This just in:  Amazon is going to start selling fanfic, with royalties to be paid to both the author and the world-creator.  Color me… bemused?  Uncertain?  Confused?

Like many authors, I have an uneasy relationship with fanfic.  Although my first serious-to-me writing effort was a sequel to The Lord of the Rings (drafted when I was thirteen years old), I’ve never been serious about fanfic, and I’ve never participated in any of the many online communities dedicated to the craft.  As far as I know (and that’s the way I’d like to keep it), no one has created fics in my worlds.

As a lawyer, I’m not as rabidly anti-fanfic as most.  I understand the difference between copyright and trademark law, and the defense of estoppel (which applies to the latter, but not the former.)  While trademark owners can lose their marks if they don’t enforce against infringement, the same standard does not apply in copyright law.

Mostly, I just don’t understand the allure of fanfic.  I invest a tremendous amount of time, effort, energy, blood, sweat, tears, angst, etc. into creating my fictitious worlds.  I don’t understand the craving the pour all of that into someone else’s world.  It feels … like a cheat?  Like a waste?  Like…  A bunch of things that sound really negative, but I don’t actually mean them that way.  What I mean is, I don’t have the resources to do my writing and fanfic writing, and I don’t understand the investment some people make.

So.  I suspect that Amazon’s program is going to open the door for a lot of public discussion about fanfic.  It’ll add a lot of pressure to authors who have publicly demanded their work not be ficced.  It’ll raise some questions about plagiarism and continuity and, and, and…

Maybe I’ll go pop some popcorn.

 

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…  I have finally learned when a story is working and when it is not.

That doesn’t mean that I always know how to fix what’s broken.  It doesn’t mean that I don’t rant and rave and despair that the book on my computer screen will never match the one inside my head.  It doesn’t meant that bluebirds fly around my head as I work and mice carry me around my office, all singing saccharine songs.

But I can tell when I’m heading down the wrong path.  And I know enough to stop before I get to the end.

This week, that happened in a major way.  I started Chapter 10 of Jane’s story, a chapter that follows a big, action-packed, emotion-punching chapter.  And I had Jane casually joking with Melissa about baked goods.

Yeah, Jane has a best friend.  Sure, she looks for validation from her best friend on a fairly regular basis.  Of course, it’s fun to figure out new treats from the Cake Walk bakery (and maybe even some recipes to go along with them.)

But Chapter 10 wasn’t the place for that.  Chapter 10 was the place for exploring emotions, for grappling with consequences, for reacting to the Big Bad that went before.

Once I realized that, it wasn’t very fun to cut 2500 words.  Especially since it was already 4:00 in the afternoon, and I had vowed I would finish the chapter that day.

But snip, snip.

And wow, is the new Chapter 10 *right*.

Are you a writer?  Can you tell when things are broken, or do you need to ride them out till the end?  And as a reader, how much faith are you willing to invest in a writer, that they’ll get back to where they need/should/want to be?

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Once upon a time, I loved having noise around me as I worked.  (I grew up in the 1970s, and I attended a “school without walls”, where classrooms were open, and there was a huge amount of ambient noise.  I grew accustomed to working in that environment, although I understand that education is trending away from such things these days…)

I used to have a whole variety of writing music, with different mix-tapes (yes, this was a long time ago!) for different emotions.  I relied on some pre-recorded music, too — often, the soundtracks to movies.  I could still probably hum the entire soundtrack to Star Wars (A New Hope), if you just start me off with the first note!

Over time, though, I have found that I need to concentrate much more on my work.  I find all but the *most* familiar music distracting (and even that becomes unworkable for me, if there are lyrics.)  I have a small handful of fall-backs, about a half dozen albums that I listen to through my headphones, when I’m forced to work in an environment with a lot of background noise.

Today, I’m working at the public library.  As has happened the last few times I was here, a group took over two tables and started talking — in street-level volume — about their real estate project.  I shot them dirty looks and grumbled to myself and complained inside my head.

And then I remembered that there is a Quiet Study Room.  One used to have to get permission to use it, signing up in advance.  These days, though, it’s first come, first served, and there are spaces for about forty workers.

