Robyn Bachar's Blog, page 5
October 17, 2015
NaNoWriMo 2015 Prep: With Rings on our Fingers by E. P. Issacs
With Rings On Our Fingers – And Bells In The BackgroundMusic. Music is powerful. It is raw. It is soft. Sweet. Bitter. Filled with rage and hate. I can’t speak for others, but when I write, I write in terms of ‘scenes.’ My stories thus far have been in my head for quite some time, and they play like the scenes of an old movie. Sometimes, putting those scenes down on paper are ‘eeysie-peasie’ – like when the hero of my first book is being trained in the army. Easy is a blessing.
Other scenes aren’t so easy to write. Sometimes I’ve found that even after I’ve worked and reworked a ‘scene’ on paper, it’s still not right. The emotions of the characters and the realness of what I see in my head isn’t there. My writing just can’t do the story justice. And, unlike Ms. Bachar, I fear I only have one story to write. If you only have a single story, that’s all the more reason to get it right.
When I feel the story locking up inside of me, I’ve found music can help to get the keys moving the way I want them to again. A number of studies have been done on the connection between language acquisition and music training. I think, however, that music can help us put words to paper long after we’ve suffered through our first spoken words, hundreds of school grammar classes, and countless mindless college essays.
In an article from Psychology Today entitled “How Music Feeds And Steers Your Imagination”, writer Amy Fries recounts the experiences of Melissa Borghorst and how listening to one Taylor Swift song greased the wheels for her to write two songs of her own and a children’s book. All from one song.
I’m not alone.
Not only that, but music might hone focus as well. Dr. Joseph Cardillo, also in Psychology Today recounts how creating a music game – one in which he and his children would guess the names to unfamiliar tunes – made long drives fun and improved his children’s attentions. The article in which he writes of this is entitled “Music On Your Child’s Mind: Improving Focus Through Song.”
Great. Let’s take this a step further, shall we?
If music greases creativity and can help us focus, is it hard to see how it can help us write? How many of us have songs that instantly conjure memories and emotions within us the moment we hear it? How many of us relax effortlessly when under the spell of a particular classical piece? How many of our characters are – at their core – echoes of ourselves or memories of the people we’ve known?
If we can’t get the scene, the mood, or the characters right in what we write – maybe, what we are missing is the right music in the background to trigger the emotions, memories, and people we wish to capture in the works we compose.
Are there any particular songs that get you in the mood to write?As I mentioned, I tend to ‘see’ what I am writing ready-formed in my head. Each character has at least one song tied to them, and if needed, I listen to that song to help me focus as I write a scene where a particular character is being featured. Sometimes the music is so closely tied to a scene that when I think of a scene, I hear the song tied to it in my head without having to listen to it on the radio.
My current book series “Tales of the Robot Nika” is loosely based on the song “Big Rock Candy Mountain.” Several scenes in the first book are tied to songs by themselves. For example, when Nika and Postage are tromping along the rails looking for Fort Kansas, I hear Alela Diane’s “Dry Grass And Shadows.” When I am writing scenes in which the main villain of the series appears – a character who will play through the series from beginning to end - I like to listen to Florence + The Machine’s “Seven Devils.” Music helps me focus, it fuels my characters, and it drives the scenes in my head that a little clockwork doll begs me to put to paper. Most of the music that fuels my writing is bluegrass or folk, but certainly not all. After all, a bluegrass version of “Seven Devils” would be a true reason to shudder.
Every writer has a muse. I’m glad mine is one as benign as music. What music inspires your muse?
About the Author
Nika Thought-werk may not be made from ordinary flesh and bone, but this doesn't make her any less loved by her friends—or any less needed by those who find themselves in trouble. Although she is made of porcelain, glass, and wax—a doll brought to existence through the astonishing work of a doctor in 1894 Ireland—Nika refuses to live a life that is anything short of extraordinary.
As she makes her way through tornadoes, a lake filled with stew, giant bubblegum bubbles, and a sheep-napping, Nika must find the strength to go on—even when faced with the gravest of dangers.
Along the way, she meets friends of every size and shape—all of whom help Nika learn to see herself for who she truly is.
Do Clockworks Dream of Gear-toothed Sheep? is available at Amazon.
Other scenes aren’t so easy to write. Sometimes I’ve found that even after I’ve worked and reworked a ‘scene’ on paper, it’s still not right. The emotions of the characters and the realness of what I see in my head isn’t there. My writing just can’t do the story justice. And, unlike Ms. Bachar, I fear I only have one story to write. If you only have a single story, that’s all the more reason to get it right.
When I feel the story locking up inside of me, I’ve found music can help to get the keys moving the way I want them to again. A number of studies have been done on the connection between language acquisition and music training. I think, however, that music can help us put words to paper long after we’ve suffered through our first spoken words, hundreds of school grammar classes, and countless mindless college essays.
In an article from Psychology Today entitled “How Music Feeds And Steers Your Imagination”, writer Amy Fries recounts the experiences of Melissa Borghorst and how listening to one Taylor Swift song greased the wheels for her to write two songs of her own and a children’s book. All from one song.
I’m not alone.
Not only that, but music might hone focus as well. Dr. Joseph Cardillo, also in Psychology Today recounts how creating a music game – one in which he and his children would guess the names to unfamiliar tunes – made long drives fun and improved his children’s attentions. The article in which he writes of this is entitled “Music On Your Child’s Mind: Improving Focus Through Song.”
Great. Let’s take this a step further, shall we?
If music greases creativity and can help us focus, is it hard to see how it can help us write? How many of us have songs that instantly conjure memories and emotions within us the moment we hear it? How many of us relax effortlessly when under the spell of a particular classical piece? How many of our characters are – at their core – echoes of ourselves or memories of the people we’ve known?
If we can’t get the scene, the mood, or the characters right in what we write – maybe, what we are missing is the right music in the background to trigger the emotions, memories, and people we wish to capture in the works we compose.
Are there any particular songs that get you in the mood to write?As I mentioned, I tend to ‘see’ what I am writing ready-formed in my head. Each character has at least one song tied to them, and if needed, I listen to that song to help me focus as I write a scene where a particular character is being featured. Sometimes the music is so closely tied to a scene that when I think of a scene, I hear the song tied to it in my head without having to listen to it on the radio.
My current book series “Tales of the Robot Nika” is loosely based on the song “Big Rock Candy Mountain.” Several scenes in the first book are tied to songs by themselves. For example, when Nika and Postage are tromping along the rails looking for Fort Kansas, I hear Alela Diane’s “Dry Grass And Shadows.” When I am writing scenes in which the main villain of the series appears – a character who will play through the series from beginning to end - I like to listen to Florence + The Machine’s “Seven Devils.” Music helps me focus, it fuels my characters, and it drives the scenes in my head that a little clockwork doll begs me to put to paper. Most of the music that fuels my writing is bluegrass or folk, but certainly not all. After all, a bluegrass version of “Seven Devils” would be a true reason to shudder.
Every writer has a muse. I’m glad mine is one as benign as music. What music inspires your muse?
About the Author
E.P. Isaacs was literary editor to the now-defunct Steampunk Tintype and Telegraph and a frequent contributor to the biweekly online writer’s group Tall Tales and Outright Lies. Her first book, Do Clockworks Dream of Gear-Toothed Sheep, was published in August 2015, and she is busily researching and plotting her second book, which she hopes will be in print in early 2016. When she is not writing (and even when she is), she is fond of listening to bluegrass music and drinking bourbon. Read more about her books at her website: http://werksfromtheironroad.com.Book Info
Nika Thought-werk may not be made from ordinary flesh and bone, but this doesn't make her any less loved by her friends—or any less needed by those who find themselves in trouble. Although she is made of porcelain, glass, and wax—a doll brought to existence through the astonishing work of a doctor in 1894 Ireland—Nika refuses to live a life that is anything short of extraordinary.As she makes her way through tornadoes, a lake filled with stew, giant bubblegum bubbles, and a sheep-napping, Nika must find the strength to go on—even when faced with the gravest of dangers.
Along the way, she meets friends of every size and shape—all of whom help Nika learn to see herself for who she truly is.
Do Clockworks Dream of Gear-toothed Sheep? is available at Amazon.
October 16, 2015
NaNoWriMo 2015 Prep: Setting the Mood by Elizabeth Andrews
Setting the MoodCandles. Some good music. Maybe a nice beverage. Some sinful, sweet thing to nibble on...
I'm not talking about setting the mood for your hero and heroine to do what they're dying to do. No, I'm talking about setting the mood for you to do what you should be dying to do: write, and write a lot.
Whether it's for NANO or just your normal everyday writing session, it never hurts to set the proper mood so you can write your fingers off. A specific place and time, a routine of some sort--lots of authors need that to get their brain into the proper frame of mind for productivity. Since we're heading into NANO pretty soon, it might be a good time to work out your routine so that as soon as November 1st arrives, you have your brain trained and ready to crank out a shiny new book.
I love a good soundtrack, not just for my movie viewing, but to put my brain into story-mode. A lot of authors I know can't write to music that has words and use movie scores or other instrumental music. I'm madly in love with Hans Zimmer (if you haven't listened to any of his movie scores, you really should go hunt up a couple), and I've used more than one of his soundtrack albums when I'm editing. But when I'm in writing mode, spewing words onto the screen as fast as my fingers can keep up with my brain, I need songs that really evoke the mood of my story, or put me into the mindset of my hero or heroine, so I tend to listen to music with words--and the music will change from one story to another. If you haven't already and think you might like to try working to music, try different things to see what gets your creativity flowing. Getting ready to write a steamy love scene? I'm a huge eighties music fan, so Def Leppard or Whitesnake totally puts me there, but I know my musical taste, just as you know your own. Maybe the words are too distracting for you. Definitely find something instrumental--maybe check out my guy, Hans Zimmer and his huge body of work, but hands off, he's mine!
Do certain scents make you happy, help you relax? I'm also a big fan of scented candles. In my office, I have a place high enough my cats can't reach, so I can light up one or two and that's another signal for my brain that it's work time. Maybe some spicy cinnamon, or a relaxing herbal scent, depending on what's coming up in the story. Scents may not work for everyone, and for those with allergies, be careful what you choose if you try this mood-setter out. When I'm writing on my lunch break at work, this is a no-no, but once I get home, all bets are off!
Are you ready to write yet? No?
I love when I know I'm going to have uninterrupted writing time. My music is playing, my candles are burning, and I probably have a nice hot mug of tea on the desk. I have friends who are die-hard soda-drinkers. I gave that up for every day consumption a long time ago, but I love my tea--so many different options, caffeinated and otherwise, all the amazing flavors. Plus when I take a momentary break, I can warm up my fingers on the mug, assuming it hasn't been sitting there on the desk for an hour before I realized it was still there. That happens a lot once I get going. That's why we have microwaves and nifty teapots, for when we have to get up to stretch and give our brains a short break (but that's another post). I usually have chocolate or gum tucked somewhere in my desk, too--when I sit down to write, I don't want to have to get up for anything once the flow starts. I want to be able to stay there until my designated time is up, or my brain needs a break, whichever comes first.
For me, that's really one of the best parts of making sure the mood is right--my brain knows these signals, and (usually) after I've glanced back over the 5 or so pages I finished with in my previous writing session, it is in the mood and ready to go, and so are my characters, no matter what their mood at the moment we pick up.
Hopefully in the next week or so, if you haven't found a way to put your brain into writing mode, trying a new routine, getting into "writing mood", will help you put words on screen (or paper), whether for NANO or for the rest of the year.
Now I'm going to go turn on the soundtrack for my current WIP and light up an amazing new candle and open up my manuscript so I can put more words onscreen. And just thinking about it is putting me into a writing mood!
About the Author
The Medusa Trilogy, Book 1
When Kallan Tassos tracks down the current Medusa, he expects to find a monster. Instead he finds a wary, beautiful woman, shielded by a complicated web of spells that foils his plans for a quick kill and retrieval of her protective amulet.
Andrea Rosakis expects the handsome Harvester to go for the kill. Instead, his attempt to take the amulet imprinted on her skin without harming her takes her completely by surprise. And ends with the two of them in a magical bind—together. But Kallan isn’t the only Harvester on Andi’s trail…
Hunting Medusa is available at Amazon.
Excerpt
It was one of those days when having the Medusa’s fabled power to turn people to stone would really come in handy.
Andrea Rosakis did not, however, have that ability, not this week, anyway. Even though she was the reigning Medusa.
