You Can't Time Timing
By Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Occasionally, when something is hot and all over the media, a slew of books all chasing the hype seem to appear out of nowhere.  One might think:  "Wow, it's remarkable for these authors to have picked up on and produced books on these subjects in such a timely fashion."  But, short of hacks writing for a quick buck to release a title that's timely, most of the time it's really one of two things that is actually happening.

One, the author was already writing similar works and it's just now that people are starting to take notice; or two, that it was merely an awfully fortunate coincidence for the author.

For the forthcoming release of Edo van Belkom's "Scream Queen" (April 2003), which will mark a milestone in his career as his first solo mass market release, it's a little bit of both.  "Scream Queen" written by the Bram Stoker Award winning author, is a tale that hits us nicely in the middle of all the reality show television hype.  (God, I hope we're at least in the middle of this "reality TV" nonsense and that we only need suffer through another year or two of it).

At the heart of van Belkom's latest novel is a reality-based television show where contestants spend the night in a haunted house, rigged with shriek-inducing special effects.  Whoever lasts the night gets cast in a horror movie and the chance, of course, to be rich and famous.  As one might immediately guess, there is more to the house than fake special effects - and as expected, all hell breaks lose.  The fun, though, isn't in the "secret" that the house really is a hotbed of evil activity - the fun is in the details of how the hell breaks lose and how the characters react to it and to each other.

Edo has been consistently producing stories, novels, and horror tales for ten years.  He would likely be one of the first to tell you that chasing down popular trends often leaves a writer with a tale that's set in yesterday's hot topic.  He would also caution writers to avoid ideas and stories that have been "done to death" (which he does in his book "WRITING HORROR" published by Self-Counsel Press (ISBN 1551802813).  This book is a must-have for beginning and experienced horror writers, as it covers this and many other tips and advice in a comprehensive, fun-to-read package.

Edo writes his stories from the gut, but also uses his head and his heart - he creates characters that the reader can believe in and puts them into scenarios that are interesting, startling or disturbing.  It's watching these characters as they struggle through the setting and circumstances and interact with each other that make his stories so uniquely satisfying, so utterly chilling.

"Scream Queen" happens to be the lucky break that a hardworking, consistently producing writer eventually ends up finding himself in the middle of.  And, although I call it a lucky break, I know that the "luck" was actually the result of years of persistence and determination.  Despite the many hurtles that have faced Edo, he created his own luck by not giving up, by remaining driven and by dusting himself off after falling ass-over-teakettle over many a hurdle.   Even when fate didn't smile down upon him, Edo never let go of the imaginative threads running through his mind; he didn't give up getting down to work by stringing those thoughts, ideas and fears into words that created stories and novels.  And he didn't let closing doors stop him from continuing to knock.  His steadfast involvement in self-promotion has not waned in the entire time that I have known him.

For a low-investment/high-payback way to check out Edo's full length fiction, and what pre-release reviewers are calling his "breakthrough novel" keep your eyes peeled for "Scream Queen" and buy it.  It shouldn't be hard to find, as it's been picked up by the large book chains as well as many of the non-traditional book markets where mass market books can be found.  You can also pre-order it online from any major online book retailer in Canada and the United States.

      As you read it you'll likely have to consciously remind yourself that this is the same author who, year after year, kept working at his writing and working at self-promotion despite the odds, despite the seeming lack of response.  You'll have to consciously remind yourself of this because once you get into the story, you'll be pulled away.  Far from the struggles of a writer facing frightening odds, and into the heart of a frightening and chilling tale - what Edo states is his very best book and something that he had more fun writing than anything else so far.

      You won't be disappointed.

      But don't forget the years of work and effort that got this book into your hands.
Then get back to your own computer, typewriter or pad of paper and struggle to organize the words floating through your mind into a series of sentences that spin into a tale.  Keep doing this, never giving up.  If not for the "luck" of your next work being a "breakthrough" then at the very least for the sheer joy of having written it.

      You can find out more details about Edo, about his hot forthcoming novel "Scream Queen" and his previously released works on his website: www.vanbelkom.com

What's In A Name? Part 2
by Mark Leslie Lefebvre

What's In A Name? (Part Two)

The first order of business is to discuss the results of the poll from the first column.

So far, I have received no feedback on my first column, which asked readers to help me come up with a name for this column. Not one to give up easily, I'll let the offer stand to allow readers a chance to email me their suggestions. My email address is MisterBuny@aol.com. Please convince me that I'm not the only one reading this column.

Now on to the second order of business, this column's true subject.

To begin, allow me to quote from the brief biographical sketch listed on my own web page.

"Apart from being published in a handful of small press publications (under the name Mark Leslie), as well as having works occasionally appearing on his mother's refrigerator door, (under the name Mark Lefebvre), Mark writes reviews and interviews and used to edit the non fiction content of NORTHERN FUSION magazine (under the name Mark Leslie Lefebvre). When he's not playing around with his three given names, he can usually be found tinkering online, wandering aimlessly through bookstores, or attending SF reading events."

