Yesterday was so action-packed that I immediately fell into bed and vowed to post a comprehensive update when Windycon was finally over. Saturday was chock full great panels that discussed everything from creating believable characters to how SF/F has helped push boundaries and address societal taboos. Combined with a Celtic folk rock concert from Tricky Pixie and a fun art auction, the panels made Saturday fly by.
Sunday morning was dedicated to a writers workshop where I had the chance to get eight separate critiques on a chapter from my work-in-progress. It was amazing to get so many fresh eyes on the piece, and the advice I gained regarding breaking down and strengthening the story will be essential for my rewrites. It was a wonderful way to close out the weekend and propel me back into writing.
Tag-Archive for » Thoughts «
14
Nov 2010
Nov 2010
13
Nov 2010
Nov 2010
Just back from Windycon, and it looks like tomorrow is going to be one crazy day! After grabbing dinner, a friend and I took a quick peek at the art show (looks like some amazing pieces this year) and the dealer’s room to kill some time before the Opening Ceremonies.
At the kick-off, I was extremely pleased to receive an Honorable Mention in the ISFiC Writers Contest for my short story “Clockwork Nightmare.” Set in my Ralston and Grieve universe, the story was a slight departure from my typical writing style, so it was exciting to see it recognized.
There were some great personalities at the Opening Ceremonies, as well as a mini-performance by Tricky Pixie, whose violin/guitar/cello ensemble sounded great. I finished off the day at two panels and am ready to hit the hay so I’ll be ready for the long day tomorrow!
01
Oct 2010
Oct 2010
So my blog has gone dark, and will remain that way for a few more weeks. I’ve been reevaluating the theme I’d like to focus on in my posts, and am slowly sliding into a topic that merges the technology and world building I’ve discussed before.
If you’ve been watching my Twitter feed, you know that I’ve recently become interested in transmedia. I’ve been determining how to incorporate this philosophy into my worlds and writing, and expect that the topic will bleed over into my blog.
Expect some changes to the website as well, with new features giving a glimpse into my writing and works in progress. It’ll be one grand experiment. I hope you’ll enjoy it.
06
Aug 2010
Aug 2010
I ran across a review by Kiki Howell, where she mentioned that
“To me, as far as world building goes, the challenge is not really creating the world as much as sticking to this world.”
I’m sure authors can debate which side of world building – creating or maintaining – is actually harder. Either way, any SF or fantasy author understands the effort it takes to adhere to your world’s internal logic. As your plots and subplots twist together into action-packed resolutions, it’s easy to mix up a detail or two. It may seem trivial, but this is a big deal – even the tiniest inconsistency can jar the reader out of the story.
Keeping your research handy (and searchable) while writing is half the battle. My style of organization has evolved over the past few years. I started with PBWorks (PBWiki at the time), where I created a free wiki for each world and made a comprehensive entry for characters, places, plot points, and everything else under the alien sun. As I could access the wiki from any computer, it was the perfect tool to allow me freedom to write anywhere.
About a year ago I switched over to another online system, Evernote. The beauty of this service lies in its compatibility with mobile devices. Evernote apps are available on many smart phones, iPods, and the iPad, and you can use it on your computer as well. With my phone app, I can type out a note or take pictures and upload them directly to my account. Files in my account are all accessible on the phone as well, so if I’m writing in a local park with no internet access, I can flip open my phone and check world-building details directly. You can also use a web browser add-on to save clips from web pages with the push of a button. See a web page with some crazy-good inspiration? Clip it and send it directly into one of your Evernote folders.
Another program I use is Scrivner, a writing program for Macs that allows me to write my fiction and also create wiki-esque research folders in the same menu. Sleek and a breeze to use, it’s the best writing program I’ve used. Everything from Evernote gets cross-posted here for even quicker browsing when I’m actually writing my manuscript.
So what are your methods? Do you used online databases or packed filing cabinets to keep everything straight? In any case, it pays to have a system so you can stick to your world and still leave open plenty of time to write.
17
Jul 2010
Jul 2010
I was checking the Broad Universe mailing list and was excited to hear a new idea for selling and distributing e-books: USB drives. Branded USB drives are becoming available from a variety of sources, with many different styles and colors; you can even create your own custom shapes. To make a long story short, you can do almost anything with the external look of the drive.
Writers also have a wealth of options when it comes to the files loaded on drives. You can load your drives with a single book, or all of the books in a series, or even an anthology. This customization would provide an individualized product, one that also takes advantage of the growing use of computers.
Are USB drives cost effective for solo writers? Probably not. It seems fairly typical for sellers to charge around $11 per drive with a minimum order of 50 drives; this means you have to be confident you can sell at least 50, and at a higher price so you can at least earn a profit. Selling CDs loaded with your book may remain the safer way to sell your work in a self-publishing situation.
Despite the cost, I think it’s a valid idea for publishers (and writers that can afford it) to explore. USB drives may cost a little more, but imagine a Golden Snitch-shaped drive loaded with all seven Harry Potter books or a steampunk novel loaded onto an airship drive. Different USB keys could be designed as collectors items, increasing the visibility of the brand and leading to widespread distribution of the book. There are already some new products taking advantage of the movie market. Why not the realm of publishing?
26
May 2010
May 2010