And done..

First draft complete at 136,860 words.


Whew. Now begins the fun.


I see that smile.

Weird News Weekend

Thou shalt not fleece the flock, pastor.

I'll give this guy credit for being a clever moron, but what does that say about his customers?

And lastly...

For everyone who has ever proclaimed the wonderful thing that is craigslist, here is a little warning: People can use it to screw you over, big time. (Such as getting the contents of your entire house taken away by total strangers--check out the video.)

I see that smile.

Scratching the itch

I love this phrase when it gets applied to writing, because it makes all us writers sound like we've got some sort of infectious rash.

And that is the entirety of my deep thinking for the day, because I am now off to go scratch that writing itch.


I see that smile. (and that's all I want to see...please don't show me your rash)

Ending a story

It has to be just the right note. I like when the end of the story hints at something more beyond the horizon. It leaves the characters living the lives they have chosen and shaped. You get a sense that you could continue to tag along with these people and see what happens next...but for some reason they've gone on beyond you, and you have to wait until another time to be reintroduced, or let them go on their merry way for good.

Some endings are bittersweet, knowing what was lost to get there. Some are feel-good, when evil is vanquished and everyone can go home and make pies and eat them in peace. (Hey, food is important for the balance of the world.)

So here I am, considering an ending. Part of me is relieved to be almost done. Part of me wants to see what comes after already.

How do you like your endings?


I see that smile.

Getting Feedback

What's your favorite way of doing this? Once you've made a story nice and shiny, you've still got to get over the reflection of your own face as you stare into it. It's crucial to get other's opinions on the work, because, let's face it, we tend to either be too hard or too soft on ourselves. Sometimes we need folks to point out some major flaws we never would have seen. Or maybe we just need someone to say that the story is worth the effort, and that it is starting to shape up.

So where do you go to get this feedback? Friends? Family? They can be encouraging, yes, but are they willing to give the hard criticism the story needs to get better?

I have several forums and blogs I will post chapters and pages on to get some general feedback...things that focus on the first 13 lines, or the first page.

http://www.hatrack.com/forums/writers/cgi/Ultimate.cgi

http://crapometer.blogspot.com/

Also, I have a few writerly friends who have read materials for me in the past and given invaluable insight, and so I often approach them and see if they are free/willing to scan a story and let me know what they think. I've come to appreciate the "beta readers" as some have come to call them, because it's nice to know they will give me an honest opinion, unworried about hurting my feelings, while more concerned about making the story stronger.

What about you? Where do you go and what's your method? Ambushing strangers on the street? Letting your multiple personalities do the editing?


I see that smile.

Distractions

While I work on finishing this draft, here's a fun list to distract you from a lack of substantive content on the blog.

Paradise Is A Lie: A History Of False Utopias

Pick your favorite and starting living the lie.


I see that smile.

The speed of publishing

Jim Hines talks about his experiences in getting used to how slow the publishing industry can be sometimes. Whether it's short stories taking a year or more to get rejected, or a publisher making an offer on a novel after more than two years...the reality is, getting the story written and revised is often only half the trial (if that) of getting published. The industry is constantly burping and hiccuping, with editors switching houses at a moment's notice, marketing budgets getting slashed,

Even with his history of being published, Hines isn't guaranteed a shoe-in on every contract he submits for. This can be greatly frustrating for those of us who have to sit and twitch until the rejection letter returns from the last agent who requested a partial. However, Hines also makes a good point that the delay...however many years of work it takes for you to get a story published, is not wasted. That is time for you to be improving your craft, developing new stories, rewriting old ones (as long as they are worth the effort) and making yourself a better writer altogether. Maybe that first novel isn't as good as you thought it was. Do you want to get it published in a hurry, only to look back in a few years and wish you waited, or didn't publish it at all because of how bad it turned out?

Perspective sucks, doesn't it? Mainly because it requires patience, something few of us enjoy. But in the end, it may be for the best.


