Archive | Random RSS feed for this section

Sacrifice to the utmost degree (something I love in books).

By on September 1, 2010 in Random

A good sacrifice cuts right to the heart. And I don’t mean a blood sacrifice (for those of you that know I wrote a book based on the Maya). I mean when someone takes the blame or the pain for someone they care about. If it’s done right – I’ll be a fan forever.

Ever since my kids’ school installed Pet Day every June (And no I’m not holding any resentment against them for this. Really.), my kids have wanted a pet. They were fine and dandy before. My daughter is allergic to cats and dogs, so typical pets were out of the question.

They had pet rocks. (Didn’t really work that well.) When they suggested outrageous pets like snakes or sharks, it was an easy, “No.” And it was a topic of conversation I avoided.

Ah, but then my son. He persisted. And he was polite. He asked and asked and asked. He got books out at the libary on gerbils. He became an expert. Hey, his friend had a couple gerbils, so he had it on good word, that gerbils were good pets.

But, I persisted I said, “No way!”

And then a friend at church caught wind of my son’s desire for a gerbil (he probably put his wishes on the prayer chain). And she gave us her old gerbil cage with shavings. (Oh, yay)

And then, my husband gave in. He promised my son a gerbil by the end of the summer.

And the wonderful, supportive mother that I am said, “Fine. But I’m having nothing to do with it. I’m not touching it. I’m not cleaning out its cage. I’m not going to think it’s cute. I won’t be the one to drive to the pet store to pick it up.”  (And I almost said, “And if it dies, I’ll throw a party.” But I didn’t want to scar my son forever.)

And so, we got a gerbil.

And it was the ultimate sacrifice. 

And sorry, no pictures of the cute gerbil. I swore an oath not to have any pictures of rodents on my blog. Ever. (Sorry Hilary.  I’m still looking forward to Nightshade City.)

What sacrifices do you remember from books? What do you think is key to making it believable?

Comments { 17 }

Freeze pops and world building.

By on August 27, 2010 in Random, Writing

World building. Books and blog posts have been devoted to world building. It’s important, not just in high fantasy novels but in contemporary work too.

World building affects your story logic. And if you have faulty story logic…you’ll be rewriting.

So, knowing all this as a writer, when I told my son, “You can have a freeze pop any time of the day, but you can only have three per day.” – I should have written down the rules in stone. (In my defense, I was really tired of being asked if he could have a freeze pop, and really, it doesn’t matter when he eats one.)

What I didn’t expect:

  • That he’d eat three in a row.
  • That he’d eat one before breakfast.
  • That he’d eat one right before dinner.
  • That the freeze pop could be eaten along with dessert but not count as dessert.
  • Roll over. If we were gone for the day, it meant he could have six the next day.

So, go check your world building. Ask the questions. Or you’ll pay the price later. Just like I did.

What are the questions? I’m sure there are lots of great questions about world building. But two big issues stick out for me.

Consistency: Make sure the same rules apply to all characters in all situations through out your story. No cheating.

Motivation: What is the motivation behind a world building rule? Use common sense. Don’t create a rule just to make something easier for your plot.

Tell the truth – Have you ever made a decision as a parent and not thought through the consequences? Or, what are some good world building questions you’ve learned? (By the way, I don’t regret telling my son he could have a freeze pop any time of the day because it still made my summer a whole lot easier! I just should have added some disclaimers.)

Comments { 18 }

Magical library stacks and the future.

By on August 16, 2010 in Random

In the future, I would like magical library stacks.

 So, in the summer, when craziness hits like a sudden rainstorm, and my kids are bickering playing nicely hand in hand; and I’m exhausted full of energy from driving everywhere, swimming at the lake, and visiting with friends – I can escape.

Like magic, library stacks would branch off of my kitchen. With an aisle long enough to be separated from the chaos, and the Super Nanny would guard the entranceway and entertain my children with educational games. The stacks would be filled with the perfect research books for my current project. And candlelight, would light my path, except these candles would never burn out or fall over.

And at the end of the aisle would be the perfect hideaway writing nook. A computer would sit on a low shelf that would never grow dusty. A small fridge would be right near by to store cool drinks and snacks. Soft, shimmery curtains would cover the window, so I could let in natural light. And the ocean would be right outside so the salt air and cool breeze would refresh my senses. And, just in case my kids managed to sneak past Super Nanny, they could climb out the window and splash in the waves. And I might join them.

And in the winter, a pot-bellied stove that continually burned would be tucked away in the corner, next to a big oversized stuffed armchair. And other library stacks would branch off mine, filled with the latest arcs and new releases.

I could add extra features like a private masseur, who also works as a professional editor, and he would peek over my shoulder and offer advice at just the right times. But I don’t want to be unrealistic.

So, what would you add to the magical library stacks? Did I miss anything crucial?

Comments { 12 }

Great expectations (and I’m not talking Charles)

By on July 30, 2010 in Random

Are great expectations a positive for a debut author?

There was a book I really wanted to read. I entered contests galore but never won it. So gosh darn it – I bought the book. And now I’m only into the third chapter – and I’m feeling disappointed. I even fell asleep on it the first night! gasp. And I hardly ever fall asleep reading. I read a chapter at the beach, but I got distracted and stuffed it back in the beach bag. And I’ll probably try and read a bit more tonight in hopes that it lives up to the great buzz it got.

Were my expectations too high? Probably. Maybe if I had found it in the lost and found, I’d have loved it.

But I know when I go to read the 3rd or 4th book in a series I love, I’m hardly ever disappointed because the author has proven their ability at storytelling.

There are a few books coming out in the next few months. And I’m afraid I’ll be disappointed. I don’t want to be. Because I love a good book.

So, are great expectations necessarily the best thing for a debut author?

If the book lives up to the buzz then great buzz is well . . . great. But if the book doesn’t live up to the buzz, then….it was just buzz.

What do you think? Have you experienced this with expectations on a book (or movie)?

Comments { 13 }

I fought the boogey man…and won!

By on July 26, 2010 in Random

As a child, I remember sitting at the end of a dock, staring down at the icky murky water of the lake. I imagined all the creatures ready and waiting for me with open jaws. I knew there were slimy rocks and mushy sand – you know the kind that feels like dog poo squishing between your toes. Ugh. I hate that feeling.

Well, my Aunt Jo Beth used to swim out to the middle of the lake and back. By herself. I was in awe that someone would dare to do that when they couldn’t see below them. I swore it was something I’d never do. I’d stick with good ole chlorine and pools with clear water.

Today, we don’t have a pool. We have a beautiful lake five minutes away with a public beach with okay sand. I mean I’ll actually go swim in it with only minor cringes. And I’m thankful for the lake. I wouldn’t trade it now for a pool for anything.

But, last week, My sister and I, and our kids, were back at the same lake, the same dock from when I was a child. My sister is training for a triathalon and asked if I’d swim across the lake and back. I cooly said, “Sure.” What was I thinking? I swore I’d never do this!

But I did. I swam across the lake. And back.

I know. Big deal. But I plunged into the cool water and swam. I freed myself of the boogeyman. Nothing reached up and grabbed my legs. I didn’t even feel any fish. Half way through I even did the back float and looked up at the blue sky. The perspective of the mountains around me and the sky was different from the middle of the lake. I realized how small I am in this big big world.

As I swam, I couldn’t help but think of characters and their fears. I laughed to myself. I swam across the lake without any high stakes or fear of death. In a book, my sister would have been drowning in the middle of the lake for me to conquer my fears. Or someone would me chasing me and I’d swim to safety.

What are your childhood fears? Have you conquered any of them?

Comments { 23 }
Follow Me