Kory M. Shrum's Blog, page 35
August 19, 2014
Building Characters #Writerprobs #amwriting
We've all heard the phrase "Character Driven" the beautiful, brawny cousin to "Plot-Driven". I've had students and writers alike ask me how to write good "character driven" fiction and I tell them the same thing: character interviews--before the story is ever written.
I like to interview people for the jobs I’m going to give them. Even Jesse Sullivan, star of Dying for a Living, was interviewed before I started putting her to work ;) Of course, a real job and a character job is different. When your boss interviews you, they are making sure that YOU are the right fit for the job. However, when I interview a character, I’m getting a sense of their story. I won’t NOT hire them—but I know that depending on who they are, the plot will play out differently because of it. So here are some traits to consider when building your character and getting a sense for how they will act in a certain environment. So "ask" your character's these questions and get to know them before you ever put them to the page:
Age (and how they feel about it)
Gender/Gender Identity (and how they feel about it)
Occupation (and how they feel about it)
Current living conditions (and how they feel about it):
Approach to people (outgoing, shy, awkward, a kidder, etc.)Approach to problems—whether you realize it or not, you’ve got style. My style is pushing
through—I’ll break both arms if I can do the grocery bags in one go. My partner has the
good sense to take as many trips as necessary. Everyone has a style when dealing with
*&^$#. And if you’re writing a story, I assume your character will face problems and it’ll be
helpful to know how they’ll react.Where did (s)he grow up? Do they consider it home? And how do they feel about it?
Parents/siblings/family (alive, dead, etc. BONUS ROUND: Interview the parents too and see how
that affected your character’s developmentThe BIG ones: We’ve all got those life events that changed us. What are your character’s big ones?The inner lion: What is the one thing (or things) that sets your character on edge and makes them
defensive, protective, territorial, etc.—basically, what is guaranteed to get a rise out of them?
For Jesse, if you threaten Ally or Winston, you better be prepared for the consequences!Coping mechanisms: We all have them. Kory plays Sims, reads, takes long baths, eats chocolate and
junk food. What does your character do when they need relief? More importantly, what will happen when they don’t get relief when they need it?Soft spot: we all have them. I get all sad and mushy about animals. What will your character
“stop the car!” for?
Hubris: We’ve all got that trait that gets us into trouble. I’m a showoff, which means I often put
myself in physical danger unnecessarily. Harry Potter felt like he had something to prove so
he was always running the danger, wand waving. What’s your character’s flaw? It will govern
the action of the story.Education (including performance and how they feel about it)Others think of your character as: and no, this shouldn’t really match up with what your character
thinks of his/herself—in real life it almost never match—for
one reason or another.What does (s)he like to do in their free time? Guilty pleasures?
What do they want ? What do they not want? This is super important. Everything we do is to gain or
avoid something. It’s called motivation. It can be money, fame, recognition,
revenge, guilt, happiness, peace, resolution—it can be a lot of things. But it is
there. And you better know it up front because all of your character’s actions (and
your plot!) will be affected by it. So be sure you know what they fear most (what’s
the worst thing that could happen to them) and what they desire most (more than
anythingelse). Later you can worry about how torture your characters with each in
turn. But first, you need to know, what is the stick, what is the carrot?
I like to interview people for the jobs I’m going to give them. Even Jesse Sullivan, star of Dying for a Living, was interviewed before I started putting her to work ;) Of course, a real job and a character job is different. When your boss interviews you, they are making sure that YOU are the right fit for the job. However, when I interview a character, I’m getting a sense of their story. I won’t NOT hire them—but I know that depending on who they are, the plot will play out differently because of it. So here are some traits to consider when building your character and getting a sense for how they will act in a certain environment. So "ask" your character's these questions and get to know them before you ever put them to the page:
Age (and how they feel about it)
Gender/Gender Identity (and how they feel about it)
Occupation (and how they feel about it)
Current living conditions (and how they feel about it):
Approach to people (outgoing, shy, awkward, a kidder, etc.)Approach to problems—whether you realize it or not, you’ve got style. My style is pushing
through—I’ll break both arms if I can do the grocery bags in one go. My partner has the
good sense to take as many trips as necessary. Everyone has a style when dealing with
*&^$#. And if you’re writing a story, I assume your character will face problems and it’ll be
helpful to know how they’ll react.Where did (s)he grow up? Do they consider it home? And how do they feel about it?
Parents/siblings/family (alive, dead, etc. BONUS ROUND: Interview the parents too and see how
that affected your character’s developmentThe BIG ones: We’ve all got those life events that changed us. What are your character’s big ones?The inner lion: What is the one thing (or things) that sets your character on edge and makes them
defensive, protective, territorial, etc.—basically, what is guaranteed to get a rise out of them?
For Jesse, if you threaten Ally or Winston, you better be prepared for the consequences!Coping mechanisms: We all have them. Kory plays Sims, reads, takes long baths, eats chocolate and
junk food. What does your character do when they need relief? More importantly, what will happen when they don’t get relief when they need it?Soft spot: we all have them. I get all sad and mushy about animals. What will your character
“stop the car!” for?