She glared at the man on her back porch, wondering if he could ever understand how lucky he was she wasn’t suffering from PMS this week. And why wouldn’t he stop talking? Her fingers itched to slam the door.
“…if you just have five minutes, ma’am,” he concluded.
She narrowed her gaze on the vacuum beside him. “No, thank you.” And how the hell had he found her all the way out here? No one ever bothered to follow her rough, muddy driveway all the way to the top, even if they did ignore the “No Trespassing” signs posted at the foot of it. Not to mention the protective warding she had set at the boundaries of the entire property. Sure, it wasn’t the heavy artillery of protection spells, but no one else had ever gotten past it. This man however, had not only ignored the signs and the subtle “go away” protections, but managed the entire bumpy, muddy track into the woods and halfway up the mountain. Just to hear her say, “No.”
And he didn’t look discouraged. At all.
Andi almost wished she were PMSing this week, though it would be a real pain in the ass to have to get rid of a life-sized stone statue of a vacuum salesman.
Or maybe she could keep it. He was very pretty, even if he annoyed her. He was tall and broad, his inky black hair was a tad too long, and his bright green eyes held her attention. At least as stone, he’d be silent and still pretty. She gave herself a mental shake. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have time for this—”
“When would be a better time?”
“Never.”
He did blink at that, but his smile never disappeared. “I’ll have to check my calendar.”
She snorted, then clapped her free hand over her mouth. Laughing would not discourage the man. “Look, I’m sure it’s a great vacuum, but I don’t need it. I don’t want to see how it works, and I’d like you to get off my property.”
His smile did fade a little bit. “Well, I suppose, if that’s what you really want.”
She quirked an eyebrow, trying not to smile again. He had the faintest hint of an accent, but she couldn’t place it. Not without hearing him talk some more, and she didn’t want to encourage that either, or he’d just keep trying to sell her an expensive vacuum she didn’t need.
“Maybe I could talk you into meeting me for coffee sometime then,” he said.
Her jaw dropped. The cute salesman was hitting on her. For half a second, she indulged the fantasy of a date with the hunk. A real date, maybe ending with a real kiss. Her pulse quickened. Then she remembered one good date led to more, and eventually, it led to guys running away from her, gibbering like idiots when PMS struck. She shut her mouth and ignored the regret burning in her middle. “Sorry, but no.”
“You’re a hard woman,” he said lightly, his bright gaze sliding down to her mouth. “I’ll leave my card in case you change your mind. About the coffee, that is.” He forced a small card into her hand and picked up his vacuum.
I'm not talking about setting the mood for your hero and heroine to do what they're dying to do. No, I'm talking about setting the mood for you to do what you should be dying to do: write, and write a lot.
Whether it's for NANO or just your normal everyday writing session, it never hurts to set the proper mood so you can write your fingers off. A specific place and time, a routine of some sort--lots of authors need that to get their brain into the proper frame of mind for productivity. Since we're heading into NANO pretty soon, it might be a good time to work out your routine so that as soon as November 1st arrives, you have your brain trained and ready to crank out a shiny new book.
I love a good soundtrack, not just for my movie viewing, but to put my brain into story-mode. A lot of authors I know can't write to music that has words and use movie scores or other instrumental music. I'm madly in love with Hans Zimmer (if you haven't listened to any of his movie scores, you really should go hunt up a couple), and I've used more than one of his soundtrack albums when I'm editing. But when I'm in writing mode, spewing words onto the screen as fast as my fingers can keep up with my brain, I need songs that really evoke the mood of my story, or put me into the mindset of my hero or heroine, so I tend to listen to music with words--and the music will change from one story to another. If you haven't already and think you might like to try working to music, try different things to see what gets your creativity flowing. Getting ready to write a steamy love scene? I'm a huge eighties music fan, so Def Leppard or Whitesnake totally puts me there, but I know my musical taste, just as you know your own. Maybe the words are too distracting for you. Definitely find something instrumental--maybe check out my guy, Hans Zimmer and his huge body of work, but hands off, he's mine!
Do certain scents make you happy, help you relax? I'm also a big fan of scented candles. In my office, I have a place high enough my cats can't reach, so I can light up one or two and that's another signal for my brain that it's work time. Maybe some spicy cinnamon, or a relaxing herbal scent, depending on what's coming up in the story. Scents may not work for everyone, and for those with allergies, be careful what you choose if you try this mood-setter out. When I'm writing on my lunch break at work, this is a no-no, but once I get home, all bets are off!
Are you ready to write yet? No?
I love when I know I'm going to have uninterrupted writing time. My music is playing, my candles are burning, and I probably have a nice hot mug of tea on the desk. I have friends who are die-hard soda-drinkers. I gave that up for every day consumption a long time ago, but I love my tea--so many different options, caffeinated and otherwise, all the amazing flavors. Plus when I take a momentary break, I can warm up my fingers on the mug, assuming it hasn't been sitting there on the desk for an hour before I realized it was still there. That happens a lot once I get going. That's why we have microwaves and nifty teapots, for when we have to get up to stretch and give our brains a short break (but that's another post). I usually have chocolate or gum tucked somewhere in my desk, too--when I sit down to write, I don't want to have to get up for anything once the flow starts. I want to be able to stay there until my designated time is up, or my brain needs a break, whichever comes first.
For me, that's really one of the best parts of making sure the mood is right--my brain knows these signals, and (usually) after I've glanced back over the 5 or so pages I finished with in my previous writing session, it is in the mood and ready to go, and so are my characters, no matter what their mood at the moment we pick up.
Hopefully in the next week or so, if you haven't found a way to put your brain into writing mode, trying a new routine, getting into "writing mood", will help you put words on screen (or paper), whether for NANO or for the rest of the year.
Now I'm going to go turn on the soundtrack for my current WIP and light up an amazing new candle and open up my manuscript so I can put more words onscreen. And just thinking about it is putting me into a writing mood!
About the Author
Elizabeth Andrews has been a book lover since she was old enough to read. She read her copies of Little Women and the Little House series so many times, the books fell apart. As an adult, her book habit continues. She has a room overflowing with her literary collection right now, and still more spreading into other rooms. Almost as long as she’s been reading great stories, she’s been attempting to write her own. Thanks to a fifth grade teacher who started the class on creative writing, Elizabeth went from writing creative sentences to short stories and eventually full-length novels. Her father saved her poor, callused fingers from permanent damage when he brought home a used typewriter for her.Book Info
Elizabeth found her mother’s stash of romance novels as a teenager, and-though she loves horror- romance became her very favorite genre, making writing romances a natural progression. There are more than just a few manuscripts, however, tucked away in a filing cabinet that will never see the light of day.
Along with her enormous book stash, Elizabeth lives with her husband of twenty years and two young adult sons, though no one else in the house reads nearly as much as she does. When she’s not at work or buried in books or writing, there is a garden outside full of herbs, flowers and vegetables that requires occasional attention.
Her first paranormal romance novel is Hunting Medusa. You can find out more about her at www.ElizabethAndrewsWrites.com.
The Medusa Trilogy, Book 1When Kallan Tassos tracks down the current Medusa, he expects to find a monster. Instead he finds a wary, beautiful woman, shielded by a complicated web of spells that foils his plans for a quick kill and retrieval of her protective amulet.
Andrea Rosakis expects the handsome Harvester to go for the kill. Instead, his attempt to take the amulet imprinted on her skin without harming her takes her completely by surprise. And ends with the two of them in a magical bind—together. But Kallan isn’t the only Harvester on Andi’s trail…
Hunting Medusa is available at Amazon.
Excerpt
It was one of those days when having the Medusa’s fabled power to turn people to stone would really come in handy.
Andrea Rosakis did not, however, have that ability, not this week, anyway. Even though she was the reigning Medusa.
She glared at the man on her back porch, wondering if he could ever understand how lucky he was she wasn’t suffering from PMS this week. And why wouldn’t he stop talking? Her fingers itched to slam the door.
“…if you just have five minutes, ma’am,” he concluded.
She narrowed her gaze on the vacuum beside him. “No, thank you.” And how the hell had he found her all the way out here? No one ever bothered to follow her rough, muddy driveway all the way to the top, even if they did ignore the “No Trespassing” signs posted at the foot of it. Not to mention the protective warding she had set at the boundaries of the entire property. Sure, it wasn’t the heavy artillery of protection spells, but no one else had ever gotten past it. This man however, had not only ignored the signs and the subtle “go away” protections, but managed the entire bumpy, muddy track into the woods and halfway up the mountain. Just to hear her say, “No.”
And he didn’t look discouraged. At all.
Andi almost wished she were PMSing this week, though it would be a real pain in the ass to have to get rid of a life-sized stone statue of a vacuum salesman.
Or maybe she could keep it. He was very pretty, even if he annoyed her. He was tall and broad, his inky black hair was a tad too long, and his bright green eyes held her attention. At least as stone, he’d be silent and still pretty. She gave herself a mental shake. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have time for this—”
“When would be a better time?”
“Never.”
He did blink at that, but his smile never disappeared. “I’ll have to check my calendar.”
She snorted, then clapped her free hand over her mouth. Laughing would not discourage the man. “Look, I’m sure it’s a great vacuum, but I don’t need it. I don’t want to see how it works, and I’d like you to get off my property.”
His smile did fade a little bit. “Well, I suppose, if that’s what you really want.”
She quirked an eyebrow, trying not to smile again. He had the faintest hint of an accent, but she couldn’t place it. Not without hearing him talk some more, and she didn’t want to encourage that either, or he’d just keep trying to sell her an expensive vacuum she didn’t need.
“Maybe I could talk you into meeting me for coffee sometime then,” he said.
Her jaw dropped. The cute salesman was hitting on her. For half a second, she indulged the fantasy of a date with the hunk. A real date, maybe ending with a real kiss. Her pulse quickened. Then she remembered one good date led to more, and eventually, it led to guys running away from her, gibbering like idiots when PMS struck. She shut her mouth and ignored the regret burning in her middle. “Sorry, but no.”
“You’re a hard woman,” he said lightly, his bright gaze sliding down to her mouth. “I’ll leave my card in case you change your mind. About the coffee, that is.” He forced a small card into her hand and picked up his vacuum.
October 15, 2015
NaNoWriMo 2015 Prep: A Little Extra Padding by Maggie Wells
A Little Extra PaddingAutumn is in full swing now. It’s my favorite time of year—the air is crisp, the leaves are turning, and it’s finally soup season! I may have a bit of a soft spot for autumn because it allows me to indulge my natural homebody tendencies without guilt. I’ve stocked up on Cheez-Its. The freezer is full and slow cooker ready. The hubby knows what’s coming…
I’m settling in for NaNoWriMo.
Thirty glorious days of literary abandon. Every year about this time, I pluck a fresh plot bunny from the hutch, check my inner editor at the door (that’s what December is for), and prepare to get down to some serious word-making.
I never think of myself as much of a writing expert, but when Robyn said she was looking for someone who could share some NaNoWriMo tips and tricks, I knew this was one topic I could address. 2015 will be my seventh go at NaNo. I’ve completed the challenge (but not the book!) in each of my previous six attempts.
The most important thing I’ve learned over the years? A little extra padding goes a long way.Now, I’m not talking about personal padding, though the Cheez-Its comment above probably painted a pretty accurate picture for you. An extra pillow on your favorite writing chair can’t hurt, either. But I’m really saying that you should pad your word count.
As a writer who works 40+ hours per week in addition to my publishing commitments, I know how quickly things get out of hand. I also know how easy it is to get saggy in the middle (Again, not a Cheez-Its reference, but it could apply). And damn near butt-dragging at the end.
We all know we need 1667 words per day to cross the 50k mark. But let’s be honest. It’s hard to write that much every day. There are some days when your head is fuzzy with a cold, or the laundry pile is in danger of toppling over. Or the day job zaps every last ounce of energy you had in reserve. My hubby and I both celebrate November birthdays. Our families expect us to show up for Thanksgiving.
All in all, I’d say there are at least 5-7 days out of those precious thirty when I know I won’t produce a thing. That means I need 2k+ per day. And then there are the days when the words won’t come…
The best advice I can give for successfully meeting your goal is to hit it hard at the start. Don’t stop when you reach that day’s goal. If the words are flowing, go with it. Bank them. If you work a non-writing job, use your weekends like a warrior on a mission so the weekdays are a little lighter.
Use your gung-ho. You can do this!
