Monday Musings

Have you ever finished a series, be it book or television, and felt like your hollow inside? As if the story, the characters and their antics, filled a void?

I finished several stories this weekend (not written by me), and boy is today rough. Not all characters make it to the end of the story, so I'm usually still mourning their death for a few days, whenever I think about the story.

I'm sure I posted about it here before, but it warrants saying it again, all of my favorite characters die. All of them. Ok, yes, there are some that survive, but an unnatural percentage die. It got to the point I would say "I like so-and-so," and the next scene, they died. Sometimes I would go back and forth on my opinion on a character and I would end up liking them, only to have them die five minutes later.

A joke on the Talking Dead, the talk show after the Walking Dead, is that the moral compass on the show tends to die. I think that can be said about a lot of stories. In the first Avengers movie, was Coulson's death not used to rally the Avengers to action? In Pacific Rim, was Raleigh's brother Yancy's death not meant to stir something in him? (Nerdy references, but they were the ones that jumped out at me first that many people know of).

Death often propels a character into action. As in the cases above, we learn that not all death is permanent, but it's pretty safe to assume you won't see the character again. This finality is what forces a decision to be made to take action against the zombie invaders from the dark realm. It's a powerful tool to use, but it has to be done right.

Someone has to care about the character, be it the audience or the main character. This character should also be a turning point. Their death means there is no legitimate claim to the throne, or that now humanity's last hope is gone. Or, the character's death frees the MC - or antagonist- from what tied them to normalcy. Now, they are free to do as they please, and that will have consequences for someone.

Just some thoughts on a not so pleasant topic on a Monday. But, it's something to think about as I continue to mourn the loss of another beloved character.

Wednesday Writing

Today some people were talking about words that teens use in everyday conversations. Some of them are abbreviations or derivatives of words, while others are completely out of nowhere.

I don't remember using any strange words in high school, but I'm sure I did. I do remember a time my mother heard a word on TV, a word people used at school all the time, but I had never said. I had to define it for her and that was not an enjoyable experience. I don't remember what the word was, but I did tell her not to bother using it.

Some of the words mentioned today sounded strange, but am I really one to judge? I'm writing of a fantasy world - full of strange sounding, made-up words. I combine English words with extra letters, mash Finnish and Spanish words together, or put a string of letters together that seem to sound good. I usually do a search on the word to make sure it isn't something already - especially if it's something I shouldn't use in a sentence, ever.

Of course, then there are those who invent their own languages in books and movies. I received an email from Duolingo, a language app, and they were advertising that they added more languages. Under coming soon, Klingon was added. Not a useful language in everyday conversations, but I can think of a few benefits of learning a language so few would know.

I would love to create my own language in my MS, but I always joke that I'm not even fluent in English (I'm positive there is a Professor I had who would vouch for that). However, if I'm determined to master English, become fluent in at least Spanish, Japanese, and conversational German, why can't I create my own language? Why can't you? Teens - and industries - do it everyday.

Friday Fun

I was going to look for another comic to post today, but I have another idea, more like a challenge. Ok, another prompt, but this one works for art as well.

Some background: In my eyes, I am a far better artist than writer - confidence I've gained from years of working on my art. Years ago, I found myself struggling to create my own characters. I was always drawing other people's characters, maybe in new clothes or different situations, but it was always someone else's characters.

So, I thought of a challenge - a challenge I have yet to truly accomplish in all its rules.

The challenge: Go to your iTunes (on shuffle), YouTube, Pandora, or turn on the radio. The first song (or to mix it up, the fifth song) you hear, take it and create something with it. Use it as inspiration for your character, or to create a character. The song can create a new scene for your character, it can define your character's attire or attitude.

This really expands into any medium used to express yourself. Sew an outfit, create a hairstyle, throw a new pot, paint a scene, write the actions. Use the song to stir your imagination and emotions and let it guide you to create something new.

Two of my characters in my first MS, actually five of them now that I think of it, grew from this challenge. Most of the characters in my first MS were just OCs (original characters) that I created so I could wholly own the rights to the art (you know, no permission needed for using someone else's creation). But as their designs grew, so did their demands to have a whole world to unite them.

Just another thing to think about if you are suffering from creativity block.

If you want a song, here is the one that reminded me of this and inspired this post (NOTE: I haven't watched the video, but it shouldn't be inappropriate): Rodney Atkins: If You're Going Through Hell (Keep on Going)

Tuesday Tech

I found this article yesterday: Step 1 to Selling Your Book? Don't Pretend It's 'Free.'

