Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Stepping back or Giving up

We all have those days where the writing isn't working. We second guess ourselves, we eat one too many brownies and then re-evaluate.

Some give up, others step back.

We don't realize the damage we do to ourselves when we don't step back to get a clear head.

"finish this chapter then you can rest" you tell yourself but your body knows your lying. It knows the minute you finish the first chapter you'll move to the second because you feel pushing isn't wrong.

Sometimes you need to step back.

That doesn't mean people think you're giving up. I, personally, commend those who take blogging hiatuses, I'm sad I can't let go some weeks. The passion is what keeps me. I have a love for blogging and though I can't comment at times, I'm making compromises, which is what's needed in this business.

When it comes to writing I must take breaks. Some say you should write every day, I say I'll be the judge of that. Sometimes forcing a word count is worse than taking a day off. Sometimes taking a step back, breathing and relaxing is just what's needed, and you know what... you're allowed.

Do you associate a day off with giving up? How do you cope with writing frustrations?

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Why People Like Me

"Jen that's conceited."

"Not  if it's true," I countered.

"Good point."

Those of you who are avid followers of me know that I'm not conceited... and if you do... well, let's just hope you're not. I get several emails asking the secret to how I gain all my followers.

Guess what... there isn't a secret formula, at least, I don't think.

I think it all comes down to what you blog about and how you share it. I, for one, love random posts. The crazier and quick the post, the more I stick around. If you make me giggle within the first three sentences (or by the title alone) you've caught my attention.

Understand? I write what I like, in doing so, each time you visit I look to entertain you. It's my main goal. Whether or not it happens each time remains to be seen but it's my goal.

Another great way I gained all you fabulous people is by chatting! Each day I'd hop over to your blog and comment on your incredibly creative post. I thought it was genius so I told you. Guess what, you followed back.

I suppose you should ask yourself.... why did you visit this blog? If you're answer is beacuse it's funny... then maybe you should be funny too. Just an idea.

So I'm curious, why do you love me?

Monday, August 29, 2011

Click for love stories....

Happy Monday!!!

Winner from last weeks giveaway of Best Staged Plans is - Carolyn V. (I'll be emailing you!)

I've decided to switch things up the blog for a bit. I'll be sharing reviews, truths (can't give that one up), how to create a platform, and what's up in the query world.

So I guess not a whole lot is changing, however, starting Septemeber 1st you'll be seeing a lot more of me! As I start to query I'll have more time to outline and talk to all my peeps!!!

I know! I know! You missed me as I have missed you!!!

Let's get started. Today I'm sharing a wonderful read that everyone should get their hands on... and lucky enough for me -- I have a copy to giveaway! Ebook style! So after my review if you're interested in winning just leave your email!!!! I'll select the winner next week!

Click: An Online Love Story by Lisa Becker


Blurb: “Fast approaching her 30th birthday and finding herself not married, not dating, and without even a prospect or a house full of cats, Renee Greene, the heroine of Click: An Online Love Story, reluctantly joins her best guy pal on a journey to find love online in Los Angeles. The story unfolds through a series of emails between Renee and her best friends (anal-compulsive Mark, the overly-judgmental Ashley and the over-sexed Shelley) as well as the gentlemen suitors she meets online. From the guy who starts every story with “My buddies and I were out drinking one night,” to the egotistical “B” celebrity looking for someone to stroke his ego, Renee endures her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates. Fraught with BCC’s, FWD’s and inadvertent Reply to All’s, readers will root for Renee to “click” with the right man.”

My thoughts (because they count worth something): I'm a sucker for a great love story! Knowing that Lisa took a lot her own online experience as guidance to this wonderful read I couldn't help but connect even more with the character. No, I have never met a love online (unless you count bloggers - yes I love you all), but I think that Renee was a very relateable character!!

I'm a sucker for uniqueness, so when I opened up this read and it was made entirely of emails I was in love!! If you're looking for a light, fun, chatty read this is the book for you. She focuses more on the love in her life versus the social - friends and family side of life. Though some may find this bothersome I thought it was fun how it was always about the complications of love.

After all, isn't that what the title warns you of? So if you're looking for a end of summer read I encourage you to snag yourself a copy! You won't be disappointed!!!
As for this giveaway... leave a comment with your email!!!!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Looks Matter

I love cover art! It's the most exciting time getting to see the reactions of writers when they get to see the cover of their novel. Their love captivates you and you can't help but want to pick up the book based on the cover alone!!!

