Thursday, August 26, 2010

Passages

Today was a reminder our lives go through a series of passages. Passages on to the next stage. My husband and I delivered our youngest to college today. He is the first to not only go to university, but to live away from home.

I've been feeling melancholy all week and was dreading today. However, we were so busy walking the campus with him and getting him settled, when we did part it was quick and painless. Maybe that's because we found his friends when went to find dinner. Once he hooked up with them, the 'rents were history.

Now the house is eerily quiet. My daughter is out with her dad for a late dinner and my oldest son is still in Colorado. Talk about an empty nest. Let's see if I can last a month, which is when Stephen has to go back to Delaware for his post surgery checkup.

Currently Reading . . .

I apologize for missing my blog appointment the other day. Being on vacation and at the mercy of spotty Internet access is a royal PITA. If you need to know what that stands for, ask me at the next meeting.

I am not reading per se but listening to Nora Roberts' latest romantic thriller "The Search". I keep finding places to drive so I can continue listening. And, though I count La Nora among my writer heroes, I've put plenty of her books down over the past few years. She's back on top with this one. Funny, self-effacing hero, long and lanky heroine, and a really creepy villain who is a copy cat of the real deal who tormented the heroine in the distant past. Throw some enticing Labrador Retrievers [my fave breed] named Bogart, Newman, Peck and Jaws for a little comic relief and this is a honey of a story.

As far as I've 'heard', this is not the run of the mill serial killer - helpless heroine trapped on a rural island in the Pacific Northwest thriller. The dogs, whom the heroine has trained to be rescue dogs, will have to figure into the ultimate resolution and of course the hero who is kind of reluctant at the moment will step up to the plate and search alongside the animals to find where the villain has buried the heroine alive.

Oodles of humor, an uncommon bad guy [he doesn't rape or mutilate or speak or terrorize--in the usual way] and these fun dogs, makes for some great end of summer reading/listening for me.
See you in September. heh heh
Kat

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Utalize all Talents

Within LCRW we have some people of extraordinary talent. And not just writing talent. What I am proposing is a pool of all these talents. Who knows how to publize? Who knows how to plot? Who knows the ways of the computer? Who knows how to get things done? Without straining my brain even a tad the answers to these questions are obvious. But I guess what I am asking is who has the hidden talent?
I would like to create a booklet that will be reviewed annually to take advantage of the new talent. It would be a part of the membership packet. I will gladly compile the information, I would like this brought up at the next meeting. I'll be there and will raise the question under new business.
Remember what you think of as a nothing skill may be far more valuable to someone else than you can possibly realize. People often ask me why I don't paint more as I am a fair artist, but for me it is as natural as walking. I suppose to another person it would be considered a skill. I am sure each of us has something to offer and I would like to have a complation of these talents at my finger tips. Can't make this program work the way I am doing it, just look in the book and find out how. Also we should make the talents known so If you are having a problem you can't find the answer to your question in the book, contact someone who can help. That is what this organization is for, to help each other. WRITE ON!

Friday, August 20, 2010

What are you reading?

I'm looking for a good series or book to read. Any Suggestions?
Typically, I have a book on the nightstand, one in the pool bag, one in the living room and one audio book to listen.
But magically I'm down to the pool bag book which is Fantasy in Death by JD Robb. Love the series have read most of the novels. I've just finish rereading the Novels of Final Prophecy by Jessica Andersen who is coming in for the Write On Rochester! Conference. Finished listening to Acheron, Sherrilyn Kenyon. Beta read a novel for a friend... a western.  But I'm looking for gripping, fun and must have some kind of romantic elements in it.  I'm feeling really low on books to read.
So I'm open for suggestions. What are you reading?

