I got a star.

And that star is blue and shimmery. I feel...um...lucky. Thanks to Jeffrey Beesler and the gods of random luck for including me on this starcapade.

I will now give you FOUR other exemplary candidates with which to award this most prestigious of accolades:

Patrick Hester - because he writes a lot and he writes often, and he podcasts even more than that. He is an interesting fellow and I expect, nay, I demand excellence from him in his fantastical science-fictiony worlds.

Brian Knight - because he runs and supports a great community of would-be authors seeking to improve and find that eventual day of first publish.

John Anealio - because he amuses the literal crap out of me with his beautiful songs. Have you heard his I Should be Writing song? Or George R.R. Martin is Not Your Bitch? Then you need to get on over to his site and have a listen. Or if you've heard them and want to finally buy them go to http://JohnAnealio.bandcamp.com

Author Mancuso - check out this author's great, stylish sci-fi  world-building. One day they'll be on the shelves next to...me? Hopefully, or at least a few letters down...H and M aren't THAT close.

Blake Charlton - Ok, yes I'm jumping past the limit of 4 (and I'd like to add more), but Blake is hard not to add here too. He's a med student now into his residency (I think), and with Spellwright published, another almost out, with a third to come, and more of course—he is a busy man. Somehow in the middle of all that he managed to pull off a wonderful new story that certainly pulled me into his world. (Don't worry Blake, I'm not expecting you to post this silly little thing on your blog, but...IF you have the time.)

All of these writers are worthy of a visit and a congratulations, however facetious it may be. Now I will notify them of their amazing award.

For my acceptance speech of this starry award, I'm now supposed to share my unique writing habits. Well I don't know if they're that unique, but I'll tell you how I manage the time and muse to put words to the screen.

I write as often as I can in as many different places that I can manage. I write whenever a thought hits. So I have notes that I have typed up on my phone, voice notes I make on my phone, and scribbles that end up getting input in the computer eventually. There are notes that wind up throughout my prose because I can't take the time to find an appropriate place and stash it and there are notes that actually go where they should.

My writing is mostly on BART, breaks and lunch, for a whopping total of about two hours each work day. Though it is split up, with interruptions and often I am mentally unprepared. I do what I can, because that's all I've really got to spend on it. Not a sob story. Just MY sob story. Despite the restrictive time, I feel like progress is being made and my goal of being published may very well come true one day.

Names are Easy. Marketing is Hard.

Patrick Hester, Functional Nerd, and author/blogger/podcaster-extraodinaire posed an interesting note on what is one of the most difficult things for him on his blog recently: Names.

It's funny because of the different stories I've read of his, they all have good to great names. His worry and concern are probably more a mark of a perfectionist, hoping for the very best, than anything else. But it also made me think about the topic of names. Part of my reply is below. Go check out the full post and I (and I'm sure Patrick) would be interested in hearing what you think.

"Names are up there for me too. But it’s all artificial. I think it comes out of a need to feel like you’ve made the perfect character. Who is not only so real they almost breathe–in all their imperfections and convictions but in their name fitting them like a “T”. However, especially in this age, this is just a hole of wasted time we create for ourselves. Call the bloke Sam the Man and then when a great name comes to you eventually through the interactions within the story: “Find and Replace” comes in very handy.


As to your question, sometimes I get a fun character name, but a lot of the time I do as you said, and think of the rest of my names in the MS, pick a letter that hasn’t been used much, sound out some variants and then grab one and go with it. A lot of what goes into a name is not the name but how we build the character. I mean, how boring of a name is Harry Potter? (Sorry to anybody out there actually named Harry Potter, but it’s not like I’m named Xavier MacFillion or anything.) It’s all about marketing, and I think you know a thing or two about that..."

So in other words, like many aspects of world-building. Don't worry. Make a silly, or normal name. Make it quick and move on. You need to finish that story and getting mired in the world won't help your story-arc...usually. If you write compelling characters, have an interesting plot and weave a good story it will sell your character names, your place names and everything else. How about Google? What a goofy name. Yet it is now part of the language and almost synomous with cool intelligence.

I'll take a couple steps backward in my conviction by noting that it might all depend on how you work. Perhaps you have story elements tied into the name and it needs to be perfect because many other things play off of it. Now looking at it that way I will agree that many elements in a story get tied to and back to many other things. If not, you aren't being very cohesive and your story might seem to lack flow. However, don't forget: You can revise. So if you find something holding you up from creating your Opus, make a quick fix and move on. Writing a novel is not easy, it isn't done in a day, and it certainly isn't done in one pass. I'm on the third draft of Hestea Hammerblood, more like the fourth and I can still see a lot to finish up. 'Course I'm not a professional. I haven't gotten paid yet for any of this foolishness, so what do I know?

