Scratch That

WIP Weds: Whoa There, Big Fella

2009-12-09T07:56:00.001-05:00

"Feast for Famine" is a comical short story I'm trying to pull together for The Four Horsemen Anthology before the submission deadline of Dec 31st. Oh come on, how cool are these guys, huh? I can't resist.

A majority of authors shooting for this, I'm assuming, will write more solemn if not flat out horrific stuff. Conquest, War, Death, Famine are downers after all. Submitting something lighthearted may increase my chances of acceptance? Many editors, I'm assuming, like a well-rounded collection of stories.

Of course there is that old adage that admonishes it's never a good idea to assume.

Ever notice there are many adages about horses? No sense beating a dead one*, don't put a cart in front of one, don't look a gift one in the mouth and my grandmother's favorite "If wishes were horses then beggars would ride." I miss her. Maybe I'll put that one in the story.

The Town Drunk has folded, unfortunately. It was one of the few SF/F/H paying markets that accepted exclusively funny stuff. So that leaves Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine. Any others?

*When things get horribly tedious (Like wall to wall coverage of Tiger Wood's mistress list. This media storm will never die down if he's got 365 that come forward) I've taken to saying: Oh please, there's no sense beating or I wish they'd stop beating (insert whatever) with a dead horse.

Go Boldly Go?

2009-12-07T17:20:00.001-05:00

I don't know how to feel about this whole Monarchs in Space program. Scientists are running experiments on butterflies to discover how the insect's wings and what not perform in mircogravity: um, awkward (YA story fodder, anyone?) The poor things might never recover--the butterflies, not the scientists, silly. It's not like there's a butterfly rehabilitation facility, or is there? If not, should I start a charitable organization for when they return? And what is all that floaty and sticky stuff? Food? Tiny wads of bubble gum? Insect graffiti? Frass? You get an A for the day if you know what frass is. I did not, so I learned something new today.

Two Dynamic Writers

2009-12-06T16:30:00.003-05:00

I met two dynamic Maine writers recently. Barbara Walsh is an award winning journalist currently contracted to write a creative-nonfiction/memoir August Gale:

Is a story about courage and redemption, pain and reconciliation, and a father and daughter’s [Barbara Walsh's] journey into two powerful storms. One odyssey ventures into a deadly Newfoundland hurricane and the lives of schooner fishermen, who relied on God and the wind to carry them home; the other into a squall stirred by a man with many secrets, a grandfather who remained a mystery until long after his death. Sixty-eight years after the hurricane claimed several of her ancestors, she searches for memories of the August gale and the grandfather who abandoned her dad as a young boy. [excerpted from the book proposal]

Barbara has been so gracious and supportive of my work.
Through her I met Mary Lee Coe Fowler who has taught English for years, most notably at Bates College and The University of Southern Maine. Her memoir is Full Fathom Five: A Daughter's Search
Mary Lee was lovely relating how she compiled the book and answering our questions at a reading I was fortunate to attend.
Mary Lee Coe Fowler was a posthumous child, born after her father, a submarine skipper in the Pacific, was lost at sea in 1943. Her mother quickly remarried into a difficult and troubled relationship, and Mary Lee's biological father was never mentioned. It was not until her mother died and Mary lee was a middle-aged adult that she set out to learn not only who her father was, but what happened to him and his crew, and why and also confront why she had shied away from asking these questions until it was nearly too late. [from book jacket]
I'm a lucky girl.

Running Down a Dream

2009-11-30T06:40:00.001-05:00

Would you care to know the crappiest thing I've done as a writer, to date?

My husband trained four months and on Oct 25th of this year he ran the Conway N.H. White Mountain Miler's Half-Marthon, finishing 101st out of 400 runners with a time of 1:47:20. He'd run 5ks a few times, but this was his first half-marathon and one of his bucket list aspirations.*

But guess what? I was not at the finish line to witness this impressive physical feat from a man who is forty-one, suffered a broken femur as a kid when he was struck by a car, and underwent knee surgery three years ago.

Where in the hell was I? I was in Conway, but in our car, wrestling with a draft for my short story "The Black Ship". You must have experienced this, right? You get in a groove and gasp then realize I've been writing how long?

So I lost all track of time and showed up 1o minutes too late--an eternity when seconds matter. I felt horrible. Really, really horrible. I apologized all day. He didn't care I missed his finish. In fact, he thought it was funny. For him it was enough I'd traveled the two-and-a-half hour road trip to reach Conway to be with him *ahem* in spirit. He understands that writing as many short stories before I die is tops on my bucket list.

