When I started writing my first novel 3 and a half years ago, I was completely on my own. Scary as it was, I was on my way. I wrote from the heart, researched like crazy, and never edited my book until I had finished it.

Why had I never edited it? Because I didn't know any better. I just wrote and wrote. When I came across Veronica Wolff's books, I quickly visited her web site, something I had never done with any other author before. Veronica visited her forums often and talked with us about anything we had questions for and even started her own topics. In her forums I met my first critique partner, Pam.

Following Pam, I also met Lizzie. I quickly learned the value of a good CP. They are undoubtedly the best people I could align myself with. I am able to bounce ideas off of them, have them read my work and I value their opinion and suggestions. I now work with Lizzie and Melissa who I am lucky to know.

Veronica also encouraged me to join RWA (Romance Writers of America)  and CHRW (Celtic Hearts Romance Writers.) The information passed though these groups as a valuable asset to any writer who joins any group. There are pre-published authors and authors who have many, many published books. We have a woman educated in Gaelic and Scotland, and woman who is a wonderful researcher, and we also have a gentleman who is knowledgeable in all forms of fighting. Just to name a few.

Through CHRW I have taken workshops, joined an amazing critique group, and have become a judge in a few contests.

In the critique group, I have learned so much more about writing then I ever thought possible. Everyone is so helpful. As it should be. We are all going for the same goal. To be published or to continue to be published. That's right, even published authors are members of this critique group. It is very helpful to have another set of eyes to read over your work before you pass it off. We all have an understanding also that we trust each other with our work and know that nothing will be copied and that no one will be harsh in their critique.

If I could give you any advice in your writing career, it would be to find someone to become critique partners with or to align yourself with a wonderful critique group. I promise, you won't be sorry.

My apologies. I've been so engrossed in my revisions and family life that I forgot what day it was.

Such is a writer's journey.

Take heart, you are not the only ones I've forgotten. My poor family has near starved and the laundry is piled to the ceiling, but the upside is I'm getting closer and closer to submitting Love At Twenty Paces.

I hope to reach my goal to send it off by mid-August. Only a few weeks away and only ten months beyond my original self-imposed deadline. So you see why I'm shut away in my cave.

Do you ever shut yourself off from the world to write?

Happy Tuesday,

Renee

My company is in the middle of preparations to move locations from one city to another. Being the hard working, responsible employee that I am, I have committed myself to weeks of physical labor and over time…joy!

Needless to say, I am exhausted and brain dead.

While I cannot offer wit or wisdom, I can offer you entertainment from these fine folks:

Get freaky with Catie Rhodes in her post about ghostly caverns: http://catierhodes.com/2011/07/22/the-ghosts-of-longhorn-caverns/

Revisit the good times in Poltergeist with Sonia Medeiros: http://doingthewritething.wordpress.com/2011/07/22/theyre-heeeeere/

And check out this great mash-up from Piper Bayard, all kinds of cool stuff in here: http://piperbayard.wordpress.com/2011/07/22/the-end-is-near-and-we-deserve-it-worlds-first-tickle-spa-opens-in-spain/

The move is near…the craziness should be over by the end of next week, so hopefully everything will be back to normal, or my version of normal, soon!

Never.

So I mentioned Sherrilyn Kenyon’s inspiring keynote address in my last blog for New Kids. But I think the topic deserves a bit more discussion.

If you want to read her speech, she’s posted it on here. http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/-rwa%20luncheon%20speech%20delivered.pdf

The woman went through some hardship in her life, that’s for sure. And through sheer determination, talent, and a bit of luck, she’s now a NYT list author.

But what if she hadn’t tried just one more time. After she’d promised her husband not to waste anymore money or time on her dream. What if she hadn’t stolen a stamp from her husband’s wallet to send that last query or borrowed money from a friend to send that last partial? Would fate still reached out to her to grant her wish?

I guess what I’m asking is how long are you willing to tread water before your ship comes in?

There’s an old joke about a guy stranded on his rooftop, flood waters all around who prays for divine assistance. When a scruffy looking man in a rowboat appears, the guy turns him away and prays harder. When a larger search and rescue boat floats by, he waves them off to help others and prays harder. Finally a helicopter comes, but he turns his rescuers away, knowing God will save him.

