Cate Gardner's Blog, page 47
December 16, 2010
30 Days of Writing... The End
Oops, look who forgot to post the final part of this meme...
25. Do any of your characters have pets? Tell us about them.
The MC in 'The Forest of Discarded Hearts' has a cat. I don't think the cat likes her.
26. Let's talk art! Do you draw your characters? Do others draw them? Pick one of your MCs and post your favorite picture of them!
Ha! No, no, good lord no.
27. Along similar lines, do appearances play a big role in your stories? Tell us about them, or if not, how you go about designing your characters.
Sometimes I describe (most times for novels, I suppose), but for short stories, I don't think appearances matter so much. It's more about how broken they are inside. Although, they're often broken on the outside too.
28. Have you ever written a character with physical or mental disabilities? Describe them, and if there's nothing major to speak of, tell us a few smaller ones.
There's nothing more disabling than death and I have quite a few of those shuffling around.
29. How often do you think about writing? Ever come across something IRL that reminds you of your story/characters?
I think about writing all the time. From the time I get up to the time I go to sleep. Even when I'm doing other things. Even when I'm trying my best to procrastinate and not write, it's always there. Like a second limb, or a festering boil. Yes, a festering boil planted between my eyebrows.
30. Final question! Tag someone! And tell us what you like about that person as a writer and/or about one of his/her characters!
Ah, I'm not going to tag anyone because they're all so busy - I hope.
.....
And talking of busy. Head over to Katey Taylor's blog and congratulate her. She's now an editor at the awesome Morrigan Books.
25. Do any of your characters have pets? Tell us about them.
The MC in 'The Forest of Discarded Hearts' has a cat. I don't think the cat likes her.
26. Let's talk art! Do you draw your characters? Do others draw them? Pick one of your MCs and post your favorite picture of them!
Ha! No, no, good lord no.
27. Along similar lines, do appearances play a big role in your stories? Tell us about them, or if not, how you go about designing your characters.
Sometimes I describe (most times for novels, I suppose), but for short stories, I don't think appearances matter so much. It's more about how broken they are inside. Although, they're often broken on the outside too.
28. Have you ever written a character with physical or mental disabilities? Describe them, and if there's nothing major to speak of, tell us a few smaller ones.
There's nothing more disabling than death and I have quite a few of those shuffling around.
29. How often do you think about writing? Ever come across something IRL that reminds you of your story/characters?
I think about writing all the time. From the time I get up to the time I go to sleep. Even when I'm doing other things. Even when I'm trying my best to procrastinate and not write, it's always there. Like a second limb, or a festering boil. Yes, a festering boil planted between my eyebrows.
30. Final question! Tag someone! And tell us what you like about that person as a writer and/or about one of his/her characters!
Ah, I'm not going to tag anyone because they're all so busy - I hope.
.....
And talking of busy. Head over to Katey Taylor's blog and congratulate her. She's now an editor at the awesome Morrigan Books.
December 13, 2010
A 52 Stitches Offer
On August 18th, the news that Jamie Eyberg and his wife Ann, had died in a tragic accident hit our writer universe. It's fair to say most of us were gutted and most of us will never forget. They left behind two children, Kennedy and Brendan. Profits from the Strange Publications anthology 52 Stitches will be donated to Jamie Eyberg's memorial fund, the proceeds of which will be passed onto his children.The anthology contains two of my stories along with tales from Jamie, Michael Stone, Mercedes Yardley, Kurt Newton, Ken Allen Wood, Nick Contor, John Boden, Barry Napier, Jonathan Pinnock and many others.
Please consider buying this anthology. It's available at Amazon.
And from now until midnight December 17th 2010, if you buy 52 Stitches from Amazon, email me at the above contact address and I'll send you a free paperback of my book, 'Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits'. No strings attached. Well, except for the buy 52 Stitches string that is.
December 11, 2010
Who Stole Time?
I haven't blogged since Monday, now what's that all about? Oh, and while we're pondering, who stole my week off? Seriously. One minute it was Monday, then I did some twittering and added a few status updates to Facebook, and then it was now. Huh!
Now that, I suppose, is a slight lie. I did complete a 400 word short story (go me!) based on a nursery rhyme (WTF me!). And I did scratch about 3,000 words closer to the end of my book. Someone slap my wrists. I so should have completed more than that. Roll on next week. Back at work and I swear I'll get far more done. Or, I hope I'll get far more done. There's something about being pressured for time that brings out the best in us. Us as in me and you.
