I figure that I should probably start this blog up again. Since my review blog tends to get more hits, I tend to focus more on that. But I really should be building this blog more, since I need a blog where I write about anything and everything, but mostly writing.
I went to the Alloy of Law midnight release last night with Nathan and Jason. They sold out of books, but I never really intended to buy the book. I just wanted to be at the event and have Brandon sign my copy of Towers of Midnight, and my kindle.
Isaac Stewart was there, and he remembered me from the Way of Kings signing, or at least we think that's where he remembered me from. All we were certain about was that he remembered me from somewhere. Either way, it was a great evening, despite waiting forever. Me and Nathan harassed Brandon on Twitter, but he never responded to us, so I think he may not have appreciated it.
On the writing front, I have to confess that it's taken a back seat to getting school work done. Of course that's what I say but even I don't believe it. Fact is I've been pretty lazy, which is why I've been neglecting this blog. I intend to get back into the flow and actually finish this book I've been stuck on for far too long. I need to stop doing that, getting stuck on books.
So I intend to post here more often, even though nobody really reads this blog so much. But I'm not too worried about that. This is the blog I intend to put on my business card for conventions and stuff.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Fail Blog is Fail
I just got a comment for one of my reviews over at Burning Lizard Studios. It was left by Anonymous, and all it said were the cryptic words: "fail blog is fail"
At first I thought, "What a jerk, I put a lot of effort into this. Who is he to dismiss my work because he, or she, does not care for it?"
Then I realized. It's not that whoever this person was used an outdated internet meme to be critical of someone because it gives them a chubby. Oh no, it was not so simple. This person, this idiot savant, was sharing the fundamental truth all bloggers share. Sure his syntax could use some work, but the gem of truth was there, amid the midst of all that bile condensed into such a small package.
This is that truth, That blogs that fail, are in fact failing.
He could have told me what he did not like about my blog. He could have said something to help improve future reviews. He could have done literally anything, and it would have been helpful. But instead he chose the path most beneficial to me. For if I did not figure this out on my own, the lesson never could have been mine. Instead of giving me a fish, he taught me HOW to fish.
Truly, this person, this...Anonymous, is a modern day Confucius. Though he sits in his mother's basement, cheeto stained fingers leaving prints on his keyboard, he has abandoned all physical needs for the pursuit of true internet mastery. Only he alone knows when a blog is fail, and he gives his wisdom only to those worthy.
Thank you, Anonymous, I will never forget the favor you have shown me. I myself will pass it on to others. I will spread your holy word, that fail blog is fail. Bless you! Oh bless you great master!
Fail Blog is Fail!
At first I thought, "What a jerk, I put a lot of effort into this. Who is he to dismiss my work because he, or she, does not care for it?"
Then I realized. It's not that whoever this person was used an outdated internet meme to be critical of someone because it gives them a chubby. Oh no, it was not so simple. This person, this idiot savant, was sharing the fundamental truth all bloggers share. Sure his syntax could use some work, but the gem of truth was there, amid the midst of all that bile condensed into such a small package.
This is that truth, That blogs that fail, are in fact failing.
He could have told me what he did not like about my blog. He could have said something to help improve future reviews. He could have done literally anything, and it would have been helpful. But instead he chose the path most beneficial to me. For if I did not figure this out on my own, the lesson never could have been mine. Instead of giving me a fish, he taught me HOW to fish.
Truly, this person, this...Anonymous, is a modern day Confucius. Though he sits in his mother's basement, cheeto stained fingers leaving prints on his keyboard, he has abandoned all physical needs for the pursuit of true internet mastery. Only he alone knows when a blog is fail, and he gives his wisdom only to those worthy.
Thank you, Anonymous, I will never forget the favor you have shown me. I myself will pass it on to others. I will spread your holy word, that fail blog is fail. Bless you! Oh bless you great master!
Fail Blog is Fail!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
40K Landmark Reached!
Years down the line I'll look back on this event and wonder how I could ever be excited about reaching only 40,000 words. But for now I will enjoy having written the most I've ever done for one project.
That being said, I find it interesting that I've almost doubled the word count from the first draft. And I'm not even really halfway done. This is probably telling me that I have a lot of fat that needs to be trimmed, but I'll save that for after I'm done. I would cry if I decided to cut down on my word count now.
Where I am right now I'm not too satisfied with the scenes I've been writing. Unless I can fix them up in later drafts I'll probably cut them out. I hope I don't have to, though since the main purpose is for world building, I think I can safely say they will be cut. Not very encouraging writing something knowing it will be cut.
I've started preparing to plan my next book, currently titled Epic Heroes: A Test of Heroes (name likely to change). I haven't started planning yet since I still need to finish up the plan for later on in Dragon's Egg but that should start soon, so that by the time I finish my current book I'll have a new one to work on.
Since this is mostly my personal blog right now, I don't really ever expect people to read it. I should work on posting more entertaining entries, maybe that will bring people in. Those that do read this, keep in mind I have more than one blog, you might enjoy checking a few of them out.
That being said, I find it interesting that I've almost doubled the word count from the first draft. And I'm not even really halfway done. This is probably telling me that I have a lot of fat that needs to be trimmed, but I'll save that for after I'm done. I would cry if I decided to cut down on my word count now.
Where I am right now I'm not too satisfied with the scenes I've been writing. Unless I can fix them up in later drafts I'll probably cut them out. I hope I don't have to, though since the main purpose is for world building, I think I can safely say they will be cut. Not very encouraging writing something knowing it will be cut.
I've started preparing to plan my next book, currently titled Epic Heroes: A Test of Heroes (name likely to change). I haven't started planning yet since I still need to finish up the plan for later on in Dragon's Egg but that should start soon, so that by the time I finish my current book I'll have a new one to work on.
Since this is mostly my personal blog right now, I don't really ever expect people to read it. I should work on posting more entertaining entries, maybe that will bring people in. Those that do read this, keep in mind I have more than one blog, you might enjoy checking a few of them out.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
New Computer - Almost reached 40K
My laptop broke recently. I just got it replaced yesterday with a new MacBook Pro. They're about a thousand dollars at my campus store, so overall not a terrible deal. Especially when you count in the free printer and photoshop elements 9.
It's taking me a while to get used to Lion, so much has changed since what I'm used to. But it's a pretty sweet machine, here's hoping it lasts a few years.
I got a bit of writing done yesterday, but my productivity suffered from angry birds. Which is stupid because I'm about five hundred words away from breaking the 40K written for one book landmark. Just ten thousand more and I'll have reached the minimum word count for a middlegrade novel. Too bad it isn't halfway done, and it isn't really a middlegrade. But it's nice to know that I could start wrapping up and it would be long enough. It'd just suck.
I've written double what the first draft of this book was, but since it isn't done yet it doesn't feel like an accomplishment. Now that I look back at it, considering the first draft a finished book really didn't count. So I have yet to finish an actual book. This makes me feel like I haven't gotten anything done in the past few years. I've worked on several stories and books, but never finished anything. It will be nice to have finally finished an actual book.
The main thing I've learned from this experience is that the most important part of being able to finish a book is increasing the amount one writes per hour. If you can get more done in a day then your book will get done much faster. Just ask Nathan.
Anyway, today I'm going to break that barrier, after getting some homework done. I might go fishing, I'm not sure, I probably won't have time.
It's taking me a while to get used to Lion, so much has changed since what I'm used to. But it's a pretty sweet machine, here's hoping it lasts a few years.
I got a bit of writing done yesterday, but my productivity suffered from angry birds. Which is stupid because I'm about five hundred words away from breaking the 40K written for one book landmark. Just ten thousand more and I'll have reached the minimum word count for a middlegrade novel. Too bad it isn't halfway done, and it isn't really a middlegrade. But it's nice to know that I could start wrapping up and it would be long enough. It'd just suck.
I've written double what the first draft of this book was, but since it isn't done yet it doesn't feel like an accomplishment. Now that I look back at it, considering the first draft a finished book really didn't count. So I have yet to finish an actual book. This makes me feel like I haven't gotten anything done in the past few years. I've worked on several stories and books, but never finished anything. It will be nice to have finally finished an actual book.
The main thing I've learned from this experience is that the most important part of being able to finish a book is increasing the amount one writes per hour. If you can get more done in a day then your book will get done much faster. Just ask Nathan.
Anyway, today I'm going to break that barrier, after getting some homework done. I might go fishing, I'm not sure, I probably won't have time.
Monday, August 29, 2011
The Dragon's Flame Goes On
Well, it's been a while since I've updated this blog with something about my actual writing. Since the point of this blog is to separate my reviews from my writing updates, it kind of defeats the purpose if I don't keep people updated about my writing.
That being said, ever since Nathan laid down the law, I have been writing every day, missing only a day or so out of the week. I should be writing every day, but I think that having a day where I don't write be the abnormality, rather than the days I do write, is a step in the right direction. Right now what I need to do is increase my minimum from a thousand words a day to two thousand. I try my best to never be under a thousand words, but sometimes it just happens. The nice thing about a thousand words minimum is that anything below five hundred words just isn't satisfactory and hardly counts as actually writing. And by the time I've reached five hundred words, going to a thousand just isn't a big deal anymore. And once you reach a thousand words, what's to stop you from writing a few hundred more? And then a thousand more?
I'll tell you what stops me, the fact that sometimes I don't start writing until one in the morning. This is a bad habit, I need to stop it.
I should take the time to say that this is all thanks to Nathan, and in part to Jason (who created a nifty excel document that we can all use to keep track of our progress and compare it to the rest of writing group. Makes it much easier to be accountable when you see how much you are sucking), that I've been able to reach this phase where I'm writing pretty much every day. He doesn't have to get on my case, but he does, and I appreciate it, since I'm finally moving to that phase where I will be able to get myself to write so much more easily.
That and it's kind of shameful to have to be forced to do something I love and want to do for a living. My eventual goal is to be known as one of the more prolific writers published. This will take a while to happen.
That being said, I'm currently most likely half way through Dragon's Egg, I have a good chunk of it planned, and once I finish my long form notes for the plot I'm going to start working on planning my next book. I intend to have this book be fifty thousand words, but I imagine it will be a bit longer than that. So I'm either halfway, or three fifths of the way through.
There's a lot that's going to need to be changed up, some major edits that need doing. Since the book is meant to be a middle grade I'm going to need to remove a fair bit of violence (I honestly can't help it, I don't think I'm cut out to be a middlegrade writer, YA might be as young as I go). But since I like the violence, I'm going to make two edits. A middlegrade edit that is meant as a gift for my cousin, and a YA version that I'll actually try to get sold. This depends of course on which version I like better. If I go the YA route I'm going to have to make Melan a good few years older. And once I do that, a lot is going to change. The earlier stuff written when she was still ten, and everything else written when she was twelve. But I think for now I'm going to finish it up, and then start work on my next book after I do the middlegrade edits. This will be the first actual book I've finished (full length that is, I've finished plenty of shorter (sucky) stories, but never a full length book). What I need to do next is start on a new project so that I can actually claim to have a portfolio.
Anyway, classes have started again, which means the real challenge starts now. Now we see if I can make myself write even though I have homework, and if I can juggle it all along with keeping up to date on my blog.
Pray for me, people. Pray for me.
