Tuesday, February 28, 2006
It's Wrong To Base A Novel On Research?
Interesting article here. I'm linking to the TechDirt article rather than the source because the UK source (Guardian) is plastered with annoying and irritating ads. Ick. So, click through from TechDirt if you dare. At any rate, the article seems to be saying they want a piece of Dan Brown for having researched his novel using their non-fiction (i.e, true stuff!!). This is about greed, folks. I'm starting to feel sorry for Brown.
Read more at techdirt.com/articles/2...
posted by Carolyn @ 2/28/2006 07:01:00 AM Permalink
Monday, February 27, 2006
Another Miss Snark post to read
Here's another Miss Snark post to read. It's about reporting deals at Publishers Marketplace and Michael Cader's reply. And make sure you read the comments. They're important, too. Transparency in the publishing biz? Let's start with royalty statements. I don't know many authors who feel their statements are transparent at all.
Read more at misssnark.blogspot.com/...
posted by Carolyn @ 2/27/2006 08:10:00 PM Permalink
Octavia Butler, brilliant master of sci-fi, dies at 58
What a terrible loss. Goodness, she was a brilliant writer. If you're not familiar with her writing, you sholuld be. She's in that category of writers everyone should read at some point in their lives.Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.c...
posted by Carolyn @ 2/27/2006 06:47:00 AM Permalink
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Progress -- sort of
I'm up to fixing chapter 15 on the novel formerly known as The Rake. Mostly, I've been deleting bits and pieces. Once I've fixed these things, I have to fill in the many gaping holes. I got important stuff done today, but it was rocky going mostly. It went like this: Stare at screen thinking, Whoa. This isn't connected to anything. Plus it mentions characters I deleted ages ago! Stare at the screen some more. Jump up and wander through kitchen looking for parts of the paper I missed this morning. Go back and stare at computer. Delete a bunch of stuff. Write some OK stuff that I really hope works. Stare at the next chapter thiking, Whoa. This isn't connected to anything. Plus it mentions plot points I deleted ages ago! Jump up and tour the kitchen. Watch the puppy play. Have good idea, go back to computer and type madly. Pull up the next chapter and think.... Well, I bet you can guess.
So that was pretty much my day. In between all the other stuff. It was raining today. My son had a friend over and they went down to the creek to play. Luckily, I told his mom to have him bring along a change of clothes. Good thing, too, because they came back to the house covered in mud. My son's friend agreed he should take a quick shower... Eight minutes later, he emerges from the bathrooom in his change of clothes. There is mud all over his face. No adult is surprised because boys do this all the time. Here's a typical reconstruction:
Parent of young boy: Did you actually get in the shower?
Boy: Yes!
Parent: Did you turn on the water?
Boy: Yes!
Parent: And you used soap and shampoo?
Boy: Yes!
Parent: Why is your hair bone dry?
At least it was good for distraction from my mess. Still, I got a lot done so my day was OK.
So that was pretty much my day. In between all the other stuff. It was raining today. My son had a friend over and they went down to the creek to play. Luckily, I told his mom to have him bring along a change of clothes. Good thing, too, because they came back to the house covered in mud. My son's friend agreed he should take a quick shower... Eight minutes later, he emerges from the bathrooom in his change of clothes. There is mud all over his face. No adult is surprised because boys do this all the time. Here's a typical reconstruction:
Parent of young boy: Did you actually get in the shower?
Boy: Yes!
Parent: Did you turn on the water?
Boy: Yes!
Parent: And you used soap and shampoo?
Boy: Yes!
Parent: Why is your hair bone dry?
At least it was good for distraction from my mess. Still, I got a lot done so my day was OK.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/26/2006 08:08:00 PM Permalink
Saturday, February 25, 2006
exhausted
I am exhausted because my son is tall and thin. This means it is very difficult to find pants that fit him. It took three and one half hours today. This is why people shop on line. And I may just do that from now on. He needs shirts, but he's so picky we didn't find any that suited him.
Today, I fixed chapter 5 of The Rake. I'm on to fixing chapter 6.
