Tonya R. Moore's Blog: Tonya R. Moore, page 42
November 25, 2015
Owning Your Craft
There’s all this hubbub floating around out there lately, conflicting theories of all the DOs and DON’Ts of what it takes to be or become a successful author.
Some time ago, I saw some Perpetual Writing Advice Giver actually tweet that if you’re a writer promoting your work and you don’t have this many (double digit) thousand followers on Twitter, you’re simply not trying hard enough. To add insult to offense, said party didn’t even have a half of that “strongly suggested” following.
This kind of attitude is merely evident of a growing trend. There seems to be no short supply of soothsayers proclaiming that you should write, write, write till you’ve either churned out some semblance of a book or your fingers fall off. If that story seems to be taking its sweet time congealing, then by god–you’d better choke that baby out or burnout trying.
You really also ought to spend endless hours whoring it out like crazy, lest you get left behind in the dust of this supposed digital gold rush.
Of course, it’s true that productivity and ingenuity both fuel success. A web presence is certainly essential to a writer, in this day and age. To be quite honest, there’s nothing fundamentally indefensible about writing merely for the sake of earning a few dollars. The economy being what it is–these days, we’re all doing what we can. I guess.
Who wants to hear that Writing isn’t really a craft that can be forced, rushed or faked? That a good story happens in its own time?
Whether that time happens to be one day or a thousand days will vary depending on the writer and the particular story. Make no mistake, I don’t suggest that a writer be lackadaisical in his or her efforts.
Just remember one thing. Writers are always working and growing, whether we’re scribbling or not. Whether we’re aware of it, or not.
So maybe, don’t stress out over it so much, lest you sell both yourself and your craft short. I know that the world can be a harsh environment for a fertile mind but you can spare a moment to pause, take a step back and look. Look at where you started and where you are now. Be proud of the distance you’ve traveled and how much you’ve accomplished, so far.
Just think, there’s a lot more where that came from.
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November 24, 2015
We Give Death Faces
Transcript:
“We Give Death Faces”
One night I was dreaming. I had a dream that the whole world was a desert. There were no flowers, no mountains, no glorious waterfalls or trees left alive. There were no more pretensions or heartache – no love or joy. There was nothing but dry mouths, empty wishes and decaying hope. Human hearts were the tombs buried beneath the sand dunes, forgotten and waiting.
I dreamed that I was searching for something or someone. I forget who or what – but I remember walking for miles and miles. A wild and serpentine sirocco whispered to my hot blood and shivering heart. Behind me there was a crimson saucer dipping beneath the amber horizon. In the vast distance before me, falling off the edge of the world were hundreds and thousands of stars – a river into eternity.
It was then that he came to me, the curly haired angel-boy with sunken cheek and hollow eye. He was cold. I could tell from afar. His body, robbed of fat, it trembled. He trembled violently in the desert sun. “I had a wish,” he said. “I dreamed I was a rainbow.”
In the depths of my soul I knew what he was asking. I knew the answer he wanted me to give. All I could do was shrug my wordless apology.
All I could do was smile sadly and murmur softly. “We give Death faces… I don’t know why.”
Together, we stood staring into the vast silence beyond.
“Do you think I’ll find it?” I asked. “The thing I’m looking for?”
“Even I don’t know that,” he answered honestly. “But there must be something more than blue sky and brown earth. “There has to be.”
“Does it rain there, do you think?”
Death pursed his lips and studied the glimmering vision afar. His shriveled, juvenile face split into a wide and open smile. “You know, I just think it might.”
That night he gave me a gift. This time, a vision of raindrops and thousands of perfumed fruit and lotus blossoms, falling to my feet and sinking into the grainy earth. A fire kindling in the bones.
I walked away and left him at sunrise, the lonely boy. I walked away and toward the nest of stars. A bony finger points my way.
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November 23, 2015
Interview: Author Zen DiPietro
I’m very pleased to introduce the original Woman of Badassery, Zen DiPietro and her new book, Facing Fortune. Zen guest-posted here before and shared news of its prequel, Seeking Sorrow. I was happy to get the chance interview Zen this time, for the chance to share a bit more about this charismatic author and this latest installment of The Guardians of Terath series.
Who is Zen DiPietro?
I’m the girl who got made fun of in grade school for having red hair and wearing socks with crazy patterns. Maybe it’s because I grew up a genetic anomaly (can’t hide this hair!) that I eventually embraced my unique flair. Now I happily describe myself as an outlier, a nonconformist, or even an oddball. I’m a major geek who loves Star Trek and Firefly, and can spend hours debating the various doctors of Doctor Who. My mind cooks up stories and it’s up to the rest of me to keep up with it.
