DIRECTIONS: Dialoguing as a writing exercise is a great way to explore ideas. I'm not talking about book dialogue here, but rather an exercise where you write down a conversation between two entities as if it were the text of a play. One of these entities will be you. For our purposes here, the other entity will be your topic. (From Lesson 3)
Conversation with Marie, a vampire without a memory.
Me: I named you Marie. Are you ok with this name?
Marie: I guess so. I don’t remember what name I was born with. I suppose anything is good until I can remember who I am, where I came from.
Me: It must be confusing for you… having no memory.
Marie: It is. I don’t like having to rely on others. But I learn quickly so I don’t have to for long.
Me: I can understand that. I think that is part of what gives you your humanity.
Marie: I wasn’t always a vampire. I suppose I have to have some humanity remaining.
Me: True, but often the older vampires lose that, forget human morals.
Marie: I have no morals to lose.
Me: Good point.
Marie: Is that why you created me? To give me humanity?
Me: In part. Also, I wanted to play with the idea of what a vampire who had no memories, who had no loyalty to a sire and aligned herself with human might do.
Marie: It makes me very lonely sometimes.
Me: I know. I’m sorry for that truly. But you won’t always be. I promise.
Marie: Well I don’t want to be surrounded by humans trying to kill me all the time.
Me: Well you won’t be…. Vampires want to kill you to.
Marie: WHAT? Why? What did I do to them?
Me: Sorry… getting ahead of myself.
Marie: I don’t think I want any part of this story when you have people and vampires hunting me down.
Me: Aren’t you curious about how you overcome all this though?
Marie: *sniff* Maybe.
Me: *smile* Because you do. Of course, you have to, you’re the main character.
Marie: *smile* Do I get to have any freaky super powers?
Me: Freaky from a vamp with no memory? Well, no, you aren’t a superhero after all. But you have super speed, hearing, sight, smell…
Marie: Why can’t I have a super power? All that other stuff is boring. Don’t your readers want me to kick ass?
Me: Well I hope so. But super powers…? Ok, what were you thinking about?
Marie: I dunno… you’re the writer.
Me: Yea, but you asked the question.
Marie: Fly?
Me: Like in every other vamp story.
Marie: Stop time?
Me: Been done.
Marie: *huff* But I want to do something cool.
Me: You stop the bad vamps and save the boy. That isn’t cool?
Marie: One – how do I stop the bad guys? And, two – is he cute?
Me: One – I am working on that. And two – yes.
Marie: Well it seems like you have to have number one figured out or number two won’t matter. But I am no writer.
Me: Yea, thanks for the advice. I said I am working on it. I have an idea, just need to flush it out more. But it goes back to your creation.
Marie: Creation? What am I, the Bible?
Me: Sheesh. You had less attitude when you first emerged. No, I mean when you were made a vamp and how you ended up the way you did, without a memory, feeding on animals rather than having bloodlust for humans.
Marie: So I do get back my memory?
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Some ideas and goals
Another assignment from Lesson 3...
What I Want to Write
I want to write paranormal stories because there are so many possibilities based loosely on reality.
I want to write about magic in the every day, modern world.
I want to write stories that incorporate the forgotten Goddesses and Gods because they close to my heart.
I want to write because I feel the need to be creative.
I want to write because I have something to share.
I want to write because it makes me feel good.
I want to write.
What I Am Going to Write about
I’m going to write about magical people, some in the world, some in alternate worlds.
I’m going to write about supernatural creatures in human situations.
I’m going to write a fictionalized family based on what my mother told me via her grandmother.
What I Want to Write
I want to write paranormal stories because there are so many possibilities based loosely on reality.
I want to write about magic in the every day, modern world.
I want to write stories that incorporate the forgotten Goddesses and Gods because they close to my heart.
I want to write because I feel the need to be creative.
I want to write because I have something to share.
I want to write because it makes me feel good.
I want to write.
What I Am Going to Write about
I’m going to write about magical people, some in the world, some in alternate worlds.
I’m going to write about supernatural creatures in human situations.
