Well, I didn't win. After a delay, I was informed that I had joined the ranks of Honorable Mentions. Apparently, the story was teetering on being a Semi Finalist. When I hadn't heard back, I re-read my entry and found some glaring errors, of which the only excuse I have is that I rushed to get it in. I have since smoothed the glaring stuff and am debating on whether to re-enter or submit it to another market. After this much investment in the piece, I feel that it should be fruitful. Then comes the problem: classifying it. It's Fantasy with a sprinkle of Sci-Fi. Where do you send that? Hard Sci-Fi magazines will reject it because there isn't much science, and Fantasy magazines could do likewise because the setting is post-apocalyptic. Grrr. Just winning the damned contest would've solved that dilemma.
Flash Fiction Online's March lineup has already been decided. There is a holiday story that I pulled for, so I'm working something special up for that, and three others. It's growing. It seems the last couple of months have seen one more story than the last. Suprisingly, I already have a jump on the illustrations, though. I actually have a painting done. The others I have ideas for. I think, for the holiday special, I'll serve up something a little different; a mix of mediums. It never hurts to present the illustrations with the feeling of the piece's theme.
I also have a piece out under a pseudonym. With a record of one rejection, one outright rejection for WOTF (no obvious Speculative Element), and one Honorable Mention, I am charging into this year on a new level. Wish me luck. And good luck to you, too.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Getting there...
I love writing.
For all the words I weave, the heat of completion and coldness of imperfections, and the multiple tearing down and reconstructions of the process, I love it. I am an eternal student, a slave of what I shall never master. I live for my need, my passion. A poet, a dreamer, trapped by my imagination for no other reason than my love for it.
But I am learning. Not just from the study and practice, but from seeing my own flaws in the works of others and being able to identify them. From the brilliance displayed in the most flawed manuscript. The compulsion to write, to express our thoughts and dreams and fears, to dig deep into the realms governed by our fickle minds, is a wide-spread disease. Be careful, you just may catch it too. Or maybe you already have.
The bad news is: There is no cure. You've got it for life. Whether or not you press on to publication has little to do with that compulsion. Oh, there are some that say you have a choice, but they're wrong. That choice was swept away the moment you first typed The End--and the decision sealed when you started to rewrite that same story. It's like crack or heroin, only a straightjacket and a all-expenses-paid state-ordered vacation will keep you away. Oh, you can try to quit--to walk away--but that typewriter or keyboard will thump-thump...thump in the back of your mind like that infamous secret beneath the floorboards. Does anyone really walk away? Can anyone? Or is it just them prolonging (perhaps indefinitely) the perfection of their craft.
The Good news is: We're getting there. Every time we learn from a critique, or those we would deign try and teach, we're inching closer to our goal. Every time we recognize a common mistake in our prose, or the appearance of a cliche, and work it fluidly back out...we are getting there. For every rejection, brutal critique given and taken, or hard-earned bit of praise we better our skills that much more. And that is all we can hope for. Because the better we get, the harder it will be for an editor or publisher to reject us.
Keep on writing.
For all the words I weave, the heat of completion and coldness of imperfections, and the multiple tearing down and reconstructions of the process, I love it. I am an eternal student, a slave of what I shall never master. I live for my need, my passion. A poet, a dreamer, trapped by my imagination for no other reason than my love for it.
But I am learning. Not just from the study and practice, but from seeing my own flaws in the works of others and being able to identify them. From the brilliance displayed in the most flawed manuscript. The compulsion to write, to express our thoughts and dreams and fears, to dig deep into the realms governed by our fickle minds, is a wide-spread disease. Be careful, you just may catch it too. Or maybe you already have.
The bad news is: There is no cure. You've got it for life. Whether or not you press on to publication has little to do with that compulsion. Oh, there are some that say you have a choice, but they're wrong. That choice was swept away the moment you first typed The End--and the decision sealed when you started to rewrite that same story. It's like crack or heroin, only a straightjacket and a all-expenses-paid state-ordered vacation will keep you away. Oh, you can try to quit--to walk away--but that typewriter or keyboard will thump-thump...thump in the back of your mind like that infamous secret beneath the floorboards. Does anyone really walk away? Can anyone? Or is it just them prolonging (perhaps indefinitely) the perfection of their craft.
The Good news is: We're getting there. Every time we learn from a critique, or those we would deign try and teach, we're inching closer to our goal. Every time we recognize a common mistake in our prose, or the appearance of a cliche, and work it fluidly back out...we are getting there. For every rejection, brutal critique given and taken, or hard-earned bit of praise we better our skills that much more. And that is all we can hope for. Because the better we get, the harder it will be for an editor or publisher to reject us.
Keep on writing.
Friday, February 1, 2008
12 years...
Today marks twelve years married to my wife. I don't know how many times I've heard "Wow. Nowadays that's a long term commitment." I have a question to all of those who make that statement: What do you think marriage is?
