Writing Notes

2022-10 October

Submitted by YL Wigman on Fri, 10/28/2022 - 23:15

I’m in the early stages of writing my fourth novel, as always both exciting and frightening, in about equal measure. Bringing the lead women to life is the biggest wall to scale, and by the end of writing each novel, they have to feel like real people to me.

Character development is critical to a novel’s success, I believe. I’ve found that, when reading a story, if I can’t relate to any of the characters, I lose interest fast.  For an author, the challenge is to make them interesting…and flawed!  No-one is perfect in real life, and overly virtuous personalities are unlikely…not to mention boring, if not outright annoying. Characters have to stuff up somewhere in the story, but not too much – they have to be relatable on some level for you and I to nod our heads and commiserate. That’s life, eh?

While I’m here, just a follow-up about Closeness, which has proved popular with readers.  So much so that last year Bella Books nominated it for a Golden Crown Literary Society Award in the Romance Short Novel category – a vote of confidence, thanks BB team!  You can find the GCLS here: www.goldencrownliterarysociety.org  In April, I was notified that Closeness was a finalist, which I was thrilled about.

At the GCLS Awards ceremony in July, Closeness didn’t gain a ‘Goldie’, but I’m chuffed and proud that it made the finals.  I’m happy to say it’s been a favourite with many.  And ‘tickled a few pickles!’

Thanks, my friends. Keep in touch. YLW.

P.S. ALL messages answered, asap

 

2021-03 March

Submitted by YL Wigman on Tue, 03/09/2021 - 01:00

It’s with considerable pride that I announce the publication of Closeness by Bella Books in sunny Tallahassee, Florida. They’ve done a particularly fabulous job with this one, sporting a gorgeous cover design by Kayla Mancuso. Bella Books have recently set up their own media site  www.bellamediachannel.com  where we can read about books, authors and all sorts of interesting related stuff. I wrote an essay for them to post about how I use astrology to create and develop characters, which is a worthwhile read.

This novel is very queer—hardly a perfectly straight person in sight. It has contemporary and historical elements that I thoroughly enjoyed writing, especially about women’s suffrage in Australia and the United Kingdom. The story holds attraction, obsession, romance, passion, betrayal, retribution and reconciliation…not necessarily in that order! It also has some spooky woo-woo events that add an intriguing quirkiness to what is, essentially, ‘a good yarn’.

Let me know if it ‘tickles your pickle.’

Be hearing from you. YLW.

2020-05 May

Submitted by YL Wigman on Wed, 05/13/2020 - 04:54

 

It’s been a long time between missives! I won’t give 2019 more than passing mention because of a series of personal events that graduated from bad to the other side of awful. In between, I did get some writing done. In fact, it kept me occupied for a good deal of the time in a thankfully healing way.

Consequently my third novel, Closeness, has gone to Bella Books in Florida for editing and publication either late this year or early 2021. Publishing is a process that requires considerable patience—nothing happens fast enough. This coming novel is less paranormal, more romance, and not even remotely ‘thriller.’ It’s a distinct change of pace from my previous work and held its own challenges. I can only hope that readers all over the globe will enjoy it. That’s the plan.

In these ‘interesting’ times of physical restriction, at least we have stories, be they books or films or TV shows that through technology keep us in touch with the zeitgeist and communities everywhere. Here on the third rock from the Sun, we are all in this together. Stay safe, be well. YLW.

2018-10 October

Submitted by YL Wigman on Sun, 09/30/2018 - 19:48

It is spring Down Under, with longer days and warmer nights, the birds and bees and blooms doing what comes naturally. I prefer writing in spring and summer when I can close down the house, crank up the air-con and hibernate through the heat until it passes – lovely!

I have caught up on some TV shows like Killing Eve and Call the Midwife, both of which were entertaining in very different ways.

I found Killing Eve mesmerising for its unexpectedly subversive dynamic between Eve (the investigator) and Villanelle (the assassin). It messes with your head when the murderous bad girl alternates between being endearingly sweet and deliriously vicious as she ‘does her job’, i.e. creatively killing people. At the end of Season 1, the only way Eve manages to stay alive is by playing on Villanelle’s penchant for women (her singular weakness, it seems) long enough to slip in the knife, to betray her. In terms of queer visibility, do we really need another psychopathic lesbian on film? Admittedly Villanelle has a certain charm, but seriously? It’s been done.

