fiction | Mandyevebarnett's Blog

Posts Tagged ‘fiction’

Promises of Things to Come…

Posted in Writing Inspiration, writing journey, tagged arts, Augur, authors, books, endless examples, fiction, forthcoming story, Global Community, literature, novels, Online Writing, publicity, publicity companies, readership, short story, teasers, writers on May 12, 2013 | 2 Comments »

Augur – definition: to give promise of something to come later

Publicity techniques are as numerous as there are stories. Whether you are happy to have your tales shared only with family and friends or explode it onto the global community, a little augur goes a long way.

The internet is full of tips, publicity companies and helpful blogs from other authors. These can give you ideas on how to promote your stories to best effect.

The first step is to identify your story’s genre. This may seem easy at first but every story has may elements within them. The trick is to identify the main theme and make it the focus of how you promote your book.

I am not going to list endless examples or sites that can help – each of us has our own view and idea of how we want our story to be perceived. However, giving our potential readership teasers and an insight into the world we have created is a good place to start.

Use genre specific forums and sites as places to enthuse and share your forthcoming story.

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Is It A Peccadillo..?

Posted in novels, Writing, Writing Inspiration, tagged adult fantasy, art, author, books, children's books, entertainment, fantasy, fiction, genre, genres, literature, Mixed Genre, novels, Peccadillo, romance, speculative fiction, writer, writing inspiration on April 19, 2013 | 2 Comments »

Peccadillo – definition: a slight offense, a petty fault – so is it a peccadillo to be fixated on genres? A very interesting article I want to share with you.

What are your thoughts? As you all know I’m not limited to a certain genre – see below! An adult fantasy, a children’s story, a speculative fiction and a romance.

http://sdsouthard.com/2013/04/17/our-dangerous-fixation-with-genres/

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What’s A Writers Main Problem..?

Posted in authors, novels, Writing, Writing Inspiration, tagged a writers problem, addiction, arts, author, books, fiction, ideas, literature, Michelle Smith, projects, Stone Princess, story arc, Thought, thought processes, writer, writing on April 16, 2013 | 4 Comments »

Surfeit – definition: 1) a supply that is more than enough : excess; 2) an enjoyment of something (as food or drink) beyond what is good or necessary; 3) disgust caused by excess

I’m sure if we began making lists of writing problems the topics included would be – editing, conclusions, middle of the story arc, and character development to name just a few. However, I feel the main problem happens to be – too many ideas! It is almost a curse. We are concentrating on one project and numerous others are fighting for our attention. We make hurried notes in an attempt not to ‘lose’ the new idea. Then it is filed away with all the others. Gradually we come to realize our idea pile is growing exponentially.

When will we have the time to give them our full attention? Is it actually possible to nurture all of them into fulfilled projects?

Some may say it’s a good problem to have; if they are not a writer that is! Contrarily it actually has the opposite effect from the perceived one. We become frustrated as these new stories tussle for our attention, breaking into our thought processes at inconvenient moments. Worry begins to surface, what if by ignoring them they are lost forever? Should we spend time plotting them out then get back to our current project? When will we get time to enhance them all into cohesive stories?

How do you cope with multiple ideas? What strategies do you use to keep them from invading your thoughts? Can you share any tips or experience that would help others?

I would also like to mention today a friend’s book as it deals with surfeit. She has been exceptionally brave and told her story of addiction. An excess she has managed to ‘conquer’.

http://www.amazon.com/Stone-Princess-Collection-Stories-ebook/dp/B00C4CVSWG

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Are You Overlooking Something..?

Posted in Writing, Writing Inspiration, tagged Alberta, arts, attention to detail, Aurora, author, celestial sphere, character building, character development, endless descriptions, fantasy, fantasy novel, fiction, literature, make it real, non-fiction, novel, Protagonist, research, story arc, Worldbuilding, writer, writing on April 15, 2013 | 2 Comments »

Nadir – definition: 1) the lowest point; 2) the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith and directly under the observer.

Aurora Borealis observed in Norway on 2006-10-28. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I could relate star gazing experiences or the fantastic moments I have witnessed the aurora borealis here in Alberta but my mind went to the characters and parts of a story we can overlook. When we are engaged in writing about our main characters and their story they are our primary focus. We can neglect what is literally under our noses. The interaction with secondary characters can be an artful way of enhancing our main character. Their reaction to someone else will illustrate their personality more effectively than using endless descriptions. Of course secondary characters can also be important in their own right not only implementing momentum in the story arc but also as individual characters with their own ‘lives’ that are affected by the circumstances they and our main character find themselves in.

