upwithgravity: RT @BryanThomasS: Coming up on #sffwrtcht @Pyr_Books author @AndrewMayer talks #steampunk #superheroes #comics #writing #existentialism … (Thu Jan 24 01:55:11 +0000 2013)
AndrewMayer: Getting ready for my Science Fiction Writer’s Chat interview on twitter. 9-10PM EST. Follow #sffwrtcht. (Thu Jan 24 01:59:27 +0000 2013)
sffwrtcht: Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Writer�s Chat. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:00:16 +0000 2013)
BryanThomasS: Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Writer�s Chat. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:00:17 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: Our goal is to talk w/ writers, editors, & others abt the craft of writing, specifically related to writing speculative fiction. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:00:42 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: Our format is round table discussion. Please restrict ?s to writing craft, business of writing & the specific works of the guest. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:00:51 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: Please wait until your question gets answered to ask another & use the hashtag #sffwrtcht for all questions and comments. (Thu Jan 24 02:01:12 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: We may hold questions at times to allow our guest to answer and catch up. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:01:20 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: Future Guests 1/30 Roundtable with @FiresideMag 2/6 @ShelleyAdina 2/13 @stevengould 2/20 L. Jagi Lamplighter 2/27 @sarahahoyt #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:01:28 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: Tonight�s guest�s third novel, “Power Under Pressure” came out last week from @PYRBooks. It�s a fantastic fun read. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:01:36 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: The conclusion of his Society of Steam steampunk superhero trilogy, it follows “The Falling Machine” & “Hearts of Smoke & Steam.” #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:01:56 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: The stories capture the feel of Jules Verne and HG Wells while being set in Victorian New York City, where Mayer was born. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:02:02 +0000 2013)
talekyn: . @AndrewMayer is back on #sffwrtcht from 9 to 10pm EST. Can’t wait to hear what’s next for the Society of Steam. Join us! (Thu Jan 24 02:02:17 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: A game designer, @andrewmayer also has written comic books and short stories. He�s active on FB and Twitter. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:02:20 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: Andrew, congrats on the completion of your trilogy. What�s it like to have that complete cycle under your belt? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:02:34 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: @sffwrtcht Thanks for having me! It’s great to be back. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:03:21 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: When one of the Paragons betrays them, their leader�s daughter Sarah, becomes wrapped up in uncovering the plot & befriends Tom. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:03:51 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: And thanks for the congratulations… I’m still breathing the same sigh of relief that I started when I handed in the book. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:04:05 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: It’s nice to have the completed story out in the world after six years of work… #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:05:19 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: .@AndrewMayer Since it�s been a while, Where did the idea for the story originate? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:06:47 +0000 2013)
Wyld_Dandelyon: @AndrewMayer Welcome! And yes, it is wonderful to have a story not only finally finished but out where people can read it. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:07:47 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: It actually started out as pitch from when I was trying to break into comics in the mid-2000s. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:08:16 +0000 2013)
Jaleta_Clegg: @AndrewMayer Only six? *cheesy grin* Congrats. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:08:46 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: I haven’t actually been able to say this up until now, but the book really ended up being the “origin story” of that pitch. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:09:06 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: @AndrewMayer The books or the book? Which book? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:09:32 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: @jaleta_clegg I did my best to go for the full decade, but I fell short… #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:10:15 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: .@AndrewMayer The books are full of action and humor and great characters. How long did they take you to write? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:10:36 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: @bryanthomass The trilogy is essentially the prequel for what I was pitching as a comic. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:10:42 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: .@AndrewMayer Wait! so that MEANS THERE’S MORE?!! #sffwrtcht #fingerscrossed (Thu Jan 24 02:11:39 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: The first one took the longest. The last two were about 14 months each. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:11:48 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: .@AndrewMayer I describe it as a mix of Sherlock Holmes, Jules Verne and Superman. Are any of those influences? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:12:22 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: @bryanthomass Well, we’ll see. I have ideas, but I’m taking a bit of time to work on something different before diving back in. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:13:18 +0000 2013)talekyn: @AndrewMayer @BryanThomasS How awesome would it be to see the story continue in comics form? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:14:10 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: @sffwrtcht Verne, and Doyle for sure. I’m more of a Marvel guy than a DC guy, so less Superman than Lee/Kirby 60s stuff. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:15:00 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: @talekyn @BryanThomasS I’d do a comic in a heartbeat if I could find the right publisher. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:16:00 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: .@AndrewMayer Fair enough Obviously, history plays a part as well as steam tech & science. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:16:06 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: .@AndrewMayer How much research did you do to capture the historical period? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:16:14 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: In book 2, Hearts Of Smoke & Steam, the Paragons are destroyed by their former member, Lord Eschaton and Sarah plays superhero. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:16:33 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: And in book 3, Power Under Pressure, she revives Tom and sets out to confront Eschaton. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:16:41 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: .@AndrewMayer You should do what @TomKingTK did and mix graphic novel/comic pages in with prose. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:17:15 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: Quite a bit. The goal for me is to feel like I can stick my head into that world and look around. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:17:27 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: @talekyn I get confused. Since I see you every time I tweet. #sffwrtcht(Thu Jan 24 02:17:35 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: .@AndrewMayer Do you research before you write, as you go, both? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:18:08 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: .@BryanThomasS Outliner or pantser? Has that changed at all over the course of the trilogy? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:19:02 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: Both. I was in NYC a lot in 2011, and the city still has a lot of the late 1800s left in it. Plus some NYers love history… #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:19:21 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: @sffwrtcht Outliner. Obviously things change during the course of the writing, but I always work from an outline. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:20:11 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: @AndrewMayer Is it a sketchy outline or detailed? Curious. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:20:40 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: .@AndrewMayer Over the course of writing three books, how has your writing craft changed? In what areas have you noticed growth? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:20:55 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: I do a pretty detailed mind map. The goal is to get the plot and the character conflicts mapped out. Also the big set pieces. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:21:44 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: Becoming an expert at something means you can tackle bigger chunks with confidence. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:22:41 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: I couldn’t keep a whole novel in my head when I started. I was constantly referring to notes. Now that’s fairly easy. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:23:19 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: @AndrewMayer heh, yeah. Depends how complicated it is, I suppose. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:24:00 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: .@AndrewMayer Did you anything to train yourself in those areas or did it come out of trial and error? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:24:12 +0000 2013)talekyn: @AndrewMayer Feels a bit like what Jay Lake calls “span of control.” Mine’s not at novel length yet. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:24:26 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: I ended up having to rewrite a major section last February. I realized I was looking at 180,000 words if I didn’t… #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:25:08 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: .@AndrewMayer That would have been much longer than the novels so far, although the 3rd was the longest, I notice. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:26:11 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: A combination of training & trial. I changed up my method for every book, although my book 2 method was the winner. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:26:14 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: I call that “novelitis”. At first you can’t imagine how people write so much. Suddenly you can’t fit it all in one book. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:28:16 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: Mind map and *then* scrivener. I tried to use Scrivener as my outliner, and it was a disaster. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:29:32 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: .@AndrewMayer Mind Map, I’m not familiar with that. Outline program? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:30:04 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: .@AndrewMayer What�s your writing time look like-specific block? Write `til you reach word count? Grab it when you can? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:30:19 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: Visual outlining methodology. There are dozens of programs to do it… Currently I use MindNode. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:31:23 +0000 2013)talekyn: @AndrewMayer Can you tell those of us who are avowed pantsers a bit about “mind mapping?” #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:31:34 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: @talekyn @AndrewMayer Yes, tell us. I am trying to write synopses now and it’s KILLING me. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:32:13 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: Depends on my work load. But word count is always the better method for me. Time blocks are too easy to cheat on. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:32:23 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: .@AndrewMayer Do you have any writing rituals? Do you write to music or silence? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:34:12 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: It’s chunks of text connected by lines. Here’s an example of the structure.http://t.co/Jq196wvq #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:34:28 +0000 2013)
