With us today is C.S. Boyack to talk about his approach to
speculative fiction. Welcome, C.S.
Thanks for the invitation today, Sandra. It's always nice to find
new places to promote my work. I'm here with something a little bit different
today; it's a book of short fiction.
Last year, I released a collection called The Experimental
Notebook of C. S. Boyack. This time I got extra creative and called this book
The Experimental Notebook of C. S. Boyack II. If this one goes over like I
think it will, I can call the next one III.
There is kind of a theme in the covers too. They are weathered
tomes with alchemy wheels on them. One on the first book, two on the second
one, and if I produce a third one there will be three wheels.
These stories are speculative in nature. There's a little bit of
science fiction, a little bit of paranormal, and one that might pass for
fantasy.
I'm a big believer in living documents. I keep several going for
story structure, editing, writing lessons, and more. Now I keep one for short
story ideas too.
When I write my novels, sometimes I burn out before I finish for
the day. This usually involves a plot element, or some continuity issue that I
need to spend time with. For a long time I allowed that to kill my quality
writing time.
Now, when I still have a few hours left, I use one of the ideas
from my living document and work on a short story. I get to remain productive,
and keep my word count up.
I stashed them away for a long time, then noticed interest in
short fiction on Amazon. Many authors were writing a short story that tied in
to a novel they were promoting. This is a great idea, because a 99¢ book could
lead to sales of the novel.
I used to read a ton of short fiction before it was used as a
gateway drug to novel sales. That's when I decided to release my own
collections. I priced them at 99¢ anyway, and maybe they can spark interest in
my longer works too. The difference is I'm selling myself, not a specific tie
to a novel I'm promoting.
Check out my Experimental Notebooks. There are stories about
murder, hauntings, magpies, aliens, and even Chupacabra.
***
Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Virgilante
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColdhandBoyack
36 comments:
MORE bookie temptation?
Sigh. And thank you both.
This sounds most intriguing! Definitely something I will look into to. Hugs, Valerie
Thanks to both of you on a wonderful post, good to read first thing this Tuesday norning,
Yvonne.
Awesome cover and a great way to keep the word count up indeed
Thanks for hosting me today. I'll see you at my place later this month.
Glad you're tempted. Thanks for the comment.
Thank you for that. The early reviews are looking good.
Thank you, Yvonne.
Thanks, Pat. I think it works because I don't have to keep track of a major character arc, changing seasons, and more in the short form. There is so much more to track in a novel.
Short stories and anthologies are very popular now. And at least you don't have to kill yourself coming up with a book title.
I've never written anything that didn't stand alone, but my little collection sold so well last year the title was kind of obvious. It has a nice cover theme if I decide to keep it going. Thanks for commenting today.
That's a great idea! I definitely lose my momentum whenever I hit a part of the plot that I can't quite work out. It does help to keep writing something, whatever that is!
If you get stumped and enjoy short stories, write a pulp fiction. Maybe include characters that are inspired by fellow bloggers (with permission for the legal stuff). You'd get lots of buyers and reviews! Definitely will check out your books!
It's a time thing too. I have a full time job, and my available hours are limited. A plot point can waste an entire Saturday. A bit of short fiction allows me to salvage something from that, and often clears my head enough to solve the plot issue.
I never have went back and forth with writing, it seems I stay on track with a main idea.I do see days of never ending work and days little gets done.
Thank you for checking it out. There is a serious nod to the pulp era in this book. It might be just what you want.
I did the same thing for years. I also write in a linear fashion. It's how my mind works. I dabbled in a bit of short form and found I could do both at once without killing my novel work.
My pleasure, C.S. See you then:)
It's great to find Craig on your blog, Sandra! For your readers, I highly recommend Craig's Experimental Notebook II. For .99c you can't beat this collection of shorts. I've this collection and the stories are intelligent, witty, clever, and just all around entertaining!
Thank you so much, Mae. You're a great supporter.
Sandra, I have never heard of speculative fiction. Love that you are writing as that is what successful writers do. Work work work. I wrote a novel and had the next four planned out but after going through the process of all the different letters with yada yada yada and seeking agents, I realized it was just all consuming for me. I couldn't do anything else and finally gave up. I proud of you for keeping at it as I know how hard it is.
Great post, Sandra. Thanks for hosting Craig today.
I've always loved short stories. I'm glad they are being produced more. Your book looks so cool. I need to check them out. Take care.
"A little bit of science fiction, a little bit of paranormal" you are saying; that is what I thoroughly enjoy.
I have your collection now and will start reading - I can hardly wait - as soon as my recheck of the latest manuscript, the editor is waiting for, is ready.
Wishing you great sales and reaching the bestsellers list!
Writing is a lot of hard work. I collected letters for years before going independent. To me, speculative fiction involves something outside our every day world. There could be a ghost, or an alien, in my stories. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks again, John.
Thank you, Ann. I hope you enjoy the experiments.
Thanks for following the tour. I hope you enjoy the stories, and thanks for your support.
Sounds excellent! Very interesting!
Thank you so much.
This has a little bit of everything which is great and it really is fun to read short stories. I like how you check the number of words...good way to keep track
As a massive lover of short fiction, you definitely have my interest. Gonna wishlist a few of these for when I need some new reading material.
Thank you. I find myself unable to work on a novel with any distractions. There is just too much going on in my mind. I can work on a bit of micro-fiction even when my wife has the television on. Short stories fall somewhere in the middle. It's also a great way to try out new things.
I appreciate that, Robert. Even adding it as TBR on Goodreads is helpful. Plus it's a nice reminder when you're ready.
I don't usually read short stories. I'm more of a series kind of girl - the more books in the series, the better! But recently I've taken a chance on collections of short stories and have found them entertaining, so I'm looking forward to reading this. :-)
Thank you so much. Hope you enjoy it.
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