Meet David McKinley

He is clan laird and unlikely hero, but I'll let him tell you what he thinks about things.

My name is David McKinley. Actually, there's more to it but first and last is enough. When my father died a few years ago, I became laird of this branch of the clan and from what I've been told, I'm next in line for clan chieftain since the current chieftain has no heirs. I'm not particularly looking forward to the promotion--if you can call it that--since it will mean being out in public more. I know it would be an honor but given my penchant for privacy...well... The job is not a problem at the moment.

I'm not the sort of man who enjoys being in the public eye. That's why I have a personal assistant, to take care of all that 'public' stuff for me. I do have business meetings and make frequent trips, but I deal strictly with people I've known most of my life. I trust them implicitly. As to the rest of it...

Bonnie-Jean Russell has been my personal assistant almost as long as I've been laird and still, there's little I know about her beyond her abilities to handle her job. Never have I seen a more efficient assistant. She not only keeps track of my itinerary but she keeps the castle tourism business running smoothly. (She has a knack for catching me leaving and manages to cajole me into take pictures with tourists. She says it's good for business. I might question that.) I don't know how she does it but--she does. To my knowledge she has yet to confront a problem she can't solve. I have great admiration for the woman and I know if I'm not careful, said admiration could become something more. And that is a fate I should avoid for all I'm worth because I know it would change my life drastically. I like things just as they are.

At the moment, my dear assistant is looking into a clan...legend...if you will. It's something to do with a pouch of gemstones. Frankly I don't believe the tale but what she does in her spare time is her own business. I do have this nagging feeling that her curiosity is going to have an impact on some things around here.

 I leave it to Bonnie-Jean to relate the tale of whatever she discovers. She's best at that and appears to be on good terms with Marissa. I just hope the whole business doesn't require much involvement on my part. www.spellbynder.webs.com/mckinleysjewel

How Words Count

1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4   Words counting? Sounds silly but it got your attention, right? 

The big question is: What's so important about counting them? There are lots of ways to count them -- or not. When you check out publishers' guidelines, each imprint lets you know the range of words acceptable for that particular genre. Some are more generous than others. If it weren't for that guideline and setting some kind of limits many of us could go on forever. (That's when planning a series is a good idea) Then there are others of us who look at that minimum needed and groan because we have a hard time reaching it.

Take my writing for example... When I was eight or ten years old, my dad taught me how to write like a journalist. You answered the who/what/when/where/why/how with as few words as possible. You got directly to the point. Many years later, while I'm grateful for the basics he taught me, I find it difficult to write fiction. Sufficient detail often eludes me but I can write a good story without getting wordy and that makes it easier when writing contest entries. When it comes time to start editing the work, I can add in more detail, lengthening the work and making it a bit more interesting.

I've found ways to increase how much I can write. A couple years ago I was introduced to the concept of "sprinting."  As my son would say, 'it's the best thing since sliced bread.' Sprinting helps me focus on what I'm trying to accomplish at the time and I find myself much happier at the end of a day of sprinting because my word count is higher than usual. The last few months, counting words (so glad Word can do that little job for me) has shown a vast improvement on what I've accomplished. Looking back on a year ago I see a big difference.

Then there's the NaNo challenge. For anyone not familiar with it, November is National Novel Writers Month (NaNoWriMo) and about the greatest challenge a writer can embark on. The goal is to write 50K, a complete manuscript, in the space of thirty days. That's a little less than 1700 words a day. I know it sounds like a daunting challenge, but if you can keep yourself from going back and editing (you get to do that in December) your work from the day before, you actually have a very good chance of making the goal. I haven't done it yet, and I've taken the challenge the last three years but I have a very good feeling for this year. Every day that I write, I keep a tally and smile when I see the total increase.

There are lots of ways you can challenge yourself to write more. All you need is a bit of imagination, perhaps reward yourself at the end of the day for a job well done. Over time you'll find yourself writing more at every session.

To paraphrase Elizabeth Barrett Browning...

How do I write thee?  Let me count the words...

Watching Our Language

As a reader and writer we're all aware of the constant flux in language. Words change meaning, new expressions crop up and sneak into every day speech. Sometimes it's difficult to understand the younger generation since they seem to have a language all their own. But that isn't the language I'm talking about.

