Buffy vs. Edward

This is a must see (sent to me by my friend and fellow writer, Naomi Kritzer):

More Good Advice

I actually cribbed this from Kelly's post over at Wyrdsmiths today. It's from Lilith Saintcrow's blog and I found this article in particular very... illuminating, and a little bit nerve-wracking.

It's not that I've ever (to my knowledge) been "Z" (in her second example of hard sell: fail), but I can totally understand the desire. When you first sell, there's a huge shift in your mind that goes something like this -- I am now legitimate. Which is to say, it's hard not to fall into the trap of being perhaps more than a little bit self-important, because, you know, suddenly you feel like all those opinions you kept to yourself about how brilliant you were... well, someone else finally agreed, and when that someone else might even be a New York book publisher, frankly, that's pretty f**king cool.

And it's really, REALLY hard not to say: hey, look at me!!

*blushes*

Ehm, moving on....

I do have to say, however, Lilith's advice at the end of the post is worth its weight in gold. The weirdest, most true bit? Thank-you notes. I wrote a ton of them in the beginning of my career, and can say unequivocally that they helped me get gigs. People appreciate being thanked. And it's super-easy to do. Your mom was right. Just sit down and do it.

Her whole blog is pretty awesome actually. Go check her out: http://www.lilithsaintcrow.com/journal/about/

On-Line Promotion and other Pitfalls

From time to time, fellow Wyrdsmith Kelly McCullough and I get into a heated (or at least intense) discussion about the efficacy of author promotion. Though, really, at the bottom line, I think Kelly and I both agree that an author really can't do all that much to bump sales figures significantly (other than write a good book or just happen to "hit" the right moment), I tend to maintain that I need to do a bit of self-promotion or I feel guilty/responsible/insane.

This article sent to me by fellow SF/F author David Levine via one of the various author lists we're on, totally depressed me.

Apparently, I should be providing a whole lot more "insider" information... things like "sneak peeks" on works-in-progress, contests, etc., and not, well, talking about the weather... and my fish.

Did I mention it's hot here? Although it was raining a bit ago, and I suspect it's going to get muggy.

Hmph.

On-Line Murder Investigaton Class

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RWA's Mystery/Suspense Chapter is pleased to announce our COFFIN College of Felony and Intrigue MURDER ONE online Workshop for the month of July 2009.

WORKSHOP: Crime Scene Investigations and Fingerprints: The Two Part Class

PART ONE: Crime Scene Investigations: Okay, you got the call -- Now, what? What to expect at a crime scene. This will be an interactive workshop giving scenarios of crimes and how you would/should/could handle it. I plan to make this fun and answer plenty of questions along the way to help your story read like the real thing. From the cop's point of view to the writers, be sure to join in.

PART TWO: Fingerprints: Fact or Fiction. I will explain the correct terms and preferred procedure information on fingerprint evidence from crime scene to lab. I will then guide us on how to take the facts we've been given and work them into your fictional masterpieces. You won't want to miss this workshop!

Instructor: Phyllis Middleton: While employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the tender age of nineteen, Phyllis Middleton was trained in the Science of Fingerprints. This training included the classification, comparison and search methods used by FBI and known throughout the USA. Returning to her home in Colorado, she became a Deputy Sheriff for the Pueblo County Sheriff's Department and specialized in crime scene investigation and evidence processing. Certified in Pueblo District and County Courts, Phyllis testified in a number of cases as an expert in the field of fingerprints. While with the Sheriff's Department, she branched out in Patrol and Investigations as well as becoming a member of the Search and Rescue Squad and the State Disaster Team. She added becoming an Emergency Medical Technician and Certified Police Instructor to her service.

MURDER ONE workshops encompass the technical aspects of murder and mayhem.

PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE 27TH day of the month PRIOR to the start of the COFFIN class. Cost of each workshop is (Currently) $15.00 US for KOD Members, $30.00 US for non-KOD Members (RWA membership NOT required to take the course).

For more information check out our website at http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org

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New Moon Monday

As those of you who are astrologically savvy already know, today is the New Moon, which is a good time for beginning new projects and genearally starting something new. So are up to anything fun? Creative?

Me, I'm trying not to sweat too much. It's hot and muggy here in Minnesota. We're supposed to get temperatures in the 90s F (32 C). Over the weekend one of my fish tank filters decided to gum up and spot working, so this morning there was much sweating and "ewwwww"ing as I got that thing going again. Then I took out the garbage and played around in the garden just long enough to get something gross smelling on my foot. And sweat some more. This is all made much worse by the fact that this weekend I managed to get super-dooper sun burned on my back and shoulders. Yes, I used sunscreen, but not, apparently, dillegently enough. All I can say is: ouch.

Now I think I may retreat to my one air-conditioned room in the house to do a bit of writing. I'm on the second chapter of the new young-adult vampire/witch book, and it's a lot of fun so far, I have to say. I've been making good progress, which is important since it's due at the publisher on October 15.

Anyway, hope you're well, and up to starting something good today!