Most everyone has seen this http://www.facebook.com/notes/science-fiction-and-fantasy-writers-of-america/guest-post-long-sentences/10150608717634874 an article by Theodora Goss that Cat posted. But I wanted to comment I sometimes find myself struggling to get into words the finer less tangible emotions. In my short story "Fight or Flight" (STILL have not re-titled it and subbed to BCS), the main character Fiala kills a large predator that is trying to eat her. The whole story she has been following the orders and whims of others and by the end of the story she re-unites with the one character who has faith in her. Fiala feels 'saved', rescued in a way she has never felt before and she's crying even though the other character has had nothing to do with helping her kill the creature. And trying to get that nuance of emotion has been giving me fits.
I can FEEL the feeling I want to convey but without stopping the action and going into a long paragraph explaining the feeling I don't know how to do it. And then there is the problem of how much explaining of emotion, how much description of the characters interior lives do you add.
On one hand so much "advice" now-a-days is to describe only the characters actions. The outward manifestations of their emotions, but at the same time "frowned" and "smiled" are verboten. Description in general is often counselled against unless you can convey something with total economy and in the shortest space possible. All to avoid slowing down the Action.
In total contrast to what 'everyone' else is reading, lately I've been working my way through "Jude the Obscure" by Thomas Hardy and I have (in just the past few days) been struck by how deeply Jude's feeling and impressions are explored in the book. Paragraph after paragraph talks about his feelings toward and opinions of Christminster, his state of isolation, and the growing love for his cousin. And because of this description- not in spite of it- the reader knows Jude. Knows his goals intimately, and can feel the coming doom of his relationship with his cousin. And there is nothing to do but watch the inevitability of his life going down the drain. Part of the tension in the novel is that the reader knows from the beginning Jude will never achieve his dreams. Not his dream of scholarship and not his dream of love. But we are helpless to warn him. So we watch as he continually and helplessly shoots himself in the foot.
But now the style of prose is a rapid fire race to get to the next thing. Get to the next action sequence, the next sex scene, the next explosion. It's trying to get a Michael Bay movie onto the page. Everyone pleads short attention spans. No one wants to linger on lovingly crafted sentences of description and emotion. It's regression to caveman basics: kill-screw-flee-fight and repeat. Everything may be faster but its also infinitely shallower.
On the other hand in my WIP, the one I described the first class about the doctor who gets a fungal infection from stealing the god of leaf-cutter ants I can extract barely any emotion from the character. Eventually I'd like to run that one past the Spec Fic critique group to see if anyone can help it out. But that won't be until I have a few more iterations.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Good news is good news
So a short story- well technically flash piece- of mine is going to round 2 of submissions at the e-zine I sent it too! It feels good to have good news, it's been so long. Here's hoping it gets accepted!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
What do you sign in the age of e-books?
As e-books rise and paper books decline I think a big question is 'What will authors sign?' Like any reader/writer I have a collection of prize Signed Books. Those books that I've taken to or purchased at conventions, packed and lugged to one event or another in order to receive the prize of an author's signature on the end papers. I have signed books from Jacqueline Carey, China Mieville, Garth Nix, Nalo Hopkinson and many others, all of which have a pace on my permanent bookshelf.
But what do you sign in a digital age? I think it's a token/memento which will always be important to collectors and devoted fans. I know I wouldn't part with signed books. They are special. they are touched.
I think there are a few possibilities for signatures in a digital age.
1- being e-readers adding a touch screen so that authors signatures can be collected. Who knows, there is probably already an app for that... And if not I demand 50% of your profits!!
2- Comes from Japan. Manga artists often sign shikishi boards at events. They are wonderful mementos and can be displayed in frames and wall hangings http://www.samadhicushions.com/Shikishi_Calligraphy_Board_10_pack_p/s-3044t.htm
Since I can draw I vote for shikishi boards!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Well I'm still working! I'm writing on my YA and getting ready to edit the Carmine novella and in the meantime I thought I'd post a little character questionnaire I did for Irissa, the main character of my YA. It's a Regency-esque romance with lesbians, secondary world fantasy, and a murder mystery (in all likelihood...) As usual I have no outline!
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONNAIRE
Irissa (Last name TBA)
1) List four things you like very much – Science, logic, books, reading
2) List four things you dislike very much- mages, religion, ignorance, emotion
3) Did you have a happy childhood? Yes. My parents were very loving, I had all the books I wanted, siblings I cared for deeply and an excellent school.
4) Describe an incident in your childhood that you think most affected you. - I don't like to talk about it but some girls at boarding school fancied themselves mages and summoned... creatures one of them attacked me and it was a horrific incident I don't care to dwell on.
5) Describe your mother and how you feel about her. - My mother doesn't understand me but I know she cares. We disagree on a regular basis and frankly I find her trying at times. She reads silly books and is far too polite.
6). Describe your father and how you feel about him – Father understands me a great deal. He always gave me books on science and philosophy. He has encouraged my education my whole life.
7) what is your favorite pastime? – Reading, translating books from their original languages, and... well, not much else is there?
8) What person do you think has influenced you the most? – My Father. And perhaps my older brother.