And if you’re one of those people motivated by the carrot, the following titles all started as NaNoWriMo projects:
Contentment – Turquoise Morning PressCommitment – Turquoise Morning PressInamorata – Turquoise Morning PressNabbing Mr. November – Turquoise Morning PressDaring Miss December – Turquoise Morning PressA Will and a Way (coming June 2016) – Lyrical PressAbout the Author
Brooke Hastings almost won a Pulitzer Prize for her hard-hitting reportage. Now she’s sitting on the story of a lifetime and wants to prove she’s not a one-hit-wonder. But in order to get the world to take notice, she’ll need the help of the one person she loves to hate—Brian Dalton.
Brian Dalton stumbled into celebrity when he landed a show on the Earth Channel. But the hunky marine biologist never forgot the serious, studious boy who left Mobile a decade before. Now back in Alabama, he’s looking for the quiet life he always wanted and hoping for a chance with the girl he always loved. When Brooke asks him to help expose some of the lingering effects of the Gulf oil disaster, Brian jumps at the chance to help preserve the place both call home…
Going Deep is available at All Romance eBooks, Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Google, Kensington, and Kobo.
I’m settling in for NaNoWriMo.
Thirty glorious days of literary abandon. Every year about this time, I pluck a fresh plot bunny from the hutch, check my inner editor at the door (that’s what December is for), and prepare to get down to some serious word-making.
I never think of myself as much of a writing expert, but when Robyn said she was looking for someone who could share some NaNoWriMo tips and tricks, I knew this was one topic I could address. 2015 will be my seventh go at NaNo. I’ve completed the challenge (but not the book!) in each of my previous six attempts.
The most important thing I’ve learned over the years? A little extra padding goes a long way.Now, I’m not talking about personal padding, though the Cheez-Its comment above probably painted a pretty accurate picture for you. An extra pillow on your favorite writing chair can’t hurt, either. But I’m really saying that you should pad your word count.
As a writer who works 40+ hours per week in addition to my publishing commitments, I know how quickly things get out of hand. I also know how easy it is to get saggy in the middle (Again, not a Cheez-Its reference, but it could apply). And damn near butt-dragging at the end.
We all know we need 1667 words per day to cross the 50k mark. But let’s be honest. It’s hard to write that much every day. There are some days when your head is fuzzy with a cold, or the laundry pile is in danger of toppling over. Or the day job zaps every last ounce of energy you had in reserve. My hubby and I both celebrate November birthdays. Our families expect us to show up for Thanksgiving.
All in all, I’d say there are at least 5-7 days out of those precious thirty when I know I won’t produce a thing. That means I need 2k+ per day. And then there are the days when the words won’t come…
The best advice I can give for successfully meeting your goal is to hit it hard at the start. Don’t stop when you reach that day’s goal. If the words are flowing, go with it. Bank them. If you work a non-writing job, use your weekends like a warrior on a mission so the weekdays are a little lighter.
Use your gung-ho. You can do this!
And if you’re one of those people motivated by the carrot, the following titles all started as NaNoWriMo projects:
Contentment – Turquoise Morning PressCommitment – Turquoise Morning PressInamorata – Turquoise Morning PressNabbing Mr. November – Turquoise Morning PressDaring Miss December – Turquoise Morning PressA Will and a Way (coming June 2016) – Lyrical PressAbout the Author
By day Margaret Ethridge/Maggie Wells is buried in spreadsheets. At night she pens tales of people tangling up the sheets. She'll tell you she's a deep down dirty girl, but you only have to scratch the surface of this mild-mannered married lady to find a naughty streak a mile wide. The product of a charming rogue and a shameless flirt, she just can't help herself...Book Info
Website: http://maggie-wells.com
Grab her latest release, GOING DEEP (Coastal Heat #1) – available now from Lyrical Shine, Kensington Publishing Corp.
Brooke Hastings almost won a Pulitzer Prize for her hard-hitting reportage. Now she’s sitting on the story of a lifetime and wants to prove she’s not a one-hit-wonder. But in order to get the world to take notice, she’ll need the help of the one person she loves to hate—Brian Dalton.Brian Dalton stumbled into celebrity when he landed a show on the Earth Channel. But the hunky marine biologist never forgot the serious, studious boy who left Mobile a decade before. Now back in Alabama, he’s looking for the quiet life he always wanted and hoping for a chance with the girl he always loved. When Brooke asks him to help expose some of the lingering effects of the Gulf oil disaster, Brian jumps at the chance to help preserve the place both call home…
Going Deep is available at All Romance eBooks, Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Google, Kensington, and Kobo.
October 14, 2015
NaNoWriMo 2015 Prep: Banishing the Inner Editor by Emma Gates
Banishing the Inner EditorNaNoWriMo is perfect for a 'pantser' author like me.
I tend to agonize over every word, every sentence, every paragraph. I scrutinize white space, commas, and the placement of italics.
I re-wrote my first romance for adults, 'Detours', about twenty times and still found misspellings on its recent final go-round for publication as a Kindle version! In my defense, I'm not a terrible speller; I learned to write in England, whose spelling of some words, and punctuation for dialogue, differ from U.S. style.
I produced three more novels for publication with subsequently decreasing angst and obsessive-compulsive attention to detail. Yet I am still hounded by a knuckle-rapping, scowling internal editor who grimaces at everything I write. Perhaps it's the ghost of that one Headmistress in Chiswick, who kept boxing gloves hanging behind her door as a deterrent to fighting: those caught were obliged to perform their battle in Assembly, before the entire student body.
So NaNoWriMo, to me, means freedom! In fiction, I'm a cinematographer running after characters, trying to record all they do, say and experience with a pen as camera. I don't know how these characters come to me. They get onstage and take on lives of their own.
Perhaps writers who outline, or make character charts and diagram plot points, don't need that stern inner editor as much as I do. Their stories might flow in beautiful logic toward fitting finales. My first drafts feel more a like a meander in thick woods where one never knows which path to take or where it might lead.
In NaNo land there are no paths: only the furious giddy rush of forward travel. Even when I bump into trees, roots, rock, reggae (thanks Bob Marley!), it doesn't matter, because the play is the thing (thanks Will Shakespeare!). I let story take me on a wild ride and emerge, flushed and triumphant, with word count intact even if said story is manic mumbo jumbo. Banishing the inner editor gives me mania to work with, a good chunk of sojourn whose riches my character can plunder until their satisfying conclusions become visible, as the forest becomes trees and the paths between are lit by aha moments.
I don't claim to understand this magic even after being a writer since I first held a pencil. Yet I trust its power to create vivid worlds, and I hope that inner editor, who I allow back in December, will produce a satisfying read.
Last year I began, fittingly, a sequel to 'Detours' during NaNaWriMo. Who knows what enchantments await this year?
About the Author
In 1972, a time of tumultuous political and social change, Clare and Lowell are idealists on opposite ends of the spectrum. Lowell is an ambitious grad student expecting an elite career in the Foreign Service and Clare is an earnest freshman antiwar activist. When they meet at Indiana University, an unlikely passion begins. Detours is a sensual and intelligent romance exploring politics, culture, and self-discovery in a story that spans more than a decade and travels from the States to Beirut, Mexico City, and Kuwait. The journey is spellbinding and unforgettable.
Detours is available on Amazon.
I tend to agonize over every word, every sentence, every paragraph. I scrutinize white space, commas, and the placement of italics.
I re-wrote my first romance for adults, 'Detours', about twenty times and still found misspellings on its recent final go-round for publication as a Kindle version! In my defense, I'm not a terrible speller; I learned to write in England, whose spelling of some words, and punctuation for dialogue, differ from U.S. style.
I produced three more novels for publication with subsequently decreasing angst and obsessive-compulsive attention to detail. Yet I am still hounded by a knuckle-rapping, scowling internal editor who grimaces at everything I write. Perhaps it's the ghost of that one Headmistress in Chiswick, who kept boxing gloves hanging behind her door as a deterrent to fighting: those caught were obliged to perform their battle in Assembly, before the entire student body.
So NaNoWriMo, to me, means freedom! In fiction, I'm a cinematographer running after characters, trying to record all they do, say and experience with a pen as camera. I don't know how these characters come to me. They get onstage and take on lives of their own.
Perhaps writers who outline, or make character charts and diagram plot points, don't need that stern inner editor as much as I do. Their stories might flow in beautiful logic toward fitting finales. My first drafts feel more a like a meander in thick woods where one never knows which path to take or where it might lead.
In NaNo land there are no paths: only the furious giddy rush of forward travel. Even when I bump into trees, roots, rock, reggae (thanks Bob Marley!), it doesn't matter, because the play is the thing (thanks Will Shakespeare!). I let story take me on a wild ride and emerge, flushed and triumphant, with word count intact even if said story is manic mumbo jumbo. Banishing the inner editor gives me mania to work with, a good chunk of sojourn whose riches my character can plunder until their satisfying conclusions become visible, as the forest becomes trees and the paths between are lit by aha moments.
I don't claim to understand this magic even after being a writer since I first held a pencil. Yet I trust its power to create vivid worlds, and I hope that inner editor, who I allow back in December, will produce a satisfying read.
Last year I began, fittingly, a sequel to 'Detours' during NaNaWriMo. Who knows what enchantments await this year?
About the Author
Award-winning writer Emma Gates was born in New York and spent her childhood in England. She earned a BA in Spanish/Latin American Studies from Indiana University Bloomington, and an MBA with concentration in Arabic/Middle Eastern Studies from Thunderbird. She worked for three years in Mexico and five in Saudi Arabia. She is a international business and telecoms expert living near Chicago with her family and an inscrutable cat. Find her on GoodReads or on Amazon.Book Info
In 1972, a time of tumultuous political and social change, Clare and Lowell are idealists on opposite ends of the spectrum. Lowell is an ambitious grad student expecting an elite career in the Foreign Service and Clare is an earnest freshman antiwar activist. When they meet at Indiana University, an unlikely passion begins. Detours is a sensual and intelligent romance exploring politics, culture, and self-discovery in a story that spans more than a decade and travels from the States to Beirut, Mexico City, and Kuwait. The journey is spellbinding and unforgettable.Detours is available on Amazon.
October 13, 2015
NaNoWriMo 2015 Prep: Moodling and Other Tips for November Success by Katherine Tree
Moodling and Other Tips for November SuccessGetting ready for NaNoWriMo? All set to write exactly 1667 words per day, no more, no less, until the bitter end (of the month, anyway)? Have you done this before, or are you simply wise, and know that your own brain will be your worst enemy in November? Fear not. I have a couple suggestions for harnessing it, whipping it, riding it hard (to the places you want it to go), and putting it up wet.
First: moodling.I get this word from Brenda Ueland’s classic If You Want to Write . This book is more cheerleading than practical tips on the technical aspects of writing, but one thing I took from it that has stood me in good stead is that in order to have something to write, you must give your brain time to moodle.
Moodling is, in essence, daydreaming. Not active keyboard time. No notepads. No goals. It doesn’t mean you’re just staring out the window, either (though if you have time for that, good for you). Do you have a long commute? Do you punish your physical manifestation with long hours of cardio exercise? Do you craft? Congratulations—prime moodling time. Some people might say that music or other background interference will lessen the quality of your moodling, but I find that anything familiar enough to ignore (like the same playlist I listen to every single day while taking my walk) doesn’t hurt the process.
If you moodle with the general aim of thinking about your book—not setting yourself to solve problems, only congratulating yourself over what you’ve written, mulling over what you might write later, and wondering what problems need working out—your keyboard time will be far more fruitful because when you sit down, you’ll already know what you’re going to write. You will have filled the proverbial well.
The second is to turn off and tune out.This tip is inspired by another classic, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. How does a drawing book help writing? More to the point, how does a drawing book that is all about turning off the verbal side of your mind help with writing? I know it doesn’t make sense, but it works.
Betty Edwards’ advice for drawing well is to stop putting the thing you are drawing through your filters. Stop thinking of it as a symbol. The sun isn’t a circle with lines coming out of it. An eye isn’t an oval with a circle right in the middle. Turn off the shoulds and musts and preconceived notions, and just draw what you actually see in front of you.
Something like this works well for writing, especially for writing emotionally charged scenes. Do you have ideas about what your characters are like? Do you have—heaven forfend—archetypes, or even worse, caricatures for them? Do you have lists of acceptable unconscious reactions for different emotions? Have you read too much pulp fiction, and are phrases like “steely glare”, “shot a glance”, and “licked her lips” proliferating in your fiction?
