C.M. Hindmarsh's Blog

The hardest part

I have literally been searching for an editor, for book one of my trilogy, for months. And I have decided, that finding a book editor is...

What a coincidence!

I'm still editing book one of my new supernatural/ fantasy novel but thought I'd take a break and talk about an interesting experience I...

I edit.

Now that I have expelled the demon that is Ai, let's get back to book writing.

Funny that no one deemed my rant worthy of a response. If one were prone to assumptions, and I am not, but assuming I was...lol I would be left with the assumption that either everyone agreed with me or everyone was lazy and/or a moron. Or is everyone just so fed up with the world that indifference won the day?

Who knows? Who cares?

Anyway, back to the project I am working on and my progress.

As you may know from previous bloggery, I have embarked on a trilogy and have been busy writing the first book. Which, I am happy to say is now in the editing stage.

I have written about how I like to write on paper in cafes and then after the book is done, then enter those pages into my writing software. I mention this again as a warning and advice to anyone who is doing the same or is thinking about doing it that way.

DON'T!

Not only does it create twice as much work, it's not fun at all. It tedious and time consuming and not creative. It tooks ages to do all that data entry and I will not put myself through that again. I will still go to cafes and write on paper but after each session, I will enter what I have written. So, save yourself a lot of pain and anguish and keep enjoying every aspect of your craft.

Now, one good thing that came out of that horrible process is editing. As I entered each chapter I edited as I entered. In the long run, this saved a lot of time and trimmed down the page count quite a bit. I even ditched a chapter or two using this method and the book now flows much better.

And now, more editing of course.

I will eventually hire an editor but I feel you have to make more than a few editing passes before you send it out. And, of course, add any creative flourishes that you hurried through in the initial writng stage. It's also a good time to correct any logic issues and anything that doesn't make sense. This would seem obvious. However, as I always tell my scriptwriting students, what you read isn't what anyone else will read. And what I mean by that is that because you are this creative works creator, it's all in you head. And in your head, it all makes perfect sense and there are no errors. You, in a sense, have become blind to any errors in logic or sense that have made it to the page. Your brain glosses over the errors in your book as it's got more important things to do like self-congratulate!

To combat this glossing over, we need someone else to look over our work. Someone who is not biased and prone to blowing smoke up our own ass like our wonderful brain.

So, that's where I'm at.

Today, I will begin my numerous passes through book one until it's in reasonably good shape and I'm ready for someone else's eyes to read it and make suggestions and corrections.

It's a great day and I'm rather pleased with myself for getting to this stage.

Thanks for reading and see you next time.

F#&K Off Ai

My blog post today was going to be about my latest book progress. But when I logged into wix today, my blog editor had become an obstacle course of Ai tools.

I have no firm idea as to why, websites like wix, would stoop to such a level. Not to mention that they did not get my consent. Not to mention, there doesn't seem to be a way to opt out!

I guess the simplest answer is wix is woke!

The reason I wanted to use wix was to create my websites and blogs as a human creative. I enjoy the challenge and the creative freedom to create my own things, my way. I don't want or need the help of artificial intelligence. I have a functioning brain that I use all the time and I feel that I am intelligent and capable of making my own decisions and mistakes.

If you think using Ai will enhance or simplify your life you are either extremely lazy and/or a moron. There, I said it! And I've been wanting to say it for a long time.

If wix thinks you should be using Ai tools then they must think you're lazy and a moron too!

Ai is not being forced down our throats because it promises to enhance our lives, it's here to enslave us. But not with force and an iron fist. At least a few people would see that coming. The enslavement of humans via Ai is ridiculously easy and simple. Just get the humans so reliant on artificial intelligence that they become even more compliant that they already are. And make them so completely reliant on Ai that they lose their ability to be self-sufficient and self-reliant. Simple, no?

But let me make one thing clear. It's really not Ai that wants to take over. It's the people that run the Ai. That would be your government and slime balls like The World Economic Forum and their ilk! I need a shower after that sentence, because I feel so dirty! Gross!

