Speculative fiction is based on what if. All it takes is one small question to begin the process. What if?
It’s after that – the process of building the then what‘s that really builds the world from the writer’s mind. The then what‘s nail down the particulars. After that, a story shines through.
But don’t think I’m advocating a story about a thing- stories are about people. The character must change; that is the beauty of story.
Or, perhaps this one is about Geek Unappeal… Read 4 ways to drive scientists mad here.
I think engineers are just as bad. Of course, they have the upper hand, since it’s much easier for them to drive the rest of the people crazy. Think about it! They are imaginative enough to spell words hundreds of ways, rather than just one. They get so technical they can drive the fun out of things. They also make you feel silly for not knowing what those buttons on your calculator do.
How would I know? Oh, didn’t I mention that engineering degree getting dusty on the shelf?
National League of American Pen Women has the state conference on the 19th of September. It’s unfortunate that’s when I’m appearing at the bookstore in Dubuque. It’s too far between both to travel, and we’ll probably be there early.
I volunteered to help with the presentation – to smooth wording and such before the day. I also will submit my picture, short bio, and some book information. It’ll be good exposure, but better if I could have been there.
Perhaps next year I’ll remember to take those things in account when scheduling. Still, my book should be the most important thing for my career. Always must remember that!
I started looking for a profile for my characters, because it’s an easy thing to do to fill in questions, when I realized it depends on the questions asked.
If I have a ‘critter’ from another world, she may not carry a purse or wallet. He may not wear clothing. It might not have the proper gender at all.
Which reminds me that I need to figure out questions more suited to the people I’m characterizing. Of course, it also brings to light other aspects – like if you’re working within a intergalactic community – what do they use for ID?
I managed to get my daughter down for a long nap this afternoon. (She really needed it – she didn’t get a good one in the morning.) While I also caught up on my chores, I got out my notes from the novel project I abandoned a couple years ago. About three, but who’s counting?
I didn’t completely abandon it; I just realized about seven chapters in that I didn’t have enough of a background in the world and I’d written myself into a corner, plotwise. Setting it aside for a time put things in perspective and made me realize what I needed to make it more real for me.
I’ve done some sketches since then. I have a couple left to do, but the approach now is completely different. Sometimes I wonder if my friends are going to yell at me since it’s going through such a large change in focus. Sorry, but you’ll have to live! I might be on the right track this time. I still have things to work out, so it’ll be awhile.
It just feels so good to be going back to it.
See Lea Schizas’s post here.
I haven’t signed up for those yet. I am a fan of “I should be writing” by Mur Lafferty.
Speaking of writing, do you ever feel bogged down if you haven’t done something in awhile? My legs ache if I don’t exercise enough (I’m strange, I know). It’s an internal ache if I don’t write for awhile.
There are still characters in my head. There are still plots rambling around, begging to be written. I just need to sit down and do it.
So, today, I’m outlining. It’s a good place to start, and if and when I get called away by a little girl who needs something, well, I might remember where I left off a bit better.
That’s the hope. I am a writer, so I need to write every day. This blog doesn’t count for much in that direction, but it is the most consistent project I’ve managed since she was born. And while I do it, or perhaps after, I’m going to listen to these podcasts and see if something sinks in.
How often do writers look at what they do as a business? How much do writers look at their activities with regard to what makes sense for their goals?
I’m working toward my business plan. I know things can get in the way, possibly more for a fiction writer than a non-fiction one, but without focus no one will get anywhere.
It takes research to figure out what else is required for me to succeed. One conversation with a friend about business cards started this months ago – who is my customer? It might not be who you think.
My customer is the publisher or agent. My customer is the one who writes me checks. It works in my favor to get people to buy the book, but those are the publisher’s customers. It’s a shift in viewpoint, but because helping my publisher helps my bottom line, it’s definitely in my best interest to get people excited about my book.
However, remembering that publishers of any size don’t have the resources to promote all their books, it falls to the authors to do that on their own. It still makes me think.
It helps to have a list of goals in front of you to accomplish. I’m still working on this list. Do you think about what’s important, or do you let yourself get bogged down and distracted by the little things?
My excuse for not getting back in gear is a 3 month old who scoots across the floor. She isn’t going very far yet, but just that she’s going somewhere keeps me on my toes. “I left you over there, child!”
So I’m working on a list of things to accomplish. I think it’ll be more realistic now that I understand how much she needs from me.
For Father’s Day, I gave my husband a book to read to our daughter. I’m not sure how amused he was, but it fits today’s topic, so I thought I’d give the authors a plug.
Science Verse is a fun picture book with rhymes about various things science-related. Some of them are taken off known songs or poems (Glory, glory, evolution). I just like to see the take the authors did.
No, I swear I didn’t buy it just because it had the periodic table inside the front cover!
I’m putting the other book by the same authors, Math Curse, on my wishlist! They’re the perfect gifts for those geeky parents who wish to doom their kids, like I do. Wait, did I say that out loud?
Do you ever find yourself tired, or simply not in the mood to be working, but still down on yourself for doing silly time-wasting things?
I suppose it depends on your definition of time-wasting activities. Since I work at home, it becomes working time all the time because the split between a workplace and a resting place (home) disappears. Not that it matters so much – you can read articles about how people are merging their home and work lives more and more because of excess hours worked and whatnot.
Sometimes I sit here thinking I should be writing, but fatigue eventually hits and nothing productive gets accomplished. I could watch tv, or play a mindless game online, or just smile at my daughter when she’s awake. I’m just not going to beat myself up over it for awhile. Not every single moment can be focused toward the goal.
Ransom Noble 