Think back to when you were a child. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A writer! Also a figure skater, even though I never took a single lesson. I also wanted to grow up and marry Keith from Voltron.
What is your new book about?
It continues the character development that began in the first book in the series. The story itself is a standalone (I detest cliffhangers) but there are some larger arcs that it carries forward. I don’t want to say too much in case someone hasn’t yet read the first one, but the characters continue to blossom and grow in spite of some life-changing difficulties thrown their way. The characters really drive the series, and with their feet put to the fire, they can do amazing things.
It’s a different take on fantasy, and the reviews on Amazon reflect that. I like a lot of science, whether in my sci-fi or my fantasy. I’m geeky that way.
How would you describe the protagonist’s character?
We have a core group of five characters in this series and they all contribute to events. The main character though, is a woman who rolled with the punches in life and used misfortune to her advantage. She’s pragmatic, mentally and physically strong, and not afraid to make hard decisions. An introvert by nature, she also has some social difficulties that can lead both to humor and difficulty for her. In this second book of the series, we see her beginning to develop in a new and delightful way.
What inspired you to write this latest book?
There were a lot more stories to tell in this world. One novel wasn’t enough. The existing characters have a great deal more to achieve and learn, and there are characters we haven’t yet met. I had to keep getting Terath’s stories out.
What was the most challenging thing about writing this book?
A second book in a series is a difficult thing. It’s a bridge from the first book to the next one, so it has a lot of work to do in addition to telling its own story. The character development is hugely important, so I had to be careful not to let the plot get thin while also minding the events that lead into the third book. That third one pulls the loose threads of the first two together and weaves together a really nice twist and resolution.
Who or what has most influenced your work as a writer?
Everything! I’m a sponge. Every book I’ve ever read, every movie I’ve ever seen, every tv series I’ve binge-watched feeds my imagination. A special love for fiction and the idea of “what if?” drives me.
In the event of a zombie apocalypse, what are three things you couldn’t survive without?
A Tardis, my husband, and my kids.
Who is the scariest horror/sci-fi character of all time?
Hannibal Lecter. His intelligence and cunning, combined with his insanity, make him truly terrifying.
Where can readers buy your new book?
Amazon, of course.
Both Facing Fortune and its prequel, Seeking Sorrow are available on amazon.com.
What’s on the horizon for Zen?
I have some short stories that will be publishing throughout next year in various anthologies. Also, the third book in the series will be coming out in February or so. So 2016 is going to be a very big year!
***
Facing Fortune by Zen Dipietro
A new manahi. A new military. A famous bard who suddenly resurfaces after a decade of hiding.
A lot of changes have taken place on Terath, and an ecological crisis has raised tensions to the breaking point. Kassimeigh and Arc must work with Luc and the scientists in the Capital to determine whether the discovery is a threat to the planet. Each discovery unspools more questions, as they question the nature of mana and what it means to Terath.
At the same time, they must try to calm an increasingly nervous population. Will and Izzy offer their help in that regard, but the newly-formed Guard has never been called into action before.
Meanwhile, Kassimeigh must deal with a shocking change in her own circumstances, which forces her to rethink her place in the world.
Life, death, mana, and chaos rival one another for supremacy. How can Kassimeigh help protect the world when she has no idea where she belongs in it?
BUY FACING FORTUNE: AMAZON.COM
Seeking Sorrow by Zen DiPietro
An earth-like world of high-tech humans faces the reality that their world is not as safe as they thought it was. Five people are thrown together to quietly get to the bottom of an unfathomable event that must stay quiet. If the population of Terath becomes aware of the truth, it will spark a civil war. That war would pit the majority of the population against the powerful minority with the ability to harness and manipulate mana. The resulting cataclysm would decimate the population and tear apart the foundation of society.
The five people chosen for this must reconsider everything they thought they knew about mana, even as they learn to trust one another’s abilities. They must embrace everything they never wanted in order to prevent the devastation of their world. One of them will be forever changed. Love will be denied, badassery will be unleashed, and Terath will never be the same.
Even success comes at a price.
