'Tis the Season
 

Yeah, I know Halloween was just yesterday, but that means we are moving into the season for shopping and holidays and NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and eating and even more shopping. Yes, I have books which speak to the seasons, including my Christmas Carol Critique Collection (including spoofs which critique Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Season's Critiquings), Frosty the Snowman (Merry Mark-Up), Let It Snow (Holiday Workshopping), and Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer (Santa Clauses and Phrases)), which make for great electronic holiday cards or fun gifts for NaNoWriMo participants, as well as Frame Shop, a mystery set in a suburban writers' group and filled with violence, humor, and occasional writing advice--perfect for your favorite indie author. As always, I'd appreciate if you do any and all of your holiday Amazon shopping by accessing the site through my affiliate link. Also, you'll note there are more promos listed below than usual. But, it's not all about me. I have friends who are writers, too, and several of them (including Jean Rabe and Cathy Kern) have books which are just coming out and deserve your attention. So please scroll down for those, as well as my fantasy Oscar speech, my thoughts on binge-watching Buffy and Angel in continuity order, the process of making an audio-book out of my latest release, and group dynamics in Writers' Groups. (Scroll and click. Repeat.) There's even a contest hidden in the content below.

Check out these horror tales, too.

My Oscar Speech

I'm a small-time indie author who's almost seventy years old. I no longer have any pretensions about hitting the big-time as a writer. But there was a time when I still had grand illusions (like just after my first screenplay (a pre-Austin Powers spy spoof) was forwarded from Jim Carrey's agent to Jim Carrey's manager as a potential sequel to Ace Ventura: Pet Detective). So, more than forty years ago, I decided on the speech I would give at the Oscars if I ever won one. Along with thanking my spouse and my family and the people who made the movie, I was determined to thank Jean Rabe ("the best friend any writer could ever have") and the RPGA Network--the Role Playing Game Association--for helping me develop my writing, plotting, dialogue, and character development skills. But most importantly, there was the sign-off: "I would like to thank the members of the Academy, but I just can't have any respect for an association of people involved with movies who picked Annie Hall as the Best Picture over Star Wars."

Writers’ Group Dynamics

You understand quite a bit about group dynamics already.

After all, you went to high school.

High school is all about group dynamics. How to relate to classmates, how to relate well with teachers without being hated by your fellow students, how some groups interact with other groups (nerds vs. jocks vs. thespians vs. druggies, etc.). Once we leave high school, we like to think that we leave a lot of that group dynamic stuff behind. After all, once we are adults, no longer confined in a space whith others not of our choosing, we can pick our friends and just not interact with people or groups we don’t want to, and if someone upsets us, we can just drop them from our life.

But that’s not really true. Friends can be hard to drop and dropping family members from your normal interactions is even more complicated. Besides, there’s always group dynamics at work—known as office politics—and the group dynamics of the PTA, neighborhood homeowners’ association, fantasy football league, gamer group, reading group, and on and on.

Every group struggles with group dynamics. What to do with the person who overshares or insists on always taking charge or insults everyone else or shirks their responsibilities or just won’t shut up?

Writers’ groups have these same issues, but they are compounded by the fact that the purpose of a writers’ group is generally not just support or camaraderie or socializing, it is to help one another become better and more successful writers. That means that the core of a writers’ group is all about advice and criticism, two things that put a strain on group dynamics in any context. If you don’t criticize in a writers’ group, it might as well be a reading club. If you don’t give and take advice, you might as well be sitting alone in your room actually getting some more writing done.

So, what are the key attributes of good group dynamics for a writers’ group?

