Can a First Chapter Make a Great Short Story Submission?

This is one topic I've been mulling over for some time. I like to read short stories; I'm not so good at writing them, and I've learned that many speculative fiction writers aren't either. I think our problem caters back to the necessity of world-building, the common practice of using a large cast of characters, and lots of plot and/or character development. Let's face it, most speculative novels are door-stoppers in size and scope.

So when a speculative writer wants to submit a short story for a contest, magazine, or anthology, all to often the train of thought seems to be: "I'll submit the first chapter of my novel and that will entice readers to want to read the rest of my novel!" Meh. Points for trying to be original about short-cutting your marketing strategy, the problem is, nearly everyone's trying to do the same thing - and I don't know of any first chapters being accepted as a true short story.

Because they're not.

The other form of logic may run: "I don't have time or energy to write out a short story because I'm working on my novel, but I really really want to be part of (insert whatever your submitting to), so I'll just submit the first chapter." You may want the writing credits or a prize to help boost your chances of landing something bigger with your entire novel down the road. Let's be honest, this is lazy. And it still falls back on the fact that a first chapter is NOT a short story.

Nope. There are no arguments to the contrary.

And there are a couple of good reasons why.

To start with, what is a first chapter? It is the beginning of a story, meant to draw in a reader and introduce them to your characters, your world, and the problem they are facing. First chapters don't resolve the main problem, they present it. First chapters don't reveal (or shouldn't anyway) your main character's entire backstory. They don't show off all the nuances of your novel's theme. You're just putting your story into gear and moving forward.

Now, maybe if you took your first chapter and completely rewrote it to the barest of barest bones, tacking on your ending chapter's resolution you could call it a short story. You'd have to pare your character list way down, skip nearly all of your world-building, chop out all your subplots, keep your action down to a minimum, cram your book's theme into one to two scenes, and still make it enthralling enough to read. But then, we've just destroyed your novel. And this grossly stunted version won't entice readers to want to go pick up and read the expanded form of the same story.

See what I mean?

So what is a short story? Let's turn to some resources for the answer:
From Merriam-Webster:
"...an invented prose narrative shorter than a novel usually dealing with a few characters and aiming at unity of effect and often concentrating on the creation of mood rather than plot."

From Wikipedia: (not my favorite go-to place as a resource, but I like this definition)
"A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood, however there are many exceptions to this."

From universalclass.com:
"Because of the length of short stories, most short stories just have an exposition, climax, and an abrupt ending. Short stories are known for having a "moral of the story" or a practical lesson, although this is not expected or required."

From liminalpages.com: (I recommend reading this entire blogpost, even though it's going in the opposite direction from short story writing to novel writing.)
"...let's think about the main difference between a novel and a short story:

• A novel is a journey - not only for the characters, but for the writer and the reader.
• A short story is an intense experience - something to linger over and savor (sic).

To capture these differences, you're going to have to write in a different way."

For a step-by-step guideline, you could take a look at this wikihow.com demonstration. It's pretty easy to understand and gives concrete examples.

From jerz.setonhill.edu:
"A short story is tight - there is no room for long exposition, there are no subplots to explore, and by the end of the story there should be no loose ends to tie up."

Just about every reference I've found or that you may find will also recommend reading short stories to get a handle on them. If you want to write fantasy short stories, find some legit ones to read, the same goes for any genre.

One strategy I thought of that might be helpful is to look at your novel and ask yourself if you have any side stories you could use as a short story, or any "episodic" parts with a beginning and a conclusion. There are lots of side stories that end up on the editing room floor as you revise. Why not pick one of them up and see if shows promise? If you have an "episodic" or short subplot in your novel, you could strip out the references to the rest of the novel at large and focus on that "episode" as a short story. Side stories are especially useful to garnering a readership for your story world.

