Chris Baty's Blog, page 251

30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 7

Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend full of writing, and that you're out-typing any Monday doldrums. Fight those blues with today's cover, designed by the out-of-this-world David Gee:

Crow City by Acile

What happens when a lonely Philosophy student whose disillusioned world view sends him into regular fits of cynicism meets a man who wants to be the prettiest face in town? They make a deal to reintroduce said philosophy student into society.

What follows is a whirlwind of coffee shop pranks, night clubs, sparkle, glitter and discussions about the very nature of mankind. But Alexis doesn't take it well at all. Memories from the one girl he wanted to forget come to the surface. He sees her in the wooden figurine of a Japanese cat, sees himself in the crows on the rooftops, wishing for black wings to carry him away…

Will he survive in the big city? Or will he succumb to the desire of letting himself fall—and testing if he can really grow wings?

Toronto-based David Gee is an advertising creative director by day and book designer by night.

What do you think of today's cover? It's still blowing my mind that these are turned around in 24 hours. Let David and Alice know what you think!

Write-Ins, Writing Buddies, and Moose

The single most awesome part of NaNoWriMo, to me, is the social aspect of the community. Of course, there are the forums, where I rule supreme (mwah-haha) which are absolutely invaluable for getting support, ideas, and camaraderie.

But where NaNoWriMo really shines are in-person meetups. All around the world, people meet other Wrimos, and just plain have fun.

Here in Macon, Georgia, where I live, we get together at least weekly. We have a ton of spirit, and even have a mascot. A moose. The Macon Mooselings chose their mascot because (of course) there are no moose in Georgia. Why else?

Mascots are great fun, and many regions adopt one. Penguins, pandas, pangolins (well, I don't know about the last one, but they should be a mascot). Mascots give you something to stick in your novel when you're stuck, something to snuggle at night when you're getting ready to go to bed, and something to entertain you when you're procrastinating. (No, that is not a moose handpuppet by my side. It's not!)

Having a regional identity helps build more than just community. In our region, we have an incredibly high win rate among those who comes to meetings. The equation is simple: Wrimo + Write-In = Winner

Having buddies of any kind during November is a huge help. Even if you can't make a real write-in, why not see if there's a virtual one around? Some of the larger regions have dedicated chat rooms, and love crash-visitors!

You can browse the NaNoWriMo forums for writing buddies, if you don't have any of your own. What is a writing buddy, you ask? The easiest answer: Whatever you want them to be. Many people add interesting people in the forums whose word counts they want to track. Others add mutual friends and challenge each other to competitions! Sometimes, a writing buddy is just that—a friend, someone to talk to and support you.

There's usually a thread in each of the genre lounges for writing buddies. You can even find a whole thread of them in the All-Ages Coffeehouse for a more broad base of people.

The experience of writing in a group is one not to be missed. Usually, writing is such a solitary thing, and NaNoWriMo provides us all with the opportunity, finally, to not be alone. I've made some amazing friends through NaNoWriMo—friends that don't mind being ignored for 15 minutes while I finish a scene.

Or who understand why it's so funny that you're stuck at 911 words, and know the feeling.

So what sorts of writing buddies do you have? Tell us your awesome writing-buddy stories.

– Heather Dudley

Photo by Flickr user snigl3t

30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 6

Happy Daylight Savings — don't forget to turn your clocks back and adjust your time zone settings on the NaNo site if you need to (you can find that under "Edit User Settings"). Take advantage of your extra hour and write like the dickens, taking inspiration from today's cover, designed by Jacob Covey:

The Lying Division by Chillibean

Sixteen-year-old Klyte is the reluctant new recruit of the Lying Division. His job is to keep the peasants content by twisting the truth, but it's not that simple. Visere says everything they do is legal, but Visere's a Liar. And a killer.

Within days, Klyte sees just how good the Liars are at their job. The King always has his way, and everyone who opposes him are 'persuaded' otherwise. Any whisper of rebellion results in a mass interrogation. Any vigilantes looking for a revolt are supposed to be stamped out. But they aren't. And they will kill for freedom.

Then Klyte realises that his worst fear shouldn't be the vigilantes. It shouldn't be the impending civil war. It should be the person right under his nose, smiling that knowing smile and twirling a knife behind his back.

Jacob Covey has been Art Director at Fantagraphics Books for the past seven years and operates a multi-disciplinary design studio at the mouth of the Columbia River. It never previously occurred to him that crossed fingers are both a symbol of deception and an appeal for good fortune. To him, that seems interesting.

