Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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Writing Questions for Josh
Blaine D. wrote: "and I like the other names she suggested as well (except Jan) "*lol* Jan is one of my all time favourites because he was such a hottie. ;-)) Had the brains and the looks... *drools while remembering*
I love Andreas too. I also like Matthias very much. I'm probably partial to German names ending in -as.
Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Hartmann gives me this impression of Hard Man, but I don't know how modern it is.My favorite German name has always been Jürgen. "
Hartmann has the exact meaning you thought of. It's a hard man. ;-) But the name is very old fashioned.
I like Jürgen too. As in 'Jürgen Klinsmann', who has been coach of the national soccer team and quite an exceptional player in his days. Yum!
Hey, I was thinking of Jürgen Klinsmann too!!! lolToo bad he didn't play for my favorite Italian soccer team...
Jurgen would be good, if I hadn't known a Jurgen in real life. That one's not gonna work for me. I'd have to kill him off or something.I think I might have one, out of the suggestions, but I'm keeping it secret for now. (ducks)
Don't tell us. I like surprises :)
Anne wrote: "I think I might have one, out of the suggestions, but I'm keeping it secret for now. (ducks) ":-))
Anne wrote: "Anyone can join, and you don't have to be a published author, so go for it! "http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
I like this one ... but ... would I be wrong in guessing he's 35ish? (I suck at guessing ages from pictures. I thought hubby was a lot younger than he is ... then again, everyone makes that mistake with him ...)
Calathea wrote: "You want to post a letter, right?
Just create a new topic in the "Hot July Days..M/M Style" folder with the header "Dear Author - Blaine D." Post the picture and write a few lines to give a clue about the story.
If an author likes the picture they can claim it to write the story. "
Actually. I thought I'd try my hand at writig one as well.
But, yes, I think I have a Dear Author letter as well ...
Blaine D. wrote: "Anne wrote: "Anyone can join, and you don't have to be a published author, so go for it! "http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
I like this one ... but ... would I be wrong in guessing he's 35ish?"
It would be my guess too.
I love Matthias, but...The possessive of any name ending in s always looks so very wrong to me. Even when I know it's right, it looks wrong. My mental dialogue: Matthias'...Or is is Mattias's? Oh hell, Kari, just call him Matt.
LOL
Kari wrote: "My mental dialogue: Matthias'...Or is is Mattias's? Oh..."LOL.
I don't worry about that too much ...
though, this does touch on one of my petpeeves about naming.
Sometimes writers give their characters the most beautiful names and then only mention it once on the first page, before shortening it to something that makes me gag ...
I think it's a waste of beautiful names. *shakes head*
Mod
If you want to write one, just look for the letters that are unclaimed, which are easily found because they're claimed right in the title. You see one you like, post in the comments that you want to write it, and that's it! Piece of cake, as I've learned since last night when I first considered it.
BTW... I don't know if I could do a Matthias in m/m, because it would only remind me of Brian Jacques' Redwall character who was a warrior mouse. lol, that would be weird!
I've never really thought about long beautiful names, but now you have me wanting to find a long name so that this guy's BF will call him by his full name, because he can and because he wants to. That sounds sooo sexy now!
Jordan S. wrote: "Blaine, that's a great pic! I remember seeing him when I went through pics. I haven't yet put up an author letter, but I grabbed one to write! "Thanks :) I liked the raw angry look about him.
Jordan S. wrote: "If you want to write one, just look for the letters that are unclaimed, which are easily found because they're claimed right in the title. You see one you like, post in the comments that you want to write it, and that's it! Piece of cake, as I've learned since last night when I first considered it. "
I picked Courtney's pic to write about. Although I'm not quite sure why I picked up another challenge when I just finished one (well, am about to finishe) *is a bit scared*
Jordan S. wrote: "BTW... I don't know if I could do a Matthias in m/m, because it would only remind me of Brian Jacques' Redwall character who was a warrior mouse. lol, that would be weird!
I've never really thought about long beautiful names, but now you have me wanting to find a long name so that this guy's BF will call him by his full name, because he can and because he wants to. That sounds sooo sexy now! "
LOL.
In one of my novels I have a Christopher, who hates being called anything but Christopher.
