S.L. Viehl's Blog, page 46
September 10, 2015
Just Write
Today I'm off to write something new and post it online before midnight. Everyone inclined to do the same is invited to join me.
My link: Due to work plus a vicious headache I only had time to write a couple pages this week, but here's a little more on Ghost Writer (click on the title to go to the .pdf), with new material beginning on page 122.
For more details on Just Write Thursdays, click here to go to the original post.
Image credit: windujedi
September 9, 2015
FYI
As of August 26th, 2015 I have terminated my agreement for representation by agent Robin Rue of Writers House. Since we've worked together since 1998 this was a very tough decision, but our contract prevents me from indy publishing, or taking on certain projects my freelance clients would like me to do. Also, as I am comfortable getting jobs and vetting contracts on my own now, I will not be acquiring a new agent.
There are lots of articles online about how to terminate an agent; Miss Snark has the simplest and most direct one here. It's not something you want to do on the phone, in my opinion, but if you're on good personal terms with your agent and want to have a dialogue about your reasons before you send the official letter you certainly can. No one likes being fired, but agents have to deal with it probably more often than any of us. Be professional, be honest but keep your emotions out of it, and you'll probably receive the same in return.
It can be depressing, especially when you've had only one agent as long as I have, but once you're ready to move on there's no point in dithering. It's best to make a clean break and get on with your career.
As for me, this was the first step to take toward indy publishing, so now I can move forward with my plans to pursue that. If all goes well with budgeting, and finding the right people to work with, I should be able to start publishing books under my byline in a few months.
There are lots of articles online about how to terminate an agent; Miss Snark has the simplest and most direct one here. It's not something you want to do on the phone, in my opinion, but if you're on good personal terms with your agent and want to have a dialogue about your reasons before you send the official letter you certainly can. No one likes being fired, but agents have to deal with it probably more often than any of us. Be professional, be honest but keep your emotions out of it, and you'll probably receive the same in return.
It can be depressing, especially when you've had only one agent as long as I have, but once you're ready to move on there's no point in dithering. It's best to make a clean break and get on with your career.
As for me, this was the first step to take toward indy publishing, so now I can move forward with my plans to pursue that. If all goes well with budgeting, and finding the right people to work with, I should be able to start publishing books under my byline in a few months.
September 8, 2015
PBW's Book of the Month
My pick for book of the month for August is Running Wild by Susan Andersen, a lovely jungle romp of a contemporary romance that I grabbed the minute I saw it at the market. I will grab any book this author writes, as she's one of the most fun and reliable romance writers in the biz (I also own every novel she's has ever written, and reread all of them regularly.) As a writer Susan has a marvelous ability to take your mind off your troubles, make you laugh and sigh over her quirky characters and delightful plots; she's also a terrific storyteller who delivers a lovely reading experience every time.For this novel the author takes us off to South America, where make-up artist Magdalene Deluca has traveled to look for her missing missionary parents. After a run-in with a local drug lord's leg-breaker, she's rescued by handsome Finn Kavanagh, who can't resist a gorgeous lady who seems to be even more free-spirited than he is. Begin the chase, play hide-and-seek in little charming towns with the leg-breaker and his buddies, add in lots of jungle, river rafting and adventurous romance and you've got everyone running wild.
There was so much to like about this novel, but I really enjoyed the characters, neither of whom were the usual default jungle-rom pair (brainy/scientific chick, mercenary/adventurer/wastrel dude.) I also appreciated that Magdalene's skills weren't presented as backstory or to make her seem more dimensional, and she actually used her expertise as a make-up artist on them both to get them out of some sticky situations. Although I didn't really find plausible her giving up her job and using her savings to rush down and save the uptight missionary parents who basically abandoned her when she was a kid, it was a necessary plot point, and the author didn't beat me over the head with it every other page, so I let it pass.
As any romance lover will tell you, it's always a pleasure to read a genuinely fun romantic romp, and Running Wild is the real deal. This book is also part of a series, but since it's only connected by characters you don't need to buy anything else to get up to speed.
Here's why you can buy a copy:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
September 7, 2015
Sub Op
Here's a rare open call for Christian-themed spec fiction anthology: "We're looking for speculative stories--science fiction, fantasy, horror--with Christian themes, characters, or cosmology. The story must have a speculative element. It needs something beyond the everyday. We love science fiction and fantasy, enjoy good ghost stories, and think there's great fiction material hidden in the mysteries of Christian theology--cherubim, leviathan, nephilim, visions, prophecy, and more. The story must engage with Christianity. We want stories with Christian characters whose faith affects their actions, with Christian themes such as grace and redemption, or with a Christian view of the supernatural. Note that we're not saying that you must be a Christian. We are not in a position to judge your faith, and won't try. Nor does your story need to be unambiguously pro-Christian. If you can tell a good story that meaningfully engages with Christianity, we want to read it." Length: up to 10K; Payment: 6¢/word (3¢/word for reprints), electronic submissions only, see guidelines for more details. Submission period opens October 15th, 2015 (do not submit before this date); Deadline: December 25th, 2015.
