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 Produced and published by the members of Writers' Village University since 1998    ISSN 1521-2639       
05 February 2012
Guest Chat with Lois McMaster Bujold The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

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Guest Chat with Lois McMaster Bujold

Wynelda Shelton

Recently, members of WVU had the pleasure of speaking with author Lois McMaster Bujold, author of over 14 novels. Below are excepts from the conversation that ensued. For more information on Lois, please visit the her website at http://www.dendarii.com.

Part One: On Starting a Novel

Wyndie: Lois, how do you start your novels? Characters or plot or...?

Lois: I've used all three as starting points: character, plot, and setting/idea. Most of the Miles books start with character. Spirit Ring began with plot, the old folk tale "The Grateful Dead." Ethan of Athos began with the idea, the uterine replicators and their possible social effects. However, whatever a book starts with, it has to develop all elements pretty quickly; they all feed each other. Even *setting* is an element of characterization. Different characters will notice different things about their surroundings, describe them in different way, and overlay different emotional responses.

On Characterization:

Slide: How did you get the idea for Miles' type of problem?

Lois: Miles has a lot of real-world inspirations, which have all sort of composted down over the years; he's pretty much himself by now. I could name Lawrence of Arabia as a bright, nervy, short soldier-type, a hospital pharmacist I used to work with who supplied a physical template (short, oversized head, leg braces, brains galore) and my own case of Great Man's Son (Child?) syndrome as starting points.

Peg: Do you find the work is character driven, the plot and subplots arising from the characters themselves as you work?

Lois: Mostly my work is character-driven. I want some inner sense of emotional satisfaction with the events I propose. My sense of pacing and timing seems to be wholly intuitive.

On Setting And World Building

Shanna: Lois, when you are creating your worlds, is it an evolving process where you have to make changes as the story grows?

Lois: I make up my setting around the story as it proceeds, so it's a continuous process. Some, of course, must be set in advance or one cannot begin. But in general, my setting doesn't exist till a character passes through it.

Lucille: Your fantasy world "started.&uqot; Does it grow, or does it have boundaries?

Lois: It grows with every story, of course. In detail, if not in scope. Things can grow inwardly as well as outwardly. Very fractal. The inside of every character's head is a universe. If you mean Chalion, it's just started to grow. I only have a little piece of it yet. Sort of like a slice of potato with an eye, from which whole crops may yet descend.

On Writers' Block

Claxton: Lois, how do you deal with writer's block?

Lois: Writers' block has a number of definitions. The most common is simply a synonym for "being stuck", which is usually non-fatal. It's simply, for me, my back-brain telling me I'm trying to do something wrong with the story, and going on sit-down strike till I fix it. The more serious form is when one has truly gone "off" writing, lost appetite for it, almost a form of depression (and a bad feedback loop one at that). I've not had too much trouble with that form, which is far more serious.

Wyndie: Lois, have you ever started a story, gotten 50 or 100 pages into it, then felt it wasn't going anywhere and you needed to stop working on it?

Lois: No. In general, that's a problem I work out at the outline stage. While I've often been stuck or frustrated, usually I also have a contract. The fear of having to give the money back is a *great* motivator for slogging ahead. There is a "feel" when an idea is going to support a novel; it's hard to describe. But so far, it's been pretty reliable for me.

--- Wynelda Shelton

 

The Bujold Nexus

Fictionwise
Shards of Honor and Barrayar now available. More to come.

Snippet of upcoming Diplomatic Immunity

Baen Press Sample chapters from A Civil Campaign

Baen Webscriptions

A Civil Campaign August 2000; Mirror Dance and Komarr December 2001;
Diplomatic Immunity May 2002 (first part available mid-February 2002)


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Drabble Corner The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

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Drabble Corner

Michelle Swisz

Our theme for this month is Connection.

Making the Connection
by Joanne Appleton

She picked up the phone for the third time that morning, hesitating only momentarily before dialing. She knew he would answer. He had to, he must. She glanced across the room at his photograph. He looked back, unseeing. The ringing continued. How long had it been since he left? Hadn't he promised to always be there for her? Nineteen, twenty, twenty-one. How much longer until he answered the phone? The ring on her finger was proof: he was part of her, they were together for life. Beeeeeeeeep. 'The person you are trying to call is unavailable. Please try again later.'

These year-end holidays bring out both the worst and the best in us. The worst might be despair that for some reason we cannot be with all of our original family. But it is more often limited to built-up irritation, bordering on incipient temporary insanity, in reaction to one's parents' maddening tradition of using such things as food to dispute the wisdom of one's way of life. But it is the best in us that is expressed, in part, by our going on with the holiday plan anyway, in the faith that usually, family togetherness is more influential than the irritations with which our personalities present us. So, we write in our journal or trade holidays-at-home stories with our best friends, and then, usually, we recover in time to do the whole thing over again next year. And in our very best moments, it's in some way seemingly arranged that we can see, precisely in that particular instant that we're holding the disputed drumstick, the juxtaposed significance of reuniting once in awhile with the disputers.

