There's a commercial that speaks of a person planting an uncertainty tree. I just love that concept. You know I've been living in doubt, and fighting it, as of late. Well, I keep reminding myself, when it creeps from the floorboards, to chop it down.
Two dear friends are going to read 'My Sword Sings' and get back to me. I've not had a lot of feedback on the completed book and - chop it down - I think it only wise to get some. And these folk are writers, which makes them ideal candidates.
I wish I had a group that I could send the entire book to and have feedback immediately, but that's not how the read world works. My son says I should send it off. Damn the torpedoes, Commander Farragut, and full speed ahead. He's right, I'm sure, but.... chop it down!
I've been to lectures about self-publishing, but I didn't pay much attention. I had hoped for a 'J.K.Rowlings' type of deal. That hasn't happened, though the book has changed a bit since I first tried to 'sell' it back in the day.
Going to spend time researching while my three 'editors' read 'Sings.' Wish me luck!
Blessings,
Sharron
Monday, September 4, 2017
Saturday, September 2, 2017
The Three Hunters
Ah! Life is good. Had a glorious chat with my island friends, my dearest sister-friends from Ireland. Such memories with these two brave, wonderful, and generous women! We went to New Zealand a few times together and had more fun than God should allow! Cemented our friendship, which was born on-line, and drew us as close as can be. Love you, girls! Love you so very much!
I re-finished my first book, My Sword Sings, and am pretty sure it's in its next-to-last revision. I've sent it to my daughter (Oh, girls, might I send it to you!!!???) and she'll give me a good critique. Not good in that it will be full of platitudes, but good in that it will be thoughtful and direct. Bless her heart. Best daughter ever!
Now that Book One is out of the way, I began rewriting Book Two. I laughed because the names have changed since I started this journey into the land of 'Nagara.' Never realizing the scope of the work to be done, I cringed after the first couple chapters. But, I have learned, ever onward, and so, it will be ever onward.
Doubt is, I think, the writer's worst enemy. After the first few chapters, I began to doubt the 'likability' of Book Two. But, God is good, and he showed me that, if my readers grow to love a character, which, of course, I truly have all my fingers and toes crossed that they will love my characters, then, they will rejoice at being given Book Two and will relish it. God willing.
Ah! Life is good. Don't be discouraged, my friends. I, myself, am not going to publish the way I had thought or dreamt, but it doesn't matter. I am going to publish and that, I think is a good thing. I suppose that, being on the net in some way or the other, is akin to being published. It would be nice if my readers enjoy the tale and grow to love the characters, but tonight, I can be happy that the book is done. Even though this is the second time it's done - giggles.
Blessings,
Sharron
I re-finished my first book, My Sword Sings, and am pretty sure it's in its next-to-last revision. I've sent it to my daughter (Oh, girls, might I send it to you!!!???) and she'll give me a good critique. Not good in that it will be full of platitudes, but good in that it will be thoughtful and direct. Bless her heart. Best daughter ever!
Now that Book One is out of the way, I began rewriting Book Two. I laughed because the names have changed since I started this journey into the land of 'Nagara.' Never realizing the scope of the work to be done, I cringed after the first couple chapters. But, I have learned, ever onward, and so, it will be ever onward.
Doubt is, I think, the writer's worst enemy. After the first few chapters, I began to doubt the 'likability' of Book Two. But, God is good, and he showed me that, if my readers grow to love a character, which, of course, I truly have all my fingers and toes crossed that they will love my characters, then, they will rejoice at being given Book Two and will relish it. God willing.
Ah! Life is good. Don't be discouraged, my friends. I, myself, am not going to publish the way I had thought or dreamt, but it doesn't matter. I am going to publish and that, I think is a good thing. I suppose that, being on the net in some way or the other, is akin to being published. It would be nice if my readers enjoy the tale and grow to love the characters, but tonight, I can be happy that the book is done. Even though this is the second time it's done - giggles.
Blessings,
Sharron
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Critique
Had a great session with my fellow writers at our latest Skyline meeting. Excellent group. Attentive, kind-yet-concrete suggestions, talented.
All of their critiques of my two submitted chapters were spot on. One suggested I start my tale in a different spot. This was not the first such suggestion for a change of first chapter; however, this one seems to work, doesn't hinder the flow, and moves the story in a more fast-paced way.
The difficulty lies in the fact that chapter two has a little sparring match between two women that I hoped would solidify the fact that my heroine is an action figure. If I delete the sparring match, I will lose that immediate sense of warrior-woman. The problem is, I very much like the book starting with chapter 3. Ack! I know it can be done. Means more rewrites, but isn't that the secret life of a writer - rewrites. :)
I will also lose my prologue battle. I do so love writing battles, but I know I can incorporate parts of it in another chapter. Such dilemmas are great, though, because it means I have written something.
Another problem area was the title for the king. I use Arild King as one of my ways of differentiating the different cultures of my three main allies. I fear it was a 'cute' and easy solution. Best it was brought to my attention. I have shifted it back to the more conventional King Arild. I'll figure out other ways to show the cultural differences. The use of 'cute' contrivances doesn't make for great writing.
