Good Morning Everybody, It's Friday! Yes, we all made it to Friday. :-) Today it's a busy day. I go over to my parents' house, then pick up my son's God-sister from school (my high school Alma mater, if you can believe it :-) ). then she's going to spend the night, which will be fun. My son absolutely adores her and she's so good with him. It's fun to watch them...especially fun to watch my son laugh at her silly antics. (She likes to make him laugh). This is the "other side" of a writer's life. The life outside the words upon the page. And a writer's real life is important, too. Some of us have families, and they are center stage. Some of us have "day jobs" that help us pay the bills to afford the things we need for writing. Some of us have children that need our help with things. This is all right because it gives us a chance to let our ideas "maranaide". You never know what might come of it. Have A Fantastic Frida...

Hello One And All, Welcome to Thursday's post! Just one more day then... IT'S FRIDAY :-) So...question for you: What's your ultimate writing set up? What is it that helps you write the best? Is it a big comfy chair? Your favorite songs in the background? Background conversation? Chocolate? Coffee? Whatever it is, have it when you write. It's something I reminded myself of while I was listening to a song that I listened to a lot while writing Surreal (it was Chris D e Burgh's "Missing You" by the way). I almost never listen to music while writing... however I remember when writing Surreal , I listened to songs by Chris D e Burgh, Ramones , Lowen & Navarro, REM, Kci & Jo-Jo, Bonnie Taylor, Savage Garden, Neil Diamond, Righteous Brothers, Paul Anka , Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Optional 2, They Might Be Giants, "Trumpet Voluntary" by Henry Purcell Clark. That music helped put me in the right mood to write Surreal . So I'm beginni...

Howdy All, Every writer has those times when it seems like you're just barely eking out your story. It's annoying and frustrating, yet, despite having ideas, every time you try to put them on paper you feel like you're at a dead end. You're so worried it's bad, that you can't even squeeze it out of your brain and put it out there. Yet, you know, that if you keep this mind set it's going to cripple you. I sometimes struggle with this. I'm working on my dragon story and I have to push aside my questions about what works and what doesn't and let the ideas flow. We have to have this conversation with ourselves...something like this: Self, you love to write. You have creative ideas. Other people have liked your ideas. Cut the crap and just let yourself go...let your imagination run wild and worry about the details when you edit. The thing we all have to remember is when we're writing, we write. When we edit, that's when we say "This sentence...

Morning Everyone, Ever wrote something that you thought wasn't very good, but you ended up showing it to other people and they gushed over it? I'm sure we've all done that at one point or another. After all...you are your own worst critic. That is something I've heard over the years, and have to remind myself. No matter what anyone else might say, you've probably said worse about your own writing. Same with books you read. Something you might not have liked much, other people absolutely love. That's one of the great things about writing. There's generally something out there for everyone, so until you put yourself to the task of scribbling your story upon pages (or, rather, typing it up) you have no idea how many or who will go crazy over your story and who will say "That's great, but you know, not really for me." You can't know until you put yourself out there. That's something we all have to remind ourselves about at least once in awh...

Morning All, A subject I haven't touched much on: killing off your characters. Shakespeare did a lot of that ( Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth , King Lear, et cetera ). In fact, for him it worked, especially when it was characters we come to care about. However, I read somewhere that it's generally discouraged it kill off your main characters. (I can't remember where I read it, but I did read it somewhere). Readers often come to really care about those main characters and don't like you messing with them. How do I know? Well, besides being a reader myself, I was once writing an Inspirational type fiction and I was thinking of what to do with one of my characters and I said to a friend of mine, "I think I'll kill him off...have him die in the story." She said " Noooo !" I said, "Why not? You didn't like him originally." She said, "Well, I like him now." As your story changes, the opinion your readers form of the cha...