I’m in the Quiet Study Room now, and it is heaven.  The *only* noise is from people shifting in their chairs, the occasional turn of a page, the tap of fingers on a keyboard (and I’m the loudest at that, much to my embarrassment).  No talking.  No cell phones, even for a quick call.  No headphones with music bleeding.  Sheer, unadulterated silence.

How about you?  Are you a silence fetishist?  Or a background noise person?

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I have the theme from The Six Million Dollar Man running through my head (and now, I suspect, you do too…)

A few weeks ago, I attended a writing workshop let by a Big Name Author.  In the past, I had heard many positive things about the BNA and his workshop, but I have to admit, I was *very* disappointed in the actual presentation.  I thought that the BNA was very … slippery — when asked for specific advice about specific aspects of the professional writing life, his answer was almost always, “I don’t know what works.”  Alas, the entire weekend came off as a promotional pitch for his professional editorial and publishing services, and I came home feeling cheated.

BUT (and that’s a huge qualifier!), I did come away with one substantial piece of advice that I felt truly applied to me:  I need to work harder.  I need to put in many more hours, and I need those hours to be vastly more productive.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m already a pretty good worker.  I set deadlines and (mostly) I meet them.  When they’re deadlines for outside people (like an agent or an editor), I always meet them.  I put my butt in my chair and my hands on my keyboard every working day, and I generate or edit words.  I’ve sold those words, too — both in traditional publishing and in self-publishing.  2012 was my most successful year for traditional publishing (financially speaking), and I made more than that amount of money in self-publishing.

But that’s not enough.

Traditional publishing is failing, not-so-slowly, but oh-so-surely.  I still believe the model can be good for authors — an advance’s certain money is nothing to be sneered at.  But that money is harder and harder to come by.

Self-publishing is growing by leaps and bounds.  There is still a vast amount of potential out there — in U.S. markets and abroad.  But self-publishing is an entirely separate career.  I’ve heard lots of people say this, but I’ve never really absorbed it — you need to design your books, edit them, publish them.  To me, that’s actually the easy stuff — I outsource what doesn’t come to me naturally.  But to self-publish, you also have to generate content — lots of it, and on a predictable, increasing schedule.  You also need to network, with as many interested people as possible.

It’s actually that last bit that’s making me stumble.  I’ve recently become a member of an incredible new group (more about that later), which has inspired me in many professional ways.  I’m seeing more energy and enthusiasm from a few dozen writers than I’ve seen in years.  But that input comes with a cost — more than 200 emails a day.  (Most aren’t vital, but some, oh, some are…  Getting the email in digest forms seems very dangerous at this point.)

And another group I’ve been a member of for months has shown similar explosive email growth — another 100 emails a day.  And another group, and another…  And there are still groups I want to join, places where I can teach and learn, organizations where I can grow.

I need to be more involved; I need to work more.  But there are only so many hours in a day.  And so I arrive at my new organizational plan:  Alternate Day Writing.

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I’m an author.  I write words.  I edit them.  I’m a hermit who presents to the world as a writing machine.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I’m a publisher.  And a household manager.  And a social person.  I’m only scheduling coffee breaks, lunches with friends, grocery store runs, errands at the bank, post office, you-name-it on Thursdays.

I’ve only been doing this for two weeks, and I had company for four of those days and a cold for four more.  But I think I’m onto something here…  Let’s see how it works.

And you?  Any organizational tips and tricks that you live by?

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Last night, we went to see Studio Theatre’s production of The Mother with the Hat.  Except that’s not really the play’s title.  I try to keep this a family blog, though, so we’ll leave it at that.

I’d seen the play before — in New York, with Chris Rock playing one of the leads.  I came away from that production feeling distinctly conflicted — Rock did a fine job moving about the stage, interpreting his character, but his familiarity as a comic performer kept making me view his character as a comic character.  Which he was.  But only partially so.  Also, the New York production did some very clever things with its set — one transition included a couch rotating into place from beneath the stage, forming the anchor for an entirely different apartment.

Last night’s production was completely different.  The actor playing the Chris Rock role was a deeply charismatic white guy who seemed so utterly comfortable with himself and his spiritual past that he carried along the characters and the audience — even those of us who knew the ins and outs of the plot.  (Last night’s Ralph played one serious scene in the nude that was totally, completely in character, but would have come off as a comic scrambling if Rock had done it.)  The different casting made various plot points resonate in a new (and, in my mind, better way.)

