C.K. Garner's Blog, page 3

Write to Pub Wednesdays: #1 Acronyms for Writers

[image error] Today I'm starting a new venture on my blog;
Write to Pub Wednesdays in which I share writing,  formatting, submission, blogging and promoting, websites and other information to get your MS (manuscript) off the desk and finally submitted for publication. So, without further ado here's my first Write to Pub Wednesday subject: Writers Acronyms (Which we will be using from here on out!).

When reading or seeking writing/submitting solutions do you stumble over the meanings of those acronyms tossed around like so many croutons in a cryptic word salad? Here are a few examples:

I'm writing my current WIP in first person POV, and my protagonist has a LI much older than she is.
Please send a copy of your MS and SASE with postage.
Are you participating in November 2012NaNoWriMo?
JK Rowling is the ultimate queen of BS! (this is not what you might think BS translates into)
My first chapter begins with an IM of an escaped serial killer.
Do you have any other WIP's using these characters?
To avoid book scams check with WB, P&E, and AW for the latest info..
About that WIP you mentioned, can you send what you have along with an ARC of your current YA CB?

Now you try. Here is a list of Writers Acronyms for you to use to translate the acronyms I used above.

AAR: Association of Authors Representatives
A/W: Art Work
AW: Absolute Write
ARC: Advance Reader Copy
ARC:Advance Review Copy
BS: Back Story
CB: Chapter Book
DRM: Digital Rights Management
EC: External Conflict
E Pub: Electronic Publishing
E Book: Electronic Book
ER: Easy Reader
FB: Facebook
FF: Flash Fiction
GLBT: Gay Lesbian Bi Transgender
HEA: Happily Ever After
IM: Internal Monologue
IC: Internal Conflict
ISBN: International Standard Book Number
LI: Love Interest
MG: Middle Grade
MC: Main Character
MS: Manuscript
NaNoWriMo: National Novel Writing Month
NF: Non Fiction
PB: Picture Book
P&E: Preditors and Editors 
PDF: Portable Document Format
POD: Print On Demand
PW: Publishers Weekly
POV: Point of View
RWA: Romance Writers of America
SASE: Self Addressed Stamped Envelope
Sci-fi: Science Fiction
Spec-fi: Speculative Fiction
SF/F: Science Fiction/Fantasy
TBR: To Be Read
WIP: Work In Progress
YA: Young Adult

These are all of the writing acronyms I've encountered over the last two years of writing, submitting, and now interacting with fellow authors on FB, and my editors in the publishing/editing process. I hope that when navigating the blogs and websites you'll try these acronym appetizers, they're OOTW!

Happy writing! Come back every Wednesday for more Write to Pub Wednesdays where I'll share with you what I've learned on my journey from writer to published author!

Look for my book Stealing Time coming soon from Musa Publishing August 10, 2012!

C.K. Garner
May 30, 2012

And the Winners are *Drumroll...*

[image error] I'm happy to announce the two winners of my Memorial Day Musa Blog Hop Giveaway: Dusty Crabtree and Ann Montclair! Dusty and Ann, each of you will receive one copy of Stealing Time in the down-load format of your choice as soon as it is available (August 10, 2012 release date!). I'll contact each of you through your blog-sites to get your preferences.

Thanks to all who came by, had a glass of lemonade and a slice of pie, shared a sit and a memory. You've all made my first Blog Hop a resounding success, which in the end means; it was fun! Let's all do it again in October. :D

C.K. Garner

We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them. -Francis A. Walker

[image error]  Oh! Didn't know I had visitors--but since you're here you'll be happy to know you've touched down smack in the middle of an American Memorial Day Blog Hop!

What's Memorial Day to American's you ask?

Well, it is a day to honor our injured and fallen US soldiers who fought for our country in any war, and gave the ultimate sacrifice.

In the morning in every city across the United States, something unique happens long before the potato salad is served, before Aunt Betsy, Neighbor Ishmael, and Grandpapa Chavez, friends, and family gather to enjoy the sun and chow down on favorites from the grill balanced on their knees.

[image error] The American flag, our Stars and Stripes, is raised in a brisk fashion high over public picnic sites and buildings, grand gatherings, smaller backyard barbeques, and our nation's capital in Washington; but then it's lowered slowly to rest at half-mast until the noon hour strikes to remind all Americans of our fallen soldiers in all wars. Then the Stars and Stripes is brought to the top again for the rest of the day as people visit our gardens of stone--the grave plots and memorials of American Soldiers. At three o-clock pm, after the lemonade has been chugged, the band is footsore, speeches made, the picnics inviting ants, our freedom to do all of these things enjoyed to the fullest, there will be a moment for all Americans to join in silence and reflection, for lessons of triumph and to grieve the losses gleaned from the ghosts of our past, our Fallen American Soldiers.