I’m going to write a fictionalized family based on what my mother told me via her grandmother.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Three Things in My Room
An expansion of "The Room Where I Write"
3/22/11
Three Things in My Room
Computer monitor and keyboard – the black frame surrounds the document on the screen. Focus here! it says. The screen is large enough that I can sit back the requisite 3 feet and see and read well. The dull gray log Dell hovers at the bottom of the frame and to the right is the row of buttons no one ever uses before getting to the green ON button. If that button goes out, then I will probably panic and thinks all my work is lost. But not really because the CPU is actually on the floor by my feet and I hardly have to think about it except when I plug in the charge my iPod. Along the bottom of the monitor is the long slender gray speaker with its myriad of holes. I never have the sound on, all those dings and beeps warning me that I have email. I’ll just check Outlook when the notice flashes on my screen. The only time I turn it on it after I have my earplugs plugged in and am listening to music.
Wicked coffee mug – The bold white letter on the mug declare it to be WICKED. How can a mug be wicked? The smaller letters in green state “The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz.” It’s from the musical that my mother in law sent my husband and I to for our Christmas present 2 years ago. Which reminds me, I should put dates on all my writing. A year from now, I won’t remember when I wrote all this junk. Ok, I know it’s not junk, it all has a purpose. Back to the mug… the mug is shiny and black, the only writing on it is on one side. It is currently clean since sometimes I let the old tea reside sit in it until the brown creates wave designs on the inside. It will be cold today, so I might have some tea this afternoon. The other thing that goes into it usually is hot cocoa. The mug is one subtle clue that I am, indeed, also a witch.
Inspirational flier – bordered in white with a navy blue background, the inspirational flier was handed out at out last monthly meeting. It uses words from the staff development meeting we had when I was gone at a conference. Some of the big bold words in white are “creative, diverse, innovative, growth, global. I think except for “global” all the others could also be applied to my writing. There are other words in orange and red, like “fun, collaborative, talented, dynamic” that could apply too. So even though I didn’t get to go to the staff development and for the most part could care less, this little jewel from it has some uses. It is now posted on my wall over my desk.
3/22/11
Three Things in My Room
Computer monitor and keyboard – the black frame surrounds the document on the screen. Focus here! it says. The screen is large enough that I can sit back the requisite 3 feet and see and read well. The dull gray log Dell hovers at the bottom of the frame and to the right is the row of buttons no one ever uses before getting to the green ON button. If that button goes out, then I will probably panic and thinks all my work is lost. But not really because the CPU is actually on the floor by my feet and I hardly have to think about it except when I plug in the charge my iPod. Along the bottom of the monitor is the long slender gray speaker with its myriad of holes. I never have the sound on, all those dings and beeps warning me that I have email. I’ll just check Outlook when the notice flashes on my screen. The only time I turn it on it after I have my earplugs plugged in and am listening to music.
Wicked coffee mug – The bold white letter on the mug declare it to be WICKED. How can a mug be wicked? The smaller letters in green state “The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz.” It’s from the musical that my mother in law sent my husband and I to for our Christmas present 2 years ago. Which reminds me, I should put dates on all my writing. A year from now, I won’t remember when I wrote all this junk. Ok, I know it’s not junk, it all has a purpose. Back to the mug… the mug is shiny and black, the only writing on it is on one side. It is currently clean since sometimes I let the old tea reside sit in it until the brown creates wave designs on the inside. It will be cold today, so I might have some tea this afternoon. The other thing that goes into it usually is hot cocoa. The mug is one subtle clue that I am, indeed, also a witch.
Inspirational flier – bordered in white with a navy blue background, the inspirational flier was handed out at out last monthly meeting. It uses words from the staff development meeting we had when I was gone at a conference. Some of the big bold words in white are “creative, diverse, innovative, growth, global. I think except for “global” all the others could also be applied to my writing. There are other words in orange and red, like “fun, collaborative, talented, dynamic” that could apply too. So even though I didn’t get to go to the staff development and for the most part could care less, this little jewel from it has some uses. It is now posted on my wall over my desk.
Where I Write
After doing the descriptive piece on "The Room Where I Write" and the subsequent writing about it, I am thinking I need to change it. I write a lot at work because I have the time, I am always in front of the computer and my writer-friend and I correspond. But it it doesn't hold emotional value for me. So those two pieces of writing are not as expansive as I would like.
I have sort of re-connected with another writer friend and hope we can develop a closer relationship. We have been acquaintances for a long time and I know she writes and have always wanted to get to know her more, but I have always struggled with extending myself. Hopefully, we can have some more opportunities.
