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Feeling ShyOn one of my friend's blogs he linked to a personality test. I don't like taking personality tests because I feel like I'm not honest with them. I know what I don't want to be so I answer the questions to suit what I think I should be. When I was in school and they made us take the color one (white, yellow, red, and blue) I purposefully made sure I turned out white and blue. This was because I didn't want to be red or yellow. Reds tended towards leadership (which I read as bossy) and yellow was easy-going (which I read as immature). Part of the problem is I could have sworn that as soon as we did this everyone started acting their color. I hated how one stupid test could change someone's personality. I know this probably wasn't as bad as I thought it, but I always hated it. On this latest personality test I came out as an introvert (the slider was all the way over), which may be a surprise to my family. I can argue and discuss with the best of them and I am not quiet, around my family. A couple of weeks ago Moose and I had dinner with my parents. I was laughing and talking and my mother made a comment about how she thought it was funny that when I was a child I often described myself as shy. I kind of laughed at that but in some ways it is true. My father and my brothers have always been more outgoing, or at least appeared outgoing. Even my little sister seems to be involved with more people and more activities than I can keep track of. I had my activities which included school, band, and soccer some years. I made friends and I had a good time. I doubt most people would call me shy. At the same time, those who wouldn't call me shy change the way I feel. When I am around someone I know I don't feel quite so out of place. There have been a couple of conferences where I felt so out of place I just wanted to sink into the floor. When I went to the World Fantasy Convention in Ohio I don't know how I managed it but I invited myself to a lunch where an author from my home state was going. He had no idea who I was but he didn't care if I was there or not. When he and his friends tried to include me in the conversation I was so nervous I couldn't eat until they all looked away. The dinner I went to at LTUE I felt so awkward, as if I didn't belong with all of the successful people at the table. I am sure I am not the only one that feels this way. I have learned that people don't bite if I ask to sit next to them, or join in the conversations going on around me. I mean I can't always be around people I feel comfortable with. (Psst. Babe, when you are a famous author maybe you'll let me tag along on your tour so I can feel more at ease while I meet all of my favorite authors. Then when I become famous years later I won't feel quite so out of place.) Writing Tip 7 Part Story StructureI have heard about the 7 part story structure on a number of occasions most recently at LTUE 2012 with Dan and Rob Wells. If you are one who struggles with trying to get all of the pieces of your novel together (beginning, middle, end) this may be the springboard you need to finish your story. The structure is as follows: 1. Hook The hook is where the story draws the reader in. This is also normally involves the protagonist but doesn't have to directly. The plot turn one is where something happens that pushes the plot forward. The pinch is where something bad happens that forces the protagonist to act. The midpoint is where the protagonist changes between reaction and action. The second pinch is another bad thing that happens that is much worse. The second plot turn is another twist in the story. The resolution . . . all I can say is that it better have an ending that will satisfy your audience. You don't have to have an equal number of words for each section. The hook can be a 4 pages and the plot turns can be 50, it doesn't matter. I am going to use The Hobbit as an example: (This is toned down because like most stories there are multiple pinches and plot turns.) 1. The dwarves show up at Bilbo's house. There can be more pinches and more plot turns than just two. This is just an easy way to get an outline of your story. Don't spend too much time outlining. The point is to write the story. Book Review The Screwtape Letters
The story is written in epistolary format. Through the course of the 31 letters, Screwtape advises his nephew, Wormwood, on how best to tempt a man. Since this is written from the point of view of the devil the enemy discussed is in fact God and their great Lord is Satan. These letters cover everything from small temptations to large ones. It talks about getting men to form habits and leading them down gentle paths so they don't realize where they are headed. It is not a quick read and covers some deep themes. THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS is not for everyone, but I recommend it. There is a story that goes along with it but it isn't read for the plot but the message. It is written around Christianity but covers some basic truths such as several of the seven deadly sins. I thought I would get through it fairly quickly and even though it is short I found myself reading passages and then going back to make sure I had them right. In some ways the book is dark and I was kind of relieved when I learned that C. S. Lewis did not enjoy writing it. Life ChangesWhen there is a major change in you life, how do you tell your family