I've MOVED - Details below...

-Follow me on Twitter (@Taurean_Watkins) 

-Or via the Official Twitter Feed (@TAA_Editor) 

-Also, Check out new author page on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/taureanjwatkins) 

 Hi All, 

 After three years on Blogger, I've made the leap to self-hosted Wordpress- 

http://talkinganimaladdicts.com 

 Thanks to those of you who supported me behind the scenes during my blogging hiatus, and while it will some time before I have regular blog updates again, I am working on new posts and other content I'll do my best to be worth the wait. 

 Despite all the recent outcry on other blogs saying "Blogging's irrelevant to writers in 2013" I don't share that view. 

I blog because I saw, and still see, a GAP in my niche being underrepresented, and outright misunderstood. Despite stumbles on my part in the past, I will continue to rep that niche to the best of my ability. 

 I've also decided that T.A.A. going forward will be less about my writing from the career side, and more of a reader-friendly environment. 

Unlike many writers I admire/respect, I no longer feel comfortable mixing art and commerce on T.A.A. I will eventually have my author site up to handle that side of things. 

I'll have it launched as soon as I can. From now on, I'm just going to share the variety of this misunderstood genre, and hope we can finally end the stigma, or at least put it in its place. After all, even sexy vamps, YA books in general, and death-happy dystopian tales used to be the "Kiss of Death" as far as NY publishing was concerned, and now readers can't enough, even if agents and editors feel the exact opposite, LOL. 

For those of you born AFTER the year 1987-2000, trust me, the hot genres and authors today had their axes to grind when paranormal fiction in general, even without XXX romance, or YA fiction, EVEN romance free, was as anti-receptive that you can can without being ethically shunned. 

 I'll still share some writerly stuff in my "Letters From the Editor" feature, and when my publications increase, you will hear about them on T.A.A., but I'm going to bring T.A.A. back to what I really meant it to be, about spreading the message that the variety of animal fantasy BEYOND preschool land is no less REAL and VALID than the countless flavors of paranormal romance and dystopian fiction that (At the time of this blog post, April 27th, 2013) is now. 

My blogger home for T.A.A. will remain up until the reestablishment on my Wordpress site, as some features and posts are up yet. Those who have this blog bookmarked, please change to the new url above. Thanks for your patience.

Until next time, on my new place of residence on the web-

Taurean

-Your sometimes grumpy, still hopeful, and always persistant, Literary Rat

MY Next BIG Thing (W.I.P. [Work In Progress] Edition)

Still working on the Wordpress move, but will be dishing out some posts in the meantime, and today's post is partly thanks to Kelly Hashway's Blog. She tagged me for "The Next Big Thing." 

As on Kelly's blog, I'll share a few choice tidbits about my current WIP (Work-in-Progress) novel. It's been an off and on project that 've just started really kicking into high gear.

Here goes-

What is the working title of your next book?


The Baroque Weasel


Where did the idea come from for the book?

After reading some of the original Grimm's fairy tales, I got inspired to write my own style of fairy tale, though mine isn't as dark, and the female characters are more modern and proactive.

I also wanted to write a story about a weasel, an underused creature BEYOND the picture book world, and novels outside the confines

of Redwall (We're they're typically the villains), but in this story, the weasel's the hero. I LOVE to make misunderstood animals the heroes.

What genre does your book fall under?

A Fantasy/Adventure. It's either going to be Upper MG (10+), or straight YA (13+), but I'm not yet sure at it's current stage.

What actors would you choose to play the part of
your characters in a movie rendition?

First, I really hope it will be animated, since some live-action movie adaptations of books are REALLY meant to be animated, and in this case, not CGI, but 2D with some CGI effects if needed. Okay, that out of the way-

NOTE: My animal characters have full names like humans, just mentioning the animals they are for the purpoes of this blog post to avoid confusion.


Frankie Muniz (Or someone similarly pitched) As Aurel the Weasel (Gentle yet not too naïve)

Rachel Hirschfield As Henrietta Caulfield (Spunky but sincere is key for 16 year old human girl, Henrietta)

Christopher Plummer As Stragglefur the warm yet wicked fox (He can be menacing yet endearing, the latter is KEY for the antagonist's layered personality)

Antonio Bandaras As Vélasco the persnicketty crow (If he can affect a Sharp, fairly natural Spanish accent)

Stephanie Young As Chandra the warrior wolf (She can sound serious yet convey strong emotion, very KEY for Chandra)

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
(NOT FINAL): A lonely weasel who can turn into a human, helps down on her luck teenage girl save her father from a deadly curse, and fall in love on the way.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I might go the self-published route, but that depends on being able to afford outsourcing the cover art and illustrations (I sadly don't illustrate), freelance editor, etc. That's assuming I don't get an agent with this or another book. (Cross your fingers, or tails, for me)

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Not done yet! (It will be eventually…)


What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I don't like to play the comparison game outside market purposes. But if it helps, but partly a semi-modern fairy tale, not too scarry or sappy, but not afraid to "Get Happy!"

