Rough Draft to Treat Me Kindly cover
I’m not sure if I can post a picture, so I asked and am waiting for a response, but guys! It looks so cool! I’m so happy with it!
GOOD NEWS FROM MY WRITING BLOG!!!
Dorky writing dreams
There’s two things I want to happen with my writing.
1. My book(s) get so popular that I get invited to conventions as a guest.
2. My book(s) get so popular that they become memes on tumblr and give people all sorts of feels.
Real talk from my writing blog.
Pffffft what the what Anime Detour?
They had an essay contest where they wanted people to talk about what Detour means to them, since this is their tenth year. I thought, “Oh hey let me write a thing, because I really love Detour,” I’ve been going since year one and all.
So I wrote a thing.
And then I won a thing.
Yeah my essay won Anime Detour’s contest.
Excuse me because I can’t quite comprehend how this writing thing suddenly continues to go well like I mean-
It’s going to be in the program books and maybe on the website, which I’m taking as exposure if I can get my writing blog mentioned on it. Perfect exposure to 5500 attendees, staff, guess, perfect exposure since, you know, need to get myself out there because of this whole book thing.
Hey there, karma, how are you? I guess since last year was such a mess of things you’ve decided to make this year better?
The editing dance
Hi guys! So, in case you were curious about how the whole publishing thing works (at least from what I’m experiencing right now) here’s a few thoughts I have about it. I’m going to do two sections, because I have both a book and a short story being edited.
1. Treat Me Kindly (Urban Supernatural book)
I’m going to assume all publishers are different, but the general idea is the same. The job of the editor is to strengthen your book, not to completely change it. They’ll mark grammar and things, of course, but they’ll also ask questions, point out inconsistencies, things like that.
First, there’s the “Author Form.” This goes through every possible thing you can think of regarding your book. What do you want the cover to look like? This question itself has several parts to it, as far as Damnation Books go. They ask what you want it to look like, who are the main characters so they have an idea of who the story is about. Location? Season? Characters’ physical appearances? Tone of the story? Theme? Tag line? Just… all things I really had to sit down and think about.
The rest of the form included things like: what do you want the back of it to say? Do you want an author pic on the inside? Write up a bio about yourself. Any dedications? Acknowledgements? All stuff I think you see in books, but you never think of what yours should say until the questions come up.
Then there’s the first round of editing (which is where I am right now). They have a certain format they want you to put the story in. This includes font, font size, how to do scene breaks, whether to spell out “Chapter 1” or not, trying to avoid “and” or “but” in the beginning of sentences, thoughts being in italics, just… pretty standard things, I think. I’m sending this off today to their senior editor, who then will send it back to me within 20 days with edits. Then, the two of us go back and forth until we reach a point that we’re satisfied with.
As far as actual editor’s comments… that’s what this next part is for.
2. Press “START” to Play (Gay Romance short story)
This is the gay romance short story I’m going to have in a Dreamspinner Press anthology in June. I just got the first edits back yesterday. The way they do it is very, very clean and precise. The first thing you should realize is that the edits are NOT meant to be discouraging, they are meant to be helpful. When you get your story back, be prepared to see a whole lot of red. It’s not going to be perfect. The thing to remember is that the entire reason why they’re putting so much work into editing isn’t because there’s something wrong with your work, but because they REALLY LIKE your work and they want to make it shine. They wouldn’t be editing it in the first place if you didn’t like it.
The editor I have for this short story is awesome. I’m not sure if all editors start the edits this way, but this person took the time to say good things about the story. Essentially, my editor for this loved the plot, the characters, the theme, just… actually they pretty much loved everything. Then, there was the note of, “Don’t be discouraged,” because it can hurt to see someone correcting so many things on something you worked hard on. But it’s there to help guide you into making the story better. My editor pointed out some really, really good points, like things I never thought about. This certainly doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything your editor says. The point is to have a conversation back and forth (key word: conversation, not argument).