That being said, ever since Nathan laid down the law, I have been writing every day, missing only a day or so out of the week. I should be writing every day, but I think that having a day where I don't write be the abnormality, rather than the days I do write, is a step in the right direction. Right now what I need to do is increase my minimum from a thousand words a day to two thousand. I try my best to never be under a thousand words, but sometimes it just happens. The nice thing about a thousand words minimum is that anything below five hundred words just isn't satisfactory and hardly counts as actually writing. And by the time I've reached five hundred words, going to a thousand just isn't a big deal anymore. And once you reach a thousand words, what's to stop you from writing a few hundred more? And then a thousand more?
I'll tell you what stops me, the fact that sometimes I don't start writing until one in the morning. This is a bad habit, I need to stop it.
I should take the time to say that this is all thanks to Nathan, and in part to Jason (who created a nifty excel document that we can all use to keep track of our progress and compare it to the rest of writing group. Makes it much easier to be accountable when you see how much you are sucking), that I've been able to reach this phase where I'm writing pretty much every day. He doesn't have to get on my case, but he does, and I appreciate it, since I'm finally moving to that phase where I will be able to get myself to write so much more easily.
That and it's kind of shameful to have to be forced to do something I love and want to do for a living. My eventual goal is to be known as one of the more prolific writers published. This will take a while to happen.
That being said, I'm currently most likely half way through Dragon's Egg, I have a good chunk of it planned, and once I finish my long form notes for the plot I'm going to start working on planning my next book. I intend to have this book be fifty thousand words, but I imagine it will be a bit longer than that. So I'm either halfway, or three fifths of the way through.
There's a lot that's going to need to be changed up, some major edits that need doing. Since the book is meant to be a middle grade I'm going to need to remove a fair bit of violence (I honestly can't help it, I don't think I'm cut out to be a middlegrade writer, YA might be as young as I go). But since I like the violence, I'm going to make two edits. A middlegrade edit that is meant as a gift for my cousin, and a YA version that I'll actually try to get sold. This depends of course on which version I like better. If I go the YA route I'm going to have to make Melan a good few years older. And once I do that, a lot is going to change. The earlier stuff written when she was still ten, and everything else written when she was twelve. But I think for now I'm going to finish it up, and then start work on my next book after I do the middlegrade edits. This will be the first actual book I've finished (full length that is, I've finished plenty of shorter (sucky) stories, but never a full length book). What I need to do next is start on a new project so that I can actually claim to have a portfolio.
Anyway, classes have started again, which means the real challenge starts now. Now we see if I can make myself write even though I have homework, and if I can juggle it all along with keeping up to date on my blog.
Pray for me, people. Pray for me.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Worldcon: Recap and What I've Learned
I won't make this recap an events recap, since if you've read my other posts you know full well what happened. Instead I'll just summarize what I've learned from this experience. Hopefully other people will find this short list useful.
You'll be doing a lot of walking, so proper footwear is essential. Also consider doing some stretches, or light exercise each evening after you get back to your hotel room.
If you try to do too much you'll exhaust yourself mentally. Know your limits, take some time to sit back and relax before you break down from exhaustion. You're there to make a good impression, don't make a bad one because you can't think straight.
If you're the kind of con attender me and my friends are, you're there to make contacts that will help you sell your book. Who you know is most important, so get to know as many people as possible, and make a good first impression. Find out what they're working on, what kind of books they're interested in. Don't try selling your book to every agent or editor you meet. They have an entire con full of people trying to do that. Be the person they remember as a pleasant conversation, they'll be much more sympathetic towards your work if you send it to them.
Make friends with everyone, not just editors and agents, but other authors as well. These people talk to each other, and if they all have something good to say about you the word will eventually spread. Also, if you don't act like an ass you won't suddenly find someone warning the editor or agent you're trying to work with that you're an unpleasant person.
While you're there, dress appropriately. If you're trying to break into the field, dress in nice, conservative clothing. If you're there to have a good time and dress up in costumes you can't wear in public other times, then have a blast and enjoy yourself. Just don't try to do both at the same time.
As a part of that, and everyone says that in their con advice articles, but be sure to be well groomed. This means showering every day and using sufficient amounts of deodorant.
Finally:
The Corolla is a damn fine car. We only spent a hundred dollars there and back. Go out and buy yourself one today, your gas spending will be phenomenally low.
Keep your physical health in mind:
You'll be doing a lot of walking, so proper footwear is essential. Also consider doing some stretches, or light exercise each evening after you get back to your hotel room.
Keep your mental health in mind:
If you try to do too much you'll exhaust yourself mentally. Know your limits, take some time to sit back and relax before you break down from exhaustion. You're there to make a good impression, don't make a bad one because you can't think straight.
You're there to work:
If you're the kind of con attender me and my friends are, you're there to make contacts that will help you sell your book. Who you know is most important, so get to know as many people as possible, and make a good first impression. Find out what they're working on, what kind of books they're interested in. Don't try selling your book to every agent or editor you meet. They have an entire con full of people trying to do that. Be the person they remember as a pleasant conversation, they'll be much more sympathetic towards your work if you send it to them.
Make friends with everyone, not just editors and agents, but other authors as well. These people talk to each other, and if they all have something good to say about you the word will eventually spread. Also, if you don't act like an ass you won't suddenly find someone warning the editor or agent you're trying to work with that you're an unpleasant person.
The most important rule: Don't be an asshole.
As a part of that, and everyone says that in their con advice articles, but be sure to be well groomed. This means showering every day and using sufficient amounts of deodorant.
Finally:
The Corolla is a damn fine car. We only spent a hundred dollars there and back. Go out and buy yourself one today, your gas spending will be phenomenally low.
Worldcon: Day 4 - Saturday
I don't remember much about today, besides going to more panels, and doing our best to talk to people. By this point we all knew we were conned out, and ready to be done. We kept going out and meeting people though, since that's what we came for. But due to a combination of mental fatigue and being way too absorbed by the latest Dresden Files I can't remember much of what happened.
Oh yeah, we tried to sign up for the Patrick Rothfuss Kaffeklatsch, but that filled up way too fast. And for those interested, Kaffeeklatsch is german for Coffee Get-Together. Basically the german version of tea time. Klatsch is slang for chat, so you get together, drink coffee, and talk.
The hugos were a lot of fun to go to. It was the first time I've been to an awards service like this. Unfortunately Utah got pwned, and pwned hard. I think only one thing I voted for got the Hugo, Girl Genius, but considering they've won for their category every year, that wasn't much of a stretch.
After the awards came the parties, and those were pretty fun. Our nifty SFWA guest stickers got us in the doors there, where we had some good conversations. Dan Willis was kind enough to take some time and give us aspiring authors some advice on breaking in to the field. Though mostly it was, "This is what I did, it won't work again, so try something else."
I think we've made some progress getting to know the Utah authors at least. As long as I feel a part of the community, then I can feel like I need to work harder to deserve to be among them.
Oh yeah, we tried to sign up for the Patrick Rothfuss Kaffeklatsch, but that filled up way too fast. And for those interested, Kaffeeklatsch is german for Coffee Get-Together. Basically the german version of tea time. Klatsch is slang for chat, so you get together, drink coffee, and talk.
The hugos were a lot of fun to go to. It was the first time I've been to an awards service like this. Unfortunately Utah got pwned, and pwned hard. I think only one thing I voted for got the Hugo, Girl Genius, but considering they've won for their category every year, that wasn't much of a stretch.
After the awards came the parties, and those were pretty fun. Our nifty SFWA guest stickers got us in the doors there, where we had some good conversations. Dan Willis was kind enough to take some time and give us aspiring authors some advice on breaking in to the field. Though mostly it was, "This is what I did, it won't work again, so try something else."
I think we've made some progress getting to know the Utah authors at least. As long as I feel a part of the community, then I can feel like I need to work harder to deserve to be among them.
Worldcon: Day 3 - Friday
I'm a little late with this, so I'll be brief. I can't promise that I'll remember everything that happened.
In fact, I really can't. The entire week kind of blurred together. So much happened that by the time we realized we didn't have anything planned for the evening every one of us decided that we should all just go back to our hotel room and rest.
And by rest I mean write, and by write I mean the rest of us wrote while Jason took a nap. By which I mean Jason, and possibly Adam were diligent, and I goofed off on the internet while Jason took a nap. Still, it was a good, relaxing evening, and very necessary for our sanity.
I have learned, though, that while panels can be fun, they do get tiresome after a while. And since the main purpose of these conventions is to make contacts, I think the only panels anyone should be going to are the ones that have people you want to talk to on them. Take that with a grain of salt of course.
Also, flip flops may be comfy, but for goodness sake, bring proper shoes. Even if your room is close to the convention, you're going to be doing a lot of walking. So wear proper shoes.
In fact, I really can't. The entire week kind of blurred together. So much happened that by the time we realized we didn't have anything planned for the evening every one of us decided that we should all just go back to our hotel room and rest.
And by rest I mean write, and by write I mean the rest of us wrote while Jason took a nap. By which I mean Jason, and possibly Adam were diligent, and I goofed off on the internet while Jason took a nap. Still, it was a good, relaxing evening, and very necessary for our sanity.
I have learned, though, that while panels can be fun, they do get tiresome after a while. And since the main purpose of these conventions is to make contacts, I think the only panels anyone should be going to are the ones that have people you want to talk to on them. Take that with a grain of salt of course.
Also, flip flops may be comfy, but for goodness sake, bring proper shoes. Even if your room is close to the convention, you're going to be doing a lot of walking. So wear proper shoes.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Worldcon: Day 2 - Thursday
Good day today, we went to several panels, the most entertaining of which was Patrick Rothfuss' reading. The man knows how to entertain an audience. Really so far I've noticed that the panels are more something to do in between finding people to talk to.
We went to a Kaffeeklatsch, where we talked to an editor at Tor, and got to know some other people who we went to dinner with. After dinner, we had pizza, we went and got ready to go to the Tor party. At first it was really packed, but we met up with Brad Torgeson who hooked us up with some guest stickers for the SFWA party. After hanging around there for a bit, we headed back down to the Tor party, where we kind of mingled with our own little group.
Up until Brandon Sanderson found us and told us to split up and go talk to people. I'm guessing that since we're the students of his that bothered to come to Worldcon, he's considering us as worth his time to help out. He pointed us in the direction of people to talk to, but we're starting to think that "Brandon's Students" is becoming a dirty word among the editors and agents, since they keep getting flooded by us.
Anyway, we talked to a few editors, even found some time to talk to Tom Doherty. Oh yes, during dinner L.E. Modesitt showed up and talked to us for a while. Turns out his wife got ill right after they landed in Reno, so she's in the hospital right now. She should be released soon, but keep a prayer in mind for her folks.
Kind of hard to summarize everything after such a long day, I'm not the best at these kind of journal entry blog posts.
We went to a Kaffeeklatsch, where we talked to an editor at Tor, and got to know some other people who we went to dinner with. After dinner, we had pizza, we went and got ready to go to the Tor party. At first it was really packed, but we met up with Brad Torgeson who hooked us up with some guest stickers for the SFWA party. After hanging around there for a bit, we headed back down to the Tor party, where we kind of mingled with our own little group.
