Romancing the Pomegranate: An Ode to My Favorite Holiday Fruit

Pomegranate photo snagged from the Internet by Denny S. Bryce.

Did I mention I'm hanging out in Maui for the holidays? Okay, maybe I have a few thousand times on Twitter, but not so much here. In addition to the whales, the sun and the beach, what else am I doing here? Well, I'm taking a writer's workshop called The Art of Writing, Selling and Marketing Memoirs with Rebecca Walker (it's fabulous!).

And no, I don't write memoirs, but the course explores the process for creating memorable, marketable memoirs, and the keys to getting the words and the story on the page are for the most part the same as writing fiction and include voice, situation and story, structure and perspective.

I wrote the piece below in 15 minutes for a prompt—describe your favorite fruit, using all of the senses. It was a fun exercise, and I wanted to share. I hope you like!

Happy Holidays!!!
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Ode to the Pomegranate: The Holiday Fruit

I can't remember the first time I had one. Probably didn't know what the hell it was—but a pomegranate is the most red, most delicious, most weird exotic fruit going.

There's the color and what could be more sexy than a round, red, smooth object that fits in the palm of your hand. With its thick skin and furry end or root cap, it just doesn't look like any other fruit.

I like to slice them in half with a knife, and then stare at the juice flowing from the seeds for a moment. The richer the red the sweeter the taste. But is a pomegranate ever really sweet? Or is it the promise of sweet that makes the process of eating the fruit so amazing?

Inside are all of these cocoons of goodness, and I can't get the color out of my mind, and the contrast between the pale little coves where each seed is buried. I bet there's a whole section in the Bible about pomegranates. Back in olden times there had to be some mystery, some mythology, and some message that the fruit had to share. You can't just show up with something like a pomegranate and not want to ask questions about history, the Bible and how old a thing has to be to get its own mythology.

I don't care what you say you can't make a banana sexy (okay, I hate bananas), and apples are so first sin that I bet it was actually a pomegranate in the Garden of Eden.

How dull to pull an apple from a tree when there were certainly pomegranates in the Garden. Besides, if you're going to sin, why not have a thousand seeds to drop in Adam's mouth. Give the man more than a bite or two of the bad fruit—make him work for it.

And imagine the mess. All over his face and hands and shirt. Oh, that's right, everyone was naked in the Garden of Eden. So you bet the pomegranates would have made for a much more fun evil mess than an apple.

I have no idea why I am associating the pomegranate with the Garden of Eden (someone mentioned a commercial?). Perhaps it's because you can only get the fruit in November in the city. And I would only buy it at Whole Foods, or as we call it Whole Paycheck—but again, not the real point here.

We're talking about a piece of fruit. Something that's sweet and good for you. Something that you should have every day. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Yeah, sure, but what can you do with a pomegranate that's only around for one month out of the year?

And how much do you hate it when you can go into the store and get all of the seeds in a plastic pint-sized container. All of the fun of ripping the thing apart and tearing the flesh away and dropping the juicy seeds down your throat—gone. Wiped out. Just because of convenience and whatever else people at grocery stores do when they think about pomegranates.

You know this is now going to be a quest. Find out everything there is to know about my favorite fruit because it is a mystery. It's origins wrapped in secrecy. Because I bet, the pomegranate has been around for centuries and it's in the Bible (everything juicy and decadent is mentioned at least once in the Bible—and likely in the Old Testament). I just want the apple to move over. Get out of the pomegranate's way so that the real red round fruit can rule.

You feel me?

by Denny S. Bryce for The Art of Writing, Selling and Marketing Memoirs Workshop 2011

Today's Thursday Treat: Author Avery Flynn

Avery Flynn, author, The Dry Creek Series, Evernight Publishing

I get the best authors to stop by and blog on my Thursday Treat, and the goodness just keeps coming with Avery Flynn on deck. She's a fellow Waterworld Mermaid, and a wonderful supporter of writers and writing. She also is published with Evernight Publishing, so grab a cup of coffee, a soda, tea (and if you're reading late - white wine is good, too:), and spend some time with Ms. Avery Flynn:)!

Let's get to the facts right up front. What's your full author name, website, your latest release, the WIP that is keeping you up at night, your agent, your publisher, how long have you been writing…your successes? Yes, I want the mini bio right here, right now!

Avery said: Flynn, Avery Flynn top secret agent of procrastination and spunky heroines working on behalf of romance junkies everywhere. :) Really, wouldn't that be cool if we formed a group of covert romance agents? Oh, I'm totally getting the idea for a new career path. But until that comes to fruition I'll enjoy being my own silly self. You can track me down all over the place. I'm on the fabulous Waterworld Mermaids blog, my own blog, Facebook  and Twitter. My latest release will be coming out in January. It's called A Dry Creek Bed and it's book two in the Dry Creek series from Evernight Publishing. It's the action packed, steamy tale of Beth Martinez and Hank Layton. It was so much fun to write and I can't wait to have it out in the world. I've been writing since before I could spell (some would say that's still true) and plan to keep doing so until my fingers stop working. 

