Holiday season blisters a path toward us as we write our merry way to insanity. Writers often feel their craft delivers insanity to their mental doorsteps. We work hard to kill the verb "to be", yet it creeps into every mundane sentence we write. Very possibly, the verb "to be" creates these mundane sentences for us.
These verbs - is, was, were, have been, has been, etc. - flock to our brains like birds from a Hitchcock movie. They invade our otherwise pristine plots and dilute our otherwise brilliant characters until one day we wake up, read our manuscript with an objective eye, and cry. Our baby can't be this ugly! We thought we used only the cream of word-genes.
Yet there the manuscript stands, some bride of Frankenstein that owns no happy ending - at least not in our disappointed writer's eyes. Hope only breeds once we walk away, leave the words to simmer and we determine to go back with the delete-key-scalpel and fix that which offends.
Holidays embrace families, traditions and other wonderful aspects of life. Writers write about holidays but if truly dedicated, observe them only when they complete their daily writing goals. Otherwise the holiday becomes an excuse to not write.
The Rogues have numerous writing projects in the works. Rebekah Hunter Scott strives to finish up edits on her magnificent book Motherhood is Easy. Jeff Swesky diligently works on cleaning up his first draft of the autobiography Flight From Fear. Michael Ray King juggles the collaborative effort Writing is Easy written by all the Rogues along with his personal projects The Seven Day Rose and Loves Lost and Found.
The Rogues intend to spend the holidays basking in the knowledge and glow and satisfaction of writing well-done. Do not deny us our desire to reach our goals, and most definitely do not deny us the thrill of holidays fulfilled by achievements in our writing lives. We take no days off unless we decide to slack off - and this we love. Bring on the holidays!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
KICKING AND SCREAMING
Yes, I'm still kicking and screaming, Kickem' hard, screamin' loud! pumped up about the new book
," Writing is Easy," Easy my ars!
Open a vein ! let it flow, some days the flow is never ending and I feel I'm gonna bleed to death,
other days, dry, dry as a frickin desert, Easy, Where? when?
The play on words is that, a play on words, our alter egos, a play on our personalities, our imaginations.
Yeap, kicKin and Screamin" all the way.( sounds fun huh , for those of a more aggressive nature!) Wink....
Seems this Ride with the Rogues is a kick, and I silently scream when things are just too good to be true.
Then I find a nice joint to let it looose! To do some more Kickin* and screamin!
Some times I gotta kick some butt, sometimes I gotta kick it up a notch, some times I just gotta kick back.
On those days where I'm around those who ain't listening , I gotta scream! yee Ha!
But mostly the screaming comes when we Rogues out do ourselves.
My fellow Rogues won some way cool Awards, PROUD, proud I am of them and scream that " We are the champions tune!"
Yes, still kickin and screamin, and will continue to do so.
There is no stopping a Rogue, either in our field of words and paints, or back in our world of woe's and can'ts ie..(.Reality.)
So let's kick it up here and there every now and then to keep the blood flowing through our Rogue veins and live for the next moment we get a chance to kick and scream, just cause we can!!!!!
There I go,,, Kickin and Screamin ,,,, Tracy Panthera McDurmon
Monday, November 2, 2009
Nanowrimo
National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo) is simply another name for November. As crazed writers, nanowrimo-ers are a masochistic bunch. We live for November and daily count requirements of 1667 words. Often maligned by many writers, this contest delivers an opportunity for newbies and established writers alike to 'win'.
A 'win' in Nanowrimo is to complete a manuscript with at least 50,000 words in the thirty days of November. These words do not have to make a lot of sense, have an outstanding flow nor even have a defined plot. I would submit to any participant that those items should be held as a priority, but even if you do not achieve any of them, the mere fact of proving to yourself you can actually write 50,000 words in thirty days is huge.