Take a look at this post:

http://crimsonleague.com/2013/04/11/creative-writing-tip-character-traits-in-secondary-characters/

Even the smallest detail can eject your reader from a scene. Would a historically set story really have burgers on the menu? Would a character wear a wristwatch? This is where research is vital for accuracy and to ensure your reader totally believes in the world your characters inhabit. The choice of weapons, clothing and social conventions build your world making it all the more believable. A Victorian lady would not go on a girls night out but entertain a few friends in the parlour during the day. A space commander would probably not spend his evenings knitting. Pirates use a cutlass, an alien a laser.

Here’s a great post:

http://susanleighnoble.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/realistic-food-in-your-fantasy-novel/

No matter your genre, your world building must have rules, structure and conventions that your hero is fighting to maintain or struggling against. Their methods and actions must reflect what is available to them and most importantly it must be believable.

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Interview M.K. Turner…

Posted in authors, novels, Writing, Writing Inspiration, tagged Agatha Christie, art, author, author interview, books, Chicago, crime, Deer Hunter, England, fiction, genre, Ill Conceived, literature, M K Turner, Marcia, Minorca, Misplaced Loyalty, Murderous Mishaps, New England, novels, Seattle, thrillers, writing on April 12, 2013 | 3 Comments »

Pastiche – definition: 1) a literary, artistic, musical, or architectural work that imitates the style of a previous work; 2) a. an artistic composition made up of selections from different works. b. a confused mixture.

Please welcome Marcia..she is an author of thrillers and is following in the footsteps of her literary heroes.

Of the characters you have created or envisioned, which is your favorite & why?This is difficult but I would say DCI John Meredith. Good looking, intelligent, and a little bit naughty which I love, but unpredictable, arrogant, and a little bit naughty which I shouldn’t, but he does draw women in.
Do you favor one type of genre or do you dabble in more than one?
Crime thrillers and murder mysteries are my favourite, I have dabbled elsewhere, but not yet for publication.
What do you enjoy most about writing?
The escapism, the ability to be in any situation anywhere in the world with anyone you choose. I also thoroughly enjoy the challenge of having several storylines that either come together or overlap.

What reward do you give yourself for making a deadline? Another glass of wine … but more seriously the relief is reward enough.

Have you got a favorite place to write?

The small back bedroom overlooking the garden, its compact but when I look up I can see trees!
Do you plan your stories, or are you a seat of the pants style writer?
I always know how they will begin and end, just not sure about the middle bit. So I’d say a seat of the pants.
What inspires your stories?
Misplaced Loyalty was a television news item, Ill Conceived was a newspaper article, and Murderous Mishaps was based on true stories and gossip. The Wrong Shoes is therefore worrying I have no idea where it came from.
Do you nibble as you write? If so what’s your favorite snack food?
I don’t as a rule, don’t like sticky fingers on the keyboard, but if I’m writing in the evening and it goes past nine o’clock I have been known to have a glass of red.

What are you currently reading?
Since publishing Misplaced Loyalty I find I have had little time to read, but I managed to get through twelve of my ‘to read’ list on a recent holiday. The two at the top of my list now are by fellow indie authors, One Pair of Rose Colored Glasses by Shay Ray Stevens, and from Beer to Eternity by Bill Carson. I’m looking forward to both.

With no financial limits where would you vacation and why?
Anywhere exotic that I have yet to visit due to the cost. I love Cuba a beautiful country with beautiful people, it’s like stepping back in time. I would also tour America, Chicago, New England and Seattle being top of the list.
Do you have any odd habits?
No odd habits, a few bad ones, but I don’t think they’re odd, unless knowing that you are doing something that damages you is odd!! I intend to give up smoking AGAIN this year.
Do you have any pets?
As a family we always had a dog. We now have a house bunny! My daughter has recently moved back home for work and brought her new pet with her. Sketch has taken over the household and is very cute if a tad destructive. My husband dotes on him.
Do you belong to a writing group? If so which one?
I used to go to a local group but it doesn’t match my working hours, (the type where you leave the house and go to an office). So not anymore, which is a shame as I loved it.
What age did you start writing stories/poems?
I started writing stories almost as soon I could write, but as I got older life and babies got in the way, I’m glad to be back.
Do you have a book published? If so what is it called & where can readers purchase it?
I have three – I have listed them below with the links for US and UK.

Misplaced Loyalty http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009EC3MQO http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009EC3MQO

Ill Conceived http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C4D0B8C http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00C4D0B8C

Murderous Mishaps http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B4ES0G2 http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00B4ES0G2

If you could meet one favorite author who would it be and why?

Agatha Christie (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Blimey that’s a long list, but I suppose Agatha Christie would be near the top. I’d love to know where she got her inspiration for so many wonderful characters, and great plots to go with them.

