Mark Boyd's Blog, page 2
January 11, 2014
Location, Location, Location
To me, one of the joys of writing and reading is how the author describes his or her surroundings. It can either immerse you into their world or cause you to put the book down. If one is writing fiction involving current events and locations, it is certainly important to do your research and record the locations with precision. After all, potential readers may have lived there or have visited there and street names need to be correct as well as any distinguishing landmarks.
Fantasy on the other hand is different. Not that you don't have to try and create the scene with any less realism, just that you're not tied to specifics. Here are a couple of brief scenes from The Prophecy:
(1st scene)
Suddenly, Leandro snapped his attention back to her, "Yes, sliding rock. It's a large boulder covered with river moss and a small waterfall running over it. It is really pleasant on a hot summer day."
"It sounds wonderful," she said quietly, placing a soft hand on his forearm.
"Our family has maintained a small campsite there for many years. It's quite beautiful. Large willows line the river on both sides with their branches seemingly drinking from an endless supply. Lush meadows run through the forest, dotted with patches of wildflowers. And the sound at night, between the crickets, the frogs and the river, is a lullaby that can't be ignored."
(2nd scene)
Stopping at what appeared to be the end of the corridor, Alamaris waved his hand and another door materialized, opening before them. The room, a richly furnished parlor, contained walls covered with deep scarlet tapestries depicting erotic scenes. Heavy drapes of scarlet velvet covered the windows. Several candelabras lit the room, keeping the light low but constant. Strewn around the room were large, overstuffed lounging pillows of the same scarlet velvet materials.The room exuded comfort and opulence.
In both scenes, it was only the boundaries of my own imagination that allowed or disallowed the scene to be conveyed appropriately to the reader. It is possible to go overboard with the adjectives, in which case the scene would be weighted down with wordiness. I have discovered there is a fine line and I am still learning how to walk it. I would compare it much akin to a young lady, learning to apply makeup. It can be way overdone or it can be just enough to enhance the natural beauty already presented. I continue to seek the natural beauty. You can make your own choice. Namaste'
Fantasy on the other hand is different. Not that you don't have to try and create the scene with any less realism, just that you're not tied to specifics. Here are a couple of brief scenes from The Prophecy:
(1st scene)
Suddenly, Leandro snapped his attention back to her, "Yes, sliding rock. It's a large boulder covered with river moss and a small waterfall running over it. It is really pleasant on a hot summer day."
"It sounds wonderful," she said quietly, placing a soft hand on his forearm.
"Our family has maintained a small campsite there for many years. It's quite beautiful. Large willows line the river on both sides with their branches seemingly drinking from an endless supply. Lush meadows run through the forest, dotted with patches of wildflowers. And the sound at night, between the crickets, the frogs and the river, is a lullaby that can't be ignored."
(2nd scene)
Stopping at what appeared to be the end of the corridor, Alamaris waved his hand and another door materialized, opening before them. The room, a richly furnished parlor, contained walls covered with deep scarlet tapestries depicting erotic scenes. Heavy drapes of scarlet velvet covered the windows. Several candelabras lit the room, keeping the light low but constant. Strewn around the room were large, overstuffed lounging pillows of the same scarlet velvet materials.The room exuded comfort and opulence.
In both scenes, it was only the boundaries of my own imagination that allowed or disallowed the scene to be conveyed appropriately to the reader. It is possible to go overboard with the adjectives, in which case the scene would be weighted down with wordiness. I have discovered there is a fine line and I am still learning how to walk it. I would compare it much akin to a young lady, learning to apply makeup. It can be way overdone or it can be just enough to enhance the natural beauty already presented. I continue to seek the natural beauty. You can make your own choice. Namaste'
December 29, 2013
The 3 R’s
When I was growing up, I remember people (usually adults) talking about everyone having to learn the 3 R's. It was supposedly reading, riting (writing) and rithmetic (arithmetic). It is plain to see someone left out spelling... In my world today, the 3r's transpose to reading, writing, and more reading. It took eight years from start to finish on The Prophecy as I had to shelve it several times for extended periods. Life got in the way. I have always been an avid reader and would usually have a novel or two around somewhere that I was reading. But when I started back on my own novel, in earnest, I quit reading for nearly a year out of a two and a half year period. I can't really tell you why. I've tried to figure it out myself and have no answer. It was about the time I started working with my editor/mentor and found myself comma-tosed and battling dangling modifiers. Oh....it was an ugly battle, not for the faint of heart. That story would make for another good blog. Anyway, I do remember at one point picking up a novel and once again starting to read. Interestingly enough, it was as though I was reading through new eyes or maybe new comprehension. I found myself not only reading the words, as before, but analyzing the story as I paid closer attention to character development, how the author would set up the scene and his or her use of sub-plots. I can't say that it took me away from the story but I was certainly reading the book in a different light. The lesson for me? Keep reading. Even though I spend the majority of my free time writing, as I have two more novels to finish in the Dragon Tale Trilogy, I do take time to read. Often times it's at night before I go to bed, and then I finish my day - writing, reading and resting. Live long and prosper.