The last part of lesson 2 introduced the idea of writing a short story... meaning 500 words. How can I write 500 words that make sense?! She has given us the option of using a story already in the works, or a new one. I already have 4 different original ideas, so many I can take the opening of my vampire one. *sigh* Decisions, decisions.
I have sort of re-connected with another writer friend and hope we can develop a closer relationship. We have been acquaintances for a long time and I know she writes and have always wanted to get to know her more, but I have always struggled with extending myself. Hopefully, we can have some more opportunities.
The last part of lesson 2 introduced the idea of writing a short story... meaning 500 words. How can I write 500 words that make sense?! She has given us the option of using a story already in the works, or a new one. I already have 4 different original ideas, so many I can take the opening of my vampire one. *sigh* Decisions, decisions.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Room Where I Write
From Lesson 2...
Oddly enough, the room where I write is at my office. It gives me more of a chance to write when we are not busy, I can listen to music through my head phones. Besides, at home I always have ‘more important’ things to do… wash the dishes, watch TV or read.
The main focus on my desk is the computer, directly in front of me, a black framed flat screen monitor with the black keyboard and shiny white symbols crouched in front of it. On my right a colorful print out hangs with information about upcoming programs. To tell you the truth, I hardly look at it anymore unless I need a date, a code or something specific. The only colors on it besides black and white are blue, green and tan in long rows. Normally it is a kaleidoscope of colors and I reference it every day. Next to that is a purple framed magnetic frame the black and orange bewhiskered face of my cat with her big golden eyes. I recognize my old apartment, the tan carpeting, my multi-colored rug, long ago tossed in the trash. Below the schedule and the picture is my dry-erase board where I write my “To-do” list. I am a list writer, I write lists for just about everything even if I know not everything will get check-marked off the list. The board has a field of white on the left where I write and check off my tasks. The face is currently staring blankly at me. The right side is mottled golden corkboard. Tucked into the edges of corkboard are wallet-sized school photos of my step children… from 2 years ago. Each one has the pinched smile of posed-for photographs. But, I am reminded how much my kids rock because they are both wearing tops (a black colored shirt and a gray and black vest) with skulls on them. It makes me laugh thinking about how much they are like their father and myself even though I don’t share any genetics with them. To go along with the child-like theme, my small plushy of Stitch from Lilo and Stitch hangs from a push pin. His blue-on-blue body reminds me to be silly, that chaos can sometimes be liberating and that we can chose our family even if it’s not the one we were born to. Next to my reminder board is a stack of multi-colored florescent Post-It notes with the top ones scribbled on, the sunflower yellow and dark blue of the ink clashing harshly. To the right of that is my sleek, multi-buttoned phone where I normally get calls from two people – my boss and my husband. Most of the time, it sits just like it is now, silent with its digital display reminding me it’s Friday. The phone sits on a black wire rack, caging in my notepads and serving as a resting spot for my white plastic spoon I use for mixing sugar into my tea when I have some. Next to the phone are red file folders slid into the upright file holder and white papers are sticking out from them, some sheets horizontal and some vertical, and generally overflowing their folders. A CD of some professors presentation is also slid into the holder because I have no idea where to file that. It has been there for at least 2 months and it will be there for many more. In front of the file holder is my “stack it and forget it” pile. A book I am reading, sort of, a pink covered spiral notebook, a meeting agenda, motivational flier and who-knows-what else are set one on top of the other in no particular order.
To the left of my seat is the slightly cleaner side except for the coffee stain that looks like a set of rolling hills if I turn my head to the side. My Wicked coffee cup with its large white letters sits clean and ready when I want hot chocolate or tea. Next to it is my coffee travel mug, blue laminate peeling off its sides. The coffee in it is not 4 hours old, cold and stale tasting. Next to the coffee is a bottle of water, blue label bright against the drab gray desk and partition, reminding me I need to drink more water. The all-in-one pencil cup spills over with pens in blue, purple, red, highlighters of blue, yellow and pink, and the blue and black handles of my scissors. The cubby holds an array of paperclips, white out, hand sanitizer and a staple remover. Standing upside down is the white and blue bottle of lotion I am constantly putting on my hands. In front of all this is the large desk calendar, now smudged and crinkling from coffee and water being spilled on it.
