11.28.2006

Last Night's Meeting

I'm not sure if anyone reads this, including the members (no one leaves comments). At last night's meeting I brought an editing checklist which fits onto the front and back of a single sheet, if you'd like one e-mail me.

Megan, Sherylle and I braved the weather. Megan introduced her new untitled YA fantasy which sounds really interesting, the first five pages hook! Sherylle brought a short story about an incident with a dove (she could use some help finding a rescue mission for the bird, in all reality). I brought a quick rewrite on my manuscript, which needs some work and a humor injection.

I hope that others can join us next week.

See you. Be careful in this crazy weather.

11.22.2006

Some Writing Advice

I recieved this in an email:

As you know, my happiest writing is done at night when everyone (but you, me, and the other night owls)is asleep, especially husbands, children, and telemarketers. I think I need to renew my Do Not Call request. LOL. I don't do enough PR. It's the writing I really like.
My advice to novice writers is that you read a lot of what you want to write before you start, when you have something to sell attend conferences where you'll meet editors and agents to whom you can pitch your work; exploit connections you might have in the publishing world, never submit a book that hasn't been thoroughly proofed, start the next book as soon as the first one is in the mail, continue doing that until you get an acceptance, file the refusals and never think about them again, and don't quit your day job, divorce your husband, or in any way give up your means of support until you're making enough writing to eat and pay your bills. LOL.

Her website is HERE.

I have no clue who this Nancy Fairbanks is, but the advice is sound.

11.21.2006

The First Draft Is Done!!!

I have great news to share. At 5:30 today, I typed the last words into the first draft of The Undead Socialites Guide to Nightlife. I'm so excited to begin another process not yet tackled in earnest, editing.

Now I'm really going to need the group's help.

Thanks for all your support.

Thanksgiving Week Meeting

Our meeting was small but productive. Sherylle was sick, and Megan had family obligations. Monica and I discussed marketing to a variety of genres based on themes that pop out from the material. We discussed the editing process and what publishers might be looking for.

Hope to see everyone at the next meeting.

11.14.2006

November 13th Meeting

The creativity is flowing like gas through a pump nozzle, ready to ignite. The work being presented is looking great. The more cleaning we do in critique, the better the writing comes out the other end (so to speak).

Goals for the week:
  • Mark: 90 more pages by next meeting.
  • Megan: A start for her new fantasy novel.
  • Monica: three more chapters of revisions.
  • Sherylle: A short story with supernatural undertones.
See you next time.

11.08.2006

Site Review: Bookslut

Looking for interesting book reviews, interviews and insights into literature? Look no further than Bookslut, a literate exploration of the authors craft.

Check it out!

Meeting Update

The writing group is a success. We have all made progress toward the goal of completing our manuscripts.

This week, we discussed becoming bored with your work and delving into the whys, and hows to alleviate the situation.

We didn't have time, but I brought an exercise that we agreed to start at home (I list), for character exploration. If you weren't at the meeting on Monday, and would like a copy. Email me.

11.02.2006

Stephen King Lecture Notes

Okay, so, I didn't actually take any notes. But I was entertained. Last night, My wife, two friends and me went to see Stephen King at Benaroya Hall in Seattle. The man can scat. Two hours and only a brief reading from his new book, Lisey's Story.

Some thoughts:
  • King likened writing to a tennis match, bouncing ideas off reality and writing down what comes back. This statement was in regards to how much of our 'selves' are in our characters.
  • He discussed some of his favorite adaptations to film (Shawshank, Misery, The Green Mile) and some that he thought were shit (Sometimes They Come Back Again). He reported that Eyes of the Dragon was being made into an Animated Film, and John Cusak had just wrapped a film, called 1408, from the short story of the same name.
  • On the popularity of Horror, King offered that people like to explore their darker thoughts, films and books are an easier way to do that than writing and filmmaking (stuck in the dark thoughts). He suggested that when people have to deal with extreme violence in reality, that is reflected in popular culture outlets (Saw, Texas Chainsaw).
An interesting night, full of anecdotes from his family life and medical issues (his recent pneumonia and subsequent infection, directly influenced the new book). He even conjured up a scare for the audience, bringing up reports that 1 in 50 people leave their cars unlocked and 1 in 100 leave their houses unsecured. That there would be someone waiting for those people in the rearview mirror or in a dark closet was assured. The only question: would they be carrying a kitchen knife or power tools?

Note: Another film currently in the works, The Mist, one of my favorite of King's short stories, is being directed by Frank Darabont (The Green Mile).

11.01.2006

Willamette Writer's Conference Dates

I know it's a drive to get there but the Willamette Writer's Conference is massive. Last year 50 agents and editors were on hand to mingle with, or schedule one on one or group pitches (these are always a small fee to arrange).

The conference is scheduled for August 3-5. But will usually start the evening prior with pitch rehearsal.

We should plan on attending as a group.

Challenge: PNWA Literary Contest

I hope I have figured this out! I have a link to the Pacific Northwest Writers Assoc Literary Contest.

Click HERE.

We have until February to submit something!

Monica