This time, I wasn’t as bothered by the language in the play.  The title is there for a reason — yes, to shock the shockable.  And to let everyone know that we’re in for a night of adult entertainment (not quite like that, but you know what I mean.)  And to clear the slate for a lot worse language to come.

Yeah, there’s worse to be said.  Almost every line in the play contains the F word; I stopped hearing it after a while.  But an early line about a nun’s private parts may be the single most shocking line I’ve heart on a stage — and it’s glossed over, without hesitation, with no reaction by the actor who delivers the line or the one who receives it.

Language becomes a tool of aggression.  Not really among the characters — they are inured to the words they use because they know (or at least use) no others.

But the playwright (and the actors, as the playwright’s voice) is/are leveling an attack against the audience.  “See?” they say.  “There are lots of people in the world out there, and they are angrier than you.  A lot angrier.  And in many ways, a lot more impotent.  But they have a number of tools to express their anger, including language.  And if that bothers you, well then, [screw] you, mother.”

It’s an extraordinarily aggressive maneuver.  And an extraordinarily aggressive play.  (Even though I’ve seen more violence on stage — more people die in the average Shakespeare history or tragedy, for example.)

Ultimately, the play was successful — I’m still talking about it hours later.  I’m still questioning the motivation of characters, the way they do and do not solve the problems presented to them.

I’ve been thinking about language a lot lately.  I’m writing a contemporary YA novel, and I *know* how high school students talk.  I also know that a lot of libraries won’t buy books with certain words in them.  Therefore, my challenge as an author is to create dialog that sounds real, but that doesn’t violate the Magic Word Taboo.

That’s more of a challenge than you might think.

So?  What about it?  What books have you read that effectively use aggressive language?  Any notable failures?

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And really, who *doesn’t* love romance?  But Washington Loves Romance is the latest brainchild of the Washington Romance Writers.  I think it’s a *great* idea, so I’m sharing the official press release here.  Feel free to spread the word!

For Immediate Release
Washington Romance Writers
Contact: Avery Flynn
www.wrwdc.com
communications@wrwdc.com

Washington Romance Writers Start
Washington Loves Romance Book Club

Washington Loves Romance brings together Washington-area romance authors and readers to discuss all things romance and raise money for local literacy efforts.

WASHINGTON, D.C. / OCTOBER 23, 2012 – There are those who would argue that Washington D.C. isn’t a city of romance. They would be wrong.

Readers spent more than $1.36 billion on romance novels in 2011, according to the Romance Writers of America. Many of the books they bought were written by Washington Romance Writers’ members, including bestsellers Nora Roberts, Cathy Maxwell, Anita Clenney, Grace Burrowes and Rebecca York. To celebrate the special connection between local romance authors and readers, Washington Romance Writers (a Romance Writers of America chapter) started Washington Loves Romance.

Washington Loves Romance (www.facebook.com/WashingtonLovesRomance) is a book club for the many readers of romance fiction in all its forms with a special focus on the romance authors and readers in the Washington metro area.

Not only will romance authors and readers get a chance to connect on a more personal level through Washington Loves Romance, they’ll be helping to fight illiteracy. All profits from Washington Loves Romance branded items will be given to the Washington Literacy Center (www.washingtonliteracycenter.org).

“The students, volunteers, board and staff at the Washington Literacy Center are so grateful for this critical support from the Washington Romance Writers. Our two groups recognize the written word’s compelling impact in our lives. It can educate, entertain, inform and motivate,” said Washington Literacy Center Executive Director Mary ‘Terry’ Algire.

Romance authors and readers, as well as others who want to help end illiteracy, should visit Washington Loves Romance’s CafePress shop (www.cafepress.com/washingtonlovesromance) to order T-shirts, bags, coffee mugs and other goodies today.

Each month readers will gather on Facebook to read and discuss two Washington Romance Writers authors’ books. Baltimore-based book blogger Mandi Schreiner with Smexy Books (www.smexybooks.com) will moderate the discussion. At the end of each month, two lucky Washington Loves Romance readers will win a gift pack.

