R.M. Willis's Blog, page 3
October 28, 2015
I'm in Publishers Weekly!
Check out the article in Publishers Weekly that I was partially featured in!
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by...
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by...
October 25, 2015
Universal Truths for Writers part 5 of 7
You must learn to let go, trust your characters.
Arguably one of the greatest speculative fiction writers of all time, Ray Bradbury, said -"First, find out what your hero wants, then just follow him!"
While this can be easier said than done, and is often times frustrating it is vital that you trust in your characters and the process. I can't count how many times I had a predetermined plot point that I wanted my characters to go down only to find them resisting me the whole way.
What I didn't realize at the time was my characters were trying to tell me something, something important. They were telling me that this wasn't who they were, that this isn't a direction they would go in. In order to be true to them, and the personalities that they've developed I had to let go. I had to follow them where they would lead me.
This can be scary, not knowing where your story is going, but it can also be very liberating. By trusting in the process, and knowing that as long as my characters were acting true to themselves it made for a much richer and authentic story. It also came with the added bonus of wonder and surprise.
Since I only had a vague idea what was going to happen next it allowed me the opportunity to be surprised with what actually occurred. This makes writing so much more fun, because if you are sitting on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next, what do you think your readers will be doing?
I hope you find this helpful, and as always, thank you for taking the time to read it.
Arguably one of the greatest speculative fiction writers of all time, Ray Bradbury, said -"First, find out what your hero wants, then just follow him!"
While this can be easier said than done, and is often times frustrating it is vital that you trust in your characters and the process. I can't count how many times I had a predetermined plot point that I wanted my characters to go down only to find them resisting me the whole way.
What I didn't realize at the time was my characters were trying to tell me something, something important. They were telling me that this wasn't who they were, that this isn't a direction they would go in. In order to be true to them, and the personalities that they've developed I had to let go. I had to follow them where they would lead me.
This can be scary, not knowing where your story is going, but it can also be very liberating. By trusting in the process, and knowing that as long as my characters were acting true to themselves it made for a much richer and authentic story. It also came with the added bonus of wonder and surprise.
Since I only had a vague idea what was going to happen next it allowed me the opportunity to be surprised with what actually occurred. This makes writing so much more fun, because if you are sitting on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next, what do you think your readers will be doing?
I hope you find this helpful, and as always, thank you for taking the time to read it.
October 19, 2015
Universal Truths for Writers part 4 of 7
Always carry a notebook and a pen.
"Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any."
~ Orson Scott Card.
You really never know when inspiration will hit, however when it does you better be ready to write it down or it will be lost to you forever. It is of vital importance that you carry something, anything with you to record those moments when the muse whispers in your ear.
I can't tell you how many times I've been walking down the street, or driving on the highway, or eavesdropping on a conversation and had the thought strike me; say what a good idea for a story. Then by the time I got home and set in front of the computer it was gone. It didn't take me long to download a quick-memo app to my phone and to put a notebook and a pen in each car. Once I'd figured that out I now have literally thousands of story ideas to pull from.
Not all of your ideas will come to full fruition, most will remain simply a thought on a page. A precious few however will be played out in a short story or novel and you will have an abundant garden to harvest from when you need it.
I hope that you find this useful, and thank you for taking the time to read it.
"Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any."
~ Orson Scott Card.
You really never know when inspiration will hit, however when it does you better be ready to write it down or it will be lost to you forever. It is of vital importance that you carry something, anything with you to record those moments when the muse whispers in your ear.
I can't tell you how many times I've been walking down the street, or driving on the highway, or eavesdropping on a conversation and had the thought strike me; say what a good idea for a story. Then by the time I got home and set in front of the computer it was gone. It didn't take me long to download a quick-memo app to my phone and to put a notebook and a pen in each car. Once I'd figured that out I now have literally thousands of story ideas to pull from.
Not all of your ideas will come to full fruition, most will remain simply a thought on a page. A precious few however will be played out in a short story or novel and you will have an abundant garden to harvest from when you need it.
I hope that you find this useful, and thank you for taking the time to read it.
October 14, 2015
Universal Truths for Writers part 3 of 7
A Writer must intentionally experience what life has to offer.
According to Nobel Prize winning author Eyvind Johnson, "A writer's work often reflects what he or she has been exposed to in life; experiences which are the groundwork of a poem or a story."
Think about how difficult it would be to accurately describe a sunset if you'd never experienced one. To show not just the change in colors and drop in temperature, but the feelings that you have as you watch it happen. How can you as a writer evoke those same feelings and images in you reader if you have never been there?
Some might argue what about speculative fiction? How can those writers write about a time or place that doesn't or hasn't or never will exist? That is where experience and imagination co-mingle to produce something fantastic. One need not have been lost in space to have experienced utter solitude, and thus write about the subject with authenticity. Or been through a truly horrifying experience and translate that into the terror of a character facing down some blood thirsty monster.
The point is a writer with a rich life has better positioned themselves to blend those experiences with their imagination in order to provide an authentic mesmerizing story for their readers.
By experiencing life, interacting with real people and keeping yourself open to new and fantastic things you will have deeper characters, more beautiful settings, and a far more vibrant prose then those who shelter themselves from the rest of the world.