Up until Brandon Sanderson found us and told us to split up and go talk to people. I'm guessing that since we're the students of his that bothered to come to Worldcon, he's considering us as worth his time to help out. He pointed us in the direction of people to talk to, but we're starting to think that "Brandon's Students" is becoming a dirty word among the editors and agents, since they keep getting flooded by us.
Anyway, we talked to a few editors, even found some time to talk to Tom Doherty. Oh yes, during dinner L.E. Modesitt showed up and talked to us for a while. Turns out his wife got ill right after they landed in Reno, so she's in the hospital right now. She should be released soon, but keep a prayer in mind for her folks.
Kind of hard to summarize everything after such a long day, I'm not the best at these kind of journal entry blog posts.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Worldcon: Day 1 - Wednesday
For just being the first day of Worldcon, we were surprisingly productive. The panels were interesting, but nothing particularly worth writing home about.
While on our way down to registration, we passed an older gentleman, who looked very familiar. Then I noticed that his badge read: George R. R. Martin. It was at this point that I realized this was going to be a good convention. This realization was confirmed when we saw Patrick Rothfuss in line ahead of us at registration. After getting registered we stopped him and talked for a bit, I got my copy of Name of the Wind signed by him. He's a really friendly, sociable guy, and with how well he writes I highly doubt he's going to be disappearing anywhere after finishing his current series.
Though what I consider the most important spot is that I spotted Moshe Feder, Brandon Sanderson's Editor, as we were leaving the ceremonial opening to the con. He was talking to someone, so we followed after him for a bit, till he left, and then walked up to him and talked for a good forty five minutes to an hour. He's a very sociable kind of guy, and when he found out that we are Brandon's students he was even more open.
We made an important contact today, and with this we should be able to get to know some more editors at Tor. With any luck at least one of us will come away from this day with an editor asking for a sample submission. If it happens to me then I'm going to have to finish what I'm writing likety-split.
Anyway, I'm pretty tired now, so I'm going to do some writing, relax for a bit, and then go to bed. Tomorrow we're hoping to track Brandon down and see if we can get him to go to dinner with us. Moshe already agreed that he'd like to go to lunch with us and Brandon, so that would be great. We're also going to see if Larry Correia isn't filled up for his Kaffeeklatsch tomorrow.
While on our way down to registration, we passed an older gentleman, who looked very familiar. Then I noticed that his badge read: George R. R. Martin. It was at this point that I realized this was going to be a good convention. This realization was confirmed when we saw Patrick Rothfuss in line ahead of us at registration. After getting registered we stopped him and talked for a bit, I got my copy of Name of the Wind signed by him. He's a really friendly, sociable guy, and with how well he writes I highly doubt he's going to be disappearing anywhere after finishing his current series.
Though what I consider the most important spot is that I spotted Moshe Feder, Brandon Sanderson's Editor, as we were leaving the ceremonial opening to the con. He was talking to someone, so we followed after him for a bit, till he left, and then walked up to him and talked for a good forty five minutes to an hour. He's a very sociable kind of guy, and when he found out that we are Brandon's students he was even more open.
We made an important contact today, and with this we should be able to get to know some more editors at Tor. With any luck at least one of us will come away from this day with an editor asking for a sample submission. If it happens to me then I'm going to have to finish what I'm writing likety-split.
Anyway, I'm pretty tired now, so I'm going to do some writing, relax for a bit, and then go to bed. Tomorrow we're hoping to track Brandon down and see if we can get him to go to dinner with us. Moshe already agreed that he'd like to go to lunch with us and Brandon, so that would be great. We're also going to see if Larry Correia isn't filled up for his Kaffeeklatsch tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Heading Out To Worldcon
Well, I'm just about packed, and waiting for the rest of my group to get to my place so we can carpool down to Reno. We're going to be picking Adam up in Salt Lake, and then we're going to drive for about eight or so hours until we find a hotel to stay in, and then drive the rest of the way tomorrow.
This is my first major convention, so I'm really excited. I'll try not to be a bum, and give a daily update of what happens during the convention. So hopefully I make some good contacts and get to know some awesome people.
This is my first major convention, so I'm really excited. I'll try not to be a bum, and give a daily update of what happens during the convention. So hopefully I make some good contacts and get to know some awesome people.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Threshold
There is a point during the writing process where everything start flowing smoothly. New ideas flow into your head, and the words to express them spill right onto the page. I refer to that point as the Threshold. It's the point at where writing switches from being a drag to being a true delight. Since everyone works differently the threshold is never in the same place, even for the same person. The more practice one gets, the sooner they can reach the threshold.
For example, the past few months my threshold has been far too high. It would take me several hundred, sometimes a thousand, words to reach it. Sometimes I never reached it at all. Recently, however, I've been able to reach the threshold in just a hundred words or so. I partially atribute this to this being my third day in a row of writing every day. I know this isn't a big accomplishment, but for me it's something. I've also been writing more frequently overall, so I can only assume that the practice is having an affect.
Practice alone does not decrease the threshold, however. What really breaks it down is pure enthusiasm. If you can reach the point where writing a book is as good as reading one, because you're discovering a new story, then you know you're where you want to be. It goes without say that you need to be enthusiastic about books to be able to reach this point in the first place.
For a good chunk of this book it's been a drag just because I was trying to get it done just so I could say I finished a book. But recently I've been able to think of a few new ideas, expanded on some characters, fleshed out the plot, and prepared some plot twists, that have me thinking this really is going to be a good book. I'm looking forward to finishing it because I know it's going to be good and people will enjoy it. Without that driving force I don't think I could finish this book.
I think every book needs a few ideas like that, something that makes you excited to write it. That's why it's important to always have your ending in mind. Start with a rough idea for the ending at least, and then start building the plot towards it. The ending will change as you think of new ideas, brought on by expanding the plot and characters. It's hard to write a plot twist for a character that doesn't even really exist yet.
And I guess you probably want to create your characters before plotting. My characters kinda pop into existence as I expand on the plot. They usually start out as something to fill in plot holes, and then grow to take on their own lives.
Anyway, I'll try to update this blog more often, but right now my book and other blog take priority.
For example, the past few months my threshold has been far too high. It would take me several hundred, sometimes a thousand, words to reach it. Sometimes I never reached it at all. Recently, however, I've been able to reach the threshold in just a hundred words or so. I partially atribute this to this being my third day in a row of writing every day. I know this isn't a big accomplishment, but for me it's something. I've also been writing more frequently overall, so I can only assume that the practice is having an affect.
Practice alone does not decrease the threshold, however. What really breaks it down is pure enthusiasm. If you can reach the point where writing a book is as good as reading one, because you're discovering a new story, then you know you're where you want to be. It goes without say that you need to be enthusiastic about books to be able to reach this point in the first place.
For a good chunk of this book it's been a drag just because I was trying to get it done just so I could say I finished a book. But recently I've been able to think of a few new ideas, expanded on some characters, fleshed out the plot, and prepared some plot twists, that have me thinking this really is going to be a good book. I'm looking forward to finishing it because I know it's going to be good and people will enjoy it. Without that driving force I don't think I could finish this book.
I think every book needs a few ideas like that, something that makes you excited to write it. That's why it's important to always have your ending in mind. Start with a rough idea for the ending at least, and then start building the plot towards it. The ending will change as you think of new ideas, brought on by expanding the plot and characters. It's hard to write a plot twist for a character that doesn't even really exist yet.
And I guess you probably want to create your characters before plotting. My characters kinda pop into existence as I expand on the plot. They usually start out as something to fill in plot holes, and then grow to take on their own lives.
Anyway, I'll try to update this blog more often, but right now my book and other blog take priority.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
"What I've Learned"
Recently Rebecca (Nathan's wife) gave me a list of middle grade books for me to read as research for the book that I'm writing. Since none of them are very long, and I plan to write a few more middle grade books at least (gotta get 'em while they're young), I've been working my way through said list. Since I'm doing this as a learning experience I've decided to start a new segment on my blog, where I summarize what I've learned from each one of the books that I've been reading.
For now I'm going to only really do this with middle grade books, but since I intend to write for every age group I will eventually start writing posts for every book that I read. But since my focus is on middle grade, it will be a while before I post something like this for, say, Mistborn.
So expect to share amazing insight with me, or watch as I completely miss the point, as I start off this brand new segment with the Enchanted Forest Chronicles.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The Killing Blow
I'm sure you all know the trope: In the climactic battle between the protagonist and the antagonist, the hero finds himself disarmed. The villain raises his sword high (whether the move makes sense for the type of weapon he is using or not. I'm looking at you, Three Musketeers) and pauses, as if relishing his victory. At the last split second the hero finds a new weapon, and as his opponent lowers his blade, the hero stabs him right through the chest.
I find this kind of silly. Not necessarily because a lot of times it doesn't make sense to use a weapon like a rapier like that. But more because any swordsman competent enough to be a legitimate threat would know that even a slight moment could be enough time to lose the battle. There would be no pause in the strike. There wouldn't even be any time wasted lifting the sword higher than it needs to be.
Now, I'm not saying an overhead strike is a stupid move, but rather that it has been maligned by Hollywood. See, when done properly an overhead strike can do some impressive damage. Ignoring the fact that pausing right before the strike is ridiculous, I would also like to point out that just because a fencer started one move, doesn't mean that he has to finish it.
For example, why not switch the strike into a block? I can even think of two appropriate blocks for the situation. Switch the vertical cut into a diagonal cut and knock the weapon out of the way. Or how about a nimble little flick of the wrist to knock the weapon aside. Which I might point out puts the sword in the perfect position to split the hero's face up the middle.
Or, if you just want to break convention, have the villains sword come down too fast. Or, and this this is my personal favorite, play the scene straight and have the hero stab the villain. Then, because our villain is nothing but a badass, have him follow through with his strike anyway, killing both of them.
If I ever direct/write/am involved in a movie in any way, I will do my best to insist that this scene be added. I don't care if I'm working on Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3, there will be a climactic fight scene where the killing blow is properly executed. Actually, I think every crappy Disney movie should have a climactic sword fight at the end.
I'll have you know, that I did do a little preliminary choreography for this idea, and as far as I can tell, it would work. I'm no genius choreographer, and my martial arts skills need some polishing, but one way or another, I'm using this kind of scene in a future project. I just need to find some way to describe it without getting into a blow by blow description.
I find this kind of silly. Not necessarily because a lot of times it doesn't make sense to use a weapon like a rapier like that. But more because any swordsman competent enough to be a legitimate threat would know that even a slight moment could be enough time to lose the battle. There would be no pause in the strike. There wouldn't even be any time wasted lifting the sword higher than it needs to be.
Now, I'm not saying an overhead strike is a stupid move, but rather that it has been maligned by Hollywood. See, when done properly an overhead strike can do some impressive damage. Ignoring the fact that pausing right before the strike is ridiculous, I would also like to point out that just because a fencer started one move, doesn't mean that he has to finish it.
For example, why not switch the strike into a block? I can even think of two appropriate blocks for the situation. Switch the vertical cut into a diagonal cut and knock the weapon out of the way. Or how about a nimble little flick of the wrist to knock the weapon aside. Which I might point out puts the sword in the perfect position to split the hero's face up the middle.
