Put another thousand words on the thing today. Pretty good considering today was explicitly a “no planned activities” day. What I have is the basics of a first chapter. We have a body, a mystery behind it, and we get the flavor of two of the main characters. And I don’t think it’s rushed, somehow. Will need to be fluffed up a bit in editing, it’s mostly dialog now, but I’m happy.
Oct 17: What is the worst possible first impression someone could get of your Main Character? Would
it be accurate?
Benjamin has been pantless on a conference table during a meeting.
Is it an accurate impression?
Let's just say that it's the kind of thing that's unavoidable for him.
Oct 16: What is one choice your Main Character made for the right reasons that ended up having
terrible consequences?
This is a very common feature of my main characters.
That makes it sound like something for therapy.
Put the first thousand words on the Thing Which Needs a Name* today. Wanted more but the pain cut things short again.
It’s still finding its voice, but that’s okay. Can’t edit what you don’t write.
It’s going to be fun!
* That 1980’s San Francisco fantasy/AI allegory novel
#WritersCoffeeClub Oct 6: "How do you feel about people reading your works without buying a personal copy?"
I love libraries. I love sharing books, and I love having books shared with me. You do not need to buy a personal copy. And sometimes you need to read and have no money. I allow that too.
Becky Chambers (who has a new book out!) says the right things about generative AI in this zine.
"As long as there are people who want to read books written from scratch, I will keep writing books from scratch. That is a hard and fast promise."
https://www.otherscribbles.com/aizine
#WordWeavers Oct 14: "If your main character could ask their future self one question, what would they ask?"
How did we survive? (This applies to more than one main character.)
Though I'll be honest, I'm trying to step down the stakes in my stories. There are certainly some genres where you need a corpse (detective) or lives need to be in danger (oh, a lot), I'm drawn more to Becky Chambers' slightly more cozy adventures. Monk & Robot is so darn nourishing. I want to do that!
#ScribesAndMakers October 8 "Our next featured creator is a poet, potter, author, and crafter. Do you engage in multiple creative activities?"
I look at everything I do as storytelling, and there are many way to tell a story. But I'm reminded that I haven't made a whimsical device in a while.
#ScribesAndMakers Oct 6: "On a scale of 0-100, how much conflict (however you personally define it) is necessary for a compelling story?"
Personally? None. "Compelling" can take many forms beyond conflict. Curiosity and hope are two that drive me as a reader.
Ah! My paperbacks have filtered down to bookshop.org, which is where you should buy them. Or have your local indie bookstore order them for you.
(Not sure why the series isn't linked as such, nor the ebooks, but one thing at a time.)
https://bookshop.org/p/books/clash-of-cultures/a17d232c28a95728
#ScribesAndMakers Oct 4: "Do you include details in your work that are important to you even though no one else will likely notice?"
Oh yes. Particularity with settings I'm familiar with.
But readers will always surprise you.
They'll know.
Beekeeper has too many E's.
#WordWeavers October 2: "Other than novels, what types of writing do you do, such as poetry, screen plays, etc"
I've had radio shows, a stage play, and a number of video games produced. Poetry published. I've been recently reminded that many, many years ago I wrote and performed standup and sketch comedy. Short stories, flash fiction, novellas. Screenplays, but that was before I knew that unsolicited screenplays aren't a thing. Still worth writing.
#ScribesAndMakers October 2: "Do you think it's important for authors to use different pen names for different genres?"
I think of Iain Menzies Banks, who wrote mainstream fiction as Iain Banks and science fiction as Iain M. Banks. I always thought it was an elegant way to separate.
#ScribesAndMakers: September 30: "What was the last song you listened to?"
Listened to instead of it just playing: Poe, Hello.
I will forever be mad at record executives who terminated Poe's next three record contract just because (the guy didn't like women making music).
#WordWeavers September 28: "Tell us about your MC’s religious or spiritual beliefs."
Benjamin grew up only going to church because his parents thought it made them look good. He has since seen too many incredible things and been to too many funerals to keep faith in an earthbound religion.
I just approved the print proofs of the first three Embassy books! Not quite available to buy just yet, but soooon!
(Covers have been tweaked since this photo. 🫤)
#WordWeavers September 26: "Authors talk about how smart their MCs or villains are, but have you ever written a slow-witted character?"
I try to never call attention to how smart or otherwise my characters are. There will always be a reader who is smarter or otherwise to say I'm wrong.
#ScribesAndMakers September 25: "Our next featured creator uses a separate Fedi account dedicated to their book. Do you use different accounts for different creative purposes?"
Funny you ask. I just started this account to separate my writing craft from my fire hose of sense and nonsense.
We'll see how it goes.
September 24: "Our next featured creator will donate a portion of proceeds from book sales. Have you ever put proceeds from sales towards a cause you believe in?"
I would never short change a cause I believe in like that.
(I'm all for it, but if I want to them to have money, I give them money. My reach as a writer should have nothing to do with it.)