Thank you for taking the time to read what I've written.
According to Nobel Prize winning author Eyvind Johnson, "A writer's work often reflects what he or she has been exposed to in life; experiences which are the groundwork of a poem or a story."
Think about how difficult it would be to accurately describe a sunset if you'd never experienced one. To show not just the change in colors and drop in temperature, but the feelings that you have as you watch it happen. How can you as a writer evoke those same feelings and images in you reader if you have never been there?
Some might argue what about speculative fiction? How can those writers write about a time or place that doesn't or hasn't or never will exist? That is where experience and imagination co-mingle to produce something fantastic. One need not have been lost in space to have experienced utter solitude, and thus write about the subject with authenticity. Or been through a truly horrifying experience and translate that into the terror of a character facing down some blood thirsty monster.
The point is a writer with a rich life has better positioned themselves to blend those experiences with their imagination in order to provide an authentic mesmerizing story for their readers.
By experiencing life, interacting with real people and keeping yourself open to new and fantastic things you will have deeper characters, more beautiful settings, and a far more vibrant prose then those who shelter themselves from the rest of the world.
Thank you for taking the time to read what I've written.
October 3, 2015
Universal Truths for Writers part 2 of 7
Writers must read every day.
World renowned best selling author Stephen King said, "If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that." Most, if not all writers start as readers. We love escaping into a world other than our own, and eventually our imaginations take flight beyond what we've read and we become compelled to write a story of our own. However we cannot forget the importance of reading the work of others.
It's also VERY important that we read outside of our chosen genres. Why? Because it gives us a different perspective. It exposes us to ideas and styles that we wouldn't normally be exposed to. This will strengthen your craft and help you to avoid writers block.
I often find that when I'm stuck on a particular page, staring at the screen and willing the cursor to continue with the narrative it's best if I walk away. I need to either work on a different story or I need to read. By doing this my imagination will be rekindled and allow me to move on from where I left off.
So read, read voraciously, read as though your very life depended upon it, read like there is no tomorrow. Read and write every day, push yourself to improve, and look to others for inspiration.
Thank you for taking the time to read what I've written.
World renowned best selling author Stephen King said, "If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that." Most, if not all writers start as readers. We love escaping into a world other than our own, and eventually our imaginations take flight beyond what we've read and we become compelled to write a story of our own. However we cannot forget the importance of reading the work of others.
It's also VERY important that we read outside of our chosen genres. Why? Because it gives us a different perspective. It exposes us to ideas and styles that we wouldn't normally be exposed to. This will strengthen your craft and help you to avoid writers block.
I often find that when I'm stuck on a particular page, staring at the screen and willing the cursor to continue with the narrative it's best if I walk away. I need to either work on a different story or I need to read. By doing this my imagination will be rekindled and allow me to move on from where I left off.
So read, read voraciously, read as though your very life depended upon it, read like there is no tomorrow. Read and write every day, push yourself to improve, and look to others for inspiration.
Thank you for taking the time to read what I've written.
A Sad Day...
It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to sever my book Power Rises contract with Burning Willow Press. This was not an easy decision to be sure, but I am certain that it was the right one. Unfortunately it means that for a brief period of time my book will not be available for purchase.
I hope to have it up again soon either via self publishing or through another press. I know that the folks who will be publishing my novella soon may be interested, but there is no guarantee. Be that as it may I will strive to get it back out onto the market as soon as possible, and I am still diligently working on the sequel "Power Spreads".
To the thousands of people who have bought and read my book I thank you. I hope that you enjoy "Reckoning" as much, and that I can find a home for my "Ways of Power" series soon.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read what I've written here today.
I hope to have it up again soon either via self publishing or through another press. I know that the folks who will be publishing my novella soon may be interested, but there is no guarantee. Be that as it may I will strive to get it back out onto the market as soon as possible, and I am still diligently working on the sequel "Power Spreads".
To the thousands of people who have bought and read my book I thank you. I hope that you enjoy "Reckoning" as much, and that I can find a home for my "Ways of Power" series soon.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read what I've written here today.
September 26, 2015
Universal Truths for Writers part 1 of 7
I, and I'm sure you, have come across many lists on the internet providing platitudes of wisdom to live by. Some of them are useful, others are merely quaint, not all of them apply to everyone in every situation. So rather than try to offer up snippets of what I've learned to the masses, I thought I would try to focus my efforts.
I wear many hats. I'm a husband, a father, a son, a brother, and an uncle. I work for the government, supervise professionals, am on a management team, and am a servant to the citizenry. I read, critique, and write. I could offer advice to anyone who participates in any of these arenas, and I gladly open my arms to anyone willing to share what they've learned with me as I am far from an expert in anything.
To try and speak to all of these at once would be a truly daunting task. While interrelated, none of them is exactly the same and each requires a very different set of skills to be successful. Given the fact that this is a Goodreads blog, and those reading it are most apt to be familiar with me because of my writing, I will attempt to offer up what I have found to be 7 universal truths for all writers everywhere.
I hope you find them useful.
