to the manuscript before me. Lake Lanier. Yep, there it was. One of my secondary characters in my car novel comes from a wealthy family who builds communities around the usually beautiful Lake Lanier area. Hmm, that information may have to be adjusted in the final draft depending on the situation down there.
Last week, I was in Barnes & Noble bookstore; not a local one but one across the river in Oregon. As I browsed the markdown book aisles, I ran across the obligatory 'exotic automobile' area and, I'm not kidding here, the exact second I picked up a book on Super Cars, the music on the store's speakers switched from some pop ditty to "Lil Darlin'" by The Diamonds. It's a tune from 1957, a favorite amoung some car enthusiasts, myself included, and is featured briefly in my car novel. I've gone years upon years without hearing that song anywhere but my own music library, yet there it played, out of the blue in Barnes & Noble...but only, I'm convinced, after I touched that car book.
Things like this, little things that make me think of a piece of writing I'm usually involved with at that time, happen a lot to me. I've got a list of other coincidences that relate to the current novel I'm working with but the two above are the ones that come readily to mind. And rather than think of them all, as odd or unusual as they might seem, as nothing more than coincidences, I can't help but see them as motivational pushes from my muse. It's odd but works for me.
Go on, Car Muse. I'm listening.
Last week, I was in Barnes & Noble bookstore; not a local one but one across the river in Oregon. As I browsed the markdown book aisles, I ran across the obligatory 'exotic automobile' area and, I'm not kidding here, the exact second I picked up a book on Super Cars, the music on the store's speakers switched from some pop ditty to "Lil Darlin'" by The Diamonds. It's a tune from 1957, a favorite amoung some car enthusiasts, myself included, and is featured briefly in my car novel. I've gone years upon years without hearing that song anywhere but my own music library, yet there it played, out of the blue in Barnes & Noble...but only, I'm convinced, after I touched that car book.
Things like this, little things that make me think of a piece of writing I'm usually involved with at that time, happen a lot to me. I've got a list of other coincidences that relate to the current novel I'm working with but the two above are the ones that come readily to mind. And rather than think of them all, as odd or unusual as they might seem, as nothing more than coincidences, I can't help but see them as motivational pushes from my muse. It's odd but works for me.
Go on, Car Muse. I'm listening.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Exercise: Cover Quotes and Blurbs.
In my quest to learn everything I can about the authoring business (in between reading, writing, plotting and losing electronic devices), I've been seeing a lot lately on cover quotes, also called blurbs.
Apparently, when you've got a book coming out and you mention to your agent you like such and such author, a good agent just might contact the agent of that author and ask if they can send a copy of your book to them and get a cover quote for the next printing. If the author likes your book, they might authorize the use of a cover quote to help sell your book.
Ingenius! Especially if the author actually reads your book.
"Doesn't suck," would be a great Stephen King quote I'd like to see. I think he might actually do this some day.
"This book could stand on a shelf next to any classic," is another good one. Technically, if the spine of the book isn't mush, I guess it probably could stand next to anything -- a work by Shakespear or a bowl of tapioca equally well.
One I'd like to see is "Bigger than the Potter series!" Then discover what the publisher left out was "[This author's ego is] Bigger than the Potter series!"
And how about one of your own pseudonyms blurbing about your own book. "C.S. Cole's 'Enthusiast' is like The Fast and The Furious on speed," Carole Cole, a reader in Vancouver Wa.
What cover quotes would you like to see for some of your own works? What quotes would you rather NOT see?
Apparently, when you've got a book coming out and you mention to your agent you like such and such author, a good agent just might contact the agent of that author and ask if they can send a copy of your book to them and get a cover quote for the next printing. If the author likes your book, they might authorize the use of a cover quote to help sell your book.
Ingenius! Especially if the author actually reads your book.
"Doesn't suck," would be a great Stephen King quote I'd like to see. I think he might actually do this some day.