Plus, I am also trying to think of better titles. She's a widowed authoress, he's a, well, a rake. Many of these are awful but here goes:
Obviously, I need ideas.
Today, I fixed chapter 5 of The Rake. I'm on to fixing chapter 6.
Plus, I am also trying to think of better titles. She's a widowed authoress, he's a, well, a rake. Many of these are awful but here goes:
- The Affair
- Reformed
- ???
Obviously, I need ideas.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/25/2006 05:39:00 PM Permalink
Friday, February 24, 2006
Great Segment on Erotic Romance
Check out Liz Maverick on Geraldo!! She appears in her boffo writer persona in this Erotic Romance Segment The segment aired February 23, 2006. The best part, besides Liz, was the story didn't belittle women at all.
P.S. Another elf sighting today!
P.S. Another elf sighting today!
posted by Carolyn @ 2/24/2006 05:05:00 PM Permalink
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Update to Yesterday
While yesterday was, indeed, overall a wretched day, I failed to mention a gym elf sighting. He said hello to me. See what a bad day it was? How else could I have fogotten a gym elf sighting?
Meet with my prof today regarding the sucky Dark Elf chapters. We had a good discussion and now I have some interesting things to think about AND she pointed out a big huge gaping lack of resolution in the synopsis, so I'll be fixing that tonight.
Meet with my prof today regarding the sucky Dark Elf chapters. We had a good discussion and now I have some interesting things to think about AND she pointed out a big huge gaping lack of resolution in the synopsis, so I'll be fixing that tonight.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/23/2006 05:13:00 PM Permalink
Jade Lee and Seduced by Crimson
Hello all! It's Jade Lee of the Crimson City series dropping by to say hey! And guess what???? I just got my Seduced by Crimson author copies!!!! I don't get a lot-- only 20 copies. I should probably up the amount in my contract, but how many books should I get? There's friends and family and all that, but those are the people who will actually BUY the book because they love me. So. . . why would I GIVE them a free copy?
Many people use the books for promotion, but once again, if I give away the book, then people don't buy it. I can give copies away in contests. Theoretically, one person wins a copy and the rest rush out and buy a copy. But wouldn't you just feel bad for not winning and think, oh well, I guess I won't buy it either? Or, I suppose more likely, I'm not going to buy it TODAY because I might win a copy TOMORROW. Then there's all that mailing stuff—getting the address, putting book and envelope together, going to the post office. You know, all that running around takes away from my I-Must-Write-Now dithering. (Note that I don't actually WRITE; I just dither about it. Actual writing takes place in coffee shops with a caffeine IV in place.)
But going to the post office is not the worst. The absolute worst is RUNNING THE DREADED CONTEST. No! No! Then I might realize how few people actually care that I have a book out. I mean, how bad is that for the ego? Hey everybody, I'm giving away a free book!!! Only to have NOBODY drop by to say I'd like one. AWFUL! I might never show up for promotion again!
What to do? What to do? Okay, okay, since Carolyn has graciously allowed me to blog on her site, how about I do this: respond in a comment to this blog and include your e-mail address AND I'LL GIVE YOU ONE! I’ve got these 19 copies burning a hole in my office (I had to give one to my husband, you know), and I'll pick a winner and send it out. Yes, I will actually GO to the Post Office for YOU!!!!! But then the rest of you have to promise to go out and buy the book! (Or lie and say you will. I mean, how would I know if you don't?) Bonus points for anyone who compliments me. My ego needs all the strokes it can get!
All right, readers. Bring it on!!!!
Jade
Many people use the books for promotion, but once again, if I give away the book, then people don't buy it. I can give copies away in contests. Theoretically, one person wins a copy and the rest rush out and buy a copy. But wouldn't you just feel bad for not winning and think, oh well, I guess I won't buy it either? Or, I suppose more likely, I'm not going to buy it TODAY because I might win a copy TOMORROW. Then there's all that mailing stuff—getting the address, putting book and envelope together, going to the post office. You know, all that running around takes away from my I-Must-Write-Now dithering. (Note that I don't actually WRITE; I just dither about it. Actual writing takes place in coffee shops with a caffeine IV in place.)
