I'm Number Three!

I have a smile on my face this morning despite the heavy snow falling outside and the shovelling that lies ahead. Calling Shotgun has taken third place in the Ninjamatics 2011 Canadian Weblog Awards. I will proudly display my bronze medal for the Best Weblog About Writing & Literature | Écriture et Littérature.

A huge thanks to the jury who had quite a task in choosing the winners from a list of 461 blogs across 37 categories. The blogs were chosen from criteria based on design and content, and there were some snazzy sites there. I was thrilled just to make the shortlist.

The first place winner is the beautiful Ill Seen, Ill Said. It's both aesthetically pleasing and interesting to read. The second place THE Blog is from the Canadian Short Screenplay Competition and is well worth a read even if you are not a screenwriter.

You can check out the other categories and winners here. I especially enjoyed Food & Drink and Travel categories.

Yeah? Well, I Don't Believe in Gravity

I love hanging out at my friendly neighbourhood coffee shop. I overhear all kinds of interesting things. This past week I overheard a conversation that made my brain hurt, and I think my heart broke a little.

A group of young people behind me were talking about things they had read on Facebook and Twitter. One of the group said that she didn't like Facebook because the grammar and spelling mistakes drove her crazy.

This started a spirited discussion about whether proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar were necessary in a social networking environment. Some didn't mind computer speak, some hated it. Some thought improper grammar looked really bad, others thought a spelling mistake or two was no big deal.

Then one girl spoke up, louder than all the rest. Her declaration, bless her heart, was this: I don't believe in grammar.

Her opinion was that she didn't want to spend ten minutes (!) making sure her status update had correct spelling and grammar when she could do it in ten seconds and everyone would know what she was trying to say anyway. It didn't matter if everything was proper. Good grammar isn't important in social media.

I have to disagree. Vehemently. Sure, a spelling mistake or two might slip by. Nobody is perfect. Still, I like to think one would want to put some care into what goes out there for the world to see. Maybe I'm in the minority. I know there are many people who share this girl's view. It saddens me at how often I read statements like this:

Pick me up on you're way to there house.

Ouch. And despite what you might think, it isn't just your close friends that see this. It's your colleagues, teachers, and potential employers. People will figure it out is a poor viewpoint. They will figure it out, but it doesn't do you any favours. At best you appear lazy, at worst ignorant. Taking the extra time (much less than ten minutes) to make sure that what you post makes sense is a much better choice.

I can say I don't believe in gravity all I want, but that's not going to help if I try to walk off a cliff. Like gravity, grammar exists, whether you believe in it or not. And also like gravity, if you try to ignore it, people will think you're an idiot.

Things I've Learned: Writing Dialect or Accent

In my current WIP there are two distinct dialects. The story is based in outport Newfoundland, where we have a language all our own. The other belongs to my male protagonist, who is from Dublin. Luckily, many of the trickier parts of the dialect are shared. The question is just how much of this lingual diversity should be shared with the reader.

I hate reading dialogue that has the accent written phonetically. The effort it takes to figure out what the characters are saying isn't worth what the writer is trying to do. Even without the accent, the dialect can be a bit much. For example, let's take this short conversation:

"If you keep it up, you'll end up back in a cell."
"I don't think that will happen."

 In Newfoundland, it might sound more like this:

"You'll wind up back in the Pen next thing."
"Oh yes, B'y. I'm sure to."

For a non-native Newfoundlander (say that 5 times fast) a whole novel written in such language would be a tough read. So while the dialect can add colour and help create authentic characters, it can also take the reader completely out of the story if it is over done.

Here's where the problem arises. If my character is from a small community in Newfoundland, she obviously isn't going to speak like someone from big city Alberta. The dialect is, I like to think, part of our charm here, and I really want it to come through in the story. So how to put it on the page?

I'm depending on speech patterns, rhythm, and an idiom or two to establish dialect. For this WIP, the language is easy because I just have to think about how I would naturally say something, as opposed to how I would normally write it.

Newfoundland grammar in its spoken form is unique. A quick example would be our tendency to be after doing something. While you may have just spilled a glass of water, I'm after spilling milk all over the floor.

I can also toss in some often used words or phrases. We like to tack sure onto our statements, for emphasis. (I never took the car, sure), or add b'y like other people would add man or mate (Move out of the way, b'y).

So that's what I learned this week. By adding these twists of grammar I can make my characters sound authentic without adding all those annoying pronunciations. With the right descriptions, and the methods mentioned above, I'm hoping the reader can get a really good feel for the characters and setting.


How do you feel about writing or reading accent and dialect?

Poe's Parlour

My room, the space that is mine
is dark and dour, yet inspiration rises
from the shadows on the floor 

The things that are walled up in my mind
scream and beg to be set free
and with my pen I free them.

The heart that beats beneath my floor,
louder now, and louder again,
pleads to know passion,
and with my words I comply.

