Most of the times, I have a couple of ideas ping ponging in my head. And each one is somehow unique in its own way. Of course, each story must be different.. but what I meant to ask is : will my voice also be so different?
Somehow I never seem to follow a particular pattern when it comes to creating my heroine..
First off, I am not sure if I even give her a particular nationality like I do for the hero.. I mostly allow the reader to connect with the heroine in terms of quirks, characters etc instead of associating her to a locality.. How much does this endears her or alienates her to the audience, I have no idea.. It isn't like I follow anyone, but I've seen that in most of books, they dont really emphasize on her nationality ! Sometimes the plot device like marriage of convenience etc requires her to be from a particular "type" of place to have a specific mindset, but otherwise, I never see that becoming a topic in the book, not as much as we worry about the hero :) Why is this so?
Secondly, and probably most importantly - how much do we write stereotypes when it comes to heroines? Do they reflect us? (In my case - no, how about others?). Otherwise, most of best selling authors out there - have a particular voice for the heroine - she is in essence both soft and strong-willed, sarcastic at times and naive at times.. and well, they kind of have similar heroines across the books.. (some of course do the same with heroes too)..
For me... I find my heroines to be a handful - in some they are cynical and have a dry sense of humor (to give the hero a run for their money) and in others - they are pretty troubled, talk minimally etc(hero has a hard time getting her to open to him)..
As I tackle each heroine I find my voice being different... Is this normal? I am not sure..
Anyways.. am still ambling along on the path towards publication and on a side note, I have another R to add as a notch to my belt !
Let me end my post with the words : Of course am shaken, but not yet broken.. battered, but still standing.. (make it wobbling due to my flu medicines).. and I hope I'll pick myself up and hit the road without much ado.. wish me best..
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
New design with a rant..
I didn't really intend to blog until Monday...but I couldn't contain my excitement on finding this new feature in blogger that allows me to change design, background, add web pages - ALMOST equivalent to a professional website...
I know, I know.. that's old news and I could've done that even earlier with a few tweaks to the html..but this one is totally for the dummies (I gladly accept I am one!)....
Before you dunk me on the head with your umbrellas or whatever object is near you, let me tell you why this silly thing made my day.. or week - so to speak..
The whole week, I haven't gotten a single word written. It's been a long time since I took so much of a break from writing. :( Not only that, I totally didn't think about any of my stories in the meanwhile..
Though I caught up on all the blogs, gave my full attention on reviewing works of my CP's, still something always felt missing.... and I am unable to use my "after-travel tiredness" and subsequent "flu" as my excuses...though am still feeling dopey from the medicines..
So actually the fact that I did manage to do something teeny-weeny like changing my blog layout and added a new page "About", where I'd spilled all my secrets gave me a strange satisfaction of accomplishing something!
Now that I've managed to sit as much as possible in front of the comp in spite of the medications, I think I need to take rest as the doc advised.... And mostly to ensure I am fit and fine when my family arrives for their 2 weeks summer vacation...after which my in-laws will be coming for their holiday as well !
::groans:: I hope I dont use them as excuses later on for writing or the lack of.. Wish me luck to get back my muse...
I know, I know.. that's old news and I could've done that even earlier with a few tweaks to the html..but this one is totally for the dummies (I gladly accept I am one!)....
Before you dunk me on the head with your umbrellas or whatever object is near you, let me tell you why this silly thing made my day.. or week - so to speak..
The whole week, I haven't gotten a single word written. It's been a long time since I took so much of a break from writing. :( Not only that, I totally didn't think about any of my stories in the meanwhile..
Though I caught up on all the blogs, gave my full attention on reviewing works of my CP's, still something always felt missing.... and I am unable to use my "after-travel tiredness" and subsequent "flu" as my excuses...though am still feeling dopey from the medicines..
So actually the fact that I did manage to do something teeny-weeny like changing my blog layout and added a new page "About", where I'd spilled all my secrets gave me a strange satisfaction of accomplishing something!
