Into Battle!

I need a Pensieve. You know, a way to siphon off thoughts and save them for later so that I can focus on one thing. Unfortunately, Pensieves only exist in the world of Harry Potter, so I'm going to have to suffer.

My main focus right now is Dragon Queen. I am currently writing Chapter 17, which involves a rather large action scene. I've got about 2K words describing a bloody conflict, but I'm only happy with about a fourth of it.  And as I wrote, I was thinking: Maybe I'm just not cut out to write battle scenes. But then I think about Fury. There is a nice struggle at the end between Yalei and Fury, and I'm pretty happy with the way that turned out. It's dark and intense. But the main difference between the battle in that scene and in Dragon Queen is the old internal vs. external. Fury prevails through her mind and heart. The scene in Dragon Queen is a bunch of dragons chomping and clawing at each other. A lot different. And a lot harder to write. I think I'm going to have to pick up Christopher Paolini's books again and get a little bit of reference. 

Right now, I'm slogging through it. I had to resist the urge to go back and edit it yesterday. Because it's not even finished yet. I kept repeating: Finish it first, then edit. Just get it down. 

This struggle to write physical conflict has revealed to me something about my writing: I am more concerned with internal conflicts. I like it when a character has to wrestle with their flaws rather than grapple with an opponent. While there is a little bit of that in Dragon Queen, there should be more physical trials. Why? Well, because that's the point. It's a war. There needs to be bloodshed and gore and things getting parts of their body chopped off. Jade can't just sit there and muse about how awful it is and shouldn't she do something. That would be a major turn off. 

It is also difficult, I am finding, to write a battle scene  from the 1st person POV. I can only write about what she notices, which means that a lot of the action is not getting wrote down. And some of that out-of-sight action is important. Where I'm floundering at right now is where Jade is finally kicking some butt, but Tyar is also fighting with Darion in the background. Not sure how to make the reader aware of Tyar's struggle while not seeming to go out of POV. Something else to mull over.

Five more of me, please!

I simply have too much that I want to do in one day for me to accomplish it all. I'm sure everybody's been here. But this week I could really use five more of me. 

There are the things that need to be done: cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping.

Things that should be done: re-staining a chair, working on Dragon Queen, looking up more agents, editing Fury, exercising.

And things that want to be done: reading a book, working on my story, sleeping, spending time with boyfriend.

Maybe I don't need five more of me to do all these things. Two more might work. We could all just have our categories. The real me, of course, would be laboring over the want category while still reaping the benefits of the other categories. (Can you just imagine if we had someone to exercise for us and still gain the rock hard abs and svelte thighs? Utopia! Someone really needs to invent that.)

The point is, I don't have any more of me. I just have one mind, one heart, two hands, and a whole lot of stress. So I'm going to have to prioritize. That means tackling the needs-to-be-done list. But that's no fun. Not even the grocery shopping part (because when you're watching your diet and your wallet, you can't throw the good stuff into your shopping cart). And then I really should move on to the should-be-done list. Especially the exercise, since I've been slacking there. Fury can wait. The rest--not so much.

But, dag nabit, I'm going to add a little bit of the wants-to-be-done in there, too. Because life is just no fun without a little slacking. Nor are relationships (sorry, boyfriend). This weekend will be boyfriend time. Tonight I will probably read again. I need to zone out a bit. 

I think as long as I accomplish a few things tonight,  I'll be able to slack off the rest of the time. I'm going to have to zoom through grocery shopping, do 30 minutes of cardio (if I shop really fast that might kill two birds with one stone), clean dishes and fold laundry, and then the rest of the time I'm going to be curled up on the sofa with HP and the Order of the Phoenix. Oh, and I've already worked on DQ so I'm good there. Guilt assuaged. 

Back from the Brink

I took a break from writing (and thinking about writing) this weekend. This was mainly due to a little thing called LIFE that was demanding my attention (including attending a going away party for a friend at work, getting sick, running a yard sale, going to a baby shower, reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (in two days), playing with my 4-year-old cousin, hanging out with my mom, going to a barbecue . . . and that's it).

