Patti O'Shea's Blog, page 127
November 9, 2014
Space Oddity - Chris Hadfield
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, the Canadian Space Agency and David Bowie's publisher have come to an agreement allowing the version of Space Oddity recorded on the space station to be available again. Yea!
November 4, 2014
Sorry
No blog post today. My mom was taken to the Emergency Room yesterday morning and I spent all day with her at the hospital. I hope to be back with a new post on Thursday, but that will depend on her health. Sorry.
November 2, 2014
October 30, 2014
The Space-Time Continuum
One of my really good writing buddies writes out of order and then weaves it all together at the end. She's an excellent writer and storyteller and I enjoy her stories very much, but I admit to being baffled on how she does it. I write in order because doing anything else wastes too much time for me.
When I was writing Ravyn's Flight, I knew scenes that were coming long before I got there. Sometimes when I got stuck, I'd jump ahead and write when of those scenes and every single time the scene was unusable as it was. I either ended up deleting it entirely or I would rewrite it so drastically that it bore little resemblance to the original version. It was frustrating, but it had to be done.
I know why it doesn't work for me. Notice the for me in that sentence. Write whatever way works for you, and if it's out of order, that's what you do. Like I said, one of my writing buddies is pure awesome and this is what works for her.
With that caveat, I know why it doesn't work for me. Each scene is a building block, linking to the scene in front of it. My characters are on an arc of change throughout their stories and when I jumped ahead to write a later scene, I was writing it with who the hero and heroine were at that moment. Only six chapters later or whatever, they weren't the same people. The scene didn't fit anymore because my characters would make different decisions after going through what had happened in the intervening chapters.
The scenes that didn't fit at all anymore? To me, that means the character changed so much that they wouldn't make the choice any longer that put them in that situation. It's a good thing. It means they really are evolving as the story progresses, and while it left me frustrated, I didn't waste much time forcing it.
But it taught me one thing. I need to write in order no matter what. Even a book with a lot of flashbacks--like Eternal Nights--had to be written in order because Kendall, my heroine, needed different information depending on how far along she was in her growth arc.
There are times I kind of wish skipping around wasn't such a waste of effort for me. A lot of times I know an upcoming scene, but have no idea how I'm getting there. I'd love to be able to write that scene while it's fresh in my mind and not let it stew there, jettisoning details I'll have to struggle to remember later. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way for me.
I'll close out with one of my mantras: Writer whichever way works for you.
When I was writing Ravyn's Flight, I knew scenes that were coming long before I got there. Sometimes when I got stuck, I'd jump ahead and write when of those scenes and every single time the scene was unusable as it was. I either ended up deleting it entirely or I would rewrite it so drastically that it bore little resemblance to the original version. It was frustrating, but it had to be done.
I know why it doesn't work for me. Notice the for me in that sentence. Write whatever way works for you, and if it's out of order, that's what you do. Like I said, one of my writing buddies is pure awesome and this is what works for her.
With that caveat, I know why it doesn't work for me. Each scene is a building block, linking to the scene in front of it. My characters are on an arc of change throughout their stories and when I jumped ahead to write a later scene, I was writing it with who the hero and heroine were at that moment. Only six chapters later or whatever, they weren't the same people. The scene didn't fit anymore because my characters would make different decisions after going through what had happened in the intervening chapters.
The scenes that didn't fit at all anymore? To me, that means the character changed so much that they wouldn't make the choice any longer that put them in that situation. It's a good thing. It means they really are evolving as the story progresses, and while it left me frustrated, I didn't waste much time forcing it.
But it taught me one thing. I need to write in order no matter what. Even a book with a lot of flashbacks--like Eternal Nights--had to be written in order because Kendall, my heroine, needed different information depending on how far along she was in her growth arc.
There are times I kind of wish skipping around wasn't such a waste of effort for me. A lot of times I know an upcoming scene, but have no idea how I'm getting there. I'd love to be able to write that scene while it's fresh in my mind and not let it stew there, jettisoning details I'll have to struggle to remember later. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way for me.
I'll close out with one of my mantras: Writer whichever way works for you.
