Lilac City Rochester Writers

The pen is mightier than the sword.

2011-08-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

One affirmation of Nelson Mandela’s many words of wisdom states: “We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

As a writer, I see that as just another twist to Robert Bulwer-Lytton’s, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”

How’s that for giving us writers a sense of power? And riding on the shoulders of that power is a big responsibility. Are we paying attention? Are we living up to our responsibilities?

An important part of writing is reading and that’s something I do a LOT. But when I finish a book and don’t feel as if I’ve come away enriched in some way, I’m disappointed. The author didn’t let his or her light shine, didn’t send me a message of some sort, and I feel almost bereft.

I’m not saying that every novel out there must be heavy with meaning. I think we all enjoy an “easy read” once in a while—on a long airline flight, when we’re on vacation, or just when we need an innocuous distraction from the perils of Life.

But the stories that last are the ones that tackle and conquer life’s issues, that light the protagonist’s way—and ours vicariously—through the detritus of a malevolent society. Jane Austen wrote about a culture that scorned women. Yet her female characters were strong and managed to survive or overcome the system. Jodi Picoult plunges the reader smack-dab into compelling controversy in her books. She puts us in the shoes of a mother who is pregnant with a critically infirm baby, or of two women who fall in love—with each other. Dan Brown’s “The Lost Symbol” introduces the reader to amazing information about the symbols all over our capitol, plus the IONS (Institute of Noetic Science) organization.

Your stories are certainly “about something” or there is no story, really. As you build the conflict and strengthen your characters, don’t forget to let your light shine through it.

- Posted for Joan Baier by SAY

How Do You Know...?

2011-06-28T10:57:00.002-04:00

A question brought up at a group awhile back prompted me to blog about a subject you don't hear discussed often.

How do you know when your work is ready to submit for publication?

This is a great question, because oftentimes we feel something is ready to send off...after all, we've revised and edited it numerous times...and yet, it might not be our best effort after all.

I feel I know my work is ready when I read it (for the fiftieth time already!) and I am caught within the story's spell. It no longer feels like I am reading my own work that I've struggled with in the attempt make every essential word perfect, every metaphor fresh and clever, every mention of dialog captivating. I am in time and place with the character. I feel as if...well...as if I'm reading someone else's novel. An author I admire, even.

There are paragraphs where this is not the case--places where sentences don't seamlessly mesh, awkward and sharp as crevices between stacked rocks along a pier. A reader doesn't want to go on, can't go on, because there doesn't seem to be a smooth place to step.

I may spend hours on a few sentences, rearranging them, chiseling each phrase until it says exactly what I want in the most astute manner. But the payoff is big. The next time I read through, I'm no longer stopped by sentences that drop off into a thrashing sea. I've made a stone bridge. It's strong, it's durable, and it's traversable.

Perhaps you depend on the help of a writer's group, or have a trusted and keen-eyed reader. I have that as well. But in the end, only you can feel satisfied enough with your work. Only you can decide when it's time to take that gigantic step and submit your work.

Put away the piece you're writing for a few weeks. Pull it out with fresh eyes, pretend you're a reader. Do you become so focused on the story everything else falls away? Are you so engrossed that you suddenly realize it's three in the morning and you have to get up for work in a few hours? If so, you may be ready to take that leap.

How do you know when your work is ready? When you feel you can't go any further to improve upon what you have written.

Interviewing Favorite Characters

2011-06-23T14:44:00.002-04:00

Several months ago, authors from the Class of '85 series out of the Wild Rose Press, came together to promote their books on one menber's blog: www.WildWomanKane.blogspot.com with interviews of their favorite characters.

Here is the interview with Dru Horvath from Embraceable You. I hope you enjoy it.
Kat

Where are you from originally, Dru? I'm not really sure. Somewhere in the mid-Atlantic states probably. My family traveled around a lot. I was removed by Child Protective Services after my parents were arrested in Summerville New York for running a Gypsy scam.

What is Embraceable You about? It is the story of myself and Sheriff Rory McElroy who come together for a few hours at an awards banquet during the 25^th reunion for the Class of ’85-and how those few hours forever changed our lives.

