The Do's and Dont's of Conventions

Yeesh. Figures that the year I move away from Denver, Jim Butcher is going to be one of the speakers and attendees of the Pike's Peak Writer's Conference. I attended PPWC last year and had a great time, as well as the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer's Conference. Usually when you go to a conference, it's for one of two purposes. Maybe, like me, you had a manuscript that you wanted to be able to pitch to an editor or agent. You might've also gone in order to attend the numerous panel discussions and workshops. Either way, a good conference (note "good" as a requirement) can be a great investment for several reasons. First, it puts you in touch with people who work in the publishing industry head-on. You get to ask all those little questions that have been bothering you, like "Did you really mean to slash my feelings to bits with that rejection letter?" or "Should I send homemade cookies or a pizza with my manuscript proposal?"

Second, it gets you around other writers. Now, knowing how odd some of our number can be, this may not seem like an incredible opportunity to some of you. But really, it's a good thing. Writing is a solitary business, and unless you have a weekly writing group, discovering that there are people out there who go through a lot of the same creative lengths and experience some of the same "weirdness" that you do (like character voices talking in your head) can be both a relief and a great opportunity to make new friends in the craft. I know several people, including the woman who helped me design my website, plus another who has since produced an ezine for science fiction fantasy, mainly through meeting them and corresponding after conferences. You never know what opportunities you might be able to share, and it never hurts just to make a friend.

Lastly, conferences can just be a great way to recharge your inspiration and motivation. You often come away ready to throw yourself back into revisions, or maybe you even get an agent or editor to ask to see your first thirty pages. That's always a boost.

If you're planning on attending a conference this year, this link is a great conference primer on how to handle yourself, sage advice (such as, Do Not Swim in the Koi Pond), and full-out warnings as to people to avoid, or traditions to be involved in. This year can be that first time you break onto the conference scene, and you want to make sure you're remembered for all the right reasons. Not because of that tattoo on your left butt cheek.


I see that smile.

Ten Elements of Bad Storytelling

Hugo and Campbell award nominations are in. Check out the categories and the nominees here.

Brandon Sanderson (Elantris, Mistborn) is putting up a series on his blog addressing bad storytelling techniques that almost every author uses. But are they so bad, and what other options are available to us?

Check out the introduction to the instructional series and his first two points:
Overuse of Emotion

Coincidental Meetings and Discoveries

It seems a common point to these first two is that sometimes using these techniques is unavoidable for the sake of the story and plot pacing. However, balance is key, and overusing a technique sends it into the realm of cliche and melodrama. Also using them too much will give the reader more chances to be pulled out of the story.

Can you look at your writing and see techniques that you tend to use more often than you should? What are those glaring plot holes or weak spots that you uncover when revising a first draft? For me, sometimes I realize I've gifted a character with knowledge they shouldn't have, or learned way too easily for its importance, such as a bad guy's weakness, or a secret entrance to an impenetrable fortress. I gotta make these people work harder for their resolution. If I flick open a back entrance anytime the road gets rough, that's going to devalue any of their sacrifices or effort along the way to the reader.

What about you?

Oh, and because I know you've been dying to find out...here's what Twinkies are made of. What can I say? I do my part to spread vital knowledge around, kinda like rancid butter.


I see that smile.

Flash fiction fun

I've never really dabbled with flash fiction much. This is because most of my attempts at short stories usually end with me looking at pages of scribbles and thinking, "Maybe this will work better as a novel synopsis." I tend to overwrite, and so rarely do I hit the 500 word mark (or whatever upper limit denotes a flash fiction piece) and think what I have will work. I really only have one piece that falls under this category, and I made it sort of a challenge to myself to trim it down to the barest amount of words possible and still keep the characters and plot intact. It was fun, I sent it in (only after I decided there wasn't a good novel in it) and imagine my surprise when a magazine decided to pick it up.

Dragons, Knights, and Angels magazine (who has been incredibly good with response times, both for rejections and acceptations) will at some point be producing my story, Manikin, which should take you about 30-seconds to read. Hopefully it's worth a reread or two. DKA magazine is available both online and in print, so whatever version you enjoy more, be sure to support their efforts. If you want a sample of their contents, they have back issues listed on their website, with story and poem excerpts to tease you along.

Plus, even the smallest of acceptances gets me through at least a dozen future rejections without being bummed in the slightest. So, onward.


I see that smile.

Laugh...or else

Today, I bring to you links of humorous content. You will enjoy them, or else it shall be a sign unto all people that you have no redeemable sense of humor.

Ouch. That sounded a little harsh, even to me. Oh well. Deal with it.

For starters, Steven Brust posted a rundown of the philosophical approaches to changing a light bulb. My favorite is the Hegelian approach, simply because it's the one I understand the least.

There's a new video up for Calls for Cthuhlu. Episode 4. Though for some weird reason the guy sounds incredibly exhausted throughout the whole thing. Mildly funny.

And on an unfunny, but writing-opportunity note, there is a call out for submissions to an anthology titled Black Dragon, White Dragon. As the guy admits, he is obsessed with dragons in fiction, which is, of course, the theme for this collection. The reading period is open until August 1, so plenty of time to write and polish. The publication time is set for Sept./Oct. 2007. I had a story with a half-draconic cop in it, so I re-read, revised, and submitted it the other day. We shall see what happens.


I see that smile.

Taxes and heart attacks

I filed my tax returns yesterday and found out I've a little bit coming back to me, which makes me happy. Nothing better than finding out you're owed money for once, rather than having another bill to pay. The extra bit will probably go to the wedding prep or perhaps our new apartment when we find one, but it's good to have an unexpected financial buffer.

I also saw in my Net wanderings where a fellow writer asked about the "business end of authorhood." Someone in the forums there pasted a couple links on tax tips and tricks for writers and I figured I should pass them on. If you make income off of your writing (that is the hope, right?) you do need to account for it. Fortunately, it seems there are plenty of opportunities to make all sorts of nifty deductions with self-employed businesses and the like.

