Mysterious Ages, my fellow ML for NaNoWriMo.org and I spoke at the beginning of the month at VCON. It was awesome, although, according to Myst, I was a bit of a chatterbox. Yeah, well… anyone who knows me could have told him that. VCON was great though. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the rest of the conference after our session was done. I am seriously considering attending next year as a participant.

Today was the last day of SIWC. My head is close to exploding with all the fantastic advice I received at the very well run sessions and keynotes. Despite my overwhelmed little noggin, I was sad to see the weekend close.

One of my highlights was to talk with Daniel Kalla. A few years ago he, in conjunction with The Province Newspaper , ran a Serial Thriller writing contest. Daniel wrote the first chapter of the book and there was a competition to write each subsequent chapter. I participated the 2nd year they did it and I won first runner up for the first chapter open to competition. Unfortunately, this was also the last year it happened. As we spoke over lunch, Daniel said that it wasn’t lack of interest that caused the contest’s demise, it was that there were too many participants to judge.

It gave me a bit of a thrill, knowing that I had been competing against even more people that I’d originally thought. It made that 1st runner up placement that much sweeter.

We’re getting an added boost this year from VCON. We’ve been asked to speak on a panel Saturday, October 1st all about NaNo. We’re very excited about it. NaNo is such a great way to get your first draft done. The camaraderie, community and cheer-leading is incredible. I can’t wait to spread the word.

Then it’s time for SIWC (Surrey International Writers’ Conference). I missed it last year so I’m doubly excited about it this year. We’re renting a room and staying on site which will enable us to stay and play with the other writers until the wee morning hours without having to worry about travel back and forth. It’s going to be a blast.

And then it starts: NaNoWriMo.org 2011

Marc and I are deep in the planning process. We’ll start posting things as soon as details are finalized.

This year, I’m tackling a story that isn’t my usually light, funny fare. I’m not going to lie, it’s going to be hard for me – there will be death, betrayal and abuse (and the family disasters that follow in its wake). Some of it hits very close to home. If it turns out half as well as I have it in my head, it’s going to fantastic in a haunting and thought provoking way. I’m just hoping I can do the idea justice.

(and yes, me, the die hard pantzer – has actually done a bit of plotting for it already. But only because some of the subject matter needs a little research so I can keep my facts straight)

This year’s novel is a different genre for me. While it’s not coming as easily as I hoped, it’s not nearly as hard as I feared.

I’m treading into the waters of dark fantasy. My main character is a young man who is hitting ‘second puberty’ where strange abilities are manifesting. He had no idea that he wasn’t a plain human, or that there was any such classification. Let’s just say he’s had an interesting couple of weeks thus far in the story.

The social side of NaNo is rocking this year, there are so many more events and even more people involved than ever before. I am truly thankful to have these folks in my life.

Good luck to everyone doing NaNo and to those just writiing, or to those who need a little luck today.

Writing has taken over my entire life lately, so you’d think that adding NaNo would make me groan and say “Oh Gosh no, not more WRITING?!” Instead I’m energized and raring to go.

This year I’ve set myself a challenge. I’m writing form a young man’s point of view, in first person and it’s a fantasy. I’m going to delve into the world of mythologies that I haven’t really paid attention to much before.

Will I be crucified by the diehards for mashing canons or will I escape the noose by making my story believable enough to be forgiven.

Today, the ‘Eve Before Kick-Off’ I’m frantically putting the finishing touches on the games, packing the goodie-bags for transport to the venue (via transit no less) and making lists to make sure I don’t forget anything,

In addition, I’m testing out audio editing software and writing a newsletter or three for Fiction Therapy and SNB Consulting. (Why did I want to be an overachiever again?)

So – to test out my audio bit from my to-do list – here’s a little Welcome to NaNo 2010 I created this morning – enjoy.

It’s amazing how those few seconds of, “Gosh I feel great, so refreshed.” can turn into “Oh CRAP!”

