tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11241909763430486492024-02-21T11:56:27.569+08:00Uncharted PagesTamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-39063280229654605282014-02-11T18:49:00.001+08:002014-02-11T18:52:09.530+08:00HarperCollinsAU Submissions Call<p>On Wednesday 12th February and Wednesday 19th February HarperCollins Australia is requesting manuscript submissions for romance, erotica, and women's fiction.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/HarperCollinsAU/status/433035417571430400/photo/1">Here</a> is the twitter link.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.wednesdaypost.com.au/">Here</a> is the HarperCollinsAU page on their all-year-round Wednesday submissions.</p>
<p>Psst, note that the Wednesday submissions call is <b>international!</b></p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-2911953183972954802014-02-05T09:56:00.000+08:002014-02-05T09:57:25.074+08:00CRESS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCbQROMpkKBpOkwHiThBmn4Z8jubMHO35C26EJgm_aEJOkKCluQyXCo0FrKPuIncWBS7xxU91QHVYhfejfi9oqnA2y_xU4tZYkczozeAbHJT7JnWYLKL1fCCjAFQNlPPFBaNT9g9hqLLl/s1600/CRESS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCbQROMpkKBpOkwHiThBmn4Z8jubMHO35C26EJgm_aEJOkKCluQyXCo0FrKPuIncWBS7xxU91QHVYhfejfi9oqnA2y_xU4tZYkczozeAbHJT7JnWYLKL1fCCjAFQNlPPFBaNT9g9hqLLl/s320/CRESS.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>That's right, folks, CRESS is now available in stores! Go buy it and marvel at the best Lunar Chronicles story yet!</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-54439468267339829282013-10-15T14:13:00.000+08:002013-10-15T14:14:33.746+08:00Calling All Unpublished Aussie Writers!<p>There's a new mentorship program opening up for applications, <a href="http://www.varuna.com.au/varuna/index.php/programs/residential-programs/pathways-publication/item/177-varuna-publisher-program-2014">and it looks spectacular</a>.</p>
<p>You get:</p>
<p>-A week-long residency IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS</p>
<p>-A literary mentor</p>
<p>-A guarantee that your work will be read by one of seven leading Australian publishers</p>
<p>-An invitation to the alumni community when you're finished</p>
<p>The publishers will actually be the FINAL JUDGES when selecting the shortlisted applicants, so they'll definitely be wanting to see your work if you get in. How awesome is that?</p>
<p>Go to http://www.varuna.com.au/varuna/index.php/programs/residential-programs/pathways-publication/item/177-varuna-publisher-program-2014 or click on the link in the first sentence of this post for more information.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-24770197006789391412013-10-15T14:01:00.000+08:002013-10-15T14:01:55.999+08:00Kaleidoscope<p>Keen to see more diversity in YA fiction? Check out what <a href="http://www.twelfthplanetpress.com/">Twelfth Planet Press</a> is doing in 2014!</p>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Gx9cz5VkPus?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>If you want to <a href="http://kaleidoscope.twelfthplanetpress.com/">make this happen</a>, become a backer for the project <a href="http://www.pozible.com/project/34920">here</a>.</p>
<p>I believe the publisher will be opening to submissions when they reach the $7000 milestone, so keep your eye out!</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-63706774952423509582013-10-07T12:12:00.000+08:002013-10-07T12:12:05.404+08:00Mentorship Program!<p>The Australian Society of Authors is offering a <a href="https://asauthors.org/emerging-writers-and-illustrators-mentorships">mentorship program</a> for unpublished Australian citizens. If you have at least a first draft of a WiP, you have until 1st November 2013 to put in your application to work with an author for a year and make your ms the best it can be.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-45360052671417849002013-09-17T09:49:00.000+08:002013-09-17T09:49:29.805+08:00AS THEY DREAM Playlist<p>It's been five months since my last post. Now isn't the right time to explain where I've been, but I'll say that it wasn't a pleasant place. I'll also say I've reached a point where I'm ready to kick my preppy, "never-give-up-yay-failure" Past Self in the behind.</p>
<p>But with my newest high fantasy WiP out with betas and the initial responses looking pretty positive, I'm going to dare show a hint of optimism. Below is my playlist for the story, with each themed title linking to youtube clips of the songs. I'm sure the only person who gets a kick out of these is the author, but hey, some of you might find use in the instrumental pieces. (The best thing about scores is they're written specifically for emotional scenes, so they're great to write to.)</p>
<p>1. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CevxZvSJLk8">Dedication </a>(This book will be dedicated to my BFF)</p>
<p>2. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP1QHVNHMAE">Bombs in Allayz de Savogn</a></p>
<p>3. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzz4YdBrMWs">Priestess</a></p>
<p>4. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-4wUfZD6oc">It Always Rains in La Vierz</a></p>
<p>5. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8IKGSTzQMk">Deep State Meditation</a></p>
<p>6. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I57Pj1lWPE8">A Wedding Turns Sour</a></p>
<p>7. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-OE-PaWMLA">Sanctum and Storytime</a></p>
<p>8. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZB5LnNC-e0">Kissing by Campfires</a></p>
<p>9. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=580AQ1o_f2U">Death in Ytzuam</a></p>
<p>10. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRrOI7By5fc">The Warriors Separate</a></p>
<p>11. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsY2i7iJYs4">Hypothermia</a></p>
<p>12. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj4q4rfDcNw">Something Else to Live For</a></p>
<p>13. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZIOJxanU_I">Jhaizi Mountains</a></p>
<p>14. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWbxIQm1t6s">Flying Through a Storm</a></p>
<p>15. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I7LTYAYCdI">The Library Falls</a></p>
<p>16. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2xovJyBo-0">Four is the Perfect Number</a></p>
<p>17. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV8BXmvg398">Lost in the Spirit Realm</a></p>
<p>18. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-bSj5Jz9fA">Champions for Humanity</a></p>
<p>19. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CqX1G9ziTc">Red Stars Rise</a></p>
<p>20. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urs89GvlFxA">Acknowledgements</a></p>
<p>Oops, there were more Doctor Who scores in there than I expected. I never thought I'd like anything by the artist for number 8, but those lyrics were crazy perfect, so there you go. Also, number 18 is TOTALLY the theme song for the whole story. Yay number 18.</p>
<p>Maybe this music won't mean much to you now, but at least you have some hints as to what the story will be about. Or... you'll be more confused than ever. Either way, enjoy!</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-86591957967167801862013-04-02T12:15:00.002+08:002013-09-17T09:10:21.760+08:00Quarterly Reading List<p>This is the first time I've been able to do a quarterly reading list, because I'm finally keeping track of the books I'm reading. Hooray!</p>
<p><b>1. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15736998-seraphina">SERAPHINA by Rachel Hartman</a></b></p>
<p>Beautiful writing, and one of the few series where I want to buy the next one. I'm looking forward to the adventure promised! (Please please please let it be an awesome adventure.)</p>
<p><b>2. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13450907-the-gathering-dark">THE GATHERING DARK by Leigh Bardugo</a> (known as SMOKE AND BONE in the US)</b></p>
<p>Don't hate me. It was okay, but the hype for it was insane, and I just didn't love it as much as the rest of the world.</p>
<p><b>3. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10155.The_Lost_World">THE LOST WORLD by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle</a></b></p>
<p>Staggering amount of racist and sexist issues in this book. I'd only recommend it if you were able to look past those issues and read it for the adventure alone.</p>
<p><b>4. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12972685-devine-intervention">DEVINE INTERVENTION by Martha Brockenbrough</a></b></p>
<p>Cute, funny, light-hearted read, but I still haven't recovered from the ending.</p>
<p><b>5. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11773711-out-of-the-silent-planet">OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET by C. S. Lewis</a></b></p>
<p>It was okay. Didn't leave as much of an impression as I was hoping, especially because I love love love the Narnia stories (except THE LAST BATTLE, and let's just pretend that one doesn't exist).</p>
<p><b>6. TO THE GENTLEMAN IN THE BACK by Marissa Meyer (under the penname Alicia Blade)</b></p>
<p>If you were to ask me what my favourite story of all time is (published or unpublished), THE ANSWER IS THIS. It's on ff.net, but my best friend printed and bound it for me so I have a copy to read in bed. This is my sixth? seventh? reread. I'll never get sick of it. You too can enjoy the madness, giggles, and romance <b><a href="http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4492014/1/To-the-Gentleman-in-the-Back">here</a></b>.
