How Much Character Do You Put On? By Traci Kenworth

How Much Character Do You Put On?

Traci Kenworth

In the world of beauty, we’re always concerned about what we are or aren’t putting on our faces. The goal is to improve on them, of course. Just like, if you think about it, our characters in our stories. So, how much character do you put on when it comes to your stories? By which, I mean, how true or authentic to themselves do you work to make each character?

Take an old lady. Easy character, right? Pruned skin. Cane to bend to her will. Ah, but how many other disabled these days carry canes? I do. And I’m fifty-five going on fifty-six. Mine is for my progressive neuropathy but also my fall risk. Sometimes my legs just want to buckle under me.

Not exactly the old lady you had in mind, huh? What would make her so for you? Gray hair? Blue-rinsed, white hair? Knobby knees? A pack of cats? A granny sweater? Eyeglasses on a chain? Add up the little details that make the whole. And each character is different. No two of us see the same old lady.

That’s how characters and people are. The truth comes in who we make them. What we pull into their makeup. We can make them rigid, aggravated, or complete bores. Think of a bully in high school. Most would think of guys. I knew some of those but mostly, my high school world was made up of female bullies.

I think that’s why I have a bit of hesitancy relating to my peers. Because so many of them were just ghastly to me. I had overweight girls try and keep me locked out of the school doors in the morning. And skinny ones spitting wads of paper at me in class. I’ve had senior girls tell me that I couldn’t use a certain door, or else. I’ve had girls younger than me harass me with ex guys that used to like me. Like I said, the role of bully is in the eye of the beholder.

Just like a mother. Some of us grew up with mothers who didn’t work outside the home. Some of us didn’t. I’d bet that on both sides of those coins, neither mom looked nor acted alike. Take their manner of clothing. They could’ve wore mostly skirts and dresses. Or pants. And there’s loads of combos in either of those sets. Some liked cotton. Some silk. Different patterns. Thickness. Accessories. The list goes on.

And fathers are more than just the standard ties that are advertised on TV sets. My dad never wore a tie. Even to funerals. He drove trucks. Worked in factories. Plastered ceilings of houses and buildings such as churches like the Mormon Church down in Kirtland, OH. He went fishing and hunting. Other dads did that too but not all. I’m sure there are more differences between our dads.

The point is: all characters come in different shapes and sizes. No two are alike. Pick any two books. No protagonist is like another. No matter the genre, no matter the similarity in the story. There is always something, some detail, that makes each unique to themselves. Katniss and Aelin. Two strong fighters in their different worlds. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. Their heart and their truths. Their sins and their mistakes.

The cost of each character’s life is their own. But on the battlefield, they’re formidable. They know their opponents well and use every advantage they have against them. It’s never just a game to them. That’s how you create a story. You put a character on the field an audience can cheer for despite the odds. They make be just another serial killer but it’s the mold of that killer that makes him/her spring to life.

Know your character. The details that go into them. Their background. Their struggles. Triumphs. Everything blends together into the mix. They are the whole of that being. Do your homework. So, how much character do you put on?

Happenings: Happy 2023! The last year ended with a fizzle for us but hopefully, it jump-boarded us into a new opportunity for my family. Prayers and fingers crossed. Our electricity ended up going out the night before Christmas Eve with the big blizzard rolling in. We didn’t get a lot of snow, thank God. Because I still had to get my kids back and forth to work those days. We were out of electricity until the afternoon of the next day. We lost our water as well. That was out until a few days before the new year. Yes, I kid you not. And the place where I live, the landlords blamed the tenants for it being off. They said we didn’t replace the heat tape like we were told. We bought our new home and the heat tape they put in was good for three years. So them blaming us was just, there are no words. They claimed the tenants pulled the park employees away from their families and holidays and ruined them for them. You couldn’t find an employee in this park even this week. You know how they fixed the water situation? They let the water pipes thaw. Yeah. Real effort on their part. So, we heard about a nice piece of land and we’re hoping to buy and get out of here in 2024 when our contract to keep this house here expires in Sept. I have never liked landlords. They are devious in my opinion. At least, the ones I’ve run across. That being said, I know people who are landlords and I believe they treat their tenants better. Life is hard. Why make it harder by being an a**hole to people?

Here are some links around the web you might like:

1. Writers Helping Writers https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/01/force-your-character-to-make-hard-choices/ One of the best things about conflict is that it pushes your characters to act. In every scene, your characters are making choices—big ones and small ones, and thereby steering their fate. Some decisions will be obvious and require little to no thought, but others will be muddier, with no clear “better” option, generating inner conflict. These choices, provided the characters feel personally invested in the decision, act as a test, revealing who they are. Finding ways to naturally characterize our characters is gold in storytelling, so making the most of a character’s decisions is a wise move. But when we make choices a bit more complex, they go beyond black-and-white options, which creates tension and potentially painful consequences. Hm. Working with two fears or two needs. Sounds delightful.
2. Marcia Meara Writes https://marciamearawrites.com/2023/01/03/forgottenwords-doyouremember/ Interesting series!
3. Syl’s 65 blog https://syl65.wordpress.com/2023/01/03/surging-forward/
4. Writers Helping Writers https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/01/5-reasons-why-its-still-a-good-idea-for-writers-to-have-a-blog/ It’s 2023. Should writers have a blog? It’s been the subject of debate for several years now. There was a time when, if you intended to publish and sell books, you were expected to write a blog too. But it’s not so clear-cut today. There are a lot of ways to communicate with your potential readers, and blogging is only one of them. Here are five reasons why I think it’s still one of the best. I think a blog is an important outreach to your readers. It helps you to get to know them and they, to know you. I’m finding more confidence in my writing nowadays and I believe part of that comes from this blog. I know I can express myself and get my point across to others. I feel at home here, like I’m talking to old friends.
5. Life in the Realm of Fantasy https://conniejjasperson.com/2023/01/04/the-business-side-of-the-business-finding-places-to-submit-your-work-amwriting/ Today, we’re going to explore the various forms of short fiction publishers are looking for and how the market drives what they will buy. Each publication only buys work they think will appeal to their readers, and each serves a different segment of the reading public. We are looking for markets that will pay you for your work. They are difficult to get into, but once you are in, you will be offered more opportunities. If you are writing science fiction, you most likely dream of having your work published in Analog Science Fiction and Fact. They are seeking work that is strictly science-based, because that is what their readers expect. You might also want to submit to Uncanny, as they publish both sci-fi and fantasy. Their readers are more eclectic. Apex Magazine publishes work that pushes the limits, and that is what their readers expect. I’ve been working to break into these markets for a year and a half now. Frustrating but definitely builds your confidence and teaches you to revise, revise, revise with every resubmission.
6. Angel Messages https://annetterochelleaben.wordpress.com/2023/01/05/angel-messages-jan-5-2023/
7. Syl’s 65 blog https://syl65.wordpress.com/2023/01/05/thoughtfulthursday-dr-seuss/ No one could say it better than Dr. Suess!
8. The Smorgasbord Magazine https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2023/01/05/smorgasbord-health-column-2023-the-body-our-greatest-asset-the-brain-introduction-and-anatomy-by-sally-cronin/ I have featured this series over the last ten years on a regular basis for new readers who might have joined the blog. Our bodies are are greatest asset. It has a long road ahead of if from birth, through the teen years, work life, parenthood, middle age and then into our 70s and beyond. At every stage of our life healthy nutrition is essential to help the body develop and remain as disease free as possible. I appreciate that many of you may have read this series before three years ago, but I hope it will be a reminder of how amazing our bodies are, and simply eating the right foods, exercising moderately and not doing anything too reckless…will go a long way to enjoying later life to the full. Losing who I’ve become is one of my biggest fears. Up there with losing certain loved ones. I don’t know how I would cope with either situation and I’m not eager to find out.
9. Staci Trilio https://stacitroilo.wordpress.com/2023/01/05/review-colettas-unnatural-mayhem/ With the fate of the Natural World at stake, can Shawnee and Mayhem stop trophy hunters before it’s too late? Explosive news of a crow hunt rings out in the White Mountain Region of New Hampshire, and one hundred crows gather to put an end to it. With so many lives at stake—including Poe’s—Shawnee and Mayhem must work together to stop the trophy hunters before they obliterate the local murder. Taking on twenty-five experienced hunters armed with shotguns is no small feat. If they fail, Poe may lead his brethren to their death. No matter what it takes, this group must be stopped. But what if Shawnee and Mayhem aren’t seeing the full picture? What if these men have secrets worth killing over? Sounds exciting to me!
10. Writers in the Storm https://writersinthestormblog.com/2023/01/get-booked-on-a-podcast-by-answering-one-question/ A critical way to build awareness of your work and credibility as a writer is by sharing your ideas, writing, and opinions with people in your niche. Podcasts are an excellent marketplace for ideas — according to PodcastHosting.org, there are two million podcasts out there, so surely there are a few shows that can help you grow your brand by booking you as a guest. The secret to getting booked comes down to answering one question. While likely not a traditional media organization, a podcast still deserves the same level of professionalism. If the show does regular guest interviews, assume the producers or host gets numerous pitches for guests every week (I know my shows do!). This means you are in competition to get placed, and you need to put your best foot forward by answering this question:
11. Books and Such https://teripolen.com/2023/01/05/lumara-by-melissa-landers-bookreview-ya-magic-fantasy/ Boarding school student Talia Morris has no idea her boyfriend, Nathaniel, is a Mystic, let alone second in line to the throne of a secretive, aspirational magical community―one no mortal has ever been allowed to step inside. Until now. Nathanial’s cousin is about to be married in the biggest wedding the magical world has ever seen, and Nathaniel is allowed to bring a date. Talia is the lucky recipient of the golden ticket every Mystic wannabe in the world would kill for―only she doesn’t want it. Talia thinks Mystic worship unnecessarily aggrandizes people for being born a certain way. When she finds out Nathaniel is “one of them,” she almost jumps ship. But Nathaniel loves her, and she loves him. So when he begs her to give his family and their community a shot, she reluctantly agrees.Enter the most fantastical world any mortal has ever seen, and a magical wedding straight out of a dream. After a few days of bonding with Nathaniel’s family on the island, of seeing how beautiful their magic is and how peaceful their community, Talia’s about to be won over―until the entire wedding party suddenly falls into an unexplainable coma and the community goes on lockdown. Talia, the outsider, is pegged as the culprit and has to do everything in her meager non-power to prove her innocence. As she embarks on a journey to find the truth, Talia soon discovers reality is not all it seems, and her past may put her in more danger than she ever imagined. Love to find reviews like this!
12. Chris the Story Reading Ape https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2023/01/06/what-i-learned-from-90-queries-by-eva-langston/ Don’t be fooled by the title. I’ve actually sent hundreds of queries for four different novels over the past decade. Without going into detail, I queried a novel and eventually got an agent, parted ways with that agent, queried some more, collected rejections, wrote three more novels, queried more, revised a lot, had some babies, and then got back to querying. My summary: traditional publishing is a long game, so get yourself some gumption. Now, when I say 90 queries, I’m talking about the queries I sent for my most recent novel. The novel that, after a year and a half in the query trenches, got me an agent. I’m now happily represented by the brilliant Ali Lake of Janklow & Nesbit. In the fall of 2020, I started querying with what I thought was my best novel yet: a YA paranormal suspense. At first I was getting nothing but form rejections. So I sought advice from my writing group and revised the query letter and opening pages. But still, crickets. Finally I paid for a one-on-one Manuscript Academy meeting with agent Fiona Kenshole. And she laid a finger on why I wasn’t getting any requests. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out the right details to put into a query. She gives good advice and insight.
13. Fiction Favorites https://johnwhowell.com/2023/01/04/the-last-drive-blog-tour-with-chris-graham-the-story-reading-ape/ I doubt there is anyone in the blogging world who does not know about Chris Graham. Chris has spent the last ten years providing an avenue for authors to meet each other and to have a reliable source of all things writing. I am honored to be a guest of Chris’. So here is the link to the stop with Chris today. https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2023/01/04/reserved-for-john-howell-2/ The purpose of his blog, according to Chris, is fourfold. (In Chris’ words) 1. To introduce YOU to new (to me) authors I’ve come across in my wanderings through books and the cyberforest. 2. To provide a platform (battered old homemade soapbox) for authors to introduce themselves to you. (See my Contact Me Section for Guest Author article Guidelines) 3. As an informal information service to authors, poets, or anyone else who is thinking of becoming a published person of that ilk. 4. To promote FUN and an OASIS OF CALM and Font of useful Knowledge andTips for Indies (please do NOT feed my naughty chimps, or they may follow you home) from the woes and stresses of the real world. If you are not part of The Story Reading Ape’s team, you are missing an opportunity to learn, see, be seen, and be entertained. Thank you so much for helping spread the word on my latest, Chris. Follow John Howell as he guest over at Chris the Story Reading Ape’s blog for his new story, “The Long Drive.”
14. Entertaining Stories https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/2023/01/04/my-2023-business-plan/ I have to confess, Craig’s business plans started me doing my own about three to four years ago now. They help immensely as they point you toward your goals for the year.