"This book could stand on a shelf next to any classic," is another good one. Technically, if the spine of the book isn't mush, I guess it probably could stand next to anything -- a work by Shakespear or a bowl of tapioca equally well.
One I'd like to see is "Bigger than the Potter series!" Then discover what the publisher left out was "[This author's ego is] Bigger than the Potter series!"
And how about one of your own pseudonyms blurbing about your own book. "C.S. Cole's 'Enthusiast' is like The Fast and The Furious on speed," Carole Cole, a reader in Vancouver Wa.
What cover quotes would you like to see for some of your own works? What quotes would you rather NOT see?
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Moved On.
FYI:
Our Vancouver NaNo friend Squeaks, has moved on, away from the Pacific Northwest area and away from the Ink & Paper small publishing company he helped form in the Portland area. As of last week, according to the web site, he has gone back to Utah to "be close to his family and his religion."
Okay. Whatever that means.
Anyway, several of the imprints of Ink & Paper seem to be very happy of their new-found freedom and of the change, making me think things may not have ended well. If I remember correctly at last year's NaNo get-together at Olive Garden in Vancouver, Squeaks graciously sent out an offer toward any and all Vancouver area NaNo-ers to bring in their finished NaNo project, personally guaranteeing the MSs would be read and commented on free of charge. I, for one, aren't going to count on that still being the case but then again, I didn't plan on taking him up on the offer anyway. My preferred written genre isn't anything they would ever be interested in which were, according to several editors I talked to last year, mostly 'happy,' uplifting themes of hope and salvation included within the SF genre.
Our Vancouver NaNo friend Squeaks, has moved on, away from the Pacific Northwest area and away from the Ink & Paper small publishing company he helped form in the Portland area. As of last week, according to the web site, he has gone back to Utah to "be close to his family and his religion."
Okay. Whatever that means.
Anyway, several of the imprints of Ink & Paper seem to be very happy of their new-found freedom and of the change, making me think things may not have ended well. If I remember correctly at last year's NaNo get-together at Olive Garden in Vancouver, Squeaks graciously sent out an offer toward any and all Vancouver area NaNo-ers to bring in their finished NaNo project, personally guaranteeing the MSs would be read and commented on free of charge. I, for one, aren't going to count on that still being the case but then again, I didn't plan on taking him up on the offer anyway. My preferred written genre isn't anything they would ever be interested in which were, according to several editors I talked to last year, mostly 'happy,' uplifting themes of hope and salvation included within the SF genre.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Slugging the Rewrite.
I worked on a new short story today; the rewriting part of work so you'll have to excuse my big, fat UGH! How is it a story can start off so full of bitter promise and end up wandering the mucky shores of confusion? I have no idea where the story was headed now or what I was trying to say, other than by rereading the original MS that I wisely printed out (twice!) before mangling the electronic version, but that's part of the point of the rewrite...right? To cull the pointless words taking up space and clarify what's left into poetic prose?
Maybe something like that. Anyway, it's a gardening tale about lonliness and slugs. Not sure how those two come together (especially now!) but I know there's a story in there somewhere.
Maybe something like that. Anyway, it's a gardening tale about lonliness and slugs. Not sure how those two come together (especially now!) but I know there's a story in there somewhere.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Looking for Romance Writer Judges
From today's Willamette Writers newsletter:
Rose City Romance Writers is seeking judges for the Golden Rose contest. If you can possibly help, please let us know as soon as possible.
We have nine categories:
Long contemporary, Short contemporary, Single title, Mainstream with romantic elements, Young Adult, Inspirational, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, and Historical.
The contest is completely electronic. Entry deadline is Aug 4th. We will have entries to you by August 11th. You will have approximately 6 weeks to return entries. We are hoping to limit entries to no more than six per judge. Entries are 55 pages (manuscript and synopsis).
For more information, see our website: http://rosecityromancewriters.com/grpage/index.html
Please email: contest co-coordinators
Nancy Crampton-Brophy
nancy@Brophyandcompany.com
or
Darla Lukenbaugh
darlal@smt-net.com
Rose City Romance Writers is seeking judges for the Golden Rose contest. If you can possibly help, please let us know as soon as possible.