Or, even worse. Can you not write the scene because you’re so bound up with ought-to-bes and won’ts that you just can’t write it? Turn off your filter. Dig deep inside. Possess your character and ask yourself: what makes my skirt fly up right now? What’s the primal scream? What clenches my guts (or pelvic floor)? If no one was ever going to know about it, what would I do?
Let your fingers type it. Don’t watch the screen. Do move your lips along with the words. Sigh. Pant. Groan. Growl.
Did you get something down? Is it overwrought? Crazy? Sexy? Insane? Furious? Is it leaden with doom and dread?
Good. You’ve started your emotionally charged scene. Now do it again. You can edit later.
So there you have it: alternate working your brain hard and letting it rest. That’s how I get the most out of my writing time. Of course, everyone is different. Do you have brain-tricks to maximize your writing output? We’d all love to hear.
About the Author
Perry Drinkwater hails from a remote backhills settlement on a post-colonization planet. She was raised to mistrust the outside world, especially the wicked towns which, her father tells her, offer nothing but violence, materialism, and moral degradation.
And then her settlement is sacked, her family murdered, and Perry thrown into the power of a young soldier. He saves her life, but to do it he takes her straight to Bear Hollow, exactly the sort of place Perry was warned against. To complicate matters, a steamy romance develops between them, which runs contrary to Perry's moral compass . . . but which she can't resist.
Can Perry swallow her pride and live among the degraded townspeople? Might her father have been wrong about them, or only too right? Might Bear Hollow provide Perry the man, the home, and the family she always wanted . . . or will it suck away everything she valued about herself?
The Bear's Wife is available at Amazon.
First: moodling.I get this word from Brenda Ueland’s classic If You Want to Write . This book is more cheerleading than practical tips on the technical aspects of writing, but one thing I took from it that has stood me in good stead is that in order to have something to write, you must give your brain time to moodle.
Moodling is, in essence, daydreaming. Not active keyboard time. No notepads. No goals. It doesn’t mean you’re just staring out the window, either (though if you have time for that, good for you). Do you have a long commute? Do you punish your physical manifestation with long hours of cardio exercise? Do you craft? Congratulations—prime moodling time. Some people might say that music or other background interference will lessen the quality of your moodling, but I find that anything familiar enough to ignore (like the same playlist I listen to every single day while taking my walk) doesn’t hurt the process.
If you moodle with the general aim of thinking about your book—not setting yourself to solve problems, only congratulating yourself over what you’ve written, mulling over what you might write later, and wondering what problems need working out—your keyboard time will be far more fruitful because when you sit down, you’ll already know what you’re going to write. You will have filled the proverbial well.
The second is to turn off and tune out.This tip is inspired by another classic, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. How does a drawing book help writing? More to the point, how does a drawing book that is all about turning off the verbal side of your mind help with writing? I know it doesn’t make sense, but it works.
Betty Edwards’ advice for drawing well is to stop putting the thing you are drawing through your filters. Stop thinking of it as a symbol. The sun isn’t a circle with lines coming out of it. An eye isn’t an oval with a circle right in the middle. Turn off the shoulds and musts and preconceived notions, and just draw what you actually see in front of you.
Something like this works well for writing, especially for writing emotionally charged scenes. Do you have ideas about what your characters are like? Do you have—heaven forfend—archetypes, or even worse, caricatures for them? Do you have lists of acceptable unconscious reactions for different emotions? Have you read too much pulp fiction, and are phrases like “steely glare”, “shot a glance”, and “licked her lips” proliferating in your fiction?
Or, even worse. Can you not write the scene because you’re so bound up with ought-to-bes and won’ts that you just can’t write it? Turn off your filter. Dig deep inside. Possess your character and ask yourself: what makes my skirt fly up right now? What’s the primal scream? What clenches my guts (or pelvic floor)? If no one was ever going to know about it, what would I do?
Let your fingers type it. Don’t watch the screen. Do move your lips along with the words. Sigh. Pant. Groan. Growl.
Did you get something down? Is it overwrought? Crazy? Sexy? Insane? Furious? Is it leaden with doom and dread?
Good. You’ve started your emotionally charged scene. Now do it again. You can edit later.
So there you have it: alternate working your brain hard and letting it rest. That’s how I get the most out of my writing time. Of course, everyone is different. Do you have brain-tricks to maximize your writing output? We’d all love to hear.
About the Author
Katharine Tree lives in the Puget Sound area with her husband, daughter, and cat. When her characters aren’t demanding attention, she enjoys cooking, reading, knitting, gardening, and taking long walks in the woods.Book Info
Website: www.katharinetree.comTwitter: @writerktreeFacebook: facebook.com/katharinetree
Perry Drinkwater hails from a remote backhills settlement on a post-colonization planet. She was raised to mistrust the outside world, especially the wicked towns which, her father tells her, offer nothing but violence, materialism, and moral degradation.And then her settlement is sacked, her family murdered, and Perry thrown into the power of a young soldier. He saves her life, but to do it he takes her straight to Bear Hollow, exactly the sort of place Perry was warned against. To complicate matters, a steamy romance develops between them, which runs contrary to Perry's moral compass . . . but which she can't resist.
Can Perry swallow her pride and live among the degraded townspeople? Might her father have been wrong about them, or only too right? Might Bear Hollow provide Perry the man, the home, and the family she always wanted . . . or will it suck away everything she valued about herself?
The Bear's Wife is available at Amazon.
October 12, 2015
NaNoWriMo 2015 Prep: Finding Inspiration by Matt Banach
Finding Inspiration: Improbable Mandates and Lessons from Reverse DesignThere is nothing more terrifying than a blank page. I mean that both literally and figuratively. Infinite possibilities mean infinite choices, and infinite choices can lead to infinite indecision. We've all experienced that - the conundrum of brainstorming in the early stages of some creative authorial endeavor, where anything is possible and therefore any choice must be justified against the act of not choosing a universe of other options. It can be daunting, if not downright paralyzing. Hence, my advice for NaNoWriMo this year is to consider the merits of constraint on the creative process as a means of inspiring the creative process. Accept strange suggestions. Put up walls so that you can break through them. Wrap yourself up in a bizarre premise (or three) so that you can fight your way out of it.
One of the serial projects I work on is a series called "Gossamer Worlds" for the diceless roleplaying game Lords of Gossamer & Shadow, which is sort of a spiritual successor to Roger Zelazny's famous Chronicles of Amber. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, it doesn't matter, just understand that every month my publisher wants me to write about 4,000 words creating one unique world in the infinite multiverse. Since the infinite multiverse is, well, infinite... I can write pretty much anything I can think up - any setting, any tone, any genre imaginable. Liberating? Yes. Challenging? Definitely.
For while it is nice to know I have the freedom to come up with anything, I find I work best when I am forced to fit my world into a certain mold - and with the Gossamer Worlds, the mold I select is a picture in a process we refer to as "reverse design". The tactic has its roots in some fairly business-y concepts of low-cost online publishing - in order to publish our little product on a tight timetable with minimal production costs and no delays, instead of writing something and then tasking an artist to draw cover art and interior art to our specifications, I take art that is already in hand and give myself the mandate: "Ok, self. This is the cover art. Write this world." And I do.
Sometimes the art is a picturesque fantasy vista, sometimes its a bizarre monster, and sometimes its way more abstract, but I've found that the weirder the picture is, the better. Usually, in addition to the picture itself, I come up with secondary guidelines based off of the picture, such as "Ok, this is Japanese Horror meets Alien Invasion meets Psychic Apocalypse." The criss-crossing restrictions of multiple genres and tropes challenges me to concoct a world where my bizarre conceptual chimera makes sense AND fits the picture. If this sounds insane to you, perhaps it is, but I've found that it's a lot easier for me to be creative when I'm trying to fight my way out of a corner (how to reconcile all these conflicting tropes) than it is to spontaneously generate an entire world from scratch.
The point is, assignments/restrictions/imperatives can be helpful.
In the novel-writing context, take for instance a writing prompt with a specific mandate. Being told "just write something, anything" is painfully unhelpful, while being told "write a 1,000 word short western fantasy where the protagonist is a steam-powered demonic cat" is much more likely to inspire a flow of ideas. Whether you stick with the prompt all the way through the project without deviation isn't as important as the benefit you've received from that initial spark that got you thinking, got you planning, and led you to that one character or one witty line you really do want to write a whole novel around.
When I was writing my first novel, Lost In Dream, sometimes I'd be stuck. I'd never written a novel before, so what the heck did I know? I'm really a seat-of-the-pants writer, so while I had a general idea about how the story was supposed to end and a few of the 'big reveals' I wanted to unveil along the way, I hadn't planned or outlined all the steps to get me from chapter 1 to chapter 12. I just knew that stuff had to happen. When I got stuck, I'd ask my (at the time) three-year-old daughter what I should do next and try my best to stick to exactly what she said. Once she pointed to the wall of her bedroom, where there was this decal of a brown tree with pink leaves, and then talked about eating pea pods with grandpa, so I put a magical pink tree hung with pod-like cocoons in the next chapter as a powerful plot device. One time she screamed "Go Knights!" into my ear, so in the final climactic battle I had my young female protagonist yell that same thing to conjure an army of phantasmal knight-protectors to fight off an army of devils. She made lots of other suggestions, many of which I used, some of which I didn't, but no matter whether I ran with what she said or not I found the process of considering her ideas incredibly valuable.
Even if you're not writing high fantasy with unlimited potential for magical shenanigans (as I was and often do), this notion of accepting improbable suggestions and making them work can fit into any genre. Make a thing the most important thing in the world of your story, and bend your brain to think of how and why that's the case. Maybe the "fire-breathing green dragon" is a telltale carton of spicy Chinese food left out to reveal a lover's overnight betrayal in your dark romance drama. Maybe you can justify the can of "8 ounces skinless tomatoes" with a scene about an octet of flayed-alive overweight murder victims in your horror thriller. Think of that great story based off of a single name, "rosebud", perhaps something small and quiet spied out a garden window.
The seeds of inspiration can come from anywhere, but we know from what I just got done telling you advice like "be inspired by anything" is not helpful. My suggestion then is to try removing some of your own choice from the matter, so that you're not paralyzed by too many options. Choose your hypothetical cover art from a very small subset of existing artwork, or select it at random and run with it. Take a single writing prompt very seriously, or have a friend pull three writing prompts off the internet and force yourself to mash two of them together. Or accept some earnest advice from a toddler.
Good luck with NaNoWriMo coming up, and remember that a published trainwreck is a heck of a lot better than unpublished perfection. Accept your assignment, twist it until it squeals with all the sense-making, and get those words on the page!
Best,
Matt Banach
About the Author
Dream – a surreal realm where delusions roam free and nightmares hold court.
A man called Rube is on a perilous quest, searching this unhinged land for something more precious than life or sanity – his own lost child. Captive on a black ship crewed by the dreaded Men of Leng, he finds himself crossing the Slumbering Sea in chains, brought face-to-face with a mischievous blue monster who might just be his salvation – or his doom. Struggling to reunite father and daughter, their odyssey past the edge of reality reveals ancient evils, fiendish plots, and a trans-planar scheme which threatens the very foundation of Dream.
Bursting forth from Rite Publishing's epic Coliseum Morpheuon and the high-octane Faces of the Tarnished Souk, Matt Banach's debut novel blends the wonder of Lewis Carroll and the mythos of H.P. Lovecraft to produce a wicked and witty fantasy adventure with a bittersweet heart, testament to the enduring power of a parent's love.
Lost in Dream is available at Amazon.
Excerpt
The cavern was immense, its obsidian walls flowing with the black bilious outpour of thousands of pipes and tunnels, all draining down to pool in a network of channels beneath a patchwork floor of stone and iron grating. The Wishing Tree squatted in the midst of it all, its willowy white-and-rainbow branches drooping so low they sprawled out across the grated floor, curling and twisting in a thicket dusted with rustling pink leaves. The tree's hundred oblong pods rested on the ground or hung mere feet in the air, spread out like glowing pumpkins on the vine. Within the pods, the children slept or crouched or stared, captive in each pod's haze-shrouded confines. Surrounding the edge of the cavern, prowling about on hairy knuckles, a dozen or more of the Khan's fire-snorting hounds stood guard, looking alert and cranky. My eyes began searching for...
“A damn fool,” snarled a raspy voice behind me.
