Year: 2007

The Lure of a New Project

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If you visit a lot of writers’ websites, you’ll soon find a large majority of them openly admit to starting more stories than they finish. There are several reasons for this, but I’m going to talk about only one of those reasons today – the lure of a new project.

Yesterday, after a strong fight against it, I allowed the lure of a new project to take hold of me. I must say that the feeling is quite overwhelming and I can attest that the excitement of working on something new and fresh is what forces writers to stray from their current project. The writer has not stopped loving the old project; they just need a complete change of scenery. We do this all the time in everyday life. We change jobs when we start feeling bored and depressed with the old one. We seem to change partners at the drop of a hat these days. So why can’t a writer change projects too?

We spend many long months, even years, planning and writing a project (this is especially true when writing a series). Is it any wonder that we grow a little tired of the … well, same old, same old? To me, it’s not surprising at all. New ideas are always surfacing. We might write the idea down, but we will usually return to the job at hand. However, as the months tick by, the lure is more tempting and then…before we realise what’s happening, we have strayed.

Be warned, if you allow the lure to take you too often, then you will be one of the writers who openly admit to starting more stories than they finish. Do you want to fall into that category? I believe none of us do.

A serious writer will discipline themselves against the lure. They will set up guards to force the enemy back. They will build traps to stop the evilness from approaching their sanctuary. They will do whatever it takes to see their current project completed and submitted. That’s how a writer becomes an author. They submit completed manuscripts for publication, which is something you cannot do if you never finish a manuscript.

So, take this as a warning. The lure of a new project feels great. It’s exciting. It’s even inspiring and motivational. But if you give in to this weakness too often, you’ll never finish a project…and you’ll never become a published author.

The “RL Technique” J.K. Rowling Uses To Hook Her Readers

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by Jared Myers

The “RL Technique” J K Rowling uses to grab readers by the eyeballs and forces them to re-read her books again and again.

I’ll show you how it practically gives away all her best kept secrets and how you can use it to keep your own readers hanging on your every word.

You’ve probably heard the stories about the kid who hated reading, picked up one of Jo’s books and now he can’t stop reading them. Maybe the same thing happened to you.

But did you ever stop to wonder WHY you can’t stop reading them?

I’ll tell you. It’s a little secret Jo uses in her writing. I call it the “RL Technique.”

What is the RL Technique? The RL Technique is a lethal combination of 1.) Repetition and 2.) Layering that practically forces a reader to re-read books again and again. Especially when the technique is used in writing a series of books.

Here’s why: Many Fantasy novels have few or no boundaries. The dialogue might be realistic. But the characters can do almost anything they want, because there’s always some magical spell that makes it all possible. (And that’s part of the excitement of reading Fantasy. That’s what makes these types of books such an escape for us.)

But this idea of “no limits” can be used as a cheap trick, too.

The last thing you want as a reader is to come to the resolution of a great book. And say to yourself, “Okay now, let’s just see how she’ll get out of this one.” And the author’s lame explanation is, “Well, there’s a spell that takes care of that problem.”

It’s a cheap trick. And it’s sloppy writing.

Jo’s technique of repetition and layering works better.

Let me show you how it works: You remember the first time you read Sorcerer’s Stone? And you remember the part where Harry’s at the zoo talking to the snake? But no one thought anything of it until Book 2, when we found out that most wizards can’t speak to snakes like we thought they could.

And I’m sure you remember the part in Book 2 when Harry, Ron and Hermione drank the Polyjuice Potion that turned them into Crabbe, Goyle and Milicent Bullstrode’s cat? (Sorry, Hermione.) But we didn’t think anything of it until Book 4, when Barty Crouch Junior used the same trick to turn himself into Mad-Eye Moody.

Well, that’s good use of repetition.

You remember the time Draco Malfoy went into Borgin and Burke’s, and wanted his father to buy him the Hand of Glory? And we didn’t see it again until Book 6.

You probably also remember the heavy locket that Harry, Ron and Hermione came across while cleaning Grimmauld Place 12? But we didn’t think anything of it until Book 6, when we started looking at possible Horcruxes.

Well, that’s good use of layering.

This way Jo forces you to go back and search her books for clues. And you can use this technique in your own writing.

