Take a Breath and Move Out

Yes, it was a stressful process to ramp up for an agent's review and then not make the cut.  The take-aways, however, is an appreciation for the process, a brain smarter in regards to the business of writing, and an established process for quick edits that works exceptionally well for me.

Now it's time to take a breath, regroup my thoughts and shattered ego, and take the new knowledge and move out.

Into the Red Zone

And so it goes.

Just a little over 24 hours to finish preparation for submission.

Yesterday was spent piecing the Chapter 1 rewrite into something worthy of the opening chapter and making it interconnect with the rest of the storyline.  In addition, I decided to add Chapter 4 to the packet I'm putting together for the agent, which will make it an additional 40 pages ready to go if requested.  Although I had to push myself through the day the motivation is still there!!

One of the key take aways from the past few days is it reenergized the learning process.  I know, life is a learning process, but I am talking about refreshing the basics of the craft.  Each morning and the last thing at night involved studying books about description, plot, editing, etc.  Maybe it was divine intervention or whatever, but this time to hone the craft finally hit the sweet spot.  As a result, there is now a collection of five books highlighted and tabbed to be reviewed and at the ready whenever future manuscripts are prepped for final draft.

The following are the five books on my list.  This may by overkill for what works for you, but I'm a slow learner and in need of a large crutch.

The Writer's Guide to Character Traits by Linda N. Edelstein, Ph.D

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King

Plot by Ansen Dibell

Scene & Structure by Jack M. Bickham

Description by Monica Wood

Okay, time to get at it!!

Meeting the Timeline

Late into the night reorganizing the manuscript!

Everything organized and ready to begin the rewrite.

Pressure!

Have been working on "Hellbound Train" for the past several months, with a few thousand words--and four chapters--short of my original goal.  The operative word: original.

With that in mind, and as fate would have it, I have an interview with a literary agent at the end of the week.  Fortunately, she only wants to see the first ten pages, and we'll go on from there.  Okay, no problem.

Until the call came in the writing process was geared around getting a first draft completed.  Suddenly the anxiety level slipped beyond the capabilities of my blood pressure meds and the brain immediately clogged with all the necessities of retooling for final draft mode.

Okay, lets think about this.  Break down the tasks into realistic bite-sized pieces and go from there.  First, medicate.  It only took a couple of cabinets before the bottle of tequila was dusted off and doing its job.

Next, pull out the first chapter and see what the challenge is going to be.  Disaster time.  This one was well beyond the capabilities of FEMA.  At best maybe it could be sold as an example of what an opening chapter should not look like.  Always thinking.

Breathe deep, more medication, move on.

Hardening my heart and soul, it was time to rip the plot, story line, and a few other things apart.  Seeking out the weak areas, paying careful attention to the flow, and putting a bullet into at least one character the manuscript was carefully put back together (see photo).  When the dust settled not only was the trashcan stuffed with a discarded character, but 7,000 words were piled atop of the body, and the manuscript dropped from 35 chapters to 23.

The following photo is my writing area locked and cocked to kick off another day.

The Star Collection

The blood pressure has been down to normal for too long--one of the drawbacks of retirement.  Consequently, I reentered the ego consuming publication world, a world of predatory rejection slips and paychecks are the elusive dream.  Up to this point it had all been hobby writing and educational ramp up for this day.

Okay, so much for the drama.  This afternoon saw the launch of "The Star Collection" off to an editor's slush pile in hopes of capturing her attention as the last great hope for American literature.  And failing that, I will quietly take the $700 check and peddle my next brilliant opus down the street.  I'm easy.

"The Star Collection" is a flash fiction piece of only 898 words that reaches into the hereafter.  Built from the theme: The grass is greener on the other side, it follows an old man's transition onto the other side where he discovers heaven has been around him all the time.

The evolution of this work was a step out-of-the-box from start to finish.  I woke up yesterday thinking about star formations, and by the time I got out of the shower the outline was pretty much complete, as was the simple theme.  By lunchtime the first draft was complete and ready for some of the more technical research, and that night my wife read through the draft.  The next day (today) the final draft was ready, a potential magazine found, the story was submitted just after dinner, and two hours later a confirmation notice was received saying it was in the system.

Okay, that all said and done, its now time to move onto my own slush pile and final draft ready the next one.  No rest for the wicked.

A World without Borders

Gone is a valuable market medium for writers, whose repercussion will be a boost in the arm for electronic publishers and companies like Amazon.com.  Gone also is a significant opportunity for authors--especially new or struggling authors--to reach out to fans or expose themselves to new ones with face-to-face interaction.  Should be an interesting way ahead.

