Misa Buckley

World Mental Health Day: Cyclothymia

2011-10-10T09:00:00.049+01:00

Cyclothymia is a serious mood and mental disorder that causes both hypomanic and depressive episodes. It is defined medically within the bipolar spectrum. To be specific, this disorder is a milder form of bipolar II disorder, consisting of recurrent disturbances between sudden hypomania and dysthymic episodes.
wikipedia

I have struggled with my mental health since 1996 and a prolonged episode of post-natal depression. Most of the time, I trundle along just under par; neither manic or overly depressed. It's very easy to slip off that fine line, though.

My first major dysthymic episode came a couple of years ago in the form of a fully-fledged panic attacked. Before then (and thankfully since) my downs had simply resulted in lethargy and the odd crying fit.

The difference between Cyclothymia and Bipolar is the longer swings. I will dip down when I'm on my cycle, but I recognise it as that and usually throw it off quite easily. My manic periods last longer and tend to result in a lot of fiction. If you know my LJ, you'll have seen the last one happen - four fanfics in three days, with me up as early as 3am because I simply couldn't sleep (insomnia is a side-effect of both manic and depressive blips, unfortunately).

By September this year, I'll be "celebrating" fifteen years of being Cyclothymic. I'll be 38, which makes it a little under half of my life to date. I'm not extra-ordinary: I'm a wife and mother. I write as an escape and because I love doing so. I'm a fangirl and a geek. I love and laugh, I get angry. Hurt. Upset. I bleed when I stub my toe (more frequently than I'd like).

People with poor mental health are normal. We're not freaks and it's not contagious. Please don't back away or cross the street. Please treat us as you would like to be treated - after all, one in six people will suffer from poor mental health at some point in their lives.

This is not the blog you're looking for...

2011-05-08T22:37:00.000+01:00

After some deliberation as to whether to buy a domain for this blog or get my own webspace and use WordPress, I've gone for the later and my blog can now be found at

misabuckley.com

Six Sentence Sunday: 27 Mar '11

2011-03-27T07:30:00.004+01:00

Today's six (okay, seven) sentences come from Flipside's chapter two. More of Johanna on the alternative Earth, though she doesn't know that yet. She's about to meet the MMC-- and some creatures a whole less pleasant...

The crashed airship lay in a crumple of twisted metal some three hundred yards away. Smoke curled up from several points and the crackle of flames carried on the still air. Had anyone survived? Johanna couldn’t see how, but then she’d not even imagined such a craft five minutes ago.

She’d not imagined the grey-skinned creatures that materialised from the rocky outcrops either. They resembled nothing familiar, were utterly alien, with large black eyes and protruding jaws that housed fearsome teeth. Their hides were wrinkled like an elephants, yet they walked with their weight on their hind legs and the long-clawed fingers of their front curled under like a gorilla.

To those wanting to join in, the rules are simple:

pick a project – a current Work in Progress, contracted work or even something readers can buy if you’re published
pick six sentences
post ‘em on Sunday

Further information (and more snippets) here.

From the bottom drawer

2011-03-22T23:50:00.000Z

A chance mention brought my very first WIP, To Recover the Satellites, to mind. I love the characters in this incomplete space opera epic, to the point I've never really been able to let them go even when I probably should have.

Or maybe not. Reopening the first chapter in roughly a year, I realised that perhaps this messy NaNoWriMo creation isn't destined for the trunk pile after all.

Let's see what you guys think:

The satellite hovered in space, an innocuous grey globe for all intents and purposes, but the red lights that flashed around its centre warned against passing. To defy that warning one would have to be mad, bad or desperate.

Corin Arrack was none of those things, though he had a reputation for hard practicality that bordered on ruthlessness. He knew what he wanted and nothing – not even Protectorate Regulations – stood in the way of his getting it. His determination had gained him a handful of condemnations on his service record. It was also the reason he sat in the captain’s chair, Commander of a Protectorate Cruiser.

“Have we anything further on the signal?”

The young ensign, new to her position and nervous, gave him a frightened look. “No, sir; scans remain inconclusive.”

“Hm.” He propped his chin on one hand, thumb stroking his close-cropped beard. “Send a message to Genesis. Inform the Directorate of our findings and advise that
we are investigating further.”

“Sir?” She stared at him, wide-eyed with shock. “Do you mean to cross the Boundary?”

Corin rolled his eyes. “Yes, Ensign, that’s exactly what I mean. Or would you like to be the one to explain to the Directorate why we ignored a source of potential power?”

“No, sir, but... crossing the Boundary is against regulation.”

“Unauthorised, yes. Hence the need to send a damn message already. Have you done that?”

She bobbed her head. “Yessir.”

“Then raise the shields and proceed at mark two on a direct intercept course.”

“Yessir.”

The lights on the bridge turned yellow as the shields went up and the grating beneath Corin’s feet rumbled with the power of the ship’s engines. The Cruiser slid forward. At the second the boundary was breached, a siren wailed on the bridge.
Corin threw the communications officer a look and the man silenced the alarm immediately. Corin snorted a breath through his nose and then turned his little attention back to the readout on the screen at the fore of the bridge.

Results from the ship’s scan scrolled up one side, the rest was a projected view of the space in front of the ship. Stars, and nothing more. Not as far as he could see, but out there somewhere pulsed a source of undefined power.

It could be nothing, he thought. Or it could be the most vital find in Protectorate history. Either way, he planned to be the one who found out. Either way, it would be the recommendation he required to demand the Directorate pull him off these long-range guardian runs.

He smiled to himself, imagining their faces. They didn’t like him or his methods: he was too much of a loose cannon for their comfort. But those methods worked, as proved by the rods on his uniform.

He was still smiling when the proximity siren screamed its warning.

Six Sentence Sunday: 20 Mar '11

2011-03-20T07:00:00.015Z

Six sentence from Flipside, continuing from last week's snip:

She thought of the earthquake. "I hardly think so."

"No time to argue."

With that, he grabbed her hand and dragged her back down into the excavation. Johanna tried to tug loose, but his grip was like iron. She tossed a nervous glance over her shoulder. The things swarmed to the edge of the pit... then stopped. She frowned in puzzlement, wondering why they'd done that, but a yank on her arm made her attention shift.

And six from the Steampunk Western that arrived in my head over last weeked (described as Pride and Prejudice meets Wild Wild West), simply because I want to share the fun:

Steam belched into the sky like a twisted version of the Indians’ smoke signals. From her vantage point on the ridge, Samantha Bennett eyed the ugly black engine - and the parallel steel tracks that carved a scar through the countryside - with severe distaste. The foreign and unwanted sound of hammering as workmen fitted another length of rail echoed off the embankment, drowning out birdsong.

Another tree crashed down, causing her roan mare to snort and paw the ground with one hoof. Sam patted the warm neck.

“I know, Madison. I know.”

To those wanting to join in, the rules are simple:

pick a project – a current Work in Progress, contracted work or even something readers can buy if you’re published
pick six sentences
post ‘em on Sunday

Further information (and more snippets) here.

Shades of Grey

2011-03-15T09:43:00.004Z

Bonnie Tyler once sang "I Need A Hero" and I suppose it's the Great Romantic Fantasy - the tall, dark and handsome stranger on his white stallion - but it's not actually mine. Heroes are... well, predictable. Good guys are the ones your mother likes, and while they make great friends, they're not exactly lust fodder (that was almost something much ruder, lol).

Guys that I do lust after have several things in common, but the largest factor is they're not portrayed as good. One of them not be a very long way, but I digress. They are antiheroes. Unpredictable, morally ambiguous, complex, complicated and deeply layered.

The first character I remember being like that is one most people consider a hero - the Doctor. But he stood with his hand on the Big Red Button that would have wiped out the Daleks and considered genocide. Not particularly heroic, is it?

However it's dealing with uncomfortable moral issues that makes the antihero so much greater than the gun-slinging hero who would cut a swathe through the Armies of Evil and come out the other side with his hair untouched (but his shirt torn) and the line "It's what I do."

Oh, please. It might be, but kindly go and do it somewhere else. You are not the hero I'm looking for.

Bialar Crais, however, is.

I have mentioned him before, but I'm going to do it again because his character epitomises the antihero for me. His was the one that made me look for more than surface actions, that taught me that bad isn't monotone, that every character has a story they are the hero in.

Up until his last moment, the viewer was never truly sure whose side he was on. His character arc is, in my opinion, the best in sci fi. Possibly in television history. He grows and develops and becomes complicated enough that even eleven years on, I still find aspects I've not seen before, that surprise me, that wrench my heart (Crais remains the only character to reduce me to a blubbering wreck)

He was also indirectly responsible for my current crush.

Because without learning to see all the shades of grey in the dark characters, I'd not have realised how layered Baal truly is.

He's supposed to be bad - hell, he's supposed to be evil. Fortuntely someone failed to read that memo and what we're given is a character that most definitely breaks out of the given box.

Without a doubt, there are things Baal does that are bad. He is self-serving, determined to survive and quite frankly doesn't give a damn as to what measures that takes (which tends to be explosive).

However there are a lot of things he does that, on reflection, pose questions not only on his motivation, but on the nature of his species. The bad things are a given, putting himself in the line of fire for the greater good of the galaxy really isn't. He's not supposed to do that, he's not supposed to care. But he does, and he does it more than once.

The trick with the antihero is to make the audience think they know what's going on, then turn it on its head. It's Han Solo leaving the Rebels to fight the Death Star, only to charge in as the proverbial cavalry. It's Mr Darcy disappearing in a righteous huff, only to be shown to rescue Lydia. Bialar Crais apparently betraying Crichton, only to put into action the sacrificial plan to save his friends. Baal risking his life to help his "mortal enemies" save the galaxy.

We all expect the hero to fight the dragon, rescue the princess and save the kingdom. Sometimes though, it's more fun to have the less heroic guy do it, grumbling all the way.

Six Sentence Sunday: 13 Mar '11

2011-03-13T07:30:00.002Z

Still with Flipside, my steampunk sci fi romance. So far, our heroine, Johanna, has accidentally discovered a portal to an Alternate Earth in the ruin of a temple in Giza. After witnessing a flying ship crash, she saves the pilot by fighting off creatures she's never seen before. But they're not giving up that easily:

"We need to run," she said and started towards the Sphinx, not sure if Sir William would be there or not but having no idea what else to do.

