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Plots
I know two posts in one week without the world ending is miraculous. I’m a firm believer in reading a magazine in your field be it Writer’s Digest, Publishers Weekly or what ever you prefer. Personally, I read Writer’s Digest.
In one of the issues there’s an article, ‘How to make your novel a page turner.’ I found a section of it very interesting. Plot from the gut also known as Heart-Clutching Moments. Although I don’t use this process I thought, it was very fascinating. In a nutshell, it’s writing the hard skeleton of your book.
-List your heart-stopping moments
-Think of more
-Construct your book around these moments
HCMs can be active.
-chase
-lifesaving attempt
-battle
-a seduction
As I said before I don’t use this method. Some might find it strange but my characters tell me what to write. I also see my story as a movie in my head. At first, I thought I was the only one who did this but after reading many articles, I found that it was common for writers to use this process as well.
OFF THE REFERENCE SHELF:
How Dun It Forensics A guide for writers by D. P. Lyle, MD
The author say just because you don’t have the tools and training of a full-time medical examiner doesn’t mean you learn your way around a crime scene. This book covers everything from bloodstains to tire impressions.
I got this book to help me write more realistic crime scenes. There’s real-life case files and forensic evidence used in those cases.
MEME QUESTION 1:
1. Tell us about your favorite writing project/universe that you’ve worked with and why.
My favorite writing project is the project I’ve been working on the longest it includes my favorite character as well. THE LOGAN WOLF CHRONICLES. I have created and recreated the Logan verse so many times and I’ve worked on this project for over nine years. Logan has a little of me in her and I’ve worked out many of my problems with this series. I’ve also learned to be a writer with this series.
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Reference and Research Book
This post is a request from my lovely critique partner, Naomi Clark. The first book I’m going to tell you about is ‘On Writing Horror’ a handbook by The Horror Writers Association.
First what I found out was Robert R. McCammon started the HWA. I found this to be totally fascinating. My favorite book by Robert McCammon is, Swan Song. But, enough about that.
The first topic I want to pick is ‘Why We Write Horror’ by Michael McCarty. Several authors write paragraphs about why they write horror. I related to several of their reasons.
J. N. Williamson: He takes his ideas from life’s frightening challenges that people’s beliefs add to the nature of what we as humans confront and either can lead to our finding solutions or lead to our destruction.
Peter Straub: He likes to work with anxiety, uncertainty and facing the unknown.
Gerard Houarner: Likes to hold two or more seemingly opposing facts, or opinions, or perceptions in my mind, He says he sees monsters and angels in the same individual.
Why do you write horror? I write horror because I see the darkness in most things and then I add a little of ‘what if’ to it. I’ve always been attracted to my dark side I totally embrace it. To me vampires aren’t monsters humans are. Vampires kill for food or to protect itself from harm. Humans do it sometimes just to see what it feels like.
A new reference book on my shelf. CELTIC MYTH & MAGICK by Edain McCoy. I got the book to help with my werebears and my character Ronan. The book has gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines. Understanding the Celts and their traditions. And having a strong Irish lineage I find the book fascinating.
For those of you following me know I’m still waiting to hear from the editor and agent but I’ll let you know as soon as I know something.
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Critique Partners
First, I still haven't heard anything from the agent or editor. But I did get a request for a partial.
Over the last few weeks, I come up with several topics to blog about but put it off. I’ve been so busy, yet I know that isn’t really a good excuse. I got a book ‘On Writing Horror’ and it’s written by horror writers and they cover several topics. Then I thought I would write about different aspects of being a writer. But, I couldn’t narrow down the topic.
So, I decided to revisit the topic of critique partners. I know I touched on this subject many times. But as other writers can attest to critiquing partners are as important as a writing group or an agent.
Well, about a month ago, my CP was reading over my current project and she found several problems with it. Lets just say I didn’t take it very well. But after careful thought and examination, I found her to be right. Which isn’t unusual, she is very good. When you pick a critiquing partner, remember this is a very intimate relationship. This is a very important pairing up so choose wisely.
Most writers look at their work as their baby and I’m no exception. It will hurt when your baby is shredded within an inch of its life. I’ve known my CP around nine years. I trust Naomi; she is like a sister to me.
