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Writing About Writing About Writing 26

Part 26 of an intermittent series where I read or re-read the writing books on my shelf to see if they’re worth keeping. See previous part here and Index of all books here.

It’s been a while since I’ve done an update (whispers – 6 months!) on this ongoing task. It seems like the books on the shelf have bred as there are now more there even though I’m supposed to be, with this series of posts, whittling them down.

This time round here’s the books from this year so far:

The Clockwork Muse

Can be summed up as chunk your project, decide how much writing time you have, assign chunks to time available, write. But is a little more than that – a good primer on how to project manage a book.

Punk Publishing

Pretty good intro on how to become an indie author – nuts & bolts of book formatting. I picked this up at EasterCon from David Wake after being on a panel with him. What I likes about this book, and why I’ve kept it, is the ‘punk’ attitude. Also has valuable formatting advice which I’ve not really seen elsewhere.

The 9 Modern Day Muses

Excellent how to get over your fears writing book that will need a revisit. Badonsky is the founder of Kaizen Muse and has broken down the creative process into anthropomorphic manifestations of Muses – updating the ancient Greek idea.

Writing For Story

This may be the only one of the four that’s upheld the ‘writing books have boring covers’ theme to WAWAW? Excellent resurce for writers who are confused about structure – how to structure a story, not a play or screenplay, a story – so applicable to any of the many media stories can be told within. I’ve already re-read a few sections and think this will be a book to revisit often so definitely keeping on the shelf.

So now I’ve listed them out it’s not really a surprise that the last 6 months have seen the shelf grow as I’ve only read 4 books from the shelf! (and kept them all). Also the synchronicity here is that I started this series of posts in June 2020. I also said: ” I wrote more whilst learning to write in 2013-2016 than I wrote in 2017-2020 after being published and supposedly knowing what I’m doing. I’ve been blocked for a long time, or at least felt blocked (I have written a novel since this time last year so maybe not *that* blocked) and I’ve felt the need to give myself a boot up the backside and stop procrastinating and start writing more regularly again. Writers write right?” which is even more true now than it was 3 years ago.

As I said in my last post – I’ve not written anything this year & the revision of Certainty of Dust is stalled. I believe this is due to the fact I have to re-vision. I was thinking earlier in the year that I was going to have the book ready to publish this year. Now I’m not sure if it’ll ever be finished.

Revisiting Damon Knight’s layers of story (see WAWAW 16) there are 5 ‘layers’ to each story going (from top to bottom) – The Surface (the prose), Form (Short Story, Novel, Poem, Graphic Novel etc. – also if it’s “smooth, or intricate and knobbly”), the ‘Materials’ (Character, Setting, Situation, Emotion), the Idea (the premise) and the Impetus (why write).

“If the story fails at any level, it’s no use criticiszing it at a higher level. If the story is wrong at the level of ‘materials,’ for instance, it will fail no matter how good the Form and Surface are… find the earliest level where it fails and try to fix it there.

So, the problem?

The Surface? The novel needs revision so not yet at copyediting (as a self-edit) phase as yet.

The Form? Should it be a novel? It’s currently longer than a novella and it doesn’t feel like I could cut it down, rather it needs building up.

The Materials? Possible issues here – but is this the level the problem is at? Character and Setting are a little out of focus.

The Idea? Hopefully the editors don’t mind me posting this feedback: “We both thought the premise was great and the writing was solid, with the main characters & their relationships holding a lot of potential.” – so, not the Idea then.

The Impetus? Back to Knight: “‘Impetus’ is the force that makes you want to write this story in the first place. If that force is just the desire to get published, or make money, or to ‘be a writer,’ the story will probably be weak. Of course you want to get published, and you’d like to make money, and you want to be a writer, but that’s not enough. Strong stories are made from things that are inside you wanting to get out.”

Did I start the novel with some ‘thing inside wanting to get out’? I’m not sure – I started this novel so long ago now that I’ve lost why I wanted to write it in the first place. I need to fall back in love with it. And that’s a whole other post…

Last time round (WAWAW 25) I said: “I will be doing a monthly email newsletter thingy as well – but WAWAW is likely to stay on the blog. All things being equal I’ll have a book out next year – The Certainty of Dust (provisional launch Summer ’23) as well as an anthology I’ve been editing this year (more on that in a following blog post).”

And I’ve not done a monthly newsletter (am still in two minds about it) and all things were not equal, as I’ve just explained. But the anthology did come out so it hasn’t been an entirely wasted year – and there’s 6 months left, right? This still could be a productive year. Maybe.