To recap:

• A short story has a limited number of characters and settings - really limited.
• A short story has a conclusion. You don't leave the reader hanging, wondering where the rest of the story is. You don't entice readers with the idea of a full-fledged novel.
• A short story is smaller in scope, but should pack a punch as far as reader experience.
• A short story most often has one central conflict that is introduced and resolved. No tangents or subplots.
• A short story is concise. You don't have room for elaborate world-building, tons of action scenes, lengthy character development, etc. No lengthy build-up either. You get right into the heart of the problem at the get-go.
• Writing a short story is a different process from writing a novel and it will show if you're trying to get away with a first chapter. They are two different animals.

And there we have it.

You'll actually save time and effort on your part - and on the part of whatever contest, magazine, or press you're wanting to get into, by writing an actual short story. Sending in a first chapter usually means a polite rejection answer.

I hope this doesn't discourage anyone from wanting to write short stories. They're good practice at showing instead of telling, getting to the point, and being concise. All of which are great skills to have as a novelist too.

And I'm sure there are some anthologies, magazines, and contests out there that specifically want first chapters for the purpose of enticing readers. But don't they usually have a stipulation that the novel the chapter goes to be finished and/or published first? It makes practical sense.

If you know of any other good resources or references to the art of the short story, please share in the comments. Likewise if you've ever been on the receiving end of submissions for short stories and you'd like to share some friendly advice.

Elephant's Bookshelf Press Call for Short Story Submissions: Science Fiction

Matt Sinclair, a long-time writer/publishing colleague and friend of mine, has launched a call for submissions for Elephant's Bookshelf Press's latest anthology. The genre is science fiction with a connecting theme of flight for all submissions. Word count is up to 5,000 and the deadline is Jan. 15th, 2019. No erotica. Submissions are vetted by a panel, and go through a complete editing process if accepted.

The theme is more broad reaching than you might think. To quote directly from Matt's announcement:

"One of the reasons I like this theme is because it’s a term that has multiple meanings and therefore multiple interpretations. Of course, flight can involve human or alien spaceships, heroes with super-human abilities, winged creatures, but it just as easily could include flight from danger. Heck, I bet there’s a clever person out there who can make a flight of stairs into a vital element of a science fiction story.

"I don’t want to be too restrictive in this description. The story should incorporate flight; I leave the details to you."

While contributors aren't compensated monetarily, you do get a free print and ebook copy of the anthology. This will count as a viable writing credit for your bio. You'll also be in good company with other published writers who have contributed to past anthologies.

Previous anthologies published by EBP
 
Why not give it a whirl?

NaNo Aftermath

Every November that I set out to do NaNo, whether with new or old material, instead of collapsing on December 1st, I find my momentum is still charging ahead. There is a story to be finished! I hope you feel the same after the last month of work and discovery.

Whether you end up trying to revising a polish the story you were working on for publication or not, I hope this madcap adventure helped you to find out more about yourself as a writer. If anything, that setting goals and working towards them brings more of a harvest than not setting goals or working hard.

If you feel like sharing your total word count for November in the comments, I'd love it. My writing project was more of a third draft than a first, so word count was sketchy. The point was I accomplished a lot and came closer to my long-term goals.

I've often used NaNo as a tool to garner more writing time. Yes, some of it has been about revising, more about the hours spent than the word count. But the same tactics I've shared over the past month still go into play whether I'm working hard at a second draft or a first. Next year I hope for new material.

That aside, what tips and tricks (whether from me, someone else, or your own creativity) did you find the most helpful? Would you do NaNo again?

Best of luck with your continuing journey as a writer.

Tip 1: Stuck? Do Some Jumping
Tip 2: Details, Details, Details
Tip 3: Exposition Help
Tip 4: Verbal Tornado

NaNo Tip: Verbal Tornado

We're almost there! How'd you do this past week? Are you staying on top of your daily or weekly goals? Did you fall behind a bit? Are you beyond what you thought you could do?

Ready for another NaNo tip?

This one's fun to do. Take a scene, or a string of them, and just write dialogue. Except for the tags, or if you absolutely have to write a short (and I do mean short) word or two of action, keep to only what the characters say and see how much you can convey through their dialogue.

What I love about this tactic is it makes the pages fly by and it's easy to get into. It also helps you narrow down your characters' quirks and verbal style. Arguments and explanations are great for filling in word counts.