One of the serial projects I work on is a series called "Gossamer Worlds" for the diceless roleplaying game Lords of Gossamer & Shadow, which is sort of a spiritual successor to Roger Zelazny's famous Chronicles of Amber. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, it doesn't matter, just understand that every month my publisher wants me to write about 4,000 words creating one unique world in the infinite multiverse. Since the infinite multiverse is, well, infinite... I can write pretty much anything I can think up - any setting, any tone, any genre imaginable. Liberating? Yes. Challenging? Definitely.
For while it is nice to know I have the freedom to come up with anything, I find I work best when I am forced to fit my world into a certain mold - and with the Gossamer Worlds, the mold I select is a picture in a process we refer to as "reverse design". The tactic has its roots in some fairly business-y concepts of low-cost online publishing - in order to publish our little product on a tight timetable with minimal production costs and no delays, instead of writing something and then tasking an artist to draw cover art and interior art to our specifications, I take art that is already in hand and give myself the mandate: "Ok, self. This is the cover art. Write this world." And I do.
Sometimes the art is a picturesque fantasy vista, sometimes its a bizarre monster, and sometimes its way more abstract, but I've found that the weirder the picture is, the better. Usually, in addition to the picture itself, I come up with secondary guidelines based off of the picture, such as "Ok, this is Japanese Horror meets Alien Invasion meets Psychic Apocalypse." The criss-crossing restrictions of multiple genres and tropes challenges me to concoct a world where my bizarre conceptual chimera makes sense AND fits the picture. If this sounds insane to you, perhaps it is, but I've found that it's a lot easier for me to be creative when I'm trying to fight my way out of a corner (how to reconcile all these conflicting tropes) than it is to spontaneously generate an entire world from scratch.
The point is, assignments/restrictions/imperatives can be helpful.
In the novel-writing context, take for instance a writing prompt with a specific mandate. Being told "just write something, anything" is painfully unhelpful, while being told "write a 1,000 word short western fantasy where the protagonist is a steam-powered demonic cat" is much more likely to inspire a flow of ideas. Whether you stick with the prompt all the way through the project without deviation isn't as important as the benefit you've received from that initial spark that got you thinking, got you planning, and led you to that one character or one witty line you really do want to write a whole novel around.
When I was writing my first novel, Lost In Dream, sometimes I'd be stuck. I'd never written a novel before, so what the heck did I know? I'm really a seat-of-the-pants writer, so while I had a general idea about how the story was supposed to end and a few of the 'big reveals' I wanted to unveil along the way, I hadn't planned or outlined all the steps to get me from chapter 1 to chapter 12. I just knew that stuff had to happen. When I got stuck, I'd ask my (at the time) three-year-old daughter what I should do next and try my best to stick to exactly what she said. Once she pointed to the wall of her bedroom, where there was this decal of a brown tree with pink leaves, and then talked about eating pea pods with grandpa, so I put a magical pink tree hung with pod-like cocoons in the next chapter as a powerful plot device. One time she screamed "Go Knights!" into my ear, so in the final climactic battle I had my young female protagonist yell that same thing to conjure an army of phantasmal knight-protectors to fight off an army of devils. She made lots of other suggestions, many of which I used, some of which I didn't, but no matter whether I ran with what she said or not I found the process of considering her ideas incredibly valuable.
Even if you're not writing high fantasy with unlimited potential for magical shenanigans (as I was and often do), this notion of accepting improbable suggestions and making them work can fit into any genre. Make a thing the most important thing in the world of your story, and bend your brain to think of how and why that's the case. Maybe the "fire-breathing green dragon" is a telltale carton of spicy Chinese food left out to reveal a lover's overnight betrayal in your dark romance drama. Maybe you can justify the can of "8 ounces skinless tomatoes" with a scene about an octet of flayed-alive overweight murder victims in your horror thriller. Think of that great story based off of a single name, "rosebud", perhaps something small and quiet spied out a garden window.
The seeds of inspiration can come from anywhere, but we know from what I just got done telling you advice like "be inspired by anything" is not helpful. My suggestion then is to try removing some of your own choice from the matter, so that you're not paralyzed by too many options. Choose your hypothetical cover art from a very small subset of existing artwork, or select it at random and run with it. Take a single writing prompt very seriously, or have a friend pull three writing prompts off the internet and force yourself to mash two of them together. Or accept some earnest advice from a toddler.
Good luck with NaNoWriMo coming up, and remember that a published trainwreck is a heck of a lot better than unpublished perfection. Accept your assignment, twist it until it squeals with all the sense-making, and get those words on the page!
Best,
Matt Banach
About the Author
Matt Banach has been writing this and that for years, but Lost In Dream is his first novel. An avid gamer, his creations have appeared in Rite Publishing,'s Coliseum Morpheuon and the accompanying Faces of the Tarnished Souk series, various adventures and short stories of similar ilk, as well as the ongoing Gossamer Worlds line exploring the infinite multiverse of Lords of Gossamer & Shadow. When he's not writing, working, gaming, running, or cooking, he enjoys every moment with his lovely little family. He's pretty happy right now, and would like to thank his mom for all those books.Book Info
Website: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23791552-lost-in-dream
Dream – a surreal realm where delusions roam free and nightmares hold court.A man called Rube is on a perilous quest, searching this unhinged land for something more precious than life or sanity – his own lost child. Captive on a black ship crewed by the dreaded Men of Leng, he finds himself crossing the Slumbering Sea in chains, brought face-to-face with a mischievous blue monster who might just be his salvation – or his doom. Struggling to reunite father and daughter, their odyssey past the edge of reality reveals ancient evils, fiendish plots, and a trans-planar scheme which threatens the very foundation of Dream.
Bursting forth from Rite Publishing's epic Coliseum Morpheuon and the high-octane Faces of the Tarnished Souk, Matt Banach's debut novel blends the wonder of Lewis Carroll and the mythos of H.P. Lovecraft to produce a wicked and witty fantasy adventure with a bittersweet heart, testament to the enduring power of a parent's love.
Lost in Dream is available at Amazon.
Excerpt
The cavern was immense, its obsidian walls flowing with the black bilious outpour of thousands of pipes and tunnels, all draining down to pool in a network of channels beneath a patchwork floor of stone and iron grating. The Wishing Tree squatted in the midst of it all, its willowy white-and-rainbow branches drooping so low they sprawled out across the grated floor, curling and twisting in a thicket dusted with rustling pink leaves. The tree's hundred oblong pods rested on the ground or hung mere feet in the air, spread out like glowing pumpkins on the vine. Within the pods, the children slept or crouched or stared, captive in each pod's haze-shrouded confines. Surrounding the edge of the cavern, prowling about on hairy knuckles, a dozen or more of the Khan's fire-snorting hounds stood guard, looking alert and cranky. My eyes began searching for...
“A damn fool,” snarled a raspy voice behind me.
October 11, 2015
NaNoWriMo 2015 Prep: Thoughts about Dialogue by Ilana C. Myer
Thoughts About DialogueIf characters are the heart of a story, dialogue is the lifeblood that serves the heart: we learn most of what we know about a character from their utterances, as well as from how they speak. While novelists can’t always afford to choose their words as carefully as, say, short story writers or poets, the wording of dialogue might be the exception. These are the words that define the people. More than that: they define the world. A line of dialogue can plunge us into a different world more effectively than any description.
There are a few principles I work from:
Cliches come first. When we write dialogue, every movie and TV show we’ve ever watched is lurking on the sidelines. This is especially true during scenes that are more genre-specific, like love scenes or confrontations with villains; we’ve seen so many of these, heard so many key phrases again and again (“You’ll never get away with this!” “I already have.”), that it’s inevitable these phrases will spring to mind first. So while it’s okay to get the cliches out there for the sake of hitting word count and getting the ideas out, it’s just as important to go back and re-examine every line.* If it sounds eerily familiar, you’ve most likely heard it before.
*In December! December is for editing. ;)
About the Author
Her name was Kimbralin Amaristoth: sister to a cruel brother, daughter of a hateful family. But that name she has forsworn, and now she is simply Lin, a musician and lyricist of uncommon ability in a land where women are forbidden to answer such callings-a fugitive who must conceal her identity or risk imprisonment and even death.
On the eve of a great festival, Lin learns that an ancient scourge has returned to the land of Eivar, a pandemic both deadly and unnatural. Its resurgence brings with it the memory of an apocalypse that transformed half a continent. Long ago, magic was everywhere, rising from artistic expression-from song, from verse, from stories. But in Eivar, where poets once wove enchantments from their words and harps, the power was lost. Forbidden experiments in blood divination unleashed the plague that is remembered as the Red Death, killing thousands before it was stopped, and Eivar's connection to the Otherworld from which all enchantment flowed, broken.
The Red Death's return can mean only one thing: someone is spilling innocent blood in order to master dark magic. Now poets who thought only to gain fame for their songs face a challenge much greater: galvanized by Valanir Ocune, greatest Seer of the age, Lin and several others set out to reclaim their legacy and reopen the way to the Otherworld-a quest that will test their deepest desires, imperil their lives, and decide the future.
Last Song Before Night is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
There are a few principles I work from:
Cliches come first. When we write dialogue, every movie and TV show we’ve ever watched is lurking on the sidelines. This is especially true during scenes that are more genre-specific, like love scenes or confrontations with villains; we’ve seen so many of these, heard so many key phrases again and again (“You’ll never get away with this!” “I already have.”), that it’s inevitable these phrases will spring to mind first. So while it’s okay to get the cliches out there for the sake of hitting word count and getting the ideas out, it’s just as important to go back and re-examine every line.* If it sounds eerily familiar, you’ve most likely heard it before.
*In December! December is for editing. ;)
About the Author
Ilana C. Myer has written about books for the Globe and Mail, the Los Angeles Review of Books, the Huffington Post, and Salon. Her first novel, the epic fantasy Last Song Before Night, is available now from Tor/Macmillan. She lives in New York City.Book Info
Her name was Kimbralin Amaristoth: sister to a cruel brother, daughter of a hateful family. But that name she has forsworn, and now she is simply Lin, a musician and lyricist of uncommon ability in a land where women are forbidden to answer such callings-a fugitive who must conceal her identity or risk imprisonment and even death.On the eve of a great festival, Lin learns that an ancient scourge has returned to the land of Eivar, a pandemic both deadly and unnatural. Its resurgence brings with it the memory of an apocalypse that transformed half a continent. Long ago, magic was everywhere, rising from artistic expression-from song, from verse, from stories. But in Eivar, where poets once wove enchantments from their words and harps, the power was lost. Forbidden experiments in blood divination unleashed the plague that is remembered as the Red Death, killing thousands before it was stopped, and Eivar's connection to the Otherworld from which all enchantment flowed, broken.
The Red Death's return can mean only one thing: someone is spilling innocent blood in order to master dark magic. Now poets who thought only to gain fame for their songs face a challenge much greater: galvanized by Valanir Ocune, greatest Seer of the age, Lin and several others set out to reclaim their legacy and reopen the way to the Otherworld-a quest that will test their deepest desires, imperil their lives, and decide the future.
Last Song Before Night is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
October 10, 2015
NaNoWriMo 2015 Prep: Three-Line Outlining by Barbara White Daille
Three-Line OutliningI love NaNo, but one of the drawbacks I find in writing fast and furiously is the inability to hold all the details of a manuscript in my head. To combat that, I’ve come up with a solution that keeps important information near at hand.
This suggestion is going to be low-tech and old-school, but it’s something that works for me, and I hope you’ll find it helpful, too.
My go-to for this system is a plain and simple 8 ½-by-11-inch lined notepad. You can use a Word file or spreadsheet if you prefer. I break down the manuscript scene by scene, and this is the information I’ve found it handy to include:
In the left margin, note the day of the week, time or time frame, and the location of the scene, using abbreviations to keep things concise. Example: Sat, late aft, diner; Mon, 10 a.m., lawyer’s office; one week later/Fri, early eve, Tina’s bedroom.
If you transition from one scene to another without a change in location—for instance, if you’re simply switching point of view or beginning a new chapter—it’s easy to list this as: immed foll (immediately following) or whatever abbreviation works for you.
Each scene covers three lines of the notepad, with a blank line between scenes:
Line 1 – list the chapter/scene number, then briefly describe the main action of the scene, usually beginning with the point-of-view (POV) character’s name or initial. (Using abbreviations, dropping words, and using symbols will all come in handy here, too.) Example from A Rancher of Her Own:
On the right side of the page, beside each set of lines (that is, each scene) or simply next to the final scene of the chapter, indicate the ending page number.
Below is a sample of an actual outline page for my upcoming release, The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal.
