September
3
2010
I have a request.
Panasonic is holding a photography contest until September 30th, and I decided to submit this one to start:
Fractalius Sunflower
In order to win, I need your vote! You can submit your vote here: Panasonic Contest. My Flickr username is almarquardt and the title of the photo is Fractalius Sunflower.
If I decide to submit others, I’ll let you know.
Thanks bunches!
August
21
2010
My new website is up and running!
Check it out at www.almarquardt.com.
If you see any boo-boos such as spelling errors, broken links or non-showing-up photos and graphics, please let me know.
Thanks bunches and have a great weekend!
August
19
2010
Although I have a few good fish stories, fishing was never my thing. I don’t have the patience to spend five minutes baiting a hook then three hours waiting for a fish to come along. Sure, there’s the more active fishing where the arms wear out from constantly tossing out a line and reeling it back in.
Only to find some fish came along and stole the bait.
Other times, the fish couldn’t care less about my little offering.
I figured out there’s another form of fishing I despise. Well, not the fishing so much, but the bait. I can’t seem to come up with a good hook for “Traitors.” An author who will be attending the conference offered to give advice on hooks. I presented two iterations, and both left her befuddled.
The author basically said why would anyone care about the protagonist who’s an assassin? What makes her the protagonist? In the second shot, I added that my protagonist is telepathic, but again that didn’t do much for the hook. The author asked why the telepathy is important? Does it help or hurt the protagonist?
How can I answer that in one 25-word-maximum sentence?
I’ve written so many one-two sentence hooks I couldn’t begin to count them. At one point I got so frustrated I wanted to throw my hands up and say, “I quit! It’s not worth attempting to get published if I’m this stressed over one teensie sentence.”
As with all temper tantrums, however, I gave myself a moment (or fifty) to calm down. I purged on an electronic notebook, and was able to come up with what, I hope, is something better. Although I’m more than a little nervous to ask the author to give it one more look. I don’t think I could take the disappointment.
Today anyway. Tomorrow? Who knows.
I’ll give you a chance to weigh in, however. Tell me, does this pique your interest?
Given a Bible by a man she’s about to kill, a telepathic assassin discovers God’s forgiveness. However, redemption demands she betray her friends and a military who considers her more weapon than human being.
Not quite the 25 word sentence, but that’s as far as I could get with this frustrated brain.
Did I mention I hate fishing?
August
8
2010
Plane ticket purchased, conference fee paid and hotel room reserved, I now have five weeks to prepare my manuscript — and myself for the ACFW Conference in Indianapolis.
On my to-do list:
- Rewrite my one-page synopsis
- Rewrite and practice my one-sentence pitch.
- Design and order new business cards with a photo of moi.
You’d think after attending a major writing conference three times, I’d feel like a veteran. Not even close. This will be the first time I’m attending this conference. While in some ways I know what to expect, in others I’m clueless.
Pitching my story is one of them. It’s not so much not being comfortable talking about it, but boiling it down to a single sentence and make it so interesting people will want to read it. Especially agents and editors.
The last time I signed up for the Christian Writers Guild conference I purchased a short guide by Meredith Efken called “Writers Conference Survival Guide.”
My main motivation came from the absolute failure I made during the previous year’s conference. I took the attitude that I didn’t need to prepare for the conference. I figured God would guide me to the right editors, etc. when the time came.
Most of you have heard the phrase, “Don’t put God to the test.”
If you do, God ends up doing the testing, and guess who earns the failing grade? Not God, that’s for sure.
I ended up not knowing anything about the appointments I made and made a complete fool of myself. I ended up canceling all my other appointments and concentrated on the workshops instead.
In the end it wasn’t a total loss, for at the very least I learned that preparation is key in getting the most out of the conference as far as workshops, meeting other writers, and piquing the interest of publishers/agents. Part of it means researching prospective publishers as well as the editors and agents themselves.
For instance, using science fiction as an example, Zondervan at large will look at speculative fiction, but the specific editor at the conference may only interested in looking at historical romance.
The guide by Meredeth talks about this and so much more. She also includes how to create a one-sheet and a fill-out-able list of what must be taken to the conference. With the list filled out after packing, it’s one less thing to worry about before the trip begins.
With just over a month to prepare, I best get crackin’.
July
23
2010
One difficult challenge to writing a book is coming up with an attention-grabbing title. Sometimes more difficult than writing the story itself. At least for me it is.
A few weeks ago I went to the library to check out the new releases. One book popped out at me immediately:
“John Dies at the End” by David Wong
How often do you see a title that gives away the ending? Of course I had to pick it up and read the inner sleeve:
STOP. You should not have touched this flyer with your bare hands. NO, don’t put it down. It’s too late. They’re watching you. My name is David Wong. My best friend is John. Those names are fake. You might want to change yours. You may not want to know about the things you’ll read on these pages, about the sauce, about Korrok, about the invasion, and the future. But it’s too late. You touched the book. You’re in the game. You’re under the eye. The only defense is knowledge. You need to read this book, to the end. Even the part with the bratwurst. Why? You just have to trust me.