Q. What's the best kept secret about your writing process? 

Avery said: That even as fun as it is, it's work. Don't get me wrong. I love writing. However, I believe in making this my career and any career I have has to put groceries in the cupboard so I take the business side seriously. How does this factor into writing process? It means I have a set schedule that I try to keep. It means I organize myself to the nth degree (seriously I plot like I'm going into battle). It means that I'm always pushing myself to write better and learn more about the craft.

Q. What character have you written or are writing that keeps you up at night - just one, please:)?

Avery said: Right now it's the character I haven't written. One of the heroines for my next series is sneaking into my dreams and my downtime. Viv is going to be a ton of fun, but she is not too happy about having to wait in line for her turn. 

Q. What television or pop culture fictional character has had the greatest influence on your writing style and why?

Avery said: Oh man. I don't know that I can pick just one. I gravitate toward the kick ass heroine who always finds a way to make things happen. This could be a Charlie's Angel, Buffy, Stephanie Plum, Anita Blake … you get the idea. I like this type of heroine because I think they inspire and empower us as readers. It's a thrill to get to live vicariously through them and at the same time connect with them. Take Anita Blake, for example. She is a tough, tough woman. I get an adrenaline rush reading about her adventures, but at the same time I really connect with her because she has to balance her work with the needs of her family.

Q. What book/author is the current "hot read" on your bookshelf?

Avery said: There are three authors I always pick up: Janet Evanovich, Lori Foster and Laurell K. Hamilton.

Q. What's your favorite drink on a hot August evening - and who (fictional or not, friend or family, celebrity or historic figure) would be sitting at your side enjoying that drink with you?

Avery said: I'm a beer girl and my current favorite if the Guinness Black Lager. Yum. Who to have it with? I have to go with my husband. Even after almost 12 years and three kids, he's still my favorite person to hang out with.

Q. Who's your favorite romance author and what would you ask them if you had the chance (or when you had the chance)?

Avery said: My favorite is Lori Foster. When I look at authors I'd love to have mentor me, she is at the top of the list. I actually did get to talk with her (via e-mail) recently. That Q and A will go live tomorrow (Nov. 4) at the Waterworld Mermaids blog with a few extras on my blog. So stop by and see how personable she seems even via e-mail.

Q. Last question…what question have you been dying to answer but no one has ever asked?

Avery said: What is it like to be a New York Times bestselling author with 40 books under your belt and your own private island?

Great questions Denny! Thanks so much for having me - and don't hesitate to drop by Evernight Publishing to check out my books by clicking here now!

Thanks so much Avery for agreeing to hang out and share your success, as well as the latest news on your series. Now readers, please take a moment to ask Avery some questions. She'll be with us all day long, so let's get to chatting!

Rebecca Walker - Author, Feminist, All Around Great Gal:)

Rebecca Walker, author, feminist, writing coach. 
Photography of Rebecca Walker by Amanda Marsalis.

Rebecca is inspirational. She is truly among the Who's Who on any important lists about feminism, women's issues, writing, the arts and politics.

She is a wonderful writer, speaker, feminist, and contemporary woman. I had the pleasure of meeting her in 2009, when I attended one of her writing workshops for memoirists. Well, I don't write memoirs (not yet), I write romance fiction, but the experience and what I learned in a jam-packed week of reading, writing, marketing sessions, and idea exchanging, changed my writing life. So, I am honored to have her as a guest blogger, and she's going to hang around for a day or two - just to talk. So enough of my ramblings, here goes...

Let's get to the facts right up front. What's your full name, website, your latest release, the WIP that is keeping you up at night, your agent, your editor, how long have you been writing…your successes? Yes, I want the mini bio right here, right now!

Rebecca said: Rebecca Walker here, and there are a plethora of ways to find me. Check my site at www.rebeccawalker.com, my FB fan page, Twitter feed @rebeccawalker, and of course LinkedIn for all you business-minded folks. There's more, but I will leave it at that.

My new book coming in February 2012 is called Black Cool: One Thousand Streams of Blackness. It's a look at the different elements that make up what we think of when we see Obama step out of the limo with dark glasses, or strut across the White House lawn. What is that ineffable quality of cool? Reserve, audacity, swagger, what? And where did it come from.

This will be my sixth book, my fourth collection. My other two are straight-ahead literary memoirs, one on growing up mixed race in the seventies and eighties called Black White and Jewish and another about my decision after much ambivalence to have a child, called Baby Love, which was very controversial!

I am fortunate that my books have done well, and are taught all over the world. Today I signed  a permission for my introduction from my book on masculinity, What Makes a Man, to be included in 350,000 textbooks! One of my manuscript clients just sold her book to a major publisher, and I'm thrilled to be teaching another master class for writers in December in Maui at one of the most gorgeous resort properties in the world: the Grand Wailea. AND I get to come home and kiss the most beautiful six-year old you ever did see. I count my blessings.

Q.  What's the best-kept secret about your writing process?

Rebecca said: I hate to actually write. I like to write the entire book in my head before sitting down at the computer so the sitting down isn't so brutal and lonely and terrifying. I also find sitting and "trying to find you story" extremely inefficient. Time management people!

Q.  What character/theme have you written or are writing about that keeps you up at night - just one, please:)?

Rebecca said: Lost love. Fidelity. The vast ocean between continents. The need for human evolution.

Q. What recording artist/television or pop culture fictional character has had the greatest influence on your writing style and why?