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Grimm's Fairy Tales and researching weasels and my desire to bring them together. It would also be my first book with a true villain, as opposed to a antagonistic rival character, who wasn't "Evil" to start with, and weren't trying to inflict his nastiness with (Intended) malicious intent.

What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
You've GOT to love talking animals, which if you're reading this blog, you've got the fantastical fauna fancier in you, right?

Also, you'll have to accept not everything about my animal characters will be "National Geographic" accurate, but they retain much of their real life apperence, natural behaviors and instincts, etc. Think Half Beatrix Potter/Richard Scarry (Anthropomorhpic), and half E.B. White and Tor Seidler (More naturalistic, but might wear some clothes, and have human-like autnomy and self-awareness).

That's all for today.
Until Next Week, 
May the fantastical fauna be with you.
Taurean

Anniversary and a BIG Announcement!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Talking Animal Addicts

3 YEARS AND STILL SQUEAKING!

Photo Courtesy of Kupcake_Killer

It was 3 years ago today I began Talking Animal Addicts, and like my haphazard attempts in NaNoWriMo, I jumped into the world of blogging blind, but unlike NaNo, I've made better strides on the blogging, infrequent and wishy-washy as my blogging's been this year. Thanks to those of you who took the time to comment and spread the word.

While I'm still on hiatus, there are some big things happening at T.A.A. for 2013, and today I'm announcing the first big step.

After much thought, I've decided to move T.A.A. from Blogger, to a self-hosted Wordpress platform, so I can better customize the experience with the loyal supporters of this blog, and attract a wider audience and while I tried to have the relaunch done by today, it's taking more time than I hoped, so bare with me if the blog has some serious downtime. I'll announce the stable re-launch on the
T.A.A. Twitter Feed so please follow it to know when the re-launch hits.

I'll have more to report in January. 
Have a safe and joyous holiday.

Until Next Year,
May The Fantastical Fauna Be With You
Taurean (Your Frazzled yet Unflappable Literary Rat)

November Update

Photo Courtesy of Ljcybergal  

Still On Blogger Hiatus

Doing NaNoWriMo '12!

(Will Return December 1^st 2012)

Love,

Taurean 

 

P.S. If you'd like to follow my journey through NaNoWriMo, follow me on Twitter! 

"Yet" and other loaded words

Some people have a hard time hearing or saying "No."

Others struggle with being selfish versus selfless.

While I don't have issues with the former, and while I do struggle with the latter, I frankly have a harder time with the words-

Yet
Education
Patience
Reality
G.E.D.

These words (or acronym in the case of GED) are loaded words for me.

Whenever I hear these words or terms, they always illicit anger, pain, and sadness I can't describe without melodrama, thus alienates me from my FAR more pragmatic and demure writer friends. I can't share it with my family either, we're just not close like that, and that's all you need to know.

Yet is a word I struggle with using more of. Because it's not like I always just "want" something 
at random without working for it.

I can't (YET) afford to live on my own.

I can't (YET) achieve certain goals until catch up on my education, and unlike some people I know, I just don't shine in an academic environment.

I can't (YET) go anywhere without someone driving me there, and before anyone asks, I don't have a license and even if I did don't have the money to buy and maintain a car, never mind the insurance, and I never learned to ride be bike and there's nowhere worth biking to where I live.

I just don't (Yeah, I know, YET...!) know what my second career will be until writing takes off.

I have worked hard for YEARS to find the answers to achieving ANY and ALL of the above. "Yet" is a hard word to say, or type, without feeling like I'm constantly in 

As much as people say "Learning never ends" they're still has to come a point where you're NOT at level one, and that's just how I feel, otherwise no one would ever be president, walked on the moon, and women would be stuck in pregnant mode indefinitely if things really stayed stagnant, and say what you will about the constants of parenthood, that child has to be born first, he or she can't just stop in the middle, if you know what I mean.

While being asked "What's your day job?" (i.e. How do you make money to pay bills, etc) is not a big deal to some (Particularly if you can write nonfiction, which I just can't, OKAY!), for me, this question's more personally invasive than being asked how old I am or even what I look for in a girlfriend (Not that I wish to share the latter at length to just ANYONE...).

I didn't complete high school and am currently studying for re-taking the GED, and despite what some have told me, it's NOT a cinch, and this is before the changes coming to make it harder, so make of that what you will.

Education is a loaded word for me now. Why? Because it's importance is lorded over you by family, teachers, the world at large, because as much as people lament or preach how d*** vital one's education is for your future, is it worth sacrificing any sense of present pleasure?