Hello All, Years ago, in high school (senior year) I worked on the school newspaper. I interviewed one of my favorite singing groups Lowen & Navarro . When I asked Dan Navarro about writing songs he said something like "...the agony of the blank page..." That's stuck with me ever since. What is it about blank pages that scare writers? We just can't deal with blank pages. We have to fill them up with our ideas. Sometimes it's easy and things flow and we have ourselves a ball...other times writer's block creeps in and we feel like we're in a corner being punished. There's nothing wrong with a blank page in and of itself. It means there's potential. There's anticipation. The sense that something is coming...even if we don't always know what that something is at first. Sure, as Dan Navarro pointed out, blank pages can be agonizing. Especially if we sit there feeling like we're ready and nothing comes. It's enough to cause hypervent...

Morning Folks, Wow. I didn't realize how popular dragons actually were until I reported on the Jennifer Scales series by MaryJanice Davidson and Anthony Alongi . ( Click here to go to the official website of the series ) yesterday. So I thought we'd go ahead and talk more about dragons today. I am actually writing a story involving dragons. I found out some interesting things about dragons clicking on Wikipedia (I looked up Japanese Dragons ). I found out some other interesting things, as well... In Asian cultures (at least in Chinese and Japanese legends) the dragon was revered as a deity. Generally something of good fortune. (Maybe I had a clue about that, but I don't know for sure). Another interesting thing you can find on this Wikipedia article is that dragons with 5 claws were imperial dragons (if you didn't know that, now you do :-) ) I saw a glimpse of this whole imperial 5-clawed dragon beliefs in Cameron Dokey's Wild Orchid: A Retelling Of The Balla...

Howdy Folks, Have I mentioned I'm a voracious reader? If I haven't, I'm mentioning it, now. Back when I didn't have parental responsibilities I could get through a book in just a few short hours (if left alone to not do anything but, read, eat and, when necessary, go to the restroom)--by the way, I am NOT complaining about having parental responsibilities, I love being a mom. Just facts are facts. I could get through a book faster in a day before I was a mom, but no problem. Now it takes me anywhere between 2-3 days to finish a regular sized book (depending on how fast a read it is). But amid the writing I do, I also have to make time for reading. You see, it was reading that first gave me the glimpse of the writer in me. I don't know if I would've started coming up with tales of my own if stories hadn't first piqued my interest. Would I have come up with alternate worlds and princess of my own if it hadn't been for Cinderella or Beauty And The Beast (...

Afternoon All, I have a friend who told me he always has a ton of ideas running around in his head. In fact, my suggestion to him to write something special for his wife triggered an idea in his head. I was impressed. I don't always have a ton of ideas jumping around in my head. But it's good to have ideas. It's good to exercise your imagination and see where it takes you. For example, I've got 3 novels in the process of being written...all different from each other, but definitely all take an imagination to continue. Not to mention the one in editing also takes having an imagination. So, what about you? How does your "idea machine" kick around? Do you go off to fairy tale places? Alternate realities , parallel universes, or into the great beyond like in Star Trek or Star Wars ? Like Star Trek , we writers must be unafraid to "Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before". You let your imagination take you off to far off places, or even just around the bl...

Howdy All, Well, I thought for Monday I'd focus on encouragement. I mean, I post words of encouragement up on my blog daily, but I think recalling certain things that encourage us also helps. I'm reminded of the words from the movie, The Water Boy , where that one character says: "You can do it! You can do it!" Or Home Depot's commercials, "You can do it, we can help." (although, how Home Depot can help with writing--nothing comes to me off the top of my head, but still...) How about The Little Engine That Could ? "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can." One of the members of the NWHRWA said that everyone should enjoy writing. That it's important that it stays fun. I agree with her. If you're not having fun, then it's hard to write. I mean we all have those days where you run into writer's block, but it doesn't mean you can't find some way to have fun. Even if it means getting up and walking away for a bit. Maybe...

