Evil Plotting

Yay! Another Friday. Don’t forget to check out my post over at the Scribes – I’m late, I’m late…for what exactly? and meet the Naggy Bunny.

Another week has come and gone. And I’m sad to say, not much plotting has happened for Devil’s Advocate.

I spent most of the week helping my fellow writers. I’ve been honored to read their works in progress and provide my feedback. I’ve read some sci-fi, paranormal romance, middle grade adventure and contemporary. I have such talented friends!!

I’ve received feedback on The Undead Space Initiative. So far, no one has told me the story is bad. I’ve gotten mostly high marks, which is always nice. Still, I’m not resting on my laurels. There will be edits. I’m not sure what form they will take yet.

I’ve been mostly reflective this week. Thinking about my new characters. What do they want? How will they achieve their goals?What happens next (my favorite question to answer).  Not all that different from talking to my sons (what do you want to do with your life?).

Just thinking about the word “plotting” brings to mind a different word – scheming. When you think about it, as a writer, you really are contriving an entire story out of thin air – creating a whole new world that didn’t previously exist. Totally cool and frightening at the same time. And once the story is published, then that world is shared with your readers. They bring their own expectations and realities. Your world isn’t only in your head anymore.

It’s a big responsibility, which is why I spend more time on plotting, character creation, etc. than I do writing. I’ve learned the hard way that planning ahead works best for me. In a few weeks NaNo WriMo will begin and I plan to be prepared (like a good Boy Scout mother).

It’s hard to believe Fall is almost here. I’ll leave you with a photograph I took last October at Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. If you live in the area and you’ve never been – plan a trip. Right now.

Here comes Autumn

All’s Quiet on the Writer Front

Happy Friday everyone. Please remember to visit the 7 Scribes today – I am the Author Goddess.

Here’s how I’ve been keeping busy while I wait for feedback on The Undead Space Intiative.

  • A few days ago I received some awesome news – I finished first place in another contest. While it’s excellent news to receive, winning contests hasn’t really brought any offers from the editor judges. But that’s okay. As I reported last week, I have actually submitted to more publishers and plan to continue to do so.
  • I have spent most of this week working on the synopsis for The Undead Space Initiative. And I use the term “working” loosely! For some reason, writing an entire novel is easier than a two page synopsis. I’m down to the basic information and now all I need to do is polish it up.
  • Completing the synopsis (and, drat, I need to do a query letter -groan!) frees my mind to work on Devil’s Advocate. I have the main characters but not a fully formed plot. The plot is stewing in the back of my mind this week.
  • And I am taking two classes with a third one starting next week.

None of the aforementioned activities includes my full time job, family (also a full time job) or time spent doing other things like reading, Scribes stuff, Twitter. etc.

And speaking of  the Scribes – we have been very busy booking guest bloggers including: Frankie Roberston, Sandra Orchard, Julia Rachel Barrett, Kinley Baker, Jennifer Fusco, and Kristan Higgins.

I hope to see you all next week. Until then – happy writing!

Do or Do Not. There is No Try.

Happy Friday. Please remember to visit me at the 7 Scribes for today’s topic – Story Overload.

My plan all along had been to wait until September 1 to submit. Except, this past weekend, we were hit with Hurricane Irene. The fear that we might not have power for a week was a great motivator.

Saturday night before I went to bed, I hit the send button and off they all went.

I’m happy to report that full manuscripts for Ascension and Mystic Ink have been requested by several editors. If any offers appear, I’ll be happy to share the good news.

So – the moral of the story – nothing ventured, nothing gained. Even if no sales result, at least I did it. And I will continue to send my books until someone buys one (either traditional or indie pubbed).

Good Read: Beauty and the Feast

Recently, I had the pleasure of reading a fantastic contemporary romance – Beauty and the Feast by Julia Barrett. This book has it all, great food, sizzling sex scenes and engaging characters.

Smokin’ hot good read!!

Sparks fly when Eva Raines, a country girl with killer cooking skills, is hired by wealthy entrepreneur, Gabriel Abbott. He is quickly seduced by her amazing culinary creations and she is a bit overwhelmed by the handsome man’s interest in her.

Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down. The sex is hot and had me squirming in my seat.

If you’re looking for a romance with spicy scenes, witty dialogue, and a heartwarming plot, this is the book for you. Check it out!

