Improving You Craft

I don't know about you, but I'm always on the lookout for articles and blogs that contain advice as to how I can refine my skills as a writer. I've been under contract from the beginning of 2012, but I still feel like an infant on shaky legs who needs the security of a baby stroller.





So what do I do as I wade through the many sites offering help? Because as you'll come to appreciate, there are a lot of them out there.
The first thing I'd say is, Don't get put off by the volume. The wealth of information they contain can be turned to your advantage.
How?
Do what I do. Skim.
All of us are different, so the help we need - or even want - will vary from person to person.
However, there are some "Bread & Butter" points that must be heeded, especially when those tips are repeated again and again.

Here are some of the *** what I feel to be *** most often repeated slogans you'll see. Therefore, we need to take note of them.

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1. Be active, not passive.
One of the most common manifestations of bad writing is overuse of the passive voice. The passive voice makes the object of an action into the subject of the sentence with verb forms like, "X had been attacked by Y." instead of simply putting, "Y attacked X."
Now, using the passive voice isn't always bad. Sometimes there's no other way you can make a clear statement. But wherever you can, follow the rule of activity.
Be honest, what do you feel more comfy reading?
"The blog had been written by Andrew while he was at home." OR, "Andrew wrote the blog while at home."

2. Use strong words.
What do I mean? Good writing is precise. Evocative and thought provoking. Finding the right verb or adjective can turn a coma inducing sentence into a one where the reader catches their breath, and remembers it for years. Look for words that are specific, and try not to repeat the same word over and over, unless you're trying to build a rhythm with it.
But be careful, especially when it comes to dialogue.
Bad writing can be filled with 'he commented." or "she responded." A well placed "he sputtered." or "she gasped." can work wonders, but most of the time, a simple he/she "said" will do. Sometimes, this might feel awkward, but changing things up unnecessarily can make it harder for your reader to get into the back & forth flow of a conversation or exchange.
Remember, when writing dialogue, you want your reader to hear the characters voices, not your own.

3. Cut the chaff.
(Something I had to work hard on when I started out.)
Good writing is simple, clear, and direct. You don't get points for saying in 50 words, what you could have said in 30. Good writing is about using the right words, not filling up the page. It might feel satisfying to pack a whole load of ideas into a single sentence, but the chances are it'll just make it harder to read.
I can relate to this, especially with my Guardian Series that contains many references to technical and scientific jargon. Originally, I tried to convey too much information in the hope it would make things clearer. It didn't. My attempts just brought things to a grinding halt. Thankfully, I have a great editor who isn't afraid to wield the literary knife. With her help I learned - and am still learning - if the phrase doesn't add anything valuable...cut it!

Personal note: For all you newly contracted writers out there...take heed.
WORK WITH YOUR EDITOR. They know what they're doing, so trust them. In my case, I've improved a great deal in regards to this personal area of weakness. But it's something I still have to watch carefully. When I've finished my 1st draft, I can still cut up to 3,000 to 4,000 words from a 100K manuscript. Pretty good, eh? I think so too, until my editor (Demon Barber) gets her hands on it, and trims off a further 'X' amount. (Bah humbug!)

4. Show don't tell.
Instead of just sitting your readers down for a long exposition regarding a character's background or a plot point's significance, try to let the reader discover the same ideas through words, feelings and actions. Now, I understand there are times when things will be a little dry. Imitating a press release, for example, captures the mood of what you see in newspapers. But, when it comes to your actual dialogue, applying the advice of this masterly piece of advice is a crucial factor in improving your craft.

5. Break the Rules.
Isn't this a contradiction? No. The best writers don't just follow the rules, they know when and how to break them. If you know being naughty will improve your piece, grow a spine and don't be afraid. Do some research, apply what you learn, and take the plunge. Just ensure your standards are clear elsewhere, so that readers understand what you've done, and appreciate it.

Personal note: I was brave enough to actually do this with the Cambion Journals series. Stay tuned to my blogs next week where I explain the process I adopted to create this series...especially in relation to POV application. It was a huge gamble, but, my homework paid off.
(Look out for the "Buy the Book Tour" starting June 16th where the process is made clear,).

