tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18235009274987808732024-03-16T14:53:05.436-04:00Red Light, Green Light: A Writer's WalkRome wasn't built in a day. Novels take even longer.Lisa C. Ganthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13074717497107249520noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-45061086161541489732012-07-02T09:00:00.000-04:002012-07-02T09:00:00.654-04:00Why There Are No Shortcuts in World-buildingEvery writer has certain parts of the writing process that fill them with joy, along with others that fill them with dread. Naturally, those preferences vary for each of us. Some writers adore character development, while others despise it. Some loathe plotting, while for others, it's the first thing they want to do when they get up in the morning.<br />
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I'm a storyteller, so for me, pounding out the first draft is a natural high. The type of scene doesn't matter; just cut me loose and let me write it. Whether it's a heart-pounding action scene or a tender moment of romance that takes your breath away, I feel right at home. When it comes time to do world-building, however, I freeze up like I've got icicles for legs.<br />
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At no point was this weakness more obvious than it was this past weekend at my critique group meeting. I brought some sample pages from a young adult fantasy novel I've been working on, eager for feedback. I'd brought the pages in before, gotten them critiqued and made adjustments based on the notes I was given, and I was optimistic that my changes had greatly improved the story.<br />
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I waited with bated breath as my critique partners carefully review the revised pages, trying not to read over their shoulders as they took meticulous notes. Finally, they put down their pens and said the last words I'd wanted to hear:<br />
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"The overall writing is solid, but your world still doesn't feel real to me."<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Argh. Cue the wailing and gnashing of teeth here.</span><br />
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I know what you're thinking: "But you <i>like </i>fantasy---fairies, elves, unicorns, dwarves and the like. Shouldn't creating races, maps and languages be your idea of a good time?" And my response is, you must be thinking of Tolkien. I skipped all those long descriptions of setting and elf songs in <i>Lord of the Rings</i>. Gimme sword fights and a good makeout scene over that stuff any day.<br />
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Here's the problem, though. Have you ever had a moment when you're neck-deep in a great story and you suddenly find yourself wondering, "Yes, but <i>why</i> did those people mutate twenty years ago? And why didn't they <i>all </i>mutate? And why do they keep fighting over <i>that </i>territory?" Moments like that are distracting and pull your readers out of the story; if they happen often enough, people stop reading altogether. <b>If the world you've created doesn't make sense to your readers, they can't fully connect with the story you're telling---no matter how good it is.</b><br />
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Oh, and if you think this is all just for fantasy/sci-fi writers and our races of green people who speak Icktock and live on Mars, you're mistaken. World-building is just as important whether you're writing a Western, a contemporary romance or an updated fairy tale. It's not enough to know the names and occupations of your characters. You need to know about the town he grew up in, how big her high school was and whether his third-grade teachers was mean or not. <span style="background-color: white;">These details may seem insignificant to you, but often they are the difference between characters who lie flat on the page, and ones who live, breathe and touch your readers' hearts. They can turn a good story into a great one, and isn't that what all writers want?</span><br />
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So. If you'll excuse me, I have to go draw some maps now.<br />
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What about you? What steps do you take to make the worlds in your stories feel more real to your readers?<br />
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<br />Lisa C. Ganthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13074717497107249520noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-58239967031155532342012-06-18T09:00:00.000-04:002012-06-18T11:18:36.760-04:00Can Authors Give Negative Book Reviews?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The other day, I was scanning <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/" target="_blank">Goodreads </a>and came across what appeared to be a not-so-nice review of a fairly well-known author's book. Upon closer inspection, however, I realized it was actually a rather scathing indictment of the author's <i>reaction </i>to negative reviews in general. According to the reviewer, the author was warning other aspiring authors to not give negative ratings to books, since it could damage their budding careers in the long run. If you bash an author's book and later want that author to write a blurb for you, for example, forget it.<br />
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Now, I won't give either the reviewer's or the author's names, since I can't confirm the accuracy of any of this information. However, I don't think names matter much in this scenario anyway. I'm far more interested in the opinions that were raised in this exchange. </div>
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The reviewer, along with others who left comments, seemed to have the attitude that authors who get negative reviews should put on their "big kid undies" and chunk it up as part of the business. The consensus was that no author has the right to tell people whether or not to leave negative reviews, whether those people are aspiring writers themselves or not.</div>
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Hmm. Interesting. I can't say I've ever thought about book reviews in quite this way before. I've always known that they held tremendous power for writers, but I never thought how that influence may come at a price. To be honest, the entire thing has me questioning some of the book reviews I've written myself.</div>
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While I'm not a book blogger by any means, I am a fairly avid reader and I have a couple of reviews up on Goodreads at the moment...along with millions of other people. So, I had to wonder: Are authors really out there scanning for reviews like mine, ones that may or may not have been favorable to them? If I criticize an author's prose, plot or character development, will that really come back to bite me once my own work of art is published?</div>
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Well, here's my take on the matter: I believe in the Golden Rule---treating others as you wish to be treated---but I also believe in honesty. The same freedom of speech that allows you to write a book in the first place is the same freedom of speech that allows me to examine that book with a critical eye if I wish. It is our right and duty as intelligent readers to think critically about what we read, not just swallow it down without digesting it.</div>
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That said, there's no reason for us to be petty and ugly when we offer our criticism. Whether we believe it or not, every published author slaved over the words we read, polishing and fine-tuning to make them as perfect as possible. And for that, they deserve our respect, not our insults and ridicule. We can disagree with their work without devaluing them as people, and that's an important distinction to make. At the end of the day, I think it's a compromise we can all live with.</div>
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What do you think? Do aspiring authors have the right to publicly criticize the work of their peers? If so, is there a way to do it respectfully? Can popular book reviewers be honest in their reviews, or has it become "politically correct" to only post positive reviews?</div>
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<br /></div>Lisa C. Ganthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13074717497107249520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-5338179489692364022012-06-13T14:40:00.000-04:002012-06-13T14:43:06.367-04:00Trends I've Noticed in YA Fiction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Trends are funny things. They come in and go out like the tide, bursting onto the scene and fading away just as quickly. They're found in fashion, T.V. shows, movies and books, and the same ones seem to appear over and over again. <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=705&tbm=isch&tbnid=yuEC7_5iFVkiNM:&imgrefurl=http://thegloss.com/fashion/5-reasons-we-dont-wear-bell-bottoms/&docid=jUG8Px_He-lUUM&imgurl=http://thegloss.com/files/2010/04/bell-bottoms.jpg&w=280&h=280&ei=hNvYT6WkIoTC2wWLrJGKDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=315&vpy=177&dur=3368&hovh=224&hovw=224&tx=125&ty=124&sig=110695185293693392867&page=1&tbnh=148&tbnw=149&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:144" target="_blank">Bell bottoms</a> become <a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=158838022&tid=onpn001496&kwid=1&ap=7&sem=true&mkwid=pNC00f" target="_blank">flared jeans</a>, slip-ons become <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbi2w3OQ7Mw" target="_blank">pop kicks</a> and leggings become...well, <a href="http://www.forever21.com/Product/Category.aspx?br=f21&category=btms_leggings" target="_blank">leggings</a>. Each time we think these flashy fads are gone for good, they somehow reinvent themselves for a new generation.<br />