"No," gasped the pilot. He pulled away and looked at her. Half a head taller, he had short black hair, brown eyes and a vicious-looking gash down the left side of his face. "The temple is our only hope."

To those wanting to join in, the rules are simple:

pick a project – a current Work in Progress, contracted work or even something readers can buy if you’re published
pick six sentences
post ‘em on Sunday

Further information (and more snippets) here.

Inspiration: Horse power

2011-03-10T19:20:00.001Z

Trojan Horse III by Willie Bester at the Robert Bowman Gallery, London

{photo by Trey Ratcliff}

To boldly go...

2011-03-09T18:44:00.001Z

Discovery landed toay at 11:57 EST (16.57GMT), touching down at KSC for the final time after 202 orbits around Earth and a journey of 5,304,140 miles.

27 years and 39 missions, she now retires as the US starts the shutdown of its space program due to financial reasons.

This makes me terribly sad. The space program has been a part of my life since I was a child, bringing that dream of seeking out life and new civilisations so lauded in Star Trek that little closer to reality. The idea of being able to reach out and touch the stars...

It's not quite over - Endeavour and Atlantis will have their finales in April and June respectively - but the end is nigh and I wonder if we'll ever venture into space on such a scale again.

A life less ordinary

2011-03-08T10:33:00.001Z

During a Twitter conversation with the very awesome Gini Kock, I decided that I not only need to formulate a writing plan but actually put it down on paper. Well, the screen, but you know what I mean. So here goes.

This month:

~~Edit my erotic short and sub it somewhere~~ - done!
Finish a rough draft of Flipside
Finish, edit and sub Undercurrent

In the next six months:

Deal with Ironhaven as appropriate
Edit and sub Flipside
Finish a rough draft on at least one outstanding WIP

By March next year:

I will have at least one novel published
I will have at least five short stories sold
Be inquiring / have an agent

Big goals without a doubt, but I know I have it in me to do it.

Six Sentence Sunday: Flipside

2011-03-06T08:00:00.005Z

For this week's Six Sentence Sunday, I'm posting more on the in-progress Flipside. Here, Johanna has fled an underground temple after an earthquake only to fiind things outside are no longer the same:

Johanna bolted for the exit, feet tripping one over the other in her haste to be outside in the open air.She stumbled out and crashed against the wall of the excavation pit, gasping and heart pounding. A shadow blotted the sun. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked up.

A dirigible flew over the desert on a faint rumble of a steam engine and a billow of grey smoke, its silver-white sides gleaming. Though she’d seen them before, none had been quite this big... and it was not the only one.

For those new to this, the rules are simple:

1) pick a project – a current Work in Progress, contracted work or even something readers can buy if you’re published

2) pick six sentences

3) post ‘em on Sunday

Further information (and more snippets) here.

Outline time again!

2011-03-04T14:25:00.001Z

Flipside has throw up half a dozen questions that I don't know the answer to, meaning I'm going to have to figure out what is actually going on.

Outlining is a new venture for me - the first time I did it was for Ironhaven and was a steep learning curve. First thing I discovered was that I could actually hammer out an outline. Second was that the Perfect Outline is pretty much a myth. Thirdly I found that writing an outline did not kill my desire to write the story, probably because of how I wrote the outline down.

That was simply a breakdown of scenes and plot points. During writing those equated to everything from a paragraph to entire chapters. Some ended up dumped (and lo! outlines *can* be changed!) while others were adapted as the story evolved.

This is my advice - use the outline to work out your rough plot but let the story guide you. Your characters might not do that thng you thought sounded so awesome, or you might realise that Plot B is going to make things too complicated (especially if you're writing to a prescribed word count). Make those changes - do a degree an outline should adapt to your story, rather than the other way around.

But don't lose the plot! Whatever changes you make, don't lose sight of where you want the story to go. Your outline is a map, but you're allowed to make detours... as long as you make your destination.

Whoa

2011-02-28T12:15:00.000Z

Oh you guys! 42 comments on my opening paragraph - I'm utterly overwhelmed!

For those wondering: yes, I really did write that down in five minutes, though I was much longer in planning. That's still ongoing, and there's an outline sorely in need of writing as I get my head around the details.

Professor Flinders-Petrie is (or was) a real person. An English Egyptologist, he was responsible for discovering sites such as Naukratis, Tanis and Abydos (the Egyptian city not the planet, heh). More on Flinders-Petrie for the curious.

I know very little about archaeology, so this is going to be an interesting learning curve. Especially as what I do know comes from Stargate SG1. It has something to do with magnets...

Joking! I know more than that, I swear.

Six Sentence Sunday: Flipside

2011-02-27T00:12:00.002Z

Here we go again! Flipside is a Steampunk Sci Fi Romance, set in Egypt 1880 and the world of the (as yet) unnamed aliens that our heroine Johanna Seymour encounters.

For Six Sentence Sunday, here's the very rough opening paragraph, as written about five minutes ago:

Thirty degrees in the shade felt hotter than it sounded. Johanna took the pith helmet off and wiped her forehead with a handkerchief that was already damp with sweat. She would not complain – she'd fought so hard to accompany the great Professor Flinders-Petrie, faced so many disparinging voices about her gender, her lack of expertise. Only Sir William had valued her enthusiasm and linguistic ability. So no complaints: she would not be the little woman, the fragile flower that wilted in the heat.

Even if the heat was so very draining.

Off into the Wild

2011-02-25T15:47:00.001Z

With major thanks to Lori, Ironhaven is now subbed to Samhain. Now to wait and see if I made the grade.

I'm really nervous about this one, probably because it was written so quickly. That and the fact I want to crack Samhain (even though they isn't on SFWA's little list).

Review: Touched by an Alien, Gini Koch

2011-02-22T15:58:00.003Z

I have to admit it - I put off buying Gini Kock's first novel because I thought the title was cheesy. Add to that a character nicknamed Kitty? Hm, no.

But I'd seen rave reviews on Twitter and, after a sci fi chat in which I discovered that Gini is a geek after my own heart, I decided to get over my personal forbiles and buy it.

Touched by an Alien arrived yesterday, just before lunch. I'm sat here typing this at a little after 3pm, having finished it. I swear the paper of this book is made from crack. It's that or the writing.

In retrospect, it's definitely the writing.

First thing is Touched by an Alien is written in first person. I like this POV, because it makes the story very immediate. And when the story is immediately into the action... it's terribly easy to get caught up and swept off your feet. I warn you - Gini Kock can write hooks better than most fishermen can bait. Seriously.

So the infamous "Kitty" Katt. If you want a mousey heroine who needs the handsome, strong hero to prop her up, this is so not the book for you. Kitty kicks ass. She takes names. She is the HBIC with bells on (and a Glock stuck in her pants). But she remains utterly believable and, yes, even breakable. She gets emotional, she gets teary. She gets it wrong on several accounts. But I rooted for her because of those things.

Martini... his attraction to Kitty is immediate and... grating at first. He clearly thinks he's charming, what with the repeated demand that Kitty marries him. I just wanted her to slap him or deliver a stinging put down. And okay, it comes down to his alien abilities and being emphatic, but it was seriously annoying. Fortunately, there was enough other stuff going on that I read on in spite of that.

And he does develop as the story finds its pace. I stopped wanting her to smack him and actually grew to like the guy. He's not as relatable as Kitty, but maybe that's the alien macho thing he has going on.

As for the bad guys... I had to Tweet Gini, because parasites that live inside a human host hit a very geeky part of me and I wanted to know if their eyes glowed. Turns out they do, but red and not white-gold. I am unclear if their voices are phlanged. But the head bad guy is old and ugly and doesn't look like Cliff Simon, so it stopped being overly important.

Did I like this book? Um, I finished it in just over a day, so yeah I think so. No, I know so. The end is satisfying while leaving enough open for the sequel (already on my Amazon saved list) and setting up for what I do believe is going to be a stonking series.

Go. Buy. Read. Do it now, because you won't be disappointed.

Gini's website is here and Touched by an Alien can be bought on amazon.com and co.uk

One Down

2011-02-22T08:14:00.000Z

Well, it's been a long time coming since I starting writing original fiction in '07, but I finally have a completed rough draft. It might only be just over 21K, but it's one down.

I expected to feel more accomplished. I... don't.

Confused now.

Six Sentence Sunday: 20 Feb '11

2011-02-20T22:00:00.002Z

Ironhaven
Sci fi romance
WIP

Dusk brought the already cold temperature down even further as the sullen red sun sank beyond the horizon, taking the scant heat of day with it and freezing the snow-covered sidewalks. It made them precarious unless one had the right footwear.

The spikes on the underside of Lucian's boots broke through the crust of ice, the echo of the crunch rebounding off the surrounding buildings. It was the only sound that broke the still air, but he paid it no attention: too wrapped in misery at his parents' betrayal and despair at his fate.

A freezing fog billowed, chilling his lungs. Night was not a good time to be abroad, but he had nowhere to go since he refused to return to his ancestral home, empty now except for memories he did not want to revisit. He had no plan, no hope.

Nothing.

Halfway

2011-02-17T18:12:00.000Z

I reached the halfway point of Ironhaven today - a lofty accomplishment since I've never been able to say that before *g*

In celebration, have a snip! The story so far: Lucian has missed the last starship off a dying Earth after his parents revoked his pass. He's been given the address of someone that might be able to help, with no idea he's about to open a whole can of worms...

He tried the handle. It turned easily. Okay, then. Pulling it open, and wincing at the screech of the hinges, Lucian poked his head through the gap. “Hello? Is anyone home?”

A faint shout came from somewhere within the tangle of machinery and littered benches. Taking it as an invitation, Lucian stepped in out of the cold and wandered around the workshop.

Most of the benches groaned under the weight of a variety of heaters, all in various stages of assembly or disassembly – Lucian wasn't sure which – but there was one given over to an intricate, clockwork-driven device that he could not make head not tail of. He picked up a roll of paper and unwound it to find a blueprint. That made no sense either.

He shook his head: he'd been to university and had education in every science and theory going but the level of intelligence indicated by the blueprint was still far beyond him.

