After taking a workshop in self editing for a few weeks a while ago, it got me thinking about something. Am I spending too much time editing? When looking at how long it's taken me to get through a round of edits in my Contemporary work got me worried. It's been close to six months to get through it once.
YIKES!
Yes that is a long time but let's do a break down of exactly just how long I'm able to work on it.
So I work a full time day job. That's 40 or more hours a week I'm not able to even tough my manuscript. Add on an hour commute by car one way that's 10 hours a week I can't work on it. Though I do think about things I might want to tweak or whatnot. That leave me oh say if I get home at 6 o'clock on week nights about 3 hours to get some work done. Oh wait, can't forget time to cook dinner and clean up a bit before I need to get to bed. Personally I need a full nights sleep to be able to function properly. So I make sure that I get that 6-8 hours a night. That means on average I can get maybe 2 hours a night if I don't get distracted by real life. In reality that's not a lot of time. But it is something. Then can't forget the weekends. Oh, sweet sweet weekends.
I've cut out a lot of distractions on weekends, i.e going out drinking or clubbing with friends to be able to make the time to get some writing and editing done. This has helped some on the writing front, but not so much in the friend front. Life goes on and that's okay.
Back to the numbers on average in a week I can get maybe 20 hours of editing time. Wow, that is actually a lot of time now that I've broken it down. Grammar not being my forte editing can sometime be a slow process for me. In order for me to be able to get more time with my work since I'm not around a computer all the time, I've printed out my work and make notes by hand. Yup I go old school on my manuscripts before I go back and type up my changes.
Does that count of two rounds of edits? Maybe. I do seem to catch more things while I'm typing up my original changes and now that I have a new list of things to look for and actually reading my work out loud I'm finding that my writing skills are improving. Not drastically but enough that I can notice when I go back to my past works. Put happy dance here. :)
When it comes to my writing and editing I don't set page goals or word counts. Yes, it's nice to be able to bust out ten pages in a day. In reality that isn't always possible and I don't want to get myself down in not being able to reach my goals.
Here are my reasonable workday goals. Get at least one sentence done. Then after that one sentence go to the next one. Even if I can't get one page done I made a baby step. A baby step may be small, but it is progress. Progress is the goal. Large or small it is something. Something that not everyone is able to do.
Weekend goals are larger than workday ones. Get pages. That's right pages done. If I can get more then one page done pat yourself on the back. Personally I want to make more than that, but I'm working on how to work around my focus issues trying to use them to my advantage then against me. One solution to this is that first thing in the morning on weekends I make a pot of tea and sit in the front room before my roommates wake up and get to editing. Little or no music playing. No TV or movies playing, but my full attention to my work. As of late I'm finding that this is working. I've been able to bust out 10 pages on a good morning. 5 on others.
I'm also going to start taking advantage of my old University's library that with the school year has a 24 hour study area for people to use. Not living too far from there and a roommate that still is in school I'm going to use this on weekend, maybe even workdays for a few hours in hope that my productivity will keep rising.
Trial and error is what it's going to take to be able to find the right timing for making my pages faster than what I am doing now. Also the realization that I'm NOT a full time writer means I can't bust out a full edit in a day or month. My skills aren't to that level as of at. It will be. Just not tomorrow.
Realizing your short comings and where you excel. Don't let what other people can do bring you down. I don't. Or try not to. My situation is different from every other writers and as long as I don't over edit that that's all that matters to me. Let it take a long time, but in the end you need to set a limit and just get it done. Get your work out there and see if you can get it published.
Good luck in your editing endeavors! I can't wait to read everyone's work.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Before You Hit Send Workshop
For the last few weeks I've been attending an online workshop on self editing, Before You Hit Send, by the wonderful Angela James of Carina Press, and I suggest that everyone take it. New writer, experienced writer, writer with little confidence and writers with more confidence then what they know what to do with should eventually take this course.
