Posts belonging to Category writing

Music is an amazing thing. It lives on, often in the background, as a soundtrack to our lives. I’ve always loved listening to music and still have a massive CD collection from pre-mp3 days. When I started writing, however, something interesting happened. Some songs started to spark story ideas for me. And when music isn’t inspiring new ideas, often it will put me in the frame of mind to write. I  can’t actually write while music is playing – I get too wrapped up in the lyrics of a song, which distracts me from my own writing. I do, though, often listen to various playlists I’ve created to help set the mood for me before I write.

What follows are thirteen songs that either put me in the mood to write, have inspired stories I’ve written, or demand that I write a story for them.

I’m Still Searching – Glass Tiger

I actually did write a story inspired from this song. It was posted on the internet back when I was treating writing as a hobby (i.e., when my twin daughters were young and I could barely think straight, let alone attempt to pursue writing for publication.) *

If We Ever Meet Again – Timbaland

I had a very strong reaction to this song when I first heard it. The basic plot for a new book came to me pretty much fully formed right away. I have other writing projects I need to finish first, though, before I can even think about writing it.

Paralyzer – Finger Eleven

This song is the theme song for my favorite couple from another story I wrote and posted online. I’m seriously considering revamping it and rewriting it as a traditional book.*

The Enemy – Godsmack

Anyone who’s known me in the past would be very surprised to find Godsmack (or Hinder) on my list. I was an 80′s new wave kinda girl. When I started writing, however, something strange happened. Songs I never would have listened to in the past started to grab me by the throat. It’s all about the lyrics and the story a song paints. This one … well, I can’t share too much right now, but I really hope I have the chance to write the book that goes along with this song.

Serenity – Godsmack

I was already writing my current novel (it’s finished and I’m editing it now) when I heard my husband play this song. I remember sitting there, stunned. It is absolutely perfect as a theme song for my current book.

Mr. Brightside – The Killers

This song is also a theme song of sorts for my current novel.

Heaven Sent – Hinder

“Heaven Sent” is the perfect soundtrack for a romance novel. It’s a “hey, I’ve known you all my life but I’ve only just realized you’re amazing and I think I love you” song. Hinder has become one of my favorite bands because of the emotion in their lyrics. They may be bad-boy rockers, which isn’t really my thing, but I can overlook that and appreciate the brilliance of their song writing.

Thing for You – Hinder

The raw emotion in this song really gets to me.

Can’t Breathe – Dido

I know there was already an excellent television show that used this song as its theme song (Roswell). I loved that show, but when I hear this song all I can think about is the story I really want to write that draws on the song’s emotions.

Summer Lovin’ – John Travolta and Olivia Newton John
Good girl meets bad boy. Need I say more?

Love Song (Acoustic) – The Cure

The acoustic version of The Cure’s “Love Song” haunts me. Listen to it and tell me if it doesn’t evoke the image of a tortured romance hero.

Whataya Want From Me – Adam Lambert

Another tortured hero song that makes me itch to write every time I hear it.

Bring Me To Life – Evanescence

The story I have in mind for this song is a paranormal one.

And there you have it, thirteen songs that either make me itch to open up a new document and start working on a new project, or that put me in the proper head space to help me work on my current WIPs.  I’d love to hear what song/s do the same for you.

*I mention that I’ve posted a few stories online. Those stories are no longer available (although I have no idea if anyone who read them bothered to save a copy.) I thought long and hard about whether I wanted them to stand as is, but in the end decided that I wasn’t comfortable with those stories floating around out there. They were stories that I wrote and posted, serial style, and were, in essence, first drafts. Since my goal is to become a professional author, I want the stories that I make available to be as polished as I can make them. I will probably offer free stories again at some point, and when I do I promise they won’t be first drafts.

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I’ve acquired quite an impressive collection of writing books since deciding I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. What follows is a list of thirteen writing books I’ve read that have earned keeper status on my research shelf. Trust me when I say this is only a sampling!