and friends? Do you call them each individually and explain it? Do you send an email to all of them? I decided that I am going to do it in a more public manner. Blogging about it. A couple of years ago I think I mentioned that I am never going to go on vacation again. It happened again. I got back from LTUE and learned that my company laid off 15% percent of their employees. I happened to be one of them. The HR rep and my manager I think were more stressed about it than I was. I am sure I am still in shock about the whole thing. They actually had freelance forms for me all ready to fill out. I am once again unemployed. I am glad that I no longer have an hour commute, but that means I won't get to listen to as many audio books. One of the reasons that I am coping with this so well is because of the keynote address at LTUE. Either that or this being the third time this has happened since I've been married makes me a an old hat at this. I am actually going to use this time to submit to more places. This may be the kick in the pants that I was needing. We shall see. Writing Tip Was and Said (Revisited)This weekend I was at LTUE and I attended a panel on self-editing. I thought the presenter did a fantastic job with explaining some of the more difficult editing. I will cover more of these tips later but the two that I found really interesting was when she talked about was and said. I am pleased to say that for the most part I was correct in my earlier posts. But there is more to it than what I originally said. Was I said to get rid of was as much as possible, but there are times when was is important. When there are two actions happening simultaneously you need to have was. Jordan walked into the room and Lesli was standing at the window. If we said Lesli stood at the window it means that when Jordan walked in Lesli then moved to the window, not that she was already there. Said I wrote that said is invisible. The presenter mentioned this belief and explained that if you always use said it is no longer invisible. The trick is to intermix said with beats. A beat is when instead of having a dialog tag, you use an action to let the reader know who was speaking. Don't always use said, don't always use beats, don't always leave the tags off. The trick is to mix them throughout the story. LTUE 2012Sorry, I don't have a story today. I spent the weekend at Utah Valley University listening to some of my favorite authors at LTUE.(LTUE is a symposium for fantasy and science fiction authors and illustrators.) I was a little hesitant about going. This was my fourth time and while I enjoy it there have been things in pasts years that make it a little trying. I figured I would go and just be glad I wasn't at work and if anything else happened that would be just extra icing on the cake. By the end of the symposium I had more icing then cake. Thursday I left bright and early to get there in time to register. I had a few classes I really wanted to attend and I figured I would be home fairly early, eight or nine. I met up with my parents and we had a great time going around to the different classes. I attended a class on "The History of Chocolate" as well as "Rewriting the Classics" and "Map Making." These three classes in particular stuck out to me because of how well the presenters did. I went to them because they sounded and I learned more than I expected. I got story ideas from all of them. I enjoyed the other classes I attended. The best part was meeting with my editor for the Crimson Pact anthology, Paul Genesse. He made a comment earlier in the day about going somewhere for dinner. When I finished the last class for the day I wondered how I could approach him and see if he was serious about getting a group together to go to dinner. When I was in Ohio at the World Fantasy Con I learned that tagging along with groups is a lot of fun, so long as they don't ask me to speak. Then I just feel out of place. I looked around for Paul for a few minutes and then decided that maybe I would just head home and see Moose. I wandered into one more place and Paul came up. He was still planning on getting a group together and he said I should come. It took about an hour to get the group together but we ended up with 10. One of those ten included the guest of honor James A. Owen. It was one of the best evenings I had. I got home at 10:30 just bubbling with stories that James had told us and feeling really good about life. Friday I was on a high from Thursday night and it just got better. The keynote address was by James A. Owen and though I had heard some of his stories before it was just as amazing the second time. I highly recommend everyone reading his book DRAWING OUT THE DRAGONS. I have heard quite a few motivational speeches due to my religion as well as all of the conferences I attend. This far outshone anything I had heard. What really stuck with me was his saying "Never, ever, sacrifice what you want most for what you want most now." The rest of the day I was still on a high from his speech but I had a lot of fun. There was a mass book signing scheduled for that evening and I was worried because I had a book for James Dashner as well as Brandon Sanderson. I knew both of their lines would be long and didn't want to spend all night standing in line. I happened to see Brandon in the hall and inched my way up. I asked if it would be alright if he signed my book now, if he wasn't busy. He was so nice about it and signed my book.