I see that smile.

Nearing the end

I hope. It feels like it, at least, with this story. I've really overblown my estimated word count, which can be a good and a bad thing. I usually aim for 100k words for a solid story. Gives me room to flesh things out, and a lot of revision wiggle. Right now, with a scene or two left to finish the first draft, I'm clocking in at 126k. And it will take me about, oh, at least 8k more to wrap things up in a satisfactory manner, I feel. So, good, because I'll have a lot of material to work with, and I like this story and the world created around it...plus the potential for lots more story beyond this ending. Bad because when I get that much written, I wonder how much is actually worth keeping, and how much have I just padded things? I tend to overwrite, give too much detail, drag out conversations, etc.; so much of my revising involves chopping and cutting in the worst way.

Anyways, I feel comfortable enough that I'm not going to lose the end-game momentum that I can let a few details leak out.

Working title: Heaven's Gates are Rusted Shut

Premise: An infamous poacher is hired to hunt down the avatar of a kingdom's god, while various factions struggle to gain control of it for their own ends.

Anyone want to try a beta read whenever this thing is made halfway presentable? (Which, I should warn you, is usually a month or so after the first draft is done)


I see that smile.

What do holidays mean to us?

After observing some major holidays over the past year, I've come up with a modernized list of their meanings.

Easter- The day Jesus rose from the dead to hide little colored eggs and chocolate bunnies all across the world.

St. Patrick's Day- Celebrating the life of the guy who invented green beer.

Christmas- The holiday of economic growth.

Valentine's- Singles Awareness Day

Fourth of July- Look at the pretty colors! (Also celebrated by sparking statewide forest fires with illegal fireworks)

Thanksgiving- A nationwide food eating contest. (Turducken, anyone?)

New Year's Eve- How much free champagne does it take to make a ball-dropping ceremony a fascinating, life-changing event, rather than a simple display of gravity?

April Fool's Day- National paranoia and cynicism day

Halloween- The day when children rise up and celebrate their god-given freedom to accept candy from total strangers.


Anyone want to add to the list?


I see that smile.

I is here today

(note: this may or may not be a realistic depiction of the actual slopes I am snowboarding today, depending on how much I am willing to risk broken limbs and the overall round shape of my skull in exchange for an adrenaline rush...whew, what a long disclaimer)

Hot chocolate, anyone?


I see that snow.

Match it for Pratchett

That's the name of the game Tor is running. If you've been keeping an eye on the publishing company's website, you might have noticed their link: Match it for Pratchett.

This is their effort to match a $1 million donation to Alzheimer's Research made by Terry Pratchett (author of the comically genius Discworld series), who was diagnosed with a rare form of Alzheimer's, but has maintained a strong smile in the face of it. What better way to fight it then go to the source and see if we can't fund a cure?

So if you want to buy a t-shirt, make a donation or just spread the word on your blog, around the dinner table, or by hounding people on the sidewalk,

At this point, they're only a few thousand dollars in, but that's not bad, considering they've been running the effort for six days now.


I see that smile.

Where do you stash them?

You know how you're working on your current project, be it a novel, a short story, a blog entry (that counts as work, right?) and suddenly some amazing fresh, new, totally original idea jumps up on your shoulder and starts shrieking in your ear? What's the first thing you do? Do you toss your current project aside and run with this new idea until its hair falls out, it grows too fat and smelly and the next idea comes along? Do you let it sit on your shoulder for a day to see if it actually sticks around, or if the chrome polish rubs off to reveal a rusty, old, cliched idea underneath?

My usual technique is to dig a hole and bury the idea for a while, especially if I'm in the middle of another project. Now, burying doesn't mean forgetting or ignoring it. We're not saying killing it and disposing of the corpse. Think more like the idea being a seed, and your sticking it in the dark, fertile soil of your imagination so, in time, it grows into something that gives you more to work with. For me, this involves writing the idea down somewhere where I won't lose it, like a particular Word document that I keep saved and backed up, or in the small notebook I carry around. This also frees up some mental space to keep developing and working on your current story, while your subconscious waters and shines some light on the fledgling one.

