Artists of all types seek inspiration. I like to keep myself surrounded by evocative items while I'm writing. To that end, I have a bulletin board mounted just above my computer terminal. It's covered with objects that have meaning of some sort. Let's examine them:
Three postcards from Disney World - well, if you know me, you know my Disney fixation. I have Tinkerbell, Mickey and Minnie standing in front of the castle, and Cinderella dancing with Prince Charming. Just a glance at either of those puts me in my "laughin' place."
A picture of Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner from "Romancing the Stone." She's a romance novelist; he's Michael Douglas. You do the math.
A list of four goals I wrote at the beginning of 2007. Two of them have been ticked off.
The Valentine my Prince gave me. It's a picture of Scarlett and Rhett. She's in the widow garb, and she has her arms around him. Their mouths are about two inches apart. It's the scene where he says, "You need to be kissed, and often, by someone who knows how." When you open the card, it plays the theme from "Gone with the Wind."
An 8 X 10 glossy print of the cover for BRIANNA'S MAGIC. I haven't framed that one yet.
Five pictures of Stefan Sanderling taken from the covers of programs from performances by the Florida Orchestra. I have a classical musician story in me somewhere. I don't have a clue what it is yet, but I like those pictures of Stefan. They remind me to think about it.
A bookmark from Borders advertising the soon to be released seventh Harry Potter Book. It says Severus Snape (Friend) on one side, and Severus Snape (Foe) on the other. Right now I have it turned to the Friend side, but that could change.
Two packages of chopsticks from the Thai restaurant we went to a couple of weeks ago when I was researching the Lotus story. The packages are bright red with lotus blossoms on them.
A postcard reminding me of the Mozart Motown and More concert by the Florida Orchestra on April 20. Guess I can take that down now.
A small flyer with a colorful drawing announcing a Halloween concert by Skull and Bone Band. That's my son's band, and his girlfriend drew the picture.
Finally, the calendar telling me which days I'm supposed to blog and/or chat where. Because otherwise, I'd never remember.
Those are the things that make me smile when I look at them. What' s on your space?
Delia
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
The Emotion of Writing
I had an interesting discussion the other day. Okay I’ll admit it was more of a debate. It was concerning a book a mutual friend and I had both read. She didn’t like and I loved it.
That led to a long debate of us both listing out points and countering why we liked or disliked the book. We got loud and emotionally about our point of view.It was interesting. We had others around us who had read the book chiming in and those who hadn’t asking more about it. It even led to other discussion of various author’s work we liked, did not like, the reasons why or why not. It was a very reveling conversation.
This is the emotion of writing. No matter if your book is not liked or liked. It has created an emotion. As an author this is what I want to do. Whether it is good or bad. I want you to feel it. The one thing I do not want is apathy. That is like a punch to any writer. Please NO APATHY. Give me any emotion and I will feel that I have done my job.
Now I am not saying if I get a bad review or email that a reader didn’t like my work I won’t get a little upset at first. But when it comes down to it I will be content and happy. I created a reaction.
An Emotion.
I touched the reader in someway. From that little debate I had the other day. I realized that people will remember you if they have enough emotion whether good or bad. I got a few new authors to try just from that conversation alone. Hey just because someone didn’t like a book doesn’t mean what they saw as flaws I or another reader wouldn’t see as treasures.
Come on and share the books you have read and created strong emotion. Don’t be shy it can be good or bad.
Taige
That led to a long debate of us both listing out points and countering why we liked or disliked the book. We got loud and emotionally about our point of view.It was interesting. We had others around us who had read the book chiming in and those who hadn’t asking more about it. It even led to other discussion of various author’s work we liked, did not like, the reasons why or why not. It was a very reveling conversation.
This is the emotion of writing. No matter if your book is not liked or liked. It has created an emotion. As an author this is what I want to do. Whether it is good or bad. I want you to feel it. The one thing I do not want is apathy. That is like a punch to any writer. Please NO APATHY. Give me any emotion and I will feel that I have done my job.