Then again in the same novel I have a Tiffany Adriana who hates being called that and goes by Tiana instead (only her mother calls her Tiffany)
Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Personally, as much as I love romance, I'd really like to read about a beautiful and passionate one night stand, where two men - I picture them in their late 40s - in a very short time share a lot of emotion and truth about each other, and then they part with very little regret."
Tere Michaels has a scene like that in one of her books - Faith and Fidelity I think. It's only a chapter or so, but it is pretty much what you describe here.
Blaine D. wrote: "So, this Hot July Days..M/M Style I've been reading about ... how does that work?I read the post, but I'm still puzzled.
Can anyone join? Or are there requirements you have to fulfil?"
It's hard to tell. The directions say "our member authors" so maybe you have to be listed as a group author?
Kari wrote: "I love Matthias, but...The possessive of any name ending in s always looks so very wrong to me. Even when I know it's right, it looks wrong. My mental dialogue: Matthias'...Or is is Mattias's? Oh..."
Maybe he isn't a possessive kind of guy.
Kari wrote: "Anne wrote: "Once you sign a contract, there will probably be a Right of First Refusal clause, meaning your publisher gets to look at everything you write that's part of the same series. But until ..."Thanks for the warning, Kari, although I am still 100 years away from being published.
RE: names -- the names of the two leads in the m/m project I'm developing are Carter and Clay. Normally I wouldn't use the same first initial for the two leads, but the one guy is such a Carter and the other guy is such a Clay.
Beanbag wrote: "RE: names -- the names of the two leads in the m/m project I'm developing are Carter and Clay..."Edited to take out my boys' names because evidently that's a no-no.
Beanbag wrote: "RE: names -- the names of the two leads in the m/m project I'm developing are Carter and Clay. Normally I wouldn't use the same first initial for the two leads, but the one guy is such a Carter an..."I hate that. I'm writing one (not the Hot July story) with two leads with L names, plus a supporting character with an L. Not sure what I was thinking.
Anne wrote: "I hate that. I'm writing one (not the Hot July story) with two leads with L names, plus a supporting character with an L. Not sure what I was thinking. "I had one project (one of those perpetual WIPs) that had a cast of about 10 characters and six of them had names that started with "R". I had to go back and change names but I didn't want to because I liked them.
I won't change Carter and Clay I don't think. I'll just make sure they don't have any friends named Carol, Chris or Carmen. ;-)
Beanbag wrote: "Anne wrote: "I hate that. I'm writing one (not the Hot July story) with two leads with L names, plus a supporting character with an L. Not sure what I was thinking. "I had one project (one of tho..."
I'm thinking about re-casting some supporting roles, that's for sure. But I can't change the protag's names, because --like yours -- they fit. This is turning into an epic WIP, so it might not ever matter.
I used to do that as well, the name thing. Not just starting names with the same letter, but names that sounded alike as well (like Freddy and Teddy)These days, to make sure I don't, I always have a piece of paper with the alphabet lying next to me and I strike the letters I used and fill in the names I have. It works for me.
I have to admit that the only time I stop paying attention to it is when I have a large cast of extras. The novel I'm working on has an organisation with field teams and other personnel, and even though I won't be using them all, I felt I needed names for them up front, so I won't have to stop writing to think of names (actually, I did't make up the names until after I wrote the first draft).
In that case I try to keep the main cast unique, but the rest is more or less chance.
I mean, I was in a class with 3 other girls called Anita at one point (for those who didn't know, my name is Anita), as much as we don't want to confuse the reader, these things do happen
Charming wrote: "Tere Michaels has a scene like that in one of her books - Faith and Fidelity I think. It's only a chapter or so, but it is pretty much what you describe here."It was my favorite scene in the book :-) I liked the two of them more than the main couple, it was more emotional for me.
Mod
Ethan - "firmness, steadfastness"
Kieran - "dark, swarthy"
Riley - "courageous"
Sebastian - patron saint of soldiers
Sebastian, btw, is a good long name, and it has no known nicknames derived from it! I might go with that one, but the poor guy will need a partner.
Both guys in my pic look like their in cargo pants, and so I'm making them Army guys.
Supposedly they want character names and a title by June 1st. Eeep! I'm still not even sure what the plot's going to be, aside from sci-fi something or other involving a fleet of spaceships. Never mind the title! But at least I got a headstart on character names this morning.
