New Kids on the Writer's Block: August 2011

Show Me The Money!

I read an interesting article on CNN Money about the “surprising” 6-figure salaries people earn from unusual jobs. As you know, I enjoy the road less travelled so this journalistic effort beckoned to me like Godiva chocolate to a chocoholic.

I discovered the featured occupations were as diverse as the folks working them. The article interviewed people like Eliza Kendall who excelled monetarily in a niche market – boutique port-a-potties for upscale events. (It’s nice to see someone is still flush in this economy.)

Then there was the guy who worked as a truck driver. Not a lucrative occupation if you're shelling out between $3.75 and $4.00 a gallon for diesel fuel. After talking to a fellow driver at a truck stop, he learned of an opportunity transporting semi trucks from the factory to the dealers. This man now earns around $160,000 a year doing a job most people aren't aware exists. In addition to delivering semi trucks, he’s also delivering a relevant message – don’t wait for your truck to come in. Drive out to meet it.

My favorite interview capsule was about a writer. Of course. Kimberly Causey grew up in a family of furniture manufacturers. She knows the business. After a stint as an interior decorator in her 20's, this savvy lady realized the list of wholesale contacts she had accumulated might be of value to fellow decorators. She painstakingly created a cross reference book, generated some media interest, and self published her creation. It was a solid success. She then wrote another book - a guide to furniture factory outlets and where to find the best bargains. The general public fell in love with the idea so much that Kimberly hit the $100,000 a year mark by the time she was 31.

Sigh. I just love happy endings.

My purpose for this blog is not to review a published article. It’s to encourage all of us to pursue dreams even if it means going down a road less travelled. Who says rainbows are at the end of a major highway? Sometimes they lurk in the rutted, washed out lanes that most people refuse to navigate.

I may be older than dirt but I’m not in the dustpan yet. I’m still putting words on paper in hopes of blindsiding some unsuspecting editor who will leap out of her chair. . . run to the nearest open window . . . and announce to the whole world in a voice that commands attention, “DEB SANDERS IS THE NEXT BIG THING!”

Okay, some dreams need a little editing.

Deb

To read the entire article by Blake Ellis, click HERE.

posted under blake ellis, CNN Money, Deb Sanders, jobs, writing advice | 2 Comments

An Honest to Goodness Book with Paper Pages

I made another quick trip to Mississippi last week. This time my youngest went along. Since we were supposed to start school on the 22 of August it kind of tossed a wrench into our lesson plans. Did I mention we're a homeschooling family? Even though the trip was for another funeral we found time to take a field trip to the beach where we played with hermit crabs, explored jellyfish and walked the piers. Nothing like hands on exploration even if my kid decided not to venture too far into the water for more than thirty seconds. Her weariness overcame her excitement when she discovered more than minnows swimming in the Gulf.

We toured an alligator farm, which she called evil things. The alligator farm, not the alligators, but only because she'd much prefer to see them in their natural habitat. Mom-that'd be me-on the other hand, preferred a controlled situation.

Sadly, the aquarium, the one place I knew she'd enjoy the most, I was not able to show her since it was destroyed by Katrina.

Yesterday, we jumped into the swing of things and I have to say, that all of her wide-eyed wonder was nothing compared to our first writing lesson and our opening discussion on classic literature. You don't see many kids these days get excited about reading, especially the classics like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. But mine sunk into a brief passage of Verne's vivid imagery like a kid in a candy store getting her first taste of milk chocolate. She even rubbed her hands together when I promised to find her a copy. And not a Kindle copy, but an honest to goodness book with paper pages and that distinctive smell that can only belong to genuine book.

I do like like the convenience of digital readers, but I love how a book engages my senses. I never considered my child would realize the difference. Her voiced opinion made me smile and gave me a sense of pride.

How about you? Do you prefer books off the shelves or digital? Are there some books you just have to read in the traditional form? Or does it matter?

Happy Tuesday,

Renee

posted under 000 Leagues Under the Sea, 20, Jules Verne, Renee Lynn Scott | 1 Comments

It's time to go back to school. My daughter has her first day in a Baking and Pastry Arts program today. My granddaughter starts Kindergarten on Thursday. I'm feeling left out. Every fall I yearn to go back to school. A degree in accounting would be good for my pocket book. A degree in writing would be good for my soul. A degree in history would be good for my brain and my writing. But the best part of back to school time is the shopping for school supplies.

I love to go school shopping. New pens, notebooks, and folders, all at "Back to School" prices. Let's face it I am a office/school supply junkie. Even when I have more pens than and can use in a decade I can't help myself I buy more. I go to Staples, Wal-Mart and Office Max to feed my obsession. Is there anything more wonderful than a fresh clean spiral notebook to fill with words? Ah, the three ring binders to help organize my writing. And for those with a bigger wallet, Circa from Levengers. I keep their catalog handy at all times just in case I need an office supply fix. Although most of the time I just peruse the catalog without buying, but it keeps me out of Staples. I love the smell of rubber bands in the morning!

