Blogs from the month of August 2011.

1 Aug 2011

Writing Tip

Characters vs Plot

I have a variety of writing buddies and there are some significant differences between how we write. I come up with plot first and then characters. It is the plot that drives my stories. I have a friend that comes up with her characters first. With any story that she has written she can give you the backstory of all of her characters as well as their ancestors and best friend's dog. The same is true with readers. Some read because they want to know what happens. Some people read because they want to spend time with the characters. (And most of the time it is a combination of both.)

The biggest thing to remember is that whichever way you write, not to neglect the other one. I have to put a lot more effort into my character development. My friend focuses so much on character development she has a hard time keeping a plot line going through a whole book. Either way, finish the story and then in the rewrite add the details about the plot or the characters.

3 Aug 2011

Professionalism

As I mentioned in a previous week I have been watching a lot of cooking shows, most of which are the competition shows. (These are the only reality shows that I have ever spent any time watching.) What I have noticed is the difference in professional attitudes depending on the type of show. There are some people who despite it being a huge competition are very civil to one another. They work well together with the others and are in it to win and don't go out of their way to stick it to the others just because they can. Then there are the others. They are the ones who will rid themselves of all human decency in the name of competition.

There is a difference between being competitive and being bloodthirsty and to me. That is what defines someone as either professional or childish. I wonder what some people are thinking when they act the way they do in front of a camera. I mean come on; these people have to know how obtuse they look. I wonder how some of these people have survived to adulthood without being murdered by someone. It is this type of behavior that makes me nervous about my dream job. I never expect to be on a reality show but I hope that when I am given the opportunity to be in a limelight I can retain a professional attitude.

5 Aug 2011

Book Review

The Way of Kings

Brandon Sanderson

In honor of it being two years since I started this whole online presence, I am reviewing one of my all-time favorite books.

THE WAY OF KINGS by Brandon Sanderson takes epic fantasy to the next level. The characters are well developed and varied from a soldier slave to the uncle of a king to a female scholar. You grow with the characters and there are a couple of places in the book where I just wanted to cheer with how good the characters are. The characters are realistic and yet he keeps the hope going.

The story line is complex and engaging. Some of the intricate plot lines include politics, warfare, romance, scholarship, and magic. A very, very brief summary: All of the countries are interested in weapons and armor known as Shardblades and Shardplate. They are the turning factor in every battle and every war. One country divides their people by the color of their eyes. One of the lowborn, Kaladin, is a spearman forced slave like no other and is not only concerned about his own life but the lives of those around him. Dalinar is on the other spectrum, uncle to the king and an owner of Shardblade and Shardplate. He is known for his strength in battle but news of his strange visions are spreading and people no longer remember what he has accomplished but think him a madman.

This book is the first in a series, and is currently the only book out. There are times I hate starting a series because I don't like waiting for the next book to come out because I am left with an empty feeling. This book doesn't answer all of the questions that are raised but the ending wraps up enough and leaves enough of a promise that I am satisfied. Another aspect that I love about this book, and what does Brandon Sanderson in general, is that this novel sexual grit or language that are often found in fantasy novels. The violence in the novel is not graphic or gratuitous.

This is a book that you will enjoy rereading because every time you read it you will pick up on something new.

8 Aug 2011

Writing Tip

Generating Ideas

I have been writing a short story almost every week for over a year. This April I even wrote on average a short story a day. I had a friend ask me how I could possibly come up with that many ideas. There isn’t some magical place that ideas come from. In all actuality I have learned that generating ideas is a skill that can be learned with a lot of practice. I have a notebook that I keep in my purse so when I do get an idea, I can write it down.

As to where the ideas actually come from I get a lot of them from other people’s comments. My husband will argue that a lot of my story ideas come from something he’s said. I also get ideas from books and movies that I’ve read. The trick is to put your own spin on things. We all come from different backgrounds and experiences. That will always influence what we write about. Not every idea has to be perfect just continue writing and it will get easier to come up with ideas.

10 Aug 2011

A More Permanent Temporary Address

Today is the start of one of the neatest experiences I will have. Tonight is the reception for my best friend, who is marrying my brother. I met my friend in college. We were roommates who had a lot in common. Though we only lived together that one year we formed a bond. There came a situation a few years later when my friend needed a new place to live and my parents were awesome and welcomed her into their home. At this time my brother was serving a mission and I just kept thinking that the two of them would get along. When he got home they really hit it off, as friends. I was living in another city and was hearing from both of them how much they enjoyed each other's company.