<p><b>7. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13206760-scarlet">SCARLET by Marissa Meyer</a></b></p>
<p>Yes, I read the Lunar Chronicles as her crit partner, but I always read them again in book form!</p>
<p><b>8. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15799591-code-name-verity">CODE NAME VERITY by Elizabeth Wein</a></b></p>
<p>Read it. Just. Read it.</p>
<p><b>9. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10459837-a-discovery-of-witches">A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness</a></b></p>
<p>Despite the similarities to TWILIGHT and the fact the possessiveness of vampires makes me queasy, I did enjoy this book.</p>
<p><b>10. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12468275-yellowcake-springs">YELLOWCAKE SPRINGS by Guy Salvidge</a></b></p>
<p>A book set in Western Australia about a community created around a nuclear reactor facility. As creepy as you expect it to be, and I loved the idea of Controlled Dreaming State! (But not the Controlled Waking State *cough* *runs away*)</p>
<p><b>11. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17565903-asymmetry">ASYMMETRY by Thoraiya Dyer</a></b></p>
<p>Oh wow. Oh wow. One of the best short story collections I've ever read (up there with <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11253020-love-and-romanpunk">LOVE AND ROMANPUNK by Tansy Rayner Roberts</a>). If you can snag a copy on your kindle, do it. I never wanted to leave the worlds Dyer created! Looking forward to reading more of her work.</p>
<p><i>Currently reading <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17411597-splashdance-silver">SPLASHDANCE SILVER by Tansy Rayner Roberts</a>. A female pirate who's also a witch? YUSSSS.</i></p>
<p>As you can see, the list isn't huge. I haven't mentioned the few books I didn't finish. Also, I spent one and a half months writing instead of reading. Every spare moment felt like precious writing time at that stage, so I didn't pick up a book for a while. Taking that into consideration, I think I did well.</p>
<p>What are the best books you've read this year? (And don't talk about THE MADNESS UNDERNEATH, I'm still waiting for my bookstore to get their butts into gear, and I'm very mad about it.)</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-69546296483680549732013-03-26T21:23:00.000+08:002013-03-26T21:24:06.652+08:00Another Draft Bites the Dust<p>Well, I've finished another draft. Huzzah! This time I've written an adult Urban Fantasy. While YA was my thing for a long while, I think it's time to accept the fact I can't get into a teenager's mind like I used to. Besides, I like writing about cocktails and fun things happening during work and all that stuff my life is made up of now.</p>
<p>Some stats for this draft:</p>
<p><b>Date started:</b> 21st February 2013</p>
<p><b>Projected end date:</b> 22nd April 2013</p>
<p><b>Actual end date:</b> 26th March 2013 (Almost a month in advance!) (Um, I had more days off work than expected.)</p>
<p><b>Number of words:</b> 98,343 (!)</p>
<p><b>Things that were neglected during the writing of this draft:</b> Household chores, dog, housemate, work, boyfriend</p>
<p><b>Things that will no longer be neglected:</b> See above</p>
<p><b>Things I can do now:</b> Read, rewatch Sherlock, read, talk to my boyfriend, sleep, read</p>
<p><b>Next step:</b> A quick read-through for obvious errors, then off to beta readers!</p>
<p>Okay, in case you haven't figure it out, I'm off to read for a bit, then get some actual sleep. Zzzz...</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-11595798902062580542013-03-25T11:42:00.001+08:002013-03-25T11:42:19.300+08:00Interview (And Event! And Goodreads Giveaway!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vQa34nmZ0vBoWMjQTruC1Y6wqyhMICqTqi_gSt5ja1m6cjikwbraihY1djhBFwX5W5_TpdPFh9xo6ht2uLNIRtxrgSW26k0acHnwjyleNW0Xx5_Qx-fNnUjGo5sOpbM24yhV1eTSVKjd/s1600/ATRIFLEDEADcoverbigger.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vQa34nmZ0vBoWMjQTruC1Y6wqyhMICqTqi_gSt5ja1m6cjikwbraihY1djhBFwX5W5_TpdPFh9xo6ht2uLNIRtxrgSW26k0acHnwjyleNW0Xx5_Qx-fNnUjGo5sOpbM24yhV1eTSVKjd/s320/ATRIFLEDEADcoverbigger.jpg" /></a>
<p>You might remember my <a href="http://tamarafelsinger.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/interview-with-tansy-rayner-roberts.html">interview with the amazing Tansy Rayner Roberts</a> way back when. I'm pleased to announce that Tansy's new book, A TRIFLE DEAD, is coming out this Thursday, March 28th (under the pen name Livia Day)! Here's a little bit about the book:</p>
<p><i>
Tabitha Darling has always had a dab hand for pastry and a knack for getting into trouble. Which was fine when she was a tearaway teen, but not so useful now she’s trying to run a hipster urban cafe, invent the perfect trendy dessert, and stop feeding the many (oh so unfashionable) policemen in her life.</p>
<p>When a dead muso is found in the flat upstairs, Tabitha does her best (honestly) not to interfere with the investigation, despite the cute Scottish blogger who keeps angling for her help. Her superpower is gossip, not solving murder mysteries, and those are totally not the same thing, right?</p>
<p>But as that strange death turns into a string of random crimes across the city of Hobart, Tabitha can’t shake the unsettling feeling that maybe, for once, it really is ALL ABOUT HER.</p>
<p>And maybe she’s figured out the deadly truth a trifle late…</i></p>
<p>Sounds awesome and delicious, right? Tansy was nice enough to answer some questions for me about A TRIFLE DEAD.</p>
<p><b>Why did culinary crime seem like the right genre for you after writing fantasy?</b></p>
<p>It's not really a question of after - the Cafe La Femme books have been in my head a long time, alongside the fantasy writing. Crime is my other literary love, and I've always wanted to do both. But as for the culinary side - that was kind of an accident I fell into, because my protagonist Tabitha cares so much about food (much as Velody from the Creature Court books cares about dressmaking) that the culinary side of the stories started to take over.</p>
<p>She likes food way more than murders, which is understandable, really. Food is far more delicious.</p>
<p><b>Which do you prefer writing: a light-hearted pace, such as in A TRIFLE DEAD, or the intricate worlds of your previous fantasy novels?</b></p>
<p>Again, it's not a choice. I find light-hearted first person stuff does write up a lot faster than the more serious, epic stuff - but in the case of A Trifle Dead that comes with a mystery plot and even (especially) a fun, light-hearted murder mystery needs a lot of hard work under the bonnet to make it look so effortless.</p>