Our theme for February: Reunions. January's theme of Fear is already set.

And here are the guidelines again, to read before writing your submission.

As always, questions and comments are most welcome. Happiest Holidays to all!

Until next time,
Michelle


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Short Story The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

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Fiction Short Story

This Pennsylvanian has been writing poetry since grade school, but when Barb joined an online writing group, she experimented with writing Fiction. She now enjoys the idea of putting words into something she feels someone else may be interested in reading. Barb's best experiences with writing are those months with assignment guidelines to follow; those keep her focused.

In her words, Barb says: "This story basically wrote itself and lent me as the messenger. I guess it also brought out some feelings of torment I've had regarding the attacks on September 11th."

In a New York Minute

by Barbara A. Woss

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest tossed, to me I lift my lamp beside the golden door." Emma Lazarus, inscribed on the Statue of Liberty

Since 1886 I’ve stood as a sentinel at the gateway to America. Those words, written by Emma in 1883, were placed on a plaque below my feet. Here on Ellis Island, I was devastated by the recent events of the world. People would say that statues made of iron and concrete don’t have feelings, but I can tell you we do...

My world came crashing down in a cloud of dust on September eleventh in more ways than I care to admit. Thousands of my sons and daughters were killed in one of the world’s most senseless acts of terror. Millions of people around the world were affected also. My neighbors on the wooded slopes of Pennsylvania and in the halls of the Pentagon felt my terror, grief, and resolve. Many who passed my outstretched arm are now dead in those cities, along with those in my beloved New York.

Clouds of debris, smoke, and flames hurt my eyes as I tried to ascertain the damage. What I saw made me cry: men, women, and children were escaping from collapsing buildings, their screams filled with fear for their lives.

Time had no meaning for me that day. Seconds, minutes, hours melded into a void, so stunned was I by the attack. I tried to understand why anyone could do this to innocent people. The how was evident as I viewed the smoking lots where many soaring buildings once stood. They were my pride and joy; from their highest floors people viewed the beauty I got to see each day.

For decades, my arm outstretched in a loving embrace to all who entered my harbor. My torch has led the way for so many people, inviting them to savor freedom. They would have the opportunity to speak their minds, to worship freely, to pursue their dreams, to live in peace.

My breast was heavy with sorrow for the widows, widowers, and children who’ve lost one or both parents. I grieved for those who lost friends and for companies who lost employees; but most of all, I wept for the country for which I stand as a symbol. My heart bled for all the families I was unable to protect. I felt in some way that I let them down.

The aftermath of that day’s horror was replaced in the minds of millions by the combined efforts of myriad people across my great land. Volunteers came by busloads, and supplies rolled in from everywhere. My proud cousin, Old Glory, seemed to occupy every suitable space. People who were directly or indirectly affected touched me to tears with the unity shown. This exhibition of patriotism upheld my belief that all humans have kindness somewhere inside of them.

The harbor that surrounds me, always a highway for small boats and ships, is the new patrol beat for gun-toting ships of war. They’re an intimidating and frightening sight. Although it comforts me to know my children are protected by the military, I ache to think that the support is necessary.

My people have been irreparably damaged, but I know that they will rebound stronger than ever. That’s the spirit I’ve tried to instill in each of them. Healing takes time, but time will heal.

This torch I hold high will still light the way and will continue to welcome people to my shores. The harsh reality now is that life can change unexpectedly on a massive scale. It can happen in the blink of an eye or...in a New York minute.

Copyright © 2001 Barbara A. Woss


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FICTION SHORT STORY The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

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FICTION SHORT STORY

Benning

Benning began writing in 1996 as an outlet for his creativity, and to see if he could. Working as a Housekeeping Supervisor in West Central Florida, he has yet to publish a thing, but has earned a rejection slip, and continues seeking more!

Brothers

I sat gripping the red rubber ball in my left hand; muscles tightening, joints straining. I'd been doing this for fifteen minutes, trying to release the tension in my neck, my back. Taking my mind off what I must do. I pulled a drawer open in my desk and dropped the ball in, shutting it as it bounced playfully inside. I sat up in my chair and straightened my tie, absently stroking the texture of it. I looked up at Richard, standing at the door like an immense granite statue.

"Send him in."

Richard nodded, turned without a word, and left, closing the door softly behind him. I glanced to my right at the Bible that lay there, and picked it up, opening it to a passage in the New Testament. I scanned the page and found the words I'd committed to memory:

"What you do, do quickly." Christ to Judas Iscariot. Judas, the Betrayer. "What you do, do quickly."