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Nowhere is this more true than in the world of literature, especially with the rise of the e-reader, which makes the latest bestseller a simple click or download away. Some argue that the entire young adult (YA) genre itself is a fad that will eventually fade like others. I strongly disagree with this logic, but that's another topic for another post. I do, however, believe that YA lit is subject to trends like all other genres of writing. Here are just a few of the ones I've noticed lately:</div>
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<li><b>Dystopian fiction</b> - This one is a biggie, arguably the most popular trend in the genre right now. Not to be confused with utopian fiction. Wikipedia offers <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopian_and_dystopian_fiction" target="_blank">pretty detailed explanations</a> for both, but for the sake of simplicity, I'll just say that utopian fiction depicts an ideal world, a paradise of sorts. Dystopian fiction depicts the opposite, a world that is unraveling, often to the point of destruction. Today's dystopians include major blockbuster hits like <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2767052-the-hunger-games" target="_blank">The Hunger Games</a>, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8306857-divergent" target="_blank">Divergent</a>, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8525590-wither" target="_blank">Wither</a>, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6186357-the-maze-runner" target="_blank">The Maze Runner</a></i> and a host of others, but as blogger Lily Paradis so eloquently shared in <a href="http://lilyparadis.com/2012/05/25/ya-genres-trending-or-tired/" target="_blank">her recent post</a> on the subject, these books are hardly the first of their kind to imagine our world with a dismal future.</li>
<li><b>Dead protagonists</b> - Book marketer and blogger Rachel Stark made a compelling case last October for the obsession we seem to have with <a href="http://trac-changes.blogspot.com/2011/10/cover-trends-in-ya-fiction-why.html" target="_blank">dead girls in YA literature</a>, and the trend only seems to have grown since that post was published. From stories where <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4374400-if-i-stay" target="_blank">a life-or-death choice</a> is the premise of the novel, to ones where <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/536.The_Lovely_Bones" target="_blank">the main character is already dead</a>, to ones where characters are <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9378297-anna-dressed-in-blood" target="_blank">haunted by the deceased</a>, one thing is disturbingly clear: Death, in all its forms, is apparently the new black (pun intended...sort of).</li>
<li><b>Love triangles</b> - Ah, love triangles. Something about them just screams teenage angst, doesn't it? This trend is one of the oldest in literature, going back to the days of Shakespeare and beyond, but it seems like its most recent resurgence has come in full force. You'll be hard-pressed to find a YA book these days (particularly one with paranormal elements) that doesn't feature a heroine bouncing like a ping pong ball between two drop-dead gorgeous fellas. Most readers either love or hate them. I happen to be in the "love them" camp, but only when they're done well and don't hijack the plot. I'm totally Team Peeta, by the way.</li>
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As far as what's the "next big thing" in YA, I think that's anybody's guess, but I'd love to hear your predictions. I'll have my thoughts on the matter in another post.</div>
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What trends have you noticed in YA books lately? Do you read with the trends or away from them? </div>
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</div>Lisa C. Ganthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13074717497107249520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-56171039525271355052012-06-04T09:00:00.000-04:002012-06-04T12:26:19.955-04:00Getting Back in the Saddle (Here We Go Again...)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've spent the past few weeks debating whether I wanted to revive this blog or not. As you can see, it's been about 18 months since my last post. I didn't entirely abandon blogging during that time; I just wound up trying---and failing---to start new blogs in different locations, each with a slightly different focus.<br />
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My problem, I think, is consistency. I struggle with staying motivated to complete long-term tasks, which is why freelancing has been such a great fit. It gives me the freedom to work on a lot of different things so I don't have the chance to get stuck in a rut.<br />
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Blogging, however, demands a routine of sorts. It allows for spontaneity because you can control when you post, how often and what subjects you cover. Nevertheless, if you have any desire to develop and maintain a decent group of readers, you'd better be somewhat predictable. Otherwise, you can come off as a little kooky.</div>
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I get that...in theory. In practice, though, it's a different story. I used to think I was just lazy or disorganized, but lately I've stumbled across more than a couple of orphaned blogs, even a few from some of my writing role models. Apparently, many people are suffering from "<a href="http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2011/10/is-blog-fatigue-on-rise.html" target="_blank">blogging fatigue</a>" due to the market being over-saturated. Another point I see coming up over and over again is that after maintaining a weekly/daily blog for a period of several years, most folks simply run out of things to say. After all, how many posts can you really write about knitting? Or your new puppy? Or superior methods of backyard grilling? 500? 1,000? 2,000?<br />
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Despite this recent turn of events, I don't think blogging is going the way of the dodo bird anytime soon. While fewer people may be starting and maintaining blogs compared to a few years ago, <a href="http://en.wordpress.com/stats/" target="_blank">thousands upon thousands of people are still using them</a> to express themselves, socialize, share information, and in many cases, uplift and inspire others. For these reasons, I believe blogs still have plenty of life left in them, even if it sometimes seems like they're dying off.<br />
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In a way, these ideas are also part of why I've decided to take up blogging again. There are other reasons too---my long-term goal of building a marketing platform for my writing, for example. However, in my heart of hearts, I just flat-out enjoy the medium that blogging provides. It allows me to say things that can't quite be said any other way, and that's why I want to stick with it if I can. Here goes nothing.<br />
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What about you? Do you maintain a regular, active blog? If so, what keeps you committed for the long haul? What makes a blog compelling and fun for you to read?<br />
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<br /></div>Lisa C. Ganthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13074717497107249520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-83813589661032905322010-10-29T09:00:00.004-04:002010-10-29T09:00:04.641-04:00NaNoWriMo, Here I Come!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5NBJURCR-I1zAg3TsHYHFk34PYPAgCO2z_euU3AuzqORJtxYSYITfil0RLWV9SpBwgyKOyAaDqYZx-SYkxUvAAlDDHetI8J2RHpK78cCKUwkcDHuLVAjc3KxIOcX8qxgMhGBikqJILk/s1600/nanowrimo_participant_01_120x90.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5NBJURCR-I1zAg3TsHYHFk34PYPAgCO2z_euU3AuzqORJtxYSYITfil0RLWV9SpBwgyKOyAaDqYZx-SYkxUvAAlDDHetI8J2RHpK78cCKUwkcDHuLVAjc3KxIOcX8qxgMhGBikqJILk/s400/nanowrimo_participant_01_120x90.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533246927407758898" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">If you're anything like me, you felt a change in the air on October 1. Something shifted in the artistic atmosphere, something wild and crazy that send a rush of adrenaline pumping through your veins. All over the world, writers began whispering, anticipating and feeling marvelous excitement at what was just around the corner. And if you listened carefully, you could hear the collective sound of shiny new story ideas being unwrapped and plunked down into eager waiting minds.</div><div><div><br /></div><br /><div>It was a moment of inspiration. It was the beginning of NaNoWriMo season.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>What is NaNoWriMo, you ask? To put it succinctly, it is glorious literary abandon. You see, in the writing world, the entire month of November has been designated <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">National Novel Writing Month</a> (a.k.a. "NaNoWriMo," or simply "NaNo," depending on how lazy you are). Participants have from midnight on November 1 until midnight on November 30 to pen 50,000 words or more (about a 175-page novel), which translates to about 1,667 words per day.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Now, let's be clear about one thing: If you're the type of writer who simply must make every phrase sing before it hits the paper or computer screen, this event is <u>not</u> for you. This is your excuse to write absolutely unpublishable garbage, because, as the folks at NaNo's Office of Letters and Light like to say, "<a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/whatisnano">It's all about quantity, not quality</a>." It's a time for writers everywhere to tie up their Inner Editors, put duct tape over their mouths and lock them in a closet. After all, there's gotta be a diamond in the rough somewhere, right?