Ian Somerhalder Foundation Book Club discussion

Hi everyone,

(Please read 'one last thing' at the bottom before you post - thank you!)

This thread is for emerging writers to share their experiences, talk about tips and tricks, ask technical questions of authors in the group and also take advantage of the fabulous opportunity my friend, colleague and ISF book club member Astrid Cooper is offering us. She's a fabulous writer, great interviewer, editor, a guardian of animals, nature and habitats and full of insights, perceptions and wit. Here's what she's doing for all new writers in our book club.

From Astrid: Coming from many years as an editor, manuscript assessor, writing competition judge and “first reader” for publishers, as well as being professionally published for 12 years, I see the same mistakes from writers who “shoot themselves in the foot” with their manuscript submissions: Simple mistakes that will guarantee an instant rejection before the page is even removed from the envelope.

98% of manuscripts I read have the same issues: presentation, characterisation (including dialogue), voice and style. So, if you’re a new writer (or, even a writer who’d just like some impartial feedback), I am offering a read/edit/assessment of the first 5 pages of your work with my usual fee donated to the ISF. I charge $25 per hour, (that would cover 5 pages edited, with assessments, etc.) and all I ask is that you donate my editing fee to the Foundation. There’ll be a pay link provided on the goodreads site. This is an “honour” arrangement. If you get your pages assessed and you don’t donate to the Foundation, I won’t know, but karma will. .

I require from you: first 5 pages, professionally presented in RTF format attachment to kopperkat@gmail.com. With subject header ISF critique. If it’s not professionally presented, I won’t read it.

Professional format: double-spaced, good size font, pages numbered with title of work as header, paragraphs indented.

As I am a professionally published author (and editor), I will assess any work sent to me via ISF as time and contracts permit. Also—please have no qualms about confidentiality or copyright. I will be the only person seeing your work and I never steal ideas.

I will acknowledge receipt of any manuscript received.

Kind regards
Astrid Cooper
AstridCooper.com

Thank you, Astrid! What a wonderful and generous idea!

Here is the link for Donations to ISF

Note: You must be a member of ISF Book Club to participate. Please 'friend' Astrid so she can see you're in the club. (click on her image and then click 'add as a friend' on her profile if you want to participate in her offer.) Please also 'friend' Ian Somerhalder Foundation Book Club too for reference too.

One Last Thing Please don't use this thread for book promotion only. It's about the writing, not pointing ppl to new series etc. Of course nothing to stop an author posting commentary on how to write and using their own work as a small sample... e.g., in my book (XX) I had trouble with the plot,so I did this ... That's cool. We want reference, just not ads. Thanks!

I can also start us off with the articles I have written for emerging writers. The portal to everything from 'rejection and underpants' to 'why zombies make rotten lovers' is here. Enjoy!

We can't thank Kim and Astrid enough for this and hope some of you decide to take advantage of this amazing opportunity!

I will ponder this thought, possibly sending off a manuscript soon.

Wow, yes. Thank you Astrid! It is very inspiring to imagine a professional to read certain things. I'll have to wipe some dust off of my old computer & see what I can put together. Maybe start with short stories before I finish this Mattole Free State piece. You guys are so amazing, I love this group! Cyber hug & high fives, seriously!

kudos to you Astrid!

Thanks for your kind comments. I am only too happy to help. I'm not yet earning a million dollars (or even close!),but when I do (my dream) then I can truly "make a difference"-- especially to the lives of animals. Thanks to Kim and ISF for already making a difference...
Best wishes,
Astrid.

What a wonderful way to get donations for the site.

I'm already going to be published (sigh, next year...lol), so I was wondering if I can direct a few of my writing friends to you or is it for members only?

This is awesome! Maybe if I can stop reading long enough, I can pick back up writing my short story! Donation to ISF is pretty good motivation 8-)

Hi there. I'm an indie author currently working on my first series, Units. You can find it here on bookreads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...

It's a dystopian fiction set in a society where you work for your right to live. There are many sinister twists and turns for the protagonist, Pearl, as the story progresses.

Would love to help out with ISF in anyway that I can alongside the promotion of my upcoming release and would love to donate to such a wonderful cause. Will be in touch :)

awesome :)

This is an interesting topic,since I have started writing my first novel some time ago. Maybe some professionels amongst you could also give some advice on how to keep up with the writing job, because I often find myself sitting and not finding the right inspiration to write or I don't know how best to put things.
Thank you :)

Saskia wrote: "This is an interesting topic,since I have started writing my first novel some time ago. Maybe some professionels amongst you could also give some advice on how to keep up with the writing job, beca..."

Check my article on Evoking the Muse and I'll come back tonight to add some ideas!