When he dies, unrescued, he’s standing at the pearly gates. He sees God standing to welcome him. Falling on his knees, he cries out, “I prayed for you to save me. Why did you forsaken me?”

God pulls the man to his feet. “My son, I sent you a row boat, a search and rescue boat, and a helicopter. What more did you want?”

Sometimes I feel like that man, calling out to the universe my dreams, my wishes, my goals. But then when the day is done, have I done my part to help fate? Have I edited closely? Have I written the best story I can today? And finally, have I taken the chance and sent my projects out into the writing world?

Or am I waiting for a bigger boat?

What about you? Have you put in the time and effort to reach your dream? Writing related or not, tell us your story.

The flooding Mississippi picture is thanks to my DH.

Lynn

This week I've been reading a book where one of the supporting characters is a writer. In the story line, she uses her brother and his friends as "models" for her characters. She says that she just used a modification of their names, but the characters are not based on the actual men. Now, this is just fiction, but it got me to wondering, do "non" fictional writers base some of their characters on real family and friends?

Looking at my own characters, I don't think that I ever based any of them on my friends and family. Sure I've used their names. I have two minor characters who are sisters and named them Gertrude and Florence after my great aunts of the same name, but the characters are not them. The sisters in my story are older teenagers. I only new my great aunts as elderly women, and I was too young to have picked up too much about their personalities, and how they may have interacted as young women. So I poached their first names to honor them. I also have other characters named after my dad and my grandfather, but the characters' personalities are not based on my dad and grandfather's personalities.

How about you? Have you ever based a character on a friend or family member? When they read it did they recognize themselves? Did they like these characters or did they think you misrepresented their flaws and foibles?

Once again I'm battling the dreaded tendonitis and writing is severely restricted, but I wanted to drop in and share some excellent tips for a writer's tool box.

Nicole Basaraba's Uni-Verse-City hosted veteran blogger Marcia Richard-author of Marcia Richards…Married With Stories, with topics on writing, mid-life, history, and a little bit of wickedness. In her spotlight, Marcia discusses Six Ways to Keep Your Readers Engaged

Writing multi-cultural characters? Check out Murdarati's Non-white Heroes

My favorite tip of the week is What Plot is Not at The Journal Pulp.This is a must, must read for all newbies.

Going for another cortisone shot today, so hopefully I'll be back in full swing next week.
Until next time~

Happy Tales,
kristal lee

Renee here. Please help me welcome author Lillian Duncan to the Block.


Can you tell us where you are from?

I'm from a small town in Ohio. We're located about half-way between Columbus and Cleveland. When I say small I mean small. There's one traffic light. I love living in a town where I know the names of the people I see on a regular basis, like the store owner, the librarians, and the pharmacist. And in fact it’s one of the themes in Pursued.


I like that your town was an inspiration for your book. Speaking of, tell us about your upcoming release.

PURSUED is a story near and dear to my heart. I wanted to write a story that showed some of the differences between "big-city" and "small-town" living, but in the end those differences are only superficial. The important thing is a person’s character not where they live or what they do for a job.


So, when did you start writing?

I know this is going to sound a bit strange, but I've always "made up" stories in my head when I was bored. Very detailed stories with characters and problems and happy endings. After two very specific events, it was like a light bulb went off in my head. Oh, these are the stories I should be writing down so I started writing that day and I haven't stopped since.


Not so strange if you talk with other writers. How long have you been writing? Have you ever felt like giving up?

I started writing 16 years ago when I was 40. Yikes, that makes me so...never mind. And absolutely, I wanted to give up many, many times. And in fact, I did give up many times but I always started up again.

I don't know any writer who hasn't felt that way. The uncertainty of becoming a published writer can be frustrating and overwhelming at times to say the least. But if being a writer is your dream, you have to keep writing and waiting...and waiting...and.....


I'm in the uncertainty camp at the moment, but like you said if it's your dream you have to keep writing. How many books have you published?

PURSUED is my fourth book to be published, but the first with White Rose Publishing. But in many ways, I consider it to be my debut novel since it's my first book with what is considered a "traditional" publisher.