The important thing is this: The drug is called Soy Sauce and it gives users a window into another dimension. John and I never had the chance to say no. You still do. I’m sorry to have involved you in this, I really am. But as you read about these terrible events and the very dark epoch the world is about to enter as a result, it is crucial you keep one thing in mind: None of this was my fault.
Intrigued? I was.
Call it a combination horror/comedy. Two things you don’t often see combined.
Basically it’s about two friends, John and David. They’re nothing special, one can’t hold a job more than a few months, and the other works at a video store. It all started by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Yet they took up the challenge of saving the world from an evil “god” named Korrok and its minions. David’s reason is based on the desire not to see his world fall to darkness (a noble goal), but John’s is simply because killing wig-wearing monsters is quite the adrenaline rush.
The writing overall is one of the best I’ve seen in a while. It’s fun, and honest. Be aware, if you don’t like excessive profanity, you may want to avoid it. I, however, found it true to the characters, and some of the swearing went so over the top I couldn’t help but laugh.
It’s also creepy and gruesome, but not gratuitous. David wrote some of the more gruesome parts so matter-of-factly that I took a double-take: “Did the lady’s arms really tear off and crawl across the room?”
So if you’re a fan of horror with some comedy thrown in, you’ll enjoy this book.
Does John die at the end? I’m not telling.
July
3
2010
often means giving up something.
I’ve been stressed of late mostly because I have so much to do and not much time to do it. Therefore I needed to go through my never-ending to-do list and eliminate the ones that I could afford to give up.
I started with a group I created on writing.com. It’s been fairly quiet except for people signing up — about one a week. It shows there’s still interest in it, which thrills me. Unfortunately I don’t spend enough time here to give it the attention it needs.
I’m not shutting it down, though. That wouldn’t be right. I’m hoping someone will offer to take over the group for me. If no one steps up in about two weeks, then I’ll be forced to remove the group and all the items.
Another stress I’ve given up — food.
Well, not entirely. That would be silly. I’ve gone on diet, or more accurately, changed my food-intake habits. I’m hoping to make good enough nutritional decisions so what I eat and don’t eat becomes a habit I can enjoy and not simply live with or worse, endure. It’s a simple diet, really. I’m cutting out “empty” carbohydrates mostly found in breads, pastas and of course, all sweets. Consider it the Atkins Diet that doesn’t go as far as Atkins. That’s not to say I won’t indulge in the occasional ice cream sandwich. That would also be silly.
A few weeks ago I purchased (and drained a good portion of my savings account) a plane ticket for the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Conference in Indianapolis. My goal for that is to lose 15 lbs by September 17. That’s 5 lbs a month, just over 1 lb a week. Easily doable. If I lose more, all the better. Admittedly it’s a decision based entirely on vanity. I want to look in the mirror again and be able to say honestly, “not bad.” To say, “I’m gorgeous!” is going a little too far 
.
And one more stresser, or time waster in this case, I’m still trying to convince myself to give up. Television and movies (I love Netflix!). Talk about a waste of time! How easy is it to waste an hour or two over something that accomplishes nothing except increase my desire to be lazy?
My main goal with giving all this up (and therefore not stress about it anymore) is to allow me more time to pursue my old, dear passion of writing. I miss it (finally). I hope to create another habit of writing every day, whether it be something interesting going on in my life, a short story, a script or a novel. As long as I’m writing.
After all, writing is a practice just like playing an instrument or dancing. The longer I spend away from practice the rustier I’ll get. Plus it’s a good excuse to be at least physically lazy.
June
6
2010
The Cost of Being a Disciple
A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’
“Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.
“Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”
(Luke 14:25-35, NLT) Pasted from <http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Luke+14&version=51>
I’ve been stressed of late. Not unhappy, per se, but wound up like an old watch. I can feel it in my muscles, the fact my eczema will not improve, and unable to sleep through the night.
What worries me? Everything! The present, the future, asking questions about what tomorrow will bring, but not waiting long enough to discover the answers. I’m content instead to stew in my worrying.
As if they matter.
Jesus said we must hate our lives and everyone in it. That’s a strong word, and one I find inappropriate in all honesty. For how can on the one hand Jesus command we must love others as ourselves, then say the opposite to others?
The key phrase “by comparison.”
He’s saying that we must love him above all things. And that love , by comparison, should be greater than any love we can bestow upon our family, ourselves, and all material goods of this earth.
That’s a tough one to swallow. But Jesus knew that too when he said we must count the cost of following him. It means that he may ask us at some point to leave our family, our job, our wealth, and we must be willing to do it without thought or hesitation.
My problem is I’ve counted the cost, and a large part of me is not willing to pay it — as much as I would like to.
There is a price to be paid for that as well. It means that God will not share his peace with me, the peace that through him, not only are all things possible, but that he is in control. He will not let me believe without doubt all will turn out in a way that’s best for me.