Putting the roll down, he called again. “Hello?”

“One moment.”

Her voice was husky; mid-range feminine with a hint of smoke. It also carried a note that Lucian thought he recognised yet couldn't quite place. A shadow shifted on the opposite wall, shortening as she came into the workshop, nose buried in a thick book.

She wore leather trousers spotted with burn marks and grease, and a tightly-fitted blouse under a heavy apron. Her hair was swept up and gathered into a loose bun atop of her head, and the hands that held the book wore gauntlets. She looked up and her mouth dropped open, her eyes widening in shocked recognition.

“Lucian?” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper.

He could only stare. It had been so very long since he'd last seen this woman. Long enough that it had taken seeing her face to recognise her fully. Five years too long.

“Genevieve,” he murmured, watching the shock on her face turn to hurt and then anger. A hollow ache spread through him. “I didn't know, didn't realise...”

He stopped from babbling further. Unwilling to make more of a fool of himself. Genevieve closed the book with a snap and then tossed it onto a bench. She folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.

“What the hell are you doing here, Hoyt? I thought I wasn't good enough for your type.”

The way she stressed type made it sound dirty, demeaning. He bristled even as a part of his brain pointed out she had every right to be angry at him. He'd not even had the courage to face her...

“I-I need your help.”

Progress and Plotting

2011-02-10T22:21:00.001Z

Look at my progess bar! Looooook at it! One week in and I'm a third of the way through Ironhaven. The deadline is looming (in my mind) though I'm trying my best to ignore it and just write.

Of course, hiccups occur. Today I realised that from tomorrow, my eldest three kids are off school. This is a Problem. It's much harder to concentrate on writing when there's bouncing off the walls and playing on the Wii going on around me.

As I chatted to the awesome Lori this morning and purused my outline, I also realised that I had a sex scene looming. If writing normal scenes is hard with kids asking for toast/a drink/a smack then writing sex scenes is nigh on impossible.

So, with outline in hand, I skipped ahead. The build up is full of angst (my FMC is scarred and scared of rejection) and the actual sex scene is more emotional than explicit. I knew that I needed to have full concentration to make both scenes work. I've written the build up and started on the actual sex. That'll be completed tomorrow, before the kids finish an hour earlier than they should do (nicely jabbing a hole in the plans to Go Out and have a Meal with Hubby).

WIP: Ironhaven

2011-02-02T16:37:00.000Z

Working title: Ironhaven
Genre: Apocalyptic Science Fiction

Ironhaven is a WIP that I started worldbuilding for at the start of January, with the intention of writing a full-length novel. However, after being advised of Samhain Publishing's End of Days Anthology Call I've decided to aim the final word count lower and write it for this submission.

Writing 30K to order by the end of February is a big ask in some respects, but I just need to focus and stick with it. Today, I've actually written out a fairly detailed outline. This is a first for me and I'm pleased with myself for sticking with it. Now to get to writing it.

Twenty Five Years On

2011-01-28T15:48:00.003Z

I was thirteen years old in July 1986. Fascinated with space and space travel, watching shuttle launches was something I always did, even staying up late when necessary. On Tuesday 28th January, I got home from school and settled down in front of newsround, the children's news show on BBC One, to watch Challenge rocket into space.

I don't think I'll ever forget the stunned disbelief as, 73 seconds into its launch, Challenge exploded. I just sat, unable to take it in. Feeling utter horror at the deaths of those on borad: people I didn't know but felt such an affinity for.

So to Michael J. Smith, Dick Scobee, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, and Judith Resnik I say good night and God bless.

You are not forgotten.

The Importance of Audience

2011-01-18T07:00:00.003Z

On Sunday afternoon, I listened to an interview with actor Cliff Simon that was recorded sometime in 2009. Amongst the giggle-worthy statements, he came out with something quite profound:

"Without someone watching us, we're not actors."

No matter how good the script, how amibant the lighting, how polished his performance, unless someone's watching then it's wasted.

Discussing this with Lori, I realised that the same applies to me - unless my writing is read, then it's just words on a page. It doesn't live. And I remain a writer.

So this is my belief. That writing doesn't matter, nor editing, nor subbing. Not even being published, though that helps. But it's not until someone picks up my book and reads it that I become an author.

It was that new-found belief that inspired me to take up the Write 1 Sub 1 challenge, and to sub a short story to Tor. I'm going to hold those words in front of me, to remind me of the most basic fact that stories are supposed to be read.

Just like a performance is meant to be watched.

W1S1: Submission

2011-01-17T16:18:00.003Z

To Reach the Dawn, edited via the very handy EditMinion and now on submission to tor.com (playing with the Big Boys, lol).

Write 1 Sub 1

2011-01-17T08:00:00.002Z

I have gone insane. Though I've said that I want to write more short stories this year, yesterday I went and did something about it - I've signed up for Write 1 Sub 1.

I'm aiming for writing and subbing a fiction a month (not that insane to choose the weekly option) and I'm going to start with editing and subbing To Reach the Dawn which, despite statements to the contrary, remains un-resubbed on my hard drive.

Snippet Sunday

2011-01-16T14:48:00.000Z

I've decided to start sharing little excerpts from my WIPs every Sunday. Partly so you can read them and partly to be accountable for, you know, actually writing something.

The following segment is from the third chapter of Out of Nowhere. Kara, having been denied help by Nath has taken things into her own hands and stolen his ship. Unfortunately her planet of choice is not a safe place and he's had to come to rescue:

“Okay, you’re done with your idiot quota for the day,” he panted at her. “Now can we go before we both end up dead?”

Kara twisted out of his grip. “I’m getting help!”

“You’re coming back now!” He waved his left hand. “Or had you failed to notice how dangerous it is here? Do you want to get raped?”

That made her pause, though she still glared at the reminder. A snap echoed through the street. He reeled as a blow hit his shoulder. Had she hit him? Her face was a mask of horror.

“Oh God, you’re hit!”

With Kara's cry came a sharp, sickening pain that blinded him. He blinked and focused on her face. She stood over him – and when had he fallen to his knees? – white-faced and on the verge of full-scale panic.

“We need – to get out – of here.” He managed to get a foot under him and stood. Shock made his legs tremble. Kara grabbed his arm and steadied him.

“There’s two more,” she said in a hoarse whisper. He nodded.

“I know. Can you remember the way back to the Cruiser?”

“Yes, but-”

“For God's sake, woman!” He glared at her, then shoved her in the direction they’d just come. “Do as you're told for once and bloody run.”

Stylish Blogger Award

2011-01-15T22:15:00.001Z

Quite what Nina believes to be stylish about my blog, I've no idea. However the presentation of another award is very much appreciated. I guess I'm doing something right after all.

In order to accept this award, I have to:

1) Thank and link to my nominator, see above

2) Share seven things about myself, see below, and

3) Present the award to ten recently discovered bloggers and notify them, see even further below *g*

So then, seven things about me:

1) I'm mum to five children, aged from 15 to 6. This is why I'm often very distracted :)
2) I am mortally allergic to peanuts and now avoid every nut. This makes Christmas food shopping an utter bind
3) Most of my friends were gained through fandom. I will never forget standing on Blackpool Beach and writing "BAD WOLF" in the sand. Or the squeal my friend Cathy let out on seeing Davros at the Who Expo
4) In 2009 I finally managed to meet Lani Tupu, ten years after promising to do so. He is the loveliest guy in the whole world.
5) I still boast about being at the first music concert at the new Wembley Stadium. It was Muse and they ROCKED.
6) Despite my sci fi upbringing and general cynicism, I'm a closet old-fashioned romantic and love watching Pride and Prejudice and Lark Rise to Candleford
7) It amuses me when my MP3 played goes from 30 Second to Mars to the Glee soundtrack. Let's just say my musical taste is eclectic :D

To wrap things up, I'd like to award the following people:

1) Ellie Garratt
2) Charissa Weaks
3) Lori Witt
4) Rachel Morgan
5) Chris K
6) Rebecca T
7) Summer Frey
8) Elizabeth Twist
9) Becky K
10)

Picking up where I left off

2011-01-15T15:19:00.000Z

After some consideration, I've decided to let Ironhaven (dystopian steampunked sci fi) marinade a little longer and restart Out of Nowhere. Both stories have strong premises, but I have more of OoN outlined and I think Ironhaven needs a little more worldbuilding - which I plan to do as I go on.

As for OoN... the word count bar is lower than it has been. That's because I'd been counting all the writing I'd done during November, including the character sheets (these count for words towards a NaNoWriMo total).

What's counted now is more or less the first three chapters, which I'm currently going through and editing. Rereading them... yeah, it's not too bad *g*

When romance isn't romance

2011-01-12T13:41:00.000Z

I write science fiction romance. I like to read SFR as well, however I've noticed some disturbing trends that I seriously don't like. For the purposes of this post, the alien is male and the MC is female, because that's how it usually is in the books.

The alien kidnaps the MC. Okay, I'm fine with that, as long as it pertains to the main plot. As a device to get the alien and MC together, it's questionable. Trust (and love) in your kidnapper is called Stockholm Syndrome and it's not sexy, never mind romantic.

The alien has a pheromone and/or empathic ability. This usually makes the MC physically aroused and ends up in rape. No, I won't call it sex - if the MC is saying no, if she is trying to fight the alien off, then it is rape, regardless of how aroused she is.

The alien has a different moral code. This is an excuse I've heard far too many times. I don't care if the alien comes from a different culture, has different rules and morals - if the MC is human, then the story needs to follow human morals. The clash is great anywhere but in the bedroom. Use it as conflict, but don't use it to coerce the MC into bed.

The alien uses mind control to "seduce" the MC. Just... no. Removing the MC's will can work in some stories but it does not work in SFR. I cannot believe that a MC can fall in love with anything that manipulates her in any way, least of all with what comes down to mental abuse (there's a very good episode of ST: TNG covering Deanna being mind raped - go watch it and then see if that's what you want to read/write).

Now, there is nothing wrong with these things of themselves. I want to read about alien aliens. I just don't want that alienness to effect the romantic relationship with the MC.I don't want to read a story that is basically mental, emotional and physical abuse masquerading as romance.