Hubris: We’ve all got that trait that gets us into trouble. I’m a showoff, which means I often put
myself in physical danger unnecessarily. Harry Potter felt like he had something to prove so
he was always running the danger, wand waving. What’s your character’s flaw? It will govern
the action of the story.Education (including performance and how they feel about it)Others think of your character as: and no, this shouldn’t really match up with what your character
thinks of his/herself—in real life it almost never match—for
one reason or another.What does (s)he like to do in their free time? Guilty pleasures?
What do they want ? What do they not want? This is super important. Everything we do is to gain or
avoid something. It’s called motivation. It can be money, fame, recognition,
revenge, guilt, happiness, peace, resolution—it can be a lot of things. But it is
there. And you better know it up front because all of your character’s actions (and
your plot!) will be affected by it. So be sure you know what they fear most (what’s
the worst thing that could happen to them) and what they desire most (more than
anythingelse). Later you can worry about how torture your characters with each in
turn. But first, you need to know, what is the stick, what is the carrot?
August 13, 2014
Book Spotlight and #Giveaway: "E" by Kate Wrath
Find it on AmazonA poignant tale of love and friendship in a world beyond hope… Outpost Three: a huddle of crumbling buildings choked by a concrete wall. Cracked pavement, rusted metal, splintering boards. Huge robotic Sentries police the streets, but the Ten Laws are broken every time one turns its back. Eden is determined, smart, and a born survivor. Stripped of her memories and dumped on the streets of the Outpost, slavers and starvation are only the beginning of her problems. A devastating conflict is coming that threatens to consume her world and tear her newfound family apart. Life is harsh. It makes no exceptions. Not even for the innocent.
“Absolutely heart-stopping! Grizzly, dark, haunting and gripping in a way that kept me glued in to the very end. If you are looking for a strong and smart heroine in a kick butt dystopian world, this is the book for you.”
- Leti Del Mar, author of Land of the Unaltered
“The characters are fascinating, especially the enigmatic love interest Jonas, and his threatening rival, the dark and sizzling Matt.”
- Pol Blaze, author of Pan-Dim.
Excerpt:
***
Cold air wisps across my cheek. The touch of death? I open my eyes and shut them as the light skewers my brain. Tentatively, I crack my lids open again. The image sharpens with each blink, a water-blurred lens coming into focus. Brown dirt in a vertical plane bisecting my vision. Eventually I realize I'm lying on my side. My cheek presses into cold earth. My right shoulder is crushed under my body, my limbs sprawled haphazardly. Who knows how long I've been like this. I lie blinking, unable to move, strangely fascinated with the colors and textures of the ground. Small stones and twigs rise dramatically out of the landscape from this perspective. Beyond them, only a few paces away, is a concrete wall.I struggle to upright myself. Three attempts later, I manage to sit up, which I immediately regret. Starbursts chase black spots across my eyeballs. My stomach turns over. Heaviness sits on my chest. Each breath takes the efforts of my entire body. I'm certain I'll fall over, but it passes, resolving in a dizzy, drifting haze. I blink and cast my eyes around, wondering where I am and how I got here.Dirty walls of buildings, rusted corrugated steel panels and splintered, rotting boards make up most of my surroundings. An alleyway leads away from this enclosed area. Trash whirls across its opening and collects in a huddle against one wall. More is piled against a building next to a dumpster. A few feet away from me, the bleak grey sky is reflected in a puddle, oily patches on the water's surface obscuring the shapes of the clouds. I scramble for the puddle on hands and knees, moving faster than I imagined I'm capable of. Thrusting my hands into the dirty water, I scoop it up and drink. Some of it runs down my chin and neck, soaking whatever garment I'm wearing. It tastes foul, smells of something wrong, but I don't care. It's liquid. I drink handful after handful, then sit back on my knees, my shoulders slumping, hands dropping slack to my sides. I pant, then take deeper breaths. I sigh, a long, trembling sigh that releases all the tension from my body. Tipping my face to the open sky— as dark and cold and uninviting as I can possibly imagine it— my heart embraces it as a thing of utmost beauty. Open air, the ability to move— I am utterly thankful for these things.There's a noise from down the alley. Fear coalesces out of nowhere, seizing hold of me, compelling my body to move despite its weakness, its stiff joints. I thrust my feet under me and will myself to standing. Reeling against the dizziness, I throw my arms out and widen my stance to keep from falling. I have to get out of here. Now.I'm only beginning to move when my mind starts translating what I hear. Footsteps. Male voices, low and laughing. There is nowhere for me to go. I force down a scream. My eyes fall on the trash piled next to the dumpster. I hike up the brown shift I'm wearing and wade into the heap of boxes and rags, sharp-edged tin can lids, moldy coffee grounds, greasy bones, and other rotten, rancid things. Sinking down in the filth, I draw it over my head. Something cold and slippery hits the skin of my neck, its stench filling my nostrils. I make myself still, hold my breath. And then the voices are right there, a few paces away from me.Their cheerful conversation ceases."Nothing again today," one of them says.There