Arrgh! I wrote the following several months back. I had planned to enter it in a contest ... only to completely forget and miss the deadline. So instead, I will share it here:


Optimism

I honour those who have hurt me.
for you have taught
that I must transform my pain into the creative.

I honour those who have forgotten me.
for you have taught
that I must do what I love best for no one but myself.

I honour those who have rejected me.
for you have taught
that I must step back, examine myself, and strive for improvement.

I honour those who have neglected me.
for you have taught
that I must be the source of my own salvation.

I honour those who have indulged me.
for you have taught
that I must never be complacent.

I honour the lost roads, denied paths, and missed opportunities,
for without you, I would not be where I am.

A thought has been bouncing through my head lately, and for the life of me I can't remember if I heard this somewhere a long time ago, or if it's something I came up with on my own and then promptly forgot. It probably needs further development, but I might as well jot it while it's hot.

As I finished reading another Harlequin romance a few nights ago, one that was, in my opinion, successful, I caught myself wondering about what made it so.

That's when I realized (or maybe remembered) that it reminded me of writing essays in college and university. Why? Because that's what it is: an argument put forth by the writer. Like an essay, if the story is convincing enough, I'll agree with the argument and maybe even take it to heart.

A Harlequin romance is perhaps the simplest example: the author presents us with two characters, puts them in situations that cause them to fall in love, presents the counter-arguments of why they could not possibly be together, and then proves to us why they should be. When done well, the story satisfies, and I walk away happy.

And it's true in any story: a convincing argument keeps me reading. I want credible characters. I need a plot strong enough to hold me in the argument's sway, and a setting vivid enough to make me imagine it as if it were real.

In fantasy, this is taken one step further: the author not only has to present a powerful story, but a believable world. Even when the plot is set on Earth, the magic must make sense.

The goal is to sell your argument.

