I admit it, I'm too busy having fun and being grandma today to post anything that doesn't sound like one-year-old babble speak. Oddly enough, I think I'm beginning to understand what Talia's saying. This is the best fun I've had in ages, even more fun than a writers' conference.
Tomorrow I start Arlee's A to Z blog challenge (see yesterday's post for the link), so I'm thinking a bit about the letter A.
A is for aardvaark...
A is for ambidextrous...
A is for aloe...
So many possibilities. Hope you check back tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Two for Tuesday
Just have two things to tell you today.
I'm a Guest Blogger at Guide to Literary Agents Editor's Blog
Find me at Chuck Sambuchino's blog, guest posting on the recurring column 7 Things I've Learned So Far. Please drop by and leave a comment if you have time.
I'm Participating in a New Blog Challenge for April
I'm hoping this blog exercise will spark new topic ideas. Arlee Bird's challenge involves blogging six days a week (26 posts) on topics of the blogger's choice, but April 1st's post topic will begin with the letter A, April 2nd the letter B, etc.
Arlee would like to see more bloggers accept his challenge. If you think it sounds like fun, drop by yesterday's post: Blog Boggled: Blogging From A to Z April Challenge and sign up.
I'm a Guest Blogger at Guide to Literary Agents Editor's Blog
Find me at Chuck Sambuchino's blog, guest posting on the recurring column 7 Things I've Learned So Far. Please drop by and leave a comment if you have time.
I'm Participating in a New Blog Challenge for April
I'm hoping this blog exercise will spark new topic ideas. Arlee Bird's challenge involves blogging six days a week (26 posts) on topics of the blogger's choice, but April 1st's post topic will begin with the letter A, April 2nd the letter B, etc.
Arlee would like to see more bloggers accept his challenge. If you think it sounds like fun, drop by yesterday's post: Blog Boggled: Blogging From A to Z April Challenge and sign up.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Yesterday My Brain Went to France
This happens every time I go to a conference. I come home so full of ideas and energy and focus and resolve that I want to run from task to task, make new To Do Lists, type up queries and submissions (if I was invited to do so), make more notes, clean up my work space, and on and on.
But somewhere along the line, my brain freezes. It focuses on one little thing I learned at the conference or a new idea triggered by one of the presentations, and brain goes somewhere else. Yesterday, my brain went to France. It spent a leisurely afternoon in an outdoor cafe, thinking. It was pretending to be a writer's brain taking time off, and it enjoyed every moment.
As a result of my brain's frivolous wanderings, I forgot to do something important.
Yep, I forgot to post to my blog yesterday afternoon. Just plain out and out forgot to do it.
Now brain is back today, but it's kinda busy. I'm supposed to be getting the house ready for company, but I'm letting my brain have its own way while I do the laundry. Brain is thinking about France and letters and memoir and queries and submissions. I'm loading the dryer.
Hopefully brain and body will do a better job of coordinating their efforts tomorrow. I get a lot more done that way.
And the next time brain decides to spend the day in a French cafe, I'd really appreciate it if the rest of me was invited to go along.
But somewhere along the line, my brain freezes. It focuses on one little thing I learned at the conference or a new idea triggered by one of the presentations, and brain goes somewhere else. Yesterday, my brain went to France. It spent a leisurely afternoon in an outdoor cafe, thinking. It was pretending to be a writer's brain taking time off, and it enjoyed every moment.
As a result of my brain's frivolous wanderings, I forgot to do something important.
Yep, I forgot to post to my blog yesterday afternoon. Just plain out and out forgot to do it.
Now brain is back today, but it's kinda busy. I'm supposed to be getting the house ready for company, but I'm letting my brain have its own way while I do the laundry. Brain is thinking about France and letters and memoir and queries and submissions. I'm loading the dryer.
Hopefully brain and body will do a better job of coordinating their efforts tomorrow. I get a lot more done that way.
And the next time brain decides to spend the day in a French cafe, I'd really appreciate it if the rest of me was invited to go along.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Northern Colorado Writers Conference Day Two
The coffee, fruit, and pastries breakfast buffet was scheduled for 7:30 to 8:30. I had planned to jump up early and head for the hotel before 8. That didn't quite happen. I popped in about 8:30, then spent so much time visiting with other writers and guzzling coffee that I missed the first session completely (a choice among Laura Pritchett's Writing Sex Well, Trai Cartwright's 15 Elements of a Great Movie, and Todd Mitchell's Dialogue & Setting). It would have been pretty hard to choose anyway, because all three are excellent presenters.
My pitch session was at 9:51 with Ben Barnhart of Milkweed Press. I think Milkweed usually takes unsolicitied submissions, so a large percentage of those authors pitching to Ben did get invited to send partials, including me. The real test is in the writing, of course, so we'll see what happens next.
Immediately following this appointment, I dropped in on Kerrie Flanagan's presentation, Tips to Getting Accepted into the Magazine World. Since writing articles on topics related to our novels is another way to promote our work, article-writing is something we all need to learn more about.
Next was Tim Beyers' Using Twitter to Boost Your Writing Income. Tim, who writes for The Motley Fool financial/investment site, is @milehighfool on Twitter. A firm advocate of social media, and especially Twitter, Tim was pretty convincing that we need to be there and we need to engage (the social media term for meaningful communication with individuals and groups).
After lunch, I chose a session on writing the lyric essay presented by John Calderazzo of Colorado State University. Others had told me John was an excellent teacher and an interesting presenter, so in spite of my reservations about writing essays of any kind, I gave it a try. I came away intrigued by the concept and interested in learning more.
The last regular session I attended was the traditional Agents Read the Slush Pile. In this exercise, authors turn in multiple copies of the first page of a book with only the genre noted at the top (no author name). During the slush pile session, a volunteer reader begins reading each page aloud and continues until one of the agents stops the read and tells why he would or would not want to read more. These sessions are heavily attended, even by those who don't submit a page. Many brave writers do submit, so the reader rarely makes it through the whole stack.
I turned in the first page of my WIP, a suspense novel, but it didn't make it to the top of the pile before the hour was over. I'm not sure why I was so disappointed to miss out on a chance to have my first page, or first sentence, shot down by three agents and an editor, but I was. It's kinda scary when we start inviting rejection, don't you agree?
The grand finale included a hour of wonderful improv from the Bovine Metropolis Theater from Denver. I laughed so hard at times I had tears in my eyes. It was a great way to end this well-run conference. Thanks to Kerrie Flanagan and to all of the hard-working volunteers who made it happen.
My pitch session was at 9:51 with Ben Barnhart of Milkweed Press. I think Milkweed usually takes unsolicitied submissions, so a large percentage of those authors pitching to Ben did get invited to send partials, including me. The real test is in the writing, of course, so we'll see what happens next.
Immediately following this appointment, I dropped in on Kerrie Flanagan's presentation, Tips to Getting Accepted into the Magazine World. Since writing articles on topics related to our novels is another way to promote our work, article-writing is something we all need to learn more about.
Next was Tim Beyers' Using Twitter to Boost Your Writing Income. Tim, who writes for The Motley Fool financial/investment site, is @milehighfool on Twitter. A firm advocate of social media, and especially Twitter, Tim was pretty convincing that we need to be there and we need to engage (the social media term for meaningful communication with individuals and groups).
After lunch, I chose a session on writing the lyric essay presented by John Calderazzo of Colorado State University. Others had told me John was an excellent teacher and an interesting presenter, so in spite of my reservations about writing essays of any kind, I gave it a try. I came away intrigued by the concept and interested in learning more.
The last regular session I attended was the traditional Agents Read the Slush Pile. In this exercise, authors turn in multiple copies of the first page of a book with only the genre noted at the top (no author name). During the slush pile session, a volunteer reader begins reading each page aloud and continues until one of the agents stops the read and tells why he would or would not want to read more. These sessions are heavily attended, even by those who don't submit a page. Many brave writers do submit, so the reader rarely makes it through the whole stack.
I turned in the first page of my WIP, a suspense novel, but it didn't make it to the top of the pile before the hour was over. I'm not sure why I was so disappointed to miss out on a chance to have my first page, or first sentence, shot down by three agents and an editor, but I was. It's kinda scary when we start inviting rejection, don't you agree?
The grand finale included a hour of wonderful improv from the Bovine Metropolis Theater from Denver. I laughed so hard at times I had tears in my eyes. It was a great way to end this well-run conference. Thanks to Kerrie Flanagan and to all of the hard-working volunteers who made it happen.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Northern Colorado Writers Conference Day One
Day one of the Northern Colorado Writers Conference is now history, at least for me. There were still writers and agents schmoozing in the hotel atrium when I dragged my tired body home. Since I live less than ten minutes by car from the conference hotel, I commute.
Immediately following the noon registration, a big crowd was on hand to hear screenwriter, author, businessman Stephen J. Cannell speak about his experiences in television and writing. This amazing and prolific writer is dyslexic, a condition that challenged rather than defeated him. We can thank him for Rockford Files, The A-Team, The Greatest American Hero, and more. He is the author of the Shane Scully mystery series. His latest release is The Pallbearers. When discussing why he thought he had been so successful with agents, writers, and actors, he talked about good manners, behaving as a professional, and cooperation.