Let Jacob and Joy know what you think of their fantastic work! And let us know how your word count is looking at the end of this weekend; Joy's closing in on 14,000!

30 Covers, 30 Days: Day 5

Happy Saturday! Hopefully, you'll have the perfect weather for writing this weekend, whether that means a cold, crisp sun that makes the day ideal for writing in your notebook in the park, or a heavy rain that pitter-patters on your roof in time to your typing. Take a moment to find some inspiration in today's cover, designed by the inimitable Jennifer Carrow:

James: or the Boy Who Eventually Grew Up by melbelle0418

Before Peter Pan lived in Neverland there were others. James was the first who lived alone until he and his fairy, Flare, met Lily. James and Lily started a home for the lost boys and girls who ended up on Neverland, all accompanied by a lovely fairy.

James was the accepted leader of the children who lived in the woods, and they all knew to stay friendly with each other because the more you think and feel like a grown up, the faster you will become one. Then a child is brought to the island, a baby who is more angry than any other child.

He grows into a boy fast, and an arrogant boy at that, who claims to be the leader of the "lost boys." James enters into a downward spiral: he loses his fairy to a non-believing moment, his only girl he ever loved to the sea where she lives as a mermaid, and his best friend Lily to the plateau where her skin grows red and she calls herself Tiger. James ages quicker than ever as he tried to find a way to bring down peter pan.

Kentucky bred and Cooper Union educated, Jennifer Carrow spends her days designing covers at Farrar, Straus and Giroux and her nights in Brooklyn with her husband and daughter. See more of her work at jennifercarrow.com 

What do you think of Jennifer and Melanie's work? Pretty excellent, no? Is anyone else taking a fairy tale out for a spin?

30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 4

Happy Friday, all! Congratulations on adding word upon word to your counts these past few days. Just think, you have a long, glorious weekend to either leap ahead even further, or get all caught up. (The latter in my case.) As you plan your long stretches of writing, we hope you find some inspiration in this cover, by Darren Haggar: 

My Sister Is Chaos by Kitty Taylor

Persephone and Eris have always been close. Or at least, Persey has spent most of her life cleaning up her sister's messes. They join "The Great Jeremiah Bach's Travelling Circus" with the hopes that things will be different for them here, that they will be able to start afresh.

And things do change—but not necessarily for the better. The people are nice enough, and the jobs aren't hard, but there's something a little bit strange about the whole set-up. There is a talking tiger who plays dead for a living; a chicken man who can sprout feathers at will; a woman who has had more affairs than her husband (which isn't the strangest but makes Persey feel odd); a man called Avel who lives in the "basement" (only nobody knows where the basement actually is); and a strange cloud that follows them wherever they go, like a perpetual storm is brewing over their heads. The star of the show is a unicorn called Nightverse—but none of the troupe members will say the creature's name, and nobody can even tell Persey why.

To top it all off, ever since they arrived Eris has been acting strangely. She avoids Persey's questions about where she goes late at night, and has a worrying knack for always being around when the worst of the trouble kicks off. Persey is beginning to get a little suspicious that Jeremiah Bach might not be telling her the whole truth.

The problem is, it's hard to pin down exactly what the problem is—because everything here is just the tiniest little bit outré. And then, of course, there is that rabbit hole…

Darren Haggar is Art Director of The Penguin Press.

Let Darren and Kitty know what you think of their cover on the eve of our first November weekend! Got any super-special noveling plans for the next few days?

30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 3

Happy 3rd of November! At this point, your sea legs should just be getting under you. The waves of inspiration are rolling nicely, and the wind is filling your sails! Why not take a break and take a peek at today's cover, designed by David High:

Paper Roses by grenouille

Sometimes the things we are looking for are not so far away…

Paloma only knows her parents from one photograph. She's spent years fighting to become part of her foster family. She's longing for affection, real relationships and attention. Things that are so hard to find in a circus fighting for its own survival.

Meeting a man who knew her mother turns Paloma's life upside-down. It's the beginning of a long chain of events, of questioning her life's values, of the strangest friendship of her life, and of a quest to find out who she really is. Why do a certain gang's members recognize her on the street even though she's never seen them before? Why doesn't she resemble any of the people in the photograph? And why does the circus' owner hate her so much?

Every person she meets opens a new door to the past of her parents. But some doors should stay closed forever…

David High hails originally from Miami, FL and has spent the last 20 years in New York City and it's reach-by-train-whereabouts designing, illustrating, and art directing for the publishing, music, and cable television industries of both U.S. coasts. His website (which needs a good updating) is: highdzn.com, and his newest newest work (updated with relatively frequency) can be seen here: highdzn.new

How are you feeling with a few days of writing under you? Is anyone else writing from international climes, like grenouille in France?

