Destiny Allison's Blog, page 11
July 30, 2013
Where the Magic Happens
Immediately after I finished the first draft of the Pipe Dreams sequel, I started writing a new book. Get it done, get it out, move on.
If we’re not working all the time, magic doesn’t happen. We read our writing books, workshop our WIP, take a class in human anatomy, thinking if we can learn just one more thing our work will be better. It won’t. Don’t buy into the hype, spend your money, or waste your time hoping someone else can show you how to make the magic. You have to do that by yourself.
Think about sex. Don’t giggle or go to some 50 Shades fantasy, just think about it for a minute. It is the only other place in our lives where we’re naked, vulnerable, and trusting most of the time.
How would you perform if there were a group of critics standing over your bed or a class full of students taking notes and dissecting every move to better understand its symbolism? Would you freeze, worry you weren’t doing it right, get tangled in self-consciousness?
How about this? Is every time you make love with your partner fabulous? Do you think if you only touched once a month that the fabulous would happen at all?
Magic gets made when you engage all the time.
Like a young lover, I was nervous and inexperienced writing Pipe Dreams. My moves were halting, timid, and full of conflicting emotions. I learned a lot, not just about my craft but about myself and my voice. The second book is more open. Writing it, I was curious and less afraid. This next one? Who knows? I’m taking some risks, probing in different places, exploring a landscape of my own creation. Maybe the chemistry is right or maybe this one gets dumped in the drawer where love letters from ex boyfriends go. Regardless, I’m moving forward, stretching my hands in the dark.
I would never position my lover’s arm three or four times to get the angle exactly right when he kisses me. Nor would I repeat a love making sequence twenty times to see if I can make it just a little better. Can you imagine your work as your lover? “Honey, wait. Let me rethink that position. I’m not sure I expressed myself the way I wanted to. What do you think? Should my bra be blue?”
Talk about killing the mood.
While I will learn new techniques, think and talk about what I’m doing and where I want to go, I will not overwork a sculpture or a manuscript. Magic is born in the flow. When we impede it, even with good intentions, we condemn ourselves to mediocrity or, worse, nothing at all.
If we keep doing the same things over and over, we never grow.
What do you think? Is sex a good analogy for creativity? Let me know. I love hearing from you.
July 25, 2013
Pipe Dreams Review and Author Interview With Destiny Allison
Today I have the pleasure of hosting Destiny Allison, author of Pipe Dreams, on her blog tour! Below is the description of her book, my review, and then an awesome interview with Destiny. Enjoy!
Beneath the park bench, a young girl cries for help, her voice a cold hand on Vanessa's throat. The naked girl is desperate, but compassion for the Fallen is never forgiven.
Honored...
July 23, 2013
Can Women Write Science Fiction?
Reblogged from Author Allen Watson:
Uh oh. It makes me cringe to think of how many people that title just offended. Honestly, it was meant to get you in here. Yes, I'm still going to talk about women writers in science fiction, but in a completely respectful way. Some of what I discuss might make you mad, but trust me, it makes me mad as well.
I thought this was super cool and not just because I'm in it. Wish more guys were like him.
July 22, 2013
Now or Never
In an instant, my world collapsed. It wasn’t just the absence of planes in the sky or the way people wandered around blank and numb. By then, I’d turned off the news, not wanting my young children to be more frightened than they already were. Like most, I did what I had to do to get through the days. I even bought a flag and hung it on my porch — solidarity with my country, grief for what had been lost. I went to work, interacted with a new boss I couldn’t stand, and did my job. Until, that is, I didn’t have one. 9/11 had destroyed the economy and crushed the annual fundraiser our small non-profit depended upon. As fast as the planes had hit the buildings, and with the same shock of disbelief and terror, I was unemployed.
I was a single mom, raising my three children alone. There was little in the way of child support, only a pittance in my savings account, and a new mortgage I couldn’t afford. Everything in me froze. Where would I find a job? How would I care for my kids? Through long and sleepless nights, I stared at the ceiling, my heart racing. Then as winter crept up frost covered windows, something in me started to thaw. Could my layoff have been a gift? Was there a message in all of this?