I'm going to try to get back to rewriting Dragon Queen chapters 17-? today. I managed to rewrite the end of Ch. 16. Twice. The first rewrite felt too contrived. The second one I'm a little happier with, but I'm going to comb through it today and make sure that I'm completely satisfied before moving on.

I have to thank Jenn Lidster for helping me come up with the ideas for these chapters. And Lydia Sharp for being honest and letting me know exactly what was wrong with the circumstances. I think that the new chapters are going to be so much better with their help and advice.

Professional progress: I contacted the guy I interned for at the UA Press. He was happy to offer me some advice and will be getting back with me shortly. Yay!

Feeling Frazzled

I've been putting more effort into my writing career lately, and it's left me feeling a tad overwhelmed. There are just so many things that I don't know, and I feel like I'm feeling my way through a dark maze filled with all sorts of unexpected terrors.

I have begun reading agents' and publishers' blogs religiously, snapping up any bit of useful information. I have researched local writing groups (which are depressingly few, and out of the two I would consider, one requires that you be published, so I'm left with the second one). I also found, much to my excitement, that a writer's conference is going to take place in Eureka Springs in October. It costs $90 (ouch!) but I'm going to scrape it up and go. 

The thing is: I'm terrified. Why? Well, this will be uncharted territory for me. I've never been to a writer's conference and I have no idea what to expect. I've done a little bit of reading on them, but I still don't get what all it offers. And what all is expected of me. Should I bring query letters, sample pages, a defibrillator? Also, I will be going ALONE. Not sure if I've mentioned this yet, but I am a very shy person. It's difficult for me to approach people on my own, but I guess that's something I'm going to have to get over before October. Hey, who knows? When I join that local writer's group (if it's for me) I might find someone else who is going and be able to cling to them a bit. (Ok, that's a pathetic idea, Brandi. Grow a spine, will you?)

What I need to do is contact the guy I interned for at the UA Press. He is a book editor and he knows what a writer's conference is all about. Plus, he's really nice and helpful, so I'm sure he won't mind giving me some advice. (But that means I will have to tell him WHY I'm going. ::gulp::.) Jeez, I need someone to smack me. Just e-mail him! Now! 

On a different end of the writing spectrum (the actual writing part), Dragon Queen is giving me some difficulties. In all honesty, it's pissing me off. I'm trying to find a way to salvage the story, because Chapter 18 isn't working. I've been told by a couple people on WD Critique Central that Jade's rescue is a little too convenient, and I agree. At the time, it was the only thing I could think of. But now I have a couple other ideas.

One would involve the creation of a new character. Darion's son. I've fiddled with this idea and even wrote a bit of the scene, but I don't think I like it. It's probably going to get scratched.

The second idea involves Honey. Now, in the original Ch. 18, Honey also comes to Jade's rescue (as revealed in Ch. 19) but she isn't seen. I think I'm going to try to rework it where Honey more actively helps Jade escape. Not in the coming down the chimney bit, but in some kind of deception. She could be one of those to play both sides, but that would mean giving her a different reason for helping Jade than the one that I've created. Still, I'm leaning toward this one. (It also would give me the opportunity to bring another conflict in the story in sooner.)

A third idea would be for Jade to experiment with her newly discovered powers (as suggested by Looneywriter). She could overpower Darion, or she could find that she's invulnerable to flames. I'll keep this idea in mind, but I'm not sure if I'm going to use it either, as it may fall under the "convenient" category as well.

So, I'm frustrated. It's my goal today to get a new version of this scene written, however. Maybe once I start writing I will amaze myself and come up with something brilliant. Let's hope so.

Writing Credentials

Writing credentials--to me, the scariest part of a query letter (well, besides making your book sound fabulous after you've spent so much time on it that you really just want to throw it out the window). 

Basically, writing credentials are what the agent/editor looks at to see if you have any background in writing. Your answer could mean that they either do or don't take the time to ask for your manuscript. 

