On Writing

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    Today’s post …

    Is over at Fangs, Fur, and Fey. The site is doing something new and running a topic of the month that members are asked to write a post on.

    This month’s topic asks how authors write — if they start with a synopsis or outline before they start a new book. You can see my post and several others over at the site. Enjoy! 😎

  • Not too bad …

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    So I’ve been reading through my first draft of Quiver, my young-adult fantasy. And I am pleasantly surprised that it doesn’t suck out loud. I think I’ve actually got some good stuff in there, which always surprises me.

    We’ll see what my critique group says when they get done reading it — and what my agent thinks of it. Anyway, now it’s time for me to sit down and start on the second draft.

    That’s my weekend plan, along with possibly seeing a movie with Wheezley. Has anyone seen Monsters vs. Aliens? Is that one any good?

    If only it was May 1, Wolverine would be out, and we could go see that. I know it was leaked online earlier this week, but I haven’t heard if it was good/bad. Anyone know? Share in the comments. :ww:

  • No fear …

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    So, as I mentioned yesterday, I did a little cable access channel promo spot for one of my regional libraries. Wheezley and I were talking about this later, and he said that he didn’t know if he could do something like that because it was basically public speaking.

    Maybe I’m weird, but public speaking doesn’t bother me anymore. At least, not much.

    That’s one of the things nobody ever seems to mention about this author gig — you have to do some public speaking. Schmoozing with folks at conferences, giving workshops, talking to folks at book signings. It’s all really public speaking. And if you’re lucky enough to blow up big like J.K. Rowling or Nora Roberts, more folks will want to hear you talk — heck, some will even pay you to come and talk to their group/conference/whatever.

    Don’t get me wrong — I always get a little nervous before speaking, especially if I’m doing something like an RWA workshop. I start out talking really, really, really fast for a few minutes before I manage to relax. But once I’m in my groove, I can usually breeze through the rest of it. A good, interested crowd always helps too. And Q&A sessions? I totally rock at those. 😎

    I’m also pretty good at dealing with people one-on-one. As a journalist, I’ve interviewed hundreds of people over the years, and I can almost always find something to talk to people about. With book crowds, it’s easy because we all love books.

    I don’t like actually reading from my books, though. I always think my Southern accent sounds completely hillbilly (think Paula Deen on crack). And I think the give-and-take of a Q&A session is more interesting for folks in the audience than me sitting on a stool droning on about character development or reading quirky descriptions of spandex costumes. 😉

    What about you guys? Do you have the dreaded fear of public speaking? Share in the comments.