Sunday, September 1, 2013

Day 29- 90-Day Novel model

Finally!

I am going to start my first draft. I am so excited and I really feel that this model has helped me develop not only my characters, but to reveal the conflict(s) between them. Normally I am hunting for possible roadblocks to throw in front of them, but not now. I may have too many!

So, logging off for now.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Dominique Eastwick: Charmed By Cate Masters

Dominique Eastwick: Charmed By Cate Masters: Charmed The Vitruvian Man, book 2 By Cate Masters Dark fantasy/paranormal romance Coming Aug. 30, 2013 Decadent Publishing ...

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Rest In Peace Elmore Leonard

Elmore Leonard, prolific author of westerns and crime dramas, passed today. He wrote "Out of Sight", "Be Cool", and "Get Shorty". He also wrote the book on which the FX series "Justified" is based. 

I am posting his 10 rules of writing since they served him well.

  1.  Never open a book with weather.
  2.  Avoid prologues.
  3.  Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue.
  4.  Never use an adverb to modify the verb "said” … he admonished gravely.
  5.  Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose. 
  6.  Never use the words "suddenly" or "all hell broke loose."
  7.  Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
  8.  Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
  9.  Don't go into great detail describing places and things.
  10.  Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.

10 Perfect Facts about The Princess Bride

Okay, so this is a link to a web article where Rob Reiner talks about one of my favorite movies, The Princess Bride. Interesting facts so check it out!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Musa Publishing: The Price of a Book

Musa Publishing: The Price of a Book: by Andrea Blundell and Andrea Colasanto I know, I know. We’ve all read the stories about e-book pricing versus print book pricing. We kno...

Check out Second Chance for a Finally Ever After

Visit this Blog Hop! I did and it's awesome. Plus just look at that "in the rain" kiss. So sexy...

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Day 18

Finally, I'm getting back to my plotting project using the 90-Day Novel. First my excuse, I mean reason, was that my family was going on vacation to Disney World and so I would have little time to write. After getting back, well, I was simply lazy.

So, back to my 90-Day Novel only behind...

I still love Alan Watt's direction to hold the story loosely, to let it breathe and evolve on its own without forcing it into a box that you've created before it's ready. It explains why I'm never happy with my characters: I've never as fully explored them before.

Keeping at it. But keeping calm!

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Day 12

I'm on day 12 of The 90-day Novel and author Alan Watt's advice to hold my story loosely finally paid off! An extra layer, a deeper relationship revealed itself today that will increase the degree of conflict. So, Alan, I am so glad I bought your book!

Friday, July 5, 2013

Day 11

So, the mantra for the first two weeks (at least) of The 90-Day Novel is to hold your story loosely. This is so you will allow your imagination to wander down pathways of possibilities that may (or may not) enrich your plot and build the depth of your characters.

I have to tell you that I've changed my perceptions of my characters as the prompts make me reach further into my hero and heroine. Sometimes I write a paragraph answering the questions and sometimes I leave a short sentence. Twice now, I've returned to previous days' prompts to change or add to my characters' points of view.

Thanks for joining me on this journey.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Day 9


Okay, so I'm "holding my story loosely" as directed by author Alan Watt and allowing my imagination to take whatever paths open.

Dilemma: do I continue with a direction that might be taboo in the romance writing world or do I take a safer path?

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Day 6


Okay, so I stumbled a little yesterday. More questions about my main character, the hero of the story, but I couldn't answer them yet. Too busy, too much going on around me to really listen to him (DJ). Sounds crazy, I know, but if you're a writer, you know what I mean. He's still not really talking to me today. Still too much home improvement to get the solitary time I need to "interview" him.

Today, the questions center on an antagonist (my heroine, Beth) so I think I'll hear her a little more clearly. Maybe DJ's just demonstrating the same reticence to speak to women that he tries to hide in the story...

Wish me luck that we get done soon so my mind can be focused on what's really important- writing!

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Day 4


Oh, my hero's getting pretty dark and depressing. Lots of angst to work with when the time comes for formulating the plot itself. He's definitely going to succumb to a "demon" or two.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Day 3

More probing questions for my hero and I feel like I'm really getting to know him. Like he's coming to life and boy is he flawed. Poor thing. Things will only get worse for him when I start the story but that's not for another week or so.

Definitely sticking to the timeline the book lays out, but it keeps me writing, imagining, doesn't let me be too busy. Much of the first two weeks is mental, just jotting down responses to the questions posed in the book.

So far, so good.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Day 2

Answering stream of consciousness questions about my hero (and heroine) is really helping me get to know them better. In addition, I think I may lean a little more on the hero's story as he is perhaps a little more scarred than the heroine.

The focus right now is getting down random images and impressions about the characters to let them drive the story.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Once upon a time...

Day 1

I'm starting a new story line today.
Exciting and a little scary at the same time.
The exciting part is putting words to paper, giving life to characters only existing in my head.
The scary part is doing them justice.

I'm normally a "pantser" who plots in her head, if that makes any sense. I may put pivotal scenes on paper (or in text) while still working the plot points in my head.

This time, however, I'm using The 90-day novel by Alan Watt

I ordered the book from Amazon, receiving it just one day before a recent writers' retreat. I took it along with other resource materials, figuring I'd get to it. Never did, but a couple other writers were looking over it, fell in love with it and were going to buy it once they returned to civilization.

So, today is Day 1, the day I begin imaging the world of the story. Of course, I've already got ideas, but this book and its exercises will focus and fine tune my creativity and imagination, helping me to better "see" and communicate my characters' story.

Wish me luck!


Sunday, June 16, 2013

Happy Father's Day

Is there anything sexier than a man you love spending quality time with your children? He's even sexier if they're not his own children, because he's demonstrating the depth of his ability to love.

Happy Father's Day to my own husband and to all daddies everywhere!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

With two school aged kids, two parents working full-time, one dog and housework that never ends, I am neglecting my characters in my WIPs. (It's only fair, some of them took a vacation without me!) Of course, housework falls behind writing when I'm really inspired.

What (or who) gets neglected when your muse is demanding your attention?

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Just read an awesome book by Jenna Jaxon: Betrothed. Historical romance at its best, I was drawn into a world so different from my own. Knights and lords, kings and ladies-in-waiting, Betrothed gives the reader a peek at the privileged lives of noblemen.

Romantic, sure, but I'd never want to live in a time or place in which a woman is used as a bargaining chip to improve the family's station. Or is married off to a man who will more than likely only bed her for the sons she can bear him.

Luckily, the heroine is no wilting flower, actually has a backbone along with brains, so I felt a strong connection with her.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Social media is a little overwhelming for someone like me. Twitter, blogging, Facebook, website, blog hopping, oh, my! I am signing up for a Twitter account today see how it works. How often should I tweet? What should I tweet about? What do you think?

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Inspiration

I've found that I'm inspired by so many things: places, people, situations.  I'm a people watcher so anytime I am waiting for anything-in line at the bank, in the waiting room at the doctor's office, at a stoplight-I'm creating story lines for the poor, unsuspecting people nearby. Who are they meeting? Why do they look so sad or bored or happy? Are they being stalked or are they the predators?

I love visiting historical locations. I envision the women who lived there or worked there and who their lovers or husbands were. I feel the energy from the past events and weave the stories that come with that. 

And I'm always asking "What if?" What if I had a superpower? What would it be? What would I do with it? What problems would I encounter? Who would want to keep me from using it and why?

What if I lived in another time? Another place? What would I do? Who would I be?

Well, you get the idea.  What inspires you?