In Jo’s own words she explained:

  • “[The reason Book 5 is so long is because] there’s information in there that you really do need to know otherwise people will feel cheated when certain outcomes happen.” [1]
  • “I had to put in some things because of what’s coming in books 6 and 7 and I didn’t want anyone to say to me ‘what a cheat you never gave us clues’. If I didn’t mention things in Order of the Phoenix I think you’ve said ‘well, you sprang that on us’! Whereas I want you to be able to guess if you’ve got your wits about you.” [2] And speaking of Thestrals she said, “If Harry had seen them and it had not been explained then it would cheat the reader. [3]

You see? Jo *wants* you to have to work hard to “get” her books. She doesn’t want you to be able to solve them until after you’ve read Book 7. But she has promised readers that the answers are there.

She wants you to read Book 7, see the resolution, and slap yourself on the forehead when you realize, “Oh, yeah; she did say something about that all the way back in Book 1!”

She’s compelled to write her books this way. Because it’s a game for her. And she doesn’t want you to feel cheated.

And here’s the good news: You can beat Jo at her own “game”…if you’ve got your wits about you go to my resource box now, and I’ll show you how.

[1] Couric, Katie. Interview with J.K. Rowling. Dateline NBC, 20 June 2003.

[2] Fry, Stephen, interviewer: J.K. Rowling at the Royal Albert Hall, 26 June 2003.

[3] Fry, Stephen, interviewer: J.K. Rowling at the Royal Albert Hall, 26 June 2003.

If you’ve got questions about Harry Potter 7, I’ve got more answers for you. A lot more answers. You’ll find them here at http://www.book7answers.com/t2-index.php

About the Author:
Jared Myers is a former Private Investigator who uses his puzzle-solving techniques to bring you hard to find information.

How to Murder Your Muse

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A muse is similar to a witch’s familiar, which is usually associated with a black cat. The cat is a companion to the witch, but it doesn’t do the work of the old hag (although it can be a pair of extra eyes, which I suppose she could find helpful). A muse on the other hand is meant to fill the writer with extraordinary ideas and help the words flow like the gushing waters over a waterfall. In other words, the muse is using the unsuspecting writer and is writing the novel through them.

I’m not sure I like that idea. When I finish my manuscripts I want to know that all that hard work is actually mine, and that I haven’t been something else’s vessel to get the work done.

To be honest, I’m not even sure I believe in muses but if you insist you do have a muse and you really want to be rid of it, how do you murder that pesky presence?

You could try to trap the little devil, but I haven’t heard of anyone being successful in this task. Muses are adept at hiding just when you need them most. In fact, they take great delight in playing hide and seek and will often disappear for days, if not weeks, at a time.

You could fool it into believing you’re not ready to sit down and write, because a muse loves to appear at those times. It knows the writer gets frustrated and annoyed when it’s an inconvenient moment and that gives the muse a thrill. The excitement is heightened when the writer has absolutely nothing to write on too. Oh, how the muse enjoys that.

I must hang my head in shame, because I’m not able to tell you how to actually “murder” your muse. I wouldn’t want the authorities knocking on my door and accusing me of being the mastermind behind such an act. I believe the best line of attack is to go the other way – ignore it completely. Every time it shows its ugly head, push it to one side and don’t listen (and you’ll feel a certain amount of enjoyment after doing this for a while). The muse, however, will find this treatment intolerable. A word of warning, muses have a temper and it’s quite amusing to watch them stamp their feet and shout profanities so you’ll have to keep your own amusement in check. If you are strong enough to do this for a prolonged period (a couple of weeks should do it) then the blighter will pack up and leave.

You see, a muse wants everything its own way. It’s not interested in your plans (especially fast approaching deadlines) and it certainly doesn’t care about the assorted ideas you have. The muse looks down at its vessel as being inferior and…well, to put it bluntly…stupid. The writer must do as the muse directs or all Hell breaks out. It’s that simple.

However, we writer types know we are not inferior and we certainly are not stupid. If we sit down and think about it carefully, we don’t need the muse. All the muse is doing is dictating when we can write and what we write about. We have our own ideas and once we rid ourselves of the fearsome muse, we’ll be able to write whenever we want…and what’s more, we’ll be able to write in peace.

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J K Rowling

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My eyes are so heavy. My mind is vague. I’m plodding along on the morning after, trying to work as normal and act somewhat human, but it’s difficult. I mustn’t complain though, because my condition is self inflicted. It was my choice to stay up and finish reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7).

I had a choice: Put the book down right at the start of the climax and spend the night and all today wondering what was going to happen. Or, keep reading. I knew I had about an hour and a half of reading to go. I knew it would be well past midnight when I reached the last page and that is a very late night for me. I knew that I’d suffer today if I continued on with the adventure.

