Holiday Memories

   Some of my fondest memories are from growing up in the mid to late fifties. In the early fifties, after his discharge from the Army Air Corps, and completing a four year degree, my dad bounced around from one temp job to another. Low income made it difficult for him to find us decent places to live. In 1956, he finally landed a permanent position at Westinghouse in Baltimore.
   Half-way between Baltimore and Annapolis was a new housing development aimed specifically at returning GI's. The homes were being mass-produced using surplus steel and cement. The only wood used in construction was on the roof to attach the shingles. With one floor plan to choose from, the only option was to have one built in a mirror image. They came with a wood-burning stove in the utility room next to the kitchen, and an enclosed room in the middle of the house designed as a shelter.
   The early years were tough for my family yet I never felt lacking. Dad had to work a lot of overtime to make the house and car payments, but always tried to make time for me. Sometimes that would have to happen after I'd been spanked for a wrong-doing while he was gone. I was a pretty wild kid! LOL Most of my presents in those days were home-made, and I made toys out of scraps in the garage. Luckily for me, my dad was an engineer and could make almost anything. Sometimes I wonder just how many millions of dollars made off of his inventions. Anyway, I'll never forget the rapid fire, rubber-band rifle that held up to ten bands, or the hobby horse he and my mother made. She sewed together a realistic looking horse head with ears, eyes, a mouth and a mane. Dad stuffed it and mounted it to an old broom handle. That horse and my cap-gun saw many adventures over the years.
   I could go on forever remembering the wonderful things my family and folks in the neighborhood would do to make the holidays special for all the kids. My presents became progressively more advanced every year. I even remember a chemistry set that contained a vial of real uranium and a roll of film negatives for experiments! It's too bad the world will never experience community spirit and solidarity like that again.
   Thanks for reading.

In the morning, the inn was abuzz with activity. Not only were the companions leaving but several villagers decided this would be a good time to bring some of their early produce to market in the capitol. They also felt that the Princess and her friends would be better received if members of the village were there to vouch for them.

The only quiet moment occurred while they were eating breakfast and a group of women approached the table, two of them holding bundles.

“We stayed up all night a’maken this for ye. A mage be needin a mage’s robe and m’lady a nice gown to be meetn’ da King. Tis a gift from the women of this village for what ye done.”

Speechless, Aldan stood with tears in his eyes as the women gathered around and placed a robe on him made of the softest, bleached leather he had ever felt. Even with flowing sleeves, a hood and reaching almost to the floor, it sat lightly on his shoulders. Pockets of various sizes and shapes filled the inside while golden thread accented the seams and displayed whimsical but faint patterns on the outside.

“Our village is well known throughout the Kingdom for the soft leather and the fine linens we produce,” another woman explained. “We save up the material to bring to market once a year but its value is nothing compared to the lives you have spared.”

Odessa held up her new gown and marveled at the quality of the fabric and the expertise with which it was made. It was simple yet elegant and the color complemented her eyes perfectly. Unable to voice her gratitude, she could only smile and hug the women surrounding her.

Arms flung out and a big smile on his face, Aldan spun around a few times to the boisterous cheers of all gathered there. The women were urged forward to receive a hug and kiss from the mage which made the young ones giggle and blush and the older ones tried to stretch out the kisses as long as they could.

Jealous husbands and concerned fathers rushed forward on the pretense that they were saving Aldan from their amorous womenfolk. Odessa settled the issue by wrapping her arms around him and planted a kiss that brought forth a chorus of hoots and whistles. As they returned to the table she shared a sad but knowing look with Jon, the compassion clear in his eyes.

 

Fine-Toothed Comb

   We had another fun and productive critique group last night. An old member decided to come back, and we added a new member to the group. We keep getting bigger, and it has me a little worried. We've managed to streamline our critique process to cut down on the amount of time spent by each person. Time will tell. At least the group hasn't mutinied yet and sent me packing.
   Our group is set up to do a beta read on a complete manuscript the second meeting of each month. Last night's beta read brought up an important point and the focus of this blog. This was a 120k word story the writer had been working on for years. They told us they had read it several times and checked for mistakes with a "fine-toothed comb".
   It's amazing what our mind will do to fool us. If you've been working on the same piece for years, our mind will correct the mistakes automatically and we'll never see them. You know in your mind how it's supposed to read, and that's what you see. Everyone in the group commented on the large number of mistakes, such as mis-spelled or missing words, and bad grammar. I felt sorry for them as they sat there with a dumb-founded look on their face. Fortunately, some of the group took the time to mark every mistake and send the file back.
   Fine-toothed combs are not a good editing tool. LOL
   This week's snippet is early in Navon's story, and hints at a developing relationship that will change his life. Thanks for reading.

