I'm innocently critiquing a story last night during Lost's commercial breaks when my husband says, "Go check this website out. The pictures of Dubai are amazing."
So I do. It's both cool and a little disturbing. At least I think so. Sure makes me think twice about doing any gardening in a bikini, that's for sure. Yeah, I know, that sounds weird already, but I'm not one of those people who can just sit and sunbathe. That lasts for five minutes (unless I'm in the midst of a really good book), and then I start looking around at all the things that need doing in the yard. I might as well do two things at once.
But someone somewhere could be unknowingly capturing that unflattering pose and posting it for all to find.
On the other hand, there have got to be a million story ideas hidden among these photos. What could those two people at the theme park be doing? Who is the woman talking to on her cell phone as she walks down the street? And my personal favorite, why is there a man standing in his underpants in what looks to be a construction site?
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Looking back
After I 'finished' my first novel -- turns out I was far from finished, but at that time I did manage to finally write 'the end' to the long-winded, backstory-ridden, learning experience that it was -- I needed a break. I needed to step out from under my rock and learn about craft. To begin this journey, I wandered into fanfic territory. It seemed a little less intimidating than joining an actual writer's group.
Playing with existing characters in an established world helped me to learn to write in various points of view and learn to get a character's voice right, to keep them seperate and keep them acting consistantly. Because if I didn't, whoa boy, did I hear about it from other fans! I had to do some research. Me and Google got real familar with one another. I learned how to give and take critism. And I met some great people. (Hey Gracie!)
I've been on a nostolgic kick lately, likely spurred by digging back into the sequel -- which was the second big thing that I'd written -- so I reached into my archived files and pulled out my fan fic novella, my first forray into writing something completely different. A western.
Honestly, I had been entertaining the thought of stripping out all the fanfic bits and rewriting it into something original, maybe a fantasy short.
I remembered the bumbling romance story as a little corny with a side of cheese and a bit awkward in a few places, but it had been well received by readers. Egads, memories really gloss things over.
Things I've learned since then, as illustrated on the first page:
1. Paragraphs should not be huge blocks of text that take up a quarter of a page. Maybe one here and there, but not every. single. one.
2. Proper formating. Double spaced with indents everyone?
3. Adverb control. Round those villians up and shoot them. Except that cute one with the big brown eyes. One or two can remain alive for flavor.
4. Omni is not my best choice for pov. *cringes*
5. Dialogue tags are not needed every single time someone speaks.
6. People that are getting beaten usually react in some way other than (or at least along with) glaring daggers at their assailant.
7. All you critiquers that complain that I don't describe enough would be squealing with glee in the midst of the description overload in this monstrosity.
8. Commas are my friends when used correctly.
9. A story is better shown than told. But it was startling and bizarre, I tell you!
10. A lot of blood doesn't mean someone is automatically dead. Feel for a pulse, you idiots.
After recovering from the dizzy spell brought on by all the head shaking and ironing my forehead from all the brow scrunching, I'm not sure I can do anything with this other than call it a learning experience, but it was gratifying to see how much I've learned since diving into this writing thing more seriously.
I don't know if I can make it through page two. But really, how much worse could it get?
Playing with existing characters in an established world helped me to learn to write in various points of view and learn to get a character's voice right, to keep them seperate and keep them acting consistantly. Because if I didn't, whoa boy, did I hear about it from other fans! I had to do some research. Me and Google got real familar with one another. I learned how to give and take critism. And I met some great people. (Hey Gracie!)
I've been on a nostolgic kick lately, likely spurred by digging back into the sequel -- which was the second big thing that I'd written -- so I reached into my archived files and pulled out my fan fic novella, my first forray into writing something completely different. A western.
Honestly, I had been entertaining the thought of stripping out all the fanfic bits and rewriting it into something original, maybe a fantasy short.
I remembered the bumbling romance story as a little corny with a side of cheese and a bit awkward in a few places, but it had been well received by readers. Egads, memories really gloss things over.
Things I've learned since then, as illustrated on the first page:
1. Paragraphs should not be huge blocks of text that take up a quarter of a page. Maybe one here and there, but not every. single. one.