But going to the post office is not the worst. The absolute worst is RUNNING THE DREADED CONTEST. No! No! Then I might realize how few people actually care that I have a book out. I mean, how bad is that for the ego? Hey everybody, I'm giving away a free book!!! Only to have NOBODY drop by to say I'd like one. AWFUL! I might never show up for promotion again!
What to do? What to do? Okay, okay, since Carolyn has graciously allowed me to blog on her site, how about I do this: respond in a comment to this blog and include your e-mail address AND I'LL GIVE YOU ONE! I’ve got these 19 copies burning a hole in my office (I had to give one to my husband, you know), and I'll pick a winner and send it out. Yes, I will actually GO to the Post Office for YOU!!!!! But then the rest of you have to promise to go out and buy the book! (Or lie and say you will. I mean, how would I know if you don't?) Bonus points for anyone who compliments me. My ego needs all the strokes it can get!
All right, readers. Bring it on!!!!
Jade
posted by Carolyn @ 2/23/2006 05:07:00 PM Permalink
New Scientist Quantum computer works best switched off - News
Zeno effect. This is totally cool. I can use this, I know it.
Read more at www.newscientist.com/ch...
posted by Carolyn @ 2/23/2006 10:07:00 AM Permalink
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Posting in Crimson
Tomorrow Jade Lee will be guest blogging here. Her installment of Liz Maverick's Crimson City series is Seduced by Crimson and it's available now! So look for Jade's post tomorrow. She's announcing a cool contest and you get to read about it here! Heck, only here, it's a Jade Lee Contest for readers of Carolyn's Blog!
In writing news, oh wait. First, I had a really wretched day. Ok. In writing news, I got a lot of good work done on The Rake (gotta rename this book. I now hate this title) so I am feeling good about that. That's about it. I meet with my prof tomorrow about the crappy chapters for Dark Elf. I get to sit there and say, it sucked, I know. I'm trying to fix it. Oh fun.
I'm gonna go surf the web and see if I can't cheer myself up. Somebody besides me better have blogged.
In writing news, oh wait. First, I had a really wretched day. Ok. In writing news, I got a lot of good work done on The Rake (gotta rename this book. I now hate this title) so I am feeling good about that. That's about it. I meet with my prof tomorrow about the crappy chapters for Dark Elf. I get to sit there and say, it sucked, I know. I'm trying to fix it. Oh fun.
I'm gonna go surf the web and see if I can't cheer myself up. Somebody besides me better have blogged.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/22/2006 08:01:00 PM Permalink
Writers lists of Must Read Books for Children
Interesting! Some of the lists strike me as pretentious. Actual children might be ruined for life for being forced to read these books. I think they're overly broad with respect to "children". Most of these lists are really geared toward teenagers. I can't imagine asking an actual child to read Paradise Lost. Vanity Fair? It's a good book, but required reading for kids? No. Gotta dsiagree with that one. Ulysses? Is that writer on crack? For cripes sake, you need a PhD to "get" this book. Look, we want to create people who are excited and eager readers and you don't do that by force feeding them Joyce or Eliot. Lyrical Ballads? Oh, please. Maybe I'll come up with my own list. What's yours?
Read more at www.slv.vic.gov.au/serv...
posted by Carolyn @ 2/22/2006 07:00:00 AM Permalink
About Google Print?
So, if showing photos is infringement, why isn't inclusion of copyrighted books without arrangement with the copyright holder an infringement? Should be interesting to see where this goes.Read more at news.com.com/2100-1030_...
posted by Carolyn @ 2/22/2006 06:16:00 AM Permalink
Monday, February 20, 2006
Howdy, pardner!
Hey! I'm a lamb-poke! Somehow one of the neighbor's lambs got through their fence onto our driveway. We'd have thought it was one of ours only the mom sheep and the lamb were nose to nose, separated by cruel wire squares between the neighbor's field and our driveway. So we caught it (Ok, it was me. Yes, I am a hero!) and put it back in the field. And a very happy reunion it was. Catching lambs isn't all that easy you know. Besides, it was cold and dark. Don't know where it got out, which is a worry. Note to self: watch for sheep/lambs in the driveway tomorrow am.