Ah! Life is good and writing is part of that good life.
Blessings!
Sharron
All of their critiques of my two submitted chapters were spot on. One suggested I start my tale in a different spot. This was not the first such suggestion for a change of first chapter; however, this one seems to work, doesn't hinder the flow, and moves the story in a more fast-paced way.
The difficulty lies in the fact that chapter two has a little sparring match between two women that I hoped would solidify the fact that my heroine is an action figure. If I delete the sparring match, I will lose that immediate sense of warrior-woman. The problem is, I very much like the book starting with chapter 3. Ack! I know it can be done. Means more rewrites, but isn't that the secret life of a writer - rewrites. :)
I will also lose my prologue battle. I do so love writing battles, but I know I can incorporate parts of it in another chapter. Such dilemmas are great, though, because it means I have written something.
Another problem area was the title for the king. I use Arild King as one of my ways of differentiating the different cultures of my three main allies. I fear it was a 'cute' and easy solution. Best it was brought to my attention. I have shifted it back to the more conventional King Arild. I'll figure out other ways to show the cultural differences. The use of 'cute' contrivances doesn't make for great writing.
Ah! Life is good and writing is part of that good life.
Blessings!
Sharron
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Blackboard Sessions
Had our first blackboard session at Writers' INK Saturday. Turned out very good. Our intrepid leader, Cheryl, found a couple good quotes and we focused on them. Road to hell is paved with good intentions and the road to hell is paved with adverbs.
Seems funny to still be talking about adverbs all these years. Stephen King wrote about them a long time ago, suggesting that we all take a serious look at the overabundance of said adverbs in our writing. Are the adverbs we're using advancing the story? Or are they a crutch to get over a difficult patch? As I sat and listened to this discussion, I laughed. We never used one adverb while we spent over an hour talking. I know they are used a lot as 'saidisms,' but you'd think we'd still use one now and again. Once I pointed that fact out to the other participants, we started using them. Life is interesting.
I have oft heard that writers are a lonely people. That we write in solitude. Etc. Etc. Etc. However, I find that I need the 'vibe' that I get when I chum around with writers. The others at our meeting felt the same. Yes, I have to write when I'm alone or at least have announced to the world that I am going to be writing, so please keep it down. But when all is said and done, how can we write about life if we don't live it, share it, love it.
If you noticed, I thoroughly enjoyed our meeting. There were no new members, but I felt a new commitment from those present. And I know the others had fun, too. Enjoyed the time together, leaving refreshed and inspired. Of course, I didn't go home and write, much as I wanted to. Too exhausted, but I did print out the submitted stories for next Saturday's Skyline meeting. Spending this week editing them.
I also worked on A's story. I love reading intelligent works. One's that touch my soul and make me think and laugh and cry. I suppose I love reading. Go figure.
Well, that's it for now. Looking forward to living. Blessings!
PS - Keep writing, don't worry about the adverbs, and do a 'find' and 'search' when you're ready to begin editing. If you search 'ly,' you'll be able to see if you are cluttering your work with useless words or using them judiciously. If you worry about them as you write, you'll just bog yourself down. No using in bogging down. Yuck! xxxooo
Seems funny to still be talking about adverbs all these years. Stephen King wrote about them a long time ago, suggesting that we all take a serious look at the overabundance of said adverbs in our writing. Are the adverbs we're using advancing the story? Or are they a crutch to get over a difficult patch? As I sat and listened to this discussion, I laughed. We never used one adverb while we spent over an hour talking. I know they are used a lot as 'saidisms,' but you'd think we'd still use one now and again. Once I pointed that fact out to the other participants, we started using them. Life is interesting.
I have oft heard that writers are a lonely people. That we write in solitude. Etc. Etc. Etc. However, I find that I need the 'vibe' that I get when I chum around with writers. The others at our meeting felt the same. Yes, I have to write when I'm alone or at least have announced to the world that I am going to be writing, so please keep it down. But when all is said and done, how can we write about life if we don't live it, share it, love it.
If you noticed, I thoroughly enjoyed our meeting. There were no new members, but I felt a new commitment from those present. And I know the others had fun, too. Enjoyed the time together, leaving refreshed and inspired. Of course, I didn't go home and write, much as I wanted to. Too exhausted, but I did print out the submitted stories for next Saturday's Skyline meeting. Spending this week editing them.
I also worked on A's story. I love reading intelligent works. One's that touch my soul and make me think and laugh and cry. I suppose I love reading. Go figure.
Well, that's it for now. Looking forward to living. Blessings!
PS - Keep writing, don't worry about the adverbs, and do a 'find' and 'search' when you're ready to begin editing. If you search 'ly,' you'll be able to see if you are cluttering your work with useless words or using them judiciously. If you worry about them as you write, you'll just bog yourself down. No using in bogging down. Yuck! xxxooo
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