WordCrazyAuthors

Have You Kindled Yet?

2011-02-07T04:44:00.000-08:00

I'm in LOVE. What do you mean, with who?? Who needs a man when I've got an Amazon Kindle to keep me company?? (I'm a word crazy author and reader--you should have seen that coming. LOL)

I received a third-generation Amazon Kindle 3G wireless ebook reader as a Christmas present and I've been dancing on cloud nine ever since. Granted, this is still the honeymoon phase. The wine and roses may give way to an ugly side after we get to know each other better, get too comfortable with one another...but for now I'm euphoric. As a voracious reader, how could I not be thrilled to have a palm-sized library in my pocket? Okay, so I haven't maxed out the 3500 book limit yet, but I'm workin' on it.

I'm not the world's biggest tech geek--the older I get, the more I seem to miss on the technology front, but even I had heard of the Kindle, Amazon's answer to electronic books. I scoffed. I pooh-poohed. My biggest irritation with ebook readers is that many of them only read specific formats, and the Kindle promised to be one of those inclusive readers, technology that would only work with Amazon products. What good would that do? I disregarded just how large an entity Amazon really is and how many books they have at their disposal.

I won't go into the specs--if you want an outline of Kindle's finer points, check it out on Amazon.com. They do a pretty good job selling it. ;) Mostly, I just wanted to wax poetic on what Kindle does for me. They have tons of free books and tons more titles for reasonable prices, which gives my penny-pinching nature a thrill. They have a great selection of kid's books--my five-year-old son enjoys the Kindle as much as I do. They've got freebie apps that allow me to read Kindle books on my PC, too. (Also free apps for Macs, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, etc.) How awesome, that people don't even need to BUY the nearly $200 machine to read Kindle books! That's a step in the right direction for ebooks, in my opinion.

Yes, as a reader I'm giggling like a schoolgirl over my Kindle. But the writer in me is also falling hard. I've discovered how easy it is to upload my titles into the Kindle database and be a published Amazon author. It's the perfect home for my older titles and shorts, works that publishers may not consider lucrative. And who knows? Maybe my newer titles will find a home there, too.

Yup. With Kindle in hand, the world's looking rosy. I'm in love for sure.
-M
***

Winter Day Writing

2011-01-11T06:56:00.000-08:00

Today as I look out my big dining room window, everything is covered in white. We are supposed to get up to five inches of snow today, which in some places may not be much, but here it is a pretty decent snowfall. I'll be stuck in the house all day today and maybe even tomorrow. When I look out my window with everything snow covered and quiet, I don't just see that one image. I always end up coming up with what if and from there my mind races with ideas and characters. I can't help it, that's just how my mind works and I bet a lot of writers do that. Sometimes I get frustrated with how many ideas will pop into my head, and having to choose one when the others won't leave me alone distracts me. Sometimes the one idea I choose to start on comes to a standstill. That's when it's a great thing to have other ideas on the back burner. I'm hoping that these next couple of days I'll be able to capitalize on one of those ideas, or make great strides in one of my on-going stories that need to be finished. The snow, the quiet, my coffee and my laptop--a perfect writing invironment for me!

I've had a new essay recently published in a new book titled Answered Prayers by Barbara Popyach. It was a short essay, just a few paragraphs, and it focused on my answered prayer of being able to walk again after my accident so I could raise my daughters. I haven't even been able to read the book yet. I've seen the cover and it is lovely and I know Barbara (the editor) was very happy with how it turned out. I'm still doing readings and signings for my story in the book Appalachian Angels. Those readings slow down during the winter but there is one set for February in Berea. I hope the weather is mild so we can make that one. I am looking forward to warm weather and doing more of the readings and signings.

This year I hope to write much more than last year. Last year was a bad writing funk for me. I do have a few stories out in submission land, and there is one in particular where my query was good enough that my ms was requested. Still no word back from any of them yet. I need to push the anxiety of waiting to the side and concentrate on writing. So now I think I'll refill my cup of coffee, glance out that picture window, and let my imagination run wild. That blank white screen in word is counting on it.

Gettin' Back in the Saddle

2010-08-11T07:19:00.000-07:00

This summer has flown by for me this year. My brother got married and I helped handle the rehearsal dinner while my husband was best man. My youngest turned sixteen and that was a major birthday to plan. We had four birthday parties within three weeks of each other and that sure kept us scrambling. There was also a flood in our area that almost got us and we had to clean up and repair our damaged deck from that. I can’t leave out all the teenagers coming and going with their non-stop activities of summer. Throw in a quickie vacation to the Smoky Mountains and a few book readings I attended and that brought my summer full circle. Now we are reaching the season’s end. I’ve barely written a full paragraph through all of this, and I feel guilty and a little lost. It hasn’t been easy knowing the publisher that accepted and published my first novel closed its doors this summer either. But now it is time to bounce back!

The youngin’ is back at school so I’m hoping the multiple teen activities will slow down now. The house is quiet again. I need that quiet to sit and let my mind wander to create new stories and characters that have been pent up all these months. I’m hoping it’ll be a storm of creativity flowing through my fingertips! I’ve found a few places opening up to accept submissions where I think some of my revised shorts may fit. Once I get those polished and sent I will get back to one of those novels I’ve started and haven’t finished. At this point it’ll be like getting back to the starting gate, only this time I’ll have a lot more experience. Gotta go; I hear the call to head to the gate!

My best to all,

Anna

Epitaph of an E-Publisher

2010-07-02T05:14:00.000-07:00

Last month, the electronic and POD publisher DLSIJ Press closed its doors after twelve years of offering publication to women authors. I have been a published author through DLSIJ Press for eight years. DLSIJ Press gave me and my creations a home, taking a chance on an inexperienced, untried, fledgling author. This small, dedicated e-publisher helped me not only to understand the business and markets but to become a better, more confident writer.

I can only guess at the reasons for their closure, but I do know that it's a loss for authors and readers alike. DLSIJ Press was a well respected publisher dedicated to quality work and integrity in their handling of the business and their authors. Though they were small, they offered the kind of personal, earnest attention to detail that's difficult to find in this fast-paced world of quantity-over-quality.

I wish them well in everything they do. Love you Sid.

Peace and love,
-M
***

How Will You Know Unless You Try?

2010-05-10T07:34:00.001-07:00

Fear of failure can be an enormous obstacle. For most of us confronted by an action where the outcome is unknown, it seems that choosing to do nothing is the easier path. At least in that case, the end result and the consequences are known commodities. What if we go ahead with that uncertain action—applying for that higher paying job, changing eating habits to lose weight, making contact with the attractive person we’ve been admiring from a distance—and we fail? Many of us equate failure with being a bad or useless person, but in reality failure is a fabulous learning tool.

I have been a fiction writer for most of my life, but only recently did I consider trying to get my work published. Pessimism and fear of failure worked against me—I believed that my stories weren’t interesting enough or well-written enough to be considered professional works of fiction. What if I sent a query into a publisher and was rejected? Wouldn’t this mean that I was a horrible writer, that my stories were ridiculous and my characters utterly unbelievable? And so I kept my work to myself, only allowing the occasional friend to read a piece in a short burst of courage.