The language I'm referring to is that of four-letter words. (I don't mean words like 'work' or 'snow' although a lot of folks will look at them that way.) The nasty kind seem to be cropping up more and more within the written word. Are they truly necessary or is there a better way?

Male writers are more apt to use the language in their work. I don't know what the reasoning is behind that but I can think of better ways to get a point across. Female authors have a tendency to stay away from such words, especially when writing romance. While their use is to emphasize strong emotion, wouldn't it be better to 'show' rather than 'tell' in these situations? I'd rather see a heroine throw a vase at the hero's head and miss, or have the hero punch a wall and end up shaking out the pain. Something like that you can get over. Words, once said, can do damage forever, and could spoil an otherwise good story.

A couple years ago I was reading the lastest work of one of my favorite authors when I came across the 'f' word. It was a first, and needless to say, I was quite disappointed. Her stature as a writer became slightly tarnished. I admit, I'm old school when it comes to some things and using that logic, to me, an author loses some respect for themselves as well as their followers. We want to entertain our readers, help them be able to suspend disbelief. How can we do that if we use base street talk to get a point across? The English language is infinite and with a bit of research and a good thesaurus there's no reason why we can't get avoid lowering our standards.

Before you grab your torches and come running please keep in mind this is only my humble opinion. But I would love to hear your comments on the subject.

The Dig Goes On...

A few months ago I wrote a blog about the changes going on near my home. Trees were chopped down (they weren't very big to begin with) shrubs were pulled up and railroad tracks were removed. Also removed was tons of dirt which were placed in a lot just north of us. Neighbors on the north side of the building had a perfect view of the thirty foot high mounds of dirt. It was like watching a child play with a toy bulldozer, setting it on top to flatten out the soil.

Eventually workers took a crany-type jackhammer and broke down a concrete wall facing the street. I remember looking at that wall as a child. Now the wall was cracked and crumbling with chunks of concrete missing. It wasn't long before a huge crane was setting into place sections of pre-made concrete slabs. When they were all in place and the inside of the wall painted black (to seal it agains collected moisture) and a marker of sorts for depth.

The dump trucks began making return trips bringing back all the dirt they had so carefully hauled out. I watched them pile it up again to fill in the area they had cleared out months earlier. Most of it is up to the edge of the black paint on the inner wall. Closer to the corner, the earth has been carefully packed until it's high enough and stable.

Once all that was accomplished, the trestle was brought in in pieces and put into place to bridge the street. I've been watching the men make sure all the parts are lined up properly before welding everything together. A couple of cranes that were brought in for the job must reach a height of fifty feet from the ground. One crane was turned just right and reminded me of a very tall giraffe with a very long neck.

I don't know how much they have left to do but I do know the train station is going to be where all those tons of dirt rested for a while. The whole process has been, and still is, fascinating but I can hear you asking...What does this have to do with writing?

It has more to do with revamping old stories. Sometimes we write things, aren't happy with them and just tuck them away somewhere to be forgotten. Eventually we think about it again, pull it out and make plans to tear down and rebuild. Hopefully, the rebuilding process is worth the effort. When my commuter train (not mine really...belongs to the state and federal goverments) is an expensive deal and the funding may be hard to get at times, our old project is paid for in the time we invest in it. The original ideas are, hopefully, sound and will succeed with updating. The trestle is the bridge between scenes without which the story would collapse. We are the cranes, moving scenes here and there until every one is in its proper place...and sometimes that requires a great deal of work.

I can look down the street just south of here and see how much the view has changed. It's nothing like it once was. The same goes for the story. You can keep the basic ideas intact but it might take major changes for it to succeed and go where you want it to. But when you've finished, you can look back and say, "Job well done."

What Goes There?

I love paranormal stories. Things that go bump in the night can be so much fun or tension building. When you think about it, creatures like vampires, were-animals and such have changed remendously in the last few years. Vampires don't react to garlic (they find that more amusing than anything else). Most aren't bothered by holy water but they'd prefer to avoid it than take a chance on its caustic effects. As to sunlight, many are able to adapt ... very carefully. Take the TV show Moonlight for instance. That was one vampire who could take sunlight in limited doses. And when it came time to sleep? No coffin for him. He preferred a freezer. Must have been nice on those hot summer nights.