Here are the two links that were referenced there, in case anyone out there is in the midst of doing their returns and has always wondered how to fit their writing into yet another aspect of their life:

Taxes and the Writer

Taxes for Writers

And on an utterly different and disgusting note, I end this post with a link to hot dogs that have been filled with cheese, wrapped in bacon and fried. The perfect treat to help you overcome tax return blues, should you have them. This way you get a heart attack and can deduct medical expenses.

What? You don't think it's a workable strategy?


I see that smile.

Coping mechanisms

Oy. Another short story rejection. Though it's been a while since I've heard from a number of submissions I sent about...most about 3 months ago. This one magazine I know has been deluged with entries, mainly because it is new, yet very professional, and so of course pretty much every writer in existence will be trying to stake a claim on the first few issues. This was actually one of those "nice" rejections I've talked about before, where they gave me a little feedback. However, they didn't necessarily say how to improve the story, but rather suggested another magazine which it might fit with better. Very cool of them.

Ah, well. Time to check this piece out and see if I still think it's as good as I did when I sent it out. If so, I'll decide which magazine gets the honor of my submission this time. If not, then it's revision time, or maybe handing it to a few folks for feedback. Hmm.

It's funny, actually. I was just exchanging emails with another writer who has his agent shopping a manuscript around. He's gotten a few editor rejections, and has been dealing with the emotional aftermath of these. I can say from personal experience that, yes, it's rough to be right on that verge of getting a book contract and finding closed doors. Maybe novels have a larger emotional investment than short stories (wait...why am I saying maybe? I know they do).

I maintain that rejections have to be pretty sharp to pierce my skin and leave me a blubbering mass. Sure, it sucks, but if you don't let it stall your momentum, whether of writing or submitting, then all it proves to be is a momentary delay. I know other folks have a more difficult time rebounding from the blow. Let me say this...if you want to feel bad about getting rejected, that's fine. It's natural. But don't let it stop you from writing or getting your material out there. That's the worst thing you could do to yourself. The same day you get that rejectio in, dust the story off, pick a new market and send it back out as soon as possible. Then go in the corner, get the weeping out of your system and have a little ice cream. Whatever rejection-coping ritual works for you. But only after the story is no longer in your hands.

Just my take.


I see that smile.

Sunshine...It's good for you

Finally, some manageable weather here in New York. The wind still has a bit of a nip to it, but otherwise today is nicely sunny. People have emerged from their hibernation chambers (apartments) and are now frolicking through the park, using up their sun quota for the year. Oh, you didn't know there was a sun quota? Yeah, all of you healthy people have got to make it up for me, though. Want to know how much I've been strolling in the light lately? Let me put it this way. I got up the other morning to head to work and strapped my watch to my wrist before heading out the door. Then I realize the watch display is dead. My solar-powered watch had expired for want of a single ray of sunshiney happiness. Between taking the subway, being in the office, and then my apartment and bedroom not getting much in the way of natural lighting (plus lots of gray skies in the past couple weeks) I now have to set my watch on a windowsill like some potted plant in order for it to survive.

Aside from all that...

Writing status. I sent my lastly revised manuscript to a few folks who have been wonderful enough to agree to read it over for me. Then of course they'll set in on it like a psychotic surgeon doing a full-body transplant with rusty chainsaws. Should be fun. Just stay behind the plastic curtains and you won't get wet. I'll let you know how those reviews turn out and whether they send me weeping to a cliff's edge. Otherwise, I am once more sticking my proboscis to the grindstone and have selected yet another manuscript I feel has languished too long in my electronic dust bin. I'm about a third of the way through polishing it, though I keep spotting things I'd forgotten I needed to fix or work on, and so it will probably at least take a couple passes before it
doesn't pass for something I dug up from the backyard.

So, I am on to my daily avoidance of sunshine. You, on the other hand, should go fulfill your quota.


I see that smile.

Clickety-clack, all night long

You know that thing beneath your fingers that you use to make letters appear on your computer screen? Yeah. The same thing I'm using right now to post this blog. The keyboard. I've gotta give credit to Mir. She finds some of the coolest links out there. The other day she posted this:

Steampunk Keyboard Mod

Now I think that is pretty awesome. I would just end up being constantly afraid that I would hit a button and something would explode.

For reference, this is the keyboard I use. It is plastic coated, bendable, and almost silent when I hit the keys. This is a great benefit, since it means I won't disturb, say, my soon-to-be wife if I stay up late to write and she's trying to sleep...and all she hears is click-click-clickety-clack going on. Though the only downside to this one is I've used it so much the letters on some of the keys have actually been worn off. Fortunately I'm to the point where I don't have to look at the keyboard as I type, so that doesn't make too much of a difference.


I see that smile.

Storm the castle!

Since we seem to be talking about details this week, let me throw another virtual tome in your lap.

A Dictionary of Military Architecture

Let me pluck a couple of interesting entries from it to display here:

Parapet: (1) The top of a wall of either a fortification or fieldwork, either plain or battlemented. Used to provide protection to the defenders behind the wall. See battlement, crenel, embrasure, merlon, reveal. (2) A breastwork or wall used to protect the defenders on the ramparts of a fortification, either plain or provided with embrasures.

Machicolation: A series of openings provided by: building the parapet out on consoles, projecting beyond the face of the wall, the space between the consoles providing the openings for the machicolations; or by leaving gaps between a recessed wall and the buttressed arch standing before it. Projectiles and liquids could be thrown onto the enemy at the base of the walls, thus reducing the dead ground.

Are you using building terms that you don't really know what they mean, but you've seen them employed in other books to describe ancient houses or castles? Does your story have a manor under siege? A fortress that needs its merlons crenellated? Reference it all from this dictionary to make sure you at least sound like you know what you're writing about. Details do enhance the story, and if you lay in a few specifics about the very stones beneath your characters' feet, that can only ground the plot with a sense of realism, and maybe your readers will get a subtle sense of appreciation for a writer who does the fact-checking work for them.