I had been an artist for years, wrestling my clay and wax at night and on weekends when my children were sleeping or occupied. I had placed a few pieces in local galleries and even sold some, but never enough to let me quit my proverbial day job. Making art was the only thing I never gave up on, the only thing that offered my hard life a measure of relief. In those cold days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, while I worried how to keep the heat on, a voice kept whispering, “Now or never, girl. It’s now or never.”
I am blogging today at Gutsy Living. Click to read the rest of my story and thanks to Sonia Marsh for having me.
July 19, 2013
Congratulations
To Olivia Stocum and David Eccles. Both of these wonderful people just released new books.
Here’s to accomplishment, great success, and ardent fans. So happy for you both.
Check out their books
July 17, 2013
Thank You
I’m not really working today, just fiddling here and there while my head goes cloudy from the onset of a cold. Because I’m bored, I spent some time rereading some of my old posts. What struck me wasn’t my words, it was yours.
So I just wanted to say thank you for being here. For the support, encouragement, and most of all honesty. Your comments are thoughtful and insightful and I am honored to know you.
That’s it. Now I’m going to blow my nose.
July 16, 2013
When It Just Goes Wrong
My husband in the mud
I spent the weekend in the mountains with my husband and a group of friends. We talked about everything, drank too much wine, and let soft rain, vibrant green, and pungent pine rejuvenate us. We returned to a crisis. 5,000 gallons of water had filled our commercial well house, burying expensive motors and electrical equipment in mud, silt, and grime. Our center had no water, our tenants lost business, and we were overwhelmed.
This happens a lot. You’re going about your everyday, things are smooth, and life is good. Maybe you sold a painting or your book got an excellent review. You feel a bit elated and share the news. Then you go back to doing whatever it is that you do. Suddenly, out of nowhere, something happens. A car accident, an unexpected expense, or relationship troubles upset your equilibrium. At these moments, everything stops. The shock sends you reeling. You panic. You don’t sleep. Worry sucks your energy and the event dominates everything. The elation we feel when things go especially well is a blip. We discount all our hard work, share the credit, and often minimize it, but when things go wrong it’s catastrophic.
Our response to trouble defines us. Many people blame, whine, and fret while giving their money and power to someone – a plumber, a therapist, or debt consolidator – who promises to fix it. This is emotionally and financially expensive. Others avoid the problem and pretend it didn’t happen or doesn’t exist, exacerbating it. Then there are those who roll up their sleeves, take a deep breath, and trudge into the muck.
These are the ones who understand success. Though the effort is daunting, nasty, and a lot of hard work the rewards are infinite. Problems are part of the process. When you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty (and your toes, ears, and eyelashes), you discover things you didn’t know and empower yourself. Facing a problem head on is a creative endeavor.
You may not solve all of it yourself, but the effort is worth it. Whether it’s a well house under water or a marriage, an artistic technique you tried and botched, or a bad review on your newest work, learning from the problem makes you a little stronger and nourishes the courage it takes to believe in yourself.
Have you faced an overwhelming problem and overcome it? What did you learn? Let me know in your comments. I love hearing from you.
July 9, 2013
Winners
Artwork by Christine Corretti
I love days when I get to share good news and cool people. This morning, I’m happy to announce this month’s winner of the pay it forward contest. For those of you new to the blog, I decided to give away 25% of Pipe Dreams sales to help other authors and artists achieve their dreams.
28 people helped launch Pipe Dreams and paid it forward by regularly promoting the book on their own blogs, Twitter and Facebook accounts. I am so honored and awed by their efforts. I wish everyone could win, but because they can’t I’m going to keep doing this for awhile. Everyone who has already helped is entered in the next drawing (and if you help again, you’ll be entered twice). If you haven’t helped and want to pay it forward, you can promote Pipe Dreams on your social media outlets. Just make sure you let me know what you’re doing so I can enter you in the next drawing.