In writing news, I'm going through the paper edits on the chapters and things are going well, I think. I never know until I start reading again. Also (remember, I saved a lamb tonight!) there is a writer who shall remain nameless who is having a writing issue (can't reveal the issue, sorry) and I am just a bit gleeful. As far as I'm concerned, said writer has racked up bad karma in such massive quantities that it's a wonder the MSS don't just spontaenously combust from the evilness. Said writer is coming back in the next life as an alpaca or something. Maybe a goat, yeah, a goat. OK, back to my usual sweet self.
In writing news, I'm going through the paper edits on the chapters and things are going well, I think. I never know until I start reading again. Also (remember, I saved a lamb tonight!) there is a writer who shall remain nameless who is having a writing issue (can't reveal the issue, sorry) and I am just a bit gleeful. As far as I'm concerned, said writer has racked up bad karma in such massive quantities that it's a wonder the MSS don't just spontaenously combust from the evilness. Said writer is coming back in the next life as an alpaca or something. Maybe a goat, yeah, a goat. OK, back to my usual sweet self.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/20/2006 10:35:00 PM Permalink
At Last! Writer Beware Blogs! A.C. Crispin and Victoria Strauss Reveal All!
Oh, for crying out loud! I had no idea. I know some people who have gone the POD route and oh, just, sigh, I guess. Please, if you're someone who dreams of being published, here's perhaps the most important thing for you to know: There are NO shortcuts. There's only lots of work on your writing. That's it. If your book sucks, Amazon isn't going to get you a 3 book deal with Random House. Heck, not even Miss Snark could do that. Write a good book and you have a shot. Tip: If you have written only one draft, your book isn't good enough.
Read more at accrispin.blogspot.com/
Read more at accrispin.blogspot.com/
posted by Carolyn @ 2/20/2006 07:45:00 PM Permalink
Sigh Times Three
I read the damn chapters. For three different projects. Dark Elf officially sucks. It's nowhere near where it needs to be. The heroine was completely blah and uninteresting. And the hero wasn't scary. Crap. One thing I realized is that she has to have an official position of authority, like the Head Librarian at the Bodilean or something. She needs to be a woman of complete and utter confidence in her Scholarship. Also, there wasn't even a hint of the stuff about her suspecting this one guy is her father. I need to add that.
Possession was -- I don't know what the heck it was besides in need of massive amounts of work. I'm OK with that seeing as how I just recently threw out all the other stuff and wrote new stuff. I thought chapter 2 would be horrible, but it wasn't, which was a pleasant surprise. But I'm wondering if I haven't given away too much of her situation from the get go.
I also read Shift which last time I read it, I chopped and chopped and whacked. Now the chapters hang together much much better, but the last chapter has horrendous issues with POV. I'm going to pretend that's just an artifact of all the chopping and moving. Still, it's not bad. Of the three, I think it probably sucks the least.
Possession was -- I don't know what the heck it was besides in need of massive amounts of work. I'm OK with that seeing as how I just recently threw out all the other stuff and wrote new stuff. I thought chapter 2 would be horrible, but it wasn't, which was a pleasant surprise. But I'm wondering if I haven't given away too much of her situation from the get go.
I also read Shift which last time I read it, I chopped and chopped and whacked. Now the chapters hang together much much better, but the last chapter has horrendous issues with POV. I'm going to pretend that's just an artifact of all the chopping and moving. Still, it's not bad. Of the three, I think it probably sucks the least.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/20/2006 04:50:00 PM Permalink
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Uh oh....
Here I am, totally prepared to waste time surfing the internet in order to avoid cleaning up messy chapters. I checked bloglines and NONE of the writers blogs whose feeds I subscribe to have posted anything new. What's up with that?
What this means is that it's plainly the fault of Jennifer Ashley, Marjorie Liu and Liz Maverick that I have to go read those stupid chapters. I can't blame Miss Snark because she's an agent, not a writer. Thanks, gals. Really.
- Jennifer Ashley just needs to post more often.