I closed the Bible and placed it in its accustomed spot. I'd been betrayed. Now payment must be made. I would not ask others to handle this. A tapping at the door brought me back to the present.

"Come" I murmured.

Marty, my brother, entered, Richard looming over him like a shadow. Richard closed the door and took his place beside it. I noticed that his suit jacket was now un-buttoned. Marty sauntered in and slouched into the leather chair across the desk, crossing his legs, and smiling at me. "What's up, little brother?"

I leaned back, returning his smile benignly, noticing again the expensive cut of his clothes, the gaudy glint of gold at his wrist. The overpowering fragrance of his cologne left a sour taste in my mouth.

"Marty," I began, "you've been a very naughty boy."

He smirked. "That's what power does for ya, Hank."

I could feel the smile on my face dissolving, melting into deadness.

"My power, Marty. Mine, and mine alone." I stared into his eyes, gratified to see some of his insolence fading. I sighed. "Papa and I built this organization, not you. We nurtured it, kept it alive, defended it."

Over his shoulder I could see Richard's face in the dim lamplight. "When we were boys, Papa tried to make you learn the business. But you paid little attention to him; showed him no respect. So he chose me." I glanced away, putting the words together in my mind. I remembered how I'd so idolized Marty when I was still in short pants; wanted so much to be big and tough like my brother. I remembered also how he'd bullied our sick mother, the Idol becoming dung in my eyes as he lied to Papa about her 'fall.' I remembered forgiving him in my heart, but never forgetting. And now this.

"You've always been a cheap thug, Marty. Nor were you ever a true part of this Family. After you left, Papa asked me to bring you back in, should he die, begged me to remember my brother.

"And I followed Papa's wishes."

Marty looked confused and I continued.

"Fifteen years and not a word from you until Papa was cold in the ground. Then you wanted in. Wanted the money; wanted the respect he earned. The respect I earned."

"Geez, Hank." Color rose up his neck.

"You were a louse, Marty, but I brought you in. Just as Papa wished."

"Geez, Hank, that's kinda rough" he whined. "I just wanna get what's mine, y'know?" He sat up a little straighter.

My eyes drilled into his. "Nothing here is yours, except what I gave you. You repaid Papa and me with incompetence, laziness, greed, stupidity."

Marty, cheeks red, squirmed in his seat. "Yeah, Hank, I know all that." He glanced at Richard, before looking at me. "I just ..." hands clasping with a nervous dance.

"So tell me, why have you tried to destroy all that Papa and I built, brother?"

He sat up straighter, fidgeting. "What're you talking about, Hank?"

I said nothing.

"Look, Hank, if it's about the contract, I can tell you, I got the Union to see things my way." He smiled at me. I said nothing.

Marty cleared his throat. "Your way, I mean, Hank."

"Three months after I told you what to do, Marty. Three months and a quarter million dollars in lost time."

I turned in my chair, facing the wall. In thirty years not a hint of scandal had ever tainted the Family. Not one investigation had ever implicated us. All of our history now threatened. I stared at the painting of a mountain stream, wishing again that I could be there. The cool waters, clean air. An ease of soul I had never had here. But I was here, in my darkened office after midnight, with a problem I had never expected, and the problem must be taken care of.

"Where were you last night?"

"The Cafe Rococo!" He grinned. "Had a date."

"Ah, a date, Marty." My lips ticked a slight smile. "Did you enjoy yourself?"

He grinned again, leaning back in limp memory of enjoyment. "Sure did! Dinner, dancing, a little slap and tickle, if ya know what I mean."

He gave me a wink. I wanted to slap it right off his smug face. Richard's hands flexed, his face turning grim.

"And how is the young lady this evening?"

Marty snorted, waving his arms expansively. "Hell, Hank, I love 'em and leave 'em, right? How should I know how she is?" He grinned at Richard, who stared at him as if he were an insect.

"She's in a hospital, Marty. Did you know that?"

Marty frowned, "No, Hank. What's wrong with her?"

I turned to him, saying in a whisper "She was raped last night, Brother."

Marty clasped his hands together, sat forward as if in prayer, looking at me. "Jesus, Hank. She wanted it. Hell, you know how they are." Sweat glistened on his forehead.

"As it happens, Marty, I know precisely 'how' this young woman is." Richard moved silently closer. "I was at her christening, attended her graduation. Helped with her college tuition." Richard was standing over Marty. "She has always been like a niece to me, Marty." Marty's eyes were black holes in a doughy white slab. His mouth was open. "She always trusted me, trusted this family. You betrayed that trust. Betrayed this family. Betrayed her.

"You betrayed me."

I sat back, looking at him in disgust, my eyes closed to slits.

"Who is she, Hank? I'll make it up to her. I know I can."

