Julie E. Czerneda's Blog, page 19
October 5, 2012
New Installment from A TURN OF LIGHT!
#11 is now up at http://www.czerneda.com for you to read or collect, complete with another note from me about what's happening with the book, production, etc.
I hope you enjoy!
I hope you enjoy!
October 3, 2012
Fan Mail. A bit of advice.
Letters from readers, from fans of our work, can be the best motivation in the world to an author. Thank you. It's a solitary profession. Your letters let us know our hard work is appreciated, that our beloved characters have struck a chord, and that we're doing something right.
Most fan letters express a reader's delight. Yay! Some letters bemoan the ending of a series, a compliment in itself. Others pose thoughtful questions. Because people who write to the author care.
And that is a precious, precious thing.
Every author I know does their best to reply to fan letters, personally, as quickly and thoroughly as time permits. To answer honestly and with respect.
Now here's the thing ... we also answer with a smidge of trepidation. Because we never know how our answer will be received. You see, by replying, we've opened ourselves up to a conversation with a stranger. We trust that conversation will go well.
Almost all of the time, it does. Thank you! There's the "it's YOU?" response of joy. A personal favourite. Always gets a smile.
There's the gracious "thank you for replying, that helps me understand the story better ... wish you would write more of my favourite next ...I'll give what you're doing a try," etcetera. Always appreciated.
Alas, once in a while, there's the reader who comes back with, how shall I put it?,a response that lacks respect for the effort, the work, and the privilege of personal contact.
Consider this scenario. A reader loves a series and has reread it myriad times. Questions arise, as they do. This reader sends those questions to the author who, pleased by such an ardent fan, replies honestly.
Honestly, meaning that there are a few questions the author admits they simply can't answer, either not having reread the books within the last few years (because who does once writing a new story?) or because the reader craves details from the made-up world the author never provided in the first place. The author hopes the reader understands.
If the reader accepts the author as (a) someone working on more books for them to read and (b) someone who Makes Stuff Up, again for them to enjoy? Wonderful. The reader's gained insights into the behind the scenes of their favourite. The author may even think in terms of adding that sort of detail in future, because clearly such a reader would notice. Bonus! Everyone's happy and appreciated.
If, however, the reader chooses to berate the author for failing to have the answers they wanted, or worse, attacks their ability to write, then what happens?
For some authors, this is end of the conversation, and they move on. (I'm one of those, if you're curious. Though I may head for chocolate or prune a tree.)For others, and I dare say it could be for most? Not that easy. Getting back to work, when your work is creative, isn't like reaching for the next part in an assembly line, comfortingly close to hand. Creativity demands both a calm state of mind and a bloody great amount of self-confidence. Shake those? The cost is hours. Maybe days. Maybe more.
Saddest of all is when I hear other authors say they simply can't afford to read fan letters any more, because an interaction has been too disruptive and the cost too great. One ill-thought, impolite, dare I say hasty? reply by a fan means all those wonderful and inspiring letters won't be read.
Yes, you could say authors should have thicker skins and just delete inappropriate or upsetting email (and prune trees). The trouble is for some authors it's their very sensitivity -- their vulnerability and openness -- that makes their work so amazing to read.
I have to wonder if that reader, because yes, this is a real scenario, had known the cost of their rude and upsetting reply to the author, would they have rethought their reply?
Maybe not. Some people vent online with no heed to others.
But maybe so. I'd like to think it possible.
Hence this blog post. My bit of advice to anyone planning to write a fan letter to their favourite author.
Please do.
Your interest and encouragement helps us create. You give us the inspiration to write more for you and to do it better. Win! Win!
Just remember that disparagement and rudeness do nothing but damage. If you don't like a book, by all means write a scathing review. But if you do love our work, don't invite us in with a compliment, then turn on us for somehow failing to satisfy a need we cannot, being people.
And to my fellow authors. Chocolate. Pruning. Move on. Because the very next letter in your inbox could be the one that makes your eyes sparkle with joyful tears and your fingers fly over the keyboard with renewed energy. Don't miss even one of those.
Be brave.
Most fan letters express a reader's delight. Yay! Some letters bemoan the ending of a series, a compliment in itself. Others pose thoughtful questions. Because people who write to the author care.