In addition, Washington Loves Romance will hold local get-togethers to give Washington Romance Writers’ authors and readers a chance to chat about their books and all things romance. One get-together attendee will win a Washington Romance Writers (www.wrwdc.com) member swag bag given away during the event.

The first Washington Loves Romance read-along will begin Nov. 1, 2012, with Dark Powers by Rebecca York and Pointe of No Return by Amanda Brice.

York is an award-winning, best-selling novelist and the author of more than 140 books. Her many awards include two Rita finalist books; two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times for series romantic suspense and series romantic mystery; and Affaire de Coeur’s Critics Choice Award for best contemporary novel. She is is one of only 14 romance novelists to have received the Romance Writers of America Centennial Award for having written more than 100 romance novels. You can learn more about York at www.rebeccayork.com.

Brice is the president of Washington Romance Writers, and is a two-time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart® Award. She blogs every other Friday with Killer Fiction. She is also a popular conference presenter, speaking on basic copyright and trademark law for writers. You can learn more about Brice at www.amandabrice.net.

Other authors who will be featured on Washington Loves Romance in the next few months include:
Hope Tarr, Romantic Times Book Reviewers Award nominated author of Operation Cinderella
Pamela Palmer, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of Desire Untamed, A Feral Warriors novel
Sally MacKenzie, USA Today best-selling author of Bedding Lord Ned
Michelle Willingham, Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist and author of Undone by the Duke
Grace Burrowes, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of Darius
Darlene Gardner, prolific author of 30 books including The Truth About Tara
Candice Poarch, prolific author of more than 20 books including Deadly Intentions
Meredith Bond, multiple award winning author of Magic in the Storm
Alexa Egan, Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist and author of Demon’s Curse.
Avery Flynn, All Romance Ebooks best-selling author of Temptation Creek
Anne Barton, Romance Writers of America Golden Heart winner and author of When She Was Wicked
Nicky Penttila, All Romance best-selling author of Note of a Scandal
Nancy Naigle, award-winning author of Sweet Tea and Secrets
Diana Cosby, best-selling author of His Destiny, MacGruder Brothers series

About Dark Powers by Rebecca York

Can his dark powers locate a kidnap victim?

Desperate to find her sister, Sage Arnold turns to Decorah Security agent Ben Walker. They’re in a race against time to rescue her sister from a serial killer. And their uneasy working relationship flares into hot passion as they navigate the dangerous waters of a beach town where nothing is as it seems.

About Pointe of No Return by Amanda Brice

Aspiring ballerina Dani Spevak’s visions of sugar plums are dashed when she’s assigned to understudy her nemesis, Hadley Taylor, in the Nutcracker. Pretty, popular, and rich, that girl has all the luck. Or so she thought.

When Hadley mysteriously disappears with opening night just around the corner, Dani can’t sit idly by, even if it means losing the part. Now she’s running all over Phoenix in a race against the clock. From reality TV trophy wives to sleazy real estate developers to a possible drug ring, the cast of suspects begins to add up. Will she find Hadley before the curtain rises?

About Washington Literacy Center

The mission of the Washington Literacy Center, Inc., is to raise the literacy level of adults in Washington, D.C., such that they may function on the job, in the family and in society. WLC is committed to innovation and excellence for its students through:
Finding and implementing best practices for teaching basic literacy to adults.
Recruiting, motivating and retaining the staff and volunteers who carry out this work.
Enabling its students to enhance their life experiences and reach personal development goals.
Educating decision-makers and raising public awareness of literacy efforts to benefit adult learners and their families.

About Washington Romance Writers

Founded in 1982, Washington Romance Writers (WRW), has become one of the leading women’s fiction organizations, as well as one of the most prolific groups of romance writers, in the United States. It is also one of the largest and most active affiliates of Romance Writers of America, a national non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting excellence in romantic fiction.

With more than 240 members, WRW includes writers at all stages of development, from beginners to best-selling authors. WRW’s published authors comprise approximately one-third of the membership and have a collective bibliography of more than 1,000 titles in book-length, hard and soft cover fiction. Find out more about WRW at www.wrwdc.com.

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