It's moments like this...

When I get an email from a magazine I submitted a short story to. The process goes like this. I visually register the email in my inbox. I realize it's from a magazine. Immediately my mind throws up the mental Rejection! sign and I start thinking about where I'm going to send the story to next. Oh well, I think. It's part of being a writer, right? We've got to learn to accept criticism and rejection and move on.

Then I actually click the email and it says, Congratulations! We want to buy your story!
....
....
I refresh the page to make sure I got the right email, and that this isn't some lotto spam or some guy in Spain trying to get me to hand out bank account info.
....
....
When the marbles click, I start to grin like a fool. In celebration, I do what most guys do. I punch something. Namely the floor. Fortunately it's carpeted. My knuckles get rug burn. I can't stop grinning for the next five hours! It's like getting a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart.

My short story, "Even Songbirds are Kept in Cages," is being bought by the speculative fiction magazine Shimmer. Not sure yet what issue it's coming out in, but every issue they've put out has been gorgeous and gets great reviews. Still jittery and having fun looking over the materials they sent me. Who knew contracts and questionnaires could be so fun? Still smiling.

It's the moments like this that make all the mailings and revisions and the "business" side of the craft worthwhile.


I see that smile.

Scams want to eat your soul!

Writing scams. Did you know they exist? Did you know there are big, nasty, booger-nosed villains out there wanting to stroke your fragile writing ego just so they can milk you for all the money your worth while your stories never see the light of day? That’s right. Booger-nosed. Scared yet? You should be.

Uncertain how serious this is? Check out this news alert concerning a top scammer brought to justice- Martha Ivery, aka Kelly O’Donnell
(this woman sent death threats to the people who worked to expose her! C’mon!)

Never fear, however. While a new writing scam and scamming organization crops up every day, it seems, the forces of good are ever-vigilant in trying to help us writers from being suckered in to such mustache-twiddling schemes. Hours and days can be spent going over all the info available, and it will be to your advantage to spend the time to familiarize yourself with some of the more common resources and more popular scams out there today.

To start with: The primary resource of anti-scam info and news alerts that should be regularly checked is Writer Beware. Read through this site until your eyeballs scream for mercy. It’s worth it. It covers upfront agent fees, suspicious pay-to-publish companies, self-publishing scams, warning signs for contests you shouldn’t enter, and has a constantly updated news section alerting the writing public to companies and individuals who are coming under legal scrutiny for their misdeeds. It also has a wonderful section that lists the 20 Worst Agencies. Go. Here. Now. (but then come back and read the rest of this blog, of course)

Also, in my Writer Resources page, there is a site called Preditors and Editors. This is a comprehensive directory of agents and agencies out there, alerting you to those that dabble in duplicitous business methods so you don’t waste your time querying them. It is updated by people who have had personal experience with these agencies, and thusly they know of what they speak.

I’m going to likely keep coming back to this topic of writing scams, mainly because the idea outrages me, I hate seeing other people taken advantage of, and the best defense against this kind of thing is being educated about it. There are lots of links, blogs and resources yet to be shared, so spread the word.


I see that smile.

The Snark, and other writing blogs of note

As I embarked on this adventure of blogging about the wonderful world of writing, I decided I should check out other folks who have been traveling this dusty trail for far longer than I. It is especially welcome to find those blogs that go beyond the daily picture of someone's favorite parakeet, or who simply repost all the videos inundating YouTube or otherwise. Blogs that give solid advice...especially advice relating to my writing passion. In reading and browsing and reading some more, I've built a small list of blogs that I check regularly and find to be rather helpful and worth coming back to. This following list doesn't include other writers' blogs, though those can be fun and interesting as well since it gives an "insider's" view of the industry and writing process.

Blogs I read:

First up is Miss Snark, the anonymous literary agent who stalks cyberspace with gin and stilettos (the shoes, not the assassin's blade, though I think she could use them for the same purpose). She dolls out a dry (okay, sandblasted) wit along with vital inside advice for getting your work polished to industry standards, as well as avoiding fatal flaws that will have your query and manuscript trashed before it's out of the envelope.

Another blog is a general news listing: Speculative Fiction, which keeps one up-to-date on articles, news, and events of note within the speculative fiction world.

And a third for now: Evil Editor
Yes. There is now proof that editors are evil. But this editor has turned his evil powers into showing writers better ways to cut back on flowery prose, write good summaries, and keep yourself on the good side of the almighty editors.

So, there are a few for your perusing pleasure. Miss Snark is especially fun for a good laugh, though don't think the vicious attitude lessens the worth of her advice at all.


I see that smile.