dak1963: RT @sffwrtcht: Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Writer�s Chat. #sffwrtcht(Thu Jan 24 02:35:02 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: It allows you to be very fluid, and add details as needed. Whole chunks get moved with a single drag andd drop… #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:35:05 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: .@AndrewMayer @talekyn Clearly that’s someone else’s mind. Looks like a jumbled mess to me 
#sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:35:54 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: I started with music, but now I find it too distracting. Either silence or a clock tick is what I work to now. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:36:17 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: .@AndrewMayer Tell us about your path to publication. How�d you wind up at @Pyr_Books? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:36:52 +0000 2013)
MorlockP: Yes, great question re “path to publication” @sffwrtcht @AndrewMayer @Pyr_Books #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:37:55 +0000 2013)talekyn: .@BryanThomasS @AndrewMayer I think we taught something similar when I was student-teaching middle school, now that I see it. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:38:25 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: I broke the rules and talked to Lou directly. But I had been trying to find an agent, and had my elevator pitch down cold. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:39:19 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: .@AndrewMayer You called him? Met him somewhere? Emailed? Obviously he didn’t mind #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:40:15 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: This was in 2009. I think it’s gotten harder now. Agents are almost a partner in getting published. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:40:17 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: @AndrewMayer Usually if you’re known to them, you can still pitch people, but gatekeepers still matter, yes #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:40:54 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: .@AndrewMayer So Society of Steam is written. What future projects are you working on that we can look forward to? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:41:16 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: I saw him talk at Orycon, and I was like “I can talk to this guy.” As a consultant I know how to talk my way into work… #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:42:06 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: .@AndrewMayer Lou is pretty approachable. I’m going to my first OryCon this year… #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:43:16 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: I’m working on a new series called “Mister Gates”. It’ll be serialized and self-published. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:43:27 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: .@AndrewMayer Is it steampunk also? What genre? What can you tell us about it? #sffwrtcht #spoilerdigging (Thu Jan 24 02:44:05 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: Psychedelic urban fantasy. Doctor Who by way of Grant Morrison/Alan Moore. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:44:17 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: .@AndrewMayer What�s the best and worst writing advice you�ve ever gotten? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:44:22 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: I’m going to let my 90s cyber-rave freak flag fly with this one… 
#sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:45:06 +0000 2013)talekyn: . @AndrewMayer Any hints on what happens in the 3rd Society of Steam? It’ll be a week before I can pick it up. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:45:43 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: The best is from McKee’s story: Find an emotion in every scene and send it from one extreme to the other. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:46:20 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: @talekyn All the characters I like live. The ones you like die #sffwrtcht(Thu Jan 24 02:46:42 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: @talekyn You’re welcome. If you were paying attention, I already talked about that. I am reading it now #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:47:02 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: Worst? Someone recently said you should try *not* killing your darlings… Not good advice for new writers AT ALL. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:47:15 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: .@AndrewMayer Tell us about comics/games. You�ve worked on Facebook games & more, written a comic. What else are you working on? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:47:57 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: I let them live. Can I get my check now, Bryan? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:48:20 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: .@AndrewMayer heh. LOL I’ll buy the book, I swear… #readinganarc #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:49:00 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: I’m a consultant so it’s a lot of this and that. These days it’s mostly mobile, and I’m working on a book on user focused design. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:49:50 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: .@AndrewMayer So any plans to do a graphic novel or comic? #sffwrtcht(Thu Jan 24 02:50:38 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: .@AndrewMayer How do you feel the storytelling skills practiced in gaming and comics have affected your novel writing? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:50:52 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: The problem is that comics are a mess right now. I’d like to self publish, but a 100 page graphic novel costs $10K to produce. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:52:28 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: .@AndrewMayer @kickstarter or other #crowdfunding can be a reward for such things. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:53:23 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: I think comics were helpful in getting me think of action as a metaphorical counterpoint. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:54:18 +0000 2013)
