Hitching Down the Internet Road

The internet is an amazing thing, isn’t it? Especially for a writer. All that information right there at your tapping fingertips.

Course it’s easy to get sucked into the roaming lifestyle and just keep on truckin’ down that road. Oh look, I must stop there and take in a few of the sites. And then it becomes, oh look they are quoting interesting sites and know such interesting places, perhaps I can take just a slight detour.....

And even while you’re doing it you can hear your mamma in your head going ‘No! No! Stay away from the road! Keep away from that moving fast trucker. Or that beguiling dude in the smart looking vehicle.’ And yet, we are still tempted to take just a little peek. Or just a little minute…..

And next thing you know you’ve been alien abducted and thrown out on your computer chair hours later with no recollection of all the time loss and probably with very little memory left – but hopefully without any actually probe stuff happening. Ick. Unless you are into that sort of thing. And, uh, not that I have a prejudice thing going, but I really don’t think I wanna hear about that okay.

As a writer I have a lot of interests and things that catch my eye. Also being a woman, I am also caught by ‘oooo pretty’ ….whether from www.kirksfolly.com and their whimsically wonderful jewelry and accessories, to the pretty pretty wonderful shades of mineral makeup of Heather at http://www.heatheresque.com/ Go over and be inspired by her new site, and her wonderful colors. They really are Amazing! You won’t believe them when you see in ‘real’ life rather than on the ‘internet road.’ And just the names she gives them will make you grin. *grin* Really [and she’s got an eye shadow clearance going on right now at $1.50 a jar!!! Amazing! I’m tellin’ you!]

If any of you have read any of my blog at all you probably notice I mention Maggie Stiefvater and her blog a whole awful lot. Well, since her recent book ‘Linger’ debuted at #1 on NYT bestseller list! If I can learn anything from her and her blog, which I always do in some form or another, then I figure it’s well spent time.

As for the other travelings ….well, let’s just say I’m trying to stay in camp for awhile and finish the YA [young adult, for those non-writers out there] novel that I am currently working on.

But if you have any great sites to see that I Really should…..then Do let me know! Maybe I can buzz over and pick you up on the way. And if we drive real fast we can maybe be back before anyone misses us…. sitting right in our own little chairs innocently working on our works-in-progress just writing away. If not maybe we’ll pass each other along the way. I’ll probably be the one wildly looking around trying not to miss anything.

Unless I’m lost and just wandering along the road. Then please stop and at least point me in the right direction. I’ve helped you out a few times here on this blog after all. At least I’ve not left you mired in your rut of writing but tried to offer assistance where I could. Turn about’s just fair play right?

See ya around somewhere? ::::hitches pants up and moseys off chewing a toothpick::: ….just kidding, I’m off to post this on my own hitching-post site. Wait, I just went from cars to horses. Figures. No wonder my site’s been in the slow lane. Ah, well, keeps us from all getting whiplash, huh?

So if you can, sit a spell, and tell me where your travels have taken you recently. I can tell you Maggie’s site is always entertaining, and often enlightening about a Lot of things – including ham-sandwich publishing. http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/166676.html

Like I said, the road has all kinds of things.

Let me know what you find out there…..

Improving Your Words

To go along with the ‘Tasting your words’ post, being all about improving your words and thus your writing.

Since there’s always room to improve, especially as a writer. Writer’s Digest has interesting articles Free online, such as this one on genres, and combining genres. But in the end it says, as most of us ‘seasoned’ writers, whether we are actually published right now or not, it comes down to writing a good story.

Interesting thoughts on genre and mixing genres –

The Dos & Don'ts of Combining Genres

http://writersdigest.com/article/the-dos-and-donts-of-combining-genres/

…..what matters most: a good story…….

And if you haven’t checked out the James River Writers website lately, the annual Conference is up in detail, and accepting payment. http://www.jamesriverwriters.org/jrw_programs/conference/

Some Great writers, and agents, will be there, including Jeff Vandermeer. Which if you haven’t checked out his book, Booklife - Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21^st-Century Writer then you Definitely Should, there’s Great thoughts, tips, suggestions, and more.

And then come to the Conference and see what other gems he puts out there to hear.