We have nine categories:
Long contemporary, Short contemporary, Single title, Mainstream with romantic elements, Young Adult, Inspirational, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, and Historical.
The contest is completely electronic. Entry deadline is Aug 4th. We will have entries to you by August 11th. You will have approximately 6 weeks to return entries. We are hoping to limit entries to no more than six per judge. Entries are 55 pages (manuscript and synopsis).
For more information, see our website: http://rosecityromancewriters.com/grpage/index.html
Please email: contest co-coordinators
Nancy Crampton-Brophy
nancy@Brophyandcompany.com
or
Darla Lukenbaugh
darlal@smt-net.com
Saturday, July 7, 2007
(For whatever reason, the Title bar isn't working here tonight).
Title: Writing? What's Writing?
It's been a week since I've done any writing whatsoever (other than blog writing or notes neither of which I count). That's the longest I've gone without writing something towards or on a story or novel since, hmmm, about January 2005. I think it was a Thursday when I picked it back up after a month break from the first NaNo.
Not to say I haven't had anything to work on; I'm in the early stages of screwing up a great short story idea which is the point just before I sort out what direction things are going to dart off in, and I still have that cat story that I'm not going to get back to before the end of the month.
Wednesday afternoon, before fireworks while sitting in a decidedly early 1970's decor steakhouse, we played one of my favorite games: Profiling characters in the room. There was Ida from the farm in Iowa who had flown in specifically to be with family for the 4th, Ed who with his 3rd trophy wife was trying to impress a new manager and his unimpressable wife fresh in from St. Louis, Joel at the bar was 2 sheets to the wind and working on the 3rd and trying to sound charming to the younger waitresses...until his wife showed up hot and sweaty from watching the kids down at the pool alone. And we can't forget Lana, the transsexual, who looked like she missed her turnoff to Las Vegas and wound up trying to get Joel's attention...and she did but honey, you'll need to work on that baritone voice if you don't want men spilling their drinks all over themselves.
Naturally, I took notes on them all. It's what I do best somedays.
After a major project completion here at home tomorrow/Monday, I should be back in the writing saddle again. And just for the record, I've checked five more books off the 'Read Books' list -- Joyce Carol Oates - Haunted, 2006 Best of SF&F, Sister Salty - Sister Sweet, and 2 Jack Ketchum horror tales. Man, is that last guy's writing smooth.
Title: Writing? What's Writing?
It's been a week since I've done any writing whatsoever (other than blog writing or notes neither of which I count). That's the longest I've gone without writing something towards or on a story or novel since, hmmm, about January 2005. I think it was a Thursday when I picked it back up after a month break from the first NaNo.
Not to say I haven't had anything to work on; I'm in the early stages of screwing up a great short story idea which is the point just before I sort out what direction things are going to dart off in, and I still have that cat story that I'm not going to get back to before the end of the month.
Wednesday afternoon, before fireworks while sitting in a decidedly early 1970's decor steakhouse, we played one of my favorite games: Profiling characters in the room. There was Ida from the farm in Iowa who had flown in specifically to be with family for the 4th, Ed who with his 3rd trophy wife was trying to impress a new manager and his unimpressable wife fresh in from St. Louis, Joel at the bar was 2 sheets to the wind and working on the 3rd and trying to sound charming to the younger waitresses...until his wife showed up hot and sweaty from watching the kids down at the pool alone. And we can't forget Lana, the transsexual, who looked like she missed her turnoff to Las Vegas and wound up trying to get Joel's attention...and she did but honey, you'll need to work on that baritone voice if you don't want men spilling their drinks all over themselves.
Naturally, I took notes on them all. It's what I do best somedays.