A few years ago, a friend managed to pry a manuscript from my clutching fingers, cannily using my excitement over finishing the piece to finagle a reading. She effused over the novel, which I thought was very sweet and kind, just the sort of thing a loyal friend would do even if the work was ghastly. But she didn’t stop there—she hounded me. “You have to get this published!” she said, and then turned into a scary sort of task master. Under her demanding eye, I queried publishers. And was rejected.

Did the world crash around me? Did I finally see the light and throw out that trash I called writing, giving up the written word for an easier road? Giving up writing isn’t possible, since the creation of new worlds is like an addiction for me, and my friend did not allow me to consider my finished work trash. Under her unwavering enthusiasm and support, I kept trying, learning how to write better queries and considering a wider publishing market. I found an e-book publisher who was willing to consider my manuscript. I became a published author.

Since then I’ve learned so much about writing, revising, editing, and publishing works of fiction, and I’m energized by how much is still out there for me to learn. That e-publisher accepted three full novels and several short stories from me, and I’ve discovered other avenues for my writing, including online article and poetry creation. I have many works in progress and a couple of finished novels that I am attempting to get published in the print market by querying agents and publishers who focus on the printed word. I’ve had a few rejections, but I will keep trying. Fear of failure won’t stop me from reaching this or any other goal, because I’ve learned that failure can only help me refine my next attempt as I rise to the challenges of life.

Peace and Love,
-M
***

Spring Fever Writing Blues

2010-04-21T11:51:00.000-07:00

We had a rough winter in our area this year. Lot's of snow that caused our school systems to extend the school year through to the first weeks of June. And it was cold! I can't even speak of how much our heating bills were. Spring is here now with sunny days, green foliage and colorful blooms, and the itch to get outdoors and enjoy it all. That's just what I've been doing, along with enjoying a new baby in the family, and taking a couple of much needed getaways. I've got lettuce started in the raised garden bed, and my flower beds are weeded and ready for new plantings. I adore to be outside. But then I start feeling guilty because I haven't done much writing.

The warm months always seem to draw me away from my writing. Not totally, mind you, but I end up playing hooky from the keyboard and characters to play outside too much. I know I need to work harder at finding a balance. I've tried being outside while it's sunny, and intend on coming in to sit down in front of the computer to write after dusk. So many times I'm so tired from the days activities that my creative energy is spent, and I end up in my recliner in front of the TV. When I end up pushing myself to get back to a story, it just doesn't flow the way it should. I know I can't do that. Spring fever doesn't last too long for me though, so I don't try to beat myself down over it. I've learned to give myself a little time to take a break, allow my mind to wander and explore new story ideas or replay various scenes I've already written and how to move forward as I'm enjoying my time outside.

My favorite time of day is evening twilight, and so many times I've gone back into the house to get a notebook and pencil. I come back outside to my patio table adorned with flickering candles and enjoy jotting down scenes, dialogue, and ideas. It recharges my creative juices. Maybe my spring fever isn't so hard on my writing after all.

Anna

The Glory of the Short Story

2010-03-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

Although my partner in crime, AJ Caywood, already did a marvelous post on short stories, I don’t think we can talk too much about these miniaturized adventures. For Anna’s take on shorts, zip over to her post with the following link:
http://wordcrazyauthors.blogspot.com/2009/11/short-story-writing.html

The creation of the short story is a dying art. It’s being killed off by an unwelcoming market and dwindling audience. Publishers (especially print, but also electronic) shy away from accepting short story submissions, since they aren’t nearly as popular and lucrative as novels. It seems the only authors publishing shorts are the well established writers who have already proven their marketability, the desperate authors who offer their shorts for free, and the smattering of authors who enter and win short story contests.

I find this tragic. As a reader, I dearly love devouring short stories, quick reads that usually have some insightful impact or delightful twist. Shorts seem to pack more of a brutal punch than longer works, probably because they’ve got a lot to say in a tiny space. There’s no getting used to the characters, settings, and plot pace—it all comes at you at mach speed and whirls you along for the ride. As a writer, I revel in the challenge of creating shorts. Can I get the reader involved and engaged in the characters and plot in such a confined word count? Shorts also give me a chance to get out my creative juices when my longer works have me temporarily stymied.

But what are short story writers to do when the current market has such a strong bias against shorts? Write nasty letters to the publishers? Well, that might release a therapeutic amount of hostility, but it won’t change that downward trend—no one responds well to anger. Instead of writing letters to publishers as an author, try writing (polite) letters of protest as a reader of short stories. Articles and letters promoting shorts could help, too, on blogs, forums, e-zines, etc. And try actually reading short stories, as many as you can. We are the market. If we can generate more interest, perhaps the publishing world will revisit and rehabilitate the dying art of short stories.

Peace and Love,
-M
***

Very Merry Un-Birthday

2010-02-09T11:27:00.001-08:00

I’m excited to announce the release of my latest work, a short story based on my first published novel, The Huntress. This short titled Very Merry Un-Birthday is the fifth in the Huntress short story series published by DLSIJ Press. It’s available at the DP Online Bookstore as an ebook.

In Very Merry Un-Birthday, Regan continues to baffle her shipmates with her strategies to strengthen familial bonds, in a story that combines humor with heartwarming character interactions. While this short is part of the growing Huntress universe, it can be read separately, as can each of the short stories. There is a chronological order to the shorts, but it’s not critical to read them that way. For readers who want the timeline breakdown, however, the Huntress universe progresses as follows:

The Huntress
A Stone’s Throw
A Far Cry
Heart of Stone
Leave No Stone Unturned
A Very Merry Un-Birthday

I’m always thrilled to receive feedback, so please feel free to post or email me your opinion of this work. (michelleoleary1@yahoo.com) For the fans of Mea, Stone, Regan, and the rest of the Huntress crew, there is a sixth short waiting in the publishing wings and a seventh in the creation stages. So keep an eye out for more!

Peace and Love,
-M
***

Bringing Readers and Authors Together

2010-02-07T08:59:00.000-08:00

One of the big challenges for authors is connecting with an audience, finding readers who are interested in their work and are willing to follow their exploits. Many readers are looking for the next great read and like to explore different authors and their works.

The following list are reader sites that allow authors to either create their own pages or input information about themselves and their written work, often offering some interactivity like comments, blog posts, and works-in-progress.

Amazon's Author Central: https://authorcentral.amazon.com

Authors Den: http://www.authorsden.com/

GoodReads: http://GoodReads.com/

Library Thing: http://LibraryThing.com

FiledBy: http://FiledBy.com

WeRead: http://WeRead.com/

Shelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/

Hope this helps both readers and authors! If anyone knows of other similar sites, please share.

Peace and love,
-M
***

Writing Inspiration

2010-02-02T12:18:00.000-08:00

I’m sure every creative writer has been asked at one time or another, “Where do you get your ideas?”