1. The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron
This one’s a classic and I think everyone should try to work though the program at least once. I learned so much about myself as a writer when I followed the weekly lessons.

2. Goal, Motivation and Conflict, Debra Dixon
Another must read. I was fortunate enough to attend a workshop taught by Debra Dixon at Toronto Romance Writers years ago and I just learned that she’s coming back and will be doing another workshop here in September. (Details here.)

3. Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg

4. Scene and Structure, Jack M. Bickham
Part of Writer’s Digest “Elements of Fiction Writing” series.

5. Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Renni Browne and Dave King

6. The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, Christopher Vogler
This one builds upon Joseph Campbell’s groundbreaking work on myth and the hero’s journey. If you don’t read this particular book, you should definitely familiarize yourself with Campbell’s work.

7. On Writing, Stephen King

8. The War of Art, Steven Pressfield

9. Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott
This book has made it onto many “best writing books” lists and it deserves those spots. I read this book many years ago, but one technique that she describes still resonates with me today for dealing with those times when you are feeling overwhelmed by the task before you – the concept of the one-inch picture frame. I remember reading it and thinking, “That is brilliant!” (pp. 17-18)

… and I finally notice the one-inch picture frame that I put on my desk to remind me of short assignments.

It reminds me that all I have to do is to write down as much as I can see through a one-inch picture frame. This is all I have to bite off for the time being. All I am going to do right now, for example, is write that one paragraph that sets the story in my hometown, in the late fifties, when the trains were still running. I am going to paint a picture of it, in words, on my word processor. Or all I am going to do is to describe the main character the very first time we meet her, when she first walks out the front door and onto the porch. I am not even going to describe the expression on her face when she first notices the blind dog sitting behind the wheel of her car–just what I can see through the one-inch picture frame, just one paragraph describing this woman, in the town where I grew up, the first time we encounter her.

10. Fearless Creating, Eric Maisel

11. On Writer’s Block, Victoria Nelson

12. Writing from the Heart, Lesléa Newman
This one is great for providing you with ideas when you want to freewrite or just work on an exercise to practice your craft.

13. Guide to Fiction Writing, Phyllis A. Whitney
This was my first writing book. The one that started the obsession. Whitney talks about her writing binders, and I’ll admit that I have a few of my own lying around.

I do, of course, have more writing books that I somehow never got around to reading. Are there any writing books you would recommend? Leafing through these books while coming up with this list has made me nostalgic for a good writing how-to book.

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It’s that time of the year again. November is National Novel Writing Month – NaNoWriMo for short. The month where insane writers the world over commit to writing a 50,000 word novel in one month.

I’m very excited about the new book I’ll be working on. It’s a project that has long held special meaning for me. The jury is still out on whether the end result will be a book that I can actually sell, but I’m putting that worry aside for now. This is very much a book of my heart, containing characters that demand their story be told. I only hope I can do them justice.

Let the fun begin!

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On July 28, six months after submitting my story to the Harlequin Historical Undone! line, I received an email from an editor. It wasn’t good news, but it wasn’t bad news, either. The editor gave me suggestions about how I could revise my story so it would be more in keeping with the line in general and asked me to resubmit the revised version.

Given the extensive nature of the requested revisions, it would have been very understandable if the editor had rejected the story because it didn’t suit the line. The fact that she didn’t, and that she asked to see it again is huge. Editors are very busy people and they don’t have time to waste. If there wasn’t something in my story or in my writing that didn’t spark her interest, she definitely wouldn’t have asked to see it again.

I was extremely flattered – and deliriously happy – that the editor for the Undone! line wanted to see this story again. I feel as though her interest validates me as a writer. It’s one thing to have friends tell you something is good, and quite another to have a publishing professional take an interest in your writing.

So I revised the story and resubmitted it last Wednesday, and now I’m back to waiting. In the meantime, I’m finishing up the edits on the first draft of my book (only 10 pages left to go – I know, what am I doing blogging?) and am already thinking about what book to write next. I have a few ideas bouncing around in my head … I just have to pick one and start working on the outline.

