Faye Fite's Blog, page 4
October 11, 2019
#ChatWithHannah Ep 19: Advice for Aspiring Authors
Are you an aspiring author? Yay! Go you. Here are some tips I've learned from my author journey that I think you'll find helpful. And yeah, a lot of these tips do still apply to all you published authors out there. You're welcome.
T-shirt available on Threadless.
The afore-mentioned Strange Waters anthology can be found here, and the livestream schedules are coming soon!
What are some of the best pieces of writing advice you've been given? I'd love to hear them!
Website | Merch Shop
Related artic...
T-shirt available on Threadless.
The afore-mentioned Strange Waters anthology can be found here, and the livestream schedules are coming soon!
What are some of the best pieces of writing advice you've been given? I'd love to hear them!
Website | Merch Shop
Related artic...
October 4, 2019
10 Tips for Writing a Story That Will Become a Fandom
I am part of a massive number of fandoms. Some may say it is an embarrassing number, but I say it's an awesome number.
Now, I've been watching these fandoms. Not in a creepy Edward-watching-Bella-sleep kind of way, but in a studious Hermione sort of way. And you know what?
There are patterns. There are patterns within each fandom, and commonalities between almost every fandom. Which got me thinking: What if you could utilize these patterns to create a fandom around your own story?
Let's talk about what it takes to write a fandom-inducing story.
1. Be one with the force. Don't panic, and be sure to go steal everyone's left shoe. If you're good at something, never do it for free. Understand all the references, remember that bow ties are cool, and if anyone gets nosy, just shoot them. Politely.
Okay. On to the "real" tips:
2. Plan multiple books. Very few fandoms are one-shot fandoms. Pretty much all of them have multiple books or storylines going on: Harry Potter, LOTR, Star Wars, Star Trek, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Game of Thrones, Firefly, The 100. And don't even get me started on The Stormlight Archives (What is even happening with those novels?? A single one of those books is like an entire series in and of itself. I just...Okay. *takes deep breath* That's not the point of this post).
Part of this is because the more content you put out, the more noticeable you become. But it also has to do with the fact that readers are greedy little grubbers.
Er. Let me re-phrase that: When readers like something, they want more of it. They want to learn more about the world, the characters, the plot. And the more they learn, the more hyped up they get about the next installation of the series, thus creating waves that draw in more fans. It's pretty great. So if you want your story to become a fandom at some point, you'll want to plan for a series or expanded universe (or both).
3. Utilize trios or large casts of characters. Who do you like better: Harry Potter or Ron Weasley? Is Pippin your fav or Aragorn? Trick question: The answer is clearly Sam. I will fight anyone who says otherwise. Just kidding. (but not really)
Fandoms have a wide array of characters, so there's somebody for everyone. It's pretty awesome. Fandoms are often a weird mix of niche and crowd-pleasing fiction (at least crowd-pleasing within their genre) and one of the things that helps them reach so many people is having a solid cast of characters for people to root for. If your goal is to reach as many readers as possible, then consider writing large casts...or trios in which each person in the trio is vastly different.
4. Write shippable characters. Every fandom has them. Do you need to be writing romance to write shippable characters? Nope. You just need two characters with chemistry. Readers will instantly go to their land of ship building:
It keeps readers invested...and keeps them talking, thus building buzz. Win-win.
5. Build a shiny world. One of the reasons fandoms are so gripping is because they feature worlds that other people would love to live in. Who doesn't want to have an ale in Hobbiton? Or fly through space and time with the Doctor? Or fight in a massive, brutal battle to the death while the Capitol...err. Wait. Not that one. But, generally speaking, fandoms feature fantastical (and somewhat appealing) world-building.
If you want to draw your readers in and get them invested, put effort into building a world that will transport readers somewhere new and interesting. Create new cultures (like the Gungans...only less annoying), invent a drink (like butterbeer), spin a political backstory (like Firefly). Have fun with it.
6. Don't be afraid of tropes. Have you noticed that most fandoms are populated with tropes? The lovable rogue (Han Solo, Malcolm Reynolds), the straight-laced sidekick (Hermoine Granger, Spock), the Big Bad Government (the Capitol, the Empire), the against-all-odds team of scrappers (all of them, honestly).
Tropes work because they are familiar and timeless. They're easy to market and easy for readers to invest in. Obviously, it's important to make those tropes your own, otherwise you'll come across as cliche. We Phoenix Fiction Writers recorded a whole podcast on how to correctly utilize tropes, so I'd recommend giving that a listen.
7. Have an identifiable genre. This boils down to marketing to your target audience. If you want to draw a fandom, you need to make yourself easy to find. While having a niche genre is super cool (and entirely possible to be successful with), it is difficult to build a fandom that way. After all, most fandoms have identifiable genres.
Sure, some of them are a bit blurry. For instance, I'm not at all convinced that Star Wars isn't straight-up fantasy (the Force is literally just space magic, guys). Firefly is entertaining because it's a weird blend of sci-fi and western. That all cool. It makes those fandoms unique. However, they still do tend to have identifiable umbrella genres (sci-fi, in both of their cases), so make sure your story does at least have a main, overarching genre.
8. Use buzz-words. Want to reach your target audience? Buzz words are where it's at. Have you ever noticed that fans are often part of similar fandoms? Hunger Games fans often like Divergent and Maze Runner. People who like Naruto also like Hunter X Hunter and....I don't know what else, I never got into Naruto (*pho-Naruto-runs away*).
