Stuart Aken's Blog, page 310

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Desert or dessert?

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A desert is devoid of living things and often an arid region, but it also something you may, or may not, deserve.A dessert is a pudding, cake or other sweet item of food served after the main meal.
'Jim declared he would never desert Mary, and especially not in the desert they were now crossing.'
'Clive was very keen on his dessert, and would often avoid the main meal in order to have more pudding.'

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Compare to or compare with?

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To 'compare to' indicates only similarity; but to 'compare with' suggests contrast as well.
'Michael was so similar in so many ways to his hero, Kevin, that people often compared him to the older man.'
'If I were to compare you with Marilyn Monroe, I would have to say that you have a similar figure but that your voice is nothing like as sexy.'

Writing: 2000 Words and a New Idea

Horsefair Lane, Little Driffield.This morning, following a late night, I sat at the keyboard and realised that I had no idea where I needed to go next for one thread of the epic fantasy. It's one of the problems of relying on a loose structure for the novel instead of the traditional plan. I prefer the loose framework, as it allows the characters more leeway to direct the action according to their moods and emotional needs. But it does sometimes leave an uncomfortable creative vacuum. However, as seems to be usual, my creative subconscious came to the rescue and, in minutes, I was penning a new piece of action; something that will lend the novel more depth and provide a new area of action for some future writing as well. So, I ended up with 2000 new words and a new idea.
My internet connection was down this morning and I assumed it was a problem with either the modem or the ISP. But it soon became clear it was actually the phone line that was not operating. I powered on the mobile (I always turn it off overnight to prevent unwanted interruptions) and then realised I had very little credit. So, a call to the network to place some credit. Then a call to my broadband supplier, Talk Talk. No real help there; their help line (that's a joke) was busy and I wasn't about to spend my newly-credited cash just waiting for a response.
We had our usual Sunday morning walk, enjoying the local countryside. Then all three of us sauntered down to a local pub for a belated celebration of my birthday; a simple family lunch outing.
On our return, I tried the Talk Talk help line again and this time got a recorded message to tell me that there was a technical problem with the lines in my area, they were working on it but could give no time it was likely to be resolved.
Did a few post items to schedule for the future, sent a few question sets out for future interviewees, and then, lo and behold, the internet connection was re-established. All emails answered.
Now, it's time for relaxation, I think.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Biannual or biennial?

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Biannual describes something that happens twice a year. Biennial indicates an event occurs once every two years.
'The biannual meetings between Jennifer and her ex, for the sake of the children, were too frequent for her peace of mind and she declared a wish to reduce them to just once a year in future.'
'The road race for charity was held biennially, alternating with a sponsored silence for the children, so that   money was raised each year for the good cause.'
15 May 1996 - Bill Clinton, US President, signed Megan's Law, ensuring the public would be notified if a dangerous sex offender was released into their community.

Writing: 1700 words this time

An old drovers' lane in the Dales National Park.A slightly delayed rising this morning but the session before breakfast went well, producing another 1700 words of tension and promised action. The story moves ahead. Threats present themselves, danger lurks, conflict increases. The second book now stands around 108,000 words. What, I wonder, will the final edit produce?
No physical work today, bar a pleasant walk on the edge of town, through the bordering countryside. Spirits refreshed, settled down to complete the update on the Writing Contests page - take a look if such things interest you; there are over 140 contest links, many offering big cash prizes, others lending kudos and others offering rewards for no cost other than your skill and ingenuity.
Watched the second half of the FA Cup Final, whilst taking my essential rest and fell asleep; it was so riveting. This evening is the Eurovision Song Contest, a musical (some say) extravaganza and celebration of the kitsch and  the exuberant. It's mostly good clean fun with the tension of political voting thrown in. Last year everyone in mainland Europe hated the Brits so much that they gave us no points. It didn't help that our singer's performance lacked a certain something. We've helped out some of the European economies and taken action against a tyrant in Libya this year, so, if the boys of Blue can pull off a good performance, we stand to gain a little more in the way of votes for our song. The event is one of those 'must see' experiences and is watchable for its sheer entertainment value, especially if you have a drop of the red on hand. So, goodnight for now.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Affect or effect?

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Affect: verb - like to use, wear, practise, or frequent; seek or aim for; display ostentatiously; take the character of; take upon oneself to do, profess; of things: display a tendency towards; assume a false appearance of; pretend. Effect: verb - bring about an end or result; accomplish an intention or wish; produce a state or condition;
Often confused. If you remember that the verb to affect is the one used, generally in a detrimental way, to describe someone who pretends to be something they are not. Whereas the verb to effect means to bring something about.
'Paulina, who was shaped rather like a whale, liked to affect the mannerisms and dress, such as it was, of a lingerie supermodel.'
'Nigel's collection of model trains, his pedantic manner with language and his fashion sense all combined to effect a state of enforced bachelorhood, since no woman could abide his boring company.'

