So Much for Challenge...

Yep, I missed a couple days.

But, honestly, it really wasn't all my fault.  Seems my computer decided the hotel internet wasn't secure and that someone might steal my info and wouldn't let me get online.  I totally intended to blog Saturday evening but just couldn't. But, here's a picture of the view from my hotel balcony.

Here is one of the bridge at night.

And finally, one from the balcony on our last morning.

I think the thing to learn from this is...sometimes things happen. And when they do, we sometimes need to change our plans and not get so stressed out.

It was a five-hour drive home yesterday, so I was tired and just didn't have the will to get on the puter and blog so didn't.  I might catch up, I might not...I'm not going to worry about it.

No Excuses Blog Challenge Post 1

I'm terrible with blogging. I really enjoy it, when I get going but sometimes I have a hard time getting started. So, I've decided to take part in a 21 day, no excuses blog challenge. I'll post links later. One thing I like, they are giving suggested topics for each day. Which really helps.  Today's topic is "hooks". I'm not going with their suggested discussion about hooks, but that's okay.

As a writer, hooks are hard. There is so much a hook has to accomplish. I mean, it has to get the reader to continue reading, and in this fast paced, go-go-go world, that's harder than ever to do.  As I thought about how I wanted to go with this topic, I pondered some ideas. For example...

She leaned over the balcony, staring at the ground only 4 floors below, and wondered if she'd survive the fall.

Is that a good hook? I'm not so sure. Would someone read on to see why she was pondering this? Maybe, if they didn't have anything else to do.

She leaned over the balcony, staring at the ground only 4 floors below, and wondered if he'd survive the fall.

Al little better. Who is she? Who is he? What did he do that would make her want to push him? Did he deserve it? Or, is she a victim?

Hooks must cause the reader to ask questions. And those questions must drive the reader to continue to the next line, the next paragraph, the next page, the next chapter.

So, as a writer, how do you handle hooks?  And, as a reader, what are some of your favorite hooks?

Share in the comments for a chance to win some free stuff. I'll give away a couple books along with a critique.



Check out these great blogs participating in the blog challenge.

The Doctor's Wife by Myra Hargrave McIlvain

Young teacher Amelia Anton leaves Germany in 1845 on an immigrant ship bound for Texas. After the death at sea of the child she is hired to tutor, her employer abandons her. Amelia quickly accepts the marriage proposal of the much-respected physician, Joseph Stein, only to discover that he is not the husband she expected.

*****

I'm not normally a historical reader but I really enjoyed this one. If you love historicals or novels set in Texas, then this fills the bill. 

Get your copy here.

New Old Stuff...

Yesterday my youngest daughter and I moved my desk from the garage into a corner in the living room. It's been in the garage ever since we moved here in December of 2011 and I've really  missed it.

See, this house is a bit smaller than our last place and there really wasn't room for it. I've been using the kitchen table for a desk but that really hasn't been working for me. For some reason, I just don't feel like a writer sitting at the table. Maybe it's 'cause I've always had my desk.

I even thought about getting a new, smaller desk but there's just something about this desk that I love. Maybe it's 'cause it is really wood instead of some particle board thing. Maybe it's because I've had it for so long...close to 25 years.

Or maybe it's the size. This thing is huge. And weighs about 900 pounds (Not really but try moving it and you'll think so.) The main area is 3'x6' and has a smaller L attached to it that's 2'x3'. Plenty of room to spread out plus have my computer and printer close by.

Anyway, I have my desk again. And, I'm happy. Which leads me to the point of this post...

What makes you feel like a writer? Do you feel more like a writer at certain places, wearing certain clothes, or at writer events?

I'd love to hear from you so comment and let's chat.

DUH...

Got things that need to be done?

Here's a nifty little system for getting things accomplished I discovered several years back. I'd forgotten about it over the past several moves and all the things happening in life so for those who have seen this before, hopefully you'll enjoy the reminder. And, for those of you who haven't, give it a try, see how it works for you.