</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Writers sign up from literally all over the globe to join in on the chaos; over 165,000 took part last year! Not bad for a gig that started out with <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/history#yearone">a mere 21 brave souls back in 1999</a> :)</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>So, as you've probably already guessed, yours truly will be geared up and ready to go come November 1. This will be my third year participating in NaNo, and I'm more excited now than I've ever been. I've never reached that elusive goal of 50K words, but I have a good feeling that this third time will be the charm. Why? First, I've got a shiny new idea that's a doozy, if I do say so myself! I've gotten great feedback on it so far. Second, this year I discovered that when it comes to NaNoWriMo I'm definitely a "plotter," not a "pantser" (Want to know what those are? Stay tuned!). Finally and most importantly, I'm kind of a poor loser, and I really don't want to go through all of the late nights and caffeinated beverages it takes to survive November without having my 50K to show for it.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Whew! If you're new to the game, consider this your official introduction to National Novel Writing Month. If you're a bit of a veteran, now's the time for you to jump in and share your words of wisdom with the newbies. What are your secrets to reaching 50K? How do you stay motivated during the tough times? And of course, the most critical question of all: which snacks do you reach for when hunger strikes?</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-60222632915403337212010-10-27T10:06:00.008-04:002010-11-28T22:13:18.517-05:00My First Book Review! Lockdown (Escape From Furnace 1) by Alexander Gordon Smith<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrXeNXkKxP58SxMQP7y6gMuGmk4HL9WMaFi9w6SzK-bUNWK3LDuOBBLx9MIh24CXQULkznUAY2zTYwEZhVk9oukM1LHQUM7zuVQ8qgAMidvHHCckVkQkfe8R7k-mQFPjlQm8ZAvSdi_0/s1600/Lockdown.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 197px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532742050201836690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrXeNXkKxP58SxMQP7y6gMuGmk4HL9WMaFi9w6SzK-bUNWK3LDuOBBLx9MIh24CXQULkznUAY2zTYwEZhVk9oukM1LHQUM7zuVQ8qgAMidvHHCckVkQkfe8R7k-mQFPjlQm8ZAvSdi_0/s320/Lockdown.jpg" /></a>I've never done a book review before, but I figure 4 years spent writing essays as an English major in undergrad makes me fairly qualified for it. Methinks the book review will be considerably more fun ;-) Alrighty then, let's get started! Here's the lowdown on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312611935/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?ie=UTF8&cloe_id=1f4977ec-eaa7-495b-a084-d41731c1a1dc&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0374324913&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0N0A8ZKAXV6Q137GG8V3">Lockdown: Escape from Furnace 1 by Alexander Gordon Smith</a>:<br /><br /><div><blockquote><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Fourteen-year-old Alex Sawyer is the bully on the playground you were terrified of as a kid---lunch money stealer and all. He and his best friend Toby make it a habit to break into peoples' homes and steal whatever strikes their fancy. One night, however, their heist turns lethal when Toby is gunned down in cold blood by gigantic men in black suits and creepy strangers wearing gas masks. Alex didn't do it, but with no one to back up his story, he's found guilty of the murder and sentenced to life in Furnace Penitentiary, the world's worst maximum-security prison for teenage criminals.<br /><br />On the surface, Furnace is kind of like a teen version of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oz_(TV_series)"><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Oz</span></a><span style="color:#cc66cc;">; the days are long, the work is hard and the food is terrible. There are a few minor differences, though, like the seriously gross-looking mutant dogs that run around hoping for a bite (or ten) of human flesh. There's also the blood watch siren that sounds at night, which causes kids to get snatched from their beds and disappear. So yeah, Alex wants out, and he's determined to find a way to escape. There's only one problem: no one has ever escaped from Furnace.</span></blockquote></div><div>Okay, let's start out with the positives. First of all, the book is chock-full of tension. I had a moment in the bookstore when I was trying to decide between this book and another one that was pretty similar. The reason this one won out was because it hooked me like a baited fish right from the first line. The opening scene has Alex running for his life with mutant dogs hot on his tail, and it sets your pulse pounding as if you're right there in the prison with him.</div><br /><div>That brings me to the second main strength of the book: great imagery. Smith does an excellent job making the world of Furnace come alive for his readers. You can literally feel the heat in the air, taste the grainy, disgusting prison slop and hear the wild shrieks of the gas-masked creatures echoing in the night. Reading it is truly an intense and viseral experience.</div><br /><div>Now it's time to discuss the novel's weaknesses. Although I enjoyed the page-turning aspects of the story, I was turned off by Smith's tendency to spell everything out for his readers. Remember the old adage, "Show, don't tell"? Well, Smith does a heck of a lot of telling in the story. When every other sentence drives home just how horrendously evil and awful Furnace is, that's just overkill. I know the guards are mean; you don't need to use the words "malicious" and "cruel" every time you describe them, you know?</div><br /><div>This flaw made the characters problematic for me as well. I never felt any real connection to most of them because they were all put in boxes. As in, characters A, B and C are good, while characters X, Y and Z are eeeeevil. Alex was the exception, an anti-hero if you will, but I would've preferred if all the characters had been that way. It was too black and white; I needed more shades of gray.</div><br /><div><strong>The Bottom Line:</strong> If you're looking for a fast-paced thriller that doesn't require you to think too much, Lockdown is for you. It wasn't fabulous and it wasn't terrible, just pretty decent. There were some frightening supernatural elements in it, so it's not for the kidlets, but anyone middle-school aged and above should be okay. </div><br /><div>Lockdown is the first book in the Escape From Furnace trilogy, with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Solitary-Furnace-Alexander-Gordon-Smith/dp/0374324921/ref=pd_sim_b_1">Solitary</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Furnace-Sentence-Alexander-Gordon-Smith/dp/0571245617">Death Sentence</a> due out in 2010 and 2011 in the U.S. (both are already available in the UK). I'm interested in seeing how things pan out Alex and his friends.</div><br /><div><strong>Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars (worth grabbing on <a href="http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php">PaperBackSwap.com</a>)</strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div>Time for sharing now. What do you think of my very first ever book review? Love it? Hate it? Utterly indifferent? Let me know your thoughts!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-55453833280862373732010-10-24T22:26:00.000-04:002010-10-24T23:29:18.254-04:00Facing Your Fears (Part 3)Ugh. I've avoided writing this post for a long time because I was afraid of it. Yup, you read that right. I've been afraid of writing a post about facing your fears. Go figure. <div><br /></div><div>I suppose what's made it so difficult is that at the end of the day, I don't have the answers, only the questions. Scoff if you like, but at least you know the truth: I've been writing for years and there are still plenty of things I don't have figured out yet. I'm like many of you---just stumbling around and trying to find my way. And how do you give advice about something you can't do yourself?</div><div><div><br /></div><div>That, in essence, is the whole reason I started this series in the first place. As with my writing, I blog from my life, the good, the bad and the ugly. For better or worse, I put my struggles out in the open because I never want to give the impression that this stuff is effortless. That doesn't help anyone. Writing about the challenges forces me to work through them, along with reading advice from my wonderful followers :-) I love getting different perspectives on the issues we all face in our craft.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnJSDGUJUJOpdyB6W34OngBDBwCvpy1mj82eTIJIf3d420xlb_1-XacAXln2t4Wc0BDq1HkBaiplRLUNw9fdw2XkWSUx62Gaf5tijFclu0Mvkp5GR21-fBQ43vyFHx113eCs4fZKrsVw/s320/00399741.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531819339655561314" /><div><br /></div><div>So, how do you face your writing fears? What do you do when that huge, horrific monster rears its ugly head and gnashes its razor-sharp teeth? At this point, the only answer I've come up with is that you suck it up and make yourself write anyway. Scared you're out of ideas? Start writing about the room you're in and what could happen there. Seriously. Scared you'll never get published? Give yourself a deadline to finish a story and then start querying, no matter how crappy it is. Scared you'll get published and your novel will flop? Write another book that's better than the first one so more people will want to read it.