For many writers, the answer is as much a mystery to them as to their readers. It’s easy enough to say that the world around us is an endless source of inspiration, from the goofy neighbor that’s just asking for characterization, to books and movies that offer infinite imagination, to historical and current political and social issues. Sure, the world is a hotbed of ideas. But how does a long-ago bloody battle and creepy historical figure get translated into a full-fledged, infamous story about vampires? Where is the point in a writer’s mind where interesting facts become a fictional story?

For some aspiring writers, this is a question of deep, abiding interest. How do they take information and morph it into an absorbing story? It’s a very good question that unfortunately has as many answers as there are writers. One of the basic foundations of creative writing is to write what you know, which is a great place for any new writer to start. But this method is complicated when entering the realms of fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, horror, etc. Personally, I’ve never visited another planet. But most of my characters have.

For me as a scifi writer, books and movies play a large part in building my foundation of knowledge and creative imagination about science fiction. But I still can’t tell you how I go from a kernel idea to a convoluted storyline complete with cast of characters. (I suspect magic. Or perhaps a mental defect.) As a very visual person, I often “see” the action in my mind, like a movie unfolding. This helps to put me into the world, to build the scenes and flesh out my characters. It also helps me remain in a specific point of view, or smooth out a switch in point of view, which can keep reader confusion down and enhance their immersion in the story…but I digress.

Or maybe I was just avoiding the question. Because the truth is storylines and ideas often pop into my head from no source that I can pinpoint. And with my highly character driven writing style, my stories often seem to get written without much discernable input from me. Scary? Um, yeah, I’ll admit it can be disconcerting. But it’s also the most fun I’ve ever had.

For those still looking for a source of inspiration, keep reading and keep writing, as often and as varied in subject as you can. Very likely inspiration will find you. ;)

Peace & Love,
-M
***

Ringing in the New Year

2010-01-13T03:56:00.000-08:00

2010. Wow. I always heard that time flies faster the older you get, but this is ridiculous! I blinked, my son turned four, and 2009 disappeared. By the time I'm a granny, I'll have to stop blinking or I'll miss everything!

Do I make New Year's resolutions? No, because then I'm never disappointed in myself. This year I did say I would try to be a better mom (you know, be more patient and understanding), but I always say that, so that's nothing new.

The one thing I did do to start off 2010 right was to finish writing another full length novel--Woohoo!! Of course, that's the easiest part of being an author. Not that writing is easy (though it's so much fun), but then comes editing, proofreading, querying, hopefully publishing, promoting, and marketing. Ugh. It's all part of the job, but it's not nearly as entertaining as the creation of beloved characters and story. Then again, the compensations are meeting new readers and getting invaluable feedback, plus hopefully receiving an income from the work.

I have great hopes for 2010. I hope I can see my son through preschool and into kindergarten without either of us going crazy. I hope my friends and family find the happiness they deserve. And I hope I become rich and famous. Okay, maybe not famous, but I can handle rich.
;)
Happy New Year and All the Best.
-M
***

Christmas Is Coming...

2009-12-21T11:20:00.000-08:00

But I'm afraid it's not the goose that's getting fat! One of the glorious and horrible things about the Holiday Season is the quality and quantity of food. Everyone has that special dish that they only make during this time of year, whether it's an entrée, side dish, or (God help us) dessert. My mother is famous for her kahlua truffles, my sister has a Jell-O mold that's addictive, and my other sister makes a special bread without which the holidays just wouldn't be the same. And none of them are making me any skinnier.

As complaints go, though, it's a pretty stinkin' minor one. Weight comes and goes, but family memories are forever. And the pleasure I get from consuming all these delicious, once-a-year dishes more than makes up for any weight gain. (Seriously, as a chocoholic, one kahlua truffle is worth at least a pound all by itself. ;) The comfort of great food only underlines my gratitude and joy in being with my family and friends during the holidays, and in providing my son with the chance to be with them as well. I spent too many years away from home to take it and my family for granted.

I've learned that creating wonderful memories with those you love is the best part about life, whether it's during a holiday or an average day of the week. There is nothing more important than being with loved ones, and during stressful occasions (like mad shopping rushes or staring aghast at the weight scale) I remind myself that it could be a heck of a lot worse.

So remember to feel the love, have a Happy Holidays, and pass the fudge. ;)
Peace & love,
-M
***

Twitter Haiku Challenge!

2009-12-11T06:19:00.000-08:00

Twitter is a fun social network, great for meeting new people, exchanging ideas and info...and finding new addictions. My latest addiction was founded by a Twitter user named @baffled, who began a daily challenge to create haiku poetry (senryu is also accepted) incorporating a word-of-the-day. You can find @baffled on Twitter, or do a search on Twitter under the topic #haikuchallenge to see the latest entries. Even people who don't Twitter can join in the fun by going to Baffled's site: http://haikuchallenge.tumblr.com/

What follows are my challenge entries so far for December. I hope you enjoy reading my haiku/senryu poetry, and please feel free to comment on likes or dislikes! I'm greedy for feedback. ;)

Challenge word haze
Moon glows undaunted
Through haze of jealous thin cloud
Celestial pride.

Challenge word field
Fawn takes light steps in
Wide field of unbroken white
Innocent courage.

Challenge word course
Glacial cold seeks and
Follows its instinctive course
Ancient memory.

Challenge word myth
Ancient icy wind
Smothers world in white, turning
Footprints into myth.

Challenge word wager
Sun meets horizon
Wager lost against twilight
Night reaps its rewards.

Challenge word barely
Sweet treasure's wrapping
Brushed aside, barely breathing
Succulence revealed.

Challenge word delicious
Delicious slow touch
Inviting eyes, wicked smile
Wordless seduction.

Challenge word courage
Dragonfly hovers
Meeting my curious gaze
Small jeweled courage.

Challenge word beyond
He is light and joy
Child of a sorrowful womb
Love beyond tears.

Challenge word void
Brave stars fill the void
With their slow and distant dance
Hope enclosed in night.

Challenge word doubt
Full arching willow
Reaches beyond doubt to sky
Then falls weeping.

***

Do You Haiku?

2009-12-06T10:20:00.000-08:00

Recently I discovered the difference between haiku and senryu—wait, let me step back a bit. First, I saw the word senryu and thought, “What the heck is that?” Then I discovered the difference between haiku and senryu. I had no idea that senryu even existed. I was fascinated by this little piece of the world of Japanese poetry, and intrigued to find that it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

As an amateur haiku poet, I admit to having a great deal to learn about the mechanics and nuances of haiku creation. If you’re here looking for a lesson from a haiku master, you’ve stumbled into the wrong blog. You’re perfectly welcome, of course, but if it’s detailed, official information that you seek, there are infinitely more knowledgeable sources than me. About the difference between haiku and senryu, I found this link enlightening:
http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/haiku/haiku.html

Haiku originated with the Japanese, a people that have an unbelievable talent for quiet elegance and simple majesty. Haiku revolves around the magic number 17—a traditional Japanese haiku is made of 17 characters or less. This does not translate well into Western languages, however, so when we adopted this form of poetry, we changed it from 17 characters to 17 syllables or less. I hope the Japanese people see this as a compliment—imitation being the greatest form of flattery—and are not offended that we’ve bastardized their poetry.

