Okay, for those of you who don't watch Ru Paul's Drag Race, you won't know what that means. So, I'll 'splain.
This season there was a drag queen named....Bob the Drag Queen. And her trade mark entry to a room was with arm held straight out, purse held out in front of her, and entering before her. It was cute, said a lot about her and her way of thinking, and made it her stand out. I even saw a photo of the actress (Anna Kendrick) from Pitch Perfect doing, "Purse first" while heading to an award show.
So what has that got to do with writing ?
Character development: there is no such thing as a new plot, a new character, a new situation. There are only so many ideas around and we've been bastardizing them since Shakespeare's time (probably before). So you need to make your characters, like your world and your plot, unique.
In the world of urban fantasy, there plenty of tough chicks who kick paranormal ass. The good ones have something that stands out from the kicking ass, midriff wearing crowd. One of the forerunners of urban fantasy would be Laurell K. Hamilton (I would argue along with Mercedes Lackey and her Diana Tregard books). Anita Blake was tough, fiery, and had a thing for stuffed penguins. Not as unique, perhaps, as a drag queen entering all rooms with purse extended, but it stuck in my mind. I haven't read her books in many years...but I still recall the penguins.
Now this doesn't mean sitting there and thinking, "OH! What little quirk can I give my character? I know! Stuffed turtles!" What ever quirk you have needs to fit the character. Purse first definitely fit Bob the Drag Queen. Other drag queens couldn't have pulled it off.
Whether you're a plotter and map out every bit of your characters before you dive in to write, or a seat of the pants writer--make sure to give your characters a memorable and unique habit or quirk. Nothing huge, or story stealing, just a little something that makes the character more real and special for the reader.
OH! Want more of me rambling, and more important, a chance for a cool prize? Head on over TODAY to http://www.paulinebjones.com/warrior-wench awesome lady, awesome blog, typical me rambling post ;), and a prize!
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Steps
So, I seem to be having a thing for one word titles for my blog--last week forks, this week steps...next week, who knows?
But many things have gotten me thinking about steps, both in my writing career and in story telling.
For my writing career: building a writing career is a long, slow, oft times painful, process. If you are going traditional you have the queries, pitches, and then if you get an agent, more queries (from the agent to publishers this time), more pain, fear, worry, etc. If you're going indie, it's a long slow process to get all the stuff done (or hire the right people to do so) to get your book in the best possible shape. Then another loooooong slow haul while it starts to be seen.
But there are steps. When I first started taking my writing seriously, (been writing way longer than that ;)) I started visualizing a ladder. I'd fling myself up a few rungs (agent requests, positive rejections, etc ;)), then slide down a rung or too. But I still had passed that previous rung. I'd accomplished the next goal and I wasn't sliding back. I still think that way now. I know things like rankings, book sales, etc, fluctuate, especially for us Indie folks who don't get the same exposure trad authors do. But each time something goes up, it's another rung up the ladder. I'll slide back down, but not as far. :)
Our characters have steps as well. I'd say one thing that pulls me out of a story is when a character jumps from skillset/point/attitude A to F in too short of a span of time. These characters aren't real people (okay, except for Garbage Blossom who is throwing orange seeds at me as I type and Vaslisha who has a knife at my throat ;) but they need to behave in a realistic manner.
Characters change, that's sort of the point of most stories. A character, or characters, makes a journey of some sort (internal, external, sideways, whatever) where they change in someway that has emotional resonance to the reader. But that change has to be something the reader believes in, even if it's something like learning to handle magic or new telepathic skills.
There have to be steps. A reveal as the person changes and those around them do as well. In a way characters have ladders too.
Have a great week! OH! I've been interviewed-go check it out https://smartgirlslovesfr.com/2016/06/14/author-interview-maria-andreas/#comment-10707
But many things have gotten me thinking about steps, both in my writing career and in story telling.
For my writing career: building a writing career is a long, slow, oft times painful, process. If you are going traditional you have the queries, pitches, and then if you get an agent, more queries (from the agent to publishers this time), more pain, fear, worry, etc. If you're going indie, it's a long slow process to get all the stuff done (or hire the right people to do so) to get your book in the best possible shape. Then another loooooong slow haul while it starts to be seen.
But there are steps. When I first started taking my writing seriously, (been writing way longer than that ;)) I started visualizing a ladder. I'd fling myself up a few rungs (agent requests, positive rejections, etc ;)), then slide down a rung or too. But I still had passed that previous rung. I'd accomplished the next goal and I wasn't sliding back. I still think that way now. I know things like rankings, book sales, etc, fluctuate, especially for us Indie folks who don't get the same exposure trad authors do. But each time something goes up, it's another rung up the ladder. I'll slide back down, but not as far. :)
Our characters have steps as well. I'd say one thing that pulls me out of a story is when a character jumps from skillset/point/attitude A to F in too short of a span of time. These characters aren't real people (okay, except for Garbage Blossom who is throwing orange seeds at me as I type and Vaslisha who has a knife at my throat ;) but they need to behave in a realistic manner.