As much as we get nagged by family, media, society, and just our own private, uncensored self-releflection about "living in the present", when a dim and harsh future is all you hear about, I ask you, what does that say about our present life?

I don't mean to sound pessimestic and prissy here, but while many people I know don't feel this pressure at all, I do, and can only hope I'm not alone, despite never knowing those who feel what I'm facing right now, as of yet. (Sighs)

The fierece tug of war of ideals in my heart and playing across the world's stage is REAL. However general or personal you wish to think of it. 

• Education vs. Imagination
• PhDs over Passion
• Survival and Sacrifice trumping Sustinance and Joy
• Competition above Comraderie
• Conforming to survive fincancially at the cost  of Living JOY despite tragedy and/or lack of money.

While having degrees and letters after your name won't garauntee a job, especially in the current landscape, something coming to a head in the U.S. presidential race, and across the world in numerous ways, it does still matter, and those who say it doesn't are either FAR better off than most in my position, or are the self-made types who can weather the storms of uncertainty in how they make their living, or as a mother who homeschools her children recently told me, "I don't want them [my kids] sheltered from the real world. I just differ about what I view as the 'real world'.

I wish more people would realize the pressure we're putting kids and teens, and those us under 30 folks (unhappily) living at home, jaded of the day-to-day drudgery of being stuck and without the freedoms many take for granted. under to excel in school can do (In my opinion) MORE damage than letting them slack off. We always talk about striving toward a balance life between business and pleasure, business seems to matter more, while pleasure is exiled to "The Land of Useless Ways to Spend One's Time."

While that may sound melodramtic to some, it is a reality for many.

Including me.

Part of the reason for my recent hiatus from this blog, and writing in general, comes from no longer able to deny, or ignore my lack of education.

I now must do something about it. As much as it hurts me emotionally.

As always, thanks to the writers I know who keep me in the their hearts and prayers, they know who they are, and for those of you academics out there, please understand that I don't  mean to belittle  or denounce your world.

I just don't feel comfortable in it, and hope against hope that there is a place in that world of academia for me, however small.

I don't think I've lost my love of learning. Something I had to seriously ask myself this summer.

But it's on life support. Plain and simple.

T.A.A. Update (Miss you all, but this had to happen, again...)

Sorry for yet another long hiatus, I wish this wasn't the norm , but life's been a less than stable (forget fun...) master lately. 

I'm still in talks with Swinebert and others I hoped would help pick up the slack in my absence, as they too were hit with unforeseen chaos in their lives, so hopefully I can update you soon. 

In the meantime, I had something important to share. I entered the "11TH FREE 'DEAR LUCKY AGENT' CONTEST (MIDDLE GRADE FICTION)" I don't normally enter contests because I find them too constricting. But after my experience at WriteOnCon 2012, I feel I have as a good a chance as anyone, but please wish me luck anyway.

While I'm still on indefinite hiatus from regular blog posts, as per the rules of the contest linked above (Tomrrow's the LAST DAY for entires if interested), I've got to let two social networks know about it.

QUERY BLOG HOP!

Before getting to the meat of today's post, I have announcement concerning T.A.A. I forgot to mention last week.


Musical Musings, and my other usual schedule postings will be on hiatus as I work through my offline life. 


But I do have an update worth sharing today.


Earlier this month, I signed up for a Query Blog Hop, started by the blog "Between The Sheets" by author/editor, Heather Webb.


For those too busy to read the whole rundown on Heather's blog, here's (roughly) how it works-


Writers who registered before 6/22/12, critique each other's query letter(s), maximum of two per entrant, and send a revised "final" version based on feedback, by Friday [6/29/12] at Midnight. 


The winner gets a free editorial critique of their first 2,000 words, and so I hope you'll offer your thoughts on one or both queries I share with you today. 


 This contest also gives me an opportunity to sharpen my own critiquing skills, which is still not a straightforward thing for me, but I'm trying. 


Without further delay, here are my entries- 


NOTE: Any changes differing from the norm of  "standard issue submission format" was done for ease of reading via the blog.




Query #1


Dear Agent, 


Gabriel Crisping loves pawing through junkyards, village alleys, dumpsters, salvaging the junk humans throw out—and he recycles them to build his inventions. While some of the forest residents appreciate his tinkering, the majority his fellow rats, even his best friend Rum Wheatland, think him a crazy dreamer. 


When a harsh storm blows in, ruining a promising dumpster dive, Gabriel seeks refuge in Mr. Quint’s toy shop. He finds a kindred spirit in the elderly toymaker, who loves theorizing and inventing contraptions as much as Gabriel does. Yet by befriending Mr. Quint, Gabriel has broken a universal law – he has spoken directly to a human! Gabriel keeps Mr. Quint a secret until Rum's parents are killed in a human trap. When Rum learns of Gabriel's friendship, he severs ties with him and focuses his anger on Mr. Quint, planning to wage war toward not only the old toymaker, but also humanity at large. 


