You may be happy to hear, I actually ventured into public presentation of my merworld related writing yesterday. Actually, I had my arm twisted just a little. Jessie, the head librarian for the public library in Frankinville, NY (where I have had an unplanned and less than ideal extended stay), asked if I would be interested in doing a presentation on writing; "It'd be a way to help promote your writing," she suggested.
So I did it. Overall folks seemed happy with it (or at least my two sisters and mom said that I did a good job). I guess it was okay. I tried to share how the process might go. I let them know up front the process for my merworld fantasy was anything but complete. I also tried my best to make it useful to those who would like to take themselves on a similar adventure.
In the end, no mermaids were caught. Sometimes life isn't about the product though...sometimes it is all about the process. Swim deep, Joe
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Chasing Mermaids: A Presentation
The local library in Franklinville will host a presentation I'll be doing next Saturday at 10am. I titled it "Chasing Mermaids: The Process of Writing a Novel". I haven't started thinking about what I'll say yet. I guess I am figuring it will mostly be winging it. The story of how the novel evolved is pretty rich. I guess I'd say it isn't typical...so I need to keep in mind what would be useful to those wanting to pursue writing a book.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
The Merworld Reality
I am speaking with a friend in France at the moment. She loves the sea as much as I do...maybe more. I thought I'd make this short entry while she finishes a phone call over her way. It amazes me that the signal of my voices and images are traveling completely over the Atlantic Ocean. I am liking to hear her conversation in French and wonder what lies in the waters between us.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Stressing Over the Merworld
The manuscript for my Merworld fantasy was sent off to my publisher/editor/friend over 1 ½ weeks ago. I’ve not heard word one from her and I am hoping I didn’t completely alienate myself with my creation.
I have to be honest. I suck at packaging. I know I should have taken the publisher’s guidelines completely serious, but somehow I didn’t. Is it ego? Ignorance? Brain damage? All of the above? I’m not certain. So, it may be I made too many mistakes in presentation, grammar and wording. At this point, I am uncertain.
The other possibility is that the content goes against the wishes of my publisher. As a writer I am anything but meek. I push the envelope and present some controversial materials. I’m wondering if the woman merman relationship is too close to being bestiality. Or is cannibalism beyond? Or it may be it reads as just too damn violent. In the end it’s my story. I’d like to create some safe kind of story, but I just can’t.
In the end, I won’t be upset if my publisher rejects the idea of taking on BNB. I do hope to keep my friendship and continue to write the YA fantasy series for them. I guess it is all at a just wait and see point.
I have to be honest. I suck at packaging. I know I should have taken the publisher’s guidelines completely serious, but somehow I didn’t. Is it ego? Ignorance? Brain damage? All of the above? I’m not certain. So, it may be I made too many mistakes in presentation, grammar and wording. At this point, I am uncertain.
The other possibility is that the content goes against the wishes of my publisher. As a writer I am anything but meek. I push the envelope and present some controversial materials. I’m wondering if the woman merman relationship is too close to being bestiality. Or is cannibalism beyond? Or it may be it reads as just too damn violent. In the end it’s my story. I’d like to create some safe kind of story, but I just can’t.
In the end, I won’t be upset if my publisher rejects the idea of taking on BNB. I do hope to keep my friendship and continue to write the YA fantasy series for them. I guess it is all at a just wait and see point.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Manuscript off and I'm Hoping I'm Not
I sent my several times reworked manuscript of my merworld fantasy off. My editor I am hoping will find it is decent form. I did not follow the guidelines for submission (I realized after sending)...I can be a complete idiot at times. It is easy to be hard on yourself. I trust she will continue to work with me, though I wouldn't blame her if she didn't.
So, now it is time to move onto other possible pieces of writing. There is the third in the Cliff Huggins series (underway already), I also have a Sherlock Holmes piece I'd like to revisit and I have a William Latham story (YA historic fiction involving the Pilgrims).
Of course above all things, I am trying to recover from my African experience. I think it may turn out to be all about parasites. I also am trying my best to find a job for the coming school year (tough times to look).
So, for now, the Merworld will have to wait on several other pieces of my life to fall into order.
So, now it is time to move onto other possible pieces of writing. There is the third in the Cliff Huggins series (underway already), I also have a Sherlock Holmes piece I'd like to revisit and I have a William Latham story (YA historic fiction involving the Pilgrims).
Of course above all things, I am trying to recover from my African experience. I think it may turn out to be all about parasites. I also am trying my best to find a job for the coming school year (tough times to look).
So, for now, the Merworld will have to wait on several other pieces of my life to fall into order.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
The Merworld is Being Discovered!
Follow this link. The Merworld is becoming very popular!
http://www.facebook.com/l/e27bd95_f_p7BNHfe3w_0T9ZTmg/www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2011-05-12-mermaids-make-splash_n.htm
http://www.facebook.com/l/e27bd95_f_p7BNHfe3w_0T9ZTmg/www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2011-05-12-mermaids-make-splash_n.htm
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Mermaids and Dolphins
I traveled to San Francisco a year ago this past fall. I went for a Green Business Conference (another story entirely). I had some time to myself and, as I often to relax, I sought out some thrift/junk stores. One posh antique furniture store had a self of odd sales items. I found a deck of Magical Mermaid and Dolphins Oracle Cards (created by Doreen Virtue, Ph.D.).
This deck has become a source of inspiration. Actually, the cards all have a positive angle to them and always give some self-help guidance. I don’t know whether I am using them correctly. I simply shuffle and pick out three cards. Today’s cards were of the W variety; they include Worthiness, Waves of Prosperity, and Wait. A book along with the deck give a more in-depth review of the cards’ meanings. Although I confess the illustrations and insights have a feminine angle, I find the exercise worthwhile.
I’m not certain whether these cards are still available. I’m guessing some variation of them is. Maybe online? Anyhow, I recommend them to the Merworld fanatic as well as those who simply like tool for positive living.
This deck has become a source of inspiration. Actually, the cards all have a positive angle to them and always give some self-help guidance. I don’t know whether I am using them correctly. I simply shuffle and pick out three cards. Today’s cards were of the W variety; they include Worthiness, Waves of Prosperity, and Wait. A book along with the deck give a more in-depth review of the cards’ meanings. Although I confess the illustrations and insights have a feminine angle, I find the exercise worthwhile.
I’m not certain whether these cards are still available. I’m guessing some variation of them is. Maybe online? Anyhow, I recommend them to the Merworld fanatic as well as those who simply like tool for positive living.
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