legon

Valley girls

2006-07-09T10:34:27Z

Many people ask how I know which reviewers to trust and which to avoid. It's a matter of experience and trial and error, really. Most reviewers can offer something, sometimes; it's a matter of sorting the wheat from the chaff.

What you want to avoid are Valley Girl types and Needy types.

How to recognise Valley Girls?

1) They are out to win Miss popularity.
2) They are generally adolescent, though they can carry their adolescentness into long future years. They are the types who carry on with the behaviours that earned them the title Miss popularity in the first place. Some take a long time to discard these behaviours. Some never do. They will generally try to endear themselves with 'cutesy baby language' to their adoring public. (Using 'secrit' instead of secret, 'loff' instead of love, using 'squeee' etc etc. Basically using a lot of nonsensical made-up words to generate an image of cuteness is a clear identifier.)
3) Their writing lacks depth or research. Example: One had a scene with a Princess eating chocolate cake on her bed with her Lady in Waiting. Seriously! I'm not joking! Other stories showed similar unrealistic scenarios.
4) They love everything they review, because they have no real background or experience to offer up constructive criticism.
5) They follow the pack, agreeing with reviewers they consider their peers, rather than making their own judgements. (This last is not so bad given their lack of judgement as evidenced by their writing)

Why should you avoid them?

1) If you try to review them, you can only offer basic reviews that address grammar and punctuation, because they are not mature enough to understand in-depth reviews. In the chocolate cake example I actually went to great depth in a review stating why this was implausible. (Another reviewer sent me an email saying congratulations on writing that review. He said he'd wanted to, but was too afraid of hurting the writer's feelings.) Therein lies my point. When a writer is at that level, how do you review them? You can be assured that they have gathered about them a good number of adoring reviewers who want to be positive and encouraging. Some of these reviewers might even be good reviewers to other more experienced writers. But they seem to lose the plot when it comes to reviewing the Valley Girl. They like her because she's so cute and adorable and don't want to hurt her feelings. So they never confront her with the fact her stories don't smell of roses. Quite the opposite. Which leaves reviewers who actually want to give hard constructive advice out in the cold. Their advice will be ignored, because their comments have been outweighed by a stream of positive, non-confrontationalist reviews. It's a no-win situation. The reviewer is wasting their time because the Valley Girl will dismiss non-glowing reviews. The Valley Girl loses, because she will continue to write sub-par stories and then wonder why she can't number a swathe of adoring agents and publishers among her adoring throng. An agent recently told me, age is important when deciding on taking on new authors. They are looking for life experience and maturity, generally 35 years and upward. Valley Girl might have a shot at it then, if she grows up and discards her useless adoring throng who are actually holding her back.

On Needy types.

These are much like Valley Girls, but can come in any age. In fact, many unfortunately fall into the 35 and over age group. They also need an adoring throng supporting them, and need endless (and I mean endless) streams of encouragement.

Don't even dream of giving them a constructive critical review. They won't listen. They will go rushing to cry to their support group. Who of course will tell them how wonderful they are.

Often they are very good writers. One for example could do outstanding characterisation, but could not for life or money pull a novel together into a cohesive whole. They got to a certain point, then started a circular pattern of recreating their primary characters in secondary characters who appeared midway in the story, and suddenly the book was about the new characters and the original characters basically fell out of the plot. (This happened in every story this writer wrote, and often the same basic plot was recycled.) Nothing was resolved and the reader was left totally unsatisfied by the end. Reviewers were left gnashing teeth, because often the solution to making these books work was obvious, but again, when the writer has an adoring throng telling them that every word is gold, the writer won't listen to the lone wolf. To their cost. (In this scenario, another wonderful published writer actually agreed with every point the lone wolf made, but refused to tell the writer because they knew the writer was not ready to hear constructive criticism or solutions that meant chucking out half a book's worth of draft. Needy writers regard this as negative. Trust me, chucking out reams of slaved-over words is sometimes the most positive thing you can do.)

So, as with the Valley Girl, you will waste your time with Needy writers because they may never be in a frame of mind to listen. Certainly not while they have adoring reviewers to shore them up.

On reviewing - they again fall into the non-critical type. They tend to err to the positive and avoid constructive criticism.

I shall finish on a positive note. There are a lot of good reviewers, you just have to find them. Not every reviewer can address every point. But I can often find gold amongst a pile of chaff-like comments.

It may take you several years to identify good reviewers, so try not to alienate reviewers who give your writing hell. Sure, some of them may be barking up the wrong tree. Some of them might be spot on. You may not be in the best position to judge.

If you find everyone loves you work - either start worrying really fast, or get it out to an agent/publisher fast.

Ending fact - No matter how much everyone loves your work, if it ain't published . . .

Think about it.

Getting there

2006-03-14T07:47:50Z

On the uphill slide of finishing book 2

Made inroads into book 2

Book 3 is in hiatus.

