Sidhe na Daire

Thanks go to my guest poster, Tracy S. Morris, Author of Bride of Tranquility, for her wonderful contribution on Promotions.
 

She is running a contest this month. For details visit: http://writertracy.livejournal.com/119331.html  She adds: People who link back to your website next monday and let me know at tracy@godsey-family.com will be elegible to win a $50 gift cirtificate good toward books.  
 

In 1941, Winston Churchill was asked to give the commencement speech at his old boarding School, Harrow School. Although Harrow is a traditional English boarding school, it’s not quite like Hogwart’s academy, and Churchill didn’t exactly play quidditch. 

Churchill stood and gave a speech to the boys that has become a famous anthem for anyone who has tried, failed, and tried again to achieve any objective: “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never, Never, Never, Never give up.”

Churchill’s words can be applied to almost any area where you are striving against the odds or overcoming, but they’re particularly applicable in the realm of publishing.

Typically, there is tremendous excitement when a book comes out. Authors launch their books with as much fanfare as they can muster: arranging reviews, booking signings, planning appearances. 

As time goes by, that publicity may taper off as the book grows familiar. To the author, it may seem that everyone in the world knows about your book.

But what about the reader who hasn’t heard of it? To that person, your book is new.

Depending on your contract, a book may be in print for a very short time, or it may remain in print for many years. Some large presses have a huge stable of authors, and rely on putting out new titles and shuffling their midlist and low-sellers into the remaindered book bin. But smaller presses put out just a few books a year. These companies may keep their book catalog on hand for much longer. 

Because of this, small press authors have a much longer time period to build a readership. Over time, continual promotion can help you build a grassroots readership.  

If your book has been out for a little while, you can still find ways to keep it topical. For example, my current novel, Bride of Tranquility, is a murder mystery set in a haunted hotel during a renaissance wedding. The bride is a vet who can communicate with her pet ferrets. Based on this alone, I launched a blog tour over the month of February to coincide with Valentine’s Day, and lined up additional blog appearances for the month of June. 

With a little creativity, you can find a reason for a promotion that can stand in for the “My book is new” reason. If you have a steam punk story to promote, why not celebrate the birthday of Nicola Tesla, Charles Babbage or Thomas Savery? For a swashbuckling story, don’t forget National Talk Like a Pirate Day. 

Reviews are another area where your book does not have to be brand new to make an impact. My most recent review, in Renaissance Magazine, was published in January, a full 6 months after the book was put into print.  

It’s kind of nice to have a small press book published, because I’ve got the luxury of trying new promotional ideas as I think of them. On the other side of the coin, it’s also vital that small press authors keep promoting their book. The book won’t be on the shelves of big-box stores. You’re not going to be shelved somewhere between Danielle Steel and Stephen King. So you automatically have to work harder to get your name out there. 

Finally, have fun with your promotions. This is a unique way to exercise your creativity. The Rev. John Westly is quoted as saying: “Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn.” This is especially true with book promotions. If people like you and have fun with you, they will probably like your book and think it will be enjoyable as well.

Best,

 

Danielle

...then picking me up the very next second:

Wow, after a night in the emergency room, this went a long way to cheering me up this morning. Don't know how much really good Amazon reviews do, but they are (usually) great for my morale!

And I had word this morning that another review is on it's way from Coffee Time Romance. I'm going to be a basket case until that comes in, wondering if they liked it.
Best,

D-
_____________________________________
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great story!, January 29, 2010
By  L. Pierce (Liverpool, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
Danielle Ackley-McPhail is a master story teller. Her knowledge of fairies and the assorted other beings who populate that world is masterful. This book is another one that surpasses all expectations.

Who would have thought biker gangs hid the fae from us mundane people? This book read well and easily. I had to read it twice before I could write this review. She packs so much into the story....

Lance is perfect as the fairy/human mix. I watched him look to his human father for things I see the kids I work with everyday do. The reality was there and perfect. Including Suzanne. What she went through and how she did and did not deal with it was very well done. The mad fae king....the halfling that hid his "shame" from the court. So many stories I want to read and hear about.

I would love to know the back story about Tilly...Please tell me it's in one of the BAD ASS books Danielle?!?!?

As usual, Danielle Ackley-Mcphail has done a fabulous job of telling a story that is out of the ordinary, yet you know people like the characters. Another master piece Danielle! Congratulations!

_______________________________________

Well, folks, you will (I hope) have noted my conspicuous absence. Starting with December 4th I had a car accident, had to replace my car, lost my father, went to Arisia for the first time, came down sick for over two weeks and now have had a mysterious occurance of sausage-foot. Well, actually, probably more accurately described as an extreme arthritic reaction to the rapid and drastic change in the weather/pressure system, but still, the results are the same.

Thank you all for your support and comfort in this difficult time. I hope as the days go along to get back into my more regular routine of posting.

TODAY'S QUESTION: What is the most enjoyable movie you have ever seen and what was it that made it so?