In the morning, Navon rolled over in his cot and came face to face with three hairy muzzles with fangs and yellow eyes that danced with excitement. The pups started nipping playfully at his blankets and the cot, threatening to tip it over.

“Alright, alright!” Navon laughed as he swung his legs out. “I’m getting up, but what are you three doing here?”

The young wolves turned and trotted toward the entrance of the tent, their job done. Just before passing through the flaps, the female turned, showed him what could only be described as a wolf smile, and continued with her tail flagged out playfully behind her. Shaking his head, Navon pulled on his boots, and then reached over for his sword, belting it on. He finally accepted the fact that Emma must be right, his life was in danger. He swore he would never be caught defenseless again.

Description vs. Dialogue

   This came up in a conversation online where someone worried they had written too much dialogue and not enough description. They felt their dialogue was the stronger aspect of their writing and struggled to write good descriptions. This question comes up all the time in writer groups online and in my critique group. Here are my thoughts.
   One thing to keep in mind is how everyone looks at the world differently. You and I could read the same description and see something totally different. You could describe a scene in the finest, most minute detail, and the reader will see a different scene than you intended. Some of it depends on that person's life experiences. If you are trying to describe a rain forest in your story and the reader has visited the rain forests of the Pacific Northwest, then that is what they'll see in their mind's eye regardless of how you describe it.
   While it's fine to write to your strengths, too much of a good thing can get boring. If you force yourself to write a little description here and there throughout the narrative, eventually it will get easier and your writing will improve. I feel it's especially important to help the reader, when you change scenes, by adding at least enough description to set the new scene. I think you'd be surprised how little description some readers need to envision a fully developed scene.
   Today's scene is from one of my stories, and while there is plenty of emotion I hope you can feel, it is also a good example of introducing a new scene. A short description in the beginning to develop the scene, and subtle descriptions mixed in with the dialogue to enhance the emotion.
   As with everything else I've discovered in writing, balance is the key to keeping my interest. Thanks for reading!

Nestled up against the base of Mount Baltok, where the capital city of Kiplar had originally set down its roots, sat an old non-descript inn. Known as the place for late night meetings between discreet lovers, and those whose actions were best kept hidden, its innkeeper never lacked for money. No one remembered the inn’s original name. Based on the faded sign above the door, that supposedly sported the likeness of the first Queen of Dahlian with two pints of ale pictured below, the name “The Queen’s Jugs” had stuck. Only the innkeeper was aware of the irony of the name considering the identity of one of his patrons.

In a dark booth farthest from the door, two hooded figures sat in a lovers embrace. The pain of long-buried memories resurfacing threatened to overwhelm the Queen as she softly kissed the lips of the old arms-master and gently traced the scars on his cheek with her fingers. The face of a young guardsman hovered before her as the past overcame the present, and she lost herself to the feelings she had buried for so long. He reached up to cover her hand with his as she pulled back, the flickering candlelight revealing a sad smile on his face.

“The memory of your soft lips has never left me even after all these years. Please believe me when I say I never stopped loving you, Olivia. I used to curse the Eyes for the position we found ourselves in, until I realized I could protect you better from the shadows than by your side.”

“Oh Malcom, I’ve missed you so,” she murmured while resting her head on his shoulder. “What happened to our love, my handsome young protector?  Why have you chosen now to bring back painful memories from so long ago?”

The arms-master stiffened at her question and then let out a sigh heavy with regret. “The Deluti happened. It is also one of the reasons I needed to meet with you like this. The story I have to tell may not be easy for you to hear.”

It was Olivia’s turn to stiffen as she lifted her head and stared at him, the eyes of a queen replacing those of a young princess in love. “I’m listening.”

A New Focus

   As some of you may know, I've been dealing with a fairly serious medical issue for most of the year. The depression that comes after heart surgery, loss of hair and major changes in life-style have all made it nearly impossible for me to attempt writing again. Something has to change.
   I don't sell many books simply because no one knows they're out there. I can't afford to advertise, and I haven't been well enough to go out and participate in book signings, etc. All of the reviews I have received were positive and generic. Words like; "Wonderful story", "Loved it", or "Action packed with great characters", is nice to hear, but am I really connecting with the reader?
   If I write a scene and it brings tears to my eyes, will the reader tear up also? What about the scene that has me laughing, will the reader at least smile? I don't know and that bothers me. Starting today, I will share a short scene on the blog and ask folks to please read and comment on whatever emotion they felt while reading.
   I'm hoping at least a small number of my friends will be willing to spend a few minutes helping me identify my strengths and weaknesses. I need to find a way to restore my confidence and continue writing.
   As always, thanks for reading!

The company turned as one toward the sound of trotting horses and the clatter of wagons. Everyone’s spirits lifted at the promise of transportation back home. Several men headed for the stables in search of hay to line the wagon bed for Derek. Braun and his men began the arduous task of dragging the dead goblins over to the entrance of the inn.

