Fiction Scribe

Yeah, I know what I just said about the ‘a year in summary Christmas letter‘ but I found this list of Thirteen Goals for 2008 that I posted up last Christmas. I thought it would be amusing to update…

A Year In Review

1. Finish the first draft of my work in progress. I didn’t complete this one mainly due to the flood of ideas and other projects I’ve started. Plus the fact I have to rewrite the first half. Grr.

2. Finish the first edit of my work in progress. See above.

3. Pay off my hospital bill. Not done, but my other student loan came due, so…

4. Still be writing for this site at this time next year. Hey, I’m still here! Woot!

5. Submit a story (or more) to Women’s Weekly magazine. Yeah… no.

6. Go to Conflux 5. Said, done, spoke on a couple panels, had a fabulous time.

7. Collect at least three more cool and/or weird pens. Done, I think. I’m writing with a flexy seahorse pen at the moment…

8. Submit at least one short story…somewhere. Said, done, and getting published! Chicken Soup for the Soul: Campus Chronicles.

9. Start on writing another novel. Done a few times over…

10. Keep my husband working on his novel. I’ve learned that when it comes to Mr. JM, it’s best to leave him alone and give feedback when he wants it.

11. Learn to make a fabulous lemon meringue pie. Brownies, carrot cake, various other meals… no lemon meringue.

12. Also learn to make lovely pumpkin risotto and turn that into my writing food. A big no. I had a violent (yes, violent) reaction to a medication a couple hours after eating risotto. I haven’t been able to eat it since.

13. Have a more functional and organized work space. Done and not done. We’ve completely rearranged the flat, but it’s been a beast to keep my darn desk clean…

Not bad, all in all. Especially on the whole my short story is getting published.

Did you accomplish what you wanted to accomplish this year?

Thirteen Ways to Get Writing During the Holidays

1. Let the kids (if you have any) decorate the Christmas tree. You might have to oversee things so they don’t kill each other with the star ornaments, but sit on the couch with a notebook and let them take over. They’ll feel special and you’ll get some small snippets of time to write.

2. Type your family Christmas update or whatever you call it. Printing multiple pages is much easier and faster than writing them.

3. Holiday meals? Prepare absolutely as much as you can beforehand. If you can get away with not cooking something, then don’t cook it!

4. Keep a notebook/pad and pen with you always. (Do I really need to mention this one again?)

5. Gift bag it. Save the paper and save some time by using reusable gift bags.

6. Shop online. Save the shopping and queuing time for writing.

7. Let people know that the surest way to get on Santa’s good list is to let you write.

8. Schedule it. Sometimes it’s all you can do.

9. Decorate your tree with office supplies. Talk about a near constant reminder.

10. Switch all the clocks and calendars to yesterday and give yourself an extra day.

11. Declare December MyNoWriMo - My Novel Writing Month

12. Doors have locks for a reason.

13. If you don’t celebrate Christmas, well, you know what to do.

Check out my other Thursday Thirteens at Write Anyway

Yes, you have been dreading it and I have been trying to avoid it… but it’s time for me to get my squealing fangirl face on because I’m going to Conflux for the second time. Very exciting. You don’t think so? Ask Gillian, who has generously donated part of her living space so I don’t have as expensive a time this year as I did last year.

You need more reasons? Well, okay then.

1. You need to leave the house sometime. Why not make it for a useful reason?
2. Workshops.
3. Workshops possibly being headed by some of your favourite authors. Whee!
4. Book signing. Maybe you have a mass book signing like Conflux does or maybe you ‘accidentally’ run into an author you read, but you might get your book signed.
5. Discussion panels. Panels are one of my favourite parts of conferences. I love listening to group exchanges of ideas.
6. People watching! Of course, you wouldn’t pay to only people watch, but it is a nice add on for the ticket price.
7. Making friends, exchanging business cards, basic networking…
8. Free stuff! Sure, there is a lot you have to pay for, but there is also free stuff!
9. Coffee. There is almost always plenty of coffee to be had.
10. Learning. There is a huge amount of knowledge and experience personified in one place. Don’t let opportunities pass you by. But don’t be an annoyance either.
11. With so much stuff going on, you always have an excuse to get away if you need to…
12. No one is going to look at you strangely if you take a time out to read or take a nap.
13. The other stuff - costume parties, room parties, other parties, get-togethers, dances, art shows, raffles, etc.