Saturday This day wasn't nearly as exciting but I still had a great time. I went to several readings and got my books signed by Brandon Mull. My dad had watched Brandon Mull register that morning. LTUE is free for students, any students. There was a line of students waiting to pick up name tags when Mull walked up. The people at the desk waved him forward but he politely declined and waited until his turn. My dad made the comment that a lot of the authors at the conference are the superstars in the writing world and yet they don't act entitled. They are some of the nicest people you would ever meet. I think people have probably heard me call these authors my heroes and they laugh, but I am serious. It is men and women like these authors that make me want to be a better person, not just in my writing but in my actions. 10 Feb 2012 Book Review Rapunzel's Revenge and Clamaity Jack
RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE is a western. She uses her hair as lassos to rope, wrangle, and tie up anyone who gets in her way. On her journeys she runs into a man by the name of Jack. With Jack's help she travels across the country while getting in and out of all sorts of trouble. The dialog is witty, the characters loveable, and the pictures bright and attractive. I love this book. I think it is a perfect retelling of Rapunzel that is fairly unique. You may find some similarities between the Disney version, completely coincidental I mean they are both based on the same fairy tale so of course there are going to be similarities. But it adds a flair to the characters and story that you really won't find anywhere else.
Jack is a loveable rouge who left his hometown we he attracted too much attention from the giants. When he heads back home with enough money to rebuild his mother's bakery he sees that things are a lot worse then they use to be. With Rapunzel's help they try and help anyway they can, only things don't go as smoothly as they plan, which is normal for them. In some ways I like CALAMITY JACK better and that is because Jack and Punzie have a good relationship, a little strained at times due to miscommunication, but overall they are a great team. Kids will like it and I think adult will be surprised at how much they enjoy it. Just remember that this is a graphic novel. An EditorSo last week I wrote about how I write for myself. Because of Moose I submit my stories to various locations. While I haven't had anyone accept one of my novels, I have had some luck with my short stories. I enjoy writing short stories because they don't take as long. At this point four of my short stories have been published in anthologies. This week I heard back from an editor about another story. It was accepted but in the email, he politely explained that while he thought the story was interesting it was rough. I have worked with this editor twice before. At first I was shocked when he told me that this story was a draft. Of the three stories this was the one I spent the most time on. I had people give me all kinds of feedback. I was sure that this story would make me shine. As I go through the edits I have two trains of thought, "Thank goodness for a nice editor" and "Why did I ever think I could write. I am screwing up all the details." It makes me wonder if there are other authors out there who ever felt like they were out of their depth. All I can say at this point is that I could never self-publish. I need an editor. Writing Tip Time ManagementI am swamped so the writing tip of the day is time management. First thing, it is okay to say no to people. Something I am terrible at. And keeping an organizer with all of the deadlines is a good way to make sure you don't miss anything important. Hopefully it will help reduce stress but that isn't always the case. Book Review The Blue Castle
The main character, Valancy, is an old maid and her family lets her know exactly what they think of her being twenty-nine and unmarried. When she learned that she isn't expected to live out the year she decides to take back her life. She lets her family know exactly what she thinks of them. There are some really funny instances and her family starts to think that she has gone crazy. She moves out of her family home to take a job as a housekeeper for one of her childhood friends. This friend was pregnant out of wedlock and her father is the town drunk. At this point Valancy is introduced to the town ruffian, Barney. You can probably guess who Valancy falls for and because I say that this is one of my feel good books you can probably guess how it turns out in the end. It isn't just the happy ending that makes me all gooey inside but the characters. L. M. Montgomery has fleshed out characters that are individual. I grew attached to a lot of the characters in such a short period of time and I could picture