For me, it is a toss-up between Galaxy Quest and Avatar for two drastically different reasons. Galaxy Quest was the first movie where I laughed almost non-stop through the entire thing, both because it was so well done and so on the mark when looking at the reality of the convention/fan experience, without mocking it, while at the same time making very subtle reference that just delight me even now as I pick up on new in jokes each time I watch it. What was even more crowning to the experience was the fact that I saw it with Mike sitting beside me and not only is he a dyed-in-the-wool Trekker, but he was a part of that media con-fan culture in its heyday and so much of what was touched on echoed his experience that I had extra significance for each mark the movie hit.

For Avatar it was the absolutely stunning visuals, effects, and characterization, against the back drop of a story that was both famiiar in its plot and unique in its execution.

What a wonderful way to start off Arisia! Received a 4.75 star review this morning for the Halfling's Court from Night Owl Reviews - SFFInsider

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=5422

Enjoy! And if you are going to be at Arisia (www.arisia.org) in Cambridge this weekend, please stop by and see me in room 319 in the dealer's room, where you can see a copy of the book itself, and even join me at the fan-sponsored Launch Party for the book, which is taking place Sunday from 8pm to midnight in room 1032! (Thank you, John Glindenman!)

I will also be participating in panels and have a reading on Saturday. Here is my schedule for the weekend:

194 Masquerade Basics - For anyone who wants to know about participating in a con masquerade: from preparation, to presentation, to rehearsals, to backstage, to lights, and action! What are ninjas and den moms, who is the Masquerade Director and the MC?
Crispus Attucks Costuming Fri 6:00 PM Duration: 01:00

Toni Lay mod, The Wombat, Ann Catelli (Ann), Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Suford Lewis (Suford)


82 Getting Ideas for Costumes and Presentations - Where do they come from? Do ideas just appear wholly formed to some costumers? Our panel discusses the origin and evolution of costume themes and inspirations.
Paul Revere A Costuming Fri 7:00 PM Duration: 01:00

Lisa A Ashton (Lisa Ashton) mod, Suford Lewis (Suford), Fiona Fawkes, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Ann Catelli (Ann)


2701 Reading - Danielle Ackley-McPhail
BU Suite (Regency Club) Literature Sat 11:00 AM Duration: 00:30

Danielle Ackley-McPhail


140 The Changing Face of Publishing - Online magazines, print-on-demand, ebooks, crowdfunding - let's discuss all the new ways to find stories.
William Dawes B Literature Sun 11:00 AM Duration: 01:00

John Bowker mod, Cecilia Tan, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Felicitas Ivey (Christine Carpenito), Susan Hanniford Crowley


240 Analyzing Fairy Tales, Mythology, and Folklore - What makes something a fairy tale, myth, or legend? What is it that resonates with us in each of these types of stories? In literature, what parts of the original tales are still used - and needed? What do readers - and societies as a whole - get from these kinds of stories? And how are they changing/evolving as culture changes/evolves? Where are they headed?
William Dawes B Literature Sun 4:00 PM Duration: 01:00

Katherine Crighton mod, Sonya Taaffe, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Julia Starkey (Julia Sparkymonster), Stephen R Wilk (Stephen R. Wilk)

Hope to see some of you there!

Danielle
www.sidhenadaire.com

Sorry, I know I haven't been posting my usually writing posts. Promise to get back on track soon. In the meantime, here is a posting on an outside source...for pay...we get paid? Wow!...oh...the post....

The new posting of Allegory Magazine has gone live, including an article on writing by yours truly.

http://www.allegoryezine.com/

With hope this may become an ongoing series:

The Writer's Toolbox: The Naming of Name

Enjoy!

Danielle Ackley-McPhail www.sidhenadaire.com

TODAY's QUESTION: (I'll keep posting this until I get an answer, by the way...) WHAT WRITING TOPICS WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO WRITE ON? Give me your questions and I'll do my best to answer!

For myself...well, I can't answer! I'm asking YOU! ;)

Hello,

It's time for the annual preditors and editors poll. You can go here to vote:

http://www.critters.org/predpoll/

Add your own candidate, or if you are so inclined, vote for one of those already there.

Best,

Danielle

If you should care to vote for me, or would like some recommendations, I am listed under the following categories:

Sci Fi/Fantasy Novel - The Halfling's Court
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelsf.shtml

Sci Fi/Fantasy Short Story - First Line
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/shortstorysf.shtml

Book Editor - Danielle Ackley-McPhail
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/bookeditor.shtml

And I have some good friends or related posts under these other categories:

Anthology - So It Begins, Dark Quest Books
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/antho.shtml

Book Cover Artwork - Linda Saboe
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/bookart.shtml

Artwork - Linda Saboe
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/artwork.shtml

Magazine Editor - Ty Draco
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/bookeditor.shtml

Book Publishers - Dark Quest Books
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/ebookpublisher.shtml

Sorry Folks,

I know I've been AWOL, I just didn't realize how long! So much going on it's been hard to find time to write, let alone post.