We have different writing style but that is what helps us do a good job for each other.
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Queries and Conventions
First, my critique partner suggested that I blog about the query process so here we go. Writing the query letter is extremely important because it’s the first thing that an agent sees. It has to be good enough to catch their eye and want more. It’s my least favorite thing to do in the whole process. Same with the synopsis. I never know how much to give because the entire book is interesting to me. So, I sent out a shit load of queries and I hope I have better luck this time. So send good vibes to whatever god you talk to.
Another thing that is bothering me is I mentioned a few months ago that I was invited to go to MARCON- a zombie convention, to talk about self-publishing. I didn’t do so well selling any books that’s why I’m looking for an agent and publisher again. The experience with the publishing house wasn’t the best. But I can’t really talk about being a self-published author since I seemed to be stuck in mud. I would like to go to a writers conference in New York but should I just focus on getting an agent and wait til next year?
Something fun that I’ve been doing is a family tree. I found out that I’m related to the 2nd president of the United States, John Adams. And Nome may find this funny but I have royal blood. So I’m literally a royal pain in the ass. So far, I know that I have English and Irish blood.
Anyone have some good advice I could used it about anything.
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Oh Hold!
I just wanted to remind everyone that STORM OF MAGICK is on hold pending on what I hear from Damnation Books. Wish me luck!
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Good Bye 2009
I’ll be happy to see 09 go. Don’t get me wrong there were a couple of good things to happen. I’ll start with a bad moment to be followed by something good. Well hopefully.
- Water main busts and floods my basement.
- It’s wasn’t too expensive.
- My husband’s overtime was cut.
- He still has his job and I got a job that I enjoy.
- I parted ways with my agent. But, I still have the greatest critiquing partner ever.
- I hope to have good news soon.
- We took our daughter to see Creed.
- Then our tie rods on our vehicle broke.
- We had a good Yule.
- But we will be cutting what is left of our ties to my family.
The planets lining up in a formation that hasn’t happened in more than twelve years so that has to be goods news. Right?
Happy New Years.
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Creation
My critiquing partner suggested that I should do a blog about how I created my race of beings. Well if someone picked up my original manuscript, you would’ve found a very different storyline all together.
Believe it or not, Logan’s world started out with vampires in it. But at the time, the writing group said that my series was too much like Anita Blake series. At first, I was honored to be compared to Laurell K. Hamilton but then I wanted to be known for my own style. Hence, the first set of changes was made.
It took two more rounds of changes for me to become stumped. It took some deep thought and the recreating of several characters and plots. I started to think about how I can make my series different from everyone else’s. I started toying with the idea of fairies but Laurell had a fairy series too so I thought about it and I combined the two.
Okay so I came up with the race of beings now the name. I picked up a name book and started to read. I came up the vashon. I liked it and it fit. Next, I had to break down how a vashon would feed, what would they feed on and what kind of powers would they have. My mind started racing from the unlimited potential of the race and the storyline.
When thinking about creating a race of beings just make sure, you don’t create yourself into a corner.
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Hold
For certain reason that I'll share later the purchase of STORM OF MAGICK is on hold.
When I find out more I'll let you know.
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Guest
I'm guest blogging over at Naomi Clark's livejournal today. Check it out.
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So skin me......
Okay, so I’m a horrible person and you can skin me later if you wish. As most of my readers know I did a blog talk radio interview, which, went very well. Does anyone have any comment or suggestions on my interview? I hope to do more interviews soon.
For those of you who have been waiting for my book to be on Amazon.com well it should be showing up there very soon. I will let everyone know as soon as possible. My book will be given away with one of Jackie Kessler’s remarkable book contest and the fabulous debuting author Naomi Clark. So, I hope to reach more readers.
Trying to get my book out there to be purchased isn't the easiest task that I've ever done but I am a very tenuous about becoming a popular author. Its just taking longer then I expected. So if anyone can purpose any ways to bring more attention to me and my book please share.
I’ve been working a lot at my day job and for the most part I enjoy it. But on the other hand, it takes a lot of juggling between my writing, family, home and my day job to get things done. So now, I have to leave my house and work on my book at Borders. I hope to have a new post every week and I’ll share my progress. Maybe it will put just enough pressure on me to get BLOOD ON THE MOON done.
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