As authors, we go through a roller coaster of emotions when it comes to our own writing. We love the concept, but hate this scene we can't get quite right. We adore our main character, but hate that the villain seems to one-sided. We call in and out of love with many aspects of our stories.
I'm at this stage with The Unanswerable where I am sick of it. I wrote it two years ago, rewrote it earlier this year, edited it once a month ago, and now I'm editing it again.
There's a few scenes that I hate because they aren't right yet. There's a few scenes that I adore because they make me cry or bite my nails because they are spot on.
But I'm sick of my own story. Trying to make the blah scenes pop with the vitality they should have is frustrating. Combing over the good scenes to make them the best they can be is tedious. I've read the story too many times to have a fresh perspective. The concept, and the story itself, are starting to feel stale.
So what now? When your inspiration and motivation for a piece are gone, what do you do?
I force myself to edit it one more time, and then I pass it off to an alpha reader--in this case, my husband. He's my concept developer. When I want to make sure the story works, I ask him. He points out weak scenes, tells me what I've done well, and provides me with a fresh look on my writing.
Getting sick of my own work doesn't mean the story is bad. It means I need a new set of eyes; someone else to be nit-picky. I need someone to confirm, "Yes, this is a flaw" or tell me, "No, you're being overly critical."
Developmental feedback can be obtained through alpha readers, friends, or even a developmental editor. If you find your eyes glazing over at your own words, it's time for another person to step in.
Don't worry, The Unanswerable is still on its way to being published, even if I am sick of it. I still think it's a powerful story, I just can't figure out how to punch up the scenes that need work.
The second set of eyes always helps.
--
If you are looking for more advice on editing, consider reading Why We Edit, an article I wrote for the independent author collective, The Scriptors.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014
After the Move: Finding Myself Again
So... I'm sitting here in rainy Portland, contemplating
life over a freshly brewed latte with delicious, nutty espresso. I stare out the window through dark rimmed glasses. My beanie is shoved over my short, pixie cut hair, and I come to this conclusion: I have become myself again.
Not that I was anyone other than myself, but for a while, I felt like I was.
Los Angeles is a strange place. You go there with these hopes and dreams of what your sunny LA life will be like. Some people, if they are tenacious enough or have an endless amount of positivity, will succeed. Others, like me, will realize they are not cut out for the very socially-dependent atmosphere.
If you are not an extrovert, Los Angeles can be very taxing.
I like people. Heck, I actually enjoyed being a barista and cashier. Some people think that's weird, but I like being able to interact with people--on a small scale. Los Angeles requires you to chase after contacts, constantly put yourself out there, and keep in touch with anyone who might be a lead on a new position.
The constant game of cat and mouse was too frustrating.
I'd rather have a quiet life than one where I am constantly busy. I'd rather have this moment with my coffee than running from one afternoon meeting to another. I'd rather have a part time job to pay the rent and still pursue my independent creative life.
So Portland. Portland to me is a bit like Boston. Some people may hate me for saying that, but honestly, the laid-back attitude applies to both cities. Sure, Massachusetts has more road rage issues (and arguably, we're quicker to anger than some), but there was always a sense of community.
People treated you like people, not another number waiting to be served.
That's how I feel here. I can start random conversations with strangers again. I feel safe enough to have a brief discussion with a person I might never see again. I'm enjoying life.
And maybe that's why I'm finding it so hard to write right now. I write to escape. Now, I have nothing to escape from.
I'm confident I'll find my voice again, but for now, I'm going to enjoy the rainy weather, try to look less like a hipster (though, I fear I have already become one), and smile for absolutely no reason other than simply being.
Not that I was anyone other than myself, but for a while, I felt like I was.
Los Angeles is a strange place. You go there with these hopes and dreams of what your sunny LA life will be like. Some people, if they are tenacious enough or have an endless amount of positivity, will succeed. Others, like me, will realize they are not cut out for the very socially-dependent atmosphere.
If you are not an extrovert, Los Angeles can be very taxing.
I like people. Heck, I actually enjoyed being a barista and cashier. Some people think that's weird, but I like being able to interact with people--on a small scale. Los Angeles requires you to chase after contacts, constantly put yourself out there, and keep in touch with anyone who might be a lead on a new position.
The constant game of cat and mouse was too frustrating.
I'd rather have a quiet life than one where I am constantly busy. I'd rather have this moment with my coffee than running from one afternoon meeting to another. I'd rather have a part time job to pay the rent and still pursue my independent creative life.
So Portland. Portland to me is a bit like Boston. Some people may hate me for saying that, but honestly, the laid-back attitude applies to both cities. Sure, Massachusetts has more road rage issues (and arguably, we're quicker to anger than some), but there was always a sense of community.
People treated you like people, not another number waiting to be served.
That's how I feel here. I can start random conversations with strangers again. I feel safe enough to have a brief discussion with a person I might never see again. I'm enjoying life.And maybe that's why I'm finding it so hard to write right now. I write to escape. Now, I have nothing to escape from.