One, everyone must be willing to give as much as they get. No one wants to work at reading, thinking about, marking up, and critiquing the writing of other authors and not have the others do the same for him or her. Sure, sometimes you may be especially busy or forget to read everything or be rushed in your comments, but you need to pull your weight in the long run. Remember, that you will probably learn as much from critiquing other work as you do receiving critiques on your submissions because you will criticize things that you then notice you sometimes do yourself. Also, don’t worry if some people make comments you don’t. Some members may be particularly gifted or focused on a particular aspect of feedback (scene blocking, pace, point-of-view, realistic dialogue, adverbs, or whatever), but it is important to participate in commenting, not just seeking comments, in order for the group to work smoothly. If you’re not willing to critique, you’re not really looking for a writers’ group; you’re looking for a free editor. And, by the way, if you’re not willing to consider and possibly apply the comments you receive, you’re not really looking for a writers’ group; you’re looking for an audience.

You need to react properly to comments. Don’t be defensive, but don’t slavishly take all comments. It’s your work and you know best what you are trying to accomplish with it. Part of being a writer is dealing with comments from agents, editors, readers, and reviewers. You need to learn to treat those comments seriously, but decide which ones are appropriate to take and which ones are misguided or simply wrong.

When critiquing, you need to balance comments, good and bad. Sure, favorable stroking can help wannabe writers with their confidence and, frankly, everyone loves to be loved. But, if you are just golf-clapping at everyone’s submissions, especially at the terrible ones that really need work, you’re not helping anybody. At the same time, only saying negative things, especially if done in a nasty or arrogant way, can be debilitating for those still lacking confidence and makes the atmosphere at the writers’ group tense and unpleasant.

You need to find a group where you respect the other participants because if you don’t respect them as writers, or at least critical readers, you won’t respect their comments. Some groups deal with this by having small groups, all focused on the same genre (literary, mystery, memoir, children’s books, or whatever) or the same type of writing (short stories, poems, novels, screenplays), so that the comments all are rooted in relevant experience. Some groups even have threshold requirements (a minimum number of published works or somesuch) so that amateurs aren’t commenting on professional writing. I, personally, belong to a large, open group of diverse interests, genres, and qualifications. Why? Because sometimes a poet can add something wonderful to a thriller and sometimes knowing that an average reader can’t follow a plot twist without more explanation can be valuable insight.

My book, Frame Shop, is set in a writers’ group which tries, but doesn’t manage to follow these suggestions for good group dynamics. Accordingly, it is filled with personality clashes, arrogant and overly-harsh criticism, taunting, and, ultimately murder.

I didn’t let my writing group see most of it before I was finished. Thank heavens, it’s not about them.

Watching Buffy and Angel

I didn't watch the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer when it was originally aired because, well, I'd seen the terrible, terrible, terrible movie of the same name and wanted nothing more to do with the concept. But, after hearing many good things about the series after it was aired Linda and I decided to binge-watch the entire series well more than a decade ago and quite enjoyed it. Sure, individual episodes weren't all stellar, but there were definitely some great ones and there were some references back to earlier episodes that were easy to catch if you didn't have to remember years back. Watched a couple of Angels shortly afterward, but it didn't click immediately and running it out of sequence with ongoing Buffy episodes was sometimes irksome or confusing. With some of our favorite shows off for the summer or delayed, we recently grabbed our old DVD sets, got the Angel sets for a cheap price and decided to binge both series in continuity order (the internet can be useful) over the summer. Some general observations:

1. Our initial assessments were generally correct. Buffy is a better show with more likeable characters in a more credible setting. Yes, I know that the world of both shows is inherently non-credible (though Buffy deals with that in the episode where she thinks she is in an asylum), but Angel is non-credible in unnecessary ways, like having them take up residence in a hotel that is mostly empty space and blotting out the sun just over LA for several episodes. And, with the possible exception of Dawn (see below), almost everyone is Buffy is nicer and more likeable than anyone in Angel.

2. The writers are really, really good at creating goofball characters from another dimension that are endearing and fun. From Anya and Clem on Buffy to Skippy and Groo on Angel, there's lots of fun here. Lorne is not bad, either. Personally, I can imagine a scenario where Groo and Anya live happily ever after together. Ship that.

