Ugly As All Get Out & Writing Fail

So last night I made some broccoli cheese soup that was a serious fail in the appearance sense of the word “edible.” We’re talking ugly as all get out. When my husband was being all lovely, polite, and upbeat and optimistic about it and taking his first bites he said, “Mmm. Did you make this with hate?” I just about fell off my chair laughing. Even though apparently he said, “Did you make this with potatoes?” Making it with hate is much more amusing, don’t you think?

Ugly doll. Don’t you love it?

Also last night I discovered that there is quite the crafting community on Twitter. I even joined my first Twitter ‘party.’ Not sure what made it ‘party.’ Maybe it was the prizes? Anyway, it was a ton of fun–oh, that probably made it a party! And I discovered that like other ‘fails’ on Twitter, there is a ‘craft fail.’ (I wonder if there is a ‘food fail?’ Probably! Just add soup.)

So I decided we need a writing fail. For those times when writing turns ugly. (Then after believing I was incredibly brilliant for thinking of this, I looked on Twitter and discovered there is in fact #writingfail. Of course.)

But what truly constitutes a ‘writing fail?’ Those times when you mean to sit down and write and social media sort of takes over the morning? (Darn! That video on Canada’s Hide and Seek Olympic Demonstration team was unreal. Those pictures my brother uploaded to SugarSync from Christmas were great. Oh… and did you hear about baby monkey riding on a pig?)

Where was I?

Oh, yes. Writing fail. How about those times when you sit down to write and you spill your tea and spend the next 15 minutes tackling the mess and then the baby wakes up and you are off on a new adventure? And then there is writing itself. Naming all your characters names that are almost the same and even you can’t tell them apart? Realizing that nurses don’t leave medications lying around willy nilly while dispensing them and a whole scene, chapter, and section of your story needs to be rewritten? Yeah, that says writing fail all over it.

How about you? Any writing fails? (It can be anything!)

Writer Wednesday: Calista Taylor

Calista Taylor is an amazing, multi-talented dame from the Eastern US. She just finished up her steampunk craft book for her publisher (Fox Chapel Publishing–tentative release date: May 2012) where she not only designed and created a wardrobe of steampunk clothes and accessories, she also wrote the step-by-step instructions, and took all of the book’s 175 photographs. Oh yes, and while doing that she was also designing her own award-winning cover for her self-published steampunk novel, Viridis, which has had over 20,000 downloads, and spent weeks on the top 100 free ebooks list on Amazon. She also designed the beautiful cover for book two in the series as well as helped other writer’s with their cover designs. And she’s been making websites. And she’s been raising her young family. And keeping her crazy South American dog in line (and warm with a special handmade coat she made for her). And renovating her bathroom!

Yeesh! I’m tired just thinking about it!

Recently, Calista has released both Viridis (free!!) and Devil on a Sparrow’s Wing ($2.99) as ebooks on Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble.com. (You can read ebooks on a dedicated ebook reader, your computer, a tablet, or even a smart phone.) These two novels are unique stories featuring a hot-headed, strong-willed, and very feisty character named Phoebe who plays an important role in Victorian, steampunk London during a revolution. She an inventor, mother, wife, friend, business owner, and quiet revolutionary. Talk about how does she do it all!? I think Calista and Phoebe have something in common!

For those of you who have not heard of steampunk, it is a wonderful dream world created by writers where they have imagined what our world would have been like if the industrial revolution had taken longer to evolve and steampower had been able to develop more fully as a possible power source. A steampunk world is as rich and unique as its inventions. It’s a world well worth checking out.

Without further ado, I would like to introduce Calista Taylor!

What lead you to or got you interested in steampunk?

Oddly enough I was looking at corsets when I noticed the steampunk tag, and remembered seeing it as a genre an agent rep’d.  Once I looked into it further, I realized it was the perfect fit!

What do you love most about creating a steampunk world in your novels? What is the trickiest part?

