Snowflake warning

I read a blog post recently about word etymology at a time when it was very relevant. The author points out how word usage has metamorphosed over time to change in meaning, sometimes only slightly and sometimes more dramatically. For those of you who are word nerds like me, here’s a link to The Kill Zone. Of particular interest was the commentary on indigenous.

My upcoming release, UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES, releases next month, and it travels into Native American territory. In order to accurately portray the culture, I reached out to a fellow author who is Native American (shout out to @SR Howen). She was very gracious and offered me several references along with her own personal experience. She also suggested the word indigenous to refer to Native Americans, along with “don’t refer to them as” terms. I also contacted another resource who did a sensitivity reading for me and got a “second opinion.” I chose to add a disclaimer that reminded readers this was fiction, and some of what I’d written is protected and private and because I wrote it, and it isn't necessarily accurate (this is fiction, artistic license). This is what my editor called “a snowflake warning.” Look at that! Another etymology change around the use of the word snowflake!

My editor pointed out my use of the word indigenous and how “technically “ it could be misconstrued or inaccurate. If I hadn’t been specifically pointed to that term by someone who “lives the life,” I might have reconsidered my word choice. This is one time I have to overrule my editor.

It's a challenge in these times to be considerate of everyone's feelings, but it's something I do strive to do - hence a sensitivity reader. At the end of the day, everyone's experience is different. When I wrote COOKIE THERAPY, the firemen I interviewed (three of them) gave me different approaches to the climactic scene, to the point where the scenario I worked through with one was deemed as impossible and deadly by another. I won't always get it right. The best I can do is get close enough and hope people forgive me for my mistakes. After all, everybody's experiences are different, after all, and that can even vary by geography. In the end, I can only hope I created an enjoyable reading experience.

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES releases May 12. You can preorder now, or if you follow me at Amazon or Bookbub, they'll email you when it goes live.

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When tropes become real life

You're going to see a lot of quarantine/stuck together novels in the near future, except it won't be a standard manufactured trope. Now, it's real life!

How many of you have read a book about people stranded in a cabin in the snow (or The Stanley Hotel...)? It's a fairly common trope. Throw two people together where they aren't able to escape and see what happens. Yes, it could happen, and sometimes does, but those types of things don't often catch people unaware, and not for days at a time. I saw a movie where a pilot and a flight attendant get grounded due to weather, and she invites him to her family's home. I bought the premise, until they were grounded for several days. I think it turned into four or more days before it was over. Most airports dig out before then, so they lost my suspension of disbelief.

But now? My sister was nearly stranded when the travel ban was first implemented. People weren't able to return home, or to leave. With the state of things now, people quarantining and travel restrictions, we're living the trope. I read a story about people who'd traveled to meet someone, people who were on a first date, and suddenly they couldn't go home and that first date turned into a very long date.

For the most part, it seems most travel restrictions have allowed people to return home, but there are exceptions, and those exceptions are what light up an author's imagination. The possibilities abound, from worst case scenarios to being comically trapped with the one person you'd least like to get stuck with, to people eager to take advantage of the situation where it doesn't work out the way they hope.

Have you had a pandemic experience that put you into a situation you didn't expect? Quarantined unexpectedly or unable to travel home? This author would love to hear your stories.

I'm also excited to share with you that Hillendale #2, UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES, is releasing next month, May 12. If you're the preordering type of person, you can do that now. Otherwise, if you follow me at Amazon or Bookbub, they'll shoot you a reminder when it drops.

Get it here

Libraries and book lending

When I was young, I spent A LOT of time at the library. Go figure, right? I pored through my favorite authors, discovered new authors, discovered new genres! Found my happy place.

Some would say libraries are fading away. To them, I say hogwash! Libraries continue to be relevant, not only for the expansion they've done to accommodate an ever-changing market, but in times like this where they step forward to continue to help.