And you know, when you’re writing, you’re not going to think of EVERYTHING the first time, no matter how many times you read it over. The way I usually write is this: I write something, I finish it, I reread it. Then, I have my partner read it. Then I reread it again after she makes comments and things. Then, I send it off to hopefully be published. As you can see, before it’s been sent to a potential publisher, it’s been read three times. Still, you’re not going to catch everything, and that’s fine, that’s what the editor is for.
I’ll write more about how this works as I go through the motions, but I’m at the first steps right now in two stories :)
This is my life right now besides getting ready for Anime Detour ^^
Convention schedule
Hello, dear followers. Wow there’s more of you yay, welcome! Hi! Headcanons will probably be on a short hiatus so I can finish editing “Treat Me Kindly” to the publisher’s standards. Shouldn’t take too much longer, I think?
So I’ve been thinking about making bookmarks for the conventions I go to, to pass out and advertise my writing, upcoming book, blog, and such. Just in case if any of you ever go to conventions, here’s where I’ll be for sure!
- Anime Detour: Bloomington, MN April 19th-21st
- Anime Central: Rosemont, IL May 17th-19th
- Animinneapolis: Bloomington, MN June 28th-30th
Waiting to hear back from Geek.Kon in Wisconsin which is August, and Fallcon which is the local comic convention here that’s usually in October. Predominately, the art table is for the crafts my partner and I make, but the bookmarks will be there too :) Generally I still in the Midwest because it’s easiest to drive to cons with all the stuff we sell since it’s coasters and plushies and woodburnings and clocks and things. Any other Midwest cons you guys can think of?
Reblogging so more people see. If you ever want to see me in real life (probably not lol!) here’s the conventions I’ll be at :) If you can think of anymore I should go to, please let me know. Keep in mind I’d be trying to get a table, so it would have to be in a reasonable distance that could be driven to from the Midwest, since there’s no way we can get our stuff onto a plane.
Treat Me Kindly Excerpts
So as I go through the process of filling out the Author Form to my book (which is a deceptively short form but, in reality, it’s a lot of work!) I’m stuck on which excerpt I should use. This excerpt will be on the inside cover of the book. The ones I’m posting are the two I’m trying to choose from. I’d like to keep “The Invitation” before both of them.
The first excerpt happens relatively early in the story, while the second happens later. It’s job is to get the reader interested, hence why I’m coming to you all :)
you’re my test subjects, there will be cake at the end of this test.****
1. Invitation
Anyone from pauper to peasant can purchase a dog or a cat. Why should you lower yourself to such a standard? I would like to invite you to browse through animals for your more refined taste. This invitation is for those who are interested in one of a kind animals who will speak to the prestigious title they have built for themselves. These animals break away from those pale and boring common breeds with their rare, exotic beauty. These animals will allow you to enjoy something that’s truly magnificent. Treat yourself and come find an animal that truly matches the life of luxury that you live.
“You…y-you…” He doesn’t want to say it because it’s too ridiculous to say. His life isn’t some low budget sci-fi movie — or would this be fantasy? Whatever it may be it certainly isn’t, this is real life and birds do not-…no, no no no not going there. Matthew quickly squashes that train of thought. He begins to look around the room. Where did that bird go? It has to be somewhere! Maybe sleeping behind the water heater? Maybe nesting in his pile of dirty clothes? He slides out of the bed, frantically looking around the basement.
This can’t be happening. This cannot be happening!
The woman sits up and continues to quietly watch him before she finally speaks, her voice soft and soothing, “Master? What exactly are you looking for?”
Matthew stops digging through the laundry, holding a pair of socks in his hands. Did the woman just call him… “Master?”
“Why yes. That is what you are. I belong to you.”
****
2. Invitation
Anyone from pauper to peasant can purchase a dog or a cat. Why should you lower yourself to such a standard? I would like to invite you to browse through animals for your more refined taste. This invitation is for those who are interested in one of a kind animals who will speak to the prestigious title they have built for themselves. These animals break away from those pale and boring common breeds with their rare, exotic beauty. These animals will allow you to enjoy something that’s truly magnificent. Treat yourself and come find an animal that truly matches the life of luxury that you live.
