Well, it has been five months since I've posted here. Since April, I've managed to write one first draft, and I've had a number of false starts. One of these days, I'll do some more editing on my MG Fantasy, The Battle Stone. It's the new first book of my Martin Mason series, and one that I like much better than the old book. Unfortunately, I'm the only person who has read it. That needs to change.
I also need to come up with some new ideas. At this point, I'm thinking I might wait longer to rework the series I started writing at fifteen. I also intend to wait to write the sequel to The Battle Stone. I'd like to write something else first to increase my chances of getting published. Maybe I'll make that my NaNoWriMo goal this November. Write something new. No sequels. No rewrites.
We'll see if that happens.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
I might have had a writing-related epiphany today.
Today, I might have come to the conclusion that I should focus my writing efforts toward younger readers, at least for the moment. I feel like my plots and characters better suit YA and MG fiction. I'm still a lover of fantasy and science fiction, and I don't think that will ever change. I'll also continue reading adult fantasy and science fiction because they can always supply me with ideas. Now I need to do a bit more reading of YA and MG books. I'll probably have to explain to the people at the library that I'm trying to write fiction for younger readers so that I don't get weird looks.
Ironically enough, I came to this conclusion while reading an adult fantasy novel (though one that I'm sure has some YA crossover appeal): the final book in The Wheel of Time. The beginning of the series definitely had a YA feel, as does a fair amount of fantasy with quest elements. Most notably, The Lord of the Rings definitely has crossover appeal for a YA audience, as do works by Terry Brooks, R.A. Salvatore, and Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickmann..
I feel like this brings me back to the series that got me into writing (and reading) in the first place: Harry Potter. I've never read anything I've enjoyed quite as much as Harry Potter, and I would like nothing more than to do for some kid out there what J.K. Rowling did for me. No matter what flaws there might be in her writing, Harry Potter will always hold a special place in my heart.
And that has me thinking I should play to that special place in my heart and focus on writing stories for younger readers. I do have an upper MG fantasy series that I've been working on, and now I'm thinking about changing a few things about it to give it the excitement and adventure of something like Harry Potter.
So maybe I have solved my question from a few posts ago. Maybe I'm a MG and YA fantasy and science fiction writer.
Ironically enough, I came to this conclusion while reading an adult fantasy novel (though one that I'm sure has some YA crossover appeal): the final book in The Wheel of Time. The beginning of the series definitely had a YA feel, as does a fair amount of fantasy with quest elements. Most notably, The Lord of the Rings definitely has crossover appeal for a YA audience, as do works by Terry Brooks, R.A. Salvatore, and Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickmann..
I feel like this brings me back to the series that got me into writing (and reading) in the first place: Harry Potter. I've never read anything I've enjoyed quite as much as Harry Potter, and I would like nothing more than to do for some kid out there what J.K. Rowling did for me. No matter what flaws there might be in her writing, Harry Potter will always hold a special place in my heart.
And that has me thinking I should play to that special place in my heart and focus on writing stories for younger readers. I do have an upper MG fantasy series that I've been working on, and now I'm thinking about changing a few things about it to give it the excitement and adventure of something like Harry Potter.
So maybe I have solved my question from a few posts ago. Maybe I'm a MG and YA fantasy and science fiction writer.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Worldbuilding
As a writer of fantasy and science fiction, worldbuilding is a necessary part of the writing process. It's not enough to come up with some characters and a plot. You have to craft an entire world around them. In secondary world fantasy, this can be a long, time consuming process. The same goes for galaxy-spanning space operas. There's a little less in urban fantasy and near-future science fiction.
Some of my favorite books are the ones with the most interesting worlds. Take Brandon Sanderson, for example. At times, his books can drag a bit, but he's still one of my favorite authors because his worlds are fascinating. His magic systems are creative and unique. The setting comes alive as a character. I look at these aspects of Sanderson's writing and wish I could do the same.
However, I struggle with worldbuilding. I often find it boring. When a story pops into my head, I just want to start writing it. I'm too impatient to sit down and worry about the details of the world. At the same time, though, I know those little details will really bring the world, and the story, to life. These are the feelings that make me doubt my choice of genres. Fantasy and science fiction are my favorite genres to read, and I love writing them, but worldbuilding can really prove a stumbling block.