Drop a comment with your favourite writing book or tip here or email me via the Contact page. If you’re a publisher or Indie Author and would like me to review your writing book drop me a line!

cracks knuckles, whispers ‘let’s do this’

And then 3 months passed without a blog post.

My impression was that it was longer and that I’ve barely put pen to paper for longer but see that I was raring to go on the revision of Certainty of Dust late last year.

I also note that I’ve not written a word this year – in fact it’s hard to remember when the last time was that I penned a new story – probably the one that I submitted in February to ParSec that was rejected? (which I think was written last year)

My perception is that I’ve barely written since staring the new job (June 21) but correlation may not equal causation here – although certainly I’m no longer commuting and the new job makes me actually think.

I have continued to edit though – 2 books for Rebellion this year, 1 book for Grimbold, 1 issue of BFS Horizons coming to bookshops soon. And been reading for ‘work’ – 1 review done for BFS with three more on the way.

I’m aware I’m behind on WAWAW, with posting about the reading that is – it’s difficult to get behind on a constant task (and yes I’m aware that I’m supposed to be deciding upon 1 shelf of writing books but more keep coming in all the time). So will get onto writing that ASAP (for a certain value of ‘soon’).

I did also run a workshop at Cymera which was… interesting – never had imposter syndrom so bad or panicked so much about an event before. But it seemed to go OK. Not sure I’ll be keen to repeat the experience though.

I’ve also had an offer wrt an event but am currently wondering what to do with that – more info when possible.

And so, I need to get on with the revision – I got the notes from the editors in January and since then I’ve kind of been pushing them around like the last bit of dinner I know I should eat but don’t feel in the mood for. I’ve a list of action points and have had no oomph to tackle them. Kind words if you’re reading this would be helpful – or, you know, telling me to pull my socks up and just get on with it would work too.

I am, due to the ongoing ‘situation,’ back up north – and so I have less places to hide and less material to procastinate with. But that does mean I’ve been able to throw this small update together. When I return to Bristol I shall build a WAWAW. Promise.

You’ll have probably noticed that I’m still procastinating on writing a newsletter…

Milford Spec Fic Anthology News

You may have already seen the news – my latest book: Eclectic Dreams is now available for pre-order.

I’ll be doing a short interview with the excellent RunAlongTheShelves shortly but you can read their review on that link.

Writing About Writing About Writing: A Review

I was very lucky to get an ARC of Spec Fic for Newbies which you can pre-order here for £16.99 from Luna Press Publishing (an award winning small press).

I’ve been dipping in and out of it for a couple of weeks and I think it’s fab. The book is aimed at “future spec fic authors” –

From the blurb: “

Tiffani and Val are approaching these three exciting fields by breaking them down into bite-sized subgenres with a fun, open, and contemporary approach.Each chapter contains 10 subgenres or tropes, with a quick and nerdy history of each derived from classroom teaching practices, along with a list of potential pitfalls, a description of why it’s fun to write in these subgenres, as well as activities for new writers to try out and to get them started!"I feel that maybe there is space for a sequel or there could indeed have been three books - as SF, Fantasy & Horror are quite different. However that said this is an absolute treasure trove - I wouldn't count myself a newbie (maybe I'm kidding myself) and I'm fairly widely read but the breakdown introductions in a few chapters gave me new information or recast a genre in a light I'd not considered before.I think the format of history then activities is fresh and there's a sense of fun and exploration that you don't always get from dusty 'let's teach you how to write' books.For example - Aliens (just the titles in the sub-section):A Short History of AliensA Spotter's Guide: Who's WhoThings that are cool about AliensClose Encounters - I like the sub-titles in this category, e.g. "Variety is the spice of alien life (No Dune pun intended!)" or "Early Humans weren't idiots" (thankyou so much Tiffani & Val as I hate, hate, hate the Ancient Astronauts built the pyramids trope!)ActivitiesThat's a small taste of the chapter breakdowns. The chapter following Aliens is called "Big Dumb Objects" There's a subtitle in Paranormal Romance called "Bow-Chicka-Wow-Wow" -I'll stop there in the hope these are tasters rather than spoilers.Being a writer of stories that tend towards darkness I was most interested in the last section on horror which includes sections on Zombies, Vampires, Cosmic Horror, Body Horror etc. Even here I was finding out stuff. On the whole I was left wanting more - which isn't a bad thing. I hope the book is successful and Val & Tiffani explore some of the more, niche, of the genres - I'm hoping for something on Slipstream since I don't really understand what that is and people tell me that a lot of my stuff fits there...Anyway - go and pre-order and make the book a success so I get to read a sequel!