The only way for Gabriel to save Mr. Quint is to stop Rum, whose grief sinks him into the madness and violence of vengeance. The only thing worse than losing an old friend, is betraying a new one, and maybe, he can save them both.


GABRIEL is a 34,000-word middle grade novel. Thank you for your time and consideration.




Query #2


Dear Agent,

Aurel Finnwhistle may be a weasel, but the only things crooked about him are the bent tip of his tail, and bent spike pearl he wears around his neck. This irregularly shaped 'Baroque Pearl' contains ancient magical properties from times gone by, and gives Aurel the ability to transform into a human, to both search for his elusive father, and to solve the mystery behind the dark powers that took his mother's life.

Henrietta Caulfield is a working class high school student who suppresses her dream to be fashion designer, to care for her father who is losing his eyesight due to a curse, and is determined to find a rare tea that is the only known cure to reversing her father's curse.

These worlds collide when Henrietta's best friend Orla reveals her identity as a weasel princess who escaped her kingdom when an army of unknown origins seized control. 

To save the queen and restore peace, Orla must create a team of warriors to defend her kingdom, and Aurel and Henrietta insist on standing by her. What they did not expect was to fall in love along the way.

THE BAROQUE WEASEL is a 50,000-word Young Adult novel.

Share your thoughts to either or both query letters in the comments below. What could be tighter? What read weird or unclear? Anything that seems off or confusing. 

Remember, the better you can explain and show WHY something doesn't work for you, the easier it is for the writer to fix it, or at least know it's there...

You can find the full list of writers in the blog hop here.

Best of luck to all of you.

Ciao for now,

Taurean

Wonder of the Week

Yo Chicks and Chickies!

When the Boss Rat enlisted me and Dempsey into this blog, he said it was only right we had our own special features for the blog, so welcome to the first edition of Wonder of the Week.

Here's how it works

Every Sunday, one of the T.A.A. staff will share something special they came across that week. Food, books, movies, whatever we find exceptionally interesting that week.

This week is my turn, and my interesting find of the week is-

The word "Yegg" which is an old slang word for a burglar, and also a safecracker or thug. 

Dempsey will be here tomorrow. 

Until next time,

Hoggishly Yours,

Swinebert

Swinebert Swaggers In!

Yo, Chicks and Chickies! 

I'm Swinebert, one of the new faces on T.A.A. 

Well, I haven't uploaded my photo yet, but I will, just trying to find a good one.

As the Boss (Taurean) told you in his last regular post, I'll be helping him out by contributing to T.A.A. 

But not to worry, he'll be back, eventually, and I'm not just a temp fill-in. I'm part of the new forming staff here, and even with the Boss Rat on pilgrimage leave, we'll be communicating offline on how T.A.A. will make the rest of 2012 a more fun experience for you faithful and patent pals who've enjoyed the earnest yet emotional roller coaster we've been riding so far.

I met Taurean the first time a few months ago, out of respect I won't get too personal, but let's just say he gave the phrase "Compulsive Eater" a new meaning. 

Quickly, I saw he was a guy after me own heart, not that I swing that way, mind you. (LOL!)

Anyway, he told me and my pal Dempsey about his blog and we knew we had to get in on this. 

After learning of his recent writer-related trauma, he asked me Dempsey to fill in for him while he takes the time to overcome his ordeal. We both agreed, and I'm first up to introduce myself.

Check back tomorrow with another update from me. Dempsey and the other new folks on T.A.A. will be arriving throughout the next few weeks.

Hoggishly Yours,

Swinebert

T.A.A. NEWSFLASH!

Dear T.A.A. Readers,

Sorry I've been M.I.A. from the blogosphere, but once again, things aren't looking so rosy on the writer front, so I'll be on hiatus until further notice.

But that doesn't mean T.A.A. will be left unattended. That's because starting today I'm bringing in some outside help to keep the blog alive, and even after I return, these guys and gals will be regular contributors to T.A.A., and I'm grateful they agreed to aide me in my time of need.

The next post will be from one of the new recruits I hired. Be sure to greet him.
I'll do my best to work through  my personal issues and return, and I'll still contribute when I can.

Until then,
Take Care All,

Taurean

Take A Chance Tuesday - 5th Editon

NOTE: Today's the last day to send in your feedback from last week's "Take A Chance Tuesday, before Midnight, June 6th, 2012, after which comments will be locked.

Last week, I asked you to share the hardest aspects of the writer's craft that you need to work through, and I appreciate all who commented so far. Sharing your struggles is something hard for some people, while easier for others.

