Cheryl Rainfield's Blog, page 61

Powerful LGBT video from the UN: LGBT Rights Are Human Rights.

Powerful video by UN human rights office: LGBT rights are human rights. (I admit–it made me cry. I want this–a world that is free and equal.)

Guest Post by indie author Su Williams: Show, Don’t Tell; Some of the Stuff I’ve Learned; and Something Different

Today indie author Su Williams joins us with writing technique (Show, Don’t Tell), writing advice (Some of the Stuff I’ve Learned Along the Way), and some fun question and answers (Something Different), to celebrate the release of her new YA novel Dream Weaver. DREAM WEAVER is now only 0.99 on Amazon. A story of mind-benders & breakers. Are your memories your own?

“Show, Don’t Tell”

“Then, out of the shadows flanking her came a hand, curled into a fist even blacker than the gloom; gnarled and calloused as if it had been hewn from an ancient tree root. The long, spindly fingers creaked as they unfolded, as if the bones beneath the meagre flesh were snapping.”

This is an excerpt from a short story, Father of Lies, from one of my favorite new indie authors, Sam Whitehouse. I felt it was a beautiful example of ‘Show, don’t tell’ your story. I’ve met so many indie authors, young and old, that haven’t transitioned from telling a story to showing the story. Some I’ve been brave enough to go out on a limb for and hope they don’t have a saw. It’s obvious they are great writers, with fantastic story lines or concepts. The plot has the twists and turns. And I feel like I can say they have definitely ‘got the chops,’ as they say. When I run into an author like this I always want to do what I can to help out, but I’m always afraid I’ll come off as a prig. And honest, I’m really not self-righteous at all. I just see this gift inside them and I have this incredible desire to pull it out of them.

Anton Chekhov said:

Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. (source: Goodreads)

I want to see thirst in the syllables, touch fire in the sound, feel through the dark…for the scream. Pablo Neruda

I read once that show don’t tell is like showing your reader everything the movie camera sees. That is a very simplified explanation and that’s what I needed myself to get the concept. But I can boil it down more. One word: imagery. So as you write, or in your editing process…ask yourself what image are you painting for your reader? Am I painting a picture with my words or am I describing the picture?

The silent flight of raven-winged hours. -Poe

Her eyes were a poem; their every glance was a song. -Theophile Gautier

I truly believe that indie authors need to connect and network to help each other out and to get the books readers want into their hands. At present, I’m posting indie author interview on my blog, with a splash of award-winning and best-selling authors. (Award-winning author, Angela Scott; NYT best-seller, Marissa Meyer) I hope you’ll stop by Dream Weaver Novel/Tyro Writer and check them out. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find your new favorite among them and have a hand in making them a household name.

Some of the Stuff I’ve Learned Along the Way

I used to say ‘unfortunately’ when I told people it took me five years to write my first book. But I can’t do that anymore. I realized that those five years were a journey of learning for me, and my spongy grey mass has absorbed a plethora of information from writer’s conferences, research, studying English composition…

I’ve always been a bit of a teacher. I was a Sunday school teacher for several years and an adult study leader for a few more. All of this learning, I feel, has put me in a position to help others. It has always been something that pressed on my heart – the desire to help others. My blog, Dream Weaver Novels/Tyro Writer, was set up with the desire to help other indie authors along the way, so maybe their own journey won’t take them five years.

Something Different

I wanted to do something a little different than what I’ve been doing on this blog hop. I’ve answered a lot of questions about my writing process, favorite books/authors…that kind of thing. So, I’m being a little silly to start off with.

Any pets that you would like to tell us about, share a pic?

Our house has been quite a menagerie at times. We’ve had all kinds of critters roaming around. Right now, we have a beagle named after a vacuum cleaner; a crested gecko named after a character on Criminal Minds; and two obnoxious cats—one named after the last weekday; and one named ‘cat’ in Japanese.

What are your pet peeves?

Most Spokane drivers. Mean people. Definitely not an all-inclusive list.

White wine or red?

Merlot. I guess that qualifies as red. ???

Coffee or tea?

Coffee. Definitely. Amoretto breves are my downfall.

Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream?

Bubble Gum (Baskin Robbins is best. Sorry. I’m a bit of a non-conformist.)

Sleep in or get up early?

I’m a horrible night owl. I’ve been known to stay up writing or reading until the sun comes up in the morning.

One of your favorite quotes:

Just one? There are so many. I have this great little notebook that I decorated myself that holds all of my quotes…that is after I gather up all of the post-it notes and receipts I wrote them on.

“We never touch someone so lightly that we never leave a trace.” Maya Angelou

“It’s never too late to be what you should have been.” George Elliot

List 3 books you just recently read and would recommend?

Rot & Ruin – Jonathan Maberry

Scarlet – Marissa Meyer

Wanted: Dead or Undead – Angela Scott

Oh man! Two zombie books and a retold fairy tale.

List 3 of your favorite movies?

ALL of the Harry Potter movies

Labyrinth (old David Bowie movie)

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (a true classic!)

BUY links:

Amazon (paperback and Kindle)

Barnes & Noble (Nook)

CreateSpace.com

Contact Su Williams:

Dream-Weaver-Novels/Facebook

DreamWeaverNovels.com

Dream Weaver Novels Blog

Our fingerprints never fade from the lives we touch. (Robert Pattinson, Remember Me)

Accepting People For Who They Are: The Five Genders of the Bugis People of Indonesia

I’ve long thought that our North American society forces people into strict, confining boxes and roles, especially around gender. It’s very easy to see the fear and hatred that comes out when a young boy wants to wear a dress or play with a doll, a girl wants to play football, or a child or teen is thought to be gay. Homophobia is part of that–but there’s also a very strong, oppressive gender bias and control. And I think we’re all affected, and especially lesbians, gay men, transgender and intersex people.