Following this event, I attended a session presented by California-based agent Ken Sherman -- Selling Your Book to Film and Television. In this informative session we learned a bit about how books and scripts are handled in the agent's office as well as the studio's location. The first read is usually done by a very young person at the studio, probably an intern, who writes a logline, short synopsis, and comments for the submission. Submissions that come through Sherman's office, however, are also read by Sherman as well as his own first reader. He knows he can stand behind any book or script he sends on to a studio.
The next presentation I attended was mystery author Mike Befeler's Establishing a Marketing Platform. Always a popular topic for writers of fiction, memoir, and non-fiction, platform is pushed by some agents and publishers as critical to an author's success. Others say platform is essential for a non-fiction writer to establish his credentials, but not so important to a fiction writer. Mike has built most of his platform from frequent personal appearances in a variety of venues. He uses social media, but does not post to his blog more than once a week. He provided an extensive list of "opportunities" for authors to build a network of potential readers, even in advance of publication.
The agent panel at a conference usually draws a large audience, and that panel is where I spent the next hour. Primarily a Q&A session, the three agents and one editor fielded a variety of questions about their preferences, pet peeves, and how things work in the publishing world. Agent Rachelle Gardner, when asked what she would consider the ideal client, drew a laugh when she suggested a name celebrity with a huge fan base would be at the top of her list. Overall, though, Rachelle, agents Joe Monti and Ken Sherman, and Milkwood Press editor Ben Barnhart, agreed they wanted clients who behaved like professionals, very much like the comments Stephen Cannell made earlier in the day. And the agents reminded us again, that our mission was to write the very best work we could write.
After an excellent buffet dinner, our evening speaker, award-winning YA author Todd Mitchell, gave a great pep talk, full of inspiration...although he did admit it might take us four or five or seven practice books before we got to that best work the agents and editors were looking for.
Saturday, as you're reading this post, I'll be attending five more sessions, lunch, and an hour of entertaining improv. I'll be back to post a report sometime during the evening or early Sunday.
Immediately following the noon registration, a big crowd was on hand to hear screenwriter, author, businessman Stephen J. Cannell speak about his experiences in television and writing. This amazing and prolific writer is dyslexic, a condition that challenged rather than defeated him. We can thank him for Rockford Files, The A-Team, The Greatest American Hero, and more. He is the author of the Shane Scully mystery series. His latest release is The Pallbearers. When discussing why he thought he had been so successful with agents, writers, and actors, he talked about good manners, behaving as a professional, and cooperation.
Following this event, I attended a session presented by California-based agent Ken Sherman -- Selling Your Book to Film and Television. In this informative session we learned a bit about how books and scripts are handled in the agent's office as well as the studio's location. The first read is usually done by a very young person at the studio, probably an intern, who writes a logline, short synopsis, and comments for the submission. Submissions that come through Sherman's office, however, are also read by Sherman as well as his own first reader. He knows he can stand behind any book or script he sends on to a studio.
The next presentation I attended was mystery author Mike Befeler's Establishing a Marketing Platform. Always a popular topic for writers of fiction, memoir, and non-fiction, platform is pushed by some agents and publishers as critical to an author's success. Others say platform is essential for a non-fiction writer to establish his credentials, but not so important to a fiction writer. Mike has built most of his platform from frequent personal appearances in a variety of venues. He uses social media, but does not post to his blog more than once a week. He provided an extensive list of "opportunities" for authors to build a network of potential readers, even in advance of publication.
The agent panel at a conference usually draws a large audience, and that panel is where I spent the next hour. Primarily a Q&A session, the three agents and one editor fielded a variety of questions about their preferences, pet peeves, and how things work in the publishing world. Agent Rachelle Gardner, when asked what she would consider the ideal client, drew a laugh when she suggested a name celebrity with a huge fan base would be at the top of her list. Overall, though, Rachelle, agents Joe Monti and Ken Sherman, and Milkwood Press editor Ben Barnhart, agreed they wanted clients who behaved like professionals, very much like the comments Stephen Cannell made earlier in the day. And the agents reminded us again, that our mission was to write the very best work we could write.
After an excellent buffet dinner, our evening speaker, award-winning YA author Todd Mitchell, gave a great pep talk, full of inspiration...although he did admit it might take us four or five or seven practice books before we got to that best work the agents and editors were looking for.
Saturday, as you're reading this post, I'll be attending five more sessions, lunch, and an hour of entertaining improv. I'll be back to post a report sometime during the evening or early Sunday.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Full-length Mirrors, Morse Code, and Barking Dogs
I'm off to the Northern Colorado Writers Conference tomorrow and Saturday, so you'll be hearing about my adventures in late postings tomorrow night and Saturday night (provided I'm not too exhausted to think and type at the same time).
Today I went to J.C. Penney to look for something new to wear at the conference. Looking at myself in the full-length mirror was a predictably unpleasant experience. I bought a very long jacket to hide the results of consuming too many Hershey's Kisses, M&Ms, and a lot of other things I won't even mention. Add to that months of inactivity while I sat at my computer, writing a novel, and you can imagine the damage I've done.
I can't tell you how much I hate full-length mirrors.
Now I'm (bad word deleted) depressed.
You know what this means. Yes, it's time to stop eating and start exercising. I've brought this on myself, and I must face the consequences. I'm not going to bore you by constantly crying on your shoulder, but please be understanding if I get cranky.
Five Other Things That Make Me Cranky
1. My husband listening to Morse code (practice dictation) in the next room while I'm trying to write my blog post. Yes, that's happening at this very moment.
2. The speed with which dust accumulates in our house.
3. Listening to state, national and international news, including financial news.
4. Listening to politicians.
5. Barking dogs in the neighborhood (strangely similar to crankiness triggers 3 and 4).
I'm sure it will all be better tomorrow once I start enjoying conference activities.
Today I went to J.C. Penney to look for something new to wear at the conference. Looking at myself in the full-length mirror was a predictably unpleasant experience. I bought a very long jacket to hide the results of consuming too many Hershey's Kisses, M&Ms, and a lot of other things I won't even mention. Add to that months of inactivity while I sat at my computer, writing a novel, and you can imagine the damage I've done.
I can't tell you how much I hate full-length mirrors.
Now I'm (bad word deleted) depressed.
You know what this means. Yes, it's time to stop eating and start exercising. I've brought this on myself, and I must face the consequences. I'm not going to bore you by constantly crying on your shoulder, but please be understanding if I get cranky.
Five Other Things That Make Me Cranky
1. My husband listening to Morse code (practice dictation) in the next room while I'm trying to write my blog post. Yes, that's happening at this very moment.
2. The speed with which dust accumulates in our house.
3. Listening to state, national and international news, including financial news.
4. Listening to politicians.
5. Barking dogs in the neighborhood (strangely similar to crankiness triggers 3 and 4).
I'm sure it will all be better tomorrow once I start enjoying conference activities.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Social Media for Writers and Readers: Where Do You Hang Out?
I'm having serious doubts (again) about the amount of time I spend on social networking sites versus the time I could spend writing and promoting through personal appearances. Blogging is great fun, Twitter's a blast, and Facebook is entertaining. I love the time I spend visiting other blogs and leaving comments. The writers and readers I meet in this web world are amazing. More than ever, I realize what a small world we live in. Since I learned to budget my time on these activities, I'm not likely to give them up.
As a writer, however, I need to look at social media as a sales tool. Since I'm not willing to place a bunch of ads on my blog, and I'm not interested in making every blog post, tweet, or Facebook post a sales pitch, I need to take another look at the sites readers visit as they try to decide what book to read next.
I'm aware of:
LinkedIn
Library Thing (which has apparently been down since March 16th)
Dorothy L
Goodreads
CrimeSpace: A Place for Readers and Writers of Crime Fiction to Meet
Red Room: Where the Writers Are
Mystery Writers of America
International Thriller Writers
Sisters in Crime
Writers: Do you find any of these sites useful as a sales tool? What other sites do you use effectively?
Readers: Which sites do you visit regularly to learn about authors and their books? Are you more likely to look at professional book reviews or the recommendations of readers like yourself?
As a writer, however, I need to look at social media as a sales tool. Since I'm not willing to place a bunch of ads on my blog, and I'm not interested in making every blog post, tweet, or Facebook post a sales pitch, I need to take another look at the sites readers visit as they try to decide what book to read next.
I'm aware of:
Library Thing (which has apparently been down since March 16th)
Dorothy L
Goodreads
CrimeSpace: A Place for Readers and Writers of Crime Fiction to Meet
Red Room: Where the Writers Are
Mystery Writers of America
International Thriller Writers
Sisters in Crime
Writers: Do you find any of these sites useful as a sales tool? What other sites do you use effectively?