In wild contrast is Series 6 of Call the Midwife which finds Patsy and Delia ‘riding off into the sunset’ together at last. I have enjoyed watching these two nurses wrestling with the perils of being queer in the 60s. The plot and script were very respectful and gentle with the development of their story and its final denouement. It’s a pity we won’t see more of them, but ‘happily ever after’ always means the story’s end. No real nurses were harmed in the making of this queer sub-plot, yet it reminds us of the many who struggled to stay sane, find love and maintain decent relationships, no thanks to ignorant folk. And yes, I did once know two such nurses who, despite the naysayers, came through love intact.

Is any queer visibility a good thing, or can we afford to be a tad more discerning these days? Happy spring/autumn, YLW.

2018-07 July

Submitted by YL Wigman on Sat, 06/30/2018 - 02:18

‘Struth, there goes another year...nearly. Mid last year, I caught a jet plane to Europe and visited much loved relatives, a journey long overdue. Thereafter, it took an inordinate amount of time to conceive and gestate the gist of my next foray into writing. However, I did get my ducks in a row before Christmas, ready to start in the new year.

Since, I have been planning, plotting and writing, which is why I haven’t posted for so long. The art of creating a cogent novel is to succumb to an intensely jealous beast that insists on one’s passionate and undivided attention. Meanwhile, the distractions and necessities of everyday life compete for said attention. Consequently, this ‘note’ will be short, no more than a wave of the quill to indicate that I am currently engaged in the singularly peculiar act of transferring a vivid imagination into compelling prose.

But before I get back to my scribbling, do go and see Disobedience at the cinema. I read Naomi Alderman’s book earlier this year and can recommend both it and the movie version—well worth your time. Keep reading... keep smiling! YLW.

2017-08 August

Submitted by YL Wigman on Mon, 07/31/2017 - 03:39

What’s your favourite film in the genre? It’s rare that a movie comes out in mainstream cinema, so we all keep a watch online in case something good is released. I don’t have an absolute favourite, although “When Night is Falling” is hard to beat for sheer entertainment. “I Can’t Think Straight” is such good fun, and “Saving Face” has a quiet humour that makes me sit there grinning... ‘conjugating Latin verbs’, anyone? Not to mention it features the very delicious Joan Chen who was sensational in “Wild Side” with Anne Heche... but make sure you see the uncensored version, or it’s incomprehensible! Here in Australia, we’re enjoying another season of “Janet King” on TV. It really is great viewing and so heartening to see a lead-role, multidimensional lesbian character on the small screen.

People helpfully review movies, books and all sorts of things online. I’d like to thank readers who have commented, despite sometimes wildly disparate views. I had someone write that they thought Taite (in Milgrane) was way too harsh on Sabine, whereas another said she really, really liked Taite, and felt she was courageous and strong. Another said she would date Sabine in a heartbeat! The reappearance of Kreyna (from Filigrane) was seen as a definite plus, and the spooky energies theme was intriguing... different... ‘when’s the next one coming out?’

Whatever your thoughts, do write a review on anyone of the many booksellers’ sites. And I make a point of writing back when people write to me here, no problem. Cheers, YLW

2017-07 July

Submitted by YL Wigman on Fri, 07/07/2017 - 00:47

An unexpected audience of straight friends, family and acquaintances has recently emerged – people who have read and enjoyed my books while initially knowing very little about what it’s like to be queer in this world. I’m excited to say it’s been an education on both sides.

Because these stories are far from mainstream, they are not available in any old bookseller’s shop down the road... mores the pity. And there seems to be a dearth of queer bookshops across Australia, particularly in rural communities. The chaps at The Bookshop Darlinghurst in Sydney proudly told me they had encouraged the Sydney City Library to add my books to their stock – thanks, guys!

Not everyone can afford to buy every book they fancy, making libraries an absolute goldmine because any patron can borrow for free. So if you’re living off the beaten track, by all means make purchase suggestions to your public library. A request will get their attention – if you don’t ask, you don’t get! And all the more people will benefit from greater access to stories they can relate to, learn from and share.