After a major project completion here at home tomorrow/Monday, I should be back in the writing saddle again. And just for the record, I've checked five more books off the 'Read Books' list -- Joyce Carol Oates - Haunted, 2006 Best of SF&F, Sister Salty - Sister Sweet, and 2 Jack Ketchum horror tales. Man, is that last guy's writing smooth.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Stories within Stories.
On the whole, I’d have to say I’m not a big fan of stories embedded inside of stories. I haven’t seen very many of them done very well, not that I’m an expert or have read everything on the planet that might contain one or two examples. I’ve often found it ‘cheapens’ the reading experience for a reader as though the author didn’t have anything to say really during that particular scene but needed something to take up space. If so, I can do that and maybe I should try my hand at it sometime.
This goes for those embedded stories that actually have something to do with the original story surrounding it too. Surely, one or two exists somewhere; I’m currently reading an anthology of horror and fantasy that contains one or two of these kinds of works and they’ve won awards (none from me in case you might wonder), but maybe that’s why writers do just that–to fill space with stuff that can’t really be presented any other way without boring the reader to tears or making a reader wonder, “How the heck did the character know all that?”
(BTW, that last part was a fine example of a run-on sentence, don't you think?)
This goes for those embedded stories that actually have something to do with the original story surrounding it too. Surely, one or two exists somewhere; I’m currently reading an anthology of horror and fantasy that contains one or two of these kinds of works and they’ve won awards (none from me in case you might wonder), but maybe that’s why writers do just that–to fill space with stuff that can’t really be presented any other way without boring the reader to tears or making a reader wonder, “How the heck did the character know all that?”
(BTW, that last part was a fine example of a run-on sentence, don't you think?)
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Finished.
I DID IT! I wrote, edited, rewrote, and finished a short story! 3,472 words of dark fantasy/horror. My first! And I like it too!
I'm just so happy and excited I could squeal.
*squeeeeeeeee!*
Thank you. I return you to your normal Internets activities.
I'm just so happy and excited I could squeal.
*squeeeeeeeee!*
Thank you. I return you to your normal Internets activities.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Gender Genie.
Recently I discovered a great, fun little tool online called the Gender Genie. It guesses the gender of the author who has typed or pasted in some of their text. 500 words is better than just a sentence or two and it only takes a minute or less for results (depending on your connection). Plus it shows the keywords more often than not used by female and male authors.
Periodically, I enter some of my "Enthusiast" text and only once have I come up with "female." As you know, I want that body of work to sound as if written by a male and had previously asked a published author at the San Diego Writer's Conference for his thoughts (he said definitely male-written).
I hope you have fun with Gender Genie!
(For fun, I submitted this blog entry into Gender Genie and it said it was written by a female.)
Periodically, I enter some of my "Enthusiast" text and only once have I come up with "female." As you know, I want that body of work to sound as if written by a male and had previously asked a published author at the San Diego Writer's Conference for his thoughts (he said definitely male-written).
I hope you have fun with Gender Genie!
(For fun, I submitted this blog entry into Gender Genie and it said it was written by a female.)
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
The Agony of Editing.
The problem with living with someone who seems to have a natural knack for editing can be many. Turn of phrase, wordy dialog, too much description, not enough description, etc. are just some points we discuss from time to time.
I asked, "Hypothetically speaking is there anything you read that you think is perfect? That couldn't have stood some editing, or more editing somewhere?"
"Passages, only short passages. Never an entire story." He replied.
So if that's the case, will anything I ever write and rewrite and edit and rewrite and so on and so on ever be perfect? In my mind and with that answer, no. Another piece of my mind says, "Everyone else is getting away with it; why can't you?"
Because I'd like very much to be perfect. And I live with a perfectionist.
Another part of me wonders if my voice in my writing will be lost if my work is worked and edited and rewritten so much, and the whole thing is then turned into a boring bowl of softened mush. He said it wouldn't. But then again, he said a portion of my latest effort sounded like a first draft when it wasn't.
I'm beginning to fear rewriting again, not the actual work but because I really don't know what the heck I'm doing. I'm a writer, not a rewriter.