I put the book down. I got ready for bed. I said goodnight to my family and then…

I climbed into bed, picked up the book and continued to read. I had to know what was going to happen. I couldn’t wait another 24 hours. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep because of it, so I felt I may as well keep going. It’s what any normal person would have done…isn’t it? 😀

It was worth it.

Whilst young readers of Harry Potter were growing up as they read the books, J K Rowling was growing as a writer. She has done extremely well and, as a writer myself, I learned a lot from reading her series.

I especially admire Joanne’s ability to weave intricate threads together, giving hints throughout the entire series, and then pull everything together and leave the reader feeling satisfied. She did a marvellous job and she should feel proud of herself.

There is a lot of talk on the internet questioning Joanne’s ability and whether or not she’ll be able to produce something other than anything Harry Potter related. I truly hope that she can. I believe she has the ability to tell a good story. I just hope the public will give her a chance and not compare everything else she produces with Harry Potter. I realise it will be hard, but readers must open Joanne’s future books, especially the next one, with fresh eyes and an open mind.

Now that I’ve finished the Harry Potter series, I find myself looking at my own children’s series and feeling as if I must put more into it – more imagination, more excitement…and more of my time. I think that’s called inspiration.

Right, now I have to find someone to “chat” to, because I want to discuss the details of the book…

Book Review: Eglantine

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Eglantine by Catherine Jinks

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When was the last time you grabbed your favourite pillow and pulled out a thick, warm blanket and settled yourself down on the lounge to watch a movie…a good movie? You pulled your feet up under the blanket and snuggled down before pressing the play button. You might have a hot cup of milo or tea sitting on the table beside you and a packet of chips or lollies or popcorn to munch on too. Or perhaps you don’t want the distraction because you’re tired or feeling unwell and you just want to concentrate on the movie. You’ve wanted to watch this movie for a while now.

The opening credits roll up and the movie begins.

The characters seem familiar. Or maybe it’s the setting. You’re not sure. You keep watching. You’re engrossed, but there’s something about the plot that reminds you of…you can’t remember which movie it was, but it reminds you of something and you find that distracting. You continue watching.

Something happens and once again you are reminded of…another movie? The scene seems to be exactly what you’ve seen before, but you can’t remember what happens next – or how this movie ends – so it has to be a rip off of another movie you’ve watched. The movie continues and you burrow further down beneath the warmth of the blanket.

The movie is coming to an end. You have no idea what’s going to happen and then…all of a sudden…you know how the last scene is going to play out. You can remember the last words spoken and you realise that you’ve seen the movie before. What a disappointment!

This happened to me while reading Eglantine (Ghost Story) by Catherine Jinks. The first chapter reminded me of another story I thought I had read, but for the life of me I couldn’t remember the name of the story. As I continued to read, I felt a familiarity with the characters and the plot, but had no idea where any of it was going so believed the story was similar to something else I had read. But the last chapter revealed to me that I had in fact read the book before. The last paragraph confirmed it. I felt a little foolish, but I guess we’ve all had this happed to us at some time.

Anyway, Eglantine is a paranormal adventure written for 8 to 12 year olds. As I write for this age group, I like to “research” what’s on the market. Besides, the books are usually enjoyable to read and don’t take up much of my time. Sometimes I like to finish something quickly and this was a nice break from the usual type of story that I read.

I imagine 8 to 12 year olds might find the story a little scary, but the author has written it light heartedly and there isn’t anything to be scared about. The paranormal plot is mixed with facts about anorexia, which I believe is a good way to teach young girls (and boys) about a condition that affects more people than we realise. The author did a good job of combining the two.

Young girls will enjoy this story. It’s the first book in a series.

Book Review: Left Behind

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Left Behind by Tim F. LaHaye

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This month I’ve been reading Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth’s Last Days (Left Behind #1) by Tim F. LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. I was told, after I purchased the book, that it is a Christian book and immediately thought it would be preachy. So I opened the book and started reading cautiously; ready to throw the book to one side if it started preaching at me. I’m glad to say that it didn’t preach. Yes, there were religious sections in the story, but that was to be expected and the author was careful to slip them in were it was appropriate. And I never felt that the explanations went over the top. They were written clearly and concisely, so they didn’t distract from the story plot in the least.