Hard for people who don't like to talk about themselves, either to avoid being whiny.

Easier, for people who had to learn what they know the hard way, and who've been burnt out by less than helpful folks in their own writer's journey, and can relate all too well how someone can struggle with something other writers around you seem to find a no-brainer. Those of you with intense writer's groups (Like I once had) will know what I'm talking about. 

Or they might have this unique kind of self-confidence that doesn't make them arrogant and blind to help, but know when they need it, and when their own judgement is enough.
But this blog is more for writers like me who are in the middle of these different, yet true points of view on the subject.

This week's challenge comes in two parts, but to avoid "I don't have time" comments, this challenge will be broken up into parts throughout the month of June. Think of it like a mini-writer's workshop of sorts.

Part 1: In the comments below, list five books you've read and enjoyed, who wrote them, and why.

But here's the twist, in one or two sentences, explain why you love each book you picked, for the STORY only (i.e Characters who moved you/challenged you/compelled you to read on), not how it was written (i.e. prose and structure)


Admittedly, this is hard for me, because when you've spent the last decade of your life writing trying to improve your craft, it's hard to distinguish and single out "Story" from everything else. 


Technical aspects aside, a story can be fun without refined and/or stylized prose, but I think we can forget that sometimes when it feels like the pragmatic and technical problems get in the way of the "Story" even if that's the main point for most readers.


I advise you check out author Janice Hardy's blog post on the subject, it's where I got the idea for this challenge. She explains it more simply than I can.


Part 1 takes place June 5th to June 12th, 2012
(Deadline: June 12th, 2012, at Noon EST, or Midnight PST)


Part 2 begins June 12th to June 26th, 2012
(Deadline: June 26th, 2012, at Noon EST, or Midnight PST)

Good Luck!

Musical Musings #4 (Top 10 Jazz and Rock ) + Feel Good

This week, I'll share my favorite single songs* from various bands or artists from wide range of musical styles. 

*Note: Songs listed are not necessarily  from single albums but rather particular songs from a larger standard albums, unless otherwise stated.


Now on with this week's song picks-

Top 10 Jazz Singles

1. Sunlight (*Single) by Esperanza Spalding 

2. "The Trumpet Child" by Over The Rhine (From the album, The Trumpet Child)

3. "Hard Times" (By The Crusaders From Old Socks, New Shoes)

4. "Prelude For Lovers" (By Fourplay feat. Esperanza Spalding From Energy)

5. "Way Back Home" (By The Crusaders From Old Socks, New Shoes)

6. "Bemsha Swing" by The Caribbean Jazz Project (From the Album, The Gathering)

7. "If The Stars Were Mine"[Orchestral Version] by Melody Gardot (From the album, My One and Only Thrill)

8. "Your Heart Is As Black As Night" (by Melody Gardot - My One and Only Thrill)

9. -I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'- (Performed by Brian Wilson from the album Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin)

10.

Top 10 Rock Songs

1. "Munasawagi No After School" by LINDBERG (From the album, LINDBERG VI)


2. "Skies So Blue" by The Rocket Summer (From the album, Calendar Days)


3. "A Voice In the Dark" by Elvis Costello (From the album, National Ransom)


4. "A Slow Drag With Josephine" by Elvis Costello (From the album, National Ransom)


5. "Summersong" by The Decemberists (From the album, The Crane Wife)


6. "Onegai Kamisama Dream Come True" by LINDBERG (From the album, LINDBERG VI)


7. "Be My Valentine" by LINDBERG (From the album, LINDBERG VI)


8. "My Half Broken Radio" by LINDBERG (From the album, LINDBERG VII)


9. "Love On the Border" by LINDBERG (From the album, LINDBERG VII)


10. "Welcome to my Life" by Melissa Ferrick (From the album, Valentine Heartache)

Top 10 Feel Good Songs

1. "Country Roads" by Olivia Newton-John (Originally by John Denver)

2. "Streetcorner Symphony" by Rob Thomas (From the album, Something To Be)

3. "Sailing On The Tide" by The Carpenters (From the album, Voice Of The Heart)

4. "Power of Two" by The Indigo Girls (From the album, Retrospective)

5. "The 59th Street Bridge Song" [Feelin' Groovy] - by Simon & Garfunkel (From the album, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme)

6. "Beautiful Life" by Fisher (From the album, The Lovely Years)

7. "On the Sunny Side of the Street" [Live At the Crescendo] by Ella Fitzgerald (From the album, Twelve Nights In Hollywood -Live-)

8. Today is Your Day (*Single) -  by Shania Twain

9. "Those Good Old Dreams" - by The Carpenters (From the album Made in America and the compilation album: Singles: 1969-1981) 

10. "New Orleans" (*Single) by Emmylou Harris


Share your top ten song recommendations in the comments below. 