Are you a office/school supply junky? Maybe we could start a support group OSJA. We could meet at Staples once a week.

posted under back to school, Julie Shumway, office supplies | 3 Comments

The Synopsis

THE SYNOPSIS! Everyone must write one and I am finding out that there is a thousand ways to do so. It can be really confusing.

I am submitting my manuscript and of course, I have to have the synopsis. Problem is, trying to get it just right. The first time I wrote it, I didn't do a very good job. So, I asked around and got mine critiqued. In a minute, I will post the helpful hints I was given.

The thing is, I have a five page synopsis and depending on who I submit to is how many pages I need, hence the confusion. I agent may want the five pages, where as someone else may want one page. That means, not only do I have to describe a 94,000 page manuscript in five pages, I have to turn around and condense it even more in one. This is no easy task. Writing the book was easy compared to this. But, I work on it and hope that the final project is as it should be.

The first and most important lesson to tell you is that you need to make sure you check with each person you submit to and find out what their rules are.

So let me share with you the trick I learned so that when the time comes for you to write your synopsis, it may be just a little easier for you.

**The first thing you should put down is a sentence or two or a paragraph that gives the premise of your story. This would resemble something like you would see on the back in a blurb.

**The next paragraph would be the GMC (goal, motivation, and conflict of the Heroine. Include any back story that is important.

**Then the GMC of the Hero. Same thing as above.

**The plot.

**The major turning point of the story.

** You want to focus on the romance of the Heroine/Hero. Tell what happens to them.

**The black moment. What is happening that might tear them apart.

**The Ending.

**Be sure to use as few names as possible so you don't confuse the agent/editor. The Hero's/heroine's name and an important character or two.
**And last but not least, if you need to change something to make the synopsis make sense, do so.

I hope this helps and I wish you luck in writing your synopsis and I hope you find success in your future!!

posted under submissions, synopsis, writing | 0 Comments

Characters and Aristotle's Seven Causes of Human Action

When I develop a story it's always the main character who comes to me first. Out of the blue, he pops in my head and starts talking. I pull out character development worksheets, personality trait grids, interview questions, family and medical history questionnaires, and anything else I find that will help me actualize who this figment is, what makes him tick, and what he wants to accomplish.

I've also come to realize that if I want my characters to connect to the reader like a real person, I need to incorporate what Aristotle's identified as the seven causes of all human action.

CHANCE: action based on luck or fortune, risk or hazard

NATURE: action based on inherent qualities or personality traits

COMPULSION: action based on irrational, irresistible impulses

HABIT: action based on customs or practiced behavior

REASON: action based on a premise or cause in a belief, action, or event

PASSION: action based on a strong emotion, motive, or sexual desire

DESIRE: action based on a longing, craving, or want

The thing to remember when using any of these seven causes is to remain consistent with your character's personality. Don't force an action that isn't natural for the hero, or the heroine. For instance, if the heroine truly believes her brother was savagely murdered by the hero, she isn't likely to eyeball him passionately and swoon at their first encounter. Although she has REASON for action, PASSION of a sexual nature at this juncture isn't credible.

Now, if the heroine ran toward the hero with the intent to scratch out his eyes, her PASSION for justice or revenge works in tandem with her REASON and creates a believable action.

Causes can be used in opposition to create conflict that moves the story forward.

In my current WIP, a widowed werewolf believes (REASON) that he can't fall in love again because his kind mates for life. It doesn't matter that his mate is dead. He's still alive and holding to the promise he made because it's his NATURE to be loyal.

However, the poor guy is so tired of being lonely that he let's his guard down around the heroine. Pretty quick he realizes that he doesn't feel so achingly empty around her and he begins to crave her company. No longer able to suppress the DESIRE to not spend the rest of his life celibate and alone, a PASSION for the heroine ignites. Now he's in trouble. He can't turn his back on the past because he believes that would be disloyal but he can no longer bear the thought of a solitary future either.

But, pitting his REASON and NATURE against his DESIRE and PASSION drives this character's story only as long as his actions remain consistent with his core self. That's the tricky part. He can't simply say in Chapter Six "Oh well. My wife's dead and I'm a free wolf, now" and jump into a long-term relationship with the heroine without consequence. For one, that would be out of character for his NATURE. Two, that would make for a very short and boring story.

Characters' actions need to be genuine and representative of who they are. Grounding their motivations in one or more of the seven causes of human action will bring life to a figment readers will love.

What do you do to create memorable characters?

posted under Aristotle, author, character development, Kristal Lee, Paranormal, Seven Causes of Human Action, supernatural, writer, writing tips | 0 Comments

Another Road, Another Story

I indulged in another side trip down the road less travelled a few days ago. I love searching out little hamlets with unique myths or claims to fame. My most recent journey led me to Blackville, South Carolina.

Blackville is a little, and I do mean little, town southwest of Columbia. It was established in 1837 and now includes a small community of Mennonites as part of its 3000+ population. But the most interesting thing a

bout Blackville is “God’s Acre Healing Waters”, an artisan spring said to contain healing powers.