To love the things of this world is foolishness. I can worry that I will lose my job, my home, my friends, family and wealth, but guess what? I will lose it all eventually anyway the day I die if not before. All I have left, then, is God.
Shouldn’t that be enough? It’s not, because in truth I love my life and everything in it more than I love God.
Another obstacle is my need — desire — for control. Raised to be self-reliant, I struggle with allowing God to assume control of my life. I refrain from prayer, because the act alone shows admission of my utter and total weakness. I am not in control, and to think I am is delusion. Yet I prefer delusion.
So if I truly want to be able to sleep again, to not have to slather my body in ointments in vain attempt to stave off an autoimmune disease and be able to — finally — relax, I must give up my life and everything in it. I must hate it in comparison to my love and devotion to God.
With God’s help, maybe I can, because in the end I won’t lose one thing worth keeping.
May
13
2010
A few days ago, I sat down with God and gave him my thoughts on a few things. The main one was — as I’m sure you expect — about writing, or my lack thereof lately.
I basically told him, “This contest is it. If nothing comes of it, I’ll know you want me, for the foreseeable future anyway, not to write anymore. At least not for publication.”
It wasn’t an ultimatum, per se, more of a “What do you want me to do?”
My life is full, contentedly full. Raising my two-year-old, enjoying photography and working full time I figured was enough for now. To add writing to it felt more like a burden. With nothing to show for it over the last month or so, I thought it was time to quit.
I didn’t have a problem with that. I love writing, still do and know I always will. But I was beginning to think that the novel writing was a mere phase, something to keep me occupied and passionate about until something better came along — like my son. It was also a way for me to talk to God, and for him to talk to me.
Through my son I’ve found other avenues of communing with God.
Or so I thought. Hence the sign I asked of God via the Genesis contest.
This afternoon when I returned from lunch, I happened to look at my phone. Someone had left me a voice mail. I missed it because I left it at work to charge. I shrugged thinking it was either my hubby wanting to know where I hid Thomas’s shoes, or a wrong number.
Wrong on both counts!
Turns out my novel made the top 5 finalists of the first round and will go to the second.
Am I excited? Sure! It’s an answer to a prayer (well, one of the few yeses anyway). Heck, the first thing my husband said when I came home was, “What’s with the big smile?”
I look forward to receiving my scorecard. I’ll have until May 16th to make any edits accordingly and resubmit for the final round. I also have to send it a head-shot of yours-truly for a presentation during this year’s ACFW writer’s conference in September. I’m wondering now if I should go . . .
Whether or not my novel wins, I can at least mention it made the finals in future (verses past?) query letters.
May
1
2010
About 15 minutes ago, my husband and son left for the ND Badlands for a father/son camping trip with about four other father/sons.
I miss them already.
By the same token, I had planned to go out and about to take about 1000 photos of our lovely spring landscapes/flora/fauna, et al.
But the skies decided to cry.
All weekend according to the forecasts.
What to do instead? Since I haven’t written anything in a while, it’s probably a good idea to take advantage of the time alone and catch up. I have an outline to complete for my new installment of “The Red Dagger.” I should also research publishers/agents for the first one. This will be easier than my Christian SF “Traitors”, because it’s a more secular story.
Sad, isn’t it, that secular stories sell better? Then again, it is a secular world.
Some might say it’s a sell-out for a Christian to write a secular story in the first place. Not really. Jesus said to go out amongst and preach to the “sinners.” I’m no preacher, but I can still spread the Message, however subtly.
Who knows, if I manage some success with “The Red Dagger,” perhaps those readers will be curious enough to read my more overtly Christian works. One never knows — even if one can hope.
It’s now May 1, and I should find out in about two weeks whether or not “Traitors” made the second phase of the Genesis contest sponsored by American Christian Fiction Writers. Am I excited? Eh. Not really. I figure it will be what it will be. Like I said before, I’m more interested in the critique.
You can find the score sheet HERE if you’re interested in how the stories are judged. Regardless of my score, I’ll be able to see concretely my strengths and weaknesses and go from there.
March
15
2010
I have nothing to write about, something comes along.
In this case, the technical editor of AUGIWorld Magazine (Autodesk User Group International), asked if I’d be interested in writing an article. I’ve written one before about four years ago, so it appears they’re desperate (ha!).
The subject is my own to choose. I didn’t think I had the brainpower to come up with a subject, let alone write a decent article, but within an hour I came up with three.
So I have one week from today to write it, and include three (if memory serves) graphics. Looks like I’ll be busy until then.
Oh! I also sent off the first 15 pages of “Traitors” to the American Christian Fiction Writers ( www.acfw.com ) Genesis contest yesterday. I’ll find out between May 1-15 whether or not it made the final round. If not, I’ll at least get a scorescard listing where my story succeeded and where it didn’t measure up.
Anyway, got some research to do, so I’ll see you when I see you.
Buh-bye!