Want to take it up a level? Pick two characters, major or minor or both, and for a day or two, only write their encounters with each other. Skip everything else, and show - through dialogue - how their relationship develops or unravels.

Paul and Betty may start off as old school mates who haven't seen each other in years. Their initial encounter would probably contain pleasantries, leading into a bit of reminiscing about people or their old school. Perhaps this makes them want to meet up again, maybe it doesn't.

Needless to say, they meet up again a few days (or hours) later. This time are they more open, or does their dialogue take another turn. Do they rub each other the wrong way?

Then write their third encounter, and the fourth. You might want to bear in mind what's been happening with the rest of the story. After all Betty and Paul's conversation may cover something going on with one of the other characters or an event.

Hopefully this might help you get through the home stretch. And like always, over done or bad dialogue can always be trimmed later. Get the gist of what you need to happen in the story down now while it's fresh and simmering in your brain.

I've also learned it's possible to pull off 10,000 words or more in a solitary week, so don't give up if you have that much left to do. Do your best with what time you have and don't let the stress of word count slow you down.

NaNo Tip: Exposition Help

So we're past the half way point ... go NaNo'ers!! Are you hanging in there?

I've got another tip, if you'd like one.

Focus on internal exposition, no matter what POV your story is supposed to be in. Dive into your character(s)' psyche. Learn what their voice is. Even if it's only for one scene. How does character A see a particular event or place? What ghosts from the past does it bring to light? What emotions? What schemes or desires?

And for further mixing it up, write the same scene from someone else's POV. Or do it from multiple POVs. What this does is add depth to your characters (and words to your word count), which you can later utilize to show even side characters as having a life rather than being dumb extras as stage props for your MC.

Don't worry about whether you'll use this internal exposition later on. Write it. Work on your character development. It doesn't matter how far into your story you are right now or where you're determined to be by the end of the week.

I think one of the most common problems with reaching that 50,000 word goal is thinking you have to finish the story, therefore you have to skip all the good stuff in favor of the action. Action is only one aspect of a story. Exposition helps you (and more importantly your readers) get to know your characters. And at this phase of the writing process you don't need to stress about how much exposition. There is such a thing as too much, which can slow your pacing down. But that is a revision consideration, not a first draft one.

Try it out, you might be surprised how much this helps your word count goal for the week.

Don't miss out on each weekly tip!
Tip 1: Stuck? Do Some Jumping
Tip 2: Details, Details, Details
Tip 4: Verbal Tornado
 

NaNo Tip: Details, Details, Details

Hi everyone! How did you do this past week? Are you still going strong or ready to throw in the towel?

I have another tip for you to keep going: details.

Use some of your writing time to just sit and write a setting, character, or action description. Don't worry about order of any kind. Let your imagination run wild and spill out everything that comes to mind about your topic. It counts toward your word count. Chances are you'll later restructure and toss out or amend what you write now - but that's later.

Fleshing out details can awaken your creativity and get your juices flowing again. All of a sudden you've got loads of new ideas for where your plot can take you, or twists you can add in.

Imagine going from: Carol walked through the park to get to her appointment.
To something like this:
Men wearing green and gold-braided uniforms stood like doormen at either side of the entrance to the park. Crowds of people milled in lines along the pathways, the line moving to Carol's right carrying bright colored balloons and the line going left with either their hands in their pockets and eyes watching their feet or carrying crude picketing signs that said things like: "Give What You've Got!" and "We Want the Combustion!" The wind blew newspapers, empty popcorn bags, and other trash between the marchers' legs. More than one balloon was snatched and floated across the man-made stream towards Carol. The voices, the onslaught of debris and balloons, the confusion - Carol unfroze, looked dubiously at the snooty men by the park entrance, and dashed behind a group of newcomers.

It's rough, but you get the idea. All of a sudden we have details we can play with that might have an impact on Carol later in the story.

Use the five senses. What does your character smell? Hear? See? Feel (physically)? Taste (if applicable)?