The only thing I would say is most of the terms and definitions lack illustrations. Usually the explanation is clear enough that you can work it out without visual aids, but still, I think seeing the adornments and fortifications they're talking about would enhance the research all the more. Aside from that, it's a handy tool and educational spot.


I see that smile.

A night with the KGB

Last night was fun. It’s not often you get to visit a Soviet KGB themed-bar with a bellydance troupe performing downstairs. For those outside of NYC, the KGB bar does a lot of author readings, poetry performances and other theatrical venues to highlight both local and touring artists. This was my first time going to a reading, for every month they do one Wednesday night focused on Fantastic Fiction (aka, science fiction and fantasy authors). Last night featured the 2006 science fiction star David Louis Edelman, author of Infoquake, along with Carol Emshwiller, author and winner of the Nebula, Philip K. Dick and World Fantasy Awards.

The reading took place in the cozy second-floor bar where everything was red walls, red flag, and cherry oak wood. David read first, introducing his piece as having “no characters, no dialogue, no plot.” Interesting, to say the least. Mathralon (the title of his piece) is narrated from the perspective of a colony of space miners who are wondering at the meaning of their existence as a tiny cog in the vast mechanical network of a galactic empire. Do they actually have a purpose, or are they just grinding out their minerals for dead worlds that are run by automatons? Very cool. Afterwards he handed out signed hardcopies of the text, one of which I now have vacuum-sealed back at my apartment.

Then Carol Emshwiller read her piece about a runaway girl and her dealings with the Great God Clown, who makes life oh-so-difficult but also gives you a way to fix your own problems in the end. I loved the humor in this piece, subtle though it was.

Great readings on both ends. The whole time they were reading, I could hear the music from downstairs changing from Arabic wails to rock-and-roll thumps and techno speaker-chewouts. It added an interesting tone to the whole thing. I look forward to going back to KGB, though I’m not sure who is next in the lineup. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.


I see that smile.

Bring in a man with a gun

Does anything in your story go bang? Okay. Now cross out the hastily opened doors, the firecrackers, the spontaneous combustion, and see what you've got left. If any of your plot occurs in modern day, likelihood is, someone just took out a gun and shot at your protagonists. Or maybe you've got a showdown between some angelic SWAT team and some demonic drug runners.

But pause for a minute. You've got guns in hand. Bullets flying. The pages are about to get splattered, and someone is going down. Do you know what guns those hands are clutching though? Do you know the gauge? The refire rate? Automatics? Semi-autos? What's the kickback like? Any idea what the gun itself looks like? For the sake of giving your story a legitimate feel (even though, yes, I know...it's urban fantasy or some such...guns are still guns) it helps to drop in a few educated details about this impending gunfight. Something to convey to the reader that your character knows what they're doing when they draw that pistol whippin'.

Obviously, unless you've gone out to a firing range and shot a few models yourself (this not being a bad idea for those who like to immerse themselves in the writing), some of this you have to make logical guesses at. Nothing helps logical guesses though more than a little research.

So your link-doodle pleasure of the day is Firearms ID.
This site is an introduction to forensic firearm identification, and has a combination of fascinating articles on gun and ammunition manufacture, as well as historical observations of famous shootings, and even scenario playouts where you get to be the detective and try to determine who got murdered by what weapon. I know. Violent stuff. Nothing we ever want to get involved with in real life, right? But what's that famous writing advice? I think it's most often attributed to Raymond Chandler, and goes along the line of, "If you stuck at a point in your story, bring in a man with a gun."

That'll certainly spice things up, but you aren't going to have the guy toting a six-shooter with a sniper scope on it...or if he is, then you'd best know the reason why.


I see that smile.

The Unquiet

I feel more than incredibly lucky with my job in publishing. Anyone who works either with an actual publisher, or in a bookstore or any other facet of the industry knows the peculiar joy that comes with discovering and reading an author’s new book months before it’s available to the public. Especially an author we like.

Imagine my fiendish delight then when I came across John Connolly’s upcoming title, The Unquiet, being passed around, waiting to be given a home. If you’ve kept track, I’ve mentioned Connolly before on works such as The Book of Lost Things, Nocturnes and The Black Angel. I devoured The Unquiet this past weekend, and here is my preview for when it comes out in May.

Grab a copy off the shelf, give it to the unawares person standing next to you, and then grab another copy for yourself. The Unquiet is written in Connolly’s intimate, poetic style that somehow manages to chill around the edges, so you never quite know whether to be charmed or freaked out. This story returns with Charlie Parker, an ongoing Connolly favorite, who is a private investigator with a darker streak to his pelt, and whose past is beginning to catch up with him in unimaginable ways. Older readers will enjoy seeing some questions answered, but at the same time so many more doubts and mysteries are brought out. In the end, it’s left up to the reader to decide exactly how much of what goes on is actually real, or part of Parker’s disturbed psyche.

I’ve always enjoyed how Connolly walks a fine line between reality and that surreal edge where you can never tell if it’s wraiths in the fog, or just one cup of coffee too many that’s making you see things. Combine that with Connolly’s ability to turn the landscape and geography into something of a character all it’s own, plus his dropping in a breath of humor at just the right spots, and you’ve got quite a compelling read. This is definitely a slower-pace story than the last several Connolly has put out, but that gradual approach works in its favor, I think. It gives you time to digest everything that’s going on without feeling like you’re being jerked along by the upper lip.

So look for The Unquiet in May, or…if any of my friends in NYC want, just approach me and I can loan you my copy.

Enjoy the day. I’m off to rummage through book piles.


I see that smile.

Shoot The Good Guy

I have treat for Trixie (who is dog) if she would ever deign to visit this writer's (who am not dog) blog and snuffle around a bit. I don't even care if she leaves anything on the lawn.

And for those of you who think I've gone off the grammatical deep end, or wondering if I lost my medication again, fear not. I'm just excited to hear developments on the Dean Koontz front. If you, like myself, are a Koontz fan and don't know about his dog, Trixie, then shame upon thee.

For Trixie's latest monthly column, click here. Make sure you bring a treat.
(and the meds are right on the bathroom sink, I swear)

Aside from that, why am I so gleeful?

