I have the honor of hosting Elizabeth Spann Craig today on her blog tour, and she’s going to discuss super powers today. (And you know how I dig super powers!)
12 Super Powers and Super Tools for Writers—by Elizabeth S. Craig/Riley Adams
It’s not easy being a writer.
There’s a lot we’re carrying on our shoulders—crafting worlds, creating interesting people to populate those worlds, mastering POV, pacing the story—and that’s just the writing part of what we do! On top of it all, we’ve got to steel ourselves against rejection, poor reviews…it’s a rough life.
Why should super heroes be the ones with all the cool powers and tools? I know they’re busy saving the world and all, but writers could use some super powers, too. And I know just the super powers and super tools to help us out:
Super Lair: A lair isn’t a super power, but it’s just as important to superheroes. It’s a place for heroes to recharge their super selves. Batman had the Batcave, Superman had the Fortress of Solitude. What would be the perfect super lair for writers? I’m thinking Office Depot. We’d play with Post-it Notes, notebooks, and Sharpie pens in our spare time. We’d leave our lair energized and ready to attack our next chapter.
Superhuman hearing: Ever been in a coffeehouse or restaurant and wanted to eavesdrop on a fascinating conversation that you know could help your story? With superhuman hearing, we’d never again have to surreptitiously move closer to spy on our unknowing victims!
Magical objects: Doctor Strange had the Eye of Agamotto medallion, the Black Knight had the Ebony Blade. Writers could have the never-depleting cup of Java and the indestructible laptop/hard drive.
Speed writing: For those deadlines that sneak up on us.
Reality warping: For those inconvenient plot holes.
Omnipresence: Omnipresence is a must for all those writers with boring office day jobs. You could be compiling the monthly sales report and be at home, penning the next exciting chapter of your thriller—all at once!
Teleportation/wormhole at our Office Depot lair: Okay, just in case we can’t get omnipresence, we could settle for teleportation or a wormhole so we could instantly apparate from home/Office Depot to our boring day job.
Cool transportation: Invisible jet? Batmobile? No, actually, this might be a super tool that writers don’t need. We just don’t get out all that much.
Mind control: To convince the agent or editor we’ve queried that our manuscript is The One.
Endurance and sleep-snubbing ability: For the writer who needs to burn the candle on both ends, without inconvenient consequences.
Time travel: Could be useful for historical writers. Or heck, even SF/F writers.
Unlimited funds: Batman/Bruce Wayne, Iron Man, Geo-Force, Mr. Fantastic? All incredibly wealthy. I’m thinking writers could use a little of that. Writers and money, of course, don’t often go together. But think of how cool it would be—we could write on location for whatever exotic setting we choose. No day job for us!
But what do you think? Got any other ideas for useful super powers we writers could use? Thanks for hosting me today, Alex! I appreciate it.
Bio: Elizabeth’s latest book, Finger Lickin’ Dead, released June 7th. Elizabeth writes the Memphis Barbeque series for Penguin/Berkley (as Riley Adams), the Southern Quilting mysteries (2012) for Penguin/NAL, and the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink. She blogs daily at Mystery Writing is Murder, which was named by Writer’s Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers for 2010 and 2011.
Writer's Knowledge Base--the Search Engine for Writers
Twitter: @elizabethscraig
Thanks, Elizabeth! I'll take teleportation. And a Batmobile!
106 comments:
Thanks for hosting Alex,
It was interesting to read her post,most enjoyable to read.
Have a good day.
Yvonne.
I'd love to get by on less sleep...think how productive I would be!
Lost of great ideas here (if only super powers were real). I'd use time travel to have more time to write. It'd be cool if we could wave our hand over our manuscript, and every typo or awkward phrasing just popped out (e.g. glowed a certain color) so we could find them and fix them. The mind control idea is pretty sweet.
I enjoyed your post, Elizabeth. Alex, thanks for hosting!
Hey Alex, thanks for hosting Elizabeth S-C! I have often thought she has super powers - can blog and comment at the speed of light - remains kind when others about her might lose their heads (or at least their notebooks!)
Great and funny list, Elizabeth - only one thing I'd quibble with - we do have time travel down pat as writers. In fact, that's what we do best!
I like the unlimited funds!
some suggestions for the superpowers:
Great hair
Great bod
Perfect teeth
Oh, and don't forget the kryptonite factor. Every superhero must have a weakness to create conflict.
Great Post!
I am one for magical objects, don't know how I'd function without my too many cups of coffee in the morning! :)
Alex--Thanks for hosting me at your blog! This is a cool place to visit. :)
welcome to my world of poetry--Yvonne, thanks so much for coming by!
