New Kids on the Writer's Block: May 2012

Christmas in June.

I’m feeling like a ten year old the week before Christmas. I know what’s coming (THE BULL RIDER’S BROTHER releasing June 4^th) but I have no idea what it will be like, having a release week for my debut book. So, like a writer, I’m imagining all sorts of activities.

*My book shoots up to the top 100 e-books on Amazon the first week.

*My work mates all buy a copy and tell everyone they know how wonderful the book is.

*My husband takes me out for our favorite Red Lobster dinner – on a Monday.

Okay, now I know I’m in fantasy land.

My work had a mini-picnic celebration yesterday so we sat out in the park, avoiding the sun and the gale force winds talking. The subject of THE BULL RIDER’S BROTHER releasing June 4^th came up. Really, it wasn’t me who started the conversation… (grin)

But I was surprised at the questions…

“So you excited about your book release?”

“How many books have you sold now?”

“It takes that long to release an e-book?”

And of course,

“Have you read 50 Shades of Grey?”

Since I haven’t read the 50 book – I’ll talk about expectations. Realistic expectations. I know it’s rare for a book to be the next 50 book or Twilight or HP. But as an author, you hope. And hope is fine.

You just have to realize life goes on. A lesson my car taught me last night when it stranded me in St. Louis, 33 miles away from home. So I called a tow truck and got a rental. My car didn’t care that I had a book releasing in less than two weeks. Neither did the laundry that wanted to be done this morning before I could start writing.

So knowing that real life is still happening, I’ve decided to plan my own celebrations around Bull Rider’s Brother Launch week. I’m helping a fellow author and a bookstore owner out with a book signing. I’m taking a mini writer’s retreat weekend. And I’m bringing home my favorite Chinese takeout on release

day.

New Kids Readers? What would you do to celebrate a book launch?

Musings on Contests

During the past couple of months, I did something I have never done before: I served as a first round judge in two writing contests. Writing contests fascinate me. You actually pay money for the privilege of having an anonymous stranger critique your work. Sometimes you get good feedback, a few ego strokes, maybe you even win a prize. Other times, you get smacked down, although one hopes it's done gently.

As I think I have mentioned at least once, I did enter a contest last year, before I had the faintest clue what I was doing. Thankfully, one of the judges took the time to explain some of the things I didn't know, and to tell me how I could improve. I learned a lot from that experience. I decided to serve as a judge so that, perhaps, I could help a newbie as I was helped. Pay it forward, and all that.

The organizers of the contests I judged had no reason to suppose that I had any idea what I was doing, and my willingness to do it may have been my biggest recommendation. I think, though, that I am qualified to judge, despite a distinct lack of publishing chops. I was an English major, I have taken all kinds of courses on writing in the last couple of years, and I read A LOT. I also had the time and the patience to go over each entry with a fine-toothed comb. Some of them were simply wonderful. Others, not so much.

I knew nothing about any of these authors. Had they been writing forever, or were they still wet behind the ears? Was this their first contest, or their 50th? Were they published or unpublished? No idea, but it didn't really matter. I was able to find something good in each of their entries, and something in need of improvement.

Apart from the satisfaction I took from the experience, I also learned quite a bit about my own writing. I was looking over my WIP earlier this week, and I came across a passage not unlike something I had found wanting in a contest entry. I started looking at my own work with a more critical eye, following some of my own suggestions for improvement.

So, here are the questions for you: have you ever entered a contest? Judged a contest? How was your experience? If you are a writer and you haven't entered or judged a contest, consider doing so. I can't say whether it will be a good or bad experience, but I can almost guarantee you'll learn something new.

Marin

posted under contests, judging, Marin McGinnis, writing contests | 4 Comments

I Love a RODEO Parade

In preparation for the release of my debut book, The Bull Rider’s Brother, available now for preorder through Amazon. (http://www.amazon.com/The-Bull-Riders-Brother-ebook/dp/B008195C2I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336733040&sr=8-1), I’ve been doing some twitter posts on different Idaho rodeo’s and rodeo facts.

You can follow along at #loverodeo.