Rebecca said: Gosh, so many! I feel like a big sponge. I'm constantly inhaling high art and pop art and mashing it all together in that thing called my creative brain. Maybe Miles Davis because I play Kind of Blue on repeat for hours? Maybe Michael Jackson because he's Michael Jackson and my son worships him. Maybe Michael from the Office because his self-deprecation makes me laugh. Don Draper because his character is so beautifully written with so much complexity. Nikki from Big Love because she's at once completely lovable and repugnant.

Q. What book/author is the current "hot read" on your bookshelf?

Rebecca said: I'm reading the Steve Jobs book right now, like everyone else. Also a gorgeous memoir/biography of a woman who started her creative career at 72: The Paper Garden by Molly Peacock. Very inspiring.

Q. What's your favorite drink on a cool October evening - and who (fictional or not, friend or family, celebrity or historic figure) would be sitting at your side enjoying that drink with you?

Rebecca said: Steaming hot chai with almond milk and agave with my husband, for sure. I'd like to have tea with Joni Mitchell. Coffee with Joan Didion.

Q. Who's your favorite author, poet, lyricist and what would you ask them if you had the chance (or when you had the chance)?

Rebecca said: I would definitely ask James Baldwin if it was all worth it. The exile, the torment, the struggle, the coming out, the bearing of the torch. All of it. Was it worth it, in the end?

Q. Last question…what question have you been dying to answer but no one has ever asked?

Rebecca said: People have asked me so many questions, I feel I've covered everything over the years. Let's see. I think the question would be the same: Is it worth it? The struggle to write, to publish, to share, to risk? Is it worth it? What have you lost and what you have gained. The answer to both questions is...everything.

Thank you Rebecca!

Now, it's your turn readers. Take a moment and ask her a few questions, also if you want to spend a week in paradise enjoying the freedom of being a creative artist (because that's what we writers are)...check out her workshop December 19-26. I'll be there!

Today's Thursday Treat: Special Guest - Author Joy Daniels

Photo of Sexy Mechanic snagged by Joy Daniels

It's the Thursday Treat at Denny S. Bryce's blog (that's me and this is where).  It will consist of guest bloggers from publishing including authors and writers and agents and editors, as well as some of my other artists pals who sing, dance, create games, and do all sorts of marvelous things. Launching the series is a writer who is a wild, sexy, fun-loving gal, who has all sorts of things to tell us about what she's up to, and what makes the writer girl in her tick.

So, here is my first guest blogger for Thursday's Treat, Ms. Joy Daniels!

Q:  Let's get to the facts right up front. What's your full author name, website, your latest release, the WIP that is keeping you up at night, your agent, your publisher, how long have you been writing…your successes? Yes, I want the mini bio right here, right now!

Name: Joy Daniels
Website: http://authorjoydaniels.com
Agent: Louise Fury, L. Perkins Agency
Publisher: not sure where we're going to submit my current short, but I'm working on a proposal for a novel with Ravenous Romance.

Under revision: Revving Her Up, an erotic short story about a New York lawyer whose car breaks down in a small town, forcing her to turn to a sexy mechanic for help.

It's the first in my "Rapture Series", a group of short stories, which feature northerners falling in love in/with the small town of Rapture, VA.

Next: a sexy story set in the capital of country, Nashville, TN! This is story that (currently) keeping me up at night.

I started toying with the idea of writing three or four years ago, but didn't turn to it seriously until I found myself facing layoff with nothing to do. OK, I had a four-month old, so I was BUSY, but without work, so I decided to try my hand at writing a novel. The time-off never materialized - I ended up falling into a consulting gig almost immediately - but I still wanted to write.  Of course, that was two and a half years ago, before I realized how challenging it would be!

Now I understand that writing is hard work - and I love it more than ever!

Successes: I've completed my first short story, which I'm revising after a round of edits from my agent, and I've been tapped to write a sexy novel. I'm pretty damned psyched about those!

(OMG when I first wrote the lines above, I wrote ..."which I'm not revising after a round of edits..."  Can you tell I'm feeling a wee bit guilty about that?)

Q.  What's the best kept secret about your writing process?

Joy said: While working on that critical first draft, I use timed writing software (Dr. Wicked's Write or Die) and wordcount challenges (Fast Draft, NaNoWriMo) to help me turn off my internal editor.

I have yet to discover such helpful tricks for the revisions process...

Q.  What character have you written or are writing that keeps you up at night - just one, please:)?

Joy said: One of the male leads from my Nashville story, a country singer named Rob, is on my mind all the time. He's a small town boy with longish blond hair, cocoa brown eyes and the kind of sleepy smile that makes you want to go right back to bed - with him!

Q.  What television or pop culture fictional character has had the greatest influence on your writing style and why?

Joy said: I don't watch much TV, but right now I can't stop thinking about John Mitchell from Being Human (BBC) and Eric Northman from True Blood (HBO).  Not because they're vampires, but because both men are strong, smart and complex - there's a lot going on behind those beautiful eyes.

I also get a lot of story ideas from country music. I started listening to country when I moved to MD from up north and now I am hooked! Something about the moods, the images, the ideas...The songs just inspire me to write - and to dance!

Q.  What book/author is the current "hot read" on your bookshelf?

Joy said: I am addicted to urban fantasy and when I fall in love with an author/series I pre-order every damned book.