I'm confident I'll find my voice again, but for now, I'm going to enjoy the rainy weather, try to look less like a hipster (though, I fear I have already become one), and smile for absolutely no reason other than simply being.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Winners and Upcoming Release Update
Congratulations to the six Dystopian book giveaway winners! E-mails have been sent out to those who have won, but stay tuned for more giveaway opportunities! And, you can still sign up for my newsletter. I will be giving away a free zombie short story ebook to all of those who are signed up!
Brief Update on Upcoming Releases
It's November, which means yes, I am doing NaNoWriMo this month. I'm trying to get In a Blue Moon finished by the end of the month (drafted and first pass edit), but I'm also trying to edit The Unanswerable. My goal is to have The Unanswerable out by mid-December (or sometime before the holidays are over) and In a Blue Moon finished for late February release. There's more titles after that, but I don't even want to think about them until I have these two finished.
I have massive amounts of rewriting and editing ahead of me, but I feel great about everything thus far.
I'm also going to have some holiday sales going up soon, including some .99 cent sales. So stay tuned for those! If you want to get notified of the sale - newsletter! Seriously--free short story and sales notifications? Yes? Yes!
Speaking of which, ZERO, the free short for anyone who is signed up for my newsletter, should be ready for distribution by the end of the month. I finished the latest bit of editing, so it is being passed around to a few alpha readers before my editor looks it over.
Now I just need to finish the cover art! Phew! So many things to do, but I am excited to bring you guys more stories!
Brief Update on Upcoming Releases
It's November, which means yes, I am doing NaNoWriMo this month. I'm trying to get In a Blue Moon finished by the end of the month (drafted and first pass edit), but I'm also trying to edit The Unanswerable. My goal is to have The Unanswerable out by mid-December (or sometime before the holidays are over) and In a Blue Moon finished for late February release. There's more titles after that, but I don't even want to think about them until I have these two finished.
I have massive amounts of rewriting and editing ahead of me, but I feel great about everything thus far.
I'm also going to have some holiday sales going up soon, including some .99 cent sales. So stay tuned for those! If you want to get notified of the sale - newsletter! Seriously--free short story and sales notifications? Yes? Yes!
Speaking of which, ZERO, the free short for anyone who is signed up for my newsletter, should be ready for distribution by the end of the month. I finished the latest bit of editing, so it is being passed around to a few alpha readers before my editor looks it over.
Now I just need to finish the cover art! Phew! So many things to do, but I am excited to bring you guys more stories!
Friday, October 31, 2014
Dystopian Giveaway Hop
Hey guys! I'm happy to be running another giveaway! And this time, it's part of the Dystopian Giveaway Hop hosted by My Shelf Confessions and Kathy at I am a Reader, Not a Writer.The grand prize winner will receive a paperback copy of both Hipstopia and The Collapse. That's the complete Uprising duet that you could win for free!
Additionally, five runners up will receive an ebook copy of Hipstopia.
If Hipstopia sounds good to you, you can also buy it for .99 if you don't win! I won't share The Collapse synopsis, because I don't want to spoil anything!It's been three years since Murphy led the Hipster uprising. For three years, Jay has been by his side. All that's about to change. It starts with the beautifully intense Prisoner Forty-Seven... and a loaded gun.
Be sure to check out the rest of the Dystopian Hop by visiting My Shelf Confessions!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Update on Shenanigans!
I’ve been busy behind the scenes and haven’t had much time to update the blog. So let me take the time now to inform you of what’s been happening!
First, I published Girl Nevermore, my dark contemporary YA book. You can get it on Kindle, Amazon Paperback, and B&N Paperback. And it got some amazingly fabulous reviews from YA Author Robyn Jones, Bookworm Brandee, and Brandi Breathes Books. There's currently a giveaway being hosted on JC's Book Haven too!
Second, I’ve started a newsletter! The newsletter will have exclusive sales information, upcoming releases, links to interviews, and the best part is you'll receive a short story, ZERO, for free for being a subscriber. The short story isn't published yet, but will be in a month. Want it the second it comes out? Subscribe! I solemnly swear not to spam your inbox with tons of newsletters.
Third, I've been gearing up to publish my apocalypse novella, The Unanswerable. Ideally, I want to publish it by the end of October, but we'll see! I'm not afraid to push back the date if it means delivering a better book. Regardless, it will come out sometime this year, which makes for three releases in just one year! That's crazy and really exciting.
I can't believe I started publishing just two years ago, and I'm also shocked with how far I've come. I cannot thank my support systems enough for being there for me! Anyone who has read any of my books, you keep me going! I appreciate it :)
First, I published Girl Nevermore, my dark contemporary YA book. You can get it on Kindle, Amazon Paperback, and B&N Paperback. And it got some amazingly fabulous reviews from YA Author Robyn Jones, Bookworm Brandee, and Brandi Breathes Books. There's currently a giveaway being hosted on JC's Book Haven too!
Second, I’ve started a newsletter! The newsletter will have exclusive sales information, upcoming releases, links to interviews, and the best part is you'll receive a short story, ZERO, for free for being a subscriber. The short story isn't published yet, but will be in a month. Want it the second it comes out? Subscribe! I solemnly swear not to spam your inbox with tons of newsletters.