Thank you!

2011-01-07T21:21:00.000Z

To everyone who commented to my "Show Me Yours" excerpt and made me feel so much better about a WIP that an ugly slice of real life forced me to put aside.

You've given me a much needed boost and that's very much appreciated.

"Show Me Yours" Blogfest

2011-01-03T20:50:00.003Z

Here's a refresher of the rules:

The point of this blogfest is to share an excerpt of your NaNoWriMo novel. It can be any scene but try to keep it at 500 words so we can all get around to as many blogs as possible.

So if you participated in NaNoWriMo 2010, now's the time to show your skills or your bad writing! Excitement!

Title: Out of Nowhere
Genre: Sci fi romance

Nath Valentine leant against the doorframe, watching the starship burn. It had missed the casino by a few hundred yards and ploughed into the wasteland that made up so much of the outpost now. A near-miss, it had hit like an earthquake, rattling the rafters and making his female clients squeal in fear.

It’s going to take me a week to clear up the dust and glass, he thought sourly. He eyed the symbol on the blue hull and his lips twisted into a bitter line. Why did they have to crash here?

Still, the orange flames that were spreading over the ship managed to obliterate both the symbol and the name printed on the side. Soon it would resemble just another wreck and God knew there were enough of them: the outpost was a magnet for desperados, the last landing place for those down on their luck, and such rude arrivals were par of the course.

They just tended not to be Earth Government ships.

Why it was out this far, Nath had no idea and wasn’t interested. He just wished the ship had chosen somewhere else to crash or disintegrated in the atmosphere – anything that meant he wasn’t saddled with the damn thing.

He lifted the glass tumbler that dangled from the fingers of his right hand and took a deep swallow of the whiskey, savouring the smoky heat that slid down his throat. Sparks showered from the front of the ship. He doubted it’d be long before the whole thing went up. That was good, but it wouldn't eradicate all of the evidence. No, he’d have to do that himself before the reason for its rude arrival turned up.

Or worse, a representative of Earth Government. A shudder that had nothing to do with the misting rain wracked Nath and he took another draft of whiskey. The less he had to do with Earth, the better; which was why he only watched.

No one would have survived that landing anyway, he thought, only to jolt at a sudden whoosh of steam that shot out from the side of the ship. Nath scowled as the grind of a metal hatch opening proved him wrong.

A woman emerged, clothes charred and torn, hair in disarray, and bleeding profusely from a cut to her temple. Red streaked the left side of her pale face. She stumbled a few steps, then turned to back to the wreckage, her hands fluttering as she stared at the growing flames.

Nath straightened, not sure if she was considering going in for someone else. Not sure what he would do if she tried. Don’t get involved, he told himself. Whatever you do, don’t get involved.

2011

2010-12-31T23:45:00.000Z

I will finish a WIP this year. I will, I will, I will.

Also, I'm going to write more short stories, and I'll be posting them on my website which has had an overhaul ahead of this. I'll be indulging my need to write erotica, otherwise known as pure, unadulterated porn, as well as posting the original sci fi shorts that are in progress (I have two, currently).

Thirdly, I will be losing weight this year, and being more active. I'm not getting any younger and could do with getting in shape while I still can (I'm a smidge under 15 stone right now, which is bloody awful).

One story published in 2010 doesn't seem much, but I have to remember it's one more than 2009. Hopefully this year will see more, hopefully a novel. If I finish one, which brings me back to point the first.

Happy New Year!

Apocalypse, NOW

2010-12-17T05:12:00.000Z

So there I was, planning further writing on an awesome (but not sci fi) story during the merry month of January, when due to certain influences I was assaulted by an idea for apocalyptic future sci fi with steampunk sprinkles.

Convinced this is the Most Awesome Idea Ever, I'm trying to just worldbuild and create characters and still write the (not sci fi) story in January. I suspect that I am going to fail in this determination.

Bother.

Imminent Failure

2010-11-29T08:46:00.000Z

I am going to fail NaNo. No, really - just look at my progress bar.

It's hard, because this is the first time in three years that I've failed and I feel dreadful as a writer. I really wanted to prove to myself that I could actually finish a book. Well it's not finished, nowhere near. Not even close.

And I know that November has been a month straight out of hell. Severe money worries made me stressed, insomaniac and very nearly brought about a seperation between my husband and I. After surviving that - which includes a week where we had £40 to feed the seven of us, heat the house and run the car - missing out on 50K of words seems like small beans. Should feel like small beans. But it still bugs me.

It means that, except for October when I was writing fanfic, I've not hit my monthly word target all year. The only thing I have to show for 2010 is one published story and the fact I'm somehow still alive. I'm not sure about how sane I still am.

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, though. Right?

Um, 'kay

2010-11-12T16:37:00.003Z

I have received a blog award. I'm both grateful and rather befuddled, since I wasn't aware of doing anything award-worthy. Anyway, many thanks to One Writer's Mind for the award. I'm glad you read and enjoy my blog enough to pass this on.

There are a few things I need to do in order to accept the Versatile Blogger Award, which are as follows:

1. Thank the giver and link back to them Done.

2. List seven things about myself
I'm a sci fi geek. I crush on Bialar Caris (Farscape) and Ba'al (Stargate SG1). I'm still behind on NaNo *sigh*. I own a '71 VW Beetle called BeeBee. But I haven't passed my driving test. I have attended two sci fi conventions - one in London and one in LA. I play on Facebook more than I should do.

3. Pass the award on to 15 other bloggers
Ooh, this was tough. Some of the bloggers I've chosen are fellow writers and friends, but they're the ones that keep me going, that offer me good advice and a shoulder to cry on when things are difficult. I'm also giving to those bloggers whose professional advice I greatly appreciate. I'm reserving five award places for new discoveries.

navywifeadventures
scarlettparrish
johannaharness
bookewyrme
lydiasharp
thegalaxyexpress
rocketgirls
sfrcontests
9
10

Aiming for the moon

2010-11-10T19:26:00.000Z

Unfortunately, SpectraMagazine hasn't got back to me and this makes me sad. Not just because I'm not going to get To Reach the Dawn published (yet), but because I'd really hoped this magazine went far. I've been behind them almost from launch and was hoping for a long-term relationship. To see it lose to the current ecomonic climate hurts both the writer and the sci fi fan in me.

But the closing of one door means the opening of another. I'm going to re-edit TRtD again, tighten the pose a little more and get someone to beta it for me, then I'm going to submit it to one of the big guns - Tor.

Yes, it's aiming for the moon but I believe in this story, and I believe in myself. It might sound arrogant, but I do think I have what it takes to play in the big league. So I'm going to try, because if you never try you'll never know.

NaNo: Progress to Date

2010-11-05T19:10:00.000Z

NaNo, as you can see from my sidebar, is going really very well. My MMC has totally taken over, which has meant me A) dropping the idea of alternating view points and B) having to mark up chapter two for major changes come the edit. This made me swear a lot at first, but as I continue writing I've seen how those changes make for an expanding plot with a few twists and turns.

In other words enough plot for a novel-length fiction, which is kind of the point.

Writing is a business...

2010-11-02T20:25:00.000Z

Today I finally bit the bullet and emailled SpectraMagazine.

Spectra is where I subbed To Reach the Dawn back in August. At the time, they were saying that all "first wave" subs would be read by mid-September. This then moved to the end of September. On 28th September I received an automatic notice that they were reading my fic.

So I waited. And waited.

The other day I realised that there's been no activity on their website since 4th October. I asked a few friends, who all say "email them". I held back, not wanting to appear rude (even though Spectra said "before October" as a hear-back date).

Today I realised they've not updated Twitter since the start of October either. Spectra is a new publisher with only two editions put out. I've assumed that the worst has happened and, after several deep breaths, emailled them:

I am quite concerned that I've had no news on my fiction submission "TO REACH THE DAWN".

Could you please let me know whether it's accepted or not? If I don't hear by 10th November I shall withdraw my fiction in order to submit elsewhere.

Thank you for your time

I HATED having to do that, but writing is a business. While TRtD is on sub to them, I can't sub it elsewhere. I can't get it published or earn from it. Therefore, email *sighs*

Countdown to NaNo: Three Days to Go

2010-10-29T22:13:00.001+01:00

I still have no outline. I go blank after a certain amount of lines, because I don't know what my characters are going to do so how can I possibly plan beyond that?

So while other people are singing the praises of techniques like the Snowflake Method (tried and doesn't work for me), I'm still stuck on my planned two chapters and rough plot points.

Countdown to NaNo: Five Days to Go

2010-10-27T16:26:00.002+01:00

After waiting almost all of October for Scrivener, I wasn't very impressed by the offering and so am using yWriter as usual. I'd use StoryBook, but for the annoying tendancy to label scenes with the actual day.

So the project file is started and saved, automatic saving enabled and my word count target set up. Time to start filling in the blanks. Today I'm concentrating on characters.

My MMC is Nath Valentine, the black sheep of a mobster family, living at the butt end of the galaxy in an attempt not to get involved. The FMC is Kara Montford, a diplomat trying to bring law and order to a gang war-torn solar system who quite literally crashes into Nath's life. Then we have Lucas Stewart, officer in the largely ineffectual galactic police who's been trying to close Nath's establishment for years and challenger for Kara's affections. There is also a small cast of secondary and incidentary characters who need names/development, which I've not really gotten around to as yet.

Writing for fun

2010-10-22T20:56:00.000+01:00

I have a confession - I write fan fiction.

Some of those reading this blog will already be aware of this. Others will not. Some will, no doubt, tut and mutter about a waste of time, an infringement of copyright and half a dozen other reasons that I've weathered since 1999.

Maybe it's all of those, but it's also something else - really good fun.

Lately, I've found myself writing fanfic based on Stargate SG1 again, with one small adaptation. I suppose that, after exposing myself to certain episodes, it was a given that I would gravitate to the resident Bad Guy. Especially since this particular Bad Guy specialises in snark and natty outfits that are heavy on the black leather. (Also especially since a Google search of the actor in question brought up a half-naked photo - yum!)

His name is Baal. He's a bossy little whatsit who is single-handledly responsible for me churning out 29,350 words this month. And it's still coming (I have a fic that's currently 12K+ and not complete).