Now I am not saying if I get a bad review or email that a reader didn’t like my work I won’t get a little upset at first. But when it comes down to it I will be content and happy. I created a reaction.
An Emotion.
I touched the reader in someway. From that little debate I had the other day. I realized that people will remember you if they have enough emotion whether good or bad. I got a few new authors to try just from that conversation alone. Hey just because someone didn’t like a book doesn’t mean what they saw as flaws I or another reader wouldn’t see as treasures.
Come on and share the books you have read and created strong emotion. Don’t be shy it can be good or bad.
Taige
Reading
Most writers read. A lot. And I'm no different from any other writer. I read. A lot. Recently I've been sidelined by health issues so I've been reading a lot more than usual. And that, let me tell you, is a lot.
So what have I been reading, you ask? I'm pleased to tell you that most of what's been taking me away from my current situation, transporting me into worlds and lives unknown to me except through the wonderful storytelling abilities of those who wrote them, are books by companion goddesses. I have a limited time to sit without discomfort so I'm just going to list some of what I've read, and you'll have to take my word for it that they've all been great. Although great is truly an understatement. I highly recommend each and every one of them for your own personal reading pleasure.
Okay. Ready? Here goes... Everglades Wildfire by Isabelle Drake (great family turmoil in that one), Heaving Bosoms by Ashlyn Chase (made me giggle, love her sense of humor!), Crazy for the Cowboy by Cindy Spencer Pape (I read this twice, I enjoyed it so so much), Anchor and Storm by Kate Poole (anyone that enjoys historicals will be nuts over this one. I was!) and Overlord's Vessel by Bronwyn Green (Micah and Elizabeth--a couple that won't be forgotten!).
I told you I read a lot. I read these in the past few days, LOL!!
Fortunately, the goddesses are a prolific bunch and there is an assortment of tempting offerings that will keep me occupied in the coming days. The hardest part of reading what these talented women have written is deciding what to read first! But eventually, I'll read them all.
And no matter what your taste, reading friends, there is a goddess that writes just for you, too!
Until next time, happy reading!
So what have I been reading, you ask? I'm pleased to tell you that most of what's been taking me away from my current situation, transporting me into worlds and lives unknown to me except through the wonderful storytelling abilities of those who wrote them, are books by companion goddesses. I have a limited time to sit without discomfort so I'm just going to list some of what I've read, and you'll have to take my word for it that they've all been great. Although great is truly an understatement. I highly recommend each and every one of them for your own personal reading pleasure.
Okay. Ready? Here goes... Everglades Wildfire by Isabelle Drake (great family turmoil in that one), Heaving Bosoms by Ashlyn Chase (made me giggle, love her sense of humor!), Crazy for the Cowboy by Cindy Spencer Pape (I read this twice, I enjoyed it so so much), Anchor and Storm by Kate Poole (anyone that enjoys historicals will be nuts over this one. I was!) and Overlord's Vessel by Bronwyn Green (Micah and Elizabeth--a couple that won't be forgotten!).
I told you I read a lot. I read these in the past few days, LOL!!
Fortunately, the goddesses are a prolific bunch and there is an assortment of tempting offerings that will keep me occupied in the coming days. The hardest part of reading what these talented women have written is deciding what to read first! But eventually, I'll read them all.
And no matter what your taste, reading friends, there is a goddess that writes just for you, too!
Until next time, happy reading!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Sweet Stress-Waiting on Reviews
Ahhh...waiting for those first reviews on a new release, is that sweet excitement or nail biting anxiety?! The first review for my first EC release, Everglades Wildfire, made my day! 4 1/2 Hearts from The Romance Studio! Here’s a clip:
“Drake has created a complex, riveting story that will grab you from the start. ... The setting of the everglades and hot scenes make this story hard to put down.”