Jeff Vandermeer - Booklife - Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21^st-Century Writer

Page 201 - ….’If you’re stuck on a creative project, it might have nothing to do with having written yourself into a corner. Instead, you might need to change your process…..”

Tasting your words

As a writer we are supposed to engage all the senses in a reader. To make the words drip from their minds as honey from their tongues, and make them feel and see, hear and taste, along with us the rich environment we are creating along with our characters.
In McKillip's book, Winter Rose, she does a pretty good job of that. I felt more engaged visually than with any of the other senses but that's okay since she did a really good job with that. I did get lost a bit sometimes in what was really, actually, going on, but it was still a good beacon to light my writing and make as many words as I can evocative and useful, in the best of ways possible. Not a bad thing, huh?
So Denise, until I can get to some of more cheerful ditty files, this one's for you. ;)

From Winter Rose by Patricia A. McKillip –

….at the end of a breathless day when the air seemed so heavy and full of molten light, everyone sweated drops of gold instead of brine…

…each evening the clouds on the horizon turned the color of bruises, or overripe plums; the air seemed to listen, as we did, for rain….

…The sky was still cloudless, but its blue had darkened; twilight rode hard behind the wind.

Summer ended between one breath and another, it seemed. One morning the first golden leaves appeared among the green. Then a tree flamed into crimson. The fields were stubbled gold, morning mists hanging over them, burned away slowly by the sun. Hot, blue summer sky slowly turned the deeper blue of autumn, as if it reflected, from another country, cold northern lakes and storms that did not touch us yet. I found great cobwebs everywhere, hung like chandeliers with prisms of dew…. Two weeks later, we stood..…while trees burned all around us against a clear sky that held within it all the shadowy blues of winter…

…Clouds of gold and red and brown sailed along the wind….

…As fast as I moved, dusk raced me there. Night’s season had begun; the days took what light was left them….

“The winter nights grow old and thin and threadbare very fast, when you’re alone.”

…This village, like the hall, echoed with past. He had come to change an echo. ….

…Outside Anis’ thick window panes the distorted sky hung low and dove’s wing-grey; the intermittent rains felt icy, and the wind had a sharp, testy mutter to it. …

…cold snow…. He molted snow as he stood at the fire…

…I found my father chewing memories and his unlit pipe beside the fire….

Hot Descriptions, Maggie Stiefvater and Fountain Bookstore

Got your attention huh.

Okay…so it’s been awhile. Haven’t had a lot of rainy thoughts, just brutally hot days. That have drained the ‘little grey’ cells down to no color at all, from all the glaring hotness out here.

And what few were perhaps hiding in some corner of shade got diluted I think from all the sweat everyone is generating these days.

It’s just hot, people! Forget the fried egg thing, what about our poor little brains!

So I’ve probably written some. But nothing I felt I could post since I depressed poor Denise with my last post she requested something cheerful. I’m not very cheerful when it’s this hot. And I figured no one really wanted to read ‘It’s hot. Damn HOT’ over and over so I have kept myself as still as possible so I wouldn’t be generating more heat. Which meant no typing. You buying that? Sigh. Yeah. So. I’ve been slacking. As far as working a whole bunch on my current YA novel in progress. I’ve written more depressing ‘ditties’ than should be posted. Or ones dealing with all the hot weather. And being depressed about it.

I have written reports and all that kind of stuff though so I haven’t slacked with any of those important duties. Well, mostly. I think I got behind on couple of emails. But they got buried in my inbox. I certainly mean to answer things in timely manner. Did I mention I don’t do all that well in this kind of heat?

I did do a small bit of reading. Yes, totally unlike ‘normal’ me, since I’m usually a ‘rabid reader’ and have to have at least one, or usually more, books going at once. So yes, I have been very affected by the heat.

I picked up a book that Katharine – with an A – recommended, from her favorite author, Patricia McKillip. [yeah, right, she’s got A favorite author like I do. snort. So it’s got to be One of her faves.] and I was taken away by the descriptions…. From Winter Rose by Patricia A. McKillip –
….at the end of a breathless day when the air seemed so heavy and full of molten light, everyone sweated drops of gold instead of brine…

Sounds a whole lot better than my, It’s hot fool Hot, huh. Well around here I don’t think I’ve even thought of anyone sweating drops of gold instead of brine but it’s a great description to aspire to huh. Writerly or not. Uh, I’m not sure I want to know any more details than that really. But check out the book for some great descriptions. I’ll have to do another post of the great descriptions that caught my eye in the book. And post them for Denise. Since I think that might be as cheerful as I’m going to get right now. Did I mention the heat?