I love that I’m only inhibited by my own imagination.  The trickiest part is translating what I see in my imagination, in a way that’s clear to the reader without getting too bogged down in details.

Both books, Viridis and Devil on a Sparrow’s Wing, are set in Victorian England, did you have to do any/much research for your books?

To be honest, I’ve been an avid reader of books set in the Victorian time period (Elizabeth Peters and Anne Perry are some of my favorites).  That certainly helped.  Also, there are some fantastic websites out there.  Oddly enough, the one thing I had the hardest time finding out about was what would be historically accurate for men’s undergarments during that period (when still in London).  Still not 100% sure on that one.

Lady Phoebe Hughes (the main character in both novels) is a tough yet sweet, rule-breaking woman. What was the most difficult part of creating a such a feisty character? What was the easiest?

I tend to let my characters dictate who they are and what they do, so in a way, it comes natural to write them.  I think the hardest part is actually remaining true to them, since it would often be easier to make them behave in ways that are more acceptable to a majority of readers.

There are some wonderfully steamy passages in Viridis and Devil on a Sparrow’s Wing, do you worry what people like your parents, siblings, coworkers, or friends and other family members might think if they read it? (Yeah, I’m a big chicken, what can I say?)

Yeah, I’m a big chicken too, which is why I tend not to advertise to my friends and family.  However… if they do ask, I give them the warning that there are some graphically intimate details, and ask them if they really want to read it, knowing that I wrote the book. Some skip it, but others don’t mind.

The male characters speak with a definite accent, where did you pick up their expressions and accents?

I think it’s a mish mash of my husband’s Irish accent and the way he phrases things, combined with Gabaldon’s Outlander series, and the celtic music I listen to.  I can literally hear the characters speaking in my head in their accent, so I just do my best to translate it.

Phoebe finds herself in all sorts of interesting situations. Are there ways that Phoebe resembles you?

Perhaps. lol.  Like Phoebe, I think I tend to be strong willed, and tend to act with my heart rather than with my head when it comes to the people and causes I care about.  I guess that’s why Phoebe gets herself in difficult situations which may have been handled differently if she acted logically rather than emotionally.

If you had only three adjectives (Ack! Adjectives!!!) to describe your novels, Viridis and Devil on a Sparrow’s Wing, which three would you use?

Steamy, different, unconventional.

What do you enjoy most about writing?

I love the adventures my characters take me on. The scenes are constantly playing in my head, and being a pantser, I never know where they’ll take me.  I’m completely addicted.

(Note from Jean: “Pantser” or “pantster” is writer speak for writing by the seat of your pants. In other words, sit down, start writing and see what happens rather than a “plotster” who plots the whole story out before they begin writing.)

You’ve self-published this book which is an immense amount of work. One of the issues with self-published books are the lame-o covers. How did you create such a striking and beautiful cover? Can people hire you to create a cover for them?

Thank you, Jean!  To be honest, I’d be the person that clicks on the red button and sets off a nuclear reaction. lol.  I constantly click on things to see what the buttons do, and it’s sort of the way I went about learning Photoshop and figuring out what seemed to work with designing book covers and what didn’t.  I have just recently started making covers for other writers, and I’ll admit, it’s been great fun!

Is there a third book in the works?

There is!  As long as Phoebe, Seth and Gavin are willing to take me on their adventures, I’m happy to write their story.  I also have other series in the works, and will soon be finishing my paranormal romance on Jack the Ripper.

Thank you for visiting, Calista. Best of luck with your books!

How to get your hands on Calista Taylor’s books:

Viridis (book 1):
Smashwords
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Devil on a Sparrow’s Wing (book 2):
Smashwords
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

These books are part of a series but can be read as stand alone novels as well.

WAE Network–Join Now!