6. Edit...edit...edit.
Don't believe your eyes. EDIT. Even when you've gone over your draft umpteen times. EDIT. Check your manuscript. Check it again. Then do it some more. Editing is one of the most essential parts of writing. Don't rush it. Don't cram it. Don't leave it to someone else. Keep doing it over and over until your brain hurts.
You'll be glad you did.
TIP: Some friends of mine use a Google reader to verbalize their manuscripts. Me? I drive my wife crazy by reading out loud the actual words I've written. (She goes nuts when I use silly accents. I don't do it to wind her up, I use them as a concentration aid.) And that's important. Read what's there...NOT what your brain automatically wants to fill in. I've caught so many mind/finger slips this way, that I've made it part of my process. (Despite the danger to my life)



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Anyway. That's it. Nothing fancy, and certainly nothing that's new. This is sage advice. Bread and butter pointers that every writer needs to apply to ensure their craft does what it needs to do...

Improve.

I hope you find something here you like.

Stuck for ideas?



No matter how much you love writing, there will always be days when you need inspiration. In fact, I would argue that inspiration isn’t just a desirable thing; it’s an integral part of the writing process.

Every writer needs to find inspiration in order to produce fresh ideas. And sometimes, they can come from the unlikeliest sources.

I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite ways of finding inspiration — some of them obvious, some of them less so. If you haven’t used a few of these sources, give them a go.

1. Blogs. This is one of my favorites, of course. There are dozens of great blogs on writing and every topic under the sun. I like to read about what works for others. Now and again, I discover something totally new, and it inspires me to action!
2. Books. I’ve confessed this aspect before. I read authors I love, and then poach good ideas from them. I analyze their writing. Their way of thinking. How they develop things. Then I’ll apply it in my own way to help keep the ideas flowing. Sometimes, I’ll try a genre I don’t normally enjoy, just to branch out into something different. You might find something that works for you.
3. Magazines. Good magazines aren’t always filled with great writing, but you can usually find one good piece of either fiction or non-fiction. Entertaining for its writing style, its voice, its rhythm and ability to pull you along to the end.  
4. Movies. Sometimes, while watching a movie, a character will say something so interesting that I’ll say, “That would make a great blog post!” or “I have to write that in my writing journal!” Sometimes screenwriters can write beautiful dialog. Other times I get inspired by the incredible camera work, or the way a face or the landscape captured on film. I even get ideas from blending movie themes together.
5. Music. Along the same lines, it can be inspiring to listen to great music. I can’t listen to music while I write, but I do have it playing in the background while I research. Allow the tone and mood of what you’re listening to, to lift you up and move you.
6. Quotes. I don’t know why, but when I see a great quote, they sometimes help inspire me. I like to go to various quote sites to find ideas to spark my imagination. Try it, you’ll be surprised.
7. Dreams. I have a real knack for this. I’m also fortunate, in that I can remember and take control of many of my dreams. However, I only do that from time to time, as its usually best just to let my unconscious creativity manifest. So, I make it a practice to keep a dream journal by my bedside to write down what I remember. Not because I think it’ll tell me something about myself or my future or past, but because dreams don’t have boundaries. They completely disregard for the rules of reality, and have an otherworldy sense I want to capture, especially in my fantasy and paranormal works.
8. Writing journal. I highly recommend this for any writer. It doesn’t have to be fancy, or something you write in every day. Just a plain notebook will do. Write down thoughts and quotes. Snippets and ideas. Phrases or dialog and plot ideas for new characters.
9. Poetry. How can poetry inspire prose? Through its beauty and flow and style and use of rhythm and play on words. Through its use of language and music. Some of my best short stories started as poems.
10. People watching. This is an interesting activity for any writer. Go to a busy public place and just sit and watch people. They’ll amuse you, inspire you, disappoint and fascinate you. There’s nothing more inspiring than humanity.

So there you go. Just 10 little ideas I’ve found inspiring. Hopefully, you’ll find something there to motivate you whenever you’re stuck for an idea and have a blank page to fill.

 

 

 

What Story Does Your Name Tell?

 

 

Some years ago, I decided to get my father a really special present. I had some research completed on the Weston family tree. Dad was into that kind of thing, and, because we had pretty accurate records of a number of generations of our family – on both sides – going back a few hundred years (Due to military service, etc), I thought it would be something he might enjoy.