However, I have just received my Arisia schedule, so here it goes!

194 Masquerade Basics - For anyone who wants to know about participating in a con masquerade: from preparation, to presentation, to rehearsals, to backstage, to lights, and action! What are ninjas and den moms, who is the Masquerade Director and the MC?

Crispus Attucks Costuming Fri 6:00 PM Duration: 01:00

Toni Lay mod, The Wombat, Ann Catelli (Ann), Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Suford Lewis (Suford)


82 Getting Ideas for Costumes and Presentations - Where do they come from? Do ideas just appear wholly formed to some costumers? Our panel discusses the origin and evolution of costume themes and inspirations.

Paul Revere A Costuming Fri 7:00 PM Duration: 01:00

Lisa A Ashton (Lisa Ashton) mod, Suford Lewis (Suford), Fiona Fawkes, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Ann Catelli (Ann)


2701 Reading - Danielle Ackley-McPhail

BU Suite (Regency Club) Literature Sat 11:00 AM Duration: 00:30

Danielle Ackley-McPhail


249 Whither Hard SF? - With so many award-winning "science fiction" stories actually fantasy ("The Graveyard Book") or soft SF, where is the hard science fiction? Who's writing it, and what recently-published titles are keeping that side of the genre alive?

Room 201 Literature Sat 4:00 PM Duration: 01:00

Allen Steele mod, Stephen R Wilk (Stephen R. Wilk), Mark L Van Name, Alexander Jablokov (Alex Jablokow), Danielle Ackley-McPhail


140 The Changing Face of Publishing - Online magazines, print-on-demand, ebooks, crowdfunding - let's discuss all the new ways to find stories.

William Dawes B Literature Sun 11:00 AM Duration: 01:00

John Bowker mod, Cecilia Tan, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Felicitas Ivey (Christine Carpenito), Susan Hanniford Crowley


240 Analyzing Fairy Tales, Mythology, and Folklore - What makes something a fairy tale, myth, or legend? What is it that resonates with us in each of these types of stories? In literature, what parts of the original tales are still used - and needed? What do readers - and societies as a whole - get from these kinds of stories? And how are they changing/evolving as culture changes/evolves? Where are they headed?

William Dawes B Literature Sun 4:00 PM Duration: 01:00

Katherine Crighton mod, Sonya Taaffe, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Julia Starkey (Julia Sparkymonster), Stephen R Wilk (Stephen R. Wilk)

In addition, John Glindenman--of Rocket Fuel Party fame--is going to be sponsoring a launch party for The Halfling's Court on Sunday, I believe from either 8 or 9 to Midnight. As usual, there will be food, fun, and yes, Prizes!

If you are looking for me and you miss me at the panels, you can most likely find me in room 319 on Dealer's Row.

See you all there!

Danielle

TODAY'S QUESTION: What writing topics would you like me to address in my usually weekly Writing Words of Wisdom?

Literary Detailing

By Danielle Ackley-McPhail

You know, sometimes we just don’t know when to stop. No. It’s true, even I’m guilty (I know. Shocker.) We get so caught up in the language and discovery of these worlds in our head that we just pile on the detail. We get so caught up in the creativity that we have to build the universe right down to the thumbtacks on the wall, or we’re worried about not being clear, or missing something important, until we end up with a literal checklist of all the steps that took our characters from A to B…for each scene.

Okay, so perhaps I exaggerate, but not completely. There are times in fiction that call for expansive detail and other where too much clutter kills the action. It is important to know how and when to hold back. There are two kinds of detail: relevant information, and window dressing. The relevant details might be regarding the character, the setting, or the plot, the stuff you must tell the reader for the story to work. The window dressing is what helps your story really come alive. It is what the characters experience through their five senses, the type of detail you would casually take note of in your day-to-day life.

Now, if you do your job properly, every part of your story will combine the above types of details with only the degree of each varying, but each scene will have a central focus: Some scenes are so you can get to know the characters and their conflicts and drives, some reveal details you’ll need to know to understand what is going on, and others propel the story forward. What type of scene you are writing will determine how much detail is called for, and what type.

Plot-oriented scenes – These scenes are what we call the build-up. Something happens, or someone says something, or the protagonist finds—sometimes knowing but often not—the key to resolving everything. The reader learns where things are, how they work, and what’s important. There is going to be detail there. Some of it is the whole point of the scene and sprinkled around that detail is backdrop, either to mask that this is an important detail or just to flesh out the scene so that it is not static.

Character-oriented scenes – For these scenes everything should be in terms of how it relates to the character: their motivations, their past, their goals. And let’s not forget, their features and personality. Readers need to get to know your characters so depending on their level of importance, some characters get a little details, some a lot. Protagonists we should know like our own blood because we need to care what happens to them. Secondary characters, we should know their importance to the protagonist and some small amount of detail that impacts the story or their actions. Background characters, something to identify them, a name or a feature, but nothing else that doesn’t directly relate to the scene they appear in. Inner monologues and self-examination are not frowned upon here, unless they go on for too long, but they shouldn’t dominate the storyline.

