Write Stuff: May 2016

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Themes in YA #amwriting

How is everyone doing? I hope everyone State-side had a nice long weekend. I do try to spend some of my day off thinking of the reason for the day, though no matter what it's nice to have a day off from the grind :) How did you spend the day?

The long weekend was MisCon here in Missoula, which is our comic/writing festival. It was a great

event, as always, and I had a lot of fun. This year I sat on several panels, did some critique work for aspiring authors, and had a very good time watching all of the people in their fabulous costumes. How people manage to put some of those together is beyond me--they were amazing! Only a few were of characters I recognized, unfortunately, but in general it was fun to appreciate the work that went into them.

One of the panels I was able to attend and enjoy listening to (a great break from attempting to come up with interesting things to say at the ones I was participating in), was on themes in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror (this was a genre festival, to be sure). I am always curious to see what sorts of things are popular right now in the writing world, and what people think will be the "next big thing." One of the panelists mentioned a few:

In sci-fi, the singularity, as well as first encounters with life forms on other planets.
In fantasy, more paranormal/urban-fantasy without the romantic spin it's taken on so much of lately.
Less dystopian and more hopeful fiction, or at least fiction that doesn't see the world ending quite so disastrously.

These areas are a ton of fun and I'm very curious to see what will come of them! Particularly the fantasy bent, as that's what my agent is shopping at the moment :)

In addition to this, there was the perennial warning to not write to trends. The logic is clear: usually once a trend stars, it will be over by the time you have a solid draft ready to shop around. Unless you hit the sweet spot where you have a novel ready to go and can ride the wave of a trend (think Divergent coming after Hunger Games). Or, of course, the really lucky few who start the trend--wouldn't that be nice...

So, what do you think? What are the upcoming trends in genre fiction, or just in books in general?

Finding the Muse Again #amwriting

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

It's summer. This means that I don't have regular classes and my job is a bit more at my discretion (though I'm still working full time--it's not like I get summers "off" :). But this does mean that I'm not working nights and weekends as much ("be a professor" they said. "It'll be fun!" they said....). Anyhow, this means that I am writing a lot more than I have been and want to start a new project. This leads to me sitting and staring at my computer screen a whole lot. And getting distracted by the internet.

My muse, you see, has decided that I am not worth her time. Maybe it's the stress of the last few months scaring her (or him...but I have always felt like my muse is female), or the fact that I've been

Funky writing prompt fun from Pinterest.

a bit inconsistent with my writing, or that I'm on submission and seriously trying not to think about that too much, or well, a hundred other things.

So, what to do to lure that muse back? Well, a few things that tend to work for me are:

Read good books :) Not that I'm looking for ideas, but books that remind me why I love books always sparks my desire to write something awesome.
Take long walks and just get into the moment. A run works too. Letting my imagination run while doing so really helps.
A fun movie or TV, which again sparks the story part of my brain.
Pinterest. I know, kinda random, right? but there are all kinds of fun writing prompts collected there, along with other creative-oriented fun that I enjoy perusing.

There are other things, too, but these are my top ones. What about you? What do you do to get your muse to come out and play?

After Reading: CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS by Cassandra Clare

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She’s training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most importantly of all—she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her—his mother just found out that he’s a vampire, and now he’s homeless. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace. (Goodreads)

I feel like I should have gotten back to this series AGES ago, but I've finally managed to start reading the rest of the Mortal Instruments series. I ripped through the first three books, then the Infernal Devices, but for some reason I haven't gotten back into this part of the series. Maybe because the Infernal Devices left me sobbing my eyeballs out? Hmm. Anyhow, I do love the world that Clare has set up here. It's so much fun! Granted, every time I pick up one of her books, it takes me about the first half to really get sucked into it, and then I can't put the dang thing down. But that first half always seems a bit slow and lacking. I wish I knew why it was, but I can't seem to help it. Still, that second half more than makes up for it. Once I finish one of these novels I find myself salivating for more! Can't wait to read on in this series :)

Have you had a chance to check out any of Clare's many novels?

