Sundays Are For Writing

It's a habit that came from the write-ins I did with my friend Sheri during Nano. I don't always get to write on Sundays, but it's kind of what's in my head. As my crazy novel is currently off to my beta readers, I'm at a bit of a loss! It was good to take a break from it at first, because it's been in my head so much, but I miss it!

I will be going on to the outlining work I'd started on the sequel – which has also been written in full, in the past, but will be getting a fresh start. I actually "rewarded" myself with some outlining software. It was pretty inexpensive, and if it helps me be disciplined in that area, it'll be worth it!

Another thing I've been thinking about is how to come up with a Patreon membership. I follow a couple of writers, and I know a few artists who are using the platform. Well, what if I came up with a writing/painting/horse life one? It's got the gears in my head going at the moment. I'll probably wait until Fifty Sovereigns is closer to publication to launch it, if I decide to do so...so that gives me time to come up with something. Might be interesting to give it a try!

The sun is shining after a grey morning, and I've still got stalls to do, so off I go! Maybe a bit of brainstorming this aft on the Patreon concept. What do you think? What would you want to see?

If you're not familiar with Patreon, you can see it right here.

Shut Up And Dance With Me

I didn't know what to call my NaNo story this year, so I picked a random song name from my iTunes. Said song was "Who Let You Go" by The Killers. Seemed like it could be a good book title.

As I started writing, however, something else kind of took over. You see, the iPod dock in my barn finally died, and I've been back to listening to the radio most days. I haven't listened to the radio that steadily for ages, like over a decade, maybe.

I fell into the habit of playing my old favourite station, CFNY. I don't mind listening the odd time, because the one thing I do miss about radio is discovering new songs. I found a couple that had me investigating the artists further, and they play quite a bit of classic older alternative music, which is cool.

Then, of course, the inevitable happened, and I remembered WHY I don't like listening to the radio. The endless ads. The over-playing of the popular songs.

Sometimes one of those popular over-played songs sticks in your head, full-force earworm, like a parasite gnawing at your brain. One such song had the chorus, "Shut up and dance with me." It had an appropriate dance beat, the kind of music I typically dislike. But I realized this could be a scene in my novel...so it started to grow on me because of that. I had no idea who actually performed the song, but the lyrics worked well for the characters, so I wrote my adaptation of it in.

Friday night both Sheri (same writing BFF from last year) and I validated our winning word counts for the second year in a row. Yay!! I actually like this year's story quite a bit, and it went pretty smoothly, with none of the running-off-I-don't-know-what-to-write tangents I've had in the past. It incorporates the characters from Fifty Sovereigns, so if I ever do get that published and folks actually want more, hey, I'll have a series. ;-)

Last night, because this damn song is still running through my head, and I'd just heard it in the barn as I did my late feed, I looked up the lyrics, and saw there was a video. It's a fun video, and kind of perfect for my story too (though that's not exactly how I envision the characters!). So I give you, "Shut Up and Dance" by Walk The Moon. Like I said, poppy dance stuff is not my usual thing, but the video made me laugh.

Half Way!

Managed to make it to the 25K mark by the middle of the month, woo-hoo! Thanks in large part go to doing a few virtual word sprints with my writing BFF Sheri. The NaNo site has a timer, so we each set the timer for the prescribed time, and try and write like crazy. I admit it's a lot more fun knowing someone else is slogging words at the same time you are!

There have been days...days I wondered what I was thinking, deciding to do this. So far I've managed to get everything accomplished that has needed to be accomplished. Horses, working at the Royal, running Gryph, a portrait deadline, launching an online event for one of my businesses, and so on. Just have to keep it up for two more weeks...!

Let the Insanity Begin!

I don't know how long it's been since I've done NaNo, but this year I decided, prompted by my oldest writing friend, to do it again. My life is no less busy than it was the years past I've pulled it off, so no excuses, right?

I've got my ticker installed, and checked in on the NaNo site...let the insanity begin! No surprise, the story will be based at the track. If it's any good, maybe I'll share parts! Ha! Don't hold your breath. ;-)

Confessions of a Closet Novelist

Gryphon on a wintry morning at Woodbine.