BUY SEEKING SORROW: AMAZON.COM
More About Zen DiPietro
Zen DiPietro is a lifelong bookworm, a fantasy/sci-fi writer, a dancer, and a mom of two. Also red-haired, left-handed, and a vegetarian geek. Absolutely terrible at conforming. Particular loves include badass heroines, Star Trek, British accents, baba ganoush, and the smell of Band-Aids. Writing reviews, author interviews, and fun stuff at www.womenofbadassery.com. Very active on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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November 18, 2015
On Being a Serious Writer
If you want to be taken seriously as a writer, you need to take your writing seriously. That’s the general idea, right?
For a while, I thought that this meant adopting a rigorous approach to my craft. I wanted to be able to write every single day, on a schedule and everything. I wanted to be able to dutifully read as much as I write. I wanted to be able to write whether I was in the mood or not, whether I was inspired or not.
I’ve stressed out about it. I’ve felt guilty about it. I’ve felt like a failure because of it.
Circa 2012, I wrote a flash piece titled “Becoming”. Ever since, I’ve wanted to write a full length short story based on that particular concept. As with many of my story ideas, I went back and forth with just a germ of an idea for years. I just couldn’t seem to make it happen.
A few days ago, there I was again, going back and forth with this fragment of an idea. Out of the blue, there is was! A fully formed idea. I inked a basic plot in just a matter of minutes. I love the idea that I wound up with. I can’t wait to finish writing it.
This made me realize something. A good story happens in its own time. I don’t have to force myself to write when uninspired. I’d rather read only when I feel like reading and write when I feel like writing.
Now I can’t claim to harbor any great ambitions when it comes to my writing. This one thing, I do purely for the love of doing it. So from now on, I’ll write only when moved to write… which explains why I’m up writing this post at one thirty am on a work night.
For me, the journey matters more than the destination, so an unfettered approach works best for me.
What works for you?
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November 16, 2015
Tachyon Node Magazine
Tachyon Node Magazine is an imprint of small press, Mythical Legends Publishing. They publish original science fiction, fantasy, urban, horror, western and contemporary stories.
Tachyon Node acknowledges the need for more diversity in modern fiction and welcomes submissions with viewpoints from all ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds.
Tachyon Node is a ‘Zine Publication. Not quite a Fanzine and not quite a Magazine, but a blend of both. It is a collection of short stories (all genres), artwork, and articles. It is meant to be a bridge, conduit, and gateway to all speculative fiction and thought-provoking ideas. Tachyon Node is a dimensional nexus of the multiverse.
The issue pictured in this article features stories by William Hayashi, Patricia I. Williams, Brandon Hill, Kelly King and J. Carrel Jones, and artwork by Richard Merk, Bjorn Malmberg, Ryan, Joakim Olofsson, and J. Carrel Jones.
The intriguing cover for this issue is the work of J. Carrel Jones.
Tachyon Node Magazine is a fledgling publication but the publisher has made great strides with this excellent debut issue.
Tachyon Node is available for purchase in print from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and—at a discounted price—directly from the publisher. You can also walk into any Barnes & Noble—or any bookstore—and request a copy. (Tachyon Node is for readers age 15 and older)
For more information about Tachyon Node Magazine, see the Submission Guidelines.
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November 14, 2015
I Never Wanted to be an Astronaut
I once collected soil samples as a kid, convinced that I was going to be a scientist. At some other point, I wanted to be a singer. Good thing that dream quickly faded since I can’t carry a tune.
There were countless other occupations that garnered my childish fascination.
Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with Star Trek, star gazing and stories of starships. I even dreamed of exploring the universe. One day, a careless comment from a friend lit a fire in me and I knew then, that I wanted to write.
So now I write stories of starships, of strange encounters and the surreal. I still love Star Trek and star gazing. I still dream my space-faring dreams but it seems that there’s one dream I forgot to dream.
Recently it occurred to me, that the possibility had never even crossed my mind.
How strange it is, that for all of my endless fascination with space travel and the cosmos, I never wanted to be an astronaut.
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November 1, 2015
NaNoWriMo 2015 – Blast Off!
So it begins.
November 1st is finally upon us. Another round of NaNoWriMo has begun.
Over the past month, I’ve made friends with Scrivener and stitched a plot together. I am ready to get my noveling on.
This year, I’ve departed from my usual speculative fiction fare. I will be trying my hand at “literary” fiction.
The working title of my NaNoWriMo 2015 novel is “Swan Song”.
Premise
Mika has a death wish but she wants to finish writing her novel before she shuffles off this mortal coil. Along comes the love of a lifetime, throwing Mika’s bleak world into turmoil.
As of 5:00am, I’m at 1033 words—off to a good start, yeah?