At the core of this blog is freedom. The freedom to use something or not. In this case Ai.

Wix has made the decision, to take away my and your freedom to make a choice.

If you want to use Ai, then of course that is your choice. A choice that I would never take away from you because freedom of choice, expression etc is of the utmost importance in my opinion.

I take issue with those who are pushing Ai on paying customers, like me, and not giving me an option to decline it's use. I'm not a lawyer. However, is this not a breach of contract? Shouldn't the paying users of sites like wix be given notice of such major changes? Shouldn't the implementation be subject to our consent?

I think it does.

What do you think?

Now That's Old School!

Yes, it's been some time since I last posted and I cannot believe so many months have passed! C'est la vie!

I'm back now though and today's blog marks a very important milestone. We'll two really.

First, I have completed my first and roughest draft of book one of the new trilogy.

Second, I am using Scrivener for the first time to write said book.

As you may have guessed from the title of today's blog, I write short stories and novels and even film scripts, the old way. My first drafts are always hand written on paper first and then as I input them into my writing software I edit them as I go.

Am I a luddite? No, far from it and I am well versed in the ways of the computer and have even taught my music and sound students on the ins and outs of macs versus pc's.

The reason I work on my literary projects this way is many fold.

I like to sit in a cafe and write on paper. I like how it feels and how it looks on the page.

I like to get away from my computer whenever I can and it's nice to give my eyes and mind a break from time to time and reduce my blue screen time.

Not only do I have my work instantly copywritten by puttig pen to page but I also have a hard copy of my intellectual property that I can put in a safe place. A safe place like a filing cabinet or a safe for example with no danger of accidental deletion or hackers.

And last and not least, I like the feel of all that paper in my hand when I've finished that first draft. It feels like accomplishment.

So, today has been a good day and book one of three is being converted from analog to digital.

Thanks for reading and more updates coming soon.

Two is not enough!

Last post, I was so pumped and excited that I could envision enough material for two novels instead of just one. Since then, I have channeled the wisdom of Peter Jackson of Lord of the Rings and The hobbit movie franchises and decided it would be in my best interest to create a trilogy. In case you aren't up on your Peter Jackson knowledge, when he was about to pitch the studios to do one Lord of the Rings film, he had an epiphany to pitch a trilogy which they loved and signed on to.

Now, I don't equate myself and my skills with Peter Jackson but I don't deny I have talent and the where-with-all to pull it off either.

I sat myself down after the two novel idea and began plotting and planning the trilogy to see if it was feasible and if a plot and many plot lines could be sustained over that many books. And much to my delight, it was quite easy and kind of presented it self to me all on it's own. Much the same way, this first book is writing itself and the characters that want to be heard and read are stepping up for their day in the sun, or moonlit night or dreary mist covered cemetery at dusk.

You might think the idea of writing three novels instead of just one would be daunting. However, the opposite is true and I'm even more excited now than I was when I started writing.

If I write a blog post next week, claiming that I am extending the series to four books, then please stop me anyway you can! Drop an Acme anvil on my head from the top of an overpass! Replace my mouthwash with nitroglycerin! Make me a cup of tea but substitute my beloved lapsing souchong with red rose! (the horror, the horror!) Do anything to keep me from biting off more than I can chew!!!! Bless you in advance dear reader!

My writing is really moving along quite fast and the men and women, animals and mythical beings that are wanting their turn and their own chapter is crazy weird! But the good kind of weird! Thank goodness I have plot maps and a clear idea of where the journey needs to go and end, otherwise I'd be quite lost bu now. And what a wonderful position to be in. I always tell my scriptwriting students that once you know the skeleton and the beginning and end - then let the muse take you where it wants. You can always do course corrections during the edit!

That's it from me today. Thanks for reading and I will try to post more often. I find it hard to maintain a social media presence when I'm in the midst of writing. It takes up a great deal of time and would rather be writing. But I will try. Bye for now.

Heading for two novels?