It's been almost a year since my last post, must be time for an update on the late, "great" novel, right? Guess what? I lied. I'm editing again. More like, hacking it to bits and rewriting, thanks to the inspiration of a self-published novelist who has actually boldly gone where I've never gone before, haha. Every other week I sit back and think, why am I bothering? Why not just scrap this, keep it as what it is - my own story indulgence, to satisfy the kid in me who was never satisfied with what she read? Half the time I hate what I'm writing, I'm not sure I recognize my characters anymore - or like them, for that matter - and it all seems kind of pointless. It's hard to stay motivated, so I admit I'm struggling big-time. But part of me is still that kid who is never satisfied with any horse book she's read, and wants to write that book.

Anyway...I'm plugging along in my closet questioning this novel's existence. The best part is, when I have serious writing avoidance, I paint, so I've been getting more painting done! Maybe one avoidance will feed the other.

When Art Meets A Good Story...

The Queen's Plate is approaching, and for the second year, Woodbine is holding a contest for the "Official Queen's Plate Artist."  Seeing as one of my "real" jobs is painting horses, with a preference for racehorses...entering the contest was a natural thing.  I made it to the top five, and now it's up to a popular vote to determine the winner of the contest.  I've written about my painting, and the great story behind the filly in it, on my art blog.  Take a peek! 

Cinderella, Cinderella... the story behind the painting.

To vote, visit the Queen's Plate website!

*Poke*Poke* Is It Dead?

Well, two years and change, is that all it's been? I admit I abandoned the idea of finding a traditional publisher for the LGN (that's "Late, Great, Novel" if you're new here).  I've been following people doing the indy publishing thing, and reading a lot of self-published e-books in the last while.  My novel isn't going to be the worst one out there, and another horse racing novel is not going to kill anyone.  Maybe some people will even like it.  I don't have illusions about getting rich - I don't even expect to make any money.  I just want to say, after all these decades, I did it. So, why not?

Potential Cover?

I just finished what had better be the last edit, and even knocked down the word count a little bit, to 123,698. At the very least, these days, it's easy enough to publish electronically - whether or not I try and do a print version remains to be seen.  Next I need to come up with a cover image - it seems stupid not to use one of my own paintings.  Now hopefully I can find one that actually exists that will do the job, or my plan will be further delayed! I guess I also need to write a blurb, which I've been finding difficult.  I've read a number of them that I don't feel do the book justice, so I'm trying not to end up in that same situation!

On the side I've also been working on making the sequel better, so I'll have a follow-up ready to go. I've even surprised myself by pondering a third book - I just can't seem to let go of these characters.

Next steps are the scarier ones - actually working through getting it published. And the real work?  Self-promotion!  Thanks to many years as a professional artist, I know that full well!

"Track Life: Images and Words" A Review, and, A Tiny Bit of My Fiction Sees the Light of Day

Unless you're new here, you know that I look forward to a few days in Saratoga Springs, NY, each summer with some of my artist friends.  This year that plan was foiled thanks to my committed barn help backing out on me without enough time to find an appropriate replacement, so I had to miss out.  Hopefully next year I'll get things back on track, so to speak!

Three years ago, one of the members of our little group, fine art photographer Juliet Harrison, published her first book of photos from the Saratoga experience.  2013 saw a bigger project come to fruition, as she brought together contributions from artists, writers and industry stakeholders to create a combination of her photos, poetry, and prose relating to a variety of experiences involving Thoroughbreds and the track.  I was among the contributors, and a short excerpt from Fifty Sovereigns is part of this publication.  Maybe it's just a small thing, but I find it exciting anyway!

Rather than repeat myself here, I'll share my review from GoodReads.  You can find the book on  Amazon as well as Juliet's website, which I've linked to above.  The book would be a wonderful gift for someone else, or just for yourself. 

Track Life: Images and Words by Juliet R. Harrison

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Disclaimer:  I might be somewhat biased as a reviewer, being not only a contributor, but also a friend of Juliet’s – perhaps even a friend who is at least partly responsible for her foray into the world of Thoroughbred racing. That said, I believe this book is a fascinating combination of picures and words that will appeal to a broad range of people.  It offers a glimpse into the world of those of us for whom racing is a passion, perhaps one we question with its long hours of thankless work. It also shares words from those on the other side of the fence – the fans who are in awe of the beauty of these animals, and those who are driven by picking a winner in a sport with a rarely predictable outcome. Saratoga features prominently in many of the stories shared – also being where the photos were shot – and one thing is common among them. The town, the track, is a magical, must-see destination. Will you be joining us next summer?  ☺



View all my reviews

126,121

Back away from the keyboard....

It's not a newsflash that I could go on editing the LGN forever.  This latest edit hacked out a few more words, but really, I know I need to stop.  I know I'm obsessive.  I started to laugh at myself when I was doing the whole add and take away the comma thing.

