Author: ransomnoble

Published Writer: young adult and science fiction

Football Season Begins

All right, technically I know it began last Thursday. For my team, it began today. Not that I watch a lot of football. It’s an interesting game that I don’t know all the rules for, yet. Will I ever figure them out? Probably not!

One of the things I used to look forward to during football season was hanging out with friends before, after, and even during (for those who don’t have tickets). Now that we’ve moved farther away from the Hawkeye Mecca of Iowa City, we have the Big Ten Network and my husband watches religiously.

I think I’ll have to set myself in a quiet place and write. My daughter seems to like watching football so far (crazy kid) so I’m hoping she’ll be able to hang out with Daddy and I can get things done.

Things like writing, not cleaning – the kitchen floor just doesn’t scream ‘clean me’ while the game is on. Well, really, it’s a wood floor. It doesn’t scream anything.

Posted on by ransomnoble 2

Another Rejection

Such is the lot of a writer. Well, not every writer. I’m sure if I was one of those big names I wouldn’t have this problem, but they were all sitting where I am at one point in time.

I knew when I sent the story that it would be a long shot. I am of the opinion that one must aim high if ever to succeed. So, I didn’t make the cut this time. Perhaps next time.

It has a small flaw to be fixed that I found after I sent it. It’s always after that you find the little things, even with the aid of others. Next time – there is always next time.

Posted on by ransomnoble 9

Picture Books

I’ve been thinking about these more often. I have some short flash fiction pieces and some poetry that I’ve thought could be good picture books lately.

Isn’t that funny how you can write for one audience, then transform it into a different one?

The flash fiction piece could go either way, adult or children’s, and I’m considering trying to spin both and see what I can do with it. The poem I was challenged at my writer group yesterday to make it unrhyming, and I realized it could also make a good picture book with that kind of rewrite.

Some of these seem to be overlapping forms. It’s neat to see where the words lead me.

Posted on by ransomnoble 2

In What Time Period?

Historical writings need a lot of research to make sure they’re correct. It isn’t just about the events of history – it’s the little things that make that period unique.

Certain things will put you directly into a time period, and others will pull you out. When do you think of when you think pillbox hat?

Beyond that, there are the words used. We can’t all be like Heinlein and make up words like ‘grok.’

I haven’t written historical pieces. In some ways, I find them overwhelming. When they’re done well, they’re beautiful. I know some writers who do it very well. I feel like I’m learning when I listen to the writers I know who do historical pieces.

Perhaps one day… but not today.

Posted on by ransomnoble 1

Switching Genders

It’s something a lot of writers try. Not everyone can do it, especially on a consistent basis that it takes for a novel.

We discussed it at my writer’s group today. How difficult it is to identify with the other gender convincingly. I love the candor of the group – they’ll tell you when you stray and expect you to do the same.

Like when male characters, otherwise ordinary, start spouting off long bits of dialogue. Or when female characters seem oblivious to the surroundings. Just another thing to keep in mind.

Why couldn’t one thing be easy? Oh, yeah, it’s because we’re writing.

Posted on by ransomnoble 3

Friday!

Staying home with a kid (or more than one) makes Fridays a little different than for those who punch a clock. I’m still looking forward to the weekend, though.

It’s always nice to have another parent around. I might even get a break to write. You know, longer than five minutes and possibly without someone napping on my arm. I have found it very difficult to continue to type with one arm stuck underneath a sleeping baby. Don’t want to move and wake her, but struggling to stay productive. Vicious cycle.

Posted on by ransomnoble 0

Write What You Know

How many times do we hear this? And yet, we try to transfer our experiences, our knowledge, into fiction. Well, a bunch of writers I know do this, and so do I.

The question is, how do you deal with friends or loved ones who think you’re writing about them? Many times I try to imagine crazy things, but that doesn’t mean it’s based off anyone near and dear to me.

Just curious what the writers out there think.

Posted on by ransomnoble 4

The Priorities

Some days, you just have to give yourself time to figure out what’s important.

Starting new projects is interesting, terribly easy, and then requires thought/guilt/determination to finish. A rewrite can sometimes be difficult to get the motivation for, but with short time it can be better suited to short times in front of the screen when interruptions are imminent.

Blogging and tweeting shouldn’t take long, but sometimes I just get stumped. Then there’s all that housework that can be so distracting! (Yes, there might be a little sarcasm there.)

And not to forget, that little fussy girl who always comes first. When I work out what I’m working on, she decides it’s time for her! Better luck when she naps. Please, nap soon?

Posted on by ransomnoble 3

Did I write that?

Some of my fiction-writing friends have turned to articles here and there. It’s an interesting past-time. I have learned a few things in my pursuit of non-fiction.

One of them is that I love fiction. Writing truth doesn’t bring me the joy of making things up out of whole cloth.

Another is that there are a lot of opportunities that don’t have your name on them. We sign the rights away on most of these sites in exchange for a monetary reward. Many of these short articles end up online – do you ever wonder who makes those? Sometimes, I do.

Posted on by ransomnoble 3

Geek Appeal

Do you think left-brain and right-brain dominance is exclusive?

I have a writer friend who questions whether or not she ought to accept a rooommate who cannot punctuate a return email. As someone who lives with a man who can’t spell to save his life, I’d bet on him in the math department against almost any of my writer friends.

Most of my enginerding buddies have difficulties in the spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation departments. It isn’t about their intelligence – it’s simply an emphasis on the other side of the brain. The logic side, I think. Does that mean our language isn’t logical? Perhaps. I haven’t heard a single person try to argue that one.

In fact, there are a lot of spam eamils to the contrary- “If the plural of mouse is mice, is the plural of house hice?” One moose, two moose; one goose, two geese. While I know some math nerds who will argue that 2 + 2 can equal anything from 3 to 5, there is still logic in that statement.

Posted on by ransomnoble 2