Posted in Writing, tagged creative writing, novel writing, The Wolf Tree, Writing, writing techniques, writing tips on 13 Nov 2013| 2 Comments »
Pen has hit paper on The Wolf Tree.
Admittedly, it’s nothing to shout about. I’ve merely written and rewritten the opening line about two dozen times. We talked about opening lines a while back, and the decision I made then was to take more time working the opening line for this book. Well, I’ve been doing that.
Ever worked on a single sentence for three days? (more…)
Posted in Culture, Writing, tagged building backstory, building believable characters, family history, veterans day, Writing on 11 Nov 2013| 1 Comment »
In outlining the new book, I create histories. As a result, and today being Veterans’ Day, I was reminded of something I discovered back in 1990.
You see, some American families have a long and celebrated history of military service. My family does not. Some families can measure their generations from war to war. My family cannot. (more…)
Posted in Writing, tagged creative writing, novel writing, The Wolf Tree, Writing, writing techniques, writing tips on 07 Nov 2013| Leave a Comment »
Life has begun (touch wood) to settle. Crises have subsided. Daily dramas have diminished. The weather has turned cold and windy and wet, calming nerves and dampening temperaments.
Now it’s time to get back to work. The Wolf Tree is once more underway.
I’ve had a few days off this week, and First Reader and I have taken long walks in the blustery drear, kicking around ideas like the autumn leaves at our feet. I’ve worked on the timelines for the intertwined stories, settled on names for the major characters, and started to flesh out their personal histories.
Posted in Books, Writing, tagged Characters, creative writing, editing, novel writing, novels, publishing, self-publishing, Unraveling Time, Writing on 29 Oct 2013| 4 Comments »
In retrospect, yesterday’s post was a bad idea and very out of character. I had misgivings and hesitated before posting, but I ascribed those feelings to being “brave” and maybe even a bit “edgy” with my choice of topic.
Nope. Instead, it came across as a petulant, whinge-filled pity-fest served with a big side of “Buy my book and tell me it’s grand.”
Ew…and therefore…my apologies. That was not what I wanted to say, and that is not what I want this blog to be about.
Here’s what I want to say, instead. (more…)
Posted in Books, Writing, tagged Characters, creative writing, editing, novel writing, novels, publishing, self-publishing, Unraveling Time, Writing on 28 Oct 2013| 9 Comments »
I’m biased. There. I said it.
I’m biased, in that I like the books I’ve written. I can’t help it. Frankly, I wouldn’t be able to get through the writing part of being a novelist without liking the books I write. Writing a book I didn’t like? Not gonna happen.
So, I’m biased, and that’s unfortunate, because it makes it impossible for me to understand why Unraveling Time didn’t sell.
And I want to know.
Seriously. I want to have an honest, open conversation about why this book didn’t sell. (more…)
Posted in Books, Writing, tagged Characters, creative writing, Dreams of the Desert Wind, editing, Fallen Cloud Saga, novel writing, novels, Ploughman Chronicles, Unraveling Time, Writing on 24 Oct 2013| Leave a Comment »
I’m always curious, when readers leave comments about my books, as to which of my novels is their favorite and why.
The answers are always varied. Sometimes it’s the subject matter, the period, or the setting. For others, it’s the characters who populate the pages. Occasionally, it’s just je ne sais quoi, that certain “something” that resonates with a particular reader.
Recently, though, the question was turned around; someone asked me what my favorite was. (more…)
Posted in Writing, tagged Characters, creative writing, vignettes, Writing on 22 Oct 2013| 2 Comments »
Yesterday, lying in bed, wishing the sky was brighter, wishing the pre-dawn hours were a bit more advanced, I tried not to wake up. I tried to enjoy the warmth of my fleece blanket and cold air from the open window, contrasting sensations that–like salt and sugar–intensify each other. I tried to relax, listening to the sounds of the wind through branches, the honk of overflying geese, the drip of fog-born dew from the spruce trees.
Instead, all I heard was the ticking of my bedside clock. (more…)
Kurt R.A. Giambastiani 