Saskia wrote: "This is an interesting topic,since I have started writing my first novel some time ago. Maybe some professionels amongst you could also give some advice on how to keep up with the writing job, beca..."

*****

The best advice I can give is to make your writing time a habit. If I waited for the 'muse' to strike, I'd be waiting a long time. My muse is very lazy and likes to procrastinate... I take the dogs for a walk in the morning, and I use this time to sort characters and scenes, then once I get home, I go into my office, close the door and fire up the computer. Between the door and my desk, I am in 'writing mode' and I start typing. I make myself sometimes, but once I've done a page, I'm into writing and don't stop uhtil lunch time. I have to have this time, habit and discipline since I'm writing to deadlines and have contracts... writing is 1% inspiration anf 99% perspiration (tears, and blood!) And how best to put things? -- you mean writing and language? The 'best' way is to write, write and write and then critically edit your work. One million words is about the apprenticeship authors spend before they havce their own voice and style (or, so I've been told). If all else fails, then there are strstegies such as "clustering" and free form writing to unlock the characters, plot, etc.

Every author I know struggles with their writing.

Does this help? I'm happy to discuss more about how I do it.

Best wishes
Astrid.
XX

J.L. wrote: "What a wonderful way to get donations for the site.

I'm already going to be published (sigh, next year...lol), so I was wondering if I can direct a few of my writing friends to you or is it for me..."

Hi JL. Good question. I just posted this for reference. Yep, ppl need to join to partake. Thanks for asking!

Note: You must be a member of ISF Book Club to participate. Please 'friend' Astrid so she can see you're in the club. (click on her image and then click 'add as a friend' on her profile if you want to participate in her offer.) Thank you!

I'd love to be able to offer a free sample edit to anyone who wants to "use" me, but I think I might be inundated and I want to support the Foundation... so that's why the "requirement".

Best wishes
Astrid.

Thank you for the good advice Astrid!I guess working out a routine is the best idea. I just have to force myself to sit down and write and anything I'm not happy with, I can still change when editing. Since I'm just writing for myself so far, I at least don't have the pressure of deadlines on me.

Setting deadlines (whether your own or the publisher's) is a great motivator. That's why the habit of writing a page a day -- regardless -- establishes focus and there's never that "I'll write when..." because "when..." never happens. There's always something to lure the writer away from the writing. (It happens to me, to every author I know!)

Best wishes
Astrid.

Yes! I've gone on, "I'll write in the winter when it is raining," but then winter comes & I end up wet & muddy & I don't want to sit down... Summer, okay, there are longer days. I have to pace myself & learn to take a siesta from physical labor & eat some lunch, do some writing. I wrote the most when on-the-road, or wintering in New Hampshire, where I am away from what I am trying to write about. Being in this county where it all happened I have a hard time thinking about it. It is still painful I suppose since the Timber Wars continue to happen & there hasn't been a satisfactory conclusion. There is a guilt that I ought to continue fighting in the front-lines & leave the past behind. While in NH, it's snowy out, I had regular work hours. I could sit at a quiet dinning table in the morning & look out at my cousin's farm, so different it brought the memories back from a separated point of view. Clear & distant. There are lots of distractions here. I hide behind my responsibilities. This ISF Book Club is VERY INSPIRING! Someone to tell the story to. People who already know what it feels like to be an Environmentalist. Thank you Astrid & Kim for showing us that there is light to strive towards.

Astrid wrote: "Setting deadlines (whether your own or the publisher's) is a great motivator. "

Deadlines get the job done! I agree they really help create the necessity and structure to work within. Leonard Bernstein said 'success in the arts was creativity plus not quite enough time!' :) Of course that won't fly with our evolved view of the nature of time, but still, I get it.

This is what so special about the Foundation -- we can share moments of joy and pain, knowing that there are people "out there" who are quietly working for change, or helping fellow creatures. I'm always reminded by what Neil Armstrong said when he first stepped on the moon; "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind..." all those little steps we take must make a difference and contribute to that "big step" for mankind... Without this hope/belief, it would be a very grim world and while my stories have issues, my charcters overcome them (whether it's environment, relationship, or whatever). Best wishes, Astrid.

A Poem in Prose
By Katherine Harms

I enjoy reading work by Roberto Ornan Roche. This is the second of his books that I have read. Each time his masterful prose, beautiful in translation, probably transporting in Spanish, reminds me of the work of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, another Spanish writer whose work I only know in translation. Roche has the same skill with words, but a much more hopeful message.
Americans don't often get the chance to read work by Cuban writers, and when that happens, we don't expect Christians. We all know that Cuba is a Marxist country, but what we don't know so well is that Christians live and worship and write and serve God with their gifts in Cuba, despite all the pressure to sit down and shut up.
Each meditation in this book is profound and thought-provoking. In some instances the English-speaking reader may need to reread context to sort out the translator's choices, but the flow of the writing is powerful enough to carry the reader through those rough spots.
Christians from anywhere will appreciate the depth of faith expressed in this book. It belongs on your bedside table for daily inspiration.

