Dreamspinner Press discussion

the writing is going well so I'm back in love with writing- last night I was researching how to run a hot dog stand for a character in the new story. I came across Umami- the fifth taste, which I had never heard of, and spent hours researching and making up umami relishes for my fictional hot dog stand- for me, that is what I love the most, finding cool places and clothes and food and characters I'd never heard of before- I love reading books set in cool new places, and writing them, too.

What about you? What do you love the most about being a writer or a reader?

Umami hot dog relish recipies!

1. For the Wasabi Dog- fresh cucumber, apple, and red onion, with a dressing of lime juice, cilantro, sour cream and wasabi-

2. For the Big Bear Dog- cooked relish with tomatoes, camalelized onions, smoked ancho peppers, balsamic vinager, and olive oil

3. For the Javelina Dog- tomatoes, green olives, capers, slivers of raw cabbage. Onions. This one still needs something.

That's all I've got so far! Maybe she better sell some brownies as well. Anyone want to do a taste test? I'm making Javelina Dogs for lunch.

Writing is always an adventure. I love following the threat of the story as the characters evolve and tell me their tale. there's always something new to discover.

I have the fixings for the wasabi dog I will have to give them a try.

I am a reader and The best thing for me is all the places both real and imagined I get to go to through the stories I read.

Mickie wrote: "I have the fixings for the wasabi dog I will have to give them a try.

I am a reader and The best thing for me is all the places both real and imagined I get to go to through the stories I read."

I used to love those Mrs. Pollifax mysteries- I read them in the Reader's Digest condensed books as a kid. Mrs. Pollifax was always going off to strange places to have adventures- I still remember reading about her watching the Whirling Dervishes!

The constant entertainment. It seems like I'm always having a conversation going on in my head. I never know what the characters are going to say or do next. Sometimes it'll make it into a story and sometimes it won't, but the running commentary is wonderful.

M.J. wrote: "Sarah wrote: "the writing is going well so I'm back in love with writing- last night I was researching how to run a hot dog stand for a character in the new story. I came across Umami- the fifth ta..."

Is the cream cheese smeared on the bun? that one sounds good.

Marguerite wrote: "The constant entertainment. It seems like I'm always having a conversation going on in my head. I never know what the characters are going to say or do next. Sometimes it'll make it into a story..."

And some people are bothered by people talking in their heads! Ha! They don't know what they're missing!

Right now, the best thing about being a writer is that it's 10:30 AM and I'm in my jammies on the daybed in my study with my laptop and two passed-out cats.

Christopher wrote: "Right now, the best thing about being a writer is that it's 10:30 AM and I'm in my jammies on the daybed in my study with my laptop and two passed-out cats."

hee hee! but working hard, right?

Or hardly working? It could go either way. ;-)

Seriously, though, working on a scene and trying to decide how long it needs to be. I'm stalling. I just need to get it out. I can always re-do when I edit.

Neurotic? Me?

Marguerite wrote: "The constant entertainment. It seems like I'm always having a conversation going on in my head. I never know what the characters are going to say or do next. Sometimes it'll make it into a story..."

Totally. Sometimes it's hard to turn off, though. Like for sleeping purposes.

Christopher wrote: "Or hardly working? It could go either way. ;-)

Seriously, though, working on a scene and trying to decide how long it needs to be. I'm stalling. I just need to get it out. I can always re-do when ..."

I've about used up my alloted goof-off time and have to get back to work. Just started Chapter Four, the dreaded middle!

I'm working on the final climactic action and blocking. Time to do something else.

The best thing about being a writer is that I get to do what I love, love, love!

The second best thing about being a writer is when that switch is flipped in my mind, and I really get going with the story. I look up and realize that three hours have passed, I don't remember that happening, but I know I've just been in a unique, transported state of mind.

I don't think non-writers or non-creative people really understand "the zone." I have a brother-in-law who's a painter and book-maker, and he gets it. Isn't it wonderful?

The look people get on the faces when you admit that yes, you can get your books off Amazon and yes, you are in print.

Doing something creative, I suck at everything else.

Meeting people all over the world that I'd never have spoken to otherwise.

Christopher wrote: "Marguerite wrote: "The constant entertainment. It seems like I'm always having a conversation going on in my head. I never know what the characters are going to say or do next. Sometimes it'll m..."

I thought that sleep was for people without muses. Mine like to bug me at about 2am in the morning. They're helpful like that.

Anne wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Marguerite wrote: "The constant entertainment. It seems like I'm always having a conversation going on in my head. I never know what the characters are going to say or do next..."

Man, no kidding. I lay in bed for forty-five minutes, trying to go to sleep, then I had to get up and write another scene.