Wanna know why this is? A lot of reasons, but findability is a big factor. When LOTR fans hear "epic fantasy" and "elves" and "wizards," they'll come running like:
You can easily tap into the Assassin's Creed fanbase by using terms like parkour and *drum roll* assassins. Figure out what fandoms are similar to your WIP, then use matching buzz-words during marketing.
9. Write a plot-driven and character-driven story. Most fandoms are plot-driven, probably because plot-driven stories are often easier to market because they're easier to explain than "And this character has feelings and thinks thoughts." However, fandoms are, at their core, all about the characters. While the plot is important, you need lovable characters who drive that plot forward.
10. Get fandom-lovers to be your street-team. When you start marketing your story, you don't want the help of some mouth breathers who can't sing the Batman theme song. Nope. You want Nerds with a capital N. People who know your target audience, who are familiar with the buzzwords, and who can help pump up your work in the way that only fangirls/fanboys can.
And there you have it. If you want a shot at building a fandom around your story, this is a great place to start. Have other thoughts or tips to add? Leave them below! And be sure to include the titles of a few of your favorite fandoms. For science.
Related articles:
11 Tips for Building a Successful Writer's Platform
The Pros and Cons of Being Both a Geek and a Writer: A Guest Post by Rachel Meyer
Enjoy this post? Take a look around. If you like what you see, please don't forget to subscribe by email for a new post every Friday!
Now, I've been watching these fandoms. Not in a creepy Edward-watching-Bella-sleep kind of way, but in a studious Hermione sort of way. And you know what?
There are patterns. There are patterns within each fandom, and commonalities between almost every fandom. Which got me thinking: What if you could utilize these patterns to create a fandom around your own story?
Let's talk about what it takes to write a fandom-inducing story.
1. Be one with the force. Don't panic, and be sure to go steal everyone's left shoe. If you're good at something, never do it for free. Understand all the references, remember that bow ties are cool, and if anyone gets nosy, just shoot them. Politely.
Okay. On to the "real" tips:
2. Plan multiple books. Very few fandoms are one-shot fandoms. Pretty much all of them have multiple books or storylines going on: Harry Potter, LOTR, Star Wars, Star Trek, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Game of Thrones, Firefly, The 100. And don't even get me started on The Stormlight Archives (What is even happening with those novels?? A single one of those books is like an entire series in and of itself. I just...Okay. *takes deep breath* That's not the point of this post).
Part of this is because the more content you put out, the more noticeable you become. But it also has to do with the fact that readers are greedy little grubbers.
Er. Let me re-phrase that: When readers like something, they want more of it. They want to learn more about the world, the characters, the plot. And the more they learn, the more hyped up they get about the next installation of the series, thus creating waves that draw in more fans. It's pretty great. So if you want your story to become a fandom at some point, you'll want to plan for a series or expanded universe (or both).
3. Utilize trios or large casts of characters. Who do you like better: Harry Potter or Ron Weasley? Is Pippin your fav or Aragorn? Trick question: The answer is clearly Sam. I will fight anyone who says otherwise. Just kidding. (but not really)
Fandoms have a wide array of characters, so there's somebody for everyone. It's pretty awesome. Fandoms are often a weird mix of niche and crowd-pleasing fiction (at least crowd-pleasing within their genre) and one of the things that helps them reach so many people is having a solid cast of characters for people to root for. If your goal is to reach as many readers as possible, then consider writing large casts...or trios in which each person in the trio is vastly different.
4. Write shippable characters. Every fandom has them. Do you need to be writing romance to write shippable characters? Nope. You just need two characters with chemistry. Readers will instantly go to their land of ship building:
It keeps readers invested...and keeps them talking, thus building buzz. Win-win.
5. Build a shiny world. One of the reasons fandoms are so gripping is because they feature worlds that other people would love to live in. Who doesn't want to have an ale in Hobbiton? Or fly through space and time with the Doctor? Or fight in a massive, brutal battle to the death while the Capitol...err. Wait. Not that one. But, generally speaking, fandoms feature fantastical (and somewhat appealing) world-building.
If you want to draw your readers in and get them invested, put effort into building a world that will transport readers somewhere new and interesting. Create new cultures (like the Gungans...only less annoying), invent a drink (like butterbeer), spin a political backstory (like Firefly). Have fun with it.
6. Don't be afraid of tropes. Have you noticed that most fandoms are populated with tropes? The lovable rogue (Han Solo, Malcolm Reynolds), the straight-laced sidekick (Hermoine Granger, Spock), the Big Bad Government (the Capitol, the Empire), the against-all-odds team of scrappers (all of them, honestly).
Tropes work because they are familiar and timeless. They're easy to market and easy for readers to invest in. Obviously, it's important to make those tropes your own, otherwise you'll come across as cliche. We Phoenix Fiction Writers recorded a whole podcast on how to correctly utilize tropes, so I'd recommend giving that a listen.
7. Have an identifiable genre. This boils down to marketing to your target audience. If you want to draw a fandom, you need to make yourself easy to find. While having a niche genre is super cool (and entirely possible to be successful with), it is difficult to build a fandom that way. After all, most fandoms have identifiable genres.
Sure, some of them are a bit blurry. For instance, I'm not at all convinced that Star Wars isn't straight-up fantasy (the Force is literally just space magic, guys). Firefly is entertaining because it's a weird blend of sci-fi and western. That all cool. It makes those fandoms unique. However, they still do tend to have identifiable umbrella genres (sci-fi, in both of their cases), so make sure your story does at least have a main, overarching genre.
