Okay, so just as I suspected, I totally suck at writing an action scene. At least I think I do. I mean, I definitely know what happens - the visual in my head is running on a continuous loop at the moment. But I can't write it out without getting a laundry list feel of the action. And I know I need description, but any time I try some here and there, it seems to just get in the way and slow things down.
So...I would LOVE for YOU to help me out. What can you tell me about any action scenes you've ever read - surely there's been at least one, right?? - that appealed to you? I need tips, feedback, anything you can give me to avoid another dead month. A little help, please?
Please??
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Ah, the thrill of the fight...
Okay, so I've slacked. Big time. I've procrastinated and justified my way through the last month with only minimal advances made on my book.
Why?
I could lay out all the possible reasons, the contributing factors that kept me away from the keyboard. But that would be justifying, right? And I've always said (though I struggle to always practice the notion) that if you have to justify something, then it's wrong. Period.
That said, I am intimidated by the problem I - or better yet, my characters - face. The Climax. I've read some great action scenes. And I've seen even more amazing ones played out on the silver screen. Yet, I can't bring myself to get into the details of the scene that plays in my mind, the scene where my poor main character - currently standing just outside the danger zone, waiting for me to plunge him into the action - is thrown into the lion's den and, subsequently, impending doom. I don't know - or at least I don't think I know - how to write an action scene!
Still, I'll never figure it out if I don't jump in, head first...
So I guess I'll stop talking and get to work. See you on the other side!
Why?
I could lay out all the possible reasons, the contributing factors that kept me away from the keyboard. But that would be justifying, right? And I've always said (though I struggle to always practice the notion) that if you have to justify something, then it's wrong. Period.
That said, I am intimidated by the problem I - or better yet, my characters - face. The Climax. I've read some great action scenes. And I've seen even more amazing ones played out on the silver screen. Yet, I can't bring myself to get into the details of the scene that plays in my mind, the scene where my poor main character - currently standing just outside the danger zone, waiting for me to plunge him into the action - is thrown into the lion's den and, subsequently, impending doom. I don't know - or at least I don't think I know - how to write an action scene!
Still, I'll never figure it out if I don't jump in, head first...
So I guess I'll stop talking and get to work. See you on the other side!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Four goals in one year ... Am I insane???
Okay, so obviously the first goal I'm tackling this year is to get this book finished. And by that I mean totally drafted, revised, polished and submitted. Sure, that was on the list already. But now that I've realized a major change I need to make before I move on, just finishing the first draft will be a huge success once I get to The End. So yes, getting this book finished is my first goal.
Secondly, I've volunteered (mental case that I am) to write a book for my sister-in-law who is in desperate need of another good urban fantasy to read. Yeah. I'm an idiot. But in my defense, I did tell her that I'll only give her a chapter at a time. At least that way, I can look at it more like writing a stack of short stories instead of one huge, daunting project.
So number three, a writing course. This is a correspondence certificate in Professional Writing and Editing, similar to a diploma in the States. I wasn't really worried about doing it until I spoke to a course coordinator who stressed what a massive undertaking the course can be. Truth be told, I considered putting it off for a year or two. But I know that if I do wait, then I probably won't ever do the course at all. And besides, I'm just too excited about starting it to miss out.
And coming in at number four is songwriting. Yes, you read correctly. See, back in 2008, I wrote some lyrics for a musician friend who actually moved here to Australia around the same time that we did. (Coincidentally, he lives only a few minutes away from us.) We've had a chat and decided that this year, we'll do some songs. Mainly acoustic/folk stuff, but maybe some rock as well (he's closer to a metalhead, so it's a compromise). I'm excited, he's excited, it's a great combo:)
So that's what 2010 looks like for me. In theory, anyway. While I'm not so naive as to think it'll be easy to get those things done (I know I'm taking on a HUGE year), I don't want to consider which of those goals will suffer or *gasp* fail. And we all know that my priority is still my family, first and foremost. So if this is going to work, I'm going to have to just get stuck into it and go.
May 2010 be as massive for you as I'm hoping it'll be for me!!
Secondly, I've volunteered (mental case that I am) to write a book for my sister-in-law who is in desperate need of another good urban fantasy to read. Yeah. I'm an idiot. But in my defense, I did tell her that I'll only give her a chapter at a time. At least that way, I can look at it more like writing a stack of short stories instead of one huge, daunting project.
So number three, a writing course. This is a correspondence certificate in Professional Writing and Editing, similar to a diploma in the States. I wasn't really worried about doing it until I spoke to a course coordinator who stressed what a massive undertaking the course can be. Truth be told, I considered putting it off for a year or two. But I know that if I do wait, then I probably won't ever do the course at all. And besides, I'm just too excited about starting it to miss out.
And coming in at number four is songwriting. Yes, you read correctly. See, back in 2008, I wrote some lyrics for a musician friend who actually moved here to Australia around the same time that we did. (Coincidentally, he lives only a few minutes away from us.) We've had a chat and decided that this year, we'll do some songs. Mainly acoustic/folk stuff, but maybe some rock as well (he's closer to a metalhead, so it's a compromise). I'm excited, he's excited, it's a great combo:)
So that's what 2010 looks like for me. In theory, anyway. While I'm not so naive as to think it'll be easy to get those things done (I know I'm taking on a HUGE year), I don't want to consider which of those goals will suffer or *gasp* fail. And we all know that my priority is still my family, first and foremost. So if this is going to work, I'm going to have to just get stuck into it and go.
May 2010 be as massive for you as I'm hoping it'll be for me!!
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