Advertisement

Five Links 10/17/2020 Traci Kenworth

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

Five Links 10/17/2020

Traci Kenworth

Writing:

1. https://killzoneblog.com/2020/10/should-a-fiction-writer-use-a-thesaurus.html “In college my roommates and I used to play a game with a dictionary. We cleverly called it “The Dictionary Game.” It was played with a big dictionary and scraps of paper. When it was your turn you’d look through the dictionary until you came across a word no one was familiar with. You wrote down the correct definition. The other players made up fake definitions that sounded right. The object was to fool as many people in the game as you could. You got a point if you guessed the correct definition. You got a point if somebody guessed your fake definition. The person who chose the word would get a point for every wrong guess.

I learned some cool words this way. The one that has stayed with me for over forty years is borborygmus. It means a “rumbling in the bowels caused by gas.”

This still cracks me up. It’s an onomatopoeia, a word that sounds like the thing it describes (although onomatopoeia itself is definitely not an onomatopoeia). And it makes for a great insult: You borborygmic swine! That’ll stop a bad guy in his tracks.” Sounds like an unusual game.

2. https://fantasyhandbook.wordpress.com/2020/10/13/what-writing-actually-is/ ““Let us record the atoms as they fall upon the mind in the order in which they fall, however disconnected and incoherent in appearance, which each sight or incident scores upon the consciousness.”

—Virginia Woolf, “Modern Fiction”

We write in order to explain ourselves, in one way or another, to perfect strangers removed from us by both place and time. I’m all for fun adventure stories in any genre, all the while understanding that even those fun adventure stories have something to say about the author and his or her time and place and culture and prejudices and fears and anxieties and desires and… as much as I can pry out, all of which will have been pried out, by me, because that’s what I’m looking for as a reader. Your readers will read your work in which you have poured out some measure of your time and place and culture and prejudices and fears and anxieties and desires and… filtered through their own time and place and culture and prejudices and fears and anxieties and desires and…

See how that works?

Why you start to write at all is entirely personal. I hope you’re not approaching it as some kind of “If J.K. Rowling could do it…” get rich quick scheme, but what the hell… that will come through in your writing as well. Maybe you have something to say about… anything… sibling relationships gone wrong, elder abuse, the eternal power of love and forgiveness, why it sucks to be living through COVID quarantine… anything in any combination.

In “Pippi and the Moomins,” Richard W. Orange uncovered that:

‘It was the utterly hellish war years that made me, an artist, write fairy-tales,’ (Finnish author Tove) Jansson told an interviewer after her second Moomin book, Comet in Moominland (1946), came out. ‘I was feeling sad and scared of bombs and wanted to get away from gloomy thoughts.’

Oh, boy, do I want to get away from gloomy thoughts right now. That sounds like a fantastic reason to write in October of 2020.”

3.

4.

5.

Research & Fun Bits:

1. https://www.janefriedman.com/writing-and-publishing-horror-qa-with-todd-keisling/ “KRISTEN TSETSI: In a since-deleted interview on Medium, in answer to a question about your attraction to horror, you say, “I’m one of those weirdos who enjoys the exploration and what I might find waiting for me in the dark, even if it terrifies me.”

That’s all well and fine in fiction, but in real life, standing at the edge of very dark woods, would you step into the trees? And, when standing at the edge of very dark woods (literally, not metaphorically), if there is fear, what is your fear? What do you imagine is in there?

TODD KEISLING: Do I have a flashlight? If so, then yeah, I’ll probably step into the woods.

I used to go on long hikes and bike rides with my dad in the state parks of Kentucky and Tennessee, so the woods themselves don’t scare me. I’m more afraid of tripping over something, falling into a hole or from a cliff, or disturbing a nest of snakes. Yes, I’m terrified of snakes. And ticks. Lyme disease is no joke.”

2. https://somethingferal.wordpress.com/2020/10/10/going-west-coetan-arthur/ “Arthur’s Quoit came as something of a surprise. The huge neolithic tomb rises from the plateau behind St David’s Head, the angle and ridge on the capstone seeming to shadow the lines of Carn Llidi beyond. The capstone is around twenty feet long and over eight feet wide, supported by a single orthostat that holds the point of the stone around five feet from the ground. At first glance, you assume that somewhere during its five thousand year history, the other two orthostats that would have supported it must have fallen and the earthen mound that covered it been eroded away. There are many such places where this has happened.” Amazing!

3.

4.

5.

Some Things More Serious:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Teaser Fiction & Poetry:

1. https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2020/10/10/time-blanket-a-quadrille/

2. https://dlfinnauthor.com/2020/10/10/fiction-in-a-flash-challenge-week-20-pursoot-iartg-writingcommunity-flashfiction-asmsg-writingprompts-poetry-tanka/

3.

4.

5.

Book Reviews, Cover Reveals, & Author Interviews:

1. https://jessicabakkers.com/2020/10/11/book-review-nightmareland-a-horror-anthology/ “You all know I have a horror bent (especially those of you brave enough to have read the first book in The Armageddon Showdown, Guns of Perdition). So, when I found out my good friend and fellow horror lover, Robbie Cheadle, had stories published in a few anthology series’ called Box Under the Bed, I rushed out to get my hands on a copy of one of the anthologies. Not only were Robbie’s stories terrific, but the other authors told terrifyingly delicious tales that chilled me to the marrow!

Compiled by award winning author, Dan Alatorre, the Box Under the Bed anthology I started with was called Nightmareland. The stories are bookended by Alatorre’s own short story(ies) focusing on Jessica (good name), who tries the new designer drug, Nightmareland, and goes on a wild trip into her own terrifying subconscious. The stories in the middle of these opener / closer stories symbolise her nightmares. Get it?”

2. http://middlegrademojo.com/2020/10/13/happy-book-birthday-who-gives-a-poop-by-heather-l-montgomery/ “As if her book about roadkill (Something Rotten) wasn’t gross enough, Heather Montgomery brings us a book about poop. And just like her roadkill book, this one is stuffed with science and scientists. She writes about Dr. Logan Kistler, an archaeologist that specializes in archaeogenomics and who, by studying mastodon poop, made a connection between ancient wild gourds and the pumpkins we eat today. There’s also Dr. Daniella Chusyd, who trained her dogs to sniff out elephant dung so it could be analyzed to determine why the forest elephants in Africa are declining in numbers.

Even though there is a lot of information about defecation in this book, it’s also a fascinating look at real scientists and how the scientific method is used to answer questions and solve problems. Not only did I learn how important whale dung is to phytoplankton and the overall health of our oceans, I learned how scientists study this subject. Who knew there were so many cool jobs as a scientist?

Heather’s unbridled enthusiasm for all things in nature, even poop, is intoxicating. She makes the science of scat so interesting that you almost forget to be grossed out. Written in a personal, humorous narrative style, I felt like I was riding along with Heather when she interviewed the scientists and I was looking over her shoulder when she did hands-on research. Her detailed description of cutting open the bowels of a dead possum is probably one of the grossest things I’ve ever read.

I highly recommend Who Gives A Poop? Young readers, ages ten and up, will be all over this book like a dung beetle on deer droppings. It would be great for the classroom too!

Kirkus gave it a starred review. “A well-stirred slurry of facts and fun for the strong-stomached ‘poop sleuths’.”

Heather Montgomery has a B.S. in Biology and a M.S. in Environmental Education. She has published 17 books for young people. Learn more about her at www.heatherlmontgomery.com.”

3.

4.

5.

Good Omens: Season 1. Midnight Sun. Disney Princess Trunk Dress-up.

Five Links 10/10/2020 Traci Kenworth

Image by Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto from Pixabay

Five Links 10/10/2020

Traci Kenworth

Writing:

1. https://stevelaube.com/a-writers-fears-a-prayer/ “Save me from fear, Lord.
Give me courage to write;
make me “bold in our God” (1 Thessalonians 2:2) to write for you,
whatever the obstacles or blockages the Enemy may throw in my way.

Save me from the fear of rejection;
let me write today for your approval first and foremost,
and if I receive it, let me be satisfied with it.

