Writing Status: Anarchy

My muse is in full anarchy mode. I'm pulling my hair out. I got a sense she was starting to revolt when I posted my Veered off the Main Road entry, but it's official. Sadly, I don't think she even knows what direction SHE'S going in.

Last night was all over the place. By the end of the evening I'd given up any hope of working on Damarion, blurted out 3 horrible story ideas, 2 "maybe has potential" stories, and 1 "what the Wisconsin?" idea. Then I thought I'd try my hand at the rewrite request but found her refusing to speak to me.

I swear this Muse is going to take what's left of my sanity. I'll end up a babbling, old, grey-haired crazy woman with an imaginary parrot on her shoulder.

Good writing all! (May your Muses be better-tempered)

Science Updates

As a new post theme, I'm going to start doing periodic science and technology updates that interest me. The focus of these updates will be things I see arriving or down the pipe that will lead to some great science fiction concept basis. (Who am I kidding? They're just things I think are REALLY cool.)

Okay, here we go:

NASA unveils a new Space Suit...yay! This has been one of my dreams since the 1980s. It's taken longer than my sci-fi mind thought it would. But, no matter, it's here now. Taking a good look at the suit, it's very exciting. It modifies for different functions and environments and looks like some of the sci-fi prototypes in early 70s and late 80s science fiction stories.

Econeering...the way of the future. Watch out for this bioengineering science, and the key phrase, Econeering. If they are able to keep succeeding in this technology we're going to see the full potential of Terra forming at an accelerated rate. This technology is a little scary, depending on the ethical sustainment of the research and development.

Done wrong, this could turn into a more sinister sci-fi concept. Not only that, but with the parallel successes of genomic and nano technology I think we could see some blending of human, ecological, and IT on the future evolutionary timeline.

PZT: Flexible Energy Sheets...This is what I'm talking about! The new technology in this is amazing and something all sci-fi geeks should be uber excited about. PZT sheets can be placed anywhere that would stress and flex it and Wha-Bhammo! energy. This would be great in context to futuristic healthcare, space-living, long voyage transportation...the list goes on and on and on. (Phew...take a breath AR. The excitement's getting to ya.)

Well, those are three things that caught my imagination and stirred some great ideas.


Good writing all!

Book Review: The Loch

Dropping by CVS to pick up some crackers...okay, okay. It was chips. I was heading in for chips. Moving on...Running in I naturally passed by their little book area. The 3 face-front rows stared at me, and I stared back. I felt that instinct kick in. There was something here. Some visual clue that was triggering my subconscious.

And then, BAM! I spotted it. The Loch by Steve Alten.

I was not disappointed, for the most part. The story was an interesting and fantastic take on the Lochness monster myth. Alten used the basic theories and legends, but weaved them in with modern flawed characters and a well developed plot.

There was a bit of...fat...that dragged out the story at points. Once I got the feel of his writing style I could spot those parts and skip without remorse. I really, really loved his characters. It is a strength that I, as a writer, can't help but envy. Envy in a good way. It gives me insight into the "right way" and urges me to strive for that quality.

What I also liked was the little vignettes in between chapters. They were small enough not to distract and tied to the theme so well they added another layer of realism and connection.

Good job to Steve Alten on a great book. I will be on the lookout for other works of his.

Good writing all!

Veering off the Main Road

I met my goal, not quite in the direction I meant to go, but I met it. By Sunday I had about 3000 words. Almost 1000 of them are now tucked tight in Damarion's story. However, the other 2000 are on a project I'd meant to hold off on.

I guess writing is writing. When it comes down to it, I have to go where my muse takes me. Some people can really focus and drive their creativity. I can persuade her to a great extent, but when it comes down to it, she still drives me.

It's not that I mind this. Truthfully, I prefer it. There's a reason my subconscious is taking me in a certain direction and towards a certain story. A writer has to learn focus, but also instinct. Maye the story isn't working for a reason. Or maybe there's a little piece that's missing, and if you work on something else for a bit, that piece will fall into place.

Who knows. It's all a guessing game, but such a fun ride. I'm just glad I've started writing again.

Good writing all!

Adjectives and Adverbs Fettish

Tsk, tsk, tsk...it comes out. I love adjectives and adverbs. (Hides under 3rd grade glow in the dark space comforter).