"Make it up to her?" I slammed my fist on the desk. "'Who is she?'"

Leaning back slowly, I whispered "She's Richard's daughter."

The knife came out of Richard's belt in a blur, crossed Marty's throat, and was back in its place before the blood began to spurt. Marty's eyes bulged. He gurgled, blood pouring from his mouth. I watched as he shrank away from my desk, slipped from the chair, slumped onto the floor. I looked up at Richard, his eyes wet with tears. My bodyguard and closest friend these past twenty-five years. The man who had been like a brother to me.

I said, "It is finished."


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Recognitions

N'omi Rose

T-Zero Xpandizine is proud to announce these WVU members who have gained recognition in their writing achievements.

Kudos to Arlene Lawson whose poem, "Leaving Stalag 17." (concerning her husband's dementia.) was chosen by The Journal of the American Medical Association! She does not know the publishing date. This will be her first "Paper" published work! Plus, Arlene's poems "Nobody Called Her By Name," and "Sentinels." have also been selected to publish on Ric Masten's, "My Cup of Tea," Her poems have also been published in Writer's Choice, who is now "Rose and Thorn." Unfortunately, they do not carry the back issues from when they were "A Writer's Choice." :-( Hrrump! When I asked her for information for this column, she offered "Do you want a list of my rejection slips instead?" LOL! Arlene is a member of the staff at Writer's Village University, and a member of Senior's poetry group. She is currently peer-tutoring The Pleasures of Reading Poetry and hangs out in Word Weavers study group.

Kudos to B.J. Apostol, whose article was published in San Diego's Computer Edge magazine. B.J. is a single mother working as a webmaster/graphics designer in San Diego, California. When not writing, her time is spent breeding and showing Bull Terriers and Miniature Bull Terriers in both conformation and obedience. BJ is currently at work on a horror novel. She has been a WVU member since November 1999.

Kudos to Cindi Borris who just celebrated her one-year anniversary on the Suite December 5! "The best way to describe how WVU touched me is to read I'm Not Broken on the Suite." For years she was haunted by "Are you a writer?"
"If you just write like you talk you're a sale."
"What? But you're just like Erma!"
She ran from this for a long time until one day her kids urged her to enter a Chicken Soup for the Soul contest. She accepted the challenge and the rest is history.
"As I chose to open the gift of creating portraits with words I realized it was layered. As I lifted the layers, I discovered I also was given the gift of humor — a two-fold awakening. Who was I to be so selfish to keep the laughs to myself?
"By a fluke, I was browsing the net and stumbled into WVU. I feel now I was meant to find you. I was an embryo in the trade of writing. I learned my structure, POVs, revisited grammar, and stepped to the plate a player." She started posting short stories and articles on Themestream, WrittenbyMe, Authors Den and other venues. The feedback and the opportunity to explore my creativity helped me discover my voice.
"The feedback from WVU members and external readers reinforced I was on the right road: non-fiction humor. The friendship embraced on WVU is supportive, honest and priceless." Cindi facilitates Story Structure 126 and moderate Creative Energy Unlimited.
"WVU? It was the catalyst of my becoming me. "

Kudos to Kathy Tallo, whose story "Of Remembered Cornfields, Being a Short History of Our Farm and the Search for Danny." won Futures magazine (www.firetowrite.com) First Prize of $350! Her story was submitted to their annual Fire to Fly Contest for 2001 and will be published in Futures magazine Feb/Mar edition. Kathy is an active member in the Mystery Writer's study group and has taken numerous courses throughout her first year at WVU. "It's been a wonderful resource for me as a beginning writer."

Kudos to Glennis whose poem "It's Only A Vacant Lot" were chosen by Collective Consciousness; the Bimonthly Journal of the Writers' Collective to be published in their November/December, 2001. They have published in other editions her poems: "Foster Daughter, Snow Quilts." Plus, Her poems "Song of Solitude" and "Spell of the Stack", "Old Man" was also published in Between Beaver and Athapap: a Northern Anthology, an anthology published by the Flin Flon Writers Guild. Another poem, "Eulogy To Yesterday," was chosen by Pulse literary journal http://www.heartsoundspress.com/eulogyyesterdayhobbs.htm.
"Since joining WVU, poetry has become a major part of my life and I've gone from part time writer to full time poet-writer. I've met a wonderful group of poets and writers at WVU and found a tremendous creative environment has helped me hone my poetic skills and sharpened my critiquing skills. I've learned to tackle poetic challenges that I'd dreamed of attempting. WVU has given me the encouragement to undertake new experiences such as facilitating and helping to develop new poetry courses and submit work for publication." Glennis's poetry web site is called: Glennis' Poetry Inglenook. She also maintains two writing web pages The Poetry Inglenook
as well as Writers' Resources on the Web. She also maintains the web page for the Flin Flon Writers Guild , of which she is currently secretary. Glennis is currently a co-facilitator for and member of the Senior Poets' Workshop and a co-facilitator for Poetry 111 and Poetry 113. She has been a member of WVU since 1997.

