What’s Up Wednesday
Welcome to the last What’s Up Wednesday of September! Can you believe it? September nearly done and dusted. Autumn well and truly here. Where has the year gone? Time for some cooler temps, autumnal colors, seasonal smells, and all the things that come with my favorite quarter of the year! And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that What’s Up Wednesday is a meme created and sponsored by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. By answering four simple questions, meme participants catch each other up on their reading, writing, and life in general.
What I Am Reading
I finished A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini, and it totally lived up to the hype. You may be aware of the trouble Afghanistan has seen over the last 30-40 years, but through the eyes of Mariam and Lalia, these news events come alive. Hosseini’s skillful prose brought the sights, tastes, and atmosphere of this country home to me in a way that could only be improved by actually going there. But this is not a piece of journalism, nor is it a story of war; it’s the story of two women and their struggle to live and love despite their circumstances. I’ve given a full review over on Goodreads. It’s a thought-provoking, emotionally-charged novel. There’s some profanity, and some intense violence, so I don’t recommend it for anyone younger than upper YA and above. But it’s definitely worth reading.
What I’m Writing
I took some time to go back and re-read earlier in my WIP, and I realized that I have become more severe in my edits as I’ve progressed. Specifically, my alien girl’s English vocabulary has become more restricted the further I’ve gone on. What’s particularly telling, however, is the fact that the earlier parts are much easier and more entertaining to read. I think the part of me that strives for authenticity has to realize that while a 16-year-old alien girl’s English vocabulary may not be expansive, for the sake of the story, I’m going to have to exercise artistic license and broaden her linguistic range. After all, the novel has to be readable too. Finding that balance between alien and readable is just another one of the challenges this story presents. Hopefully I’m getting there.
What Inspires Me Right Now
I can’t think of anything that inspires me particularly right now.
What Else I’ve Been Up To
Yesterday I posted some flash fiction for the YA Buccaneers “Walk the Plank” challenge. It’s strange but when I read what they gave for an opening line, I thought “1966.” And no matter how hard I tried to change it to something else, it kept coming back to “1966.” So I went with it… and it went to a place I really didn’t expect. If you’re interested, you can read it here. Nothing else strange or startling going on.
How’s your week been? If you want to participate in the meme, go to Jaime’s blog for details and the linky link to add your blog, and/or visit other participating blogs.
I see writing the alien’s English as a difficult task – so respect to that! Lol! I always have a hard time to think of things that inspire me too. Sometimes there really isn’t anything.
I suppose I could say “life” inspires me, because, to be honest, there are so many things I draw inspiration from–especially creatively. But that always sounds a bit lame and nebulous. If I’m going to answer that, I want to be able to name something specific that particularly inspired me this week. And right now, I can’t think of anything.
Yes, writing an alien voice is very hard when you’re constantly thinking “she wouldn’t say that, she’s an alien,” or “she doesn’t know that word/term/phrase,” etc. But re-reading the first part of the novel has helped me consider how I might be a little more balanced.
Hmmm… so maybe my novel has inspired me? 😉
I can always tell the places in my WIP where I was editing as I wrote. And where I wasn’t. Yesterday I was re-reading a not so careful section and there was all kinds of fun, like unfinished sentences.
Good luck with your alien-speak!
I’ve never tried editing as I write. I always feel like it would slow me down too much and I’d never finish the story. I should try it sometime, though, to see if it might work for me. It may make the revision process a little easier. Or it may take me forever (or never) to write a first draft!
I read The Kite Runner ages ago and while it was good, it was also one of those books I will probably never read again because it was so HARD to read (not literary wise but event wise). I need to mentally prepare myself before I read another one of his books. 🙂
Good luck with the edits!
Yes, ATSS is not literary-hard to read, but there are some fairly traumatic moments in it. Not what you would call a breezy beach read. 🙂 But an excellent read, nevertheless.
I know what you mean about becoming more severe in edits the further you get into a story. I think sometimes I have the opposite problem–I get a bit more slack because I just want it to be done already. I can’t even imagine how tough it would be to strike the right balance between an expansive English vocabulary and a more limited alien vocab. It sounds as though you’re figuring it out, though, so that’s good. I checked out your flash fiction and it was really good! Not surprising at all, though. Have a wonderful week, Colin! 🙂
More than once I’ve felt the temptation to slack off just to get done quicker. Interestingly, it seems I might need to cut myself a bit of slack for the sake of the story. Maybe the side benefit will be getting through revisions a little faster. 🙂
Thanks! That flash fiction was interesting to do. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
The more you talk about this story, the more I want to read it! I love that you are telling the story from an alien girl’s (who loves ABBA) POV. Good luck with those revisions!
