Friday, March 28, 2014
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Updated Info on the Blueprinting Your Novel Classes, Spring 2014
Previously posted: For
those of you who haven't had a chance to take the "Blueprinting
Your Novel or Screenplay" class, or would like to take a repeat to outline a new book, the
catalog goofed and listed two night classes this semester. The first one starting Monday, March 31 is almost full, but the class starting
Tuesday, April 1 still has room. I'd love for them both to make,
and would love to see you there! If you want more info, check the school
catalog online or email me! [planetpooks at gmail dot com]
I've had to make a couple of changes. Basics Class #8 has been pushed back a week, so instead of being Monday, March 24, it will be Monday, March 31.
One Blueprinting class will start April 1, as planned, if there are two more students who sign up. If this is the class you're in, you might want to keep an eye on it and if you're still in touch with students from previous classes, let them know.
The other Blueprinting class will begin April 7.
I look forward to seeing everyone again!
I've had to make a couple of changes. Basics Class #8 has been pushed back a week, so instead of being Monday, March 24, it will be Monday, March 31.
One Blueprinting class will start April 1, as planned, if there are two more students who sign up. If this is the class you're in, you might want to keep an eye on it and if you're still in touch with students from previous classes, let them know.
The other Blueprinting class will begin April 7.
I look forward to seeing everyone again!
Making Good Characters Rationally Self Destructive
I've never seen this addressed before, and it's a very thoughtful post about characterization by Steven Popkes at Book View Café.
No, I’m talking about people can continue in a given course of action when it clearly, demonstrably, not being successful. You’ve all seen it. Somebody gets into a sticky situation and instead of stopping the behavior that got them there, they double down on that very same behavior. I’m thinking of this clinically. As a writer. After all, good characters need a healthy dose of self destruction.
How can people continue to do that?
Enter Prospect Theory.
More here.
No, I’m talking about people can continue in a given course of action when it clearly, demonstrably, not being successful. You’ve all seen it. Somebody gets into a sticky situation and instead of stopping the behavior that got them there, they double down on that very same behavior. I’m thinking of this clinically. As a writer. After all, good characters need a healthy dose of self destruction.
How can people continue to do that?
Enter Prospect Theory.
More here.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Blueprinting Your Novel Classes Starting Soon!
For
those of you who haven't had a chance to take the "Blueprinting
Your Novel or Screenplay" class, or would like to take a repeat to outline a new book, the
catalog goofed and listed two night classes this semester. The first one starting Monday, March 31 is almost full, but the class starting
Tuesday, April 1 still has room. I'd love for them both to make, and would love to see you there! If you want more info, check the school catalog online or email me! [planetpooks at gmail dot com]
Who Are You? Who Do You Want to Be?
John Scalzi is one of the most successful internet personalities around, and has been since the internet became a Thing.
Today he addresses a question, how do you stay so happy? We can all learn from his answer.
Well, one answer to that is that the reason I seem largely happy and well-balanced is that I intentionally choose to project an online persona that is largely happy and well balanced. I've always been pretty open about reminding people that the online John Scalzi is a tuned and mediated version of me -- not a lie, but a presentation of who John Scalzi is that brings some elements to the front and moves other elements to the back.
Follow the link for more.
Today he addresses a question, how do you stay so happy? We can all learn from his answer.
Well, one answer to that is that the reason I seem largely happy and well-balanced is that I intentionally choose to project an online persona that is largely happy and well balanced. I've always been pretty open about reminding people that the online John Scalzi is a tuned and mediated version of me -- not a lie, but a presentation of who John Scalzi is that brings some elements to the front and moves other elements to the back.
Follow the link for more.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Info about mysteries
This is a good Q&A with Julianna Deering that addresses the difference between mystery and suspense [as genres] and other good info for those interested in the mystery genre.
I love her book cover, too.
A vintage mystery series set in England. Methinks I'll be investigating. [You see what I did there? I am so clever I slay myself.]
The series starts here.
I love her book cover, too.
A vintage mystery series set in England. Methinks I'll be investigating. [You see what I did there? I am so clever I slay myself.]
The series starts here.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Me again with Chuck again.
Not for the weak of heart or meek of language, but Chuck Wendig has once again nailed the writing life to the wall and made it scream like a little girl.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Best analogy of a pro writing career ever.
"...but I will say that becoming a professional author is a little like
leveling up in a video game...
You master older, smaller challenges and you think, ‘Oh ho ho, now
I’ve got the Sword of Editorial Dominance, the Save Against Query spell,
and armor made from all the rejections.’ But of course what you’re
going to face are new challenges. New deals, new contracts, book
marketing, fans who form cults around your work and kill in your name.
THE USUAL.”
Lots of good stuff here. Read and enjoy and maybe even learn a few things.
Perhaps I should share Chuck's site description and disclaimer while I'm at it, because it's true and like everything else there, funny.
Lots of good stuff here. Read and enjoy and maybe even learn a few things.
Perhaps I should share Chuck's site description and disclaimer while I'm at it, because it's true and like everything else there, funny.
Chuck Wendig is a novelist, screenwriter, and
game designer. This is his blog. He talks a lot about writing. And food.
And the madness of toddlers. He uses lots of naughty language. NSFW.
Probably NSFL. Be advised.
Saturday, March 08, 2014
Killing Your Darlings
I've referred classes to William Goldman's ADVENTURES IN THE SCREEN TRADE, particularly the chapter on "A Bridge Too Far," for years, to see wonderful explanations of why 'it really happened' is the worst reason to include it in a novel.
Stephen Leigh's example is faster to get to [just a click away] and free. I still recommend Goldman, but check this out. It's a classic situation with a classic resolution. The reason why 'kill your darlings' is classic advice is because not killing them is most often a classic mistake.
Classic.
And the book looks really good, too.
An immortal Muse whose very survival depends on the creativity she nurtures within her lovers…
Another immortal who feeds not on artistry but on pain and torment...
A chase through time, with two people bound together in enmity and fury…
Magic and science melded together into one, and an array of the famous and infamous, caught up unawares in an ages-long battle…
Stephen Leigh's example is faster to get to [just a click away] and free. I still recommend Goldman, but check this out. It's a classic situation with a classic resolution. The reason why 'kill your darlings' is classic advice is because not killing them is most often a classic mistake.
Classic.
And the book looks really good, too.
An immortal Muse whose very survival depends on the creativity she nurtures within her lovers…
Another immortal who feeds not on artistry but on pain and torment...
A chase through time, with two people bound together in enmity and fury…
Magic and science melded together into one, and an array of the famous and infamous, caught up unawares in an ages-long battle…
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| Click book cover to find out more. |
Thursday, March 06, 2014
Nancy Jane Moore's "Legal Fictions" Series
Over on the Book View Café blog, Nancy Jane Moore is writing a series about law for writers. As an attorney, she is often frustrated when writers get things So Wrong, or miss the opportunity to make a story better because they didn't do their research.
Today's entry is particularly interesting to me because it explains how varied and complex US law is, and how that can apply to your world-building if you're writing Science Fiction or Fantasy. In fact, I'll be sharing it with non-writing friends just because I think they'll find it interesting, too.
All of us at Book View Café have been drooling over the artwork she secured for her new short story collection, by the way.
Today's entry is particularly interesting to me because it explains how varied and complex US law is, and how that can apply to your world-building if you're writing Science Fiction or Fantasy. In fact, I'll be sharing it with non-writing friends just because I think they'll find it interesting, too.
All of us at Book View Café have been drooling over the artwork she secured for her new short story collection, by the way.
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| Walking Contradiction |
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