Basically, the story follows two men left behind after the “rapture”. Rayford’s storyline is religious and, to be honest, I enjoyed this part of the book (which surprised me). Buck’s storyline is political and, not surprisingly (for me), this was the let down of the story. Whilst Buck’s storyline could have been quite interesting, I found it bogged down with the politics and therefore … quite boring. More than once I felt like skipping Buck’s scenes and reading the next section for Rayford. However, knowing religion and politics would surely be combined in the end, I read every scene (reluctantly). And, of course, I was right. Suddenly, the two merged and the pace steadily climbed and there was an exciting race to the all important climax. Once there, the authors quickly brought the book to a close.

I knew Left Behind was the first book in a series but, although there was some closure, I didn’t feel completely satisfied with the end. I feel that all books should leave the reader feeling content, even if the big picture has only just begun. This book failed in that regard.

Do I recommend the book? I feel that if you’re looking for an “end times” story to read, you could probably find better. However, if you want to know what the bible predicts, then this is a good starting point or introduction. I’m not sorry I read the book and I did find it interesting. Yesterday, I was given book two – Tribulation Force – which Gary found in an op shop and I will read that, but I wouldn’t walk into a bookshop and buy another book in the series. It is not just a story. It is a series which is being used as a medium to introduce people to Christianity. For that reason, I cannot recommend the book or the series. I would feel strange doing so.

Book Review: Illusion

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Illusion by Paula Volsky

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fifteen years ago, approximately, I read Illusion by Paula Volsky and loved it. This month I read it again and can see why I loved it so much. The book is 700 pages long, and for me that means a lot of time and effort and any book which requires these things better be worth it and Illusion is. I’m astonished that I managed this number of pages in just 26 days. That’s amazing.

Based on the French Revolution, the story is set in a fantasy world, but more specifically in a city called Sherreen. Eliste, a toffee nosed Exalted, travels to the city to be presented at court and become “maid” to the queen. We see exactly who Eliste is and how she thinks. We live inside her head for a number of months. It all makes perfect sense and we could almost believe things are just how they should be. Almost.

Then…things change and Eliste’s life is thrown into turmoil. We travel with her as she goes from a wealthy miss to living on the street – cold, hungry and scared. There are more twists in this book than you think possible. Each time something is overcome, something worse is thrown at her. We witness the change in her personality and in the way that she thinks, and that change corresponds with the way the book is written.

Whilst Eliste is wealthy and somebody, the wording used in the book can become quite tedious. The long words and phrases are confusing at times, but they suit the mind set of the main character and her situation. Everything is centred on class and intelligence and that shows in the word usage. Although I loved the way this was done, I did find it exhausting and this would be the one complaint I have about the book as a whole. However, the characters and plot pulled me over this flaw. Then, when I just started to get used to it, Eliste’s life changes and with it so did the word usage. No longer were education important to her as survival, especially where her next meal would come from, consumed her mind. Gone were the large words and simplicity took over. Well maybe “simplicity” isn’t the right word, but I can guarantee the reading becomes easier nonetheless.

The outcome is brilliant.

The story is filled with suspense, romance, gore, politics, and much more. The characters are whole and convincing. The setting is solid and real. The emotions pull at you, even when you put the book down and try to do something else. I found myself thinking about Eliste’s circumstances and wondering how I would cope if I found myself in the same situation. The scenes filled my mind when I was trying to fall asleep at night. I couldn’t wait to return to Sherreen and read more of Eliste’s plight (remember, I have read the book before and knew what was going to happen and still the book had a hold on me).

Yes, this is still my number one book. Highly recommended.

How to Plot Your Novel

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I’ve been plotting novels and short stories for some years now, but that doesn’t mean I think I know everything that needs to be known on the subject. Because of this, I continually borrow books from the library, or purchase them if they are being sold at the right price, to ensure I’m not doing things the hard way, or I’m not forgetting to do something altogether.

I recently borrowed a book called How to Plot Your Novel by Jean Saunders. It’s a relatively old book, but in this case the content is still viable. I didn’t read the entire book (and rarely do with this type of book as I usually pick out the sections of interest to me), but I wanted to share – in point form – the main items I got from the book.

  • Find a theme you are passionate about.
  • Know the kind of book you want to write.
  • Keep the proposed length within publishing bounds and plot your novel to appeal to the widest audience.
  • Create good characters, who you know well, and who have real motivation and goals.
  • Learn how to ask yourself questions such as “What if…?”
  • Scenes and chapters should be linked together.
  • Throw the reader a curve now and then, without relying on coincidences.
  • Don’t allow your story to sag in the middle by sustaining pace and keeping control of your characters.
  • Dramatic scenes need their calming counterparts.
  • End your story without leaving loose ends, and leaving the reader feeling satisfied.

