Please join me today over at the Scribes as we welcome NY Times/USA Today bestselling author Kristan Higgins . She graciously answered our interview questions and brought an excerpt from her fabulous new book UNTIL THERE WAS YOU.
Read this book!
Much to my delight, she also provides a suprisingly different insight on my nemesis, The Doubt Monster.
Stop by leave a comment, ask a question. Don’t miss out! Hope to see you there!
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.
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!
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!
Third time’s a charm, right? I finaled in another contest – Mystic Ink in the Dixie First Chapter Contest. I actually jumped up and down and did a happy dance.
I have been taking two classes. A class to build this website and a synopsis class. In both classes, someone has featured Kristan Higgins’ new book – My One and Only.
Since I am a member of the CT RWA along with Kristan, I would like to post these book trailers for your viewing pleasure. My husband is the biker dude Scar in “Romance Addict Anonymous” and I’m an extra (bored doodling student, blue sweater) in “English Teacher Busted”.