Stories from Wild Bill's

WANTED: Writers from the Northern Mariana Islands

Saipan, CNMI – A quartet of local writers from the Northern Mariana Islands is accepting submissions for an upcoming anthology of local writers they are tentatively calling Stories from Wild Bills Cafe: Life, Love and Spicy Tofu in the Northern Mariana Islands.

“A number of local writers have been throwing around an idea to create a compilation of local work for years now,” said Angelo O’Connor Villagomez. “A group of us have been meeting together over spicy tofu and chiliburgers at Wild Bills these last few months and we’ve finally decided to put it together.”

When asked how long the anthology would be and how many writers would be included, Villagomez said that the book would be “about 200 pages, which will probably fit about 15 -20 writers.”

The editors of Wild Bills Café are Jane Mack, Joe Race, Jaime Vergara, and Villagomez.

The inspiration for the name of the anthology comes from Wild Bills Café on Beach Road in Garapan.

“I talked to the owner Bill about the name, and he’s allowing us to use it,” explained Race, a local novelist and former police officer. “Our idea is to focus the attention on a physical place to ground all the stories.”



Race also said that the book would promote the Northern Mariana Islands and might even turn Wild Bills into a destination for tourists, readers, and writers.

“Saipan, Tinian and Rota are home to several dozen newspaper reporters, bloggers, novelists, poets and amateur writers,” said Mack, a novelist and lawyer. “There are also a number of writers from the Northern Mariana Islands living and working abroad, but who write about home. These are the people we want to include in this first edition of Wild Bills.”



Writers interested in submitting work for the anthology can contact the editors at WildBillStories@gmail.com. Submission guidelines are available upon request. Writers whose work is chosen for submission will receive two (2) copies of Stories from Wild Bills Café.

Important Writing Advice

from today's Cartoon section:


©Vic Lee

Saipan notes

Every November when I write during National Novel Writing Month, I set my stories in the CNMI, and I realize how limited my imagination is. The weather in my stories always seems to be whatever it is at the moment; the environment is always November; etc. So I'm starting a "notes" file where I put in bits and pieces about the current weather of the day, the environmental /seasonal notes, and any other bits.

Today's "headline" news is that they tore down the Round House in San Vicente. Bulldozed out of existence. (Noticed this yesterday on the way home from work.) This was an iconic hangout for the neighborhood teens and a bus stop shelter , as well. They're also surveying the roads and it appears we're in for road widening--newspaper says cross-island road. Wonder if they're going to be paying for the land taken in the road widening.

Loads of tangerines on the trees. Plumeria blooming. Today's weather--sunny, bright white puffy clouds--too many, covering the sky, giving a heavy oppressive feel, but cool breezes.

50,000 words

Okay.

I've written 50,000 words during November 2009. I'm an official "winner" in the NaNoWriMo challenge!

I have a first draft novel and a complete story, although the last 20 pages are just outline. And I will have a lot of work to make this novel into a readable story, because it is very messy with lots of continuity issues.

On the other hand, like my other novels before it, it was great fun writing. My characters revealed surprising things about themselves that I didn't know. They insisted on doing things about which I have no knowledge (so research was required and more is needed). And I experienced the real thrill of writing when I uncovered motivations I didn't know existed, found bits of humor that played out in surprising ways, and even found a use for the timeline in the affirming resolution of the story.

Oh yeah.

I wrote a novel in November. So what did you do this month?

National Novel Writing Month--Region: Elsewhere::Micronesia

We've now crossed the half-way mark of November and of National Novel Writing Month. In one crazy month, we novelists crank out a brand-new novel draft of at least 50,000 words. Well, that's the challenge!

This is the second year that we have had an "official" region as part of NaNoWriMo and our region is called "Elsewhere::Micronesia." It embraces all of Micronesia, so although regions are typically "municipalities" and our NaNoWriMo-designated leaders are called "Municipal Liaisons," it's quite obvious that our region is a bit, um, more spread-out!

In the past, there have been writers from the Marshall Islands and Palau, as well as Guam and Saipan. This year, we've got writers only in Guam and Saipan, but wow! We have a lot MORE writers, and we are writing a lot more words! There is a ton of story-telling going on just now.

