along for the ride


For me, the most exciting, and most terrifying, part of writing fiction is stepping into another world.  The world I create becomes so desirable to inhabit that I never really want to leave it.  Hours will go by, an entire day.  When I "come up for air" the real world around me is so very foreign, if even for a moment. 

So... exciting, yes, because as a creator we can make these other worlds our own.  Terrifying, yes, because I might one day actually never truly return to "the real world".  The world we currently live in is such a weak substitute for what we can imagine, what we remember the world once was like, why should I bother to return?

But for me it is both exciting and terrifying for another reason:  I'm just along for the ride much of the time.  As my characters become more fully formed, and as they are aspects of myself that are not fully formed, they often take the reigns and the story goes down paths of which I cannot see the end.

That is not news for any of you who have been writing for a while, but it bears mentioning.  And for those of you who have not been writing for very long, if you're thinking of submitting a story to us, know this:  we value content and imagination far more than punctuation and structure.  Tell a good story and the rules no longer apply.

Cheers!

photo:  wikimedia / Sarah White

writing fantasy fiction

I found this beautiful image, titled Fairies, on wikimedia and thought I'd include it here. 

One of the things that draws me to write fantasy fiction is the promise of the world I might imagine.  Like this painting, the realm appears watery, earthy and airy, with everything possessing a pure fire within... it is similar to the greatest landscapes of our green planet but oh so much more.  Even in those stories I create with conflict and tragedy {would it be too boring without those elements?} the realm has a certain quality I can't seem to live without... and wouldn't want to, even if it is only in my mind... for now...

I look forward to receiving your submissions, dear readers, if you're out there drop me a line... even better, a story and maybe a cool photo or two!

happy december

December is here and that means it's the holiday season.  I found this lovely photo on Hot Toast and Jam and, until I take my own photo of twinkly lights, thought it would make the page festive.

In fact, their blog is sort of like what we are planning for the Caramel Gazette, only they do it with illustrations.  It's a nice little "co-op" for drawings, with challenges set twice a month for members.  We won't be posing any writing challenges or photography contests... just think of us as an online magazine!  Check them out here while we're getting our act together for accepting submissions.

Keep stopping by as we'll be set up real soon.  Till next time, happy creating!