I think now I just need to come up with a gameplan.  As 126K is still a significant length, I've been pondering if I could divide it into two or three smaller parts.  I mean, George R.R. Martin kind of has a running tale, right?  Ha!  Yes I know there's no comparison.

The self-publishing/e-book route is getting the most consideration in my brain these days.  I am not looking for fame and fortune.  At this point, I really just want to say I've done it. Just like I want to say I've evented.  You know, before I'm 50.  Which means I need to get on it!  That goes for both publishing and eventing.  :-D

Yes I should be painting, which is actually something from which I make money.  Hmm, I need a book cover....

An interesting note....much of what has been hacked is included in this blog, in the very early posts.  So if, down the road, you decide to read the book, and like it, you can always find more bits and pieces here!

Really, Woodbine, What Were You Thinking?

The RCMP at Last Year's Plate

It's Plate Day, and despite plans to be there, I am spending my afternoon watching my horses, painting, and keeping tabs on Horseplayer Interactive.  I'm not a happy camper with WEG at the moment.  Thanks to changes in the media department, I didn't snag a media pass as I have in past years.  The individual who was so kind as to make sure I had a pass in the past, so that I could take photos for paintings, was among the layoffs this year (thank you, Ontario Liberal Government).  The individual I had to deal with instead, has never been the least bit helpful to me at all.  I mean, let's face it, doesn't everyone at least deserve the respect of an answer to an email or phone call?  I really don't care if you've decided I'm a nobody.  If I ran my business that way, well, I'd be working at Tim Horton's or Starbucks because I would have no customers.  Anyway....I could whine and feel sorry for myself for quite a while about this, so I've been trying to distract myself by working on a painting of 2011 Plate winner Inglorious - from my *own* reference photos.  My thanks to that considerate individual, I hope he's got a better job and is doing well.

Anyway....this year, I guess the marketing Powers That Be decided they needed a signature drink for the Plate.  I mean, the Derby has always had the Mint Julep, right?  Trust WEG to be decades behind.   So what do they call this drink?  The Blue Diamond.  Um....what?  Okay.  It is pretty.  What exactly that has to do with the Plate, I have no idea.  Shouldn't it be called the Gold Sovereign?  I think they should have just hired me.  ;-) 

All right....enough griping!  Time to turn on the TV and watch the big race alone in the comfort of my studio.  There haven't been very many Plates I have missed attending in the last 35 years, and if things had come together with my friends, I still would have gone, but I didn't really relish battling the crowd solo when I know I can't get any decent race photos.  I must be getting old!

(Go Nipissing!  I hear it's pouring rain at the moment...at least that no longer affects the track surface...and it will cool things off for the horses!)

Writing for Today's Attention Span

I was pondering this as I was mucking stalls this AM (yes, I do a long of pondering as I do stalls!).  I received the expected response to the query I mentioned the other day - 30K too long.  I have no problem accepting that, and on the one hand I know if I want to pursue writing fiction for publication, my best bet would be to work on another idea, and get it polished for submission.  On the other, I know that to develop the world, characters and story the way I want....well, it's not going to happen in 60,000 words.

After spending the better part of the last year reading George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones, if you've been living under a rock), I have picked up a couple of quick reads.  Both are by the same author, and labeled "romance/suspense."  Not really my thing, but well, in case you haven't guessed it, the draw was horses, and they're even set at the racetrack.  They have been reasonably entertaining (despite my propensity to pick at the horse details...I've been trying to work on that!)....but I admit I find them superficial, especially after living in the complex world of Game of Thrones. 

Now, I know that's the genre, but it seems when one spends time on blogs and forums reading about aspiring authors vying for agents, all anyone really wants to consider is these light quick reads.  Personally, that's not the kind of book I really enjoy.  Am I in the minority?  I grew up reading J.R.R. Tolkein, Leon Uris, John Irving, James Clavell, Scott Turow - books that required considerable time investment.  I might have read a Dick Francis for fun every now and then, but I relished these epics.  In this world of Twitter, Facebook, and other social media....is epic fiction too hard to sell?

Epic horse fiction....yeah, I know.  Happy reading!   