And that is a precious, precious thing.
Every author I know does their best to reply to fan letters, personally, as quickly and thoroughly as time permits. To answer honestly and with respect.
Now here's the thing ... we also answer with a smidge of trepidation. Because we never know how our answer will be received. You see, by replying, we've opened ourselves up to a conversation with a stranger. We trust that conversation will go well.
Almost all of the time, it does. Thank you! There's the "it's YOU?" response of joy. A personal favourite. Always gets a smile.
There's the gracious "thank you for replying, that helps me understand the story better ... wish you would write more of my favourite next ...I'll give what you're doing a try," etcetera. Always appreciated.
Alas, once in a while, there's the reader who comes back with, how shall I put it?,a response that lacks respect for the effort, the work, and the privilege of personal contact.
Consider this scenario. A reader loves a series and has reread it myriad times. Questions arise, as they do. This reader sends those questions to the author who, pleased by such an ardent fan, replies honestly.
Honestly, meaning that there are a few questions the author admits they simply can't answer, either not having reread the books within the last few years (because who does once writing a new story?) or because the reader craves details from the made-up world the author never provided in the first place. The author hopes the reader understands.
If the reader accepts the author as (a) someone working on more books for them to read and (b) someone who Makes Stuff Up, again for them to enjoy? Wonderful. The reader's gained insights into the behind the scenes of their favourite. The author may even think in terms of adding that sort of detail in future, because clearly such a reader would notice. Bonus! Everyone's happy and appreciated.
If, however, the reader chooses to berate the author for failing to have the answers they wanted, or worse, attacks their ability to write, then what happens?
For some authors, this is end of the conversation, and they move on. (I'm one of those, if you're curious. Though I may head for chocolate or prune a tree.)For others, and I dare say it could be for most? Not that easy. Getting back to work, when your work is creative, isn't like reaching for the next part in an assembly line, comfortingly close to hand. Creativity demands both a calm state of mind and a bloody great amount of self-confidence. Shake those? The cost is hours. Maybe days. Maybe more.
Saddest of all is when I hear other authors say they simply can't afford to read fan letters any more, because an interaction has been too disruptive and the cost too great. One ill-thought, impolite, dare I say hasty? reply by a fan means all those wonderful and inspiring letters won't be read.
Yes, you could say authors should have thicker skins and just delete inappropriate or upsetting email (and prune trees). The trouble is for some authors it's their very sensitivity -- their vulnerability and openness -- that makes their work so amazing to read.
I have to wonder if that reader, because yes, this is a real scenario, had known the cost of their rude and upsetting reply to the author, would they have rethought their reply?
Maybe not. Some people vent online with no heed to others.
But maybe so. I'd like to think it possible.
Hence this blog post. My bit of advice to anyone planning to write a fan letter to their favourite author.
Please do.
Your interest and encouragement helps us create. You give us the inspiration to write more for you and to do it better. Win! Win!
Just remember that disparagement and rudeness do nothing but damage. If you don't like a book, by all means write a scathing review. But if you do love our work, don't invite us in with a compliment, then turn on us for somehow failing to satisfy a need we cannot, being people.
And to my fellow authors. Chocolate. Pruning. Move on. Because the very next letter in your inbox could be the one that makes your eyes sparkle with joyful tears and your fingers fly over the keyboard with renewed energy. Don't miss even one of those.
Be brave.
September 10, 2012
Book Signing in Toronto
September 22nd at 3 pm I'll be joining other contributing authors at Bakka-Phoneix Books to sign BLOOD AND WATER, an anthology of SF, F, and horror edited by Hayden Trenholm.
Great anthology, chance to meet authors.
COOKIES!
See you there!
Great anthology, chance to meet authors.
COOKIES!
See you there!
September 5, 2012
Next installment
from A TURN OF LIGHT is now up at http://www.czerneda.com
Even if you aren't reading these because you prefer to wait for the entire book (6 months!), which is lovely, you still might want to grab the pdfs of the installments -- and possibly read the initial page, which has no spoilers but some of my adventures along the writing path.
Even if you aren't reading these because you prefer to wait for the entire book (6 months!), which is lovely, you still might want to grab the pdfs of the installments -- and possibly read the initial page, which has no spoilers but some of my adventures along the writing path.