Christine--Wouldn't that be cool? We could work all night...
Liz--Ohhh...I love that idea. With a wave of my hand, all the problem areas would glow in an eerie light so that I could correct them!
Jan--Maybe that's a natural superpower that all writers possess? I didn't think of it that way, but you're so right! And thanks for the kind words. :)
Huntress--I could definitely handle the appearance superpower! Good one. :) That, paired with the unlimited resources, could make us go far!
You're right! We have to have some kind of weakness. Of course, I guess writer insecurity could be our Kryptonite! That's one we sort of do to ourselves...
Amy--Me either! I think I'm going to go pour myself another cup, now. :)
I can't decide which of those I'd like the most!
Liz, I'd like that power!
Thanks for visiting the army today, Elizabeth! And I still want to teleport.
Even just one of these powers would be awesome.
Elizabeth - What a wonderful post! Yes! I think my favourite is your "super lair." OK, it's not a power, but still.
My idea? I'd love Super Vision - you know, the kind that catches all writing errors and stupidity before anyone else does...
Paul--I think I'd like to be able to stay up all night with no repercussions. :)
Alex--Shouldn't we be teleporting by now? I swear that teleportation was listed in my "Life in the Future" part of my 4th grade social studies book! Along with flying cars...
Matthew--I think so, too! Or, well, maybe 2 of them. :)
Margot--We *deserve* a super lair! We work so hard. :) I like the super vision idea, too...no need for first readers or editors!
Elizabeth, what a great and creative list of writer's super power list. I don't have anything to add, but would like to have all of these.
Alex, Thanks for hosting E. Where's the refreshments?
Actually, Elizabeth, that sounds pretty good right now. I didn't go to bed until 2am last night, and I'm in work right now... :-(
Haha. I like the way you think. I'd add one more: bug ward so that we can enjoy the outside air anywhere without creepy crawlies or wingy stingies bothering us. I hate being dive bombed by biting flies.
I really need to work on my sleep-snubbing ability! I like sleeping way too much. Great post.
Thanks for coming by to comment, y'all!
Teresa--I'd like them all, too!
The punch bowl is just over there on the far wall... :)
Paul--Ack! Good luck with the lack of sleep, Paul!
Jaleh--Good one! Especially those mosquitoes that are always after me!
Clarissa--I have a love/hate relationship with sleep! Wish I didn't have to do it at all...might get a whole lot more done.
Teresa, super drinks coming up!
And I must be the only writer who gets his sleep.
Love the superpowers! My lair would be Staples though. I actually think I already possess the sleep deprivation one lol
These are terrific powers. Can we get them in a boxed set?
Love these super powers! Summers are tough with kids home. I could use any super power I can get. :)
Such a cool post!
I want some of these: teleportation, superhuman hearing, and speed writing for sure :)
Those are great! I'll take a dose of that superhuman hearing. And, I think special transportation would be useful. I've often dallied to the last minute and wished I had something to instantly transport me to the required destination, or transport my children, who are waiting for me to pick them up, again.
Fun interview and an awesome list of super powers...
Nice to meet you Elizabeth and thanks....
Wow. This is an awesome post. Thank you, Alex and Elizabeth!
Genetically enhanced stomachs - this enables writers to eat as much chocolate and drink as much wine as possible without gaining the dreaded "writer's arse" (copyright Talli Roland)! LOL!!
Or a cat. All writers should have a cat. Ahem.
Take care
x
I agree with Old Kitty about the wine, chocolate, and the cat. But every cat needs a buddy, right?
Staples - that's funny, Dafeenah!
Old Kitty, can we have Catwoman? And in her spandex suit?
Alex--You're a lucky one!
Dafeenah--Staples is an awesome lair...good prices, too.
GigglesandGuns--Yes we can!
Ciara--You are SO right! My advice for surviving your summer is to invite children over to play...although that seems counterintuitive, I get so much done that way.
Carol--Speed writing would be especially cool!
Mary--Maybe teleportation of *children* would be useful for us mommy writers!
Michael--Nice to meet you, too. :)
Ellie--Thanks for coming by!
Old Kitty--Yes! Chocolate, wine, cats...and maybe a constant supply of excellent coffee?
Karen--I do, too! And technology. Maybe one day the technology, at least, will come through for us!
Maryann--I've got 2 here! Yes, I think a cat, for sure. Maybe a cat who has an automatic litterbox-cleaning super power. :)
Alex--Ha! I remember Catwoman from the old Batman show days...
The only superpower missing from this list is that of controlling fire. That's a necessary one for handling rejection letters.
I was always enamored of Superman's fortress of solitude.
