Molly O'Keefe's Blog, page 62
March 28, 2011
Filling the Well or Slacking
I turned in my copyedits on Vanished in the Night last week. Then I switched immediately into booksigning mode. Book cover cookies (very cute, but not so tasty) ordered. Witch hat cookies (tasty and cute, but time-consuming) made. Beverages picked up from Costco. Then we had the booksigning and I switched immediately into sloth mode.
Friday I had lunch with a friend, checked on my mother and then started digging out the rubbish in my house. Thing One has been home on spring break and while I miss the kid incredibly, he leaves a trail of dirty dishes and clothes behind him wherever he goes that I'm not all that nostalgic about. I also crocheted myself right out of size 3 crochet thread. Saturday there was an RWA chapter meeting. I checked on my mother again (she has a bad cold), stopped by a school fundraiser, spent some time on the Stairmaster and . . .
I'm thinking you get the point. I haven't done anything. I had most of Sunday to myself and instead of opening up my WIP, I reorganized the linen closet and cleaned the refrigerator. I didn't even do a good job of it although I did combine the six open jars of sun-dried tomatoes into three.
Part of me argues that I needed the time. Part of me thinks I'm just being lazy. I thought I was all fired up to get back to work on this proposal, but when I had the chance, I went right to the linen closet.
So whatever it was, slacking or taking some needed time to recharge, this week I'm getting back on the horse. How about you? Do you take time at the end of a project? Or just jump into the next one?
Friday I had lunch with a friend, checked on my mother and then started digging out the rubbish in my house. Thing One has been home on spring break and while I miss the kid incredibly, he leaves a trail of dirty dishes and clothes behind him wherever he goes that I'm not all that nostalgic about. I also crocheted myself right out of size 3 crochet thread. Saturday there was an RWA chapter meeting. I checked on my mother again (she has a bad cold), stopped by a school fundraiser, spent some time on the Stairmaster and . . .
I'm thinking you get the point. I haven't done anything. I had most of Sunday to myself and instead of opening up my WIP, I reorganized the linen closet and cleaned the refrigerator. I didn't even do a good job of it although I did combine the six open jars of sun-dried tomatoes into three.
Part of me argues that I needed the time. Part of me thinks I'm just being lazy. I thought I was all fired up to get back to work on this proposal, but when I had the chance, I went right to the linen closet.
So whatever it was, slacking or taking some needed time to recharge, this week I'm getting back on the horse. How about you? Do you take time at the end of a project? Or just jump into the next one?
Maze Runner, something Wanda Ottewell told me and a little Courtney Milan for good measure
About two months ago Sinead handed me The Maze Runner and said it was an incredible lesson in introducing problems and pacing. Sinead has never steered me wrong so I dug in. And then put it down, for two months. The premise is incredible - a teenage boy is going up an elevator, he has no idea where he is or where he's going. He has no memory. He arrives to a small community of teenage boys who live in this glade set up in the middle of a maze that they are supposed to solve. There are terrible beasts out there that will sting you and kill you and are very scary. Amazing, right?
But I put the book down because the beginning is sooooo bogged down with this strange language with the boys use, and clumsy characterization, but what really bothered me is the hero had all these questions - as you would expect - and instead of answering them, or finding a reason for the other boys not to answer them, the author choose to have the characters say ridiculous things like "shut your mouth, you're not listening." Or the conversations got interrupted or something equally unsatisfying. Chapters of this.
Which reminded me of something Wanda Ottewell said about writing. If I am worried that a conversation between characters will somehow ruin the drama of my book - be it conflict or character or whatever - then as a smart writer I need to make sure they have the conversation and it creates MORE drama. Be it a big misunderstanding, or a secret or a world detail - whatever, you can only hold that conversation off for so long before the reader gets sick of it. So why not own the problem and create something unexpected.
Which made me think about Courtney Milan's newest book Unveiled. I'm three quarters of the way through this book which is basically a revenge/secret story. And at every turn Milan reverses my expectations. I'm a smart reader - I think I know what's going to happen and she honestly makes the opposite happen in a way I am not expecting at all. It's pretty damn great and easily her best book yet.
Maze Runner gets really good once the question answering doesn't matter. The pace absolutely sings, surprises at every turn and the world is very compelling. So, once again Sinead is right. So, two good books...I'm on a reading roll.