What did I accomplish in the nearly two hours he was out there bustin' his hump? Sure I reworked what I had . . . and I added . . . don't know . . . maybe . . . almost . . . . a hundred words or so. I was walloped with a new and improved plot point that I jotted down as I plodded along, though. Does that count?

"The Black Ship" is my who-in-the-hell-do-you-think-you-are-writing-a-sequel-to H.P.- Lovecraft's-"The White Ship" short story. I posted about its evolution here--the whole Cthulhu dream thing. Innsmouth Free Press accepted the piece, thank God, a few days ago. Although having "The Black Ship" published does not let me off the hook, at least it's evidence that I wasn't screwing around for nothing . . . ultimately.

Hubby's proud of me. I'm proud of him.

So that day we were running down our individual dreams, but I stumbled big time. I hope you have souls in your life as cool as my husband . . . oh, and I highly recommend an alarm clock.

*Picture curtsey of our friends' son. This nice young man applied to Bates College. Let's all pray he's accepted; none, in my estimate, is more worthy.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-24T06:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Safe travels and here's wishing you an enjoyable feast.

Have a great week Brits, Aussies and Canadians.

NaNo? I'll probably weigh in at 35, ooo words when all is said and done. As far as writing exercises go, I'm quite satisfied. Stuffed, in fact, with the knowledge that my first love will always be the short form and if and when I write another novel, I'll outline the heck out of it before I embark. Quelling my self-editing habit felt good too.

Two short story ideas tripped me up--in a good way--slowing my NaNo progress. Both are comical and will be submitted by the end of the month. It was about time I wrote a dragon tale. Mine is entitled "Fig". So here's hoping . . .

I'm on vacation. See ya in a spell.

A Sea Monster Attacked My Little Sister

2009-11-20T10:30:00.004-05:00

My little sister is a huge Jane Austen fan. Reading Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice each year means so much to her. Now, I'm a Bronte girl. We mock each other over it. I'll say Elizabeth is whiny, then she'll counter with Jane is mopey--on and on. Then we'll patch things up, laughing about how our husbands won't dig us up Heathcliff-like when we die---the callous bastards.

So you'd think I'd relish (being a big sister, fantasy-sometimes-horror writer, zombie-loving, constant wisea**) telling her about Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters and Pride, Prejudice and Zombies. I didn't. It's just so, so, so wrong defiling such great pieces of literature.

I knew she'd see them at Barnes and Noble and squeal WHAT!--justifiably so. At our age we don't care what people think, so she wouldn't be embarrassed. I just wanted to be the one to break it to her so we could be side by side at Barnes and Noble and squeal in unison.

You see, satire is the lowly wise-cracking fool who mocks an arrogant king who needs to be knocked down a few pegs, not some punk teepeeing the pantheon of the great literary gods for a buck.

Yay! I Almost Won . . .

2009-11-18T09:35:00.001-05:00

the errant parent Thanksgiving-themed Top Nine List contest! Runner-up feels pretty good. I hope you'll check my close-but-no-cigar entry and find my tips helpful.

*whimper, licks wound* One of the prizes was bourbon.

Next on my agenda is this survey: What do you think of my new background and its complimentary colors?

1. Cool!

2. Ummm, reminds me of a mural you'd see on a '70's tripped-out van, only stupider. Oh, by the way, thanks for the groovy yet made-me-feel-old-cultural reference.

3. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarg my retinas!

4. You're weird. I'm going to go write now.

Innsmouth Monster Byte

2009-11-10T13:15:00.001-05:00

Innsmouth Free Press posted my piece "Karaoke Machine Malfunction Renders Local Pub Patrons Deaf". Crafting a news story was a nice change of pace . I perused A Walking Tour of Innsmouth and assumed intrepid-reporter duty for a spell. Disturbing things occur in this charming town, folks. Between you and me, I sensed strange forces at work even though I reported the facts and only the facts. ;-)

NaNo: Sesame Street Homage

2009-11-10T06:30:00.001-05:00

Happy 40th B-Day, Sesame Street.* You're the best. I love this Kermit and Don Music bit. Tis fitting for NaNo, no?

*Thanks for bringing this to my attention, BT.

At That Precise Moment

2009-11-05T16:08:00.001-05:00

I can't believe I've never posted on this topic.

So, Bec, when did you know you were a writer? Well, I can relive the moment any time I want, thank you very much.