November 26, 2013
Comma-tosed
When one chooses to tackle the task of writing a novel, one discovers how long it has been since high school English. I was embarrassed and humbled by the amount of information I had forgotten, or just didn't learn because I was too busy staring at my "hot" English teacher.
My first nemesis, the comma. As my book was edited in sections (4 sections to be exact), I put too many commas in section 1. Next, I didn't put enough comma's, in the right places, in section 2. Finally I sent an email to my editor and said, "no mas." I was comma-tosed. I would just send her the stuff and she could stick em' where....she liked. So I finally surrendered my ego and found an English Fundamentals workbook at a used book store. It actually helps me sit a little higher in my office chair.
According to dictates commas are used in the following manner:
1. Before and, but, for, or, nor, and yet when they join the clauses of a compound sentence.
2. Between the items of a series. A series is composed of three or more words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank. "The man charged through the door, down the steps, and into the garage.
3. Between coordinate adjectives preceding a noun. "The dark, cold, drafty classroom."
4. After most introductory modifiers, especially if they are long and not obviously restrictive. "Unless the flood water recedes soon, we're in trouble."
5. Between any two words that might be mistakenly read together. "After we had washed, Mother prepared breakfast.
Now, had I been so enlightened previously, I could have just emailed my editor and said "Look, I know what I am talking about. Just pick a sentence and make it work."
Oh...life can be so simple sometimes.
My first nemesis, the comma. As my book was edited in sections (4 sections to be exact), I put too many commas in section 1. Next, I didn't put enough comma's, in the right places, in section 2. Finally I sent an email to my editor and said, "no mas." I was comma-tosed. I would just send her the stuff and she could stick em' where....she liked. So I finally surrendered my ego and found an English Fundamentals workbook at a used book store. It actually helps me sit a little higher in my office chair.
According to dictates commas are used in the following manner:
1. Before and, but, for, or, nor, and yet when they join the clauses of a compound sentence.
2. Between the items of a series. A series is composed of three or more words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank. "The man charged through the door, down the steps, and into the garage.
3. Between coordinate adjectives preceding a noun. "The dark, cold, drafty classroom."
4. After most introductory modifiers, especially if they are long and not obviously restrictive. "Unless the flood water recedes soon, we're in trouble."
5. Between any two words that might be mistakenly read together. "After we had washed, Mother prepared breakfast.
Now, had I been so enlightened previously, I could have just emailed my editor and said "Look, I know what I am talking about. Just pick a sentence and make it work."
Oh...life can be so simple sometimes.
November 9, 2013
Night Visions to Day Dreams
The process of writing, in my world and mind, is like a revolving door. I always thought those were cool as a kid. Especially when I got through and then stopped the door with a foot while my sisters were trapped inside. I have found that once you open the door to your story, it will soon become as much a part of you as you are of it. People, places, and things become a part of that story also. The story visions that come to me at night began to take form in the light of day. As with night visions, day dreams can often be played and replayed and replayed, in your mind, as you exact and hone the scene until you have the opportunity to put it on paper. And, even as you think you have refined that particular scene, you discover later that it will probably change again.
My current dilemma is that since I was born good looking instead of rich, I still have a day job and what I really want to do is write. But I know that time will come as well. Having been an avid reader all of my life, I started asking myself, “What makes me want to read a particular book?” “What makes it a page turner?” These are important questions, as you start writing, that previously were just unconscious decisions. My answer, a good story that tugs at the emotions or that smacks of some truth for the potential reader, something they can relate to. Many of the emotions that end up coming forth in the Prophecy were extracted from my own heart. How can you convey through words, to someone else, the emotion of getting your heart broken if you’ve never had a broken heart? If you’ve never felt the desperation or loneliness when that special person walked out the door. How can you explain, again in words, the feeling of watching the sun clawing it’s way to freedom from the clutches of the morning fog, if you’ve never taken the time to actually witness a sunrise like that. And last but certainly not least, conflict. That’s what makes me want to turn pages. “How are they going to get out of this mess?” “Why did she choose him, instead of me?” I always have to turn the page to find out.