Action-oriented scenes – In most action scenes you either already know all or most of the players, or they are only relevant for what they are doing at the moment. This is about what is happening, what blows are struck and what plans put into action…reactions and movement. The setting is only important in relation to its impact on the characters and its impact on what is taking place. You want short, sharp sentences where things are happening, not exposition or distraction.

Things to Consider
Once you have a handle on what scenes you are writing, here are some questions to help you keep focused as you tackle each one:

Is the scene a destination or a transition? If it is the former you have more leeway to go into detail because this was the point. If a scene is a transition you want to focus more on relevant details, rather than background stuff. Now, there is a caveat: if the point is to show an extended passage of time, expounding a bit more is to be expected.

Is it taking too long to get where you’re going? If you personally start to feel like things are dragging, then that is a sure sign that they are. Pacing is important and too much detail can slow things down. Go back over the story and pare things back. Shorten sentences, take out detail you don’t really need, even cut out whole sections and give us a fade-away before cutting to another character or just a later point in the story.

Is the detail relevant later? Sometimes we just put in detail because it is cool, and sometimes we mention something that seems totally irrelevant, but the entire story hinges on it. Be careful of focusing on something that isn’t a key point too heavily because readers have come to assume that anything the author spends an extended time on will be important. It leaves them frustrated at the end if some such point turns out to be merely fluff.

Summing Up
Details are what will define your story: they are the building blocks of your universe, the soul of your characters. Be a little coy, be a little bold, and always proceed at the proper pace for the scene you are writing. Don’t be afraid of detail or ignore it, but don’t let it run away with you either.

For more wisdom on writing, please visit the blog of my friend and co-editor, L. Jagi Lamplighter at http://arhyalon.livejournal.com.

TODAY'S QUESTION: Colored Christmas lights, or white...and WHY!

I once saw a squirrel purposely do back flips in an effort to part me from a portion of my lunch. He would flip, stop expectantly, then flip again, gradually getting a little closer. It worked (though I have to admit, he was not much pleased with what I had to offer. He frankly looked a little disgusted that he had gone through such effort.)

I often feel like that squirrel (the flipping part, not the disgust ;).

As authors, our words seem only to mean half as much until they are read and appreciated by others. Achieving that can require more effort than the writing itself. It really can. But you know what, if you want more than just a book on the shelf, you have to put out that effort. Now I know this can be difficult given that I know more introverted authors than extraverted, but getting out from behind your keyboard and into the public eye is a necessary step to bringing attention to your work.

For about nine years now I have been driving up and down the East Coast on the convention circuit and to various author events I have arranged. I can’t tell you how many more friends I have, let alone fans of my work due to these efforts. But don’t mistake me. This isn’t just about waving your work around until someone buys it, author events (well, the successful ones, anyway) go a long way to revitalizing your passion as a writer. At least it does for me. Whether I spend a few minutes or a few hours talking to one person or a room of people about my process and various works I walk away with an energy boost like you wouldn’t believe. Some of my best writing is done after such events.

It’s about reconnecting with yourself, your passion, and your audience. It is often mistakenly construed that writing is a solitary venture. In truth, the real life of your writing is found in your interactions with others. I get a little scary, I think, when I am talking to a writer just getting started about how and why I did various things in my stories. I have benefited by the reminder alone of why I love what I do. Sometimes we forget what it’s all about…until we see our excitement reflected in the eyes of our readers.

Some authors forget this. Some get caught up in their own importance, distancing themselves from their audience, alienating others in the profession. I strive to remember that the only measure of my success is how connected I am with the reader. The only place prima donnas belong is ballet.

For more wisdom on writing, please visit the blog of my friend and co-editor, L. Jagi Lamplighter at http://arhyalon.livejournal.com.

Promotional News:

Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Neal Levin of Dark Quest Books featured in Publisher's Weekly Article:

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6708822.html

TODAY’S QUESTION: What are you grateful for?

I am grateful for all the many ways God has blessed me: my health, my family, for some measure of success as an author. For the safety and security I enjoy each day. That I have a job that allows me to provide for my family.

Back from Philcon. A enjoyable time of great panels...all on editing, seeing friends, making friends and embracing opportunities. Came away from the weekend with a bunch of new fans and some great promotions. The dealer's room seemed really slow, but when all was said and done, we did respectably, considering.

This was the weekend of the pre-launch for The Halfling's Court (kind of a test run for Arisia), the Evil Gazebo by Bernie Mojzes, and Dead Souls, a anthology by European publisher Morrigan Books, which made its North American debut with Bernie and fellow contributor Jim R. Stratton.

For once I was able to take a little time and enjoy not only my party, but the SFWA party, which followed it.