D - Do it first.  Don't wait around, do it and get it over with. 

U - Understand it might not be fun.

H - Hurray! Now celebrate, you did it!


Don't you just hate ending the day knowing you didn't get the things that needed to be done taken care of? I do. I'll lay awake berating myself for not getting everything accomplished, feel guilty and be miserable.  When I apply D, I don't have that problem. The important things are done and I can move one to the things I want to do without all the guilt.

The "U" reminds me I might not enjoy some things. But the satisfaction of marking things off the to-do list sure is nice.

And we need to remember to celebrate. We need to celebrate our accomplishments. And not just the big things.

So, what do you think? Will DUH work for you?

I'd love to take credit for DUH but that goes to Margie Lawson.

March Madness - take two

Last March, I had fun with a March Madness theme and figure it'd be fun to try again. Here's a link to the first post from last year. 

So... In like a lamb or lion? Today the sun is shining, the skies are a beautiful blue and the wind has finally calmed from the last several days. It's still quite cool, down into the mid 30's. My better half told me yesterday to make sure I close the door on the greenhouse tonight cause it is supposed to be seriously cold. (One of his friends even rented a tent heater for his greenhouse which is why he knew to tell me.) I won't heat it but, I'll close the door. I need to share pix of my plants with y'all later. :-)

Did you know March first marks the start of the meteorological Spring? And apparently the start of the "storm chaser" season.  Now, I admit I like a good storm but I'm not sure I want to go chasing after one. 

Is March coming in like a lamb or lion where you are?

And speaking of madness...did you see where they are taking bets on who the next pope will be? I mean, really!

Next...do you follow the actual March Madness? Got a favorite team in the playoffs? I don't really care for basketball and neither does my better half, at least not until March. For those of you who don't know how it works, here's a nice article on the process.

Here's something I just discovered today.  Southern Writers Magazine. Looks like a nice resource. They have a short story contest going on too...deadline is midnight tonight.

Leave a comment, sign my guestbook and we'll do something special at the end of the month. I've got some books to give away. :-)

Who Says You Can't Go Home

The last couple days, I've been pondering home and what makes it home. I think there are as many different answers as there are homes. :-)

Since my hubby and I were in the military, we were away from home for a long time and it was a special treat to go back and spend time with family. And while it was still home, it wasn't exactly like I remembered. Towns change, people come and go. Favorite places go out of business.

In Where The Heart Is, Samantha left home in the middle of the night and years later has to go back. But it's not the home she remembers.

Has that happened to you?

As we end this blog hop, I leave you with Bon Jovi and Who Says You Can't Go Home. It seems like the perfect bit of music to close with.

Be sure to leave a comment to be entered to win.

Where The Heart Is

This is the story of Samatha James who left home in the middle of the night headed to the 'big city' and excitement. Sam, as she is affectionately called by her friends, hasn't been back since she left. Now, after her sister and brother-in-law's death, she is forced to return for their funeral. Naturally, the first person she sees upon arrival is Marcus Keller, her high school sweetheart. And, naturally, sparks fly.

Home for Sam is a mixture of emotions. She had a great childhood growing up on a small ranch, swimming in the lake, playing in the barn, riding her horse as well as spending time with family and friends.

But she wanted more. She didn't want to grow up to be another wife and mother living in a small town. So, she left home follow her dreams.

Just like Sam, many of us leave home to chase dreams and find excitement only to find that home wasn't so bad after all.

As the wife of a military man, we traveled a lot so home was where we were at the time. I've got some great memories of where we've been but through the years, I've always carried the memories of home where I grew up.

What about you? Got a favorite memory of home? Share it with us in the comments and be entered to win something fabulous. Probably chocolate...and a book or two.

Sign my guest book and get a second entry.

Be sure to stop by the other blogs on the hop. You can find a list here.

