Just For Laughs

Morning All,

Once again Bane gave me this idea with his blog post. With all the publicity I'm giving his blog, he should be getting a lot of visitors LOL. Oh and Marsha, too. Marsha's Walmart Post also plays a role in inspiring today's post.

First of all, I have to tie it in with writing...since my blog is almost strictly about writing and writing path.

So I'll do it this way. If any of you all have read either of my parodies, you'll remember how goofy my sense of humor is. Les was willing to have me parody his life. First when I made up the character of Catalina in Because Of The Pie, and the one I did for him and his friend, Bob in The Adventures of Super Les And His SideKick, Bob.

Of course, there's other funny writings out there. Like Dave Barry and his various books. Or Jim Davis's Garfield or any other comic strips.

But other than people's writing books with comedy in it, or lines/characters that make you laugh out loud (LOL) what else out there "cracks you up"?

For me, it's things like LOL Cats. I think that's hysterical. There's another site called LOL Saints (which, I find extremely funny and not at all offensive to me and my faith).

Another site I find hugely funny is comic Tim Hawkins site, which has some videos of his material. You can look it up here.

We all need a laugh every now and again. Whether it's through websites like this, or going to see stand up comedy or reading comic strips or through witty/funny dialogue and characters, laughter is a good thing.

There are people who even say laughter lowers blood pressure. So hey, feel free to put funny in your stories...as long as it goes along with the story!

How do you tickle your funny bone?

Have A Wacky Wednesday!

ME ONLY Or, Maintaining Humilty

Morning Folks,

Amid the bustle of changing passwords in various places due to the fact that yesterday my poor computer picked up a virus (which masqueraded as a Security Tool that I thought my husband had installed on the computer, yes, it was my fault and I felt terrible, but my husband was very nice about it and said I hadn't known--from now on unless I know for sure something is on our computer I'm not doing anything with it until I've consulted my husband).

Some time ago there was a big kick up over a (less popular) author suing another popular author claiming this popular author copied them. What ended up happening is that the judge ruled they were two different stories--nothing alike and threw it out. The other thing that happened was that some fans of the popular author investigated and found out that the popular author's book was copyrighted before the one who thought they were being plagiarized. Another thing that happened was that fans of the popular author went and read the other author's book and said there was very little similarities--that they were different enough.

This isn't the first time things like this has happened to a popular (or any) published author.

It sometimes goes another way. A fan plagiarizes an author they like and tries to get the plagiarized story sold and it ends up a bunch of lawyers get involved and the fan is forced to withdraw the plagiarized work.

In a lot of ways I think this boils down to ego. People think they are entitled to things. Not that they are granted rights, or given certain opportunities or given a break--but that they are entitled to that opportunity, right or break.

In writing we're not entitled to anything aside from the right to write stories. We're not entitled to the book being sold or it selling well in stores. We're not entitled to fame or fortune or even anyone recognizing our name on the cover.

These are things that come by way of either someone discovering we've done something amazing, or our own hard work at writing something awesome, selling it well and getting the word out.

These things are not automatic.

As I've said before, writers have to put their ego in the back closet. There's gonna be people who like our work and people who don't. There's going to be highs and lows just like most anything else in life.

The minute we begin to think we're entitled to something is the minute we run into some trouble.

So how does a writer maintain his/her humility?

By recognizing that writing itself is a gift--is an act of inspiration or often times, could be outside themselves (for some it's attributed to God or a grace/inspiration God gives; for others it's the feeling that one has to write and the outside world offers him/her plenty of material).

Most people can write. But there's a select few that write well or can really tell a story. But that should not make us arrogant. Instead it should make us feel honored if we are counted among that select few. It's a gift, not a right to have something sell. It's a gift, not a right if that sold story does well.

The book publishing and selling world is ever-changing so you never know what might just do fabulous and what might flop. It's about putting oneself out there.

So, how do you keep your ego in check?

Have A Tip-Top Tuesday!

Brainstorm!

Howdy Folks,

Okay, I know, I go on and on about the RWA chapter I'm joining, but I can't say enough about how great these people are. I went to the Christmas party on Dec. 5th and it was a blast! I met this lady named Anne who writes paranormal and began talking to her about Conjure A Man and my frustration with Delaney. She and my wonderful CP, Tessy, started throwing out ideas. I sat there asking "Okay, but how would that work?" And answers came flying back.

They thought I might have resented their input. But on the contrary, I was glad to have it. All I needed to do was figure out where it would go. So, now I'm re-reading the pages I have written (making any changes that jump out at me) and reassessing the situation. I also finally managed to send the revised Chapter 1 to Tessy (it's about time, I think!)

Anyway, what do you all think about having a brainstorming session? Bring whatever you're having a problem with and I could post it in a post and we could all make suggestions. Nobody has to take those suggestions, but it might help.

But it's up to you, my wonderful readers and blog followers what you want. You tell me!

Have A Marvelous Monday!

Snowbound Friday

Afternoon All,

Okay, it's not snowing A LOT and definitely not what they get out in the colder places of the world, but it's still snowing. Yes, I went out in it with my son and even took some pictures (gotta find the attachment so I can upload them onto my computer).

My son wasn't real excited about it, actually. He wasn't quite sure what to make of it (it doesn't snow much here, which I'm glad about. I can only put up with snow for a little while before it gets to be an "old story").

But anyway...do you have snow in your stories? I do in at least one of mine (a Christmas story). However, that's a side project and not something I'm focusing on.

I don't do snow much even in my stories. I guess it just doesn't occur to me. What about you?

