A.B. Keuser's Blog, page 59
January 15, 2014
Basics: How Long Should a Story Be?
With the advent of self publishing, that isn’t such an easy question anymore…. but let me start by talking about traditional publishing.
When it comes to traditional publishing, there are rules. And when it comes to word count, there are ranges. (I for one, like this. I’m a planner, I like knowing how many words I should have because it makes chopping my story up for outlines and spreadsheets
When it comes to traditional publishing, there are rules. And when it comes to word count, there are ranges. (I for one, like this. I’m a planner, I like knowing how many words I should have because it makes chopping my story up for outlines and spreadsheets
January 14, 2014
Review: Curtsies & Conspiracies
Cursties & Conspiracies
(Book 2 The Finishing School Series)
By Gail Carriger
YA Steampunk with a Supernatural flare
Hardback, 310 Pages
Published by Little Brown
Released November 5, 2013
My Summary:
Sophrionia’s second year at finishing school is just as exciting as her first!
My Review:
I adore Gail and her writing, so I fully accept that I am biased when I read her books
(Book 2 The Finishing School Series)
By Gail Carriger
YA Steampunk with a Supernatural flare
Hardback, 310 Pages
Published by Little Brown
Released November 5, 2013
My Summary:
Sophrionia’s second year at finishing school is just as exciting as her first!
My Review:
I adore Gail and her writing, so I fully accept that I am biased when I read her books
January 13, 2014
The Physical Effect Of Being A Writer
Some days I notice it more than others…. the odd aches and pains of this thing I love. Writing might not seem physically demanding on a body, but it is – just not the way a life of rugby is physically demanding.
Ideally, I would spend my writing time at a standing desk (or better yet, a treadmill desk!) and I’d be able to control the temperature of my environs… I’d be able to take breaks at
Ideally, I would spend my writing time at a standing desk (or better yet, a treadmill desk!) and I’d be able to control the temperature of my environs… I’d be able to take breaks at
January 10, 2014
January Update #1
Books Read: 6
Like I said in my goals post, I’m focusing on my collection of graphic novels and middle grade this month – the things I’ve bought but never got around to reading, so that is the vast majority of this week’s reading pile. I also read the only Manga on my shelf and a romance that held me over the day I forgot my physical copy – hooray iphone kindle app.
Batman Vol 1: The Court of
Like I said in my goals post, I’m focusing on my collection of graphic novels and middle grade this month – the things I’ve bought but never got around to reading, so that is the vast majority of this week’s reading pile. I also read the only Manga on my shelf and a romance that held me over the day I forgot my physical copy – hooray iphone kindle app.
Batman Vol 1: The Court of
January 9, 2014
How to Write 1 Million Words in Under a Year
One million words…. is a lot.
To be honest, when I set the goal at the beginning of 2013, I didn’t think I was going to make it.
Even in a normal year, I couldn’t count on adding words in December, or even most of November. The end of the year always turns me into that crazy person at the zoo, you know, the one you think is on the wrong side of the bars.
2013 was special, one of my best
To be honest, when I set the goal at the beginning of 2013, I didn’t think I was going to make it.
Even in a normal year, I couldn’t count on adding words in December, or even most of November. The end of the year always turns me into that crazy person at the zoo, you know, the one you think is on the wrong side of the bars.
2013 was special, one of my best
January 8, 2014
Characters: Not In Thine Own Image
A while back a friend – having read some of my unpublished work – asked me how I keep from writing facets of myself instead of actual whole characters. And how I can create “Truly horrible people who are not a part of your own self”?
The easiest answer to that question is that I read a lot of books and watch a lot of TV. I think both of those things can help you to understand character (
The easiest answer to that question is that I read a lot of books and watch a lot of TV. I think both of those things can help you to understand character (
January 7, 2014
Review: Neuromancer
Neuromancer
(Book 1, Sprawl)
By William Gibson
The book that gave name to the Cyberpunk genre
Paperback, 271 pages
Published July 1, 1984 (my version)
Released by Ace
My Summary:
Case is a digital cowboy who's bad luck has run him out of the business. When he gets the chance to get back into the game, he grabs hold with both hands... too bad he had no idea what he was signing on for.
(Book 1, Sprawl)
By William Gibson
The book that gave name to the Cyberpunk genre
Paperback, 271 pages
Published July 1, 1984 (my version)
Released by Ace
My Summary:
Case is a digital cowboy who's bad luck has run him out of the business. When he gets the chance to get back into the game, he grabs hold with both hands... too bad he had no idea what he was signing on for.
January 6, 2014
January Goals – 2014
So! In order to get all of my goals for the year done, I’m breaking things down into a monthly list, So expect a goals post every first Monday of the month.
Reading:
Okay, so I really only need to read 10 books a month to reach my reading goal for this year, but I’m a firm believer in the “head start” so! For January, I’ve decided I’m going to try to buzz through all the graphic novels and
Reading:
Okay, so I really only need to read 10 books a month to reach my reading goal for this year, but I’m a firm believer in the “head start” so! For January, I’ve decided I’m going to try to buzz through all the graphic novels and
January 3, 2014
1/3/14 - (Not) Update
As with last year, I’m going to do an update every Friday…. This one is kind of a weird one though, because… well, I’ve had 2 days in this year, and only one of them was a writing day… and, well, my goals post will show up on Monday…. so…. yeah. I don’t know what I thought today would accomplish.
Tell you what, here’s a picture of Lu (the plot hound in desperate need of a groomer appointment).
Tell you what, here’s a picture of Lu (the plot hound in desperate need of a groomer appointment).
January 2, 2014
Editing: Don’t Get Attached to the Trees
When you finish a manuscript (and sometimes even before that) you’ll find you need to cut words.
This might be because your novel is just way too long – been there, first draft of my first novel was 130k, WAY too long. Or it might be because you have a tendency to ramble on and that gets redundant (and also repetitive) – this is also a problem I have. Chances are, it won’t be the last time
This might be because your novel is just way too long – been there, first draft of my first novel was 130k, WAY too long. Or it might be because you have a tendency to ramble on and that gets redundant (and also repetitive) – this is also a problem I have. Chances are, it won’t be the last time