2. Proper formating. Double spaced with indents everyone?
3. Adverb control. Round those villians up and shoot them. Except that cute one with the big brown eyes. One or two can remain alive for flavor.
4. Omni is not my best choice for pov. *cringes*
5. Dialogue tags are not needed every single time someone speaks.
6. People that are getting beaten usually react in some way other than (or at least along with) glaring daggers at their assailant.
7. All you critiquers that complain that I don't describe enough would be squealing with glee in the midst of the description overload in this monstrosity.
8. Commas are my friends when used correctly.
9. A story is better shown than told. But it was startling and bizarre, I tell you!
10. A lot of blood doesn't mean someone is automatically dead. Feel for a pulse, you idiots.
After recovering from the dizzy spell brought on by all the head shaking and ironing my forehead from all the brow scrunching, I'm not sure I can do anything with this other than call it a learning experience, but it was gratifying to see how much I've learned since diving into this writing thing more seriously.
I don't know if I can make it through page two. But really, how much worse could it get?
Friday, May 7, 2010
Tagged: Seven awesome things
Thanks to Spammy, my planned post will have to take the back burner while I ponder the seven most 'really awesome' things I've read about in any book.
1.Dune's sand worms that create spice to make people live longer. Really Awesome. We just won't mention how they create it.
2. Again from Dune: The Bene Gesserit litany against fear.
3. And again: Weirding modules. When a word has real power, look out!
4. From the Taltos series: Morganti weapons - they don't just kill you, they kill your soul too.
5. From the same: assasssins that kill your body for money but if you have enough money and are found quick enough, you can be revived from the dead. Say it with me: I'm not dead yet!
6. Thieves' World: for introducing a M/M character relationship to their mix back when they were not so publically accepted or widely written about.
7. Bill the Galactic Hero: For just being silly and making me laugh. How can a solidier who literally has two right arms, be wrong?
And now what I've revealed my awesome things, I'm to tag four people. These lovely four people will then have to ponder seven things of my chosen topic: Seven most interesting ways a character has died in a novel you've written or read.
Bontanist - I know you have plenty of dead characters to work with
Marion Sipe - Here's a topic for you and your shiny new blog. :)
Penelope Barber - You've been quiet lately. Hopefully that means you're busy writing.
Owllady at Letter Go - Have you managed to work 'death by drumsticks' into a story yet?
Have fun.
1.Dune's sand worms that create spice to make people live longer. Really Awesome. We just won't mention how they create it.
2. Again from Dune: The Bene Gesserit litany against fear.
3. And again: Weirding modules. When a word has real power, look out!
4. From the Taltos series: Morganti weapons - they don't just kill you, they kill your soul too.
5. From the same: assasssins that kill your body for money but if you have enough money and are found quick enough, you can be revived from the dead. Say it with me: I'm not dead yet!
6. Thieves' World: for introducing a M/M character relationship to their mix back when they were not so publically accepted or widely written about.
7. Bill the Galactic Hero: For just being silly and making me laugh. How can a solidier who literally has two right arms, be wrong?
And now what I've revealed my awesome things, I'm to tag four people. These lovely four people will then have to ponder seven things of my chosen topic: Seven most interesting ways a character has died in a novel you've written or read.
Bontanist - I know you have plenty of dead characters to work with
Marion Sipe - Here's a topic for you and your shiny new blog. :)
Penelope Barber - You've been quiet lately. Hopefully that means you're busy writing.
Owllady at Letter Go - Have you managed to work 'death by drumsticks' into a story yet?
Have fun.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Oh frak!
I fall in love with alternate swear words on tv. I freely admit to using Frak, Frell, Dren, and even the more obscure Felgercarb in conversation as if they are socially acceptable substitues for the real things. If I'm out with friends, I'll likely use the real thing. Unless I'm conversation with fellow geeky friends -- then those other words seem to come up as if they are some special code only the cool, geeky people know. That may seem like an oxymoron, I know.
Stubbing my toe often brings forth a string of, 'frak frelling frak!' Somedays my writing resembles a big pile of dren. Forgetting to record a tv show might result in a muttered 'oh felgercarb.'
I get that on tv, we get alternate words because it allows the characters to swear and keeps the censors happy.