"The Lighthouse of Asaph: Unforgettable Christian Reflections"
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VWQ3E0 (Kindle)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0987901117 (Paperback)

SUPPORT CUBAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS BUYING THIS BOOK!

I co-ordinate a local writing group. Some of the members are having issues with motivation; finding the time to write or getting into that writer's role... Anyone "out there" have similar issues? I have tips and a case study to share if needed. I'll probably do this via a blog, since it'd be long and might need to be in several parts. Happy to help... if needed

best wishes, Astrid.

Serendipity of publishing (and writing).... I have done a blog post at my word press page on how "luck" overcame my writing plan. Serendipity -- Kim and I have discussed this many times -- how serendipity happens -- I thought this might entertain. Do drop by and give it a read. Let me know what you think. I thought it would be too long to post on our goodreads page, hence my blog link. Best wishes! Astrid.

Here is the link:
http://astridcooper.wordpress.com/cat...

(if it doesn't work, my blog can be accessed via my website www.astridcooper.com (under contact astrid)...

Wow, fascinating. Thank you. Love the insight:
"The birth of the reader must be at the cost of the death of the author."

I connected with the National Geographic photographer Michael "Nick" Nichols after a presentation that he & Michael Fay gave at Humboldt State University about their Mega-transect through Gabon. Everyone was surrounding Fay & asking questions, while my friend Thomas Dunklin & I ended up having a wonderful conversation with Michael Nichols. Thomas is a brilliant underwater photographer who focuses on Salmon & Restoration, videographer, geologist, etc, so he was excited to talk to him. I stood back & was flipping through the new big coffee table book of Nichols' recent photographs, The Last Place On Earth. I said, "wow, I have done a lot of different collages with these pictures for years!" =) Nick was hooked in. It surprised me that it meant so much to him. He wanted me to email them to him. We talked about my own year long adventure hiking & observing everywhere out in the Mattole. He really liked it that I pulled firewood with a donkey. That was years ago & we are often still in contact, I made great friends with his wife when they were here photographing for the Redwoods article. It is amazing how certain people meet & connect.

I can see it from your viewpoint now, how it can mean so much for someone to take what you have created, layer it & mix it within their own heart & create something positive from it.

I often feel that if I were to complete the 11 chapters (months) of my Mattole experience I would be placing more than my feelings at risk. I have always stayed anonymous because my family lives here. My Dad was a scientist & I had no intention to demean his life's work because his daughter ended up an Environmentalist. I have not been involved in direct action in many years. This county's forest defense has a strong non-violence code & anti-oppression policy. Politics are changing some, less physical violence towards 'tree huggers' etc, since so many jobs are outsourced at this point, but still, I have an underlying fear of being revealed. I thought I'd get it translated to French first =) I suppose that is the beauty of fiction. Movies, tv, everyone is used to things unreal. Maybe I'll start with just images to plug into my consecutive storyline. My dream is to get a bunch of the crew back together & record our stories, because we can sure spout them out verbally, especially feeding off of other people's memories. This way, in the story they can come back from a raid & tell their experiences around the campfire while keeping the original narrator's point-of-view.

Thank you Astrid so much, you are very very inspiring. This whole thing, bringing thoughts & dreams & reality into the written word. It is beautiful. I have started a blog trying to gather my writings into a chronological order: Forest Logs

Hi Barnyard,

Thanks for the reply to my blog. I can't claim the fame of that insight you liked so much.... it's my interpretation of the French philosopher, Roland Barthes (Kim and I had a discussion on him years ago...thanks, Kim, for introducing me to Barthes!) I'm humbled to think you find me "inspiring"--but that's what the ISF is all about - inspiring and being inspired. I am inspired by what I read by everyone in ISF. Best wishes, Astrid.

Do people in this group read (Alaric) Matt Davis' (Ernesto Riley) writings? "Ernesto's Starship" http://ernestoriley.tumblr.com

We should see if he wants to join this Book Club & discuss his Sci-Fi concepts. I'm curious...

Astrid wrote: "This is what so special about the Foundation -- we can share moments of joy and pain, knowing that there are people "out there" who are quietly working for change, or helping fellow creatures. I'm ..."

Dear Astrid,
That is so nice of you to volunteer your time for ISF. Thank you from an ISF supporter.

Astrid is an amazing writer AND editor. She's spot on with her advice. So lucky to have her here!

What a fantastic idea. Kudos to Astrid for helping the foundation~and writers~in such an innovative way. I may have to contact her with my next editing project.