British Fantasy Society

To start the week off, here is a great resource from across the pond.

British Fantasy Society

"But I only write for North American publications, or only submit my manuscripts to North American publishers," you might be saying. What possible good could a British society do for me? First of all, you can never be too in-the-know about the industry. Yes, writing is an artistic craft, and a lot of us never like to get our hands dirty by the business side of it. All that query letters and legal rigmarole and writer's rights. Gah. However, there is something to be said about researching foreign markets. Can't quite find a fit for your latest short story in any national magazines? I've got one that's being looked at for publication in Australia. Wouldn't that be a cool little add-on when telling folks about your up-and-coming writing career? "Oh, yes, and I have also been published in Australia." That'll spice up any conversation, I guarantee it.

Second, this Society gives us a different perspective on the craft. Lots of great interviews and articles to browse on their site. Plus, you might run across a lot of great books and authors you've never heard of before. It's sad how many good books never make it across the international publishing divide.

There are a few reasons. I'm sure you can think of many more. If so, let me know, and I'll be sure to heartily agree with you.

To sum up in their own words:
The British Fantasy Society exists to promote and enjoy the genres of fantasy, science fiction and horror in all its forms. We are well supported by the publishing industry and have many well known authors as members, not least our president Ramsey Campbell.


I see that smile.

Home again, Home again

Just got home to NYC. Back to work tomorrow. I hope everyone is emerging from the holiday coma in time for the work week. Got plenty of cool websites and resources coming up this week, so drop back by once you get back into the swing of things.


I see that smile.

Thank God for Family

Without family and loved ones, what good would holidays be? Even as I am in New York now and missing my family, it is a wonderful blessing to be missed by them, and so I am incredibly grateful for those times I get to come home and see my parents and my sisters. A great time to laugh and catch up on everything that's been going on. It's funny how you can keep in touch through email and phone calls and all that, but it's never quite enough is it? I don't think anyone will ever make an acceptable electronic substitue for hugs, kisses, and holiday meals. (Though consider that your story idea for the day. What if someone could create an entirely real virtual holiday experience...what would the social consequences of that be and how might it affect your character(s)?)

And it has been wonderful to see my girlfriend out here in Colorado, too. Long-distance relationships are rough, lemme tell ya. But it makes getting off the plane to see her all the more worth the guy snoring next to me the whole flight. My next excuse to get out this way will come at Christmas...I'm already looking forward to it. The daily job and weekly routine seems to go by slowly, and then these days that you want to last forever whiz by in a blink. A wonderful, heartwarming blink, yes. So, maybe the solution isn't keeping in touch more often, but getting the funding to develop a time dilation device so we can make these holiday weekends last for weeks and months. Though...that would be a lot of cooking.


I see that smile.

The Elements of Style- Free! Online!

A post-holiday note, as I am recovering from obscene amounts of tryptophan and so lack the energy to do more than punch out this post with my nose as I keel over to drool on the keyboard. Here is an essential writing tool and primer for all who claim the writing craft. Confused about commas? Serious about semicolons? Tired of the tacky little rhymes I'm coming up with? Okay, I'll stop and simply link to:

The Elements of Style, now online and free to access. Use it to double-check the apostrophe placement for possessives, or to figure out prepositional phrases. And check out the section that covers a mighty tool of our realm--learning to write in the active voice.

This will also soon be a link to be found under the Writer Resources page, so watch for the update on the home page. I hope everyone is enjoying the time off from work.


I see that smile.

Happy Thanksgiving

As I will be traveling back home today to see the family and girlfriend, I will simply give a quick Happy Thanksgiving to all!


I see that smile.

Music to write by

Pandora.com is an awesome music resource that my only problem with is that it relies on an internet connection. So when I tally-ho from the apartment, I can't take it with me. Still, it is a great way to tailor your musical tastes to whatever writing mood you are in.

If you think about it, music is basically audible energy. It can effect the thoughts and emotions, just like a wave (sound wave, get it?) hits the sand and can shape it. Moods affect thoughts. Emotions and imagination mingle so well...one could say they almost drive each other. So what better way to stir up the mix than music? I love some easy jazz or ambient tunes in the background when I'm on a writing roll. It can also be nice to jumpstart the thoughts by putting on some bouncier tunes, or maybe some more dramatic, inspirational soundtracks. With Pandora, I can tailor each "station" to my moods and never have to worry about shuffling CD's. Give it a try.


I see that smile.

For writers, night owls and narcoleptics everywhere

Got a deadline you need to meet? Wanting to indulge your night owl self and stay up writing all night, but have to go to work in the morning? Thank God for scientific advancements that may soon unshackle us from the bondage of sleep routine.

