29 May 2009 at 10:21 (Writing, philosophy)
Tags: email delay, text message delay
Ever had emails and text messages not reach their destination instantaneously? We get so accustomed to the immediacy of communication, sometimes it is easy to forget that it can all go awry.
Once, I sent a work-related email to a supplier, and it took a week to get there. I can’t imagine why it didn’t go through. I called the next day since I didn’t get an answer. He called me back the day it arrived.
I sent my parents a text message this week, and it took almost 12 hours to arrive in the designated inbox. They were looking for it, so Mom let me know when it arrived.
It may not be a good plot twist, but sometimes it works – or not, as the case may go. Often it’s better to use a device about not seeing it, being pulled away at the designated moment, than to just have it not arrive.
Readers and believability – must always cater to them!
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27 May 2009 at 08:40 (Books, Writing, philosophy)
Tags: Art of Science, believability, book giveaway, fantasy, science fiction
Dawn Embers! Woo- big round of applause. Wait, you can’t hear it on this post? Imagine!
Speaking of imagination, do you ever wonder how far you can suspend a reader’s believability? It’s not a consistent question. I have friends who don’t read science fiction or fantasy at all because their believability can only stretch so far. Some read a few parts of it, but there are tales where the reader simply puts the story down because it’s too far out there.
But how far is too far? If it’s an individual line to draw, how do you know if you’ve hit it or crossed it? I wonder if other universes have pervaded people’s expectations, especially when one of my fellow writers told me he couldn’t get into my story because Star Trek said only 1 out of 30,000 planets was inhabitable.
Really… Star Trek? I don’t think they’re talking about life the way I was. They’re very focused on M class planets (read: places where humanoids can breathe). If you take out those requirements… well, Mars might look awesome for habitation! The other element not factored in there is time. If you’re looking for traces of life, who is to say that it’s still there or the planet is still habitable at this moment?
And how is it on Star Trek that all of the species breathe the same kind of air? Isn’t that just spooky? They all like the approximate same ambient temperatures. They all have languages translated with the Universal Translator, even ones they just met. Don’t even get me started on warp drive, either.
Who’s believable now?
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26 May 2009 at 13:42 (Books, philosophy)
Tags: Blog Tour, The Art of Science
Thanks to everyone for following along. I hope you had fun and learned something. I think we covered most aspects of the book. Someone’s going to review it for me, soon.
It was also brought to my attention that amazon lacks a description of the book, so that will be remedied as soon as I figure out how to change that.
I’ll be gathering the commenters information to get the drawing. Stay tuned!
Those three who called me a mentor this week have all helped me out in my writing, too. We’ve made a lot of progress on several projects together.
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25 May 2009 at 16:31 (Books, Children, Writing, philosophy)
Tags: Blog Tour, Crystalee Calderwood, memories, The Art of Science, Writing
See great behind-the-book information with Crystalee at Crystalee Calderwood – Writer and Poet.
Reading and revising this book so much before it came out brings up memories from when I was in junior high. No, this isn’t based on my life, but I did try to incorporate things I remember being good and bad.
I also remember where I was when I was physically writing it. Forgot to add that to the ‘do you know’s’ when Crystalee asked. I had a lot of business trips with one co-worker during the time I was finishing the rough draft. So, I wrote in the car (longhand, since I didn’t have a laptop) while he drove, though I forget our actual destinations (perhaps Ohio?). I wrote on a chartered jet when we went to Canada, too.
He got used to me writing randomly, even seemed proud that I used his (first) name as one of the last names of my characters. I lost touch with him after we both left my former employer. He was pretty cool.
After I picked up my friend at the airport Saturday night, we talked about this book and now I’m thinking about writing more in this genre (mainstream young adult) or possibly middle-grade.
But first I need to figure out how to write and also take care of my child! Stay tuned here for a wrap-up tomorrow. Will also announce the winner of the free book by the end of the week.
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24 May 2009 at 20:24 (Books, Children, philosophy)
Tags: cover art, illustrations, Publishing, Stephen MacQuignon, The Art of Science
Late with this post for a couple of reasons. First, I waited to see if the hostess today would get hers up, but I haven’t heard from her. This is unusual, but as things go with people you only know online – something could prevent her from getting her access to a computer and that’s just how it goes. We’ve all had moments where life gets in the way.
Instead of going somewhere else, I ought to say something here. What about this book? (Also keeping in mind things that will be said tomorrow at the final stop.)
One thing that excited me were the illustrations. I didn’t know how they’d go at first. I didn’t know how they’d be chosen or what exactly to expect.
I didn’t choose the cover art. Vivian had an idea and communicated it with Stephen, but I fell in love with it when I saw it. Then it came time to talk about the other illustrations.
