Dially Picspiration - No.7 - Changing the Rules

Today my seventh Daily Picspiration entry went up.

The photo immediately gave me the scene I wanted to write, and was quite a significant to the story. I see this as the 'middle' of the plot, as it throws up the challenges for the next part. It will be interesting to see what comes next.

You can read 'Changing the Rules' here.

Guest Blog - Writer Event Q&A with Sophie Moss

My next Guest on my Writer Events Q&A is Sophie Moss. I noticed that she was off to the Romance Writers of America (RWA) conference and was doing a book signing there, so I wanted her input.

Sophie is the author of a wonderful series of books called The Seal Island Trilogy. I have recently read The Selkie Spell, the first in the series, and was totally gripped. It is packed full of magic, mystery and romance. It drew me in and held me there the whole way through. I will soon be embarking on the next two; The Selkie Enchantress and The Selkie Sorceress. All three are available in ebook and in print copies.

Sophie is now busy working on her next novel ‘Wind Chime Café’, the first in the Heron Island Trilogy, due for release in November.

Sophie has been to a few RWA conferences, and here’s what she has to say about them. Enjoy.

What was your first writing event? (writing group, writers conference, book fair etc.)

Romance Writers of America Annual Conference, 2004. I had just finished writing my first romance novel!
Did you go alone (to Writers conference)?

I went to my first two RWA conferences alone. I've been to about five since then and have made a number of friends along the way. Now I have someone to share a room with and people to meet up with when I arrive. That said, I try to branch out and meet as many new people as possible once I'm there. It's all about networking!

When you went did you go with a specific plan in mind, or focus? did you structure the day, or did you just go and see?

For my first two RWA conferences, I did not go with a specific plan in mind. I went to learn. I attended mostly workshops on craft. I would not be where I am today if I had not taken two workshops that completely transformed the way I write: "Goal, Motivation and Conflict" by Debra Dixon, and "From Identity to Essence: Love Stories and Transformation" by Michael Hauge. After I'd completed a few manuscripts, I attended more workshops on how get published. I scheduled appointments with agents and editors and tried to pitch my stories. Now that I'm happily self-published, I focus more on networking, meeting other writers, and taking workshops on self-publishing.

Can you go to a writers conference without a specific focus? Can you just go and look?

Absolutely. Everyone is at a different stage in their career. Some writers are beginning to work on a first novel, others have completed a novel or a few novels but aren't sure which direction to go in in terms of publishing, others have several published novels and are looking to network and pick up marketing strategies. You can easily float around and absorb all kinds of information without having any set plan.

What did you gain from it personally?

Knowledge and friends!

Have you ever gone on a writing retreat? If so, what are your thoughts/experiences?

No, but it sounds fun!

For someone starting out, or wanting to go to one and not being sure, what advice would you give?

Try to find a conference that caters to your genre. Go with an open mind. Smile and be friendly to everyone. Sit with strangers at lunch and ask lots and lots of questions.

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Five Sentence Fiction - Fabric

 

Lillie McFerrin's Weekly Flash Fiction Prompt - 'Fabic'

 

They watched him intently as his hands moved back and forth in a blur. The brilliant colours of the fabric he was weaving reflected the luminosity of the place, and the happy, vibrant people they had found within it. They worked in sync and messed together as one. 

They felt privileged to witness such creation and simple, successful living, something lost in their busy lives. He felt privileged that they had taken time out of their busy lives and were interested to see it. 

Guest Blog - Writer Events Q&A with Cara Michaels

Returning again to my Writer Events Q&A, I approached one of my favourite Independent Self-Published Authors, Cara Michaels. 
 

I was captured by Cara’s lead character Gemma Bryant in her series ‘Gaea’s Chosen: The MaydayDirective’, and ‘Gaea’s Chosen: Event Horizon’. They are fast paced Heroic Science Fiction novellas. I loved them so much I read them twice, and now I’m eagerly awaiting the third: ‘Gaea’s Chosen: Heavenly Bodies’, which is due out soon. 

Cara has also written ‘Their First Noelle’ – a steamy, fantasy romance, and is about to release a new novella, ‘Black Out’ – a paranormal thriller.

Here’s what Cara has been up to in the Writing Events world.

What was your first writing event? (writing group, writers conference, book fair etc.)

My first writing event actually took place here in my town. Color me shocked when I discovered a town best known as “that place where Tampa and Orlando commuters live” held its first Authors and Illustrators Festival in September 2010.