Go for the unusual and the pertinent. What stands out about a place, person, or event? What helps move your plot along? What makes your character react in some way? Maybe Carol hates balloons and seeing a bunch of them blowing wildly toward her is what freaks her out. Maybe she knows there are hidden messages in those balloons that could implicate her. Maybe she's supposed to be one of the organizers for one of the marches and instead she's ducking out to go to an appointment. So many possibilities. Don't be afraid to go a little crazy or go big.

Happy writing this week!


Don't miss out on each weekly tip!
Tip 1: Stuck? Do Some Jumping
Tip 3: Exposition Help
Tip 4: Verbal Tornado
 

NaNo Tip: Stuck? Do Some Jumping

Hi fellow NaNo'ers. How have things been the first week? Are you going strong or stuck?

Here's a trick I learned a few years back: ditch chronological or linear order. Seriously. Sometimes it's easier to picture scenes at the end of your story or in the middle rather than at the beginning. Go write those scenes while they are fresh in your mind. Don't worry about how things transition together or if you'll have to throw out these poignant scenes later. Write them! Go out of order. It's okay.

I found that following this non-linear pattern usually led to more ideas, as the ones bugging me were finally put to rest on paper, so to speak. It can be so frustrating to try to stick to chronological order, knowing you've got to come up with transitional material and certain beats while that other dynamite scene or chapter is on constant re-play in your mind.

And ... knowing your ending and/or main plot points can help you nail down those excruciatingly hard beginnings.

Give it a try and keep your writing pace going.


Don't miss out on each weekly tip!
Tip 2: Details, Details, Details
Tip 3: Exposition Help
Tip 4: Verbal Tornado
 

National Novel Writing Month Eve

It's that time of year again! Who's planning on flexing those writing endurance muscles this year?

Suggestion before Nov. 1st kicks off: know what you intend to work on.

Make an outline, write a brief summary, make some goals. It doesn't matter if you are a proud pantser or outliner, get your compass out and make sure you have a plan. It makes the whole month easier. It can be as simple as: Character A meets Character B and that leads to plot points 1, 2, and 3 with such-and-such ending in mind. You go into writing knowing that at any moment things can change, but at least you have a direction start in. It sure beats staring at a blank screen with good intentions and feeling a story.

You've got a couple of days, why not do some brainstorming now?

Good luck fellow NaNo'ers!


Don't miss out on each weekly tip!
Tip 1: Stuck? Do Some Jumping
Tip 2: Details, Details, Details
Tip 3: Exposition Help
Tip 4: Verbal Tornado
 

Music to Write By #10: Forever Enya

Ever since I was a young teenager, my muse has been Enya. I can't count how many stories I've written while using her music as my background soundtrack. She sings in different languages, even one she and Roma Ryan made up! The instrumental pieces are lovely, and her voice in the others is ethereal. Moods can range from joyful to grim with everything in between. She's great for relaxing as well as inspiration, without getting too elevator-ish, if you know what I mean.

Here are just a sample of some of her different styles and sounds from each of her major albums:

First up, the title track from her album "The Celts." This one's a nice mix of vocal and instrumental, magical and uplifting:

The next album is "Watermark," and everyone's heard "Orinoco Flow," so instead I'd like you to experience the more serious and grimmer, "Cursum Perficio":

After that comes "Shepherd Moons." From this album I'd like to showcase the haunting "Afer Ventus":

Then we get to my all-time favorite album, "The Memory of Trees," which I solely used to write one specific novel. I love everything on this one, but to give you another sampling of Enya's broad reach, let's listen to "Once You Had Gold," which has a sad/regretful tone:

Next is "A Day Without Rain."One by One," tells a story of taking chances and letting go:

This is followed by "Amarantine." We'll do the upbeat "The River Sings":

Then we have "And Winter Came." While at least half the tracks on this album can be classified as Christmas music, I'd like you to try "Last Time by Moonlight," a song about remembrance:

And lastly, "Dark Sky Island," choosing "The Loxian Gate" which is one of her pieces where the lyrics are completely in her made-up language.

Are you an Enya fan too? What are some of your favorite songs? I also love playing the sheet music to these albums. There are also some great compilation albums out there to give you a smattering of her work: "Paint the Sky With Stars," and "The Very Best of Enya."

