Category: Writers

This and That

6/8/2014

I’m on a quest. The undertaking: get Nonstop to Nowhere complete and turned in for the Nightlife Anthology and a good, solid fourth draft of Obsidian done before our schedule fills up again in late June. That gives me a couple of weeks to make some good progress on my current writing endeavors without rushing through them. But isn’t that the trick, because once I get in, I want to keep going as long as I can before time runs out or my eyes feel like they’re going to fall out of my head. It’s a balance of attentiveness and patience, because you writers know how it is. Once you’re in a “groove” you don’t want to get out of it – so you wind out rushing when you meant to slow down and pay attention. I can do it. I know I can.

So we upgraded our phones, and I downgraded my alarm clock. Sometimes top of the line, high tech works for you, and sometimes it doesn’t. I envy those of you that have had the same alarm clock for 20 years, because I’m lucky to get 3 years out of mine. I even had one to start burning in the middle of the night! (I had a really good excuse for oversleeping and missing church the next day.) I don’t understand why alarm clocks die on me, but sometimes it’s better to accept what is and give up figuring it out. From now on, I’m not investing much in alarm clocks. I got a simple one from Best Buy for $20. Watch it last through the Apocalypse now that I wrote this paragraph and posted it online.

On the homefront: Rick, Zack and Chloe are doing well, as is my family. Mom and Dad are both enjoying Dad’s retirement. They say it’s good to have time home together without him being stressed out over long work days and deadlines. He still does an occasional project here and there, but it’s not full time – heck, it’s barely part-time, and they’re enjoying life. Rick’s father is a yo-yo. Between the recent brain surgery and dementia, it really is a “guess where it’s at today” game. Therapy continues and some days are better than others, but we’re told that’s to be expected. At least he’s been moved to a unit that specializes in dementia care – such as it is. I’m starting to see why the elderly complain about their medical care, because doctors definitely don’t seem to know what to do for them, especially where dementia is concerned. That’s been an uncomfortable realization that makes me more than a little nervous. But everywhere else things are rolling along this day much as any other, and we’ll take that.

It’s come to my attention through, shall we say, “alternative means” that some people aren’t sure “how to take me.” Straight is the best way, just like wine or whiskey. ;) Seriously, I know I’m a hard nut to crack, and I’ll share a secret with you on why: I’m a borderline introvert/extrovert. I know, of all the characteristics to be borderline on, it’s the one that probably has the biggest impact on character. Sometimes I don’t know what end of that fence I’ll fall on in a given day, so I understand that figuring me out is probably more work than people are used to doing. For this reason, I’m not exactly a popular person, and the “in” crowd doesn’t have much appeal to me, and I tend to be a type that stands alone and socializes here and there with lots of different people. But really, it shouldn’t be that much harder. Like all other people, I have a lot of interests, and it isn’t that hard to draw me out, whether I’m having an isolated day or an outgoing day. I even have a cheat sheet on some ways to get me chattering on the “About Me” tab on this website. Yes, I’m unique, but not impossible.

I’m making good progress reading through the A Song of Ice and Fire series. I’m about halfway through Book 4 now (A Feast for Crows). Game of Thrones fans, you really should read these books. They’re amazing. I know 5 books in a series looks like a lot, but you get hooked and read through it fast. Of course, my progress may slow down now that I’m diving into my writing and then things will get busy again late month, but we’ll see. If I keep my intended pace, I may have time to read, write, and keep things moving. It’s possible now that my TV shows are in reruns (except Game of Thrones, which only has 2 episodes left in their season).

And no conversation is complete without a mention of the weather. Well folks, it’s hot and dry in central South Carolina. Highs in the low to mid 90’s and the skys have closed up. After several weeks of daily rain in May, June has us parched. That’s typical for us. I’ll take the heat, though. All that snow, ice, and “polar vortex” crap over the winter was stupid. I’m southern, so I’m built to slow cook, not deep freeze. At least the world is alive in the hot sun with blue sky and green trees everywhere. I’ll take that over the chill and gloom of winter. But the thing I like best are the long days. Sunrise at 6:30 a.m. and sunset at 8:30 p.m.? Heck yes, I’ll take that. I love long, hot days! That’s when the world really does feel alive. One challenge I face, though, is with my work on Obsidian. That story takes place in January, so weaving a tale where you can feel the darkness of the story is kind of hard when reality is approaching the height of summer. I’ll work it out. No worries.