Most libraries help their communities in numerous ways other than just lending books. They also have computer libraries where people who are out of work and financially strapped can search for jobs, they are polling places and census recorders. They offer community programs and learning opportunities. The list goes on.

During the pandemic, my local library has moved to a virtual platform. Everyday they have a schedule that includes a librarian reading a book or sharing a recipe. They're showing how to make face masks and doing birthday shout outs. They're awesome.

But what about checking out books? Well, I'm glad you asked! Most libraries offer a virtual lending library. Mine uses Hoopla. Some use Overdrive. You can check out e-books! Don't see what you want? Ask them to get it for you. Many e-books are free for libraries. And while I'm on this topic...

I'm not a fan of subscription book services, and yet in these strange days, they certainly have their place. I don't put my books on Kindle Unlimited simply because Amazon requires you to be exclusive to them in order to qualify. I prefer to share my books with people who shop more places than Amazon, like Barnes & Noble, or Kobo, or Apple... or other subscription services, like Hoopla, or Overdrive, or Scribd (to name a few).

When so many people are suddenly unemployed, buying a book can be tough. On the other hand, books are the perfect escape from the anxiety of the day (I know I've been losing MYSELF in reading more). Libraries and subscription services are the perfect answer.

Do you borrow books from the library? (I do!) Do you use a subscription service?

Inquiring minds want to know!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled program

During these challenging times, authors everywhere are talking about how difficult it is to write. One of my buddies even commented that we couldn't write a realistic contemporary book without including the current lock-in environment. True, but we do write fiction, so we get to make the rules. We get to set the "perfect world" scenarios. We also get to include the reality that could make for apocalyptic reading.

I've been trying to move forward with Hillendale #3, and even with a reasonable facsimile of an outline, I've been struggling to move ahead. So many distractions to deal with, both personal and global. And then something fun jumped out at me.

The Hillendales have been fun to write from the standpoint of they are a different tack for me, away from my usual romance or romantic suspense. I MISS my happily ever afters, and I've been itching to write one, but I feel compelled to finish my trilogy of witchy books.

And then a news story jumped out at me. In fact, a couple of them. New sources of inspiration in these times where we're locked inside. In fact, it made me stop to consider switching gears to write the new idea instead of Hillendale 3. Or write them simultaneously. Or, or, or...

I did some additional research on the new idea and realized the article was the full extent of what I needed to know. Then I wrote down my thoughts on how to spin it into a story. And then I stopped to consider my course of action. I floated the idea by a friend who said:

"You could be like Robert B. Parker. He'd work on a Spenser in the morning and a different series book after lunch. Or Asimov, who had a bunch of typewriters and when he got stuck on one story, he'd move to a different typewriter and work on that one."

We also talked about getting confused between one story and another, keeping storylines straight. Considering these are two completely different stories, I don't think I'd have that problem, and yet I tend to be pretty singularly focused. While my day job required the ability to multi-task (and I was able to do that pretty well), there comes a point in the process where you have to focus on one thing at a time. (Which, as you are following my random train of thought, you'll see I've made my point both for and against.)

In the end, I prefer to immerse myself in one world at a time when I'm writing. I walk the streets, get to know the characters, face their challenges alongside them. The analogy here is that if I start a second story, I'd be like those radio personalities who shuttle across the country to do one show in L.A. and another in New York. That just sounds exhausting.

So here I sit, committed to finishing Hillendale 3 (unless my editor comes back and tells me she's bored to tears with Hillendale 2), but I've also made some story notes to get started on "the next one." Because that guy's story NEEDS to be told.

How are you all doing with the lock-in? I've been trying to Facetime or Skype with the people closest to me. What a great invention, huh? The next best thing to being there, and yet I miss being able to hug them. We'll get through this! #InThisTogether.

Going down the rabbit hole

I’ve officially reached the point where I believe we’re living in a horror novel. Didn’t Stephen King write this? The Dead Zone. The Stand. A modern day prescient writer.