</div></div><div><div><br /></div><div>I know you were looking for something fabulous and profound, something that would totally blow your minds, but right now that's all I've got. <a href="http://hollylisle.com/index.php/Feature-Stories/everyday-courage-and-the-writer.html">Other writers have said the same thing</a> far more eloquently, but this is my version of it. The longer I write, the more I realize there are no easy answers to being successful at it. You just have to do it, and do it, and do it, and do it some more. Then one day, some glorious shiny day that's as bright as a new copper penny, it pays off. And man, <a href="http://dlcurran.blogspot.com/2010/10/bravery-pays-off.html">is that payoff ever sweet when it comes</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-62532042821592040202010-09-15T07:52:00.001-04:002010-09-15T10:48:21.274-04:00My Characters Are Not My Kids<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOlO_AurntXkQztUkkddVoWH3eWxBh30Ygnl1yCsW3rtzBvOUA4iWcQgI2eF5nWVLtU6A6vYufGaXT-Tc3mD0XOFQ_wkJ3SBy1p7EIPBus6QIFNYVYrPJfNmcwYIJAmAAzZwa_K0UAE0/s1600/00402504.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515798475989774770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOlO_AurntXkQztUkkddVoWH3eWxBh30Ygnl1yCsW3rtzBvOUA4iWcQgI2eF5nWVLtU6A6vYufGaXT-Tc3mD0XOFQ_wkJ3SBy1p7EIPBus6QIFNYVYrPJfNmcwYIJAmAAzZwa_K0UAE0/s320/00402504.jpg" border="0" /></a>I'd like to take a short break from the <a href="http://lcgant.blogspot.com/2010/08/facing-your-fears-part-1.html">Facing Our Fears </a>series. Blame it on my Muse. She's not exactly a linear thinker :-) Don't worry, though. We'll get back on track soon enough...<br /><div></div><br /><div>While driving home from work yesterday evening, I got a plot idea for a story I've been working on. A wonderful idea. An awful idea. <i>A deliciously, wonderfully awful idea.</i><br /></div><br /><div><i></i>It's wonderful because it fits the story so well and it's true to my heroine and it adds so much nail-biting tension I can hardly stand it...and...and...well, it is <i>exactly </i>what I need. To a tee.<br /></div><div> </div><div>At the same time, it's awful because it requires me to do a really bad thing to my heroine. Bad enough to almost destroy her. Bad enough to cut her off from just about everyone around her. Before you ask, yeah, it is <b>that </b>screwed up, and no, it's not rape, torture or any other form of abuse. It's something a little more subtle, but with equally devastating results.</div><div><br /> </div><div>The funny thing is, as much as I love the idea, a large of me is railing against it because I know just how difficult it will make life for my character---for many of the characters in the story, in fact. And, even though this is a perfectly fictional being we're talking about here, some twisted maternal part of me wants to protect her, keep her safe. I want her to walk, talk and feel as alive as real, flesh-and-blood person, except I don't want her to feel pain. I don't want her to bleed.</div><div><br /> </div><div>Am I the only one who thinks that's a tad bit weird? Gosh, I hope not.</div><div><br /> </div><div>Fortunately, I thought of some wise words from one of my favorite writers of all time, the one-and-only <a href="http://hollylisle.com/">Holly Lisle</a>. I don't believe I've mentioned her on the blog before, but the woman has been an utter godsend for my writing. Her website has advice for just about every writing question you can think of, and 99.9% of it is FREE. Not to mention the fact that her <a href="http://hollylisle.com/index.php/My-Books/all-my-books-in-one-place.html#novels">Secret Texts trilogy</a> features some of the most fantastic world-building I've ever come across... </div><div><br /> </div><div>But I digress. Anyway, in her <a href="http://hollylisle.com/index.php/How-To-s/how-to-create-a-character.htm">"How to Create a Character" workshop</a>, Ms. Lisle says the following:</div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2pxfont-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14;" ><br /><blockquote>You must feel empathy for the characters you create, both the heroes and the villains, but you can never feel sympathy. In other words, you have to understand why your characters do what they do, but you can't let that understanding tempt you to ease their suffering, or let them take the easy way out of situations, or experience sudden miracles that remove their obstacles.</blockquote></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515798633234337954" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 247px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8qfQ_mxs2OKiswskRPEO9aj7oUfVPAu_blE37l_wzvdueevZ8M4ytMHXDPLiGYxxCuYLy-3gKk9vuKrdI3SiX3KMOxF8g6O74sZPdO8XaUlYpWT621DD9QZV9b0AZb8KkBrFkiTmCrM/s320/00441242.jpg" border="0" /><br />And you know something? That's exactly my problem right now. I'm <b>sympathizing </b>with my heroine instead of <b>empathizing </b>with her. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I've spent a ridiculous number of years with this character, more years than I'd care to admit. I suppose it's natural that I've become attached to her, that I think of her as a sort of adopted child.</div><div><br /> </div><div>Except that she's not. She's a character, not a kid, and no matter what hell I put her through, she won't break. Besides, if she never has to go through anything tough, no one will want to read her story.</div><div><br /> </div><div>What about you? Do you ever get too attached to your characters? What do you do when it happens?</div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2pxfont-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14;" ></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-16082212972520442722010-09-13T07:39:00.013-04:002010-11-28T22:33:46.708-05:00Facing Your Fears (Part 2)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgDKA9KaO3rBvUsyaPev9ZaDKSgBPnv0upPtWxq5FT1soXzB7bnaTxtoCRMQu1Q6FHBHntxKzH0aWrbZdRrwu2fId_1yHn25sCYq1MJjHmX58y5ejKvtJ-_T2AXHrF_PLjqCQtUm8DqM/s1600/00414034.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 194px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516232841867126002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgDKA9KaO3rBvUsyaPev9ZaDKSgBPnv0upPtWxq5FT1soXzB7bnaTxtoCRMQu1Q6FHBHntxKzH0aWrbZdRrwu2fId_1yHn25sCYq1MJjHmX58y5ejKvtJ-_T2AXHrF_PLjqCQtUm8DqM/s320/00414034.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Okay, I've never done a blogging series before, so I hope you'll bear with me. I'm still feeling my way through this thing. Well, let's dive right in, shall we?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-size:85%;">In </span><a href="http://lcgant.blogspot.com/2010/08/facing-your-fears-part-1.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">my last post</span></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">, I discussed how fear is an emotion that both helps and harms us. I also mentioned how it can be a pretty serious Muse-killer if we allow it to be. In the comments section, we talked about our fears at different stages in the writing process. These three were the ones most likely to have us waking up in a cold sweat: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><ol><li></span></li></ol><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Fear of FAILURE:</b> This is probably the most obvious of the three. You know the feeling. You find an agent, but she can't sell your story to save her life. Or, you find a publishing home but the book tanks. Or worse, it gets all sorts of press---only it's the bad kind. Pick your scenario, but they all end the same way; namely, with you curled up in the fetal position in the corner of your bedroom, sucking your thumb.</span><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Fear of "WRITING LIMBO"</b>: This fear is similar to #1, but with a subtle difference. It's less about the crash-and-burn and more about never having the chance to crash in the first place. It's that infuriating mental brick wall we writers lovingly refer to as "</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writer"><span style="font-size:85%;">writer's block</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">." It's getting stuck in the quicksand of endless revisions. It's querying the same story for what seems like years and never getting past form rejections. If that stuff doesn't give you the heebie-jeebies, you ain't serious about writing. </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Fear of SUCCESS:</b> At first glance, this last fear seems a little nonsensical, doesn't it? Picture the pinnacle of success for a writer: a seven-figure book deal, a big-budget movie offer, a spot on </span><a href="http://www.oprah.com/book_club.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">Oprah's Book Club</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> AND the </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller/"><span style="font-size:85%;">New York Times bestseller list</span></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">... Who in their right mind would be afraid of that? Someone who thinks about what comes <i>next</i>---how to surpass all those lovely expectations you've set for yourself. After all, you're only as good as your last book, right? How on earth do you top Oprah's book club? What if you run out of things to say and nobody likes you ever, ever again?</span></li><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I'll bet some of you out there are thinking this post is a little...well, depressing for your taste. If so, I don't blame you; it's a bit of a downer to me as well. <b>But here's the thing: our fears can never go away unless we face them. </b>We have to look them square in the eye and not flinch, not even for a second. This is the first step: calling them what they are, giving them a name. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Part 3 is the hardest part, doing what it takes to move past them. Are you ready?</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-24634027208152799232010-08-29T15:29:00.017-04:002010-09-07T21:44:26.943-04:00Facing Your Fears (Part 1)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAykjsER7gtTNqIbogePs06mLsi05nYhyphenhyphen8FgZ0rhtWPT9KgtdVc6wyouDUN9tI1BeHAnLoqCTESf1mEJrCEyIlhZWt__iQCkrOFgHHhyphenhyphenPX2_gKH_Sx7ulrVAmGsP6jevTXnC18gWIQ0o8/s1600/00414035.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 158px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAykjsER7gtTNqIbogePs06mLsi05nYhyphenhyphen8FgZ0rhtWPT9KgtdVc6wyouDUN9tI1BeHAnLoqCTESf1mEJrCEyIlhZWt__iQCkrOFgHHhyphenhyphenPX2_gKH_Sx7ulrVAmGsP6jevTXnC18gWIQ0o8/s200/00414035.