Research is the (Necessary) Pits

At SF Writer Con, many distinguished authors showed.

On that note, I have to give a quick shout-out to Penny Warner, a local to the Bay Area, who I ran into completely by accident at the SF Writer Con Gala. She was incredibly warm and compassionate in offering help to unpublished writers. This, despite her thousands of friends as a social butterfly, and her over sixty published novels in the mystery genre.

Another mystery genre expert that attended the conference was Rhys Bowen. While I didn't get a chance to speak to her personally, I found her to be charming and witty, particularly as she explained the nuances of how she went about researching facts that surround her fiction

Getting realistic information about locations, science, procedure, etc. is critical to creating an aura of genuineness and authenticity to the story itself, as you'd probably guess-- even in fiction novels. Sure, you can break some of those rules, especially in fantasy, but we as readers all know that sometimes if it's too much, we just want to put the book down (gasp!).

Anyway, she joined other luminaries/writers, Trina Robbins and Constance Hale, in a discussion about researching for books (non-fiction or fiction).

I've summed up some key points:

• Talk to experts - CALL people and leverage your network
• Go there yourself, if you can.
• If not, use Google Earth and news articles from the area for the past five years
• Libraries, museums, and more!
Do NOT use Wikipedia - too many mistakes and too little fact-checking
• Use at least two reliable sources to confirm
• Keep all your notes on file and jot down names, date of interview, dates-of-birth, etc.
• Use them to support your work, should anyone question the veracity of a section.

This inspired me in my own work to dig deeper. Much of my research for the current novel is from trust-worthy articles. However, some of it previously was from Wikipedia. For those, I've pretty much discarded them or began to ask subject matter experts in the field to confirm things in my story.

The past week I've spent with a friend who is a police officer and with three others in the pharmaceutical field (one in drug manufacturing, a pharmacist, and another in lab research). I'm beginning to see how ambitious I was in this project -- perhaps biting off more than I should chew!

That said, it's exciting to learn so much about these worlds and I am hopeful that it will lead to strong authenticity in my book. Research and edits are some of the toughest, but most rewarding, aspects to writing. They can both be fun too with the right mindset. Write on...

A Week Removed from SF Writer Con 2014..

Last weekend (Thurs-Sun), I was at the San Francisco Writer Conference. It the first Writer Con I've attended, after some encouragement from fellow writer-friend, Wendy Spinale. Note: she's an up-and-coming writer that you should be on the look-out for! Check out her blog, if you have a moment. Beyond her writing skills, she's also incredibly helpful to folks like me, working to hone our craft.

The conference made peoples' heads explode. Not that the concepts were so mind-boggling to be incomprehensible. It was simply an inundation of info about how to improve writing, dialogue, character, improve platform, the differences between self-publishing and traditional, pitching, and so much more.

I have nothing to compare SF Writer Con with. That said, from the many folks I met (and networking is probably one of the biggest things to consider... hey, this is just like my ol' business school, whodathunk?), I understand that the SF con is one of the largest. Also, it has a very collaborative feel amongst the writers, published authors, other instructors, agents, publishers and industry experts.

The Speed-Agent-Dating on Valentine's Day was interesting too. More on that one later.

The biggest take-away is so simple, it will seem like plain common sense. Even when it comes to the whole debate about traditional publishing and self-publishing, it trumps all like the one ring. I'm going to start with that seemingly easy concept and post some more later, when I get a chance.

The one thing you have to remember above anything else in writing is:

Focus on the content and make it the best writing possible!



 

Now you can laugh. Or glare. But seriously, one of the things writers miss most is too much focus on the pitching, querying, identifying the one great idea, etc. It's tough these days to break in to the market-- I think one of the published authors mentioned J.R.R. Tolkien might have had difficulty getting through today's agents, despite his obvious excellence and now-notoriety.

 

Everyone knows you need good timing in the market, and a little bit of luck, to really garner the success everyone desires in this field. But writers primarily can only control one thing: their own work. Time to get to it!

P.S. If you were like me, and trying to save a few and BART in, I got one thing to say to you: I hate walking up Mason Street to Mark Hopkins Hotel.

Coming out of the dark

Some of you may not know this, but I don't tell all my friends and acquaintances that I even like to write.