Or, if you just want to break convention, have the villains sword come down too fast. Or, and this this is my personal favorite, play the scene straight and have the hero stab the villain. Then, because our villain is nothing but a badass, have him follow through with his strike anyway, killing both of them.
If I ever direct/write/am involved in a movie in any way, I will do my best to insist that this scene be added. I don't care if I'm working on Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3, there will be a climactic fight scene where the killing blow is properly executed. Actually, I think every crappy Disney movie should have a climactic sword fight at the end.
I'll have you know, that I did do a little preliminary choreography for this idea, and as far as I can tell, it would work. I'm no genius choreographer, and my martial arts skills need some polishing, but one way or another, I'm using this kind of scene in a future project. I just need to find some way to describe it without getting into a blow by blow description.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Word Counting Distracts Me
Well, I've decided that from now on I'm only going to bother about writing every day, and not worrying about word count. If I worry about that too much then it becomes a chore, and that's not what I want this to be. I want to be a professional writer, but I don't get enough written per day to do that. So I'm going to try and reach that stage Nathan is at, where going too long without writing drives one insane.
I won't be posting word count updates, because I need to trick my brain into thinking that this isn't a chore. And if I can get myself into the right groove every day, then eventually I will be churning out a ton of words every day. But only if I can get myself into the right groove.
There's a lot to consider when writing, and I'm no idiot when it comes to knowing technical facts about writing. But knowing all that is unimportant if I don't do what every writer should be doing, and that is write. Despite my professional aspirations, even beginners are currently better than me, because while what they write isn't even close to gold material, at least they are writing.
But don't be too smug for long beginners, I'm not going to let you beat me! I may not be the most hardworking guy out there, but as soon as I get over my natural laziness I will be a force to be reckoned with!! Or at least considered!
I know for a fact that I'm much better now than I was three or four years ago, but that does little good when I'm letting myself get bogged down with too much thinking or laziness. And I have most of the book planned, so I have no excuses to not be working on this. I do need to sit down and make some more detailed plans, but for now I need to use the planned first act to get some kind of grove together.
Really it's all just a matter of making it my priority. The earlier in the day I start, not only do I get more done, but I also feel like the day was well spent. I'm not about to ignore other responsibilities, such as working around the yard and keeping the house clean...ish, but I definitely need to make it a priority over everything else. Then I don't feel bad when I take some time to blog.
And yes, I've gotten some done today, just not very much, so I'll be getting right back to that.
I won't be posting word count updates, because I need to trick my brain into thinking that this isn't a chore. And if I can get myself into the right groove every day, then eventually I will be churning out a ton of words every day. But only if I can get myself into the right groove.
There's a lot to consider when writing, and I'm no idiot when it comes to knowing technical facts about writing. But knowing all that is unimportant if I don't do what every writer should be doing, and that is write. Despite my professional aspirations, even beginners are currently better than me, because while what they write isn't even close to gold material, at least they are writing.
But don't be too smug for long beginners, I'm not going to let you beat me! I may not be the most hardworking guy out there, but as soon as I get over my natural laziness I will be a force to be reckoned with!! Or at least considered!
I know for a fact that I'm much better now than I was three or four years ago, but that does little good when I'm letting myself get bogged down with too much thinking or laziness. And I have most of the book planned, so I have no excuses to not be working on this. I do need to sit down and make some more detailed plans, but for now I need to use the planned first act to get some kind of grove together.
Really it's all just a matter of making it my priority. The earlier in the day I start, not only do I get more done, but I also feel like the day was well spent. I'm not about to ignore other responsibilities, such as working around the yard and keeping the house clean...ish, but I definitely need to make it a priority over everything else. Then I don't feel bad when I take some time to blog.
And yes, I've gotten some done today, just not very much, so I'll be getting right back to that.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Hugo Awards
Well, I've just registered for worldcon, and received my Hugo awards voters packet. As a writer and reviewer I figured this is a good chance for me to do something relevant for once. I'll be reading through the submissions, and posting my opinions for them on my Burning Lizard Studios blog. Some of the books I've already reviewed, so I'll probably just post a quick opinion on which ones I think are most likely to win in their respective category. I don't know if I'll get through all of them before worldcon, but it's worth the attempt at least.
I think Saladin Ahmed's submissions are first and foremost in my list, I heard him on writing excuses and he interested me enough that I think I want to give his work a look see.
I think Saladin Ahmed's submissions are first and foremost in my list, I heard him on writing excuses and he interested me enough that I think I want to give his work a look see.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
I am the worst writer ever
Which is why I find myself, up at midnight, having struggled with getting my files backed up so I can try and update my laptop. It's getting old, and cranky, and after having finder flicker on and off I decided it's time to update. And after spending most of the day backing up files (itunes was being a bitch), I finally find myself ready to start writing.
Overall things have been going well. I've got the first act planned, and ready to type up. Unfortunately my ADD is rearing its ugly head. But instead of boring you with a post about how I swear this time I'm going to write every day!, instead I'm just going to say, this book will be finished, if it kills me. I'm giving myself a week, two tops, then it will be done. And once that's done, it's time to plan my next book.
Since my writing is pretty dependent on my mood, I think it should be interesting to see how much I get done on any given day.
Overall things have been going well. I've got the first act planned, and ready to type up. Unfortunately my ADD is rearing its ugly head. But instead of boring you with a post about how I swear this time I'm going to write every day!, instead I'm just going to say, this book will be finished, if it kills me. I'm giving myself a week, two tops, then it will be done. And once that's done, it's time to plan my next book.
Since my writing is pretty dependent on my mood, I think it should be interesting to see how much I get done on any given day.
Monday, May 30, 2011
First six chapters are a go
Well, I've got the first six chapters of Dragon's Egg fully planned. Since that basically constitutes the first act I think I'm good to start actually writing this. This will partially be a plan to see whether this actually helps me get the actual chapters written faster. If it does, or at least helps make my writing sessions longer, then I know I'm on the right track. If it doesn't do anything for me, then I need to reconsider how I plan.
Eventually I plan to completely plan books before writing them, but for now I think I'm going to go partway with this, and have daily planning sessions, and then get actual writing done. This book needs to be done five months ago, and this way I actually have something to show while I plan the rest of the book. I probably won't get that much writing done tomorrow, what with it being Memorial Day and all that, but I wouldn't be surprised if I manage to get the first six chapters written within the next two days.
It's definitely all coming together, and since I have a rough idea of what's going to happen in the future I can add necessary foreshadowing to my detailed plan. I don't know if the actual writing process is going to be improved, but I feel much better about what I'm managing to get done. I especially need to get this project done so that I can spend more time focusing on plotting a webcomic I'm writing the script for. It's a project I'm pretty excited about, and think I'll have a lot of fun with. It would also help increase my portfolio, since I have not yet produced anything I would feel comfortable showing anyone. I've been working on stories, but they never seem to come together properly. So if I can get this planning method to pay off then I'll definitely be able to start producing more.
I should know by tomorrow if I am in fact on the right track. Either way, I need to be spending basically all day writing something or another. If I can make the majority of my day productive like that then I'll be in business.
Eventually I plan to completely plan books before writing them, but for now I think I'm going to go partway with this, and have daily planning sessions, and then get actual writing done. This book needs to be done five months ago, and this way I actually have something to show while I plan the rest of the book. I probably won't get that much writing done tomorrow, what with it being Memorial Day and all that, but I wouldn't be surprised if I manage to get the first six chapters written within the next two days.
It's definitely all coming together, and since I have a rough idea of what's going to happen in the future I can add necessary foreshadowing to my detailed plan. I don't know if the actual writing process is going to be improved, but I feel much better about what I'm managing to get done. I especially need to get this project done so that I can spend more time focusing on plotting a webcomic I'm writing the script for. It's a project I'm pretty excited about, and think I'll have a lot of fun with. It would also help increase my portfolio, since I have not yet produced anything I would feel comfortable showing anyone. I've been working on stories, but they never seem to come together properly. So if I can get this planning method to pay off then I'll definitely be able to start producing more.
I should know by tomorrow if I am in fact on the right track. Either way, I need to be spending basically all day writing something or another. If I can make the majority of my day productive like that then I'll be in business.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Start of the work day
Well, since I'm terrible at going to bed at anything reasonable, and incapable of getting out of bed before one thirty, I find myself starting my daily writing session a bit later than I probably should. But there are still plenty of hours left in this day, and it's not like I have anything else planned, so I expect to be productive enough.
I'm all ready here, sitting with the proper word documents open, I've got the right inspirational music playing, and I've got a can of Mtn Dew open next to me. It's my last can though, so I'm going to need to go buy more. But I just got paid today, so I can afford to buy a twelve pack before I put the rest of my pay check towards bills.
Anyway, it's moderately sunny outside, so I've got the pump running again to drain the water from the pool cover. I had it almost completely done, and then it started raining for three days. Quite annoying. But considering it's too cold still, or there aren't enough regular warm days, and there's no way the pool is ready to open, it's not like I'm losing any time draining it again. Though the back yard is getting a bit flooded with all the excess pool water.
But now that all that is in the process of getting done, I'm siting down now to spend a good few hours getting some writing done. I don't know how much I'll get done, or if I'll start the writing itself, or just focus on planning now. We'll have to see how things go. I'll probably focus on planning more, since I don't quite feel like I have enough of a buffer to make a start on writing the book itself.
So wish me luck, and that I don't have any distractions, I'm going in.
I'm all ready here, sitting with the proper word documents open, I've got the right inspirational music playing, and I've got a can of Mtn Dew open next to me. It's my last can though, so I'm going to need to go buy more. But I just got paid today, so I can afford to buy a twelve pack before I put the rest of my pay check towards bills.
Anyway, it's moderately sunny outside, so I've got the pump running again to drain the water from the pool cover. I had it almost completely done, and then it started raining for three days. Quite annoying. But considering it's too cold still, or there aren't enough regular warm days, and there's no way the pool is ready to open, it's not like I'm losing any time draining it again. Though the back yard is getting a bit flooded with all the excess pool water.
But now that all that is in the process of getting done, I'm siting down now to spend a good few hours getting some writing done. I don't know how much I'll get done, or if I'll start the writing itself, or just focus on planning now. We'll have to see how things go. I'll probably focus on planning more, since I don't quite feel like I have enough of a buffer to make a start on writing the book itself.
So wish me luck, and that I don't have any distractions, I'm going in.
The hardest part is getting started
"Well duh," say my readers. But it's true, even something as simple as starting some more planning is very difficult to do. I know that I myself, and I'm sure a lot of people do this, underestimate exactly how much work even the simple parts of writing are. For every writing session where everything flows nicely, there's always that period of time where you have to struggle to even get ideas. I know that it gets easier with time and practice, but for someone as afraid of effort as myself this is a crucial period. I have the desire to be a writer, but do I have the conviction?
Mostly, but not entirely. I think conviction is something that can be developed, but like everything else in life it takes a lot of effort. Even when I think back on things that were once hard, but are now easy, I have a hard time making the connection between those things that are now easy and the things that are hard now. I know that I've gotten better at things that were once hard, but for some reason I have a hard time convincing myself that something that is difficult now will be easy in the future.