Heather McCorkle

Astrid wrote: "This is what so special about the Foundation -- we can share moments of joy and pain, knowing that there are people "out there" who are quietly working for change, or helping fellow creatures. I'm ..."

I love this comment - I keep re-reading it!

Hi everyone,

I did a blog about writing romance (erotica, etc.) and the link is below. I think that what I've written might be helpful (and maybe of interest to both readers and writers?) as I discuss characterisation, the use of dialogue to enhance character and plot, as well as writing what one is comfortable with and not "selling" out purely for the $$. Something that I have had to grapple with over the years - i.e., sticking to what I love to write and be danged to "market". I've used examples from some of my published works,so hope this isn't seen as "promotion".

Best wishes,
Astrid.
http://melisseaires.blogspot.com/2012...

Kim wrote: "Astrid is an amazing writer AND editor. She's spot on with her advice. So lucky to have her here!"

Thanks, so much, Kim!
Just finished my first edit for the ISF, as well as working on a huge private job for a return client... really huge, very profoud manuscript!

Cheers
Astrid.

Debby wrote: "Astrid wrote: "This is what so special about the Foundation -- we can share moments of joy and pain, knowing that there are people "out there" who are quietly working for change, or helping fellow ..."

Thanks, Debby.

Astrid.

Sorry - another post from me. I've been reading maybe 3 digital books a week for the past month. Through goodreads I've been introduced to some wonderfully talented and inventive writers. Just goes to show that the digital world has allowed us access to read "pushing boundariers" material that mightn't get picked up by mainstream publishers. One I really have liked is the 'infected' series by Andrea Speed. (m/m paranormal/spec. romance) I've ordered all the books in print edition. Good news for me is that my recent releases will be in print soon, too.
Best wishes, Astrid.

Astrid wrote: "Sorry - another post from me. I've been reading maybe 3 digital books a week for the past month. Through goodreads I've been introduced to some wonderfully talented and inventive writers. Just go..."

I find I am reading more authors with my Kindle too, ones that aren't in print (yet). That's something special about digital. The work will not go out of 'print' where as many books from mid-level authors are never reprinted past the first year or two.

When is your series coming out, Astrid? That's great news!

Astrid wrote: "Hi everyone,

I did a blog about writing romance (erotica, etc.) and the link is below. I think that what I've written might be helpful (and maybe of interest to both readers and writers?) as I d..."

Great post! And I agree, characters are what make a good story. What is a sex scene without the emotional engagement between the characters? Not romantic, that's for sure. Thanks for the link, Astrid!

My series will be out in print towards the end of the year (I think). Anyone going to the romance resders' convention in Brisbane (Australia) next year? I am.

Best wishes
Astrid.

Astrid wrote: "My series will be out in print towards the end of the year (I think). Anyone going to the romance resders' convention in Brisbane (Australia) next year? I am.

Best wishes
Astrid."

Congrats on your upcoming release Astrid! I wish I could go to the convention in Brisbane but it's a bit far for me. ;)

I'm going to try this touch screen thing again, although I suddenly miss my clunky Nokia circa 2003. The last ten years of my life have inspired the trilogy I'm currently writing. My life at 20 is drastically different from my life at 30, but in a good way. I find inspiration in everything, such as the strawberry I'm enjoying. The leaves are still on, and with every pluck I'm reminded of every broken heart I've ever endured. It's juicy, but the runny red pulp reminds me more of a bleeding heart than a fresh strawberry. Chocolate-covered strawberries are symbolic of romance, but take away the chocolate and what is left? A juicy red strawberry, waiting to be devoured by a hungry mouth...or heart.

There is a beautiful poem by TAAshcroft on Twitter!

She's also currently writing a book.

oh, this is nice!

I'm writing a romance drama set in New York. Is anyone here familiar with New York - a resident, maybe? I need to ask some "dumb" questions. I plan to visit in 2013, but the writing of the book will be commenced before then. Thanks for any assistance.
email me at kopperkat@gmail.com
subject header New York research
(to stop me opening any spam).
Best wishes
Astrid.

Astrid wrote: "I'm writing a romance drama set in New York. Is anyone here familiar with New York - a resident, maybe? ..."

Hogan Gorman Ian's sister, author of Hot Cripple lives in New York. She is very nice & might be able to help you. I have a friend who has been living in NY for a couple of years now, I will give him your email address & maybe he can help too. Good luck Astrid!

Thanks so much, Barnyard!
HUGS!

Astrid.

Astrid wrote: "Thanks so much, Barnyard!
HUGS!

Astrid."

I have a step relation there, I think. Will investigate! Stand by :)

Thank you for the link regarding romance writing, Astrid. Very helpful! Great collaboration site!