Overall rating: 4 1/2 Hearts
Sensuality rating: Very sensual
Reviewer: Tj
How cool is that!
“Drake has created a complex, riveting story that will grab you from the start. ... The setting of the everglades and hot scenes make this story hard to put down.”
Overall rating: 4 1/2 Hearts
Sensuality rating: Very sensual
Reviewer: Tj
How cool is that!
Jumping off
It's not my blogging day but I felt like jumping in so here I am.
How do I begin writing a book? I enjoyed the last two blogs about visualization and creating a "book" of images to kick start a book. I often hear the dialogue, then visualize the scene and the characters, then I raise the curtain and start the show.
I've been to workshops where we cut pictures from magazines and pasted them on large sheets of paper. Although I enjoyed the experience it didn't do anything for my WIP. I am fortunate to be in Jo Beverley's critique group. Jo admits to "flying by the seat of her pants" to start. An idea finds its way into her creative brain and she mulls over it awhile before it takes root and she's off and running.
Other writing friends chart, plan, use 5x7 cards to keep them on track and other tricks of the writing trade. I've tried all of them and I can't get into long range planning. We all have our little ways. What works for me, works for me. We need our five senses at work as we write. As long as I remember that, I'm okay. It's when I forget that my writing doesn't sing. FIVE SENSES. I think I should print and paste those two magical words where I can see them as I write.
Anita Birt
www.anitabirt.com
How do I begin writing a book? I enjoyed the last two blogs about visualization and creating a "book" of images to kick start a book. I often hear the dialogue, then visualize the scene and the characters, then I raise the curtain and start the show.
I've been to workshops where we cut pictures from magazines and pasted them on large sheets of paper. Although I enjoyed the experience it didn't do anything for my WIP. I am fortunate to be in Jo Beverley's critique group. Jo admits to "flying by the seat of her pants" to start. An idea finds its way into her creative brain and she mulls over it awhile before it takes root and she's off and running.
Other writing friends chart, plan, use 5x7 cards to keep them on track and other tricks of the writing trade. I've tried all of them and I can't get into long range planning. We all have our little ways. What works for me, works for me. We need our five senses at work as we write. As long as I remember that, I'm okay. It's when I forget that my writing doesn't sing. FIVE SENSES. I think I should print and paste those two magical words where I can see them as I write.
Anita Birt
www.anitabirt.com
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Visual Aids
In the classic Star Trek episode "The Empath," Kirk, Spock and McCoy find themselves in a dark, featureless landscape (hmm, much like an empty soundstage) with a mute woman. A dramatic script made this one of the better third season tales. Still, when I look back on it, the episode reminds me of of my own writing back in high school, and not in a good way. Because what I frequently wrote at that time was dialogue in a featureless landscape. Unfortunately I wasn't trying to write plays, but novels.
I realized my writing needed to be more visually appealing to readers. So I worked hard at describing settings, clothes, and characters' features. Drawing and painting became an important sideline to my writing. In order to make the reader see what I was describing, I had to be able to visualize it myself. I searched constantly for pictures that looked like my characters. When I found a picture, I would often use it as a basis for a drawing of my own.
At that time I wrote with a friend, a much better artist than me (and now a professional graphic designer). Her drawings and paintings for our joint works were an incredible inspiration.
One thing I like about writing for EC/CP is that we can make suggestions about our covers. While we're somewhat limited by the images the artists have in their files, I must say they gave me what they asked for on my first two books. I was particularly pleased with my "One Thousand Brides" cover (written under my penname). I asked for a heroine in a bridal gown and a hero with cat ears and long hair, and that's exactly what I got. While I wouldn't have drawn my hero or heroine quite the same way, it came out as a very sexy cover.