Romancing the Stone (a freebie on Netflix) premiered in 1984. I watched the beginning and 4 mins and 11 secs into the movie came my Epiphany: YES, I'LL DO EXACTLY THAT WHEN I GROW UP!

Then I laughed my ass off. Still do.

NaNo: The Odd Couple

2009-11-04T08:18:00.000-05:00

Yup, I got Oscar in the morn, Felix at night.*

So, my novel's working title is What A Little Moonlight Can Do.* It's a romantic comedy with fantasy thrown in, of course. I'll confess I'm having a real hard time writing slobly* or Oscar-like. I force myself not to edit as I go. It's the primary reason I'm participating-- to break my exhausting habit of self-editing.

I'll also confess that once I achieve my daily self-imposed word count of 1,700 each morn, I return to other WIPs at night and resume my Felix-like ways.

Some habits take time to break. I can't go cold turkey. Weaning, slowly weaning . . .

*For any spring chickens out there, Oscar and Felix are characters from the movie The Odd Couple, staring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. It's about two men that live together. Oscar is a slob, the other, Felix, a perfectionist. It's hysterical, especially Felix's allergy fits.

*It's the title a song I think is cute and whimsical.

*When you're a writing slob you get to make up words. Shakespeare was a huge slob.

Peter Straub Interview

2009-10-31T07:47:00.004-04:00

This is perfect for Halloween, horror writer Peter Straub's thoughts on how to scare readers. Having never read the man's work, I can't recommend him. I very rarely read horror, but this article enticed me to give him a try.

What A Little Sport Can Do

2009-10-30T06:20:00.001-04:00

Oh NaNoWriMo* is a comin'. Before this furious writing storm hits, I'm going to enjoy myself tonight at a Portland Pirates hockey game. Ahhh, invigorating fun. Check out nine-year-old Jr. Portland Pirate Oliver Wahlstom's amazing shot. The goalie's reaction is priceless. Have a great hat-trick-or-treat weekend.

*If you would like to buddy me . :-)

WIP Weds: chirp, chirp

2009-10-28T06:35:00.003-04:00

Have you ever hootenannied at a masquerade ball and everyone died, victims of a horrible host who plagued all with disease*, and for some freaky reason you survived, clawed yourself out of the mass of cooling bodies --*deep breath*-- because there's this word you kept hearing that inexplicably drew you to it (you recalled some friends uttered it in the past, but you had no idea what they were referring to--*deep breath*--you smiled and nodded so not to look the uninformed idiot) so you crawled home to do a Wiki search, but it's a word that has consonant clusters that are odd, so it took awhile to uncover it until finally !success! That's the word: Cthulhu!

Anyone else experienced that? . . . *chirp, chirp* . . . no?. . . *chirp, chirp* . . . not even a little bit? . . . *titter* . . . just kidding.

Anyway, I read H.P. Lovecraft's "The Call of Cthulhu". Eh, it was okay.* If I understand correctly, Cthulhu Mythos is derived from this story and others. Many horror writers have built upon or derived inspiration from its theme of this evil god that resides within the depths of the earth just waiting to be unleashed and force all of humanity to watch reality-tv 24/7.* If you hear the call of Cthulhu, better pack for the loony bin.

Willing to give H.P. a second chance after so much Cthulhu hype*, I read more of his work, stumbling upon "The White Ship" and "What the Moon Brings" and "The Outsider" which I loooooooved-- "The White Ship" so much so I wrote a sequel to it.* Pity me, my Cthulhu search made me cocky and deluded.

Look, I'm not a horror writer, okay? Yeah . . .well . . . I'm not . . . got that? . . . *chirp*

*Poe things.

*Ummm, bigot much, H.P?

*I made that up. That scenario would be truly horrific for me.

*Don't get me wrong. I find the whole thing fascinating but shrine, tattoo, or stuff my personal library with it-- ah, no. I do lurk at Innsmouth Free Press thrice weekly. Good stuff.

*Poor "Ubiguitous Ink" always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Someday I'll commit and submit it.