I had mixed feelings about it. At first it read like "How to Cheat the System," with some good advice on how to promote your book.

Then, well, it still felt wrong to me. I had to read the article several times to find what was missing: the writing itself.

One thing this article didn't express, which I feel is essential in any business, it the quality of the work you are producing. Yes, you can produce garbage, and people may by garbage, but like so many of my business professors have said "garbage in, garbage out." Basically, you don't put forth your best effort going into the process, you can expect less than stellar results.

This article focuses on promoting your book, something absolutely essential in this day and age, but it fails to highlight that one key detail of actually having something to sell. It almost read like "you want to make some money, write a book, promote it, and then you can go on to your next idea."

I agree, building your audience is crucial, but passion is a MUST if you are going to do anything the "hard way." Writing a book, and having it published, is like starting your own business. I wrote my first MS as a way to challenge myself while I was looking for work. I found that I love writing and I'm willing to work at it to improve my craft.

This article does focus on entrepreneurial people who are writing books (by the sound of it), but again, write something good. Just like in business and query letters, you need to have what makes your book special compared to all the others out there.

Anyway, take my thoughts, and the article, for what they're worth. I do recommend reading the article - or at least skimming through it - for ideas on how to promote your work (writing or not) that are outside the usual Twitter and Facebook.

Writing Wednesday

Hooray for Wednesday!

I was finally able to piece some time together and get some writing/editing done. While I was reading the opening of my latest MS, I realized, I hate my voice. Have you ever been recorded for a video and when someone plays it back, you cringe?

That's what reading the opening was like for me. The voice would work if this were a Middle Grade novel, and if I wasn't so dead set on the plot and events, I'd be happy with Middle Grade.

That being said, I don't really hate my voice, just that voice for the character.

So, just like my last MS, I bit the bullet and started rewriting the opening scene. (The pacing was too fast anyway, so it helps to rewrite it).

I seem to end up rewriting large portions of my novels for any variety of reasons. For my first novel (MS, not a published book, yet), I rewrote over half the book. And let me tell you, I'm better for it. The first half moves faster, lame scenes were deleted, and the dialogue is snappier. I learned a lot from completing the novel the first time, so I needed to apply what I learned to the beginning (and parts of the end).

What I'm getting at is sometimes scenes just need to be rewritten. Sometimes the entire MS needs an overhaul. It's ok, I know it's rough. Just save your first version, and then work on the second. You'll always have the first version to go back to if you want to.

(Sorry for the short posts, I'm swamped with work for the next few weeks).

Tuesday Tech

So, once again I am late. I'll get on a scheduling system sooner or later. Of course, then again, the relevancy of the articles I read will be a little out of date.

Anyway...

I found an article with the most employable careers 2015 (Link goes out to MSN).

A piece of advice I have for people pursuing a degree, look at what jobs you want, not what topic interests you. If you like creativity and social media, look for jobs in those areas. Often, a specific degree is required, and a bunch of knowledge you need to have to do that job.

Then, major in the field that will get you the jobs you want. I linked to the employable careers as a starting point, but really get to know what kind of job you're interested in. It can be broad, like design or utilities. Then look at the related jobs and their descriptions, it interests you, then look at the qualifications.

If you want to be a writer, then look for jobs where you can write. It may not be creative writing, but writing something in general (and the editing practice that goes with it) is important. But, like so many people suggest, don't forgo the day job so you can write (unless you have the means to do so. Even then I still recommend a part time job).

1) You need an income. Living (and dying) isn't free. So, make money doing something else you enjoy, or at least can sharpen your writing skills.

2) You need to live life. I'm not saying that people who just write or don't have a job don't live life, but for so many people, work is a big part of their lives. At work you can listen to other people's experiences and learn about other cultures so easily. This can provide inspiration for characters or stories.

The other part to the "living life" is that it often costs money to go places. Sometimes, companies will send you places for work (San Diego Comic Con anyone?) It's a good opportunity to get some other perspectives.

3) You need a break from writing. This is more for me and people like me. I need a balance in my life. I need to do some technical and analytical thinking or my brain starts feeling like mush. When that happens, my creativity goes on the fritz. It's not pretty. But, working, though it's been taking time away from writing, has been helpful for me. It gives me distance from my MS, it gives me other experiences, and I can work with a bunch of interesting people.

So, the keyword of the day is "jobs". I just wanted to throw this out there. Unemployment isn't fun (believe me, I was there for a long time), but it can give you the time and space you need to discover things you love (like writing).

Well, that's my two cents, soapbox, pamphlet advice.