Home is Where the Heart is...

It's Valentine's Day and time for some romance. So, for the next four days, I'll be taking part in the "Home is Where the Heart is" blog hop. There are nine of us so you won't be overwhelmed trying to visit each blog.

You can find all the details on the blog hop here.

There's also prizes. You can enter through the form on the right side of the page. I'm not sure exactly sure how it works but go for it. :-)

Also, if you leave a comment on any of my posts, you'll be entered to win something special from me.

Sign the guestbook and get an extra entry. :-) It's on the right side, at the top. It's something I'm just now trying so we'll see how it goes.

Tomorrow, we'll start by meeting Samatha James, star of my romance serial, Where The Heart Is.

Here's a list of the other bloggers taking part.

Gloria Harchar She writes steampunk.  (I love steampunk!)
Emerald Barnes
Prism Book Group
Catherine Chant
Pauline Creeden Inspirational Blog
Bonnie Blythe  Christian Romance
Just For Laughs
Cause Everone Needs Romance

Boing, boing, boing...

I've been studying writing seriously for about ten years and I admit, I have a lot to learn but I think I'm getting there. For a long time when I read, even for pleasure, I picked up a book about writing.

I counted once and had twenty-five books on writing the novel and I've bought more since. Like I said, I have a thing for books about writing.

Here's where I'm going with this...  In all the books I've read, all the workshops I've taken,  head-hopping has been condemned. Especially for novice writers.

You know head-hopping right? The shifts from one POV character to another in the middle of a scene or paragraph. We're reading along with one character, right in the middle of the action then all of a sudden it changes mid paragraph and we are now in another character's head.

It's disconcerting. It's abrupt. It's often confusing. It's annoying to have to go back and reread to see what happened.

The other day I downloaded a book and started reading. I really enjoyed the story but the constant head-hopping seriously impaired my enjoyment.

This author changed POV character almost every page, often mid paragraph. I had to stop reading, go back and reread so often, I lost count. When I read, I want to escape into the world and having to check the map every five minutes or so hampers that. It takes me from that world and reminds me it's just a book and not a well written one at that.

So, my question to you... How do you feel about head-hopping? Do you, don't you? Like it or not? Is it okay in certain instances and if so, when?

This is just "part" of my books on writing.


Oh, the book was  "self-published" however it had been well edited except for all the head-hopping.  And nope, I probably won't buy another of hers because I'll always remember I had to work to read this one. I'll always think of her as the "head-hopper."

Ten Things I Believe...

I've been writing like crazy, reading research for project and 900 other things so this post is getting a late start.  But, better late than never. Or so they say...  And just who is "they" by the way?

Ten Things I Believe... (In no special order)

 Wild animals should not be kept as pets - They are wild. Even those raised in captivity are still wild deep down inside, You can't breed out instincts. Leave the lions, tigers, bears, wolves and other wild animals in the wild.

Dragons - I believe at one time, there were dragons on the earth. No, I don't believe they required virgin sacrifices. Maybe they did hoard gold and other sparkly things...heck, Ravens do, why not a dragon. I believe dragons were basically flying dinosaurs and are extinct now. My son has a good theory on why we haven't found their bones...they were hollow. Had to be really light to be able to fly.  Anyway...I believe in dragons.

Family is so very important.  When your friends let you down, family should always be there for you.  I know it's not always that way but honestly, when you come right down to it, family is always gonna be family.

Good Friends are few and far between. - We make "friends" so easily these days. And many we call friends, we don't even know. I mean, I have several hundred "friends" on Facebook and have no clue who most of them are. Sometimes though...you do make a real friend. And those are special and should be treasured.

Chocolate - There's no such thing as too much chocolate. There's no wrong occasion for chocolate either. 

Kids need to earn their own way - sure we spoil 'em but they have to learn to be responsible adults and they can't do that if they are given everything they ever thought about wanting. They need to learn there are consequences for each action, that no means no, and that life isn't fair.