3. David Boreanaz's acting improves steadily and markedly from his first few episodes on Buffy.

4. I have no issues with Michelle Trachtenburg as an actor (though I suspect the audition involved high-pitched, prolonged screaming), but I have to say that although Connor (on Angel) is annoying, Dawn is the most annoying character on any show that I have watched on a regular basis. She is written to be whiny, stupid, impulsive, ungrateful, and grating--and can only ever be depended upon to make the worst decision possible. The only real question is whether she is more annoying in fiction than Martin Short is in pretty much everything he has ever been in. Discuss amongst yourself. 

Morse Code Mysteries and Missives

In connection with marketing Morse Code Mysteries and Missives, I discovered there is a whole world of ham/CW/radio/telegraph enthusiasts who are very much into Morse Code. Current and former members of the military and merchant marine also chat with each other and/or have fond memories of Morse Code. In addition everyone from preppers, Boy Scouts, and fans of puzzles and cryptography like to use Morse or decode audible (or sometimes printed) dots and dashes. Many of my contacts encouraged me to put out my latest publication as a true audiobook, so it could be easily listened to by those folks, but I didn't want to put out an audiobook with nothing but dots and dashes. Enter Bruce Pilkenton, the voice actor who narrated the first two books in my Dick Thornby Spy Thriller series (Net Impact and Wet Work). Bruce undertook to narrate the three stories in MCMM, so they could be interspersed with the dots and dashes conveying the same story. The tracks are done and already submitted to ACX for approval. That's all very cool, but what I really want to chat about here is how cool it is to work with Bruce. It's not just that he's a nice guy who does what he is asked to do, producing clean files on the promised schedule and making whatever small edits I might request without complain. It's that he goes above and beyond in every aspect of the project. For example, in the the historical fiction story, Bruce figured out where in England one of the characters was from so he could make sure the accent was correct for that locale. In the historical non-fiction story, he varied the accents of those communicating by wireless to match the ethicity and class of those aboard the various ships. I found his effort remarkable, but not surprising. After all, in Wet Work, made sure to voice the Czech swear words of one character correctly. And, when I pointed out a Hawaiian word that has variable pronunciation was said by one character in other than the pronunciation I preferred, he pointed out that he had researched the word and found out the pronunciation typically varied by whether it was said by a native Hawaiian versus a haole, and that since the word was used by a native speaker, he had adjusted it to the correct sound. That's dedication to craft above and beyond the call of duty.

So, if you have voice acting and narration that you need done by a mature, experienced, professional, check out Bruce's work. Happy to pass along any inqruiries to him. In the meantime, if you want to check out Bruce's work, I'll be giving away a couple Audible codes for the audiobook versions of my spy thrillers, Net Impact (Dick Thornby Thriller #1) and Wet Work (Dick Thornby Thriller #2). Just email me at orphyte@aol.com and put either "Net Impact" or "Wet Work" in the subject. In the body of the email give your email address and whether you access Amazon via the U.S. or U.K. site. I'll pick randomly from among the entries one week after this newsletter goes out and send the appropriate codes to those chosen. Reviews, of course, are always appreciated.

THE DEAD OF SLED RUN, BY JEAN RABE

It is almost Christmas and yards glow with twinkling lights. 

All is merry and bright.

But more than chestnuts are roasting. 

A raging fire sweeps through the holiday landscape of Sled Run, destroying the home of Chief Deputy Oren Rosenberg and killing two.

Could this be an accident?

Or did bigoted hate fuel the flames? 

Sheriff Piper Blackwell and Detective Basil Meredith believe Oren Rosenberg was targeted. But how did the arsonist enter a secure, gated subdivision? 

With many clues burned to ashes, can Piper and Basil catch the culprits before they strike again? Or is this blaze just the start of the most murder-filled time of the year? 