Save me from the fear of inadequacy;
remind me that “all my springs are in you” (Psalm 87:7),
and that you are wholly sufficient no matter how inadequate I may be … or feel.

Save me from the fear of failure.
I know, as Samuel Logan Brengle said, “Fear is a fruit of selfishness.”
I confess my selfishness, my desire to amount to something.
Destroy that desire in me, and replace it with boldness and bravery.”

2.

3.

4.

5.

Research & Fun Tidbits:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Some Things More Serious:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Teaser Fiction & Poetry:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Book Reviews, Cover Reveals, & Author Interviews:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Five Links 8/29/2020 Traci Kenworth

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

Five Links 8/29/2020

Traci Kenworth

Writing:

1. https://killzoneblog.com/2020/08/have-your-characters-say-what-you-wish-youd-said.html “We’ve all been there. We’re driving home from a party where we were engaged in robust conversation. Someone said something boneheaded and we thought, That was a boneheaded thing to say. But not wishing to hammer that very obvious nail, we did not reply.

Now, halfway home, it comes to us. The perfect comeback! Witty, wise, pithy. If only we could go back in time! We’d be like the legendary members of the Algonquin round table. (“He and I had an office so tiny, that an inch smaller and it would have been adultery.” – Dorothy Parker.)

There’s an entire Seinfeld episode based on this premise. George is at a Yankees’ board meeting where a platter of shrimp is served. He over-enthusiastically consumes the crustaceans, prompting another board member, Reilly, to remark, “Hey, George. The ocean called. They’re running out of shrimp.” The other members laugh. George can think of nothing to say in return.

Only later does he come up with what he thinks is the perfect comeback. “Oh, yeah? Well, the Jerk Store called, and they’re running out of you!” George’s friends are not impressed and offer alternatives. “No!” George insists. “It’s Jerk Store!” I sometimes have characters do what I didn’t necessarily do in those situations as well. The words and the actions can make the character stand out.

2.  https://stevelaube.com/a-growing-readership/ “It recently came to my attention that the email list for our agency’s blog has grown by 40% over the last two years. It’s now the size of a small town or a rather large church!

That is only the email list. It doesn’t count those of you who use the Facebook feed, the Twitter feed, an RSS feed, or come to the site directly on a regular basis. That is a pretty big crowd, and it is humbling to say the least.

It does raise a few questions.

Why do you read this blog?

Is it for the ever-delightful Tamela? For the always-fetching Bob? For the fascinating podcaster Thomas? For the curmudgeon comments of grumpy Steve? Or do you only come to watch videos on Fun Friday?

Actually, it is a serious question. We are regularly asking ourselves, “What do we address next?” “What do our readers want to read?” “What do our readers need to read?”

3. https://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/knowing-what-we-dont-know/ “

4. https://marciamearawrites.com/2020/08/28/the-nutshell-catch-and-the-point-of-no-return/ “Staci Troilo’s back on Story Empire today explaining the next part of The Nutshell Theory. This is great stuff, and something we can all learn from, so I hope you’ll stop by and check it out. As usual, please consider sharing on your favorite social media sites so others can learn as well. Thanks, and thanks to Staci for giving me a whole new batch of things to consider before I start my next book. Great job!”

5.

Research & Fun Tidbits:

1. https://fantasyhandbook.wordpress.com/2020/08/25/a-fantasy-word-list/ “One thing I do, and have done, with every edit (at least of a fantasy or science fiction novel or story) since starting at TSR in 1995 is create a word list/style guide. I’ll share my basic template here and encourage everyone to create and maintain this resource. I guarantee it will be a valuable tool not just for you while you finish your story or book—or series, even more so!—but it’s something you not only can but should give to editors and others who will be working with your text.

You might be surprised how often, as an editor, I get manuscripts in which the spelling of even the primary characters’ names change subtly throughout the text. Rules for initial caps and other things can easily end up being more or less randomly applied, too. But a sense of plausibility is often signaled in the subtlest of ways, including the judicious application or careful revision of an exiting rule of grammar and usage that works on a subconscious level so your world just “feels real.” Believe me, you’ll really come to appreciate it when it prevents an editor like me from “fixing” a perceived “mistake” that was an intentional component of your worldbuilding. The word list will warn your editor ahead of time that this was intentional, and not a typo.” This sounds like an awesome thing to do! I’m going to try this while I edit and going forward, each story I write.

2.  https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/2020/08/29/one-of-those-kind-of-days-2/ “I’m glad there is pumpkin beer in the refrigerator, because I need it.

I wanted to pick up some kind of fuel additive to use on my generators. I have one that runs beautifully, and one that acts like it’s on life support. When I ran them a couple of weeks ago, one would only run if I left the choke on. Home Depot was our first stop.

My brother said to get one of two specific products, but they didn’t have either one. I found something that sounded like it would do the job and bought it.

My Dad and my Grandfather each had small generators. Even after 20 years they started right up with a couple of pulls. I whined to my brother about that, and he said it’s all because gasoline has ethanol in it today. I can see how that might be the” Not sure what a jackfruit is, lol.

3. https://pitchwars.org/day-1-part-1-of-the-pitch-wars-mentor-workshops-with-keena-roberts/ “Welcome to the Pitch Wars Workshops with some of our amazing past and 2020 mentors. From a lottery drawing, we selected writers to receive a query and first page critique from one of our mentors. We’ll be posting some of the critiques leading up to the Pitch Wars submission window. Our hope is that these samples will help you in shining up your query and first page.

We appreciate our mentors for generously dedicating their time to do the critiques. If you have something encouraging to add, feel free to comment below. Please keep all comments tasteful. Our comments are set to moderate, and we will delete any inappropriate or hurtful ones before approving them.

First up we have …

Pitch Wars Mentor Keena Roberts  … 

Keena Roberts is a 2020 Pitch Wars mentor for the Adult category. She is the author of Wild Life (Grand Central, 2019), about her childhood growing up in her primatologist parents’ research camp in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. She lives outside New York in the mountains with her wife, daughter, and several pets and enjoys reading by campfires, wherever she can find them.”

4.

5.

Some Things More Serious:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Teaser Fiction & Poetry:

1. https://dlfinnauthor.com/2020/08/28/fiction-in-a-flash-challenge-week-15-iartg-asmsg-pursoot-writingcommunity-fiction/

2. https://charmedchaos.com/2020/08/28/haiku-setting-sun/

3. https://padresramblings.wordpress.com/2020/08/28/darkest-abp-15/

4. https://pilgrimage.studio/2020/08/28/todays-shot-192/

5. https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2020/08/28/end-of-a-dream/

Book Reviews, Cover Reveals, & Author Interviews:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Bestselling in Writing Books. 2,000 to 10,000. Complete English Grammar Rules. Burn After Writing. Writing Tools. The Blue Book of Grammar & Punctuation. 642 Things to Write About.

Five Links 8/1/2020 Traci Kenworth

Image by Nicola Redfern from Pixabay

Had a chaotic week with my mom going into hospital, family stress, and my son getting a job. All in all, things are looking up and we’re on the road to recovery.

Five Links 8/1/2020

Traci Kenworth

Writing:

1. https://killzoneblog.com/2020/07/the-vision-on-the-stairway.html “Forty years ago—today—I went to a birthday party for one of my best friends from high school. It was held in his second-story apartment in North Hollywood, and the place was packed.

At one point in the festivities I went downstairs to the courtyard to chat with a couple of buddies. We sat there chewing the proverbial fat, the subject of which I have long since forgotten. Then it happened. A glance that changed my life.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone bounding up the stairs toward the party. I turned. And saw a vision. If I may purloin Raymond Chandler’s line from Farewell, My Lovely: It was a blonde. A blonde to make a bishop kick a hole in a stained-glass window.”

2.

3.

4.

5.

Research & Fun Tidbits:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Some Things More Serious:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Teaser Fiction & Poetry:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Book Reviews, Cover Reveals, & Author Interviews:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Bestselling in Sports Nutrition: Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies. Herbal Supplements, Gluten-free. Collagen Peptides. Vitamin Code Raw Zinc. 60 Billion Probiotic. Smartypants Gummy Kids Vitamin. Tumeric Cuncurim. Vitamin D3.

Five Links 7/26/2020 Traci Kenworth

Image by Reimund Bertrams from Pixabay

Five Links 7/25/2020

Traci Kenworth

Writing:

1. https://megdowell.com/2020/07/24/10-tips-for-eliminating-not-so-obvious-writing-distractions/

2.

3.

4.

5.

Research & Fun Tidbits:

1. https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/2020/07/25/technological-nightmares-and-extra-work/ “I’ve been working on my storyboards in drips and drabs. Right now I have six in various stages of completion, and some are nearly complete.

There are two stand alone novels, the finale of the Lanternfish trilogy, and three future stories for Lizzie and the hat. I was feeling pretty good about the process. That’s when everything started failing.

The app I’ve been using is called Pinnic. It randomly erased one of my ledger cards. I tried opening and closing, even a reboot. That’s when I discovered another board had the same thing happen to it. Then it started throwing out a random index card that could not be edited or deleted. It also covered another card I would really like to read.

What happens is these developers stop updating their apps. It’s happened before. I used to use an app I really liked, but the developers stopped updating and eventually it became unusable. This one was so long ago that I don’t even remember its name. That’s when I switched to Corkulous Pro.

Corkulous Pro also went the way of the dinosaurs and I downloaded Pinnic. They haven’t had an update for a long time, but Apple has had many. You can see where this is going.”

2. https://writershelpingwriters.net/2020/07/conflict-thesaurus-entry-losing-a-job/ “Conflict is very often the magic sauce for generating tension and turning a ho-hum story into one that rivets readers. As such, every scene should contain a struggle of some kind. Maybe it’s an internal tug-of-war having to do with difficult decisions, morals, or temptations. Or it possibly could come from an external source—other characters, unfortunate circumstances, or the force of nature itself.

It’s our hope that this thesaurus will help you come up with meaningful and fitting conflict options for your stories. Think about what your character wants and how best to block them, then choose a source of conflict that will ramp up the tension in each scene.”

3. https://franceandvincent.com/2020/07/25/dreaming-stones-going-underground/ “The roads on the Isle of Skye are my kind of road… narrow, winding and green. I was loving driving around the island, but when presented with an even narrower road that climbs a steep hill and throws in a hairpin bend or two, the only thing to do is to take it.

The road led us up the headland above Uig, and we were already eyeing up possible parking spots. Any accommodation we had found for the night online was exorbitantly expensive… there was no way we would pay over a week’s wages for a night’s lodging, even if we could… and so far, we had seen no ‘vacancy’ signs either. Skye seemed to be closed on Mondays; for a holiday destination, this did seem rather odd.”