September 6, 2015
Off to Write
My final deadline of the week is due today (I had three on top of Erika since last weekend) so I am going to bail on you guys to get it done.
See you tomorrow.
September 5, 2015
Foot Shot Ten
Ten Ways Writers Sabotage Themselves and Their Work
(with possible solution suggestions)
1. Death by Critique: Your first chapter must be thoroughly critiqued by your best writer friend, your crit group, your mom and her friends, and anyone else you can think of who speaks English and isn't dyslexic; this so you can keep improving the same chapter over and over until you get sick of it and start writing the first chapter of your next story idea; lather, rinse, repeat for the rest of your life.
Solution: finish writing the story before you show it to anyone, even Mom.
2. Excuses, Excuses: You have more than ten valid reasons as to why you're not writing that you can recite on demand.
Solution: Oh, sweetie, we all do (I have at least twenty. Really good ones, too.) So you've got two options: 1) shut up, sit your ass down, and write, or 2) stop calling yourself a writer.
3. Heart Bookworms: You have been working on one vitally, important-to-you story that is all you can think about, may be your greatest accomplishment, and will take at least another year or two to finish.
Solution: Sadly there is no cure for Book of Your Heart disease, but to prevent your obsession from eating your brain, you can devote one day a week to writing something else -- anything else -- purely for fun.
4. Lit Churra, Sure: You are crafting a fiction experience that already you know very few people other than your Lit professor and that weird girl in the third row of your Advanced Eng Lit 3 class who never plucks her eyebrows can even begin to comprehend.
Solution: Write for your own pleasure, not profit. You'll be much happier. Trust me on this.
5. Me, Myself and My Ex: Every story you write is revenge for your break-up or divorce, cleverly disguised as fiction that features a protagonist who looks exactly like you, and with whom everyone in the book wants to have sex. Everyone.
Solution: The disguise? Not that clever. Separate yourself from the post-divorce vanity gangbangs, and write a story about non-human creatures, like dragons. And don't let anyone have sex with the dragons, okay?
6. Only By Committee Writing: A more virulent version of Death by Critique, which renders you incapable of making a story decision without first consulting your writer friends, your blog visitors, your online crit group, your Facebook friends, etc.
Solution: Disbanding committee writing is tough, but one way you can start is by unplugging from and staying off the internet while you're writing.
7. Perfect Muse Alignment: You can write only when your muse, whom you are convinced is the reincarnated essence/second coming/parallel universe projection of some long dead writer (usually Austen, Kafka, or Lovecraft), inspires you to write, which means you write for about fifteen minutes a month between crystal energy workshops, chakra conferences and past life readings.
Solution: Write a book about your muse. Seriously. Bet s/he'll show up more often.
8. Plotty Pants: You alternate between thinking of yourself as a plotter or a pantser (or both) which prevents you from developing a routine, working out your writing process or getting anything finished.
Solution: Pick one, and be that writer for a month. Then switch and write the other way for a month. Whichever one produces the best work, be that writer.
9. Workshopathetic: You are happy with your work until you attend the monthly writing workshop given by [insert writer organization], during which you realize all you've produced is badly-written crap that must be edited to death according to workshop presenter's opinions.
Solution: You are too easily influenced by the opinions of others who don't know you and have nothing to do with your writing. Stop going to the damn workshops and get on with it.
10. Zone Deprived: You only want to write when you are "in the zone" but you can't figure out how to get there, or how to stay there once you are.
Solution: Pretend you're in the zone. Nine times out of ten, working like you are will help you finish the story. We won't tell anyone you were faking.
(with possible solution suggestions)
1. Death by Critique: Your first chapter must be thoroughly critiqued by your best writer friend, your crit group, your mom and her friends, and anyone else you can think of who speaks English and isn't dyslexic; this so you can keep improving the same chapter over and over until you get sick of it and start writing the first chapter of your next story idea; lather, rinse, repeat for the rest of your life.
Solution: finish writing the story before you show it to anyone, even Mom.
2. Excuses, Excuses: You have more than ten valid reasons as to why you're not writing that you can recite on demand.
Solution: Oh, sweetie, we all do (I have at least twenty. Really good ones, too.) So you've got two options: 1) shut up, sit your ass down, and write, or 2) stop calling yourself a writer.
3. Heart Bookworms: You have been working on one vitally, important-to-you story that is all you can think about, may be your greatest accomplishment, and will take at least another year or two to finish.