Of course on the first of November, I'll be in Proper Author mode and start on my lovely sci fi noir story. It's sat at the back of my mind, simmering nicely. I want to start on it, but right now I'm happy to just doss about and have a little fun.

"Seiren Shadows"

2010-10-05T16:52:00.000+01:00

Is now available in the fall issue of Dark Gothic Resurrected, under the pseudonym Dee Tass.

Excuse me while I explode with glee.

Inspiration: Gliese 581g

2010-09-30T20:29:00.004+01:00

Astronomers find Earth-like planet

The habitable planet is 20 light years away, orbiting a red dwarf star called Gliese 581. It's "tidally locked" which means the same side always faces the sun, with the habitable area being in the "terminator" - basically the division between light and dark areas.

So colonists are going to find themselves living in a permanent twilight (good for sparkly vampires, then) and a wee bit chilly - temperatures are estimated to range from -31 to -12 degrees Celsius.

Bother

2010-09-30T00:04:00.000+01:00

After watching a certain sci fi show (not Farscape, for once) the other day, I ended up dreaming about one of the minor characters. This is never a Good Sign - it invariably means said character has gotten into my head. I managed to ignore him for most of the morning by the simple expedient of doing housework, but then came lunch and a break and almost immediately I had his voice whispering in my ear.

Still, nothing might have happened had I not browsed some screencaptures and found a picture of said character in a three-piece suit. Gangsta, I thought, and thus the bones of a plot were born.

Renaming him Nath Valentine (okay, he came up with that), I'm now in the very early stages of developing what is going to be a "science fiction noir". Think Casablanca in space and with less Nazis and you'd not be far off the idea as it currently exists.

This now means I have no less than four ideas for NaNoWriMo, one (or possibly two) of which I have to decide on so I can get plotting. Oy.

Finish That Damn Book Sunday

2010-09-26T18:32:00.017+01:00

I've joined Absolute Write's Finish That Damn Book challenge, an ongoing thread supporting those working through a WIP.

My aim is a minimum of 300 new words a day on TRtS, before I do any editing, plotting or divving about on Facebook. I am to report to this blog every Sunday with updates on my progress.

Poem: Science Fiction

2010-09-23T09:47:00.001+01:00

A million million points of light
Break the dark firmament of the night
Sky, once the world has gone to bed.
To sleep, perchance to dream of lives
Less ordinary than the ones we have.
While the stars shine on,
Distant, unobtainable.
We are all made of such dust
Can we therefore wish upon ourselves
To dream the impossible and perhaps
Venture there by imagination?
A universe of endless wonder waits
For us beyond the ties
Of humbler, smaller, human lives

©Misa Buckley, 2010

One day, it will be mine!

2010-09-22T20:52:00.002+01:00

I follow SFWA on Facebook and they often update with their latest active member. Like so:

To become an active member one needs to have three qualifying short story sales, one qualifying novel sale, or one professionally produced full-length dramatic script. Most of those joining the ranks have managed to get a novel published.

It at once induces both liver-gnawing jealousy and the desire to have such an update with my name on it. In the words of Wayne Campbell - "It will be mine. Oh yes! One day, it will be mine!"

Lego Sci Fi!

2010-09-20T18:08:00.000+01:00

I WANT ONE OF THESE!!! (Only could I have the 'Lantis Gate, please?)

I'm not sure who's piece of genius this is, but I love it. And blast.com has a whole article dedicated to such geniuses who have far too much time, money and... ah, Lego blocks.

Happy New Year!

2010-09-08T08:16:00.001+01:00

No, I'm not three months early but rather celebrating the new school year. Hubby has just left, kids in tow, and a great silence has descended over my house for the first time in six long weeks.

I'm going to take a while to bask in the quiet, then get to work.

My word count goal for September is 30K, of which I have about 2 so far. I desperately need to rack that up to something decent and here's how it's shaking down:

To Recover the Satellites - I've reached the First Encounter scene between Corin and Ella. This is tricky, because there are issues that need covering but I also have to remember that he's just come round after nearly dying and is still very ill. I need to get this scene down and out of betas, then I can move on.

Maps and Legends - I have 50K of brain vomit written during NaNo '08 to sift through. Some can be saved with a good edit, some is shite and needs dumping as such. I also have half an outline that needs clarifying. M&L is an erotic fantasy that has three volumes of roughly 50K a piece. I'd like to get volume one is some semblence of order before November, as I'm now planning on writing volume two for this year's NaNo.

And I may have submissions to deal with, depending on whether Spectra pick up To Reach the Dawn or not.

So that's September accounted for, then.

Dear Writer

2010-08-30T19:09:00.001+01:00

Some people are so insecure about their writing that they have to justify it. Believing that what they write is somehow "better" than other genres is one way of them doing that.

Let me say this: every genre has its place. A story is a story is a story.

It doesn't matter if it's a literary novel or a western or a crime story or an erotic romance. If you write well, nothing else matters.

Writing is a venture on which everyone has an opinion. Some are based on knowing the publishing world, on real experience. Others just go on hearsay and the phrase "Well, everyone knows that..."

Being a writer means shifting through these opinions for the ones that are worthwhile. Listening to the naysayers will get you down and have a detrimental effect on your blood pressure. Such people will make sweeping statements based on very little evidence. Ignore them.

Those you need to listen to are those that believe every story is a worthwhile tale, that believe others will find it so also.

Your novel is not going to change the world, but how many books really have? If it touches one person - just one - then you've achieved something great.

15 Degrees of Inspiration

2010-08-23T22:48:00.028+01:00

Inspired by posts from Lydia Sharp and K.M. Weiland, I thought I'd share my inspiration for To Recover the Satellites.

1.

Um, yes. Quite simply the entire novel wouldn't exist without this man.

Of the many screencaps I have (and believe me, that's an awful lot) I'm posting this one because it's a) very early on in his arc and he's very much the bastard in this episode, and b) "shoot first, ask questions later" is definitely my MC's philosophy.

2.

Ella. Or Jaime Ray Newman.

3.

The Eureka Maru doesn't look much like the Cassiopeia, but their origins are very similiar in that they're both the space equivalent of backyard bangers.

4.

Also "borrowed" from Andromeda is the concept of an AI/avatar, though Cassie only ever appears as a hologram.

5.

6.

7 and 8.

In my mind, Genesis is a combination of these, but much bigger. Much, much bigger.

9.

The song from where I kind of sort of borrowed the title (even though the lyrics have little to do with the novel, I love this song *g*)

10.
Butterflies & Hurricanes by Muse (embedding disabled, sorry). If Corin had a theme tune, this would be it.
(Also? I saw this that performance live *squees*)

11.

Or possibly this one.

12.

13.

Artwork by Daniel James Cox

TRtS - romance and great, big space battles *g*

14.
And starring a ragtag band of misfits, LOL

15.

Okay, so that's cheating but a) he really is important enough to mention twice and b) are you really complaining? He's pretty!

Back in the game

2010-08-15T14:07:00.000+01:00

Today I've finished editing To Reach the Dawn, a not-so-new short fiction that is now on submission to Spectra Magazine.

Not sure what the response time is, but I know that they're closing submissions for the next issue tomorrow.

Stellar Explosion

2010-08-11T14:36:00.000+01:00

Astronomers using ESO’s Very Large Telescope have for the first time obtained a three-dimensional view of the distribution of the innermost material expelled by a recently exploded star. The original blast was not only powerful, according to the new results. It was also more concentrated in one particular direction. This is a strong indication that the supernova must have been very turbulent, supporting the most recent computer models.

Read more...

That is a fabulous image, but I love "Very Large Telescope" for a name. It might lack poetry, but it does do exactly what it says on the tin.

Staying on course

2010-08-10T12:50:00.001+01:00

I've signed up for iggi and gabi's DIY MFA which I'm hoping will spark some ideas, since I'm terribly short of at the moment.

Also, Start in Salford will be running the creative writing course again in September - w00t! I signed up yesterday and I'm already eager to get going.

The finish line?

2010-08-08T12:21:00.001+01:00

The Clarion Write-a-Thon has come to an end and I hit my target. I'd stated a total of 21,000 words and wrote 22,540. Of course that 22.5K needs a fair bit of editing, but I'm satisfied at what I've managed to pin down.

So what's next? Well I signed up for AugNo and I've also joined NIP - both with the intention of finally getting the first draft of TRtS written.

I've also become a member of the SFR Brigade, which promotes science fiction romance as a genre.

Constellation Awards

2010-08-07T15:54:00.000+01:00

The Constellation Awards are Canada's annual science fiction awards focused on rewarding excellence in science fiction film and television. Now in its fourth year, the awards celebrate and honour the actors, writers, and technical artists behind the best of today's science fiction film and TV works - with an added focus on Canadian contributions to science fiction film and television.

This year's nominations are covering such shows as Doctor Who, Torchwood and Stargate Universe amongst others, with British actors David Tennant (the Doctor) and Gareth David-Lloyd (Ianto, Torchwood) up for Best Male Performance in a 2009 Science Fiction Television Episode

Why I'm Supporting the Clarion Write-a-Thon

2010-07-28T16:16:00.001+01:00

I'm not American. I'm a British writer that's been to the States just once, to attend a sci fi convention. So why, you ask, am I supporting an American writers' group such as Clarion?

There are few writers' groups in the UK. The closest to me is in Manchester city centre, but my other commitments plus a lack of transport means I'm pretty much stuck at home. The writers I chat to are those on websites - Absolute Write and StringingWords amongst others.

And while I wring my hands and look at places like Clarion and wish, I know even if I was in San Diego or Seattle, or even Brisbane, Australia that I couldn't afford to get in without a sponsor.

So that's why I'm doing the Write-a-Thon. To help raise funds to support writers who are close to Clarion's sites but can afford the workshops. I also hope that British support might encourage Clarion to expand to the UK.

If you've ever struggled through a piece of prose on your own, if you've ever wished that you could just talk to someone about writing, then please help me support Clarion.

Thank you.

Querying Agents

2010-07-23T21:47:00.001+01:00

Please note this is not my list - it was posted on Absolute Write by Jackie Kessler (dragonjax), and is only copied here for my own reference.