Jeffrey--Which reminds me that I should have a big bonfire for my old rejection letters. Why I hold onto them, I don't know. Controlling fire sounds like an awesome power to me!
Suze--Yes! Boy, we could really get some writing done in a fortress of solitude. :)
What a fun post! I always wanted superspeed. Then I could clean the house and still be able to write an entire novel in a day. Just think about how quickly I could edit the novel and critique my friend's novels and...
It's the 'unlimited funds' thing ... I don't mind writing for free, but it'd be nice to eat once in a while.
Awesome post! I want those powers. I would also like a nanny that is better than Mary Poppins, but with the same musical powers. It's hard to write when you've got a toddler clinging onto your leg all day.
how do I get that speed writing power? Is there a ring for that?
Unlimited funds! Show me the money.
Nicole--That would be fantastic! The house clean in a flash, writing in a flash, reading in a flash. I love it!
Christopher--Sigh...yes. Therin lies the day job (or, in my case, the hubby's day job.):)
Christine--A nanny! Yes. That has a perfect driving record and who adores the children and vice versa! Possibly one that can teach them to be fluent in a second language and play concert-level piano...
Charles--Should be a special ring--maybe jewel-encrusted (to go along with the unlimited funds...)
Diane--Wouldn't that be cool? All the superheros seem to have it...why not us? :)
I will take one of each, please.
I've got to get me one of those never-depleting cup of javas! That would come in sooo handy. The time travel device could be very useful, and wormhole, heck I want all these powers! Great interview, so much fun!
The ability to make multiple copies of myself so one could have the day job while the others wrote.
This is a great list, Elizabeth! I'd love a Super Lair, Super Vision, (maybe in all senses of the word(s)) and the time travel would be useful. However, I think I'd settle most days for a Better Ego - I'm an expert at beating myself up.
Jeffrey, I like that!
Charles, I'll check.
Guy, I like your idea.
Thanks, Elizabeth - this is a big hit!
I have the opposite of superhero hearing. I have superhero "blocking" and I can't hear anything when I'm writing!
Elizabeth, I've long thought you had superpowers--you amaze me how you get so much done! Hoping some of that rubs off!
Thanks, Alex, for hosting a very fun guest!
Oh, I'd love to be able to speed write! Great post, Elizabeth. Thanks for hosting, Alex!
Awesome post, Elizabeth!!! Ha, I'd go with Mind Control too. That seems the easiest solution, mwahahaha! Uh oh, does that make me a villain? I hope not. Fun timing because I just asked the same question on my blog (my story is in a superhero anthology that was just released).
This is so true! A lair, magical objects, and mind control.
I do think we need a form of transportation though, for when we have to zip around and do research (and book tours!). I vote for the magic carpet. That way we can get around in comfort and not worry about gas prices or pollution.
And you forgot about the Superhero disguise. I don't know what my superhero costume would be but it would probably be comfy and stretchy so I could sit and stand and jump around while I was twisting my mind in a hundred different directions.
Jai
Elizabeth:
This was, quite simply, a SUPER post!
Loved it. Now, if you would kindly direct me to the pharmacy where I can pick up a prescription for even one of these, I would be much obliged. Preferably, one that accepts my insurance plan.
Alex: Thanks for hosting! This was neat!
Wow! Have you considered changing genres? You'd be great at Sci fi and fantasy and suspense thrillers.
Loved your post on superheroes, and you posted a picture of my all time favorite, Superman. I'm seconding the motion for unlimitted funds, then I could write whenever I want without worrying about the day job.
They're all great and it would be difficult to pick just one--I want them all!
And how about invisibility? To be that fly on the wall and drop in to spy on conversations and situations. And you could slip into places and move things around without being seen. Like keep putting our manuscript at the top of the editor's or agent's stack so it stays on their mind--part of the mind control thing.
Fun post!
Lee
Tossing It Out
Wish I could get speed writing.
Bossy Betty--We'd be in such good shape if we could have them all!
Heather--Thanks! I want them all, too.
Author Guy--Oooh...replication machine!
Elspeth--Yes! Our famous Writer Insecurity at work. :)
Alex--Thanks for having me...I'm having fun!
Lydia--That's a superpower I could definitely use!
Marsha--Thanks! Wish I could get even more done...more multitasking, maybe. :)
Talli--Thanks for coming by!
Lisa--Congratulations on your new release! You know, sometimes I think the villains almost have more fun. :) Like the Joker...always having a good time!
Jai--Oooh...a magic carpet! I'd love it! And it's definitely good for the environment. :)
I always kind of liked Wonder Woman's outfit...although, I have a feeling that it would look different on me...