Third, I've been gearing up to publish my apocalypse novella, The Unanswerable. Ideally, I want to publish it by the end of October, but we'll see! I'm not afraid to push back the date if it means delivering a better book. Regardless, it will come out sometime this year, which makes for three releases in just one year! That's crazy and really exciting.
I can't believe I started publishing just two years ago, and I'm also shocked with how far I've come. I cannot thank my support systems enough for being there for me! Anyone who has read any of my books, you keep me going! I appreciate it :)
Monday, August 18, 2014
Cover Reveal: Girl Nevermore
I have mixed emotions about this book. I adore this book, these characters, and the story, but it's a very hard-to-discuss topic. Due to Robin Williams recent passing (may he rest in peace), we've been talking about mental health issues a bit more openly.
When I was growing up, it was very hard for me to reach out and ask for help. That was something I wanted to capture in this story, because it can be daunting for anyone (not just teens) to reach out in a time of need.
The Blurb:
Last week, Cooper Mesa was a quiet, studious bookworm.
This week, she feels unworthy of love or forgiveness.
When her twin sister, Kayla, tries to commit suicide, Cooper blames herself. If she had only paid more attention...
Desperate to understand her sister's decision, Cooper starts down a dark path, discovering her own inner turmoil. Losing herself was easy, but finding a reason to live is becoming impossible.
Girl Nevermore will be out on September 8, 2014.
I am now accepting requests from bloggers for review copies! The ARC is available. So if the premise sounds interesting to you, get in touch!
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Editors are not Magical Unicorns
Editors are awesome. I have to say that, because I am one… But I also think they are actually
awesome. Editors tend to know a lot more about language than the average
bear. They are intelligent, thoughtful people who approach writing with
a very analytical eye.
They are not, however, magical unicorns.
They do not have horns that they can wave over your manuscript and fix every stylistic issue. They also do not poop out rainbows that will take your boring descriptions and elevate them into beautifully lyrical sentences. That’s your job.
In other words: You should never give your editor an unedited first draft of your manuscript.
Some authors might argue against me (but, Rachel, that’s what they are there for!). I’m going to put up a pretty logical argument.
My first argument is: your editor is still not a magical unicorn.
My second argument is: your editor is not you. Your editor has their own style, their own way of approaching words and syntax. Your editor is a human who does not have telepathic powers. This means, if you give a completely unedited, unrevised draft to your editor, you will not achieve the same results.
When you revise your first draft, there’s probably a lot of things you will change. Awkward sentences, preferring one word over another, adding description, removing description. Perhaps “bloomed” wasn’t the right word lyrically, but “blossomed” is. Structurally “bloomed” still works--your editor will not change this, because it is a stylistic change.
By revising your own work first, you get to make the stylistic edits. Once those are in place, your editor can focus on making every sentence read perfectly. They won’t insert “blossomed” for you.
While editors are not magical unicorns, they are still pretty awesome. Every author should at least do a trade for editing if they can’t afford to hire someone. I know my book became exponentially better after my editor started picking through my piece.
Even if they are not magical unicorns, you can be your own magical unicorn. Wave your own horn, poop out your own rainbows, and realize that the stylistic fixes have to initially come from you.
Your editor is there to assist in making the rainbows glow brighter and file your horn into a sharper point, not to create the magic in the first place.
That’s on you.
They are not, however, magical unicorns.
They do not have horns that they can wave over your manuscript and fix every stylistic issue. They also do not poop out rainbows that will take your boring descriptions and elevate them into beautifully lyrical sentences. That’s your job.
In other words: You should never give your editor an unedited first draft of your manuscript.
Some authors might argue against me (but, Rachel, that’s what they are there for!). I’m going to put up a pretty logical argument.
My first argument is: your editor is still not a magical unicorn.
My second argument is: your editor is not you. Your editor has their own style, their own way of approaching words and syntax. Your editor is a human who does not have telepathic powers. This means, if you give a completely unedited, unrevised draft to your editor, you will not achieve the same results.
When you revise your first draft, there’s probably a lot of things you will change. Awkward sentences, preferring one word over another, adding description, removing description. Perhaps “bloomed” wasn’t the right word lyrically, but “blossomed” is. Structurally “bloomed” still works--your editor will not change this, because it is a stylistic change.
By revising your own work first, you get to make the stylistic edits. Once those are in place, your editor can focus on making every sentence read perfectly. They won’t insert “blossomed” for you.
While editors are not magical unicorns, they are still pretty awesome. Every author should at least do a trade for editing if they can’t afford to hire someone. I know my book became exponentially better after my editor started picking through my piece.
Even if they are not magical unicorns, you can be your own magical unicorn. Wave your own horn, poop out your own rainbows, and realize that the stylistic fixes have to initially come from you.
Your editor is there to assist in making the rainbows glow brighter and file your horn into a sharper point, not to create the magic in the first place.
