Category Archives: On Writing

Fan Fiction, and Amazon

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A few days ago Amazon announced their intentions to start a new line. Fan fiction… for pay.

This is unusual because fan fiction is usually skirting copyright by avoiding pay.

Basically, if you write fan fiction for “Vampire Diaries” or “Pretty Little Liars”, and it isn’t porn, then you have a chance of earning some money from the sale of that fan fiction. However, in exchange Amazon, and the original IP owners (in this case the studio producing that franchise) get to use your stories in whatever way shape or form they want to, and they don’t have to cut you in on the deal.

This is good, in the way that it allows some people who like writing fan fiction to write it, and sell it. To earn money they would not have been able to earn otherwise.

This is bad because if you do write the fan fiction, then the producers decide your fic is good and they want to make that into an episode… well they already have it. You aren’t getting paid anymore for it, no matter what you say or do. You don’t even get the regular writers fees for people who work on these shows.

If you write it anyway, maybe it is okay for you. But in all honesty I like Hugh Howey’s idea of fan-fic better. He encourages it, and lets you sell. He doesn’t care. He doesn’t even care what kind of fan-fic it is because it’s your work. He even advertises it on his website!

Fan fiction is an interesting beast all it’s own. I wrote it when I was younger. E.L. James wrote it then changed it up and made millions off “50 Shades of Grey”. Fan fiction isn’t going anywhere.

But I don’t agree with giving Amazon, or “Pretty Little Liars” the ability to use your work unchecked. If they want to hire you as a writer… great. If they want to use your work, license it. But don’t just claim it for a few bucks while they make millions.

John Skulzi had something to say about Amazon’s new world, and Neil Gaiman agreed with him. Here is Neil Gaiman’s opinion on fan fiction itself.

If you want to write it, and publish it, just know what you’re getting into.

 

NOTE: “Twilight Tales” will only be available for a few more hours, but if you did pick it up, and read it, please consider giving it a review. Reviews mean so much to new authors. Also, there are three more books available ranging .99 to 2.99.

“Twilight Tales” FREE

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Twilight TalesTwilight tales is Free this weekend.

Please click the link.

Honestly, the toughest part about becoming a writer is just getting people to notice you. So if you could download the book, take a look, and leave a review that would be INCREDIBLY helpful, and you would have my sincere thanks.

In Between

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After finishing “Osiren’s Tears” I’m kind of at a lose for what to do. I’ve been working on it for so long that I’m  stuck feeling like… “What now”.

Don’t get me wrong, I have a lot of projects to chose from. There is the second story in the “Everquest Saga”, Rage War, and “Prophecy by Barlight”, plus the second “Small Bites” I want to put out… I have no end of projects.

I also wanted to try doing some youtube videos. I’m not quite sure how to do them… that pesky fear getting in the way again. But it is something I have to deal with, so I am thinking about trying to paint a scene from one of my stories, and have it narrated while you watch the painting. This could be really good, or really awful depending on how it goes. I think I’m going to try it, and post the results. Even if it is terrible at least I tried.

I updated my bookshelf with pictures of all my book covers, and a blurb about each of them. Links to them as well.

I’ve also done a few minor adjustments to the files for each of the novels. I had to adjust all the book covers to make them a uniform size, and fix a couple of typos. If anyone finds a typo let me know about it. Even though I paid for a professional editor it doesn’t mean she caught every single typo.

I suppose it is time for me to go tackle that new project, whichever one it is.

And as Neil Gaimen so often says… “Make good art.”

Small Bites 1

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Three flash fiction stories. “Beware the Werewolf”, “Chimera” and “Griffins Flight”

Three flash fiction stories. “Beware the Werewolf”, “Chimera” and “Griffins Flight”

Small Bites 1 is now up and available for 99 cents.

The first Small Bites is three short stories about creatures. A werewolf, chimera, and griffins.

I had a little bit of an unexpected set back with “Osiren’s Tears”. I had an extra crit that actually will make it so much better in the end. Since “OT” is more then just short stories, and something I’ve been working on for years, I want to get it right before I push that publish button.

I hope you enjoy “Small Bites”, and I can’t wait to put the others up.

Around the Web

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The big news right now, or course, is the bombing in Boston. But I can’t add to the conversation on that except to say that I am glad the news is acknowledging that this is not just about us here in the states. It was an international marathon, one of several in the world. And while it was a sad tragedy, I hope that it is used to bring us closer together, not push us farther apart.

Now… some things from the writing side of life.

Amazon and Publishing Royalties (I love that Amazon is listening tot heir writers! Let’s hope they keep listening.)

27 Wacky Ways to Cure Writers Block (some interesting, and unusual ideas I’ve never come across before.)

Writers Club ultimate resource list…. Just.. ya, go look.

Interview with R.A. Salvatore at Comic Con

Perspectives…. Author vs Director

Simple advice from Neil Gaiman

Authors Problems

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I have been so busy going over edits for “Osiren’s Tears” that I haven’t been actually writing much. I feel like I am slacking, it’s horrible.

It isn’t like I haven’t been doing anything. I have to reread every line of “OT” to be sure the editors edit agree with my style (most are grammar/spelling/punctuation, so it’s a gimmie, but a few are just a matter of style, and choice.)
I’ve also been redoing the cover to get it “perfect”, trying to get a good description blurb, and working on some formatting issues.

I’ve been spending hours on all the little things, but not actually writing.

So I am looking at my word count chart and there is this huge dip after I finished “OT”. Nearly a week with very little, and sometimes no writing. And I feel so guilty!

But this is a good thing… so I said to heck with it all and sat down and wrote a couple scenes for a “super secret surprise”.

It felt good to actually write again, and hopefully I can get it done in the next week.

The blurb

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I like parts of the first blurb, but it was pointed out that the real meat of the blurb was the last two sentences, and fewer people would get to those sentences. Also, Ashini is the main character of the story, not Grom.

So, a new blurb. What do you think?~

Ashini, prince of the menaids, is trapped between his love of the beautiful goddess, Sekra, and duty to his people. The goddess pleads for peace between the menaids and trolls, while his people demand that they stand their ground.

How can you stop tensions between two races that began upon creation? Water and earth. Fire and ice. Always at odds with one another. And now Grom, leader of the trolls, is charging towards Iklestal, his army of rock-skinned trolls at his back.

Ashini has one last option, but will the goddess survive the aftermath?

Would you read this?

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The description for “Osiren’s Tears”. Would this make you want to read?

“The trolls are a noble, proud race, made from the very earth. In death they return to the earth, their blood and body becoming the precious metals and gemstones from which the mountains are made.

The menaids, lovers of beautiful things, found the stones and metals. They built their city, Iklestal,and laced it with magnificent works of art. Golden statues. Silver filigree. Gemstones and precious metals, all stripped from the last resting place of the trolls.

But how can Grom, the greatest among the trolls, live in peace knowing his ancestors are nothing but pretty baubles adorning the menaids? How did Osiren, his god, expect him to react when he found the lone menaid wearing his mothers eyes as earrings?”