Monday, February 4, 2013
Trumpet Of Dixie Cover, Take 2.
I've created a new version of the cover, I brightened up the cover a bit, and enlarged the font. I'd appreciate any feedback.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Feedback for Trumpet Of Dixie Cover
I'm making progress on my paranormal romance story, "Trumpet Of Dixie", and I'm hoping to have it published next month. I just finished designing a cover, and I would like some feedback.
If you have any feedback on the cover, I would certainly appreciate it.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
The Dangers Of Research
Research is definitely necessary for some writing. We need to check historical and factual details to make our stories realistic or at least plausible.
Where research becomes dangerous, though, is when we get so involved in it, that we sacrifice writing time.
Lately, I've been doing some research on the Battle Of Vicksburg for my story "Trumpet Of Dixie". I needed to know which regiments were present at the battle, and which ones were recruited from that area. Once I found out the information, though, I was sucked into the research, reading accounts of the battle, and other information that I didn't need. Before I knew, it was time to go to work, and I had wasted all of my writing time.
It isn't just novels with historical elements that need to be researched, though. Sci-Fi and Fantasy stories require a certain amount of research.
At least I got my research done. My characters served in the 46th Miss. Inf., the Jeff Davis Rebels. Maybe now I can get the story written without getting caught up in the research.
Where research becomes dangerous, though, is when we get so involved in it, that we sacrifice writing time.
Lately, I've been doing some research on the Battle Of Vicksburg for my story "Trumpet Of Dixie". I needed to know which regiments were present at the battle, and which ones were recruited from that area. Once I found out the information, though, I was sucked into the research, reading accounts of the battle, and other information that I didn't need. Before I knew, it was time to go to work, and I had wasted all of my writing time.
It isn't just novels with historical elements that need to be researched, though. Sci-Fi and Fantasy stories require a certain amount of research.
At least I got my research done. My characters served in the 46th Miss. Inf., the Jeff Davis Rebels. Maybe now I can get the story written without getting caught up in the research.
Friday, January 4, 2013
2013: Looking Back To Look Forward
It's the beginning of a new year, and time to set goals and resolutions, and to look forward. But... looking back at 2012, I realize I have not accomplished any of my goals for that year. I had set goals to write a certain number of short stories, novelettes, and novels. How far did I get? I got a few thousand words written, and a few story ideas.
So, this year, before I start setting my goals, I find myself looking at past goals, and trying to find out why they weren't accomplished.
My goals were certainly achievable, 10-12 short stories, 3-4 novellas, and editing 2 of my novels. But I didn't get any of them done. Why?
To some degree things did happen to distract me, or to keep me from writing, but not enough that I couldn't accomplish anything. Those goals are certainly easy to break down into smaller goals and achievable steps.
I feel the problem is in two parts. When I set long term goals, for a year, two years, five years, or whatever... my focus is on the long term, and not on accomplishing the short term goals that are necessary for reaching the long term.
The other problem is simply not sitting down and getting any writing done. Part of this goes back to the first problem of focusing only on the long term and not the short term.
So, looking back at unachieved past goals, I can see the problems that kept me from reaching them. So, what is the solution? This year, I'll keep the long term goals in mind, but focus on the short term projects that I need to finish. I'll be making time to sit down and write, even if I have to do my writing on my tablet at lunch time at work.
Right now, my focus is on getting two short stories written, edited, and published by the middle of February. I'll finish "Arrow Of Vengeance", and "Trumpet Of Dixie". That's my focus for now. When I'm done with them, I'll focus on the next project.
When 2014 comes along, I'll be able to look back at 2013, knowing I've accomplished something.
What are your goals for 2013, and how will looking back help you to look forward?
So, this year, before I start setting my goals, I find myself looking at past goals, and trying to find out why they weren't accomplished.
My goals were certainly achievable, 10-12 short stories, 3-4 novellas, and editing 2 of my novels. But I didn't get any of them done. Why?
To some degree things did happen to distract me, or to keep me from writing, but not enough that I couldn't accomplish anything. Those goals are certainly easy to break down into smaller goals and achievable steps.
I feel the problem is in two parts. When I set long term goals, for a year, two years, five years, or whatever... my focus is on the long term, and not on accomplishing the short term goals that are necessary for reaching the long term.