To all the other speculative fiction authors out there, how do you worldbuild? Do you write a detailed description of your world beforehand? Or do you build elements of the world as they become relevant to the story?
I lean toward the latter, but I often find I don't have enough set in place to get any feeling for the world myself. In my Armoth Cycle, I didn't do much worldbuilding, and it was obvious the first time around. By the time I finished the series, I had gotten a feel for the world, and I've applied that feel to my current rewrite of the series.
Does anyone else wish there were a quicker way to worldbuild?
Some of my favorite books are the ones with the most interesting worlds. Take Brandon Sanderson, for example. At times, his books can drag a bit, but he's still one of my favorite authors because his worlds are fascinating. His magic systems are creative and unique. The setting comes alive as a character. I look at these aspects of Sanderson's writing and wish I could do the same.
However, I struggle with worldbuilding. I often find it boring. When a story pops into my head, I just want to start writing it. I'm too impatient to sit down and worry about the details of the world. At the same time, though, I know those little details will really bring the world, and the story, to life. These are the feelings that make me doubt my choice of genres. Fantasy and science fiction are my favorite genres to read, and I love writing them, but worldbuilding can really prove a stumbling block.
To all the other speculative fiction authors out there, how do you worldbuild? Do you write a detailed description of your world beforehand? Or do you build elements of the world as they become relevant to the story?
I lean toward the latter, but I often find I don't have enough set in place to get any feeling for the world myself. In my Armoth Cycle, I didn't do much worldbuilding, and it was obvious the first time around. By the time I finished the series, I had gotten a feel for the world, and I've applied that feel to my current rewrite of the series.
Does anyone else wish there were a quicker way to worldbuild?
Friday, March 1, 2013
Giving series a second chance
I like most of the books I read, but there are occasionally those books that don't work for me for whatever reason. In many cases, if I find the first book of a series underwhelming, I am not very likely to read any more from that series. However, there are series that get good reviews and ratings, and they leave me wondering if I'm missing something. So, naturally, I'll feel the compulsion to pick up another book in the series. Maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind when I read the first book.
This has happened recently with a few series. Back in probably June, I read The Black Company by Glen Cook, and I didn't really like it. At the time, I was close to the beginning of my year-long reading binge, and though I was a fantasy writer, I hadn't read much in the genre. I went into the novel with high expectations after reading good reviews of it, but it just didn't work for me.
Since then, however, I wonder if my tastes in fantasy have changed. I recently read Shadows Linger, the second book in Cook's series, and while I won't say it was my favorite, I liked it a whole lot more than I did the first. Now I'm actually interested to see where the series goes. It leaves me wondering if my tastes have changed that much in the last nine months or if it's simply a better book.
I had a similar experience with A Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham. I read it back in the spring when I really hadn't read much apart from quest fantasy like LOTR, Terry Brooks, and The Eye of the World. Back then, it was strange to me. It was a more character-driven fantasy, and while I liked it in parts, I thought it was a little boring.
Recently, though, I decided to pick up the second book, A Betrayal in Winter. Once again, it wasn't my favorite, but I liked it a whole lot more than I did the first. It was a similar book, but I found myself able to relate better to the characters and world, and I enjoyed it. I read most of it in one sitting, breaking only to eat and do other basic life necessities.
It's not just from one book to another that I've noticed this phenomenon. A while back, I tried to read Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson and gave up around page 150. Then I picked it up again months later, finished it, and enjoyed it for the most part. I've now read Deadhouse Gates and will be continuing on with the series.
This leads me to wonder if there are other books I should give chances again. Most obviously, I should probably try to read A Game of Thrones again. I made it about 100 pages but didn't find it all that much to my liking. Another book I might revisit is The Darkness That Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker. Maybe my tastes (and perhaps level of patience) have changed enough that I can enjoy these books.
Has anyone else noticed this? Or do most people forget about a series if they don't find it immediately to their liking?