Kudos to Laura Drewry whose historical romance novel, El Cielo, is due out August 19, 2002. It is a western-type, set in the early 1870's Montana Territory. NovelBooks Inc, www.NovelBooksinc.com, is going to be publishing it in both electronic format and trade paperback. Laura joined WVU in July, 2001 after staring at the website for over a year. "Honestly, it was the absolute best thing I ever did for my writing. Everyone — and I mean everyone, from the support techs to the other members — have been unbelievably supportive and helpful to me." Laura hangs out in Historical Romance Study group.

Kudos to Les Combs! His short story, "Harry," won first place in a recent contest sponsored by the American Pen Women Pioneer Chapter of Little Rock, AR.
"Fame and fortune! Both are relative, and I get mine in small doses... This was a significant milestone for me, being the very first blue ribbon my writing has produced."
Les is starting on his third year at WVU! "The camaraderie and generous help from WVU staff and CEU members has made a difference in my writing."

Kudos to Zoe Farris whose story "The Hidden Library" just won Certificate of Commendation, Judges Award for Work of Merit. In the Section 1 Short Story - Fact or Fiction Gold Coast Writer's Association, Inc. (Australia) 2001 Literary Competition.
"This is a rewrite of a short story I wrote as part of the Writopia Competition in 1998 when I joined the WVU in the six week free course, which I did twice before joining the WVU proper. The original story was chosen as a finalist for the Writopia contest of that year. The title was changed, and all references to Writopia where removed for copyright purposes. " Zoe hangs out around campus and can be found in our Tomorrow chat!

Kudos to our WVU writers, Arlene, B.J, Cindi , Glennis, Kathy, Laura , Les, and Zoe for their impressive accomplishments, and best wishes for many more successes!

 

Thank you!
N'omi Rose
Recognitions column custodian

Special for Writers' Village University members:

If you, or someone you know at WVU, has gained recognition in writing achievements, please send the information to: Recognitions column custodian.

Please checkout the Recognitions' guidelines for ideas!


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Romancing The Muse

Diana Rowe Martinez

Romance Lingo:
Terminology of the Romance Writing Industry

I'm a romance writer and reader. I've tried to get over this addiction, truly I have. I even occasionally read other genres, (oh yeah, I am a rebel!) but I always return to romance.

As part of my multi-step counseling program, I dug deep to figure out why romance novels attract me, and I finally have an answer.

I love a happy ending! I look forward to opening to that first page and being introduced to the spunky, sassy heroine and the sexy hero's first meeting. I turn the pages so that I can get to know the characters, why they can't get together (external and internal motivation), but mostly I enjoy knowing that no matter what obstacles are put in their way this couple will get together. The hero and heroine may even solve a mystery along the way, or put the bad guy away, or resolve their own personal "issues." Those are the potential bonuses with writing and reading romances. That's what I like.

I admit when I first entered the business of writing romances I was a bit overwhelmed. Okay, I was way over my head. Strange words swirled about like the Colorado wind, words such as contemporary, suspense, mystery and category romances and even mainstream. I admit to being quite out of my league at first. I had a simple goal: what I wanted to do was write the great American romance novel. So why did I have to know all this terminology?

Well, anytime you enter a new profession, it is imperative to learn the lingo. Whether you're an engineer, accountant or a romance writer, knowledge of the business world you are entering helps you do your job better.

So to help those writers new to the world of romance, or perhaps to refresh those that have been in the biz for a while, I thought I'd do a quick run down of the "Romance World" by defining their terms.

Let's start off with the basic types of romance novels.

In a Contemporary romance, the story occurs in the present day and deals with realistic problems. Contemporary novels avoid mention of current events or real people so they don't become quickly outdated. (As you'll soon discover, it may take eighteen months for two years for the book you've already sold to even hit the shelves!) This genre is subdivided into: Short contemporary romance generally 50,000-65,000 words long and Long contemporary romances, generally 70,000-85,000 words long. The Long contemporary romances usually have more secondary characters than the short contemporary romances.

Traditional romances are short, contemporary romances without a man and woman making love.

Inspirational Romances are novels, either contemporary or historical, with a religious element, usually Christian. The length varies.

Romantic Suspense is a novel as the name implies, a romantic situation with a mystery woven in. The focus, however, is on the romance, not on the suspense or threatening situation. The shorter novels include Harlequin's Intrigue, for example. Always check the publisher guidelines (requirements) for the correct balance between romance and suspense for each publisher.