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Not forking out the dough for the RWA Conference this year, with evening wear, suits, high heels and whatever “business casual” means?

From July 28-31, come hang out with some terrific, savvy authors — and you don’t even have to brush your teeth (although, seriously, good dental hygiene gets you extra points.)

We’ll be hosting panels on:

The Power of Three: A crit group tell-all (Paranormal)

Crystal Jordan

Patti O’Shea

Dayna Hart/Rowan Larke

The Lolitas of STEAMED! Present Writing the Steampunk Romance -more than leather corsets and brass goggles!

Marie-Claude Bourque

Theresa Meyers

Whips, Chains, Slings, Oh My: It Really Isn’t About the Toys (BDSM Erotica)

James Buchanan

Joey Hill

The Great Big YA Panel

Rhonda Stapleton

Shannon Delany

Kiersten White

Carrie Ryan

Linda Gerber

Saundra Mitchell

Lara Zielin

Brenna Yovanoff

Register for free at Romance Divas, then come join us on the forums for the discussions, as well as some terrific prizes:

Eden Bradley/Eve Berlin:
1) erotic e-books, THE SEEKING KISS and TEMPT ME TWICE.
2) a synopsis critique in any sub-genre of erotica/erotic romance.

Jax Cassidy:
1) erotic e-books, DEVIL’S HEART and BRUSH STROKES.
2) book cover design or banner ad

Kristen Painter:
copy of her e-book, ALL FIRED UP

Rhonda Stapleton:
1) STUPID CUPID YA Book trilogy
2) a proposal critique (1st 3 chapters and synopsis) for any genre of book, romance or not

K.B. Alan:
1) The choice of one of her e-books: PERFECT FORMATION, ALPHA TURNED or BOUND BY SUNLIGHT.
2) A $25 Barnes and Noble gift card.

Robin L. Rotham: Signed copies of BIG TEMPTATION, ALIEN OVERNIGHT, and ENEMY OVERNIGHT

AJ Chase: copies of e-book CAT AND MOUSE

Inez Kelley:
1) e-book package of both MYLA BY MOONLIGHT and SALOME AT SUNRISE
2) The complete Dirty Laundry Series (3 e-novellas) co-written by Ginny Glass aka Wordsugar and Inez Kelley

Kate Pearce:
1) a three chapter ~and~ synopsis critique-any erotic romance, paranormal romance or historical romance.
2) Winners choice, in either print or e-book format (if available), of a set of the Simply series (there are 5) ~or~ a set of the Cowboys (there are 3) ~or~ a copy of KISS OF THE ROSE-readers choice.

R.G. Alexander:
Winners choice of any two e-books from her Samhain or Ellora’s Cave back list

Nadia Lee:
Critique of 1st chapter & synopsis-paranormal or contemporary romance

Shelley Munro: Winners choice of any one her backlist books from Ellora’s Cave or Cerridwen Press

Ciar Cullen: Winner’s choice of any one e-book on her website.

Voirey Linger: A copy of her e-book RISKING ETERNITY

RF Long:
1) a submission package critique (letter, synopsis and 3 chapters)
2) e-books! (details TBA)

Crystal Jordan:
1) 1st chapter and synopsis critique
2) One copy of any e-book off her Samhain backlist
3) One copy of IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (print or electronic, winner’s choice)

Jeannie Lin:
1) a first chapter critique, any genre
2) an official BUTTERFLY SWORDS souvenir charm

Elise Logan: Winner’s choice of any e-book from her backlist

Marguerite Labbe:
1) A critique of an m/m story
2) Signed copies of her m/m vampire trilogy MY HEART IS WITHIN YOU, HAUNTED BY YOUR SOUL and OUR SACRED BALANCE

Seeley DeBorn:
One jar of home made body or face scrub, customized to the winner’s preferences and skin type.
For example: Orange Spice Oatmeal, Coffee-Cocoa, Citrus Salt, Lavender Mint, Honey and Flax

