Life's Short

So write a short!

We all know there are millions of writers, each with their unique style. However, there are specific types of writers. Not all of these writers are the same, but they fall into the same category. I can't tell you how many times I've seen writers try to fit themselves into a category when they should be somewhere else.

What am I talking about? Novelist, short story writers, poets, journalists, bloggers...

This is not to say poets can't write novels and journalists can't write short stories! absolutely not! You could be all of these, or none of these... Enough about that, let's focus!

The first type of writing I want to focus on is the short story.

Not everyone can write short stories. They seem easy at first, but when you get down to it they can be even harder than a novel. A Short Story is usually around 10,000 words. If you've ever written a novel, those are usually the easiest words to write. By 10,000 words you can still have the energy found in starting a new story. The difference is, you have to end it. This is what I love about short stories. You can write on in a month and be done. Finishing a short story gives you you a sense of accomplishment: I actually CAN finish something! Which gives enough energy to start writing again. Short Stories are a great way to jump start your muse after you leave it lonely for too long. (This last sentence is causing me intense glares from Shayde... sorry buddy).

What makes a successful short story? The same thing that makes a successful novel, just modified a bit!

Characters

Unlike a Novel, short stories can't be character rich. If you have too many characters, you either confuse the reader, or spend too much time on whose who and never develop a good plot. Anywhere from one to three characters should be enough. Not saying you can't have other people, just not characters you spend a lot of time on. If you have two characters that are just there to serve a purpose, maybe they can be combined into one. Why can't the neighbor with the cute dog also be the friend who give the main character a ride?


Setting

Setting can be a little more difficult. Just like any good writing, you want to show the reader what is happening, not tell them.

"Alex groaned inwardly when the small chime let him know the seat belt light was on before it actually lit up."
Is so much more entertaining than:
"The seat belt light turned on, and Alex groaned."
Okay, not the best example, but I couldn't find the one I wanted to use. You have to show the setting, but not use overly long descriptions so as to take over the story.

Arc

Every story Arcs, The difference between short and long stories is that the arc is more obvious, rather then surrounded by secondary plots and bunny trails. One of the best learning experiences I had in short stories was my fiction workshop last year. When we got our papers back, more often then not two things had a big X across them: the first and last paragraph. Short stories require no set up, no explanation. Usually, you can dive right in without explaining the who the characters are in great detail. They also don't need a conclusion or a "happily ever after" paragraph. It's like whipped cream at the end of a Frappuccino. It looks good at first, even taste good, but then it leave a weird coating in your mouth. It seems like a good idea, but afterward the reader could probably do without it.

Process


Everyone has a different way of writing. Some outline, others don't. Short stories usually work best written in one big piece, rather than over a long period of time. Set it aside, then come back to it later for an edit. That seems to be the easiest way to handle short stories. If a short story is set down for a long period of time unfinished, chances are it will never be finished.

All in all the best way to think of a short story is to keep it light. Not light as in haha funny, or cute and romantic, but not heavy in any one area: Characters, plot, description, etc. Keep it simple. The less you have to explain the easier it will be to close the story without any loopholes or disappearing characters.

Writerly Gadgets and Gizmos:

There's an App for that!



It's inevitable. It's unavoidable. No matter what your blog is about you can always find a list of iPod and iPhone apps that are the "best" for you. So I figured, why fight it? People don't carry around notebooks and pens like they used to. There are a few, it's true, but if you ask ten people for a pen, you might have one person hand you one. On the other hand, if you ask to use someone's iPhone, or even just a phone, everyone has one. You use your phone for everything else so why not use it for writing?

Here are a few of my personal favorite Apps perfect for writers.

Notebooks

I love notebooks. It's Notes on steroids. Notes with superpowers! Instead of seeing a full list of all your notes, it breaks your writing into "books." I have a book for church notes, for school, and my creative writing. I've written two school papers entirely on Notebooks. Technically you can sync your Notebooks app with your computer through Bonjour and SyncDocs. However, I have never used this feature because I find it more convenient to email my current note to myself. both email and SyncDocs require internet access so that is not a factor in which feature you make use of. A great feature I personally love is being able to lock specific notes and books. This may seem silly and you may think, why would you want some locked? Personally I don't like having to type in a passcode if I'm in church and going between notebooks and my iPhone bible. However, there are certain things I prefer to lock, like when I was working on something for my brother's wedding, I didn't want him to get a hold of my phone and find it. (Yes, my 22 year old brother still looks through me phone).
The downside? No spell check. Not that big of a deal if you're eventually going to have it somewhere with spell check available. A bit pricey at $5.99, it is a program I recommend reading into before purchasing. Read a Review by appadvice.

