“Do I have to make every detail in fantasy fiction logical or acceptable?” #ThursdayTips

Well, I haven’t done this in a long time, so why not?This was where the excerpts came from: The Truth in Your Make-Believe.

Fellow fictionists, feel free to add in more tips!

 

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Sorry, I hadn’t been posting guys. There are just many things on my plate lately. But I promise to be a little more active again the next days…Toodles!

March 2017 RECAP #MonthlyRecap

I missed doing my March 2017 recap. To be honest, it feels so long ago now that I can’t even remember the stuff I wrote about. My revisiting the posts now will take me back, definitely. From what I know, I was really hyped up for the then-upcoming A to Z Challenge. I hardly really checked out Facebook even.

Here’s a recap of my March 2017:

Blog-wise:

(1) Hash potatoes!!!

#MondayMemoirs (none)

#MondayReviews (none)

#TuesdayTunes (see Wishes and Songs Part 1)

#TVTuesday (none)

#AskWednesday (see “As writers, have you ever had ideas only to find out later that others beat you to them? What were they?”)

#WhatsupWednesday (see The Guy Google)

#ThursdayTips (none)

#FeatureFriday (see The BRF and New Society with its New Technologies)

#FridayFlashdance (none)

#AnythingDay (see JAMIE PART 4: DEAR JAMIE, The A-to-Z Challenge theme Reveal 2017 and JAMIE PART 5: JAMIE AND THE GOSSIP BOYS)  –  Any day could be about anything.

Judging from my results, I was semi-active, which was better than hardly active or, worse, inactive. I was gearing up for April anyway.

(3) My Trending Stories. I still put it off because of certain hindrances, but I decided to finally restart it sometime in May (which is NOW).

(4) A to Z Challenge. Wait till I’m done.

Social Media Reach-out:

 

I’m getting followers slowly but steadily, at least. I don’t really expect to get many, I’m just surprised there are those who decide to FOLLOW me on Facebook (even Twitter, which still confuses me at times) when they don’t really know me personally. It’s so nice to get followers who think that what I post are interesting enough.

A few months back, I started sending thank-you messages to FB followers. Unfortunately, it could be so time-consuming that I had to stop. What I normally do when I have the time is to visit bloggers who decide to follow my blog. I get email notifications everytime, so I just filter to see followers and go from there.

I’ve been somehow more active than I’ve ever been on Twitter (just a tad more). And, oh, I should give special shout-outs to both Annette (@YouAreTheExpert) and Debbie (@DebbieDogLady). Whenever I post anything here, it gets posted on their Twitter pages. That’s free promotion for me through RSS Feed-ing. Thank you, ladies 🙂

Fiction/Story- and Poetry-writing:

Restarted being a bit more active. See, I posted two Jamie Tales shorts (see #AnythingDay).

Literature:

No book-reading happened whatsoever. I am so ashamed.

Personal:

• I have become a Wish 107.5 FM fanatic, ergo, my #TuesdayTunes post. It honestly helped me overcome a sort of tough time then. Music is great therapy.
• I have become an active Quora adviser, but I am very curious why 98% of questions I am asked has to do with handling relationships. I suddenly feel like a relationship guru. But I suppose, the key is to put myself in their shoes.
• I declared self-imposed hiatus on Facebook and was away for more than two weeks, I think. It was due to a mix of avoiding things/people that make me feel a bit depressed and trying to write more.

 

Your thoughts? 😉

February 2017 RECAP #MonthlyRecap

After my January recap, I don’t know what to say of my February either. I think it flew by so fast!

Here’s a recap of my Febuary 2017:

Blog-wise:

(1) Hash potatoes!!!

#MondayMemoirs (see Effanineffable 1: The Brain and The Unofficial Translation)

#MondayReviews (none)

#TuesdayTunes (none)

#TVTuesday (see Love in the Time of Forensics)

#AskWednesday (see “What was the strangest thing you found cleaning out your parents’ house after they died?”)

#WhatsupWednesday (none)

#ThursdayTips (see Advice for the Supposed Lovelorn)

#FeatureFriday (none)

#FridayFlashdance (none)

#AnythingDay (see JAMIE PART 3: CAUGHT IN NEW YORK CITY)  –  Any day could be about anything.

“I do need to come up with an actual system when it comes to handling blog-related emails, blog visits, and social media accounts, and actually WRITING.” That’s what I said the last time. It still holds true.

I’ve realized I’m not a lazy writer. It’s really all these ideas swimming in my head and all these real-life distractions. Very recently, one writer on Quora said in nicer terms that people who say they have writer’s block are just plain lazy. I agree that writers need to keep writing, but as some other writers explained, sometimes you need a breather or to do other things to get more ideas and be more inspired.

(3) My Trending Stories. I’ve started re-orienting my self a teeny bit. Will see if I can start posting soon.

(4) A to Z Challenge. Decided on Plan D. Yes, that’s how many times I changed my mind. I’m starting with the letters.