My current obsessions are Nicole Peeler's Jane True series (http://www.nicolepeeler.com/the-jane-true-series/), Carolyn Crane's dis-illusionist series (http://authorcarolyncrane.com/), and Seanan McGuire's October Daye series (http://www.seananmcguire.com/toby.php).

I met the first two women at Authors After Dark in Philly last weekend (August 11 - 14) and discovered that they are as awesome as their books!

Q.  What's your favorite drink on a hot August evening - and who (fictional or not, friend or family, celebrity or historic figure) would be sitting at your side enjoying that drink with you?

Joy said: I love sangria made with dry red wine. As for who I'd be sitting with, the easy answer is my mom, who died six years ago. Alongside her, I'd be happy with any of the authors above plus my fav brainstorming/writing buddy Denny S. Bryce!

Q.  Who's your favorite romance author and what would you ask them if you had the chance (or when you had the chance)?

I like adventure with my romance so again the authors above come to mind.  Right now the question on my mind goes to Seanan McGuire - will Toby and the King of Cats get together?  It's killing me!

Q.  Last question…what question have you been dying to answer but no one has ever asked?

Joy said: How about the question everyone asks but that no one ever listens to the answer:
how do you do it - how are you so happy and productive, etc when there's so much to be down about?

Carpe diem. If my mother's death has taught me anything, it's that you have to live each day as though it were your last. All you ever get - all any of us get  - is time.  Don't waste it. 

Thank you Joy, now folks it's your turn.  Joy will be hanging around all day, and available to answer questions. Also, feel free to take one of the questions I've asked above and let us know your answer...inquiring minds want to know.  Happy Thursday!

Six Sentence Sunday & Eye Candy

Photo of Taye Diggs snagged from the Internet by Denny S. Bryce

Here we are again, it's Six Sentence Sunday!!!

I've had a great week of writing. Wrote at least a 1000 words a day (okay, it was supposed to be 5,000 for Fast Draft), but it was lots tougher than I ever thought to actually write 5,000 words a day, but I will Fast Draft again! Believe me. What better way to jump start your first draft than a challenge?

I ended up with 25,000 words in two weeks, more than I've ever written ever! My goal is to keep going and will start Fast Draft Part II this Tuesday...see what I do with that!

I will be doing more of the same later this afternoon. In the meantime, I've been cleaning. It's a great way to brainstorm and get some plotting in. Seriously, you've got to have something else on your mind other than cleaning. Right!

Today six sentences...since I dabble in every genre at one time or another. I have a work in progress that doesn't have a title, but it's a YA fantasy about isolation and aliens (yes, those from outer space).

      She was tall for her age, maybe five feet seven inches tall, which in the universe of height wasn't all that tall unless you were a twelve-year old girl. Being so darn gigantic just added another layer to the oddity of being her. Not only was she smarter than everyone she knew, except her Uncle John, she also was taller than any other twelve year old girl on her planet. She wished she could forget about being a kid, especially since her colleagues never thought of her that way. Around them, she was a scientist. They ignored her wire-rimmed glasses, fat black braids and floppy bangs.

 Of course the other exciting thing about Six Sentence Sunday (next week I'm going to sign up for the list:) is the fact that it's also my day to salute men of color. Today's photo is Taye Diggs.

Six Sentence Sunday - Redeux (Is That Allowed?)

Snagged from the Internet by Denny S. Bryce

I'm greedy today, and want to post two for Six Sentence Sunday - I missed last Sunday, but think I can get away with a twofer because (well, who's gonna stop me...hehehe:) and they are from two different WIPs...


The first is my futuristic urban fantasy set in a world where vampires have a caste system, and humans are either rich or live in Tunnel City (beneath the streets of DC)...so here goes:

Casey plastered a smile on her face, grabbed her coat and hat from the back of the chair, and strapped on her weapons belt. “I look forward to continuing my work as one of the SAV’s dedicated public servants.”

“There is no need for acronyms or sarcasm, young lady," Dr. V shot back. "As the Council of Ancient Vampires’ chief psychiatrist, I will monitor your activities for as long as I see fit and when I am convinced you have recovered completely, we will discuss your contract.”

Casey's fangs dug holes into her lower lip, but she manged to bow and say, “Yes, ma’am.” Then she headed for the door with a clear realization she had to accept.  If her eternal life were to remain in tact obedience to the Council was her only option.

The second is from my Fast Draft WIP...not doing as many words a day as I had hoped, but still hanging in there, and enjoying the process...

Now for those who know me, don't be surprised, this is a contemporary WIP, and I'm in love with the hero, but he's not in these six sentences...

“Hold on one moment,” Max said, rising to her feet. “We have delivered on every aspect of an outstanding program, designed and implemented to attract the audience we both agreed were your prime customers. The campaign has already produced overwhelming results with more than one thousand new bank accounts opened in the South Side branch alone. New investors joined your community outreach team with an initial infusion of capital that reached over one million dollars...and you’re telling us we were fired in a letter?” Max pushed her tongue against the inside of her cheek to keep from unleashing designer profanities that would make her grandmother get out of her coffin and scream. (Is this 7 sentences, damn:)...

Six Sentence Sunday - I Found a New Game to Play!!!