Characters change, that's sort of the point of most stories. A character, or characters, makes a journey of some sort (internal, external, sideways, whatever) where they change in someway that has emotional resonance to the reader. But that change has to be something the reader believes in, even if it's something like learning to handle magic or new telepathic skills.
There have to be steps. A reveal as the person changes and those around them do as well. In a way characters have ladders too.
Have a great week! OH! I've been interviewed-go check it out https://smartgirlslovesfr.com/2016/06/14/author-interview-maria-andreas/#comment-10707
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Forks
Just a brief ramble this morning --about forks. In stories. Not the eating utensil type, the which-way-do-I-go type.
I'm newly diving into book four of the Lost Ancients series, yup, the Sapphire Manticore is up and running. I'm trying to make sure to get some writing in every day to keep it fresh and make sure I stay on track--that does mean writing first thing in the morning before my day job ;).
But, I digress. Today is about plot choices we make as writers. Doesn't matter if you're a plotter and make those choices in the planning stage, or a pantser and make those choices as you zoom through your dirty first draft.
Choices must be made, and they will change the story.
Even little ones. I just left off this morning's writing with a "was it stolen?" or "do they just not know it's there?" comment for myself when I come back. It doesn't seem like a big thing, but either choice could lead to larger and larger differences.
I really wish there was a way to follow both options through, see where they end up, then decide. Instead, I'll ponder it for a bit (like today at the day job ;)) then pick what I feel works best.
But it does make me wonder what could have been. What existed in those missing paths.
I'm newly diving into book four of the Lost Ancients series, yup, the Sapphire Manticore is up and running. I'm trying to make sure to get some writing in every day to keep it fresh and make sure I stay on track--that does mean writing first thing in the morning before my day job ;).
But, I digress. Today is about plot choices we make as writers. Doesn't matter if you're a plotter and make those choices in the planning stage, or a pantser and make those choices as you zoom through your dirty first draft.
Choices must be made, and they will change the story.
Even little ones. I just left off this morning's writing with a "was it stolen?" or "do they just not know it's there?" comment for myself when I come back. It doesn't seem like a big thing, but either choice could lead to larger and larger differences.
I really wish there was a way to follow both options through, see where they end up, then decide. Instead, I'll ponder it for a bit (like today at the day job ;)) then pick what I feel works best.
But it does make me wonder what could have been. What existed in those missing paths.
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
IWSG# Impostor Syndrome
Welcome to another trip into the weird, the wacky, the chronically insecure world of The Insecure Writer's Support Group Monthly Blog!!
Once a month, writers from across the globe join in solidarity and shared misery (and joy) to shout into the great void of...the WRITER ZONE!!
Join us! http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
Today is all about being an impostor. A writing impostor. I have been writing off and on for over half my life- which is a scary thought, especially if you know how old I am, and no, I am not going to tell you ;). And I have realized I feel like an impostor sometimes.
Now, first off the definition is of high achieving people who fail to be able to internalize their success. Eh, I'd say anyone who is trying to move forward in a field that has vaguely defined success markers, and is probably in the arts of some sort, AND feels like they are not really what they are trying to be--has it.
For example: I have a day job as a financial aid program coordinator at a major university. I handle all of the state grants. It's a pretty big job. I don't have a problem telling folks I know what I'm doing and I am a financial aid professional.
But that is my job-for my career, my writing, I have realized I feel like an impostor. It's not a new feeling, I just never gave it a name before. What triggered my "OHHH! That's ME!" response, was looking at some workshops for a writers convention I'm going to in July. One of them was dealing with Impostor Syndrome.
I swear a giant light bulb went off over my entire neighborhood at that. "My goodness- I have THAT!"
And sadly, I know I am not alone with my writing compadres in this. We are in a field with very few, "This person MADE it" goal posts. NYT bestsellers, multi million dollar contracts, etc- those folks "made it"- for this rest of us, it's a lot more vague.
Is it getting an agent? Then what if the agent can't sell your book? Are you still a writer? What if the publishing house dumps your series after one book? Are you still a writer? What if you go Indie? Are you still a writer? Even once you get your books out there, and folks are starting to respond- you still have to ask yourself- am I really a writer? And there's often a little voice who will say no.
I think realizing that I do play this dialogue in my head, that I do have a tendency to see what I haven't achieved instead of what I have achieved, is a good start. But, I'm going to have to keep working on it.