But I put the book down because the beginning is sooooo bogged down with this strange language with the boys use, and clumsy characterization, but what really bothered me is the hero had all these questions - as you would expect - and instead of answering them, or finding a reason for the other boys not to answer them, the author choose to have the characters say ridiculous things like "shut your mouth, you're not listening." Or the conversations got interrupted or something equally unsatisfying. Chapters of this.
Which reminded me of something Wanda Ottewell said about writing. If I am worried that a conversation between characters will somehow ruin the drama of my book - be it conflict or character or whatever - then as a smart writer I need to make sure they have the conversation and it creates MORE drama. Be it a big misunderstanding, or a secret or a world detail - whatever, you can only hold that conversation off for so long before the reader gets sick of it. So why not own the problem and create something unexpected.
Which made me think about Courtney Milan's newest book Unveiled. I'm three quarters of the way through this book which is basically a revenge/secret story. And at every turn Milan reverses my expectations. I'm a smart reader - I think I know what's going to happen and she honestly makes the opposite happen in a way I am not expecting at all. It's pretty damn great and easily her best book yet.
Maze Runner gets really good once the question answering doesn't matter. The pace absolutely sings, surprises at every turn and the world is very compelling. So, once again Sinead is right. So, two good books...I'm on a reading roll.
March 24, 2011
Do You Remember Your Dreams?
When Maureen had me fill out the questionnaire for Get Lost in a Story blog one of the questions was do you remember your dreams?
I always remember my dreams. Or at least I think I do. But I also know that I can have several in one night.
I have vivid, action packed story driven dreams. Sometimes scary, sometimes adventures. Sometimes I wake up in the morning with a sense of exhaustion like I'm Indiana Jones and have just recovered the lost ark.
Every time I think… can that be a book? Crazily enough I can even analyze that mid-dream. While I'm dreaming I think… "Oh wow this is so much fun, what an adventure, will this make a book?"
Sadly, not one has ever panned out for me in book form. When I wake up a lot of the dream fades and the pieces don't seem to fit together. And when I start to think about the "plot" I suddenly see with my cool morning logic that it was all just a bunch of crazy nonsense.
I've heard stories about people eating certain foods or doing certain exercises to enhance dreaming just so they might unleash some subconscious idea. Luckily I'm an active dreamer so that's never been necessary for me. But obviously some consider dreaming a tool for writers. Like the idea for Harry Potter is in there somewhere and if they just let themselves go in sleep and it will all come to them.
Last night I had a dream like that. It was a fantasy based children's story. Just a broad stroke crazy concept that when I woke up I was like wow… that's cool. Too bad I'm not a fantasy children's writer!
So what about you all? Do you remember dreams? Do you use them to help your creativity? Or are they all just crazy chaos?
I always remember my dreams. Or at least I think I do. But I also know that I can have several in one night.
I have vivid, action packed story driven dreams. Sometimes scary, sometimes adventures. Sometimes I wake up in the morning with a sense of exhaustion like I'm Indiana Jones and have just recovered the lost ark.
Every time I think… can that be a book? Crazily enough I can even analyze that mid-dream. While I'm dreaming I think… "Oh wow this is so much fun, what an adventure, will this make a book?"
Sadly, not one has ever panned out for me in book form. When I wake up a lot of the dream fades and the pieces don't seem to fit together. And when I start to think about the "plot" I suddenly see with my cool morning logic that it was all just a bunch of crazy nonsense.
I've heard stories about people eating certain foods or doing certain exercises to enhance dreaming just so they might unleash some subconscious idea. Luckily I'm an active dreamer so that's never been necessary for me. But obviously some consider dreaming a tool for writers. Like the idea for Harry Potter is in there somewhere and if they just let themselves go in sleep and it will all come to them.
Last night I had a dream like that. It was a fantasy based children's story. Just a broad stroke crazy concept that when I woke up I was like wow… that's cool. Too bad I'm not a fantasy children's writer!
So what about you all? Do you remember dreams? Do you use them to help your creativity? Or are they all just crazy chaos?
March 23, 2011
Stephanie's Release!!
@font-face { font-family: "Arial";}@font-face { font-family: "Wingdings";}@font-face { font-family: "Tahoma";}@font-face { font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }em { }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }span.apple-style-span { }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
Stephanie had a book out this month and somehow we seem to have forgotten to party!!!
So, I'm passing out the party hats and pouring the margaritas and today we're going to hear about Stephanie's fabulous new book and a bit about Stephanie herself. Isn't it about time we learned more about our fearless bloggers?