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514348484968821634" /></a><div>Everyone is afraid of something. You can be the biggest, baddest, most outrageously muscle-bound guy or gal the world has ever seen, and there will still be something out there that scares your shorts off.</div><div><br /></div><div>For me, it's cockroaches. Can't stand the things. I used to work in an office that where they jumped out in broad daylight and literally looked you in the eye. No matter what our pest control guys sprayed at them, they w<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">ould <b>not </b>die.</span> Ugh. </i>Just thinking about it makes me queasy.<div><br /></div><div>Anyway... Moving on.<br /><div><br /></div><div>My point is, fear is instinctive; it's built into the fibers of who we are as living creatures. Heck, animals have that whole <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight-or-flight_response">fight-or-flight response</a> down to a science. Just try sneaking up on a grizzly bear in the forest and see how Mr. Friendly reacts to being startled. (Okay, don't actually try that. I don't want to get sued.) </div><div><br /></div><div>In the right context, fear is a perfectly healthy---and at times even life-saving---emotion. Fear is what prompts us to teach our children about "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranger_danger">Stranger Danger</a>," for example. However, if we give it too much control, it cripples us. It holds us hostage and crushes our dreams before they even have the chance to take flight. And that's what makes it so dangerous. Fear doesn't allow us the opportunity for failure or success. It only keeps us stuck where we are.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>As a writer, fear is your greatest enemy. It can turn your Inner Editor from a soft and helpful whisper into a whiny, nagging scream, one that tells you every sentence, indeed, every single word you put down on paper is wrong, wrong, WRONG. It can keep you revising the same WIP for 15 years, yet at the same time convince you that it should never see the light of day. And if you let it, fear will ensure that you always remain an <i>aspiring </i>writer, never a published one.</div><div><br /></div><div>You deserve better. Don't let your fears do that to you. Starting today, let's face them together.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's sharing time now, boys and girls: What fears do you have about your writing?</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-81388747325607950482010-08-28T15:23:00.007-04:002010-09-07T21:34:33.321-04:00The Value of Write Ins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SNbGb7-siSvoN6AGPplWXp4yWG8oIKiAng3dqSFH2y6H95Cyr5ci2btSQElGbc-yCU7VQOZZKHlToKkC4lI3fxeDlQ8-BRc7j-3vz5LS0lf0I5TVuLahZ_mCmNREB3mlqfQ1S8tE4fQ/s1600/00433057.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SNbGb7-siSvoN6AGPplWXp4yWG8oIKiAng3dqSFH2y6H95Cyr5ci2btSQElGbc-yCU7VQOZZKHlToKkC4lI3fxeDlQ8-BRc7j-3vz5LS0lf0I5TVuLahZ_mCmNREB3mlqfQ1S8tE4fQ/s320/00433057.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510552373903708114" /></a><div>I love write ins. They are absolute life-savers. Seriously, they're super-duper awesome, and if you're a writer and haven't been to one before (or even heard of them), you don't know what you're missing.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was first introduced to the idea through the famous and fabulous event known as <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">National Novel Writing Month</a> (or NaNoWriMo, as its participants fondly call it). During this month-long extravaganza, writers meet up in libraries, coffee shops and other casual hangout spots to crank out as many words as they can. There is usually no or very little talking involved, except for the occasional question if a writer gets stuck and needs some quick feedback. The point is simple: to eliminate all distractions---pets, screaming kids, spouses, the real housewives of whatever city---and do that writing thing we're supposed to do.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know on the surface, sitting in the same room with a bunch of other writers doesn't seem that extraordinary. After all, I can do that at home too, right? Well...yes. And no. Here's the thing: No matter how incredible our writing may be, no matter how well our characters resonate with our readers and our prose stirs the soul, we're not superheroes. We're simple, flawed, limited human beings who need support. We need folks to bounce ideas off of, folks to drag us down from the pedestals we build for ourselves, folks that can, if necessary, look us in the eye and tell us we've gone stark raving mad.</div><div><br /></div><div>Writing groups exist to fulfill that need, either in a physical sense or increasingly, in a virtual one. Blogs like this one are a perfect example. We may not all be in the same city, state or even country, but we're still connected across time and space, encouraging and uplifting each other, pushing one another to succeed. The brilliant <a href="http://thinkexist.com/quotations/friendship/2.html">Mark Twain once said</a>, "Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great."</div><div><br /></div><div>And sometimes that greatness just comes from being in the same room with a like-minded soul. Sometimes it's just knowing that someone is nearby who's doing the exact same thing you are, experiencing the same sense of elation at their accomplishments and struggling with the same kinds of challenges. Sometimes just knowing you aren't alone is enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, it was more than enough for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>P.S.: If you're not part of a local writer's group and you're looking for one, check out a funky little site called <a href="http://www.meetup.com/">Meetup.com</a>. It allows you to search locally for just about any kind of club or organization your heart desires, all from the comfort of your own home. Ain't modern technology grand?</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-10432310980396203022010-08-24T22:47:00.014-04:002010-09-07T21:31:14.538-04:00Where I've Been (a.k.a. Now You Know Where This Blog's Title Came From)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97zLZtcV6D7H-jvu5-G2YnlE6hSXINWTPLWRvG0pLnw7TgDylT-GubzqzqiwQWuITUgeb1xyWh6QwSWZWzOStg2sCxBJ7ewQFRfY7BZbGu_nhW-5mJ9wZd16sDjLg34AAee_yyflM4Ic/s1600/00356758.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97zLZtcV6D7H-jvu5-G2YnlE6hSXINWTPLWRvG0pLnw7TgDylT-GubzqzqiwQWuITUgeb1xyWh6QwSWZWzOStg2sCxBJ7ewQFRfY7BZbGu_nhW-5mJ9wZd16sDjLg34AAee_yyflM4Ic/s320/00356758.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514349141266248418" /></a>Hmm. Where to begin...<br /><br />First of all, has it been over a year already? I keep looking at the date of <a href="http://lcgant.blogspot.com/2009/04/something-to-cheer-you-up-after-doing.html">my last post</a> and shaking my head, as if there are missing ones lying around somewhere that I just haven't gotten around to publishing yet. Sadly, this is not the case. I really did just fall off the face of the blogging world.<br />No need to state that this post has been an awful long time in coming. I've spent about the past month or so mentally beating myself up for not posting sooner, not commenting on anyone else's blogs, not even reading any other blogs until recently. And don't even get me started on my equally-neglected Twitter account. Oy vey.<br /><br />Well, no more. Life is too short for self-deprecating thoughts. It's time I came back to the realm of the living and explained what I've doing for the past year. So here goes nothing (taking a deep breath)...<br /><br />The short version is that my family moved cross-country, and in the process I started a new job and became a working mom. So yeah, I guess you could say I've been busy. Add the stress of moving to the fact that I kind of suck at the whole work-life balance thing, and you have one sadly neglected blog. That's pretty much the story of my whole writing life; it's been that way ever since I was nine years old. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_light/Green_light">Green light, red light</a>. I write like mad for a few weeks, months, years, whatever, and then stop writing altogether for just as long, if not longer.<div><br /></div><div>Here's hoping we can change all of that---for real this time. <i>Fingers crossed, taking another deep breath, saying a prayer... </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Green light.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4isnlIgwcK-LtthNwljO39_KNDkHI8NlW5UCGx6jhJHnrVqLkW8g3eA79GZe694N-8paISPwD-Drff0LkgNXvReCmYeDYu0YuTiKeQPMknxE6mHkfOeQcNl7tyXf0cP8U90R2BpnRjLk/s200/00432549.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 144px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509515465002378770" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-53579417781191393732009-04-15T22:50:00.005-04:002009-04-15T23:32:53.672-04:00Something To Cheer You Up After Doing Your TaxesToday, April 15, is perhaps the most dismal day of the year for Americans, particularly writers, who are more often self-employed than not. If forking over your cash to Uncle Sam didn't make <span style="font-weight: bold;">you </span>grumpy today, it certainly ticked off a lot of other people, as evidenced by <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090415/ap_on_re_us/tax_day_protests">the numerous anti-tax tea parties that went on across the country</a>.<br /><br />While I understand the sentiment there, I really don't think the protests will accomplish much. Then again, I'm not the most politically active person in the world. To be honest, I can't even think the phrase "teabagging" and keep a straight face after reading <a href="http://www.markterrybooks.com/2009/04/teabagging.html">Mark Terry's post on the subject</a>. All I can say is, it pays to know your vocabulary, folks!