Perhaps it's cute, maybe even slightly humorous, possibly making the entire mess worth the cheap laugh; but at a recent science fiction convention, when I was sitting on a panel discussing author self promotion, a colleague asked me why I wrote fiction under Mark Leslie and yet whenever I'm a panelist at conventions, I'm usually listed under Mark Lefebvre (or sometimes, if there's room, Mark Leslie Lefebvre). He suggested that the whole matter was confusing, and that I might be losing ground on the whole name recognition game.

It made me pause. And when I went to check a few different online directories of speculative works, I found myself listed twice. Once as Mark Leslie and his fiction and poetry works and another time as Mark Leslie Lefebvre and his non-fiction works.

Even though I know this MLL guy intimately, I myself was confused.

Then, not much longer after that, I had run into David Shtogryn on the way to a gathering at Robert J. Sawyer's. We went into the building together and David made the call upstairs, announcing that David Shtogryn and Mark Leslie had arrived.

I liked that.

I recalled a similar incident where, when I called Pat Nielsen, editor of the now-deceased CROSSROADS magazine (God rest it's soul). When I identified myself as Mark Lefebvre, Pat paused, uncertain who I was. I mentioned the story I had recently submitted, and she said: "Oh, Mark Leslie. Good to hear from you!"

Thinking about those incidents started to make me wonder about whether or not it was time to shuck off the long three-tiered name altogether and just write everything under the name Mark Leslie. Similarly, I'd do the same when sitting on panels or attending conventions.

Perhaps I should backtrack a little bit and offer up my reasoning behind using a pseudonym. My entire life, people had been getting my name wrong. Incorrect pronunciation, incorrect spelling, and assuming that I could speak French fluently. When I started seriously dreaming of being a writer at the age of thirteen, I was a fan of Piers Anthony. I'd noted that his real or full name was something like Piers Anthony Jacob Dillingham - there might have been more names in there somewhere, and I'm positive that I didn't spell that last one correctly, but I think you get the point. Anyways, Piers simply shucked off everything after his first and middle (or second) name. I looked at my own name. In public school, I had always signed my assignments and tests with my full name. So I played with it, lopped off "Lefebvre" and looked at it.

"Mark Leslie." It worked for me. It was shorter, easy to pronounce, relatively easy to remember. And, it also left me with consistent initials - ML - God knows why I thought THAT was important at the time.

When I started editing for The Journal for Canadian Content of Speculative Literature, I was credited as Mark Lefebvre (well, Marc Lefevre, but who's keeping track?). I realized it was because my work as an assistant editor didn't allow for the usual byline info I was allowed on a story (ie, By Mark Leslie), and so I asked the editor/publisher to include Leslie in my listing. That way, I figured, there would at least be a potential for recognition between this Mark Leslie guy publishing fiction and this Mark Leslie Lefebvre guy who did editorial work.

That trend somehow stuck. Most of my editorial, or non-fiction works were published under the full name of Mark Leslie Lefebvre, and most of my fiction, poetry and drama was published under Mark Leslie.

It made sense to me at the time.

But I'm at another crossroads here.

Should I just, lop off "Lefebvre" in all of my dealings - ie, in my reviews, interviews, articles, editing work, and when I am a panelist at a convention? Should I change the byline I use for this column to Mark Leslie?

Again, I call upon you, dear reader, to offer feedback that will help me decide.

I look forward to knowing what I will ultimately end up calling myself.

Exercise - What's in a Pseudonym?

Poppy Z. Brite is often asked if her name is a pseudonym. She often answers to the effect that if she were to come up with a false name, wouldn't she try something a little more normal sounding? But then again, there's a certain zing to her name, a certain way that it rolls off the tongue. It works.

Was Spider Robinson destined to write science fiction based on his name? What about Issac Asimov? If they wrote historical romance, would the names work as well? Or would they have likely used pseudonyms? Horror Author Nancy Kilpatrick writes erotic horror under the name Amarantha Knight. Edo van Belkom writes erotica under the name Evan Hollander. Stephen King wrote a slightly different kind of novel (or novella) under the name Richard Bachman.

Their reasons are different, but one reason that authors use pseudonyms is in branding a name to a type of product. A good example of author name branding is Stephen King. When you see the name "Stephen King" one of the first associations the average person makes is "horror." So if you see a recommendation from Stephen King on a book you're not familiar with, you are likely to think it is a horror novel. (You wouldn't expect King to recommend a historical romance novel, would you?) Similarly, Tom Clancy evokes thoughts of techno-thriller. Danielle Steel is branded to Romance. Lois L'Amour to westerns. Joyce Carol Oates is a definite exception to the popular author name branding theory, revealing herself as a successful and recognizable writer who has written across several different genres of fiction and non-fiction, poetry and drama.

Branding is a powerful tool. Companies work long and hard at preserving and expanding their brand name recognition. The words "Barnes & Noble" likely don't have anything to do with books on their own. But mention the two names together and one is likely to think "books" or "bookstore." That's branding. Perhaps, at times, authors might consider spending a little time thinking about how their own name might be branded.

Pretend that you're a highly recognized horror author who is attempting to break into another genre of writing and you're looking to "brand" yourself a new pseudonym. What name would you use?