1. Meant-To-Be Mother by Ally Blake (Harlequin)
2. Married Under the Italian Sun by Lucy Gordon (Harlequin)
3. The Royal Pain by Maryjanice Davidson (Alaskan Royal Family, Book 2)
4. The Royal Mess by Maryjanice Davidson (Alaskan Royal Family, Book 3)
5a. "The Trouble With Witchcraft" by Holly Chamberlin (novella), from Sex and the Single Witch
5b. "Single White Witch" by Carly Alexander (novella), from Sex and the Single Witch
5c. "The Witch's Guide to Life" by Theresa Alan (novella), from Sex and the Single Witch
6. The Secret Countess by Eva Ibbotson
7. Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton
8. Inherited: Baby by Nicola Marsh (Harlequin)
9. The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
10. The Bridesmaid's Best Man by Barbara Hannay (Harlequin)
11. Accepting the Boss' Proposal by Natasha Oakley (Harlequin)
*** Special Mention: Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
12. The Italian's Wife By Sunset by Lucy Gordon (Harlequin)
13. The Mediterranean Rebel's Bride by Lucy Gordon (Harlequin)
14. The Millionaire Tycoon's English Rose by Lucy Gordon (Harlequin)
15. Enchantment by Orson Scott Card
16. The Princess and the Cowboy by Lois Faye Dyer (Silhouette)
17. The Millionaire and the Glass Slipper by Christine Flynn (Silhouette)
18. The Billionaire and his Boss by Patricia Kay (Silhouette)
19. The Bride and the Bargain by Allison Leigh (Silhouette)
20. Twilight Child by Sally Warner
21. Grave Secrets by Sylvia McNicholl
22. First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde
23. The Minstrel's Daughter by Linda Smith
24. Talisa's Song by Linda Smith
25. The Weather Mage by Linda Smith
26. Wolf Hunting by Jane Lindskold
27. Wolf's Blood by Jane Lindskold
28. A Mother in the Making by Lilian Darcy (Silhouette)
29. The Twin in the Tavern by Barbara Brooks Wallace
30. A Rogue's Revenge by Valerie King (Harlequin Historical)
31. How To Grow A Novel: The Most Common Mistakes Writers Make And How To Avoid Them by Sol Stein
32. In the Shelter of His Arms by Jackie Braun (Harlequin)
33. A Royal Marriage of Convenience by Marion Lennox (Harlequin)
34. Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way (Harlequin)
35. The Englishman's Bride by Sophie Weston (Harlequin)
36. A Fate Worse Than Dragons by John Moore
37. One-Night Love Child by Anne McAllister (Harlequin)
38. The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
39. Resenting the Hero by Moira J. Moore
40. The Hero Strikes Back by Moira J. Moore
41. Heroes Adrift by Moira J. Moore
42. Three Hands For Scorpio by Andre Norton
42. Accidentally Pregnant, Conveniently Wed by Sharon Kendrick (Harlequin)
43. Fortune's Fool by Mercedes Lackey
44. Gobbolino the Witch's Cat by Ursual Morray Williams
45. The Billionaire Takes a Bride by Liz Fielding (Harlequin)
46. The Man Who Loved Jane Austen by Sally Smith O'Rourke
47. Powers That Be by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
48. Power Lines by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
49. Power Play by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
50. Changelings by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
51. Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
52. Deluge by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough (anger anger graaaaah)
53. Innocent Wife, Baby of Shame by Melanie Milburne (Harlequin)
54. The Billionaire's Virgin Mistress by Sandra Field (Harlequin)
55. The Bride's Baby by Liz Fielding (Harlequin)
56. Her Royal Spyness (Solves Her First Case) by Rhys Bowen
57. One Summer In Italy by Lucy Gordon (Harlequin)
58. Don't Hex With Texas by Shanna Swendson
59. The Unhandsome Prince by John Moore
60. The Daddy Dilemma by Sharon Rose Smith (Silhouette)
61. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
62. Someone To Love by Jude Devereaux
63. Her Wish-List Bridegroom by Liz Fielding (Harlequin)
64. The Dragonslayer's Apprentice by David Calder
65. Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story by Christopher Moore
66. Midnight Magic by Avi
67. The Italian Playboy's Secret Son by Rebecca Winters (Harlequin)
68. The Ropemaker by Peter Dickinson
69. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter
70. The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau
70. You Suck: A Love Story by Christopher Moore
71. The Salvatore Marriage Deal by Natalie Rivers (Harlequin)
72. The Heir's Convenient Wife by Myrna Mackenzie (Harlequin)
73. Variable Star by Robert A. Heinlein and Spider Robinson
74. When Night Eats The Moon by Joanne Findon
75. His Pregnant Housekeeper by Caroline Anderson (Harlequin)
76. Stardust by Neil Gaiman
77. Undead and Unwed by Maryjanice Davidson
78. Undead and Unemployed by Maryjanice Davidson
79. Undead and Unappreciated by Maryjanice Davidson
80. Undead and Unreturnable by Maryjanice Davidson
81. Undead and Unpopular by Maryjanice Davidson
82. Undead and Uneasy by Maryjanice Davidson
83. The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau
84. The People of Sparks by Jeanne Duprau
85. The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne Duprau
86. Cross My Heart and Hope To Spy by Ally Carter
87. The Desert Prince's Proposal by Nicola Marsh (Harlequin)
88. Adopted: Outback Baby by Barbara Hannay (Harlequin)
89. Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn
89. The Australian Millionaire's Love-Child by Robyn Grady (Harlequin)
90. Princess of Convenience by Marion Lennox (Harlequin)
91. The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker
92. Dragon's Breath by E.D. Baker
93. Once Upon A Curse by E.D. Baker
94. No Place For Magic by E.D. Baker
95. Newlyweds of Convenience by Jessica Hart (Harlequin)
96. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
97. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
98. Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer
99. Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
100. A Knot In The Grain, And Other Stories by Robin McKinley
101. The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
*** Special Mentions: Birds of Prey and True Blood
102. Wanted: Royal Wife and Mother by Marion Lennox
103. Winning the Single Mom's Heart by Linda Goodnight (Harlequin)
104. Crazy About Her Spanish Boss by Rebecca Winters (Harlequin)
105. The Millionaire's Proposal by Trish Wylie (Harlequin)
*** Special Mention: The Dementia of Magic
106. Legend by Jude Devereaux
107. A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen
108. Magic and the Modern Girl by Mindy Klasky
109. One Night, One Baby by Kate Hardy (Harlequin)
*** Special Mentions: City of Ember (the movie) and Girl Genius
110. The Millionaire's Nanny Arrangement by Linda Goodnight (Harlequin)
111. The Prince's Secret Bride by Raye Morgan (Harlequin)
112. Abby and the Playboy Prince by Raye Morgan (Harlequin)
113. Found: His Royal Baby by Raye Morgan (Harlequin)
114. Blue Moon Bride by Renee Roszel (Harlequin)
114. A Bride at Birralee by Barbara Hannay (Harlequin)
115. Her Millionaire, His Miracle by Myrna Mackenzie (Harlequin)
116. The Future King’s Pregnant Mistress by Penny Jordan (Harlequin)
117. Surgeon Prince, Ordinary Wife by Melanie Milburne (Harlequin)
118. Bought by the Billionaire Prince by Carol Marinelli (Harlequin)
119. Expecting His Royal Baby by Susan Stephens (Harlequin)
120. The Tycoon's Princess Bride by Natasha Oakley (Harlequin)
121. The Prince's Forbidden Virgin by Robyn Donald (Harlequin)
122. Bride By Royal Appointment by Raye Morgan (Harlequin)
123. A Royal Bride at the Sheikh's Command by Penny Jordan (Harlequin)