- So does Marjorie Liu
- Sandy Schwab lives in Germany so she's probably asleep right now. I forgive her.
- Patti O'Shea is probably working on her house and revisions. So, reluctantly, she is off the hook, too.
- Megan Framptom is off visiting the Picky Vegetarian which means right now she's on a plane and can't post.
- I just subscribed to Elmore Leonard's feed, so can't say if the lack of a new post means he's goofing off and writing a book or something instead of posting in his blog.
- I have already sent Liz Maverick emails pleading for a resumption of her blog which I LOVED and would like to love again. Liz! Post!
What this means is that it's plainly the fault of Jennifer Ashley, Marjorie Liu and Liz Maverick that I have to go read those stupid chapters. I can't blame Miss Snark because she's an agent, not a writer. Thanks, gals. Really.
:(
posted by Carolyn @ 2/19/2006 02:58:00 PM Permalink
Friday, February 17, 2006
Wow, am I p*ssed off!
In fact, I'm so irate, I'm going over to the other blog to rant about it. (Email me if you want the link to that rant.) Suffice it to say, it is not my responsibility to monitor what I write and how I write it just because people have children. I have a child of my own you know... ooh I need to go vent. Seriously.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/17/2006 05:40:00 PM Permalink
Coding Horror: Fear of Writing
Wow. Who'd a thought a programmer would have such insight into writing! I stand in awe. The comments made me laugh, gently, perhaps a little scornfully. Oh, these people have no idea how hard wriitng really is. Read more at www.codinghorror.com/bl...
posted by Carolyn @ 2/17/2006 07:16:00 AM Permalink
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Move along folks, nothing to see here....
OK, I worked on the chapter stuff. Fixed a lot of chapter 1 and have 3 pages of chapter 2. I have pages to drop off with my prof. I'm feeling better. Painful as it was, I got actual work done.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/15/2006 09:45:00 PM Permalink
Fun with words Again
Depresspter: adj. (d · PRESST · ter). What you are when writing chapters. One symptom is the belief that small and/or despised tasks require one's immediate attention. Right now. A depresspter writer often has a clean closet, color coded sock drawers, a sparkling bathroom and kids with itchy nametags sewn in their underwear. Oh, hey, that writer is depresspter, invite her over to alphabetize the pantry!
posted by Carolyn @ 2/15/2006 07:11:00 PM Permalink
Look what I found under a rock!
It's a trick question. I found me and the pissy little mood I rode in on. The problem is I'm writing chapters and feeling particuarly icky about it. This calls for a new word, I think. Chaptression. Or something depressing like that. Depresspter, maybe. sigh. What makes it worse, despite the best efforts of the puppy asleep on my lap, is that I haven't been notebooking at the gym. Instead I've been reading Amanda Quick's Lie by Moonlight. I enjoy her writing and it always reads so effortlessly and as if she had no trouble writing only the scenes that matter. Very much the opposite of moi, at the moment. [Bad word] and double [bad word].
posted by Carolyn @ 2/15/2006 06:59:00 PM Permalink
Ad-Supported Free Books Arrive
Yikes! I feel like I've been living under a rock not to have heard about this sooner. It'll be intersting to watch. But, where's the payment stream to the author? Seems to be missing from this article.
Read more at www.infotoday.com/newsb...
Read more at www.infotoday.com/newsb...
posted by Carolyn @ 2/15/2006 06:50:00 AM Permalink
Sunday, February 12, 2006
More More Fun With Words!
Proposalgia: n. (propose · al · GEEyah). An extreme fixation on proposals known to be sitting on an editor's desk. One symptom is an inability to rationally assess the passage of time. A writer suffering from proposalgia commonly mistakes 24 hours as reasonable period of time in which to asses a proposal. Another more serious manifestation of this disease is the conviction that the proposal is being set on fire in a ladies room somewhere in New York City. Frequent moans and groans accompanied by sweating and nervous tics are a hallmark of this disorder. No, sweetie, that's not a ghost you hear. That's a writer with proposalgia. Just ignore her.
