Ramping Up For The Big Game--er--Contest: Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers

Okay, things are finally getting back on track.

As I've mentioned before, I've been sick, my kid is teething, and my wife was hospitalized and needs gall bladder surgery early next month.

But otherwise things are on track--writing wise that is.

I've got a small time gig doing a blog for a BBQ catering company which doesn't take too much time, but provides a little pocket money.  My brother and I have been building up the One More Rewrite Podcast.  I get a little work here and there.  One of my bigger hopes comes in the form of a job I applied for but am still waiting to hear back if I made the cut.  I hope so.  I could use the money, it sounds like fun, and it would be a nice way to get my name out there.  So, what do I have on the agenda for April.

The Beginning of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Contest.

I hope you read that in a deep, echoed voice with lots of reverb.  Because that's how it sounds to me when I read it.  This is hands down, one of my favorite writing contests to prepare for.  In previous years I've thought about doing it.  I did a little leg work but didn't follow through.  There was always an excuse not to do it, always something that sounded like a reasonable argument for me not to do it.  Well, I am tired of being one of my biggest detractors.  This year I plan on submitting again.  I have managed to pull it off once before, get a draft in on time to enter.  I even paid the extra fees to get an evaluation of the work and see what else I needed to do with it.  There was some real beneficial feedback there, but I didn't get the polish I wanted in time.  The frustrating thing was that it seemed the three judges really liked the chapter I submitted, but because I had a bevy of grammatical errors, I did not make it as a finalist.  I got the sense that I could have made it had I given myself more time.  Had I just pushed myself rather than settling.

Well, that was years ago and I have been pushing myself harder ever since.  I will no longer settle for just a some nice compliments and a nudge that I need to do better on the basics.  I will get in as a finalist, at least I hope so.  I will not give up on hope until I get the manuscript back that says that I need more work.  Until that point, anything is possible.  If you are out here in Colorado or are interested in the writing contest  experience, take a gander at their site here:

If you are interested:

 http://rmfw.org/contest/

A word to fellow writers considering submitting for this or other such contests.  I can only speak for myself (obviously) but....

Having sprung for the extra bucks to have the evaluation of my manuscript, it was definitely worth it.  My world was not shattered, my heart was not crushed, and my dreams were not dashed by the pen marks and lengthy comments left by the judges.  I also don't want to say something arrogant or self-aggrandizing like, "It grew me so much as a writer," or "I've been enlightened by the experience," or some other horse-hockey meant to make me look like I've reached the next stage of pok-e'-lution for my particular pokemon type.  The comments were solid, they pointed out where I made mistakes (and not just in grammar) and I hope that I'm not too silly as to make the same plotting and characterization errors in the future.  I'd rather be nervous that I'm going to screw-up, and therefore pour over a creative writing piece again and again than spend time patting my own back over how well I adapted to criticism.

I will move forward with my creative writing, try to distance myself from it but still care for it as my own, proof read the final outcome, and then send it off while hoping and praying for the best.  Time to get the ball rolling on that first draft for my story.



Of course, this is when the self-doubt really begins...

Which Way to the Yelling Room?

Pressure provides an excellent motivator in almost all things.  You want to be pushed to do more, excel in what you can, and try your hardest in all you do.

At least until everything starts to pile up and you need to scream.

You know, to relieve tension and such.

Since college I have learned to not only work well under the pressure of a dozen things going on at once, but also learned how to thrive when it happens.  The upside was that even with getting sick (this was pre-transplant), long hours for school studies, and what I will term "wacky" scheduling from the management of my old retail job; I was getting things done.  I was working on my writing, doing the odd freelance job, and trying to keep up the cleanliness of my home.  The only downside, it seemed, was that things would come crashing down the minute I was hospitalized and too sick to work on projects.  Naturally, all the juggling balls don't juggle themselves, and the moment you step away everything falls apart.  However, nearly 5 years away from that liver transplant, and I realize that something else was happening during those years when I had so much going on.

I was getting hooked on having too much to do.

Odd thing to say, but I think it is possible to get addicted to having a full to the brim plate of ideas, projects, and chores to work on.  On the one hand, it keeps you from being lazy and you are forced to not waste time.  On the other hand, you never really have free time to relax, so you can get hyper stressed at the drop of a hat.  I have decided I would like the best of both worlds, please?