If you could live anywhere in the world – where would it be?
Ideally somewhere warm, overlooking a beautiful beach and the sea. Menorca would fit the bill. In reality I doubt I would ever leave England, so perhaps one day a holiday home….
What’s your favorite movie of all time?
Just as with books, I don’t think it’s possible to have only one, therefore based on genre. Musical: West Side Story. Romance: Love Story. Tear jerker: The Green Mile/The Bucket List. War: The Deer Hunter. Not to mention all the Godfather films and ….
Where can readers find you ?

https://twitter.com/MarciaKimTurner

https://www.facebook.com/pages/M-K-Turner/146767565466136?fref=ts

Do you have plans or ideas for your next book?
I am currently working on the third in the Meredith & Hodge series the working title being The Wrong Shoes.
Who is your best supporter/mentor/encourager?
First has to be my poor often abandoned husband, Geoff, closely followed by my editor Steph at edit-my-book.com

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Annual Writers Conference…

Posted in Writing, Writing Conference, tagged arts, author, Chapter 8 - Discover Your Next Chapter, choosing a writing conference, fiction, Judy Schultz, Karen Probert, learning, Lisa de Nikolits, literature, Natasha Deen, networking, presenters, Q&A panel, research, speculative fiction, Strathcona County, The Writers Foundation of Strathcona County, tips, workshops, writer, Writers Resources, writing, writing circle., writing style on April 5, 2013 | 2 Comments »

Peruse – definition: 1) a. to examine or consider with attention and in detail ; study; b. to look over or through in a casual manner 2) read; especially : to read carefully or thoroughly.

Over the last several months I have been working on the Conference Planning Committee of my writing group, the Writers Foundation of Strathcona County. This is our fourth conference and it is always well received. Here are the details – just in case you are planning on coming.

http://www.wfscsherwoodpark.com/fp/chapter-8-discover-your-next-chapter

Tips for choosing a conference:

A writer‘s conference gives you the opportunity to learn and network both of which are valuable to the novice and experienced writer. You should consider -

* does the content fit your needs at this stage of your writing? * do the benefits outweigh any costs that might be paid? * what do you hope to gain from your attendance / participation? * does it offer more than bragging rights – are you going just to say you’ve been to a conference or rub elbows with so-and-so? * does it offer a range of opportunities?

When deciding if a conference is worth the time and effort, a writer must look at, not only the cost of going but the benefits gleaned from the experience. Writing is a lonely activity, for the most part, and a chance to make a connection with others who share your passion is a great opportunity but also a big investment. By investment we are not only referring to the fees accompanying conference registration but also the time it takes to attend a conference. Both must be considered thoroughly – would your money be spent wiser elsewhere, or would it be time better spent, say, writing?

The content offered by a conference will either meet your needs or it won’t, depending upon the stage of your writing and the expectations you have for your writing future. “Never stop learning” should be a component of every writer’s life and it drives your decision when you select the workshops you might attend and the value they have to you. Consider if they are introductory, mid-level, or advanced – or are they general enough / specific enough to offer you something to ‘take home.’

The whole purpose in attending a conference should be to further your writing journey. If you are going, just to say you’ve been, or perhaps a chance to slip your unsolicited manuscript into the hands of an unsuspecting editor, think again and reconsider your actions and your reasons for attending. What do you pay? A writer only has to peruse the listing of the many conferences hosted throughout the year and the country to realize that costs vary, with some be out of reach for the emerging writer, or someone on a tight budget. Consider again, the benefits in relation to the cost.

Check out the conference programs and who is hosting the function. A conference about speculative fiction or sci-fi fantasy may intrigue some writers but not everyone writes in this genre and although the fundamentals of writing and character development or plotting apply to any genre, a whole conference geared toward this particular style of work, might not benefit all writers.

If you have to make choices, it might be more appropriate to find a conference geared directly to the type of writing you do or one that offers a range of events, displays, and workshop choices. Most include a trade area with vendors who sell their products and services. Don’t look at this as just an opportunity to spend your money. Consider the value in the research and network aspects of it – meet new people, explore ideas, invest in your experience – it might open up doors to the future of your own writing career.

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Duality in Your Stories..?

Posted in novels, Writing, writing journey, tagged acceptable limits, arts, author, books, characters, creative writing, Cujo, dead in a ditch, duality, fiction, Life in Slake Patch, literature, Mandy Eve-Barnett, motherly instincts, novel, novels, Online Writing, perspective., poor woman, question of perspective, shopping, social environment, Stephen King, transgress, worse case scenario, writing, writing excercise on March 25, 2013 | 1 Comment »

Transgress – definition: 1) to go beyond the limits set by law : violate 2) to pass beyond or go over a limit or boundary; 3) to violate a command or law

In a normal social environment going beyond acceptable limits is either frowned upon or punished depending on the situation. However, its not such a bad thing for a writer to push the limits. Our imaginations make anything possible. We can even set our own limits in our created worlds. A being with no emotion, such as a vulcan would not think twice about the slaying of another being – as long as it was the logical action in that situation. In the mind of a twisted villian they would view their actions as sanctioned or required within their madness. While a victim could act violently in self defense and be seen as a hero. Both characters have killed but we view the acts differently.