There is a reason marriages don't have to renew their licenses every five years. Though there's times--and I think all married couple will agree on this--that I wish we did. But, seriously, if that were so, marriages that outlasted one renewal would be in the single-digit percentile. It took two years just to figure out the idiosyncrasies my wife and I had, and another three to learn to deal with them. When our firstborn made his appearance, there was a whole new set of idiosyncrasies and responsibilities that accompanied him. If there was a renewal system, it probably would have been when things were at their worst. Because we couldn't step out of it easily, we never really considered it. Oh, there was a time or two that either she or I were at or maximum threshold for the other's crap (I probably drove her to that threshold more often), but we stuck it out. There were times we had nothing to say to each other, or we found our interests veered in opposite directions, or we took cheap shot because of pressures that weren't shared. That, we discovered, is the heart of a relationship.
Anyone can have sex, watch television together, go out together, and skate through all of the beautiful and fun stuff--It's the hard times that truly define the relationship. Both of us believe in a few base beliefs:
There is a reason marriages don't have to renew their licenses every five years. Though there's times--and I think all married couple will agree on this--that I wish we did. But, seriously, if that were so, marriages that outlasted one renewal would be in the single-digit percentile. It took two years just to figure out the idiosyncrasies my wife and I had, and another three to learn to deal with them. When our firstborn made his appearance, there was a whole new set of idiosyncrasies and responsibilities that accompanied him. If there was a renewal system, it probably would have been when things were at their worst. Because we couldn't step out of it easily, we never really considered it. Oh, there was a time or two that either she or I were at or maximum threshold for the other's crap (I probably drove her to that threshold more often), but we stuck it out. There were times we had nothing to say to each other, or we found our interests veered in opposite directions, or we took cheap shot because of pressures that weren't shared. That, we discovered, is the heart of a relationship.
Anyone can have sex, watch television together, go out together, and skate through all of the beautiful and fun stuff--It's the hard times that truly define the relationship. Both of us believe in a few base beliefs:
- Marriage is forever. It's not a piece of paper or a shiny ring, it's growing old with someone in spite of their flaws.
- "Let not the sun set upon thy wrath." Though we have been at each other's throats, and felt the need for violence (which we resisted--notice I say we); we do not go to bed angry with each other. We get through with it--or listening to it--and remind ourselves why we're together with a four-kiss goodnight ritual: A) The kiss to wish God's Blessings upon the other. (No one should be without God's blessings.) B) The I Love you Kiss (Because everyday and night since I have kissed her first, this has been deeply and passionately true.) C) The Sweet Dreams Kiss. (By this point I--at least--truly wish this for her.) and D) The Goodnight Kiss. This is the one that lingers. The one that reminds me I'm going to wake up next to the perfect woman (for me).
- We're both too damn stubborn to quit. When we first got together, I told her that if she wanted out of the relationship she would have end it--to say "uncle". I wasn't going to. Ever. I don't make promises and not keep them. I am a man of my word--until it hurts. And she keeps saying she's not going to let me out of it that easy.
Those simple rules, applied to a foundation of friendship, have truly held our marriage together. It doesn't take much, just a gaze into her beautiful blue eyes (even when they are stormy) to remember how much I love her. I try not to let a day go by without thanking her for everything she does, and I rarely tell her "no". For anything.
Early this morning, as we lay next to each other, my mind was drawn back twelve years to the night before our wedding. Those were the same eyes. That was the same smile. And I realized--not for the first time--that I wouldn't trade a single moment, from that day to this, for all the fame, women, or gold in the world.
And to my wife, Amanda: Thank you, baby, for making me the richest man on earth. I love you. Always.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Collaboration
It's times like this--after reading 150+ pages of 230--that I'm really confident that I chose well when I approached my co-author about working together on a project. Though the core was her idea, it mixed well with a passion of mine. I can really appreciate her strengths in what I have read. More than once, I coughed up a well-earned chuckle, and I'm charmed with how the relationship is developing between the main protagonists. Excellent work, Nancy--though we have to inject more Maine-isms.
I, on the other hand, have been slacking. I've been winnowing on plot-direction. I could go in so many different directions. In fact, I'm beginning to wonder if we aren't really writing a trilogy. With the limits in word-counts these days, I imagine that we'd be robbing our characters of some of their richness if we were to just adhere to the normal word count.
It really is an amazing experience. I have to say, no matter what comes of it, it's been a pleasurable journey.
More later.
I, on the other hand, have been slacking. I've been winnowing on plot-direction. I could go in so many different directions. In fact, I'm beginning to wonder if we aren't really writing a trilogy. With the limits in word-counts these days, I imagine that we'd be robbing our characters of some of their richness if we were to just adhere to the normal word count.
It really is an amazing experience. I have to say, no matter what comes of it, it's been a pleasurable journey.
