The Read: The Golden Age of Steam by Dean Server
The Write: still working on that April exercise
The Gleaning:
I've been AWOL from the page for a while now. Nothing seemed to be working. I wasn't even in a creative state of mind, let alone putting words down. I think my Muse took an extended vacation and didn't take me with her.
But apparently even a muse can have one too many pina coladas. She's back. I can feel the words on the move again, and I have a fist full of new characters ready to come out and play.
See, little miss Muse? Work ain't so bad.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Should Characters be Sensible?
The Read: Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Write: April exercise for Books and Writers (Thanks, Ron & Claire!)
The Gleaning:
A character that will really drive a story had better not be sensible. A sensible character will tend to avoid the dangerous, the risky and the just-plain-stupid decisions. A sensible character will sit at home, painting her toenails and watching When Harry Met Sally for the 17th time rather than meeting the flame from her past at the motel on the highway, and setting off on a cross-country trek that involves bank robbery and the occasional murder. Smart, sure. Interesting, keep-the-reader-up-too-late, fast-paced story, not so much.
So I'm off, to knock some sense out of my new MC.
The Write: April exercise for Books and Writers (Thanks, Ron & Claire!)
The Gleaning:
A character that will really drive a story had better not be sensible. A sensible character will tend to avoid the dangerous, the risky and the just-plain-stupid decisions. A sensible character will sit at home, painting her toenails and watching When Harry Met Sally for the 17th time rather than meeting the flame from her past at the motel on the highway, and setting off on a cross-country trek that involves bank robbery and the occasional murder. Smart, sure. Interesting, keep-the-reader-up-too-late, fast-paced story, not so much.
So I'm off, to knock some sense out of my new MC.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Full Steampunk Ahead
The Read: Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
The Write: Library Staff Newsletter Update
The Gleaning:
Thanks to the Boneshaker, I've fallen head over heels in love with steampunk. Steampunk just may be the bridge I have been seeking.
Ya see, when I read, I read a whack of historical fiction, peppered with contemporary fiction and some non-fic bits. When I write, out pops unexpected sci-fi elements. I don't tend to read sci-fi. Research, as a pre-requisite for writing, slows me down, either because I don't find what I'm looking for, or find too much of it.
That's where steampunk comes in.
Steampunk has a dollop of history, a dab of sci-fi and drop or two of fantasy. Just the thing to get my gears turning.
The Write: Library Staff Newsletter Update
The Gleaning:
Thanks to the Boneshaker, I've fallen head over heels in love with steampunk. Steampunk just may be the bridge I have been seeking.
Ya see, when I read, I read a whack of historical fiction, peppered with contemporary fiction and some non-fic bits. When I write, out pops unexpected sci-fi elements. I don't tend to read sci-fi. Research, as a pre-requisite for writing, slows me down, either because I don't find what I'm looking for, or find too much of it.
That's where steampunk comes in.
Steampunk has a dollop of history, a dab of sci-fi and drop or two of fantasy. Just the thing to get my gears turning.
Monday, March 15, 2010
March Break Madness
The Read: 1984 by George Orwell
The Write: Minor hockey article for local paper
WIP: Fireballz -- an upper middle grade novel about Fred O'Connor, who liked the game so much he really got into it. (Considering steampunking this. Seriously.)
I'm here in the trenches, battling for screen time versus two tech-savvy and game-hungry manipulators -- I mean children. It's bad enough trying to fight my own writing inertia without having other people around who try to convince me to just walk away from the keyboard. Oh well. There's always pen and paper, right?
Happy March Break to all!
The Write: Minor hockey article for local paper
WIP: Fireballz -- an upper middle grade novel about Fred O'Connor, who liked the game so much he really got into it. (Considering steampunking this. Seriously.)
I'm here in the trenches, battling for screen time versus two tech-savvy and game-hungry manipulators -- I mean children. It's bad enough trying to fight my own writing inertia without having other people around who try to convince me to just walk away from the keyboard. Oh well. There's always pen and paper, right?
Happy March Break to all!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Trying Something New
What I'm Reading: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
What I'm Writing: 20 minute practice session featuring Esther and Hammond, a married couple with varying degrees of wanderlust.
WIP: Fireballz -- an upper middle grade novel about Fred O'Connor, who liked the game so much he really got into it.
Today begins a new format for the old blog. Quick and dirty and then on to the important business of fiction.
Back to the page...
What I'm Writing: 20 minute practice session featuring Esther and Hammond, a married couple with varying degrees of wanderlust.
WIP: Fireballz -- an upper middle grade novel about Fred O'Connor, who liked the game so much he really got into it.
Today begins a new format for the old blog. Quick and dirty and then on to the important business of fiction.
Back to the page...
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