A two wheeled farmers cart and two wagons appeared on the road. The young man, who had run back to the village, jumped down from the cart but before he could reach them, bent over retching overcome by the stench.

The driver of the first wagon gathered up her skirts and began the difficult task of climbing down from the wagon. One of the men rushed over to help her. Safely on the ground, she tucked several stray silver locks back under her bright red scarf, pulled a cane from the wagon and searched the faces of the men.

Carefully, she made her way toward the side of the inn barely glancing at the grotesque bodies of the dead goblins. She walked unerringly to the tarp covered body that lay not far from Derek and the others. Using the cane, she slowly lowered herself to the ground, bent over and pulled the tarp away from the face of the man hidden underneath.

Gently, she brushed the blood soaked hair out of his eyes and kissed him on the forehead. Silence abounded as some of the men had to look away while others could not. Odessa wrapped her arms around Aldan and buried her face in his chest, sobbing quietly.

“Harold, you old fool,” the old woman murmured. “You just had to prove yourself one last time didn’t you.”

She glanced up at the men standing there. “Did he die bravely?”

Derek forced an answer past his own tears. “He saved the lives of several men, m’lady, including my own. A braver man I have never known.”

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

   It feels like the only thing I have to write about anymore is my health, or lack of it. I purposely put off writing a blog for a couple of weeks hoping I would have something involving writing or my books to talk about. No such luck.
   In the last two weeks I've been to the ER three times. My heart kept going back into a-fib. They hit me with the paddles the first time, but only lasted two days before it happened again. Then it was something into my IV, and the doctor finally decided to put me on this really nasty medication that prevents my heart from beating too fast (a good thing), but could kill me without warning (not a good thing). Who knows how long it'll be before they can schedule the procedure to isolate the nerves sending the wrong signal and disconnect it.
   And if all that wasn't bad enough, my hair started falling out in fist-fulls about a week ago. I know some of you are probably thinking, "What's the big deal?" Well for me, my long blond pony-tail was about the only thing I liked about myself. It felt like the only thing I could do right, and also identified me as a Vietnam vet. I'll be bald by next week and won't want to leave the house. All this and I want a cigarette so frikin bad I could scream. I just can't suddenly stop a 55 year old habit and deal with it coherently.
   On a somewhat positive note, I did finish re-writing the short story I was working on months ago and submitted it to my critique group. They all loved it with only a few minor comments. I addressed those and entered it into several contests. We'll see what happens.
   I hope this rainbow brings you a pot of gold! Thanks for reading.

The Long Road Back

   It will be a while before I can get back in the saddle again, but at least I've been re-acquainting myself with the horse. I've gone back to a couple of my short stories and concentrated on incorporating some of the suggestions I received from my critique group months ago. Re-submitted to both groups and the feedback has been positive so far. It is so much easier to come back when everyone is so enthusiastic about your return.
   The larger stories will have to wait. I don't write using outlines, or plot every scene in my stories. They come together in my head over a period of time, and when I'm satisfied, it gets put down on paper. So much has happened over the past year or so that the second book in the series I was working on has disappeared. I will have to go back and re-read the first book and everything I've written up to this point to get the story back in my head. Only then will I be able to continue.
   It's frustrating all the little things that are interfering with my life right now. Over the last couple of months as I was healing, about the only thing I could do was sleep and day-dream. Now it's a constant battle not to fall back on that routine every time I close my eyes. Nothing is getting done! After they pulled the artery out of my leg to use on my heart, I've had trouble walking normally. Finally, yesterday it was like a switch turned on in my brain, and I can walk again. I'm hoping something like that will happen soon with my hands as it's like I've forgotten how to write. Since I write all my stories by hand, this hasn't helped my attempts to return.
   When I started this blog a couple years ago, I would always add a short scene I'd just written. People rarely commented so I eventually stopped. Would anyone be interested in reading scenes again? If so, let me know and I'll start sharing again.
   Thanks for reading.

The Day My Life Stood Still

   It's 5am and already the hospital is a hive of activity. We waited by the fake fireplace along with others who probably felt the same sense of apprehension as I did. Nothing showed on our faces, however.
   A young nurse soon arrived to escort me down to the lower levels of the building into an area partitioned by curtains into separate cubicles. The woman who greeted us was all business and efficiency, and pointed to the cloth covered table. "We have a lot to do to prepare you for your surgery. So, if you would get undressed and lay down here, we'll get started."
   The other nurse returned and they went to work. As I lay there naked while they inserted I/V's into both my arms, shaved practically every inch of my body, and used a black marker to draw little pictures on me, I wondered if I was being prepped for surgery or as a sacrifice to some pagan god.
   The doctor poked his head in and said, "It's time"
   My dearest friend squeezed my hand, and the last thing I heard was, "I love you. Come back to me."