My Writing Nook

Who doesn't like the word Nook? One of my personal favorites (along with umbrella). My Writing Nook App is an extension of the website. The only requirement for this App is a google account. Though you can use the actual writing feature without it, you cannot sync it with the website without an account. I actually prefer the cleaner type of My Writing Nook compared to Notebooks, though as far as organizing goes it's not quite as effective. However, it does make it much easier to keep track of current files. My Writing Nook automatically syncs with the web to keep all of your documents current. It also has a built in Dictionary and thesaurus (my cheat spell check when I can't find a word). It's a much simpler program to use for those of us who don't want to take time to learn another. This google powered App is $1.99.

Wikipedia
It's pretty safe to say that writers know full well the amazingness of Wikipedia. This App is Wikipedia in all it's glory. If you try to get on Wikipedia via your bowser, it doesn't always turn out so amazing. I love the Wikipedia App because, well, it's free! who doesn't love free stuff? It's free, easy to use, and familiar. That is the great thing about it, we already know how to use Wikipedia!

Word Twiddle

Confession: I've never actually used this for writing. It's really just fun to me. I love it. It's like a random idea generator. You select what you're looking for ( up to three columns) and it spins out a result. Today I have it on Adjectives, Animals, and Superpowers (my favorite topic). It gave me: tender, manatee, superhuman intelligence. Now that isn't going to work in ANY story I have, but it could be a way to flex your writing muscles. Actually, that would be a rather fun story to write. Now I have it on Adjectives and occupation. It gave me Mundane and Needleworker. Usually the two and three column options don't help much. But if you just need an occupation, or a name, or a pet, it could be very useful. I say could because, like I said, I just use it to entertain myself. You can lock certain words, while spinning the others. You can save the twiddles you like, or just scroll through the library of words. I liken this to flipping open a dictionary and choosing a word, just with fun graphics! This fun App is $.99 (try the lite version for free!)

NameShake

So I love, love, love, LOVE this App! I use it all the time. It's really very similar to word twiddle, but just names. You can select gender, first letter, and origin of the name. You can get one random result, or view a list of names. I use it for both contemporary and speculative writing (usually this means changing the names slightly). Example: For my nanowrimo, I needed I girls name that sounded strange, it is a fantasy book after all. I selected girl, mythological, and let the letter stand free. I got the name Xantho. Awkward name, but I shortened it to Xan, viola! Instant heroine! In fact, I used NameShake to name all my Nanowrimo characters, and I'm very satisfied with all of their names, especially Xan and Raidin! This App, which includes definitions, is $2.99.

These are a few of my favorites, I hope it helps you in your quest to write more efficiently! Don't forget to take advantage of Apps already on your iPhone, like notes and Voice Memos!

Am I missing an App you simply can't live without? Or write without I suppose? Please enlighten me!

There is nothing more discouraging...

Than finding 160 typed pages of a book you know you have to rewrite... BUT my amazing youth pastor said to say no to discouragement! (and drugs)... So I threw my old binder in a deep dark corner of my room. Actually, into a box to take to my NEW room because I just moved out of my parents house! I also found a collection of my writing from 1993 up to 2000, which is actually pretty hilarious to read. One thing I have learned over the years is to never throw old writing away. Not because it could secretly be amazing, but because there may be an idea you had when you were fifteen, that is still a good idea. Just because the writing was bad doesn't mean the idea was. Also, it's good to laugh at yourself sometimes, and old writing is a great way to just have some fun!

Moving right along (hehe, The Muppet Movie). Last post I talked about writing in your "zone". Today, I thought I'd talk about something else I've learned recently. A lot of times we don't use tools we have readily available to us. I don't mean tools like a hammer, or even a dictionary. I'm talking about tools we already have in our brains. No, I'm not crazy! Somethings we take for granted, and kind of deprive our characters of them. Case and point: food. Everyone eats, but many times we don't allow our characters to enjoy a meal.

Food may seem like such a little thing, but it can be used for big things. A sit down meal is a perfect place for a conversation, or to get to know your characters. Last month I embarked on a literary journey to discover the many uses of food in fiction (this is making me hungry!!). This research paper (which I got an A on by the way)is what took up all my Nanowrimo time, but I had fun doing. Actually, it was the most entertaining research paper ever. What other topic allows you to use Green Eggs and Ham as a resource? Anyways, for the full paper: click on the link titled "Interesting School Paper" in the sidebar for all my fun projects last quarter. For just that paper click here

One more thing. Awhile ago I posted here about looking your best even if you aren't going anywhere. On that note, a friend of mine at Bachman's Sparrow took me out to the mall to find the perfect jeans. Click to find the complete Great Denim Adventure (and see my new hair cut!!).

