I’m In A Bad Mood Today

April 11, 2008 | Writing, life

It’s cold and rainy and miserable here today. The temperature fluctuations this week are wreaking havoc on my sinuses so now I’ve got a brilliant headache, (I’m writing this as I wait for the Advil to kick in) I’m out of coffee cream and one of my favorites got voted off American Idol last night.

I perhaps would not have minded so much if his exit had been the result of a poor performance, but it wasn’t. I do, however, think the nonsensical ramblings from the judges swayed the vote. So I’m officially going to stop watching the show. It’s just too aggravating.

Writing has been going well. Hard at work on a new WIP. I’ve set aside rewrites for Blood and Bone for now as I’ve started edits for Living Lies.

Advil is working. Yay! I think I’ll make a pot of vanilla chai tea (so tasty) turn on the fireplace in the attic, light some candles and let the dark, broody day get me in the mood to continue writing my dark, broody story.

Things are looking up

The Best Laid Plans

March 31, 2008 | Writing

Okay, so when I started Thicker Than Water two weeks ago, I had decided to try doing a little plotting. Gasp! I know shocking. But I suppose after all the rewriting I’ve been doing lately I really wanted a solid first draft so I wouldn’t have as many write-arounds when I went to work on the second.

Now, as I have done plotting before and found that it effectively killed my story, instead of plotting the book from beginning to end. I noted what I felt the turning points would be, jotted down any ideas for various scenes as the popped up in my head (which I would do anyway because since having a child, my memory sucks) and plotted the scenes of the first few chapters. Then, at last, I sat down to write.

At first, I was excited. These scenes played out beautifully on my cue cards. Sadly, as I wrote I just couldn’t feel my characters. AT the end of last week, and about 12,000 words in, I stopped, chucked the the cue cards , opened a new document and started again. And by the time I saved I’d written 1,000 words and, more importantly, I had a sense of my characters.

I have no choice but to accept, no matter how appealing the idea of plotting is to my Virgo brain, it’s not for me. I’m a pantser, an into the mist writer or whatever else they call the type of writer who sits down and writes. In order for me to be able to write the best story I can, I need to let my characters tell it.

Today I hit 3,200, meeting 1,000 word per day goal since I restarted the story. Yay! I’m also back to rewriting Blood & Bone. Added a new scene to chapter 15, tomorrow I’ll complete the second and hopefully by Wednesday I’ll have something to post with my crit group.

Mood: Good
Music: Hey Jude, The Beetles

Living Lies

March 19, 2008 | Writing

Don’t have a whole lot of time tonight, but it’s my cover. How cool is that?

Also you can read the blurb here.

Page One and Stuff

March 17, 2008 | Books, Writing

Started my new WIP today. Hit my thousand word goal for the day too. Yay me!

I love starting a new story. Granted, facing the blank page can be a touch intimidating, but it doesn’t take long for the words to flow. And the excitement of discovering a story’s twists and turns, a new set of characters far out weighs any nagging doubts. At this early stage, everything is possible and I’m staggered by my own brilliance. By the end of the month things will change. Just you watch.

Also, finally finished up re-rewrites for Witch. Then backed it up six thousand different ways. Okay only three, but you get my meaning. This was a hard lesson to learn, but one I will not forget.

Tonight’s a lousy night for TV and I was hoping to slip out to the bookstore, but it’s getting too late.

I just finished Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning which I really, really liked and so now I must read the next book in the series. Yes, I have hooked myself on yet another series. Bad, Dawn, bad. The good news, the second book is already out. The bad news, the third book won’t be out until September and there’s fourth and fifth book without release dates. Sigh.

The Internal Clock

March 10, 2008 | Writing, family, life

I don’t know if it’s the five foot high snow banks surrounding my house like a medieval wall that’s throwing me off, but my internal clock is having a tough time recognising the time change. I suppose when we spring forward my mind assumes there should be at least some hint of spring outside. Sigh. Well it can’t stay winter forever, can it?

DS has started March Break and DH has most of the week off. I don’t expect to get all that much done this week. (Last week I was very productive so I’m not feeling too guilty about it.) I’m hoping to finish up my research for my WIP. I want to start writing once DS is back in school. I also hope to keep up on my rewrites, one chapter posted to my crit group and another to final draft. And I want to keep up on crits for the ladies in my critique group.

Hmm. Maybe this week will be more productive than I’d planned for.

Mood: Good
Music: The Seeker, The Who

More Snow

March 7, 2008 | Writing, life

Now, I have admitted that I’m one of those crazy people who actually likes winter. I enjoy the snow. But it’s March now, and winter’s charm is starting to wane. Especially with the weather network calling for yet another storm, bringing with it the potential for another 30 to 50 (yes, that’s right, 50!!!!) Centimeters. Blech!! DH is away and I still haven’t shovelled from the last storm we had. (Two days ago.)

On a happier note, I got my first peek at my cover for Living Lies. It’s gorgeous!!! As soon as I can show it off, I will.

Random Stuff

February 26, 2008 | Books, Writing, family

DS is home with the flu. He’s been sick since he woke up Saturday morning. Today the fever is gone, but he’s still looking a little pale and hollow eyed. Still, he’s also feeling well enough that he’s bored with video games and TV. A good sign.