The Finish Line Approaches!

Hi everyone,

Please stop by the 7 Scribes Blog to read my post on – Breakin’ Da Rules.

Whew! I’m in the home stretch. Rough draft word count to date – 77,960. Vacation all week has done wonders for my writing. It’s amazing what I can accomplish when my sole focus is on the story. On Monday, I clocked in at 5,021 words (my neck still aches from that one!).

In preparation for the clean-up, I’ve created a list of gaps and other plot related concerns. I’ll address those first. And then, the Inner Critic will be allowed free reign to correct weak wording, typos and other mistakes.

A few hints to tide you over. Stripper pole and Mars. You’ll have to wait until next Friday to find out how.

Seven Scribes and Other Writing Adventures

Starting next week, I’m part of a new blog – Writing Secrets of Seven Scribes. We’re an eclectic group of aspiring and indie published writers from many genres: young adult, middle school, inspirational, mystery, paranormal/urban fantasy and erotica.  Our goal is to share our writer’s journey, to inspire and to entertain.

We have each taken a day of the week – I’m Friday’s Scribe. And later, we will all be publishing a short story on the site based on the poem Monday’s Child. Be sure to check us out. Even better, subscribe so you won’t miss out.

A while back, I blogged – Dont’ Go It Alone. The Scribes’ blog is an example of joining a group that can foster your creativity, provide inspiration, and give a kick to the pants when needed! Not to sound like a broken record – if you’re a writer and serious about publication – find a group, find a critique partner or partners, find somebody else who loves to write! My world has opened up exponentially since I joined with my awesome critique partners and the CT RWA. I promise, you will become a better writer!

I hope to see you all at the new blog. Scribe on!

Dare to Daydream

Yes, you read that correctly. On the heels of my post “Writing Avoidance Behavior”, I’m advocating daydreaming.

Us writers, we make stuff up. And in order to do that, we need to spend time imagining things. I like to let my mind wander and try out new possibilities (like playing the game “what if”).

So I say, daydream away.

And not always about your latest storyline or characters. I usually get my best ideas or work out plot holes by thinking about nothing in particular. And, like magic, my mind conjures up a solution or story I didn’t know existed until that moment.

It took me a while to recognize this gift when presented. I have since learned to write it down – no negativity allowed. Shut down that critical voice, otherwise it will kill your precious daydreams before they have a chance to form into ideas.

Happy writing!

Writing Avoidance Behavior

So how many of us writers are guilty of what I like to call “writer avoidance behavior” or WAB?

Come on, we all know what this is.

It’s when you are sitting in front of your keyboard (or pad of paper) supposedly “writing” when you are suddenly struck with the desire to clean all the dirty dishes in your sink. Or maybe you must tackle that unfolded clothes pile you have been avoiding all week. Perhaps you are struck with WAB before you have even sat at your desk (or wherever you like to write).

My personal bad habit – pacing aimlessly around the house eventually nibbling on some snack I shouldn’t be eating. I mean, I’m not even hungry and I certainly don’t need the calories.

I’m more likely afflicted with WAB when I have to do an unpleasant writing chore like a query or synopsis. For example, I’m writing this post when I should be working on a synopsis for my work in progress.

As with all bad habits, the first step is awareness. For example, why am I standing over the sink drinking another cup of coffee I don’t need? Once you know you are in the throes of WAB, time to admit you have a problem. I usually issue myself a stern command – get your butt back in the chair and work!

Does it always work? Nope. Most times it’s enough, at least for me, to motivate me back to the task at hand.

I would love to hear how you tackle this problem. . . but only after you’ve done some writing. Because I don’t want to be a WAB enabler!

Happy writing!

CT Fiction Fest

Hi all,

Next month, on May 14, I will be attending CT Fiction Fest. The event is sponsored by the CT Romance Writers. The keynote speaker this year is Eloisa James!!

There will also be 13 agents and editors such as Bantam Dell (Random House), St. Martin’s Press, Harlequin, The Donald Maas Agency, Irene Goodman Literary Agency, and Curtis Brown to name just a few. Each participant is guaranteed two appointments.

Workshops and special speakers include: Kristan Higgins, Jessica Anderson, Anton Strout, Toni Andrews and more.

Check it out!

http://ctrwa.org/ignite-your-muse/