Jeff Hermann (author and agent–you may have heard of his vital annuals “Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents”) is starting a Writers, Authors, and Editors network called WAE network. It boasts that it is the first social network for writers, agents and editors and that it will be an opportunity to interact like never before.

Boy, am I curious!

If you sign up now (one of the first 1000–better hurry it is already at 262–you will get a free lifetime membership) you will receive an email when the site goes live. (Note: to get the free membership, I do believe you need to share this site with friends. Click on the envelope icon on the website and send a note to a friend. That should do the trick.)

Stop the Edit Insanity!: Draft Read Throughs and How Your Ereader Can Save the Day!

In the past, whenever I tried to do a read-through of a story draft, I end up in Problemville due to several commonly held writerly personality issues.

Note: You may not be familiar with the names of these personality/behaviour issues as they often go undiagnosed, and therefore unheard, however, their descriptions may ring some bells–particularly if you are a writer or live with a writer.

This photo has very little to do with these editing “illnesses,” but it’s cute, and well, the cat’s expression kind of goes with how I feel when thinking of these issues.

TooCheapitis: Characterized by a cheapness that will inhibit the effectiveness of the writer’s editing efforts and often will cost them an inordinate amount of time in order to save a pittance, or to create less waste. You may notice this ‘illness’ most when a writer comes to the editing stages and needs to print their manuscript in order to see the numerous flaws than are ‘hidden’ on the screen. Basically, this is characterized by an unwillingness to print off hundreds of pages of a story that they know they will quickly read, then immediately shred since the quick read-through will highlight the multitude of issues/errors/omissions within the story that need changing/fixing/removing and/or improving (as is the quick read-through’s purpose). So, while the benefit to printing off all these pages is immensely valuable, the writer is unable to overcome TooCheapitis in order to edit in a manner that is the most effective.

MustEdititis: A very rampant plague that is characterized by the intense compulsion it creates in a majority of professional writers. For example, whenever faced with a subpar sentence, weak word, typo, a truly shoddy paragraph, or screwed-up chapter, the affected writer feels the distinct urge/need/undeniable compulsion to tweak, slash, delete, rewrite, fix, and generally make over whatever they have just read. Every time. Even if it slows them down, is not the read-through’s intended purpose, and their action knowingly throws them off their quick read-through which is being done in order to gain a feel for the story’s flow.

Until recently, there was no known cure for these two illnesses. However, it has been recently discovered that doing read-throughs on ereaders (rather than paper) negates the effects of both TooCheapitis (assuming the writer has managed to overcome TooCheapitis at some point in order to purchase an ereader) as well as MustEdititis.

Doing a quick read-through of a manuscript is a valuable editing step for writers who have concerns about story flow, pacing, as well as to reacquaint themselves with how the story’s plot is progressing. Here is a brief list of some of the beneficial side effects experienced by writers who use an ereader cure for their TooCheapitis and MustEdititis:

• Readeritis: Writers actually read their story like it is a story and therefore, experience it like a reader.
• BigPictureitis: Writers are able to see the big picture stuff as MustEdititis no longer causes them to stop and fix ‘small picture stuff,’ thus allowing their editing brain to get a better feel for pacing, plot progression, etc. Writers are then able to see things they normally wouldn’t be able to.
• HaveGotitis: Writers are less likely to end up utterly despising their story as they are more likely to forgive the small errors/omissions/run on sentences/flatness/excessive telling/poor sentence structure/etc. since they are keeping their their minds on the ‘big’ story. In other words, writers are able to see what they have and not what they don’t have.
• Workimgitis: Writers get a better feel for their characters and what is working in their story.
• KeepGoingitis: Writers are not tempted to stop and change every little thing that isn’t up to snuff.
• TimeSaveritis: It takes less time. (And editing is a slow process, so wherever you can save time–awesome!)
• Friendlinessitis: It’s more reader friendly–reading 400 pages of gook on one’s computer is never that much fun.
• EcoFriendlyitis: The writer is less likely to get paper cuts or worry about destroying five forests in order to get their story perfect.
• Brevititis: The writer is less tempted to make 80 million notes to themselves. (They might be tempted to write 80 quick ones instead.) If the writer does make notes to themselves, they are brief, general notes written on the fly that are less likely to fence them in creativity-wise when it comes to finding a fix-it-solution later on.
• Noticeitis: Writers who make brief notes throughout (rather than succumb to MustEdititis) are more likely to notice if the same ‘issues’ are coming up time and again. throughout.
• Keepitis: Writers making notes are less likely to accidentally change or remove something in an early chapter that they later discover was intrinsically important.
• Consistentitis: Changes made based on notes rather than on a read-through are more likely to be consistent across the whole story as well as with the story’s voice, pacing, and overall tone.

