It's been a little over a week since I finished Valley of the Dying Sun, sequel to The Rise of the Synija. I read VOTDS in about five days, and was so excited about how good it was! It needs a little polishing, but overall I'm happy with the way it turned out. Now it's time to put it away and let other people read through it and give me feedback.
Which gives me the time to turn my attention to the third book, Temple of Ten Thousand Bones (tentative title). But I'm finding a strange resistance to beginning a new book. It's as if I'm having difficulty letting go of my second book. It's been so long since I've worked on another book. I'm still in shock that it's finished. How do you move on to a new love, after loving this one for so long? Yes, it's still the same story. I imagined that I wouldn't be able to wait to write that first word on my third book in the Synija series. Yet, it's a threshold that I don't feel ready to cross.
Lately I've been contemplating the past and the future. It seems so many people want to change the past, but they accept that their future is set in stone. They are doomed to fail at their business, make their parents' mistakes, or be alone forever. Yet they obsess about past mistakes, wishing they could go back in time and change them. It is not the past we should want to change, but the future. And in order to change the future, we must accept the past.
This reminds me of starting on my third book. In order to move on with the story, I have to accept my second book- the past- as it is, and have the courage to move on. I did enjoy writing my second book, Valley of the Dying Sun. I could spend another decade trying to make it perfect, changing things and adding scenes, but the story would never progress.
I feel that everything has to be perfect before I can start my third book. As if there is some ceremony I must attend, some rite of passage. But in reality, right now is as good a time as any. And it's time to move on. Let the past be the past, and move forward into the future. Write the first word....
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Brainstorming Part II: Building characters and worlds
I thought as I began my third book that although I may need to create some new characters, my world was already created and I didn't have to go through that process. Wrong! I have discovered (much to my joy) that I have places in Drunair that my characters have not been and will be going in the third book. So it's back to the drawing board.
In Writer's Digest I once read that the way you know if your characters are truly alive is when they take over the story and do their own thing. At the time I thought the person who had written this had gone wacko, until it happened to me. While some may argue that I myself have lost my marbles, I have spoken to other authors who have experienced the same phenomena. No matter how much they want their story to go in one direction, it's not up to them. It's up to their characters.
You want your characters and world to come to LIFE! How do you do this? It's quite simple really. Get to know them. Ask these questions, and then answer them.
In Writer's Digest I once read that the way you know if your characters are truly alive is when they take over the story and do their own thing. At the time I thought the person who had written this had gone wacko, until it happened to me. While some may argue that I myself have lost my marbles, I have spoken to other authors who have experienced the same phenomena. No matter how much they want their story to go in one direction, it's not up to them. It's up to their characters.
You want your characters and world to come to LIFE! How do you do this? It's quite simple really. Get to know them. Ask these questions, and then answer them.
- What is your name?
- What is your quest?
- What is your favorite color?
- What do you look like? Hair color, eye color, body build, height, etc.
- What sort of clothes do you like to wear?
- How old are you?
- How many brothers and sisters do you have?
- What is your personality? Are you laid back, or a hot head?
- Do you have any weird quirks, such as a nervous tick?
- What do you do for a living?
- What are your interests/hobbies?
Pretend like you've just met your character at a social gathering and you are considering going marriage. You'd like to know everything about them. What is their darkest secret? Character flaws can be very interesting as well, to both you and the reader. Flaws make a character seem more human, and therefore more believable. Even if your character isn't human, a weakness is still important. No one is perfect, even elves and unicorns! Play up your character's flaws!
Ask similar questions for your world. How old is it? What does it look like? One or two moons? Or three or four? Keep an open mind. Because you are writing a fantasy novel, you don't have to follow the laws of this universe. For instance, my world of Drunair, is a flat planet, complete with an ends of the earth and everything.
When building a fantasy character or world, one of the most difficult challenges I face is seemingly the most simple of things. A name. If you name your fantasy character Mark, Josh, or Chris (no offense husband! His name is Chris) you're not really speaking fantasy to your readers anymore. With one common name, you've just brought your reader out of the beautiful fantasy world you've worked so hard to create, and back into our own world. Now that they're back on planet earth they remember "Oh yeah, I have bills to pay. Better go do that." Then they yawn and set down the book. NOOO!
Go to google and type in fantasy name generator. Or just fantasy names. Or Celtic names. Keep your ears and eyes open for interesting names. When you go to the grocery store find out the name of the cashier. They wear a name tag, and sometimes you can find some very unique names. Watch movie credits. And when you hear that awesome name but don't know what to do with it, keep a notebook or computer document of just names that you'd like to use. Then when you suddenly need a name you can pull up your list instead of having to stop your progress of writing.
