Music to get you writing, what's yours?

So I'm listening to Aqua while writing this blog, as am hoping to get into the groove to look over some edits for "With Prejudice"; a short novel of sorts within the speculative and spy/crime thriller genres. If you haven't heard of Aqua, then you're missing out.

I know that some of my writing friends write to music, whether it be classical music to set the mood for the 1800s to the latest techno for a more futuristic settings. What about you, what do you listen too?

Possibility of test drilling off the Otago coast in 2014

I just came across an online article from our local newspaper about the prospect of a test drill for oil and gas off the Otago coast, and that it could happen sometime in January next year.  The article could be found here.


If the drill tests prove successful, and by the looks of things Anadarko is taking it seriously by investing over US$100 million into the project and ensuring that it filed the correct forms with the New Zealand Environmental Projection Authority (even though they don't have to), it would be an economic boost for the region.
I know that there is a certain amount of opposition to the idea of drilling so close to our shores, considering the oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico back two years ago. Then again, oil spills tend to get bad press anyway. But surely we need the tests to be successful, and for Anadarko setting up offices here in Dunedin, because we need a return of industry. We have lost so much recently due to the Recession and globalisation, where production is moved off shore because cheaper labour and the like.

To me that alone is sad.

Dunedin had been at the heart of New Zealand's gold rush, and mentioned by the Dunedin Public Libraries. Going from that to where we are today is disheartening to say the least, considering how much potential there is here. Anandarko is offering the region a possible boom and seem to be on the right track by ensuring the test is done without endangering our environment. I personally think that we ought to give Anandarko a chance, and if they stuff up than we can go all up in arms and give them grief.

show don't tell

I am writing this more out of irritation than anything else, largely because I had to put down two ebooks and wonder why the heck I wasted money on them.

Then I remembered, it was the pretty covers.

When I was writing the early draft for Compromised, my friend Nigel had this tendency of

hammering one thing the most; and that was to show, don't tell. I had a hard time doing just that in my early writing endeavours, as soon in Exit Strategy. He has a point, and one of those days I will ask him or one of my other writing buddies to guest post about it.

For now, you're stuck with me.

You see, a story is like a movie, largely because we - as humans - are very visual, at least from what I could ascertain. Perhaps that is why movie blockbusters are so attractive, and the current levels of CGI involved definitely help, as they are visual slug fests.The same goes for fiction.

We're very visual in our approach to things, and most often then not it is simpler to show how to do something than tell. The same goes for writing fiction. To get a fair idea what I mean is to go check out Robb Grindstaff's website. In addition to being a pretty awesome fiction writer, Robb has a strong background in editing.

Compromised, is alive

Go here.

Some ramblings and news

When is enough really enough? I have been on a writing journey of late, one focusing on Gene Bukowski and his exploits. He had gone through multiple transformations as I tried to find the best fit for him since Vocal Minority. Last Sunday I had about enough. It was as if I was going in circles trying to write that perfect novel. The thing is, I have written one in Vocal Minority. Okay, so I have decided a tad later that the story felt a little flat and childish. Essentially I didn’t like it. Yet, my friends had suggested that I put it up anyway. I did, and is now a free download at Smashwords.

Thing is, in my writing endeavours in trying to create the ultimate reading experience, I have forgotten the golden rule of writing: you write ultimately for yourself, and it took a bit of patience from a fellow writer and a frank and honest chat with two of my writing idols to hammer that home. This has been reinforced to me by my English teacher back at high school, and you know what... they probably would be calling me up short for going about in circles. Yes, Vocal Minority was a good start and whilst I may not like it, I am pretty proud of the fact I wrote the story. It will remain on Smashwords for whole of $2 as a reminder to me that yes, I can write something coherently that has a beginning, middle and ending.

Ever since then I was adamant to place Gene in a newer setting. Maybe make him a kiwi or something close to home. The manuscript had him in action in the year 2126 to 2035 to 2062. If I keep it up, I might try writing a time travelling serial. So what am doing about it? Who knows. Ok, I do know. I am going back to the reason why I wanted to make Gene Bukowski’s adventures better and more adult-centric. I wanted to combine my love of a good old techno-thriller with the best elements of science fiction as seen in such movies as I, Robot and Minority Report and the cutting edge feel of such computer games as Medal of Honor, Halo and so forth.

In one of my versions of the reboot, I think I have done it as it is all of the above.

This is one of those posts where I have taken my sweet time writing, a by-product of that irritating thing known as having a life outside of writing and a job. In that time I had progress with this manuscript. For one I had submitted the story to a publisher, and they have sent me feedback. Okay, so it’s not the same as getting a nod that yes they want to publish it, but it’s close enough and as rejections go feedback is good. Repeat after me please; feedback is good. After all, publishers are busy people. The awesome part was that the feedback contained a lot of positives; such as what they liked about the story and what worked for them and what didn’t. For a writer wanting to be published (regardless of what route they choose to take) this kind of feedback is the same as hitting a goldmine. It is priceless.

The best part was that they encouraged me resubmit once I rework the story. Please allow a moment while I go skip along with happiness, because that was not what I expected. Naturally, I will be doing just that.

Now, if you’ll excuse me . . .

Compromised, almost done

The story is nearly finished, and sitting roughly just under 14,000 words. While I can imagine a few extra scenes added to the story, I doubt that it would be a novel length per say. Why so short, you ask?

Without putting a finer point on it, because dragging it out wasn't working. The story is a precursor of sorts, where Gene Bukowski and his best friend are slowly incorporated into a clandestine arm of a multinational peacekeeping force akin to the International Security Assistance Force, if not itself but evolved into a bigger entity.

More importantly I want this to be about Bukowski; the main character. It is nearly finished, and a cover is being created by an artist.

Watch this space folks, but do so patiently.

Thoughts and musings about a work in progress

In my current work in progress I want to do two things:

1. Explore Gene Bukowski's past and the catalyst that had him decide to join the New Zealand Army, which was used as a springboard into the evolved fictional version of the ISAF.
2. Give you a hint of one of the antagonists that Bukowski and friends will be facing.

Admittedly, that's no easy task. When I first started the whole idea that has become Gene Bukowski in his current form, I never really figured why he joined the military in the first place. Sure, in Exit Strategy I gave off a pretty lame excuse that he went Army to peeve off his old man.Thinking about it now, the original idea wasn't that well thought through.

In Oranges however, I can't just put in a throw away idea. It needs thinking through on what would motivate a sixteen-year old to start on a road that would make him not only a badass field operative, but the person he grows up to be.

The other thing I need to consider is how do I go about presenting the same character in two separate story arcs?

Do I go simply start with a prologue where the main character is a teenager and end with an epilogue, where he's all grown up and kicking butt?

One of my all time favourite authors had another way, which he used in that awesome title to your left here. Every alternative chapter followed the main character's exploits as a RAF pilot during the Second World War, which fitted in nicely with the primary plot.

I should try that, me thinks.