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Posts Tagged ‘story’

Too Much Ruminating…

Posted in Writing, Writing Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 2, 2013 | 4 Comments »


Ruminate – definition: 1) to chew the cud, as a cow does 2) to think over and over again : ponder

editor

Is it counter productive to ruminate over a story idea? Are we in danger of over thinking the story, it’s plot and characters? Out lines are one thing but can we lose the essence of the creative process by pre-planning too much detail?

As you all know I write by the seat of my pants and let my muse have free rein. The idea grows naturally with my characters telling me their story. Once the tale is completed then I go back to edit and revise. This way, I feel I have not lost anything and can be pulled along with my protagonist.

We all have a process unique to our creativity. Recently, I attended an interview with Alistair MacLeod, a Canadian author of short stories. His technique of editing line by line would cancel out my creative process immediately but it is the way he has worked for decades. I can’t fathom how he can retain his idea, if each line has to be perfect before he continues.

These comments show different perspectives:

Ann Beattie

Because I don’t work with an outline, writing a story is like crossing a stream, now I’m on this rock, now I’m on this rock, now I’m on this rock.”

Susan Howe

“I often think of the space of a page as a stage, with words, letters, syllable characters moving across.”

Here are some more: 
http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/11/20/daily-routines-writers/

Just had to add: 
http://azevedosreviews.wordpress.com/2013/05/30/stephen-kings-20-quotes-on-writing/

What is your process like? 

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Lurch – a character study…

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 27, 2013 | 3 Comments »


Lurch – definition: a sudden swaying or tipping movement, a staggering gait.

I don’t know about you but my immediate thought is of Lurch from the Addams Family. Although he is not a main character he is well known and takes an integral part in the show/movie. I will use him as a character study.

Fester_lurch_1966Lurch is an imposing figure at 6 ft 9 in tall with a deep, resonating voice that seems to come up from his boots. As the family‘s butler his shambling, gloomy persona also gives the audience a sense of strict formality. His stumbling, slow gait gives us the impression that he is still coming to grips with walking. He does resemble Frankenstein’s monster in some ways, with a flat head topped with scant hair and one opaque eye but does not have the neck bolts. He is much more pleasing to the eye in his suit and bow tie.  Lurch can speak normally, however tends to use inarticulate moans instead, which are fully understood by the family members. We can only take the word of said family that Lurch can indeed be eloquent and vivacious. Although Lurch does not excel in his role as butler he is without doubt faithful to the Addams but is often the object of their jokes.

Although his size and strength can be a hindrance at times, Lurch goes about his duties as best he can and seems to take pride in even the most arduous of tasks. There is no question that he is loyal to the Addams family although he can be clearly exasperated by them on occasion. This is shown by the occasional dubious looks he gives some of their stranger activities, although he does share some of the family’s macabre standards.  However, his loyalty is rewarded by the family treating him as one of their own.

When Lurch is summoned by way of the hangman’s noose bell pull, we hear a loud gong-like sound and Lurch appears instantly with the immortal words “You rang?”  It seems that no matter where he happens to be in the house he can transport himself instantaneously to whomever called him.

This strange character does seem to have quite a strong paternal affection for both Wednesday and Pugsley, and looks after their needs from making their lunch to driving them to school to generally keeping an eye on them. Next to her headless Marie Antoinette doll, Lurch is Wednesday’s best friend. Lurch in turn is close friends with Thing, the disembodied hand. Surprisingly Lurch’s talent is in playing the harpsichord at a virtuoso level.

Have you got a secondary character you would like to share as a study?

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My response to What If?

Posted in Writing, Writing Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 21, 2013 | 8 Comments »


Misconstrue – definition: to construe wrongly : misinterpret. A great lead up to today’s word I might say…what is your view on Adele?

dark-road-in-the-woods

My pal, Vikki at The View Outside posted this and I couldn’t resist. http://the-view-outside.com/2013/03/16/jane-ayres-asks-what-if/

I have taken the separate twists and made up a version for each. Why not share yours?

Version One : Adele breaths in his scent as the bus bumps along the road. She closes her eyes to recall every detail of their afternoon, full of hot passion. She will shower before James comes home from work but for now she can imagine Jake’s hands and lips upon her naked body. The bus jerks to a halt at Adele’s stop. As she steps onto the road she sees James’ car in their driveway. Why is he home so early? Where can she say she has been? Can she manage to get upstairs to the bathroom before he sees her? Jake’s cologne will be a dead giveaway as to her whereabouts.