Readers: Which sites do you visit regularly to learn about authors and their books? Are you more likely to look at professional book reviews or the recommendations of readers like yourself?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Here Comes the Snow...Again
Another spring snow is on its way, so the buckets and pots are in place over my daffodils. The low gray clouds edged over the first line of hills this morning so I couldn't see the hilltops. Now the gray is everywhere, a steady drizzle hinting at the amount of snow we may get later this afternoon.
The next two days will be great days to stay home and watch the weather through the window.
I'm working my shift at the Northern Colorado Writers studio today. Just glanced up and found the rain has turned to snow. Big fat flakes. Sigh. Good thing I covered those spindly daffodils.
Since I had an eye appointment this morning and came away with dilated pupils, I'm finding the computer screen a bit of a strain. As a result, I'm going to offer up the links to three entertaining blog posts and then give up the computer for a couple of hours.
I enjoyed "You Might Just Be a Writer if ..." at Elspeth Antonelli's It's a Mystery.
"The (Monkey) Business of Publishing" by Barbara Poelle at Hey, There's a Dead Guy in the Living Room. (via Janet Reid's blog).
And Cricket McRae is guest blogging today at Meritorious Mysteries. Cricket writes the excellent Sophie Mae Reynolds home crafting mystery series (Lye in Wait, Heaven Preserve Us, Spin a Wicked Web). The latest book in the series, Something Borrowed, Something Bleu, is scheduled for release in July.
Okay, time to rest my eyes and watch the snow fall. It's beginning to stick on the cars so it looks like I'll have some brushing to do before I drive home. Springtime in Colorado. Another sigh.
The next two days will be great days to stay home and watch the weather through the window.
I'm working my shift at the Northern Colorado Writers studio today. Just glanced up and found the rain has turned to snow. Big fat flakes. Sigh. Good thing I covered those spindly daffodils.
Since I had an eye appointment this morning and came away with dilated pupils, I'm finding the computer screen a bit of a strain. As a result, I'm going to offer up the links to three entertaining blog posts and then give up the computer for a couple of hours.
I enjoyed "You Might Just Be a Writer if ..." at Elspeth Antonelli's It's a Mystery.
"The (Monkey) Business of Publishing" by Barbara Poelle at Hey, There's a Dead Guy in the Living Room. (via Janet Reid's blog).
And Cricket McRae is guest blogging today at Meritorious Mysteries. Cricket writes the excellent Sophie Mae Reynolds home crafting mystery series (Lye in Wait, Heaven Preserve Us, Spin a Wicked Web). The latest book in the series, Something Borrowed, Something Bleu, is scheduled for release in July.
Okay, time to rest my eyes and watch the snow fall. It's beginning to stick on the cars so it looks like I'll have some brushing to do before I drive home. Springtime in Colorado. Another sigh.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Bits and Pieces
What I'm Reading
I finished Stephen J. Cannell's On the Grind last night. This morning I began reading Vanished by Joseph Finder. This is one of the novels I bought at Bouchercon 2009 in Indianapolis last fall, right after I participated in the small group discussion with the author. I won that opportunity as part of a lottery in which several well-known authors offered their time to chat with ten or so folks in a private conference room. It was one of the many highlights of Bouchercon.
Bouchercon 2010
I'm toying with the idea of attending this year's mystery convention as well. It will be in San Francisco. My daughter and her family are about to move from Boston to San Francisco. Really, could anything be more serendipitous?
The Daffodils
I used empty flower pots and a bucket to cover my budding daffodils when that last snowstorm hit. I finally uncovered them this morning and found they had thrived under their covers. Two of the buds are fat and yellow and almost ready to bloom. Spring is here (even though we're supposed to get snow again tomorrow so I need to replace the covers tonight).
Bird's Nest Under the Satellite Dish
As I pulled into the driveway after running errands this morning, I noticed a bird fly under the small satellite dish on our house, then saw little twigs and grasses sticking out the side of the base. A bird is building a nest in the stand that attaches the dish to the house. I reported this invasion to my husband and will let him handle the problem. He said, "I hope there are no eggs in it yet. I have a real problem removing a nest that has eggs in it."
Isn't that sweet?
The Good Thing About Having Company
Thanks to the upcoming visit from our daughter and her family, I'm knocking chores off my To Do List that have been there for months and months (and months). I've cleaned the utility room, toted stuff to Goodwill, given away more books, and turned my office into a thing of beauty (meaning the clutter is now organized into storage boxes and you can walk around the room without tripping over stacks of files and paper). I'm even going to clean the oven and straighten the garage.
Getting Read for the Conference
Just need to practice my pitch a couple more times and decide what to wear. The conference hotel is about three miles from my house. It doesn't get much better than that.
I finished Stephen J. Cannell's On the Grind last night. This morning I began reading Vanished by Joseph Finder. This is one of the novels I bought at Bouchercon 2009 in Indianapolis last fall, right after I participated in the small group discussion with the author. I won that opportunity as part of a lottery in which several well-known authors offered their time to chat with ten or so folks in a private conference room. It was one of the many highlights of Bouchercon.
Bouchercon 2010
I'm toying with the idea of attending this year's mystery convention as well. It will be in San Francisco. My daughter and her family are about to move from Boston to San Francisco. Really, could anything be more serendipitous?
The Daffodils
I used empty flower pots and a bucket to cover my budding daffodils when that last snowstorm hit. I finally uncovered them this morning and found they had thrived under their covers. Two of the buds are fat and yellow and almost ready to bloom. Spring is here (even though we're supposed to get snow again tomorrow so I need to replace the covers tonight).
Bird's Nest Under the Satellite Dish
As I pulled into the driveway after running errands this morning, I noticed a bird fly under the small satellite dish on our house, then saw little twigs and grasses sticking out the side of the base. A bird is building a nest in the stand that attaches the dish to the house. I reported this invasion to my husband and will let him handle the problem. He said, "I hope there are no eggs in it yet. I have a real problem removing a nest that has eggs in it."
Isn't that sweet?
The Good Thing About Having Company
Thanks to the upcoming visit from our daughter and her family, I'm knocking chores off my To Do List that have been there for months and months (and months). I've cleaned the utility room, toted stuff to Goodwill, given away more books, and turned my office into a thing of beauty (meaning the clutter is now organized into storage boxes and you can walk around the room without tripping over stacks of files and paper). I'm even going to clean the oven and straighten the garage.
Getting Read for the Conference
Just need to practice my pitch a couple more times and decide what to wear. The conference hotel is about three miles from my house. It doesn't get much better than that.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
There's Still Time to Register for the Northern Colorado Writers Conference
This growing writers' conference is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 26 and 27, at the Hilton in Fort Collins, Colorado. The opening keynote speaker is Stephen J. Cannell, the mastermind behind the classic TV series Rockford Files, The A-Team, and others. He is the author of the Shane Scully mystery series. Cannell's address is open to the public, Friday at 1 P.M. for only $10.00. You may register through the website or pay at the door.
For conference information and registration, visit the Northern Colorado Writers Website.
The updated workshop schedule is here.
For a detailed description of the workshop sessions, check this page.
Hope to see you in Fort Collins on Friday.
For conference information and registration, visit the Northern Colorado Writers Website.
The updated workshop schedule is here.
For a detailed description of the workshop sessions, check this page.
Hope to see you in Fort Collins on Friday.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
How to Relieve Stress: Eliminate the Stressor
I should rethink the phrase "eliminate" the stressor. As a writer of mystery and suspense, I could be accused of suggesting a reader "kill" the stressor. If the source of one's stress is a human being, for instance, my advice would not be socially acceptable.
Speaking to and about writers, however, I suspect most stress originates in the writing process, is self-inflicted due to procrastination, perfectionism, or stupidity, and can be eliminated without killing anyone or destroying anything.
I will hold myself up as an example. I finished the first draft of a suspense novel early in the year and went to work on revisions, hoping to have a finished manuscript in time to pitch to an agent at the Northern Colorado Writers' Conference next Saturday.
Next Saturday. Yep, one week from today. Is my manuscript ready? Nope. Will it be ready by next Saturday? Nope. Have I continued to feel pressured because I had an insane notion in the back of my head that I would somehow magically find the time to finish? Yep.
This is a form of writer insanity.
Procrastination. We do this kind of thing when we submit to a publisher, get accepted, wait for months for the editor's instructions on revisions and editing chores, fiddle around for a while, then frantically work a few long days and nights to finish by the deadline.
Perfectionism. This one causes us to revise and rewrite a manuscript over and over. For years. Without ever submitting to agents or publishers. Eliminating fragments (even the ones that work), removing adverbs, rearranging chapters...forever.
Stupidity. I'm taking this one as my own. I gave myself a deadline which might have been semi-reasonable if I was an anti-social hermit living on a deserted island. I had plenty of time to get the job done, provided I didn't cook, clean, go to the grocery store, talk to people, attend critique group meetings or writing classes, do the taxes, or watch my favorite shows on television.
So to eliminate the stressor, I will give up the idea of pitching Dead Wrong a week from today.