8. Use buzz-words. Want to reach your target audience? Buzz words are where it's at. Have you ever noticed that fans are often part of similar fandoms? Hunger Games fans often like Divergent and Maze Runner. People who like Naruto also like Hunter X Hunter and....I don't know what else, I never got into Naruto (*pho-Naruto-runs away*).
Wanna know why this is? A lot of reasons, but findability is a big factor. When LOTR fans hear "epic fantasy" and "elves" and "wizards," they'll come running like:
You can easily tap into the Assassin's Creed fanbase by using terms like parkour and *drum roll* assassins. Figure out what fandoms are similar to your WIP, then use matching buzz-words during marketing.
9. Write a plot-driven and character-driven story. Most fandoms are plot-driven, probably because plot-driven stories are often easier to market because they're easier to explain than "And this character has feelings and thinks thoughts." However, fandoms are, at their core, all about the characters. While the plot is important, you need lovable characters who drive that plot forward.
10. Get fandom-lovers to be your street-team. When you start marketing your story, you don't want the help of some mouth breathers who can't sing the Batman theme song. Nope. You want Nerds with a capital N. People who know your target audience, who are familiar with the buzzwords, and who can help pump up your work in the way that only fangirls/fanboys can.
And there you have it. If you want a shot at building a fandom around your story, this is a great place to start. Have other thoughts or tips to add? Leave them below! And be sure to include the titles of a few of your favorite fandoms. For science.
Related articles:
11 Tips for Building a Successful Writer's Platform
The Pros and Cons of Being Both a Geek and a Writer: A Guest Post by Rachel Meyer
Enjoy this post? Take a look around. If you like what you see, please don't forget to subscribe by email for a new post every Friday!
September 30, 2019
Review of Janelle Garrett's The Underground: A Strange Waters Anthology Story
*throws pebbles at your window*
Pssst. I know today is Monday and I don't generally post on Mondays, but I have something special to tell you about today.
As you hopefully know, the Strange Waters anthology is releasing on October 19th. With it comes 9 short stories from each Phoenix Fiction Writer. We have everything from space wizards to dragons to underwater civilizations to children with backpacks.
Today I'm here to tell you about the story with dragons because, well, dragons are awesome.
And so is Janelle Garrett, author of said dragon-ish story.
The Underground is a fantasy short story full of amazing world-building, great characters, and a mysterious, semi-spooky setting:
What if everything you believed was actually true?
His whole life, Kef has been told he is too idealistic. His older sister, Hiya, insists the Deep is a lost memory. It disappeared from the Raized Domains centuries ago. Kef wants to believe the Domains haven’t been abandoned, but everything points to the contrary. Their parents mysteriously vanished. People keep turning up dead or missing. And then, Hiya is taken by the feared Dragons.Now, Janelle Garrett is not your average fantasy author, so her dragons are not your average dragons. They are a highly-intelligent civilization. Also, they camouflage themselves in a really creepy way (no spoilers).
Kef will stop at nothing to rescue her, including traversing to the Underground itself to take on the Dragons. What he finds there will change the whole sphere: but will he be too late to rescue Hiya?
Yup. This story is a wild ride.
I honestly can't decide what portion of The Underground was my favorite. The story is told from two points of view: one point of view is first person, and the other point of view is in third person. I don't think I’ve ever read anything like that before. It was really well done and completely fascinating.
Beyond the complete and utter uniqueness of the story, The Underground gives readers a lot to think about. Garrett takes on themes of faith and doubt in a very clever, subtle way and I am 100% there for it.
Basically: This story is awesome and I can't wait for you to read it. It will appear in the Strange Waters anthology releasing on October 19th, alongside stories by Beth Wangler, C. Scott Frank, E.B. Dawson, J.E. Purrazzi, Kyle Robert Shultz, K.L.+Pierce, Nate Philbrick, and yours truly.
You can (and should) pre-order the ebook on Kobo and Barnes and Noble. It will be available for purchase on Amazon on October 19th.
Related articles:This Pain Inside: Revealing My PFW Strange Waters Anthology Story
Enjoy this post? Take a look around. If you like what you see, don't forget to subscribe by email for a new post every Friday!
Some links are Amazon affiliate. Thank you for your support!
September 27, 2019
Factoid Friday #1: About Wanderer's Name
Ever wondered how I named the main character of Colors of Fear and The Stump of the Terebinth Tree? Wonder no longer.
Yeah, technically Wanderer is his nickname and not his birth name, but you get my drift.
Have you ever read the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander? Which book is your favorite?
Related articles:
Change is Here! Check Out My Awesome New Posting Schedule
Enjoy this post? Take a look around. If you like what you see, don't forget to subscribe by email for a new post every Friday!
Some links are Amazon affiliate. Thank you for your support!
September 20, 2019
8 Tips for Writing Efficiently
As I begin a new college quarter, I've been finding myself thinking a lot about efficiency. How will I find time to write well when I'm stuck trying to study van der Waals interactions while wolfing down lunch between classes? I wasn't sure, so I looked around for the most efficient writers I could think find. Surely, they would have something to share.
And, as it turns out, they did. Grace Crandall and Kyle Robert Shultz are here today to discuss tips for writing efficiently. Crandall manages to pump out a new (and incredible) short story every month on her blog and Shultz publishes approximately 80 million epic books a year, so they know what they're talking about.
Tune in for their top tips for writing efficiently:
Grace Crandall
1. Keep notes on upcoming scenes. Whether it’s a detailed outline or simply a stack of notecards with ideas for what could happen next, having something to refer back to while you’re writing saves a lot of time that would otherwise be spent in re-reading your own work to remember where the story left off. The ability to quickly skim over your plans for character arcs and upcoming challenges can help kick-start a writing session.