Nampa, Idaho, is home to one of the Northwest’s top ten rodeo’s, The Snake River Stampede. This is the stampede’s 97^th year. Growing up, July was hot, dry, and all about the rodeo.

My fondest memory is of watching the rodeo parade. Every evening we’d pack into the car, and drive the twenty miles into town to land at my married sister’s house. Her home sat right on the parade route. So we had front row seats. Bonus!

Every night the rodeo ran, the parade snaked its way through town to the rodeo grounds. A rodeo parade is different than a normal hometown parade. There are a few cars with local celebrities or beauty queens. The local high school band was always a hit. But most of the entries aren’t floats or cars. Riding groups dominate. An occasional covered wagon or horse drawn carriage floated by, their occupants dressed in old time clothes, a reminder of the old west roots. And the Stampede had its own stage coach leading the parade to the end.

I loved watching the different horse groups and dreamed of someday owning my own horse I could brush and groom and ride in the parade. I still love horses and dream of ranch life.

Maybe someday I’ll be the one waving to you from the back of my mustang or quarter horse while the parade passes by. Could happen.

What dreams did you have as a kid? Did you want to ride? Or be a fire fighter? Or be a rodeo clown?

posted under #loverodeo, Lynn Cahoon, The Bull Rider's Brother; Rodeo, The Snake River Stampede | 8 Comments

It’s A Stressful Job But Someone’s Got To Do It

There’s no debate among anyone that the world is one heck of a stressed out place. Between spouses, children, jobs, possible second jobs, bills and all the fact that every time you turn on the news the world seems like it’s on the brink of collapse it’s a surprise we’re not all mid nervous breakdown. I always thought I had a handle on it. I really did. Sure, I’ve had some pretty high stakes, high stress jobs in the past. I managed. I published. I did not perish.

Then I stepped out of the corporate world and into the world of the full-time writer. And apparently I didn’t know squat about stress before now. Paychecks are no longer secure for me. There is no one else to pull the extra workload should I get sick, hurt, or generally feel like slacking off. Everything rests on my shoulders. Meanwhile? Because I’m at home most of the house hold chores now fall on my shoulders too. Work is now slotted into 15 minute increments between coloring and reading stories and trying to figure out how the hell you make a meatloaf.

I’ve been both the world’s most wonderful mom for working all three days of the bookfair and showing up to help at school and the worst according to my Oldest because things that she wants now I have to say no to that back when I had a secure paycheck I could have just whipped out my wallet and bought.

All in all though the past nine months have been a learning experience. A chance for me to grow. I’ve gotten much more comfortable putting myself out there rather than hiding behind the rest of a work team. I’m more willing to take a risk. I’ve also learned that sometimes a coloring break is the best way to deal with the fact that something in my world isn’t working.

I’ve also learned to set boundaries – times when I look at the people in my life and say “no, I need to work” and “no I won’t get up at 4 am to do my stuff so I’m free to do yours later in the day”. I’ve also learned that the math and science parts of me haven’t died now that I have a more creative based career. As my hubby puts it I have schedules and goal worksheets and an organizational system that would make the most hardened efficiency expert weep tears of jealous rage. I have goals that if I succeed them would make Nora Roberts look like a slacker (if that’s possible after 200 books).

But the biggest thing I’ve learned in the past 9 months? I’ve learned that sometimes you just have to go with your gut and know that you’re doing the right thing. Am I stressed out to the brink right now? You better believe it. Would we be more secure if I hadn’t made this decision? You betcha. But I can’t bring myself to be upset about it. You know why? Because even stressed to the gills I’m happier than I’ve ever been before.

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"Pitching" for a Home Run

Conference times are here and many of us are faced with writing and polishing pitches for agents and editors. All we have to do is summarize a 70,000-100,000 word book into a few sentences. Nail the basic plot as we encapsulate the hero/heroine’s goal, motivation, and conflict. That is, what the hero/heroine want and what keeps them from getting it--until the end, of course. Yikes!

It’s not as bad as it sounds. The key: agents/editors are friendly and encouraging and really do want to hear about our stories. They want us to succeed. The conference for our local chapter, Ozarks Romance Authors, is coming up, so I thought it might be fun to look at ways a conference pitch can be put together.