October 28, 2014
The One True Way (or Not)
The one thing a lot of writers don't seem to get is that everyone's process is different and that a person should do whatever works for them. Too many, though, believe that because something works for them, everyone should do it and they preach this. In my experience, this seems to be largely hard-core plotters, but I might be slightly biased. :-)
When I was a teenager and trying to learn how to write stories, I checked out a billion library books on the topic--all written by plotters. And all of them left me with the impression that I wouldn't be a real writer unless I followed their method.
At fifteen, I believed them and I struggled to cram my seat-of-the-pants style into their 3x5 index card world. It didn't work. In fact, it made me hate writing. I finally tossed the cards into a drawer and jettisoned their advice. It was either write my way or never write at all. I decided that even if I never was a real writer the way the books said that at least I'd be writing.
This is a driving incident for me and why I have very little patience for writers who extoll the One True Way. Index cards work for some writers, for others it kills their desire to write.
Thinking about this, I guess it makes sense that the plotters write the vast majority of the books on writing. As a pantser, my writing advice wouldn't fill a book. Sit down and write. To the questions of how do you do ______? I shrug and say, I don't know, it just happens.
I'm less of a pantser now than I was before I published, but there's a big difference between having a framework and having an outline. I can't do outlines, but I can do the framing and that's what works for me.
When I was a teenager and trying to learn how to write stories, I checked out a billion library books on the topic--all written by plotters. And all of them left me with the impression that I wouldn't be a real writer unless I followed their method.
At fifteen, I believed them and I struggled to cram my seat-of-the-pants style into their 3x5 index card world. It didn't work. In fact, it made me hate writing. I finally tossed the cards into a drawer and jettisoned their advice. It was either write my way or never write at all. I decided that even if I never was a real writer the way the books said that at least I'd be writing.
This is a driving incident for me and why I have very little patience for writers who extoll the One True Way. Index cards work for some writers, for others it kills their desire to write.
Thinking about this, I guess it makes sense that the plotters write the vast majority of the books on writing. As a pantser, my writing advice wouldn't fill a book. Sit down and write. To the questions of how do you do ______? I shrug and say, I don't know, it just happens.
I'm less of a pantser now than I was before I published, but there's a big difference between having a framework and having an outline. I can't do outlines, but I can do the framing and that's what works for me.
October 26, 2014
October 23, 2014
The War for Prince Phillip
I spent the last two weeks up in Minnesota, trying to help my parents downsize so they can move down to Georgia with me. To say it was a challenge is understating things. I have two pack-rats on my hands and they've lived in the same house since the 1960s. I thought, though, that it would be easy to get rid of books no one has looked at in twenty or thirty years. I was wrong.
First, let me say I'm hugely sympathetic to the book issue. I donated more than 3000 books before I moved from Minnesota to Atlanta, but I used it as an opportunity to get rid of books I was clearly never going to read. I also donated books that I'd read and didn't love (according to my spreadsheet). The books I'd read before I started keeping track? Well, I figured if I couldn't remember anything about a title and if it wasn't by a must-buy author, it could go. I haven't missed any of the books I gave to the library.
Since it only took a glance for me on most of my books, I expected it to be that quick and easy for my parents. Not so much. My mom had to browse through every book to see if she wanted to read it. I say if you haven't read it in thirty years, it can go.
I certainly didn't expect to have to argue over dozens and dozens of titles and yet that's what happened. I managed to win some of the skirmishes, but not all. We went into Day Two on books.
This was the day I lost more battles than I should have. I did get my mom to part with one bird book because she had another one already in her keep pile, but it became more and more ridiculous as the day wore on. And then we hit the war for Prince Phillip. For real. Somehow, and don't ask me how because no one in my family has ever given a rip about the royal family, my mom acquired a book about Prince Phillip. She wanted to keep it.
I said no.
You see, I'd had enough by this point. My mom kept books on gardening that she doesn't need since she'll be living in a condo and hasn't gardened in a good ten years. Not just one or two, but dozens. She refused to consider getting rid of them. She also kept books on knitting, sewing, and embroidery. She's never done any of these things! And since my lack of domestication came from her, I can say with 99.99% accuracy that she will never do any of those things.
And then we ran into the Prince Phillip book. We didn't really argue, argue, but we did have a ten minute discussion on donating it. I said yes, my mom wanted to hang on to it. I guess she's going to develop an interest in the British royal family right after she learns how to knit and do needlepoint. ::snort::
I did win the Prince Phillip war. He'll be going to the library. Unfortunately, I lost too many other battles that day.
