D.G. Hudson - Rainforest Writing

I've Been Tagged - 11 Questions

2012-02-16T14:19:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged by:

Misha Gericke

I'll answer Misha's questions, then I'll offer my own and I'll follow Misha's lead by selecting some of followers from my blog. Great idea Misha! (a getting to know you tag)

THE RULES ARE:

I answer 11 questions and make up 11 of my own. I tag and link to 11 other bloggers. You who are tagged are asked to do the same on your blog.

My Answers to Misha:

1. Do you believe in fate?
Yes, Fate brought me to Canada.

2. How the heck do you write and have a life?
I write whenever I can, in the morning (preferred) or on the road when I'm a passenger. It keeps me from telling someone how to drive.

3. If you were in a written story, which character trope would you most likely have followed?
The fallen angel. (I'd follow Wilde's advice about resisting everything except temptation. . . )

4. Sweet or Savory?
How about a bit of both?

5. What's your big dream?
See the Earth from space or from the Moon.

6. Fondest memory?
First meeting the man I'm married to now. Felt like I had known him before or had been waiting for him.

7. What's your biggest wish? (world peace does not count)
Can I be greedy and have two? I'd wish for my oldest daughter's health to improve from a chronic condition she has, and to be published, of course.

8. Would you rather have an exciting life and be alone or find the great love of your life and live a relatively normal one?
I did find the love of my life and I'm married to him.

9. Have you ever done something, only to realize a half a second later that you made a mistake?
You mean like closing the door to your car and seeing the keys still in the ignition. . .?

10. Did you try to go back and fix it, or did you follow through?
For the locked in keys, I called a car service, for big faux pas, it would depend on the mistake.

11. Do you edit while writing or after the draft is done?
I find it hard not to edit while writing, but even Dean Koontz admits editing as he goes.  I think it's the perfectionist tendencies some of us have.

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MY TAGGED BLOGGERS:

1 - Spunk on a Stick (L. Diane Wolfe)

2 - The Writing Nut (Nutschell)

3 - Seeing Creative (Stina)

4 - Veronica and Thomas - Taking the Artistic World. . .

5 - Sherry E - The Mama Diaries

6 - J. T. Lewis - Did I Stutter?

7 - The Ramblings of a Peacock - Michelle

8 - Susan Says - Susan

9 - Alexia Purdy Blog - Alexia

10 - Claudia Del Balso, Writer - Claudia

11 - Jen's Bookshelf - Jen

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My 11 Questions For Those Tagged Are:
(updated Feb.17/12)

1 - How long have you blogged?

2 - Do you have a pet?

3 - Do you like film noir?

4 - Do you pick male or female protagonists the most when you write?

5 - Which female actor in LOTR would you want to be if offered a part in the movie?

6 - Which male actor in LOTR would you want to be if offered a part in the movie? (this is assuming Makeup and Costume can do miracles. . .)

7 - Where do you write? (which room, or place is most comfortable)

8 - What beverage is beside you while you're writing?

9 - Do you listen to Music while writing?

10 - What is your favorite city?

11 - Is there a phone in your writing place?
(In my study where I write, I have a landline.  Do you have any communication device that can disturb you nearby?)

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That's it, I tried to make the questions short and sweet and the answers can be too.

Please pass the tag along. Misha (at My First Book) sent me the details. Hope you can participate.

Thanks Misha, for the opportunity to highlight a few followers' blogs.

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Any comments? Hope you'll get a chance to check some of the blogs above.

ORIGINS Blogfest 2012

2012-02-13T00:05:00.000-08:00

When did your writing dreams begin?

Tell us for the Origins Blogfest . . . when did you first pick up that pen or sit in front of that keypad and begin to create a story, or a column, a poem, or a book? (Not for school or because you had to, but because you wanted to write something down that was in your head)

When did I first start writing stories?

After reading Tolkien’s The Hobbit for the first time, I wanted to write like that, to weave a story thread like he did. This book introduced me to the fantasy genre. I breezed through the Lord of the Ring books that followed. Reading fantasy led to reading science fiction, and there I decided to stay and see what I could create.

Thanks for dropping by. Hope you can share one of your writing memories in the comments below. I'll be sure to answer and check out your blog.
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The Origins Blogfest is brought to you by 4 co-host Bloggers: (you can sign up on these sites)

DL at Cruisin' Altitude
Alex at Alex J. Cavanaugh
Matt at The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiement
Katie at Creepy Query Girl

Want to participate?

First, you need to sign up to participate via the handy dandy Linky tool at DL's site or any of the other host blogs above. The Linky lists, details, and badges are found there. Have fun checking out the list!

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PARIS - City of Light

2012-02-01T13:59:00.001-08:00

Eiffel Tower Lights the Evening - DGH 2010

Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)

Paris with all its lights on shows us a city proud to flaunt its beauty. It’s an impressive sight at night, when buildings take on a golden glow and the Eiffel Tower changes colour by the hour.

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Bright Cafe Lights on the Right Bank - by DGH

Lights in the Side Streets

In the Marais when evening falls, walkers fill the streets looking for a place to eat and a spot to people watch by the Seine River. On the side streets, light spills out from the cafés and bistros onto the sidewalk, while the cosy tables invite us to stop.

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Bateau Parisiennes Tour - Illuminations - by Green Eye

Illumination Tours

Bateau Parisienne is one of several companies that provide tours of the Seine River day and night. Boats are open style or covered, depending on the weather, and provide an excellent view of the buildings in their evening finery. There are also driving tours available if you prefer the land route.

The unique design of the bridges can be seen as you slip quietly beneath. From this level, it’s also easier to see the detail of architectural grotesques and the unique style of the different bridges. I imagine scenes from the past when beaches ran down to the Seine River, and a few of the oldest bridges were new.

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Look Way Up at Notre Dame - by DG Hudson

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame looms over the Seine, its haunting Gothic style highlighted by the evening glow of lights. Refer to 'Paris - Architecture Smorgasbord (from my 21st Century blog) for more photos and detail on this inspired building.

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Hôtel de Ville

Evening shot of Hotel de Ville with Signposts - by DGH

The Hôtel de Ville watches over the plaza in front, its sculptures lit from beneath. This is Paris City Hall. The quiet fountain off the the side bubbles pleasantly as we walk by, heading to our rental apartment. Public events such as fund-raisers are staged in the square at times. On those occasions, the building dons a different dress. (see 'Transformed photo' in sidebar)

http://www.aviewoncities.com/paris/hoteldeville.htm Hôtel de Ville

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Hôtel-Dieu de Paris

The illuminated photo of this building appears in another recent Paris post, Apartment Rentals and Booked Tours.

Hôtel-Dieu de Paris is the oldest hospital in Paris, and sits next to Notre Dame on the Île de la Cité. It was also the only hospital until the Renaissance. A few of the towers facing the Seine River have retained their medieval style complete with conical roofs. Below is the day version.

Hotel D'ieu's conical towers at left - by DG Hudson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B4tel-Dieu_de_Paris Hotel D'ieu

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Seine River bridges

Always lots to see, on the river or on the bridges.

Bridge and Tour boat on the Seine River by DG Hudson

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Samaritain Paris

This department store in the 1st Arrondisement closed in 2005. In 2010, the lights still celebrated the store's past. I liked the current design and the lights. Who knows how long this version will last?

More info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Samaritaine.

Samaritaine in the Evening by DGH

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A photographer's dream, that's Paris. It's the urge to capture the essence of the brightness, the thing that gives the city that overall glow. And I don't mean electricity.
What is it about lights - the neon that seduces us, marquees that invite us in and special lights that enthrall us at certain times of the year? In Paris, they keep it going year round and light up the best places.

Do you know of cities like Paris that enhance themselves in the evening with lights, or other public events so people feel comfortable walking about?

Please share if you do.

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PARIS - Apartment Rentals and Booked Tours

2011-12-31T23:57:00.000-08:00

Eiffel Tower framing Trocadero - by DGH 2010

Paris is an intriguing city, offering something unique to each person who visits. This post details a couple of ways to enjoy your trip and perhaps save time or money. We had two weeks, a rental apartment, an itinerary, Paris guidebooks, French phrasebooks and maps. We wanted to walk the streets where so many historical and literary figures have gone before us, we wanted to see the museums, the palaces, the artist hangouts, and the local cafes. Our favourites: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Monet’s Garden, the Seine River and its many bridges, the Isle St. Louis, Montmartre, and the Marais. It’s hard to pick just one.

View from our Paris Rental Apartment - by DGH 2010

Rental Apartments

Our rented apartment was in the Marais, 4th Arrondisement, right on the Rue de Rivoli. This area has many townhomes and manors which have been converted into combined private residences/designer rentals and boutique hotels. Renting an apartment in Paris is highly recommended, but do your research well. Some places are suitable for students and groups of friends on a budget, others for couples or families looking for a bit more. We selected the company A La Carte for several reasons. They were offering the types of apartments that we wanted in the areas we wanted (on the Right Bank, near the Marais and near the Louvre Museum). Costs vary by size of apartment, high or low season rates and location.

A La Carte’s website provides all the information you need including availability for booking. What we saw online was exactly that in reality, and the location was perfect for us. The costs are comparable and in some cases better than equivalent hotels in the same area. Our apartment was between the Louvre and the Place De La Bastille, a few blocks over from the Seine River right on the famed Rue de Rivoli. We booked a one bedroom with a tidy kitchen/dining area, living room, shower, wifi connection with flat screen TV, microwave, and apartment size laundry. Being on the fourth floor we knew the view would be great, but we made sure there was an elevator. We just didn’t know it was truly a petite Parisian elevator. Cozy.