Even when it's something that has happened recently. I think back to when I first started blogging, when I hardly had any posts, and I look at my blog now. I still don't have that many posts, but I've gotten enough that I realize all I need to do is take it one day at a time, one review at a time, and eventually I'll have a large blog. I look at the reviews I wrote about a year ago, and compare them to the ones I write now. Sure with a lot of them I was cracking more jokes, but looking at the ones that I write now I can't help but notice how my style has been refined as I wrote more and more. Anything can be learned over time, as long as we put the effort into it now.
The problem is that some things are easier to learn because the rewards come much faster. For example, it isn't hard to see the rewards for blogging, as long as you consider the rewards to be having a blog with posts in it. Every time you write a post, that's one more post to your blog, and you can see your archive growing. With something like writing a book the end result is a long way off. Having a finished manuscript, which is a great feeling, or holding your published work, which I can only imagine must feel incredible (am I the only one that has held a book and pretended it was something I wrote? Anyone?). The final product is incredibly rewarding, but what is one to do when the effort needed is overwhelming?
Well, if you're me then you start writing a new blog post to get in the mood to write. Or if you're stuck on your story. Or to wind down after having a particularly productive session. Either way, writing, any kind of writing, is a great way to get in gear. The trick is, moving from writing something like a blog post, to actually working on your book.
So, to try my hand at blogging to get into the writing mood, I'm going to start by writing a blog post for this blog before getting to work on my book. Probably nothing more than saying, "I had a good rest last night, the day is beginning beautifully, now that I've had breakfast I'm going to start writing." Maybe I'll ramble about what I plan to do during the day, writing related or not. Whichever it is, it will be something to get my brain working. I don't expect anyone to read those, not like there are that many people that read these posts right now anyway. I have a decent readership for my media review blog, but that hasn't translated to here. Not that it really matters, I don't expect to see too many people meandering over here until I've made my debut. The most important part is that this blog makes me feel just a little more like a writer, and when it comes to me mental state is the biggest part. If I can convince myself that I'm actually a writer, then I'm more likely to act like one.
But like I said, I'll definitely try to have something to say every morning. Maybe I'll even do something out of character, like discussing recent news, but don't hold your breath.
Also, while planning is incredibly productive, I think I'm going to try and spend at least a little bit of time making a start on the actual book. I'll keep ahead in my planning, and I'll keep an even pace with what I'm actually writing. This is to make sure I get the book done a bit faster. I am however a little worried that dividing my attention like this will be bad news for my actual planning. I might have to start scheduling what I do when. Give an hour or two for planning, and another hour for writing the actual book.
As long as I start out early in the morning. If I can get a bunch written in the morning then the rest of the day feels that much more productive. And while I may not have been getting as much done as I should, I've been successful in getting at least something done every day. Even when it is only a token effort, which I really need to eradicate. If I'm going to consider it actually getting work done, then I should actually get a lot done.
That being said, I'm far too easily distracted, and can only admit to a token amount of work getting done today. But I'm getting into the mood, even if I'm dead tired right now. So all I need to do is go to bed now, and get up in the morning when I can start the day out right and get a bunch of writing done. Here's hoping at least. I need to break out of my lazy habits.
Oh yeah, I get paid tomorrow, so then I should know exactly how badly I need another job. Here's hoping I actually get a decent pay check. I would say that way I can justify spending all day writing, but right now I don't think that needs much justifying. If I spent all day writing that would be a vast improvement from spending all day doing diddly squat. Oh internet, I love you so, but at the same time I sometimes wish you'd die, you dirty, rotten time waster.
...That was uncalled for, I'm really sorry.
Mostly, but not entirely. I think conviction is something that can be developed, but like everything else in life it takes a lot of effort. Even when I think back on things that were once hard, but are now easy, I have a hard time making the connection between those things that are now easy and the things that are hard now. I know that I've gotten better at things that were once hard, but for some reason I have a hard time convincing myself that something that is difficult now will be easy in the future.
Even when it's something that has happened recently. I think back to when I first started blogging, when I hardly had any posts, and I look at my blog now. I still don't have that many posts, but I've gotten enough that I realize all I need to do is take it one day at a time, one review at a time, and eventually I'll have a large blog. I look at the reviews I wrote about a year ago, and compare them to the ones I write now. Sure with a lot of them I was cracking more jokes, but looking at the ones that I write now I can't help but notice how my style has been refined as I wrote more and more. Anything can be learned over time, as long as we put the effort into it now.
The problem is that some things are easier to learn because the rewards come much faster. For example, it isn't hard to see the rewards for blogging, as long as you consider the rewards to be having a blog with posts in it. Every time you write a post, that's one more post to your blog, and you can see your archive growing. With something like writing a book the end result is a long way off. Having a finished manuscript, which is a great feeling, or holding your published work, which I can only imagine must feel incredible (am I the only one that has held a book and pretended it was something I wrote? Anyone?). The final product is incredibly rewarding, but what is one to do when the effort needed is overwhelming?
Well, if you're me then you start writing a new blog post to get in the mood to write. Or if you're stuck on your story. Or to wind down after having a particularly productive session. Either way, writing, any kind of writing, is a great way to get in gear. The trick is, moving from writing something like a blog post, to actually working on your book.
So, to try my hand at blogging to get into the writing mood, I'm going to start by writing a blog post for this blog before getting to work on my book. Probably nothing more than saying, "I had a good rest last night, the day is beginning beautifully, now that I've had breakfast I'm going to start writing." Maybe I'll ramble about what I plan to do during the day, writing related or not. Whichever it is, it will be something to get my brain working. I don't expect anyone to read those, not like there are that many people that read these posts right now anyway. I have a decent readership for my media review blog, but that hasn't translated to here. Not that it really matters, I don't expect to see too many people meandering over here until I've made my debut. The most important part is that this blog makes me feel just a little more like a writer, and when it comes to me mental state is the biggest part. If I can convince myself that I'm actually a writer, then I'm more likely to act like one.
But like I said, I'll definitely try to have something to say every morning. Maybe I'll even do something out of character, like discussing recent news, but don't hold your breath.
Also, while planning is incredibly productive, I think I'm going to try and spend at least a little bit of time making a start on the actual book. I'll keep ahead in my planning, and I'll keep an even pace with what I'm actually writing. This is to make sure I get the book done a bit faster. I am however a little worried that dividing my attention like this will be bad news for my actual planning. I might have to start scheduling what I do when. Give an hour or two for planning, and another hour for writing the actual book.
As long as I start out early in the morning. If I can get a bunch written in the morning then the rest of the day feels that much more productive. And while I may not have been getting as much done as I should, I've been successful in getting at least something done every day. Even when it is only a token effort, which I really need to eradicate. If I'm going to consider it actually getting work done, then I should actually get a lot done.
That being said, I'm far too easily distracted, and can only admit to a token amount of work getting done today. But I'm getting into the mood, even if I'm dead tired right now. So all I need to do is go to bed now, and get up in the morning when I can start the day out right and get a bunch of writing done. Here's hoping at least. I need to break out of my lazy habits.
Oh yeah, I get paid tomorrow, so then I should know exactly how badly I need another job. Here's hoping I actually get a decent pay check. I would say that way I can justify spending all day writing, but right now I don't think that needs much justifying. If I spent all day writing that would be a vast improvement from spending all day doing diddly squat. Oh internet, I love you so, but at the same time I sometimes wish you'd die, you dirty, rotten time waster.
...That was uncalled for, I'm really sorry.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Planning - It is better than discovery writing. There, I said it.
I am absolutely loving this new method of planning. Already I've restructured my story to the point where it's actually good. Maybe my brain works a little differently from other writers, but not having to focus on whether my writing is good, or even just putting down serviceable prose, has really made it much easier to get the creative juices flowing. I guess this is an extreme version of what Brandon said about turning off your internal editor and just writing. I've turned off both my internal editor, and my internal prose writer. And it's working miracles.
I know I'll have to actually write the prose eventually, and maybe I'm adding more stages to this than there need to be, but it's working and that's all that matters to me. Like I said, I can write an amazing amount of words in a day if I don't have to think too hard about what I'm writing. So I definitely suspect I'm going to be one of those writers that spends months planning a book, and then writes it in a few short weeks.
It's definitely a lot easier to fix story errors before actually writing the prose. While in the planning stage I can look at what works and what doesn't work, and since I have no prose to be attached to, I can easily make the necessary changes in a minimal number of words, and then move on to fixing the next problem.
Writing like this is, however, much more slow paced, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. On the one hand it's aggravating the side of me that wants to get to the end of the project as quickly as possible. On the other hand that side of is a whiny little canine of the female persuasion and needs as many beatings as I have the strength to deliver. Trying to rush through this book in the first place is what made the end fall to pieces. It wasn't pretty.
The funny thing is, that inspiration keeps hitting, even when I'm working off the shorter plan I made. So even though I had one course of events in mind, I end up retooling it completely for the detailed plan. I'll say it again, this is working great for me.
But since it's late I'm going to get some rest now, and continue work on this tomorrow. It went so well this evening that I think I can spend a lot more time getting writing done tomorrow. Not like I don't have time for it. I also have some blogging that needs doing, so after I spend the morning writing I think I'll get that done, adn then see if i can get any of my other planned reviews out of the way. Feels nice to feel productive, now if only I could find a job, then I'd feel really productive.
PS: Creative juices taste like apple juice.
I know I'll have to actually write the prose eventually, and maybe I'm adding more stages to this than there need to be, but it's working and that's all that matters to me. Like I said, I can write an amazing amount of words in a day if I don't have to think too hard about what I'm writing. So I definitely suspect I'm going to be one of those writers that spends months planning a book, and then writes it in a few short weeks.
It's definitely a lot easier to fix story errors before actually writing the prose. While in the planning stage I can look at what works and what doesn't work, and since I have no prose to be attached to, I can easily make the necessary changes in a minimal number of words, and then move on to fixing the next problem.
Writing like this is, however, much more slow paced, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. On the one hand it's aggravating the side of me that wants to get to the end of the project as quickly as possible. On the other hand that side of is a whiny little canine of the female persuasion and needs as many beatings as I have the strength to deliver. Trying to rush through this book in the first place is what made the end fall to pieces. It wasn't pretty.
The funny thing is, that inspiration keeps hitting, even when I'm working off the shorter plan I made. So even though I had one course of events in mind, I end up retooling it completely for the detailed plan. I'll say it again, this is working great for me.
But since it's late I'm going to get some rest now, and continue work on this tomorrow. It went so well this evening that I think I can spend a lot more time getting writing done tomorrow. Not like I don't have time for it. I also have some blogging that needs doing, so after I spend the morning writing I think I'll get that done, adn then see if i can get any of my other planned reviews out of the way. Feels nice to feel productive, now if only I could find a job, then I'd feel really productive.
PS: Creative juices taste like apple juice.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Planning stage one completed
Well, I've finished the first stage of planning for my rewrite, I added a few more chapters onto the book, and with hopefully longer chapters overall the entire thing will be closer to the required 50,000 words, at least. Now I move on to stage two of my newly developed planning method. In which I take my brief chapter summaries, and expand them to include all the information needed for writing each specific chapter in its own section. Basically the idea is that I can get a lot more writing done in one go if I know exactly what is going to happen when I sit down to write it. I will admit, I wrote well over ten thousand words for a fanfiction that way, which was basically a rewrite fo the series, with most everything staying the same. So I didn't have to think about what happened, because it was already done, I just had to sit down and type it up. My theory is that if I do that with my own writing, only I provide the premade story, I will be able to finish up a decent length book within a week or two at most. Kind of like how some writers spend months planning and then write the book in a week. That's the kind of writer I think I am.