Below I've chosen a few books and I'm curious which one's you'd read based on the cover!! Or if you'd at least look at the blurb on the back!!!








Now... what are you reading? Anything in your mailbox? Any of these catch your eyes?

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Being a Man for a Day

Today I'm back to answer the odd questions I ask in my interviews, and weird questions bloggers come up with... I'm talking to you Jess!

So let's get started! Five of my truths coming up...

1. Jess asks: If you could be a man for a day, what aspect would you look for to the most?

To be honest I've never wanted to be a man. However having just watched Crazy, Stupid, Love with hottie Ryan Gosling I have an answer. I want to go out on the dating scene and see if girls are as easy as the movies make them out to be. Do the pick up lines really work?

2. What body part to you wash first?

My hair... shampoo then conditioner (if you must know)...

3. Do you parallel park or drive around the block?

I parallel park. I'm actually quite good at it (thank you weird drivers ed guy). My husband however would drive around the block.

4. How do you eat your cookie?

I love chocolate chip cookies, so when they come straight out of the oven I eat the middle first (on all of them)... and then go back and eat the crust (it's my favorite part).... YUM!

5. Have you ever seen a movie alone in a theater?

I used to when I was younger all the time. Last one I saw by myself in theaters - 13 GOING ON 30... ended up running into someone there so I suppose it doesn't count. But I'm counting it anyway.

So there you have it... the weird, random, normal questions all put together. Care to add your thoughts? Have a question up your sleeve that you want answered.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Dear Synopsis

I hate synopsis writing. If you tell me you love it then I'd like your email, your address, AND your phone number, because the rest of the world will want you writing theres (but you'll have to start with mine).

I'm learning a lot a long the way but it doesn't mean it is written overnight. I may be a fast writer but the editing stages are brutal.

My main issue is not showing the progression of my main character. A few minor tweaks and I'll finally be good to go.... thanks to all those who looked at my work (you know who you are!!)

So I've decided to write a letter to the dreaded synopsis, after all, if they don't know what they're doing wrong how can they fix it?

Dear Synopsis,

What's your problem? Day in and day out you stare me down with your blank white soul. You like to make it difficult. Here I wrote a whole damn book and how do you repay me? By making me figure out how to put it on  1-5 pages. Isn't there any easier way?

What... I'm not supposed to blaming you? Who then? Oh, the outline? I'll have you know Outline worked her tail off and she seemed to have no problem setting chapters up for me. Of course, I didn't follow it word for word! I'm a writer! A creative genius! I don't have to follow every thing I write for myself.

Me? You're telling me I'm the problem? Holy pancake I can't believe you! I suppose this proves you'll always be an evil piece of paper.

Evil genius? No, you'll never be an evil genius.

Walking away,
Jen

So how do you cope while writing a synopsis? Do you write a troubling letter? Work through it? Are you the one who loves them (leave my blog and nobody gets hurt)...

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Tuesday Twist

Up for nomination are three books I'm currently reading. We all have different opinions and this is my favorite post of the week because I get to see your views! It's neat to see how we are all fabulously different.

The Sentences:
1. If music were wind, I would live in a hurricane.
2. "Please, not the kumquat marmalade again," Willow Watts whispered as an elderly lady beckoned with a spoonful of jelly. (this was probably a giveaway, but it's fabulous regardless).
3. I twirled aimlessly in my chair when I heard the shop bell ring, announcing someone's arrivla.

The Reveal:
1. Secret Title
2. Secret Title
3. Secret Title

What order would you try these novels out? What's your reasoning?

Monday, August 22, 2011

Best Staged Plans - Giveaway

Thank you all for stopping in for last weeks interview with Jen Violi! She's a fabulous girl and it was so much fun having her answering my weird questions!!! I've chosen the three winners and all I ask is for you to email me your address!!!

Winners:

Kimberly S.
Giggles and Guns
Jen (Books at Midnight)

I'll be emailing you!!

As for the next giveaway, we're talking Best Staged Plans by Claire Cook!


Blurb:

As a professional home stager, Sandy Sullivan is an expert at transforming cluttered rooms into attractive houses ready for sale. If only reinventing her life were as easy as choosing the perfect paint color. She's eager to put her family's suburban Boston home on the market, to downsize, and to simplify her own life. But she must first deal with her foot-dragging husband and her grown son, who has moved back home after college to inhabit the basement "bat cave."