As always it is a question of perspective. Something I have pressed upon my children. When I was told ‘but I was alright Mum’ – my counter comment is ‘from your point of view, yes you were fine but from mine I imagined you dead in a ditch’. It seemed to do the trick as they are both very good at texting me to let me know where they are and how they are. Yes I admit I have a ‘worse case scenario’ mindset, maybe it’s the writer in me or just the normal motherly instincts for her cubs.

The first time I was consciously aware of the strength of perspective was when I re-read Cujo by Stephen King. The first time I was a ‘live life to the fullest’ single and felt sorry for the poor dog. The second read, I was a mother and sympathised with the poor woman and child. Two opposing views for the exact same story.

Which brings me to ponder when we are creating characters and situations should we endeavor to tailor make the story to appeal to more than one demographic? For example my novel, Life in Slake Patch is from the viewpoint of a young man realising the way of life unchanged for generations could be a great deal better from his perspective. However, it also shows the hierarchy and why that way of life was structured in the first place. In essence, Evan wants more than only one day to visit his new bride and not to live in a male only compound, while the all female hierarchy has made those exact laws to safe guard from another world war.

Pyramid from: Profesorbaker’s Blog.

When you study your stories can you identify this type of duality?

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A Sincere Thank You…

Posted in Writing, Writing Inspiration, writing journey, tagged art, blog, bloggers, boisterous, books, community, facts and figures, fiction, inspiration, literature, novel, number of likes, thank you, writing, writing journey on March 16, 2013 | 1 Comment »

I surpassed 500 likes (actual figure 673) on 10th February 2013 – for some reason I did not share this knowledge although I did a happy dance to celebrate. However, there is no way of knowing what my current count is – yes I’ve looked extensively through the help pages and my stats page – so I suppose I will have to wait until a 1000 likes icon appears.

My motivation to share now is to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to visit, like and comment on my musings. It is my hope that you find my words fun, enlightening and helpful. I truly believe to share my journey is my mission. If I help only one or two writers from struggling in isolation I will be happy. Reaching out across cyber space as well as locally has brought me in contact with some wonderful people and enriched my life.

So I will raise a glass and toast you all using today’s word as my inspiration. Boisterous – definition: 1) a. noisy and rough : rowdy b. marked by high spirits; 2) vigorously active : stormy. Might as well make a noise about it.

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Epaulet…What’s Your Romantic Scale?

Posted in Writing, Writing Inspiration, writing journey, tagged An Officer and A Gentleman, arts, book recommendation, book review, Canada, corset ripping, epaulet, Epaulette, fiction, hero, heroine, historical, independent women, Lisa de Nikolits, literature, Military, Relationships, romance, self love, uniform, West of Wawa on March 6, 2013 | 4 Comments »

Epaulet – definition: a shoulder ornament on a uniform especially of a military or naval officer.

OK so be honest what image came into your mind immediately you read today’s word? A movie scene from An Officer & A Gentleman? Calendars with men in uniform? Or maybe a loved one, who is in the military? There is something very striking about a man in a uniform – we imagine being whisked up into his arms and carried off into the sunset. We all have levels of romanticism from the knight on his magnificent steed to a dress-suited gentleman to men in uniform, whether on or partly off!

No matter where you shop you will find multiple ‘corset ripping’ tomes. Not all are set in historical times though; some are delightfully modern with today’s struggle of the sexes. It seems to be that women want the romance but also the independence of modern day. Is this actually possible? Asking a man to be both is probably pushing your luck, but how about his dilemma? If he treats his significant other as a delicate flower he’s being chauvinistic but to let her be ‘her own woman’ he is unsympathetic and unromantic.

Are there any guidelines out there do you think?

My dear friend, Lisa de Nikolits has a most delightful book called West of Wawa, in which the heroine journeys not only geographically but emotionally across Canada. Here is the site and some awesome reviews for the book, I would recommend it. http://www.lisadenikolitswriter.com/WestofWawa.html

It is truly a modern day romance for not only does Benny (heroine) meet some rather scrumptious men but also finds love for herself.

Maybe as modern women we no longer need a man to ‘fulfill’ our emotional void as much as in days gone by. A woman had a certain social standing once she was married and was ‘looked after’ financially – she was complete. This mode of thinking has, in the most part – disappeared however, there are still some women out there that need it! And I, for one, certainly don’t think that is a bad thing, if you can find happiness then go for it.

We have the ability to easily fulfill our own needs now-a-days with our own careers and financial independence but what of those day dreams? Can we separate them from reality or do they linger making an under current of dissatisfaction?

Love should begin with yourself. Not an easy task if you are a mother, I understand that only too well, but when you are happy the people around you notice and respond in a positive way. Self love is not selfish, it is giving everyone a better you.

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