So for a quick run-down, here's the scoreboard for those who have posted word counts (by user name or real name, and word count), as of the close of November 15, 2009. I know these writers are part of our region, because they've set Elsewhere::Micronesia as their home region, or they've put some detail in their personal profiles from which I could place them here.

Guam:
Leo Babauta: 47,044
Sea Phoenix /Shannon Giel: 32,460
Applejuicebri: 30,556
Cjcarino/ Carlo: 30,019
Lickmydisaster: 26,500
Samwriterchick: 25,111
Twerksie: 13,053
Itchy671: 5,728
Maddiemaer: 2,712
Tenshi-bozu: 1,180
T_Tell: 337
Patty-watty: 308


Saipan:
Saipanwriter/(me): 32,518
Anna Passion/Anna Rose DLG: 20,159
Josemango/Joe Race: 17,989
Lisswain/ Lis Swain: 17,231
Wheaty2008/Matt Wheat: 1,762
Roseanna/ Roseanna Sablan: 1,003

Undisclosed Location:
Aomiles: 23,339
Rice: 7,003
Ahimes: 2,084
Cl832: 001


As you can tell, we are really writing up a storm!

Three of us have "won" NaNoWriMo before--meeting the challenge of writing 50,000 words in November: Me (4 time winner), Joe Race (3 time winner) and Leo (1 time winner). I think we'll have more "winners" this year than ever before!

I am really, really happy to see so much novelling going on in "Elsewhere::Micronesia."

Guam Stripes

Okay, so I don't normally read it. But hey--when you're part of the front-page feature article, you check it out.

Guam Stripes" writer Mary Parker wrote about writers in this part of the world. And of course, since I am "Saipanwriter" she contacted me. I put her in touch with Joe Race and Angie Wheat, too. Time was short, so I missed out on hooking her up with other writers (and there are plenty), but still, it's nice to see she got Saipan into the mix.

285. Words on the Brink

Another bit of news--Words disappearing from dictionary.

Read about it here. Some of these words are roborant, imho!

I voted in the poll to save words, but some of the polling booths are already closing. If you want to save any of these words, better hurry over and vote.

I voted for words I thought would not have large followings, because I'd like to save all of the words, if that makes sense.

My choices:
Exuviate--to shed (a skin or similar outer covering)
Muliebrity--the condition of being a woman (because we know it's a condition!)
Olid--foul smelling (the only word on the list I actually knew).

Close seconds-the ones I would have voted for if I hadn't been trying to save them all:
Embrangle--to confuse or entangle
Fubsy--short and stout, squat
Skirr--a whirring or grating sound, as of the wings of birds in flight

And words for this year's NaNoWriMo effort:
Malison--a curse
Niddering--cowardly
Villipend--to treat or regard with contempt

I like them all, really!

284. Ah--The Glory!!!

I have now officially been named as the Municipal Liason for the region Micronesia by the gurus at NaNoWriMo! They are so happy to have such an exotic and remote corner of the world on their ML map, they've mentioned this specifically on their website front page breaking news. Ah, the glory! The Honor! The power of having a title!

If you want any information about NaNoWriMo (as in National Novel Writing Month), feel free to contact me.

I'll be taking the program into Saipan Southern High School, thanks to sophomore Engligh teacher, Jonathan Cabrera. I'm not sure how many students will be signing up, but I believe some hapless students in the 5th period English classes may be tagged for the honor. :-)

I'll also be figuring out when we have our KICK-OFF party, so if you have any suggestions of date and place, let your voice be heard.

276. The NaNoWriMo Mantel

Okay. I've taken the plunge and applied to be the NaNoWriMo Municipal Liason for Saipan (or the CNMI, or Micronesia--however they decide to designate the region). If you are interested in writing your novel this November, feel free to contact me. I'll schedule some write-ins and other events.

National Novel Writing Month started in 1999, the inspiration of Chris Baty, with encouragement from his friends. That first year, there were 21 participants and 6 winners. From that humble beginning, NaNoWriMo has grown to a vast, international undertaking enjoyed by thousands! In 2007, 101,510 participated (I think that means signed up). A record 15,333 writers crossed the finish line, cranking out 50,000 words or more in the 30 days of November.