Local Native Americans considered the waters to be sacred. According to legend (mixed with a few dubious facts), the springs got it's name from an incident during the American Revolution. British commander, General Banastre Tarleton, abandoned four critically injured soldiers in the woods near the springs. Two men were left to care for the wounded with orders to bury them when they died and then return to their troops. The group was discovered by a kindly band of Indians who took them to their sacred healing springs. Six months later the soldiers rejoined their ranks, all strong and healthy.

Eventually the Indians passed ownership to a trader named Nathaniel Walker who bought the property rights with corn. The land hosted several more owners until coming into the hands of Lute Boylston. In 1944, Boylston deeded the land to “God” so that all people could have the freedom to partake of the waters without fees or taxation. The local property records still list “God” as the land’s owner.

By analysis, the water is pure and contains healthful minerals. By taste, it's excellent.

Comments from various web pages allude to the miraculous powers of the water. One person wrote that he had a case of poison ivy. When he poured water from the healing springs on it, it boiled like hydrogen peroxide and cleansed the area of his rash. Another attributed the water to healing his brother’s prostrate cancer. The only thing I can personally attest to is a small fever blister on the inside of my lip that disappeared hours after I started drinking the water. Maybe it was already in the process of healing. Maybe not.

I like the taste of the water and actually feel peppier since I started drinking it. Is the "spring" in my step a result of the spring’s healing properties? (Pardon the pun.) Or am I psychologically susceptible to suggestion? I really can’t say. All I know is if I’m more energetic and can sit at the keyboard for longer periods of time while writing, then it’s all good.

What interesting, out of the way places have you visited lately?

Deb

posted under blackville south carolina, Deb Sanders, God's Acre, healing springs, road trips | 4 Comments

Fear and Courage ~ by Kate Wood

Your wip is waiting for you. You can hear it calling your name. You can feel that niggling sensation at the back of your neck; you know what you need to do…you just…don’t…do it.

Why?

“I’m a procrastinator.”

Well, yeah. Duh. But…why are you a procrastinator?

Last time, we chatted about fear and change…about how many people refuse to change simply because they fear it. Whatever their “it” may be.

Using yet another of Bob Mayer’s tips – how could I not? He’s a genius! – we’re going to delve into our fears a little deeper.

Since I know myself better than I know you, I’ll use me as an example.

I have never been a procrastinator. In fact, my mantra is “get it done now so it’s out of the way.” I’m rarely late, and I hardly ever miss deadlines or appointments. Just ask my husband...he'll tell you I excel at crackin' the whip.

So…why isn’t MY wip (no pun intended) finished and ready to submit?

…I’m a…procrastinator…?

NO! I’m afraid…plain and simple. I think of completing my wip and I think to myself, “It’s not good enough.” The reality is, it’s probably fine (see that ‘probably’ there? Yeah…fear)…and yet, I procrastinate.

There are SO many other things that need to be done: laundry, kids need a bath, dinner, clean the (insert room here)…but, oh, wait, my husband did all of that. Now what? I feel my laptop staring at me, and I...resist! WHY?! I can’t answer that question…because the funny part is, when I’m writing, I feel SO GOOD! I feel amazing…I feel energized and alive…so, why do I resist?

Fear.

Bob says that fear is, “…a feeling of alarm or disquiet caused by the expectation of danger, pain, or the like.” The key word being, of course, ‘expectation.’ We expect or imagine all of these negative or horrible things happening, and most of the time it’s probably just our overactive imaginations at work.

Yet, we cling to these fears. Why? Think back to the last fear you can remember. Did what you imagine happening actually happen? Chances are, no. And most of the time, those scary situations never arise.

What we need to do, is hike up our big girl/boy pants and get some Courage (yeah, with a Capital C). Fear, with a few exceptions, is a normal, healthy emotion. It’s what we do with that fear that’s really important. Do we cling to it, desperate to try to stop whatever evil is heading our way, or do we…

Suck. It. Up.

Bob says that courage is, “the state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger with self-possession, confidence, and resolution. It is the ability to do something that frightens one. Courage is strength in the face of pain or grief.”

How many times have you faced a fear, realized it wasn’t as bad as you thought it was going to be, felt a little foolish for being afraid in the first place, and then felt proud of yourself for being brave? Did you feel just a little stronger…a little more self-confident?

Having courage in the face of fear is not easy. It’s quite difficult. But…the rewards are endless. Not only will your children stop making fun of you and stop walking in the other direction when you arrive to pick them up from school…oh, wait, that’s me, anyway…where was I?

Oh Yeah! You’ll feel GOOD about yourself and when you feel good about yourself you’ll have a more positive outlook. And just like we chatted about last time, when your outlook becomes more positive, everything and (mostly) everyone around you changes for the better. (Eh, if they don’t change, than the problem ain’t you, my friend)

And Change. Is. Good!

