C.L. Clark's Blog, page 4
March 26, 2015
Holding your baby out to the world
I have heard it said that writing is an act of love with lots of blood, sweat, and tears. Some have even said that the writing is the hardest part. I disagree with that last one. For me, the writing is the easy part because it just flows out of me and half the time I can't type fast enough to get it all out there. Sure, editing it can be time consuming, but even that is enjoyable because it's a process of revisiting, polishing, and caressing. No, for me the hardest part is putting it out there for everyone to see. After giving birth to this child that I have lovingly and painstakingly conceived, caressed, and dressed as nicely as I am able, I have to hold it out there with the hope that everyone else will think it as beautiful as I do. It can be quite the anxiety inducing act of nearly hopeless desperation waiting for people to discover it and tell you that it touched, moved, or otherwise incited laughter or even discomfort for them. I stand on the sidelines nervously wringing my hands with tiny beads of sweat dotting my upper lip while my stomach churns in the most unsettling way. Will they like it? Will they get what I meant by writing it that way? Will they want to see more of those characters?
Nevertheless, being unable to stop writing and thus sharing the infinite stories that suffocate my senses, I will continue to wring my hands on the sidelines, tossing back Tums and trying to smile as I wipe the sweat from my lip.
Nevertheless, being unable to stop writing and thus sharing the infinite stories that suffocate my senses, I will continue to wring my hands on the sidelines, tossing back Tums and trying to smile as I wipe the sweat from my lip.
March 20, 2015
Opening the Veil is FINALLY here!
Coming out at a not-so-rounded 329 pages, the first book of the New Sight Series, titled "Opening the Veil" is finally being published. It will be available for Kindles on Monday, March 23, 2015 and the paperback version will be available by Wednesday, March 25, 2015. Yay! (Picture Kermit the Frog waving his hands in the air and shouting, here)
I'm really excited about this series and all of the upcoming books that I am currently working on for it. Opening the Veil is the start of Cassie's new ability which will be the focus of future books, all centered around the people of Kensington Falls - both living and dead.
Please take a look and let me know what you think!
I'm really excited about this series and all of the upcoming books that I am currently working on for it. Opening the Veil is the start of Cassie's new ability which will be the focus of future books, all centered around the people of Kensington Falls - both living and dead.
Please take a look and let me know what you think!
February 20, 2015
The Latest Novel
I am almost finished writing my next novel which will be the first of a series of YA/NA paranormal books (although my proof readers are all older and usually don't read YA, so I suppose that makes this more universal storytelling). This is the first time that I have written anything where I didn't have the title by this point in the writing. The entire town where my main characters live, along with several friends and colorful townsfolk, not to mention several story lines have all coalesced, and yet I am left without a series name or title for at least the first book.
Sometimes books on a theme have a thematic title pool where it all cleverly comes together. I considered this aspect, using ideas or phrases that involve cats (my main character has a cat who helps her), but nothing seemed to really fit right without sounding sort of cheesy. I try not to let this challenge bother me or slow down my writing, but it still tends to be this nagging little thing every time I go to open the document and see "Cat" which is the temp title I saved it as on my computer. The closer I get to the end of this book, the louder that nagging voice becomes, followed with things like "You can't exactly offer this on Amazon without a name, now can you?" "How is a blank cover going to attract anyone?" and other not very nice voices saying things I don't want to hear right now. The worst is when my main character starts berating me for not properly giving her homage. "My story needs to be told," she tells me. "Yeah," I respond, just as snappy. "I'm telling the story, stop busting my chops about it and get constructive instead by telling me a title already! We're in this together, right?"
Hmmm, am I a writer or a candidate for a mental institution? Are they really all that different? Probably not.
Sometimes books on a theme have a thematic title pool where it all cleverly comes together. I considered this aspect, using ideas or phrases that involve cats (my main character has a cat who helps her), but nothing seemed to really fit right without sounding sort of cheesy. I try not to let this challenge bother me or slow down my writing, but it still tends to be this nagging little thing every time I go to open the document and see "Cat" which is the temp title I saved it as on my computer. The closer I get to the end of this book, the louder that nagging voice becomes, followed with things like "You can't exactly offer this on Amazon without a name, now can you?" "How is a blank cover going to attract anyone?" and other not very nice voices saying things I don't want to hear right now. The worst is when my main character starts berating me for not properly giving her homage. "My story needs to be told," she tells me. "Yeah," I respond, just as snappy. "I'm telling the story, stop busting my chops about it and get constructive instead by telling me a title already! We're in this together, right?"
Hmmm, am I a writer or a candidate for a mental institution? Are they really all that different? Probably not.
November 29, 2014
The Labor of Love?