Sela Carsen: a copy of her e-book CAROLINA WOLF

Hailey Edwards:
1) a copy of her sweet fantasy romance ebook, EVERLONG.
2) two five dollar MBaM gift cards

Charlotte McClain:
Copy of her two e-books, LOVE TO DECLARE and ROCK STAR’S RETREAT

Cynthia Justlin: (Golden Heart Finalist!) Proposal Critique (3 Chapters and synopsis)-any genre other than erotic

Lainey Bancroft:
1) signed copies of her contemporary romance, THE TROUBLE WITH TESSA and her chick lit romance COZUMEL KARMA
2) Proposal critique (3 chapters and a synopsis) any genre except Steampunk

Tina Burns-Publisher-Liquid Silver Books:
1) a critique of 1st 3 chapters & synopsis
2) 3 be-book prizes for 3 different winners! Winners choice of any one e-book download from LSB library.

Mima:
Winner’s choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.

Taneasha: handmade jewelry by our own Taneasha-details to come!

Barbara Sheridan:
1) Winners choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
2) Critique of up to 20 pages of either M/M, or M/F romance or erotic romance in various subgenres (contemporary, historical, paranormal or suspense/mystery)

David Bridger:
A copy of his ebook BEAUTY AND THE BASTARD

Victoria Janssen:
3 print books TBA (whatever she finds at the RWA Conference)

Gemma Halliday:
Signed copy of SCANDAL SHEET

Jennifer Leeland/Jennifer McKenzie:
1) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR PLEASURE (Kindle version available upon request)
2) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR DESIRE (Releasing June 29th) (Kindle version available upon request)
3) copy of her e-books The Command Series (Trilogy)
4)copy of her BDSM e-book series (3 from TWRP and 1 from Samhain)

Emily Ryan-Davis:
1) Critique of novella-length (up to 30k) manuscript; any time period, m/f, menage, f/f (m/m not her area of expertise)
2) signed print copies of her anthology: MATING CALL, DRAGON DANCE and DRAGON BOUND
3) e-book copy of CHANGING THUMBELINA

Sabrina Darby:
1) Signed copy of her erotic historical novel, ON THESE SILKEN SHEETS
2) Critique of first thirty pages of any Regency (erotic or non erotic fine, but m/m outside my area of expertise)

Alina Morgan:
1) copy of her e-book The Twilight Deception
2) copy of her e-book The Shadow Unveiled

Debbie Mumford:
1) Critique of a synopsis
2) Winner’s choice of any e-book from her back list.

Kimberly Troutte:
1) copy of her e-book SOUL STEALER
2) copy of her e-book CATCH ME IN CASTILE

Sasha Devlin:
1 pair of hand made writing mitts or gloves-style and color TBD by the winner

Julia Knight
Winner’s choice of one copy of any of her books available in e-book format

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I’ve come to accept that I’m someone who works best when they have a deadline. That’s why when someone at the Romance Divas forums suggested a Fast Draft session (open to people editing as well as people writing their first drafts) I threw my name into the hat.  I’ve been more successful at avoiding than actually forcing myself to sit down and finish the edits to my current WIP (because hey, editing is hard!) so this came at the perfect time for me.

I’ve committed to editing 18 pages of my WIP/day during the two week period beginning April 11.

Wish me luck!

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I’ve been travelling through the murky world of editing lately. Okay, to be completely honest, I’ve spent a lot of time avoiding. Editing a 13,000 word story is very different from editing an 80,000 word book, and the sheer enormity of tackling the second task had me overwhelmed.

Like with any other aspect of writing, however, we learn best by working through it. I’ve been reading various bits of advice on how to handle edits to a book and have learned that, just like anything else in life, different people have different ideas of what works best.

