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Post by Gary McCallister on Apr 10, 2012 8:33:43 GMT -5
Nope. But I figured out that is because I was registered as "admin". I really don't care how I am logged in or announced, but I am trying to figure out how this site works.
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Post by paulwest on Apr 10, 2012 8:55:07 GMT -5
Gary, you're still just a guest. I think you need to log in first. I'm anxious to see what you've done with using your ancestors for characters in a novel. Would this actually be fiction, or biography?
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Post by Charlie on Apr 10, 2012 17:18:26 GMT -5
I think Paul is right. If you post without logging in, which this forum apparently lets you do, it comes up as a 'guest' post. However you do it, Gary, we know it is you.
Paul, I don't know if your question about ancestors in a novel was for me but I'll offer my two cents since I am writing (slowly) such a story. What it is technically, I don't know. I guess I am calling it biographical fiction, which probably isn't an actual genre.
The characters and most of the events are being accurately portrayed, as far as my family history allows. Then I have added some elements to portions of the story which allow it to be called fiction. When it comes down to brass tacks I am attempting to pay tribute to my GG Grandfather, whom I've obviously never met but greatly admire.
See, I forgot to log in so this should be a 'guest' post.
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Post by paulwest on Apr 10, 2012 18:27:20 GMT -5
Got another rejection and set out 3 more queries.
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Post by sachiko on Apr 11, 2012 12:55:42 GMT -5
Hey folks! My computer is threatening to go into hibernation. I explained and explained it's spring and therefore time to work harder, but my big beige desktop isn't having any of it. Did I tell you all I met Patricia Briggs a couple of weeks ago? You know who she is? You remember when I told you about this fabulous idea I had back in like 2003 about writing a werewolf/vampire series set in the Tri-Cities with a female coyote main character? And I thought I would be SO SO unique--a Mormon mom, writing a series set in the Tri-Cities...? Okay, so, Patricia Briggs is a Mormon mom who published her first Mercy Thompson series book in 2005. It's a well-written urban fantasy series. With some smexing in it. So I like it, but Your Mileage May Vary, etc. etc. I usedta be devastated about being scooped like that, but she is older and has better craft and more experience and stronger kung fu and all that, so I choose to take it as a sign that I'm having marketable ideas. I have put off meeting her for years because I was afraid I'd be an easily excitable mouth-breather, telling her about "my" book idea--yes, Patti, while YOU were putting in several hours a day writing this stuff, little did you know it was MY BOOK, you know, the one I wasn't writing?-- and I finally went to a book signing a couple of weeks ago and said hi. She was very nice and sweet and gracious and I hardly drooled on her at all! Success. I am still driving the monster truck. I love it. I love having a car seat up front next to me, so I can have my 4yo son up there. He gets a huge kick out of it being a big rumbly diesel rig and seeing over the tops of all the other cars. Gary, my husband's most favoritest car ever was a little Ford Courier pickup. I think that's the same size or smaller than a Ranger. He LOVED that thing and cut his mechanic teeth on it. Wait. That sounds weird, like my husband's some kinda cyborg. with false teeth. Wouldn't that be cool, though? If you had sentient teeth? Sort of a Midas Touch. The Molar Touch? anyway. I love the truck. I think I am a truck gal. I am trying something silly with writing, but that is working really well for me. I'm copying a book, longhand. I've only done 5 pages--oh, the sneaking around I had to do to amass that kinda time for writing!--but already I've learned something about pacing. I've learned that the pacing I'm accustomed to as a reader is TOTALLY DIFFERENT than the pacing I think I need as a writer. I'm realizing that's why some things I write, when I read them, sound like I'm a nervous person talking without taking a breath.
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Post by Gary McCallister on Apr 12, 2012 15:42:13 GMT -5
I'm definitely a truck guy. Around here there is a popular bumper sticker that reads (with appropriate illustrations) "Silly boys! Trucks are for girls."
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2012/04/getting-published-step-by-step/?utm_source=BBeNews&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=BB1215 Thought some of you might find this interesting. Especially the following for Paul, who gets discouraged.
Wow! If that is true then it is no wonder I have never had a book published. I probably never will. I wonder if it is true. I wonder how they know. Don't you ever wonder how so many people know so many things as to make pronouncements and judgment calls with such assurity.
Like, who has the authority to declare who is a Christian and who isn't? Where did they get the authority? How do they know? What about work? Does someone who "writes" and "talks" for a living know anything about work and jobs? Hilary Rosen seems to think so. What about thinking? Is that work?
I have my column ready for next week already. But we have this huge bee festival this Sat. so i am pretty buried for the week end getting up and running. We have a fun new product we are selling, if my grand kids get them made in time. We are selling "bee bombs" and "bee seeds". Bee bombs are small balls of clay, potting soils and wildflower seed mix. They are used to throw into vacnat lots and empty fields to create flower habitat for bees. bee seeds are the same idea only they are gelatin capsules filled with the same mix thta can be scattered in smaller areas and more discreetly. Guerrilla bee keeping.