Yes, this means that you are going to have to take time out of your busy schedule of day jobs and writing to go over some basics of grammar and then going into more detail of more complex topics that us writers might forget about when it comes to our editing process. You know the little thing called backing up your work? Yes, the thing we all forget to do. She talks about and give some great suggestions and websites that will help you be able to do so.
With Angela having years of experience of editing in the publishing world she gets straight to the point with each of the lessons, even giving mini assignments to help us writers put that lesson to work. As someone who is a bit ADD, okay I'm alot ADD at times, the classes are easy to read and follow along. Yes, grammar can be tedious and frustrating as hell, but Angela does a great job with making it a bit more easy to understand. I know that I struggle with some more of the intricate rules in grammar. With the review I admit I'm still boggled by them, but do feel more comfortable that they wont be running awry everywhere in my writing. At least I hope they wont. :)
Think you know it all? Well guess what we don't. Sorry to burst your bubble, but it's true. Writing is an ever growing craft that the more you do it, the more you improve. This also means taking classes or workshops to help flush out some things your might have forgotten over time. So, take advantage of the classes that experienced professionals put on. Though I'm sure that there are more than a few smucks out there posing as them. Do your research! But, I promise you think one thing if you take this serious. You will come out learning ten fold what you thought you would. Plus Angela does interact with her students in the forum. Have a question? Ask and it will be answered. With other people posting questions as well you might also learn from others as well.
Who knew right? Learning from others questions? Odd concept right. ;)
Anyways, as an aspiring author I'm glad I threw down the few bucks (yes it cost money, but trust me it's worth every cent. PS it's really, really, really, affordable)
Having been in the editing process for two different books, I'm glad I took the class. I've always been nervous about letting other read my work, but honestly now with an established list of things I need to be looking for I'm more comforatble in my writing and putting it out there. That is what it is to be a writer right? To have others be able to enjoy our work. No matter how many works you might have, no one will be able to enjoy the hours of hard work you put into it if you don't feel as if you've cleaned it up enough for other to read.
I know this post is a rant about how you should take this class, and you should, but it's up to you to take the incentive to learn from others and grow in your craft. No, no one asked me to write this post to try to get people to take the class, but if I really enjoy something then I'm going to talk about it. Let it be a book, a blog, a movie, a class, or some really funny joke a friend told me once, I'm going to blog about it.
But seriously learn from those who are in the industry that you want to be in. Twitter and blogs have been an amazing tool for me to find publishing houses, agents, and editors that focus in my genres. Believe it or not they actually talk about things that as a writer that wants to be published one day are amazing tips to be able to get yourself to your goal.
So here are Angela James and Carina Press' sites that I suggest you check out:
-Angela James' website: http://nicemommy-evileditor.com/
-Carina Press's blog: http://carinapress.com/blog/
One last thing: Thanks, Angela, for helping me feel more confident my a craft that I hope to be able to make a full time career and not just the little hobby that my friends like to think this as. I'm glad I took the class and can't wait to put it to work. But really, I am a lot more confident in my editing skills because of this class.
Yes, this means that you are going to have to take time out of your busy schedule of day jobs and writing to go over some basics of grammar and then going into more detail of more complex topics that us writers might forget about when it comes to our editing process. You know the little thing called backing up your work? Yes, the thing we all forget to do. She talks about and give some great suggestions and websites that will help you be able to do so.
With Angela having years of experience of editing in the publishing world she gets straight to the point with each of the lessons, even giving mini assignments to help us writers put that lesson to work. As someone who is a bit ADD, okay I'm alot ADD at times, the classes are easy to read and follow along. Yes, grammar can be tedious and frustrating as hell, but Angela does a great job with making it a bit more easy to understand. I know that I struggle with some more of the intricate rules in grammar. With the review I admit I'm still boggled by them, but do feel more comfortable that they wont be running awry everywhere in my writing. At least I hope they wont. :)
Think you know it all? Well guess what we don't. Sorry to burst your bubble, but it's true. Writing is an ever growing craft that the more you do it, the more you improve. This also means taking classes or workshops to help flush out some things your might have forgotten over time. So, take advantage of the classes that experienced professionals put on. Though I'm sure that there are more than a few smucks out there posing as them. Do your research! But, I promise you think one thing if you take this serious. You will come out learning ten fold what you thought you would. Plus Angela does interact with her students in the forum. Have a question? Ask and it will be answered. With other people posting questions as well you might also learn from others as well.