Solution: Sadly there is no cure for Book of Your Heart disease, but to prevent your obsession from eating your brain, you can devote one day a week to writing something else -- anything else -- purely for fun.
4. Lit Churra, Sure: You are crafting a fiction experience that already you know very few people other than your Lit professor and that weird girl in the third row of your Advanced Eng Lit 3 class who never plucks her eyebrows can even begin to comprehend.
Solution: Write for your own pleasure, not profit. You'll be much happier. Trust me on this.
5. Me, Myself and My Ex: Every story you write is revenge for your break-up or divorce, cleverly disguised as fiction that features a protagonist who looks exactly like you, and with whom everyone in the book wants to have sex. Everyone.
Solution: The disguise? Not that clever. Separate yourself from the post-divorce vanity gangbangs, and write a story about non-human creatures, like dragons. And don't let anyone have sex with the dragons, okay?
6. Only By Committee Writing: A more virulent version of Death by Critique, which renders you incapable of making a story decision without first consulting your writer friends, your blog visitors, your online crit group, your Facebook friends, etc.
Solution: Disbanding committee writing is tough, but one way you can start is by unplugging from and staying off the internet while you're writing.
7. Perfect Muse Alignment: You can write only when your muse, whom you are convinced is the reincarnated essence/second coming/parallel universe projection of some long dead writer (usually Austen, Kafka, or Lovecraft), inspires you to write, which means you write for about fifteen minutes a month between crystal energy workshops, chakra conferences and past life readings.
Solution: Write a book about your muse. Seriously. Bet s/he'll show up more often.
8. Plotty Pants: You alternate between thinking of yourself as a plotter or a pantser (or both) which prevents you from developing a routine, working out your writing process or getting anything finished.
Solution: Pick one, and be that writer for a month. Then switch and write the other way for a month. Whichever one produces the best work, be that writer.
9. Workshopathetic: You are happy with your work until you attend the monthly writing workshop given by [insert writer organization], during which you realize all you've produced is badly-written crap that must be edited to death according to workshop presenter's opinions.
Solution: You are too easily influenced by the opinions of others who don't know you and have nothing to do with your writing. Stop going to the damn workshops and get on with it.
10. Zone Deprived: You only want to write when you are "in the zone" but you can't figure out how to get there, or how to stay there once you are.
Solution: Pretend you're in the zone. Nine times out of ten, working like you are will help you finish the story. We won't tell anyone you were faking.
September 4, 2015
Oh, Man
This lovely video reminds me of how much I miss my old trusty Royal Academy (with narration and wonderful typing sounds, for those of you at work):
Typewriter Man from Daniel Lovering on Vimeo.
September 3, 2015
Just Write
Today I'm off to write something new and post it online before midnight. Everyone inclined to do the same is invited to join me.
My link: More on Ghost Writer (click on the title to go to the .pdf), with new material beginning on page 117 (yes, I got up extra early to knock out some pages so you all wouldn't have to wait so long this week.)
For more details on Just Write Thursdays, click here to go to the original post.
Image credit: windujedi
September 2, 2015
Back & Books
I'm back from my catch-up hiatus, and the first news I got was that I scored this ARC from Library Thing's Early Reviewers program:
Since I'm a history buff who grew up in Florida, and loves the 1920s, I'm really looking forward to reading it.
I've also picked my book of the month for August, which was Running Wild by Susan Andersen. To give you the short version, this is a very well-written romantic suspense/romp through the South American jungle with lots of imagination and adventure, and I thought both the male and female protagonists were unusual and fun. I'll have more to say about this later on in the week once I get back up to blogging speed.
Finally, the book I've been waiting all year (and some of 2014, too) to read just released:
If you enjoyed author Anne Frasier's first two Elise Sandberg novels -- which were amazing -- you will definitely want to jump on this new installment.
So that's my news. What's up with you all?
Since I'm a history buff who grew up in Florida, and loves the 1920s, I'm really looking forward to reading it.
I've also picked my book of the month for August, which was Running Wild by Susan Andersen. To give you the short version, this is a very well-written romantic suspense/romp through the South American jungle with lots of imagination and adventure, and I thought both the male and female protagonists were unusual and fun. I'll have more to say about this later on in the week once I get back up to blogging speed.
Finally, the book I've been waiting all year (and some of 2014, too) to read just released:
If you enjoyed author Anne Frasier's first two Elise Sandberg novels -- which were amazing -- you will definitely want to jump on this new installment.
So that's my news. What's up with you all?
August 31, 2015
Off to Write
We made it through the storm okay, and I hope everyone else in the strike zone did too. The biggest problem for us was the lightning, which got scary a few times. All of the unplugging we did kept me from updating PBW, and now I do need to catch up on some work, so I'm going to bail on you all for a few days. See you once I get caught up.
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