Every now and then, like when I'm burnt out on the current project, it could give me something else to focus on for a day or two until creativity starts flowing again. Plus, giving it some time to sit and gather lets you consider it more objectively. Maybe you keep getting excited about it every time you remember it, and you can't wait to get started with it. That's a good thing. But maybe the idea dulls with time, it voice turns annoying and you just want to kick it out the door. Well, whaddya know? You haven't invested much time or thought in it yet, so you can do just that without feeling guilty whatsoever.

What's your technique? Drop everything and run with it? Ignore for a week? Work on it in your spare time?


I see that smile.

Arthur C. Clarke

Legendary science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke died today at 90, after suffering from post-polio syndrome for years. His funeral is set for this weekend, to be entirely devoid of any religious rites or associated faith, per his well-known views on religion.

His classic 2001: A Space Odyssey set a precedent in both literature and film (though you understand the movie much better after reading the book), and I always loved his Rendezvous with Rama series. He's also known for amazingly forward thinking in science, being given credit for concepts such as communications satellites decades before they were developed.

With all the great writers slipping away from us in this last year or two, can I make a personal plea for Ray Bradbury to be spared a little while longer?

Write a note to the future

Here's something that's halfway nifty. Ever wanted to make sure you remember some special event, or had one of those "I'll never forget this!" moments, only to wake up six months later and not have the fuzziest recollection of what happened? Maybe you just want to send your future self some encouragement.

Now you can.

http://www.futureme.org/

This site lets you compose an email to be sent to yourself at any future date you choose, be it a month or ten years from now. They've also got some public entries you can read through, and it looks like they're coming out with a book of compiled emails

How could you use this as a writer? You might write a little note, asking your future self if you've been staying on track with your latest novel over the past few months. Or maybe right now you're struggling with a story, or feel like your writing isn't going anywhere. Type out those feelings and send them to yourself a year from now, in the hopes that when you receive the message from the past, you'll be in a much better place and can smile, realizing how quickly situations can change.

It might provide a little perspective, you think?


I see that smile.

The ground looks like frosting

Certainly doesn't taste like it, though.

I guess being an adult means not being able to hope for a snow day.

Sad.

Otherwise, I'm generally preoccupied with job and apartment hunting while also in the final...oh, 10k words of my current writing project. Could have the first draft in a week, if things continue to go well. How are you all?


I see that smile.

Blog tech issues

For some reason, Blogger refused to give me access all of yesterday, and I've just only been able to slip in today, during a lull between computer hiccups. Anyone else having issues, or is it just me?

Not sure if I'll get anything else put up today, so let me throw in this quick link to another weird news article to continue the WNW theme.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/13/woman.in.bathroom.ap/index.html

Once you read that and have been thoroughly mystified and/or grossed-out, feel free to comment on her possible motivations for such a long bathroom break.

Hopefully the tech issues will be resolved soon. See you once the week begins.


I see that smile.

Weird News Weekend

The snake did it.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/02/27/australia.snake.ap/index.html

The leprechaun did it.
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?in_article_id=71482&in_page_id=2

The pterodactyl did it.
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?in_article_id=81848&in_page_id=2


I see that smile.

A new agent blog

Joshua Bilmes, of Jabberwocky Literary Agency fame, has a new blog running. It's not totally dedicated to the agenting business, but then again, how many times can an agent talk about their work, repeating the same advice to people who don't read through the comments of old posts? It's fun to see the personal side of the business from time to time.

Thanks to Colleen Lindsay for the tip off to this linkage. If you haven't yet, check her blog out as well, as an new agent with the FinePrint Literary Agency.


I see that smile.

How pets save us from imagination overloard

*snickers*

You'd be surprised to know how true this is for me.