Deep Breath

Soooo..... November is over!!! Did you make it? Did you set your goal at the normal 50,000 or did you reach higher?



I had to put my nano aside because theres this thing called school (I know, who does that anymore?. Apparently it takes precedence over Nanowrimo.. ah well. I really enjoyed my story, especially this part:



Xan struggled against the mud's pull, it was closing fast. She didn't have time to get her bearings. Shifting her weight forwards she tumbled head first. Raidin caught her, like he promised, but he didn't need to, her foot was caught in the closed entry. He tugged once, then twice.




"Ow," Xan pulled his hand from her ankle. "Okay that's obviously not working. Just let go."



He hesitated for a moment. "Okay." He stepped back and let her hang upside down.

"What are you," She sighed in exasperation. "I meant of my ankle not me!" She looked around, but all she saw was darkness. "Can someone please help?"



She heard an unfamiliar voice mutter words in a language she didn't understand. It grew quiet. She blinked twice, thinking she must be going crazy. She wasn't seeing things, the muddy walls of the tunnels were slowly illuminating. They glowed softly at first, then grew just bright enough to make out facial expressions. Mihail's was one of accomplishment. Everyone else was staring at her amused.



"Great, now you turn the lights on." She glared at him. "Kaloc?"



He reached up and yanked the mud open enough for her foot to fall through. Unfortunately, Raidin was not holding onto her anymore. Her body landed in the, as Teia called it, slimy mud, once made slick by the now extinct worms. Mihail lended her a hand, and helped her scrap off the thick lairs of mud. Like the opening, the mud was mixed with worm slime, and stuck to her like a leech on a new host. Xan thought about taking her gloves off, but then decided it would be better to wait until she got our of the tunnels. She looked up and down the tunnel they were in. She tilted her head up to see the opening trying to remember which way they were facing. She didn't think about how disoriented the fall would make her.


"You seriously brought us down here and got us lost?" Teia shifted on her feet, back and forth, back and forth. Her feet pulled against the sticky film. Xan shuddered. She had not thought about that sound until now. Ten feet sticking to the ground with every step.



She pointed ahead of her. Well, what she hoped was ahead of her. “This way.” She yanked her feet off the base and began walking. The group filed into place silently. Feet pulling off the slime, then squishing into the mud. Stick, squish. Stick, squish. Xan repeated the rhythm in her head. Stick, squish. Stick, squish. It made the annoying sounds almost amusing. Stick, squish. Stick, squish. As the continued to walk she tried to play with the pattern by reversing it. Squish, stick. Squish, stick. It didn't quite have the same ring to it that way. She went back to her original. Stick, squish. Stick, squish.



Okay, so yes, I was playing with my word count here, but it was rather fun to write. I also posted it here, because I wanted to talk about something. (You thought it was just to show off didn't you?).



We all know different writers of different "zones." What does that mean? We all have different points where we can say "Here, I was in it, I was in the zone, I was in my element. I was there with my characters." My Fiction teacher called it utterance. When people look at it and think: that sentence was amazing. Granted, I'm not sure I'd call what I just posted utterance, it's nanowrimo after all, it's not supposed to be any good. However, This is my zone.




I love, love, love tactile descriptions. They are so much fun, and I love to feel things. Recently I was shopping with a friend and she laughed at me because I had to touch every single piece of clothing. When I'm asked to describe food in class, I focus on how if feels in my mouth instead of what it tastes like.




So what's your element? When are you in the zone? Some people are great with visuals, tastes, dialogue. So if you participated in Nanowrimo, post your favorite exerpt. One that you experienced while you wrote. Tell me why you love it. If you didn't do Nano this year, you can still post something.

America's Next Top..... Novel

Yes, yes that's what I said. Here's the official press release! Register and join in the fun!



Marcher Lord Press Announces Marcher Lord Select



(Colorado Springs, CO)--Marcher Lord Press, the premier publisher of Christian speculative fiction, today announces the debut of a revolution in fiction acquisitions.



"Marcher Lord Select is American Idol meets book acquisitions," says publisher Jeff Gerke. "We're presenting upwards of 40 completed manuscripts and letting 'the people' decide which one should be published."



The contest will proceed in phases, Gerke explains, in each subsequent round of which the voters will receive larger glimpses of the competing manuscripts.



The first phase will consist of no more than the book's title, genre, length, a 20-word premise, and a 100-word back cover copy teaser blurb. Voters will cut the entries from 40 to 20 based on these items alone.



"We want to show authors that getting published involves more than simply writing a great novel," Gerke says. "There are marketing skills to be developed--and you've got to hook the reader with a good premise."



Following rounds will provide voters with a 1-page synopsis, the first 500 words of the book, the first 30 pages of the book, and, in the final round, the first 60 pages of the book.



