Watching a Writer Write

                  
                                                                  by Trina Boice
                                                                 www.trinaboice.com

One of the things I love about writing books is that I get to meet other authors.  I especially love getting to know creative fiction authors who think outside of the box.  Many of my non-fiction books have become best-sellers, but writing engaging fiction seems way too hard to me.

A good author friend of mine, Steve Booth, has just started a new project that is really imaginative and engages readers in a new way.  He's inviting readers to participate in a story as it unfolds online at: http://www.stevenmbooth.com/?page_id=201&cpage=1

Here is what he had to say on his latest blog post as he explains the project:
"Over the last several months, we have been working on a new way to present fantasy material on the web. Of course, there have been many excellent examples of storytelling – eBooks, multi-path stories, even full-blown, immersive role-paying games.

These all fall short, however, when it comes to one thing — engaging readers in the creative (and sometimes challenging) process of writing a story from scratch. What we thought would be very cool, interesting for all, and also instructive, is to actually create, under the watchful eye of an author, a short story, interactively, over a period of several weeks, and to let everyone have a chance to contribute and make suggestions about how it should go. In short — you get to do the fun stuff, and I have to do the work. We call it an ‘eStory’.

Each new iteration of the eStory will consist of two or more parallel story tracks, based on the suggestions and selections made by all those that wish to contribute. Thus, although I have a pretty good idea of where our tale will lead, it is in a very real sense ‘organic’ – how we get to our destination has not yet been determined.

SO… if you’re curious, if you’ve ever wondered how folks come up with these fantastical characters and worlds, please join us on our adventure. We’re calling it ‘The Legend of Talimar’.  In addition, it will be possible for anyone to comment, critique, ask questions, and suggest alternative paths that might be interesting to follow.

After everyone has a chance to respond, we will create at least two, or perhaps more alternative paths for the story to take, like the waters in a stream parting around a rock.    Later on, the two paths will rejoin the main plot of the story, but in the interim, new and interesting things will be revealed; things no one had suspected; things I never considered, perhaps!

After a number of installments (we're thinking like 10-12), we'll conclude the tale with a really cool climax and finale, and we'll provide some special secrets for those who also want to continue with the follow-on volume, Dark Talisman."

Go support my buddy and check out his fun project at:
http://www.stevenmbooth.com/?page_id=201&cpage=1

Is it that time again already?

By Trina Boice

Is it that time again already for another shameless plug?  YES!!!   I'm thrilled to announce the launch of my 8th book, just one month after my 7th book hit store shelves!  YAY!   No, I don't really write them that fast...that just happens to be the timing of their publication.

Life is all about timing, I've decided.  I've known writers who have spent years trying to get their manuscripts published and then, when the book finally hits the market, people call the writer an "overnight success."   The common thread I see that groups successful writers together is persistence.  Even the most talented writer can remain unpublished if he stops believing in his work and gives up in the "hurry up and wait" world of the business of book publishing.

My newest book is one that I started over 2 years ago.  Its journey involved a change of publishers, where it has finally found its home at Cedar Fort!  The book was created to help LDS Cub Scout leaders combine the Primary's "Faith in God" award requirements with the overwhelming myriad of Cub Scout achievements.   Like all of my other books so far, this one offers a giant brainstorm of ideas to help the devoted leader who is outrageously busy. 

The Cub Scout program is very sweet, bringing families together and providing memorable activities that bind hearts.   I became a "Den Mother" when my oldest son was just 7 years old.  He wanted to be a Tiger Cub Scout, but because LDS packs don't sign up boys until they're 8 years old, we joined a school pack and I naively volunteered to lead the group, not having a clue what I was getting myself in to!

My two oldest boys went all the way from Tiger Cub Scout to Eagle Boy Scout!  My third son is currently working on his Eagle Scout project, and my youngest son is still in Cub Scouts.  It's been a wonderful adventure and I'm thrilled to be able to share a few of the things I've learned over the years with moms and dads who may just be starting.

Advancing from Tiger all the way to Eagle takes time.  And so does going from thinking of an idea for a book to autographing the finished product at your own book signing.  Remember, persistence!