4. https://franceandvincent.com/2020/07/24/dear-wen-erratics/ “Yes, an eminently enjoyable weekend, it was good to rediscover an old friend. The sleepy energy of Beeley Warren Circle is a balm to the soul as the numerous Bees we encountered should attest. The silly thing is that there was more bracken and higher this time and we still managed to find it. I shall put that down to both faith and better research, the book actually mentions the circle being between two rafts of bracken which to mind is curious. The book is over thirty years old. One would have expected the bracken to have made inroads during that time. Either the circle is exerting some kind of effect on the surrounding vegetation which we have long suspected, or the moor is a lot older than initially supposed. Both eventualities are possible.”

5.

Some Things More Serious:

1. https://austinkleon.com/2020/07/23/i-forgot-how-to-write-again/ ““After I finish a book, I forget how to write,” says Patricia Lockwood. She followed up: “And then I always forget I’m going to forget how to write and plunge into the depths of despair … so beautiful.”

(LOL SAME)

Here is how my friend Maureen McHugh put it:

Every time I think I’ve figured out how to write, I discover that actually, I’ve just figured out how to write the thing I just wrote, and I have no clue how to write the next scene, the next story, or the next book.

I think all the time about this paragraph I clipped from comedy writer Tom Koch’s obituary:” It’s amazing! I never realized we all experience this!

2. https://robertawrites235681907.wordpress.com/2020/07/23/thursdaydoors-darwins-house-kent/ “Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world. Feel free to join in on the fun by creating your own Thursday Doors post each week and then sharing your link in the comments below, anytime between Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time). 

You can join in here: https://miscellaneousmusingsofamiddleagedmind.wordpress.com/2020/07/23/thursday-doors-july-23-2020/

We visited the UK during the boys August school holiday in 2018. We chose to make Kent our home base as I love the area and I can visit Canterbury Cathedral over and over again. I also really like the sweet shop in Canterbury.

One of the historical places of interest we visited during this particular visit was Charles Darwin’s house. Charles Darwin, in case you’ve forgotten, was an English naturalist,”

3.

4.

5.

Teaser Fiction & Poetry:

1. https://www.djranch.org/2020/07/24/flash-fiction-if-wed-known/

2. https://padresramblings.wordpress.com/2020/07/24/the-man-at-the-spring/

3. https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2020/07/24/call-it-whatever/

4. https://pilgrimage.studio/2020/07/24/todays-shot-173/

5.

Book Reviews, Cover Reveals, & Author Interviews:

1. https://mariacatalinaegan.com/2020/07/25/skyclyffeby-z-mossread-by-noah-kershisnikgenre-middle-grade-science-fiction/ “Rex Bright enjoys drawing in notebooks and dreaming. He’s thirteen, and his life is ordinary. Until he sees a face in a cloud which changes everything. Rex glimpses the girl from an airplane window while travelling to his aunt and uncle’s farm for the summer. Her features are so perfect, Rex can’t believe she’s only vapor. But Cloud Girl is real. A week later, Skyclyffe, a mysterious airship cloaked in a cumulus, abducts Rex and his family. The captors expect the Brights to live in their flying city forever. And, although he’s kidnapped, Rex loves the craft filled with robots, scientific discoveries, and silvery-white beings. Before long, Rex will be forced to decide whether to escape, or if Skyclyffe and its secret wonders are worth never stepping foot on Earth again.”

2. https://charmedchaos.com/2020/07/24/haiku-summer-wind-2/

3.

4.

5.

Bestselling in Baby. Pampers Newborn/Size 1. Dr. Brown’s Baby Bottle Brush. Munchkin Snack Catcher. Natural Rubber Baby Pacifier. Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment. Tear Free Bubble Bath for Kids. Manual Breast Pump. Pampers Easy-Up Training Pants.

Five Links 7/18/2020 Traci Kenworth

Image by enriquelopezgarre from Pixabay

Five Links 7/18/2020

Traci Kenworth

Writing:

1. https://www.livewritethrive.com/2020/07/13/keep-pressing-on-no-matter-what/ “Today’s guest post is by Kristina Naydonova, twelve years old

Why is it that we don’t believe in ourselves? Are we too scared to know what it feels like to hit a wall of failure? Do we feel the need to bring ourselves down for validation?

Allow me to tell you that everyone is going to taste failure at least once in their lifetime. If you haven’t failed, you aren’t even trying. You won’t succeed right away because that’s not how life works.

Everybody always assures you to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong, but you should never listen to that. You should find the courage inside of you to want to fall forward, not backward.

I don’t care if there are difficulties lying ahead, and neither should you or anybody else. We all go through rough patches in our lives, and most people choose to walk away. It takes discipline and persistence in order to break through and make a difference.

I’ve had many people tell me that if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. You and I weren’t born to stay quiet. We were all born to leave our mark behind in this world. For our voices to be heard.” I agree wholeheartedly!

2. https://writersinthestormblog.com/2020/07/7-ya-plot-ideas-for-a-fabulous-novel/ “Writing an irresistible novel that readers can’t put down is the goal of most writers. Using plot-strengthening techniques gleaned from Young Adult writing can improve any novel, no matter the genre or the age of readership. A story featuring a teen protagonist has a fertile bed of emotions to cultivate with built-in rites of passage moments that all readers can relate to or anticipate.

The following seven elements can heighten the drama and tension in any story, helping you write a book your readers won’t want to stop reading.

1. Utilize a subplot about Belonging.

Be it finding peace in a dysfunctional family, bonding with a band of misfits, or navigating the expectations of first love, YA books all have a coming-of-age component that stems from a need for acceptance.” Some very good advice here!

3. https://fantasyhandbook.wordpress.com/2020/07/14/anticipatory-anxiety-and-the-long-paragraph/ “Even if they aren’t reading aloud, our readers tend to breathe as if they were. That might not look or even feel exactlythe same as reading aloud, though I have seen people reading in public moving their lips, eyes bugged out, hand over their mouths, and otherwise really, really into it. And I love that, by the way, and always try to see what they’re reading, as unobtrusively as possible so as not to interrupt them, especially in that state. If a book can get someone to look like that, as far as I’m concerned it’s worth a look. Still, even if they aren’t breathing exactly as if reading aloud, your readers’ internal experience matches that sensation much more closely than you might think. The way you feel has a huge impact on how you breathe, and how you breathe has a huge impact on how you feel. If you don’t believe me, how about Thomas A. Richards, Ph.D. of the Anxiety Network, who wrote:

The flow of adrenaline and the resulting extra blood flow increases your strength and awareness of the danger. This extra “awareness” of the perceived danger may cause all sorts of feelings, such as dizziness, nausea, hyperventilation, heart palpitations, confusion, lack of control, unreality, being dazed, shaking, trembling, and sweaty palms, among others.

Neuroscientist Alex Korb, from his book The Upward Spiral:” Interesting.

4. https://conniejjasperson.com/2020/07/13/the-character-arc-part-1-amwriting/ “We who write fiction spend a lot of time plotting the events a character will go through. We may write to an outline, or we might keep it in our head, but most of the action is usually known before we write it.

Even if you don’t plot in the traditional sense of the word, you should give some advance consideration to character development.

The term character arc is used to describe the personal growth and transformation of a character throughout a story. In narratives with a strong character arc, the protagonist begins as one sort of person. Through the events they experience, they are transformed. Often the change is for the better, but sometimes they change for the worse.

Great writing contrasts the relative security of the characters’ lives as they were in the opening paragraphs against the hazards of their life when they are in the midst of change.

Give me the book that immerses me in the uncertainty, fear, and anger—let me experience the emotional journey as well as the events of the narrative.”

5. https://killzoneblog.com/2020/07/fiction-is-for-kids.html “My wife is a can-do person. Although Covid-19 is again spreading unchecked across the nation, and America is suffering from its worst economic debacle since the Great Depression, the crisis hasn’t dented her spirit. In just the past two months she’s launched a new nonprofit that’s educating and entertaining New York City kids who have been isolated by the resurgent pandemic.

The organization is called Summer in the City, and two weeks ago it began to offer dozens of free online classes in art, music, theater, dance, and writing to public-school students in NYC. And because I always try to be helpful to my wife (well, not always, but pretty often), I agreed to teach one of the classes aimed at teenagers: Writing Science Fiction. My description of the class in the online course catalog (which you can peruse here) includes the tagline, “You probably feel like you’re already living in a science-fiction dystopia right now, so why not write about it?”

I’ve talked about fiction writing with students many times over the past decade, in Skype chats with school book clubs and in person at school auditoriums, but until now I’ve never taught a class with scheduled meetings (every Tuesday and Thursday at 2 pm) and weekly assignments. The experience has made me wonder which particular pieces of writing instruction are most helpful to beginning writers. It’s also given me some insight into the difficulties that many teachers are confronting while trying to teach on Zoom and the other online platforms.”

Research & Fun Tidbits:

1. https://franceandvincent.com/2020/07/13/callanish-calling-thin-white-stones/ “‘This site, important for its grandeur, its design

and its astronomy, is a complex,

of a diminutive stone circle, an avenue,

three rows and a chambered tomb…’

– Burl”

2. https://somethingferal.wordpress.com/2020/07/17/ars-geometrica-viii/

 3. https://megdowell.com/2020/07/17/10-subtle-things-preventing-you-from-reaching-your-monthly-writing-goals/

4. https://charlesfrenchonwordsreadingandwriting.com/2020/07/18/another-draft-finished/ “Yay! I am very excited to say that I have finished draft # 3 of the third book in my Investigative Paranormal Society series–All The Devils Are Here.  I have become far more focused in my approach to revision of my novels, and it is helping me a great deal as I move through the revision process. For my first novel,  Maledicus:  The Investigative Paranormal Society Book 1, I did 13 drafts. I was making it up as I went, in terms of how to revise, and I had an extremely difficult time.

Now, I have a plan for each draft, and it helps me focus and do the work in an efficient way. For this novel, I expect two more drafts, and I intend to have this book out in time for Halloween!

Now, it is time attack the third draft of my political thriller. I will speak more of that in another post!”

5. https://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/2020/07/17/being-a-word-weaver-part-1/ “Why do I write? I have always been a storyteller. When I was a child I was always making up adventures in my head. For years my imaginary friend was a squirrel called Patch, and we had all sorts of adventures on Farmer Brown’s farm. I was, and still am, a dreamer, a creator of worlds and people.