This has happened recently with a few series. Back in probably June, I read The Black Company by Glen Cook, and I didn't really like it. At the time, I was close to the beginning of my year-long reading binge, and though I was a fantasy writer, I hadn't read much in the genre. I went into the novel with high expectations after reading good reviews of it, but it just didn't work for me.
Since then, however, I wonder if my tastes in fantasy have changed. I recently read Shadows Linger, the second book in Cook's series, and while I won't say it was my favorite, I liked it a whole lot more than I did the first. Now I'm actually interested to see where the series goes. It leaves me wondering if my tastes have changed that much in the last nine months or if it's simply a better book.
I had a similar experience with A Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham. I read it back in the spring when I really hadn't read much apart from quest fantasy like LOTR, Terry Brooks, and The Eye of the World. Back then, it was strange to me. It was a more character-driven fantasy, and while I liked it in parts, I thought it was a little boring.
Recently, though, I decided to pick up the second book, A Betrayal in Winter. Once again, it wasn't my favorite, but I liked it a whole lot more than I did the first. It was a similar book, but I found myself able to relate better to the characters and world, and I enjoyed it. I read most of it in one sitting, breaking only to eat and do other basic life necessities.
It's not just from one book to another that I've noticed this phenomenon. A while back, I tried to read Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson and gave up around page 150. Then I picked it up again months later, finished it, and enjoyed it for the most part. I've now read Deadhouse Gates and will be continuing on with the series.
This leads me to wonder if there are other books I should give chances again. Most obviously, I should probably try to read A Game of Thrones again. I made it about 100 pages but didn't find it all that much to my liking. Another book I might revisit is The Darkness That Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker. Maybe my tastes (and perhaps level of patience) have changed enough that I can enjoy these books.
Has anyone else noticed this? Or do most people forget about a series if they don't find it immediately to their liking?
Thursday, February 28, 2013
A random observation
Today I found myself wondering why characters in urban/contemporary fantasy have never read anything in that genre. For example, you'd think in anything involving magic that the characters, if they start out the book as normal people, would make references to Harry Potter at the very least.
Then there's all the other urban fantasy out there. If these books are supposed to be set in our world, why is it that there are no references to pop culture? I'm not that into pop culture myself, but not all our characters would be like me.
In my most recent editing run-through of my upper MG fantasy The Man in the Crystal Prison, I have added some of these references. In the book, I have the age-old character finding out he has special abilities (of course, by the start of the book, he's already known for two years that there's something different about him). Then he is taken to a different world and trained in his abilities. How could you use that plot without the character making a reference to Harry Potter at some point?
In my case, it would make little sense. My main character is an avid reader of science fiction, fantasy, and mystery novels. There's no doubt that he's read some contemporary fantasy. I know there are mixed views on including such references in your book, but it doesn't make sense not to include them. At least that's what I think. I'll see what thoughts others have.
Then there's all the other urban fantasy out there. If these books are supposed to be set in our world, why is it that there are no references to pop culture? I'm not that into pop culture myself, but not all our characters would be like me.
In my most recent editing run-through of my upper MG fantasy The Man in the Crystal Prison, I have added some of these references. In the book, I have the age-old character finding out he has special abilities (of course, by the start of the book, he's already known for two years that there's something different about him). Then he is taken to a different world and trained in his abilities. How could you use that plot without the character making a reference to Harry Potter at some point?
In my case, it would make little sense. My main character is an avid reader of science fiction, fantasy, and mystery novels. There's no doubt that he's read some contemporary fantasy. I know there are mixed views on including such references in your book, but it doesn't make sense not to include them. At least that's what I think. I'll see what thoughts others have.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
What kind of writer am I?
I have some idea, but I often wonder if I should focus on one certain type of book. For all my life, I've been drawn to speculative fiction. Whether its magic, technology, or scary creatures, I find it interesting. I have so many stories I want to tell, and they fall across multiple genres and age groups.
For example, take my two current projects. The Armoth Cycle is an epic secondary world fantasy in the tradition of Lord of the Rings (of which, surprisingly, I've only read Fellowship). The two main characters are in their late teens, but I still consider it an adult fantasy because there are other major viewpoint characters who are well into adulthood. The Martin Mason series is intended for roughly ages ten to fourteen, or upper middle grade. It is a contemporary fantasy more in the tradition of Harry Potter.