 Thunderstorms are awesome. I love a good thunderstorm. The amount of power involved is just totally amazing. I love watching the lightning, feeling the wind, listening to the rain, especially on a metal roof.

There are way too many reality shows on tv. I mean, way too many. Thing is...these aren't reality. Soon as you stick a camera in there, people change. Now, I'll admit I used to watch Survivor and still occasionally watch Deadliest Catch. Hubby likes the Storage War shows...which not long ago, we  met the auctioneer of the Storage Wars Texas. He's a local guy, really nice, invited hubby and I out with him and his family. We passed but got picture taken with him. :-)

Life is too short to hold grudges. Besides the fact that you make yourself miserable, the person you have the grudge against usually doesn't care or doesn't even know.

I believe our police officers, military and fire fighters are under valued. We take them for granted, wanting them to be there when we need them but not the rest of the time.

What about you? What are some things you believe?

Motivational Monday

I really like this!

How many times have you not done something because you might be wrong?  I know I have.  Many times. 

As a writer, it's so hard sometimes to put words on the page that might not be the right ones.  I think that's one reason writers are such great procrastinators.

So, today I challenge you.  Yes, you.  Put aside those doubts and fears.  Stop worrying about getting the words perfect.

Remember, great books aren't written, they're rewritten.

You can't revise what you haven't written.

Write from the heart. 

FOCUS

The other day while running errands, I had the radio on as normal and heard something interesting.  The guy said the reason most people don't succeed is because they don't focus.  Then he went on to explain what he meant.

Focus = Follow One Course Until Successful

He said people tend to start one thing, work at it for a while but then we drop it when something we think is better comes along.

And I don't know about you, but I am so guilty of this with my writing.  I'll work on one thing for a while, then a new idea comes along and I drop what I've been writing and start this new, great idea that just can't wait. The process then repeats itself over and over and over.  I don't know how many stories I have that abandoned for something that seemed better. 

This leads to something else I came across lately.  It was a blog post (and I can't find it to post a link) about the difficulties of writing, publishing and promoting in multiple genres at the same time.  One point made was that each genre will suffer because none of them are getting your full attention and your best effort.

Again, this hit me just like one of Gibbs' slap to the back of the head. I've written romance, fantasy, mystery, horror, non-fiction, inspirational, a little sci-fi and even some poetry.  I've got novels in various stages of revision and editing in fantasy, romance and mystery along with an inspirational self-help thing plotted out.

Naturally, I went into denial.  I can write 5 or 6 different genres at one time and do it well.  I can revise 3 different genre novels at one time without any problem.  What does this person know, what makes her an expert on me? 

After getting over myself though, I realized she was right.  I love my fantasy novel.  But it's suffering because I'm not FOCUSED on it.  And my mystery novel, the one I hope to pitch to New York one day, we'll it's suffering right along with the fantasy novel, and the romance novel.  Because I'm not FOCUSED.

So, I asked myself some questions.  Hard questions like just did I think I was accomplishing by spreading myself so thin.  And, just exactly what did I hope to accomplish with my writing and was I making progress the way things were going now. 

I made some hard decisions too.  And I'll be posting more about those soon but for now, I thought I'd share what I've learned lately.

And I have to ask... 

What about you?  Do you have a stack/file of unfinished stories?  Are you working on multiple genres at the same time but not giving each your best because you're spreading yourself too thin?

The Comma

Morning...

I don't know about you, but I have a horrendous time figuring out just where commas belong and where they don't.  So, when I found this on Twitter I knew I had to share.

First, Comma Usage 101. This is a nice basic article from Novel Publishing Group and doesn't make me feel stupid.

Here's part two. Comma Usage 201.  Again, this is easy to understand without making me feel stupid.  I mean, high school english was a LONG time ago. :-)

Here's another helpful article on commas.