And I must read A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS. It’s been on the TBR for awhile.
Have a great week!
I was almost going to post a snippet of the story for this week’s WUW, but after my revelation this week about my MC’s vocabulary, I decided not to, since I’m going to have to go back and re-work the voice a bit more. Anything I post has to be something I’d be happy sending to beta readers. Maybe next week. I’m glad it’s piquing your interest, though. 🙂 Thanks for the encouragement!
Good luck with the edits! I can see how striking a balance between easily readable and properly “authentic” with an alien’s English would be difficult.
Thanks, Rachael! It is hard, especially when you’re as picky as me about authenticity. I need to renew my creative license. 😉
A Thousand Splendid Suns was high on my to-read list when it first came out and then somehow I never got around to reading it an sort of forgot about it. I’ll have to remidy that problem.
Indeed, Kate. It’s well worth reading.
I love it when a book lives up to the hype. It’s just so satisfying.
Have a great week!
It is nice. And for the most part, I’ve not been disappointed by much-hyped books. There have been one or two that fell a little short of expectations, but none have been the total pits.
Thanks–you have a great week too! 🙂
Your story really sounds amazing! And I´m sure you´ll find the balance! 🙂 A Thousand Splendid Suns was a wonderful read, glad you enjoyed it as well!
Thanks, Elodie. I seem to get positive comments about the premise, my “query,” and what snippets or info I share. And as nice as those comments are, they also push me to make this story as good as it could be. I don’t want to let you down almost as much as I don’t want to let myself down. 🙂
A Thousand splendid suns sounds amazing and I’ve now added it to my to read list. It’s always interesting to go back and read earlier chapters and noticed how the story has changed and developed in style from your more recent chapters. It can be annoying too though when you realise you need to do a whole lot of reworking. Still work it in the end though. I hope the rest of your week is great 🙂
Thanks! I hope you enjoy ATSS at least as much as I did when you get around to it, Jossie. Really, what I noticed about the novel’s voice is something I shouldn’t be paying attention to now–that’s the kind of thing I would deal with on the next revision. However, I’m glad I did, because dealing with it now will make for less work later. 🙂
I loved A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS. I thought it was a masterful piece of fiction.
And yeah, I think you can go with a little bit of artistic license with your MC’s vocabulary. I’m mean, you’re already stretching the boundaries with the premise itself. No reader is going to fault you for a little creative license with the vocab. (Still really love your MC’s voice, by the way.)
And I didn’t see your Walk the Plank flash fiction entry yet for the YA Buccaneers. I am going to have to go check that out right now! 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful week!
I agree about ATSS being “masterful” fiction. It truly is.
Thanks for the encouragement on my MC’s voice. The snippet that I’ve shared so far was from that earlier part of the novel, so that really confirms where I need to be aiming it.
The Walk the Plank was a challenge this month. It stretched me a bit, which is a really good thing.
Have a great week yourself, Kris–thanks!
I’m so glad you enjoyed A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS, Colin. Anytime I rave about a book, I then end up worrying that I’ve over-talked it. I’m happy that wasn’t the case here! I loved reading about your revision process today. I imagine there’s very fine line between alien-authenticity and actual readability. This is why I write contemporary. 😉 Hope you have a fantastic week, Colin!
Don’t worry, Katy, you can’t over-talk ATSS–it’s as good as so say.
I don’t know that writing Contemporary totally lets you off the hook. My teens sometimes sound like aliens when they talk! 😉
You have a wonderful week, too. 🙂
I’ve been meaning to read another Khaled Hosseini book since I read and absolutely loved THE KITE RUNNER. I’ve heard good things about his others, so this is definitely on my list!
Good luck with the revisions. It must be hard to strike a balance between a typical English vocabulary and an alien one that’s believable yet not primitive enough to make reading the story difficult. Sounds like you’re finding that sweet spot, though. So congrats!
Enjoy the rest of the week. 🙂
Thanks, Tracey. It’s a hard balance, and I always sort-of-knew it would be. I’m getting there, I think.
I’m certainly encouraged to read THE KITE RUNNER. If it’s anywhere near as good as ATSS, it’ll be a great read.