I get bored easily, I’m smart, and I am cynical so I suppose storytelling is an escape, a way of doing things I could never really do.  My late grandmother would tell us stories about ‘The Duchess’ and my late father had some really quite dark tales about various household implements that would go on the rampage, have adventures and cause mischief — thanks Dad – I get my twisted sense of humour from you too.”

Some Things More Serious:

1. https://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/great-quotes-about-imagination-and-writing/

2. https://www.bryndonovan.com/2020/07/13/how-to-find-a-literary-agent/ “Hi friends! Once or twice a week, someone asks me how to find a literary agent. This usually comes up because at my day job in publishing, we’re only taking agented submissions, though I also get this question from writers of all kinds of genres. So I figured it was time I did a post about finding a literary agent.

You might be wondering, “Do I need a literary agent to get published?” The answer is no. Some publishers accept unagented submissions—either all of the time, or during designated open submission periods. But many publishers only take submissions through agents, including most of the bigger publishers.”

3. https://annetterochelleaben.wordpress.com/2020/07/18/angel-messages-july-18-2020/

4. https://teagansbooks.com/2020/07/18/the-delta-pearl-41-swim/ “Random Reader Things.  I’ve brought back the papyrus, from episode 39.  Olga Núñez Miret gave us that.  Great minds think alike and GP Cox, and Deborah Zajac both left a Gramophone.  This episode brings back the Agate, the Cook.  Since she’s Scottish, it was the perfect time to add the Clootie Dumpling from Barb Taub.

This episode ties up the triple cliffhanger from last time.  While it is not as long as I used to make serial chapters, it is longer than I’ve been writing them this year.  So, don’t complain ― you’ve been warned.

Where did Randall Needleman and Émeraude land?  What happened to Eliza when she turned that dagger on herself?  What about the two young women lovers running away from persecution? “Alex” may have exposed herself as Alison.  Let’s not forget the newest gemstone name character, Jet Fischer, the librarian who has always been infatuated with the Delta Pearl.  Will he be left standing on the dock when the riverboat leaves?  Plus we weren’t even certain that Sid, the Cadet got safely back into the launch from his precarious place on the roof.  Read on to learn the answers to these questions.”

5. https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/news-round-up-week-ending-17-july-2020/ “Diabolica Britannica is a collection of 14 dark tales from the dark isles. Edited by Keith Anthony Baird, and featuring stories by genre titans Adam L G Nevill and Tim Lebbon alongside new talents such as Stephanie Ellis, Morgan K. Tanner and S. J. Budd, Diabolica Britannica also features a foreword by Ramsey Campbell. With all profits going to the UK’s National Health Service, you can pick up your copy right now, here.”

Teaser Fiction & Poetry:

1. https://colleenchesebro.com/2020/07/14/colleens-2020-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-186-synonymsonly/ “Here are your two words:

“BLESSED & HEX”

2. https://rivrvlogr.com/2020/07/17/poem-up-at-the-ekphrastic-review-8/

3. https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/2020/07/17/sofia-how-it-all-began/

4. https://janedougherty.wordpress.com/2020/07/17/sevenling-questions/

5. https://wordeologist.wordpress.com/2020/07/17/child-in-need/

Book Reviews, Cover Reveals, & Author Interviews:

1. https://mariacatalinaegan.com/2020/07/13/the-dead-girl-under-the-bleachers-a-craven-falls-mystery-book-1-by-donna-m-zadunajsky-genre-ya-mystery/ “Three girls…

Three dead bodies…

The quiet town of Craven Falls is depleting in population. One by one…

Scarlet Fitzgerald thought it would be fun to play a game on Laura Stevenson, a nobody at Craven Falls High. But what happens when the game unleashes buried secrets Scarlet doesn’t want anyone to know? Secrets that could get someone killed, including herself.

Three can play a game, but one of them ends up dead…”

2. https://hrrgorman.wordpress.com/2020/07/13/book-review-through-the-nethergate/ “This novel was billed as a paranormal horror about a young girl – Margaret – who is flung into a horrifying experience with ghosts, monsters, and historical people. By the existence of Heaven and Hell as mentioned in the blurb, I expect there’s some Christian mythology involved, but that doesn’t bother me! Tally ho!

NON-SPOILER REVIEW

Fantastically researched. Spooky as hell. I’ve never had to put a book down because I was too freaked out, but now I have. If you want to know more about some really horrible people and horrible circumstances, this book is full of them.

Something strange about this book that I rather enjoyed but which might not appeal to everyone was the piles of stories about the ghosts and “incarnates”. Many ghosts or groups of ghosts had a story behind them, and Cheadle put together a well-researched summary of their lives and why their souls were trapped on Earth or in Hell. In effect, this book often felt like a compilation of historical stories, but that was right up my alley. There was also not as much dialogue as you might expect in a novel, but a lot of it was tied into this historicity.”

3. https://rachelpoli.com/2020/07/18/thomas-wildus-and-the-wizard-of-sumeria-by-j-m-bergen-book-review/ “Book two takes place three months after the events of book one. Thomas and his friends seem to believe the battle is over though more dangers await them.

The plot was well done since it picks up where the previous book left off. The story was already established with new ideas put into place. This was another fun adventure.”

4. https://mjmallon.com/2020/07/17/17th-july-promo-hot-off-the-press-new-releases-wisp-ii-sea-dragons-and-this-is-lockdown-fantasy-dragons-and-covid19-anthology-compilation/ “The malevolent and ruthless mage, Dante Asano is defeated but victory came at a horrific price. Before Wisp and his companions could intervene, Dante possessed Pendra Thorn’s body. In order to stop Dante without killing Pendra, a magic sleep spell was cast. A glass coffin warded with powerful spells encased her body while her mind fled to a favourite memory; unfortunately, Dante is also trapped with her. The magical coffin will only keep her alive, and Dante contained for a short time. A desperate plan to undertake a treacherous journey across an unknown sea means Wisp and his companions must disband. Some journey with Wisp to find an ancient spell to release Pendra and banish Dante’s spirit. Those left behind must guard Pendra in a city under threat. An ancient evil casts a shadow over Edra causing burgeoning unrest and setting the inhabitants against one”

5. https://dsm-publications.com/2020/07/17/a-new-audio-book-release-kongo-com/ “In my book,kongo.com, I have pulled together four separate related stories. Three of them were published as serials on my blog over the past year. The fourth is a brand new story that weaves together the other three. This was an enjoyable exercise and I hope that those that choose to read it will enjoy it as well.” No Pain, No Gain was an excellent story!

Bestselling in Software. Turbo Tax Software Deluxe & State 2019. Turbo Tax Software Home & Business. Norton 360 for Gamers. Turbo Tax Premier for Rental and Investments. Microsoft Office 365 12 Month Subscription. H & H Block Software. Microsoft Windows 10. Norton 360 Deluxe.

Five Links 7/11/2020 Traci Kenworth

Image by Peter H from Pixabay

Five Links 7/11/2020

Traci Kenworth

Writing:

1. https://acflory.wordpress.com/2020/07/10/editing-as-a-pantster/ “A pantster is a writer who ‘writes by the seat of their pants’ – i.e. doesn’t outline in advance. I’m a pantster, mostly, and I learned a long time ago that pantsters have to trust their subconscious. If that little voice says ‘no’ then we have to listen, even if that means deleting thousands of perfectly good words.

Today I deleted 3688 words from the second book of the Suns of Vokhtah. I replaced all those words with just 490. To give those 490 words some context, the MC, Kaati snuck into the Healers’ Settlement as a refugee, not knowing that refugees were locked up like caged animals. It needs to escape but the other refugees are too beaten down to help. Or so it thinks :”

2. https://megdowell.com/2020/07/09/12-secrets-of-the-most-fearful-and-successful-writers/

3. https://donmassenzio.wordpress.com/2020/07/09/7-tips-to-writing-a-physical-description-that-works/ “Don’t go jumping to the comments just yet.  Jessica makes a good point.  Our characters are what we make them, so we shouldn’t blame them for it.  We do have to be careful on how we go about doing a physical description.  Know what you’re aiming for and make sure it’s what you want.  Of course, none of these tips will matter if you want to keep it as vague as possible.  Now, let’s get to it.”

4. https://phsolomon.com/2020/07/10/the-roots-of-my-fantasy-writing/ “I’ve been thinking about the various settings in my upcoming book and realized there are a number of places I’ve visited in the past that serve as the basis for these fictional locations. They seem common for fantasy but they are more specific for me and aren’t based on previous fantasy worlds, familiar though they may seem.

For instance, Auguron Forest is actually based on a place I visited in Oregon as a child where the trees were enormous, some of the largest cedars in the world exist west of the Cascade Mountains (notice #2 on this list). Eagle’s Aerie which appears early in the book is based on an actual rock formation on the coast of Oregon, though not exact in reference. It’s called Haystack Rock and you’ve probably seen it in pictures. Without giving too much away, there are settings that occur underground that remind me of caves I’ve visited.”

5. https://writershelpingwriters.net/2020/07/improve-your-fiction-by-studying-the-brothers-grimm/ “We all know how important it is to read within our genre. Doing so shows us what elements make those books successful (and also what overdone tropes to avoid). But reading outside of our genre can be just as helpful. It’s always a good idea to examine what works and why, so we can apply those successful components to our own stories. Fairy tales have been around forever, and Grimm’s stories have particular longevity. What universal guidelines can we borrow from them to bolster our own writing? Shonna Slayton is going to show us what she’s learned from these age-old tales.”

Research & Fun Bits:

1. https://franceandvincent.com/2020/07/08/a-thousand-miles-of-history-xxxxv-the-knights-come-down-to-drink/ “We had already been sidetracked by St Edwold’s tiny church, but we were definitely on our way home now. Except, we thought that as we were passing, it would be a pity not to visit the little village of Sutton Montis, the place where the ghostly knights that sleep beneath Cadbury Castle are said to bring their horses to drink. We had tried to visit on the first day of the workshop and taken a wrong turn somewhere. Perhaps we would have better luck this time.”

2. https://franceandvincent.com/2020/07/07/dear-wen-edible/ “Dear Wen…

If you are referring to the comments made at Brimham Rocks, then you need to check your sources, the correct quotation I believe is, ‘You are becoming a ‘Fluff-Bunny’ which I stand by whole-heartedly, still, ‘Fluff-Bunny‘ is infinitely preferable to bleeding all over sacred texts… albeit reassuring to know that the particular tome in question goes with you everywhere as indeed should be the case for an industrious Little Grub like your good self. Or is this some new fangled kind of ritual you are intent on inflicting upon our unsuspecting Companions…”

3. https://judithbarrowblog.com/2020/07/09/smorgasbord-cafe-and-bookstore-meet-the-authors-memoir-chuck-jackson-memoir-brigid-gallagher-shortstories-anne-goodwin/ “There are over 150 authors in the Cafe and Bookstore and I wanted to keep it to key pieces of information such as buying links, recent review, website and covers. However, I know that readers also like to know more about the background of authors.