What did you think the first time you saw Rory? That he filled out a tux real well.

What was your second thought? Since Homeland Security had me on a pretty tight leash that night, I looked at the great big bed over in the corner of this plush hotel room, and figured it was too bad I wouldn’t be sticking around long enough for him and me to try it out.

Did you think it was love at first sight? No, but there was a lot of lust flying around.

What do you like most about Rory? He makes me laugh, plus that man can slow dance like no tomorrow. Yum.

How would you describe him? He looks like Daniel Craig with that bored ‘screw-you’ look on his face and the build of a boxer. Man, he is hard all over. Sorry, didn’t mean to be crude, but this man does not have a soft part on his body . . . except his heart. That’s all mush.

How would he describe you? Tinkerbell with a mouth and an attitude to match.

What made you choose photo-journalism as a profession? I received my first camera as a Christmas gift when I was maybe 15. Pretty soon I was taking pictures of everything in town. Framing and light came easy, like instinct. An important man in town, Henry Dunavan, paid for private classes at RIT—Rochester Institute of Technology—for me. The instructor helped me get into RIT’s photography program. Things took off after that.

What is your biggest fear? Ten months ago I would have said not living long enough to accomplish my goals. Today I will say it’s not being able to come home to Rory.

How do you relax? When I find out, I'll let you know.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Ouiser Boudreaux from Steel Magnolias. She is confident, self assured and loyal to her friends. Plus, she makes me laugh.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Do not allow fear to prevent you from doing what is right.

What books have had an impact on your life?

Mila 18 and Trinity, Leon Uris

Carnal Innocence and Divine Evil, Nora Roberts

A Problem From Hell: the world's response to genocide, Samantha Powers

The Parsifal Mosaic and The Bourne Identity, Robert Ludlum

A Man to Die For, Eileen Dreyer

The Night They Burned the Mountain and Deliver Us From Evil, Dr. Tom Dooley

Thanks for consenting to this interview, Dru. We appreciate it.

No prob.

Casinos and Writing Similarities

2011-06-17T14:23:00.000-04:00

I must confess—I like to gamble. When my sister comes to visit, which she does frequently, we head out to a local casino, about thirty miles away. It got me to thinking how much writing and playing the slot machines are similar. (I suppose this is relevant to other games, but I still can’t master craps or video poker.)

The anticipation of driving up to the casino is akin to the anticipation of writing a book. You’re starting fresh, you have high hopes for doing well that afternoon, and you look forward to what’s coming. When you begin the process of either, it’s exciting and interesting.

Mostly though, what I find comparable is the suddenness of winning or losing at both. One book is swooned over by the editors and sells well. The next sale is rejected by the same publisher. Or you get great reviews, even awards, for one story. Hardly anyone likes the subsequent one. Your writing life can be turned around on a dime, good or bad, with a phone call or an email. The same goes for the games. You win, you win, then you lose. You can be down to your last dollar and Boom! you hit the jackpot. This has happened to me frequently. I think I’m done playing the slots then I get a huge payout, enough to keep going for hours. Another parallel came to mind when I put up my backlist and one original novella for sale online. Some days I had 50 sales on the Kindle, Nook, Sony or iPad. Then, I’ve had 225 purchases show up next day.

I can’t say I really like how precarious slot machines are or how tenuous success is in the publishing world. Sometimes I wonder why I do either. Sometimes I think there are a lot more important things in life to be devoting my time, money or energy to. Yet I’m guessing they’re both in my blood. Okay, truthfully, I can go months without setting a foot in the casino. But that’s not so with writing. For over twenty years, I have not stayed away from a manuscript for that length of time. I’m thinking only once did I not write for three full weeks and that was when I was on vacation in Italy. (And then I read on the beach, in trains, on airline flights, which improves my writer’s skill.)

Of course, it goes without saying I’d much rather be bitten by the writing bug than the gambling one. Though the adrenaline rush comes from both for me, I guess I’m just lucky (pun intended) I get it mostly from my writing career, even with its ups and downs.

By: Kathy Shay

The New Age of Literature

2011-06-14T09:21:00.002-04:00

I'm envious. Truly, teeth-gnashingly envious.