Photo snagged from the Internet by Denny S. Bryce. Who the hell is this man?

Well scouring around the web, I discovered a fun way to clean up a few sentences and maybe even get some feedback:)...It's called Six Sentence Sunday, and I'm hyped! This is from a short story I need to finish:)...it's called Ghosts, and think Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, with a urban feel. Here goes...

Poppy Green hadn’t thought about being with a man in decades, although being a ghost was no excuse for being forgetful. Still, there was no reason under this moon or any other for her to consider having sex with Henry Taylor. Sure, he was a spirit like her, but he also was a good-for-nothing-son-of-a-gun. No better than the men she used to know before she passed. Back when any fool in a pair of trousers with a nice-sized bulge behind his zipper could trick Poppy into dropping her drawers. She just couldn't get pass those pants, or a set of round black eyes, sinewy muscles, rippling up and down his forearms, or a smooth brown body that glowed all sweet and hot on a summer's night.

My, my, my... 

Day 323: Still Searching for a Tag

Graphic snagged from the Internet by Denny S. Bryce

I've been on a quest to find the perfect tagline. That elusive phrase that summarizes all that there is to know about moi the writer and aspiring author. Why is it important since I don't have an agent (yet), or a book sold (yet)? Well, it's all about marketing in the new era of author as business owner (can I get an AMEN).

In this new age, you can't just sit back and rest on your laurels. You must create the foundation for success by getting on board the marketing train and tooting your own horn. You would think I could do this with my eyes closed. After all, I am a professional marketer. Have been for 25 years. But nope...and you ask why?

I've hit a brick wall.

I just can't come up with that clever catch phrase, and "I'm smart. I know things." (Think Godfather II, and you'll get the reference:)...But clearly I don't know as much as I thought about creating a brand for me (versus clients or even offering advice and creative to other authors and writers).

So, I've been doing my research, searching the Internet and visiting at least a 100 author sites, and here's what I've deduced.

1)  Once you hit the NYTimes Bestseller list -you don't need a tag line:)
2) If you write Urban Fantasies - you don't need a tag line:)
3) If you are a male author - you don't need a tag line (okay, this doesn't help me much, but it's what I got)
4) And with all of this said - I still want my freaking tagline...

What's your tagline and how did you come up with it?

And if you've got something left and can spare - toss it my way!

In the Groove: 357 Days of Writing...

"In the Groove" Copyrighted image by Salvatore Principe 2006-2010

I've been working a lot lately. Not writing, but doing the JOB (marketing events, products, you name it, the profession I've been in for 25 years). Good news, however, is that the huge JOB project ended (and I might add it was a success), and now I'm thrilled to finally get back to the JOB I love more than any other - writing fiction. The problem is my head is completely caught up in the project that has controlled my brain cells for the past three months.

So what do I do to get back in the writing groove?

Rely on the kindness of other writers. Yes, that's a major part of it. This week for example, I intend to get every inch of inspiration and focus I can at the RWA Nationals. From Tuesday through Saturday, I'm all about being a writer.
But that's just one piece of the puzzle. The challenge with the RWA Nationals or even my RWA chapter's retreat is that combined they take up only eight days of my year - so how do I get better control of those other 357 days.

Of course, it centers on my personal ability to be disciplined. But another key factor is still centered on those writer friends. At the WRWDC retreat in April a group of first-time attendees pooled their efforts to create an intelligent, fun, good read of a blog that offers excellent insights on the challenges facing writers and authors dedicated to their craft. Check out the Waterworld Mermaids. There's also a lot of fun there, too.

Another group called the Preternaturals (formed at Savvy Authors) will launch a group blog this summer, but in the meantime, many of the writers in the group support each other in any number of ways, helping to get the word out about new book releases, current projects and blogs, etc.  Some of authors in the group with current releases include Louise Bacio and Vivi Dumas, and Lani Rhea's blog is very hot, too.

So, that's my Day 1 of 357 days. After writing this blog, I actually feel like I'm getting in the groove.

Give me a little history with that Inspiration, please...

Image snagged from the Internet by Denny S. Bryce

Before settling in to get some sleep, I decided it was time to blog and the topic that is on my mind is history. I don't know what it is about the past, perhaps it's just the energetic young man who was my history teacher in 10th grade. After all these years, his class is still my favorite and most memorable.

History just has so much imagination. Sounds odd, but often when I find myself researching a story I am inspired by an event from the past. Or a historical figure who I usually bend into a character that often ends up the villain.

History is filled with unspeakable horrors, but also fascinating revelations and technological advances. But it is also the mystery and the magic of historical fiction that intrigues me. Years ago, I devoured Leon Uris, E.L. Doctorow, and even read some epic James Michener.

Now, it's my playground for make-believe or answering the 'what if' question.

NOTE: You'd think I'd write about the image I snagged, shown above. It has nothing to do with history unless it was science fiction or fantasy. But isn't it bizarre?

Let Go of Reason to Write Better? Could Be...

Photo snagged by Denny S. Bryce from an Internet blog.

Emotions are circumstances that task the heart as well as the mind. They help us tell a tale of extremes: extreme love, extreme hate, extreme pain, anguish and joy, guilt and sorrow, and fun and laughter. Those are the ingredients of good drama.