As an aspiring writer with no "official" publications, I feel somewhat at a loss when I come to this part in a query letter. What should I write?

Well, it's probably a bad idea to say something like, "Though I have repeatedly submitted my short stories to literary magazines, I have yet to receive acceptance." What will they think? Failure. Let's put a big L on her query letter for "Loser". 

So, ok, I'm not published. Maybe it's because my short stories haven't come across the right editor's desk. Or maybe they are just garbage (please say it isn't so). I've come across a few helpful websites that address this issue of "inexperience" for fledgling writers.

Some suggestions are:

List your education. For me, that would be a BA in English/Creative Writing. What this (hopefully) says to the agent/editor: "She takes her writing seriously enough that she spent a lot of money learning how to do it. Ok, let's read on."

Occupation, if relevant. I work at a newspaper. Am I journalist? Uh, no. So how could this be relevant? I HAVE written one article for the newspaper. It had my name on it and it was on the front page. Yay! Also, I work with journalists and am familiar with their writing process. So, I would jot down something like, "I work in a field where the importance of a well-turned phrase is continually stressed and my job (career?) had enlightened me to the various techniques of writing." Maybe? That might work. Now, if the agent/editor believes that (crosses fingers) then they'll read on.

I interned for a semester at University of Arkansas Press. That might interest an agent/editor if I say something like, "While in college, I interned for the University of Arkansas Press where I was familiarized with the publishing process from the beginnings of a manuscript, to its binding, to its marketing." That sounds pretty good. Also, considering how much trouble I went through to get that internship (it didn't exist, so I had to arrange for its existence) I think I deserve the right to put it down on my credentials. I also was introduced to the Chicago Style manual, which opened my eyes to how much goes into just editing the FORMAT of a book. And then, with my job at the newspaper, I learned the AP style. So, I would say that I am proficient in both. Though an editor might not care about AP style. :)

Clubs/Critique groups. I participate in the Writer's Digest Critique Central. Ok. Not sure how much standing an internet society has with an agent/editor, but it's something, right? This also reminds me that I really need to get involved in something locally. There's a writer's group here in Fayetteville that  I need to look into. Like, now-ish.

There are other things that I could add, but probably won't. One is that a few of my poems were published by Famous Poets and I attended a poetry conference in Reno, Nev. I didn't realize at the time (I was 13) that they are one of those "publishing" companies that will publish anything sent in to them. So, I don't think that really counts. Another thing was that I won a speech-writing contest in high school and gave my speech in front of about 2,000 people, receiving a standing ovation. A lovely moment, but I don't think an agent/editor would be impressed that I won a small town contest. 

Besides those things, I'm not sure what else I would say. I'm just hoping that is enough. Jeez, I really need to get the ball rolling on trying to get some of my short stories published and joining local writers' groups. I'm making a to-do list.

I just found an awesome blog run by Janet Reid called Query Shark. If I had a query ready (I don't, coward that I am) I would definitely submit it for her review. 

Revisiting an old friend (er, story)

Have you heard? There's a new Harry Potter movie in theaters!

Of course you heard. Especially if you're a Potterhead like me. (Yes, that's what they call them--er, us.) But here's what sets me apart from most Potterheads: I haven't seen the movies. Well, I've seen 1-3. And was disappointed as all true lovers of J.K. Rowling's masterpieces are. Which is why I believe that if you wish to enjoy the movie, you should see it BEFORE you read the book. But, anyway, I digress.

The point of this post is that the Harry Potter fever has been rekindled inside me and I have been reading the books this past week. Yes, I am 23, and yes, the books are meant for young readers. But I still enjoy them. Not only do they contain engaging characters, well-thought-out plots, and an interesting world, but they are extremely well written.

And that's what intrigues me the most: the style in which they are written. I've yet to come across a book that uses so many parentheses.  Rowling bends the writing rules to her advantage. The result is not confusing, but enriching. 