Meet Our Team: Rob Diaz, Ticket Master

Meet Rob Diaz, a volunteer extraordinaire lending his time and talents all the way from New Jersey! No doubt you've met Rob in the forums as Lousy Writer 13. Now learn more about the man behind the username…

Rob, how long have you been participating in NaNoWriMo? Do you participate in Script Frenzy, too?

This will be my sixth NaNoWriMo—2006 was my first year. My wife and children participate as well. I've tried for the past few years to get my kids' teachers to bring the YWP into the classroom and for the first time I think one of them is (my son's fourth grade teacher). We look forward to November every year! On a personal note, my favorite number is 13 and with this year being the 13th NaNoWriMo, I expect big, fantastic things!

I have intended to participate in Script Frenzy each year as well, but I seem to end up traveling for work or with other deadlines during April so it hasn't worked out. I am very comfortable with scriptwriting and have had several scripts produced, so it is truly about the time factor. I have an idea for a musical that I want to write for Script Frenzy one of these years, so hopefully I'll get that done some time. My daughter is the only one in my family who has won Script Frenzy so far (a fact of which she reminds us every year in and around April).

Are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you tend to write in any specific genre?

I don't know how to say it with enough emphasis: I am totally, completely, 100% a pantser. I am not sure why this is, but I've grown to just embrace it as my way of writing. Perhaps it is due to the fact that every other aspect of my life feels scripted and writing doesn't need to be. I really don't know. But ultimately, I just let the characters drive the plot. I'll take an interesting character that pops into my mind at some random time and then I'll set them in an interesting situation which also may have popped into mind at some other random time. (Rarely do the two show up at the same time for me).

So, maybe I'll stick a character into a field of dandelions. What's going to happen? Who knows. It might be that the character bends down to look at an odd-looking dandelion and finds a tiny, cute alien from Mars which then attaches to the character's cerebral cortex and turns the character into an intergalactic warlord. Or perhaps the character will be out in the field to pick dandelions in order to make wine because the region's evil vegetarian overlords have outlawed coffee. Or maybe the character wants to transplant the dandelions into their neighbor's lawn because the neighbor has won the Greenest Lawn Award for 13 years in a row.

The point is: I don't know how the character will handle whatever situation I put them in until they are there handling it and words start filling up the page. Being a pantser is exciting, especially during NaNoWriMo when the whole point is to just get the words written rather than worrying so much about getting the right words written. Since I never know what is coming, I'm excited to keep writing, just as I'd hope a potential reader might be excited to keep reading.

Don't get me wrong—there are days when I wish I could be a plotter, even for just a little while. Unfortunately, nearly every time I've tried to plot or outline ahead, I've ended up not completing the project. The only exception has been when I've co-written a piece and my co-author needed or wanted to have at least a general outline in order to write successfully. Aside from that, I don't know if I've ever done an outline in the traditional sense. Don't tell my high school Language Arts teachers… but whenever I was required to turn in an outline in advance of a paper or story, I would write the paper or story and then outline it. On the bright side, I never needed to pull a last-minute all-nighter to get things written for school—they were always done early, so in a strange sort of way, I guess the fact that outlines were required helped me.

As far as genre goes, I tend to write science fiction, fantasy and comedy, though I dabble in other genres from time to time. In fact, the first time I ever wrote in the fantasy genre was my NaNoWriMo 2007 novel, Darkness Falls. I had never even considered writing fantasy before that but it was so much fun that I've been writing more of it since then. The truth is, though, that I tend to blend genres a lot. While it might be predominantly science fiction, there will be elements of fantasy or comedy or, perhaps, historical fiction mixed in. I have found myself writing a lot of first-person point of view pieces lately, too, which is new for me in the last year or two. I haven't yet written anything in the second person point of view, though there are some people who have challenged me to do that for NaNoWriMo one of these years.

When did you start volunteering your time and talents toward improving our sites and systems?

I suppose I started volunteering with OLL in 2007. It was unofficial that year in that I just kind of hung around and made a nuisance of myself in the tech forums by "helping" (note the quotes) Dragonchilde. Dragonchilde didn't need my help, of course, but I went ahead and tried anyway. In 2008, I was granted the official title of Moderator in the "Tech Help, Suggestions, and Rules" forums, which I maintain today (on both the main site and YWP). In 2009, I helped design and code the Donation Derby pages. This year I added the TicketMaster title as well, which means I've been managing the bug and enhancement writing process for the beta-test period and the site's relaunch. I take requests and comments from users, replicate the issues, write them up for the developers, and then re-test when the issues are fixed.

