Current Goings-On

I thought I should make a post about what I'm currently up to. I tend to get carried away with what I'm doing and then find I don't make time for updating others on what I'm doing through my blog posts. I'll try to do better with that in the weeks and months ahead.

First, I'm editing my novel. Currently, I'm adding an entirely new chapter to the beginning. A friend of mine who's reading a previous version suggested I start at a different point. I agreed that a preceding event to the existing novel would be a much better introduction of characters and help in establishing the overarching plot. The chapter is outlined, and I'm making my way through it.  I'll have to polish it up and then come up with a new hook for the novel; the current one won't work in the new setting.

I've also been working on a query letter, going through multiple drafts with feedback from others. I know from past experience that it takes me a while to form a proper query letter - condensing things down to 250 words in a way that hopefully entices agents to ask for pages. That's why I like to start the process in advance - one less thing to worry about when the novel is complete.

I wrote another short story that a friend is critiquing for me. This one is a science fiction story, and I'm trying out first-person present tense. I don't recall trying to do that before. It was years before I'd even try first person. The reason for the present tense is that I wanted the action to feel immediate - like readers are in the moment with the protagonist. I don't know if it works or not. But I like to try things with writing. I don't look at my strengths and think I'll only write to those (or write to hide my weaknesses). Instead, I look at the story I'm trying to convey and think about what it would take to properly convey it, even if it's something I've never tried before. That's not to say that I completely throw away anything I've learned over the years, but I don't want to stick with what's comfortable, or I'm limited in what I can tell. Or I end up telling stories the same way, which may not be the most fitting manner for a particular story. I enjoy learning new things and seeing what I can do, pressing my craft beyond where I thought I could take it. And yes, those first attempts at something new don't always turn out well, but I'm willing to take that risk. The worst that can happen is that a story isn't published. And by this point in my writing career, that's hardly anything to be concerned with.

I'm working on another Galaxy review for Black Gate. Normally I work on these during my lunch breaks, but I've had several working lunches this past week. Hopefully I'll complete the review next week, depending on my schedule.

During a recent trip to New York, I visited Strand Book Store. I had hoped to visit their top floor where the rare books are located, but it was closed when I arrived. I did, however, purchase a 1999 reprint of The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany.  He is a magnificent author.  He has a way of showing readers a world that you feel in your soul.  He goes beyond the simple description down into the depths of why you should care about something.  For example, it's not just a dawn but a song about dawn that you hear deep within; then you gasp because you not only see those rays of light and how they interplay with the landscape, but you feel the glow on your skin and smile at its warmth.

World Fantasy Convention 2016

I haven't attended the World Fantasy Convention since 2014, and I'm excited to be attending this year.  I'm looking forward to meeting with others, listening to panel discussions, and hearing author readings.  This year, I also signed up for my own reading:

"Jigo" features Katsu and Tsukiko from "Shadows in Sakamura".  In this tale, the two venture into Taiyomichi, a small village of simplistic, hard-working people.  Even when they find danger within the village, they can't imagine the true source until it's too late to escape.

What Am I Up To?

January is almost gone, but I thought I'd share some of my goings-on for 2016.

First, I'm editing one of my stories.  It wasn't a rewrite request.  I felt like I needed to tighten it up, though.  I reread part of it and found a propensity for tagging many pieces of dialogue (e.g. Mary said).  My reasoning at the time was to clearly identify the speaker, knowing that readers will skim over those pieces for the most part, anyway.

But I started reading other thoughts on the matter and realized that unless there are more complex scenes with multiple characters, the tags aren't needed at all.  It can just be dialogue that bounces between people, and it's just as easy to track.  For the occasional interjection that could be from anyone, add a tag.  I also permit the tag if I tack on an additional action.  For example: "I don't know what this stuff is," Dave said, wiping the slime from his fingers.

So I'm cleaning up a lot of dialogue tags, which in turn tightens the story up, allowing me to add more flesh to scenes that seem a bit too rushed. 

Once I'm finished with editing, I'll move back to the novel WIP.  I'm still working through the rough draft, and it will take time to complete.  Then comes the editing.  There's a lot to think through with this, and while I've planned most (if not all) high-level points, there is also a lot to think through at the granular level.

Two of my short stories are being held for consideration by editors.  I had mentioned a rewrite request in Twitter last year, and that's one of them.  I don't like giving details beyond that.  But if either turn into a sale, I'll certainly say more.

Something odd I've noticed recently: I can't write to music anymore.  I find myself thinking very hard while writing, and for the past couple of years, I just can't write to music.  It distracts me too much.  I don't think it's old age since I'm still in my thirties, but if something (technique, music, etc.) interferes with my process, then it has to go.

Currently, I'm reading issues of Galaxy Science Fiction.  Sometimes I'll read from Fantasy & Science Fiction, too, but I'm very far behind the current issue.  I also finished the Naruto manga series.  I love Naruto, but I'm glad it had an ending.  I think all great stories need a beginning, middle, and ending, even if the story spans multiple books and takes years to tell.  But if something just goes on and on, I think there's something lacking.  There should always be an end-game, and the story should be heading toward it, regardless of how meandering that path may be.