Thaddeus Nowak's Blog: Thoughts and Observations, page 26

Ooh, ooh … look at me! — advice to writers

In talking with students and other people, I’ve started to share a few bits of advice I’ve learned one way or the other over the years.  I’ll also share that advice here in my blog.

When thinking about the different aspects of being an author, there are some parts that are more difficult than others.  To be a writer, one must write, but to be an author with sales, one must also be able to promote their work.  You might have the best story every written, but if you do not let people know about it, no one will ever have a chance to read it.

For most authors, jumping up and down and yelling “Hey, look at me!” is not something we do naturally.  We tend to be introverts, not extroverts.  Writing is often a natural fit for us because it is a fairly solitary activity and while we might work with friends to get feedback and input, generally, the bulk of the work is done alone behind a keyboard and in our heads.

For example, I went looking for a photo of myself being wild and crazy…I had to settle for the impressive gardens at Hampton Court.  I just don’t have many photos of me being ostentatious (oh, I am often silly, there’s just not that much physical evidence of it out there.)

So my advice, if you want to be successful, be willing to step outside of your comfort zone and get in front of people to do some honest self-promotion.  I’m not talking about bragging or nagging, but you have to draw attention to yourself to let everyone know you have something to share.  Most people will be interested in knowing more about what you are doing and will ask questions and become engaged.  I know I am asking you to share something that is often very personal to you, but that is the only way others will know it exists.

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Strong Female Heroines from a Male Point of View

Last week I was talking with someone about writing and the subject of what I write, specifically the fact that I prefer to write strong female protagonists, came up.

I can say that I have always been drawn to read stories with strong female leads.  As far back as I can remember, that has always just seemed to be my preference.  I am not exclusive in reading books with a female protagonist, but I definitely read more of those stories than ones with a male lead.  For that reason, it seemed very natural that I would prefer to write strong female characters in my own stories.

However, last week I was asked something I had not been asked before: “Why does that appeal to you so much?”

The question gave me pause; I didn’t have a ready answer, I just knew that was what I liked.  I had to stop and think about the reasons for a while and below are a couple of theories I have.

First, and I think this is significant, growing up, from kindergarten through middle school, my younger brothers and I were the only boys in the neighborhood.  There were girls up the street, down the street, and around the block.  I hung out with all of them and they were my friends.  We played together, got in trouble together, and we were all equals.  Interestingly enough, we never even went through that “cooties” phase where we couldn’t stand each other.  Yes, I may have played house a bit more than I wanted to, but I really didn’t mind.  Plus, several of the girls were as much a tomboy as not and we’d play ball and explored the woods and creek at the end of the street.  There were so many adventures in those woods, running through the creek and coming home soaked and muddy from head to toe.

I am sure that early phase of my life, which I look back on with pride, is a big factor in me seeing women as being able to fit into a heroic role (or really any role) as easily as a man.  I see women as fully capable and to this day, don’t understand the appeal of “boys versus girls” competitions.  My preference would always be to be on the girl’s team (that’s were the girls are and they are just fun to be around).

However, I think there is a second reason I prefer female leads and this has to do with gender stereotypes.  For a man, tradition holds that he has to be stoic and willing to rush off alone down the road to overcome the obstacles.  Relying on others and having doubt is considered a weakness.  Physical strength, skill, and power makes him a hero.

The trouble with this stereotype, when it is depicted too strongly, it can put up a barrier between the reader and the character.  When the hero has to be stoic, with no uncertainty in his abilities, and no doubts to share with others, that can make the male role flatter and less defined.  He shares less with the reader and I end up having more trouble bonding with the character.

In real life, most heroes do need help and support.  They have doubts and feelings and want to know what they do is correct.  Humans are generally social beings and a female lead is not constrained to the limits of the male stereotype.  Needing support and having feelings is not considered a weakness.  Instead, it can make her a more dynamic character and more engaging.  The female character can focus on what she is good at, while she leads and motivates the others, and still is allowed to have doubts and fears.

That does not mean she cannot be physically strong and skilled.  However, physical strength alone does not really make one heroic.  Truly, it comes down to having a strength of will and willingness to do what is needed even when it is a challenge.  To me, the physical strength and skill is secondary.

One of my favorite female protagonists is Firekeeper, the main character in Jane Lindskold’s Wolf Series.  She is strong and unique, but she knows she needs her friends to do many things that she is not good at or does not want to learn to be good at.  She accepts their help and is not less because of it.  To me, what makes her heroic is her unfailing support and love for Bind Seer, despite the difficulties that relationship promises.  She is loyal and determined and knows what she wants.  She simply has an enormous strength of character.

Now, I am not saying all male characters are portrayed in a flat, dimensionless way.  I have read many very good stories with male leads and if someone wrote a story with a female lead where she behaved like a stereotypical man with long hair, I would not like that story either.  Male or female, I want to like the character, learn and grow with them, and most importantly, feel a connection.

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Daughter's Justice is Available!

Daughter's Justice is Available!
I am very pleased to announce that you can now get Daughter's Justice, book 2 in the Heirs of Cothel Series. It has been a great pleasure to write and I hope everyone will have as much pleasure in reading it.

For a taste of the story, please check out the first three chapters of the book. Also, if you are not familiar with Stephenie's story, here is your chance to read Mother's Curse, the first book in the series.

You can get Daughter's Justice on Amazon (Paperback or Kindle) as well as at Barnes & Noble.

For even more temptation, watch the book trailer from my page and if you enjoy the story, tell your friends and please leave a review on your favorite site (or all of your favorite sites)!

Rainy Sunday afternoon

I love a rainy afternoon, or evening, or pretty much any part of the day. Inside or out, there is just something about a nice rain that puts me at ease. I've hiked in the rain (some of the best hiking we did in North Carolina was in the rain) and played in the rain (more recently that you might think) and I've just stood around and enjoyed it falling down on my head.