On the reading front. I'm reading something I can't talk about (or well maybe I can, but I won't, but it's something I'm stoked about) and then I need to beta read a friend's book (that's my Christmas treat to me), and I have books by Simon Bestwick, Gary McMahon, Jeremy Brooks, Louise Bohmer, Barry Napier, Nate Lambert, Rio Youers, oh and thanks to the postman this morning, Aaron Polson's Loathsome, Dark & Deep. Along with two other books by Aaron hiding on my Kindle, and short story collections featuring Mr McMahon and Mr Bestwick, and other mags/anthologies with friends stories in. Oh good lord, and that's not including all the books in my to read pile by people I don't know.
My new years resolution should be 'I will not buy or download any books until my shelf holds only dust mites'. But we all know, resolutions were made to be broken.
Now that, I suppose, is a slight lie. I did complete a 400 word short story (go me!) based on a nursery rhyme (WTF me!). And I did scratch about 3,000 words closer to the end of my book. Someone slap my wrists. I so should have completed more than that. Roll on next week. Back at work and I swear I'll get far more done. Or, I hope I'll get far more done. There's something about being pressured for time that brings out the best in us. Us as in me and you.
On the reading front. I'm reading something I can't talk about (or well maybe I can, but I won't, but it's something I'm stoked about) and then I need to beta read a friend's book (that's my Christmas treat to me), and I have books by Simon Bestwick, Gary McMahon, Jeremy Brooks, Louise Bohmer, Barry Napier, Nate Lambert, Rio Youers, oh and thanks to the postman this morning, Aaron Polson's Loathsome, Dark & Deep. Along with two other books by Aaron hiding on my Kindle, and short story collections featuring Mr McMahon and Mr Bestwick, and other mags/anthologies with friends stories in. Oh good lord, and that's not including all the books in my to read pile by people I don't know.
My new years resolution should be 'I will not buy or download any books until my shelf holds only dust mites'. But we all know, resolutions were made to be broken.
December 6, 2010
Shopping, Museums and a place Named Nowhere
Simon Marshall Jones' has revealed the cover of my chapbook 'Nowhere Hall' over on his blog. It's by Daniele Serra and is gorgeous. So excited and I can't believe I get another awesome cover. Luck can't keep spinning my way. I've printed the cover out and pinned it to my inspiration board.
Finally opened the file for 'The Museum of Impossible Artefacts' today. Okay, I've opened it on other days, but today I actually added words. Phew! I wrote myself into a corner on the 30th while trying to get as many words as possible down and I think I've just about crawled out. Gosh, it was dark in there. I'm hoping to finish the first draft this week (I'm off work - yay! Supposed to be Christmas shopping - boo!), and maybe then I'll write a short story and edit another. Or I may just twitter the week away. Goodness, I hope not.
Aaron Polson has added a Weird and Creepy Shopping List for Christmas on his blog, but he forgot one book... This. I've said it before and I'll say it again, typing 'Loathsome Aaron Polson' is just wrong.
Finally opened the file for 'The Museum of Impossible Artefacts' today. Okay, I've opened it on other days, but today I actually added words. Phew! I wrote myself into a corner on the 30th while trying to get as many words as possible down and I think I've just about crawled out. Gosh, it was dark in there. I'm hoping to finish the first draft this week (I'm off work - yay! Supposed to be Christmas shopping - boo!), and maybe then I'll write a short story and edit another. Or I may just twitter the week away. Goodness, I hope not.
Aaron Polson has added a Weird and Creepy Shopping List for Christmas on his blog, but he forgot one book... This. I've said it before and I'll say it again, typing 'Loathsome Aaron Polson' is just wrong.
December 4, 2010
Meet...
Note to self: Never say never.
I've been anti e-readers since I first heard of them so it was a surprise to find myself bitten with the must-have bug last weekend and in true impulse buyer mode, I bought a kindle...
Look how neat and pretty it looks on my overflowing book shelf of read but must keep books. And it's already filling up with goodness. So far I have 6 novels, one short story collection that has been living on my computer for some time (looking at you Mr Polson), one very special story collection that I can't talk about (but just did in a way, I suppose), and three samples downloaded from Amazon. Actually, that doesn't sound like much at all.
Now, my pretty little kindle doesn't have a name. For a short time I was calling it lemon as in a wasted purchase (which I almost hoped it would be, but it isn't). Then I looked up 'lemon' in the urban dictonary. Oh dear, I can't call it that. Gulp! So I know need another name for it. Suggestions welcome.
To continue the madness, I should note that my dictaphone is called Walter and my laptop Mr Grim. I suspect I'm mad. I suspect you suspect I'm mad too. I suspect we're all right.
I've been anti e-readers since I first heard of them so it was a surprise to find myself bitten with the must-have bug last weekend and in true impulse buyer mode, I bought a kindle...