This year, NaNoWriMo holds it big tenth anniversary write-in. Now is a great time to join. Any later, is much too late! If you make it into NaNoWriMo during the first 10 years, you'll get special bragging rights that others will envy!

I've participated in NaNoWriMo 3 times so far, in 2005, 2006, and 2007. I crossed the 50,000 word winner's line each year. Finishing the novel has proven harder. In 2005, I just wrote notes on the last few chapters and finished the writing in January. In 2006, I managed a full novel, with beginning, middle, and end. In 2007, I got lost in the plot and made the wordcount, but I still haven't written the ending.

Still, it's satisfying to enjoy the wild, intense writing spree of November; to get a first draft on paper that can be edited later; and to share with others all over the world the joys and triumphs, the frustrations and fears of writing your own novel.

So, just head over to the NaNoWriMo site and sign up. Join me as a friend in your profile (if you like). And watch for postings here and in hard-copy notices around Saipan for further information.

BTW, there are kids in elementary school who participate in NaNoWriMo! School classrooms can sign up at the Young Writer's Program and get a free teacher's kit. There are also novelling workbooks on line at the YWP site, which I suggest adults use as well! They are helpful.

249. A Bit on Vocabulary

Ken Phillips has an interesting post on "Proper English" with some links to phrase finder sites. Beware. You can easily lose track of time playing around on those.

I've been reading a lot of murder mysteries lately as part of my summer pseudo-vacation. (I'm still working every day. But it's summer and feels like I should be on vacation.) Some of the modern ones are pure claptrap, not really worth the time. But when you're vacationing, time isn't a concern, so I read on.

But one thin volume that I borrowed from Ruth Tighe was a decidedly British mystery, written in the early 1970's. An Awkward Lie, by the Scottish writer Michael Innes (a/k/a J.I.M. Stewart ), had me digging deep into my memory for words I haven't heard for a while, and in some cases had me reaching for my dictionary.

Here are some of the words and phrases I found interesting, refreshing, humorous, or just puzzling.

spinney
matutinal
saloon (used for a car)
callipygian

distinguo (I still don't have a good definition for this. I'm guessing it's latin or latinate, and just means "as distinguished from" or something like that.)

racemes
laved
pinnace
miching malicho
enfilading
apothegm
philologist
scrum-half
farouche
corvee
refection
tiro (more familiar to me as tyro)
tumuli
barrows (not the wheel kind)
vallums
sarsen
scragged
tump
Bunn (I still haven't found a satisfactory definition for this word, as used in the novel.)

and
collation

I'm sorry to say that, before dictionary, I only knew seven of these words. Ah, the joys of vacation reading.

219. Analogies

I like to analyze analogies used for and against proposals. A good analogy can make an argument stronger. A poor analogy loses the day.

There have been some different analogies used about the proposal for a national marine monument:

John Gourley analogized the ocean to a bank, and the national marine monument to a bank policy that let us look at our wealth but not have access to it in times of need. As I mentioned previously, this analogy is oh so wrong because 1) the world is not an unlimited bank from which we can withdraw endlessly; 2) if it is a bank, we are not the "depositors" in the bank and thus don't have the right to withdraw; and 3) even with banks, not having policies that regulate what can be withdrawn will result in bankruptcy.

Besides there is an underlying fallacy in the bank analogy. It presupposes that the national marine monument closes the door to withdrawing needed resources. Here's a map taken from The Saipan Blog.

If the ocean is a bank, then the withdrawal doors look very wide open. Even if ALL of the yellow zones became protected areas, there is still a lot of ocean left to withdraw from.

Another analogy:
In today's letter to the editor , Brad Doerr affirms that the CNMI Legislature was right to go slowly, be cautious, look both ways before crossing the street on the Pew proposal for a National Marine Monument. I think that Mr. Doerr was trying to be conciliatory and diplomatic, trying to get the Legislators to come back to sanity and recast their votes in favor of the National Marine Monument.

But the analogy doesn't work for me. As I view it, we're already standing in the middle of the road. Traffic is whizzing around us, killing our oceans and warming our globe. Pew Charitable Trust is like a kindly safety guard who's rushed out to guide us safely to the side of the road to protect our life. And the CNMI, like a foolish, stupid, immature child, is saying "no, I don't have to move if I don't want to."