And when I came home, discovered the following bits of good news:

So It Begins - Dark Quest Books (Under Horror/Fantasy/Science Fiction)
http://kindlereader.blogspot.com/2009/11/kindle-genre-watch-17-nov-09.html

The Stories In Between - The Fantasist Enterprises (Under Horror/Fantasy/Science Fiction)
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6707975.html?industryid=47141

The review highlights Jonathan Maberry, Lawrence M. Schoen, Catheryne Valente, Lawrence C. Connelly, Gregory Frost, and Mike McPhail.

(Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Dark Quest Books have also been featured in an upcoming article on PW Daily.)

TODAY'S QUESTION: What do you see as the future of publishing?

This has become murky for me. When big lines like Harliquin suddenly become vanity publishers and I sit panels with editors from large houses and realize how much they are dwelling in the golden age of their past, while disregarding the metamorphosis of the publishing industry, where are we really heading? I think after the merger movement that left us with a few select mega-publishers to crash ourselves against, the industry is decentralizing back into smaller niche markets.

To crit or not to crit…

That was my question earlier this year. I got to know my lovely hostess in a small writing group on LiveJournal. We are a critique group, ten members strong. I joined mainly because I knew several of the members that were interested in forming the group. I wasn’t involved in a group and was starting to produce fresh fiction. My editing skills are among my weakest. I thought I might learn a thing or two about how it is done.

When I joined, I was still working on a specific piece and didn’t have time to contribute to the editing end and instead focused on the administrative duties that accompany moderating such a group. Once I finished my piece, I shared it with the group and asked if I anyone had a piece for me to take a look at. Danielle’s The Halfling’s Court was the first piece I critiqued for her and the largest single work I have critiqued to date.

I warned the group members about my amateur status when it comes to critique. Danielle was very accommodating. As I went through the manuscript, I emailed her to discuss style, the narrative voice, and other things. She was responsive and insightful. Essentially, she was training me. She trusted me with her characters and their world. She shared her thoughts behind their motivation and about their personalities. It was exciting. I will admit that at times it was a bit difficult to remember to look out for things like stray commas when I was engrossed in the story. I believe I might have mentioned that in my review.

I was one of the last in our group to critique her story. I did spend a little time going over the thoughts of our other members. She had already addressed the things they mentioned. It was interesting seeing the version after their input. It also gave my confidence a boost when I felt I was seeing things as they had seen them or found something that proved useful for Danielle.

Alright so if it was such a great learning experience, you might ask why the title for this post. The answer is pretty simple for me. Giving someone a good critique takes time. By accepting the project, you are committing your time to their work, to them. In addition to being green in the area of critique, my other drawback as a member is that I have little time to devote to my writing life. The writing, review, promotion, and critique work all compete for that time.

In the last two months, I’ve been looking at how I choose to spend that time and my return on investment. I want the actions I take on behalf of someone else to truly benefit them. It also must benefit me, my writing career. I want to increase my “face time,” learn something that enhances my writing abilities, or gain a better understanding of this business. Otherwise, I feel guilty for not banging out words of fiction instead. That must be my first priority. Writing is often a solitary and selfish act. By its very nature, it has to be.

It boils down to this:

What’s in it for the writer?

• You might help someone else create a better product. I can attest to this having been on the receiving end in times past. A fresh set of eyes can often isolate plot holes, cheese, clichés, tense errors, those over-breeding commas, and evil adverbs among other things. Often the writer’s eyes will autocorrect. The writer’s mind will fill in the blanks. The beta reader’s will not. You might even help them become a better writer overall.
What’s in it for the person critiquing the work?

• Your editing skills improve with practice. I will actually hunt down sources to verify whether I am correct or not about the placement of a comma before I suggest the change to the writer. It feels like a heavier responsibility when you are searching for errors someone else’s work.

• You are exposed to more styles and possibly more genres. I’ve learned that sometimes the rules of commas can’t be suspended to allow a work to flow under artistic license so long as it isn’t overdone. I am learning more about the structure of a story in a specific genre now that I am stretching my reading legs. This adds to your own versatility as a writer over time. You absorb it. You have a chance to learn more about what works and what doesn’t and why.

• Many writers will tell you that reading is a part of the job. While it is true that you can learn quite a bit from published work, you lose that exchange with the author that you have access to when you are critiquing their work. This is an opportunity to find out more about why the writer tried this or that and what the writer hoped to accomplish. In this give and take, the writer also learns what came across in those efforts and what needs a spot of polish. You are giving that feedback. This teaches you how to put your tastes, opinions, and knowledge into words. That doesn’t come easy for me. I value the experience.

