Jennifer R. Hubbard's Blog, page 137
November 16, 2009
Surprises
Sometimes, as I write, a character will do something I didn't expect. Or I'll learn something about a character that I didn't know before. I believe it's the subconscious at work, handing ideas up from the dark workroom in the basement to the sunlight of the conscious mind.
Sometimes the ideas are terrible. Many writers talk of the ideas they get while falling asleep, dreaming, or waking up. I get them, too, but they're mostly awful. I can't tell you how many times I've read a scrap of paper ...
Sometimes the ideas are terrible. Many writers talk of the ideas they get while falling asleep, dreaming, or waking up. I get them, too, but they're mostly awful. I can't tell you how many times I've read a scrap of paper ...
November 15, 2009
Disclosure policy posted
As reported earlier on this blog, the FTC seems to have reconsidered its original position that online book reviewers are endorsers. However, it is my understanding that individual bloggers who are not book reviewers per se are still subject to the FTC Guides.
As an individual blogger with friends and business connections in the publishing world, today I have posted the disclosure policy for my blog. I have done so in an effort to comply with the FTC Guides, as well as for the general benefi...
As an individual blogger with friends and business connections in the publishing world, today I have posted the disclosure policy for my blog. I have done so in an effort to comply with the FTC Guides, as well as for the general benefi...
Disclosure policy
As of November 15, 2009
In accordance with the FTC Guides (16 CFR 255), I am posting this disclosure policy for my blog.
On this blog, I discuss writing and books—my own and other people's. I express my opinions in the hopes that other people can relate, or to open up discussion about topics I consider interesting.
When I see a book that I'd like to recommend for one reason or another, I tag it as a "recommended read." Starting December 1, 2009, I will disclose the sources of any new "recommen...
In accordance with the FTC Guides (16 CFR 255), I am posting this disclosure policy for my blog.
On this blog, I discuss writing and books—my own and other people's. I express my opinions in the hopes that other people can relate, or to open up discussion about topics I consider interesting.
When I see a book that I'd like to recommend for one reason or another, I tag it as a "recommended read." Starting December 1, 2009, I will disclose the sources of any new "recommen...
Tasty
I've been reading Kristina Springer's The Espressologist, much of which takes place in a coffee shop. Here's a confession: I don't like coffee. So why is my mouth watering as I read? It's because all the drinks sound like desserts. Some of the flavors mentioned in the book, which are used to great effect: cinnamon, vanilla, mocha, mint, toffee. I've been imagining I can smell the coffee shop and feel its warmth.
Note to self: When appealing to 5 senses in writing, don't neglect the sense of ...
Note to self: When appealing to 5 senses in writing, don't neglect the sense of ...
November 14, 2009
writerjenn @ 2009-11-13T19:42:00
Anyone else recognize themselves in this fictional character?:
"... I stood at my bookshelves and waited for the right book to reveal itself." --Pamela Erens, The Understory
In the just for fun department, Diane of the Book Resort did one of those lightning-round-style interviews with me, if you care to check it out.
"... I stood at my bookshelves and waited for the right book to reveal itself." --Pamela Erens, The Understory
In the just for fun department, Diane of the Book Resort did one of those lightning-round-style interviews with me, if you care to check it out.
November 12, 2009
[more here]: First drafts
Elissa Cruz invited her blog readers to talk about their first-draft process. I'm very much in touch with that right now, because I'm working on a second draft. Nothing brings my first-draft process up close, personal, and in my face like a second draft. That's because during the first-draft process, I am all, "Tra la, isn't this wonderful, I am writing a book! This is the best darn book ever! I love it! It is my bestest friend in the whole wide world!"
I have to believe that in order to writ...
I have to believe that in order to writ...
November 11, 2009
Veterans Day, NaNo inspiration, and Nothing Like You
I'm appearing a couple of different places around the web today:
At AuthorsNow!, I did a Veterans Day post featuring Class of 2k9 author Rosanne Parry. She wrote Heart of a Shepherd, about a boy who keeps his family ranch running while his father is deployed to Iraq. Referenced in the post are some resource links Rosanne has on her website, including "Things a Kid Can Do to Support a Military Family," "How Teachers Can Support a Child of a Deployed Soldier," and "Book Recommendations for the...
At AuthorsNow!, I did a Veterans Day post featuring Class of 2k9 author Rosanne Parry. She wrote Heart of a Shepherd, about a boy who keeps his family ranch running while his father is deployed to Iraq. Referenced in the post are some resource links Rosanne has on her website, including "Things a Kid Can Do to Support a Military Family," "How Teachers Can Support a Child of a Deployed Soldier," and "Book Recommendations for the...
November 10, 2009
Details
This is how far down in the weeds writers get.
There's a character in The Secret Year called Tom. Except that sometimes he's called Tommy.
This wasn't careless inconsistency, but a deliberate choice. I've noticed that some guys who are called Bobby or Billy or Freddy when they're little take on shorter nicknames as adults: Bob, Bill, Fred. But often their families and old friends still slip and call them by the childhood name.
Tom is about nineteen, crossing that threshold into adulthood. His ...
There's a character in The Secret Year called Tom. Except that sometimes he's called Tommy.
This wasn't careless inconsistency, but a deliberate choice. I've noticed that some guys who are called Bobby or Billy or Freddy when they're little take on shorter nicknames as adults: Bob, Bill, Fred. But often their families and old friends still slip and call them by the childhood name.
Tom is about nineteen, crossing that threshold into adulthood. His ...
November 8, 2009
The writer goes for a walk
Random images from today:
November light through hemlock branches
Sparkles on the water
Papery, crisp leaves underfoot
The satin shell of an acorn
Fields bleached beige
One crimson berry on the end of a thorny branch
Sometimes you just gotta get out of the house.
November light through hemlock branches
Sparkles on the water
Papery, crisp leaves underfoot
The satin shell of an acorn
Fields bleached beige
One crimson berry on the end of a thorny branch
Sometimes you just gotta get out of the house.
Liking your characters
I don't actually like all my characters. But I love them. I understand them, I care about them, I'm happy when they live up to their potential and I'm disappointed when they screw up. At least, part of me is disappointed; the part driven by the Muse knows that they have to screw up in order for there to be a story.
Or, no, let me rephrase that. People (and thus characters) aren't perfect; they do screw up; and therein lies the story. I don't create character flaws; I find them. Or watch ...
Or, no, let me rephrase that. People (and thus characters) aren't perfect; they do screw up; and therein lies the story. I don't create character flaws; I find them. Or watch ...