1. Go to http://www.agentquery.com and do a search specific for agents who represent fantasy -- and I'd further tailor this list to see who reps my particular sub-genre of fantasy. Then I'd prune this list according to who is accepting new clients.

2. Once I have that list, I'd go to Publishers Marketplace and find out what those agents' recent sales have been. NOTE: Not all agents report their sales (mine doesn't; I reported the sale, with his blessing). But this is still a good sampling of whether the agents are really concentrating on your genre or not.

3. Next stop: Preditors & Editors. Any "not recommended" tags? If so, cross those names off the list. Period. Don't try to talk yourself into querying them "just in case." They're not recommended for a reason.

4. And next: Beware and Background Check here, and Writer Beware at SFWA. Hey, just because they're not "not recommended" doesn't mean they're decent agents. ANY yahoo could hang an "agent" sign up and claim to be a literary agent. Hell, I could claim to be an agent.

5. Then I'd Google the hell out of the remaining names, find out who some of their better-known clients are and sniff out any obvious dirt.

6. Next, I'd ask my author buddies if they have any feedback on the remaining names: personal experiences, especially.

7. And then, finally, I'd send out my killer query to those remaining on my list.

Future Access for All

2010-07-18T10:46:00.003+01:00

I'm in the [very] early stages of devising a plot for Redstone's Accessible Future contest. I haven't actually written a differently-abled character before, a fact I'm frankly rather ashamed about (another failure is my lack of coloured characters) so this contest is firstly a challenge to myself.

What I want to avoid is a plot that is "positively discriminative", because I believe that would imply a negative difference in ability. That disability is something to make allowances for, rather than accepted as fact.

It's not even a case of "disability" when you're dealing with science fiction - just think of the different forms of aliens that could be encountered. Non-humanoid aliens that might not have legs or other limbs. That have different senses.

The question is - do I make it obvious that such things are accounted for, or would that negate the point of the challenge?

As I've been thinking about this aspect, one of my favourite sci fi shows has come to mind. In Farscape, the main ship has ramps between floor levels, a natural occurence since she's a biomechanoid, but something that makes her accessable for all species. It's never mentioned, just there.

And I think that's the tone I want to aim for.

First chapter feedback!

2010-07-16T09:06:00.002+01:00

A few days ago I pasted together my first chapter of TRtS, edited it and then sent it off to three betas. Okay, one was a friend from whom I expected a reasonably glowing review, but the other two were proper betas, who would not have held back if my prose sucked.

That's not to say it's come back without some comments. I drift into a passive voice on occasions and there's a couple of typos Word deemed not to pick up, but overall the reports are of a pacy, readable story that grabs the reader and doesn't overwhelm them with tech.

Exactly what I wanted to achieve, so win!

Write-a-Thon: Day 3

2010-06-29T20:34:00.003+01:00

Since kicking off my Write-a-Thon on Sunday I've managed to write 3,259 words, which I'm sure you'll agree isn't too shabby. It's certainly topping my goal of 500 words a day.

I'm glad of this buffer though - one thing I need to do (now that Corin had taken over) is to reflect the changes made by adding two scenes across the board. So far that's only been minor edits, but for the next scene - the opener of chapter 3 - there are more major edits to be made.

Now before anyone moans at me for editing before I've finished the first draft, let me say this - I have to make these changes now, because the entire tone of the novel has changed. Also I don't read through the whole thing before I start writing for the day - so if I leave the "errors" in they'll end up repeated, which will make editing post first draft a harder task.

Editing as I go is a good thing - I'm managing to keep forward momentum while tightening up the prose. My characters are becoming more defined, their personalities are starting to emerge.

Yes, I'll need to edit once it's written and tighten things up further, but the bulk of the work will [hopefully] be done.

I am an anarchist

2010-06-27T11:01:00.001+01:00

So Clarion's Write-a-Thon has started, and I'm busily doing some research to create the name of my universal government. Since copyright will whoop my ass if I use "Peacekeepers", it's time to navigate to thesaurus.com and throw a few words in its general direction.

Scratching off the serial numbers is a fun, if time-consuming process. I've not just stripped down to the bones, but even rearranged the skeleton. There are elements that some fans will recognise, but the basic ideas are those that have been told in stories for ever and a day.

The Directive of TRtS is a government in its final days. If wide-spread corruption wasn't bad enough, they're about to face the most fearsome enemy yet... and they're going to fail.

Dismantling a government is almost as fun as scratching off serial numbers.

Write-a-Thon

2010-06-21T21:29:00.001+01:00

I've signed up for Clarion's Write-a-Thon, aiming to establish the middle part of TRtS. My Writer Page is here.

Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Character Arcs

2010-06-13T14:03:00.002+01:00

Reading Wordplay's blog on character arcs made me think (sort of the point, I think).

Corin (TRtS) has a very defined arc. His story is one of redemption, going from cold military commander to a man with heart and honour, but [hopefully] without losing any of his sense of self. This theme is almost the central one - the personal journal that runs parallel to the action.

But Corin isn't TRtS's central character. That's Ella.

If Corin's character arc is about redemption, then Ella's is almost about pollution. At the beginning of the story she is a very idealistic young woman - she saves Corin because she thinks that he can become more - but she doesn't really understand what the consequences of doing that will be.

Her idealism is eroded by the hard practicalities of life and war. She takes a life, something she swore never to do, and so loses her innocence. She doesn't quite swap places with Corin, but it's definitely a case of them moving towards each other than one adapting to the other.

Of being not dead

2010-06-08T14:50:00.000+01:00

Time.

For the longest time I have had writers' block, which I'm still struggling through, but for the past seven weeks I've also been laptopless. My beloved Acer suffered a severe screen malfunction and went into repair. Where it's been for nearly three weeks without much news.

Thankfully, I've managed to get a new laptop on HP. It's a rather large Toshiba, running on Windows 7, so I've lots to get used to. But I've spent an afternoon on it so far and getting there.

This will, I hope, mean there will be updates on my writing soon.

Muse, oh Muse! Wherefor art thou Muse?

2010-04-11T17:39:00.001+01:00

For crying out loud! It's been over a month since I wrote anything original. I've managed a 5K fanfic, but even that was like getting blood from a stone.

I just don't know where my inspiration has gone, but it well and truly has.

A glimmer of light

2010-04-03T21:44:00.001+01:00

Firstly, thanks to everyone who offered me congratulations on my sub acceptence - it's greatly appreciated.

Secondly, reading a post on the Bordello stirred my muse and gave me the glimmer of an idea. It requires some research, which I'm currently doing, but it has interesting possibilities. I even feel a little excited at the prospect.

Accepted!

2010-03-30T15:35:00.003+01:00

Seiren Shadows has been accepted to Dark Gothic Resurrected! It will be included in the October issue. The editor said that she "LOVED it" and found it "so sensual and eerie", which I'm really pleased with.

So I am a [soon-to-be] published author!

Posted via web from misaditas' posterous

Still nothing

2010-03-27T13:41:00.001Z

Writing has pretty much come to a complete standstill. Even fanfic, my usual fall-back-on, isn't happening really. I don't really know why, just that inspiration and desire seem to have [temporarily] dried up.

April sees the start of ScriptFrenzy. I'm going to do a comic script of an old fanfic, and I'm hoping the difference in approach will spark the creative juices (I think I've mashed similies there, lol).

April also sees the start of the SciFiBigBang's writing period. Fanfic again, this time a crack combination of Farscape and Stargate Atlantis. Just because, really. That will be fun *g*

Other than that? Nadda. Zip. Zilch.

I'm looking at restarting my jewellery making, just so I have something to keep my fingers busy.

A Somewhat Personal Post

2010-03-19T16:50:00.000Z

Today saw me attend a second appointment at the mental health clinic.

Depression has been something with which I've struggled since the birth of my second child, when I suffered post natal depression. I have severe mood swings and can go from happy to very down quickly. The periods also last for longer spells. My recent non-writing is a symptom of a downswing.

Anyway, the doctor at the clinic is going to refer me to a sort of art therapy place. It does proper lessons in various crafts, including creative writing. Obviously I'm going to do that, and they also do an art course that I'm interested in. I want to get back into my drawing, even if I'm not terribly good at it.

Intake is every six weeks, so I'm looking at the end of April. That works fine, because it'll be after the Easter holidays and means I won't have an interruption.

The other "prescription" I have is to get out of the house for at least ten minutes a day. She was also very pleased to hear about my Beetle project, because that gives me a focus. It's a holistic approach to dealing with my problems and that is exactly what I wanted.

Word Desert

2010-03-10T08:31:00.001Z

I greeted March with wild enthusiasm, all set to Write Words and put a serious dent in one of my WIPs.

10 days in and I've written... *drum roll*... 300 words.

I don't know why. I've just... I've wanted to write, but when I've finished what needs doing around the house and with the kids, and sat down with my laptop... nothing has happened. Nothing other than me trailing around on message boards or arsing about on Facebook.

I feel like my drive has gone. This has happened before, but never to this extent. I've never gone for so long without writing anything.

The worst thing is, the longer it goes on, the guiltier I feel. The guiltier I feel, the more stressed I become. And I can't write when I'm stressed. The words get caught up in an emotional bottle-neck. Then the whole damn cycle starts over.

It will pass. I know, because I've been here before. I'll probably be here again. It's just travelling the desert and getting to the other side, hopefully not taking forty years to do so.

Me, Myself and I

2010-03-06T11:38:00.002Z

I know who am I, but very few people see the real me. Like the Witch in Return to Oz, I have a hundred heads that I wear for different occasions. Most of it is down to being the person I think others expect to see.

When I go to school, I am the Organised Mother (well, sort of organised!). I'll chat to teachers and nod and smile and yes, I'll make sure homework is done, school books are read, P.E. kits come in. Thing is I'm not naturally organised. I have lists and schedules pinned up to remind myself.

When I visit my parents, I become the Homily Daughter. I wouldn't do anything that they wouldn't agree with. They don't know about the erotic stories sat on my hard drive. They don't know I left my family to fly halfway around the world. They hardly know about the people that (horror of horrors!) I've met on the internet.

Even with my husband, I'll bite back certain comments, not speak about certain things. Being who they want (or at least my version) and not who I really am.