“What… the hell…”
No one says anything to Alex, letting him watch as the wings start to slip into Zahra’s back. Her skin literally tears apart, ripping itself like sharp knives cutting into flesh. There’s no blood when Alex really thinks there needs to be. The woman isn’t screaming when she should be crying out in pain. Zahra simply stands perfectly still, arms crossed over her breasts as her wings fold in on themselves, trying to become comfortable between shoulder blades and back bones. The open inside of her back is a mess from the blue of her wings and hints of bone, like she’s been dissected and left on the table.
He says it again, “What…the…” but in seconds Zahra’s body starts to shift again. Her broken skin starts to stitch itself together, filling in the gaps until her back is whole again. It sticks out a little, as if it can’t quite contain the wings but it doesn’t bother Zahra at all.
“It’s like a cocoon,” Sandi whispers, sounding completely fascinated with the entire event. She walks over, gently touching the woman’s back. Bumpy, and she can feel the wings constantly moving and shifting underneath Zahra’s skin, “This is amazing.”
“This is weird as fuck!” Alex screams, “What was that just now?!”****
So which one do you prefer?
Damnit tumblr how dare you not let me ask questions right now ARGH!Just leave an answer in my box or something if you want to answer ^^;;;
Help! I need… things… help! Pick one?
[Headcanon] True
So I know I have some other ones to finish up that include:
- Kanji and Naoto sex headcanon (guys I have like 500 of these I… oh crap just got an idea -_-)
- Kanji and Naoto: the babies are born (thank you kind anon for that idea)
- Kanji and Naoto: time to get wasted
- Kanji and Naoto: in which he graduates and everyone is surprised… except for Naoto, of course
I think that’s all I have? But this one… oh man, this one I MUST WRITE NOW!
So yesterday tasobi posted some super angsty Persona Magica art, to which I wrote a response. I promised her I’d write something to wreck her OTP, and thus, THIS WAS BORN!
Though honestly I love Souji and Yosuke too so this wasn’t easy to write. I also love tasobi, despite what it may seem ^^;;;Warnings: Angst, death, playing with ideas from Golden, spoilers to December, magica
WHY DO YOU DO THIS BRI
Like o.k. guys what the hell I linked the person who did the art, who inspired this angst, WHY IS NOBODY BLAMING HER LIKE WTF?!
Urm
This writing blog has been up for a week. It’s almost at 50 followers. All of you are beautiful beings ;__; that is all.
Actually my emotions are all out of whack because my dad is being all emotional and “I was looking at your baby pictures and OMG you’re gonna have a book at 30 you’re perfect.”
Message from the writing blog. Today is full of feels, I somehow missed the memo.
Heroes
Why couldn’t he be like those cartoon heroes
That they’d watch together on Saturday mornings
Who hid that impenetrable S behind a suit jacket
Or keep nifty gadgets in a bright, yellow belt
Why couldn’t he a hero from Japan
That could create a blaze of blue fire between his fingertips
Who shouted out outrageous commands ka me…
Before he released the destruction from the palms of his hands
Why couldn’t he be a ranger of justice
Who transformed with a morpher and coin
Who knew all sorts of martial arts
And called on prehistoric robots that created something mega
Why couldn’t he be like the 8-bit heroes
Who could touch a flower and burn things to a crisp
Who could grab a leaf and fly high into the sky
Who could jump on a turtle use its shell as a weapon
Instead
He’s breathing out his last life
Wondering why
He couldn’t be any of those heroes
Who would never leave her behind
***
Notes: Urm… yeah, I’ve been thinking about my big brother lately and this is what came out of that. I’ve written something like this before quite some time ago, but from my point of view, not his. So… here?
I’m not sure why its angst day at the writing blog, but apparently it is. You’re all invited?
[Headcanon] Made you cry
Inspired by this ridiculously depressing magica art. This headcanon doesn’t have the magica concept, but the art did bring out this angsty idea.
Warnings: Angst, spoilers for December
Oh yeah that super sad fanart I reblogged I wrote a thing. Tasobi is the most amazing person ever a cruel person >.<
