Rejection Ain't All That Bad

Photo taken in New Orleans, LA, 2009.

Still glowing from a recent rejection letter, which has infused me with the will and energy to write and write and write. Still, I don't want to over analyze my reaction. That is too close to my usual approach to writing - over doing it.

But back to the topic ... it was the most encouraging email I've ever received.

Nearly a year ago, I submitted my novel (or a synopsis and the first 30 pages) to an editor and an agent - via request - following the RWA National Conference in DC, which will take place this year in Orlando (at the Swan and Dolphin property) following the tragedy of the flooding in Nashville, TN, which has closed the Gaylord until fall. The first six months without hearing from the editor and agent - except for an isolated email was still damn exciting and I was enthusiastic about writing and keeping to a schedule and all sorts of good, positive things. Then the last quarter of 2009 turned into a series of crisis, financial, emotional, stressful, health, you name it and it reared its head in the later portion of last year. Since then I've been in a semi-depressed state. If not phases of full blown depression. I regained weight I lost, struggled to keep on a writing schedule and have had numerous blow ups with family and colleagues - and a few public outbursts that fall under the category of road rage (which as long as no one suffers bodily arm can be quite comforting:).

So if you think one of the two RWA 2009 connections finally got back to me? Well no. It was another publication - which will go un-named and the letter talked about how much they enjoyed my voice, and my taunt, writing style (really liked that). They weren't interested because my novel is too long, and not as erotic as they are looking for.

Folks, it's not that I want to keep getting rejection letters, but sometimes, this kind of letter teaches you something.

Talking TV and that means Vampires!

I am writing about the TV show, The Vampire Diaries.

No real spoilers...believe it or not:)

This season started with me refusing to watch The CW's trite, watered down, poorly constructed, sadly redundant (TV version) of Twilight (not on my top 10 list anyway) for teeny boppers. Okay, I imagine that sentiment describes at least 75 percent of my friends who likely had similar reactions to the idea of watching the show, if they even bolthered to think about watching TVD at all.

I had to be dragged, kicking and screaming, by a friend who said, you've got to check this show out. So I caved in around episode five or six (I've since seen all episodes by the way). It took me a while to submit (not just because of the reasons stated earlier here), but that friend doesn't have my passion for well-crafted story lines and ensemble casts that showcase character, plot, arcs, etc. She liked BTVS, and AtS was perfect eye candy. But she didn't re-watch each and every episode of AtS or BtVS to the point where she could recite scenes or knew the title of the next episode (you know what I mean). I enjoy searching for details, getting to the heart of a story arc, character black moments, etc. She enjoyed the shows. Sure. But wasn't nearly as obessessed:).

Anyway, she's a good friend, so I said to her (when she wouldn't stop insisting I at least try TVD) okay, I'll watch. The first few episodes were a struggle. I was pre-occupied with Being Human (a superior BBC-2 paranormal TV show), but still I watched. Frankly, I can't remember the episode that added me to the list of fans who 'can't miss an episode' of TVD. Likely, it was more so about Damon and Bonnie, the witch. Those two characters caught my attention - especially Bonnie. I LOVED the way the show was developing the witch and vampire history/relationship and especially the role of the witch in the history of the town, and the potential for her character and her ancestors to be pivotal to the entire story (and yeah, I know - she disappeared for about four episodes but by then I was hooked into the overall story).

If you don't know me, there is one thing that's pretty clear when it comes to me and entertainment - be it reading, watching or listening. I love vampire stories. Paranormal grabs me in a huge way, and I seek it out. Most of it unfortunately falls short, I must admit. I imagine part of that is being spoiled by the likes of Spike and Angel - and before those two rascals, as far as TV vampire drama was concerned I've got to go back so far it's practically pre-historic - and yes, I'm talking Barnabas Collins - so there.

Anyway, what's my point?

Vampire Diaries is a classic in the genre. Very different from BtVS or AtS, but rooted in the same love of vampire mythology as either one of those shows, and in many ways more so. There are no statements here about the struggle or challenge of girls becoming women or metaphors about high school, young aduthood, first time sex, or other growing pains - those topics have been covered. This show is telling the tale of a scary old town filled with vampires, vampire killers, witches and werewolves (so far), and it's good. Damn good. What are my reasons for coming to this conclusion?

1) It' a complex family saga - those of us who LOVED the relationships and history shared between characters like Darla, Dru, Angel and Spike, and their tragic choices throughout those histories and their obsessions, will find the same surprises in this tale. The unique issues of vampires are exploited here. For me that means they live long lives during which they can obsess about everything, as was the case with Whedon's vampires. Hundreds of years of living or unliving during which a vampire relived whatever was the focus, missed opportunity or mistakes of their human lives.

On TVD we have a triangle that the writers are not shying away from, too - two brothers in love with the same woman (Spike, Angel, Buffy, if you will). Except this time we have two human brothers who fall in love with a vampire named Katherine. (And whoa, I'm waiting for the fic that slashes Stefan and Damon - although I won't read it - just like I don't read Wincest - but you know it's a coming.). Anyway, they are both sexy, intense and their love for each other and the issues they have with each other is as riveting as their obsession/love for Katherine/Elena. And there's huge back story here, too.

