As a writer, it's incredibly frustrating. We take pride in the words we use and the way we use them. But sometimes we forget the most important point: the message.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Communication
Spider hole. That was what I called the picture (in Japanese) of a funnel web. I don't speak Japanese, but thanks to Google translate and the internet, I can communicate. In fact, some of the people I talk to the most live on the other side of the world. It's a humbling experience. There are a lot of things I can't say. Everything has to be simplified, and it can take a long time to say what I mean. Even then, I have to hope I didn't mess up.
As a writer, it's incredibly frustrating. We take pride in the words we use and the way we use them. But sometimes we forget the most important point: the message.
As a writer, it's incredibly frustrating. We take pride in the words we use and the way we use them. But sometimes we forget the most important point: the message.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Writing Stuff and Ranma
I got a lot done this week, story wise. Mostly it was editing: I got through the pile, including the gay erotica, and realized that a lot of them need a lot more work than I expected. This is frustrating, since it means I can't do the computer edits and submit them in a week, but on the plus side I have a stockpile of stories whenever a new magazine/anthology comes out. Before, I wrote stories specifically for markets (which I still love), but it's nice to have a safety net. I also submitted two stories, on old one and one brand new one. The other new story I wrote, "Sacrifice", is waiting for August ; ) The story was a risky one, for me. While I don't shy away from controversy, I also don't court it. I have to be in the mood to write something "edgy" and it isn't always something you can plan for. The original plot for "Sacrifice" was much tamer, and I'm really happy that it ended up the way it did. I love these characters, and I can't help but hope that I get to see them again some day.
In other news, there are one and a half months left to enter my Grand Contest! Based on comments, I think people are going to need it. It seems that people are intimidated by how many Ranma pictures I already have. In addition, there is some confusion over which one is Ranma and which one is Show-yan. I went to find a picture of the two of them together, and realized that they actually don't stand in close proximity to each other than often.
They're both on the left. Show-yan is in the back, Ranma is in the front.
In other news, there are one and a half months left to enter my Grand Contest! Based on comments, I think people are going to need it. It seems that people are intimidated by how many Ranma pictures I already have. In addition, there is some confusion over which one is Ranma and which one is Show-yan. I went to find a picture of the two of them together, and realized that they actually don't stand in close proximity to each other than often.
They're both on the left. Show-yan is in the back, Ranma is in the front.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Shorts
I'm editing this week, which makes me want to write, which I'm not supposed to do because I'm editing. Today I did paper edits on two short stories, one that has already been accepted and one that needs more work before I can submit it. I have a stack of other short stories that need my attention, and I'll get to as many of them as I can this week. There's no rush, but I do want more stories out in submission land (or at least ready for submission land) before I edit THE B-TEAM. I really miss Fuji. He's one of my favorite characters, and writing about him makes me think of Japan.
But first I have shorts to edit. And maybe some gay erotica, though I already have several of those that are ready to be submitted. Which reminds me, the four gay anthologies I am in are now all available for purchase on Amazon, including "The Handsome Prince"(Cleis Press), which you can win if you send me the best picture of Ranma. The other anthologies are:
1. Rock & Roll Over (STARbooks Press)
2. Gym Buddies & Buff Boys (STARbooks Press)
3. Brief Encounters (Cleis Press)
But first I have shorts to edit. And maybe some gay erotica, though I already have several of those that are ready to be submitted. Which reminds me, the four gay anthologies I am in are now all available for purchase on Amazon, including "The Handsome Prince"(Cleis Press), which you can win if you send me the best picture of Ranma. The other anthologies are:
1. Rock & Roll Over (STARbooks Press)
2. Gym Buddies & Buff Boys (STARbooks Press)
3. Brief Encounters (Cleis Press)
Friday, July 8, 2011
Meme, by Sin!
K.V. Taylor tagged me, and I'm happy to avoid making a real entry ; )
1. Are you a rutabaga?
No, but thank you for asking : )
2. When was the last time you ate lion meat?
I'm sorry, I'm not into beastiality.
3. Upload a heartwarming picture of something that makes you smile.
4. If you could go back in time and kick the crap out of someone, who would it be?
Dude, I'm a Buddhist.
5. Name one habit that makes other people plot your demise.
I talk too much. It doesn't help that very few people (in the states) share my interests, and I inflict them on Ying's friends, who now know way more about Japanese rock than they ever wanted to.