Version Two: “Shit, I’ve missed it.” Adele looks around the bus station and spies the taxi rank. She’ll have to hope one of them will take her home and quick. “Hi, Can you take me to High Cross?” “High Cross, love? That’s a bit of a long drive. I’m off in twenty minutes.” “Please, I really need to get home and I missed the last bus.” “Well, how about 125 and I’ll phone the missus that I’ll be late?” “How much? That’s a lot more than usual.” “Well I’m the last driver for tonight and as I said, I’m off in twenty, well now fifteen minutes.” “Well alright then but can you hurry?” Adele sits in the back seat nervously biting her thumb nail. She hasn’t got enough money and hopes the driver will be understanding when he drops her off. Maybe she can promise to come back tomorrow with the difference? As the car broaches the crest of the hill Adele’s heart sinks. The lights are on at home. How will she explain her absence to James?

Version Three: “That’s daylight robbery, mate, I’m not paying that.” “Suit yourself, love. It’s extra after ten o’clock.” Adele swears under her breath and walks away from the taxi rank. She shivers, her light jacket is no protection from the night air. There’s nothing for it but to walk the three miles home. It will give her enough time to think up an excuse for her absence to James. Damn cell phone died over an hour ago. In her distracted mood she doesn’t see the shadow as the taxi’s headlights sweep along the wall. He’s been waiting for an opportunity all night. Bus stations are a favorite haunt. Perfect for stranded passengers. He waits for her to walk into the darkness. His soft soled shoes don’t make a sound. His next victim is oblivious to her fate.

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Succumb…to love?

Posted in novels, Writing, Writing Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on March 13, 2013 | Leave a Comment »


Succumb – definition: 1) to yield or give in to force or pressure 2) to die

Twesome Loop 002

I am sharing an excerpt from my reincarnation love story here, The Twesome Loop. Two of the main characters succumb to the inevitable even though neither of them have any idea what is happening. They meet in an Italian villa.

At breakfast Gerald helped himself to coffee and went onto the patio. There he discovered he was not alone, a woman was lying on a divan, reading. He watched for a moment then approached her to introduce himself. As she turned to face him, he felt drawn to her. A feeling of recognition but how could that be with a complete stranger?

Melissa turned at the sound of footsteps and faced a tall distinguished looking dark haired man. The sudden rush of belonging and love that overwhelmed her, took her breath away. Whatever was going on? She didn’t even know this man but sensed a recollection of sorts. She must pull herself together and make an introduction. She was not a silly teenager with a crush.

Gerald noticed that she had a shocked expression on her face, much the same as he imagined he had. They reached out to each other simultaneously. What an odd feeling knowing a complete stranger. Gerald couldn’t reason with himself or resist the strong urge to hold this woman tightly in his arms. Straining to control himself, Gerald stepped closer and held out his hand but Melissa was already too close his hand grasped around her waist, it was the most natural thing to do.

His touch was electrifying and familiar. She shook her head unprepared for what her eyes were showing her.       Everything around Gerald dissolved and all he could do was look into her pale blue eyes and know them from long ago. As he gazed into Melissa’s eyes, he knew she was as lost as he was. Recognition but how can you know a complete stranger instantly? With total certainty Gerald knew she was what he had been searching for his whole life. This woman was his life without any doubt.

Gerald looked down at her and gently released his grip. At last he found his voice and introduced himself.

“Hello, I’m Gerald. Gerald Conway-Smythe.”

“I’m Melissa…… Melissa Shaw. Where have you come from? Do I know you?”

Confused Gerald blurts out the first thing that comes to mind.

“I came from my room, actually. How about I fetch us some fresh coffee?”

“Oh, yes alright, that would be lovely, Gerald, thank you.”

Gerald needed time to think. His offer to get coffee would give him that time while he organized cups, milk and sugar on a tray. He needed to make sense of these pervasive emotions. As he walked back to Melissa, he glimpsed a different scene. She was in a long gown with her long hair coiled high upon her head. Where had that come from? He stopped in mid stride unsure if he was experiencing a hallucination.

“Gerald, are you alright?”

The concern on Melissa’s face broke his paralysis, he could never worry her.