Smash, crash. We're all doomed.

Pew Charitable Trust, for their part, have gone off to rescue someone smarter, someone who sees the danger and wants the rescue. Someone who might even say thank you when they're safely on the side of the road.

197. Something in the Air

I've been writing lately about how disturbing I find letters and interviews printed in our local newspapers with unfounded accusations and barely-disguised untruths stated in them. Obviously, there's something in the air. Or perhaps the art of lying is contagious.

In the publishing/book world, there's a James Frey redux. Only this time it's Margaret B. Jones, a/k/a Peggy Seltzer. Another memoir that received positive reivews is fiction.

There are some differences. One is that the lie was promptly exposed by the author's sister after publication of the book and the news publicity it engendered. So Oprah isn't embarrassed this time.

The publisher has also changed its response --recalling all copies of the book and cancelling Ms. Seltzer's book tour. No chance for extra sales of copies after the scandal, as happened with James' Frey's book A Million Little Pieces.

There's an interesting discussion at Galley Cat about why this problem continues to resurface. While you can vote in a small poll, there's no option that includes "people like to lie; it makes them feel important." Meanwhile, Media Bistro is selling a video lesson on fact-checking.

And if you get tired of the fact-checking problem, you can always read about plagiarism, and its latest incarnation at the NYT, here at SLATE .

195. On Professionalism

I recently wrote a blog post over at DAY IN COURT. I've been feeling the burn of sublimated anger at many of the letters to editors in our local newspapers lately. Accusations tossed about based on prejudice and personal bias, opinions designed to push racial and ethnic tensions higher, and advice that glosses over one's own counter-actions all have me wanting to caution readers --don't believe everything you read in the newspapers. Consider the source. Ask where's the verification.

I made a quiet reference to professionalism, and noted how it adds credibility and clarity. Without it, you have a lot of haze, and perhaps just smoke and mirrors.

And then I came across this guest lecture by the noted scriptwriter John August. It encouraged the Trinity students (and now offers the message to everyone who reads it) to be professional, not amateur, to be "aspiring," not irresponsible, writers.

It's amusing and insightful, and also filled with motherly advice. As I've said to my own daughter each time she writes another school composition, essay, short story, "Do your best, hon. Always do your best." Only now I can quote someone else, someone with more cachet, someone worth heeding.

So we can both be better writers--truly professional.

193. Story within a Story

I recently wrote my monthly book review column, and included some blather about literary devices. One of the literary devices I wrote about was the "story within a story," which I loved in THE YEAR OF THE RAT.

Since writing that book review, though, I've been encountering this device everywhere. And I mean everywhere. The most recent was in the DVD of BIG FISH, which I wanted to watch because the screenplay is by John August, and I've been studying his blog for help.

Stop, please. No more stories within stories for at least a week, please! Please? Help.

164. Novel Zone--no time to blog!

National Novel Writing Month--November--is no time to blog!

I'm at 47,000 words on my most recent novel, thanks to the blitzkrieg of NaNoWriMo. My back aches. My wrists are sore. My eyes feel like dried up bits of pain in my face. And my characters keep going off on tangents instead of getting on with the story so I can wrap things up by 50,000 words.

Looks like I'll still be writing into the 60's. Aargh.

So although there are some rants and drones that have come to my brain at times during the last few days (especially today, with our illustrious congressmen passing a resolution to stifle free speech and invite another haole American to "go back where he came from"), they'll have to wait.

Must novel on!

162. The Saipan Tribune Advertises--Hilarity Ensues

I laughed out loud when I read this advertisement (copied verbatim) in the Trib today (see page 22).

Attention all fresh college graduates
Do you love to write? Ever considered pursuing a career in
journalism?
We are looking for fresh college graduates (associate or bachelor's degree)
with strong English writing skills, is willing to be trained to become a news or
sports reporter, and is ready to put in the hard work necessary to become a
professional reporter.
Interested? E-mail your application letter, resume, and a writing sample
...

I can't help but wonder who will be doing the training, and whether punctuation and grammar will be on the agenda! And let's make sure there are no stale college graduates applying! haha!