9) How do you feel about sex? - Well, it's a normal function of biology. no real mystery to it. Certainly not worth the drama and emotion people invest in it. What do you mean I shouldn't pass judgement because I haven't had it yet?
10) What is your religion and how important is it to you? – Religion is for superstitious fools.
11) What is your philosophy of life? – Ask questions, find answers.
12) If you could have any tangible thing that you wanted what would it be? I would like to keep the seaside cottage in the family.
13) Have you any physical difficulties? - I wear spectacles...
14) What kind of education or training have you had and how did you feel about it? – I have a classical eduction. Speak three languages and read competantly five.
15) How do you think people react to you as a person? – According to my mother I am too impolite. According to my cousin I am too unsentimental. According to my Father I am a bit hard around the edges. According to my classmates I was irascible.
16) What are you proudest of? – My intelligence.
17) What are you most ashamed of?- My freckles? Maybe. According to my mother (again) I have no shame.
18) What is your deepest fear? - Mages
19) How do you feel about food? - I like good a great deal and bad food a good deal less. Almond cake is my favorite dessert.
20) What do you dream about? - Academia.
21) What makes you feel good? - Using logic to solve problems.
22) What do you try hardest to avoid? – People
23) What makes you angry and how do you react? – Ignorance, foolishness, silliness and stupidity. I have no patience for any of the above even in myself.
24) How athletic are you? – Not at all.
25) How methodical are you? - Extremely.
26) What are you chief taboos? – Aren't those akin to superstations?
27) How much traveling have you done? – Unfortunately little.
28) Describe a situation in which you feel you have behaved courageously. - I probably haven't...
29) Do you see yourself as a self-centered person? – According to my mother extremely.
30) Do you see yourself as a loving person? – More sentiment and nonesense.
31) Do you see yourself as a popular person – The opposite but I don't really care.
32) Do you see yourself as potentially having an important influence on the world? - Maybe.
33) How artistic are you? More stuff and nonesense.
34) How do you feel about material things? – I like nice things and I like books and want a nice place to put those books. I'm used to, if not material things at least the respect accorded by my family's standing.
35) What are your plans for the future? – I don't know anymore.
36) How idealistic are you? – That's a stupid question.
37) How realistic are you? – Is there anything else?
38) How successful are you? – So far not very.
39) Name the four things you most often object to in other people. - Silliness, ignorance, sentimentality, and inanity.
40) Name the four things you most often object to in yourself. – When my emotions get the better of me. I don't read people well. I'm not as observant as I would like to be. I'm not as in control as I'd like to be all the time.
41) How gullible are you? - Not at all.
42) How intelligent are you? – Extremely.
43) Do you believe that the end justifies the means? – Frequently yes.
44) How attractive are you physically? – Well, I nave good bones if you can see past the freckles and the spectacles.
45) Do you believe there is anything worth dying for and what led you to this conclusion? – I don't know. Maybe.
46) What do you worry about the most? – Not having enough time to read.
47) What makes life worth living for you? – Books. And quite possibly the almond cake made by my cousin Owenee's chef. And no, I am not joking.
48) What is the difference between good and evil? – I'm not sure.
49) What kind of person would you most like to be? – Smarter than I am now.
50) How do you relate to animals? – Not well...
Irissa (Last name TBA)
1) List four things you like very much – Science, logic, books, reading
2) List four things you dislike very much- mages, religion, ignorance, emotion
3) Did you have a happy childhood? Yes. My parents were very loving, I had all the books I wanted, siblings I cared for deeply and an excellent school.
4) Describe an incident in your childhood that you think most affected you. - I don't like to talk about it but some girls at boarding school fancied themselves mages and summoned... creatures one of them attacked me and it was a horrific incident I don't care to dwell on.
5) Describe your mother and how you feel about her. - My mother doesn't understand me but I know she cares. We disagree on a regular basis and frankly I find her trying at times. She reads silly books and is far too polite.
6). Describe your father and how you feel about him – Father understands me a great deal. He always gave me books on science and philosophy. He has encouraged my education my whole life.
7) what is your favorite pastime? – Reading, translating books from their original languages, and... well, not much else is there?
8) What person do you think has influenced you the most? – My Father. And perhaps my older brother.
9) How do you feel about sex? - Well, it's a normal function of biology. no real mystery to it. Certainly not worth the drama and emotion people invest in it. What do you mean I shouldn't pass judgement because I haven't had it yet?
10) What is your religion and how important is it to you? – Religion is for superstitious fools.
11) What is your philosophy of life? – Ask questions, find answers.
12) If you could have any tangible thing that you wanted what would it be? I would like to keep the seaside cottage in the family.
13) Have you any physical difficulties? - I wear spectacles...
14) What kind of education or training have you had and how did you feel about it? – I have a classical eduction. Speak three languages and read competantly five.
15) How do you think people react to you as a person? – According to my mother I am too impolite. According to my cousin I am too unsentimental. According to my Father I am a bit hard around the edges. According to my classmates I was irascible.
16) What are you proudest of? – My intelligence.
17) What are you most ashamed of?- My freckles? Maybe. According to my mother (again) I have no shame.