The Value of Writer’s Groups/Writing Communities

Over on AgentQueryConnect, where I am a moderator, I had a new member ask me why I hang out at AQC, and what I get out of it. This member had been wondering where to post files for the agents to see and I had explained that we were a writing community that prepped writers about the business of publishing and got them ready for that moment when their work makes it in front of an agent. (Side note: For those seeking an agent–there is no easy, magic bullet. There is no wonderful hidden website where all the agents go and all you have to do is place your work there and you’ll have an agent and a book deal within the week. Agents are much too busy for that–go through the regular querying channels. And yes, WEbook has a submit to agents area on their website, but personally, I had less luck using that free service than sending a regular email query to agents.)

Let’s start at the beginning. First of all, what is a writing community/writer’s group? And is there a difference between the two? Generally speaking, a writer’s group usually meets at a ‘real’ place and in ‘real’ time. A writing community is usually something you find online. AQC is a writing community, but you could also call it a writer’s group. Basically, the two groups have the same goal–to be a place for writers to meet, gab about the craft, the business, maybe offer some critiques, share their work, share their woes, ask questions, answer questions, and basically, feel as though you are a part of a group that ‘gets’ you and what you are trying to accomplish and gain help as well as support. You can also network in these groups.

Image from The Gaping Void. You may also remember the review I did for Hugh’s book Ignore Everybody.

So, why join a group? Well, that depends a bit on your personality and goals. For me, an online writing community was a safe place to come out of the writer’s closet and talk about writing, share my writing (when ready) and learn a whole lot more about the craft, etc, in a group of people who wouldn’t ask me every week, “So, are you published yet? No? Why not?” (And hence, making me feel like a complete failure and inadvertently apply crazy pressure, which in turn, would cramp my creativity in a tight little vice, helping me get nowhere except Quitsville.)

Generally, the people you will find in a writer’s group/writing community are dedicated and understand that the road to publication is a long journey. It’s full of moments where you are sure your hair just brushed the clouds and other moments where you’re sure your toes just got singed by the devil’s very own fires. These fellow writers listen. They empathize. And when you are ready, they might just hand you a tip or resource that leads to immense improvement.

Some folks are lucky in that they live in an area that is rife with folks who want to write and get published through regular, ‘traditional’ channels. And then there are areas where the local writer’s group is a bunch of old ladies putting together their personal memoirs to give to their children as a Christmas gift. And there is nothing wrong with either avenue, as I mentioned, it all depends upon your goals. What may work perfectly for one, may not work for another. That’s the sweetness of online groups–you can find one that fits you and suits your needs.

So, the big question–what have I received from my writing community? Oh lordy! How much time do you have? I can credit AQC with so much. I have gone from so wet behind the ears that frogs were croaking back there to being agented. In the span of about three or four years. I have met many fabulous critique partners on AQC who have challenged me and urged me to improve my skills through their insightful and constructive comments. I have met others who are on the same journey as I am and we have shared agonies and triumphs–and very importantly, ‘gotten’ what agonies and triumphs they are. I have also learned an INCREDIBLE amount about the craft of writing as well as the business of publishing. And most recently, I had my critique partner slide a door open a ways for me–landing me a literary agent.