After reading them the riot act, Sandy takes a job staging a boutique hotel in Atlanta recently acquired by her best friend's boyfriend. The good news is that she can spend time with her recently married daughter, Shannon, in Atlanta. The bad news is that Shannon finds herself heading to Boston for job training, leaving Sandy and her southern son-in-law, Chance, as reluctant roommates. If that's not complicated enough, Sandy begins to suspect that her best friend's boyfriend may be seeing another woman on the side.

My thoughts:
Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous! A must read! I'm a huge fan of Claire Cooks! She's a wonderful writer and as sweet as pie when you get to interact with her!

How to Win:

Sign up! Easy peasy! Just add your email so when I choose the winner next Monday it's easy for me to drop in and let you know!!!

HAPPY MONDAY!!! Yup, that's me keeping it simple! PS - What are you reading?

Friday, August 19, 2011

12 1/2 Rules for Writing

Google knows everything. Happy Friday! Now, do rule 12 1/2 and get to writing!!!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Yes, I believe in torture

I don't know why I'm torturing myself. Maybe I should walk away from answering my own questions (and yours), but everyone seems to really enjoy it. Seeing as facts about myself seem to entertain all of you (and it's easier) I'll just stick with it.

1. Sarah Pearson asks: Which cartoon character are you?

Minnie Mouse. I adored Mickey when I was a child... still do, so why not be best friends with him!

2. Elana Johnson asks: Do you like brussel sprouts?

Hate them. My dad had me sit at the dinner table with six COLD brussel sprouts (granted they weren't cold at the beginning) until I finished them. Stubbornly they were eaten before bed. Never to be touched again.

3. Lenny asks: If you could spend a whole day with one of your blogger friends who could you wanna be with and why?

This one was SO TOUGH! I really can't choose one, their would be the biggest list ever! However, since I am honestly answering them... I'll go with the first blogger who came to mind: Lindsay Currie. She's the cutest, sweetest, most fun blogger! I adore her to pieces... hop over to her blog and you'll see! And... since I can't name only one I've also chosen Talli Roland, she's my ROCKSTAR bestie as well.

4. Carolyn V. asks: What's your favorite vegetable?

This one is tough too! Man! I LOVE vegetables, I'm a green pepper, red pepper, onion, carrot, brocoli, celery, kind of girl. My fridge is filled with all those goodies!! I make the best vegetable chili with these ingredients!

5. Anonymous asks: What's your favorite part about traveling?

The adventure with my hubby. He keeps me calm and we always have fun on the many adventures we go on! I love getting in the car and just going, seeing where we'll end up!

So, any other questions you want to ask? Care to answer these?

Happy Thursday!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Putting Makeup on Dead People - Giveaway!!

Today I have a very special guest! Jen Violi wrote Putting Makeup on Dead People. It's an amazing read you're sure to love, and today I have THREE copies up for grabs!!! Read the interview for the fun, and at the end how you can get your hand on a copy!



1. If you put makeup on dead people what would you start with? Would you mix lipstick colors to give that person the perfect edge?

If I put makeup on dead people, which honestly, you wouldn’t catch me doing, um, ever, I think I’d spend a lot of time with skin tone/foundation first. If I could, I’d want to capture that glow the person had in life.

2. What color of couch would you have if it was in your favorite spot in the woods? Why?

I feel like my answer to this might determine whether or not I’m eaten by a mountain lion, so I’m nervous. Is brown and green the right answer? So I’m camoflauged, both in the woods and in a ‘70s sitcom?? If nothing was going to eat me and I didn’t have to disco, I think I’d pick a dark burgundy, because that’s the color couch I want right now, regardless of locale.

3. You’re at an airport shop, before boarding a plane what are the three things you purchase?

Whatever magazine has the best cover story that is not about either disastrous celebrity marriages or how to prevent aging, Andes Mints (I could eat the whole box), and teriyaki jerky (must have salty to balance out sweet).

4. Who would you rather dress up as the Easter Bunny or Santa Clause? Why?

Can I pick the Tooth Fairy? I seriously just hate wearing pants, and I fear that both the Bunny and the Claus would involve hot (and I don’t mean attractive) trouser-like components. I would much prefer wings and a wand. And glitter. Oooh, or the goddess Artemis. I happen to be quite skilled at making bows and arrows out of cardboard and aluminum foil, and that’s a talent I never get to use enough.

5. When was the last time you played in the snow?

Wow. It’s been a while. I’m pretty sure it was Christmas three years ago, when I built a pretty rocking snowman. Six feet tall, black olive eyes, a plaid scarf. He didn’t come to life or anything, but he was a classy winter stud.