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Post by sachiko on Apr 12, 2012 16:36:00 GMT -5
Oh, I LOVE the Bee Bomb idea. Guerrilla bee-keeping, indeed. I just read that thing about Hilary Rosen. Since I'm here at home Not Working with my 6 kids, eating bonbons and bantering with Bill Maher--but I digress. I've seen bumper stickers that say QUESTION AUTHORITY. Finally, last month I saw one that said WHO ARE YOU TO TELL ME TO QUESTION AUTHORITY? The crazy thought that occurred to me today about publishing is that maybe if I don't ever get published in my lifetime, maybe it's so my kids can find my manuscripts and publish them and receive a belated inheritance. That, or they'll find them when they need something for lining their cat's litterbox. I do so like to be useful. I went to a belly-dancing class Tuesday night, but the teacher cancelled at the last minute because of a tummyache. True story.
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Post by Gary on Apr 13, 2012 7:49:42 GMT -5
I want one! Does belly dancing cure stomach aches, or cause them? I can do a pretty good jitterbug, foxtrot, waltz, and good old rock and roll. But I have never belly danced. In fact, even imagining a man belly dancing is somewhat disturbing. I am thinking of closing my blogs, but I don't really know how. I guess just quit writing them, but that would confuse and disappoint my semi-regular reader. Perhaps the time I spend on them would free up that 30 seconds a month for finishing my book. I think the problem I have had getting to work on my book, other than getting involved in too many other things, is that I have no real faith that it will ever appear in print. It seems like a lot of energy to put into cat litter. I believe the message is important, science and religion, but to tell the truth I don't think most folks care. Oh well, right now I have got to get ready for the bee marathon tomorrow. (Hey this board has a spell checker on the bottom. I spell OK but I type terrible, so that is cool.)
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Post by paulwest on Apr 13, 2012 9:57:25 GMT -5
"For those serious about getting published, submission of at least 300 packages/year is not uncommon – at least not at the start. That’s 25 packages, 12 months per year. That means that in the course of a year, if you’re batting average ( 4% ) you’ll have about 10-12 new publications. A dozen new publications will start to give you something to really talk about in your cover letter and your author’s bio." Thanks for the thought Gary. I'll remember that when I reach 300 queries without an acceptance, LOL.
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Post by sachiko on Apr 13, 2012 12:15:11 GMT -5
Well, speaking as your semi-regular confused and disappointed reader--wait, does that mean I'm only semi-confused and disappointed? I am not sure about the "confused" part, and the "disappointed" part is just sad.
I would love to read your book, Gary.
I really do think e-publishing is going to change things, like what YouTube did for TV and movies. I bet we'll still have the big publishing houses but it's just not the only way to sell things any more.
I'm sure what we write will find an audience.
Personally, I'm still tapping my toe, wanting a compilation of your science columns.
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Post by sachiko on Apr 13, 2012 12:16:03 GMT -5
And I think belly-dancing helps cure and prevent stomachaches, usually.
And there IS a local guy who belly-dances; I've seen him perform at the local Ren Fair.
And, yes, it is disturbing.
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Post by paulwest on Apr 13, 2012 12:51:55 GMT -5
Well, speaking as your semi-regular confused and disappointed reader--wait, does that mean I'm only semi-confused and disappointed? I am not sure about the "confused" part, and the "disappointed" part is just sad. I would love to read your book, Gary. I really do think e-publishing is going to change things, like what YouTube did for TV and movies. I bet we'll still have the big publishing houses but it's just not the only way to sell things any more. I'm sure what we write will find an audience. Personally, I'm still tapping my toe, wanting a compilation of your science columns. I think you're right Sachiko. I'm debating whether I want to go another route than the traditional. I have as writer friend who is trying it, but hasn't had much success. You still need to advertize, market if you will, to get people to know about your book. But, you gotta do that with traditional publishers as well. One advantage of traditional publishers, though, is that they have the "in" with book sellers.
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Post by sachiko on Apr 13, 2012 15:33:12 GMT -5
that's true. and the traditional publishing houses still have reps as gatekeepers that a lot of readers like.
E-readers like Nooks and Kindles are becoming more common. (i don't have one, but my parents do.) As they do, it'll be easier and easier for people to be willing to pay a couple of bucks to download a book on file....no paper, very low risk for everyone involved.
I'm sure someone else has thought this all out far better than I do.
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tlynn
New Member
Posts: 12
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Post by tlynn on Apr 16, 2012 21:45:38 GMT -5
I think that is awesome that she is keeping a journal and that she has allowed you to read it and that it helps YOU focus on what you two are trying to do together....SOOO COOOL!
Makes me want to be better at journal keeping myself.
It looks like I'll be going back to 50-60-70 hours a week of work so that will limit my creative writing time. Their other writer quit and I'll be taking up all the slack until they hire someone new.
Hey, is there any way this proboard can notify you of new posts??? My memory is so bad that, if I don't see a little notification somewhere I may forget how to get here!!!
T. Lynn
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tlynn
New Member
Posts: 12
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Post by tlynn on Apr 16, 2012 21:48:25 GMT -5
Okay, I am SOO stupid with this new site, I didn't even realize there was another entire page of posts...I see something about a belly dance teacher with a stomach ache and publishing and keeping gorilla-sized bees (alright, maybe that last one was a bit off). And I posted about Gary's wife's journal!
I still think it's a cool idea, Gary, but I'm going to have to take some time to read some of these new posts!
T. Lynn
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