As an added benefit, it’s easy to jot down scene ideas even when there would be no time to write them through. For me, this has cut down on the hazard of daydreaming up an awesome scene only to be unable to remember it once I’ve sat down to flesh it out. Notes and lists are a handy way to keep the story moving forward, even while you’re busy and short on time.
2. No time is too short to get a little something done. Even a few minutes spent on your manuscript can be better than nothing. I used to think that fifteen minutes of spare time wasn’t enough to even bother opening up a notebook or a word processor—and I missed out on a lot of writing time that way. There are more of these little hollows of unused time in a given day than you might think. Making use of them can open up whole new realms of productivity.
3. Take some time after every writing session to appreciate what you’ve accomplished! When the project is long and the time is not, it’s easy for me to slip into the trap of checking my progress against how much I still have to do . No matter how much gets done, it always seems like far too little. This is a vicious cycle that can, and will, come around to sting you. When writing becomes a source of panic and guilt, the desire to do it—and the joy of doing it—can drain away, making it ultimately harder to accomplish your goals.
Always remember: you’re making something! Step back and take some pride in how far you’ve come. Not only is all progress well worth being proud of, but this also helps to make writing something that your mind associates with positive feelings, leading to even more progress in the long run.
Find Grace here:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr
Kyle Robert Shultz
1. Have some idea of what you’re writing before you start. I’m not saying that you need to have a detailed outline if that’s not part of your process. However, regardless of whether you’re an outliner or a discovery writer, jumping in with no idea of what you’re going to write is definitely not going to help your efficiency. To minimize the time you spend staring at a blank screen, make sure you have at least a general idea of what you’re going to write before you sit down at the keyboard.
2. Name characters/places/etc. and do research before and after you write, not while you write. Doing these things in the middle of writing is a major time-waster. If you don’t have the time to think of the perfect name, use a place-holder and move on. If your scene depends on vital research, get all of that done in advance, and if you hit a snag while writing because you need more information, try to make a note and move on until your session is done.
3. Take planned, timed breaks. You do need breaks if you’re going to write efficiently, but even these should be focused. Plan a specific thing you’re doing to do to give yourself a break (for example, doing a particular outdoor activity, watching a YouTube video, taking a nap, etc.) and stick to that. Make sure you don’t break your creative flow by letting your break run on too long, unless you’re done for the day.
4. Have a reasonable and sustainable daily writing quota. Don’t plan on writing 10,000 words in a day if you can’t. Or 5,000. Or 3,000. Any words is better than none. If you can only produce 1,000 per day, that’s great. Stick to that and don’t feel guilty about not doing more. Setting unattainable goals will make you more likely to give up completely when you don’t reach those goals.
5. Don’t rule out dictation. Dictation may not be the right method for you, but don’t assume that if you haven’t tried it. Give it a shot with some free text-to-speech system like the one in Google Docs and see if it works for you. You may be surprised. Dictation can help you get the words down faster, keep you focused, and improve your health.
Find Kyle here:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Nonfiction Email List
And there you have it! Brilliant tips from brilliant authors with brilliant time-management skills. How do you write efficiently? Or are you still trying to find your stride? Let's chat in the comment section below!
Related articles:
How to Write Even When You Don't Feel Like It10 Ways to Make Your Writing Time More Productive
Enjoy this post? Take a look around. If you like what you see, don't forget to subscribe by email for a new post every Friday!
Some links are Amazon affiliate. Thank you for your support!
And, as it turns out, they did. Grace Crandall and Kyle Robert Shultz are here today to discuss tips for writing efficiently. Crandall manages to pump out a new (and incredible) short story every month on her blog and Shultz publishes approximately 80 million epic books a year, so they know what they're talking about.
Tune in for their top tips for writing efficiently:
Grace Crandall
1. Keep notes on upcoming scenes. Whether it’s a detailed outline or simply a stack of notecards with ideas for what could happen next, having something to refer back to while you’re writing saves a lot of time that would otherwise be spent in re-reading your own work to remember where the story left off. The ability to quickly skim over your plans for character arcs and upcoming challenges can help kick-start a writing session.
As an added benefit, it’s easy to jot down scene ideas even when there would be no time to write them through. For me, this has cut down on the hazard of daydreaming up an awesome scene only to be unable to remember it once I’ve sat down to flesh it out. Notes and lists are a handy way to keep the story moving forward, even while you’re busy and short on time.
2. No time is too short to get a little something done. Even a few minutes spent on your manuscript can be better than nothing. I used to think that fifteen minutes of spare time wasn’t enough to even bother opening up a notebook or a word processor—and I missed out on a lot of writing time that way. There are more of these little hollows of unused time in a given day than you might think. Making use of them can open up whole new realms of productivity.
3. Take some time after every writing session to appreciate what you’ve accomplished! When the project is long and the time is not, it’s easy for me to slip into the trap of checking my progress against how much I still have to do . No matter how much gets done, it always seems like far too little. This is a vicious cycle that can, and will, come around to sting you. When writing becomes a source of panic and guilt, the desire to do it—and the joy of doing it—can drain away, making it ultimately harder to accomplish your goals.
Always remember: you’re making something! Step back and take some pride in how far you’ve come. Not only is all progress well worth being proud of, but this also helps to make writing something that your mind associates with positive feelings, leading to even more progress in the long run.
