I have returned.
What are you reading?
What writing are you working on and how is it going?
Well, why aren't you writing (in general, not the specific this very moment way, we don't need that kind of detail)?
Is that just an excuse?
Really?
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Anything you feel we should know about?
Oh my. Let me get back to you, 'k?
OK:
First query: I'm finishing up The New Black, started The Plantagenets (could be considered noir)
Nothing literary.
Overwhelmed currently with life.
No. I'd LOVE for someone to take my life over for me, see if they can do better (I'm not being snarky or cynical; any takers?)
Yes, really. Don't make me put you in a corner.
Except for my 12-year-old dog having terminal cancer, pretty well, really, especially compared to what it could be and has been in the past--- I'm just proud to be here.
Nope. Life is change; I'm dealing with. I have a positive attitude, and some good meds from my therapist.
You okay?
Yes. Just had a bad day; Richard the older dog is having more bad days than good, but my 9-month-old puppy is better than good, if he'd just leave the older dog alone--he doesn't understand she (yes, Richard is a girl) can't play with him like she did. As Miss O'Hara would say, "Tomorrow is another day."
Hey, thanks for asking. :) I'll be fine--promise.
I thought you wrote 12 year old kid. I mean that sucks too, I'm sorry but way different.
Oh, no! I can't imagine losing a child, although I have friends and kin who have. As far as I know my son is safe and sound.
I'm going to bed; sleep sweet, Mr. D.
Still not asking if we're alive... Not sure I like that... Buuuuut anyway!
What are you reading?
Day of the Jackal
What writing are you working on and how is it going?
Had an idea for a NA kind of sci-fi thing I'm calling Post Human, and considering the words per day ratio, I'm blazing! At least I was, just got a little stuck, so now I'm chugging along, perhaps.
Well, why aren't you writing (in general, not the specific this very moment way, we don't need that kind of detail)?
I told you, I'm a little stuck, but I'm still moving.
Is that just an excuse?
No, with over 34k words in about a week, I'm entitled to slow down, ha!
Really?
Uh huh.
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Pretty @#$#@ good at the moment!
Anything you feel we should know about?
I am awesome. But you should all know this already.
What are you reading?
Pandora's Star by Peter F Hamilton, and about to start Blood of Dragons by Robin Hobb.
What writing are you working on and how is it going?
At the moment, nothing. Been doing final edits on Shadow's Talent because I'm close to launching it and playing around with my first wordpress blog - an exercise in self marketing and sneak-previewing.
Well, why aren't you writing (in general, not the specific this very moment way, we don't need that kind of detail)?
See above. I'm going to write something for Arrest Us but I don't know if it will work.
Is that just an excuse?
Yes.
Really?
Uh-huh.
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Done some quite fulfilling stuff recently. Taught a few kids about the outdoors, tidied up some nature sites with a brushcutter / tractor, competed in a 5K run and came 9th, beat my 5 mile time recently (now down to 34:21), told some family how much I appreciate them, been drinking lots of coffee.
Anything you feel we should know about?
Hell yeah, but I'm going to do that in the self promotion thread...
Still not asking if we're alive... Not sure I like that... Buuuuut anyway!
And I never will be. The nicest way I know to say this is Jessica and I don't seem to agree on anything, even when one of thinks the other has a good idea like I think she did with the monthly threads, we go about it almost 180 degrees apart.
She thought asking if you were alive was a good idea, I guess since she did it a lot. I have no idea why she thought this. I thought it got people to say smart aleck things that weren't funny and seemed like a complete waste of time that got in the way of any kind of useful or amusing discussion. Hence me always (I think, maybe I deviated slightly once or twice) answering it literally with yes and moving on. If you want to go see if she still does it on Litdemon, or start your own thread here, go crazy. Best of luck, no hard feelings. But I'm not going to ever, under any realistic circumstances I can imagine, ask that.
Glad we got that straight! :) Altho it might be fun if someone from the Other Side were to join us in a discussion....
touche, dwayne...
so. are YOU alive? (heh heh heh...)
I prefer to think of myself as straightforward and to the point.
Trying to read more cyberpunk again. Also got other stuff like Rashomon.
I'm finding it increasingly hard to do science fiction, so I've taken a step back and started on a few children's historical-fantasy/slice of life short stories as side projects.
Even fiction is feeling weird latelly, maybe it's because I know what I'm capable of. And not sure how much more I'm going to improve.
Though I guess it would be to easy to go back to poetry. (Which is not to be confused with song writing, I dislike lyrics. Not always, as a general rule.)
^Sarah: so you don't think lyrics are poetry? I usually think most lyrics are, altho many writers are way over the top in some way: rage, sentimentality, cutesiness, infantileness, etc. Sometimes too much is too much.
I've never been able to write sci-fi, altho I enjoy reading it, but not as a steady diet. Hey, go with what feels right, girl.
What are you reading? Radium Girls. Sent to me by the author.
What writing are you working on and how is it going? I'm working on a semi-dystopian military science fiction piece. I'm at 90k words and I hate the ending. I've re-written it three times now.