There's still a lot to go over, to make sure that everything fits together, and I still need to find some time to learn how to create a bible for an entire series. But since this book is currently meant to stand on its own, though it has series potential, I don't necessarily need a bible. But when planning an entire series, it's crucial that I have the entire series planned out before plotting individual books. From what I've been able to gather during my research the best way to do this is to take individual characters, and plot out storylines for them. Those storylines are then then woven together into the main plot line. Basically this is the way to make sure every characters is a worthy read throughout a long series. I have not yet started work on a long series, but I think that I will eventually, I've been itching to try my hand at epic fantasy again. I'll have at least one epic fantasy novel in my lifetime, the one I've been wanting to write since high school.
But before that I of course need to finish this book, it's pointless trying to plan an epic long series if I haven't finished this book yet. After I get this done I'm going to try my hand at a shorter YA series. It will definitely be one that requires the use of a bible, at the very least so I can keep track of character storylines and such. But my main goal is to have each book stand more or less on its own, and connect the entire series through character story arcs. Which really is the best way to write a good series. To do that I'll need to keep a detailed bible, which will definitely include if not an overall plot summary, then at least overall character arc summaries, which can then evolve into bigger books.
But it's getting late, and even if I have nowhere to go, and not much to do besides keep looking for a job, I should get to bed soon. That way I can get up early and actually get some stuff done. Namely, writing stuff.
There's still a lot to go over, to make sure that everything fits together, and I still need to find some time to learn how to create a bible for an entire series. But since this book is currently meant to stand on its own, though it has series potential, I don't necessarily need a bible. But when planning an entire series, it's crucial that I have the entire series planned out before plotting individual books. From what I've been able to gather during my research the best way to do this is to take individual characters, and plot out storylines for them. Those storylines are then then woven together into the main plot line. Basically this is the way to make sure every characters is a worthy read throughout a long series. I have not yet started work on a long series, but I think that I will eventually, I've been itching to try my hand at epic fantasy again. I'll have at least one epic fantasy novel in my lifetime, the one I've been wanting to write since high school.
But before that I of course need to finish this book, it's pointless trying to plan an epic long series if I haven't finished this book yet. After I get this done I'm going to try my hand at a shorter YA series. It will definitely be one that requires the use of a bible, at the very least so I can keep track of character storylines and such. But my main goal is to have each book stand more or less on its own, and connect the entire series through character story arcs. Which really is the best way to write a good series. To do that I'll need to keep a detailed bible, which will definitely include if not an overall plot summary, then at least overall character arc summaries, which can then evolve into bigger books.
But it's getting late, and even if I have nowhere to go, and not much to do besides keep looking for a job, I should get to bed soon. That way I can get up early and actually get some stuff done. Namely, writing stuff.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Back on the saddle
Well, I pretty much suck when it comes to actually having a schedule. But as of today I have my blogging somewhat under control. Not only are all my posts up to date, but I have made progress into writing future posts in advance. This is crucial since I'm so overly ambitious when it comes to blogging. But I've finally figured out that a new blog post a day isn't impossible, especially when I have them done in advance.
Now that I'm finally getting a semblance of order into my writing, I can finally force myself to actually regularly write. I know I keep saying that I will, and I flub it more often than not, but now I'm serious. This is the moment where I sit down and finish the rewrite for this book. I've got a clear idea of where it is going, and am going to try out a new method of writing. Namely I'll obsessively plan every little detail and then sit down to write it. Hopefully that will mean that when I write it won't be crap.
After finally finishing Dragon's Egg I intend to start work on Epic Heroes. Nathan is going to be self publishing his Paradise Seekers for the kindle, and since I'm one to follow the crowd I kind of feel like I should give that a shot myself. So I'm going to be getting that finished as quickly as possible.
At the same time I'm trying to look for work, and while blogging and writing for websites isn't exactly the best way to make a living, at least I'm seeing a minuscule amount of income. Eventually that is. So I figure getting some books out there on kindle would be really good because that's another possible source of income. And at this point I desperately need that.
Since the best way to keep myself honest with my writing is to find some way of being accountable, expect to see posts on this blog every day with a summary of how my writing went. It may be overkill, but I intend to post on this blog every day, with news that I did in fact write, and how much. Don't expect too much from the current updates, since I'm still in the planning stages of the rewrite.
But I've practically got the short chapter summaries done and the basic revised plot done. So now all I need to do is finish that and then write detailed chapter summaries. Here's hoping this works out for me. Expect another post later today, with an update about how much I got done.
Now that I'm finally getting a semblance of order into my writing, I can finally force myself to actually regularly write. I know I keep saying that I will, and I flub it more often than not, but now I'm serious. This is the moment where I sit down and finish the rewrite for this book. I've got a clear idea of where it is going, and am going to try out a new method of writing. Namely I'll obsessively plan every little detail and then sit down to write it. Hopefully that will mean that when I write it won't be crap.
After finally finishing Dragon's Egg I intend to start work on Epic Heroes. Nathan is going to be self publishing his Paradise Seekers for the kindle, and since I'm one to follow the crowd I kind of feel like I should give that a shot myself. So I'm going to be getting that finished as quickly as possible.
At the same time I'm trying to look for work, and while blogging and writing for websites isn't exactly the best way to make a living, at least I'm seeing a minuscule amount of income. Eventually that is. So I figure getting some books out there on kindle would be really good because that's another possible source of income. And at this point I desperately need that.
Since the best way to keep myself honest with my writing is to find some way of being accountable, expect to see posts on this blog every day with a summary of how my writing went. It may be overkill, but I intend to post on this blog every day, with news that I did in fact write, and how much. Don't expect too much from the current updates, since I'm still in the planning stages of the rewrite.
But I've practically got the short chapter summaries done and the basic revised plot done. So now all I need to do is finish that and then write detailed chapter summaries. Here's hoping this works out for me. Expect another post later today, with an update about how much I got done.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Dragon's Egg Edit: Around 3,000 Or So
I should probably mention that I've started the editing process for The Dragon's Egg. I've thought of some more material to increase the overall length, and hopefully give it a better plot in general. I've already rewritten two scenes, and added another, and am starting on a rewrite/edit of the last few scenes before I make some major changes to the plot.
Hopefully this won't take too long. But I'll have to take as long as necessary in order to make this book as good as possible.
I still have several scenes that need to be properly planned out, as well as several chapters worth of material that needs organizing. After I write the scenes I do have planned I'll take a break from writing in order to get a good outlined written up. Some people can discovery write; I'm not one of those people. So from here on out expect to see several Sunday posts about me planning out my book.
I'll never understand people who can just sit down with a basic idea, and start writing from there. It completely blows my mind. For me it works a lot better if I focus on thinking up a plot first, and taking down rough, or detailed notes and worrying about actually writing the book only after I've sat down and planned everything out as much as possible. Writing is a lot of work, and it is never easy (part of why I'm so bad at doing it regularly), but just because it's a lot of work doesn't meant we need to make it harder on ourselves. Some people can sit down and just let the story come to them as they write, but for me it's much easier to get a good deal of inspiration written down, and then when I finally do sit down I have a detailed list of what happens.
I still get inspiration while I write the actual book, and sometimes things go in an entirely different direction. But when the choice is between forcing myself to stick to a rigid plan, or not writing at all because I'm overwhelmed with what I'm trying to do. I'll probably go into more detail about my writing process at a later date, I need to respond to Nathan's pro-discovery writing, anti-planning post. It should be interesting, especially since I've reached this point after trying to convince myself that I was a discovery writer for the longest time. I've been going about this in a very roundabout way, but I'm slowly getting to the point where I know what I want, and how to do it. So here's to catching up for lost time. And given that I have a pretty decent WPM going for myself, I should be able to produce a lot per day if I write every single day, and work off a plan that I bothered to take the time to write out.
Hopefully this won't take too long. But I'll have to take as long as necessary in order to make this book as good as possible.
I still have several scenes that need to be properly planned out, as well as several chapters worth of material that needs organizing. After I write the scenes I do have planned I'll take a break from writing in order to get a good outlined written up. Some people can discovery write; I'm not one of those people. So from here on out expect to see several Sunday posts about me planning out my book.
I'll never understand people who can just sit down with a basic idea, and start writing from there. It completely blows my mind. For me it works a lot better if I focus on thinking up a plot first, and taking down rough, or detailed notes and worrying about actually writing the book only after I've sat down and planned everything out as much as possible. Writing is a lot of work, and it is never easy (part of why I'm so bad at doing it regularly), but just because it's a lot of work doesn't meant we need to make it harder on ourselves. Some people can sit down and just let the story come to them as they write, but for me it's much easier to get a good deal of inspiration written down, and then when I finally do sit down I have a detailed list of what happens.
I still get inspiration while I write the actual book, and sometimes things go in an entirely different direction. But when the choice is between forcing myself to stick to a rigid plan, or not writing at all because I'm overwhelmed with what I'm trying to do. I'll probably go into more detail about my writing process at a later date, I need to respond to Nathan's pro-discovery writing, anti-planning post. It should be interesting, especially since I've reached this point after trying to convince myself that I was a discovery writer for the longest time. I've been going about this in a very roundabout way, but I'm slowly getting to the point where I know what I want, and how to do it. So here's to catching up for lost time. And given that I have a pretty decent WPM going for myself, I should be able to produce a lot per day if I write every single day, and work off a plan that I bothered to take the time to write out.
Monday, March 14, 2011
And Now For Phase Two - My Current Life, Career, and Academic Plans
I've started work editing and rewriting The Dragon's Egg. While it is in fact done the finished product really is more aptly described as a twenty thousand word outline. This peeves me a bit but so far my writing group is responding well to it and giving good advice on how to improve the book. So now we start the delightful editing process.
My first goal is to print off the manuscript, it's only a little over thirty pages long, and to go over it and decided where I can lengthen this book to the point of adding at least another thirty thousand words. My biggest weakness so far is easily the fact that my pacing is pretty terrible, which is accounted for by the fact that I rushed through this book in order to just finally have it done. But now that I've put it aside for a few weeks I feel ready to look over it again and focus on only the most important parts, namely fixing the pacing issues. Hopefully this will turn out a much better book.
A lot of writers talk about how they had to give something up in order to actually write. TV is usually the most common thing that writers give up, but I haven't really watched TV in a long time. But a talk with some of my friends made me realize that while I don't waste my time on TV as much as I once did, I have another time eater that has been threatening not only my writing, but my school work and blogging as well.
So until further notice - by which I mean I intend to keep this up indefinitely - I will eschew my main past time, namely goofing off on various internet sites. The way it works is that I don't get online during the week, and save everything I would have read for the weekend. Alongside that, if I can get all my work done during the day I can have an hour or less in the evening during which to apply myself to other entertainment. This will most likely take the form of blogging (considering how far behind I am) and working on The Dragon's Egg. Keep in mind that "blogging" will generally include time spent watching the shows I review on a theoretical weekly basis. Besides starting on editing this will be the focus of my daily evening hour of internet usage.