I hope you do as well. Stay thirsty my friend.
My current dilemma is that since I was born good looking instead of rich, I still have a day job and what I really want to do is write. But I know that time will come as well. Having been an avid reader all of my life, I started asking myself, “What makes me want to read a particular book?” “What makes it a page turner?” These are important questions, as you start writing, that previously were just unconscious decisions. My answer, a good story that tugs at the emotions or that smacks of some truth for the potential reader, something they can relate to. Many of the emotions that end up coming forth in the Prophecy were extracted from my own heart. How can you convey through words, to someone else, the emotion of getting your heart broken if you’ve never had a broken heart? If you’ve never felt the desperation or loneliness when that special person walked out the door. How can you explain, again in words, the feeling of watching the sun clawing it’s way to freedom from the clutches of the morning fog, if you’ve never taken the time to actually witness a sunrise like that. And last but certainly not least, conflict. That’s what makes me want to turn pages. “How are they going to get out of this mess?” “Why did she choose him, instead of me?” I always have to turn the page to find out.
I hope you do as well. Stay thirsty my friend.
November 2, 2013
To Be or Not To Be? That is the Question.
When I first started The Prophecy, approximately 8 eons ago, I thought “nothing to it.” I can knock this bad boy out in a few months. It will sell like hotcakes or I’ll fire the worthless agent I’d hired and pick up someone up who wants to be rich and famous like me. Then I will be like all the other great writers, banging a book out a year while I sip Mojito’s in Fiji. In fact, I can write 10 chapters in the course of an afternoon, what’s the big deal?? So now 8 eons later and a gazillion edits, a book has hatched. If I continue at the same rate, I should be finishing the trilogy when I am peaking mid-80′s, early 90's. Not to worry…I am sure I can knock out a scene or two in between naps. But then there’s feedings and therapy and…whoa, not a visual I'm yet prepared to handle.
My point being, I learned that it is a commitment to become a published author and a major commitment to become a successful published author. The operative word – successful. I have learned that in today’s publishing community the success of the book often (90% +) falls on the shoulders of the author. Traditional publishers and agents don’t have the funding nor do they have the interest to sign debut authors and do the advertising and promotion they used to, unless of course you are a star or super star of some known caliber. The debut author is pretty much on their own. So…the first question one should ask before adventuring into authorship is, to be or not to be…an author? If you are committed, then you will dedicate the time to not only write but to also do the marketing. As you develop your craft, as an author, you must also be willing to develop your skills as a salesperson. With the many avenues of social networking available today, it is an easier road to travel than a decade or two ago. But…it still takes commitment. I’ve stepped into the arena, because I have really come to enjoy writing. I still have a day job and maybe one day writing will be my day job. Right now, it’s about telling the story. Where’s my Mojito? I just set it down here a minute ago.
My point being, I learned that it is a commitment to become a published author and a major commitment to become a successful published author. The operative word – successful. I have learned that in today’s publishing community the success of the book often (90% +) falls on the shoulders of the author. Traditional publishers and agents don’t have the funding nor do they have the interest to sign debut authors and do the advertising and promotion they used to, unless of course you are a star or super star of some known caliber. The debut author is pretty much on their own. So…the first question one should ask before adventuring into authorship is, to be or not to be…an author? If you are committed, then you will dedicate the time to not only write but to also do the marketing. As you develop your craft, as an author, you must also be willing to develop your skills as a salesperson. With the many avenues of social networking available today, it is an easier road to travel than a decade or two ago. But…it still takes commitment. I’ve stepped into the arena, because I have really come to enjoy writing. I still have a day job and maybe one day writing will be my day job. Right now, it’s about telling the story. Where’s my Mojito? I just set it down here a minute ago.
October 25, 2013
Baby Steps Lead to Giant Strides
As infants we learn to function in our world by watching. By watching we learn. When we are toddlers and first learn to walk, we trip and stumble and get up again only to trip and stumble and get up again. Our steps are not nearly as long or efficient as our folks or mentors. But we learn. We grow and soon our strides become longer and stronger and more confident. It is exactly the same process in writing your first novel.