Many writers look at a blank screen and get intimidated by word counts. I've heard it in conferences - writers wondering if their 30,000 words qualifies as a non-fiction book-length book. Numbers and writers do not mix well. Numbers often intimidate writers. Nanowrimo affords the writer an opportunity to slay the word count 'monster'.
Successfully running through Nanowrimo will lift your confidence, your key speed and possibly, if you've gone into it somewhat organized (I know, another writer struggle), you may walk away with a first draft manuscript.
Look into Nanowrimo folks. Even for the peripheral writer, this contest could be the spark you for which you are looking. No one can beat you out but yourself. You achieve the word count, you win. This contest is that simple. You even get a certificate when you win.
Sign-up for Nanowrimo is available throughout the month, so even if you start late, you can get in. Late sign-up just increases your minimum daily word count requirements. Personally, I tend to write in bursts of thousands of words and then write hundreds of words on other days.
Challenge yourself. Jump on in! The writing's fine!
A 'win' in Nanowrimo is to complete a manuscript with at least 50,000 words in the thirty days of November. These words do not have to make a lot of sense, have an outstanding flow nor even have a defined plot. I would submit to any participant that those items should be held as a priority, but even if you do not achieve any of them, the mere fact of proving to yourself you can actually write 50,000 words in thirty days is huge.
Many writers look at a blank screen and get intimidated by word counts. I've heard it in conferences - writers wondering if their 30,000 words qualifies as a non-fiction book-length book. Numbers and writers do not mix well. Numbers often intimidate writers. Nanowrimo affords the writer an opportunity to slay the word count 'monster'.
Successfully running through Nanowrimo will lift your confidence, your key speed and possibly, if you've gone into it somewhat organized (I know, another writer struggle), you may walk away with a first draft manuscript.
Look into Nanowrimo folks. Even for the peripheral writer, this contest could be the spark you for which you are looking. No one can beat you out but yourself. You achieve the word count, you win. This contest is that simple. You even get a certificate when you win.
Sign-up for Nanowrimo is available throughout the month, so even if you start late, you can get in. Late sign-up just increases your minimum daily word count requirements. Personally, I tend to write in bursts of thousands of words and then write hundreds of words on other days.
Challenge yourself. Jump on in! The writing's fine!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Vice of Life
Can you feel it?
The pressure that builds moment upon moment, day after day, squeezing against your skull like an invisible vice that some unseen assailant keeps turning tighter and tighter and tighter until your about ready to fucking pop?!
The Vice of Life.
We all experience this to some degree and we all handle it differently. But with the current state of affairs with our economy, we may see more and more people let it get the best of them.
Or maybe we'll all eventually be naked in a huge field together singing "Kumbaya."
Somehow I doubt that.
Especially with the percentages of unemployment, foreclosures, and divorces being so high.
And let's not forget we're still in this fucking war, while Iran and North Korea are becoming more dangerous every time you look at the news. Add to it all the piling bills, nagging spouse, pressuring boss, screaming kids—it's a surprise we're not all in the nuthouse.
Americans are fighting depression, anger, despair. This generally tends to make people act out in some way. Whether out in the open or in secret. Telling off a boss, getting into a fight, committing adultery, or even picking up a good drug addiction. Some way of rebelling, letting off steam, and controlling even just one aspect of your life, even if it's a negative.
But what concerns me are the extreme cases. The ones who get absolutely crushed by the Vice and lose their goddamn minds.
I'm talking about the stable wife and soccer mom, who locks her two and four year olds in the truck of her car and drives off a bridge into a river. The ideal employee who never missed a day of work, but comes in one day with an assault rifle riddling the mazes of cubicles with bullets, bursting office workers skulls like water balloons. Rape, murder, abuse, suicide. You name it—it's on the news … daily.
Who knows, a day may come when the economy stabilizes, numbers of unemployment and foreclosures drop, war ends, it's safe to invest again, the swine flu disappears, soccer is recognized as America's new pastime, and we'll all be rolling in fucking money. And the only violent deaths in the news come from your typical homegrown psychopaths and criminals.