MorgenRich: @andrewmayer Given your success at Pyr, what prompted your decision to switch to self-publishing? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:54:27 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: Games gave me lots of tools for process. Like mindmapping… #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:54:52 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: .@AndrewMayer You released a short story in the universe of the SOS novels. Is your approach to writing thm different frm novels? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:55:54 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: Future Guests 1/30 Roundtable with @talkwordy 2/6 @ShellyAdina 2/13 @stevengould 2/20 L. Jagi Lamplighter 2/27 @sarahahoyt #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:56:33 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: Future Guests 1/30 Roundtable with @talkwordy 2/6 @ShellyAdina 2/13 @stevengould 2/20 L. Jagi Lamplighter 2/27 @sarahahoyt #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:56:34 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: @morgenrich It’s not totally a “switch”, but I want to connect directly with my audience. Publishers sell to bookstores. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:56:40 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: That one was. I wanted to do something fast, furious, and fun. #sffwrtcht(Thu Jan 24 02:57:25 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: Next week we talk #editing #writing #crowdfunding #magazines and more with @FiresideMag editor @talkwordy Join us! #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:57:30 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: Next week we talk #editing #writing #crowdfunding #magazines and more with @FiresideMag editor @talkwordy Join us! #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:57:31 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: I’m thinking I’ll probably do a few of those as a bridge to whatever I do in the SOS universe next. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:58:04 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: @AndrewMayer Did you still outline/Mind Map? Was the process the same? #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:58:13 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: Please `Like� our Facebook group: http://t.co/tFOTDqY6 #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:58:24 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: Please `Like� our Facebook group: http://t.co/CeHCXuLJ #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:58:26 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: We have all the transcripts, extra interviews, giveaways, and more at:http://t.co/O8BbU3Pf #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:58:38 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: We have all the transcripts, extra interviews, giveaways, and more at:http://t.co/t66YT75v #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:58:40 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: Find Andrew online at http://t.co/301cklVz and http://t.co/6S1Ok9vx and here on Twitter too. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:58:49 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: Find Andrew online at http://t.co/yp66cNFh and http://t.co/PsO6C8wCand here on Twitter too. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:58:50 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: I did do an outline. At some point I need to write the prose onto the bones of a plot. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:59:17 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: .@AndrewMayer Well, the hour flew by. Anything else you’d like to share? So great to chat with you again #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 02:59:45 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: Thanks so much, it was a lot of fun. We covered a lot of ground. I hope folks enjoy the trilogy now that it’s all out there. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 03:00:52 +0000 2013)AndrewMayer: The *Falling* Machine. I love that you want to go up and not down. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 03:01:20 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: .@AndrewMayer We wish you the best of luck and continued success! #sffwrtcht(Thu Jan 24 03:02:19 +0000 2013)MorgenRich: #sffwrtcht Thanks for sharing, @andrewmayer, and thanks for hosting, @BryanThomasS and @sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 03:02:30 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: Thanks all for chatting! A transcript for this chat will be up at the website soon.http://t.co/ZucQDzOF #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 03:03:02 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: Thanks all for chatting! A transcript for this chat will be up at the website soon. http://t.co/PfNUTfzm #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 03:03:03 +0000 2013)BryanThomasS: @AndrewMayer My privilege. Now, I can go back to finish your book… #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 03:03:32 +0000 2013)talekyn: @AndrewMayer Tom doesn’t fly, but he does fall with style. #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 03:03:57 +0000 2013)talekyn: @AndrewMayer Thanks for joining us again. Sorry I faded out at the end there! #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 03:04:24 +0000 2013)sffwrtcht: The books are THE FALLING MACHINE, HEARTS OF SMOKE & STEAM & POWER UNDER PRESSURE great #steampunk frm @andrewmayer & @Pyr_Books #sffwrtcht (Thu Jan 24 03:06:27 +0000 2013)Participants
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