I believe the points outlined above are common sense, but should be reiterated often because it seems that many books being published these days are not paying attention to these important details. Hence, the quality of reading is lowered and the chance of the author becoming a best seller slim.

If you’re a writer and you can place a tick beside each of the above, then you’re off to a great start. Naturally, there are other items that could be put on the list too, but these are the essential ones, in my opinion.

Book Review: For One More Day

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Last weekend I was in the library and a book jumped off the shelf and slapped me in the face. The cover of For One More Day by Mitch Albom is as plain as they come. In fact, if the book had been named anything else I think I would have thrown the book back onto the shelf and kept walking. But the title of the book grabbed my attention immediately.

For One More Day by Mitch Albom

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Being a bereaved mother, the title spoke to me in volumes. Without reading anything more than those four words, I knew I wanted to read the book. And I didn’t read the blurb or the inside cover, I just borrowed the book and brought it home with me. And my gut instinct was right.

During the week, I picked up the book again and this time I read the blurb on the back:

“If you had the chance, just one chance, to go back and fix what you did wrong in life, would you take it? And if you did, would you be big enough to stand it? Mitch Albom, in this new book once again demonstrates why he is one of my favourite writers: a fearless explorer of the wishful and magical, he is also a devout believer in the power of love. For One More Day will make you smile. It will make you wistful. It will make you blink back tears of nostalgia. But most of all, it will make you believe in the eternal power of a mother’s love.”

James McBride, author of The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother

As children, we often think our parents are wrong. We don’t understand why they refuse to let us do the things we want to do. We often are embarrassed by them, shy away from them and say things that hurt them. As children, we just don’t get what it’s like to be a parent.

As adults, we fight to become our own person. We still don’t understand why everything is such an effort. And why our parents insist on trying to run our lives by telling us what is best for us. As adults, we still don’t understand what it’s like to be a parent.

Then we become parents ourselves and suddenly everything falls into place. We finally see the sacrifices our parents made. We finally see the mistakes they made and have been trying to warn us against. Without realising what we are doing, we take on the role our parents had and start doing the same things they did. As parents, we finally understand the love our parents had for us and appreciate the need they had to protect us.

If you are a parent now, can you imagine what it would be like to be given the chance to go back and right a wrong with our mother…especially if that mother is dead?

For One More Day gives a son that opportunity. Charley’s life is in ruins and he wants to end his life, but he gets to spend one more day with his (dead) mother. He learns things about his family he never cared about when he was a child. He learns things about his mother that would have embarrassed him as a teenager. He learns things about himself from a mother who never stopped loving him and whose wisdom guides him to pick up the pieces of his tragic life.

This story is written is a way where the words seem to be written especially for you. It felt so private and so close to reality that it had me in tears. If I knew then (when I was growing up) what I know now, life would have been so much easier. I could have saved myself a lot of heartache if I had listened to my parents, but as life is not meant to be easy, we stumble through the years making mistakes. These mistakes make us the people we are today, but what if…

Every family has its secrets. Some children never learn the reason for important decisions made, such as divorce. If we had the chance to go back and spend a day with a lost relative, what would we learn from that time? What would we say?

This book affected me because it was written about a mother and son. The fact that the son wanted to kill himself added to my desire to read the book (although it isn’t in any way a main focus of the story). It gives clear reasons why someone with everything can lose focus to such an extent that it can ultimately lead to the lack of will to live. On the other hand, it shows why a family can become dysfunctional and how easily wrong ideas are formulated because people are not told the truth.

I highly recommend For One More Day to anyone with a heart. You will not regret the time spent within this world, reading the words and sharing the insights this story has to offer.

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J K Rowling

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I finished reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6) about three or four weeks ago. However, due to a heavy editing schedule I had at the time I was unable to write a review of the book…until now.

With over 600 pages, the book is much longer than those I usually read. Having a short attention span, and because I read frustratingly slow, I prefer to stick with thinner books because I feel as if I’m accomplishing something when I finish reading them. So, I get that happy feeling more often with thin books. I never used to be like that. In my younger, more aware days I would only buy extra thick books because I felt I was getting my moneys worth. How things change. 😀

Anyway, back to Harry Potter 6, I have to say that the story kept me intrigued from the beginning. I was carried from chapter to chapter with ease and, of course, the well known characters and well defined plot had a lot to do with this.

Right, if you haven’t read the book, then I strongly advise you to stop reading this post right NOW!!

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