Today seems to be a day of reflection. There is definitely a new story brewing in my um... head?... my fingers?... well, certainly wherever my head is at the moment.
We Rosespinners came up with a new little paranormal do do do do... did we ever say what it was to be? Well let me spill the beans....
Your job, for the next anthology, is to write approximately 11,000 words on a descendant of Phillipe Deveraux, who is presently (at the time you've set your story) in the Devon area of England. He or she has discovered the curse, and has a choice - to submit to it, or throw caution to the wind.
Stories can be set any time from 1100AD onwards, but they must be set around Devon because the land is an integral part of the curse and the family's history.
For Richer, For Poorer.
An anthology of romantic adventures through time.
1609: Nobleman Phillipe Devereaux moves to England from France after the Norman conquest. Keen to show his allegiance to King William, he takes lands in the Wessex area near Devon and sets about erecting garrisons and forts. He subdues the locals with remarkable vigour.
A local woman, Gytha of Wessex, a distant cousin to the defeated King Harold, is in desperate trouble. Her impoverished family face annihilation unless she can form an alliance with Devereaux. She approaches him with an offer of marriage – in return, she can guarantee the locals will obey her (and therefore him) and restore harmony to the land. If he refuses her, the land will rebel and she swears an oath the crops will fail.
Deveraux agrees to marry Gytha. Soon he gets her pregnant, then reneges on the formal marriage deal. In these times marriages are not a legal institution - and priests don't get involved until the 1100s - but they are binding. By remaining unmarried, Gytha's status is unsecured. At any time, Phillipe can marry someone and she could be cast out.
While pregnant with her first child, she creates a tapestry, decorating it with scenes from local life. She sews into the tapestry a curse to the Devereaux family, to last for all eternity.
Translated in today's words, the curse is an appeal to the Norse Goddess Friga (the goddess of marriage) that the richest Devereaux must marry the poorest in the land. If they do not, they will lose everything and the land will run barren.
Closest modern equivalent is 'By the will of Friga, the Deveraux lands of Wessex will turn barren and the rivers run sour, lest the richest marries the poorest.'
Phillipe ignores this curse and refused to marry Gytha. In years to come, they have four sons. Gytha dies soon after delivering the fourth. Phillipe then married a Norman woman but they have no issue. The curse is beginning. The crops begin to fail. An unusually cold winter sets in.
At the age of 18, William, Phillipe's eldest son, mounts a locally-supported revolt and overthrows Phillipe. William honours his mother's curse and marries the poorest woman in the land. Hard work soon restores the Deveraux family name to honour, and prosperity. The land produces abundant crops and the living is good.
William creates a family crest, featuring a golden dragon (common in old-English-Wessex mythology), and the motto, “Pour Plus riche, Pour Plus pauvre” For Richer, For Poorer.
William and his three brothers – Simon, Louis, and Estienne, make copies of the tapestry to pass on to future generations. To serve as a guide and a warning to future generations, showing them how they must keep the land prosperous by following his mother's instructions. If they disregard the curse, they will suffer the consequences.
In generations to come, the family name will change to Devericks and Derricks, and the ancestors will emigrate to parts of Africa, Australia and the Americas, losing their link with the Devon land and the curse.
Those remaining in the Devon area, descended from the four brothers, are the curse's captives.
Mine turned out as a rolicking Regency. As an Austen fan I came up with my own Darcy and fell in love with him.
He is itching to get published. Very itchy.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Cleaning the cobwebs
Cobwebs are those little motivational things that sometimes go missing. All sorts of reasons can be found, kids, life, work, weather, you, mental interferences, but...
there is you.
YOu have to find the times where you can take priority. Doesn't matter how long they are but they have to be about you. We all need me-time and for me that means probably putting my mind to writing. Some people have the luxury of more time than others, and probably appreciate the me-time less than those with lots of outside influences pressing them.