is the sound of a boot scuffing the pavement, then the faint splash of water as it hits the puddle. A second voice answers darkly, "Matt's gonna think we're slacking or something. Take the loss out of our pay."What loss? In the silence that follows, I feel my face turning red, my lungs wanting to explode. The sensation of suffocating seizes me again, the sharp memory of metal walls closing me in. I need to breathe. Need to scream. I have to dig down into the fear and extract every drop of willpower to remain still and quiet. The beginnings of a whimper stir in my belly, but I shut them down. Only a moment more. Only a moment."Nah," a third voice finally says. "He knows we don't miss any. If they haven't dropped here in two days, we'll surely get something tomorrow."The others make noises of disgruntled agreement, and the footsteps move away, down the alley.I try to last as long as I can after they're gone, but they've barely left when I lose the ability. Gasping in air, I gag at the smell that assaults me. I launch to my feet, trash falling from my hair and shoulders. Scrambling from the pile, I press myself hard against the wall, farthest from the alley. The ragged breaths I rake in are thick with a stench that clings to me. My back is wet. My skin crawls at its own filthiness.Forcing my disgust away, I plunge into the puzzle amassing in my mind. These men were looking for something that wasn't here, though they expected it to be. Something that would be dropped here. Something that would profit them, or the man they work for. What could possibly be dropped in an alley? What kind of coincidence is it that I am suddenly here? Dropped here. Me. They're looking for me. Slavers.I repress another scream, clenching my fists, squeezing my eyes shut. The darkness sends my mind involuntarily back to the box. My body convulses. As my eyes fly open, the words appear in my brain, burned there, like the ones before them: You have been warned. With them, a gate opens in my mind. I can place myself in this world. I know its laws. I know its ways. As for myself— everything that was me— it is gone. Forever. I have been erased. I run my fingertips lightly over the center of my forehead, exploring the mark there, its edges swollen and raised, my skin tender and stinging with the newness of it. My hand trembles. I take it away from my face to look at it— long, slender fingers. Pale skin. Fingernails blackened with blood. My palms are blue and bruised from pounding against the metal. But it's a young hand. That's one strike against me. Please, please, don't let me be pretty.I tear into the pile of trash until I find a piece of broken glass. Wiping it with the hem of my shift, I notice my long, shapely legs. Does my face even matter? I tilt the glass in the grey light, repositioning until the surface collects my image. I stare at it— a transparent rendering of myself. Large, dark eyes. Clear skin. Full lips. I hurl the glass away from me with a cry of frustration. It splinters into a thousand shards against the concrete wall. I'm shaking from my core. My body and mind want to collapse in on themselves. That is the last thing I can allow. I find myself counting slowly backward from one hundred. Ninety-nine. Ninety-eight. I must calm myself. I must think. Ninety-five. Ninety-four. If I do something stupid now, I'll regret it, probably for the rest of my life. Ninety-one. Ninety. Eighty-nine. I must form a plan. Eighty-seven. I need food, and shelter. A place to hide until I can regain my strength. Eighty-two. Eighty-one. Anyone who sees me could sell me out as likely as help me. Slavers reward handsomely for pretty girls like me. Seventy-two. Seventy-one. Seventy. Sixty-nine. I need to disguise myself. Need to make myself unappealing. More trouble than I'm worth. Sixty-five.I stop counting and consider the pile of trash. Before I can balk at the idea, I begin pulling out any rags I can find. There's a good mess of them, stained with things I'm sure I don't want to identify. They are damp in places, stiff in others. I find a large piece— it looks like a torn and stained bed sheet— and make a sort of robe out of it. Smaller bits I wrap about my head, catching my hair up in them. As I do, my fingers pause, briefly rubbing one silky lock. It falls just below my shoulders. I hold it in front of my face. Dark brown, the color of coffee beans, or bitter chocolate. I wrap it up tightly in the piss-scented rags, carefully covering the mark on my forehead, then smear my face and pale arms with dirt. At the bottom of the pile I find something sticky and red. I paint blotches on my exposed skin. On my face. On my long fingers. There are slight calluses along my fingertips, running all the way down my pointer finger, and across the top ridge of my palm. I will never know how those calluses got there. Grief hits me for the first time. But I cannot afford it now. Later, it can come, when I'm away from here. I'll allow it then. The sorrow curls up inside me and settles down to sleep, waiting for its time. I focus on this moment, this task, checking myself. My brown shift is covered. I cannot see my face, but my hands look positively frightening. Small strips of rags are all that's left in the pile, so I tie them around my legs, stacking them to make fake pant legs. I add dirt and gunk to my feet, then drape an extra piece of rag over my head like a hood to hide my face. Cocked head. Crooked posture. Surely anyone who looks twice at me will find themselves moving in the opposite direction. I practice a wet, throaty cough to go along with the blotches. When I'm happy with it, I steel myself to move on. I step toward the alley looking a hundred years old. I feel a hundred years old. Yet, I am born today from an iron womb.