Check out my other Thursday Thirteens at Write Anyway, Long Relationships, and The Book Stacks

I am quite the slacker sometimes when it comes to my creative writing, mainly because my work is writing. I was thinking today about how that is just one of many ways writing can be difficult sometimes.

Honestly, after that, I’m not quite sure how I made the jump to potty training, but there it is. Enjoy and happy Thursday Thirteen.

1. When you start out, it get quite messy.
2. Experimenting is fun, but not always productive.
3. The urge to go back to what you know (fanfiction, etc) can be strong because it’s easier.
4. While working with someone who can show you how things work in the beginning can be good, there must be a point where you go at it alone.
5. While there is always more than one way to do something, sometimes what is tried and true is just plain best.
6. Even when you think you have it all figured out, things can surprise you.
7. Surprises aren’t always a good thing, but they can certainly teach you a thing or two.
8. Multitasking can be either good or bad depending on the circumstances.
9. Shutting the door is good for both you and other people.
10. It’s good to have tools to help you focus (or aim. ahem).
11. It’s okay if you didn’t start when ‘everyone else’ did.
12. If at first you don’t succeed, there’s only you to clean up the mess so you’ll have even more motivation to get it right the next time.
13. In the end, you do what you have to do and learn because there isn’t always going to be someone there to wipe your bum.

Check out my other Thursday Thirteens at Write Anyway, Long Relationships, and The Book Stacks

Having passed the 15,000 word mark in my current work in progress and well fixed on the plot points (and ending), I have been thinking about finishing the first draft. That will be a lovely day, as it will mark not only the end of the first draft but my first completed women’s fiction story.

Anyway, that got me thinking…

1. Save it.
2. Save it again on my USB key.
3. Go to the pub and thoroughly enjoy a gin and tonic.
4. Buy myself a new pen. Or a notebook. Or both.
5. Oh, and while I’m at the pub, I should probably by my husband a pint. Because I’m nice like that.
6. Go out for dinner somewhere. (What? Don’t you celebrate after finishing the first draft?)
7. Occasionally dream of publication.
8. Think about friends who might be willing to (be bribed to) read it.
9. Play some computer games or something like that.
10. Catch up on emails and organize my inbox.
11. Buy whatever is needed for bribes mentioned in #8.
12. Avoid looking at it or thinking about it for a few days. (Weeks?)
13. Start editing.

Check out my other Thursday Thirteens at Write Anyway, Long Relationships, and The Book Stacks

The main character. The hero. The person who does it all to save it all.

Or something like that.

Do you have a main character who isn’t working out? Would you like to give your hero a little…edge? Is he or she a little too… sane for you? Well, then you’ve come to the right Thursday Thirteen…

1. Kill his/her lover in front of him/her.Let’s just get that one out of the way, shall we? I know you were thinking it.
2. Torture. This tried and true method will have you MC more than a bit wonky if you do it right.
3. Realization of manipulation. Say it out loud. It’s fun. If your MC realizes s/he has been kicking goals for the wrong team all along, it might be enough to push him/her over the edge.
4. Unintentional murder of innocents. Generally, your goodie-goodies don’t like to murder those on the side of good.
5. Intentional murder of innocents. Like the above, but this time your MC did it on purpose. Why s/he did it - spell, fit of rage, whatever - is up to you.
6. “…is your father!” Just make sure it’s not too cliched, young padawan.
7. Eliminate external stimuli. Otherwise known as ‘lock him/her in a tube and leave him/her in there for a prolonged period of time’.
8. War. This is pretty broad, but throw your MC in a war and there are plenty of ways
9. Love them funky mushrooms. Give me liberty or give me poison! Well, not me. Give your MC some fun, mind-altering drugs and see what happens.
10. The work of the gods! Deity-caused madness is always fun.
11. The work of the gods! - Part Two The deities can give you MC such a hellish time that s/he goes a bit wonky and starts on a rampage. Or something.
12. Kicking puppies. Not a good habit. If your MC does it enough, who knows what evil things will happen in his/her mind.
13. Put him/her in teletubby land. Give it an hour, give or take. Don’t know the teletubbies? Google.