I've grown up listening to Enya and to this day, she is still my favorite artist. Her music touches my soul, and has been an inspiration. Be sure to check out not only the video links above, but also her other wonderful songs from your favorite music retailer. Whether for relaxation, pure enjoyment of good music, or because you need "music to write by," you can't go wrong here. (And no, I'm in no way affiliated with Enya, although it would be a pleasure to thank her in person someday for sharing her talents.)

Do you want even more ideas for music? Be sure to check out the entire on-going series on my blog of "Music to Write by":
 Music to Write By #1: OCRemix Doom 'Jade Spawn'
Music to Write By #2: 'The Different World' by Peter Schilling
Music to Write By #3: OCRemix Deus ex 'Siren Synapse'
Music to Write By #4: OCRemix Chrono Trigger Aqueous Transgression
Music to Write By #5: OCRemix Chrono Cross Another Inspiration
Music to Write By #6: OCRemix The Binding of Isaac 'The Clubbing of Isaac'
Music to Write By #7: Valentine's Edition
Music to Write By #8: Groovin' with Command and Conquer
Music to Write By #9: Adiemus

In Which My Feminine Side Gets the Better of Me

I've always loved girly clothes: lace, ruffles, silky fabrics ... Of course, I like them in good taste and never over done. I think that's one reason I loved princess stories and why they resonate with girls little and not so little - the fashion. I mean, how cool are puffy sleeves and floofy skirts with multiple layers beneath?

www.serendipityretail.co.uk

(Isn't this cute? Perfect for little girl dress-up!)

Clothes like that are highly impractical and as a grown-up, I've often felt amazement at the women in history who had to wear things like corsets and hoopskirts and snoods while trying to raise kids, clean house, or organize community projects. Historical costuming aside, there is still a couple of traditional regalia out there that I think rock in the modern age. What are they? Keep reading.

(Okay, so women who wore these probably didn't have to mind the kids or make bread, but their poorer counterparts who had less pretty versions of these dresses did.)

I really hate Western fashion. For the average woman, it's frumpy, or constrictive, immodest, or gaudy. And please give me the right to say that fashion designers are clueless (okay, that's harsh, maybe strapped by modern standards would work better) when it comes to workable, good-looking clothes for everyday wear. Maybe it's our cultural downward spiral into extreme casualness to blame. Well, whatever the reason, I'm locked into Western fashion because that is where I live and unfortunately, my cultural background and identity has taken fashion in directions I loathe.

This one says, "I just threw something on. Oh well.":

www.aliexpress.com

 Who could walk comfortably in this thing?:

fashionfuz.com

I wish we had more clothing like this:

Mirraw Designs

Mirraw Designs

Kaneesha.com

Indian fashion is so pretty! Of course it can get too opulent and impractical too. Any cultural fashion type can. But how comfortable and gorgeous these clothes are! (I'm not a fan of the missing mid-drift, but that aside ...) I follow a couple of Indian fashion houses on Facebook just so I can look at the pictures and my hope in femininity can be rekindled.

Kaneesha.com

Kaneesha.com

Kaneesha.com

I admit that Indian fashion helped shape some of the clothing in my stories. And I wish I had the cultural background to get away with wearing Indian fashion. I'd stick out around the people in my community, or get censured for not having the right cultural identity to wear things like that. I don't have much of a glamorous night life either for the really glitzy stuff. *sigh* A girl can dream, right?

The pictures say so much more than I can, so I'll leave you with a few more. Tell me what you think. Do you like what you see? What traditional cultural garb do you wish you could get away with wearing? And for fun, what's your favorite color?

This one's my favorite:

Kaneesha.com

Kaneesha.com

Kaneesha.com

Kaneesha.com

Kaneesha.com

Beautiful colors. Beautiful fabrics. You can move in these! And most Indian fashion is modest. Proving you don't have to show a ton of skin to draw attention. To me, these clothes say, "I respect myself. I'm comfortable with my femininity. I take care to look my best."

And yes, to the snarky person who is thinking, "You can't chase kids or clean the bathroom in most of these outfits," most of these you couldn't. But there are simpler, less dressy versions of these styles that Indian women wear every day to do mundane chores. They are still feminine.