That's it for Musical Musings. Next week the regular in-depth review format returns. (I promise for real this time!)

Random Wednesday (5/30/12)

Random Wednesday is back. Once a week, I share some of my favorite sites, blogs and the like, that may more may not do with writing.  This week though, I'm going to have some writing related things to share, by highlighting some of the blogs posts I found helpful and informative during my recent long (and unplanned...) abstinence from blogging.


The World Crafter: Starting in the Right Place: Learn how my writer friend Katrina (Cat) take on an all too common problem for any writer, but especially for fantasy or non-plot centric writers.


Writer's First Aid: Quantity vs. Quality: Big Issue for Today’s Writer: If you need further convincing about what I feel is becoming a serious issue for unpublished writers today really isn't a "newbie rant thing" maybe what ICL instructor and established author Kristi Holl has to say might add more needed weight to the discussion.


Adreienn Kress, The Temp, The Actress, and The Writer: You Are Not A Fraud: One of my early mentors on the writer's path reiterates something we all struggle to embrace, but need to for our sanity if nothing else. We may not always agree, but our commitment to writing's same, it's worth checking out more on her blog, just be warned, she's more pragmatic and realist in her approach to writing than I am, and that's not a negative, just something to keep in mind.


Sometimes the best advice to the problem is presented in a "less than ideal" approach for our personality type, which in this case, is self-doubt.


Also, Here's My Wish List for Nonfiction and Reference Books I want this summer!


That's it for Random Wednesday. Next week, I'll share what's on my summer reading list this year, since I'm going to make reading more in general a high priority after a difficult start to 2012.

Musical Musings #3.5 (Cheer Up Edition #2)

While you wait for new posts later today, here's fun cheery video that hopefully will empower you to after sharing your struggles as we near the end of the first half of 2012. Enjoy-

Take A Chance Tuesday - 4th Edition

After another long hiatus, Take A Chance Tuesday returns, and this week's writing challenge is to share one of the hardships from writing so far in 2012. Now before you think "Query Letters" and things that are strictly about getting published, STOP!


What I'm asking you to do instead, is to comment below about an aspect of the craft of writing that you need to improve, but it's hard for you, and no amount of being lectured about why it matters makes you any better at it, and I urge you to be really honest here.


For me, just finishing a story I start is my biggest problem this year especially, but this is an issue that's gotten worse in the last three years especially. Part of that is simply fear on my part. But it's not the only thing holding me back. 


Sometimes, it's just hard to find your next story after your last one doesn't succeed for whatever reason, and when you do find it, it's hard to keep the faith in it when it feels like no one "gets it" and no amount of being told to "analyze books in your genre" will resolve the problem, and possibly even make your inner critic run you into a despair that's hard to fight through.


As much as we writers preach about what we can and can't control, sometimes writers don't always feel  all that "in control" of what we can control, working at our craft. You can tell me how vital plotting and simplicity matter until your blue in the face, there's still a difference between understanding, and acting on that understanding, and for you more pragmatic writers out there, this is a struggle you need to understand, because while you might be spared similar frustration in a certain area, doesn't mean the writer you admire or workshop with can say the same.


So again, share a craft issue you know you have to work on this year, but don't tie it publishing, we can't force people to publish our writing, and not everyone can go the self-publishing route, this is about how to make peace with and find solace to our struggles at honing the craft of writing, sometimes solace in itself, is the solution to moving forward.


Send in your comments by Tuesday, June 5th, 2012.

Musical Musings #3 (Memorial Musings or Victoria's Playlist)

This week on Musical Musings, to honor Memorial Day in the U.S. (Or a Belated Victoria Day for you Canadian T.A.A. readers) I'll share some of my favorite songs that while not tied to any one country (or it's politics) they reflect the mixed universal feelings for this time of year.


For those we have lost to war, on or off the proverbial battlefield, military or otherwise, these songs are for you-


Goodbye My Friend (Linda Ronstadt featuring Aaron Neville - Cry Like a Rainstorm - Howl Like the Wind)


Melodies of Life (From FINAL FANTASY IX [Original Soundtrack])


It Was a Good Time (by Liza Minnelli - Liza With a "Z")


Your Heart Is As Black As Night (by Melody Gardot - My One and Only Thrill)


Songs for those who need hope in face of harsh reality-


Our Story So far (Preformed by Rachel York from Summer of '42 (Original Cast) [Soundtrack from the Musical])


Where Do I Go From Here? (The Carpenters - Love Songs)


It's Going To Take Some Time This Time (The Carpenters - Singles [1969-1981])


We've Only Just Begun (The Carpenters - Singles [1969-1981])


Finally, some songs to remind us of the joy in the world-


Return To Love [Jazz Version] (by Geila Zilkha from -Solty Rei Original Soundtrack Vol. 2-)


Together Again (by Janet Jackson - Together Again)


More Than Yesterday (by Mari Iijima - Gems)


That's it for Musical Musings this week. Until next time, take care, and have a safe holiday.