***This post is part of the Fiction Scribe 100 Comments Contest. Click on the link to find out how you can win.***

Check out my other Thursday Thirteens at Write Anyway, Long Relationships, and The Book Stacks

Just because I’m in a bit of a strange mood today and wish I could pay off my student loans a lot faster than I actually can, I thought I’d do something a little different with today’s Thursday Thirteen.

1. One of those pens they use in space.
2. More pens. A lot of fun, cool, weird pens. A lot of them.
3. Post it notes. I love post it notes and so should you.
4. Gel pens. Yes, no matter what you think of me, I’ll admit that I would buy gel pens. A few dozen of them. In different colours. Yeah.
5. A new laptop. Of course. Top of the line and all that stuff, even though someone would have to tell me what is the best computer out there these days.
6. Maroon 5 CDs. I’m not sure how many are out there these days, but I write to Maroon 5 music a lot. It’s not my muse, but it’s close.
7. Thirsty Merc CDs. For the same reason as above.
8. A ticket to New Zealand and a visa to stay there for three months. New Zealand is such a beautiful, inspiring place. I wish I could have had more time to spend there.
9. Notebooks. I like notebooks.
10. Books on writing. If you really need to know which ones, go hunt down my Amazon.com (evil bastards) wish list.
11. A paino. Weirdly enough, I play the piano a bit and have always found it inspirational.
12. A room, apartment, loft, whatever, somewhere. With no internet connection.
13. Did I mention pens? And stickers? And highlighters?

Check out my other Thursday Thirteens at Write Anyway, Long Relationships, and The Book Stacks

I have asked these before, but I think they’re worth asking again.

1. Do you write novels, short stories, poetry, fiction, non-fiction?
2. When did you start writing stories?
3. Did you start with fan fiction or your own creations?
4. What is the first story you ever wrote? (How long, what’s it about…)
5. From all the books you’ve read, who is your favourite character?
6. Who is your favourite character from your stories?
7. Are you/will you actively pursuing a job in the writing/publishing industry? (Other than writing books and hoping to get published.)
8. What is your greatest ‘Achilles heel’ as far as grammar goes?
9. Are you published in any way (paid or not)?
10. What are your dreams for your writing?
11. If you could talk to any author, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
12. What inspires you?
13. Why do you write?

Check out my other Thursday Thirteens at Write Anyway, Long Relationships, and The Book Stacks

While I was going through all the past Thursday Thirteens I have put up, I found one I posted the last Thursday of 2007. It happened to be a list of thirteen goals I had for this year.

Yes, you caught the ‘had’ there, didn’t you? It turns out that list needs to be revised a bit, so I thought I would take the time and opportunity to do that this week. I’m putting up the original list as well as (my revisions).

1. Finish the first draft of my work in progress. (Still working on it…)
2. Finish the first edit of my work in progress. (Completely doable.)
3. Pay off my hospital bill. (It will happen…if I win the lottery. Revision: Pay off half.)
4. Still be writing for this site at this time next year. (Looking good so far. Revision: Still be writing for this site at this time next year and have it be more financially successful at that time.)
5. Submit a story (or more) to Women’s Weekly magazine. (Revision: Chicken Soup for the Soul. WW is a tough lot.
6. Go to Conflux 5. (Looks like it’s going to happen.)
7. Collect at least three more cool and/or weird pens. (I have two so far…)
8. Submit at least one short story…somewhere. (Working on it.)
9. Start on writing another novel. (Done.)
10. Keep my husband working on his novel. (RE: Snowball’s chance in hell. Revision: Encourage husband to work on his novels.)
11. Learn to make a fabulous lemon meringue pie. (Could still be done…)
12. Also learn to make lovely pumpkin risotto and turn that into my writing food. (Not going to happen. I just so happened to have risotto just before a severe reaction to a medication I started. Risotto is now spread regularly around Victoria. Revision: Find a healthy writing snack.)
13. Have a more functional and organized work space. (Doable. I did it before, but now I’ve gone and destroyed it again because I have spring fever…in the end of autumn…)

