No I didn't forget

I did not forget to blog yesterday. There were other things going on and I just never got time. The biggest issue was computer problems. Mine kept dying. Several hours and lots of cleaning later, we got it up and running, but then it was time to go for groceries and other errands, pick up my grandson from pre-school (he was spending the day with us), fix the "family" dinner, and all the other chores that come with life. It was not a great day.

But my computer is fixed and running much better and I know all my backups are up to date. So now I can concentrate on everything else that needs done. Like my pitch for next weekend's New Jersey conference.

Oh, I have no problem talking about my books and I am really looking forward to meeting some of my fellow authors in person - people I know through my author lists, but have never met. It's the noise and crowds and travel that get to me. I'm so accustomed to my quiet little world that getting out there can be a bit...nerve-wracking.

But it's also exciting to be able to meet with other authors, learn new stuff at the workshops - or just bone up on what I already know - and immerse myself in a weekend of writing.

So here's to a better day - and here are the tips/teasers/birthdays/thoughts for two days. Enjoy. :)
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Progress - none - unless you count fixing the computer!
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September 28

Birthdays: Elmer Rice, Prosper Merimée, Grazia Deledda, Francis Turner Palgrave, Kate Douglas Wiggins, James Campbell

Tips and Teasers: Clichés are words or phrases that are over-used and should be nixed from our work. Some of the more common ones are: He could sell refrigerators to the Eskimos. Gentle as a lamb; black as night; burning the candle at both ends; hits the nail on the head. Go through your manuscript and look for clichés and change them to stronger words.

Thought for the day: "It [writing] is a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don’t quit when you're tired—you quit when the gorilla is tired." Robert Strauss

September 29

Birthdays: Miguel de Cervantes (approx.), Miguel Unamuno, William Beckford, Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

Tips and Teasers: This is Poisoned Blackberries Day. Like Beheading Day, a strange thing to name a “Day” after. Create a scene in which your character either uses poisoned blackberries or is victim of them.

Thought for the day: "The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it—as long as you really believe 100 percent." Arnold Schwarzenegger

A Review: "Heroes and Heroines"

I normally write all my reviews for Wantzuponatime.com. I receive books from the owner of the site, read them when I have time, then write the review and send it it and from there, it is posted to the site as well as Amazon. I don't post any reviews anywhere else until they appear on the site.

Today, I am breaking protocol. First of all, the book I am going to tell you about isn't one that was sent me for review. It was recommended by a friend - actually, several friends - and I picked up a copy and read it. Thank goodness for friends.

The book is: "The Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes and Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes" by Tami Cowden, Caro LaFever and Sue Viders.

Were I rating this book, it would receive a 5 out of 5. It belongs in every fiction writer's library.

So, what is it about? Creating believable characters. The writers take sixteen master archetypes - eight male, eight female - and give you the basics about each one. Okay, that's nothing new. There are a lot of books out there that do that.

But then the writers go on to layer these archetypes. What if you have a PROFESSOR who is also a little bit of a CHARMER, or a FREE SPIRIT who is also a SEDUCTRESS? And how do they relate to each other? The first half of the book gives you the basics, but it is the second half of the book where you learn how to use the basics.

And it's not all dry reading. They pick recognizable characters from popular movies and point out where and how they fit into the archetype. As you're reading through the book, you sit there and say "Oh, yeah. I can see that."

This is an informative, entertaining look at what can be a dry subject. I urge all genre fiction writers to pick up a copy and read. Your characters will be glad you did.

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Progress - 7 pages hand written
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Birthdays: Jim Thompson, Miklós Jancsó, Grazia Deledda, Louis Auchincloss, Mark Vinz

Tips and Teasers: If you’re having trouble with the blank screen in front of you, change your manner – get away from the computer and use pencil (or pen) and paper. Use crayon. Use funny paper – or serious paper. Use something different from what you usually use and see if this helps the flow of words.

Thought for the day: "The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination." - Tommy Lasorda

The Green Eyed Monster

What is it about human nature that we cheer and celebrate a friend's success - and yet somewhere inside us a voice is screaming "why can't that be me?"

I'm fighting that monster right now. I have a friend who just got my dream job. I am incredibly happy for her. She's had some tough times of late and this comes at a really good time in her life for her. And she'll be good at it.

Yes, I am happy for her. This is a huge accomplishment. But I am also a bit jealous. It is a job I dreamed of several years ago. It is one I would still like to have, but I know there are factors against me (age, training, etc.).