So there you have where it’s at in my world – just this and that, and all is well. I’m happy with where it’s at and I can’t complain. Life is good. I hope you’re all doing well. Take care, and have a great weekend.

Bye!

Writing Advice I Ignore

3/15/2014

Recently, I read the book Write. Publish. Repeat. I really liked this book, because it was filled with good, practical advice about how indie authors can build an audience and sustain themselves in the growing world of ebooks and self publishing. One big thing I picked up was the 80/20 rule they had, which I've seen other places. Basically, this is to find what yields the most results, and to spend 80% of your time doing it. Everything else, reduce to 20% so you aren't wasting too much time on things that aren't really helping. I've actually considered this over the past week, and it's already helped me to take a good, honest look at what works and what doesn't, and to rearrange my priorities accordingly. This may be good advice to apply to other areas of life as well!

There was one piece of advice there, though, that I simply can't take. I've seen it other places, and every time I run across it, it strikes me as absolute nonsense. It's the advice that writer's block is a myth, that there is no such thing as bad writing, and that you should power through it by writing every day until you produce a viable product because, with enough work, anything can be good.

And that's total crap. I have a hard drive full of reasons for it, if you want to see the proof.

Frankly, the "write every day even if you don't feel like it" advice is advice that I have to ignore because I don't believe it. Writer's block is quite real, folks, and any writer that actually has a life can tell you otherwise. In fact, writer's that have a life and livelihood besides their writing can tell you the truth about writer's block: not only is it real, but it exists in every other area of life too, just by a different name. Outside of the writing world, people call it "burnout." It happens when you've been working too hard and too long at something, and you need to step away from it for a while to get a new perspective and new ideas on how to move forward. We all need to rest, from time to time, and replenish our well of energy and creativity. Forcing yourself to power through this burnout doesn't lead to good, quality work that can be made good with any amount of revising, rewriting, or proofreading. Well, maybe it can be made better by rewriting, but for me that usually means utilizing the all-powerful "Delete" key, opening a new document, and starting over. Which I have done. A lot.

I think when they say that writer's block is a myth, they're referring to a kind of paralysis caused by fear of starting a new project. This is a different thing, because it's not really writer's block, it's a defense mechanism. When used as such then yes, it's a myth. But true writer's block that comes about after working on or completing a large projects (or a lot of other projects) is quite real, because the human mind can only produce so much before it needs a break from the same old, same old. The trick is to know what form you're really talking about: the form caused by burnout, or the form caused by defense mechanisms.

And alternately, not every piece of writing can be redeemed. Believe it or not, I actually wrote a sequel to Battleground Earth many years ago. Trust me, you don't ever want that piece to see the light of day. I tried twice to redeem that book, and it just sucks too bad to be done. I actually keep it to remind me of the reality of the fact that not everything can be saved.

I guess the point is that you have to find what works for you, because advice is just that: advice. Not everything works for everybody. Maybe "powering through" and forcing the writing works for some people, but it just doesn't for me. Seems I'm a kind that has to step back and experience life every now and then for the muse to keep working. That's what works for me, so that's what I'll do.

That's all today. Take care and have a great rest of the weekend.

Bye!

From Pedestals to People

10/30/2013

One of my favorite, all time daily devotion readings is the November 4th reading from Simple Abundance – A Daybook of Comfort and Joy. The devotion is titled “Return of the Goddess,” and in it, Sara Ban Breathnach gives the story of a book signing that she and her daughter attended, and the magnificence of how the writer, whom she refers to as “the goddess” is presented at the signing in an experience she refers to as “the rapture.” There’s really nothing spectacular about it, except that it is, to me, a great slice of life story of how writing can touch people, and have a profound impact on their lives.

This devotional inspired me in my early days of writing. At first, of course, I had stars in my eyes and hoped to one day be “the goddess” that touched lives so profoundly that people would set aside a day just for an opportunity to grab my latest book and celebrate the release through a signing. Things have changed a lot in the book industry since Simple Abundance was published in 1995, largely thanks to the advent and spread of ebooks, and I think it’s actually for the better. Writing is about creating stories that resonate with readers and live in their minds long after the last page is flipped, not about the pomp of fame and fortune. Over the years, my goal has shifted to creating stories that will resonate with readers, and ebooks give more room for experiences like the one described in this devotional. I think this is true with most writers, as it seems that the “big time” writers – and the book events they participate in – are diminishing in these days where technology makes having “the rapture” of a great book available anywhere. I think, in fact, that it’s best if writers integrate with life, and blend in with the readers they’re trying to communicate with. It doesn’t seem that the pedestals of yesteryear are conductive to creativity. In fact, being immersed in reality makes all writers better at their craft. You have to be a reader to connect with readers, and I imagine that would be difficult if you’re on a pedestal.

Yes, the book industry has changed, and I’ve changed as a writer. But that’s okay, and I think it’s a good change. Anything that makes it easier for readers to find what inspires and entertains them is a good thing.

That being said, I still enjoy this devotional. It’s a great slice of life story that reminds me of how important great books are to me, and to keep that in mind as I craft my own novels. My purpose is to add to the work they can enjoy and to inspire and entertain them, whether they think to look at who the author of the book is or not. It's about the story, not the writer. And that's okay with me - preferable, really. Because writing should be more focused on the reader and what they can gain from your story.

That’s all today. Have a great end of the week and a wonderful weekend.

Bye!

Must Read Books for Writers

9/15/2013

In this final installment of "must read" books, I'd like to offer suggestions that have helped me in my own writing and publishing experiences. There are a lot of books out there to tell you how to write better and get published, and a lot of the information is redundant. Save yourself some time and start with these suggestions to give you the basics that you need to get going:

Writing: Grammar, Usage, and Style (Jean Eggenschwiler, M.A. and Emily Dotson Biggs). The first and foremost thing you must know as a writer is proper grammar and spelling. If your writing is mechanically correct, you don't stand a chance. I know that reading should be about the overall enjoyment of the story, but improper use of the English language mars even the best of prose. This quick guide is a great refresher on the basics that will tighten up your writing and keep the "grammar police" quiet.

The First Five Pages - A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile (Noah Lukeman). This is the best treasure I picked out of the Barnes & Noble discount bin ever. Written by a literary agent, Lukeman tells you what it takes to write a manuscript that hooks readers from the start and won't let them go until they finish the manuscript. No, it won't guarantee that you capture a publisher or agent, but it will greatly increase your chances of being read and getting your foot in the door. It's good, sound, solid advice that will improve your storytelling exponentially.

The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published (Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry). Skip the other "how to get published" guides and get this one, because it has all you need. They tell you This book is a treasure trove of information on the publishing process and even includes the field of e-publishing, which is growing (and you would be wise to get up on) and using social media. It's a comprehensive guide that gives you all of the information you need on the publishing process, publicity, marketing, and book sales. In fact, I credit this book with helping me break into e-publishing. It's that good.

The Author's Guide to Building an Online Platform - Leveraging the Internet to Sell More Books (Stephanie Chandler). And I credit this book with helping me to build my online presence for my writing. This short guide gives you great pointers for getting set up online to sell more books and finding opportunities to promote yourself. It's valuable advice, because more books are sold online than in stores, and the Internet is always open, so it can always be working for you.

Writer's Market (Robert Lee Brewer). This annual guide is a master list of all book publishers and tells you everything you need to know about them: what they publish, how to submit, where to find them, and their requirements and guidelines. Of course, you still need to check the websites, as this information can change (and publishers frequently open and close to submissions), but this is a great index. If you find this master guide too overwhelming, you can also buy shorter versions that are broken down by specific genres. For example, I write fiction, so I find the Novel & Short Story Market Guide most helpful. The guides are updated annually and they also have a companion website to keep up with updated throughout the year (if you have a subscription). But the book alone is very helpful and can save you hours of research in finding places to submit your work.

In addition to these books, I'd also suggest that you read a book on how to write in the area that you specialize in. For example, if you write novels, then find a guide on writing better novels. If you prefer short stories or poetry, look for a guide on writing better short stories or poetry. There are many out there and a good reference guide on how to structure your writing for the particular type that you prefer helps greatly in creating a great story and becoming a better writer.

So there you have it - my "must read list." I hope you've enjoyed this short series of blog entries on what I think are "must haves" for your library.

Take care all, and have a great week.

Bye!

Paradigm Shifts

8/26/2013

On this, my 38th birthday, I find my self pondering the progress of the past year. I suppose this is a natural thing to do on a birthday. On first glance it could seem disappointing, as there are no "major" changes to report, but that's actually deceptive. There have been changes in the past year, but they've been more in the way of "shifts" instead of what could be clearly defined as "changed." I suppose this sounds somewhat elusive, so of course I'm going to explain.

The progress of the past year has actually been more in the way of building on things that have already been in motion. While it doesn't seem that much has changed - after all, life is progressing along very much the same today as it was a year ago - I can't say that I think about or feel the way that I did about life as I did one, two, or five years ago. In fact, as I ponder it, I notice that my paradigm has shifted quite a bit in the last 4 years. I suppose this is natural. My job changed and I finally broke into publication with my writing in 2010 - 2011, and while these things are "the norm" in my life right now, I see how incorporating those changes into my life has changed my view of life and the world. My basic morals haven't changed. That's not something that's likely to change. But the way you see the world around you and apply those morals can change, and I'm starting to see the evidence that it's happened. When you walk in faith long enough, you delve deeper into things, and that's certainly what's happened to me.

So how have I changed? For one, I'm seeing a whole new application of the concept of "reaping and sowing," as described in Galatians 6:7. You all know that this is one thing that my grandfather was a big believer in, and I took it to heart. But this verse applies to more than just relationships with other people and how you treat them - it also applies to progress and purpose in life. In fact, if you shift two more verses you'll read that "in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9) After several years of hard work to re-establish myself professionally in my current workplace and to get my writing established, I see the value of patience in all that we do. If life really is a series of ups and downs, reaping and sowing, then that has big implications for all of life. If we choose to only allow ourselves to be happy on the mountaintop, when we're reaping the rewards of our labors, then we're guaranteed to be miserable (or at least, withholding our own happiness) at least 50% of our life. Folks, that just isn't acceptable to me. That's not going to do it. Sure, there are some people that enjoy being miserable and whining and complaining to get attention, but that's not the way I choose.

I know from experience that there are blessings in every day because I've been through the major life changes when I looked back and realized that there were little blessings that I took for granted, and I was sorry for it. An example: before my writing was published, I used to do counted cross stitching and wrote short stories. Much to my surprise, I find that I have very little time for that now, between promoting my published works and creating new ones. I love my writing and pray daily that it will continue to grow and reach more people - in fact, I'm prayerfully striving to make a break into science fiction with Splinter this fall - but there are some days when I miss having the time to cross stitch, or to goof off on Writing.com with short story contests. I didn't realize how much time these things filled in my life until my writing grew to the point where I had to make decisions about what stayed and what went. I still stitch occasionally, but large projects are out now. And as for short stories, they take me longer to write, prepare, and complete than they once did. And ditto for the work move. I was glad to make it and still believe it was the best, but I didn't realize the little things I took for granted, like talking to a couple of my friends when things got slow, the great walking paths on the State House grounds, a covered parking spot or those outstanding subs for a great price on Tuesdays and Fridays. Yes, I've gained a lot through both changes. I wouldn't undo either of them or the world because I gained a lot more than I lost. But I did learn to not despise the small things, and to appreciate the small blessings that go with each day as well as the big things we work so hard to cultivate and grow in our lives.

Some people say this means to "enjoy the journey on the way to where you go," but I think there's a deeper meaning than that. A devotion I read recently said, "God doesn't want you to be happy. He wants you to do what's right." That really hit me and helped me to get a grasp on my own paradigm shift. I used to think that the point was about being happy, and I actually worried for a little while, wondering if I'd ever be happy like I was before. I see now that I won't, because happy is a side effect. The purpose of life is not to serve our feelings, but to do what we're supposed to be doing and work hard to do what's right for our purpose in life. If you are faithful in well doing and obedient to the spirit, there's a contentment to your life that nothing - situations, circumstances, or other people and their attitudes (because that really reflects on them more than anything else, but that's a pondering for another entry) - can affect. You can rest in knowing that you're doing all you can, and that allows you to enjoy the blessings of every day, large or small. And contentment is better than happiness. It's more stable, because you can still see the blessing in what you have even if a thousand aggravations are bleeding out of them. It's built on a firmer foundation that gives you the patience to hold out for the "bigger picture" even if you don't understand what the point is (as is often the case). It's built on a trust between you and the Lord and nobody else can put their hands on it. And that can give you the courage to do what's right, even in the face of ridicule, opposition, or doubt. Happiness is transient and comes and goes with circumstances. Contentment is faith in action.

No, the earth hasn't moved in the last year. Things look much the same today as they do every other day. But I know they aren't. I see how the work at the everyday levels is building to something new and better. I might not know what yet, but when it is revealed then I'll reap a reward in due season, and be glad I didn't lose heart.

That's all today. I hope you have a great week.

Bye!

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