Both haiku and senryu are in this form, 17 characters or syllables in three lines of 5, 7, and 5 respectively. But where haiku traditionally focuses on aspects of the natural world, senryu focuses on human nature. There are nuances to both forms of poetry which govern their creation, but this is the simplest description and basic difference between them.

(Admittedly Amateur) Examples:

Haiku
Singing and silence
Fill distance between lovers
Sweet feathered courtship.

Senryu
My child’s smile could light
Vast rooms full of grim shadows
Joy chasing sorrow.

I’ve not ventured far into the realm of senryu, but I’m excited to learn about it and itching to practice. As a nature lover, it’s easier for me to create more traditional haikus, but challenge is good for the soul and mind. And hopefully, while I’m practicing, experienced senryu poets will be kind. If you see my senryu efforts elsewhere on the net, please don’t point and snicker.
;)
***

Turkey Day & Black Friday

2009-11-27T06:12:00.000-08:00

(For those who celebrate Thanksgiving and Shopping)

Thanksgiving has become one of my favorite holidays. During my childhood, it was basically torture, lots of boredom and uncomfortable family interactions. But now that I'm an adult, and we do Thanksgiving with less pomp and more fun (the difficult family members do not attend), I really love this holiday. We laugh, we play, and we pig OUT.

Juicy and delicious organic turkey, yummy stuffing, sweet potato casserole, garlic mashed potatoes, and a killer spinach salad (so we can pretend we're being healthy.) And of course, pumpkin pie. I threatened to throw up several times, yet didn't stop eating. What a hog-a-thon! Add in goofy family, Wii and board games, hockey, football, and you've got a recipe for a fabulous family get-together.

Which brings us to the day after, Black Friday. The stores open early and close late, sales abound, and people go a little insane. Will I be shopping today? Over your dead and rotting corpse!! Shopping and I don't get along under the best of circumstances, let alone the craziness of the biggest shopping day of the year. No, thank you. I'll just stay home and eat turkey sandwiches. (Yeah, baby!)
:D
Happy Holidays to all!
Peace and love,
-M
***

Helpful Writing Links

2009-11-16T06:38:00.000-08:00

Completing a novel can be daunting enough, and then comes the task of submissions, markets, rights, editors, agents, and a plethora of other issues that follow. Learning the business side of writing is the next step that must be taken. It can be a jungle out there when first starting out, and a lot of time can be used in the research that needs to be done. Below is a list of places that can answer some of those writing questions and hopefully cut down on time consuming searches. Some of the listings are free to use while others charge a fee. Each of these listings are legitimate and helpful.

AAR - The AAR was formed in 1991 through the merger of the Society of Authors' Representatives (founded in 1928) and the Independent Literary Agents Association (founded in 1977). To qualify for membership in the AAR, an agent must meet professional standards specified in the organization's bylaws and agree to subscribe to its Canon of Ethics.
AAR

Copyright - An author's work is under copyright the moment it is created and fixed in tangible form. Some confusion arises over copyright registration. You do not have to pay for a copyright, only if you register your copyright with the US Copyright office. Registering a copyright allows the author to sue for infringement of their work. For much more information on copyrights, visit the U.S. Copyright Office

Duotrope Digest - A free database of over 2700 current markets for short fiction and poetry. Use this page to search for markets that may make a fine home for the piece you just polished.
Duotrope Digest

Miss Snark's Blog - Miss Snark is a legit Literary Agent that blogged for a while. Although she no longer adds to her blog, the information she has listed there is priceless. Got an agent question? She's probably answered it, with spice.
Miss Snark

Preditors & Editors - A free guide to publishers and writing services for serious writers. P&E is chock-full of information on all aspects of writing and they list scams and places to avoid.
Preditors & Editors

Publishers Weekly - The International Voice for Book Publishing and Bookselling. THE place to find publishing news.
Publishers Weekly

SFWA - Widely recognized as one of the most effective non-profit writers' organizations in existence.
SFWA

Writers Market Online - Where and how to sell what you write. More than 8,000 listings including: fiction, nonfiction, children, scriptwriting, poetry, publishers, literary agents, magazines, and contests.
Writers Market Online

Short Story Writing

2009-11-02T09:23:00.000-08:00

Early in my writing life, and after my first novel was published, I felt certain I would never be able to write a decent short story. For a few years, I didn’t even attempt one because I couldn’t see how I could cut back on my word count to create a good story. Today I have seven short stories published along with two magazine articles. I look back on how I used to think about shorts and wonder what in the world was going on in my head. I think mostly it was fear. How did I get over that fear to move on to short story writing? I didn’t force myself into writing one just to do it because I knew there would be no creativity there, and no passion. I began to read a lot of short stories, paying close attention to their structure and pacing. It was the key to allow myself to let go of that fear, let my creative mind wander in that direction, dreaming up a multitude of ideas.

Typically, short stories focus on a single incident, have fewer characters, and cover a brief period in time. It’s a story that can be read in one sitting while snuggled in an easy chair with a favorite beverage. Edgar Allen Poe was a master of the short story, and Kurt Vonnegut, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Ernest Hemingway were highly accomplished in the form of short story writing. When those half-hour radio shows were popular, it was the short story that brought them to life for that audio world. The legendary Fables (or Parables) can’t be left out; these shorts have been used through the span of time to enlighten and entertain readers, their messages staying with us forever. There was Aesop, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Brothers Grimm—familiar names that stir emotions within as we remember their stories.

On the publishing side of the short story market, it does seem to have dwindled over the years. Stephen King wrote about this in an article a couple of years back (SK Article). But as he also said, there are those that are still passionate about the short story whether writing them or reading them. We need to keep that passion alive. The magazine market and anthologies are the best places to submit, and many established authors put together their own book of shorts. Word counts for short stories can vary a lot! I’ve seen 20,000 words or less, and almost always at least 2,000 words. Always check the writing guidelines before submitting. A great place online to check for short story markets is Duotrope Digest.

Short story writing is an art that is well documented throughout our literary history. Let’s continue to buy, read and write them. In a world where so many of us have limited time for anything past work or parenting, let’s take a few minutes to grab a pad and pencil, a magazine or an anthology and get lost in another time and place. It’s amazing how that little trip can refresh the soul.

My Best to All,

AJ Caywood

Evolution of Character

2009-10-13T13:58:00.000-07:00

Many successful authors of creative fiction recommend outlines of plot and characters before beginning the story. It’s a wonderful idea for keeping a writer on track with the storyline and for fleshing out the details of a story’s cast of characters. For many writers, already knowing the details of their characters, like description, history, associations, and motivations within the story can enrich their writing, giving depth and atmosphere to the story.

Yes, outlining is a great idea. I highly recommend it as a writing tool. Unfortunately, I am just not built that way. For me, the fastest way to kill a story idea is to work out the details of a plot and characters in outline form first. They die a swift and horrible death in the dry, analytical environment of the outline. By the time I get to that first page of writing, there is no magic left, and I have to let it go.