On the following list of genres, or styles of writing, attach a fitting name:

· Western
· Noir Mystery
· Romance
· "Highly Literary Fiction"
· Broadway Musical
· Erotica
· Other (pick your own)
MisterBuny@aol.com

Brainstorming Exercise

When Denise first asked me to write a column focusing on the darker side of writing, namely, horror and speculative fiction, one of the first questions that came to mind involved the name the column would have. Coming up with regular topics in my focus area would be easy enough, but starting the ball rolling by offering up a name, well that was a toughie.

When I was editing NORTHERN FUSION magazine, I had a column in which I discussed items related to Canadian science fiction, fantasy and horror. The column name was borrowed/inspired from the great Canadian rock trio, RUSH, and was entitled Mystic Rhythms. I considered using that column name here, but I wasn't all that excited about recycling a column from one forum to another. Besides, Gotta Write is making a bold venture from 12 years in the printed world to a dynamic, online presence. It deserves a new column name from me at the very least.

I actually spent about half an hour fooling around with different name ideas, typing down whatever came to mind, no matter how silly. And trust me, many of them were silly. But that's what brainstorming sessions are all about. Letting go completely of the little editor/censor inside your brain, and allowing the ideas to fly about freely. It's amazing what you'll sometimes find. For one, I find the whole experience to be a rush, and second, I sometimes end up jotting down something that will lead to another idea or story somewhere down the line.

By the way, if you're looking for a "point" or a "moral" to this particular column, it's about the benefits of brainstorming, and as a sidebar to this column, I offer up a sample brainstorming exercise that you might find useful. I thought I would point this out and save some of you from having to walk down this path with me. For those of you enjoying this little stroll, please pardon the momentary rest stop, but it's over now; take my hand, I have a few more things to show you.

I started by running through a list of column names that I thought inspired darkness or perhaps that sense of "what if" that swims around speculative literature, and came up with such names as: Morbid Musings, Echo Chamber, Dark Ramblings.  Then I thought that perhaps I would pay mock tribute to a television program that I'd never watched despite a minor curiosity to see if it was any good: Freaky Links, Dark Links.

Naw. Silly, and besides, Paula Guran, aka DarkEcho, uses that for linking to other dark web sites. I'm sure countless others use that term to link to dark sites as well. Besides, the play on words with web terminology would amuse me for a whole of two minutes, if that. I was looking for something a little more transcendent.

I wandered through similar types of names, and came back to Mystic Rhythms. Mystic Musings, hmm.

That led me to try to come up with other column names borrowed or inspired from RUSH songs or lyrics.

Restless Rhythms, Delusions of Night, The Far Unlit Unknown, Phantom Fears, Music of the Spheres ...

Then I remembered an important item that Denise mentioned. She wanted to ensure that the online presence of Gotta Write was interactive. So why do this column naming myself? I mean, there's a wonderful presence of talent and creativity clicking onto Gotta Write every day. Why not solicit their advice?

Which is what I am doing. If any of the brainstormed column names that you see here strike your fancy, by all means, please drop me an email and let me know. Similarly, if none of them do anything for you, but, upon reading this, you started your own list and would like to make a column name suggestion, and you're willing to send it along, by all means, please do so. My email address is at the bottom of this column.

I look forward to hearing from you.
MisterBuny@aol.com

.Brainstorming Exercise.

This particular exercise is something that you might be able to use when you are trying to come up with character traits for those characters you are creating in stories that are not crucial to the ultimate plot, but are more than simple walk-on characters. They are ones that need to be fleshed out, yet the actually fleshy parts of their characters do not end up impacting upon the outcome of the storyline or the main characters. Whenever I find myself in need of populating a story with such characters, I tend to leave them detail-less in my first draft, or first attack at that scene and flesh them out later on, usually during a brainstorming warm-up exercise at the beginning of a writing session.

Here's one way of doing it.

Take a dictionary, book, newspaper, whatever has written words on it and is pretty much within reach. Flip this source open and randomly pick a word. I'm doing it now, by the way, with a newspaper sitting on the floor of the commuter train I am on.

My word: Payment.  Use this word to flesh out details for your character.

Payment. A sales clerk. A banker. A loan shark. A student struggling to find the funds to make a payment on a student loan. A housewife trying to remember to stop at the bank machine and make a payment on her way home from running errands. Perhaps she has other things on her mind, or a deadline to get home. A consultant looking for software to help itemize the payments used on their newly formed consulting business - yes, nervous about the whole deal, having left a 20 year career.

If the word itself doesn't inspire enough options, try taking the letters from that word and coming up with character traits. P. Proud. A. Angry. Y. Young. M. Malicious. E. Enterprising. N. Nervous. T. Tired. Perhaps I'll build a character that combines all of these traits or just some of these traits.

Or perhaps the word offered nothing - move on to a new word.

One of the best things I discover when playing in these brainstorming sessions is that I either come up with some fun characteristics for a minor character in my story or novel, or else I end up developing a more detailed in-depth character that might star in a story I have yet to write.

Either way, I've brainstormed myself some fun ideas.