And this isn't the only thing. I see this a lot in my lists and talk about it with friends. When one of us gets published or picked up by a good agent, we celebrate. We are all happy for the person. But those who don't have the agent/publisher are also a bit jealous. Why can't we get the same breaks? What is so different about us?

Then the jealousy turns into self-doubt and we sink farther into that pit of despair. It becomes a vicious cycle of celebration to jealousy to self-doubt. Then our friends bolster our spirits and we try again.

So what can we do about it? I don't know about you, but I'm going to stop the doubt. I want you to stand up, look at yourself in a mirror and say: "I am a good writer (or whatever you are trying to prove to yourself). Go on, say it. I'll wait. And repeat it at least three time.

Okay, back now? Did you do it? Really? Yeah, right. Whether you did or not, the belief is there somewhere buried deep inside you. You just need to let it out. You need to believe in yourself. Others can pat you on the back, but you are the one who has to find that core and pull it out. So don't be afraid to acknowledge your beliefs. If you have a dream, only you can make it come true.

But first, you have to believe.
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Progress - approx. 4 pages last night
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Birthdays: Red Smith, William Faulkner, Robert Bresson

Tips and Teasers: Don’t be a perfectionist. When you’re writing, turn off your inner critic/editor and just write. Don’t listen to that little voice that says you aren’t any good. If you keep working, keep writing, you will improve. Then you can stick your tongue out at that little voice and snub him.

Thought for the day: "Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there." - Bo Jackson

E-mail Frustrations

For the last week, I have been fighting a battle with my e-mail. I belong to a lot of lists - 52 at last count - 48 of which are accessed through yahoo groups. I have them set so they go to my regular e-mail account. And I've been receiving them with no problem.

The problem is when I try to reply. Whether I'm using my Outlook program or Web mail, I get nothing but "cannot deliver/timed out" error messages. The only way I can reply to the groups is if I'm actually in the Yahoo groups page - and that's a pain. It forces me to go to each group separately to reply rather than take care of everything at once through my e-mail. I don't have time for all that, so my voice has been silent of late.

I'm frustrated because nobody can figure out what's wrong - everyone is pointing fingers at everyone else - and because it looks like I'm going to have to do things the hard way after all. If anyone out there reads this and has a clue, please leave a comment. I'm really getting tired of the hassles.

Thank you!
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Progress - 9 pages over the weekend on WIP, pitch ready to go for conference, review book finished and review written and sent
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Birthdays: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Horace Walpole, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Wilson Rawls, John Brunner

Tips and Teasers: Homonyms are difficult for most people. There/their – There is a place; ‘their’ refers to people. Then/than – although technically not a homonym, many people pronounce these words the same way. ‘Then’ refers to time – we’ll do this, then do that. ‘Than’ refers to choice – I’d rather choose this than that. Check you work for sound alike words. Spell check will not catch these. You have to do it through reading.

Thought for the day: "It’s lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself." - Muhammad Ali

Made It

Hah - thought I forgot, didn't you? :)

Nah, just busy talking with family and taking care of things that need done. This is the first day of fall - and my sister's birthday. Happiest of days to her.

On the writing front, I went with hand writing last night and managed 931 words (counted when I typed them in today). Not bad considering how I was feeling. Today was a better day, but we'll see what the tally brings tonight.

I finished reading a review book today and sent the review into Wantzuponatime. Interesting book called "Cabin Pressure" - a kind of memoir dealing with boys summer camps, growing up and facing adulthood. Honest, it's better than it sounds. I actually gave it a 5. Probably should have been a 4 1/2 just because the man, a professional writer, doesn't know the difference between bring and take, but it was a good book. Sentimental and funny and nostalgic and entertaining.

Okay, so that's the gist of my review. Hope you all had a good weekend and here's to the coming week.
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Birthdays: Euripides, Edgar Lee Masters, Baroness E. Orczy, Walter Lippman

Tips and Teasers: You are cooking dinner for an important guest. This is a person who can make or break you. Who is the guest? Why does s/he have such power over you? Write a scene where everything that could go wrong does. Write it as both a comedy, then as a tragedy.

Thought for the day: You have to perform at a consistently higher level than others. That’s the mark of a true professional. - Joe Paterno

Just the Facts

Not having a great day, so just the tips/teasers/birthdays, etc. Have a great weekend everyone.

Oh - interesting blurb I read in the paper today: It's not possible to be happy all the time, but it is possible to have a cheerful outlook.

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Birthdays: Snorri Sturluson, Martti Larni, Philip Dormer Stanhope, Fay Weldon

Tips and Teasers: An opening to your story is not the place to put back story. This will not pull the reader in. Back story can come later. Check your opening. Does the story start with action? Or backstory?