Now that I've managed to sit as much as possible in front of the comp in spite of the medications, I think I need to take rest as the doc advised.... And mostly to ensure I am fit and fine when my family arrives for their 2 weeks summer vacation...after which my in-laws will be coming for their holiday as well !
::groans:: I hope I dont use them as excuses later on for writing or the lack of.. Wish me luck to get back my muse...
Monday, March 22, 2010
On revisions..
I'm not refering to the revisions that a publisher asks.. cos I'm yet to get any response from any of them I've submitted my novellas to....
Here I am, wondering about the whole revision thing I'm supposed to be involved in, but been procrastinating for a while..
When a new idea takes hold, I have come up with an "action plan" to ensure I dont lose out on those pearls of creativity.. I immediately open a notepad (on laptop or the paper one) and jot down the points as is.. it may be unrelated words or a few sentences that drive the story or sometimes even start the story.. So far so good..
And I get to the story after a bit of tosses and turns with the other ones I am working on.. Still good.
Writing a story - is anyways a big tooth pulling process - unless I know the characters sometime by the middle.. and they decide to talk to me.. - Still okay..
Now coming to the grand moment.. Typing - THE END. Until then, other ideas would be clamoring for attention, sometimes even a bit of "revisions" in terms of tweaking a few character points or chapter points etc will be running in mind ..but I am wondering if our brain goes into some sort of a "sleep" mode in regards to that story when we type those magic words..
For a few days after that, I am just unable to touch any new story, neither the revisions I have planned on other completed stories nor this one... And guess what? I'm unable to jump into reading as well.. ::Groans::
Ultimately, I feel this is a sort of mental limbo - a void state where my mind jumps to until it decides when to get back ! Grrr. I wish I could tempt that out with a nice hero or two.. but no chance..
Does anyone else go through the same? If yes, what do you do?
Here I am, wondering about the whole revision thing I'm supposed to be involved in, but been procrastinating for a while..
When a new idea takes hold, I have come up with an "action plan" to ensure I dont lose out on those pearls of creativity.. I immediately open a notepad (on laptop or the paper one) and jot down the points as is.. it may be unrelated words or a few sentences that drive the story or sometimes even start the story.. So far so good..
And I get to the story after a bit of tosses and turns with the other ones I am working on.. Still good.
Writing a story - is anyways a big tooth pulling process - unless I know the characters sometime by the middle.. and they decide to talk to me.. - Still okay..
Now coming to the grand moment.. Typing - THE END. Until then, other ideas would be clamoring for attention, sometimes even a bit of "revisions" in terms of tweaking a few character points or chapter points etc will be running in mind ..but I am wondering if our brain goes into some sort of a "sleep" mode in regards to that story when we type those magic words..
For a few days after that, I am just unable to touch any new story, neither the revisions I have planned on other completed stories nor this one... And guess what? I'm unable to jump into reading as well.. ::Groans::
Ultimately, I feel this is a sort of mental limbo - a void state where my mind jumps to until it decides when to get back ! Grrr. I wish I could tempt that out with a nice hero or two.. but no chance..
Does anyone else go through the same? If yes, what do you do?
Monday, March 15, 2010
Paranormal professions...
I am badly in need of some enlightenment. Guess for what? To map out a career plan for my paranormal heroes.. ;)
Sounds strange? Or too familiar? Oh, the roles writers have to play ;) From baby sitters while H/h go about their merry way to cajoling the H/h to be our best friends. Play matchmaker or give a little hand in their career.
Don't ever get me started on being their personal trainer aka, creator of a bod that they get ready to jump each other's bones even before they meet on pages.
I know the standard advise is follow my voice.. if I can write a warrior better, write him as one and so on.. Trust me, I try..
For whatever reason, I am unable to stick to one stereotype among my heroes.. I had him as a playboy in one story and an ex-cop turned PI in another.