Read about it here

Someone better start designing the twelve-step addict program now, because this medication, once it hits over-the-counter is going to become the next pill-popping epidemic. Is it bad to admit that I'll probably be investing stock and will be the first in line? Nighttime just seems the best time for me to work. The day's work is done and there are so few distractions. What would you do with a few solid day's of consciousness?

And hey, this could be the very thing to free us from the tyranny of Starbucks.

I see that smile.

Every single day?

I know I just put up a post about how to every writer should give themselves a break between projects. A way to renew the imagination and all that. Well, this post talks about the exact opposite piece of advice. I believe both pieces of advice apply to those who want to make a career out of writing. How can that be, if they contradict each other? Mainly because the previous post was about advice that is an exception to this forthcoming rule...one which even semi-serious writers will hear sooner or later:

"Write every single day."

I'm trying to remember where I first heard this piece of advice. I do know that a few months after I decided to actually pursue writing as a eventual profession that this is the tact I would take. (this was back in the sophomore year of college) And since then, I have. Sure, holidays, sick days, etc. Those all come up. I mean, everyone needs a break from their work...and writing is work, but work I love.

Is every day equal then? Hardly. Some days instead of mining for literary gems, it feels more like squelching through the mud and coming up with a fistful of worms. Of course, if you want to take that analogy further, you could then use those worms as fishing bait for a better story haul. Or is that stretching the illustration a little?

But is it easy to write every day? No, of course not. It's a habit that must be built and a practice to be enforced, just like going to the gym to stay in shape. However, writing every day doesn't have to mean writing on your novel or short story. If you find those efforts becoming daily grinds, don't let yourself burn out. Take a day and fiddle with some poetry, even if you never actually intend to publish the stuff. Journal a few pages. Look out your window and describe what you see in excruciating detail. There are unlimited ways to inspire the words to come, so if one path isn't working for you one day, take the one less traveled and see where it goes. Then, once you've caught a breath of fresh air, you can come back to the main project with renewed motivation.

But just keep writing. That's the only way it will ever get done.


I see that smile.

Mythology addicts

I love mythology. If you haven't yet, browse over to my website and check out the Writer Resources page. There you will find a link to the Encyclopedia Mythica, a huge database of mythology and folklore information. I browse this thing almost daily. (here's the link if your finger is too tired for all that clicking: Encyclopedia Mythica)

Anyways, this blog is to let you all know I've found yet another site dedicated to tunneling through the must and dust of forgotten tales and polishing them until they are all shiny again.

The Mythopoeic Society

According to their website, "The Mythopoeic Society is a non-profit international literary and educational organization for the study, discussion, and enjoyment of fantastic and mythic literature, especially the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams. Membership in the Mythopoeic Society is open to all scholars, writers, and readers of these literatures."

They take themselves quite professionally, and so if there are any fellow mythology-addicts out there, this might be a resource well worth investing in, both for fun, and to spark all those wonderful story ideas already creeping around in your brain.

Oh, yes. And check out this site which is partnered with theirs. The Elvish Linguistic Fellowship. It's the fantasy version of learning Klingon. Has anyone come out with an Elvish Bible yet? I almost dread the day. Enjoy!


I see that smile.

Giving the muse a foot massage

Finishing the first draft of a story is like reaching the top of a mountain...a mountain you have been rolling a boulder up the side of. Yes, a very enjoyable, fulfilling boulder...but a boulder nonetheless. But now this boulder sits on the peak. The muse's feet are bruised, and its fingers are cramped. The boulder must be refined. It must be sculpted and chiseled down into its refined state (hopefully one worthy of being published). But before breaking out the hammer and etching acid, it's time for a foot rub. After completing a task like drafting a novel, it is necessary to give yourself a break from the writing task. There is a reason people say the mind is a muscle. Not only must it be used to be strengthened, but it also must be given a chance to recover from its exertions, otherwise it will lose all reserves of energy...or in a writer's case--creativity.

So what are ways that I give my brain a break? I go a couple days without writing for hours on end. Now, if inspiration does strike during this time, sure, I'll go until the flow stops. But I'm not going to make myself sit down and grit it out like I do every day during a project. Also, I do a few things I enjoy. I read a book. I treat myself to some sort of dinner I like...maybe Asian take-out, or a pizza. I watch a movie. I go for long walks thinking about nothing in particular. I just have a little fun and take the focus off of bending my head over the keyboard. I let my eyes lose their focus on the lands of imagination so that when I turn back to them later, I'll be able to bring them into sharper focus.