So talk to me. What was the last fear you overcame? What is that niggling fear that sits on the back of your neck whispering in your ear? Reach out, you never know who will be there to grab your hand and help you through.

posted under author, Bob Mayer, Courage, fear, Kate Wood, procrastination, writer | 7 Comments

The perpetual learning curve

An adult back to school post.

I’m in two free online classes this week. Classes were one to two hundred other participants eagerly post their answers to each day’s assignments. So my email account blows up.

It’s not unusual for me to wake up to over a hundred emails sitting in my box, waiting to be read. (If someone else manages more with a full time job and finds time to write, please let me know your secret.) I’m hesitant to delete the messages unread. See, I believe we learn from each other.

And what if that deleted message is the one that will have the clue I’ve been looking for. The Lindsey Wagner of ideas. The one that will make me faster, stronger, and more efficient.

Besides, it’s rude not to listen to others.

At my day job, I run a training committee. At our last meeting yesterday, I had exactly the opposite problem, how to get participants to speak up.

I told my husband the other day that I was so excited about the writing workshop my chapter was sponsoring the next weekend. Eight hours of nothing but talk about writing and making a plan for success. He said it sounded like hell to him.

Which got me thinking, what makes a subject enticing to the participants? Are our brains hard wired to be passionate about one subject over the other? I’m sure a lecture on the purpose of blood running through the body would one, make me throw up, (sorry, full disclosure here at New Kids) and two, be boring as heck to me.

So today’s about what makes you tick, dear reader. What subjects do you still want to know more about? What topic makes you stop, and read every word, or schedule a day off to listen to a lecture on the subject?

Or are you like my husband and like your information provided on line, when you need it?

Lynn

posted under back to school, learning, Lynn Cahoon | 11 Comments

Inspiration and Pregnancy - The Same Thing

Inspiration sparks like a match. Flaring. Sizzling. Filling our senses with sight, smell, touch. Igniting an idea that blazes into vision. A vision that burns inside us and refuses to be extinguished.

What creates inspiration? It’s different in each of us and just as unique as DNA. Impregnating our muse can be as simple as a fleeting glance at a stranger at the bus stop. An article in the newspaper or a movie on TV. A dream. Bits of overheard conversation. A reflection in the water.

Determining the moment of inspiration is like defining the second life begins to exist. It’s impossible to clarify. And yet the similarities are much the same.

Inspiration is the catalyst that creates action. Action for writers is putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and weaving a tale borne of a single thought. Much like the millions of sperm racing to reach a mature egg, inspiration swarms around us every day, bombarding our psyche with possibility. It takes only one to impregnate our brain and create a new story.

Our mind becomes an incubator, nurturing the idea, feeding it, growing it until a plot emerges. Delicate, yet exuding a strength exhilarating to behold. Characters take shape, like the grainy silhouette on an ultrasound photo. We may not know every facet of the story or even when it will be born but the miracle of life is evident with each paragraph that pushes our tale forward.

The birth of our novel can be painful. Editing and revisions are excruciating and often lead to vows of never repeating the experience again. But like childbirth, the pain disappears as we watch the seed of our inspiration grow and mature into something beautiful. We hope our “child” will find a wonderful partner…an agent or editor who will cherish our product and propose a marriage. A bond that signals the end to our influence.

It's difficult to allow someone else to take control of a project we’ve nurtured with pure devotion. We don’t always agree with their vision for our baby. Sometimes we’re the bitchy mother-in-law. Sometimes we keep our mouth shut to preserve peace. And sometimes we smile coyly and count our blessings.

In the end, seeing our novel on the bookshelf or listed in an e-book catalog is often satisfaction enough. And a signal that another egg is waiting for fertilization.

Go. Be prolific. Multiply. Write.

Deb

posted under Deb Sanders, inspiration, pregnancy, writing books | 0 Comments

Pulling out my hair

Literally! It's been a few weeks since I've sent my manuscript off to a few critique partners. I knew it would take some time but I didn't realize how difficult the waiting would be. I've been doing every thing from critiquing other writer's chapters, writing newsletter articles and pulling out my hair. *g*

Thankfully, my sweet mama bought The Help by Kathryn Stockett to keep my fingers busy. I'm sure you've heard of it. See, do you recognize the book cover? Perhaps you've heard of the movie? When my youngest mentioned that she'd like to see the movie I knew I had to read the book first.

I'm only about halfway through and I'm loving every bit of it. The external and external dialogue are engaging. The cliff hangers at the end of pov sections have been nail biting.

I'd love to share with you my favorite part but, I'd have to type in all that I've read so far.

Have you read the book? Have you seen the movie? Tell me what you think. Now, don't go givin' away any spoilers.

Happy Tuesday,

Renee

posted under Christina Rich, Renee Lynn Scott, The Help | 1 Comments

Useful tools for the trade

When I began writing a little over three years ago, I was so green, I put the grass to shame. I was lucky enough to find people who shared information with me and that is what I want to do here today. Share some very useful information that no writer should be without. I hope something here will help you!