Who knew right? Learning from others questions? Odd concept right. ;)
Anyways, as an aspiring author I'm glad I threw down the few bucks (yes it cost money, but trust me it's worth every cent. PS it's really, really, really, affordable)
Having been in the editing process for two different books, I'm glad I took the class. I've always been nervous about letting other read my work, but honestly now with an established list of things I need to be looking for I'm more comforatble in my writing and putting it out there. That is what it is to be a writer right? To have others be able to enjoy our work. No matter how many works you might have, no one will be able to enjoy the hours of hard work you put into it if you don't feel as if you've cleaned it up enough for other to read.
I know this post is a rant about how you should take this class, and you should, but it's up to you to take the incentive to learn from others and grow in your craft. No, no one asked me to write this post to try to get people to take the class, but if I really enjoy something then I'm going to talk about it. Let it be a book, a blog, a movie, a class, or some really funny joke a friend told me once, I'm going to blog about it.
But seriously learn from those who are in the industry that you want to be in. Twitter and blogs have been an amazing tool for me to find publishing houses, agents, and editors that focus in my genres. Believe it or not they actually talk about things that as a writer that wants to be published one day are amazing tips to be able to get yourself to your goal.
So here are Angela James and Carina Press' sites that I suggest you check out:
-Angela James' website: http://nicemommy-evileditor.com/
-Carina Press's blog: http://carinapress.com/blog/
One last thing: Thanks, Angela, for helping me feel more confident my a craft that I hope to be able to make a full time career and not just the little hobby that my friends like to think this as. I'm glad I took the class and can't wait to put it to work. But really, I am a lot more confident in my editing skills because of this class.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Letters
Today I got in the mail a letter from my grandmother who will occasionally send me a letter every couple of months to catch up. Including a few dollars for an ice cream cone, so that if we were together she'd be the one to take me out for a treat. It's cute and makes me feel like I'm a bit of a kid a again. Being the youngest granddaughter I'll always be a child in her eyes, even if she does now have a dozen or so great grand babies as well. No none are from me.
Any ways, as I was musing over the lovely update of everything that is happening in my grandmother's life, and family farm, it got me thinking. People don't get enough mail. No, I'm not talking about junk mail and bills. I'm talking actual letters. Every rare occasion I get a letter or package in the mail from someone it brightens my day. With technology and instant gratification rampart no one takes the time to write anything by hand, it's all email and instant messages and text messages.
It brought back a memory from when I was a child going to a great aunts house where she brought out boxes of letters between her and her husband from when they met throughout their marriage. Decades of letters in boxes. Including when he was gone to war, yup during WWII.
The fact that they kept writing letters even through there is amazing. This is what love stories are made of. And why us writers try to grasp in our novels. Here's my question, do people still write love letters or even real letters?
Men gripe over women wanting romance. The thing that they don't realize is that something so simple and easy to do, like a letter or hand written note can do the job. A simple I'm thinking of you, I miss you, even an I love you does the trick.
With that being said, I think I'm going to start writing more letters. Even just a simple note to a family member instead of a email or text. When surprise mail arrives it always makes my day, so why not do the same with others. I suggest everyone do the same. Seriously why not take the time to make someone you care about, friend or family by doing something so small as a simple note.
Any ways, as I was musing over the lovely update of everything that is happening in my grandmother's life, and family farm, it got me thinking. People don't get enough mail. No, I'm not talking about junk mail and bills. I'm talking actual letters. Every rare occasion I get a letter or package in the mail from someone it brightens my day. With technology and instant gratification rampart no one takes the time to write anything by hand, it's all email and instant messages and text messages.
It brought back a memory from when I was a child going to a great aunts house where she brought out boxes of letters between her and her husband from when they met throughout their marriage. Decades of letters in boxes. Including when he was gone to war, yup during WWII.