January summary

I did say that I’d update the blog with what I’d been reading as part of Runalong the Shelves TBR challenge. So here it is.

“January – End to end temptation

The most recent book on the TBR

As my birthday is in January I shall try and finish all the books I got for Xmas & birthday this month – I have already finished several of my Xmas books)

Stretch Goal – Read the oldest book in Mount TBR it has waited long enough.”

So I didn’t quite finish all the Xmas and birthday books – but I had a good go. So, obviously I didn’t get to the stretch goal.

An Inventory of Losses By Judith Schalansky – Rating: Unfinished

Nice writing but failed to grip me and when I found I was doing anything but read it I DNFd it

2120 by George Wylesol – Rating: Brilliant

Brilliant CYOA GN with an existential AI -really well planned out, great story and tricksy

Ducks by Kate Beaton – Rating: Average

This is a bit of a weird biography – I learned very little about the oil sands, the environmental issues, the ducks, her life or the jobs done there. I did learn a lot about how difficult it is being a woman working in the camps. Trigger warning – contains sexual violence/abuse

The silent gondoliers Rating – Good

A novella ful of gentle whimsy, a tall tale well-told

Feral Rating – Average
Shame about the last act – can’t really say what put me off without massive spoilers, but it had a trope I’m not fond of and then compunded that with another and when I was disliking that added another. As this falls further in the rearview mirror the more I dislike it.

Devouring Dark – fun supernatural gangster thriller set in London

The jaws log – excellent ‘making of’ documentary style book about the film Jaws – if you love the film it’s worth a read

What If? by Randall Munroe (XKCD) – this has been an entertaining ‘dip into’ read – not a book to be read through all at once (imho) but more a dip into. A book of essays where people ask absurd What If questions and the author answers with serious science.

And for TV & Film?

I rewatched series 1 & 2 of Mythic Quest in order to be up to speed for series 3. 1 & 2 are great, 3 not so much.

Also watched series 3 & 4 of Community – think series 2 is the best of this programme

Watched Our Flag Means Death which I liked for its gentle whimsy. (and now that’s the second time I’ve said gentle whimsy in this post which is possibly one too many)

Enjoyed See How they Run and hated Corsage

Tried The Rig, didn’t get on with it. But loved The Devil’s Hour.

Tried to watch Jung_E, got bored and wandered off, but had a lot of fun with The Big 4.

And so onto February challenge which is all about short work – short stories, novellas etc. ‘Luckily’ two of the books from my January challenge are short story books with a total of 26 stories which is almost the right number – so I’ll be trying to read them ( Dark tales and Illuminations ) a little synchronicity of titles there. I just need to find another short story book…

Writing About Writing About Writing: Advanced Reading

I know, I know – I owe a January summary – that’ll come next week. However I am dropping in to shout out about an Advanced Reading Copy I’ve just been sent from Luna Press who have very kindly sent me a copy of “Specalutive Fiction for Newbies” by Tiffani Angus & Val Nolan.

Here’s a post about the book from back when it was announced they’d be writing it. And it will be ready to pre-order on Luna’s website shortly.

It’s the end of the year (and I feel fine)

My book roundup for 2022

I read 127 books in 2022 – I read 154 in 2021 (I’ve been keeping track since 2010 on LibraryThing, my standout year I read 165, since 2010 I don’t think I’ve read less than 100 books a year)

Standouts for me

Queen of Clouds by Neil Williamson – lovely bit of worldbuilding and a gripping tale.

The man who lost his language by Sheila Hale – My mum suffered a stroke in January and has aphasia so I ended up reading a lot of books on the subject, this was the best of them.

The Things they Carried by Tim O’Brien – I know I only read this a couple of days ago but I really inhaled it, beautifully affecting language and an intriguing structure.

I bought (mostly secondhand) and read a lot of books on stroke and aphasia so my fiction and other reading suffered. I look back on my year and see that these are the only 3 books I gave a ‘Brilliant’ rating to. I hope to change that next year.

Talking of next year – I shall be doing Runalongtheshelves TBR challenge and blogging about it here. I’ll also be continuing the WAWAW challenge – because that’s neverending!

I am still toying with a mailing list but don’t really want to pay for something that will probably end up being an intimate group. So am pondering that one. My hope is to have something in place by the end of January.

Writing About Writing About Writing 25

Part 25 of an intermittent series where I read or re-read the writing books on my shelf to see if they’re worth keeping. See previous part here and Index of all books here.

Bit of a mixed bag this time round as I finished off (or not) a few books that I was trying to get finished.