For starters, we've got news of Koontz's new book, plus the first two chapters here. It's called The Good Guy and it's coming out May 29 of this year. Thank goodness. Wasn't sure how much I could wait for another Koontz yarn, even after reading both The Husband and Brother Odd in record time. I was lucky to get both books out of the store before getting to the last page. I am in awe of this guy's ability to pace a story.

And furthermore, there's a contest you can participate in, should you desire a shot at $5k.

The Dean Koontz "Shoot The Good Guy" Book Trailer Contest

All ye must do, brave one, is create a 30-second video trailer for the upcoming book. There are a few stipulations on what the video must include, and then you must post it on the YouTube club devoted to this contest. Are you willing? Are you able? Are you daring enough?

Am I? I dunno. I don't have much graphical, gee-whiz-bang ability with video stuff, and the closest I have to any kind of video recorder is my webcam. So...I guess it depends on whether I get any great inspiration. Of course, reading those first two chapters provides some nifty ideas, but I'm not sure how people are going to react if I show up in a bar, toting a laptop and webcam while pointing it around and saying, "Okay, now how would you act if I was going to shoot you?"

I got hooked on Koontz ever since picking up The Taking, and have devoured at least 2/3rds of his entire body of works since then. There was a month or two where I read about ten or fifteen of his works, one right after the other. Also check out the work in progress of his remake of the Frankenstein legacy. Awesome stuff. I'm sure The Good Guy will be just as compelling and thrilling as anything else he's done.


I see that smile.

When strong writing isn't enough

Writing talent is all well and good. It takes a lot to develop consistently good, if not great writing ability. Those first drafts always tend to turn out very jagged around the edges indeed. But let's say we've got the writing part down pat. Aside from my belief that the moment one believes they've reached the culmination of their writing ability and don't have any way they could get better...that this is when their writing will suffer...aside from this, just assume that we've somehow gotten to the point where everything we write could be considered publishable.

Is this going to be enough? Agent Kristin Nelson doesn't seem to think so.

When strong writing isn't enough

What is this post saying? Nelson is saying that even for the strongest, most capable of writers, there are many more elements that go into the mix of getting published than simply one's skill at placing prose. You must consider, first of all, whether the story you're writing is in fact original enough to stand out. If five other novels have gone to market along with yours, and they're all basically the same story, then they are all going to suffer. This is why people like editors and agents watch the market and know what's swimming under the surface. The novel you've constructed may feel entirely original and fresh, but human minds tend to follow sometimes disturbingly familiar paths and there is always the possibility (no...I guarantee you that someone has thought about it before) that the same idea has occurred to someone else. Most of the time, you have the advantage because you've actually gone on and squeezed the idea out of your brain, letting the drops stain the page. Still, you can't stop someone from writing a similar story, especially if it's in a common subgenre...vampires, werewolves, heroic quests, etc.

Agent Nelson's solution, or more preventative measure is to be a consistent reader. Know what's out there so you don't end up repeating someone else's already published work to the chapter breaks. I would also add that you can do a lot of research to this end as well. You can check amazon for plots and keywords, seeing if there are books that mirror what you've been drafting and outlining. If so...well, you have a couple options. You can push on, believing that your writing is strong enough to overcome the similar plot points and make yours stand out to readers. You can stop writing it and work on something else. Or you can take what you have and twist and turn it into something entirely different. The last is the biggest challenge, I'd say, since it forces you to move beyond limits you didn't even know were there when you began.

Should we go into the writing venture afraid that everything we jot down is going to be paralleled somewhere else in our world, and so whatever project we finish will end up butting heads with some other genre brainchild? Certainly not. But it helps to keep our eyes open and never pretend that we're the only creative people on the planet. Fortunately we get to share this experience, and knowing this, we should take our growing writing strengths and push ourselves to even further reaches of originality. If we don't want to follow in another's footsteps, then we need to forge our own paths.

I see that smile.

Electric violins in the subway

It's weird. I can never quite decide whether I like writing to music, or if I need silence for proper cultivation of inspiration. Either way, I've always enjoyed unique music. By that I mean music that often combines various traditional or common styles into something new. Fusion of some sort. Whether it's jazz/techno, afro/celtic/synth, or classical Christmas hymns fused with rock'and'roll, I enjoy these mixed styles because they often bring a fresh energy to the musical genres.

So imagine my delight when I'm walking through the 34th street subway station and, lo and behold, there is a man playing a violin along with a rock beat. Not only that, but it's an electric violin, juiced up and skipping out of the speakers with an infectious energy. I don't often stop and listen to subway performers, but this guy caught my attention like none other, especially since his setup seemed a bit more professional than most who sit around underground. I got his name and liked him enough to research him when I got home, in the hopes of finding some more music of his.

His name is Lorenzo LaRoc, and apparently he's been classically trained in the violin since the age of eight. Now he combines that with styles like jazz, rock, and Latin music. Sounds like my kind of one-man band.

Here's an info article I found on him if you're interested in more. For me, I'm gonna try to get some more of his music to listen to while I write.

See (and hear) Lorenzo LaRoc playing in the subways. And here you can listen in on a few short samples of other songs. Let me know what you think.


I see that smile.

Talk like a thief

The Lexicon of Thieves Cant

Thanks to Kit Whitfield of Benighted fame for tipping me off to this link. I declare it one of the coolest things ever, and will no doubt endeavor to write a book someday written entirely in thieves cant.

For those of you who haven't clicked on the link yet, the lexicon is a compilation of terms and phrases once (and still?) used by thieves, con men and others of scurrilous nature. The first edition of the dictionary this is based on (Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue--A Dictionary of Buckish Slang, University Wit and Pickpocket Eloquence) was printed in the 1800's and reprinted a few times after.

I think thieves cant should become the next big slang fad. Come on. Are there any moon cursers out there who are up for making some noisy dog racket and then go see if we can't have a little fun with some milch cow before we burn the ken back to the dive? I call Dimber Damber. Just so long as we don't get cackled to some hamlet and end up on the deadly nevergreen.