That changed earlier this week, when I went public with my Facebook Writer page.

• It's not that I am totally embarrassed about my stories or even writing in general. I just didn't feel the desire to entrap people I know into feigning interest.
• On the other hand, I wanted to get my first novel manuscript into a state where I felt comfortable sharing that I actually had written something worthy of notice.

I once went to school in Los Angeles. Down there, every soul had a screenplay or manuscript in their back-pocket.

Back then, I didn't. However, when I actually wrote something I felt worth publishing, it made me think that not everyone wants to hear about it.

I'm sure that has some partial truth to it.

But anyway, now is the time to let people know that I am proud of my new novel. I'd like to get the feelers out from agents on the strength of the query, before I share more, but I've really enjoyed the process (a lot of work, late nights and struggling) to get even this far.

The problem is, I don't know what I don't know. I'll try to rectify that with more investigation and attending some conferences (very soon!). And believe me, I've been trying to read every blog and tidbit out there on the web to catch-up...

For those who are interested, here's my real-life story so far:

• Began writing my first novel each night in November '13, for NaNoWriMo.
• Edited it all December.
• Had beta-readers read it and provide feedback and made a few initial agent queries to get my feet wet.
• In January, severe overhaul of some of the structure; incorporation of feedback I agreed with.
• Received some "other writer" feedback via Scribophile, which was fairly uplifting (and had good, constructive criticism)
• Met with friends-of-friends-who-now-I-count-among-friends (say that ten times fast) who are in the industry and have received super advice.

That is not a long time for writing, but the inside fire is there. I hope I have more validation at some point, God willing. Though I'm trying to write for my own sake at the moment.

If you've come this far: thank you for your support and encouragement (and occasional kick to the rear).

What would Karaoke be without...

Actual singing?

So, for everyone's amusement, I recorded myself singing my own lyrics to "The Agent-Writer Confrontation." (Again, the original "The Confrontation" is from Les Miserables)

Note: Original Music by Claude-Michel Schonberg and Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. New Lyrics by me.

For my "adapted" lyrics again, see my original post.

• I had to do this acapella, as I don't have just the music.
• Both vocals are me
• I did mess up the counterpoint a little bit
• (and also the key in some places.. I recorded it in bits and jacked that up).

Oh well. This is what happens when you go a little crazy.

Feel free to lambaste me. I just figured it was a good chance to mess around. You can cover your ears, but if you pressed "PLAY," it's your decision.

Without further ado, I hope you enjoy it... :) Maybe I should create a little YouTube video with my son's action figures. LOL.

Karaoke and Writing

Some of my buddies know I can get crazy about karaoke. I only go every so often, but I do love it.

I was just thinking how karaoke is so similar to writing.
 
For now, I've been listening to some of my favorite songs, which range wildly from one end of the spectrum to the other.

• I love Linkin Park, The Script, OneRepublic, Katy Perry, and many other rock, pop and alternative bands.
• But I also appreciate Eminem and Pitbull (and previously, Dr. Dre and Tupac).
• And separately, my guilty pleasures are all musicals and even Disney.
• Hey, whatever you can sing along to, right?

Anyway, here's the thing about both (karaoke) singing and writing:

• You need some general skill to pull it off effectively.
• You can still do it off-key, but people will look at you like you're crazy
• You also need the balls to stand up in front of people and belt it out, like you believe in yourself.
• You're putting yourself out there either way and making a fool of yourself in some regards.
• But if you can hit the right notes, people will enjoy your "art" and appreciate it alongside you.
• Not to mention, you'll have a helluva lot of fun doing it.

OK, fantastic. So what if you can't sing?

• I'm a firm believer in the concept of "anyone can learn."
• I sure hope so, as I'm pretty new to writing myself. "Keep practicing until you get there." That's what I keep telling myself.
• I've recently joined Scribophile and been going crazy, critiquing writing and having my works critiqued.
• The good news is people have been very positive about some of my stories. They also have taught me a lot to help me improve.. and it's only been a short time there.

We may never become Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston

(or whoever you think has an amazing voice),

but you can still be your own star.

