Tag: Creative Writing

Michelle Leigh Grander (R) – Michigan. President Grander became the first woman elected president of the United States in 2008. She succeeded the scandal ridden Presidency of Troy Cameron (D) – California. When Fantastic America begins, she is fresh off a landslide second term victory. Considered hawkish on international affairs, her domestic policies stirred controversy throughout her first term. The solstice events that usher in the weirdness of Fantastic America totally derail her plans to overhaul immigration and naturalization.

President Grander personally tasks Daniel Forrester with developing a Federal response to the solstice events. She folds his plan into a larger effort to address the issues around the world, specifically those threatening America after the solstice. She provides Daniel and his teams with any resource he might possibly need.

The President is as proactive in this crisis, or series of crises, as possible. She sends help to American allies abroad, keeps our armed forces on alert, and looks for solutions from any avenue. She’s also responsible for building up Daniel’s Paranormal Response Unit into a force to be reckoned with. Her press conference the day after the solstice helped calm the nation, and her repeated voice of calm and steely resolve have kept panic from overwhelming America since then.

Though in some ways it is a more daunting task than writing a manuscript. Searching for a literary agent for Fantastic America is new for me. I’ve queried (and gotten plenty of rejections) for other short story projects. Querying for a literary agent is much more involved than submitting a story to a magazine editor, but the principles are similar.

At times, the sheer amount of information can be overwhelming. There are thousands of agents, at hundreds of literary agencies. Narrowing down my search to an agent that is looking for books in the genre I write, who are open to queries is a challenge. A challenge I repeat over and over to get a good number of submissions going at once.

Once I’ve found an agent that might be a good fit, learning more about them takes a bit more research. What do they like, what don’t they like, and is my story something they could believe in? Following their submission guidelines is fairly straight forward. Waiting is not easy. Having more work to do while I wait is essential to my sanity.

So I’m a bit frazzled right now. Tracking submissions on my excel spreadsheet helps me stay on task. Of course the point of the spreadsheet is to remember on the page what my memory might not recall without it. Have sent anything to this agent before, did I hear back, has it been long enough to query anyone else at that agency? All of this and more, is part of how I manage my queries. Without a tracking sheet, I’d be lost.

Henry Boyd Raft founded the League of Raftean Examiners in New York city in the 1930’s. Raft was an eccentric journalist who witnessed the disappearance of Cecelia Tremaine in central park. Henry spent the next thirty years of his life devoted to investigating weird and esoteric phenomena around the United States. Raft enlisted colleagues in journalist and academic circles to research events he could not investigate personally. He also founded the Raftean News, a monthly magazine that highlighted oddities for the public.

After his death in 1962, the magazine passed among several of his investigators until 1972 when it was shuttered. In the ten years between Raft’s death and the last issue of the magazine, the League of Raftean Examiners established their national organization. This was also the first year of the national LoRE Convention.

Since then, LoRE has remained a loose network of academics, journalists and amateur investigators. They still seek out unexplained (or poorly understood) phenomena like ball lightning, the Brown Mountain Lights, ooparts, spontaneous human combustion, rains of unusual animals or materials, and UFO’s. The most recent convention in Chicago counted over fifteen hundred attendees. Lectures included collecting, sharing and publishing data on a variety of unexplained phenomena.

Herbert Allan, former history professor at Valparaiso University, and his wife Ginny were major organizers for the annual LoRE convention. Allan still maintains connections with many of his former Examiner colleagues. Many of these colleagues have begun an uncoordinated investigation of paranormal events since the solstice.

When I made the decision to reinvent the history of the Earth of Fantastic America I only went back a short distance. I’ve discovered a need to go further back, and its difficult for me to stop once I get started. A new path allows new wrinkles to the story. Writing with that in mind is fun for me, and hopefully for my audience as well.

My most recent dive into the history of this world has taken me to the 1860’s. July of 1863 to be more precise. A small town in Pennsylvania that will change the course of the Civil War and American history. The little nudge to what happened here is unremarkable to recorded history, but will have ripples through the entire story in modern times. I won’t ruin the surprises in store, but I’m almost giddy with how well it’s working out!

The changes go deeper, so my dive will continue. I have more than a few ideas that may not show up until after the first book in the series. I’ll keep writing, and keep posting on this blog, so stick around for clues and explanations you won’t find in the books. This is already a wild ride, it only gets weirder from here.

I had very specific ideas for Fantastic America when I started the project. Back then, it wasn’t even called that, but I still had a plan. Eventually, I had too much material for one book, or even four books. Rewriting and expanding the ideas, I lost some of the focus on ideas that became less important in my rush to finish the manuscript. Editing and rewriting didn’t bring those ideas back right away either.