Stories like that get my imagination whirling and simmering. An idea here, another one there, and pretty soon a story comes together. That's pretty much how the Lady In Black was created.

I'd had some ideas for contest entries, but when they didn't fit the agenda I let the characters go where they wished and I followed their lead. As a result I came up with a collection of paranormal short stories accompanied by a couple flash fiction. In the title story, several men are cursed for assaulting the heroine's brother. What happens when the hero tries to get the curse removed from his best friend?

Then there's the young baron of a small village, a devil-may-care sort of character who becomes fascinated by the innkeeper's daughter and watches her grow up. Will his love for her always be unrequited? What is there about the man that keeps him from speaking up?

Ever wonder just how angry a person can become when they discover their lover has been cheating on them? Temper, Temper... is the near ultimate in revenge.

There are more ideas rattling around in the ol' brain pan looking for a place to settle. In the meantime, the Lady In Black would love the pleasure of your company.

Crossing the Line

Once upon a time when writers took up pen and ink they began writing simple stories. They wrote adventure. They indulged in mystery. Labored over romance, dabbled with ghosts and challenged the gods.

Gradually they became more daring and began to push for more. The cowboy who rode off into the sunset after rescuing the heroine was more willing to stick around. The bloodthirsty vampire became more likeable when he controlled his need. Some even became more human in their behavior. Romance found its way into almost every plot. The hero and heroine were more likely to have a future together.

In the last few years the idea of a simple plot has all but disappeared, and stories have become more complicated. For the most part that's good since it not only allows 'art [to] imitate life' but it encourages more complex story lines. When I first began reading romance, I found them so boring. The heroine had nothing more on her mind but plots to catch the hero. Eventually that changed and leading ladies grew up. They finally learned that having a man in their life wasn't the all important thing. In fact, some of them realized they didn't need a man around, that a dreamed of career was more important. Bedroom scenes used to be rare but gradually played a larger part in the story. In some cases there are more bedroom scenes then there is plot.

With the arrival of electronic publishing, the rules have relaxed to the point where almost anything goes. They encourage writers to push the envelope and take writing further than it has ever gone. Don't get me wrong, there are good publishers and talented writers out there who will draw the line on what they'll offer and accept. Others in the business encourage and welcome extreme challenges and are willing to promote the work. There are many writers out there who will dare to go further in crossing the line to get publishers' attention.

I understand about competition becoming greater, but I'm just putting into words what's been on my mind for some time. My concern is where we're headed as an industry. As authors there is one big question looming before us... How far are we willing to go? Is there a line we would refuse to cross? I suppose it comes down to what each author is comfortable with writing, but if the current generation of writers is willing to push the sex and violence as far and hard as they can, where does it leave future writers? We can only wonder how much further they'd be willing to go.

Breaking Out

Although I began writing as a youngster, I didn't take it seriously until about twelve years ago. At that time, another author told me it took on average some ten years to pay your dues and find your "break-out" book. To me that was acceptable since nothing comes easily. If it's worth having, it's worth doing well.

Those ten years have come and gone. I've had several books published with electronic publishers but I have yet to find that one elusive story that would make a difference.

Just what is a "break-out" book?

It's one story into which a writer pours their heart and soul and comes out with something readers will have a hard time putting down. It's a story readers highly recommend, talk about with their friends and want to reread.

I can think of a couple authors who fit that description with their first foray into the publishing world. Outlander by Diane Gabaldon, was never meant to see the light of day, never mind print. Her books are read world-wide and still finding new markets. J.K. Rowling is another author who made it big with Harry Potter, a young adult series that got kids reading and inspired other author to write magical tales.

Break-out books are all elusive and an author never knows where or when they might end up with one. Then there are authors who might never find that one book that could catapult them to fame. Until it happens we keep working, improving our craft, and looking for the best ways to promote our work while we meet other struggling writers following the same dream.

Many years ago, a well-known comedian had a signature line he used in reference to the jokes he told. He always said, "I got a million of 'em." The same could apply to writers and the number of story ideas they have. Just think of all the fun, love of craft (and hard work) going into our creative effort.

Who knows...maybe one of those plots you've been playing around with might be just the ticket to writing a break-out book and making a name for yourself.

until then...