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Showing posts from 2014

Bad Writers

I've noticed that there is a difference between writers who do this halfheartedly and writers who go about it wholeheartedly. What is that difference?  What is the line that separates OK fiction from good fiction and good fiction great fiction? Stephen King said in his book On Writing: "While it is impossible to make a competent writer out of a bad writer, and while it is equally impossible to make a great writer out of a good one, it is possible, with lots of hard work, dedication, and timely help, to make a good writer out of a merely competent one."  There is a definitive point, or moment, or realization, where that distinction is clear--but perhaps it moves and shucks and jives to get out of the way. The reader knows something is up, feels it subconsciously perhaps, but just can't put their finger on it.  Stephen King also said: "We need to experience the mediocre and the outright rotten; such experience helps us to recognize those things when t

Halloween

   From the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain, to trick or treaters and colorful costumes, Halloween is here and for some it's a nuisance, others it means candy and costumes. There are horror movie marathons and it’s the best time of the year for horror channels like Chiller and Fear.net.  But to me it's almost muse-like. Around this time of the year I get a feeling. All the old horror movies I've watched come out and play in my mind. I am entrenched in an ongoing story that plays itself out every year around this time. I sometimes sit down with my laptop at my side, waiting for inspiration to come.  Sometimes nothing comes, but just sitting there in this stew of thought is like filling up a gas tank of a car. And it runs my thoughts for the rest of the year.  For a horror writer, this is the Mecca of days, but I don't necessarily have to write. Just the look and feel and essence creates energy in me. It's positive thinking. If you envision your

I'm a writer, this is what I do

   I was listening to this interesting podcast debating if "aspiring" should go before "writer" if you weren't published yet. The guest on the podcast explained that we are all writers, just some are paid and some aren't. I agree.     That question always comes up around get-togethers, family functions, etc. "So what do you do?" And unless you consider your day job to be your career, then you are most likely saying "writer." To which comes the fun of explaining yourself--or feeling you need to, anyway.     Most times, you'll get a face with the mouth pulled down and eyebrows pulled up, "Oh, really? What do you write?" Then you go on about what you're doing, etc. You might impress them a bit, you might get a sympathetic face and a, "well, good for you."     In my situation, I say, "horror."     "Excuse me?"     "H-horror." Cue hand gesticulation and nervous cle

iPublish

  Most writers have horror stories, of which I have a few to to share. Hopefully it helps in some way. The story begins with a website that went by the name iPublish--from what I know it's no longer running, at least in their old name. Aspiring writers had frequented this site seeking a friendly critique and maybe even publication. If I remember correctly, they promised a lucky (talented) writer a book deal. There was more, but this was a while back, and my memory is getting old.  A writer could post thier story and your "peers" would critique it. Depending on your score, you would move up and down the ranks. You could even reciprocate--if you liked. You could get feedback for a novel, or short story, or go for the gold and try for a publishing contract.    Who knew? Maybe even an agent or editor was lurking about, looking for new talent.  It sounded like a good idea, a site where experts and armatures in the industry could meet up. But of course, this l

Scams

Bad Agents    Every writer has to go through rejection as they send in submissions. At times, a writer will also experience corrupt and scam literary agents, as if we don't have enough to worry about.     There was a site I talked about in a prior post called   Preditors and Editors . It is a great site to research agents and publishers as well as other categories to educate yourself before you get burned. As I almost did:     I was on an express bus home from work one evening when I noticed I received a voicemail. I was kind of upset because my carrier didn't let the call go through. So I listened to it and it was from one of the literary agencies I had sent my novel to prior. My stomach fell into my pelvis, frozen, I had thought I blew it--but then a rational part of me said I hadn't, come on, people leave messages all the time--but there was always that feeling deep in the back of my mind. So I worried, and waited, and started dreaming of how it was going t

Great Find

So I came to a point in my novel where POV plays an important roll. There are many things you can do with the proper POV--and I believe those choices are up to the writer. They will know, with the proper understanding of the different POVs, what to use to best tell their story. I like to bombard myself with all the information there is to know about the subject and then let my subconscious take over and make its own direction. Of course, there are plenty of helpful sites out there to assist. I decided that a part of my story needed a POV similar to the one Ann Rice used in  Interview with a Vampire .  So I did a quick search and found a great site about it.   http://www.jennycrusie.com/books/non-fiction/anne-rice-a-critical-companion/anne-rice-a-critical-companion-chapter-three/ Interesting stuff. Just thought I'd share. Now back to work! Keep writing. WCM

Labor Day Weekend

So it's a three day weekend for most of us and there are so many things to do. But you must remember, if you have the goal of being a professional writer, you have to find time to fit in writing, too.  I keep reminding myself of this over and over.   There are so many ways to write. Computer, pen and paper, phone (pretty much all smartphones have word processing apps), and voice recorders. That last one you can use on smartphones, as well. So there is no excuse--even if you can't actually write and create--not to jot an idea down, or a scene that pops into your head. Maybe edit prose, or a blog entry you were working on. Then, when you have time, you can do the creating and stuff. Another thing I realize is no one is going to say, "hey, you need some time to write? Okay, here you go." You have to make the time. Only you know what you're really doing for your ultimate goal of best selling author. So enjoy this weekend, and this post, and lets

AFTER WEEKEND

This past weekend was fairly productive, though I find myself wishing for more time. It makes me realize how much time I've wasted in the past. With work and personal responsibility, I have found it is very hard to find time. As I'm writing part of this, I'm sitting in my car in a parking lot waiting for my glasses to be repaired. (Dropped them, concrete, sad story--luckily I had insurance on them). The point is, I'm not giving up. About two months ago, I got up (figuratively) and said, I'm not going to procrastinate any longer; and ever since then I've just been going for it. Every chance I get I write, whether it be an idea, or a scene, or something that comes to me while at work. And when I am in a spot where I can't create, or need to concentrate in order to get into a character, or scene, i'll simply edit what I have. Another thing I've found--which I sort of always knew but was always sort of afraid to do--was simply the act of

Friday!

So it's Friday and I'm looking forward to a weekend of writing. I'm working faster than ever on my book now, and have been listening to some great podcasts on the craft. I think motivation is a mix of continuous learning (subliminal bombardment) and reading--something I have to admittedly do more of. I know this blog won't be seen in the beginning of its life, but eventually I have high hopes it will. That is another thing I've read, that online presence is a must in this day and age, especially if you want to reach a wider targeted audience. I'm writing this on my phone, so I'll give it a rest for now, but if anyone reads this and wants to sound off in the comments, be my guest.  If you're on the path to writing, too, or just have a question maybe we can work it out together.  Until next time.  Keep writing  WCM 

Back

I'm back. New to this. I have gone through a few stages and now started picking myself back up to write more focused. I am going to post more, and maybe we can get more people to comment. And maybe people can help me out with finding appropriate blogs/communities for writing--especially, but not limited to, horror.  Keep writing. WCM