My first hero underwent so many job switches that I've allowed him to mull over and decide what he wants before I proceed to tell his story to the world.. I hope that'll whip him to shape in career front at least, the other whipping isn't really my job, you know ;) That task I've left solely to the heroine..
Well, now am playing with two, er, three other heroes - a doctor, who obviously had to leave his profession when he turned into a vampire.. and other two have agreed to be business magnates...
Of course they all have one thing in common, their profession is only a mask to the world at large and inside, they are tortured warriors, trying to do the right thing at all costs.
Now, what was I trying to ask when I began this post.. Give me your ideas and advice on what other faces can my heroes don on the outside?
Keep in mind they all have a dark and dangerous side too ;) even though they keep it firmly under control !
Throw me some pointers will'ya?
Sounds strange? Or too familiar? Oh, the roles writers have to play ;) From baby sitters while H/h go about their merry way to cajoling the H/h to be our best friends. Play matchmaker or give a little hand in their career.
Don't ever get me started on being their personal trainer aka, creator of a bod that they get ready to jump each other's bones even before they meet on pages.
I know the standard advise is follow my voice.. if I can write a warrior better, write him as one and so on.. Trust me, I try..
For whatever reason, I am unable to stick to one stereotype among my heroes.. I had him as a playboy in one story and an ex-cop turned PI in another.
My first hero underwent so many job switches that I've allowed him to mull over and decide what he wants before I proceed to tell his story to the world.. I hope that'll whip him to shape in career front at least, the other whipping isn't really my job, you know ;) That task I've left solely to the heroine..
Well, now am playing with two, er, three other heroes - a doctor, who obviously had to leave his profession when he turned into a vampire.. and other two have agreed to be business magnates...
Of course they all have one thing in common, their profession is only a mask to the world at large and inside, they are tortured warriors, trying to do the right thing at all costs.
Now, what was I trying to ask when I began this post.. Give me your ideas and advice on what other faces can my heroes don on the outside?
Keep in mind they all have a dark and dangerous side too ;) even though they keep it firmly under control !
Throw me some pointers will'ya?
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
License to kill...
First time, am asking for so many tips within a single week !!!
With this post, I want some nice, inventive, innovative or normal ways to kill a vampire... I guess it's pretty obvious that one of my yummy and yet troubled hero is totally, badly in need of help in this arena.
He isn't by any strech of imagination a killer, but when a bad-vamp kills his only remaining family and almost killed him, he needs to do a favor to the world at large by "eliminating" (a better word) the evil, really powerful vamp !
Any idea in any form is welcome.. To start off and get the creative juices overflowing, here's a short list I compiled :
1) Silver stake with some ancient words of magic.
2) ... open to suggestions.... (am I creative or what?)
Help !!
Even who aren't writing paranormal, please do help my hero ;)
Pretty please (from my side) and a harrumph from his side.. Since he doesn't take orders from anyone..
Since we already know he'll have to pick our ideas since we are always right, hope you'll forgive his nonchalant shrug and jump in to the rescue..
PS : Any / all of the ideas may be used in my current/future MS'es
With this post, I want some nice, inventive, innovative or normal ways to kill a vampire... I guess it's pretty obvious that one of my yummy and yet troubled hero is totally, badly in need of help in this arena.
He isn't by any strech of imagination a killer, but when a bad-vamp kills his only remaining family and almost killed him, he needs to do a favor to the world at large by "eliminating" (a better word) the evil, really powerful vamp !
Any idea in any form is welcome.. To start off and get the creative juices overflowing, here's a short list I compiled :
1) Silver stake with some ancient words of magic.
2) ... open to suggestions.... (am I creative or what?)
Help !!
Even who aren't writing paranormal, please do help my hero ;)
Pretty please (from my side) and a harrumph from his side.. Since he doesn't take orders from anyone..