<p>Fantasy plotting is WAY easier than crime, the longer the books the better, because you have a lot more choices in directions and misdirections to try. With a crime novel, especially a fairly short one, there's no stray castle to hide in for a chapter or two, no complicated political flashbacks, and so on. </p>
<p>Mostly I want to write what I'm most in the mood for reading, and I have been going through a bit of a crime spree in my reading material in recent years, but I haven't given up epic fantasy even a little bit.</p>
<p><b>Why did you decide on a Tasmanian setting?</b></p>
<p>The books grew out of the setting. I've lived in Hobart most of my life, so it's the best possible place I could set a contemporary murder mystery series. Crime tends to have a close relationship with its setting, and all my favourite detectives over the years are deeply embedded in their home town or city, whether that's Spenser's Boston, Falco's Ancient Rome, or Stephanie Plum's Trenton.</p>
<p>Cafe La Femme grew out of a real building in town that I've felt an attachment to since I was a kid, and while my much younger writer self was very self-conscious about writing stories set in the place where I live, it's something I really enjoy now, throwing in layers of history and in-jokes, but also trying to create a believable and compelling setting to people who have never been here before - which is harder than you might think!</p>
<p><b>I’ve got to ask it. <i>Where</i> did you get the name Xanthippe?</b></p>
<p>Xanthippe was the wife of Socrates! She is always portrayed as a bag, nagging scold of a wife which makes me think that she's had a bad rap over the years - my ears always prick up when I read about 'bad' women in the ancient sources. I do like to throw in favourite names from time to time and this one weirdly seemed to fit Zee.</p>
<p>I also wanted something that was Greek and started with an X or a Z, which doesn't leave you a LOT of choices really...</p>
<p><b>Is there anything else you’d like to promote? (Ahem, <a href="http://tansyrr.com/tansywp/splashdance-silver-rides-again/">SPLASHDANCE SILVER</a>.)</b></p>
<p>Why thank you for the offer! Fablecroft Publishing have started putting out new, revised e-editions of my very first fantasy novels, the Mocklore Chronicles. Splashdance Silver is up now, and will shortly be followed by Liquid Gold and then the previously-unpublished Ink Black Magic to finish up the trilogy.</p>
<p>These books are magical adventures with a similar light, comedic touch as A Trifle Dead, and it's very exciting to have them available again to readers.</p>
<p><b>Thanks, Tansy!</b></p>
<p>Back to A TRIFLE DEAD - I'm hosting the Perth book launch, so if you live in Western Australia and want to meet the publisher, taste the best trifles/macaroons/other desserts, and pick up a copy of the book, come visit us on Thursday! Information can be found <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/436267916451051/">here</a>.</p>
<p>And, if you live in Australia, you can enter the <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15713637-a-trifle-dead">Goodreads giveaway</a> to win one of three copies. Good luck!</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-19906471463793181502013-02-03T06:24:00.000+08:002013-02-03T06:25:29.649+08:00Guest Post!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZYC_TTJni4ewlNUxFQkGJ52gErnf5p_3j_UCjQ8ctBbXYz_3fr-dygaJvVL9ork9o_9E0d5849p8wzT4PaxWhb4eAS29JhnxQ0iMowhLX6Z-O16W6C9jI3fyieiJG-v2BwbJ3Y9Xw3y-/s1600/Scarlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZYC_TTJni4ewlNUxFQkGJ52gErnf5p_3j_UCjQ8ctBbXYz_3fr-dygaJvVL9ork9o_9E0d5849p8wzT4PaxWhb4eAS29JhnxQ0iMowhLX6Z-O16W6C9jI3fyieiJG-v2BwbJ3Y9Xw3y-/s320/Scarlet.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>I did a guest post over at <a href="http://abackwardsstory.blogspot.com.au/">A Backwards Story</a> for A Week of Little Red in honour of Marissa Meyer's SCARLET release.</p>
<p>Want to know my thoughts on SCARLET's two schmexy heroes, Wolf and Thorne? Find out the strange and random comments I gave Marissa during my first beta reading of SCARLET.</p>
<p>You can find the guest post <a href="http://abackwardsstory.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/guest-post-scarlets-yummy-male.html">here</a>.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5lXA6Hky9ApxD8fnbkaH0_t61zaJgX5h4yDH2tkVGUjwfborVdzcecYeVfpQJFuMsezrVIEEGR1lcCCi3jSr3sEy9VhXEooIB75A04y059Xs41W0IeCk-PnLWO0_Imp1T5_Hypcm4rJq/s1600/littleredbanner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="226" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5lXA6Hky9ApxD8fnbkaH0_t61zaJgX5h4yDH2tkVGUjwfborVdzcecYeVfpQJFuMsezrVIEEGR1lcCCi3jSr3sEy9VhXEooIB75A04y059Xs41W0IeCk-PnLWO0_Imp1T5_Hypcm4rJq/s320/littleredbanner.png" /></a></div>
Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-67174831691706766222013-01-30T21:20:00.003+08:002013-01-30T21:22:22.985+08:00Before You Start Your Story<p>You know how authors release novellas or shorts between novels in a series? I tried this "extras" technique out on two WiPs, and it's crazy how much it helped. The trick is to write them before you pen a word of your first draft.</p>
<p>All you need to do is take your protagonist back to a point in his or her life that will be important to the plot later. Doesn't have to be pivotal, as long as they discuss or think about it in the actual manuscript.</p>
<p>Get your pen/computer/typewriter out, and write the scene. You'll have a better understanding of your character and their motivations, as well as setting, the relationship with other characters, and backstory. Makes a huge difference.</p>
<p>Happy writing!</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-74714865566904963932013-01-03T19:30:00.000+08:002013-01-03T19:33:49.695+08:00What I'm Up To<p>Happy 2013! I'm personally looking forward to this year. No reason. Just am.</p>
<p>I haven't been online much recently because I'm getting a new manuscript together in a rather unusual way.</p>
<p>Many of you might be having this problem - you're trying to write something and all you can think is agentagentagent or readerreaderreader or publishedpublishedpublished and you can't seem to get those chants out of your head. That's what happened to me. My work wasn't nearly as "me" as my initial writing, and it lost its fun, no matter what I tried. So I took the agent-reader-published craziness out of the equation and began <i>writing in a notebook</i>. I know. Old school, right?</p>
<p>But wait! There's more!</p>