The fact that they kept writing letters even through there is amazing. This is what love stories are made of. And why us writers try to grasp in our novels. Here's my question, do people still write love letters or even real letters?
Men gripe over women wanting romance. The thing that they don't realize is that something so simple and easy to do, like a letter or hand written note can do the job. A simple I'm thinking of you, I miss you, even an I love you does the trick.
With that being said, I think I'm going to start writing more letters. Even just a simple note to a family member instead of a email or text. When surprise mail arrives it always makes my day, so why not do the same with others. I suggest everyone do the same. Seriously why not take the time to make someone you care about, friend or family by doing something so small as a simple note.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
RWA12
RWA12, Romance Writers of America 2012 National Conference, has now officially come and gone. I was hoping to get this blog written sooner, but playing catch up at the day job as well as trying to work out some of my own writing schedule has put updating my blog behind what I would have liked. Well, I'm here now. :)
This years RWA conference was my first conference I've ever attended. It was a big step for me. A scary big step, since I'm still starting the beginning of my journey of navigating my way into the publishing world, both as an aspiring author and hopefully one day as an editor or agent (still trying to figure out that last part). Before I filled out my registration back in April I had a rather intense debate with myself. The conference was during the busiest time of the month at my day job and it's a big no no to take time off then. So, after talking to my boss and him pretty much giving me the go ahead, I had to really think about it. Can I afford it? Yes. Is this going to be a big investment into my future? Yes. Will I know anyone there? Hell no. Will I learn a lot from people who've had hands on experience? Yes. And the big question...Will I regret it if I don't go? Yes. 100% yes I will.
With all my fears and excitement in check, I did it. I dove in and singed up. And in the end the conference was more than what I expected. I've made a few friends, which wasn't too hard. Most of the people I'd talk to were really sweet and gave me some amazing advice. I even wore an epic onezie to the Harlequin PJ party. FYI...It's a great conversation starter if you don't know any one. Not to mention I ended up coming home with a grand total of 69 books. Ummm for all that is holy! You don't even know how excited I got when I found out about the author signings that were publisher sponsored. Thank you, thank you, thank you Publishers. You made it possible for this little broke aspiring author to get new books from authors I've never read before without having to break my bank account. I'm so excited to go and enjoy the worlds that they had created and share them with everyone.
With all the great goodies set aside, this conference wasn't about free stuff for me, it was about learning about the industry and how to better hone my craft. And I did just that. By attended as many of the workshops as I could with out exhausting myself and overloading my brain with all the great information, I've come home with a notebook full of great notes and plenty of handouts to review again. Some workshops stood out over others, and some weren't quite what I had expected (which is normal) but in the end every speaker knew their craft and could have kept talking for more than the allotted hour. And that alone gets me excited about what they were talking about. People who are truly passionate about their craft is awe-inspiring. Not everyone can write a book, but those of us who can not only do it once but keep doing it with all the struggles that are involved in it, not doing it for the money, but for the joy of bringing people into the worlds they had created, is amazing. These are my people.
Kind of nerdy but true. Not once did I have to explain why I write the genres I do. Not once did I have to explain why I write period. Not once did I have to explain why I carry a pen, notebook, and novel in my purse. Not once did I have to explain the characters that live in my head and talk to me. Why didn't I have to do this? Because, in one way or another everyone else in attendance are like me. Don't get me wrong, not one of use are the same, but the experiences and struggles we all go through are similar for the most part. We all have ups and downs, and we all get writers block at times.
For me going to RWA12 was a way to for me to step out of my comfort zone and put myself as a writer out there. And I'm more than thrilled I did. My once hesitation about joining RWA and my local chapter is gone, and I'm going to start going to meetings and join up. Being able to talk to and be around like minded people when I'm trying to pursue a new career is exactly what I need. To be able to not have to try to explain myself for a much needed peptalk from nonwriter friends can be done so in this group.