"Interface" by Mark Adlard

Mark Adlard's 1971 novel, "Interface" is the opening volume of his science fiction Tcity trilogy--a look at social engineering and evolution in the twenty-second century.  The later volumes include "Volteface" in 1972 and "Multiface" in 1975.

Much of the story is located in a megacity referred to as Tcity, which is located in Northeast England between the Rivers Tees and Tyne.

Adlard takes a look at the weakness of a utopian while also making a powerful point of showing how this could also be a feasible reality if societies don't pay attention to the working of their government leaders.  In addition, this world is caught up with a miracle material known as stahlex--similar to how our past generations were caught up with the developments of plastic and aluminum, to name but a few.  But this unique material is the product of a corporation of the same name that has also been running Tcity and its people for years.

The novel's most involved character is Jan Caspol, who will continue to make appearances in the other two volumes of the trilogy.  In "Interface" he is a mid-level manufacturing manager that comes to the increasing realization the good life of their utopian world has come with a cost to individual and collective creativity.  Unfortunately, this consciousness comes when the ranks of the city dwellers begin fighting back for freedom from them utopian world.

Am really surprised this book and the others of the trilogy aren't popping up on SF "must read" lists.  Adlard blends complex themes--and in some cases, he accurately predicts what's come--into a science fiction read that can easily stand along side works of "1984" and "Fahrenheit 451."

Found this jewel at Book Buyers on Lighthouse in Monterey, California (a family favorite for used books).  They have a considerable science fiction collection that spans the years.

Let The Healing Begin

The death of Bin Laden was announced tonight--an event that was almost a decade in the making.  He was the source of great death, pain, and sorrow that has littered our history since 9 September 2001.  It was the events he put into motion that resulted in the loss of 14 friends and comrades for their selfless efforts to put an end to the actions he put into motion or inspired into motion.  There are very few people in this country and others that have not been affected either directly or indirectly by this war.

Thanks to our special operations community this person is no more.  Unfortunately, it's a bittersweet moment.  Yes, Bin Laden is dead, but the violence and fear won't end here.  His death means pending craziness as others step up activities to show they possess the courage and bravo to provide the new leadership for al Qaeda.  Consequently, this will not be a time of renewed peace or a return to the world only ten years ago we embraced and enjoyed.  We cannot nor must not let our guard down despite this time of celebration.

Finally, this is a time for celebration and for many it brings with it a sense of closure.  So, lets enjoy the moment, even if it's no longer that hoisting a strong one for those who never got to see the arrival of this day.  This time belongs to WE THE PEOPLE!!!  This should not be a time of political accusations, running red or blue agendas, or personal gain.  I say again, this time belongs to WE THE PEOPLE.  This event is for all of us to let the healing begin--don't take that away from the American people.

"The Way of Kings" by Brandon Sanderson

"The Way of Kings" by Brandon Sanderson is the opening installment of his new series, "The Stormlight Archive."  Sanderson has come to the forefront of the fantasy genre through his work on the home stretch of Robert Jordan's popular series, "The Wheel of Time."  He had been selected by Jordan's widow to complete the series based on his early work, "Mistborn: The Final Empire."

Ten years in the making, "The Way of Kings" has all the earmarks of becoming one of the genre's "must read" series.  His depth of characters--both the primary and secondary--draws you into their individual worlds and keeps the reader engaged throughout the 1,007 pages.

Like all good fantasy works there involves a quest, and it's no different for here.  But what Sanderson adds to his literary strategy is the quest for self-identification or self-fulfillment.  In the case of Brightlord Dalinar Kholin it is an effort to find out the destiny of his visions and pull to fulfill the standards and expectations of ancient book, "The Way of Kings."  And for Kaladin, it his escape from the reality of who he was and who he is that brings him face to face with what must be.

"The Way of Kings" is one of the best fantasy works I have read in some time and look forward to the next volume.

"The Hero" by John Ringo & Michael Z. Williamson

"The Hero" by John Ringo and Michael Z. Williamson is a continuation of Ringo's popular Posleen War series.  This particular book is set about a millennium after the other main Posleen works--a time when the human race is divided between those who live around the core of planet Earth and those who live on the out fringes; the humans and the Darhel are attempting to come to terms with one another; the Posleen efforts are now more of a minor insurgency; and a new enemy, the Tslek, are on the horizon.

The storyline focuses on the Darhel member of a Deep Reconnaissance Team, one of two survivors of fratricide attack on his team, as he tries to prevent an artifact from falling into the traitor's hands.  This is a very simplification of the plotline, but don't want to spoil the story for others.