Bronwyn talked about collaging in the entry previous to this one. Coincidentally, I was at a writers' retreat this past weekend where we spent 3 hours making collages for our books. I did one for the novel I'm working on, a time-travel romance where a Revolutionary War doctor dies and finds himself in the Waiting Room between Heaven and Hell. He's offered a chance to redeem himself by fighting a demon in modern-day Massachusetts. I doubted I'd be able to find pictures that expressed the book. To my surprise I found some good ones: a sundial with "The Centuries" written beside it, a man dressed in Colonial clothes (too old for my hero, but could be his father), a beach for the modern resort town where the story takes place. Best of all, a white building floating in a blue sky full of clouds--my "Waiting Room."
I'd encourage anyone who writes to try collaging--you might be surprised at what pops out at you when you start looking for book images.
Note: a few of my book drawings are on my website, www.maryannchulick.com
When you go to the sample chapters, some have an illustrations link.
I realized my writing needed to be more visually appealing to readers. So I worked hard at describing settings, clothes, and characters' features. Drawing and painting became an important sideline to my writing. In order to make the reader see what I was describing, I had to be able to visualize it myself. I searched constantly for pictures that looked like my characters. When I found a picture, I would often use it as a basis for a drawing of my own.
At that time I wrote with a friend, a much better artist than me (and now a professional graphic designer). Her drawings and paintings for our joint works were an incredible inspiration.
One thing I like about writing for EC/CP is that we can make suggestions about our covers. While we're somewhat limited by the images the artists have in their files, I must say they gave me what they asked for on my first two books. I was particularly pleased with my "One Thousand Brides" cover (written under my penname). I asked for a heroine in a bridal gown and a hero with cat ears and long hair, and that's exactly what I got. While I wouldn't have drawn my hero or heroine quite the same way, it came out as a very sexy cover.
Bronwyn talked about collaging in the entry previous to this one. Coincidentally, I was at a writers' retreat this past weekend where we spent 3 hours making collages for our books. I did one for the novel I'm working on, a time-travel romance where a Revolutionary War doctor dies and finds himself in the Waiting Room between Heaven and Hell. He's offered a chance to redeem himself by fighting a demon in modern-day Massachusetts. I doubted I'd be able to find pictures that expressed the book. To my surprise I found some good ones: a sundial with "The Centuries" written beside it, a man dressed in Colonial clothes (too old for my hero, but could be his father), a beach for the modern resort town where the story takes place. Best of all, a white building floating in a blue sky full of clouds--my "Waiting Room."
I'd encourage anyone who writes to try collaging--you might be surprised at what pops out at you when you start looking for book images.
Note: a few of my book drawings are on my website, www.maryannchulick.com
When you go to the sample chapters, some have an illustrations link.
Inspiration
Inspiration comes in many forms. . . visual, aural, tactile, etc. A painting or a piece of evocative music may prompt a story idea, so might the soft texture of a woven shawl or hand knitted sweater. Face it, anything that strikes the fancy can be fodder for the writer’s imagination.
A while ago, Jennifer Crusie wrote an article for the RWR about making story collages as a form of prewriting, a method of getting in touch with their stories before the actual process of writing begins. I was so fascinated by this oft-used method (writers like Anne Stuart, Jo Beverley, Susan Wiggs, Christie Ridgeway and Barbara Samuel frequently use this technique), I had to try it.
Unfortunately, my living space doesn’t really support the housing of a three dimensional collage (read many small children and even more cats.) But, I was so intrigued, I couldn’t get the idea out of my head. Thus, the Book of Wonder was born.
Using pictures from magazines, snippets of phrases, lovely scrapbook paper, pictures from the internet, I began to collage together visual images and inspiration for FAERY KISSED, my WIP at the time. It was a giddy, freeing sensation to be able to find the faces of my characters, to see where they lived, to find images and phrases that resonated with them regardless of whether or not they’d be used in the actual story. These story collages gave me access to my characters and story on a whole different level.