The rental agency supplied their own customized guide in the apartment (suited to that particular area). It was a lifesaver. The rental company also left a complimentary bottle of wine and a bowl of fruit to welcome us. We enjoyed being able to locate the small grocery nearby that had everything we needed, finding the local boulangerie (bakery) where we bought our first and daily baguette (or two) and discovering the many local bistros and cafes nearby. The sounds of Paris drifted up to our window every day as soon as I opened the windows. September is a great time to visit with mild weather and fewer crowds. The only time we left Paris was on a one day coach tour to Monet’s Garden and Versailles.

Our taxis, with English speaking drivers, were booked by our rental agency for our arrival at CDG airport and for our departure. The cost was 80 Euros one-way. We were driven to our apartment in large comfortable European sedans. Luxe. The drivers contracted with A La Carte escort you and your luggage up to the apartment and carry your luggage to the taxi when you depart. So much better than my expected visions of haggling with the taxi drivers. For someone used to hauling her own luggage, it was nice.

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Monet's Water Garden, Giverny - 2010 by DG Hudson

Booked Tours

All of our excursions were booked with Viator Tours - Paris. This company offers an excellent selection of tours, and friendly staff. The office we visited was near the Tuilleries. Our tour guides were well-informed, multilingual and managed their groups well. Very professional.

Tours we selected:

• Monet’s Garden, a day trip by coach to Giverny, includes a tour of Monet’s house, with access to his famed Water Garden and the flower gardens. Included are two additional stops. Lunch at Le Moulin Fourges, an old mill location that provides a seated lunch with a pre-planned menu served by staff. This is a welcome break in the coach trip between Giverny and Versailles.

Versailles, France, Hall of Mirrors - by DG Hudson

Later, we arrive at Versailles, the golden palace. The grandness of the estate cannot help but awe those who see it for the first time. In 2010, the gilt was fresh and the palace was crowded, but our intrepid blue leader guide led us through the Hall of Mirrors, the royal bedchambers, and some of the galleries. From the natural to the gilded, the French celebrate both.

Paris - Bridge over the River Seine 2010 by DGH

• Paris Illuminations Tour (Group access to 1st level of the Eiffel Tower, an evening Seine River cruise on the Bateaux Parisiennes with the return City Illuminations tour). We had plenty of time on the Eiffel Tower for photographs and the gift shop, but no meals. If you want to eat at the Eiffel Tower or while cruising, look for casual or formal dinner cruises. There are many variations to suit everyone’s taste.

Paris - a Montmartre Cafe 2010 by DG Hudson

• Walking tour of Montmartre starting at the Blanche Metro station. We walked past the Moulin Rouge, on our way to meet up with the group of about 12 people. The tour took us past Van Gogh’s house, a hidden Montmartre vineyard, the famed Bateau Lavoir, Tertre Square and ended at the Sacre Coeur. I detailed this one in Paris Walks.

Getting Around: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Les Cars Rouges - (the Red tour bus) the stop nearest us was on the Isle St. Louis near Notre Dame, you can buy the tickets online or on the bus, get on and off for two days @ 24 Euros per person, good value, great orientation to the city on arrival. They stop at all the major tourist sites and allow you to get on and off with your pass. A fellow traveller recommended it over the Metro. It’s nice to see where you’re going aboveground, and it’s much easier going around the L’Etoile when there’s a French driver at the wheel.

Paris - Arc de Triomphe 2010 - by DG Hudson

Whether you prefer an apartment or a hotel, the right accommodations can make or break a vacation. Location, cost and the personal touch are important. We were located in the middle of Paris, but the apartment was as quiet as could be when the windows were shut at night. We leaned out our 4th floor apartment on October 2, 2010 at midnight, gazed down the Rue de Rivoli and watched the celebrations of Blanche Nuit (a Paris party) promising ourselves that we’d be back.

Paris - Blanche Nuit, Oct 2, 2010 - DGH

REFERENCES

A La Carte Paris -- Designer Rental Apartments in Paris
http://www.alacarte-paris-apartments.com/

Viator Tours booking site

http://www.viator.com/Paris/d479-ttd

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Have you ever rented an apartment in a city you’re visiting? Which city?

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Disclaimer: The businesses mentioned in this post are recommended based on our experience. We were satisfied with their service and would use both again.

Rainforest Pickings #7 - 11 Writing Sites for 2011

2011-12-02T12:35:00.000-08:00

Four Guys named Santa. . .

Here’s my pick of the writer sites that I’ve found helpful, and those that keep me coming back. Lists can save time, and most writers can use more time. In 2011, many bloggers assessed their blogging schedules and social media management. The result appears to be a move away from daily blogging, a change that makes it easier for readers to keep up with reading and writers to do more writing.

The following blogs offer a diverse selection of newsletters and email notification, forums, humour, blog events, and discussions of the ongoing changes in publishing. Read on and when you have time, browse the links. You might discover something new.

Alex J. Cavanaugh, author, movie reviewer, Science Fiction
http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Guide to Literary Agents
http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/

Hope Clark, author, & FFW
http://hopeclark.blogspot.com/
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/

Jane Friedman, Media Professor, & Speaker
http://janefriedman.com/

Konrath, J. A., Author & Self-pub Advocate
http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/

Nathan Bransford, author, MG
http://blog.nathanbransford.com/

Rachelle Gardner, literary agent
http://www.rachellegardner.com/

The Alchemy of Writing Blog - flash fiction, humour, book reviews
http://alchemyofwriting.blogspot.com/

The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment - query analysis, creature analysis & blog events
http://theqqqe.blogspot.com/

Writers Beware Blog (watchdog for writers/supported by SFWA)
http://accrispin.blogspot.com/

Writer’s Digest
http://www.writersdigest.com/
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/questions-and-quandaries

Do you have a particular site you find helpful for writing? Please share in the comments.
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Enjoy the Season! Both of these photos showcase a friend's talent for making felt Santas and paper Angels. I just took the photos.

Surrey International Writer's Conference

2011-11-01T00:22:00.000-07:00

DG’s Review - SIWC 2011

Vancouver City Skyline - by DGH

Starting on October 20th, I attended a local writers conference - the Surrey International Writers Conference - in its 19th year. SIWC offers a selection of conference packages which you can select to fit your own time commitment and budget. There was no time to take photos, so I've substituted photos of the Vancouver area. These photos show that we do have a few sunny days in the British Columbia Rainforest.

Brockton Point, Vancouver, Canada - by DGH

Cost vs. Value

This conference delivers great value and flexible options. SIWC tries to keep the costs fair and reasonable for the attendees. Check the rates on this year's registration page.

There are several options to choose from:

full 3-day, Friday - Sunday conference package (meals, workshops, events)
conference basic - 3 days of conference workshops and keynotes, no meals or evening events
one-day only Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
Master classes are not included in the conference costs, and they are offered the day before as an adjunct to the conference.

Master Classes:

These advanced 3 hour classes are presented by well-known literary agents, authors, or editors. The morning, afternoon, or evening sessions are presented in conference room format with a short break. Bring a notepad or a laptop to record your notes as the instructor takes you through exercises that will improve your writing. In the evening class I attended taught by Donald Maass, there were approximately 130 people.

For my money, it was well worth the cost. I'd like a smaller group size, but affordability is more important. This class covered the three levels of story construction, and included on the spot writing exercises to improve your characters, setting, and plot.

Vancouver - Trolley bus on the right - CP Train Station at end

Critique and Pitch Appointments

I booked my appointments in June 2011 when registration opened. One pitch and one critique is included with your registration, but subsequent bookings for agent/editor pitches and author critiques must be done at the conference to ensure everyone gets a chance. There were lineups for bookings at the conference on the Friday that I attended. Best advice: Get there early for a better selection.

Pitch - 10 minutes. The process of getting from the lineup to the waiting area and in to see the actual person works better than I expected, thanks to the organization of the many volunteers. I had enough time to pitch the novel, ask a few questions and discuss a few items.
Critique - 15 minutes. In same room as above pitch appointments; one critique with a new Fantasy author and one with a very well-known science fiction/fantasy writer. Both offered insights with their crits as to saleability, and tips on formatting and construction. Exactly what I was looking for.

Included with the conference workshops and panels, are the Trade Show, the Book Fair and Signing, and Writing contests. I've only commented on the parts of the conference that I participated in, which was a sampling of the offerings.

More details are available on the site of the Surrey International Writers' Conference.

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Anyone else had any recent experience at a retreat, conference, or workshop?

Halloween Blog Hop!

2011-10-27T21:44:00.000-07:00

Starting Friday, and continuing over the Halloween weekend October 28-31, Jeremy Bates is hosting a Halloween Blog Hop. All the details are at his site (or you can use the Linky list at the bottom of this post):

Join in the fun and discover a few new blogs. You've got four days to browse the list and see who's who. . . in between the fireworks and pumpkins and little ghosts and fairies.

Participants are requested to:

• Visit as many of the other blogs as you can in the Linky List below

• Follow the site or comment when a blog appeals to you

• Tell us your favorite monster movie or book

• Share what your Halloween costume will be

My answer to Jeremy's blog hop requirements:

Fave monster/Book: God Emperor of DUNE - the part human, mostly sandworm creature of Frank Herbert's DUNE series who tries to 'become' the Worm.
The Lady in Black costume (this covers many variations: the deadly black widow, the dark witch, the French Existentialist, the retro Beatnik, the vampy Goth, you get the idea. . .)

Have a look around at either of my blogs (they're on the list), and follow if it appeals to you. Hope you have a great weekend!