First up was How to Write Readable English

Just what makes English readable – and readable to who? (or is that whom?) is covered in this little book that I found quite interesting. I’d like to revisit it when I do a re-read of Gowers Plain English. This article seems to indicate that the average reading age in the UK is 9 years old. That’s somewhat shocking…

Next was The Writers Mentor:

This book was variable – it sometimes strayed into ‘How to’ but mostly stuck to Writing Life and had an entertaining set of film reviews of films about writing to elucidate and illustrate various points in the book (Like using the Shining to talk about Writers Block). On the whole I liked it and I’ve added it to the shelf for now.

I didn’t finish Deep Writing

The first chapter advises you to simply tell your inner critic to shut up, the second chapter was full of woo – I didn’t proceed any further.

Master Class – “Scenes from a fiction workshop” promised to be interesting – but the writing style grated and the author used the opportunity of running a writing class to play amateur psychologist of his students. Another book I didn’t finish.

Talking about not finishing, Between the Lines was another book full of promise squandered.

I think there’s probably good stuff in here but the layout and the chapter order (for example chapter 4 is epilogues, chapter 10 is prologues) seemed rather random and the stiff style really did nothing for me except induce a stupor such that I found that when I finished a chapter I could recall little of that chapter.

I thought I was in a reading slump so put it down and left it for a month or two but when I went back the same happened. Not sure you should follow any advice from someone who writes such a dull book, BUT, there’s lots (and lots) of rave reviews so YMMV.

And finally also on the discard pile goes The Craft of the Novel by Colin Wilson

which although well-written and of some passing interest fit the mould of Literary Criticism more than help to write and his main points were that writing a novel helps you work out who you are and that novels represent freedom. There I’ve given you the main points so now you don’t have to read it.

This will be my final WAWAW for 2022 – I may, if I can summon the enthusiasm, do a round up of the books I’ve read in ’22. I will definitely be doing a (hopefully) monthly recap of WAWAW in ’23. Somehow I’ve got about 40 unread books on the WAWAW TBR which is, on average, 3 a month to read.

After this year it feels foolish to put forward a concrete plan – but perhaps a pencil sketch –

Starting with books about creativity and inspiration and language, followed by How To’s (including specific genres, e.g. Horror, and specific mediums e.g. Poetry, Scriptwriting). Then books “On Mount Olympus” (philosophy of writing) followed by prompts and finally the business of writing.

I will be doing a monthly email newsletter thingy as well – but WAWAW is likely to stay on the blog. All things being equal I’ll have a book out next year – The Certainty of Dust (provisional launch Summer ’23) as well as an anthology I’ve been editing this year (more on that in a following blog post).

Drop a comment with your favourite writing book or tip here or email me via the Contact page. If you’re a publisher or Indie Author and would like me to review your writing book drop me a line!

This bird wouldn’t “voom” if you put four million volts through it!

I’m just back from the Meddwlcoed retreat and raring to go on the novel revision after making extensive notes on it all weekend. But this blog post is about the situation with a certain blue bird.

With the shenanigans at Twitter I’m reviving the idea of creating an email newsletter. It’s been on the backburner for a while but might be a better way of shouting into the void than my political rants on Twitter. I’ve not done so before because: imposter syndrome.

So, by publicly announcing it as a motivation for actually doing it, I’ll send my first newsletter in January. If you’d like to sign up to it I’ll be putting a link up before the end of the year (and will announce that in a follow up blog).

If you’re the kind of person who’d sign up for a newsletter drop a comment to let me know what sort of things you’d like me to cover.

I’ll also be keeping the blog going, not least for a monthly Writing About Writing About Writing post.

Clear the decks

I’m not really doing NaNoWriMo except as a rebel as I’m revising Certainty of Dust ready for publication next year. I’m in the process of clearing the decks and getting it ready fora deep dive for a writing retreat run by the ever marvellous Meddwlcoed where previously I did a structural edit on it.

I took two boxes full of books to BristolCon and put them on the book swap table and yet I still have a shelf of books on my to get rid of pile – I swear they breed when I’m not looking. I also have around 40 books for WAWAW so that will continue for a few months yet. I expect to do a month’s end post covering this.

I have a pile of short stories I have yet to edit and submit that I’ll probably use as procrastination pieces when I want my subconscious to work on the novel.

Last week I got to see the inimitable Garth Merenghi on tour in a weird underground nightclub below Temple Meads called the Loco Klub

A suitably gothic location for the Archduke O’ Darkness!

I may relabel the blog as The Procrastination Diaries – I should be working on the novel…