Now, we all use words and descriptions. But sometimes it is hard to find the wright way to describe things. I have found a wonderful place called THE BOOK SHELF MUSE that does a wonderful job of helping you describe things. Whether it is fear or a dentist office, they have what you need.

Another place I would like to introduce you to is THE ETYMOLOGY DICTIONARY. This is a place to go to see what the words of modern English meant and how they sounded 600-2000 years ago. This is a fun place to sneak a peak through.

Let's say you are ready to start querying agents but aren't sure where to go and want to get good information about the agents you search for. Please go to THE AGENT QUERY. This will give you a list of agents, tell you whether they are members of AAR, if the agent is accepting queries and what you need to know to submit. It also has information reference publishing, it offers writing resources and how to write a query letter.

SAVVY AUTHORS is a good place to visit. Here, authors post about different subjects, there are pitch opportunities, workshops, marketing promotions, and news on the industry.

I hope these few tools for the trade will help you along the way. Be sure to ask around if there are other things you might be in need of. You just never know who might have had to look for the same thing!

posted under Savvy Authors, The Agent Query, The Bookshelf Muse, The Etymology Dictionary, writing tools | 3 Comments

Not All Wanderers Are Lost

I’ve always enjoyed the road less travelled - even if I didn’t know where it was taking me. I’ve wandered through 38 states, resided in 8, and still maintain a long list of places to visit before I die. My Bucket List.

Admittedly, I didn’t begin my adulthood with the idea of becoming an adventurer. Fate has a way of disrupting even the most well thought out plans and it certainly played havoc with mine. Once I accepted my “lot” in life, however, I began to enjoy the unpredictable path laid out before me. I’ve had some great experiences, some not so great, and some I’d rather forget. But all in all, I have to agree with Jimmy Buffet’s lyrics in “He Went To Paris” - Jimmy, some of it’s magic, some of it’s tragic, but it's been a good life all the way.

I’ve become adept at creating adventures out of nothing. When my children were younger and feeling a bit restless, we loaded up the tent in the back of our beat up jalopy and headed for the Ozarks of Arkansas. We were living in northeastern Oklahoma at the time so it was an easy drive. Once we exited the highway, I took a quarter from my purse and explained how it would be our navigational guide for the next twenty four hours. My son and daughter took turns flipping it in the air each time we came to a crossroads. If it was heads, we went right. Tails, we turned left. I became nervous once when it was getting late in the afternoon and we were on what seemed to be a never ending mountain road. But armed with good maps, we managed to find civilization in no time. The kids had fun and we saw some great sights.

This past weekend my sister-in-law arrived for a visit. She spent the night at my place and we drove to Cherokee, North Carolina the next day to watch my nephew perform in a play. Our plans were to stay all weekend and I was excited about visiting an area I hadn't seen.

Most people, sadly, associate Cherokee with the reservation’s casino. Oh, it’s a grand place, alright . . . and still expanding. Harrah’s has built a top notch gaming facility complete with a Paula Deen restaurant.

Many of the people who flock to the casino will never experience the true flavor of the area. Cherokee is named after the Eastern Band of

the Cherokee Nation. Native American history and culture are everywhere. Those who visit the museum, tour Oconaluftee – an authentic Cherokee village, or watch the outdoor theatrical production of “Unto These Hills” are in for a treat. Our schools only touch on the event known as the Trail of Tears. There’s so much more to learn and understand about what led to this tragic and unfair relocation of a great nation.

If a history lesson is not your cup of tea, take a short drive to Mingo Falls. Absolutely breathtaking, and worth the short trek up a steep but manageable trail. Or play in the delightful meandering stream that runs through town. Take a drive – if you dare – on the stretch of Highway 129 known as the Tail of the Dragon. It received it’s name because of the 318 hairpin curves in only 11 miles. While it beckons to motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts, it does come with a reputation for accidents and fatalities.

I haven’t even scratched the surface of interesting things to see and do in the area. But adventures lurk in every state. You need only to stray from the beaten track, stop and smell the roses, and treat yourself to the magical experiences our great nation has to offer. Who knows, you might become a “wanderer”, too.

Deb

posted under adventure, cherokee, Deb Sanders, native americans, north carolina, romance writers | 5 Comments

Vintage and Victorian Clipart

Since I'll be sending off my manuscript in the next week or so I decided to revamp my blog. I spent some time over the weekend digging for free blogger backgrounds and vintage clipart. I came across some really interesting pieces. I'm even considering how to use some of these pieces to decorate my home.

From what I've read each of these blogs offer free graphics, but please read their sidebars for details. You can check out their blogs by clicking on the images.

This site is actually called Free Pretty Things For You. She's compiled a lot of neat stuff here. Most of her stuff has more of a soft classic tone. And she seems to like blue birds. I keep trying to figure out a way to incorporate one of her blue birds into my blog. My grandfather loved blue birds. We had several blue bird items at his funeral and graveside services. I think it'd be nice to pay tribute to him in that way. Anyway, if you like color and pink and flowers . . . well check out the blog.