Kids these days have it made if they want to be a writer. They can take courses on-line. There are local venues dedicated to the craft, and they learn the important parts of a story in the first grade. I only learned that just last year. And I'm still trying to internalize it.

There are magazines where kids can submit their stories and drawings and see them published before their eighteenth birthday. Paying magazines. Yes, they can draw in an income writing while some of us simmer in our own jealous juices. And they can be a part of writing communities with the stroke of a keyboard, which, by the way, they've mastered while I punch out this essay using two fingers and a hunched-over back.

When I was growing up, I used a typewriter for my stories. Mistakes had to be whited out and typed over. Schools did not emphasize story telling. Instead, I was forced to write sentences using new vocabulary words in pen, and if I made an error I had to start all over. I chose to turn the sentences into a story, so desperate was I to write, but my grade depended on my spelling and usage of the vocabulary words and not my creative efforts.

I had no mentors. No authors to meet and greet at book festivals. I looked up to the characters in my books, not the hard-working person behind the story. We didn't have author visits.

I learned to write by the skin of my teeth, one mistake at a time. I sent stories off in the hopes of instant publication only to discover my work wasn't suitable, wasn't good enough. I studied how to write on my own, using books on the craft, attending writer's conferences, taking the occasional on-line class and coming to terms with the fact that although I was much older, teens far surpassed me in writing skills. They had started a mile ahead from my start line. I had to be quicker, faster, to catch up and finish alongside them.

It's a new age of literature. It seems everyone wants to be a writer, and our youth already has a handsome head start.

My teeth ache from envy-gnashing.

A Book I Could Not Put Down

2011-06-09T16:46:00.003-04:00

I don't recall the last time I could not put down a book, a time when I looked forward to going to bed because I knew I'd be able to read more of this recently released jewel by Eileen Dreyer: "Never A Gentleman", part II of her Drake's Rakes series.

I like to learn new things as I read a captivating story. Check. Eileen is a fiend for research.
I like to laugh, chuckle, howl with glee. Triple check. Eileen is always good for a gut-buster.
I especially like a hero with warts. Check. I got so mad at this jerk some times, I considered throwing the book against the wall. Then I remembered who we're talking about here: the Queen of Happy Endings when you never EVER think it will happen.

If I had any criticism it is that the heroine, a six foot tall redhead who limped due to a congenital birth defect, forgave the hero too quickly. Personally, I would have kicked him [using my good foot for better delivery of excruciating pain] to the curb . . . then forgave him. Maybe.

I love history but one era I never took an interest in was the Regency Period, Wellington defeating Napoleon at Waterloo and all that stuff. Great stuff here. If it's all part of Eileen's very fertile imagination, it kept this girl glued to the pages.

Glued, not stuck.
Super Max Glu, not that crappy white paste from kindergarten.
If you get a chance, pick this one up.
It's a honey.
Peace
Kat

Window Star

2011-05-30T08:15:00.000-04:00

Window Star
By S. Arthur Yates

Resplendent, they appear.
Strangers, unwelcome.

Polite, always polite.
Strangers, unwelcome.

Details few, words hollow.
Strangers, unwelcome.

Notification - complete.
Strangers, unwelcome.

The drape, arrives later.
Strangers, unwelcome.

Blue star to gold.

Strangers
Unwelcome

(A blue star is placed in the window when a loved one goes to war. If they are missing in action (MIA), the star is changed to silver. If they are killed in action (KIA), it is changed to gold.)

Kathy Shay's Blog Post

2011-05-26T19:57:00.000-04:00

Being a writer is both a blessing and a curse. Some things a writer does are a little of both. Whenever I’m in a situation, invariably I think about how I can use it in my writing. I’m in a grocery store line and I see a really pretty woman or a cute guy and think—they could be in my book. I’ll have to remember her haircut. Or I’m watching TV and a police procedural will have an interesting twist, and I write it down to remember it for a suspense I’m plotting. Right now, being mother-of-the-bride-to-be is consuming a great deal of my time. I savored each step of getting the dress, finding flowers and the myriad of other details that lead up to a wedding. But I couldn’t help myself make mental notes about the feeling a bride’s mom has about her child taking such a big step, how the gown shimmered on my daughter, how fun and bridesmaids’ dresses are, each a different color.