Find Grace here:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr
Kyle Robert Shultz
1. Have some idea of what you’re writing before you start. I’m not saying that you need to have a detailed outline if that’s not part of your process. However, regardless of whether you’re an outliner or a discovery writer, jumping in with no idea of what you’re going to write is definitely not going to help your efficiency. To minimize the time you spend staring at a blank screen, make sure you have at least a general idea of what you’re going to write before you sit down at the keyboard.
2. Name characters/places/etc. and do research before and after you write, not while you write. Doing these things in the middle of writing is a major time-waster. If you don’t have the time to think of the perfect name, use a place-holder and move on. If your scene depends on vital research, get all of that done in advance, and if you hit a snag while writing because you need more information, try to make a note and move on until your session is done.
3. Take planned, timed breaks. You do need breaks if you’re going to write efficiently, but even these should be focused. Plan a specific thing you’re doing to do to give yourself a break (for example, doing a particular outdoor activity, watching a YouTube video, taking a nap, etc.) and stick to that. Make sure you don’t break your creative flow by letting your break run on too long, unless you’re done for the day.
4. Have a reasonable and sustainable daily writing quota. Don’t plan on writing 10,000 words in a day if you can’t. Or 5,000. Or 3,000. Any words is better than none. If you can only produce 1,000 per day, that’s great. Stick to that and don’t feel guilty about not doing more. Setting unattainable goals will make you more likely to give up completely when you don’t reach those goals.
5. Don’t rule out dictation. Dictation may not be the right method for you, but don’t assume that if you haven’t tried it. Give it a shot with some free text-to-speech system like the one in Google Docs and see if it works for you. You may be surprised. Dictation can help you get the words down faster, keep you focused, and improve your health.
Find Kyle here:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Nonfiction Email List
And there you have it! Brilliant tips from brilliant authors with brilliant time-management skills. How do you write efficiently? Or are you still trying to find your stride? Let's chat in the comment section below!
Related articles:
How to Write Even When You Don't Feel Like It10 Ways to Make Your Writing Time More Productive
Enjoy this post? Take a look around. If you like what you see, don't forget to subscribe by email for a new post every Friday!
Some links are Amazon affiliate. Thank you for your support!
September 13, 2019
#ChatWithHannah Ep 18: Tropes in YA Fiction That Need To Die
I have a complicated relationship with YA fiction. I love it so much, yet there are certain tropes that really just need to be killed with fire. Let's talk about annoying or problematic tropes in YA fiction and why they need to die.
You can read the creeper romance article referenced in this video here.
What are some of your favorite and least favorite YA fiction tropes and why? I'd love to hear from you!
Website | Merch Shop
Related articles: #ChatWithHannah Ep 17: Pep Talk for Writers
Change is Here! Check Out My Awesome New Posting Schedule
Enjoy this post? Take a look around. If you like what you see, don't forget to subscribe by email for a new post every Friday!
Some links are Amazon affiliate. Thank you for your support!
You can read the creeper romance article referenced in this video here.
What are some of your favorite and least favorite YA fiction tropes and why? I'd love to hear from you!
Website | Merch Shop
Related articles: #ChatWithHannah Ep 17: Pep Talk for Writers
Change is Here! Check Out My Awesome New Posting Schedule
Enjoy this post? Take a look around. If you like what you see, don't forget to subscribe by email for a new post every Friday!
Some links are Amazon affiliate. Thank you for your support!
September 9, 2019
This Pain Inside: Revealing My PFW Strange Waters Anthology Story
What do you think of when you see this picture? What story comes to mind?
When I first saw this image, I thought of exactly zero story ideas. That was a bit problematic, given that this gorgeous image is the story prompt for the Phoenix Fiction Writer’s upcoming anthology: Strange Waters.
After panicking for a couple of days, I started to settle down and think. Calmly. Rationally. And the ideas started to form.
An underwater civilization. A destructive magic. A girl with chronic pain.
From those concepts, This Pain Inside was born: A Science Fantasy short story about pain, purpose, and self-worth.
(To answer the question that just sprang to about half of my reader's minds: Yes, this story does take place on the same planet as Skies of Dripping Gold. Yay.)
Like all of my stories, This Pain Inside is highly personal. Unlike any of my stories, This Pain Inside features a protagonist who, like me, struggles with chronic pain.
Everything about this writing process was new and fascinating. It gave me the opportunity to really stop and think about how pain shapes a person. Or, rather, how a person can shape pain. Writing this story was emotionally exhausting, but incredibly worth it.
This Pain Inside also give me the opportunity to delve into other, less serious concepts. Like saturation diving tanks. And rock music. And sci-fi mermaid people.
By the time I finished writing the story, I knew I had something really special on my hands. I can’t wait to share it with you.
In fact, I so can’t wait to share it with you that I want to give you a little sneak peek right now.
Charlie, the protagonist of This Pain Inside, has a favorite rock song that she listens to throughout the story. My younger brother, a very talented musician, whipped up a song for me to use (beat and lyrics included).
Here’s the beat for your enjoyment:
In case you're wondering, yes, the sound of this song does perfectly match the vibe of This Pain Inside: Dark but energetic, a little edgy, and yet somehow hopeful.
You’re going to love it.
The Strange Waters anthology releases in October. You will soon be able to pre-order it and add it to your Goodreads list, so keep your eyes glued to the Phoenix Fiction Writers website.
While you wait for release day, don’t forget to check out alllll of the other amazing stories that will be in this anthology:
Beth Wangler’s Kamynosa’s Labyrinth - I read this and was constantly caught between laughing and awwww-ing. So good!
