Vonnegut Rules

The subject of Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. came up in an earlier post about Hunch, which caused me to reminisce and do some major musing about the master's work. One of the most valuable educational tools I learned from Vonnegut was his Eight Rules of Writing. These gems of knowledge are credited to his book, BAGOMBO SNUFF BOX: UNCOLLECTED SHORT FICTION (though this advice may have been tailored to short stories, I think it applies to novels equally well).

1. Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.

2. Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.

3. Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.

4. Every sentence must do one of two things—reveal character or advance the action.

5. Start as close to the end as possible.

6. Be a Sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them—in order that the reader may see what they are made of.

7. Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.

8. Give your readers as much information as possible as soon as possible. To hell with suspense. Readers should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves, should cockroaches eat the last few pages.

In considering Vonnegut's Eight Rules, I think #8 is the one I violate most often. When you're a writer, you're in a state of constant re-evaluation. I've re-evaluated and I'm making an effort to share more information with the reader sooner--to let them in on the secrets--so they can develop a deeper stake in the characters' conflicts and torment. Sometimes revealing information is best not left to the end of the story. This shouldn't be confused with a plot twist, which is an element that neither the reader nor characters see coming.

Do you have a favorite Vonnegut rule?

Is SFR on the Verge of an Event Horizon?

It seems the publishing industry is (finally) starting to see the merit in that quirky niche subgenre that we call Science Fiction Romance. The number of agents who represent, and the number of publishers who accept SFR seems to be growing...and growing much more enthusiastic. Lately, I've been getting word of SFR-specific submission calls. And at least one major industry publication--Romantic Times--has scheduled a feature on SFR in October.

Encouraging news.

Is the SFR Event Horizon almost upon us?

As a SFR writer, of course I'm enthused. But it's more than just that. I'm excited to read all the great stories that will be published as a result of this trend.

An ever more sophisticated romance-reading public--one that has known Han and Leia, Captain Mal and Inara, and a reboot of Spock and Uhura and who has grown up with the Space Shuttle Program and the International Space Station--is opening up to the universe of possibilities that SFR offers.

The sky is, indeed, not the limit!

I'm Back!

Crunch time is over for another year (can you hear that distant "Yeaaaaaaaaaaaa!" all the way to where you are?) and I'll be back to regular posts starting...uh..right now! Hello. :)

I've got lots of exciting news.

First and foremost--though it's old news by now--I'm very pleased and honored to report my novel, P2PC, has finalled in two contests.

They are:


SouthWest Writers Writing Contest
(SF/Fantasy/Horror category)

and

Utah RWA Heart of the West Contest
(Paranormal category)

I got the news on my two finals within 24 hours of each other and it was a huge thrill. Thanks to Heather at the Galaxy Express and my co-bloggers on Take it to the Stars for announcing the happy news in my absence. :)


There's also a FIRST SALE pending on a Paranormal novel written by one of my close peers! I'll fill you in when she gives me the green light. *jumps up and down and gives a big thumbs up*

I'm also getting close to finishing a debut SFR novel written by a fellow Skiffy Rommer I met at RWA and...it...is...fantastic! I can't wait to wrap it up so I can write my review.

Later this week I'll have an article up by an SFR writer I met at RWA, and some news connected to that, too.

That's all for now, except to say...It's good to be back!

Ah Yes, it's that Time Again...

Well, it's August that means it's "hiatus from my blog" time.

Bear with me while I place nose to grindstone for some heavy duty crunch time at work. I should be back to blogging around September 1.

See you soon.