What with one thing and another

[rolanni]

I have passed my six month probation. Go me. I also had a very pleasant chat with the woman who hired me, and though the purpose of the whole ritual remains a little vague, it was certainly not time wasted.

Those who listen to podcasts may wish to visit Forgotten Classics, where Julie Davis does a lovely job with such material as Topper, The Black Moth, Life Among the Savages -- and Scout's Progress.

For those who peruse this journal for information on projects-in-progress, a question. What would you like to see/read about such projects? Does a naked status bar satisfy you, or do you long for something else? Go ahead, tell me your wildest fantasies. I don't promise to adopt any particular format, but I'm curious -- and who knows what might happen?

Progress on Duainfey

29,385 / 100,000 (29.4%)

Comments

[queenmaggie.livejournal.com]

I long for more info.
I'm never sure that I understand what project is being worked on, and where/if I can find a copy. My expertise with electronic books is sadly lacking and my interaction with electronic media is almost magical in the way things disappear when they are supposed to display themselves.
So, more info is better5. 'Kthnxby

[drammar.livejournal.com]

My usual reaction to the status bar is: how can she write that fast? But in terms of what I'd like to see: I very much enjoy the conversations around naming things (the recent 'abbot' dilemma for example). And if you could do it without giving away story lines, some information about how your characters surprise you would be welcome. And is the story about where you expected it to be at nearly 30% of the way toward anticipated word count?

Along those same lines — and this may more properly belong on the Fledgling discussion site — has that taken off in directions that you weren't expecting as the story revealed itself?

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

My usual reaction to the status bar is: how can she write that fast?

LOL! And my reaction is: Ohmighod, I have got to write faster!

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Six months already? Wow. Congratulations.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Scary, isn't it?

[onyxhawke.livejournal.com]

For me, revision process, why you delete or repair a scene, what parts are harder or easier are all greatly interesting,

[keristor.livejournal.com]

I like your "other information" as well, not just the writing parts.

I like information about the writing strategy. For instance, how accurate is your target figure of 100kwords likely to be (how flexible is the figure)? Do you write the first draft straight through and then go back to revise it, or are you revising as you go along? I know you mentioned post-it notes, are they generated as you write or read through stuff you've already written, or only during revision? Do you keep a parallel journal of spin-off ideas as you write (ideas for backstory, character development, etc.)?

And do you find yourself dreaming parts of the story? I frequently find bits of what I've been reading recently in my dreams, I would imagine the same sort of thing could happen when writing.

Why short-term reviews?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Not sure it applies in your case, but at one large higher educational institution, the purpose of the initial review was as the final chance for the people hiring to easily move someone out of a position if they didn't fit. I.e., at this point HR would accept a supervisor saying that someone didn't work. After the initial review, though, firing someone became a lengthy process, involving warnings, corrective action, reviews, and whatnot. So the initial review was not really for the benefit of the person in the position, but a last chance for the supervisor to admit that they hired the wrong person.

Your institutional mileage may vary.

[mardott.livejournal.com]

I lust for teasers.

I won't ask for a lot - just a line or two under the status bar. Tiny vignettes about something a character did or said… a tangent that intruded upon your world… a stubborn section that refuses to respond to your fingers upon the keyboard…

I would sigh in bliss.

[otaku-tetsuko.livejournal.com]

COngrats! Much joy follows, knowing you shall continue to have important things like a steady paycheck and benefits! SO much easier to do the important things (like write!) if you're not wondering how to pay the phone bill!

Thanks for being so accessible to your fans, and letting them become clan. Thanks for providing a counterpoint of reason in the madness. Thanks for being BLOODY EVIL MINDED so that the writing feels real and does things that hurt sometimes for the sake of the overall story. Thanks for having a partner that reigns in that evil so we don't have to kill you! Thanks for being.

The difference a "g" makes!

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

I think you meant "a partner that reins in that evil" (pulling on the reins to hold back the rampaging wildness, eh?). A partner who reigns in that evil - perhaps a monarch of evil, squatting on his throne and ordering another six slaves tossed into the pit of unending pain?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

For those who peruse this journal for information on projects-in-progress, a question. What would you like to see/read about such projects? Does a naked status bar satisfy you, or do you long for something else? Go ahead, tell me your wildest fantasies. I don't promise to adopt any particular format, but I'm curious -- and who knows what might happen?

While I will contemplate a naked status bar, it is a bit unfulfilling. Three thoughts:

1. probably a link - to a place with "book notes" - what genre, sales status (if it can be mentioned), maybe some potential blurbs? The kind of thing that we sometimes wonder when stumbling across a status bar and book name - what the heck is this? One thought might be to use this as a place to "try out" blurbs or summaries - ask the readers which ones they like. You know, the FAQ answers.

2. snippets can be fun. I see you tossed us a couple lines already, thanks!

3. writing comments. what's happening as you write it, your reaction, how you deal with that character who suddenly decided to wear puce or that plot point unfolding. Don't spend a lot of time, but even the little note about redoing something today was fun.

4. Feel free to ask us about names and what not. A peanut gallery research group isn't bad, although you have to decide whether it is worth the investment in time or not. It's fun to bat ideas around.

What I don't want - the story uncovered. I would rather read it later, thanks. But I do enjoy insights into the creative grumbles. And teasing is just fine.

And thank you for asking!