In stories, this sort of thing bugs me. Sometimes.
In sci-fi stories, I'd much rather have characters actually swear in familiar terms. Sure, in the future I'm sure we'll come up with new obsenities, but I can relate to the current ones so they work for stories set in current day or the future.
Whereas in fantasy, I'm not fond of the 'f word' but other milder words don't bother me, however alternate world or religon based swearing seems more effective. Using something different helps establish an alternate world or time period feel.
Not all books need to contain this sort of language, but in others it is part of the characterization. I've written stories with and without swearing, both real and made up, it just depends on the character and situation if its called for or not.
I've received enough positive critique comments for using real obsentites in my sci-fi novels that it leads me to believe I'm not alone in my somewhat twisted preferences. Yet, in perusing publishers websites, I've run across a few who refuse to consider any works containing real swear words, though made up ones are acceptable.
Out of curiosity, what do you prefer?
Stubbing my toe often brings forth a string of, 'frak frelling frak!' Somedays my writing resembles a big pile of dren. Forgetting to record a tv show might result in a muttered 'oh felgercarb.'
I get that on tv, we get alternate words because it allows the characters to swear and keeps the censors happy.
In stories, this sort of thing bugs me. Sometimes.
In sci-fi stories, I'd much rather have characters actually swear in familiar terms. Sure, in the future I'm sure we'll come up with new obsenities, but I can relate to the current ones so they work for stories set in current day or the future.
Whereas in fantasy, I'm not fond of the 'f word' but other milder words don't bother me, however alternate world or religon based swearing seems more effective. Using something different helps establish an alternate world or time period feel.
Not all books need to contain this sort of language, but in others it is part of the characterization. I've written stories with and without swearing, both real and made up, it just depends on the character and situation if its called for or not.
I've received enough positive critique comments for using real obsentites in my sci-fi novels that it leads me to believe I'm not alone in my somewhat twisted preferences. Yet, in perusing publishers websites, I've run across a few who refuse to consider any works containing real swear words, though made up ones are acceptable.
Out of curiosity, what do you prefer?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Sequel update
I know you're all just dying to know how this sequel project is coming along. Ok, maybe a little feverish? A cough or a mild headache? I'll settle for distant concern.
Anyway, the answer is: Slowly.
Not for the fact that I don't know where the story is going or the characters aren't cooperating, I just haven't had the time to devote to it. Ten to twelve hour work days are just not conducive to creativity.
And now I've managed to complicate matters by fracturing a bone in my ankle so I'm not getting as much done work-wise or any-other-wise as I was before wednesday when I dashed for the business-line phone on a sleeping foot. Snap! Ouch! Let me tell ya, the answering machine can get it next time.
Hopefully work will slow down soon -- just a little would be nice -- and my ankle will heal up quickly so I can get back on track.
The Trust query is to a possibly workable stage, despite Gamnock's antics.
One short story is out in submission. Another is ready to head out very soon. The newest was to be from the pov of something not human. And so for inspiration, I turned to this Flight of the Conchords song- which turned out not to really inspire the short story at all -- other than the use of a robotic(ish) pov. But their songs always make me laugh and who can't use a good laugh now and then? Enjoy.
Anyway, the answer is: Slowly.
Not for the fact that I don't know where the story is going or the characters aren't cooperating, I just haven't had the time to devote to it. Ten to twelve hour work days are just not conducive to creativity.
And now I've managed to complicate matters by fracturing a bone in my ankle so I'm not getting as much done work-wise or any-other-wise as I was before wednesday when I dashed for the business-line phone on a sleeping foot. Snap! Ouch! Let me tell ya, the answering machine can get it next time.
Hopefully work will slow down soon -- just a little would be nice -- and my ankle will heal up quickly so I can get back on track.
The Trust query is to a possibly workable stage, despite Gamnock's antics.
One short story is out in submission. Another is ready to head out very soon. The newest was to be from the pov of something not human. And so for inspiration, I turned to this Flight of the Conchords song- which turned out not to really inspire the short story at all -- other than the use of a robotic(ish) pov. But their songs always make me laugh and who can't use a good laugh now and then? Enjoy.
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