RWA, E-Pubs, and RWR

I have a letter to the editor coming out in the April RWR regarding the organization's views on E-pubbed authors. I got the email last week confirming it. I'm hoping that in some part, this generates some interest and awareness of a need for RWA to create a more hospitable environment for E-published authors, at least as it pertains to contest involvement and publication status. We'll see what happens!

Not much other news this week. I've been taking a short "fill-the-well" break from the writing. A couple more days of that and I will be back to work. I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day!

Deus Ex Machina

Today I'm going to address a common novice writer's error: deus ex machina, literally "god from the machine." Writers who write their heroes into a corner and can't find a way to help him escape sometimes resort to an extraordinary and convenient rescue. Maybe someone with magical powers comes in at the last minute and swoops him out of danger. It's a convenient and weak plot device to quickly solve what might otherwise seem an insurmountable problem.

How do you avoid it? Simply put, write carefully. Think about the danger or conflict you want to put your hero in (what's a book without a little danger and conflict for your hero to overcome?), and think of one or two ways to get him out of it, that are not contrived. Give him the tools to do that, spread throughout the book, so that it doesn't feel like just a convenience that he happens to have that nifty skeleton key in his pocket that no one saw until this crucial moment. Give him a reason to have that skeleton key in his pocket in Chapter One, and now you're talking.

Convenient plot points are lazy writing. Find a way to make them less so. More necessary and inevitable to the plot. Critique partners are great for this. They can point out those convenience twists and help you smooth them out. The result is a better and more likely read that will have your reader cheering, because the hero will be the one doing all the work of getting out of danger--not that god from the machine.

Toddlers on Politics

Last week, I was reading the newspaper in the car while waiting to drop my 2-yo son off at daycare.

"You reading a book, Mama?"

"No, honey, this is a newspaper."

"Who's that on it?" My son points to a picture on the front.

I recognize an opportunity to educate. "This is the president. He runs the country. His name is Barack Obama."

"Barack O-Mama."

I laughed so hard I cried. Then I called my husband, who cracked up. No matter how hard I try, I can't convince my son that the president's name is not O-Mama. Maybe I should write the president and advise him that for the next four years, his name will be different than what he thinks it is. :)

Movie Review - "Inkheart"

OK, it wasn't rocket science. But there were some really fun moments in this fantasy movie aimed at the pre-teen/tween crowd. Inkheart, based on the first book in a trilogy by Cornelia Funke, follows the story of bookbinder Mortimer and his daughter Maggie. Maggie is unaware that her father is a "Silvertongue," capable of bringing literary characters to life by reading a book aloud. Nine years ago, "Mo" accidentally read his wife, Maggie's mother, into a book and discovered this unusual talent. Since then, he's been searching for a copy of the rare book (aptly titled Inkheart) to try to read her back out of it. Meanwhile, he learns that he has read some of the book's evil characters out into the real world as well, along with a flawed character called Dustfinger (played by the always riveting Paul Bettany).

As a writer, I found this to be an enjoyable movie with a fun premise, and I quickly began sorting through my own manuscripts to see which one I'd read out loud. (Yes, I decided on one, and no, my hero didn't pop out into real life--darn.) So while I wouldn't call this movie particularly cerebral, it was a nice way to spend a Sunday. Some of the imagery is wonderful, as the story takes place in Italy. While it seems to be the latest in a slew of children's fantasy books made into movies, it's definitely not the worst one to be had. It certainly made the little kid in me happy for an afternoon. :)

I Have Left Book Cents Literary Agency

A couple of things this morning. First, after discussing the issue with Christine Witthohn of Book Cents Literary Agency, she and I have decided not to work together any longer. This was a mutual, amicable decision and I will be shopping the Gifted series elsewhere.

Second, my main website was down this morning. I know that the domain host has changed hands, and that has something to do with it, I am sure. It is back up and running now, but feel free to email me with questions or difficulties navigating it.

Thanks for your patience!

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'

Lately I feel like I've been run through a mill. I don't know if it's post-Christmas burnout, or what, but I've needed a break from my writing. I've taken the past couple of weeks off from my own work, with the exception of a writing exercise I do on the side when not working on my main stuff. I have also been editing for others, which may contribute to said burnout. On top of that, I've taken the mantle of Secretary back up for the 2009 board of CNY Romance Writers. What a task I've made for myself this year.

But I persevere! I made myself work on the next book in the Elemental series a couple of days ago, as well as doing my editing. Writers who want to write for a living must treat it like a job and do it regularly. With that in mind, I will jump back in this week and try to get myself back on track. Let's hope the doggies stay rollin' once I get them rollin'.