For some writers--like me--those emotions aren't easy for my characters. But good news! I am finally coming to grips with why my characters must show emotions in circumstances (scenes) that matter. I had this latest revelation during revisions of my 86,000 word manuscript.

Putting my characters in the front a speeding train has never been easy. It takes constant thought and concentration and I admire those who are make it so readily a integral part of their story telling.

In my non-writing life, I spend my time putting chaos in order, crafting the crazy into a seamless organized performance. So messing up a life (or ten:) is tough, nose to the grindstone, work. We've all heard that putting your characters in bad situations is hard. For me, I'm breaking a routine, a habit I've spent  twenty-five years perfecting.

Now, I must let go of rationale thought and seek out angst and grief, love and pain, laughter and tears. I now know that it's not just about creating a believable bad guy (which I've always found an easier task) it's about creating conflict and emotions throughout a story, from scene to scene, paragraph to paragraph, and each word has to matter. I want the reader to stare at the pages I wrote and say: wow, that's intense.

So you see, that's what I learned during my latest revision -- I can let go of reason.

And my characters are going to go through hell from here on out because of it.

How sweet is that?

Guilt, the Furies and Me

Orestes and the Furies, a photo snagged by Denny S. Bryce

I am feeling guilty today about a whole mess of things (my lack of regular blog entries only one of the items on the list). But since writing is the most glaring in my mind, I decided to blog about writer's guilt. Which I thought for sure would have its own special page on Wikipedia, but no, there's just the normal fare.

Guilt - a cognitive emotional experience when a person believes - either rightly or wrongly - that they have violated a moral standard and bears significant responsibility for that violation.

Sounds pretty high and mighty, the stuff of great big, fat books, with long words and pages with crumbled brown edges. You know, original manuscripts of old, written by the likes of Shakespeare or ancient Greeks with names such as Euripides. And yes, I know there are a a bunch of romance writers who can give the Greeks a run for their money when it comes to creating complicated guilt-ridden characters and plots driven by a character's issues. But this is about me...

On that same page of Wikipedia is an image of Orestes, pursued by the Furies, tormenting him about his guilt over killing his mother.

Having not killed anyone - at least not me personally, perhaps a character or two has committed such an act, but again, I'm feeling guilty about not writing enough lately. Too busy with the JOB and other sundries to keep my eye on the prize - that prize by the way is finishing a manuscript to my satisfaction - not for anyone else at this stage - just moi.

So the point of today's blog - are their furies chasing you around the room, casting their evil thoughts on your guilt-ridden writer's mind? Do they look like procrastination, muse gone bad, impatience, poor time management skills, or too many episodes of mediocre TV?

I wonder if I can use one of my furies to help me add more conflict to my manuscript? For example, if my main character is suffering from survivor's guilt, and the sound of her own laughter makes her stomach ache, what if her new partner cracks her up with his wry sense of humor? Is that conflict? How do I work it into a scene where they do more than argue? Mmmm...am I on to something here, or just dealing with another fury? The demon named wishful thinking?

Some Obsessive Mumbo Jumbo and Insights courtesy of Fringe...

Joshua Jackson aka Fringe's Peter Bishop, photo snagged from Internet by Denny S. Bryce

Let’s talk about the psychology of obsession. Not in a clinical sense, or the "I need more medication to control my desires to repeat, repeat, repeat a small chore to the point of nausea." Although a true obsessive compulsive might find this scenario orgasmic. 

I want to chat about obsession as it applies to writing. Can an obsession make for good story telling? As writers, can we use our natural predisposition to obsess (write, rewrite, write, rewrite), as a guide to the stories we want to write and enjoy reading and/or watching?

Ah! The hypothesis – how convoluted was that?

Well, it’s what’s on my mind this lovely, freezing Sunday afternoon as I work on my application (the mystery application will be disclosed soon enough). Recently, I added a new TV show to my list, and it got my brain racing as to why I do this, repeatedly, and how it comes into play with the way I plot the stories I write and what’s important to me when I read a book or watch TV (or see a movie - The Fighter? brilliant).

A quickie on my television obsessions  - the usual: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel (thank you Joss Whedon).  Then Moonlight (too pretty not to love) and Farscape, which still occupies a very special place in my brain. And now, Fringe. What makes Fringe unique, besides great acting, stories, and it's appreciation of classic sci-fi, is that the male lead, Joshua Jackson, although a handsome man (okay, damn handsome), is not the hottie that usually drives me. I'm a Spike, Angel, Mick St. John or John Creighton kind of gal, you know the type.

But Fringe is about characters, their relationships, emotions and choices - and so far, every episode in its two and a half years carries threw on that promise.

My stories, even if I say so myselfJ, have complicated plots and I do play around with notion of 'high concept' story telling. But no matter how intriguing or off the wall, a plot does not a story make. Characters and relationships and emotions are at the soul of a good story – and whatever medium is used to deliver the tale – books, plays, screenplays, lyrics – it’s the writer’s responsibility to get that aspect of the story right, their obsession to reach that goal makes the difference.

I love puzzles. Pieces falling together that create the big picture.  My stories tend to go about putting the pieces of a puzzle together. But in that puzzle, I'm sometimes challenged with the characterizations and how my main character functions as a puzzle piece or the owner of the big picture. Then where does the emotion come from? That's what I need to be obsessing about, you know?