Birthday Tribute (A True Artist Who Taught Me A lesson I will Never Forget)

Today is my birthday, and as hard as I tried, I may not have any new posts up today, I'm trying to "Celebrate" and am still not feeling it yet, if I do update the blog further you'll be alerted via the new T.A.A. Twitter feed, which you can find here. 

Before I was using my Author Twitter feed, but it is more streamlined and less spammy to separate my Author Twitter feed and the one for T.A.A.

In the spirit of the "Random Acts of Kindness Blitz" that's going on other blogs today, I'd like to send special thanks to someone I've spent the last year working with on a project I wasn't ready to talk about, and while the plans for this project are delayed for various reasons (Lack of money sadly being one of them) she deserves my deepest, most sincere gratitude.

Illustrator Ellie Record

Aside from being a joy to work with, my experience with her will explain in part why T.A.A. was yet again "Going Dark" with no new posts.

Late last year I was seriously considering going the self-publishing route when lack of interest in my middle grade novel, and being unable to find my next story with agents left to try with it, it seemed my only option left, so I looked into finding ways to essentially launch my own indie press.

However, unlike some of my writer friends who took a more simple DIY approach, which can certainly work, as in their case, I personally saw the idea of going indie differently, not necessarily better, but different. I wanted my brand to look no less professional than the few, and thus hard to reach independent publishers that have survived past the early years of the recession and continue to thrive.

Unlike T.A.A.'s logo, which I've grown to love (Though not quite what I envisioned), its fine for a blog, but I need every aspect of my indie press, including the logo, to evoke three key things-

1. Professional (I don't shortchange what my best work deserves)

2. Playful (For the kinds of books I'd self-publish under this brand)

3. High Quality (Books from Candlewick Press and Dutton Children's Books is what I personally strive toward)

I spent much of last year, mostly through the summer, trying to find illustrators who could deliver the quality and style of illustration for a price I could actually afford, but even one drawing or sketch costs more money than I've ever had in my life, but then I found Ellie, and she was gracious enough to guide me through the basics of art direction, and even negotiate pricing.

However, here's where the story take a shameful (On my part) turn...

I had agreed to a price that I felt I could pay at the time without too much difficulty, but I didn't budget like I should and delayed it for months after she delivered the art I needed for the logo, and this weighed heavy on my conscience for months, which caused me to be unfairly short with people. 

Especially the writers in my support circle, who I never told about any of this, they knew I wanted to go indie, but nothing about the mess I got myself into with commissioning art that while under $1000 USD, was something I shouldn't have done without having it at the time.

For the writers in my support network who I hurt during this time (You know who you are) I again apologize. 

 I've since resolved the payment issues, but the aftermath of my mishandling things caused tensions between my grandma (My stand-in parent) and me, to explode, and we were already on shaky ground with each other before this, but thankfully she got something out of Mother's Day, more than I can say.


After today, that's one thing I'd be okay with staying in neutral, for both our sanity's sake.

Now for those of you who might deservedly think, "Why go through with something you didn't have the money for right then?" and this is the only honest answer I can give-

I believe in my writing. 

As much as I still agonize over the process, nothing I've done up to now has been fake, and every time I come to the computer, I push myself hard, maybe too hard sometimes.


However, the more ambitious your goals, the more I feel you have to surpass your limits to achieve your dreams. 


Sometimes this turns me into a jerky tyrant, and I'm not proud of that, and what it did to my writer friends, but thankfully they know any rage is rarely ever about them.


Only the effort from sharpening my skills and not letting harshly conflicting critiques (However valid) stop me.


I didn't do this to get rich (But I do need/want to make some money, and there's a happy medium between earning pennies versus millions, that's all I say about that), I did this as a proactive declaration of what I'm able and willing to do, so I can finally open some doors, after years of being blocked by closed ones. 


But that blinded me to the logistics of my situation.

While for some of you, spending over $400 is not a big investment (Medical bills, home mortgages and car and student loans can go well beyond that), I took what for me, and my life at this point time, is a BIG risk. Not just in money or time, but putting absolute faith in reaching the readers who will give my way of storytelling a chance, and prove to myself that there are still readers who connect with what I write, and by building a large and vocal enough following, I might open doors that otherwise remained closed to me.

Long shot, I know, but it DOES happen.


Despite how negative I can unintentionally come across, I'm really an optimist, even when it looks naive, it's how I maintain even an ounce of sanity on the worst days. Today is thankfully not of those days. 

Generally speaking, despite some of the angst and touchiness about self-publishing going away, it's still not easy or affordable to do it right, especially if you want to achieve professional results. 


