Descriptions: Sometimes Less is More
I know my story. I really do. The book is plotted and I know what is going to happen when and to whom. So why, after every conference or workshop, do I want to throw everything away and start over?
In the past few weeks I have attended a workshop, a conference, and a writing retreat. According to those presenters' theories, it seems that I do not write enough. I need more detail--details about setting, characters appearance, and internal dialog.
Some of this I understand. I understand that I need to show the reader why my characters behave as they do. Other parts, I don't. For example, what constitutes enough description?
As a reader, I am one of those people who flips pages when something goes on too long. I am impatient when things are repeated over and over, or I am given endless information that never seems to be needed. Of course, there is a downside to flipping pages.
Recently, as I was rereading an old favorite, the phrase "ebony skin" leapt out at me. Well damn. All these years this character had been "cafe au lait" to me. Suddenly he was a stranger. I certainly can't blame the author, she tried to tell me. But her idea of a handsome man isn't the same as mine. I wish she had let me decide what he looked like. Maybe give me the basics--short or tall, stout or lean. But I prefer to fill in the details on my own, especially with characteristics that people love or hate, such as dimples or cleft chins.
Which brings me back to my original thought. I know my story. And I do understand that I need to add more description. so that my readers know it, too. But I suspect I will never be that writer who takes twenty pages to describe a single scene. Sometimes less really is more.
In the past few weeks I have attended a workshop, a conference, and a writing retreat. According to those presenters' theories, it seems that I do not write enough. I need more detail--details about setting, characters appearance, and internal dialog.
Some of this I understand. I understand that I need to show the reader why my characters behave as they do. Other parts, I don't. For example, what constitutes enough description?
As a reader, I am one of those people who flips pages when something goes on too long. I am impatient when things are repeated over and over, or I am given endless information that never seems to be needed. Of course, there is a downside to flipping pages.
Recently, as I was rereading an old favorite, the phrase "ebony skin" leapt out at me. Well damn. All these years this character had been "cafe au lait" to me. Suddenly he was a stranger. I certainly can't blame the author, she tried to tell me. But her idea of a handsome man isn't the same as mine. I wish she had let me decide what he looked like. Maybe give me the basics--short or tall, stout or lean. But I prefer to fill in the details on my own, especially with characteristics that people love or hate, such as dimples or cleft chins.
Which brings me back to my original thought. I know my story. And I do understand that I need to add more description. so that my readers know it, too. But I suspect I will never be that writer who takes twenty pages to describe a single scene. Sometimes less really is more.
Query Weary
Hello, my name is Trevann Rogers, and I am a compulsive rule obeyer.
Sometimes, I do wish there was a meeting for those of us who cannot manage to break the rules. Lest you think otherwise, it isn't always in one's best interest to never color outside the lines. I could tell you dozens of stories about how adhering to the letter of the law/regulation/rule/guidelines has
worked against my best interest, but I will focus on my most recent example: Writing a query letter.
If you haven't written one, or perhaps not written one in a long time, there are many resources that offer sage advice on how to write a query letter. There are samples to review, books to read, websites to scan, and workshops to attend. After going through a variety of sources, it was clear that a certain pattern, a specific template is expected of these important letters of inquiry. Like the rule slave that I am, I wrote, re-wrote and then refined my letter to the specifications these sources told me was required.
Because I am also a recovering perfectionist, I then sent off the final draft to my critique group and several published author acquaintences who had generously offered to read my letter (Thank you!). And guess what? THEY ALL HATED IT.
Not enough detail...
But every resource said do not fill it with details!
Don't make a comparison to well-known books.
But every source said to compare your work to similar works in the genre--and the author isn't wll known, how will the agent/editor recognize them?
Don't start it off with a hook.
The "experts" say you MUST have a hook!
Since you are unpublished in fiction, don't give your biography or writing credentials.
The guidelines say a biographical paragraph is required!
So back to the drawing board I go. With hand shaking, heart palpitating anxiety I will rewrite the query letter and break all the rules.
Heavens help me.
Sometimes, I do wish there was a meeting for those of us who cannot manage to break the rules. Lest you think otherwise, it isn't always in one's best interest to never color outside the lines. I could tell you dozens of stories about how adhering to the letter of the law/regulation/rule/guidelines has
worked against my best interest, but I will focus on my most recent example: Writing a query letter.