Check out my other Thursday Thirteens at Write Anyway, Long Relationships, and The Book Stacks

As this is Fiction Scribe, there are a few things that I don’t talk about very often, like poetry, biographies and other non-fiction. However, April is National Poetry month, so it’s only right that I touch on poetry a little bit… (Plus, I used to like to write poetry for a long time and still have an appreciation for the craft.)

For this week’s Thursday Thirteen, I’m listing thirteen famous poets, including a few favourites if mine. Add on your favourite poets (and poems as well) in the comments section to help celebrate poetry month as well as maybe give me some new reading material.

Happy Thursday Thirteen!

1. Edgar Allen Poe
2. Jane Austen
3. E. E. Cummings
4. Emily Dickenson
5. Samuel Coleridge
6. Elizabeth Jennings
7. Geoffrey Chaucer
8. Maya Angelou
9. Aleister Crowley
10. Anais Nin
11. T.S. Eliot
12. Sylvia Plath
13. Robert Frost

Check out my other Thursday Thirteens at Write Anyway, Long Relationships, and The Book Stacks

While I am, for the most part, a supporter of people who write fanfic (and admit that’s what they’re writing), someone suggested to me that I do a Thursday Thirteen list of reasons to not write fanfic.

Please don’t take this as me withdrawing my support or trying to insult people who write fanfic, but there are reasons to not do it…

1. Bottom line - the stuff isn’t yours.
2. You may get praised for your writing skills, but you’re not likely to be praised for your imagination.
3. Being locked down. No matter what, there is only so much you can do with other people’s characters and worlds.
4. FanFic is “safe” writing. You don’t really have to risk anything showing your work to others because it’s not completely your ‘baby’. If you write fanfic, you may never stop because of being in that “safe” zone.
5. Satisfaction. While fanfiction is satisfying in a way - I did it when I was younger to get some things ‘out of my system’ when it came to the series I was reading - there is infinitely more satisfaction to be had when it’s all of your own creation.
6. When you write fanfic, you don’t always have the chance to threaten your friends with “I’ll put you in my novel”.
7. Even if you do get to use the threat in number six, it’s not much of one given fanfics don’t exactly become best sellers.
8. If you’re not working completely from your own material, you’ll never find all the things you need to work on.
9. This one is purely my opinion, but fanfic is easier to put down. Put away. Forget about. You don’t have to worry about forgetting things ‘whenever’ you get back to it because all you have to do is go back and read the original. There isn’t the urgency there.
10. The stereotypical drinking, smoking writer doesn’t really work for a fanfic writer…
11. You have a limited audience. You’re narrowed down twice - once to the group who likes what you’re writing fanfic about and once again to the group within that group who would actually read fanfic about the subject.
12. There’s no reason to be scared. Nobody has to read what you write when you finally strike out on your own with your own creations.
13. There is nothing like completing something of your own creation. I know I’ve already said that, but when it’s well and truly your baby, you love it warts and all. You’re more dedicated to it, will polish it more, will take that little bit (or lot) more pride in what you’ve done.

Check out my other Thursday Thirteens at Write Anyway, Long Relationships, and The Book Stacks

1. Blog. Blogging is a favourite distraction of mine. Blogging and reading other blogs and easily take up all my writing time.
2. Cook. Either someone is hungry or someone will be. Cooking never truly ends…
3. Laundry. A tried and true classic - especially for the stay at home spouses and parents. Who has time to write when there is so much laundry to do?
4. Vacuum. Again, there is always vacuuming to be done when those tough scenes come up.
5. Play computer/video games. Who cares if you might hit that moment of true inspiration tonight? Donkey Kong has the princess!
6. Read. You won’t feel guilty reading. After all, you’re supporting other writers, right?
7. Brush your teeth. And don’t forget to floss. Dental hygiene is a must.
8. Sleep. We all could use a bit more of that.
9. Stare at your computer screen. Everybody’s doing it.
10. Paint the house. It’s one of those things on your to-do list that never gets done…until now.
11. Find and download all your favourite childhood songs.
12. Write some poetry instead. Or attempt to, anyway.
13. Go to the pub and reinforce a widely know writer stereotype.