September 4, 2012
Tenth Installment of TURN
Will be uploaded Wednesday, Sept 5th. (It's usually the 3rd, but my modem's been evil over the last three days.)Check http://www.czerneda.com after 7 am EST
There'll be a bonus as well. After all, Sept 5th is 6 months exactly till the release of the full book!
Hope you enjoy.
Julie
A Turn of Light
There'll be a bonus as well. After all, Sept 5th is 6 months exactly till the release of the full book!
Hope you enjoy.
Julie
A Turn of Light
August 21, 2012
Copyedits have arrived
Yup. I know what I'll be doing tomorrow. It's time to read over the copyeditor's questions and corrections, see which I approve and which I will "stet" to the original.
This is the first time, with DAW, that I'll be doing this onscreen, using tracking software. I'll let you know how that goes. Author-buds tell me it's great and I'm open-minded.
Interestingly? I've never seen -- nor wanted to see -- the copyedits before the manuscript is produced into galleys. I've been an editor myself and I prefer to read the result without knowing exactly what's been changed. 90% of the time, if something grates on me? It's something I did, not the copyeditor. Embarrassing yet oddly reassuring.
Should be fun. Could be mayhem. Which? Stayed tuned.
This is the first time, with DAW, that I'll be doing this onscreen, using tracking software. I'll let you know how that goes. Author-buds tell me it's great and I'm open-minded.
Interestingly? I've never seen -- nor wanted to see -- the copyedits before the manuscript is produced into galleys. I've been an editor myself and I prefer to read the result without knowing exactly what's been changed. 90% of the time, if something grates on me? It's something I did, not the copyeditor. Embarrassing yet oddly reassuring.
Should be fun. Could be mayhem. Which? Stayed tuned.
August 14, 2012
Look. Magic! The photos ...
Are now available for viewing. If you missed attending the first gallery exhibit, take a look. If you came, thank you, and please spread the word. I'm very proud of my other half's talent.
www.czernedaphotography.com Click the "online gallery" to find the images.
Enjoy!
www.czernedaphotography.com Click the "online gallery" to find the images.
Enjoy!
Next Event - Pi-Con
Join me at http://pi-con.org/ for reading, panels, and a writers workshop!
I'll bring along the cover from TURN and will also be presenting a slide show about the building of the scale model of Marrowdell.
Hope to see you there!
I'll bring along the cover from TURN and will also be presenting a slide show about the building of the scale model of Marrowdell.
Hope to see you there!
August 3, 2012
Reading A TURN OF LIGHT?
Installment #9 just went up at http://www.czerneda.com
In which we see where the dragon calls home and meet some neighbours ...
And the sisters do something they may regret later ...
Enjoy!
A Turn of Light
In which we see where the dragon calls home and meet some neighbours ...
And the sisters do something they may regret later ...
Enjoy!
A Turn of Light
August 1, 2012
Quick bits of news ...
This Friday ... the next installment from A Turn of Lightgoes up at http://www.czerneda.com
Then next Tuesday? My other half's first art show, "Look. Magic!" opens at the Leacock Museum! All are welcome. The show finale is a fantasy-reading, BBQ and wine, wonderful event by the lake called "Here Be Dragons" (that part needs tickets, selling fast). We'll be joined by
Anne Bishop
Adrienne Kress
Mark Leslie
Details at http://leacockmuseum.com/ai1ec_event/... Come one, come all!
And after THAT??? Off to be Author Guest of Honour at Pi-Con. http://pi-con.org/ Which looks to be great.
And after ... that? Well, after that, dear folks, it's time to settle down again and get back into the next story.
Then next Tuesday? My other half's first art show, "Look. Magic!" opens at the Leacock Museum! All are welcome. The show finale is a fantasy-reading, BBQ and wine, wonderful event by the lake called "Here Be Dragons" (that part needs tickets, selling fast). We'll be joined by
Anne Bishop
Adrienne Kress
Mark Leslie
Details at http://leacockmuseum.com/ai1ec_event/... Come one, come all!
And after THAT??? Off to be Author Guest of Honour at Pi-Con. http://pi-con.org/ Which looks to be great.
And after ... that? Well, after that, dear folks, it's time to settle down again and get back into the next story.