* * *
And now, the awards!

My Favorites: The Secret Countess by Eva Ibbotson; Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton; The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale; I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter; Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen; The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett; Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore; Variable Star by Spider Robinson and Robert A. Heinlein

Great YA: The Secret Countess by Eva Ibbotson; The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale; the City of Ember series by Jeanne DuPrau

Delicious New Series: The Heroes series by Moira J. Moore; the Her Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen; Jasper Fforde's second Thursday Next series

Perfect Series Ends: Don't Hex With Texas by Shanna Swendson¹; Wolf's Blood by Jane Lindskold; Magic and the Modern Girl by Mindy Klasky; Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer²

Favorite New Authors: John Moore, Christopher Moore, Rhys Bowen

Absolutely Brilliant Harlequin Authors: Nicola Marsh, Barbara Hannay, Linda Goodnight

LJ Authors read this year: shanna_s, mindyklasky, moiraj

Special Mentions: Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (video game); Birds of Prey (TV series); True Blood (TV series); The Dementia of Magic (webcomic); City of Ember (the movie); and Girl Genius (webcomic)

* * *
What did I learn from this year of reading? I found out a lot about what I like and don't like in a book. I found that I can't stand it when there is not proper closure in a book — not in a "tie everything up" sense but in a "if something isn't going to be tied up, acknowledge that" sort of way. (It is possible for there to be many unresolved plot points, as long as the author acknowledges that they're unresolved. Jane Lindskold, Moira J. Moore, Shanna Swendson, and Rhys Bowen are all excellent examples of authors who know this.) I've developed a clearer sense of tricks and tools that I like, and of devices that bother me. And I feel as if in the process I have informed my own sense of the craft of writing.

I plan to continue this blog, but I don't expect to read quite as much in 2009 as I crack down and focus on my writing. There's so much more I have to learn from others, but one of the biggest learning tools is the actual act of writing, and that's where my focus needs to be. Wish me luck.

So that's all, folks. See you in 2009!

¹ In a perfect world, there will be one more book, but that has a lot to do with sales and the publisher and the author ended it wonderfully if this is the last book.
² (well, the series did end right, regardless of how one might feel about it)

Recently, I've been involved in a project for a friend. Nicholas Killewald writes and draws the webcomic The Dementia of Magic, an amusing graphic novel about a thief and his sorceress sister. After he completes each chapter of story, Nick holds "Break Time", which is when he posts guest comics, sketches, and other random bits and pieces. This week, he'll be featuring a "Brief Plot Summary", written by yours truly, with his sketches in the margins. To write this, I went back and read through the entire archives.