Oddly enough, the room where I write is at my office. It gives me more of a chance to write when we are not busy, I can listen to music through my head phones. Besides, at home I always have ‘more important’ things to do… wash the dishes, watch TV or read.
The main focus on my desk is the computer, directly in front of me, a black framed flat screen monitor with the black keyboard and shiny white symbols crouched in front of it. On my right a colorful print out hangs with information about upcoming programs. To tell you the truth, I hardly look at it anymore unless I need a date, a code or something specific. The only colors on it besides black and white are blue, green and tan in long rows. Normally it is a kaleidoscope of colors and I reference it every day. Next to that is a purple framed magnetic frame the black and orange bewhiskered face of my cat with her big golden eyes. I recognize my old apartment, the tan carpeting, my multi-colored rug, long ago tossed in the trash. Below the schedule and the picture is my dry-erase board where I write my “To-do” list. I am a list writer, I write lists for just about everything even if I know not everything will get check-marked off the list. The board has a field of white on the left where I write and check off my tasks. The face is currently staring blankly at me. The right side is mottled golden corkboard. Tucked into the edges of corkboard are wallet-sized school photos of my step children… from 2 years ago. Each one has the pinched smile of posed-for photographs. But, I am reminded how much my kids rock because they are both wearing tops (a black colored shirt and a gray and black vest) with skulls on them. It makes me laugh thinking about how much they are like their father and myself even though I don’t share any genetics with them. To go along with the child-like theme, my small plushy of Stitch from Lilo and Stitch hangs from a push pin. His blue-on-blue body reminds me to be silly, that chaos can sometimes be liberating and that we can chose our family even if it’s not the one we were born to. Next to my reminder board is a stack of multi-colored florescent Post-It notes with the top ones scribbled on, the sunflower yellow and dark blue of the ink clashing harshly. To the right of that is my sleek, multi-buttoned phone where I normally get calls from two people – my boss and my husband. Most of the time, it sits just like it is now, silent with its digital display reminding me it’s Friday. The phone sits on a black wire rack, caging in my notepads and serving as a resting spot for my white plastic spoon I use for mixing sugar into my tea when I have some. Next to the phone are red file folders slid into the upright file holder and white papers are sticking out from them, some sheets horizontal and some vertical, and generally overflowing their folders. A CD of some professors presentation is also slid into the holder because I have no idea where to file that. It has been there for at least 2 months and it will be there for many more. In front of the file holder is my “stack it and forget it” pile. A book I am reading, sort of, a pink covered spiral notebook, a meeting agenda, motivational flier and who-knows-what else are set one on top of the other in no particular order.
To the left of my seat is the slightly cleaner side except for the coffee stain that looks like a set of rolling hills if I turn my head to the side. My Wicked coffee cup with its large white letters sits clean and ready when I want hot chocolate or tea. Next to it is my coffee travel mug, blue laminate peeling off its sides. The coffee in it is not 4 hours old, cold and stale tasting. Next to the coffee is a bottle of water, blue label bright against the drab gray desk and partition, reminding me I need to drink more water. The all-in-one pencil cup spills over with pens in blue, purple, red, highlighters of blue, yellow and pink, and the blue and black handles of my scissors. The cubby holds an array of paperclips, white out, hand sanitizer and a staple remover. Standing upside down is the white and blue bottle of lotion I am constantly putting on my hands. In front of all this is the large desk calendar, now smudged and crinkling from coffee and water being spilled on it.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Lesson #1: Freewrite
Assignment from my first lesson in the online writing class. We were asked to write for 5 minutes each time.
Undirected freewrite
Ok, I am freewriting. When I was still teaching composition, I had my students do this. I always thought it was sorta pointless. It;’s hard to write about just anything. The voices in my head constantly edit, tell me good or bad things. I am freewriting with my head phones on, music playing. I can’t just sit in silence besides the fact that at home next to a freeway, it is never silent. I have upstairs and neaighbors next to me with kids. They are always so noisy. The ones upstairs jump up and down and it sounds like a troop of elephants practicing for ballet. The music becomes white noise, so I can tune out the background noise. Eating and drinking coffee.// That sound is done and I keep wondering if I should check the timer but I refrain. Ok so I backspaced a little, trying not to look at the screen, kinda helps me not focus on what I an writing and just write. What e;se do I have to say? Or write as the case maybe… I am excited about this class. I had a thought that maybe I should start with the next one or something, but I have never taken a writing course that wasn’t about literatue or something. So I think this is where I need to be right now. I am second guessing myself and I said I wouldn’t. If I think this is my calling, that I really want to write creatively then I have to invest my time and energy into it. Don’t forget the lessons I have been hearing all over the place. My personal rule is if you hear something three times, it’s the Goddess’s way of saying PAY ATTENTION! So that is another reason I am here. And I am not as worried about people reading my stuff as I thought. Of course I HATE rejection… time.