Never forget to rest and enjoy the freedom the writing lifestyle brings.

So today's link doesn't necessarily have anything to do with writing. But it is fun:

Calls for Cthulhu


I see that smile.

I have no lobster and I must scream

What is the first book that opened you up to the world of books? Can you hark back to yon years of childhood and remember when you first flipped to the last page and sat back thinking, I’ve gotta get some more o’ these book thingies?

I’ve been trying to remember. Most of them time I come up with The Hobbit, or the Chronicles of Narnia. I’m pretty sure it was one of those books, or series that introduced me…and even if those weren’t the specific ones, I know those are what ushered me into the wonderful realm of fantasy and science fiction, forever securing my devotion to flights of imagination.

I’ve read a lot since those first books dazzled my eyes. Mostly good. The occasional stinkbomb. Some masterpieces. I remember my mom’s befuddlement when I first started leafing through a tome titled The Lobster: Its Life Cycle. Yup. Complete with illustrations. I think I was eight.

Another fun note. A few posts back I mentioned Harlan Ellison (This Post), a grandmaster of science fiction. As I rummaged through the bowels of Amazon earlier looking for the lobster book of my childhood, I came across this little known gem—a computer game based on one of Ellison’s stories: I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream

Now, if that’s not a collector’s item, what is? It also works well with what I was saying earlier that even games can transcend being “just a game” if it has a solid story behind it. Pretty interesting that such an old game is still being sold, and at a price comparable to what any brand new game comes out at today. But I suppose it’d be worth it. Maybe with my next paycheck…


I see that smile.

Why do books fail?

Here's an interesting article by one Eva Shaw, P.h.D.

"Why Do Books Fail?"

http://www.evashaw.com/writingtips.html

After reading through it (which, I'm sure you've done), I believe the last point of them all is the most important one. In the number of conferences, pitches and workshops I've attended, if there is any one piece of advice I've heard given most, it is to persevere. You can have the most incredibly polished and well-written story ever, and if you give up after the first rejection, then it will never see the light of day. I met a pair of authors who between them had written over seventeen novel manuscripts before they finally got one accepted. And it is always encouraging to look at the statistics and see all the "classics" and bestsellers that were rejected time and again, but only came into existence because their authors didn't give up. In the meantime, while you are persevering until that fateful day, don't forget to use the time wisely. Revise what you have. Start a new project. Research the market. Go to conferences and polish your skill or learn new ones. Anything but thumb-twiddling.


I see that smile.

Babies born with extra teeth become extremely selfish

What? Didn't you know this? Do I hear a chorus of demands asking where I gleaned this little-known wisdom from?

Old Superstitions- A fun site that categorizes superstitions according to Good luck/Bad luck, Holidays, Animals, Weddings, and plenty more. Want to know how to tell which spouse will die first in a marriage? Why shouldn't you give a knife as a housewarming gift?

There's a new link on my website for this as well, mainly because it's a fun place to read through, and some of these zany beliefs and old-wives tales might trigger a little something in your brains for a story. There is just some weirdness we can't make up on our own.

Some of my favorites:

"Singing Christmas carols at any time other than during the festive season is unlucky." ...so what about blasting them in stores even before Thanksgiving hits?

"If you go to the bathroom in the night with no clothes on, insects will fall on you."

"If you see a magpie, remember this rhyme - One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret, Never to be told."

And finally..."If you go to a crossroads at Halloween and listen to the wind, you will learn all the most important things that will befall you during the next twelve months."

Now there's a story!

Here's another idea. In writing any science fiction or fantasy story, especially those that involve a never-before seen race of aliens or creatures, how might superstition play a part? Do these beings believe in superstition at all? How would it differ from the way we humans deal with it? Could superstition actually become the entire basis for a religion or cultural trend? Take that and run with it.


I see that smile.

A review of a book half read

I picked up Shadowfall: Godslayer Chronicles Book 1 the other day and have just hit the halfway mark of reading it to and fro on the subways. If you are out there looking for a good book to read, might I suggest trying this first in a series? Yes, many of you may have already gotten to it...I know the second book Hinterland: Godslayer Chronicles Book 2 is already out, and will likely be my next purchase once this first one gets to the end.

Why is it good? Well, you've got an original world full of Shadowknights, rogue gods, a well-thought-out system of magic based on the humours (or fluids) of the more settled gods, and a great story full of intrigue, tormented heroes, and lots of raw emotion that drives the story onward and upward....or deeper into the mire of conflict, whichever way you want to look at it. I've the instinctive feeling that I will continue to love the story and whatever conclusion it comes to, but if I'm proven wrong, I'll do a post to warn you off again. Fortunately I'm a fast reader, so if the ending is so bad it deserves a retraction, I could probably catch you before you swipe the debit card at the checkout counter.