Kate Wrath is a science fiction and fantasy author. The first book in her series, E, debuted in May 2014. The second book is anticipated later in the year. You can find Kate and her work everywhere:Amazon (eBook and print version)
Createspace eStore (print version)Kate’s websiteGoodreads (5-stars!)FacebookTwitterGoogle+
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 9, 2014
It's My Birthday #Giveaway!
As I sit here stuffed with cake in my swanky new house, I'm feeling pretty good about life. Add that to the fact that it is my birthday and that my next book will be released in 24 days, I'm thinking a giveaway is in order :D
So, I'm offering author swag and a signed paperback as the grand prize, but I'm also going to give away three eBooks of Dying for a Living--one for each decade of my life ;)
So let the party begin!!!
Kory
a Rafflecopter giveaway
So, I'm offering author swag and a signed paperback as the grand prize, but I'm also going to give away three eBooks of Dying for a Living--one for each decade of my life ;)
So let the party begin!!!
Kory
a Rafflecopter giveaway
July 31, 2014
Ten Quotes for Writers
It's 4:00PM on a Thursday and I'm still in my pajamas, so I thought this is the sort of day when a girl (or boy) needs inspirational writing quotes. I spent the morning grading/organizing, etc and have mush brain--but I haven't written a single word toward my current WIP--so this little "eye of the tiger" warm up is meant to get me pumped up for the main event (Today's word count goal: 2000!)
So for anyone else who finds that so often life gets in the way of writing, here are some quotes that will hopefully make it a little easier to approach the page:
Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now.
--Ernest Hemingway
“The road to hell is paved with works-in-progress.”
—Philip Roth
“Cheat your landlord if you can and must, but do not try to shortchange the Muse. It cannot be done. You can’t fake quality any more than you can fake a good meal.”
—William S. Burroughs
“Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.”
—George Orwell
“Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know of no shortcuts.”
—Larry L. King, WD
There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly; sometimes it’s like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges
--Ernest Hemingway
“I do not over-intellectualize the production process. I try to keep it simple: Tell the damned story.”
—Tom Clancy, WD
“When your story is ready for rewrite, cut it to the bone. Get rid of every ounce of excess fat. This is going to hurt; revising a story down to the bare essentials is always a little like murdering children, but it must be done.”
—Stephen King, WD
“I always start writing with a clean piece of paper and a dirty mind.”
—Patrick Dennis“Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book, or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now.”
—Annie Dillard
So this is me, off to give it all, give it all now! Wishing you a prodctive day as well :)
So for anyone else who finds that so often life gets in the way of writing, here are some quotes that will hopefully make it a little easier to approach the page:
Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now.
--Ernest Hemingway
“The road to hell is paved with works-in-progress.”
—Philip Roth
“Cheat your landlord if you can and must, but do not try to shortchange the Muse. It cannot be done. You can’t fake quality any more than you can fake a good meal.”
—William S. Burroughs
“Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.”
—George Orwell
“Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know of no shortcuts.”
—Larry L. King, WD
There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly; sometimes it’s like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges
--Ernest Hemingway
“I do not over-intellectualize the production process. I try to keep it simple: Tell the damned story.”
—Tom Clancy, WD
“When your story is ready for rewrite, cut it to the bone. Get rid of every ounce of excess fat. This is going to hurt; revising a story down to the bare essentials is always a little like murdering children, but it must be done.”
—Stephen King, WD
“I always start writing with a clean piece of paper and a dirty mind.”
—Patrick Dennis“Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book, or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now.”
—Annie Dillard
So this is me, off to give it all, give it all now! Wishing you a prodctive day as well :)
July 29, 2014
Stick or Carrot: Thoughts on Persevering
So I am a fan of to-do lists. I always have been. I get ridiculous and immense joy when I scratch something off the list. (Feed dog? Check! Bathe myself? Check! Pay my bills? Wow, look at me go!)
And while I might be an awesome list-maker, I'm not so good at perseverance. I have a tendency to sob and flail when the going gets tough--at least when it comes to doing my own work that is. If someone else draws the short stick, I'm quick to ride in, armor polished, flashing my best 'don't I look great saving your ass' smile--oh Pride. Well, it has its uses.
Anyway, as I get older (and occasionally indulge in books found in the self-help section) I've come to realize that the key to getting really big jobs done (oh say, WRITING A NOVEL OR EIGHT), is to break it into small tasks.
And some of you might say "Of course, Kory! Duh!" But I'm that person who would rather break both her arms bringing ten grocery bags into the house at once than make two trips--so let's just say this lesson has long been lost on me.