6. What song would you like to be playing while you are kicking the crap out of someone?
7. How many goats, stacked atop one another like Yertle’s Turtles, would it take to reach the moon?
Enough to reach the moon.
8. Describe yourself using obscure Latin words.
I don't know any obscure latin words. Would you settle for Cantonese swear words?
9. Why does evil exist?
To give people a reason to freak out over rock music.
10. What the chiz are you thinking right now?
The same things I usually think about: Asian men and coffee.
And now to tag : )
1. Danielle Ferries
2. KISSES IN SPAIN
3. Brendan P. Meyers
4. WD Prescott
5. Barry Napier
11. Pick a funny nickname for number 1.
I'm trying to think of one involving "The Castle of Otranto", without making her sound cursed. Danielle, any thoughts?
12. Make up a Haiku about number 2 (I don't do rhymes, even though I just accidentally made one).
Guys in Kishidan
I forget which you like best
Think of them naked
13. Where would number 3 hide in the event of the apocalypse?
That depends on the nature of the apocalypse. You don't hide the same way from zombies that you do from floods.
14. Where does number 4 purchase his pants?
Insert funny answer. The coffee hasn't kicked in yet!
15. What would number 5′s favorite dance move be?
The Dragon Dance
1. Are you a rutabaga?
No, but thank you for asking : )
2. When was the last time you ate lion meat?
I'm sorry, I'm not into beastiality.
3. Upload a heartwarming picture of something that makes you smile.
4. If you could go back in time and kick the crap out of someone, who would it be?
Dude, I'm a Buddhist.
5. Name one habit that makes other people plot your demise.
I talk too much. It doesn't help that very few people (in the states) share my interests, and I inflict them on Ying's friends, who now know way more about Japanese rock than they ever wanted to.
6. What song would you like to be playing while you are kicking the crap out of someone?
7. How many goats, stacked atop one another like Yertle’s Turtles, would it take to reach the moon?
Enough to reach the moon.
8. Describe yourself using obscure Latin words.
I don't know any obscure latin words. Would you settle for Cantonese swear words?
9. Why does evil exist?
To give people a reason to freak out over rock music.
10. What the chiz are you thinking right now?
The same things I usually think about: Asian men and coffee.
And now to tag : )
1. Danielle Ferries
2. KISSES IN SPAIN
3. Brendan P. Meyers
4. WD Prescott
5. Barry Napier
11. Pick a funny nickname for number 1.
I'm trying to think of one involving "The Castle of Otranto", without making her sound cursed. Danielle, any thoughts?
12. Make up a Haiku about number 2 (I don't do rhymes, even though I just accidentally made one).
Guys in Kishidan
I forget which you like best
Think of them naked
13. Where would number 3 hide in the event of the apocalypse?
That depends on the nature of the apocalypse. You don't hide the same way from zombies that you do from floods.
14. Where does number 4 purchase his pants?
Insert funny answer. The coffee hasn't kicked in yet!
15. What would number 5′s favorite dance move be?
The Dragon Dance
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Self Abuse
I finished the story that took me two weeks to finish. I even thought of a title, changed a character's name, and edited it. All this left me very, very stressed as evidenced by the fact that I haven't been able to sleep since. I had a long weekend, but it wasn't very restful but thankfully we didn't do any yard work, I think that would have killed me. Now I can hold on to the story for another month, until THE RED PENNY PAPERS opens for short fiction subs. Which begs the question, why bothering writing and editing it in two weeks? I have no idea. All I know is that I would have gone crazy if I didn't keep writing. I still went crazy, but as any writer will tell you there's no way around that.
In other news, I'm ready to edit "The B-Team", the horror novella I wrote last year. My plan is to get "The B-Team" and "OCEAN" edited/published before I move on to my novels. I had very specific soundtracks for each novella, a best of Elvis CD and "FISH & PEACE (Gyoko), respectively. But first, I'm going to write another short story : )
In other news, I'm ready to edit "The B-Team", the horror novella I wrote last year. My plan is to get "The B-Team" and "OCEAN" edited/published before I move on to my novels. I had very specific soundtracks for each novella, a best of Elvis CD and "FISH & PEACE (Gyoko), respectively. But first, I'm going to write another short story : )
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