In the days when I had all those interferences, my time was in the early quiet times of the morning. The only movement in the house apart from me, would be the rise and fall of sleeping chests both big and small. Even the dog would be curled up fast asleep, at my feet.
Nowadays they are all grown up, and I alone have been left an eternal kid in this household. I do have more time and have to make sure I don't waste it. So what do I do?
I am finding the treadmill does create the right positive juices. It works. Really works. Exercise is good for you as a writer. We are so sedentary we writers. Our little botties can stretch to bigness unless we do and that can lead to depression. So get out of your chairs and do a few minutes of Jane Fonda like workouts. Or follow my example. Thirty minutes of mildly fast walking every day.
1,2,3,4 and 1,2,3,4...
there is you.
YOu have to find the times where you can take priority. Doesn't matter how long they are but they have to be about you. We all need me-time and for me that means probably putting my mind to writing. Some people have the luxury of more time than others, and probably appreciate the me-time less than those with lots of outside influences pressing them.
In the days when I had all those interferences, my time was in the early quiet times of the morning. The only movement in the house apart from me, would be the rise and fall of sleeping chests both big and small. Even the dog would be curled up fast asleep, at my feet.
Nowadays they are all grown up, and I alone have been left an eternal kid in this household. I do have more time and have to make sure I don't waste it. So what do I do?
I am finding the treadmill does create the right positive juices. It works. Really works. Exercise is good for you as a writer. We are so sedentary we writers. Our little botties can stretch to bigness unless we do and that can lead to depression. So get out of your chairs and do a few minutes of Jane Fonda like workouts. Or follow my example. Thirty minutes of mildly fast walking every day.
1,2,3,4 and 1,2,3,4...
Saturday, 3 April 2010
My To-Do List
It seems, no matter how hard I try, my to-do list never gets any shorter. If anything, it's a case of one step forward, and two steps back.
Today I had a really productive workday. I finally got all my tax stuff together, so I can call my accountant to arrange a meeting. I filled out an IRS form for one of my US publishers. I finished a proofreading job, and got my groceries ordered online. I did a load of laundry and made a scrumptious chicken stew for dinner. I had a nice long chat with my mother. A good day!
But I look at my to-do list, and for every one thing I accomplished today, there are two more waiting to be done. And it's only very far down the list that I get to something that bears a resemblance to writing my own stuff. I'm not making excuses for not doing my own writing--honest, I'm not. It gets mightily frustrating to have characters yelling at you inside your head to get a move on, and new ideas foaming over waiting to be used.
Perhaps I need to be a little less "responsible", and let some of the day to day chores wait while I focus creating for a while. I'm afraid though, how quickly my home and my life would dissolve into chaos. Sigh...I guess the only solution is to try and find some kind of balance between the two. And to realize that every day, no matter what gets accomplished, is a good day.
Today I had a really productive workday. I finally got all my tax stuff together, so I can call my accountant to arrange a meeting. I filled out an IRS form for one of my US publishers. I finished a proofreading job, and got my groceries ordered online. I did a load of laundry and made a scrumptious chicken stew for dinner. I had a nice long chat with my mother. A good day!
But I look at my to-do list, and for every one thing I accomplished today, there are two more waiting to be done. And it's only very far down the list that I get to something that bears a resemblance to writing my own stuff. I'm not making excuses for not doing my own writing--honest, I'm not. It gets mightily frustrating to have characters yelling at you inside your head to get a move on, and new ideas foaming over waiting to be used.
Perhaps I need to be a little less "responsible", and let some of the day to day chores wait while I focus creating for a while. I'm afraid though, how quickly my home and my life would dissolve into chaos. Sigh...I guess the only solution is to try and find some kind of balance between the two. And to realize that every day, no matter what gets accomplished, is a good day.
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Juicing up on the Treadmill.
