I'm a huge believer in doing research. And I love it. The problem tends to be that I'll be writing along and think, "Hmmm. What river would he be near?" or "Would 'Whole Lotta Love' have been released by then?". So then I stop and look up whatever I'm pondering about. Which would be okay if I stopped at the one thing. But inevitably, a comment on the page I'm looking at brings up another question and off I go again. Three hours later, I haven't written another word.
Lately, I've tried to put in brackets where the missing info is and make a note to myself in my handy-dandy notebook to look up whatever it is I need at that point. Seems to work okay, although I still feel the pull to go look, right now.
Today I had some free time at work which wasn't long enough to do any real writing so I did some research on a book that may be the one after TNN or it may be the one after the one after TNN. In either case, I found some great stuff that I'll already have at hand when I get ready to write. One less interruption during the process.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
New AL Submission Trend
For almost a year, the number of submissions to Apollo's Lyre was low. And so was the quality of most of those submissions. I went to The Group on more than one occasion to beg for stories.
Within the last six weeks, I've received several really good submissions. A lovely trend to be sure. But there's a trend within the trend. Many of them are from overseas, particularly Israel. Which raises an interesting question: Why?
Bret, if you're out there, can you answer? Are we targeting this market?
And why is the writing so good? Or is it? Am I just impressed because the style is different from what I receive from 'local' writers? Or is there really a quality difference?
I'll leave that to you to decide when the next issue of Apollo's Lyre is published.
Within the last six weeks, I've received several really good submissions. A lovely trend to be sure. But there's a trend within the trend. Many of them are from overseas, particularly Israel. Which raises an interesting question: Why?
Bret, if you're out there, can you answer? Are we targeting this market?
And why is the writing so good? Or is it? Am I just impressed because the style is different from what I receive from 'local' writers? Or is there really a quality difference?
I'll leave that to you to decide when the next issue of Apollo's Lyre is published.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Bad Groups
I know Ali just posted on her blog about groups, but I'm going to piggyback on that.
I've mentioned before how much I appreciate The Group. My admiration is even stronger today after an encounter I had last night. Several people met at a restaurant in town. Most did not know each other. There was no real structure to the gathering--on purpose. For me it fell flat.
Most of the writers there are experienced, a few multi-published. Yet they seemed unable to maintain a conversation about writing without continued references to themselves. "In MY book, I...." They seemed to take it as an opportunity to promote themselves and their work. Now, that's okay to an extent, but not what I'm looking for.
Further, they seemed fairly clueless about what's in the marketplace right now and how the publishing industry works. And these were the published ones. They all have gone through small presses, which may explain why the promos. I don't believe that a writer needs to have the NYT bestseller list memorized, but at least have an idea of who's big at any given moment. And read something, for pity sake. In your genre and outside of it.
Okay, I feel a little better now. I did write and thank The Group for being the way they are.
I've mentioned before how much I appreciate The Group. My admiration is even stronger today after an encounter I had last night. Several people met at a restaurant in town. Most did not know each other. There was no real structure to the gathering--on purpose. For me it fell flat.
Most of the writers there are experienced, a few multi-published. Yet they seemed unable to maintain a conversation about writing without continued references to themselves. "In MY book, I...." They seemed to take it as an opportunity to promote themselves and their work. Now, that's okay to an extent, but not what I'm looking for.
Further, they seemed fairly clueless about what's in the marketplace right now and how the publishing industry works. And these were the published ones. They all have gone through small presses, which may explain why the promos. I don't believe that a writer needs to have the NYT bestseller list memorized, but at least have an idea of who's big at any given moment. And read something, for pity sake. In your genre and outside of it.
Okay, I feel a little better now. I did write and thank The Group for being the way they are.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Surprise and Satisfaction
I work for a small software company writing customer testimonials among some other duties. It's not particularly stressful work, but I do have a quota of one new testimonial a month. The one for this month is due so I've been reviewing my notes and trying to come up with an angle for it. I thought I'd be spending my whole day today working on it.
Then, just like that, all the pieces fell into place and the draft was done. It's now with my boss for review.
So I have some time to work on other things. Like my personal writing. And so far I have completed my outline and started the actual writing.
Sometimes things just fall into place.
Then, just like that, all the pieces fell into place and the draft was done. It's now with my boss for review.