I blame the previous post on proposalgia.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/12/2006 07:50:00 PM Permalink
Life in general I guess
Tomorrow, I have the day off since it's a school holiday and there's no day care. I've started redoing the chapters for Possession. It's going well. The puppy is still cute (asleep on my lap right now). I've been reading my RITA books. One pretty good one so far, two just didn't do anything for me. In between, I read Sherrilyn Kennyon's Unleash The Night which I enjoyed.
One question has occurred to me: in some of my recent reading (more than one) I felt that an author was making some gross assumptions about a profession and that got me to wondering about the depth of research necessary. I mean I have what I think is fairly broach knowledge about a number of professions, but what if that knowledge is wrong? Like suppose I had a hero who's a Yak Inspector. I've been around cows. Cow manure smells and cows are a lot bigger up close than when you're driving past at 45mph, say. Plus, I drink cappucinos, and they have milk in them, a cow product. Yaks are cows, sort of, right? If my Yak Inspector hero never actually has to inspect a Yak in my story, is it OK that I know nothing about Yaks? I mean, he could comment about the dangers of stepping in Yak doo, right? Is that enough verisimilitude for a Yak Inspector Romance?
OK, I'm done being stupid. Until the next time.
One question has occurred to me: in some of my recent reading (more than one) I felt that an author was making some gross assumptions about a profession and that got me to wondering about the depth of research necessary. I mean I have what I think is fairly broach knowledge about a number of professions, but what if that knowledge is wrong? Like suppose I had a hero who's a Yak Inspector. I've been around cows. Cow manure smells and cows are a lot bigger up close than when you're driving past at 45mph, say. Plus, I drink cappucinos, and they have milk in them, a cow product. Yaks are cows, sort of, right? If my Yak Inspector hero never actually has to inspect a Yak in my story, is it OK that I know nothing about Yaks? I mean, he could comment about the dangers of stepping in Yak doo, right? Is that enough verisimilitude for a Yak Inspector Romance?
OK, I'm done being stupid. Until the next time.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/12/2006 07:36:00 PM Permalink
Friday, February 10, 2006
Stressing
Ok, apparently I am a total idiot. Adrian Paul is on the Hunks poll. It's that stupid arrow stuff on the poll where you can't see all the names at the same time. But at least my fan club membership is safe. Whew!
How Am I stressing? Let me count the ways. I'm working on the synopsis for the new Possession and, as I believe I have mentioned, synopses are horrible evil little things except they do get you going in a not totally wasted direction. But it feels wasted because there are no words to add to the word count. I have to drop off chapters for 535 Directed writing at school and at some point I ought to have some chapters to drop off, right? Only I'm writing synopses. I haven't even touched my stack of RITA books. I haven't heard anything from my agent about the proposals out there in editor land. Today someone emailed me about The Rake and I swear I feel like I ought to say the whole thing's just hopeless. Sigh.
How Am I stressing? Let me count the ways. I'm working on the synopsis for the new Possession and, as I believe I have mentioned, synopses are horrible evil little things except they do get you going in a not totally wasted direction. But it feels wasted because there are no words to add to the word count. I have to drop off chapters for 535 Directed writing at school and at some point I ought to have some chapters to drop off, right? Only I'm writing synopses. I haven't even touched my stack of RITA books. I haven't heard anything from my agent about the proposals out there in editor land. Today someone emailed me about The Rake and I swear I feel like I ought to say the whole thing's just hopeless. Sigh.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/10/2006 07:32:00 PM Permalink
Thursday, February 09, 2006
P.S.
Apparently, the sleeping puppy doesn't mean I have to work. It does mean I can waste time thinking about it. However, I have just realized that somehow, my Hunk poll does not include Adrian Paul. I must have been brain dead. Whatever the outcome, Adrian Paul is the winner in my heart. I hope they don't kick me out of the fan club for this. Off to work. For real. Honest.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/09/2006 07:39:00 PM Permalink
Projects!