To non-fantasy fans, there might not seem to be much of a difference, but I know there is. And most fantasy writers seem to focus on one over the other. Not to mention the great variation there is even within epic fantasy and contemporary/urban fantasy. For epic fantasy, just compare Brandon Sanderson and George RR Martin. They both write epic fantasy, but it's not at all the same.
Most of my reading seems to fall in the realm of epic fantasy, but since there's so much variation, I have yet to figure out what exactly I want to write. I feel like I'm caught in a trap, like I'm only able to think of ideas similar to what's already out there. And then I feel like I'll have to stick to a certain type of book. My Armoth Cycle is very much a quest fantasy, but that's not necessarily what I want to write. I can't see myself writing quest after quest like Terry Brooks. I like some variety. I'm just not sure that's the best way to build readership.
I also would like to branch out into science fiction and maybe even horror, though I haven't read enough horror yet. Nearly every idea I think of has a speculative element. I suppose that at least puts me in a certain box as a writer. I'm just not sure it's specific enough. Add to that the fact that I have interests in writing adult, young adult, and middle grade, and it becomes clear that I lack focus as a writer. It seems to me like most YA authors stay within the YA category, with occasional forays into MG. I just want to write everything.
Some of this may stem from the fact that I became a reader later than most authors do. Once I got started, though, I read like crazy. As I said above, most of it is epic fantasy, but I also read urban fantasy, science fiction, and YA across all these categories. For example, one of my favorites is the Hunger Games series, so naturally, I'd like to write a dystopian at some point. I have countless ideas swimming around in my head, and it just seems like none of them are all that similar.
I suppose there are worse problems to have. Maybe there's a market out there for a writer who writes across genres and age groups. After all, if what I write is good enough, does it really matter? I just worry that an agent might want me to focus in one specific genre and age group, and I don't know if I can do that.
Any thoughts on this? Am I making a problem where there really isn't one?
For example, take my two current projects. The Armoth Cycle is an epic secondary world fantasy in the tradition of Lord of the Rings (of which, surprisingly, I've only read Fellowship). The two main characters are in their late teens, but I still consider it an adult fantasy because there are other major viewpoint characters who are well into adulthood. The Martin Mason series is intended for roughly ages ten to fourteen, or upper middle grade. It is a contemporary fantasy more in the tradition of Harry Potter.
To non-fantasy fans, there might not seem to be much of a difference, but I know there is. And most fantasy writers seem to focus on one over the other. Not to mention the great variation there is even within epic fantasy and contemporary/urban fantasy. For epic fantasy, just compare Brandon Sanderson and George RR Martin. They both write epic fantasy, but it's not at all the same.
Most of my reading seems to fall in the realm of epic fantasy, but since there's so much variation, I have yet to figure out what exactly I want to write. I feel like I'm caught in a trap, like I'm only able to think of ideas similar to what's already out there. And then I feel like I'll have to stick to a certain type of book. My Armoth Cycle is very much a quest fantasy, but that's not necessarily what I want to write. I can't see myself writing quest after quest like Terry Brooks. I like some variety. I'm just not sure that's the best way to build readership.
I also would like to branch out into science fiction and maybe even horror, though I haven't read enough horror yet. Nearly every idea I think of has a speculative element. I suppose that at least puts me in a certain box as a writer. I'm just not sure it's specific enough. Add to that the fact that I have interests in writing adult, young adult, and middle grade, and it becomes clear that I lack focus as a writer. It seems to me like most YA authors stay within the YA category, with occasional forays into MG. I just want to write everything.
Some of this may stem from the fact that I became a reader later than most authors do. Once I got started, though, I read like crazy. As I said above, most of it is epic fantasy, but I also read urban fantasy, science fiction, and YA across all these categories. For example, one of my favorites is the Hunger Games series, so naturally, I'd like to write a dystopian at some point. I have countless ideas swimming around in my head, and it just seems like none of them are all that similar.