Fortunately, rewriting is a long process. I was inspired to add in an idea that addressed shortcomings I found in my latest round of edits. That idea brought many of those older ideas that had fallen by the way side back into focus. As often happens, the way opened for all those ideas fit together more neatly than I could have planned.

Now, I have a perfect method to introduce concepts, names, and events that I want to plant as seeds for the rest of the series. There is a bit of mirth and joy that bubbles up out of no real attempt on my part. I often credit my muse for a good deal of my personal creativity, and this may be another example of how she helps me write.

Fantastic America has gone through dozens of re-writes since I finished the original manuscript. Rounds of self editing, expansion, developmental editing, and polishing have (I hope) focused and refined the story. In that months long process, I kind of lost that loving feeling for the book. It wasn’t what I envisioned, and I wasn’t sure how to fix it. I hear a lot that the only way to learn to write a book is to write a book, and I believe it.

I have learned a lot that will help me with Midwestern Magicians and every other book I write in the future. Those lesson fortunately came before I tried to send my first book out into the wide world. Which brings me to my new appreciation of FA. It sings to me again. The characters are deeper, their struggles have more impact, and their service of the larger narrative is back in harmony with my original vision.

I can’t wait to share that with the world (or at least my small audience within the world)!

These creatures first emerged after the solstice events in aokigahara forest, Japan. Also called ghost animals, they can take on the appearance of virtually any animal they encounter. The beasts shed their animal form when threatened. They take on the terrifying aspect of an eight foot tall, clawed and fanged wolf-like creature. Likely meant to frighten away would be attackers. In all their forms, they give off a pale blue glow and are semi-transparent.

Since Japan, phantom beasts have been sighted in forests in India, Russia, Europe and North America. No single specimen of phantom beast has survived more than three days on Earth. Leading experts believe their home environment is incompatible with life as we know it. The same experts have developed a short ranged electrical taser projectile that disrupts and kills the beasts regardless of what form they take.

Herb is a retired history professor from Indiana. He has no connection to or interest in the events of Fantastic America. While visiting the grave of his wife, Ginny, a disturbing event sweeps him into the weirdness anyway. Ashley Monahan, investigating for the evening news, tracks him down later. She discovers a whole new wrinkle to the pattern of paranormal turned magical phenomena.

Professor Allan refuses Ashley’s interview request, but agrees to talk to her off the record. His story is tragic, but also amazing in way Ashley never thought possible. She takes an unusual step, even for her, and invites Herb to join a network of people she is assembling who have witnessed the unexplained, cleaned up after it, or survived a direct encounter with otherworldly creatures. He accepts the invitation, uncertain how he might help. Despite his doubts, Herb provides exactly what Ashley needs.

I’ll happily blog about my recovery (once the stone is out). Until then, I take each day, each hour, as they come, some with pain, some without. But even with all that, I keep going back to Fantastic America. Maybe the pain struck a chord I hadn’t realized needed striking. I saw a way to use the villain of the first book, Jerry Farmer for more worldbuilding depth. He is already irredeemable morally, but these new scenes show his sadism and hunger for adoration.

Jerry believes he is superior to everyone else in the world. Bingo, one of his captive spirits knows this, and devises a way to use that against him. I won’t spoil the fun or reveal the payoffs, but I’d pat myself on the back if I didn’t think it would hurt right now. This was another, almost asleep, spark of a complete idea (for two scenes with Jerry) arriving in my mind, moment. I had to get out of bed and make some notes before the inspiration faded. Not upset at all by the way!

The return of magic repowered relics from the last magical age. Magic also awakened shadowy spirits called wraiths. They are among the least dangerous of the undead who survived the bleak times of no magic. Other more potent forms of undeath linger in the world of the living. Some unwitting modern explorer, a foolhardy archeologist, or hapless treasure hunter could awaken this danger at any time.

Terror and mayhem are but one accidental discovery away. That has yet to happen by the end of Fantastic America, but the clock is ticking. An ancient horror is waiting to be unleashed on a world still reeling from the return of magic. The dust has yet to settle from modern society’s confrontation with ancient myth and legend come to life.

The knee-jerk reaction has been to destroy anything out of the ordinary. Guns, missiles, and more creative uses of modern technology helped in the early days after the winter solstice. Those same countermeasures won’t work against an opponent even ancient magic could only contain, but not destroy. Tick-tock goes the clock.

Fantastic America has always been is a world unto itself. But early iterations of the project had a stronger tie to the reality we know and share in the real world. Celebrities, politicians, and famous people were my means to show a link to the real world. But at every stage of development, writing coaches, editors and critique partners suggested I not use real people. I resisted.