18) What is your deepest fear? - Mages
19) How do you feel about food? - I like good a great deal and bad food a good deal less. Almond cake is my favorite dessert.
20) What do you dream about? - Academia.
21) What makes you feel good? - Using logic to solve problems.
22) What do you try hardest to avoid? – People
23) What makes you angry and how do you react? – Ignorance, foolishness, silliness and stupidity. I have no patience for any of the above even in myself.
24) How athletic are you? – Not at all.
25) How methodical are you? - Extremely.
26) What are you chief taboos? – Aren't those akin to superstations?
27) How much traveling have you done? – Unfortunately little.
28) Describe a situation in which you feel you have behaved courageously. - I probably haven't...
29) Do you see yourself as a self-centered person? – According to my mother extremely.
30) Do you see yourself as a loving person? – More sentiment and nonesense.
31) Do you see yourself as a popular person – The opposite but I don't really care.
32) Do you see yourself as potentially having an important influence on the world? - Maybe.
33) How artistic are you? More stuff and nonesense.
34) How do you feel about material things? – I like nice things and I like books and want a nice place to put those books. I'm used to, if not material things at least the respect accorded by my family's standing.
35) What are your plans for the future? – I don't know anymore.
36) How idealistic are you? – That's a stupid question.
37) How realistic are you? – Is there anything else?
38) How successful are you? – So far not very.
39) Name the four things you most often object to in other people. - Silliness, ignorance, sentimentality, and inanity.
40) Name the four things you most often object to in yourself. – When my emotions get the better of me. I don't read people well. I'm not as observant as I would like to be. I'm not as in control as I'd like to be all the time.
41) How gullible are you? - Not at all.
42) How intelligent are you? – Extremely.
43) Do you believe that the end justifies the means? – Frequently yes.
44) How attractive are you physically? – Well, I nave good bones if you can see past the freckles and the spectacles.
45) Do you believe there is anything worth dying for and what led you to this conclusion? – I don't know. Maybe.
46) What do you worry about the most? – Not having enough time to read.
47) What makes life worth living for you? – Books. And quite possibly the almond cake made by my cousin Owenee's chef. And no, I am not joking.
48) What is the difference between good and evil? – I'm not sure.
49) What kind of person would you most like to be? – Smarter than I am now.
50) How do you relate to animals? – Not well...
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Rejected again
So I will NOT be in the Absolute Write anthology. Hour of the Wolf was rejected again.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Slackerly updates!
Well, the first Carmine Rojas novella is almost done!! And thanks to Dragon Nat. Speaking it's almost typed too!
So it will be off to Damnation Books http://www.damnationbooks.com/ sooner rather than later. Of course I did the math and I've writing this thing for months!! It's going to get to about 19k which is well within the average for other Damnation novellas. I also need to work up a marketing plan! I had a moment of panic when I saw that on the submission guidelines but I got some help from Sunny Frazier over at Oak Tree who sent me the form they have their authors fill out and it gave me some good ideas for what I can do!
I'm luck to be in a position, and have the skill, to manufacture my own swag :) I can make Carmine book marks, Carmine prints, and, if I ever buy another cyan toner cartridge for my laser printer, Carmine stickers! I can also attend cons if they are in Cali and promote on LJ and Deviant Art. So maybe I'm not hopeless!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Accidentally, a new book...
On the heels of finishing Tea Times Three I've started a new book.
And it's funny because I just read a blog post by someone I follow http://teaandbiscuits42.blogspot.com/2011/08/wip-madness.html who has also started a new WIP. She asks some good questions at the end of her blog which boils down to "How do you feel when starting a new WIP?"
I, unlike the original poster, don't feel nervous. I spent a year and a half living in Midswich Maine with all the residents of my fictional town, and as much ad I love them I am happy to take a break. There is a Buddhist saying which goes something like this, "Everyone is special, but no one is especially special."
A lot of authors seem to get very attached to a particular caste but I don't. I certainly like everyone in Tea Times Three, enough that I have two more books planned, but I also have a lot of other ideas with lots of other characters, some planned, and some I'm just making up ad I go.
The new WIP I plunged into, head first when a couple ideas I've had in the back of my mind collided and an idea sprang forth. I started writing without even the main character's names in place. Heck, her personality wasn't even formed yet. But I'm learning all about her as I write and I've honed her personality. I have a few things to change at the beginning, but the book, the world, and the characters are taking shape as I go. I mean the main character's name has changed three times!!
To me that's the only way to get to know a story. Write it. The characters will surprise and delight you! If you have a book or a an unfinished work by the end it doesn't matter, you've still learned, and practiced and written something. And by sheer practice the next work will be better still.
I do worry at times I'm waisting m,y time. I worry I won't finish. I worry my ideas are dumb. BUT I don't let it stop me. Every new book gets off to a joyous and exciting start! Whether it stays that way seems to be my biggest hurdle. The inevitable mid-book blues set in. I get stuck, I start to worry. I start to doubt. THAT'S when In start to freak. Not at the beginning. I hit the ground running, then slow, then trip, then pick myself up THEN hopefully, stagger across the finish line, only to have to rewrite and edit.
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