Today the rain is a bit cold, just above freezing, so I braved the elements only for a short bit and with my camera, snapped a couple of shots. Once I am done with this post, I'll probably pull out a good book and spend the evening reading (another very excellent activity to do during a rain storm). Today, it's just a light drizzle really, so if I had my way, I'd be hold up in a tent, with a small fire to set the mood, and just enjoy the sound of the rain.

However, since I am at home and not camping somewhere, I thought I would share a Johnny Jump Up that decided it's been warm enough lately that it was time to get up and bloom. It's the only one at the moment (and not where he's expected to be). I'm sure he won't be lonely for long, since spring, and the vernal equinox, is only a couple days away.

Daughter’s Justice is Available!

Daughter’s Justice is Available!

I am very pleased to announce that you can now get Daughter’s Justice, book 2 in the Heirs of Cothel Series.  It has been a great pleasure to write and I hope everyone will have as much pleasure in reading it.

For a taste of the story, please check out the first three chapters of the book.  Also, if you are not familiar with Stephenie’s story, here is your chance to read Mother’s Curse, the first book in the series.

You can get Daughter’s Justice on Amazon (Paperback or Kindle) as well as at Thaddeus Nowak.

Rainy Sunday afternoon

I love a rainy afternoon, or evening, or pretty much any part of the day.  Inside or out, there is just something about a nice rain that puts me at ease.  I’ve hiked in the rain (some of the best hiking we did in North Carolina was in the rain) and played in the rain (more recently that you might think) and I’ve just stood around and enjoyed it falling down on my head.

Today the rain is a bit cold, just above freezing, so I braved the elements only for a short bit and with my camera, snapped a couple of shots.  Once I am done with this post, I’ll probably pull out a good book and spend the evening reading (another very excellent activity to do during a rain storm).  Today, it’s just a light drizzle really, so if I had my way, I’d be hold up in a tent, with a small fire to set the mood, and just enjoy the sound of the rain.

However, since I am at home and not camping somewhere, I thought I would share a Johnny Jump Up that decided it’s been warm enough lately that it was time to get up and bloom.  It’s the only one at the moment (and not where he’s expected to be).  I’m sure he won’t be lonely for long, since spring, and the vernal equinox, is only a couple days away.

The post Rainy Sunday afternoon appeared first on Thaddeus Nowak.

Career Day at Mill Creek Middle School

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of being invited to Mill Creek Middle School’s Sixth Annual Career Day.  This is the second time I have been fortunate enough to be invited to a school to speak with students and I always find it rewarding to have a chance to meet with the next generation of potential writers.

I met many students in the 7th grade that were very interested in knowing what it is like to be a writer and I hope I was able to share a small part of that with them.  As I said on the 14th, there are many different fields that require writers.  While my passion has always been for writing novels, starting back when I was moving from middle school into high school, there are many different opportunities out there.  You might find a passion for journalism (be it newspaper, magazine, television, online, …) or technical writing (such as creating product manuals, training documents, or company literature) as well as any number of other specializations.

While some fields have more challenges than others (as well as different levels and constancy of income) they are all needed and can be very rewarding.  In some of my day jobs, I have created text books for training, developed web sites for departments to provide information to others, and created many technical documents.

One of the best parts of writing is having that sense of accomplishment when you are done.  Once that last word is placed on that last page, you have something tangible; something that can be held, and hopefully, something that others will appreciate as much as you do.

Writing is not always easy and there are parts of it that can sometimes seem to be a job, but if it is your passion, do not let anyone talk you out of it or discourage you from pursuing your dream.  It is a dream worth the pursuit and it can be incredibly rewarding.

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It’s a dark and scary forest

Today is a rainy day, yet warm (by winter standards).  A balmy 54 F, yet there is still snow on the ground.  Driving back home this afternoon, most of the low laying areas, many still having protected patches of snow, were filled with a covering of fog.  Not so dense everything was obscured, but dense enough to give everything a haze.

The forested areas were especially nice, the trees, still devoid of leaves, a gray-brown against a gray sky.  Thunder in the air.  The fog filled land hiding something indeterminate, just behind those far trunks, only partially visible from where I was.  It made me stop and think for a moment.  Would I wonder off into that dark and scary forest?

Being a bit too curious from time to time, the answer is yes.  But I would bring my sword (I’ve got a couple), bow, and definitely some magic to back it all up.

Then Mel Brooks came into my head and I thought: “There wolf.  There castle.”

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Oh so busy … new trailer and career day

I am not someone who can stand to be idle (but some times I would like to slow down a little more).

I just finished reviewing the trailer for Book 2, Daughter’s Justice, and I really liked it. I’ll be getting it posted soon, as well a giving a date for the release of the book (getting really close). The trailer is being made by Mallory Rock and she did a great job.

Also, I will be going to a career day next week and I am really looking forward to meeting the students at Mill Creek Middle School. Should be a fun time talking about writing and hopefully they will be inspired to give all of us writers competition.

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Oh so busy … new trailer and career day

I am not someone who can stand to be idle (but some times I would like to slow down a little more).

I just finished reviewing the trailer for Book 2, Daughter’s Justice, and I really liked it.  I’ll be getting it posted soon, as well a giving a date for the release of the book (getting really close).  The trailer is being made by Mallory Rock and she did a great job.

Also, I will be going to a career day next week and I am really looking forward to meeting the students at Mill Creek Middle School.  Should be a fun time talking about writing and hopefully they will be inspired to give all of us writers competition.

I’m also looking forward to Planet Comicon.  I’m a bit of a geek and I’m glad to be located close enough to attend (even just as a person going).  Should be a great time.

I promise to have more updates soon.

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