I'm a firm believer that every story has a soundtrack. Not in the sense of movie scores, exactly, but that certain songs remind me of certain pieces of a story and, whenever I hear them, it always gets me in the mood to write.
Take today, for example. I was driving to the bank when Howie Day's "She Says" came on my iPod. The original acoustic version from Australia, not the revamped one that appears on Stop All The World Now (both are great, but I favor the acoustic more). I wrote most of And You Tell Me I Am Home to Howie Day's albums, because it seemed to fit the mood I was going for. And the lyrics to "She Says" fit Zeke to a T:
And when she said she wants somebody else
I hope you know that she doesn't mean you
And when she breaks down and makes a sound
You'll never hear her the way that I do
And when she says she wants someone to love
I hope you know that she doesn't mean you
And when she breaks down and lets you down
I hope you know that she doesn't mean to
He's the guy Emma's always wanted, back in the picture for good. It's like he's giving the finger to Jay, so to speak, saying that he knows her better than Jay does.
As a matter of fact, I think this is a feeling that needs to be addressed more fully in the novel. I wanted it to be, but in retrospect, I don't feel that it was. A note for the revision, to be sure.
I could write for days about the impact music has on my writing. The little snippet today was enough to remind me that, hey, inspiration triggers everywhere, even when you're driving to the bank. Whether or not you take the time to listen to it is up to you.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday Writing Prompt: Found Poems
Okay, this exercise isn't so much about creating something new, but about looking at something you've already written in a whole new way. I remember an exercise similiar to this from my AP English class in high school, in which we created a poem from any passage we found in a book or magazine or advertisement. Mine came from Roger Zelazny's Amber Chronicles. If you're surprised by my sci-fi nerdiness, you must be a new reader of the blog. :)
The idea is simple: Take a few lines of your work in progress and reorganize it into stanza form. Don't rearrange the order of the words themselves, but put some thought into where the line breaks are, where the reader is forced to draw a breath. Maybe you'll pick a lyrical line that lends itself well, or a passage you're having trouble with.
I like this exercise because I find myself focusing less on the words themselves, but rather on playing with the structure of the poem. Sometimes all you need is a nudge in the right direction to se what's not working in a piece - or, on the other hand, what is.
I'll share a few examples on Friday!
---
Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
The idea is simple: Take a few lines of your work in progress and reorganize it into stanza form. Don't rearrange the order of the words themselves, but put some thought into where the line breaks are, where the reader is forced to draw a breath. Maybe you'll pick a lyrical line that lends itself well, or a passage you're having trouble with.
I like this exercise because I find myself focusing less on the words themselves, but rather on playing with the structure of the poem. Sometimes all you need is a nudge in the right direction to se what's not working in a piece - or, on the other hand, what is.
I'll share a few examples on Friday!
---
Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Friday Writing Response for September 25, 2009
I went in a different direction than I originally planned with this week's writing prompt. My first thought was to write out the major points in Emma's history, like a timeline of events. Instead, I used my writing practice to tackle a few scenes set before the novel begins, before Zeke moves away. I found myself coming up with details I hadn't thought of before, like the fact that Emma has a younger brother, Craig. I'm going to stick with this a bit and see where it goes.
At some point, I do want detailed histories for my characters. For now, I'm just happy to know a little more about them. This snippet shows a bit of that, told from Emma's point of view.
---
"Besides," Leigh added, flopping down on the couch like she owned the place, "we were out ghost hunting, and you know how Emma gets whenever we go out to Hell Hollow."
"You killed the lights on the car!" Emma wasn't about to let her best friend portray her as some sort of scaredy cat, afraid of the dark. "In case you didn't notice, there's no moon tonight. We couldn't see a thing."
"We had a flashlight."
"That you kept taking away from me every time you thought you heard something!"
This, at least, brought a hint of a smile to Zeke's face. It was a start, and that was enough for Emma. "You went ghost hunting without me? Guess I really do need to answer my phone more often."
