What is it about a challenge that brings out the best - or worst - in people?
Last week, I barely wrote anything. And from the sounds of laments on many of my lists, others were having the same problem. Can we blame it on spring fever? Possibly. But the problem was - and is - still there. We weren't writing. So someone on one list threw out a challenge - she was going to write 500 words a day and that was that. What was funny was that just that morning, I had challenged myself to write 1000.
But the gauntlet had been thrown. So now I have to write a minimum of 1000 words a day - 5,000 for the week (that allows for a little time with the family and my other work!). I mentioned it on another loop and, bam, it took off. So now at least two of the loops I'm on are involved in writing challenges.
But at least we're writing. Granted, it may all be garbage, but we're writing. And garbage can be edited (I've done so enough times with other's books!). The trick is to get the words down.
So I'm passing the challenge on to you. Set your word count - but a minimum of 100 words please, and step up to the plate. Or computer. Or writing pad. Or whatever. But you have to write a minimum of 100 words a day. More is better.
Just write.
And let me know how you're doing.
****************
"The trick is not in becoming a writer, it is in staying a writer. Day after week after month after year." - Harlan Ellison
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
What makes a Good Book? - Part 2
In reading over the responses to yesterday's questions, I see that there is no one right answer. Though most tend to lean toward the characterization end of things, there is still that undefined "something" that can't be quantified that makes for a good book.
And it is different for each of us. Of that, I am certain.
Several years ago, a dear friend who is now gone, sent me the book "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." She gushed about it. Raved about it. Said how wonderful it was. And since this woman was one of my dearest friends, I happily sat down to read it.
And never finished it. I hated the book. I thought it was boring. There was no action. No adventure. Nothing but a bunch of women and their angst. Ugh. I felt the same way about "The Bridges of Madison County." To those of you who loved these books, my apologies, but I did not like them. I didn't even finish the Ya-Ya book.
Which is why, even though I am a reviewer, I read reviews with a skeptic's eye. Just because you raved about a book doesn't mean I'm going to like it.
And there-in lies the beauty of reading. If we all liked the same thing, our bookstores and libraries would all be filled with the same book. How boring that would be. The immense variety of genres, lengths, subjects, etc. mean that there is something out there for everyone. What you like and what I like are so vastly different, but one thing I believe we all can agree on - we love to read. Whether the book is literary or pulp fiction, biographies or other non-fiction, e-books or print, we will read.
As for writing, most writers will also tend to write what they love to read. Which is why I write science fiction and fantasy. Those are my genres of choice and where I love to lose myself. As for my friend? She hated them nearly as much as I hated her literary women's fiction. But one thing we could both agree on - we both loved books and that's all that counted. :)
Question for today - what book(s) have you read lately that you absolutely loved? Hated? Why?
************
"A story has to convey something from writer to reader, and the power of its offering is the measure of its excellence." - John Steinbeck
And it is different for each of us. Of that, I am certain.
Several years ago, a dear friend who is now gone, sent me the book "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." She gushed about it. Raved about it. Said how wonderful it was. And since this woman was one of my dearest friends, I happily sat down to read it.
And never finished it. I hated the book. I thought it was boring. There was no action. No adventure. Nothing but a bunch of women and their angst. Ugh. I felt the same way about "The Bridges of Madison County." To those of you who loved these books, my apologies, but I did not like them. I didn't even finish the Ya-Ya book.
Which is why, even though I am a reviewer, I read reviews with a skeptic's eye. Just because you raved about a book doesn't mean I'm going to like it.
And there-in lies the beauty of reading. If we all liked the same thing, our bookstores and libraries would all be filled with the same book. How boring that would be. The immense variety of genres, lengths, subjects, etc. mean that there is something out there for everyone. What you like and what I like are so vastly different, but one thing I believe we all can agree on - we love to read. Whether the book is literary or pulp fiction, biographies or other non-fiction, e-books or print, we will read.
