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Tag Archives: writing
Oct
3
Frontloading the Words
I’m not even sure if frontloading is a real word, at least in the sense that I’m using it. I’ve noticed over the last few weeks that often times I’ll stop writing before I’ve run out of words. ** Which might sound a little strange, until I realized I’m doing it so I’ve got an easy start the next day. If I’ve already got something to work with, it makes the rest of it that much easier. Or that’s the theory, anyway. Sometimes I just put down that bit of a scene and then twiddle my thumbs for a while as I figure out where to go next. Panster issues, for certain. I’ve mentioned before I do my best brainstorming in the shower. On some days (if I’m home alone), and I’m stuck, it’s not uncommon for me to take three or more, although one is usually more than enough.…
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Sep
20
Comparisons
The problem with writing the draft of a sequel when you’re also going over the first pass pages of the first book, is that the draft starts looking crappier as you go. Or at least, that’s what I’m finding, anyway. And yes, the rational part of my brain continues to insist that the original draft for BoD wasn’t that great either, but memories have a way of being a bit hazy, especially when the brain is confronted by the finished product. And it’s probably not fair to compare the polished and edited piece of something that’s close to going to print with the sometimes rambly and random sentences that are attempting to make up a solid second story – one that seems to be changing as I go. But, deadlines are deadlines. I’ve managed to write about 40k in the last few weeks, and I’ve got about 30k left to…
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Sep
16
The Wind on the Heath
I stumbled across this particular gem of a book when I was doing research a while back for a story that’s most likely going to stay in the trunk. However, I found it to be pretty useful – not because it’s a book of actual Romany life so much as a historical perspective of how others, particularly in the literary world, saw the Gypsy people. Originally published in 1930, the author amassed quite the collection of stories, poetry, songs and general observations from about the 1500’s and up, including some from the Gypsies themselves. Now, obviously I have my doubts as to the complete accuracy of everything being said, but it’s still fascinating to look through – the viewpoints range from admiration to envy to flat out discrimination. (And sadly, such discrimination against the Roma continues, even to this day.) On top of that, there are some great writing prompts to be found –…
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Sep
15
Sucker for Sidekicks
My good friend, Laura Bickle, just had a new release the other week – Sparks. (Shameless pimpage – go *buy* it, my friends, and the first book in the series, Embers.) Aside from the fact that the book contains some excellent writing (and all the ghosts, elementals and fire action you could hope for), the book also boasts a sidekick. And not just any sidekick – he’s a fire elemental, also known as a salamander, who goes by the name Sparky. Sparky is a hoot and easily one of my favorite characters in the book. Even though he doesn’t talk, he’s definitely got a larger-than-life personality – but his presence never overrides the story. However, this got me to thinking a bit as to the popularity of animal sidekicks in books. Quite a few novels them have them, although the form and format change a bit, depending on the author or the story.…
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Sep
9
No Rules. Just Write.
This is a tomato hornworm that I found on my front step the other day. It was really big. Like the size of my index finger (girth and length). They’re not supposed to be brown with orange stripes – they’re supposed to be green with white stripes. I did a little research and found out that it either had a horrible disease. (whee) or that it was just a genetic mutation – i.e. a less common brown form. In either case, I captured it in a jar and the kids and I watched it wiggle about for a bit and then we let it go. Yes, it’s a pest bug – but I don’t grow tomatoes, so I don’t really care. Which is sort of how I feel about writing rules. (Nice segue-way, huh?) After yesterday’s LJ interview, I did have a few questions posed to me off-line, and one of them…
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