Thought for the day: To succeed…you need to find something to hold onto, something to motivate you, something to inspire you. Tony Dorsett

Pet Peeves

I've been reading review books (as usual) and am finding way too many mistakes that a good copy editor should never have let get past the final editing stage.

Ah, you say, therein lies the rub. A "good" copy editor. Oh, I know there are still some out there, somewhere. Someone who knows the difference between bring/take, between/among, or before/in front of. And this list isn't conclusive. There are more. But I'm going to touch on these today.

Bring/take - I've written about this before. Bring is a word that means to come to a place with someone or something, as in: I will bring the salad to the picnic. (you are here right now, you'll go somewhere else, but return "here" with the salad - 2 actions.) On the other hand, take means to remove something from a place and move it to another place. I will take the salad to the picnic. (you are here with the salad and will physically move it "there" - 1 action.)

Between/among - between is a word used when there are only two people involved - Between you and me. Among is for when there are more than two people - Let's just keep this among the four of us.

before/in front of - before is a word that means during the period of time preceding a particular event, date or time - She had to rest before continuing. The day before yesterday. In some dictionaries, it is also used to mean "in front of", but according to all the grammar books I've seen, in front of is the preferred usage when talking about physical placement: He stood in front of me.

further/farther - although the two are often used interchangeably, farther is generally given preference when referring to space or distance and further when referring to time, degree, or an addition of something. We walked farther into the woods. (distance - far) You'll get no further assistance from me. (meaning more or how much of something).

Okay, end of rant for the day. All I ask is that you keep an eye out for these words. It's all right (note - two words, not the slang, grammatically unacceptable alright) to make mistakes - we all do. But good editors should know the basics. As should good writers. It wouldn't hurt any of us to pick up a good grammar book and take a look at it occasionally.

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Birthdays: H. G. Wells, Stephen King, Fannie Flagg, Marsha Norman

Tips and Teasers: Delete redundant modifiers. Don’t “look up” at the sky. The sky is up. Just look at it. Don’t sit down. Just sit. “Is that a true fact” – get rid of “true” – go through your manuscript and look for redundancies. Some to look for: climb up, basic fundamentals, each individual

Thought for the day: When you make a mistake, there are only three things you should ever do about it: 1. Admit it. 2. Learn from it, and 3. Don't repeat it. - Paul "Bear" Bryant

Almost Forgot!

But I didn't.

Busy day working through two 30 page manuscripts for a contest I help judge. The original judge was a no-show so those of us who could took on the orphans for a marathon emergency judging. But even with the short time, I am still careful to look at the pieces. I know how I would feel if someone didn't give me the time needed. So that's how I spent my entire day.

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Birthdays: Stevie Smith, Upton Sincliar, Paavo Rintala, Donald Hall

Tips and Teasers: Like redundancies, many writers pad their work with wordiness. Grab a good grammar book and check out wordy phrases, then check your manuscript. Some to look for: on the grounds that (because), for the reason that (because), due to the fact that (because), until such time as (until), at the conclusion of (after), both of them are (both are)

Thought for the day: "An artist is a dreamer consenting to dream of the actual world." – George Santayana

Who's Got the Time?

On one of my writer group lists, someone was lamenting that nobody uses their blog much anymore. They said it used to get a lot of hits and there was a waiting list for writers to blog, but not so much lately and they wondered why.

Why for me is because of time. Which is why I know few people read this blog - and I'm okay with that. Sure, I'd love to have a cast of thousands, but then I'd have to read theirs or look at more than I already do. And it all comes down to time.

If I spent all the time needed reading everyone's blogs that I "should" read, I'd never have time for critiquing, reviewing or writing. And that's what I'm in this business for. I'm a writer. I'm not a surfer. I read specific blogs - those of interest to me or because they're done by people I know. I might stop in at others once in a while, but not as a general rule. There just isn't time. Plus not everyone blogs every day. If I've checked your blog a few times and nothing has changed in the last month, I'll probably drop it.

Does that sound harsh? Probably. But it's also realistic. So, to those of you who actually DO read my blog, you have my undying appreciation and if you let a comment telling me where yours is (if I don't already know), I'll check you out.

But if I'm just sitting here "talking" to myself, that's okay too. At least I got my journaling homework done for the day. :)
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Progress - Critique for friend done (60 pages)
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Birthdays: Mika Waltari, William Golding, Arthur Rackham, Mike Royko, Thomas Cook

Tips and Teasers: This is National Play Doh Day. Go get a can of your favorite color and play. Have fun. Remember how it smells? Feels? What you can do with it? Write about the textures and what you do with it.