As for writing, most writers will also tend to write what they love to read. Which is why I write science fiction and fantasy. Those are my genres of choice and where I love to lose myself. As for my friend? She hated them nearly as much as I hated her literary women's fiction. But one thing we could both agree on - we both loved books and that's all that counted. :)
Question for today - what book(s) have you read lately that you absolutely loved? Hated? Why?
************
"A story has to convey something from writer to reader, and the power of its offering is the measure of its excellence." - John Steinbeck
Monday, April 21, 2008
What makes a Good Book?
What makes a book a good read for you? Is it the characters? The setting? The plot? What is that nebulous "something" that causes you to forget everything else you need to do and read "just one more chapter" which ultimately turns into even more?
I noted in another blog that I was currently reading the Magic series by Maria V. Snyder. I absolutely love these stories. And yet, on first glance, I would probably not have picked them up. Oh, the cover art is lovely and the blurbs intriguing, but they're in first person - not a point of view I normally like. But they are drawing me in and I find myself wanting to read them more than do the stuff I "have" to do.
Okay, that's not an unusual occurrence, but I don't want to put these books down. Yes, the characters are realistic, the world well-developed, the plot flows well - but I've read other books that were as technically well written and didn't enjoy them nearly as much.
So what is it about these that draws me in? There's not one specific thing I can point to, but a combination of all of the above. And that certain something that can't be defined. As a writer, I am in a constant search for that quality. As a reader, I am overjoyed when I find it.
Do you know what it is? What makes a book a good read for you? What do you like to see in a novel?
I noted in another blog that I was currently reading the Magic series by Maria V. Snyder. I absolutely love these stories. And yet, on first glance, I would probably not have picked them up. Oh, the cover art is lovely and the blurbs intriguing, but they're in first person - not a point of view I normally like. But they are drawing me in and I find myself wanting to read them more than do the stuff I "have" to do.
Okay, that's not an unusual occurrence, but I don't want to put these books down. Yes, the characters are realistic, the world well-developed, the plot flows well - but I've read other books that were as technically well written and didn't enjoy them nearly as much.
So what is it about these that draws me in? There's not one specific thing I can point to, but a combination of all of the above. And that certain something that can't be defined. As a writer, I am in a constant search for that quality. As a reader, I am overjoyed when I find it.
Do you know what it is? What makes a book a good read for you? What do you like to see in a novel?
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Enjoying a Book
I read a book this week. Okay, nothing amazing about that. I read books every week. But I read this one merely because I wanted to. It wasn't for a contest, or a review (though if I had - it would get a 5 out of 5), or because a friend needed a critique.
I read it just because I wanted to. And it was wonderful. I don't know if I enjoyed it so much because I didn't *have* to read it, or because it is so well written - though it is. Even with the "series" aspect - there are three books in this series and, though you don't *have* to read them all to get a complete story, kind of like Harry Potter, you should just to find out what really happens in the end.
What was this book, you ask? "Poison Study" by Maria V. Snyder. The next two books in the series are "Magic Study" and "Fire Study" and, no, I'm not going to give a book report or review. Though I will say they are fantasies and are very well done. So much so, that I was able to turn off my internal editor (something that rarely happens) and just read for enjoyment.
The next few weeks are going to be a trial in time management. Between daughter coming home to finalize wedding plans, conferences, meetings, and just the normal stuff of life, my time will be at a premium. But I do know one thing... I'm going to be reading the next book in this series (Magic Study) - just because I want to.
************
"Take an idea you really, really like. Develop it until it is brilliant. Rewrite it for a year or two, until every word shines. Then bite your nails, hold your breath, and pray like mad." - Sidney Sheldon
I read it just because I wanted to. And it was wonderful. I don't know if I enjoyed it so much because I didn't *have* to read it, or because it is so well written - though it is. Even with the "series" aspect - there are three books in this series and, though you don't *have* to read them all to get a complete story, kind of like Harry Potter, you should just to find out what really happens in the end.
What was this book, you ask? "Poison Study" by Maria V. Snyder. The next two books in the series are "Magic Study" and "Fire Study" and, no, I'm not going to give a book report or review. Though I will say they are fantasies and are very well done. So much so, that I was able to turn off my internal editor (something that rarely happens) and just read for enjoyment.