If you haven't written one, or perhaps not written one in a long time, there are many resources that offer sage advice on how to write a query letter. There are samples to review, books to read, websites to scan, and workshops to attend. After going through a variety of sources, it was clear that a certain pattern, a specific template is expected of these important letters of inquiry. Like the rule slave that I am, I wrote, re-wrote and then refined my letter to the specifications these sources told me was required.
Because I am also a recovering perfectionist, I then sent off the final draft to my critique group and several published author acquaintences who had generously offered to read my letter (Thank you!). And guess what? THEY ALL HATED IT.
Not enough detail...
But every resource said do not fill it with details!
Don't make a comparison to well-known books.
But every source said to compare your work to similar works in the genre--and the author isn't wll known, how will the agent/editor recognize them?
Don't start it off with a hook.
The "experts" say you MUST have a hook!
Since you are unpublished in fiction, don't give your biography or writing credentials.
The guidelines say a biographical paragraph is required!
So back to the drawing board I go. With hand shaking, heart palpitating anxiety I will rewrite the query letter and break all the rules.
Heavens help me.
He Does What He Wants to Do
I'm not one of those writers who believes her characters do whatever they want to do. I'm not interested in interviewing them, asking them what they want to wear or anything of the sort. I'm a plotter--I write what I like. It would feel a little psychotic to believe my characters are in control.
That's not to say they aren't real. They live, love, laugh, cry, win and lose. They make good decisions and bad---sometimes VERY VERY bad. They are my companions and the (naughty) voices in my head. They're my peeps--of course they are real.
But I'm in charge.
That's not to say they aren't real. They live, love, laugh, cry, win and lose. They make good decisions and bad---sometimes VERY VERY bad. They are my companions and the (naughty) voices in my head. They're my peeps--of course they are real.
But I'm in charge.
Pretty to think so----Cheyenne <wink>
There's Something About the Night
There has always been something magical about the hours after sunset. The darkness changes everything.
As a teenager, it was much easier to talk to that cute guy while sitting on the porch after dinner, than it was making eye contact in the harsh fluorescent light of the high school cafeteria. Perhaps it was the cool breeze accenting the spice of the unlit sky. Perhaps it was the shadows graciously hiding my blushing, shy smile.
Later, After Midnight phonecalls with my long-distance lover fueled me. For hours and hours we were hardwired together, reminiscing about the last time we touched, and dreaming about what's to come.
As a writer, when the sun goes down, my ordinary world disintegrates, the crystals stored in a glass on my nightstand until reconstituted by the sun. Meanwhile my otherworld friends come out to play... vampires, weres and rockstars.
It's no wonder, as Poppy Z.Bright once wrote, 4am knows all my secrets...
As a teenager, it was much easier to talk to that cute guy while sitting on the porch after dinner, than it was making eye contact in the harsh fluorescent light of the high school cafeteria. Perhaps it was the cool breeze accenting the spice of the unlit sky. Perhaps it was the shadows graciously hiding my blushing, shy smile.
Later, After Midnight phonecalls with my long-distance lover fueled me. For hours and hours we were hardwired together, reminiscing about the last time we touched, and dreaming about what's to come.
As a writer, when the sun goes down, my ordinary world disintegrates, the crystals stored in a glass on my nightstand until reconstituted by the sun. Meanwhile my otherworld friends come out to play... vampires, weres and rockstars.
It's no wonder, as Poppy Z.Bright once wrote, 4am knows all my secrets...
Torn Between Two Lovers (yawn)
Whether you are a fan of romance, urban fantasy, SciFi, television, movies or books, the love triangle of one woman choosing between two men is a popular device. You all know what I am talking about. The woman loves the good guy more than the bad boy, and we spend time watching her tiptoe over to the dark side occasionally, usually battling a strong sexual attraction. Early in Vampire Diaries, Elena loves the pure (albeit recovering sadist) Stephan, despite moaning every time Damon looks at her with those smoldering eyes. Audrey (Haven)professes love for Nathan, the police chief but who saves her from her bad judgment time after time and also loves her? Duke, of course, the town criminal. Come to think of it, Damon saves Elena pretty consistently, too. In the Stephanie Plum series we see the same dynamic with Stephanie, Ranger and Morelli.
I tend to find the triangles more interesting when one of the men are at the center, for example in Supernatural. Someone is always competing for either Sam or Dean's attention, taking one of them away from their true love. Oh wait...not the same thing at all is it? Perhaps a better example isTanya Huff's Fire's Stone. Aaron, and Darvish love each other, but Darvish is betrothed to Chandra. Sadly, Huff returns to the more traditional structure with the Blood series (Henry and Cellucci both love Vicki). Another rare configuration of this triangle happens when the woman loves two kind, non-criminal men. Unfortunately, Circle of Light, another of Tanya Huff's works, is the only example I can think of, at the moment.