Leigh rolled her eyes. "Obviously. Since I don't think we'll be able to talk Emma into going back out - which is a shame, by the way, I wanted to go to Trinity Church tonight - what are we doing for the rest of the evening? Your parents are out for the time being, yes?"
At some point, I do want detailed histories for my characters. For now, I'm just happy to know a little more about them. This snippet shows a bit of that, told from Emma's point of view.
---
"Besides," Leigh added, flopping down on the couch like she owned the place, "we were out ghost hunting, and you know how Emma gets whenever we go out to Hell Hollow."
"You killed the lights on the car!" Emma wasn't about to let her best friend portray her as some sort of scaredy cat, afraid of the dark. "In case you didn't notice, there's no moon tonight. We couldn't see a thing."
"We had a flashlight."
"That you kept taking away from me every time you thought you heard something!"
This, at least, brought a hint of a smile to Zeke's face. It was a start, and that was enough for Emma. "You went ghost hunting without me? Guess I really do need to answer my phone more often."
Leigh rolled her eyes. "Obviously. Since I don't think we'll be able to talk Emma into going back out - which is a shame, by the way, I wanted to go to Trinity Church tonight - what are we doing for the rest of the evening? Your parents are out for the time being, yes?"
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Wednesday Blog Post: Computer Programs
Stopping into Apple to see my boyfriend last night, I once again found myself looking over their giant wall of computer programs for sale. They have one called the Writer's Dream Kit, and I was very excited to learn that it also works on a Windows computer.
I almost bought it on sight, but I stopped myself, for two reasons. One was the price - I'm not made of money, so $60 on an impulse buy is a lot for me. The second reason was that I wasn't sure if it would be helpful for my writing.
I know myself: I can easily get caught up in the planning process. I bought a huge pack of fine-tip Sharpie markers so I could work on the massive scene-by-scene outline for And You Tell Me I Am Home. I forced myself to stop plotting once I got to the big fight between Emma and Zeke, so I could still have some surprises when I got to the ending. It's so easy to get lost in character profiles and outlines and plot arcs that you don't get to the actual writing. That's exactly what I don't want to happen.
Still, I wonder how the program works. Does anyone use it, or something similar? This may require some Internet research. I think I'll probably break down and buy it anyway, just like how I buy more writing books when I haven't finished the ones I've started. If it helps with the writing, great! If not, we'll try something knew. Maybe a new program is just what I need.
I almost bought it on sight, but I stopped myself, for two reasons. One was the price - I'm not made of money, so $60 on an impulse buy is a lot for me. The second reason was that I wasn't sure if it would be helpful for my writing.
I know myself: I can easily get caught up in the planning process. I bought a huge pack of fine-tip Sharpie markers so I could work on the massive scene-by-scene outline for And You Tell Me I Am Home. I forced myself to stop plotting once I got to the big fight between Emma and Zeke, so I could still have some surprises when I got to the ending. It's so easy to get lost in character profiles and outlines and plot arcs that you don't get to the actual writing. That's exactly what I don't want to happen.
Still, I wonder how the program works. Does anyone use it, or something similar? This may require some Internet research. I think I'll probably break down and buy it anyway, just like how I buy more writing books when I haven't finished the ones I've started. If it helps with the writing, great! If not, we'll try something knew. Maybe a new program is just what I need.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday Writing Prompt: Backstories
Forgive me - this is posted a day late! I had everything written up and completely spaced last night. I suck :(
Last week's blog post got me thinking: Too many of my characters lack decent backstories. Take, for example, my novel And You Tell Me I Am Home. We have Emma Wilson. She's a barista who always wanted to be a writer, even went to school for English, and was still sad about one of her best friends moving away after high school. Oh, and she recently broke up with her boyfriend.
And that's it. The structure is so thin, it's anorexic. And no one wants an anorexic plot.
Does this sound like one of your characters? If so, this is the week to fix it. Your challenge, and mine, is to work on some backstory for a character you're struggling with. This work may never end up becoming part of the final story, but it's information you, as the writer, need to know.