 

Sure enough, after several months, a great result came back. My family had a rich and varied history. Our ancestors were noteworthy on both sides. My father’s mother – Jayne Lister – was a Great, Great Granddaughter of Baron Joseph Lister, a British surgeon and pioneer of antiseptic surgery. (Listerine mouthwash is named after him) And the Weston family name runs back to before the Doomsday book – the great survey initiated by William the Conqueror – in 1066. It was quite interesting to discover we had a hereditary title at one time, a family crest, and were descendants of Henry De-la-Westuna of France.

 

Needless to say, my father was delighted with the findings, and especially with the documents and seals that came with the research. (Plus a copy of our family crest – a rather fine example of argent lion rampant on sable background, with motto – Honor without Fear).

 

I always wanted to look deeper. But the cost involved was phenomenal and further research would take a great deal of time.

 

Imagine my interest this past week then, when I discovered that scientists have developed a GPS tool that can tell you where your ancestors lived, not just hundreds, but thousands of years ago. The article – within Nature Communications – states that researchers have discovered an algorithm which accurately pinpoints your geographic origin using samples of your genetic data. The findings can be so precise, that the results can narrowing it down to the country, or, in some cases, even the area within a country. 
 



 

Knowing my family originated from France about a thousand years ago has often made me wonder how far back I could take it. Not in the biblical sense, but in an entirely familial setting. I’d love to know. Wouldn’t you with your family?

 

You see, using DNA to pinpoint where modern individuals originated has been somewhat limited up until now. Current biogeographically generated algorithms have a variance of up to 700 kilometers in Europe, and even worse, elsewhere.  

 

To develop a more precise test for genetic ancestry, a team led by Eran Elhaik from the University of Sheffield, UK, created the Geographical Population Structure algorithm. (Get it? GPS.)

It relies on genetic admixture, (the process that takes place when people from different populations marry and have children, creating new gene pools that represent a mixture of the founder pools). This happened more than you realize in history. Conquerors settled where they won their victories, started raising families, etc. Well, the resultant blend of traits can be used to gauge the distance from the original home. 

 

A quote by Elhaik stated, “What we have discovered is a way to find not where you were born, as you have that information on your passport, but where your DNA was formed up to 1,000 years ago by modeling these admixture processes.”

 

Elhaik’s team developed the admixture algorithm using genetic and geographical information from 54 participants recruited through the Genographic Project. And then they tested their GPS tool with 600 genetic samples composed of 98 global subpopulations. Using DNA sequences, GPS can accurately place individuals in their country of origin 83 percent of time. 

 

How good is that? Well when the data from 10 villages in Sardinia and 20 or so islands in Oceania was analyzed, the team was able to trace more than 25% of the Sardinians to their home village and most of the remaining participants within 50 kilometers of their village. For the subjects from Oceania, they were successful at pinpointing their island of origin 90% of the time.  

 

This is poignant news for me. Remember, I’ve discovered ancestors dating back a thousand years. Just imagine when we have the technology to travel back even further...

 

Now THAT will be a story worth telling

 

Information courtesy of Nature Communications. 

Augustus Thorne

 

The blood of fallen angels runs through his veins.

Is that a good thing?

 



 

Soon, the world will know.

 

Kiss of the Succubus...Coming soon.

Have You Met the Triton?

Being ex military, one of the duties I used to have to perform involved diving.

Now, as any diver will tell you, the training you have to undergo to qualify is as involved as it is lengthy.

 

Not only that, once you're trained, you then face the prospect of having to operate whilst managing a whole load of equipment AND cumbersome oxygen respirators.

 

But - not any more.
A South Korean designer, Jaebyun Yeon, has invented an ingenious device that will make cumbersome diving a thing of the past.

It's called...TRITON.

 

 

 

 

TRITON operates on the basis of what is termed - an artificial gill system.

First of all, it will extract oxygen from the water through a filter. Those filters come in the form of fine threads with holes which have been designed - specifically - to be smaller than an actual water molecule. Very clever!

Then, using a tiny, but powerful micro possessor, the TRITON compresses oxygen and stores it within a special storage tank.

When the wearer bites down, hey presto! breathable oxygen.

Simple and effective.