What obsession drives your story telling?

You Have My Permission: Breaking Through Boundaries

Image snagged from Internet by Denny S. Bryce

Ender's Game author Orson Scott Card has a new book called The Lost Gate. He talks about its origin in an article, Mapping Worlds in The Lost Gate, in the January TOR newsletter.

What hit home for me was Card's willingness to hang with the story idea no matter how long it took him to flesh it out. In this case thirty years. Of course he's written other books, successful books, while he gave himself permission to dream, create, 'map', and finally write the book he wanted in the world he wanted to create it. This article made me happy.

As a young writer (in terms of years writing fiction, not my age:) and as of now, an unpublished writer, believing in my choices is as challenging as polishing the 85,000 plus words of my current WIP.

I hit a wall with the book (writer's block some call it - I prefer to say no-story-in-the-middle:). I read somewhere that a way to get back on track is to start another project to get the creative juices flowing, and yeah, good thought. Well, I have a new idea and I'm very excited about it and the research I'm doing to help me build the world. But as mentioned, the new project or the soon-to-be-WIP-in-waiting is also an opportunity to fix the current WIP.  And the plan is working. 

So, I'm in world building mode and comfortable staying digging until I know this new world, understand how it works, why it works, and learn all I can about the 'science' I can use to shape a believable, but fictional, environment in which to tell this story. That's the deal with the new WIP.  This is also the step I didn't take with the current WIP - so I'm doing a little of that, but mostly, making choices about what's good, what's bad, what's surprising, what's not. 

So what's my point for today's blog - as the title says - give yourself permission to create. Break the rules, change the game, go as far as you want to go and beyond. That first idea as crazy as it may feel, you should play with, and if you fall in love with a story, it might be because it's a good one, and worth the work and the wait.

Special Note: You'll see on his website that Mr. Card suffered a mild stroke on January 1, 2011 - here's wishing him a speedy recovery.

Happy New Year's Day and My Emotional Characters

Photo by Denny S. Bryce - "I Love a View"

Happy New Year's Day!!! I swore I was going to start the year blogging so here goes.

I read somewhere that a good blog, or a good topic to blog about is when you can answer the question - guess what I learned today? Well, today, I learned a few things - but I'll stay focused on the one about feelings and writing fiction.

Working with different critique partners and also   feedback from a class and a writing contest I entered recently (but didn't final in and yeah, it happens:) I noticed a pattern in the comments - well, several, but one stuck out.

I kept reading the word 'feelings' or sentences like 'add more feelings'. What does your character feel? And yeah, I saw it, too. It's not an easy fix, mind you. So,  I've been reading and found a couple of sources I wanted to share.

I don't have answers yet. Which is what I learned today. So I'm on a journey to find 'feelings', and make certain I create emotional characters and put them into emotional situations and 'listen' to them, and make certain their feelings make it on the page.

Oh yes, those sources that are helping me on my journey are: Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain and this one not so easy - Season 1 DVD for Fringe - and any of the commentaries, especially Evolution: The Genesis of Fringe.

Fringe and Firefly Merged - In a Very Good Way

I am absolutely in love with Fringe. Yep, another TV show that has all of the elements of some of my favorites - instantly reminds me of "Farscape", but also "Altered States" (movie), "Firefly" the TV Show, and a bit of Buffy and Angel, but not so much. The characters are more deeply written...and definitely adult.

I've also found a wealth of other obsessive fans online. By the way, I wasn't a fan two weeks ago, but a friend of mine, Sierra, kept asking me if I were watching it. She said it was good. So I happened upon an episode by accident called "Marionette" - and bam! Hooked. I owned Season 1 but had never watched it, and broke it out and the next thing you know, I'm caught up and anxiously awaiting the next episode (Season 3-10).

In Marionette - I only caught the ending, and had to find it and watch the whole damn thing to know why two actors sitting in a dark, backyard played out such a deeply emotional scene, full of layers upon layers of angst without touching melodrama even once, and I didn't have to know what caused it, I saw it on their faces, heard it in their voices, and knew it from the lines written for them. Good stuff.

Anyway, the next episode airing January 21 is called "Firefly" (and by the way a Whedon is a writer on the show)...Check out this vid...




So yeah, I'm plugging a TV show. But a very good one.

Okay, now I'm back to writing...

Do You Like Your Main Character?

Photo by Denny S. Bryce

It's Christmas Eve and for those who celebrate - Merry Christmas! For those who don't Happy Holidays!

And yeah, I'm in the holiday spirit. That means I'm finally settling in to get some work done on the book. The endless project or so it seems. Especially since NaNoWriMo ended. It's been hard to keep up the pattern I established last month - not only with daily writing, but just daily attention paid to the act of writing. Be it revising, organizing, researching, November was a big month for Denny the writer. But after the success of NaNoWriMo - I went into a writer's slump. Not so much from not being able to write new copy - but from the aspect of wanting to sit down and focus on the damn book.

It's almost time for New Year's resolutions. The Catch-22 of annual traditions. Damned if you do - and damned if you don't. Yes, even the don't part implies you've already conceded defeat  - so yep, damned if you don't.