C. Scott Frank's Finer Things - He had me at exploding space station. Yes, please!
E.B. Dawson’s Barnaby Brown and the Sea of Glass - I’ve had the pleasure of reading this and guys. It is so. much. fun.
Janelle Garrett's Story - I can't say much because this story hasn't been officially revealed, buuuuut: I love it and will be reviewing it in a few weeks. It's great.
J.E. Purrazzi’s Roanoke - Trans-time communication? Is that code for time travel? I don't know, but I am EXCITED.
K.L. + Pierce's Story - This story also hasn't been revealed yet, but I have read it, and let me just say that it's an amazing tie-in to the Two Lives, Three Choices universe.
Kyle Robert Shultz’s Ric Vayne and the Curse of the Ghoul Nebula - I finished reading this last week and its so weird, so funny, and so wonderful.
Nate Philbrick’s Backpack Boy - It looks adorable and I’m so excited.
Okay. I'll stop gushing now. Have any questions or comments about about This Pain Inside? Leave them below!
Related articles:
Announcing My Phoenix Fiction Writers Anthology Story
12 Horrifying, Unbelievable Sea Creatures to Use in Your Writing
When I first saw this image, I thought of exactly zero story ideas. That was a bit problematic, given that this gorgeous image is the story prompt for the Phoenix Fiction Writer’s upcoming anthology: Strange Waters.
After panicking for a couple of days, I started to settle down and think. Calmly. Rationally. And the ideas started to form.
An underwater civilization. A destructive magic. A girl with chronic pain.
From those concepts, This Pain Inside was born: A Science Fantasy short story about pain, purpose, and self-worth.
The Poison that destroyed the surface has come to claim the deep. It is severing electricity lines, imploding underwater houses, and destroying the solar power rafts humanity uses as its energy source. The Neons, people who act as hosts for a magical force, are fighting an ever-losing battle to keep the Poison at bay.
But that isn't any of Charlie's business. All Charlie can think about is finding a cure for her chronic pain. After all, she is too tired and too weak to help fight the Poison. If she can just make the pain go away, maybe then she'll be worth something. Maybe then she'll become useful enough and strong enough to join the fight.
But when the Poison begins to threaten what little family she has left, Charlie may just have to rethink her views on pain, worth, and what makes a person strong.
(To answer the question that just sprang to about half of my reader's minds: Yes, this story does take place on the same planet as Skies of Dripping Gold. Yay.)
Like all of my stories, This Pain Inside is highly personal. Unlike any of my stories, This Pain Inside features a protagonist who, like me, struggles with chronic pain.
Everything about this writing process was new and fascinating. It gave me the opportunity to really stop and think about how pain shapes a person. Or, rather, how a person can shape pain. Writing this story was emotionally exhausting, but incredibly worth it.This Pain Inside also give me the opportunity to delve into other, less serious concepts. Like saturation diving tanks. And rock music. And sci-fi mermaid people.
By the time I finished writing the story, I knew I had something really special on my hands. I can’t wait to share it with you.
In fact, I so can’t wait to share it with you that I want to give you a little sneak peek right now.
Charlie, the protagonist of This Pain Inside, has a favorite rock song that she listens to throughout the story. My younger brother, a very talented musician, whipped up a song for me to use (beat and lyrics included).
Here’s the beat for your enjoyment:
In case you're wondering, yes, the sound of this song does perfectly match the vibe of This Pain Inside: Dark but energetic, a little edgy, and yet somehow hopeful.
You’re going to love it.
The Strange Waters anthology releases in October. You will soon be able to pre-order it and add it to your Goodreads list, so keep your eyes glued to the Phoenix Fiction Writers website.
While you wait for release day, don’t forget to check out alllll of the other amazing stories that will be in this anthology:
Beth Wangler’s Kamynosa’s Labyrinth - I read this and was constantly caught between laughing and awwww-ing. So good!
C. Scott Frank's Finer Things - He had me at exploding space station. Yes, please!
E.B. Dawson’s Barnaby Brown and the Sea of Glass - I’ve had the pleasure of reading this and guys. It is so. much. fun.
Janelle Garrett's Story - I can't say much because this story hasn't been officially revealed, buuuuut: I love it and will be reviewing it in a few weeks. It's great.
J.E. Purrazzi’s Roanoke - Trans-time communication? Is that code for time travel? I don't know, but I am EXCITED.
K.L. + Pierce's Story - This story also hasn't been revealed yet, but I have read it, and let me just say that it's an amazing tie-in to the Two Lives, Three Choices universe.
Kyle Robert Shultz’s Ric Vayne and the Curse of the Ghoul Nebula - I finished reading this last week and its so weird, so funny, and so wonderful.
Nate Philbrick’s Backpack Boy - It looks adorable and I’m so excited.
Okay. I'll stop gushing now. Have any questions or comments about about This Pain Inside? Leave them below!
Related articles:
Announcing My Phoenix Fiction Writers Anthology Story
12 Horrifying, Unbelievable Sea Creatures to Use in Your Writing
September 6, 2019
Literary Snobbery: Why It's Toxic and How to Combat It
"Graphic novels don't count as reading."
"Indie authors aren't real authors."
"MG fiction is just for kids."
These kinds of phrases get thrown around a lot. And you know what? It really, really sucks. It's literary snobbery at its worst and leads to all sorts of problems. Let's talk about why it needs to stop (and how to get rid of it).
