what's with?

What's with writing part two that throws me off? I haven't written in weeks! And it's not for the lack of material, or know-where, or ideas. I'm just not motivated.

And you know what? This happened on my last MS too. The same time too! Hitting part two just throws me off. It often throws me out of reading books too. I donno.

Perhaps all the effort of world building--and now it all changes at this point? Perhaps the feeling of accomplishment with part one and not wanting to engage it all again? Or maybe it's cuz part two is so much more free-feeling in comparison to the goal driven, box-enclosed, 'must hit the conflict point' of part one...? I have no clue. All i know is i'm gladly finding things to distract me from having to open the MS again, and that isn't helpful.

blurbing...

I will be the first to admit: I am not good at 'short and to the point'. I write like i like to read... long awesome plot twisting fantasy novels! In the past, i've written anywhere between a 108,000 word novel up through a 500,000 word novel (one book) LOL obviously, that one had to be broken down and later became a series. But still, i tell it through showing and feeling.

So, to write a blurb? A short, often one paragraph, sometimes only 25 words to sum up not only the entire main story line, but to also capture the heart and soul of the book? To compact the true feeling of the story all in a couple sentences that don't even fill a millionth of a page???? Let me commit suicide first! it'd be less painful. Yah. I had to email a friend to help me get started.

it took me an entire day to write these handful of words. And it still isn't that '25 word pitch' that i've been told to aim for. But i like it still. It focuses on the main plot, though there's several other cool ones that ring strong in the story.

So, i'm going on a limb here and i'm gonna share it with you. This is for "Fire Gate", book one of a fantasy saga (of course). If you've been following my blog, then you'll also know that this is my current work in progress that's being pieced back together after being blown to pieces!

Ahem... (clearing throat) a bit nervous here to share. i've never done this out in the open before.

"Seventeen year old, Wyan Decis, awakens the half wolf that lays hidden within his soul, only to have his claws fall on his sister. After Lor's death, Wyan buries his heritage where it can never be found again. But, while on a quest that will save his mother's life, Lor calls to him from a dream and Wyan responds--despite the path leading him into her sharp fangs of revenge."

deep breath (gasping for air) so, there it is. best i could muster for now.

Things i've learned from writing this: First off (if you're new to the blog) i'll note that i'm not done with this book. I've just crossed into part two where my hero leaves on his journey, venturing into the 'new world'.

Why: I decided to write a blurb for the book because venturing into parts 2 and 3 (out of 4) of a story can get a little muddy. I've read awesome stories that start out with driving plots... you're going going going going... eye on the goal, here we go! and then it starts to slow, drag, get a little lost, and never really finds its way back. i wanted to avoid this. I decided to write a blurb (if i could) and tape it onto the top of my laptop. That way i knew where i was headed, even if it didn't have ALL the cool plots in it. If it got lost, i knew where to point. So, i learned that it was a good idea. I'm more focused now on the heart of the story than i ever was without it.

2nd thing i learned: LOL don't laugh, but i learned who my antagonist was! I had pegged a different character for the bad guy. So, it opened my eyes, as the writer, to what needed to be done. Glad i caught on NOW instead of 50,000 more words down the line. (done that before!)

Draw backs: There was a drawback to doing the blurb this early in my writing process. Seeing exactly where i needed to end up, but having no clue how i was gonna get there from where i was now, made me a little overwhelmed. i mentioned this on facebook earlier (in case you follow me there too). Don't get me wrong--everything lines up just fine. There's no deleting or rewriting that needs to be done because of where i paused in the process. it just... well, is a big bite to chew. in some ways, it was easier writing blind.

Overall: i'm glad i did it. i feel like i've got a story that i'm passionate about and can do it justice. The feeling of being overwhelmed is better than my previous feeling of pounding out words to something that didn't really speak out to me... something that i didn't care about. Now it's worth the time. I just wish i could keep focused and get the rough draft done! :) i'm a better writer with deadlines from someone else.

...and yah, i had a bit of fun making a little book cover to stare at (top pic). :) might as well, right? picture and art all done/own by me. not bad for a point and click camera.

It's February!

Well, I don't know about all of you, but January flew by so fast that i'm left blinking here in a dumbfounded stupor!

Thank goodness for some goal making i did, or else i'd wonder what i did all month. So, i figured for every month i make goals in, i'd post a quicky report on how i did.

As some of you may know, January is the first "Tristi's Writing Challenge" for the year. (the next is hosted in April--come and join!) My goal was a crazy 30,000! I have never put my goal up so high. Normally, in months past, i've scribbled out between 5-12 thousand total. But, with a goal that high, i pounded out 20,000 this month. :) Not bad.