To me, the experience you gain from critiquing the work of others definitely offers a return on investment that is worth my time. I can see how much I have already grown as a result. I wouldn’t suggest committing yourself like this to everyone. You need to be sure you can meet the timeframe for the critique so you won’t add additional stress to your writing life or to the writer’s. Selecting the right writer to critique for is important as well. Is the writer approachable? You need to be able to communicate with the writer to get the most out of the experience. Will the writer respond professionally to your suggestions? Some writers take criticism personally. Whether or not your suggestions are followed is up to the writer. It is the writer’s work and the writer’s call. However, becoming defensive about the suggestions made by someone offering critique yields little benefit for either party.

I would like to thank Danielle for having me over to chat today. This is my first guest blog post anywhere. I hope you’ve enjoyed it.

TODAY'S QUESTION: I would love to hear your thoughts on critique. Tell me about your experiences. What do you view as benefits or drawbacks of critiquing someone’s work or sending yours out to others for critique?

Sorry, I know I disappeared for a while. I've been hit by a mini-wave of events, followed up by a trip to the emergency room that lasted all day Monday. Don't panic, I was just holding Mike's hand. He's fine, just has a bug. Anyway, the chaos goes on, but I wanted to get a post up to tell you about a few cool things. (Stay tuned afterward for my guest blogger, MG Ellington!

1) Saturday's Launch of The Stories In Between at Between Books in Claymont, Delaware was a resounding success! For three, going on four hours straight we did nothing but sign books for actual customers! The place was packed. The book did very well and colateral sales were nice as well :) The book looks wonderful and it was great getting to see a large portion of the authors and artists. Greg deserved the accolades...the book, and the shop, are both wonderful! I discovered our first review on Amazon this morning:

"the stories in between" has some of the best short stories I've come across in a long time. From works about your favorite local bookstore to Cthulhu ickiness, UFO's and the new world order, far flung islands with warring gods, and terrific mil-sci fi, this book has it all in one nice tight volume. You can't go wrong picking this book up and cracking it open on a cold rainy night with the rain beating on the window. My personal favorite out of the collection is "my grandfather was Hitler's roommate" an intriguing look at pre-WWI Hitler before that conflict polished up the loathsome evil he would come to represent.

2) This is a large month for book releases

http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Ass-Faeries-Danielle-Ackley-McPhail/dp/1606592041/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258630407&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Ass-Faeries-Just-Plain-Bad/dp/1606592068/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258630407&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Halflings-Court-Bad-Ass-Faerie-Tale/dp/0979690161/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258630407&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/Stories-Between-Books-Anthology/dp/097136088X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258630518&sr=1-1

And for my friends:

http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Souls-2-Ramsey-Campbell/dp/9197760587/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258630955&sr=1-4

http://www.amazon.com/Shimmer-Novel-John-Passarella/dp/097466457X/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258630981&sr=1-5

Upcoming from Dark Quest Books

The Evil Gazebo by Bernie Mojzes
Dear Cthulhu: Have A Dark Day by Patrick Thomas

I know...I'm early, but I wanted to get this done instead of scrambling tomorrow


Saturday....ParTY! Join us at Between Books in Claymont, Delaware for the launch of the 30th Anniversary Anthology, The Stories In Between, which contains Mike's story, Beyond Imagine, and my story, The Devil You Don't.

Date: Saturday, November 14th
Time: 2pm to 5pm
Place: 2703 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, Delaware, 19703 phone: 302-798-3378

There will be over fifteen contributors, artists, and editors in attendance, including store owner Greg Schauer, the editors, John Passarella, Mike McPhail, and myself. Sorry, I don't have a list of the others that will be there. Come help us celebrate and be surprised!

Sunday I finally get to go to that anniversary dinner with friends that we'd had to cancel previously due to illness.

That's all, folks! Hope to see some of you there!

Best,

Danielle

TODAY'S QUESTION: What Thanksgiving family tradition do you cherish?

For me it is actually the day after when I am officially allowed to pull out the Christmas decorations and dress up the house for the holidays!

L. Jagi Lamplighter is the author of Prospero Lost and one of the editors of the Bad-Ass Faeries anthology series. She has her own weekly writing blog every Wednesday at http://arhyalon.livejournal.com.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Writing: The Agony and the Ecstasy

by L. Jagi Lamplighter

 

Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. What I really meant to say was: the drudgery and the fun parts.

 

Someone once said that a writer is someone who shows bravery in the face of a blank paper. There is great truth in this. Getting started is truly part of the drudgery of writing. I don’t just mean starting your work, finding a first line, that kind of thing, I mean getting started each and every time you sit down to write.

 

Occasionally, one is psyched to begin, and the words flow. More often, no matter how eager one was, how much one chomped at the bit while trudging through the daily chores, when one actually sits down to do write…there is the blank page.

 

This is particularly frustrating when one also has trouble stopping writing. The kids are starving, the cats are mreowing over empty bowls, the dishes are spilling out of the sink onto the floor, and the laundry has become the home of several small rodents, but the lure of writing that next line is too hard to resist. Surely, they can all wait another minute…er, hour…er day, right?

 

So, if it was so hard to stop last time, because there was so much to say, why is it so hard to get started again the next time?