Fun & Random Questions (one word answers):
 
Animal print socks or fruit print socks: Mythical animal print (currently craving sasquatch socks)
Bowl of ice cream or ice cream cone: Cone for sure. That way you eat the bowl.
Vampire or Werewolf: Wolf it up, Kris. I like ‘em warm-blooded.
Rubberband ball or bouncy ball: Bouncy and turquoise, please.
Purse or handbag: Purse. I require hands-free satchels.

Isn't she super cool? Not only does she share my name, but she's awesome like me too (yes, I think I'm awesome).

Giveaway details:
You must be in US & Canada
Add your email address
Comment on the interview, to say something weird, OR say hello to Jen!
Followers get a few brownie points in the pot of gold!!!

I'll announce winners next Monday!!! Get your name in! I want to see the love for Jen Violi's book... it's THAT GOOD!!!!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

What's your Character ARC

Every writer has a character ARC they work off of. What that character will go through, throughout the novel.

Mine is the struggle to find one’s self.

My characters work through so many emotions through the 100+ pages.

When different genres are involved different situations come into play.

I started writing YA and teenage angst was a big addition. Having to channel my high school days wasn’t always easy.

When I switched to Chick Lit, cocktails and cupcakes ruled my life. Though I love it, there are scenes that are tough (but, hey, that's writing).

However, everything stayed the same. Each character still spent the entire novel finding themselves.

Am I the only that sticks with the same ARC? Are you one to branch out? What is yours?

Monday, August 15, 2011

How to tell a story

Writing a book involves several emotions.

Happiness from the first page.

Anger at the second.

Heartbreaking when you hit the wall.

Perserverence when you pass the wall.

Triumph (complete with cookies) when you finish the novel.

Everyone has a story to tell, it's all in how you start, it's all in how you feel. It's all in how you push yourself to the finish line.

So... how do you tell a story?

Friday, August 12, 2011

In Plain Sight

Revising is tough.

You’ve finished the manuscript. You’re overjoyed with the outcome. It’s like when you work out for a week and you’re starting to see abs form (hey, they’re small, but they count).

Problem is if you don’t keep it up it goes right back to before. Mush.

You don’t want your manuscript to remain mushy. It must be molded and the easiest way to do it is to dig into revisions. Everyone starts differently. Some do a read through to make sure it flows well. Some dive into line edits because they’ve already spent a year and a half revising the sh** out of it so most of it is already done.

The one thing I’ve learned in all of this is that you’ll never catch it all. That’s what critique partners, beta readers, agents, publishers, and editors are for. The several people it takes to make a fabulous novel. After all there will always be that off word IN PLAIN SIGHT that the reader will catch just in time for the big debut.

We aren’t supposed to edit the novel within an inch of its life. It takes away from the actual story. You want to keep the voice, the raw nature of the novel.

So next time you’re revising and kill yourself trying to find the last mistake you made in your novel, eat a cookie, and move on. You’ll know when it’s great. After all we can strive for perfection but we have to know we can’t always meet it.

So are you a stickler on fixing the last mistake? Or are you one to handle the rawness?

Thursday, August 11, 2011

You wanna know the truth?

Happy Thursday!

Today is another rendition of telling the truth. Since all of you are loving the interview questions I figured I’d continue to answer them truthfully…after all they’re coming out of my head and several of you have been asking what I’d say!!! So let’s go!

1. How do you come up with blog titles? Well this week I’ll be honest, I used the titles of movies and seasons. Oh yea, I’m that kind of genius.

2. You signed up to bring food for the local summer festival, what food item to you bring? This one is tough. I’m one to eat food, not bring it. I suppose chocolate chip cookies! I’ll eat a few warm ones before I leave though!

3. How many magnets sit on your fridge? What are your favorites? Easily thirty. All organized. Favorites: The fun sayings my little sister bought me for my birthday one year.

4. Have you ever made out at a movie theater? Yes… it was so memorable I remember the movie – The Terminal… and it was memorable because it was that awful!!!

5. What was the last thing you were grounded for? When I was seventeen and my dad caught me at the mall skipping. He was an electrician. I even knew he was going to be there. I was that idiot.

What would your answers be?

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Losing Sanity

Johanna Garth has stopped in answer some funky questions!!! She's such a sweetheart diving in and getting real with us!

She blogs over at Losing Sanity and has a novel titled Losing Beauty!!! It's to be released come September so add it to your Goodreads listing!!! Saying she's a rockstar is an understatement!!!!