Social Media Reach-out:

More bloggers to share, yay!!! If you’re not here, chances are, I’ve already mentioned you in past recaps. But if I haven’t mentioned you yet, nothing personal, okay? Will get to you. This is a mix of regular followers, new followers, and bloggers I follow though they don’t follow me, WordPress or not. I tell you, the way I do things sometimes…

I’m not exactly following a system here. It’s all random. I want to give opportunity to everyone so I mix them all up. Here are my awesome online friends, would-be friends, some wish-I-were-friends-with-but-I follow-them-anyway peeps, and actual peeps that I know, in alphabetical order:

 Alli,      Carl,    Colleen,    Joseph,    Kendall,    Lora,    Liberty,    Needull,    Phil,    SWO8

More bloggers to come.

Fiction/Story- and Poetry-writing:

Restarted being a bit more active. But until I get a proper laptop again,…

Literature:

Aw, c’mon folks! Still a tie! Really??? Well, these were the results:

While waiting for the results, I came to read a supposed novel online that I just happened to find. Thought I’d give it a chance. Ugh. One of those romance novels where all the men are supposed to be buffed and forever virile and it’s supposed to be okay that they treat women like trash. I’m not making this up or just stereotyping! You’ll have to read to believe it. To make the long story short, I stopped reading. They’re not exactly protagonists I’d grow to like. There was not much plot to speak of.

Anyway, I’m putting off my decision on what to do with the poll and I’m actually going to pick up an actual novel I can hold. Or at least read a couple of free ebooks I’ve downloaded.

Personal:

I have:

• become an addict to  The Walking Dead. I’ve been mentioning it here a lot and reading stuff about it.
• become a Quora-person because I love to share my thoughts, give advice and getting information from other writers.
• been dealing with various things, my brain wants to explode…

 

Your thoughts? 😉

“As writers, have you ever had ideas only to find out later that others beat you to them? What were they?” #AskWednesday

Well, despite me saying last week that I wasn’t planning on joining Quora, I went ahead and actually started answering and answering questions! And I decided to join because I realized what it could do for my blogging, for #AskWednesday, for instance. It’s easier to interview this way. You will usually get immediate feedback.

So I posted my first and so-far-only question:

“As writers, have you ever had ideas only to find out later that others beat you to them? What were they?”

I kind of knew there would be yes answers, but I thought it would be interesting to find out writers’ personal experiences. Well, so far, I’ve only had several replies (I’m popular like that), from four published authors, but they are good answers. 

First, we have Jesse Frankel a.k.a. J.S. Frankel, a Young Adult Fantasy writer. His works include Twisted, Star Maps, Picture (Im)perfect, The Catnip series, and The Nightmare Crew trilogy.

Mr. Frankel went on to enumerate his novels and describe what they are about, to emphasize his point (click on the image to read them). I am admittedly an adult who enjoys YA literature, so I think these are quite interesting, based on the backgrounds he gave.

Lastly, he said, “Now, are any of those ideas new or revolutionary? Nope, it’s the way you write about the characters and the situations that makes them special.”

To this, I agree. No one has complete intellectual rights over an idea unless it is very unique, which is, as implied, very rare. And until you’ve had it recorded in audio or print or some other way, you’ll have nothing to prove it’s yours.

Next is a short but sweet answer from Crissy Moss, author of Witch’s Sacrifice, Small Bites, and many novels and short stories.

I realized that’s true. I mean I’ve known it before, but this really emphasizes it. I told her, “Yes, you’re right! Even before Shakespeare ever thought of R&J, folk lores were already rich in many love stories resembling R&J’s. So in that respect, even William’s story isn’t so unique…”

Elaine Calloway follows. She is the best-selling author of the Southern Ghosts series. I’m posting her whole reply.

Good insight about being aware that you’re idea is not unique. And I think that’s the challenge, to still make it your own by adding in your own unique treatment and twists. She also mentioned about writing prompts, which a lot of blogger-writers are all too familiar with. Her example sure is interesting. And I love what she said at the end!

Note to Self: Read on those 7 plots…

Now, I saved this for last. I really love her specific answer! Classic!

Deborah Ross a.k.a Deborah Wheeler wrote the sci-fi novels Jadium and Northlight, various short stories, the Sword & Sorceress and Darkover anthologies, The Seven-Petaled Shield, and many others. I’m posting the complete answer as well.My reply: “Your account about someone having a very similar story is quite interesting. I mean, who would think anyone else would have a similar idea about a mother-daughter-octopi relationship??? I can imagine that you probably felt like a pale of icy-cold water hit you when you heard the editor. I do hope he didn’t think you stole somebody else’s idea…”

I certainly would hate it if anyone accuses me of stealing ideas! I do love the last bit that she said. I guess that’s really the mature way to handle it.

 

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So, did you like this one? Many more to come! And how about you, fellow-writers, can you share some information from your own experiences?

