Why is Saying Goodbye So Hard?

This past week as been a roller coaster ride of emotions. The life of a wonderful young man ended tragically last Friday. By the grace of God, my son decided not to accompany this young man to ski practice and was not in the car at the time of the accident.

How do you deal with the grief that hides deep in his soul? I think we've found a way that suits him. I just need to sit back and keep my eyes and ears open. All these kids are lucky to have such a closeness among them. As long as they keep together and just be in the same room - it doesn't matter what they do, even if it's just watching television. The most important thing is they are together!

Kids today protect the privacy of their feelings in light of this psycho-analyzing culture we live in. It's hard to leave them to their feelings, but we must - especially with boys.

Everyone in my community was touched by this young man. His smile was infectious and his manners were impeccable. He had a heart bigger than anything you can imagine. My hope is that his legacy of caring and love will live on in his friends.

Today during his funeral, I looked out the windows of the church to see the snow falling in large fluffy flakes - not like the miserable freezing snow of earlier. I felt a smile blossom as I thought of this young man. It was his ideal winter weather and I knew he sent it to us as a reminder he was still with us. Again, tonight as I went to dinner, the sky was clear, the sunset was stunning and all I could think of was he was sending us this calming atmosphere to tell us he was watching over us.

You were my third 'son' Peter. I love you and miss you and I know you'll be Steve's guardian angel from now on.

1st & Ten

Judging by the dozen entries I had for the 1st& Ten, the contest is bound to be a huge success. We had some very talented entries. In fact, I scored two perfect. I can’t wait to for the author’s names to be revealed so I can rush out and buy the books.
The contest not only helps the writer, but it forces us to read outside our comfort zone. I’m not likely to pick up a thriller/suspense, but I thoroughly enjoyed the one I judged. Maybe next time I’m browsing for a book, I’ll wander over to that section.
Even the so-so and not-so-good entries were worth reading, especially if our critique helps the author.
I can’t wait to see the finalists. Next year, First & Ten should be even bigger and exciting!

Revisions

One of the questions raised in the creative writing class I teach is: how do you prevent becoming sick of your story as you revise/edit/improve it?

Excellent question. As someone on my third rewrite of the same novel...a novel I've spent over 300 hours on editing alone...the only answer I have is you'd better really like your characters. I know I'm with mine more often than I am with my own friends. Which may be why I know them better than I know my own friends.

But I digress.

Here is what I do in order to plod on, despite the fact my eyes have glazed over and drool has dripped off my chin. I take one scene...just one itty-bitty scene, and plump it up. I increase the tension. I create a bigger reaction from a character. Or maybe make a reaction smaller, more subtle. I fool with it, sometimes for days, almost as if it was its own story. By taking off small bites, I can eat the whole enchilada. And sometimes give it extra spice to boot.

How do you prevent revision boredom? I'd love to know so I can share it with my class.

Muses

Muses take all forms, human, virtual, imaginary, whatever. Lately, with the judging I'm doing as well as reading for TWRP, my hunger to finish my stories has increased. So, as I take time between my readings, I am going to work on my goal to get one book ready to present to a publisher before my birthday in April.

Is that too ambitious of an undertaking? Not really, when the book is almost finished. I'm working on tweaking it per suggestions from critiques from friends. The one thing I need is to manage my time more productively. Isn't that the same for everyone?

I guess what I'm realizing lately is that I need to be more open to any opportunity to access my muse, whatever it may be. I'll keep my eyes, ears, and heart open to any ideas, no matter how big or small. I never know what will be IT in regards to the right story.

Things that make you go whew!

As usual every February, I have my thousand mile checkup. Physical, mamagram, bone density and blood tests. Today I had the mamagram. Took me in right away, the office was not crowded as it is on most occassions. The technician did the usual, left arm out of the gown, then the right. I don't know why they can't do away with the gown, it's a pain in the neck. Took several views, then went on to the bone density. As usual sit in the tiny dressing room that's freezing in the stupid gown while they review the film. I fail to undersand why some woman get up tight about the breast being compress for a few seconds. No big deal, but when they came back and said come with me please, I wondered. They put me in a room with two chairs, a room I'd never been in before ans I have been going to the same office for thirty years. The technician comes in a says the doctor wants some more views of the right breast. Okay, no big deal. Takes the pictures she needs and sends me back to the two chaired room. She comes in again and says got to have more pictures, the doctor doesn't like the looks of the ones already taken. Oookay, more pictures and back to two chairs. I really didn't like the idea of that room, so different. She comes in once again and says (guess what?) doctor wants to see more of the orginal positions. Take pictures again. And back to the ROOM.
Finally she comes in and says you can get dressed but don't leave. The doctor wants to talk to you. Yikes, now what? Well it seems the doctor wanted to thank me for my patience. There was nothing in the pictures to indicate any problem but it was not a pleasant experience.
And I thought as I drove away, many women are not to lucky. I am grateful my doctors have insisted on yearly mamagrams since I was forty. So if you are afraid of having a mamagram, set aside your fear and embarrasement and remember you do not want to die of embarrasemt.
Now I realize there are those who are reading this might not be female, but having health checkups regularly is for everyone. Now that we have delt with the serious I am extending an invitation for all to check out my new blog. It is about fighting off Father Time. www.theguileofthefoxlady.blogspot.com