I help out because I believe in OLL's mission to make kids and adults fall in love with writing. I help because NaNoWriMo helped me rediscover my love of writing after I'd had a long period during which I didn't write at all. Mostly, I just hope I'm helping, because that's what it's all about, right?

When you're not participating in OLL events (and improving them), do you continue to write?

Yes, I write a lot, though nowhere near as much as I want to write. I have short stories published in five anthologies and have had three scripts performed, the most recent of which, The Good Old Days (co-written with my friend and fellow NaNoWriMo participant Matt Robb), was staged September 29 through October 1 by a local community theater group, the Cross Creek Players. I am a regular monthly columnist on the Write Anything blog. My own writing blog, Thirteenth Dimension, has a number of stories on it and I'm hoping to get more consistent with posting starting in the New Year.

And for my day job, I write code… though somehow that doesn't seem to count as "writing" for most people.

Any other talents and passions?

Talents or passions… Hmm. Well, I have played the trumpet for 30 years, a love which my daughter has picked up as well. My son, though, chose to blaze his own trail by picking up the saxophone.

I am an avid organic gardener. My garden is my entire backyard (complete with walking paths and benches). I grow almost entirely heirloom fruits and vegetables. This year I had tomatoes (27 varieties), sweet peppers (10 varieties), eggplant (6 varieties), potatoes (3 varieties), carrots (10 varieties), watermelon (2 varieties—yellow-fleshed and white-fleshed), cucumbers (2 varieties), beets, cantaloupe, asparagus, blueberries, peas, beans, sweet potatoes, garlic, onions, hazelnuts and grapes.

I listen to music almost all the time. I love classical music and raw jazz (especially trumpet-focused) as well as rock. Some of my favorites are REO Speedwagon, Chicago, Paramore, Billy Joel, Miles Davis, and anything composed by Tchaikovsky.

I don't know if I'd say I am talented at it or not, but I've also done a little acting lately. The most recent roles I've played are King Vordlick in The Good Old Days (2011), and Mayor Shinn in The Music Man (2010). I'm told I did well in these roles.

What is something Wrimos would never guess about you?

Something Wrimos would never guess about me? I don't know…

Sometimes I drink decaf?

Nah, that's not good enough.

I have 36 solar panels on my roof to provide most of the electricity my house uses.

That's interesting, perhaps, but only in a boring, nerdy sort of way (my favorite kind of way).

When I was growing up, I wanted to be an astronaut and a baseball player. I hurt my shoulder as a senior in high school (I was a pitcher and a shortstop, so my shoulder was kind of critical) and when I went to career fairs I was told I couldn't be an astronaut because of my need for eyeglasses. In the end, it's probably best, given my discovery that I absolutely despise traveling. Loathe it, with a passion rarely seen. No matter what the reason is for the travel (work, vacation, going to parties, etc.), I hate it. I have even fashioned myself a job where my commute is up and down my basement stairs—I work in the basement of my house. On the bright side of this hatred of travel, I suppose it lends itself to a somewhat funny, definitely way-too-wordy travel blog.

Let's see, what else? Oh…

I am birthday buddies with Erik Estrada of CHiPs fame. That makes me famous, too, right?

30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 2

It's November 2! The first day of noveling is already behind you, filled with either a sense of achievement at all you've already accomplished, or verve to double up today to make up for yesterday's shortfall. To boost both that achievement and verve, the second 30 Covers, 30 Days book cover, designed by Scott Buschkuhl of Hinterland:

House Hunting in the Afterlife by buppyspek

A young professional looking to buy her first house goes to bed one night dreaming of vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors and wakes up to the end of the world. After a quick stop at Target to see if they have any Missoni products left, she takes the Afterlife's Eternal Parade of Homes tour. If you're going to be living in a house for the rest of time, you better make sure it's something you can stand.

Scott Buschkuhl is the founder of Hinterland, a New York-based multidisciplinary design studio, whose client list includes the American Museum of Natural History, the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection, Brookfield Properties, Time Magazine, Wired Magazine, Simon & Schuster, and The New York Times. 

What do you think of Scott and Becky's slam-dunk work? Is your second day of noveling a slam dunk, too, so far? Any laugh out loud moments you're excited to write towards?