   Voices.
   I'm alive, I think. But I can't see and I can't breathe. Is that my heart beating? Yes! The voice came again, and this time I could understand the words.
   "Breathe, Roland! I need you to breathe."
   I'm too hot and the blankets are wrapped too tight for me to breathe, I tried to tell him. However, the tube down my throat made it impossible to speak. Fear is setting in and I begin to panic. Being strapped down and unable to move didn't help.
   "Breathe for me, Roland. I can't take the tube out of your throat until you're breathing on your own."
   I don't know if it was the fear or my brain finally beginning to function, but I managed to draw a tiny bit of air into my lungs. PAIN! I would have screamed if I could. I don't remember him pulling the tube, but when I became aware again, the tube was out, I could see, and they had me sitting up.
   The flood of voices overwhelmed me as nurses and doctors double-checked the four I/V's, the three 1/2 in. drain tubes coming out of my chest, the catheters in my neck and arm, and all the sensors from head to toe feeding the bank of monitors next to my bed. That was 2 1/2 months ago and I still have a long way to go. Three months of cardio rehab and it could take up to a year for a full recovery.
   I still have a difficult time comprehending the fact that for 5 hours I had no heartbeat and wasn't breathing. Was I dead? I don't know, but I'm alive now and have a completely different outlook on life. Not yet sure if that's a good thing or not.
   Picture is what I saw the first time I was able to look in a mirror. Not pretty.
   Thanks for reading. Next post should be back to my struggles with writing.

 

Surgery & Writing

   I've noticed a number of folks still checking my blog and I apologize for not posting the last couple of weeks. After my heart attack it's been difficult thinking about anything other than my upcoming surgery. Writing just doesn't seem as important as it was before. I finally saw the cardio-vascular surgeon today. He wants several more tests done, but right now it looks like I'll be having a quadruple by-pass the second week of May. Won't know the exact date until he checks the hospital schedule. I was hoping to get it done sooner, but he doesn't want any surprises and neither do I.
   Since this is supposed to be a blog about writing, I do have some thoughts I wanted to share today. I belong to a number of different writer's groups, and lately there have been several folks posting questions such as; "I've written my book, now what?" or "How do I get started?" My answer to that is always; "Join a critique group."
   I know it's been said a million times, but it's true, especially for writers; "No man is an island." Anyone can write a story. To write a good one, however, you need help. That's where a critique group is invaluable. I can't think of much that is more disheartening to a new writer who has spent months, or maybe years writing their story, and then have people tell them all the things that are wrong with it.
   Start out simple by writing a chapter or two, and submit them to a group that will help you discover your strong points and weak points. Work on those weak points as you continue to write. You can always come back later and re-write those beginning chapters. World building, character sheets, story boards, etc. are fine, but won't help you write prose that flows, stays in the correct tense and POV, and paints a picture for the reader. Once you understand the basics and find your voice, then you can fill in your world and develop your characters.
   The final step in story-telling is to have a professional editor help you polish your gem. After that comes the fun part, getting people to actually read your story. This is where you need someone with artistic abilities to build a cover that will entice readers to stop and take a look. Remember, most readers see books on sites like Amazon where the cover is the size of a thumbnail. Regardless of how well the story is written, if folks aren't hooked by your cover, they'll never stop to read the blurb.
   I don't think there are are many truly bad stories, just stories that are poorly written. Find a group to help you learn the craft of writing and you'll be on your way. Good luck and good writing!
   Thanks for reading.

Multiple Critiques That Disagree

   There are several steps a writer goes through on the way to creating a finished story. One of those is participation in a critique group to get feedback on small portions of the overall story. I've been a member of a local writer's group for several years, and always found the comments of others to be very helpful. Unfortunately, sometimes those comments can create confusion also, especially when they disagree.
   I've always been a firm believer that if two or more folks have an issue with a particular section of my story, then I need to take a serious look at it and figure out why. But I also take a close look if even one person has an issue. Maybe they saw something the others have missed.
   Occasionally, I can ignore comments from some of the newer members because they are not familiar with earlier parts of the story, or haven't read the previous book. They don't understand references or have missed the parts where things have already been explained. The problem is when I receive comments from 5 or 6 folks that all have different opinions or each has an issue with totally separate points in my submission.
   Now I can't address all of their concerns as it might change what I was trying to accomplish as far as character development or progressing the plot. All I can do is consider what I know of each person and their different tastes in story telling. We have many genres represented in our group including non-fiction, so what the others look for in a story varies.
  The focus I try to maintain is on what I consider my voice, and stay true to the vision I have for my story. If that means I'll have to eventually ignore some advice, then so be it, but I will always take the time to consider each comment or concern.
   Thanks for reading.