I must say "The Hero" is not an opus indicative of Ringo's storytelling talents.  It was almost like the two authors just threw something together in order to meet a publisher's deadline.  Most surprising was the lack of character depth of the protagonist, Tirdal San Rintai--not the norm for Ringo's previous characters.  Bottom line: a disappointment.

A Writer's Working Environment: Music

As far back as I can remember music has always played a major role in my life, which seamlessly expanded into my writing environment.  Over the years of involvement in writing programs, reading the bios of authors, and in discussions with other writers I found it interesting the number of others who use music as part of their creative process.

I find when in work mode it can't be just music in general, but some times it’s a particular album and some times it's a special play list created to help get through a particular scene or even an entire project.  In the case of "Juxtaposition Reality" the entire HALO music collection (especially HALO III) is providing the working ambiance.  And with "The Dew Drop Inn" there are two selections that help with the creative background: Yes - "Keys to Ascension" and Roxy Music - "Avalon."  And the list goes on and on and . . .

Bottom line -- make the writing process fun.  (God knows the selling process is what makes this work).  You may not only find this an enjoyable working environment, but the creativity of who/whom you listen to may also prime your creative juices.

What is playing as I write this?  Jefferson Airplane - "After Bathing at Baxter's" and "Surrealistic Pillow."

"Saucerful of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey"

Just completed reading "Saucerful of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey" by the late-Nicholas Schaffner.  A very informative book on the foremost band to expound on its psychedelic foundation and still dominate the musical line-up of classic rock radio around the world.  There are a couple of drawback that tend to bog down the reader.  Schaffner gives an obsessive amount of pages to the rise and fall of Syd Barrett with unrelenting details on his eventual slip from the realities of this world.  The other is the often childish row between Roger Waters and the rest of the world.  Fortunately, there is a wealth of information and insight into the evolution of the band's creativity and thinking.  The behind the scenes perspective of the world's most iconic bands is well worth the read.

"The First Rule" by Robert Crais

Robert Crais' "The First Rule" is a return to my favorite protagonist, Joe Pike.  Traditionally left in a support role for Crais' popular Elvis Cole, Pike is a source of action packed drama in his own right.  Having spent over three decades in the military, it is easier to relate to Pike's temperament, his sense of values, and the frustration of what others see as right and wrong.  As a long-time reader of Robert Crais - "The First Rule" is one of his best to date.

HALO: Evolutions

Just completed reading "HALO: Evolutions," the recent collection of short stories from the HALO world.  The TOR and Bungie brought in a team of heavy hitter writers to help not only feed the appetites of the full-spectrum of HALO fans, but to also fill in some of the blanks on the ongoing HALO history from a intimate look at the infamous Dr. Halsey to the impossible life and mysterious disappearance of Admiral Cole.  A good read for the avid HALO fan as well as the non-fan looking for a taste of what it's all about.

A Writer writes . . . Always

"A writer writes . . . always," from Throw Mama from the Train is one of my favorite all time movie lines, and one I have been living by for the past few months.  Unfortunately, that may not be such a good thing; there are other things in life that either fall from the proverbial plate or get left in the dust.  This blog site is a good case in point.  Yes, there are other issues in this category, but I'll save those for a good therapist.

The intent of this site is to provide lessons-learned to other striving writers . . . or serve as an example as to why you should look to other ambitions in life.  Those who have answered the calling will tell you this is not for the weak of heart!  Alas, I digress.

Lets start afresh: The intent is to provide lessons-learned and provide some transparency to my way down this creative road.

A recent addition to the site is the "Currently Reading" list over on the right.  I can usually manage approximately three books at a time and will strive to keep the list updated (please note I am not a fast reader).

What is not up-to-date is the "One Last Hero" status.  Actually, the manuscript is on hold for the near future.  Originally it was stood down to rush a novella, "Juxtaposition Reality" onto the green ramp for publication.  Unfortunately, the magazine closed down; so, now comes the process of finding another publisher.  In the meantime, the manuscript for "Dew Drop Inn" its weirdness aplenty is in revision for a possible eBook.  "So the story goes."

Bottom line, the site will focus more on this writer's lessons-learned.  I think for the next posting we'll take a look at the music that helped to formulate and sustain different writings (am writing this to Yes' "Live at Montreux 2003").

See you then. And remember, "a writer writes . . . always."

"Gang Leader for a Day"

Although am trying to return the blog site to its original intention of journaling the writing process, I want to make a rare commendation of the book, “Gang Leader for a Day” by Sudhir Venkatesh.

A self-proclaimed “rouge sociologist,” his 2008 book is a look at JT and the Black Kings, a drug gang embedded in the projects of Chicago. He covers an almost ten-year period providing insight into not only the culture of the gang, but also takes an in-depth look at the residents of the projects and their community within a community geared towards their very survival.