 

So those are two of the dreary parts: starting and stopping. Other difficult parts, for me, include getting the first draft on paper and the waiting. By waiting, I mean the time between when the work is finished and when it finally sees print. (This period routinely lasts as long as one of those periods after which dinosaur eras are named. Whole races of reptilian relatives have been known to evolve, flourish, and go extinct in the time that the average writer has to wait to see their work in print.)

 

Other writers probably have other dreary parts as well. No two of us are the same. But the dreary parts take a lot out of you. They are enervating, draining life and energy like white, rectangular vampires. And sometimes, they really, really suck.

 

So…if it is so dreary, why do we do it?

 

The answer, of course, is: because of the fun parts.

 

What are the fun parts, you ask? Again, they are different for each of us. For me, the first fun part is editing. I hate getting the ideas out on paper. I love moving them around, polishing them, making them shine.

 

(This is convenient because currently I am completing the edits my editor sent for my second novel. Because I like the editing part, I find this otherwise rather dreary task—making lots of little changes for clarity, etc.—fun and intriguing. This makes the necessary task a great deal easier!)

 

Doing research can be fun, too…especially when it’s a subject of interest. Facts that would otherwise seem dry as old dirt suddenly come alive and leap into one’s brain, waiting for their chance to reappear as some interesting observation. Of course, research can be dreary, if one is not interested in it. But usually it’s fun. (Probably, because I am a fantasy writer, so I seldom have to remember facts. I just have to borrow a mood.)

 

Other fun parts include seeing the finished product (especially seeing it for sale), going to conventions—I love that part—talking with other writers. And all sorts of little perks, things as simple as impressing the barista at B&N. (Very many people are impressed by discovering that someone is a writer they have never heard of, but the occasional ooh and aah of delight from those few who are impressed is just so much fun.)

 

Probably the part that is the most fun of all is having someone read the finished work. I mean, that’s why we really write it, isn’t it? While occasionally, there is a person who writes just to write, most of us want to tell a story and to share that story with someone.

 

Until recently, the someone who read my work was always a friend, usually a friend I hunted down, strapped to an easy chair, and begged to look my stuff over so as to give me advice. Since August, however, when my first book finally saw the fluorescent lights of bookstores, that someone has included strangers.

 

Most of these strangers I will never meet. But occasionally, I hear from an acquaintance or come upon a review where someone enjoyed the book. Then, I can’t help smiling and thinking, hey look, that drudgery was worth it all along!

TODAY'S QUESTION: What is your least favorite part of writing?

For me it is the waiting. I don't wait well. I know, big surprise! I think this is one of the biggest reasons I never do a cold submission. Either I have been asked for a piece or I've proposed it or some other situation where I am not venturing blind into the ether but approaching as an expected guest. This doesn't mean I have always been accepted, but it does increase the probability and DEFINITELY cuts down on waiting time ;) Now the book coming out...that is a whole other waiting game!

Cut the Bull – Energy Boosters for Writing

By Danielle Ackley-McPhail

 

You know, sometimes we just don’t know when to stop. No. It’s true, even I’m guilty (I know. Shocker.) We get so caught up in the language and discovery of these worlds in our head that we just pile on the detail. We get so caught up in the creativity that we have to build the universe right down to the thumbtacks on the wall, or we’re worried about not being clear, or missing something important, until we end up with a literal checklist of all the steps that took our characters from A to B…for each scene.

 

Okay, so perhaps I exaggerate, but not completely. There are times in fiction that call for expansive detail and other where too much clutter kills the action. It is important to know how and when to hold back. As yourself a few questions while you’re writing:

 

1) Have we been here before?

If this is the first time your character is in this setting the reader does need to know something of the surroundings, it helps shape their mental image of where they are. Now it is tempting to just give a paragraph with all the details and then go on to the character, but in most instances that gives a choppy, disjointed feel to a scene, kind of like the difference between beads on a string as opposed to a smooth braid where things are neatly woven together. I like braids. It is better to feed the reader details in relation to the character and their actions. As the character notices or experiences aspects of the space, that is when you introduce them. It keeps things fluid, connected, and gives a sense of discovery, rather than of being told something.

 

If the character has been in a particular setting before you want focus on what is relevant to the character, the action, or a future point in the plot, and not a lot of extraneous detail that will distract from what is taking place.

 

2) What is the point of the scene? The answer to that determines how much detail is appropriate. Sometimes you want to feed things in piecemeal, other times you HAVE to go in depth.

 

1)      Is this a destination or a transition? If the answer is destination, we need to know stuff. What does the place look like, what and who are where? If this is just a transition to someplace more important any details you give should be important.

2)      Is it taking too long to get where we’re going? Are you trying to build tension or move from one part of the plot to another? If so and you as the writer start to feel it is taking forever, then take a look at the details you have included. Something are important for plot or character, but extraneous stuff should be kept to a minimum until you hit a more relaxed portion of the story or book.