That’s on you.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Girl Nevermore and Other Projects Underway
Hello, bloggers! *waves* It has been awhile since I’ve updated, and… of course, I’ve gotten sucked back into my own little world again. Reality is a real thing, huh? But I miss being connected online, so here’s my attempt at giving a fun little update and getting back into the swing of things.
Recently, I’ve been juggling a lot. My fairytale retelling / apocalypse YA novel, In a Blue Moon, has 12,000 words written and completely edited. I’m working on it in a different process than before, doing each chapter as a draft then editing the chapter five times before moving onto the next chapter. It’s making for a very smooth read. Those 12,000 words? They are essentially finished, just need a final look over from my editor. Which means publishing this one will be a breeze.
However, with my YA Contemporary, Girl Nevermore, I am taking the usual approach, but revamped slightly. I’m drafting the whole thing out (26,000 words so far), and then I will edit each chapter five times before moving on to edit the next chapter. I’m trying to figure out which process I like better.
While In a Blue Moon is essentially “finished,” it also isn’t growing in word count very quickly, since I’m doing a lot of stops and starts. I think drafting then editing one part over and over will be the best way for me to continue. It should feel more like I’m writing the book once, editing the book “once,” and proofing the book once. We’ll see, but I’m hoping this is what I can trick myself into doing.
Both of these titles should be out in the next year. Drafting and editing have become a lot easier, since I’ve written so many books at this point, and since I’ve taken a few editing courses as a refresher (those helped).
On top of that, I’ve started an independent author collective with six other fantastic indie authors. I encourage you to check out our site, TheScriptors.com. I enjoy the books of every author on there, so they are worth checking out.
Tons of shenanigans in the making. Tons of things in the works. I’m excited that I’ve decided to walk the indie line, because it lets me write what I want when I want with nothing but my own self-imposed deadlines. While I’m still open to the idea of an agent / publisher sometime in the future, it’s not a high priority right now. I just want to write. Period.
I think that’s a good decision for now.
Recently, I’ve been juggling a lot. My fairytale retelling / apocalypse YA novel, In a Blue Moon, has 12,000 words written and completely edited. I’m working on it in a different process than before, doing each chapter as a draft then editing the chapter five times before moving onto the next chapter. It’s making for a very smooth read. Those 12,000 words? They are essentially finished, just need a final look over from my editor. Which means publishing this one will be a breeze.
However, with my YA Contemporary, Girl Nevermore, I am taking the usual approach, but revamped slightly. I’m drafting the whole thing out (26,000 words so far), and then I will edit each chapter five times before moving on to edit the next chapter. I’m trying to figure out which process I like better.
While In a Blue Moon is essentially “finished,” it also isn’t growing in word count very quickly, since I’m doing a lot of stops and starts. I think drafting then editing one part over and over will be the best way for me to continue. It should feel more like I’m writing the book once, editing the book “once,” and proofing the book once. We’ll see, but I’m hoping this is what I can trick myself into doing.
Both of these titles should be out in the next year. Drafting and editing have become a lot easier, since I’ve written so many books at this point, and since I’ve taken a few editing courses as a refresher (those helped).
On top of that, I’ve started an independent author collective with six other fantastic indie authors. I encourage you to check out our site, TheScriptors.com. I enjoy the books of every author on there, so they are worth checking out.
Tons of shenanigans in the making. Tons of things in the works. I’m excited that I’ve decided to walk the indie line, because it lets me write what I want when I want with nothing but my own self-imposed deadlines. While I’m still open to the idea of an agent / publisher sometime in the future, it’s not a high priority right now. I just want to write. Period.
I think that’s a good decision for now.
Monday, May 26, 2014
The Collapse: Out now!
It has been a long journey to get to my third release date. A large part of it still feels very surreal, like I'm dreaming. This has to be a fantasy world, because there's no way I could have three books out... right? Alas, I'm not waking up from the real world--not anytime soon anyway. So three books it is!I've learned a lot on this journey. The main thing: stop stressing.
The other thing I learned? Try to finish everything as early as possible. Having more time to ask blogs and get readers before the release would have been nice. But I'm quite happy that I made the deadline with a darn good book.
The Collapse was a lot of fun for me to write. Murphy is such an interesting character and getting to write a dual narrative was a nice change of pace. I wrote about how I switched playlists depending on which voice I was writing for. Jay and Murphy have such different feels, and I think that's what makes The Collapse so interesting.
You can purchase your copy of The Collapse for kindle. It will be out soon in paperback!
Murphy carries on after Jay abandons Hipstopia--and him. With a mixture of hatred and admiration for his new foe, Murphy becomes more aggressive than ever, unearthing a darker side of himself. He’s willing to sacrifice anything to keep Sky and Hipstopia safe, even if it means killing Jay.If you haven't read the first book in the duet, Hipstopia, you can get it for .99 on kindle.
Free from Murphy’s reins, Jason wants to begin his new life with Kiera, but she’ll never be able to settle as long as Leo is trapped in prison. The only way Jason can keep her safe is by going back into Hipstopia with her, but if he sees Murphy again, he doesn’t know if he’ll be able to pull the trigger.
