Join me today on the Writer’s Retreat Blog where I talk about the process of worldbuilding as it applied to our experience of writing Emerald Fire, as well as some tools you can use in your own writing.
Win An Ebook!
I’m Blogging at Samhain Publishing and the Writer’s Retreat Today
I have two articles for you today. The first is at Samhain Publishing, Who To Write About (When You Can’t Write About Your Friends and Family). Rachel and I use pictures to inspire us in our stories, and I share some of what works for us.
The second is Why Big Goals Don’t Work – Baby Step Your Way To Success. I’m forever hearing from people who want to make some gigantic goal their sole purpose in life (lose a hundred pounds, write a book, etc.). I’ve been told “I’ll just do P-90X,” “I’m not in this to play, I’m in this for a New York contract,” “Little goals are a waste of my time,” etc. Those people, the ones who said those things to me, aren’t around doing their work anymore. P-90X was designed by a triathlete who found to his shock that yoga challenged him. But the part about him already being a triathlete meant that he understood how to accomplish things. The one who told me they wanted the New York contract isn’t even writing anymore. See how dangerous such large goals can be, when they’re not tempered by small, achievable steps?
I hope you’re having an enjoyable and productive Wednesday. Remember, today is in your hands. What do you want to do with it?
My Tue Cents for Twosday
I think it’s easy to get sidetracked. I talk to authors who complain, “I don’t have time to write.” While I don’t think they’re lying, I do think they’re not speaking completely honestly – to themselves, at least – about what their time is like.
When we settle down and are honest with ourselves, the reasons for not writing aren’t, usually, about time. They’re about fear, or block, or the inner critic saying that we have nothing worth writing. But they’re not about not having any minutes in the day to set fingers to keyboard or pen to paper.
So today, ask yourself this: What would it take for me to get onto the page today?
Collaboration
Romance Divas is back up and running and, from the looks of it, going full steam ahead. I’m very excited, since I’ve been a member there for several years now, and it’s a terrific resource for writers.
I’m very excited to report they hosted an article of mine, “Collaboration.” I hope you’ll stop by and, if you’re so inclined, leave a comment.
Write on!-
It’s a new month already!
Wow. I can hardly believe it’s already June. What a busy year it’s been. Things have gone by so quickly, and yet it’s only June – not yet half over. What do you still want to accomplish the first half of 2K12?
Release Day Festivities
As part of the Release Day festivities, I have two posts today that I’d like to share with you.
The first, Music, Art, and Writing – How The Three Support Each Other, is at the Torquere Press blog today. Please stop by and take a look and, if you’re so inclined, leave a comment. (I respond to all comments.)
The second, A Journal of Two Writers – Thoughts From the Other Side of Edits, is at the Torquere Live Journal. Rachel and I share our thoughts on the editing process now that we’ve gone through it.
Enjoy!
Emerald Fire Is Out Today!
I’m so excited! Emerald Fire is out today from Torquere Press.
The harsh desert world of Persis has developed its own customs far from Old Earth. Keepers are cherished as caregivers and helpmeets to Hunters. During Emerald Keeper Teeka’s first Contract with Senior Hunter Brant, disaster strikes. Brant is killed and Teeka is stranded, surrounded by strangers, and unsure of who to trust. A dark and moody Hunter steps forward with an offer of partnership and protection. Teeka wonders what motivates the scarred and solitary Senior Hunter Quill.
Both have hidden motives for agreeing, and both are suspicious of each other. But the Great Valley will force them to work together and build a trust born out of necessity and survival. Between the dangers of the harsh desert and the malice of a hidden enemy, Teeka and Quill must learn to believe in each other to find the truth.
Pick up your copy today! Emerald Fire by A. Catherine Noon and Rachel Wilder
New Shawl Design
I bought some lovely yarn from Lion Brand, called “Amazing.” The colorway is Regatta, which is a subtle rainbow of overdyed colors. I decided to make a triangle shawl with it, using a couple different lace patterns and center diamonds from Barbara Walker’s Fourth Treasury of Knitting Patterns.
In designing, I first tried a swatch of stockinette stitch. Somehow, I misread the ball band and thought it wanted Size 6 U.S. and made the swatch with those needles. It didn’t look the way I wanted, especially the honeycomb slipped stitch design.
Then I read the ball band. Size 9 U.S.
Oh.
Trying it with Size 9 produced better results, but still too dense of a pattern when I knitted a simple moss stitch. I took that out and played with Vertical Lace Trellis, also by Barbara Walker but this time in her A Treasury of Knitting Patterns. I added an increase stitch on either side of every even row. Due to the nature of the pattern, I simply didn’t use a decrease on the one side, but added a make 1 to the other. While this allowed me to get the correct stitch count, it pulled the design out of shape.
I’m going to pull this swatch out, and try it again with simple make ones, while banding the lace with a simple garter stitch edge. That will let me center the triangle in the middle, keeping the edges straight. We’ll see how that works from here.
Fabric As Inspiration
In working with the Artist’s Way, one of the things we focus on is baby steps. I am finding that my baby steps are much smaller than I assume they “should” be. As a friend reminds me, “shoulds” are poison.
It’s frustrating, though, that there are so many relative to sewing. Putting that aside is difficult. I went to an amazing fabric store with a friend, the Textile Discount Outlet. It’s overwhelming and fun at the same time. They have a whole wall of fabric that’s under $4 a yard, where I found a lovely, satiny black fabric with blue detailing that looks Asian.
The left side of the picture above is the “right” side of the fabric, with the black detailing. On the right, it’s the dark part with blue detailing.
I love the way the light falls with the fabric drape. It had different colors depending on where the light hits it.
Here’s a detail of the images on the fabric. Trees and structures are all over it. I’d like to make a long vest or jacket with it, so that it can take advantage of the flow of the fabric.
Here’s the reverse; I like it just as much as the other side.
I find it interesting how my inner Critic wants to fight with my decision, though. I look at the fabric and doubts surface. I can see that it’s my Critic and not something realistic, but it’s painful regardless.
What do you do to conquer your own Critic?