This was no clearer to me than when I was in New York City about two weeks ago. My friend and I went down to see THE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON starring Chris Noth (THE GOOD WIFE) and Kieffer Sutherland (24). While we were there, we also saw a musical, ate in wonderful restaurants and had a lot of girl-time. For the first play, we were waiting in a roped off area where the stars come out to sign autographs. Two bouncers stood inside the ropes looking big and beefy, and a NYC cop was trying to keep the women out of the streets so cars and busses could go by. He was very gracious saying, “All you beautiful women have to go up on the sidewalk.” My friend waited in anticipation for autographs. At one point she was making her way to the front of the crowd and said, “Come on, don’t you want to be up close?” I shook my head thinking, “No, I want to talk to the cop.” I wondered if he liked being on this duty or did it get old? What shift did he prefer? Did he have someone to go home to?

For most writers, everything’s material. Good or bad, we can always use it in a book!
Thanks!
Kathy Shay

Voice

2011-05-24T15:24:00.002-04:00

Voice is what keeps readers connected to your character. It establishes who they are without having to resort to "telling." For example, you can write: I'm terrified of spiders. Or you can write: Can't stand those wiggly-waggly eight-legged misfits creeping out of corners and dangling by a sticky thread in one's unsuspecting face.

Which person's story would you rather read?

One person in our group who has mastered voice is Lisa Scott. It may be because of her experience as a voice-over narrator. I've often noticed that actors and voice talent specialists have an edge over those who haven't read dialogue out loud for a hobby or a living. They wouldn't be successful at their job if they couldn't grasp the emotion behind the words. And that's what we do when we write using voice: we try to grasp the emotion.

Here are three ways to say the same thing using three different voices:

Ain't nobody seen Miss Polly, not since school let out that swelterin' June day. Guess Wendell was the last one to set eyes on her. Says she was sweatin' like a pig in front of a carvin' knife.

It happened on the hottest day in June. Me and Darlene stormed out of the school, giggling over something that no longer seems important. We had no idea goofy old Wendell would be the last one to set eyes on Polly McGraw. If we had even one bit of sense, we would've kept our eye on her, too. Because after she marched out of the classroom, she was never seen again.

Darlene and I joined the throng of students piling out the school's yawning door into Mother Nature's oven. My face was slick with sweat by the time we reached the waiting bus. Wendell was there, too, face red as a chili pepper. "Did you see Polly?" he asked. We shook our heads. "Just wondering." He shrugged. "She didn't look so good." At the time we hadn't thought it odd. But when she went missing, we began to wonder.

Each character has their own unique voice. We can picture what kind of person each one is, even though we have only read one paragraph of the story.

I challenge anyone who reads this to develop their character's unique voice. First, second, or close third...it doesn't matter. If you don't have a strong voice, you'll lose the reader.

Try putting yourself in the shoes of a beloved character. Harry Potter. Jane Eyre. Claire Huxtable (my personal favorite!). Television or novel character, it doesn't matter. Now write a paragraph using their voice. How would they talk? Think? Act? The more you practice using different characters, the more natural it will become to write in their voice.

And it never hurts to take an acting class.

An Editor's Wish List

2011-05-16T11:44:00.002-04:00

I have presented the information in the distant past to the LCRW membership on what every editor looks for in a submission. I tweaked it a bit for today's blog. Hope it helps you.

The High Concept

I spent a very long time trying to figure this one out, attending every editor/agent roundtable available, asking for examples. Nada. Until I heard agent Jessica Faust speak at the New England Romance Writers conference and a light bulb went off inside my brain: The high concept, in a very few sentences, sums up the crux of the story. Here are some 'ah ha' examples I have found at www.RTBookreviews.com:

Julia Knight's fantasy romance, Ilfayne's Bane, [Samhain Publishing, Ltd.]: “He destroyed a continent. Dethroned a god. Now she will destroy him.”

Monica Burns' historical erotic romance, Mirage, [also Samhain].: “An ancient prophecy. A sheikh's passion. One woman ignites the flame that fulfills them both.”

