The Cole Cut III: Best Blogs

                                  How To Write Badly Well

Joel Stickley

 

Funny guy Joel Stickley writes his versions of “bad writing” with a stroke of genius.  Bad writing is easy, but only the most talented can Write Badly Well.   From his most recent posts it looks like he’s taking some time away from the blogosphere.  When I’m in need of a laugh, I’ve yet to be disappointed.I highly recommend reading at least the first link posted here:

http://writebadlywell.blogspot.com/2010/01/overreact.html

http://writebadlywell.blogspot.com/2011/08/banish-said-from-your-vocabulary.html

http://writebadlywell.blogspot.com/2011/06/comeback-week-4-alienate-your-existing.html

                                Derek Haines: The Vandal

Derek Haines

Derek is a Tweep that shares his own take of his life, writing, and the world.   I reviewed his book “Vandalism of Words,” which is quite cool at four stars and have his book “Dead Men.”  He’s insightful, funny, and don’t tell him I said so.  It may go to his head. 

http://www.derekhaines.ch/vandal/ 

http://www.derekhaines.ch/vandal/2011/12/faces-in-the-street/ 

More to follow as 2011 winds down....

On The Fate of Dragons

"Dragonslayer"

I’ve written several times in past articles about dragons being my favorite monster.  And I’m picky about my dragons.  They need lizard like anatomy, no potbellies and no bat wings (exception being the one in “Dragonslayer.”)  My dragons speak the human language and have an alternative humanoid form. 

I try to remember when I first heard about dragons; it was probably one of several paintings of “St. George and the Dragon” in one of my mom’s art books as a kid.   I do remember the song “Puff the Magic Dragon,” and in the ‘80’s read “The Hobbit” and watched the film “Dragonslayer.”  Back then a funny parody of “St. George and the Dragon” was the book “The Dragon and the George.”  I found it on amazon recently.  I also remember the film “Dragonheart” with Sean Connery voice-overing the dragon. 

For us “dragon writers” what is it about dragons that fascinate us?  What keeps us re-inventing them for our own stories?  Why can’t we all us unicorns, an equally mythical creature? 

Generally, dragons are dangerous.  Some are just non-intelligent carnivorous, winged monsters, spouting fire.  Others are more intelligent, well above genius by human standards.  They can read minds, use a number of horrific breath weapons, become invisible, and cause fear by the sight of them.  Other generalizations about dragons are that they live in caves, and lay upon a hoard of treasure.  Some are evil, some are good, and none are very friendly.

What I find interesting in stories about dragons is their fate, which is usually death.  A brave aging wizard gives his life to kill a dragon.  A gallant knight slays the dragon with his lance.  One lucky arrow brings down the dragon Smaug, and learns that the bigger they are, the harder they fall.  A benevolent dragon removes a portion of his heart to save the life of a boy who betrays him later.

Must dragons always have to die in stories?  No.  Does the death of a dragon impact a story?  Answer:  Definitely, as would any powerful character.  That’s part of what makes dragons key characters in dark fantasy stories, their fate, by living or dying either makes for a dramatic scene or ending. 

In memory of author Anne McCaffery, dragons remain strong in our minds.  As dark fantasy authors, we’ve seen these intriguing, dangerous mythical creatures in many books and films.  No matter how you use them for your work, like any major character, the question of their fate will always be asked by the reader.  It’s up to the writer to make it happen in the worlds they create.

The Cole Cut II: Good Fellas

As I’m backtracking over 2011 acknowledging great people who’ve helped me find my way down the cyber-road, for this part of “The Cole Cut” I’d like to point out some great guys.

Paul Dorset

 

Paul Dorset:  Author of YA fantasy, his excellent book “Xannu” given 4 stars by me.  He uses my articles for his on-line news-for-writers service, “John’s elite” which I highly recommend for the excellent writing/editing tips he posts. (Well, along with my finite wisdom).  He has a new paranormal thriller “New Blood” just out, I highly recommend checking out his work.

Nik Beat

 

Nik Beat:  Radio personality of the totally cool CIUT out of Toronto, Canada, was nice enough to accept and read my first book, and invite me to his radio show through a publicist contact.  He repeated the favor with my second book.  He features a wide variety of music, along with humor, and is an activist for education.  

M.R.Mathias

 

M.R. Mathias:  The big dude is a widely accomplished, award-winning medieval dark fantasy writer.  Interviews with him show that when life goes wrong, you can still pick up and make it better; I applaud him for that.  During my Twitter infancy, he helped me get followers (I’d be surprised if he recalls doing this).  His book, “The First Ten Steps” a how-to guide for self-published authors, to me is simpler and less “showcased” than the super-seller by John Locke (though I liked both).  I have at least four of his books, and hope to someday do a post on all of them at once. 

More to follow!

On The Leading Issue of the Lead Character

As I read the books of my Indie colleagues, classics, and bestsellers, the reader is left with one thing:  The lead character.

In most fiction, a lead character is a must-have.  Why?  Most of the time (except with some really clever writing) the story needs a point in which the reader can focus and extrapolate beyond to take in the rest.  If the lead character cannot be identified early in the story, then many books dissipate into confusion.

Should the lead character be a protagonist?  They are in most books and films.  Usually, in medieval dark fantasy, (that I write) someone takes a stand for good, has weaknesses and flaws, emotion, and often experience great loss that motivates his/her actions.  Bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination help define most lead characters.

But does the lead character always have to be a protagonist?  No, and some writers can pull it off.  I haven’t read many books with evil main characters, but a film example is “There Will Be Blood.”  For those that say the title should have been “There Will Be Boredom,” I won’t argue.  I believe that it won such acclaim because it followed the life of a non-nice guy, spiraling into loneliness and insanity.  (As a film nut, I have a list of “favorite boring movies,” with “Reds” on the short list). 