ABOUT STEPHANIE
Stephanie Doyle is a dedicated romance reader. She began to pen her own romantic adventures at age sixteen. She began submitting to Harlequin at age eighteen and by twenty-six, her first book was published. Fifteen years later she still loves what she does as each book is a new adventure. She lives with her cat Lex and two new kittens who have taken over everything. When she's not daydreaming about heading to the beach, she's thinking about her next idea.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Fresh on the heels of their disastrous date, Dr. Camille Lawson is none too pleased to find Dr. Wyatt Holladay darkening her doorstep. But a mystery ailment is claiming her patients – and just maybe the gorgeous doctor can help her get some answers. What should be a simple investigation of medical causes quickly reveals a very real threat. Someone is targeting Camille by killing her patients, one by one.
Surrounded by suspects and unable to convince the authorities crimes are being committed, Wyatt is the only person who can keep the infuriating beauty safe. With everything on the line, he must protect her reputation, her life… and her heart.
Romantic Times – Top Pick – "Wonderfully wounded characters and edge-of-your-seat excitement make this a great read you won't put down." Page Traynor
AND NOW THE PART WHEREIN MAUREEN ASKS THE PROBING QUESTIONS...
MAUREEN: What's your favorite holiday?STEPHANIE: Thanksgiving… because I don't have to cook. Which means none of the pressure of gift buying and all the fun of eating.
MAUREEN: Where do you most like to read and how often? STEPHANIE: This might make a lot of wives and moms jealous - but one of the perks of being single and childless is I have all the time in the world to read. I have a chaise lounge, a couch and a leather recliner all designed for comfort reading. I can spend a Saturday or Sunday on the couch reading for hours and hours. I love it.
MAUREEN: What's your favorite kind of story to get lost in? STEPHANIE: A good one. Just give me a great story and I will sink so far into it that I won't move for hours.
MAUREEN: What's your favorite fairy tale? STEPHANIE: Beauty and the Beast. I'm not Beauty but I always saw myself with more of a "beast" type guy then a Prince Charming.
MAUREEN: Hiking boots or high heels? STEPHANIE: High Heels.
MAUREEN: What sound or noise do you love? STEPHANIE: Water. It's crazy but I love all the sounds of water. A bath running, a faucet, the ocean, a creek. All of it.
MAUREEN: What was the first story you remember writing? STEPHANIE: The first time I started writing was basically Star Wars fan fiction. I was obsessed with Leia and Han. But my first completed book was an historical about an Irish revolutionary fighting against the English… and of course she was a woman. All my stories feature really strong women.
MAUREEN: What really scares you? STEPHANIE: Snakes. Snakes scare the hell out of me. Whenever I'm stressed about something or worried I'll dream and then I'll see a snake in the dream. It's how my subconscious interprets anxiety. Crazy I know… but me and Indiana Jones. The difference is I NEVER would have gone into the tomb.
MAUREEN: If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and why? STEPHANIE: Oh wow… this is a tough one. If time-traveler was a position I would so apply for that. I would go back to Philadelphia in 1776. I would head for the American west in the 1800's. I would love to be a Templar Knight – but before they started killing all of them…. So many times and places.
MAUREEN: Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why? STEPHANIE: I would invite every one of my heroes – obviously I'm in love with all of them. Of course they would also probably tick me off… but still.
MAUREEN: What would you say is your most interesting quirk? STEPHANIE: I don't know how interesting it is but I mix up common sayings all the time… I say things like… "We'll burn that bridge when we get to it" or "He really threw a monkey at my wrench with that one…" My co-workers not only make fun of me for this but have started writing them down.
MAUREEN: Hilarious. I had a friend in high school whose dad used to say, "Black duck of the family." It became a thing with us.
MAUREEN'S GOTTA ASK:
What's your idea of a perfect Sunday afternoon?
STEPHANIE'S GOTTA ANSWER:
Sleep in until the crack of eleven… breakfast at the diner which includes eggs and pork roll (NJ delicacy). Followed by two hours of quality writing. Then a long walk possibly followed up with a nap. Then a couple of hours of reading followed by dinner, a glass of wine and a good HBO show or movie. Wait – that is "typical" Sunday. You wanted my perfect Sunday… nope, same Sunday.
Stephanie had a book out this month and somehow we seem to have forgotten to party!!!
So, I'm passing out the party hats and pouring the margaritas and today we're going to hear about Stephanie's fabulous new book and a bit about Stephanie herself. Isn't it about time we learned more about our fearless bloggers?