Or maybe you wouldn't be surprised. I guess it depends on how well you know me.

Other forms of "imagination insurance" that I've come to rely on:

• Thumps on the roof-- Pretend Santa Claus has come early.
• Heavy breathing down the hall-- A spouse that can throw their snores like a ventriloquist.
• The sounds of chains rattling in the attic-- The squirrels are having gang wars with the bats.
• Blood oozing from the walls-- Never mix allergy medicine and alcohol.

What are your methods and/or excuses for the scary bumpathumps?


I see that smile.

Would you hire your characters?

With the job situation up in the air along with the apartment, I've had to consider the possibility of going through interviews, something I haven't had to do for a few years now. That got me thinking on two different tangents.

First, what is one of the more inane or pointless questions you've been asked during a job interview? You know...the whole "If you opened the cash register to make change for a customer and a rabid wolverine shot out and ate your face off, would you be able to maintain a calm and courteous attitude?"

On the writing side, have you ever sat down and written out an interview with one of your characters as the focus? It's a fun way of gaining some insight on them, instead of the usual chart and list of physical characteristics and personality quirks. So give it a twist. Create some imaginary position you are hiring for and bring your characters in to interview for it. What would you ask them? How would they try to get the job? And you can't automatically write them off just because they're the villain! They could sue for discriminatory practices, so be fair and hear them out. What they say may surprise you.


I see that smile.

Spielberg goes paranormal

Have you ever experienced what you believe to be a supernatural or paranormal circumstance? Maybe caught a ghostly image on film, or some other exposure to something unexplainable?

While I usually turn a cynical eye towards stories of this kind, I've still held a fascination by them...that tiny part of my mind that always ask, "But what if it's true?"

I can't point to any one time in my life where I might have crossed paths with a spirit or aliens, but a lot of people do have these events, and they hold to them with surprising conviction. Now, Steven Spielberg is creating an online social community for people who have had these experiences and want to share them. Obviously, Spielberg is known for movies that deal with the paranormal or extra-terrestrial, but the man also seems to have some personal experience with hauntings, and this seems to have sparked a lifelong focus on similar stories. So if you want to get connected with folks who share this interest, the site is supposedly going live in the next couple months, so keep your eyes open.

Now then, while I run off and spend the day doing my usual job/apartment hunt, if there's anyone who has such a story where something inexplicable happened to you, or you saw impossible lights in the sky, I'd be interested in hearing about it. I promise to try to keep an open mind.


I see that smile.

Free online book- American Gods

If you haven't had the chance to pick up Neil Gaiman's American Gods, here's the perfect opportunity--because it's free!

http://browseinside.harpercollins.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780060558123&WT.mc_id=author_AmerGods_FullAccess_022208

It's a thick, darkly lit book that dives into one of my favorite topics--mythology.

Shadow has just got out of a stint in prison and is returning home to his wife. Along the way, however, he discovers that his wife has died in an accident, and at the same time he is approached by a mysterious Mr. Wednesday who shows up in the unlikeliest of places and ways to offer Shadow a job. Soon Shadow is swept up in a war between the old and new world divinities, and he's not quite sure who to trust. If anyone.

And if this book catches your attention, check out the unofficial, standalone sequel, Anansi Boys. You don't need to read American Gods to read Anansi Boys, which has a much lighter, humorous feel, but in my opinion, both are well worth the time.


I see that smile.

A quick note

Just popping on to say I couldn't quite rustle up the energy to post today. Though, now I guess I'm making a post about not posting. Is that redundant?

Oh well. We'll leave that question to the philosophers. Though if they ever stoop so low as to debate the importance of a post on non-postingness, I'd say the world will have reached a sorry state.


I see that smile.

Free cookies

Still alive. Still looking. I have discovered one benefit of visiting so many apartment complexes is that the sales agents there seem to believe that plates of chocolate chip cookies will greatly increase their chances of securing a lease. While I do appreciate the homey touch, plus the constant source of sugar, I'm unsure if a cookie is going to tip my mind over the edge of a renting decision.