As you can see, it’s not necessary to get too fancy or too wrapped up in making any of this perfect. (In the example, I missed the extra space between two scenes! ;) ) The guideline or cheat sheet is for your eyes only.
I’ve found many advantages to using the system:
Seeing the entire story laid out on just a few pages makes it easy to locate scenes and events.Line 2 of each scene provides a way to track the emotional and/or plot high points of the story.Starting each description with the point of view character’s name or initial lets you see how often you’re in a character’s POV.If you’re a plotter, you can also use the system to lay out several scenes in advance or even to chart your entire book at once based on your synopsis.If you’re a pantser or winging it for NaNo, you can work only a scene ahead or fill in the blank lines after you’ve written the scene.Whenever I’m writing a new book, I tend to jot the notes after the scene is done. My synopsis is my writing guide; the three-line outline is my cheat sheet for the actual manuscript. During NaNo, I modify the system, updating it each night with brief notes for the next day’s scenes.Having the story outlined this way can come in handy when you receive a revision letter from your editor or are working through revisions of your own.There are many variations that could be made to these guidelines. I hope you’ll try out the system and find a way to make it work for you. And I’d love to hear what you think of the idea.
Good luck with this and with your NaNo project!
About the Author
A REASON TO STAY
Ranch manager Pete Brannigan has no interest in playing tour guide to a city slicker like Jane Garland. But spending a few days with the headstrong photographer is a small price to pay for everything her grandfather has given the single dad. Though Pete's drawn to Jane's sharp wit and striking beauty, he won't hurt his young children by falling for another woman who puts her career before family.
Jane's seen the world through her camera…and used it to shield her emotions. With Pete, she can finally let her guard down. If only he could do the same. Despite their powerful bond, Pete still can't trust Jane with his kids or his heart. But if he keeps pushing her away, he may ruin any chance their relationship has to develop.
A Rancher of Her Own is available at Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Books-A-Million ~ Harlequin ~ IndieBound ~ Kobo.
Excerpt
“All’s fair in love and getting the perfect shot.” Once Daffodil took the sugar cube from her hand, Jane stepped back and began clicking again.
“I doubt any newlyweds will want souvenir photos of an old, past-her-prime mare.”
“These are for me.”
He couldn’t keep his eyebrows from shooting up in surprise. He couldn’t keep from needling her, either, and blamed it on those bygone days when a teenager seven years his junior had made his life a misery. “Gonna put them up on the wall in your New York high-rise?”
“Who’s gonna stop me?”
He narrowed his eyes. Then he noted the rueful twist of her lips. She was baiting him. The idea gave him a rush of pleasure he wasn’t sure how to handle.
“So, you do recall all those times you gave me grief.”
“I might have a faded memory or two,” she admitted.
When she moved toward the door, he remained where he stood, watching her silhouette against the bright sunlight.
She turned. “Way back then, I was just a kid asserting my rights.”
You’re sure not a kid anymore.
He brushed the thought away. “You were being a pain in my butt.”
She grimaced. “That too, maybe. But you can’t tell me you didn’t deserve some of it, considering your new job had swelled your head to about the size of this barn door.”
She rested her back against the frame. Her stance highlighted unsuspected curves beneath that loose, dark shirt.
Yeah, he’d called it right about her not being a kid.
He hoped she planned to go away soon—not just from the barn but, once the wedding was over, from the ranch and from Cowboy Creek. He couldn’t blame that thought on memories of the past, his desire to get back to work, or even the sight of her gazing regally down her nose at him the way Daffodil had looked at her.
No, he wanted her long gone because she’d turned out to be one fine-looking woman. Because she was making him want things he had no time in his life for now. And because she was still too many years younger than he was and would always be the boss’s granddaughter.
Yeah—think of the boss.
“That was my first full-time job,” he told her. “I was trying to make an impression.”
“Oh, you did that, all right. I’m glad you didn’t say ‘a good impression,’ because you didn’t come close to one. I don’t like men—people—who think they can order others around. And you definitely had a case of that back then.”
“I was in charge of the horses—”
“Under my grandpa’s direction.”
“—and watching out for them was part of my job.”
“He’s given you another job now, too, so he tells me.”
“Yeah. Playing nursemaid.”
“Thanks, old man,” she shot back, “but I don’t need that kind of help. An assistant is more like it. What’s the matter? Is the job beneath you?” She shrugged. “If you don’t like the idea, I won’t have a problem getting someone else.”
He’d bet she wouldn’t. As long as she managed to keep that smart yet sexy mouth of hers shut, any of his boys would be happy to assist her. He wouldn’t, but turning down Jed’s order wasn’t an option.
“I didn’t say anything against the idea. I’ve got no problem with moving furniture around.”
“Good. Then I’ll meet you in the lobby tomorrow morning at nine.”
To his satisfaction, she didn’t seem to be any happier about the assignment than he did.
This suggestion is going to be low-tech and old-school, but it’s something that works for me, and I hope you’ll find it helpful, too.
My go-to for this system is a plain and simple 8 ½-by-11-inch lined notepad. You can use a Word file or spreadsheet if you prefer. I break down the manuscript scene by scene, and this is the information I’ve found it handy to include:
In the left margin, note the day of the week, time or time frame, and the location of the scene, using abbreviations to keep things concise. Example: Sat, late aft, diner; Mon, 10 a.m., lawyer’s office; one week later/Fri, early eve, Tina’s bedroom.
If you transition from one scene to another without a change in location—for instance, if you’re simply switching point of view or beginning a new chapter—it’s easy to list this as: immed foll (immediately following) or whatever abbreviation works for you.
Each scene covers three lines of the notepad, with a blank line between scenes:
Line 1 – list the chapter/scene number, then briefly describe the main action of the scene, usually beginning with the point-of-view (POV) character’s name or initial. (Using abbreviations, dropping words, and using symbols will all come in handy here, too.) Example from A Rancher of Her Own:
1-2 – Pete + Jane meet face-to-face again for first time in yrs when grandfather coerces P into becoming J’s temp assistant.Line 2 – list the POV character’s internal/emotional response in the scene and the scene kicker or takeaway. Example:
P unhappy at own reaction at seeing Jane all grown up.Line 3 – leave blank when writing your initial draft. This space is used to include ideas for possible revisions or to jot down the final info once revisions are done.
On the right side of the page, beside each set of lines (that is, each scene) or simply next to the final scene of the chapter, indicate the ending page number.
Below is a sample of an actual outline page for my upcoming release, The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal.
As you can see, it’s not necessary to get too fancy or too wrapped up in making any of this perfect. (In the example, I missed the extra space between two scenes! ;) ) The guideline or cheat sheet is for your eyes only.
I’ve found many advantages to using the system:
Seeing the entire story laid out on just a few pages makes it easy to locate scenes and events.Line 2 of each scene provides a way to track the emotional and/or plot high points of the story.Starting each description with the point of view character’s name or initial lets you see how often you’re in a character’s POV.If you’re a plotter, you can also use the system to lay out several scenes in advance or even to chart your entire book at once based on your synopsis.If you’re a pantser or winging it for NaNo, you can work only a scene ahead or fill in the blank lines after you’ve written the scene.Whenever I’m writing a new book, I tend to jot the notes after the scene is done. My synopsis is my writing guide; the three-line outline is my cheat sheet for the actual manuscript. During NaNo, I modify the system, updating it each night with brief notes for the next day’s scenes.Having the story outlined this way can come in handy when you receive a revision letter from your editor or are working through revisions of your own.There are many variations that could be made to these guidelines. I hope you’ll try out the system and find a way to make it work for you. And I’d love to hear what you think of the idea.
Good luck with this and with your NaNo project!
About the Author
Barbara White Daille lives with her husband in the sunny Southwest. Though they love the warm winters and the lizards in their front yard, they haven’t gotten used to the scorpions in the bathroom.Book Info
Barbara’s new series, The Hitching Post Hotel, features a matchmaking grandpa determined to see his three granddaughters wed. The series began in April 2015 with The Cowboy’s Little Surprise and continues with A Rancher of Her Own (July) and The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal (December).
She loves to chat with readers, and you can find her and learn more about her books online at the following locations:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/barbarawhitedailleTwitter: @BarbaraWDailleNewsletter: http://barbarawhitedaille.com/newsletterBlog: http://barbarawhitedaille.com/blog
A REASON TO STAYRanch manager Pete Brannigan has no interest in playing tour guide to a city slicker like Jane Garland. But spending a few days with the headstrong photographer is a small price to pay for everything her grandfather has given the single dad. Though Pete's drawn to Jane's sharp wit and striking beauty, he won't hurt his young children by falling for another woman who puts her career before family.
Jane's seen the world through her camera…and used it to shield her emotions. With Pete, she can finally let her guard down. If only he could do the same. Despite their powerful bond, Pete still can't trust Jane with his kids or his heart. But if he keeps pushing her away, he may ruin any chance their relationship has to develop.
A Rancher of Her Own is available at Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Books-A-Million ~ Harlequin ~ IndieBound ~ Kobo.
Excerpt
“All’s fair in love and getting the perfect shot.” Once Daffodil took the sugar cube from her hand, Jane stepped back and began clicking again.
“I doubt any newlyweds will want souvenir photos of an old, past-her-prime mare.”
“These are for me.”
He couldn’t keep his eyebrows from shooting up in surprise. He couldn’t keep from needling her, either, and blamed it on those bygone days when a teenager seven years his junior had made his life a misery. “Gonna put them up on the wall in your New York high-rise?”
“Who’s gonna stop me?”
He narrowed his eyes. Then he noted the rueful twist of her lips. She was baiting him. The idea gave him a rush of pleasure he wasn’t sure how to handle.
“So, you do recall all those times you gave me grief.”
“I might have a faded memory or two,” she admitted.
When she moved toward the door, he remained where he stood, watching her silhouette against the bright sunlight.
She turned. “Way back then, I was just a kid asserting my rights.”
You’re sure not a kid anymore.
He brushed the thought away. “You were being a pain in my butt.”
She grimaced. “That too, maybe. But you can’t tell me you didn’t deserve some of it, considering your new job had swelled your head to about the size of this barn door.”
She rested her back against the frame. Her stance highlighted unsuspected curves beneath that loose, dark shirt.
Yeah, he’d called it right about her not being a kid.
He hoped she planned to go away soon—not just from the barn but, once the wedding was over, from the ranch and from Cowboy Creek. He couldn’t blame that thought on memories of the past, his desire to get back to work, or even the sight of her gazing regally down her nose at him the way Daffodil had looked at her.
No, he wanted her long gone because she’d turned out to be one fine-looking woman. Because she was making him want things he had no time in his life for now. And because she was still too many years younger than he was and would always be the boss’s granddaughter.
Yeah—think of the boss.
“That was my first full-time job,” he told her. “I was trying to make an impression.”
“Oh, you did that, all right. I’m glad you didn’t say ‘a good impression,’ because you didn’t come close to one. I don’t like men—people—who think they can order others around. And you definitely had a case of that back then.”
“I was in charge of the horses—”
“Under my grandpa’s direction.”
“—and watching out for them was part of my job.”
“He’s given you another job now, too, so he tells me.”
“Yeah. Playing nursemaid.”
“Thanks, old man,” she shot back, “but I don’t need that kind of help. An assistant is more like it. What’s the matter? Is the job beneath you?” She shrugged. “If you don’t like the idea, I won’t have a problem getting someone else.”
He’d bet she wouldn’t. As long as she managed to keep that smart yet sexy mouth of hers shut, any of his boys would be happy to assist her. He wouldn’t, but turning down Jed’s order wasn’t an option.
“I didn’t say anything against the idea. I’ve got no problem with moving furniture around.”
“Good. Then I’ll meet you in the lobby tomorrow morning at nine.”
To his satisfaction, she didn’t seem to be any happier about the assignment than he did.
October 9, 2015
NaNoWriMo 2015 Prep: Anti-Plotting by Ruth Kaufman
At some point, most writers address the question: Am I a panster or a plotter? I'm a seat of the pants (SOP) writer, which I also call anti-plotting. Why? With anti-plotting, the story can tell itself.
But because many authors believe and will try to convince you that coming up with a synopsis or outline before you write your manuscript (ms) is the only way to go, I've tried and tried to be "good." Unfortunately, whenever I sat down to plot, outline, write a synopsis, or whatever think-first-write-later label you give it, nothing happened. No words made it onto the paper. It was as if I had writer’s block. I simply couldn’t come up with the big picture first. Maybe I’d psyched myself out by thinking I couldn't plot before writing, maybe it was the pressure of having to come up with major turning points and the black moment off the top of my head...or perhaps it's because in high school and college I wrote my papers and then did the outlines, even if the outlines were due first.