I'm hoping this will help me get to know Emma, maybe Zeke and Leigh too, a little better before starting the next draft of the novel. I could certainly use an extra kick of inspiration. Friday's post will hopefully have some awesome results.
---
Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Last week's blog post got me thinking: Too many of my characters lack decent backstories. Take, for example, my novel And You Tell Me I Am Home. We have Emma Wilson. She's a barista who always wanted to be a writer, even went to school for English, and was still sad about one of her best friends moving away after high school. Oh, and she recently broke up with her boyfriend.
And that's it. The structure is so thin, it's anorexic. And no one wants an anorexic plot.
Does this sound like one of your characters? If so, this is the week to fix it. Your challenge, and mine, is to work on some backstory for a character you're struggling with. This work may never end up becoming part of the final story, but it's information you, as the writer, need to know.
I'm hoping this will help me get to know Emma, maybe Zeke and Leigh too, a little better before starting the next draft of the novel. I could certainly use an extra kick of inspiration. Friday's post will hopefully have some awesome results.
---
Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Friday Writing Response for September 18, 2009
This week's prompt didn't work for me. Not given the week I've had with apartment searching and the trials and tribulations thereof. So, therefore, this week's response is a sample from my writing practice, which in itself is a feat, that I managed to get it done.
From the Imperial Story, very late in the storyline. It's hard to avoid spoilers with this one, but this may be part of a potential ending for the whole thing.
---
In the end, it was always about the war. About ensuring victory for our people, even when my father had a few minutes left to live. "We'll try," I choked out, barely able to force the words through my tightened throat.
"You will." Wakka smiled, just a little, a sight so rare that I'd forgotten what it looked like. At least I got to see it one last time. "I was wrong about you, girl. You're a perfect Warrior."
"The triplets will be too," Briyant murmured, sliding his hand off the wound, but still holding on to Wakka. "I'll finish what you started. I promise you."
Wakka nodded, eyes drifting closed. There was nothing more we could do for him, not with how much blood was pooling on the floor around us. "Thank you," he whispered. "Tell Rosaria I love her. That I'm sorry I didn't make it back. Give Salida a kiss for me." HIs voice was getting softer, each breath coming slower.
From the Imperial Story, very late in the storyline. It's hard to avoid spoilers with this one, but this may be part of a potential ending for the whole thing.
---
In the end, it was always about the war. About ensuring victory for our people, even when my father had a few minutes left to live. "We'll try," I choked out, barely able to force the words through my tightened throat.
"You will." Wakka smiled, just a little, a sight so rare that I'd forgotten what it looked like. At least I got to see it one last time. "I was wrong about you, girl. You're a perfect Warrior."
"The triplets will be too," Briyant murmured, sliding his hand off the wound, but still holding on to Wakka. "I'll finish what you started. I promise you."
Wakka nodded, eyes drifting closed. There was nothing more we could do for him, not with how much blood was pooling on the floor around us. "Thank you," he whispered. "Tell Rosaria I love her. That I'm sorry I didn't make it back. Give Salida a kiss for me." HIs voice was getting softer, each breath coming slower.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Wednesday Blog Post: Reinventing Characters
Have you ever written the same character for two different stories? I have a few I've been playing with for a few years; I consider them my favorites. Every time I try to write something new for them, I find myself constantly going back to their original storyline, trying to fit the pieces together and figure out where to go next.
Instead of rewriting everything, I take the same personality and tweak it based on reactions to the new backstory. For example, I have a character named Zach, who can be cocky and standoffish, but is a good guy deep down. He's gone through a few different versions:
Version 1: Mom dies in childbirth.
Result: Zach is cocky, trying to impress his father in an attempt to prove his worth. As a result, he doesn't have that great of a relationship with his father.
Version 2: Mom dies in childbirth; Dad dies in a fire.