Directed freewriting
Ok I am writing about my cat, not that I am the crazy cat lady or anything, but I couldn’t think of anything else and I saw a picture of her so it made me think of her. I forget how old she is… 8-9 and getting to be a an old lady now. She is a pretty tortoise shell with black and orange all mixed through. You can see a hint of stripping but not really. Sort of like she thought about it and said “Nah, I don’t like that” and took an eraser to parts. Her eyes are golden, more honey colored. I have read that description in books and never thought it was a natural shade on a human. I don’t think I have met anyone with honey colored eyes. So back to Vega, that’s her name. She told me it, I didn’t pick it I swear. But she also said it was from the movie/book Contact by Carl Sagan. I remember watching his show when I was a kid and I hated billions and billions… ugh, I still remember that. Anyway the movie Contact was out… a few years by then I guess and it made an impression on me. Sort of reinforced what my idea of time/space travel is. I mean E=Mc2 is impossible. Your mass as to increase exponentially with the speed so you would have to have a HUGE space ship and its just not feasible. So nowadays people are looking into alternative. The TV show… what is it called with the artifacts that are magical or cursed and they have to run around and get them back from the general population… anyway one episode was about time travel and it was the consciousness that travel, not the person… end
Undirected freewrite
Ok, I am freewriting. When I was still teaching composition, I had my students do this. I always thought it was sorta pointless. It;’s hard to write about just anything. The voices in my head constantly edit, tell me good or bad things. I am freewriting with my head phones on, music playing. I can’t just sit in silence besides the fact that at home next to a freeway, it is never silent. I have upstairs and neaighbors next to me with kids. They are always so noisy. The ones upstairs jump up and down and it sounds like a troop of elephants practicing for ballet. The music becomes white noise, so I can tune out the background noise. Eating and drinking coffee.// That sound is done and I keep wondering if I should check the timer but I refrain. Ok so I backspaced a little, trying not to look at the screen, kinda helps me not focus on what I an writing and just write. What e;se do I have to say? Or write as the case maybe… I am excited about this class. I had a thought that maybe I should start with the next one or something, but I have never taken a writing course that wasn’t about literatue or something. So I think this is where I need to be right now. I am second guessing myself and I said I wouldn’t. If I think this is my calling, that I really want to write creatively then I have to invest my time and energy into it. Don’t forget the lessons I have been hearing all over the place. My personal rule is if you hear something three times, it’s the Goddess’s way of saying PAY ATTENTION! So that is another reason I am here. And I am not as worried about people reading my stuff as I thought. Of course I HATE rejection… time.
Directed freewriting
Ok I am writing about my cat, not that I am the crazy cat lady or anything, but I couldn’t think of anything else and I saw a picture of her so it made me think of her. I forget how old she is… 8-9 and getting to be a an old lady now. She is a pretty tortoise shell with black and orange all mixed through. You can see a hint of stripping but not really. Sort of like she thought about it and said “Nah, I don’t like that” and took an eraser to parts. Her eyes are golden, more honey colored. I have read that description in books and never thought it was a natural shade on a human. I don’t think I have met anyone with honey colored eyes. So back to Vega, that’s her name. She told me it, I didn’t pick it I swear. But she also said it was from the movie/book Contact by Carl Sagan. I remember watching his show when I was a kid and I hated billions and billions… ugh, I still remember that. Anyway the movie Contact was out… a few years by then I guess and it made an impression on me. Sort of reinforced what my idea of time/space travel is. I mean E=Mc2 is impossible. Your mass as to increase exponentially with the speed so you would have to have a HUGE space ship and its just not feasible. So nowadays people are looking into alternative. The TV show… what is it called with the artifacts that are magical or cursed and they have to run around and get them back from the general population… anyway one episode was about time travel and it was the consciousness that travel, not the person… end
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Starting a Creative Writing Class
Yesterday was the start of the creative writing class I signed up for. It's online which I like because we don't have to see each other face to face. It means that the critiques and such don't have to be so personal. And at the same time we have already developed out own little community.