The good news? I have another manuscript that has already been revised umpteen times. It's called Wishing Caswell Dead. Maybe its time has come.
See? It was that easy. Stress gone. Big sigh of relief. Now we can focus on the income tax return.
Ouch. Just felt a pain in my neck.
Speaking to and about writers, however, I suspect most stress originates in the writing process, is self-inflicted due to procrastination, perfectionism, or stupidity, and can be eliminated without killing anyone or destroying anything.
I will hold myself up as an example. I finished the first draft of a suspense novel early in the year and went to work on revisions, hoping to have a finished manuscript in time to pitch to an agent at the Northern Colorado Writers' Conference next Saturday.
Next Saturday. Yep, one week from today. Is my manuscript ready? Nope. Will it be ready by next Saturday? Nope. Have I continued to feel pressured because I had an insane notion in the back of my head that I would somehow magically find the time to finish? Yep.
This is a form of writer insanity.
Procrastination. We do this kind of thing when we submit to a publisher, get accepted, wait for months for the editor's instructions on revisions and editing chores, fiddle around for a while, then frantically work a few long days and nights to finish by the deadline.
Perfectionism. This one causes us to revise and rewrite a manuscript over and over. For years. Without ever submitting to agents or publishers. Eliminating fragments (even the ones that work), removing adverbs, rearranging chapters...forever.
Stupidity. I'm taking this one as my own. I gave myself a deadline which might have been semi-reasonable if I was an anti-social hermit living on a deserted island. I had plenty of time to get the job done, provided I didn't cook, clean, go to the grocery store, talk to people, attend critique group meetings or writing classes, do the taxes, or watch my favorite shows on television.
So to eliminate the stressor, I will give up the idea of pitching Dead Wrong a week from today.
The good news? I have another manuscript that has already been revised umpteen times. It's called Wishing Caswell Dead. Maybe its time has come.
See? It was that easy. Stress gone. Big sigh of relief. Now we can focus on the income tax return.
Ouch. Just felt a pain in my neck.
Friday, March 19, 2010
I Confess -- No Snowman
It's not that I didn't try. I couldn't get a ball of snow to pack hard enough for rolling. I thought the snow was wet and it would be easy. It's windy, but not unbearably cold. I was sure the relative warmth would keep the snow sticky. Nope, not at my house.
I should never have set myself up for failure. Especially at making a snowman. This is depressing.
On a happier note, I'm getting inside chores done and I have a lovely beef stew (grass-fed beef, of course) in the crock pot. Smells really good.
(Here's where I sneaked away from the computer for a moment and grabbed a piece of dark chocolate. I feel much better now.)
I know a few of you (like me) are working on queries in the upcoming months, so here are three recent blog posts you might want to check out:
How to Format a Query Letter at Nathan Bransford, Literary Agent
5 Query Letter Tips at Chuck Sambuchino's Guide to Literary Agents Blog
Interesting Posts About Writing - w/e March 19 2010 at Jon Gibbs' An Englishman in New Jersey (this one has more links to posts and articles about writing queries)
And for everyone, pop over the Kerrie Flanagan's The Writing Bug and catch her Author Interview: Stephen J. Cannell. He's a fascinating guy, so if you enjoyed Rockford Files or one of the other Cannell shows back when, or read his ongoing Shane Scully mystery series, you'll enjoy this peek into his life.
Visit Cricket McRae, author of the home crafting mystery series, at Hearth Cricket. She has posted a recipe for a bread boule that might put all of us in the baking mood.
Hope you're having a great day.
I should never have set myself up for failure. Especially at making a snowman. This is depressing.
On a happier note, I'm getting inside chores done and I have a lovely beef stew (grass-fed beef, of course) in the crock pot. Smells really good.
(Here's where I sneaked away from the computer for a moment and grabbed a piece of dark chocolate. I feel much better now.)
I know a few of you (like me) are working on queries in the upcoming months, so here are three recent blog posts you might want to check out:
How to Format a Query Letter at Nathan Bransford, Literary Agent
5 Query Letter Tips at Chuck Sambuchino's Guide to Literary Agents Blog
Interesting Posts About Writing - w/e March 19 2010 at Jon Gibbs' An Englishman in New Jersey (this one has more links to posts and articles about writing queries)
And for everyone, pop over the Kerrie Flanagan's The Writing Bug and catch her Author Interview: Stephen J. Cannell. He's a fascinating guy, so if you enjoyed Rockford Files or one of the other Cannell shows back when, or read his ongoing Shane Scully mystery series, you'll enjoy this peek into his life.
Visit Cricket McRae, author of the home crafting mystery series, at Hearth Cricket. She has posted a recipe for a bread boule that might put all of us in the baking mood.
Hope you're having a great day.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
As Predicted -- The Winter Storm is On Its Way
I mentioned in an earlier post that my crocuses were blooming and the tulips and daffodils were up. Now those daffodils have big buds about ready to bloom.
And, as predicted, we have a winter storm warning for Northern Colorado. Between this evening and tomorrow night, we could get between 6 and 12 inches of snow. I have a few large, empty plastic flower pots, so I'll place them over the bloomin' plants in an effort to keep them from getting squashed.
Except for this minor inconvenience, I love the March and April snows here. The fierce weather is often sandwiched between groups of warm days in the 50s and 60s. The snow consists of big, wet flakes. Even after significant accumulation, it melts quickly on the warming ground and pavement.
This storm is conveniently timed since I need to stay home, finish those manuscript revisions, write my April blog posts for The Blood-Red Pencil, and put some kind of order to my To Do List.
In the spirit of doing different stuff, however, I have a plan for this snowstorm that's a bit out of the ordinary. If the snow is "construction quality," I'm going to take a break from inside chores and make a snowman. I haven't done that in years. If this happens, I'll post a photo. If I fail, I'll confess. Stay tuned.
During my "Do Everything Different Day" yesterday, I was energized. If I can do at least one different activity every day, or even do a routine activity differently, perhaps I can carry that energy forward. Can't hurt to try.
And, as predicted, we have a winter storm warning for Northern Colorado. Between this evening and tomorrow night, we could get between 6 and 12 inches of snow. I have a few large, empty plastic flower pots, so I'll place them over the bloomin' plants in an effort to keep them from getting squashed.
Except for this minor inconvenience, I love the March and April snows here. The fierce weather is often sandwiched between groups of warm days in the 50s and 60s. The snow consists of big, wet flakes. Even after significant accumulation, it melts quickly on the warming ground and pavement.
This storm is conveniently timed since I need to stay home, finish those manuscript revisions, write my April blog posts for The Blood-Red Pencil, and put some kind of order to my To Do List.
In the spirit of doing different stuff, however, I have a plan for this snowstorm that's a bit out of the ordinary. If the snow is "construction quality," I'm going to take a break from inside chores and make a snowman. I haven't done that in years. If this happens, I'll post a photo. If I fail, I'll confess. Stay tuned.
During my "Do Everything Different Day" yesterday, I was energized. If I can do at least one different activity every day, or even do a routine activity differently, perhaps I can carry that energy forward. Can't hurt to try.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Do Everything Different Day
Horrors! The schedule is topsy-turvy.
My husband got up extra early this morning to keep an appointment.
Husband got up and wife (me) stayed in bed.
Last one up makes the bed. I had to do that chore this morning.
Husband took an early shower, so I stayed in my pajamas until he left. I had good intentions. I was going to shower and dress as soon as he was gone. Ninety minutes later, when husband returned, I was still in my pajamas, working on e-mail, blogs, and Twitter, drinking coffee...
I never spend the morning in pajamas. I always read the newspaper and then a book while I drink my morning coffee. I always start my chores or go to my computer by 9:30.
A creature of habit says "I never..." and "I always...."
I'm a creature of habit.
That's not all bad, of course. Developing good habits and routines help us take the garbage out on schedule, write every day, and remember to floss and brush.
But isn't it good to shake up the little stuff from time to time? Take a 30-minute walk on a bike trail instead of inside a grocery store? Drink tea instead of coffee? Have waffles and bacon for supper? Yeah, that's a good thing.
So I declare the rest of the day to be "Do Everything Different Day" at my house. See you later.
My husband got up extra early this morning to keep an appointment.
Husband got up and wife (me) stayed in bed.
Last one up makes the bed. I had to do that chore this morning.
Husband took an early shower, so I stayed in my pajamas until he left. I had good intentions. I was going to shower and dress as soon as he was gone. Ninety minutes later, when husband returned, I was still in my pajamas, working on e-mail, blogs, and Twitter, drinking coffee...
I never spend the morning in pajamas. I always read the newspaper and then a book while I drink my morning coffee. I always start my chores or go to my computer by 9:30.
A creature of habit says "I never..." and "I always...."
I'm a creature of habit.
That's not all bad, of course. Developing good habits and routines help us take the garbage out on schedule, write every day, and remember to floss and brush.
But isn't it good to shake up the little stuff from time to time? Take a 30-minute walk on a bike trail instead of inside a grocery store? Drink tea instead of coffee? Have waffles and bacon for supper? Yeah, that's a good thing.