I honestly feel it's the only way to logically reach readers who might still be wary of books outside the big 6, or small publishers like Candlewick or Holiday House, who have proven their mettle from many years and successful authors in the business, and I'm not just theorizing here.


As a reader myself, with little money to my name, I too have to be selective, since many of the books I'm interested in are never available in my library network where I live, and I often have to buy much of what I read, including the market guides, my local library, even through inter-library loan only has editions of CWIM (Children's Writers and Illustrator's Market) that are two to five years old. That won't do in finding markets THIS YEAR, and for those of you T.A.A. readers who are writers like myself, know what I'm talking about. 


It's why I get a bit testy when people tell me to utalize my library more, but aside from working out ways to get to the library, they rarely have the books I want to check out, and with the slow pace I read and retain information, I'm better off buying the book myself, so I can take my time, especially in the case of craft books or market/reference guides.

Maybe if I lived in a more book-friendly city, with far less debt, this wouldn't be as hard a problem.

Anyway, I sadly have been tempted to pack it in the past three years especially. As much as I take no one's gratitude and support for granted, there's still a difference between what my writer friends like about my writing, and finding either agents or editors who feel the same way, not to mention the readers I'm trying to reach in the first place. 

Back to the main point, in short I finally paid her for the initial sketches, but asked her to hold off coloring the art until the summer when I can pay that upfront a lot sooner, and hopefully that'll be cheaper than the initial sketches were, but they were worth the money I paid, and once the coloring's done you can the results when my indie press launches later this or next year. 

Originally, I planned to launch my indie press this month. But delays with the aforementioned logo art; limited funds to aid in book covers and other needed art, and the editorial process needed to weed out sloppy writing, not to mention the books I'm working on are either not emotionally, or technically ready to bring out--I had to delay the launch until things improve.

Ellie, thanks for being so patient and understanding of me the past year. I never intended or meant for things drag out this long. This has more to do with my lack of self-discipline and desperation on my part. I promise things will be different from this point on. 

As someone who can't create art visually the way you can, you deserved more than we agreed on, and I'm truly sorry for any inconvenience my delays of payment caused you.

Writers, there are two lessons I hope you can learn from this story-
1. Patience (Duh!)

2, Just as important, be willing to take (reasonable for your life and finances) risks.

Until Next Time, this your literary rat signing off for today.

Face Your Fear Friday - Episode 3

Welcome back to Face Your Fear Friday. This week's entry will be short and sweet as real life offline is getting cramped for time. 

Every Friday, as we slide into the weekend, I issue a challenge that even the more frazzled writers can at least identify with, if not execute.
This week's challenge is simple. Again, I repeat for your multitasking parents/writers, 
S-I-M-P-L-E...

Just answer the following two questions-

1. What's one aspect of the writer's craft that you've yet to master, and are working towards this year?
For me, it's being able to rediscover the joy of writing, without the pain of drafting and rewrites make me a neurotic pessimist, which I'm really not at my core, though lately I have to hit rock bottom to realize that.

2. Name one book that normally is not your thing, yet read it anyway, but liked?(NOTE: What you were FORCED to read in school doesn't count, that's a unique pressure few of us want to relive)

For me, it's "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield. Well, I actually listened to the audiobook, but it's a top notch production in its own right, and for writers who know me well, this was the ONLY way I'd experience this book the first go round, and  I want to experience again, this time on the page, but like my writer friend Kelly told me recently on her blog, "Books are books, no matter what the medium."

I agree with this, if only in part to ease my own guilt, but as craft books and experienced writers will tell you often, there are times when reading on the page, opposed to listening to the audiobook or even the e-book isn't the same.

Writers say all the time they notice things in print they don't on computer screens when they edit books, so doesn't the same apply to reading books, too? But truth be told, if not for audiobooks, I'd have enjoyed few stories in the last three years.

I personally need to combat this problem, because for me it is a problem, not all the books I want to read are available in audio form, and I do have a restrictive feel when I read books on the page, because trying to mime craft from it is not a particularly helpful, never mind joyous experience. A feeling that wasn't always there.

 Craft books aside, I read for escape and solace, and I don't find picking authors apart all that entertaining, and that mindset has ruined the reading experience for me, at least at this point and time. I'm trying not to be so absolute in my thinking, since some struggles do improve and lessen with time.

If you grapple with this literary tug of war as I do, please share in the comments below, if you're the only one among your posse of writer friends who has this problem, I URGE you to comment below, because I'm there with  you, I really get it because I'm there myself, know you're not alone.

You have until April 27th, 2012 before comments are closed. Thanks to all who commented in last week's challenge, and I hope comments increase this week.


UPDATE (4/27/12): Commenting Closed.