A Whole New World

So, how long ago was it I said I needed to start sending out queries?  Well....last night I did my first one.  I'm not considering it a real query, because I'm taking advantage of an opportunity presented by a particular agent on her blog.  Not really a perfect fit, but it got me over that hump of just.doing.it.  It has also kicked my butt to start researching agents who may be more appropriate, and thus hopefully I will send out a few more in future.  Today I've been madly re-formatting the manuscript....ahhhhhh.  I should be painting, but it's a rainy afternoon, the ponies are in, and with this writing thing I have to go with the courage when it hits!  Haha!

I have been pondering, again, that at 130,000 words (yes I've actually got it down to that), no one's going to touch it.  As a result I expect I will find a way to self-publish it, not because I expect to make any money from it, but because I think there are a handful of people out there who might enjoy it, and well, I'll be counting on my friends to blog and tweet and FB about it!  We have this thing called the interwebz, we must make it work for us!

In the meantime, I have to laugh.  Sending out that query, I'm ready for a whole new world of rejection!  It's all part of the experience....

Do Something You've Never Done Before

Isn't that supposed to apply to every day? Anyway, I'm not sure I manage that, but a little while ago I was reminded about the Thoroughbred Times Fiction contest, held every two years by the publication. I've always wanted to enter, but as a self-proclaimed failure when it comes to short fiction, I've never managed to put something together. After the last go-round I contemplated adapting an excerpt from my LGN to submit, so when I saw the information pop up this time I figured I might as well have a go. A couple of hours ago, I submitted my entry. Who-hooo! Naturally today was the deadline, though technically I didn't wait till the *very* last minute!

I'm trying not to have expectations, of course, but it would be very cool to place. Perhaps I can garner my little story some attention that will lead to the illusive publication! Or at the very least get me off my behind and do that whole querying thing that I've never even attempted!

Happy New Year!

Oh My Goodness - Done Early!!

When I was in school, I was the queen of the last minute. I did my best work when it was under intense pressure, staying up till some ridiculous hour the night before the lab report or paper was due. I always pulled it off, and got good marks, thus perpetuating the behaviour!

I'm not sure I've really changed that much. It is a surprise, then, that some three days early, I've reached the 50K goal of NaNoWriMo. This is the third year I've participated and met that objective. To be fair, the last two years I was also doing a daily painting project, so in comparison, this year was a breeze! Only the rest of my normal life to contend with!

A good part of why this year's story was easier was because of what I mentioned before - I was using characters and a setting I was familiar with. The main character was new, and the story as well. Even with some of the old characters, it was interesting how - well, one in particular, in this case - surprised me. I wasn't sure she was going to do something, even though she kept talking about it, and then she went and did it. Something got in her way, anyway, though. Sounds like life rearing its head! :-)

Now, perhaps, I'll manage to get back to some painting! I'd better, because well, that's my *real* job, and I'm in desperate need of some new work!

The First Quarter

As a race can have more than four quarters, I'm going with that title even though I'm not a quarter of the way to my wordcount yet! I've hit just over 8200 words, so I'm ahead of the game. ;-) I kind of feel like I'm cheating, because for my story I chose to taken the setting and some of the characters from my LGN (the long-suffering novel that inspired this blog) and throw them twenty years into the future. The main character is new, but many of those around him are old friends.

NaNo lets us upload a book cover, so I decided to do one this year. My NaNo name is Bellarush, if you're wondering! The image comes from one of my paintings.

It's That Time of Year Again!

Forget Hallowe'en, it's almost time for NaNoWriMo again! I have to admit I'm not very prepared this year....not that I ever am! I don't have a great new idea...so I'm just going to be playing around with something. We'll see how it goes.

I was just checking into the site and see my 'win' from last year wasn't recorded. I must not have validated it properly or something. For all I know, I completely forgot to validate it! Oh well...what can you do!

Who's in??

Do Me A Favour, Would You Tell Me When to Stop, Because I Don't Know How to Quit...

132,747.

I really never thought I'd get the wordcount on this longsuffering novel that low! Still long, by publishing standards...though once again I sit with three paperbacks on my headboard that are all greater than 150K...though only one is a first novel.

The thing is...I can be a bit competitive. In this case, with myself. Now that I've gone through and hacked an amazing number of words, I want to start all over at Chapter One, see if I can hack some more, because I'm sure as I got closer to the end, I became more ruthless. Of course, I should probably read through the silly thing once more anyway, to make sure it's still coherent!

I have to admit this week I've been trying to be realistic. If I'm *smart* I will try to write a novel of more appealing length, query that, try and get it published - put this one on the shelf. Chances of getting a book that "breaks the rules" published are much greater when it's not a writer's first attempt. My problem is, it's taken me much of my life so far to write this thing...what makes me think I have something else in me?

