Writing

Many of you know I’ve started writing my first novel. I have to be honest, I’ve been struggling like crazy. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a problem writing, but with a novel, it all comes out awkward and weird. I think it’s because I’ve been trying to write the way “standard” modern novels are written, which is in third person limited. Here’s the skinny:

Third person means I tell a story about someone else.
Limited means that as the narrator, I only know what the current character knows.
Limited also means that I don’t actually talk to the reader, but rather the character’s actions and words tell the story.

That format is the most common, and supposedly the easiest to write in. Quite frankly, however, it’s kicking my butt. So I read up a bit on other narrative voices, etc. I read about third person omniscient. That’s like third person limited, but you’re not limited to a single character’s perspective. Basically, you get to float around like God and see in everyone’s head, etc. I like that. 🙂

The downside is that writing in third person omniscient requires really good writing, because it’s harder to develop individual characters. The advantages, I hope, will outweigh that for me. I guess we’ll just see. Here’s what I see as the advantages that play into my hand as a writer:

1) I get to be all-knowing. That’s always nice.
2) I can address the reader, because I’m separated a bit from each character. I’m telling a story more than showing the story.
3) I don’t have to beat around the bush regarding details. I can show a character’s limited view, but I’m not limited to it myself.

It makes it more difficult to make characters that readers will care about, but hopefully I’ll be able to pull it off. At the very least, I hope my writing will flow easier, even if the end product isn’t very good. 😉

No, I’m not going all “Blair Witch” on you or anything. I just took this photo. It’s 3AM, and I finally turned in my article. Now, I only have the regular amount of stress. You know, 53 work orders, 8359 emails in my inbox, and impatient, unhappy co-workers. (If you’re my co-worker, and reading this — of course I don’t mean you. 🙂 )

I’m going to bed now. I need that 3 hours of sleep, you know, so I can function and stuff. G’Night everyone.

Writing an article on computer gaming is a lot harder when you’re not a gamer.

Trust me.

I got my Linux Journal magazine in the mail today, so I guess it’s not too soon to brag a bit. LJ bought (2) of my articles, and they both appear in the August “Cool Projects” edition.

The first article appears in the “Up Front” section, on page 16. It’s all about our school’s transition to Linux thin clients. It’s actually a pretty great story if you are a Linux fan, and should be required reading if you’re planning a migration to penguin power for your place of employment/schooling/etc.

The second article, which also happens to be the cover story (Yay!) is on page 38. It’s a how-to article about building your own arcade machine. I’m pretty excited about both articles, and even more excited that it’s the first time I’ve been published!

Thanks Linux Journal, and thanks to Jill Franklin, the Executive Editor, who helped me immensely with the process. Also, thanks to John Scalzi, who blogged about my victory as well.

I’m currently reading the first book in Fred Saberhagen’s Berserker series — and oddly enough, he died a couple days ago, no matter what Wikipedia editors might think.

That got me to wondering, is it possible some of the best Science Fiction writing is being written now? I know the greats are the greats, but it would seem an author wouldn’t have to be old and/or dead in order to be a giant in SciFi. For example, Isaac Azimov was a pioneer of robot stories, but he wasn’t known for his storytelling and plot development.

I’m so thankful for the Hugo, Nebula, Campbell, etc, etc. It’s so wonderful to experience new writer’s work, and with all the choices out there, the award winning ones are a good place to start.

Now I feel like I should go write a bit…

I signed 2 contracts today for Linux Journal magazine! And it’s certain I’ll be published in next month’s issue. Hooray!

Now I have to get started on that &*#^$ book…

I submitted another magazine article today. This one was a little more work, but just as fun. (Ok, it’s actually for a “cool projects” issue, so it was VERY fun). I really enjoy writing these articles, I hope I can find more venues to publish. I think Linux Journal will get tired of me if I keep sending them query letters. 🙂

I haven’t started my book either. It may seem silly, but a novel is a huge undertaking, and “where to begin” is tough. It’s also a completely different mindset, since we’re talking about something so long. I think I’m going to allow my first book to be a “practice novel.” That way, if it totally sucks, I can tell myself it doesn’t matter, because it was just practice. To be honest, the idea of a practice novel isn’t really mine. Agent to the Stars was a “practice novel” that eventually got published.

Well, I have lots of books to read, so I’m going to read a few chapters, and then take a nap. Maybe I’ll try to write a couple thousand words on my novel too. Time will tell.