Kalayna Price's Blog, page 26
June 1, 2009
Almost There
Well, this is the goal day for the completion of HB2's first draft. I'm happy to say I will definitely cross 90k today. Unfortunately, 90k was a projected number of words, and at this point, I am quite confident in saying that this draft will run over that projection. I still hope to hit those magic words tonight ("The End" for those unsure which magic words I'm referring to) but I honestly have no idea how long this draft will run. Usually my first drafts are short with lots of filling in of de
May 29, 2009
ConCarolinas
This weekend I will be attending ConCarolinas in Charlotte, NC. This is a great little fantasy convention that is close enough to be considered 'local' (and give broke me the option of daytriping.) I attended last year with Tori and Darlene, and we had a great time, so I'm really looking forward to this weekend.
Recently, I've noticed that my views on conventions have changed. In past years, I've gone to cons hoping to learn lots of new cool stuff. While I still hope to learn stuff, the reason
May 28, 2009
Please Insert Coffee to Activate this Brain
The title of this post is a bit misleading, as 1) I don’t drink coffee and 2) I want to talk about how useful mornings can be.
Yes, you read that correctly. I said mornings can be useful.
Now, before going any further, I would like to point out that I am not a morning person. Given half the opportunity, I revert to a schedule where I sleep through most of those pesky morning hours. My 9 to 5 doesn’t give me that opportunity. (Why do they call it a 9 to 5 anyway? I have to be here at 8:30. . . )
Yes, you read that correctly. I said mornings can be useful.
Now, before going any further, I would like to point out that I am not a morning person. Given half the opportunity, I revert to a schedule where I sleep through most of those pesky morning hours. My 9 to 5 doesn’t give me that opportunity. (Why do they call it a 9 to 5 anyway? I have to be here at 8:30. . . )
May 27, 2009
Goals and Rewards
(x-posted from the Tri Mu Blog.
I don’t think anyone would disagree that goals are important, but I think a lot of people discount the value of rewards. Writing a book is accomplished one word at a time with a final goal of telling a complete story. One could argue that the reward is having a finished book at the end, but honestly (at least for me) writing the first draft is far from having a ‘complete’ project.
I’m a fan of smaller rewards along the path of the writing progress. Also of smaller
I don’t think anyone would disagree that goals are important, but I think a lot of people discount the value of rewards. Writing a book is accomplished one word at a time with a final goal of telling a complete story. One could argue that the reward is having a finished book at the end, but honestly (at least for me) writing the first draft is far from having a ‘complete’ project.
I’m a fan of smaller rewards along the path of the writing progress. Also of smaller
May 26, 2009
Who are you, and what did you do with my character?
Throughout the first draft of HB2, I’ve had trouble with one of my characters refusing to talk to me. This character has been suffering major behavior and emotional changes from scene to scene as I’ve forced him to participate (when he obviously has had no interest at all.) A couple of scenes he has clicked in, but more often than not he falls flat on the page or acts in a manner completely out of character.
This is problematic to say the least, but it is a first draft, which is basically the sa
This is problematic to say the least, but it is a first draft, which is basically the sa
May 21, 2009
Deadlines: Real and Imagined
In the past, I've often set goals for when I wanted to complete a piece of writing. The key word in that sentence is wanted. Up until recently, I haven't had an hard deadlines in my writing career.
Things have changed.
The first book in my contract is due in October of this year. After that, I have books due every year until 2013.
I have deadlines now. Real deadlines. Which means I probably need to spend more effort making sure I meet my imaginary deadlines. I have one coming up soon. I'm suppose
Things have changed.
The first book in my contract is due in October of this year. After that, I have books due every year until 2013.
I have deadlines now. Real deadlines. Which means I probably need to spend more effort making sure I meet my imaginary deadlines. I have one coming up soon. I'm suppose
May 13, 2009
Writers Write
(X posted from the Tri Mu blog.)
When I was teenager, I was a member of a ballet company. One of my teachers was once told me that a ballerina could go three, maybe four days without practice, but every day after that, she was less of a dancer. I took her words to heart, maintaining a rigorous class and training schedule along with my rehearsal and performance schedule. When I stopped dancing, I felt what she meant as my muscles and flexibility suffered.
What does this story have to do with writ
When I was teenager, I was a member of a ballet company. One of my teachers was once told me that a ballerina could go three, maybe four days without practice, but every day after that, she was less of a dancer. I took her words to heart, maintaining a rigorous class and training schedule along with my rehearsal and performance schedule. When I stopped dancing, I felt what she meant as my muscles and flexibility suffered.
What does this story have to do with writ
May 11, 2009
More Haven Books To Come!
You probably remember my teasing post a couple weeks ago about something big in the horizon. Well, I am finally ready for the big reveal . . .
I have signed a contract for five more books with Bell Bridge Books!
At least four of the books in the contract will be in the Haven series, so if you enjoyed ONCE BITTEN, look for Kita and Nathanial to be back in a new book this Winter!
More news to come soon, so check back.-Kalayna Price[image error]
I have signed a contract for five more books with Bell Bridge Books!
At least four of the books in the contract will be in the Haven series, so if you enjoyed ONCE BITTEN, look for Kita and Nathanial to be back in a new book this Winter!
More news to come soon, so check back.-Kalayna Price[image error]
May 9, 2009
Postal Woes
I'm starting to think my post office has something against me.
Mailing a package should be a simple process, and my stress should be over what is in the package, not how it is getting to its destination, right? Well, this week, that hasn't been the case. (Edit: Not that the stress over what is in the package was missing. I've just had extra stress with shipping.)
I had an important package I needed to ship this week. I'm accustomed to shipping manuscripts and books at this point, so I know the w
Mailing a package should be a simple process, and my stress should be over what is in the package, not how it is getting to its destination, right? Well, this week, that hasn't been the case. (Edit: Not that the stress over what is in the package was missing. I've just had extra stress with shipping.)
I had an important package I needed to ship this week. I'm accustomed to shipping manuscripts and books at this point, so I know the w
April 29, 2009
On POV and Voice
(X-posted from the Tri Mu Blog)
Voice is one of those frustrating parts of writing that you either have, or have yet to develop. There is no magic formula to finding your voice. You just have to write, and write, and write, until your voice transforms into something that is yours.
What is voice? Well, it is not only what you say, but also how you say it. Voice is your word order. It is your punctuation. Your paragraphing. It is what determines how the reader "hears" your words in their head.
Wh
Voice is one of those frustrating parts of writing that you either have, or have yet to develop. There is no magic formula to finding your voice. You just have to write, and write, and write, until your voice transforms into something that is yours.
What is voice? Well, it is not only what you say, but also how you say it. Voice is your word order. It is your punctuation. Your paragraphing. It is what determines how the reader "hears" your words in their head.
Wh