Yet whenever I sat down to write the ms, pages came out. I didn’t have much trouble meeting my page goals. Eventually I came across a Jo Beverly workshop, "Flying through the Mist.' She’s one of the multi-pubbed, multi-RITA winning authors who don’t plot first. That she and others succeed this way convinced me that I could. You can too. And NANO is the perfect time to spend more time writing and less thinking. How do you start?
Every ms, every scene starts with an idea. Maybe it’s something that pops into your head, the story you've "always wanted to write,” or a premise triggered by something you've read or seen, or an image of a character or a plot element. The beginning of the opening scene of my first two releases popped into my head and I went from there.
You’ve probably read that "what if" (WI) is a great generating tool. Such as, what if a bride ran away from her wedding? If you WI and question each idea, you can expand and expand.
In my first book, AT HIS COMMAND (Golden Heart® winner), this scene (set in medieval England, of course) popped into my head: A woman was collapsed on a horse that was slowly making its way over a small hill. Immediately the questions began. What’s wrong with her, is she dead or ill? Who is she? Who’d see her, and what would he/she/they do? What if someone was following her? Who would that be? My answers were: She’s collapsed from exhaustion. She’s a lady running from her former brother-in-law who wants to marry her. A knight and his men saw her, then saw a man ride over the hill and try to grab her when she woke up. What would your answers be?
Once I have a story or scene idea and do a bit of questioning, I write down what I have. Then I envision what's happening through the POV character’s eyes, as if each scene were a movie in playing my head. I take myself, the author, out of the picture and let the characters be who they are and act the way they want and/or need to. I don’t want to impose my thoughts or plans on them, which is called author intrusion....when readers can tell the author is trying to get something, often backstory or some sort of research, across. I want to see what they’ll do without me pulling the strings. Try it and see what happens.
I’ve been asked if I wind up with lots of wasted pages, but so far that hasn’t happened. If I cut something, I keep it in a separate file and often reuse most of what I’ve written in another part of the ms.
Pantsing has a lot to do with freeing yourself from conscious thoughts, concerns and fears. The goal is to free your mind and silence your judgmental voice that worries and asks nagging questions like, “Is this high concept enough?” “Is this good enough?” “Is this what my critique group meant?” “Will this sell?” You can deal with questions like these while revising.
Many authors say their synopses change when they write the book, but they still need to come up with a sellable one in the first place. And many plotters believe writing the synopsis first is the best way to be sure you have strong enough conflict and character arcs.
Whether you plot or don’t plot, you have to find the process that works best for you. Gather ideas from friends, workshops, articles, and develop your own method. Forcing what works for others to work for you is like fitting that square peg into a round hole. Over time, with each new ms, you can adapt and add new things you’ve learned.
About the Author
England 1460: Joanna Peyntor has two uses for a man: to pose for a stained glass window design or to commission her skills. But when her brother conspires to ruin her reputation, she concedes to a third: a husband to help save her glass-painting workshop.
On a quest to redeem his family name and lands, Sir Adrian Bedford must marry without delay. But what woman he’d accept would wed an impoverished former nobleman who insists on an unusual stricture in their marriage contract? Joanna, a woman striving to succeed in a man’s world.
When irresistible attraction makes their marriage of convenience inconvenient, will his dangerous secrets keep them from following their hearts?
Follow Your Heart is available at Amazon.
But because many authors believe and will try to convince you that coming up with a synopsis or outline before you write your manuscript (ms) is the only way to go, I've tried and tried to be "good." Unfortunately, whenever I sat down to plot, outline, write a synopsis, or whatever think-first-write-later label you give it, nothing happened. No words made it onto the paper. It was as if I had writer’s block. I simply couldn’t come up with the big picture first. Maybe I’d psyched myself out by thinking I couldn't plot before writing, maybe it was the pressure of having to come up with major turning points and the black moment off the top of my head...or perhaps it's because in high school and college I wrote my papers and then did the outlines, even if the outlines were due first.
Yet whenever I sat down to write the ms, pages came out. I didn’t have much trouble meeting my page goals. Eventually I came across a Jo Beverly workshop, "Flying through the Mist.' She’s one of the multi-pubbed, multi-RITA winning authors who don’t plot first. That she and others succeed this way convinced me that I could. You can too. And NANO is the perfect time to spend more time writing and less thinking. How do you start?
Every ms, every scene starts with an idea. Maybe it’s something that pops into your head, the story you've "always wanted to write,” or a premise triggered by something you've read or seen, or an image of a character or a plot element. The beginning of the opening scene of my first two releases popped into my head and I went from there.
You’ve probably read that "what if" (WI) is a great generating tool. Such as, what if a bride ran away from her wedding? If you WI and question each idea, you can expand and expand.
In my first book, AT HIS COMMAND (Golden Heart® winner), this scene (set in medieval England, of course) popped into my head: A woman was collapsed on a horse that was slowly making its way over a small hill. Immediately the questions began. What’s wrong with her, is she dead or ill? Who is she? Who’d see her, and what would he/she/they do? What if someone was following her? Who would that be? My answers were: She’s collapsed from exhaustion. She’s a lady running from her former brother-in-law who wants to marry her. A knight and his men saw her, then saw a man ride over the hill and try to grab her when she woke up. What would your answers be?
Once I have a story or scene idea and do a bit of questioning, I write down what I have. Then I envision what's happening through the POV character’s eyes, as if each scene were a movie in playing my head. I take myself, the author, out of the picture and let the characters be who they are and act the way they want and/or need to. I don’t want to impose my thoughts or plans on them, which is called author intrusion....when readers can tell the author is trying to get something, often backstory or some sort of research, across. I want to see what they’ll do without me pulling the strings. Try it and see what happens.
I’ve been asked if I wind up with lots of wasted pages, but so far that hasn’t happened. If I cut something, I keep it in a separate file and often reuse most of what I’ve written in another part of the ms.
Pantsing has a lot to do with freeing yourself from conscious thoughts, concerns and fears. The goal is to free your mind and silence your judgmental voice that worries and asks nagging questions like, “Is this high concept enough?” “Is this good enough?” “Is this what my critique group meant?” “Will this sell?” You can deal with questions like these while revising.
Many authors say their synopses change when they write the book, but they still need to come up with a sellable one in the first place. And many plotters believe writing the synopsis first is the best way to be sure you have strong enough conflict and character arcs.
Whether you plot or don’t plot, you have to find the process that works best for you. Gather ideas from friends, workshops, articles, and develop your own method. Forcing what works for others to work for you is like fitting that square peg into a round hole. Over time, with each new ms, you can adapt and add new things you’ve learned.
About the Author
Ruth Kaufman is a Chicago author, on-camera and voiceover talent, freelance editor and speaker with a J.D. and a Master’s in Radio/TV. FOLLOW YOUR HEART is the second standalone book in her Wars of the Roses Brides series. Writing accolades include Romance Writers of America® 2011 Golden Heart® winner and runner up in RT Book Reviews’ national American Title II contest.Book Info
Website: www.ruthkaufman.comTwitter: @RuthKaufmanFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ruthtalksGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7454412.Ruth_KaufmanAmazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Ruth-Kaufman/e/B00JH7Z40S
England 1460: Joanna Peyntor has two uses for a man: to pose for a stained glass window design or to commission her skills. But when her brother conspires to ruin her reputation, she concedes to a third: a husband to help save her glass-painting workshop.On a quest to redeem his family name and lands, Sir Adrian Bedford must marry without delay. But what woman he’d accept would wed an impoverished former nobleman who insists on an unusual stricture in their marriage contract? Joanna, a woman striving to succeed in a man’s world.
When irresistible attraction makes their marriage of convenience inconvenient, will his dangerous secrets keep them from following their hearts?
Follow Your Heart is available at Amazon.
October 8, 2015
NaNoWriMo 2015 Prep: Setting Yourself up for November Success by T.J. Kline
It’s that time of the year. The air is getting crisp with a hint of coming cold, football games are on television again, people are dragging out hoodies and you can find pumpkin spice anything. Yep, it’s almost time for NaNoWriMo!
Not what you were expecting?
It is if you’re a writer! As November gets closer, writers from all over the world prepare to participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). It’s a time for writers and would-be-writers, Plotters and Pantsers alike, to lock themselves away, accepting the challenge to write 50,000 words in one month (the equivalent of a short novel). I’ve found myself in these ranks since 2012. Oddly enough, my first book published was the book I wrote for NaNoWriMo that year. Coincidence? I think not. You see NaNoWriMo taught me a great many lessons that have carried through my writing career and the nine novels I’ve written since.
One was to always participate in NaNoWriMo. The second was, being a Pantser, how to prepare for NaNoWriMo. While there are many people who sign up, less than half actually reach the goal of 50,000 words. Not because they run out of things to write but because they become too overwhelmed and give up. I want to give you a few pointers on how to set yourself up in October to succeed in November with NaNoWriMo.
1) Get out a calendar and schedule your NaNoWriMo writing time.Even if you enjoy the free flow of fitting in writing time when the muse strikes, if you want to succeed at NaNoWriMo, you have to be more intentional than that. The way to keep the muse flowing is to be writing, to make writing - even if it is only visualizing your next scene in your head – a constant activity. In October, figure out what other activities you have scheduled for the month of November (doctor appointments, work, sports events, family obligations, etc.), write down and highlight the non-negotiable events then plan your writing time around them.
This is where you find out if NaNoWriMo is even feasible for your schedule. NaNo is the equivalent of a part-time job that you may never get paid for. Only you can decide if you are ready and have the time for that undertaking. If you’re a new writer to NaNo, plan at least two hours a day (or 14 hours a week) for writing, either all at once or broken up. While some write faster, this will usually take into account interruptions, writer’s block and the inevitable technological issues that will arise.
2) Even Pantsers need plot ideas.While Plotters love this suggestion, I can already hear the Pantsers protesting. Don’t worry, I’m not telling you to plot out your novel; however, you do need to know the beginning, middle and end. You need to have a general idea of what will happen. The month of October is the time for you to decide who your characters will be, what will your book be about and what genre it will fall into. And write these down!
If you’re writing sci-fi, use this time to plan out your world and the characters in it, including several ideas for struggles they may (not necessarily will) face. If you’re writing a romance, what will come between your hero and heroine? Literary fiction needs a theme. These are all part of writing but will slow you down if you wait until November 1st to begin thinking about them, dragging you away from actual writing and hindering your progress toward that 50,000 word goal.
3) Don’t let a word count scare you.1667 words per day. It might sound like a lot to some. To others, it sounds like a piece of cake – until they begin. Most writers with an idea of where they plot is going can write 200-400 words in 30 minutes, experienced writers with several books under their belts will get more. That means, if you’ve done as I suggested above and have ideas written down, you won’t wonder what will happen next. You will know where your characters need to end up and your mind will fill in how they get there whether you write in 15 min “sprints” or in a 2 hour stretch. Break the word count into bite-size portions. You’ll be surprised how fast you can write 200 words.
An extra piece of advice: Go over your word count every day you write. Because there will be days when emergencies happen and you don’t write, plan ahead to get at least 2000 words a day. It will all balance in the end this way.
4) Set up your DVR.Since most people who participate in NaNoWriMo are not full-time writers, your time is limited. You must choose your priority – NaNo or other activities? While there are terrific shows on television, with the dawn of DVR and On Demand programming, it can wait. Most of us binge watch shows anyway so save four weeks and reward yourself after you finish NaNo. Trust me, your brain will be fried and you’ll want to veg for a few hours when you finish.
5) Disengage gradually from social media.Most people have no idea how much of a time-suck social media is. Beginning in October, post comments about preparing for NaNoWriMo, your goals for it and how excited (or scared) you are to do it. Begin cutting your time spent on social media by 5-10 min each day. This means withdrawing yourself from game invitations, watching online videos, tumbling less and refraining from LOLing on every friend’s post. You can still go on, but begin to slowly spend less time online. Use that additional time to prepare your plot idea and characterizations or to clear away the heap of accumulated papers on your writing space.
