So, in truth it's been a rough week this past week. My furnace problems came to a head in my apartment, and it went out three times in a week. This is after it's already gone out at least three to four times this winter before this, and going out multiple times last winter. Finally, my apartment seems to be doing something about it as at this moment there is a furnace repair man taking a look at it instead of one of their maintenance men.
Also, while being honest, I had no plan on what to write about today. I finished reading Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare just the other day, and will probably do a review on it. However, seeing as I don't have that typed up right now it will probably have to wait until next week. So, instead I've decided I'll write my tips on how to manage life outside of writing without allowing it to push writing out of the picture entirely. (A little ironic given I haven't really gotten much writing done this past week with everything, but still...)
To start, I currently have a fairly busy life even when I don't into account of writing. A lot of people do, in fact, most people have a lot of other things they could be doing other than working on their novel or short stories. I, at the moment, work forty hours a week and go to college parttime while still having time for family and friends as well. That's not mentioning the many different side things all of us have to do on a regular basis whether it's dealing with something breaking in your house or car, or needing to go by the doctor or dentist (both things I haven't gotten around to yet this year). Somewhere in all of that I manage to fit my writing.
The first thing I do to make sure I get things done is take whatever little moments I can. Now, this isn't to say every free minutes is spent writing but those times where all you can do is wait around are perfect times to get some work done. I get to my classes early most the times just for this chance to write as it gives me a little set apart time to focus where I don't have the things at home to distract me. I also write sometimes while I'm on my lunch break at work, and have set apart a time one day a week when I don't have either work or school to go sit in a coffee shop somewhere and write for a few hours. It's about finding the time in amongst everything else, but you also don't want to stress yourself too much.
My second thing I do is never force it. If something isn't working for me I don't try to force it, and if on a particular day I really can't bring myself to sit down and stare at the page I don't. Now, this is within reason, as if every day that you thought 'I don't think I can write today' than you'd still probably never get anything done. But, you have to try and figure out what's the best approach to it. If you need a break one day, take it. If you're stuck on that particular part jump forward to something else, write something completely different all together that isn't even involved with that particular story, or 'talk' to your characters. (Obviously that last suggestion sounds a bit crazy, but if you read my Characters post you'd get a little of what I'm talking about).
The third thing I can suggest is just to know your own style. It can take some time to figure this out, it definitely took me a while to realize how my writing style is. You can listen to all the advice in the world out there, but in the end you have to do trial and error to find what works for you. Me? I'm not an outliner, I've never outlined my stories before other than small things where I am have trouble with a part. I'll do little mark ups to remind myself of scene I want to get to, but that's usually the extent of my outlining. I tend to tackle the writing process head on wild and dirty style. I put the ideas down and get them out as fast as I can the first time through. Sometimes I don't even write the scene in order, but just place down what's clearest to me at the moment. I go back through then, figure out where I need to move things and what to cut and keep, and go back through it slower. I usually rewrite the entire thing at this stage, just with the basis of what I've already written there for reference. I suppose in a way that messy first draft is my outline, and it lets me get the scenes out in a cohesive manner for myself.
I've heard a lot of suggestions over time about how to approach writing if you're stuck on how to get going. There are a lot of ways to approach it, but you have to find your own that works not only for your writing style but also for your schedule.
Finally, the only other thing I can suggest to make sure your writing fits in with the rest of your life is this: even if writing is your job try not to view it as that. You most likely started writing because it was something you loved to do, make sure you keep hold of that. If you can than you never will see it as a chore to sit down and write, no matter what else is going on in your life you'll still want to make time to sit down and get a page or two written. Write because of that love, and you'll be surprised how easy it can be to find a few spare moments in your day for it.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Characters in your head
I've always felt to be a good writer you had to be just a little touch of crazy. I feel this way, because of the need to create fully developed characters for your books. Characters tend to take on a life of their own in my stories, and they don't always react the way I thought they would or wanted them to in the situations I place them in. Often times it's a learning curve with each of them from the moment of conception to when I finally feel like I have a good handle on who the character is.
Often times my characters start as an idea or a name. One of my characters in a story I'm planning for the future, but that I haven't started in on yet began life simply as a name that inspired me. Others have started out as an idea for a character that fit within a story, and I built on them from there. Either way that they get their beginnings, I always try to figure out what my character's present state is first and how their past got them there. I try to figure out what hardships they've gone through, what their happy times were like and how they feel about where they are at the start of the story. From there I let them be shaped by the events that take place in the book just like we are all shaped by the events in our lives.