We have retired people in their 60s down to teens in high school hoping to improve their writing for SATs and admission essays. How cool is that? Some are domestic goddesses (another's phrase) and some work full time. But the one thing we all have in common is we feel the inner need to write. Some want to be published, some are just exploring and some just want to improve.
In the first lesson, the teacher said "forget about being published for the time being." I guess that's a good point. She also said we need to separate the creative side from the critical side.
I am very jazzed about the class and feel like I am where I need to be. The inner need in me is somewhat relaxed now that I am on the right path.
Now I just hope the class would go faster. LOL
We have retired people in their 60s down to teens in high school hoping to improve their writing for SATs and admission essays. How cool is that? Some are domestic goddesses (another's phrase) and some work full time. But the one thing we all have in common is we feel the inner need to write. Some want to be published, some are just exploring and some just want to improve.
In the first lesson, the teacher said "forget about being published for the time being." I guess that's a good point. She also said we need to separate the creative side from the critical side.
I am very jazzed about the class and feel like I am where I need to be. The inner need in me is somewhat relaxed now that I am on the right path.
Now I just hope the class would go faster. LOL
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
What am I hiding?
In talking to my husband the other day, he expressed surprise that I had signed up for a creative writing class and that I seemed so interested in pursuing my writing.
I was a little surprised too. I thought I had talked about how one day I would like to be a published author of fiction. But he hasn't really shown a big interested in my ideas about it, so I haven't really shared all about it like I have with a few other folks like my writing buddy Amita. And then he kinda made me feel guilty (not on purpose, it was all me) because he looked over his comments in the past analyzing if he had made disparaging remarks. I really had to think about how much of this part of my life I have exposed him too.
Honestly... not much. I have problem sharing my writing with people close to me. It's a bit of a love/hate relationship... I would love to have the feedback and support but then again I would hate to have to face my family's criticism. Years ago, I had a boyfriend who read my personal journal... more than once. THAT turned me off from writing for years; I burned my journals and still have a hard time writing personal stuff down.
My honey is very supportive and always has been. So I explained that I was giving myself 10 years to write an original manuscript, take the time to edit it, submit it for publishing, get it rejected several times, etc. before it's published. We talked about some of my original ideas. I have 4 in the works, one has been about 10 years of thought and I have started it at different times in my life. I have about 3 chapters of two others, and just an outline of the fourth. All of them are slightly different genres but all within the realm of sci fi/fantasy with a strong paranormal bent.
One of the "how-to get published" books I was reading, suggested getting short stories published in various sci fi magazines first to at least get your name known. That means I have to come up with yet ANOTHER original idea for short story format. *Sigh* It would actually be a good exercise. And, like Jim Butcher did, I could start writing in one genre that is marketable for the publishing houses until I have a reputation and then switch to what I really want to do - paranormal mysteries/romance.
Besides the writing class starting, I'll have to check out some of the better respected sci fi magazines, buy a few, see what they look for.
I was a little surprised too. I thought I had talked about how one day I would like to be a published author of fiction. But he hasn't really shown a big interested in my ideas about it, so I haven't really shared all about it like I have with a few other folks like my writing buddy Amita. And then he kinda made me feel guilty (not on purpose, it was all me) because he looked over his comments in the past analyzing if he had made disparaging remarks. I really had to think about how much of this part of my life I have exposed him too.
Honestly... not much. I have problem sharing my writing with people close to me. It's a bit of a love/hate relationship... I would love to have the feedback and support but then again I would hate to have to face my family's criticism. Years ago, I had a boyfriend who read my personal journal... more than once. THAT turned me off from writing for years; I burned my journals and still have a hard time writing personal stuff down.
My honey is very supportive and always has been. So I explained that I was giving myself 10 years to write an original manuscript, take the time to edit it, submit it for publishing, get it rejected several times, etc. before it's published. We talked about some of my original ideas. I have 4 in the works, one has been about 10 years of thought and I have started it at different times in my life. I have about 3 chapters of two others, and just an outline of the fourth. All of them are slightly different genres but all within the realm of sci fi/fantasy with a strong paranormal bent.
