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If it's cool on the internet, you know I'm right there, doing it three years later. So, that said, here's what I got done last year and some goal setting for next year to make me feel bad at the end of 2009.
If you've got a year in review, link it to me in comments. If you've got goals for next year, link it to me so we can share successes together next year.
In no particular order:
1. I made money as a writer this year, and it didn't involve taking my figurative clothes off.
2. My daughter went from a baby to a genius in the course of a year. I'm going to call that my accomplishment.
3. My husband made money as a writer, again, that has something to do with me.
4. I finally feel like an adult with a house almost to the point I want it. Or at least, I got it to the point that I'm comfortable, and I can live with that.
5. We got my sister-in-law the fuck out of bumblefuck Ohio, and now she's starting a life out here in society.
6. Here's the big one: I SOLD over 100,000 words. Not wrote. Sold. (Hard to say how many words I wrote. I'll have a better idea next year.)
7. I got shit together to go back to school. Very anxious about it, but I guess it's the best way to step up my game. I hope.
I think I have more goals for next year then I have crap done this year, but that's how a career gets started, I guess.
1. Over all, I want to write about 250,000 words next year. That's a ton of short stories and gaming work. If I sell a percentage of that, it'll be awesome.
2. I'm going to get UnHero out to every agent and publisher in the free world until someone is dumb enough... Erm.. Clever enough to buy it and give me lots and lots of money.
3. I will get a few radio dramas up on the net for everyone to enjoy. I love the medium so much, and I have the technology. Time to get that show on the road.
4. With or as its own word count, I think I need to start another novel. Feels like time.
So that's last year and the next. What about you, what are you doing?
- Mood:
chipper - Music:Babies Playing Piano
I sold a story to them, if you're a writer, go sell something.
- Music:Rachel Maddows - She twitters also.
I am afraid of straight fiction.
I dont write it, I pretty much dont read it. If it doesnt have Martians, werewolves, or hardboiled detectives in it (bonus points if all three are involved) it isnt very likely that Ill read it. It isnt that I dont like normal people, and it isnt that I cant empathize with real world problems; its that I am afraid of straight fiction.
Im intimidated by contemporary literature, writing that seems to stand on its craft and the writers ability rather then genre fiction which can sometimes squeeze by with sub par writing if the adventure is good enough or the creativity stimulating enough. Im uncomfortable with commercial fiction because it makes me feel like a hack without even the drive to turn out a coming of age story or what have you that could compete with more of the same on a Borders bookshelf.
I have my problems with straight fiction as a reader, but as a writer it comes down to fear. I feel safe in the vacuum of deep space and comfortable in the company of undead hordes. Its normal people that make me nervous. What if my characterization is lame, but no one has taken notice yet because my characters are wearing capes and flying? I know my style and craft need work, but what if the only reason Im getting anywhere with what I turn out is because Im just at the right genre at the right time?
I cant hide behind a ray-gun in straight fiction.
I had this thought while I was talking to David about some story bits that had been floating around in my head. I have some parts of a novella in my head, I told him, I dont know where its going. I guess Ill have to add a werewolf or something later to make sure its genre fiction.
He laughed, not getting it, which is fine when you consider that he cant read my mind. (You can get on that anytime you like, honey, BTW.)
He laughed and I found a new thing to panic about. Yay for writing!
| Originally published at In Other Words. |
- Mood:
contemplative - Music:People\'s Court
I read it today in some edits that came in from a developer, and it reminded me that I still hadnt come to terms with the idea.
So what does it mean? It means you have to find the phrases, images, characters, and even whole chapters you put in a piece of writing added only because you thought it was cool. It doesnt add to the whole, it doesnt get to the point, it doesnt explain. It just sits there looking cool, and thats why it must die.
Ive dated that guy.
Thats violent and negative. Dont get me wrong, there are times when a draft DOES need violence, hatred, rage and murder. I also like cool and awesome. So I sit here going but if its cool, why do I have to kill it?
This brought me to the long terribly abused metaphor that is to follow. I say, dont kill your darlings. I say eat your meatballs. Bear with me, Im going somewhere.
I like meatballs, a lot. I like them in gravy, I like them in red sauce over with pasta, I like them fried and eaten straight up. Theyre cool and awesome and full of things I like (like meat.) But they wouldnt work in every meal. You plop a meatball down on top of a light salad with raspberry vinaigrette, and you might have a disaster on a plate. Maybe a culinary genius could make that work, but most of us arent culinary geniuses, not yet anyway. So dont waste the meatball or the salad. Save the meatball for a meal more appropriate. Or hell, eat the meatball on its own, if its as awesome as you figure itll be great on its own.
Letting the metaphor go for a minute here, Im saying Im not an advocate of dropping things that appear cool but without substance. Id be willing to put money down that if its actually a neat bit of writing, its just not in the right place. Maybe your super awesome character that does everything but progress the plot just isnt in the right plot. Maybe that chapter that kills the pace but is just too neat to loose should be a stand alone short story. Maybe that awesome turn of phrase that doesnt fit the mood should be written down in your files and held onto as inspiration later.
So dont kill your darlings, eat your meatballs.
| Originally published at In Other Words. |
- Mood: thoughtful
- Music:Zaboomafu
I'm excited to say White Wolf has released some new titles I can name. World of Darkness Immortals has been announced, I wrote for that!
I'll also be doing two (yeah, two!) short SASs that go along with an upcoming Hunter title, it is way awesome. Nothing more on that, yet.
I feel like this is all writing progress, at least in that it's paying some bills. 
That said, I'm thrilled to be working on Nano this year because it is writing for me. I'll have more thoughts on that as I go, but my goal this year is for consistant writing. I know I can churn out huge word counts in a small amount of time. At this point I need to get better at writing those magical 2,000 a day. So, starting all that silliness off, here's someone else's advice on how to write. Luckily, he's really cute!
- Mood: pleased
- Music:Verminator
