Thursday's Thoughts

I seem to drop the ball on Thursday. It must be the approach to the end of the week and getting caught up on all my tasks, that keeps me from posting. So, here I am with Thursday's Thoughts. I've been working all morning on a Desire proposal, getting a feel for the characters, their likes and dislikes, their personalities and mainly, deciding and creating the conflict that will spur the story on. It's always a challenge, one that I enjoy. But I tend to lose myself in the story and time flies. This story is a departure from the cowboy/small town story I love to write. It's set in Malibu and revolves around a playboy type CEO of a large company. Talk about a challenge. The only part of this story that's easy for me is the location. I'm a beach goer and spend a lot of time in the area, knowing the different restaurants, street names etc. That part is easy, it's developing a hero without a twang in his voice, who isn't around horses and a ranch, that keep me up at night. Looking back, only two of my earlier stories, the Precious Gems, were about someone other than a small town rancher type. I guess we all know where my heart truly lies!

Wednesday's Words

I got off to a late start today writing this, because I had a scene that just couldn't wait. I finished it and worked on email for a while and found this great blog on Romancing the Blog written by Melissa Senate. Now, some of you might have heard of her, but when I first started writing, Melissa was a big deal in the publishing business. She was an editor with Harlequin a long time and recently she left that part of the business to write Red Dress Ink books. Her blog goes on to speak of authors and their covers and how we really aren't all that crazy when the book inside, the one you sweated, loved, hated and basically poured your heart and soul into, isn't the book on the outside. The cover is meant to depict the story, but often authors become disappointed. Melissa's take on this was great -- speaking from a point behind both sides of the fence. Yes, an author can make an editor crazy with their demands and expectations, but the other holds true too, when the editor, marketing department and pub house, doesn't "get" what the book is really about. And usually the cover doesn't relay the author's message. It's a two way sword. And except for two rather bland looking covers with nothing more than hills and trees on them, I haven't been overly disappointed in my covers. In fact, I loved the last one-- The Courting of Widow Shaw -- it's an amazingly beautiful piece of art. Check it out on the homepage and see if you don't agree.

Tuesday's Tidbits

It's finally spring! I think we've had our fair share of rain in California. In fact, we broke a few records this season. The weather is beautiful outside, sunny with blue skies and white clouds. Since I'm a sun worshipper, good weather puts a smile on my face and I find that I'm more productive. I wake up earlier and get more things done, when the sun is shining. I'm off to rework my new story now. Found some hitches I need to iron out and then I'm off. Tuesday is bowling day with my good friends and I ususally don't get a whole lot of writing done but I try to squeeze in some work on these days, whether it's just to edit or reread my work in progress. I think I'll even sit outside and enjoy the sun later in the day.

Friday's Finds

I'm off and running on a new story. I love the title on this one! And I find that the title often
helps set the entire tone and pace of the story. After 13 books, it's hard to believe that I've only
kept one of my original titles! Only one. Some I liked better than the ones I had to use, others I'm glad were changed. Some writers hit the nail on the head the first time out. They have a knack with getting the title just right. I'm not one of those authors, unfortunately. But luckily, I have back up with my wonderful Hussy and Desire loops. They are always there to help me in time of need. I'm hoping I sell these new proposal, title and all.

Friday's Finds

I'm off and running on a new story. I love the title on this one! And I find that the title often
helps set the entire tone and pace of the story. After 13 books, it's hard to believe that I've only
kept one of my original titles! Only one. Some I liked better than the ones I had to use, others I'm glad were changed. Some writers hit the nail on the head the first time out. They have a knack with getting the title just right. I'm not one of those authors, unfortunately. But luckily, I have back up with my wonderful Hussy and Desire loops. They are always there to help me in time of need. I'm hoping I sell these new proposal, title and all.

Wednesday's Words

The book is done! The book is done! It's always a great feeling when the story is finished and you have a good feeling about it. Now, on to proofreading and edits. Usually, that part of the work is minimal, because of the way I write. I don't do drafts. I write the scene, and go over it until I'm completely satisfied before I move on. So, usually the scene is pretty clean, without a lot of grammatical errors and/or omissions of words and misspellings. I always read through the entire book in one sitting to make sure the story flows. On a short contemp it usually takes about 3-4 hours. On a longer historical, it might take me two sittings, since it might take as long as 6-7 hours to get through the whole story. I'm looking forward to moving onto the next project now and the excitement flows when I begin something new.

