I love long weekends

Ooh, I just got through another difficult part on my vampire book and I like it so much it was cracking me up as I was writing it. I love it when inspiration hits! I love humor. I think perhaps it is one of my strengths.

I can't wait for Atlanta and the RWA conference this year. I've made such progress on my writing that I'm really looking forward to sinking my teeth into everything.

Sex Scene Language

I've been working on a side project where I'm compiling a list of words to use in sex scenes. Yes, this is a very big project which I intend to piddle around with for a while until it is finished. About a year ago I begin to build a database of words in order to vary the language I use in love scenes so I can really bring it alive without being repetitive. Because let's face it - they're basically doing the same thing every time. I have it distilled down to action words, mood words, setting words, textures, tastes, sounds, touch words, scents. The idea is to have a book-sized list of words to be used by a writer as a reference to help with inspiration and vivid writing.

One writer that I admire greatly for her ability to bring impact to her love scenes and yet make them all different is Emma Holly. That woman has a creative streak a mile wide. There's just something about her word choices that really bring it out a visceral reaction.

Another writer that comes to mind is Christine Feehan. Very sensual, whereas Emma's tend towards aggressive, kick-ass sex. Both are good. :-)

Anyway, it is interesting to pick out my favorite authors, look at what they've done and try to decide why they have a certain impact. Very educational.

100th Post

Cripes, the server must have weirded out. Duplicate post.

100th Post

Cripes, the server must have weirded out. Duplicate post.

100th Post

Cripes, the server must have weirded out. Duplicate post.

100th Post

Cripes, the server must have weirded out. Duplicate post.

Take a Deep Breath. Get Back on the Horse.

OK, it's been a week since I had to put my dog down, so back to writing I shall go. I have a ton of crits to get caught up on. Of course, I have a lot of writing to do too. Thankfully, I have Monday off for Memorial Day so three days is an incredible luxury of time. Should be able to get a lot done!

Oh, and congrats to Taylor Hicks for winning American Idol. What a goofy, loveable soul. :-)

Sad Day

Haven't been able to write for the last two days. My poor little beagle/collie mix, Riggs, had to be put to sleep. She was 17 years old, so I can't complain. But still, she was my baby and I'm SO bummed.

I'll rest up this weekend and get back on the horse Monday. To everybody out their: give your furry friends a hug today!

Judging in Contests

Ooh, I get to judge again on this year's FF&P contest. I do so love reading other people's stuff. Sometimes writers have the greatest ideas. And it's just nice to see what other people are doing. So I'm looking forward to that.

Oh, and last night I figured out a better ending for my vampire book. I feel like it's far stronger and has a lot more satisfying impact. Yay! What I had planned out before was bothering me. I have learned not to ignore my instincts. If something's bothering me, I look at it, figure out why, and fix it. Even little, niggling stuff. It takes a lot of thought, but it's worth it in the long run.

Blocking out all the Naysaying

<---Here's the image for the day. I don't know why I like this. I'm in a weird mood.









For some reason I have heard an avalanche over the loops, on blogs, etc. on why writing is an impossible dream for most, blah blah blah. I'm sitting here with my fingers in my ears.

It seems to me that if you have even one shining talent - maybe characterization, creativity with your worlds, a really distinctive voice - then you have a chance. Every time I write a book, I get better. I can see it, hear it, instinctually I know it. I keep learning, keep having people critique my work, keep practicing. I know what my strengths are, and I know what I need to work on. As far as I'm concerned, it's just a matter of time. I don't see why that can't be true for other people too.

Groovin' on my writing

OK, so lately I've been totally clicking along with my writing. Ideas have been bubbling to the surface. I'm in a great mood. I'm getting a lot done and ALSO getting my critiques done for the FF&P group. I have 2.5 months to Atlanta and the RWA conference and I'm going to be SO ready.

I signed up for editor and agent appointments there. I got Esi Sogah from Avon and also got Kim Lionetti from BookEnds. I'm totally psyched. I'll do my homework, make sure I'm prepared, pitch my books and we'll see how it goes.

Life is good. Knock on wood. :-)

Good god, where did my weekend go?

OK, so I spent the entire weekend reading through my book, polishing it, making sure it was as good as I can get it before sending it off to Kensington. I'm pretty psyched about the book. I love it and I'm still not tired of it. So maybe that means other people will like it too. *crosses fingers!*

The downside to this is that I did almost nothing else. The sun was out, the temp was warm, and there I was, sitting in my office working away. It's a good thing I like being by myself a lot!

My husband is a very understanding man, that's all I can say!

Weekend Plans

OK, so this weekend the plan is as follows:

Do a read through of The Shape of Her Heart, flag anything remaining things that bother me, fix it quick. Write the cover letter. Then get the entire package ready to send off to Kensington. Mail it Monday.

Then, continue to work on my vampire book. Oh, and do some gardening and chores. And sleep in. I should also probably do a crit for someone in my crit group. And have some "quality time" with the hubby.

Hmm. Looks like I have my work cut out for me. Well, the last part's not work but you know what I mean. :-)

Ooh, another nibble!

I got a request, hand written, from John Scognamiglio, head of Kensington, asking to see the full manuscript of The Shape of Her Heart. Whew. Even if he rejects it, I feel pretty lucky that he pulled me out of a slush pile and asked to see the whole thing. So I'm in a really good mood today, lol. Yay!

Onwards and upwards...

Progress on my writing

OK, I got through a tough part on my vampire book last night. I was having trouble deciding the tone. I hate it when you get stumped on something and it makes you not want to write. Yet the only way out of that is to sit the hell down and write. Pah.

Anyway, FINALLY, I figured out what was bothering me about it and fixed it. I shall be forging ahead now, still mostly on schedule. I'll have to double time it this weekend to get caught up. Still, I'm so relieved. Getting stuck sucks.

I'm getting excited for the RWA nationals in Atlanta this year. On May 15th I get to sign up for editor and agent appointments. I can't wait to see who I get to pitch to. It is always a very rewarding experience and while I'm not pubbed yet, I've gotten really good comments on any rejections that have come out of the meetings. Ha ha. And one of these days, maybe one of them will actually say yes!

*knocks on wood*

Critique Group

OK, so the critique group I belong to is exploding, but in a good way. They've managed to plow through my first book and really help me take it to the next level. Now they're working on my second. In the meantime, I've done a boatload of critiques in return and I've learned a lot in the process.

Apparently my biggest issue is POV shifts. However, I'm not convinced that headhopping is a bad thing or even necessarily distracting if it's done right, but I've learned to be far more conscious about when, why and how. I feel much more confident now that I'm doing it well and for good reasons, and that the flow is pretty invisible yet clear to the reader.

Anyway, very happy with the whole thing. I'm polishing my third book now and will be starting my fourth soon. Making progress!