Good Morning Cyber-Space!
Yes, I'm actually more awake today.
Okay, so today's post was inspired by my friend, Les (of Because Of The Pie and The Adventures Of Super Les And His Sidekick, Bob: The Villain's Proposal parody fame). He heard about me and Tessy critiquing each other's work and suggested it could be "Coffees & Critiques". I asked him if I could "steal" that and he said "Steal away." So I'm taking it on here as well. But I'm all for giving credit where credit is due, so Les gets the kudos award today.
So, let's start with coffees. What's your favorite? What's your least favorite? I happen to like Starbucks or Folgers, but I've found I'm not a big fan of Maxwell House--it just wasn't for me. At Starbucks during the summer I'll get a Coffee Frappuccino with whipped cream. In the winter I usually go for a Peppermint Mocha (so yummy and Christmassy), regular Mocha, Latte, or Cappuccino. Folgers -- I like Columbian real well.
I like the smell of coffee (ever since I can remember I've liked it). It's got this smooth, comforting scent to it--cozy, too. It reminds me of growing up smelling my parents' coffee in the morning. They like to drink theirs black, but I can't do that (too bitter). I like to have a half cup of coffee and the rest all cream. Sometimes I put some sugar in, too--but that's plain coffee. Frappuccinos and the other ones I get at Starbucks I don't put anything in (it's already there!)
When did you start drinking coffee (if you do)? I started probably senior year of high school (or slightly later). I remember as a kid I used to drink the grounds in the bottom of my parents' mugs. (I've gotten a lot of grimaces for that one). I couldn't do that, now, but back then it tasted pretty good. I stayed away from coffee for awhile because I thought it was bitter. My first experience with Starbucks I wasn't totally in love with it right away, but when I discovered flavors and types that I really liked then there was no problem. Folgers I got because it was a brand I recognized and I think that's what my parents drank (and I think I had it at their house) so I knew it was good. Maxwell House I had on a vacation when there was no other options and decided it wasn't for me.
Anyway, moving on to critiques...
Do you have a critique partner? Someone who you can send your work to (or meet with) on a regular basis and hash out chapters, scenes, etcetera? I've always wanted one who could work with me regularly, but up until recently everyone I knew was too busy. My editor is great, but I wanted someone to bounce ideas off of (but don't get me wrong, I'm exceedingly grateful to have Debbie as an editor; just also wanted a critique partner). Then I got to corresponding with Tessy and she agreed to give it a go. We did a trial run with Chapter 1 and liked each other's comments so much that it's gone from there. She's writing a good suspense romance novel (won't give away details since it's not published. If she wants to talk about it, she can). But I will say I'm enjoying it. It's good. I hope it gets published, I definitely want to buy a copy. She's been immensely helpful. I totally recommend finding a critique partner and/or writer's group to help you have a "sounding board".
This Saturday I am going to my very first writer's group meeting. It's a chapter of Romance Writers of America and a person can attend 2 meetings before joining. Ciara Gold has told me how nice the people are in this chapter and how helpful they are (and nice to "newbies"). So, I'm looking forward to it. Kim Lenox is going to do the educational part of the meeting. If you haven't read her book, Night Falls Darkly I recommend it (if you like books like that). It's a paranormal romance. It also had Jack the Ripper as one of the bad guys. Pretty creepy (that was the scary part for me LOL). She has a fascinating imagination. There's a sequel to her book, So Still The Night but I haven't read it, yet.
In any case, do you have a critique partner and/or member of a writer's group? If so, please share your experiences so other writers can get an "insider's" look. Thank you :-)
Recently finished reading Debbie Macomber's The Manning Grooms. I liked it pretty well. That series of books features: The Manning Grooms, The Manning Sisters, The Manning Brides and I think, The Manning Brothers...I really enjoyed them all. The Manning Grooms are the last ones. I think The Manning Sisters are the first in that series.
Still finishing re-reading Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted and enjoying it all over again. It's a cute book and I love the movie, too. (I think Anne Hathaway is an awesome actress).
After that I'm going to break open my copy of Kerrelyn Sparks' The Undead Next Door.
What are you reading?