Editing is a Bit**

2009-10-23T11:13:00.001-04:00

As a writer I so identify with this dog. I edit my drafts this way kinda. Wrestling with them--should I, shouldn't I omit this?--my own worst enemy. My current WIP, big woofs. A total id vs. superego smackdown. Silly, silly me. :-)

Set In My Ways

2009-10-19T11:15:00.001-04:00

I've changed my background as you can see. My father-in-law took this photo of a bog not far from his home. New England in fall, especially Maine, is the best place to be in the entire universe. So that makes my state waaaay better than your state or country or galaxy or alternate universe.* :-P

I hope you'll prove me wrong at some point and in-our-face-you-crazy-Maine-iac me by posting pictures of your beloved areas. I don't get out much. ;-)

Gearing up for NaNo, thinking about my draft. Only thing that's set is the setting. The coast. I can't believe I've written this long but never about my stomping grounds. Move over, King . . heh, heh.

*Oh, please, please, please one of you be a space alien.

WIP Weds: Switching Gears

2009-10-07T10:15:00.000-04:00

I received word last night that my story--well, more of a recipe--was accepted by the editor of A Moron's Survival Guide to the Inevitable Zombocalypse Anthology. I couldn't resist submitting something. Seduced again by the ludicrous. First bacon, now morons. I have a weak spot for both, you see, and zombies: don't get me started. I've now placed/published/will have published a trifecta of funny tales with the undead as subject.

Ahhhh, when I give my Noble Prize for Literature speech I'll reflect tenderly on the zombie- phase of my writing journey.

It's hard to switch "writer's tone" and "voice" gears without grinding them. Gonzo to gloomy ain't easy.

"Ubiquitous Ink", my somber tale, simmers. It will be completed by the end of this month come hell or high water . . . hear that muse!? . . . muse? . . . so if I disappear for awhile, mates, it's because I'll be covered in ink.

New Story at Lorelei Signal

2009-10-05T10:45:00.001-04:00

Shameless self-promotion time. My fantasy, romantic comedy story, "When Opposites Attack" is now posted at Lorelei Signal. Holly Eddy's illustration is wonderful. I couldn't be happier. Yes, yes, that ending. But hey, a writer has got to use it at least once.

Dear Santa,

2009-09-30T11:18:00.002-04:00

Yes, I've been more or less a good girl this year. Suffice it to say, I wasn't caught doing anything I'm ashamed of.* I'm putting my order in early. Denied a Cabbage Patch Kid in the mid '80's and a Tickle Me Elmo in the mid '90's, this gift will so make it up to me.

I want a Project Runway Tim Gunn Talking Bobblehead Doll. This thingy will be a boon to me as a writer. If feeling down tailoring a tale, I'll find comfort in this dapper facsimile's straight-shooting words: "Talk to me", "Make It Work" and "Carry On". It's a must have this holiday season, a fashionable accessory to complement my Elements of Style.

You're the best.

Love,

Bec

*Yes, yes, ending a sentence with "of " is a no-no, but you know I'm a grammatical slob sometimes.

A Round of Bacon on Me!

2009-09-28T07:00:00.001-04:00

My comical short story "Bits of Oscar"* will appear within the pages of The Baconology Anthology and watching Miss Piggy perform is a great way to celebrate this acceptance. Me gusta!

*The plot surrounds an overweight hick named Oscar, plucky Girl Scout Beryl, and a benevolent container of bacon bits turned into a carnivorous, wise-cracking, zombie-virus-carrying swarm by a mad scientist; but, ultimately, it's a heart-warming tale about responsible parenting.

WIP Mon: Ink, Pillar, Misc

2009-09-21T12:31:00.004-04:00

Okay, Wednesday is gonna be insanerer (yes, two ers) than today. Soooooo, jumping the gun here.

I'm working on "Ubiquitous Ink", currently at 3,000 words. Not bad. Third-person omniscient is a pain *groan*. Ultimately, I'm happy with the results but grinding out the narrative . . . I'm a piss-poor goddess, I guess. "Ubiquitous Ink" is about a clan of side show freaks. I love the characters in this one, especially Old Black Pepper, a reformed hellhound. Is it healthy to have favorites? His name is a challenge to work with, very cumbersome.

The Pillar is a gothic novella I'm writing in--yay!--first-person. I'm outlining it, something I've never done before. I refuse to become stumped, stuck, slumped, or lost. I'm a "wing it" writer, uncovering just about everything as I go, hence I'm often stumped, stuck, slumped, or lost. Again, the outline is roughly 2,000 words.

Are one-hundred calorie snack packs the biggest hoax of the century? I just end up eating three instead . . .

My oldest daughter (She's a Junior. How in the hell did that happen?) scored a hat trick in five minutes--woot, new school record! And her braces are finally off. Big smiley week for her.

