Reblog: Alan Baxter interview for Australasian Horror
Alan makes some super interesting points in his interview about when he knew it was time to try for a short story collection! via Alan Baxter, Best Collected Work 2016
Tag: writing tips
Weird Fiction and Other Fun Labels: An Interview with Deborah Biancotti
I really loved Bad Power and I wanted more. I didn’t actually think that Deborah would agree to an interview, but to my pleasant surprise, she did. Not only has she supplied me with lengthy answers, many are also very thoughtful. Read on to find…
Another Interview with Myself
Not because I’m inherently narcissistic but because my faithful livejournal reader, squint13, was curious and wanted the following questions answered.
What’s your writing process like?
The short answer is that my writing process is still evolving as I am new to this game and it often looks a mess to an outsider looking in. I find that I start writing without much planning and then get stuck between 10-20 000 words on first draft and need to stop and take stock and start a planning process of what my plot looks like. I only worry about plot in first draft, then worry about world building and research details and consistent characters in second draft.
How do you come up with characters?
I often start a story with a couple of burning scenes in my mind and characters just happen. For my first fantasy novel, I had four protagonists, which was too many. I did a course with author, Kate Forsyth, and she got me to stick with one, my favourite, who is now the Claire character. In my second fantasy novel, which is half written in first draft now, I started with a revisionist take on Snow White and Rose Red and the two Princes they marry so in a sense had some vague character traits already laid out for me. I then scratched the idea and went with telling the story of Prince Charming’s brother without the framework of the fairy story. It gave me more freedom. In my crime novel, about fame and fandom, I based the two main actress characters off actual actors on the screen, but obviously as I write, I imbue them with what I need for the story so that now, they aren’t anything like those two actresses at all. On the whole, I often write the characters to match the plots in my head, so even when my characters start out as being one thing, they morph to meet the needs of the story.
Do you use character sheets, like with characteristics and backstories and quirks and friends and looks and favorite things and family stuff? Do you write backstory things, and little stories about everyday things and stuff they get up to, just to get to know them better?
No, I don’t. I should. It would save me so much time in second draft on getting characterizations and motivations right. I do plan the basics in my story notebook eg character motivations and desires and fears.
How are you inspired; do you use music, do you go for walks, do you watch movies/shows/read?
I am inspired by the entire world. Sometimes it’s the lyrics to a song, sometimes it’s to history, sometimes it’s to minor characters in books and movies, or to the way actors portray some form of human emotion. Stories always start from the place of, ‘what if?’ ‘What if Prince Charming was horrid?’ ‘What if the murderer in Wire in the Blood hadn’t given himself away to Tony and Carol had been strangled?’ ‘What if a character could travel back in time?’ I never have a shortage of ideas.
Do you have someplace where you like to go to write/think?
I like to write at night in bed in my notebook. Otherwise I set time aside and just type away at the computer. It doesn’t matter if it isn’t any good. That’s the main thing. Just keep typing. Especially on first draft. You can fix inconsistencies and bad writing later. The main thing is to start. A writer writes. That’s it.
Have you read books on writing?
Yes, and I really recommend doing it. The best one I’ve read is ‘On Writing’ by Stephan King. Go read it. Now. I’ve also got some books on english grammar and puncutation because I’m rubbish at it, a thesaurus handy and a great little book by Australian author, John Marsden, with writing exercises for students. I should read more. I hear Carmel Bird is good.
How do you work out plots and subplots and twists; and do you do something to keep track of everything, like a mind map or diagrams or have a book full of scribblings of things?
I have a notebook now for each story I tell. It is too hard to keep track otherwise. I am getting better at planning. I used to just smash out word and worry about logic later, which was incredibly time consuming and impractical. For my current fantasy ms, Thashidion, I have been plotting and planning in an A4 notebook late at night. The best tool for figuring out plot/sub plot and twists has been advice from Joanne Anderton. Particularly in genre fiction, start with the ‘what if?’ and follow up with the ‘so what?’ question. So if the what if part is ‘what if Prince Charming was emotionally abusive?’ the ‘so what?’ might be ‘and that makes Snow White have to learn her step mother’s magic to free herself. Too bad she let the step mother die.’A twist might be that the step mother was never actually all that evil and now Snow White must deal with that emotional realisation.
You can read The Kelnarium Prophecy here and a mentor’s critique here. You can purchase my book of poetry on Amazon and Smashwords
Conflux Writers Day
Well. What a whirlwind weekend I had in Canberra with the Conflux Writers Day and the 2014 Aurealis Awards. This is the second time I’ve attended the Aurealis and I hope that I can continue to keep attending to support nominees and to have a…
This Month We Talk About… Ebooks
This month the great eVolution debate is here courtesy of beloved Australian author, Isobelle Carmody. Never one to bite off more than she can chew, she has decided to independently re-release her 1997 novel Greylands as an ebook with a bang. Enlisting the help of web designer Min Dean…
UOW Writing Panel: Tips on publication
On the 24th of April, I attended a Panel on Writing at the University of Wollongong. I got permission afterwards to blog what was discussed for the benefit of my readers. Hopefully everyone gets something out of this!
