Posted in Writing, tagged artists, books, creativity, Fiction, genre fiction, inspiration, James Ellroy, Writers, writing on October 16, 2014| Leave a Comment »
If you’ve ever wondered how master writer James Ellroy puts together a dark, twisting crime novel, or plots stories as deliciously complex as L.A. Confidential, wonder no more.
“I’m a romantic, I love the big challenge and I’m gonna give it to you.”
This Fast Company article by Joe Berkowitz discusses Ellroy’s style (right now), his process (research, let it simmer, then go big, really big), and finally, bring it all together in a tight-packed ending. Enjoy!
Posted in Writing, tagged artists, Fiction, genre fiction, Mary Robinette Kowal, narration, reading aloud, speculative fiction, tips, work, Writers, writing on September 25, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Today we have helpful hints on reading aloud (and presentation in general) from Mary Robinette Kowal.
As an accomplished narrator, podcaster, puppeteer and author with lots of touring experience, she should know. And she does!
Check out her 17-part series for a plethora of detailed and useful suggestions for handling stage fright, phrasing, breathing, recording, what can go wrong (and how to cope with grace), and so much more. If you have a tour in the offing or, you know, you just want to be prepared for your future as a literary genius, this series is for you.
Posted in Entertainment, Writing, tagged awesome, books, Elizabeth Bear, Emma Bull, Fiction, genre fiction, Sarah Monette, science fiction, sff, speculative fiction, Will Shetterly, writing, yay on September 24, 2014| Leave a Comment »
This has been true for a while but Shadow Unit 1 is available to download for free:
Shadow Unit is a contemporary science fiction series about a group of FBI agents struggling to protect humanity from the worst monsters imaginable. Except some of our heroes may be on the road to becoming monsters themselves….
Get started on this reader-funded series with writing by Emma Bull, Elizabeth Bear, Sarah Monette, and Will Shetterly for nothing, nada, zip, tipota!
Kindle version at Amazon: Shadow Unit 1. Epub, pdf, and other formats at Smashwords: Shadow Unit 1.
Posted in Writing, tagged creativity, David Bowie, Elizabeth Bear, Fiction, genre fiction, narrative, rejection, science fiction, sff, speculative fiction, voice, Writers, writing, writing advice on September 22, 2014| Leave a Comment »
The excellent Elizabeth Bear has a good post on how to get past “rave rejections.” You know the ones, where they tell you how great the story is but sorry, can’t use it.
Her advice? Focus on Voice and Narrative. While these suggestions are hardly new she does frame them in concise, useful language that cuts through the extensive “how to” checklists so often found in writing advice. Here she is on how to grow a voice:
Write a lot. Work at identifying and expunging cliches and lazy word choice from your prose. Find sharp verbs and strong, observed details. Read things out loud and if you don’t like how they sound, change them. Embrace whimsy and quirkiness, but only inasmuch as it is natural to you: otherwise you run the risk of becoming twee. Play with pastiche. If you have a natural wit, let it shine through. Be playful.
On narrative drive and creating characters readers care about:
A character who loves something, or who holds fast to an ideal, is humanized and becomes approachable. A character who takes action lures us unto caring about what she cares about.
…
We love people who fight.
It’s a great post, short, approachable, with a “manageable bite-sized helpful chunk” of useful information. Also, bonus points for using a funny video of David Bowie to make her case.
Posted in Entertainment, Writing, tagged books, Fiction, genre fiction, Jason Sheehan, john scalzi, Lock in, NPR, science fiction, sff, speculative fiction, writing on August 27, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Jason Sheehan over at NPR has a very nice review of John Scalzi’s Lock In today. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on a copy:)
Lock In is a cop story first… There is blood, a body, a couch pushed out a hotel room window from a high floor… Once he’s gotten past the tricky part of building a near-future world and putting a dead body in it without getting bogged down in the details of either, the rest is all cake and hand grenades.
Posted in Other, Writing, tagged Alaska, Canada, creativity, David Mack, diversity, editing, Elmore Leonard, Fiction, fiction editors, food, genre fiction, hooptedoodle, Iceland, literature, Mount Everest, NPR, science, science fiction, sff, speculative fiction, William Gibson, Writers, writing on August 21, 2014| Leave a Comment »
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