I suppose there are worse problems to have. Maybe there's a market out there for a writer who writes across genres and age groups. After all, if what I write is good enough, does it really matter? I just worry that an agent might want me to focus in one specific genre and age group, and I don't know if I can do that.
Any thoughts on this? Am I making a problem where there really isn't one?
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Book Review: Heroes Die
Today I finished Heroes Die by Matthew Woodring Stover. The book is set in a future where Actors entertain the masses by having adventures in another world that is stuck in medieval times. Hari Michaelson is the best Actor out there. In the world of Ankhana, he is a world-renowned warrior known as Caine. He is simply the best at doing what he does, and that is killing. But he's only doing it because the producers back home on Earth are forcing him to do it. Until his wife, also an Actor, is captured. Now his quest becomes personal.
That's probably not the world's greatest introduction to the book, but I figure I could always use some practice at describing other people's books.
I was attracted to this book by the interesting premise. I enjoy a good novel that spans both the science fiction and fantasy genres. At first, while reading, I wasn't sure about the book. Caine came across as a bit too bloodthirsty for my tastes. But as the book progressed, I came to relate in some way to him, and I felt for him in his quest to save his estranged wife and regain her love.
This book was full of action (well-described action). I think it's a good one to read for anyone who is interested in writing action-packed (and possibly bloody) stories. The blood and gore was quite a bit. There were a few passages that actually made me cringe. It was fitting, though. But it is definitely not a book for the squeamish or those easily offended by violence or language.
I'd have to say Caine is probably one of the most badass characters I've ever come across. He's not invincible, though, which helps add a nice element of realism. There is also conflict galore, and it was a page turner for me after the first 200 or so pages. By the end, it ranks up there with some of my favorites. It is also a very interesting concept, so I think it's worth reading.
Rating: 9/10
That's probably not the world's greatest introduction to the book, but I figure I could always use some practice at describing other people's books.
I was attracted to this book by the interesting premise. I enjoy a good novel that spans both the science fiction and fantasy genres. At first, while reading, I wasn't sure about the book. Caine came across as a bit too bloodthirsty for my tastes. But as the book progressed, I came to relate in some way to him, and I felt for him in his quest to save his estranged wife and regain her love.
This book was full of action (well-described action). I think it's a good one to read for anyone who is interested in writing action-packed (and possibly bloody) stories. The blood and gore was quite a bit. There were a few passages that actually made me cringe. It was fitting, though. But it is definitely not a book for the squeamish or those easily offended by violence or language.
I'd have to say Caine is probably one of the most badass characters I've ever come across. He's not invincible, though, which helps add a nice element of realism. There is also conflict galore, and it was a page turner for me after the first 200 or so pages. By the end, it ranks up there with some of my favorites. It is also a very interesting concept, so I think it's worth reading.
Rating: 9/10
Monday, February 25, 2013
Feeling the itch to write something new.
Well, I started work on my third book in the Armoth Cycle recently, but I haven't been feeling it. I like the story, and I want to finish the series again, but I also feel the pressure to write something new. This same feeling applies to my Martin Mason series. I've written and done a lot of editing on the first books in each series. And while writing the other books is rewarding in a way, I can't help but feel it's not moving me closer to being published.
I have so many ideas floating around in my head. Characters, scenes, conflicts. But none of them ever seem to come together into an actual story. This leads me to wonder if I can actually come up with other ideas. What if I only have those two series in me? I've been working on the Armoth Cycle in various forms for more than seven years. The Martin Mason series has been on my radar for close to two years now. I love both these series, but if I want to get published, I need to write something new.
This also brings me to me tendency to want to turn everything into a series. I try again and again to think of ideas for standalone books, but they all turn into series. I'm a quick writer, so I can handle the workload of writing series, but I come once again to the whole publishing thing. I'm at a point in life where I feel so much pressure to make something come of my writing. I still want it to be fun, but I also want to know I'm truly working towards getting something published.
Maybe I'll do some more editing of the first book in the Armoth Cycle. I'm not sure about the opening chapter. I want to make sure it can really grab the reader's interest. I might also try to make the writing better in some places. I often feel like my writing is a little on the plain side. Yes, there's something good about being straightforward, but I don't know.