Jordan S. wrote: "Sebastian, btw, is a good long name, and it has no known nicknames derived from it!"I had a Sebastian in my gratuation class. We called him 'Basti'. ;-)
Jordan S. wrote: "Sebastian, btw, is a good long name, and it has no known nicknames derived from it! I might go with that one, but the poor guy will need a partner. "Calathea wrote: "I had a Sebastian in my gratuation class. We called him 'Basti'. ;-)"
Actually, Actor David Hewlett's son is called Sebastian, and they shortened that to Baz ... so, yes there is a nickname for Sebastian
And over here in my little country we tend to shorten it to Sebas (with the a sounding more like the a in dart ...)
Jordan S. wrote: "Sebastian, btw, is a good long name, and it has no known nicknames derived from it! I might go with that one, but the poor guy will need a partner. Ha! My daughter has a classmate named Sebastian, and his parents (and everyone else) call him 'Sebby'. Guh.
I like Ethan.
Supposedly they want character names and a title by June 1st."
They do? I missed that one. Great. I have the names, though (I think), but I hate titling stuff.
I have names too :) and a job for my pov character.My boys will be called Scott and Jonah
Scott is a colour consultant for a firm that decorates businesses (I think) and Jonah is a bouncer (though where, I don't know yet) *nods*
Oh, and they're both deaf.
Yup. Going to be fun writing them
although ... my question is ... why are we hijacking Josh's Writing Questions thread for this? ... seems wrong somehow
*hides behind sofa*
Anne wrote: "Ha! My daughter has a classmate named Sebastian, and his parents (and everyone else) call him 'Sebby'. Guh."I like the name Sebastian as is, but if I had to choose between all these ncknames, I think I'd go for Baz.
Then again, I might be biassed, because David Hewlett's three yr old is adorable (at least, David's tweets about Baz are adorable lol)
ETA: Just remembered. Though it's more often used for Bastiaan instead of Sebastian, we use Bas as a nickname as well.
So ... that's 5 different nicknames for one name now?
scary
Blaine D. wrote: "I have names too :) and a job for my pov character.My boys will be called Scott and Jonah
Scott is a colour consultant for a firm that decorates businesses (I think) and Jonah is a bouncer (thoug..."
My bad! Sorry, everyone, and especially Josh.
Mod
I think I'm going to go with Ethan and Sebastian. I seem drawn to both of them more than the others.
...now on to a plot and a title!
I sent a message and asked what the other requirements were for writers. I was told they're working on them, and they should be out by next week, but she gave me a few things right away, and that title deadline was one of them, and at the moment, the most important.
Mod
I was just sent a message with this link to more instructions for writers! Check it out.
Technically, we're talking about writing in a writing thread. Though it's true, we're not really asking questions. Hmmm...
Mod
Last month I was involved in a discussion here about how to be a good beta reader. I ended up writing my ideas about it into a post for Jessewave today. If you're interested it's here:
http://www.reviewsbyjessewave.com/201...
And thanks to everybody here for giving me the idea.
Nicole wrote: "Hey all,Last month I was involved in a discussion here about how to be a good beta reader. I ended up writing my ideas about it into a post for Jessewave today. If you're interested it's here:
ht..."
NK: So I’ve thought about this for a while and I think probably the single greatest reason that many MS don’t reach their greatest potential is not a lack of straight-shooting beta readers.
I salute you! :) :) :) That one ought to be framed on a wall somewhere. Your legend only grows in my eyes, Ms Kimberling!
Mod
Last month I was involved in a discussion here about how to be a good beta reader. I ended up writing my ideas about it into a post for Jessewave today. If you're interested it's here:
ht..."
That's a great essay, Nicole. I know in manuscript evaluations I'm occasionally guilty of the instant and heartfelt reaction when waiting a bit and phrasing things more objectively might be the more helpful move.
Mod
I'm telling you, that Astrid is one smart cookie.
And thanks for the compliment! I couldn't have done it without your fine group.
Mod
I agree about the whole nitpicking laundry list of every possible thing that could be wrong with a manuscript. A lot of things will be caught in subsequent rounds with copyeditors and proofeditors so there's really no need to overwhelm the author with a lot of stuff that may well change along the way anyway.
Mod
I agree. It really is a temptation especially if you've got a really flexible style or if your style matches well with the other author's so that written-in text can pass unnoticed by a reader.