Until this week. I was finished with another round of edits and wanted to explore some ideas about how different Fantastic America is from real life. So I identified a point of divergence before the story began and worked forward to see how those changes played out. The more I replaced those real people, the more fun I had coming up with imaginary analogues. Expect me to introduce some of my favorites as the rewriting continues. Some replacements are more obvious than others, but I had too much fun making them all up.

My only real regret is being too stubborn to have done this before. My reimagined President of the United States is much more fun than her real world model. Having complete control over backstories is a big bonus too. Sometimes, I’m my own worst enemy when it comes to writing. At least I’ve made more progress, despite my hang-ups, and hopefully, the story will be better in the process.

Jayce is Ashley Monahan’s husband, and in his earliest iteration that’s all he was, an appendage of his wife. He was just a supporting character. His only real functions were to show support for his wife, stay out her way on adventures, and console her in the tough times. He was great at all of those things, but horrible as anything approaching a realistic husband. It took me a while to realize how passive I’d written the poor guy.

So here is a bit more about one of the unsung heroes of a world on the brink of madness. Jayce is a musician. Not a play his guitar in the garage kind, but a professional member of the Utah Symphony/Utah Orchestra. In addition to his work in Abravanel Hall, Jayce volunteers his talents throughout Salt Lake City as part of the musical outreach progam of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

He and Ashley are devout practitioners of their faith, and have been lifelong members of the same ward. Jayce has been supportive of Ashley since before the events of Fantastic America, and has weathered a great deal of scrutiny by members of the church for the couple’s unusual living arrangements since then. In earlier versions of the novel, Jayce had no opinion of this scrutiny and gossip, but his backbone has stiffened recently. His opinion is more realistic and relevant than ever before.

 Ashley Monahan is the protagonist of Fantastic America, flanked by Daniel Forrester in the role of antagonist, and Jerry Farmer as the principal villain. All three of their stories eventually weave together. Each one has trials, tribulations, and a few victories between the opening scene of the novel and The End.

 Ashley is looking to make an impact on her hometown. The solstice events open her eyes to a whole new world. Daniel is looking forward to a quiet weekend before Christmas. The horrors he witnesses on the solstice harden his resolve to protect and defend. Jerry just wants his meds. He had no idea the solstice would bring him a new ally and the power to escape his confinement.

 All three of them make an impact on a world changed by the return of magic. They aren’t the only players on the field, but they are the most important to show the depth of the changes unfolding between the world we recognize and the weird world they inhabit. Their agendas couldn’t be more different, but magic will entangle them just the same.

p.s.
If you like following my writing journey and the hints I’ve left for the books in the Magic Unleashed series, tell your friends. Spread the word and invite them to visit too. I have a pitch event this week (updates to follow), and I start querying agents next week. My journey is going to be a rollercoaster in the weeks ahead!

I don’t mean that mythology is my story, but that the myths and legends are part of the story. Interpreting myth in light of events in the narrative give me room to reimagine those ancient tales. Simply reinterpret a god or goddess as a powerful magic user. Creatures from other worlds could be mythical animals not present in our mundane world. Battles between divine forces become misunderstood fights between potent wizards. The possibilities are limitless.

Using those ideas, I’ve borrowed stories from around the world and created cultures that depended on magic to survive. When magic failed, those cultures died out too. Survivors had to find new ways to live, join existing non-magical groups, or unable to adjust to the bleak times, perish. Heroes, gods, and monsters from ancient times become figures for modern day concern. The legends of our ancestors have become a road map for the last magical age, and a blueprint for the return of magic.

Fantastic America is a gentle introduction to how those legendary stories can come alive in the modern world. Efreeti and Djinn can coexist with Apache helicopters and Abrams tanks. The internet and scrying for information can compete for accuracy. Worlds we thought were pure imagination, filled with peoples and histories we have no knowledge of, collide with the certainty of science and technology. What could possibly go wrong?

No matter how far you get in writing or in life, there is always more to learn. You can be better tomorrow than you were yesterday. I’m reminded of this fact every time my work comes back from my critique group. I am a better writer now than I was before, but I can still improve, and my critique partners are glad to share the many ways I can do better. Their attention has helped me over and over again.

Writers need thick skin. Agents and editors will reject your work. Readers will give you bad reviews. Beta readers and critique partners will point out flaws in your writing. A writer with thin skin will be hurt by all this, or will take the criticism personally. I have been there and felt the pain to know this.

Criticism, even harsh words on a page should not deter you from your writing journey. Even in the worst feedback I’ve gotten about my work, there was something to learn. I may not agree with every word someone writes about my work, but I am certain there is some detail, or observation that will help me write a better version of the story. Sometimes I have to really search for it, but I’ve yet to search and find nothing of value.