A little note: You get back what you put in. I’ve put a huge amount into the writing community and in turn, have received a huge amount back. Join for the camaraderie, stay for the insights.

So, there you have it. Writer’s Groups/Writing Communities in a nutshell.

Do you/have you belonged to one? More than one? What do you get out of them? What don’t you get out of them?

Details, Details, Details

You know the expression, details, details, details. It’s often expressed with a slight eye roll and blase attitude. Well, I’ve been thinking about details lately and those slight nuances between people, countries, etc. Maybe it’s all the travel I’ve done this summer. Or maybe it’s related to my curiosity as a writer.

There was a time where I shrugged my shoulders at details believing they were unimportant. Besides, who cares? I could make those up. I was a writer after all. I could extrapolate and get away with it. I mean, you can’t experience everything and that research takes time! Time away from writing.

Now I think differently. The correct detail in the right place can bring a whole scene to a truth that can drive at the reader. It can make something really work. Or more importantly, not work. For example, mentioning baby wipes in your 1940s novel when they weren’t invented until the 1970s. Yeah, that’s just being lazy and will get your ass kicked.

That’s right. Time travel, baby! Yeah!

A week ago we went to Disney World. Having been to Disneyland, I figured I could extrapolate what Disney World would be like. And then I went. Ha! There is that false sense of ‘I can imagine anything’ popping up.

I couldn’t extrapolate the details of Disney World, Florida, or even several, specific travel details (even though I usually step foot in the US at least once a year). Even the way Disney theme parks have evolved in the past 20 years made my detail sensor step back and say, “Well, now. We’d better take an extra look at this.”

The small details like the way sweat beaded up on the insides of my wrists at 5:30 at night while dining outdoors (I didn’t even know my wrists could do that), the way rules for passenger conduct in buses and airplanes, etc, in the US are emphasized first and foremost that this is a law! What if I had written a story about a gal who flew to Florida in August and she didn’t even sweat after 3PM? What if she had checked her bags WITHOUT charge for her flight on United Airlines? Oh, how that would have made American readers howl at my naivety/stupidity/lack of knowledge. Kind of like that check-in agent come to think of it….

And most of all, I would not have realized just what a flirt Mickey and Minnie are! My goodness. No wonder everyone loves them, they are a complete hoot.

I’m thinking I might set my next novel in Italy and what I’ve learned from this latest trip is that I’d better go immerse myself in the details of Italy. What do you think?

Writers and War

It is Remembrance Day in Canada. (Veteran’s Day for y’all Americans.)

Lest We Forget

As a Canadian, peace is one of the most important things in my life and something I value above all else.

To think… all the lives touched by war. All the lives lost. And for what? For freedom. For peace. For ideologies. War changes people, societies, cultures, landscapes and families.

How did I learn to fear war, to value peace? Some of was ingrained through socialization, yes. But it is deeper. I feel war. I empathize with those who have been touched by war. I put myself in the shoes of strangers who have lost their husbands. I feel the fear those soldiers must feel. How though? How do I feel it? How am I able to empathize?

Writers. Writers are part of why I am able to put myself in the shoes of a soldier, a mother, a child. It can be something simple like John McRae’s poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ or it can be something disturbing like Timothy Findley’s ‘The Wars’ or even something light like Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows  look at life after war in ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.’ It can be disturbing artwork along with to-the-point words like in Pascal Croci’s graphic novel ‘Auschwitz,’ a diary like Anne Frank’s, or something more modern like ‘The Cellist of Sarajevo’ by Steven Galloway. All these different perspectives, focuses, people, life, and emotions all add up to someone who has never felt war, doing all she can to prevent it. To fear it.

John McCrae

I bow my head for a moment of silence to remember those who have fought for our freedom and to those who have taken up the struggle to write about war so that those who have never experienced it, can. Allow us to fear it and prevent it.