Result: Poor, poor Zach. His original personality falls by the wayside and he turns to alcohol and depression to get to the next day. Eventually he figures out how to put his life back together.
Version 3: Everyone lives! (I'll admit, I felt bad for him after Version 2.)
Result: Cocky, competitive - but very protective of his family. This is probably my favorite version.
I like creating backstories, reasons for why these people do what they do. I think it's the reason why my novel currently feels flat; I haven't given these characters enough motivation. Perhaps that will be my goal in the next few weeks; even if I never use the info, it still won't be time wasted.
Perhaps this is another writing prompt waiting to happen.
Instead of rewriting everything, I take the same personality and tweak it based on reactions to the new backstory. For example, I have a character named Zach, who can be cocky and standoffish, but is a good guy deep down. He's gone through a few different versions:
Version 1: Mom dies in childbirth.
Result: Zach is cocky, trying to impress his father in an attempt to prove his worth. As a result, he doesn't have that great of a relationship with his father.
Version 2: Mom dies in childbirth; Dad dies in a fire.
Result: Poor, poor Zach. His original personality falls by the wayside and he turns to alcohol and depression to get to the next day. Eventually he figures out how to put his life back together.
Version 3: Everyone lives! (I'll admit, I felt bad for him after Version 2.)
Result: Cocky, competitive - but very protective of his family. This is probably my favorite version.
I like creating backstories, reasons for why these people do what they do. I think it's the reason why my novel currently feels flat; I haven't given these characters enough motivation. Perhaps that will be my goal in the next few weeks; even if I never use the info, it still won't be time wasted.
Perhaps this is another writing prompt waiting to happen.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Monday Writing Prompt: Apartments and Roommates
To mirror some of what's going on in my personal life, this week's writing prompt is apartments and roommates. Everyone's done it at some point or another, whether in college or looking for that first place out in the real world: living with other people. Sometimes things end up great - I still keep in touch with my very first roommate, Alecia, from my freshman year of college. Other times, the university makes the biggest mistake ever and you quickly find somewhere else to live.
Put your characters in this same situation. Maybe they're just moving into a new place, meeting their roommates for the same time; maybe they're working through a situation with the people they're already living with. There's something to be said for putting strangers in a small space and letting them react off each other.
I hope my own experiences turn out better than the drama I could imagine for my characters. I'll give this one a try and let you know how everything goes on Friday!
---
Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Put your characters in this same situation. Maybe they're just moving into a new place, meeting their roommates for the same time; maybe they're working through a situation with the people they're already living with. There's something to be said for putting strangers in a small space and letting them react off each other.
I hope my own experiences turn out better than the drama I could imagine for my characters. I'll give this one a try and let you know how everything goes on Friday!
---
Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Friday Writing Response for September 11, 2009
My fears were for nothing - I have something to show for this week's prompt! Granted, it was not written quite the way I had expected; I left my writing prompt book and journal at my boyfriend's house yesterday, and filled in with my kickaround notebook. For anyone who knows me, and how OCD I can be about routines and schedules, this kind of freaked me out this morning. But, never fear - I still managed to write something, even if it's not in the right notebook.
The prompt I used was, "Take two years and call me when you're better," from the Fall Out Boy song "The Carpal Tunnel of Love." This may become a short story all on its own, though I already came up with a revision idea halfway through this prompt.
---
That was how she found herself on the same stretch of highway she'd driven all through college, going to visit him while he was at school. Every couple had certain places they'd visited together, that meant something special to them. She'd visit one of these, convince herself that she was going to have closure once this was all through.
Maybe someday he'd talke to her again. Just once, like they did before they dated, discussing the previous night's episode of Lost and what their theories for the season were. Or talk about the latest video games or funny videos on YouTube. Anything. As long as she got the boy she once knew back.
She could name all the exits on this highway in her sleep, she'd driven it so much while they were in college. Here she'd established herself as a fixture among his friends, in her own right, not just because she was his girlfriend. But that, too, was over. College ends, and everyone drifts away, even the people you never thought you'd never lose touch with.