I’m not a master of my craft yet. This is a journey. When I started writing to be published, I had no idea how little I knew about writing. Years later, I finally know there is a lot I don’t know. I also know that I can learn what I don’t have mastered. I can write well, and rewrite better, and all of that came from reading and writing with feedback from other writers who were also on their writing journey.

Actually, as I write this, cold is in the air (-2 degrees F or about -19 C). Still, Valentine’s Day is almost upon us in the US, and I do love to love… or something. My novel is far from a romance story, but there are prominent couples in love. The main character, Ashley Monahan, and her antagonist, Daniel Forrester, are both happily married. Part of the joy I found in writing Fantastic America came from comparing and contrasting how different yet similar the two characters are.

In candid moments, Ashley and Daniel show love and affection for their spouse. Tragedy strikes them both, and both respond to the events differently. Either character could have chosen a different path. Ultimately, who they are after their loss was a product of who they were before. Their love is just as deep, their reactions just as powerful, and the consequences affect the story directly.

Marriages (or other kinds of loving relationships) are not the focus of my book, but love (or lack thereof) is a part of the human condition. So there are certainly representations of love, and loss, joy, and regret throughout the novel. My hope, is that I make them real enough that my audience never questions why a character reacts the way they do to the events on the page.

When we meet Mr. Dalton, he is the regional director and day to day operations manager for the Ess group of companies. On the night of the winter solstice, Gavin is summoned to the Park Avenue West penthouse of his employer, Haruko Sato. In private, Sato-san runs the upper echelons of his financial empire as the self-styled Dragon Lord. Gavin is his chief Daimyo, performing both legitimate and questionable activities to further his Lord’s interests. Sato-san has a specific mission for Gavin that no other agent in his employ can complete.

The mission opens Gavin’s eyes metaphorically and literally to hidden elements of Sato-san’s plans. A danger Gavin could not imagine confronts him on late-night his mission. His loyalty to the Dragon Lord hangs on a knife edge. Despite his years of service and training to follow Sato-san’s orders, Gavin questions both his instructions and his Lord’s motives.

Sydney is the producer behind Ashley Monahan’s weekend news show. She becomes a good friend and confidant while Ashley is living alone in New York City. Fiercely loyal, witty and energetic, Syd is one of the few highpoints for Ashley in the Big Apple. Together, the pair take on the daunting task of keeping Ashley’s ratings high, while still promoting calm despite constant reasons to panic.

Sydney is young enough to remain idealistic, but has been in broadcasting long enough to know how cutthroat it can be. She brings experience and optimism to Ashley’s team, to balance Ashley’s enthusiasm and naivete. She and Ashley mesh well together and build a team that others at the network might consider misfits. They consider each other an extended work family.

The main character in my debut novel, Fantastic America isn’t a fierce warrior. She does get into dangerous situations, but she’s not (at least not yet) a fighter. What she does do is struggle internally. She fights against running from danger, avoids conflict with her family, and balances her faith against the weird events she reports on around the country.

On the surface, that may not be as thrilling as Circe outmaneuvering Daenerys, first of her Name. I’d argue there is a place at the table for fighting and overcoming what holds a character back. The stakes can still be high. Will Ashley turn away from what she sees happening, or embrace the changes to help save life as we know it? The internal struggle in other words, can and should impact the larger setting. The impact of the emotional journey should reflect how the character addresses events and characters as those internal changes progress.

Some of the most satisfying exchanges between characters happen because an internal struggle is going on or was resolved. Luke tossed his lightsaber away, refusing to bow to the Emperor. There were consequences for that choice, and the same should be true for characters in a similar situation. Ashley faces a series of tough choices, she’s not always ready to face those decisions, and that too is part of her journey. Just like in real life.

Fantastic America is almost readable! There are a handful of spots I have marked for polishing, but 98% of the manuscript is ready. While the manuscript is ready, I won’t say finished, because I expect more revisions throughout the agent, submissions, publishing process. I’ll say it’s coherent and the story is no longer a rough set of ideas strung together. Ashley’s journey is center stage, not overshadowed by Daniel and complimented by Jerry’s appearances.

I can see the promised land from here. I may not get there tomorrow. I may not get there this week. I will get there soon, and the surety of that notion fills me with hope and excitement. My goal is to share my stories with the widest possible audience. This is a major step on that journey. I have many steps left to take.

I’ve charted the publishing path for the most part. Publishing will bring more challenges as I continue my journey. I expect many more sleepless nights as I wrestle with those challenges. In fact, I welcome the unknown and relish facing what obstacles I have yet to meet. The rewards pour in as I walk the path, the finish line, always receding in the distance will be that much sweeter.