An example I could use is Leo Briggs from my book Gabriel. Leo got his beginning in a rough character outline that I did for this story in which one of my characters was going to be the Sheriff. From there I built on the relationships he had with the other main characters from being Anne's brother to Mackenzie being his deputy and how he viewed Blaise's relationship with his sister. As I made some of these connection I learned a little about the character, how he had a bit of a temper but was in general a good guy; he did his job well and was maybe a bit of a workaholic; he fought with his sister but they rarely stayed made at each other long. These little bits and pieces came together, and eventually I formed that he'd lost his wife in an accident and that it had made Leo far less carefree than he had been before. A lot of what made up Leo in the end you don't get to see in the book (or even less so this paragraph), not all of his past was relevant to that particular story even though it had helped formed him as a person. In the end, Leo was one of the strongest personalities to come through for me while writing that book. He had an opinion on just about everything.
In the end I feel like your characters often are your story. Don't get me wrong, you have to have a good plot to throw them into but how they react is a big part of it. You can have an amazing plot and if your characters fall flat in their personalities or they react in ways that make no sense to some established trait from before it can make that plot line stumble and fall. Your characters need to be people, not just the mannequins you place in the story just to have a body there. Let your imagination wander a bit, write down the history of your characters if you need to and find out little things like what they like to drink or what's their favorite season. It may seem silly, but in the end it can help make the difference between a character that comes off manufactured and one that people feel could be real.
And, just so you know...Leo loves lattes with a bit of a spiced flavor like cinnamon or gingerbread, though if he can't get one of those a plain black coffee will do just fine.
Often times my characters start as an idea or a name. One of my characters in a story I'm planning for the future, but that I haven't started in on yet began life simply as a name that inspired me. Others have started out as an idea for a character that fit within a story, and I built on them from there. Either way that they get their beginnings, I always try to figure out what my character's present state is first and how their past got them there. I try to figure out what hardships they've gone through, what their happy times were like and how they feel about where they are at the start of the story. From there I let them be shaped by the events that take place in the book just like we are all shaped by the events in our lives.
An example I could use is Leo Briggs from my book Gabriel. Leo got his beginning in a rough character outline that I did for this story in which one of my characters was going to be the Sheriff. From there I built on the relationships he had with the other main characters from being Anne's brother to Mackenzie being his deputy and how he viewed Blaise's relationship with his sister. As I made some of these connection I learned a little about the character, how he had a bit of a temper but was in general a good guy; he did his job well and was maybe a bit of a workaholic; he fought with his sister but they rarely stayed made at each other long. These little bits and pieces came together, and eventually I formed that he'd lost his wife in an accident and that it had made Leo far less carefree than he had been before. A lot of what made up Leo in the end you don't get to see in the book (or even less so this paragraph), not all of his past was relevant to that particular story even though it had helped formed him as a person. In the end, Leo was one of the strongest personalities to come through for me while writing that book. He had an opinion on just about everything.
In the end I feel like your characters often are your story. Don't get me wrong, you have to have a good plot to throw them into but how they react is a big part of it. You can have an amazing plot and if your characters fall flat in their personalities or they react in ways that make no sense to some established trait from before it can make that plot line stumble and fall. Your characters need to be people, not just the mannequins you place in the story just to have a body there. Let your imagination wander a bit, write down the history of your characters if you need to and find out little things like what they like to drink or what's their favorite season. It may seem silly, but in the end it can help make the difference between a character that comes off manufactured and one that people feel could be real.
And, just so you know...Leo loves lattes with a bit of a spiced flavor like cinnamon or gingerbread, though if he can't get one of those a plain black coffee will do just fine.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Research, it's sort of like a side job
So, this last week I found myself doing research on diesel engines and airships. My current work in progress, the first book out of the Providence series, involves both of these. Now, research on things like folklore and mythical creatures I've gotten down pretty decently as I've done a lot of it in the past just out of interest and for stories I've worked on or planned out. This was a first when it came to the diesel engine though, and I think I still have a little ways to go to solidify a good understanding. I understand the basics of the combustion engines, but since a character of mine is going to have to be working on the engine from time to time I figure I better build upon my knowledge of them.
It got me thinking though on the terms of research for books. Some books I've found I don't have to do a ton of research for because I never approach a subject that I don't have a good grasp on, but most the time I'm looking things up. I've researched serial killers, demons, ghosts and those aforementioned mythical creatures. I've read up on the affects of hypothermia and how to treat it, and what sort of pain comes from having an eardrum blown out by percussion damage. I recently had a conversation with a friend about how if people were looking at my search history online or got a good look at books I'd bought or checked out from a library they'd think I'm a few cherries short of a fruitcake.
