Author: ransomnoble

Published Writer: young adult and science fiction

Phone Calls

Ever get a phone call from someone you don’t know? I returned a call from a number I didn’t recognize. I only did it because the caller left a message and I realized that my voicemail no longer identifies me as the recipient, just my number. I probably ought to switch that, but I’ve been occupied with other things.

I got another call today from a former through-work acquaintance. I’ve been ‘retired’ for 14 months now, and he no longer works for the same company, either. He thought he could get new contacts, but I don’t think anybody told him I retired from engineering entirely.

I don’t miss it most days. Then again, sometimes the little girl has a bad day… Those are the days I miss going to a job. No, not much even then. Adults are sometimes more difficult to handle. At least my daughter’s probably only interested in being held, fed, or changed. And her smiles make everything great.

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Speaking of Exercises

We had a writer’s workshop at the library. It’s always interesting to go and see what people brought, but the leader asked us to do an exercise to share what we saw and heard in a descriptive fashion. Several of them were very interesting – one described a specific person’s point of view (other than her own) and another talkeda bout the room. A few shared their feelings about the group.

It’s always an interesting exercise to give a different point of view. What’s the first line? What kind of piece are you writing? Whose point of view are you using?

And news of the interesting: I went to a store today to buy some thank-you notes. (I need to mail the ones I have written, but it’s just baby steps.) The sign taped to the cash register read: “NO RETURNS of any graduation merchandise will be excepted after June 1st.” It makes me wonder if they really mean it is going back to normal and how many customers catch that it is wrong.

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Writing Exercises

Writers write. It’s what we do. If you encounter a non-writing writer… well, someone’s pulled the wool over your eyes.

But not all writing is the same. There are the marathon events of novels and the short stints of flash fiction, truthful accounts and made up lies,  dry technical stuff and incredibly artful poetry.

Sometimes it’s best to stretch to something not tackled to get a better eye. Getting outside the comfort zone can give a better perspective to tackle the next project or to edit the current one. Other times it just gives a needed break from the regular grind. Exercise is needed to build, just as it is a physical necessity for muscles.

After a long break, like I am taking with my ‘maternity leave’ – some exercise is just what is needed to get back into the scheme of things before I edit that last project I finished.

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Cyberspace Delays

Ever had emails and text messages not reach their destination instantaneously? We get so accustomed to the immediacy of communication, sometimes it is easy to forget that it can all go awry.

Once, I sent a work-related email to a supplier, and it took a week to get there. I can’t imagine why it didn’t go through. I called the next day since I didn’t get an answer. He called me back the day it arrived.

I sent my parents a text message this week, and it took almost 12 hours to arrive in the designated inbox. They were looking for it, so Mom let me know when it arrived.

It may not be a good plot twist, but sometimes it works – or not, as the case may go. Often it’s better to use a device about not seeing it, being pulled away at the designated moment, than to just have it not arrive.

Readers and believability – must always cater to them!

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And the winner is…

Dawn Embers! Woo- big round of applause. Wait, you can’t hear it on this post? Imagine!

Speaking of imagination, do you ever wonder how far you can suspend a reader’s believability? It’s not a consistent question. I have friends who don’t read science fiction or fantasy at all because their believability can only stretch so far. Some read a few parts of it, but there are tales where the reader simply puts the story down because it’s too far out there.

But how far is too far? If it’s an individual line to draw, how do you know if you’ve hit it or crossed it? I wonder if other universes have pervaded people’s expectations, especially when one of my fellow writers told me he couldn’t get into my story because Star Trek said only 1 out of 30,000 planets was inhabitable.

Really… Star Trek? I don’t think they’re talking about life the way I was. They’re very focused on M class planets (read: places where humanoids can breathe). If you take out those requirements… well, Mars might look awesome for habitation! The other element not factored in there is time. If you’re looking for traces of life, who is to say that it’s still there or the planet is still habitable at this moment?