I was scrolling through my Facebook feed at all the pretty landscape pictures when a video from a nurse autoplayed at me. How awful is it that warnings like the one she recorded have to be broadcast at all? That people don't seem to understand how dangerous this virus is? Hospitals have to decide who lives and who dies because, as she put it, instead of doing everything they can to save patients, they no longer have the resources to do so. Yes, I've been reading the stories, from the time these horrible decisions had to be made in Italy. Yes, I'm horrified, but I'm also doing my part to stop the spread. I can't understand why some people aren't.

We're in this together. I know that not everyone understands the concept of common sense (and try to make sense of any of this!), but the message we're getting from our governor here in Illinois is clear. Stay home. And most states are on board with that idea. I see people in the grocery store who don't take this warning seriously, they go laughing and filling up the aisles and dare me to ask for my "safe distance." I turn around and go the other way, and I wish them well.

I've been limiting my FB time these days to maintain my sanity, and when I'm there, I try to skip past all the ugliness - not because I want to turn a blind eye, but because I can't deal with the divisiveness and the fear and the pain. We all feel it, some more than others. I've always been an introvert, and I'm tellin' ya, I could easily become agoraphobic. This pandemic is providing the training, for sure! With that being said, I'm grateful for the opportunity to get outside and take a walk when the weather is cooperative. I wave to everyone I see because we all need a smile and a friendly face. And then I come back inside and lose myself in the worlds that I create - or at least I try to. When you're living in a Stephen King novel, it's hard to write something optimistic, but I try. And when I can't, I lose myself in my favorite authors, catching up on my TBR.

Is it wrong that I'm currently reading a Stephen King book?

Dialog 101

Before I get into today's post, I'm offering some distraction to everyone who is social distancing and needs a diversion. Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win one of three audiobooks of COOKIE THERAPY. The redemption codes are offered through Audible.com and are only available in the US or UK (I apologize for the limited distribution, but it's an Audible thing). Winners will be chosen on Monday, March 29, 2020.

Click here to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway

As part of a writing group I've been working with, one author asked me a question about dialog issues I had in his writing. My editor also recently posted a blog on dialog (Use Dialog to Show, Not Tell), so I thought this would be a good time to share what I told my fellow author along with what my editor shared with the world.

In my editor's blog, she writes about dialog tags. That was a lesson it took me a while to learn. When I was first writing to be published, my first critique group was very "nice" and didn't point those out to me, so when I finally found a critique partner who did, I was stunned. Some useful information on using "said."

In the comments I shared with the author who asked me to expand on dialog, I noted his overuse of characters' names. When in actual conversation with someone, we rarely use the other person’s name unless a) we’re trying to remember it or b) for emphasis. 

“Hi, Mike, how are you?” “Fine, Karla, and you?” I’m good, Mike. Listen, Mike, I was thinking… “ “Thanks for your thoughts, Karla.” “Any time, Mike.” 

Talk to someone else in the room with you and note how often you use each other’s names. And if you intentionally use their name, pay attention to how they respond to that. I think you’ll find they think it unusual. When I address my husband by name (rarely) he always responds with my name, more to point out he’s noted my usage than any other reason.  

As a side note, years ago I dated someone who used my name intentionally, and I think that was to point out he knew “who” he was with. The usage was more because it was a “new” relationship and there were other people involved in the background. His intention was to make me feel special and was limited to those times when it was important to know he was present with me.

Another issue is unnecessary conversation. What does the following say?

"Hi, Joe." "Hi, Bill." "What are you up to today?" "Not much, you?" "Reading." "Yeah, me, too." 

The back and forth doesn't move forward. It can be condensed to convey the same thing in more concise language. Readers don't want to get caught up in an "understood" affirmation or confirmation. They want to get to the point. For instance, one can assume the paragraph prior to this dialog has already put Bill and Joe in the same room, and one can reasonably assume they've already greeted each other.