I chose them, where they went, what they portrayed. It took me awhile to put it together. I have so much to learn about the limitations of the medium chosen- the pen and ink drawings- and how best to fit it with the story.
At first I tried to choose illustrations that would be too complicated. I really like how they turned out in the end. Stephen did a wonderful job, and they were completed so fast. (Seemingly fast because it takes me forever to draw anything freehand.)
Thanks, Stephen, for your wonderful illustrations.
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23 May 2009 at 15:20 (Books, Virtual Blog Tour)
Tags: Blog Tour, The Art of Science
Continuing on the tour, see more about the book at VBT- Writers on the Move from Karen.
Does the audience have any questions? Sometimes I’m just curious what readers are thinking. (Those are the days I’m not wondering just who’s reading this blog, anyway!)
Yes, I am still taking entries for the giveaway for people who comment on today’s post, even if it isn’t listed. I apologize for the earlier link not working – it’s been fixed now.
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22 May 2009 at 08:56 (philosophy)
Tags: Blog Tour, friends, meeting people, memories
See what Shanachie has to say at Livejournal.
Or, see the two of us try to figure out a good story for how we met. That’s always a worthwhile venture! The font is a little troublesome until you hit the comments page, so please hang in there until she fixes it.
So many of us have great stories for how we meet people, it seems odd that both of us can’t remember. We share our lives in stories, some fictional and some not – and some of them a curious blend between the two. Do you remember how you met all your friends? Some of them might be a long distance off in memory and faded. A couple outrageous ones are unforgetable. (Like that time one of my friends hit me with her flag pole – on my head! That hurt, but we became great friends.)
I try to bring that richness of experience to my writing. You’ll have to stay tuned to let me know if I’ve succeeded.
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21 May 2009 at 07:32 (Books, Children, philosophy)
Tags: middle grade, reading level, young adult
See the blog tour stop at Jamie Eyberg’s blog, A Continuity of Parks.
I did know Jamie in school, though he was a few years ahead of me so I can’t say we went to high school together. I knew his sisters better then.
One of his questions did get me thinking, though. Young adult or middle grade? We apply these labels according to an age level, but how many of us truly fit those little boxes? An age range is a guideline and it’s up to the parents, educators, or the youngsters to figure out what they’re ready to tackle. It’s a tough question, but it does help readers to have that information.
At least, that’s my opinion. A student might not read at the specified age level but may consistently be above or below. Knowing that would guide those students to where they need to be.
Or am I making it too difficult?
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20 May 2009 at 04:48 (philosophy)
Tags: Ransom Noble
Visit Brain Cells and Bubble Wrap – and remember to leave your email address in a comment – for the beginning.
A lot of people ask me about my name [Ransom Noble], since Vivian brought it up. Some mention the unusual qualities. Others wonder why anyone would choose a pen name, rather than publishing under the given or legal name.
In my head, I still dream like I did as a little girl – of having my books on the shelves in the bookstores. Not once during this dream did those books ever have my legal name on them. Perhaps that sounds weird to most of you, but that was my dream. It still is… but now the books all have the name Ransom Noble on them.
What makes a great choice? Something I’m willing to stick with. This pen name is a brand – it has an audience and for promotion that is what I use. I’m glad it works for most writers to use their real names. I’ve just never been one to follow the crowd.
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19 May 2009 at 11:18 (Books, Writing)
Tags: description, physical senses, smell, Writing
Often, as writers, we’re told to write what we know. It makes me wonder, though, about things we think we know or don’t know. Missing a sense does not preclude one from undertaking the written word – even braille can be translated for sighted people.
But do the blind writers show the same sights to the reader? Can a deaf writer make the reader hear things in the story? Are smell and/or taste also subjected to the same rules?
I’ve been thinking about my book, and I am pretty sure I never mention a single smell in it. Why? I smell almost nothing. My recent pregnancy showed me there was a world out there full of scents that are beyond my daily reach (which promptly disappeared after the baby arrived). Most people I know take this for granted – some even find it as an annoyance when faced with particularly strong aromas like perfume.
Recently I rode in a car with a couple sensitive-nosed women and another who wore perfume. I remained unaware through the entire ride there was perfume present. Only during (late) pregnancy did I smell things like dishsoap while washing dishes, the dirty dishrag that needed to be changed, and the laundry aisle in the grocery store.
I’ll remember all those new scents for a time, but what happens when the memory fades? Will I remember enough to write scents into the story? It’s such a struggle for me to remember things smell anyway. I know flowers do, not so much from personal experience but by social acclimation. People speak about the smells of certain things: flowers, perfume/cologne, manure, babies.
When I read, sometimes I think about lacking senses and the authors behind the work – but I admit it doesn’t come up much. Do you ever wonder about the author and the descriptions used? I struggle so much to include smell lately. I know it’s a weakness.
Remember the blog tour starts tomorrow! Don’t miss it.
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