6) Find your Happy Place.Figure out where you will do your writing. Will it be an office space, a desk, a table in the closet? Find a space, or several, and make it your own. Make it a place that inspires you to write, whether that means pictures, books or good luck charms. I have several places in my house to write but I have my laptop organized with exactly what I need. My research is bookmarked and saved, my desktop is loaded with pictures of how I envision my characters and I have several reference books at my disposal online. That way, I’m never forced to stop writing to go looking for some integral bit of information I need and it keeps distractions to a minimum.
NaNoWriMo is one of the most difficult things I’ve attempted as an author but it has propelled my career and my skills as a writer more than any other tool I have found to date. I’ve learned to focus, to write faster, to be concise, and to find the methods that help me write as well as shed the things that hinder me. With a little pre-planning, you can make NaNoWriMo an easier, more pleasant and successful undertaking as well.
About the Author
Close to Heart
It only took an instant for her world to come crashing down…but Heart Fire Ranch is a place of new beginnings, even for those who find their way there by accident.
As the only veterinarian in town, Justin Hart doesn't have time to think about romance. So when A-list actress Alyssa Cole crashes her car outside his clinic, it's entirely unexpected when there's a spark between them he can't ignore. Still, she's a movie star, and he's just a small town cowboy.
Alyssa has learned the hard way not to believe first impressions, especially not in Hollywood. But, 400 miles from her former life with nowhere to go and no one to turn to, she places her trust in the handsome vet who comes to her rescue.
There's no denying the connection between them, but when Alyssa's past shows up at the door, will their new relationship be able to withstand the storm?
Close to Heart is available at Amazon, iBooks, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Avon.
ExcerptShe slid into the chair at the table and buried her face in her palms, trying to stop the tears from burning her eyes.
“Hey.” Justin moved to the chair beside her. “It can’t be that bad.”
Alyssa looked up at him, trying to keep the tears at bay. “Are you kidding?” She couldn’t help the bubble of irrational laughter that fell from her lips. “I’m eight months pregnant and I just found out my husband has been sleeping with every woman in Beverly Hills for over half of our marriage. Not to mention that I have no money, no career, and he kicked me out of our house.” She threw up her hands and rose to pace the kitchen as the truth fell from her lips unbidden. “I have nothing. Even that car is in Elijah’s name.”
She realized she’d just told him far more than she’d intended.
“Was that who you were talking to?”
“No, I called my friend. He’s a lawyer.” She slid her hand over the top of her stomach. “I wanted to find out my options.”
“And?”
“He suggests I ‘divorce the no-good bastard.’ ”
“I have to agree.”
Alyssa faced him, running her hand over the side of her stomach as her baby kicked against her hand. “I wish it were that easy, trust me. But how am I supposed to support us, where are we going to stay? I was on my way to my parents’ house last night after he kicked me out.”
Justin rose and moved toward her. His hands cupped her face gently, tipping her gaze up to meet his eyes. “Your husband is an idiot. He has no idea what he’s giving up.”
Her parched heart soaked up his words. After listening to Elijah’s criticisms for so many years, it was like rain on a desert plain.
“You’re welcome to stay here as long as you need to. That’s probably the only way I can help you.” He smiled and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Unless you want me to kick his ass? I’d be happy to do that for you.”
She laughed quietly. “I appreciate the offer, but that’s probably not in your best interest. I don’t have the money to bail you out of jail.”
The dimple cut into his cheek as he gave her a lopsided smile. “Then I guess the ass-kicking is going to have to wait.”
Alyssa couldn’t look away from his hypnotic blue gaze. He saw her, really saw the woman inside. He didn’t see her as a movie star. He looked past that to the hurting woman beneath. His nearness seemed to demolish every protective barrier she’d erected over the past six years. He made her feel wanted and worthy.
Alyssa didn’t think about what she was doing as she slid her hands to the nape of his neck, pulling him toward her, their mouths exploring, seeking. Justin’s kiss was tender, far gentler than she wanted him to be. Her fingers dug into the hard muscles of his shoulders and he responded. His hands slid into her hair, while his tongue teased hers, tasting her, his teeth nipping at the corner of her full lips.
Not what you were expecting?
It is if you’re a writer! As November gets closer, writers from all over the world prepare to participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). It’s a time for writers and would-be-writers, Plotters and Pantsers alike, to lock themselves away, accepting the challenge to write 50,000 words in one month (the equivalent of a short novel). I’ve found myself in these ranks since 2012. Oddly enough, my first book published was the book I wrote for NaNoWriMo that year. Coincidence? I think not. You see NaNoWriMo taught me a great many lessons that have carried through my writing career and the nine novels I’ve written since.
One was to always participate in NaNoWriMo. The second was, being a Pantser, how to prepare for NaNoWriMo. While there are many people who sign up, less than half actually reach the goal of 50,000 words. Not because they run out of things to write but because they become too overwhelmed and give up. I want to give you a few pointers on how to set yourself up in October to succeed in November with NaNoWriMo.
1) Get out a calendar and schedule your NaNoWriMo writing time.Even if you enjoy the free flow of fitting in writing time when the muse strikes, if you want to succeed at NaNoWriMo, you have to be more intentional than that. The way to keep the muse flowing is to be writing, to make writing - even if it is only visualizing your next scene in your head – a constant activity. In October, figure out what other activities you have scheduled for the month of November (doctor appointments, work, sports events, family obligations, etc.), write down and highlight the non-negotiable events then plan your writing time around them.
This is where you find out if NaNoWriMo is even feasible for your schedule. NaNo is the equivalent of a part-time job that you may never get paid for. Only you can decide if you are ready and have the time for that undertaking. If you’re a new writer to NaNo, plan at least two hours a day (or 14 hours a week) for writing, either all at once or broken up. While some write faster, this will usually take into account interruptions, writer’s block and the inevitable technological issues that will arise.
2) Even Pantsers need plot ideas.While Plotters love this suggestion, I can already hear the Pantsers protesting. Don’t worry, I’m not telling you to plot out your novel; however, you do need to know the beginning, middle and end. You need to have a general idea of what will happen. The month of October is the time for you to decide who your characters will be, what will your book be about and what genre it will fall into. And write these down!
If you’re writing sci-fi, use this time to plan out your world and the characters in it, including several ideas for struggles they may (not necessarily will) face. If you’re writing a romance, what will come between your hero and heroine? Literary fiction needs a theme. These are all part of writing but will slow you down if you wait until November 1st to begin thinking about them, dragging you away from actual writing and hindering your progress toward that 50,000 word goal.
3) Don’t let a word count scare you.1667 words per day. It might sound like a lot to some. To others, it sounds like a piece of cake – until they begin. Most writers with an idea of where they plot is going can write 200-400 words in 30 minutes, experienced writers with several books under their belts will get more. That means, if you’ve done as I suggested above and have ideas written down, you won’t wonder what will happen next. You will know where your characters need to end up and your mind will fill in how they get there whether you write in 15 min “sprints” or in a 2 hour stretch. Break the word count into bite-size portions. You’ll be surprised how fast you can write 200 words.
An extra piece of advice: Go over your word count every day you write. Because there will be days when emergencies happen and you don’t write, plan ahead to get at least 2000 words a day. It will all balance in the end this way.
4) Set up your DVR.Since most people who participate in NaNoWriMo are not full-time writers, your time is limited. You must choose your priority – NaNo or other activities? While there are terrific shows on television, with the dawn of DVR and On Demand programming, it can wait. Most of us binge watch shows anyway so save four weeks and reward yourself after you finish NaNo. Trust me, your brain will be fried and you’ll want to veg for a few hours when you finish.
5) Disengage gradually from social media.Most people have no idea how much of a time-suck social media is. Beginning in October, post comments about preparing for NaNoWriMo, your goals for it and how excited (or scared) you are to do it. Begin cutting your time spent on social media by 5-10 min each day. This means withdrawing yourself from game invitations, watching online videos, tumbling less and refraining from LOLing on every friend’s post. You can still go on, but begin to slowly spend less time online. Use that additional time to prepare your plot idea and characterizations or to clear away the heap of accumulated papers on your writing space.
6) Find your Happy Place.Figure out where you will do your writing. Will it be an office space, a desk, a table in the closet? Find a space, or several, and make it your own. Make it a place that inspires you to write, whether that means pictures, books or good luck charms. I have several places in my house to write but I have my laptop organized with exactly what I need. My research is bookmarked and saved, my desktop is loaded with pictures of how I envision my characters and I have several reference books at my disposal online. That way, I’m never forced to stop writing to go looking for some integral bit of information I need and it keeps distractions to a minimum.
NaNoWriMo is one of the most difficult things I’ve attempted as an author but it has propelled my career and my skills as a writer more than any other tool I have found to date. I’ve learned to focus, to write faster, to be concise, and to find the methods that help me write as well as shed the things that hinder me. With a little pre-planning, you can make NaNoWriMo an easier, more pleasant and successful undertaking as well.
About the Author
T. J. Kline was raised competing in rodeos and Rodeo Queen competitions since the age of 14 and has thorough knowledge of the sport as well as the culture involved. She writes contemporary western romance for Avon Romance, including four books in the Rodeo series and the Healing Harts series. She has published a nonfiction health book and two inspirational fiction titles under the name Tina Klinesmith. In her very limited spare time, T.J. can be found laughing hysterically with her husband, children, and their menagerie of pets in Northern California.Book Info
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/2eFoXWebsite/Blog: www.WriterTJKline.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/WriterTJKlineTwitter: @writertjklineGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/TJKline
Close to HeartIt only took an instant for her world to come crashing down…but Heart Fire Ranch is a place of new beginnings, even for those who find their way there by accident.
As the only veterinarian in town, Justin Hart doesn't have time to think about romance. So when A-list actress Alyssa Cole crashes her car outside his clinic, it's entirely unexpected when there's a spark between them he can't ignore. Still, she's a movie star, and he's just a small town cowboy.
Alyssa has learned the hard way not to believe first impressions, especially not in Hollywood. But, 400 miles from her former life with nowhere to go and no one to turn to, she places her trust in the handsome vet who comes to her rescue.
There's no denying the connection between them, but when Alyssa's past shows up at the door, will their new relationship be able to withstand the storm?
Close to Heart is available at Amazon, iBooks, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Avon.
ExcerptShe slid into the chair at the table and buried her face in her palms, trying to stop the tears from burning her eyes.
“Hey.” Justin moved to the chair beside her. “It can’t be that bad.”
Alyssa looked up at him, trying to keep the tears at bay. “Are you kidding?” She couldn’t help the bubble of irrational laughter that fell from her lips. “I’m eight months pregnant and I just found out my husband has been sleeping with every woman in Beverly Hills for over half of our marriage. Not to mention that I have no money, no career, and he kicked me out of our house.” She threw up her hands and rose to pace the kitchen as the truth fell from her lips unbidden. “I have nothing. Even that car is in Elijah’s name.”
She realized she’d just told him far more than she’d intended.
“Was that who you were talking to?”
“No, I called my friend. He’s a lawyer.” She slid her hand over the top of her stomach. “I wanted to find out my options.”
“And?”
“He suggests I ‘divorce the no-good bastard.’ ”
“I have to agree.”
Alyssa faced him, running her hand over the side of her stomach as her baby kicked against her hand. “I wish it were that easy, trust me. But how am I supposed to support us, where are we going to stay? I was on my way to my parents’ house last night after he kicked me out.”
Justin rose and moved toward her. His hands cupped her face gently, tipping her gaze up to meet his eyes. “Your husband is an idiot. He has no idea what he’s giving up.”
Her parched heart soaked up his words. After listening to Elijah’s criticisms for so many years, it was like rain on a desert plain.
“You’re welcome to stay here as long as you need to. That’s probably the only way I can help you.” He smiled and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Unless you want me to kick his ass? I’d be happy to do that for you.”
She laughed quietly. “I appreciate the offer, but that’s probably not in your best interest. I don’t have the money to bail you out of jail.”
The dimple cut into his cheek as he gave her a lopsided smile. “Then I guess the ass-kicking is going to have to wait.”
Alyssa couldn’t look away from his hypnotic blue gaze. He saw her, really saw the woman inside. He didn’t see her as a movie star. He looked past that to the hurting woman beneath. His nearness seemed to demolish every protective barrier she’d erected over the past six years. He made her feel wanted and worthy.
Alyssa didn’t think about what she was doing as she slid her hands to the nape of his neck, pulling him toward her, their mouths exploring, seeking. Justin’s kiss was tender, far gentler than she wanted him to be. Her fingers dug into the hard muscles of his shoulders and he responded. His hands slid into her hair, while his tongue teased hers, tasting her, his teeth nipping at the corner of her full lips.
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