I'm not sure where this post is going. I just know I'm getting tired of working on the same projects all the time. I won't feel like a real writer until I write something else or get something published. It's like I have a creative block that keeps me from committing to any other ideas.
Any suggestions on how to get over this block?
I have so many ideas floating around in my head. Characters, scenes, conflicts. But none of them ever seem to come together into an actual story. This leads me to wonder if I can actually come up with other ideas. What if I only have those two series in me? I've been working on the Armoth Cycle in various forms for more than seven years. The Martin Mason series has been on my radar for close to two years now. I love both these series, but if I want to get published, I need to write something new.
This also brings me to me tendency to want to turn everything into a series. I try again and again to think of ideas for standalone books, but they all turn into series. I'm a quick writer, so I can handle the workload of writing series, but I come once again to the whole publishing thing. I'm at a point in life where I feel so much pressure to make something come of my writing. I still want it to be fun, but I also want to know I'm truly working towards getting something published.
Maybe I'll do some more editing of the first book in the Armoth Cycle. I'm not sure about the opening chapter. I want to make sure it can really grab the reader's interest. I might also try to make the writing better in some places. I often feel like my writing is a little on the plain side. Yes, there's something good about being straightforward, but I don't know.
I'm not sure where this post is going. I just know I'm getting tired of working on the same projects all the time. I won't feel like a real writer until I write something else or get something published. It's like I have a creative block that keeps me from committing to any other ideas.
Any suggestions on how to get over this block?
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Armoth Cycle update
In the last few days, I did a major editing run-through of White Fire, the first book in my Armoth Cycle. People who've read it pointed out that I have a tendency not to delve into my character's thoughts. I love my characters and want to bring them to life, so I took this on as a challenge.
In all my previous edits, I had cut words from the manuscript. The finished first draft was 122,000 words. Through cutting out extraneous words and redundancy, I reduced that word count to 111,000. Now I've added about half those words back. Adding these character thoughts has drastically improved the story, though, so I won't complain about sitting at 116,000.
I think it might be time that I get a few beta readers who don't know me and won't spare my feelings. While I believe in this story, I have to know what others think. Admittedly, I use a lot of fantasy tropes, but I feel like I've assembled them into a story I haven't seen before. On the surface, it's difficult to show how it's different, which is why my query letter has been such a frustrating process. When I read it, though, I can't think of any other book that has the same plot and feel as mine, and I've read quite a bit of fantasy.
Today, I also resumed work on the third book of the series. I've been looking back over an old draft of the book, making sure I won't forget anything important. I actually finished this series a few years ago, but my writing has improved a lot since then, so I'm rewriting the series. The first book, which I wrote at 15, was terrible, and no amount of editing could salvage it. I also had no idea about how to use POV, which I have now corrected.
Overall, this has been a fun process, and I can't wait to see this series in print. If I say it, it will come true.
In all my previous edits, I had cut words from the manuscript. The finished first draft was 122,000 words. Through cutting out extraneous words and redundancy, I reduced that word count to 111,000. Now I've added about half those words back. Adding these character thoughts has drastically improved the story, though, so I won't complain about sitting at 116,000.
I think it might be time that I get a few beta readers who don't know me and won't spare my feelings. While I believe in this story, I have to know what others think. Admittedly, I use a lot of fantasy tropes, but I feel like I've assembled them into a story I haven't seen before. On the surface, it's difficult to show how it's different, which is why my query letter has been such a frustrating process. When I read it, though, I can't think of any other book that has the same plot and feel as mine, and I've read quite a bit of fantasy.
Today, I also resumed work on the third book of the series. I've been looking back over an old draft of the book, making sure I won't forget anything important. I actually finished this series a few years ago, but my writing has improved a lot since then, so I'm rewriting the series. The first book, which I wrote at 15, was terrible, and no amount of editing could salvage it. I also had no idea about how to use POV, which I have now corrected.
Overall, this has been a fun process, and I can't wait to see this series in print. If I say it, it will come true.
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