Authors Anonymous discussion

Will this winter ever end? I live in northern Michigan and we got three feet of snow last weekend. I know, I know. If I don't like winter, why did I move here you might ask. It's a long story. But the pros far outweigh the cons and I'm trying to keep that in mind as I wait for the thaw. I'm surrounded my one million acres of beautiful, national forest and spring brings unlimited fishing and hiking opportunities. Summer nights on the shores of Lake Superior are second to none and autumn is invigorating. The bugs are mostly gone and so are the tourists so there's a lot of space to roam, think and just be. But this month has been tough. I'm working on a sci-fi novel and it's taking longer than anything else I've ever written before. It's a very difficult genre as I've found out. You've got to create emphatic and believable characters in an unbelievable environment. It's difficult to find a voice, since I usually write crime fiction and paranormal romance so maybe I'm asking too much of myself at the wrong time. Waiting for the sun...

Conrad,

Don't get locked up in the technology. Keep it as simple as you can. Explain only the minimum of what you have to explain to drive the plot. Does anyone really understand what "dylithium crystals" really do except catch fire in airplanes and computers?

Examine if it's the technology or the story that is giving you fits and then get a new tailor. You needed a new suit anyway.

With tongue planted firmly in cheek, chill bro, but keep your feet warm. Few things are as wonderful as warm dry socks.

When I got too old, 13, to go sledding with the neighborhood boys, New Mexico winters got even colder, darker and longer. I learned to be alone. Comforted myself w/books read by the light of an electric heater. Miss NM, but not the snow. I've never abandoned a story, but I have a friend, a succesfull writer of women's fiction, who writes and tosses out chapters with abandon. She's also got a thing about spring cleaning. Don't give up just because it's hard. Write a short story. That's what I do when I hit a roadblock.

Robert wrote: "Conrad,

Don't get locked up in the technology. Keep it as simple as you can. Explain only the minimum of what you have to explain to drive the plot. Does anyone really understand what "dylithium c..."

Good advice, Robert, and I understand. I know way more about the technology than I'm incorporating into the plot. I get it. And I don't need no stinkin' dylithium crystals, just qubits. LOL.

Sandra wrote: "When I got too old, 13, to go sledding with the neighborhood boys, New Mexico winters got even colder, darker and longer. I learned to be alone. Comforted myself w/books read by the light of an ele..."

Not a roadblock, Sandra. Whiteout conditions. Slow driving mandated. I actually have a 60,000 first draft already written during some previous moment of creative frenzy that I can't recall. Just fine tuning it now. I have a collection of short stories out--my first serious attempt at fiction called Lumpen Rednecks. I made all my characters bleed sadistically. It scared me to realize how cruel I can be on paper so I need to explain myself better in novel length format. Funny. Lumpen is my best seller so far. Glad to know that there are people sicker than I am out there.

After writing so many short stories, someone yelled, "Hey, that's a book." Then "Came Thunder and the Rain" was born.

Don wrote: "After writing so many short stories, someone yelled, "Hey, that's a book." Then "Came Thunder and the Rain" was born."

There ya go. I could actually turn my collection into a book also. A lot of the same characters, places and theme. Just got bored and moved on. My next lofty goal is to marginalize Tolstoy and write an epic novel called Peace and War. But I need more peyote.

I think I'll write a novel called "The Never Ending Winter."Each day will get colder than the last and retribution seems at hand. Until . . .

A month from now the winter will be a memory and the joy of spring, sharpened by a long winter, will fill us all the way through.

Wishing you all well from Ireland, where it's colder than usual as well.

I have started 3 sci fi's and not finished so congrats on persevering.
Winter chills but one is motivated to stay inside to work so that's the upside!

@Laurence: Thanks. That reminds me of my very frugal father who used to say when we complained that we had no air conditioning in the summer that things would 'cool off' in a couple of months. Very funny. Best wishes to you as well.

@Sarah: It is a difficult genre, isn't it? I hear your upside but my cabin fever side screams: "Lemme outta here!"

Move South! Like I did. After five long winters outside Detroit, I reminded myself I had chosen to live there and I could choose to unlive there. I returned South and never looked back.
I am coming to believe though, especially as I am writing / ghost writing someone's biography -- someone from the South with a long heritage here -- that there is something about the earth that speaks to us, calls to us, and is part of us.
(and oh, by the way, a few snow flakes just drifted by my window here in Georgia).

Conrad, you definitely have a voice, I love your naughty irony. Geography definitely affects our mood, our voice, our philosophy, and our stories. Me, I keep moving around and that affects my writing too. This winter I've spent most of my time between Denver and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I've also spent a lot of time in Hawaii. But it never quite felt real. It felt like I had died and was in heaven.