The knock upon my chamber door asks me to see
things beyond this dreary space
and with my mind and my heart I create them.

These elements unite –
screaming, pleading, beating, rising.
The tintinnabulation wells
and fills my lonesome room.

With this culmination,
my soul is excited to tears
that fall upon the page.
--------------------

This was written after a marathon of Poe reading. I tried to incorporate several of his works and quotes, and capture his thoughts (as well as mine) on writing. I'm sharing it here in observance of his birthday (January 19, 1809).

Winter Reading

I just found out that Calling Shotgun has made it to the second and final round of the Canadian Weblog Awards (not to be confused with the Canadian Blog Awards). The winning blogs are selected by a panel of forty-six jury members, and based on ten specific criteria. I'm tickled that Calling Shotgun made the shortlist in the Best Weblog about Writing and Literature category, and a huge thanks to the jury that liked it here. I've spent the last few days browsing through the categories and nominees and I have come to the conclusion that there are some fine, interesting people in this country. If you're looking for a great way to kill some time, you could do worse than browsing through this list of blogs.

Also on the good news front, Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries have finally launched an eLibrary, which is good news for everyone who got a Kindle or Kobo for Christmas. Now you can browse the catalogue, borrow a book, and have it returned without ever leaving your home. All you need is a valid library card. This is a service will be welcome in the coming winter months.

Happy reading.

Decisions

Things I've Learned: Building Character

I can count on one hand the number of times I've put aside a book unfinished, most often because I didn't like the characters. I didn't care if they saved the day, or ended the world, or found love. I didn't care if they lived or died. And if I didn't care, what was the point in reading on?

A character needs more than a name and a look. You can describe the his determined jaw, or her flashing eyes all you want, but it doesn't really tell me anything about them. I like to get to know my characters on a personal level, and so when I'm writing, I come up with a whole list of vital stats for each one: name, physical description, family situation, background information, where they grew up and went to school. I give them goals and motivation to meet those goals.

I also like to give my characters little quirks. Most people have them in real life. Maybe she likes to walk everywhere barefoot. Maybe he scratches his ear when he gets nervous. Even the small details help to make rich, full characters.

Sometimes, even that's not enough. Take my latest WIP for example. My male protagonist is okay. He's a nice guy. I like him...but I don't love him. Who knew that being good looking and Irish wasn't enough? It's worked for me all these years (haha!)

My protagonist isn't cardboard. He walks and talks, but I want him to sing, and dance, and write sonnets. I want him to grab the reader and say, "I'm more than words on a page. I'm a man! Love me, Dammit!" I was having a really hard time getting him to co-operate.

My problem was that I really didn't know him well enough, so I sat down and started to write a sort of synopsis from his point of view. It's the first time I've done this and it worked brilliantly. Not only did I get to know him, but through the writing, themes and motivations that I hadn't considered started to emerge. Not only was I enriching my character, I was enriching the story.

So now I've decided to do this with all my characters, even the secondary players. Someone said once (it was probably Stephen King, he's always saying stuff) that there are no supporting characters in real life, that everyone is the star of their own story, and so it should be with fiction.

That's what I learned this week, that sometimes it takes a little extra effort to get to know the characters, but the end result is well worth it. After all, if I don't care about them, the reader won't care either.

Know any tricks to getting your characters just right? Pass them along in the comments.

Gratuitous Look at Me Post

Hey! Over here! Over here! Look! Look at meeee!

I haven't really done anything to warrant all this attention. I'm like a kid who begs 'watch this, watch me, watch, watch this, are you watching?' and then follows up with 'wait, I'm not ready.' But even though I haven't done anything, there's stuff happening anyway.

First, let me point you toward the Canadian Blog Awards page. Yes, those things are still going on. Calling Shotgun has made the second round in two categories: Best Blog Post and Best Culture and Literature Blog. Second round voting ends on January 20th. I'd love it if you could stop by and show me some love. You should also check out the other nominees because there are some great blogs there.

A big thanks to the person who nominated Calling Shotgun, and thank you to everyone who has already voted for us. (I always say us, even though it's just me here by my lonesome. I like to sound like a team. And there's no I in team.)

Secondly, let me direct you to Life on the Muskoka River, one of my very favourite places owned and operated by one of my very favourite people. Cathy Olliffe-Webster has come up with the best idea - Letter from a Friend. She is posting a series of letters from friends, written the way one would write before email made us all lazy. I thought this was such a brilliant and beautiful idea, and I was thrilled when she asked me to take part. Who doesn't love to get an actual letter in the mail?

You can read my letter today, along with all the nice things Cathy said about me that I don't deserve. But that's the kind of person Cathy is - the kind that makes you glad to be her friend. Make sure you keep watch for the other letters. I can't wait to read them all.