The manuscript receiving the most votes in the final round will be published by Marcher Lord Press in its Spring 2010 release list.



No portion of any contestant's mss. will be posted online, as MLP works to preserve the non-publication status of all contestants and entries.



Participating entrants have been contacted personally by Marcher Lord Press and are included in Marcher Lord Select by invitation only.



"We're also running a secondary contest," Gerke says. "The 'premise contest' is for those authors who have completed a Christian speculative fiction manuscript that fits within MLP guidelines and who have submitted their proposals to me through the Marcher Lord Press acquisitions portal before October 29, 2009."



The premise contest will allow voters to select the books that sound the best based on a 20-word premise, a 100-word back cover copy teaser blurb, and (possibly) the first 500 words of the book.



The premise contest entrants receiving the top three vote totals will receive priority acquisitions reading by MLP publisher Jeff Gerke.



"It's a way for virtually everyone to play, even those folks who didn't receive an invitation to compete in the primary Marcher Lord Select contest."



The premise contest is open to anyone with a completed Christian speculative fiction manuscript that meets MLP guidelines for length, content, genre, worldview, audience, etc. To enter, authors must complete the acquisitions form found at the Marcher Lord Press site and supply all the components listed below on or before October 29, 2009.



Marcher Lord Select officially begins on November 1, 2009, and runs until completion in January or February 2010. All voting and discussions and Marcher Lord Select activities will take place at The Anomaly forums in the Marcher Lord Select subforum. Free registration is required.



"In order for this to work as we're envisioning," Gerke says, "we need lots and lots of voters. So even if you're not a fan of Christian science fiction or fantasy, I'm sure you love letting your voice be heard about what constitutes good Christian fiction. So come on out and join the fun!"

NaNo Update!

Xan looked behind her and saw Raidin. “Didn’t I tell you to leave me alone?”

“I came for bread.” He took a basket and began filling it.

“You just had to pick the basket with a pink lace didn’t you?” Xan asked, laughing at the frilly basket.

He looked down at the basket then leaned towards her, speaking in a low voice. “Don’t you think it compliments my eyes?”

Xan’s mouth dropped. Was that... A sense of humor? Yes, yes it was.




A wonderful scene inside a bakery shop. I just love making fun of the manly, emotion deprived knight. Currently keeping up with my 2,000 words a day word count, I'm quite motivated. Though I spent way too much time playing and not enough writing at Panera Bread, so my back is rather sore. Plus my wonderful brother knew I was next door at Panera and didn't come visit me on his break! What is that? Though he did wave to me through the window at one point.



I am still plotless, though I am starting to see some details. So far so good! I will keep you guys posted throughout the month! How is your NaNo coming? Any fun tidbits to share?

Writerly Gadgets and Gizmos: Organization

Every November I scour the NaNoWriMo forums for new websites, computer programs, and gadgets for writers. Throughout my searches I have discovered some great Writerly Gadgets I use to help me in my writing. The first gadgets I want to talk about are organizational gadgets.




Mind42:

One such gadget is Mind42.com. Technically Mind42 is not a writing website, nor is it in anyway creative. It is a mind mapping site that can also be collaborative. Originally designed for businesses, I find it a helpful tool for organizing. Last years Nano, I had a very large space ship, and I could not keep track of what was on which decks, halls, ect. The mind mapping set-up makes it easy to organize website articles and pictures as well, allowing you to make notes on each ‘node.’



For fantasy novels, I love Mind42 to keep track of each character’s possessions, weapons, and keep events. I have an entire tree filled out for races, classes, culture, geography, and government in the world my fantasy novels are set in. You can close the nodes or open them depending on what you want to look at.



Index Cards:

Okay, so they aren’t really a gadget, or a gizmo for that matter, but they are helpful for organization. Once again, I use these for fleshing out worlds, ranks, characters. A lot like Mind 42 but you don’t have to have a computer or internet access. I work better on things that don’t have internet access, personally, because there’s less distraction. I carry an index card box in my car just in case I get an idea while driving, and I drive a lot. Though I use mine to organize individual projects, index card files can also be used as plot closets. When needing a plot you can easily access one you didn’t have a chance to tackle before.



Wiki:

Most people are familiar with WikiPedia, a collaborative encyclopedia. Now you can create a Wiki of your own. Sites such as tiddlywiki, pbwiki, MindTouch, and WikiSpaces allow you to create an organized digital notebook, or encyclopedia completely customize to your writing. This can even include research materials. Like Mind42 you can use your Wiki on the web as a collaborative effort if you so choose.




How about you? What do you use to organize your novel? Do you write an outline? Or do you just let it go and hope you don’t kill a character you need later on (guilty!)?