Now on opposite sides of the war, Jason and Murphy tell their stories as they come head to head in the final battle.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
The Collapse: Cover Reveal and Goodreads Giveaway
Here's the synopsis for the sequel to Hipstopia:
Murphy carries on after Jay abandons Hipstopia--and him. With a mixture of hatred and admiration for his new foe, Murphy becomes more aggressive than ever, unearthing a darker side of himself. He’s willing to sacrifice anything to keep Sky and Hipstopia safe, even if it means killing Jay.
Free from Murphy’s reins, Jason wants to begin his new life with Kiera, but she’ll never be able to settle as long as Lee is trapped in prison. The only way Jason can keep her safe is by going back into Hipstopia with her, but if he sees Murphy again, he doesn’t know if he’ll be able to pull the trigger.
Now on opposite sides of the war, Jason and Murphy tell their stories as they come head to head in the final battle.
Enter the giveaway below! You can purchase Hipstopia for kindle or as a paperback. The Collapse will be released on May 26! Mark your calendars, it's going to be an awesome ride!
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Weekly Giveaway: Week Three
Congratulations goes to Cordelia -- the winner of Week Two's giveaway. Once she chooses her book, I will remove it from the list.
As promised, there's another giveaway -- Week Three! This ends midnight PT on 5/4. If an international winner wins, they will only receive ebook copies of both my novelettes, My Summer Vacation by Terrance Wade and Hipstopia. If a U.S. winner wins, they will get to choose from the list of physical books to have mailed to them AND receive a copy of the ebooks! Good luck!
You can choose one of the following if you win:
Young Adult Books
a Rafflecopter giveaway
As promised, there's another giveaway -- Week Three! This ends midnight PT on 5/4. If an international winner wins, they will only receive ebook copies of both my novelettes, My Summer Vacation by Terrance Wade and Hipstopia. If a U.S. winner wins, they will get to choose from the list of physical books to have mailed to them AND receive a copy of the ebooks! Good luck!
You can choose one of the following if you win:
Young Adult Books
- The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
- City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
- The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
- Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
- The Blind Mirror by Christopher Pike (hardcover)
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- Choke by Chuck Palahniuk
- Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
- The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman
- Wormwood by G.P. Taylor (hardcover)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Weekly Giveaway: Week Two
Congratulations goes to Nichole -- the winner of Week One's giveaway. As promised, there's another giveaway opening up. This ends midnight PT on 4/27. If an international winner wins, they will only receive ebook copies of both my novelettes, My Summer Vacation by Terrance Wade and Hipstopia. If a U.S. winner wins, they will get to choose from the list of physical books to have mailed to them AND receive a copy of the ebooks!
You can choose one of the following if you win:
Young Adult Books
You can choose one of the following if you win:
Young Adult Books
- The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
- Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
- City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
- The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
- Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
- The Blind Mirror by Christopher Pike (hardcover)
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- Choke by Chuck Palahniuk
- Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
- The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman
- Wormwood by G.P. Taylor (hardcover)
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Weekly Giveaway: Week One
Hey guys and gals!
So I have a lot of books -- I would say I have too many books, but can you ever really have too many books? (The answer is yes, you apparently can). I don't have any more shelf space which is great news for anyone who enjoys to read!
Starting on Sunday each week (until I run out of books), I'll provide a list of available books. If you win, you choose one of those books and I'll ship it to you (United States only) - no monetary cost on your end! You'll also get an ebook copy of both my novelettes, My Summer Vacation by Terrance Wade and Hipstopia! The giveaway ends Saturday night (PT).
The books you could choose from this week are (all lightly used paperback unless otherwise noted):
Young Adult Books
Adult Books
a Rafflecopter giveaway
So I have a lot of books -- I would say I have too many books, but can you ever really have too many books? (The answer is yes, you apparently can). I don't have any more shelf space which is great news for anyone who enjoys to read!
Starting on Sunday each week (until I run out of books), I'll provide a list of available books. If you win, you choose one of those books and I'll ship it to you (United States only) - no monetary cost on your end! You'll also get an ebook copy of both my novelettes, My Summer Vacation by Terrance Wade and Hipstopia! The giveaway ends Saturday night (PT).
The books you could choose from this week are (all lightly used paperback unless otherwise noted):
Young Adult Books
- The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
- Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
- City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
- The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
- Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Adult Books
- The Blind Mirror by Christopher Pike (hardcover)
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- Choke by Chuck Palahniuk
- Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
- The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman
- Wormwood by G.P. Taylor (hardcover)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Monday, March 3, 2014
On death in books
There are some authors who pull off killing a main or side character flawlessly. Some authors have done it numerous times, with some successes and some failures. Others have tried to get it right, but have ended up missing the mark.
That brings up the question: What makes a "successful" death in writing?
Now, before I discuss the types of deaths, and how some have been successful, know that I am talking from my own standpoint. I am one person, one reader, and one writer. My opinions are my own, and mileage may vary. Also, I encourage you to comment on why a death worked for you. Was it a reason different than below?