 

Beta Reader Basics

   An important step in the writing process is sending your manuscript out to beta readers once you've completed self-editing to the best of your ability. This topic came up recently in my critique group as several members have completed their WIPs. They are ready for someone to read the entire piece, not just chapters.
   My suggestion, and this will benefit both the reader and the writer, is to send along a list of questions you hope the reader will answer. If your beta doesn't have specific things to look for, you might receive comments like, "I really liked it!" or, "Just wasn't my cup of tea." Comments such as those are no help whatsoever.
   The following are some of the important questions, I as a writer, would like answered. Of course, this assumes the manuscript has already gone through the process of critique and editing so it's readable. Oh, and make sure you give your betas a deadline.

   1. How soon were you hooked into the story? Or, if you never felt hooked, do you have any suggestions?
   2. Did you feel a connection with the characters? Were they well rounded and interesting? Did any fall flat? (This is especially important to me since I try to write character driven stories)
   3. Was there a point in the story where it became dull and you lost interest?
   4. Are there any plot holes or questions that never got answered?
   5. And the most important question for me is, after you read the last page and set the book down, how did you feel? Did you love it and want to read more? Or was it, "WTF did I just waste my time reading?"

   I enjoy my stories whether anyone else does or not, but my goal is to write stories that entertain. While it's nice to get a pat on the back, knowing what might need to be improved is more important at this stage.
   Also, a question I see all the time is, "Where do I find beta readers?" My answer to that is join online writer's groups. There are plenty to choose from on every social media platform. Become an active member who comments on posts, encourages others, and occasionally share snippets of your own work. Then, when you are ready, ask for beta readers from the group, and you should get plenty of takers. It seems that 4-6 people is a good number to start with.
   I hope this has been some help to those ready to send their baby out into the world.

   Thanks for reading!

Downside of Writing

   From the time I learned to read until my early sixties, I was a voracious reader. I read anything I could get my hands on. Every book in our little library at my elementary school had fueled my imagination by the time I graduated. In high school, I would sit in the back of the class, course book propped up on my desk with a paperback inside. I never went anywhere without a book.
   If I had money, bookstore here I come! If not, it was off to the library to come home with an armload of books. Sometimes, when I would run out of fantasy or sci/fi, I would grab some of my wife's westerns or romances. As long as they were well written, I enjoyed them all. When money got tight, I got picky and only bought books that were over five hundred pages so I could make them last a day or two. I didn't care what genre it was, it just had to be long. And don't even ask me how many times I picked up a new book with an awesome cover, intriguing blurb, get a couple chapters in and realize it's a re-release of a book I'd read years earlier. 
   Ironically, it was love of epic tales that drove me to start writing. Unwilling to shell out 7-8 dollars for a book I could devour in a couple hours, and unable to find new epic length books I hadn't already read, I got a wild hair up my butt and decided to write my own. Now it frustrates me to no end that in the four years I've been writing I've probably read less then ten books. And most of those were from writer friends I'd met online or agreed to beta read.
   I have an entire shelf full of books from my favorite authors I've bought over the last couple years that are still sitting there untouched. I can no longer read simply for the pure enjoyment of it. I'm always looking for plot arcs, where's the hook, or how is this character developing. Minor errors I would never have noticed before stand out like sore thumbs. And of course there is always this little voice in the back of my head asking: "Why are you reading? You should be writing!"
   I don't think I could ever stop being a writer now. It is what I am. However, there are times I wish I could turn back the clock, never pick up that pen or write that first short story, just continue my life being filled with the joy of reading.
   Thanks for listening.

My Thoughts On Chapters

   To cover the entire topic of chapters would take up more space than I intend for this short blog. These are just a few observations based on the vast number of books I've read over the years, and from conversations with readers and writers.
   The first point I'd like to discuss is chapter length. I've read where some writers say they have chapters with only one sentence, or they don't bother with chapters at all, only scene breaks. Others say they just pick a spot to stop one chapter and start the next. For me, stories like that would be difficult to read.
   I've read studies that say the average reader can consume 4k words in about 30 mins. In today's world where so many folks read during their commute, at lunch, or set aside an hour to read before bed, this seems like a reasonable number to shoot for in regards to chapter length. If a person has a half hour train ride to work or lunch break and are looking at an 8k chapter, they may decide to read something else or attempt to cram down the chapter. They will probably start skimming and possibly miss an important point in the story. Not good!
   While chapter length isn't set in stone, I think consistency is key so readers know what to expect and can plan ahead.
   The second point I'd like to cover is chapter content. I've read a few "How-To" books that claim each chapter should be treated as a short story. I don't believe it's necessary to have a complete three act plot arc for every chapter, but I do think each one needs to have a definite purpose.
  As a reader, I like to have a sense of closure after reaching the end of a chapter. Maybe the characters reached their destination, met someone central to their success, or found something they'd been looking for. I also enjoy the occasional question or hook at the end that keeps me reading. Just make sure you don't take too many chapters to answer the question or satisfy my curiosity.
   Lastly, a quick note on chapter titles. They help me as a writer to focus on the purpose of that particular chapter. As a reader, sometimes I like to go back to a previous chapter, and finding it using the table of contents is easy with titles. Using chapter titles is purely personal preference.
   Like I said at the beginning, an in depth discussion of chapters could fill an entire book, so these are just a few points that matter to me. I'm more likely to enjoy a book if I can expect consistency of chapter length, and feel confident I will discover something important to the story at the end of each chapter.