I showed Jen this link, and upon seeing how delighted I was simply reading through it, she said "Oh dear. I'm marrying a geek." Well, at least she realized it sooner than later.


I see that smile.

Burnout

I’m not there, though I have been, and I never want to be again. But likely I’m going to run into this stage at some point along the way, and I need to be prepared to deal with it. I’m talking about burnout. It’s a symptom that can hit anyone, in any situation. Whether it’s your career, your art, even relationships. It’s the feeling that there is nothing left inside you. All the passion has been sucked away and you’re running on fumes, about to stutter to a halt. Where you once had a drive to accomplish something great, now…meh. Might as well go take a nap, because all you can do is sit there and stare at a blank screen, wondering why your mind won’t wake up. You go on a walk to hash out a new story idea, and all you come back with are sore feet.

I read another blog called DeepGenre, in which Kate Elliott discusses her experiences with burnout. I found my perspective to be pretty similar. I’m one of those writers who tries to do some writing every day. Applying myself to what some might call a daily grind is the only way I can get a steady amount of writing done over any period of time. Otherwise my enthusiasm for a project flags, or I lose focus, or I get distracted by too many other projects that muddy up the waters.

But anything you do on a daily basis is going to become tiresome at some point or another, even writing. Part of it, yes, is perseverance. Sticking through the low, slow points where writing a chapter feels like chewing frozen molasses. However, there is a time when one must step back from the page and realize that you’re scraping the bottom of the bucket, and it’s time for a refill.

My plan(s) for dealing with burnout before and after it hits:

1. Learn to recognize burnout. It might be easy for me to blame the lack of progress on a story due to writer’s block or burnout, when the fact is I just don’t want to spend the mental effort twisting up the latest plot development. But if I’m actually digging a dry well, then no creative effort is going to help until there’s actually something there for the bucket to draw up.

2. Force myself to take breaks. Even when I’m struggling to set a single word to the page, I have a hard time making myself step away from the computer to breathe. I like to maintain at least the illusion of productivity, but it can get to the point of straining a muscle. If you work out too much, you stop getting stronger and can actually damage your body. There have got to be times where I drop the weights take a breather.

3. Distract myself. I often have smaller projects lounging about while I’m focused on a novel manuscript. Short stories. Snippets of poetry. So if the novel is starting to become wearying, or I’m numbing myself by going over the same scene again and again, then, instead of taking a break entirely from writing, I spend a few days working on one of these other endeavors. I think this is a way you can delve into untapped creativity, by forcing it to rise to a different format or literary mode.

4. Write as much as I can while I’m immersed. I should continue to take advantage of the times when I’m in the writing flow, that way if I have to take a break, I’ll feel less pressure from any deadlines (self-imposed or otherwise).

There’s my approach. I also tend to give myself breaks in between larger projects, celebrate whenever I do finish a manuscript, and then give myself at least a week before I pick up anything else. Don’t forget to reward yourself for getting that first draft done. Even taking yourself out to a movie or ordering your favorite take-out can be a great way to encourage yourself to do it again.

I see that smile.

Wine comes in pints?

Wine Cellar Sorbets

Discovered this last night while running around getting groceries. Now, I'm sure this kind of thing has been around before this brand, or some variation of it.

The fun thing was, in taste-testing it, I expected something like grape sorbet, or maybe just something wine-tasting. How good could that be? But no. There's a reason you had to be 21 or older to even be given a spoon. Even with 3.5% alcohol in it, you could taste and smell the real wine that had gone into it. The flavors were distinct, and everyone gravitated from their favorite bottle names to their favorite pints.

They have a Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Champagne, Zinfandel, Merlot, and a few others. They even date the pints according to year.

You aren't going to feel anything from a pint of this, realize. Maybe if you spooned down a gallon by yourself on an empty stomach, you might get a tingle. But it still tastes pretty good. Maybe a pint of this would be a great way to celebrate finishing a manuscript? I'm sure you can come up with the proper occasion to pop the lid, instead of the cork.


I see that smile.

Folklore and Mythology

I'm willing to bet there is a term out there that describes someone being addicted to mythology and folk tales. I know it would certainly apply to me. Anyone out there want to tell me what I'm afflicted with, if you know the word for it? Here is the latest trough from which I am gorging myself on mythological trivia and essays.

Folklore and Mythology Electronic Texts

I'll probably make this a permanent link resource on the site, as it's hardly something you can exhaust in a single browse. It's got everything. Start alphabetically and work your way down, or skip around to the random link and see what you get from the grab bag.

For instance, there's Singing Bones. Folktales about murder victims, whose body parts literally sing out for justice.

And check out this beautiful rune stone artwork from one of the image collections.



















I find mythology an endless source of inspiration, aside from the fact that it can be fun just to browse through the endlessly unique and strange stories the world's cultures have birthed. We've been telling stories for as long as we've known how to wag our tongues. I hope we aren't stopping any time soon.


I see that smile.

A career plan

(Woken up by jackhammers literally right outside my window. That's always a treat. Though, some might argue that it's a more pleasant sound to wake to than my actual alarm clock.)

Now that I'm up...

I'm one to enjoy having a plan. I like knowing what the next step is going to be in most things I'm doing, that way I can at least mentally prepare for what's coming. I normally make up a rough outline for any novel manuscript I'm working on, even when I have to toss it halfway through because so much has changed. While I have it, that outline helps keep me focused and paces my writing over a period of weeks or months.

But what about setting my goals and pace over the next few years? I believe this link can be a good resource, if just a nudge in the right direction, for both unpublished and published writers. Many of us seem to be pursuing full careers in writing, with the hope that it will someday be able to pay our bills, or at least supplement a part-time job. That's a rough path to walk, but would it be any easier if you had even a sketched road map? A reminder of the various steps you should follow to keep the path as clear of debris as possible?