As I’m sure you know there are three basic methods of learning. Visual, aural and tactile or hands-on. Like many people, my primary method of learning is visual, followed closely by tactile. This is the method through which I best process information. Actively working with the visual images I selected and turning them into mini works of art seemed to free up other areas of my brain. As I worked, I got ideas for new directions to take my story. I figured out how the story’s secret would be revealed. I thought of ideas for two connected stories. It was like a non-stop party in my head and I couldn’t wait to get back to writing. Since then, I’ve done a series of pages for all of my books and I store them together in an expandable scrapbook.
Frequently, life imposes writing breaks, whether we want them or not. Often, after one of these breaks, it can be difficult to get back into the flow of writing again. The best thing about the Book of Wonder is that it acts as a conduit for creative thought. If I’m having trouble betting back into my story, I open up the Book of Wonder and peruse the pages. Inevitably, just looking these pages puts me back in a writing mood and I’m ready to move forward again.
In addition to story pages, I’m also fond of doing random inspiration pages. These are all-purpose collages and illustrative of my idea of romance.
A Disclaimer: The copyright holders of the following images retain all copyrights. These images are being displayed for educational purposes only.
If you'd like to check out some of my most recent story pages, please go to http://photo.xanga.com/Bronwyn_Green_Book_Blog I've got images up for Overlord's Vessel, and my two tarot stories, I Put a Spell on You and Ronan's Grail. The indivdual albums are listed on the right.
Do any of the other Goddesses do anything like this or have any other methods of prewriting?
A while ago, Jennifer Crusie wrote an article for the RWR about making story collages as a form of prewriting, a method of getting in touch with their stories before the actual process of writing begins. I was so fascinated by this oft-used method (writers like Anne Stuart, Jo Beverley, Susan Wiggs, Christie Ridgeway and Barbara Samuel frequently use this technique), I had to try it.
Unfortunately, my living space doesn’t really support the housing of a three dimensional collage (read many small children and even more cats.) But, I was so intrigued, I couldn’t get the idea out of my head. Thus, the Book of Wonder was born.
Using pictures from magazines, snippets of phrases, lovely scrapbook paper, pictures from the internet, I began to collage together visual images and inspiration for FAERY KISSED, my WIP at the time. It was a giddy, freeing sensation to be able to find the faces of my characters, to see where they lived, to find images and phrases that resonated with them regardless of whether or not they’d be used in the actual story. These story collages gave me access to my characters and story on a whole different level.
As I’m sure you know there are three basic methods of learning. Visual, aural and tactile or hands-on. Like many people, my primary method of learning is visual, followed closely by tactile. This is the method through which I best process information. Actively working with the visual images I selected and turning them into mini works of art seemed to free up other areas of my brain. As I worked, I got ideas for new directions to take my story. I figured out how the story’s secret would be revealed. I thought of ideas for two connected stories. It was like a non-stop party in my head and I couldn’t wait to get back to writing. Since then, I’ve done a series of pages for all of my books and I store them together in an expandable scrapbook.
Frequently, life imposes writing breaks, whether we want them or not. Often, after one of these breaks, it can be difficult to get back into the flow of writing again. The best thing about the Book of Wonder is that it acts as a conduit for creative thought. If I’m having trouble betting back into my story, I open up the Book of Wonder and peruse the pages. Inevitably, just looking these pages puts me back in a writing mood and I’m ready to move forward again.
In addition to story pages, I’m also fond of doing random inspiration pages. These are all-purpose collages and illustrative of my idea of romance.
A Disclaimer: The copyright holders of the following images retain all copyrights. These images are being displayed for educational purposes only.
If you'd like to check out some of my most recent story pages, please go to http://photo.xanga.com/Bronwyn_Green_Book_Blog I've got images up for Overlord's Vessel, and my two tarot stories, I Put a Spell on You and Ronan's Grail. The indivdual albums are listed on the right.
Do any of the other Goddesses do anything like this or have any other methods of prewriting?
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