Not thinking about the consequences, I call my brother one night and told him to take my friend on a date. (At this time my friend was no longer living with my family. But she was visiting that evening and I had no idea.) My brother decided that taking her on date sounded like fun. After I hung up my husband said, "You do realize if this doesn't work your life is going to be difficult."

Almost a year later I am glad to say that I pushed them together. I am pretty sure that they would have gotten together eventually. They are so happy together and I wish them the best of luck. This is the start of their happily ever after.

12 Aug 2011

Book Review

Beauty

Robin McKinley

There are plenty of retellings of fairy tales, Beauty and the Beast not being the least of these. Robin McKinley has two versions of this fairy tale, and while ROSE DAUGHTER has its merits, my favorite retelling is BEAUTY. One of the reasons why this book is so good is that it takes what you know and love about the story and adds life to the characters. Not only do you grow attached to Beauty and the beast, but you also develop a connection to the other members of Beauty's family.

The character Beauty is a feminine character that is strong and was someone I could relate to when I first read the book as a teenager. She is the daughter of a shipwright who loses everything in one go. Forced to sell everything they own in the city, Beauty, her two sisters, and her father head into the country hoping to find a new place for them to live. Beauty is the youngest of the three and does the majority of the rough work. One of her father's ships makes it back to port and he heads back to the city. On his journey home he is caught in a snowstorm and there meets the beast and the story goes on from there.

BEAUTY is a story that takes a well known story and flushes it out. The characters are well developed and it is just a story that anyone who enjoys fairy tales will love. And if you want a completely different take on it, ROSE DAUGHTER offers an even more unique take of the well known story.

15 Aug 2011

Writing Tip

Critiques

I am going to talk about critiques because I have been writing a lot of critiques lately. One of my friends has a blog and posted some of his novel for his followers to read. He wanted their feedback, what he got back was a lot of comments that while were helpful, were more prone to be discouraging. I have noticed that when the critique is anonymous and has a large audience the comments tend to be more negatively focused. The other end of the spectrum is often seen when close friends or family are offering critiques and are overly glowing. Neither of these critiques are helpful.

I have been involved in a writing group for almost a year and a half and there are a few things that I have picked up in giving critiques as well as from critiques I've received. Make sure that you give useful feedback. Don't just make blanket statements but give reasons behind why you think something should be changed. Though there is value in offering critiques outside of the genre you write and read in, it seems to be best to stay with the genres you are most familiar with unless only offering grammatical help. Make sure to be positive overall. The last thing you want to do is crush someone's spirit. Writers need to develop thick skin but critiquers need to be professional in how they deliver their feedback. It is possible to be critical of the work and still inspire hope.

Remember that when you are giving a critique it doesn't matter if the writer is published or not. It doesn't matter if you are being paid for your services or not. It doesn't matter who you are, treat the writer with respect. If they don't like your critique then don't critique for the writer again but everyone involved should be courteous.

17 Aug 2011

The Crimson Pact - Revisited

Time for a little more self promotion. This spring one of my flash fiction stories appeared in the The Crimson Pact vol. 1 anthology. I have worked with people on anthologies before and let me just say that this group has been wonderful. This last month has seen two changes for the Crimson Pact group. The first, for which I am incredibly excited, is that the anthology is now available in print. There is something satisfying seeing a book in print that electronic books just don't give me. Don't get me wrong, I can see the advantages of eBooks, but it seems so much more real to have a printed copy. It looks snazzy.

The other exciting news is the second volume is coming out in a month or two. I have a short story in this book which is a sequel to my previous story, and I am not the only one that has a continuation story. This book is going to be awesome and I can't wait to share it with everyone. One of the other authors, Justin Swapp, put together trailers for all of our stories. They follow the same outline but it will give you a taste of what's to come.

Here is my trailer.

19 Aug 2011

Book Review

Holes

Louis Sachar

I remember hearing about HOLES in elementary but it wasn't until I was in junior high, maybe even high school, that I actually read it. I am sorry I waited. This book is one of my favorites, and I will add that the movie is darn good as well, though the book is still the better of the two. Louis Sachar paints his characters vividly and uniquely and I grew attached to all of them in their own little way.

The story follows Stanley Yelnats, a boy who has a pair of shoes drop down on his head from the sky. He is accused of stealing the shoes and is sent to Camp Greenlake to pay for his crime. At the camp he is told he has to dig a 5 foot by 5 foot hole every day, to build character. While he is there he learns the background of the camp and of Kissing Kate Barlow the infamous outlaw.