Oh, and if you are looking for a Wonderfully written, almost lyrical, book, do Not skip Maggie Stiefvater’s book Shiver….ooo and a lot of it takes place in winter. I obviously need to read it again. But the 2nd book in that series is now out as well – Very recently. That Maggie was at Fountain Books in Richmond, Va. today personally signing and doodling in for anyone / everyone that want Maggie originals! For those who won’t be able to see the Magnifi’ Maggie in person! Maggie’s official kickoff for Linger, which is name of said 2nd book, next Tuesday the 20th in Williamsburg. But for those that aren’t lucky to see her, definitely order from Fountain Books. Haven’t gotten my copy of Linger quite yet, launch next Tues. remember, altho' I was so tempted by Fountain's Maggie visit and doodling today, so can't vouch for how cool worthy it is in any sense of cool, but I can tell you Shiver is definitely worth it. Especially if you are a writer. And it’s not set in Virginia. In summer. In this kind of miserable heat. I figured by now you know it’s Hot here in central Virginia right?

And because it’s so hot I’m doing work for you, see how nice I am.

Here’s Maggie’s site: http://www.maggiestiefvater.com/

If you are a writer you Should also check out Maggie’s blog, Terrific info’ there!

And here’s Fountain Books: Be sure to tell Kelly ‘Hi’ They are all a great bunch of people in there they are. Not to mention most people think Kelly's hot any time of the year. ;)
http://www.fountainbookstore.com/

Ooooo and I just noticed they are having a buy a book get a couple of galleys free this coming Sat. July 17….. Hmmm, wonder how hot it’s going to be…. Forget that, wonder if I can sneak down there, or talk patient loving husband into vicinity….. he doesn’t mind the heat anyway.

And there's Maggie doodles in books waiting...just waiting..... Uh, her books only I presume. But given her uber talent and skills I'm betting even her doodles are Magnfi' !

hmmmmm, off to plot and scheme...and fan....

Rainy thoughts and brutal days

Rainy moments on a brutal hot day

Should refresh us

Should remind us of all that is good

In the world. In our world.

But do rainy thoughts really work that way

Or just remind us of how parched we are

In a beautifully cruel sun struck way

Leave us awaiting the dark cool days that come our way

And appreciating them for what they are

Perhaps some days

Perhaps some day

[sc 6.14.2010]

Can you bleed to death from paper cuts?

The ones that have cut at your soul

Ones that have cut into your heart more than you can possibly know

Then one day you see something that presses at the wound again

And you begin to bleed, all over again.

[sc 6.13.2010]

The rain beats upon the earth

Shattering the drops with force

Tearing at the cracks

Forced upon the world

Arid and dry

Beat upon

By relentless sun

But does being what it is

Doing what it does

Make it cruel

Make it more than what it is

[sc 6.10.2010]

The rain falls hard against the window

Lashing against the world it falls

Lashing against my world

Tell me, can you withstand the force it brings

Without getting wet

Without getting soaked

Without the crashing at your heart and soul

We know the sun always comes at some point

Tell me, is it enough

To dry the deluge that’s fallen

Is it enough

Is it ever enough

[sc 6.12.2010]

The moments of our lives

Spread out as pearls in our hand

Silken knots holding them together

As heartbeats hold our days.

More fragile, tenuous, and precious

Than our busy lives comprehend

Or want to face perhaps

Until a knot unspools or breaks

Leaving jewels spilling thro’ our hands

Unable to grasp them back

Not realizing the preciousness

Until they were spread out around us and rolling away

[sc 6.10.2010]

Maggie Strikes Again - Check it out

Maggie Stiefvater has done it again.

Not only writing another book to come out in July, continuing the story she started in her successful 'Shiver' book, but she of course being Maggie and all, had to create, make, film, as well as create all the music for, And play most of the instruments for, her new trailer for the book! I know. Sheesh.