One of the "how-to get published" books I was reading, suggested getting short stories published in various sci fi magazines first to at least get your name known. That means I have to come up with yet ANOTHER original idea for short story format. *Sigh* It would actually be a good exercise. And, like Jim Butcher did, I could start writing in one genre that is marketable for the publishing houses until I have a reputation and then switch to what I really want to do - paranormal mysteries/romance.
Besides the writing class starting, I'll have to check out some of the better respected sci fi magazines, buy a few, see what they look for.
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Fanfic stuff so far
Fanfic #1: Furyan's Return
My first ever full-length (and only complete) fanfiction. 29 chapters based on the director's cut of The Chronicles of Riddick.
SUMMARY: Riddick attempts to rebuild his homeworld. But Vaako is proving a greater adversary than Riddick expected. He needs the help of a princess if he expects to ever live free.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3767940/1/The_Furyans_Return
Fanfic #2: Paradise
The second Riddick story, also post COR. But this one is more true to the character and his situation. Darker than the first one.
SUMMARY: Riddick is cast out of the Necromongers and mercs are on his back again. When he crash lands on a low tech, wild west type planet called Paradise, a local woman helps patch him up.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3864617/1/Paradise
Fanfic #3: Second Chances
Based on the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. Follows a rogue werewolf Mercy befriends and takes under her wing. Follows Ben more than Mercy. Very much a work in progress and I am already thinking about a sequel.
SUMMARY: Post Bone-Crossed (Book 4). This story follows Vanessa Martinez, a runaway and drifter searching for a place to belong as an individual and a werewolf. Fate brings her into Mercy Thompson and Adam Hauptman's lives during a time of trouble, when vigilante groups are targeting the recently self-revealed werewolves. In between working, studying for her GED and learning what it means to be part of a pack, Vanessa also falls for Ben, the misogynistic British werewolf and recent member to Adam's back. But, will the scars that mar Vanessa's body and soul ever allow her to settle down and learn about love?
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5019725/1/Second_Chances
My first ever full-length (and only complete) fanfiction. 29 chapters based on the director's cut of The Chronicles of Riddick.
SUMMARY: Riddick attempts to rebuild his homeworld. But Vaako is proving a greater adversary than Riddick expected. He needs the help of a princess if he expects to ever live free.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3767940/1/The_Furyans_Return
Fanfic #2: Paradise
The second Riddick story, also post COR. But this one is more true to the character and his situation. Darker than the first one.
SUMMARY: Riddick is cast out of the Necromongers and mercs are on his back again. When he crash lands on a low tech, wild west type planet called Paradise, a local woman helps patch him up.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3864617/1/Paradise
Fanfic #3: Second Chances
Based on the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. Follows a rogue werewolf Mercy befriends and takes under her wing. Follows Ben more than Mercy. Very much a work in progress and I am already thinking about a sequel.
SUMMARY: Post Bone-Crossed (Book 4). This story follows Vanessa Martinez, a runaway and drifter searching for a place to belong as an individual and a werewolf. Fate brings her into Mercy Thompson and Adam Hauptman's lives during a time of trouble, when vigilante groups are targeting the recently self-revealed werewolves. In between working, studying for her GED and learning what it means to be part of a pack, Vanessa also falls for Ben, the misogynistic British werewolf and recent member to Adam's back. But, will the scars that mar Vanessa's body and soul ever allow her to settle down and learn about love?
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5019725/1/Second_Chances
Friday, March 11, 2011
Descriptive Exercise #1
When I was in high school, one of my English teachers, who really encouraged me in creative writing, used to make us do this exercise. Pick a common object (animate or inanimate, large or small) and write a one page description of it WITHOUT stating the object by name. It was a great way to force the writer to be descriptive. So, I thought I would try it again here. See if you can guess what it is.
***************************************************
One end is deceptively round, innocuous, curving to fit into my hand. One handle is larger, cradling several fingers and scratched from use. The other is smaller, more like the eye in a giant needle where my thumb fits. On the outside the handles are black and the inside, blue. Such violent colors for such a common and useful item. Did the makers think about that when they designed it?