What about you? Do you feel like an impostor sometimes? How do you deal with it? Happy IWSG day!
Once a month, writers from across the globe join in solidarity and shared misery (and joy) to shout into the great void of...the WRITER ZONE!!
Join us! http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
Today is all about being an impostor. A writing impostor. I have been writing off and on for over half my life- which is a scary thought, especially if you know how old I am, and no, I am not going to tell you ;). And I have realized I feel like an impostor sometimes.
Now, first off the definition is of high achieving people who fail to be able to internalize their success. Eh, I'd say anyone who is trying to move forward in a field that has vaguely defined success markers, and is probably in the arts of some sort, AND feels like they are not really what they are trying to be--has it.
For example: I have a day job as a financial aid program coordinator at a major university. I handle all of the state grants. It's a pretty big job. I don't have a problem telling folks I know what I'm doing and I am a financial aid professional.
But that is my job-for my career, my writing, I have realized I feel like an impostor. It's not a new feeling, I just never gave it a name before. What triggered my "OHHH! That's ME!" response, was looking at some workshops for a writers convention I'm going to in July. One of them was dealing with Impostor Syndrome.
I swear a giant light bulb went off over my entire neighborhood at that. "My goodness- I have THAT!"
And sadly, I know I am not alone with my writing compadres in this. We are in a field with very few, "This person MADE it" goal posts. NYT bestsellers, multi million dollar contracts, etc- those folks "made it"- for this rest of us, it's a lot more vague.
Is it getting an agent? Then what if the agent can't sell your book? Are you still a writer? What if the publishing house dumps your series after one book? Are you still a writer? What if you go Indie? Are you still a writer? Even once you get your books out there, and folks are starting to respond- you still have to ask yourself- am I really a writer? And there's often a little voice who will say no.
I think realizing that I do play this dialogue in my head, that I do have a tendency to see what I haven't achieved instead of what I have achieved, is a good start. But, I'm going to have to keep working on it.
What about you? Do you feel like an impostor sometimes? How do you deal with it? Happy IWSG day!
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Warrior Wench Face Book Party!
It has been a LONG time coming, A LONG time. BUT the WARRIOR WENCH is hitting the space lanes this coming TUESDAY! (May 24th ;).
To celebrate, I'm having a party! Now, since we all live in different parts of the world, that could be problematic, not to mention, ya all wouldn't fit in my house. So, the party will be on Face Book!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1027414450647322/
The above link should work, but you can also just go to my author Face Book page and sneak in that way ;).
It's starting at 4pm Pacific Time(aka 5 pm MDT, 6pm CDT, and of course 7 pm East coasters) and runs for four hours. You can come and go as you please, but there will be prizes throughout the entire evening along with sneak peaks.
So, come on over and hang out for a bit!
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
It's all about Denny's
Yup- the restaurant. Now, stick with me, this makes sense really. And once we talk about it, you'll see it could really be about anything or anyplace.
I drive by a Denny's on my way to and from the day job. Usually, I don't even notice it, but this most recent trip home I was stuck at the light and found myself contemplating the banners for $2, $4, $6- etc menu price points they have.
Which got me thinking about the restaurant itself. Rather, the way people view it.
To some, a Denny's is just an example of mediocre food, something to be sped past on the freeway. But what if you've been driving for a day or so, and it's the first restaurant you see? What if you're homeless and just got enough money for your first hot meal in weeks?
How would the person who grew up going to that Denny's every Friday and Saturday night in their youth after watching friends bands' play at clubs see it?
The person who worked at one while putting themselves through college?
The popular foodie who secretly likes their Moons Over My Hammy, but can't let anyone know?
All of those scenarios, and pretty much any others you can come up with, are about the SAME restaurant. How it's viewed by people- aka our characters- is completely based on their emotional reaction to it. Not the place itself.
Someone who went there every Sunday evening with their favorite great Aunt is going to have a flood of emotions hitting them the first time they step through the door after their great Aunt has passed away. Do they go back with new friends? Alone? Never go back? Their reaction to the place and way they approach it tell the reader a ton about that character--even if it's not something the reader can isolate. The reader feels it.
A character's reaction to something everyday in their world can be a powerful tool to show different aspects of a character, and slip in bits about their past without beating a reader over the head with it.
So look around your world when you're writing--find the Denny's--find the emotion that can connect your reader to your character.
(for the record--I think they have very decent breakfasts and yes, spent a lot of time in them after the clubs closed ;)).
I drive by a Denny's on my way to and from the day job. Usually, I don't even notice it, but this most recent trip home I was stuck at the light and found myself contemplating the banners for $2, $4, $6- etc menu price points they have.