Bryce--Super! As soon as I track down a pharmacy that can help us out and take our insurance, I'll let you know. :)
Stephen--I used to read tons of sci-fi and fantasy...loved it! Maybe one day, after things settle down a little (if they ever do!)
Laila--Think of all we could get done with unlimited funds! (I've always been a Superman fan, too.) :)
Lee--I've always wanted to be invisible! I think that would be one of the coolest ones. Of course, I'd probably start giggling and someone would hear me...
M Pax--Me too!
Lydia, my wife would say I have that as well.
Jai, that's a good one!
Lee, after teleportation, invisibility is next on my list.
They would all be great, but at this point, I'd settle for the power of concentration...
The book sounds interesting and I think I'll take a look.
I think they'd all be great, but I'd love to speed type! :)
Great Blog, found you via my dad RJR
Worth Remembering
I need Speed READING too . . . so I can read all those books in my genre that need to be read for "research".
This was such a fun article! Thanks Elizabeth and Alex!
Can I have speed editing added on to that please? Kinda like laser vision, you can find and squash/reword mistakes in a flash. Sign me up!
Pat--Ahh...the power of concentration! I need that one, too--especially in summertime. And...thanks! Hope you'll enjoy what you see of the book.
Lindsay--Speed typing would be super-cool...and super-fast thoughts that are worthy of our fast typing!
Rachel--Glad you found Alex's blog--always a friendly, fun place. :)
ali--Oh, the toppling TBR stack? I've got one of those, too!
Colene--Sounds like a great addition! Then none of us would dread editing anymore!
Hi Alex. Hi Elizabeth. Great post with lots of fun ideas.
How about vision populate. We envision a scene, world, character, etc. and it populates on to the page perfectly.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium
Pat, concentration is overrated. But not sleep though!
Hey, Rachel! Welcome.
Nancy, I like that one.
cool beans, alex and elizabeth!
i have a lair, as per my blog head, 'loopy lair'... the only super power i want is total recall... no, NOT the one ahnoldt played in, the real one! ;) lol
You've named some really cool ones. I think I like the unlimited funds best. As slow as success is as a writer, perhaps we need long-life so we can create works that make us immortal.
Has to be unlimited funds for me too !
Love the superpowers listed in the post, and some of them listed in the comments, especially the lair, the supervision to spot mistakes, total recall so I don't forget the name of that side character who shows up three times and then at the end - can I call those characters RED SHIRT and just be done with it? Probably not.
I actually have an "instant" hot water heater my parents gave me that keeps my tea water constantly hot . . . so I almost have unlimited java.
It was fun getting lost in this post. I'd be happy with a small fraction of the last one.
xoRobyn
Reality warping and mind control? Sign me up!
What a great post, Elizabeth. I like the superhearing, but can we add a tuner to filter out what we don't want to hear? Sometimes we superheroes want to focus.
Great post! I would definitely love to have a superlair, although I am enjoying my small home office.:P And unlimited funds is probably the best superpower to have. I can just imagine being able to stay home and write all day!
By the way, ALex, thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving awesome comments about my England trip. Surely makes my day!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
N. R.--I like that one! Because that stuff always changes from my head to the page. :)
laughingwolf--Wish I had total recall! My memory is a big failure for me...
Susan--Yes! Maybe not *immortal*, but really long-lived...like the Highlanders or something.
Ricky--Unlimited funds for all!
Tyrean --Ooh...an instant hot water heater...that's pretty cool! I think Red Shirt characters is pretty apt, actually. :)
Rawknrobyn--Thanks so much for coming by!
Susan--Of course, writers warp reality all day... :)
Bob--I think a super filter could be arranged!
nutschell--Staying home and writing all day is definitely heavenly an end goal of a superpower!
I'll take the time travel. I wouldn't use it for research I'd just use it so I had more time to write ;)
Transportation: nah--"we just don't get out that much." So true (and sad.) This is hilarious!
It is very hard to be a writer, I agree with you, so many people stay on the road. But once you are, is like being God. You can do whatever you want with the characters in time and space ... Perhaps that is why it is difficult to be a writer has to be struck by lightning or have a divine will. Unfortunately my thoughts run faster than my pen.
Tyrean, don't think the red shirt thing will work...
Bob, my wife says I already do that.
Nutshcell, you're welcome! It brings back memories.
Leovi, but not faster than your camera!
Lynda--Good idea!
Anne--I think, if it weren't for my children, I'd probably just leave the house a couple of times a week!
Leovi--It's true...there's a lot of freedom once we really get into the creative process. It's what makes it all worth it.