<br /><br />So...moving right along. I figured we could all use a little pick-me-up after being made considerably poorer this month, and I found a fantastic new website today called <a href="http://www.happynews.com/">www.happynews.com</a> that should do the job nicely. After playing around on the site for awhile, I discovered a brilliant little video of over 200 dancers performing to "Do, Re, Mi" from <span style="font-style: italic;">The Sound of Music</span> in the Antwerpen Central Train Station in Belgium. In the 3 weeks since it first posted on YouTube, the original video has already garnered more than 1.3 million hits. And once you see it, you'll figure out why:<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7EYAUazLI9k&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7EYAUazLI9k&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />This made me smile from ear to ear, and I'm not at all a fan of musicals. The moral of the story? When you're having a crappy day, sometimes it's the littlest things that can turn it all around.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-10661329631169638102009-04-10T22:08:00.005-04:002009-04-10T23:21:25.251-04:00Decisions, Decisions...To everyone who sent me words of encouragement and virtual hugs during <a href="http://lcgant.blogspot.com/2009/04/shadow-play-thoughts-about-writers-and.html">my recent slump</a>, I have two words for you: THANK YOU. I mean it. Muah! It was just what I needed. I'm doing much better this week, and it's a good thing too, because I can't afford to crash and burn right now. I have entirely too much to do.<br /><br />Here's the deal: I live in Florida, where, in case you've been living under a rock, <a href="http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2009-02/2009-02-10-voa59.cfm?CFID=161248623&CFTOKEN=96864533&jsessionid=8430dc1cb939f7ad71db655978e18172c22f">the housing and job markets have been utterly demolished</a>. To make matters worse, the cost of living here is obscenely high, particularly in our neck of the woods. Don't get me wrong: I <span style="font-style: italic;">love </span>Florida. Warm weather all year round, plentiful sandy beaches and easy access to Disney World--what's <span style="font-style: italic;">not </span>to like? Before the country fell into a financial abyss of awfulness, it was a great place to live. Of course, now...well, now it's not so hot (pardon the pun).<br /><br />So, it looks like my hubby and I have some decisions to make. We're quite blessed in the sense that we're not tied to a home right now, so we can feasibly move as early as this summer. Texas is the most obvious choice, since it's where most of our family is and it's one of the few states that has managed to thrive in this recession. Another major plus? Our son is young enough to make a seamless transition. The question is, should we make that step? Can we afford it? Will we be able to find jobs, a new place to live and get everything packed in time? These are the questions that have been spinning through my head for the last few weeks.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIE-JyXa07-jJ-nuXYy1mnvsd3zSoLRBrQ_ymcSmkM_JxCkiz-IAvTes8ICnmUceY3SYTk53VMPlW0tbD9aN4T-34-N5xjoGB8vBvNdBfrx6-Dk-VJU7UNxbUnLJ6SIbEvPxByqXHq_U/s1600-h/j0409155.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIE-JyXa07-jJ-nuXYy1mnvsd3zSoLRBrQ_ymcSmkM_JxCkiz-IAvTes8ICnmUceY3SYTk53VMPlW0tbD9aN4T-34-N5xjoGB8vBvNdBfrx6-Dk-VJU7UNxbUnLJ6SIbEvPxByqXHq_U/s320/j0409155.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323268443649654434" border="0" /></a><br />The issue is coming to a head for us now because we're rapidly reaching a point of no return. We have a very small window of time to make this move happen, otherwise we'll be stuck where we are for at least another year. I guess that's my problem. It seems like everything would have to happen so fast. I don't do fast changes well, at least not like this. I was raised by two meticulous planners, folks who needed a week's notice whenever I wanted to have a play date in elementary school. Like them, I like months and months to get my ducks in a row before a decision like this, but it looks more like I've got weeks. It feels like days. And that freaks me out.<br /><br />My husband will be meeting with his boss on Monday to request that he be transferred to Texas, if that's what we decide to do. We've given ourselves the weekend to commit one way or the other. And what a long, prayer-filled weekend it will be--even more than usual for Easter.<br /><br />Everything in my gut is pointing me toward this move. I really don't think we can afford to live here another year. But still. Change is hard, especially when it flies in your face like a spaceship jumping to warp speed (did I mention my parents were also Trekkies?). I suppose that's what separates the kiddos from the adults in society. Grownups make the hard choices so the munchkins don't have to, and apparently I'm a grownup--or so says my driver's license. But I must confess I don't feel too grownupish today.<br /><br />What do you think? Am I overanalyzing everything? What would you do, given what you know about my situation? How do you go about making major, life-altering decisions in your family?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-32938961321871478952009-04-06T11:39:00.008-04:002009-04-06T11:57:06.658-04:00Flutter: The Future of Twitter?Check out this mockumentary from Slate V on "Flutter," which is basically Twitter with less characters. Hilarious! And scarily perceptive.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BeLZCy-_m3s&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BeLZCy-_m3s&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br />While you're laughing, observe the following:<br /><br />Irony #1: This link is going straight to my Twitter page. How sad is that?<br /><br />Irony #2: I honestly thought this was real at first. Says a lot about where our society is headed as our communication becomes more and more instantaneous. Kinda makes you wonder if language itself will eventually become obsolete, like we'll be hooked up to some creepy hive mind or something. Resistance is futile, anyone?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-86723773148423060012009-04-01T23:11:00.009-04:002009-04-02T00:11:17.148-04:00Shadow Play: Thoughts About Writers And Depression<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BqTeZs_zb7DYQ17Sz6KZEvPaL_9Dry-20JQsH6drZIN7bcP57S13Zo3mWRLhjOR15rbAEmlZf2CSEHe5aiGdSMTLDUHosn0c0wlJ4fntehNcKgShQUIGLplugSTrwT_KsZwbEXkC0Ec/s1600-h/j0401567.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BqTeZs_zb7DYQ17Sz6KZEvPaL_9Dry-20JQsH6drZIN7bcP57S13Zo3mWRLhjOR15rbAEmlZf2CSEHe5aiGdSMTLDUHosn0c0wlJ4fntehNcKgShQUIGLplugSTrwT_KsZwbEXkC0Ec/s320/j0401567.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319940308041731698" border="0" /></a>I've been in a weird, tired, cranky mood lately, and it's doing some not good things to my writing. For one thing, I haven't touched my WIP in almost two weeks. For another, I'm having a really rough time composing blog posts. I started at least three or four this week, but for some reason I couldn't finish any of them. Even writing about how much I don't feel like writing is proving difficult.<br /><br />I'm convinced this is a nasty phase that will pass in a few days, but that doesn't make getting through it any easier. I don't care for myself when I feel this way--and I'm sure my DH doesn't, either! Coincidentally (or not), <a href="http://theswivet.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-on-writers-and-depression.html">Colleen Lindsay posted a link</a> to writer Colin Rowsell's blog, where he started what might be the most thought-provoking <a href="http://maantren.blogspot.com/2009/03/writing-and-depression-kiwiburger.html">discussion on writers and depression</a> I've ever seen. Many of the stories told there were deeply moving, mainly because I could relate to everything my fellow writers said. Reading their words was like walking through a funhouse of mirrors; the images I saw took different sizes and shapes, but in the end, they were all very much like me.<br /><br />There. I said it. I am one of the thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of writers who has struggled with chronic depression. It is the gloomy cloud that has followed me throughout my teenage and adult life, and it has taken me to some devastating places. Over the years, I have fought hard to overcome this invisible nemesis; some battles I've won and others I've lost. Ultimately, it is my belief in Jesus, support from family and friends, and some occasional professional help that keep me from falling headlong into the darkness.<br /><br />Surprised? Don't be. Chances are, if you don't suffer from the same thing, you know someone who does. Especially if you're a writer.<br /><br />Ours is a lonely, isolating craft. We have a unique ability to see the beautiful and the ugly parts of humanity, and like a mirror, we reflect what we see back to our readers. It is both a gift and a curse. The loveliness is exhiliarating to witness and thrilling to capture--I could spend all day writing about the birth of my son, for example--yet the evil is equally disturbing, and that is what drives so many of us to pills, to the bottle, to despair, to suicide. We must have both sides of the coin. It would be impossible to for everyone to write about sunshine and rainbows all the time; the challenge is for us to observe the shadows from a distance without becoming consumed by them.<br /><br />I don't have all the answers. I wish I did. I only know what I do when depression rears its disgusting head and tries to take away all that I have worked to obtain. I breathe, step away from whatever I'm working on, regroup and try again later. I allow my husband and son to make me laugh. I eat really good chocolate and drink delicious, satisfying tea. I seek support from other writers who have felt the same pain. I pray until the storm passes. And it does. Every time without fail.<br /><br />Because in the end, it's all just shadow play.