As I said earlier, getting to know your characters and world brings them to life. So draw them! I'm certain that unless you have a physical handicap, everyone can at least draw stick figures. Draw them as detailed as you can, and then color them. If you do have a handicap, draw them in your head. Visualize them as clearly as if they were standing in front of you. Draw a map of your world and name as many places as you can. Find out the population of your world.
Be unique! Not every place on earth snows each winter and is sunny each summer. Drunair is somewhat of a sub-tropical climate. Again, you do not have to follow the laws of this universe. Make up a new climate if you want! But remember not to step over the line between fantasy and sci-fi... unless you want to.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Brainstorming part 1: Inspirational Sources
In an earlier post "Five Steps to Completing a Novel" I talk about the structure of brainstorming. Now I'm going to break it down into what I actually do.
Normally when I hear the word brainstorming, I think of someone sitting in a quiet place with a pen and paper and saying "I'd like to write a book. So I'm going to get some ideas." I have done this a few times, but honestly I don't get answers in those brainstorming sessions. I get questions.
So if inspiration does not come from sitting in your writing nook, where does it come from? You need an initial inspiration for your book(s). As much as I'd like to say my book just popped into my head one day, it didn't. Much of my story was influenced by other fantasy novels, video games, and movies. Dragon Lance, the Sword of Truth, and the Book of Three series were major influences. My biggest source of inspiration was the hit video game The Legend of Zelda.
Let me say now that there is a huge difference between inspiration and plagiarism. Inspiration is where you see something you like, and take your own flight from there. Plagiarism is where you see something you like and steal it completely, maybe changing a name here and there, but keeping the plot the same.
There is nothing wrong with being inspired by someone else's work. Mario didn't just pop into Shigeru Myamoto's head one day. He admits that Alice in Wonderland inspired him. She ate the cake and grew big; Mario eats mushrooms and grows big. While there are similarities, Mario and Alice are completely different, therefore Mario is not plagiarism.
I wanted to read a good fantasy novel, one that kept me up into the wee hours of the morning. I was very specific in what I wanted to read. I wanted a cool heroine, not a sissy damsel in distress. I wanted a magical sword that was THE sword. I wanted MAGIC in the book. I can't believe how many "fantasy" books I've read lately hardly have any magic! Sure, they heal someone once in a while, but most of the book is simply drama. I wanted spells, wizards, magical items and creatures. I wanted a love story with a happy ending.
Be specific in what you want your book to be about, what elements you want it to have, and what you do NOT want it to have.
As I brainstorm for my third book, I realize that it is not in that time set aside for thinking that I get ideas and answers. I have to immerse myself in my work, constantly have it in the back of my mind, so when inspiration strikes I recognize it. You might watch a movie that has nothing to do with your book, but from there it takes you to an entirely new place. If you're not paying attention though, you'll miss out. You might even be cooking dinner and an idea will come to you. Don't say "I'm just too busy to think about my book all day." You can be thinking while you're in your car, while you're eating, and while you're falling asleep. I get the best ideas just before I fall asleep.
You will find that as you immerse yourself in the brainstorming process, your ideas will become more original and frequent. When I was writing my first book I was so into my book that I started to dream about it, and got some amazing characters and scenes from my own dreams!
Stay focused and pay attention to the world around you. If it helps, keep a notebook handy so that you can jot down ideas when they come to you. If you follow the five steps properly, the majority of your inspiration will come to you before you ever write the first word. However, don't let the brainstorming stop there! Continue to listen to ideas, and you might just be surprised at how amazing your work ends up!
Normally when I hear the word brainstorming, I think of someone sitting in a quiet place with a pen and paper and saying "I'd like to write a book. So I'm going to get some ideas." I have done this a few times, but honestly I don't get answers in those brainstorming sessions. I get questions.
So if inspiration does not come from sitting in your writing nook, where does it come from? You need an initial inspiration for your book(s). As much as I'd like to say my book just popped into my head one day, it didn't. Much of my story was influenced by other fantasy novels, video games, and movies. Dragon Lance, the Sword of Truth, and the Book of Three series were major influences. My biggest source of inspiration was the hit video game The Legend of Zelda.
Let me say now that there is a huge difference between inspiration and plagiarism. Inspiration is where you see something you like, and take your own flight from there. Plagiarism is where you see something you like and steal it completely, maybe changing a name here and there, but keeping the plot the same.
There is nothing wrong with being inspired by someone else's work. Mario didn't just pop into Shigeru Myamoto's head one day. He admits that Alice in Wonderland inspired him. She ate the cake and grew big; Mario eats mushrooms and grows big. While there are similarities, Mario and Alice are completely different, therefore Mario is not plagiarism.
