Networking 101

Though I am a published author, I also do other writing-related jobs. I freelance as a proof reader and copyeditor, and I am always on the look-out for people to network with. You never know who you could meet, or where it could lead.

I have been travelling this past week on the East coast and had the pleasure to meet a man on the train from Providence to Washington, DC. We got to talking and one thing led to another. He told me of the book he is writing, what he envisions for it, and how he is looking for someone, a professional, to make his work sing. I have offered him my services, and we hope to finalize a deal sometime next week.

At the wedding I was privileged to be a part of, I spoke with many people about my chosen profession. I now have several business cards and the possibility of more work, in different media, since many of the people at the wedding are involved in music, theatre, and art.

Creative endeavours cross many lines, blurring, blending, and making life interesting. So, for writers everywhere, never be reticent about what you do. We so often work in solitude, we sometimes forget that what we do is exciting, rewarding, and may be just what someone else is in need of. Be proud of what you do -- you never know where your next job may appear.

Novel Writing 101

As a new novelist, I had read a great deal about structure, outlining, plotting, subplots, and characterization. I have character sheets on each one of my recurring characters, and I always create new ones when I introduce a character. And, I do a basic outline, a plot outline, and a subplot line.

But, when it got down to the nuts and bolts of writing the first book, I didn't know if I should start on page one or not. So, my first novel actually began as a series of scenes, which I expanded into chapters. Eventually, I filled in the necessary background information to make a first draft. Needless to say, I didn't know if fiction was right for me.

With my second novel, I started on page one and progressed, one step (one scene) at a time, from start to finish. The work was more pleasurable, but it did not always follow my outline. I found the more I wrote, the more my characters were not happy with my plot. So, I listened to them, and the novel went along quite well after that.

Now, I am hard at work on my third novel. And, guess what? I'm back to square one. This book seems to favour the scene method. I have been struggling to write it from page one, but my mind keeps jumping to scenes that need to be written now, before the picture in my head is gone.

What have we learned? For me, it doesn't matter how the novel gets written, just as long as it does. Do you have to start at page one? My opinion -- no. I stressed out so much the first time and I love to write. Is there a right or wrong way to write a novel? Again, my opinion -- no. So, why stress -- just write and edit it later.

Creating Worlds

One of my favourite things about fiction is the ability to create my worlds, my way. The Egyptian mystery series I am writing does require historical accuracy on many levels, but I still have the ability to create characters who could have existed. Adding a fictional character into a real event in time just deepens the layers of the storyline.

I have outlined another series of fictional books, set in and around the lost civilisation of Atlantis. With that series, I get to actually create their world. It sounds easier than it is. I have named the days of the week, sketched out their religious beliefs and their deities, created unique names which will identify them as Atlanteans, and have even made up a language for them.

But, I do have to be careful how many "foreign" words I introduce in either one of my fictional book series. A few well-placed words add flavour and ambiance to the work, too many make it cumbersome to read. Some words just seem to sound better in ancient Egyptian or Atlantean; they don't seem to translate as well into modern English.

So, if you are writing historical fiction, take the time to really learn your time period. Speech patterns, idioms, even actual words, need to be true for historical accuracy. And, when working in that time period, you can make up your own idioms; who knows if they were used - well, you do, because you are the author and you have created this wonderful world.

People Who Have Inspired Me

My blog is a little different today, a bit more personal. I have been a constant visitor to a Facebook page, The Crime Scene. And one post asked who was your favourite writer.

Well, I have been inspired by many writers - Edgar Allen Poe, Agatha Christie, Robert B. Parker, Jim Thompson, Erle Stanley Gardner. I've also been inspired by writers whose names may not be as familiar - Melusine Draco, Raymond Buckland, Salima Ikram, Normandi Ellis, Dana Eilers, Hilary Wilson, David Wolpe. All are great writers in their fields (and there are many more who are too numerous to mention here).

But, the one person who had the most impact on my desire and passion for writing was not a writer, was not famous, and was known by only the people whose lives she touched - my mother. She made learning fun, always challenged my imagination, and never failed to encourage me to reach for the stars.

After her death, thirty years ago, I met a number of people who had been touched by her kindness, her caring, and her generous spirit. Their words had a profound effect upon me; I vowed to find a way to make her proud and to celebrate her life in my own.

As a published author, I still thrill each time I hold a book I have written. As a woman who lost her mother so long ago, I also feel a twinge of sadness at not being able to share the accomplishment with her. She would have cheered me on when struggling with edits, patted me on the back when the work was done, and taken me to lunch to celebrate each publication.

So, on this Mother's Day, remember the people, behind the scenes, who are your support. Writers are solitary creatures, sometimes staring for hours (or days) at a computer screen, forgetting the people who are there for us every step of the way. Today is the day to thank them for their love, their devotion, and their quiet restraint when we are working.

Technology and Writing

When I wrote my first manuscript, in 2003, I did not even own a computer. I wrote everything on yellow legal pads and it was all good. I've had desktops and laptops since then, and I have a netbook. But, no matter how hard I try, and how careful I am, I am not immune to viruses.

One hit me earlier this week and it has definitely made me pause. I have not embraced technology as some have, and rely on my netbook only for internet access. I don't have a fancy phone for email and web browsing, I don't even know how to text.

This week has taught me a very valuable lesson. I will now make sure I have a backup form of internet access. A netbook, for all the convenience and ease it has afforded me, is in reality nothing more than a large paperweight if it does not work properly. And, the cost to repair is more than the purchase of a new one.

So, as I limp along for a few more days, before backup arrives, keep this in mind. As writers, the last thing you want is to lose all your hard work. Fortunately, I only use my netbook for internet access and all my manuscripts and works in progress are kept on my desktop and flash drives. No files corrupted, no files lost, just a big headache.

Technology still confounds me; I long for the days of my manual typewriter. But, this too shall pass and I will chalk this up as one more learning experience in my quest to become more computer savvy.