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Old Dog New Trick

The longer I hang out on this planet the more I am certain I was born in the wrong era. Now I have always loved gagets, I have a lap top computer, a net computer, cell phone, plasma TV, a CD player and a computer animation tablet. And I love them all, but it seems to me that the devices were developed for some nerd that sits in a cubicle and they get sheer joy from wandering all over the screen and clicking buttons. Now if I had invented the dang things they would work much more easily. And why in Sam Hill does everything have to have a password? Heck in my first home I didn't even have a key to the door.
Now I have an alarm system and 8 times out of 10 the dratted thing scares me out of my wits cause I forgot to turn off the alarm. It only further explains my axiom of all that life consists of is simplifying the complicated and complicating the simple. The real problem is waaay tooo many people feel that they are superiour because they complicate the simple.
Me? I like straightforward ABC 123. Hell brain surgery is easy if you know how.

Why I'll be at Write On Rochester!

#5 Networking Opportunities- I can’t wait to catch up with old friends and meet new writers.

#4 I’m feeling lucky! Maybe, I will win one of the many fabulous door prizes or raffles.

#3 Punch Up Your Writing Workshop – I want my writing to knock your socks off!

#2 World Building Workshop – At the moment, I can only dream about creating a universe with clear blue lakes, towering timber, and where every kiss leads to a happy ending.

And the # 1 reason why I’m going to the Write On Rochester! conference is to ask Jessica a burning question.
'You have a PhD in genetics, you’ve been a doctor of molecular genetics, a patent agent, a freelance editor, a professional horse trainer, an author of over twenty books, best-selling and award-winning no less, balanced with a fiance and an assortment of animal. HOW DO YOU DO IT?'

For more information on this exciting writing conference, go to www.lcrw.org

Monday, August 16, 2010

Welcoming New Possibilities

Thank you for the post regarding 'cloud computing.' It was a welcomed addition to my method of saving my manuscripts. I've been transcribing my work from the computer to hard copy, but as we all know, it's time-consuming. Having my work available from any computer is a treat.

I have yet to meet my goal for the month, 'write a new chapter for IT.' The chapter has an opening and that's all. One of my ideas for one scene needed more research. Luckily I have a underused source of trivia, my lawyer brother, Mike. He collects interesting information like quotes from a wide range of public figures. One phone call and I have several search ideas yet to put to use. They'll be the next step after completing this blog.

Inspiration for our writing is all around us. We need to be open to receiving it, or even recognizing it. Our days should begin with a prayer to open our eyes, ears and hearts to the world around us to guide us along our manuscripts.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Idle Thoughts

Ignorance is bliss. Starting with a cliche is not what I had in mind when I signed up to do a blog. I tried to find a better start but couldn’t find anything better to describe my mood. The last six months I have read six or seven books on writing, the English language and struggled through critiques’ by teachers and rejection comments by editors. I want to be a writer and wanted to know how to become a good one.
Before all of this I would think about writing something for several days while walking or laying in bed at night and start to write. Once the character or characters became a picture in my head the thoughts of the previous days would start to fall in place and I would write faster as I lived the story in my head.
The last six weeks I have written only one new short story and wasn’t too happy with that. Before I didn’t know that the first sentence should be strong and grab the reader or that there needs to be a beginning, middle and end. All of the don’ts keep jumping out at me, don’t tell, don’t use cliches…
I have edited and used some of my older work and submitted and even had a story accepted by an e-publisher. The problem is I have lost the excitement of creating something that is new. I am working on a true story that needs to be finished by the end of the month. I write ten or fifteen minutes and put it aside.
Compounding this is the fact that this is a busy month family wise and commitment wise. There are too many legitimate excuses that I can use to put off writing. I seem to jump from one thing to another, not finishing one but feeling compelled to try something else and doing this over and over.
I would like to find that old freedom, to find the pictures in my head and try to turn the pictures into words that let others see pictures.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Save it for all time

“Cloud Computing” is the term used to identify the process of storing and/or backing up information away from your computer. The theory is that if something happened, the data is not lost.

There are a few sites that will help with that – some of them free for the first one or two meg. Search “cloud computing” to find them.