Which got me thinking about the restaurant itself. Rather, the way people view it.
To some, a Denny's is just an example of mediocre food, something to be sped past on the freeway. But what if you've been driving for a day or so, and it's the first restaurant you see? What if you're homeless and just got enough money for your first hot meal in weeks?
How would the person who grew up going to that Denny's every Friday and Saturday night in their youth after watching friends bands' play at clubs see it?
The person who worked at one while putting themselves through college?
The popular foodie who secretly likes their Moons Over My Hammy, but can't let anyone know?
All of those scenarios, and pretty much any others you can come up with, are about the SAME restaurant. How it's viewed by people- aka our characters- is completely based on their emotional reaction to it. Not the place itself.
Someone who went there every Sunday evening with their favorite great Aunt is going to have a flood of emotions hitting them the first time they step through the door after their great Aunt has passed away. Do they go back with new friends? Alone? Never go back? Their reaction to the place and way they approach it tell the reader a ton about that character--even if it's not something the reader can isolate. The reader feels it.
A character's reaction to something everyday in their world can be a powerful tool to show different aspects of a character, and slip in bits about their past without beating a reader over the head with it.
So look around your world when you're writing--find the Denny's--find the emotion that can connect your reader to your character.
(for the record--I think they have very decent breakfasts and yes, spent a lot of time in them after the clubs closed ;)).
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
#IWSG-Going out in public
Welcome to another round of the
Insecure Writer's Support Group! Join us!
Today's scream into the void, is the whole, "going out in public with our books" thing. Before I was published, appearing at a book signing or book fair was something I dreamed of. And this was EVEN after years in bookstore management seeing book signings crash and burn.
But then I started doing them.
First was a signing in the lobby of my day job before we opened. It was more of a party and very fun- thrilling even. I knew all the folks there liked me at least a little.
Since then I've done two huge book fairs and two bookstore signings. And, at my advanced age, I'm beginning to think I might just be an introvert, instead of the introverted extrovert I always thought I was. Coincidence?
These events are awesome- it is so wonderful to meet readers who either have read your books and enjoyed them (I can't explain how wonderful that feels!) or think they look interesting enough to give them a try.
They are also freaking terrifying. You're sitting out there, surrounded by people who don't have to like you because you work with them, showing them your BOOK. And really hoping they say something nice--or at the very least, don't say something mean.
I've got another signing this Saturday- with some pretty dang amazing authors. I am freaking out that I'll get lost in the dust. Part of me, the part that looked forward to things like this for a VERY long time, is bouncing around in glee. The newly discovered introvert side of me is screaming for someone to come hold my hand during all of it.
So- for you folks who have done events, how do you cope? For folks who haven't done them yet--are you looking forward to doing them?
Shameless plug for my upcoming event- a great event, at a very cool Indie bookstore- if you live in Southern California, please come by! (No, I won't really make you hold my hand ;)).
http://www.mystgalaxy.com/event/mysterious-galaxy-23rd-birthday-bash
On Saturday, May 8, 1993, a new store opened in Clairemont Square, dedicated to the staff’s passion for books of “Martians, Murder, Magic and Mayhem.” Today, more than twenty years later, that passion continues. We invite you to join us on Saturday, May 7, for our annual all-day celebration, featuring some fantastic spotlight authors, a celebration of our still new to us location, and, of course, cake!
10:00 AM: Mystery Morning
Authors Gregory Harris, Linda O. Johnston, Kwei Quartey, and Lida Sideris
Authors Gregory Harris, Linda O. Johnston, Kwei Quartey, and Lida Sideris
11:00 AM: Middle Grade Magic
Authors Cameron Baity and Benny Zelkowicz
Authors Cameron Baity and Benny Zelkowicz
Noon: Young Adult Author Panel
Authors Elizabeth Briggs, Jennifer Brody, Tobie Easton, Eric Laster, and Sara Wolf
Authors Elizabeth Briggs, Jennifer Brody, Tobie Easton, Eric Laster, and Sara Wolf
1:00 PM: Discussing Dragons
Authors Marie Brennan and Todd Lockwood
Authors Marie Brennan and Todd Lockwood
2:00 PM: Suspense Spotlight
Authors Kelley Armstrong, Daryl Wood Gerber, Elena Hartwell, and Gavin Scott
Authors Kelley Armstrong, Daryl Wood Gerber, Elena Hartwell, and Gavin Scott
3:00 PM: CAKE!
3:30 PM: Fantastic Speculations
Authors Marie Andreas, Gini Koch, Jonathan Maberry, and Sharon Skinner
Authors Marie Andreas, Gini Koch, Jonathan Maberry, and Sharon Skinner
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