It is very similar in style and feel to Elantris and Mistborn, two books by another favorite author of mine, Brandon Sanderson. I love to come across fantasy worlds that have been etched with great care and detail, as they serve to inspire my own imaginings and world-building efforts. So today's little inspiration comes from the fact that reading other's stories (especially the well-done ones, though poorly done ones do help show you what not to do) is a way to keep yourself motivated by either telling yourself "I could do that" or by saying "I hope I can be that good someday." May we all reach our dreams.


I see that smile.

Orson Scott Card: Books and video games?

"It's just a game." How many times have you heard someone say that, whether to a spoilsport loser or anyone else who wraps up their pride and self-esteem into the outcome of competition? But what if a game is designed so well that it truly does tug your heart and soul into it? Does it move beyond just being a game?

Building an Empire

This article shows how "Hugo and Nebula award-winning sci-fi and fantasy author Orson Scott Card" has crossed over media lines and has joined forces with an independent game developer Chair Entertainment to write the book Empire, based on the company's in-development video game.

Having been a avid gamer at one time or another myself, I would say the most successful video games out there also are ones that possess some of the more in-depth storylines and fleshed-out characters that populate them. Sure, some games base their success off the basic shoot-em-up, and other such genres. But that kind of mindless repetition comes cheap. What makes the more successful ones long-runners is that people get emotionally invested in them, just like...hey, the story in a good book! I believe this shows that the most important aspect of any story is the characters and how real and approachable they are in the reader's mind. It doesn't matter how unique your science fiction or fantasy world is (though that helps), or in parallel, how good the graphics are in a video game. What makes a good story capture the reader and shove their nose into the other world you have created depends on a large part on your characters, whether those characters exist in a book, a movie, or a video game.

At some point in the future I will go much deeper into actual characters and how I go about them, and why I hope it makes them more alive in the end. For now, this is a mild response to those who say video games have no value to them other than mind-rotting brain-candy. There are a lot of books that could be listed as the same thing. It doesn't mean we disregard the entire industry or genre.

And no, this isn't going to become a video game blog, but storytelling comes in all shapes and sizes and smells, and if there is a good story out there worth hearing, then should it matter what media it comes packaged in?

So, tell me (back to the topic of writing): Is there flesh on the bones of your characters? Or are they just skeletons in a very pretty world that requires an expensive graphics card? Am I mixing too many analogies here? Will I ever stop with the question marks?

?????....okay, I'm done.

I see that smile.

A science fiction legend speaks

Have you heard of Harlan Ellison? Go ahead and find every story and book he's ever written. Got them? Good. Read them. They're not all going to be the best story ever, but they've all got one thing in common. He writes with undeniable and unflagging passion.

He's loved and hated equally throughout the science fiction world, and if he ever catches you calling science fiction "sci-fi" (or "skiffee") he's been known to blast off the deep end. Renowned for his temper, lauded for his incredible stories, he is a literary legend, and that is probably an understatement in itself.

He also is very serious about the significance and impact of writing...not just his either. I came across an interview between him and Ronald D. Moore (screenwriter for Battlestar Galactica), and a particular quote stuck out to me, where Moore is relating how Ellison actually inspired his own career integrity many years ago. Ellison was addressing an audience of aspiring screenwriters, and I do believe that what he said applies to all writers, no matter the media or genre.

He said:
"Don't be a whore! Whatever you do in this business, don't do it for the money. Don't be a whore, it has to matter, have integrity, stand up for what you believe."

I think that deserves to be one of those inspirational plaques hanging over my writing desk. Might be a bit of a long quote, but it'd be a good reminder. Of course...since when do writers do anything for the money?

The entire interview can be found here:

Harlan Ellison interviews Ronald D. Moore


I see that smile.

Your own writing cave?

This is so stinkin' cool!

Hidden Passageways

Who hasn't wanted these kind of things built into their home? And for writers, it's the perfect way to preserve the sanctity of our writing spaces. Need to get away from the daily distractions? Just slip behind the bookshelf, or shoot down the chair-cushion slide into your custom writing office/cave/lair.

Having this could elevate the act of sitting down and writing to super-hero level. Now excuse me as I email them and ask for a mail-order catalog. Some assembly required...including a house. Hmm. I'll have to work on that.


I see that smile.