Oh well...maybe I'm like the perpetual student...destined to be a perpetual closet novelist! Off to dust one of my NaNoWriMo projects to try to prove myself wrong.

(My apologies to Switchfoot for the title, inspired by lyrics from "Playing for Keeps!")

So...Are Rules Really Made to be Broken?

Okay....is this close enough to a Vampire? Especially now that he's registered as Bat Out of Hades? :-D

I'm kind of excited, because I have the good old LGN down to 153K, and I told myself I'd be happy if I made it to 155K. Some of the trimming is good, I'm sure - it makes for much tighter writing - I just hope I haven't messed anything up in the process. Then, of course, I decide it's time to read Twilight - mostly since a few months ago both my sister-in-law and best friend/fellow writer said I should - and discover it's so many pages, apparently they stopped numbering! Seriously, the paperback I have from the library isn't numbered right to the end, so I don't really know how many pages it has. Five hundred, maybe? Either way, it's much longer than everything you read a YA novel should be in order to get published, at least for first-time authors. And guess what? This is a debut novel. Just goes to show, I guess, if you catch the right agent and/or publisher's eye, it can happen.

Someday I will write a YA novel. My last NaNoWriMo stint was an attempt at that. Problem is, there are no vampires, zombies or wizards. I wonder if I just gave all the horses names like that, if it would improve my chances?

Pruning, or Amputation?

In my quest to decrease my word count, I hacked out most of an early chapter, removing a whole event. That was hard, but I had to ask myself, was that section really necessary? How much did it add to the storyline? In my first draft, that part wasn't there - I'd added it to add some conflict and expand on some characters, but if you didn't know it had been there, would you miss it?

The joy of things these days is we have the internet. I don't know how many novels I've read where I wished I could read more, I just liked the characters so much. So why not post some of the cut sections on the blog? When you buy a movie on DVD these days, you inevitably get cut scenes.

I've been thinking about Saratoga this past week, trying to start planning the annual trek. So perhaps a little clip making reference to the Spa would be appropriate.

Lise glanced over to where her parents stood with the winning owners. She and Emilie had come with Claude and Anne, and Lise knew they didn’t plan on staying long. “We’ll probably have to go soon.”

“Oh, stick around for a bit. The way you’re skyrocketing to stardom, how often are we going to see each other from now on? Dean and I could drive you back. You too, Em.”

“I really should go with them,” Lise said. “I’m heading back to New York in the morning.”

“Yeah, and you probably don’t have to get up half as early as you normally would, so I’m not buying that excuse. But I guess it’s good to know New York hasn’t corrupted you, when I couldn’t.”

“You should come down for a weekend,” Lise said.

“Now that would be fun – if I could afford it.”

“Saratoga!” Emilie chimed in. “Road trip!”

“You’re sixteen, Em!” Lise said.

“So? You’re eighteen. And Faye’s just twenty, so she’s not even legal down there.”

Faye was looking thoughtful. “I might have to work on that.”

Lise felt a twinge of regret as she looked out from the back seat of her father’s Jag when he drove out of the backstretch, aware she was once more leaving the comfort of Woodbine behind. It was odd to feel like a visitor, making such a short stay. Tomorrow, it was back to Belmont. In three short weeks she had achieved renown there, but she still felt out of place. Before her string of winners in New York, she’d been a spectacle – a woman in a man’s game, Canadian, and the daughter of a major owner in her home country. Now, though she may have been forgiven some of those things, the scrutiny had only escalated. She hadn’t anticipated this part of her chosen career, and couldn’t imagine ever getting used to the public aspect of her inadvertent popularity.

164K

Well, it would appear I still have some work to do in the ruthless editing department. Wasn't that a show, the $164,000 Question? Am I really dating myself here? Naturally there is not $164,000 at stake here; not for me, anyway. I knew I wasn't going to make my goal of 150K...there just wasn't much I could hack away in the last two chapters, so it's back to square one. I did, however, write what I think is a rather nifty potential query letter. Ironically it's quite short and concise. Is that false advertising?

I have to admit these last few days - despite the warm temps and lovely sunshine - I've been in a "why bother?" sort of mood. My time would be better spent painting. Except that when I paint I feel more or less the same, and think I'm better off just working with the horses, because that I can sort of do, and they seem to actually appreciate it! All except for my own mare, that is! Ungrateful child....

"Good to know you have the whole hotwalker thing to fall back on..."