"I don't know what to do with myself now that social distancing is a requirement. I've stocked up on my reading materials, but how long can this go on?" "The movie stations are streaming classics, and some of the new releases are out early. I figure those will hold me over when my eyes get tired."

You get a whole lot more out of this exchange than the previous. Another thing to note is action beats. Sometimes words can be left out if their actions demonstrate their response. An example of this might be if someone insults someone else and the response is flipping them the bird.

I'd also pointed out a place in the story where the police force shows up to the scene of the crime. When they arrive, they stop to introduce themselves and their position. "I'm Officer Joe Keebles and I'm with the County Police Department." Point #1 is that the uniform identifies them. The people they're introducing themselves to called for the police, so they're expecting the police, so when two police officers arrive, those officers don't need to identify themselves as police. I'm also not sure they would stop to introduce themselves right away (and I could be wrong about that), but they'd be more focused on stemming the crime which is still happening. Introducing themselves stops the action and takes the reader out of the tension in the scene.

One last thought on dialog. While you want it to mimic natural conversation as closely as possible, because it’s written, it should be more condensed, leaving out the “you know” fillers people often throw in (unless it’s a character trait) or other “filler” type words. Not every comment needs a reply, and yet you don’t want to skip a reply when one is warranted. Sometimes actions speak louder than words. What makes a bigger impact? Words or actions?

Overcoming Writers' Fatigue

While I'm finishing up my second in the Hillendale series - UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES, I'm struggling with where to go with Book 3. This is not officially writers' block, probably more like writers' fatigue.

Several years ago, while I was writing the Mist Trilogy, my editor recommended The Writer's Brainstorming Kit, a book she referred to as "tarot for authors." It's a handy book that gives you the option to choose your plots, goals, motivations, conflicts, or to "flip a card" and be inspired. If you order the physical book, it comes with a deck of GMC cards. If you order the e-book, it cross-references to a deck of cards. At the time, I was struggling with my villain and why he did the things he did. I found the book surprisingly helpful.

Which brings me to "now." I have a vague concept of the plots and subplots for Hillendale #3, but this book needs to push the envelope a little farther, so I've been struggling with what haven't I already done in books one and two. Writers' fatigue.

I'm a pantser more often than not - I write by the seat of my pants. I start with my characters or some "thing/place/event" that sparked my imagination and let them tell me the story. When I get stuck, I sit down and plot (does that make me a "plot-ser?") I know stories need to move forward, and there has been more than one occasion where the story was wandering around aimlessly when I had to stop and call my characters together for a little planning meeting. What are the goals? What's standing in their way? What's the point of this story?? I'm not sure I've ever run into this before I've ever started the story though.

One way to get inspired when fatigue strikes is to read other books. Watch movies or series. So I selected a series (A Discovery of Witches) which turned out to be not at all what I'd expected, and yet it's very good! So while I wait for my editor to finish Book #2, I figured I'd pull out the tarot for writers book and see if I couldn't find a plot to carry Book #3. This, my friends, is when I realize I have writers' fatigue, because as I'm weighing my options, I see I've left myself a perfect roadmap to follow if I'd only been paying attention! Every book in a series should point to the next one, even if they are meant to stand alone, and I've done just that. I knew I was laying the groundwork, but sitting in the recovery phase of Book #2, I couldn't see the forest for the trees (to incorporate a cliché).

What do you do when you have writers' fatigue? You use the tools available to you to give you the extra "oomph" you need. In this case, an outline. Actual plotting. It takes the fatigue out of trying to figure out what comes next. Let me point out that outlining isn't a restrictive tool. It gives you a roadmap. Directions. But if you see a road sign advertising a fun detour, there's no reason you can't divert once you're more "rested."

Am I changing my stripes and embracing outlining my books? I sincerely doubt it. There comes a point in every book where I stop to make sure I'm actually moving the story along. Sometimes I let the plot unfold naturally, but when it doesn't, I will almost always stop to give my characters a map.