So I found it inspiring and hopeful to learn that the Bugis people of Indonesia embrace five genders: female; male; Bissu (in which all aspects of gender are combined to make a whole. This can be intersex but isn’t always); Calabai (someone who is physically male at birth but whose gender identity is a woman, or a trans woman); and Calalai (someone who is physically female at birth but whose gender identity is a man, or a trans man).

The Bugis people believe that all five genders must coexist for universal harmony. They believe that if one of the genders is separated, the world would become unbalanced. They pray that everything–animals, plants, and people–stay connected to each other and coexist harmoniously around the world. And their acceptance of five genders for them is just normal. In this aspect, I think they are far ahead of North American culture. So much less pain and trauma, so much less trying to control and hurt other people. It’s something I hope we embrace more and more–that each of us should just be the way we are, what feels most right to us, without judgement.

Funny and moving speech in support of LGBT marriage by New Zealand MP Maurice Williamson

I love this moving and funny speech by New Zealand politician Maurice Williamson in support of LGBT marriage. Humor really does help reach people (and so does heart-felt emotion). I am always so grateful to the people who speak up with compassion and in support of greater open-mindedness and basic rights. This was such a feel-good video to watch. If you need a little boost, check it out.

A funny video to bring some lightness to your day: Dancing Queen At the Bus Stop.

Sometimes we just need a little lightness. I love this funny video of a woman dancing to music when she thinks no on can see her.

Hunted Has Been Shortlisted for the 2013 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award!

I’m excited–and honored–to announce that my YA sci-fi/paranormal fantasy HUNTED has been shortlisted for the 2013 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award!

The release says: “This year’s short list includes some of Canada’s best-known and award-winning children’s book authors and illustrators. The Children’s Picture Book category showcases diverse illustration and story styles, ranging from elaborate fantasy worlds, rhyming wishes and dreams, to a story about doing the right thing. The Young Adult / Middle Reader category challenges its readers with science-fiction tales and trials of families.”

Hunted is in the YA category, along with The Grave Robber’s Apprentice by Allan Stratton, Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, A Tinfoil Sky by Cyndi Sand-Eveland , and The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen by Susin Nielsen. The 2013 winners will be announced at Etobicoke’s North Kipling Junior Middle School, 2 Rowntree Road, Etobicoke, ON at 1 p.m. on May 23, 2013.

HUNTED is also a finalist for the Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy.

For My Readers: I Believe In You

I believe in you. Whether or not you believe in yourself, I believe in you. I know you have good in you. You have hope, even if it’s buried, you have dreams, you have love. You have goodness that deserves to be seen and felt by others. I see that, and I believe in you.

Maybe no one ever told you that before. Or maybe you couldn’t hear them. Maybe you couldn’t tell yourself. So I will say it again: I believe in you.

I believe you have good in you. I believe you can survive the horrors you’ve gone through. I believe you can thrive. And I believe you can make a positive difference in this world. Connect to others. Enjoy life.

Some people may put you down. Some people may tear at your self-confidence, your self-esteem–but don’t you listen to them. Listen to your heart instead. Listen to your dreams. And listen to the positive voices around you. Because there will be some. Even if you can only find them in books. Or on websites. Or in new friends.

Keep listening for those voices. For the people that encourage you. And develop that in yourself. Believe in yourself. But if it’s too hard at first, if you need a little help, know this: I believe in you. And I believe you can do it.

Oxford Creative Nonfiction Writers Conference and Workshop May 2-5

Julie Powers Schoerke, my wonderful book publicist (and friend!) is going to be speaking May 2 – May 5 at the Oxford Creative Nonfiction Writers Conference and Workshop in Oxford, Mississippi. If you get a chance, I recommend you go see her! Julie is intelligent, savvy, great at book promotion and books, and kind.

And Neil White, the founder of this project, is a celebrated author (In the Sanctuary of Outcasts) and publisher. According to Julie, she was astounded “by the frank information that he provided to those in attendance. No holds barred. He told the attendees everything any author has ever wondered and shared his pitch letter, responses he got, spreadsheets he created for his own book and the financial breakdown of how it all went for him. He’s a book publisher now, so has some interesting perspective to share when he wears that hat as well.”

He’s bringing in some terrific publishing experts and agents to speak. It sounds like it will be an extraordinary four-day event for anyone who really wants to hone their skills and do some heavy duty networking.

Please help spread the word if you can think of writers who might be interested in going to one of the most beautiful places in the country this spring!

Unplug for Screen-Free Week – a great video by Random House and picture book illustrators

I love this video by Random House and picture book illustrators Tad Hills, Dan Yaccarino, Chris Raschka, and Bob Staake. What a great message–to read, to unplug from TV and computers and video games, and really experience the world with all your senses, do fun activities and *live*. Experience life, not just sit passively there to be entertained.

A good video on treating women with respect: A Needed Response (message to rapists)

I love seeing men stand up to other men who are sexist, rapists, or generally abuse, so it was lovely to see this video message that goes out there: “To the Steubenville rapists…or any rapists out there.” I think it’s an important message, and nicely done with a good twist. What do you think?

Found via author Karen Krossing