But since I don't want to choose between blogging and writing, I will also be dedicating at least an hour each evening, after I finish school work, to working on my current book. For now that will be writing extra scenes to flesh out The Dragon's Egg, but as soon as I get that done I'll restart work on The Incredible Life of Billy Brown, aka/ the book with the best title I've ever thought of.
As soon as I get everything sorted out I'll probably post a writing schedule of all the ideas I want to work on. Currently I have plenty of ideas for books, and other various projects, that I should have no problem finding something creative to do. I'll probably never be in the situation where I have nothing to write, because I have so many ideas, including the currently abandoned ideas, that I doubt I'll be able to work my way through all of them in just a year. And the chances of not thinking of a new idea during said year are slim as well. So by the time I finally write everything I've currently thought of I'll all ready have a myriad of brand new ideas ready to go. And so on, and so forth, until they find me dead at my key board with an unfinished first draft.
And then the fans will forever wonder what masterpiece I have left unfinished.
Hopefully this change in life style is exactly what I need, and I can finally beat the chronic laziness that is keeping me from getting as good as I should be. I know for a fact that I've gotten better over the past two or three years, but it's nowhere near as good as I would be if I had gotten myself to consistently write every day during that time. Well, here's for making up for lost time, and hopefully for balancing out my University career as well.
With that said, I have to confess that I find it hard not to slip up a little and check on the websites I once frequented. But I will remain strong and stay away from distractions cold turkey for the entire week. Eventually I might even be able to keep it up for an entire month, followed by a binge at the end where I read all the things that I've missed. Maybe I'll even just stop going online for leisure entirely, and instead read my manga when I buy the volumes. I know the publishers would prefer that, but first I would need to wean myself away from the desire to keep up to date on the stories. No idea how likely that is, but it's a possibility. My current ultimate goal is to avoid going online for leisure reading entirely during a whole semester and to see if that improves my academic standing. Granted just avoiding it for a week, or a month might be sufficient, but gaining that kind of self control would do me a world of good.
And with that I sign off, because I have a mid-term to take, but taking the time to write this has definitely helped calm me down, and provided a necessary little break from studying. I just have a few more papers to go over and then I'll go take the exam. After that the true test begins, and we see if I can stick to getting all my work done before any leisure.
My first goal is to print off the manuscript, it's only a little over thirty pages long, and to go over it and decided where I can lengthen this book to the point of adding at least another thirty thousand words. My biggest weakness so far is easily the fact that my pacing is pretty terrible, which is accounted for by the fact that I rushed through this book in order to just finally have it done. But now that I've put it aside for a few weeks I feel ready to look over it again and focus on only the most important parts, namely fixing the pacing issues. Hopefully this will turn out a much better book.
A lot of writers talk about how they had to give something up in order to actually write. TV is usually the most common thing that writers give up, but I haven't really watched TV in a long time. But a talk with some of my friends made me realize that while I don't waste my time on TV as much as I once did, I have another time eater that has been threatening not only my writing, but my school work and blogging as well.
So until further notice - by which I mean I intend to keep this up indefinitely - I will eschew my main past time, namely goofing off on various internet sites. The way it works is that I don't get online during the week, and save everything I would have read for the weekend. Alongside that, if I can get all my work done during the day I can have an hour or less in the evening during which to apply myself to other entertainment. This will most likely take the form of blogging (considering how far behind I am) and working on The Dragon's Egg. Keep in mind that "blogging" will generally include time spent watching the shows I review on a theoretical weekly basis. Besides starting on editing this will be the focus of my daily evening hour of internet usage.
But since I don't want to choose between blogging and writing, I will also be dedicating at least an hour each evening, after I finish school work, to working on my current book. For now that will be writing extra scenes to flesh out The Dragon's Egg, but as soon as I get that done I'll restart work on The Incredible Life of Billy Brown, aka/ the book with the best title I've ever thought of.
As soon as I get everything sorted out I'll probably post a writing schedule of all the ideas I want to work on. Currently I have plenty of ideas for books, and other various projects, that I should have no problem finding something creative to do. I'll probably never be in the situation where I have nothing to write, because I have so many ideas, including the currently abandoned ideas, that I doubt I'll be able to work my way through all of them in just a year. And the chances of not thinking of a new idea during said year are slim as well. So by the time I finally write everything I've currently thought of I'll all ready have a myriad of brand new ideas ready to go. And so on, and so forth, until they find me dead at my key board with an unfinished first draft.
And then the fans will forever wonder what masterpiece I have left unfinished.
Hopefully this change in life style is exactly what I need, and I can finally beat the chronic laziness that is keeping me from getting as good as I should be. I know for a fact that I've gotten better over the past two or three years, but it's nowhere near as good as I would be if I had gotten myself to consistently write every day during that time. Well, here's for making up for lost time, and hopefully for balancing out my University career as well.
With that said, I have to confess that I find it hard not to slip up a little and check on the websites I once frequented. But I will remain strong and stay away from distractions cold turkey for the entire week. Eventually I might even be able to keep it up for an entire month, followed by a binge at the end where I read all the things that I've missed. Maybe I'll even just stop going online for leisure entirely, and instead read my manga when I buy the volumes. I know the publishers would prefer that, but first I would need to wean myself away from the desire to keep up to date on the stories. No idea how likely that is, but it's a possibility. My current ultimate goal is to avoid going online for leisure reading entirely during a whole semester and to see if that improves my academic standing. Granted just avoiding it for a week, or a month might be sufficient, but gaining that kind of self control would do me a world of good.
And with that I sign off, because I have a mid-term to take, but taking the time to write this has definitely helped calm me down, and provided a necessary little break from studying. I just have a few more papers to go over and then I'll go take the exam. After that the true test begins, and we see if I can stick to getting all my work done before any leisure.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
The Incredible Life of Billy Brown - 1,500 Words
This is a project I started a few months ago, before I separated my writing blog from my media blog. It was actually my NaNoWriMo project, but that didn't get very far. I've since learned that NaNo isn't exactly my cup of tea. I'm already struggling to write every day, something you've already noticed I don't really do, given my lack of daily updates. I guess it's foolish to think that suddenly applying external pressure against an internal problem isn't working too well for me. I need to learn how to write that much just because I want to, not because I'm being told to by a contest.
It helps that I've been making steps towards understanding my writing process a lot more. It helps when I have the ending planned first, even if it isn't in incredible detail, and having planning sessions before actually sitting down to write really helps. In fact, planning right before I start to write helps the most. It's really all about getting myself in the creative mood.
That being said, this current project is something that I thought of after learning a bit about the effect faster than light travel has on time. The basic idea is that the titular character is kidnapped by aliens and forced into slavery for years. He puts together a plan to escape, but has to deal with greedy slaver aliens, crash landing on uncivilized planets, and oddly out of place homages to other works of science fiction. The latter will probably be short, given that I haven't exactly immersed myself in science fiction before.
The idea is one that I haven't been playing around with in my head for years, and as such is the perfect project for me to practice my craft. I don't have ridiculous expectations for it, and it hasn't gone through several plots. My word goal for this one is around 50,000 words or so. Possibly more. I intend to hit the average for YA books. But I'm not going to just write until I hit that word goal. It's just an estimation, I already have the basic ending planned. I'll have to go flesh it out as I go along, but it helps, as I learned with Dragon's Egg, to have the ending at least in mind.
I did actually start work on this before Dragon's Egg, but put it on hold after I realized that I had to focus on getting Dragon's Egg done first. Which was good, because Dragon's Egg is much shorter than any YA novel out there, and made for a good first real finished book. Sure it isn't as impressive as finishing a full length book, but you gotta start somewhere. And after I kept abandoning books I needed this. Now I can confidently say I finished a book, I finished an entire narrative, and I can move on to my next, longer project.
After I finish with Billy Brown I intend to pick up my Epic Heroes idea again. That one will definitely be a series, though Billy Brown has series potential. Maybe one day I'll find myself back at Avalon Locke. Who knows though, chances are I might find it cliche once I'm good enough to get published. It would probably help once I get all the scattered ideas gathered together into one overall planning file. It's not that what I had planned was bad, but the book just wasn't coming together and wasn't living up to my expectations. Not to mention that I don't have the experience I need to actually plot out and write an entire series. When I divide my attention across several books, bad things happen.
Still, it is my first baby, and I want to do something with it. I think the ideas I had for it weren't too bad, I just need to make sure that everything is concrete in my mind and I can get myself to write the entire series in one go. I think that would help me the most, if I consider the entire story as one book, and then write it as such. Not to mention it helps to have the entire thing done, that way the publishers know for a fact that the series won't just fizzle out and die after they contract me.
Either way, organization is the key. I'm not the most organized person, so I need to pay close attention to it and create a planning system that works for me. I've actually learned a few things at LTUE this weekend, and have decided to keep myself from having giant planning documents that make it hard for me to read them. I need to find a way to make myself want to keep coming back to my notes. Which unfortunately means I'll have to spend more time working on them, and less time doing straight writing, but once I get my system going it will make things a lot easier than me.
Writing a book is intimidating, and just jumping into it is even more intimidating. Some people like to discovery write, but I've since learned that bad things happen when I try it. Sometimes I come up with some good scenes, but the overall story suffers. Not to mention that it is a lot less intimidating to scribble down some notes about the plot and then develop those than trying to juggle plot, character, description and dialogue all at once. I've long since abandoned my method of writing scripts for my book before writing the prose. It did work, but normally once you get in the right mood writing good prose and dialogue happens at basically the same time.
I've been rambling for long enough, but that's what this blog is for, to give updates about my current and future projects and to record my musings about writing in general. Maybe one day I'll write something important, and maybe someone will learn something from my experience. That would be my biggest dream, not only to become a professional writer, but to also help teach the next creative generation.
Well, expect future updates on Sundays from now on. I think it would be a bit much to write something here every time that I write on my book. If I'm going to be writing I might as well add some more word count to my project. I just hope I can keep track of how much I write during the week. So instead of several shorter updates with me having little more to say than how I'm doing on my project, and nothing else, expect longer posts once a week. Should be fun. Maybe one day I'll actually be someone people care about to read their stuff. Maybe people will come to my blog and look at the first entries, years in the past then. Boy, are you future fans in for a surprise when you see how bad I write in your past.
Just keep in mind that I like to keep the tone of this blog conversational and informal (which means I won't have to edit my language before posting), then we can still be friends.
It helps that I've been making steps towards understanding my writing process a lot more. It helps when I have the ending planned first, even if it isn't in incredible detail, and having planning sessions before actually sitting down to write really helps. In fact, planning right before I start to write helps the most. It's really all about getting myself in the creative mood.
That being said, this current project is something that I thought of after learning a bit about the effect faster than light travel has on time. The basic idea is that the titular character is kidnapped by aliens and forced into slavery for years. He puts together a plan to escape, but has to deal with greedy slaver aliens, crash landing on uncivilized planets, and oddly out of place homages to other works of science fiction. The latter will probably be short, given that I haven't exactly immersed myself in science fiction before.
