Amazing Tool for Writers

My Stack of Ebooks are Piling High

I consume books on the craft of writing and I learn something different from each one. Most ebooks I found in the past were in PDF format, and although I'd download them with good intentions, I just wouldn't get around to reading them. That's because I don't read books on my computer.

Some of these books were free and some I purchased, all of them are of value to me. I want to read them on my Kindle (or sometimes' my hubby's iPad).

And then there's my manuscripts. I want to take them out with me to read and edit without having to carry around big budles of paper.

Now I have the tool that I absolutely cherish. It turns my PDF files into perfect ebook formats for whichever reader I want to use and it will load them on too. It will also convert my manuscript to an ebook (if I save it as a PDF in Word - but I actually use Scrivener to convert my draft).

And best of all, this application is FREE. I think it's a must-have for writers. Here's a link for you:

Calibre

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How Clear are your Characters?

A Shady Character

How well do you get to know your characters before you start writing? For me, I usually get more of an idea of their situation rather than their personality. I honestly don't know much about my characters until I've finished the first draft. Then I can write them.

Oh, I've been through character workshops, tried exercises and filled out detailed character profiles, including suitable flaws. But once I start writing, all that changes and I end up will a fully formed person, that in almost no way reflects the original idea I had of them.

Secondary and background characters are even more elusive. I went through several edits of Dog Show Detective with a brooding and shy boy in the background, because I didn't know how to write him. Once I realised he was actually funny, then I found out he wasn't shy at all, but rather an extrovert.

I don't mind not knowing everything about my characters before the first draft is finished. Once their voice comes through, the rewrites are easy. I've just got to stop trying to think them so I can see them. How about you, do you need to know your characters well before writing them?

If you do, you can check out some posts I've written on how to create characters:

My Top 8 Posts on Characters

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3 for Free - Ebooks for Writers

I've decided to add some routine to my blog by making Fridays '3 for Free'. Each Friday I'll blog about 3 free writing tools, books or content you can download - this week:

The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing - Download from Scribd, this book has guides and exercises to try.

70 Solutions to Common Writing Mistakes (Part A)
70 Solutions to Common Writing Mistakes (Part B) - This book is so awesome, it comes in two parts. Available from Reader's Digest.

Power Queries - DKV Writing provide a free ebook on writing your query. Many writers (including myself) find this to be the scariest part.

I have so much reading to do!

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Save the Ending

A while back I posted about meeting author James Phelan and purchasing some of his thrillers and his new YA novel. Phelan was talking to writers about the craft of writing thrillers, and, within his talk he revealed the ending to his YA novel, Chasers (part of a trilogy called Alone).

Don't worry, I won't ruin the ending for you. It was particularly frustrating, because the twist at the end is GOOD, really good. Emily has read the novel and absolutely loves it, it has become her new favourite and is being encouraged to all her friends. I've now started reading the novel and I am loving it, but must admit, knowing how it ends makes me look at some of the characters differently.

I also read Agatha Christie and through blogs, uncovered the murderer behind The Murder of Roger Akroyd before getting a chance to read it. Another great twist I won't get to enjoy through the experience of reading.  Have you had an ending spoilt for you? Maybe while you were reading a novel? Can you still push on and read it?

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Book Economy

This is what comes home when I go shopping for shoes.

Popped into a bookstore today with the intention of checking the number of pages on a girl's novel similar to Dog Show Detective. Didn't even make it to the children's section before my arms were weighed down with these finds. I couldn't help it - there was a sale, and shiny stickers and, and... Hopefully did my bit this week for the book store industry (see, owning a Kindle does not mean I buy less books).

There's a few pirate stories in there, that's to help me along when I start editing The Pirate Girl (soon, soon), and I just love thrillers, plus Emily spotted a couple of supernatural stories.... I need a year on a desert island with nothing but my books.

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Books without Borders

If a shop like this can't sell books, who can?

I rarely watch the news, but it was hard to avoid this week. Two big chain bookstores here in Australia are in deep financial trouble. Borders have been facing financial problems for some time and have now taken Angus & Robertson down with them. One of the excuses for this demise has been to blame e-book popularity.

Kind of hard to believe. Since buying my Kindle I've consumed more books than ever before. Not just e-books, I've bought more paper books and a huge number of audiobooks. Book buying is addictive, the more you get, the more you want. I've also shopped in Borders several times and always find it crowded.

Perhaps e-books are starting to have an effect on booksales, but I think it has more to do with the ease of buying books much cheaper overseas. I often buy from Amazon because I can get a lot of new novels under $10 whereas in an Australian bookstore I might have to pay $20-$30. 

There has been a theory that the closing of chain stores will help smaller bookstores flourish. Unfortunately, our little local bookstore 'Little Dog' is also closing down. What do you think the problem is? Are e-books taking over and bookstores need to adjust, or is there a slack in book interest?

If you want more on this news here are some links:

The Book Show - also available on iTunes, you can download the radio show.

Sydney Morning Herald - Borders, Angus & Robertson go bust. Includes video.

Canberra Times - Discusses Borders' announcement that gift cards purchased will not be accepted unless the user spends at least twice as much as the voucher.

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Perfect Practice for Writers

In Emily's last Taekwondo class, her teacher said:

"Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect."



This may sound a little harsh, but I think the message is, you can practice doing something the wrong way over and over, but you'll only become perfect at doing it the wrong way. This hit a chord with me. There are some parts of writing that I am not good at. I get a good voice for my characters, but I don't tend to do dialogue scenes well, there's either talking heads or lots of fidgeting going on. Instead of persevering, I need to learn to write dialogue scenes perfectly. This means, taking advice from experienced writers, reading up from the numerous untouched-writing manuals I have on my book shelf, or, maybe even taking on another writing course. I want to try perfect practice.

On the flip-side, I'd like a character that practices something the wrong way and becomes an expert in doing it the wrong way - which will turn out to be the way that is needed to save the day.

Is there anything you need to perfect to practice?

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