I had originally conceived of one, rather large novel, with two distinct yet related parts. As I continue to make rather fast headway, I realize that it might be a good idea to not split the book in two but create two books, a part one and two.

The main motivation is that as I chug along with part one - not even close to the climax and ending - the book is going to be massive. Far be it from. me to close down and censor the muse at this point. As I mentioned last blog, the book is writing itself due to the many supernatural creatures who have stepped up and want their voices to be heard. And heard you shall be!

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not ploughing along directionless and I still have a clear picture of where both part one and part two are going and more importantly ending. To use a cliche, the journey is more important that the destination. It's difficult to convey just how much I am enjoying the journey. Think of a seagull that's just snatched the last French fry out of a child's hand. Or a house cat with half a living bird inside its mouth and the other half still fluttering on the outside. Or a dog that found some long dead creature in the tall grass and is rolling it flat, twisting back and forth on it's back.

You get the idea. Pretty damn enjoyable!

Am I getting ahead of myself. While the cold light of editing make me squint and shield me eyes and bring tears to my eyes?

Who knows?

The other delightful thing about creating two separate books, would be making you wait impatiently for the second book to come out. Is that mean? Or just warped fun?

You be the judge.

Obviously, my writing is going very, very well and my life in the writing world is all roses.

Hope yours is too, whatever you are doing creatively.

Until next time.

The spirit works through me.

Really flying through the first half of the book and letting the characters take me on the journey they want to go on. And, of course, sticking to my outlines of where things need to go but not being too strict about it.

I'm writing about a lot of characters and creatures that I have not had first hand dealings. Instead of being a hinderance, this has been a boon.

As you may or may not know, I am a shaman, and therefore try and write about what I know.

I don't see things physically like some shamans do but feel and sense things and build images of these experiences in my mind, in real time. Yes, it is cool! And yes I live in an amazing world.

Anyway, there was a chapter I was working on recently in which the main character meets a sprite in the forest. Where else right! So, having never seen a sprite with my physical senses I asked spirit to help me out. As I wrote and imagined the scene playing out on my page, there she was or there she appeared. A sprite and she was nothing like any creature I had ever seen before or read about in the lore. Super cool!

Spirit working through me created a wonderful chapter and lead me to other creatures I knew little or nothing about in that same chapter. Freakin book is literally writing itself!!!!

That's it for now, a quick update as I promised. Bye for now.

Still Kicking!

I know, I know, it's been ages since I posted anything. Sorry about that.

I'm not making excuses - just explaining - but I do where many hats and other projects

have been demanding my attention and my time. But fear not. I am currently writing my next long form novel. I don't have a title yet but I'm about 8 chapters in already.

And because I have been absent and so neglectful, I've created this new landing page

video which tells you a bit about the new book and what you might expect. I think it's fun and

witty but then I'm fairly biased!

Anyway, have fun and enjoy and I promise to be back with more updates asap.

Thanks and bye for now.

https://vimeo.com/842957723

The Imperfect Writing Location

I've been a bit serious in past blogs and of course there are my veiled digs at what's really going on in the world. So, this time, I thought I might back off a little and do some musings on the perfect or imperfect place to write.

If anyone actual reads this blog, then please feel free to pass on an anecdote or two about your own amusing writing location. Or if you do have the penultimate writing location - please share and show us what a wonderful place it is. After all, the dream comes first and then the first steps.

So, where is the perfect or imperfect location to write a book? I included imperfect for a reason and you might find that a location seemingly unsuited to deep thought might turn out to be the best.

Personally, I have always done my best writing in a cafe of some sort. First of all, you have to encourage yourself to even get out of the house or apartment or car (if you're living in it). At the very least, you've accomplished something for the day. And conversely, you can consider your cafe field trip a type of reward. Not only do you get out of your abode but you get to walk amongst the common folk, breathe in the air, smell the flowers and end up in a place that has vast reserves of tea and coffee and sugary treats to treat yourself even more.