Since blogger is having an outage in a couple of hours, I figured I'd better blog now. Besides making up silly words for writing insanity, I have been totally reworking the Possession project. I wrote this way, way out there short story and I have decided it's what this project needs to be. So, I'm reading for the edge. It's going really well. Last night I worked on the Dark Elf synopsis. I'm going to ignore it for a couple of days so when I read it again it's a bit fresher, then I'll get going on the new chapters. Tonight, I'm going to work out the chapter outline (skeleton) for Possession and just kind of get things set up for that.
What else. The puppy is asleep on my lap so I can't get up. I have to work.
What else. The puppy is asleep on my lap so I can't get up. I have to work.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/09/2006 07:17:00 PM Permalink
Nasty Little Truth About Spacetime Physics
Well, shoot. There goes my idea for a Time Travel www.rebelscience.org/Cr...
posted by Carolyn @ 2/09/2006 01:44:00 PM Permalink
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Even More Fun With Words
Hackolomaniac: n. (hacko · low · MAIN · e· ack). The megalomanical convicion, usu. of a writer who is not yet published, that she has nothing left to learn and that any words of advice dispensed to fellow writers are pearls of wisdom ignored at peril to everyone else's writing career. The hackolomaniac is frequently heard telling multipublished authors they don't know what it's like to be rejected and agentless, having never had to struggle learning how to write. Almost invariably, the hackolomaniac's writing is wretched beyond belief. No! No! Don't ask him about dialogue tags. He's a hackolomaniac!
posted by Carolyn @ 2/08/2006 08:32:00 PM Permalink
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
All kidding aside
I gathered up the nerve to email my agent. Yes, the proposals went out. They are in editor land.
At the gym today, I took a deep breath and committed myself to a riskier Possession story. And it started out great! It will work. I think I can keep some of my chapters but the synopsis has to be redone. After I work out a few more details.
Got some feedback on the Dark Elf synopsis. Very helpful. I'm about to make the necessary adjustments and then start in on the the chapters.
Pretty much that's it for now.
At the gym today, I took a deep breath and committed myself to a riskier Possession story. And it started out great! It will work. I think I can keep some of my chapters but the synopsis has to be redone. After I work out a few more details.
Got some feedback on the Dark Elf synopsis. Very helpful. I'm about to make the necessary adjustments and then start in on the the chapters.
Pretty much that's it for now.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/07/2006 08:55:00 PM Permalink
More Fun with Words
Manuanoia: n. (manu · ah · NOYah). The near maniacal fear that the manuscript just submitted to one's agent is, in fact, the worst book ever written and means near instantaneous dropping from said agent's list. The fear has little, if any, basis in reality. Run for your life! That writer has manuanoia!
Not me this time, but someone who should know better. But I'm next. I can feel the nervous tic already.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/07/2006 08:49:00 PM Permalink
Monday, February 06, 2006
Fun with words
Neuropsis: n. (nur · OP · sys). The neurotic fear of writing a synopsis. Alt: A syndrome the symptoms of which appear when an author is writing the synopsis for an as yet unwritten novel. Accompanied by sobbing when the novel is under option and hopeless sighs when not. Stay away from that writer, she has neuropsis!.
Man, I have it bad.
Man, I have it bad.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/06/2006 09:30:00 PM Permalink
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Feminism Pioneer Betty Friedan Dies at 85
As the 80's became the 90's I was baffled by people, men and women, who used "feminism" as if it were a bad word. Are you a woman with a job? Maybe a doctor or a lawyer, a SQL Server DBA, or perhaps a writer or teacher of literature? Is it incomprehensible to you that anyone could say, with a straight face, that you, as a woman, are not entitled to hold that job? Well, wake up and smell the roses. You have that incredible freedom to be baffled because of Betty Friedan and women like her.
Read more at news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200...