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LINKY LIST:

Pay it Forward Blogfest - October 14, 2011

2011-10-13T18:10:00.000-07:00

BLOG HOP! Blogfest day has ended, but you can still check out the links below if you haven't yet. If you have time over the weekend, keep hopping about. Who knows who you might discover?

I'm participating in the Pay It Forward Blogfest hosted by:

Matt - The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment
http://theqqqe.blogspot.com/2011/09/pay-it-forward-blogfest.html

and

Alex J. Cavanaugh
http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/2011/09/paying-it-forward.html

The linky list is below, as well as on the host sites shown above.

From Matt's blog:

"Here is how the blogfest will actually work: The idea is to introduce everyone to everyone else. We want this to be an easy post that allows you to meet and follow as many other bloggers as you can. In your post, we would like you to please list, describe, and link to three blogs that you enjoy reading, but that you suspect may fly under the radar of a lot of other bloggers. Or they can be famous blogs, as long as they're awesome.

But don't stop there! Certainly visit and follow all the blogs that are featured in people's posts the day of the blogfest, but those don't have to be the only blogs you visit. You can visit everyone who enters in on the fun, and signs up on the linky list. In the interest of time you don't even have to leave comment. You can just follow, and come back another time. After all, we all know we don't have time to visit every blog we enjoy every single day."

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Check out these 3 writer blogs:

The Alchemy of Writing
http://alchemyofwriting.blogspot.com/ features short flash fiction one day of the week, has excellent custom cartoons and great photographs. This is a great blog to visit often. Owner: Bryan, aka INK likes to surprise.

Funds for Writers
http://hopeclark.blogspot.com/ offers something for everyone from the freelancer to the fiction writer with a dash of southern spirit thrown in. Info on grants, contests, and submissions in her newsletter. Even more info resides on her website, Funds for Writers. Owner: Hope Clark

Raising Dogs and Training Children http://raisingdogstrainingchildren.blogspot.com/ looks at the practical side of both. A young writer mother explores what to do to keep a toddler learning and to give herself time to write. Join her as she learns how to balance it all. Owner: J. Burroughs

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Have fun, and drop in again soon.

Paris Bistros and Sidewalk Cafes
http://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.com/2011/10/paris-bistros-and-sidewalk-cafes-of.html

Thanks again to Matt and Alex!!

Linky List follows:

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Paris - Bistros and Sidewalk Cafés of Interest

2011-10-02T23:54:00.000-07:00

Iconic Paris photo - Eiffel tower, Seine River, bridges, and classy streetlights-DGH

In October 2010, we were in Paris, France, trying to immerse ourselves in the City of Light as much as two Anglophiles can. I was also gathering material for a future novel based in Paris. This city surpassed my expectations. It draws you into its charms. One of those charms is the local food, the tiny bistros, the many choices of places to eat.

We walked, or used the Hop-On Hop-Off buses (Les Cars Rouge). Cost = about 24 Euros per person, and covers two days of use. Here are some of the places we discovered.

Cafe Louis Philippe (photo above) - Right Bank, Paris, France
http://www.cafelouisphilippe.com/

What we had: Andalusian sausage, Lamb rib chops, frozen nougat with raspberry coulis. Great service, and the place was well-filled with locals (always a good sign). We were never rushed and due to the rain outside, we sat warm and cozy under cover. A very pleasant experience.

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Bistrot Marguerite - on the Right Bank across from Hotel de Ville and next to the lovely Seine River. A favorite.

What we had: Baked cod dish - French style with onions and potatoes, grilled salmon, steak and frites, French onion soup with cheesy toast salad. The waiters were friendly and helpful. We went back three times and were never disappointed. Average cost for two people with house white wine, entrees or plats and cafe lattes=48 Euros.

The following video says more:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py8NltwzLR4
Up close video interviewing the chef of this favorite restaurant of ours, with shots of the food being served. Not suitable for vegetarians or vegans -- the restaurant's logo is a bull, after all.

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Le Voltaire Restaurante - Left Bank, Latin Quarter

What we had: German beer, Quiche and salad, and raisin pie (for those with a sweet tooth). A real old world atmosphere. Voltaire used to hang around here. That's per the plaque on the building in the photo above. No link for this one, but many reviews can be found. We were there for lunch so meal cost about 50 Euros. Use what French you know in this one for better service, it helps as they get lots of tourists in this area. We had great food and enjoyed it.

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Les Arts and Metiers - Arts 'n' Letters Left Bank, Latin Quarter.

A great people watching restaurant where we spent a very pleasant couple of hours.
What we had: Fluffy omelettes, chantilly custard, macarons, coffee, and wine with water on the side. We had a lunch break while walking in the Latin Quarter looking for 'Shakespeare and Co.', Les Deux Magots, and Cafe Flore.

Other Notable Eating Establishments: (mostly in the Marais and Latin quarters/arrondisements)

Resto Med (Cafe Med), Ile St. Louis (small family run cafe with excellent food, friendly staff, and cozy atmosphere; found on a side street tucked between small shops
La Pause Beaubourg - in the Marais district, just down from the Hotel de Ville, on the Right bank
Pizza Le Valentino - in the Marais, across the street from La Pause Beaubourg, Excellent meals; local families sat next to us, very attentive service, tolerant staff
Pizza Sant'Antonio - in the Marais, in a small square off the Rue de Rivoli. Meals and pizza.

Important notes:
Prices can vary by high and low season. We found eating out at the local restaurants gave us a chance to sample the fare that the Parisiennes were eating. This is easy to do in the Marais and on the Ile St. Louis, where many family owned restaurants prosper in the small side streets.

Reference: Immerse Yourself in the Moment (A sensory tour of Paris)
http://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.com/2011/02/immerse-yourself-in-moment.html

Additional posts on PARIS - Refer to DG Hudson's Other Blog for a post on Paris Walkabouts:
http://dghudson.blogspot.com/2011/12/paris-walks.html

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Do you take notes when you travel? Has any particular location or city found its way into your heart?

The Right Place - Must Have Been the Write Time

2011-09-01T19:48:00.000-07:00

Dragonfly and Fuschias - DGH photo collection

Serendipity = the ability of making happy and unexpected discoveries by accident, good luck or good fortune

Odd Happenings = when something unusual happens that would be hard to duplicate for the same effect

This post will explore some of those moments where we feel lucky to be where we are, at the right moment to see a unique event. It is preferable that these events are non-life threatening.

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The Spawning of the Grunions

(San Diego, Mission Bay area, California)

Grunions do a twisting beach dance (by the hundreds) to further their species, and it happens at night on beaches along the California coast from Monterey Bay to as far south as Baja California. The fish can remain stranded and flopping about for several minutes and there are lots of them. Spawning peaks between March and June.

We saw this phenomena on a visit to San Diego years ago, but didn’t know it was a natural cycle until we read about it. It’s a vivid image, and would have been hard to plan for. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera with me that night.

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Sleek beauty at Air Museum - by DGH

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Chased by Hurricane Ivan 2004

While visiting Atlanta on personal business, I heard storm warnings about Hurricane Ivan, on its way to Atlanta. Planes were being grounded, and flights delayed. I managed to rebook my flight time to leave before Ivan hit later in the day. Things went downhill from there, with the flight I was booked to fly out on being delayed until the winds died down enough for them to land. After the plane unloaded then reloaded, we left late with no promise of making the connection in Chicago.

Arriving in O’Hare, I ran up one terminal arm and down another to arrive at an empty loading area for the airline I was on with one attendant standing there. I went up to verify that I had indeed missed the flight. He confirmed that the flight had taken off on schedule, but (he said) they had come back and were repairing a problem in the braking system. My seat had not been filled, he asked if I wanted to get on board when it left again, expected to be within 15 minutes.

A plane with a problem, hmm, but it was also an opportunity. I boarded, dressed in my usual black travelling outfit, and faced all those rows of staring faces looking at me as if I had been the problem. Not a friendly face in the whole lot. Someone was in my seat, so I was ushered to one in the back. As I settled in to my middle seat between two strangers, the woman on my left leaned over and said in a low voice, “Well, I guess we came back for you.”

I felt a little more relaxed after that, before I saw the title of the movie they were showing -- The Day after Tomorrow (in case you haven’t seen it, it’s about extreme weather conditions causing superstorms and hurricanes all over the world).

My flight reached its destination about an hour and a half late. The opportunity had paid off, I was home.

***

A Mother Bear and Cubs at the Dump - DGH collection

***

Bear Scare

Beware garbage dumps in remote areas, since they represent a supermarket to the wild bears. While coming back from the recreation centre on one side of the small company townsite in north central British Columbia, I took the channel that had been cut in the 21 feet of snow in order to get back to the staff house. Unfortunately, a Grizzly bear had the same idea. I turned around going back to the rec centre, but now another bear was coming toward me from that direction. What to do? Make snowballs of course, hard ones.

“I threw the snowballs first at the bear closest to me, attempting to discourage it without actually hitting it, my main concern being to throw as many as I could while shouting to scare it. The first bear turned and ran, and I followed at a safe distance behind running towards the staff house. He ran past, I went inside. I don’t know what happened to the other bear, it wasn’t in my best interest to wait and find out.”

(Note: this incident happened to a friend who had grown up in the big city, where bears don’t roam free.)

***

Owl at Midnight on New Year’s Eve

Owls can be aggressive and especially if you’re near the nest. We’ve been swooped by owls before when walking through one of our natural parks in the Vancouver area. One incident occurred on New Year’s Eve exactly at midnight one year, when an owl sought respite from the noise by landing in a tall tree in our backyard. He sat staring directly at us from his perch, making us wonder what he saw. Food? Humans?