[image error] Okay, I think I have a lump in my throat, now, thinking about my departed soldier relatives and other soldiers no longer with us. And that wetness in the eyes? It is only the wind. I'm strong enough to stand the knowledge that our freedoms have a high price. I will hold my head high, embrace my freedoms with joy, and remember.

That is what Memorial Day is to Americans--so I invite all you citizens of these United States, and I invite our allies to join us, wherever you live, to recall those who have bravely given their all--may they rest in peace knowing we do not forget them. Hats off to our Fallen; we remember.

[image error] Ah, look there's Shana, she brought her new baby to the picnic, she's just home from Iraq. Hey, someone tell Chan that his grandmother is on the phone from New York. Here is the part we like--the pie eating contest! Did you want to sample the whiskey? It's over there where the MacLeods are tossing the caber. Let the Memorial Day events go on and on!

I almost forgot to answer your other question; What's a Blog Hop?

If you are so inclined, do set a spell under this shady tree with me, I'm just finishing the final chapters for the sequel to my e-book, Stealing Time , a steampunk novel coming soon from Musa Publishing: August 10, 2012. Feel free to join my site along with the other excellent folk pictured to the right by clicking the join button just over them.

Midnight Snack: An Interview with Author Nishi Serrano

[image error] Tonight I have a treat for Steampunk, Erotica and Horror fans. I’m very pleased to host my personal muse, writers group colleague, and friend, author Nishi Serrano for an appetizing interview.

Nishi has encouraged me in my writing efforts from the get go, ever on hand to share ideas, consult on editing, and offer incalculable amounts of advice about the publishing biz, and always with the patience of a most affable Mort.Nishi, one thing that impressed me from the moment I met you was your ability to juggle several genres. What made you decide to spread out and multi task instead of sticking with just one flavor?

NS: Hmm … variety is the spice of life, just as my favorite genres are the icing on my cake. I write the things I love to read: horror, dark fantasy, steampunk, and erotica. Ann Rice’s early writings inspired my love of m/m romance, which is another of my particularly tasty penchants. I’m working on a fantastic anthology of GBLT erotic horror, but I don’t want to divulge too much—because it is going to be completely different from what I’ve read of GBLT horror erotica, and there is a very broad spectrum in the storytelling. Another of my yummies is a YA dark fantasy that, hopefully, will find a home soon.

Oh, I can't wait to read them; I do love tales that play in the dark! Now, some of your writing falls into a specialized genre called steampunk. Can you explain what steampunk is to our readers?

NS:  Wikipedia says it pretty good with: It involves a setting where steam power is widely
 used—whether in an alternate history such as Victorian era Britain or Wild West-era United States, or in a post-apocalyptic time —that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Steampunk is very much an ideology of adventure, exploration, and an intricately profound romance of the machine. Thus, it was only natural for me to start writing steampunk with an erotic flair.               [image error] I'm pretty sure I was out of breath in a good way after reading Mile High Airship Club. *blushes pink* Suddenly it feels hot in here...let's talk horror. I love a well written scary read that compels me to sleep with the lights on.  Which horror authors influenced your ability to frighten us silly?

NS: Most definitely Clive Barker—I adore him! To me he is a master monster creator. Some of my other great influences are from the good ol’ fashioned black and white horror films, and of course folklore.
  Clive Barker definitely has his finger on writing the essence of scary. Nishi, when it comes to getting their ideas from head to page, writers typically fall into one of two categories: are you a seat of your pantser, or planner?

NS: Actually a little of both. My process usually starts out with a dream, or a character popping into my head. I let the dream continue in the waking world, and let the characters run amok as I try to make sense of what they are telling me.  In the process of said characters running around in the aether of my brain, I give them some structure as I figure out where the hell they are coming from!

In conjunction with that answer, do you form characters using a descriptive outline, or do they spring to the page like a fully developed Athena from your head?
NS: Strangely enough, they mostly come fully formed, but, because of that, I need to dig a little to get more in touch with them on an emotional level.

C.K.: Protagonists need sidekicks, sometimes for comic relief, or to flesh out the meat of the story. Which of your secondary characters can you really sink your teeth into?
NS: Maira Annwyn is one of my favorite sidekicks in my YA novel, and she is featured in my short story ‘Chimera: A Dark Fairytale of Love’(it’s free to read on my blog:http://www.nishiserrano.blogspot.com). She is pretty sinister, yet she is very loyal to her friends, and only wants to find true love...even though she usually ends up killing her lovers.