The Romantic
When the romantic interest of your main character takes a drastic turn for the worst, it needs to be gut-wrenching. The death should be a tear-jerker. As readers, we need to feel the soul-crushing hopelessness of the main character as the thought settles in--forever, without the love of your life. We need the horror, the disbelief, and the pain of the moment, all wrapped up into one emotional upheaval. Without it, this death might seem pointless.
The Martyr
This is one of the hardest techniques to pull off for both main and side characters. Rarely do main characters die in books, and it's because we, as readers, have such an emotional connection to them that we cannot imagine a life where they no longer exist. If you decide to make a character a sacrifice, you need to make us believe it. It's the hardest challenge, but if you can pull it off, your story will likely stay with the reader forever.
On the emotional side, the reader needs to feel disbelief. That feeling needs to become acceptance because the story was so beautiful it couldn't have happened any other way, or anger for the person responsible for the MC/side character's death. Oftentimes, readers need to blame someone. If you take away the beauty and the ability to blame a character, your readers will turn to the next person on their list--the author. I've seen this happen. If you can't pull off a martyr, your readers may turn against you. Tread carefully - it's a fine line between success and failure.
The Friend or Family
Arguably, the friend/family is the most versatile character when it comes to death. It could be a sudden, unforeseen accident; an elongated illness; a brutal murder; or a suicide. All of these need to contain disbelief, yearning for answers, and even anger. Most stories that have done this successfully eventually carry some hope, like the main character's ability to carry on against all odds. Sometimes, the death of a friend or family member will begin a trial, where the MC will be tested time and time again. Grieving is encouraged, but they need enough resolve to keep going, even if it's just going through the motions.
The Villain
Should all deaths of enemies create instant relief? Not necessarily. If your "evil" character is well-rounded, there should be some redeeming quality to him or her, even if it’s just superficial. The death of your villain should be satisfying, but not overly so. The world is not black and white, and your reader should see both sides to your villain. And remember - death does not always equal justice. Just because X is dead doesn't mean everything is magically okay. To some extent, because X existed in the first place, some things will never be okay.
What it boils down to
There are obviously more categories out there. It boils down to the author needing to make the reader believe it. Forcing a character's death for controversy won't make readers connect with the demise of their beloved character. If you miss the emotional mark, your story might be less successful.
I encourage you, as a reader, writer, or movie lover, to comment on why a certain character's death worked for you. You can be vague or mention specifics, but remember to mark any spoilers, please!
That brings up the question: What makes a "successful" death in writing?
Now, before I discuss the types of deaths, and how some have been successful, know that I am talking from my own standpoint. I am one person, one reader, and one writer. My opinions are my own, and mileage may vary. Also, I encourage you to comment on why a death worked for you. Was it a reason different than below?
The Romantic
When the romantic interest of your main character takes a drastic turn for the worst, it needs to be gut-wrenching. The death should be a tear-jerker. As readers, we need to feel the soul-crushing hopelessness of the main character as the thought settles in--forever, without the love of your life. We need the horror, the disbelief, and the pain of the moment, all wrapped up into one emotional upheaval. Without it, this death might seem pointless.
The Martyr
This is one of the hardest techniques to pull off for both main and side characters. Rarely do main characters die in books, and it's because we, as readers, have such an emotional connection to them that we cannot imagine a life where they no longer exist. If you decide to make a character a sacrifice, you need to make us believe it. It's the hardest challenge, but if you can pull it off, your story will likely stay with the reader forever.
On the emotional side, the reader needs to feel disbelief. That feeling needs to become acceptance because the story was so beautiful it couldn't have happened any other way, or anger for the person responsible for the MC/side character's death. Oftentimes, readers need to blame someone. If you take away the beauty and the ability to blame a character, your readers will turn to the next person on their list--the author. I've seen this happen. If you can't pull off a martyr, your readers may turn against you. Tread carefully - it's a fine line between success and failure.
The Friend or Family
Arguably, the friend/family is the most versatile character when it comes to death. It could be a sudden, unforeseen accident; an elongated illness; a brutal murder; or a suicide. All of these need to contain disbelief, yearning for answers, and even anger. Most stories that have done this successfully eventually carry some hope, like the main character's ability to carry on against all odds. Sometimes, the death of a friend or family member will begin a trial, where the MC will be tested time and time again. Grieving is encouraged, but they need enough resolve to keep going, even if it's just going through the motions.
The Villain
Should all deaths of enemies create instant relief? Not necessarily. If your "evil" character is well-rounded, there should be some redeeming quality to him or her, even if it’s just superficial. The death of your villain should be satisfying, but not overly so. The world is not black and white, and your reader should see both sides to your villain. And remember - death does not always equal justice. Just because X is dead doesn't mean everything is magically okay. To some extent, because X existed in the first place, some things will never be okay.
What it boils down to
There are obviously more categories out there. It boils down to the author needing to make the reader believe it. Forcing a character's death for controversy won't make readers connect with the demise of their beloved character. If you miss the emotional mark, your story might be less successful.