ABOUT STEPHANIE
Stephanie Doyle is a dedicated romance reader. She began to pen her own romantic adventures at age sixteen. She began submitting to Harlequin at age eighteen and by twenty-six, her first book was published. Fifteen years later she still loves what she does as each book is a new adventure. She lives with her cat Lex and two new kittens who have taken over everything. When she's not daydreaming about heading to the beach, she's thinking about her next idea.ABOUT THE BOOK
Fresh on the heels of their disastrous date, Dr. Camille Lawson is none too pleased to find Dr. Wyatt Holladay darkening her doorstep. But a mystery ailment is claiming her patients – and just maybe the gorgeous doctor can help her get some answers. What should be a simple investigation of medical causes quickly reveals a very real threat. Someone is targeting Camille by killing her patients, one by one. Surrounded by suspects and unable to convince the authorities crimes are being committed, Wyatt is the only person who can keep the infuriating beauty safe. With everything on the line, he must protect her reputation, her life… and her heart.
Romantic Times – Top Pick – "Wonderfully wounded characters and edge-of-your-seat excitement make this a great read you won't put down." Page Traynor
AND NOW THE PART WHEREIN MAUREEN ASKS THE PROBING QUESTIONS...
MAUREEN: What's your favorite holiday?STEPHANIE: Thanksgiving… because I don't have to cook. Which means none of the pressure of gift buying and all the fun of eating.
MAUREEN: Where do you most like to read and how often? STEPHANIE: This might make a lot of wives and moms jealous - but one of the perks of being single and childless is I have all the time in the world to read. I have a chaise lounge, a couch and a leather recliner all designed for comfort reading. I can spend a Saturday or Sunday on the couch reading for hours and hours. I love it.
MAUREEN: What's your favorite kind of story to get lost in? STEPHANIE: A good one. Just give me a great story and I will sink so far into it that I won't move for hours.
MAUREEN: What's your favorite fairy tale? STEPHANIE: Beauty and the Beast. I'm not Beauty but I always saw myself with more of a "beast" type guy then a Prince Charming.
MAUREEN: Hiking boots or high heels? STEPHANIE: High Heels.
MAUREEN: What sound or noise do you love? STEPHANIE: Water. It's crazy but I love all the sounds of water. A bath running, a faucet, the ocean, a creek. All of it.
MAUREEN: What was the first story you remember writing? STEPHANIE: The first time I started writing was basically Star Wars fan fiction. I was obsessed with Leia and Han. But my first completed book was an historical about an Irish revolutionary fighting against the English… and of course she was a woman. All my stories feature really strong women.
MAUREEN: What really scares you? STEPHANIE: Snakes. Snakes scare the hell out of me. Whenever I'm stressed about something or worried I'll dream and then I'll see a snake in the dream. It's how my subconscious interprets anxiety. Crazy I know… but me and Indiana Jones. The difference is I NEVER would have gone into the tomb.
MAUREEN: If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and why? STEPHANIE: Oh wow… this is a tough one. If time-traveler was a position I would so apply for that. I would go back to Philadelphia in 1776. I would head for the American west in the 1800's. I would love to be a Templar Knight – but before they started killing all of them…. So many times and places.
MAUREEN: Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why? STEPHANIE: I would invite every one of my heroes – obviously I'm in love with all of them. Of course they would also probably tick me off… but still.
MAUREEN: What would you say is your most interesting quirk? STEPHANIE: I don't know how interesting it is but I mix up common sayings all the time… I say things like… "We'll burn that bridge when we get to it" or "He really threw a monkey at my wrench with that one…" My co-workers not only make fun of me for this but have started writing them down.
MAUREEN: Hilarious. I had a friend in high school whose dad used to say, "Black duck of the family." It became a thing with us.
MAUREEN'S GOTTA ASK:
What's your idea of a perfect Sunday afternoon?
STEPHANIE'S GOTTA ANSWER:
Sleep in until the crack of eleven… breakfast at the diner which includes eggs and pork roll (NJ delicacy). Followed by two hours of quality writing. Then a long walk possibly followed up with a nap. Then a couple of hours of reading followed by dinner, a glass of wine and a good HBO show or movie. Wait – that is "typical" Sunday. You wanted my perfect Sunday… nope, same Sunday.