The panel was led by Prof. Ivor Indyk (Founding publisher and editor of Heat, and Giramondo Book Imprint), Dr. Angelo Loukakis (Author, former publisher with Harper Collins and Schuster and Schuster, Author advocate), Ms Pip Newling (Memoir writer, bookseller and book blogger), and Dr Susan Hawthorne (Poet, novelist, political activist. Director of Spinafex Press).
I took down notes to the best of my ability. Any mistakes or errors are my own.
What are key concerns for Publishers? (with reference to ebooks/small publishing houses)
Susan: Overwork due to publishing issues around surviving as an independant publishing house, staying original and maintaining energy.
Ivor: New digital printing technology can increase sales and reduce costs for independent publishers, which is a benefit for younger, newer, more experimental writers. Author’s should strive to use word of mouth eg a blog and harness new technology.
Angelo: There is a world of difference between books (which make money and have a big readership/market) and literature (small print run, quality, experimental usually, restricted market). Know your audience. Know what manuscript you are selling.
Pip: Be aware of what’s out there. For example, the Harper Collins Varuna Award allows for manuscript development with an editor with view to future publication. Enter every competition you can and understand your writing audience and responsibilities. Remember that posting any work on blogs is counted by publishing houses as “official publication.”
Common mistakes that authors make (and what you can do to avoid them)
Angelo: Before you submit your work, do your homework. Be well read, a BIG reader- not just in the genre of your ms. Know what your twist is on your chosen genre. What’s your genre brand?
Ivor: The use of first person is the most difficult to use. If you start off using it as an inexperienced writer it can backfire. You need to personalise that “I” with quality characterisation.
In your cover/query letter, DON’T introduce your novel as “fiction novel.” Get genre specific. Audience specific. Your open letter is important. Remember: 98% of unsolicited slush ms is rejected.
Get an author apprenticeship before trying to publish a novel- this shows training and care about craftmanship. Tell the publishing house who you’ve been taught by, where you’ve been previously published and NETWORK. Understand that writing is a big risk, but so is publishing a new author.
Pip: In Australia, there are big opportunities for poetry and short stories right now, but do be selective. Quality, not quantity.
Understand digital publishing and self publishing. It is an option, it gets your work out there, but know the downsides.
Have a blog as a marketing tool. Online presence means readers.
Susan: You need to get the attention of the person you are sending your ms to. Stand out in your cover letter. Be meticulous. Get it right before sending in the heat of the moment.
Don’t get upset about rejection, but DO have an intelligent phone conversation about your work where possible. Be patient too- there is a 3 month turn around for most ms’s. Detailed critique means you are doing well!
So, what stands out?
Ivor: Voice- your own distinctive writing quality. Characters with accents and idioms.
Writing style- rythm and texture
An original and idiosyncratic story that presents a new way of seeing things- something out of your own personal context that you alone have.
Susan: Someone who is passionate and immersed in their work.
If it’s boring for the writer, it’s boring for the reader. Read aloud and edit to get the rythm right. A work that grips will get published.
Writing in Different Ways (directed at Pip)
Pip: Memoirs are both an act of presence and an act of remembrance. This can be a difficult balance.
Do draft alot and invest time in your work. If you don’t believe in it, nobody will. Think: how much work will editors need to put into your work? Is this really the best standard I can reach before sending out?
The problem with self publishing is there is no editor to achieve this polished quality. Something to consider.
Legal Issues with being Published (Directed at Ivor: Australian Society of Authors)
Ivor: There are legal and commercial issues with being published;
Legal because books are delivered on a commercial contract basis- a formal, negotiated agreement. Copyright of intellectual property is involved.
Commercial: Royalties and advances need to be agreed upon. Get advice before you sign a contract and never sign what you don’t understand. Think carefully before “assigning rights.”
Get a reputable agent by being selective and researching into who will work best for your ms. The publishing industry is a relationships based one, so network.
Miscellaneous (From Q and A)
1. Do, take part in writing courses/masterclasses/writers festivals. These all count as professional writing experiences and training.
2. Do understand proof reading and copy writing.
3. Life experience matters. If it’s relevent to your ms, it goes in your cover letter.
Thanks to the panel for being so helpful. I certainly learnt alot! My next panel is fantasy specific, May 20th. Expect a post.
If there are any concerns with this blog post or you have any questions, please contact me at inkashlings@gmail.com.
Writing Tip of the Day: Hammer those words out!
The other day I wrote 2000 words of my ms. It was the first time I’d worked on my novel in about six months. I always had excuses. Exchange, work, family life, uni, etc. Really it was procrastination. I’m one of those people who has…