Don’t misunderstand me—I don’t begin totally from scratch, sitting down to a blank page with not a thought in my head on plot or character. I make general sketches, and I find it necessary to keep notes as the story progresses to remind myself of crucial details and keep a logical progression of the story. But for me, the magic in writing is the unexpected evolution of both plot and character. In my writing world, this evolution is driven by the characters.

This might make me sound a little psycho, but I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve begun to write with a story direction in mind and had it go in a completely different, unexpected direction due to the unfolding dialogue and actions of the characters. I’m the creator—I’m supposed to know where this stuff comes from, but that’s why I call it ‘magic,’ because these twists and turns take me as much by surprise as they do my readers.

This is why I love to write so much. It fascinates me to watch the story unfold beneath my fingers, to see the characters grow and change before my eyes. They begin as two dimensional figures and blossom into beings that are so real to me that I can almost believe they are alive. (See Character Talk on my website for proof ;)

Some might argue that this makes my story very two dimensional at the beginning, but here’s the beauty of editing—I can always go back and flesh out the characters and storyline, or hack and slash as necessary. This writing method affords me all the creative joy without the life-sucking, mind-numbing effects of the formal outline.

However, I can’t recommend this method to every writer. My brain works in strange, mysterious ways, and what works for me might drive another author to drink or ruin their writing experience. To each his or her own! Me, I’m into evolution.
***

What Are We Working On? Part 5

2009-10-06T06:12:00.000-07:00

The Light of Kaska by Michelle O’Leary

This is another sci-fi romance, which in case you couldn’t tell is my favorite genre to write. I’ve added a murder mystery to this title, though the focus is on the characters and their interactions. As with all of my work, this story is highly character driven.

Sukeza has spent the last five years away from her Kaskan home and family, a self-imposed exile as she tries to discover her true strength. She thought she’d found her place on an agricultural world as an animal handler, until the death of two children and the capture of Chase Stryker. He’s accused of murdering the children, but Sukeza is certain that he didn’t do it, even though he’s an escaped convict with a long list of violent crimes. Her insistence of his innocence earns her a strange hostility from the townsfolk, and she realizes that she was never an accepted part of her adopted community.

Chase Stryker has been in worse situations than being captured by a bunch of blood-thirsty farmers, but the situation would go straight to hell if the Collectors caught up with him. He would die before he returned to his sentence of mental containment. Unfortunately, his little defender, Sukeza, would be the focus of the townsfolk’s retribution if he busted out. No help for it—he’d have to take her with him. But how the hell did he get her home to Kaska without getting snagged by the Collectors?

___________________

Snippet of The Light of Kaska:

He shifted on the hard bench, irritated by her continued silence. What the hell did she want? His movement rattled his restraints—the shackles around his ankles, the chains wrapped around his waist, and his arms spread uncomfortably wide and bolted to the wall. The little room was heating rapidly, the sun burning through the small widow high up on the wall to his left. The night had been cold, but the day was looking to make up for it. Didn’t these people believe in insulation? Heating and cooling units? Friggin’ beds in normal jails instead of this makeshift little room in the town hall? Hadn’t there ever been a crime in this place before the murder of those two kids?

“You’ve hurt yourself,” the woman said suddenly in a low, melodious voice that surprised him. He’d been expecting a higher voice, maybe a girlish squeak. Her dark brows were now pulled together in a light frown, and he had to revise his original opinion of her age. Her slender build, doe-like eyes, and fright had made him think she was barely out of childhood. Late in her third decade, possibly early fourth was his current assessment.

When he didn’t answer, her eyes dropped from his, roaming his chains with a tightening of her features. “I’m Sukeza bet Marish. You’re Chase Stryker. You didn’t kill those boys.”

He went still, absorbing the impact of her words. Matrilineal heritage, a distracted part of his mind reflected as he registered the bet in her name. The rest of his mind was occupied by the fact that she knew who he was, knew he hadn’t killed the kids, and she’d made no move to set him free. The Collectors offered rewards for escaped convicts. Was that the plan, then? Keep him chained until those bastards came to collect him? His muscles tensed with desperate rage, but he controlled his reactions. She hadn’t come sneaking in here just to introduce herself. He wanted to question her, but something in him urged silence, stillness. He would wait.
___________________

The Light of Kaska is still a work in progress, though it’s very close to being finished. This story has been a joy to write—these characters have revealed a surprising amount of depth and dimension. Sukeza is not my usual kick-ass heroine, but she has strengths and facets that strike a very personal cord with me. Her journey home and Stryker’s discovery of her world reminds me of the importance and strength of family.
***

The Key to Good Writing

2009-10-03T06:50:00.000-07:00

Actually, there are plenty of keys to good writing, but I'm going to focus on one of the most basic--Reading. Yup, that's what I said. Reading. If you don't read often and in a variety of subjects, your writing will suffer. The following are some great reasons why reading is critical for writers.

Reading is a necessity to teach good writing mechanics (as a supplement to what you learned in school, of course ;). The more you read, the more you'll absorb proper grammar, structure, and punctuation. These are the critical tools to building a solid foundation for your writing project, and a good working knowledge of them is important to produce smooth, flowing literature in any genre. Not every book you read will be a sterling example of good mechanics, but this is also a great learning experience.

Another reason highlighting the importance of reading is the creation of style. Every writer has their own literary voice, their own word flow and method of storytelling. Most writers aren't born with a style, though. It must be cultivated and tends to evolve over time. Reading copious amounts exposes writers to a variety of styles, to see what works and what doesn't. For aspiring writers, this provides a great base to create their own style. For veteran writers, it's a way to confirm their style, to keep it fresh, three dimensional, and engaging.

Reading also provides inspiration and a great working knowledge of a writer's chosen genre. If you choose to write fantasy, but don't know much about the lore of typical fantasy creatures, your writing will show it. The creativity and inventiveness of fiction writers is endlessly amazing and useful, giving loads of story and character ideas. Of course, I'm not advocating plagiarism, but concepts are everyone's domain, and even the smallest detail can blossom into a full blown story idea.

For writers who are also concerned with the business side of things, reading literature that is currently popular can give them an idea of what their target audience is looking for in a book. This can influence a writer's choice of genre, subject matter, and even character type and personality. I'm not saying writers should shape their entire writing project based on the books that make the best selling lists, but it can give writers an understanding of their audience.

If you're a writer, make sure you take the time to absorb some literature. The world is a big place, but reading opens up a universe of creativity and provides the backbone to good writing.
***

Fanfiction Frenzy

2009-09-30T06:35:00.000-07:00

Whenever there’s a popular show or book, Internet travelers are bound to find fanfiction about it. Fanfiction is creative writing about characters and storylines that were created by someone else. Some original authors and their publishers frown upon fanfiction, implying that it’s a copyright infringement. Perhaps it is…but how ‘bout that publicity?