In this series during June and July I will share the bios of all the authors in the cafe in a random selection. I hope that this will introduce you to the authors in more depth and encourage you to check out their books and follow them on their blog and Twitter.”

4.  https://nicholasrossis.wordpress.com/2020/07/09/getting-married-in-the-middle-ages/ “Whether you’re writing Medieval history fiction or fantasy, you will appreciate this Quora answer by Helena Schrader, who borrowed from an article she wrote for The Medieval Magazine. To this, I have added information by Brent Cooper, taken from medievaltimes.com.

Getting Married in the Middle Ages

First, a caveat: the Middle Ages lasted a thousand years in places as different as Iceland and the Holy Land. So, things differed from place to place and from time to time. After all, did your grandmother get married in a similar way to you?

No matter where and when, though, a general fact about marriage in the Middle Ages is that it was usually an economic affair.

This is not to say that the parties to a medieval marriage inherently lacked affection, passion, or sexual attraction. However, economic considerations played an important role in marriage negotiations and contracts. Whether reigning kings or serfs, marriages were made for many reasons — to increase family fortunes, secure offspring, and resolve conflicts. Yet, whatever the reason for a marriage, contracting parties were careful to consider the economic consequences — for both parties.”

5. https://johnwhowell.com/2020/07/09/thursday-a-little-personal-twiggy-and-lucy-outside-4/

Some Things More Serious:

1. https://annetterochelleaben.wordpress.com/2020/07/10/angel-messages-july-10-200/

2. https://awriterofhistory.com/2020/07/09/toni-morrisons-the-bluest-eye/ “When Toni Morrison passed away last year, I asked professor of English literature and author Piper Huguley for advice on which of Morrison’s novels to read. Piper not only offered a recommendation, she advised me on the order I should read these celebrated novels.”

3. https://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/declutter-your-writer-brain/ “Are these THE Top Ten ways to declutter your writer brain? More accurately, they are a few of the ways. But that would have made the title too long and not great for search engine optimization. (SEO–We all know it’s important, like good electrolyte balance, but how many of us really understand SEO? And that was a prime example of letting a random thought occupy an already cluttered brain. Hence, this blog post.)

If you’ve ever caught yourself staring at a blinking cursor that’s waiting for you to key in more brilliance on your work in progress, but your attention is captivated by the fly stuck between the interior and exterior window, and the lingering odor of the morning’s burnt toast reminds you that you should take a minute to pull something out of the freezer for supper, and that leads to the thought that yesterday would have been the perfect day to defrost the freezer and why didn’t you take advantage of that but now you’ll have to write it on the to-do list which is where again?…then you understand the derailing capacities of a cluttered writer brain.”

4. https://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2020/07/little-fires-everywhere-are-rules.html “Let me preface this blog post by saying that my main diet of reading genres consists of page-turning thrillers, dark suspense, police procedurals, and clever mysteries. I rarely read literary novels and am choosy about which ones I pick—books I’ve loved like The Kite Runner and Love in the Time of Cholera, and books I didn’t love that others did, like The Help. I have dozens of books on my home bookshelves and in my Kindle, but the stay at home order has limited my library visits. I decided to expand my reading into books that have reached bestseller status that I can download from my library’s Overdrive/Libby app. That’s how I chose Little Fires Everywhere, by Celeste Ng. Most of the reviews were stellar. The book starts with the semi-ending, a device I dislike. Many people hate prologues. I don’t mind them. This wasn’t a prologue; it was part of the ending, and it took away some of the edge. The book is a story of privilege, of mothers’ love, and of class.”

5. http://booksbywomen.org/having-it-all-its-not-as-easy-as-it-sounds/ “I grew up believing it was possible to have it all – a career, a family, and anything else I wanted. My parents encouraged me to get a good education and become an independent woman. I went to a progressive all-girls’ school, where we were expected to work hard, get good grades and embrace every opportunity that came our way. 

By the time I became pregnant, in my early thirties, I’d already done lots of different things in my life and was settled in London with a good job and decent career prospects.

Like all first-time mothers, my views on parenthood were shockingly naïve. I vaguely knew we’d have to organise childcare after the baby was born, but it never occurred to me that being a mother would affect my career plans. 

Then my son was born, and everything changed. For starters, nothing had prepared me for the visceral, life-changing love that consumed me in the months following his birth (and still consumes me today as he’s about to leave home and embark on his own first steps into the adult world). Alongside this, I rapidly started to realise I’d been sold a lie. 

Because going back to work fulltime, continuing with my career, wasn’t an option. Apart from the cripplingly expensive costs of fulltime childcare, I simply didn’t want to hand my child over to someone else for five days every week.”

Teaser Fiction & Poetry:

1. https://www.djranch.org/2020/07/09/100-poetic-forms-warrior/

2. https://charmedchaos.com/2020/07/09/black-amethyst-sky-2/

3. https://pilgrimage.studio/2020/07/09/todays-shot-162/

4. https://trentsworldblog.wordpress.com/2020/07/09/vista-writephoto/

5. https://kittysverses.wordpress.com/2020/07/09/visuals-2/

Book Reviews, Cover Reveals, & Author Interviews:

1. https://middlegrademojo.com/2020/07/08/the-mojo-minute-with-margaret-peterson-haddix/ “Until their mother vanished, the Greystone kids—Chess, Emma, and Finn—knew nothing about the other world.

Everything is different there. It’s a mirror image, except things are wrong. Evil. Their mother tried to fix it, but she and an ally got trapped there along with Ms. Morales, their friend Natalie’s mom.

Now the four kids—brave Chess, smart Emma, kind Finn, and savvy Natalie—are determined to rescue everyone.

To do so, they have to go back: into the other world, where even telling the truth can be illegal.

But in such a terrifying place, Chess doubts he can ever be brave enough. Despite all her brains, Emma can’t seem to break the code. With everything spiraling out of control, Finn has to pretend he’s okay.

And for Natalie, the lies of the other world include some she wishes were actually true. What if she’s gotten so used to lying she no longer knows what to believe?”

2. https://judithbarrowblog.com/2020/07/09/smorgasbord-cafe-and-bookstore-meet-the-authors-yafantasy-kevin-cooper-mystery-mary-anne-edwards-historical-apple-gidley/ “There are over 150 authors in the Cafe and Bookstore and I wanted to keep it to key pieces of information such as buying links, recent review, website and covers. However, I know that readers also like to know more about the background of authors.

In this series during June and July I will share the bios of all the authors in the cafe in a random selection. I hope that this will introduce you to the authors in more depth and encourage you to check out their books and follow them on their blog and Twitter.”

3. https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/book-review-until-summer-comes-around-by-glenn-rolfe/ “Whether you are in the mood for a ghost story (The Haunted Halls, Shadow Work Publishing, 2016) or “creature horror” (Becoming, Alien Agenda Publishing, 2017) or a werewolf tale (Blood and Rain, Cemetery Dance Publications, 2019) or just about any other sub-genre of horror, Glenn Rolfe has got you covered. Described as a “rising star in the genre” by Ronald Malfi, and “a vital part of this generation” by Brian Keene, Rolfe burst onto the scene with his debut novella Abram’s Bridge (Samhain Publishing, 2015) and hasn’t looked back—or stopped working—since. Striking up a great professional relationship with esteemed editor Don D’Auria at Samhain, it is no surprise to see his name feature in the Flame Tree Press roster with his highly anticipated new novel.

Set in the resort town of Old Orchard Beach, Maine in the Summer of 1986, we follow the story of fifteen-year-old Rocky Zukas as he discovers the magic of teenage love and the horror of an all-too-real monster. Full of that good old-time 80s nostalgia that readers of a certain age (this reviewer is amongst them) crave, from the colourful fashion to the classic 80s musical hits and the coin-op arcade machines that would eat all of your pocket money. Rolfe has said that Old Orchard Beach is a real place, somewhere he has visited often, and it shows in his depiction of the setting, adding depth to the story.

Just as the setting is easy to visualise as we read, so are the characters, especi”

4. https://teripolen.com/2020/07/09/red-white-and-royal-blue-by-casey-mcquiston-bookreview-lgbt-romance/ “First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.

The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him.”

5. https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2020/07/10/meet-guest-author-chiara-talluto/ “Hello, my name is Chiara Talluto. I’m a wife, busy mom, author, and a woman after God’s heart. As I ponder this declaration, I find it more appropriate to claim that I am a woman after God’s heart first. He has given me a gift of writing, and I honor Him through my written works. So, pull up a chair and stay awhile.

People often ask what kind of writing I do. I tell them… I write Inspirational/Christian drama empowering women to discover their faith, use perseverance to overcome adversity, and become heroes of their own destinies. I also write middle-grade fantasy-fairy tales to encourage girls in developing strong morals and values, and to always stand up for what is right.”

Bestselling in sports collectibles. Tops 2020 Baseball. Vintage Football Cards. Vintage Baseball Cards. Vintage Baseball. 2020 Baseball Series 1. Basketball Cards. 2020 Baseball Hangers Packs. 2020 Complete Set Baseball Retail Box. Golden Warriors NBA Hoops. 2020 Baseball Hobby Box Series Two.

Five Links 7/5/2020 Traci Kenworth

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Five Links 7/4/2020

Traci Kenworth

Writing:

1. https://www.livewritethrive.com/2020/06/29/10-must-read-modern-novels-to-inspire-writers/ “Throughout my career, when I’ve spoken at conferences, conventions, and other book events, I’ve been asked for my single biggest piece of advice for new authors wanting to hone their craft. I can’t take credit for this advice. It’s as old as the written word, I think. And Stephen King famously cites this advice in The Bible for fiction writers: On Writing.

But there’s no avoiding the plain, simple truth that the absolute best way to learn the craft of writing and how to properly write fiction is to read, read, read.

Read as much as you can, especially in your chosen genre. See how the “experts” do it. See how those who have figured out the secret to becoming a successful author write their books.

I take this advice a step further when working with my coaching and editing clients. Often, their “homework” assignment is to choose a book by an author they look up to and want to emulate (not copy) and read it.” I started by reading everything I could by my favorite authors and trying to figure out how they brought the story across. I still do this.

2. https://megdowell.com/2020/06/28/your-writing-will-never-make-every-reader-happy/ “Not all writers are people-pleasers. Yet we all have to do everything we can to satisfy our audiences (real or imagined) all the same.