Adding color to a rejection letter

Dear editors of any and all magazines and/or book publishing houses:

I received in the mail today a wonderful example of how a writer can actually be encouraged by a rejection letter. Now, I realize rejection letters are the lumps of coal with which we writers build a big enough pile of our efforts so that, when the lighter fluid and matches arrive, makes the ensuing successes burn so much bigger and brighter. They are a fact of the writing life, and if there are any writers who have somehow come across this letter and do not accept that they are going to get rejected and be forced to listen to other's opinions that their writing isn't of acceptable quality...well, I say suck it up or quit. Anyways, editors, I know your schedules are busy. I know form letters are the mark of professionalism and efficiency, and I for one am actually happy at times to receive a rejection letter, because it means you at least took the time to validate my existence at all. But here is a nifty trick that this latest editor from Weird Tales used in rejecting one of my stories (which they did with admirable grace and diplomacy).

They used a different color pen, underlined a few words in the form letter, and signed their name in red. This showed me that a human soul did indeed give a few seconds thought and emotional anguish over turning my tale down. And I say without sarcasm that this knowledge means a lot to any writer, anywhere. (though I don't speak for any writers who don't want me speaking for them)

Am I making too much of too little? Perhaps. We're writers. Our egos are supposed to be bigger and more fragile than those huge Chinese vases you see in the museums (See a writer's ego here!). So make the photocopies, sure. Just toss aside the black pens. Blue is okay. Red works, but sometimes brings back bad memories of graded English papers. Green is nifty. Underline part of the letter. A single word will do, even if it's the Sincerely, or Insincerely part.

You'll be amazed how that small of a thing will turn a writer's frowny face into a smiley face, even when reading a rejection letter.

Sincerely,

Josh


P.S. I see that smile.

Emotional investment

For starters, a couple new links on the writer resources page.

And just to grab your attention:

(see the whole process of how this shoe was made here:
http://www.zoltron.com/shoeseum/)

Not much to say except that I'd wear 'em just to see how many people noticed.

On the writing thoughts for today--
I have been zipping through a couple of the climactic scenes for my most recent story, and I'm happy with where it's going and how it looks like it will end on a strong note. But I'm also happy for the fact that when I write the scenes I actually get anxious and excited. I find myself bouncing in my chair, grinning like a fool and having to get up and pace every so often. Now, have you ever finished a scene or a chapter and then sat back and went, "Thank God I'm done with that boring, cruddy scene and can get on to the fun stuff."? Well, I know I have. And then during revision time I, without fail, find it needs a major spruce-up or cut it entirely. If what you're writing is boring you just to put down on paper, how do you think it's going to affect the person who's supposed to eventually read it? I believe that to get an emotional reaction from the reader, we must invest emotion into the writing process, and a decent gauge for whether we are doing this is how we are reacting to what is flowing from the fingertips. So, yes, that is why it makes me glad that I have actually gotten jittery and smiled a lot, as a lot of action is suddenly happening and the villains are getting (and giving) their due.


I see that smile.

Where are the priorities, people?

It truly saddens me when I picked up the edition of the New York Post this morning and saw the two front page headlines. Now, the second headline, tucked into a nice box on the lower right, spoke of the Democrats regaining the House majority. For those of you who have yet to see this paper, can you guess what took the top headline with rather bold colors and...er...graphics?

Yes. That's right. Ladies and gentlemen...the top story of the day: Britney Spears is getting divorced! (http://www.nypost.com/seven/11082006/frontback.htm)

...chirrup...chirrup...

Okay. Are we so tired of the political campaigns and smear ads that this is the kind of story we are touting as headline material? C'mon. That's pathetic.
Heh, and you probably thought this was going to be a political rant, didn't you?

In more interesting news (maybe someone should've picked this as the headline) I met John Connolly last night and found him to be quite the charming fellow, and incredibly friendly to boot. The Black Orchid Bookstore (http://www.ageneralstore.com/) is a tiny two-story shop that specializes in thrillers, suspense, mystery and other such darkling books written by authors who have likely received bouquets of black orchids from giddy fan-readers. The evening was laced with wine, a crowd of about fifteen folks including myself, and of course many books being signed and lots of awesome questions and conversation about...what else? Books! Lots of fun, all around.

All right. I'm off to do some writing of my own. Wish me luck.


I see that smile.

