Previously, on the Saga of the Cover Art:
Obsessive Character Creation Disorder 2: The Gods
So I’ve been tinkering around with the Rinmaru games some more because I can’t help myself, and decided to create a bunch of characters I haven’t worked on in ages — not since the last cartoony character-creator I got sucked into, back when they all had Greek names because that’s what I was doing at the time. (According to the stamp on the file, that time was 2004.)
Authors Answer 24 – Brushing up on Grammar
For me, school’s out — forever!
Authors are expected to be good at language. Good grammar, good word choice, and good spelling are all very important in a published novel. But do authors study grammar? This week’s question was asked by Authors Answer contributor Linda G. Hill.
Question 24: How important is it to you to continue learning and brushing up on basic skills such as grammar? For instance, would you pay to take a course?
Wow, I’m gonna sound so fulla myself, but I consider myself very well-versed in grammatical conventions. I would not pay for a course. I do, however, ensure I always stay on top of my grammar. It’s always come second nature to me – I used to do editing for years and I’m a pretty vigorous self-editor as well. Grammar is where I excel.
This question makes me feel a little bad about myself, to…
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Book 3 Maps
Getting ready to assemble the book now, which means maps! Or…well, a map. Unlike Book 2, when I did a large split-map because the characters were ranging all across the Imperial Heartlands, this time I think there will be just one map, vertical along one page. That will mean tablet- and e-reader users will have to tilt, but it will save some space, since the action takes place in a more limited area.
Here it is, then:
Alas, the books — both physical and digital — will probably need to use the black & white version, because of printing constraints. It’s not as attractive, but I think it gets the job done:
One step closer to publishing!
Authors Answer 23 – Point of View
I’m eating bacon.
You’re eating bacon.
He’s eating bacon.
I ate bacon.
You ate bacon.
He ate bacon.
Point of view is a choice every author must make before writing a story. Which is best for the story? Which is best for the author? Some authors feel more comfortable using one point of view over the others. First, second, and third person point of view exist in books, though second person is not common. Present and past tense are both common, though past is more traditional. And then there’s the level of omniscience. We have objective, with no knowledge of a character’s thoughts. We have subjective, with knowledge of one person’s thoughts in each scene, and can switch characters. This is also like limited omniscient. And then there’s omniscient where you know everyone’s thoughts at all times.
Question 23: What is your favourite point of view and tense to write…
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Book 3 Cover Process #2
It’s been a long time on this one. I’ve mentioned it before, but my artist had it rough this year, and now it’s allergy season and we’re both being whomped. The cover still isn’t done, but it’s progressed enough for a post.
Previously, on the Book 3 Cover:
Authors Answer 22 – Writing Apocalypse
So what we see here is that only death and children can stop a writer from writing.
It’s the end of the world. Authors have all become zombies, and are no longer writing. What do we do? Oh wait, there are still some authors around. But what are they going to do, stop writing or ignore the undead? This week’s question is brought to us by H. Anthe Davis.
Question 22: Barring a zombie apocalypse, is there anything that could make you stop writing?
Absolutely not. Not even if it were detrimental to my health (which, sometimes, I think it may be). I would find a way. I always have.
I don’t even think a zombie apocalypse could stop me from writing. The truth is that aside from the obvious things like wanting to be read (and hoping that income comes as a result), I mostly write because it’s something I enjoy with all my heart. Even if I were told…
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Monday Music: Doves – Kingdom of Rust
Doves — Kingdom of Rust, from the album of the same name. Indie rock (British).
An actual legitimate music video! This song doesn’t have any particular significance to the story, I just like it. It gives me maybe a Weshker vibe, maybe a Cob vibe, since their characteristic music tends toward the folk and indie stuff.
Still in a holding pattern over here. Cover is proceeding. Final trim is almost done. I’m hoping April…? But current conditions are not such that I can give even a tentative release date for book 3. Sigh.
Once I finish the trim, I might take a week off, or maybe just a day or two, then jump into book 4. The ideas are ready to go.
Authors Answer 21 – The Ultimate Goal
We’re in it for the money, right? Or is it to become famous? Or do we want a bunch of fans chasing us down to our book signings? Or nothing like that? We all have a goal in mind for our writing. This week’s question comes from H. Anthe Davis.
Question 21: What is your ultimate goal with your writing? Fame, fortune, changing the world?
Again, I don’t seem to have a choice in the matter: I’m a novelist. I have a hard time writing anything between 500 and 50,000 words. Being a novelist I suppose if any of it’s going to be read, and read widely (which is what I hope) fame and fortune are the consequence. I want neither. What I would like is to be able to write, to be read, and to be financially comfortable… and have at least enough money to travel…
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Authors Answer 20 – Writing Is Challenging
I did so much prep-work on my setting that it’s not a problem anymore — though there’s always room to do more! I collect folders full of scenery photos, cultural attire, etc, for my various locations so I can more easily put into words what I see in my head. I’d recommend that for anyone with setting issues.
Writing doesn’t always come easy. In fact, it’s a rather lengthy process that is hardly easy at all. Everyone has something they’re good at and something they find very challenging to do. This week’s question was asked by Amy Morris-Jones.
Question 20: What element of writing (setting, characterization, plot development, etc.) do you find most challenging?
I think creating a coherent and controlled plot is my biggest problem. My characters are basically people, so I’m rarely concerned about them, and I’ve been working on my setting for more than a decade so could probably detail it down to individual blades of grass if pressed. But actually figuring out how to push all the characters into one place, keep them there, and make them do something dramatic and purposeful, can take me a long time to get right. My first book spent a decade being rewritten until I…
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The War of Memory Project 