Look how neat and pretty it looks on my overflowing book shelf of read but must keep books. And it's already filling up with goodness. So far I have 6 novels, one short story collection that has been living on my computer for some time (looking at you Mr Polson), one very special story collection that I can't talk about (but just did in a way, I suppose), and three samples downloaded from Amazon. Actually, that doesn't sound like much at all.
Now, my pretty little kindle doesn't have a name. For a short time I was calling it lemon as in a wasted purchase (which I almost hoped it would be, but it isn't). Then I looked up 'lemon' in the urban dictonary. Oh dear, I can't call it that. Gulp! So I know need another name for it. Suggestions welcome.
To continue the madness, I should note that my dictaphone is called Walter and my laptop Mr Grim. I suspect I'm mad. I suspect you suspect I'm mad too. I suspect we're all right.
November 30, 2010
We Have Words
The Museum of Impossible Artefacts NaNoWriMo Word Count: 58,561
(or according to word; 58,655)
I suspect it's about 6,000 to 8,000 words before the first draft ends.
The plot is a little unstuck here. It has gone awry plus that darn museum (you know, as in the title of this thing), is determined not to exist. But my ending still plays out. The current scene has all the characters gathered together like above (cue video) and it's getting mighty confusing now they're all together. They each need something to do. Maybe they should sing.
Yes, they should. I think I'll join them.
November 29, 2010
Where's my Crown?
I'm playing the linkage queen today...
Simon Bestwick has kindly reviewed both Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits and me. Though I disagree, you would know if I walked by because of the spikes and the sparkle. It's an unusual combination.
Next up, look whose book is up at Amazon.com. Yep, Aaron Polson's Loathsome, Dark and Deep. Have you bought several copies yet? I am desperate to read the story. And while you're visiting the Amazon, how about Simon Bestwick's first trade paperback, Tide of Souls. I'm extra lucky, I have a signed copy.
And lastly, it's Nebula nominating time (and the Stokers and the British Fantasy Awards) and I've been seriously remiss in voting so far this year. I've nominated one book for the Stokers, and one short and a novella for a Nebula, and one short for the British Fantasy Awards. And I have a ton of things I need to read before the year is out. Kick up backside appreciated. Anyway, lots of people are listing what stories etc they have that are eligible for nomination including J Kathleen Cheney who is offering a digital copy of her novella, Iron Shoes, for consideration to members of the SFWA. I'm lucky enough to have a copy of Alembical 2 were the story appears and can highly recommend the story.
I think I'm all linked out...
Final NaNoWriMo word count tomorrow. Can you take the suspense?
Simon Bestwick has kindly reviewed both Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits and me. Though I disagree, you would know if I walked by because of the spikes and the sparkle. It's an unusual combination.
Next up, look whose book is up at Amazon.com. Yep, Aaron Polson's Loathsome, Dark and Deep. Have you bought several copies yet? I am desperate to read the story. And while you're visiting the Amazon, how about Simon Bestwick's first trade paperback, Tide of Souls. I'm extra lucky, I have a signed copy.
And lastly, it's Nebula nominating time (and the Stokers and the British Fantasy Awards) and I've been seriously remiss in voting so far this year. I've nominated one book for the Stokers, and one short and a novella for a Nebula, and one short for the British Fantasy Awards. And I have a ton of things I need to read before the year is out. Kick up backside appreciated. Anyway, lots of people are listing what stories etc they have that are eligible for nomination including J Kathleen Cheney who is offering a digital copy of her novella, Iron Shoes, for consideration to members of the SFWA. I'm lucky enough to have a copy of Alembical 2 were the story appears and can highly recommend the story.
I think I'm all linked out...
Final NaNoWriMo word count tomorrow. Can you take the suspense?
November 28, 2010
Slacker
So if we consider the figures, I appear to be a slacker this weekend. No work on the NaNoWriMo novel. Early last week, I considered trying to hit 60,000 words by the 30th, but my conscience urged me to take the weekend off and finish up and edit a short story with a December 1st deadline. And I just did. I can't add any words to my official word count as I spent today in third draft territory and then line editing, but Dehydrated Human Heart is on its way to...Rejectionville. Hey, best to be prepared.
In other news, froze my butt off at a railway station this morning. After overnight babysitting duty for my niece and nephew and waking up to minus 4 degrees (brr! Still chipping the ice off my eyeballs), the train to Liverpool was cancelled and then the next was cancelled, and they only run every half hour. So, it was a trip across the road to the taxi station and an expensive journey home. I do love British transport.
In worse news, I fell asleep during the last fifteen minutes of Sweeny Todd. I hang my Tim Burton loving head in shame.