Monday's Musings

The book is almost finished. I have just one scene to write and that's the most important and pivotol scene in the book. I'm looking forward to writing it, but I have three endings -- and have to decide which way I want to go. I've been thinking about this for a week, putting off writing it, wondering if I should just write all three and see which one works best. Either way, the book will be done today, all loose ends tied up and the hero and heroine will head off into the sunset.
I'm always a little bit sorry, amid my joy of accomplishment, to say goodbye to my characters and the story I've created. But I've got three other projects in the works, so I can't lament too long. I'm off to figure out that dynamite ending!

Friday's Finds

I'm watching too much television. I never used to. I used to sit down at night and read a book, but I find that I spend too much time during the day working at the computer, writing or editing, that at night, I'm ready to settle down on the sofa and simply relax. I think another reason I'm watching more TV now is that I've found some great shows to watch. Being an "over" forty female, I love Desperate Housewives. The show surprised me and I really expected much less, but it's so much more, with elements of intrigue, humor and real human emotion, even though it's completely zany at times. Another show that I love - another one that completely surprised me is Lost. I expected a serious Gilligan's Island. A group of travelers stranded on an island? What could the writers do with that? Boy, was I wrong. Each story is unique and different and we learn about one character's back story, what brought them to that point in their life during a series of well-done flashbacks, mixed in with what's happening on the island that episode. It all neatly ties in at the end. So, for now, I guess I'm hooked on some good TV. Never got into reality shows. But I never miss American Idol. :)

Tuesday's Tidbits

Tuesday's Tidbits

Lots to do today, so this will be short. I've been using Webshots again today and finding it a very useful resource. The ending of my story takes place in Soho and the Hamptons, in New York. Now, I was born in Brooklyn, but left the state at a very early age, so I don't have any real memory of these places. But using the Webshot resource has helped give me a good feel to both the areas. I think I can write the scenes necessary to finish my book. That's always a good feeling and though the descriptions won't be highly detailed, I think I've got enough of the flavor of the areas that I could do the scenes justice. Later, I'll actually sit down and write those scenes knowing it won't be as difficult as I once imagined!

Monday's Musings

We had a great time listening to Vicki Lewis Thompson speak at our OCC chapter meeting on Saturday. She spoke about "branding" or "trademarking" yourself as a writer, so that your name might be synonymous with something you do rather well. For her, of course, she's known as the writer of the NERD books. Everyone knows that and her tale of how that first book got on the bestseller list is truly remarkable. Luck and timing have a lot to do with it, but you have to write a great book that's marketable first. Nerd in Shining Armor was Kelly Ripa's last Book of the Month pick and she was invited on the Regis and Kelly Show. She also spoke about writing a Beta hero and how that worked to her advantage. One of the most profound things she offered, was reciting the stats on advertising and how only 6% of readers buy a book based on that. Most use author name recognition or decide by title and back cover blurb. And we learned that a reader takes about 3 seconds in deciding whether to buy a book or not. Interesting facts, and I came away from her talk with many new ideas.

Friday's Finds

This is a test to see if my Blogs are coming through.

Friday's Finds

I love living in California, I really do. I can't imagine living anywhere else. The weather is great overall, the people are polite, the city itself lends itself to a casual lifestyle. Just my speed. But enough with these high profile cases. It seems we get finished with one trial, and another crops up. Now we're dealing with Robert Blake and Michael Jackson. Yesterday, every television channel was pinned on Michael Jackson's late arrival to the courthouse. High drama, for sure, because if MJ was late getting there, his 3 million dollar bail would be revoked and the King of Pop would be re-arrested and have to wait out his court time in jail. Like I said, high drama. More emphasis was placed on his arrival in his PJ's, walking like a zombie, than the court case itself and the victim's testimony. I get it. This is Hollywood at it's best. But I don't have to like it.

Tuesday's Tidbits

It's election day for the mayoral race here in Los Angeles, my bowling day with the all-ladies league, and the night for the girls to sing on American Idol. Okay, so how am I going to get any writing in with all these distractions? I have editing to do, a scene to rework and another proposal to look over. Somehow I will manage, but the distractions are coming more regularly now and though I miss my story and characters when I can't get to them, sometimes I have to take a step back, and give myself a break. I've learned to do that after raising two children,working two part-time jobs, volunteering as a high school mentor and PTA duties along with being a one-time Girl Scout leader. Yes, those insane days are basically gone now but what I learned from all that craziness, is that it's okay once in a while to indulge without guilt. You can't force the writing. You have to want to be there "in" the scene and once I realized that, I learned to give myself a break. The next time I sit down at the computer, I'll be more productive and creative, because I want to be there. So for today, maybe I won't get any writing down on paper, but basically a writer is always writing, in your head, in your day to day observations and nothing you experience in your life goes to waste. So, I'm off to vote, bowl and shop then sit down to watch Idol. Oh, and if I get any writing in today, it's icing on the cake!