So I declare the rest of the day to be "Do Everything Different Day" at my house. See you later.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Being a Writer Is Like Falling Down a Lot
I had a tendency my whole life to stumble and fall. Literally. Always compensating for my bad knees, I'd crash to the ground after stepping wrong on a pebble, rather than risk throwing my knee out (as I called it back then).
The first serious knee incident came in 7th grade when I brazenly challenged the 7th and 8th grade boys at high jump. I beat 'em all, by golly, but on that last leap over the bar, I twisted my knee as I landed. It makes me wince even now, many, many, many years later.
In high school, I was stupid enough to try out for the 50-yard dash in track and field. Three steps and I was down, clutching my knee.
As an adult, I was knee-bumped from behind by a playful adult male (don't you just love playful adult males?), whereupon I crashed into a group of nearby bicycles and ended up scratched and bruised and unable to walk for a week.
Over the years, I learned to avoid the quick weight change, lunge, or twist to regain my balance after a misstep. My body preferred to hit the ground and spread the pain over a broader area. I carried a stack of books into the library in Muncie, Indiana, but crashed to the pavement when I stepped sideways on a small pine cone. In Maastricht, Holland, my foot landed in a worn groove on ancient stairs in a park, and I performed a dandy "tuck and roll" as I fell down the remaining three steps, careful to protect my camera. In the south of France, I walked along a path between two hunky guys, and boom. I was down before they had time to react.
I did have repair surgery on both knees in the late 80s, which eliminated the pain problem for several years. It didn't stop me from falling, though. Old habits are very hard to break.
One Sunday morning here in Colorado, I walked a three-mile hike at a brisk pace, caught my toe in a raised section of sidewalk in a small strip mall, and fell face foward on the cement. Luckily I did not hit my head or I might not be writing this post today. I think that was the day I finally realized I had to be more careful, that I had to focus on where I was going. Some of us are slow learners.
This post is about the ability to pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and start all over again (song lyrics again -- will it ever stop?). And it's about focusing on where you're going. Writers have to do these things. We fall down a lot.
The first serious knee incident came in 7th grade when I brazenly challenged the 7th and 8th grade boys at high jump. I beat 'em all, by golly, but on that last leap over the bar, I twisted my knee as I landed. It makes me wince even now, many, many, many years later.
In high school, I was stupid enough to try out for the 50-yard dash in track and field. Three steps and I was down, clutching my knee.
As an adult, I was knee-bumped from behind by a playful adult male (don't you just love playful adult males?), whereupon I crashed into a group of nearby bicycles and ended up scratched and bruised and unable to walk for a week.
Over the years, I learned to avoid the quick weight change, lunge, or twist to regain my balance after a misstep. My body preferred to hit the ground and spread the pain over a broader area. I carried a stack of books into the library in Muncie, Indiana, but crashed to the pavement when I stepped sideways on a small pine cone. In Maastricht, Holland, my foot landed in a worn groove on ancient stairs in a park, and I performed a dandy "tuck and roll" as I fell down the remaining three steps, careful to protect my camera. In the south of France, I walked along a path between two hunky guys, and boom. I was down before they had time to react.
I did have repair surgery on both knees in the late 80s, which eliminated the pain problem for several years. It didn't stop me from falling, though. Old habits are very hard to break.
One Sunday morning here in Colorado, I walked a three-mile hike at a brisk pace, caught my toe in a raised section of sidewalk in a small strip mall, and fell face foward on the cement. Luckily I did not hit my head or I might not be writing this post today. I think that was the day I finally realized I had to be more careful, that I had to focus on where I was going. Some of us are slow learners.
This post is about the ability to pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and start all over again (song lyrics again -- will it ever stop?). And it's about focusing on where you're going. Writers have to do these things. We fall down a lot.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Serendipity -- I Know It When I See It!
Whoa, the weekend went by in a flash. I didn't intend to completely ignore my blog, but I was on a roll with those revisions--just having too much fun to stop.
My novel is a standalone suspense, the tentative title now changed to Dead Wrong. This is my third tentative title, so anything can happen as I continue through the book. Sometimes an idea jumps right off the page during the revision process--a character's turn of phrase, perhaps.
One of the chapters I revised this weekend involves a bit of police procedure. I had bluffed my way through the scene, thinking I'd have a real officer of the law take a look at it later. Little did I know the right person would slip into my life like a Stealth bomber.
The newest member of my Raintree Writers critique group used to be a policeman. I met this writer more than a year ago and had a long conversation with him at dinner. I didn't learn of his police experience then. Later on, I read and critiqued one of his stories, and we had several e-mail exchanges. I still didn't discover his background. I didn't know it when we invited him to join Raintree Writers, and I still didn't know it until the group sat down to critique my most recent submission.
That's when I discovered the little things (and a couple of big things) I needed to do to make the police procedure in that one chapter more authentic.
The person with the knowledge I needed was right there in my group.
This is serendipity.
Things like this happen from time to time. I think it happens to everyone. It might have something to do with our unbreakable connection to each other through a power greater than the individual. On the other hand, maybe a serendipitous event is just a coincidence.
What do you think?
My novel is a standalone suspense, the tentative title now changed to Dead Wrong. This is my third tentative title, so anything can happen as I continue through the book. Sometimes an idea jumps right off the page during the revision process--a character's turn of phrase, perhaps.
One of the chapters I revised this weekend involves a bit of police procedure. I had bluffed my way through the scene, thinking I'd have a real officer of the law take a look at it later. Little did I know the right person would slip into my life like a Stealth bomber.
The newest member of my Raintree Writers critique group used to be a policeman. I met this writer more than a year ago and had a long conversation with him at dinner. I didn't learn of his police experience then. Later on, I read and critiqued one of his stories, and we had several e-mail exchanges. I still didn't discover his background. I didn't know it when we invited him to join Raintree Writers, and I still didn't know it until the group sat down to critique my most recent submission.
That's when I discovered the little things (and a couple of big things) I needed to do to make the police procedure in that one chapter more authentic.
The person with the knowledge I needed was right there in my group.
This is serendipity.
"The faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for; also: an instance of this."
Things like this happen from time to time. I think it happens to everyone. It might have something to do with our unbreakable connection to each other through a power greater than the individual. On the other hand, maybe a serendipitous event is just a coincidence.
What do you think?
Friday, March 12, 2010
Is It Friday Again Already?
Dang!
Except for my internet duties and one big errand I need to run, today through Monday will be all about novel revisions. I'm feeling good about the book and haven't run into any gross plot errors (at least not yet) that would slow me down. I still think I'll have a finished novel by March 27th so I can keep that agent pitch appointment I've scheduled at the Northern Colorado Writers Conference.
I'll check in over the weekend, but mostly I'm keeping to my office with the door closed. No music, no noise at all (except that barking dog somewhere in the neighborhood) because my new computer is super quiet, almost eerily so.
Meanwhile, I have a few fun links for you:
Did you read my article on The Blood-Red Pencil about Twitter Lists and my new Twitter list of literary agents I've made available to all my followers? An agent on Twitter noticed I didn't have her on my list, which I thought was a pretty good sign that post url is making the rounds. I added the agent to the list, and she was kind enough to add me to her Follows.
Here's a chance to win a book. Visit Galen Kindley's Imagineering Fiction blog for the easiest contest ever.
Here's another post from Cheryl Thurston's Scattershot blog that had me chuckling last evening: What Do I Know?
Every Friday Jon Gibbs (An Englishman in New Jersey blog) lists the week's interesting posts on writing he's found.
Is anyone doing anything extra fun today? If so, leave a comment and give me some ideas. As soon as this book is finished, I'm going to spend a whole month just having fun and writing about it. Hmmm. Sounds like an idea for a book. :)
Except for my internet duties and one big errand I need to run, today through Monday will be all about novel revisions. I'm feeling good about the book and haven't run into any gross plot errors (at least not yet) that would slow me down. I still think I'll have a finished novel by March 27th so I can keep that agent pitch appointment I've scheduled at the Northern Colorado Writers Conference.
I'll check in over the weekend, but mostly I'm keeping to my office with the door closed. No music, no noise at all (except that barking dog somewhere in the neighborhood) because my new computer is super quiet, almost eerily so.
Meanwhile, I have a few fun links for you:
Did you read my article on The Blood-Red Pencil about Twitter Lists and my new Twitter list of literary agents I've made available to all my followers? An agent on Twitter noticed I didn't have her on my list, which I thought was a pretty good sign that post url is making the rounds. I added the agent to the list, and she was kind enough to add me to her Follows.
Here's a chance to win a book. Visit Galen Kindley's Imagineering Fiction blog for the easiest contest ever.
Here's another post from Cheryl Thurston's Scattershot blog that had me chuckling last evening: What Do I Know?
Every Friday Jon Gibbs (An Englishman in New Jersey blog) lists the week's interesting posts on writing he's found.