What type of weather do you find you most write in your stories? (I generally have sunshine or rain).

Have A Fabulous Friday! (And an awesome weekend, too!)

Ha! Ha!

Morning All,

What makes you laugh out loud when you're reading a book? Is it the characters' antics? The mishaps? The witty dialogue or all of it together?

In The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber, her character, a lonely single woman in her 30's seeks out the help of a matchmaker (a male single psychologist) who gives her a series of 3 tasks, which both show her things about herself as well as put her in embarrassing/humorous situations (like the fact that she's supposed to zip down from the ceiling of a Mall to the floor dressed as an elf, only to have a costume mishap...I felt sorry for her on that one. Or when someone dumps coffee on her while she's ringing the bell for donations at one of the Mall entrances).

There's other "laugh out loud" moments in books. Like in Kerrelyn Sparks' book when the vampires are talking about Gregori having gotten drunk off of synthetic blood mixed with champagne when he acted as Ginny pig when the vampire scientists were making it so that vampires wouldn't have to bite humans.

What about your own stories? Do you have funny lines? Funny situations/mishaps? Would you mind sharing one?

In the original draft of Conjure A Man vampire Caruso (Delaney's best friend) suggests she bring a human into their world since she's tired of dating warlocks, vampires, werewolves, not to mention centaurs. He tells her that he finds them fascinating. Delaney's response is "Said the bloodsucker." My critique partner (CP--the awesome Tessy!) thought that line was funny and I did, too. Unfortunately, that scene got cut in the rewrite. I might be able to put that line in somewhere else, but I'm not sure.

So what's your funny line/situation in one of your stories?

Have A Ticklish Thursday!

Pieces Of An Author

Good Morning All,

There's this saying I've seen on different items for sale in catalogs and I think it's hysterical. It says: "Be careful or else you'll end up in my next book" I love that. I think it's perfect for writers.

I have a pin that says something like "Romance Authors Do It Write". And I've seen other slogans like that.

How "careful" does the world actually have to be about authors? Well, that depends on who the author is, the genre, and exactly what makes the author's mind go "Yes! There's an idea!"

For me if I hear something particularly funny or witty I might file it away for later...or I might not use it at all.

The interesting thing about writers existing in a world full of all different types of people, circumstances and situations is that it gives us immense fuel for our imaginations.

Some of us thrive on the more realistic possibilities; while others, like myself, focus on the less realistic, and more fantastical ideas. (Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Fairytales, you get the picture).

However, regardless of the writer's genre, that writer gets inspired somehow. Something, someone does, writes, or says might cause the writer's little inspirational bug to bite.

Sometimes it's another story. Sometimes it's someone closest to the writer. Sometimes it's a stranger.

But in the end, the writer puts his or her own spin on it.

For example:

Someone once said in a comment regarding Stephenie Meyer that "it has Mormon undertones."

Well, I guess I don't really know enough about the Mormon Church to pick up on that, but my response is, "Okay, so? What do you expect? She IS Mormon."

Every writer puts a piece of him or herself in their writing...whether intentionally or unintentionally. They can't help it. The story is being written by them regardless of what character is telling it. Somewhere, somehow that story is going to have a small piece of that writer's personality, life, or background in there. The trick is, how well do you know that author's background to pick up on it?

Nicholas Sparks freely admits that A Walk To Remember is based off his sister's life. Therefore, how much is him or his sister in there, might be key to unlocking undertones and a voice that may not be the loudest in the story, but still exists. Likewise, he also has said that The Notebook is based off his wife's parents' story. So again, depending on how well a reader knows about these situations, he or she might be able to find the piece of Nicholas Sparks (or his family) that exists inside the tales.

Sure, outside things can inspire us. And as many other authors like Nicholas Sparks have proven, other people can inspire us...but always somewhere in that inspiration exists the author him or herself.

While the brain is clicking everything into place and the inspiration is in high gear, the writer also leaves behind something of him or herself somewhere in the story.

For me, it's often my nutty sense of humor. I like to have a comedic character. That's sort of my trademark, my own slogan, m.o., whatever you want to call it. (although, not every story of mine has one at present. The character might come later or only be talked about...or never show up at all...but most of my finished, or nearly finished novels have at least one comedic character).

What pieces of yourself do you leave in your story? Is it obvious or does a reader have to really pay attention to find that piece?

Have A Wealthy* Wednesday!

*Wealthy as in working well, inspiration, whatever makes you feel rich or enriched :-)

Oh Dash It All!

Good Morning Folks,

Don't you just love that saying? Okay, maybe you do, maybe you don't, but I think it's cool.

So yesterday I did (as I said I was going to) actually get to writing on Conjure A Man. Chapter 3 is finished being rewritten (for now). But chapter 4 might need some work. The idea for chapter 4 isn't bad (I mean it makes sense Delaney's vampire friend, Caruso, would want to meet Pierre, especially since he suggested Delaney summon up a human in the first place). However, I'm not sure how well it works (hence the "dash it all" title for today's post). But, that doesn't mean it can't work.

We writers sometimes have to make a decision. Sometimes this decision is easy and sometimes it's painful. And that decision is whether or not a scene works in one particular place or even at all for the story in question.

Sometimes we have these "Dash it all!" moments where we think "If I have to revise this story one more time I'm going to scream!" And other times it's "Okay, so this doesn't work, so I gotta fix it or take it out."

What are some of your "dash it all" moments? Was it hard to fix/delete a scene or was it something you were just thinking "okay it has to happen."?

Have A Triumphant Tuesday!