Venkatesh and his work with the Black Kings were introduced in Stephen J. Dubner’s “Freakonomics.” This book is a result of the attention Venkatesh received as a result of “Freakonomics.” It is well written as the style seamlessly transitions back and forth between his memoir and his Master’s dissertation. An important take away also found within its pages is an issue we all fall victim to – a lack of cultural understanding. Every chapter is a composite of paradigm shifts SoCal raised Venkatesh was confronted with as well as cultural misunderstandings throughout his time amongst the Black Kings.

I picked up a copy for research for “Last Standing Hero” and walked away with a greater learning experience than I expected. A great read and learning experience!!

Open Cuba

The following was my response to the USA Today editorial regarding Cuba, dtd 27 Sep 2010.

Addressing the issue of relations with Cuba seems to always draw a maelstrom of emotions from individuals and groups who continually bully it off the agenda for any intellectual discussions. 

So why do we view the island nation as a threat to our way of life?  We must get beyond archaic Cold War attitudes and move forward with foreign policy enlightenment reflective of current and future global strategies.  After all, Communism as a governance system has proven to be ineffective and a politically endangered species. 

How different is the situation regarding China?  The Asian giant is plagued with allegations of human rights violations, and addresses the sovereignty of Taiwan with a contentious if not bullying approach.  And yet the United States goods imports from China were close to $300 billion last year.

Where is our credibility as a global leader if we can’t even take care of business in our own backyard?  Now is the time to stop treating Cuba like the 600-pound gorilla in the room and reestablish diplomatic and economic relations with our southern neighbor.

Finally, remember the Maine?  The USS Maine blew up in Havana Harbor 15 Feb 1898 with the loss of 260 American lives.  US Navy investigators found inconclusive evidence as to the cause of the explosion.  Similar as today, it was an outspoken populace fueled by external influences that shaped opinion and eventually drove the US political response.

Issues of Transparency

The past 72 hours has been a period where issues of openness have dominated the news.  Although transparency was not the headline-grabbing point, it has found itself the bottom line theme in each of the three cases. 

Dominating this week’s events has been the wikileaks.org disclosure of classified documents pertaining to the current war in Afghanistan.  For the most part this story is much ado about nothing.  The vast majority of military operational intelligence summaries and after action reports outside the United States involves some level of classified status.  And in the case of these reports, they provide a nauseous lineup of abbreviated situation reports, after action reports, and ambiguous speculation of interviewed civilians.  Fortunately, the published information was not at the Top Secret or above levels . . . this time.  According to the media talking heads this is the work of an intel analyst disgruntled with the conduct of the war in Afghanistan.  That’s fine, we’re all entitled to our opinion, but there are means in place to address such issues.  There is a more effective route of protected disclosure better suited to handle the individual’s issues – unless, of course, you are harboring a more profitable agenda than doing the right thing.

The drama continues to evolve with BP as CEO Tony Hayward steps down and is replaced by Robert Dudley.  How did this all happen?  BP’s arrogance and attempt at slight-at-hand damage control proved ineffective for what will no doubt find its way into history books as the worse manmade disaster against nature.  What BP didn’t count on was the ruthless accountability of the American federal, state, and local governments – not to mention the watchdog efforts of the US media.  The petroleum board of directors should have taken the bull by the horns and addressed their problem immediately while simultaneously providing full assistance to the local communities – that’s just what good neighbors do.  More importantly, the multinational corporation should have been upfront with the world as to what they could or could not do, and not hide behind shroud their lawyers and the “we’re here for you” media campaign they recklessly tossed out to the American people.  Having recently flown over the effected area, this mess is going to impact the southern US shores for decades to come – long after BP executives have their lives back.

The 36,000 citizens of the Central California town of Bell are in an uproar over the disclosure of the out of control pay hikes for its city leaders.  A civic government is supposed to be of the people, for the people.  As a result, and especially in this case, there should have been a transparency of actions and accountability to the community it supports.  Then again, how did the voters allow such actions to occur over several years?  Were there no oversight or other checks and balances in place from the citizens or local unions that make up the government employee base?  Am sure this unfortunate incident has inspired an active community involvement in all future government and local political issues.

Setting up for the Day

Am setting up for retirement. There's only 7 months, 17 days, 3 hours and 45 minutes left until the BIG DAY! Of course there's still lots to do until the clock strikes the witching hour, but am working to set things up for the cross-over to the rest of my life. Part of today has been spent - besides recovering from the latest series of TDY - researching a literary agent and new markets for my manuscripts. Not only has this brought with it a tingling of motivation, but also a sense of relaxation knowing the light at the end of the tunnel is burning just a little brighter.