March 21, 2011
Booksignings
I'm having one this Thursday with my friend Spring Warren at the Borders in Davis, California at 7 p.m. Come on down. It'll be great. There'll be cookies with our book covers on them. Plus ones shaped like snails and others shaped like witch hats. We're going to do a literary mash up. Spring is taking a scene from her book (which is a memoir about eating 75% of her food by weight from her yard for a year) and my urban fantasy and smushing them together. It should be funny. And fun. Possibly even charming. I am extremely hopeful that we'll sell some books.
Now, let me tell you how much I hate doing this. I really do. I hate booksignings. I do one every year here in Davis for whatever book is coming out and I dread it. I try to make it fun. I try to make it a party (although Borders is banning booze this time). Still, it makes me just a little miserable.
Will anyone show up? Will too many people show up? Will obnoxious kids in the bookstore eat all my treats before the real guests arrive? Did I buy too much food? Will my talk be stupid? Am I stupid? Will anyone even care? Will they forget to order my backlist (again)? If they do order it, will anyone buy it? What should I wear? Dressy? Casual? Cleavage baring or modest? Okay. Forget the last one. I almost always go with the cleavage. I use it as camouflage technique. Maybe they won't notice how big my butt is if they're looking at my boobs.
Before I started writing, I used to love to go to booksignings. I loved to see if the author would look and sound how I expected her/him to or be entirely different. I loved to hear their stories. One time, Karen Joy Fowler read a scene that had been cut from her book. It was fantastic. I felt like such an insider. I've yet to figure out how to capture that joy on the other side of the table. I always feel sweaty and desperate.
So how about you? Do you love or loathe booksignings? Do you feel like you have to do them or do you blow them off entirely (something I'm seriously considering)?
Eat Pray Love or Rattling Eileen's Cage
Husband had a hockey game last night so I ordered up some prime chick flick and prepared myself for a Carbohydrate craving. And a James Franco Craving. And a Billy Crudup craving.
What I got was annoyed and, admitedly a Javier Bardem craving.
What is it we're supposed to like about this movie? That a rich woman severs all ties with the men she's hurt in order to travel the world and feel both great and then crappy about herself? I liked her big come to jesus moment - I don't have to love you to prove I love myself - nicely done, since we are led to believe she's thrown her love around without a lot of thought. That she chooses to love Javier with his eyes and that hair and the smile that I could have eaten with a spoon - I guess makes all that Italian pasta and Indian floor scrubbing worthwhile.
If it weren't for the caliber of actors in these ridiculous two-dimensional parts, this movie would be terribly painful. The gruff Texan who calls Liz Groceries (played by someone great whose name I can't remember) oh, lord, what a poorly written character. What a blatent manufactured device, but when he tells that story about nearly hitting his son with the car...amazing. Beautiful.
Billy Crudup is one of my favorite actors, he makes it all seem believable, no matter what it is. And his moment in that meeting room, calling his wife a quitter, telling her he chooses her - awesome. Totally sided with him. As we were meant to, I'm sure.
And then, oh Javier. The mix tapes. The way he cried saying goodbye to his son. That slow slow dance to the bedroom. I have longed to be Penelope Cruz for many reasons, I have a new one.
But this movie sucked. If it weren't for the fact that Julia Roberts is one of the most likeable actresses on the planet, I would never have gotten over the fact that I didn't like this woman. At all. And I get it, she knows she did a crappy thing and I can relate, who doesn't do crappy things, but...I don't know, is it becasue she was rich? Because she was so righteous about it? I just didn't care.
I don't know why Eileen hates this book, but I agree with her, whatever her reasons.
What I got was annoyed and, admitedly a Javier Bardem craving.
What is it we're supposed to like about this movie? That a rich woman severs all ties with the men she's hurt in order to travel the world and feel both great and then crappy about herself? I liked her big come to jesus moment - I don't have to love you to prove I love myself - nicely done, since we are led to believe she's thrown her love around without a lot of thought. That she chooses to love Javier with his eyes and that hair and the smile that I could have eaten with a spoon - I guess makes all that Italian pasta and Indian floor scrubbing worthwhile.
If it weren't for the caliber of actors in these ridiculous two-dimensional parts, this movie would be terribly painful. The gruff Texan who calls Liz Groceries (played by someone great whose name I can't remember) oh, lord, what a poorly written character. What a blatent manufactured device, but when he tells that story about nearly hitting his son with the car...amazing. Beautiful.