And along those lines, there is also the skill of being able to tell if some idea that you happen to have about another author's stuff is an idea that your friend even could (or would ever want to) execute. Cause even if the solve you come up with is truly great not everybody shines at every type of scene. Like it might theoretically improve one of my stories to have a 26 page maritime battle scene, but not if the way I write it is sucky or lackluster.
I always like hearing those crazy ideas that come from my writer's group though, regardless. Even if they are totally unworkable, it ends up being... oh, like negative space that helps define my own idea.
Mod
I agree. Sometimes (speaking as the writer here) you're just too close to see the obvious or too tired. I glanced through the comments after your essay. I've never minded suggestions. In fact there are times when I've been abjectly grateful for them. Even if I don't always take them, they always serve to shake free my own thoughts.
I rarely use a beta or CP, but I'm beginning to think it would make my life a lot easier if I did. For me though there really is the fear that the wrong comment at the wrong time is going to derail me.
Is this beta-ing usually done chapter by chapter or after you wrote the whole thing before revising it?I just try to imagin how it would affect the work process and the direction the work in question could take.
Mod
Yeah, there is that danger isn't there? I've been derailed a couple of times but it only ever lasts for about 24 hours--for me anyway. I can definitely say that my writers group has made up for that in time saved banging my head against a wall--and also cash saved in not having to pay for all those drywall repairs. :)
Calathea wrote: "Is this beta-ing usually done chapter by chapter or after you wrote the whole thing before revising it?I just try to imagin how it would affect the work process and the direction the work in quest..."
In the crit group I'm in, most people do it chapter by chapter. I like to have the whole thing written first, then I put up chapters individually as I'm working back through.
At least in theory. In practice, I write a bunch, then I get all excited and put it up. :)
I am probably an exception to the rule then. I know am a newbie in every sense of the world. My focus now is trying to learn everything. If I make mistakes, 100 mistakes, point them all! LOL. Especially line edits since I mostly write when half asleep and I am an ESL writer. I cringe when I check how many mistakes I made. I also like automatic emotional response because that's the reaction I want to know if someone is a reader. So if the beta suddenly put LOL behind a funny line I feel accomplished because it's her honest reaction.
I like what we do at M/M crit group so far and it really helps us improve our writing, including me. None of us (until now at least) get offended with crits and none of us get offended if the author doesn't follow our suggestion either.
Josh wrote: "I rarely use a beta or CP, but I'm beginning to think it would make my life a lot easier if I did. For me though there really is the fear that the wrong comment at the wrong time is going to derail me."Just develop two of my personal favorites (arrogance and denial) -- no problemo. ;-p
If derailment (or engine stall) is an issue, just don't take a book to crit until you're well beyond the halfway point. Maybe it's not like this for everyone else, but once I get into the final 1/3? I can see The End. I can smell it, taste it. I'm a machine. You get me in the first third, though? Or God help me, during the endless middle? Ooh! Shiny! And off I go. Once I get into the last 1/3, though, I'm good. Or wait until the whole smack is done and pass it as a first draft onto beta readers.
My biggest stumbling block is my perfectionism. I'm getting better at letting people see my first drafts, though. I posted a story with SEX HERE recently <-- progress. LOLOL
Kari wrote: "Josh wrote: "I rarely use a beta or CP, but I'm beginning to think it would make my life a lot easier if I did. For me though there really is the fear that the wrong comment at the wrong time is go..."Dude, you still owe me a sex scene. I'm not going to forget.
Anne wrote: "Kari wrote: "Josh wrote: "I rarely use a beta or CP, but I'm beginning to think it would make my life a lot easier if I did. For me though there really is the fear that the wrong comment at the wro..."LOL Anne.
I'm very touchy about having anyone else read my stories in progress. I do have one beta reader who I send chapters too by email but she's under strict instructions to say nothing negative and only short postive exclamations like "Thanks" and "More please". I find it motivating to have someone I writing to but I also want to tell the story without interuption. When I'm finished with the first draft then we can have long conversations about what needs doing and how the characters are shaping up and I welcome her feedback. I don't think I could do the writing group chapter by chapter thing but I applaud those of you who do.
Anne wrote: "Dude, you still owe me a sex scene. I'm not going to forget. "Nor am I. That was really mean :p
I guess we'll have to wait for July to read it ...
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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The 'J' is pronounced like 'Y'.
Julian is pronounced Yoo-Lee-Aahn. Long a: in the end.