Thought for the day: The funny thing about regret is that it's better to regret something you have done than to regret something you haven't. - Gibby Haynes

Write Every Day

Over time, I have discovered why the "experts" say you should work on your story every day or write every day. It is so much easier to stay in the story and to keep the momentum going if you don't have to go back and re-read what you previously wrote.

When you take a break, as I recently did for my current WIP, you tend to forget where you were in the story - or at least I did. Even though I was a hundred pages into the manuscript, I had to go back to the beginning in order to refresh my memory on what was going on, who was who, and where everyone was. Although I will admit, some good came out of it. I found a minor character's name had changed - actually two of them got mixed up and that has since been corrected.

Also when you don't write every day, it becomes easier and easier not to write. Writing is a job. A difficult one. Most writers have a love/hate relationship with writing. We can't "not" write, and yet it is hard pulling out emotions and finding exactly the right word and making sure all the pieces fit together into a cohesive package. Writing is at once the most exciting and most excruciating job I can imagine.

And I wouldn't have it any other way. :)
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Progress - 70 pages critted for a friend
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Birthdays: Samuel Johnson

Tips and Teasers: The beginning sells your book. The ending sells your next book. Check your beginnings and endings – are they impelling? Do they draw the reader in and finish up everything neatly?

Thought for the day: Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals. - Unknown

In Requium

Another of my favorite authors has passed on. Robert Jordan, author of the "Wheel of Time" fantasy series.

My middle son got me involved in this series. While I loved the stories, like many fans, I got tired of waiting for the next book to come out. But now the story is well and truly over.

Too many of the authors I read and love have died recently. They will all be missed, and yet they live on through their works. I know my reading life was made richer by their stories and I thank them for the enjoyment they brought me.

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Progress - 30 pages critiqued for a friend; 10 new pages written; review written and submitted.

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Birthdays: William Carlos Williams, August Blanche, John Creasey, Ken Kesey, Olavi Paavolainen, Robert B. Parker

Tips and Teasers: You’ve found a camera – but a very special one. As the ancients feared, when you snap a picture, you really do capture the soul of the person. You have the power to delete, thus ending that person’s life – or upload – give them back their life. What do you do?

Thought for the day: It's not necessarily the amount of time you spend at practice that counts; it's what you put into the practice. - Eric Lindros

Jumpstarts

I have been doing this daily for over a year now. Blogging, writing tips and teasers and thoughts for the day. My son pointed out to me the other day that I had a repeat in the last couple of days.

I'm not surprised. Actually, I'm surprised I haven't had more. Coming up with these little challenges is fun and interesting, but also difficult. Let's see... I can have them try to write something about being given a note that someone is about to die... no, can't do that. I've done that one already. What about... No, I did that one last month. Maybe... No, I remember getting a note on that one a few weeks ago. Sigh.

So, I will attempt to keep creating new ones, but if you catch me in a repeat, accept my apology and send me one of your own. I'd love to post it for you. :)
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Progress - finished review book and wrote 10 new pages of WIP
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Birthdays: Emilia Pardo Bazan, Henry St. John, Viscount Bolingbroke, John Gay, Francis Parkman, Alfred Noyes, Frans Sillanpaa, John Knowes

Tips and Teasers: The clock is striking midnight. You are the keeper of all the fairy tale trinkets. So do you give the prince the glass slipper or do you confiscate it for your collection?

Thought for the day: If it weren't for the dark days, we wouldn't know what it is to walk in the light. - Earl Campbell

Not Awake Yet

After a sleepless night, I sit here typing - which according to the workshop I'm taking, you're supposed to do first thing in the morning. It's when your muse - your subconscious - is most active. It is supposedly the most creative time of day.

Maybe my muse is active, but my typing fingers aren't!

Actually, I've tried this before using "The Artist's Way" and doing morning pages. It works okay, but it's not hugely successful for me. I'm still experimenting, trying to find the optimal time for me to write. Maybe it is morning, although due to schedules, I do most of my writing in the evenings. I do know afternoons aren't any good. I save those times for other things - either reading or exercise - it depends on how groggy I am.