I admit that I get caught up in the drama sometimes, usually cheering the bad boy on. I can't be the only one who was TOTALLY cheering and needing a cold shower when Damon finally slept with Elena. What about you?
Are you Team Bad Boy or Team Good Guy? And wouldn't a little more variety in the traditional love triangle be interesting?
I tend to find the triangles more interesting when one of the men are at the center, for example in Supernatural. Someone is always competing for either Sam or Dean's attention, taking one of them away from their true love. Oh wait...not the same thing at all is it? Perhaps a better example isTanya Huff's Fire's Stone. Aaron, and Darvish love each other, but Darvish is betrothed to Chandra. Sadly, Huff returns to the more traditional structure with the Blood series (Henry and Cellucci both love Vicki). Another rare configuration of this triangle happens when the woman loves two kind, non-criminal men. Unfortunately, Circle of Light, another of Tanya Huff's works, is the only example I can think of, at the moment.
I admit that I get caught up in the drama sometimes, usually cheering the bad boy on. I can't be the only one who was TOTALLY cheering and needing a cold shower when Damon finally slept with Elena. What about you?
Are you Team Bad Boy or Team Good Guy? And wouldn't a little more variety in the traditional love triangle be interesting?
September 30th, 2012
There seems to be a new craze …dog shaming. My inbox and Facebook page are filled with pictures of these poor misunderstood creatures. These are dogs posed alongside signs stating their offenses. The looks on their faces are heartbreaking. Why doesn’t anti-bullying legislation protect these animals who cannot defend themselves? They have no thumbs for writing or, in most cases, internet access to use in their defense.
I suppose I could join this long line of bullies. Chloe has stolen the mates to 6 pairs of shoes and has hidden them beyond my ability to find them. But I prefer to treat my girls with respect and refer to them in uplifting, confidence building ways. I appreciate all the help they give me under the guise of attention seeking behavior.
In the past I have had Skye terriers who helped me by throwing themselves on the mop pad and adding their coats to the strings so that I could reach greater coverage, and theoretically be finished faster. SossDog always made laundry day a breeze because she gathered the dirty and fallen clothes into her crate, thereby simplifying the gathering process for me.
Today my girls aid me in different ways. Since my doorbell cannot be heard all over the house, Molly runs to tell me someone is at the door and is there to act as greeter, should I open it.
It is even my own fault that I cannot find my missing shoes. Chloe used to gather them under the dining table until I complained that it was hard to reach them. I am sure the new gathering places will be much easier to reach, once I find it. I don’t know how I would keep the wastebaskets empty without her help. She also moves their beds from room to room making it easier to clean the floors and even removes the covering on my sofa since I obviously don’t know that the cover less attractive than the sofa itself
Surely there are other helpful dogs out there if their owners only praised and encouraged them more. Do you think she would have become the hero she was if she had been photographed, shamed, and her likeness posted on the internet with the caption “Lassie, shut the heck up!”?
I suppose I could join this long line of bullies. Chloe has stolen the mates to 6 pairs of shoes and has hidden them beyond my ability to find them. But I prefer to treat my girls with respect and refer to them in uplifting, confidence building ways. I appreciate all the help they give me under the guise of attention seeking behavior.
In the past I have had Skye terriers who helped me by throwing themselves on the mop pad and adding their coats to the strings so that I could reach greater coverage, and theoretically be finished faster. SossDog always made laundry day a breeze because she gathered the dirty and fallen clothes into her crate, thereby simplifying the gathering process for me.
Today my girls aid me in different ways. Since my doorbell cannot be heard all over the house, Molly runs to tell me someone is at the door and is there to act as greeter, should I open it.
It is even my own fault that I cannot find my missing shoes. Chloe used to gather them under the dining table until I complained that it was hard to reach them. I am sure the new gathering places will be much easier to reach, once I find it. I don’t know how I would keep the wastebaskets empty without her help. She also moves their beds from room to room making it easier to clean the floors and even removes the covering on my sofa since I obviously don’t know that the cover less attractive than the sofa itself
Surely there are other helpful dogs out there if their owners only praised and encouraged them more. Do you think she would have become the hero she was if she had been photographed, shamed, and her likeness posted on the internet with the caption “Lassie, shut the heck up!”?