More later.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Poll Results and other Babble
Well, the results of the 2007 Predators and Editors Poll are in. I came in at #6 Artist(out of over 70 artists) and Flash Fiction Online came in at #14 (out of 87) Fictionzine. For our first nominations ever, and with only one issue last year, we didn't do very bad at all. Thanks to all of those who voted for me and Flash Fiction Online, and who shoved us so far up the list. Hopefully next year--with our abilities to produce an array of different styles--we will both reign supreme. Liberty Hall's Writers Forum finished out at #8 (behind a plethora of romance sites) and Hatrack River Writers Workshop at #18 in Writers Forums. Liberty Hall came in at #2 for Writers Workshops; Hatrack River hung in at #15. All in all, we stayed in the top 20. Congratulations to Rachel Marks for her #11 spot in Artist and for her piece entitled Jade, that came in at #15 for Artwork. Other members of Hatrack or Liberty Hall: J. R. Tomlin #6, and S. T. Forstner #13 for Speculative Fiction Short Story; R. F. Long #9 for Short Story. Congratulations to all.
My collaboration effort is trudging right along. While I took the time to rework and polish my recent WOTF entry, Nancy was using NaNoWriMo to knock out 50,000 words. I've only bashed out one-tenth of that! However, it's coming along now. I have yet to read her 50k words, but she has sent them to me. I'm waiting until I establish a definite plot. She's writing the present story and I'm writing the historical one. I'm just starting to get into the antagonist's head, and it's fun. Then, when all is done on my part, Nancy and I shall have the task of choosing where to weave the past into the future's tale and cleaning up everything left over after we fit them together.
Also, if anyone is really out there and interested in writing (and not getting them already) David Farland has an email called the "Daily Kick in the Pants" that he sends out once a day to anyone interested--for free. This is an excellent source of information, instruction, inspiration, and hope for any aspiring writer. Send him an email (at dwolvert@xmission.com ) and write only "Kick me" in the subject line and body, and you will start receiving them, too.
Well, I'm off again until next time...
My collaboration effort is trudging right along. While I took the time to rework and polish my recent WOTF entry, Nancy was using NaNoWriMo to knock out 50,000 words. I've only bashed out one-tenth of that! However, it's coming along now. I have yet to read her 50k words, but she has sent them to me. I'm waiting until I establish a definite plot. She's writing the present story and I'm writing the historical one. I'm just starting to get into the antagonist's head, and it's fun. Then, when all is done on my part, Nancy and I shall have the task of choosing where to weave the past into the future's tale and cleaning up everything left over after we fit them together.
Also, if anyone is really out there and interested in writing (and not getting them already) David Farland has an email called the "Daily Kick in the Pants" that he sends out once a day to anyone interested--for free. This is an excellent source of information, instruction, inspiration, and hope for any aspiring writer. Send him an email (at dwolvert@xmission.com ) and write only "Kick me" in the subject line and body, and you will start receiving them, too.
Well, I'm off again until next time...
Friday, January 4, 2008
Predators And Editors Poll
I've been nominated--as an artist--for the annual Predators&Editors Poll. Flash Fiction Online (the ezine I illustrate) has been nominated for fictionzine, too. Anyone with a valid email (for vote confirmation) may vote. I've added a link--which I'll remove after the 15th, the end of voting. Some of my comrades at Liberty Hall have also been nominated. Some for their prose, at least one other for her art: Rachel A. Marks. Good luck to all the nominees; they are already winners--someone liked them enough to nominate them.
No word of my recent WOTF entry, yet. It's making me a little nervous--I haven't even had a confirmation of receiving of the entry. On the bright side, I guess it also means it hasn't been rejected. Good Luck to Chris Owens, too--he has been a semi-finalist and quarter finalist--if there's any justice, he'll succeed.
No word of my recent WOTF entry, yet. It's making me a little nervous--I haven't even had a confirmation of receiving of the entry. On the bright side, I guess it also means it hasn't been rejected. Good Luck to Chris Owens, too--he has been a semi-finalist and quarter finalist--if there's any justice, he'll succeed.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
WOTF Q108
Well, The Third Rule had undergone some changes. Of these Changes the smallest is the name. The plot has been restructured, the antagonist has been given some depth, and even the minor character has grown. Though it perilously close to "Time" to send, If the critiques I'm waiting on on come back with only small problems, it'll fly.
The Downside is that I've caught some kind of virus and it's MAKING ME MISERABLE. You know the kind--everybody does: My glads want to fight over everything I swallow, and the drinks my body hunkers for hurt my ears, and I'm experiencing the add ache and pain. I can't stand not being able to come to work--hate it even worse that illness is holding me back. It gets me whiny; I don't like bed rest...At All!
Those faithful few who visit this blog, say a prayer for me: that I'll get better, that the story is almost ready, and that I'll be able to polish it up in time to send it in.
The Downside is that I've caught some kind of virus and it's MAKING ME MISERABLE. You know the kind--everybody does: My glads want to fight over everything I swallow, and the drinks my body hunkers for hurt my ears, and I'm experiencing the add ache and pain. I can't stand not being able to come to work--hate it even worse that illness is holding me back. It gets me whiny; I don't like bed rest...At All!
Those faithful few who visit this blog, say a prayer for me: that I'll get better, that the story is almost ready, and that I'll be able to polish it up in time to send it in.
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