Wow, four. How long does it take you to write a book?

That's a question I get asked quite often and it’s really hard question to answer. First, the story rumbles around in my head for awhile and then I might write a few chapters and stop. If the story goes away, I give up on in for the moment but will go back to it somtime in the future. But if the story stays with me and I can't get it off my mind, then I start writing it more seriously. At that point it may take 2-3 months to get the first draft written and then it can take forever to edit, revise, and polish.


I understand taking forever on the polishing. I guess it helps to have some sort of schedule. What does your writing schedule look like?

I try to write every day even if it's only for 30 minutes or so. Most work days during the school year (my day job is a Speech Pathologist in a school) I write for an hour or so. I work part-time so on my non-work days, I will at least write for 3-4 hours at least two of the days I'm off work. In the summer, again, I try to work 3-4 hours most days but so far this summer, I’m working more like 6-8 hours each day.


6-8 hours? For some reason I can't write until after the sun sets. What would you say is an interesting writing quirk you have?

I think my quirk is the fact I don't have a quirk. I sit down at my computer and I write and write and write. I hear other writers complaining about how difficult the creative process is and I think I must be doing something wrong because I just sit down and the story comes to me one scene at a time.


I often plot stories around a title I've come up with. How did you come up with your title Pursued?

The original title was Just An Old Country Boy but that didn't sound very suspenseful so I changed it to Pursued. In the story, Reggie is being pursued by an unknown killer, by the hero, and by God, so it made sense to me as a title.


Tell us about your hero and heroine.

My hero, Dylan, is a good old boy with a heart of gold who just wants to make life better for everyone around him. He's sweet and kind, but in a very manly way! Reggie can be a little difficult at times, but she has her reasons. You have to admire her for all she's overcome in her life.


Is there a message in your novel?

One of the messages I want people to get is to be open to learning from, developing relationships, and loving people who are different from ourselves. God made us different for a reason. And one of the reasons is it makes life a lot more interesting and fun!

I am, of course, a bookworm and my husband is an outdoorsy sort of man who likes to fish and garden and do other things that gets his hands dirty. In many ways, we are very opposite of each other, but together we have a wonderful and fun marriage.


What makes this book special to you?

This book is about friendship. The kind of friendship where you put your life on hold to help someone in trouble. And that's what Jesus was talking about when He told us to love our neighbors--and our enemies. And since this book was about friendships, many of the secondary characters in the book were named after friends who were important to me in one way or another but died much too young.


 Is this book based on something that happened to you or someone you know?

Absolutely not. I've never known anyone who was chased by killers.


I'm making a call here and saying that is a good thing. What books have most influenced your life?

Dick and Jane, Curious George, Pippi Longstocking, and The Cat In The Hat to name a few. I wish I could give a list of profound literary books but the truth is the first books I ever read changed my life. They opened up a new world to me. They created a lifelong reader who loved books so much that she wanted to create her own.


Oh, I love those titles. I'd forgotten how much Curious George has inspired me. What makes Pursued a must read?

If you love suspense or romance, then this is the book for you. The suspense plot will keep you reading past your bedtime and the romance will make you say "aaahhh."


I love a good romance and I crave suspense in all the books I read. Do you have a person you consider a mentor?

I don't have one specific person whom I consider a mentor but I do have several critique partners whom I go to for advice and help as well as encouragement and support. By the way I would love to have a mentor so if there are any writers out there wanting to mentor, look me up.


Oh, yeah my hand is raised too. I'd love a mentor. So, what is you next project?

I have another book coming out in the fall, DECEPTION. It's full of intrigue and action. Along with that I'm working on three other manuscripts in varying stages that will hopefully become books in the future including a sequel to PURSUED.


I've noticed that as I write sequels I find minor things that I would have changed to previous stories. If you could what would you change about Pursued?

Nothing. I love the characters and the story. So much so that I’m working on a sequel to PURSUED right now.


That's great that you love your story and characters. What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I spend time with my wonderful husband and our menagerie of animals. We have two dogs and four parrots so home can be a noisy place at times. In the summer, we like to camp Again, there's that outdoorsy thing I never would have tried without my husband's encouragement. In the winter, I'm on a bowling league--not that I'm any good at it, but it is fun. And last but not least, and I hate to admit it but I like to watch TV--especially the crime shows. Go figure!