Recently, however, (as in two days ago), I've come to realize how awesome small task completion can be. This is mostly because of an app that I downloaded onto my phone called Carrot. My friend Katie turned me on to it because she thought I would love its "bordeline mean personality" and she was right!
This is not a review for the app or anything, but it did inspire this post. You see, it makes to-do lists into a sort of game. You get points and prizes and the companionship of a snarky AI bot named Carrot. More importantly, because you get as many points for "Write a chapter" as "Write a novel", it encourages ALL OR NOTHING fools (Also read as: ego-driven masochists who suffer from delusions of grandeur) like myself to break their insurmountable mountains down into rock chunks that can actually be carried away.
Because I want to 'win' at this, I type in everything--every task I do. This is good because so often we don't give ourselves credit for the things we DO do. But now, I'm able to look at my phone and see "Hey, I leveled up! Look at me accomplishing **&^%$". This is always nice when there is no one around to tell me how awesome I am for washing my hair! For not eating PB out of the jar but actually cooking a real meal! :D (I'm just kidding, this hasn't happened--yet.)
It also encourages me to break those huge tasks into more manageable chunks. "Bring in groceries" becomes "bring in a grocery bag" that I can replicate ten times! And this is good for writers because I think we get so wrapped up in huge tasks that we often STOP writing and abandon challenging projects too quickly. But if we change our perception and scope of the problem(s), I think we can improve our chances of success. "Finish my revision of this *&^$% novel" will become "Rewrite Chapter 12." or even "Rework this horrible sex scene".
Again you might think this is common sense, but for too many of us, it's the first "sense" to fall out the piggy bank when life gives us a good shake. So app, or no app, list or no list, I hope to get better and better at breaking apart the impossible into possible chunks and give myself more credit for these small victories along the way. And I wish the same for you.
And while I might be an awesome list-maker, I'm not so good at perseverance. I have a tendency to sob and flail when the going gets tough--at least when it comes to doing my own work that is. If someone else draws the short stick, I'm quick to ride in, armor polished, flashing my best 'don't I look great saving your ass' smile--oh Pride. Well, it has its uses.
Anyway, as I get older (and occasionally indulge in books found in the self-help section) I've come to realize that the key to getting really big jobs done (oh say, WRITING A NOVEL OR EIGHT), is to break it into small tasks.
And some of you might say "Of course, Kory! Duh!" But I'm that person who would rather break both her arms bringing ten grocery bags into the house at once than make two trips--so let's just say this lesson has long been lost on me.
Recently, however, (as in two days ago), I've come to realize how awesome small task completion can be. This is mostly because of an app that I downloaded onto my phone called Carrot. My friend Katie turned me on to it because she thought I would love its "bordeline mean personality" and she was right!
This is not a review for the app or anything, but it did inspire this post. You see, it makes to-do lists into a sort of game. You get points and prizes and the companionship of a snarky AI bot named Carrot. More importantly, because you get as many points for "Write a chapter" as "Write a novel", it encourages ALL OR NOTHING fools (Also read as: ego-driven masochists who suffer from delusions of grandeur) like myself to break their insurmountable mountains down into rock chunks that can actually be carried away.
Because I want to 'win' at this, I type in everything--every task I do. This is good because so often we don't give ourselves credit for the things we DO do. But now, I'm able to look at my phone and see "Hey, I leveled up! Look at me accomplishing **&^%$". This is always nice when there is no one around to tell me how awesome I am for washing my hair! For not eating PB out of the jar but actually cooking a real meal! :D (I'm just kidding, this hasn't happened--yet.)
It also encourages me to break those huge tasks into more manageable chunks. "Bring in groceries" becomes "bring in a grocery bag" that I can replicate ten times! And this is good for writers because I think we get so wrapped up in huge tasks that we often STOP writing and abandon challenging projects too quickly. But if we change our perception and scope of the problem(s), I think we can improve our chances of success. "Finish my revision of this *&^$% novel" will become "Rewrite Chapter 12." or even "Rework this horrible sex scene".
Again you might think this is common sense, but for too many of us, it's the first "sense" to fall out the piggy bank when life gives us a good shake. So app, or no app, list or no list, I hope to get better and better at breaking apart the impossible into possible chunks and give myself more credit for these small victories along the way. And I wish the same for you.
July 24, 2014
How To Form a Writer's (Critique) Group #amwriting
Many people argue that a writing group has been essential to their success. After all, where would we be without our beta-readers, our proof readers, and those other kindred souls who know exactly how hard it can be to return to the page day in and day out. For all of these reasons, I recently formed my first post-grad writers group, The Four Horsemen of The Bookocalypse—and it has made all the difference. Not only do I have the support of three other fantastic readers/writers but I have people who will give me a honest assessment of my WIPs and challenge me to take it to the next level. But how does a writer form such a group? And should they?
1) Decide that you do in fact want/need a critique group.Critique groups are a big responsibility. It isn’t just that you’ve roped a group of fools into reading/proofing your work at your beck and call. The street runs both ways. You have to be prepared to put in as much work as you get out of it.