And how is it on Star Trek that all of the species breathe the same kind of air? Isn’t that just spooky? They all like the approximate same ambient temperatures. They all have languages translated with the Universal Translator, even ones they just met. Don’t even get me started on warp drive, either.

Who’s believable now?

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The Art of Science: Wrap-up

Thanks to everyone for following along. I hope you had fun and learned something. I think we covered most aspects of the book. Someone’s going to review it for me, soon.

It was also brought to my attention that amazon lacks a description of the book, so that will be remedied as soon as I figure out how to change that.

I’ll be gathering the commenters information to get the drawing. Stay tuned!

Those three who called me a mentor this week have all helped me out in my writing, too. We’ve made a lot of progress on several projects together.

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The Art of Science: Day 6

See great behind-the-book information with Crystalee at Crystalee Calderwood – Writer and Poet.

Reading and revising this book so much before it came out brings up memories from when I was in junior high. No, this isn’t based on my life, but I did try to incorporate things I remember being good and bad.

I also remember where I was when I was physically writing it. Forgot to add that to the ‘do you know’s’ when Crystalee asked. I had a lot of business trips with one co-worker during the time I was finishing the rough draft. So, I wrote in the car (longhand, since I didn’t have a laptop) while he drove, though I forget our actual destinations (perhaps Ohio?). I wrote on a chartered jet when we went to Canada, too.

He got used to me writing randomly, even seemed proud that I used his (first) name as one of the last names of my characters. I lost touch with him after we both left my former employer. He was pretty cool.

After I picked up my friend at the airport Saturday night, we talked about this book and now I’m thinking about writing more in this genre (mainstream young adult) or possibly middle-grade.

But first I need to figure out how to write and also take care of my child! Stay tuned here for a wrap-up tomorrow. Will also announce the winner of the free book by the end of the week.

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The Art of Science: Day 5

Late with this post for a couple of reasons. First, I waited to see if the hostess today would get hers up, but I haven’t heard from her. This is unusual, but as things go with people you only know online – something could prevent her from getting her access to a computer and that’s just how it goes. We’ve all had moments where life gets in the way.

Instead of going somewhere else, I ought to say something here. What about this book? (Also keeping in mind things that will be said tomorrow at the final stop.)

One thing that excited me were the illustrations. I didn’t know how they’d go at first. I didn’t know how they’d be chosen or what exactly to expect.

I didn’t choose the  cover art. Vivian had an idea and communicated it with Stephen, but I fell in love with it when I saw it. Then it came time to talk about the other illustrations.

I chose them, where they went, what they portrayed. It took me awhile to put it together. I have so much to learn about the limitations of the medium chosen- the pen and ink drawings- and how best to fit it with the story.

At first I tried to choose illustrations that would be too complicated. I really like how they turned out in the end. Stephen did a wonderful job, and they were completed so fast. (Seemingly fast because it takes me forever to draw anything freehand.)

Thanks, Stephen, for your wonderful illustrations.

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The Art of Science: Day 4

Continuing on the tour, see more about the book at VBT- Writers on the Move from Karen.

Does the audience have any questions? Sometimes I’m just curious what readers are thinking. (Those are the days I’m not wondering just who’s reading this blog, anyway!)

Yes, I am still taking entries for the giveaway for people who comment on today’s post, even if it isn’t listed. I apologize for the earlier link not working – it’s been fixed now.

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The Art of Science: Day 3

See what Shanachie has to say at Livejournal.

Or, see the two of us try to figure out a good story for how we met. That’s always a worthwhile venture! The font is a little troublesome until you hit the comments page, so please hang in there until she fixes it.

So many of us have great stories for how we meet people, it seems odd that both of us can’t remember. We share our lives in stories, some fictional and some not – and some of them a curious blend between the two. Do you remember how you met all your friends? Some of them might be a long distance off in memory and faded. A couple outrageous ones are unforgetable. (Like that time one of my friends hit me with her flag pole – on my head! That hurt, but we became great friends.)

I try to bring that richness of experience to my writing. You’ll have to stay tuned to let me know if I’ve succeeded.

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