I really treat this excursion as a treat. CM, you've been in the house all morning loyally performing your social media duties and now you've earned a trip to the cafe to sip the nectar of the Gods and do some writing. But wait there's more. Not only do you get your caffeine and writing fix, you also get to people watch and eves drop - vital research for characters and dialogue for your next project. A wonderful win, win situation!

For me, it's the atmosphere. If the cafe is busy then I can laser focus on the task at hand until all the hubbub in the background just becomes white noise. If the cafe is quiet, then I tend to be a bit more 'out there' creatively as my mind decides that now is the time for wandering and daydreaming.

That's what I mean by the imperfect place. At first glance and listen, it's way too busy and distracting but depending on how you work - it's also the perfect spot.

It also helps if the cafe owners are receptive to the idea of someone sitting in their cafe for hours and just ordering tea and coffee every now and then. I've found this to be the case almost 100% of the time and no one has ever physically removed me yelling and screaming from a cafe.

The other thing I like is the unpredictability of a cafe. You never know just what might happen.

Case in point number one:

On one sunny afternoon, I was in my favourite tea shop and happily writing away. I noticed a young woman, checking her phone frequently and getting both annoyed and despondent. I surmised that she had been stood up and her exciting date had turned out to be a soggy teabag. So, believing that I, in fact, was much more interesting than said teabag, I invited her over to my table where we spent a wonderful afternoon chatting. We met again a few more times and that was the extent of our relating but it just goes to show you that a situation is both bad and good depending on your viewpoint.

Case in point number two:

This one still brings a smile to my face, even after a few years. This time I was in a fairly busy non-sock wearing hipster coffee shop and people were in a que to order. A woman came in carrying the biggest clock I have ever seen. It was massive and it was packaged in a way that you could still see most of the face. I thought to myself, should I or shouldn't I go up to her and ask her for the time? But before I could put my little joke into action, the dirty hipster at the next table beat me to the punch. He pretended to get behind her in the que and asked if she had the time. She showed him her watch-less wrist and said no, sorry. He just smiled and thanked her and came back to his table. I congratulated his efforts and seethed inside that a hipster had bettered me but I still thought it was hilarious!!!

Case in point number three:

This one occurred just a few days ago in small town Ontario. If you don't know Canada that well or are unfamiliar with it's internal politics - Ontario is without question the most Draconian of all the provinces and there really hasn't been a let up from the lockdowns. Recently, they did allow restaurants to re-open but with limited numbers. So, I have had a Starbucks card in my wallet since the plandemic started and thought now would be a good time to go out to a cafe and write even if it was a corporate slim-hole like Starbucks. In this small redneck town, there aren't many options.

Off I went, excited to actually go out in public and write and drink tea. Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! Still having to wear a mask to get in, I was encouraged that there were already two writers inside and mask-lessly working on their projects. Another bonus was that the place was huge inside and if they insisted on social distancing - I would be golden. I ordered tea and asked "could I sit inside and write". "Sure" the young enthusiastic barista said, "just as long as you fill out this contact tracing form". "You're joking!" I replied, "surely that went the way of scouring your hands with that vile handgel that has surely killed more people than the so-called virus?" "No", she insisted, "it's store policy". "And if I refuse?" said I, "you and me both know this is bullshit!" "Then you can't sit inside." So I refused out of principle. I looked at the patio which was filled with zero patrons and asked "can I go out there all by myself and write?" "Sure" she beamed "as long as you fill out the contact tracing form."Oh dear!

Have you ever dreamed about the perfect place to do your writing?

I have and do all the time and I hope and intend to manifest it in the near future.

My perfect spot is my small studio that I've built on the roof of my home in South America. The only access is via the roof and I'm the only one with the key. On one wall is a giant window that captures the most drool worthy view of the ocean and my private beach. The house is on the side of a mountain and the beach is accessible by a lovely meandering path through the small trees and flowers. i usually write in this most amazing place in the morning so I can have the afternoon to enjoy said beach or go exploring or paddling. I grinning form ear to ear right now just thinking about it and can't wait to get in there and create.

What about you?