Oh, I love crime shows. What does your family think of your writing?

I’ve been blessed with a very encouraging and supportive family. My husband is an enabler (in a good way). He cooks and does most of the household chores so I can find the time to write. He's been such a wonderful gift from God for so many reasons.


Does your husband hire out? Just kidding. Gotta love my dh in all his supportive ways, but there are times when I wish he'd cook so I could write. Taking care of a household can be a destruction to my writing. Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?

I hate thinking up names for my characters. I once wrote a manuscript and as I was editing it, I realized I had used the name of the characters and actors from the old TV series Gunsmoke. I had Miss Kitty, Matt Dillon, Amanda Blake, and James Arness. But no Festus!

Lol! I've had a few Matt Dillons. Who is your favorite author and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

I love most of the suspense writers but two of my favorites are Terri Blackstock and Brandilynn Collins. I love their books because they are all about the story and the suspense and yet they manage to weave in a spiritual lesson along the way without the reader feeling like they are being preached at.


What is the hardest part of writing a book?

I love writing and rewriting my book but...after about the eighth or ninth time, it's gets a bit tiring.


Yeah, I know what you mean. I think I lost count at eight. hopefully I'll learn how to cut those revisions down to four or five. Did you learn anything from writing this book? 

I actually learned a lot from this book. It was the first book I had critiqued with the large critique group from ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). Critiquing is a very humbling process. In the beginning of the critiquing process, I thought the others didn't know what they were talking about. By the middle, I thought I should give up writing forever. By the end, I knew I was a much better writer than I'd been at the beginning. And the proof is that this became my debut novel with a traditional publisher.


Do you have any advice for others who want to write?

Read as much as possible. Write as much as possible. Along with that, I’d say find a critique group. It makes ll the difference. And never, ever give up your dream to be a writer.


Great advice! Do you have anything you'd like to say to your readers?

I just want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to entertain them.


How can readers contact you?

My website is: http://www.lillianduncan.net/

Thank you, Lillian for being here with us today.

Happy Tuesday,

Renee

Allow me to share some valuable and entertaining words from some very talented people…

Here is a scary post from Gene Lempp. Hold hands and pray the battery in your flashlight doesn't go out! http://genelempp.wordpress.com/2011/07/06/devourer-myth-and-nightmare/

Here Piper Bayard explains the hazards of marital bliss: http://piperbayard.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/the-end-is-near-and-we-deserve-it-jilted-husband-built-electric-chair-in-garage-to-kill-wife/

Sonia Medeiros gives a lovely compare and contrast piece for the movies Halloween and Friday the 13th: http://doingthewritething.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/who-was-that-masked-slasher/

And finally, Terrell Mims shows us how modern video games have surpassed being just video games and have evolved into interactive novels: http://terrellmims.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/video-games-and-storytelling-call-of-duty-4-modern-warfare/

Enjoy!

Last week I attended the RWA National Convention in NYC. (That’s me on the left, all dressed up for our awards night.)

I thought I’d give you a little peek into what really goes on at a convention with 2000 women. (Yes, there were a few men sprinkled in the mix, but not many.)

First up, the literary signing. Dude, this was crazy. When we arrived (I stayed off site in a local apartment rather than at the hotel), the line to get into the signing was out the door and down the street. I thought they were lining up to attend one of the shows. (Our hotel was smack dab in the middle of the theatre district and Times Square.) I had volunteered to help but by the time I got there, they didn’t need me.

The next day, we opened with a panel of Steve Berry, Diana Gabaldon, and Tess Gerritsen. Amazing writers and great speakers. If I wasn’t inspired after that, Madeline Hunter spoke at the luncheon and really focused on the business of writing.

The Pro Retreat was next on my agenda, but I had to leave early due to an invitation to a publisher’s party. No longer can I say I’m unagented, unpublished, and unpartied. The part of the retreat I did get to participate in, an industry professional talked about the move from print to digital and what we can expect in the next few years. It’s great to know that the big six are looking at the e-book explosion and their place in the new world order.