Have A Terrific Thursday!
Yes, I'm actually more awake today.
Okay, so today's post was inspired by my friend, Les (of Because Of The Pie and The Adventures Of Super Les And His Sidekick, Bob: The Villain's Proposal parody fame). He heard about me and Tessy critiquing each other's work and suggested it could be "Coffees & Critiques". I asked him if I could "steal" that and he said "Steal away." So I'm taking it on here as well. But I'm all for giving credit where credit is due, so Les gets the kudos award today.
So, let's start with coffees. What's your favorite? What's your least favorite? I happen to like Starbucks or Folgers, but I've found I'm not a big fan of Maxwell House--it just wasn't for me. At Starbucks during the summer I'll get a Coffee Frappuccino with whipped cream. In the winter I usually go for a Peppermint Mocha (so yummy and Christmassy), regular Mocha, Latte, or Cappuccino. Folgers -- I like Columbian real well.
I like the smell of coffee (ever since I can remember I've liked it). It's got this smooth, comforting scent to it--cozy, too. It reminds me of growing up smelling my parents' coffee in the morning. They like to drink theirs black, but I can't do that (too bitter). I like to have a half cup of coffee and the rest all cream. Sometimes I put some sugar in, too--but that's plain coffee. Frappuccinos and the other ones I get at Starbucks I don't put anything in (it's already there!)
When did you start drinking coffee (if you do)? I started probably senior year of high school (or slightly later). I remember as a kid I used to drink the grounds in the bottom of my parents' mugs. (I've gotten a lot of grimaces for that one). I couldn't do that, now, but back then it tasted pretty good. I stayed away from coffee for awhile because I thought it was bitter. My first experience with Starbucks I wasn't totally in love with it right away, but when I discovered flavors and types that I really liked then there was no problem. Folgers I got because it was a brand I recognized and I think that's what my parents drank (and I think I had it at their house) so I knew it was good. Maxwell House I had on a vacation when there was no other options and decided it wasn't for me.
Anyway, moving on to critiques...
Do you have a critique partner? Someone who you can send your work to (or meet with) on a regular basis and hash out chapters, scenes, etcetera? I've always wanted one who could work with me regularly, but up until recently everyone I knew was too busy. My editor is great, but I wanted someone to bounce ideas off of (but don't get me wrong, I'm exceedingly grateful to have Debbie as an editor; just also wanted a critique partner). Then I got to corresponding with Tessy and she agreed to give it a go. We did a trial run with Chapter 1 and liked each other's comments so much that it's gone from there. She's writing a good suspense romance novel (won't give away details since it's not published. If she wants to talk about it, she can). But I will say I'm enjoying it. It's good. I hope it gets published, I definitely want to buy a copy. She's been immensely helpful. I totally recommend finding a critique partner and/or writer's group to help you have a "sounding board".
This Saturday I am going to my very first writer's group meeting. It's a chapter of Romance Writers of America and a person can attend 2 meetings before joining. Ciara Gold has told me how nice the people are in this chapter and how helpful they are (and nice to "newbies"). So, I'm looking forward to it. Kim Lenox is going to do the educational part of the meeting. If you haven't read her book, Night Falls Darkly I recommend it (if you like books like that). It's a paranormal romance. It also had Jack the Ripper as one of the bad guys. Pretty creepy (that was the scary part for me LOL). She has a fascinating imagination. There's a sequel to her book, So Still The Night but I haven't read it, yet.
In any case, do you have a critique partner and/or member of a writer's group? If so, please share your experiences so other writers can get an "insider's" look. Thank you :-)
Recently finished reading Debbie Macomber's The Manning Grooms. I liked it pretty well. That series of books features: The Manning Grooms, The Manning Sisters, The Manning Brides and I think, The Manning Brothers...I really enjoyed them all. The Manning Grooms are the last ones. I think The Manning Sisters are the first in that series.
Still finishing re-reading Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted and enjoying it all over again. It's a cute book and I love the movie, too. (I think Anne Hathaway is an awesome actress).
After that I'm going to break open my copy of Kerrelyn Sparks' The Undead Next Door.
What are you reading?
Have A Terrific Thursday!
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