It was like high school, only harder. After high school, there was college to look forward to, the promise of a new beginning and the adventures that went along with it. Now every day was just work, coming home to an empty apartment and wondering what the hell she'd done with her life.
She'd walked away from most of it.
Had she made a mistake?
The prompt I used was, "Take two years and call me when you're better," from the Fall Out Boy song "The Carpal Tunnel of Love." This may become a short story all on its own, though I already came up with a revision idea halfway through this prompt.
---
That was how she found herself on the same stretch of highway she'd driven all through college, going to visit him while he was at school. Every couple had certain places they'd visited together, that meant something special to them. She'd visit one of these, convince herself that she was going to have closure once this was all through.
Maybe someday he'd talke to her again. Just once, like they did before they dated, discussing the previous night's episode of Lost and what their theories for the season were. Or talk about the latest video games or funny videos on YouTube. Anything. As long as she got the boy she once knew back.
She could name all the exits on this highway in her sleep, she'd driven it so much while they were in college. Here she'd established herself as a fixture among his friends, in her own right, not just because she was his girlfriend. But that, too, was over. College ends, and everyone drifts away, even the people you never thought you'd never lose touch with.
It was like high school, only harder. After high school, there was college to look forward to, the promise of a new beginning and the adventures that went along with it. Now every day was just work, coming home to an empty apartment and wondering what the hell she'd done with her life.
She'd walked away from most of it.
Had she made a mistake?
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Wednesday Blog Post: "Real Life" and Writing
Wrting has always been a pasttime I have considered "fun." I don't need to get paid to do what I do, though it would be nice; I write because I have all these ideas in my head and it's what I like to do.
This week, though, it's been hard. Though I'm still doing my writing practice every day, it doesn't seem like I'm getting anything productive out of it. No flashes of insight, no moments of, "I have to keep writing." I put words down on the page for 20 minutes and then I close the notebook, get up and do something else. It's become a chore, and I'm really sad to say that.
I have a lot of things going on in my life right now, and I'm sure that's contributing to the current lack of inspiration I feel. I can't quite call it writer's block, since the ideas are there, it's that I'm unwilling to work on them. I've spent the last couple of months working on bits and pieces of the Imperial Story; maybe it's time to try something new for a while. At this rate, it couldn't hurt, and Andros and Anitra will still be there when I get back to them.
I think my biggest fear is that the drive, the inspiration won't come back. But I haven't given up, not by a long shot. I'll just spend every day in front of my notebook, even if it's only for 20 minutes, and see what words pour out of me.
This week, though, it's been hard. Though I'm still doing my writing practice every day, it doesn't seem like I'm getting anything productive out of it. No flashes of insight, no moments of, "I have to keep writing." I put words down on the page for 20 minutes and then I close the notebook, get up and do something else. It's become a chore, and I'm really sad to say that.
I have a lot of things going on in my life right now, and I'm sure that's contributing to the current lack of inspiration I feel. I can't quite call it writer's block, since the ideas are there, it's that I'm unwilling to work on them. I've spent the last couple of months working on bits and pieces of the Imperial Story; maybe it's time to try something new for a while. At this rate, it couldn't hurt, and Andros and Anitra will still be there when I get back to them.
I think my biggest fear is that the drive, the inspiration won't come back. But I haven't given up, not by a long shot. I'll just spend every day in front of my notebook, even if it's only for 20 minutes, and see what words pour out of me.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Monday Writing Prompt: Fall Out Boy
If you've been following this blog at all, you know I'm a big fan of song lyrics as prompts. My favorite bands are the ones that acutally say something in their lyrics; while the music may be catchy, it's the words that stick with me when the song is over.