Book 7 I'll worry about later.

I made Veren cry.

I made the King cry.

I'm tired.

You know you are in trouble when . . .

2006-02-19T02:20:41Z

You keep starting to write one chapter, and instead write a bunch of others.

I know the chapter of how Charis learns magic is a pain, but I didn't realise subliminally I just didn't want to write it.

So I've written everything around it - totally NOT in the order I imagined it to be - sadly - it works, but there is NO SUBTLETY to it at all.

And I wanted Charis to think Myrrhye was the bees knees, but every time there is a scene with them in it Charis is going "Mean, mean Myrrhye, I hate you."

I wanted to show a subtle relationship shift, but Charis went in all guns blazing from the moment they met, and now she's just learned of Myrrhye's plans for Areme so that's GOT to endear Myrrhye even LESS to her.

I can't win.

And I still haven't written the 'how to learn magic in one easy chapter' chapter. . .

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

And Merien did a Haen and just TOTALLY disappeared.

He becomes pivotal in the second half, but I didn't do his pov in the first half at all - not sure if that is a mistake. The book is mainly supposed to be Charis and Areme, but Merien, Roedan and Sarrouen are also pivotal. And of course Hessard decided he likes page time - grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Garoooooo

2006-02-13T10:29:07Z

I'm not even going to explain the title, except that I reduce to a puddle of twitters whenever I use it in the book.

"Garoooooo . . . "

Mary Sue

2006-01-27T23:01:38Z

hehehe - Although they didn't quite manage to be Mary Sue's, they tried real hard by acing this criteria.

Does the character save the day and/or another character's life?

YEP

Through magical/mystical intervention?

YEP

Through dying?

YEP

Does everyone go into mourning?

Depends who you mean by everyone

Does s/he get not-dead by the end of the story? In the sequel?

YEP

Do you plan to write many more stories revolving around this character?

YEP - or at least finish the ones I've started.

Totally Incensed!!!

2006-01-23T08:44:32Z

They BANNED Brokeback Mountain!

BANNED IT!!!

Only 1 cinema is showing it for 1 day and I have to sit on an effing train for 5 hours so I can see it!

What happened to anti - discrimination laws?

Areme's Song

2006-01-20T21:13:57Z

For Deeper than Black, Ascension and Shades of Grey.

If I could be where you are.

Enya

© 2005 Warner Music Intl.

Where are you this moment?
only in my dreams.
You're missing, but you're always
a heartbeat from me.
I'm lost now without you,
I don't know where you are.
I keep watching, I keep hoping,
but time keeps us apart

Is there a way I can find you,
is there a sign I should know,
is there a road I could follow
to bring you back home?

Winter lies before me
now you're so far away.
In the darkness of my dreaming
the light of you will stay

If I could be close beside you
If I could be where you are
If I could reach out and touch you
and bring you back home
Is there a way I can find you
Is there a sign I should know
Is there a road I could follow
to bring you back home to me

Go Read This

2006-01-15T06:41:57Z

I couldn't get past the yodelling, truly.

http://misssnark.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_misssnark_archive.html#113633015477126111

On Desks and Dummy spits

2006-01-14T21:32:18Z

Lost a whole day's writing and critting due to having to self-assemble a new computer desk.

And then the modem wouldn't play when all that was sorted out.

Now I have to self-assemble a book case - GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Self-assembly and me are not on good terms.

Daemon thingies

2006-01-13T22:12:45Z

Because I am technologically challenged - this is as close as I got.

EAGLE or HAWK - your daemon may be some kind of
bird of prey. Yours is a strong spirit, and a
fierce sense of liberty. You cannot be
confined. You may be shrewdly observant, and
like to be aware of everything that goes on
around you. You will fight fiercely for the
things that are most important to you, and you
are definitely a force to be reckoned with.
Still, you are not vicious by nature and would
prefer to be left in peace. You probably value
your solitude very highly - not that you don't
enjoy company, but sometimes you just need to
be alone - otherwise you begin to feel caged in
and confined. You might want to take a drive on
your own, just to feel the road beneath you, or
to sit alone on your balcony, watching the
world go by.

What Is Your Daemon?
brought to you by Quizilla

Newbies!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH

2006-01-13T20:45:57Z

Don't you HATE them!!! Especially when they KNOW NOTHING!!!!

My favourite line from the latest totally clueless member of OWW was along the lines of - there are too many characters for such a short story.

SHORT STORY!!! WTF!!!

I instantly went to see if I'd done false advertising - and - no - it was a CHAPTER!!!

Grumbles as she types a please NEVER crit my work again email.......(to date - I think that is my tenth in three years)

Lightning, Lee and Love

2006-01-11T08:21:06Z

Having a major storm here. Lots of thunder and lightning.

Got my new computer table.