It's The Little Things

So, I was scheduled to blog on Valentine's day, a fun day for a romance writer to be blogging, right? Only I wasn't writing, I was sick. Spare-you-the-details-flat-on-my-back-with-the-stomach-flu-sick. Happy Valentine's day to me. Any visions of romance for me were out of the mix. Or were they? No, there wasn't any chocolate or roses or romantic dinner. But my husband brought me hot compresses, jello and sno-cones when I felt up to it. He kept the kids quiet and the house under control. It was a day for the kind of love that comes after ten years of marriage. The kind that doesn't get the status of glitzy gifts and the romantic gestures you usually associate with Valentine's Day. And it occurred to me, (always the writer, even while in the throes of the flu) that these are the kind of details that can add depth to fiction. The way you know someone loves you when they press their wrist against your hot forehead, and pull the blankets up to your chin. Sometimes a scene like that can be much more telling than a dozen roses showing up at the door.

So while I was disappointed to lose a day to the flu, at least I got some writing material out of it. Don't be surprised if my next manuscript has a very detailed, yet romantic sick scene in it. :)

Love is in the air

I'm an love thirsty romance reader. As well, I enjoy writing romance. Having birthday the day after Valentine's it's in my blood to thrive for love.
Life is meant to be lived by those breathless moments, not counting your breaths. It warms my heart to view those touching moments in the lives around me.
Sometimes when love surprises you all you can do is bask in the beauty of it no matter where it comes from.
My husband and I have been watching Survivor since the first episode. There has only been a few breathless romantic moments in the entire run of the show. Last night, I saw the beginning of a breathless moment between two people that never thought could be together.
One never knows what happens tomorrow, but it's great to see human nature, chemistry and the heart start to pull together to villain even for a breathless moment, if not more. Time will only tell.

What is it about books...

...and movies...and fiction in general? Ever since I was a little girl I had a thing for romance and yes, the typical, shhhh, don't tell anyone...it's so politically incorrect now...I've always been drawn to the man rescues the woman stories.

I know, I know, it's cool when the woman's strong and can rescue herself, or at least help herself get halfway there...blah blah blah

Sometimes I feel I get more attached to characters than I do people in real life. I once read an excerpt online from one of my favorite authors. She writes series romances so I'm really invested in the characters. Anyway what she was intimating in this excerpt was something horrible happening to one of the characters and I flipped out!!!! I raved to my husband, all the while laughing at myself knowing it's not real.

I was the same way with the x-files. I had to stop watching it.

My daughter and I were reading Harry Potter today and I actually got all warm and mushy when I read that Neville tried to rescue Ginny from the horrible professor Umbridge (is she dead yet?)
My daughter smiles at me, I'm probably passing it on.

My hope is this 'sensitivity' will transfer into my writing.
I still like white knights, but I write strong women.
I still love happy endings, which people who know me will tell you. I always want to know how the movie ends before I see it, if there's any question it may end bad...forget it. (I mean really, what's the point? Who wants to go to a movie and be let down...there's enough real life for that!!)

Ah, here's my white knight now, we're going to watch a movie....uh oh...

Goals

Goals are important. They give us something to strive for, to keep us on track. Without goals, our lives would be aimless and meaningless.

I think sometimes we aren't truly aware of our goals. We need to take the time to sit down and evaluate just what it is we want. Doing that we will be able to further our destiny, whether it be published writers or not.

I'm glad I've listened to my inner muse and began working on my craft again. It brings me such joy and accomplishment. Isn't that all that matters? Life doesn't have to be complicated, crammed and busy. That's just chaos.

I'm close the achieving my goal for the month. Perseverance will keep me plugging away until I reach what I've promised.

What's wrong with this picture?