I remember Chimera, such a sinister ride! When writing a dark or evil scene, do you recommend pushing the limits, or playing it safe?

NS: Gosh, that is a hard question to answer. It really depends on the type of story, and the age range. I do tend toward the gory though, but not overtly gratuitous. I’m against killing animals, so, you won’t find any animal torture in my stories—that is a BIG no-no for me.

I quite agree. On a lighter, note, what do you do to prepare for writing a juicy love scene?

NS: Ha! Wouldn’t you like to know! *Wink*. Ya’all will just have to use your imaginations!

Ahahaha! You know it's running amok...ahem, I digress. You’ve lived in some interesting places. Please share how, or if they influence your writing.

NS: Oh my goodness...yes, I have lived in some strange places. I have even lived in the deep, dark woods with no electricity or running water when I was a little girl, which at the time was AWESOME; what kid wouldn’t dig a whole mountain to call home and run wild in. And, well, those woods held some powerful juju! Many of the places I’ve lived or visited have left some unique imprint on my memory, and stories to tell. One of those interesting places is your neck of the woods C.K..

I'd trade for the woody experience in a heartbeat, but it is a fun town, isn't it? Since I am currently engaged in writing a time travel series, if you could travel back in time, what famous person would you most enjoy for dinner and a chat?

NS: Let me interject here that I cannot wait to read your own work C.K., you have an amazing imagination! Okay, so if I was to travel back in time, I think I would want to meet the guy who built the Coral Castle in Florida. I know that sounds weird, but even today, no one can figure out how he built that place by himself—he claims to have discovered the secrets of the ancients, and took the secret to his grave—well shoot howdy, that would be one interesting chat! Plus he was eccentric—and I love me some eccentric folk!

Ditto, my fellow Lady Odd. So, you’re hitting on one of your characters. Which one, what’s your pick up line, and why?

NS: I think I’m blushing at the thought of picking up on one of my characters! Ha! It would have to be Calan Scaith—he is drop-dead-darkly sexy! However, if I came face-to-face with him, I’d probably squeak then faint, thus ruining my chance at saying something witty and provocative. I mean, the last time I picked up on a guy (which is my partner), I bought him a brandy and offered him a cigar, and told him point blank I didn’t want a relationship—and, look where that got me, we’ve been together for what … five years.

Can't decide who's more fortunate; you for finding him, or him for snagging you off the menu. Before we conclude and head in to dine, what is your next project and how do we contact you should somehow you make it through the feeding frenzy? *stares raptly at Nishi's neck*

NS: Feeding frenzy? Why C.K., when did you grow fangs (do you like cigars and brandy—‘cause I’m pickled in the stuff!)? A story for another time I presume?  The project that is in the hands of my editors as we speak is ‘Mile Below Peep Show’ the companion novella to my short story ‘Mile High Airship Club’. MBPS is a lusty steampunk carnival under the sea—and an extraordinary place to take a vacation! There will be a third installment to this series as well, because my publisher wants to put it in print (happy jig!)! You can find ‘Mile High Airship Club’ and soon ‘Mile Below Peep Show’ at http://www.decadentpublishing.comor through all the other usual ebook channels.  I wish I had the cover art for MBPS to show you, but they haven’t sent it yet.  Other projects include my YA dark fantasy, the GBLT erotic horror anthology, and a movie script. And, just about a dozen more stories yet to start. Oh, yes, there will be blood! You can find me and be my compadres here:

‘Creating fantastic worlds imaginative enough to hold the unexplored…’http://www.nishiserrano.blogspot.comAmazon: http://www.amazon.com/Nishi-Serrano/e/B005353ATK/ref=sr_tc_ep?qid=1332441985Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4879815.Nishi_SerranoTwitter: https://twitter.com/#!/NishiSerranoFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/NishiJean

Pardon me while I wipe my chin...wouldn't want bloodstains on my gown. Thank you Nishi Serrano, you’ve been most delicious company, I hope to have you again, soon!

Want a page turner? Play with your tension!

[image error] Ever wonder about why you want to keep watching your favorite movie?

All movies were scripts or books before they were on the big screen, or popped up through your Netflix connection. Think about the writing that went into each one; ensnaring your attention so well that you stay entranced is some kind of a writing hat-trick.

One of my favorite books and movies, The Lord of the Rings , helped me to see the light, while suffering with a bout of  "what next" during early drafts of Stealing Time . Interest in turning the page flagged, which for an author sounds an immediate alarm. So, how to avoid this reaction and move the story along for myself and my readers? I decided to pick apart The Lord of the Rings sentence by sentence to see how Tolkien does it through his very long, beloved books. First thing...he puts you in suspense and keeps you wondering if those little Hobbits are going to make it through all of the pitfalls.

