So Many Story Ideas

After nearly 10 months, I finally finished the complete and uncut edition of Stephen King's The Stand. For those of you who have read this book, I don't need to tell you how very awesome it is. Finishing it was like saying goodbye to a very good friend. King is a master, and in the last 10 months I feel as if I have been studying under him, learning (or trying to, anyway) the crafts of characterization, description, and good, old-fashioned story telling. Besides, what a terrifyingly kick-ass story! I recommend it to anyone looking to hone their craft... and enjoy a really good read in the process.

After coming home from an overnight trip and finding 3 dead fish (they just couldn't live even one day without me, you know) and a nice (?) rejection letter, I discovered a couple of things about rejection letters:

They're better than dead fish (only because you don't have to flush them).

They make you reanalyze your project, think objectively about it again (after you're done crying, of course), and fuel a new fire to either make that project better or flush it like a dead fish. And as that project cycles around the bowl and disappears into the sewer underworld, you get a really GREAT idea for an EVEN BETTER story. You run to your computer (or grab your notebook) and start refilling your fish tank with a whole new world.

Happy writing!

Just a thought for the day:

As I prepare to run my second SF Half Marathon and as I work on my latest book, I've been struck by how much writing and running are alike. Take for instance, beginnings. In running, the first few miles are usually pretty hard; sweat pours off you, you wonder why you ever decided this would be a good idea, and your muscles hurt. Sounds like writing the first chapter in a book (at least for me)! And how you start off a run (or a book) will decide how it ends... and whether or not you (or your reader!) will finish. But once you push past that beginning, you're good to go...and ready to get down to serious business... like hills and speed work!

Just a quick update. I've been developing a new UF idea, so I've been a bit absent lately. But it does feel great to write again.

In the meantime, I've come across some really good articles in blogs. Particularly, I'd advise reading Linda Sandifer's blog series Structuring Your Novel. She's a phenomenal writer with a lot of experience whom I've learned a great deal from.

Also, my critique partner, Bonny Anderson, continues to keep industry updates and links on her blog that are very useful. Someday I'd like to do the same with this page, but for now, I'll link to hers.

How many of you are going to the Pike's Peak Conference this year? Two of my critique partners are going. I was hoping to go, and even got a pretty good critique (and score!) on the book I submitted to the contest but won't be able to go this year. Once I finish the UF (and polish it up), I hope to hit a few... maybe next year?? :)

Happy writing to all!

Acclaimed author Linda Sandifer has posted on her blog an extremely useful and interesting article about Structuring Your Novel: Eight Basic Plot Points. I highly recommend reading this article from a novelist who knows her craft very well (13 books published by New York publishers... and many of them also published internationally!).

While visiting the Jack London State Historical Park this weekend, I saw on one of the plaques part of a letter from Mr. London to his publisher about why he needed an advance:

among other things, I am starting to work to build a piggery that will be the delight of all pig-men in the United States. It will be large and efficient and cheap in relation to the size of it.

(letter to George Brett, 21 September 1914, in Hendricks and Shepard 1965: 429)

Just a reminder that even one of the greatest novelists of American literature was more than just an author; he was a farmer and an adventurer as well. After seeing London's piggery and his farm--which is spectacular--I wish I had such a good reason to ask a publisher for an advance! But since I don't, I'm reminded that our daily lives and day jobs give us the life experiences we need to write rich and real literature. So here's my writer's New Year resolution: embrace life and sow it into the stories I lay down!

Well, the new year hasn't officially started yet, but I've decided to give the old blog a makeover. So, here's the new look. I'll be continuing to update it over the next few weeks.

Happy New Year!