The idea is one that I haven't been playing around with in my head for years, and as such is the perfect project for me to practice my craft. I don't have ridiculous expectations for it, and it hasn't gone through several plots. My word goal for this one is around 50,000 words or so. Possibly more. I intend to hit the average for YA books. But I'm not going to just write until I hit that word goal. It's just an estimation, I already have the basic ending planned. I'll have to go flesh it out as I go along, but it helps, as I learned with Dragon's Egg, to have the ending at least in mind.
I did actually start work on this before Dragon's Egg, but put it on hold after I realized that I had to focus on getting Dragon's Egg done first. Which was good, because Dragon's Egg is much shorter than any YA novel out there, and made for a good first real finished book. Sure it isn't as impressive as finishing a full length book, but you gotta start somewhere. And after I kept abandoning books I needed this. Now I can confidently say I finished a book, I finished an entire narrative, and I can move on to my next, longer project.
After I finish with Billy Brown I intend to pick up my Epic Heroes idea again. That one will definitely be a series, though Billy Brown has series potential. Maybe one day I'll find myself back at Avalon Locke. Who knows though, chances are I might find it cliche once I'm good enough to get published. It would probably help once I get all the scattered ideas gathered together into one overall planning file. It's not that what I had planned was bad, but the book just wasn't coming together and wasn't living up to my expectations. Not to mention that I don't have the experience I need to actually plot out and write an entire series. When I divide my attention across several books, bad things happen.
Still, it is my first baby, and I want to do something with it. I think the ideas I had for it weren't too bad, I just need to make sure that everything is concrete in my mind and I can get myself to write the entire series in one go. I think that would help me the most, if I consider the entire story as one book, and then write it as such. Not to mention it helps to have the entire thing done, that way the publishers know for a fact that the series won't just fizzle out and die after they contract me.
Either way, organization is the key. I'm not the most organized person, so I need to pay close attention to it and create a planning system that works for me. I've actually learned a few things at LTUE this weekend, and have decided to keep myself from having giant planning documents that make it hard for me to read them. I need to find a way to make myself want to keep coming back to my notes. Which unfortunately means I'll have to spend more time working on them, and less time doing straight writing, but once I get my system going it will make things a lot easier than me.
Writing a book is intimidating, and just jumping into it is even more intimidating. Some people like to discovery write, but I've since learned that bad things happen when I try it. Sometimes I come up with some good scenes, but the overall story suffers. Not to mention that it is a lot less intimidating to scribble down some notes about the plot and then develop those than trying to juggle plot, character, description and dialogue all at once. I've long since abandoned my method of writing scripts for my book before writing the prose. It did work, but normally once you get in the right mood writing good prose and dialogue happens at basically the same time.
I've been rambling for long enough, but that's what this blog is for, to give updates about my current and future projects and to record my musings about writing in general. Maybe one day I'll write something important, and maybe someone will learn something from my experience. That would be my biggest dream, not only to become a professional writer, but to also help teach the next creative generation.
Well, expect future updates on Sundays from now on. I think it would be a bit much to write something here every time that I write on my book. If I'm going to be writing I might as well add some more word count to my project. I just hope I can keep track of how much I write during the week. So instead of several shorter updates with me having little more to say than how I'm doing on my project, and nothing else, expect longer posts once a week. Should be fun. Maybe one day I'll actually be someone people care about to read their stuff. Maybe people will come to my blog and look at the first entries, years in the past then. Boy, are you future fans in for a surprise when you see how bad I write in your past.
Just keep in mind that I like to keep the tone of this blog conversational and informal (which means I won't have to edit my language before posting), then we can still be friends.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Dragon's Egg: 3,351 Words
I'm really bad at updating this when I write something. Or I'm really bad at writing. You decide. Either way, I'm going to try and make a habit of updating this blog every Sunday, with a total word count for the week. Hopefully this won't be completely depressing.
I decided to do my best to finish this book today. And Hallelujah I did it! This marks the first officially completed book I've ever written. Yes it isn't the longest book out there, but it's middlegrade and those tend to be on the shorter side anyway.
Technically I have finished one book before this, but it wasn't one I'm proud of, and the ending was just me giving up on it. So as far as the Derek Bown Canon is concerned, The Dragon's Egg stands as my first completed novel. Or novella...
Well, either way this is an exciting night. I'm sure as I go to edit this book I won't be so smug about it as I am now. But for now I'll just relish the high I'm getting off of finishing this book. Now I can buy my ticket for world fantasy, now that I have something to show editors and agents.
I decided to do my best to finish this book today. And Hallelujah I did it! This marks the first officially completed book I've ever written. Yes it isn't the longest book out there, but it's middlegrade and those tend to be on the shorter side anyway.
Technically I have finished one book before this, but it wasn't one I'm proud of, and the ending was just me giving up on it. So as far as the Derek Bown Canon is concerned, The Dragon's Egg stands as my first completed novel. Or novella...
Well, either way this is an exciting night. I'm sure as I go to edit this book I won't be so smug about it as I am now. But for now I'll just relish the high I'm getting off of finishing this book. Now I can buy my ticket for world fantasy, now that I have something to show editors and agents.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Dragon's Egg: 2,189 Words
Well, I wrote 2,189 words today. While I may not be writing as often as I'd like, at least I'm getting a decent amount written when I do write. I'm a little under 3,000 words away from my word goal for this book. Well, my second word goal. Originally it was going to be 30,000 words, but then I decided to save on printing cost I'd cut it down to 20,000 (that and it would take less time to finish it). Though I am close to the word count goal it will probably be a bit longer than I anticipated. We're close to the final showdown, an event I imagine will take a little longer than another 3,000 words.
So we're close, very close. Then I'll just have to proof read it, and make a few changes so that it's ready to take to the printer.
Well, here's hoping I finish it either tomorrow, or sometime this weekend.
So we're close, very close. Then I'll just have to proof read it, and make a few changes so that it's ready to take to the printer.
Well, here's hoping I finish it either tomorrow, or sometime this weekend.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Dragon's Egg: 531 Words
I only got 531 words done today. But I wrote again, so that's something. I'll try to write at least something every day, even if it is only 500 words. Though I'd rather write a lot every day.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Dragon's Egg: 1,484 Words
I got the rest of the book planned last week, and have since not gotten around to finishing it quite yet. But I'm slowly getting there. I'm really excited, because I have the ending all planned, so I know what I'm going to work towards, and this will be my first really finished book. At least the first that actually counts.
I wrote about 1,484 words, and we are rapidly approaching the climax. Can't wait to get there. This has been an education for me, as I've relearned the importance of having an outline for me. At the same time I've also learned that while I have the important stuff planned out, and a lot of the minor stuff, I need to adapt my planning style to flesh out everything in a plan before I write it out. Though I should probably keep myself from going overboard.
Well, it was a bit of a rough session this time, I didn't get nearly as much done as I hoped, but I got something done, and should be finishing this book soon. It'll be good to have one done, and I'll be able to carry what I learn on to the next book. Here's hoping I get to the point where I can write longer books.
I'll probably be able to pull it off, once I perfect my planning method, and am able to get the creative juices flowing well enough to do some discovery writing for the stuff in between. Mostly I need to work on my transitions from scene to scene, and I'll be much better off.
I wrote about 1,484 words, and we are rapidly approaching the climax. Can't wait to get there. This has been an education for me, as I've relearned the importance of having an outline for me. At the same time I've also learned that while I have the important stuff planned out, and a lot of the minor stuff, I need to adapt my planning style to flesh out everything in a plan before I write it out. Though I should probably keep myself from going overboard.
Well, it was a bit of a rough session this time, I didn't get nearly as much done as I hoped, but I got something done, and should be finishing this book soon. It'll be good to have one done, and I'll be able to carry what I learn on to the next book. Here's hoping I get to the point where I can write longer books.
I'll probably be able to pull it off, once I perfect my planning method, and am able to get the creative juices flowing well enough to do some discovery writing for the stuff in between. Mostly I need to work on my transitions from scene to scene, and I'll be much better off.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Welcome to the Blog and Halfway Point For "The Dragon's Egg"
I decided not too long ago that I needed a writing blog. A blog specifically for me to post updates on my writing, and talk about my different projects, along with anything relating to writing in general. This is also the blog that I'll be sharing with Agents and Editors while networking. This will also be the blog that I put on my business cards.
So, I hope you enjoy this blog, and hopefully I'll be able to think of interesting things to post here, besides just updates on my work, and possibly even excerpts. If I ever write a short story I'll consider posting it here.
Today I was able to get 3,458 words written for The Dragon's Egg a special project of mine that needs finishing as quickly as possible. It's a middlegrade book, and will be about 20,000 to 30,000 words long. So far my actual goal is 20,000, meaning I'm halfway through. It's been a lot of fun to write, since it's been coming to me much more easily than pretty much anything I've done in a while. I guess it helps that I lowered my expectations for this, not because I don't care if it sucks or not (though I have accepted that as a strong possibility) but because I went back to basics and adopted a simpler plot than a lot of what I've done before. It's not going to win any awards, but it does what it's meant to and I can't ask for more than that. Once I get some practice in I hope to be able to pull off more and more complicated plots. Which should be doable now that I have a clearer idea of plotting after Brandon's class last Thursday.
So, I'm halfway through with this, and hope to have it done by this week. While it won't be as long as any YA novel out there, it will still be my first officially completed novel. I've technically completed some before, but none were satisfactory, so it will be nice to be able to point to this one when asked if I've finished a book. And if I can keep up this paee every day, then it won't be a fantasy to pull off getting this, and more books done.
That being said, I have another book I'm writing at the moment for Brandon's class, and I need to have 50,000 words done for that by the end of the semester.
Hope you enjoy this blog, though it probably won't be getting any viewers until I'm known in the wonderful world of fiction.
So, I hope you enjoy this blog, and hopefully I'll be able to think of interesting things to post here, besides just updates on my work, and possibly even excerpts. If I ever write a short story I'll consider posting it here.
Today I was able to get 3,458 words written for The Dragon's Egg a special project of mine that needs finishing as quickly as possible. It's a middlegrade book, and will be about 20,000 to 30,000 words long. So far my actual goal is 20,000, meaning I'm halfway through. It's been a lot of fun to write, since it's been coming to me much more easily than pretty much anything I've done in a while. I guess it helps that I lowered my expectations for this, not because I don't care if it sucks or not (though I have accepted that as a strong possibility) but because I went back to basics and adopted a simpler plot than a lot of what I've done before. It's not going to win any awards, but it does what it's meant to and I can't ask for more than that. Once I get some practice in I hope to be able to pull off more and more complicated plots. Which should be doable now that I have a clearer idea of plotting after Brandon's class last Thursday.
So, I'm halfway through with this, and hope to have it done by this week. While it won't be as long as any YA novel out there, it will still be my first officially completed novel. I've technically completed some before, but none were satisfactory, so it will be nice to be able to point to this one when asked if I've finished a book. And if I can keep up this paee every day, then it won't be a fantasy to pull off getting this, and more books done.
That being said, I have another book I'm writing at the moment for Brandon's class, and I need to have 50,000 words done for that by the end of the semester.
Hope you enjoy this blog, though it probably won't be getting any viewers until I'm known in the wonderful world of fiction.
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