Writing:1800 words completed today

Farm Track, just a few miles from home.Up, as they say, with the lark. Halfway through this morning's session, I realised I needed a name for a nation that will be entering the story in the next few chapters. I had the name for the country but not for the population. Soon devised one, though, Googled it as usual and found nothing under the query, so that's okay. A lot going on now, as I'm moving into a phase where all three story threads become active for one reason or another. 1800 words done before I stopped for breakfast. Then out to the barber, who had the near impossible task of making me appear almost human again. Bearing in mind the material he was working with, I think he did a credible job. Certainly, Valerie pretended not to know me on my return and asked who I was.
The hawthorn hedge on one side of the garden and the berberris on the other, both fairly thorny, no longer look like elongated hedgehogs now I've set about them with the hedge trimmer. The wind was a joker, lifting the trimmings and tossing them with gay abandon all over the place. Still, I managed to clear everything up and put everything away just before the threatened rain fell. Time then for a rest.
After the haircut, I visited the DIY store and bought the screws and upholstery nails we needed to finish the footstool we've been refurbishing and finally completed that job after lunch.
I placed a post on here last night, to bring things up to date on the epic fantasy, but Blogger had a fight with its server and lost the post. As it was, I had to replace three posts this evening when the site finally returned to normal. Ah, the wonders of technology, eh?

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Zariba

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Zariba: noun (and zareba) - In Sudan and neighbouring lands; a camp fortified by a fence, often of thorn trees, as defence against enemies or wild animals; a defensive force or barrier.
'Georgiana watched men with spears drive the herd of cattle through a gap in the thorn bushes until the zariba was full of animals. They then sealed the entrance by dragging a moveable barrier of thorn bushes into the gap.'

Writing: 1900 words today.

Managed to finish Ch26 and start Ch27 this morning; a total of around 1900 words and a good deal happening. Had one of those wonderful moments, in the middle of the night, when a solution to a problem in the structure presented itself. Had to come into the study and write it down in one of my notebooks. The one I keep in the bedroom wouldn't do, as I've lost the self-illuminating pen and didn't want to wake Valerie by putting on the light. The story continues to move forward, with one of the female leads in danger and one of the male leads planning moving his homeland rebellion on a stage further.
My writing group enjoyed my short story last night, so I'll make the small changes suggested and see if I can't get that published somewhere.
Plenty of activity on LinkedIn groups, and Facebook. And a good number of emails responded to. A few more subjects for the daily word spot raised and another author interview prepared for next week. And actually managed to do some reading; still reading Robert Jordan's 'The Gathering Storm' a real blockbuster of a book.
But, enough for today. Time for some R & R I think.

The picture is of the North Yorkshire Dales.

Author Interview with Helmy Parlente Kusuma :

Helmy Parlente Kusuma was born in Palembang, Indonesia and spent 18 years there. He went to Jakarta to continue his study in IT and worked in IT industry for a decade. He is currently living in Jakarta although still looking for a place to spend the next decade.
I know you write romance; perhaps you'd you give us some insight into "Memento of Mai" in a few sentences.
I was introduced to a gorgeous lady on my trip to Vietnam. Our get-together during that ten-day trip was deeply engraved in my heart, I had to share my story or else I would run a risk of being crazy. No, it is not overstated.
How did you come to write this particular book?
Look at answer no 1.
If you have a favourite character in your novel, why that particular one?
Very obvious: Mai.
Where and when is this novel set and why did you make these specific choices?
May 2010 – October 2010. Look at answer no 1.
Where can people buy your book?
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/56911Kindle US http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YWKD3YKindle UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004YWKD3YKindle DE https://www.amazon.de/dp/B004YWKD3Y
What qualities does a writer need to be successful?
I think he/she should have a deep passion to share his/her story. Everything else will come naturally. With hard work, of course.
What's your working method?
I sketch a diagram or a concept. Then I daydream about that sketch until an ending is acquired. Afterward I write scene after scene – of the imagination video – to generate a draft. From here mundane things follow: edit, edit, and edit.
What's the single biggest mistake made by beginner writers?
Not enough editing. Usually this is a result of eagerness to publish. Please submit your work to at least five layers of editing.
To what extent are grammar and spelling important in writing?
Very important. I found out the hard way. Enough said.
How much do you revise your MS before sending it off?
Ten times or more.
As a writer of romance, to what extent do you think genre is useful in the publishing world?
Genre is supposed to be the yard stick, but I find it quite limiting sometimes, especially for contemporary work. Is it science fiction or romance? Is that fantasy or erotica?
Many authors see marketing as a bind. What's your opinion on this, and how do you deal with it?
As indie author you have to be comfortable with doing marketing or there will be no sales. I do marketing AFTER I finished my draft, not before. Because it will be too distracting.
How do you know where to begin a given story?
Once I have completed the video in my mind, I will view it from various perspectives. This enables me to pick a place to start.
What sort of displacement activities keep you from writing?
Browsing, of course.
What support, if any, do you receive from family and friends, or a writing group?
They serve as pre-release reviewers.
Do you think presentation of the MS is as important as agents and publishers suggest?
Yes.
How long does it take you to write a novel?
Six month plus.
Who or what inspires you?
Myself mostly.
If there's a single aspect of writing you find really frustrating, what is it?
Creating bridges between actions/tensions.
Is there a particular feature of writing that you really enjoy?
Describing an event or an environment.
Do you believe writing is a natural gift or an acquired skill?
Acquired skill, but, you've got to have passion.
What are you writing now?
My second novel, but not in English. I am hoping to sneak a short-story collection, in English, in between writing my second novel.
Do you have a website or blog readers can visit?
http://www.helmykusuma.comor http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4797189orhttp://www.facebook.com/EL.Publish
Given unlimited resources, where would you do your writing?
Sitting in front of my cottage somewhere in a mountain top, overseeing a vast valley ahead.
Where do you actually write?
In my room, sitting on the floor.