“I’m sorry a touch of déjà vu I believe, although it had the strangest effect on me. I saw you in costume and your hair coiffured but the surroundings were exactly the same.”

“Thank goodness, I thought I was going mad. I saw you in a long frock coat and stockings. Whatever is going on?”

“I may have an explanation but need to do some research first. In the meantime let’s have coffee and enjoy this wonderful vista.”

“If you can explain this oddity I will be amazed and grateful all at the same time.”

Gerald resolved to investigate this strange occurrence but for now he knew with complete certainty that whatever happened, he would care for Melissa for the rest of his days. There were forces at work here that he could not comprehend at the moment. It was probably best to go with the flow and see where it led him.

English: The Victorians and some Edwardians wo...

English: The Victorians and some Edwardians wore frock coat suits like this in check and tweed much as we would a tweed lounge suit. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As always I’m open to comments, don’t be shy. This novel still has a lot of editing required.

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Interview Ian S. Rutter…

Posted in authors, novels, writing journey, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 10, 2013 | 1 Comment »


To honor Ian’s favorite character, Sup Sup Rose, I have paired his interview with today’s word – Panacea – definition : a remedy for all ills or difficulties : a cure-all.

f62b093cianrutter

a)      Of the characters you have created or envisioned, which is your favorite & why?

That’s a tough one. If I have to choose one then it has to be Sup Sup Rose. He’s quiet. Stays in the background but is very knowledgeable of all things nature. If there are any injured animals, then he’s the one to help them out. Any questions about herbs and flowers, Sup Sup will know it. He’s very gentle, shy but very loyal.

b)      Do you favor one type of genre or do you dabble in more than one?

No, I like to look into different genres as I think it helps with your writing. I’ve focused on children’s stories at the moment, but I have some horror novels that are in different stages of edits. They are the two favourite genres. I have partly written a bio-graphical account of a relative of mine fighting in WW1. His and his wife’s accounts of being apart. That will take some time to finish.

c)      What do you enjoy most about writing?

Being able to put into words the images I see in my head. I’m very visual so I get excited when I am writing and acting out the scene at the same time.

d)      Have you got a favorite place to write?

I do most of my writing on a large table in a spare room, during the day and at night when I have time. If not, then I always have a pad and pen, but lately I have been trying out some writing tasks on a tablet I bought. That is working out quite well.

e)      Do you plan your stories, or are you a seat of the pants style writer?

The first book was on the seat of my pants as I more or less have had the whole story in my head for the last 30+ years. Book 2 and 3 have been planned. I have a few diagrams I have mapped out for book 2. It helps me to see where each character is going and how they deal with problems. I also need it to show where in the story the highs and lows are. So, if I can map it out I will.

f)        What inspires your stories?

As soon as I visit the countryside then I have a story in my head. I love trees and grass and everything nature. Sometimes if I see an image then I want to just jot something down. As I love photography then that is happening a lot.

g)      What are you currently reading?

Cricky! The Hobbit. Stardust. Dead Hunt (An indie book by Kenn Crawford) If you like to be scared then this a great book or e-book to read. Crafting scenes by Raymond Obstfeld and the proof version of book 1 of my story. It’s nearly ready for Amazon’s POD service.

h)      Do you have any odd habits or childhood stories?

Just before I start to write, I have to have everything around me neat and tidy. I can’t help tidying things up before I write. Probably as my mind is so jumbled up with ideas and stories I just don’t want the physical world around me to be the same. My writing space really has to be neat.

i)        Do you have any pets?

Not now. I use to have a Rough Collie called Toby. Blind as a bat but the most amazing dog I have ever come across.

Rough Collie

j)        Do you belong to a writing group? If so which one?

A few. They are on LinkedIn. They are very good and give great advice. Write It Down, Aspiring Writers, Authors and Publishers Association, Authors, Writers, Publishers, Editors and Writing Professionals, Book and Writers, Children’s Book Authors, Informed Ideas. Just a few.

Image representing LinkedIn as depicted in Cru...

k)      What age did you start writing stories/poems?

I started when I was kid about 12. The first one was about an alien that came to earth to hunt. A couple of years later a film came out called ‘Predator’ I wish that was me. As soon as I started higher education I just stopped. The idea that my writing is not very good probably had some influence on me.

l)        Do you have a book published? If so what is it called & where can readers purchase it?