Just in case he was hungry, I hid my cat.

****

Rue de Rivoli, Paris - Blanche Nuit - Oct 2/10 - DGH

***

Everybody Turn Around

Gridlock on the highway, gas pipeline leak, police officers stop all traffic - just what you want to have happen when you’re out for a drive. Traffic behind us began to accumulate at a rapid pace as nothing moved. The gas leak had to be shut off first.

In the meantime, a few young determined males driving small cars got out of their cars and yelled at everyone to “Turn around, everybody turn around.” What?? The smaller vehicles might have a shorter turning base and be able to wiggle their way around, but no semi or big truck is going to be able to do that.

As about forty of the little cars turned and made their way over to the shoulder, heading back the wrong way, we moved to the front in the space just vacated. Just a couple of minutes after that, the officers cleared the barriers and traffic began to go again. Bad timing on their part?

***

Write it down, analyze it later. It might be the seed for a writing project.

Rainforest Pickings #6 - Book Reviews

2011-07-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

NEW MG Fiction and Writing Instructions - photo DGH

This month, my reviews will focus on a new book for MG readers and two more writing instruction books that will help you improve your manuscripts.

JACOB WONDERBAR AND THE COSMIC SPACE KAPOW, by Nathan Bransford , well-known blogger; published by Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin, May 2011. MG fiction

Young Jacob Wonderbar, always in trouble at school, gets the offer of a lifetime -- a corndog for a spaceship. Curious, he accepts. He talks his two best friends into going with him on a quick ride around the solar system. The ship blasts off with the three friends inside taking them past all the known planets and beyond. Jacob makes a quick decision which goes awry, when a big planet appears in the path of their spaceship. He breaks the universe instead, and blocks their way back home through the Milky Way. As they attempt to find another way to Earth, the three become separated and entangled in their own adventures. Jacob learns many things about his friends and himself as loyalties are strained.

This action-oriented story will appeal to those MG readers who like science fiction, and the idea of exploring space. The complexities in relationships are seamlessly woven into the story as the three main characters realize that their friends might not be there to cover their back when they expect it.

The art work was an unexpected plus, and stayed true to the character descriptions. With NASA looking at Mars for more understanding of the planets, we may soon be on the verge of a new period of space exploration. Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow will help fuel that interest. Let’s hope that a new generation of science fiction writers will be inspired by reading books like this one. Highly recommended.

***

Authors: Nathan Bransford, and Donald Maass

THE FIRE IN FICTION, (passion, purpose, and techniques To Make Your Novel Great) by Donald Maass, literary agent and author; published in 2009 by Writers Digest Books, an imprint of F&W Publications. Writing Instructions.

How to put that fire in your story? How to keep those readers turning the pages? This is the book you need. Are you a Storyteller or a Status Seeker? It depends on how you respond to certain questions or comments. In this book, Maass has shown us how to evaluate the various parts of our novel: characters, scenes, world building, voice, believability, and tension so that we can find those turning points, and up that emotional quotient. Understanding and using the ‘fire’ in fiction is what makes one book memorable, and another just ho-hum. The Practical Tools section at the end of each chapter hammers home the highlights and provides a quick reference.

This is a writing instruction book that you’ll refer to often, if only to get the creative juices flowing in the right direction. Chapter 6, ‘Making the Impossible Real’, was one of my favourites since it contains unique advice for upping believability. That’s important for all types of stories, but especially for science fiction. Recommended for all writers.

***

WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL, by Donald Maass, literary agent and author; published in 2001 by Writers Digest Books, an imprint of F&W Publications. Foreword by Anne Perry, novelist. Writing Instructions.

Maass provides writers with the tools and techniques that will make your work stand out from the crowd of other writers. He dissects every facet of the novel writing process using as examples works by authors who have mastered these skills. At the end of each chapter, checklists are provided identifying the main points. From creating stakes in your novel, through plot and structure, and finally to theme and how to pitch, he gives us an inside look at why these ‘breakout books’ become the story everyone wants to read.

The tone of this book makes it an enjoyable read in addition to the wealth of writing tips. Maass gives us a road map, then encourages us to find our way. This book was published a few years ago, but continues to provide good value for your money. Recommended for all writers.

***

Any comments?

Writing Conference or Not?

2011-06-27T10:55:00.000-07:00

Paris - Conference Attendees? photo by DGH

Writing conferences are staged throughout the year in various locales in the US and Canada. If this is the year you have decided to attend one, make it a useful event by selecting one that benefits you and moves you closer to your goals. Don’t expect all conferences to be equal in value. Do your research. Some writing conferences focus on genre (like romance and mystery) or contests, and some offer a smorgasbord of things to do.

When is the right time to attend a conference?

• That answer will vary depending on where you and your manuscript are at the time of the scheduled writing conference. Any writing you plan to take with you should be in top condition, polished and shiny, preferably vetted through a reliable reader.

• Most conferences require that you pre-register, especially if you want to attend classes or specific presentations. Decide how far you are able to go (affects travel expenses), what you hope to gain by attending (master classes or critique/feedback) and the cost your budget will allow.

• Ensure you consider the past history of the writing conference, and who attends from the publishing industry.

Reasons for attending

• Define why you want to attend: to absorb the writing atmosphere, to learn something new, to meet industry professionals, to see what’s new in the industry.

• Make the conference count by stretching your abilities, take those master classes or attend that panel discussion. Ensure you get value for your money. In some conferences, you don’t have to go for the big ticket 3 day package. Sometimes, one class and one day at the event will be enough, and it won’t rock your budget.

Costs

• Determine your spending budget after you have selected a few conferences that appeal to you. Costs vary widely, depending on whether the event is self-sufficient, or supported by funding, etc. Check this out carefully as some tickets include specific meals or other registered members extras (pitches or critiques).

• Most conferences don’t offer accommodation unless the setting is in a retreat type of setting where everything is contained at the site. What is usually offered are special rates at a nearby hotel, or at times a hotel on the site of the conference.

Location

• Pricing will be affected by the location of the conference if that location is in a city centre or in a suburban area. The number of presenters and the big names who attend can also impact cost, but again this depends on the structure of the event. Read all the pricing information in case a cancellation is necessary.

• Save money by attending conferences close to your area, or combine a conference with a vacation if that fits your plans. You may as well see the area and take photos if you’re in a popular spot like New York, San Fran, Toronto, Vancouver, or Miami.

Role Models and Teachers

Publishing professionals attending (authors, editors, agents)

• Find out about the presenters, master classes, panel members, pitch appointments and critique sessions. If there is a particular person you follow, or want to pitch to, book early to ensure you get your chance.

• Inform yourself about the person you book appointments with so that you make the best use of your time at the conference. Pitch and critique times are short to accommodate a greater number of people, so be concise.

• Be respectful and treat these as business connections, not as your BFF. (Although for some, that may apply.)

Are you and the manuscript ready?

• Preparation is an important factor in making your attendance worthwhile - take your best writing (a sample) and be confident in talking about it. Determine the amount of time you have before the conference date and find out more about the presenters, prepare questions, etc. Be aware of conference etiquette, and restrictions on what is considered a ‘sample’.

• Vetting through a critique partner or an editor service may be a consideration, but remember not to take out what you feel is the ‘heart’ of the story. You want polish, not major revamping at this point.

Conference Listings (a sampling)

• The Guide to Writers Conferences & Workshops (Shaw Guides-US & Canada) http://writing.shawguides.com/

• Shaw Guides - Canada - Writers Conferences/Workshops (do a search for Canada)
http://writing.shawguides.com/index.cfm?action=Search&fSearch=Canada&fSiteID=6&fSearchPointer=26&subaction=doSearch

• Funds For Writers - hosted by Hope Clark - Newsletter includes upcoming conferences, workshops, & retreats especially those in the Southeast US
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/FFW.htm

• Jodie Renner Editing -2011 Writing Conferences
http://jodierennerediting.blogspot.com/2010/12/writers-conferences-in-2011.html

• Guide to Literary Agents - hardcopy book &/or online access on purchase -- in the Markets section, see Conferences (A-Z) This book is published by Writers Digest books, in its Writers Market line.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guide_to_Literary_Agents

• Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market - hardcopy book &/or online access on purchase -- check the Markets and Resources sections in this niche version. Not sure how many international listings are included. Both this book and the one listed above are published by Writers Digest books along with other titles in the ‘Writers Market’ line.
http://www.writersmarket.com/

Summary

I researched a few writing conferences by signing up for their newsletter to keep informed about the activities offered, which presenters appeared on a regular basis (authors, agents, editors) and to get an overview of the conference. I’ll review my experience in a future post.

Now, I’m committed to a deadline. A target. An anvil hanging over my head. I’m in a Wiley E. Coyote frame of mind.

Time to run. . .

Vancouver, Canada Skyline from Stanley Park

Any writing conferences in your future?

***

Rainforest Pickings #5 - Book Reviews

2011-05-29T23:22:00.000-07:00

One of my vices - Real books

A writer needs to gather the tools of the trade. Reference books are a good addition, and the two writing instruction books below are recommended. The Paris Wife was a gift, and the old mystery story by Tony Hillerman was one that caught my eye at the local library.

From the Rainforest Reading Room:

Writing up a Storm

Released Spring 2011

By Celia Leaman, a Gulf Islands, BC writer, originally from the UK, but now settled in the Pacific Northwest.

Celia was an instructor at Writers Digest University, an online writing school in her recent past. She's written a play, short stories, a novelette, and a historical novel (suspense/paranormal) placed in the UK .