Taxidermy by Dr. Seuss

Of those people who have existed with an imagination nigh unto genius, we should always remember to include the incredible Dr. Seuss, who introduced us, many times as children, to weird lands and twisted logic, learning mathematics according to one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, and the joy of simply exploring the wonder of the unknown. So in browsing about, I came across this site, which is, as one might guess, a bit out of the ordinary and reveals some of the critters and animals inspired by the great Seuss--animals you aren't exactly going to come across during a hike in the woods.

http://www.drseussart.com/taxi.html

In other news, I'm going to try and make it to the John Connolly reading and signing event tonight:

US TOUR DATES

NEW YORK, NY
Tuesday, November 7, 6.30PM
Talk and Signing: Black Orchid Bookstore
309 East 81st St (between 1st and 2nd)
NY 10028
Tel: 212-734-5980
Email: [email protected]

Take a look at his site (John Connolly) for upcoming tour dates and see if he is in your city. I've got my copy of The Book of Lost Things, which you can purchase here:
Amazon: The Book of Lost Things

So far it as an incredibly poetic and enthralling read. More on the signing tomorrow if it all goes as planned.


I see that smile.

World Fantasy Convention 2006

In cased you missed being able to attend (like myself), here are some updates from the World Fantasy Convention which went on this past weekend in Austin, TX. (http://www.fact.org/wfc2006/)

Congratulations to the World Fantasy Award winners for works published in 2005:

LIFE ACHIEVEMENT
Stephen Fabian
John Crowley

NOVEL
Kafka on the Shore, Haruki Murakami (Harvill; Knopf)

NOVELLA
Voluntary Committal, Joe Hill (Subterranean Press)

SHORT FICTION
"CommComm", George Saunders (The New Yorker 1 Aug 2005)

ANTHOLOGY
The Fair Folk, Marvin Kaye, ed. (SFBC)

COLLECTION
The Keyhole Opera, Bruce Holland Rogers (Wheatland Press)

ARTIST
James Jean

SPECIAL AWARD, PROFESSIONAL
Sean Wallace (for Prime Books)

SPECIAL AWARD, NON-PROFESSIONAL
David Howe & Stephen Walker (for Telos Books)

(as reported by http://www.locusmag.com/)

Apparently next years World Fantasy Convention is going to be in Saratoga Springs, New York. I'd love to get there if I'm still in the area (and maybe even if I'm not and can squeeze it into the budget). Anyone actually get there this year that wants to tell me what it was like in person?


I see that smile.

Sundays come neither before nor after

Are Sundays supposed to be the beginning of the new week? Or are they the end of the last one? Are they a day to reflect on the days gone past, or a day to prepare for the days to come? A Sunday like today seems a like having one foot in the future and one in the past. It is the seventh day...so you can't divide it. Six days before, an even number, six days after. Sundays are odd days, in more ways than one. We often think of Sundays as lazy days, sleeping in, sports, or church. Sunday is a border, a boundary, a transition time. These things have always been given a sort of power, especially in stories of fantasy and other worlds. We think of the border between the open land and the forest. The twilight between night and day, dark and light. The place where the ocean touches the sand, or the threshold of a home.

What does Sunday mean to you? How could you work it into a story? What symbolism or traditions do you link to this day of the week?

And if you are still looking for more story inspirations, check out this website:

http://www.newscientist.com/home.ns

Constant updates on modern science, technology trends and more. There's even a report on how there might not be any more seafood by the year 2050 due to over-fishing and pollution leading to the collapse of marine ecosystems!
(http://www.newscientist.com/channel/life/dn10433)
Wow...I'm not sure if that world would be worth living in. No more lobster? No more shrimp? Gah. Save the fishies today so we may eat them tomorrow, that's what I say. Just my opinion.


I see the smile.

Website update

Just a quick piece tonight to let you know of a few additions to the website. I've updated the Links section and the Writer Resources section to include a decent list of sites worth visiting, both just for fun, for readers looking for a new author to try out, and to writers who want to refine their craft all the more. For now, I also have a sample chapter under the Books section for my story, When the Six Bards Sing. I plan to get a short story or two and a poem up soon for your perusing pleasure, so come back soon!

Oh, and I did come across this site today that I thought a fun browse.

http://www.cryptozoology.com/

It is a database of all the "creature" news going on in the world today, handling everything from the Sasquatch, to Nessie, to the latest new species being discovered by the scientific community. All the mysterious cryptids that may or may not exist. Maybe a few stories waiting to be inspired as you browse through the weird animals, urban legends, and those articles that border between myth and scientific observation.


I see that smile.

What's your writing schedule?

This week was a killer. My department is finishing up all sorts of deadlines, which means my boss drops by every 30 seconds to drop off another ream of paper for me to scour for the errant or missing comma. It's amazing how many people can go over a piece of copy and still miss the most obvious error. Ah, well. The constant flow of work makes the day go by quickly. Now for the weekend and the copious amounts of sleeping in and other lazy endeavors.