Shabby Blogs has more than just free backgrounds. They have buttons, sidebar tags, blinkies and cool headers. Headers that you can put your own photos into and they even show you how to do it.

The Graphics Fairy seems to like Steampunk, so if you're really into the genre you'll be in graphics heaven.

The Vintage Moth is my favorite so far, but that is because I like her mixed media of classic vintage drawings and old photos.

If you'd like to see what I've done with my blog so far you can check it out at http://www.reneelynnscott.com/

Next week I'll share some cool looking fonts.

Happy Tuesday,

Renee

posted under free blogger backgrounds, free clipart, pretty things for you, Renee Lynn Scott, shabby blogs, steampunk clipart, the graphics fairy, the vintage moth, victorian clipart, vintage clipart | 6 Comments

Writing Software

This weekend I read an article in the RWR about plotting software. I have checked out some of the programs in the article like Scrivener, and Write Way Pro. I've also tried a couple that were not in the article, like StoryBook and YWriter. Out of the few I have tried I like YWriter the best. It worked best with my way of thinking better than the others and it was free. What I use on a regular basis, however, is Excel. I know how to work Excel and used it when I did accounting/bookkeeping jobs. It's familiar. Which brings me around to my biggest problem with Writing/Plotting programs.

All of these programs have nifty tools for plotting and organizing, and some even have word processors, but they all take time to learn. Time that I could be using to write. Of course, I felt the same way about reading books about time management. Eager to learn the secrets of managing my time so I could get done the things I wanted to do like write, so I read a couple of books on time management. What did I learn? I learned that I was wasting a lot of time reading books about time management. I should've just sat down to write. That is exactly what these type of plotting/writing programs make me feel.

How about you? Have you found plotting and writing software that works for you or do you fall back on a basic spreadsheet or notebook and pen?

posted under Julie Shumway, plotting software, time management, time wasters | 4 Comments

Fear and Change

Recently, a good friend of mine Terrell Mims posted about the importance of words and how they could make an impact on our lives, small or large. It’s an awesome post, check it out here.

After reading his post, I took it a step further and commented that mindset can also impact you and those around you.

Jump ahead a few days and I’m in the middle of desperately trying to catch up on my craft classes. I’m taking three at the moment. Yikes!

Anyway, so this particular class is an online course taught by none other than Bob Mayer. In it, he teaches us the tenets of becoming a successful writer. Check out the information on his Warrior Writer workshops here.

So, here I am, trying to be a good pupil, when I zero in on what Bob is telling me. First he says when people fail to achieve their goals, it is because they have allowed fear to rule them.

Ok, that makes sense.

Then he asks, “How willing are you to change? Are you willing to learn from any source that helps you improve yourself? If you are not where you want to be, then you must change, rather than waiting for the world to come to you. Because guess what? It isn’t.”

What?

What do you mean I have to change? Are you saying that if I sit here long enough, someone won’t walk by with the answers to all of my problems wrapped up in a little box with a neat bow?

Well.

And then he hit me.

First, he smacked me in the back of the head with “To change, you have to be willing to say the three hardest words for many people, I am wrong.” Then, he followed it with a jarring slap to the face with, “You must be willing to surrender.”

Wow.

You must be willing to surrender.

You must be willing to say, “I am wrong.”

So here is where Fear and Change come in.

We humans all have fears. Many of us fear change.

I, for one, have fear not of failure itself, but of allowing myself to fail. I’m sure there is an even deeper meaning there, but I haven’t gotten to that layer within myself yet. It’s a damn good thing I’m stubborn!

Going back to Terrell’s post, the words we use and the mindset we have are direct connections to the things we fear and the changes we need to make. An example would be that negative person who almost always sees the glass half empty. When you, being the loving and positive person you are, try to encourage this person and offer suggestions or advice, they usually have an excuse as to why this suggestion or that piece of advice won’t work.

Me thinks someone’s a fraidy cat.

Mr. or Ms. Negative is most likely afraid. Of losing control. Of being wrong. Of letting go. Who knows, could be anything, but fear is at the heart of it. And so, this fear triggers their mindsets, making them negative which in turn causes everything they say to be negative.

Perhaps, if they start from the opposite end, they could achieve that change without falling apart or hurting themselves. They could put positive spins on things rather than negative. A simple, “good morning” with a smile goes a long way. You’d be surprised how much your day can brighten with something as small as that. Those two words can have a powerful impact on a person’s mindset.

The more Mr. or Ms. Negative’s mindset changes for the better, the more aware they become of their words and their actions, and naturally the more positive and uplifting they will be all around.

And then, I’m guessing, being able to say, “I am wrong,” won’t be so hard.

Just a guess.