However, I find I love the research part. Even the diesel engines, though if it goes past the fact that the car looks hot I only know minor things (though I can change a headlight or car battery, not to mention a tire). Luckily with the engines I do have two uncles that work on cars, so I'll probably end up picking their brains a little. It's interesting to look into how things function or the history behind some ritual or such. You open up a whole lot of options too with finding out these little facts and fables.
Now when it comes to putting said research into a book, well, not all of it gets in. And, some of it gets fudged a little. Why? Well, I write fiction and sometimes when I need something to work a certain way I have to decide if it's okay to push the boundaries of what the facts are compared to what fits best. Also, if I were to go into the specific workings of every gadget or affects of an injury it'd come off like I'm lecturing on the subject. You have to find the balance where you aren't pushing things so far away from its source material that your reader is wondering if you looked into things at all to sticking hard to the facts even if it ruins an element you had planned for your story.
Take my airship for example; it's going to be powered by a diesel engine with power cells for the electrical needs. The full inner workings will probably never be described, but it's what makes the ship go places so it needs to come off as a realistic setup for when it is mentioned. Is it going to work the exact way diesel engines do in real life? Probably not and I'll probably take a few liberties, but if I can get a good basic understanding of the sorts of problems that could arise and the basic functions within it than it will come off as much more believable in the end even if it's not strictly true to life.
I feel like if you try to put a lot into your book you're more likely to get more out of it. And, though the internet is an amazing tool for the fast and easy sort of research, it is a wonderful option if you do have someone who's mind you can sit and dissect for the information. They'll be able to explain more clearly to you and more thoroughly as well. Not everyone has uncles who can take apart and put back together an engine though, and for those times I find it's best to hit the 'books' whether they be online or a physical manual of things.
I do feel I have to make a point of saying, as it has happened to me before, that you should be careful not to get so caught up in your research you forget to write. You can do all the research in the world, but if you never get around to creating that story its for than it won't get you anywhere as far as your book goes. At some point you have to accept that you've done enough, set the notes next to the keyboard for reference (if you take notes) and get to work.
All right, till next week then! Take care, my dears.
It got me thinking though on the terms of research for books. Some books I've found I don't have to do a ton of research for because I never approach a subject that I don't have a good grasp on, but most the time I'm looking things up. I've researched serial killers, demons, ghosts and those aforementioned mythical creatures. I've read up on the affects of hypothermia and how to treat it, and what sort of pain comes from having an eardrum blown out by percussion damage. I recently had a conversation with a friend about how if people were looking at my search history online or got a good look at books I'd bought or checked out from a library they'd think I'm a few cherries short of a fruitcake.
However, I find I love the research part. Even the diesel engines, though if it goes past the fact that the car looks hot I only know minor things (though I can change a headlight or car battery, not to mention a tire). Luckily with the engines I do have two uncles that work on cars, so I'll probably end up picking their brains a little. It's interesting to look into how things function or the history behind some ritual or such. You open up a whole lot of options too with finding out these little facts and fables.
Now when it comes to putting said research into a book, well, not all of it gets in. And, some of it gets fudged a little. Why? Well, I write fiction and sometimes when I need something to work a certain way I have to decide if it's okay to push the boundaries of what the facts are compared to what fits best. Also, if I were to go into the specific workings of every gadget or affects of an injury it'd come off like I'm lecturing on the subject. You have to find the balance where you aren't pushing things so far away from its source material that your reader is wondering if you looked into things at all to sticking hard to the facts even if it ruins an element you had planned for your story.
Take my airship for example; it's going to be powered by a diesel engine with power cells for the electrical needs. The full inner workings will probably never be described, but it's what makes the ship go places so it needs to come off as a realistic setup for when it is mentioned. Is it going to work the exact way diesel engines do in real life? Probably not and I'll probably take a few liberties, but if I can get a good basic understanding of the sorts of problems that could arise and the basic functions within it than it will come off as much more believable in the end even if it's not strictly true to life.
I feel like if you try to put a lot into your book you're more likely to get more out of it. And, though the internet is an amazing tool for the fast and easy sort of research, it is a wonderful option if you do have someone who's mind you can sit and dissect for the information. They'll be able to explain more clearly to you and more thoroughly as well. Not everyone has uncles who can take apart and put back together an engine though, and for those times I find it's best to hit the 'books' whether they be online or a physical manual of things.
I do feel I have to make a point of saying, as it has happened to me before, that you should be careful not to get so caught up in your research you forget to write. You can do all the research in the world, but if you never get around to creating that story its for than it won't get you anywhere as far as your book goes. At some point you have to accept that you've done enough, set the notes next to the keyboard for reference (if you take notes) and get to work.
All right, till next week then! Take care, my dears.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Promotion Idea
So, obviously I didn't get this post up yesterday thus ruining my Monday blogging spree. It's only one day late though!