Fanfiction is a way for the fans of a movie, show, or book to express their admiration, prolong the feelings they derived from the original, and extend contact with their favorite characters and storylines. It is NOT a sign of a pervasive lack of originality in the writers of fanfiction—some of the most creative and expressive writing I’ve ever read has been fanfiction. And I don’t say this just because I’ve written some myself… ;)

I understand an author’s concern about copyright infringement—the characters and storylines are theirs by creation and license. However, the benefit of promotion can’t be ignored. Fanfiction brings attention to the original, gains new followers, and shows the dedication of the original work’s fanbase. Fanfiction writers are loyal to a fault, and most have friends who they will persuade to read their fine work. This often triggers curiosity about the original creation, which is always a good thing for any author hoping for interest in their work.

Fanfiction is often extremely enjoyable, from straight orthodox fiction to humorous spoofs. So if you have a favorite show or book, do a search online for associated fanfiction. You might be surprised and entertained by what you find.
***

What Are We Working On? Part 4

2009-09-30T05:55:00.000-07:00

Short Stories

Along with my novel-length works I also have a plethora of short stories I'm working on. I thought it would be fun to touch on some of those in this series as well. For a while there I wasn't sure if I'd be able to write a short story. To tell a complete story in this format was daunting to me, as I truly love to explore deep into my character's hearts, digging up and uncovering what they are all about in different situations. But once I had my first short under my belt, the ideas came pouring out for more, and in many different genres. Here is a sneak peak into one of those that is out on submission.

Burial in Creelsboro by AJ Caywood

Dusty and Lauren Gibson were living an idyllic life until she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The disease claimed his wife, along with Dusty's dreams. In his grief, Dusty decides to bury his wife at the back of the family farm in the small Creelsboro cemetery instead of in town. He wanted her close and he wanted her safe, and no one could persuade him otherwise--not even an old terrifying legend connected with that cemetery. Dusty soon comes to understand the terrible consequences of his choice, and why some traditions are abandoned and left in the past.

***

I have some short stories that are already published and available. Just hop on over to my website to find Baykal's Bane, The Promise, and an array of shorts available in anthologies.
www.AJCaywood-Author.com

Happy Reading!

Anna/AJ Caywood

What Are We Working On? Part 3

2009-09-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

Here There Be Dragons by Michelle O’Leary

This is the second installment in The Sunscapes Trilogy, a science fiction romantic adventure about the epic struggle between two mega companies that will decide the fate of the entire galaxy. On one side we have Shay Enterprises and the Shay twins, mysterious and dangerous, as unpredictable as they are beautiful. On the other side we have Quasicore and Webster Griffin, ruthless and lethal, whose hunger for power and control might just destroy all civilization.

Here There Be Dragons picks up where Last Chance left off, following Nick Givliani as he investigates Shay Enterprises, and Cassie Draegen as she desperately struggles to fulfill the next step in the Shay’s battle plan against Quasicore. As their resident genius and driven by a dark past of her own, Cassie is the Shay’s technological advantage over Quasicore. But that doesn’t make her safe, from Griffin or from Nick’s investigations. The following is a snippet of Here There Be Dragons for your reading pleasure.
_________

Thoughts multi-tasking at light speed, Cassie automatically cleaned up the remains of her breakfast and headed for the door, her mind’s eye seeing code and algorithms, schematics and components, rather than her quarters. But all brain function came to a screeching halt, as she stepped out into the corridor and saw that she wasn’t alone.

Nick Givliani.

A Federated Planetary Alliance inspector, here on the pretense of visiting his brother. But his real reason for remaining on the station was to investigate the Shays. He’d grown suspicious of the twins’ activities and was concerned about his brother’s involvement with them, so it didn’t surprise Cassie to hear that he’d been rather enthusiastic in his investigation so far. Considering her position with the Shays, it was only a matter of time before he started investigating her.

That meant she needed to be cautious around him. Avoiding him like a plague would be a good idea. At the moment, though, she was having trouble just remembering to breathe.

Suns, she groaned to herself, why does he have to be so friggin’ beautiful?
________

For those who read the first book, Last Chance, and are waiting impatiently for this installment, I beg your patience and understanding. I know where this story is supposed to go, and it’s driving me nuts not to finish it immediately, but there have been life events and priorities that have kept me away from it. Argh! What I need is a long writer’s vacation. Anybody got a winning lotto ticket???
*grin*

Peace and Love,
-M
***

Breaking Free of Writer's Block

2009-09-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

What is Writer's Block?

Oh, the horror of the blank page! All writers can relate—that empty paper or screen can be both tantalizing and terrifying. Not only are writers supposed to put loads and loads of words on that empty expanse, but they're supposed to make them string together in a coherent and hopefully entertaining way. No wonder most writers have experienced writer's block, the inability to begin or continue a piece of wordsmithing.

Causes

There comes a time when the writing muse takes a hike, the brakes engage, and the words come to a screeching halt on the page. Why, oh, why? There are as many reasons as there are writers—each writer has a unique set of environmental, mental, and emotional stressors that can cause hiccups in their creativity. But the following are some generalized causes.

1. Life stress—when life's inevitable ups and downs interfere with the work

2. Wrong turn—when the piece goes in a direction that wasn't intended

3. Loss of interest—when the writer falls out of love with the subject

4. Technical difficulties—when the words aren't lining up right

5. Lack of material—when there isn't enough material to continue with the article/story

Cures

Alas, there is no such thing as a cure for writer's block! There is no magic pill that will make it all better. But there are work-arounds that can get a wordsmith past the bumps in the writing road.

Life stress is probably the worst offender for creating writer's block, with time constraints and crises with family, friends, work, home, etc. There is no cure for life's interference, only ways to balance writing with the rest of your life. Find your writing nirvana—the conditions that are most conducive for you to write—and then recreate them as often as you can within your life's schedule. For example, if a certain kind of music turns on your muse, carry that music with you and crank it when you have a few free minutes to dive into the writing zone.

For wrong turns, loss of interest, and technical difficulties, the following are a few work-arounds that might make a difference:

1. Rereading from the beginning—sometimes this can clarify the root of the problem

2. Read out loud—hearing how the words come together can give a whole new perspective

3. Second opinion—having someone else read it often offers priceless objectivity

4. Stepping back—work on something else for a while, and then hopefully go back to the original piece with a refreshed attitude

5. Hack and slash—if a word/sentence/paragraph/scene is giving you loads of trouble, often it's because it needs to go

When there's a lack of material, if it is an article, perhaps the subject is too specific and needs to be more generalized. For a story, it's possible that the sequence of events needs tightening, or that the whole thing needs to be in a much shorter form.

Don't Give Up

There is nothing worse for a writer than that stuck feeling, splatting against a creative wall in the brain. But there's hope! For every brick wall, there's a way around, over, or under. The key is to believe in yourself as a writer—if you were excited enough about a project to begin it, than there's good reason to finish it. You might have to do some creative finagling to get it flowing again, but it is possible. Writer's block isn't a dead end, but only a detour, and sometimes detours can lead to fantastic places.