What does the lead character mean to the new author?  Everything.  Another example would be the early success of “The Sopranos” before I was too grossed out to watch it.  If the audience didn’t “lock in” with the lead character Tony Soprano, then they wouldn’t tune in.  I liked his visits to a psychiatrist for depression because so many people really wanted to kill him.  To me, it was a different way to bring a gangster to the front stage; a man with all the problems of a modern family while living the life of organized crime. 

My early editors of “Act of Redemption” emphasized that I must make Shevata a “lighter” character.  (You’re kidding, right?)  In the early drafts, she was a much darker character than she is now.  (My goodness, all I can do is claim New Author status and “plead the 5^th!”)  They guided me in the right direction.  As much as I wanted a strong female lead, there’s a difference between strength and darkness.  It really doesn’t require a kick-butt for an effective lead character; a classic example would be the little Hobbit Frodo in LOTR. 

New authors go forth and write something awesome and tell us about it.  For fiction, your lead character doesn’t have to mow down the bad guys with a medieval lawn mower like Shevata does.  In some way, your readers must connect with the lead character in order to carry the story. 

The Cole Cut I: Thanks to Some Amazing Ladies

When I first entered cyberspace to promote my first novella, “Act of Redemption” it didn’t take me long to figure out I had no clue what I was doing.  I didn’t know where to begin, so I had my publisher do a money-pump that turned out to be well spent:  Introduction into the sphere of readers and writers.  Amongst the sites they signed me up for were Goodreads, Facebook author page, and Twitter. 

Entering this new world of social networking and book promotion made me feel like a ghost, seeing the world move and unable to be a part of it.  Facebook for a new author was not easy, and still isn’t.  My Goodreads experience was different.  But for both sites, some great, accomplished, and brilliant authors were kind enough to welcome me into their world. 

Shawn Lamb

 

Shawn Lamb, author of the Beautiful “Allon” series, and her newest book “The Hugenot Sword,” is an award-winning author, a voice for books suited for kids, and the only virtual friend I’ve met in person.  She’s every bit as great for real as in cyberspace.  I’ve featured her work and interviewed her earlier this year.

Maureen Miller

 

Maureen Miller, accomplished romance author, also welcomed me into the writers’ world.  She has published many romance books, with beautiful female characters that I wished I looked like.  She’s a lot of fun with social networking, and is great on Twitter.  

Jennifer Chase

 

Jennifer Chase, a brilliant criminologist and accomplished author of crime books.  One day I’d love to see her on TV documentaries.  I admire her courage and intelligence in the horrific world of crime. 

The “Cole Cut” will be a series of people and books I’ve encountered on my writing journey, to make a place to look back and thank talented people that made a big difference to me as a new author.  I will always remember the generosity of these great ladies.  More upcoming!!

Review of “The Unwanted” by Daniel Carter

“The Unwanted” by Daniel Carter is about a group of infants rescued by a couple of nurses caring for them.  They are taken into hiding in America’s rural heartland, with agents on the hunt for the children.  As they grow up, the kids become more unusual with rapid aging, each with powerful unique abilities.  As more is uncovered, the plot moves quickly to create a fun but intense read that encourages the reader to turn the pages.  Excellent work, four stars!

On The Value of Free Books

On social networking this morning, with some virtual friends, we discussed free books.   As I’ve pondered this topic today, the question comes to mind:  Are free books a good thing?

I’ve had some interesting experience with giving away books.  When I solicit a reviewer (a necessary process for the new author), I offer to send my books.  To me, if they were doing unpaid work, why would I expect them to purchase my books?  Ah, but alas, what if the reviewer suspects I’m giving them by books in hopes to score a more favorable review?  Fortunately, a reviewer never stated to me in correspondence this kind of suspicion, and several reviewers thanked me for sending my books, or respectfully declined for whatever reason.  At least they didn’t accept books they weren’t interested in reading. (Also, many reviewers are understandably overwhelmed with books).

Another experience with free books is when I offered them to friends that expressed interest.  I’ve been told more than once “No, if it’s free, I probably won’t read it.”  What? Really?  Do people read more books they purchase than they are given?

To answer this question, I looked at my own book collection.  Having a habit of reading what I want, when I want, when someone gives me a free printed book, I get around to reading it some time.  With my ebook obsession, even when people email me free books, I tend to download them amazon/smashwords to one of my portable e-readers.  I admit, sometimes I’m guilty as well, preferring to purchase books mainly for the format for my devices, not only out of convenience, but I since I post reviews, the author at least gets a sale even if choose not to post a review.

In analysis of the above sentence, here comes a troubling question:  So I purchase a book, post a review, does that author “owe me?”  Answer:  Not from my standpoint.  I’ve written before that some authors aren’t willing to go the distance and purchase the books of other authors.  Does that mean they lack integrity?  Answer:  Not from my standpoint.    I’ve written before that more solid virtual friendships are built by the good will of purchasing and reviewing one another’s books, but that isn’t a fit for everyone

New authors, we’re not in a position to make demands to potential readers.  For the traditionally published authors, at least they have a company behind their work, but on the other hand, they’re at the mercy of it.  As Indie writers, our judgment is our own with promotional experts out there to advise us. 

Free books?  I may make a choice to buy books for an alternative format, but writing/promoting is time and energy consuming enough to not have concern with the motivations of other writers offering to give me their work that cost them great labor, and costs nothing to me.  The least anyone can do when you’re given something in good faith is to say “Thank you.”  The work of writers has value; sometimes financially, sometimes virtual, and most of the time, their work adds to the human experience of reading.