A marketing and career plan

This is hardly a comprehensive list, nor is it going to work for everyone. But what I see in it is a great way to at least prepare for some of the issues I may deal with when I finally reach that first book deal. It gives you a few insider points, like how to deal with bad cover art, marketing, and other steps you can take to at least be doing your part in getting that book into readers' hands. These are also bullet points that can apply to pretty much any manuscript you ever end up working with (aside from having to get a new agent for each one, hopefully).

I believe the more one knows about the publishing industry, the better you will be positioned to maximize the release of your book...not necessarily by pressuring the publisher to produce a higher print run or any such thing, but by becoming a vital link in getting that book out there, creating more exposure, and keeping your finger on the pulse of sales figures, publicity efforts, and so on. Sure, you don't want to start obsessing over those things and caring more about the money-making than the storytelling. Keep those priorities straight. However, if your goal is to make a workable career out of this, then treat it like one. Look ahead and figure out how you are going to set yourself apart in this hugely competitive field. Then, once you've done all you can, pray for a bit of blessing over those areas you have no control over, and enjoy being published in the first place. That's what I plan to do.


I see that smile.

Hidden time fees

Weekends are strange beasts. On the one hand, they offer the illusion of large amounts of free time out of the office, where one could potentially get a decent amount of writing done. It's like a credit card company, though. There are a lot of hidden fees that detract from the final amount of time. You get hit with those cleaning chores the apartment desperately needs. If you want a social life, this is a perfect time to get out with friends. There are errands to be run that you couldn't squeeze into the week. Oh, and didn't you want to take a walk while it's sunny out? Maybe go for a little hike or hit the gym? Then there's church on Sundays...plus wedding prep for me.

This all piles on top of the usual diversions, like television, email, web browsing, catching up with the family, and maybe playing an hour or two of a new game. And before you know it, it's Sunday night, and you need an early bedtime in order to be awake enough that you don't drool through the Monday-morning sales meeting.

Where in all of that does the writing fit in? Do you break it down and sprinkle it over short periods of fifteen or thirty-minute bursts? Do you carve out an hour block and strap yourself into the chair so neither you nor anyone else can drag you away? It's odd, because I find that I write more consistently during the week, when I've got a firmer schedule to work around. But when it goes all loose on me and I can decide whether to sleep in or get up at 6am (gah!) to work on revisions, too often my head votes for the pillow.

Part of it is the motivation. During the week, I have to get up and go, or else bad things happen. Like losing my job. On the weekends, it might mean eating lunch as the first meal of the day. I sometimes wonder if I shouldn't worry about writing less consistently over weekends and just relax, using the days off to recharge so I'm fresh to the page come Monday. That doesn't mean I still won't try to write, but I won't feel guilty if I come up with a lower word count, or if the events of the day squeeze the writing back until just before bed.

What about you all? Do you find there are certain periods during the week that are prime writing spots for you? Maybe you don't have any trouble at all sitting down at any point. What's your flow?


I see that smile.

How I spend Saturday mornings

It's Saturday. Early in the morning, by my estimate. Of course, early for me involves anytime before 1pm. Right now I'm gathering gear to go get the crap beat out of me in order to build my endurance and fighting technique. It may not sound like much fun, but once you get into that first adrenaline rush, it's actually quite comfy.

If the thought of me getting black-and-blued doesn't provide enough entertainment for the day, try this link on for size:

Top 12 Weird Japanese Inventions

I don't know who took the time to discover and categorize all this stuff, but you've got to admire them for having so much free time.

In other news, I've actually finished my latest story's first draft. It clocked in at 100,501 words, and is my attempt to transplant a more common fantasy element into a modern-day science fiction story. I'm going to let it cool off for a week or so while I turn my revisionist eye to an earlier manuscript, and then I'll come back and see how much work this one is really going to need. My guess? It won't be pretty, although I do find revising to be somewhat fun after a point. But hey, I'm someone who apparently enjoys early morning beatings, so don't take my definition of fun into account.


I see that smile.

The Scalzi Creative Sampler

John Scalzi, ever the shameless self-promoter who certainly abides by the principles of creating conflict and controversy in order to draw attention to himself, has put together a collection of some of his work. This collection is accessible online and, most wonderfully, is free. It includes a full novel, a few audio files, short stories, and even music. One of the more unique files is an electronica music track based on recorded sounds from Saturn.

The Scalzi Creative Sampler

This index will be updated from time to time with more material. I think I'm going to listen to the electronica while reading the short stories, and then have the audio novelette going in my headphones while I scroll through the novel. I'll let you know if there are any side-effects to taking concentrated Scalzi more than twice daily.

And, since I'm feeling like putting up a random link:

Fantasy E-Cards

Free e-cards you can send with personalized messages and optional background music. Most of it is enchanting fantasy artwork, such as--

(This picture reminds me so very much of my little sister...I'm sure this is how she sees the world.)


I see that smile.

The dukes of Hollywood

Here is an interesting article that showcases the battle over Hollywood that goes on between the polar opposite worldviews of Christianity and atheism. Oddly enough, the examples the article gives are movies that are coming from rather popular book series, one being The Chronicles of Narnia, and the other being a more recent publication, His Dark Materials, by Pullman.

Franchising fantasy: Will God or atheism conquer Hollywood?

A few other series are mentioned, most of them children's titles. There's the Cirque du Freak one, which I've heard about and seen, but never read, so maybe I'll have to pick it up. I find it interesting how so many children's books these days are swarming with much more adult themes, situations, and can actually be enjoyed by almost any age group that isn't offended by the word scrotum.

But going back to those first two...it is quoted that Pullman's His Dark Materials (which I have read, and enjoyed immensely) is a counter-cultural point to The Chronicles of Narnia. Now, we know C.S. Lewis wrote his stories from his perspective of faith, holding to golden themes of good versus evil and such, despite whatever other allegorical serum you wish to extract from the story. In response to this, Pullman says:

"I hate the Narnia books. I hate them with a deep and bitter passion, with their view of childhood as a golden age from which sexuality and adulthood are a falling away."