Afternoon Everybody! Oh wow...the title of my post puts me in mind of that song "And she'll have fun, fun, fun 'till her daddy takes the T-Bird away!" (I believe that was the Beach Boys and yes I do like their music LOL --Dad introduced us kids to some of it through him playing guitar). It's Friday, Friday, Friday...my husband's not working this weekend, I'm finally getting better...my son has been on his meds almost 2 days (although last night was rough) but he seems to be slowly getting better and hopefully my husband doesn't get any worse (he's now fighting congestion--I'm telling you the heater has done us no favors in terms of congestion and allergies...although it has kept us from freezing our bums off when the weather has been unusually cold). I'm excited. Yesterday was productive...meaning I have now started to combine the two versions of Conjure A Man so I'm finally getting an idea what to do with this story (and hopefully mu...

Howdy All, 14 followers! Wow. I'm pretty excited. It means a lot to me that you all want to follow my blog, I appreciate the encouragement and support. (I do go and look up followers' blogs, too, especially the new ones so I can get to know you better as you get to know me). My son has a sinus infection (thank you for your kind words in respect to his illness and me). Last night was a little better. He got restless about 4 times (all before I was asleep, so that's good) and this morning my husband got up with him (at 4 AM! Yes, I woke up, I can't help it, but I managed to get back to sleep). Then this morning my son woke me up at around 8 ish and then ended up taking a nap. I got up first and he followed about a 1/2 hour later. Last night I finally got back to writing. I didn't get a lot in, but it was something at least. I got started on chapter 3 of my dragon story and I'm looking forward to putting in some ideas I got last night (as I was trying to fall as...

Afternoon Everyone, Well, it seems my son is suffering from the same congestion I have. It's miserable for everyone involved. Hard to sleep when that's going on. Luckily he took a nap, but he's still unhappy (which I can understand). So what happens when life interferes with your writing? What then? Well, I haven't really been doing much writing (other than the blog), but at least I've been reading up a storm, which keeps ideas going through my head. Bottom line...you have to find a balance and do the best you can. Put in the time you can. Hopefully you can make up the time you miss. Keep the ideas alive. Make sure you're not running into the proverbial brick wall. In any case, best wishes to all! Have A Wonderful Wednesday!

Morning Folks, I'm still fighting this cold/allergy goofy thing, but at least it's getting better (I didn't wake up coughing last night). Now onto today's topic: I know, it's a weird title but being that I took a huge interest in psychology in high school (plus I have a sister who has her Ph .D. in psychology). But the thing is, I got to thinking about a story I once was thinking about writing a long while ago (I only remember the title and a vague idea about the plot). But the title was The Madman and I basically remember that the guy was going to go crazy after his wife dies. Don't remember much more than that, but there you go. Then there's a book I recently read by MaryJanice Davidson called The Royal Treatment (by the way, if you're a lover of romance novels and you haven't read this author, get thee to her shelf immediately! I've read one of her mermaid books-- and loved it and I'm getting into the Royal Series ). I've read some ...

Morning All, Lots of blue to report on. The sky is blue, my PJs have blue in them, and I feel a little blue. Been fighting this cold/allergy issue all weekend. It started on Thursday when I was working on cleaning my living room. The heater being on and kicking up dust my eyes (and left nostril) started running. Of course, I did my best to head them off-- decongestion , things for mucus problems and as with things like this, plenty of tissues. The heater continued to run as the temperatures dropped (hitting an all-time low at 20 something degrees at night, which is COLD for where I live)...continuing drying out the air, despite the best efforts of the bedroom humidifier (which, have done their best, but I've STILL managed to feel dried out). I missed Mass on Sunday because I was feeling so bad/sick. I feel better today. Today I'm better, but still dried out. Now my right nostril has decided it's time to join the party. I love cold weather, but I've decided heaters an...