 "Jean Rabe returns with another installment in her highly addictive Piper Blackwell series. As masterfully plotted as the previous five volumes, THE DEAD OF SLED RUN is a compelling page-turner that opens with a harrowing scene sure to have readers on the edge of their seats, and only escalates from there. The only flaw I can find in Rabe’s mysteries is they are over too soon, but that’s my fault for being unable to put the book down.” —Brian A. Hopkins, Four-time Bram Stoker Award Winning Author  

Don't Look Back: A Psychological Thriller, by AJ Faris

A tragic cold case. A vengeful killer. A shattering reality.

In a chilling tale of mystery and justice, Kristen’s life is haunted by an unsolved cold case—the tragic murder of her mother. Driven by an unyielding determination, she embarks on a quest to unearth the truth, unknowingly facing sinister forces lurking in the shadows.

Terrifying letters from the infamous “Ravenwood Ripper” start arriving, revealing intimate details about Kristen’s life, intensifying her fear of the dangerous killer and his motives.

As the danger escalates, Kristen and her fiancé, Ethan, confront unforeseen perils that threaten to shatter their world. Meanwhile, her close friend, Shawn, desperately yearns for Kristen’s affection, creating a haunting love triangle that tests the foundation of trust.

Whispers of betrayal echo through the darkness as Kristen clings to Ethan’s comforting presence; all the while, Shawn’s silent devotion tugs at her heartstrings.

In this heart-stopping race against time, Kristen peels back layers of deception that threaten to consume her, straining once cherished friendships burdened by disloyalty and eroding trust.

Prepare to be ensnared in a web of lies and deceit as Kristen’s relentless pursuit of truth and vindication takes you on a rollercoaster ride, revealing shocking revelations that will leave readers gasping for air.

My View of the Bright Moon, by Cathy Kern

A story told with insight and tenderness, My View of the Bright Moon, follows Kyle and Joe, two once-close brothers whose family’s long-hidden secrets grow too large for the present day to hold. Driven to the brink of destroying the only relationships they treasure, both men encounter time-honored sources of forgiveness and healing that have touched thousands in the real world. With a palpable love of people and a unique understanding of the ways animals can forever change us for the better, Cathy Kern presents a genuine portrait of love conquering loss and gentleness calming struggle. Absorbing and ultimately uplifting, the universal themes of unraveling and being rewoven will touch readers well after the final page. Is My View of the Bright Moon your story? Or the story of someone you love?

“Intriguing and very realistic. My View of the Bright Moon captures the power and the potential of the horses. This novel portrays brief, but telling, glimpses into how Eagala equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions impact and change people’s lives. Engaged right from the start, the development and mystery of the characters invested me into their lives and pulled me along – well done. This novel rings true. Thank you!” - Lynn Thomas, co-founder Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (Eagala)

Donald J. Bingle is the author of seven books and more than sixty shorter works in the horror, thriller, science fiction, mystery, fantasy, steampunk, romance, comedy, and memoir genres. His books include Forced Conversion (near future military scifi), GREENSWORD (darkly comedic eco-thriller), Frame Shop (murder in a suburban writers' group), and the Dick Thornby spy thriller series (Net Impact, Wet Work, and Flash Drive). He also co-authored (with Jean Rabe) The Love-Haight Case Files series (a three-time Silver Falchion winning paranormal urban fantasy about two lawyers who represent the legal rights of supernatural creatures in a magic-filled San Francisco; Book 2 just came out). Don also edited Familiar Spirits (an anthology of ghost stories). He also put out the oddest book you've ever seen. Morse Code Mysteries and Missives has three tales (two stories by Don and a relevant piece of non-fiction) presented in Morse Code text, then via links in audio dots and dasher, then in plain English.

Many of Don's shorter works can be found in his Writer on Demand TM collections.

Get the audiobook version of Net Impact at Audible.com, Amazon, and iTunes and the audiobook version of Wet Work at Audible.com, Amazon, and iTunes.

Full disclosure: Various links in my newsletter or on my website may include Amazon Affiliate coding, which gets me a small referral fee (at no cost to you) if you purchase after clicking through.