Drama, Drama, Drama

Happy Friday Everyone,

You know all that tension you feel because one thing or another is happening in your life? Or maybe it just seems like drama happens all around you and it just gets annoying?

You, as a writer, can use that drama and all that tension to create suspense in your stories. Use that energy you feel towards upping the tension, spicing up the plot line and just vamping your story to high level "What's-gonna-happen-next?"

Sometimes drama can be avoided and other times it just rears up when least expected. But if we let it go wasted, we miss an opportunity.

Sure, you might not be able to sit down and use all that feeling right at the moment that you're in the middle of it, but somehow get it out in your writing. Your characters too comfortable? Use those feelings to put them in uncomfortable positions. Have the characters who are in love have a big fight--or create the "black moment". Have danger strike. There's all kinds of options.

But don't waste your emotions. Sometimes authors use what they're feeling to help liven up their stories. If it's not quite right you can always change it later.

Have A Fabulous Friday!

News Break

Happy Thursday One & All,

I haven't a lot to report on this news go-around. I've ordered my copy (and its shipped) of Kim Lenox's Darker Than Night.

I'm still working on the first round of edits. I've got about 150-something pages left of the first round, then I can start the other editing of the manuscript and hopefully have it cleaned up by early October. (In time for the NWHRWA's annual Conference...I hope to go!)

I plan on getting (and reading) Lynn Kurland's April 26, 2010 released book, One Enchanted Evening.

So far, there's not much else to report. I've been kind of "under a rock" because of reading and editing.

Have A Terrific Thursday!

Do Writers Have To Be Graceful?

Happy Wednesday All,

Tuesday afternoon I wasn't paying attention and tripped over the ottoman on my way to my computer desk. I rammed my left foot into it, stubbing my 3 middle toes on my left foot. It hurt big time. I had to ice them down and try not to walk too much. In the evening they were better, but still...

...it's made me wonder...do writers have to be graceful and able to avoid obstacles and stubbed toes and such? Because if we have to be perfectly graceful on our feet, I'm in trouble.

You see, I'm a klutz. Not all the time, mind you, but every so often, I have myself a klutzy moment. Some are worse than others (like in high school when I tripped over a tree stump) and some aren't so bad.

But seriously...if we're supposed to be perfectly balanced, then what am I going to do? Most of the time I do all right, but I can be a klutz and I know other writers who are klutzy, too.

So, are you a klutz or perfectly graceful on your feet that you put a ballet dancer to shame?

Have A Winsome Wednesday!

The Long And The Short Of It

Happy Tuesday Folks,

I know I didn't post on Monday. Here's what happened: I woke up a little after 10 after a bad night with a sick kid (he woke up a lot crying). We went to the doc's office in the afternoon. His right ear is trying to get infected and he has a touch of a virus. So he's on decongestion and something for pain. If he isn't noticeably better by Wednesday we're to give him Amoxocillion. Last night was the worst night we've had, so hopefully knowing what we know now we can help him get better.

I got from the library Elizabeth Gaskell's North & South but I returned it, because I couldn't renew it when I tried...they said it was on request, so I figured either I'd buy it or request it another time. But I was enjoying it. I wasn't real far into it 'cause of working on editing my manuscript, but I was enjoying it.

My attentions have turned to Debbie Macomber's Midnight Sons Volume 1 which I'm enjoying. About 113 pages into it.

I'm planning on ordering Kim Lenox's new book, Darker Than Night. Looks good from what I saw of it.

Now...if you don't read my blog regularly, you need to start, because we're coming up onto some months where I got some awesome things planned. I'm not gonna say what, but just trust me. I'm collaborating with an author on a contest and interview with this author for June, then once I know more information on the NWHRWA's annual conference I'm gonna be giving you all the link to that (and trust me, there's big things planned for that Conference).

The Lone Star Contest is in full swing. If you haven't taken advantage of the early bird discount and still want to enter, please click here.

Other than that I'm reading and editing and slipping in some writing here and there.

Have A Tremendous Tuesday!

Edits R Us

Happy Friday Everyone,

I'm making a big push on the first round of edits on my finished manuscript so that I can do the more in-depth ones and hopefully finish by October since that's when the NWHRWA is hosting it's annual conference.

Now, I don't know if it'll all be done by then, but I'm trying. Working on doing at least 2 chapters a day for the first rounds, then I'll go back and probably print each chapter I'm on and look further at it.

I'm glad to be making progress, just wish it was going faster. LOL.

Anyway, hope you all are well. Have a great weekend!

Have A Fabulous Friday!

Awww, Why'd It Have To End?

Happy Thursday Every One,

Normally I reserve Thursdays for updates and news, but I thought of something I'd like to talk about, so that's taking over this time...

Endings.

Sometimes they leave you with a warm feeling in your heart and you think, "That was a good story, great way to end, love it."

Other times they're sad, and you find yourself reaching for the tissue box.

And, once in awhile, you think, "What? No, it can't be over, not yet!"

Depending on the story, how you feel about it, and how well the writer draws you in, stories can elicit all kinds of responses.

I've read Lurlene MacDaniel's book, Don't Die My Love about 3 or more times. Every time I know what happens and every time I think it's sad. However, it's still a good story.

Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice is one most novelists (and most people) are familiar with. The majority of us know how the story goes and what happens, but still, sometimes, you go back wanting to relive all those moments all over again.

What makes a story do that to people?

A lot of times it's about having characters readers can relate to, or find intriguing. Especially ones that elicit an emotional response.

When you read The Merchant Of Venice by William Shakespeare, you know that Shylock is the bad guy. You know he's going to ask for his "pound of flesh" and how grotesque that sounds. But you also remember his impassioned cry of, "..if you prick us do we not bleed..." and so forth appealing to our humanity.

The plot--storyline--itself needs to have appeal. Every little emotion, every form of tension or climax ranging from murder to romance has the ability to grab hold of a reader's attention, and if done right, keep it.

It's like a cliffhanger on a popular TV series. If you do the story right, tell the story just so, people are going to ask, "What happens now?"

If you mix everything together: characters, emotion, plot lines, motivations, and, of course, inspiration, you can come up with that story which people remember, read over and over and say, "Why did it have to end? I want more!"

Have A Thrilling Thursday!

Nice To Meet You

Happy Wednesday Folks,

Today's post is going to tie into yesterday's interview I did with Laura Childs. I asked Laura if she could meet any of her characters, which ones and why.

So, that's my question I'm posing today: Which character(s) out of any of your stories would you want to meet and why?

I think I'd probably want to meet Bast. It would be fun.

Maybe I'd meet Sir Beauregard (he's a cat in a story I never did finish and I don't know where that one ended up). I love cats.

So, what about you? Which of your character(s) would you wanna meet and why?