By the by, if you didn't know, His Dark Materials basically deals with the aftermath of God's death and the power struggle in the various heavens and earthen realms that ensues. Again, I will say it is an incredible story, strongly written and powerful. It saddens me to know Pullman takes such a vehement stand against other faith-based literature (since atheism is basically a system of faith by which one lives). Now both of these stories have either been, or are being made into films, and people are wondering which one will be more popular, which one will become a firmer bastion for the theological viewpoints that people pin on it.

My take is this: They're both good, if not great stories. Why must one fall to elevate the other? I read the Chronicles of Narnia both as a child and adult. As an adult, I certainly could perceive the elements of faith or symbolism (especially if I looked hard enough) in Narnia. And it's there in His Dark Materials as well, even if the flip-side of the coin. But that doesn't mean we should discard one or the other, or consider the one that doesn't match up to our faith of lesser value. Reading His Dark Materials was a great experience and showed Pullman's intensively creative mind at work. It didn't crumble my basis of faith. If anything, it made me go, "Huh...that's a unique perspective. Never thought of it that way before." Sure, both of these series are highly marketable to children, and upon reading them, kids may come up with some difficult questions. But use it as a learning experience, rather as a time to shield the child from differing viewpoints on life. Almost every person they're going to meet from now until the day they die will have some opposing opinion or belief. Books should be the last place that we need to make child-proof, with padded edges or--please, God, do forbid--book burnings.

Let the children read. Oh, and adults too, please. Now PG-13 movies? I guess that depends on your family standards, but that's another issue for another post that I'm sure I'll get up sometime in the next...oh...year?


I see that smile.

Squirrels and sheep

There are some disturbing animal trends breaching the horizon. The future looks bleaker than ever. I was holding out for a mutated lizard. Maybe an interdimensional portal that ripped the fabric of reality apart. Or, at the very least, Mothra. I never knew that the end would come from...Sheep! Nasty, ugly, bleating, smelly, genetically altered sheep. Oh, I rue the day I ever picked up a pair of shears. Admittedly, the last I did that was almost ten years ago, and from what I know about sheep brains and their capacity for long-term memory, I should be safe. But wait! Genetically altered. That probably includes an increase in mental awareness, perhaps even a hive mind so all wrongs done to them shall be avenged. I am doomed.

On a positive note, squirrels are now proving themselves to be productive members of society, as well as the teachers of the basic tenants of common courtesy.

Maybe not all is lost. Yes, I am getting some writing done today. Why do you ask?


I see that smile.

The midlist problem

What advantage do I, as an unpublished writer, have over a published author? That might seem like a ludicrous question. Being published is my dream. It is something I devote at least several hours a day to achieving in the not-necessarily-near future. Getting published for the first time is my break onto the scene, my chance to set my twinkling star in the sky and hope it doesn't burn up in the atmosphere.

All right. Enough. Answer your first question before we browse onward. Why would you, Josh, think that being here in the limbo zone of unpublishedhood gives you an advantage over those who have been ushered into the paradise of publication?

Thanks. Glad you asked. Unpublished authors, such as myself, and a few of you reading this, no doubt, still have the opportunity to refine our skills and create that genre-breaking story that can ignite a strong career. We don't have to care about critics trashing our follow-ups, or bad reviews to depress us and shatter our confidence, or sales tracks that bob and weave more than a hummingbird on heroin. All those things that might hamper future book deals. Why? Because we're still trying to hammer out that first one.

What changes when that first deal is made? Or even after that second or third book has gone through and the numbers are steady and strong? Is there anything wrong with having a solid, average sales list?

The mid-list

That link leads to a good posting about how more established authors sometimes have a harder time breaking out of the crowd. Their writing can be strong and full of creative talent...but each story they write seems familiar after a while because they're the type of stories that have sold well for them in the past...so why not keep selling the same kind of stories? Why take a risk of losing that audience you have worked so hard to build?

Because if all you ever do is stick to the familiar, you will never find the opportunity to expand your writing even more, and uncover an even larger audience than you thought possible from before. Sometimes to reach what is better, stronger, and more alive, one must let go of what is comfortable, steady, and assured.

So, those of us who remain in the nether regions, drawing our orbits in tighter until we are visible from the surface of the publishing world, let us take heed of this threat of averageness. Let us realize that it is a problem that could afflict any one of us. But now that we know it exists, we can prepare for it. We can vow, and do our best to uphold said vow, to never let ourselves get stuck in a writing rut. To approach each book with a fresh perspective, as if it were the first book you ever wrote. Make a commitment to remember that you aren't doing this for some steady paycheck. You are doing this to open up new worlds to yourself and the readers. But if each book and the ones after them are just rehashes of the same world or plot...then the colors start to go gray, and the air gets dusty. Don't let your work ethic drag just because you've broken into the leagues of the now-published. Work even harder to ensure that you don't get stuck on that midlist. Don't accept mediocracy. This is the best time for those of us who have yet to cross that threshold. We're able to still experiment and play around with bubbling cauldrons of pages and ink to see what explodes in our face and what just boils over.

Here is a closing quote from the post:

"I’d like to propose that this is what the top bestsellers...do all the time. They throw out all their previous notions of what works. What was their former success and they pretend like it’s brand new and for the very first time. They mimic the world and creative space of an unpublished, debut writer and the results can be stunning. They reinvent themselves by avoiding the tried and true and taking risks. Time and time again."


I see that smile.

A quest for knowledge

I'm sure most of you all have dropped by Wikipedia at some time or another. This free, collaboratively written encyclopedia is an ongoing project in community intelligence, where anyone with internet access can edit an article on any topic. With a self-regulating system in place, such as editing standards, the system still sometimes comes under attack by deliberate misinformation, article vandalism, and otherwise. But it's mostly a good source of info, plus you can search for random articles just to discover some unknown tidbit.

And now there's one made just for us science fiction fans.