So I have some time to work on other things. Like my personal writing. And so far I have completed my outline and started the actual writing.
Sometimes things just fall into place.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Patience
Most people who know me think I'm extremely patient because I can wait for something to happen without complaining.
Out loud.
On the inside, however, I am a very impatient person. This could be a good thing. I'm getting antsy about my writing. And my lack of time (or perceived lack of time) to do same. Work has been busier than usual lately and too many other things are claiming my after-work time. Must stop now. I have a great new story I want to tell--now, dammit!
Okay, will check in tomorrow with update on whether or not I actually get the words out.
Out loud.
On the inside, however, I am a very impatient person. This could be a good thing. I'm getting antsy about my writing. And my lack of time (or perceived lack of time) to do same. Work has been busier than usual lately and too many other things are claiming my after-work time. Must stop now. I have a great new story I want to tell--now, dammit!
Okay, will check in tomorrow with update on whether or not I actually get the words out.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Wild About Harry
We now interrupt our regularly scheduled reading to read the first six Harry Potter books--again--before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comes out next month.
Jenny and I may be the only two in The Group who are really excited about this final book. The others are subjected to our theories every month whether they want to be or not. Of course, with a couple years between books, the theories don't change much so I can sorta see why there are not-so-muffled groans whenever we start. But I think it's a testimony to the level of storytelling that adults are debating what may happen next.
I've said it before, but I'll put it here for the world, or the three friends who read this, to see: J.K. Rowling deserves every cent she's made and all the good things that have gone her way for making it cool for kids to read. That is a major accomplishment and one that every writer should thank her for on a regular basis.
But, you say, I don't write children's or YA books. So? The kids who were 12 when she started the series are now 21. I'm thinking they've probably moved on to adult fantasy or mysteries or mainstream.
So, thank you, Jo! Good on ya! Oh, and thanks for the fun books, too.
Jenny and I may be the only two in The Group who are really excited about this final book. The others are subjected to our theories every month whether they want to be or not. Of course, with a couple years between books, the theories don't change much so I can sorta see why there are not-so-muffled groans whenever we start. But I think it's a testimony to the level of storytelling that adults are debating what may happen next.
I've said it before, but I'll put it here for the world, or the three friends who read this, to see: J.K. Rowling deserves every cent she's made and all the good things that have gone her way for making it cool for kids to read. That is a major accomplishment and one that every writer should thank her for on a regular basis.
But, you say, I don't write children's or YA books. So? The kids who were 12 when she started the series are now 21. I'm thinking they've probably moved on to adult fantasy or mysteries or mainstream.
So, thank you, Jo! Good on ya! Oh, and thanks for the fun books, too.
Book Signing
No, not mine, but one for two friends from Pikes Peak Writers.
It was great to see how many people turned out for Giles Carwyn and Todd Fahnestock. They were signing Mistress of Winter, the second book in their fantasy trilogy. The two of them seem like very practiced hands at speaking to the readers, reading excerpts and answering questions. They must have been nervous, but didn't look it at all.
One more skill to learn. Some writers I've known seem to think that grammar and punctuation rules are all that's required. I don't think they even include the ability to tell a story. But those are just the beginning. A critical eye and the ability to edit, ruthlessly, are next. Then there's marketing yourself and your manuscript to agents. The ability to work with a lot of different personalities must be a big plus once you are dealing with the publishing house.
Now public speaking. Great. I realize that's probably a very long way off, but it doesn't mean I won't obsess about it in the meantime.
It was great to see how many people turned out for Giles Carwyn and Todd Fahnestock. They were signing Mistress of Winter, the second book in their fantasy trilogy. The two of them seem like very practiced hands at speaking to the readers, reading excerpts and answering questions. They must have been nervous, but didn't look it at all.
One more skill to learn. Some writers I've known seem to think that grammar and punctuation rules are all that's required. I don't think they even include the ability to tell a story. But those are just the beginning. A critical eye and the ability to edit, ruthlessly, are next. Then there's marketing yourself and your manuscript to agents. The ability to work with a lot of different personalities must be a big plus once you are dealing with the publishing house.
Now public speaking. Great. I realize that's probably a very long way off, but it doesn't mean I won't obsess about it in the meantime.
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