I wasn’t going to post anything on this, but my Grandfather, Dr Hamish Neale, died early Thursday morning. He was 95 years old and the most awesome person I have ever known.

He was 95.

I’ll always know him as Gramps, and my memories of him are sacred to me. Not a month ago he quite literally gave me the blue bird of happiness. It looks a lot like the Twitter bird. The reason I’m saying all of this is that Gramp’s life was full. He helped thousands of people, raised a family, spoiled his grand-kids and still found time to write his own poetry and study Shakespeare (he got in the odd whiskey and All Blacks game too). His life has inspired several stories, and his death has inspired another one, which I’ll start after my current work, Downside (working name) is done.

I know all writers take from the world around them for their stories, and I feel that death should be included in that. At first I felt guilt that my brain immediately spat out a story for me when I got the call to say he’d gone, but after some contemplation (and a much appreciated cuddle from my girlfriend) I realized that I have been training myself to think that way.The most comfort I could give myself during the horrible, stomach dropping feeling you get when one of those calls comes in, was to spin a tale in my mind where Gramps wasn’t gone, just changed.

We tell stories, at least in part, to shed light on the dark places in our world. Without stories we don’t know who we were, who we are or who we’ll be tomorrow. Gramps was my inspiration from yesterday, he helped make me who I am today, and tomorrow I hope I can show people how great they can be by seeing his example.

Rest in peace Gramps, thanks for all the stories… and for the bluebird.

It was not a great weekend.

I got my first podcast done, and it sounded pretty good. I edited it, put a few extra bits and pieces and I was looking forward to sharing it with you all today.

 It was not to be.

 For whatever reason (I suspect human error) the podcast is so quiet it’s only audible to cats, and while my new kitten loves the soothing sound of my voice it’s not much help to anyone else. I tried playing around with the sound levels but it became quickly apparent that I’m going to need to re-record the whole podcast.

So, my apologies on the lack of audio content, there should be a podcast up by tomorrow evening, but at this stage I can’t guarantee anything.

 I also hope I won’t catch fire between now and then, but that may again prove to be too much to ask.

 It’s not all doom and gloom though. Work on my new project is going better than I had expected. My current plan is to get a complete outline, character bios and plot hooks ready for the beginning of NanoWriMo* in November and I’m well ahead of schedule.

What are your plans for the next few months? I’m always curious to know what other writers are doing. Are you doing NanoWriMo? Do you sometimes catch fire? How do you feel about bears?**

* NanoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month. A time of year where aspiring writers cast off the shackles of sleep, hygiene and caffeine toxicity to write a first draft in a single month. It’s the best kind of madness.

 ** Perhaps a better questions is “how do bears feel about you?”

When do you let go of a pet project?

It’s a hard thing to be objecive about. When do you move on from one of your babies?

There’s really only two times I think a writer should put a project aside. I don’t mean abandon forever, because you never know when you can go back to something. I’m coming to this post from the point of view that the third draft of The Shadow Library just isn’t working for me.

That hurt to type.

It does bring me to the first time of two when you can set a project aside:

Your Project Takes More Than It Gives:

This is where I’m at with The Shadow Library. The writing of my pet project isn’t getting me anywhere at the moment, but it is taking me away from another book that I know for a fact is a better project. I know this is a total contradiction to my previous advice about finishing projects, but like any piece of advice I give, there are exceptions. Since I got to draft three I feel like I’ve given The Shadow Library a proper shot, but y’know what?

Right now, it’s not very good.

Objectively speaking of course. In my heart it’s still the greatest thing ever written.

So, to clear my head, and hopefully to help The Shadow Library become something better, I’m going on to my next project.

The only other reason to put aside a project is that:

It’s Finished, Let It Go Already:

I wish I was here. Several writers I know are still stuck on their first projects, but they can’t let their babies go. They want to do one more draft. Then one more. Maybe one more after that. Then finally after a quick polish maybe they’ll send their manuscript out to a publisher. They’re terrified that if this particular project doesn’t work, that’s all they’ve got.

I have news for you. All of you who are here. You’ll never run out of ideas. Go get a sheet of paper and write down ten ideas for books. You’ve got ten minutes. I’m willing to bet if you’re honest about writing down whatever comes to you without self editing you’ll hit at least one good idea, maybe more. If you’ve gotten one idea onto paper then I guarantee you there are more floating around in your head.

Go do it now. You’ll feel better.

I’m working on my first podcast for you now, so here’s hoping it’ll be done by tonight and up tomorrow.

Tags: advice

It’s been awhile.

Actually it’s only been a week, but I’m sorry I’ve left you hanging. My excuse (and it is just an excuse) is that my brain space has been invaded by other projects, work,martial arts training and the plethora of other things that everyone else has to deal with in their lives.

The reason I mention brain space is recently a friend of mine mentioned how much brain space looking after children takes. After a moments thought I decided I have no real frame of reference for looking after children, since I don’t have any.

I have an incontinent, adventurous kitten, but I’m sure that doesn’t count.

It hit me that as busy as I am, I’m fortunate to have some free time, a computer and some available brain space to throw at creative projects. I also have two arms, two legs and no major injuries or disabilities (unless you count a horrible cauliflower ear). This puts me (and I’m guessing, you) ahead of a huge chunk of the rest of the world.

If you have both the desire, and the ability to write, you don’t only owe it to yourself to be working towards your dream, you owe it to everyone who wants to write, but can’t.

Whether it’s due to circumstances beyond their control, disability or even a simple lack of resources, there are people who dream your dream who don’t even get the glimmer of hope we have.

You owe them.

Time to go back to writing.

Tags: advice, brain space, writing

I have a new reivew up of Larry Brook’s book 101 Slightly Unpredictable Tips for Novelists and Screenwriters.

First 10/10 review on this site, so I think you should go and check it out.

Tags: recommended reading, Reviews

I caught one of ninja agent Nathan Bransford’s blog saying that the thing we, the reading public, could best support our favorite authors by buying one of their books.

This is true. Without a doubt the best thing we can do is buy a book. Every sale counts.

Still, it’s hard times for most of us, and buying the books of all the authors you love is a costly business*. So what do we do? One option is to log onto your local library’s website and request that they buy said book. Obviously if they’ve already got a copy this isn’t going to work, but for many new authors their books won’t necessarily be on the buy list. I asked my librarian girlfriend and apparently libraries are keen for their customers to ask for books. Most libraries have a book buying budget, and the more direction they can get from their customers the better.

What else? Write a review, then post it all over the place. Facebook, Amazon, Goodreads.com and any of dozens of book sites all want your reviews. Every good review you give your author adds to the chances that they’ll get a sale. If you’ve posted a review on your site make sure you publicise it, again send those authors some traffic.

This is a short post so you now have plenty of time to go and write some reviews.

Tags: advice