To all of my NaNoWriMo Pals:
I’m over here in my little corner, cheering you on. Let’s go. We can do this!
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October 30, 2015
That Dream – FridayFlash
We’ve all had that dream.
You’re asleep in your bed. There is a knock at your door. You go and opened the door. Only, there’s no one there. You close the door. You go and climb back into bed.
You lay there, unnerved. Tiny slivers of fear tickle your spine. You can’t shake the feeling that you’re no longer alone. Your skin prickles. Someone is watching. You’re certain of that.
Sleep hooks into your body, dragging you backed down into that deep, darkness. You struggle but your limbs don’t budge. You cry but no sound comes out. The sound of the door opening, then closing barely registers but you breathe out a sigh of relief as you sink deeper into oblivion.
Later, you wake up only vaguely remembering that strange dream. You shrug it off and throw the covers back. As your feet touch the floor, you hear a knock at your door. Your heart stutters.
Instinctively, you know that when you open that door, there won’t be any one there.
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October 29, 2015
This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change by Sally Ember
This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change by Sally Ember is Volume III of The Spanners Series. The third of a planned ten volumes, this “space opera” includes science-fiction/romance with multiverse, utopian and psi elements and many Buddhist and Jewish themes, for adults, New and Young Adults
The Story
Clara, Moran, Espe, Epifanio and the alien Band of holos are back in Volume III of science-fiction/ romance/ multiverse/ psi/ utopian ebooks (soon also to be in print) of The Spanners Series. Psi-Defiers launch increasingly violent protests during this five-year Transition, attempting to block Earth’s membership into the Many Worlds Collective. Earth’s nations and borders must dissolve and Psi-Warriors must strengthen in their battle against the rebels.
Clara, as Earth’s first Chief Communicator, also juggles family conflicts and danger while creating psi skills training Campuses to help Earth through the Psi Wars. Clara timults alternate versions of their futures as the leaders’ duties and consciences force them to make difficult choices across multiple timelines, continuing to train and fight.
Will the Psi-Warriors’ and other leaders’ increasing psi skills, interspecies collaborations and budding alien alliances be enough for Earth to make it through The Transition intact? If there is no clear path for Clara’s and Epifanio’s love, does she partner with Steve or go it alone?
What do YOU do with wanted/unwanted changes?
Buy the Book
Pre-orders for the book begin 11/1 and go through 12/7/15 at half-price, $1.99
Full release at full price is 12/8/15 at $3.99
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October 14, 2015
NaNoWriMo 2015
For some reason that I can’t quite explain, I’ve picked up the NaNoWriMo torch again. I don’t know. Maybe I’ve lost my mind. I have no idea how I’m going to juggle school, work and a 50k word novel in 30 days. Some serious scheduling will be involved. My non-existence social life… will not be affected. Somehow this realization makes me wanna laugh-cry.
In any case, for those of you who don’t know—is there actually anyone out there who doesn’t know?—National Novel Writing Month is… well, say there’s this bunch of sane people. Let’s call them the strange folk. Every year on the first of November, the strange folk all simultaneously lose their minds and decide to write a fifty thousand word novel. Not only will they write the heck out of this novel, they will do it in 30 days.
It usually starts out with nervous enthusiasm, followed by alternating bouts of tears, self-loathing, and anxiety along with a completely baseless and fleeting sense of triumph, followed by more tears and self-loathing.
The result of this roller coaster of emotions?
Three weeks later, some hapless passerby walks into a local Starbucks to find it over taken over by a bunch of these strange folk, each hunched over a cup of the strongest coffee and staring at his or her laptop screen like a deer staring down the barrel of a gun.
As the start of week four rolls around, sanity slaps the strange folk in their faces and each wakes up wondering WTF they’ve managed to get themselves into. Only it’s too late to stop, so they press on with a dogged kind of determination. Come December first, November slips away like a wild and frightening dream. The strange folk return to their normal lives, some completely oblivious to the fact that nothing about them will ever be “normal” again.
Well, that’s my take on NaNoWriMo in a nutshell. It’s a fun and crazy ride. I haven’t always reached my goal, to tell you the truth but no matter how many times I participate, I always take something invaluable away from the experience.
My 2015 NaNoWriMo Project will be a collection of short stories, meant to be published as an omnibus. The working title is “The Nth Verse”.
Find me at NaNoWriMo.org
The real History of NaNoWriMo
Learn About NaNoWriMo’s Contribution to World Literacy
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Tonya R. Moore
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