<p>Years ago I bought a gorgeous bronze notebook with symbols and carvings on the cover. It looks like something out of a magic realm. I was waiting to use it for something special. I figured now was as good a time as any.</p>
<p>So what I'm doing - wait for it - is scribbling down the first draft of a scene in some cheap notebooks, then writing it out again in my bronze book. The rewrite includes perfecting my sentence structure and using stronger vocabulary. Focusing on the craft as well as getting the words down. Yes, it's madness. Yes, it takes twice as long. And this novel isn't going to be short, either. But querying is in the distant future using this method, so that's mostly gone from my mind. Now I only worry about the story.</p>
<p>The other reason I'm doing this is because I'm prone to rushing to finish manuscripts. And with wonderful contests and agent crits constantly up for grabs, it becomes sorely tempting to submit too early. (Hands up, come on, who else is guilty of this?)</p>
<p>By writing in notebooks, there's no possible chance for me to put my work into contests. I can concentrate on my story first and foremost, which, at this point in my writing life, is what I need to do.</p>
<p>Will this method get me back on track? I'll keep you posted.</p>
<p>So. Anyone else struggling with writing things more so than usual?</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-30159240571254096872012-10-20T07:01:00.002+08:002012-10-20T07:01:50.325+08:00Guest Post!<p>I was lucky enough to win a guest post at Cupid's Literary Connection, and Cupid not only posted it, but very nicely raved about it (thanks, Cupid!).</p>
<p>You can find the post <b><a href="http://cupidslitconnection.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/before-you-hit-send-guest-post.html">here</a></b>.</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-90486800980722588802012-10-09T09:01:00.000+08:002012-10-09T09:01:07.945+08:00And Suddenly - October<p>Yikes! When did October happen? It's school holidays here in Western Australia, so I've been plugging away at my new book, NaNo-style. I'm writing 6,000 words a day in the hopes I'll finish it before I have to go back to work and spend weekdays with little munchkins.</p>
<p>My latest project isn't my best work in terms of "homg this is literary genius let's put it in a museum and study it in English classrooms for all time." More, it's my best work in terms of "homg this book is so much fun I can tell the author loved writing every word and I can't stop laughing because these characters are AWESOME."</p>
<p>I was aiming for the first version with all my other manuscripts. Tell you a secret: I prefer the second way. Maybe it'll flop, and no agent will touch it lest they catch my crazy. Or, hey, maybe people will think my crazy is Pure. Genuis. (Shut up, I can dream.) Regardless, I'm still having more fun writing than I have in a very long time.</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-68832002364780399462012-09-07T18:30:00.000+08:002012-09-07T18:33:04.438+08:00Pitch Friday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawy-MSdXyfIW_rWpqbPkMU6rBfo2YsvgbgTLcBKnGwcMl3_iozcRN-lbVh7KY0DaXEb08V8k69fW8jOsPkbRQ4_Re-AyR-w1rkP5OuSqgPneXNFMLR-WSD6bJO43wpzra7hZXMQfj2TpT/s1600/12PP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="120" width="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawy-MSdXyfIW_rWpqbPkMU6rBfo2YsvgbgTLcBKnGwcMl3_iozcRN-lbVh7KY0DaXEb08V8k69fW8jOsPkbRQ4_Re-AyR-w1rkP5OuSqgPneXNFMLR-WSD6bJO43wpzra7hZXMQfj2TpT/s320/12PP.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Got a finished (unpublished) manuscript?</p>
<p>Well, this is for you! Australian publisher <a href="https://twitter.com/12thPlanetPress">Twelfth Planet Press</a> is having a Pitch Anything Friday for <b>TODAY ONLY.</b> It's open internationally - all you have to do is tweet your pitch and use the hashtag #12thPlanetPressPitch. It can be for any genre, any style. Fiction, nonfiction, art, craft, promotion, anything!</p>
<p>If you missed the window but still want to find out how to submit to Twelfth Planet Press, check the <a href="http://www.twelfthplanetpress.com/">website</a>.</p>
<p>And if you need help pitching using less than 140 characters, I did a post on how to do that <a href="http://tamarafelsinger.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/twitter-pitch.html">here</a>.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-39529032583773570232012-09-06T07:24:00.000+08:002012-09-06T07:24:49.132+08:00(Yet Another) Change to the Process<p>A few posts back I raved about how well plotting worked for me. I got the story written quickly, it was an adequate length, and there were few revisions needed. With such a successful experience, I figured plotting would be my best bet for my newest story. So last week I sat down and started brainstorming. I wrote copious notes for about five pages.</p>
<p>I didn't write anything else for six days. Not a word.</p>
<p>Yesterday, I'd had enough. I didn't know the minor details about my world yet. I didn't know much about the plot. I didn't have essays on my main characters (although I know a fair bit about where my minor characters come from). Despite all this, I opened up a Word document (I know, not even Scrivener!), and started writing.</p>
<p>I wrote a chapter. Four(ish) pages. Maybe not a huge amount, but it was a start, and it was darn better than how I was doing before.</p>
<p>So why didn't plotting work for me this time?</p>
<p>I thought about it, and the best answer I can give is this: Last WiP, it wasn't really a first draft. It was a rewrite. I wanted to take out the magical elements (which were essential to the plot in the original), and emphasise what had been the secondary plot.</p>
<p>And that made all the difference. Because I had a basic plot already written out. I had the setting, and the characters. Technically, that original story WAS my plotting.</p>
<p>I don't know much about this new story. At ALL. But maybe if I think of my first draft as my plotting, work out world-building and character development as I go, and write it relatively quickly, I can do up a proper plotting sheet and <i>then</i> open up Scrivener to do it properly.</p>
<p>I can't believe it's taken me so long to figure out that this is my process.</p>
