Take Out The Trash

Writing is a very important part of human existence.  Some say writing is a key factor in what separates us from the "animals".  It is unfortunate than that many writers do not care about quality.

Writing should be done everyday.  Many knowitalls state that it should be done even if it's 10 minutes or one page of "I don't want to write today" over and over.  Yet those GIGO writes (garbage in garbage out) seem to comprise more and more of the worlds writing.  I enjoy blogs,  FB, and social networking, but I have noted of late - even in myself -  a distinct lack of substance.

A dear friend has written a great YA novel and is on the cusp of having it published.  I've read bits and pieces and even helped edit it a bit.  It's full of substance.  She buckled down and gave up a lot of other things to get this done.  It's a great life lesson.  Get ride of the GIGO in your life and you will find the gem of creation in you.

Music as Muse?

I have noted a number of young authors acknowledging musicians and bands of late as inspirations in thier writings.  I'm of two minds about this. 

Music does set a mood, and that getting into a certian mood my help a writier in writing a scene, but when does the mood of the music start to dictate and warp the writing.  Could a scene be altered; could a whole book be altered for that matter, simply becasue the writer choose to put in Linkon Park over Lorenna McKennitte that day?  Are writers even aware that music choices could be altering thier writing in such a profound way?

I do not think that a writer should place themselves in a vacuum or a bubble and never allow something to inspire them; however, how many great writers relied on such mood enhancers -  yes a lot used drugs, but that's not what I'm talking about and you know it.

Music is powerful and I think can help a writer in setting down a story.  But I think that good writers don't turn to music as a source of inspiration.  Besides would you really want to read something inspired by Lady Gaga or Justin "a girl?" Bieber? *shiver*

Poetry

In writing a poem you should include at least one sexual innuendo... so the Masters/PhD students have something they understand.  The rest can be beautiful nonsense.

Viscus Nasty Teeth . . . You Forgot Fluffy

While chatting with a writing friend today the subject of terminology came up.  Two things came to mind; the novel I'm currently reading (Foundling by DM Cornish) and a burble about author Steven Brust.

In the current read some standard issue "things" have fun and exciting names. For example: a Vinegaroon is a sailor,  a "Misbegotten Schrewd" is a troll.  This, in my opinion has added a strange haunting dreamlike quality to the feel of the story.  A BIG plus!

The burble is this: James Blish, writing as William Atheling, Jr., commented negatively about authors who, in an attempt to seem more "science fictional" or more "fantastic," would call a rabbit some funny-sounding name instead of just "rabbit."  In response to this some feel that Steven Brust, a master fantasy writer with an acerbic wit and creativity, devised the norska.   Creatures which lure the reader into thinking they were nice fluffy rabbits and that Steve had therefore violated this rather reasonable rule-of-thumb put forth by Blish . . .  until their important difference was revealed . . .  how do we know that rabbits wouldn't eat dragons if they were available...?

I think this is a nice reminder that rules written by authors work for those authors, but may not work for you.   Here's to breaking the rules!

Health a Must

Having just read today's "Daily Kick" from Dave Farland about Orson Scott Card having a stroke I felt the need to jot my thoughts about writing and health.  The worst thing that could happen to a writer is Alzheimer's - Which Terry Pratchett has.   The next worst thing that could happen to a writer is, in my opinion, a stroke.  Mr. Card was lucky and he admits that; his stroke was very mild and he knew the instant it started happening so he had IMMEDIATE help.  But a stroke can take a brilliant mind and trap it in a broken vessel in a heartbeat.

These health issues rank in the same lump as blindness for me.  I need to see the world.  Perhaps this should be a wake up call to writers (aspiring or otherwise) that life isn't just about books, but living.

Cruel Writes

I am about to finish "Soul Mirror" by Carol Berg and I have had a realization; Authors are terrible horrible people.  They inflict such torment upon the characters of their mind as to make me - humble reader - fear for life and limb.  I can't help but think of the movie "Stranger than Fiction" about an author who basically torments a man because he's actually the main character of her book.  I never want to be a main character...or one of those expendable side characters that wanders off in the opposite direction of Spock only to be eaten by the alien of the week.

Perhaps this is why I am as yet not an accomplished author.  I don't have the cold, callus, and ever calculating cruelty to inflict interesting pain upon my characters...they are my friends!

Blog Site of a Future Novelist

This is the blogging site of ME.  I am a future novel writer.  I am, perhaps, aggrandizing myself, but I felt it is better to be safe than sorry and when I do finally get one of the dozen novels in my head finished, I will have a place in place to burble about it.