It's about defense, but I'm not sure whom I'm protecting - them and their belief in me? Or myself, because I find opening up extremely hard to do? Perhaps I believe they would be disappointed in the real me, not love me as much, not accept me so readily.

Whatever the reasons, it's not something that I can avoid doing. It's how I am, how I handle people. How I handle myself in a given situation. I guess it's just me.

Written for Josie's Writing Workshop

And so say all of us

2010-02-25T09:18:00.001Z

I don't have a personal motto as such, but I do have a favourite quote. I used to have it as part of my signature on every forum I'm a member of, but I've cut back. That doesn't mean it's no longer important. It will always be important.

It comes, unsurprising, from Lani Tupu. This man has had the most influence on my writing, one way or another.

Once upon a time I loved a show called Farscape. Through a series of events that I'm not going to go into now, I fell out of the fandom and stopped writing (at that time I was solely writing fanfic). In 2007, almost five years after all that, I rewatched it.

Very, very quickly I remembered why I loved it, and why I loved the character I did. Within the space of two episodes, I found my fingers itching to write again. I picked up a very old fanfic and began to write. That was October. By November, I was deep in NaNoWriMo, writing an epic fic. December, someone told me that it was too good to sit on a fansite and that I should rewrite it as original.

Now "scratching off the serial numbers" (as it was put) sounds easy, but let me tell you - it wasn't. I had to reinvent the wheel, redefine characters, and rewrite everything I'd done. There were times I felt despair, that I couldn't do it, that I was off my trolley to even try.

Then I read an interview with Lani and one thing he said reached out and clipped me around the head:

"If you take the shackles off your imagination, you can go anywhere with science fiction. It's not earthbound. There are no conventions, other than the ones you want to break, and that's why it's so exciting."

I stopped feeling sorry for myself and buckled down. I snagged that quote and out it in every signature I had, which meant everytime I posted I saw it. Like the proverbial carrot... or stick, it kept me going, kept me focused.

The novel isn't finished yet. It has grown and morphed into something incredibly epic, and it's going to take a long time to write. I'm in no real rush. Sometimes I'll put it aside and work on another project, chopping and changing, keeping myself and my ideas fresh.

It's not the conventional approach to writing, but that is a convention that I chose to break.

Written for Josie's Writing Workshop

Third time's the charm?

2010-02-20T08:38:00.003Z

I've subbed Seiren Shadows to Dark Gothic Resurrected and hoping third time's the charm.

Posted via web from misaditas' posterous

Normal service

2010-02-19T22:24:00.004Z

has resumed (more or less).

I quite like the layout as it is now, sod it. Plus the less I fiddle, the less likely I am to break it again *snerks*

Progress on TRtS is continuing in little, bite-sized pieces. I'm breaking just about every writing rule there is (better than blog layouts, I suppose) - writing out of order, without an outline, rewriting and editing as I go along. I'm having the most fun ever :D

Some semblence of order has actually been beaten into the first chapter. I have three scenes edited. I should get an with it, really. I could do with getting the first three chapters organised by the 27th, for reasons I don't want to go into in case I jinx it.

No home has been found for Seiren Shadows yet. This gives me a sad *woes*

I brokified my layout

2010-02-18T22:15:00.001Z

And guess who'd not backed up her template before she started fiddling. Oy.

Normal service will [hopefully] resume soon.

And again

2010-02-17T21:44:00.001Z

Little Death rejected Seiren Shadows today.

I immediately went through my list of publishers, but I've not found one so far. Might have to do a few more searches. Or maybe I should pull the fiction out and edit/rewrite. I really don't know.

Maybe I'll sit on it for a few days and consider why I want to publish it. I think it's more for the credit than financial reward - you know, just being able to say I'm published, that I'm an author.

Rather than being just a writer. A wannabe.

Posted via web from misaditas' posterous

Opening Pandora's Box

2010-02-10T14:39:00.002Z

I had to do it, didn't? I had to go and read some of TRtS.

Of course at the first glint of light, Corin exploded out like an insane rocket firework, pinged off the walls of my skull and then set fire to every other thought in my head.

So I'm back to working on TRtS.

Dominative muse is dominative.

Although in truth, I adore this WIP with every bone in my body and writing Corin is THE most fun in the world. Except tormenting Crais. That always tops any bill *g*

On the Muse

2010-01-28T14:55:00.003Z

Some people claim there's no such thing as a muse, others swear by them. I don't so much have a muse, as what seems to be another consciousness in my head.

He crashed there, all guns blazing, ten years ago now. Slammed an idea down on the Writing Cortex of my brain and yelled, "Write this now!" Bemused, I did as I was ordered and, once it was done, rather timidly asked, "Now what?"

My muse pointed at the forums I was a member of. "Post it there," he said. I balked. "Post it there." - "But!" - "Post. It. There." - "Okay, okay, keep your hair on."

I posted. Then refreshed the page every five seconds, waiting for a response. Dreading one. What if they thought it was crap? What if they laughed at me?

"Hush," soothed the muse. "It's fine."

And it was. Every response was positive. Some gave gentle crits and pointers, which I took on board. I basked in the glow of having something 'published' and having people enjoy my work. And so began my long road into the Realm of Authorship.

There are times when I feel like I'm writing crap, that I'll never see anything in print. In those times, my muse sidles up and murmurs softly "Hush. It's fine." He taps on the screen and says "Change that" and "It would be better if..." and "Yes. Exactly". He also yells at me. Usually "Write this now!"

I do. I have learnt to trust the loud, pedantic and rather obnoxious voice in my head. He has never, ever steered me wrong. Even when I think he's crazy, once I start I realise yes, that works and he just gives me that smug, know-it-all smirk.

"Bastard," I say.

"Yeah, but you love me anyway."

Oh my boy, how I do.

Dear L

2010-01-22T20:17:00.005Z

This is a thank you to the person who unwittingly has had the most profound effect on my life. I know you have no idea, as I know that you would modestly claim otherwise, but quite simply I would not be the writer I am today without your influence.

I know that because had it not been for what you inspired, I would never have started sharing my work. I would never have found a group of people that read and enjoyed my writing, and gained vital confidence. I just wouldn't. It's highly possible I would not even be writing.

No matter how far down the path I go, I will never forget who first set me on it, will always be incredibly thankful. I just wish I'd had the nerve to tell you this face to face.

Thank you L for unshackling my imagination ;)

Written for Josie's Writing Workshop

boing

2010-01-21T09:44:00.003Z

I bounce well - ask my husband ;)

Seiren Shadows has been subbed to Little Death this morning, because I don't take "No" for an answer. I have a list of places that want short shorts, as it is now, plus some that want them around 4-5K. If I can't get the piece published as is, I'll extend it and try again.

In the meantime, I have a M/M erotic novel to write.

Nothing ventured...

2010-01-20T22:39:00.004Z

"I am sorry to tell you that we have to decline your story as it is not right for Three Crow. Since every publication is different, please do not be discouraged. I encourage you to continue writing and please, market your story out. Thank you for submitting and please submit again in the future."

Nothing gained this time. I won't submit to TCP again unless they have another erotica edition, since neither dark fantasy or horror are genres I normally write it.

As for marketing the story... I simply don't know what markets would accept it. The piece was written for TCP, with no plan if it was rejected. I suppose I could do some research, but I have a novel-in-progress and I'm a little loathe to take time off that.

Let the Wangst commence!

2010-01-13T21:02:00.003Z

Seiren Shadows has been submitted to Three Crow Press.

'Nervous' does not begin to describe it.

A little writerly progress

2010-01-12T12:19:00.000Z

Yesterday, sometime after 10pm, I finished the rough draft of Seiren Shadows, an original erotic dark fantasy short written for submission to Three Crow Press. It has now winged its way to Aggy for beta and I'm waiting on hers as the return favour.

It's over the 3K word limit, but only just, and I figure by the time it's been edited that it should sit nicely under and be all shiny into the bargain.

I'm not sure how I feel (except a little cold, but that's because I'm in my PJs). I think I expected to feel something of an achievement, but I don't. Hm. Maybe because pulling 3K stories out of my head isn't exactly new, though them being original is. Or maybe because finishing is only one of a few hurdles I have to make it over. Who knows?

Submission deadline is the 15th. TCP state a three-week turn around. Renumeration is a cent a word, so it should make me around 30USD, which equates to £18. Little more than pin money, but it's not the cash - it's the credit.

I have to start somewhere. Apparently this start is a 3K piece of smutty filth. There's something very fitting about that *g*

A first for me!

2010-01-09T22:44:00.002Z

Today I finished my very first same-sex piece.

"Jack Rabbit" stands at just under 3K of M/M smut and was the most fun to write. So much so that, if reviews are reasonable, I'm thinking of working out a plot to see if there's a novel-worth of ideas.

I rather like Jack and Mike ;)

Website update

2010-01-08T22:05:00.003Z

I've done some work on my website today - I made a new background (which is now live through Blogger and Twitter) as well as update several pages and add a new section.

Work Online will list work that I've done online, both paid and unpaid.

In writing news, I have 1.4K of a short story for submission to Three Crow Press.

Lori has also dared me to write gay porn, after I said it was something that I've never tried. I have a scene planned, and a title, so I'll see what happens.

Writing Survey

2010-01-06T22:55:00.002Z

Swiped from Lori

What makes a good book to you? Story? Characters? Exotic locations?

For me, it's all about the characters. I need believable characters that I can care for, who intrigue and make me want to learn more. Then there needs to be friction, or some kind of conflict, that challenges the characters and creates drama.

What's your favorite pizza toppings?

Chicken and bacon.

What's the worst thing you've ever done to one of your characters?

Seperated them for eleven years from their One True Love. Oh, wait a minute, that wasn't my character; he was... borrowed. In that case, I think killing off Marianne's mother at the end of A Thousand Words is pretty awful.

Which of your books contains the sexiest love scene?

A Thousand Words.

Which of your covers is your favorite?

Ask me again when I have something published.

Which of your books was the easiest to write? The hardest?

Easiest so far has been A Thousand Words. The hardest is definitely To Recover the Satellites, for very personal reasons.

What is coming in 2010 from you?

Well, I'm going to try and get published. I've got a short story on the go that will be subbed by the 15th, and another in the planning stages. Then there's the novels...