I’ve also been to MegaCon, which is more an all-around festival packed with cosplay, movie and TV stars, writers, artists, and all sorts of craziness. There was even speed dating. Apparently that’s a big thing at these events, since I’m heading to ComicCon Tampa in a few weeks and they’re having it, too.

Most recently, I attended Arizona Dreamin’. I tagged along with one of my writing besties, Siobhan Muir. AZ Dreamin’ is a writer/reader event where readers get to interact on a much more social and intimate level with writers. I had an excellent time and met some amazing folks. Again, it was educational for me to see how more established writers interacted with readers and learn about their creative processes.

Did you go alone (to the Writers conference)?

For my first, I almost didn’t go at all. I’m not much for diving into new events with lots of people, especially alone. But it was a free, street fair shindig, so anyone could just show up and browse. I figured it would be fairly painless. 

When you went did you go with a specific plan in mind, or focus? Did you structure the day, or did you just go and see?

I mainly went to see. Call it burning curiosity. I had just completed the early drafts of Gaea’s Chosen: The Mayday Directive. I was considering going out on a limb and independently publishing the title. So I gathered my courage and headed downtown to meet the local talent pool and find out a bit about their experiences.

Can you go to a writers conference without a specific focus? Can you just go and look?

As an attendee, absolutely. The writers are eager to meet potential readers and even make new friends. As a writer featured at this year’s Hot Mojave Knights conference in Las Vegas, I’m learning there’s quite a bit to prepare for when you’re part of the event.

What did you gain from it personally?

As a writer on the cusp, so to speak, it was a great experience for me. I was surprised to discover so many new and established writers living around here. I also learned about some local writing groups. I’m still friendly with a few folks I met, too.

Also, and perhaps most importantly, going to the festival broke my writers’ conference/fair/convention cherry, lol. I could see myself being one of the authors myself. And I could imagine attending bigger (and air conditioned) gatherings.

Have you ever gone on a writing retreat? If so, what are your thoughts/experiences?

I have not. They sound fun in theory, but I’m not certain how much I’d get done.

For someone starting out, or wanting to go to one and not being sure, what advice would you give?

Check for local events. They are a great and generally inexpensive way to dip your toes in the conference/fair waters. I found out about the one in my town the day it was happening and jumped in my car thirty minutes later. I had a great afternoon for the cost of five minutes in gas and a pint at the Irish pub on the same block as the festival. September in Florida is still wicked hot enough to drive a girl indoors for a cold libation. ;)

No Good For You - MWBB

This weeks Mid-Week Blues-Buster had the most amount of entries - a total of 16. And there were some incredible pieces. I have to say I was quite relieved to not be listed in the Top 3 this week, as I feel I have been in the limelight, with 4 wins and many placements, long enough.

But I really liked my piece for this song, which was very easy to write to, and from one of the saddest stories in the music business. I followed the lyrics quite closely. I hope you like it too.

   The prompt song this week was:
“You know I'm no good” by Amy Winehouse

 

I saw it as he swung you back on the dance floor. Not many would have, but I was looking. It was just above your elbow and it brought an image I wasn’t proud of.

As he swung you again I took a closer look; it had scabbed over. So what was it, a couple of days old?

It wasn’t there earlier in the week, I knew that. I’d kissed every inch of you, like I always did.

You smiled at the guy as he spun you round, and I saw it then; you, him, on his lounge carpet. You on your elbows straddling him. Maybe you bent to kiss him and slipped, or was it the movement? Rabbits come to mind.

You threw you head back and laughed when he dipped you, but when you saw me your smile faltered. I picked up my pint and took a sip, not taking my eyes off you.

The song finished and you came straight over to me. Leaning down to kiss me I took the back of your head and made it a deep one, giving you a wink as we broke off. And you smiled that smile that was just for me.

I glanced over to see the guy looking. I looked back, murder in my eyes. He knew the score.

You went off again this time to chat up the girls, and I relaxed, letting you have your time and enjoying a chat with the lads. Time shifted. I saw you dancing with him again. Okay, correction, he was dancing with you and the girls. Still, I didn’t like it. He was too close.

He saw me looking and just looked back. I wasn’t happy.

I glanced over at the lads and checked they’d seen it. They had. He had no idea what he was doing. But I wasn’t worried about him, I was worried about you.

You glanced over too and I winked again. You smiled. I was okay with that. So I moved to the bar and got us some drinks. I took them to the dance floor and cut in, stepping right in front of him, giving you, your drink, and dancing with you for a couple of seconds. I whispered in your ear and you flicked your tongue across mine. I kissed your neck and left you to it.