Historical Romances are novels of 85,000-100,000 and located in Europe or North America between 1066 and 1900 (although this may be changing since we've arrived in the twenty-first century and the 1900's may now be considered historical). Your chances of selling a first novel are better if you stay within these guidelines.

A perennial favorite of romance writers is the Regency Romance set in the period 1811-1820. They are normally about 50,000 words long, involve the upper class and have no love scenes. Instead they rely on being sweet.

Paranormal Romances are those that don't fit anywhere else in the general genre of romance. The elements include fantasy, science fiction (steadily increasing in popularity), time travel, witches, vampires and other unearthly aspects. You may find futuristic romances here. The length varies.

Mainstream Romances are those in which the romance is not of the utmost importance. If the romance were removed, there would still be a story.

Ethnic Romances are those novels that involve heroes and heroines of color. At the current time, they are mostly contemporary, but there are some historicals published.

Young Adult Romances involve the development of innocent first love and contain no sexual scenes. They are intended primarily for pre-teens and teens. Another young adult line now carries realistic situations which may focus on premarital sex.

You might also hear the term Sweet Traditional Romance. This alludes to the original romance of about 50,000 words. It has no explicit sexuality.

Okay, now you know the basics, and you're feeling pretty comfortable with the terminology now, right? Let me toss one more wrench into the machinery.

Category versus Single-Title Romance

Category Romance will be "categorized" by a specific brand name, such as Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Superromance, Blaze, Temptation, Silhouette Desire or Silhouette Intimate Moments. Their covers look similar and they are sold together in a packaged line. Each line has certain common elements, such as the level of sensuality or the level of mystery. Word count is generally about the same but can differ greatly from line to line. As always, a happy ending is mandatory.

A Single Title Romance is one that stands alone on the shelf without being part of particular line. This type of romance may stay on the shelf and in print much longer than a category. Avon and St. Martin's are good examples of publishing houses with single title romances.

Promotion between a category and a single title romance varies. Since the category novels are marketed in a group, each might sell better than if they stood alone. Considering Harlequin Presents sells six novels a month in a packaged line, your chances of gaining recognition as a new author are much better if you are published in a line.

So there you have it, romance lingo of the 21st century. Do you know where you fit? Knowing your market and the terminology is one of the many steps to publishing your romance novel. The first step, of course, is to WRITE it!

A full-time Denver based freelance writer, Diana Rowe Martinez writes mainstream romantic suspense and romantic comedy. Although she has won or placed in several contests, her romances are looking for a publishing home. Her first release is a nonfiction compilation of inspiration for writers; Crumbs In Your Keyboard: Women Juggling Life and Writing is an Avid Press Spring 2002. All royalties from this project will be donated to a women's shelter. To find out more about Diana, check out her web site.


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Writer’s Read

Wynelda Shelton

The Blank Book

This month's column isn't about a book that you can sit back and read to improve your craft. Instead, it's about one of the best Christmas gifts writers can give to themselves. The blank book.

I didn't understand at first how much the blank book could help a writer. I do most of my writing now at the computer. Why would I need a blank book to write in? Journaling just isn't my thing. Then a friend gave me a small, pocket sized notebook that found its way into my purse.

Suddenly, I had a place to write down little snippets of conversation. Like the roommates, sitting outside the movie theatre, teasing one of their comrades about "being so neat she has to arrange the bowls by size." It's not, by any stretch of the imagination, a wonderful piece of dialogue. But it does raise some interesting questions. Why does she need to arrange everything by size? Is she a simple neatnik or is there something more going on? Does she arrange her shoes by color and style? How far does it go?

Dialogue isn't the only thing that found its way into the little notebook. Descriptions that suddenly took my fancy are recorded. Like the tree outside my window at work that had cotton candy blooms on it. A sunset that looked as if it were painted in oils, just for me.

Soon, the blank book wasn't so blank. Story lines, possible titles, comments, and such were filling it up. I obtained a larger blank book so that I could work on story ideas while not at the computer. Or to work out story problems in. There are even a couple of poems in one of them, though I by no means consider myself a poet.

The key is in finding the kind of blank book that works for you. I prefer spiral bound notebooks that make it easy to flip through pages. A friend of mine loves journal type books, the variety of covers and styles, and the real binding on the sides. The outside doesn't matter, though, it's what you put inside.

The ability to go back and unwrap that brilliant idea, that bit of dialogue that caught your ear, is an amazing thing. As a writer, it is one of the best gifts that I can think of to give myself.


T-Zero: The Writer's Ezine
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Copyright 1998 - 2007, Writopia Inc. All Rights Reserved
Poetics Presents The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

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Poetics Presents

Denise Curry-Duvall

Denise is a native of Marietta, GA, now living in the Florida Panhandle. She owns and publishes a small conservative newspaper. She is married and has one teenage daughter. She loves to read and writing has always been a driving force in her adult life. She is a newcomer to WVU.

