ORB - Love It Or Hate It

Every writer knows you have to do at least some research to produce a good story. I admit, I'm not big on that part of the process but I won't deny the truth of it.

I don't do outlines. Back in grade school we were taught how to outline. It was an interesting challenge, learning how to pick out all the relevant points of a topic and put them in outline form. From there you were expected to write a paper. That was all well and good, until we were expected to outline everything. I mean every subject required it. I got to the point where, even to this day, the idea of writing outlines makes me shudder with revulsion.

Writing an outline says you know what your writing project is about. The closest I come to it now, is to write a bunch of questions. In a way, I envy those writers who know exactly what they want to write and can go to it, start to finish. That takes us to the next step of research. Research, supposedly, should be done at the beginning of a project. You can't research something if you don't know what you want or what you're looking for. You have to have some starting point for information, some sense of direction. I have neither.

I'm a seat-of-the-pants/patchwork writer. When I'm ready to start a writing project, I have no idea where I'm going with it. I get the inkling of an idea ... a statement, a line of dialogue, something that has no context whatsoever. It's allowed to flow on its own for a while, like a few drops of dye added to a patch of oil. It doesn't mix but it can form some interesting patterns. At some point it's going to start working together. That's what happens to my ideas. Writing a half dozen or so scenes that appear  to have no relevance to one another can be a challenge. After all, where's the theme, the point of writing anything at all, the connection to make it all work? It's the kind of challenge I like.

What I don't like about research is the way it can be distracting. You look up a date, an event, a mini-bio of a particular person. One thing leads to another then another, and before you know it, you're out on a research limb. What you end up looking at/reading might have nothing whatsoever to do with what you started out researching. While it may be fun, and interesting, it's a definite distraction ... unless you found a way to use the unexpected info. On that note, there have been times when the off-beat info was more helpful than the original idea. At some point a scene or two will develop to give more authenticity to whatever is shaping up.

So what do you do with a bunch of scenes that appear to have no relevance to one another? You try to put them in the most logical order. Believe me, the order doesn't always work. I've been known to shuffle around scenes like puzzle pieces. You keep moving them into one place or another until the fit works.  Once that's done, then the bridge building begins. That can be fun.

Bridges are structures meant to connect places and things. By taking certain elements from one scene and elaborating on them a bit more I can segue them into the next. Maybe the bridge has a small plank missing to create a sense of mystery or expectation. As long as the rest of the bridge is solid, it can work. I know, it's only as strong as its weakest plank but hopefully it'll dare you to keep going. When the bridges are built, the initial journey is complete.

And there you have it. ORB. Outline/Research/Bridges.  While we love it or hate it, its worth will vary from one writer to the next. We can't completely do without it.

Not Only Typos...

I was just reading a blog by Elaine Viets (it's posted on www.killzoneauthors.blogspot.com ) and I have to agree with her. I've been a copyeditor for over twelve years, and yes, typos aren't easy to pick out. It takes going over your work several times to find all those little mistakes and even then there's a tendency to miss things like 'ot' instead of 'to'. Transposing letters isn't the only problem missed. There's another problem I've noticed that I haven't heard any comments about.

That's the tendency to leave out words.

Like most writers, I read. A lot. Realizing there are words missing irks me to no end. Too many times I've had to go back and reread a sentence before it makes sense. That can pull you right out of the story. Not good. Again, it's the little words like 'going the store' or 'jumping conclusions'. It isn't always 'to' that's left out. There are other words that get dropped and I have to wonder why.

At first I thought it might be a print typo. Those are bound to happen no matter how many times you go over a manuscript. It almost seems as if some words are left out to avoid hyphenating a word at the end of a line. (When was the last time you saw a hyphen at the end of a line?) Or the words are stretched out on a line so they fit margin to margin. Okay, so maybe you need a shorter word in the sentence to avoid the hyphen, or maybe a couple longer words will keep that last word in one piece or send it to the next line while preventing spaces from becoming elongated.

I realize there are set margins when it comes to print but wouldn't it be better to find another word to fit the sentence/space? Think of it as a vocabulary challenge ... a word builder. A brain game. Stretch your imagination to come up with different ways to say what you want so it fits the print set-up and keeps the work intact.

The challenge can help us keep going as writers, but it can also keep readers coming back for more.

Meet My New Heroine

My name is Topaz McAllister. Ever since I was quite young, I've worked by my father's side, learning all I can to run the ranch. Pa was never blessed with a son to take over and of his three daughters, I'm the only one who wants to carry on his legacy.

Well, maybe not the only one. My half-sister Emma has her own dreams and with some careful planning, they could come true. I intend to do what I can to help her, but the time isn't yet right.  Pa doesn't think it's a good idea while Victoria, Emma's mother, is determined Emma should be a fine lady. If she only knew...

We've had a few hot days and today is the worst. Being out in the open the sun beats down on you relentlessly. The water in my canteen is warm and tastes terrible but I can't go without. Now that I'm thinking about it I know of a place that is pleasantly cool. A place only one other person knows about since he's the one who discovered it.

