The muse at work
Today I’ve been interviewed at Laura Wolfe Books on why I’m a mystery writer. But there’s more revealed such as the issues driving me. Here’s the link if you’re curious:
https://sustainablewriter.com/2020/05/12/mystery-author-spotlight-roland-clarke/
As the first Wednesday of May approaches, I’m attempting to write my IWSG monthly blog post. But I’m celebrating the release of the IWSG anthology, Voyagers: The Third Ghost due out on May 5, 2020, which includes my short ‘Feathered Fire’ – so I can’t be Insecure.
First off though, I’m grateful the Ninja Captain himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh created the Insecure Writer’s Support Group as they do such amazing things for writers, from the annual Anthology to friendly advice for all us vacillating writers. Many thanks, Captain Alex, for keeping me inspired to keep scribbling and submitting.
There are more details on yesterday’s release here:
https://rolandclarke.com/2020/05/05/celebrate-voyagers-release-day/
Anyway, on to the monthly question which I wanted to evade this time. Too much backlog or too much celebration? Whichever, so as usual apologies in advance for the slow visits on my part – I’m still wading through earlier IWSG-day posts, including last year’s. And now there’s the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge posts which accumulated in April.
May 6 question – Do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE? Care to share?
Zone ritual 1 – Space Clearing
Zone ritual 2 – Mug of Coffee
Zone ritual 3 – Close emails & open Power Thesaurus, Scrabble Word Finder…………….
Or are these evasion rituals? Or desperate measures? Although, not as distracting as going into an online game. Time to dive down a rabbit-hole for a few hours.
The truth is that I tend to turn to the notes scribbled in one of my notebooks. I’m a plotter so over time I scrawl ideas, then plotlines or directions down. So, when the moment to write in Word or Scrivener becomes immediately crucial – like now – I have a roadmap…or a skeleton plan.
Okay, how do I get there: dream or lying in bed musing. My muse works the night shift with me.
However, as a retired journalist, I’ve been forced to create articles instantly – cold with no coffee, dreams or muse, but usually rough interview notes. Deadline looming as the clock ticks. That entails a messy rough draft and a rapid re-write.
A fifth draft and beta readers are a luxury in comparison.
Time to wanderlust for an idea for the next IWSG Anthology competition – when I’ve finished raiding a tomb.
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The awesome co-hosts for the May 6 posting of the IWSG are Feather Stone, Beverly Stowe McClure, Mary Aalgaard, Kim Lajevardi, and Chemist Ken!
(As always, you must agree these guys are the best. Especially as they all have concerns, fear and insecurities. But they fight on, so ticker-tape applause for all of them – plus toasts with the best brew available.)
Purpose of IWSG: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.
From Zephyr to Zoo, I’ve always dug up some Zingers.
Anyway, my interest in history in my teens compelled me along various paths of research, which haven’t abated. At school, I learnt about the Anglo-Saxons and did a project on Sutton Hoo. My specialist subject for A level history was the Portuguese & Spanish Seaborne Empires. So, my alternative history has Norse and Meso-Americans fighting alongside each other.
Before the ‘our timeline’ revelation, how many of the real historical events and characters seem familiar? Or is this event pure fiction?
Although I’m engrossed in my Welsh procedural, I’ll keep tinkering with my Kanata alternative history. The initial trigger, Leif Eriksson’s permanent colonisation of Vinland, inspired me to rewrite other key episodes in history – and there must be more. The legacy forged from Vikings merging with the indigenous people will continue ripple down time. My vision of Kanata and a 21st Century Viking Age isn’t buried.
Links to my other 2020 A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/
To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/
My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.
If one side sacks a capital is that a victory? Or not if the enemy takes revenge? The capture and sacking of York did result in retaliation – the burning of the White House – but neither proved decisive.
However, since Gregory Wendell, the author of the diary in ‘Seeking A Knife’in my Snowdon Shadows series, was an RN officer stationed there, it impacted on him.
How much do you know about the War of 1812? Were you aware of where York was? No, not York as in Jorvik. The York in Upper Canada. Does burning the White House even seem feasible?
Links to my other 2020 A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/
To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/
My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.
Back in 2013, I wrote a short story about the opposition to a mega-power project, which gave rise to an Indian plotline – and Xerarch. However, for the Challenge in 2014, I focused on the meaning behind the name.
This was another research nugget unearthed while I was creating the game-world for my novel ‘Wyrm Bait’. A game-world that evolved into my post-apocalyptic saga Gossamer Flames. And the research is ongoing – as is my interest in India, specifically Tamil culture.
Links to my other 2020 A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/
To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/
My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.
Even now when I’ve played some other excellent games, Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt remains my favourite and the benchmark as I game on. I still have more of the enjoyable books that inspired the games. Plus, the Netflix adaptation lived up to expectations with my wife and I watching Series One religiously.
I’ve also started playing Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales, which satisfies my unsated fascination with the Witcher-world and addiction to Gwent, the card-game in Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt. Recommended for those of a like disposition.
On the other hand, exploring the literature and folklore behind this game was one of the reasons I began my investigation into the creative Origins of various On-line Games. Unlike other games, the roots are Slavic so took me down some new rabbit holes – ones I’ve used elsewhere. Skadi meets Baba Yaga?
I will post about other games that were relevant in 2018 and still are meaningful.
Links to my other 2020 A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/
To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/
Writing Wings 