Writers' Village members look forward to reading more of Denise’s work.

The Tear

On hearing on old familiar song on the radio alarm clock

in the silent stillness, suspended time

before the morning light flows across

that darkened familiar screen...

that heavy motionless moment-stilled...

wondering where I am, thinking I am not ANYWHERE

I've been before...

then, I feel that old familiar twist of the

phantom's knife rip holes inside my chest...

the gossamer vice that tightens up- until

it explodes inside my head

and pushes, strains, out through my eyes,

a crystal trickle down my cheek

leaving behind

a glimmering snail's trail

of blessed relief.

Copyright © 2001 Denise Curry-Duvall


T-Zero: The Writer's Ezine
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Copyright 1998 - 2007, Writopia Inc. All Rights Reserved
Poetics Presents The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

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Writers' Village University - F2K: Free Fiction Writing Course - ePress-online
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Poetics Presents

Jackie Freychet

Jackie Freychet is a twenty-four year old poet living in Prince Albert, SK. She is a proud member of Sans Nom, a local writer's group. Her work has been published in the TSC newsletter Connections, as well as an upcoming issue of Transtion magazine. To Jackie, writing is a way of dealing with life, where fantasy meets reality.

Writers' Village members look forward to reading more of Jackie’s work.

the edge

twelve feet of mystery
glitters fresh in sunlight
draws me close to its edge

i ponder thoughts
of what the square basement holds

does a body really defy gravity
if i jumped in
would i boomerang off the floor
could it carry me...

with father busy at work
and mother petrified of water
i never learned to swim

aqua depths become hypnotic
if you stare long enough

the cool surface tickles toes
that dangle over too far
as i sit along the cement border

i tease myself with thoughts
of immersing fully
into the gentle liquid silk
that begs for company

Copyright © 2001 Jackie Freychet


T-Zero: The Writer's Ezine
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Copyright 1998 - 2007, Writopia Inc. All Rights Reserved
Writer to Writer The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

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Writer to Writer

Rie Sheridan

It's Just a Fantasy...

Did you ever want something so badly you could taste it, but you thought there was no way you would ever achieve it? Well, dreams can come true. Let me tell you a story...

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who wanted to be a writer. One day, she began scribbling down the story of a boy prince and his page who were captured by tiny elves. She didn't get very far, but she learned about story-generating.

Time passed, and she read Tolkien. Her elves grew taller. She realized that a vital plot point-that the page was the prince's long-lost brother was totally unbelievable because the logic of a king putting his own son into servitude when he knew the boy's origins (and at the time, he did) didn't ring true. She was beginning to learn plotting.

More time passed. She gave her only copy of her manuscript to a college friend to critique and never got it back. She had to start over from memory. She was learning contingency-and the cardinal rule: ALWAYS keep a back-up.

She continued to fuss and fiddle with that original idea for almost twenty-five years (quite an incubation period, wasn't it) before sending it off to a small press in Canada. It was rejected, but the editor took the time to write a nice note and recommend she find a Book Doctor to look it over. A few months later, she happened to meet one here in these very WVU halls, and did a complete edit/rewrite with her input. This proved an invaluable step. A manuscript really needs to have someone other than its creator look at it with a detached eye. The book grew exponentially in terms of maturity.

Then a friend, and fellow WVU student, suggested an e-publisher to submit the book to. There cannot be enough stress put on the importance of such networking. The manuscript was accepted for ebook and Print-on-Demand publication.

Downright giddy with excitement I-er... she-sent her baby off to be born. Another full, and very thorough, edit led to another growth spurt in the maturity of the manuscript.

Now, proofreading done-the copy is being readied for the printers (complete with a quote from her favorite fantasy writer, who read an advance copy for her-remember what I said about networking...?) The presses are set to roll. The book will go on sale Monday, December 3rd.

Moral? Never give up. Fairy tales CAN come true...

Next month-Shameless self-promotion


T-Zero: The Writer's Ezine
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Copyright 1998 - 2007, Writopia Inc. All Rights Reserved
Submissions Guidelines The Writers' Ezine - T-Zero Xpandizine

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Submissions Guidelines (Updated)

Until further notice, only plain text submissions in the body of the email will be considered.
NO ATTACHMENTS.

What We Pay For

Fiction: Stories should be of interest to writers in general, not just a narrow group.

Fiction should be submitted to fiction@thewritersezine.com. Payment starts at $15.00.

If considered for publication, you will be asked to return an email agreement including your name and address.

Craft Features: Queries about Craft features should be sent to nonfiction@thewritersezine.com.

Payment starts at $15.00, and, if considered, you will be sent an email agreement to fill out and return.

Poetry: Due to the large number of recent poetry submissions, a temporary hold on further poetry submissions is in place until early 2008.