Writing Instructions. Self-published May 2011. Available in print or e-book format. http://www.devonshirebabe.com/index.htm

This is NOT a writer’s bootcamp, but a gentle journey leading the novice through the process of creating a novel. For the experienced writer, it offers a substantial number of links for further research and practice in honing the skills needed to produce quality work. The main theme is motivation.

Writing up a Storm offers information on self-publishing and highlights points to consider before you make your decision. Other publishing options are explained briefly, in overview. The content is easy to digest and honest in its perceptions of the publishing industry. For those seeking to enlarge their TBR (to-be-read) pile, a list of writing books by various authors is included at the end.

An excellent resource of writers’ sites, writing skills and encouragement. It’s part of my own reference library and an easy read. Check it out at Celia's site, and have a look at the delightful short stories she writes about life in the Gulf Islands with the local eccentrics.

***

The Paris Wife - a Novel

Written by Paula McLain, published by Doubleday, a sub of Random House, Spring 2011 release. For all fans of the Hemingway legend.

In 1920’s Chicago, Toronto, and especially Paris, Hemingway’s first wife Hadley follows as he steamrolls ahead in his ambition to become a respected writer. From poignant sketches of the cafes and salons of Paris to the bullfights in Spain, we see what life as the wife of a struggling writer was like during the early 20th century, when the LOST GENERATION made its mark on literature and on Jazz Age Paris.

Everyone seemed to be coming to Paris, all the expatriates disillusioned by the effects of WWI, an event which turned their world upside-down. What is morality when one might die the next day? With companions like Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound and the Fitzgeralds, Hadley, Hemingway, and their circle perceived life through an alcoholic filter considered elegant and social at the time.

Then the bittersweet part comes into play. The female huntresses come for sport and for a prize, Hemingway the writer. Watching the growing popularity of her husband and his attraction to one female after another, Hadley is forced to make a painful decision. Hemingway stays true to his own principles, but the price he pays is a high one.

Paula McLain has written an empathetic story of love & loss which highlights the creative mind’s need for constant approval. It’s never enough.

If you like to read about Hemingway’s early life in Paris, this is required reading. I breezed through the book, revelling in McCain’s succinct assessments of the shallow society life that many of the Lost Generation writers led after their initial flush of success. Her portrait of Hadley helps the reader to see the marvellous woman behind the great writer. Highly recommended, in case you didn’t notice.

***

Revision and Self-Editing

Techniques for transforming your first draft into a finished novel; by James Scott Bell, Writers Digest Books, F+W Publications 2008, (Write Great Fiction series) Writing Instruction.

The book is divided into two parts: Self-Editing and Revision. There are twelve chapters on self-editing, each identifying the various elements of a novel and what to look for when it’s time to revise. He includes examples and exercises for practice.

In the second section on revision, Bell includes a great tool: the Ultimate Revision Checklist. This alone would have made me a fan of Mr. Bell’s if the rest of the book hadn’t already done that. The checklist is a valuable resource and helps to break the revision process into manageable parts.

I read this every day at breakfast, marking lots of important points. I love books and generally don’t desecrate them, but (for me) instruction books are meant to be used, marked and corners folded for quick access. Don’t miss the introduction to the book, which compares learning golf to learning to write and revise a novel. I golf sometimes, and he’s right. Practice is the thing.

Once you’ve completed your first draft, I’d recommend getting a copy of this book. It’s in my writing reference library and used often.

*****

The Shape Shifter

Worth-a-second-look book by Tony Hillerman, ‘the master of Southwest Mystery fiction’ with a native twist. Mystery

This is an old series by a recognized writer of mysteries involving some of the Native Indians of the Southwest USA and since I’m researching the techniques of the mystery masters, I thought I’d check him out while at the local library. Our North American native tribes, US or Canadian, have always intrigued me, mainly due to my interest in their beliefs/spirituality and the mistreatment and injustices so many received.

In Shape Shifter, Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, now retired, is confronted with news relating to a cold case from his younger years. Bored and intrigued, he can’t resist being drawn into the search for a Navajo rug rumoured to be bad luck for the owner. The rug, made to commemorate an important & painful event for the Navajos, comes to light via a magazine article on the homes of the wealthy. Thus, the chase begins. Digging out facts from this cold case, Leaphorn keeps calling old contacts while trying to dodge the person who is trying to eliminate any witnesses. He didn't take too kindly to those who were inquiring about his ownership and acquisition of the well-known rug. Beneath all this, we have a chameleon perpetrator who keeps everyone guessing.

Hillerman weaves the native lore into his stories, while keeping us wondering at the capacity for duplicity in the criminal mind. His tolerant viewpoint comes through in his books. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this book,since I hadn’t read Hillerman before. I would definitely read more in the series, in order to follow the Joe Leaphorn saga. Hillerman may no longer be with us, but his fiction and his characters live on.

Isn’t that what all writers want?

So much to read, so little time. Escape today.

*****
Comment received from C. Leaman, author of Writing up a Storm:

"I always enjoy reading others' book reviews as each reader takes something different away from every book. As a writer, I find it interesting because sometimes a reader will see something in my books I didn't even recognize was there. So constructive reviews can be very helpful to a writer. I shall have to check out Hillerman as I haven't read him yet.
Anne48"

NOTE from DG:
Posting comment above received via email. Wordpress and Blogger seem to speak different languages, not recognizing IDs.
June 1/11

*****

Can I Quote You on That?

2011-04-26T10:11:00.000-07:00

Rue d'Orchampt Graffiti - Montmartre, Paris - by DG Hudson

Quotes are collected by a lot of people. In them we find something that meshes with our way of viewing the world. It’s all about how we interpret the words.

From My Writing Collection:

“If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don’t write, because our culture has no use for it.” Anais Nin, author.

Try not to annoy your neighbours while you’re getting in the mood for writing.

“I’m enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination circles the world.” Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist.

Exactly what writers need to hear. Imagination fuels our chosen task.

“There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written.” Oscar Wilde

I don’t agree with censorship, let me make my own choices.

“Nothing limits intelligence more than ignorance; nothing fosters ignorance more than one’s own opinions, nothing strengthens opinions more than refusing to look at reality.” Sheri S. Tepper, author.

How about alternate reality in that parallel universe? Or is that non-reality?

“The first draft of anything is sh*t.” Attributed to Ernest Hemingway.

Not the most encouraging words to hear when you’ve just finished an 85,000 word manuscript.

“A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us.” Franz Kafka

Beware of icebergs.

Bouquinistes of Paris-Booksellers by the Seine - DG Hudson

Old Indian Proverb (handed down through the male line): “If you wait long enough down at the river, you will see the bodies of your enemies float by.”

Not sure what has to happen up river for this to occur. That part is hazy. Could be a good plot though in the right setting.

“We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they’re called memories. Some take us forward, they’re called dreams.” Jeremy Irons

Are we talking fantasy and science fiction? Or Book dreams?

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” Barack Obama

This could be applicable to many things. . . like publishing.

“A clean house shows a life misspent,” because: “Children grow up and leave home, the dust & dirt will always be there.”

(Unknown author, but a reassuring mantra if you’d rather spend time with the kids and/or writing that book)

“Never forget where you came from and who you are.” (A native teacher reminding the younger ones of their inherited chieftain bloodline in a Native band)

Good advice if you’re writing memoir. But don’t use their real names.

“Non, Je ne regret rien” or “No, I regret nothing”, attributed to Edith Piaf, French chanteuse.

Do our regrets align with our expectations? It’s something to consider when crafting our characters.

"For an occurrence to become an adventure, it is necessary and sufficient for one to recount it." Jean-Paul Sartre, author.

A great reason to write a story.

"In every author let us distinguish the man from his works." Voltaire, author.

Is this referring to those authors who smudge the lines between truth & fiction, or is he saying to keep the narrator in the background?

"I never said most of the things I said." Yogi Berra, baseball icon.

Some recent authors must have studied at the Yogi Berra School of Denial.

"I don’t write a quick draft and then revise; instead, I work slowly page by page, revising and polishing." Dean Koontz, author.

A bad habit? I’m not so sure. It works for me sometimes, if I don’t let myself get bogged down. It’s interesting that a lot of authors take all that advice about how to revise with a big grain of salt.

I’m not a quote fanatic, but some things that people say (even off the cuff) have staying power. It’s always comforting to know we’re not the only ones who think a certain way. It’s also important to remember what works for one might not work for another.

Do you have any favourite quotes? Add them in the comments if you want to share them.

***References: Brainy Quotes: http://www.brainyquote.com/

Hemingway’s Key West Hideaway

2011-03-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

Hemingway House in Key West - Photo by DG Hudson

Down Whitehead Street in Old Town Key West, we went searching for the Ernest Hemingway House. We entered through the walled gate entrance at #907 and purchased our ticket from the booth-tender. Past the palms framing the front porch of the Spanish Colonial style house, we walked up the front steps and onto the ground floor verandah. A gruff-voiced older man came up as we approached and asked for our tickets, while his friends waited with that island bred patience. Then we were free to wander about the rooms of the house where Ernest lived for ten years with his second wife Pauline. He would have been in his thirties during that time.

Tours of the house are available, but we chose to amble at our own pace. The Hemingway House retains strong resonations of its former tenant, an essence which is reinforced with photographs, art works and furniture selected by the couple. As a museum, it provides a snapshot of that particular time period. Hemingway’s collection of books in the hallway display cabinet, his binoculars and canteens look well-used. The garden is stuffed with large frond palm trees, wide squat palms, flowering palms, and fragrant bougainvillea blooms that lend their scent to the air surrounding the two-story house. The resident cats have their own unique drinking fountain snuggled in between the palms; it’s made of composite items unique to Key West.