What do you think?

Bad News is Good News

I'm apparently enjoying titles with an aspect of conflict recently.

Todd Newton posted an interesting piece about why he encourages everyone to review his book the Ninth Avatar, whether they liked it or not. Check it out here: http://initialdraft.blogspot.com/2010/09/importance-of-reviews.html

I find this interesting because it conflicts with my opinion. I was of the feeling that I shouldn't bother to write a review for a book I disliked because it was of a negative aspect and I wanted to focus on the positive. Problem is that there is some disingenuity to that. And I want to be honest. Obviously everything I write is my opinion though. So if I dislike a book, it does not mean that another will find it the same way. In fact I will point out a particularly well watched and reviewed movie: Batman Begins. I could not get into this movie. I have my reasons why I didn't conform with the masses, but I loved the Dark Knight. Absolutely.

A lot of it has to do with our expectations and prior experiences. I've heard of a lot of anger from X-Men comic fans regarding the X-Men movies, but I liked each one. Why? I had little expectation going in. I read some X-Men story lines when I was a kid, but I never collected them. (Simple fact for any person offended by that is  I didn't like coming in late to such a large series—I felt lost as to how to approach it.)

The reverse is probably true if you have the background necessary to enjoy a certain piece, whereas a layperson does not.

So I am considering reviewing about books I did not like. Not to dismiss the author, or garner visits from those interested in controversy, but because I like to discuss books. How they work, and...how they don't.

So how do you approach reviews? What is your opinion on the matter?

To Blog for Me, or Blog for Free?

That is the question. Or rather my wonderings and whatnots are specifically wondering if I should look into blogging on a well-known blog to gain interest in my own and thereby: my writing. Currently I blog for me. Yes it's free, but it is on my own site. I own the content, can do whatever I want, whenever. If I blog for another it will be less for me and more for free (not taking into account the benefits down the road).

I hear of a couple that are looking for contributors, and they seem like they would be a good fit. I'd name names, but I'm not sure if that information is free to be shared. So for those of you that know better, feel free to name them for me in my comments.

But...

Is there a point to blogging for free on another's site? Are there those "benefits" down the road, that I hope for?

What do I want out of blogging anyway?

Foremost in my mind are thoughts of building an audience that knows me and finds interest in my future novels and art. Secondly, I think of all the experience I'll gain by working out my thoughts on "paper" and hearing from the masses and the more experienced--of which there are so many. Yikes!

It seems too simple to say, "Of course it will help build me as a brand," but then nothing is simple. Blogging time takes away from creative writing time. Spending more, would take away even...more. And who's to say someone will even click over from another blog to my own. I expect some will. But will the traffic increase be worthwhile?

There is money to consider, which would make the decision easier. But is there money in blogging for me? In the near future I don't see any direct money from it (yes, the ads are THAT successful). It is a vehicle for me to form thoughts, network, and to talk about my novels (eventually), oh yeah...art too--well, I will again...at some point. I swear. (In fact I have a specific project in mind that will bring that back to the fore, but my 3rd draft agony has been delaying that. Ok, not agony. Just delayed gratification...ewwww. Mind out of gutter. Now.)

What are your thoughts? Anyone do the same that saw a benefit and what was that benefit? Any detriments? How about condiments?

Ok, I'm done. Now your turn.

To Hate is to Love? A guide to creative success.

I have this absolutely absurd theory: That an anti-fan club is a greater sign of success than a fan club.

What? You ask. First let me preface by saying I often think of how I can make a full time living as a writer and artist. In those thoughts I consider how I might grow an audience and make enough money to not need a "day job".

As a creative, I know that I can not possibly please everyone, no matter how good I get in my craft. I could write an improbably wonderful novel or create a beautiful illustration and in the subjective eye of many it will appear either wonderful, passable, drab, horrible, uninspired, and any other descriptor that may come to the mind of the masses. It is a simple fact we all have to live with IF we want success, because everyone's taste is subjective: colored by their world-view and experiences thus far.

Most creatives start out in a vastly different environment, amongst a heyday of appraise from friends and family and a small (but growing) network of supporters.