In other news, froze my butt off at a railway station this morning. After overnight babysitting duty for my niece and nephew and waking up to minus 4 degrees (brr! Still chipping the ice off my eyeballs), the train to Liverpool was cancelled and then the next was cancelled, and they only run every half hour. So, it was a trip across the road to the taxi station and an expensive journey home. I do love British transport.
In worse news, I fell asleep during the last fifteen minutes of Sweeny Todd. I hang my Tim Burton loving head in shame.
November 26, 2010
Party on, dudes!
This post is a day late, but yesterday, my book reached the almighty 50,000 words.
I shall try not to return to my slacker self now. Please ignore the drop in today's word count. In my opinion, it's still freakin' awesome. Although tomorrow is birthday cake (my sis-in-law and her twin sister are 40 - party time. And oops! just announced that to the world. Bad me), and Tim Burton's Sweeny Todd (if I have my way), and babysitting so I'm expecting a pretty zero.
Yesterday's word count: 1709 + 376 (other projects)
Today's word count: 1268 + 801 (other projects)
Total word count: 51,680 + 6421 (other projects)
In the immortal words of Bill & Ted, 'Party on, dudes!'
Side note: In real life, I say 'dude' far too often. I suspect it is annoying. I do not care.
I shall try not to return to my slacker self now. Please ignore the drop in today's word count. In my opinion, it's still freakin' awesome. Although tomorrow is birthday cake (my sis-in-law and her twin sister are 40 - party time. And oops! just announced that to the world. Bad me), and Tim Burton's Sweeny Todd (if I have my way), and babysitting so I'm expecting a pretty zero.
Yesterday's word count: 1709 + 376 (other projects)
Today's word count: 1268 + 801 (other projects)
Total word count: 51,680 + 6421 (other projects)
In the immortal words of Bill & Ted, 'Party on, dudes!'
Side note: In real life, I say 'dude' far too often. I suspect it is annoying. I do not care.
November 24, 2010
30 Days of Writing - Part Five
21. Do any of your characters have children? How well do you write them?
Yes, but (and here's where I'm cheating) only because the MC is their kid. I don't think I've written from a parent's perspective. Scratch that, it has to be a lie. I'm sure I have, but it's not something I set out intentionally to do.
22. Tell us about one scene between your characters that you've never written or told anyone about before! Serious or not.
Meg is definitely going to get frisky with her co-star (name subject to change), and yet they won't be revealing any skin in the book. I think.
23. How long does it usually take you to complete an entire story—from planning to writing to submitting?
Differs. For short stories it can be anything from a few hours to weeks depending on whether I think it's good to go or not. Most times, I hang my stories on the jingle bell line I've attached to my memo board and leave them to ferment. Then I redraft, then I hang them back up, then I edit, then I edit, then I edit, then they go.
24. How willing are you to kill your characters if the plot so demands it? What's the most interesting way you've killed someone?
Oh, I'll kill any of my characters off in a heartbeat. Although for, 'The Midnight Motel' I may have resurrected a few.
Most interesting ways - I've drowned a soldier in a lake full of dead angels, I've sent men plummeting to earth after vengeful birds burst their balloon, and I'm thinking I need to come up with some more inventive murder plans.
Today's Word Count: 2187 + 545 (other projects)
Total Word Count: 48,703 + 5789 (other projects)
I am so hitting 50,000 words tomorrow. Or, I have so just jinxed myself.
Yes, but (and here's where I'm cheating) only because the MC is their kid. I don't think I've written from a parent's perspective. Scratch that, it has to be a lie. I'm sure I have, but it's not something I set out intentionally to do.
22. Tell us about one scene between your characters that you've never written or told anyone about before! Serious or not.
Meg is definitely going to get frisky with her co-star (name subject to change), and yet they won't be revealing any skin in the book. I think.
23. How long does it usually take you to complete an entire story—from planning to writing to submitting?
Differs. For short stories it can be anything from a few hours to weeks depending on whether I think it's good to go or not. Most times, I hang my stories on the jingle bell line I've attached to my memo board and leave them to ferment. Then I redraft, then I hang them back up, then I edit, then I edit, then I edit, then they go.
24. How willing are you to kill your characters if the plot so demands it? What's the most interesting way you've killed someone?
Oh, I'll kill any of my characters off in a heartbeat. Although for, 'The Midnight Motel' I may have resurrected a few.
Most interesting ways - I've drowned a soldier in a lake full of dead angels, I've sent men plummeting to earth after vengeful birds burst their balloon, and I'm thinking I need to come up with some more inventive murder plans.
Today's Word Count: 2187 + 545 (other projects)
Total Word Count: 48,703 + 5789 (other projects)
I am so hitting 50,000 words tomorrow. Or, I have so just jinxed myself.