***

What Are We Working On? Part 2

2009-09-14T09:40:00.000-07:00

Retrieved Heart by AJ Caywood

This is my second attempt at a novel-length work. I know it's been a while since I've completed a second novel since STAY IN THE LIGHT. I have been writing, though! I've had eight short stories published, but boy it's been tough for me to get another novel completed. I've realized that the pressure I've been putting on myself to make my second novel so much better than the first has chained my muse. But I'm going to bust out of those chains because the love of writing is straining to be set free!

Retrieved Heart is a Science-Fiction Romance full of action, suspense, and spice! This story centers on Britt Masters and her small crew of Retrievers, a close-knit group who risk their lives to retrieve valuables lost in cosmic crashes. For Britt, it's much more than saving man-made valuables, but the human survivors that are so often left behind due to greed. Britt pushes her ship through the ferocious Devil's Tongues--deadly solar flares that dance and twine directly through the shipping lanes. Saving those that might meet the same fate as her parents is what drives Britt, and she has no life past that. That is, until the brooding and seductive Garrick Donovan shows up, complete with a bad reputation and secrets of his own. Britt finds him hard to resist, but she has to because he works for one of the most hated retrieval companies in the galaxy. Forced to save Garrick from the sentence he gave so many other crash survivors, Britt brings him on her ship. She soon unravels some of Garrick's secrets, showing her who he really is, and it opens up her heart.

I've completed over half of this story, writing on it like a madwoman at times, worrying if it's coming out the way I want it to at other times. The important thing for me is to let go of those worries, let the story and characters take control, and immerse myself in this wild and wonderful world I'm creating. When it's finished, I hope my readers will enjoy it too.

Love to all,

Anna/AJ Caywood

What Are We Working On? Part 1

2009-09-07T13:10:00.000-07:00

This is the first in a series of posts describing the writing projects that Anna and I are currently working on and hoping to finish/publish/sell-like-crazy-and-win-critical-acclaim. ;) We will be alternating posts, with one project for each post.

That said, let's get on with the show!

What Are We Working On? Part 1

The Third Sign by Michelle O'Leary

This is actually a finished novel, though my efforts to get it print-published have not been fruitful thus far. But I haven't given up on it yet! Every once in a while, I get frustrated and discouraged, wondering if the thing is any good at all. Then I re-read it and fall in love all over again with the characters and the story. I get sucked in, can't put it down, and think to myself, "If I like it this much, there have got to be others who will, too!"

The Third Sign is a science fiction romance with a dark twist and non-stop action. Abandoned by her brother and out of her depth in one of the foulest prisons in the galaxy, Priya finds an ally in a half-mad newcomer with a deadly beauty and a mysterious past. Together they hatch a plan to break out of the prison, but before they can put their plan into action, Priya’s brother Tier arrives as a new inmate. Determined to rescue his wayward sister, he is dismayed to find that the child he knew has become a bitter, wild young woman, with a companion as magnetic as she is murderous. Between one woman’s fury at his desertion and the other woman’s seductive menace, Tier discovers that escaping with his skin intact might just take a miracle.

This story was exciting to work on, flowing out like someone had stuck a spigot in my brain. Those who have read my Huntress novel and shorts will recognize common elements between The Huntress and the Black Widow, the volatile, dangerous heroine in this latest novel. What can I say--I love strong, kick-ass females! Priya, the other heroine, is almost as feisty, but also brings a great deal of heart to the story. And the hero, Tier, offers so much more than just the yum factor. The story takes these characters on a wild ride, with plenty of twists and action to keep even adrenaline addicts busy.

I'm a feedback junkie, so I'd love to hear any and all comments or questions about this project. You can either comment on this blog or email me at:
michelleoleary1@yahoo.com

Thanks and lotsa love!
-M
***

Novella Fun

2009-08-29T09:57:00.000-07:00

To keep my readers going until I have another finished novel published, I've begun a project called DeeDeck Design, which is a science fiction romantic mystery. As I get chapters of this novella done (at least, I expect it to be novella length, but we'll see ;), they will be posted to my site for all to read and enjoy.

DeeDeck Design - In this story, Dr. Moira Bannen is making an intergalactic trip by psychic transfer from her body to her clone in another galaxy when something goes horribly wrong. The quick, creative actions of a transfer tech saves her life, but she discovers that it wasn't an accident - someone is trying to kill her. Enlisting the help of Jackson Coltier, a security specialist, she strives to find out who wants her dead and why she is a target before the killer tries again.

The first 4 chapters are already up, so if you haven't started reading it yet, runrunrun over to my site and join the novella fun! :D

~~Go to Fertile Ground to read DeeDeck Design~~

Peace and love,
-M
***

Public Readings

2009-08-22T06:29:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I had a public reading to do at Joseph-Beth for my short story in Appalachian Angels. This wasn't my first public reading, but because this was a huge bookstore, it sure felt like my first one. My heart pounded away, my nerves were as taught as violin strings, my palms were sweaty, and I had to concentrate on breathing correctly! I was a mess and the closer it came for my turn to walk to the podium and read into the microphone, the worse I got. There was another part of me that kept thinking how ridiculous I was being! Years ago, my husband worked in another store just a short walk from Joseph-Beth. While he was there, I'd go to Joseph-Beth and spend hours walking around, soak in the atmosphere, and feel that little ping of jealousy when authors were there to do their signings and readings. I secretly dreamed that one day I'd be able to do this, and then when I get the amazing opportunity, what do I do? Freak out.

So how did I end up handling it? I arrived at Joseph-Beth two hours early. I got out of my truck and stood in the parking lot and looked up at the huge bookstore letters sitting atop Lexington Green. I took in a deep breath and smiled. It was actually happening. I was here, getting ready to walk into this place as an author. My heart beat a little faster and I started having a daydream of walking up to the front to read and tripping and falling, or dry-heaving into the microphone as I tried to speak. I squinted my eyes shut for a second and shook the thought away. I was nervous as could be, but I told myself that I would refuse to let those kinds of thoughts ruin a long-awaited dream.

Since it was a Saturday afternoon the store was busy. There are two levels at this Joseph-Beth, and as I approached the escalator I looked ahead to see the Appalachian Angels banner hanging in all its glory from the top floor balcony. I'd brought my camera and took a picture. To the right of the escalator sat a long table showcasing the days list of visiting authors and their books. I got a little choked up. I spent time walking around the store, thinking back to those days when I was here to just walk around and dream. It helped settle my nerves. Then the editor came in with her black briefcase in hand, saw me, smiled, and grabbed me and hugged me. I pointed over the banister to the lower floor where Joseph-Beth had us set up for our reading. The butterflies in my stomach flared up, but I once again reminded myself that I was going to enjoy this day and take it all in.

We headed downstairs to meet with the bookstore employee handling our reading. Sylvia, the editor, helped her set up the podium and microphone. More authors from the book arrived and we all sat together waiting for the reading to start. I think this was the worst part for me. It took a lot to handle the height of my nerves at this point. A dear friend traveled an hour to come hear me read and as I handed her my camera to take pictures, my hand shook so hard that she grabbed it and looked straight at me and said, "It is going to be just fine. You're going to do great." I was so glad she was there. I was even happier I didn't have to go first. I took a sip of my coke and then hated myself for it--I just knew I would be burping into the microphone now. There go my nerves again.