On tops of that, I wrote a blurb for my work in progress that totally has me motivated. And just this last weekend, i designed two cool book covers (just for kicks). I figure i'll bind the covers later on, when the book is finished (i do hand sewn book binding).

So, for the writing front, not a bad month. For everything else? Aw well, that's what Feb is for, right? :) New goals: Learn a new song on the harp. 20,000+ more words on my book. Master Yado 2 (martial arts), have a GREAT birthday, and organize the business office space (and coming website). Whew--that's a lot to do! better get busy.

What's your goals for the month?

reuse, recycle... your characters

I found a really old manuscript the other day. To give you an idea how old (and sad) it was, it was printed on less than 1/2 sheets, cut out, and taped (not glued) onto some rather floral scrap-booking paper. White daisies, i'll add. It wasn't even card stock. Anyways, all of this was bound with a nice clear cover (if i recall, i got it from one of those school projectors).

I did some math, and the entire MS is probably about 17 pages long. Rather impressive for a school kid, i suppose. But of course, it was printed large and on tiny pages to make it look more like a book.

The writing? shiver! Let's not go there just yet.

My point? There on the front page, as the title of the entire book (you ready for my creativity back then?) was the first name of my main character. The book was told in first person (really poor mix of past and present). I had to laugh because for a 1st pov book, told by a young MALE, i had printed and taped it on white daisy paper. :D Yah.

So... this main character, had i forgotten about him? Nope. Impossible. To this day, he stands as the strong main character of the book i am currently writing! In fact, as i flipped through this pathetic MS, three of those characters have made it into the story i am writing now, both Hero and Villain included--though tons of changes have been made.

So, your first thought: I'm just rewriting the same book. NOPE. The Fire Gate is a completely different book of a completely different series. In fact, i have written a dozen or more complete books between the day of this little MS and now. So, why reuse those old characters?

As a writer, we all know how much work there is to do in writing a good book. A moving plot, likable characters, passionate voice, motivating theme, flavorful settings, ect ect ect, all weaving together on the page and giving us a massive migraine. So, when you spend time developing a character from the ground up--breathing life and personality into him... sometimes even letting him sit and stew into reality for years at a time, when the story goes wrong and doesn't work out, why throw him away??

So your last work in progress didn't have the plot merit to survive. Did your hero? Did he just need a different story? A better challenge? A new quest?

Or perhaps yours is the other way around. You had an awesome story idea, but things just didn't pan out. Maybe you sent the wrong guy to save the day? It can happen :D Recall your troops and post a banner for a new warrior! You never know, someone better might just step up to the plate who can handle the job.

If characters are suppose to be believable and realistic, than why wouldn't they be like us? Volleyball is NOT my thing. I tried to get involved in it for years (back in school). It just wasn't working. even if i was okay at it, i hated it. Now, martial arts on the other hand? I just got my first black belt and i'm headed hard for my 2nd Dan. I love the sword! My mom would have never guessed.

So, like me, my main character just didn't fit the book that i tried to shove him in. He walked the steps for me--humored me--but in the end he wanted to fly (quite literally), and i think i've finally found him the book he wants. Hopefully now he'll do us both proud.

And meanwhile, while i'm fighting with plot and structure and settings and everything else to do with writing a new book, my Hero--having the last 10 years to identify himself--is riding along smooth and strong from the very first words.

Thank goodness for Recycling day.

What's lurking in Part Two?

I've been scared to move on. I've had such good results with my first, that i really don't want to let go. :) first part of my book, that is.

Part two is looming in the shadows, and it wants to kill me, i just know it! All my beta-readers so far have loved part one. Comments have been about how they like the characters (surprisingly one in particular from around the board, and he's not the MC), and to how deep the plot promises are. More than one of my readers have come back to say, "this is so cool--i have no clue how it's going to pan out. Send me more." To which i reply with the regrettable information that the only other words typed on the MS (other than what they had already received) was "Chapter Nine".

So, what's the deal? What's holding me back from entering the world of PART TWO? Exactly that... it's like starting a new book. Entering a new world. Fresh page, blank page, new promises to drive and fulfill. The only difference is that i already know who, what, when, where, and why... but it still has that errie new book "how do i start" feel to it.

Okay, so here's the plan: I've dug out my trusty "Story Structure" bible. I'm opening the cover (right now) and reading. I will then come back to this post and report on the fundamental requirements of Part Two...