Is anyone doing anything extra fun today? If so, leave a comment and give me some ideas. As soon as this book is finished, I'm going to spend a whole month just having fun and writing about it. Hmmm. Sounds like an idea for a book. :)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Thoughts on This and That
A Chance to Win a Copy of The Prairie Grass Murders Paperback
When Donna Volkennant at Donna's Book Pub won the first box of books I gave away, I included a couple of signed copies of the Harlequin Worldwide mass market paperback version of my first Sylvia and Willie mystery. Donna is now passing on the fun by giving away them away to readers who post comments between now and March 15th. She has a great blog, by the way, with lots of good book reviews and other writer and reader interests.
If you don't win, and you want a copy anyway, I invite you to visit the Harlequin Worldwide online store, the only place the paperback version can be purchased.
What I'm Reading
I just started The Survivor's Club: The Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Life by Ben Sherwood, a nonfiction book about people who experience and survive unbelievable disasters, accidents, illnesses, etc. Studies indicate there is a unique mindset in those folks. Very interesting premise.
Since I usually read a novel at the same time I'm reading nonfiction (well, not at the exact same moment--I do switch back and forth), I'm going to read another Stephen J. Cannell book. He'll be the keynote speaker at the Northern Colorado Writers Conference March 26-27. By the way, if you follow that conference link before the conference, you'll find a chance to win a book. This week's selection is Hell's Bottom, Colorado by Laura Pritchett.
Another Writing Retreat at Home
From today through Monday, I'll be working on those novel revisions and the self-editing tasks. Door closed. Focused. Brain fully engaged. I'm even going to eat my lunch in my little office.
Colorado Internet Tax and the Amazon Power Play
As soon as Colorado rammed its little internet sales tax through without any regard for the effect on Colorado businesses, Amazon slammed the door on us. I don't know which one makes me more angry--the Colorado internet tax or the Amazon response. Is there the slightest concern for individuals and small (or large) businesses here? Sure doesn't seem like it.
The Pluto Files
My husband has been after me to watch a Nova documentary he'd recorded. I couldn't imagine why he kept telling me I needed to watch it. I mean...Pluto, for heaven's sake. Anyway, I gave in and watched the first part of the recording last night. It's great. I'll probably watch the rest of it this evening.
The director of the Hayden Planetarium, Neil deGrasse Tyson, is an entertaining and funny storyteller. Even if you don't watch this type of show on a regular basis, I think you'll like this one. I don't know if it's available to rent, so check out your library and see if they've purchased a copy.
When Donna Volkennant at Donna's Book Pub won the first box of books I gave away, I included a couple of signed copies of the Harlequin Worldwide mass market paperback version of my first Sylvia and Willie mystery. Donna is now passing on the fun by giving away them away to readers who post comments between now and March 15th. She has a great blog, by the way, with lots of good book reviews and other writer and reader interests.
If you don't win, and you want a copy anyway, I invite you to visit the Harlequin Worldwide online store, the only place the paperback version can be purchased.
What I'm Reading
I just started The Survivor's Club: The Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Life by Ben Sherwood, a nonfiction book about people who experience and survive unbelievable disasters, accidents, illnesses, etc. Studies indicate there is a unique mindset in those folks. Very interesting premise.
Since I usually read a novel at the same time I'm reading nonfiction (well, not at the exact same moment--I do switch back and forth), I'm going to read another Stephen J. Cannell book. He'll be the keynote speaker at the Northern Colorado Writers Conference March 26-27. By the way, if you follow that conference link before the conference, you'll find a chance to win a book. This week's selection is Hell's Bottom, Colorado by Laura Pritchett.
Another Writing Retreat at Home
From today through Monday, I'll be working on those novel revisions and the self-editing tasks. Door closed. Focused. Brain fully engaged. I'm even going to eat my lunch in my little office.
Colorado Internet Tax and the Amazon Power Play
As soon as Colorado rammed its little internet sales tax through without any regard for the effect on Colorado businesses, Amazon slammed the door on us. I don't know which one makes me more angry--the Colorado internet tax or the Amazon response. Is there the slightest concern for individuals and small (or large) businesses here? Sure doesn't seem like it.
The Pluto Files
My husband has been after me to watch a Nova documentary he'd recorded. I couldn't imagine why he kept telling me I needed to watch it. I mean...Pluto, for heaven's sake. Anyway, I gave in and watched the first part of the recording last night. It's great. I'll probably watch the rest of it this evening.
The director of the Hayden Planetarium, Neil deGrasse Tyson, is an entertaining and funny storyteller. Even if you don't watch this type of show on a regular basis, I think you'll like this one. I don't know if it's available to rent, so check out your library and see if they've purchased a copy.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
March Book Giveaway from Mystery Writers of America
It's time to make that visit to the Mystery Writers of America website again and sign up for the monthly box of books giveaway.
The March books are:
Wild Penance by Sandi Ault
Final Finesse by Karna Small Bodman
Dying Scream by Mary Burton
Redemption Street by Reed Farrel Coleman
Sleep No More by Susan Crandall
The Cold Room by J.T. Ellison
Murder by Artifact by Barbara Graham
The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton
Down River by Karen Harper
The Big Dirt Nap by Rosemary Harris
Her Highness' First Murder by Peg Herring
Dear Air by Mary Kennedy
Six Seconds by Rick Mofina
The Little Death by P.J. Parrish
Drive Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan
A Fatal Appraisal by J.B. Stanley
No Sleep Till Wonderland by Paul Tremblay
Truly, Madly by Heather Webber
Overkill by Eugenia Lovett West
The Fifth Servant by Kenneth Wishnia
To enter, go to the MWA Contest for Readers page and follow the instructions. This is a great selection, so head on over and sign up. It's easy.
The March books are:
Wild Penance by Sandi Ault
Final Finesse by Karna Small Bodman
Dying Scream by Mary Burton
Redemption Street by Reed Farrel Coleman
Sleep No More by Susan Crandall
The Cold Room by J.T. Ellison
Murder by Artifact by Barbara Graham
The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton
Down River by Karen Harper
The Big Dirt Nap by Rosemary Harris
Her Highness' First Murder by Peg Herring
Dear Air by Mary Kennedy
Six Seconds by Rick Mofina
The Little Death by P.J. Parrish
Drive Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan
A Fatal Appraisal by J.B. Stanley
No Sleep Till Wonderland by Paul Tremblay
Truly, Madly by Heather Webber
Overkill by Eugenia Lovett West
The Fifth Servant by Kenneth Wishnia
To enter, go to the MWA Contest for Readers page and follow the instructions. This is a great selection, so head on over and sign up. It's easy.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Self-Editing One Step at a Time
When I put together a set of handouts for a self-editing class I gave at the Northern Colorado Writers Studio last summer, I had no idea how useful that handout would be over time. First of all, I follow the process when I work on my own novels. Secondly, I turned the handout into a series of blog posts for The Blood-Red Pencil so others could see what I've learned from my excellent editor, Denise Dietz of Tekno Books (the company that acquires manuscripts for Five Star).
I've been wanting to put the links to the various posts in one place, so I plan to add the series to my blog's sidebar and my website. Here are the posts for Self-Editing One Step at a Time:
1. Charting the Novel Story Arc
2. How to Identify Dragging Narrative
3. Identifying and Eliminating Your Habit Words
4. Searching for More Silly Stuff
5. Weeding Out Unnecessary Adjectives and Adverbs
6. Cleaning Up Those Dialogue Tags
7. Analyzing Sentences for Redundancy and Wordiness
8. Fine-Tuning Sentence Structure
9. Read Your Manuscript Aloud
10. One Final Self-Editing Chore
There are quite a few posts about the self-editing process and many of these individual writing challenges at The Blood-Red Pencil. There is also a search feature at that blog, so entering a term such as "self-editing" or "adjectives" will help you isolate the posts that might help you the most.
I'm incorporating steps one and two into the revision phase of my novel. Once I have that completed, I'll be working my way through steps three through ten.
I know some of you are also working on revisions and self-editing. Is it going well?
I've been wanting to put the links to the various posts in one place, so I plan to add the series to my blog's sidebar and my website. Here are the posts for Self-Editing One Step at a Time:
1. Charting the Novel Story Arc
2. How to Identify Dragging Narrative
3. Identifying and Eliminating Your Habit Words
4. Searching for More Silly Stuff
5. Weeding Out Unnecessary Adjectives and Adverbs
6. Cleaning Up Those Dialogue Tags
7. Analyzing Sentences for Redundancy and Wordiness
8. Fine-Tuning Sentence Structure
9. Read Your Manuscript Aloud
10. One Final Self-Editing Chore
There are quite a few posts about the self-editing process and many of these individual writing challenges at The Blood-Red Pencil. There is also a search feature at that blog, so entering a term such as "self-editing" or "adjectives" will help you isolate the posts that might help you the most.
I'm incorporating steps one and two into the revision phase of my novel. Once I have that completed, I'll be working my way through steps three through ten.
I know some of you are also working on revisions and self-editing. Is it going well?