I also got my first rejection from an agent and I'm oddly happy about it. It was my first time pitching and her remarks about my work were some things I've been thinking of changing. It also made me realize my one rather large mistake. I've put my work in the wrong genre. It doesn't have the level of suspense that is needed to be in that genre. It does have a good amount, but it's just not right. Thank you agent! You made me realize my mistake and confirm the changes I want to make in the manuscript. So back to the drawing board, I go.
Why am I so happy about a rejection? Well this industry is full of them and to have the first one done and over with just makes me realize that I can do this. It didn't kill me or make me want to stop writing. It made me want to become a better writer and wait till I find the right agent/editor for my work. I got time and I'm sure as hell not going to stop writing in the process.
Any ways I'm in this for the long haul and will keep writing and putting myself out there for as long as it takes. Who knows I might be the next lightening bolt star author out there. Or I'll just slowly get my name out there and gain a good reputation. Either way works for me. I'm just happy to write and have people enjoy the worlds and characters I've had the pleasure of exploring myself. This is not a make it big rich industry. Some do, but not everyone. And that is fine with me.
I'm off to go do some editing and writing with this renewed excitment of I can do this. I can really put my work out there and call myself an author...not just a hobby. :) Thanks for all the wonderful people I met at RWA12 and those who put it together. You have done more for me than you can ever know. And I thank you for that. I'll see you all again next year at RWA13 in Atlanta!
This years RWA conference was my first conference I've ever attended. It was a big step for me. A scary big step, since I'm still starting the beginning of my journey of navigating my way into the publishing world, both as an aspiring author and hopefully one day as an editor or agent (still trying to figure out that last part). Before I filled out my registration back in April I had a rather intense debate with myself. The conference was during the busiest time of the month at my day job and it's a big no no to take time off then. So, after talking to my boss and him pretty much giving me the go ahead, I had to really think about it. Can I afford it? Yes. Is this going to be a big investment into my future? Yes. Will I know anyone there? Hell no. Will I learn a lot from people who've had hands on experience? Yes. And the big question...Will I regret it if I don't go? Yes. 100% yes I will.
With all my fears and excitement in check, I did it. I dove in and singed up. And in the end the conference was more than what I expected. I've made a few friends, which wasn't too hard. Most of the people I'd talk to were really sweet and gave me some amazing advice. I even wore an epic onezie to the Harlequin PJ party. FYI...It's a great conversation starter if you don't know any one. Not to mention I ended up coming home with a grand total of 69 books. Ummm for all that is holy! You don't even know how excited I got when I found out about the author signings that were publisher sponsored. Thank you, thank you, thank you Publishers. You made it possible for this little broke aspiring author to get new books from authors I've never read before without having to break my bank account. I'm so excited to go and enjoy the worlds that they had created and share them with everyone.
With all the great goodies set aside, this conference wasn't about free stuff for me, it was about learning about the industry and how to better hone my craft. And I did just that. By attended as many of the workshops as I could with out exhausting myself and overloading my brain with all the great information, I've come home with a notebook full of great notes and plenty of handouts to review again. Some workshops stood out over others, and some weren't quite what I had expected (which is normal) but in the end every speaker knew their craft and could have kept talking for more than the allotted hour. And that alone gets me excited about what they were talking about. People who are truly passionate about their craft is awe-inspiring. Not everyone can write a book, but those of us who can not only do it once but keep doing it with all the struggles that are involved in it, not doing it for the money, but for the joy of bringing people into the worlds they had created, is amazing. These are my people.
Kind of nerdy but true. Not once did I have to explain why I write the genres I do. Not once did I have to explain why I write period. Not once did I have to explain why I carry a pen, notebook, and novel in my purse. Not once did I have to explain the characters that live in my head and talk to me. Why didn't I have to do this? Because, in one way or another everyone else in attendance are like me. Don't get me wrong, not one of use are the same, but the experiences and struggles we all go through are similar for the most part. We all have ups and downs, and we all get writers block at times.
