#writerscoffeeclub#Writing 27. What's the ideal story length? Use any definition of length you like, not just word count.
I don't know how to answer this. That is like asking what is fav of something. It depends on what the story is. I write anything from microfictin, drabble (100 words exactly) to 120-word novels.
I currently aim at 2-3 volumes of about 40,000 words.
#WritersCoffeeClub 26 May:
Would you consider writing a guide to your work, e.g. for aspiring writers?
Not all writers are like supervillains that plot,
Some writers are not, and plot, they do not,
Not all writers are writing every single day,
Some writers, they find that life gets in the way,
Some writers, their darlings, they just cannot kill,
Some writers kill even Main Characters at will,
Some writers, they'll tell you, writing, how to do,
But to write, figure out what way works for you.
#WritersCoffeeClub#Writing 26 Would you consider writing a guide to your work, e.g. for aspiring writers?
No, I don't consider myself as writing anything very deep or meaningful. I'd be happy to share a reading list of good yuri and creepypasta I have drawn on.
Nor is how I go about writing worth sharing. Boring and not an example of how to go about it best. I muddle through.
It'd be 50% guide for the Wytch-Fork universe,
50% explaining my processes,
100% info dumping.
Every other chapter would be titled
"This just how I do things. Find what works for you!"
or
"Careful about following me, I once drove an hour out the way to get home because my brain was world building."
or
"The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle and Newton's Laws of Motion frequently influence my though process. And yes this is a long title for a chapter."
And I'd be hella selfconscious about the language I used.
There wouldn't be "This is how you do things.", rather "Here's where I ended up, I will now show you the zig-zag of coffee stops involved as I drove across town to get there."
#WritersCoffeeClub 5/26: Would you consider writing a guide to your work, e.g. for aspiring writers?
No. I'm not a teacher. I mentored intensively, three novelists, one at a time for about three years each. Those working relationships were rich and enjoyable. But that was then. I'm old and sick now, needing all my remaining energy to finish my final projects, so teaching isn't in that mix. But I wish young (in the trade) writers all the very best.
#WritersCoffeeClub 5/26: Would you consider writing a guide to your work, e.g. for aspiring writers?
I'm not a fan of guides unless they are for technical processes.
And while I'm quite willing to talk about my writing process, I am convinced that every writer needs to figure out what works for them. My way is only one of an infinite number of ways that exist.
I might set up a guide for readers on my website. But even then, they need to follow their preferences.
Would you consider writing a guide to your work, e.g. for aspiring writers?
Not sure how to answer that.
A guide for aspiring writers? No. Others have done plenty of those (and I haven't read a single one, tbh).
A guide to my work? Some stories require a little background knowledge, or better put - it's out there, either in the afterwords or on the website. Other than that, no.
I do all my own covers, due to budget. I’ve become better as I’ve gone along but I have trouble matching the cover properly to the tone of the book. Mostly this is lack of technical skill and artistic ability, partly it’s the same trouble I have with picking a representative title.
I like it (and I love that smug little smile on the Taurasi bull’s face) but it doesn’t exactly scream quirky queer romantic fantasy 🤷
This is also the book I’d most like to write a guide, or really an annotated version, for. I mostly write standalones or short series, there isn’t a huge amount that would be interesting to add, but there’s a lot going on in the background for Domesticated Magic.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 25: Do you use a cover artist or design your own covers? Share your cover art.
I've done both. I'm more of a DIY person these days, mostly because I don't want to go into a financial hole for each book. Here are are a couple I've made:
#writerscoffeeclub May 25
Do you use a cover artist or design your own covers? Share your cover art.
I used to hire cover artists. Meanwhile, however, I had some bad experiences and gained more skills myself. I surely do not range among the top cover artists - but truth be told: We all know how hard it is to make some good money with books. Thus, I've done the newest ones myself. The latest is for #OdysseyToThePromisedLand after some very good input from folks here.
It's intricately connected and part of the work, so I create it myself. I am slowly inching closer to a unified visual style for the series.
You'd think sticking to silhouettes would make it simpler, but my stars, it's complex to get the essence of a character into just an outline! It's fun, though.
The cover for book one is new. It's Freya using plants as murder-weapons. 🖤
#WritersCoffeeClub 27 April Have you ever written a section and subconsciously plagiarised another work?
Not a whole section, just an idea. Do you recognise this?
‘Are you happy?’
It’s the only question she asks these days. I have never lied to my mother.
‘In our own way.’
She reaches out a thin hand. ‘You can’t be happy in your own way, only unhappy. I want to know about you.’
‘I am happy.’
It’s the first time I have ever lied to her. She smiles her disbelieving smile.
#WritersCoffeeClub 25: Do you use a cover artist or design your own covers? Share your cover art.
I use the talented and award winning Jane Dixon-Smith. Shameless plug, #TheGirlWhoWaitedAHundredYears is out now