The first universal truth for writers is that you must never stop learning. Albert Einstein said, "Once you stop learning, you start dying." As a writer it is important to continually learn. You must learn the craft, take writing classes, participate in seminars and conventions. For example right now I'm taking a course titled How Writers Write Fiction, being conducted by the University of Iowa. The fact that I'm a published author does not give me permission to close myself off to what a class like this has to offer.
Furthermore writers must research EVERYTHING. We have to learn our subjects, and content so that we can speak with truth and authority. Our readers expect us to deliver stories with authenticity, and if we fail to learn the setting, characters, and facts that create our stories then our readers will know and they will not be forgiving.
Thank you for taking the time to read what I've written. Tune in next week for part 2.
I wear many hats. I'm a husband, a father, a son, a brother, and an uncle. I work for the government, supervise professionals, am on a management team, and am a servant to the citizenry. I read, critique, and write. I could offer advice to anyone who participates in any of these arenas, and I gladly open my arms to anyone willing to share what they've learned with me as I am far from an expert in anything.
To try and speak to all of these at once would be a truly daunting task. While interrelated, none of them is exactly the same and each requires a very different set of skills to be successful. Given the fact that this is a Goodreads blog, and those reading it are most apt to be familiar with me because of my writing, I will attempt to offer up what I have found to be 7 universal truths for all writers everywhere.
I hope you find them useful.
The first universal truth for writers is that you must never stop learning. Albert Einstein said, "Once you stop learning, you start dying." As a writer it is important to continually learn. You must learn the craft, take writing classes, participate in seminars and conventions. For example right now I'm taking a course titled How Writers Write Fiction, being conducted by the University of Iowa. The fact that I'm a published author does not give me permission to close myself off to what a class like this has to offer.
Furthermore writers must research EVERYTHING. We have to learn our subjects, and content so that we can speak with truth and authority. Our readers expect us to deliver stories with authenticity, and if we fail to learn the setting, characters, and facts that create our stories then our readers will know and they will not be forgiving.
Thank you for taking the time to read what I've written. Tune in next week for part 2.
September 21, 2015
Always Busy
It's amazing to me how busy life can get. I always mean to sit down and write a blog post, or a short story, or add another chapter to my book, or work on an article for some media outlet, but always being pulled in one direction or another leaves little time to focus on what's important. And, that's just with writing. That doesn't even account for my "day job" or time with family and friends.
I wonder how some people manage to pull it all off so smoothly. Or are they panicking with the rising tide as I am, but less vocal about it?
For those of you that do read this blog routinely I'm sorry it's been so long since I've added any content. I'm even more sorry to all of my FaceBook friends and Twitter followers who haven't seen me post anything in months. I've had a bit of social media anxiety which I hope to have resolved shortly.
I know this is a short one, but at least I've said something. Now it's time to get back to work. I will hopefully have news about a new article being published that I submitted last night to the Overland Journal in Australia. I pitched them the idea about two weeks ago, and they accepted the pitch and asked me to produce the article. Yesterday was the deadline and I got it in on time so hopefully it will go live shortly.
I hope life is good for you all right now, and as always thank you for taking the time to read what I've written.
I wonder how some people manage to pull it all off so smoothly. Or are they panicking with the rising tide as I am, but less vocal about it?
For those of you that do read this blog routinely I'm sorry it's been so long since I've added any content. I'm even more sorry to all of my FaceBook friends and Twitter followers who haven't seen me post anything in months. I've had a bit of social media anxiety which I hope to have resolved shortly.
I know this is a short one, but at least I've said something. Now it's time to get back to work. I will hopefully have news about a new article being published that I submitted last night to the Overland Journal in Australia. I pitched them the idea about two weeks ago, and they accepted the pitch and asked me to produce the article. Yesterday was the deadline and I got it in on time so hopefully it will go live shortly.
I hope life is good for you all right now, and as always thank you for taking the time to read what I've written.
August 23, 2015
Vote for me please!
So I entered my new novella in a writing contest on http://www.inkitt.com/
Please vote for me!
http://www.inkitt.com/stories/19449?u...
Please vote for me!
http://www.inkitt.com/stories/19449?u...
Now I have to live forever!
So a couple of days ago I decided to link my Goodreads account with my FaceBook account. Almost instantly I had nearly 10x the number of friends on Goodreads that I did the day before. Thanks to each and every one of you for that!
Last night I decided upon the foolish endeavor of comparing books with each of my new friends. Now I have no choice but to live forever. Seeing all of those books that I haven't read yet makes me want to simultaneously shout for joy and weep for the daunting task ahead.
It's not that I have to read them all, it's that I simply have no choice. I'm sure all of you understand what I'm saying. Anyway I just thought I jot this down really quick, now I need to get busy reading.
Thanks for reading what I've written here today.
Last night I decided upon the foolish endeavor of comparing books with each of my new friends. Now I have no choice but to live forever. Seeing all of those books that I haven't read yet makes me want to simultaneously shout for joy and weep for the daunting task ahead.
It's not that I have to read them all, it's that I simply have no choice. I'm sure all of you understand what I'm saying. Anyway I just thought I jot this down really quick, now I need to get busy reading.
Thanks for reading what I've written here today.