What I want you to do is set up an email account with gmail (or whomever you want) and not tell ANYONE (next of kin is okay) the address. (This is your archive; don’t let anyone fill it with garbage.) Then, email all your writing to that account. (The reason I chose gmail is the 750 meg of space they give for free.)

Obviously, you must come up with a unique name for each email. I always start with the name of the story and the date. It makes the list easy to find and easy to sort. Another thing I do is make a folder for each story. If you are working on a novel, the folder is the book title. Each chapter can them be dropped into the proper folder when the email arrives.

Another benefit is anywhere you are with internet access, you have access to your most current work. You will not be able to castigate that with a birch.

Where does the time go?

In the mad rush of summer, realizing the time is slipping away is always a disappointment. Here we are in mid-august, school will be starting soon and for some of us lucky the Write On Rochester! Conference is right around the corner.


Jessica Andersen is scheduled to give two workshops for LCRW on Sept 17&18 and I'm thrilled. The workshops are on World Building and Pumping up your writing. As a paranormal fiction writer these topical are right up my avenue. But this could be for any genre in any style from children's to YA to Adult to... the spectrum is broad.

If you think it's not worth it, think again. This conference isn't about an all day workshop; it's about networking. There will be editors, writers, readers and such. Support, information on what to do and what's going on. At one conference I went to in the past, they were saying it's about the elevator time. Normally you run into editors, publishers and the like at Conferences and it's the elevator time, that is important. You have 25 words to get your point across. 25 words, commercial to say what you need to say for that one person to remember your book.
Conferences are more than just the speakers, it's the experience, the knowledge you gain from going. So if you are in the Rochester area,and are a writer come out for the weekend. Find out how Jessica Andersen went from a PHD in genetics to an award winning Author and her secrets. Find out what it's like to have elevator time, to network, to pitch your ideas. Come have an experience you'll remember always.

Check out LCRW.org for more information.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Support LCRW

This group has a lot to offer writers of all kinds. However, the sickening lack of people from the group registering for the conference is beyond my comprehension. When I learn I am going to attend I register as early as possible and make my plans accordingly. I usually try to autograph books and must purchase them myself. Planning down to the last detail; I know what I am going to wear and what makeup I will use, schedule my haircut so it will not look just cut or that it needs cutting.
I have created a form that tells me how to pack, for each day.
Now I don't say I expect everyone to do things the way I do, but I do expect every member of the group to either register or tell why you cannot. There are reasons one could not attend and these are viable, but for all the time and money that has gone into this project I expect to see more participants.
Those of you who know me, know I rarely rant and in case you were wondering I am registered. I was the first.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Where Does The Time Go?

I'm in the process of getting my youngest ready to go off to college. He only turned eighteen last Friday. With surgery to straighten both of his legs, we've missed graduation and all the hoopla surrounding that milestone.

Our emotions are uneven. I want him to start collecting what he needs for his dorm and classes, but he's taking his time. He gives all kinds of arguments as to why there's no rush. I think he forgets he has surgery to remove the pins and frames three days before he moves into his dorm.

Then again, I want to wait and buy all his linens and supplies down in Delaware where the hospital is. There's no sales tax there.

Needless to say, life in my house is very interesting and confusing. All I pray for is a clear head to get through these next three weeks and to not cry when I leave the campus. I've already said goodbye to my oldest, 23 yr old M. He decided to go back to Colorado with his girlfriend in mid-July. He called tonight and said he might stay past September which was his original thought. I miss my best friend.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Wow!

As I was struggling to figure out what to write about I received PW Daily. For all writers Publisher's Weekly Daily is a great way to stay in tune with not only the craft but the publishing world and it's free. Today's top latest news is Dorchester Drops Mass Market Publishing for e-Book/POD Model.

My first thought were OK, wow.  After reading the article I have mixed thoughts on the state of affairs affecting our publishers. I'm happy they are going to e-Books and POD model but what will happen to all the authors? Everything will change, royalty rates, advances...