Coming into the final stretch, almost ready to publish my next book - a compilation of short stories entitled "Macabre Menagerie" - I find myself neck deep in one of the hardest parts of writing. . . editing.
Picture, if you will, taking your children (suppose you have several), or at the very least taking all of your closest friends or family members, lining them up against a wall and then scrutinizing over every inch of them, taking away little bits here and there. Maybe you remove a callus here or a wart there, all good and well and likely better for it. Then your are forced to remove a finger or a toe. You nod sympathetically. You understand the process and what must be done to present the best possible picture. However, the worst part comes when you realize (despite your continued efforts to pretend that you don't see it) that a leg must be discarded to allow for continuity or *gasp* something closer to perfection in the eyes of the reader. But I loved that leg. *sigh*
That's what editing can sometimes feel like.
The writing process is easy, as I open my brain and let it pour out over the keys, spinning yarns and creating entire universes. The image is right there in my head and I see it on the page as it all comes together and each little part is wonderful and means the world to me. How can I possibly give up that little part there that explains so much? What do you mean it's not necessary? Again, I sigh. Yes, I see what you mean. Of course, it must be done.
I suppose the upside is that even though I might need to remove a leg from a story, it will make it that much easier for it to fly. Soar, words, soar!
Picture, if you will, taking your children (suppose you have several), or at the very least taking all of your closest friends or family members, lining them up against a wall and then scrutinizing over every inch of them, taking away little bits here and there. Maybe you remove a callus here or a wart there, all good and well and likely better for it. Then your are forced to remove a finger or a toe. You nod sympathetically. You understand the process and what must be done to present the best possible picture. However, the worst part comes when you realize (despite your continued efforts to pretend that you don't see it) that a leg must be discarded to allow for continuity or *gasp* something closer to perfection in the eyes of the reader. But I loved that leg. *sigh*
That's what editing can sometimes feel like.
The writing process is easy, as I open my brain and let it pour out over the keys, spinning yarns and creating entire universes. The image is right there in my head and I see it on the page as it all comes together and each little part is wonderful and means the world to me. How can I possibly give up that little part there that explains so much? What do you mean it's not necessary? Again, I sigh. Yes, I see what you mean. Of course, it must be done.
I suppose the upside is that even though I might need to remove a leg from a story, it will make it that much easier for it to fly. Soar, words, soar!
November 25, 2014
Big Brother and the Research Conundrum
I was thinking a moment ago that it is probably a good thing that "Big Brother" (the government, NOT the TV show) isn't monitoring my internet use. At least, I hope they aren't. If I'm wrong and they are, then I should probably keep an eye out for them, considering the research I've been doing today. Not that I suppose it matters, but I have my internet history set to automatically clear every time I close the browser - but those clever computer geeks can find anything now a days.
I've been researching various ways to poison people - which is the easiest to create from home, how quickly they die, the symptoms, etc.- for a short story I'm writing for a contest. I would certainly never attempt any of these methods myself, it is merely for an interesting character I'm writing. Of course, there is always the issue of proving that to whoever might be monitoring what I search for. Oh my, just writing this little blog is giving me an interesting mystery story idea. Hmm...
No wonder my husband often "jokes" about how nervous he gets when I do research. All I have to say, dear, is make sure you keep putting the toilet seat down and the cap back on the tooth paste.
I've been researching various ways to poison people - which is the easiest to create from home, how quickly they die, the symptoms, etc.- for a short story I'm writing for a contest. I would certainly never attempt any of these methods myself, it is merely for an interesting character I'm writing. Of course, there is always the issue of proving that to whoever might be monitoring what I search for. Oh my, just writing this little blog is giving me an interesting mystery story idea. Hmm...
No wonder my husband often "jokes" about how nervous he gets when I do research. All I have to say, dear, is make sure you keep putting the toilet seat down and the cap back on the tooth paste.
November 23, 2014
The Trouble with Compilations
I have finished all of the short stories for my short story book! {enter the sound of trumpets here} There may be people all the way over on the East coast that heard a strange wind sound, but felt no affects of a breeze? That was me sighing in relief. The ever-so fun part has now begun (I'm actually taking a break from it to put my thoughts out here for anyone interested in reading them): compiling the compilation!
I find the oddly interesting thing about this procedure to be "who goes where?" I finally decided on the first story. However, as I try to rearrange them to their best positions I feel sort of like a mother of multiple children and each one crying out, "but mother, I'm a better child than that one!" I understand my anthropomorphic tendencies and the fact that they have stretched well beyond my stuffed animals from my childhood (which, by the way, still make me feel guilty for leaving them stuffed into a box in the storage room downstairs - no kidding, I hear them crying on occasion). Seriously, though, these new children that I have birthed, no less demanding than the ones brought forth at a hospital, are creating quite the quandary for me.