After all these years I still kind of miss Jesse but at the same time I still feel angry when I think about him. We were thick as thieves but about ten years ago he left the ranch and never came back. I'm not sure I could forgive him for leaving without saying goodbye. That doesn't matter now. Maybe someday I'll be able to think about him and smile at the memories.

Just up ahead I can hear water rushing and roaring. There's a waterfall that gives off a fine spray and it feels so good on hot days. Don't get me wrong, the ranch hands know about this place, but they don't know what's beyond it. I do.

There's a pathway made of stones that disappear in the pounding water. The foam makes the stones slippery and you have to be very careful. You could slip and fall, and drown before you even knew what was happening. My cow pony is close enough to the water to get a drink and there's plenty of grass to chomp on. I can trust him not to go anywhere. In the meantime, I'm taking that slippery path to a cooler spot.

You learn to respect the fall and the power it holds. Moving carefully I step along the stones until I can squeeze behind the watery curtain to the small cave it hides. There's an immediate difference in the temperature. It must be a good twenty degrees cooler in here. The fact that it's dark helps too. The earth is slightly damp but it feels good as well. There's a pool of water a little further back and it's cold enough to ease a parched throat. After I take a drink and fill my canteen I breathe a deep sigh of contentment and relax.

I can't believe I dozed off like that. From the angle of the sun it must be late afternoon. I hate to leave this cool cave to go back into the heat, but there's no help for it. There's work to be finished. I have to admit I feel much better having spent some time here. One of these days I'll have to come back to re-explore the secrets of this place. Who knows, maybe a few of the dreams I've had here will come true.

How Bad Can It Get?

I realize summer isn't the greatest time to look for something to watch on television. Sure you might be able to catch an episode you missed of your favorite show. (I always manage to catch the ones I've already seen).

The last few years, many summer reruns have been replaced by short season shows that don't make the fall schedule. And some of those shows have run successfully for a few seasons, like The Closer which went off the air when Kyra Sedgewick decided it was time to move on. Her show was  replaced by its spinoff, Major Crimes (which IMHO is just as good). There are other good shows that have short seasons you wish they were longer. But that isn't my point here.

My point is made-for-TV movies. Last night there wasn't much worth watching so  TV viewing was switched over to the SyFy channel. Sharknado??? Okay, something in the line of disaster movies I hadn't yet seen. I'm usually willing to give a new title a shot.

Somebody should have shot it. Actually they did. The heroine was able to blow the heads off a couple of the big guys. (They were man eaters so what did she have to worry about <snicker>) These huge fish are transported throughout Los Angeles by means of a tornado? (Come on guys, hop on board. There's a huge buffet just waiting for us in LA).  In the meantime they're swimming around pools, sewer systems and flooded streets waiting for the next hapless snack.

I don't mind an occasional dumb movie but this one was the dumbest I have ever seen. Is there anything Hollywood hasn't yet done with sharks, crocs, piranhas and snakes? Either they need some new writers or they need writers who can come up with something that's a bit more thought provoking. Viewers (at least this viewer) wants to be entertained and occasionally challenged (with a good action, suspense or thriller) A good science-fiction would be nice, as long as it makes some sense and lets you ask "What if?"

For some years there's been a problem referred to as 'dumbing down America' in which the reading levels have been lowered and the challenge of reading is disappearing. It seems like the quality of many movies is following the same road. They really don't give us anything to think about. Watch it and forget it. If that's how it is, why bother?

Is there something to be done about it? I have no idea since there are so few complaints. In the meantime, I'll just go back to reading my suspense novels and watching "classic" movies.

Where'd The Time Go???

Hard to believe that half the year is gone. It seems as if only yesterday I was setting goals for the year. Now that I look back at the last six months I find  I'm far from a half-way point in getting done what I set out to do.

I know you have to make allowances for things to happen. That's how life is. In some cases I like to invoke Murphy's Law. You know the one that states if something can go wrong, you can count on it happening. Well, that's the gist of it, anyway. Murphy seems to enjoy taking his vacation time here but I think he's long past due to get the boot. If only he would stop being elusive long enough to allow me to do the deed. Then maybe something would get finished around here. I'd rather be yelled at by unhappy characters than have to deal with unwanted shenanigans or unhappy events.

Summer is the season when I get the least done.  I'd rather have dry heat than live with humidity. This is the time when I feel as if my brain has gone to mush...or water-logged. Every day that passes is a day closer to more comfortable weather and productive time. I can't say I don't get anything done, because I do accomplish some things. When I can't sleep because of the muggies I sometimes pull out a craft project and work on it for a while. (I've got a half dozen lap afghans done). Come autumn I expect to be starting a new project -- a quilt for a wedding gift.