I asked, "Hypothetically speaking is there anything you read that you think is perfect? That couldn't have stood some editing, or more editing somewhere?"
"Passages, only short passages. Never an entire story." He replied.
So if that's the case, will anything I ever write and rewrite and edit and rewrite and so on and so on ever be perfect? In my mind and with that answer, no. Another piece of my mind says, "Everyone else is getting away with it; why can't you?"
Because I'd like very much to be perfect. And I live with a perfectionist.
Another part of me wonders if my voice in my writing will be lost if my work is worked and edited and rewritten so much, and the whole thing is then turned into a boring bowl of softened mush. He said it wouldn't. But then again, he said a portion of my latest effort sounded like a first draft when it wasn't.
I'm beginning to fear rewriting again, not the actual work but because I really don't know what the heck I'm doing. I'm a writer, not a rewriter.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Mayonnaise Man.
My assignment: Write a chapter that captures the atmosphere of a car show. Sights, sounds, flavor, or ‘flava’ if you will.
End result: Yet another chapter with one of the main characters, the antagonist, showing more personality yet digging himself deeper. And it's not good stuff he's digging into.
I like this character but not enough to give him the starring role in every chapter. The problem is my protagonist is so much the nice guy he wouldn’t utter a peep if a semi truck was parked on his foot.
Questions: How do you make a protagonist interesting when everyone loves evil characters? How do you ‘un-mayonnaise’ a nice guy protagonist?
End result: Yet another chapter with one of the main characters, the antagonist, showing more personality yet digging himself deeper. And it's not good stuff he's digging into.
I like this character but not enough to give him the starring role in every chapter. The problem is my protagonist is so much the nice guy he wouldn’t utter a peep if a semi truck was parked on his foot.
Questions: How do you make a protagonist interesting when everyone loves evil characters? How do you ‘un-mayonnaise’ a nice guy protagonist?
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Back in the Saddle Again. Or is it the Driver's Seat?
Finally back working on the car novel. First six chapters are formatted, corrected, and through their third edit and revision. I really, really like parts of it, not so enamoured with others but at least those parts are small and far between. I know that if this one sells, I’ll have to read it several more times, looking for errors. Everyone says they come to hate reading their own work at that point, but I don’t think I’ll ever tire of reading the whole thing. I guess I just like cars too much and all that world contains.
Yesterday I listed my work done to date over at my official author blog, carole-cole.com, (shameless plug) and completely forgot a fourth short story that I began last week before our pet world turned upside down. That one can sit on a back burner for a while as my subconscious works on some details. Another horror tale. *Sigh* Yeah, I like those.
Goal for this evening: Think good lost dog thoughts.
Yesterday I listed my work done to date over at my official author blog, carole-cole.com, (shameless plug) and completely forgot a fourth short story that I began last week before our pet world turned upside down. That one can sit on a back burner for a while as my subconscious works on some details. Another horror tale. *Sigh* Yeah, I like those.
Goal for this evening: Think good lost dog thoughts.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Sunday, April 8, 2007
"Hook" contest
LiveJournal's 'Fur, Fang, and Fey' community is holding a "hook" contest for all Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Thriller, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance authors. First 180 submissions of a 300-word max hook describing your novel (finished or not) received between 12:01 a.m. Friday, April 13th and 11:59 p.m. Sunday, April 15th 2007 will receive a direct-to-author critique and feedback from famed professional agent Rachel Vater (raleva31) at Lowenstein-Yost.
All info and FAQ at the following web blogs: (Please copy URLs and paste)
http://raleva31.livejournal.com/44934.html
http://community.livejournal.com/fangs_fur_fey/69174.html
All info and FAQ at the following web blogs: (Please copy URLs and paste)
http://raleva31.livejournal.com/44934.html
http://community.livejournal.com/fangs_fur_fey/69174.html
Friday, March 30, 2007
Targets.