So now I want to know what all of you think about this. What do you fear? Are you open to change? What obstacles have you had to overcome in order to achieve change in your life?

posted under author, blog, Bob Mayer, change, fear, Kate Wood, positive thinking, Terrell Mims, writer | 15 Comments

All about the Craft

Last Saturday, I pulled out the old red and white cookbook. I’ve never cooked Eggs Benedict. I’ve never eaten Eggs Benedict. I’d bought the supplies at the store while doing my weekly shopping, so all I needed to do was jump in.

I read over the recipe for Hollandaise sauce and then jumped to another recipe which showed me how to pull the egg dish together. I heated two pans of water. Found a metal bowl to use as a double boiler. As I waited for the water to heat, I put my Canadian bacon in a skillet to lightly brown. Then swirling the water, I added my eggs one at a time, set the timer and went to start the sauce. I forgot about toasting the English muffin so I had to leave my sauce for a minute.

Apparently a lot can happen in a minute.

Let’s just say my first attempt was a total bomb. My sauce separated. My eggs overcooked. And my Canadian bacon was dry. The finished product looked nothing like this picture. But as I ate, I realized the food tasted good. Pretty amazing, in fact.

My writing is like my cooking. Just because I’m an excellent cook, (No modesty here – I am.) doesn’t mean I’m great at everything without even trying. Writing skills, like cooking techniques, have to be learned and crafted and practiced. And, if I don’t focus, my writing can break, like my sauce did when I took my focus off the pan.

In one of my RWA groups, a challenge was issued to “A Year of Living Dangerously.” I’ve tried to embrace that challenge. Besides making new dishes at home, I’ve applied the challenge to my writing career. I’ve had professional pictures taken, started working on a website, and attended a new conference, without knowing anyone else who registered. I committed to writing a short story a month for a new to me publication. I’d hoped I’d be able to sell one, but since that outcome was out of my control, my goal was to write and submit, not sell. But sell, I did.

My short, No Hot Water, will be in the August 18^th edition of Women’s World.

And I’m continuing to learn more about writing. And submitting what I write.

I’m planning on taking another shot at Eggs Benedict. Hopefully this batch will turn out closer to the original. But even if it doesn’t, I’ll learn something new in the process. And that’s worth the time.

Have you ever tried and failed - but tried again?

posted under | 6 Comments

Thursday's Tips and Tools

Hey all!

I've tooled through Twitter and Facebook, Blogger and Wordpress to find these great tips and tools for this week!

"Do Writers Need Presentation Skills?" You betcha. Check out Jenny Hansen's tips for effective presentations. You never know when you'll be asked to speak at your local RWA meeting.

Kristen Lamb's "Beating the Sugar Addiction-Tightening the Writing" explains about bloated passages and trimming the fat off your WIP.

Steena Holmes talks "Why You Shouldn't Query Just Any Agent." Find out the benefits of being selective.

Carrie Spencer has tutorials on how to build your blog using WordPress. I'm currently revamping my blog and Carrie's instructions have been a great help.

http://romanceuniversity.org/2010/07/26/wordpress-for-non-techies/

http://romanceuniversity.org/2010/07/27/wordpress-part-deux/

http://romanceuniversity.org/2010/07/30/wordpress-for-non-techies-3/

http://romanceuniversity.org/2010/08/03/wordpress-for-non-techies-iv/

http://romanceuniversity.org/2010/08/10/wordpress-for-non-techies-the-fifth/

http://romanceuniversity.org/2010/08/17/wordpress-for-non-techies-grand-finale/

Until next week,

Happy Tales,

~Kristal Lee, Author of Supernatural Seductions

www.kristalleeromances. com

posted under author, Kristal Lee, Kristen Lamb, new kids on the writers block, Wordpress, writing tips | 0 Comments

YA - Is It Really The Next Big Thing?

I love reading thrillers. I love to read and write Romantic Suspense. I've completed several RS manuscripts to prove it. Unfortunately, the Big Six guillotine came down on RS a couple of years ago and deemed it unreadable. Even worse, unmarketable. No one would touch my queries although several agents and editors expressed admiration for my voice.

I also enjoy paranormal. It was my second choice when deciding to switch genres and a huge leap of faith

on my part. In fact, I've leaped so far I landed in unfamiliar territory, combining "highly sensual, bordering on erotica, which might be classified erotica because of the usage of graphic terms and adventurous sexual situations" with paranormal. It’s hot. Oh, yeah… Sizzling. It makes me blush and I’m the one writing it!

Since I’ve found my new “voice” - a damn good voice it is, if I do say so myself – I’m passionate about writing again. And now the Big Six Soothsayers are predicting doom and gloom for paranormal. They're touting the accolades of Young Adult - the hot new genre writers are flocking to like flies on honey.

Young Adult – YA – has been around forever. It’s not new. Think back to The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. Icons of my adolescence. Too far back? Okay, remember “21 Jump Street”, “Young Riders”? How about “Hannah Montana”? Television targets the young adult market, just as Harry Potter targeted a new generation of readers (and some old one, as well) earning millions in the process.

