I WANT YOUR SKULL!!!

I have a Misfits song stuck in my head. I just drank lemonade that's only 3% juice (mmm...high fructose corn syrup...). And I'm currently sitting at my laptop, trying to edit my novel. I'm at a crucial point in the narrative where the normal world and the supernatural have finally crossed paths. This was an area I struggled--that transition, the identity of the novel, the place where it turns from contemporary romance to my MC's twisted path towards the afterlife. I think I finally have things in place. I've shaved the excess, laid the foundation and we're slowly plodding along. The pieces seem to fit together better, now that I've figured out which ones needed to go. I guess this is where I have a moment of reflection, because this is so different from the piece I originally showed to my critique group a year ago. In a good way.

New Adult Books: Part One

When I first heard about New Adult as a book category I was excited. I'd been having a tough time classifying my own work--which has a young, casual voice similar to YA, but clearly isn't meant for younger readers--and to me, this felt like a perfect fit. So what is NA? Basically it covers that transitional time right after high school. Characters are facing 'new' firsts--new job, living away from home, going to college, serious relationships, maybe even getting married. (Rather than regurgitate an entire definition of what New Adult is, I'll refer you to http://www.naalley.com/p/about.html -- they've got a great collection of resources and info on the subject.)

So needless to say, I've been keeping tabs on the whole movement. It's funny the amount of resistance I've noticed from skeptics, particularly with regards to whether or not this should be a legit category. I've seen it referred to as a fad, or a niche group that will only appeal to a really small audience. I've seen the excuse thrown around that twenty-somethings don't read, therefore this is a pointless endeavor. Or that it's just YA with sex added to it so that it'll appeal to an older audience.

It seems to me (and maybe I'm just more attuned to it now) that NA continues to grow steadily. There are book clubs, groups, and blogs cropping up that cater to NA readers and writers. I mean, look at some of the top selling NA authors--take Jamie McGuire for example-- it's pretty clear there is an audience for these types of books.

I see so many possibilities, and think we're really just hitting the tip of the iceberg as far as what NA can be. So is it a fad? I don't think so. NA is finding an audience, so it must be resonating with readers on some level...obviously these books wouldn't be selling if it didn't. I think it is still evolving and growing, particularly as authors in different genres jump into the mix, and I will be interested to see which direction it takes.

Reading it all, ranting at some

I talk a lot about writing, but I'm also a voracious reader. Sometimes I'll down 2-3 books per week. To me, the ebook was the BEST INVENTION EVER. Seriously. You can carry a whole library on one little device. You can find virtually any book online, purchase it, and have it in seconds. And if you read a lot, that's convenient. 

As a soon to be author with a small press, I understand a little about the challenges a new writer faces in getting their work out there. I try to support new, small press and indie authors by buying their books, and I've discovered some great stories that way. That being said, I've also read a fair amount that was just plain awful. This is where the rant comes in. I have read so many stories lately that were littered with grammatical errors, riddled with cliches, tense and POV shifts, underdeveloped characters and just plain shoddy storytelling. These were books that were aggressively marketed by other writers that I've seen. People with thousands of Facebook likes and Twitter followers who have really impressive media platforms that make me say WOW--this person has their shit together. Then I read their work and I'm like...um, what?  

I don't want to come across as a snarky bitch. I'm not a snob. I don't claim to know everything there is about writing. I'll read most any genre, I'll try anything new, I'll give anything a chance...and as long as it's a reasonably well-written book with good characters and an interesting story, I'm entertained.

Authors, please please PLEASE do yourselves a favor and:

a) Learn your craft. Seriously. Grammar, sentence structure, plot...all of it. KEEP learning it. Even if you've published, you should be constantly finding ways to improve. Good writing has a certain flow to it. Good storytelling is an art form. I know that feeling you get when you complete a novel length work--it's like a writer's high. It is a huge accomplishment you should be proud of. BUT...it's not finished, not even close. 

 2) Hire a competent editor...or at least some critiquers & beta readers who are both sharp and honest. This kind of goes with the above. After reading your own story over and over again, you're not likely to catch errors. And you are not going to recognize areas that a potential reader might find confusing or unclear because you already know what happens and why. You need honest feedback and to keep an open mind when receiving it. Join a critique group, take some courses, workshop the fuck out of your story--and I'm not talking friends and family who will tell you house awesome it is, I'm talking about people who are willing to rip your work to shreds--point out any possible plot whole, flat character, cliche, error that they can find. 

c) Find a cover artist with graphic design knowledge. Even if you go with a pre-made cover because that's all your budget allows. It's all about being a professional and presenting a professional looking product. Speaking as someone who has an artistic background, I will say I'm very turned off by poorly done covers, and unless I know the person, I will not buy it.  

 This is YOUR product. Indie should not equal amateur. Don't be so blinded by your desire to see your name in print (or ebook) that you rush to get it out there when it's not ready.  /rant.

 

Checking in...

I'm attempting to post from my Kindle Fire (my laptop has been hijacked...) so if you hear any swearing, I apologize. ^·^

So I posted last month how my first novel has been accepted for publication. I've spent the past few weeks working on some revisions. It has been scary and exciting at the same time. This piece was workshopped to death with my critique group before i submitted it anywhere, but I knew going in that no matter where it found a home, changes would still need to be made. Overall I have a good feeling with the initial revisions I've turned in and think we're headed in the right direction. More to come soon...

Writing...Revising...In the Mood

I'm trying to nail the feeling of this scene. Writing has not come easily today, so I needed a playlist with some balls. It makes no sense, it doesn't really fit together, but, hey...it makes me happy ;)

Skulls The Misfits
Bloodshed The Bruisers
Nihilism Rancid
False Hope The Unseen
Borstal Breakout Sham 69
The Crowd Operation Ivy
Sick Boys Social Distortion
Die,Die My Darling The Misfits
No Feelings Sex Pistols
Intimidation The Bruisers
The Kids Will Have No Say Kings of Nuthin'
Dead Generation Cockney Rejects
Cold Feelings Social Distortion
Timebomb Rancid
Shit out of Luck Kings of Nuthin'
Bodies Sex Pistols
Caution Operation Ivy
I am the One Rancid
Backstreet Girl Social Distortion

Now, to get to work...

Evil Dead...

I'm not sure what to think of this, but since I haven't actually seen the new movie yet, well, take this with a grain of salt. From the trailer it looks like they're going for shock and gore. These things have their place in horror movies, of course, but my fear is that if you remove them, all that's left behind is a weak ass story. Is this the case here? I don't know, obviously, because I haven't seen it yet (yes, I just repeated myself!)

http://www.evildead-movie.com/?hs308=EVD6186

The original was, let's face it--bad and unintentionally cheesy ...yet it spawned Evil Dead 2 and Army of Darkness, which have become cult horror movie classics. How can you top Bruce Campbell spouting bad one liners while he wields a chainsaw where his hand used to be? You can't. So that was why I had mixed feelings when I first heard of this remake. I will, however, watch it, and reserve full judgement until then.

Doing a Little Happy Dance

Okay, maybe not literally, because that would just be silly. My novel 'Living Dead Girl' (working title) now has a home with Etopia press. Thanks to everyone who gave their feedback on this project. Details to come!