Bourgainvillae Old Town Key West - by DG Hudson

In earlier days, the second level wraparound veranda of the Key West house was connected by a bridge to the author’s studio above the carriage house. Hemingway wrote here surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and the salty sea air. After the bridge was destroyed during one hurricane season in the 1940’s, it was never replaced.

As you walk through the house you see the paintings by original artists, a humorous cartoon strip featuring ‘Hem’ or Papa, and everywhere -- the cats. Photos of the wives of Hemingway and their friends decorate the dining room walls. The children’s rooms are on the second level, with gentle breezes wafting in from the trees outside.

The many extra-toed polydactyls (6 toed felines), which freely roam the house, are descendents of those Hemingway kept. They lounge about like beautiful women in fur coats, hoping for some attention but pretending aloofness. The Hemingway House website offers detailed information on the history of the house, the man who lived there and the cats.

The Conch Republic, Key West, Florida - Photo by DG Hudson

When Hemingway lived here, mornings were spent writing, afternoons were for socializing at Sloppy Joe’s or Capt’n Tony’s. Hemingway worked on the draft of A Farewell to Arms in the late 1920’s while living here. To Have and Have Not was written in the late 1930’s and is set in Key West and Cuba. Social attitudes were different then, and his stories portrayed the mores of the day.

Hemingway, a modern man of his time, wanted to offer an alternative to the existing style of writing. With fewer words, he managed to convey more. Succinct, concise, and sharp -- these are words that describe the writing of a man with journalistic field experience. His fiction seems to encompass those things he observed and often participated in -- the wars, expatriate writers in Paris, the Florida Keys, and Africa.

After touring Hemingway’s house, I had an intense urge to read those books written about or in Key West. I had the frame of reference fresh in my mind. Some of the books were hard to locate, but most were in print. I also read The Old Man and the Sea again. In some cases, such as A Moveable Feast, which is said to contain some biographical details, your perception of the author can change.

In my case, I became more interested in reading books by the author after visiting his tropical getaway. Perhaps he seemed more real, rather than an illustrious Nobel Prize winner. He became more human in scale.

Do we understand the author better by reading most of his books? Do we get a better perspective about what he was trying to say? If we know some of the author's real life experiences (e.g., big game hunter or expatriate writer in Paris), we will sometimes see those reflected in their writing about a particular event. Of course, that's my take.

What's your opinion? Do you visit literary hotspots?
*************

Sources:

http://www.hemingwayhome.com/HTML/main_menu.html (Hemingway House)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Hemingway

Immerse Yourself in the Moment

2011-02-21T20:54:00.000-08:00

Eiffel Tower -D.G.Hudson

'Immerse yourself in the moment. Use your five senses to fully experience that moment.'

Not verbatim but paraphrased, that advice came from an author of thrillers who teaches advanced novel writing on the side. He suggested using the senses to add depth and enrich the story.

Another author called it ‘zooming into the scene’ and using the senses to enrich the narrative or dialogue. Use the five senses to enhance the memory of the actual experience.

In this post, a place generates those images and sensory details of events. My apologies for the length, but the subject matter is lavish.

PARIS - filtered through the Five Senses

Sight

Versailles - golden spikes and gilded sun king emblems blaze atop the black wrought iron fence, square cobbled stones set unevenly cover the expanse of the courtyard behind the imposing entrance gate, multiple mirrors reflect the surrounding gallery in endless repetition

Eiffel Tower - first sighting causes involuntary intake of breath while one decides if we love it or not, elegant lines and delicate ironwork inscribe the lower portions, clothed in its bright night colours, the Eiffel decorates the evening sky

Stone Temple Pilots on guard - DGH

The Louvre - Medieval foundation of centuries old cut stones in basement, paintings from small to large wall size in dark tones or vivid washes of colour, rooms bursting with statuary, beautiful lady Mona guarded by 3 layers of bullet-proof glass and a velvet rope, Egyptian artifacts -- funerary, urns, weapons, jewellery - all lined up for review, blue Paris sky fractured by the glass pyramid above while the sunbeams warm the lobby below

Fractured sky - under the Glass Pyramid- D.G. Hudson

Montmartre

#54 Vincent lived here - DGH

Outdoor displays of local artists in watercolour, acrylic, and oil with bright or pastel colours, residence #54 big blue door where Vincent Van Gogh lived with his brother, the crimson Moulin Rouge without the glamour applied, peering in the windows at Bateau L’Avoir studios (home to Picasso & other young artists), looking up at Sacre Coeur Cathedral, the bright ever-white stone commanding the mount of martyrs

The City at Large

16th and 17th century buildings with contorted, winding drainpipes in enclosed courtyards, boldly painted double gargantuan doors with brass trim -- sized for grand comings & goings

Leering gargoyles on Notre Dame Cathedral peering over ledges at the human ants below, minute sculptural detail on every side of this Gothic church; romantic couples strolling and kissing by the river, endless bridges of stone, wrought iron, and a mixture of the two crossing the Seine River every few blocks as it snakes its way through the city; a painting of grumpy aggressive steers staring at the diners in Bistro Marguerite

Smell

Fresh baguettes - everyone carries one on their way to work, or soft Nutello-Banana crepes sold by street vendors in front of the Musee D’Orsay, open produce and food markets, local bistro fare-French onion soup, curried chicken, steak and frites, fluffy omelettes, and chocolate desserts, slo-mo explosion of pepper shaker as it went cartwheeling onto the iron steps, breaking into glass chunks and sending a plume of pepper wafting up into the air at least 15 inches

Le Voltaire Cafe - Latin Quarter - DGH

Taste

Crunchy chewy baguettes, Breton crepes, chilled French wine with water on the side, dark French expresso laced with cream, broiled creamy ham and cheese sandwich called a ‘Croque Monsieur’, the caramel flavour of crème brulee, frothy beer and light quiche in Le Voltaire, French cod - a baked comfort dish of precooked whitefish, caramelized onions, and mashed potatoes

Hearing

City noises - soft voices, polite greetings upon entering and exiting establishments, many languages but little English, homeless men sitting and talking in the cool morning air after sleeping over heating vents, musical language and soft laughter flowing out of small bistros with intimate sidewalk tables, the loud clear voice of the passing tour guide

Paris Traffic - No beep or honk of a vehicle goes unanswered in this rush hour cacophony of sound, screech of tires as traffic lights change, the buzz of the motorized scooters zipping between the lanes of autos, police sirens in the distance or under the window ledge

Touch

- soft, bunchable scarves wrapping male and female necks

- smooth statues in milky white, inset walls of marbled stone in burgundy, charcoal grey, or pink,

-rough stone counters, 6 foot tall double thick glass windows covered by wooden shutters in older buildings, cement stanchions in tiny side streets protect building corners

- enamel blue street signs mounted on the sides of buildings, 8 foot doors in the old town houses of the Marais district, unique wrought iron window and balcony railings

- square-cut stones form the streets in Pere Lachaise - City of the Dead; stone, metal and marble carved into unique family memorials, and cold stone benches for visitors to sit upon while studying the kiss-studded Oscar Wilde monument

. . .and the list goes on. . .

***

This post is a study (in part) for the Paris-based setting of another WIP.

RainForest Pickings #4 - Book Reviews

2011-01-18T23:03:00.000-08:00

Science Fiction, Mystery, and Writing Instruction Titles

New and Old

Showing & Telling, The Keys to Powerful & Balanced Writing, by Laurie Alberts, Writing Instructions.

Published in 2010 through fw media for Writer’s Digest books. Laurie is an author of several books, including three novels. She teaches at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Per Laurie, “The truth is good writing almost always requires both showing and telling. The trick is finding the right balance of scene and summary - the two basic components of creative prose.” This book shows how to employ these techniques within a narrative. Through seventeen chapters we are shown examples via excerpts from various published writers.

An excellent book for the novice writer in particular, this book attempts to dispel the confusion attached to the common advice of ‘show, don’t tell’. Laurie explains what is needed to attain the balance between the two, and includes a short story --Russia is a Fish -- at the end to illustrate some of the techniques. This is the best reference I’ve found that is easy to understand, and has practical ways to employ what is taught.

Highly recommended for any writers. I wish she had written this sooner in my writing life.

***

OLDER TITLES - (the worth-a-2nd-look books)

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - Mystery/Suspense.

Published in Penguin Books 2005, this book became a NY Times bestseller. Originally published in Spanish.

Another book referenced on writing blogs, the Shadow of the Wind begins in 1945 when a young boy discovers the book by that name hidden in a book cellar in post-war Barcelona, Spain. It entangles him in a journey he could never have planned for himself. The dire meaning of consequences creeps into his own world as he investigates deeper into the secrets of the past.

This amazing story kept me intrigued throughout. The characters interact from their youth to their adulthood, entwined endlessly in a series of events which impact many lives. It’s a great mix of intrigue, historical issues and family ties in one of the old baronial towns, a place where one family ruled the lives of all within their reach.

Zafon weaves a complex tale. I’d read more by this author.

***

C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton - published 1986; crime/detective novel

Kinsey Millhone, PI, is at it again. She's offered a job by a young man, a casual acquaintance at her gym. Suffering from the results of an earlier car accident, the young man insists someone is out to kill him. Kinsey agrees to help. With very little to start with, she learns of an important address book. But no one knows where it's stored.

Hampered in her investigations by her client’s loss of memory, the search for the real killer begins when her client succumbs in a second auto accident. Kinsey must navigate the society parties complete with high profile doctors, therapists, and questionable best friends as she tries to solve the murder. Dysfunctional families can be found anywhere, and wealthy enclaves are no exception.