Obviously I’m not getting as much done on my rewrites as I would like. Sigh. I am, however, still making notes on a new WIP. I’ve come across two potential snags in my story, one I think I’ve solved and the other I’m still trying to work through. I’m also attempting to do a little more research at the beginning of my novel this time (rather than when I’m finished) in an effort to cut back on the number of write-arounds I need to between the first and second draft. This is the lesson I take from Blood and Bone.

I just finished reading Knaves Honor by Margaret Moore. I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I finished it in less than week. I don’t often read historicals, but I like hers. Now, I’m reading Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning. I’ve never read anything by her, but a friend recommended her. I’m only on chapter three, but so far I’m intrigued.

That’s it for now.

Where Do Your Ideas Come From?

February 20, 2008 | Writing

I know this is a question that annoys most writers, but not me. Perhaps if I ever achieve Stephen King’s or Nora Roberts’ fame, I’ll change my mind. The truth is, I find the evolution of idea to full blown book fascinating. The whole process inspires a certain awe, especially when I’m standing with a completed manuscript in hand. I think back to the first kernel of an idea that might have occurred months or even years before sitting down to write, and I’m somewhat amazed at how this tiny idea morphed into a 400 page book.

On the other end of the spectrum is when I take that first stab at turning an idea into a story. After all, the idea is only the first step. I still have to find the right setting, create the right characters, back story, conflict, and then tie it all together. While exhilarating and exciting, it can be overwhelming and frustrating too.

That’s where I am today, that step right after brainstorming where the first hint of self doubt creeps in like a cool draft from previously unseen cracks. Is this idea big enough to build an entire book? Are my characters interesting? Are their back stories cliché, or so over the top a reader couldn’t relate to them? Are the scenes I’m visualizing too much? Or worse, are they predictable? Will I ever be able to tie it all together so it makes sense?

This is a very delicate point in giving birth to a new novel. It would be only too easy to say I couldn’t do it. But deep down I know I can. I’ve done it before. I’ll keep pushing and digging, and there will be a moment when it all clicks. The idea will no longer be just an idea I have for a story, but a story that I’m writing.

Waiting for the Attic to Warm Up

January 25, 2008 | Writing

Well, it’s Friday. Yay! I’m currently writing this as I wait for my electric wood stove to heat up the attic a bit before I start. It’s minus twenty out and that room doesn’t feel much warmer than outside.

This week I managed to get a fair amount done. WIP continues to move nicely. It’s funny, this is the paranormal I put aside in July so I could really concentrate on fixing Witch. (More on that in a minute.) When I did set it aside, I was hating everything about it and really didn’t think I would finish. Then last month I started reading through and found my myself liking it again. I could see where I’d kind of written myself into predictability, probably why I felt my interest in the tale start to wan. I also had 200 pages invested. So after a little tinkering and adding a few twists (means making some changes to earlier chapters on the rewrite, but there always is) I managed to push past the hump and now I’m charging full force toward the end. Perhaps taking some time away from the project gave me the space I needed to be able to see what the problem was.

Witch is frustrating me a little more. I’m three chapters away from finally having this completely finished–again. The tricky part is having to double check all the little facts with my research. Checking for continuity errors like, when I introduced the Frasiers in chapter 6 I spelled their name with s, but in chapter 27 I spelled it with z. Grr.

On the upside, when I rewrote this story the first time, I’d organized all my character, plot notes and research into a binder with tabs and everything. This is making my life so much easier. I must admit, I’m not usually this organized. Ordinarily, each story gets its own file folder–blue for romantic suspense and red for paranormal–and all my notes get shoved in with a couple of elastic bands to keep it all together. I’m not sure why I did it differently with Witch. Maybe I needed to feel more organized while I was tying legend to the present day murders in the story. Whatever the reason, I’m glad I did it. And starting right now, every book I write will have a corresponding binder.

A Few of My Favourite Links

January 24, 2008 | Writing

Lately, whenever I can cram in a few extra minutes, I’ve been slowly updating my links section here on my blog. Rather than just stick those links in, I thought I’d just share with you the benefits I’ve found using these resources.

So in no particular order:

D.P. Lyle, M.D. The Writer’s Medical and Forensics Lab. This site has a tremendous amount of information. But you can also email him questions and he’ll provide a detailed answer . I used this while writing The Witch’s Stone. I also have his book Murder and Mayhem. It’s a collection medical and forensic question he’s answered for writers. Again, a great resource.

Romantic Suspense writer, Lisa Gardner. Aside from finding information about her latest releases, which is always a good thing, she has tons of articles for writers on her site, including two detailed lectures; one on writing romantic suspense, the other on writing a synopsis for your romantic suspense novel. Some excellent information here.

Romance Writers of America. When it comes to joining any kind of organization like this, I’m a big believer in you get out what you put in. Now saying that, am I suggestion you volunteer for all kinds of committees? No. If you want to, go ahead. But what I am saying is to know what you want to gain by joining. For myself, I wanted to learn more about market. Did I? Yes, and a lot more. There are chapters, contests, conferences, courses and networking. RWA will not magically sell your book for you, but they will certainly offer the tools to help you.

And of course, Samhain Publishing. They’ve shown great taste in the books the contract.

Anyway, that’s it for now. Need to get back to the WIP. Those vampires aren’t going to just stake themselves.