@Rona: I've lived and worked quite a bit down South. I wouldn't mind it, really, but I have my reasons for staying put right now. Snowflakes in Georgia? Wham! Bam! There ya go! Take that! LOL

@Linda: I spent a year in Hawaii. I got tired of going in circles. Naughty irony? Let's talk! :X Oh wait. We will soon. Won't we?

Conrad wrote: "Will this winter ever end? I live in northern Michigan and we got three feet of snow last weekend. I know, I know. If I don't like winter, why did I move here you might ask. It's a long story. But ..."
Hi Conrad: We live in central Ontario, Canada and it's going to snow for the next 3 days. I'm with you on the fact this winter has seemed longer than some in the past. Keep going! You'll do a great job on sci-fi. Julie Czerneda is a goodreads friend of mine. Perhaps she can share your experience on writing sci-fi. I am writing my second book on ghost stories and it's hard to keep it real. Best to you. BTW, we live in between Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching and also cannot wait for the wildlife to return and hike the trails. Thanks for inviting me to join the group. Lee

Lee wrote: "Conrad wrote: "Will this winter ever end? I live in northern Michigan and we got three feet of snow last weekend. I know, I know. If I don't like winter, why did I move here you might ask. It's a l..."

Your welcome, Lee, and thanks for the suggestions and adding to the thread.

From one Michigander to another, it might reach thirty-six degrees today here in lower Michigan. With the sun shining and the promise of spring around the corner, (oh, sure) it makes it difficult to get into my WIP, but I must finish. My cousin still talks about his three feet of snow not melting fast enough. Talk about cabin fever...

Well, I was going to complain that it's 50 degrees here in south Florida and going down to the 40s tonight. However, after reading Lee's post that it is going to snow for three more days in Canada... well, I'll happily throw on an extra sweater and head outdoors. I'm a Jersey girl by birth and a Florida girl by choice. It's so much easier shoveling the raindrops!

It feels like the same day over and over and over again up here in the UP. Grey skies. Cold wind. Lots of snow still on the ground not melting. It's like the jet stream, or whatever controls the weather, is stuck and needs a good kick in the butt like me!

@Conrad Aprils Fools Day, we're due to talk. Oh, the irony.

Linda wrote: "@Conrad Aprils Fools Day, we're due to talk. Oh, the irony."

Indeed. Like two ships that go "What the hell?" in the night.

Donna Great you're in Florida but I know what you mean. 40s overnight is nasty when living there. I own a condo by Fort Myers and at Christmas the weather was worst ever. I worked on the two week holiday doing author interviews as I watched 4 pelicans dive for fish 20 feet from our Lanai! It's still beautiful and sweaters are good. :) Enjoy it.

Lee wrote: "Donna Great you're in Florida but I know what you mean. 40s overnight is nasty when living there. I own a condo by Fort Myers and at Christmas the weather was worst ever. I worked on the two week h..." Yes... Florida is as close to heaven as we can get without dying and since I'd like to hang around for awhile... have a great and sunny day!

It's warming up in Florida, going to hit 80 any day now. Lots of Michiganers down here in Tampa Bay. Lot's of writing opportunities. Donna, I lived in NJ tooooo long, it so nice not to have the real cold, ice and snow. Yes, Lee, it's been a cold winter down here, but nothing like up North. Happy Holidays and happy writing to all.

Fran wrote: "It's warming up in Florida, going to hit 80 any day now. Lots of Michiganers down here in Tampa Bay. Lot's of writing opportunities. Donna, I lived in NJ tooooo long, it so nice not to have the rea..." Looks like we're going to have a beautiful Easter Sunday. Already have the patio set up for dinner. Hope every one has a day to remember whether you are celebrating Easter or just celebrating life!

We had two nice, sunny days here. 50 degrees felt like 70. Now it's freezing rain but the huge snow piles are melting and pretty soon it will be steelhead trout season. Just a little bit longer...

I've only been to Michigan once in the summer going to Mackinaw Isl. for a book event. Lovely drive up from Detroit, beautiful scenery, beautiful island.

I'm way farther north and west than Mackinaw, Fran, but yes, the island and surrounding area is a beautiful place.

Mackinac Island is one of my favorite places. I'm about 250 miles south. Today actually feels like spring. It won't last though, and snow is in the forecast.

I can never get the spelling right, I spell it like it sounds, hence the w at the end. Patience, Spring comes eventually and then we'll all be complaining about the heat. :))

That would be the city, Fran. Mackinaw City and Mackinaw Bridge. Not to cause confusion, but then there's Old Mackinac Point Light Station. (Which is beautiful.) Sorry, if my reply is off topic.

That's way too confusing. It wasn't off topic because the only reason I went there is to participate in an arts festival and gave a talk on writing for kids.

Mary wrote: "Mackinac Island is one of my favorite places. I'm about 250 miles south. Today actually feels like spring. It won't last though, and snow is in the forecast."

Hey! No four letter words allowed on this forum! Especially those that begin with S! lol

Tell me about it, Conrad! That word should be banned this time of year.

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