All I know is I have to figure out a schedule that works for me. Writing, exercise, reviewing, doing promo work, searching out agents, submissions, preparing for conferences - and all the other stuff you have to do in life. I'll let you know if I ever get it figured out. :)

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Birthdays: François La Rochefoucauld, James Fenimore Cooper, Agatha Christie, Jean Renoir, Robert McCloskey, Robert Benchley, Claude McKay, Tomie DePaola

Tips and Teasers: You’re going to substitute on a daytime talk show. Who would your guests be? What would you do for your special segment? What music or musicians would you have on?

Thought for the day: I don't think anything is unrealistic if you believe you can do it. - Mike Ditka

Good jealousy

I'm on a small list with five other writers. We call ourselves the bootsquad - named for the kick in the pants we give each other when we're not producing. One of them recently got picked up by a big name agent. Natalie has spent the last four months revising the manuscript the agent is going to be shopping around. Yesterday, she started getting the results in. Of the nine editors contacted, five have requested a look at the manuscript. Wow. That is so incredible. But I'm not surprised. The story itself is what's incredible. I should know - I've read it.

One of the other members of our little squad spent a bunch of time sending out queries the other day. Due to Misty's hard work and the quality of her writing, she has also garnered interest by several agents. I know she will be picked up by one of them. How could they not? Her writing is witty and honest and draws you in so you actually care about what happens to the characters.

These two friends of mine spent yesterday keeping the rest of us updated on their progress and success. I am so incredibly happy for them. I wish I lived closer to them so we could hug and party.

But I'm also a little jealous. Not to worry - it's all good. I am very happy for them, they deserve all the good that comes their way, but it is human for me to wish it was me. :)

My day will come. And I know they will be there for me as I am for them. To celebrate and cheer and send good wishes. Or to kick me when I think it will never happen.

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Progress - none. This was a day off for me.
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Birthdays: Michel Butor, Hamilin Garland, Edith Hurd, Ivan Klima, Kate Millett, Bernard MacLaverty, John Steptoe

Tips and Teasers: Think about your future book. What will your ideal cover art look like? Sketch something out or describe it in detail.

Thought for the day: Experience is the name we give our mistakes. - Fred Shero

Catching Up

For a week that was supposed to be easy, this is turning into one full of things to do - things I hadn't planned on. But that is the way of life. And sometimes the best things happen when they're not planned. :)

But today is one of those days when the unplanned is happening. I'm off to spend the day with a writing friend, thus this missive must be short. I've got way too much to do before I leave. So... enjoy your day. Take some time to smile a little, laugh a little, and write a little. And let your loved ones know they are appreciated.
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Progress - 10 pages new stuff
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Birthdays: Emily Haven, Sherwood Anderson, J. B. Priestley, Roald Dahl, John Malcolm Brinnin, Else Minarik, Adrienne Kennedy

Tips and Teasers: You’ve found a magic mirror. It will tell you one truth about the future. What do you ask?

Thought for the day: A career in letters is not without its drawbacks – chief among them the unpleasant fact that one is frequently called upon to sit down and write. – Fran Lebowitz

Journaling

I'm taking an on-line workshop in journaling - not just any type of journaling, but the kind that will help with your book. This week, the class is concentrating on the road not taken. I found it an interesting exercise. Basically, we're looking at things we did in our lives that involved a decision - and we went one way. But what if you had gone the other way? While the point of the exercise is to have our character choose the other path, I found myself looking back and wondering what I would choose differently if I could.

The interesting thing is, I don't think I'd change anything. Oh, sure, there were things I wish I hadn't done or wish I had; there were choices I made, bad and good, throughout my life. But all led me to where I am now - and that's a very good place. Would it be as good if I had chosen the other path? Who knows? If I go back and change even one little thing, would it affect everything else? I believe it would. Like ripples in a pond that expand ever outward, touching everything and sometimes looping back on themselves.

And now that I've gone completely zen on you, I'll stop. But you might want to try the exercise yourself. Look at your life. Look at the choices you made. If you could change something - would you? If you did, what would happen to the you that exists now?

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Progress - 14 pages of new stuff over the last two days
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Here are three days worth of tips and teasers. :)
September 10
Birthdays: Hilda Doolittle, Georges Bataille, Georgia Johnson, Franz Werfel, Mary Oliver, Stephen Jay Gould
Tips and Teasers: “I’m afraid she’s dead.” So… who is she? How did she die? Why does it matter to you?
Thought for the day: It's what you learn after you know it all that counts. - John Wooden

September 11

Birthdays: O.Henry , D. H. Lawrence, James Thomson

Tips and Teasers: You can have any celebrity act the part of your main character. Whom would you choose? Why? Would anything have to change for your character in order to be played by this person?

