Emergence Collective · writing

Do you (I) know what you are doing?

Joe HallettLeave a comment

It is not writer’s block. I tell myself as I stare at a blank page. The problem is there are too many choices. Maybe you can relate to this. As a kid (or adult, I don’t judge), You are standing in a candy store, anything you want there is yours if you want, but you can only have a few choices. How long do you waver between the creamy, decadent chocolates or the chewy gumdrops? Just when you have decided and reached (for the chocolate, I already knew what I wanted), the Swedish fish catches your eye…. That is how I feel sometimes; too many choices leave an empty page but in my mind, it’s full, and working on the next. I have mentioned before that my writing style is kinda convoluted. I think of the entire story, front to back. My roadmap. But there are a lot of side roads and interesting things to see along the way; I might wander off the planned route a little before I get back on track. But I do have a plan. Now I fill in all the little details. But those details have to have meaning that progresses the storyline and fits together like a puzzle. I take all these pieces, maybe workout a scene here, think about an interaction that might not show up for a few chapters, set that down, and work on another scene that won’t show up until the grand finale. So blank pages are not blank. In my mind  

 This method is working for me. But really, I have no idea what I am doing. There must be an easier way. I have been wondering how other writers do their thang. What is the process? Am I the only one that writes this way? Maybe I should start interviewing other authors, pick their brains, and see what works for them. What do you think? Let me know in the comments section below.

As far as my blank page goes, I have been reflecting on my story, and I think I have smoothed out some rough surfaces that made good connections in the narrative. Blank page I will crush you.

Emergence Collective · writing

Feeling accomplishment

Joe HallettLeave a comment

I had a good weekend and, got a lot of my plans completed, Projects for Etsy. But I did not write anything. I know, I know, I said it was a priority this weekend, but I am an artist and we are allowed to be flaky with personal goals. Even though I did not put words on paper, I do work on the story. When I am creating whether is it drawing (which I don’t do enough of lately), or painting, I am thinking about how I want the story to go. Visual art is my Zen place because I can let my mind free and wander where it wants while my eyes and hands are doing the work. My head is a rat’s nest of thoughts, so sometimes it takes a little time to unravel the threads of the story. Nevertheless, I am feeling pretty good about getting things done. Oh And Happy Pi Day!

Emergence Collective · writing

Happy Friday

Joe HallettLeave a comment

What are your weekend plans? I have a busy weekend ahead. I’m a little behind on my word count for the sequel to “Emergence Collective.” So that will be a priority Saturday morning. I will also be finishing a few Art projects/inventory for my Etsy site. My inventory is low, Honestly, because it has been cold, and I don’t like working in a cold workshop, AKA garage. Paints and resins don’t work well in the cold. (Neither do I)

writing

Back burners

Joe Hallett1 Comment

Don’t forget to check on those things you put on the back burner every now and then. I have enough plans on the back burner, It looks like Hells kitchen. My process (do I have a process?)  is that I am thinking of different projects and story ideas all the time. Sometimes I jot down an idea about one story then immediately start thinking of another, building plots and motivations. I’ve been doing this for a long time; if I was disciplined, I would have several books by now. Only recently have I actually started making it a priority (This blog is helping with that too.) 

There is an indie author I really enjoy Phil Rossi, he wrote a bunch of short stories based on the world he created. Like long-form vignettes. I like that idea for two reasons; one is that it keeps you writing and adds content, and two, it expands the world-building and gives possible new material that you can use in your main storyline. Callbacks and references can be Easter eggs that are nice little treats for fans that are in the know. I think it’s a brilliant idea.

In addition to writing vignettes to add density to my world-building, I have several stories brewing in my head; I am not sure if they will become novels or not. A couple of them I am particularly excited to start fleshing out. After I finished “Emergence Collective,” I planned to do just that, but I got distracted with the second book and started writing it. Pushed back onto the back burner, but not forgotten.

“Emergence Collective” went in a direction that I wasn’t really aiming for, and I actually surprised myself that it did go that way. My next stories are less scifi fantasy spiritualism and more horror. Which is honestly one of my favorite genres. Hardcore science fiction and horror are my “go to’s.”  Hopefully, I can do the genre justice. (Stay tuned for that!)

A blogger SMVLTUDEAU “Bloggin about Yaudi,” gave me an idea I am considering about workshopping stories on the blog.  I think it can build interest in the stories and you could crowd source feedback. I will have to give it some though about if it will help or hinder the story progression.

Uncategorized

Shameless plug….

Joe HallettLeave a comment

I do laser engraving just for fun, I sell my stuff on etsy to cover the cost of materials. I can do custom work on painted surfaces, tile, wood, glass, crystal…

Click me!
Pendulum divination board. Coming soon to my Etsy shop.
Restocking the best seller! (comes with matching planchette. YES I CAN MAKE CUSTOM BOARDS!
Emergence Collective

Character snapshot: The hole

Joe Hallett2 Comments

From the feedback I have gotten about ‘Emergence Collective,”  It turns out that “The hole.” Which was (to me) just part of the setting that turned out to be its own Character. I didn’t expect there to be so much intrigue around it. It is fun and satisfying to see reactions and thoughts about my story from other people’s perspectives, which didn’t occur to me since I was focused on different parts of the story.  This character snapshot is not a character, but a place in the story.

Old Willy opened the truck door, which whined and screeched in protest as the rusty hinges rattled. “Whatcha doin’?” Mr. Winston croaked out the question while clearing his throat, showing genuine interest in Frank’s contraption over the dump.   

He turned a little red, embarrassed by his curiosity. “Umm, well, ya see. I got to thinking is all.” He began to explain. “I have been using this as a dump for 30 years now, right?”  

“Well… why hasn’t it filled up yet?” He posed the question with increasing excitement.  

Mr. Winston’s eyes lit up as the thought sunk in. “You know…. I never much gave it a thought….’ Till now. You know your right!” the excitement transferred to Mr. Winston. They both sat staring at it silently for a minute or two, pondering the notion as another old beat-up truck shook its way up the path. A younger man in his mid-30’s poked his head out of the truck window to have a clearer view of the scene around the hole.  

       “Is there something I can do?” he asked with concern in his voice. Not knowing the details of the situation, he offered his services out of simple neighborly kindness.  

Frank and Mr. Winston did not look up or respond, lost in their own thoughts. Johnny got out of his truck in a hurry and trotted over to the hole.   
  
      “Someone fall in?” he asked in an almost scared tone of voice. He detected that Jonny was getting amped up a bit, broke his trance from the hole, cracked a smile, and chuckled. “No, no, everything is fine,” he said in a calm voice, trying to put out the fire in Jonny’s mind “we were just think’n is all; how deep is this hole?”  

Emergence Collective

A strong female lead

Joe HallettLeave a comment

In honor of International women’s day, I wanted to share my thoughts on “Trina.” In “Emergence Collective,” As I wrote the character “Trina,” I wanted to make sure that her character was one of strength and determination. Self-reliant, independent, and purposeful woman in stories (and in life) are something that I find very attractive ( and not in a sexual way – you perve). To be honest, weak and spineless female characters revolt me. I tried to write Trina to be a strong character, and her strength empowered other characters to emulate that strength and lean on. “Mark,” as I wrote his relationship with her, I tried to express that he recognized that in her and depended on her equally as she did with him. The axiom “Behind every good man is an even better woman” is what shaped their interactions. I hope I did her justice and that the readers also saw that in her character.

Let me know how I did!