In some ways, sleeping in was worth it. I awoke to a great half-dream that will make an awesome story. (now I just have to write down the premise before I forget it). It’s not so great because I want to get a few things around the house completed before I head over to hang out with some of my favourite writers for camaraderie and mutual cheer-leading.

I’m very excited because I set up the final two sections of my next novel to be edited. I have less than 8000 words left to proofread and then it’s on to the final polishing. ‘Hiding in Plain Sight’ should be online and ready for sale by the end of June. Whee!!

In the meantime, I’ve got 2 short stories almost ready for sale and two more about to be proofread. Smashwords and a few of the distributors have a short story sections in their online stores. I figure it’s time to start experimenting with them.

And of course, I’ll remind you that AESCIFI is still looking for sponsors and backers to help them get their online/print magazine off the ground. If you’re looking for an investment or advertising opportunity, take a look. They’re doing their fundraising through kickstarter, so everything is above-board and legitimate.

I’ve been in a writing group with Helen for a couple of years and have had several conversations with Duff about the project. They are real people and their plans for this magazine are bang on the money.

While they’re fundraising they’re running a Microfiction contest. Even if you’re not interested in entering, read the entries, some of them are quite good.

It’s been twenty years since I started writing the story about Jake and Kathryn. A lot has changed. Even if your rewrite is only a few months after the initial writing, check it to make sure your details are still current if your story is set in today’s world.

When I started the re-write in 2007, I had to adjust all sorts of things in my story.

Kathryn no longer needed to look up the number in the phone book to the Bed & Breakfast, instead she found the website on her laptop. On the wharf, I had to make it logical that she couldn’t just whip out her cell phone. It would have ruined the foundation scene for the entire story, so I had to come up with a reason for her cell to be shut off and thrown into the back seat of her car.

Reference points change quickly. Keep them vague if you can. Avoid mentioning models for electronics and specific television shows. Be extra careful if you’re using current celebrities. Three months ago it would have been fine for your hero to want to be just like Tiger Woods, he seemed infallible – umm yeah, now not so much.

Don’t stop writing. This is perhaps the most important and hardest thing to do.

We’re all our own worst critics. Seriously, real editors have nothing on us. And what’s even worse, if we are lucky enough to receive real feedback, it’s our own lack of confidence that interprets the comments to suit our perspective instead of allowing us to take the suggestions at face value. When I received my first rejection, it included a handwritten note saying my characters were wooden.

I was crushed. I put my manuscript and my dreams of becoming a writer up on a shelf and sulked. I gave up. Every time I’d catch myself writing little story starters or jot down ideas I’d stop. My inner editor was constantly berating me – who do you think you’re kidding? You can’t write.

It wasn’t until a few years later that my Mom was speaking to Dorothy Dearborn, a popular local author in Saint John. When Mom told her about my rejection, Dorothy wasted no time in correcting my assumption. Thanks Dorothy! Even if it’s just a scribbled comment on the side of a form letter, it means the editor not only read your work (which often they don’t) but they saw enough merit in it, to take the time and make a suggestion.

For those of you who are just starting out, there are three basic types of rejections.

The form letter – we cannot accept your work at this time, blah, blah, blah. Chances are, your work was not suitable for their target audience or had serious flaws to correct.

The form letter with comment – you’re moving up the food chain. They read your work and saw potential and made a few comments to steer you in the right direction.

The actual letter – addressed to you without any hint of form-y-ness to it at all. This means re-write your dang manuscript as soon as you can and resubmit it. Unless, the letter indicates that your work is not suitable for their audience. If that’s the case, find a publisher who has the right audience. These rejection letters are golden. I’m tempted to frame mine.

There is a special sort of grounding that I feel every time I come home. The power I get from returning to my roots is both humbling and astonishing. Now that I’m grown, I have a new appreciation for my parents. It seems they have an appreciation for us as well because now they say we weren’t have as rowdy and wild as they thought we were at the time.

Heh, I could have told them that… oh wait I did and they didn’t listen. I think it’s part of the parent /child contract. We’re not supposed to listen to each other from the time us kids are 13 until we’ve been out on our own for half a decade.

