OK, it isn't that big a deal, but I got my very first writing feedback today. As a bonus, it was positive! HAPPY DANCE!
Granted, it was feedback on the first two sentences of my work in progress, but still, HAPPY DANCE!
I submitted those two sentences in response to this compelling tweet: "RT @buffysquirrel: tweet openings to short stories to get my opinion on whether i'd read on; tag with #gudslush; please RT" It turns out that buffysquirrel is an editor at GUD Magazine, and they are currently accepting submissions for their next issue. Sweet!
Thus encouraged, I also entered the #GhostsOfBelfast twitfic contest. Writing very (very) short fiction is a really fun challenge. I highly recommend it to anyone who aspires to Strunk & White's acme, "make every word tell."*
*I think that's right. I seem to have mislaid my copy. Again.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Zzzz
As a little treat to my immune system, I'm going to bed early tonight. For your education and enjoyment, I give you this special investigative report on internet writing gigs by THE INTERN.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Venturing Forth
I want to take a creative writing class. I've been devouring every book, blog, and board I can find on the craft, which is like drinking from a firehose, but it can't quench that one most pressing need: feedback. I'm hoping that a novice course will straighten me up on the fundamentals, but above all be a good introduction to the crit group dynamic.
We have a form of group critique in my field. In my experience, it's the single most valuable tool for improving one's skills. I have high hopes this will be true for me with fiction crit groups as well. There's only one way to find out, right?
I've just started searching for classes, and am open to nearly any format. If you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear them. Thanks in advance.
We have a form of group critique in my field. In my experience, it's the single most valuable tool for improving one's skills. I have high hopes this will be true for me with fiction crit groups as well. There's only one way to find out, right?
I've just started searching for classes, and am open to nearly any format. If you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear them. Thanks in advance.
Proliferation
Many of my favorite authors are what you would call prolific. But there is a special kind of prolific that makes my head spin. To wit: I have never read James Patterson, but I'm also not sure he's an actual writer anymore. He has a contract for 17 books in the next three years, and according to this eye-opening little article will have had 22 for 2007-2009. Obviously there are co-authors and ghost writers involved. His name is apparently mostly brand.
As a reader I find this such a turn-off. To me, books are intensely personal. They are not commodities, and the author's name on the jacket means infinitely more than the imprint's logo. When I buy a book by an author that I like, I expect it to be written by that person.
Unfortunately, I'm in la-la land, for this phenomenon is as old as the hills. So I'll put it this way: I believe that branded series of books can be good (e.g. Nancy Drew); I just want the question of authorship to be honest and transparent. After all, Kate may not be my real name, but I can at least assure you there is only one of me. Instead of half a dozen people all writing as James Patterson, why can't their books just be "Developed by James Patterson", "Edited by James Patterson" or "Executive Produced by James Patterson"?
Perhaps I'll feel differently as an author someday.
As a reader I find this such a turn-off. To me, books are intensely personal. They are not commodities, and the author's name on the jacket means infinitely more than the imprint's logo. When I buy a book by an author that I like, I expect it to be written by that person.
Unfortunately, I'm in la-la land, for this phenomenon is as old as the hills. So I'll put it this way: I believe that branded series of books can be good (e.g. Nancy Drew); I just want the question of authorship to be honest and transparent. After all, Kate may not be my real name, but I can at least assure you there is only one of me. Instead of half a dozen people all writing as James Patterson, why can't their books just be "Developed by James Patterson", "Edited by James Patterson" or "Executive Produced by James Patterson"?
Perhaps I'll feel differently as an author someday.
Friday, September 25, 2009
The Honeymoon is Over
So far, it's been lovely just sailing along, typing scenes as they come into my head a la NaNoWriMo, but now my novel and I have to actually start building a life together. The plot points floating around my skull like confetti do not a novel make. I need to create a damned outline.
This scares the poo out of me. It's odd that it should, because I'm the High Priestess of Listmakers. My whole life I've been a positively OCD planner (a characteristic that has allowed me to get away with egregious procrastination in the execution department.) But planning prose? This seems somehow antithetical to my notion of creative writing. Is this why I like writing - the fact that prose is the one thing in my life that isn't planned?
Well, I suppose I could just write shitty stream-of-consciousness as a hobby and give up the idea of ever publishing. But first I'll at least TRY to create that outline. Wish me well (please).