I do. I can't help it. Blue can't be just blue. Smurf blue, baby sky blue, smoky blue of the dusty horizon. Okay. The last one is a joke (maybe...you'll never know). Let me tell you, starting out I was slapped with the harsh, cold anti adjective/adverb tornado of the writing industry.

To admit, I didn't *really* understand what they were scoffing at. Of course, now I do...and I want to share what I know and have grown to understand. It's an evolving thing here, so if you think something's way off base, feel free to flip the bird at me.

Here we go (interpreted from the Gregg Reference Manual, 8th Edition):

Adjective: Modifies a noun or pronoun. A word, phrase or clause that answers what kind, how many, or which one.

Examples:

1. Dismal Amazon rain (what kind)
2. Ten Amazon tribes (how many)
3. The other Amazon tribe (which one)

Adverb: Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. A word, phrase or clause that answers when, where, why, in what manner, to what extent.

Examples:

1. In a timely manner (when)
2. I quickly rose (in what manner)
3. He occasionally visits (to what extent)

It's well known that the adjective/adverb angst ranges from frowned upon to outright lynching. Me, I think that moderation is the key. My first drafts are riddled, drowning, and splattered with adjectives and adverbs. Through my first editing pass, I focus on them, each on a case-by-case basis.

With each one I ask myself: Is there a better way to write this? And, am I using it as a tell instead of a show?

Example: Surpringly, Julie didn't expect the party.

Revision: Julie opened the door and dropped her keys in the bowl. Flipping on the light, the burst of "Happy Birthday!" scared her back against the wall. On a laugh, she smacked Tony's shoulder and said, "I didn't expect you to do this!"

The revision expands and gives three dimensions to the character, the secondary character, and their dynamic to each other. The first is dry as a saltine cracker.

Other times it's just about overload. My original work Flora Planet is a prime example of adjective overdose. (I'm only giving the first paragraph, as it's rather embarrassing in hindsight)

Example:

"Standing in the forest clearing, my crew the first to stand in a new planet without assistive gear, I felt humbled. Thick warm air enclosed around us. Tall, thick trees, lush green plants, bold beautiful flowers, and bright blue sky filled our eyes. Leaves so large they were bigger than the hand. So many variations of green: dark greens almost black, bright green vines, moss green growing on rocks, deep green leaves, and green brown tree needles."

Revision:

"Standing in the forest clearing, my crew the first to stand in a new planet without assistive gear, I felt humbled. Thick air enveloped us. Leaves, in varying shades of green from moss to almost black, were bigger than the hand."

See? Much tighter. Did the reader really need EVERY shade and to what part the shade was with? No, that can unfold throughout the story. Could you imagine a whole story of the original? EEK!

Okay, enough rambling for now.

Good writing all!

Book Review: Nomads of the Sky

In a throw-back to 1992, I'm going to review one of my all time favorite books, Nomads of the Sky by William H. Keith, Jr. (hereby referred to as just Keith Jr).

Keith Jr creates a brilliant masterpiece, building a universe that sparks the reader's imagination.

"Space was a velvet blackness, made glorious by the unwinking diamond dust of stars." (Nomads of the Sky, W. Keith, 1992)

This first line had a sci-fi chick like me dreaming off into space. By the end of the first paragraph I was fully enveloped in the story. Hell, I was the main character. I could feel space, the shuttle, even smell the tree space colony!

What enthralled me the most was the intricate way he built the universal society and made it believable. The tree space colony, done wrong, could've come across as crazy and laughable. Instead, his logical approach made me wonder why it hadn't been talked about in main stream science.

Now, the way the tree culture sustained their life....Well, yeah. I'll leave that up to you to read and find out about.

And, let me tell you the SCI in sci-fi is not overpowering or nauseating. It's just right and fits the storyline. Not only that, it helps unveal the character's flaws and strengths throughout the story.

So if you're looking for a classical, well written science fiction novel with well developed characters and plot, pick up the oldie but goodie Nomads of the Sky by William H. Keith, Jr.

Good writing all!

Writing Progress

Progress is a subjective word. That statement may be a diversion tactic on my part, but I'm sticking to it.

All right, all right. Writing hasn't been very good last three days. You won't find me listing the many excuses. It is what it is and I was not focused enough during what free time I had. I've managed to cut 2200 words from Damarion (about 4 scenes). I've added 1400 words to complete one chapter and 2 scenes. That's what I like to do in a day, so I'm very disappointed.

I'm going to crack my own whip on this and set a goal of 3000 words by Sunday.

Good writing all!