   Thanks for reading.

Does Your Story Have A Theme?

   A friend of mine, who is an avid reader, came over the other day and we had an interesting discussion about themes in writing. He always looks for an underlying agenda in the books he reads. He believes every author is trying to push a personal belief or maybe influence the reader to see a different point of view. Depending on the genre and author, that might be true.
   I love my friend dearly, but sometimes his suspicious nature can be burdensome. He can't believe every writer doesn't have some ulterior motive they're trying to push when writing their stories. I don't think he truly believed me when I told him I don't have an agenda, especially in my fantasies. Maybe that's why he doesn't read or understand fantasy. 99% of the time it's just good vs. evil.
   Of course it got me to thinking and wondering. Do I have a theme or agenda I put into my stories without consciously thinking about it? I really don't think so, but what am I trying to accomplish with my story telling?
   I purposely set my stories on worlds totally separate from our own so I'm not tempted to comment on the economic and social atmosphere that exists in our world today. I try to focus on my characters, and even though they occasionally have to endure physical hardship, I'm more interested in how they deal with emotional issues. How do they handle rejection and feeling inferior? What goes through their minds when someone actually accepts them for what they are? How do they deal with death?
   I know for me, one of the deep seated reasons I enjoy reading and writing fantasy is because of feeling totally helpless as a child without the power to protect others or myself. I always fantasized having some kind of super power where I could change my world, protect those I loved, and punish those who I thought deserved it. I've come to believe, after many years of talking to others, this is not uncommon.
   You won't find the characters in my stories being mercilessly abused over and over as if that will somehow make them better. The only thing it did for me was make me thankful I survived. I certainly don't believe it made me a better person. All it did was make me hard and cynical especially towards people who whine and snivel about how rough their life is. They have no clue.
   If there's a theme to my books, it's to provide the reader with a character they can relate to. Someone to share in their joys and sorrows. I also hope to transport them out of their reality for at least a moment in time where they can forget their problems and be entertained.
   Thank you for reading!

   PS: Years ago I used to post snippets of my writing here, but I rarely received comments so I stopped. Would anyone be interested in reading them again?

   

Find Your Voice And Write

   It seems that writers will forever argue over what constitutes good writing. No matter which writing group I visit, there is always a discussion going on. Active vs. passive; pantser vs. plotter; 1st person vs. 3rd person; POV shifts; too much description vs. not enough, etc.
   It seems to me, with all the differences in opinions one way or the other, whatever way you write will be liked by some and disliked by others. Even if you're a pantser who uses a little passive writing, maybe not a lot of description and head-hops occasionally, there are people who will enjoy it. If that is the way you have the most fun writing, stick with it. Make it your voice as a writer.
   I've seen too many novice writers pick up a book on "The Rules of Writing", try to change their voice to follow those rules, and get so frustrated they want to quit. The joy of writing is gone. I wish they would change the word 'rules' to 'guidelines'. The only rule I try to pay attention to is proper grammar and word flow. This is also where a good editor is priceless. As far as I'm concerned, content and voice are separate from grammar.
   Then there are those folks who are physically unable to visualize what they're reading or writing. These writers have to plot because they need a very detailed outline describing every aspect of the story to be able to picture it. I visualize everything as if I'm right there with my characters and write what I see. Setting, descriptions, feelings, thoughts and discussions are put down on paper together as a whole as they happen. Several writers I know have to write in layers. They can't visualize the entire scene and have to build it up one layer at a time. It works for them, and the end result is complete.
   It may take me weeks to write several thousand words, but other than a few minor tweeks, it's done. Others may write two thousand words a day, but have to re-write ten times to get it completely fleshed out. The end product is the same.
   The point is, find your voice and the method that works best for you and stay with it. Not everyone will like it, but eventually you'll find those that do and then target that audience.
   Maybe next week I'll tackle another point of discussion.
   Thanks for reading.