(reading)

PART TWO of the story needs to be "the response" (according to brooks' story structure).

by the end of part one, we have established the MC's "New" goals (check!) Part two is the hero's response to this new situation (conflict) that has presented itself. Note: NO attacking the problem yet! Only reaction to the bad force/antagonist/whatever.

all of this might include: hiding, watching, planning, gathering allies, ect. whatever they need before they can move.

In part two, Brooks calls the hero "the wanderer".

When is the End of part two: When everything starts to "fall in place" for the hero, and then it gets thrown upside down by some kind of new information. (of course! this is my strong point--creating chaos!)

Now mind you, this is coming from a FOUR part structure (rather than simply 3) In the 3 part structure, parts 2 and 3 tend to be combined. But there is a HUGE difference in the Hero's mindset between parts 2 and 3, so i like to keep them separate. To give you an idea, part three is the "attack", rather than a reaction.

The hero can TRY and save the day in part 2, but by this point they have to fail. it's too early to really be 'the hero'. IF they do try, something has to be learned about their own short comings and failures. They can learn about themselves and the antagonistic force--both things to be used later on in their final victory :)

PINCH POINT ONE also happens during part two. (where we're reminded of the bad-guy's power, and we're reminded of what's at stake for the hero). This should happen right around the middle of part 2. More on this later.

SO, to sum it up, part 2 requires 3 things: (quoted from Brooks) "A retreat and regrouping, a doomed attempt to take action", and the first Pinch Point. All of this leading up to the big Mid-Point Milestone (more on this one later too). For more detailed info on the entire story structure, see "Storyfix.com" link on my sidebar toolbox for writers.

Well, now i've at least got my head thinking in Part Two mode. We'll see how it goes.

The Writer and Taxes

There was a small facebook thread i was following where we got talking about what deductions a writer is allowed to claim. Your computer? Net expenses? Home office? Endless printing supplies?

When can you claim them? This year? When you get your first rejection? When you get a contract? or do you have to wait for your first five dollar income check to arrive?

The answers? There's a special part of the law that's just for artists like us. There are things you can claim THIS year, regardless of publication or not.

But, i'm not the tax guy in our family. I'm the budget guy, but heavens not taxes. It's over my head. So, take it from some legal people who know.

Tax Deductions for the Writer, by the people who help the publishers on the topic :) It's a must read for writers and all artists alike. Know your rights.

The Sword of Truth

You know how a lot of famous, or even non famous, people have these neat little motivational presentations? I attended one (by a children's author) about letting your imagination fly. It encouraged kids to be creative, and not let the supposed limitations of this world effect the ones they could create in their minds. It was really fascinating, inspiring and just plain fun to listen to.

My good friend over on "My Life in a Laptop" has also been working on a future presentation for when she becomes published. Several of them, actually. I know one has to do with the combination of the Hero's Journey and Story Structure (that one for writers, obviously).

Well, i've got a goal. the idea of this presentation has been rolling around in my head ever since i started Haidong (Korean art of the Sword). it stems from both my passion of martial arts, my insanity as a writer, and also my Religious beliefs.

See, in the scriptures, (especially to the youth), it councils us to arm ourselves with the "Armor of God". One of those things is the "Sword of Truth". Well, what exactly does that mean--the sword of truth? If you have the sword, then how do you use it? Do you need to know how? Does it make a difference? Why a sword? Why not just a "knowledge of truth"?

So, obviously, as a Black Belt in the art of the Sword, that fascinates me very much. It makes a BIG difference with the Live blade on how you use it and which kind of sword you choose.

As a writer, i'm naturally drawn to include swords as well (duh!) I like to write about passionate youth becoming unbeatable warriors.

So, my goal? Yah. I'd like to put together a presentation on these lines. What "exactly" it'll be about? i'm not sure yet... but you get the general idea at the moment. I'd like to make it so it works well, whether i'm giving it to a religious audience or not. :) After all, everyone has to be a warrior in today's world.

(pictured above: one of my practice swords)

character crit...

(Okay, so this is an unplanned post--not that much of this is actually planned at all. "Part two" will be coming as soon as i can gather my thoughts again.)

You know you must be doing something right, when your NON writing beta-reader comes back and says:

"It makes me laugh, and I like all your characters. :) lol!!!! [Your main character] is imperfect and doesn't make every shot dead on, doesn't win, doesn't get what he wants instantly etc. It was really enduring to see him struggle."

I promise that this beta-reader has NEVER gone to any of the writer's conferences where i sit in endless classes encouraging us to make our characters just as he described. I almost asked him which writing book he was quoting. LOL the "Top 10 things to say to a writer to make them your best friend" ?? :)

Either way, it's a good sign. I am pleased, though my "main character" could argue otherwise. :D