Science for Authors: Eugenics

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

After Monday's post, I thought I'd dig through my archives and post again about a fascinating (if not horrible) topic. It's something that I've taught in my classes for as long as I can remember, to the point where I still have students regularly send me articles they come across dealing with eugenics. It's very, very interesting, mainly due to the ethical dilemma: we all want a better world for ourselves and future generations...but how far are we willing to go to get it? Hopefully no one thinks that some of the principles described below are ever a good idea to try out again!

Anyhow, today I thought I'd talk a little about eugenics and the insanity that that phase of American history really was. It's only of my favorite topics to pontificate upon to my students, so hopefully you find it interesting :)

Anyhow, eugenics: basically the controlled breeding of humans to rid our species of undesirable traits. We did this with domesticated species like cattle, horses, and chickens, so why not with humans? That way we could get rid of genetic diseases like hereditary blindness, or mental characteristics like alcoholism and feeblemindedness (which is one of those ambiguous traits that basically just means mentally substandard). We can thank Francis Galton for the term, and a multitude of early scientists like Charles Davenport for making it extremely popular in the United States around the turn of the last century.

A licence to state a person was fit to pass along their genes!

Some of the ways eugenics principles were brought to the public at large included both "positive" and "negative" eugenics. Positive eugenics (if it really can be called that) was a means of promoting healthy breeding of individuals who would pass along good, high quality genes to the next generation. There were contests held at state fairs across the country to pick individuals & families who represented the best eugenics applications--such as the Fittest Family, or even the best eugenics sermon to be given from the pulpit.

States with sterilization laws on the books.

Negative eugenics was more on the force people to comply side of things. This included marriage laws between individuals who were deemed unfit (so alcoholics, epilectics, feebleminded, or individuals of a different 'races'), and many of the immigration laws from countries said to be less 'healthy.' Also, enforced sterilization of individuals of the same. One of the most horrifying case is that of Carrie Buck, which went all the way to the Supreme Court, where it was deemed okay to enforce sterilization on those deemed unfit to pass along their genes (based on the principle that it was okay to enforce vaccinations, no less!).

Carrie Buck & her mother.

You may recognize the negative eugenics principles as those that Nazi Germany used--and it was the USA's early research and enforcement of these techniques that really spurred the Nazi's on. They took it to the next level with genocide, however the US's role shouldn't be overlooked.

Anyhow, eugenics is one of those insane periods in our history that often gets overlooked, though it had a massive influence around the world. I would honestly argue that the principles of eugenics are still lingering here and there under different names, despite the "falling out" of eugenics after WWII.

Can you think of any books or movies that deal with eugenics principles?

MisCon 30: From the Ashes

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

So, in a potential spurt of madness (or genius, but I'm leaning toward the former), I signed up to be a participating author at the local comic book/novel festival. I've attended for several years now and always had a great time, and decided that maybe I should step out of my comfort zone a little and join in as, well, ya know, an author :) I do have some fun books to share, and I know I should be doing some more promo, so this is what happened.

And wow, this is going to take some serious stepping out of my comfort zone... In looking over my schedule, I'll be talking about indie publishing, dialogue (gulp!), YA books, stories in general, and my personal favorite EUGENICS! Okay, maybe I shouldn't be as excited about that as I am :) Anyhow, this is going to be interesting as I totally don't see myself as having anything terribly great to share on most of these things (with, oddly enough, the exception of being able to talk about the science of making a better "race"--good grief, what does that say about me??). Anyhow, it's going to be super fun, though I'm already rather nervous about it.

Anyone have any good advice for these kinds of things? Done one yourself? Managed to not be super nervous? :)

Book Hatin': when a book just isn't "the one" #amreading

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

So I thought I'd broach another topic today, mainly because I still feel kind of bad for the review I wrote on Monday. I won't mention the book again, but honestly there were aspects of it that deeply bothered me, to the point that I kind of hated the book (not entirely--I'd be hard pressed to hate any book truly, unless it spewed outright racism or some other form of hatred). There were reasons for it, and I thought about just posting a generally generic review of the book but instead decided to post about my issues with it. Basically I kind of bashed it in a way that I normally never do.