I like the Millhone attitude, and what Grafton does with it. I'd like to read more. Look for the Alphabet series. if you like the detective novel style. I do.

***

The Stand by Stephen King - unabridged / Author replaced pages originally edited out of manuscript, Horror/thriller, republished 1990.

Never read this when it first came out, but happened upon the unabridged version when packing for the last move. I know it’s old, but it’s been mentioned so much as being one of King’s better stories, one that has stood the test of time. So, I thought I would give it a chance - and surprisingly, I breezed through the 78 chapters and 1138 pages, including the 150,000 words/and many pages that were originally cut and subsequently replaced by the author.

A disaster of mega proportions occurs when a volatile germ is unleashed upon society-at-large, leaving medical facilities and government institutions scrambling to catch up. At the same time, beliefs are challenged in this dystopia, as dreams start to infiltrate the sleep of those who survive. Some dream of hope, and others dream of a walking man, intent on evil. The crux occurs in the desert.

It's one of those books you like to read, but you hope the situation never happens to you.

***

2011 Writing Resolutions

2010-12-31T23:40:00.000-08:00

Monet's Garden, Giverny, France (photo by D.G. Hudson)

Establish a daily writing time

--Include writing for a novel, short stories, editing, or outlining. Give it priority in the day.

Define a writing goal & specify time frame for completion

--Choose a goal by word count, number of pages, or number of chapters to be done

Establish a suitable writing area

--Locate your writing spot (your home, or an off-premise location--coffee shop, library, the park). No browsing on the web allowed during writing time.

Organize writing area and storage

--Choose your filing method - digital, or hardcopy. Keep a backup, and keep it current.

--Keep tools close at hand. Coffee can quality as a writing tool.

‘Chunk’ the big goals into smaller pieces.

--Focus on one part of the process at a time: characters, scenes, narrative, story structure, world building

Carry portable writing materials or recording device

-- Record ideas when they occur (while running errands, waiting for appointments, at the airport). Not recommended while driving.

Use a calendar to record progress

--Record your writing progress- online or manually.

--Free calendar in monthly format offered as download by Elizabeth at Reading Writers (see below** for link and site details).

Keep blog updated / use timely topics

--Determine frequency of posts and maintenance of content. Track on writing calendar.

Stay informed about the industry

-- Select a few writing blogs, or websites with quality content. Writer`s Digest 101 Best Websites for writers is a great place to start. Keep the number manageable.

Research and refine list of literary agents or publications

--Use online databases or other resources to compile a list of prospective contacts

*****************

2011 Reading Writers Calendar. http://www.readingwriters.com/free_downloads.htm

**Compliments of: R e a d i n g W r i t e r s
The ultimate reading service for writers, by writers.
http://www.readingwriters.com/

Curiosity as Research or Just Plain Nosy?

2010-11-20T10:58:00.000-08:00

RainForest Pickings # 4

As a people watcher, I like to observe how individuals interact and react, in groups and on their own. Part of this interest is tied to my writing and the desire to create memorable characters. The other part is purely intellectual. Why do they walk that way, why do they look threatening, why are they dragging that dog, and why do my observations of these individuals nearly always cause them to turn and look at me?

‘People watching’ is a time-honoured pastime in Paris, where small tables encroach on the sidewalk, forcing the passers-by to walk more slowly. In the small bistros and literary cafés people sit for hours, talking and watching others go by. If the weather permits, an outside table is the preferred location. The term ‘flâneur’ originated in Paris, referring to those who observe daily life in the city with more intensity than the average person. The various meanings of the word are stroller, lounger, saunterer, or loafer which comes from the French verb flâner, meaning "to stroll". Strolling is another way to watch and observe what makes us human.

When I’m writing, the knowledge gained from my observations helps me determine attributes for my characters. I need to know how a character looks if he’s strolling down the sidewalk, whether his gait is loping, long strides or mincing steps due to a possible injury. Is the person swaggering from too much drink or walking like a bodybuilder with every muscle under control? Are the shoulders bent from hard work or age? What is the overall image of that person -- active, sloppy, or a well-dressed suit? What props do they carry -- briefcase, skateboard, groceries, baby in sling, dog on leash? Is anything unusual about the location or that person being in that location? Sometimes it’s the circumstances -- why is that anxious looking person over there walking down a remote stretch of highway at dusk, without a jacket or backpack? Such observations become story ideas, or help with characterization.

One important trait is needed for this type of observation. Unobtrusiveness.

Keep some form of writing pad or media tool to record interesting facts or any ideas that may come to mind. Try to be surreptitious as this sort of activity seems to alert unknown sensors in the target, causing the aforementioned turning of the head. Staring blatantly is verboten.

Various aspects seem to contribute to actions which certain types of people exhibit. Location is one determining factor. If one knows the location and feels comfortable, the behaviour is different than when the location is new or threatening or unknown. Companions also affect the way a person may act in a given situation--think mob behaviour, preschoolers, or a group of teenage girls. Group dynamics usually reveal a leader, a backup supporter, a jester, a few sheep, and sometimes, an independent thinker.

As writers, we must observe to learn how to portray the range of human emotions in words. By recording the specific details, we can use that information to describe how a character might respond in a given situation. We see the effect, then we must determine what caused it.

Look around you -- there’s always something going on. Just keep your distance and don’t be too obvious. Pretend you’re a historian.

RainForest Pickings #3 - RainForest Reviews

2010-07-01T17:34:00.000-07:00

Books I’d recommend: an eclectic mix of Science Fiction, Mystery, & ‘Odds-Bodkins’ books

The Winds of Dune, by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, Science Fiction. Published by TOR. This book follows the recently published Paul of Dune, but chronologically is the direct sequel to Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert.

This is the story of Alia Atreides, who is left to pick up the pieces of an empire and consolidate her forces after her brother, Paul Muad’dib, vanishes into the desert. Lady Jessica Atreides is drawn away from her seclusion on Caladan, and quietly tries to help maintain the delicate balance between all the opposing forces threatening to topple the government on Dune.

Making appearances in this book are Duncan Idaho (or his clone derivative), Bronso of IX, Gurney Halleck, and Princess Irulan. Each has his own agenda, which conflicts at times with Alia or Jessica’s plans. The witches of the Bene Gesserit continue their manipulations, using their far-reaching claw-holds to remain a functioning order.

Intrigue upon intrigue, this book continues the grand epic tale of Dune, and whets our appetite for more tales of the desert planet. That seems to be the intent, judging from the book title shown as ‘in the works’ on the overleaf.

I’ll be waiting for it.
***

Paul of Dune, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson - Science Fiction; Published by TOR; this book explores the time between Dune and Dune Messiah.

The jihad of Paul Muad’Dib’s is sweeping across the galaxies of his new empire, when enemies of the regime start to appear and betrayals seem to flourish. Paul begins to question his tactics, his mental stability and his supporters. He must look forward to assess the outcome of what he and his valiant Fremen have put into motion. Most of the major characters appear in this book - Duke Leto, Lady Jessica, Chani, Stilgar, and Gurney Halleck, just to name a few.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy the Dune universe.
***

Sandworms of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson - Science Fiction; Published by TOR; sequentially follows Chapterhouse: Dune, Frank Herbert’s final novel.

At the end of Chapterhouse: Dune, a ship escapes with a crew of refugees intent on hiding from a mysterious enemy. Unsure of their chances of survival, they use genetic technology to revive some of the strong figures of Dune’s past.

What happens to the sandworms? What about Arrakis? How about the man vs. machine war? Who really is the Kwisatz Haderach? Most importantly, who is the enemy? Many of these questions will be answered in this new volume.

Prepare yourself for the ride.
***

Invasive Procedures by Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston - Science Fiction; published by TOR. This is a collaborative effort between a well-known author (Ender’s Game) and an experienced screenwriter (Johnston).

The ‘Healers’ can cure the incurable diseases, but their therapy is customized for each individual. Inoculations improve the person’s health, eradicate the disease and as an added bonus, make the recipients compliant to the will of the ‘Prophet’. The healers and the prophet belong to a religious cult intent on control of its members, by whatever means are available. The Prophet envisions great things for his followers, but especially for himself.

A virologist working for a government biohazard agency opposes the Prophet by producing a neutralizer for the DNA-changing virus. The major problem he faces is the animosity of the people he proposes to help. Not everyone wants to be neutralized against the Healer’s virus. The fight is on as these two opponents try to out-manoeuver the other.

This story illuminates the hazards of charity with strings attached. It’s an engrossing story which brings back memories of the X-files, those secret government folders containing information not deemed suitable for the average person.

Never underestimate the power of the warped mind.
***

Robert’s Rules of Writing - 101 unconventional lessons (every writer needs to know) by Robert Masello; Published by Writer’s digest books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc. Robert Masello is a journalist and a television writer, has authored fifteen books, and written numerous articles, essays and reviews.

Unorthodox writing advice from a seasoned writer. Mixed in with the humour are ideas that provide an alternate viewpoint on some of the traditional writing maxims. The light-hearted manner is evident in the chapter titles, ‘Burn your journal’, or ‘Buy the smoking jacket’; it’s easy to read in small bits of time as the chapters are short.

I initially planned to gift this book, but kept it for myself. The writing managed to surprise me and I like books that do that.
***
Note: These book reviews will be added monthly. They will reflect the (short) list beside the posts. Format may be dynamic.