In my world, it started at an early age reading fantasy. As I got older, my tastes expanded yet I still enjoyed reading. Now that I have grown even older, I choose to expand my world once again and try writing. Once again, I find myself at the infant stage. There is something exciting in this process and also frustrating as I trip and fall and stumble all over again. It may be the stimulation of learning something new that drives me. In the beginning it can just be another opportunity to beat yourself up or, revel in your new found independence, depending on how you see life. The choice is yours. I choose to look at the positive side of life and my journey in writing has been a long one for the completion of my first novel. It truly has been a constant series of baby steps the entire way. Little by little, the story unfolded and I was able to create the right people at the right time to help me. As my confidence grew it allowed more creative juices to flow. It has given me the determination to see it to conclusion. The reward? Nirvana. Namaste'
In my world, it started at an early age reading fantasy. As I got older, my tastes expanded yet I still enjoyed reading. Now that I have grown even older, I choose to expand my world once again and try writing. Once again, I find myself at the infant stage. There is something exciting in this process and also frustrating as I trip and fall and stumble all over again. It may be the stimulation of learning something new that drives me. In the beginning it can just be another opportunity to beat yourself up or, revel in your new found independence, depending on how you see life. The choice is yours. I choose to look at the positive side of life and my journey in writing has been a long one for the completion of my first novel. It truly has been a constant series of baby steps the entire way. Little by little, the story unfolded and I was able to create the right people at the right time to help me. As my confidence grew it allowed more creative juices to flow. It has given me the determination to see it to conclusion. The reward? Nirvana. Namaste'
October 21, 2013
I’m Sorry What’s your name??
One of the difficulties, or not, of writing fantasy in particular, is coming up with names. It's not a problem when writing in a current reality. Fred, Bob, Sue, Buffy...there are plenty of names to choose from. But when you change time periods and then throw fantasy into the mix with dragons, and wizards, rock trolls and faieries, relying on current names doesn't really work, ie,
Bob, the blue dragon, screamed at Lois the faiery queen, "Watch out," as he sent forth a burst of fire to deter the evil wizard, Willy.
Pretty dramatic...uh-huh. I'm not sure how other writers of fantasy and sci/fi handle the situation. In many cases, I have been very lucky as the names seem to come to me as the character develops. In The Prophecy, the first two characters were Leandro and Anaterri. Others that come into play are Maji Marconius, Grand Maji Alamaris, King Galen and Queen Serianni (Leandro's mom and dad) Stragor Strayarth ( Head of the High Council of Dragons - Anaterri's pop) and a host of others. Interestingly enough, as I would conjure the image of the character the name would start rolling around on my lips. It was sort of like taking a small snowball and rolling it around until it became the first stage of the snowman. It was then big enough to see, clearly. Sometimes it would take a little tweaking but typically it wasn't anything I lost sleep about. (I can't say that much about story line). I would encourage new and potential authors to not worry about that aspect of your story too much. As your story unfolds, the characters and their names step forth to take the stage. If you get into a bind, I read a really good passage in a fairly well known book onetime. It said, "Seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall open." Try it...it really works.
Bob, the blue dragon, screamed at Lois the faiery queen, "Watch out," as he sent forth a burst of fire to deter the evil wizard, Willy.
Pretty dramatic...uh-huh. I'm not sure how other writers of fantasy and sci/fi handle the situation. In many cases, I have been very lucky as the names seem to come to me as the character develops. In The Prophecy, the first two characters were Leandro and Anaterri. Others that come into play are Maji Marconius, Grand Maji Alamaris, King Galen and Queen Serianni (Leandro's mom and dad) Stragor Strayarth ( Head of the High Council of Dragons - Anaterri's pop) and a host of others. Interestingly enough, as I would conjure the image of the character the name would start rolling around on my lips. It was sort of like taking a small snowball and rolling it around until it became the first stage of the snowman. It was then big enough to see, clearly. Sometimes it would take a little tweaking but typically it wasn't anything I lost sleep about. (I can't say that much about story line). I would encourage new and potential authors to not worry about that aspect of your story too much. As your story unfolds, the characters and their names step forth to take the stage. If you get into a bind, I read a really good passage in a fairly well known book onetime. It said, "Seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall open." Try it...it really works.
