Dream a little dream...

The last couple nights I've had some of the strangest dreams.  And that means I've spent too much time editing and revising and not enough time creating. I've noticed this also happens when life gets in the way and I don't write anything new for about a week.

Normally I don't remember my dreams (if I have them) but when I haven't been writing/creating I have the most vivid, interesting dreams.  Dreams that hang on all day, nag at me and sometimes get jotted down in an idea file for later.

In fact, I've got three story ideas right now that came straight from dreams. 

So, what about you?  Do you remember your dreams?  Do you ever get ideas from them?  How can you tell if you haven't been writing/creating enough?

Warrior Wisewoman #4

This is the 4th in an anthology series of science fiction stories that feature strong and remarkable women.

Editor Roby James says:
"I am looking for stories that shed light on the truth of what it means to be female, that illuminate the wisdom and the strength of a woman, but not in cliché 'goddess' stories. I love action and adventure, grand space opera, thrilling discovery, and intelligent protagonists. Make the story thoughtful, wise, and surprising. In addition, the stories in the anthology should appeal to genuine emotions, suspense, fear, sorrow, delight, wonder. The science can be part of the background and the characters foremost, or the science can be central to the story, as long as the characters are realistic and appealing. "
 
You can find more details HERE.   Deadline to submit is Jan.  15, 2011 so you have plenty of time.

Cave Dwellling

Yesterday evening my better half uttered some words of wisdom and the more I thought on them, the more I realized how much they applied to me lately.

Just minutes before, I'd hit the send button on an email submission.  My remark was to the effect I wasn't sure if I'd done something smart or stupid but it was a bit scary anyway.  That's when he said,  "You can't get discovered if you live in a cave."

As I writer I have to put myself and my writing out there if I want to be discovered.  And I do want that.  I want to see my novel on the bookstore shelves. I want people to discover my writing, read and love it.  But that won't happen if I don't suck it up and send it out there.  I have to come out of my cave/comfort zone.

But the more I thought about what he said, I realized it applied to me in more than one way.  Lately I've withdrawn into a cave, distanced myself from online friends, this blog, and even people I see on a regular basis.

So, I'm coming out of my cave.  I'm going to be writing and sending out more stories, working harder on the novel revisions and endeavoring to keep up the blog. 

Join me as I expand my comfort zone?

The Hero's Journey

I was first introduced to the "hero's journey" a couple years ago at a small writer's conference.  The workshop instructor used the movie Star Wars (the original one with Luke still on his home planet) and then pointed out all the different stages of the journey for the hero. 

Not long after, a friend recommended the book The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler.   Based on Joseph Campbell's mythic story structure, Vogler breaks it down so that anyone can understand and apply to their writing.

One of the things I like about the hero's journey is how it's kinda like a road map.  It gives you a general direction of where to go and mileposts along the way.  And while this sounds like something that only works in fantasy stories, it applies to all genres.  Even a mystery has a "Call to Adventure," "Tests, Allies, Enemies," and "Return." 

I'd encourage everyone to learn more about the hero's journey and it just so happens someone out there formed a group so we can do that.  This group is dedicated to learning, using and teaching the mythic structure for writers called The Hero's Journey.  You can find it here.   It's a new group, just getting started so give it a look see. 

Also, get the book The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler.  I've got "LOTS" of writing books but this is one of my favorites.

Market Monday

Hey all...

Maybe I'll get back on a posting schedule...

Here's a Steampunk Anthology.   I really didn't think I'd like steampunk, but I was pleastantly suprised.  So, even if you don't want to write it, give it a read.

It Came From Her Purse - This sounds like a fun anthology.  it's for sci fi, fantasy and a few horror stories.  I think anything that came from my purse would be a horror story. :-)

Shock Totem -   for dark fantasy and horror short stories.    They also want some non-fic so might we interesting to check out.

Lightspeed Magazine -  For all science fiction short stories. 

Spectra Magazine - This is another spec fiction market. 

These look nice however, I haven't totally checked them out.  I just offer them as a suggestion.  Remember to read the submission guidelines and contract info before signing. 

Have a great week!

World Building or is it Worldbuilding...

Whichever it is, that's what I've been doing.  But not only the geography but lots of other stuff such as government, religion, customs and trade.  Plus so much more.

Thing is, for fantasy writers who create their own world, these are things you have to know. 

So, for all who who create your own worlds, here's a really, really, really nice worldbuilding questionaire by Patricia C. Wrede.

Also, a Map Workshop from Holly Lisle.

Hope you enjoy.  And I promise, I'll do better this month.

Sigh...

Forgive me blogger for I have neglected you way too long...  I did think about you though...and I really do feel bad about the neglect.  It's just things have been so busy and life has been unusually realistic lately.

So, here it is, midnight.  The hubby is asleep and all's quiet and dark.  And I only have a couple things that I should be doing so it seems the perfect time to catch up here.

On the reality side of things, our fridge decided to give up the ghost.  And the week after we got a new one (to us anyway) the hot water heater died.  No warning...just died.   If that wasn't enough, our satellite tv is out and they can't get a repair guy out to look at it until next week.  So, it's going to be a LONG weekend.  Oh...and not to mention it's been hot as bleep here...heat indices up to 110.  However, things may cool off if Bonnie sends up any rain.

On the writing side...

First, I received another rejection letter for  my zombie romance.  If I can't find a place for it soon, I'll hold it and post it here for Valentine's Day.  The zombies are upscale and sophisticated so I think that's the problem  since they aren't the normal zombie.  I do have a couple flash fiction places in mind to send it as soon as I catch my breath.

Next, I finally sent in the manuscript for my dragon fantasy novel.  It's called Dragons of Jade.  It's about a young woman who is transported to a world of dragons in order to save them from the person killing them.  While there, she finds a bit of romance and discovers she's not the person she thought she was.  I really like the story and the world so I'm excited about getting it ready to share with the rest of the world.   

As the revision/editing/publishing process goes along, I'll keep you informed about what's happening. 

Lastly...I'm now the editor for the Roughdraft which is the newsletter for the local writing group I belong to.  This month I put together my first issue and it turned out really nice.

Now, tell me what y'all have been up too. :-)