Now, without further ado, this month’s winner is Robyn Chausse. Robyn is a beautiful soul and her new venture, Museiddity, embraces the heart of the creative community. She also has a personal blog, A Ponderance of Things. Check her out and say congrats!
Now, I’m thrilled to introduce another creative dynamo.
Christine Corretti, Ph.D. is an art historian, artist and the author of A Father’s Wish: the Tale of King Big Bear the Fat and Pinterest for Business: a Complete, Updated Guide for Ultimate Success (June, 2103). She’s participating in the Amazing Women Authors and Artists series and her answers to the interview questions are below.
From where do you draw inspiration?
I always loved to draw, especially with black ink and colored pencils. I’m always inspired by the worlds of high fashion and jewelry design; nature – especially animals and flowers; and European art and architecture. Having written a children’s book, I’ve also become interested in fairy tale art, such as the illustrations of Dulac and Rackham.
What is the hardest thing about your creative process?
The hardest thing about creating art is photographing my work. Even though I shoot in natural light, the picture always changes a bit once it becomes a jpeg.
Do you work every day, or only when inspiration/opportunity strike?
I work every day on multiple creative projects. There aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything I want.
How do you feel about the current art market/art climate?
The current art market is easier to maneuver now that most art collectors and galleries shop for art online. The same goes for the writing world. So I feel blessed that I can connect with a wide audience so quickly and easily. I’m particularly active promoting my art on Pinterest, given the visual nature of this awesome site. The reason why I wrote a book about Pinterest is that I discovered and concocted a myriad of new, effective ways to increase one’s exposure, following, and sales there.
Talk a little bit about your current project and why you decide to embark on it.
Right now I’m at work on two major projects: a book about how bloggers and authors can benefit from Pinterest and a large collection of drawings of fancy home interiors. The latter project is the result of all the nice interior decorations I see on Pinterest!
How does being a woman impact your work?
I think women love beautiful things more than men do. My tastes/shopping interests are inseparable from my artistic interests.
If you had the opportunity to address a group of young girls, what would you say to inspire them?
If I had to talk to little girls I would say that they all have a talent, even if they don’t know it yet. And with time and study those talents will develop into something great.
To find out more about Christine, visit: http://www.chroniclesofkingbigbear.com/ and http://christine-corretti.artistwebsites.com
July 2, 2013
The Fine Line Between Creativity and Crap
Artwork by James Koskinas from the Twilight Angel Website
This weekend, I was invited to attend screenings for two very different independent film projects. Both gave me pause. The first was a pilot the producer is hoping to sell to Netflix. Condescending, poorly written, and a disaster in almost every way, it was all I could do to stay awake. The second, Twilight Angel, was powerful, evocative, and completely engrossing. No actors were hired, no sets created. The entire feature length film took place in an artist’s studio. Riveted, I forgot my surroundings and was completely immersed.
Why am I telling you this? Because I’m bothered. I celebrate creativity in all its forms, rejoice in the individual pursuit of passion, and encourage all to follow their dreams. Unfortunately, there is a fine line between embracing creativity and abusing it.
In the first film, the director/producer seized on an idea he thought he could sell. Conceptually, the idea has merit. It’s quirky, funny, unique, and could be visually stunning. What he did with it wasn’t. Instead, he magnified stereotype to the point of ridiculous, smashed too many vignettes into an ill conceived story, and made a product not worthy of either the entertainment or art label. In short, he didn’t love his characters, the city where the story is set, or the work itself. The result was utterly unwatchable. It made me sad, and even angered me slightly, that he could so abuse the idiosyncrasies that make us human by not fleshing the characters into real people.
The other film, though a rough cut, was fabulous. The product of three people passionate about art in all forms brought their creative energy together to shoot a film that reveals artistic process and the depth of human experience in a way I’ve not seen done. It was captivating, alive, and rich to the point that I even questioned my own motives for some of the things I do. Inspiring, thoughtful, and beautifully executed, Twilight Angel moved me on conscious and subconscious levels.