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-91787768956866763242009-03-24T21:39:00.005-04:002009-03-24T22:24:11.655-04:00Why I Love Me Some GoogleAllow me to introduce you to my brand new favorite technological doohickey: <a href="http://www.google.com/calendar">Google Calendar</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQssog6ymaUVhraLBH_adMilUH5AZtlEPKjehFz-HM__LcpPAQ_ogg6TnK8A9EW-C0gqbjLY_a4Xs2toR_OWdIAgQhyyQKESpl-gmvNLyU9BgKkge738IGMd4OeIEjJQS9JsmpEN5ZU4o/s1600-h/google_calendar_example.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQssog6ymaUVhraLBH_adMilUH5AZtlEPKjehFz-HM__LcpPAQ_ogg6TnK8A9EW-C0gqbjLY_a4Xs2toR_OWdIAgQhyyQKESpl-gmvNLyU9BgKkge738IGMd4OeIEjJQS9JsmpEN5ZU4o/s320/google_calendar_example.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316937771978912930" border="0" /></a><br />Before you say anything, yes, yes, I know--I'm the last kid on the block to take advantage of this small-time wonder. Let me have my fun. It's neat, okay?<br /><br />For those of you who are like me and have dwelt in ignorance for far too long, let me explain. Google Calendar essentially does what most of us did on our own, but makes it look much cooler. Meaning, it takes the "Monthly" page from those old-fashioned planners you find at Office Max (which are <span style="font-style: italic;">so </span>last millennium, by the way), and allows you to customize it to fit your needs. You can add events that can occur once, twice or even weekly or daily--all at the touch of a button. No more handwriting those monthly office meeting dates over and over again, kiddos! With Google Calendar, you just enter in the information one time, and it's all done for you.<br /><br />And here's my absolute favoritest favorite part: You can have multiple calendars side-by-side and color-coordinate all of them to tell them apart! Eeeek! Back in my perfectionist high-school days, I used to color-coordinate everything in my planner just like this, except I used highlighters and multicolored pens. Oh, but this is so much better! Sheer awesomeness.<br /><br />While I still use my regular planner for my day-to-day scheduling, Google Calendar is great for helping me establish and maintain certain <span style="font-style: italic;">routines </span>(i.e., taking daily walks with the hubby or setting aside regular writing time), which is exactly why I find it so ingenious. I'm a tad embarrassed to say it, but I'm actually <span style="font-style: italic;">looking </span>for things to schedule into the calendar now just because it looks so darn cute. We'll see if I still feel this way a month from now. Perhaps it won't help me become more organized at all. For the time being, however, I plan to revel in the novelty of yet another web application.<br /><br />Time to share now, boys and girls. How do you keep your crazy schedules straight? Any technology involved? Or, are you still searching to find a method to the madness?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-65722338057591206552009-03-21T00:08:00.005-04:002009-03-21T00:53:37.207-04:00And Now, For Your Viewing Pleasure...Hey there, all! Well, as I said in the last post, I've been working hard all week. I'm quite sleepy, so I'm turning in early tonight. Here are some clips of writing advice for you to check out, spoken by some of the greatest writers of our time. Enjoy!<br /><br />First, the legendary Ray Bradbury:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AgkVNK6ViJk&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AgkVNK6ViJk&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Next, whether you love him or hate him Stephenie Meyer fans, you gotta admit Stephen King knows a thing or two. And don't you just love the tie-dye shirt?<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hqp7A0B7abc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hqp7A0B7abc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Lastly, critically acclaimed author Joyce Carol Oates talks about creating characters:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LgJ809QKmas&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LgJ809QKmas&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Have a great weekend everyone!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-3159779771084917912009-03-18T20:58:00.014-04:002009-03-18T22:31:28.951-04:00A Brief Hiatus/POV ConcernsGracious! Has it already been a week since my last post? Wow. I've been working on several newspaper articles lately, and I have one more piece to finish before the end of the week. Between the research, interviewing and the writing itself, I'm keeping quite busy. Not that I'm complaining. Quite the contrary. These days, I'm grateful for whatever work I can get.<br /><br />Anyway, today I thought I'd pose a question to you all about my current WIP. As <a href="http://lcgant.blogspot.com/search/label/Just%20Write%20Challenge">I've mentioned before</a>, it's a YA sci-fi novel tentatively titled, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Shifter Files</span>, and I'm totally and completely psyched about it. As much as superhero stories have been done to death, I'm hoping to tell the same ol' yarn in a fresh, exciting way. Most of the characters are still pretty sketchy, but they have the potential to be really dynamic. I just need to flesh them out...a lot.<br /><br />Therein lies the problem. See, the other day I came across <a href="http://dawn-metcalf.livejournal.com/30695.html">this post by YA author Dawn Metcalf</a> (via <a href="http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2009/03/avery-cates-is-not-nice-man.html">Super Agent Janet Reid's blog</a>). Metcalf doesn't mince words when it comes to her dislike of first-person narrative, despite the fact that it's practically the standard point-of-view in YA fiction. And yet, she goes on to sing the praises of Avery Cates, the narrator and protagonist in Jeff Somers' <span style="font-style: italic;">The Electric Church</span>. Here's an interesting snippet from her comments:<br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);">"...there is no question in my mind that Avery Cates is not “redeemable” – he will continue to kill people, he will still make bad choices, and he will continue to do horrific things in order to keep himself alive and I’ll <i>still</i> want to read what happens to him...I can empathize with Avery Cates (even though I’d never want to <i>meet</i> an Avery Cates!) but it’s not because I can sympathize with him; it’s because in the pages of Somers’ book, I <b>am</b> Avery Cates."<br /></blockquote><br />That got me thinking--well, perhaps I should say <span style="font-style: italic;">worried</span>--about how I'm handling <span style="font-style: italic;">TSF</span>. I adore my heroine. She's tough, she resourceful and she doesn't think twice about shooting her mouth off at shapeshifting terrorists. She's a heck of a lot cooler than I am. So when the idea for <span style="font-style: italic;">TSF </span>first popped into my head, my first instinct was to tell the story from her perspective. And it worked well...in the beginning.<br /><br />Problem is, the further I get into the story, the more I find myself wanting to pull out of her head and take a bird's-eye view of everything. I feel like I'm losing my heroine's voice. Like Avery Cates, she's an assassin, and sometimes I wonder if the impartial, observatory tone of third-person would be a better fit for the story. On the other hand, I'm nowhere near finished developing her yet. It could be that the reason I'm struggling with her voice is because I simply don't know her well enough yet.<br /><br />I'm halfway through the story right now, so I feel the need to choose one way or the other. I'd hate to discover that I was using the wrong point-of-view the entire time and have to completely rewrite it.<br /><br />What do you ladies and gents think? Any thoughts? Suggestions? How do you determine which point-of-view to use in your stories?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-59131802541464471692009-03-11T15:09:00.002-04:002009-03-11T15:20:06.832-04:00Know What Publication By Omission Is? Join The Debate!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGo3es6JAekLaau8y1bobc6YP8dPfUBcVxmgxdJv8v8YCDJpz8NZ9bswZyyI9dZkkcEuF0J56K1sRtbCGKc8fR_MdqznxaSOaC4UfhN0887WYpPF0PEMDzm91hWLlllnabLDEeZ95g44/s1600-h/j0439454.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGo3es6JAekLaau8y1bobc6YP8dPfUBcVxmgxdJv8v8YCDJpz8NZ9bswZyyI9dZkkcEuF0J56K1sRtbCGKc8fR_MdqznxaSOaC4UfhN0887WYpPF0PEMDzm91hWLlllnabLDEeZ95g44/s320/j0439454.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312011023953573154" border="0" /></a>Yesterday, the fabulous Moonrat over at Editorial Ass posed some questions that desperately needed asking about racism in the publishing industry. Here's the link: <a href="http://editorialass.blogspot.com/2009/03/publishing-by-omission-or-fighting.html">Editorial Ass: Publishing by Omission (or, Fighting Racism from Your Very Own Nightstand!)</a> She explains it far more eloquently than I can, but the crux of her argument is that racism in publishing--as it is in most other industries today--occurs not with blatant attacks, but by the more insidious, subtle act of omission. In other words, projects from writers of color are systematically rejected in favor of more "marketable" work from white writers.<br /><br />Here's my favorite quote from the post:<br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);">Writers of color aren't disadvantaged, per se; it's just that white authors are very, very advantaged. You know. No one's trying to be mean. (Or, at least, most people aren't.)</blockquote><br />Personally, I think Moonrat's logic is spot-on, and she would know--she works in the industry, folks! But, as the guy from <span style="font-style: italic;">Reading Rainbow</span> says, "You don't have to take <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">my </span>word for it!" Read the post and decide for yourself. Once you're done, don't be afraid to give feedback in the comments section. If Moonrat is right, what the heck are we all supposed to do about this?