Dreadline

So I mentioned it briefly in last week's Sunday Snippet that I set a deadline for my novel, Wrath. Or, as I wrote in the title, a Dreadline. It's the date that I dread to pass without significant progress.

I self-publish, so you might ask why I set a Dreadline. It's not like I have anyone to answer to, if I miss it. Well, I'll sum it up briefly.

Writer's Insomnia

I'm sure you've been there before, where thoughts keep going through your mind over and over and keep you awake. Sometimes it's about worries, family, excitement...

Mine tend to happen because my characters can't be polite enough to stop yelling at me.

Profiting from Pleasure

If you read my last post you will already have a base line of what I'll be discussing. And if you haven't, I suggest going and reading it to get an idea. But while I stood on the soapbox about writing for pleasure, I don't want to ignore the other half: Profit.

Writing for Profit, Writing for Pleasure

I recently received a free book on marketing e-books. I first opened with it glee; I couldn't wait to learn all the knowledge that eluded me between the printing world and the digital one! But on the second page, a paragraph stuck out to me.

"Write what's popular, write what's selling!" it was telling me (heavily paraphrased on my part), and I furrowed my brows as I kept reading. "Don't bother writing what isn't popular."

Among Others

I love writing. I'm not the only person who does. It's not just my passion, but a passion shared with people who love it just as much as I do. And what better motivation than getting together with likeminded writers and, well, writing?

Toenail Fiction

The most memorable writing exercise I ever did was during a creative writing course back in college. My instructor gave us the assignment of introducing a character in a story by using a body part; but we weren't allowed to use common descriptions: eyes, hair, skin, height, weight, etc. These were off limits for us; we had to use something ‘uncommon.’

Growing a Story

I've heard the term 'organic characters' thrown around here and there, but I never fully understood it. What I'm going to ramble about today might be in line, but might be far off from that... it's organic ideas.

This occurred to me a few weeks ago, when I was developing plot ideas with Ro Mae. As I was detailing one aspect of my backplot (the nice little things that make my story world's run), I seemed to find ideas for more hidden within that. Scenes came to mind, character developments, foreshadowing opportunities... They all grew from that single idea. Hence, I feel that I was growing my story more than I first intended. Which is not a bad thing! As I kept developing, I moved onto another plot aspect, and the same thing happened.

I got a lot accomplished that night, that's for sure.

It's amazing how ideas will do that. They're not static; they grow, bend, change, and chew on the soft brain tissues as they're worked out. The more I focus on them, the more I get from it.

So I will go back to growing my story, and seeing what the end results will be! Hopefully something tasty!

Reviewing, Commenting, and Critiquing

By M. Hendrix

Writing is a talent that grows over time. The more I write, the better I become at it. This is largely in part to the feedback provided by those who read it. Their comments, reviews, and critiques of my work let me know what I need to focus on, and what I need to keep doing.

Bedtime Stories

Some of the more interesting ideas for stories come to me as I'm going to sleep. This does tend to make it difficult to fall asleep, however, as I'm too busy plotting to get any sleeping done.

Extraordinarily Believable

I find a good story is one that I can believe is happening. Even with fantasy aspects (magic, creatures, etc.), it still feels real.

Tuning In

I had the most frustrating week. There I sat, my laptop open in front of me with my story document open. The little cursor was flashing, ready and waiting for me to add more words into it.

I couldn't find them, though!

Light and Dark

Writing is used for much more than creative outlets; it's a skill that's needed in every aspect of life.

But I prefer using it for creative outlets!

Plot Bunnies

I used to have a hard time coming up with story ideas. It was torture, like my mind was one large empty void.

Sometimes, I miss those days.

Why They Do What They Do

When I let others read my work, I find the reactions amusing; mainly because my writing is darker than they expected. I don't know why, but they assume it will be light and happy. I often am cheerful, sarcastic, cracking dirty jokes, and laugh easily when among others.

So what makes my writing so dark?

Fascination.

When Characters Talk Back

It's a phenomenon that cannot be explained. Writer's experience it at one point, and it's a bewildering turn of events.

What do I speak of?

When the characters take over your book, of course!

Peer-Reading With Honesty

The first time I participated in a writing workshop, I was terrified. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do, or what to expect. Now I love being a part of serious workshops with intelligent and constructive members.

I think of the things I was worried about was having my work ripped apart and analyzed. It's hard to see your 'baby' be put down, but I found that's not what happens at all. It's like giving your 'baby' a new skill, or putting better clothing on them. It makes them better, grow more, and reach their potential.

When the Time is Right

I've been writing for several years, yet this is the first year that I've actively started trying to promote and sell my writing. Looking back on it, that makes sense; I wasn't ready yet.

Chapter X

I often find myself stubbornly trying to press forward in a linear writing style, when I often have my plot ideas further ahead. This causes me to get stuck, trying to figure out how to proceed. Ro, being the smart person she is, reminded me of something: Writing isn't always linear. So thus, I have Chapter X.

Chapter X is what I title the section I jump to, to allow myself to not wonder how exactly it falls into the timeline of events.  I can start writing where there's inspiration, then from there figure out how to backtrack to where I finished before Chapter X.  Despite how odd that sounds, it really works!

For example, I've been working on "Finding Jill" and jumped ahead for my Chapter X. While writing it, I started asking myself questions, such as "where were these found?" "how did no one else find them before?" "Did (A) really do this to (B), or was it (C) who did it to (A) and (B)?"

From there, my Chapter X spawns more chapters before and after, letting my linear chapters connect to my Chapter X. And from there, I either continue forward, or jump to a new Chapter X, and repeat the whole process. It really helps keep things moving, and gives me room to play. And boy, do I love to play!

This little update brought to you, mainly in procrastination.  Keep an eye out for a new project coming your way! It's currently in the works, but it should liven things up on here soon...

-M. Hendrix

The Unique Tales of Overused Plots

There are millions of different books to read these days.  It is hard to pick up a book that doesn't remind you of something else you've read before.  This sparks the despairing question: "What can I write that's unique, then?!"

The First Draft vs The Real Thing

I've noticed, as I continue to write the first draft for Children of Sin, that my first draft is going to be vastly different compared to how I will have it when it finishes. How do I know this? Because the first draft is much too short, for starters!