Category: Inspiration and Philosophy

What Are You Reading?

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: a little night reading] [photo by Zsuzsanna Kilian]Writers are readers. We get our ideas for stories, characters, complications and solutions from reading. We pick up new words and new ways to use old words. We absorb cadence, rhythm, pulse.

Any mystery-lover who reads A Long, Hard Look will see the influence of, not just Chandler, but Christie, Francis, Stout, and Asimov; perhaps even a twist of Richard Halliburton. The homage to Chandler is intentional, and Phil Brennan owes as much to Archie Goodwin as to Philip Marlowe.

There’s a cooking competition show called Chopped … more … “What Are You Reading?”

Listening to Writing Advice. Or Not.

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: I think it's a diving board]How do you know when to reject well-meaning but misguided writing advice, and when to gnaw your knuckles and knuckle under because someone else was given a brief clear glimpse of something you missed in your own work?

I’ve learned the answer to that the long hard way. It’s still more art than science.

Begin by asking yourself a few questions.

… more … “Listening to Writing Advice. Or Not.”

Where’s the Order, Where the Habit?

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

My unconscious is apparently toying with me. Write a post Monday about being orderly and habitual to reserve mental and emotional energy for art, and then don’t write posts the next two days.

This comes, perhaps, from not having specific goals, either targets to aim for or purposes for the actions. “I should write a post every day” isn’t meaningful. “Engaging with readers regularly builds loyalty” is a bit better.

[image: running the maze]

This year, my goal has been to write more mysteries. Our 3 businesses, Spinhead Web Design, Someday Box, and Chief Virtual Officer, are all doing what they do without much input or marketing effort from me.

After writing a 60,000-word mystery, one chapter a day, over at my personal blog, I may not post much there until there’s a specific reason. … more … “Where’s the Order, Where the Habit?”

How an Orderly Life Benefits Your Art

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: rock paper scissors]You’ve seen the common perception of “artists” — disorganized, flighty, not always entirely in touch with reality. Mess and disorder, partying ’til all hours and sleeping in, drink and drugs and bad behavior of all kinds. Artists aren’t expected to behave like “normal” people because, y’know, they’re artists.

Truth is the more habits you institute in your life the better it is for your art. Here’s why.

Using Up Willpower

Exercise strengthens muscles. It also strengthens willpower.

Muscles get tired and have to rest.

So does willpower.

… more … “How an Orderly Life Benefits Your Art”

Writers and Their Emotions

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

I’m going for a 60s health-ed movie feel in the title, in case you missed it.

[image: sunrise” width=”222″ height=”189″ class=”alignright size-full wp-image-3959]Writing without emotion is pointless. If you don’t move your readers to feel something, you accomplish nothing. Even with non-fiction, teaching a topic requires moving your readers to care enough to latch on.

With fiction, emotion is everything.

It’s no wonder, then, that we fiction writers are a moody lot.

I have days of euphoria. I also have days in the doldrums. (Like when we have the rare phenomenon of 10 gloomy days straight here in the frozen north.)

A dear friend commented this morning that they were feeling down about their writing.

Steven Pressfield posted about the pure unadulterated panic induced by the research for his latest book.

It’s gonna happen. … more … “Writers and Their Emotions”

Real Mystery Writers Attend Mystery Writers’ Conventions. Right?

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

Left Coast Crime 2015: Crimelandia!Next winter we’ll be taking a break from the bitter cold of northern Wisconsin to get soaking wet in Portland, Oregon at Left Coast Crime.

Until James Preston asked if I was attending LCC and Bouchercon this year (both within driving distance of where he lives, lucky dog) I hadn’t even considered writers’ conventions.

I love being with people. It’s one reason book-signing events still appeal to authors. We want to look our fans in the eye, feel their adulation, take their cash with our own grubby little paws. Okay, maybe not that last bit.

In my previous careers I’ve never considered conventions as a way to promote myself. A web developer’s convention? Scarier than Bloody Words, I assure you.

… more … “Real Mystery Writers Attend Mystery Writers’ Conventions. Right?”

Is There a Market for ‘Clean’ Books?

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

In the two days chatting with Alex Zabala y’all commented more on language than sales. Interesting perspective into my readership.

[image: what do readers want?” width=”176″ height=”256″ class=”alignright size-full wp-image-3916]He and I, like some of you, choose not to use certain words. I’ll not get into the “they’re just words!” discussion just now. I’m more interested in what makes good writing, and, slightly less important, what sells.

Can you sell a book without profanity in it? Obviously you can. Alex Zabala’s Treasure of the Mayan King has sold 6,000 copies.

Does avoiding (or including) profanity in your book widen your market, narrow it, redefine it? Or is it immaterial?

That’s a question for readers, not writers.

Since all writers are readers, let’s chat.

… more … “Is There a Market for ‘Clean’ Books?”

Where Do You Get Information and Inspiration?

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: catching up on our reading” width=”222″ height=”273″ class=”alignright size-full wp-image-3834]Reading a couple of Dave Bricker‘s excellent posts and Tom Bentley‘s newsletter I realized I don’t have much of what they used to call a “blogroll” around here. Must attend to that.

Besides Dave’s and Tom’s, the three I drop everything to read the instant there’s something posted are Larry Brooks’ storyfix, Steve Pressfield, and Rosanne Bane’s Bane of Your Resistance which is one of the best blog titles on the web.

In the meantime, tell me: what blogs are on your “must read” list, your “drop everything” list, your “catch up when I have a few minutes” list?

When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Have a Decision to Make

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

What about pausing when the writing gets hard? Ah; this is a place for nice judgment and some brain science.

[image: mind the mind]When a mental project such as solving a puzzle or overcoming a design challenge becomes difficult, there are two options: push through, or take a break to allow your unconscious to gnaw on the problem without your pesky conscious mind interfering.

How does one know when to do which?

… more … “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Have a Decision to Make”

Taking a Break Without Breaking Momentum

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: sea the pause]All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. It can make writers collapse in a gibbering heap in the corner, which might also be dull.

Yesterday I was telling you to keep your momentum. Today I’m telling you to take a break. Coping with conflict is part of the writer’s life. Here’s my perspective on how to balance these opposing needs.

… more … “Taking a Break Without Breaking Momentum”