Billy Crudup is one of my favorite actors, he makes it all seem believable, no matter what it is. And his moment in that meeting room, calling his wife a quitter, telling her he chooses her - awesome. Totally sided with him. As we were meant to, I'm sure.
And then, oh Javier. The mix tapes. The way he cried saying goodbye to his son. That slow slow dance to the bedroom. I have longed to be Penelope Cruz for many reasons, I have a new one.
But this movie sucked. If it weren't for the fact that Julia Roberts is one of the most likeable actresses on the planet, I would never have gotten over the fact that I didn't like this woman. At all. And I get it, she knows she did a crappy thing and I can relate, who doesn't do crappy things, but...I don't know, is it becasue she was rich? Because she was so righteous about it? I just didn't care.
I don't know why Eileen hates this book, but I agree with her, whatever her reasons.
March 18, 2011
The power of a great story
This might be a mish mash of a post, so bear with me. One of the smaller entertainment news stories this week was the casting of Katniss in The Hunger Games movie.
The director cast Jennifer Lawrence, acadamy nominated star of Winter's bone. I haven't seen it yet, but from all accounts, she will make a great Katniss. Not only was Entertainment weekly keeping track of the casting, but so was my favourite Gossip site, Lainey gossip, two very different websites, but both very invested in the source book, because they loved it.
And hey, I can't fault them for their good taste and I'm thrilled that YA is getting the attention it deserves for the varied and excellent story telling in this genre.
But it makes me want to shout out for romance. Why does this genre get no respect? A new movie adaption of Jane Eyre came out this week. What is Jane Eyre, but a wonderful romance, written two hundred years ago.
Romance novels, on the rare occasion, they are made into movies, are relegated to movie of the week. Even chick lit gets more respect from the movie world. Something Borrowed, the movie, is getting released this week.
Hell, a movie about two cowboys falling in love got nominated for an oscar. So why don't romance novels get any respect. A lot of romance novels incorporate action, compelling conflict, drama. I would be first in line if a movie got made from one of my favourite romances, but it seems unlikely.
Why don't our great, (written in the past 30 years) romances get the credit they deserve outside the romance genre?
The director cast Jennifer Lawrence, acadamy nominated star of Winter's bone. I haven't seen it yet, but from all accounts, she will make a great Katniss. Not only was Entertainment weekly keeping track of the casting, but so was my favourite Gossip site, Lainey gossip, two very different websites, but both very invested in the source book, because they loved it.
And hey, I can't fault them for their good taste and I'm thrilled that YA is getting the attention it deserves for the varied and excellent story telling in this genre.
But it makes me want to shout out for romance. Why does this genre get no respect? A new movie adaption of Jane Eyre came out this week. What is Jane Eyre, but a wonderful romance, written two hundred years ago.
Romance novels, on the rare occasion, they are made into movies, are relegated to movie of the week. Even chick lit gets more respect from the movie world. Something Borrowed, the movie, is getting released this week.
Hell, a movie about two cowboys falling in love got nominated for an oscar. So why don't romance novels get any respect. A lot of romance novels incorporate action, compelling conflict, drama. I would be first in line if a movie got made from one of my favourite romances, but it seems unlikely.
Why don't our great, (written in the past 30 years) romances get the credit they deserve outside the romance genre?
March 17, 2011
Why we beat ourselves up as writers?
I mentioned in comments the other day about Richard Blaise on Top Chef All Stars. This guy is amazing. He's talented. He's creative. He can cook the bleep out of anything. He's clearly a star and has basically sailed to the finals. I'm not great with numbers, but he couldn't have been in the bottom more than once and he was regularly either in the top or a winner in the challenges.
He's a nervous wreck! He's paranoid about not winning. He's shouting to himself as his food is sent out that he SUCKS! He's clearly not good enough for himself. Now that can be an issue on many levels for a person – but let's focus on the creativity element.
Why does a person who has clearly succeeded in his profession not think he's ever good enough? According to his on camera interview… by not doing so it forces him to continue to work harder and be better.
Right now my writing life sucks. I'm sure there are some out there who know this feeling. Of course I'm alternately giving myself a pep talk then telling myself that I suck as a writer.
In the dark times I will try to pull myself out with logic. I've had 12 books and a novella published. I can't really suck that bad. Publishing is an achievement so many writers aspire to and I've reached that goal.
But I'm not where I want to be. Which means I must suck. I've gotten rejected – so I must suck. I got a bad review – it's because I suck. When I can step back and look at myself (I usually beat myself up for being fat but that's a whole other post) I think… I hate that person. I hate the negative nelly who is always down on themselves even when they've accomplished something. Like Molly's advice about really rejoicing in the positive because there is so much negative. It's great advice.