Pitting one type of reading against another
This is seen in:
Physical books vs ebooks, classic literature vs modern literature .....
Why it's messed up: It causes unnecessary division and can annoy people into not trying a new genre or new reading style. After all, if somebody keeps telling you that classic lit is best and that your preferred genre is trash, is that going to make you want to give classic lit a try? Yeah. I thought not.
People generally have reasons for reading or not reading what they do. People may read ebooks because it helps with storage space, because it allows them to access books easily and more affordably, because it helps them learn new words (via the built-in dictionary most e-readers have), etc. On the other hand, people may choose physical books because the tactile nature helps them focus, or because it's easier for them to study with, or because they simply enjoy the way it smells. People may read classic literature because it tends to be clean, because they like the often elegant writing-style, etc. People may lean more towards modern literature because they prefer the more accessible writing-style, because the cultural/disability representation is better, etc.
There's no need to pit story types against each other. You can like what you like without bringing somebody else's preferred reading down. You can also encourage people to read fiction you think they may enjoy without trashing what it is they're currently reading.
How to combat it: Simply be encouraging and helpful rather than judging someone's preferred choice of reading. Ask people why they like what they like. You may learn something! And stock up on knowledge so that you can encourage your fellow readers to find the reading experience that works best for them.
For instance: Most libraries allow you to check-out ebooks via Overdrive. Your ebook-loving friend will love to hear about that. And your classic-lit-lovers may be interested in the Literature Network, a site that can help them find a ton of great classic literature to read.
Saying something doesn't "count as reading"
This is seen in:
audiobooks, graphic novels, manga
Why it's messed up: Audiobooks and graphic novels are often more accessible to different groups of people and can help them connect with books, so to disparage this type of reading is to turn people away from books entirely.
For example: Audiobooks are hugely helpful for people with learning disabilities, those who are auditory learners, and for busy people who otherwise wouldn't have time to sit and read. Graphic novels are also helpful for people with learning disabilities (the images help bridge any reading gaps), are great for visual learners, teach skills such as inference, and garner an appreciation for art. Manga is a great introduction to non-western storytelling, and also expands brain functioning because you're essentially reading the story "backwards."
How to combat it: Request that your local library stock graphic novels. Buy audiobooks or graphic novels for your friends/loved ones. Promote them online, publicly pump up your favorite audiobook narrators, and support local comic book stores.
Dismissing genres or age categories as dumb
This is seen in:
YA literature, Christian fiction, comedic fiction, indie publishing, KidLit, romance, popular fiction, etc
Why it's messed up: It generalizes and dismisses entire groups of books that are full of amazing, helpful gems. There is great value in making people laugh, so it's absurd to dismiss comedic fiction as stupid. The YA age category is full of incredible, honest, creative stories, so why write the whole category off as "angsty" or "low-brow"? Sure, Christian fiction may be known for lack of creativity, but that is a massive generalization that passes over so many incredible stories. Indie authors are incredibly talented and serious about their craft, so it's hurtful to assume that we're all wannabe authors who can't make it in traditional publishing. And KidLit is full of amazing stories that all ages can enjoy, so it's nonsensical to behave as if fiction for children is somehow dumbed-down or less-than.
The lists go on. Stop generalizing. It's dumb.
How to combat it: Go read outside of your regular genres. Try some KidLit. Check out some indies. Read that best-seller. Maybe you'll like it, maybe you won't, but it's important not to dismiss genres or age categories because of generalized biases. When you see people disparaging an entire category of reading, recommend some of your newest, most favorite finds in said category.
Shaming people for not reading X book
This is seen in:
Classic literature, popular fiction. It usually comes in the form of: *scandalized gasp* "You haven't read X???"
Why it's messed up: Not everyone can (or wants to) read every single book that is deemed a must-read, so it's hypocritical and annoying to look down on people for not having read something. After all, you probably haven't read That Certain Must-Read, have you? I thought not. Does that make you a bad reader? No. Maybe that book isn't your taste or you simply haven't gotten around to it yet. The same goes for literally every other reader, so maybe don't be judgmental when somebody reveals they haven't read That Novel.
How to combat it: I have a friend who has the perfect phrase for this: "Oh, then you have such a great read to look forward to!" It's not judgmental, it's doesn't shame anyone, it just lets the person know that you are excited to them to find a potential new good read.
Does literary snobbery bother you? Why or why not? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Related articles:
9 Ways to Use Reading to Improve Your Writing
8 Comic Books Worth Reading (Part 3)A List of Great Self-Published Books You Should Read (Part 2)
Enjoy this post? Take a look around. If you like what you see, don't forget to subscribe by email for a new post every Friday!
Some links are Amazon affiliate. Thank you for your support!
"Indie authors aren't real authors."
"MG fiction is just for kids."
These kinds of phrases get thrown around a lot. And you know what? It really, really sucks. It's literary snobbery at its worst and leads to all sorts of problems. Let's talk about why it needs to stop (and how to get rid of it).
Pitting one type of reading against another
This is seen in:
Physical books vs ebooks, classic literature vs modern literature .....
Why it's messed up: It causes unnecessary division and can annoy people into not trying a new genre or new reading style. After all, if somebody keeps telling you that classic lit is best and that your preferred genre is trash, is that going to make you want to give classic lit a try? Yeah. I thought not.