The other problem is simply not sitting down and getting any writing done. Part of this goes back to the first problem of focusing only on the long term and not the short term.
So, looking back at unachieved past goals, I can see the problems that kept me from reaching them. So, what is the solution? This year, I'll keep the long term goals in mind, but focus on the short term projects that I need to finish. I'll be making time to sit down and write, even if I have to do my writing on my tablet at lunch time at work.
Right now, my focus is on getting two short stories written, edited, and published by the middle of February. I'll finish "Arrow Of Vengeance", and "Trumpet Of Dixie". That's my focus for now. When I'm done with them, I'll focus on the next project.
When 2014 comes along, I'll be able to look back at 2013, knowing I've accomplished something.
What are your goals for 2013, and how will looking back help you to look forward?
Monday, December 3, 2012
Switching Genres
It's somewhat strange... I normally write fantasy, and I want to write science fiction as well. I'm not crazy about paranormal romance, but lately I've had an idea for a paranormal romance story. The idea has been simmering in my head for the past few days, and I started doing some historical research for the background of the story this morning. I'm hoping to have the story written in a week or two, and published by the beginning of 2013.
It's strange how a story idea from a genre that I don't like is sticking with me like this one. But I'm certainly not one to argue with inspiration. When a good story idea comes along, I'll develop the idea, and get writing.
It's strange how a story idea from a genre that I don't like is sticking with me like this one. But I'm certainly not one to argue with inspiration. When a good story idea comes along, I'll develop the idea, and get writing.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Rethinking Goals
Wow, where has 2012 gone? Here it is already the end of August. Summer is almost over, and in just a few months, we'll be saying goodbye to 2012, and greeting 2013.
So, at the beginning of the year, I had a lot of goals for my writing, I was going to write a certain number of short stories, novellas, and novels during this year. So far this year I've written... nothing. That's right, nothing. Well, close to nothing, I've written a flash fiction story, that now needs to be edited, and I've written about 4000 words of another short story, which needs to be finished.
So, what happened? I can make all kinds of excuses. There were too many distractions, my wife having health issues, being without a job for a while, and getting laid off from a temp job. We had the phone ringing off the hook, and creditors hounding us for money. When it comes down to it, though... those are all just excuses. I had time to write. I had time in the mornings and the evenings. I've had time on weekends. I just haven't sat down, and done the writing that I know I can do.
So, what to do about it. Obviously, in the four months left in the year, I can't finish the goals that I set at the start of 2012. Now, it's time to reset goals, to make goals for the rest of the year. So for the next couple of days, I'll be taking a good, hard look at my schedule, and planning out my goals for the rest of the year. My focus will probably be on shorter fiction, maybe starting on editing my novels.
So, does this happen to you? Do you set goals, and then find yourself easily sidetracked, and not reaching the goals?
So, at the beginning of the year, I had a lot of goals for my writing, I was going to write a certain number of short stories, novellas, and novels during this year. So far this year I've written... nothing. That's right, nothing. Well, close to nothing, I've written a flash fiction story, that now needs to be edited, and I've written about 4000 words of another short story, which needs to be finished.
So, what happened? I can make all kinds of excuses. There were too many distractions, my wife having health issues, being without a job for a while, and getting laid off from a temp job. We had the phone ringing off the hook, and creditors hounding us for money. When it comes down to it, though... those are all just excuses. I had time to write. I had time in the mornings and the evenings. I've had time on weekends. I just haven't sat down, and done the writing that I know I can do.
So, what to do about it. Obviously, in the four months left in the year, I can't finish the goals that I set at the start of 2012. Now, it's time to reset goals, to make goals for the rest of the year. So for the next couple of days, I'll be taking a good, hard look at my schedule, and planning out my goals for the rest of the year. My focus will probably be on shorter fiction, maybe starting on editing my novels.
So, does this happen to you? Do you set goals, and then find yourself easily sidetracked, and not reaching the goals?
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Need Some Feedback On My Cover
So, as of right now, this will be the cover for my short story, "Arrow Of Vengeance". I could really use some feedback on the cover, what works, what doesn't. Please feel free to let me know what you think.
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