The next few weeks are going to be a trial in time management. Between daughter coming home to finalize wedding plans, conferences, meetings, and just the normal stuff of life, my time will be at a premium. But I do know one thing... I'm going to be reading the next book in this series (Magic Study) - just because I want to.
************
"Take an idea you really, really like. Develop it until it is brilliant. Rewrite it for a year or two, until every word shines. Then bite your nails, hold your breath, and pray like mad." - Sidney Sheldon
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Brain storms
I went to bed last night thinking about where a story I've been working on for some time should be going. It's a completed story, but there is just something missing from it.
And this morning, I know what that something is. And unlike other middle of the night flashes of brilliance, this one actually stayed with me until I could write it down. (and I did!) So today, after all the "stuff" that goes with actually living life, I can dig into this story and, hopefully, improve it. I've set my goal at having it done by next week so I can submit it to my editor at CP.
In the meantime, work on the other story continues. I've got my four major characters mostly fleshed out and the beginnings of the plot outline.
I've also got two other novels out with agents and am waiting on their responses. So things are moving along well in the writing life.
Which I find interesting. Just when I think I'm not doing anything, I take a look at what I'm actually doing by writing it all down and surprise myself. I'm actually getting a lot more done than I think. I'm writing new stories, revising finished ones, submitting, promoting, studying the craft (always!), getting ready for a conference... all the things that go into making up a writer's life.
Because that's what I am. A writer.
***************
"Writing is a struggle against silence." - Carlos Fuentes
And this morning, I know what that something is. And unlike other middle of the night flashes of brilliance, this one actually stayed with me until I could write it down. (and I did!) So today, after all the "stuff" that goes with actually living life, I can dig into this story and, hopefully, improve it. I've set my goal at having it done by next week so I can submit it to my editor at CP.
In the meantime, work on the other story continues. I've got my four major characters mostly fleshed out and the beginnings of the plot outline.
I've also got two other novels out with agents and am waiting on their responses. So things are moving along well in the writing life.
Which I find interesting. Just when I think I'm not doing anything, I take a look at what I'm actually doing by writing it all down and surprise myself. I'm actually getting a lot more done than I think. I'm writing new stories, revising finished ones, submitting, promoting, studying the craft (always!), getting ready for a conference... all the things that go into making up a writer's life.
Because that's what I am. A writer.
***************
"Writing is a struggle against silence." - Carlos Fuentes
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Characterizations
I spent some time last night - okay, a couple of hours - working on my characters for my new story. With the help of some brainstorming from son and d-i-l, I now have names and faces to put with my characters. I have to say, they didn't turn out as I'd imagined. Which is a good thing. Now they are bigger, more multi-dimensional, better.
Creating the characters and their backgrounds is a huge part of the story for me. Yes it is a lot of work, 99% of which will not go into the story. But because I know who the characters are, their backgrounds, how they react to different situations, why they are the way they are, I'll be able to portray that more realistically in my stories. Their quirks and likes and dislikes will come out easily and the reader will be more able to identify with them.
But I'm not done with them yet. That's the thing about a good character. He or she will continue to evolve as the story does. I may know who they were and even who they currently are, but the fun comes in finding out who they will be.
And that's where the other part of the story comes in. The plot. Why do they do what they do? What do they have to face? How will they face it?
All good questions.
But first, I need to finish fleshing them out. What kind of music do they like - and why? What do they hate? Why?
Oh, so much fun creating a character.
***********
"Powerful plots, thought-provoking themes and dynamic descriptions are not enough. You need compelling characters to keep your fiction fresh and your readers interested." (from "45 Master Characters" by Victoria Lynn Schmidt)
Creating the characters and their backgrounds is a huge part of the story for me. Yes it is a lot of work, 99% of which will not go into the story. But because I know who the characters are, their backgrounds, how they react to different situations, why they are the way they are, I'll be able to portray that more realistically in my stories. Their quirks and likes and dislikes will come out easily and the reader will be more able to identify with them.