Thought for the day: I've always believed that anybody with a little ability, a little guts and the desire to apply himself can make it. - Willie Shoemaker

September 12

Birthdays: Anna Cora Mowatt, H. L. Mencken, Stanislaw Lem, Kristin Hunter, Maicahel Ondaatje

Tips and Teasers: Write a short “how to” piece on something you know. Do you know how to pick out a good wine? Build a birdhouse?

Thought for the day: Getting published is about sheer perseverance, as well as bout talent and hard work. - Martha Johnson

Check this out... for mature audiences

A friend of mine - best selling author Megan Hart - is having a contest. Help her create a book video for her newest book. Please note, though this is not x-rated, the books she writes are for the over 18 crowd only. Thank you. :)

Click To Play

Click To Play

Taking a peek at peak and pique

I've critiqued several manuscripts over the last couple of months - for friends and others - and have noticed a problem they all seem to have in common so I'm going to write about that issue today. The problem is the word peek/peak/pique.

These three words are homonyms - words with the same sound, but different spellings, meanings and origins. The problem I've been seeing mostly is with peak and pique - and yes, it is pronounced exactly the same. I usually find the mix up in a sentence like: her interest was peaked [sic]. So, here goes:

Peak - a pointed end or top as of a cap, roof, etc. the summit of a hill or mountain ending in a point; the highest or utmost point of anything; maximum as in "the peak of activity"

Peek - to glance or peer quickly, especially through an opening

Pique - a fit of displeasure; to arouse or excite; to offend

Take a look at the second definition of pique - to arouse or excite. In the aforementioned sentence "her interest was 'peaked', substitute 'arouse': Her interest was aroused. It is the more correct usage for what was going on.

Yes, I suppose you could argue that her interest was at its highest point and had therefore peaked, but in this case (I'm not giving you the entire passage here), the excite/arouse word is a better fit. As in all writing, you have to look at the meaning of the entire piece and not just one word, but sometimes there is one word that changes the meaning of the entire passage. And it's not always the right one.

Most people have trouble with homonyms. I know I do on occasion. But if you're making the same mistake over and over, it's time to take a look at meanings and determine if what you're using is the right one for the job.

I leave you with this: Her interest piqued, she peeked in the box and her anger peaked.
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Finished crit of friend's manuscript; got paperwork together for NJ conference
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Oops - missed a day!!! Here's for two days. Enjoy.

Birthdays: Joaquin Miller, Ludovico Ariosto, Frédéric Mistral, Marilyn Durham, Anne Beattie

Tips and Teasers: Finish the following: I will never forget his (or her) smile as I… (remember, smiles can be happy, sinister, tentative, etc.)

Thought for the day: "The hardest part of being a writer is not getting your commas in the right place, but getting your head in the right place." – Ralph Keyes

September 9

Birthdays: Leo Tolstoi, Phyllis A. Whitney, Henrik Tikkanen, Mary Austin, Sonja Sanchez

Tips and Teasers: Tell how a character feels and you’ve given your readers a fact. Show how he or she feels and you’ve given them an emotion. Of the two, emotions are much better than fact. Write a short paragraph that shows emotion rather than tells.

Thought for the day: Writing is probably like a scientist thinking about some scientific problem or an engineer about an engineering problem. – Doris Lessing

Finding Time

I had a get together with some writer friends of mine today and one of the discussions we had concerned finding time to do all the things on line we're "supposed" to be doing, and still being able to get some actual writing done.

I find it interesting because we are good friends, and yet we don't even have time to read and comment on each other's blogs/websites. We're on author lists, promo lists, blogs to promote our writing, guests on other blogs/websites. We're also members of several professional organizations, each with their own lists - in some cases, several lists. Some of us are on the boards of directors of these organizations so there are those lists too. And then there are the newsletters and notes from other bloggers, authors, agents, editors whose stuff we subscribe to in order to keep up with current happenings in the publishing world.

It takes me at least two hours a day just to keep up with all my e-mail - and we're not talking spam here. That's reading and replying. It doesn't include the blogging and checking on other blogs. It's a huge chunk of my workday.

And yet if I miss something... not only do I feel bad, but I might be left out of something that can help my writing/career. So I read. And answer. And blog. And keep at it.

And even manage to get in some quality writing time when necessary. :)
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Progress - edited 6 chapters of friend's ms.
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Birthdays: Elinor Wylie, Taylor Caldwell, Elia Kazan, Dame Edith Sitwell, Garrison Keillor, George-Louis Leclerc, Martin Booth

Tips and Teasers: All writing counts. If you can’t come up with a story to write, write a grocery list, a letter to your best friend or a relative, a to-do list – anything. Just let the words come. They may lead to something better.