Last night was peaceful, the packages were wrapped (not as many as when we were younger but Christmas has always been more about family than presents for us anyway), the turkey was thawed and the potatoes for the stuffing were already mashed and waiting for the onions and other goodies to be added (didn’t want to chop the onions before church and be smelly). We sat down to watch It’s a Wonderful Life until it was time to head in to the church service. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the first part of the movie before. I always seem to come in halfway through.

After church, we came home, stuffed the bird and had a nip of Limoncello before bed to help us out with the visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads.

Waking up to the smell of roasted turkey is one of the best parts of Christmas. Having the bird done so you can relax and enjoy the day isn’t a bad side effect either. I had a cup of coffee, a leisurely breakfast, watched Mom prep the vegetables and waited for my other brother to arrive with his girlfriend and her kids.

Once they arrived it was chaos. Their 10yr old came in dressed as Santa and his sister like a reindeer. They had a blast handing out presents to us and weren’t disappointed when we gave them gifts in return. Then came dinner, turkey, stuffing, pie – we practically had to roll ourselves away from the table. The urge to nap was almost overwhelming. Dad succumbed, Mom sat down to read one of the books she got and one brother went outside to work off the meal while the other one had to prepare himself for heading over to his in-laws for 2nd Christmas. Me? well two guesses what I’m doing right now while sipping a lovely glass of NB cranberry wine.

Once I hit enter, I’m going to start writing again. I’ve been so busy with the book launches and editing other people’s work that I’ve been forced to suppress my own urge to write. This is my Christmas gift to myself… well that and the barley toy and ribbon candy I bought

Merry Christmas Everyone, may your day be filled with peace no matter how much chaos surrounds you.

Friday night we all went out to dinner to celebrate one of my best friend’s birthday. It was a semi-milestone (i.e. it ended in 5) Despite transit issues getting there, standing in the rain for 45 minutes in my party duds because the bus didn’t come, I had a blast.

Saturday was a trip out to Surrey to talk to my editors. Those awesome folks who are going over my novels with a fine tooth comb searching for flat wording and story inconsistencies, and alas still finding a few. the Then, I met up with post-birthday girl and we rode the wild rails of the skytrain in to Canada Place to see the Taboo, Naughty but Nice Show. I have to admit it is one of my favourite trade shows to attend

I love watching people at this show. You have the jaded “show me something I don’t already know” crowd, the adventursome couples who eagerly explore each booth, the fact finders… want something but aren’t sure exactly what, the newbies couples who tee-hee-hee their way through the aisles and the single boys who are barely old enough to walk in the doors. They are the most fun. Their bravado turns to wide-eyed wonder at their first sight of tassled boobs, leather clad studs and half-naked, body-painted ladies.

I came back to my desk last night almost refreshed. Spent and evening writing a bit and chatting a lot. Woke up this morning with the next few chapters all plotted out and ready to write. So off I go to nail these suckers down before the illusive muse runs away again with that guy in the tight ass-less chaps.

All those chores I’ve been avoiding all week are ganging up on me. Dishes piled high on the counters (I swear I didn’t have that many dishes before NaNo started), clothes overflowing my laundry basket (ditto on the clothes – seriously how can I have so many and still never find a thing to wear?)

It’s windy and rainy outside now which makes me hesitate about venturing out to the write-in. I’ve been to three already this week so surely missing one isn’t a bad thing. But there’s the energy I get from being with other writers (and let’s not forget the gorgeous bus driver on the way home if I time it just right ). So off I trek downtown to the Library for the write-in.

Have a great – dark and stormy night!

I wanted to hit 5000 words, but failed. At 8pm I hit a wall. I got a few paragraphs out after that but I suspect I’lll have to re-word them this morning. I did manage to crest 4000. That’s a personal best for this early in the challenge. Usually I’m woefully behind by this point.

As usual though, my story has morphed from what I was originally intended. I was thinking the battle scene would be at the end, turns out it’s going to happen before the end of chapter two and the rest will be about survival and beating the bad guys.

I’ve never written anything that could be classified as adventure before. This could get interesting.