Fiction Scribe

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

Another fun one for your amusement. Enjoy! And have a happy Thursday.

1. Sometimes it will take a long time for the conception (of the idea), but planning is a good thing.
2. Often times, conceiving (an idea) will happen one drunken wild night but you won’t remember the idea for until about a few weeks later.
3. It’ll likely cost you more time, money, devotion, and attention than you can every really guess before it comes along.
4. You’ll worry. A lot. Mostly about whether or not you’re good enough to make it as a decent writer.
5. Birth/publishing is just the beginning…
6. Sometimes finding a name/title will be easy. Sometimes it’ll be a big pain in the arse.
7. There is no easy way to finish a manuscript. You either push through all the way or cut yourself open to finally get it.
8. It takes a long time to fully grow it.
9. Premature finishes need even more love, care, and attention.
10. It takes a village to raise a child? It takes a few good friends to edit a manuscript.
11. Every now and then it’ll be a good idea to leave the manuscript in good hands and take a day off to relax.
12. It’ll be messy, dirty, hard to deal with sometimes, and may even keep you up at night…but you’ll still stay with it.
13. Flaws and all, the manuscript is yours, and that will truly mean something.

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

I’m feeling a bit cheeky today, so for your amusement…

1. If you ignore your manuscript, you’ll probably feel guilty for doing so without your manuscript having to say or do anything.
2. Some days you’ll need a break from everything even remotely related to the manuscript.
3. Your manuscript will piss you off. Likely a lot. Even so, you’ll keep coming back.
4. You’ll devote many hours, many tears, and many emotions to your manuscript. Period. If you don’t, then you probably shouldn’t be writing.
5. Some nights, you’ll try to get as far as you can with your manuscript even if you have a headache.
6. Some days you’ll want to throw your manuscript out. You’ll (hopefully) just go for a long walk and take a breather instead.
7. Sometimes you’ll give everything and seem to get nothing. But sometimes you’ll give only a little and get the world.
8. You may resort to drugs, drinking, or other vices to get you through things.
9. You’ll probably end up taking it places because nothing is happening back at home.
10. Occasionally your manuscript will surprise you and the bad times won’t seem so bad.
11. Occasionally you’ll surprise yourself.
12. Sometimes you’ll love your manuscript so much that you want to start a family (write a sequel). Resist this urge.
13. Despite everything, you’ll miss it when it’s done.

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

Yes, it’s Valentines Day. Love it, hate it, whatever, it still exists. I never felt much this way or that about it when I was younger, but it is nice now when I can do special little things for my husband.

Including writing a little love note. I have rules when it comes to what I write in my love notes, but not everyone does.

For your amusement…

1. We need to talk.
2. Hi there snooky pooky peeky weety pushy wooshy lovey wuvey cuddle wuddle wuv muffin!
3. So, I was going to take you out to dinner, but I thought this and the bagel from the deli would be much better.
4. Butter, milk, bread, peanut butter. For Vday, I made the grocery list for you. Enjoy!
5. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
6. I lOvE u So MuCh
7. I spent all my money on my other girl, but I really think you’ll like this poem!
8. Today is just another day…
9. I think it’s more important to save for those fancy hubcaps so I didn’t get you anything, but I wanted you to know how much I love you.
10. I’m going out with my friends tonight, but when I get back…
11. I hope you’re not allergic to cats…
12. I don’t know where you’ll put this humongous teddy bear, but it represents how much I love you.
13. [unreadable handwriting]

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

Happy Thursday Thirteen everyone!

Do you love Thursdays? I do. I always thought Thursdays are better than Fridays.

Today I have decided to do something a little different (again) with my thirteen list. Today I am listing thirteen publishing companies to make a point. Since I was a young girl, I always wanted to be published by Tor publishing because I found myself always enjoying the books they put out.

I want you to look at this list and realize this is a very small list. There are a lot of publishing companies out there and you should take time to find and research the ones you want to submit to. Do your part to start wasting the time of people who work for these companies by doing your research and submitting to places that are accepting the genre your work is in.

1. World Ahead
2. Orion
3. Penguin
4. Tor/Firebird
5. Prelude Press
6. Alpha
7. Writer’s Digest Books
8. Pelican Publishing
9. Del Ray
10. Rain Books
11. Simon and Schuster
12. HarperCollins
13. Seal Press

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

Hi all! Happy Thursday Thirteen. Today’s Thursday dawns…cloudy and rainy. Lovely.

Anyway, time has been flying for me this week, which is good because that means work has been going quickly. Let’s keep that momentum going, shall we?

Yesterday I hosted the very fun Soup to Nuts Carnival Dessert portion. That brought to mind how I was introduced to blog carnivals not all that long ago and how I’ve benefitted. If you’re unsure about blog carnivals, here are…

1. Meeting new people!
2. Finding new blogs.
3. You can fashion your carnival to be about whatever you want.
4. Traffic love for all!
5. You have full control of who gets in your carnival.
6. Carnivals are mobile and can move from blog to blog, so if there is a month you’re busy just ask someone else to host it.
7. BlogCarnival.com makes running a carnival so easy you barely have to do any work.
8. Showcase your best posts.
9. Saying “I saw your post at the … carnival” is the easiest way to open a comment on blogs showcased.
10. A little boost to your Page Rank is always a good thing…
11. Have I mentioned how many new people you get to meet?
12. There is no limit to how many carnivals you can submit to!
13. Blog carnivals can work for whatever level of work you’re willing to put in - hosting or participating.

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

Happy Thursday Thirteen!

This week’s Thursday Thirteen continues to be all about you. I’m going to ask you thirteen question about you and your writing.

You can answer any or all of the questions in the comments section or you can use the answers as your own Thursday Thirteen. If you decide to do the latter, be sure to let me know and link to it in the comments section.

1. What do you write? (Short stories, novels, poetry, etc.)
2. Do you write in first, second, or third person?
3. Do you write in limited or omnipotent?
4. What about the above appeals to you?
5. Do you use an outline? Why or why not?
6. Who do you like writing for more: the antagonist or protagonist?
7. What do you like writing the most: description or dialogue?
8. What would you say your weakest point is in writing (dialogue, setting, character development…)
9. Where do you write?
10. Is there anything you ‘need’ to write?
11. Do you prefer writing long hand or typing?
12. Are you ‘addicted’ to any words or punctuation marks?
13. What usually comes first for you - characters, title, plot…?

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