For me going to RWA12 was a way to for me to step out of my comfort zone and put myself as a writer out there. And I'm more than thrilled I did. My once hesitation about joining RWA and my local chapter is gone, and I'm going to start going to meetings and join up. Being able to talk to and be around like minded people when I'm trying to pursue a new career is exactly what I need. To be able to not have to try to explain myself for a much needed peptalk from nonwriter friends can be done so in this group.
I also got my first rejection from an agent and I'm oddly happy about it. It was my first time pitching and her remarks about my work were some things I've been thinking of changing. It also made me realize my one rather large mistake. I've put my work in the wrong genre. It doesn't have the level of suspense that is needed to be in that genre. It does have a good amount, but it's just not right. Thank you agent! You made me realize my mistake and confirm the changes I want to make in the manuscript. So back to the drawing board, I go.
Why am I so happy about a rejection? Well this industry is full of them and to have the first one done and over with just makes me realize that I can do this. It didn't kill me or make me want to stop writing. It made me want to become a better writer and wait till I find the right agent/editor for my work. I got time and I'm sure as hell not going to stop writing in the process.
Any ways I'm in this for the long haul and will keep writing and putting myself out there for as long as it takes. Who knows I might be the next lightening bolt star author out there. Or I'll just slowly get my name out there and gain a good reputation. Either way works for me. I'm just happy to write and have people enjoy the worlds and characters I've had the pleasure of exploring myself. This is not a make it big rich industry. Some do, but not everyone. And that is fine with me.
I'm off to go do some editing and writing with this renewed excitment of I can do this. I can really put my work out there and call myself an author...not just a hobby. :) Thanks for all the wonderful people I met at RWA12 and those who put it together. You have done more for me than you can ever know. And I thank you for that. I'll see you all again next year at RWA13 in Atlanta!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Count down to RWA12
On July 25-28 Romance writers, agents and publishers will be gathering together in Southern California for the annual Romance Writers of America conference, and for the first time ever I will will be joining in the fun. Yup that is right people I'm calling it fun. For the first time I will be surrounded by like minded people who I don't have to explain why I write or why I like writing romance or even reading it. I do so because I love it and there is so many things that can be done within the genre, not to mention that it is the highest grossing genre that is out there. Don't mock the romance. It's the most popular genre out there and you can't argue with numbers.
Any ways RWA12 is now about 16 days away and I'm buzzing with nervous excitement. As of last Friday I've made two agent appointments to pitch my novel Mackenzie Falls to, and now the real work has to happen. I've got ten minutes with each agent and in that time have to be able to summarize my book in a way that describes the characters and the basics of the story that leave the agent wanting to read some pages. Easy right? Not to me. I've spent over a year with these characters and I tend to want to go on and on and on about them. So, trying to get it into several sentences is a challenge. A challenge I'm more than willing to take on.
For this conference I'm not going in expecting to come out with an agent. While that would be amazing, things just don't happen that fast. I'm going into this conference as a learning experience and to meet people who are already established or pursuing writing in the publishing world. For the last year or so I've been doing my research and been sending out resumes as to find my niche in this industry. The more I learn the more I want to be involved in the agenting process; as well as continuing my own writing. With all the wonderful workshops that RWA is providing, I have so many wonderful choices of what to attend and learn for those who are actively doing what they are teaching. I'm not sure about you guys, but I'm more than excited to learn about this industry that has peaked my interest for the last several years.
Why has it taken me so long to realize that I want to be involved in publishing? No clue. I've always wanted to be apart of the entertainment industry, and it wasn't until my producing class that we dove in to literary rights that I really started to be come interested in how the two industries overlap. In the end wanting to help authors get their books made in to movies while not losing all their rights is what really got me into looking into agenting. Not to mention I love books!
Anyways, now that my little rant is over, I've got my work cut out for me before the conference starts. But in the end all things that are worth it in the end, is worth all the hard work and time that goes into it. I'll make sure to keep everyone posted on my adventures of RWA this month and in my search for the right agent, not just for me but for my work. AND that is worth taking the time for.