There are several different ‘kinds’ of pitches.

1.) An ‘Elevator Pitch’ which is one sentence. That’s so if you find yourself riding in an elevator with an agent/editor and you’re asked what you write, you can tell them briefly and succinctly.

2.) A 25-word pitch which you may use when you’re called upon for a quick summary. Often the same as the elevator pitch.

3.) A three-sentence pitch, which allows you to get a bit more into GMC.

4.) A one paragraph pitch, which agents often say they want to see in a query letter.

5.) A longer pitch, crafted for a 5-10 minute pitch session, but it is still very brief.

Note: even if a pitch is in a conference situation of, say, ten minutes, you will not talk for that long. Make it fit one of the ones listed above. You should leave time for the agent/editor to ask questions.

6.) Try to have a one sentence (need not be a grammatically correct sentence) that will act as a hook.

Let's look at the “conference pitch.”

Hook: Try to develop a sentence or one line that summarizes the story in a way that catches the attention. Look for the unique. The extreme conflicts or differences.

Length: It should be as brief as you can make it, but it can be longer than one line. It can be longer than three lines. Try to keep it in one paragraph or two.

Jot it or the main points down on 3 x 5 cards. I write the pitch in short paragraphs so I know where I am if I need to refer to it quickly. THEN: Practice reading it aloud so it become natural to say--and hear--the words.

What Does It Contain: The pitch should hone in on the central conflict. The main thing that’s keeping the h/h from achieving his/her goal--and, in romance, usually keeping them apart.

1) Avoid too many proper names. Use designations of careers or titles instead. If names are necessary, use only the main characters--usually hero/heroine.

2) For your l line hook, avoid all proper names.

Debra Dixon, whose book GOAL, MOTIVATION AND CONFLICT is something of a basic for romance writers, pointed out at a recent conference that the emphasis should not be on the romance. If you write romance, it’s assumed there’ an HEA. What’s the basic plot point or obstacle/conflict?

One formula:

Hero/heroine wants or needs to do something (goal) but is prevented from getting/doing it (obstacle or conflict) and not achieving this goal can lead to (something/a calamity.) You may follow with the opposite h/h goal/obstacle-conflict etc. If you can summarize it into a very few words, you might include a motivation or the why.

So, go forth and pitch--and good luck. Remember, agents and editors want to hear what you have to say. Smile--and tell them why they can't live without your story.

Further information on pitches can also be found on Kimberly Killion’s website: http://www.kimberlykillion.com/writers.asp

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Too Many Hats

On any given day, I wear at least two hats: wife, mother. On most days, however, there are quite a few more: lawyer, writer, cook, bookkeeper, chauffeur. I don’t have quite as many hats as Dr. Seuss' Bartholomew Cubbins, but some days it feels that way.

This week was my son’s 9th birthday, so I was a social director and a party planner. I have a lot of lawyerly work to do, and it is the beginning of the month, so I was wearing my lawyer hat, my bookkeeper hat, and my billing administrator hat. I am serving as a first line judge in a writing contest, so I have been wearing my judge hat, which is still new and a little bit uncomfortable, but I rather like how it looks. This past week I also wore a stylish new critique partner hat, a tattered and muddy Cub Scout Den Leader hat, a colorful Sunday School teacher hat, a nurse cap, and too many others to name.

What, you may ask, is the point of this recitation? I realized as I was on my way back from a Cub Scout campout that I had to post something today, but I hadn’t written anything yet. This is what came to me, fueled by too little sleep, a layer of grime, very weak tea and some stale donuts. While I was driving home, I was reflecting on what it was I had been doing to get so little writing done this week, and when I started to catalog everything, it’s astonishing that I actually managed to sleep. Oh wait, I didn’t.

In order to make some time for myself and my WIP, I am keeping this post short. So tell me: What kinds of hats do you wear? How do you make time for all the things in your busy life? How do you make time to write?

Until next time, when it is hoped that I will have a bit more in the tank,

Marin

posted under Marin McGinnis, time management | 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.