Thanks–you too! 🙂
Good luck with your revisions! Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Amy! 😀
Um, does Cadbury chocolate inspire you? 😉 I’ve been meaning to read Hosseini for a long time… Also, I think it makes sense to broaden her English vocabulary a little beyond what would be likely for readers’ sake… (Or maybe that race of aliens just has really high linguistic intelligence? Lol.)
Does Cadbury’s chocolate inspire me? Absolutely. It also distracts me, and makes me feel special, and coats my mouth with awesome creamy sweetness…and… ummm… sorry, what was the question? 😀
My MC has taken study of English particularly seriously, so it’s not inconsistent that her command of the language is above average. As long as I can convince you she’s still an alien, I’m doing my job. That’s what I’m aiming for.
Thanks for the encouragement, Susan. 🙂
I think it’s interesting sometimes, how the earlier parts of a WIP seem to read better than the later portions. Maybe because it feels more relaxed, because that’s the point where you’re just getting into a story and you’re not worrying about all of its flaws yet? At least, that’s how it feels for me. Good luck with your revising!
For me, anyway, often the later parts are better, because I find the voice develops as I go, and I get more comfortable with writing it. I then have to go back and revise the beginning to make it consistent. In this case, though, I’m paying so much attention to making the voice alien-quirky, that it’s getting more quirky as I go, and is now to the point where it’s too quirky. So now I have to try to recall that original balance and try not to be so picky.
Thanks you, Stephanie! 🙂
Good luck with finding your balance. I love the idea of an alien girl with a limited English vocabulary, but then, I’m not the one who’s read through it, so you probably know best. 😉
Thanks, Chris! I’m certainly limiting her vocabulary–I just want to overdo it. 🙂
With the last piece I read on your Alien WiP I thought you were doing pretty well on the voice so far. If you ever need a second opinion on the current edits you know where to find me! =D
Thank you, Robin. You read my first 5 pages during WriteOnCon, so that confirms I was on the right track to begin with. 😀 And don’t worry–I have you down as a potential beta reader. You might be hearing from me… 🙂
This makes me feel crazy, but I read A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS, and I can’t remember it. Grr. When I try to remember it, I just think of THE KITE RUNNER (which was amazing – have you read it?). Anyhow – I’ll have to pick it up again to refresh my memory because it sounds like a fantastic book, and I like to remember fantastic books!
I like what you said about walking the line between alien and readable. 🙂 Made me smile. Have a great week, Colin! 🙂
I haven’t read THE KITE RUNNER yet, Bridgid, but I might have to now. One of the reasons I do Goodreads reviews for every book I read is to help me remember what it was about. I’m prone to the same memory lapses–after a few years, I’ll remember how much I enjoyed a book, but forget what it was about! 🙂
Thanks!
I struggle back and forth with trying NOT to edit as I write because I want the words to be perfect the first time. The creative flow goes so much better for me when I don’t edit as I go and I’m learning to make quick comments to the side when something needs work later when I redraft. Good luck with your alien teen speak, that’s tough in itself. 🙂
And nothing inspires you? That made me sad to read. I think it’s important to have inspiration in our lives, writers or not. You should step back and take a look at your life, sometimes its the simplest of things that motivates us.
Thanks for the encouragement, Dana!
I think you misunderstood my comment about inspiration. I said nothing inspires me *in particular* this week. There’s plenty about life that inspires me, and I could list the same things week after week. For WUW, I will note anything out of the ordinary that inspires me. You can take it for granted that “nothing in particular” means, there wasn’t anything I saw, read, or that happened this week that particularly inspired me, above and beyond the usual things. Heck, if nothing at all inspired me, I’d be a pretty dry well when it comes to stories, and I wouldn’t have so many shiny new ideas rattling around in my head! 🙂
I’m sure it’s really hard finding that balance between having her sound like what she actually is–a human-phile alien girl–and, like you said, making your book readable. With time, revisions, and feedback, I have no doubt you’ll nail it. Good luck!
Thanks, Kris. I’m working on it, but that’s what revisions are for, right? 🙂
I’ll look into reading that book.
I believe you should expand the character’s vocabulary. I’ve read alien books and the aliens need to express themselves in a way that the readers understand them fully.
Thanks, Medeia–yes, that’s the conclusion I’ve been forced to. If I stifle her vocabulary, I threaten to sacrifice readability for “authenticity,” and frankly, who cares how authentic she is if no-one wants to read her words?