I'm trying to be good. The treadmill is behind me currently littered with dog toys. This is a sure sign that it hasn't been used for a couple of days. But I should be using it because it's good for me. When I am feeling not too hot about my writing it's because I haven't stirred up all the good brain juices that do their considerable best at making me feel better about myself... and as a consequence, like my writing.
Maybe it should be renamed what this machine really is.
A dreadmill?
Maybe it should be renamed what this machine really is.
A dreadmill?
Friday, 5 March 2010
When in doubt. Google.
We are so lucky in today's world of writing and writers to have the tool called Google. I used to forget it and run through my library of leather Encyclopaedia Britannica and other publications. But having finished my Securement of Greggie Donald and more recently a Regency for the anthology, I found Google so invaluable.
(Why is invaluable a word that really means valuable but as an in- word it sounds so negative???)
However, I don't rely on Google for everything. I have an extensive reference libary and in my research projects, I must say I do love my books. They sit there in physical support, hard facts and reliable. I can find things I wasn't looking for but are good to know.
But don't forget you have the internet source. It's easy enough to forget you can use that just as it's easy enough to use.
There are language dictionaries and dialect disectors. There are converters and let's face it...
if you are bored editing, then there's time to waste and waffle away the time until you get guilty enough to return to the task at hand. What is that?
AIMING TO TYPE
T H E E N D
(Why is invaluable a word that really means valuable but as an in- word it sounds so negative???)
However, I don't rely on Google for everything. I have an extensive reference libary and in my research projects, I must say I do love my books. They sit there in physical support, hard facts and reliable. I can find things I wasn't looking for but are good to know.
But don't forget you have the internet source. It's easy enough to forget you can use that just as it's easy enough to use.
There are language dictionaries and dialect disectors. There are converters and let's face it...
if you are bored editing, then there's time to waste and waffle away the time until you get guilty enough to return to the task at hand. What is that?
AIMING TO TYPE
T H E E N D
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Critiquing and the art of being positive.
When I first joined a critique group, I was like a bull in a china shop. I didn't have any training for such a task and it was a frightening experience. But what really makes a good critique.
I am an author with a history in childhood publishing. It is my creating career in picture books both writing and illustration where I did learn, quite instinctively, to craft a world, a believable and credible entity, and a suitable one for an early childhood learning experience. I was learning without knowing it about GMC (Goal, Motivation, Conflict = Wants, because, but). I learned the story arch in a very tight situation where words cannot be wasted and illustrations cannot be mere reflections of words but actually meaningful for little the enrichment of fresh, growing, curious minds.
In my decision to jump the fence or grow up a little bit, and start writing for adults, I did it alone and innocent. Locked away in my author's tower, where Repunzel would let down her golden hair, I tap, tap, tapped away on the keys releasing characters onto the pages every day. Magical grown up people who would become my obsession and my friends.
So when I typed THE END I ventured forth into the big world and on my clumsy walk I discovered the concept of a critique group and so the story began.
I remember those early days. And what I learned in my trip through critiquing was that it is an art, between diplomacy and honesty - and a genuine desire to be helpful.
The reason I am reflecting on this is a meeting I went to yesterday. It is a network of authors which meets regularly each month to support, discuss, boast, complain, analyse and just be friends in this often rather lonely pursuit of getting published (and staying published). Yesterday at this meeting it was mentioned that a session by a panel of supposed professionals went hell-for-leather after the authors they critiqued. They were harsh, rude and took their roles as literally as possible, destroying already fragile sensibilities and that a lot of resentment had been generated in their wake.
So what makes a good critique? A good critique can only start with a good manuscript. It is not a one-sided endeavor. It is not fair to expect somebody to come up with the goods if the author hasn’t. This means that an author must basically present their best effort, in order to obtain appropriate feedback. It is not only fair but courteous. If the manuscript is not up to scratch then it isn’t a critique that is expected but should be relabeled ‘Help Wanted’ and conducted on this basis.
