In the first of what I hope will be a series, here’s a look at my writing life in the last month and resources I’ve found particularly helpful.
- Short story sold! Is there anyone on the internet who doesn’t know that I sold my first short story this month? Check out Sword & Steam Short Stories‘ full TOC and marvel at what looks to be a really cool anthology. Add it to your Goodreads shelf and then pre-order a copy!
- Two new shorts written:
- one a [redacted]-punk story I submitted to both my writing group’s contest (anonymous, hence the redaction) and to a magazine.
- one near-future sci-fi that got written in all of three hours; it caught me off guard I’m excited about it
- Novel progress! Yes I promise I’m still working on it. I’m making some really solid headway on this revision and am enthused.
- Grant application sent. I applied for a Sustainable Arts Foundation grant, which go to artists who are also parents. Long shot? Yes. But what about writing isn’t long shot? If you’re a parent and an artist, apply. Deadline is tomorrow!
- I was honored to be a Sentient Squid Scholarship recipient which afforded me the opportunity to take two excellent Writing the Other classes:
- The Writing the Other Weekend Intensive: A weekend-long online course–taught live by Nisi Shawl and K Tempest Bradford–focusing on writing in an educated and sensitive manner about people who don’t look or live like you. We looked at specific categories through which people are othered (e.g., race, gender/sexuality, and class) and also craft issues (e.g., dialogue and worldbuilding) that can create problematic fiction if done wrong or really brilliant fiction if done right. I particularly loved the exercises, which have already made me think about my work differently (see “Novel progress!” and one of the short stories mentioned above).
- Writing Native American Characters Master Class: This two-hour class was packed with information, but it topic is deep enough to fill two days or two years or two lifetimes. The estimable Debbie Reese gave us a 101-level overview of issues in Native American communities–especially as they are often presented in fiction. Even thought I’ve been dutifully researching issues that would have been at the forefront of my Abenaki and Métis characters’ lives, Debbie’s lecture gave me more questions to ask. I have books to read, listening to do, and some hard thinking about everything from half-mentioned details to important plot points.
- General thoughts: Based on my experiences, I highly recommend the Writing the Other classes. The instructors are great. The alumni group is great. And the information you get is invaluable. We’re all always learning, and this is a safe and carefully crafted space in which to further the skill of writing others without othering.
- Stuff I Read on the Internet
- Six Proposals for the Reform of Literature in the Age of Climate Change: A thought-provoking essay that gave me stuff to chew on for my novel.
- “A Hundred and Seventy Storms” by Aliette De Bodard on Uncanny Magazine: Good fiction
- Hath No Fury Kickstarter. I pitched in. The TOC looks phenomenal. It funded earlier this month, but you can still help reach the next stretch goal (open submissions!) and get some nice rewards. Seven days left!
Victoria Sandbrook 