Check out my other Thursday Thirteens at Write Anyway, Long Relationships, and The Book Stacks

Hello and welcome to another Thursday Thirteen.

I would like to say that this week’s list isn’t meant to be insulting. I’m not against self-publishing. I have a slightly negative opinion, but I’m not completely against it and this list certainly isn’t meant to be against all self-published writers.

Honestly, I’m just a little tired of reading books that are so obviously self-published…

1. Your story is fine and perhaps even engaging, but the editor in me is distracted enough to disturb the reader in me
2. Unchecked comma addiction…that continues through the story
3. Mixed up present and past tenses
4. The pacing isn’t smooth – and not because it works for the book
5. Your characters sound like each other despite age, race, cultural background…
6. …or your characters speech habits aren’t individually consistent
7. Spelling mistakes
8. I begin to wonder if you have in the beginning pages/chapters of the book
9. Using the wrong words
10. The writing style – slang, pacing, tense, everything – isn’t consistent
11. Grammar mistakes
12. When I read your book, I have the urge to get out my red editing marker
13. I end up looking your publishing company up on the internet instead of reading your book just to check to see if my instincts were correct

Check out my other Thursday Thirteens at Write Anyway, Long Relationships, and The Book Stacks

Like many writers, I use music to help me along when I need it. However, I have always wished I had thought of certain titles first because I would use them as book titles instead of song titles.

Am I the only person who has done that?

Anyway, here are thirteen song titles I have said, “I could write a book with that title” about.

(Still recovering from cough/cold/flu so let me know if anything I just said doesn’t make sense.)

(as courtesy of my iTunes play list)

1. As Long as You’re Mine – Wicked the Musical
2. Here’s That Rainy Day – Various Artists
3. Learning to Breathe - Switchfoot
4. But That’s Another Song - Bryan White
5. What’s Left Of Me - Nick Lachey
6. I’m Not that Girl – Wicked the Musical
7. Unusually Unusual – Lonestar
8. Breathing on My Own – Majandra Delfino
9. Standing Outside the Fire – Garth Brooks
10. Wake Me Up When September Ends – Green Day
11. All I Know – Five for Fighting
12. My Paper Heart – All-American Rejects
13. And So It Goes – Billy Joel

Check out my other Thursday Thirteens at Write Anyway, Long Relationships, and The Book Stacks

I have been looking through my archives lately just to see where I’ve been so I can more accurately determine where I should be going with things. I have to say one of my favourite features has come to be the pet peeves.

I don’t do them every week like I used to, but that doesn’t mean I love them any less. For this week’s Thursday Thirteen, I’m going to tap into a bit of nostalgia and list my favourite thirteen pet peeves.

1. Pet Peeve #54 - All Too Human Races
2. Pet Peeve #52 - Elitist Poets
3. Pet Peeve #50 - Undeveloped Magic Systems
4. Pet Peeve #44 - Anti-”Said” Writers
5. Pet Peeve #42 - Tense
6. Pet Peeve #37 - Net Speak
7. Pet Peeve #35 - Weenies
8. Pet Peeve #34 - It’s Harry Potter, but Different
9. Pet Peeve #29 - ?!?!?!?!?!
10. Pet Peeve #27 - Double Meanings
11. Pet Peeve #21 - Questioning Guidelines
12. Pet Peeve #11 - So the sky is blue? Wow!
13. Pet Peeve #4 - Thinking

Check out my other Thursday Thirteens at Write Anyway, Long Relationships, and The Book Stacks