I wanted to read a good fantasy novel, one that kept me up into the wee hours of the morning. I was very specific in what I wanted to read. I wanted a cool heroine, not a sissy damsel in distress. I wanted a magical sword that was THE sword. I wanted MAGIC in the book. I can't believe how many "fantasy" books I've read lately hardly have any magic! Sure, they heal someone once in a while, but most of the book is simply drama. I wanted spells, wizards, magical items and creatures. I wanted a love story with a happy ending.
Be specific in what you want your book to be about, what elements you want it to have, and what you do NOT want it to have.
As I brainstorm for my third book, I realize that it is not in that time set aside for thinking that I get ideas and answers. I have to immerse myself in my work, constantly have it in the back of my mind, so when inspiration strikes I recognize it. You might watch a movie that has nothing to do with your book, but from there it takes you to an entirely new place. If you're not paying attention though, you'll miss out. You might even be cooking dinner and an idea will come to you. Don't say "I'm just too busy to think about my book all day." You can be thinking while you're in your car, while you're eating, and while you're falling asleep. I get the best ideas just before I fall asleep.
You will find that as you immerse yourself in the brainstorming process, your ideas will become more original and frequent. When I was writing my first book I was so into my book that I started to dream about it, and got some amazing characters and scenes from my own dreams!
Stay focused and pay attention to the world around you. If it helps, keep a notebook handy so that you can jot down ideas when they come to you. If you follow the five steps properly, the majority of your inspiration will come to you before you ever write the first word. However, don't let the brainstorming stop there! Continue to listen to ideas, and you might just be surprised at how amazing your work ends up!
Getting started on your fantasy novel; the most important step.
As I've said before, to better help you understand the writing process, this blog will follow me as I write the third book The Synija series. I will share my real life experiences in hope that you will learn from them. I will also explain the writing process, and give you examples of going through it.
I don't know how many times I've heard people say "I'd like to write a book someday... I actually have a pretty good idea for a character/villain/world, etc." But they never get around to it! They say when they get out of school, when they get a good job, when they get through this, after their kids are grown, when they retire....
Just DO it! Accept that writing a book will not be easy, but will be worth it! Set aside time each day, or if you are too busy for each day, even once a week is better than "some day" which is code for never.
While it's extremely important to outline your book, it is possible to outline too much. You can spend years trying to figure out every detail, but sometimes until you write the actual scene you won't know everything.
So let's get started together!
I don't know how many times I've heard people say "I'd like to write a book someday... I actually have a pretty good idea for a character/villain/world, etc." But they never get around to it! They say when they get out of school, when they get a good job, when they get through this, after their kids are grown, when they retire....
Just DO it! Accept that writing a book will not be easy, but will be worth it! Set aside time each day, or if you are too busy for each day, even once a week is better than "some day" which is code for never.
While it's extremely important to outline your book, it is possible to outline too much. You can spend years trying to figure out every detail, but sometimes until you write the actual scene you won't know everything.
So let's get started together!
The amazing feeling when your book is FINISHED!
Saturday, July 10th, 2010. Slept late, and then awoke refreshed. Breakfast. And then the writing commenced.
I wrote all day, stopping only to eat and use the bathroom. My husband prayed for me that morning, that I could have the words to finish my book. I didn't expect to finish that day, but suddenly the words just flowed out of my fingers, and I no longer felt as if I was writing my book, but was reading it! A hole opened up in my computer screen, through which I watched the last chapters of my book play out like a movie!
Suddenly I was on the last chapter. Chris (my husband) left to get these amazing cookies from Great American Cookie company, called Double Doozies. YUM! Our way of celebrating! He said I couldn't touch them though until I finished. He came home as I was writing the last two sentences.
And then I was finished! FINISHED! I couldn't believe it! TEN YEARS of work, finally complete! I was so excited I almost cried! At long last, I am at peace with the sequel to Rise of the Synija.
It was a beautiful ending. Tragic, moving, and victorious all at once! For a time I'd had doubts about the ending. Life had discouraged me, and I felt that my books were insignificant. I contemplated ending the story with my second book, rather than having five books as I originally had wanted. If I'd done so it would have ended with my main characters defeating the villain, but becoming separated in the process. Then they would have wasted away, alone and miserable, until finally, when they could bear life no longer, they died of old age. What a horrible ending!
But that didn't happen. My characters didn't want it to. So I find myself proceeding with my plans for five books.
VALLEY OF THE DYING SUN IS FINISHED!
I wrote all day, stopping only to eat and use the bathroom. My husband prayed for me that morning, that I could have the words to finish my book. I didn't expect to finish that day, but suddenly the words just flowed out of my fingers, and I no longer felt as if I was writing my book, but was reading it! A hole opened up in my computer screen, through which I watched the last chapters of my book play out like a movie!