But I also realize part of why I kick my own butt is for the reason Richard does it. In a creative and competitive world you have to be self-motivating. You have to want to stand above the rest because it is the only way to get noticed. You have to work harder and do more than the person next to you. I know as writers we say we don't compete individually against each other… but well we sort of do don't we?
The two Regency Historical writers, who are submitting on proposal at the same time, are going to the same pool of editors. Same with the paranormal writers, mystery writers – you name it. Chicken is chicken. And the best chicken is going to win.
Granted this isn't done under a 60 minute time constraint with two authors pitted against one another as they struggle to crank out pages... but the result is the same. Creative people, going head to head, for a limited number of publishing spots. Only a few are going to make it to the top. The rest… sadly… will be asked to pack up their laptop and go.
The benefit of being a writer instead of a contestant on Top Chef is that you have endless possibilities to go back to the competition. But we also need to realize that if you're not working, struggling and dying to get better, if you're not thinking in your head about getting to the top… you might not get to the middle.
So I suck as a writer. Which maybe for now, that's okay for me to think, because maybe it will serve me in the end to push myself to that next level.
What about you? Anybody else out there suck as a writer?
P.S. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all Irishmen and drinkers. And all drinking Irishmen!
He's a nervous wreck! He's paranoid about not winning. He's shouting to himself as his food is sent out that he SUCKS! He's clearly not good enough for himself. Now that can be an issue on many levels for a person – but let's focus on the creativity element.
Why does a person who has clearly succeeded in his profession not think he's ever good enough? According to his on camera interview… by not doing so it forces him to continue to work harder and be better.
Right now my writing life sucks. I'm sure there are some out there who know this feeling. Of course I'm alternately giving myself a pep talk then telling myself that I suck as a writer.
In the dark times I will try to pull myself out with logic. I've had 12 books and a novella published. I can't really suck that bad. Publishing is an achievement so many writers aspire to and I've reached that goal.
But I'm not where I want to be. Which means I must suck. I've gotten rejected – so I must suck. I got a bad review – it's because I suck. When I can step back and look at myself (I usually beat myself up for being fat but that's a whole other post) I think… I hate that person. I hate the negative nelly who is always down on themselves even when they've accomplished something. Like Molly's advice about really rejoicing in the positive because there is so much negative. It's great advice.
But I also realize part of why I kick my own butt is for the reason Richard does it. In a creative and competitive world you have to be self-motivating. You have to want to stand above the rest because it is the only way to get noticed. You have to work harder and do more than the person next to you. I know as writers we say we don't compete individually against each other… but well we sort of do don't we?
The two Regency Historical writers, who are submitting on proposal at the same time, are going to the same pool of editors. Same with the paranormal writers, mystery writers – you name it. Chicken is chicken. And the best chicken is going to win.
Granted this isn't done under a 60 minute time constraint with two authors pitted against one another as they struggle to crank out pages... but the result is the same. Creative people, going head to head, for a limited number of publishing spots. Only a few are going to make it to the top. The rest… sadly… will be asked to pack up their laptop and go.
The benefit of being a writer instead of a contestant on Top Chef is that you have endless possibilities to go back to the competition. But we also need to realize that if you're not working, struggling and dying to get better, if you're not thinking in your head about getting to the top… you might not get to the middle.
So I suck as a writer. Which maybe for now, that's okay for me to think, because maybe it will serve me in the end to push myself to that next level.
What about you? Anybody else out there suck as a writer?
P.S. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all Irishmen and drinkers. And all drinking Irishmen!
March 14, 2011
I Think Writing Might Be Bad For My Health
I needed an epic writing day last week to launch myself into the third act of my book. So, on Friday I sent the kids off, turned the heat waaaaay down in my house and made a pot of coffee. Springsteen on repeat, no television - off I went. Six hours later, one phone call with Sinead to get myself out of the corner I had written myself into, a bag of carrots and half a loaf of raisin bread later - 5,000 words.
I was wired and exhausted, my head hurt, my heart was racing. I felt like for six hours of sitting I just rode adrenaline, which is crazy! I was eating toast and sitting, what did I need the adrenaline for?
After all that I turned on the news to see what had happened in Japan, and spent the next several hours crying. I went to bed in the clothes that I slept in the night before and that I wrote in all day. I couldn't fall asleep until three a.m. because of emotion and a brain that wouldn't stop.