Oh, sigh. I had better get on with it. Wish me luck!
I find the oddly interesting thing about this procedure to be "who goes where?" I finally decided on the first story. However, as I try to rearrange them to their best positions I feel sort of like a mother of multiple children and each one crying out, "but mother, I'm a better child than that one!" I understand my anthropomorphic tendencies and the fact that they have stretched well beyond my stuffed animals from my childhood (which, by the way, still make me feel guilty for leaving them stuffed into a box in the storage room downstairs - no kidding, I hear them crying on occasion). Seriously, though, these new children that I have birthed, no less demanding than the ones brought forth at a hospital, are creating quite the quandary for me.
Oh, sigh. I had better get on with it. Wish me luck!
November 20, 2014
Paying the Bills & an Emerging Author
One of the toughest things I have had to do (outside of raising my children) is continue to work my 40 hour a week job while doing my utmost to promote my first book and finish my second book. Top that with all the regular daily things that go into running a house and raising two boys and it would not be an exaggeration to say that I feel as if I'm working three jobs!
I find myself turning my lunch break at work into bill pay and coupon clipping time - not to mention catching up on the pile of mail that I keep setting to the side at home each night because I'm too exhausted to deal with it.
Of course, I have to admit that despite working on my writing at home some nights and weekends, I have, on occasion, stayed a bit later at work to take advantage of the quiet in order to finish a story or at least part of one. Namely because once I get home it's all about making dinner, cleaning up, homework, and hanging out with my guys (which is extremely important to me).
It would be great if becoming a successful writer was just about creating the stories that people are interested in reading. (At least, I hope what I'm creating is interesting to others, since I couldn't stop this flow if I tried and most of it is just plain off-kilter.) However, the marketing aspect is another job all on its own and that can be quite a handful. I try to spread things out and hit all the "have-to" items in small bursts - no point in burning myself out.
Despite all the work, hassles, effort, marketing, reviews, etc. etc. ad infinitum, there are always the stories. They slink in quietly when I least expect them or sometimes drop right in front of my face like Little Miss Muffet's spider. Either way, however they find their way to me, they are persistent. The demand to be told. They form themselves around my brain and daily activities giving me glimpses and tantalizing me with their twists and turns until I can't help but let them out in print. "Away with the world that seems and open the one in which I show you!" They cry. And I do. Every time. Usually with a mischievous smile and a dark glint in my eyes - at least that's how I picture myself in full thrall of the story.
I find myself turning my lunch break at work into bill pay and coupon clipping time - not to mention catching up on the pile of mail that I keep setting to the side at home each night because I'm too exhausted to deal with it.
Of course, I have to admit that despite working on my writing at home some nights and weekends, I have, on occasion, stayed a bit later at work to take advantage of the quiet in order to finish a story or at least part of one. Namely because once I get home it's all about making dinner, cleaning up, homework, and hanging out with my guys (which is extremely important to me).
It would be great if becoming a successful writer was just about creating the stories that people are interested in reading. (At least, I hope what I'm creating is interesting to others, since I couldn't stop this flow if I tried and most of it is just plain off-kilter.) However, the marketing aspect is another job all on its own and that can be quite a handful. I try to spread things out and hit all the "have-to" items in small bursts - no point in burning myself out.
Despite all the work, hassles, effort, marketing, reviews, etc. etc. ad infinitum, there are always the stories. They slink in quietly when I least expect them or sometimes drop right in front of my face like Little Miss Muffet's spider. Either way, however they find their way to me, they are persistent. The demand to be told. They form themselves around my brain and daily activities giving me glimpses and tantalizing me with their twists and turns until I can't help but let them out in print. "Away with the world that seems and open the one in which I show you!" They cry. And I do. Every time. Usually with a mischievous smile and a dark glint in my eyes - at least that's how I picture myself in full thrall of the story.
November 17, 2014
New For Me
You would think that being a writer automatically means I would have a blog and enjoy gabbing about whatever little thing happens to enter my head. Truth be told, this is actually a brand new thing for me. I will give this a shot and see if anyone's interested. If so, then I will keep it up.
The big news for me today is that I have just received my new book cover for my upcoming short story compilation. I have two more stories to give birth to and then I will be finished. I'm excited to get this one out there soon, so hopefully you wonderful readers will enjoy it. I will divulge more as the time gets closer.
In the meantime, I have set up a giveaway for my current novel "Survival of the Fittest", so be sure to add your name.
The big news for me today is that I have just received my new book cover for my upcoming short story compilation. I have two more stories to give birth to and then I will be finished. I'm excited to get this one out there soon, so hopefully you wonderful readers will enjoy it. I will divulge more as the time gets closer.
In the meantime, I have set up a giveaway for my current novel "Survival of the Fittest", so be sure to add your name.