Stretching from the handle the dull silver gleams, tapering to a point and the harmless handles are left quickly behind. A rivet joins the halves and looks like an eye. When the handles are parted and the ends gape, it has the look of a hungry raptor with a straight beak, just waiting for something soft and tasty to pass before its maw.
The mouth is made of two intersecting blades, sharp on the inside, thick and blunted on the outside. The striations on the inside give witness to how often they have been used, over and over, without thought to the destruction they can cause when used inappropriately.
For something that spans the length of my hand, it has so many uses. But even when it is helpful it is destructive... even though it creates something new, making something different from original, cutting through bonds or setting something free.
***************************************************
One end is deceptively round, innocuous, curving to fit into my hand. One handle is larger, cradling several fingers and scratched from use. The other is smaller, more like the eye in a giant needle where my thumb fits. On the outside the handles are black and the inside, blue. Such violent colors for such a common and useful item. Did the makers think about that when they designed it?
Stretching from the handle the dull silver gleams, tapering to a point and the harmless handles are left quickly behind. A rivet joins the halves and looks like an eye. When the handles are parted and the ends gape, it has the look of a hungry raptor with a straight beak, just waiting for something soft and tasty to pass before its maw.
The mouth is made of two intersecting blades, sharp on the inside, thick and blunted on the outside. The striations on the inside give witness to how often they have been used, over and over, without thought to the destruction they can cause when used inappropriately.
For something that spans the length of my hand, it has so many uses. But even when it is helpful it is destructive... even though it creates something new, making something different from original, cutting through bonds or setting something free.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Online Creative Writing Course: Investment or waste of money
With an unexpected refund check, I decided to shell out for an online writing course that I have been wanting to take.
I thought I would start with a beginner's course. I have my experience with teaching English 100 and writing some fan fiction, but there is still a lot I don't know about the art of fiction writing. So far, I have written based on my own ideas, reading and exploring how-to books. If I really am considering being published one day, there is still much more I can learn.
So I might include some of the exercises and what I am learning here.
I thought I would start with a beginner's course. I have my experience with teaching English 100 and writing some fan fiction, but there is still a lot I don't know about the art of fiction writing. So far, I have written based on my own ideas, reading and exploring how-to books. If I really am considering being published one day, there is still much more I can learn.
So I might include some of the exercises and what I am learning here.
Character test #1: 7 of Pents, 9 of Swords, Judgement
Tarot cards picked for this character: 7 of pentacles, 9 of swords, and Judgment. (Tiny Universal Waite Deck)
This is my first time trying this with tarot cards and the cards seem contradictory at first glance.
Physical appearance - dark brown hair, a bit long and wavy, athletic from spending time outdoors, doing manual labor, tall, broad shouldered from lifting shovel or ax. He dresses simply, plain clothing, not showing off his body. Prefers work clothes, jeans and t-shirt, comfort is more of a priority.
Strength - called to a Higher Purpose, having to move between one world and the other, sometimes torn between duty on Earth and his Calling.
Flaw - let's nightmares and past events have too much influence on present actions. Easily confuses strength of emotion for passion of purpose and makes poor decisions based on emotional outbursts.
In looking over what I thought up, it makes me think of JR Ward's character in the Fallen Angel's books, Jim Heron, former special forces type turned angel.
When I started writing the description I wasn't consciously thinking of him, but now Jim is the only thing I think of looking this over. I really want to work on more original and creative characters and plots. I'm hoping this kind of exercise will help with my originality.
This is my first time trying this with tarot cards and the cards seem contradictory at first glance.
Physical appearance - dark brown hair, a bit long and wavy, athletic from spending time outdoors, doing manual labor, tall, broad shouldered from lifting shovel or ax. He dresses simply, plain clothing, not showing off his body. Prefers work clothes, jeans and t-shirt, comfort is more of a priority.
Strength - called to a Higher Purpose, having to move between one world and the other, sometimes torn between duty on Earth and his Calling.
Flaw - let's nightmares and past events have too much influence on present actions. Easily confuses strength of emotion for passion of purpose and makes poor decisions based on emotional outbursts.
In looking over what I thought up, it makes me think of JR Ward's character in the Fallen Angel's books, Jim Heron, former special forces type turned angel.
When I started writing the description I wasn't consciously thinking of him, but now Jim is the only thing I think of looking this over. I really want to work on more original and creative characters and plots. I'm hoping this kind of exercise will help with my originality.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)