Point of View

I started a new novel the other night - well, not *started* exactly - I've been working on the characters and plot for several weeks, but I started the actual writing. And something happened. It's in first person.

I never write in first person. It's just not something I do. I rarely read books in first person and don't write first person (except here!). But somehow, this story just wanted to come out that way. So I'm going with it for now. Okay, I'm only about 2500 words into it, but I still think I'll go that way. It's going to be a contemporary paranormal and, yes, there's a love interest. :) I need that spark in my books. There may not be sex, (or maybe there will - don't know yet) but I need that second protagonist to work off of.

We'll see where this leads.

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Teaser: This being Memorial Day, write a paragraph or two on your best and/or worst memory and why.

Thought for the day: No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.~~John Donne

Technology and the Writer

Technology and the Writer I was at a writer's conference last weekend sponsored by Pennwriters. It wasn't large - only about 200 participants - but it is unique in that this group doesn't pander to any one subject or genre. There are fiction and non-fiction writers, poets, screenplay writers, I even spoke with a woman who writes music. If there's a writing segment, it is probably covered in the group.

What I found interesting though, was the lack of knowledge about e-books - or even the use of technology in general as it relates to the business of writing. As I walked around with my ebook reader, my Dana (word-processing keyboard from Alpha-Smart), and my Fly pen, I got a lot of questions about these basic tools.

I also found out that there were a lot of people - the vast majority - who do not have a web presence, know nothing about blogs, myspace, chat groups or other online forums. While I cannot even come close to professing to be an expert, I was most definitely decades ahead of most of the participants. Which is sad. Today's writer can't be content with just sitting down and writing. He or she must have a basic website and an online presence for promoting their work. I admit I am not nearly as well-versed as some of my friends in utilizing this world of technology. I don't have videos or audio clips, but I am learning. Though I do still prefer handwriting my first draft, I also know that there is a world of wonder at my fingertips and as a writer in today's world, I know I must utilize this world to the utmost.

So my question to you is - if you are a writer, what do you find the most effective in promoting your work or, if you are a reader, what draws you to look at a book - whether online or in a store? In other words, what is the most effective promo tool for you?

Book Review

I just finished reading a fun book. I'd give it a 4 1/2 out of 5 on a rating scale. The book is "A Charmed Death" by Madelyn Alt.

The book is a fun combination of paranormal, mystery and a touch of romance. The plot centers around an almost 30 year old, Maggie, who is new to this psychic/magick stuff. She works at "Enchantments", an antique shop that offers a little something extra for "special" customers. The problem for this book comes when one of her customers, a 17-year-old girl with too much money and more knowledge than she should have, ends up dead. That's when Maggie's adventures begin.

So why did I like it? Because it was fun, light, and a relatively quick read. And yet interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. It will never win a literary prize - we're talking pulp fiction here folks - but I enjoyed it and can recommend it to you too. Especially if you enjoy contemporary paranormals.

Why did I not give it a 5? Because it is obviously the second in a series (entitled "A Bewitching Mystery) and there were many references to the first one here, something that became a bit jarring. But, that being said, I will commend the author for at least having a stand alone that didn't leave you hanging. No, I haven't read any others in the series - though I will now! - but you don't need to in order to understand exactly what is going on. So kudos to Alt for that!

If you like light-hearted paranormal mysteries with a touch of romance, be sure to add this one to your list.

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Teasers: What is the most boring job you can think of? What if you had that job? What could you do to make it more exciting?

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Thought for the day: "I can’t write five words but that I change seven." - Dorothy Parker

Ideas shot down

At the conference I attended this past weekend, I got into a discussion with an editor about ideas for books. I've been toying with an idea lately - an urban fantasy that deals with the upcoming end of the world as viewed from the Mayan calendar. All I can say is, it's a good thing I've not done more than jot down some notes since this particular editor claimed he would be sick if he saw another manuscript with this theme. He's gotten so many of them that it's becoming a farce.