People generally have reasons for reading or not reading what they do. People may read ebooks because it helps with storage space, because it allows them to access books easily and more affordably, because it helps them learn new words (via the built-in dictionary most e-readers have), etc. On the other hand, people may choose physical books because the tactile nature helps them focus, or because it's easier for them to study with, or because they simply enjoy the way it smells. People may read classic literature because it tends to be clean, because they like the often elegant writing-style, etc. People may lean more towards modern literature because they prefer the more accessible writing-style, because the cultural/disability representation is better, etc.
There's no need to pit story types against each other. You can like what you like without bringing somebody else's preferred reading down. You can also encourage people to read fiction you think they may enjoy without trashing what it is they're currently reading.
How to combat it: Simply be encouraging and helpful rather than judging someone's preferred choice of reading. Ask people why they like what they like. You may learn something! And stock up on knowledge so that you can encourage your fellow readers to find the reading experience that works best for them.
For instance: Most libraries allow you to check-out ebooks via Overdrive. Your ebook-loving friend will love to hear about that. And your classic-lit-lovers may be interested in the Literature Network, a site that can help them find a ton of great classic literature to read.
Saying something doesn't "count as reading"
This is seen in:
audiobooks, graphic novels, manga
Why it's messed up: Audiobooks and graphic novels are often more accessible to different groups of people and can help them connect with books, so to disparage this type of reading is to turn people away from books entirely.
For example: Audiobooks are hugely helpful for people with learning disabilities, those who are auditory learners, and for busy people who otherwise wouldn't have time to sit and read. Graphic novels are also helpful for people with learning disabilities (the images help bridge any reading gaps), are great for visual learners, teach skills such as inference, and garner an appreciation for art. Manga is a great introduction to non-western storytelling, and also expands brain functioning because you're essentially reading the story "backwards."
How to combat it: Request that your local library stock graphic novels. Buy audiobooks or graphic novels for your friends/loved ones. Promote them online, publicly pump up your favorite audiobook narrators, and support local comic book stores.
Dismissing genres or age categories as dumb
This is seen in:
YA literature, Christian fiction, comedic fiction, indie publishing, KidLit, romance, popular fiction, etc
Why it's messed up: It generalizes and dismisses entire groups of books that are full of amazing, helpful gems. There is great value in making people laugh, so it's absurd to dismiss comedic fiction as stupid. The YA age category is full of incredible, honest, creative stories, so why write the whole category off as "angsty" or "low-brow"? Sure, Christian fiction may be known for lack of creativity, but that is a massive generalization that passes over so many incredible stories. Indie authors are incredibly talented and serious about their craft, so it's hurtful to assume that we're all wannabe authors who can't make it in traditional publishing. And KidLit is full of amazing stories that all ages can enjoy, so it's nonsensical to behave as if fiction for children is somehow dumbed-down or less-than.
The lists go on. Stop generalizing. It's dumb.
How to combat it: Go read outside of your regular genres. Try some KidLit. Check out some indies. Read that best-seller. Maybe you'll like it, maybe you won't, but it's important not to dismiss genres or age categories because of generalized biases. When you see people disparaging an entire category of reading, recommend some of your newest, most favorite finds in said category.
Shaming people for not reading X book
This is seen in:
Classic literature, popular fiction. It usually comes in the form of: *scandalized gasp* "You haven't read X???"
Why it's messed up: Not everyone can (or wants to) read every single book that is deemed a must-read, so it's hypocritical and annoying to look down on people for not having read something. After all, you probably haven't read That Certain Must-Read, have you? I thought not. Does that make you a bad reader? No. Maybe that book isn't your taste or you simply haven't gotten around to it yet. The same goes for literally every other reader, so maybe don't be judgmental when somebody reveals they haven't read That Novel.
How to combat it: I have a friend who has the perfect phrase for this: "Oh, then you have such a great read to look forward to!" It's not judgmental, it's doesn't shame anyone, it just lets the person know that you are excited to them to find a potential new good read.
Does literary snobbery bother you? Why or why not? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Related articles:
9 Ways to Use Reading to Improve Your Writing
8 Comic Books Worth Reading (Part 3)A List of Great Self-Published Books You Should Read (Part 2)
Enjoy this post? Take a look around. If you like what you see, don't forget to subscribe by email for a new post every Friday!
Some links are Amazon affiliate. Thank you for your support!
August 30, 2019
Change is Here! Check Out My Awesome New Posting Schedule
In the words of Bilbo Baggins: "Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much bread. That can't be right. I need a change, or something.”
Now, this quote isn't exactly accurate to me at the moment, but I know it will be soon if I don't make some changes.
See, I'll be transferring colleges in September. Not only will I be on the quarter system (which I've never done before), but I'll also be a full-time student (whic...
Now, this quote isn't exactly accurate to me at the moment, but I know it will be soon if I don't make some changes.
See, I'll be transferring colleges in September. Not only will I be on the quarter system (which I've never done before), but I'll also be a full-time student (whic...
August 23, 2019
How to Tell if Your Story is Any Good
Writer insecurity sucks, doesn't it? Is your story good? Is it bad? Should you move to Antarctica and become a penguin-whisperer instead of a writer because there's no way in a million Spider-man reboots* that you can make it as an author?
So many questions. Let's talk about ways to find the answers:
*Is it too soon to start making jokes about the Disney-Sony Spidey breakup? Yes? Too bad. I'm going for it anyway.
** I saw Ewan McGregor at a D23 panel today. I almost died. No, this has nothing to...
So many questions. Let's talk about ways to find the answers:
*Is it too soon to start making jokes about the Disney-Sony Spidey breakup? Yes? Too bad. I'm going for it anyway.
** I saw Ewan McGregor at a D23 panel today. I almost died. No, this has nothing to...