The Official NaNoWriMo "Agony Aunt" Is In!

You may know author Maureen Johnson from her 2009 NaNoWriMo pep talk, or from her young adult novels. (I just read

Imagine our delight when Maureen applied for the position of Official NaNoWriMo "Agony Aunt." We were quick to accept her application, and below is her first column in which Auntie MJ solves all your novel-writing problems.

She'll be posting columns daily on her Tumblr throughout November, and we'll be following along with great anticipation to see Auntie MJ fix your character quandaries, fill in those plot holes, and possibly solve world hunger while she's at it.

IT'S NANOWRIMO TIME, AND AUNTIE MJ IS IN

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? It's November 1st, and that means it is NaNoWriMo time again! And this year I am EXTREMELY EXCITED to tell you that I am the OFFICIAL AGONY AUNT of NaNoWriMo.

I have already anticipated some questions.

1. What is NaNoWriMo?

NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month. Thousands of people-hundreds of thousands-will write first drafts of books this month from scratch. Anyone can join. Even you. ESPECIALLY YOU.

2. What is an AGONY AUNT?

An AGONY AUNT is an ADVICE COLUMNIST. I am in the problem solving industry. If you have a NaNoWriMo problem, ask here. I will answer a question EVERY DAY during the month of November. You heard me. EVERY STINKING DAY.

I will start now.

deuscain asked you:Does one just walk into NaNoWriMo?

Deuscain,

One can walk into NaNoWriMo, or one can run into it, Muppet arms flailing. One can sail into it, or creep into it, or shimmer in like a golden dawn. One might also consider tunneling one's way in, or bursting down the door, or lowering oneself gently down like a spider cometh gently from the ceiling into the mouth of a sleeping person. One might also whistle one's way in with a light step, or stomp one's way in, as if one is wearing concrete clogs. In fact, there is no limit to the ways one might enter NaNoWriMo!

The important thing is that you do, in fact, go in.

Now, I am assuming what you are actually asking me is if you should just go in without preparation of some sort. That's what I'm taking from the question. And my answer is, YES. You just do it. Writing is not like going into space or drilling a hole to the center of the earth to find a colony of earth core monsters … you don't need to make plans or get special equipment. In fact, "preparing" to write is just a form of procrastination. I can't tell you the number of people who tell me they are "about" to write something. Nothing is stopping you. There is no right time. There is no magic machine or special pen. You don't have to wait for the stars to be in alignment. You just start.

Which is precisely why NaNoWriMo is so great. it's gets right to the heart of things. It says, "Sit down and do it." That is all it takes to write. You don't even have to do the SITTING part if you don't want. Many great writers have written standing up!

Go forth and do this thing. Have no fear. Just walk right in.

Love,
Auntie MJ

Check out Maureen's Tumblr throughout November for her one-of-a-kind advice and to ask her your own pressing questions! We can't think of a better person to be the first-ever Official NaNoWriMo Agony Aunt.

– Sarah

30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 1

Happy November 1! On this most creative of days, when you're brimming with imagination and cheer, yet to be battered by gale-force winds of doubt, and bergs of writer's block, we bring to you our first cover for 30 Covers, 30 Days, by the incredible Jessica Hische!

The Cemetery Keeper by A. E. Killingsworth

Emma Eaves is a struggling photographer in Atlanta when she learns of her great-aunt's death. To her surprise, she's been left a crumbling old home in a rural Alabama town, as well as a small fortune. The only stipulation is that she must live in the creepy farmhouse for a year before she can sell the home and claim her money.

She reluctantly puts her life on hold to move to Alabama, and as she begins to repair the old home she uncovers a small family cemetery hidden by years of growth. When she begins questioning locals about the family she never knew, a stranger shows up; a man who knows an awful lot about the dark dreams that have visited Emma ever since she moved into the house. What's more, he hints at a sinister family secret, one that will soon arise if Emma can't protect the cemetery from an approaching enemy.

When dark apparitions begin appearing in her photos, Emma knows that the danger is near. But can she trust this mysterious stranger to help her fight an enemy she's never even met?

Jessica Hische is a letterer and illustrator best known for her personal projects Daily Drop Cap and the Should I Work for Free? flowchart. Just five years out of college, she's been named one of Print Magazine's New Visual Artists and an ADC Young Gun and currently serves on the Type Directors Club board of Directors. She has been profiled in many publications, has traveled the world speaking about lettering and illustration, and has probably consumed enough coffee to power a small nation.

What do you think? Is anyone else writing a mystery novel this November?