Since we already know he'll have to pick our ideas since we are always right, hope you'll forgive his nonchalant shrug and jump in to the rescue..
PS : Any / all of the ideas may be used in my current/future MS'es
Monday, March 8, 2010
Long and short of the story is..
When I work with a story, at a couple of hundred words, I sit down, revise the few pages I've managed to come up with.. debate whether that's chapter 1 or the prologue - depending on the action and the starting point of story.. and then kind of figure out how the story is going to flow..
At this juncture, I have no idea whether the story is going to be 10K (and I have to pull words like teeth to flesh it out) or.. it is going to be touching 18K (and I hurriedly work on ruthlessly cutting it out depending on the publisher's limits)..
This got me on to thinking.. if only for a novella I ping pong between 10-18K.. and everywhere in between.. How does everyone manage to keep a 60K story at exactly 60K. Or is it 40-80K?
What ideas can you suggest to keep the novel (la) exactly where we want it in terms of word count? Or am I approaching it the wrong way instead of : plot first and allow the word count to determine itself???
A few bashes are also welcome - since am doing such analysis (in name of research aka procrastination) when I am supposed to be writing !
Oh, dumb me.. how could I forget to post the book I completed last week.. Note: I loved the hero, absolutely delicious.. hot and spicy ;) except for a teeny-weeny factor in the almost end (Hey, got an idea for my next post here.. will argue it out later..) Here's the book without much ado..
At this juncture, I have no idea whether the story is going to be 10K (and I have to pull words like teeth to flesh it out) or.. it is going to be touching 18K (and I hurriedly work on ruthlessly cutting it out depending on the publisher's limits)..
This got me on to thinking.. if only for a novella I ping pong between 10-18K.. and everywhere in between.. How does everyone manage to keep a 60K story at exactly 60K. Or is it 40-80K?
What ideas can you suggest to keep the novel (la) exactly where we want it in terms of word count? Or am I approaching it the wrong way instead of : plot first and allow the word count to determine itself???
A few bashes are also welcome - since am doing such analysis (in name of research aka procrastination) when I am supposed to be writing !
Oh, dumb me.. how could I forget to post the book I completed last week.. Note: I loved the hero, absolutely delicious.. hot and spicy ;) except for a teeny-weeny factor in the almost end (Hey, got an idea for my next post here.. will argue it out later..) Here's the book without much ado..
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Cho chweet..
I got a Happy Cup Cake award for being a blogger who makes others happy from Kerrin who has been supporting me through the bumps on the way towards publication :)
Now, I have to find 10 bloggers that make me happy and woo-hoo, I have 10, easily !!!
Hetal Patel
Empi
Anna Hackett
Jane H
Mel Teshco
Joyce Yip
Kaily Hart
Dee Tenorio
Roni Griffin
Love Cats
Now, off to the 10 things that make me happy (look at it this way, I was supposed to say 7 interesting things for Kreativ Blogger award, but now we get 10 instead of 7 ;) all cos of my procrastination)
1. I love reading, anytime, anywhere, as long as it is a HEA, heat levels dont matter.. from totally sweet to unbearably hot - any story is welcome ;) and a good book, always makes my day happy !
2. Eating !!! I am a pure vegetarian and I know that limits my options to try out new dishes..but I am so happy to try different varieties of food - from veg-hot dogs to veg sizzlers or eggplant parmesan with spagetti to hot hot samosas, salads to soups and everything in between :)
3. World peace. Not kidding, I would really love to see more "peace and happiness" in the world. I realize no matter where we are, all look for a little love, encouragement(to do what they like) and money to live. Is it really so tough?
4. Escaping into a dream world- in other words, writing ! It just makes us creative juices flow and obviously - at the end of the story, we feel so much better when evil is destroyed and all is well :)
5. Family and friends : without whom, things dont seem to have much meaning..does it?
6. Doing handicrafts.. - say a table mat or a welcome foot mat .. and may be a bit of stitching... :) anything that catches my fancy for the time..