<br /><br />I've been following the discussion since the post was first published, and I'm amazed at how insightful and (remarkably) respectful it has been. I'm learning a great deal from other writers' comments--even ones I strongly disagree with--and that's what makes these type of discussions so fascinating to me. I'm thrilled that we can still have a candid conversation about a difficult topic like racism without us biting each other's heads off.<br /><br />Believe it or not, I'm convinced this is something every writer needs to think about, regardless of your race. The landscape of this country is changing. The election of President Obama was just the beginning. Experts say that by the year 2050, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/13/census.minorities/index.html">minorities will be the majority race in the U.S</a>. Our world is more interconnected than ever before. As writers, we need to figure out how we're going to deal with these changes and whether or not they should affect our work. We can't afford to write 20th century stories in a 21st century world.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-53479332396183647552009-03-10T23:49:00.005-04:002009-03-11T00:51:16.431-04:0025 Reasons Why You're Stuck In The Slush PileBetween blogging, novel writing and freelance projects, I don't have much time for reading online magazines, much less submitting to them. However, after reading <a href="http://www.andromedaspaceways.com/EveryProblem.htm">Douglas A. Van Belle's essay</a> via Colleen Lindsay on Twitter (who got the link from spec writer <a href="http://nithska.blogspot.com/">Brandon Bell</a>), I just might have to subscribe to <a href="http://www.andromedaspaceways.com/">Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine</a>.<br /><br />It is, without a doubt, one of the greatest essays on the craft of writing I've ever read. Seriously. It's freakin' brilliant. Every writer should have a copy of it bookmarked under their favorite websites and refer to it at least once a month. I'm quite certain that at least 90 percent of the writing population suffers from at least five or six (or ten) of the 25 ailments listed, if not all of them. I know for a fact that I'm totally guilty of Problems #1, 2, 10, 11, 12...um, let's just say I have a lot of work to do.<br /><br />Anyway. Read it. Think about it. Did Van Belle hit the mark, miss it completely or something in between? Why do YOU think most writers never leave the slush pile? We'll go ahead and eliminate not following directions, since I've already written <a href="http://lcgant.blogspot.com/2009/02/will-real-writers-please-stand-up.html">a post about that</a>. Let the discussion begin!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-41947324246082758992009-03-05T12:49:00.005-05:002009-03-05T13:09:21.311-05:00Need To Save Money? Use Salt!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgA0K1_CeT0eKxLZw8dF20QgqdApoZB1t3DZOBQIhLzrsfnhA0BC4uNcOikdv4GezddeGtnmiLFBH_G0zznXIvKMr561Eajhm3IFaeBSbNwxbTI0wJlgX8t8KHEYLjkmFEMYU0L1DJmc/s1600-h/j0400592.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgA0K1_CeT0eKxLZw8dF20QgqdApoZB1t3DZOBQIhLzrsfnhA0BC4uNcOikdv4GezddeGtnmiLFBH_G0zznXIvKMr561Eajhm3IFaeBSbNwxbTI0wJlgX8t8KHEYLjkmFEMYU0L1DJmc/s200/j0400592.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309767122733308594" border="0" /></a>Okay, I know this post has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with writing, but I couldn't resist. I love to share fun stuff I come across on the Web, whether it be news briefs, cool videos or the occasional bloggy rant. I think it breaks up the monotony, keeps things fresh. Don't you agree?<br /><br />Anyway, since everyone's broke right now (I know I am!), we're all on the lookout for interesting, inventive ways to save money, especially if it means using things we already have at home. A great example of that is <a href="http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/money-saving-salt-tips.html">this article</a> I found on the website Planet Green. It gives some great suggestions for ways to use salt around your house. Check it out.<br /><br />Table salt?! Can you believe it? Who knew salt could do more than just increase your blood pressure? What I love most about this article is that everyone has it. It's not like energy-efficient appliances, where you have to spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars upfront in order to save more in the long run. Nope, this is all about my new favorite word: FREE.<br /><br />And who doesn't like the word <span style="font-weight: bold;">free </span>these days?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-6028772123507839782009-03-03T09:38:00.003-05:002009-03-03T09:50:34.925-05:00Proof That There Is Truth In JestIf this doesn't cheer you up, there's something wrong with you. I had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard, even after seeing it multiple times.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jETv3NURwLc&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jETv3NURwLc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />The next time you want to complain about the economy, just think to yourself, "At least I don't have a rotary phone."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-14368223882929342772009-03-01T13:17:00.005-05:002009-03-01T13:52:32.322-05:00Time For Some Spring Cleaning!Yay! Spring officially begins this month, although in most parts of the country, the weather doesn't seem to have gotten the memo:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqG33nsHyAmw29BjHIKjvcy0tiS3ivFe8VWFgsfZ8U6CG5s7FKjglWt2MfKL2skZX8SuWq41fgZC9IjNdhGs_vKcbWp4RroSuKo_1Jb8RW_lCjNIEyKgSCZJUsexN-Ad-QdKd7Sr6ldw/s1600-h/j0407523.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqG33nsHyAmw29BjHIKjvcy0tiS3ivFe8VWFgsfZ8U6CG5s7FKjglWt2MfKL2skZX8SuWq41fgZC9IjNdhGs_vKcbWp4RroSuKo_1Jb8RW_lCjNIEyKgSCZJUsexN-Ad-QdKd7Sr6ldw/s200/j0407523.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308293788929200066" border="0" /></a><br />Still, you know what they say: "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." Let's hope it happens that way this year!<br /><br />In honor of the changing seasons, I'm doing a bit of spring cleaning--starting with this blog! Those of you who have been with me for a while will notice that I've given it quite a face lift. While I always liked the old design, this one feels a bit more like me--colorful, quirky and a little whimsical. So what do you think? Is it a keeper? Let me know your thoughts!<br /><br />I think you'll be happy to know that the blog's outward appearance is only one of the changes I have planned for this month. I'd like to add more features that will make it more interactive, more informative, and hopefully, more fun for you to visit! But to do that, I need your feedback.<br /><br />So over the course of the next week or so, I'll be asking a lot of questions to get a feel for what you like about this blog and what you think should be done differently. You guys and gals are the lifesblood of this place; you're what makes it a great spot to hang out, and your comments and suggestions are what will take it to the next level.<br /><br />I've had a few new followers over the last couple of days, so if you're new to the party--welcome! I'm glad to have you and I hope to make this the kind of blog you look forward to reading every day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823500927498780873.post-51906514885806105092009-02-26T23:47:00.006-05:002009-02-27T00:47:54.495-05:00Follow The Leader<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoDWxDdTWBohZRlcjWTEGbPDb0qW1h7miT-E7ljZIsEgGWUw1TIEJvRs773iyVy5Ssf69pyH1KJNYXnPdaqXF3h1yk7_Y2eIpHSg-DQ9VcMD3CeOnEIEn7-Ugjp8V_tLfuSmuDtTPf7s/s1600-h/j0423022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoDWxDdTWBohZRlcjWTEGbPDb0qW1h7miT-E7ljZIsEgGWUw1TIEJvRs773iyVy5Ssf69pyH1KJNYXnPdaqXF3h1yk7_Y2eIpHSg-DQ9VcMD3CeOnEIEn7-Ugjp8V_tLfuSmuDtTPf7s/s200/j0423022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307349716708081698" border="0" /></a><br />Several of my favorite bloggers have mentioned that they've <a href="http://debralschubert.blogspot.com/2009/02/im-sorry-did-i-hit-nerve.html">lost a lot of followers lately</a>, and most of them seemed to take it rather personally. I can understand why. After all, people follow your blog because for one reason or another, they're interested in what you have to say. So, logic dictates that if someone <span style="font-style: italic;">stops </span>following you, it's because they've <span style="font-style: italic;">lost </span>interest in what you have to say. Whether it's your words, your personality, the design of your background, whatever--you just don't do it for them anymore. And that stings. It's like that guy or girl back in high school who went out with you a few times and never called again.<br /><br />Fortunately, Blogger.com cleared up the confusion with <a href="http://knownissues.blogspot.com/2009/02/you-may-have-noticed-that-count-of-your.html">this explanation</a> earlier this week. There, you see, <a href="http://www.insearchofgiants.com/2009/02/its-my-breath-isnt-it.html">it's not your breath, after all</a>! Yay! (Seriously though, I lost a follower this week myself, and I thought something was wrong with me, too.)<br /><br />Anyway, that little wrinkle in the blogosphere got me thinking. Out of all the potential millions--maybe billions by now, who knows?--of blogs out there, how do you decide which ones are worthy of your time? What makes the difference between you subscribing to a blog's feed and you passing on it completely? How do you choose your favorites? Any thoughts?<br /><br />P.S. Speaking of blog mishaps, a few of you emailed me this week to mention you were having trouble commenting on my page. After checking into it, I've fixed the problem. It seems I changed the comment option by mistake. Silly me! *head desk* Anyway, it should be fine now. Feel free to email me again if it's not.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7