As an author, I've definitely come across reviewers that love to bash books, or just tear them to shreds. Some people seem to get their jollies doing this. Honestly, this is not my style. An author put long and hard hours into that book and I like to respect that. If I really don't care for a title I'll put it aside. Books I've been asked to review are a little harder, as I feel obligated to be honest as well as post, but they're more likely to get a less favorable review if I don't care for them, instead of silence. For the most part though, I don't want to fall into the category of people who take pleasure in slamming a book. I know how much time and effort going into writing and it would seem to go against my general rule to be nice.

Of course, there are always limits to this rule. For one, setting an example where someone's actions in the book detail an action that I find reprehensible, yet the character is excused due to some other factor (true love excusing abuse being one). Anything along these lines makes me cringe and likely to be vocal about it. Books that bore me to death might get a less favorable review. In general though, just because a book isn't one that I fall in love with (it's not my "one" or it doesn't speaks to me) is no reason to be negative. Everyone has different tastes and different books speak to different souls. This is something I sometimes long to point out to reviewers online, of my work or others :)

What about you? What might make you leave a poor review of a book?

After Reading: NEVER TEAR US APART by Monica Murphy

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

A long time ago, when I was fifteen and a completely different person, I saved a girl’s life. I spent only a handful of hours with her, but somehow, we connected—and I’ve never been the same. No one understands what we went through. No one knows what it’s like to be us. We survived, yet I don’t feel like I’m really living—until now. Eight years later, I find her. I want to make her mine. I need to make her mine. But she’ll hate me forever when she finds out who I really am. (Goodreads)

Okay, let me start by stating that Murphy does a very good job of tackling a situation with the amount of horror and pain that struck me as appropriate for the kind of situation Katie went through (kidnapping, rape, being chained to the wall, basically anyone's worst nightmare). Katie comes across as real and very much struggling, rightfully, because of what she went through. Ethan, on the other hand, the son of the man who did all this to Katie and was responsible for freeing her, well, he just kind of made me ill. I don't care how you feel about a person, but stalking them and lying like he did is just WAY over the line. I brought this up last week on the blog mainly because I was reading this book and found myself being disgusted by Ethan's actions. That's entirely the wrong signal to send anyone: just because you love them, it's okay to completely trounce all over their personal boundaries and then lie to them. Yeah. It pissed me off. To the point that I just kept reading in hopes that Katie would find out and push Ethan off the ferris wheel or something. Honestly, I don't really have any urge to keep reading this series; Ethan crosses too far into territory that is just like his homicidal father and I was throughly grossed out.

Anyone else read anything that just gave them the creeps, and not in the good way?

Wednesday Funnies, the #bookboyfriend edition

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

So, while writing Monday's post on Book Boyfriends (scroll down to find that!), I did some image searches and found some awesome ones that I just can't NOT share today. And because it's Wednesday, and the last week of classes, well, this is what happens. Enjoy!

Monday Musings: books relationship things #amwriting

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

Okay, most readers have been there: reading a book (or better yet, a series) where the character (whether male or female, or either, just depends ;) totally steals your heart. It's kind of amazing. And kind of awesome. And also something you may only admit to other die-hard fans that will squeal and giggle with you over said character, completely agreeing about the character's absolute perfection in the book-boy/girlfriend category. So long, of course, that you're not fighting over him/her.

It's even better when they make a movie or TV show and the character is the *perfect* fit, although this happens all too rarely...I'm looking at you, Sam Heughan.

So, here's the thing: I ran across this meme a while ago and it's SO true. It stated that we fall for these literary characters who in real life would need some serious help. In some ways, it kind of bugs me, because many of the guys/gals that fall into the love interest category have massive issues. Or the relationship is bordering on abusive (or is just abusive outright (*coughTwilightcough*). Another one is where they move so damn fast into things that I find myself going WTF? They met YESTERDAY. And they are sleeping together/planning marriage/running away together/something else that seems rash and irresponsible.

And yet, I totally love it.

Of course a fictional world is vastly different from real life, but can one have sway over the other? I think it can, but most readers are also quite logical souls. Still, when are things too quick, to impossible, too far-fetched to be accurate? That's what I am throwing out to you all today: where's that line for you?