<p><i>How about you? Have you worked out a process, or does it change for each book? Do you have another way of besides just "plotting" or "pantsing"?</i></p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-69013553831243519272012-08-27T18:12:00.003+08:002012-08-27T18:12:44.418+08:00Nightfall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBioufY7Q-LA_A8VZ5Iv-wnRkKudak6umgNAf92UCBd1Gxy27ISxKv4vJpxpGkD-KXh3qkPz3cH_1nESyMmjrCAfKrlGCFV3uN7-yBEhuKtq2m3j-srtJ7PruhVt8VIyv7n06e6qr1Bp4/s1600/nightfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="213" width="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBioufY7Q-LA_A8VZ5Iv-wnRkKudak6umgNAf92UCBd1Gxy27ISxKv4vJpxpGkD-KXh3qkPz3cH_1nESyMmjrCAfKrlGCFV3uN7-yBEhuKtq2m3j-srtJ7PruhVt8VIyv7n06e6qr1Bp4/s320/nightfall.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>This is another post for my <a href="http://tamarafelsinger.blogspot.com.au/search/label/book%20reviews%20for%20writers">book reviews for writers</a>. I break down the main plot and character components of a novel and discuss what writers can take away from it.</p>
<p>There are a few minor spoilers in this post. Read at your own risk!</p>
<p><b>PREMISE</b></p>
<p>Someone suggested I pick this book up because it was vaguely similar to my own manuscript, and I'm so glad I did! I hadn't read Asimov before - in fact, I haven't read much science fiction at all - so I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.</p>
<p>Here's the basic premise, for those of you who have been living in the dark (haha) like me: In a world where there are six suns and constant daylight, an approaching Darkness threatens to send the entire population into madness.</p>
<p>Nice, huh? And the first half was brilliant. The entire lead-up to the Darkness was mesmerising. The astrophysics and mathematics behind it was awe-inspiring (for a layman like me, anyway). There were multiple points of view, and all characters ended up being linked by midpoint.</p>
<p><i>Lesson: A good, different, interesting premise will have people picking up a book in a genre they normally wouldn't read.</i></p>
<p><b>Drastically-Altered Midpoint</b></p>
<p>Erm. This is where the book sort of... fell into a heap. Please remember this is only my opinion, and if anyone who's read it would like to dispute my thoughts in the comments, by all means do so! I'd love to hear a convincing argument for the second half of the book.</p>
<p>Because the second half is where this story (in my opinion) flops. The lead-up was magnificent. Then from the midpoint it seemed to go downhill, and not in a good, thrilling, hang-onto-your-seat-so-you-don't-fall-out-the-side sort of way. The Darkness happens. People go mad. Anarchy. Chaos. Bedlam.</p>
<p>...</p>
<p>Boredom?</p>
<p>The characters just seemed to wander around and not do much. They had a vague goal, and that was it. I think it's fair to say the main goal was "to survive", and if you've ever had to write a character's motivation before, that's not something you want to say. This wasn't the tense, pillow-grip-worthy HUNGER GAMES survive either, this was just wander-in-the-forest-and-don't-get-murdered-by-crazies survive. I actually started skimming. And then just when it started getting interesting again, the book stopped. Finished. The end. Whaaa?</p>
<p><i>Lesson: If you're going to have a major change in the middle of your book (which isn't bad - I've done it in one of my WiPs), be careful to give your characters goals and motivations. They'll probably be different to the goals and motivations from the first half of your book, but they still need to be there. Just because there's madness and chaos doesn't mean you don't need to stick to those writing rules that will keep your reader interested.</i></p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-27004544648236536652012-08-12T16:33:00.000+08:002012-08-12T16:33:03.844+08:00WriteOnCon!<p>That's right, the biggest, best FREE writer's conference is on again! And the <a href="http://writeoncon.com/2012/08/writeoncon-2012-ninja-agents/">Ninja Agents</a> start making their appearances THIS MONDAY.</p>
<p>*squishy-hugs conference*</p>
<p>Last year I tried my luck with PRINCE OF CITY NIGHTS and won a few pitch contests but it didn't eventuate into anything. This year I'm going in with my freshly-polished sci fi TWELVE MINUTES OF MIDNIGHT.</p>
<p>If you wanna see what I've been working on (and help stop my query getting lost in the forums while the agents are snooping), please check it out and post a comment/suggestion/crit on my page. It'd be much appreciated! (You have to sign up to see the forums, but it doesn't cost anything. Plus, you can see all the awesome crits on my work already! :D)</p>
<p>Here's my <a href="http://writeoncon.com/forum/showthread.php?8792-YA-Sci-Fi-Twelve-Minutes-of-Midnight">QUERY</a>.</p>
<p>Here's my <a href="http://writeoncon.com/forum/showthread.php?8784-YA-Sci-Fi-Twelve-Minutes-of-Midnight">FIRST 250 WORDS</a>.</p>
<p>Here's my <a href="http://writeoncon.com/forum/showthread.php?8787-YA-Sci-Fi-Twelve-Minutes-of-Midnight">FIRST FIVE PAGES</a>.</p>
<p>I'm not going to get any sleep for the next few days zzzzzzz</p>
<p>PS If you're looking for an agent and haven't signed up for WriteOnCon... WHY? GO DO IT NOW!</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-87346752519140594982012-07-29T10:38:00.001+08:002012-07-29T17:20:47.961+08:00How to Answer That Dreaded Question<p>Look, I'm a writer. Writing is ingrained into my soul. I'm not happy if I'm not writing. I always have one foot in reality and the other in my imaginary world. I'm sure most of you feel the same.</p>
<p>So naturally when I meet someone at a party or social gathering, who I am comes up in conversation. "Oh, I'm a writer," I'll say.</p>
<p>And then it happens. Every. Single. Time. That dreaded question. "Have you had anything published?"</p>
<p>Being a writer isn't about being published. I'm not claiming to be a "published author." But those non-writer types (more fondly referred to as muggles) don't understand that. If you don't have a book on the store shelves, you're not a legit writer.</p>
<p>After having had to answer this question more times than I can count, I've come up with a way to keep myself amused until I can finally answer, "Yes. Go buy it." Here are some answers to use and enjoy:</p>
<p>1. No. Drink?</p>
<p>2. Yes. I'm the ghost writer for J.K. Rowling.</p>
<p>3. Sure. Why not?</p>
<p>4. Yup, it's coming out in four years. The title's subject to change. So is my pen name. Keep an eye out for it!</p>
<p>5. Oh look over there, a pigeon! *runs away*</p>
<p>6. Yeah, but it's stuff you wouldn't read. Trust me. *shifty eyes*</p>
<p>7. These tapas are amazing.</p>
<p>8. No. You?</p>
<p>9. Give me your money and I'll send a copy to you. Honest. (Bonus points if you can get them to "buy" one for their friends.)