First, let me say I'm hugely sympathetic to the book issue. I donated more than 3000 books before I moved from Minnesota to Atlanta, but I used it as an opportunity to get rid of books I was clearly never going to read. I also donated books that I'd read and didn't love (according to my spreadsheet). The books I'd read before I started keeping track? Well, I figured if I couldn't remember anything about a title and if it wasn't by a must-buy author, it could go. I haven't missed any of the books I gave to the library.
Since it only took a glance for me on most of my books, I expected it to be that quick and easy for my parents. Not so much. My mom had to browse through every book to see if she wanted to read it. I say if you haven't read it in thirty years, it can go.
I certainly didn't expect to have to argue over dozens and dozens of titles and yet that's what happened. I managed to win some of the skirmishes, but not all. We went into Day Two on books.
This was the day I lost more battles than I should have. I did get my mom to part with one bird book because she had another one already in her keep pile, but it became more and more ridiculous as the day wore on. And then we hit the war for Prince Phillip. For real. Somehow, and don't ask me how because no one in my family has ever given a rip about the royal family, my mom acquired a book about Prince Phillip. She wanted to keep it.
I said no.
You see, I'd had enough by this point. My mom kept books on gardening that she doesn't need since she'll be living in a condo and hasn't gardened in a good ten years. Not just one or two, but dozens. She refused to consider getting rid of them. She also kept books on knitting, sewing, and embroidery. She's never done any of these things! And since my lack of domestication came from her, I can say with 99.99% accuracy that she will never do any of those things.
And then we ran into the Prince Phillip book. We didn't really argue, argue, but we did have a ten minute discussion on donating it. I said yes, my mom wanted to hang on to it. I guess she's going to develop an interest in the British royal family right after she learns how to knit and do needlepoint. ::snort::
I did win the Prince Phillip war. He'll be going to the library. Unfortunately, I lost too many other battles that day.
October 21, 2014
More Adventures With Bugs
I put the garbage out tonight--tomorrow is pick up day--and while I try to be quick in and out the door, it's not always easy when I'm toting a garbage bag and stuff for the recycle bin. Tonight, I wasn't quite fast enough.
After putting out the trash, I sat down to figure out what to blog about. As I'm thinking, I catch something from the corner of my eye to the right of the television and near the back of the entertainment unit. I glance over, but see nothing. It's a little shadowy in that corner because the recessed light that would illuminate that area burnt out and I haven't replaced it yet. Probably my imagination, I decided.
But maybe I should check it out anyway. But on the other hand, it probably was my imagination. This wouldn't be the first time I thought I'd seen a bug when there wasn't one.
Maybe ten more minutes go by. I hear something. This definitely sounds like a bug now. I get up and go for the bug spray. But maybe this low-test spray I have won't kill the thing. That quick glimpse I had suggested it was something big. I spot the broom for sweeping the patio and grab it.
I'm now armed.
I walk to the family room where I'd heard something. Before I can see anything, it flies right at me!
I jump back and try to use the broom to drive it away from my legs. It finally gets down on the carpet. I feel a split second of relief that it's not a giant roach like one of the guys at work had in his house, and then I whack it with the broom.
I whack it so hard, I bent the metal handle of my broom. It's still moving.
Again and again I hit it, but it won't die. I step on it. Nope, not dead yet. I step on it another time. And once more. Finally, I use the broom to sweep if onto the fireplace tile and step on it there.
It's still moving! What is this? The Terminator of the bug world?
The second time I stepped on him with the hard surface, he made a crunching sound. Dead, dead at last. Let this be a warning to you bugs of all sizes and ilks (I include spiders), if you enter my territory, you'll pay with your life. My word on it.
After putting out the trash, I sat down to figure out what to blog about. As I'm thinking, I catch something from the corner of my eye to the right of the television and near the back of the entertainment unit. I glance over, but see nothing. It's a little shadowy in that corner because the recessed light that would illuminate that area burnt out and I haven't replaced it yet. Probably my imagination, I decided.
But maybe I should check it out anyway. But on the other hand, it probably was my imagination. This wouldn't be the first time I thought I'd seen a bug when there wasn't one.
