Kudos and congrats to Sharon for her final in the RWA FF&P On the Far Side Contest (Paranormal category). Fantastic job, Sharon! And a special note...this wasn't for GHOST PLANET, but her new novel ECHO 8!
Here's the announcement of the the finalists:
*Permission to Forward Granted!*
The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter of RWA is thrilled, delighted and excited to announce our fabulous finalists in the 2009 On the Far Side Contest!!! Look at all our winning members – we so rock!!
2009 On The Far Side Finalists
* Denotes FF&P Member
Romantic Elements
Soul Trade by Melanie Card*
The Darkshaper Invasion by Karen McCullough*
Windborne by Brenda Nelson-Davis*
Erotic
MIA Case Files: Wolfsbane by Tracy Truman*
Gods and Mortals by Rebecca Zanetti*
Catacomb Bound by Robin Haseltine*
Fantasy
Wild Fire by Rashda Kahn
Rites of Clay by Bonnie Johnston*
A Soul for Trouble by Christy Gibson*
Futuristic
Unspeakable Acts by Cheryl Alldredge*
Apocalypse’s Daughter: Dystopia by Tracy St. Hilaire*
Passages by Laurel Wanrow*
Paranormal
Echo 8 by Sharon Lynn Fisher
Stealing Time by Elise Chand
Night Walker by Lisa Keesler*
Time Travel
Machine Slave by Jennette Heikes*
Once in a Coyote Moon by Christy Gibson*
The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone Seguin
Young Adult
Breathing Fire by Christine Canada
Frostbite by Sheri Boeynik
Seaside Sorcery by Laurel Wanrow*
BTW, Sharon decided to enter in Paranormal instead of Futuristic because ECHO 8 has a near-future setting with sci-fi elements. Way to go, Sharon!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Autumn Characters
Most of my novels have important or influential characters that make an entrance late in the story. I think the trick with these “autumn” characters is to be sure you set up their entrance stage right from the MC’s perspective early-on and with a couple of reinforcements in the story so it’s not a total surprise when they appear (unless of course they’re part of a big plot twist and are supposed to take the reader by storm).
These tardy characters must be there for one of two purposes—to either play a major role in plot development or be a direct influence or barrier to the MCs mental or physical journey. In order to build their overture, the reader should have established a pretty good idea of how the MC relates to this character through verbal or mental dialogue, what the state of their relationship is, and how they are going to affect the MC or what the MC wants.
I’d like to give a few examples of autumn characters in my work and that of others (but I apology for the deliberate vagueness in an attempt to avoid spoilers).
In P2PC, I have several autumn characters make an entrance as the plot begins to wind up and the stakes climb. They are involved with Drea’s (female MCs) quest, but create a dilemma in the relationship between her and Sair (male MC) when she is put in a position of abandoning duty or performing it and offering Sair up as a potential sacrifice.
In Draxis, I have a character who walks a tightrope between being a protagonist or antagonist. He is strictly forbidden from taking a mate, and his attraction to an autumn love interest puts a spin on his perception of honor and duty—and his interpretation of right and wrong.
In Planets, two very different autumn characters emerge—one who has ties to two of the major characters, and another who has influence on everyone. Both autumn characters present issues the MCs must overcome, and they help add new layers of tension, drama and emotional resolution to the climax of the story.
In Ann Aguirre’s GRIMSPACE, an autumn character (who is an established part of the ensemble cast in later books) enters late in the story and appears to be an antagonist that turns out to have a surprising sense of honor. This autumn character is fundamental in helping Jax, the MC, gain what she needs.
In Stephenie Myer’s TWILIGHT, autumn characters arrive in the form of the rival vampire group with a contrasting set of value, which throws the MCs into a desperate and seemingly hopeless struggle to survive.
Autumn characters can add new dimensions to conflict and present formidable obstacles at the turning point in many tales, and so they can play an important role in crafting suspenseful stories.
These tardy characters must be there for one of two purposes—to either play a major role in plot development or be a direct influence or barrier to the MCs mental or physical journey. In order to build their overture, the reader should have established a pretty good idea of how the MC relates to this character through verbal or mental dialogue, what the state of their relationship is, and how they are going to affect the MC or what the MC wants.
I’d like to give a few examples of autumn characters in my work and that of others (but I apology for the deliberate vagueness in an attempt to avoid spoilers).
In P2PC, I have several autumn characters make an entrance as the plot begins to wind up and the stakes climb. They are involved with Drea’s (female MCs) quest, but create a dilemma in the relationship between her and Sair (male MC) when she is put in a position of abandoning duty or performing it and offering Sair up as a potential sacrifice.
In Draxis, I have a character who walks a tightrope between being a protagonist or antagonist. He is strictly forbidden from taking a mate, and his attraction to an autumn love interest puts a spin on his perception of honor and duty—and his interpretation of right and wrong.
In Planets, two very different autumn characters emerge—one who has ties to two of the major characters, and another who has influence on everyone. Both autumn characters present issues the MCs must overcome, and they help add new layers of tension, drama and emotional resolution to the climax of the story.
In Ann Aguirre’s GRIMSPACE, an autumn character (who is an established part of the ensemble cast in later books) enters late in the story and appears to be an antagonist that turns out to have a surprising sense of honor. This autumn character is fundamental in helping Jax, the MC, gain what she needs.
In Stephenie Myer’s TWILIGHT, autumn characters arrive in the form of the rival vampire group with a contrasting set of value, which throws the MCs into a desperate and seemingly hopeless struggle to survive.
Autumn characters can add new dimensions to conflict and present formidable obstacles at the turning point in many tales, and so they can play an important role in crafting suspenseful stories.
Monday, October 12, 2009
P2PC Wins Utah RWA Heart of the West Contest
Saturday, the Utah RWA chapter announced the winners of the Heart of the West (HOW) Contest during a conference in Park City, Utah. Although I wasn't able to attend, Utah RWA had the results posted on their web site within hours, and I was delighted to see P2PC had been named the first place winner in the Paranormal category! Even more exciting, the judge for the finals was Heather Osborn of Tor/Forge!This is my first win in an RWA chapter sponsored contest, and it follows on the heels of a win in the SouthWest Writers Contest (Science Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal category) three weeks ago. Yeah, it's been a great fall!
Thank you Utah RWA, contest coordinators and judges for a wonderful contest.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
CritiqueCircle Reaches Major Landmark!
I take every available opportunity to talk up an amazing online critique site for writers called CritiqueCircle. And yes, I'm a member, as are several of my frequent flyer cohorts and published peers.
Today, CritiqueCircle announced something huge--their 200,000th critique! To celebrate they awarded a year's premium membership to the luck member who wrote the 200,000th critique, and six month premium memberships to those who wrote the 199,998th, 199,999th, 200,001st and 200,002nd.
If you've never stopped by CritiqueCircle, why don't you click on the button below and pop in to take a look around. Psst, just tell them "Aspiration" sent you. :)
Today, CritiqueCircle announced something huge--their 200,000th critique! To celebrate they awarded a year's premium membership to the luck member who wrote the 200,000th critique, and six month premium memberships to those who wrote the 199,998th, 199,999th, 200,001st and 200,002nd.
If you've never stopped by CritiqueCircle, why don't you click on the button below and pop in to take a look around. Psst, just tell them "Aspiration" sent you. :)
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