But one day, if we're lucky, that will all change.

One day hundreds, thousands, maybe even millions will want to see, read, listen, experience and talk about your work. Here comes the problem: Criticism. I know that during a creative's rise, they will invariably face constructive critiques, but in large they will be tempered by the knowledge that this individual is trying to improve and words are held back. Encouragement is the focus.

Once the cloak of obscurity is removed though, there can be a loss of interest in stroking egoes. Brutal honesty, even rabid attacks come forward. I've heard Brandon Sanderson mention before that after a while he stopped reading the reviews...because it was too much of a downer and a poor use of his time (perhaps engendering too much doubt as well). We can't please them all. It's not possible. To do so would make our work lifeless and dull...well, except to those few people that actually like, lifeless and dull.

If you are lucky enough to rise to such meteoric success, then you may very well have the extreme prestige of an anti-fan club with the likes of Rowling, Meyer, Tolkien, etc. With Great Fame comes Great Loathing. Be prepared.

With this in mind, I wonder: Is it the Fame that brings the Loathing, or is it the Loathing that brings the Fame?

Spurious claims you say? Maybe.

Since I am not yet popular, I lack a fan OR anti-fan club to say for sure. I know I can not yet earn the former, but can I ask for the latter? Would having an anti-fan club elevate me to fame and prosperity?

Or would it just be really, really mean?

Because I'm absurd like that, I'd like to take a moment now to ask if anybody wants to register and run http://www.cliftonhillsucks.com/. Any takers? (Just keep in mind that you might get some angry Canadians, as Clifton Hill is also a major tourist promenade in Canada, close to Niagara Falls. Or you could get some annoyed Aussies, as it is also a suburb near Melbourne, among other localities.)

I suppose nobody will take on the task. So I will bide my time and hope that one day I am popular enough to earn my very own...anti-fan club.

Book Review: Elantris, by Brandon Sanderson

Mass Market Paperback: 656 pages
Publisher: Tor Fantasy (May 30, 2006)
ISBN-10: 0765350378
ISBN-13: 978-0765350374

Why Elantris? I always meant to review some of Sanderson's work, but never got around to it. The Way of Kings just came out (which I itch to read), so he is fresh in my mind. Here I go.

Elantris was Sandersons's first published book in 2005. I read it (as many did) when we heard of an unknown author that had been chosen to complete the beloved (though, also ridiculed) Wheel of Time by the late Robert Jordan. There was also Mistborn to choose from (released 2006), when it was announced in December 2007 that Sanderson would be taking the reigns for the massive series. I chose to start reading Elantris first, because, well, I like order.

It starts off with a great conflict and premise, and gives you a reason to continue reading, as you seek to uncover the plight of the Elantrians and the disaster of the Reod; which has affected far more than just the once-great city of Elantris.

My great complaint with Elantris is that, except for a few exceptions, the characters are not always consistent or fully conceived. Raoden is well done and comes to life; but the purportedly intelligent Sarene lacks the support to convince me that she is more than just surface-smart, though her compassion is convincing enough. Hrathen's conflict is great but lacks on execution. His is a great struggle to subjugate a people with religion to avoid their death and destruction through domination by force. Compelling? It could have been!

The political intrigue that could have been a profound part of the book, came off as fluff; at least when you compare it to The Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin--which I am obliged to do. But perhaps that comparison is unfair. It was Sanderson's first published book after all, how dare I compare it to the great GRRM?

The magic system was interesting and different, but of Sanderson's other books it is probably his weakest. Also, with a central element of the climax hinging on how the system works--which in my opinion was a stretch of the imagination for the created world--it took away from the tangibility he had worked so hard to achieve.

I've since read Mistborn, Warbreaker and his work on The Gathering Storm. Each experience has been unique and different. The quality has improved on his own work, though it still lacks something for me to consider awe-inspiring. His work on The Gathering Storm, in my humble opinion, was the BEST book of the series by some magical, whimsical quirk of fate, Jordan's exhaustive work, and/or Sanderson's growing ability. I know much of it was already completed by Jordan, but can you just imagine the sheer weight of content and tapestry of threads to weave into a cohesive tale? If anyone has listened to his Writing Excuses podcasts with Dan Wells and Howard Tayler you can conclusively state that he is a force to be reckoned with, and if his first couple books were somewhat lackluster, they still intrigued with his magic, setting and plots; even if his characters (at times) needed work. Perhaps his only true failure in this book was in being a first-time published author, and needing time to grow in his craft.