<p>10. *set self on fire à la <a href="http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com.au/2010/03/awkward-situation-survival-guide.html">Hyperbole and a Half</a>*</p>
<p>Any more suggestions?</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-74457888255174461582012-07-23T12:15:00.001+08:002012-07-23T12:16:17.990+08:00Superhuman? I think so.<p>Ahaha, are you ready for this?</p>
<p>School holidays have just finished.</p>
<p>Two weeks.<p/>
<p>80 thousand words.</p>
<p>My latest WiP is DONE.</p>
<p>I can't even begin to describe how good it feels. 80k. Eighty. Thousand. Words. I've never written a finished manuscript this long, let alone a first draft. (The last first draft I wrote was 36k. Seriously.) While I don't know if I can technically call this a first draft, it was written from scratch, with only the setting and maybe three characters the same. The plot had changed from fighting a Beast to... nothing even remotely related. In fact, the fantasy elements were taken out altogether.</p>
<p>But how did I go from writing teeny tiny first drafts to this mammoth of a manuscript?</p>
<p>Plotting.</p>
<p>It's possible that those who know me have just fainted on the spot. I know, right? Me? Plot? NEVER!</p>
<p>That's what I used to think, and I'm not sure how well I'll do if I tried it again, but goodness, it worked this time, guys. I was lucky enough to have recently attended an advanced writing class hosted by <a href="http://www.julietmarillier.com/">Juliet Marillier</a>, and she mentioned her plotting methods and how she didn't understand the whole "pantser" thing because she couldn't imagine doing a million drafts. And I thought, wait, you <i>don't</i> have to do a million drafts? So I had a go at plotting, writing the whole story out scene by scene then adding scenes when necessary, and viola! I now have a real, much-more-advanced-than-usual first draft that has a decent word count.</p>
<p>I'm so excited. I'm off to do my victory dance. How's everyone else's writing going?</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-7297670670375476962012-07-17T14:53:00.001+08:002012-07-23T07:22:35.207+08:00The Lucky Seven Meme<p><a href="http://onelifeglory.blogspot.com.au/">Morgan Hyde</a> tagged me in the Lucky Meme (you know the one), and I haven't done a post in a while, so I figured I'd go ahead with it.</p>
<p>Here are the rules in case you've been living in a coffin:</p>
<p>1. Go to the 7th or 77th page of your current WIP</p>
<p>2. Go down to the 7th line</p>
<p>3. Copy the next 7 sentences or paragraphs and post them AS IS (no secret editing
- the guilt monkeys will know).</p>
<p>This one's from the seventh page of my current WiP:</p>
<i><p>How? How could wax be this stubborn? Did it take after the personality of its owner or something?</p>
<p>She ducked down and checked the cupboard under the sink. It was cluttered with Bluet's many products and...</p>
<p>Dissolving fluid.</p>
<p>If it wasn't mildly acidic she would have kissed the bottle. Every privy needed dissolving fluid, and chances were it wouldn't damage the leather.</p>
<p>She used toilet tissue to dab a bit onto the boot and held her breath. The wax sizzled away. The leather remained unharmed. Thank the King.</p>
<p>"Miss Stella, what exactly are you doing in there with my boot?"</p>
<p>Stella almost dropped the bottle and the boot. Merse opened the door and stared at her. "Are you quite finished?"</p></i>
<p>If you want to be tagged, consider yourself tagged! And link me in the comments so I can read it :)</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-73026047605578954342012-07-04T16:29:00.001+08:002012-07-04T16:31:27.282+08:00Interview with Tansy Rayner Roberts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSYe2hbKu6jcv2Dlfvu7ctX7WWYAuMC2hnlU1DJZJgxZKtcUhgkmsCwEbIDvx6vEqjteRsNZ1fzzvZfRrsnHjabAD0akW34C9R4B8cKkoANCjB9laCiVZOdb4aSIoDCg2EzpHL55SVj1V/s1600/PandM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSYe2hbKu6jcv2Dlfvu7ctX7WWYAuMC2hnlU1DJZJgxZKtcUhgkmsCwEbIDvx6vEqjteRsNZ1fzzvZfRrsnHjabAD0akW34C9R4B8cKkoANCjB9laCiVZOdb4aSIoDCg2EzpHL55SVj1V/s320/PandM.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>I'm lucky enough to have on the blog today the magnificent Tansy Rayner Roberts, author of the Creature Court trilogy.</p>
<p>For those of you who haven't yet had the pleasure of reading these stories, you're missing out on the most epic world building and character development I've ever read.</p>
<p>With setting, I'm talking about a <b>magical version of Rome, viewed through a Gothic Victorian lens.</b> (Her words, seriously). Seriously.</p>
<p>Seriously.</p>
<p>How much do you want to read these books???</p>
<p>I've tried not to include any spoilery information in the interview questions, so you can read how she does it without ruining anything. You should know I'd rate the series R for sex, language, and gore. If that hasn't scared you off, the first in the series is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Power-and-Majesty-ebook/dp/B003TQLOWU">POWER AND MAJESTY</a>.</p>
<p><b>Hi Tansy! Thanks so much for doing this interview. I just finished THE SHATTERED CITY this morning, and OMG I can't wait to jump into book three! (Although I'm going to cry if my favourite characters die, ug.)</p>
<p>The main reason I wanted to do this interview with you is because the world building in the Creature Court series is incredible. I have so much to ask you about your planning and plot development, and I thought I'd share the answers with everyone rather than hog all your insights to myself.</p>
<p>First, obvious question: Is there a story behind where you came up with the idea for the Creature Court series? Did it happen instantaneously, like a burst of inspiration, or did it come to you slowly? How long did the series take you to write?</b></p>
<p>The first spark of it was when a little brown mouse invaded my writing room, back at the last house we lived in. I walked in and saw it halfway up the leg of the computer chair, and it suddenly froze as if maybe I wouldn't notice it, if it wasn't moving. So there was that...</p>
<p>Then I started to get the idea of this dressmaker character, and she wouldn't settle in my head until I found her name, which took AGES (I knew it started with V).</p>
<p>There were a few other scenes here and there which came together as the story started to build in my head, probably a good year or more before I started writing it down. I was working on other things, but this one kept invading. The first scene I wrote was an introduction to Ashiol which never made it into the book, where he's running through a city being destroyed by unseen forces, and then slowly the city begins to fix itself before his eyes, and his scars literally wriggle off his body. Elements of that found their way into the final story - and there is the key scene in the first book where we (and Velody) see his scars disappear, but pretty much everything else changed over the years & drafts.</p>
<p>The first book took the longest time to write, but that was more through interruption and circumstance than the story itself being difficult - The year I started writing it down was also the year I was trying to finish my PhD, and the year I became pregnant with my first daughter, so, TIMING. I had to set this book down when it was only 2/3 drafted, in order to finish my thesis before I had my baby which, haha, of course didn't quite work out in the right order. Plus my supervisor retired at the end of the same year, a month before Raeli was born. It would have been so perfect if I'd finished my thesis that year... but I didn't. So Creature Court languished for long periods while I sorted everything else out. The benefit was that I got to workshop that first book a couple of times, at varying stages of completion, with my writing group, ROR. They were the ones that pointed out I had started it in the wrong place (that scene with Velody and Ash in the marketplace, and him getting his powers back) and I had to go back and fill in how they got there.</p>