I need to have that pressure to keep me working, keep me on task, but not so much that I wish I had a third bedroom at home just so I could have protracted screaming sessions to alleviate stress.  What I want is knowing that I have things to do during the day, but at the end of the day have accomplished them for the most part.   Funny thing, this is more type A then type B.  I guess my type B tendecies come out in that I am always thinking of something new and exciting to do--but the type A side pops in and says it must be done by day's end or I've failed to get things done for the day.   I want to have a day where I don't feel rushed, but also don't feel like I could be a lump and just waste a few hours and not have it effect things.  (Barring vacations of course, because we all need time off.  I'm talking strictly the daily grind type stuff.)

So anywho, which way to the yelling room?  Because it would appear between a fantastic job opportunity (if I get it), personal projects with the Junk Journals, hoped for work from a revitalized CaptainKYSO, and my work on creative writing projects for my children's fantasy novels--I'm a little busy and have a full plate.

I guess last week was the right, wrong week to get sick.  But it's okay.  Because sometimes a bit of pressure, even extreme pressure, can be a good thing.

Five Fantasy Writing Tips

Maybe it's just me, but I feel like too often in today’s fantasy fiction writers seem so eager to press ahead in their particular “once upon a time…” that they neglect to keep the most simple of writing tools handy to keep my interest.  Just because we are reading or telling stories about barbarians does not mean that we have to end up sounding like one when we craft a tale, does it? Okay, maybe that sounds a bit stuck up, but it kinda bugs me when I try to read through something and find it lacking in ways that feel should have been caught on the first draft.  I'm not trying to ride a high horse about this, and I'm not going to pretend that I know every tip and trick that will help make a story unique. What follows are just a few rules that I try to follow when doing my own writing.  Not trying to sound stuck up, just thought I'd put this out there as part of the way that I go about things:

Some Do’s and Don'ts of Fantasy Writing

1. Don’t be afraid to use a baby book for character names:  How often have you picked up a fantasy book and found that the names of the characters seem to be a hodge-podge of vowels and consonants such as Aaora the Blind, or Nymirec the Ugly, or Sweaui the Witch?  Is there anything wrong with John, Alex, or Jennifer?  Even if these seem bland at first, you may end up liking them more than you own creations.  In addition to this, there are innumerable names in various languages.  Consider doing a little bit of library time to see the meanings of various names.  You may find that a simple sounding name has a powerful meaning or a different language translation that sounds more epic than just calling your hero "Timmy."
2. Do be aware of what are accepted norms of fantasy books:  When was the last time you saw a magician use a bow and arrow?  Has the mighty warrior been tender and compassionate?  Does the smart-alec thief turn out to be an elf?  Well all of these may be intriguing ideas for characters, sometimes it feels like writers are trying too hard to be different.  I need back story with that inventiveness, not "Oh, my magician can wield a bow.  Not to say people can't multitask, we do it all the time in real life.  As a reader I can be open to an elfin thief and bow-wielding magician, or the idea of  an overly compassionate warrior.  However, I won't warm up to these ideas and others if it feels like a cheat.  If you elf is a master thief simply because you needed some object to be in the hero's hands, you can't just sort of drop it in there.  It is sloppy and insulting, sorry, but it is.  Go to a local book store and skim through the fantasy section if you have any doubts or worries about what your characters are doing. 
3. Don’t get too complicated too quickly:  Readers are intelligent and wonderful people.  After all, they are going to be buying your books in the future, aren't they?  Well, your audience may be intelligent, but do not overload them with back story too early on.  A reader appreciates being led through your world as if it is a real place they could visit.  Tell them too much and they might be forcibly reminded of a history lesson.  Although you may have a wise, seemingly all-knowing magician, it won't help to have him explaining every facet of your world.  Let the readers wonder a bit, but don’t give them so much to wonder about that they lose interest in the particular story that you are telling.
4. Don’t use too much dues ex machine:  The aforementioned all knowing wizard cannot be all knowing.  There is no adventure and excitement without doubt.  Doubt in the hero, doubt in the fidelity of the woman, doubt in the lovable but sneaky rogue.  If there is no doubt in the reader’s mind that the story will end well (or sad depending on your story) then there is no thrill.  If the all knowing magician has too many answers, then the reader may look to him or her or whatever “it” that you have created that solves all the characters problems.  Maybe I just don't like my plot points to seem like handouts for the hero.  Granted, the magician could die, the seer could lose her powers and the magical item could be destroyed, but if these things are impervious in your story, then there is no doubt about how the story will end.
5. Do decide whether an action opening is best:  Some of today’s fiction writers seem insistant on getting people’s attention in a fantasy novel by opening with a battle scene.  This may sound good and natural and you may have an orc waiting by who is ready to swing their ax down on a peasant or a witch about to cast a terrible spell on an innocent princess.  However, if you excite your audience’s senses too much too quickly, then all following action will be like bad music after a particularly bold crescendo.  Whatever follows has to be highly intriguing, make us ask questions not out of confusion but out of curiosity.  If you start off exciting, but follow it up with tepid dialogue and pointless meandering then the battle was for nothing, so to speak.  If you want a great example of how to start with action and leave the reader wanting to know more about what is going on, then check out most of Louis L'mour's works.  Whether or not you are into the western genre, there's much to be learned there not only in terms of pacing, but on how to open with action and follow it up with something interesting and engaging.