161. NaNoWriMo Write In

There's a NaNoWriMo Write-In this Sunday at 2PM at Coffee Care.

If you're writing your novel this month, or thinking about it but haven't yet started, come. Bring your laptop and be ready for some word wars! Or at least have an extra plot bunny or two to share.

158. Writing that Novel

This is my third year participating in National Novel Writing Month. Each year's experience is different.

The first year, I was totally manic. I had planned a lot--had the rudiments of an plot outline, basic characters with traits figured out, and a novel "cover" with a photo of the scene. I had made a hard-copy chart to keep track of my daily progress. I had files with research on technical issues and details. And I read and posted in the NaNo forums a lot.

On top of work and home, I was busy, busy, busy. And I wrote on schedule, using the holidays to get ahead, and finished on 11/25 with 61,000+ words.

I had put out signs trying to get others to join me, but without luck. And when it was all over, I hosted my own success party where I drank with a few friends, who read out portions of my "completed" printed out novel.

That first year was a great experience. And I love that novel (which I'm still editing!)



The second year, I had planned less, but had some basics in hand. A map of my locale, some news clippings for inspiration. I'd re-read my favorite books on writing and had plumbed my new copy of Chris Baty's NaNo book.

And thanks to the efforts of our local Joeten-Kiyu Library, I had two writing buddies who came to the weekly write-ins. Joe Race finished his first NaNoWriMo novel that year. Julia Allen, then working at the library, made some progress with words on paper, but was more the organizational guru for us.

My novel that year felt flat on first reading, although I liked the beginning. I haven't gotten back to it, but I think it has potential to be worked into a worthy second novel.




This year, I haven't planned at all. I decided on my basic story back at the beginning of Nano 1, when all three books were crying to be written and I had to see which one would be written first, then second and now the third one. I start with a premise. And this year, that's all I had on November 1!

Well, that and more Saipan Nanoers! Joe Race, Nancy Nielsen, Connie Nakamura, and "Marianas Life" are all in the writing marathon for the month. Ken Kramer is thinking about it (and may have started by now).

Having buddies in the Nano online community means I have others urging me on to increase my word count. I am woefully behind this year (now about a 1 1/2 days off target), but I have a few organizational tricks I've learned over the years (like keeping a character chart as I write, so I don't forget whose eyes are grey, and who moved to Oregon and Korea and such). I also use a Chris Baty tip-- I draw--with crayons and kindergarten style. So far this year, I've mapped out one party scene and my main character's home and yard. Coffee Care has brown paper on the tables, with handy crayons available, and these are perfect for this part of the process! (Also the wireless is a nice feature!)

I've also returned to that first year necessity of writing badly--lots and lots of words on the page, to (almost) make the word count quotas. Oddly the freedom to do this adds an energy to the writing and makes it better in some ways.

And of course, I'm using the "dares" from the NaNoWriMo forums again. Nanoers dare each other to do things in their novels--like add talking squirrels and recite ridiculous lines. I love these (although I won't take the talking squirrel dare) because they add a touch of whimsy and the unexpected that can lead to better overall plotting.



It's not too late to join NaNoWriMo. There are people who write a 50,000 word novel in a week! The goal is 50,000 words and a beginning, middle and end to the "novel." There's time to do that--or at least get started.

And all I can say is I love doing this. It's a taste of the writing life, all crammed into one 30 day period. Yay!

156. On Writing

This bit on writing just in from NaNoWriMo:

It's a bit like being out of control and totally in charge, simultaneously. Tom Robbins

Ah, the joy!

155. Time to Write a Novel

November is National Novel-Writing Month!

It's time to crank out a first-draft novel in 30 glorious days. This is no small feat, but it can be done. I've done it twice. Joe Race also did this last November. And so far 90,000 people world-wide have signed up to try to do it this November 2007!

You can sign up to join the madness here .

With on-line support like interactive forums, radio podcasts, and breezy letters of encouragement from the NaNoWriMo creator, Chris Baty, the experience is fun and amazingly productive.

If you're in Saipan, feel free to join me for the Day 1 writing session (November 1, of course) at Coffee Care in the evening (sometime like 7 PM). Goal: 1667 words. Remember, you can't win if you don't start, as shown on this graph from Dr.Frag of Adelaide, Australia!