It came my turn to go up. I could hear my heart pounding in my head. I didn't trip when I walked up to the podium. I smiled at the audience (all seats were filled) as I adjusted the microphone. I introduced myself, my story, and began to read. I didn't dry-heave or burp, but read my story with the emotion and heart it deserved. It's only a short story, and as I got to the last paragraph which is extremely emotionally charged, I heard the gasps and ohhs. They were listening, they heard my words not my nerves, and my story touched them. I finished reading, closed the book, looked up at the audience and smiled. My heart was still beating hard as they clapped. It was a wonderful dream realized. I hope I have more public readings in my future and I know I'll still be nervous, but I will not let it overtake the excitement, happiness, satisfaction, and sharing that comes from this writer's dream.

Speaking of Crazy...

2009-08-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

I’ve had loads of caffeine and I just finished watching the movie The Cat in the Hat (Mike Myers) with my son. I can’t tell you how optimistic I feel right now. Anything is possible—keeping up with my son, finding a job, finding a print publisher for The Third Sign, and even finishing at least one of my writing projects.

Speaking of this last mission impossible, while waiting for inspiration to strike on the dozen or so unfinished WIPs on my writing plate, including the sequel to The Huntress and the second book in The Sunscapes Trilogy, I had a moment of crazy and let my characters out of the box. I can see my writing partner Anna giving me that look, so I’ll come clean—I have lots of moments of crazy. But this one’s a little loonier than most. The natives are getting restless waiting for me to finish their stories, so I created a little conversational platform called Character Talk where my well-loved (but often vindictive) characters gather together and have a brainstorming session on what to do about my writer’s block.

…!

Well, I did warn you. And no, while I appreciate the offer of antipsychotic drugs, I’m doing just fine with the caffeine right now. I can offer some reassurance with the fact that my characters don’t actually yammer on in my head and this is only a piece of fiction. Mostly. You can find Character Talk on my site, Fertile Ground, at:
http://www.michelle-oleary.com

I hope you enjoy! Please feel free to tell me what you think, and keep that thorazine handy. I may need it later after the caffeine wears off. *wink*

Peace and love,
Michelle

P.S. We love blog comments here at WordCrazyAuthors, or you can always reach me at my email: michelleoleary1@yahoo.com

***

Article Writing vs. Creative Writing

2009-08-17T13:06:00.000-07:00

I never believed that I could write articles. Since I got involved with Constant Content, a site that brings writers (and artists) together with buyers, I've discovered that I'm not too dang shabby at the whole article writing thing. But article writing is a very different animal from creative writing.

I can't speak for all creative writers, but I know I'm not alone when I say that creative writing requires fire and passion. If I don't feel impassioned about the subject, than my muse gets bored and goes on vacation. ~insert evil name for muse~ That dang fickle creature is so sensitive--she's turned off by any number of things, from life stress to storyline glitches. And sometimes for no apparent reason. Urgh. Getting the muse interested and recovering the fire and passion takes some serious effort, and usually requires waiting until the planets are aligned just right and the wind is blowing the right way. (Bribery does no good--I've tried.)

On the other hand, article writing is more about a formula and facts than about fire and passion. It helps to have some lively phrases and unique voice, but it's not a requirement. I've written articles under all kinds of conditions, from my son screeching in my ear to during phone calls to riding in a car to sitting in front of the tv. Writing articles doesn't seem to need the "perfect conditions" that creative writing does for me. The only time I can't seem to write an article is when I'm dog tired and brain-wiped. Then I'm no good for anything, let alone writing. As long as I've done my research on a subject and know the rough outline of the piece, I'm set. I'm not as fast at cranking them out as I'd like to be, but I'm working on it.

So if you're a creative writer and are thinking of branching out into other writing areas, consider article writing. It's not as bad as you think, honest. Remember that formula you learned in high school, about an intro paragraph, body paragraphs, and conclusion? There ya go.
;)

For those interested in Constant Content, try my author referral link:
http://www.constant-content.com/?aref=26525

***

Summer Days Drifting Away...

2009-08-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

By 8:30am today I was actually able to sit down at the computer and get online. It's been approximately nine weeks since I last had the chance to do this. Why, you might ask? Well, nine weeks ago was the start of summer vacation for my youngest and it was her duty to monopolize the internet during that time. It wasn't just her though, my husband calls it when he steps in the door in the afternoon and there he stays until late evening. Between those two, my own work, household chores and errands, I never had a chance. There were a couple of times I noticed the empty desk chair, hurried to finish up what I was doing, turn to head over to the desk and it's just too late--the chair is occupied once again. There's no use arguing or fussing about it really, but sometimes it does get frustrating for me. I do need some time online to get to my email and stay in touch with my publishers and editors, as well as sending off manuscripts. I always had to ask for one of them to get up and let me have at least five or ten minutes to get those things done. A constant summer internet struggle.

But there's always a flip side. I'm online this morning because it is the first day of school for my internet hogging daughter. The desk was dark and the chair empty. Free and clear it was, and I felt the force return within me! I did my morning chores and errands and fixed my breakfast. With my coffee cup half full, I made my move, leisurely, over to the computer desk. I logged into my email and read what I needed to read without an impatient internet junkie standing at my side. I answered emails, prepared a newsletter to send out, and even surfed around a little! I let out a deep, satisfying sigh. And then it hit me, how quiet the house was. There would be no sleepy-eyed kid wandering into the living room giving me a backwards glance to see if I'd notice that she'd be getting online not long after shoving the covers back. There would be no more rolling of the eyes when I demanded that her chores be completed and lunch eaten before she got anymore online time. There would be no more huffing when I announced that it was time to turn the computer off because she'd spent enough time on it for the day (plus her dad would be coming home soon). The word "no more" gets seared into my brain as it must for all parents with almost grown children.

As I sit here, enjoying my morning internet time, I know I'll savor these last few summers with my internet hogging daughter, because I know more than just summer days will be drifting away. Someday soon, she'll have her own computer in her own place. I wonder, as she heads over to sit at her desk, if she'll glance back over her shoulder and miss me as much as I'll miss her.

In the beginning...

2009-07-17T04:04:00.000-07:00

There was a blank blog with horrible, empty echoes.

And then my writing partner joins me! YAY! :D

Welcome to WordCrazyAuthors, where creativity is our favorite flavor of insanity. We're your hostesses with the mostest-es, AJ Caywood and Michelle O'Leary, published authors through DLSIJ Press. We both have many other online writing endeavors, plus Anna is the proud author of a short called "It was a He Angel" in a printed Anthology titled Appalachian Angels. Go Anna!! To find out more about our writings, please visit our respective websites at:

http://www.michelle-oleary.com
http://www.ajcaywood-author.com/

This lovely blog is still in major construction, but we love feedback, so if you've got things to say...SPEW!

Thanks, peace and love, more later.
-M