<p>Working backwards, the first novel was published in mid 2010 but sold I think in late 2008. The book was finished a year before that, in late 2007 which was when it first started to be noticed by potential publishers and agents thanks to the first chapter being published on my friend Marianne De Pierres' website. But I started writing it in early 2004, and planning it at least a year before that.</p>
<p>Phew.</p>
<p><b>2. I have to ask about the city of Aufluer. It's absolutely gorgeous - possibly my favourite setting of all time. How would you describe it to someone who's never read the series?</b></p>
<p>Thank you so much, that's lovely to hear!</p>
<p>Aufleur is a skewed, magical version of Rome, viewed through a Gothic Victorian lens. Of course it's not really Rome at all, though I did build it on my head based on one lovely month of living in Rome and travelling everywhere on foot. I wanted it to be a tall, dark and handsome city that seduces readers with its cathedrals, storefronts and sinister secrets.</p>
<p><b>3. I find the reality of Aufluer is in the painstakingly crafted detail you've added to the series. How did you go about coming up with this world? Even in LOVE AND ROMANPUNK, which is a collection of short stories, you have so much history and reality drenched in your writing. Did you sit down and plot every festival/ritual/accompanying food and drink/building etc, or did you let it come to you as you wrote?</p></b>
<p>Mostly I worldbuild one detail at a time, as the story itself is unfolding. The festivals system of Aufleur required quite a bit of work, though, if only to keep track of things as I made them up, so as not to contradict myself later! I started with the Ancient Roman Fasti (calendar of festivals) as my starting point, as I was unduly influenced by Ovid's poem in honour of the many, many ancient festivals observed and/or ignored by the people of Augustan Rome. But I added a whole bunch more for emphasis, because I wanted the festivals of Aufleur to be even more outrageous and elaborate than the Roman system - I wanted an economy that revolved around the various observances, and I knew that would be relevant to my protagonist Velody and her friends, because their business revolved around the making of gowns, garlands etc. for the festivals.</p>
<p>Partly this was to create a sense of conspicuous consumption in the daylight folk but I also wanted to look at the kind of daily work that goes on in a city, and to show that Velody's priorities were already pretty fixed once the magical world intruded on her life. Imagine if Buffy the Vampire Slayer hadn't come into her powers until she was in her late 20's and had a job and a mortgage to juggle? I don't think she would have managed to slay nearly as many monsters...</p>
<p>But yes, there was a spreadsheet involved. And reference books.</p>
<p><b>4. Not only is there history in your setting, but each of your characters - especially in the Creature Court - have such a rich background. How did you go about creating these characters? Did you write a background story for each of them before you started the series?</b></p>
<p>I thought I was being terribly clever, telling an epic fantasy story from the point of view of slightly damaged adults as opposed to using a teenage farmboy as my starting point, but soon ran into trouble because of course they all had elaborate backstories and baggage to deal with! I worked this out mostly as I went but soon discovered that there wasn't a spreadsheet in the world big enough to factor in all the complexities of the Creature Court characters - most of their current relationships were deeply affected by the hierarchy of their world, where youngsters start off serving Lords as Courtesi, then become Lords themselves, and sometimes reach the level of King. So it completely made my head explode, figuring out all the details of who had served who, and when they had been promoted to Lord, and whom had served them, and in some cases many of them served more than one Lord. Their backstories changed as I needed them to, and a few of them - Livilla and Poet in particular - shifted allegiances as my chronology tangled itself up in knots.</p>
<p>Seriously. Even spreadsheets can't fix everything. I had a few fixed points such as certain ages of characters when particular events happened, and everything else orbited wildly around it. Sometimes I felt like I was juggling hamsters! Strange, sex-obsessed hamsters who liked to set fire to things.</p>
<p><b>5. Were you worried the reader wouldn't be able to keep track of such a broad cast list? (The only ones I'm having trouble with are the courtesi, but after the new character introduced at the end of the book two, I'm thinking we'll learn more about them in book three.) How do YOU keep track of the comings and goings of the heirarchy?</b></p>
<p>I worried a little bit, but mostly for myself. I think it helps that the story is told through several points of view, and so you get to see most characters from several different sides. Hmm. Maybe that doesn't TECHNICALLY simplify things. But because of the complexities I didn't have any qualms about just setting down details as they became relevant, through the observances of the characters. Ashiol, for instance, knows all the details of Livilla and Mars and well, everyone's sex life, and will happily supply any plot relevant details, either through dialogue or his brain. But he had been away for five years so even he needed things explained to him. Velody doesn't know who any of these people are, and what their connections are, but she's trying to work it out fast, and the readers get to go on that journey with them.</p>
<p>I realised quite late in the day that I didn't have a point of view character who was a courteso - all the other roles are covered, but that one wasn't. That was why Topaz joined the story in Book 2, another newcomer. And Book 3 has an ongoing flashback storyline from the point of view of one of our adult characters, giving new perspectives not only on what it's like for the youngsters when they first join the Creature Court, but also some insights into the emotional baggage and relationships of some of our favourites. I like to think all the bases are covered!</p>
<p>On the whole, though, there are a bunch of characters we really don't need to know about for the sake of the story, and there are some I've deliberately left blank because if I tried to go into detail about every single character, the reader would be lost, and I'd probably have thrown myself out of a window.</p>
<p><b>6. Any tips for writers who want to go into the type of depth with both setting and character background you have with the Creature Court series?</b></p>
<p>Spreadsheets are wonderful things! History will provide you with stranger and more wondrous facts than you can possibly ever invent. And it really does help to know everyone your protagonist has slept with, even if you never need to mention this in the narrative itself.</p>
<p><b>7. Finally, anything you want to plug while you're here? (Ahem, Galactic Suburbia, ahem ahem.)</b></p>
<p>Well I do have a rather lovely podcast you might be interested in! <a href="http://galactisuburbia.podbean.com/">Galactic Suburbia</a> was recently nominated for a Hugo, and it's basically me and my friends Alisa (indie publisher Twelfth Planet Press) and Alex (Atheling-winning reviewer) talking about speculative fiction, books, publishing news and chat. We're very proud of it.</p>