Many writers, however, also live with the general desire to make everyone they interact with happy. It’s impossible, of course. We know this. That doesn’t stop the urgency. The never-ending quest for perfection. The irrational hope that everyone will always like everything we do.

Or publish.

You’ve likely heard before that trying to please everyone as a writer is a direct line to years of misery, disappointment, and — probably — failure.

All that’s 100% true, don’t get me wrong.

But has anyone ever actually told you how the HECK you’re supposed to keep writing when you know for a fact some people aren’t going to like it?” I think we keep writing for ourselves as we began writing for ourselves and hope our readers will follow.

3. https://stevelaube.com/curious-about-agents-and-publishers-and-stuff/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=curious-about-agents-and-publishers-and-stuff “A writer friend recently messaged me with a few questions about agents and publishers and stuff. The “and stuff” is my locution, not hers. So I thought for the benefit or outrage of all, I’d answer her in this space. See how generous I am? No? Okay, be that way. Here goes:

I am curious about using literary agents vs. working with a publisher without agent representation. . . . I’ve noticed that some writers do have representation, yet their book hasn’t sold to a publisher yet. In some situations, the author has been represented for a year or more and the agent is still shopping their manuscript. I’m wondering, how does the agent help to promote the author’s work to ignite publisher interest?

This question (and those that follow) are sort of what we bigwigs call “asking a barber if you need a haircut.” As an agent, of course, I think agents are pretty great. So, keep that in mind, as I answer. First, a year in this business is not a long time. I’ve had clients who’ve gotten an offer 10, 11, or 12 months after submission. I’ve also had clients who, a year after submission, have a new project ready for submission.”

4. https://megdowell.com/2020/07/03/we-are-all-creating/ “It can feel extremely discouraging when you aren’t writing as much as you want to be. You might be in a pretty dark place, wondering if writing is even the thing you’re supposed to be doing. If you’re even good at it, or if you ever will be. Having stopped, you might seriously consider never going back. Would it really be the end of the world if you chose a different path?

A creatively inclined human being faces many challenges throughout their life. Not writing when you wish you wanted to want to write is one of many of those. But it’s a tough one. Believe it or not, you’re not always in control of it. Sometimes there are factors standing in your way that you can do little to nothing about, and the result is that you want to write. But you aren’t. You … can’t.

Does this mean you’re a failure? A disappointment? A lost cause?” No. You just need time.

5. https://megdowell.com/2020/07/02/why-you-havent-been-feeling-inspired-to-write-lately-and-why-thats-ok/ “I couldn’t write.

Well, I COULD. I had to — I didn’t have a choice.

But coming up with ideas? Enjoying the process? Nope. I wanted nothing to do with it.

It had been weeks. And I just couldn’t get it together.

I just kept asking myself over and over: “What is wrong with you?”

And then it hit me.

NO ONE is particularly OK right now.

The world is on fire.”

Research & Fun Tidbits:

1. https://franceandvincent.com/2020/07/04/a-thousand-miles-of-history-xxxxi-an-unexpected-encounter/ “We took to the backroads again, nodding to Drake’s statue as we passed through Tavistock once more, climbing up towards Dartmoor. On our way south, the mists had closed around us completely and we had seen little more of the wild beauty of the moors than the first few yards and the tarmac in front of the car. This time, the skies were clear, and the few miles over the moor looked like taking a while, as I could not resist stopping at almost every possible place.”

2. https://franceandvincent.com/2020/07/03/a-forest/

3. https://syl65.wordpress.com/2020/07/04/stand-up-comedy-jay-larson-wrong-number/

4. https://jenanita01.com/2020/07/03/the-system-i-use-to-write-over-100-blog-posts-every-month/ “Most bloggers struggle with getting their writing done for one surprising reason: they approach writing as the act of creating something out of nothing. It’s the main reason you want to bash your head against the keyboard.

In fact, writing the damn thing should be the easiest part of content creation.

Once I realized that you can’t create something out of nothing, I could wake up at 5 AM, have a sip of coffee, and sit down to punch those damn keys until my hands hurt.

No more time wasted staring stupidly into the abyss of a blank document, no more cursing that blinking cursor thing.”

5. https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/news-round-up-week-ending-3-july-2020/

Some Things More Serious:

1. https://charlesfrenchonwordsreadingandwriting.com/2020/07/03/underground-library-society/ “What would you do if a beloved book, rich in meaning and literature, were to be banned, gone forever? Would you vow to memorize the book in order to save it? I would. When Charles French, a professor of English Literature, formed a society at Lehigh University in his English 2 class for the purpose of appreciating all books – especially those that have been banned over the years – I knew this was more than a brilliant idea. Much like the storyline in Fahrenheit 451, the members of the U.L.S. (Underground Library Society) pick a book to save, if books were banned.”

2. https://annetterochelleaben.wordpress.com/2020/07/04/angel-messages-july-4-2020/

3. https://robertawrites235681907.wordpress.com/2020/07/02/smorgasbord-guest-writer-the-importance-of-a-book-cover-by-roberta-eaton-cheadle/ “Thank you to the amazing Sally Cronin from Smorgasbord blog for hosting me with a post about the importance of a good book cover. Sally has wonderful books with smashing covers which you can find here: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/my-books-and-reviews-2019-2020/”

4. https://donmassenzio.wordpress.com/2020/07/02/the-dos-and-donts-of-pitching-like-a-pro-from-the-writers-in-the-storm-blog/ “So you want to write for magazines and websites…great! Writing articles can be an excellent way for authors to promote their work, build a platform, hone their skills, and get paid. How do you start? With a pitch, of course. But how do you make sure your pitches will land the way you want them to? Allow me to share with you some of the wisdom I have gleaned from over twenty years working in media and publishing, most recently as Editor-in-Chief of Writer’s Digest magazine.

After so much time on both sides of the editor’s desk—as a full-time freelancer, and as an acquiring editor – I’m confident I’ve seen the best pitches, and the worst ones. I’ve sent out both kinds of pitches in my own career too!”

5. https://maeclair.net/2020/07/02/just-a-note/ “Please pardon my absence over the last two weeks. I have missed visiting your blogs and sharing on my own. I will be back online next week and look forward to catching up. A special thanks to my Story Empire colleagues for covering comments on my post last week while I was engaged elsewhere.

For those in the U.S., I wish you a happy Fourth of July weekend ahead. May it be filled with family, friends, and good times! And to all my friends, regardless where you are located, happy writing and reading. May the muse be kind, and your summer (or winter) filled with excellent books. Chat soonest!”

Teaser Fiction & Poetry:

1. https://www.djranch.org/2020/06/28/gogyohka-brutiful/

2. https://colleenchesebro.com/2020/07/02/minnewaska-march-an-encore-haibun-frank-j-tassone/

3. https://janedougherty.wordpress.com/2020/07/03/when-4/

4. https://joem18b.wordpress.com/2020/07/03/haiku-505/

5. https://www.djranch.org/2020/07/03/haibun-pandemic-day-110/

Book Reviews, Cover Reveals, & Author Interviews:

1. https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/2020/06/26/welcome-to-day-10-of-the-sir-chocolate-and-the-ice-cream-rainbow-fairies-blog-tour-bakeandwrite-4willspub-rrbc/ “The fondant cat parade tells the story in limericks of Dinah the Kitten, daughter of Daddy Grey and Mommy Cat, who likes to sleep and escape to Wonderland in her dreams. While in Wonderland, Dinah meets a variety of brightly coloured and fun fantasy kittens. The fondant cat parade illustrates some of the wonderful fondant art that appears in all the Sir Chocolate books.” Robbie has helped and supported me through many of my blogging posts. She always does incredible fondant creations. Her writing is incredible as well. If you’re looking for some gems for your children, try her books.

2. https://mjmallon.com/2020/06/29/the-curse-of-time-ya-fantasy-free-promo-offer-coming-soon-3-days-from-30th-june/ “I’m pleased to announce that my YA Fantasy The Curse of Time #1 Bloodstone will be on free promotion for three days from 30th June!!!

Fifteen-year-old Amelina Scott lives in Cambridge with her dysfunctional family, a mysterious black cat, and an unusual girl who’s imprisoned within the mirrors located in her house. When an unexpected message arrives inviting her to visit the Crystal Cottage, she sets off on a forbidden pathway where she encounters Ryder, a charismatic, but perplexing stranger. With the help of a magical paint set, and some crystal wizard stones she discovers the truth about a shocking curse that has destroyed her family’s happiness.”

3. https://mariacatalinaegan.com/2020/06/29/knucklehead-fred-by-arias-williams-genre-childrens-picture-book/ “Knucklehead Fred is a whimsical, rhyming story about a fun-loving, energetic boy named Fred.

His parents just can’t figure out how to make him sit still and listen!

But when Fred finds himself in need of a favor, Mom and Dad use it as a perfect opportunity to teach him a thing or two about responsibility.”

4. https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/2020/07/04/celebrating-6-years-of-rosies-bookreview-team-rbrt-with-team-member-cathyry/ “I invited some of my team members to tell us more about being part of the book reviewing team.”

5. https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2020/07/04/meet-guest-author-anna-annina-lorenzi/ ““Before being born I was on a spaceship waiting to go down”.

Wait! I’m not crazy, I swear!

Let me introduce myself…

My name is Anna, but almost since I was a little kid everyone has always called me “Annina,” and not because I’m so short, but because in Italian it’s also an affectionate diminutive to indicate that you’re the youngest in the family or group of friends. I was born and grew up in Milan, Italy, where I still live with my two marvelous beagles, and I have been writing since forever.”

Bestselling in Appliances. Portable Ice Making Machine. Chest Freezer. Portable Mini Washing Machine. Countertop Ice Making Machine. Range Hood Insert. Freezer Basket. Ice Cleaner.

Five Links 6/27/2020 Traci Kenworth

Image by Willgard Krause from Pixabay

Five Links 6/27/2020

Traci Kenworth

Writing:

1. https://killzoneblog.com/2020/06/why-im-writing-40s-style-pulp.html “In the comments to last Tuesday’s post, Kris asked me about the series of pulp-style stories I’m doing for my Patreon community. It doesn’t take much prompting to get a writer to talk about his work, now does it? So here I go.

My parents were friends with one of the most prolific pulp writers of his day, W. T. Ballard (who also had several pseudonyms). I was too young to realize how cool that was. I wish I’d been aware enough to ask him some intelligent questions about writing! (I’ve blogged about Ballard before.) Fortunately, I was the recipient of many of his paperback books and a collection of his stories for Black Mask about a Hollywood troubleshooter named Bill Lennox. Lennox was like a PI, but did his work for a studio. I thought that was a nice departure from pure detective.