Thought for the day: One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation. - Arthur Ashe

Writing Implements

On one of my lists, we had a discussion about how we write and what we use to write. For some, it has to be electronics - computer or portable, but it has to be with a keyboard. For others, it's pen or pencil on paper.

I find I'm in the middle. While I prefer putting pen to paper, I will admit that typing away is much faster, especially since I'm a touch typist. Ask me to look at my fingers while I type and I can't type. It's too confusing. But I can just close my eyes and type away for an hour or more. And yes, it does help to have your fingers on the right keys from the start. But for sheer creativity, give me a pen and paper. I prefer a pen that writes smoothly and flows easily. If I have to press too hard or the grip is too rigid, my hands cramp up and I can't write much. Plus the paper should be smooth. But if I'm just scratching notes, anything will do. If it can make a mark on something that's portable and readable, I'll use it - burnt twigs on a paper towel will even do. I remember one time, my dad and I scratched out a poem on a matchbook with a stubby pencil we found in the trunk of the car. I often use this as my first draft of whatever I'm writing. When I get around to typing it into the computer, the editing I do becomes the second draft.

Oh, I know I can't write as much this way. My hands tire out and it takes much longer to hand write a few pages than to type them in. Plus it's harder to change something. You have to go back and draw lines through whatever or try to squeeze new words in. But it still works better for me than composing on the computer. But I am learning. :) And changing.

Though I can't take the computer with me when I'm sitting at the doctor's office or waiting in the car - that's when the true beauty of a pencil and paper come to the top. They are highly portable, available at an instant's notice without having to boot up or check the batteries, and you can even use them at night when that flash of brilliance hits you and you just have to get the words down before you forget them.

So I guess both work for me. Now I just need a really really good voice recognition program that doesn't take a month to teach/learn.
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Progress - three more chapters for my friend.
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Birthdays: Julien Green, Lauri Viljanen, Robert Pirsig

Tips and Teasers: This is back to school month. Go to your nearest office supply store and look at all the neat things for students. What would you really like to have? New pencils? Comptuer? Organizer? Pick one object in your price range and buy it. How does having it make you feel? What about the things you couldn’t have? What were they? Can you plan for future purchases?

Thought for the day: Practice does not make you perfect, as nobody is perfect. But it will make you better. If you thought you were perfect you would no longer practice. - Adrian Parrish

Waiting for the other shoe

Several members of my family are in "waiting" mode right now. Waiting for a response on submissions; waiting for response on a job interview; waiting for doctor's appointments/results of tests; waiting for contractor's to finish promised work, etc.

I hate waiting.

At least with most of the above, the wait is relatively short - though it may seem like ages. But with submissions, you often wait months. Sometimes years. One publisher has had a submission of mine for three years. And yes, I know they got it. I sent a letter asking about it. And this was a requested submission. But they are shortly going to get another letter - one telling them I sold it to someone else. Even my current publisher had my book Prime Time for a year and a half before accepting it. Most agents tell you up to six months; some publishers tell you up to a year - and they want an exclusive.

So what do we do while waiting? We write more. And we submit more.

And we wait more.
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Progress - edited 6 chapters of a friend's ms
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Birthdays: Arthur Koestler, Frank Yerby, Ward Just, Paul Fleischman

Tips and Teasers: The ice caps have melted. Welcome to "Water World." So, what would your life be like on a water planet? What would your house look like? A boat? Or a bubble under water? Be inventive.

Thought for the day: The only discipline that lasts is self-discipline. - Bum Phillips, NFL Head Coach

Later...Maybe

Birthdays: Mary Renault, Antonin Artaud, Cyril Hare, Richard Wright, Francois Rene de Chateaubriand, Joan Aiken, Syd Hoff,

Tips and Teasers: You’re going to be on a reality show – one that’s never been seen before – what will it be? What will the challenges be? What is the prize?

Thought for the day: "I can't write without a reader. It's precisely like a kiss – you can't do it alone." – John Cheever

Conference Preparations

In a month, I'm going to a writer's conference in New Jersey. It's a well attended one with several hundred people - all writers. I'm looking forward to it, and at the same time, not.

I get a lot out of these conferences, whether as just an attendant or as a speaker. I enjoy the workshops and the booksales and meeting with agents and editors. What I have a problem with is the crowds and the smoke (and the travel - but that's a different issue).