them in my minds eyes. I am so glad I read THE BLUE CASTLE and it is one that I reread over the years. (As a side note it reminds me a lot of MOONRAKER'S BRIDE.) Why Do I Write?I was trying to come up with something interesting to write this week. There are times I actually find it more difficult to write my Wednesday life posts than my flash fiction story. I follow (stalk) a lot of my favorite authors on Twitter and read their blogs and I am always amazed at the insightful and/or entertaining posts they have. I started this blog back in 2009 and I remember telling my family that I had it. Then they started telling me that they read it. I was a little nervous about it but since they are my family they should already know most of this (although my mother was surprised to learn I cheated on my personality test). After close to two and a half years I still avoid telling people I have a blog. I haven't decided if it is because I am worried that people will hate it, or if I just don't think I will compare to what else is out there. I write a blog because it is a good exercise for me. It makes me think about my life. I want to be an author. I have wanted to be an author for years. I have been writing stories for quite a long time yet I have learned I am afraid. I have completed over 7 novels (4 of which have been revised at least once) and have 3 partially done. I have over one hundred short stories. Yet it takes my husband giving me deadlines to actually submit anything. I am not afraid of rejection. I actually have kept all of my rejection letters from publishers and agents alike. I have learned that I write for myself. I spent quite a bit of time alone when I was in elementary and to entertain myself I would make up stories to enact. Most of the time they were based on a book or movie. Even when I got older I kept these stories going. I write because I enjoy it. I have a blog because I actually enjoy forcing myself to think about my life and what has been going on. Why do I write? Because I am a writer at heart with a story to tell, even if the only audience is myself. |
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C. S. Lewis is probably best known for his series NARNIA and a lot of people have come to recognize the religious aspect to this series. In his book THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS the religious aspect is a lot more prevalent. The story is in fact a series of letters written by the devil Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood. I knew about this book for some time but it wasn't until a book group assignment that I actually sat down and read through it to prepare for the monthly discussion. I really enjoyed it because it presents religious topics in a new way that really made me think. I have a feeling that not everyone would enjoy reading this book but I recommend it for those who want another view on Christian beliefs.
That evening I got into James Dashner's line early with my dad. As we were waiting Brandon walked in. My dad, being my dad, called out that Sanderson should sign for Dashner. Brandon walked over, I held out my copy of THE DEATH CURE and he signed it. James was a little startled when he opened to the title page. I now have a one of a kind copy. I met with several other authors to get books signed. 
The first year I went to LTUE (Life The Universe and Everything, a Fantasy/Science Fiction symposium in Provo Utah) I heard Nathan Hale give a presentation during which he talked about a graphic novel he illustrated. I am a sucker for fairy tales and when I heard about RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE I was intrigued. If you have ever watch the Disney movie TANGLED you'll have an idea of what this book is about. As a side note Shannon and Dean have no relation to Nathan, don't let the last names fool you. 
The sequel to RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE is CALAMITY JACK. This story has your two favorite characters but in a new adventure. As you may have guess, Jack is often found around bean stalks and this is his story. Part of the story is a flashback before Jack met Rapunzel and you learn that he has always been someone who gets himself into trouble without always thinking of the consequences. 
I enjoyed ANNE OF GREEN GABLES but it is THE BLUE CASTLE by L. M. Montgomery I find myself thinking about. I never realized I was a sucker for romances but THE BLUE CASTLE is one of my all-time favorite feel good books. It was written back in 1926, which I didn't realize because it is a timeless story. A woman is diagnosed with a terminal illness and decides to take charge of her life. She meets a man and convinces said man to marry her because hey, she has never been married and doesn't want to go back to her controlling family. Only things aren't exactly as they seem to be.