October 9, 2013
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
One of my great discoveries of writing a novel or a story, if you will, is the opportunity to play all the parts. Male and female, good and bad, hero and villain. It truly is amazing how many of those characters we actually have locked up inside ourselves that would never see the light of day, simply because of social constraints. It is different as an author, instead of being the reader. As a reader, I often get immersed into characters in the book I am reading but I establish which side I am on and so I never really get into the psyche of the other side. Writing, though, gives me the freedom to explore those boundaries and even stretch them because I am creating both sides. I'm sure the same could be said about acting, art and music. In my case it is writing. The good was the easiest for me to create. It's always fun to be the good guy or the hero or heroine. Leandro for instance, the quintessential prince, good looking, fierce, tender and a leader. It was also fun developing Anaterri's character. Drop dead gorgeous, sexy, an herbalist and healer and a dragon that can kick some ass when she gets mad. The more difficult characters for me to fully develop were the bad guys but every good fantasy or thriller or mystery needs bad guys. They can range from kinda, sorta bad guys to really, really creepy bad guys. I had fun creating a full array of villains. In the beginning they were all just kind of bad. I remember reaching that point within myself of having to say, "it's okay to be really bad, this is a story." I really struggled with that for a while. I was afraid that readers would think that was really me, and then I thought of some of the good "thriller" writers I have read, a couple of them who are really attractive women but have written some really grisly stuff and thought, that's what made the story. There's no sense in just putting your toe in the water, just jump in feet first. I felt my first real sense of accomplishment in that arena when a good friend of mine called me, after reading a particular part in the manuscript and said that she actually had to stop reading because the scene was making her nauseous. I thought, "right on dudet", I hit a nerve. It only helps you build that sense of who to cheer for and who to jeer for. And then finally when the good meets the bad, it can get ugly. Yes, I know...the good guys wear white hats and win. Not always.
October 7, 2013
Tech Break
Throughout this blog I will take tech breaks every once in a while. What I wrote above really is what happened but what I didn't tell you is that the first chapter, at that time, was really about 10 chapters. I was so proud of myself that I had written 10 chapters. Having never written anything other than an editorial, term papers or technical articles, I had no preconceived concept of chapter lengths, points of view (POV) or any of the main technicalities of writing a novel...thank God! I only say that, not because it is a bad thing to know those things but at the time it may have stifled my creative flow if I had been trying to learn everything at once. Write the story first, the best way you can. Believe me when I say you will have time to edit and edit and edit. Also a professional editor is worth their weight in gold. They can help you learn that stuff and if you are serious about becoming a writer it's a solid investment.
Back to the story. What I was beginning to learn was that each of us must develop our own way of writing. There is no set way and no set format that one must follow to become a successful writer. It does, however, in my humble opinion start with a good story. My way of writing, as I have come to know it, is the sugar plum faieries and or dragons dancing in my head at night. It can be a little disruptive with normal sleep patterns but hey "no pain, no gain." Wrong. Writing is an exercise and like any exercise, the more you do it, the more you gain. I have also found that to be true of the creative channel. When the ideas first started coming to me, it was like I was peaking through a door and getting a glimpse of what was taking place on the other side. Pretty soon I was discovered peeking through the door and my dragon friends on the other side just kicked the door down and said, "Get to work, you have a story to tell." Be well and stay thirsty.
Back to the story. What I was beginning to learn was that each of us must develop our own way of writing. There is no set way and no set format that one must follow to become a successful writer. It does, however, in my humble opinion start with a good story. My way of writing, as I have come to know it, is the sugar plum faieries and or dragons dancing in my head at night. It can be a little disruptive with normal sleep patterns but hey "no pain, no gain." Wrong. Writing is an exercise and like any exercise, the more you do it, the more you gain. I have also found that to be true of the creative channel. When the ideas first started coming to me, it was like I was peaking through a door and getting a glimpse of what was taking place on the other side. Pretty soon I was discovered peeking through the door and my dragon friends on the other side just kicked the door down and said, "Get to work, you have a story to tell." Be well and stay thirsty.
Sugar Plum Faeries or Dragons
After a few days of sitting at the computer and typing feebly at some scattered ideas, I decided to give it a rest. This book writing stuff can be very exhausting. The weekend was at hand and I would take a break. Not. I went to sleep, or so I thought on a Saturday night. The dreams started. They were as clear as if I was watching a movie and they kept playing over and over and over. I got it...that I was supposed to get it, jeez let me get a little sleep. It must have been close to 5 am before I finally fell into a deep sleep and actually awoke somewhere around 9. A story was in my head...still. I put some coffee on, sat down at the computer and a few hours later I had written what was to be the first chapter.