Suddenly I was on the last chapter. Chris (my husband) left to get these amazing cookies from Great American Cookie company, called Double Doozies. YUM! Our way of celebrating! He said I couldn't touch them though until I finished. He came home as I was writing the last two sentences.
And then I was finished! FINISHED! I couldn't believe it! TEN YEARS of work, finally complete! I was so excited I almost cried! At long last, I am at peace with the sequel to Rise of the Synija.
It was a beautiful ending. Tragic, moving, and victorious all at once! For a time I'd had doubts about the ending. Life had discouraged me, and I felt that my books were insignificant. I contemplated ending the story with my second book, rather than having five books as I originally had wanted. If I'd done so it would have ended with my main characters defeating the villain, but becoming separated in the process. Then they would have wasted away, alone and miserable, until finally, when they could bear life no longer, they died of old age. What a horrible ending!
But that didn't happen. My characters didn't want it to. So I find myself proceeding with my plans for five books.
VALLEY OF THE DYING SUN IS FINISHED!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Overcoming Writer's Block Plan Worked!
So last week I was hit with unexpected writer's block when my characters decided they wanted to do something other than follow the outline. So I took a day to relax, read, and try to get inspired. (See Unexpected Writer's Block post for more details on the plan.) It worked! At the end of the day I decided to take a simple yet effective route. I'm not going to spend an entire chapter on this one random, however important, scene. Sometimes simple is the best solution.
The plan to demolish writer's block was successful. Hopefully I won't have to test it again any time soon!
The plan to demolish writer's block was successful. Hopefully I won't have to test it again any time soon!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Unexpected Writer's Block
I'm trying to stay on schedule for finishing Valley of the Dying Sun in a week. But I've been struck by some unexpected writer's block. I had everything all planned out and ready to go, but Devyn and Elayna (my main characters) decided they wanted to do some side thing. So now I have to plan that out before I can get on with the story and I don't know what to say! It's a good scene though, and needs to be in the book.
So to tackle this sudden lapse in inspiration, I'm taking a break today to stimulate my mind. If you sit there and dwell on it and get frustrated you'll only hinder yourself. Over the years I've found that different things sort of "loosen up" your mind, and make it easy to solve the problems of writer's block.
Reading is probably the best way to open your mind, as it works the right and left sides of your brain at the same time. My writing always improves when I'm reading a good book. Playing a musical instrument also works both sides of the brain, as does (believe it or not) playing video games, or simple word games. (Hooray for all you gamers out there!) Watching a good movie that has to do with your genre will also help inspire you. I've also found that exercise helps. It gets the blood flowing to your brain so you don't feel that dull, lethargic feeling that can create writer's block. Being in or near water is a good place for inspiration as well.
Today I'm going to go swimming, read this book my husband said was good, exercise later on and go to a meditation class. (I'm experimenting with the meditation... we'll see if it helps.) Then tonight I'm going to watch Lord of the Rings or some other fantasy flick while I eat dinner with my hubby. I'm also going to make sure I eat good "brain food." If your body doesn't have the proper nutrition it needs, it makes it very hard for your brain to focus on anything but the fact the the body is STARVING. So make sure a healthy diet is part of your writing routine. (I know as authors we are all disturbed and inclined to have some self-destructive vice, but trust me. That won't help your writing at all!)
I'll let you know tomorrow how my plan of tackling this WB goes. Wish me luck!
So to tackle this sudden lapse in inspiration, I'm taking a break today to stimulate my mind. If you sit there and dwell on it and get frustrated you'll only hinder yourself. Over the years I've found that different things sort of "loosen up" your mind, and make it easy to solve the problems of writer's block.
Reading is probably the best way to open your mind, as it works the right and left sides of your brain at the same time. My writing always improves when I'm reading a good book. Playing a musical instrument also works both sides of the brain, as does (believe it or not) playing video games, or simple word games. (Hooray for all you gamers out there!) Watching a good movie that has to do with your genre will also help inspire you. I've also found that exercise helps. It gets the blood flowing to your brain so you don't feel that dull, lethargic feeling that can create writer's block. Being in or near water is a good place for inspiration as well.
Today I'm going to go swimming, read this book my husband said was good, exercise later on and go to a meditation class. (I'm experimenting with the meditation... we'll see if it helps.) Then tonight I'm going to watch Lord of the Rings or some other fantasy flick while I eat dinner with my hubby. I'm also going to make sure I eat good "brain food." If your body doesn't have the proper nutrition it needs, it makes it very hard for your brain to focus on anything but the fact the the body is STARVING. So make sure a healthy diet is part of your writing routine. (I know as authors we are all disturbed and inclined to have some self-destructive vice, but trust me. That won't help your writing at all!)
I'll let you know tomorrow how my plan of tackling this WB goes. Wish me luck!
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