Frustration: a writer’s bff
A couple of weeks ago one of my writer friends found something that didn’t quite work in Ninja vs Pirates. I thought I was in the edit phase so this threw me off a little. I had to go back and not only rewrite but recreate… which is frustrating… which is good.
What? Frustration is good? You never think so while you’re going through it, but in order to achieve something unique you gotta go there. If a plotline pops into your head without any effort, most likely it has been overdone.
So, if you’re faced with a surprise rewrite, think of it as a great opportunity to make the story better. It always turns out better. Or even writing your character into a corner can create fabulous, productive frustration. This is your chance to “figure” your way out. (That’s what I call it anyway- figuring) It’s an awesome thing if the solution is not right in front of you! That means it won’t be obvious to your readers either.
I do my figuring in several different ways:
- On Paper: I use the computer to write. However, when it’s time to figure, I use a pen and paper. I jot down ideas and any thought that comes into my head. (I usually end up with lot of crazy doodles, too.)
- In My Head: When it is completely quiet, like when I’m cooking or bathing, I think, think, think: What is the main characters goal at that moment? Did I let my character go through Emotion, Thought, Decision?
- On The Internet: I don’t know how many times this has helped. I get stuck, stalled right in the middle of writing a scene, and so I go to a search engine and research anything that might have to do with the story. It could be the location, history, slang, depending on the story, just anything to get my brain moving from stop.
- Out Loud: I brainstorm with my husband: “What if…” and “What do you think about…?” Sometimes he can say something that triggers something else and then other times just talking it out helps.
With this latest hiccup, I used the last method to come up with a new idea. Which my little boy (who I am writing the book for) loved and laughed and said he liked it better than before. “Yay!”
So next time you’re frustrated, be excited! This is where the good stuff comes from. Your story will be all the better for it!
Love and Laughter,
Dorlana 🙂
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Friday Freebie – Silverweed: a supernatural fairy tale
Hi Friends,
Silverweed: a supernatural fairy tale by Dorlana Vann
This Friday’s (April 20) Free Kindle eBook is, “Silverweed: a supernatural fairy tale.” And I have decided to run it for free for 2 days. So it will be available through April 21st.
More than 5 years ago I wrote the short story, Silverweed Muffins, which inspired the book. I have posted the short story on my blog, www.supernaturalfairytales.net. People who have read the novel will see some similarities and where this world of muffins and superstitions was born. There is more about the book and the inspirations behind it here: Silverweed Page.
Don’t forget to grab your free copy! (BTW – Silverweed is also available in paperback ($6.99 Amazon.)
Love and Laughter,
Dorlana 🙂
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Video: Dean talks about children’s book, “Ninja vs Pirates”
So I’ve posted a few times about my upcoming children’s book, Ninja vs Pirates, which I wrote for my 8-year-old son, Dean. The following is an excerpt from the acknowledgement page in the book that I think explains this project best:
I would like to thank my smart and witty, 8-year-old son, Dean. If he hadn’t requested this book, I wouldn’t have thought about writing a story about ninja and pirates with jokes and poop. It became an awesome project that I was able to share with him; Dean modeled for the cover and for PART I pictures (all of the costumes are his), he illustrated PART II and the map of Ninja Jolly Island at the beginning, he was my expert advisor on all things little boy, and critiqued the manuscript from draft 1 to the cover design. So thank you Dean for being such an awesome story buddy.
I asked Dean if he would like to do a video about the book and show a couple of his pictures. He loved the idea, so we wrote down a couple of speaking points, and I said action, and he did the rest. (He is such a natural and I’m such a proud mom:). Here is the video…
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My thoughts on The Bad Girl & The Wolf Gift
I’m doing kind of a double book review here as well as a self analyses as a reader. The two books,The Bad Girl: A Novel
I guess I’m a sensitive reader and a pretty empathic person – I don’t even watch the news. To me, things that are sad, depressing, disgusting, awful, especially if they happen to children, are not entertaining. The reason I read and/or watch movies is to be entertained; to escape for a little while into a fantasy world. I don’t mean that they all have to be happy-go-lucky. I like scary, I like mysteries, I love thrillers… but what I don’t like is to be upset. And both books made me upset (for different specific reasons), and so I stopped reading them.
I decided not to give them a rating because obviously this is a personal opinion that has nothing to do with the writing or even the story. Although, truthfully, there were so many reasons why I was disappointed with Rice’s newest paranormal book and the part that made me finally throw down the book was just the last straw.
Even though The Wolf Gift wasn’t for me, I will always be an Anne Rice fan. And I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet her and to get The Wolf Gift signed (along with a couple more of her novels I had on my shelf) at a quaint indie bookstore in Houston. Murder by the Book specializes in mystery, detective, fantasy, etc. types of books. The store has a homey, warm ambiance. I enjoyed reading the little stick-it notes on the shelves with recommendations from the well-read staff. So the entire experience was very enjoyable.