Fall Out Boy is probably my second favorite band, as I lump Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate together under the heading, "Andrew McMahon is amazing." FOB's lyrics always manage to catch me off guard in a good away, the kind I find myself quoting all the time. Infinity on High is, in my opinion, their best album, an experiment for the band and yet still maintains their signature sound. Here are just a few of my favorites:
- Take two years and call me when you're better. ("The Carpal Tunnel of Love")
- I read about the afterlife but I never really lived. ("Saturday")
- I'd promise you anything for another shot at life. ("Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes")
- The kid was alright, but it went to his head. ("Fame > Infamy")
- He tastes like you, only sweeter. ("Thnks Fr Th Mmrs")
- The best part of "believe" is the lie. ("Sophomore Slump or Comeback of the Year")
By now, you all know the drill. Pick a lyric and see where it takes you, and I'll do the same. I have every intention of getting to this prompt, but we'll see - my birthday is Thursday and I don't have an extravagant plans, but I will be doing something. With any luck, I'll have something to show on Friday.
---
Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Fall Out Boy is probably my second favorite band, as I lump Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate together under the heading, "Andrew McMahon is amazing." FOB's lyrics always manage to catch me off guard in a good away, the kind I find myself quoting all the time. Infinity on High is, in my opinion, their best album, an experiment for the band and yet still maintains their signature sound. Here are just a few of my favorites:
- Take two years and call me when you're better. ("The Carpal Tunnel of Love")
- I read about the afterlife but I never really lived. ("Saturday")
- I'd promise you anything for another shot at life. ("Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes")
- The kid was alright, but it went to his head. ("Fame > Infamy")
- He tastes like you, only sweeter. ("Thnks Fr Th Mmrs")
- The best part of "believe" is the lie. ("Sophomore Slump or Comeback of the Year")
By now, you all know the drill. Pick a lyric and see where it takes you, and I'll do the same. I have every intention of getting to this prompt, but we'll see - my birthday is Thursday and I don't have an extravagant plans, but I will be doing something. With any luck, I'll have something to show on Friday.
---
Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Friday Writing Response for September 4, 2009
HEY LOOK YOU GUYS, I ACTUALLY WROTE THIS WEEK!
...Ahem. I did go back to the Andrew McMahon lyric prompts, though I ended up picking one not on the list I had posted before. It's still unfinished, but I wanted to get a snippet up before I forgot about it. The lyrics I used as inspiration came from Jack's Mannequin's "Bloodshot":
He sits in his basement from midnight 'til four
Painting pictures that nobody sees
From his days in the war
Canvases bathed in bright red
He heats up the shower,
He paces the hall
He'll scrub for an hour or more but he won't get it all
The paint in his fingernail beds...
Let me know what you think!
---
He'd known this was coming for a few days, but he didn't think Renee would actually pack it up and send it to him right away. Quentin would have much rather just picked it up the next time he went back to Kennebunkport, whenever that turned out to be. It was easier to deal with Kevin's death when every reminder wasn't constantly staring him in the face.
Thank god Renee also shipped him a case of beer with the model ship. Shipyard IPA, a local Maine brew and Quentin's favorite. He cracked open a bottle and took a long pull, staring at the miniature ship inside the bottle.
Model building and boating had been Kevin's big interests. He had them tucked in places all around the house he lived in, and every year he built one for their father at Christmas. Their parents kept them on display in the Drawing Room, a testimony to their favorite son's accomplishments. Once Quentin moved to his mini-apartment above the garage, he finally had a reason not to see his parents' favoritism rubbed in his face every single day.
He painted something for his father, once. A scene of the marina, like the one Quentin had planned to have tattooed on his back. Joshua James had given him that fake half-smile, patted his hair, and put the painting into storage. Never displayed it, like they did with Kevin's model boats.
...Ahem. I did go back to the Andrew McMahon lyric prompts, though I ended up picking one not on the list I had posted before. It's still unfinished, but I wanted to get a snippet up before I forgot about it. The lyrics I used as inspiration came from Jack's Mannequin's "Bloodshot":
He sits in his basement from midnight 'til four
Painting pictures that nobody sees
From his days in the war
Canvases bathed in bright red
He heats up the shower,
He paces the hall
He'll scrub for an hour or more but he won't get it all
The paint in his fingernail beds...