Alright, so down to business then. I have found that the hardest thing to figure out the approach to with self-publishing, especially self-publishing an ebook where I don't have a physical item I can show and force upon people unrelentingly, is the promotional part. Word of mouth is always a good place to start, and I've had a lot of people help me out with that by mentioning my book to their friends and family members. Online is a great source too, though I don't think I've had as much success with that yet, but that doesn't mean it won't pan out over time.
The thing I've been working on lately, and subsequently the thing I was working on yesterday, is a form of physical advertising. I'd love to do a press release sometime, but I'll be honest in that I have to figure that sort of stuff out a bit better on how to set something like that up on my own. Perhaps that will be a future post, as I've been doing a lot of this as I go and found what works and what doesn't for me. However, in the meantime I've decided to do a sort of business card approach to my advertising.
No, I'm not going out to smooze about in bookstores handing out my card to random shoppers and whispering 'buy it online'. I'm pretty sure I'd probably get kicked out of the bookstore, and seeing as I love those places I'd be disappointed about not being allowed back. What I'm going to try is something that my father does with his business where you make cards that advertise you and leave them at places that allow you to post them. Going to a college I have some access to the bulletin boards there, and I'll see if some local places nearby allow postings. Now obviously I'm not the first one to think of this (just do a Google search, and you'll find places offering the same or similar thing), but I'm trying to do a DIY approach to all this. I'm going to be doing the art and then printing them myself, and doing my best to distribute them myself.
What I'm making will essentially be like postcards with the front designed to draw attention while the back has information for my book, what platforms its available for (only kindle for a bit, but later on I'll probably make it available for others), and the link to this blog for more information about me. It's a bit old school, but I want to try to get my name out there so that people will be interested in my book (and in the future; books). I have two of these done so far, at least for the fronts, and I'm focusing one card per main character from Gabriel.
I'm sure I'll think of more things as time goes on, and as I get more interest the word of mouth will spread more as well. A lot of promotion is getting your name out there and getting people interested. The best way to do that is try and keep trying.
Below are the two images I have done so far using my tablet and photoshop. Everything was done by hand, and granted I don't do art on a regular basis (at least not anymore as I did once get a degree in the art field) but I'm doing my best to make them polished looking and be something that will catch attention. Only time will tell, but what's the harm in trying?
Alright, so down to business then. I have found that the hardest thing to figure out the approach to with self-publishing, especially self-publishing an ebook where I don't have a physical item I can show and force upon people unrelentingly, is the promotional part. Word of mouth is always a good place to start, and I've had a lot of people help me out with that by mentioning my book to their friends and family members. Online is a great source too, though I don't think I've had as much success with that yet, but that doesn't mean it won't pan out over time.
The thing I've been working on lately, and subsequently the thing I was working on yesterday, is a form of physical advertising. I'd love to do a press release sometime, but I'll be honest in that I have to figure that sort of stuff out a bit better on how to set something like that up on my own. Perhaps that will be a future post, as I've been doing a lot of this as I go and found what works and what doesn't for me. However, in the meantime I've decided to do a sort of business card approach to my advertising.
No, I'm not going out to smooze about in bookstores handing out my card to random shoppers and whispering 'buy it online'. I'm pretty sure I'd probably get kicked out of the bookstore, and seeing as I love those places I'd be disappointed about not being allowed back. What I'm going to try is something that my father does with his business where you make cards that advertise you and leave them at places that allow you to post them. Going to a college I have some access to the bulletin boards there, and I'll see if some local places nearby allow postings. Now obviously I'm not the first one to think of this (just do a Google search, and you'll find places offering the same or similar thing), but I'm trying to do a DIY approach to all this. I'm going to be doing the art and then printing them myself, and doing my best to distribute them myself.
What I'm making will essentially be like postcards with the front designed to draw attention while the back has information for my book, what platforms its available for (only kindle for a bit, but later on I'll probably make it available for others), and the link to this blog for more information about me. It's a bit old school, but I want to try to get my name out there so that people will be interested in my book (and in the future; books). I have two of these done so far, at least for the fronts, and I'm focusing one card per main character from Gabriel.
I'm sure I'll think of more things as time goes on, and as I get more interest the word of mouth will spread more as well. A lot of promotion is getting your name out there and getting people interested. The best way to do that is try and keep trying.
Below are the two images I have done so far using my tablet and photoshop. Everything was done by hand, and granted I don't do art on a regular basis (at least not anymore as I did once get a degree in the art field) but I'm doing my best to make them polished looking and be something that will catch attention. Only time will tell, but what's the harm in trying?
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| Blaise Promo Card |
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| Leo Promo Card |
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