The satisfaction that you've created something no one else has. Oh, I don't mean that I'm unique, or maybe I do, but those were my words, my characters, my plot, my love scenes, and MY happy ending. Everyone has their own, unique to them, no matter what genre it's in, and no one can copy that distinctive essence, that deep inner voice that made you put those words to paper, that made it yours and no one elses. That's why I like being a writer.

Best thing about being a writer is being able to give all these wonderful men the happiness they deserve. I love seeing them overcome and grow and finally triumph. It's as much fun for me as it is for the reader, maybe more so because these boys live in my head and I'm so invested. Conversely, the worst part is having to always say goodbye at The End. :(

The best thing about being a writer? Hmm, good question.

Creating new worlds. I love world buildings as I write. The words just start to flow and the worlds and voices in my head finally get released. I love being surprised everyday by something new.

We have been given such a gift, to live in this place and time, and have access to publishers and books. And be allowed to be writers! Imagine being in America in 1740, or in Australia in 1850, or in Prague in 1948, or Mexico in 1968, or China today! Where a bunch of female writers were arrested for writing "gay porn" for an online gay romance site.
I think of the places sometimes where writers can't be writers out of fear, and real danger--we are so lucky to have landed here, now.

When I'm reading, it's being completely wrapped up in the story and never wanting it to end.

As the writer, I'll call them my Happy Accidents. It's those moments that make me feel giddy just reading them. It's not a 100% of the time feeling, but just knowing it could happen at any moment keep me writing.

Exactly, Sasha! The best thing about being a writer is you feel like a conduit, when the characters just spill out of you onto the page and the world erects itself around you and the discoveries come fresh/fierce/fast/funky.

Surprising yourself... Kicking your own ass... Battling clichés tooth and nail... When the Muse sits close, there's nothing better.

There's nothing quite like settling down with a book and becoming so immersed in it that time passes and you're loathe to read the last page because ... that's it over.

Do you have a date for yours, Damon?

Sue wrote: "The look people get on the faces when you admit that yes, you can get your books off Amazon and yes, you are in print.


PRICELESS. :)

Sue wrote: "The look people get on the faces when you admit that yes, you can get your books off Amazon and yes, you are in print.

That's the bit I'm looking forward to...

another fav- wandering around the mall, smelling men's cologne until you find the very one your character wears. My pockets are full of lovely scented cotton balls! (And the winner is Varvatos Artisan!)My kid has requested I not sniff the cotton balls in public--??

I get to go to my happy place and create worlds and characters I love.

I also get to meet a lot of wonderful people.

I like that sometimes even when I'm having a crappy day I can still give someone (even if those someones are fictional) a happy ending!

S.J.D. wrote: "I like that sometimes even when I'm having a crappy day I can still give someone (even if those someones are fictional) a happy ending!"

Or, of course, you can give the characters an even worse time than you're having!
Or maybe that's just me! ;)

S.J.D. wrote: "I like that sometimes even when I'm having a crappy day I can still give someone (even if those someones are fictional) a happy ending!"

Or, of course, you can give the characters an even worse time than you're having!
Or maybe that's just me! ;)

J.L. wrote: "S.J.D. wrote: "I like that sometimes even when I'm having a crappy day I can still give someone (even if those someones are fictional) a happy ending!"

Or, of course, you can give the characters a..."

Oh no that's not just you!! I've been known to do practice in a little torture if I've had a particularly rough day. ~wink~

S.J.D. wrote: "J.L. wrote: "S.J.D. wrote: "I like that sometimes even when I'm having a crappy day I can still give someone (even if those someones are fictional) a happy ending!"

Or, of course, you can give the..."

No that's definitely not just you. I swear my characters hide when I've had one of those days because they know hurt/comfort is probably on the horizon.

Best part of being a writer? Slipping into another personality and wearing their skin. Letting that personality drag me in a direction I never imagined.

Marguerite wrote: "The constant entertainment. It seems like I'm always having a conversation going on in my head. I never know what the characters are going to say or do next. Sometimes it'll make it into a story..."

Also this. I so love when I'm blocking out a scene as I try to sleep and suddenly it falls into a strange dream that leads to another story.

I swear we writers suffer endless brain tempests.

For me, the best part of being a writer is spending all day dying to get home and write because I can't wait to see what happens next. It's wonderful when the story comes so alive in your head it's like being there.

The best part about reading is when I lose myself in the story and forget I'm even reading - when the story comes alive - that too, is just like being there. Reading and writing - different sides of the same coin!

Finn wrote: "For me, the best part of being a writer is spending all day dying to get home and write because I can't wait to see what happens next. It's wonderful when the story comes so alive in your head it'..."

I'm that way, too, Finn- my characters are always surprising me and things keep popping up in the writing I wasn't expecting--I really love to write some days just to find out what happens next!

IMO writing is the best form of escapism. You can go anywhere you want, with whom you want, and you don't have to pay!