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The Faeries of Birchover Wood, The Bad is book 1 and is downloadable for Free on Smashwords


http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/278703

or on Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/The-Faeries-Birchover-Wood-ebook/dp/B007JJSNWC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359276466&sr=8-1&keywords=ian+s+rutter&tag=780065172-20 , which at the moment is priced at something $2.00.

Amazon UK is http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Faeries-Birchover-Wood-ebook/dp/B007JJSNWC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359276523&sr=8-1&tag=7800651723-21  That keeps changing. Hopefully, Amazon will set the price to Free by looking at Smashwords as that is what I want for book 1.

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

Unfortunately, he is dead. C. S. Lewis is my favourite children’s author. For horror he would have to be James Herbert, I grew up on his stories and I keep reading them.

n)      If you could live anywhere in the world – where would it be?

It still has to be England. I just love the place and love everything about its countryside.

o)      What’s your  favorite movie of all time?

The Thing by John Carpenter. Before computer graphics this movie came out and was and still is awesome.

p)      Where can readers find you and your blog?

My blog is www.iansrutter.co.uk/blog

Facebook –
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Faeries-of-Birchover-Wood/397556786944411

and –
https://www.facebook.com/LetsGetEPublished

My free podcast of the entire story in 17 episodes can be listened to or downloaded from
http://podiobooks.com/title/the-faeries-of-birchover-wood-book-1-the-bad/

The blog is about e-publishing. It has tutorials, written and video on how to get your written book into a professionally formatted e-book so that it can be given or sold on any of the e-book stores.

q)      Do you have plans or ideas for your next book?

Loads! Book 2 of the faeries is a little darker. A few upsets and shocks are installed for the humans and faeries. Not looking pretty for any of them.

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I am working on re-writing my horror novel from 1st person to 3rd person and I need to finish a vampire novel I wrote about 6 years ago. There are times when I wish I was an octopus.

r)       Who is your best supporter/mentor/encourager?

Without doubt my wife and my father. My wife who has had to go through some of my ‘What!’ ‘I don’t believe you can’t…’ ‘Come on, can you read it faster!!’ times. She understands I am passionate about what I do. She’s great and very patient. My father who always believed that I should ‘go and do my thing!’ He loves my stories. Probably too much as he never gives me any criticism. That’s why parents are the worse readers of your book if you are looking for a critique. He wrote the poem at the very beginning of Book 1.

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National Novel Writing Month…

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 1, 2012 | 2 Comments »


nanowrimo

It has begun…this frenzied word counting month. Good luck to you all and drop by to the NaNo site to add me as a buddy. We can travel this journey together in panic, surprise and accomplishment.

NaNo handle – MandyB.

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Comments please…revised revision!!!

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 22, 2012 | 14 Comments »


Castle3[1]

 

I have been working on a YA fantasy – this is the blurb…please let me know what you think? Is it enticing enough for you to want to read it?

An unwitting pawn in a witch’s vengeful plan, Guillem recites a tale, which will unleash the witch, Malgraf and her bestial offspring resulting in havoc and murder. Can Guillem be stopped in time? Can a mysterious old woman and her daughter protect the kingdom?

Guillem had worried if his tried and tested tales would be worthy of the King’s court. As he succumbed to sleep an image of his earlier campfire appeared. He remembered looking deep into the firelight, his eyes transfixed by the flickering orange flames, but while semi conscious, he recalled that they had turned blue in hue taking him to a far away land. The blue flames rose up, twisting and forming into images of a witch and a horrendous beast. Strange and bewitching but a marvelous tale had been revealed to him that night, he felt sure would delight his majesty.

Thank you in anticipation…

So I have revised the revision (good grief!)– let me know if this is better – thank you all for commenting it is truly appreciated.
Initially unaware he is the unwitting pawn in a vengeful witch’s plan to be released from her entrapment. The famed troubadour Guillem attends the king’s court to recite a marvelous tale. His suspicions are raised by a strange servant’s actions. With the help of a wizened old woman and her beautiful grand-daughter, Guillem outwits the witch, Malgraf and her bestial offspring, to save the kingdom from murder and mayhem but then finds himself part of a ritual for life everlasting with the entrancing and mysterious Juliana, who captures his mind and body like no other.

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