Now it's easy to understand why people are missing some talents, sure looks like Maggie, and possibly even her family, got most of them all!

If you haven't read 'Shiver' yet then do read it. You have time before the next books comes out. If you hurry.

Well if you hurry and buy it and start reading. Once you start reading I think the writing and story will take you over so you won't have any problem finishing it in time before the next one.

Yes, it's that good. And yes that well written.

You won't be sorry.

And while you are checking out this trailer for Maggie's latest soon-to-be-out book, be sure to also check out the trailer she did for 'Shiver' since it also shows Maggie's talent with scissors and musical instruments and imagination. Yeah, another Sheesh. But you definitely should check them out.

Here, if I done this right, hopefully this will make it easier. If not go over to her Facebook Fan Page, or one of her blogs and check them out. You won't be sorry, there's Lots of great information that Maggie shares.

She shares a Lot of great information on her blogs, she has one on LiveJournal and she has one on BlogSpot. You can get to hers by clicking on the Friends section of my blogs since I have her linked there.

And here is the plain old link:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l59sMzeA_vQ

Contracts and Business, oh my

For writers looking at the business side of writing, and shouldn’t we All be looking at that? Hmmmm? Unless you are just writing for funsies. In which case you might not need this post. But do stay and tell me about your fun. I could stand to live a little vicariously through someone else sometimes, especially when it comes to writing.

For the rest of us, Chip MacGregor has a great blog entry on what to watch out for on Contracts.

And in case you are new to my blog, or somehow just missed my previous scintillating but few posts, no, Chip MacGregor is not my agent. Yet anyway. I am wise enough to never rule much of anything out. Especially these days. But Chip MacGregor is the agent of another JRW member that I have met. Friend of a friend thing. Happens a lot in the writing community, especially in James River Writers. Which is why you should join. Right Katharine? If you are in the Richmond, Virginia area at a time to come to one of JRWs events do come meet Katharine Herndon JRW Membership Chair.

Anyway, back to business of writing business, in particular Contracts. Duh-duh-ta-duh. Don’t know why that I put that there, it just popped into my head as a musical cue. And yeah, okay, I’m the first to admit this isn’t a Maggie blog, she’d have put in the U-Tube link video for you to enjoy. But I also admit that yes, you do indeed need to check out Maggie’s blog. She has great advice on it. Although I don’t think I quite buy one of her recent entries about how even she ‘sucked’ at things. Yeah, not so much that I’ve seen. If that’s her way of sucking then I’m going to do okay.

But back to the point of this post….sheesh, now you guys see why I do a lot of editing.

Maggie has great advice on her blog, and Chip MacGregor has great advice. [and for the newbies to my blog here, that's Maggie Stiefvater, you'll find a link here in several of my previous posts where I talk about her magnificance.] Maggie has writer’s point of view, Successful writer, I should add. And Chip has advice from an agent’s view. Assume he’s successful since he’s still in business as an agent. ;)

So check out his blog. And Also check out the link to another blog he has in his blog entry. It not only links to a blog that has some really interesting writing tips – Denise, you might want to especially look! I don’t really write the romance novel and I found some great tips there! – but it gives a great nod to Kit Wilkinson’s new novel! Congratulations Kit!!!!

Anyway – that’s it. Here’s the summary. Come on, it’s not like you don’t go digging for distractions when you are trying to avoid writing. Hmmmm? Not that I would know anything about that of course…… oh gee, look at the time, I’ve got things to do…..

http://chipmacgregor.typepad.com/

May 04, 2010

The Worst of Contracts

.......By the way, a cool bit of news today... Steeple Hill's Executive Editor, Joan Marlow Golan is being interviewed over at www.seekerville.blogspot.com , and has nice things to say about Kit Wilkinson's new novel, Sabotage...

And for those that really aren’t going to dig….

Here’s Kit’s new novel mention ;)

Yay Kit!!!

And of course she welcomesinnovative stories, such as SABOTAGE by Kit Wilkinson (June 2010), in which the heroine, a horsewoman, is an Olympic hopeful, and the hero, her temporary groom, has actually been hired by her father as a personal bodyguard.