So I decided to create a troubleshooter of my own. The first thing I did was write up a backstory for him:

WILLIAM “WILD BILL” ARMBREWSTER was born in 1899 in Cleveland,”

2. https://writershelpingwriters.net/2020/06/sneek-a-peek-at-the-occupation-thesaurus-firefighter/ “July 20th is just around the corner and so we thought we’d tee up one of the entries inside the newest volume in the Writers Helping Writers Descriptive Thesaurus series.” Their thesaurus book are always a help to me! Pick one up today!

3. https://conniejjasperson.com/2020/06/22/emotion-its-complicated-amwriting16004/ “When we discuss our work with other writers, the word mood is sometimes used interchangeably with atmosphere. I see those two aspects of story as conjoined twins, marching along together. They are separate but intertwined so closely that they seem as one.

Mood happens in the background over the length of the story. Mood allows the emotions the writer instills into the story to be more specific, more intensely colored.

Atmosphere is also long-term but is part of worldbuilding. Atmosphere is conveyed by setting, which affects the overall mood of a piece.

Together, atmosphere and mood have the power to intensify the reader’s impression of the emotions experienced by the characters.

Emotion is immediate, short term. It exists in the foreground but works best when in conjunction with the overall atmosphere/mood.”

4. https://writersinthestormblog.com/2020/06/ya-or-not-ya/ “Young Adult novels have come a long way from the classics we read in school.  Novels like S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders and J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye were first accepted into the newly coined category, Young Adult (YA) in the 1960’s. While YA literature focuses on adolescence and coming of age stories, it can span any genre and follows the rules within those types of writing.

YA also appeals to multi-generations of readers, evolving from the single-problem stories of an after school special to the mega-blockbusters we see today. One thing is for sure: readers of all ages are gobbling up these stories.

Writers today have questions about how this multifaceted category works, and whether their novel is actually YA. Below are tips to help you answer these questions. (Plenty of examples and ways to enhance your current story are included.)”

5. https://writershelpingwriters.net/2020/06/conflict-thesaurus-entry-being-mistaken-for-someone-else/ “Conflict is very often the magic sauce for generating tension and turning a ho-hum story into one that rivets readers. As such, every scene should contain a struggle of some kind. Maybe it’s an internal tug-of-war having to do with difficult decisions, morals, or temptations. Or it possibly could come from an external source—other characters, unfortunate circumstances, or the force of nature itself.

It’s our hope that this thesaurus will help you come up with meaningful and fitting conflict options for your stories. Think about what your character wants and how best to block them, then choose a source of conflict that will ramp up the tension in each scene.”

Research & Fun Bits:

1. https://franceandvincent.com/2020/06/20/dear-wen-scions/ “Oh, there you are… ah, the old ‘Tree-Beard’ with ‘Hobbit’ on shoulder shot from the wall painting at Pickering church if memory serves.

We have still to visit a goodly number of Hammer Stones in that vicinity if you remember? And as it is not too much of a hike…May we pencil that in for July sometime, perhaps?

We could utilise the New Inn as a base…our usual rooms.”

2. https://franceandvincent.com/2020/06/27/a-thousand-miles-of-history-xxxiv-a-lake-of-legends/ “Next morning we were once again up and away early, though this time our first stop was only a mile or two down the road and still on Bodmin Moor, a place where there must be as many legends as there are people who visit the place. We had come to pay our respects to a lake and to those who, so the stories tell us, reside within its depths.

Dozmary Pool is a small and isolated lake left behind by a glacier. Around it the remains of flint-working have been found, suggesting it was a gathering place for early Man and there are many prehistoric remains in the area. The waters of Dozmary feed nearby Colliford Lake and it is one of the sources of the River Fowey. There are no trees and no shelter, and although the ordinary world measures its depth at around ten feet, it is said to be bottomless. Perhaps it is, for the waters of Dozmary mirror only the vastness of the sky and the light that shimmers and sparkles in its wind-born ripples. You can imagine that at night, here where there are few traces of modern man, the still surface would reflect the stars and would indeed appear to hold infinity within its heart.”

3. https://marciamearawrites.com/2020/06/26/how-to-publish-with-kdp-part-eleven/ “Harmony Kent is back on Story Empire today with #11 in How to Publish with KDP: How to Preview Your Book. This step is very important, and one that writers need to pay close attention to. Check out Harmony’s full instructions and illustrations to see just how to handle it. Don’t forget to pass the post along so others can check it out, as well, thanks. And thanks to Harmony for such a helpful post! 🙂”

4. https://www.bryndonovan.com/2020/06/26/how-to-promote-a-book-on-instagram/ “Hi friends! I have a secret project coming out soon that I believe is very Instagram-friendly, so I thought I’d do a post about how to promote a book on Instagram. This is kind of a followup to another post: 200 Best Instagram Hashtags for Authors.

But even though I feel like I know a lot about other social media for writers, and I love connecting with people on Instagram (I’m here!), I could still learn a lot more about Instagram for authors.”

5. https://legendsofwindemere.com/2020/06/26/7-tips-to-writing-underdog-heroes/ “Everyone loves an underdog.  At least that’s what people say.  These aren’t as easy to write as one would think.  You have a lot to consider and a delicate balance to maintain for the adventure.  What are some ways to make sure that happens?

1. Know the definition of an underdog.  That means the hero is considered to have little or no chance of success.  It doesn’t mean that they are the strongest character in the story, but have a long walk ahead of them.  They need to be at a level below whatever they are facing to be a real underdog.
2. The title doesn’t remain indefinitely.  Yes, I’m using two tips to drive this point home because people don’t get it.  An underdog can become powerful enough to be a real contender.  As soon as he or she wins, he is no longer an underdog as well.  The best example I can think of is Rocky Balboa.  He was the underdog in the first two movies since nobody thought he had a chance and he was lacking.  The rest of the series, he’s the champion or a powerful contender.  Don’t mistake a character being slightly weaker for having not chance either.  Yeah, he lost to Clubber Lang, but I still don’t believe he regained the underdog title.”

Some Things More Serious:

1. https://charlesfrenchonwordsreadingandwriting.com/2020/06/27/on-the-pleasure-of-reading/

2. https://megdowell.com/2020/06/26/11-signs-your-writing-slump-is-finally-ending/

3. https://annetterochelleaben.wordpress.com/2020/06/27/angel-messages-june-27-2020/

4. https://syl65.wordpress.com/2020/06/27/instrumental-joe-satriani-andalusia/

5. https://donmassenzio.wordpress.com/2020/06/26/book-sales-covid-19-increase/ “Since March 2020, PublishDrive has been generating digital book sales reports, compiling hard-to-find data from various outlets, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play Books, libraries, regional stores, and more. They have now published their stats for April and May, months that saw much of the world’s population in lockdown.

The graph below presents the increase in sales in April (red bar) and May 2020 (blue bar) compared to the same months last year. One notable conclusion is that sales have increased for every single outlet, in some cases as much as almost 300%.”

Teaser Fiction & Poetry:

1. https://padresramblings.wordpress.com/2020/06/22/on-a-summers-eve/

2. https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2020/06/23/magnifiers/

3. https://pilgrimage.studio/2020/06/22/todays-shot-152/

4. https://trentsworldblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/22/the-weekly-smile-for-6-22-2020-weeklysmile/

5. https://charmedchaos.com/2020/06/22/through-my-open-window-2/

Book Reviews, Cover Reveals, & Author Interviews:

1. https://middlegrademojo.com/2020/06/23/mo-books-the-oddmire-book-2-the-unready-queen-by-willam-ritter/ “Today is the official release of William Ritter’s second book in the Oddmire Series, THE UNREADY QUEEN. Readers and reviewers alike enjoyed book one in the Oddmire series, THE CHANGLING. Publishers Weekly said that “Ritter crafts a well-paced adventure filled with whimsy and peril, in which the bonds of family and love prove stronger than any spell or curse. With memorable characters—especially the irrepressible protagonists, who make a delightful team—and an atmospheric setting, this is a strong series opener.”  You should pick up THE CHANGLING and the THE UNREADY QUEEN today!”

2. http://www.literaryrambles.com/2020/06/niki-lenz-interview-and-stepmom-skake.html “Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have Niki Lenz here to share about her new MG humorous contemporary THE STEPMOM SKAKE-UP. It sounds like a great story that is funny but also deals with contemporary issues that middle graders go through. Niki is also the author of another MG funny book, BERNICE BUTTMAN, MODEL CITIZEN, which got fantastic reviews.

Here’s a blurb of THE STEPMOM SHAKE-UP from Goodreads: 

After Grace’s mom died, she and her dad grew extra close. They have special nicknames and are always busy with new projects-like building a puppy condo for their dog, Potus- and they love learning random facts about the US presidents. Grace thinks her little family of two is perfect.”

3. https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/2020/06/26/welcome-to-day-10-of-the-sir-chocolate-and-the-ice-cream-rainbow-fairies-blog-tour-bakeandwrite-4willspub-rrbc/ “Author and blogger, Mark Bierman, hosted Day 10 of my Sir Chocolate Books tour. Thank you, Mark. Do have a look around while you are there, Mark has an excellent book too called Vanished. You can read my review here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RXWSOR0RKZSNL

Thank you to 4Wills Publishing for organising this tour and for creating the lovely promotional YouTube video.

Today I am excited to host talented author/cake decorator Robbie Cheadle. Together with her son, Michael, she has written a series of children’s books.”

4. https://judithbarrowblog.com/2020/06/26/special-guest-sally-cronin-travels-as-a-child/ “I am delighted to have the amazing Sally Cronin as my guest today as she tells us about her adventurous life as a child traveller.”

5. https://teagansbooks.com/2020/06/27/the-delta-pearl-39-rise/ “Welcome back to the riverbank, my chuckaboos.  This segment continues the adventures of the passengers and crew during their shore leave in my fictional, Victorian Era version of Cairo, Illinois. 

Delightful blogger and fascinating person, Pat at e-Quips recently did a post about bells.  I stumbled upon it after I wrote this chapter, but Bells was a perfect random reader thing for today.  I only had to make a minor adjustment to use it.

Also, I was finally able to use a “thing” that was sent months ago from one of my original followers, author and translator, Olga Núñez Miret.  She comes up with such fabulous things, like Papyrus!”

Bestselling Audible Sellers: Becoming. Where the Crawdads Sing. Can’t Hurt Me. White Fragility. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Talking to Strangers. Atomic Strangers. Game of Thrones. How to Win Friends & Influence People. Trevor Noah.