Well, why aren't you writing (in general, not the specific this very moment way, we don't need that kind of detail)? I'm still writing. I've got a half a dozen little side projects, short stories and such.
Is that just an excuse? It's still writing.
Really? Don't judge me.
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life? Waiting for the other shoe (or in this case mortar round) to drop.
Anything you feel we should know about? You don't have the clearance.
@GB: what about your cannibal piece? You mentioned that in the Battle forum a little while ago. Or is it a short story you're working on?
Seperate thing, it's a short story I'm about 2k into it and it's still not quite where I want it. It's about 2/3 done. I'll probably finish it up tonight and let it sit for a couple of days before I revisit it. I think I went a little overboard on making the narrator contemptable.
I had another short story I just finished up (secret project) along with a weird start of a pssibly novel length project.
What are you reading?
Seiobo There Below, by Laszlo Krasznahorkai. And I just finished Something Wrong WIth Her by Cris Mazza. Both were/are life-changing and wonderful, in very different ways.
What writing are you working on and how is it going?
I am writing the first volume of a planned fetish-fantasy trilogy. I seem to be making progress, but I've been wrong about that before.
Well, why aren't you writing (in general, not the specific this very moment way, we don't need that kind of detail)?
I actually am writing.
Is that just an excuse?
Totally not. I am not a procrastinator.
Really?
Really!
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Eh, you know. If my life were untrammeled awesomeness I might not need to write.
Anything you feel we should know about?
I am bored.
@GB: Wow, you've really been busy. Good on you!
What are you reading?
Cataract City by Craig Davidson and it is really damn good.
What writing are you working on and how is it going?
I'm working on a non fiction thing that is uh, I'd rather lick sandpaper right now. I'm also working on a little horror thing and that is going fairly well. I'm enjoying the world I'm making.
Well, why aren't you writing (in general, not the specific this very moment way, we don't need that kind of detail)?
Ugh. Brain blue screened.
Is that just an excuse?
Sorta.
Really?
........yeah.
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Things are going pretty well. I started taking a cal-mag supplement and the muscle tremors and facials tics I have from insomnia are slowing down quite a bit. Going a whole day without one side of my face jerking is pretty awesome.
Anything you feel we should know about?
Um. No but I do highly recommend having a wrestle/aggressive cuddle and nap with giant puppies. Doing so makes many things better. Bonus points if said puppy makes baby Wookie noises if you aren't paying attention to them.
What are you reading?
The New Black, and After the people lights go out. Because they are both short story collections I can jump between both.
What writing are you working on and how is it going?
WIP. Yeah not to bad.
Well, why aren't you writing (in general, not the specific this very moment way, we don't need that kind of detail)?
I am :)
Is that just an excuse?
Nup
Really?
Uh-huh.
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Somewhat stressful.
Anything you feel we should know about?
I'd really like a giant Totoro to sleep on :)
What are you reading?
red or dead by david peace and galveston by Nic Pizzolatto
What writing are you working on and how is it going?
Shiteloads, fixing the last workshopped story "blown one down" and also "mule" which I fired into the crime lit challange with a load of mistakes (...bugger)
Well, why aren't you writing (in general, not the specific this very moment way, we don't need that kind of detail)?
Well I was going to take two months off but already started making notes about the next one (it never ends..).
Is that just an excuse?
No.
Really?
Really
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Waaaay too busy. Work is as crazy as always and on top of that I've started try to do the new microsoft 2014 exams.....joy.
Anything you feel we should know about?
Errrr dunno really?
- Been reading some of the reputedly more high-quality genre stuff: Le Carre, Cornwell, Manchette.
- Main project is a short novel-in-progress I'd like to serialize but probably won't because serial pubs seem not to pay and I'm not into self-pubbing e-books. (Maybe I should get over that.) Thought about just printing a few copies and trying to sell them locally, see the response, then maybe take it up a notch.
- N/A
- N/A
- N/A
- Meh.
- Not at this time.
For a second I thought you answered 6. with 'Meth'. That would have been the saddest, most honest, and most economical answer ever. I'm glad you didn't though.
*Disagreement reflex!* It wouldn't be honest, for I've never used meth, made meth, or handled meth.
What are you reading?
Currently: The Free by Willy Vlautin. Next up Dermaphoria by Clevenger and then The Man Who Fell in Love with the Moon by Tom Spanbauer. (Both are on hold at the library.)
What writing are you working on and how is it going?
Working on rewriting a story I wrote, something I never thought I'd have the balls to do but the workshop on here is awesome. Going well so far, but there's always the panic that it'll suck.
Well, why aren't you writing (in general, not the specific this very moment way, we don't need that kind of detail)?
I should be writing more shouldn't I? Well my thoughts move way too fast for me to keep up with. And anxiety practically cripples me on a near-daily basis.
Is that just an excuse?
Yes. No. Yes. Maybe?
Really?
Shut up. Maybe...
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
It's alright. Trying to get back into school so I can take Spanish and some writing classes. The only guy in a house of women, which is surprisingly hard. Dealing with the generic undeserved unhappiness of a SoCal native. More excuses.
Anything you feel we should know about?
Yeah. I can juggle and play every minute of Stairway to Heaven on guitar.