Monday, March 8, 2010
Bits and Pieces on a Busy Day
What I'm Reading
John Hart's Down River. It's good, keeping my attention. I should have finished it this morning because I only have a few pages left, but I forced myself to put it down and get on with my other projects.
The New Computer
It's crazy. My wireless internet connection keeps going in and out while I'm trying to create this post, so I'm going to keep this one very short. The new keyboard is a tiny bit different. I keep hitting the caps lock key, but returning to the old keyboard is not an option.
Revisions and Visiting Blogs
Trying to get both of these things done at the same time is crazy. My own blog stats showed a big decline in visitors last week. I guess I have to take the bitter with the sweet. I'll catch up with my blog visits when this manuscript is finished. In the meantime, I must try to get my internet connection back so I can publish this post.
John Hart's Down River. It's good, keeping my attention. I should have finished it this morning because I only have a few pages left, but I forced myself to put it down and get on with my other projects.
The New Computer
It's crazy. My wireless internet connection keeps going in and out while I'm trying to create this post, so I'm going to keep this one very short. The new keyboard is a tiny bit different. I keep hitting the caps lock key, but returning to the old keyboard is not an option.
Revisions and Visiting Blogs
Trying to get both of these things done at the same time is crazy. My own blog stats showed a big decline in visitors last week. I guess I have to take the bitter with the sweet. I'll catch up with my blog visits when this manuscript is finished. In the meantime, I must try to get my internet connection back so I can publish this post.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Pressure, Pressure...
So right in the middle of all this manuscript revision activity, preparation for the Northern Colorado Writers Conference at the end of the month, income tax returns to complete, and all of the other computer chores I have to do, we're installing my new desktop computer this weekend.
I can't get enough of this stress and pressure. If others don't provide it for me, I go out and get some for myself.
Don't be surprised if my blog posting is a bit spotty and even shorter than usual on content all next week. I have a lot of software to install and programs to download and files to transfer from flash drive to hard drive.
And that manuscript to work on.
But yesterday the sun was shining and it was warm and I grabbed work gloves and a big trash bag and cleaned up part of the flower beds at the front of the house and even pruned part of my grape vine. I was playing hooky, and it felt great.
The gray and dreary are back today (and it's a little chilly, too). I'm happily working inside, completing tasks one by one. Next I need to download Firefox and Yahoo! SiteBuilder. Time to get back to work.
Oops...almost forgot to tell you. If you follow the above link to the NCW Conference page, you'll find a way to enter the book giveaways, which will continue until the conference on March 26 and 27th.
I can't get enough of this stress and pressure. If others don't provide it for me, I go out and get some for myself.
Don't be surprised if my blog posting is a bit spotty and even shorter than usual on content all next week. I have a lot of software to install and programs to download and files to transfer from flash drive to hard drive.
And that manuscript to work on.
But yesterday the sun was shining and it was warm and I grabbed work gloves and a big trash bag and cleaned up part of the flower beds at the front of the house and even pruned part of my grape vine. I was playing hooky, and it felt great.
The gray and dreary are back today (and it's a little chilly, too). I'm happily working inside, completing tasks one by one. Next I need to download Firefox and Yahoo! SiteBuilder. Time to get back to work.
Oops...almost forgot to tell you. If you follow the above link to the NCW Conference page, you'll find a way to enter the book giveaways, which will continue until the conference on March 26 and 27th.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Rejection and American Idol
Our Northern Colorado contestant on American Idol, Haeley Vaughn, was voted out last night, along with three other talented young folks. I say talented because they were screened and selected to participate in the show from a huge pool of auditions. At several points in the process, the judges felt these kids had something special to bring to the show. They made it to the top 24.
Haeley, from Fort Collins, Colorado, is only 16 years old. After two performances, it was clear she didn't have the experience, maturity, and stage presence to keep up with the rest of the contestants. Her voice is wonderful, but she didn't sing well on the show. She is beautiful, and she has a glorious smile, but it wasn't enough to turn on the viewers who do the voting.
I hope Haeley comes away from her American Idol experience with a new determination to study, train, and learn. It won't be easy to jump right back in the water with the sharks. Judge Simon Cowell was disturbingly cruel, especially considering Haeley's age.
We writers can sympathize with feelings of rejection, especially when the judgment is delivered with harsh words and an angry expression. At some time in our writing careers, we'll most likely face such a criticism. My first slap-down experience was at a weekend writing retreat/workshop, supposedly to help beginning writers. That critique stopped me cold. I didn't show my work to anyone for several years after that happened. That vulnerability slowed me down and held me back, because it's the feedback and the criticism that help us get better. We can't afford to be sensitive, to run away and hide.
It's a tough old world. The ones who succeed have strength, determination, a willingness to work real hard, and a lot of courage. Rejection is inevitable. As hard as it is, we have to listen to it, weigh it, think about it, use it, and move forward.
Haeley has talent, and she'll have a lot of support from her family and her community as she works to refine her voice and her style. I can't wait to see her grow, and I hope she tackles American Idol again in a year or two. I'm very proud of her.
Haeley, from Fort Collins, Colorado, is only 16 years old. After two performances, it was clear she didn't have the experience, maturity, and stage presence to keep up with the rest of the contestants. Her voice is wonderful, but she didn't sing well on the show. She is beautiful, and she has a glorious smile, but it wasn't enough to turn on the viewers who do the voting.
I hope Haeley comes away from her American Idol experience with a new determination to study, train, and learn. It won't be easy to jump right back in the water with the sharks. Judge Simon Cowell was disturbingly cruel, especially considering Haeley's age.
We writers can sympathize with feelings of rejection, especially when the judgment is delivered with harsh words and an angry expression. At some time in our writing careers, we'll most likely face such a criticism. My first slap-down experience was at a weekend writing retreat/workshop, supposedly to help beginning writers. That critique stopped me cold. I didn't show my work to anyone for several years after that happened. That vulnerability slowed me down and held me back, because it's the feedback and the criticism that help us get better. We can't afford to be sensitive, to run away and hide.
It's a tough old world. The ones who succeed have strength, determination, a willingness to work real hard, and a lot of courage. Rejection is inevitable. As hard as it is, we have to listen to it, weigh it, think about it, use it, and move forward.
Haeley has talent, and she'll have a lot of support from her family and her community as she works to refine her voice and her style. I can't wait to see her grow, and I hope she tackles American Idol again in a year or two. I'm very proud of her.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Housecleaning, Yard Work, and Manuscript Revisions
Once every two weeks the young woman who helps me keep my cleaning chores under control stops by for 90 minutes to do those tasks my old knees and achy shoulders find a little too difficult (or painful). Since I love to have the whole house cleaned at one time, I choose to spend two to three hours that same day doing my own part. I do the easy stuff like cleaning the sinks and dusting. My helper does the tough stuff like running the sweeper and getting down on her hands and knees to clean the kitchen and bathroom floors.
I do my part early in the day, then hide out in my little office while the rest of the work gets done.
In spite of this most efficient method, there are a few things that have been neglected over the last year while I worked on a new book. For one thing, my windows are dirty. We have a two-story house, so in the past we've removed the sliding windows ourselves and cleaned them inside. I'm seriously thinking of hiring a window-cleaning service this year.
In my little office, the filing has piled up and I have stacks of paper to be shredded. I need to get this clean-up done quickly because my granddaughter will probably be sleeping in here when they visit at the end of the month.
I also need to move some breakables and relocate cleaning supplies since the little darling is crawling and may be walking soon. And the oven needs cleaning.
I've postponed furniture shopping all winter because of the lousy weather, but I need two chairs and a dresser, plus some baby furniture.
The screen in the front door is torn and needs replacing.
The flower beds at the front of the house are an untidy mess of turned over pots, dead plants, strong evidence a wandering cat still uses my flower bed as a litter box, the dead lavender spikes that need clipping, and the spring growth of my crocus, tulip, and daffodil bulbs.
Even though snow has melted near the house, my garden area is still covered with at least 6 inches of snow and ice, as are parts of the front yard.
I still haven't pruned my grape vines.
And my husband's office space is a total disaster. He's an electronics freak so he has toys and wires and boxes and...well, it's a mess. I need to keep his door shut so I can't see it.
All this reminds me of the manuscript I'm currently revising. I still have a few bits of backstory and a couple of historical facts to slip into the story here and there. These must not be intrusive, but they'll help the reader understand the story and the characters.
My writing is tight and heavy on action. There are places I need to expand description of characters and setting. Again, nothing excessive. The idea is to create a recognizable sketch, but let the reader fill in the blanks.
There are a few important details I haven't made clear in the manuscript. The age of my main character. Why the boss bad guy is in Los Angeles instead of Miami. Maybe others. I need to clear that up.
All manageable stuff.
As I read through the manuscript, however, I worry that I'll find something big, something so impossible to fix that I'll have to treat it like I'm treating my husband's workroom.
This is the fear that bogs us down during the revision process. Am I bogged down? I think I have been, because I haven't made much headway so far. Recognizing why is half the battle. Now it's time to just do it. But first, I need to finish the dusting and clean the kitchen sink.