In general, it is in the best interests of the writer to make their own decisions as to what is working and what is not working in a novel before submitting it for publication.  However, this does not mean that you should approach the process cold with no research at all.   It may very well be that Reynuk the barbarian will be accepted as a name, and that your landscape will be dotted with villainous werewolves who will be content with nothing less then the devouring of every man, woman, and child.  I guess though as a reader and a writer it would be nice to come on story that breathes new life into the fantasy genre with Red Weddings, sparkly vampires, or heartthrob werewolves.

But that's just me.

The Importance of Distraction While Being Creative

Crazy thought here, but I think it's important to have stuff going on around you while you are trying to get something creative done. Whether it's a sketch for tee shirt contest, outlining a story, painting a painting...or working on a blog.

Having distraction around you can be a good thing.  Whether it is a bit of too interesting music, a list of chores that you keep thinking about that needs doing, or a child that needs attention or whatever; having these things going on in the background can be helpful.  Now, I'm not advocating working in a full on hurricane, but what I am saying is that if you are doing something creative that requires a bit of concentration, having constant distractions can actually help you to grow in your creativity.

Between building up a movie podcast and blog with my brother, writing a kids book, trying to be diligent in getting content made for this blog, a gaming blog in the works, not to mention the freelance work I do here and there--things have been busy.  And the midst of that busyness there has been plenty of opportunity to learn this same lesson over and over and over again.  If you can't get the fun stuff done when the world seems to be blaring a trumpet in your ear, how can you be expected to do it in those craved for quiet moments?  And what if those moments never come?

You could spend all day pining for those perfect moments to be creative.  You might imagine yourself looking up from a drawing board, sketch pad, a notepad, or a laptop as you look out a window and think some grandiose thought about the human condition or what-have-you.  You pensively stroke your chin, knowing that a profound bit of artistry is on the verge of emerging from your ever fertile brain.  The only problem is that you've been waiting all day for this mythical moment and that bright, sunny light is a street lamp and the grandiose thought is actually you contemplating having a bowl of popcorn while binge watching something rather than working on the stuff you were planning on doing all day.  What's the point of trying after all, the best inspirational moments have passed.  They were gobbled up like so much else of your day.

The problem isn't really that you don't have the time though or that the "really good thoughts" have been used up for the day.  The problem is you didn't buckle down during the distracting parts.  Those awesome, chin-stroking moments were available to you all day long, you just had to not let the distractions win.

It's a constant struggle to get the ideal moment that we dream of. I'm not saying that they never happen, or that they are a rare thing.  What I am saying is that if you can't get yourself to thinking creatively, to be imaginative against the relentless press of the mundane--then how do you expect to have the discipline or ability to fully appreciate when the perfect moments do come along?  What will it matter to you if the sun is shining as you look out the window onto the most inspirational scene imaginable if that becomes the norm for your creative time?  Yes, we need to take full advantage when they come along, but we also need to be ready for the hard push that will come before those perfect moments.

I guess for myself I've started to learn to appreciate those moments a bit more and learned to push myself to be creative even when the world seems to be coming hectic and unglued.  If I hadn't started to learn to be creative during the distracting times, then the quiet moment like the one I am enjoying as I write this would seem less special to me.

Distraction is helpful.