I went into the book with no expectation or knowledge of the author, merely curiosity as to what the man was like who had been chosen to finish the Wheel of Time. Ultimately I would recommend the read. Elantris is a great city and concept by an author that people will speak of for years to come--more than just for his sheer volume of work, but for his ability to create something that feels new.

I'd give Elantris a 3 out of 5 for being better than some, and a good start by a new writer. What did you think?

Additional note: I'm going to contradict myself from a prior post as I change to a five-point system for review. It has its disadvantages, but I can always go halvsies, and it is what most people go by. 1 is poor, 2 is ok, 3 is good, 4 is great, and 5 is excellent. Any score of 5 would have to be nearly unattainable. Sorry to deviate from Amazon, but I think 1 being "I hate it" is a ridiculous option. How many people are really going to continue reading at that point? I know I don't. I see the GoodReads system is similar to how I think, so I guess I'm not alone.

Immersed in the stasis called: 3rd Draft

So, the story of where my...story is at is a bit complicated. I have a long and far-reaching epic series I want to tell from a central character. As we all know, I’m new to this and would like to start strong. But at some point I realized I was not yet prepared for the sweeping epic scope of my story.

I thought in a moment of sheer genius *ahem*,  “Why not do some short stories? Help build my story-telling craft. Focus on elements that scare me. They’ll be short, right? Easy, fast and to the point. Right? It’ll be a short break from the main story, a mere segue to grow my experience and expand my horizons.”

Problem is, it’s never that simple.

My diversion wasn’t short, though it started that way. I started on Hestea Hammerblood in late 2007, it was supposed to be about 10-20k words.

How naive I was.

One of my largest concerns in writing the main series was of writing convincingly epic and large battle scenes. I sought out a focal point for the short and decided on detailing a hero’s rise to mythical fame amidst an epic war. Thereby hitting two birds with one stone, while creating a hero in the past of my main series, which would (in combination with everything else) help build up the world-at-large.

I wanted to focus on the waging of battle; on wins and losses. Though the manuscript continued to grow, I realized at some point: how terribly shallow it was. It had cool battle scenes, but little else. Despite that being the initial focus, I didn’t want it to be the defining characteristic of the story. I had become enamored with the story and wanted it to be more. Like any typical Hollywood Blockbuster it lacked real depth amidst the thrills and chills. So I started fleshing it out. Before long, I saw the building story could no longer be paired down to the size of a short story. I realized it had become a novel. But I had much more work ahead of me to accomplish that.

I won’t even talk about the multiple months that I took to tell a further storyline that became the short story: Child of Iron (still seeking to be published). Related, though I won’t say how, to the Hammerblood stories.

I had already known that I had material for three Hammerblood novels written out in brief outlines. The surprise though, was that within the first there were actually two novels. I had always known there were two climactic scenes, but I had forced them together in a way that worked. Yes, it was overly contrived, and reading it again I knew I was sacrificing my story for expediency. I wanted to be done with the third draft and dutifully ignored a major change that I needed to make. Part of the reason that I put this off for so long was that I never realized that the second part had enough material to be its own book.

Funny how that changes as you develop your story and characters.

Despite frustration, the idea of having one book completed soon, with another that followed shortly was certainly appealing. However, I really just wish I could call my third draft done and get it out to some test readers. I’ve been flying blind for so long that I am desperate to see if what I think is a good story, is ACTUALLY a good story.

I will wait, but what was initially a due date of May, then July?, then August is now the next couple weeks. I just hope I can make it.

Which brings me to a lesson that I’ve learned. No matter how you write, you need a plan. But also, no matter how detailed you write that plan you have to keep yourself open to change. I know some people swear by free-writes, others by an outline. But I think you need to do both. The only difference is the order. I started with a bare-bones outline, but it was uneducated and sloppy. As my story evolved, the changes required far more time to implement than I had wanted to spend. I seek a better way, because I don’t want to do that again.

(Dan Wells does a great story structure breakdown on YouTube that I think will help me [and possibly you?] in the future. Highly recommended: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcmiqQ9NpPE)

So that said, I’m still struggling to finish with the 3rd draft of Hammerblood. Though the big change will pull away some great elements from the first book, it will make a lot more sense, and after further tweaks it will be stronger for the change.

How are your projects going? On time? Or vastly out of your time frame? How do you keep on track? Or, how do you think you end up getting off track?