writer plus readers

We had an interesting discussion of a short story this week in my writers' workshop. The reactions and interpretations to the story were all over the board. It reminded me of how subjective fiction is, like other art. A piece of fiction doesn't truly come to life until a reader perceives and interprets it--and readers always bring their whole lives/backstory to that task. So, a story is different for every reader.

More specifically, the story in question was Raymond Carver's Cathedral. We all agreed that the writing was masterfully minimal and the characterization was extremely effective. Most agreed that the protagonist was a bigot and appeared to experience an epiphany of compassion/understanding in the end. We disagreed, however, on what it meant. Did the protagonist act or react? Did the protagonist truly change? Or did he just change for the moment? Did he realize he'd changed? And if he didn't realize it, was it still meaningful? To whom? The protagonist? The reader?

Did you read it? What do you think?

perspective

I went to a writers conference this past weekend. This week it's been interesting to hear and see the 'post-game' analysis and reactions of my writer friends. After the initial euphoria and exhaustion wears off, a common reaction seems to be frenzy? consternation? Something along those lines. They seem to think: I have to do a bunch of things differently, and I have to fix a bunch of things, and I have to do it all RIGHT NOW. (And I admit, I'm not immune to such thoughts.)

I've been reading Booklife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st Century Writer by Jeff VanderMeer and he has a section in the middle called "Gut-Check" in which he recommends writers eat, sleep, don't do drugs, take time to relax and exercise, etc. These are basically all common sense things. The fact that VanderMeer has to tell writers to do this, makes me think writers are in danger of losing perspective! Or maybe even our minds. :)

So, writers, certainly, try to improve your craft, but also live your lives. Try to capture the joy of creating new characters, stories, worlds. Remember why you got into writing in the first place. Keep your perspective!

I'll try. How about you?

manic monday

I had a super-busy weekend and didn't do any writing or revising per se. In a mere two weeks my final MFA thesis is due. Plus, I have my usual responsibilities like work and critique group, etc. Ack! I'm feeling a bit manic. Correction: I'm feeling a lot manic.

I know a lot of my fellow students are feeling the same. What we need are some stress management tips.
I looked around and here's what I found:

• Reframe problems to view from a more positive perspective.
  
• Look at the big picture and take perspective.
  
• Adjust (lower!) your standards.
  
• Don’t try to control the uncontrollable.
  
• Look for the upside, for the positive.
  
• Share your feelings.

Well, I've got that last tip down pat. Ack. :)

Does anyone have any good stress management tips?

writers conferences

As you read this I'm at a writers conference, specifically, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' annual Colorado Gold Conference, held in Denver. I'll be volunteering, including running a short story workshop, hosting "Literature and Liquour" in the bar, hosting one of the networking dinner tables, and moderating some panels throughout the weekend. I'll be pitching my new book to an editor that would be a perfect fit. Maybe I'll hit an agent or two with my elevator pitch in the elevator. :) I'll be attending a number of informative panels and workshops. But, best of all, I'll get to catch up with a bunch of writer friends and meet some new ones.

I mention all this not to brag but to encourage everyone to go to a conference. Conferences rock! They get us away from our computers and into real-life human interactions with other writers! They rejuvenate us, get our creative juices flowing!

If that's not reason enough, they have awesome networking opportunities. You never know when you might help yourself or someone else along the path of success. Last year, for example, one of my critique partners sat at my networking dinner table and ended up having the agent ask him for his manuscript. Huzzah! I've even seen folks set up on-line critique groups in the bar!

There are a large number of conferences. To be the most effective do your research. Where will your ideal agent or editor be? Where will you be able to pitch to said agent or editor? Actually, for SF and Fantasy writers something to consider is: Nebula Awards Weekend. This is chock-full of industry professionals and for some reason few writers go.

Another tip: for the biggest bang for your buck, volunteer. Often this results in reduced or waived conference fees.

Anyone know of any good conferences?

who's your demo?

I just discovered an awesome writer who seems to know a lot about social media: Kristen Lamb. Check out her blog. Recently, she discussed "the typical non-reader." She said, There is a misconception that non-readers don't read. They DO read, they just happen to be highly selective. Wow!

A couple weeks ago she said, what is our REAL demographic? Anyone in need of informing or entertaining. THAT demographic is MASSIVE and when we writers mobilize THAT sector of society—the fat part of the bell curve—this is when literary history is made.

The DaVinci Code, the Harry Potter Series, Twilight, Tuesdays with Morrie, Water for Elephants, The Help all ignited a passion for stories in people who normally would not have defined themselves as avid readers. Wow again! This lady is smart!

Personally, I'm going to have rethink this whole demographic thing. How do we reach anyone/everyone in need of entertaining? What do you think?

don't quit your day job!

On this holiday it's fun to imagine what it would be like to be a full-time writer. But I know quite a few fiction authors and they invariably say things like "Don't quit your day job." (And not just to me, to every aspiring writer they come across.) The inconvenient truth is it's hard to make a living as a fiction writer. Agent Chip MacGregor posted a nice blog entry last summer about this very thing: Making a Living at Writing. He breaks it down into how many books you need to have in print or coming out, etc. Very helpful!

How about you? Do you have a plan in place? Will you, or did you, quit your day job?

the twitter experiment

I'm taking a class right now where we're actually required to sign up for twitter and follow some authors. Ultimately, we're going to analyze their tweets as to whether we thought they were effective or what. I got geared up yesterday (yes, I know I'm late to the party) and it's wild how different the various authors are. Some first impressions: One author tweets literally every ten minutes; she's very entertaining but I can't help thinking Get a real life, honey! One author only tweets quotes from her books. Oh, dear! This doesn't work at all. One author seems to only tweet commerical information about his books. Not good.

What might work to sell books would be to follow the actual fictional characters. I'll have to look some of my faves up to see if they tweet. Or, I could tweet one of my characters... That could be interesting!

Anyway, anyone have any good tweeting experiences? Know any good tweeters I should follow? (Feel free to include yourself.) Thanks!