Please do not email us to ask what we pay for in other categories. When we can add to our list, we will include it in these guidelines.

What We Publish

Original short fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, particularly non-fiction related to the craft of writing and interviews.

For fiction we prefer something with a plot and resolution. If we like the main character, we are more likely to accept the story. If the main character has a problem to resolve or has to make a choice, that's conflict, and we love conflict! Too many writers confuse conflict with fight scenes. Don't be one of them. Give us a protagonist who acts, makes choices no matter how hard they are to solve his or her dilemma, not a wimp who drifts along and has to be rescued.

Non-fiction should be related to the craft of writing or be good resource material for writers. Accuracy and originality are vital. No reprints. If it has already been published somewhere else, our readers will spot it and let us know.

What We Won't Publish

Anything that inspires "hate," is defamatory or is pornographic.

Simultaneous submissions.

Material that has appeared elsewhere (reprints).

Seasonal material submitted during the same month (i.e., a Christmas story in December). Our lead time is short compared to print publications, but we do need time to edit, html and proof submission. A good guideline is to submit the manuscript by the first of the preceding month (i.e., submit a Christmas story before November 1st).

Length Recommendations

  • For Fiction, under 1500 words is preferred. We will consider excerpts from longer works.

  • Poetry should fit on one printed page if possible. A maximum of five poems may be submitted at one time (when the hold is lifted).

  • Non-fiction or Craft features have the most leeway in word count. In general these manuscripts should be 750 to 2,000 words. We like to take advantage of the hypertext capabilities we have available and link to charts, graphs, lists and so forth. Thumbnail versions may be included in the body of the article.

Rights

All rights other than first electronic, non-exclusive 'anthology' (for collections of T-Zero: The Writer's Ezine works only), and non-exclusive archival rights (we keep back issues online) are and remain the sole and exclusive property of the author.

Formats We Will Accept

Plain text in the body of an email.

T-Zero: The Writer's Ezine is an HTML publication. This gives us access to a variety of options but it is also a limiting factor.

  • Underlining is used exclusively for links in HTML. Please do not underline in your manuscript. It you are including a link to a webpage for reference, please mark the link the following way: (WEB LINK) http://thewritersezine.com (END WEB LINK).
  • The less than (<) and greater than (>) signs are used to enclose HTML encoding. If you need to use brackets, please use the square [ ] ones instead.
  • Paragraph indentation requires time consuming insertion of multiple HTML symbols. Please separate paragraphs by inserting a hard, blank line between them.
  • Fonts need to be simple. No multiple fonts. We prefer standard fonts such as Times New Roman, Courier or Arial set at 12 point. If your subject matter requires something else, ask us first.
  • The curly (smart) quotes, apostrophes, the em dash (two hyphens together) and ellipsis … (three periods) become strange and exotic characters when copied from your word processor into email. Check your preferences or options to see if you can use straight quotes. 
  • Text formatting such as bold, italic, centering, bullet list, etc., should be noted in the text by using all caps in parentheses. For example, if you wanted to italicize the word submission, you would type: (ITALICS) submission (END ITALICS).

Editing

We expect you to run spell-check and to check your grammar and punctuation before submitting. We will not reject a submission for a few typos or errors, but will if there are an excessive number of errors.

Note: Since our reading audience is international, we do not require a specific version of English. Use the spelling appropriate to your region.

We will automatically correct obvious typos such as “ton” for “not” and may correct simple agreement problems. For anything beyond that, time permitting, we will return the submission to you with a request for corrections.

Getting to Know You

Fiction and Craft features published in T-Zero: The Writer's Ezine include brief third person biographical notes on the writers. For all submissions, please compose your own bio and include it to save our editors and yourself time later if/when your piece is accepted for publication. We suggest sharing a little about your background, occupation, geographical location and what inspired your story.

How and Where to Submit

We do not accept submissions via US mail. Email submissions only, to the appropriate department, in the body of the email. No attachments accepted.

Fiction should be sent to fiction@thewritersezine.com.

Craft Non-fiction should be queried first. Send query to nonfiction@thewritersezine.com.

Poetry: Due to the large number of recent poetry submissions, a temporary hold on further poetry submissions is in place until early 2008.

Include the type of submission (fiction, non-fiction) in the subject line.

Be sure to include your name and email address in the body of the email.

If you do not receive an acknowledgement that your submission or query was received within a week, please send a follow-up query with “Did you Receive?” in the subject line. In the body of the email, please include your name and email address, the title of the work submitted, and if different, the email address sent from. Do not resend the submission unless we request it.

Good luck!


T-Zero: The Writer's Ezine
http://TheWritersEzine.com
Copyright 1998 - 2007, Writopia Inc. All Rights Reserved

 

© Copyright 1998 - 2007, Writopia Inc. All rights reserved