<p>You can also find my short story collection, <a href="http://www.twelfthplanetpress.com/store-items/love-and-romanpunk">Love and Romanpunk</a>, over at Twelfth Planet Press in print or e-book (though we are nearly out of print of the print version I hear! Down to the last box). I recently had stories appear in the anthologies Beyond Binary (Lethe Press) and Epilogue (Fablecroft). I also have an essay in the upcoming book Chicks Unravel Time (Mad Norwegian Press), in which every season of Doctor Who is analysed by a different female writer, fan or critic. I'm writing about The Trial of a Time Lord and the problematic death/undeath of Peri Brown.</p>
<p>Most of my snark and book-related thoughts can be found on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/tansyrr">@tansyrr</a>) and my blog (<a href="http://tansyrr.com/">http://tansyrr.com/</a>).</p>
<p><b> Thank you so much for answering my questions! I'm off to read the last book, and cling to the hope that this is going to end well...</b></p>
<p>Are you convinced yet? Haha, thought so. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Power-and-Majesty-ebook/dp/B003TQLOWU">RUSH AND BUY THIS SERIES NOW!</a></p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-30950858379371511412012-06-17T13:36:00.001+08:002012-06-17T13:36:47.664+08:00Done!<p>I've finished the first draft of my latest WiP! *pause for cheers* Some stats for the interested parties:</p>
<p>Total word count - 52,129</p>
<p>Projected word count (once I've added in all the extras I thought of along the way... and fixed all the plot holes, ug): 75k-80k</p>
<p>Date started: 28th May this year</p>
<p>Current feeling towards ms: I never want to see it again (Kidding! Kind of)</p>
<p>What will happen next: Leave it to work on second WiP and come back to it in a month or so... hopefully with a little more enthusiasm than what I'm leaving it with</p>
<p>YAY! Party for all!</p>
<p>How's everyone else's WiP going?</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-50395048155189024282012-06-15T19:14:00.000+08:002012-06-15T19:14:01.811+08:00To Kill a Mockingbird<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4YLmlgLvdo_zc7zdte9FYjL2VVw4tmSMmJ76tW4LZjGthUMD_GAufWVMQ35bMk7AAMyl-dJ5H-Ka_iM6bUdn1dTLnhToQkfuAcZQTKpW5EbN39DOI1jLvxgZejB8xDqexhA3PKDQtUa1/s1600/To+Kill+a+Mockingbird.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="280" width="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4YLmlgLvdo_zc7zdte9FYjL2VVw4tmSMmJ76tW4LZjGthUMD_GAufWVMQ35bMk7AAMyl-dJ5H-Ka_iM6bUdn1dTLnhToQkfuAcZQTKpW5EbN39DOI1jLvxgZejB8xDqexhA3PKDQtUa1/s320/To+Kill+a+Mockingbird.JPG" /></a>
<p>This is another post for my <a href="http://tamarafelsinger.blogspot.com.au/search/label/book%20reviews%20for%20writers">book reviews for writers</a>. I break down the main plot and character components of a novel and discuss what writers can take away from it.</p>
<p><b>Plot</b></p>
<p>The first time I read this book was in primary school, and I'm surprised I a) got through it, and b) understood a single word. It was tricky for me to follow, the main plot didn't happen until almost halfway through the book, and the tension went up and down erratically throughout the story. Why does it work? It's a classic, it was written in 1960, and readers were looking for something different than what they look for today.</p>
<p>So could we try a story like that? Tricky, not impossible. But I wouldn't recommend trying it unless you're a pro. Why?</p>
<p>My answer is based on a theory I have about today's readers in general. With technology making things simplistic and instant, people expect everything to happen Now Now Now. That's why I think YA has become so popular - usually YA books get right to the point, are quick, and are easy enough to get through in less than a day.</p>
<p><i>Lesson: if you're going to go down the path of a plot line similar to classics such as TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, I'd recommend you know exactly what you're doing and know whether it will work with your target audience.</i></p>
<p><b>Character</b></p>
<p>Atticus. Oh, Atticus, Atticus, Atticus. Perfect in every way. In danger of being the biggest Gary-Stu around. So why isn't he?</p>
<p>Firstly, the story is narrated by his daughter Scout in two ways - a) her looking back on childhood moments, and b) her living those moments as the nine-year-old. It's natural and understandable that both versions of Scout would portray him as the flawless, generous man he is in the book. A young girl often looks at her father in such a light, and older Scout might have lost her father by that stage so of course she might remember him as a better man than what he was.</p>
<p>Secondly, a Gary-Stu is not only perfect, but everyone loves him. That's not the case with Atticus Finch. He's attacked, abused, and ridiculed by the townspeople throughout the entire case. This invokes sympathy from the reader instead of disgust.</p>
<p>Both of these cases have to be included to work in Atticus's favour and to keep him from being so perfect it makes the reader close the book in disgust. They're written in balance of each other, as carefully as every gesture, word, and action is written in terms of the character himself.</p>
<p><i>Lesson: If you're going to write a character with so many amazing qualities, make sure there are (real) ways to balance out the "too-perfect" syndrome, not just one little quirky fault.</i></p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124190976343048649.post-73672332701504055752012-06-10T03:00:00.000+08:002012-06-10T03:00:00.116+08:00Prepare to be Outraged<p>I hope you have a cup of chamomile tea to drink while you're reading this, because if you're anything like me your blood might actually boil with indignant rage. I saw this article years ago and it still makes me seethe whenever I think about it.</p>
<p>An author (I can't remember who, so there's no point asking me) once put a "How to Deal with Telling People You're a Writer" post up. I figured hey, that'd be a fun read. Sometimes it can be a pain telling people you're a writer when you always get the same types of eye-rolling responses.</p>
<p>One of the points was when people ask "But are you a <i>real</i> writer?" kind of question. The author addressed this by saying something along the lines of <i>"Don't worry about this line of questioning. They're only asking because too many people go around saying they're writers even though they haven't gotten published."</i></p>
<p><b>...too many people go around saying they're writers even though they haven't gotten published.</b></p>
<p>I'm sorry, WHAT?</p>
<p>(Urge to kill rising, rising...)</p>
<p>EXCUSE ME. I've spent eleven years writing stories. Working on manuscripts. Researching the publishing world, following agents, reviewing books, editing, rewriting, screaming at frustration at the computer when that scene SIMPLY WOULDN'T WORK. How DARE that author assume I'm not a writer just because I haven't gotten published?</p>
<p>Writing is in my blood. My fingertips tingle when I sit down to tell a story. Even if I never get published, I won't be able to stop creating worlds and people and crazy situations. What part of that ISN'T being a writer?</p>
<p>If you ever hear or see something like this, lift your chin, give an indignant snort of disapproval, and walk away. What does that person know about you and your passions? And when I find the author that wrote that book, I am never, NEVER going to buy their work, because hey, who needs them?</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16466014613515065083noreply@blogger.com7