In the meantime, I let those pesky characters have their say, hoping they'll come up with something interesting. I've been waiting ten years for one in particular to speak up and he's finally decided to open his mouth. Slowly, but surely he's voicing his frustration over his situation, or rather, the lack of action on the part of others. (Who knows? Maybe Murphy has been harassing him as well) I suppose the lack of verbalizing from the others means they're about as mushed brain as I am.

At least I have another six months to put together their hopes, dreams and frustrations. Who knows... maybe by the end of the year I'll have at least caught up on my goals. And if there is any justice, Murphy will be gone and leave us in peace.
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Here's a sneak peek to "Lady of My Heart".  It follows "To Every Love There Is a Season."

Since I cannot have one daughter, I will take the other. To come after us will guarantee her death.

The words kept going round and round in the stable boy's head, like a cart whell on a rutted road -- hard and pitiless. Geoffrey tried to push them out of his mind, push away the anger that accompanied them. There was no question as to who had abducted the duke's younger daughter. The problem was no one could find them. That  fact alone rekindled Geoffrey's temper. Why had no one heard the least bit of gossip? Why could no one find even a single hint of where Lady Katherine might have been or where she might be going? After all, Nicholas would never consider traveling without a dozen soldiers for protection. He could defend himself, inadequately, but nothing more. And to keep Kitty from trying to escape from him? No, Nicholas would depend on others to do what he should be able to do himself.

Or would he?

 

Here, There Be Dragons

Actually, that should be dragon, singular and there is one here. It still has a mind of its own.

Some months ago, there was a thread going on about the pros and cons of using a speech program to get some writing done. I already had the tenth edition but hadn't made sufficient use of it to be able to judge how well it worked. Then one day I put it aside and forgot about it... until recently.

Sometimes I wondered  why I upgraded it to Version 11. Granted, there was a special offer and I told myself I should put it to work. Of course, I didn't listen to me. I seldom do.

Earlier this week I brought it out again, determined to get the hang of the program and make good use of it. The hype says your word productivity will increase, and that it has. What I got done, so far, in a couple hours, is what usually takes me all afternoon to accomplish. I still have plenty of time to work on another file.

While I'm dictating to the little critter I find words popping onto the screen that have nothing whatsoever to do with the story and sound nothing like what I said. (try not to breathe into the mic. it may very well show up on the screen as a string of "him"s.) A fun lesson is teaching the dragon to clean up after itself. Unwanted words can be a mess. Then there's the "Please say that again" that appears on the screen in a little box. It makes me wonder if the little beast is hard of hearing because when it asks that, I haven't said anything.  Maybe it hasn't yet learned patience.

And maybe it's a matter of both of us needing to be trained to work together. You know how that goes... The ad may say you can train it to recognize your voice, but like a real pet, it has a mind of its  own. It's going to insist on doing its own thing and get you to follow. That's okay. I've always imagined having a pet dragon.

Break time has been more than sufficient for a snack and drink so I should get back to teaching little Drago a new trick. And, by the way... if you should just happen to see any scorch marks, you'll know the lesson hasn't gone very well.

Are We Sending Bad Messages?

A few days ago Disney announced they had changed the appearance of their latest female character, Merida, and showed a side-by-side makeover.

Now, when they first introduced this gal in the animated movie, Brave, she was feisty, not willing to settle into a typical female role. Her attitude was "someday, but not now." You have to admire the gal for wanting to find her own path at least for a while. She didn't feel the need for a Prince Charming in her life.

The controversy over the change is a valid one. The 'new' Merida is older, more mature, and appears sexy and sophisticated. Is this the kind of message we want to give our daughters...that sexy and sophisticated are the only things worth pursuing? It takes away from the individual and denies girls the right to be themselves.  (It doesn't mean boys aren't faced with similar challenges.) This kind of 'indoctrination' begins in early childhood.

Toddlers and tiaras? The first five years is when kids should be learning to play and get along with others their age, making friends. Instead, they're being taught to compete. Is this what we want for our kids? Our grandkids? The first five years of a child's life is when their personality is set. By the time they begin school, there's little if anything, to be done about the person they've become.

The first five years are the most important when it comes to kids beginning to discover who they are. We should be nurturing that process, encouraging their interests and ensuring they don't move onto a false turn or wrong path.  There's a big difference between nurturing and molding, and sometimes, as a parent, it's hard to know the difference.  We try to mold them with values so they can grow up to be good people. But we also want to encourage some individuality. We're not cut with cookie cutters. Neither should our kids be expected to fit certain molds.

There isn't much we can do about perceptions of the world in general. We can only deal with our small personal worlds and the little ones who populate it. When my boys were small I often heard, "I can't wait till I grow up." My response to them? "Don't be in a hurry. Enjoy being a kid as long as you can because once you grow up, you're a grownup for the rest of your life."

 

As to Merida, granted she's an animated character but even she can wield a great deal of influence on our young. I like the first message she sends: Be yourself. Explore your interests and discover who you are and what you're good at. Responsibility will come soon enough.


Get lost in the mists of time.