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.
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