The next day, workshops started in earnest. I attended one on craft by screenwriter consultant, Michael Hauge. My head filled up fast just thinking about the craft. Then I stopped into a publisher’s signing. Or two.

All I know is there really is too much of a good thing. I had a box full of books that since I was staying off site, I had to carry the rest of the afternoon. Just a little strength training with all the cardio from the walking.

Friday I was more realistic about the books I took at the signings. I looked for books in my wheelbase like cozy mysteries and small town contemporaries. Subjects I write about now. And I attended two spotlights where the publisher talks about their submission process and what they are looking for from new writers.

The best workshop of the day was one I almost didn’t attend. Jennie Cruise did a collage workshop. Showing ways to visualize your book. Listening to how her mind works and her writing process gave the audience an unique perspective on story development.

Sherrilyn Kenyon did the keynote at lunch and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house after she spoke so calmly about her struggles as a child and as a writer. She’s a true inspiration and the definition of not giving up, even when everything has gone against you.

Finally, the workshops ended and it was time for the Golden Heart/Rita award ceremony. Most of the winners made us laugh, some made us cry, but all of the winners made me want to be up there, with a book of my heart and a story to match.

The workshop presenters warned us about having a ‘conference hangover.’ (And not from the amount of alcohol consumed during the week.) “When you get home, make sure you take the inspiration and knowledge you got this week and apply it to your writing, or conference is just an expensive vacation.”

I am taking those words to heart. I’ve set up a daily writing and editing goal. I’m reading at my chapter’s critique group this week. And I’m prioritizing my work to get my manuscripts sent off to fulfill those requests I worked so hard to get.

What are you doing? Did you go to conference and bring home a new skill? Or if you stayed home this year, what are you going to do for the next six months of the year? It’s half way over. Have you reached some of your new year’s resolutions?

Lynn

Now, I know we've all come acrossed minor typos on the printed page. There may have been a few books when we've thought we could have done a better job editing. And once it's printed it's kind of a bit late to make changes.

You'd think with digital copies it'd be easier to fix them. I don't have enough knowledge about the digital book process to know whether or not this is the case. If it's like uploading a file from a computer it should be easy enough. And for the author's sake I sure hope so.

I've been using my Kindle more and more and I've noticed a lot of formatting issues. I'm currently reading a book and
the the paragraphs are either
 broken or they
run together. It makes
it difficult to decipher who is talking during internal/external dialogue. It's quite comical when you're not sure if the hero is sighing over the way the heroine grins or the heroine is grunting while lifting a sack of flour.

It kind of sucks, because I'm betting this paritculare book is probably one of the best I've read when it comes to real deep point of view. Since it's a review copy I'll be able to voice my concerns directly to the publisher (which happens to be a big name publisher) and hopefully they'll work out the bugs. I'd hate for the author to not receive the kudos she deserves because of a glitch on the publisher's end.

What kinds of issues have you come acrossed with digital books?

Happy Tuesday,

Renee

Happy 4th of July, everyone from the US. Today is the day we celebrate our independence. We celebrate with fireworks. I love fireworks. The city where I live is a tourist destination so our city puts on a nice fireworks display, but so do at least 4 of the larger resorts in the area. If I were brave enough to climb on the roof of my house after dark, I could see all the displays. But since that won't happen we will watch the city display from the back porch. We usually catch a glimpse here or there of the other displays through the trees.

Do you have a good fireworks display in your town? Do you have more than one display in your town?

I have posted on here and on other places about the things writers need to be able to help them get the job done. The different books to be used such as a Thesaurus. There are different web sites you can go to for what ever it is you are researching. The internet can be a writer's best friend.

But what happens when there is something for which you just can't Google? What do you do when you come up with something that you just can't explain?

I have an angel in my book. And as she comes down to Earth, the hero can hear her song. Each angel has their own song. I go to describe what this might sound like and I have become stumped. I love the idea but am not sure on how to explain what I want. Is it the sound of a gently playing flute? Birds signing? I'm not sure.

I posted a pole on Facebook, so we will see what kind of answers I get back, but I am sure that "A Neil Peart drum solo" is not what I am looking for. : )

Tell me, have you ever had something that you just couldn't explain and if you did, how did you solve your problem?