Courtney Wendleton's Blog, page 29
September 16, 2016
Subconflict, and Lots of It
by Kyle Massa
Novels are cool, but they’re tough to write.
I’ve been working on a manuscript about a rock and roll star who inexplicably rises from the dead. Think Mick Jagger meets Jesus Christ. I think the premise is interesting and I like the characters, but once I really got into it, I found that the story was slowing down. It just wasn’t interesting to me anymore.
I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with my story until some time later, while I was reading Lisey’s Story by Stephen King (all hail his majesty). I got about a hundred pages in and realized the key difference between King’s book and mine: he had tons of subconflict, and I didn’t.
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How To Write a Compelling Title For Your Book
by Matthew Wright
The hardest thing to write is a title. Seriously. Titles for anything – be it a short story, book (fiction or non-fiction) or whatever – are a nightmare to figure out.
Anybody get the pun used for this title? Desert Duel? Jewel of the Desert…no?
Even when an author comes up with a good name for their project, publishers often have other ideas, and with good reason. A standard publishing contract signs away the right to title your own work – it’s up to the publisher marketing department.
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September 14, 2016
Epic Instafreebie Giveaway!
My favorite group of authors (including myself ;p) have put together this awesome compilation of limited time free books! Tons of sci-fi and fantasy for free, and even a few three-book collections (once again, including ME, hah). Please take a look and pick up some free books!
Click the image or this text to go to the promo!
September 13, 2016
Do You Write Chronologically?
by Andrea Lundgren
Recently, I’ve been dealing with…well, we won’t call it writer’s block. I wasn’t out of things to write, merely stumped on how to get from Point A to Point B without creating major plot holes. And it was very tempting to just skip the problematic bit and go ahead to the next chapter or section, where I knew how things would unfold.
I’ve heard that some writers actually do this. They jump ahead to the scenes they feel ready to write and come back to deal with the others. Because it’s all on an outline, and they know where they’re going, they can write the “Death Star exploding” before figuring out how to get Princess Leia off the space station in the first place.
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Did you say Fantasy RPG Fitness App?
Adventure in their world – get fit in ours! MarchQuest Fantasy RPG Fitness App
By Gandalf’s snowy white beard, I sure did!
Today I intend to review the new IOS app “Marchquest” by Loreful, but before I get into what I like (and what I hope to eventually see from this app/game/fitness tool) I want to get a bit real with you.
Now, when I say real I mean true confessions of a gamer geek and outcast kid™ kinda real, because I truly believe that the best fantasy stuff comes from hard places. Just ask Robert Jordan or JRR Tolkien, war is hell & life in general can be too.
So saddle up MarchWarden, let’s chat about the ways we save ourselves and apps geeks will love – click that read more link below!
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September 12, 2016
Literature and Mental Health
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses
I love taking courses from this site. Its not for credits, and costs nothing, unless you want to acquire a Certificate of Participation’ document and web stamp.
The courses vary on subject, and I have completed 15 of them, and there are nearly 100, if not more, from physical and health, to nursing, to Criminology and forensics. I take these courses to broaden my knowledge, and also for research purposes.
The current course I am working on is entitled, ‘https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/literature/2/todo/5796‘.
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/literature/2/todo/5796
It is so fascinating, I felt it deserved a blog post. The course exams how literature, poetry (and I would hazard a guess to add reading certain blogs) can have an impation on ones mental being. Certain literature and poetry bring out the soothing side of things.
Sometimes, it can also be harmful. If you are in a dark place mentally, it wouldnt be wise to…
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How to Screw Up Your Novel: The Series Cheat
by Larry Kahaner
I just finished reading a terrific book, except for one thing. The ending was a cheat.
Every book must have one.
The author composed a quirky, clever main character with an animal sidekick that acts as a contract killer upon command. Very cool idea. The book moved fast, had an absorbing plot and the writing itself was workmanlike (one of my highest compliments) and even contained some flashes of wordsmithing brilliance.
But here’s the problem.
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September 9, 2016
Why I Don’t Write Every Day
by Phoebe Quinn
My Twitter timeline is awash with urging. Write every day. Even if it’s for ten minutes. Just write. Write well and often. And so on.
But, should you really be writing every day?
Getting the balance right between craft, routine, and chore is hard. We all struggle. As much as I dream of being a full-time writer, it’s more likely I will have to continue juggling it round work, socialising, and other (neglected) hobbies.
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How to Build a Fantasy Economy
by Victor Salinas
We all depend on the economy. In fact, we—and everything we choose to do and not do—is part of the economy. Fantasy economies are no different.
Fantasy settings surely have methods of economic organization. The serfs working the land for their lord are part of an economy. The nomadic tribes wandering the wastes are part of an economy. And of course, city dwellers trading goods for coin are part of an economy.
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Update on Fundraiser
So, thus far I have raised a whopping $21.00
I’ve been pushing the social media, and just dont know what I’m doing wrong, or not doing at all. Well, other than mostly everyone I know is broke.
Just to clarify this non-profit fundraiser, I am working toward raising $300 for the nonprofit behind NaNoWriMo. As soon as I’ve raised at least $300. If I raise $425 I can bring a friend. I know someone who would love to attend.
Mind you, fundraising money doesnt come to me, it goes directly to NaNoWriMo.
https://www.classy.org/fundraise?fcid=723914
I’m also responsible for getting myself a roundtrip flight and hotel for the night.
So, if possible, toss a few bills my way. I’ll reward you with stories, from horror to smut…>_>
Love my sweeties!