2) Once committed to doing the work, decide who you want to work with and what kind of group you want. I found my cofounder, Angela Roquet on Twitter. I read her book and admired it and thought it would be fun to work with her. Then we each invited writer friends who we thought would be a good match and who would benefit from the discipline of a writer’s group. Online works best for us because the Four Horsemen are scattered across America (Seattle, Missouri, Michigan, and Tennessee). If your co-writers are closer though, maybe you would prefer a group who meets face-to-face—goodness knows that coffee shops, libraries, and kitchen tables are available almost anywhere. If you don’t already know writers who you’d like to group up with—or hate the idea of reaching out to people you wish you knew—then consider checking here , here , or here for possible group mates.
3) Decide how big you want your group to be. The more people, the more work and possibly less attention—but you’ve also got more eyes floating around, which is to say there are pros/cons to any size group. Some people do well with big groups and some don’t. It’s totally up to you and your preferences here. But have a size in mind when you start/form your group and make that cap-size clear to everyone upfront, in case someone’s sister-in-law’s best friend’s cousin, who wrote a couple of poems in college, decides she wants to *try* her hand at novel writing and take you along for the ride. “No we’ve decided to cap the group at 8” is a good excuse to have for such situations. If however, you are joining a pre-existing group, then you’ll have little say in the matter—which leads me to number 4.
4) You have your group mates. Awesome! Now make the rules.Any functional group has rules that all civil participants abide by. But again these rules are dependent upon the group members themselves and should reflect your goals and intentions. For example, one of the things I needed most was discipline, so we agreed to submit pages every other week (two writers per week). Once you know what you want to achieve, design rules that will help you fulfill these goals. Rules are best kept if all group members are involved in their creation--which is why you may also want to have consequences outlined as well. (What happens if someone doesn't submit work on time? What happens if...etc.) . This might be a good read for ideas on where to start with your rules.
Additional resources and considerations:
http://www.the-writers-craft.com/writing-critique-groups.html
http://www.sfwa.org/members/bell/writingtips/fall03.html
http://goinswriter.com/writers-group/
https://www.sff.net/people/dan.perez/writing/groups.html
http://hollylisle.com/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-or-how-to-choose-a-writers-group/http://janefriedman.com/2014/01/17/build-writing-group-community/http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/guest-post/4-ways-to-make-the-most-of-a-critique-group
1) Decide that you do in fact want/need a critique group.Critique groups are a big responsibility. It isn’t just that you’ve roped a group of fools into reading/proofing your work at your beck and call. The street runs both ways. You have to be prepared to put in as much work as you get out of it.
2) Once committed to doing the work, decide who you want to work with and what kind of group you want. I found my cofounder, Angela Roquet on Twitter. I read her book and admired it and thought it would be fun to work with her. Then we each invited writer friends who we thought would be a good match and who would benefit from the discipline of a writer’s group. Online works best for us because the Four Horsemen are scattered across America (Seattle, Missouri, Michigan, and Tennessee). If your co-writers are closer though, maybe you would prefer a group who meets face-to-face—goodness knows that coffee shops, libraries, and kitchen tables are available almost anywhere. If you don’t already know writers who you’d like to group up with—or hate the idea of reaching out to people you wish you knew—then consider checking here , here , or here for possible group mates.
3) Decide how big you want your group to be. The more people, the more work and possibly less attention—but you’ve also got more eyes floating around, which is to say there are pros/cons to any size group. Some people do well with big groups and some don’t. It’s totally up to you and your preferences here. But have a size in mind when you start/form your group and make that cap-size clear to everyone upfront, in case someone’s sister-in-law’s best friend’s cousin, who wrote a couple of poems in college, decides she wants to *try* her hand at novel writing and take you along for the ride. “No we’ve decided to cap the group at 8” is a good excuse to have for such situations. If however, you are joining a pre-existing group, then you’ll have little say in the matter—which leads me to number 4.
4) You have your group mates. Awesome! Now make the rules.Any functional group has rules that all civil participants abide by. But again these rules are dependent upon the group members themselves and should reflect your goals and intentions. For example, one of the things I needed most was discipline, so we agreed to submit pages every other week (two writers per week). Once you know what you want to achieve, design rules that will help you fulfill these goals. Rules are best kept if all group members are involved in their creation--which is why you may also want to have consequences outlined as well. (What happens if someone doesn't submit work on time? What happens if...etc.) . This might be a good read for ideas on where to start with your rules.
