By the time you read this, I’ll be back in school and probably well into the first of many meetings of the year. That or some training because I made this post before I got the itinerary. At the very least, the ice breaker is done. Why are ice breakers never about crushing ice to make snow-cones? (To be fair, the summer session I worked started on July 8th and ended on August 16th. So, I didn’t have much of a summer break to begin with.)
This book has been out for a little over a year. So, I don’t think this is going to be much of a looking back. Making the situation even more difficult, this book plagued me for a while due to lack of confidence. I’ll dive right into that.
Do I Need to Use a Dragon?is a collection of blog-style entries about writing fantasy stories. The information can be shifted to other genres as well, but fantasy was the main target. I wrote this because some people said I give good advice on my blog and should put out a ‘how to write’ book. So, I spent about a year making topics and then writing them with the confidence of a person walking across a rickety bridge. Lots of backtracking and rewriting on the spot, which I guess helped since it meant I didn’t have to worry about doing a bunch of editing runs. Still, it look a long time for me to get the nerve to actually publish this collection.
Part of the reason was that I had so much trouble is that I couldn’t shake the belief that I had no right to make this book. Prior to choosing topics, I took a look at other ‘how to’ books from fantasy authors. All of them had awards, praise, and real publishing contracts while I was an indie author who could no longer sell books. Some people told me that my situation meant I had a unique perspective since I had nothing to lose by putting out a book like this. Still, one really needs to be sure of oneself when declaring that they have advice to share. This issue caused me to wrack my brain for a good week in regards to how to make this book both stand out and feel like my voice.
The first choice I made was to make this a blog-style book. Do I Need to Use a Dragon?needed to sound like me and I didn’t want to use formal jargon. I figured that writing this like I give advice on my blog would make it easier for people to understand and accept. That meant throwing in the same humor and quirks that I do when I try to explain things here. Lists were a big addition too. A few beta readers said this made it appear unprofessional, but that was kind of what I was going for. I wanted this advice to be something that any person could understand and not feel like they were being talked down too. After all, I remember starting out and being bombarded by jargon-filled advice, which made me feel like I wasn’t smart enough to be an author. These types of books should help and not harm.
The second problem that stemmed from my confidence was that I kept being afraid that someone would take my advice and it wouldn’t work. Then, they would be upset and talk as if I gave them a sure thing. My advice is never given thinking it will work 100% of the time and I try to get that point across. This time, I was more blunt and flat out stated that what works for me might not work for another person. It could require some adjustment since every story is different. I peppered the story with this reminder and stories about when I took similar advice to what I was given and failed. This ended up giving Do I Need to Use a Dragon?a more human, experienced feel to some people.
Considering I’m still harboring some doubts in me being allowed to do a fantasy tip book, I don’t think I would change anything. Whatever I altered would probably make a mess of what I completed. Is it perfect? No, but that goes along with me saying what works for one author won’t always work for another. This book was never made to be perfect. It was just me reaching out and maybe helping out a few other authors who are having trouble with their stories. Book didn’t sell, but I think I’m more okay with this one just being out there without action than my fantasy stories. At least, there’s always a chance someone might stumble onto it in their time of need.
Questions time!
How do you feel about ‘how to write’ books?
How do you prefer to receive advice?
What would you write an advice book on if you had to?
It’s pretty much over for me. Holding onto this little bit of summer while I’m away. I mean, I’m resting today and heading home tomorrow. Then, I’m back at school on Wednesday. Don’t expect much in the way of in-depth posts until Friday when I’m going to do something silly.
This was the last full weekend of my summer break. Technically, I didn’t have a big break because I worked the summer program for 6 weeks. I’ll get to me throughout the week though. This about other people.
This was the only full week of break I got between summer school and the 24-25 school year. I’m back at work on Wednesday. That’s why I’m currently on my way to Oswego, NY for a few days of rest. Just needed to get away from Long Island since I’ve been having a terrible year. I can already see the last 4 months aren’t going to be any better, so I need downtime. We’ll see how that goes.
This was the only week that I had my son, so we tried to fit in as much fun as we could even though he had a lot of appointments. For various reasons, all of these ‘had to be’ done on my time. Not going to get into it, but I wasn’t happy that this is a rather consistent trend. So, a lot of our days were Pokemon Go between appointments, school supply shopping, and Halloween costume shopping. Next Saturday is going to revolve around sewing, so I’m having to watch videos on clothing alterations. The things we do for our kids, right?