The secret to keeping your audience is to pile on the protagonist, i.e. keep up the tension by alternating feats with fails. No magic wand applied to the page enchanted an audience better than balancing the ups and downs of suspense. Tolkien creates a series of tests his protagonist must go through, plusses mixed with a lot of minuses. His works are creations of mountains and valleys instead of flats, and instead of a single typical heroic character having ultimate control he has peace loving, short, practical, accident-prone Hobbits as antiheroes central to the core of the story, thereby add holding power to the tale. The likelihood that a Hobbit will come to harm is part of the charm.Why play it safe when tension ups the play?

Let's look at early scenes of The Lord of the Rings . Take Frodo. He comes by the ring through inheritance, a nice thing, inheriting a gold bauble and a house, but eventually he finds the ring evil so he must flee the Shire. That's one set of rises and a couple of falls. He is helped by Gandalf to escape, rise, but his friends will journey with him,-rise-he has companions. They are pursued by dark evils, fall, but they lose their pursuers by short-cutting through a forest; rise. However, the forest holds great evil; fall. They make it safely to Bree, rise, meet Aragorn who they mistrust at first, fall, but gain him as a guardian and defender, rise, just before they must flee again;fall.

Right from the get-go, Tolkien teases his audience with scenes that rise and fall, keeping us wanting to turn the page, or stay watching the movie to find out what happens next. He keeps this pace going throughout his books, and thus keeps a rapt audience. That is how you play up suspense; through tightening in tension, and the release of it, or in other words, the ups and downs facing your protagonist.

When I applied the Tolkien technique to my writing it changed my story. My pampered protagonist, instead of being protected by an unbeatable champion, has to learn to save himself and his loved ones. Instead of having a steady family, he loses his father, fall, has a friend as protector, rise, thieves for a living, fall, must watch out after his kid sister rise/fall, loses his friend/protector, fall, fights against a great evil to save her, rise, has to risk injury to keep them from harm, fall, enables escape, rise, only to have possibly doomed them both with a wrong decision, fall. See what I'm getting at, here?

My worst fears as a writer is that my reader will not want to turn the page. Like a director when he translates stories on a page into movies; I want the suspense to help my audience to stay engaged. Learning to pile on the protagonist made Stealing Time a better story in the long-run, and it was totally worth redoing each scene to maintain the tension. My highest compliments thus far, the responses I love the best are, "Hey! I want to know what happens!" and, "Where's the sequel?" It's currently in the works. Rise.

In no way do I have the talents of Tolkien, fall, but I'm getting better at writing by studying, in books and on screen, life in the Shire. Rise.
 
C.K. Garner
05/11/2012

The Last Timekeepers Series Kick-Off Contest

[image error] I really want to win this book!

Sharon Ledwith: I came. I saw. I wrote.: The Last Timekeepers Series Kick-Off Contest: Cheers, it’s Luke Skywalker Day— so, “May the fourth be with you,” everyone! On that note, I wanted to gear up for my middle-grade/YA time t...

Book Geektress peers into Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Childre...

[image error] The Book Geektress: Review: Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Childre...: Title: Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children Author: Ransom Riggs Series: Miss Peregrine #1 Format: Hardback, 348 pages P...

Look, up in the sky! Bird? Plane? No, it's Supermoon!

[image error] Supermoon photo credit: Tim  McCor There's a beautiful full moon coming! At precisely 11:35 p.m. on Saturday, May 5 (yep, that's tonight folks!) the moment when the moon is closest to Earth in its orbit, and coinciding almost perfectly with the moon's perigee — means this supermoon will be especially pronounced because this is the moon's closest approach of the year.

When the moon is full things get a little crazy!

[image error] [image error] Well, all of these beautiful moon images have got me thinking about an annual California event that has been occurring since 1979. The 33rd Annual Mooning of Amtrak will commence this July 14th in Laguna Niguel, California. It all started as a gag, and a dare, butt has become a beloved and, um,revealing experience for moon lovers around the globe. Want to know more?
http://moonamtrak.org/

Mood Music for Your Blog

[image error] Have you heard of Playlist, yet? It has all kinds of neat ways to add music to your life, but my favorite is that a blogger can create a bit of mood music for their page. In just a few minutes you can have music that will start up each time you have a visitor on your blog. Your guest can start and stop it as they wish, and you can add to your list, have it shuffle through songs or just select a single tune, talk about personalization! Check out my Playlist feature on the bottom right hand side of my blog. Pretty neat!

Here's the link: http://www.playlist.com/ 

Check it out!

C.K. Garner