The critique then will be begin with a thorough reading. Looking for clarity and understanding, and flow. You should look through the m/s with encouragement in your mind. Concentrate on the positives which will expose the negatives automatically. Praise should be part of it. “Love this” can make an author feel buoyant and good. The critique should be on the lookout for ‘show not tell’, and probably also suggestions on rewording the odd sentence or two.
The trust between the critiqued and the critiquer should be very high. And not every manuscript will be identical to the next. And not every critique effort will be a compatible one.
And finally I think the self-confidence of the writer in their craft is probably important as well. This is the ability to sort out what suggestions to take on board, and what you will disregard.
It all, in the end, boils down to mutual respect.
I am an author with a history in childhood publishing. It is my creating career in picture books both writing and illustration where I did learn, quite instinctively, to craft a world, a believable and credible entity, and a suitable one for an early childhood learning experience. I was learning without knowing it about GMC (Goal, Motivation, Conflict = Wants, because, but). I learned the story arch in a very tight situation where words cannot be wasted and illustrations cannot be mere reflections of words but actually meaningful for little the enrichment of fresh, growing, curious minds.
In my decision to jump the fence or grow up a little bit, and start writing for adults, I did it alone and innocent. Locked away in my author's tower, where Repunzel would let down her golden hair, I tap, tap, tapped away on the keys releasing characters onto the pages every day. Magical grown up people who would become my obsession and my friends.
So when I typed THE END I ventured forth into the big world and on my clumsy walk I discovered the concept of a critique group and so the story began.
I remember those early days. And what I learned in my trip through critiquing was that it is an art, between diplomacy and honesty - and a genuine desire to be helpful.
The reason I am reflecting on this is a meeting I went to yesterday. It is a network of authors which meets regularly each month to support, discuss, boast, complain, analyse and just be friends in this often rather lonely pursuit of getting published (and staying published). Yesterday at this meeting it was mentioned that a session by a panel of supposed professionals went hell-for-leather after the authors they critiqued. They were harsh, rude and took their roles as literally as possible, destroying already fragile sensibilities and that a lot of resentment had been generated in their wake.
So what makes a good critique? A good critique can only start with a good manuscript. It is not a one-sided endeavor. It is not fair to expect somebody to come up with the goods if the author hasn’t. This means that an author must basically present their best effort, in order to obtain appropriate feedback. It is not only fair but courteous. If the manuscript is not up to scratch then it isn’t a critique that is expected but should be relabeled ‘Help Wanted’ and conducted on this basis.
The critique then will be begin with a thorough reading. Looking for clarity and understanding, and flow. You should look through the m/s with encouragement in your mind. Concentrate on the positives which will expose the negatives automatically. Praise should be part of it. “Love this” can make an author feel buoyant and good. The critique should be on the lookout for ‘show not tell’, and probably also suggestions on rewording the odd sentence or two.
The trust between the critiqued and the critiquer should be very high. And not every manuscript will be identical to the next. And not every critique effort will be a compatible one.
And finally I think the self-confidence of the writer in their craft is probably important as well. This is the ability to sort out what suggestions to take on board, and what you will disregard.
It all, in the end, boils down to mutual respect.
Sunday, 28 February 2010
The Vancouver Olympics
I'm probably the least athletic-minded person on the planet, so it comes as a total surprise to me that I've actually been watching the Olympics this past couple of weeks and enjoying them. Granted, they're being held in my country, and I am fiercely patriotic, but I'm surprised at how excited I get when I'm watching. I actually had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat watching the Canadian men's team pursuit speed skaters win (my apologies if I got the name of the sport wrong) And don't even get me started on how jazzed I was to read that the Canadian women's hockey team had won gold. I actually wished that I'd caught the game (and not to sound like a bad Canadian, but I never watch hockey--I leave that to my brother.;o) ) So don't be surprised if I sit down and watch the men's game tomorrow. How thrilling--Canada vs US. I better have my tissues ready. Whether Canada wins or loses, I'm going to get weepy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)