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Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024

12:34pm EST

Members: 900

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Total Online: 3,217

Writing Blog Number 2

by Santeven Quokklaus

Rated: 18+ · Book · Personal · #2311764

This is a continuation of my blogging here at WdC

This will be a blog for my writing, maybe with (too much) personal thrown in. I am hoping it will be a little more interactive, with me answering questions, helping out and whatnot. If it falls this year (2024), then I may stop the whole blogging thing, but that's all a "wait and see" scenario.

An index of topics can be found here: "Writing Blog No.2 Index"

Feel free to comment and interact.

Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Kåre เลียม Enga

Dec 21, 2024 at 12:34am
In response to "20241221 Kudzu Plotting"

IMO Anne McCaffrey does this well with the parallel Dragonriders of Pern and Harper Hall trilogies. Adults-with-dragons; youth with fire-dragons. Memorable world building. Wonderful characters.

Kudzu the plant... only a curse for those who don't know its uses: forage, food, fiber.

Santeven Quokklaus

Dec 19, 2024 at 7:09pm
In response to "20241219 'Misogyny' In Writing"

🐕GeminiGem🎁 - I chose Grease because it is so egregious and goes against everything Sandy had demonstrated up to that point. Dirty Dancing was set a few years later (early 60s), and, though Baby changes, it is gradual and is more a change of growing up, being true to herself. So, I think the time period can be used effectively without being so demeaning. As I see it.

🐕GeminiGem🎁

Dec 19, 2024 at 6:58pm
In response to "20241219 'Misogyny' In Writing"

I agree that when a woman changes herself to attract a man shows misogyny and is annoying...but...using the movie Grease as an example it an interesting choice. Yes, the lead female changes her appearance to appeal to the male. I think it was more because of peer pressure, but the peer pressure happened because of the pervasive misogyny of the peers. Interestingly, the male character does the exact same thing for the same reasons.

The movie is set in the 1950's, a time where the misogyny we see now is even waaaay worse. So, here is a thought. If you are writing about a time period like that and are showing social interactions of the characters, something like the pervasive misogyny is going to be true to the time and place the story takes place. Does that excuse it? No, of course not, but having present-day sensibilities in an era like that would make the story seem really off.

Kåre เลียม Enga

Dec 19, 2024 at 3:57am
In response to "20241219 'Misogyny' In Writing"

In my travels I try to connect with most everyone. I wonder what my stats would be... but many contacts have names whether human or not, whether the boss or 'servant' or guest.

In my writings...

thinking.

I do have characters without names.

SAD Holiday Potato

Dec 18, 2024 at 3:54pm
In response to "20241218 Children Characters"

As someone who is an Aunt to two children who have an age difference of four years, I can definitely tell you that they act completely different. Even though one of them is neurodivergent, the older one definitely acts more mature than the younger one.(also the older one has never tried to lick my feet.)

With very few exceptions, I've never had to tell an adult "stop eating my dress," "please don't lick me" or "stop pulling my hair," to anyone over the age of six. Yet within the last year or so I've had to tell my five year old niece these things repeatedly. She thinks this is hilarious.

Anyways, thanks for pointing out that kids aren't just miniature adults! I'll try to keep that in mind while writing.

Santeven Quokklaus

Dec 18, 2024 at 6:44am
In response to "20241218 Children Characters"

Elisa: Snowman Stik - Writing about those who are neurodivergent is not something I feel I can talk about comfortably. I am trained as a teacher of those on the spectrum, and so I would not write a character in that regard because I do not feel it is my story to tell. But, yes, that last point may not apply to a child with developmental issues.

1 Like

Elisa: Snowman Stik

Dec 18, 2024 at 6:28am
In response to "20241218 Children Characters"

I am curious if there is wiggle room for the last point for child characters with developmental disabilities. (I do recognize this kind of character presents its own set of development pitfalls in terms of depicting the disability without stereotyping. That said, I think this can be a reasonable exception to the rule when done with care.)