Happy Valetines

   Wow, here it is, the 14th of February already! It certainly feels like the old saying is true: "The older you get, the quicker you get older."
   I'm slowly easing my way bank into writing, finally. In the last couple of weeks I've written a Science Fiction short story, added to a children's fantasy I've been working on, cleaned up up a couple of chapters in the next Queen of Darkness story to submit to my critique group, and wrote down some ideas for major plot points in the next Deluti book.
   Between not feeling well, and the nagging doubt of my ability as a writer, it's been difficult to find the joy I once had while writing my stories. I know it's par for the course as many writers feel they will never be good enough, but sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get better.
   I've gone back and re-read some of the things I wrote several years ago and think, this is better than what I'm writing now. Yet others have commented on how my writing has improved. Why can't I see it? Maybe the style of writing I enjoy reading is not the same as what others enjoy.
   Which brings up an interesting point. A topic of discussion came up the other day in a fantasy support group I belong to. The question was: "What makes good fantasy?" I was blown away by the number of folks who replied; "It has to be realistic, or make sense". Hello! Have they even read the definition of fantasy in the dictionary? If you want realism, read non-fiction. I thought about all the popular fantasy stories out there, both in print and on screen, and there is a decided lack of realism.
   What is realistic about walking, talking trees, dogs who can fly, or humans who can change into animals? "But we're talking about things like a real planet with earth and sky, and a sun to provide energy, real food to eat, that kind of realism".
   Oh really? Many years ago, I read a story that still haunts me to this day. It was about a civilization of sub-atomic energy beings living inside a light bulb. They knew their source of energy was failing and would soon burn out, and were trying to deal with the inevitability of their mortality. Some accepted their fate while other struggled to find a way to save their civilization. The light bulb shattered, and the end saw a human sweeping up the debris and dumping them in the trash. Where is the realism in that?
   Anyway, I'm always amazed at the different things people look for in fantasy.
   Thanks for reading.

Can A Critique Group Become Too Large?

   First of all, I'd like to thank all those folks who have come back every week to read my rambles. You are one of the main reasons I continue to share my thoughts on life and writing. I'm still amazed at the milestone I reached last week by hitting the 10,000 pageview mark. You all rock!
   The question on my mind this week, as I officially take over ownership and administration of our local writers group is: "How big is too big?" It's probably not something I really need to worry about at this time since attendance normally drops off as we head into summer anyway. But what about next fall and winter?
   Our group saw unprecedented growth this last year. People come and go as they attend one of our meetings and then decide it's not for them. However, this last year more decided to stay than leave. The positive side of this is I think it reflects on the positive attitude of our current members and the supportive and encouraging atmosphere we project. I can't help but brag a little by saying we are an awesome group.
   The negative side is with so many folks submitting and attending the meeting, we couldn't get through all the critiques in three hours much less the two hour limit we try to adhere to. One of the first things I had to do was add a second meeting each month to split up the submissions into a manageable number. We also came up with some suggestions to speed up the critique process. So far, it's helped.
   I hate the idea of setting a limit on the number of members because new blood always adds a spark and freshness to the group. I've been around a long time and been in a number of groups where eventually they begin to stagnate and become unproductive. Those groups rarely let new folks join in.
   We live in a Navy town with people coming and going all the time, so maybe the problem will resolve itself. I hope so. The last thing I want to do is restrict new membership.
   Thanks for reading.

Let's Talk Writing Again

   Seems like lately, all I've been talking about is my personal problems, and it's time to change that.
   A nice side effect of finding a new writer's support group online is that I've sold a few more books and received several nice reviews. I've also encouraged a couple people to share what they liked about my stories, but also what they didn't like. That is always important to me as I want to improve and grow as a writer.
   There were two common themes to the feedback: I'm not consistent with my descriptions and I didn't make things difficult enough for the MC. I happen to know the folks who felt I wasn't hard enough are also fans of Grim/Dark fantasy. Granted, I don't bloody my characters relentlessly, but that's just not my style.The difficulties I try to inflict on my characters are usually emotional, and I will continue to do so.
   The issue with my inconsistent descriptions is something I can fix, and will. I never realized how much I expanded the scenes I thought were important and glossed over other scenes that were important to the reader. The trick will be trying to determine just how much extra description a particular scene needs. From the comments I received, it should only require a few more sentences to flesh out.
   Another plus from joining this new support group is the large number of young readers and writers. Their enthusiasm for my YA stories has given me a new spark to continue those stories. The support and encouragement I've received from the group has really helped me to look past the trials of last year and focus on the future.
   In other news, today I reached a small milestone in my life. I met with the previous owner of our Meetup site and critique group to officially transfer ownership. I am now the proud owner and administrator of the Kitsap Writer's Critique Group. This is not a position I ever imagined myself in, but I take the responsibility seriously. I'm looking forward to the future and doing what little I can to help others become better writers.
   Thanks for reading.