When you go to one of these things, you're supposed to mingle. For most people, that means the bar - where there's smoke. Something I'm highly allergic to. As well as perfume. So do I take an allergy tablet, which makes me either drowsy or edgy depending on which one I take? Or not go and possibly miss out on an opportunity? And even if I go, the places are very crowded. I don't handle crowds well. And...

Sigh. Time to straighten the shoulders, find some backbone and go. Maybe I can pretend to be another me. One with confidence and courage. Someone who knows what she's doing and isn't afraid to meet new people and try new things. Someone who's an extrovert and worth knowing.

Yeah. Right.
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Progress - 60 pages edited and submitted for consideration in an anthology
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Birthdays: Sarah Orne Jewett, Eduardo Galeano, Urho Kekkonen

Tips and Teasers: Waiting in line is never a waste of time. Observe features, dress, grooming, stance, mannerisms, speech – then go home and write it down.

Thought for the day: It is the neglect of timely repair that makes rebuilding necessary. - Richard Watley

A Book Review

I just finished reading a book for review and promised the author I'd post the review here. It's a decent book. If you enjoy light fantasy with a touch of romance, check it out. I rated it a 4 1/2 out of 5 (an "A" on the grading scale)

THE WOLF THAT WAS
By Michelle L. Levigne
Mundania Press, c2007

My first reaction to this story was “why haven’t I heard of this author before?” A quick internet search revealed that this isn’t her first book, not by far. So where has she been? Buried in the obscurity that is the small press/e-book world. A world I know all too well. This is a world that is often populated by so-so authors and less than stellar copy-editing. I should know. I’m there as well. But in this case, the tag doesn’t apply. Michelle creates a vivid world full of magic, emotion and intrigue.

In “The Wolf That Was” we are introduced to Tirian, a young woman who is magic, but cannot do magic. She often feels as if she is torn between her world and the world of nature. One where she belongs in the forest. When a cruel wizard kills Tiran’s mother for the secret within Tirian, the young woman is left alone to figure out her answers.

Then Bran appears. Cursed by the same evil wizard, he is a wolf most of the time, but a man in the light of the moon. Neither in control, both in pain. Together, Tirian and Bran go on a quest to find help for their separate problems. An ancient seeress sends them to the aid of a young orphan girl, the daughter of a powerful witch and wizard. Tirian and Bran face corrupt rulers, fear from those who don’t understand them and the confusing power of their own natures.

This was a delightful read and I know I will be looking for more books from this talented fantasy writer. If you want a good story, well-developed characters, believable world building and a satisfying end, keep an eye out for Michelle L. Levigne.

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Progress - 10 new pages last night

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Birthdays: Joseph Roth, Eugene Field, Allen Drury

Tips and Teasers: This is National Beheading Day. Do a little research. Why would anybody name a day after such a horrible practice? What is the history behind this day?

Thought for the day: "One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and, if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words." - Goethe

Nobody Stepped Up

I am running for an office - something I swore I'd never do again. This time, it's a biggie. Treasurer of a large writer's group. Why? Because nobody else stepped up to do it and we would lose our charter if nobody did.

I have a hard time understanding this mindset. Yes, being an officer holds some responsibility, but you get so much more out of it. Yes, it takes some time. Some offices take more than others, but on the whole, it actually takes very little. A couple hours a month for the highest offices, a couple hours a year for others. I know everyone is busy. I am too. But we gain so much from our groups that I can't see the point of shutting one down just because somebody didn't step up.

What I find interesting is that I see the same people stepping up time and time again. These are the people who work to keep the groups going so all may benefit. And no, I'm not patting myself on the back. I don't feel any sense of being better than anyone because I do this. And I'm no martyr. I'd just like to see some new faces once in a while.

Some people stated that they'd just joined and didn't know how things were run. Maybe that's a good thing. Every now and then, an organization needs a shake up with new blood. "But we've always done it this way" is, to me, one of the worst sayings in the world. Just because that's the way things were always done doesn't make them right for NOW. New ideas and new ways of looking at things may be just what an organization needs to keep vital and going forward.

Don't be afraid to step up and take over an office. You'll meet some really great people, make new contacts and friends, and learn something yourself.
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Progress - none. not a good day.
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Birthdays: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Blaise Cendrars, Arthur Upfield, Rosa Guy

Tips and Teasers: Edgar Rice Burroughs was the creator of Tarzan. Your character is meeting Tarzan as he gets off the boat in England for the first time. What are his/her impressions of the King of the Jungle?

Thought for the day: It is almost as important to know what is not serious, as to know what is. - John Galbraith