Where can readers find you on the web?

Aside from this blog, I have a website and I'm also on Twitter.

If you could meet any character from any book, who would it be, what would you do and why?

I... have no idea.

Getting serious

2009-12-26T16:18:00.004Z

My recent writing slow-down has prompted me to examine the reason my novels tend to tail off at the 25-30K mark. I know this is because I lose the desire to write, but the question is why. I think the simple fact is that I give up and find it easier to start something new than to slog through the 'boring' stuff that is the sections of novel between the exciting bits.

This clearly has to stop if I ever want to get published. I have to finish a novel before it can go to the editor, agents and whatnot.

So I have come up with a Cunning Plan:

I am going to write 250,000 words during the course of 2010

This equates to 685 a day, 4,795 a week, or 20,550 a month (give or take). This is a minimum goal - meaning I want to write more but I'm going to go easy on myself once these goals are achieved for the day/week/month. After and not before.

I, therefore promise the following:

to write 700 words a day before I do anything else on the laptop. No forum-browsing, no checking of emails; nothing.
to get voice-recognition software and a decent headset.
to spend the time the kids are at school in a responsible manner - going on the internet for research and not socialising.
to give myself permission to write rubbish. As long as it's words, it's good.

Not resolutions, but promises.

The End of Time

2009-12-19T13:44:00.006Z

Sorry, blatant Doctor Who reference. I'm just a little excited about the upcoming finale... though a wee bit sad about losing David *woes*

Anyway, welcome to my end of year post. Special greetings to those from Absolute Write's Blog Chain *waves*

For me 2009 was a year of ups and downs, mostly downs. I'm not going to go into detail, but tomorrow would have been my mother-in-law's birthday. We lost her to cancer just before Easter, and the year didn't really improve from there.

But 2009 has been a year of finding new friends and having them come through for me. I've been delighted to find a bunch of like-minded writers on AW, especially scarletpeaches and thethinker42, who welcomed me to the Bordello with open arms and a proddy stick to get me to post.

It was also the year I finally saw one dream become a reality - the very lovely people on Terra Firma funded mt flight to L.A and Creation's Farscape Convention, basically enabling me to meet the very lovely, very talented Lani Tupu. Who is so much hotter in the flesh (yeah, if this was meant to cure the obsession then it kind of didn't work *giggles*)

That people? Worth the crap.

Below is the Blog Roll. Please read and comment:
Lost Wanderer – lostwanderer5.blogspot.com
Claire Crossdale – theromanticqueryletter.blogspot.com
coryleslie – corrinejackson.wordpress.com
bsolah – benjaminsolah.com
DavidZahir – zahirblue.blogspot.com
RavenCorinnCarluk - ravencorinncarluk.blogspot.com
Ralph Pines – ralfast.wordpress.com
shethinkstoomuch - shethinkstoomuch.wordpress.com
Lady Cat – randomwriterlythoughts.blogspot.com
truelyana - expressiveworld.com (Previous)
collectonian – collectonian.livejournal.com (Up Next!)
laharrison – lesleyharrison.wordpress.com
beawhiz – beawrites.wordpress.com
razibahmed – blogging37.com
FreshHell - freshhell.wordpress.com
AlissaC – alissacarleton.blogspot.com
Aimee – writing.aimeelaine.com

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and best wishes for 2010 *g*

Struggling

2009-12-15T18:12:00.004Z

I have reached the 25K mark with A Thousand Words... and my writing is starting to flag.

Though I love the story, getting the every day detail down is wearing and I wonder if people are actually going to read all the "filler" or just skip to the next smutty part. I know that it's easier to read 1K than it is to write it but... seriously, it's like giving birth to an elephant right now.

On top of that, waiting for an answer to something is revealing that I am mentally ill-equipped to be an author. I'm checking my email account every other hour and fretting. I have no fingernails.

Worst thing is, this is not even an official submission - how bad am I going to be when I'm subbing actual novels to actual agents? Geez.

Book Review: House of Cards

2009-12-10T15:32:00.002Z

Written by by Keith R.A. DeCandido, House of Cards is wildly recognised by fans as the only decent Farscape tie-in novel.

I have to say that I did enjoy it. All the characters were spot on, especially Aeryn, and the storyline was a lot of fun. I particularly liked Crichton's references to Vegas, but that might have more to do with David Frankin's performance at the Creation Cabaret than anything else.

There was even a tiny glimpse of my boy Crais, abet in flashback. I take what I can get and, coupled with the deliciousness that was his cameo in D'Argo's Trial, I had a good week.

So this is where the waiting starts

2009-12-04T17:43:00.000Z

Checking my Yahoo inbox as I do periodically throughout any one day, I found an email from Keith RA DeCandido, requesting a sample of my writing.

I stared. I made a small squeaky noise. I clapped one hand over my mouth and made more squeaky noises. Then I flailed a little as I tried to figure out what to send.

Okay, so the last time we talked about this I pulled out The Art of War. I rewrote it and ran it past a beta. Several times over the course of about three days. TAoW is now very shiny. It's also not what I sent. After reading Keith's Brotherly Love, I decided that TAoW resembled it - accidentally, I might add - rather too closely and sent Lost Children; a coda to the episode Green Eyed Monster.

I sent a follow-up email, making sure the attachment had worked and that he'd been able to open the document (since I have an old verios of Word). It did and he had.

He'll be reading it to see if I'm as good as I think I am. If so, he'll pimp me to BOOM! I have no idea how long that process will take, so this is where the waiting starts

Outlining

2009-12-02T14:36:00.005Z

I've never been great at outlining. Even at school, when I did Computing and wrote programs, I'd create the program and then fill in the planning forms afterwards. The one time I did outline, I used the Snowflake method and managed to plot almost ever aspect of the fiction... then lost all desire to write it.

I'm a creator, not a planner.

And then I got the idea for A Thousand Words. Almost immediately, I had a beginning, middle and end. I knew what scenes I wanted and where they were going to go. Once NaNo was over, I opened a new Word document and wrote down the list.

Not everything is in there. There are scenes I'm not so sure of because I need to do some research. But I have an outline, for the first time ever.

I think this has been easier because the story came to me as a whole, rather than just the spark of "Wouldn't it be great if..." I didn't try to outline, the story just had its own framework.

Perhaps it's because the format is familiar - I've read enough romances, erotic and otherwise, to know what the audience expects and I'm not breaking any new ground with ATW. On the other hand, it could be that this IS my genre and it comes to me naturally.

I'll guess I shall see. If I finish ATW. If I get another idea for a contempory novel. If that idea comes with an outline.

But I could have hit a new level in my writing, which would be nice.

Last NaNo Update

2009-11-30T16:31:00.001Z

Well, I won. Still not entirely sure how I managed to scrape back from a 20K deficit, but I did.

It broke down as follows:

To Recover the Satellites - 37,026
A Thousand Words - 13,218

Still Alive

2009-11-29T22:12:00.003Z

I know, it's been a while since I last updated, but I've been deep in NaNo'ing. I've written over 35K on To Recover the Satellites and I've a new WIP called A Thousand Words, which stands at almost 9K.

ATW is an erotic romance that I described on Absolute Write as "a travelogue with added sex". I'm expressing my latent desire to ~~move~~ go to New Zealand by having my FMC travel there.

2009-11-13T15:51:00.001Z

Meh, I can’t believe it’s a week from the convention already. Where the hell did that go? *sighs* Although I’ve not hit a depressive trough, the fact that my meeting Lani is history does give me something of a sad. I think what gets me more is knowing the memories will fade. Stupid brain.

In other news… I’ve been trying to write, and failing. I’m 10K behind with NaNo, the SciFiBigBang fic is all but non-existant, and my attempt to make a start on the next ScapeCast article ended with me watching Mind the Baby (fun, but hardly productive).

I know I’m still exhausted from the con and that I have a bad cold, so I’m trying to cut myself a little slack, but I am feeling rather overwhelmed. I’m wondering whether to call time on NaNo and ease the pressure. On the other hand, I badly want to get TRtS out of my head and down on paper.

I need to plot it out. I need to know what happens beyond the first scenes. The NaNo pep talk was about the middle of the story, about how it’s often unknown territory and yes, that’s exactly how it is for me. So I’m skirting around it and avoiding stepping out.

The only problem with that is that if I don’t venture into the unknown, I ain’t ever going to reach the other side

Con Report

2009-11-11T15:50:00.000Z

coming soon

The Making of a Conbook

2009-11-04T12:07:00.005Z

With Creation's 3rd Final Frellin' Farewell just two days away, I've finally gotten around to putting together the messages to Lani from Farscape fans into a book (known as a 'conbook' for obvious reasons). I didn't get as many entries as I'd hoped I would, but I was still determined to make the book as pretty as I could.

Here's the conbook in all its glory. I'm really pleased with how it's turned out and I hope Lani is going to like it. I think he will do.

The paper is cream-coloured with machine-deckled edging. I wanted a rougher look, but this was all I could find. Once I'd arranged the entries in Word, I printed them out one at a time, at the highest quality my printer could manage. I then folded each page in half, to create an A5-sized booklet.

There are three 'signatures' (as they're called), each of two pages. These were sewn to a piece of navy blue cardstock in their pairs. The middle spread of each signature was left blank while the sewing was done.

With the inside of the book complete, I turned my attention to the cover. I found the gorgeous navy suede on eBay a while ago. The silver ribbon was out of my stash. This was sewn to the centre of the suede and then I glued another piece of cardstock on top.

I then trimmed the suede and mitred the corners, turning the fabric over the cardstock and gluing it down. The inside of the book was then glued to the cover and both sides weighed down as it dried.

Once the book was done, the larger artwork entries were trimmed and pasted to the blank pages. And there it was, done and gorgeous, even if I do say so myself *g*

NaNo Update

2009-11-03T20:55:00.004Z

I kicked off in good style, racking up a lofty 6,500 on my first day.

Then I began to tail off, managing 1,777 yesterday. Today, after waking up at 4am because of my imminant trip to America, I've written 158. Though I am still writing...

2009-10-31T12:20:00.000Z

http://www.festivalofwriting.com/

http://www.britwriters.co.uk/