Maybe ten more minutes go by. I hear something. This definitely sounds like a bug now. I get up and go for the bug spray. But maybe this low-test spray I have won't kill the thing. That quick glimpse I had suggested it was something big. I spot the broom for sweeping the patio and grab it.
I'm now armed.
I walk to the family room where I'd heard something. Before I can see anything, it flies right at me!
I jump back and try to use the broom to drive it away from my legs. It finally gets down on the carpet. I feel a split second of relief that it's not a giant roach like one of the guys at work had in his house, and then I whack it with the broom.
I whack it so hard, I bent the metal handle of my broom. It's still moving.
Again and again I hit it, but it won't die. I step on it. Nope, not dead yet. I step on it another time. And once more. Finally, I use the broom to sweep if onto the fireplace tile and step on it there.
It's still moving! What is this? The Terminator of the bug world?
The second time I stepped on him with the hard surface, he made a crunching sound. Dead, dead at last. Let this be a warning to you bugs of all sizes and ilks (I include spiders), if you enter my territory, you'll pay with your life. My word on it.
October 19, 2014
10 Questions You Don't Want Answered
I might never eat peanut butter again.
October 16, 2014
The Skypirate
I thought I'd talk about another one of my favorite books since it was re-released yesterday. This one is Science Fiction Romance, my favorite genre, and it's my favorite SFR title.
Warning: There might be spoilers ahead!
I'll really try not to spoil the book since it was just re-released after years of being out of print, but if you're someone who hates spoilers, please click away just in case. I'd hate anyone to miss this awesome book!
The Skypirate by Justine Davis
This book is the second book in her Coalition series, and while I think it will stand alone, it also wouldn't hurt to read the first book, Lord of the Storm. It will definitely make you appreciate just how far the heroine of Skypirate has to travel to get her happy ending.
Dax, the hero, breaks into a prison to rescue his ward and ends up bringing the heroine along, too. Califa wears the collar of a slave and has all kinds of secrets. Including the fact that she was once an officer in the coalition. Since this is who nearly wiped out the people of his planet, he's not going to like it when he finds out just what Califa used to be.
I think I'm going to end the summary here just in case I inadvertently spoil someone's enjoyment of the story.
Of all the futuristic/SFR stories I've read, this one is still my favorite. It's intense, with a hero and heroine who are both carrying around enough baggage to fill the cargo bins on an A380 and still have carry-on luggage. :-) The story is intense, and if you love tortured characters, you'll enjoy this story.
I really liked Lord of the Storm, too, but after reading it, I couldn't figure out how Califa could possibly be a heroine in the next book. I should have known Justine Davis would pull it off beautifully. (She's been a must-buy author for me for years!) It wasn't an easy journey from distrustful to HEA, but it was sure worth it.
I rate my books on a scale of 10 and I almost never give any story the top rating. The Skypirate gets 10/10. Very highly recommended!
Warning: There might be spoilers ahead!
I'll really try not to spoil the book since it was just re-released after years of being out of print, but if you're someone who hates spoilers, please click away just in case. I'd hate anyone to miss this awesome book!
The Skypirate by Justine Davis
This book is the second book in her Coalition series, and while I think it will stand alone, it also wouldn't hurt to read the first book, Lord of the Storm. It will definitely make you appreciate just how far the heroine of Skypirate has to travel to get her happy ending.
Dax, the hero, breaks into a prison to rescue his ward and ends up bringing the heroine along, too. Califa wears the collar of a slave and has all kinds of secrets. Including the fact that she was once an officer in the coalition. Since this is who nearly wiped out the people of his planet, he's not going to like it when he finds out just what Califa used to be.
I think I'm going to end the summary here just in case I inadvertently spoil someone's enjoyment of the story.
Of all the futuristic/SFR stories I've read, this one is still my favorite. It's intense, with a hero and heroine who are both carrying around enough baggage to fill the cargo bins on an A380 and still have carry-on luggage. :-) The story is intense, and if you love tortured characters, you'll enjoy this story.
I really liked Lord of the Storm, too, but after reading it, I couldn't figure out how Califa could possibly be a heroine in the next book. I should have known Justine Davis would pull it off beautifully. (She's been a must-buy author for me for years!) It wasn't an easy journey from distrustful to HEA, but it was sure worth it.
I rate my books on a scale of 10 and I almost never give any story the top rating. The Skypirate gets 10/10. Very highly recommended!
