30 July 2009 at 08:46 (Books, Publishing, promotion)
Tags: author appearance, bookstore, open house
I made another attempt to get an appearance at Prairie Lights in Iowa City. I’m making progress, but the lady isn’t very enthusiastic about it.
Mom talked about one that was ‘very successful’ that had a party attached to it. An open house wouldn’t be too difficult, if only I knew where to have one and what to do.
I’m curious, so I’m posing the question to my readers: What do you look for in an author appearance? What would bring you in, make you stay, and – more important in the store’s eyes – buy the book?
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29 July 2009 at 08:38 (Writing, philosophy)
Tags: emotional impact, story
Do you ever go back and read your own stories and still feel the same impact as the first time you wrote it?
Is it a thing about the writer to move yourself to laughter or tears? Is that when you know you’ve hit your audience?
I sent a particular story to a friend – I told her I cried while I wrote it. She said she cried while reading it and I called us both hormonal. (Sorry, friend!) But if that same passage keeps moving me to tears, and others as well, perhaps it isn’t just the hormones.
Now how do I keep that up?
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27 July 2009 at 10:48 (Science, Technology)
Northwestern University is using nanodiamonds to deliver insulin to fight infection and heal wounds. Perhaps they’re not just a girl’s best friend anymore? Just kidding, nanodiamonds would never be visible or good for resale. Read about it here.
It’s actually very interesting to have new ways to beat infection. Nanodiamonds are something I haven’t heard of. I might have to do some research to figure out what else they could be used for!
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26 July 2009 at 14:37 (philosophy)
Oh, you have to love the classics. Some friends and I watched this movie yesterday (somehow, amid screaming children, one of which was mine). We watched the whole thing, including the intermission, credits, entrance and exit music. They just don’t make them like they used to.
We saw the huge sets and commented about how many actors they had to employ as extras for some of those scenes. How different when we can add them in by computer.
Still thinking about it – can’t wait until we see Scarlett.
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25 July 2009 at 08:07 (Writing, philosophy)
Tags: fictional objects, imagine, speculative fiction
I play video games sometimes. They’re silly brainy games – Brain Age (1 and 2) and Big Brain Academy. One of them asked me to contemplate fictional objects. “Imagine a cat. Imagine a ladder. Now imagine a cat ladder. Was it furry?”
I guess it’s good for the brain to think about stuff like that. Imagine things that don’t exist (at least, not yet).
So is it good for the brain to create speculative fiction worlds? It seems like we’d have an advantage with all that.
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24 July 2009 at 09:24 (Technology, Writing)
Tags: mindola, novel writing software, supernotecard
Another one? Yes, there must be about fifteen million different software adds to write novels. Check out Super Note Card.
While this might help me learn to use actual note cards, I find it’s difficult to replace the feel of paper note cards. I don’t use them often, or very well, but I want to. Does that count?
I use my computer to do most of my notes, but I’m still learning to organize my thoughts better for my projects. I think I’ll write a book about how not to write a novel – but only because I seem to know more about that than how to do it the ‘proper’ way. Still, if it works for me…
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23 July 2009 at 08:33 (philosophy)
Tags: process of writing
The title of this book made me think. I’ll be reviewing it when I finish.
Do you think about the process you go through to write? It doesn’t usually seem simple. Every different type of writing has a different process – or does it?
Not that I’m often trying different types. Mostly I stick to fiction. Short stories and novels are similar enough. It’s just interesting to think of them all lumped together – fiction, nonfiction, essays, short stories, articles.
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22 July 2009 at 08:38 (Technology, philosophy)
Tags: art, stereotyped engineers, Technology
We watched Dilbert the series – the episode with the Blue Duck.
I love the stereotypes when shown in a humorous way. Engineers are not supposed to know about art. The appreciation of art is supposed to be beyond them.
Dogbert has the idea better than anyone. Tell people what they want and then sell it to them.
Do you ever wonder if it’s that easy with art? My character, Janie, from The Art of Science might be disappointed if it’s true.
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21 July 2009 at 08:15 (Writing)
Tags: character, then what, what if
Speculative fiction is based on what if. All it takes is one small question to begin the process. What if?
It’s after that – the process of building the then what’s that really builds the world from the writer’s mind. The then what’s nail down the particulars. After that, a story shines through.
But don’t think I’m advocating a story about a thing- stories are about people. The character must change; that is the beauty of story.
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20 July 2009 at 08:07 (Science)
Tags: crazy, engineers, scientists
Or, perhaps this one is about Geek Unappeal… Read 4 ways to drive scientists mad here.
I think engineers are just as bad. Of course, they have the upper hand, since it’s much easier for them to drive the rest of the people crazy. Think about it! They are imaginative enough to spell words hundreds of ways, rather than just one. They get so technical they can drive the fun out of things. They also make you feel silly for not knowing what those buttons on your calculator do.
How would I know? Oh, didn’t I mention that engineering degree getting dusty on the shelf?
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