The Atlas of Beauty

(I am in no way affiliated with either Mirraw Designs or Kaneesha.com. I'm just a fan who is happy to share their work.)

What Do You Look for in a Writing Group?

That question has been on my mind a lot lately. When we write, we're usually alone; it's a solo process. When we want feedback or advice or direction, we want to turn to other writers, not non-writers. That means we need to be part of some kind of writing community.

I've been part of four writing communities over the past decade. One fizzled out, one was so huge you felt like you'd never get noticed or respected, one is a local online group that I'm fairly new in and am not sure if I'm going to stay, and the third I helped carve out and create. You'd think the last one would still be solid gold, but it's not. It's kind of existing right now. The writers who originally were a part of it have either reached a measure of success and no longer need a writing group, or they're too busy, or have gone in an entirely new direction. The remainder are still seeking publication or a sense of community, but the hunger isn't there any more.

What do I mean by hunger? That thirst to figure out how the writing/publishing world works and where we stand in it. There's vulnerability and its partner, courage. Eagerness to interact and try new things. A sense of wanting to help make a writing community something to be proud of.

I get it: after so many years, people get burned out or tired, or pretty much have things figured out. Sometimes we're so wrapped up in the writing or revision process that the timing isn't right. Life happens and pulls us away from that sense of community. Writing forum leaders get burned too many times, or find that their writing time has been sucked away into trying to make their forums relevant and fun so they quit. I've come dangerously close to that a time or two. Yet, I like being part of a writing community, and I like the friends I've made who are sticking it out with me.

So I ask myself, what do I want in a writing forum?

Honestly ...
1. Friends who understand the writing journey and can commiserate with me.
2. Conversations about writing and publishing. It's the lifeblood of any good forum.
3. Networking. Helping each other connect with others and expanding our reach.
4. Critique partners that will want to read my work as badly as they want me to read theirs.
5. Mutual respect. Recognizing that not all writing paths are the same, and even though we may like each other as people, it doesn't mean we have to love what each other writes. And that's okay. It's a huge bonus if we love each other's genres and styles, but that shouldn't be the deciding factor of our friendship. We also don't have to follow the same pathway to publication.
6. A forum where I don't have to feel like I have to carry the entire burden of making it a great experience for everyone else. Or where anyone else feels like they have to either. Some people love to dominate conversations and threads, of course, but no one should feel compelled to.
7. Fun. Games, trivia, contests, getting-to-know-you activities. A place where I can enjoy the company of other writers.
8. No fear. Meaning, no one is patronizing or rude or a troll to anyone else. No worries about someone else copying anyone else's work or ideas. No fear that if someone takes that leap of courage and puts their work out there for feedback that everyone else won't descend like a pack of bloodthirsty sharks and rip not only their work, but them as a person, to pieces.

Sounds idyllic, I know.

The most important thing I've learned, as both a participant and a forum leader, is that it takes more than bells and whistles and guests and fun to make a forum work. It takes participation and dedication from the members. A forum dies when people only come to take and never give back. I am grateful for the many people I've known who understand the give and take of a writing community. I wish I could collect them all and stay together.

What do you look for in a writing group/forum? What would make the perfect place for you to be nurtured and/or do the nurturing of other writers? What would make you want to come back to that place for years?

Big News!

(In which my Trefury saga starts to resemble the interstellar phenomenon that connects worlds in the first book ... Virtual brownies to the person who can tell me the name of that phenomenon in the comments below!)

I'm excited to announce that Book 2 will not be released by itself. Book 3 will be right on its heels! In fact, the two of them will be companion novels, happening simultaneously. Which means there will be a Book 4 which brings everything back together for the conclusion.

What sparked this?

As I and my critique partners have been going through the process, I realized that keeping both main storylines together would give everyone a very large, (although not inflated as to content), book to read. It started to make more and more sense to split each storyline into its own novel. I had all of you in mind, dear readers. It will not only keep page counts down, but it will be easier to keep track of what is going on. It also gives me a little more wiggle room to flesh out the characters' journeys so the pacing doesn't seem rushed.