Monday's Musings

It's getting close to the time when I wrap up my latest book, HEIRESS BEWARE. I've been steaming along, growing my characters, setting up my scenes for the final two chapters where my hero/heroine face their toughest challenges. It's the time in the book where I have to look back and make sure I tie up all loose ends. I've made mental notes, thinking of all the things that need "finishing" or "polishing" or points I want to drive home in these last few scenes. Then I work an outline, with brief notes about what has to happen in upcoming scenes. Most of this I do on instinct, a feeling I get of what's right for the story and what's not. It's taxing but fun mostly, because just like the reader, the writer craves to see a satisfying ending to their story. I want my characters to hold true, to be believable in why and how they finally get together in the end, while all during the story I've been pressing points to all reasons why they shouldn't and couldn't fall in love. It's probably the most challenging part of the writing process, to make sure everything finally fits and all's well that end's well.

Friday's Finds

Today will be a good writing day. I have to write a scene where my hero/heroine ride horses. Coming from a historical background and writing westerns, I've learned a great deal about mares, geldings and stallions, about mustangs and pintos and thoroughbreds. So my historical background is going to help me write my modern day horseback riding scene. I have a mini library of books about horses and used to ride back in my youth. When we first arrived in California, coming from New York, I truly believed that I'd be living out in the wilds, on a ranch somewhere, with horses at my disposal. But truth be told, I never got my own horse, but I did have the chance to take western saddle riding lessons. Then, I thought it was the best, but as I look back on it now, I believe those poor horses that were rented out were terribly mistreated and abused. I had the impression that horses were mean and hard to deal with and was taught to be wary of them, but now I know differently. Horses can be the most beloved animals, with sweet dispositions and kind natures. It's all in the care and love you give them. I still wish I owned my own horse. Maybe someday.

Thursday's Thoughts

Almost baseball season! I'm such a big fan and I go through withdrawals in October when baseball season ends. Luckily for me, my nephew plays high school baseball and I always made a point of watching his games during the "off" season when they play tournaments. His official games start tomorrow and I'll be there, watching him pitch.

Though I live in Los Angeles I'm a transformed ANGELS fan. Used to be loyal to the Dodgers but now I can't wait to see my favorite Angel players hit the field. Tickets go on sale on Saturday and I'll be ready at my computer, with the schedule and map of the stadium in hand to get as many tickets as possible. I love to sit in Dodger Stadium with my Angel red on, when the two rival teams play the Freeway Series. I just can't wait! But my writing will suffer. I can't sit at the computer when the games are on TV. So, I adjust my schedule and make deals with myself so I can get my work done sometime, before I allow myself that indulgence. Crazy, huh? And most people think it's the men who love the sport.

Wednesday's Words

The power of networking is truly amazing! I recently joined the new
Romance Writer's of America listserves, where we go online with authors from around the world. They had a bundle of lists to choose from but I decided there's only just so much time in each day, so I picked four that pertained mainly to what my needs are regarding business decisions, the craft of writing and research. Well, I asked a simple question on the research listserve about Colorado locales and terrain that I was, quite honestly having difficulty finding with my other resources. Many people chimed in to help but the most helpful and exciting revelation came when I was directed to WEB CAMS. This is a truly amazing thing. I joined Webshots.com and found EVERYTHING I needed, live and in color, being shot from cameras trained on locations such as Pike's Peak and the Garden of the Gods -- setting the scene for my Desire continuity. Along with these "live" shots of places I needed to see, the sites also have still photos with captions and descriptions. All in all, I feel like I know the terrain now, the ranches and mesas and gorgeous landscapes that is -- Colorado.

This has been a shot in the arm for me. I've always been hindered, because while I pride myself on narrative and dialogue, description is not my greatest asset as a writer. I limited myself to write stories set in locations I've visited before. These Web Cams and online sites have opened my eyes to great possibilities! Again, I must say that the power of networking is essential for a writer and these new RWA online sources have already helped me so much.
Well... I'm off to view today's webshot of Pike's Peak. Want to see it in early morning light!