Aside from Pokemon Go and appointments, we did get two trips in. Last Saturday was the Bronx Zoo with my sister, brother-in-law, and niece. It was fun and we were pretty much at the whim of the little one. Got through most of the zoo, but it was a weekend and some lines were too long. It was pretty hot too, so a lot of the animals were resting and taking naps. Can’t say I blamed them. Best picture is probably this one:
The other outing was on Wednesday when we went to the New York Aquarium with my parents. I haven’t been there in years and they were still repairing from damage caused by Superstorm Sandy. Most was fixed, but this exhibit on invertebrates wasn’t open. It was cool with all of the jellyfish and crabs. It isn’t a big aquarium like the one out east, which is fine since we’re only allowed 3 hour parking. It was just nice to get out to some place new and relax a bit. Best picture of the trip was:
I know I said the main goal was fun, which I did have this week. Yet, there were a lot of things that had to get done. So, I didn’t get to rest and felt like everything was being rushed. Appointments set the pace more than I expected. You can’t go off and do much if you have to be somewhere in the middle of the afternoon. Either you wake up early and run around in the morning or just take it easy. Doesn’t help that I had to start packing as I got closer to today, which meant staying home for a bit. Can’t really say that a rushed, somewhat tiring summer is par for the course this year.
Writing-wise, I didn’t get to anything that I wanted. With Darwin & the Avenging Elf done in terms of edits, I didn’t want to dive into the next book until after my trip. It means I have to carry less since a printed out manuscript is heavy. I had hoped that an afternoon long appointment for my son would have given me time to work on ‘Phi Beta Files’. It didn’t because there wasn’t any place for me to work in the room, which makes sense. That and the company wasn’t very inspiring for creativity. Guess those outlines are my goal for when I’m in Oswego. Want to at least get most of them done and then I can start designing one of my other ‘group stories’. These aren’t really outlines so much as one line explaining what happens in each of the 10 short stories that compose the volumes. I hope I don’t just end up sleeping the whole two days away before I come back, but it’s entirely possible.
As I said, I go back to work next Wednesday even though the students will still be off. It’s two Superintendent Conference days and then a 4 day weekend. Got some minor stuff planned on those days like I said. Seeing a friend on Friday for a full day hang out and sewing to get as much of my son’s costume done as possible. Once I get all of that done, I’ll be starting in on Darwin & the Demon Game. Although, I might start that on the work days when I have downtime. The school district is changing the high school times from 7:50-2:26 to 8:25-2:55. I’m still showing up at 7:15 because my son has be into his own school by 7, which means I’m just getting a longer day. Might as well get my body used to it instead of making it a shock to the system on the first day. Definitely going to need a Dunkin breakfast since I go in the day after I drive back from Oswego, which is going to be about 7 hours or more depending on traffic. I really can’t get any long-term rest unless I catch Covid.
So, what are the goals for the week?
Drive safely on both travel days.
Relax and enjoy Oswego.
Do NOT fall asleep during conference days.
Get back home on Tuesday in time for Pokemon Spotlight Hour in evening.
Finish ‘Phi Beta Files’ prep.
Get together with friend for day of chillin’.
Start editing Darwin & the Demon Game.
Get to Oswego before the place with unique candy and chip flavors closes. (These are the types they have in China and Japan like Strawberry Chocolate Torte Kitkats.)
Come in and have a seat at the bar. We don’t serve alcohol here, but the setting helps people find their perfect glass. You know that the right glass will enhance the taste of what you’re drinking? It’s not scientifically proven, but it makes sense if you think about it for a few seconds. Now, take a look and see what catches your fancy. Here is our list of products:
Chalice– Perfect for any light drink such as wine. Enjoyed by many religious people, so holy engravings are available.
Goblet– Preferred for water and tea. Ours are enchanted to maintain the perfect temperature of whatever it is holding.
Beer Stein– Comes in lid and lidless varieties. Can include a snack summoning enchantment for either pretzels, pork rinds, chips, or nuts.
Snifter– Designed specifically to the customer’s hand for optimal swirling. Will do minor adjustments as person grows.
Wine Glass– Comes in sets of 8 with 4 for white and 4 for red. Made to be unbreakable and impervious to smears.
Martini– Name says it all and they have been designed to never spill.
Large Drink Glass– Enchanted to sprout drink accessories on command such as little umbrellas.
Margarita– Once the rim is covered in salt, it will self-replenish the ring until the drink is done.
Champagne Flute– Comes in set of 2, 4, and 12. Maintains bubbliness of liquid whether it be champagne or soda.
Shot Glasses– Any picture can be put on the glass. Due to small size, they are enchanted to return to the owner after an hour of being used. Special container given to prevent them from appearing at inappropriate times.
Collins Glass– Can also be adjusted to highball size. Releases flavor enhancer when touched by garnishes.
Tumbler– Basic drinking glass that is indestructible, self-cleaning, and does not sweat when ice is added.
Milkshake– Keeps drinks cold. Can be enchanted with a lactose negation spell, which means people can have a milkshake without fear.
Balloon– Can release drink as bubbles. Not sure why people like this one.
Faux Solo Cup– The glass is tinted red and made to feel like plastic. Very popular for frat parties that wish to appear fancy.
We have more, but those are our most popular ones. Why are you asking about frames and lens? So strange.
Legends of Windemere 