Additional resources and considerations:
http://www.the-writers-craft.com/writing-critique-groups.html
http://www.sfwa.org/members/bell/writingtips/fall03.html
http://goinswriter.com/writers-group/
https://www.sff.net/people/dan.perez/writing/groups.html
http://hollylisle.com/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-or-how-to-choose-a-writers-group/http://janefriedman.com/2014/01/17/build-writing-group-community/http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/guest-post/4-ways-to-make-the-most-of-a-critique-group
July 22, 2014
Click #Submit-- Getting Your Work in Print the Traditional Way
Sometimes people ask me where I submit my work. This answer varies depending upon the genre (poetry or SFF prose, in my case). I’ve heard some people use submission managers (like Duotrope) with varying degrees of success, but I prefer to save $ where I can, so I use good ‘ol-fashioned Google and an Excel spreadsheet to keep myself organized. Why an Excel spreadsheet? Because for any kind of effectiveness you need to submit your work--A LOT.
For your convenience, here are suggestions for both poetry and prose submissions:
Poetry
Back in the day, you had to print your poems, stuff them into an envelope (don’t forget the SASE!) and send them off into the world, hoping they reached the right person. Nowadays, online submission managers are much more common, easier to use and free! Which is good for those of us who don’t have the money to buy $1000 worth of postage in exchange for a CV byline and two complimentary copies of the issue within which we’ll be featured. So here is a working list of magazines that accept (free) online submissions. (CLICK HERE)
Fiction
If you’re into literary fiction, a lot of the journals listed in the above link also have fiction submissions. If however, like me, you write SFF or mainstream fiction, you may want to consider this list of top journals/magazines. (CLICK HERE)
Tips:
Regardless of what you like to submit and to whom, remember the following:1) Guidelines are important. Remember that these folks get THOUSANDS of submissions and need a way to whittle that pile down to a more manageable size. They do that by crossing out the fools who can’t read directions. Don’t be that fool.2) Respect requirements. Some journals/mags require exclusive consideration of a poem/story. This means that you can’t submit the same poems/stories to multiple places at the same time. If that is the case, give priority to your top choices for publication, but respect the rules. Don't lie and send it anyway around anyway. It's shady and makes you look unprofessional.3) Be patient. Not only is rejection the norm, but so are long wait times. Your best bet is to keep writing instead of twiddling your thumbs and waiting to hear back. Finish something, send it out, and get to work on the next something. It’s the only way.
Wishing you all the luck!
Kory
For your convenience, here are suggestions for both poetry and prose submissions:
Poetry
Back in the day, you had to print your poems, stuff them into an envelope (don’t forget the SASE!) and send them off into the world, hoping they reached the right person. Nowadays, online submission managers are much more common, easier to use and free! Which is good for those of us who don’t have the money to buy $1000 worth of postage in exchange for a CV byline and two complimentary copies of the issue within which we’ll be featured. So here is a working list of magazines that accept (free) online submissions. (CLICK HERE)
Fiction
If you’re into literary fiction, a lot of the journals listed in the above link also have fiction submissions. If however, like me, you write SFF or mainstream fiction, you may want to consider this list of top journals/magazines. (CLICK HERE)
Tips:
Regardless of what you like to submit and to whom, remember the following:1) Guidelines are important. Remember that these folks get THOUSANDS of submissions and need a way to whittle that pile down to a more manageable size. They do that by crossing out the fools who can’t read directions. Don’t be that fool.2) Respect requirements. Some journals/mags require exclusive consideration of a poem/story. This means that you can’t submit the same poems/stories to multiple places at the same time. If that is the case, give priority to your top choices for publication, but respect the rules. Don't lie and send it anyway around anyway. It's shady and makes you look unprofessional.3) Be patient. Not only is rejection the norm, but so are long wait times. Your best bet is to keep writing instead of twiddling your thumbs and waiting to hear back. Finish something, send it out, and get to work on the next something. It’s the only way.
Wishing you all the luck!
Kory
July 18, 2014
Lovin' Summer & Swag
Summer is the best time to go to the beach with a good 'ol paperback and read--and that's my plan for Sunday anyway, assuming I get all my grading done tomorrow and a jumpstart on packing (We are moving Aug. 3rd)!
My goals for Sunday will be to lounge like these guys below, eat salty potato chips, drink iced tea, and get farther into China Mieville's Perdido Street Station. (Read why I'm determined to finish this #^&% book here.)
Big Sur- August 2013
And while I'm doing that, assuming you guys can't join me on the beach, you should enter this great giveaway. There are tons of fun prizes and swag from various writers (yours truly included) and I think the Lisa and Leann do a fantastic job with their blog. So if you haven't had a chance to check out Twin Opinions yet, do so! You're missing all the fun. Seriously! Look at all the prizes listed down there!
And when you're done with that, grab some good chips and come find me. ;)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
My goals for Sunday will be to lounge like these guys below, eat salty potato chips, drink iced tea, and get farther into China Mieville's Perdido Street Station. (Read why I'm determined to finish this #^&% book here.)
Big Sur- August 2013And while I'm doing that, assuming you guys can't join me on the beach, you should enter this great giveaway. There are tons of fun prizes and swag from various writers (yours truly included) and I think the Lisa and Leann do a fantastic job with their blog. So if you haven't had a chance to check out Twin Opinions yet, do so! You're missing all the fun. Seriously! Look at all the prizes listed down there!