This is the second re-read-through for me, given that I combed the archives back when I made a map for the comic, too. I still enjoyed it just as much as the first time.

The comic is fun. I've been reading it for years, after stumbling upon it sometime early in 2004. The art will not blow you away, but the story certainly should. You can even subscribe to a friends' list feed if you're on Livejournal. The Dementia of Magic has a great plot that keeps you reading — and laughing. I heartily recommend it, and I would do so even if I hadn't contributed this week.

Here is the digression about writing that I felt deserved its own post:

I want to talk about distractions and time. Maybe I don't have much "street cred" in writing about writing, because I'm not much published yet, but this is something I've found that is key to my craft: I can't let distractions get to me.

The past few weeks, I've been gnawing away at my own stomach lining, wondering if I'd get this job I'd applied for. It has benefits and regular hours and is everything I wanted in a job. I couldn't concentrate on work or on writing, and my output was slightly shot. On Thursday, I finally found out that I didn't get it. It wasn't me; in the end, we were both so equally qualified that it all came down to seniority, which I didn't have. So now, I have to aim for the Backup Plan, which isn't all that bad, either.

This time around, I'm not letting the stress get to me. I'm not spending hours agonizing. And I am keeping my focus on writing. In the end, regardless of what happens to me in the working world, my dream is to become a published author. Yes, I am also a practical person; I want a full-time regular job with benefits because of the stability it will bring to my life. But I am far from unemployed right now. If I spend too much time worrying about money, then I let myself get distracted from what really matters: developing my craft. And if I don't get the other job I've applied for, then the worst case scenario is simply that I don't work full time and I get more writing time. That's not such a bad deal, really.

Today's lesson? That I need to not be overwhelmed by distractions or let life-stress affect my writing.

But on the other side of things, it occurred to me today that I shouldn't be as worried as I am about becoming a Successful, Published Author. I constantly need to remind myself that I am twenty-six years old. Thirty years from now I will only be fifty-six. Most of the authors whose blogs I tune in to are in their forties or fifties. I have plenty of time to develop my craft. The world will not end if I am not published before I turn thirty. I'd just really like it if I was.

I have one completed fantasy manuscript, another (probably more powerful) manuscript partially written and generally outlined, a fully-outlined romance manuscript nearly half done, and two other story ideas on the backburner on top of that (one of them also outlined). I have been involved in various web projects, including e-zines, tie-in fiction, and this very week, a webcomic plot summary.

In other words? Yes, I may be cracking down and becoming more dedicated, but for where I'm at in life, I don't think I've done too badly. And while I'm feeling the call to writing more and more, if I need to sit back and learn some more before I do get published, well, hey, I'm only twenty-six.

Oh, jeez. I think I forgot to link this when it went up over a month ago, but here it is: the second Jack Garcia story at Scandal Sheet.

A Ghost In The Machine

(To read the first one, click here: A Likely Story)

Scandal Sheet is a webcomic I've adored for years now. You should go check it out. The stories are designed to be read as stand-alone, but once you've read the comic archives, you'll get a few more of the in-jokes. I was honoured to write these stories. Yes, technically they're "fanfic", but I approached these pieces seriously, as if I were writing to be paid. They are creator-approved. And most importantly, I wrote them with respect to the character and plot structure already in place.

Enjoy!

You know what's great about being a writer? When you can put the same research to work for yourself twice.

See for yourself: come and check out the article I just wrote for the Scienteers, based on what I learned in order to protect myself in the fine art of fantasy mapmaking: http://scienteers.com/blog/copyrights-commissions-and-you/

After far too long, I am pleased to announce that I am finally taking commissions for Fantasy maps. After some research on the legal and business side of things, I now feel ready to take that step.


Q. So why would I want one of your awesome maps, Laura?

A. Say you have a fantasy world in your head. Maybe you're a writer; maybe you have a webcomic. Maybe you and your friends have an RPG and have created your own fantastic setting. You could even be a published author whose imaginary land just doesn't yet have a map.

No matter what the case, you have a general idea of how things are laid out—maybe even a sketch—but you want more. You want a work that you can reference or put up on your website. You want something pretty. Well, never fear ... I can provide!