I often wonder if I should regulate my writing times better. I know there are some authors such as Dean Koontz (www.deankoontz.com) who actually have a writing "work week." In otherwords, he writes during work hours, eight hours a day, Monday through Friday, and then takes weekends off. Others, like Neil Gaiman (www.neilgaiman.com) are amazed at people who work like this, and prefer to do sporadic bursts of insane days where they do nothing but eat, sleep, and write, with the first two activities being the red shirts of the expedition.

For me, I find it lies somewhere in between. I shoot for specific times during the day, such as lunchtime, or a couple hours in the evening in between dinner and bed. Normally I hit these time slots and find them productive. Other times, however, I know I won't get anything done during those times and have to carve out some weird hours to make it happen. I guess that's how a lot of my writing process happens...It's kind of like coloring within the lines, but refusing to use the color-by-numbers scheme. Instead, forget you 3=blue. I'm making 3 the new yellow. Oh, I'm a rebel!

And speaking of Dean Koontz, if you didn't notice me mention him earlier. Check out his revamped website! In case you are too tuckered out from a busy work week to scroll back up, here it is again:

www.deankoontz.com

He has got to have one of the coolest author sites out there, complete with a webcam interface with Odd Thomas, a character from one of his most popular book series. Pretty incredible. You can spend hours just browsing through all the stuff he has on his site. Enjoy.


I see that smile.

Anthropomorphic personification of ideas and the imagination

I love ideas. They so often take on a life of their own. They can be shy and hide in the corners or underneath the bed. They can be hellishly rambunctious children, knocking over the furniture and tearing around the house until you finally do whatever it takes just to make them shut up. Ideas can whisper in your ear all night, making it difficult to close your eyes, no matter how tired you are, or they can walk quietly next to you all day long, making people wonder why you have “that look in your eye.” Oh yes, and they can also drop on your head from nowhere and box you over the ears with cymbals.
Right now, I just finished scribbling down a bunch of events and plot twists that are going to happen next in the story I’m working on. I never even thought of most of this until the ideas started marching through my brain, blaring trumpets and throwing candy and colorful beads off the parade float. So I scramble to grab as much as I can before it gets trampled and swept away.
What forms do your ideas take on? What do you have to do to satisfy them, the grubby little dears? Write them down? Promise them free rent if they hang around until you are ready to use them? Stick them in a safety deposit box at your local bank? Delicately pin them to corkboard so they are preserved forever?
I believe if you treat your imagination and ideas as living, organic things that grow along with you, you’ll be able to approach it in a more satisfying way than if you consider your imagination as some “idea pump” that you crank and out spouts the next plot point or character to splatter on the page. Respect this elusive part of your psyche. Feed it every day and let it run wild. You never know what it might bring back to drop on your doorstep. Maybe it’ll be a dead mouse today, maybe it’ll be a string of pearls tomorrow.
The fact is you never know when or how the ideas will come. That’s all part of the fun.


I see that smile.

The eyegrease phenomenon

I was reading through the blog of U.K. author Kit Whitfield (http://www.kitwhitfield.com/blog.html) whose debut book Benighted recently was released in the U.S. Benighted is the story of a woman who lives in a world similar to ours...except in her world, the majority of the human population is lycanthropic. Werewolves. The minority who don't get furred up during the moon cycles are called "barebacks," and have to deal with all manners of scorn, prejudice, and brutality. It's an incredible read, so pick it up today.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345491637/ref=sr_11_1/102-3408146-1307326?redirect=true&ie=UTF8

Anyways, in reading her blog, she has an interesting collection of terms that define issues repeatedly seen throughout fiction. (http://www.kitwhitfield.com/lexicon.html) Check it out, because it's both funny and enlightening for readers and writers. In it you will find a term known as "eyegrease." Here's her definition:

"A thin layer of which is added every time you reread your work. After a while, there's so much Eyegrease on every word that your eyes skid all over the page, taking practically nothing in."

I see this a lot not only in editing my writing, but in my job as well, since I do a lot of copy-editing and proofreading. I read over something about twenty times and think it's perfect, only to have my boss come over and tap on my printout saying, "What's with this extra comma?" The only cure for eyegrease is giving yourself some distance from the piece that needs editing until your brain forgets what it was looking for in the first place, or to hand it over to someone else who has yet to become familiar with the words.

So there's my tip for today. Don't forget to sit back from the page every so often and let your eyes relax. Take off the glasses, give yourself an eyeball massage if you have to, and maybe stare out that window at that pretty yellow shiny stuff outside. Oh, yeah. It's called sunshine. I forgot.


I see that smile.