When I was in college, even in creative writing classes, the writing rules were stressed. Use complete sentences. Annihilate run-ons. Avoid uncommon punctuation (like parentheses). Be brief. Avoid adverbs and adjectives. And then, of course, there is the "said" debate. 

Most writers will break a few of these rules. A few brave ones will break all of them. Rowling, I believe, is one of the braver ones. (Faulkner would count as well, but I still haven't recovered from reading Absalom, Absalom, so I will leave him out of this discussion.)

The point is, what most writing groups, professors and colleagues will try to tell you about "strong writing" (which involves following the grammar rules) is not always correct. It all depends on the skill in which you use it. If it doesn't detract from the writing, then there really isn't a problem with it.

Take the "said" debate. It has been argued that the only dialogue tag necessary is "said" or maybe "asked." Everything else is irrelevant. If you are a "strong" writer, you won't need things like "whispered", "snapped", "screamed", etc. The tone of your character's voice should be derived from the action. I agree . . . some what. 

And adverbs border on blasphemy. Don't you dare say "He said quietly." This also falls under the category of weak writing. 

Now, let's return to J.K. Rowling's works. No, they are not the most wonderful literature in the world to which every other piece of writing must be compared to. No, they aren't even everyone's cup of tea. (Forgive the cliche.) I'm sure there are people out there who can't stand the Potter series (much like I can't stand the Twilight series, but that's another story). The point is, books who contain so-called "weak" writing can be considered brilliant, engaging, and thrilling. Take Faulkner, if you will. Or Cormac McCarthy. Both would have made their English teachers have a mental breakdown--yet both are considered highly talented writers. 

And the BIG point of this post: Write what works for you. Don't sacrifice your style to fit into some sort of "proper" box. If a scene needs fragments, give it fragments. If it needs parentheses, slap them in. But it has to fit. 

But, please, for the love of your reader, try to avoid run-ons. Yuck. 

What happens when characters have minds of their own . . .

If you're familiar with the writing world, or if you have a friend who happens to write, you will have heard that familiar exclamation, "My characters ran away with me again!"

Most of the time, this is a very good thing. It means that your plot goes somewhere new and exciting, and you have rounded characters that will intrigue the reader just as much as you.

Or, there is the second option: This character totally destroys the plot you had in mind for your book. For example: Say we have a typical fairy tale. Prince is supposed to save princess from ugly troll. Now, let's pretend the writer in question wants this to be a typical prince-rescues-princess-happily-ever-after-story. Nothing wrong with that (unless, of course, she's trying to publish this). Anyway, things are progressing as planned when WHAM! One of the characters decides they don't like the way things are going and becomes "difficult". Let's say, in this instance, that the prince is actually homosexual, but never realized it until he falls madly in love with ugly-troll. The writer never intended for the hero to be homosexual, but he is. And he refuses to be otherwise. Plot foiled.

I'll admit, that's a pretty outrageous example. Those of you who aren't writers are probably completely lost. How can a character control a story? Isn't that the writer's job?

Erm, yes. But when a character grows, things sort of happen that the writer cannot completely predict. For example, in Dragon Queen, there are all sorts of characters doing this to me. Drake. Mikkay. Lace. King Traigon (Jade's father). Honey. I have been lucky so far, however, in that these unexpected manifestations of personality have not wrecked my plot, but enhanced it. Whew! Thank goodness.

Drake pulled the first surprise. When I first began the book, Drake was just an ordinary human-dragonslayer. But then his eyes started to glow. He became really intense, and before I knew it--he was a dragon! Instead of being miffed, I basked in his glory. (And thankfully that happened fairly early in the book, so I hadn't even gotten to a part I needed to change.) But that's really the only one of my character's secrets I can share (as the rest have not revealed theirs yet to my readers on the WD forum and I don't want to ruin it for them). 

I will reveal, however, that Lace surprised me the most. Really. And I'm just dying to see what the forum thinks of her after they have a little insight into her character! Unfortunately, that's about 7 chapters away! Ahh!