I encourage you, as a reader, writer, or movie lover, to comment on why a certain character's death worked for you. You can be vague or mention specifics, but remember to mark any spoilers, please!
Thursday, February 13, 2014
A Different Approach
If you're a writer, you've probably heard the phrase, "Just write; editing comes later." It's very good advice, but I'm abandoning it for my latest endeavor. Before you gasp, I will say that I do not recommend this for new writers. New writers shouldn't second guess themselves every step of the way. New writers should write and practice writing. Editing can come later.
While I only have two works published, I'm not a new writer. I'm working on my eighth novel. None of my novels have been published, because I get hung up on the editing process. I'm so excited about writing the story, and I write my book in less than two months. Then I hit the wall.
My wall is editing. It's so giant that I can't see a way to climb it, let alone figure out how to get to the other side. So I've decided that my wall needs a door.
I am abandoning the really good advice that got me to seven novels in the first place. After writing a chapter, I'm going to edit it to make it the best chapter it can be. I'm crazy, right?
My new approach to writing:
Editing my own work has always been a headache and hangup for me. I like to reward myself for editing, so I end up playing a tons of video games when I could be writing.
My new reward system will be: "Once you finish editing this chapter, you get to write the next one."
Writing, something I love, will get me through editing, something I struggle with. I should mention, while I struggle with my own editing, I love editing for my clients.
I'll be sure to blog with an update of how this is working for me! So far, I really like this idea in theory... now to test it.
While I only have two works published, I'm not a new writer. I'm working on my eighth novel. None of my novels have been published, because I get hung up on the editing process. I'm so excited about writing the story, and I write my book in less than two months. Then I hit the wall.
My wall is editing. It's so giant that I can't see a way to climb it, let alone figure out how to get to the other side. So I've decided that my wall needs a door.
I am abandoning the really good advice that got me to seven novels in the first place. After writing a chapter, I'm going to edit it to make it the best chapter it can be. I'm crazy, right?
My new approach to writing:
- Outline the whole book. My outlines are super long. They have some choppy dialogue, description as it comes to me, random notes, and whatever pops in my head. I might have a 600 word outline for a 3,000 word chapter. My outlines, in essence, are the first draft of a story. It's easy to add and subtract things in this state because the writing doesn't have finesse yet. It's also allows me to developmentally review my book before I really start writing.
- Write a chapter. I need to slow down while I write and take time to imagine each scene. I'm especially having trouble with this piece, since world building is a massive part of my story. But the next step should also help with this.
- Edit the chapter. This will happen two to four times.
- First pass: Check the description and the character development. Are things unfolding the way they need to be? Is the pacing for this chapter good?
- Second pass: Grammar, sentence structure, tightening paragraphs. Is there a better way to say something? Are the emotions coming out okay?
- Third pass: Another line editing pass.
- Fourth pass: Proofreading / last minute fixes.
- Write the next chapter.
Editing my own work has always been a headache and hangup for me. I like to reward myself for editing, so I end up playing a tons of video games when I could be writing.
My new reward system will be: "Once you finish editing this chapter, you get to write the next one."
Writing, something I love, will get me through editing, something I struggle with. I should mention, while I struggle with my own editing, I love editing for my clients.
I'll be sure to blog with an update of how this is working for me! So far, I really like this idea in theory... now to test it.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Craving the Cold
While the rest of the world is dealing with a winter wonderland version of Dante's Inferno, I've been staring at dead leaves, dirt, and a heck of a lot of brown. Living in New England proved to be hard from the lack of sun during the winter. Living in Southern California is more difficult because of the lack of change.
Months run together because last month was no different than this month, and next month won't be different from this. The only change is the intense heat of the summer, and that's unpleasant. Yesterday, there was a 90% chance that we would get a thunderstorm.
90% of a thunderstorm turned into a sprinkle that lasted an hour. We got some beautiful clouds, but they refused to pour.
I think most writers and readers can agree that there's nothing better than curling up with a good book, cocoa, and a warm blanket in the cold of winter. Or lighting a fire and reading by the flickering flames. Maybe I'm a romantic, but I miss it.
Our next house must have a fireplace. It must also have an elaborate system of bookshelves to house the hundreds of books I've acquired. A reading nook and writing table would be preferred too.
Sometimes these little things seem so impossible that it hurts to dream. But we'll get there, I know we will.
I'll continue to dream, to strive, to hope, because one day it will pay off. It's my tenacious nature that keeps me going, even on days I don't feel like it. This pent up energy I have is best used for creativity. Either I'll start on my new writing project earlier than expected, or I'll do some much needed painting.
Thanks for listening, dear readers. My next update will house something writing related and will be good news, this I promise you.
Months run together because last month was no different than this month, and next month won't be different from this. The only change is the intense heat of the summer, and that's unpleasant. Yesterday, there was a 90% chance that we would get a thunderstorm.
90% of a thunderstorm turned into a sprinkle that lasted an hour. We got some beautiful clouds, but they refused to pour.