Irene Hannon's contemporary romantic suspense, Fatal Judgment, [Revell Books]: “Jake Taylor's assignment is straightforward. His relationship with Judge Liz Michaels isn't. They have a past. But if he fails, they may not have a future.”

As you can see; it doesn't give me any plot details, however it does tell me what I'll be getting myself into.

The Hook

I am not only an editor, I am first a reader. If the first few lines don't grab me; or the last line of a scene or chapter fails to capture my interest and imagination, the story probably won't work for me. For some authors 'hooking' is as natural as breathing; others struggle, however, that's where a good editor comes into the picture. Here are some hooks which made me sit up and take notice:

Nora Roberts' beginning hook for Montana Sky: “Being dead didn't make Jack Mercy less of a son of a bitch.”

Rick Riordan's beginning hook for The Lost Hero: “Even before he got electrocuted, Jason was having a rotten day.”

Margo Hoornstra's end of scene hook for Glad Tidings: “What kind of woman buries her husband in the afternoon then sleeps with his best friend that night?”

Debra Webb's ending scene hook for Traceless: Note: hero Clint Austin has just been released from prison after serving time for murder. “There wouldn't be much in the way of financial assets waiting for him back home. But he would have full access to the one thing that he wanted nearly more than his next breath . . . .The people who had stolen his life.”

Memorable Characters

I read Leon Uris' Mila 18 when I was fourteen years old. Every couple years I go back to visit the entire cast of characters. The same goes for Kathleen Woodiweiss' Shanna and A Rose in Winter. These are the keeper books on my night stand. The secret to creating great characters is to give them a few warts. Then throw them into the deep end of the pool but make sure you put a few hidden traps beneath the surface of the water.

Examples:

Brenda Leigh Johnson, a Georgia peach transplanted to LAPD in TNT's The Closer. She may be beautiful and built, but her subordinates choke on her thick southern drawl; she dresses out of Volunteers of America; and she's tenacious as Hong Kong flu.

Harry Potter, the wizard raised as a muggle with a weird looking scar on his forehead. JK Rowlings tossed him into the deep end of the pool known as Diagon Alley, later Hogwarts and the fun began.

Eve Dallas, [JD Robb's futuristic In Death series], the street smart homicide detective with the social skills of a rattlesnake confronts the prime murder suspect, a man with a one word name, more money than God, better looking than some lapsed Irish angel. Eventually he woos her with a rare steak and a sack of coffee beans.

It takes Parker Evans, [Sandra Brown's Envy], a wheelchair-bound hero twenty years to exact revenge on his college room-mate by deliberately seducing the roomie's unwitting wife. “Did I stutter?” still makes me laugh out loud. This story keeps the reader on the edge from start to finish.

Cash Boudreaux, [Sandra Brown's Slow Heat in Heaven] revels in the image of local bad boy, occasionally inciting violence, has good reason to want revenge against the richest family in town.

Just a smidge about secondary characters: they support the hero and heroine, often provide comic relief, occasionally serve as a red herring. Make each one different from each other as well as the hero or heroine. If they all sound the same why should I bother to read the book?

The Setting

Must be as vivid as any of the main characters and, in my opinion, becomes a character of its own. Examples: Innocence, Mississippi [Nora Roberts' Carnal Innocence] if chock full of murder, depravity and humor; Nohmensville aka No Man's Land [Captain Marvelous] actually should have been named no woman's land due to it's apathy, bigotry and ignorance; Lunacy, Alaska [Nora Roberts' Northern Lights] features its own set of 'lunatics'. And let's not forget Hogwarts. Do you see how the names, while unique, describe the flavor and aura of the settings?

Goals, Motivation & Conflict

Every thing I know about GMC was learned at the knee of one of my heroes Debra Dixon who wrote the book [literally] on this topic. In short, the hero and heroine must have a goal [ie what do they want/need to accomplish?]. It needs to be logical and realistic. Likewise, their motivation for accomplishing these goals must be logical, realistic, and understandable to the reader—as in 'yeah, if that happened to me as a kid, I'd shoot for that goal, too.