 

If you want to find out more - follow this link to My Science Academy:

http://myscienceacademy.org/2014/04/06/this-scuba-diving-mask-allows-divers-to-extract-oxygen-from-water/

The Forgotten Pharaoh

He everyone,

On my blog today, I’m highlighting the new release of a good friend of mine, Laura De Luca

 

Julie Gerber isn't thrilled to be pulled out of school her senior year to follow her parents halfway around the world to unearth a lost pyramid. However, when the cute British guy and the mysterious financier of their project both fight for her attention, things start to get interesting.

The pharaoh known as Djedefre was cursed for the murder of his eldest brother. The work of the archaeologists brings new secrets to light, ones that prove the fallen god-king wasn't the villain history had painted him to be. Can they prove his innocence?

As the team digs deeper into the mystery, members of the party vanish or end up dead. Someone is determined to keep the truth hidden at all costs, even 4,500 years later.

And – there’s a fantastic giveaway you can enter.

Just click on the link below to go to her website and enter.

Enjoy.

http://newagemama.blogspot.gr/  

The Dreaded Synopsis

 

Hello again.

This time around, I thought I’d write about something that appears to strike fear into the hearts of even the most experienced authors…the dreaded synopsis.

I have a new release coming out soon – Kiss of the Succubus – the second novel in the Cambion Journals series, so writing a synopsis is something very much on my mind.

For those of who are fans of the series, you will remember that book one, The Rage of Augustus, introduced us to our hero, Augustus Thorne. We found out a bit about him. His origins and history, what makes him tick, and so forth, and especially why he is so harsh with himself.

Augustus is a Cambion, a human/demon hybrid of stunning power and fiendish appetites who hates what he is with a vengeance. Despite his origins, Augustus has made great sacrifices to control his desires and has devoted his life to one cause. The destruction of as many demons as is possible.

In the first book we witnessed how successful he is at what he does. But we also saw the price of his success. A self imposed isolation that makes him crave what others have. The chance to meet someone. Settle down. Have a family. We shared in his pain when his only foray into romance ended in inevitable disaster, due to the machinations of his own spawn-father, Fanon, and the demon King, Samael.

(I won’t go into too much detail in case some of you haven’t read the story yet and are intrigued by the references and want to find out more. The links are in the side bar).

So – how to approach the synopsis of book two – or any book come to that?

I did a lot of research on this subject. Some of it I loved, while other suggestions made me cringe. To keep things simple, I’ll share my process with you, and you can take the bits you like from it.

The main thing I do now is a more thorough form of self editing. Once I’ve written a chapter, I check through it and jot down the relevant points each section of the story makes. By the time the first draft is completed, I have a précis of each chapter, in note form.

Then I complete my final check of the entire manuscript. As I go through it, I ensure my notes are correct, and add in extra details…such as main character development and how this relates to the plot/sub plot evolution.

Now I’m ready to do the synopsis. The story is fresh in my mind, and important facets are still to the fore.

The first thing I do is ask myself. So, what’s this tale about? How would I sum the main thrust of it up in a concept? Doing this gets my mind working in the right way for the next – and what I’ve found to be – crucial stage for a good synopsis. A tagline.

A tagline is a simple phrase – encapsulated in a sentence or two – that encompasses what your entire story is trying to relate to the reader.

For example, In Rage of Augustus, I thought of the tagline, “He fights where evil fears to tread.” For Kiss of the Succubus, “Hell hath no fury like a Cambion Scorned.”

Read those statements for a moment. What thoughts and images do they conjure in your mind? Do you see how the tagline acts as a focusing agent? Not just to the reader, but for you too.

 

So, armed with those ideas, I then type out my notes. As I do so, I highlight in red where the chapters support the tagline, and in blue where important character and plot developments take place.

Come the end of the compilation, I have a set of bullet points from which to choose my synopsis material. Obviously, you will then be influenced by what each publisher expects. Some, like Tor, require between 3 to 10 pages. Others, a mere 200 words or less.

By completing notes as I construct the story, I find it helps a great deal in producing a flexible synopsis at the end. That way, I have the luxury of being as detailed or as brief as the publisher prefers.

So there you go. It’s not rocket science, and it’s a simplified explanation of a process that works for me. I hope you find something in it that helps you.

By the way.
As I’ve mentioned Kiss of the Succubus, I’m glad to announce that next weekend will see a cover release of the new book, together with details of a grand prize draw giveaway. I know…As Darth Sidious would say, “I can feel your excitement all the way from Greece. Feed it, and become strong in the ways of the Cambion.”

Until next week, take care now.