But I'm not done with them yet. That's the thing about a good character. He or she will continue to evolve as the story does. I may know who they were and even who they currently are, but the fun comes in finding out who they will be.
And that's where the other part of the story comes in. The plot. Why do they do what they do? What do they have to face? How will they face it?
All good questions.
But first, I need to finish fleshing them out. What kind of music do they like - and why? What do they hate? Why?
Oh, so much fun creating a character.
***********
"Powerful plots, thought-provoking themes and dynamic descriptions are not enough. You need compelling characters to keep your fiction fresh and your readers interested." (from "45 Master Characters" by Victoria Lynn Schmidt)
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Reviews and Writers
On one of the many lists I belong to, there has been a discussion of late about reviewers. Mostly the talk was to belittle them - I believe the whole thing started when one of the writers received a bad review and from there, the discussion devolved into mudslinging. Though I was angry at some of the comments, I stayed out of the conversation until the writers went just a tad too far and said all reviewers were in it just for the free reads.
And that just made me angry. Really angry. You see, I'm a reviewer. And have been one for fifteen years. I used to write for VOYA magazine - a national review magazine for libraries. I've also written for the local newspaper and for several on-line venues. I currently do reviews for the Wantzuponatime web site. And trust me, I am NOT in this just for the free books.
I spend a lot of time on my reviews. As a writer, I know what goes into not only writing a book, but getting it published and I believe I should, therefore, give my best in a review. I read each book I receive not as a rival author, but as a reader and give my honest opinion on a book and what there was about it that I did or didn't like. I don't write reviews for the fun of it or for the free books - I write them because I want to give back to the reading and publishing community. Books are a major part of my life and I enjoy sharing my opinions of some of them with other people.
One of the other things said on the list is that an author can't be an objective reviewer. Okay, it was not said that nicely, but the thought was that if a reviewer is also an author, they won't be honest about the review and will always give a bad one to a rival author.
Excuse me? Again with the absolutes. And this time you're claiming I'm dishonest and biased? Ouch. Yes, there are people out there who will write a bad review just so their work gets noticed, but to lump us all into that same rotten barrel is to do a disservice to those of us who are honest and do let go of biases when we write a review. Do I compare each book I read to my own writing? Of course I do - whether I'm writing a review or not. I read each one with an eye towards craft. How's the plotting? Does the writer (or copy editor) know basic grammar and spelling? Are the characters well developed or flat? I do that every time I pick up a book to read. BUT when I write a review, it is about that author's ability and not how he or she measures up to my writing. What I write, how I write and whether this book is better than mine has no bearing on my review. Each review book is weighed against itself. Period.
But people's opinions can be taken wrong which is why I will not review books put out by my own publishers or those written by friends. What if, horrors, I didn't like the book?
Are there bad reviewers out there? Yes. Definitely. This is not an area where you have training. They're not told "don't give away the ending" or "don't give spoilers." They're sent a book and told to write a review. Many think it's like a school book report. And in a way, it is, but a good reviewer looks at the craft and doesn't give away the endings.
So the next time you decide to put down a reviewer, please don't lump us all into the same category. There are reviewers out there who really do try to give honest opinions and who do this, not for the sake of the free books, but for the sake of readers. We may not be many, but we are out there.
*************
"Writing is a political instrument..." - James Baldwin
And that just made me angry. Really angry. You see, I'm a reviewer. And have been one for fifteen years. I used to write for VOYA magazine - a national review magazine for libraries. I've also written for the local newspaper and for several on-line venues. I currently do reviews for the Wantzuponatime web site. And trust me, I am NOT in this just for the free books.
I spend a lot of time on my reviews. As a writer, I know what goes into not only writing a book, but getting it published and I believe I should, therefore, give my best in a review. I read each book I receive not as a rival author, but as a reader and give my honest opinion on a book and what there was about it that I did or didn't like. I don't write reviews for the fun of it or for the free books - I write them because I want to give back to the reading and publishing community. Books are a major part of my life and I enjoy sharing my opinions of some of them with other people.
One of the other things said on the list is that an author can't be an objective reviewer. Okay, it was not said that nicely, but the thought was that if a reviewer is also an author, they won't be honest about the review and will always give a bad one to a rival author.
Excuse me? Again with the absolutes. And this time you're claiming I'm dishonest and biased? Ouch. Yes, there are people out there who will write a bad review just so their work gets noticed, but to lump us all into that same rotten barrel is to do a disservice to those of us who are honest and do let go of biases when we write a review. Do I compare each book I read to my own writing? Of course I do - whether I'm writing a review or not. I read each one with an eye towards craft. How's the plotting? Does the writer (or copy editor) know basic grammar and spelling? Are the characters well developed or flat? I do that every time I pick up a book to read. BUT when I write a review, it is about that author's ability and not how he or she measures up to my writing. What I write, how I write and whether this book is better than mine has no bearing on my review. Each review book is weighed against itself. Period.
But people's opinions can be taken wrong which is why I will not review books put out by my own publishers or those written by friends. What if, horrors, I didn't like the book?
Are there bad reviewers out there? Yes. Definitely. This is not an area where you have training. They're not told "don't give away the ending" or "don't give spoilers." They're sent a book and told to write a review. Many think it's like a school book report. And in a way, it is, but a good reviewer looks at the craft and doesn't give away the endings.
So the next time you decide to put down a reviewer, please don't lump us all into the same category. There are reviewers out there who really do try to give honest opinions and who do this, not for the sake of the free books, but for the sake of readers. We may not be many, but we are out there.
*************
"Writing is a political instrument..." - James Baldwin
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Creating New Characters
I had an idea for a new book the other night - actually an entire series of books. And that's all it takes for a writer to take off and fly. I've spent the last four days making copious notes - trying to get all my ideas down.
The past two days have been dedicated to the characters, getting all their backgrounds down and their relationships to each other, their characteristics, and most important (at least for me), their names.
I go through lists and books and websites looking for just the right name for each of my characters. I find that if I don't have the right name from the beginning - at least for my major characters - I can't visualize them as they need to be. Their names are paramount. Unfortunately, I seem to be drawn to the same types of names. I need to break out of my comfort zone and find some different ones. But that's half the fun of looking through the names. Finding that one kernel that is perfect for the character I'm building.
Once I have the name, then I can go into their backgrounds, their motivations, their issues. For this, I've been using a program based on enneagrams - a psychological study of nine personality types. I find that it is extremely useful in helping me typecast my characters. What I have to be careful of is stereotyping. So I take the suggestions given by the study and add my own quirks and foibles so I have a unique character.
So far, I've got names for my four major characters and the profile done for my protagonist. She's going to be an interesting character. I can't wait to see what she does with the blocks I throw at her. :)
*****************
"This is the tale I pray the divine Muse to unfold to us. Begin it, goddess, at whatever point you will." - The Odyssey of Homer
The past two days have been dedicated to the characters, getting all their backgrounds down and their relationships to each other, their characteristics, and most important (at least for me), their names.
I go through lists and books and websites looking for just the right name for each of my characters. I find that if I don't have the right name from the beginning - at least for my major characters - I can't visualize them as they need to be. Their names are paramount. Unfortunately, I seem to be drawn to the same types of names. I need to break out of my comfort zone and find some different ones. But that's half the fun of looking through the names. Finding that one kernel that is perfect for the character I'm building.
Once I have the name, then I can go into their backgrounds, their motivations, their issues. For this, I've been using a program based on enneagrams - a psychological study of nine personality types. I find that it is extremely useful in helping me typecast my characters. What I have to be careful of is stereotyping. So I take the suggestions given by the study and add my own quirks and foibles so I have a unique character.
So far, I've got names for my four major characters and the profile done for my protagonist. She's going to be an interesting character. I can't wait to see what she does with the blocks I throw at her. :)
*****************
"This is the tale I pray the divine Muse to unfold to us. Begin it, goddess, at whatever point you will." - The Odyssey of Homer
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