I've got these in my favorites and plan to study them soon. 

What about you?  Do you abuse, ignore or overuse the comma?

Or, do you have issues with some other form of punctuation?  I love ellipsis... :-)

Shall we play a game?

This morning, as usual, I checked my facebook page and said hi.  A friend commented right after with the fact that she didn't sleep at all last night.  Well, naturally I felt bad for my sleepless friend but being in an unusual mood already, my brain took the words she'd written and linked them to an old song.  And before I knew what had happened, I had "I couldn't sleep at all last night...I was tossing and turning, turning and tossing" stuck in my head.  Over and over...turning and tossing...tossing and turning...

My friend commented "Use it" and like the writer I am...I realized the reason she was tossing and turning is cause she was wrestling  with the nuances of her plan to get rid of the guy that done her wrong.

So, here's today's game.  Why do you think he or she was tossing and turning?  Leave your answer in the comment section. 

I had to look up the lyrics so if you need a bit of inspiration, here they are. From the song Tossin' and Turnin' by Bobby Lewis in 1961.

I couldn't sleep at all last night
Got to thinkin' of you
Baby things weren't right
Well I was tossin' and turnin'
Turnin' and tossin'
a-tossin' and turnin' all night

I kicked the blankets on the floor
Turned my pillow upside down
I never never did before
'cause I was tossin' and turnin'
Turnin' and tossin'
a-tossin' and turnin' all night

Jumped out of bed
Turned on the light
I pulled down the shade
Went to the kitchen for a bite
Rolled up the shade
Turned off the light
I jumped back into bed
It was the middle of the night

The clock downstairs was strikin' four
Couldn't get you off my mind
I heard the milkman at the door
'cause I was tossin' and turnin'
Turnin' and tossin'
a-tossin' and turnin' all night


***  Bonus points to the person who can tell me what movie I pulled the title of this post from.  :-)



Motivational Monday

"Successful writers are not the ones who write the best sentences. They are the ones who keep writing. They are the ones who discover what is most important and strangest and most pleasurable in themselves, and keep believing in the value of their work, despite the difficulties."

 Bonnie Friedman

These past couple weeks, I've been taking my own advice.  I mentioned not long ago I felt sorta stale, or stagnant with my writing.  That' I'd been revising so long instead of writing something new.  Well, I've been writing new stuff.  And it feels really good.

But, I've learned a couple things I thought I'd share.  And, yes, I knew these things to begin with but sometimes I tend to forget and have to be reminded.

First, I love the way it feels putting words on the page.  Especially good words, words that fit, that tell a story.  I love the creative thought process.  The "what if" and "then what" questions.  I love getting to know new characters and places. 

However, writing is work.  The words don't always come easy and when they don't, it's usually easier to walk away or play some game on the computer than push through the rough spot.  It's so much easier to blame "writer's block" than actually confront why I'm having problems. 

It takes discipline.  I need a word count or page goal.  I need a deadline.  I don't know about you, but I need to be accountable. Sometimes I just have to do the "backside in chair" and write until I get the word count thing.  And you know what, those words are pretty good too.

The most important thing though, I need to make writing a priority.  Writing is important to me and I need to remind myself sometimes.  I need to remind others too, because if it's not important to me, it won't be to them.

And so today, I encourage each of you to make your writing a priority.  Take the time each day to put words on the page.  Set a word count or page goal and then meet and exceed it.  Enjoy the creative, pondering process and be sure to leave out some chocolate for the plot bunnies. :-)

Pet Words

When I first started writing seriously, I had a few words I liked to use over and over.  Just and that.  How many of you have the same problem?   Now, whenever I see either of those words, I always wonder if I can take it out.  My critique partners must be tired of me telling them they had too many 'thats' or 'justs' by  now.  It's one of the first things I notice.

