Short Stories vs. Full Length Novels

I was just mulling over the idea of the short story vs. the full length novel and have found some interesting differences from many people. The results are so different it is staggering. During some random questioning, I have found that almost equal amounts of those polled enjoyed both and for good reasons.

Artwork provided by William Kenney

Short stories are, well…short! Some people only have limited time to read and want a close-ended story that has a beginning, middle and end reached quickly as to move onto the next one. Those who enjoy novels do so because they enjoy immersing themselves into lengthy reads and feel that they want as much bang for their buck as possible. These are all excellent answers and ones that I cannot refute or argue.

I actually considered the idea of serializing my series/stories for a few weeks, thinking to offer small amounts of content like they did in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Reason being you give them a small taste and have them come back for more, kind of like modern comic book series. I ultimately decided against this and wanted to deliver classic trilogies (or even an as yet undefined number in a series) to give the reader some meat upon which to chew. However, I am finding that my short stories are doing well enough to merit their efforts (though I always hope for more!)

What does the audience think when it comes to series/novels/short stories/novellas/etc.? What do you want out of your stories?

I hope you enjoyed the sample! See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.

Do Women Read More Than Men?

I have been checking into a few things recently, including my demographic, which are any readers, but probably focuses more on a younger audience and those who grew up playing RPG’s that are now in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s by now. So, I recently tallied information regarding who is buying my books, and I get a pretty fair split of men and women. But, for the most part, I see women…everywhere! On any social media-- on twitter, on Facebook, writing blogs and of course, the newest sensation: Pinterest. As a matter of fact, I joined Pinterest about a month ago to see what it was all about and 95% of my followers are females. Just a fact there, nothing more and something I will jump into later this year that will focus strictly on social media.

So, I started delving into this a bit deeper. I found a few articles discussing this very subject. One was by Lia Fairchild, another by Eric Weiner and another by Basma Aal. There is some interesting information on some of these, even though one is quite a few years old. It still begs the question: What will it take to get men reading more? Are they only reading Maxim and sports magazines? I’d like to think not. I aimed my book specifically at men AND women by writing about both genders in fantasy and making my women exceptionally tough and gritty. I know that Harry Potter seemed to get males reading again, though younger in age, but males nonetheless. I have seen a few other splits that suggest a 75/25 split of Women/Men readers. Can this possibly be true?

In closing, I simply ask you what you think. If you find any data to support it, feel free to link it!

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

Photo from Stock.xchng.

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2011 unless otherwise noted. 

Is Writing A Full Time Job?

 As I have started a new job this week in the I.T. field (FINALLY!), in which I had earned a B.S. last December, I am finding that it requires quite a bit of my attention! As anyone who has started a new job, the requirements, training and familiarization that comes with that is quite a job in itself. Tasked with aiding those who are both technologically challenged and those who are aces in the department, familiarizing myself with the company and its policies, and for the next week, traveling out of state, I find it can be a bit overwhelming.

Don’t misunderstand my point, I am grateful to be working at all in this economic environment and am thankful for that. There are so many of us out of work in the U.S. that I am grateful to not only be working, but doing something that I like! That being said, most everyone has demanding jobs, social lives and families, etc, that pull you away from your writing. How do you deal with it?

I assume that with time, my job will hopefully become less intense and the answers I need to access will become clearer. Most of us have families, children and relatives that require quality time and raising children is a lot of work, I know. But with family, work, cooking, cleaning, running errands and whatever other activities we have, when do you find time to write?

I ask you this: Is writing a full time job?

Share with my peers and I how you make time to write.

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

Photos from Stock.xchng.

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios, LLC 2011 unless otherwise noted.

Pushing Through Writer’s Block

Did you ever have one of those days or series of days, or even weeks when you are not motivated to write? I am talking to you—writer, scribbler, journalist, blogger, term-paper writer and editor. I can push through it most times and once I am rolling, there is no stopping me. Sometimes I write so fast that I have to go back and re-write something so that it has a clearer presentation to the reader. But, there are days when I am not motivated to write at all. I try to do some everyday and the goal is anywhere from 500-2000 words or so. If I can land in that area, I am satisfied. Anything below is disappointing, but sometimes unavoidable if I have other pressing business. Anything above that mark is considered a good day. 

I think that every writer hits the wall and the best thing is to step away, clear the head and do something else for at least a few hours. Usually removing yourself form the environment is best, so taking a walk, watching a bit of mindless TV or maybe spending some time with those people you live with (yes, your family) can be just what we need. Even reading a bit sometimes motivates me to get back to the computer and start anew.

But, what if you don’t have the time to walk away? A deep breath, a quick count to ten and maybe a refresh of your beverage is going to have to do. I would try to avoid this as much as possible, but sometimes we cannot.

What are some tricks or ideas that some of you kind folks out there in cyberspacehave that might get our struggling writer back into the proper frame of mind to continue their plot, story, article or term paper? 

Please share your thoughts. As always, I look forward to your comments!

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

Photos from Stock.xchng.

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios, LLC 2011 unless otherwise noted