So that's it. I hope you all enjoy your day, and I hope it's warmer where you are than it is here. Thanks for coming by.

You can stop looking at me now.

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone

A shocking thing happened to me last week. Inspiration struck, and it struck hard. Never has an idea come to me so fully formed. Everything fell perfectly into place as I jotted down timelines and outlines and character sketches. Then I started writing what I initially thought would be a short story. By the time I reached 4000 words I gave in and wrote Chapter 1 on the top of the first page.

The shocking part? It's a romance.

My husband will be the first to tell you that I don't have a romantic bone in my body, and my stories usually reflect that. I write about the darker side of human nature, not the soft side. I'm more comfortable with psychological torture than sweet nothings.

How this idea came to me is a mystery. Maybe it's nature's way of telling me I have to step into the light for a little while. It's strange and kind of uncomfortable because I'm out of my element here. But you know what? It's great. I have no idea what I'm doing and I'm having a whole lot of fun doing it. I can't remember the last time I was this excited about writing.

It really shouldn't come as a surprise. Exploring the unknown is one of the best things about writing. I know as much about the meet cute* as I know about body disposal, which is to say I knew nothing until I needed to write about it. Now I can match-make and dispose of people until the cows come home.

The unsettling thing about writing in a genre that is unfamilar is wondering if I'm doing it right. I don't know the rules, or the formula (because apparently there is one). I don't know what's been done and what hasn't.

On the flip side of that, I don't know the rules, and that can be a good thing. I'm not writing this in the hopes of become a bestselling romance author. I'm writing it because right now, in this moment, it makes me happy. It's a story begging to be given a chance, and I owe it that much.

So I'm going to enjoy this little side trip outside my comfort zone and give it my best shot. But if anyone catches me strolling down the street humming Barry Manilow tunes, please take me aside and give me a stern talking to.


* Meet Cute: I just found out about this term which means a contrived encounter of two romantic partners in unusual or comic circumstances. Huh.

A Year in the Passenger Seat

This was meant to be a New Year's Eve post, but we lost our Internet connection in the early evening. When Hubby called about it, he was informed that most of Atlantic Canada was down, as was some of Ontario. That sent him running to his phone to make there was no global catastrophe, and me running to the calendar to make sure that it wasn't 1999.

2011 was a great year for us here at Calling Shotgun (and by us I mean me). Here's a quick run-down of a year in the passenger seat:

• Out with the old Brain Droppings and in with the new, improved Calling Shotgun.
• With your help we raised almost $5000 for YACC and I was shorn like a sheep.
• Six Stories published (more impressive when you know that I only wrote and submitted eight).
• Travel around the province and beyond, prompting the creation of Writing Home and Writing Away
• A successful run of the Lost on the Rock Short Story Contest with my pal Alan Davidson.
• A close-to-full month of poetry in April
• Several blog award nominations (fingers crossed)

Books

These are some of the books I've read over the past year that have stayed with me. I enjoyed them, you might too.

Come Thou Tortoise by Jessica Grant (Canadian, Literary)
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (Literary)
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (Fantasy)
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt (Canadian, Literary)
Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks (Travel, Humour)

Blogs

This list includes some old favourites and some newly discovered blogs, destined to become old favourites. There are so many more I enjoy. For more bloggy goodness, check out my blog roll to the right of the page.

Life on the Muskoka River - I cannot express ow much I love this blog. Always fun, always honest, always a joy to read. Cathy Webster is the Canadian Blog Queen. A blog for anyone who enjoys good writing, insight that is uniquely Canadian, and a healthy dose of potty humour.

Conversations From Land's Edge - Authored by my good buddy and fellow Newfoundlander Alan Davidson. He ponders the oddities of life, gives his unique perspective on current events, and shows off his writing chops. Always funny and insightful, Mr. Davidson's blog is well worth a visit.

Alice in Paris Loves Art and Tea - A blog for those who enjoy the finer things in life. You'll find lots about Paris and art and tea, and so many other wonderful things (including some beautiful photos). Don't let the title fool you; although it is as classy as the French capital, this blog oozes Atlantic Canadian charm.

Island Girl - Another fellow islander, and this one is extremely proud of her roots, celebrating them as she travels the globe, takes amazing photos, and grabs life by the tail. She always has something interesting to say.

bluetruedream - One thousand days of graces as noted by my good friend Linda (of leftbrainwrite fame). A lovely reminder of the important little things.


A Year of Words

My plans for 2012 include reading at least as many books as I did this year, including some classics that have been collecting dust on my shelf. Thanks to John Wiswell for the push in that direction.

On the writing front, there are a few short stories that I really need to get done, and a novella I hope to complete without too much pain and procrastination. I'll be taking part in Write 1 Sub 1 on a monthly basis because sometimes I need the threat of deadline to get me moving.

Whatever your plans for the new year, here's wishing you a very happy, fulfilling, and successful 2012.