2017-05 May

Submitted by YL Wigman on Sun, 04/30/2017 - 20:19

A reader who enjoyed the paranormal element of my novels has asked if I would consider writing a series that more deeply explores that element while putting aside the queer romance theme. After considerable thought, I’m not of a mind to do that.

The issue is one of queer visibility. When I was a teen, few role-models existed in any medium. Love stories in books were difficult to find in bookshops and practically non-existent in libraries. Gay women in film were depicted as perverted, crazy, suicidal or murderous. Unsurprisingly, they often ended up dead. None of that stopped me from seeing those films, simply to have someone to relate to, no matter how flawed. A lesbian vampire movie? Hey, why not.... better than nothing!

Even now, everyday lesbians leading everyday lives appear rarely in mainstream media. And when they do, I get very excited and lap up whatever is on offer. It’s true, I do become resoundingly bored with unrelenting heterosexuality, and thusly delighted when characters like Caroline and Kate turn up in the British TV series, “Last Tango in Halifax.” You could just about hear the global groan when Kate was killed off in season three. Here we were, enjoying two sane and functional women going about their daily lives with perfectly ordinary worries like career and family, as the vast majority of us actually do – so refreshing. And then Kate, a gay woman of colour, tragically dies. Part of me was not surprised. We’ve come a long way in the last forty years, yet not far enough.

I love writing about women loving women, and will continue to do so. Sure, many more queer books are available now.  I hope the genre will continue to grow, improve and develop genuine literary legs that allow it to hike into mainstream media– the more the merrier.

2017-03 March

Submitted by YL Wigman on Fri, 03/03/2017 - 02:21

My second novel, Miligrane: Embracing the Sapphire, was released by Bella Books in Tallahassee, Florida on the 16th of February. How well it will be received, I won’t know until October. Meanwhile, I’m contemplating a third novel, knowing that much as the second is considerably different to the first, the third will be different again. Exactly how, I won’t know until it unfolds in the writing.

Certain themes pop up that can take me by surprise, lead me down dark alleys or out into the open. Some can’t stand the light of day and I tone them down, while others insist on being exposed within the context of two women in love.

It’s a sometimes startling juxtaposition that I wonder if the reader can bear, but I respect her grit and intelligence sufficiently to write it for her anyway. She may or may not relate personally, but often can relate through the people she’s known, or knows of, who have had similar experiences. If something insists that it be said, I’ll write it with respect and commitment, despite my heart being in my mouth.

I saw Adele in concert at Subiaco Oval in Perth this week. She was A-mAZing! Me and 65,000 other people, delighted just to be there to witness her singing stories of love and all its agonies, her honest heart throbbing on her sleeve for all to see. And we could not help but love her for it... for allowing us to relate and feel with her.

All of us together in this time and place; we’re not so very different.

2017-02 February

Submitted by YL Wigman on Wed, 02/01/2017 - 01:36

Writing is a solitary occupation that carries the inherent danger associated with it occurring in a vacuum. That is, a first draft can be thin in some places and positively cyanosed in others. The cure is oxygen in the shape of critical readers, preferably sharp-eyed, light on praise and excruciatingly honest with their comments.

Through pure serendipity, my first editor was Katherine V. Forrest who was an unexpected blessing, even if just the thought of her reading my amateurish manuscript was mega-intimidating. Turns out, she was gracious, kind and forthright. I had to work hard to get the draft up to her standard. More importantly, she took a ‘big picture’ view that encouraged me way beyond anything I had previously contemplated – priceless insight and advice that motivates me still.

I have a handful of ‘beta readers’ – lovingly critical souls who read my work, think about the good, the bad and the ugly of it, and what they think it needs more or less of. Their thoughtful commentary is invaluable. While I may not always agree, I give every point a good airing for I learnt long ago not to be too precious about my words. It’s that ‘try again, fail again, fail better’ approach that pushes me from ‘okay’ to ‘could be better’ to ‘just about right.’

I can’t always oblige my beta readers as I have my own style that lends itself to a certain type of writing, and is less comfortable trying to be something it’s not. In the end we can only strive to be the best expression of ourselves – can’t do better than our best.

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