 

That's all we can ask for these days. Be your own spotlight. But if you are, don't forget the rest of us. :)

 

Actually, this thought was part of an inspiration for my current novel. It wasn't the main inspiration for it, but it added fuel to the fire... I hope I get to present that to you someday AND that you'll enjoy the notes I play.

 

Until next time, thanks for reading.

- T.L.

P.S. As I said above, I love blazing a wide variety of music in karaoke (classic Rock is always good too).

• But I'll let you in on a little secret. Sometimes, they call me Tim Shady (Tim is what T. stands for, if you haven't figured it out).
• Not because I'm a sketchy person (I'm not. Or I don't think I am... someone else will have to vouch), but because "Lose Yourself" is one of my favorites to blaze at the karaoke joint.
• Most of the time, it requires a few drinks though. I think I've only done that one once sober.

Les écrivains miserables

I need a break from editing. Yeah, it's Saturday night, so this is pretty nerdy. What can I say?
 
I was listening to Les Miserables earlier (I would karaoke the whole musical, if I could), and was inspired to (sing along and) edit my own version of one of the songs to tide me over for a break.
 
Basically, I modified "The Confrontation" song into a satire for writers and agents. The original is a pretty famous scene, but not the most popular song from the musical itself (those are reserved for things like "On My Own," "I Dreamed a Dream," etc.).

• In case you're wondering, this particular scene is just after Jean Valjean promises Fantine on her death bed that he will care for her daughter, Cosette. Javert bursts in to take him away and thus... the confrontation.
• For our new version, place me (bow) or yourself as the stand in for the writer  (écrivains in French)-- I tried to fit in whatever worked for 24601 (Jean Valjean's prisoner number) syllable-wise, or Jean Valjean.

Here we go....

• Try to sing along, if you know it.
• If you don't, I suggest you view the original first at YouTube. In fact, try playing it in the background and then it'll flow better for you, I hope.

Minor Note: I used the version performed by Colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean and Phiip Quast as Inspector Javert, from the 10th Anniversary Concert (October 8, 1995), as the movie version is tough to swallow with Russell Crowe. Sorry, loved him in Gladiator, but...

-----------------
"The Agent-Writer Confrontation" by T.L. Jericho (original credit to "Les Miserables")

Agent:
Writer, at last,
We see each other plain
Monsieur "Author"
You'll need a different name!

Writer:
Before you say another word, Agent
Before you dub me illiterate again
Listen to me! There is something I must do.
This novel is another wondrous tale.
There is none but me with dazzling imagery,
In Mercy's name, some love is all it needs.

Then it'll sell, I pledge my word.
Then it'll sell...

Agent:
You must think me mad!
I've trashed wordsmiths across the years
Wimps like you can never change
A fool such as you.

Agent (in parentheses) and Writer, in counterpoint:
(Lit like this must never change)
Believe of me what you will
(Lit you write will never change)
There is a story that I've sworn to do

(No,)
You know nothing of my life
(Wannabe-Stephen-King)
All I did was bare my soul

(My duty's to the books - you have no rights)
You don't care about my plot
(Go away, Lee Child copycat)
You would sooner see me dead

(Now your story's turned around)
But not before I see this novel done
(Your scribbles are nothing now)

I am telling you, Agent
(Dare you talk to me of time)
I have a strong voice that shines
(Spent writing all night and day)

There is power in me yet
(Every jack seeks publishing)
My tales are not yet spun!
(All artists must find their way)

I am warning you, Agent
(You know nothing of agents)
There is nothing I won't dare
(I was born reading a book)

If I have to beg you here
(I was born a scum like you)
I'll do what must be done!
(I am a novelist too!)

Writer:
And this I swear to you tonight

Agent:
There is no book you can write

Writer:
No matter what new holes you tear...

Agent:
Whatever you will try to say...

Writer:
I'll pour out my crazed fiction...

Agent and Writer (Together):
I swear to you, no time to spare.

------

And there we have it. The writer and agent's lives in the nutshell. Hope you enjoyed it. Nothing fancy in the alterations, but I had fun twisting it for aspiring authors and writers everywhere, and for the agent, who feels overly pestered. :)

In closing, nothing at all against agents. It's a tough life to lead. Ditto with writing. Just poking a little fun at the process...

- T.L.