Good morning all,
Just for the heck of it I am going to rant. Mind you I usually find complaining is useless, but just for the sake of argument (something else I feel is fruitless) I am going to voice my opinion.
Why is it just when you think you have all the bases covered, someone comes along and moves home plate? Why is it just when you learn where the soup isle is, they move it? How come when you learn a computer program someone comes along and tweeks it? Then what you have used sucessfully is no longer valid?
When I say I don't remember why does some one insist that I do? If I don't, I don't and am not going to waste any more brain time on the issue. How is it that when a minor miss step in traffic arises, no matter who is at fault, do I always blame myself? Why do I assume when the horn blows it is always for me?
Why must I always be the one that understands? How is it that when my children have problems is it up to me to fix it? ( ages 41 & 46)
Now definately these are minor problems, but to a larger scale...why when there is an issue, problem, or weather crisis, does the USA always step in to fix it? Who put us in charge of the world? Now don't get me wrong I believe we must help those who need it but why can't it be reciprocated? Did another country step in to aid with Katrina? They may have but I didn't hear about it.
Why is it when someone does a good deed such as Bill Gates does some fool say ,"Big deal, he can afford it?" Yeah, he can but he is under no obligation to do so. So, "Thank you Mr. Gates." I for one appreciate it.
I wonder why it is, whenever I have an idea or suggestion, no one ever listens, but comes to me when the plan didn't work? I think if I yelled "Fire" not a soul would move.
Well, that's all that is bugging me at the moment.
So I will say there are things that do work the way I want them to. And sometimes though rarely someone listens. The trouble with any situation is when the issue, country, group or crisis becomes too large, no one thinks to solve the problem by breaking the thing into smaller pieces. They just shoot money or rhetoric at it and expect it will all go away.
Now I am off my rant box and wish each of you a happy and productive day. For me if I remember to take out the trash it will be a good day. That and a bowl of ice cream.

Multi-tasking

So as I sat here, processing the last of the 1st & 10 entries, switching from the contest to my WIP which is two months behind deadline, AND watching "The Proposal" a chick flick starring Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, and Betty White, I recalled I have blogger duty today. Hence the movie review because it's upper most on my mind.
This movie is an absolute scream, and offers an excellent example for a character arc. The dialogue is crisp and clean; the scenery [supposedly Sitka Alaska] is spectacular.
Goals and motivation are clear.
External conflict jumps out to shake the viewer's hand.
The hero's internal conflict is demonstrated early, but deeper layers are unraveled until the very last scene.
The heroine's internal conflict is not quite as visible until she experiences a crisis in conscience and reveals to the hero why she has been alone all her adult life.
Mr. Ryan sports a torso women only dream about and he kisses like no tomorrow.
I gotta go out and find more of his movies.
I give it four stars.
Kat

Reading into things

To become a good writer,do more reading, especially in the market you're targeting. You've heard that before, right? But what do you look for when you are reading? Harlequin Author Susan Meier has a great workshop on her website (it's free!) that explains how to analyze the books you're reading. http://www.susanmeier.com/

This has been particularly helpful as I try to target the category romance market. How are all the lines different from each other? Sometimes reading a book in a totally different line can help you better define what your book shouldn't be.

Now if you'll excuse me, if got a stack of Harlequins calling my name. And I've got a pen and notepad to dissect them.

Yikes!

I know it's my turn to blog, but my brain is foggy, my eyelids want to drop, and this persistent yawn is getting in my way. I should be working on revisions, but I have a cold, I'm cranky, and all I want to do is sleep. So this is my whiny little rant. At least I've written something at all today, pathetic as it is. :)

So I'm titling this "Yikes!" because I'm pretty sure most people see me as pleasantly peppy. And today I'm aggravatingly grumpy. And I really like the way those words sound, so I must be overtired.

If you're still reading this, you have a quite a bit of tolerance for the cantankerous. Much to be commended. Good night.

New Year's Resolutions

Now that the holidays are over, I'm running out of excuses not to write. Writing is a lot like exercise, not that stomach crunches compare to turning out chapters, but try getting out of the routine. It's so tough to get back in the habit.
I do my best writing early in the morning, when the house is absolutely quiet. Sipping steaming freshly brewed Maxwell coffee, while the words seem to flow off the tips of my fingers, life doesn't get much better.
But getting out of a warm bed in my drafty old house takes a huge amount of discipline. Better late than never, I guess my New Year's resolutions has to be write, write, and crunches.

Home from Travels

Sorry I missed blogging yesterday. By the time I got home from Philly, I had to rush and make a meeting. When I eventually came home, unloaded the car and had a minute to breath, I crashed and went to bed.

I'm really excited to have better organization in my life now. Even though I was in Philly for a day (three if you count driving there and back) I was able to judge a couple of contest entries and prepare for a new reading gig. How wonderful it is to bring my work with me and not lose a beat.

I'm only home for two days and then it's off again. This time I'm only a chauffeur for my parents and when we get to my sister's, I'm just a guest. I'll have some time to write and relax, more than I did on the Philly trip. For once, I'm looking forward to these trips. In the past I've dreaded them because something always went wrong. To quote a favorite author, "It is what it is," is now my motto. There's something so freeing with that phrase.