This scares the poo out of me. It's odd that it should, because I'm the High Priestess of Listmakers. My whole life I've been a positively OCD planner (a characteristic that has allowed me to get away with egregious procrastination in the execution department.) But planning prose? This seems somehow antithetical to my notion of creative writing. Is this why I like writing - the fact that prose is the one thing in my life that isn't planned?
Well, I suppose I could just write shitty stream-of-consciousness as a hobby and give up the idea of ever publishing. But first I'll at least TRY to create that outline. Wish me well (please).
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Snuggie Haiku
BATHROBE BACKWARDS - HELP!
Must Remove To Get A Drink
now it's cold again
BATHROBE BACKWARDS - HELP!
Moron Disrobes To Go Pee
wishes for front slot
BATHROBE BACKWARDS - HELP!
Damn It Are They In Or Out
can't find the remotes
I'M BROKE BUT SO WHAT!
I Don't Have The Pink One Yet
only leopard print
'Conomy Must Be OK
they still sell like mad
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Happy Birthday, Mom
I've invited my wonderful mother to read this blog, and in honor of her upcoming birthday I want to share a little sort-of-anecdote.
I was recently talking with my best friend, who is a multi-published author with a contract for a series. She writes a lot. Her mother is also a published author. My friend described their lovely symbiotic relationship in which her mom proofreads all her work. (If you are the mother of an adult child, you probably understand why I say this is symbiotic.)
It's adorable, isn't it? And it would never, ever work for my mother and me. Yes, my mother is well educated, well read, and has never made a spelling error in her life, but she did make the mistake of passing her Stubborn Gene down to me. As a matter of fact, it is specially calibrated to respond to her own voice. My mother could gently suggest to me that periods should be placed at the ends of sentences, and I would argue with her.
"You just don't understand," I'd say, and then I'd launch into some inventive rationalization of why my prose is too special for punctuation. I am simply incapable of doing anything she tells me to.
She would have to employ reverse psychology to induce me to correct anything at all. "I just love the way you spelled archniods! That sounds much more spiderish to me!" She's probably had to do this my entire life, the poor woman.
I love you, Mom. I hope you have a fantastic birthday.
I was recently talking with my best friend, who is a multi-published author with a contract for a series. She writes a lot. Her mother is also a published author. My friend described their lovely symbiotic relationship in which her mom proofreads all her work. (If you are the mother of an adult child, you probably understand why I say this is symbiotic.)
It's adorable, isn't it? And it would never, ever work for my mother and me. Yes, my mother is well educated, well read, and has never made a spelling error in her life, but she did make the mistake of passing her Stubborn Gene down to me. As a matter of fact, it is specially calibrated to respond to her own voice. My mother could gently suggest to me that periods should be placed at the ends of sentences, and I would argue with her.
"You just don't understand," I'd say, and then I'd launch into some inventive rationalization of why my prose is too special for punctuation. I am simply incapable of doing anything she tells me to.
She would have to employ reverse psychology to induce me to correct anything at all. "I just love the way you spelled archniods! That sounds much more spiderish to me!" She's probably had to do this my entire life, the poor woman.
I love you, Mom. I hope you have a fantastic birthday.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Old Habits
Here I am on this blog trying to be a writer, and the other me - the one with the paying career and last name - keeps peeking in and wanting to play too. It's getting obnoxious.
You see, all this talk about the turbulent transition taking place in publishing is catnip to OtherMe. OtherMe is a Business Person, and a bit of a bloodthirsty opportunist, I'm afraid. OtherMe keeps pestering me with entrepreneurial possibilities and trying to horn in on my writing time. Since I can't keep my fingers in my ears singing la la la and write at the same time, I have only one defense - an incantation - and I hope it's strong enough:
No amount of money or success has ever, or will ever, give me the kind of satisfaction that writing does.
You see, all this talk about the turbulent transition taking place in publishing is catnip to OtherMe. OtherMe is a Business Person, and a bit of a bloodthirsty opportunist, I'm afraid. OtherMe keeps pestering me with entrepreneurial possibilities and trying to horn in on my writing time. Since I can't keep my fingers in my ears singing la la la and write at the same time, I have only one defense - an incantation - and I hope it's strong enough:
No amount of money or success has ever, or will ever, give me the kind of satisfaction that writing does.
Monday, September 21, 2009
I Promise
This is why I will never ask you to read my novel. (And this. And likewise this.)
Unless you are in my crit group.
(Anyone know how to find a good crit group?)
Thanks to Editorial Anonymous for another great link.
Unless you are in my crit group.
(Anyone know how to find a good crit group?)
Thanks to Editorial Anonymous for another great link.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)