As a reader, what will happen to my favorite author's books. I'm still in the analogue age, I don't process a e-Reader.  No Mass market publishing means no paperbacks for $7 or less instead the e-books will be in this price range. So the books will either be hardcover, e-Book or POD. Most POD range from $12 -$15 a pop. I guess it's time to get an e-reader.  Because I can't let go of Christine Feehan, Laurell K Hamilton, Lynsay Sands and many many other great authors. Some I do buy hardcover.

I'm excited at the way the publishing company is heading but at the same time, saddened at the lost of books to hold in my hand.  How does the announcement make you feel?

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Makes You Think

I can hardly wait for our August fundraiser. 2012 has been a hot topic for several years, and now it’s scary close. Even scarier are recent events.
Some claim that the seventh Hopi prediction has come true. ‘The seas shall turn black.’ The gulf disaster really gets you thinking. I for one was clueless on how much a single oil well could produce. And to think, there are hundred of thousands of these wells around the world. Imagine an orange with hundreds of tiny straws stuck in it, drawing the juices out. Will our earth be left hollow? Will it crumble? Or will it pop like a balloon?
The doomsday possibilities range from asteroids, polar flip, war, super volcano, to flu pandemics. Really, who knows?
The Mayans predicted in 1999 that we would have 13 years to change the path of destruction. Jessica Andersen’s books follow that path. Her modern day Mayan warriors fight hard to save the planet. I pray her last book has a happy ending.
Hopefully, our local Mayan expert, Julianne Baliva, will share some secrets with us. I’ve got some questions for her. How about you?

Mayan Prophecies Lecture, Friday August 20, 7-9 at Gates Community Center 1605 Buffalo Road.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Our Conference

First congrats to Kat. Each contract is as heady as the first. In between the writing part and the waiting part is that limbo, can I do it again? Did my luck run out? No matter where you are in your writing there is always a sense of doubt, that frankly we can do without. So lets show our peers that we are behind the conference by signing up. To date only one person is signed up. The rest of us need to get on the stick. The comittee worked like the devil to create a one of a kind conference, so show your support sign on for the best conference ever.
I have spoken to some members who tell me that some groups do not meet during the summer and I think this might be better for our group as well. Some of you have children who are out of school for the summer and want to spend time with the family doing things that are fun. Those of us who (fortunately are past little kids) like to do different things in the warmer months. This is just a thought but I believe it should be considered for next year. This summer is fading fast and in a few weeks the little blighters will be back on the yellow buses.
I am challenging the group to sign up for the conference before the end of this month. The person who is the second to sign up will recieve a authgraphed copy of my newest book. Kat let me know who that is. Enjoy the rest of the week and I'll bug you again next Tuesday.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

You Never Know. A Dollar and a Dream

At the last LCRW meeting we discussed the ins and outs of bringing back the Winers' Challenge, why and when. As Deb explained to new members or visitors what the Challenge entails, she reminded me I once took my challenge and turned it into a fully-developed story and submitted it to The Wild Rose Press for its Class of '85 series. It is titled Embraceable You.
That discussion prompted me to go back into a computer file which is filled with half-written stories, some story ideas less than 5 pages long. I love the concept: short stories, 6-7K, involving baby boomer heroes and heroines, all of whom are connected to the criminal justice system of a fictional city and county in Western New York State, of course it over looks Lake Ontario. Who [meaning publishers] wants stories like this? No one, I thought, so they continued to grow mold in this rarely visited file.
While sitting out a flash rainstorm during the Hilton Fireman's Carnival parade this past Wednesday night, I read through this month's edition of Romantic Times Book Club. What do you know, there is a publisher out there who is open for submissions for baby boomers. Call out the brass band and hand me a kazoo.
It did not take much to dust off and fumigate one of the stories. I submitted on Thursday; was offered a contract on Friday; resubmitted the lengthened story on Sunday.
You never know.