Fall Resolutions
The stifling hot days of summer that had me lying around the house like a lizard baking on a rock are gone. The crisp cool air and bright blue sky made me want to get up and move. Coupled with the ingrained “back to school” mentality, I made my fall “New Year’s Resolutions”.
Suddenly with this new burst of energy, I wanted to clean house, join a gym, take my dogs on long walks in the woods, make Christmas presents for everyone I know, have a beauty make over, take a class, and write a book in a month.
Writing the list of all the things I wanted to do used up that burst of energy and I sat down to watch the gag reel of my newly purchased Supernatural Season 7. I then fell asleep, forgetting to turn off the lights or walk the dogs. I woke up the first day of Autumn with a list to narrow down. Once I had my iced mocha latte, I was determined to make a few of those changes.
I examined my list. Will I:
Suddenly with this new burst of energy, I wanted to clean house, join a gym, take my dogs on long walks in the woods, make Christmas presents for everyone I know, have a beauty make over, take a class, and write a book in a month.
Writing the list of all the things I wanted to do used up that burst of energy and I sat down to watch the gag reel of my newly purchased Supernatural Season 7. I then fell asleep, forgetting to turn off the lights or walk the dogs. I woke up the first day of Autumn with a list to narrow down. Once I had my iced mocha latte, I was determined to make a few of those changes.
I examined my list. Will I:
- Clean the whole house, top to bottom? Unless I hire a cleaning crew, that’s probably not going to happen. But I can declutter, do some basics and make room for holiday decorations.
- Join a gym? How about if I buy a good exercise mat and do some exercises at home?
- Take my dogs on long walks in the woods? Maybe I will drive to the park with Molly and start there. Chloe was so traumatized by her last walk in the park that she was sick for days.
- Make homemade Christmas presents? Why yes, I think I will do that for a select few. But only because I enjoy doing it.
- Get a complete ‘beauty makeover”? How about a haircut and a manicure? And maybe set up a schedule so I don’t forget.
- Take a class? Check! Enrolled in that already.
- Write a book in a month? Every year I vow to do Nanowrimo, national novel writing month. But it is in the middle of the holiday season so I lose the whole week of Thanksgiving and feel like a failure. And I am not allowed to work on my current book. Maybe I will do the 100 word challenge this year instead. One hundred words a day has to be more manageable than 1700.
So, reframed goals in hand, I am looking forward to fall, to witches and goblins making way for pumpkins and turkeys marching toward snow and winter, which is, of course, REALLY my favorite time of year.
"Lost Girl" has lost me.
I have watched this program from the beginning. I understand the program is about Bo; the premise is that she is searching for who and what she is. The premise was also that she would remain a free agent as she decided to work to protect humans rather than side with the fae. The problem for me is that each episode seems to "jump the shark" for me
Last week was no exception. Bo suddenly announced to Trick that she knew he was her father. My reaction was ‘What?” Bo answered that question with “Why else would you care so much about me?” That isn’t enough. What clues brought her to this epiphany? Every week I feel like I need to go back and watch every episode again because I must be missing something. Now, out of the blue, her blood has some magical property. That’s a little deus ex machina for my taste.
I accept that Bo is a succubus and uses sexual energy. I have trouble when she feels guilty because of it, and in fact, seems to fall in love with every person with whom she has sex. This seems limiting for a succubus.
Moreover, Bo is supposed to be a free agent. But she only works for the light fae. If she only works for one side then it seems that she has indeed chosen a side to join. The last episode proposed that since she is not aligned with either side, she can bring the two together to work as a team. So she did what she always does, stormed into the domain of a dark fae, unhindered, and made deals to obtain objects without knowing what the result of her actions would be. As usual, she then had to correct her mistake--and on and on. Usually the show ends with the rest of the cast of characters rushing in to rescue her.
I still don’t understand why Kinsey stayed with Bo instead of going with Nate unless she is in love with Bo; it doesn’t make sense. But I am glad she stayed because Kinsey is the only character in the show who really has the balls to get things done. Where would the show be without Kinsey circumventing fae protocol? Last week when everyone ran from the Garuda, it was Kinsey who went back and saved Dyson. This week she stood up to another “big bad” to get Dyson’s love back. And thank god for that because I was really tired of Dyson—a werewolf AND police officer--wandering around like a wimp.
I know that with the paranormal we are asked to leave reality behind. But once the world is created, I expect it to remain consistent and sustain believability within that world. Every week I find myself more distracted by the inconsistencies than the plot line they are posing.