Let me know what you think!
---
He'd known this was coming for a few days, but he didn't think Renee would actually pack it up and send it to him right away. Quentin would have much rather just picked it up the next time he went back to Kennebunkport, whenever that turned out to be. It was easier to deal with Kevin's death when every reminder wasn't constantly staring him in the face.
Thank god Renee also shipped him a case of beer with the model ship. Shipyard IPA, a local Maine brew and Quentin's favorite. He cracked open a bottle and took a long pull, staring at the miniature ship inside the bottle.
Model building and boating had been Kevin's big interests. He had them tucked in places all around the house he lived in, and every year he built one for their father at Christmas. Their parents kept them on display in the Drawing Room, a testimony to their favorite son's accomplishments. Once Quentin moved to his mini-apartment above the garage, he finally had a reason not to see his parents' favoritism rubbed in his face every single day.
He painted something for his father, once. A scene of the marina, like the one Quentin had planned to have tattooed on his back. Joshua James had given him that fake half-smile, patted his hair, and put the painting into storage. Never displayed it, like they did with Kevin's model boats.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Wednesday Blog Post: In and Outs of Sci-Fi Writing
In preparation for NaNoWriMo in a couple months, where I may be tackling the first draft of the first part of the Imperial Story, I've started reading How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy by Orson Scott Card. While I have a ton of writing books, this is the only one I've found that was genre-specific and written by an author I've actually heard of. I'd like to say I've read every book in existence, but that's not the case.
Card brings up an interesting point, in the beginning of the book. Science fiction writers, he says, are always going to be science fiction writers, pegged by the industry as it were. While there's lots of freedom to work within the genre, if an author writes, say, a nonfiction book, it's not placed with his other sci-fi works and it makes it much easier for readers not to find the latest work and therefore, not sell as well.
This is a thought that hadn't occurred to me. The Imperial Story is my first attempt at actually writing sci-fi, though I've been reading it for years, since I was a kid. My attempts at scenes in writing practice have been somewhat successful, but I've mainly been concentrating on getting the characters down and figuring out what voice to use to tell the story; the details of the world have a long way to go. I'm not sure everything makes sense on the page as well as it does in my head. But that's what drafting and practice is for; nothing's set in stone, not by a long shot.
But is this a genre I want to stick with for my entire career? If it ends up being of publishable quality, it'll be something to think about. And I'll have to keep it mind as I write, to make this the best work I can. Either way, I see it as a challenge, and I don't want to back down from it.
We'll see how I feel once the drafting process is complete, and how successful I feel the story is. And if it makes sense to anyone else, readers who haven't been listening to me babble on and on for months now.
Card brings up an interesting point, in the beginning of the book. Science fiction writers, he says, are always going to be science fiction writers, pegged by the industry as it were. While there's lots of freedom to work within the genre, if an author writes, say, a nonfiction book, it's not placed with his other sci-fi works and it makes it much easier for readers not to find the latest work and therefore, not sell as well.
This is a thought that hadn't occurred to me. The Imperial Story is my first attempt at actually writing sci-fi, though I've been reading it for years, since I was a kid. My attempts at scenes in writing practice have been somewhat successful, but I've mainly been concentrating on getting the characters down and figuring out what voice to use to tell the story; the details of the world have a long way to go. I'm not sure everything makes sense on the page as well as it does in my head. But that's what drafting and practice is for; nothing's set in stone, not by a long shot.
But is this a genre I want to stick with for my entire career? If it ends up being of publishable quality, it'll be something to think about. And I'll have to keep it mind as I write, to make this the best work I can. Either way, I see it as a challenge, and I don't want to back down from it.
We'll see how I feel once the drafting process is complete, and how successful I feel the story is. And if it makes sense to anyone else, readers who haven't been listening to me babble on and on for months now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