1 Like

Dave Ryan

Dec 16, 2024 at 1:26am
In response to "20241216 Poor Characterisation"

There was once a variation of "compressed vice" in an original episode of Star Trek ("Who Mourns for Adonais?"), where a landing party of the usual suspects + one random never-seen-before-or-since female crew member are captured by the god Apollo and they turn the usually gruff Scotty into a simpering, love-struck puppy to try to introduce some conflict when Apollo puts the moves on her. Why they didn't just have Kirk horndogging it as usual I do not know - at least then everybody would have remained consistently in character. It looks like Scotty, it sounds like Scotty, but WTF?

1 Like

SAD Holiday Potato

Dec 14, 2024 at 3:41pm
In response to "20241214 Punk Genres"

This is interesting yet confusing. So basically it's like world building but with the word "punk" in there to make it sound cooler.
Maybe I misunderstand.

Kåre เลียม Enga

Dec 7, 2024 at 2:55am
In response to "20241207 Problems With Using Reality"

That or "to-ell-wit-it" and suffer the consequences.

Every society draws the lines differently. A traveler needs to be aware. Even words matter. The British and Thais are strict when it comes to slander.

May 20, 2024 at 12:20am

#1071403

20240520 Agents

Agents

I asked for some ideas for blog topics that might be of interest to writers and received a heap of suggestions (but more are still needed!), so it’s time for me to hit them.
The first is a series of questions:
To get an agent or not
Pros and cons of seeking an agent.
How to find a good agent
What to do if you don't like your agent and when to jump ship
These come from different people, so clearly there is some curiosity out there.

Okay, first and foremost, the USA has the best system for agents anywhere in the world. If the agent is a member of the Association of American Literacy Agents, then they are bound by a series of guidelines and expectations that, if they break them, can see them removed from AALA… and you do not go for an agent who is not in that group.
Make sure you use https://aalitagents.org/ as the Australian Association uses the same initials.

Basically, the agent only charges you if they sell your work, they tell you in writing as soon as a sale is made or money comes in, they help you with finances, they guide you to make choices that benefit you and your career. If they are in the pay of a publisher and push their clients that way, this is against the guidelines, and will see them removed.
In Australia, for example, an agent can charge a flat fee whether they sell your work or not. In the UK, agents can not only charge flat fees but can be associated with publishing houses. As a sideline, Canadian agents only take Canadian authors (unless they are affiliated with a US agency).

If you want to go for an agent, then you need to read this blog post from Writer Beware! Using an agent from a registered governing body will make it less likely you will have issues. This offers better written advice than I, someone who has been rejected by well over 20 agents in the past 4 years alone, could ever give:
A Writer Beware blog post. Read this! Seriously!

There are some cons about getting an agent. First, you pay them 20% (or thereabouts) of your income made through writing. Even if you sell it yourself, and not through them (which, with some agent contracts, is not allowed), you must give them 20%. This also covers if you are paid to go to a conference, give a paid talk, anything. And it covers if you sell and make money from other media adaptations. Next, depending on the contract you signed, they might be able to sell to whoever they want, even if you are not happy with a publisher. Finally, they all demand exclusivity, but may not want to represent your short stories, or all your novels. If your contract allows you to also represent yourself in these cases, you will still owe them.

The pros, however, are huge. You have someone advocating for you because they only get paid if you sell, giving you more time to write/edit. They can employ editors of their own (which you can read about the legalities of, and their obligations if doing so, here

). They can organize marketing and publicity, and they must do this in line with your beliefs or wants. So, if you have an issue with Playboy magazine, they will not be allowed to sell a short story of your to that periodical. They also encourage you to write more, especially if the first work sells well. They can handle legal claims against you or for you, especially if someone plagiarises your work. They will also negotiate to get the best deal if they have competing offers.

I think all the questions are answered in the two blog posts I linked to. I will continue to try to find an agent (I use QueryTracker, FWIW), and if I ever succeed

, I will let everyone know how I go.

Sorry I am passing the buck here, but why reinvent the wheel?

2 Like • Comment

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