Being on the other side of town earlier this evening, I stopped in at a local bookstore I knew was in the area and came face to face with my target audience. Well, it was one guy, older with long white hair pulled back into a ponytail, sides tucked up under a Pete & Jakes Hot Rod shop baseball hat. Pete & Jakes isn't a local shop, not by a longshot and usually only hardcore car buffs own their attire. As I half-expected and was rewarded thusly, he was wearing a rod show t-shirt under a car club jacket and with the latest issue of Hot Rod magazine under his arm (yes, I know what these look like with barely a glance), he passed me on his way out. I'd be willing to bet he had axle grease permanently embedded under his nails but I didn't follow him to verify it.
His appearance made me stop for a moment and think, "He's my audience. He'd buy 'Enthusiast' if for no other reason than to see if I got it right."
My mind is never far from 'Enthusiast.' Never. It's the story I know better than anything else I've ever written, including the 'Geek Book' which was basically my life at one time. Somedays I think I know it better than my daily whine-fest at my blog. I just need to sit down and finish that story. Car show season starts in earnest next week. Now is the best time, the best time to dig out what I've got and start polishing the chrome. It's time to rock and roll.
Back in the Sci-Fi section of the bookstore, I passed another target. He was wearing a Bent Motors Speed shop t-shirt. Bent Motors is local or was at least at one time. I suspect someone thought it was a 'fun' company name once but then reality set in and the customers thought twice about taking their cars to a place that sounded like the mechanics might do more harm than good. The bills later rolled in for the water and the electric and for the tools and fancy hydraulic lifts and another one bites the dust.
The guy was thumbing through a motorcycle magazine and had a crude Chevy logo tatooed on his upper arm. Yeah, he'd buy 'Enthusiast' for the same reason as the other guy would: To make sure I got all the terminology right, to see if their car buddies were the inspiration for Floyd and Cecil and Scratchy, and to compare notes on how all the behind the scenes stuff at one of those Show & Shine shindigs. Neither one would like it, or buy it, if they knew a woman wrote it . . . unless it was very, very good and I think I'm close if I do say so myself.
But there's the matter of getting back to it, of getting on with the rock and roll. I met up with Steve and told him what I saw, told him I ran across my target audience, and then I grabbed him and shook him. "Please force me to finish 'Enthusiast!'" I begged.
I am serious. And those guys are waiting.
His appearance made me stop for a moment and think, "He's my audience. He'd buy 'Enthusiast' if for no other reason than to see if I got it right."
My mind is never far from 'Enthusiast.' Never. It's the story I know better than anything else I've ever written, including the 'Geek Book' which was basically my life at one time. Somedays I think I know it better than my daily whine-fest at my blog. I just need to sit down and finish that story. Car show season starts in earnest next week. Now is the best time, the best time to dig out what I've got and start polishing the chrome. It's time to rock and roll.
Back in the Sci-Fi section of the bookstore, I passed another target. He was wearing a Bent Motors Speed shop t-shirt. Bent Motors is local or was at least at one time. I suspect someone thought it was a 'fun' company name once but then reality set in and the customers thought twice about taking their cars to a place that sounded like the mechanics might do more harm than good. The bills later rolled in for the water and the electric and for the tools and fancy hydraulic lifts and another one bites the dust.
The guy was thumbing through a motorcycle magazine and had a crude Chevy logo tatooed on his upper arm. Yeah, he'd buy 'Enthusiast' for the same reason as the other guy would: To make sure I got all the terminology right, to see if their car buddies were the inspiration for Floyd and Cecil and Scratchy, and to compare notes on how all the behind the scenes stuff at one of those Show & Shine shindigs. Neither one would like it, or buy it, if they knew a woman wrote it . . . unless it was very, very good and I think I'm close if I do say so myself.
But there's the matter of getting back to it, of getting on with the rock and roll. I met up with Steve and told him what I saw, told him I ran across my target audience, and then I grabbed him and shook him. "Please force me to finish 'Enthusiast!'" I begged.
I am serious. And those guys are waiting.
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