It occurs to me that clairvoyance would solve a lot of research issues, total recall coupled with the supercomputer that is the human brain and the sleepless stamina would all be great. Another super power I would add would be electrokinesis so that I could think my writing right into the word processing program. With that, I suppose I could do my own cover art pretty briskly, too.
Great post.
My lair is the urinal. I do my best writing thinking at that moment. Very odd, right?
Copyboy, somehow that doesn't surprise me in the least.
Love these!! I really want the teleportation and the lair. The one I really need though is the I-don't-have-to-sleep power!! :)
Those are great super powers! I would love for my super lair to be one of those old fashioned, super tall libraries with a fireplace and a rolling ladder (as well as a spiral staircase to get up to the open balcony.
That was fun! I want them all.
Well Done Elizabeth and Alex~ Me I want a wormhole and a Delorean(Back to the Future Style) in case the worm hole is full, lol Any one up for an Office Depot raid? How fun...
I love these! I'd take an Office Depot Writers Cave any day. I think an automated assistant to keep us on track would be a great thing to have, too.
Alex, thanks for introducing Elizabeth to us. She definitely knows what she's talking about :)
Elizabeth, great job! I was thoroughly entertained by this guest post of yours. And the super liar has to be my favorite :)
YES! Sign me up! I could use all of them!
Very cute, Elizabeth!
Abby, those are cool!
Melissa, can the assistant go to work for us as well?
George, knew you'd like the angle of this post.
Thanks again, Elizabeth!
Phoenix--Electrokinesis! Why didn't I think of that! Because the typing does get old, fast. Cool that you can draw, too!
Copyboy--I think wherever you can write is the BEST place to write!
Jemi--Me too!
Abby--Absolutely! And plenty of time to read those books!
She Writes--Thanks for coming by!
Ella--A Delorean! Yes! That would be too much fun. :)
Melissa--Sort of like Rosie from the Jetsons? I've always wanted one of those!
Nebular--I'm glad you liked it! I expect pictures of everyone's super lairs very soon. :)
Pk Hrezo--Thanks so much!
Alex--It was my pleasure! Thanks so much again for hosting me. :)
Mind control and time travel would be awesome.
A fun post!
Fascinating ideas...I loved the mind control and magical objects.
This was a terrific fun read! Love the speed writing! I'd have to say that a super power involving a pen would be extra sweet! Have a great day!
I definitely need some super-powers. I'm not asking for too much, just the ability to get into people's heads! Maybe I should just train to be a psychologist. Oh teleporting so I wouldn't have to get on a damn plane again!
Can we order these online? LOL, great post:)
Sue, would you like telepathy like the characters in my book?
M.J. Fifield--Thanks for coming by!
Rek--I've been wanting mind control for years. :)
Summer--Thanks so much and same to you!
Lauracea (Sue R)--Psychologist would definitely pay better than writing! I'm with you on the planes...never fun to make it through an airport.
Siv Maria--I'd pay the shipping and handling, for sure!
Alex--I'd like telepathy!
I wouldn't mind Omnipresence! That could definitely come in handy . . . LOL. Great post!
Golden Eagle--And we'd look like we were juggling it all so well! :)
Controlling the mind is the superpower that I need.
Hey Alex, I'm embarrassed that it's been so long since I've visited your blog.
It will take me a while to catch up.....so leave me alone, I'm reading :)
Rick
Leovi--Wouldn't that be awesome?
Life 101--Lots of good stuff to see at Alex's blog!
Finger Lickin Dead is on my TBR list.
And I bought a lotto ticket last Saturday to help with those unlimited funds. I haven't checked the numbers yet; as long as it sits at the bottom of my purse, its the winner babe :)
Awesome post Liz; gave me a much needed smile tonight.
........dhole
time travel worries me, so I'm taking that, but I will have a worm hole and some unlimited funds :)
Sleep-snubbing and Unlimited Funds are easily my favorites. :) But no WAY is Office Depot gonna be my lair. I'll need something w/ cushy chairs, a warm footbath, and a pumice stone. Pretty toenail polish colors too.
VERY fun post, Elizabeth.
Regarding your comment at my blog, Alex: I've got issues w/ Tron Legacy, actually. It kicked Harry Potter out of IMAX before I got a chance to see it there. *hmphf*
Donna--Thanks so much! And, until you check that lotto number against the number they pulled, you can live the dream!
mshatch--I do have some concerns about being accidentally stuck in some awful place in the past! Yeah, that's the danger with time travel. :)
Nicki--Maybe an Office Depot with an executive office furniture section? :)
Rick, that's all right! Hard to visit everybody.
Sorry, Nicki! Tron:Legacy would've been cool at the IMAX though.
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