January 2017 RECAP #MonthlyRecap

Don’t know what to make of my first month of blogging in 2017, but here is the recap. I think I did okay enough. I chilled, but I never forgot to post at least once a week. Give me a new laptop and unlimited access to the Internet and you can bet I can do this more regularly. So until then….

Here’s a recap of my January 2017:

Blog-wise:

(1) Hash potatoes!!!

#MondayMemoirs – (see GASP! I Cook?!!!)

#MondayReviews (none)

#TuesdayTunes (none)

#TVTuesday (see “I am Wonder Woman”) – New hash potato, yay!!! I surprised you with this new hash; surprised myself, too.

#AskWednesday (see (Not My) Interview with Neil Gaiman and Oh, My 2016! (Not My) Interview with Myself) – Still waiting for my friend’s answers to my questions, but I’ve got a lineup and it now includes an event organizer/host.

#WhatsupWednesday (see Best of the Best Philippine Comic Books)

#ThursdayTips (see 5 Ways to Make Use of Google AdWords)

#FeatureFriday (none) – I am honestly annoyed with myself because I don’t have anything for this, GRRR!!!

#FridayFlashdance ( see Bleedin’ Love & Single Ladies)  – As mentioned some months ago, I was going to allot a day featuring dance, so here it is, the first one 🙂

#AnythingDay (see HAPPY 2017!!!!!, Sorry, Augie…, and The A to Z Challenge Announcement)  –  Any day could be about anything. The first one was my first-ever actual video where I spoke directly to the camera just to greet you all a “HAPPY 2017!!!!!” It was a happy post. Unfortunately, what followed was my post saying sorry to our dog, Augie (+RIP)…I don’t think I’ll ever stop feeling sorry…The third’s about, well, it’s kind of self-explanatory already, don’t you think?

Considering how many blues I’m seeing above, I think I should be happy as I had been enough of an active blogger. The stats go up and down, but I’m not beating myself up over it as this blog is not a business. I do need to come up with an actual system when it comes to handling blog-related emails, blog visits, and social media accounts, and actually WRITING. If I had all day, I could do all really well. But I don’t.

(3) My Trending Stories. Nothing much to share for now. I mentioned in my imagined self-interview that I’m trying to find my mojo again. That is totally true. I am re-orienting myself again with writing on paper. I restart this month.

(4) A to Z Challenge. I thought of a theme already and have planned out what/who to feature for each letter. But until I am sure I can deliver, I am not revealing anything or giving any clues. And as Plan B, I am also actually listing down ideas for another theme. Aren’t I so focused? ~L~”

Social Media Reach-out:

More bloggers to share, yay!!! If you’re not here, chances are, I’ve already mentioned you in past recaps. But if I haven’t mentioned you yet, nothing personal, okay? Will get to you. This is a mix of regular followers, new followers, and bloggers I follow though they don’t follow me, WordPress or not. I tell you, the way I do things sometimes…

I’m not exactly following a system here. It’s all random. I want to give opportunity to everyone so I mix them all up. Here are my awesome online friends, would-be friends and some wish-I-were-friends-with-but-I follow-them-anyway peeps, in alphabetical order:

 Alice,     Annette,     Anamika,     Basil,     Dee,     Gerry,     John,     Lesley,     Sally,     Sarah

More bloggers to come.

Fiction/Story- and Poetry-writing:

We’ll see what happens.

Literature:

I shared a poll last time, unfortunately, it’s still a tie. Please break the tie and kindly take the poll. Whatever the result after this, I will follow. Cast your vote for me?

Personal:

I said it last time and I’ll say it again: We really wish to have a much better year this year. Had to repeat it because so far, we’ve had two to three negatives to count. We hope for more of the positives this time.

Once Upon a Time, there lived…

I am done talking about The Walking Dead here, but that’s mainly because I now have a hash potato to take care of that,  he he. Meanwhile, again, can you recommend any good series? It doesn’t require a poll, just your contribution in the comments section below. I read somewhere that Once Upon a Time is good. And one blogger I follow actually posts updates on it.

Your thoughts? 😉

(Not My) Interview with Neil Gaiman #AskWednesday

I wanted to post something on Monday. Didn’t happen. I decided to post on Tuesday. Didn’t happen, too. So now, I’m making THIS happen!

When I started #AskWednesday, I did say that aside from doing interviews myself, I also was going to share interesting interviews from the Net. And here it is!!! This interview with THE Neil Gaiman is too good to pass up.  I admit, I have yet to know more about him and read more of his stuff, but you know of one’s brilliance by how his followers adore him. In fact, I intend to know more. Research, research, research!

It isn’t really an interview, but the contributor collected Q&A exchanges from him and fans from his Tumblr account. This could be could for #ThursdayTips, too, but I’m so into posting mode!

As writers, I think all can learn a thing or two from him. I think I even learned more.

Neil Gaiman Shares Writing Advice To Fans On Tumblr

Plenty of stuff to share! Till tomorrow, my friends!