The Bad Girl was the first book I have ever read by the 2010 Nobel Prize in Literature winner, Mario Vargas Llosa’s, and since there is no history, no expectations, it wasn’t as much as a disappointment. I must say that The Bad Girl was an interesting study on personalities/characterizations. I don’t regret reading up to the point that I did; things in the story just got a little much for me after awhile.
Love and Laughter,
Dorlana
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Book Cover: Ninja vs Pirates
Hi Friends,I have finished the cover for my upcoming (May 2012) children’s book , Ninja vs. Pirates, and wanted to share.
The first cover I made Dean had said it needed a little more color with an added: “I can’t even look at it!” as he shielded his eyes away from the computer. Since this book is for him, I went back to work on it. With his approval, this one is good to go – lol.
Ninja vs Pirates
Here is the (work-in-progress) synopsis:
Twin brothers, Riley and Richard, disagree about everything, especially who are the better warriors, ninja or pirates. They agree to listen to one another’s stories about how their island, Ninja Jolly Island, was discovered. Riley dramatically acts out his tale, and Richard draws pictures to get his point across. Mom finally tries to settle the dispute by getting out the history books. But will they ever agree? Or will it always be ninja vs. pirates.
For all ages (especially 8-year-old boys).
Dorlana’s 8-year-old son, Dean, wanted his mom to write a book for him; one with pirates, ninja, and jokes. Soon, the project became a partnership. Dean is the model, illustrator of PART II, and expert advisor on all things little boy.
If this is the first you have heard about my current writing project and would like more info, you can read more about it here .
Love and Laughter,
Dorlana 🙂
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Free Ebook Friday: Jaclyn’s Ghost
Hi Friends,
Today’s Free Kindle eBook is Jaclyn’s Ghost.
Jaclyn's Ghost by Dorlana Vann
Ghosts, Mystery, and Fashion. Can this diva solve her own murder, or will she be stuck in limbo forever?
Jaclyn’s Ghost by Dorlana Vann
Supernatural Mystery, Romantic Comedy, Clean Romance
After recovering from the shock of seeing her own dead body, (still dressed to kill from last night’s party) fashion model, Jaclyn Jade, discovers she’s a ghost with a choice. She can either immediately go back to Hell, do nothing and stay in limbo, or find the reason she fell short of grace and advance to Heaven.
Because she was murdered, Jaclyn hopes that finding her killer will unravel this mystery. With the help of a timid closet-psychic who can speak to the dead, and a handsome, yet arrogant, ghost of a man from the roaring 20s, her search for answers initiates a quirky journey of self-discovery. Personalities, eras, and worlds collide as this mismatched trio race against time to solve the mystery of Jaclyn’s Ghost.
Read Chapter 1 – Another One Bites the Dust
Notes:
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Reviews and/or page likes are greatly appreciated!
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If you like Jaclyn’s Ghost, be sure and check out my other Supernatural Mystery, Passage to Queen Mesentia – Kindle eBook available for only .99 cents!
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Free eBook Fridays: every Friday this spring! (March – May)
Love and Laughter,
Dorlana 🙂
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Ninja vs. Pirates photo shoot
Ninja vs. Pirates is a children’s book I’m writing for my son, Dean, and he’s the illustrator. (There is more info about how this project started on my About Dorlana page.) As the book has progressed, there have been changes, of course. Now, instead of it being entirely illustrated, there will also be photos. And guess who the model is!
The story is about twin brothers, one who says ninja are the best warriors, and the other brother claims that pirates are the best. The book is in three parts: Part I is from Riley’s (Dean’s middle name) point of view and will have the photos. Part II is from Richard’s (Dean’s best friend’s middle name) point of view and will have Dean’s drawings. And then Part III is actually from the mom’s point of view and will have illustrations and photos from other sources. This book is for an 8-year-old boy and has a lot of little boy humor – which, thankfully, he laughs at.
The pictures in this post are pre-edit, soon to be cropped, changed to black & white, etc. All the clothes from the photo shoot are from Dean’s own costume collection. He doesn’t dress-up as much anymore, but he did go through a stage when he was three and wouldn’t leave the house without his pirate bandana. We had a lot of fun taking the pictures! In fact, this whole experience has been awesome.
Right now the book is still going through critiques/edits (thanks writer friends and family!) and formatting. But I have a deadline of before summer so Dean can show his book to his class. No pressure there. Hopefully, I will have the cover ready the end of the month. Unlike all of my other books, this one will be a paperback first, and then I will work on the eBook.
Love and Laughter,
Dorlana
Dorlana Vann - Author 