2) The femaie leads (for the most part) are strong, fearless heroines (Elena/Katherine - I can't separate them because I believe there is no separating them:) or Bonnie or the blond (sorry can't remember her name now) or Isobel (who promises to be Darla with dark hair). So far, although Elena has no super powers, she is fearless and believable. She will walk into any situation as if she were a slayer when it comes to vampires. She owns Stefan, and Damon is right on her heels.

3) Bad Guys. Can we just say Uncle John? (And yes, I know he's a new face - only showing up two or three episodes ago, but damn!). At first, it was Damon, and in the early episodes I couldn't see any way for the writers to redeem him - but they aren't necessarily redeeming him as much as explaining why he is the vampire that he is, and it's not contrived. It works and yes, I actually thought of Dexter during this last episode. I mean if Dexter can be loved why can't Damon Salvotore?

4) Excellent supporting cast and subplots. If a scene doesn't involve Elena, Stefan or Damon, I('m good. There's the witch, the teacher, the sheriff, Jeremy and Anna, Pearl, the list goes on and on and each character fits into the puzzle, although Uncle John is a SHIT, and still a major mystery. Okay, I'm emotional about him. He just offed a character I wanted to see more of...

5) Flashbacks. TVD uses flashbacks exceptionally well. When the viewer is taken back in time we learn something new, see a character from a new perspective, understand more about a character's motives, etc., and they don't mind being dangerous and exciting about Damon and Stefan and their lives back in the day. No wasted screen time there.

6) Pacing, pacing, pacing. Each episode rockets from one OMG to the next. I love good pacing, and the only way to carry it off on a TV show is with good writing. And yes, VD is well-written.

7) One thing that's not so good...the show has no mature characters. I think the oldest regular is the Sheriff, and she's not necessarily filling the shows of someone like "Giles' for example - no way no how. The witch's grandmother was interesting, but that entire story arch skirted in and skirted out rather awkwardly, IMHO. So there it is, my long, rambling overview of The Vampire Diaries.

There are only two episodes left of TVD this season, and I'm almost as excited to watch them as I am about watching the last two episodes of 'Bones'.

So that's it, and yes, I haven't even mentioned True Blood. Why? It's always entertaining, shocking and fun, but thought provoking? Good vampire lore? No, not really. At least not to me. And that's what The Vampire Diaries gives - plenty of story to mull over.

NOTE: I'm on the train heading back to DC from Orlando after a week off. I've been writing, reading {The Strain) and doing that thing I wish I had more time for when I'm up to my eyebrows working...talking TV:)

The Good Writer Never Stops

Photo by Denny S. Bryce

I actually thought about stopping - writing. In the years I've been writing stories, novels, books, fan fiction, I never once thought about stopping. But I'd like to blame the winter - this one has been a bitch. Too much snow. Too many conflicts and anger and frustration. I haven't had enough time to kick back and enjoy. Also, I've been so single-minded about my novel - the manuscript I submitted in July - first 30 pages and a synopsis to St. Martin's Press, I've lost some of my joy for writing, I think. I realized it the other day. I took a week off - that stretched into two weeks, and during that time, I took a look at some of my old stuff. And I discovered, or rediscovered, that I need to be less hard on myself, and here I go again, journaling, instead of writing a blog about something that's not just me.

But I'm working on having opinions and articles I'm willing to write about. I do have loads of opinions, but I feel hampered by the writer me and the working girl me.

Anyway, I've spent most of the past 24 hours watching TV. The Good Wife has been getting a lot of press and last night I watched the first episode to see what it was all about. Well, 17 episodes later (thank goodness for iTunes), I'm a fan. And once again what made me a fan? The writing. Complex characters. Unexpected decisions. And plots that just make you go - whoa! So I'm thinking fundamentals. I need to write, and worry about whether or not it's the next great whatever after I've gotten out a story. Or at least that's my mood tonight.

Breaking Free of Exposition and Other Sad Tales

Photo by Denny S. Bryce

I've been remiss with my writing lately. Or I've been writing, but not satisfied with the results or I've reached a brick wall when it comes to ideas for the never-ending vampire saga, which is not really about vampires. Somewhere in the middle of the madness, I'm going to figure out exactly what it is I want to say and say it.

But believe me that's more difficult to do than you can imagine.

I write and write and the more I write the more I just don't know what it is I'm writing about. I get so caught up in figuring out who my characters are than putting these people into situations that they have to deal with - it's crazy. I've got a 70,000 word manuscript and I swear only about 35,000 words have to do with my main character dealing with a situation in a action, goal-focused way.

Okay, the real question is how can I break free of writing backstory? I want to put my character into the scene, into the action, into the midst of all the shit, and let her fight her way out. But I keep going back. Trying to answer the same questions. Who is she? What is she? How does she look? What's on her mind?

That's just not good. Anybody have any tips? I need to stop writing backwards and start the story in the middle of the action.

Depression, Muscles, and "Did My Tooth Just Fall Out?"