7. Thick and Long hair.. - seriously.. I'd love if my hair were longer.. Mine is like, falls below my shoulders and may be until my mid back - and it has been like this for about 10 yrs now, never growing and falling a lot ! A wee bit of "tress" management and I'll be happy..
8. Sandals :) Though I hate spending on this, always a good slipper - comfy and yet elegant makes me so relieved.. Happy feet, happy me :)
9. Budgeting ! This is something I can do even in my sleep. But the only problem is, I complicate it by planning it upto minute details.. that I need my DH's calm collective mind to help untangle and set it right :)
10. Technology as is.. I know am a bit of slow follower when it comes to latest stuffs, though I can tell you everything about anything most of the times.. I do wish the world does slow down a bit in terms of technology - since we have revolutionized most of the things like : mobiles, TV's, cameras, laptop/desktop, networks and so on. I think than trying to still dig for more faster chips, it may be better to take sometime, to smell the "polluted" air, and try to do something to save the environment, reduce traffic and pollution and basically ease things for common man.
So, now that I have spilled my innermost "truths".. though some may sound too far fetched, I thought I'll pen down what I really believe in :)
Now, for the bloggers who've received this award., the official rules are:
1. Copy the award image into a post
2. List 10 things that make you happy
3. Tag 10 bloggers who brighten your day.
4. Link to their blogs.
5. Notify the award recipients.
6. Award recipients link back to sender’s blog
Just on a side note, for today, am happy that I managed to push the tough and rough draft above the 1/3rd mark.., ie 4000 words / 12000 words. But the actual WC may be lower...
Now, I have to find 10 bloggers that make me happy and woo-hoo, I have 10, easily !!!
Hetal Patel
Empi
Anna Hackett
Jane H
Mel Teshco
Joyce Yip
Kaily Hart
Dee Tenorio
Roni Griffin
Love Cats
Now, off to the 10 things that make me happy (look at it this way, I was supposed to say 7 interesting things for Kreativ Blogger award, but now we get 10 instead of 7 ;) all cos of my procrastination)
1. I love reading, anytime, anywhere, as long as it is a HEA, heat levels dont matter.. from totally sweet to unbearably hot - any story is welcome ;) and a good book, always makes my day happy !
2. Eating !!! I am a pure vegetarian and I know that limits my options to try out new dishes..but I am so happy to try different varieties of food - from veg-hot dogs to veg sizzlers or eggplant parmesan with spagetti to hot hot samosas, salads to soups and everything in between :)
3. World peace. Not kidding, I would really love to see more "peace and happiness" in the world. I realize no matter where we are, all look for a little love, encouragement(to do what they like) and money to live. Is it really so tough?
4. Escaping into a dream world- in other words, writing ! It just makes us creative juices flow and obviously - at the end of the story, we feel so much better when evil is destroyed and all is well :)
5. Family and friends : without whom, things dont seem to have much meaning..does it?
6. Doing handicrafts.. - say a table mat or a welcome foot mat .. and may be a bit of stitching... :) anything that catches my fancy for the time..
7. Thick and Long hair.. - seriously.. I'd love if my hair were longer.. Mine is like, falls below my shoulders and may be until my mid back - and it has been like this for about 10 yrs now, never growing and falling a lot ! A wee bit of "tress" management and I'll be happy..
8. Sandals :) Though I hate spending on this, always a good slipper - comfy and yet elegant makes me so relieved.. Happy feet, happy me :)
9. Budgeting ! This is something I can do even in my sleep. But the only problem is, I complicate it by planning it upto minute details.. that I need my DH's calm collective mind to help untangle and set it right :)
10. Technology as is.. I know am a bit of slow follower when it comes to latest stuffs, though I can tell you everything about anything most of the times.. I do wish the world does slow down a bit in terms of technology - since we have revolutionized most of the things like : mobiles, TV's, cameras, laptop/desktop, networks and so on. I think than trying to still dig for more faster chips, it may be better to take sometime, to smell the "polluted" air, and try to do something to save the environment, reduce traffic and pollution and basically ease things for common man.