When the slow songs started you were across the room with the girls. I saw you look round for me and I laughed beckoning you. But as you walked to me he was there again, pulling at you to go with him. You glanced at me and I waited. What were you going to do?

And I saw it then, that look; that indecision, and I knew then as I had always known, that scab was no accident.

I moved quickly and reached you in a couple of strides, my hand wrapping round your arm, covering that scab.

“She’s coming home with me mate.”

He puffed his chest at me and glanced at you. You gave him a sympathetic smile and nodded. He didn’t argue, walking to the door with the rest of the departing club goers.

As the lads passed me they patted me on the shoulder reassuring me that the job would be done.

I led you out, my hands never leaving you. And in the back of the taxi I took your elbow, turned it over, and kissed the scab. As my head came up, our eyes met. The sadness in mine palpable, letting you know I knew. Your eyes were wide, but you turned them to gaze out the window as we pulled out of the parking lot.

I put my hand on your leg and you covered mine with yours as a tear rolled down your cheek. I pulled your hand over to my leg and put my arm round you, pulling you into me and kissing the top of your head.

Some would say you were no good for me, but it was me that was no good for you; I let you do whatever you want, but I love you, so what can I do?

Daily Picspiration No.6 - The Net Falls

On Sunday the 4th of August my sixth Daily Picspiration entry went up.

I liked the photo, it made me think of a scene I wrote in the original novel for the Jester. It again enabled me to explore the characters and some of the background. I had hoped to lead on from the last instalment, but I wasn't able to, instead I am weaving a few strands together.

You can read 'The Net Falls' here.

The 3 F’s of Writing – Fiddling, Faffing, and Fear

Here I am with another post about writing and the struggles that writers face – well writers like me anyway.

Some would say that Fiddling and Faffing are pretty much the same thing, and fall into the same bag as procrastination, but I feel that fiddling is a little bit more constructive in that the intention is to do something - and you do, but not necessarily anything towards your writing. 

Fiddling for me consists of jumping back and forth between social networks; chatting to writer friends; reading friends flash entries or blog posts, and coming away feeling as though I have been busy and done something. I could even make a convincing argument (and have) that I did DO something, but it would be a con. 

Faffing (one of my all time favourite words) is, on the other hand, more about simply ‘thinking’ about doing writing related stuff – like this blog post. And even sitting  making lists, and feeling as though I am about to do something creative or effective, but in the end I just become overwhelmed by how much there is to do, or how much I want to do, and end up doing very little – maybe not even fiddling.

But often the basis of both of these – as well as the procrastination that many writers experience - is based off Fear. 

Fear of what? I hear you cry. 

Fear of not having anything to write.
Fear of what you do write being rubbish.
Fear of failing to achieve recognition about something you’re excited about.

And then there is the BIG fear, the opposite of the above:

Fear of success. 
 Fear of finding you can write, and good stuff that people want to read.
Fear of getting your work noticed.
Fear of having an agent/publisher interested.

You see, if we don’t really try, we don’t have to find out that we can’t do it - or worse, that we can! Because if we do, we risk finding out that it isn’t as good as the fantasy we have about being a successful writer. But then what if the fantasy does happen? What if an agent or publisher does want our work? Then we have to produce it - and under a deadline! And then what if they want to make lots of changes, and it no longer feels like it’s our work? What if we sign up for something we can’t do, or don’t want to do? What if it all goes wrong? – or worse still, what if it all goes right?!

And on, and on, until you overwhelm yourself.

Fear paralyses us, and often we just want to stay in our comfort zone of fantasy and ignorance, and not really push ourselves. We nurture our fears by telling ourselves lots of lies, about both our own writing, and other people’s. There are lots of what if’s, from the ‘my writings crap’ to the ‘who would want to read it anyway’, or ‘what happens once it’s published?’ to ‘do I have more books in me?’. But if we really want to have our writing read, on a global scale, we have to push through those fears and take the risk and come out of our comfort zone. We have to live on the edge and feel the adrenaline, because, after all, that’s what feeds the very writing we want to produce, isn’t it?

When dealing with this fear, I find informing myself helps; seeking those that know and have experienced what I want to achieve, and asking them how they did it, and what it’s like and all the ‘stupid’ questions that I lie awake pondering.

The only time we fail, is when we stop trying.

And then, as Yoda says, ‘Do or do not, there is no try’! (sorry couldn’t help myself).

So then I tell myself, stop your fiddling, stop your faffing, push through the fear and GET ON WITH IT!

A writer, writes.