Fell in love with Lee Williams all over again while watching Wolves Of Kromer.

Finished the rewrite of the Ascension battle and reposted on OWW - but of course no one will crit it, just read.

Must find a leather working course so I can start the leather covers. Must start painting of Lee Williams. Sigh

Olivier's theme song from all the books - Incomplete - Back Street Boys

Birthday presents

2006-01-11T02:33:28Z

I wanted to send Lee Williams the middle trilogy for his birthday. But of course the lack of crits makes it impossible - big sigh. He's a writer and artist too, so it has to be more impeccable when it goes to him than if I send it anywhere else.

At any rate, I intend to send him the entire 9 books next year and sign over the copyright to him. (That's after I have self-published the 100 leather-bound copies of each book for myself)

He's my muse and he deserves it.

And it gets it out of my hair.

I have plans for a new horse which will take up all my time for the next 10-15 years, and I doubt I'll miss writing after I say goodbye to 2006.

Everyone said I'd miss the theatre after I gave that up and I never did, but I do miss jumping on a class horse. And writing seriously interferes with horses who deserve 100% of my time.

I want the good old days back, of being petrified when walking a x-country course and being exhilarated when my horse has aced it. Of riding a perfect dressage test. I want my life back.

legon @ 2006-01-09T20:24:00

2006-01-09T09:29:01Z

I found a picture of Merien.

Spookily he is identical in facial structure to Lee Williams (Olivier) and is also gay - go figure.

A singer called Antony from Antony and the Johnsons.

http://www.antonyandthejohnsons.com/antony/antony.html

Having fun confusing all the reader OWWers!

Won't finish Ascension now till April or May, maybe later. Won't post any of the hot ending stuff on OWW, especially Aurion turning into a unicorn because I don''t see why readers should get to see the whizbang stuff. They can either crit or pay I say! Stands on pedestal and shakes fist!!!

Of course it all depends on how long the novel trade people take to get through FS and DTB and up to the battle in Ascension. I've only got ch 81 to rewrite, but since it is a battle chapter we all know how long I will procrastinate on THAT!

Meantime, I'm simultaneously rewriting DMR and writing HL - Finally onto the HOT stuff in that. Merien's being a pain - I anticipate quite a few rewrites before I nail him. He's being a tad too forthright when i want him to be a snivelling mess (must be his Jaen side coming out).

There's a LOT of intense characters in it, and they are ALL being demanding and shoving the plot around to suit themselves. Even the King is demanding quality time!! Sheesh! I don't know how long I can put him off.

Double GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

2006-01-08T09:05:44Z

Another effing reader!!!

Where does it end?

With a comment - 'rather a lot compared to what I've seen of your other work

- is this an early draft?'

Helloooooooooooo. This person has NEVER critted my work yet can compare this chapter to my OTHER WORK???

WTF????

I'm starting to seriously think about pulling EVERYTHING of OWW.

I SO do not think it is funny!!!

And I needed detailed crits on Ascension, not first draft el crapola.

Totally Gutted

2006-01-05T20:25:25Z

I sat all evening in the dark listening to this song and crying. And I know whose song it is now - it is Jaen's. It is TOTALLY Jaen's. And I suddenly realised, the middle trilogy is totally his too, despite others saying it is Olivier's or Areme's, even Orlanda's.

This song has left me utterly devastated. It is everything Jaen would say to Olivier, and I can't get that feeling into the long goodbye death sequence. Maybe when he comes back and haunts Olivier...

Readers - GRRRRRRRRRR

2006-01-04T09:26:57Z

I've pulled Ascension off OWW due to several emails I got in the last week from people who have been reading it but not critting.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

If they want to read it they can damned well pay for it.

Fortunately there were only 7 more chapters and I think they are mostly OK.

So I'm moving on with first draft rubbish that I'll mix up the posting order on OWW with incorrect ch numbers just to confuse those annoying beasties.

I admit - I thought I'd shaken them off a while ago - seems not.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Goodbye, My Lover

2006-01-04T09:14:30Z

THIS is Olivier's and Jaen's theme song. THIS and nothing else. Except for the obvious female lines, it might have been written for them, and listening to it has me crying everytime I hear it because the rendition is painful angst.

If only I could get this intensity of pain into the death sequence, because this song says it all.

James Blunt - Back to Bedlam

Goodbye My Lover lyrics

Did I disappoint you or let you down?
Should I be feeling guilty or let the judges frown?
'Cause I saw the end before we'd begun,
Yes I saw you were blinded and I knew I had won.
So I took what's mine by eternal right.
Took your soul out into the night.
It may be over but it won't stop there,
I am here for you if you'd only care.
You touched my heart you touched my soul.
You changed my life and all my goals.
And love is blind and that I knew when,
My heart was blinded by you.
I've kissed your lips and held your head.
Shared your dreams and shared your bed.
I know you well, I know your smell.
I've been addicted to you.

Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

I am a dreamer but when I wake,
You can't break my spirit - it's my dreams you take.
And as you move on, remember me,
Remember us and all we used to be
I've seen you cry, I've seen you smile.
I've watched you sleeping for a while.
I'd be the father of your child.
I'd spend a lifetime with you.
I know your fears and you know mine.
We've had our doubts but now we're fine,
And I love you, I swear that's true.
I cannot live without you.

Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

And I still hold your hand in mine.
In mine when I'm asleep.
And I will bear my soul in time,
When I'm kneeling at your feet.
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.
I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.
I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.

Reviewers

2005-12-17T09:13:43Z

I have reviewed 3 entire books online where I only ever got a handful of reviews back. Looking at their critting history, they never crit anyone, so that is my bad for not taking note of that before.

But they have the nerve to promise reviews............go figure

AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH

2005-12-17T08:48:19Z

Finished the battle. Doubt it makes any sense, but what the hell!

I have revised it 5 times.

I hate battles.

Tomorrow I will start looking at DMR to see how truly sucky it is.

BAD GUYS

2005-12-17T01:19:41Z

Sue said the following: 'Maraid is truly only trying to do 'good' and, like Myrrhye will slaughter anyone who stands in his way.'

I am going to frame this - it SO encapsulates the whole Horse Lords series, where EVERYONE is trying to do good, but slaughtering everyone who gets in the way!

Someone told me I am lacking a BAD GUY - Who needs a bad guy when the GOOD guys manage to wreak more carnage than any bad guy could HOPE to accomplish!

Wet Kookaburras

2005-12-16T22:52:00Z

I love the smell of wet kookaburra in the morning.

They both turned up. One is extra beaky - meaning he likes to grab all my fingers when he scoffs mince. No manners.

I like the way they chortle - saying - hurry up, where's the food? As well as stalking me from room to room in the house. They land on the windowsills, glaring at me for food.

Since I am married to Legon, Linda, you can have Areme, but only if you want a seriously pissed-off Orlanda on your case. And trust me, she's seriously scary when she is pissed off!

I actually thought about Areme turning up at my door, seriously pissed off, in a cold calculating sort of way, and telling me to keep out of his effing life. He's very scary. Are you sure you want him? Legon is SO MUCH NICER!

If I had my pick of all my male characters, I think Riordehr would be 'the one'. He is HEAT INCARNATE.

Burnout

2005-12-15T10:34:30Z

Totally burned out with Ascension (not to mention finished) so I will start posting DMR next week on OWW at about ch 7. Just the new stuff because I know everyone is totally bored with the opening having seen it more times than a stick can be shaken at it. grin

I'll print Ascension tomorrow and ship it off to my faithful test readers. Hopefully the battle and overall plot will hold together so that they do not dissolve into hysterical fits of laughter!

HL is shaping up into something special. I'll be posting chapters out of order sporadically, just to confuse the 'readers' on OWW who never crit. I have to admit - that is rather tiresome.

I've started my cover art. Must have it completed by mid 2006 and my website done. Now to find some hunky SCA guys.....

Xmas trees

2005-12-14T09:46:43Z

Put up the Xmas tree.

Did Xmas shopping for St Vinnies - sketch pad and water colour pencil set and artist equipment. The brief was to buy for a teen. Hope their is an arty teen on the list.

Sulphur crested cockatoo appeared to have a war with the king parrots, the rosellas, the wattle birds and the crested pigeons. Even the kookaburra turned up for hand feeding.

Only the currawongs were absent, but they turned up yesterday and fought with the kookaburra.

Still no roses.

But Choosing to Lose finally got a home. Guess that means I have to write another horse story for when the next Horsy sub comes along. I have an idea, several in fact, but I'm too tired to write them. Maybe one day. I'm not a short story person.

Manuscript Assessments

2005-12-09T11:13:15Z

I queried a US company today regarding all nine books. Hope to get a quote soon.

I bought Greek urns for rambling roses.

I bought Christmas balls.

I didn't write and felt NO GUILT.

I critted, and have my telltales down to 12, but that's not counting all the reviewers I have spreadsheeted who I owe return crits to.

I will buy roses tomorrow.

I will make a new papermache unicorn horn. The previous one was a test run and somewhat collapsed. My manager is an air brush artist and will paint it once it is set.

I will buy oil paint tomorrow and start work on my rearing unicorn for my cover.

I need to find a SCA guy with mail to pose with a sword at the right angle - no - not THAT kind of sword!

I will think about maybe possibly looking at a battle chapter tomorrow. Maybe. Possibly.

Or maybe I will make my fantasy dress for the SCA April medieval festival so I can WOW a guy I met there last year who was REALLY cute and agreed to pose for my book.

Tall, dark, handsome and NICE!!!!!!!!