^
Ooo, I read Demaphoria's description online, really want to get around to it... Might bump it to next on the list.
It was lower on my list, I wanted to read a couple others first, but I was so impressed with The Contortionist's Handbook, I just can't resist. Sounds incredible.
@Redd - Dermaphoria is great FANTASTIC. Preferred it to Contortionist's. If you haven't taken Craig's class here, I highly recommend it.
What are you reading?
Just finished up Chris F. Holm's first Collector novel, "Dead Harvest". Great stuff. Next up is Bracken MacLeod's new novella, 'White Knight".
What writing are you working on and how is it going?
I'm sitting on my WIP's third draft. Will pick up revisions/rewrites at the end of the month. Working on 4 short stories, I think, and two novellas are in outline form. Got a few pieces out in the sub wilds that I should be hearing back on very soon.
Well, why aren't you writing (in general, not the specific this very moment way, we don't need that kind of detail)?
This is not a problem for me right now.
Is that just an excuse?
Pass
Really?
Pass
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Peachy.
Anything you feel we should know about?
I'll be popping up for the second time at Shotgun Honey later this week with my story, 'All Hail the Queen'. No doubt, I'll be trumpeting at the whoring forum.
Y'know, I really wasn't sure what to expect from Contortionist's Handbook. I'd heard really good things, but I'd never read Clevenger aside from some of his craft essays on here. And I was pretty blown away. Just something about that guy's writing, he built up John Vincent perfectly, I thought. I didn't want to stop reading about him. That said, the description for Dermaphoria just SOUNDS better. Can't wait. As SOON as I have the money, imma take Clevenger's 200 Proof Storytelling.
Dang dude, you're working on a lot of stuff! How do you balance working on so many seperate projects at once? I find my brain starts to trip over itself if I slip into too many different characters and stories. I'm super ADHD. Haha
Seriously, 200 Proof is worth it. Craig changed the way I look at everything I write.
I'm funny about my writing. Jump around between projects unless I'm working on something longform. Keeps me from getting bored.
I'll have to check it out. He has such a unique eye for detail. I loved how he described the way cocaine felt to John. Well everything really, but I really remember that description.
So do you like, write a whole short story and then jump around to some others? Or do you work on one, maybe get one started, and then jump to another? And then how do you organize all of those different narrators in your brain? When I write, I reeeally have to cram my brain into the filter of my character, and it takes me awhile to figure it out, rewrite rewrite rewrite, edit edit edit. So do you keep a lot of notes? Or do you just have your fictional worlds firmly grasped in your brain?
It really depends. Some pieces I can slap into a first draft within a few hours. Others take multiple sit downs. I don't fret about finishing, if my interest wanes, so will the reader's. I can always come back to it if something sparks in my head.
I outline novel/novella length broadly - save room for movement. Short stories and flash? Not at all. It'll come if it comes. I usually only worry about voice, personality, and quirks after I'm done with first draft phase. As long as I can get a skeleton in place, I'm happy.
I do keep a collection of notes and random research (articles, wikis, etc) if I need to reference stuff I have no right making up. As an example, my WIP has some background with IRA, Gulf War, PLO stuff - nothing deep - but enough to make sure I have a grasp on timeline and specific events.
That's interesting. I usually don't end up working on something if it can't hold my attention, but I've always felt I should. You make a good point, not to force it. Sometimes I'll be washing dishes or something, and something in my head will just click, or maybe the end of a book will really make me want to work, and I'll rush to the computer and things will just pour out...for a bit. And then I hit a wall. But I've never really considered switching to another project at that time. I guess I kind of have to mull things over, masticate my story before I see the shape and direction.
I have yet to write anything of novel or novella length, the idea is really daunting at this point. Eventually I'll get to that level.
I really need to start doing that, keeping notes. I wish I had a blackboard on the side of my brain. Any research tips? Aside from take notes.
Research is a layered thing for me. I'll tackle it easy at first, just look up dates or the general overview of the subject/event. For instance, when I researched the IRA I was only concerned with dates - the timeline of the Troubles specifically - and a few town names. Got to a point where I thought it would be interesting to have my protag be active in a real event. That's when I dug deeper and got a few books out at the library. Used what I learned to shove my character into one of the last major incidences of IRA violence in the 20th century.
Have you tried Scrivener? It's a really helpful writing app. You can store notes and research in a sidebar of the project you're working on so you can quick reference. It's also really useful for formatting.
I did try Scrivener, but it turned out I didn't know my story at that time as well as I thought I did, so I had a hard time dealing with it in that form. I'm thinking of going back to it though to try mapping out the story I'm working on now.
What are you reading?
Toxicity
What writing are you working on and how is it going?
I'm working on my first novel. I'm not sure how things are going. I'm just staying in the moment and working at getting better everyday.
Well, why aren't you writing (in general, not the specific this very moment way, we don't need that kind of detail)?
I'm writing more now then I ever have.
No. I promise.
Is that just an excuse?
I don't think so...
Really?
Are you threatening me?
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Great! I'm a teacher and it's summer. I couldn't be happier.
Anything you feel we should know about?
I hate whales.