This is a really cute read and the characters are just awesome. There is great character development. The ending made me pause and I had to go back and read through a couple of part again because of all the intricate details throughout the whole story. It is a wonderfully woven tale. (And once again I will add that the movie does the book justice.)

22 Aug 2011

Writing Tip

Blogging

I have worked in technological based fields for a couple of years now, and while I don't participate in all of the available social media options, I can see the benefit of them. I started blog because I heard on a podcast that branding yourself before you even become published is a good idea. This way when people search "EA Younker" on the web I know that they will find what I want them to find. I don't blog because it will reach hundreds of people I blog because it forces me to continue writing each week and for branding my name. I hope people enjoy what they read here but I am no expert on this topic.

24 Aug 2011

Parasol

I have fair skin. My grandmother was a redhead and though I didn't get her beautiful hair color, I did get her coloring. When I was a child I never put on sunscreen and complained bitterly when I got sunburned. Now that I am older I wear sunscreen year round and avoid the sun as much as possible. This year for my anniversary, my husband purchased a parasol for me. It is black lace with a wooden handle. I look for any excuse to use it, but at the same time every time I bring it out, I feel like people are staring at me (though in our new home 90% of the audience is farm animals). The stupid thing is, no one is really staring at me, and I am more comfortable when I use the parasol. I wouldn't have thought that carrying around my own sunshade would make that big of a difference, but it is a whole lot more effective then wearing a hat, and just keeping the sun from my skin, even if the air isn't cooler, is refreshing.

And I will say I feel like a real lady when I go walking arm-in-arm with my husband on our Sunday afternoon walks.

26 Aug 2011

Book Review

The Limit

Kristen Landon

Last September I won an ARC of THE LIMIT and got a chance to meet Kristen Landon. Not only was Kristen a delight to talk to, but this book really made me think. Not only does the story offer an interesting, twisty plot, but it has a really good message about spending within your limits. There are times that I read books and feel like the message was shoved down my throat, and this is not the case. The idea of money management is prevalent throughout the book but it is presented in such a way that I don't feel like a bad person for occasionally buying a book instead of getting it from the library.

The story follows thirteen-year-old Matt who is taken from his family because they spent more than their limit. He now lives in a workhouse helping to pay back his parents' debt. While he is working, he learns his high IQ has set him apart from 90% of the others who were taken, and while this means he has some special privileges, not everyone gets to live the same luxurious life he and his new friends have.

THE LIMIT is a dystpoic novel that doesn't delve into the grittiness as much as just making you feel uncomfortable about what is happening. It makes the setting more believable and that is what really makes this book for me. The idea of limiting people's spending has a grain of sensibility in it which for a second almost made me wish there was an outside punishment for it. I wouldn't be surprised if something like this happened somewhere in the world.

29 Aug 2011

Writing Tip

Goals

Writing takes time and it isn't always easy to find the time needed not only to write, but to edit and submit as well. That is where setting goals comes in. Goals should be more than just "I want to be a published author." They need to be specific and have a timeline. So saying "I want to be a published author in five years," is better but since you can't control all of the variables it could be even more specific. The best goals are the ones that you control from beginning to end. For example I have weekly goals. I update my blog, write a flash fiction story, write a chapter in my novel, and try and edit 20 pages a week. All of these things I control myself. I also have more long term goals that will get me to my "I want to be a published author" goal. I have to submit something to an agent or a publisher at least four times a year.

When trying for anything, whether it is being an author, learning a new language, sewing, or even being a better parent, make sure to set goals that are specific, have a timeline, and that you are the determining factor.

31 Aug 2011

New Neighbors

My husband and I have lived in our new home for about a month. This is the third place we've lived during our marriage. (I'm not counting our six weeks of living in someone's basement.) We are getting to know our new neighbors. It amazes me that in three weeks we've had three people drop off food of some sort and one lovely lady invite us over for Sunday dinner. My first response to this was this is the difference between country and city living. But it is something else: I need to be a better neighbor especially when we've just moved.

My parents are wonderful examples of what being a good neighbor is all about. My dad is someone who is always talking people and just being a genuinely nice fellow. When my mother sees a need she goes about quietly fixing it and offering support. After more than two decades, that has finally sunk in. When we moved this last time both my husband and I made an effort of going to activities to meet people. We signed up to paint fences. We talk to people we meet. I joined the local choir. We went to an open house to meet the people not caring that we'd never met them before. And now that we have been welcomed into this neighborhood, I hope that my husband and I can make the next group of new neighbors feel welcomed.

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