So, now that I have spilled my innermost "truths".. though some may sound too far fetched, I thought I'll pen down what I really believe in :)
Now, for the bloggers who've received this award., the official rules are:
1. Copy the award image into a post
2. List 10 things that make you happy
3. Tag 10 bloggers who brighten your day.
4. Link to their blogs.
5. Notify the award recipients.
6. Award recipients link back to sender’s blog
Just on a side note, for today, am happy that I managed to push the tough and rough draft above the 1/3rd mark.., ie 4000 words / 12000 words. But the actual WC may be lower...
Monday, March 1, 2010
Expectations..
The past week has been fraught with tensions and some relief too on my writing journey...
First off, I had a few story ideas that I managed to start, but didn't progress much. Right a week after I received my first R, I received my second one too.. Talk about lightning striking the same place twice !
I did a final read through and packed off the R'ed MS to an e-publisher. I had polished it so much earlier, that except for a cursory glance and subtle tweaks, I didn't have much to do. So another official wait begins !
This is including the anthology submission to another e-publisher I did in January for which am yet to receive a response...
The earlier R'ed MS - needs a lot more tweak and hence is pending revisions from my end..
So 2 totalling waits, fraught with expectations.. but strangely am not worried ! My stories should speak for themselves..if they are good, they'll be published, if not, I have to keep on improving myself to bring out the best ! Strange, the amount of wisdom, the R's can give !
I feel, this is probably a sign that am growing as a writer - learning to take both ups and downs in my stride.. (I sincerely hope so :) )
That's not all. The lovely editor with whom I had been interacting for the pitch win and my story, had sent a affirmative reply to my question.. That for my next submission, I can go ahead and submit directly to her ! Oh god !
So many mix of doubts (Can I do it?) and hopes (Since she liked something in mine, she agreed to look at the next story, right?) assailing me.. that am literally feeling like drowning one instant and flying the next.. Talk about expectations set on me !
Now, I have to really really work on my next story, hoping that I am doing the right thing, this time around. If only I could get some feedback from her...
Too short a time to complete another book.. but the one am reading is fantastic so far..Will extol its virtues after I complete and post the cover !
First off, I had a few story ideas that I managed to start, but didn't progress much. Right a week after I received my first R, I received my second one too.. Talk about lightning striking the same place twice !
I did a final read through and packed off the R'ed MS to an e-publisher. I had polished it so much earlier, that except for a cursory glance and subtle tweaks, I didn't have much to do. So another official wait begins !
This is including the anthology submission to another e-publisher I did in January for which am yet to receive a response...
The earlier R'ed MS - needs a lot more tweak and hence is pending revisions from my end..
So 2 totalling waits, fraught with expectations.. but strangely am not worried ! My stories should speak for themselves..if they are good, they'll be published, if not, I have to keep on improving myself to bring out the best ! Strange, the amount of wisdom, the R's can give !
I feel, this is probably a sign that am growing as a writer - learning to take both ups and downs in my stride.. (I sincerely hope so :) )
That's not all. The lovely editor with whom I had been interacting for the pitch win and my story, had sent a affirmative reply to my question.. That for my next submission, I can go ahead and submit directly to her ! Oh god !
So many mix of doubts (Can I do it?) and hopes (Since she liked something in mine, she agreed to look at the next story, right?) assailing me.. that am literally feeling like drowning one instant and flying the next.. Talk about expectations set on me !
Now, I have to really really work on my next story, hoping that I am doing the right thing, this time around. If only I could get some feedback from her...
Too short a time to complete another book.. but the one am reading is fantastic so far..Will extol its virtues after I complete and post the cover !
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