The next day I still didn't feel right, so after our TRW meeting, I drank a bunch of beer to relax. That worked. But OH MY LORD! This is not good. This is not a healthy life.
At least once a book I have a day like this, I don't think it can be avoided. But what effects has writing had on your health? (As I write this, my back is practically bent in half...so, we can start with posture!)
My prayers and hope are with everyone in Japan or who have loved ones there...what a nightmare.
I was wired and exhausted, my head hurt, my heart was racing. I felt like for six hours of sitting I just rode adrenaline, which is crazy! I was eating toast and sitting, what did I need the adrenaline for?
After all that I turned on the news to see what had happened in Japan, and spent the next several hours crying. I went to bed in the clothes that I slept in the night before and that I wrote in all day. I couldn't fall asleep until three a.m. because of emotion and a brain that wouldn't stop.
The next day I still didn't feel right, so after our TRW meeting, I drank a bunch of beer to relax. That worked. But OH MY LORD! This is not good. This is not a healthy life.
At least once a book I have a day like this, I don't think it can be avoided. But what effects has writing had on your health? (As I write this, my back is practically bent in half...so, we can start with posture!)
My prayers and hope are with everyone in Japan or who have loved ones there...what a nightmare.
March 13, 2011
Lovin' My Blog Sissies
Due to last week's blog posts, I've had an epiphany and might, just maybe, be able to fix my WIP.
I was feeling like my heroine was a little boring and the pace was a little off. I'd been thinking it was just the kind of book I was writing. It's more women's fiction than suspense. It's not supposed to be a heart-pounding thrill ride. Then I read Molly's post about copping out. Eesh. That was EXACTLY what I was doing. Just because it's not a suspense novel doesn't mean it should be dull.
I still wasn't sure exactly what was wrong, though. Then Maureen posted about embracing your inner villain. I started thinking about how much work I'd put into the villains of Vanished in the Night which comes out in August. I did, too. I knew all about them. I knew what motivated them. I knew their goals and their feelings. In a lot of ways, they drove the story and while I don't think anyone will root for them, they are pretty interesting.
I'm not feeling that way about the heroine in my WIP. She's reacting to what's happening. Other people are driving her. She's drifting. Eventually she gets a clear goal and goes for it, but she's not doing that at the beginning of the story. I'm sure if I met her, we'd be great buddies, but on the page . . . zzzzzzzzz.
I realized that was what I had to do. I had to figure out a way to make her more active. To make her drive the story, But that's going to mean a lot of rewriting. A lot of tossing of scenes I've already written. It's going to be hard. Then there was Steph, reminding me that as a romance writer I should revel in eating the hard.
Finally, Sinead reminded that it's important to really dig into the book. Don't get distracted by diddling around with a word here and a word there. Dig in. Do some work.
Well, I'm doing it. Thanks, my sweet drunk blog sissies. This one's for you!
I was feeling like my heroine was a little boring and the pace was a little off. I'd been thinking it was just the kind of book I was writing. It's more women's fiction than suspense. It's not supposed to be a heart-pounding thrill ride. Then I read Molly's post about copping out. Eesh. That was EXACTLY what I was doing. Just because it's not a suspense novel doesn't mean it should be dull.
I still wasn't sure exactly what was wrong, though. Then Maureen posted about embracing your inner villain. I started thinking about how much work I'd put into the villains of Vanished in the Night which comes out in August. I did, too. I knew all about them. I knew what motivated them. I knew their goals and their feelings. In a lot of ways, they drove the story and while I don't think anyone will root for them, they are pretty interesting.
I'm not feeling that way about the heroine in my WIP. She's reacting to what's happening. Other people are driving her. She's drifting. Eventually she gets a clear goal and goes for it, but she's not doing that at the beginning of the story. I'm sure if I met her, we'd be great buddies, but on the page . . . zzzzzzzzz.
I realized that was what I had to do. I had to figure out a way to make her more active. To make her drive the story, But that's going to mean a lot of rewriting. A lot of tossing of scenes I've already written. It's going to be hard. Then there was Steph, reminding me that as a romance writer I should revel in eating the hard.
Finally, Sinead reminded that it's important to really dig into the book. Don't get distracted by diddling around with a word here and a word there. Dig in. Do some work.
Well, I'm doing it. Thanks, my sweet drunk blog sissies. This one's for you!