Scifipedia

Developed and hosted by SciFi.com, this collection of articles ranges from categories such as ETs and UFOs to Anime to Fandom, Toys, and every sort of media joy that this genre has kicked into the public eye for so long. Randomly browsing through it myself, I saw that quite a few of these categories haven't fleshed out much yet. A lot of articles are just stubs--providing little more than basic info, if that. Want to do your part? Do you have what you consider encyclopedic knowledge about any section of the science fiction world? Weigh in and let us know what we're missing. Fill out a few articles, or correct someone else's mistake. Or, if you're an author of science fiction, then it's quite possible your name belongs in the registry. Jeffrey Carver posted a little while ago about his fun time adding himself into existence.


I see that smile.

Fantasybookspot

I believe I've mentioned Fantasybookspot.com before, as it is a great resource for book reviews on speculative fiction titles. Check it out again if you haven't been by there lately. They can help you figure out how to divvy up your book budget each month, plus they seem to get a lot of books in advance, so they can alert you on which ones to keep an eye out for.

The other reason I bring them up (again? or is this the first time I have? My brain is cousin to the slug this early) is that they constantly run little contests that could get you free books for pretty much no effort. Just go to the forums and look for the Contest and Rules section. They have a new contest every month, where all you have to do is send a private message to the moderator, and you are entered to win whatever free books they offer up. This month you could win a duo of signed titles: The Blade Itself and Before They Are Hanged.

Aight. I'm off to play dodgeball. I'll provide gruesome details later...if there are any.


I see that smile.

A contest!

A fun announcement to kickoff the weekend. Dragons, Knights, and Angels magazine is holding a short fiction contest. It's been open a little over a week now, and you can submit an entry until midnight of April 10th. There is both a small entry fee ($5), but a decent set of prizes. 4k max word count, all entries speculative fiction of some sort. This publication is also

First Prize: $60.00 and publication in DKA. And a bonus software prize: Character Creation for the Plot-First Novelist complete bundle (includes system and CharPick, Windows only), writing resources created by former NavPress and Realms editor Jeff Gerke of WhereTheMapEnds.Com.

Second Prize: $30.00 and publication in DKA. Also a bonus software prize: Character Creation for the Plot-First Novelist (system only)

Two Honorable Mentions: $20.00 each and publication in DKA. A singular bonus software prize: CharPick

I haven't used any of those programs, so I can't vouch for them either way, but I have used cash before and can attest to the joy of being able to pay for lunch. So, take that for what it's worth.

Ah, yes. There is something of a theme. Two of them, actually, so take your pick.
1. Secrets
2. New Life

Whatever story you submit must also fall in line with DKA's mission statement, seeing as it is a Christian publication (this is a good example of researching the guidelines before submitting to a market). I'm going to try and enter, though I am in the throes of finalizing the first draft of my latest novel, so if I can splice my attention away from that enough for the contest, then so shall it be. Otherwise, I will of course cheer for those who claim those prizes. Could it be any of you?


I see that smile.

Does writing require protection?

What happens if someone steals your story? What if, say, you posted a draft of your story on a critique forum and someday you picked a book off the shelves and started to flip through it. Then you realize you recognize everything but the character names. Someone kidnapped your plot, put some hair extensions on it and shoved it out into the world to tramp for the cash.

Is this possible? Is this something all authors should take steps to protect against? If you do feel like your blowing in the wind every time you send a manuscript to an editor or an agent, what can you do to reassure yourself that they aren't going to rip you off and make millions off your hard work?

First off, the chances are slim to none, I'd say. Sure, there are identity thieves out there making thousands and even millions off purloined credit cards and social security numbers. But that is an entirely different racket than trying to pawn off someone's artistic creation. Why? Well unless you're selling an advance copy of the yet-to-be-published Harry Potter manuscript on eBay, you've really no guarantee that stealing someone's writing is going to provide you with a story that's going to be published successfully.

Sure. You can take steps to protect yourself, but most of them aren't necessary. I've heard tell of writers who send proposals, samples and query letters to editors and agents, with written instruction to dispose of the sample chapters or manuscript

Realize that doing this might end up offending the person you submit it to. If you've done your research and know them to be a respectable publishing house or agency, why the display of distrust by demanding that they go to extra lengths to reassure you that they aren't going to rip you off? Is that really the basis you want to start a business relationship on? And how much of an ego does that show, as well? You're basically saying, Hey, my writing is so amazingly good and is obviously going to be the next [insert bestseller here] that you better wear latex gloves so as not to even sully the page it's printed on. Oh, and sign these twelve affidavits so I can take you to court if you even come near my artistic license.

If you're going to be putting your work out into the world in a more open-access medium, whether on your website or whatever, and you want to retain some modicum, or at least the illusion of control over the material, there's this. Creative Commons

Creative Commons allows you to label your work and apply any restrictions for distribution, financial gain (usually not something you're going to find by posting stuff online), and being credited for the work. It's a pretty informational website, and let's you set whatever limits you want in a legally binding way.

It's good to take steps to protect yourself, this is true. It's good to backup your writing (I do at least once a week) to keep from losing your material from a power short. It's good to know your rights if going into a book contract. Agents are a great help there. But don't let paranoia dominate personal courtesy, especially with those people you are trying to reach with your writing. If you put too many stipulations and restrictions on what you offer and how, then the likelihood is they won't even take the time to read through all the clauses before setting the work aside.


I see that smile.

Am I male?

Can you tell a writer's gender by analyzing their prose? According to the Gender Genie you can. By highlighting masculine and feminine keywords and applying this algorithm to the text, the Gender Genie makes a prediction as to the nature of the one who wrote the sample. Obviously, if you know what to write, you could skew it one way or the other. I promise,

My test:

Words: 1888
Male Score: 2161
Female Score: 1712

The Gender Genie thinks the author of this passage is: male!

And so I am validated. This little toy/tool reminded me of an essay Neil Gaiman wrote a bit back, talking about how certain books have a gender of their own. He looks at it from the perspective of who the audience of a book is supposed to be, as well as the process through which a novel is developed. Stardust, for instance, is a female book, while American Gods, as he says, is most definitely male. Is it the overall feel one gets while reading the book that makes them more one than the other?

What does the gender of a book determine? That a masculine story may be enjoyed by more men than women? There are certainly genres out there that seem to be gender d