The Shameless Plug

By Trina Boice

Alrighty! Time for the shameless plug! I have a new book that just hit store shelves last week! Woohoo! Happy Dance!   Pour the sparkling cider!  Hooray Cedar Fort Books!

While releasing a new book is extremely exciting for any author, it’s also a bit of an awkward time for us. We’re so thrilled about our little creation that we feel like screaming hallelujah at the top of our lungs and telling anyone who walks within 200 feet of us every last detail about the writing/publishing process that led us to this climax. At the same time, we also feel hesitant to open our mouths, because we’re afraid we’ll come off as obnoxious salesmen and "vomit" our happy news to people who really don't care.

Writing a book is very much like giving birth.  It's a long, exhausting process and one filled with excitement, worry, elation, and fear.  And every minute is worth it when you see your new baby for the first time.  I can't decide which I like better: the creation process of actually writing a manuscript or finally being able to present my book to the world.  One thing I definitely love is having written something that will forever prove that I was here.   My children are my legacy, but so are the written words I leave behind. 

Shameless plug moment:  My newest book is entitled "Ready Resource for Relief Society."  It's meant to be a helpful tool for LDS members who teach Relief Society lessons in 2010.  The course of study for next year is the recently revised "Gospel Principles" manual.  Back to basics! 

You can find all 7 of my books at LDS bookstores online and in a neighborhood bookstore near you!  To read more about them, check out my author web site at: http://www.boicebox.com/
  

Planting Roots--A Resurrected Post

It just occurred to me—as I’m running out the door to run errands—that it’s my day to blog here. And since I have a crazy busy week, I don’t have any deep thoughts to share. Well, actually, I probably do, but don’t really have time to sit down and pour them into my computer.

Actually, I’d rather do that than what I’m going to do in a minute. I’m getting a flu shot, so…well, yeah. Not fun. Anyway, rather than skip my day posting here and deny you my deep and undying wisdom, I’ve resurrected a blog I posted over at LDS Writer’s Blogck way back in April, 2006, hence the spring theme. This was officially my very first blog post ever, and reading it now, years later, I have to admit, it wasn’t all that bad. (Come visit us over there, where I post every Thursday. We talk a lot about writing and the processes involved.)

Enjoy my very old, yet new to you blog, and have a great October!

Planting Roots

By Nichole Giles

The other day the sun came out, the temperature jumped, and I decided it would be a great day to play in the dirt. Sunny days are perfect for planting, and I had some plants to replace. Having been in our home for two years this month, I had hoped to be finished planting shrubs and vines so that I could move on to planting more colorful things. And last summer, I was. For a day or two.

Last spring we got a dog, a female Golden Retriever. As dogs go, she is the calmest, most easy going dog I have ever met. She never barks, she never jumps on people, and she always minds the commands we give her. However, she does have one major flaw. Our dog likes to dig up plants. She didn’t just dig them up. Once she got hold of a new plant and pulled it from the ground, she then proceeded to rip it to shreds and drag its remains around the back yard.

Now I suppose you are wondering, what does this have to do with writing? When a writer puts words to a page (or screen), he or she is planting a root. With sunshine and nourishment and time (not to mention lots and lots of rewrites), that root will grow into something beautiful, something precious, something truly amazing.

And then someone, usually an editor (or critiquer), will rip it up, stomp on it, and drag it along the ground, making sure to leave tire marks where they drove over it.

When I found the remains of my once beautiful plants, I yelled at the dog, and banished her to her kennel, where she remained for several days. I only let her out when I could be out with her, guarding my newly planted roots. I replanted them, you see. The other day when I went outside, I could see tiny shoots peeking their little heads out of the soil screaming, “I’m alive! You didn’t think I’d live, but I did.”

And so will our work. We will take the shreds of what we once considered a perfectly beautiful story, and replant it. We’ll fix it, and nurse it, and give it time and faith. With those things it will grow into something publishable. Something that will make us proud.

This is the reason I went outside last weekend. I saw the old plants coming up, and it inspired me to plant some new ones. So I did.

P.S. In case you were considering it, I wouldn't suggest comparing your editor to a dog. Nor would it be a good idea to scream at them and whack their noses with your red-inked manuscript. For some reason, editors don't react well to those situations, and you may find yourself without one.