I think most writers and readers can agree that there's nothing better than curling up with a good book, cocoa, and a warm blanket in the cold of winter. Or lighting a fire and reading by the flickering flames. Maybe I'm a romantic, but I miss it.
Our next house must have a fireplace. It must also have an elaborate system of bookshelves to house the hundreds of books I've acquired. A reading nook and writing table would be preferred too.
Sometimes these little things seem so impossible that it hurts to dream. But we'll get there, I know we will.
I'll continue to dream, to strive, to hope, because one day it will pay off. It's my tenacious nature that keeps me going, even on days I don't feel like it. This pent up energy I have is best used for creativity. Either I'll start on my new writing project earlier than expected, or I'll do some much needed painting.
Thanks for listening, dear readers. My next update will house something writing related and will be good news, this I promise you.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Giveaway Winners and Update
Congratulations to the two winners, Jessica and Pearl! I've already been in touch with both of you, and I must say - I've never been so excited about a giveaway before. I don't know why, but this one just felt better than my previous ones. I have you guys to thank, of course, for all the entries!
I wanted to take a second to make an update on The Collapse (Hipstopia's sequel)! I am twenty-one chapters in to edit number three, which means I have seven chapters away from giving a copy to my developmental editors.
That means, I am totally on track to publish by May!
Also, I agreed to do a developmental / line editing exchange with one of my fellow authors (RJ Blain). Not only is she an amazing developmental editor, but she's an awesome story teller herself. She's going to whip me into shape with The Unanswerable, which means I will be well on my way to getting that published by the time she's done with it.
Seriously, the girl's amazing.
So congratulations again to our winners! Check back for more information on The Collapse and occasional teasers! And remember, you can buy Hipstopia and My Summer Vacation by Terrance Wade on amazon!
I wanted to take a second to make an update on The Collapse (Hipstopia's sequel)! I am twenty-one chapters in to edit number three, which means I have seven chapters away from giving a copy to my developmental editors.
That means, I am totally on track to publish by May!
Also, I agreed to do a developmental / line editing exchange with one of my fellow authors (RJ Blain). Not only is she an amazing developmental editor, but she's an awesome story teller herself. She's going to whip me into shape with The Unanswerable, which means I will be well on my way to getting that published by the time she's done with it.
Seriously, the girl's amazing.
So congratulations again to our winners! Check back for more information on The Collapse and occasional teasers! And remember, you can buy Hipstopia and My Summer Vacation by Terrance Wade on amazon!
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
No Strings Attached Giveaway (and Hop)
I love being part of the No Strings Attached giveaway hop because it gives me a chance to give back to you, readers, without any stipulations.One winner will receive one paperback copy of My Summer Vacation by Terrance Wade and one paperback copy of Hipstopia, the first in the YA satirical dystopian duet, The Uprising.
The second winner will receive an ebook copy of both of the books. This giveaway is only open to United States residents.
Please visit I'm a Reader, Not a Writer for the full list of people participating in this hop!
My Summer Vacation by Terrance Wade - Children's Adventure / Adult Comedy
When Terrance's mother comes in through the window, she says, "Terrance, your dad doesn’t want me to show you the world. But we’re going – tonight, now." With that, she scoops him up and rushes from the house. Terrance, a naive yet astute 7-year-old, is kidnapped by his mother. Told from his perspective, Terrance believes he's on an adventure to save the world in this short, witty novelette.
Hipstopia - YA Satirical Dystopian
It's been three years since Murphy led the Hipster uprising. For three
years, Jay has been by his side. All that's about to change. It starts
with the beautifully intense Prisoner Forty-Seven... and a loaded gun.If you want to purchase either of these books now - you can click on the pictures!
Use the rafflecopter below to enter to win one of these prize packs! I will e-mail the winner soon after the giveaway ends. If I don't hear from you within a week from sending the initial email, your prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Friday, January 10, 2014
The Collapse (Hipstopia's sequel) Playlist and Updates!
I finished the first edit of The Collapse (The Uprising #2), the sequel to Hipstopia. I am quite pleased with the results of the first edit. I added 4,000 words, established more tension, filled out some characters who had previously been lacking.
Something that I've always wanted to do was create a playlist for a book. I write to music. Music creates a certain mood that I would have trouble emulating otherwise, and I think each list of songs speaks volumes about the characters. They are such polar opposites in feel and style - much like the characters themselves.
Murphy
Hate Dept. "New Son Army"
Hate Dept. "Hard Times"
Pigface "Insect / Suspect"
Filter "The Inevitable Relapse" (Clayton Worbeck Mix)
UNKLE "Ghosts"
UNKLE featuring Gavin Clark "Blade in the Back"
Jason (Jay)
Miike Snow "Animal"
Slighter "Stood Still"
The Neighbourhood "Sweater Weather"
Broken Bells "October"
Bonobo "Cirrus"
The Naked And Famous "The Sun"
Passion Pit "Take a Walk"
Radical Face "Welcome Home"
Murphy's music is raw, powerful, and angry - just like him. Jason's music is pensive and melodic with just a little bit of bounce. I encourage you guys to check out some of these songs! Go on, you might find your next favorite.
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