Read more at news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200...
posted by Carolyn @ 2/05/2006 09:45:00 AM Permalink
Saturday, February 04, 2006
synopsis slavery
I have been working on the synopsis a lot. It's better. Needs the end, such as it is. But I'm hoping to read a print out tonight and have it not suck. Have refined the story even while I wrote. When I have an OK synopsis, then I'll start working on chapters again and then off to the agent.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/04/2006 08:44:00 PM Permalink
Friday, February 03, 2006
In other news
It's Friday, I have to go to work tomorrow. Tonight I had to write the President's Message for the Beau Monde so not much writing done, except for at the gym (where there were no elves of any kind) I notebooked and got some important stuff done. Like, how the heck will the story end? Before the gym: no idea. After the gym: a couple of good ideas. Still slogging through the synopsis. Ick. But I'm getting there I think.
posted by Carolyn @ 2/03/2006 09:54:00 PM Permalink
Now I've done it...
Oh my gawd. I acutally went and got myself a chihuahua. My son named him Fudge. Please. I know. I'm trying to come to terms with it myself. Next thing you know I'll be hitting boy scouts with my purse and dying my hair blue.
In case you're wondering, here's what Devil cat thinks of Fudge:
posted by Carolyn @ 2/03/2006 09:20:00 PM Permalink
Thursday, February 02, 2006
A Date With A Zillionaire?? Hot Diggity!
Hey, I'm single. I know two, maybe three, reasonably amusing jokes and I think I can be social for at least 45 minutes. Also, I used to live two blocks from Danielle Steele's house on Washington in San Francisco. Danielle Steele: mansion. Carolyn Jewel: 1 bed apartment shared with baby. I'm entering! How about you? (Don't, I would like to win the contest.)
Read more at www.romantictimes.com/i...
Read more at www.romantictimes.com/i...
posted by Carolyn @ 2/02/2006 06:48:00 PM Permalink
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
what evil lurks? I'll tell you...
The synopsis. Notice how close, alphabetically and phonetically speaking, the word is to "nuerosis"? You got your S, your SIS (with said SIS being preceded, by the way, with 5 letters) your O (for Oh, No, this sucks!) and that clear bell-tolling-loud "I am a word with a Latin root." Everybody knows those Roman Latin speakers were all notorious fiddlering, war-mongering, marry your sister and hey, that Egyptian chick is sure cute, weirdos. I strongly suspect that when I'm not looking the words in my synopsis rearrange themselves into Latin and then back and that's why mine are so awful.
The synopsis is an evil horrible thing. But I'm whipping mine into shape for Dark Elf. Today at the gym, I wrote the new opening scene and started on the new chapter two. My new hero Miss Snark says no more than 1000 words, but I've had editors ask for "A detailed synopsis." Not this time, but whatever. I just want one that conveys the feel of the story and doesn't suck.
In other news, I've begun worrying about my proposals. Last I heard, proposals had not actually gone anywhere yet but that this would be addressed quickly. I have not further inquired, but maybe I should. It is February. I should email and ask. Sigh.
Lastly, no elf sightings in a very long time. I'm thinking of looking around for an elf-subsitute. There is this one candidate... Does that make me an elf-slut?
The synopsis is an evil horrible thing. But I'm whipping mine into shape for Dark Elf. Today at the gym, I wrote the new opening scene and started on the new chapter two. My new hero Miss Snark says no more than 1000 words, but I've had editors ask for "A detailed synopsis." Not this time, but whatever. I just want one that conveys the feel of the story and doesn't suck.
In other news, I've begun worrying about my proposals. Last I heard, proposals had not actually gone anywhere yet but that this would be addressed quickly. I have not further inquired, but maybe I should. It is February. I should email and ask. Sigh.
Lastly, no elf sightings in a very long time. I'm thinking of looking around for an elf-subsitute. There is this one candidate... Does that make me an elf-slut?
posted by Carolyn @ 2/01/2006 10:33:00 PM Permalink
Miss Snark, the literary agent: Trick questions
posted by Carolyn @ 2/01/2006 10:14:00 PM Permalink
Creating Passionate Users: Death by risk-aversion
If you're a writer, read this. Just think about it in terms of the stories you write. Are you being TOO safe? Interesting that just yesterday, I was wondering if my new idea for Dark Elf was too risky. I said I didn't care, and according to this, that's the correct thing to do.
Read more at headrush.typepad.com/cr...
Read more at headrush.typepad.com/cr...
posted by Carolyn @ 2/01/2006 09:22:00 AM Permalink