What if I promise to not eat any of the cookies, and you subtract the cost of their baking from the rent? Sound good?

Finding a home is such a tricky thing. What amenities are a must-have? What can be done without? And why, in such a dog-loving state as Colorado, do all the apartments have some frustrating, sometimes inane restrictions on pets?

Anyone have some insights?

Writing is still going on; rather well, actually, with all the other running around. Not sure exactly where I am in the word count, but got past a few shaky scenes (which will no doubt require large revisions after the first draft) and am bumbling onwards to what I hope to be an exciting climax. A few partials floating in the submission void, and I'm waiting until we actually have a permanent address before sending anything else out.


I see that smile.

Out and about

Going apartment hunting all day. There are some things in life that never fall into the "fun" category, such as root canals, being bitten by a rabid dog and apartment/house hunting. Sure, there's the chance of finding the perfect place for the perfect price with all the amenities you want, but until then you've got to slog through the many deals, fees, crazy pet restrictions and so on.

Wish me luck.


I see that smile.

Wasn't expecting this

I decided to check back in with the Clarity of Night short fiction contest that went on last week and was surprised to find Jason had awarded my entry with first place.

http://clarityofnight.blogspot.com/2008/03/winners-announcement-whispers-short.html


1st Place--JOSH VOGT, They Call Him... (#15)
[Prize: $25 Amazon gift certificate, 8 x 10 print of the "Whispers" photograph (inscribed by Jason Evans)]

2nd Place--MICHAEL PELC, Trees Don't Dream (#54)
[Prize: $20 Amazon gift certificate]

3rd Place--PRECIE, Holding On (#51)
[Prize: $15 Amazon gift certificate]

4th Place--REBECCA LAKE, Please (#26)
[Prize: $10 Amazon gift certificate]

5th Place--HOODIE, My Dog Has Fleas (#48)
[Prize: $5 Amazon gift certificate]

Honorable Mention--DINA LYNSKEY, Breakfast with Sarah (#7)

Honorable Mention--JOHN MCAULEY, Walden's (#44)

Honorable Mention--DAVE WATTERS, A Time Past (#46)

Honorable Mention--THERESE, Point of View (#62)

Honorable Mention--ANGELIQUE H. CAFFREY, Out on a Limb (#73)


Be sure to visit the blog and congratulate all the other winners, honorable mentions, and readers' choices. Some powerful writing in such short bursts, plus a chance to connect with other writers in a positive environment.

The next round of the contest should be held in July, so plenty of time to prepare for it.


I see that smile.

Greatest Gadgets of History

And I'm not talking about the Inspector.

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/02/historys-greate.html

It's an interesting line-up. The theory about the Ark of the Covenant being a primitive battery interested me, partly because of my faith, but also because of a slight fascination with examples of ancient technology that either matches or confounds our own. The Baghdad Batteries fall into the same category, along with questions about how "primitive" cultures built such enormous monuments with astronomical precision. Was it manpower and centuries of work alone? Or did they have some architectural and engineering prowess that have been lost since then?

From mechanical computers to automatic chess players built in the 1700s, this is an impressive reminder that "old" and "new" don't always correlate with "dumber" and "smarter."


I see that smile.

We made it

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers. After a day of packing up our apartment and loading it into a big pod to be moved cross-country, then flying the pets out to Denver, and then going down to Texas to pick up my wife's old Jeep, and then a 12-hour drive back up to Colorado, we're finally here.


The wife starts work on Monday, and I'll probably be spending the week checking out apartments and waiting for our stuff to arrive. Craziness. Hopefully I can squeeze in a little writing time, which has sadly languished during the busy-ness of the last few days.


Have I missed anything? I've been pretty out of touch on the usual blog roll and publishing news roundup.


On the upside, we've arrived just in time to catch a little snow, or so the weatherman predicts.



I see that smile.