1. You signed up to bring food for the local summer festival, what food item would you bring?

Pre-book release it would've been a fresh summer fruit salad sprinkled with mint in a pretty bowl. Post-book release it's more like muffins from Costco.

2. How many magnets sit on your fridge? What are you favorites?

No magnets! Not even one, because the thing they don't tell you about stainless steel is that magnets won't stick to it. But I did have five on my toaster oven until they melted.

3. What song do you belt when you’re alone in the car?

Sooo, my daughter just got back from sleepaway camp and the song that we've all been belting (when we're alone and not so alone) is the camp theme song. "We are the Bluebirds small, someday we'll grow up tall, then we'll surprise you all, we are telling youoooo. Camp Namanu sure to shine, all of the time." Fun fact for Beverly Cleary fans: Camp Namanu was a favorite of Ramona Quimby.

4. Have you ever made out at a movie theater?

Jen, I grew up in a small town! There wasn't much to do BESIDES make out in the (one) movie theater.

5. What was the last thing you were grounded for?

See answer to question 4 above. :)

Fun & Random Questions

1. Tire Swing or Slide: Tire Swing.

2. Hearing thoughts or knowing the future: Hearing thoughts.

3. Losing Sleep or Losing Appetite: Does anyone pick losing sleep over losing appetite?

4. Red or White wine: Used to be red but now I get headaches so it's white.

5. Fake candles or real: Real! Because it's so much fun to watch my husband follow me around the house and blow them out when he thinks I'm not looking.

Isn't she awesome!!! Say hello in the comments!!!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

He's Just Not That Into You

You’ve been talking to him for weeks. She’s been talking to him. No one can get through to him. Yup, I’m talking about your secondary character.

Why the hell has he gone quiet?

With men it’s SO much harder to get them to listen. A girl you can coax with a cocktail, a piece of chocolate, or even a sweet sentiment.

Unless you’re going to shove a gorgeous girl their way with absolutely no work they’re not moving.

So how do you handle making your secondary character more than just a cardboard cutout?

You’ve worked your ass off on the main character. The reader knows she loves to dip goldfish crackers in peanut butter but they don’t have any idea what the love interest has for a color of eyes!

The easiest way to form the character is to stick with the basics. If they’re not talking chances are they don’t feel important enough. A way to make this happen is to ask them some fun questions along with some serious ones.

Color of eyes to what’s their favorite sports… each portion has meaning. The more you know about the character the more likely they’ll talk and help make not only your dialogue strong but the overall story stronger.

How do you keep your characters from being cardboard cutouts?

Monday, August 8, 2011

Conveying Characters in Queries

Today is an extra special treat! I’m over at Query Tracker talking about characters and how they’re important in a query!!!

If you stop by and it’s not up yet PLEASE go back and check again! It’s really great (yes, because I wrote it)… if you need a swift kick in the butt to get over there leave your email in the comment and I'll notify you when it's up!!

HEY! Before you run of their tell me the name of your MC and your Secondary Character. I love seeing what people come up with!!!

Author Note: It's been confirmed. The post will be up at 9ET/8CT I do hope you'll stop in!!! I'd love to hear from you!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Inspiration...

I'm always fascinated where inspirtation comes from.

I love going to author signings and listening to the authors speak. How they came about their first novel. Where the what if's lingered and where they wrote their first published novel.

For some it was in a van, a train, or a little kiddos football came. For others it was at midnight eating cookies with a glass of milk.

How does the writer's brain work? I guess that's a mystery to never be solved. I'm just glad I'm blessed with one.

So I'm curious, where did your last inspiration strike? What were you doing?

For those curious about mine I'll dish. I had a dream the other night that my husband and I were divorced (awful I know)... I signed a paper saying I'd move out of the state if that happened (I knew he'd never do that, he doesn't have family here so that helped)... and I ended up with a bed & breakfast and a group of divrocee's. I woke up to find my husband peacefully asleep, no sign of divorce.

There it was... that little seed that climbs in and gradually grows. I'm working on the outline now!

It's your turn! DISH!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Randomness that makes me awesome...

This week I decided after all the fun interviews I put together I figured I'd play along and answer some of the questions I asked.

1. Song you dance to when no one's watching - Neon Trees Animal... I belt it... Using the phone as my microphone

2. What would be kept in a keepsake box hidden in your garden - An old version of my Polly pockets, my first handwritten love letter, gel pens, old friendship photos, funky high school pins (yes I'm random).