But year in, year out, I've become more and more gun-shy about resolutions. Except this year, I want to take the risk and make the commitment. I'm going to start with the commitment to my passion - writing. Going for it every day - even if it's only fifty words a day or 30 minutes of silence in front of the computer - it will be done. (I'm going to start with today for that because I have two weeks off and I might as well fill them with fun). Then, it has to do with health and well-being. That's hard. Bad habits are difficult to let go. But I'm going to have to start some where with that one. Next has to do with some personal business I'll keep to myself for now (even a blog has to have mystery, right?).

Finally, back to my blog title - the main character? Do you like her (or him)? Did that blog title refer to writing fiction or the main character in your life -- you? I mean - that's what resolutions are all about? How much do you like yourself and what are you willing to do to keep 'you' happy - or keep your main character interesting to your readers - or at least a like-able character.

Crossing the line a wee bit, but it's my blog:)!

Ask yourself, what are your protagonist's New Year's Resolutions?

Might be a fun way to jump start your character and find some new conflict for your story.

What Did I Learn Today? I'm An Introvert...

Photo taken by Denny S. Bryce on a flight...

I haven't blogged in a while and I feel bad about it. I really do. But what I learned today is that I work obsessively and sometimes you've got to raise you head from the computer in order to give your life balance. I've been preaching about balance lately. And like I've said, when you keep harping on something you can bet you are the main culprit of the issue you're going on and on about.

NaNoWriMo is part of the reason for my introspection. The other is I was reading about introverts and extroverts - trying to infuse more conflict in my WIP - I discovered (or decided) I must be an introvert.  Here's the scoop...(taken from another source)

Personality Traits - introverted, Introversion is "the state of or tendency toward being wholly or predominantly concerned with and interested in one's own mental life”. Introvert likes reading, writing, music, drawing, tinkering, playing video games, watching movies and plays, and using computers. Is not necessarily a loner, very selective about their friends.


An introvert is likely to enjoy time spent alone and find less reward in time spent with large groups of people, though he or she may enjoy interactions with close friends. Trust is usually an issue of significance: a virtue of utmost importance to an introvert choosing a worthy companion. They prefer to concentrate on a single activity at a time and like to observe situations before they participate, especially observed in developing children and adolescents.


What are you?

Word count on NaNoWrimo...a bit low at 14669 - but that's from last night. I should hit 20,000 by tomorrow AM - if not more!

For Writing and Writers: There's No Place Like Home?

photo by denny s. bryce, south beach, florida, 2010

Have you ever seen a spot, a room, an island, a whatever, that has shouted - this is the perfect place to write? A haven where you feel positive you'll be able to write, write and write? No? Well, I guess we're in the same boat.

I've spent most of October writing on the road. Business travel has been eating up my life. But I've managed to keep up with writing, but not so much new words as editing and polishing (which is a familiar rut I tend to get into when I'm on the road a lot). But a friend asked me recently - have you found that place where you know you've just got to be? He wasn't necessarily talking about writing, but that's where I took it. And I thought I'd found a place (a bed and breakfast in Maui:), but everyplace I go is just another place to pull out a book, pull out my laptop and 'go' wherever my characters want me to go. So, the answer to the question is there's no place like the 'home' inside your mind when it comes to writing - at least for me.

But tell me, is there a spot you go that is your favorite place to write? Or a house you've been that has a dream room, porch or view that inspires you beyond belief? Tell me about it.

What's at Stake? I Think I Need to Know, You Know?

More Fun Graphics available at NaNoWriMo.org!

Before diving into today's topic, I need to spend a moment on November.

Yes, I"m on board for 2010 NaNoWriMo. Are you? I want to expand my buddy list - need all the support I can get:). So please find me (Denny S. Bryce); or just reply here and I'll find you! If you've never done NaNoWriMo before - this is the year to get it done! (Note: I always say this and haven't finished once in the past four years. But, never say die!)

In other news: I'm on a mission and here it is: I have to figure out what's at stake in my story? I also must nail down the premise and the story question. Sounds simple? Well, apparently not in my book (double-meaning is deliberate:).

What put this top of mind (because I've been down this road before, read all the right books, took all the right workshops and writing classes, so why now?) Because getting better ain't easy. But the impetus for this focus is The 2010 Heart to Heart Contest at SFW-RWA.

I came in second place in the final in the Paranormal category! Hoorah! However, I didn't get a request for the manuscript - full or partial. In the score card arena, I received mostly 4s and a couple of 3s, but it's the 3s that made be sit up and pay attention. And although I should, and although I thought I had, I didn't have a clear picture of the answers to the following questions regarding my manuscript: What's at stake in the world? What's the story premise? What's at stake for my heroine? I keep thinking I know this, but not always...

So, I found this article - click here - by Bill Johnson.  I know I've read this before in dozens of books and heard it any number of times, but this article (an oldie, too) is working for me now. I'm also excited about a class I signed up for with Gotham - multi-time published, romance writer, author, and teacher, Leigh Michaels is the instructor for the online romance writing course at Gotham Writer's Workshop. So this will be fun!


Finally, check out some Steampunk links below. When I was at Phauxcon two weeks ago, I got some great info from the folks there you might enjoy!

Edgar Allen Poe and Steampunk

http://ageofsteam.wordpress.com/

Jennifer Jackson

 http://steampunkscholar.blogspot.com/