All-in-all, this splintering has alleviated a lot of stress and spurred new excitement into the process. I'll continue to share developments as they come, including the title of Book 3.

Writing Update for April 2018

I know, I've been absent for a long time.

I think everyone reaches a stage as a blogger when you feel like you're only rehashing your own thoughts or the thoughts of others. The main purpose of this blog is to share my discoveries as I aim to be a better writer in the hope that it helps others miss some of my mistakes or gets a lift in the right direction faster than I did.

So what have I learned lately? To chill out mostly, especially when it comes to writing. There are going to be good and bad days, entire chunks of time agonizing because of writer's block, or real life gets in the way of writing. I imagine it's much harder for people who are under contract to get their books done by a certain deadline. I don't want to imagine how stressed I'd be if I had to submit to a deadline like that! I do set my own goals and deadlines, but I've learned that's its okay if I don't meet them exactly - as long as I tried my best to meet them in the first place.

Book 2 has taken longer to put out than I originally planned. Firstly because I was burned out after publishing Book 1. I strained my eyes badly in the editing process, and when it was all over, I didn't even want to write. It wasn't enjoyable. Plus, I couldn't shake editor mode for the longest time. I hated it, because I had a goal, but I had to have a year off. Then slowly, I got back into writing again. I'm making great progress now. Book 2 is in the final deep revisions stage before heading into those tweaking and copy editing drafts. This time I won't blow my eyes out by staring at a screen too long.

And to support that, I won't announce the release of Book 2 until after copy edits are over. I'm all for a more laid-back release this time. Book 2 is garnering more excitement from critique partners than Book 1 did, which is saying a lot. Mostly, that I have chilled out and am enjoying the writing process, and secondly, I'm a better writer than before. It's progress, and I'm glad.

Along with ramping up my enthusiasm and time on Book 2, big changes have been going on for me in the social side of writing. I created a group for speculative fiction writers on Agent Query Connect a decade ago, and now we've branched out into our own private forum. It took some time to get the new site figured out and to make the move. I have two wonderful co-moderators helping me run things and a loyal core group of writers who wanted to stick together. I expect there will be lots of tweaking for awhile before we get into a strong rhythm. I look forward to continuing the process of improving my writing skills and helping others do the same on the new site.

What words of wisdom or advice can I offer with this post? Have goals and be realistic with them. Know your limits. Writing a story should be an enjoyable process in the long-run. And I still say it's best to take your time to write the best story possible than to rush in order to meet someone else's deadline or try to make a bestseller list. A lot of those best selling books do fade away in time. Books that endure have a better quality to them than meeting a trend. They have something to say or to show. It really depends on what your motivation to write is. Knowing that, can help you with the rest of the picture and knowing what to expect.

Welcome 2018!

Happy New Year!

2017 was a pressure cooker for me and my family, but good things came out of it. Not anything monumental. Small, subtle things. Hardship can either make you hard or it can make you change into something softer yet stronger. I don't know if that makes any sense to you. I don't suppose anyone who hasn't gone through such a metamorphosis is capable of understanding.

Now, looking forward to this next year, I am hoping to make the announcement of my second book's publication date at some point. I'm getting closer and with the long hours and trial and error behind me from book 1, I am able to pull things together faster with book 2. Stay tuned for updates as the year progresses.

On a personal level, I've decided to work on having more hope. Things look so crazy and black sometimes out in the world, and sometimes in my life. In growing upon what I learned last year, trying to increase the perspective of looking on the bright side and hoping for the best in people rather than the worst is my aim.

I'm also hoping to find wonderful new books to read and new authors to discover. My big new (fiction) author discovery last year came through my daughters, who introduced me to Tui T. Sutherland's Wings of Fire series. I also really enjoyed Brandon Mull's latest offering, Dragonwatch (although you should read his Fablehaven series first to understand this second series better), and I look forward to the next installment. Another good book I recommend is The Twistrose Key by Tone Almhjell.

If so inclined, tell me your new book recommendations from last year or what your writing goal for this year is.