3. Do you keep baking soda in your fridge - Yes... I love the pull off packs. They last 30 days and you can add a date with permanent market (the colorful markers make it worth while).

4. Items in your fridge that you'd forget to replace - condiments (if my hubby doesn't tell me then I don't know. I don't use ketchup, mustard, or mayo).

5. Are you a good bowler - No. Terrible actually. I'm the one who has the kid size ball because my wrists cant handle the wait. With that advantage I still suck.

6. If you were a rock band, what would your name be - SparkFreak

Care to ask me questions? I'll answer in the comments. Fun & Random always welcome. PS How would you answer the ones above?

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Online Love...

Do love to know interesting facts about people? Things you'd never think to ask? Or maybe answers you'd love to know but questions you're afraid to ask!

Well, I've started a new segment where I am asking authors around the blog random questions. They've had so many interviews about their writing that it's time we get to know the real them... random and all!

Today I have Lisa Becker. She wrote Click: An Online Love Story.


 
So let's check out the dish!!

1. Do you keep baking soda in your fridge? Yes and I obediently change it every six months like a good girl should.

2. If you were to create an online dating profile what would it say? Must love dogs... Get a copy of Click: An Online Love Story and read Renee’s profile. That’s almost the exact one I used to meet my husband 11 years ago. The book is loosely based on my experiences.

3. What do you eat for breakfast? If time and effort wasn't an option what would it be? (I'd chose Crepes). A goat cheese and mushroom omelet. Ooooh. I’m hungry!

4. What song would you dance to alone in your bedroom? You must answer...honestly (Yes you can pretend your sixteen). I don’t need to pretend. Is, was and always will be “Love is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar. In fact, I’m doing it right now as I type.

5. If you dug up your imaginary keepsake box from the garden what would we find? Pictures, videos and digital diaries of my two girls’ early years which were lost when the computer hard drive crashed and I didn’t have a back up. L

Fun & Random Questions (as if the top weren't crazy enough)...

1. Mimosa or Bloody Mary - Mimosa! Would go great with my goat cheese and mushroom omelet.

2. Speed dating or Online dating - Online dating. That’s how I met my husband and what inspired Click: An Online Love Story.

3. Lip gloss or lipstick - Lip gloss. Doesn’t get stuck to my teeth as easily.

4. Lace or sequins - Neither. I'm a simple girl. I wear a lot of black. It’s slimming.

5. Fake flowers or real – Real…and frequently please.

She's such a sport!!! Click: An Online Love Story is available online!! Stop in and get your copy today!! Say hello to Lisa below! She'd love to hear from you!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Dead People and Candlelight

One of my favorite things in the week is sharing different novels! That's the whole reason I created Tuesday Twists. A place where I share three different novels, their first sentences and then see what you think about them!!!

So here we go!

Sentences...

1. Okay, so I accidentally wrapped my reading glasses in one of the packages I mailed.
2. Lila Cardoza is dead and wearing my earrings.
3. The ornate script on the board twisted in the candlelight, making the letters and numbers dance in my head.

The Reveal

1. Adult
2. YA
3. YA

Any on the list you'd read? Personally I've read and adored each one of these!!! I decided it'll save time for anyone who's curious if it's adult or young adult since I do a mixture!!

What have you been loving lately?

Monday, August 1, 2011

Take it like a Writer

We all have moments as a writer where we want to shove our work out the window and call it a wash.

A chapter isn't working.

The POV is all wrong.

No one likes your main character.

We work through those steps like a champ... okay, so not exactly like a champ. I keep the food staples in the house - wine, cookies, and ice cream (speaking of which BLUE BELL has just made individual woman sizes - yea, they said woman sizes... that's kind of awesome... but off topic). So yea, I have the food staples to carry me to the next phase.

Next phase meaning you've revised the crap out of your novel and it's now in possession of your crit buddies. Or what I like to call the crit tryouts. Those in which you send a chapter and see what they think.

Then you wait.

And wait.

And wait.

Then you get it back and EVERYTHING is red.

This is where you need to take it like a writer.

Deep breaths, read what's written, think objectively, and close the document. Why? Because thinking objectively  never happens the first round (yes, I'm referring to myself). I normally cry (if there is a lot of red)... they hate me, they think I'm a bad writer, maybe I am... maybe I suck. Those are the things that run through my head.

I've found waiting THREE days does wonders. It gives me time to thank the critique buddy for all they've done once you realize it was helpful.

So next time you get a critique and you want to scream... give it three days. It'll help. Take it like a writer.

What works for you?