I know absentee blogger here. Good news is Ashes first draft will be done this week then it is off to readers and CP.
In other cool news I get to be part of Jeremy Hawkins from [Being Retro] for his books of art and design. I got to see them and think they are awesome. That post will be October 14th and I will be letting Jeremy have the blog for that day. So check back in for that. In other, other news, the give away I mentioned a bit back is still happening hope to get you the details soon along with the new cover reveal. Until then I will be finishing up Ashes and preparing for its release. Anyway that is what is going on in my neck of the woods. As always have fun and keep writing.
So writing is going well and by going well I mean I feel like that is all I have done for the past few weeks. I write in the morning, when I get free time and all through the night. I feel like I see a computer screen more than real people—probably because I do. Why do I put myself through this? Because I love it, I couldn't live without it, it is so a part of me that if someone tried to take it away I would not function so well.
So since we have established that I am addicted, I have been thinking about the intricacies of writing lately. Writing is not hard. I can sit here and write for hours with only my butt causing me to stop...maybe sore fingertips....but it is not hard. Good writing is hard. Great writing is even more elusive. Still, what makes quality writing hard?
One of the things is perspective of character. If you are writing about someone you have to put yourself in that person's shoes, think like they would think, even if they are nothing like you. For me character drives my writing more than anything else. So obviously making all of the characters like me would get boring for me and the reader very quickly.
So yeah...that is hard. How do we become so many different types of people? Research, sure, our surroundings, of course, but maybe most important, having a flexible mind. So now I can get to why Bruce Lee is once again all over my post. There is a series of famous lines Bruce once said in an interview. He was speaking of Martial Arts at the time, but being the amazing philosopher he was it is easily applied to other parts of our lives. Not the least of which is how we go about writing.
He said: "Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend."
With this way of thinking there is no you anymore when you write, only this character. You can write someone who is the complete opposite of you, who does things you would never dream of doing, because you are not judging. You are forming yourself to them. This results in real feeling characters who come alive on the page.
If you would like to hear the quote or see how awesome of a person Mr. Lee actually was watch this video below. Some say he was all hype...I beg to differ.
I am so happy to finally get to help reveal the cover for Kinetic. S.K. Anthony has been hard at work getting this amazing book ready for everyone to read. I personally can't wait for people to read it and it isn't even my book. Here is the synopsis.
Synopsis:
Being strong is one thing. Being an unlimited source of power is quite another.
Genetically altered by the Organization, Annie Fox takes down criminals CIA-style with her luminary strength. With nothing to mend but her broken heart, she is relentlessly pursued by her boss Derek Lake. Just when Annie is about to give him a chance, her ex-husband unexpectedly comes out of hiding.
A wanted man, Nick Logan is a cold-hearted murderer who is considered enemy number one, and orders are clear: kill on contact. He is more powerful than ever and threatens the lives of those she holds most dear. His plan? Get his hands on Annie and use her Kinetic energy to destroy them all. When Annie finds herself with an opportunity to end him, she pauses, horrified by the scars covering the face she once loved. A split second that will cost her everything…
Meet the Author:
S. K. Anthony is a writer, a reader and a make-stuff-up-er who lives in New York with her husband and toddler twins. She is a wine connoisseur, which just really means she knows she loves it, and a caffeine addict. When she isn't busy with her family she finds herself being transported into the world of imagination. Well, either that or running away from spiders…she is convinced they are out to get her!
Here are some links to help support and find the book.
It is funny, I remember joining DL Hammon's Blog Blitz a few months ago and really thinking it was a great idea. Little did I know that in a time where I felt a decent amount of sadness and slightly overwhelmed that I would find myself Blitzed. I really appreciate everyone who came and everyone who stayed. Not only did I get blitzed but nearly every single comment was personal and not some generic thing posted on a strangers blog. It was very uplifting and much appreciated. I usually like to reply to each comment comment given on my blog. Even if no one comes back to read it, I feel better taking the time to do so. Well I received quite a bit of comments on my IWSG and some on other post. Replying to all with my schedule would be hard, not that I still wasn't tempted, but I would at least like to post this saying thank you to all who stopped by. It actually was very touching and helped me a great deal. I smiled as I read each comment and I can't wait to come check out your blogs. Also I saw an awesome trailer today at Being Retro for Alex J Cavanaugh's new book CassaStorm. Click on the link and go check it out, it's awesome. Anyway, I am going to get back to the family and hope you are all well. As always, have fun and keep writing.
This is an opportunity—a safe haven— for writers everywhere to let their insecurities out and receive and/or offer support and guidance in return. Please click on the above link for a complete list of participants.
I am actually not feeling super insecure at the moment. I had someone read through what I have written on Ashes so far and was pleasantly surprised with their reaction to it. This has spurred me on to more writing and a bout of confidence much needed at this point.
While insecurity isn't an issue at the moment. Being overwhelmed is trying hard to take its place. In the situation I'm in I could push back a deadline if I wanted to. I also would never want to rush getting something out if it wasn't ready. Still my word is something that means a lot to me and I have said this book will be out by August and I aim to have it out and ready.
Sometimes life doesn't think your burden is weighty enough and that it can add a bit more pressure to your pile. I got news yesterday that my great Grandmother passed away. I have a lot of memories of her from my childhood and she was a big influence in my life. I am sad. I think as a writer we live off of our memories sometimes more than some people. So as I mourn the loss and celebrate the life, I feel my writing take on the emotion.
Life doesn't stop for us to catch up, we have to rush forward and jump on the train or risk missing it. I do this by having the support of a great family and amazing friends. So this week I will not feel insecure or overwhelmed, instead I will rise to the challenge and make the most of the time I have here.