3)      Is this relevant later? Sometimes you have to include detail, no matter what the scene. There are always points that you have to reveal the bits and pieces that come together later so that everything makes sense. Like mentioning a belt dagger if the character uses it three chapters later to save himself, or noticing a peculiar tattoo on a passerby that seems irrelevant but in the end betrays the villain.

4)      What actions progress the plot? When it comes to the things the characters do some steps are unavoidable, but others you can skip over. We don't need to know that Jim opened the drawer, took out a pair of socks, closed the drawer, sat on the bed, and then put on the socks. Suffice it to say, Jim took socks from his dresser and put them on. On the other hand, if Jim is fighting olfactory sensitive monster and the only thing that can save him is the month-old dirty socks under his bed, making him work for it serves a purpose.

 

When it comes down to it, we must all judge for each piece we write how much detail adds to the story, and how much sucks the life out of it. If you aren't sure, read the work aloud, feel the pacing of it. If a snail could move faster, trim things down. If you reach the end and you have no clear picture of where you are, slow down a bit and explore the world you're creating because that is how the reader comes to care, when you make the world and those that populate it real for them.

For more wisdom on writing, please visit the blog of my friend and co-editor, L. Jagi Lamplighter at http://arhyalon.livejournal.com.

TODAY'S QUESTION: What is your favorite style of writing (to read or write)? Lyrical, colloquial, or formal?

Myself, I am a bit too fond of lyrical when it comes to writing, but for reading it is definitely lyrical or colloquial. I'm just not a formal kind of gal.

Well, back from Faeriecon. I must say that overall I had a great time, got to reconnect with the James and Jamie, king and queen of the Bad Faeries Court at the Maryland Faerie Festival, as well as Maugie and David. Got to see K and s00j,  SJ Tucker of Skinny White Chick and Tricky Pixie fame, and got to hang out with Bernie Mojzes and Elaine Corvidae and David Accipiter, had visits from friends Shanna Heilveil and her family, Heather Krantz and her friend (I am very sorry I don't remember you name...I get brain-dead after cons), Vonnie Winslow Crist, Katie Hartlove, and Michelle D. Sonnier of Echelon Press LLC, Patrick Thomas, Robert Quill, John French and his lovely wife, and my friends from Solomon's Mine.

Also met Yama George from Faerie Magazine and Cindy Slattener of Luna Rana hats! Absolutely FABULOUS hats.

Enjoyed the SJ Tucker portion of the Good Faeries Ball but didn't really get to enjoy anything else of the con. Did get to meet Charles DeLint and gave him a copy of The Halfling's Court. Don't know if he will read it but he was a delightfully charming man and let me babble at him and even give him a hug.

Unfortunately Faeriecon will be at the same hotel next year, and the dealer's spaces have gone up considerably, with the discount dropping. That means expenses make attending the con next year prohibitive. I did reasonably well this year because of the horns, but overall we collectively did not make back our expenses. Oh well, other venues await! Pictures to come, though.

To make matters worse there was a MAJOR accident on 95 so even though we delayed our trip home it took me twice as long to get there driving 10 miles an hour or less most of the trip. My feet and knees were already suffering from vending all weekend...this just capped me off. Couldn't even go to work today thanks to the bum leg.

Here's hoping that the Between Books book launch next weekend has much better results, and Philcon and the Dark Quest launch the weekend after than.

TODAY'S QUESTION: What upcoming book are you looking forward too, regardless of the author ;)?

For me, it is The Stories In Between, the anthology being released next weekend to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the independent bookstore, Between Books. I know thanks to the editors efforts my story, The Devil You Don't, and Mike McPhail's story Beyond Imagine, are the best we have done to date, I can only imagine the rest of those in the collection.

http://fantasistent.com/books/anthologies/between.html

Sorry, I know, I've been slacking this week. Rushing around trying to get book stuff done as well as get ready for Faeriecon. On top of that Mailing Mahem required me to meet my publisher Neal Levin at a midway point for a prisoner exchange...he had my books and I had his bribe ;)

Just joking, LSI sent my books for the con to his address, but all is well and I now has stock of at least ONE faerie book for Faeriecon! Sadly, the Bad-Ass Faeries anthologies did not make it in time. I'll be really pissed if they show up...like...today! I still have stock of the old ones, but I was really hoping to get a jump start on sales.

Oh well...two launches coming up, and they will be logical companion books, so maybe that will help.

Anyway, hope to see some of you this weekend. The con is in Hunt Valley Maryland instead of Philadelphia, the way it was the last two years (can you say "Union")

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, visit www.faeriecon.com, and if you're in Maryland, come say Hi! It's is ironically being held at the Hunt Valley Marriot, where Balticon is held :) With me will be Bernie Mojzes, author of The Evil Gazebo, and Elaine Corvidae, author of way to many friggin' books for me to list ;) you can see all her titles at www.onecrow.net, or www.mundania.com.

See you soon!

 

Danielle