Making My Way Back

   It felt good to finally get out of the house last night and spend some time with friends and fellow writers. I was disappointed having missed our first critique meeting of the year two weeks ago, especially since I'm supposed to be leading it.
   Our group has grown to the point we couldn't complete all the critiques in one meeting before the pizza joint where we get together needed to close for the night. I added another session each month to cover the overflow, and also to provide a separate meeting for those who are close to completing their manuscripts.
   I shared some ideas with the group last night on ways we might be able to speed up the critique process. Everyone was in agreement and things went pretty smoothly. We finished up six critiques in under two hours which meant the folks who live an hour away got home at a decent time.
   I'm pleased to report, words are actually being put down on paper again, and my head is filled with stories. I'm one of those folks who writes in their head. When I've got a scene worked out in my mind where it's just the way I want it, then it gets written down. With the constant pain and grogginess from lack of sleep the last couple of months, I haven't been able to concentrate enough to run those scenes through my mind.
   Dumping words on a page for the sake of word count, hoping they can be made into something coherent later, is just not my style. Some of my critique group accuse me of writing final drafts, and they have trouble finding things to critique. That may or may not be true, but it makes for a slow process. It works for me. I hope to publish two more stories this year so it had better work.
   Thanks for reading. 

A Rough Start

   What is that old saying? "The best laid plans of mice and men". I've written absolutely nothing in the last week because of pain.
   I suppose I can't put it off any longer. I just need to bite the bullet and get my knees replaced. I see my doctor today to get the ball rolling. I've been hesitant to get them done because of the two gals I take care of. Fortunately, I have two daughters who will come over to help out.
  It was also very frustrating missing the first meeting of the new year for my critique group. I was looking forward to starting out the new year on the right foot by sharing my vision for the future with my friends. I did feel better after several of them e-mailed me today and said they missed me at the meeting. There are so many excellent writers in the group, and I hope to see them published by the end of the year.
   I know some of you are not happy that I'll be spending less time on google, but I feel I need to go where the action is. Participation on posts and interactions between people have dried up. Personally, I feel the abundance of negative, political BS has driven people away. I can post a question in one of the communities I belong to on google and I'll be lucky to get one or two people to respond, and these are communities with thousands of members. If i Post the same question in a writers group on FB, I may get twenty or more comments in the first hour.
   As far as I can tell, very few new people are coming to google. The communities are stagnating. Even though I have over four thousand folks in my circles. I only see posts from the same ten people each day. Since I joined the group on FB, at least a dozen new people join everyday, and discussions are going on continuously. 
   It's also been a huge confidence booster as I've received nothing but positive feedback from folks in the FB group about snippets of writing I've shared or they've actually read my stories. As a test, I made my books free for two days last week and only mentioned it in the group and on my blog. I had over two hundred downloads in those two days, and a couple sales the day after. That's more than any other promotion I've run using paid advertising and sharing on google.
   Whether all those downloads will result in a few reviews on Amazon remains to be seen, but it was fun being ranked in the top twenty for a day.
   OK, I've got to quit and put my leg up. Thanks for reading!

Attitude Adjustment

   I'm going to make a concerted effort this year to maintain a positive attitude no matter what. I'm also planning to return to my weekly blog posts starting today. Regardless of how I feel, words will be written, whether for this blog or one of my stories.
   It has been far too easy lately to let my depression overcome my ability to function the way I want to. If that doesn't change, I'll die of old age before the next story ever gets finished. Although there probably aren't many, I have to believe at least a few folks are looking forward to the next installments in the series I started.
   To accomplish this I have decided to make some changes in how I spend my time. First of all, I am going to limit my time on Google Plus. The writing communities there have become ghost towns, whereas the groups on FB are flourishing. My google stream has become nothing but political BS, and I'm tired of it. It's been a year people, grow up and get over it.
   That time will now be spent on writing, whether I feel like it or not. This will be a major change for me as I've only picked up a pen when the mood struck. Obviously that isn't working. I must find a way to get more words down on paper. If I could wrap my head around the idea of being a plotter, I might even try that, but for now I'll remain a pantster.
   I don't want to lose the many wonderful friends I've gotten to know on Google so I will continue to check in from time to time and comment when I can.
   I also plan to make more of an effort to get my stories in the hands of readers this year. More paperbacks will be ordered, and more deals run on Amazon. So in that vein, for the next two days, my e-books will be free for download on Amazon. If you haven't already, please check them out and leave me a review, good or bad. It's always nice to hear when your story works, but I can never improve if I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
   Thanks for reading.

 https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1?ie=UTF8&field-author=Roland+Boykin&search-alias=digital-text&text=Roland+Boykin&sort=relevancerank