Morning All, Apparently my left eye and left nostril don't like dust/dirt because even though I did all that yesterday they are both still giving me trouble. For anyone who was wondering, no, allergies are NOT fun. I hate allergies. I also hate sneezing, but I digress. Todd Stone calls the friend, or supporting characters, "window characters" because they give us a glimpse into the inside of the main character(s) personality--perhaps not something that the character reveals on his or her own. These "window" characters are sometimes sidekicks, friends, colleagues, you name it. Think about it. You have these types of characters in your own life. Maybe it's your spouse...the one who says "You know, you ALWAYS say that." or "You are such a computer addict." And you think "No I don't." then when reviewing yourself, you find out, that yes, in fact, you do. Now whether or not your supporting characters bring up some incredible ...

Morning All, Cleaning house today. Got parents and brother coming over for dinner and I'm not the most diligent housekeeper. Fortunately, I've made some progress. I've also made some progress on one of my writing projects, so yay! Anyway, onto today's topic: He's tall, dark and handsome. He's got a great sense of humor and takes good care of his woman. He's the hero. He's also my husband, but I refuse to share with anyone. Get your own husband, or rather, hero. While we're at it...get your own villain, too. What is it about heroes that make them heroes or villains that make them villains? For heroes, sometimes it's the whole larger than life, hunky, dreamy smile dude that makes the heroine melt into a puddle of goo. (Not quite my husband, but definitely close. He is hunky and I do love his smile). Or it could be the modest guy she didn't notice the first time she enters the room, yet his quiet manners catch her eye. Or maybe that dimple peeki...

Hi All, You know those moments in movies or musicals/plays where there's an important moment and the music crescendos? Like when there's a kiss and the music gets all loud and inspirational. (Think the opening of Grease ). Your big moments...your crescendos should be like that. Everybody loves to read a book where there's this fabulous moment and their hearts start beating and they feel like life is wonderful. Now some books crescendos are more like suspenseful and the heart rate is an elevated thump-thump-thump. (I'm not talking black moment, I'm talking BIG moment). Whatever big moment--music swelling--supsenseful--pour it out. Let your characters have their joy--their moment in the spotlight. A chance to really shine and show the readers that, yeah, this is why that character just rocks. (And yeah, I'm still a sucker for those musicals... Oklahoma, Carousel, Singing In The Rain, The Sound of Music, Fiddler On The Roof... et cetera ...) Have A Wonderful Wedne...

Morning All, Hope every one is doing well. I know the title of this post is a bit odd, but I'm using it as a lead-in: Black moments. Conflict. Suspense. Chase. These are all important in fiction writing. It's the idea that the main character(s) have to accomplish something , overcome something to make the story move forward--be something that a reader will want to read--and maybe even read again and again. So what stories have the best black moments? Is it the ones where you fear for the character's life? Or the moment where it looks like "all is lost"? The black moments are something I struggle with. I don't want to get cliched about conflict. Or do the themes that have been done so often that it bores readers. So what makes something different--fresh, fascinating? In reading Debbie Viguie's (accent on the "e" in her last name), Scarlet Moon, she took a well known (and often loved) story ( Little Red Riding Hood ), turned it on its ear, and fl...

Afternoon All, Okay, first and foremost, I'm not an expert on query writing, but I have read some things and heard some things regarding query writing, so I thought I'd share what I've learned: First and foremost...please...don't give the rest of us a bad name: I read in The Complete Idiot's Guide To Getting Published by Sheree Bykofsky and Jennifer Basye Sander that sometimes agents even receive "gifts". Someone once sent someone a pair of old shoes. Okay...so, number 1. NO GIMMICKS. Some agents/ publishers like things one way, another might like it completely different. So, Number 2. CHECK AGENT / PUBLISHER'S SUBMISSION GUIDELINES TO KNOW PREFERENCES. Tip: Read their blogs if they have one. Sometimes they even say. I have heard conflicting advice on whether or not to query with one's pseudonym (pen name). Some say yes and some say no. Again... check preferences to find out what each agent / publisher wants. I haven't read this book all ...

Happy After Midnight Folks, Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful New Year! Enjoy 2010! Get lots of writing done :-) Have a Fabulous Friday!