And when you're done with that, grab some good chips and come find me. ;)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
July 17, 2014
Cover Reveal: Dying by the Hour (A Jesse Sullivan Novel)
September 2, 2014Here it is! I'm so excited to show you the cover for my upcoming release Dying by the Hour, the sequel to Dying for a Living . I think John K. Addis of Addis Enterprises did a fantastic job and I hope you agree.
dying by the hour will be available in paperback and eBook in 46 days (not that I'm counting or anything...), so I'll start the onslaught of giveaways and fun times soon. After all, what's a celebration without friends? :D
Stay tuned!
Kory
July 11, 2014
To My Everlasting Shame...
I doubt many people feel as guilty about NOT reading as writers. Personally, I feel like I am always behind in what I should’ve read by now. I feel like the lack in my writing skills is directly proportionate to my lack in reading. When I read a writer’s work and think of how clever they are, marveling at word choice, image, or turn of phrase, my first thought is always “Man, what are they reading? It must be brilliant!”
So here I am openly admitting the books that I am most ashamed that I have not read. I’m doing so for two reasons—to stimulate a conversation about these books and 2) to publicly declare that I intend to rectify this lack as soon as humanly possible. So here are the 10 I think I need to read most immediately!
Foundation by Isaac Asimov
…because how can I call myself a scifi writer if I don’t!
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
I hear it is fantastic, but it is always hit or miss with Gaiman’s work for me.
The Stand by Stephen King
Many King fans swear this is his best work. And as an avid King fan myself, I’m pretty ashamed that I’ve yet to take on the 1000+ page epic, viewing it kind of like War and Peace—a lofty goal that will be completed “sometime” before I die.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick is a legend this own right and I haven’t read any of his work. I thought this would be a good place to start, though I’m interested in The Man in the High Castle, and several others as well.
Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness
I am fascinated by the gender themes alone. I have a copy of this but I’ve been hoarding it forever, unopened.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
I also have a copy of this but I have yet to get through it. But it’s premise reminds me of the magician movie with Huge Jackman—and who doesn’t like a good Victorian setting ;)
Peridido Street Station China Mieville
The world-building alone is supposed to be worth it. I guess I’ll find out!
Agatha Christie
This is sort of a “return to our roots” kind of goal. Christie is one of the original mystery writers responsible for giving us a lot of what we use today, but I wouldn’t know exactly what that is since I haven’t read a single one of her books. I’ll start with The Murder of Rodger Ackroyd, before moving on to Murder on the Orient Express & And Then There Were None.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
I’m also interested in Sharp Objects and Dark Places, of course, but I’ve seen these books everywhere for a while. And though it isn’t considered traditional canon (yet?) I have to admit I feel like I’m behind the curve on this one.
Ok, so that is about 15 books, but what did you expect? What kind of writer can stick to those rigid guidelines?!?
Anyway, wish me luck! :D And feel free to share below books you wish you’ve read already and/or how reading helps you write!
Kory
So here I am openly admitting the books that I am most ashamed that I have not read. I’m doing so for two reasons—to stimulate a conversation about these books and 2) to publicly declare that I intend to rectify this lack as soon as humanly possible. So here are the 10 I think I need to read most immediately!
Foundation by Isaac Asimov
…because how can I call myself a scifi writer if I don’t!
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
I hear it is fantastic, but it is always hit or miss with Gaiman’s work for me.
The Stand by Stephen King
Many King fans swear this is his best work. And as an avid King fan myself, I’m pretty ashamed that I’ve yet to take on the 1000+ page epic, viewing it kind of like War and Peace—a lofty goal that will be completed “sometime” before I die.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick is a legend this own right and I haven’t read any of his work. I thought this would be a good place to start, though I’m interested in The Man in the High Castle, and several others as well.
Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness
I am fascinated by the gender themes alone. I have a copy of this but I’ve been hoarding it forever, unopened.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
I also have a copy of this but I have yet to get through it. But it’s premise reminds me of the magician movie with Huge Jackman—and who doesn’t like a good Victorian setting ;)
Peridido Street Station China Mieville
The world-building alone is supposed to be worth it. I guess I’ll find out!
Agatha Christie
This is sort of a “return to our roots” kind of goal. Christie is one of the original mystery writers responsible for giving us a lot of what we use today, but I wouldn’t know exactly what that is since I haven’t read a single one of her books. I’ll start with The Murder of Rodger Ackroyd, before moving on to Murder on the Orient Express & And Then There Were None.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
I’m also interested in Sharp Objects and Dark Places, of course, but I’ve seen these books everywhere for a while. And though it isn’t considered traditional canon (yet?) I have to admit I feel like I’m behind the curve on this one.
Ok, so that is about 15 books, but what did you expect? What kind of writer can stick to those rigid guidelines?!?
Anyway, wish me luck! :D And feel free to share below books you wish you’ve read already and/or how reading helps you write!
Kory