Photo by Denny S. Bryce

Orlando, FL, February 2010

My best friend and I were having our semi-monthly Friday lunch. Both of us are in the same industry - making bucks organizing other people’s lives - well, we’re also both over 50 (and my admitting that much is a dead giveaway that I’m clearly more than a bit over!) But yesterday, on our way to lunch, we were in a very cheery frame of mind, laughing about some silly comment I’d made about my day, when something small, white and almost pearly, appeared to fall out of my month. We both paused, looked at each other with a shocked expression on our faces, and I said, “Did my tooth just fall out?”

“Girl, no.” She shook her head, then frowned. “I don’t think so.”

“Shit,” I said. “I know I’m getting old, but Christ, I hope my tooth didn’t just fall out.”

Of course, it wasn’t my tooth. A stone from my dangly, fancy earrings had fallen off. But it’s just been one of those years - or at least the past six months - where my first thoughts immediately jump to the bottom of the list - and if it has to do with my body -- something failing or falling off is expected.

It’s been one of those periods in life when every move is an ache, and the thought of exercising, a sure journey to pain and suffering.

And yeah, I’ve been to the doctor -- we both have -- and we’ve had check-ups, and know the deal so to speak about our respective health issues - but that’s not the point.

We have to face the fact -- we are aging. It’s right there - smacking us in the face (wrinkles and dark circles included), we don’t look the same and we can’t do all of the things we used to do.

But we act and think pretty much the same as we have since we were eighteen years old. (Yeah, this friend of mine and me have been buds practically since high school).

Well, we’ve decided to find time to take better care of ourselves - successful career woman shit aside. I'm exploring exercise plans (‘right, exploring:)...and am getting started with my Saturday by getting on a treadmill.

Then I’m going to spend a week avoiding meat, and watching my salt intake. I read that another good thing to do is to avoid ‘white’ foods - sugar, flour, rice, cheese, if it ain’t showing me color - it ain’t going in my mouth.

What does all of this have to do with writing? You’ve got to have energy to write. I’ve been sitting on my ass for most of every day for the past six months, working. And not all of that time (okay, very little of it) has been spent moving forward fast enough on my novel. So I’m going to put it down for a few weeks and start working on a new story. Just to give myself a break from feeling like I’m not being productive. 

Long way around just to give my self a pep talk, huh? 

Finally Back in DC and It's Still Snowing

Have you wondered where I've been for the past two weeks? Well, the answer is easy. Not writing or reading as much as I would have liked - mountains of snow or no snow. Actually, I can't claim first hand experience with the snow. I spent most of the past two weeks in Florida working, but also attempting to relax, which honestly I found impossible to do. I kept thinking about writing, not writing, liking and not liking what I've written and in general over thinking my book. So what does that translate into? No progress. So what do I do?

I'm reading. It inspires me. I start reading and a passage will make me think, wow, I need to be writing. I've got a half dozen books I'm thumbing through (okay, clicking through, and more like 50 because they're on my Kindle:), but there are three that keep pulling me back in:).

There's the J.R. Ward novel, Covet, which starts so smart I must finish it. Plus it's the new genre I haven't read much of - all about Angels:). Next is a novel by Joe Haldeman, "The Accidental Time Machine."

I like his crisp style, and of course, really good science fiction that's accessible - not too techie, or war-like, or machines (unless they're Terminators). But speaking of which, I'm taking an online class (likely not a smart move since I'm submitting excerpts from my manuscript, and the class is a science fiction writing class, and my book is a post-apocalyptic near-future tale with vampires and a hot romance - and a mystery to solve). The class wants science fiction. Period.

The comments I'm getting aren't that helpful. For example, they want me to add more about the technology, how the weather changed and why, and each time a comment starts with the "I don't read vampire stories" - I roll my eyes. And it's not that I don't have technology, or information about the weather - but jeez - I submitted three chapters. How much backstory can you give in three chapters without going into hyper-exposition mode? But the question is why did I take this class in the first place? I had signed up for the feature article writing class, but after a day realized it was going to require 'new brain-power' which would have completely pulled me off of my book (and yes, I need to stop whining:).

Wow! Just reread that last paragraph. I think I'm not happy with the feedback I received from the class (lol)! But if I stop whining - I should see the good. The comments have been positive about many things - the main character, the dialog, the villain and more....so why is it I can only remember the comments that weren't so praising? Typical writer...

The other book I'm reading is The Strain, and yeah, I like the theatrical style and the tight-packaging of the action. So, hopefully in a few days, I'll be back in the saddle again - or at least in front of my computer writing, writing, writing.

Taking a Ride

I took this photo several years ago and clearly it's not Orlando. It's California.

The best thing about a sudden snow storm is when you've already made plans to leave town, and you're departure is scheduled a few hours after the storm has  hit. And better yet, those plans do not include a trip to the airport.

I'm taking a train from DC to Florida. Train travel is one of my favorite means of transportation, especially when I want solitude and the chance to write, write, write. This trip will involve quite a bit of reading and writing and work, but that's okay. It should be 40 degrees warmer where I'm headed, and that sounds like heaven to me.