Rainforest Pickings #2 - A Bouquet of Words

2010-06-01T08:32:00.000-07:00

Words have unique powers, and learning to manage that power is a skill the writer must acquire. The choice of which particular word is used can change the intent or the tone of the written information, whether it’s an article, a short story, or a novel. A writer’s background and the extent of his vocabulary will influence the word or combination of words chosen.

Words must generally adhere to spelling, grammar and context rules. They should also be suitable for the target audience, something that can be determined with a little research. Wordsmiths might not mind checking their dictionary, but most readers will.

Words evoking emotions must be selected with their intended purpose in mind. The writer must determine the response he is seeking -- fear, anxiety, excitement, or hope -- prior to selection. Too much gnashing of teeth, or eloquent sighing, and the effect is diluted. Revising the first and subsequent drafts enables the writer to consider alternate words that might not have occurred to them in the initial creative stages.

Words have the capacity to destroy -- as in slander or defamation, to inspire -- as in sermons or stories with a moral lesson, or to teach us and increase our understanding. Even when a slanderous allegation is proved untrue, those words are remembered. Careless words published in the public domain can become fodder for lawsuits, so tread lightly.

Words alone name things, words linked together become something new -- more than they were, and words placed in a coherent order help us to communicate. Of course, one must have an understanding of the alphabet symbols to make sense of the words themselves.

Words are fickle entities, changing their meaning over time to reflect the attitudes and social mores of the populations at large. Each generation wants its own everyday language, a particular vocabulary of words better suited to their ideas. Words their parents don’t understand, referring to things their parents don’t know about.

Words make up the slogans we see on banners and protest signs. They may inform us, incite us, or express our beliefs. Words have whatever power we give them. A chemist is dedicated to his formula, a musician treasures his instrument, and a writer loves arranging words in some type of sequence, whether prose, verse, or stream of consciousness rambling.

***
RainForest Pickings - a series of writing related essays or musings.

For more information about rainforests refer to the following links:
http://www.nature.org/rainforests/explore/facts.html Rainforests in North America

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperate_rainforest Refer to article titled: ‘Pacific temperate rain forests of western North America’

RainForest Pickings #1 - It’s a Mystery to Me

2010-04-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

The novel I’ve been working on is at a crossroads. It’s currently in Ideal Reader’s hands and I’m taking a breather before I begin revising this draft. During the break from my sci-fi universe, I start thinking about the next project -- a mystery that’s been brewing since I first saw the main icon of the story.

Mapping out at least some of the main points or some of the characters helps me decide how they’ll interact with the protagonist or the other characters. Even if I totally change some of the initial writing, thinking about the characters and the storyline gets me started.

Drafting character profiles helps me to find what type of character I need for this particular story. For this novel, I’ll be using a main character that I created for another story in the same genre. This protagonist needs more development for the different format and perhaps a helper/associate. It’s always handy for the main character to have a partner to discuss the clues with, and to cover his back in some of the tight situations.

Research for this story is required for several reasons: the type of weapons used, forensic information related to the weapons, and specific details about the location. A lot of thought and decision-making go into the preparatory work, as the possibilities are winnowed until the particular ones that suit the story emerge. Many variables can affect how long one can spend in this stage -- but to move forward, there comes a point where the elements seem to fall into place.

Now I start to imagine the scenes, and the dialogue needed. In one of the writer’s books on scenes that I refer to, the advice says to have a purpose for every scene which relates to the story arc, a reason for being where it is, when it is. More thinking time needed for the scenes -- who will be on stage, what the interaction will be, what the scene is trying to accomplish as far as story arc. I begin with scenes and dialogue since that does more to bring the characters alive in my mind. I add notes around the scene to help later when I’m writing the narrative and setting details for the action taking place in the dialogue. It works for me.

There is another thought process which needs to be interwoven into the storyline, and that’s the clues which need to be strategically placed, there to be seen, but not explained. Clues and hints seem to come out of the material at different times, so even when I’m writing another chapter, I can go back and add a clue or suggestion to lead the reader in a particular direction. This sounds easier than it is, but the point is not to try to force the issue when you’re laying the groundwork.

That’s what’s on my mind today as I walk through the rainforest, sorting out the story pieces and picking those I like. (From the viewpoint of a writer starting a new project -- this is only how I organize my writing, not written as an expert’s advice, but rather as a layman’s observation.)
April 2010

Ten for 2010

2010-01-04T16:56:00.000-08:00

Writing Resolutions:

Establish a writing time, and keep to that schedule as much as possible.

Decide on a word count, number of pages, or chapters that will be the writing project for that day.

Work in a dedicated writing area in your home if possible, or an off-premise location (coffee shop, library, at the park, etc.) Try to eliminate or minimize distractions, or use the time for observation (a good way to obtain material for characterization).

Organize writing area and files of Works in Progress.

Set goals for the projects you want to pursue. Short term goals (e.g., writing two chapters) are a way of ‘chunking’ a larger goal (completing the novel in progress). This makes the task less imposing.

Always take portable writing materials with you for recording ideas when you’re running errands or waiting for appointments.

Use a calendar to record your progress, your submissions, and deadlines (when applicable). Use the submissions trackers available online or do this manually.

Keep blog updated on a regular basis as a form of discipline. Frequency is discretionary. Keep it professional in tone, if the purpose is to further your writing career.

Select a few favourite blogs, or websites that offer value for the time invested, and be very selective in forums, and other discussion areas.

Research literary agents or publications well before submitting work, and only send when the work is ready.

Writer’s Blues

2009-07-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

What an opportunity! A chance to get up on that soapbox and tell the world, well maybe just the readers of this blog, that publishing is not dead. This post isn’t news, but a response to the writers with the publishing blues. At least from this writer’s point of view, the industry appears to be morphing into a different reality. There will be more agonizing groans and grunts before a new model emerges. The point to remember is that humankind has been reading since we first learned to make sense of symbols. The manner in which we read may change as we absorb the new technology, but the love of the story and the chance that we might learn something or be entertained is too enticing to be ignored.

Just as there is always someone who foretells the end of the world, an end which appears to be on a fluctuating scale, there are doomsayers in all walks of life. As each antiquated function is retired into obscurity, a sleek new techie function slides into the gap. This is the story of life and renewal, viewed in an industrial sense.

As writers, we must keep an open mind about the possibilities, before we judge which way will suit us best. This is an industry which is a catalyst, existing as a conduit between the author and the intended audience. Publishing can be elitist in some of its manifestations at the highest levels, although each successful book starts in the same way. Someone must write it, unless computer compilation of the subject is desired, a choice that goes against the creative process.

Due to the difficulty in acquiring a representative within the publishing field, self-publishing and e-publishing have become more prominent. These choices haven’t been totally embraced, as most writers believe that a printed book is the epitome of success for the author. The actual measure of success is how well the book is received by the readers, a fact that is dependent on how well it is marketed. Most writers aren’t comfortable with this marketing aspect, which explains the success of companies offering to do the promotional work for a price.

What is needed at this point is direction. There are websites that assist writers in their efforts to be published, and there are many writers’ help sites which will charge you for that help. Some agent blogs or writer sites offer guidelines -- free of charge -- to help writers through some of the process. Just as research is needed to determine which agent or publisher to contact for representation, so research is also needed to find out which newsletters or blogs/websites are suitable for your purposes.

I’ve listed my favourite picks for sites on this blog in another post, 'My Pick of Writer Sites and Blogs'. Checking some of these links might save you a little time, or provide a starting point for your own research. In summary, industries and technology continue to change and unlike those sixties bands that seem to keep on rockin’ the oldies, you must continue to evolve or find yourself on the sidelines.

July 7, 2009

My Pick of Writer’s Sites & Blogs

2009-06-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

Here’s my pick of the agent and writer sites that I’ve found helpful, though the list is dynamic in nature. Some I found on the Writer’s Digest 101 Best Writer Sites, which is updated yearly. Many of these sites listed below have been on the list for several years. Some of them offer postings about various aspects of the publishing process, and are maintained by a variety of literary agents, authors, editors and other writers. The information gained is comparative to the amount of time invested in reading and following the material found on these blogs or websites. There are also newsletters and email notification available which will keep you immersed in the daily events in the writing field.

In order of personal preference:
http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/ Literary agent

http://hopeclark.blogspot.com/

http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/ Literary agent

http://accrispin.blogspot.com/ (Writers Beware Blog)

http://www.fundsforwriters.com/

http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/

http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/ Author

http://blog.jeffabbott.com/ Author

http://www.readingwriters.com/TheVERBhotp.htm

http://www.winningwriters.com/index.php

This short list will be updated with any new sites I learn about on an ongoing basis. Thanks to all those above who offer help or information to novice writers.

June 2009

UPDATE-2011: Refer to revised list, 11 Writing Sites for 2011, as some of the above sites are no longer being maintained.

Pressure Drop on New Writers

2009-05-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

In the current world of planet wide Internet access, everyone is told they need an identity, a visible web presence. On many writing websites I have seen this advice to all authors, including those just spreading their wings.

It may not be required, but having a web presence is considered another plus for your chances at getting published. The reasoning is sound, but seems a bit early in the process of being published when it is applied to the new writer. Those authors who have a few published book titles, or those who sponsor public relations events should have a web presence, for the products they offer. One of the benefits to the new author is the practice of producing something which others will see, perhaps read, and comment on. Feedback from those comments is another benefit that could help the new writer, if that comment mechanism has been set up on the website.

In summary, I question the value of a new writer having a webpage (if strictly for writing), as this poses another distraction from what the writer should be doing -- getting back to that first draft or final draft of their novel. A blog, however, can perhaps fulfill an interim need for writing exposure if it's not too time consuming.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008 (Revsd May 2009)