Any ways RWA12 is now about 16 days away and I'm buzzing with nervous excitement. As of last Friday I've made two agent appointments to pitch my novel Mackenzie Falls to, and now the real work has to happen. I've got ten minutes with each agent and in that time have to be able to summarize my book in a way that describes the characters and the basics of the story that leave the agent wanting to read some pages. Easy right? Not to me. I've spent over a year with these characters and I tend to want to go on and on and on about them. So, trying to get it into several sentences is a challenge. A challenge I'm more than willing to take on.
For this conference I'm not going in expecting to come out with an agent. While that would be amazing, things just don't happen that fast. I'm going into this conference as a learning experience and to meet people who are already established or pursuing writing in the publishing world. For the last year or so I've been doing my research and been sending out resumes as to find my niche in this industry. The more I learn the more I want to be involved in the agenting process; as well as continuing my own writing. With all the wonderful workshops that RWA is providing, I have so many wonderful choices of what to attend and learn for those who are actively doing what they are teaching. I'm not sure about you guys, but I'm more than excited to learn about this industry that has peaked my interest for the last several years.
Why has it taken me so long to realize that I want to be involved in publishing? No clue. I've always wanted to be apart of the entertainment industry, and it wasn't until my producing class that we dove in to literary rights that I really started to be come interested in how the two industries overlap. In the end wanting to help authors get their books made in to movies while not losing all their rights is what really got me into looking into agenting. Not to mention I love books!
Anyways, now that my little rant is over, I've got my work cut out for me before the conference starts. But in the end all things that are worth it in the end, is worth all the hard work and time that goes into it. I'll make sure to keep everyone posted on my adventures of RWA this month and in my search for the right agent, not just for me but for my work. AND that is worth taking the time for.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Distraction in Research
For the past few weeks have been a bit crazy, as well as my focus has been off kilter, making it difficult to write. But with the lack of focus and time on writing I have used some distractions in time to do research on some other books ideas I've been mulling around with.
Pray-tell what am I researching you ask?
Well, I've now a ton of new pages to read on werewolf lore, lyconthropy, other kin, and a lot of information on different government agencies (what can I say I can't remember all things I leaned when in polisci classes in school).
The government research is for an idea about s girl who has known nothing but being a spy. Not being one to follow politics, it's key to make sure that I know which agency does what and who's involved. Just maybe I should have kept my Politic Science text books from college. Opps. I'll survive and still be able to write this book. That is with the help of some research.
As for the werewolf lore and lyconthropy? Well I have a two different works that have weres in them. One that is the center of the story, the other one minor character is a wereleporad. The more I look up on lore I'm finding it more and more interesting. For example did you know that it wasn't until the 19th century that werewolves lore began to change so that it was spread by bite/scratch, can be hurt by silver and have a human/wolf form. In the weres were curses for 7 years and can be associated to witchcraft, etc. It's all rather interesting if you ask me.
Anyways it's getting late, and I've been really enjoying reading up on all the different stuff I want to use as reference in future books. Some times I forget that I can count research as working for writing. It's just one of the first steps to getting to the finished project. And reading them is almost as fun as writing if you ask me. Though I have to admit it would be nice to be able to already know things before I go into writing mode. Unfortunately I'll stick to doing research the old fashion way...with books and the internet.
Have fun with your writing and research! I know I am!
Pray-tell what am I researching you ask?
Well, I've now a ton of new pages to read on werewolf lore, lyconthropy, other kin, and a lot of information on different government agencies (what can I say I can't remember all things I leaned when in polisci classes in school).
The government research is for an idea about s girl who has known nothing but being a spy. Not being one to follow politics, it's key to make sure that I know which agency does what and who's involved. Just maybe I should have kept my Politic Science text books from college. Opps. I'll survive and still be able to write this book. That is with the help of some research.
As for the werewolf lore and lyconthropy? Well I have a two different works that have weres in them. One that is the center of the story, the other one minor character is a wereleporad. The more I look up on lore I'm finding it more and more interesting. For example did you know that it wasn't until the 19th century that werewolves lore began to change so that it was spread by bite/scratch, can be hurt by silver and have a human/wolf form. In the weres were curses for 7 years and can be associated to witchcraft, etc. It's all rather interesting if you ask me.