I do my part early in the day, then hide out in my little office while the rest of the work gets done.
In spite of this most efficient method, there are a few things that have been neglected over the last year while I worked on a new book. For one thing, my windows are dirty. We have a two-story house, so in the past we've removed the sliding windows ourselves and cleaned them inside. I'm seriously thinking of hiring a window-cleaning service this year.
In my little office, the filing has piled up and I have stacks of paper to be shredded. I need to get this clean-up done quickly because my granddaughter will probably be sleeping in here when they visit at the end of the month.
I also need to move some breakables and relocate cleaning supplies since the little darling is crawling and may be walking soon. And the oven needs cleaning.
I've postponed furniture shopping all winter because of the lousy weather, but I need two chairs and a dresser, plus some baby furniture.
The screen in the front door is torn and needs replacing.
The flower beds at the front of the house are an untidy mess of turned over pots, dead plants, strong evidence a wandering cat still uses my flower bed as a litter box, the dead lavender spikes that need clipping, and the spring growth of my crocus, tulip, and daffodil bulbs.
Even though snow has melted near the house, my garden area is still covered with at least 6 inches of snow and ice, as are parts of the front yard.
I still haven't pruned my grape vines.
And my husband's office space is a total disaster. He's an electronics freak so he has toys and wires and boxes and...well, it's a mess. I need to keep his door shut so I can't see it.
All this reminds me of the manuscript I'm currently revising. I still have a few bits of backstory and a couple of historical facts to slip into the story here and there. These must not be intrusive, but they'll help the reader understand the story and the characters.
My writing is tight and heavy on action. There are places I need to expand description of characters and setting. Again, nothing excessive. The idea is to create a recognizable sketch, but let the reader fill in the blanks.
There are a few important details I haven't made clear in the manuscript. The age of my main character. Why the boss bad guy is in Los Angeles instead of Miami. Maybe others. I need to clear that up.
All manageable stuff.
As I read through the manuscript, however, I worry that I'll find something big, something so impossible to fix that I'll have to treat it like I'm treating my husband's workroom.
This is the fear that bogs us down during the revision process. Am I bogged down? I think I have been, because I haven't made much headway so far. Recognizing why is half the battle. Now it's time to just do it. But first, I need to finish the dusting and clean the kitchen sink.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
More on The Blood-Red Pencil blog
Yesterday's Ask the Editor discussion at The Blood-Red Pencil was amazing. There were 57 comments consisting of reader questions, editor answers (and more than one answer on some topics). Since Ask the Editor will now be a monthly feature, mark your calendar for April 6th and look us up.
The Blood-Red Pencil currently has 12 contributing editors and authors who write on topics of interest to readers, writers, and editors. If you review the archives, you'll find excellent interviews with published authors and editors, essays and instruction on grammar and puncutation, plot and character, promotion, self-editing, and more. There is a search option on the blog that allows you to look for a specific topic from the archives.
If you don't already follow this popular blog, you might want to take a look. Today's guest post from Tracy Farr is called: Writing Tips You Won't Find Anywhere Else. In addition to giving you a chuckle or two, Tracy shows you how to find ideas when you think you don't have anything to write about.
The Blood-Red Pencil currently has 12 contributing editors and authors who write on topics of interest to readers, writers, and editors. If you review the archives, you'll find excellent interviews with published authors and editors, essays and instruction on grammar and puncutation, plot and character, promotion, self-editing, and more. There is a search option on the blog that allows you to look for a specific topic from the archives.
If you don't already follow this popular blog, you might want to take a look. Today's guest post from Tracy Farr is called: Writing Tips You Won't Find Anywhere Else. In addition to giving you a chuckle or two, Tracy shows you how to find ideas when you think you don't have anything to write about.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Ask the Editor at The Blood-Red Pencil Today
I'd like to invite you to drop over and join us at The Blood-Red Pencil today for the Ask the Editor session. You can read the instructions in the brief post, then go to the comments and see the lively discussion going on among the readers and editors.
If you have a question for the editors, post it in the comment section and then stop back from time to time to see who has responded.
I'm heading off to the dentist this morning, but I'll be back answering questions at the BRP blog later this afternoon.
If you have a question for the editors, post it in the comment section and then stop back from time to time to see who has responded.
I'm heading off to the dentist this morning, but I'll be back answering questions at the BRP blog later this afternoon.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Classes, Workshops, Conference Presentations: When You're the Teacher
I'm giving a 90-minute Social Media for Beginners class tonight (Monday, March 1st) at the Northern Colorado Writers Studio in Fort Collins from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Focusing on Blogger, Twitter, and Facebook, we're going to discuss why social networking sites are important to writers and small businesses, then view the projected screens of each site while I do a show-and-tell from my own accounts on my laptop.
A 90-minute class doesn't seem like a big deal, but putting together a couple of these classes has given me a new respect for those who present at conferences and workshops. Researching materials and assembling handouts take a lot of time. Preparing the presentation itself is time-consuming, especially if you want to tailor the talk to the needs and expectations of the attendees. This often requires a last-minute change in focus, format, and time spent on questions and answers.
The best presenters know their material inside and out and could talk about it for hours without notes. They realize this knowledge could result in a rambling talk if not properly organized. And they're flexible. These seem like contradictory qualities, and perhaps they are.
Back in my working days (out there in the real world), I put together handouts, user manuals, and training sessions for users of newly developed accounting programs in accounts payable departments. Flexibility was not required. Everyone needed the same information, and everyone needed step-by-step basic how-to lessons.
When working with a small group of individuals who have varying levels of experience and training, however, it's a challenge to keep the more knowledgeable attendees interested without leaving the beginner confused and frustrated. Here are the things that help the presenter do the best job possible:
1. Have each attendee introduce himself and answer a couple of questions about his experience and what he hopes to learn in the class. If you know your material, you can shorten or lengthen parts of the presentation without destroying the overall structure. If someone with tons of experience shows up for a beginner class, be open to additional input from that participant.
2. Watch the faces of the attendees during the presentation and look for signs of boredom or confusion. Knowing a bit about body language helps, but most of us catch the usual signals (sighs, eyes glazing over as the mind wanders, a furrowed brow, doodling, weeping). If participants begin to fidget, take a break so everyone can stretch, then begin with questions.
3. Allow questions at various intervals during the presentation, and again at the end of the class. I've arranged natural breaks by beginning with a short introduction followed by separate sections on Blogger, Twitter, and Facebook.
4. Put the most important material at the beginning and the least important at the end. Include as much material as possible in your handouts. If some of your handout materials or resource lists contain url links, send the material to the attendees as an e-mail attachment. It's easier to copy and paste a long url than it is to type it in. If you run out of time, the class still has the material. Provide an e-mail address so attendees can ask follow-up questions.
I'm looking forward to tonight's class. It will be the first time I've taught using my laptop with a screen projector. I'll let you know how that goes.
A 90-minute class doesn't seem like a big deal, but putting together a couple of these classes has given me a new respect for those who present at conferences and workshops. Researching materials and assembling handouts take a lot of time. Preparing the presentation itself is time-consuming, especially if you want to tailor the talk to the needs and expectations of the attendees. This often requires a last-minute change in focus, format, and time spent on questions and answers.
The best presenters know their material inside and out and could talk about it for hours without notes. They realize this knowledge could result in a rambling talk if not properly organized. And they're flexible. These seem like contradictory qualities, and perhaps they are.
Back in my working days (out there in the real world), I put together handouts, user manuals, and training sessions for users of newly developed accounting programs in accounts payable departments. Flexibility was not required. Everyone needed the same information, and everyone needed step-by-step basic how-to lessons.
When working with a small group of individuals who have varying levels of experience and training, however, it's a challenge to keep the more knowledgeable attendees interested without leaving the beginner confused and frustrated. Here are the things that help the presenter do the best job possible:
1. Have each attendee introduce himself and answer a couple of questions about his experience and what he hopes to learn in the class. If you know your material, you can shorten or lengthen parts of the presentation without destroying the overall structure. If someone with tons of experience shows up for a beginner class, be open to additional input from that participant.
2. Watch the faces of the attendees during the presentation and look for signs of boredom or confusion. Knowing a bit about body language helps, but most of us catch the usual signals (sighs, eyes glazing over as the mind wanders, a furrowed brow, doodling, weeping). If participants begin to fidget, take a break so everyone can stretch, then begin with questions.
3. Allow questions at various intervals during the presentation, and again at the end of the class. I've arranged natural breaks by beginning with a short introduction followed by separate sections on Blogger, Twitter, and Facebook.
4. Put the most important material at the beginning and the least important at the end. Include as much material as possible in your handouts. If some of your handout materials or resource lists contain url links, send the material to the attendees as an e-mail attachment. It's easier to copy and paste a long url than it is to type it in. If you run out of time, the class still has the material. Provide an e-mail address so attendees can ask follow-up questions.
I'm looking forward to tonight's class. It will be the first time I've taught using my laptop with a screen projector. I'll let you know how that goes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)