I’ll admit I’ve been stuck on the idea that I should be following Holly Lisle’s wonderful one-pass manuscript revision process, but that process also terrifies me! I can’t help but feel that I am, at minimum, a two-pass editor. I feel as though I need one pass to go through the book and move chunks of it into its proper order (already, at page 10, I’ve come to a section that should be moved to a later point in the book.) To make notes on scenes that should be added/changed/deleted. This would be the “examining the narrative and character arcs” stage.

Only after the major structuring is examined and fixed (if necessary) will I feel comfortable polishing the text, one scene at a time, until it glows.

Maybe I can look forward to a one-pass revision process with my next book. Until then, I’m just happy to have worked through the block that kept me from working on these edits.

Does it ever get any easier?

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I’ve made an important discovery since submitting my story to Harlequin two weeks ago. It will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that I’ve let self-doubt keep me from pursuing publication. Now that I have the time to devote to my writing, I’m working on overcoming that obstacle.

Part of what’s held me back is the traditional fear of failing. We all know how that one goes. If you don’t try, you haven’t really failed. You haven’t stepped up to the plate and been told you just didn’t have what it takes.

I finally pushed past that fear and submitted my story. Like many other writers, I’m now in the position of waiting to hear back from a publisher. Waiting to hear whether they are interested in publishing my story. However, unlike other writers I’m not stalking my email, waiting for a response.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

I find myself not thinking about my submission at all. When I do remember it, I have to force myself to open Outlook to check my email. And despite what many might think, I’m not afraid that my story will be rejected. I know it’s a good story, but I also know good stories are rejected all the time. Just not right for that line. They’ve purchased too many stories set in the regency era recently and want something different. Too similar to a story they’ve just purchased.

No, I find myself more afraid that Harlequin will want to buy my story. After all these years, I’ve realized I’m not afraid of failing. I’m afraid of succeeding.

Sigh. I know it’s not logical, but fears seldom conform to logic. I found an article about fear of success for writers that confirmed my new discovery. For others who may also be dealing with this fear, you can find that article here.

I suppose the good news is now that I’ve identified my true stumbling blocks I can work on overcoming them. One day, and one fear at a time.

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Editing is hard! I used to think writing the first draft of a novel or story was the hard part. While it’s not easy, when I’m struggling with a scene I do have the piece of mind of knowing it’s okay if it isn’t perfect. I can fix it when I edit. And so with that in mind, I leave little [FIX THIS] notations throughout the manuscript and keep on going.

Then I finish the first draft.

I’m in that position right now with my current projects. When I wrote my first book ten years ago I didn’t have to worry about editing it, but that wasn’t because it was perfect. In fact, quite the opposite was true. After finishing the book and taking some time away from the project, I could see it with fresh eyes and those eyes told me the book had too many flaws. While some might have been depressed by that prospect, I don’t regret having written that book. When reading it over I could see so clearly where I went wrong. Why the book was weak. I took heart from the fact that I could now see those faults.

My second finished book was my first NaNoWriMo book. There was a lot wrong with the book, but there was also a lot right with it. Given that I decided to do NaNoWriMo only the day before it started, and that I wrote that book without an outline, I’m very happy with the main story arc. It took me a while to figure out how I could fix the book, though, and when I did I was already working on my third book. Rather than stop the momentum on the new book, I decided to keep going and to come back to my second book at another time. That book will require some major rewriting, but it is fixable.

But my third book … well, I am very happy with this book and very excited about it. I believe it’s important to take a little time away from a project after the first draft is finished. It is much easier to look at your own writing critically and to see its flaws when you come to it with fresh eyes, so I took one month away from that book and wrote a shorter story. Like my book, I’m very happy with how this story turned out. I’m editing it now and plan to submit it by the end of January. At that time I’ll also delve into the edits for book #3, which will be the first book I will try to have published.

Which takes me back to the sentiment I expressed above – editing is hard! There is no hiding from awkward prose when you edit. No hiding from characterization that falls flat. It is exacting, often intimidating work. But my god, when you get it right the feeling is amazing!

And so I press on.

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