Anyways it's getting late, and I've been really enjoying reading up on all the different stuff I want to use as reference in future books. Some times I forget that I can count research as working for writing. It's just one of the first steps to getting to the finished project. And reading them is almost as fun as writing if you ask me. Though I have to admit it would be nice to be able to already know things before I go into writing mode. Unfortunately I'll stick to doing research the old fashion way...with books and the internet.
Have fun with your writing and research! I know I am!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Romance, Erotica & Women
Ever since 50 Shades of Gray going around my day job I've made a few observations that I find rather amusing that some people haven't come to the same conclusion. For one of them Women are sexual creatures. This should not be a shocking thing but it is.
One of the man reasons women read romance novels or watch romantic comedies, or at least from my observations, is not in hopes that their significant other or lack of would be like the men in the books. But the fact is that romance books have other elements to it that make it exciting. For the case in this matter sex. Sex isn't the horrible taboo thing that society has made people to believe. Novels let you experience things that you might personally be able to experience. Let it be a fantasy, suspense, mystery, romance, or erotica. It's a way that you can do something without doing something and be judged for it. If you know what I mean.
Not to mention that men, if you don't mind my bluntness, should be happy that women read erotic, cause well for the many who don't get it very often will get some after their ladies read a good book with some steamy scenes. Not one of the women I work with, and friends, didn't admit that their significant others were very happy with the after effects of them reading 50 Shades of Gray or watching Magic Mike, that just came out into theaters.
So my question is why do people mock those of us who embrace the taboo side of culture. Sex, romance and erotic aren't things that should be feared in my opinion. They are apart of you and how you choose to have them apart of your life should be up to the individual. If you love reading or writing 'dirty' stories, then do it. If you want something more tame then go for the more subtle romance that's out there. Want something more extreme then there is all types of well written erotica in all shapes and sizes.
Why people are amazed that people are shocked that women are going crazy over the movie Magic Mike or the book 50 Shades of Gray is beyond me. It's just showing that women aren't always the innocent little things that society thinks we should be.
That's my little rant about my amazement that people find it so weird that women are going all crazy for 50 Shades and Magic Mike. Believe it or not people, this is nothing new. Go explore all that the literary world has to offer and don't let anyone make you feel bad about what you enjoy.
One of the man reasons women read romance novels or watch romantic comedies, or at least from my observations, is not in hopes that their significant other or lack of would be like the men in the books. But the fact is that romance books have other elements to it that make it exciting. For the case in this matter sex. Sex isn't the horrible taboo thing that society has made people to believe. Novels let you experience things that you might personally be able to experience. Let it be a fantasy, suspense, mystery, romance, or erotica. It's a way that you can do something without doing something and be judged for it. If you know what I mean.
Not to mention that men, if you don't mind my bluntness, should be happy that women read erotic, cause well for the many who don't get it very often will get some after their ladies read a good book with some steamy scenes. Not one of the women I work with, and friends, didn't admit that their significant others were very happy with the after effects of them reading 50 Shades of Gray or watching Magic Mike, that just came out into theaters.
So my question is why do people mock those of us who embrace the taboo side of culture. Sex, romance and erotic aren't things that should be feared in my opinion. They are apart of you and how you choose to have them apart of your life should be up to the individual. If you love reading or writing 'dirty' stories, then do it. If you want something more tame then go for the more subtle romance that's out there. Want something more extreme then there is all types of well written erotica in all shapes and sizes.
Why people are amazed that people are shocked that women are going crazy over the movie Magic Mike or the book 50 Shades of Gray is beyond me. It's just showing that women aren't always the innocent little things that society thinks we should be.
That's my little rant about my amazement that people find it so weird that women are going all crazy for 50 Shades and Magic Mike. Believe it or not people, this is nothing new. Go explore all that the literary world has to offer and don't let anyone make you feel bad about what you enjoy.
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