Over the years, my friends and I have debated the merit of commercially viable work versus the work intrinsic to the artist’s personal journey. Always, the question, “If you can’t sell it, what’s the point” rears its dangerous head. My answer has always been that if you’re honest in what you do, do it with passion, and execute it with respect for your audience, it will sell in spite of you. People want the real deal. Maybe the market for a particular work is tiny. Maybe it’s not. Regardless, if you pour your heart and soul into your work and then take the time to deliver it well — proper framing, hiring a good editor and cover designer, etc. — then it is a marketable product regardless of its content.
It may take time, time perhaps better spent producing the next work, but it will find an audience. If, however, you are throwing something together because you think it will sell, there is no love in the work. You will produce something like film #1 and absolutely embarrass yourself.
Steve Jobs said “The salesmen who led the companies were smart and eloquent, but ‘they didn’t know anything about the product.’ In the end this can doom a great company, because what consumers want is good products.”
Film #1 was about the sales potential. It had nothing to do with good product so it missed completely. Twilight Angel, on the other hand, was all about product. They didn’t worry about sales while they made it. As a result, it is exceptional.
Another Jobs quote, “I want to put a ding in the universe.” I think we all do. The question his statement begs is this: Will our ding be an ugly little dent no one wants to acknowledge, or will it be one God puts his finger in and explores?
Choose excellence over marketability. If you’re only going for what you think people will want, you’ll never make it. If you go for what you love, then it doesn’t really matter what other people think. In the end though, a product produced with love will sell.
What do you think? Please let me know in your comments. I love hearing from you.
July 1, 2013
Kicking off a Blog Tour
I’m excited to be kicking off a blog tour for Pipe Dreams today. The tour will include interviews, guest posts, and reviews. There are lots of opportunities to win a free copy. Hope you follow along. Here are the dates and links:
Blog Tour Dates
Monday, July 1 @ The Muffin
Stop by for an interview and book giveaway!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
Tuesday, July 2 @ My Fiction Nook
Visit My Fiction Nook to read an excerpt from Pipe Dreams and an author spotlight on Destiny Allison. Plus, enter to win a copy of a the book!
http://www.myfictionnook.com
Friday, July 5 @ Thoughts in Progress
Destiny Allison, author of Pipe Dreams, shares the difference between writing non-fiction and fiction in a guest post.
http://masoncanyon.blogspot.com
Monday, July 8 @ The Bookcast
Stop by The Bookcast to hear an audio interview with Destiny Allison, indie author of Pipe Dreams.
http://www.thebookcast.com
Thursday, July 11 @ Selling Books
Visit Selling Books as Destiny Allison answers questions about her writing life and the types of books she likes to read for pleasure.
http://www.sellingbooks.com
Monday, July 15 @ Books I Think You Should Read
Liz Parker reviews Pipe Dreams on her blog, Books I Think You Should Read.
http://booksithinkyoushouldread.blogspot.com
Tuesday, July 16 @ CMash Reads
Destiny Allison, author of the science-fiction book Pipe Dreams, shares an excerpt from the story. Readers can also enter to win a copy of the book!
http://cmashlovestoread.com
Monday, July 22 @ Gutsy Living
Stop by Sonia’s Marsh’s blog to hear all about Destiny Allison’s “gutsy story.”
http://soniamarsh.com/
Tuesday, July 23 @ Author Allen Watson
Learn how Destiny Allison created the world of dystopian sci-fi for Pipe Dreams at author Allen Watson’s blog.
http://authorallenwatson.wordpress.com
Monday, July 29 @ Fresh Fiction
Destiny Allison guest posts at Fresh Fiction.
http://freshfiction.com
Tuesday, July 30 @ World of My Imagination
Destiny Allison illustrates the importance of pursuing your dreams in a guest post at World of My Imagination.
http://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com
Wednesday, July 31 @ The New Book Review
Read a review of Pipe Dreams, by Destiny Allison, at The New Book Review blog.
http://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com