“Twilight” created an impressive surge of interest in YA just as Tiger Woods did for golf. It’s off the charts. Publishers, or anyone in marketing, would be crazy not to jump on the band wagon and ride it out. With the stampede toward the wagon, however, comes the danger of excess. Frenzied efforts to attract the masses are often the very thing that drives them away.

When one considers the business side of writing, they should also think about who is buying their books. And that's what I’m doing. Young adult is an incredible force in the industry. But I’m not writing for tweens, or even those adults who are young at heart. I’m writing for the masses of baby boomers who are reaching retirement age and looking for an interesting novel to read right before taking their afternoon nap.

Boomers. The largest demographic group to impact the marketing industry in centuries. Advertisers have catered to this extraordinary mass since conception and spawned many iconic products along the way. Gerber, Barbie, Muscle cars, Beatlemania. And the beat goes on . . . Look at the trends in today’s marketing campaigns. Viagra/Cialis, a return of muscle cars and lookalikes (Camaro, Challenger, Pontiac Solstice, VW Beetles), face lifts/botox, vitamins and supplements. Anything to prolong the effects of aging and encourage a trip down memory lane.

Harlequin came into its own during the seventies. Boomer women sustained a voracious appetite for romance. I’m a boomer. I still like a good romance although I’m not into virginal lifestyles. I enjoy a little spice but I still want my HEA.

And that’s what I’m writing. Lessons in love transpiring in a fantasy world full of alpha heroes and spunky heroines. It suits me. Escapism is good. Because as a reader, when I turn the final page, all I really want is a satisfied sigh. I hope that's what my readers want, too.

BICHOK.

posted under baby boomers, Deb Sanders, Fantasy and Paranormal, romance, Young Adult | 0 Comments

Letting Go

Well, I did it! After several rounds of revisions and two rounds of polish, Love at Twenty Paces has been sent to fellow writers for critique. At least two of them have never seen the first chapters.

It's a big step. And I'm going through a variety of emotions. All of them border on the edge of anxiousness. Who am I kidding? I've long passed anxiousness and moved into the 'I think I'm going to throw up'. Even when I feel like celebrating with a bit of a jig, I still feel on the verge of vomiting. My jaw hurts from clenching and I'm quite certain sleep will evade me. I even painted my fingernails so that I would not bite then down to the quick while waiting for responses.

But I know this is for the best. I've done all that I can do. I've prayed. I've plotted, brainstormed. Prayed. Written my heart onto the pages. Prayed some more. Asked others to pray. Tormented my hero. Prayed. Made my heroine cry. Prayed and wrote the end. So now, even though it's thrown me off kilter, I know sending it to readers will help me see my shortcomings and hopefully help me improve the story without sending me into a straight jacket.

You might ask why I continue to write if the whole process drives me nuts. Because I can't not write. It's a huge part of who I am. Not writing would be like not breathing. Is there anything you just can't not do?

Happy Tuesday,

Renee

posted under Christina Rich, critique partner, Renee Lynn Scott, the end | 2 Comments

Time Wasters

Now that I'm working full time my writing time is so precious, but instead of writing I find myself mired in a cesspool of waste. In this bottomless pit swirl the likes of Facebook, Twitter, computer games, tv and even email. For me, I need time to decompress after work. I change in to my comfy clothes, then sit down to check my emails. Many of these emails are from groups I belong to and contain no information pertinent to me or my writing, but need to be sorted through rather than mindlessly thrown in the trash. Some require my reply, and yet others invoke a reply. This starts my downward spiral into the black hole of time wasters.

Next comes Facebook and Twitter. Even though I am unpublished I still need to keep my name out there to build a platform that may someday sell my book to a publisher. Then when I've checked out what happened while I was at work, it's time to kick back a little. Just one game of Zuma or a little venture into Frontierville. BTW, no one can play "just one" game of Zuma. By the time I look up it is time to prepare and eat dinner. After that life spirals towards a feeling of exhaustion and veggie in front of the TV. By the time I get my granddaughter to bed, it's 9pm and I can't keep my eyes open so I go to bed realizing I got nothing accomplished in the six hours since I got home from work. I know that everyone says if you want to write you suck it up and write, but when your brain buzzes with work stuff, and you are exhausted the time wasters easily suck you in.

What are your favorite time wasters?

posted under Julie Shumway, time wasters, writing | 1 Comments

Foodie Romance

I recently did a series on food writing and foodie romance. I'm in the midst of writing my own foodie romance, and will be posting more on it. But here's the lineup.

Monday: Food of the Week
Tuesday: Favorite Recipes I
Tuesday: Favorite Recipes II
Wednesday: Foxy Foodies
Thursday: Best Foodie Books
Thursday: Writing Prompt
Friday: Food Network Shows
Friday: Food Shows on TV
Saturday: Foodie Romances
Saturday: Foodie Blogs
Sunday: Shout-Outs

Also, in case you're interested in food writing and/or foodie romances, I've started a new blog specifically dedicated to this part of my writing. You can find it here.