Getting Closer

"The Book of Exodi" is getting closer and closer to publication, and therefore, my short story "The Last Day on Earth" is also getting closer to publication in this intriguing anthology. (The Book of Exodi, ISBN 978-1-936075-00-3, 6"x9" trade paperback. Edited by Michael K. Eidson. Introduction by Harry Turtledove. Hardcover edition will also be made available. )

You can read all about it on Eposic's website (http://eposic.org/exodi/). You can also pre-order the book, if you so desire (you do, you do, you DO desire!); pre-order instructions are also on the website.

I have it on good authority these books will make excellent Father's Day gifts. And Holiday gifts. Any holiday. Of course, my opinion might be a tad biased. But there's 19 great stories in this collection, all of which are fascinating speculative fiction takes on the theme of mass exodus. I know you'll enjoy every story, so hurry and pre-order your copies now.

Yours in speculative wonder,
Anita Ensal

Coming Out...Wrong

I'm in the middle of a variety of WIPs, one of which is a short story. I like the story only...I think I'm failing it.

What I mean by that is that the story seems so much more electric and interesting in my brain than it's translating onto the page. I know it's me, after all, who else could it be, but I'm not sure where I'm falling short.

I loved my first draft. Then realized that it seemed somewhat obvious, no surprises at the end, so to speak. So I revised. But it made the story too convoluted. Now I'm at it again, trying to make this work in the way it does in my head.

In my mind, these characters are interesting. Some are mysterious, some are in dire need, some are magical, all are three-dimensional. On the page, they're not working right. And the worst part is that I have a feeling they'd be working just fine in a novel -- only I don't think their story warrants novel-length.

So, I'll dive in again and see what can be done. Many times, if necessary. This is, after all, part of the whole writing process. A painful part, to be sure, but still a necessary one.

Yours in frustrated wonder,
Anita Ensal

Butterflies and Anticipation

I'm so excited -- the anthology that purchased my short story, "The Last Day on Earth", is coming together. The latest news is on the Eposic website (http://eposic.org/) and you can see a blurb on my story as well as many others here (http://eposic.org/exodi/).

I'll keep you posted on the publishing date for 'The Book of Exodi'. In the meantime, I can't wait to both see my story within the covers and also read the others in this anthology.

The anticipation is great, but I must also say how impressed I am with the speed and professionalism Eposic has shown throughout the process. It's an honor to be one of their writers. I can't wait to see the finished product -- they've been a class act all the way and I expect it to continue through to the book itself.

But, the butterflies of excitement don't get stories written. So, it's back to working on my next novel. And perhaps polishing some shorts in anticipation of the next opportunity.

Yours in excited wonder,
Anita Ensal

Indecision 2009

I'm ready to start work on my next book. And I'm undecided.

I have several WIPs that I'd like to revive, fix up, and finish. I have several new ideas that I'd like to get going. I also have some short stories my agent suggested I might want to turn into novels, or take the characters and put them into a novel.

And...I can't decide. The time I've spent fretting over the decision is clearly wasted, since I'm no closer to a decision than I was a week ago. I've considered going for whichever one moves me the most, but I love all my babies, so to speak, so that's not working. I tried the dart method -- my dear husband suggested that until he can find something less painful and destructive than a real dart, I should, perhaps, try something else. I don't have a story idea about a sofa, a shattered coffee cup, or a fireplace, so I suppose he's right. I tried writing the titles on pieces of paper and tossing them in the air. I ended up with a mess. And the moment I pulled one out of a hat, that was the very story I didn't want to work on.

Perhaps it's time to try that most effective plan -- just sitting down and doing it. It does help if you know the 'it' you're going to just do, of course. It is a problem.

Yours in somewhat frustrated wonder,
Anita Ensal

New Worlds or the Old One?

One of the first things I consider when creating a story is if I want to create a whole new world, or merely use the one we have in a different way. I like both, so to me there is no right or wrong here, just a choice that will ultimately affect the rest of the story of and about that world and the characters living within it.

I tend to prefer alternative Earth stories as opposed to post-apocalyptic, though I'm not against those, either. Alternative Earth forces certain restrictions -- the continents must be at least somewhat similar to how we know them, if I want to insert magic, it has to have a stronger explanation than "that's how it is here", and any creatures need to conform to what we know has and can exist on Earth.

When making up a whole new world, of course, then, in a sense, anything goes. I enjoy the freedom to make a world how I want it to be, sometimes with disregard to physics. It's my world, I can make the scientific laws as well as the rest.

So, how do you like your fantasy worlds? Brand new to explore completely, or based on Earth, to find the differences and similarities?

Yours in wonder,
Anita Ensal

Welcome to My Worlds

Hello, Blogosphere! I’m a writer of mostly fantasy and science fiction, with other sub-genres of speculative fiction thrown in. As such, I figured it was time to start getting more active in the wonderful world of blogging.

I have a novel series being shopped by my wonderful agent. I also have a short story up at Raphael’s Village, and just sold a short story to Eposic to be included in their “The Book of Exodi” anthology.

I’m looking forward to discussing how the muse affects us all in terms of our individual creativity, as well as share my journey along the way.

Yours in wonder,

Anita Ensal