But until then, who's going to be the next to lose control and wind up as tragedy on their local news?
Could it be you?
BT
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Monday, October 26, 2009
FWA Conference
The Rogues Gallery Writers represented themselves well at the Florida Writers Association Conference October 22-25. Jeff Swesky, Rebekah Hunter Scott and Michael Ray King each won prestigious awards for their writing.
Rebekah garnered the best short fiction out of hundreds of entries competing for publication in the book From Our Family to Yours. Her story Variations on Mr. Cornflake was voted the top story in the book. Rebekah autographed many books and looked natural in an author's seat.
Jeff scored a Second Place trophy in the RPLA's (Royal Palm Literary Award) for unpublished autobiography for the book Flight From Fear. Jeff had the only book-length work up for an award and his Second Place showing brings that much more credibility to our group. This book will be making some publicity noise in the near future.
Michael scored a First Place trophy in the Poetry category for his work Rendezvous from the recently published book Loves Lost and Found. The book is illustrated by fellow Rogue Tracy McDurmon. She interpreted Michael's poetry through acrylic paints. The poem lends the book more prestige with it's top award-winning notoriety.
All in all, the FWA Conference 2009 has been a success for the Rogues Gallery Writers. Yes, we would have loved to have scored trophies in the RPLA's short fiction categories. We had five - yes five - finalist manuscripts in the category, but we were shut out. We will come out of this more determined to reach the pinnacle in 2010.
Congratulations to all the Rogues! We all emerged winners! Was there ever any doubt?
Rebekah garnered the best short fiction out of hundreds of entries competing for publication in the book From Our Family to Yours. Her story Variations on Mr. Cornflake was voted the top story in the book. Rebekah autographed many books and looked natural in an author's seat.
Jeff scored a Second Place trophy in the RPLA's (Royal Palm Literary Award) for unpublished autobiography for the book Flight From Fear. Jeff had the only book-length work up for an award and his Second Place showing brings that much more credibility to our group. This book will be making some publicity noise in the near future.
Michael scored a First Place trophy in the Poetry category for his work Rendezvous from the recently published book Loves Lost and Found. The book is illustrated by fellow Rogue Tracy McDurmon. She interpreted Michael's poetry through acrylic paints. The poem lends the book more prestige with it's top award-winning notoriety.
All in all, the FWA Conference 2009 has been a success for the Rogues Gallery Writers. Yes, we would have loved to have scored trophies in the RPLA's short fiction categories. We had five - yes five - finalist manuscripts in the category, but we were shut out. We will come out of this more determined to reach the pinnacle in 2010.
Congratulations to all the Rogues! We all emerged winners! Was there ever any doubt?
Monday, October 19, 2009
Rogues in Writing Competition
The big day is almost here. This weekend the Rogues Gallery Writers enter into the final leg of writing competition. The Florida Writers Association sets forth the winners of the 2009 RPLA awards. The Rogues have a lot to be excited about. We have seven, count them, seven manuscripts that are finalists for an RPLA award. This is a big deal to us.
BloodTrail has a semi-ghost written memoir that achieved finalist status. This book covers the turbulent life of a Rabbi in Europe during the Nazi years and beyond. We are VERY excited about this manuscript.
Rednekah has a short story up in the finalist spotlight. The story, Five Easy Minutes is one of the best written short stories of its length ever written, and appears in the upcoming anthology Writing is Easy. If there was ever a lock on an award winning story, Five Easy Minutes is it in my humble opinion. Rednekah also will be the top author signing her autograph in the new book - From Our Family to Yours - a collection of short stories about family that the FWA put together. Rednekah's story - Variations on Mr. Cornflake was awarded the top story designation by an FWA panel of judges and chief judge Suzette Standring. A much-deserved accolade to be sure.