L.R. Bonehill wrote this tender post, paying homage to the 70's, pinning about the Bermuda Triangle and Barry Manilow; naturally, being the cold soul I am, I ribbed him about it.* So to make amends, may I humbly suggest you head over Pandora Internet Radio, as I did, and add Manilow as one of your personal stations. Do you need background music when you write? If you're not familiar with freebie Pandora, it can be a vital writer's tool. When your mood changes, just switch the music on a whim.

Have a great week.

*Neil Diamond is the better songwriter. Don't believe me? You try writing a song as poignant as "I Am". Oh, and you must use the word chair in a verse too. Plus, the '80's were totally awesome, dude.

WIP Wednesday

2009-09-16T06:20:00.001-04:00

I made my goal for the week by finishing a comical and surreal short story, "Bits of Oscar" finely tailored for the Baconology Anthology. I'll submit after it's fine-toothed combed by a friend. The piece tops out at 2,500 words, brevity being the soul of wit and all. Why write a story for an anthology that requires bacon be the protagonist, you ask? Like Mallory said--"Because it's there".

Enough ridiculous WIPs for a spell. I going for something sublime over the next few months. Speaking of sublime, check out The Literary Lab's current contest Genre Wars. If you submit, may the force be with you.

Hmmmm, small post, must pad. Now for your bemusement another WIP--a wet, idiosyncratic pet. Enjoy. Have a great week.

Perfectly Candid

2009-09-09T06:30:00.000-04:00

Let the insanity of soccer season and life in general commence. Go Black Bears! Yes, less time for writing and posting. I'm going to hang in there, making myself accountable each WIP Wednesday at least, which is a great idea--thank you, the responsible soul who started it. Tidying up my writing nook this week too: installing new computer programs, chucking files, culling drafts, organizing my books, etc.

To be perfectly candid, I'm behind. *ahem* It's not the smoothest of segues, but . . .

Here are my girls standing on Maine's highest peak, Mt. Katahdin. It's one of my favorite candid photos of them. Sure, you can't see their faces, yet the picture represents vigilance, strength, promise, stewardship, and there's a little superhero in all of us to me.

Catcha next week after I've attained my second wind.

My Sincerest Thanks

2009-09-05T07:00:00.002-04:00

Let's see, I've been blogging for close to six months. In this short time I've met and corresponded with some great people--you! I wanted to take this opportunity to say thanks for stopping by, regularly commenting, passing on awards, and writing such thoughtful posts on your own blogs. Writing, for the most part, is a craft that requires lots of time alone, so it's nice to take a break and touch base with others who understand the joys and frustrations of creating a story.

I've written horror in the past. Every now and then an intriguing anthology premise teases me back, but I don't foresee myself writing dark tales predominately or long term. Ironically, it was the genre that broke me in as a writer and for that I'm thankful. I've encountered some great and talented horror writers, future award winners I'm confident. Their impressive work peppers cyberspace and competitive print publications. And they visit me! I'd like to recognize and thank--listed in alphabetical order--L.R Bonehill, Alan Davidson, Catherine Gardener, Jeremy Kelly, Bill Napier, Aaron Polson and Brenton Tomlinson.

I've had the good fortune of falling in with some gracious writers whose paths run in the genres of young adult fiction, chick lit, literary, Christian romance, and historical. Again in alphabetical order: T. Anne, Lady Eurphoria Deathwatch, Jody Helund, Angie Ledbetter, Davin Malasarn, Melissa Marsh, Rene Miller-Knudsen, Sharla Scroggs , Janna Qualman, and a delightful recent acquaintance Eileen Astels Watson.

Those who follow, yet choose not to comment, my thanks to you also. But don't be shy . . .

Oh, and another thing, no one who sees me in the flesh calls me Rebecca. I use it to be all formal and professional for writing purposes like most. Refer to me however you'd like--hell, nicknames can be fun and/or ghastly--but most people get my attention simply with Becca, Bec or Put That Down Before You Hurt Yourself.

Okay all, onward and upward. :-)

Care to Share A Sentence?

2009-09-04T15:00:00.000-04:00

Sharla over at A little salty pointed out this bit of fun.

* Grab the book nearest to you.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post the sentence with instructions on your blog.
* Post link to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the closest.

Or, if you prefer, just place the sentence in comments here.

"There have been far too many magicians too idle or ignorant to pursue a proper course of study, who instead bent all their energies upon acquiring a fairy-servant--and when they had got such a servant they depended upon him to complete all their business for them."--Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke.