Friday, May 30, 2014

20k in May: YES!

Yes!
 I made my 20k in May goal! Finished it up after lunch... and then put in a few more k's just because the scene was rolling!
 Ooooh.... shiny conflict! ;-)

~  He stood, flipping his coat tails into place. "No, my love. The answer to that is no. It won't work... somewhere along the way she'll do something so spectacular that no one can hush it up, and then we'll have a fine mess on our hands." He stalked to the door and turned, his hand on the knob. "Not just for us, dear. But for all of Noren, as well."
He pulled open the door.
 "And now," he breathed deep. "I will go chop some ice." He sent a glare at his wife, and shut the door decidedly behind him.  ~  from Thaw: Winter Queen

  And coming up we will have some Q&As, some interviews, and quite a few more posts next month than there was in this.
  So, what are you looking forward to in June?

Monday, May 12, 2014

Killing Characters?


Came upon this interesting article from David Farland recently, Thou Shalt Not Kill.


 The subject is one that I definitely have strong feelings on and I've even had discussions with writers about this element. It is not to be used lightly, and I think I am almost starting to see it as a trap that eager beggining writers seem to be especially suseptible too. Is it the thrill of the kill, the initial rush of power that comes with discovering you hold these fictional lives in your hands?

 The power to make readers feel is truly amazing, and it should be respected and held gently, and not be abused for a quick rush of  reader wreching moment.

   Be brave! Be creative!
   Stand up for the innocents in your stories.


  What do you think?

Monday, May 5, 2014

Harsh Writerly Truths? Well, Bob Mayer's Post is Interesting

Sometimes we writers get to feeling a little claustrophobic, like we've been huddling in a dark closet so long that our eyes begin to play tricks on us and we can almost believe the entire world has gone dark and we're actually balancing on the top of the Eiffel tower.
 And if we move we'll fall a million miles to the ground and be crushed to death.

 (Don't tell me I'm the only one who has scared themselves near to death with an overactive imagination in the dark...?)

 Anyway, it's hard to trust who might actually be trusted out there... and sometimes we really do want some plain-fact truths to help us get our heads straight and... just reach out and touch that closet wall and reassure ourselves that the restrictions are to be worked within, not imagined away.

Recently, Bob Mayer posted a highly interesting piece on what he termed "13 Harsh Truths" about the writer's life.

I particularly like 4 and 5, particularly the last part of 4. There's no way all the people who claim to have a secret to successful writing, and will tell you how in their "How to Be A Successful Novelist" book, actually know how to be a successful novelist. A real novelist will more likely be writing that next novel... or not. Maybe how to be a successful novelist mostly involves selling a self-help book to writer's everywhere? Hmmm?
   Yep, there's a reason the Self Help section is considered the best bets by publishers.
   And yes, most writers will spend far more on books than they ever earn from books.
    But that just means you have to look beneath the layers when someone's trying to, literally, sell you something.

  But really, you should go take a look, 'cause all his points are thought-worthy.


     Did you read them? 
What do you think of the list?