‘Me’ Offers an Exclusive Interview On The Touchy Subject of Writing Problems

Today, I would like to welcome Me to a mini-interview. She is an aspiring author who has graciously agreed to take a little time away and sit down (in all confidentiality) and discuss her writing problem. As some of you may have heard in the news, writing problems are becoming more and more common with the advent of word processing and the spread of home computers.

Me as a super-hero

I: Me, how did you break it to your significant other that you wanted to write a novel?

Me: I actually took my laptop into the TV room, plopped it on the desk and giggling like a crazy lady said, “I’m going to write a story. And get this, it’s going to be a romance!” That was followed by maniacal laughter. I don’t recall my husband’s reply.

I: Was this when you first realized you had a ‘problem?’

Me: No, actually. This just set the stage. It was experimental, really. The real problem came about a year later.

I: How so?

Me: Just small things. Things that are easy to ignore, overlook or explain away. It began with things like me saying, “just a minute” to my family and then taking fifteen minutes to finish writing or editing a scene. Gradually, it turned into more noticeable things such as over-steaming broccoli and burning things in the oven. That progressed to the inability to go on vacation unless I brought my laptop, a severe interest in accessing webmail. And finally, the inability to focus on things other than my writing. I find I lose hours at a time without completely understand where they went.

I: Were there other signs?

Me: I haven’t admitted this to many, but sometimes I catch myself speaking in tongues. Things like, ms, POV, WIP, query, hook, YA, and denouement. They just pop out. That can be a real conversation stopper when I’m on what I call ‘the outside.’

I: What are you doing about this problem? Have you sought help?

Me: They say the first step is admitting to having a problem. And I don’t really see this as a problem. It makes me happy. The demons are at rest when I write. While it can be a compulsion that keeps me up at night, it can also be incredibly therapeutic. The real problem is with people who don’t understand writing. We need to educate the people. Education is the key. Writers will never enjoy full membership in society until that society is educated. In education comes understanding.

I: Okay, I can see we’ve touched on a soft spot here. But again, have you sought help, such as a support group?

Me: Yes, I have. It’s called Agent Query Connect. I speak with other writers several times a day. We have discussions and once a week, real-time chats. I find it very helpful to know that I am not alone.

I: And is this support group helping alleviate your problem?

Me: I have to chat after my family has gone to bed, so, no. Not really. I feel guilty if I spend more time with my laptop than with them.

I: Do you feel as though you have to hide your problem?

Me: No, but sometimes I feel as though I am merely managing it. I make bargains with myself. If you wash the dishes, then you can write. But I’m not hiding my problem.

I: How are you symptoms today?

Me: Today’s not a good day. In fact, November is not a good month. The problem is NaNoWriMo is going on right now and that always increases my symptoms. Sometimes, it seems as though the more I gain in understanding and support from other industry insiders, the stronger the compulsion becomes.

I: Have you considered getting outside help? Outside your support group?

Me: Yes. I am currently seeking an agent. I hope that finding a literary agent will provide my family and friends with the legitimacy they need in order to accept me the way I am and to see the other side of my problem. Writing is something that will not go away. They can’t turn a blind eye to this. They need to learn to cope with having someone in their circle who has a writing problem.

I: Have you considered–

Me: Sorry to interrupt, but I just got this fabulous idea on how to pull the plot lines together for my WIP. I need to go write it down. It’s the answer to all my progression and pacing problems. Thanks for the interview. Bye.

I: Well, thank you for your time with us today. If you would like to donate to the Writer’s Cause, you can–

Me: I said, I gotta go.

I: Wow, it seems like you’re really jonesing. You’re bouncing like a 4-year-old who’s had too much apple juice. Do you find that when inspiration strikes you need to work immediately or will the muse come back later? Is a muse real?

Me: I said… forget it.

Interview subject opens her laptop and disappears.