Q. Can I see some samples of your work?

A. Sure! Just check out the Maps section of my website.


Q. How much does a map cost?

A. In all honesty, that depends.

Maps are a lot of work, and I take that work seriously. Before I even draw a single squiggle, you and I undergo a lenghty consultation. I want to know everything about your world (or portion thereof) that you want mapped. I need to know continents, islands, countries, cities, mountains, rivers, forests. I need to know where these features are located, what the borders are like, what shape they take. I have a degree in Geography, so I can provide basic advice if something seems unrealistic. And I will keep e-mailing you preliminary sketches until you're satisfied.

I spend a minimum of ten hours on each map. With that in mind, a typical black and white map such as this one costs $150. When you think about that, it's quite a deal. For colour maps, which take more time, I charge a bit more: $300.


Q: Who owns the map?

A: Under Canadian and United States copyright laws, the artist (me) retains the copyright of the artwork. To quote About.com, "Owning the actual painting is not the same as owning copyright and reproduction rights in the painting."


Q: So how does that apply to the maps?

A: That depends on what you want to use the map for.

If you want to put the map on your website? Go right ahead. If you want to link back to me, even better!

If you want to make an avatar/userpic out of it, again, have at it.

If you want to submit it with your novel manuscript to a publisher? You have to tell them about me before the book is actually published. No, I will not try to obstruct this process, but I do want to get paid for the fact that however-many-thousand copies are being made of my artwork. Based on what I know of the publishing world, though, chances are that if you get that far, your publisher may insist on their own artist rendering a new map. *shrug* That's just how it tends to work.

If you want to sell prints of the image? Sorry, that's not okay. Technically, as the artist, I have the right to do so, but that doesn't mean I will.

And of course, you still own your world — I just drew a picture of it. You can get other people to draw pictures of it too, and they own the copyright on those maps or illustrations, but the world still belongs to you.

Hope to hear from you!

Hey, I have this blog, why not flaunt my writing exploits?

Well, in this case, it's mostly editing. But that still counts!

Starting this week, you can view some of my handiwork over at Cosmic Dash. David Davis (hpkomic) is the brilliant mind behind the comic, both as a writer and an artist. I am honoured to say that I got to edit the script and make some dialogue suggestions for the storyline, "Egg MacGuffin". Currently it appears that I will be an editorial consultant on future scripts as well.

Come and check it out!

It occurs to me that I've never bothered to mention the one solid bit of writing news I have to report!

Well, two, if you want to get technical. But the second one came out before I grabbed this blog, so perhaps I never thought to mention it.

First: In May/June of last year, I wrote a fanfiction short story for the webcomic Scandal Sheet. You can read "A Likely Story" here. Technically this story falls into the realm of fanfiction, yes, but as a writer with a conscience, I made every effort to write the story well. It has since been described as "the literary equivilent of running a silk scarf through my fingers" by one rabid fanfiction reader. (I think she means, compared to most fanfic, but hey, I'll take what praise I can get!)

I highly recommend the comic, and the short story was my tribute to that. At the moment I'm writing a second story, because I've decided I like Jack Garcia too much to let her go.

Second: Two years ago this month, I was published in the webzine, Deep Magic, which today I have discovered has since gone under (sigh). On the plus side, the short story, "The Woods of Porden", can be found in the fiction section at eleika.com. Interestingly enough, Janni's own story is in the midst of being written. I'll be taking advantage of the loss of Deep Magic to change a few names ... turns out I liked the bad guy's name so much I used him in a completely different universe!

Third (since I'm on the subject anyway): Also at the fiction section can be found the Kaera short stories, a set of interconnected tales about the very first Elei. As they stand now, I plan to rewrite and add to them, because they're not quite what I want anymore. (Some serious rearranging of events needs to happen. I've grown as a writer since those came out.) But they're decent reads, if I do say so myself.

Not much to see here yet, folks. In fact, I doubt this LJ will be used much until I actually do get published. But it's good to have it here.

Okay, okay, and to grab the name before someone else did. XD