Then there's DarkThorn. Yeah. Me. Ok, so I entered a lot more material than my fellow Rogues. I happen to believe in the theory of numbers. I have 5 pieces that are finalists in the RPLA's. Two short stories (yep, I'm up against ol' Rednekah, and I don't like my chances there), two flash fictions and one poem. The four fictions- The Road Home, Lavender Hour, Autumn Wind and Witch Moon - can be found in the upcoming book Writing is Easy as well and the poem - Rendezvous - can be found in the just published Loves Lost and Found.
Last year the Rogues were virtually shut out of the top spots in the RPLA's with DarkThorn's Fatherhood 101 placing third in the non-fiction category. This year we bounced back with volume and quality. Keep your fingers crossed. Rub those lucky rabbit's feet. We aim to take home ton's of recognition.
BloodTrail has a semi-ghost written memoir that achieved finalist status. This book covers the turbulent life of a Rabbi in Europe during the Nazi years and beyond. We are VERY excited about this manuscript.
Rednekah has a short story up in the finalist spotlight. The story, Five Easy Minutes is one of the best written short stories of its length ever written, and appears in the upcoming anthology Writing is Easy. If there was ever a lock on an award winning story, Five Easy Minutes is it in my humble opinion. Rednekah also will be the top author signing her autograph in the new book - From Our Family to Yours - a collection of short stories about family that the FWA put together. Rednekah's story - Variations on Mr. Cornflake was awarded the top story designation by an FWA panel of judges and chief judge Suzette Standring. A much-deserved accolade to be sure.
Then there's DarkThorn. Yeah. Me. Ok, so I entered a lot more material than my fellow Rogues. I happen to believe in the theory of numbers. I have 5 pieces that are finalists in the RPLA's. Two short stories (yep, I'm up against ol' Rednekah, and I don't like my chances there), two flash fictions and one poem. The four fictions- The Road Home, Lavender Hour, Autumn Wind and Witch Moon - can be found in the upcoming book Writing is Easy as well and the poem - Rendezvous - can be found in the just published Loves Lost and Found.
Last year the Rogues were virtually shut out of the top spots in the RPLA's with DarkThorn's Fatherhood 101 placing third in the non-fiction category. This year we bounced back with volume and quality. Keep your fingers crossed. Rub those lucky rabbit's feet. We aim to take home ton's of recognition.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Rogues in Edit
Why edit a Rogue? We say whatever we wish anyway, right? When it comes to books, though, we get real serious. Our book is going through multiple readers at this very moment. In fact, we will have Writing is Easy back in our hot little hands in just a few days.
Then we each have a week to complete our edits before we turn the book over to our professional editor. That's the next to last step before sending the manuscript off to the printer. These are hectic times. Forget the upcoming holidays. The Rogues are busting ass to be ready for those holidays with new books.
This process doesn't just happen. You must be dedicated and pig-headed and focused and anal retentive and all the other things that thwart would be writers from their goal. The Rogues are stubborn. We want success. We strive for excellence in writing. We are also tired of crap winning writing awards. The way we look at it, our crap is better than the crap winning these awards out there, so we're careening pall mall toward our goal of two new books by December 2009. Stay tuned. Writing is Easy and Motherhood is Easy are barreling your way...
Then we each have a week to complete our edits before we turn the book over to our professional editor. That's the next to last step before sending the manuscript off to the printer. These are hectic times. Forget the upcoming holidays. The Rogues are busting ass to be ready for those holidays with new books.
This process doesn't just happen. You must be dedicated and pig-headed and focused and anal retentive and all the other things that thwart would be writers from their goal. The Rogues are stubborn. We want success. We strive for excellence in writing. We are also tired of crap winning writing awards. The way we look at it, our crap is better than the crap winning these awards out there, so we're careening pall mall toward our goal of two new books by December 2009. Stay tuned. Writing is Easy and Motherhood is Easy are barreling your way...
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