I am blogging today

Today, Wednesday, March 18, 2009, I am guest blogger at award winning author Liana Laverentz's blog: www.LianaLaverentz.blogspot.com.

I had the honor of meeting Liana for the first time in 2007 after her contemporary novel, Thin Ice, won first prize in the Golden Leaf contest, sponsored by New Jersey Romance Writers. This was an exciting event, not only for Liana, but for her publishing house--The Wild Rose Press. An electronic press, not all that old in publishing terms, won a MAJOR contest!!! And they [Liana and TWRP] were up against some very stiff competition. The crowd went nuts.

One year later, Liana's novel, Jake's Return, won the Golden Leaf again!!!! This win is a loud and clear demonstration that not all e-presses are a flash in the pan, that smaller presses do publish quality romance fiction and that not all authors write for the Big Boys in New York.

I was honored when Liana asked me to visit her site. Please stop by if you have a chance.
peace
Kat

Mini Conference from CNYRW

This weekend, Christine and I took the bull by the horns and went to the Mini Con. in Syracuse. The Speaker was C.J. Lyons, she gave a great workshop. She worked both sides of our brain and kept us stimulated with tons of chocolate. The wonderful part of the entire day was the many light bulb moments, not only did I understand my own work, but I was able to take it to the next level. She explained in great detail the 3 Act structure of plotting and how to utilize it with Character Development. That plotting was for everyone at different stages of the process. I started out as a Pantser, and struggled with plotting. Now I see, if I want to fly at the seat of my pants then revise with a plot structure than my work could be structured. I took away so much from this weekends workshop, now I want to write, write, write. Kudos to C.J. Lyons for giving a great presentation and to CNYRW for throwing a great workshop.

Come Blog With Me

This week I am blogging at www.MurderX5.blogspot.com, a writers blog created by five Wings ePress authors who write romantic suspense/mystery, straight mystery/suspense, in a combination of genres.
It's been an interesting experience to say the least. Each day I will "offer" a different posting, including Write What You Know [March 9], Research, Create Memorable Characters, an Interview with a memorable heroine, and an excerpt from Try Just Once More.

This experience has taught me to be more careful with whom I share my true opinions. I'm also learning that some reviewers might have a hidden agenda [who knew?], and might say very positive things in the body of the review but then give a medium/ho-hum score.
I know in this game we call writing, as an author we'll never please everyone, but honesty and integrity go a long way with me.

I hope you'll be able to stop by one day this week [or more] and check this blog site out.
Peace,
Kat

Discipline

At the meeting on Sat. I brought up discipline. I am pretty much sorely lacking. BUT I have gotten a few scenes written this week. However, this is my typical morning.
Open email.
Check email.
Open facebook.
Surf facebook, change status, send a message or two etc.
Play mousehunt.
Open word, start writing. Write a scene. Do research in Yahoo. See interesting article in Yahoo and read it.
Back to writing.
Mousehunt.
Facebook.
Email.
Writing.
Etc. etc.
This is why I need my laptop back. Nah...I have internet there too. This is why I need discipline. Ugh.

So okay. A better way.

Good morning...check email. Answer back if important.
Open Word and start writing. Keep writing for at least an hour.
Then check facebook??? NO.
Keep writing for another hour. Stop only to take care of important bodily functions. (That probably shouldn't include eating chocolate.) But I do need bfast and lunch.
After writing for at least two hours...then I can reward myself with facebook or chocolate.
Or both.
Okay...back to writing.