Last week was no exception. Bo suddenly announced to Trick that she knew he was her father. My reaction was ‘What?” Bo answered that question with “Why else would you care so much about me?” That isn’t enough. What clues brought her to this epiphany? Every week I feel like I need to go back and watch every episode again because I must be missing something. Now, out of the blue, her blood has some magical property. That’s a little deus ex machina for my taste.
I accept that Bo is a succubus and uses sexual energy. I have trouble when she feels guilty because of it, and in fact, seems to fall in love with every person with whom she has sex. This seems limiting for a succubus.
Moreover, Bo is supposed to be a free agent. But she only works for the light fae. If she only works for one side then it seems that she has indeed chosen a side to join. The last episode proposed that since she is not aligned with either side, she can bring the two together to work as a team. So she did what she always does, stormed into the domain of a dark fae, unhindered, and made deals to obtain objects without knowing what the result of her actions would be. As usual, she then had to correct her mistake--and on and on. Usually the show ends with the rest of the cast of characters rushing in to rescue her.
I still don’t understand why Kinsey stayed with Bo instead of going with Nate unless she is in love with Bo; it doesn’t make sense. But I am glad she stayed because Kinsey is the only character in the show who really has the balls to get things done. Where would the show be without Kinsey circumventing fae protocol? Last week when everyone ran from the Garuda, it was Kinsey who went back and saved Dyson. This week she stood up to another “big bad” to get Dyson’s love back. And thank god for that because I was really tired of Dyson—a werewolf AND police officer--wandering around like a wimp.
I know that with the paranormal we are asked to leave reality behind. But once the world is created, I expect it to remain consistent and sustain believability within that world. Every week I find myself more distracted by the inconsistencies than the plot line they are posing.
Book Review: Hounded-The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book One
A druid is alive and running a mystical book store and tea room in Arizona. Who knew?
Hounded is the first book in a series called the Iron Druid Chronicles. It is about Atticus O’Sullivan, the last remaining druid who is just trying to blend in and avoid certain death at the hands of a god who is out to get him. Having grown weary of the typical female urban fantasy protagonist, Atticus is a refreshing change. He is an imperfect, likeable guy who manages to be totally alpha male while also being brilliant, funny, kind and sensitive. One of my favorite glimpses into Atticus’s personality is that he is a friend to his elderly, widowed neighbor. Not only does he sip tea and occasionally whiskey with her, but he mows her lawn knowing that the joy for her is sitting on the porch watching a hot guy do yard work! His dog, Oberon (a talking Irish Wolf Hound he rescued from the pound), is his partner in crime and in redemption; their relationship lets us see the side of Atticus that is loyal and caring.
As you can tell, I have a major crush on Atticus. The only thing he is missing is that he is not damaged, at least not that we know so far. I tend to like male protagonists that are a little broken. It increases the sexual attraction. (Don’t judge me. Can you argue that Cal Leandros and Dean Winchester are NOT super-hot?)
As with many urban fantasies, the variety of supernatural characters Atticus encounters runs the gambit, from vampire and werewolf attorneys to witches, zombies, goddesses who want to bed him and demons summoned to cause his demise. The author, Kevin Hearne, throws in a lively mixture of Irish lore, Norse mythology, Wiccan tradition and Celtic mythology. Although I cannot attest to the accuracy of any of that, I can say Hearne smoothly weaves the information into the fabric of the story.
I love this book. It manages to be filled with action, humor, interesting fight scenes and strong, believable characters. I am already reading Book Two; I am excited there are several more books in the series.
Okay I Admit It: I'm a Fan Girl
I know I probably shouldn't admit this. I'm old enough to know better. Hell, my mama told me never put anything in writing that could come back to haunt me. But I need to tell it: I love Supernatural.
What's not to love?
- Thrilling action (two brothers who'd die for each other--Sam and Dean--fighting evil in the form of ghosts, demons, vampires, bad ass angels and all manner of things that go bump in the night).
- Engaging, believable plots each week (once you get past the whole ghosts, demons, vampires and bad ass angels).
- A heartfelt, romantic love story (two brothers who'd die for each other--Sam and Dean--fighting evil in the form of ghosts, demons, vampires, bad ass angels and all manner of things that go bump in the night. Seriously.)
For me, it's Team Dean all the way. He's a bad boy with a heart of gold (and the tears to prove it). It doesn't hurt that his gorgeous angel sidekick Castiel seems to be in love with him. I know there are those who are on Team Sam, but frankly I don't see the attraction. Besides, his decision-making ability is highly questionable.
Tell me...Do you watch Supernatural? If so, what Team are you on?