Glad I didn't pitch that one! Unfortunately, he also said he doesn't want to see any more medieval fantasies either unless they're extremely dark. Uh-oh. I write medieval fantasy - but not in the horror vein he seemed to be leaning toward. So much for my stuff.

And yes, I realize he's only one editor and that there are many more out there who are buying what I write. But shooting down everything I had was a blow to the writing ego.

So what do I do?

I keep on writing what I want to write. If it sells, fine. If not... they're missing a good story. :)

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Today's challenge: Write a one-line sentence that describes what you would like to accomplish as a writer in the next five years. Be specific – and realistic.

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Thought for the day: "To write a book is a task needing only pen, ink and paper; to print a book is rather more difficult, because genius often expresses itself illegibly; to read a book is more difficult still, for one has to struggle with sleep; but to sell a book is the most difficult task of all." - Frank Mumny

Courses and classes and workshops - oh my!

In an on-going effort to improve my grasp of the craft, I am always looking for good classes, courses and workshops to take. Yes, time, place and money are all issues, but I keep looking. Some of the better ones I've found include Pat Kay's classes and Margie Lawson. I was also looking to take classes through a college - but I really don't need another degree. I have enough of those.

So today's blog is short and sweet - have you ever taken an online writing course? If so, can you give details and tell us how you liked it?

Thanks

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Thought for the day: "Planning to write is not writing. Outlining … researching … talking to people about what you’re doing, none of that is writing. Writing is writing." - E.L. Doctorow

Too Much Time - And Not Enough

I can't believe it's been so long since I last blogged. Too long. Granted, my time has been severely preempted of late due to other things going on, but still... much too long to go without doing this.

I just spent the past weekend at a writer's conference. Pennwriters is a diverse group of writers, mostly from Pennsylvania, who get together each year to workshop, network, party, talk writing and promos, and all the other stuff you do at a conference. It was long, tiring, but also worth going to. I met some new friends, got re-acquainted with others and attended a couple of very good workshops.

I also attended a couple that left me with the feeling that I should never pick up a pen (or keyboard) again.

But fortunately, those were the exception, not the norm.

And I walked away with two editors requests for partials for my fantasy work. And I managed to make some good sales at the author tea and book signing. So overall it was good.

Like all good conferences, it has come to an end so now it's time to regroup and rest up - and get my stuff out to those editors!

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So my question to you today is... You’ve been asked to do a workshop for a local writer’s group – what would you do one on?

Thought for the day: "No one can write a best seller by trying to. He must write with complete sincerity; the clichés that make you laugh, the hackneyed characters, the well-worn situations, the commonplace story that excites your derision, seem neither hackneyed, well worn nor commonplace to him.... The conclusion is obvious: you cannot write anything that will convince unless you are yourself convinced. The best seller sells because he writes with his heart’s blood." - W. Somerset Maugham

Challenges

What is it about a challenge that brings out the best - or worst - in people?

Last week, I barely wrote anything. And from the sounds of laments on many of my lists, others were having the same problem. Can we blame it on spring fever? Possibly. But the problem was - and is - still there. We weren't writing. So someone on one list threw out a challenge - she was going to write 500 words a day and that was that. What was funny was that just that morning, I had challenged myself to write 1000.

But the gauntlet had been thrown. So now I have to write a minimum of 1000 words a day - 5,000 for the week (that allows for a little time with the family and my other work!). I mentioned it on another loop and, bam, it took off. So now at least two of the loops I'm on are involved in writing challenges.

But at least we're writing. Granted, it may all be garbage, but we're writing. And garbage can be edited (I've done so enough times with other's books!). The trick is to get the words down.

So I'm passing the challenge on to you. Set your word count - but a minimum of 100 words please, and step up to the plate. Or computer. Or writing pad. Or whatever. But you have to write a minimum of 100 words a day. More is better.

Just write.

And let me know how you're doing.

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"The trick is not in becoming a writer, it is in staying a writer. Day after week after month after year." - Harlan Ellison