Thursday, August 11, 2011

Major rewrites

From one writing contest to the next, a comment keeps coming back about the main character, one that would have me change her in quite a major way. Part of me wants to take a stand for her while the other part sort of knows what to change next. Yet, it's a littlle bit like "killing" part of that character, and after mourning last night, I started a new "draft", copying my existing file, and rewriting.
What those writing contests are teaching me is that judges are as subjective as readers and it's an excellent exercise not only for myself, but also to harden my "shell" as a writer.
I persist with these books of mine, because I believe in the story.

Friday, June 10, 2011

inspiration





I have been reading for a long time. I have read all sorts of fiction, non-fiction and academic books.
I have also been writing for years but for me the real fiction writing started in 2005 with the first pages of what now is a paranormal romance series. I am not published yet but I’m working on it
In the last few years I have been more selective in my reading, opting for urban fantasy, paranormal romance, vampire novels and more recently futuristic romantic suspense.
As a reader, I have many favourite authors and it would be difficult to pick just one.
But as a writer I have recently found out that only several writers have truly inspired my writing in their own way.
Caitlin Murphy (C.E.Murphy) through her storytelling. When I finished reading “Hands of Flame” the third and final book of her Negotiator trilogy, I was floored. I kept saying to myself. “This was such a great story! I don’t know what I can read after that? Never mind, write anything!” For several days, I was not reading or writing, just recording my impressions in my journal. I eventually moved beyond that.
The books of Sherrilyn Kenyon (The Dark-Hunter series) and Rachel Caine (the Weather Wardens) have inspired me through the world-building and research found in those books. Again, I found myself being “thought” and enlightened about good fiction writing and amazing storytelling.
I have also found in the books of Diana Rowland the kind of storytelling that I aspire to, When I read her Kara Gillian books, I did so in awe but also found myself inspired and pushed to better my own writing.
Yet, I now have started reading J.D. Robb “In Death” books and it feels like I am being thought elements of good story writing. Every book I’ve read so far, I’ve done so as a reader and a writer, a double-reading where every time I stumble upon a good scene or character, I take a step back from my initial reaction as a reader and ask myself, “Why did this scene/character make you gasp, want to cry or laugh?”.
Now, in the middle of some rewrites and new writings, I am fuelled and energized by what I have learned so far from those five authors to whom I already owe a lot as a writer and a reader.
No doubt I’m bound to uncover more through future books but I felt the need to share this with you today.

Friday, April 15, 2011

First person POV

I have to admit it. I keep coming back to writing with a first person point of view. I recently started writing a new short story, determined to do this from a third person perspective. Five pages later, without realizing what I had done, I had switched back to first person mode. I know there's some pitfalls in writing that way, but this is where I find my voice, with "I".

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The First Five Pages

It has come to my attention that the first five pages of a novel are the most important. Well, some authors and books suggest it's the first page or the first three pages, but more and more I hear five is the number.
I've started looking at my finished manuscripts and my current WIP to work and tailor those first pages to be exciting enouigh for potential readers not to mention agents.
Yet, as I go through this exercise I feel some guilt, some disloyalty to my stories. I don't want to lose the essence of those first pages I wrote so feverishly months, years ago.
Again, I try to find some balance because I do want to get published, yet I want to keep some artistic integrity.
Is it about integrity or being published? Are both possible?
More to come.
Annie

Monday, February 21, 2011

Rewrites and rejections

It's easy to lose sight of the joy of writing and storytelling when you focus too much on submissions, rejections and rewrites.
Ialways have to remind myself that the rejectiojns come from a subjective reader.
I have been in rewrites mode for the past couple of months now and this weekend I shifted my focus back to my third "Reborn by Blood" book, a WIP.
I'm reconnecting with the characters at a more intimate level, a draft level, a painting in the making and this brings me back to the joy of creating.
I would love for my books to be read, but I still take a lot of pleasure and pride in reading my own words.

Friday, January 21, 2011

I'm a cancer survivor? Really?

I've never been very good at blogging. I start with good intentions but then forget about posting entries.
I'm never sure if I have something interesting to share.
Now,this time, I think it could be different.
Last October I was diagnosed with cancer. Although there was an initial shock after I found out about the tumor, I put myself in reactive mode. After two months of tests and docots appointments I had surgery. Now the tests results formt he pathology reports are in and the results are very good. No more cancer.
It hit me just before the New Year, I was a cancer survivor, With this realization came a period of reevaluation of my life goals and purpose.
Because everything is measured in 5 year survival rates with cancer, I feel like on a "life lease".
What do I do next?
With this soul searching also comes appreciation for the here and now. Hopefully I can share all of this with people who will stumble on my blog.