However, they caught me with a new pet word the other night.  "So."  *Insert head to desk*  Seriously, how could that happen?  I mean really...  Now I have to go back and check each time so is in there to see if it's just a filler word or actually needs to be there. Sigh...

Thing is...  We all have our pet words.  Mine just happened to change once I noticed.  I'll have to be more alert as I weed out the all the times I used so and didn't need to.  Cause I know there'll be another word ready to take its place.

One of the best books on self-editing is called The 10% Solution by Ken Rand.  It's a small thing, only 63 pages but honestly, it's the best money I've spent on a writing book.  You can find it at Fairwood Press.  He has a really helpful list of things to check for in your writing.

In fact, I had his list taped to my monitor for years.  Here's a picture of the list.  I don't have it taped where I can see it any longer but still have the list.  You'll notice at the top right, I've added "also."  It was one of my trouble words once.   I'm going to have to add "so" now. :-)

So, :-)  what about you?  Got a favorite word? 

Motivational Monday

"If you’re going to be a writer, the first essential is just to write. Do not wait for an idea. Start writing something and the ideas will come. You have to turn the faucet on before the water starts to flow." 

 Louis L’Amour

I really like this.  Sometimes I do wait for ideas to come when I should be "doing" instead.  There are times when life gets in the way and sorta drys up the ideas but again, if we prime the pump, they do return.

Ideas are all around us.  We just have to open ourselves up to them, let 'em know we're listening and looking.

Plus it helps to leave out chocolate for the plot bunnies.:-)

Ladies Who Critique

This is a bit late getting posted but I wanted to give you the latest info.

Ladies Who Critique is a new online group for all us ladies who need a critique partner.  I'm going to pull some info off their website to share with you...

Ladies Who Critique is a critique partner matching site for writers of all levels – published, unpublished, aspiring, hobbyists, even closet writers or complete newbies!

Here are the core ideas behind our community;
- A place where women writers of all levels can search & find a match based on genre, experience & interests.
- A completely free service.
- Fun and without obligation.
- Safe and trustworthy.
- Fills the current need for such a space online.
- Be up to date with current trends in publication.
- Support the women who wish to pursue the traditional path and those who choose to go down the self publication route.
- Build confidence in those who aren’t even confident to call themselves writers quite yet.
- Offer a variety of articles, resources and blogposts on how to successfully critique, the benefits of critique, and how to maintain a good critiquing relationship.
- Enable our members to be fully savvy on the ins and outs of the new rules of publishing by keeping up to date with the newest and current technology, and developments in the publishing industry.

Now, this is the "beta" version and things are just getting started but there are already over 100 members in just about every genre. 

One of the cool things, you can search member profiles and find a person you have other things in common with.  In fact, I've already found a critique partner, set things up and sent pages to her this morning.  She and I have lots of other interests in common and I'm really looking forward to working with her.

I encourage each of you ladies to head on over and check it out.  I know you'll love it.  I'll be hanging out (mostly) in the Crime & Mystery along with the Short Stories groups so stop by, join and say hi. 

We'll also be using the #LWCritique hashtag on Twitter so be sure to check that out too.

Feeling stale?

Lately I've been feeling kinda stale, or maybe even stagnant in my writing.  Kinda blah if you know what I mean.  And yesterday, I finally figured out what's the problem.

I haven't written anything new in ages.  Oh, don't get me wrong, I've been revising like crazy.  In fact, I'm revising three different things right now but I haven't written anything new.  No new characters or conflicts. No new plots or brainstorming.  For a while, I wasn't even blogging.

For me, this "no creating" is not a good thing.  I need to be writing new stories on a regular basis.  And honestly, I love writing short stories. The benefit of writing new stories, besides feeling better, means I'll have new things to send out and hopefully have published. 

So, today I pledge to brainstorm a new story.  I pledge to get at least an outline on the page.  (Today is payday so I have to run errands this afternoon so won't have all day here at puter.)

What about you?  How are you feeling about your writing?  Written anything new lately?