The really good stories put the hero's goals in direct opposition to what the heroine wants and that's called CONFLICT.

Now . . . conflict comes in two forms, internal and external. External is usually pretty easy: it's an external force [such as the approaching hurricane in Eileen Dreyer's Sinners and Saints which hampers the heroine's search for her missing sister. In Captain Marvelous the hero is trying to identify the killers of immigrant women and bring them to justice. He is thwarted at every step by complacency, bigotry and apathy from the towns people and a less than sterling police department. External conflict is supposed to be a bitch for the hero and heroine. Thwarting bad guys, disease, pestilence, and the apocalypse is no easy feat. But . . . as Sister John Thomas used to say, 'adversity builds character'.

Internal conflict is what gets authors every time. This is the demon inside the hero and heroine which prevents them from accomplishing their goals AND should be directly tied to their motivation and goals. In My Name is Nell, the heroine is a woman working the program of Alcoholics Anonymous while managing a home and raising her children without much help from a toxic mother and sister. She meets, then falls in love with a widower. Neither was looking for romance; it just happened. Now take a guess as to the circumstances which caused the deaths of the hero's wife and child. Go on, take a guess. That's conflict with a capital C.

In Debra Webb's Traceless, Clint Austin served time in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Emily Wallace, the star witness against Clint has not been able to move past what happened to her best friend, and vows to make him pay for his crimes all over again.

Words to the wise: Conflict cannot be resolved with a five minute conversation between all interested parties. It is something so strong, so powerful, the reader must believe these two people will never ever stay together.

Common problems that come across my desk:

Failure to follow submission guidelines: after you pick the publishing house you want to submit to, commit their rules to memory AND FOLLOW THEM TO THE LETTER. This includes submitting a mystery to a publisher who only releases romance [or vice versa].

Errors in spelling, punctuation, formatting: Use spell check; take a basic technical English writing course and practice on your computer program to learn how to set margins, line spacing, and indents. Fancy fonts do not impress me, nor do quotations at the beginning of each chapter.

Point of View: some editors only accept two POVs. I personally don't mind more than the usual two, but I don't want to dislocate a cervical vertebrae while reading a manuscript.

Telling instead of showing: this takes some practice but it can be mastered. Don't tell me the hero's pissed at the heroine, show me.

Frothy, repetitious prose. As I have occasionally informed the authors involved with the Class of '85 series for TWRP, “Hauling out the hedge clippers makes me cranky.” Tell me what you want to say in simple declarative sentences. Learn the purpose, and proper use of, commas and semi-colons.

Too much sexual attraction too early: there is a reason why we call it sexual tension. Giving it all up by page 10 is not tension; it's risky and dangerous behavior, not to mention unhealthy. There is a reason why we keep our zippers in a locked, upright position. It makes readers keep turning pages. Unless it's hot fudge, less is always better. Always.

good luck

Kat/Kathy

Speculative Fiction

2011-05-13T17:06:00.000-04:00

The other night I was reading (on my Kindle) Delia Sherman's delightful short story Wizard's Apprentice.

It is the story of an evil wizard living in Dahoe, Maine. It even says so on the sign hanging outside his shop:
"Evil Wizard Books
Z. Smallbone, Prop"

Part way through the story, a runaway breaks into the bookstore, blah, blah, blah. Eventually the wizard hands the intruder his business card. The card says:

"Evil Wizard Books
Zachariah Smallbone, Porprietor
Arcana, Alchemy, Animal Transformations
Speculative Fiction
Monday-Saturday. By Chance and by Appointment"

Did you notice that in the list of evil things the wizard will do, Speculative Fictions is so bad it gets its own line? Don’t get me wrong, I love that line. I laughed out loud when I read it. Yet, I couldn’t help but think that the best humor has an element of truth.

I don’t know how speculative fiction got to be the ugly step-child of writing, yet just the mention of it will cause a nerve paralyzing eye-roll. (I'm waiting for the day when my mother’s warning that “you’re face will stick that way” comes true.: “What happened to your face?” “Oh, some fool mentioned fantasy. Didn’t even look to see who might overhear.”)

“I don’t read fantasy. I just don’t understand it” If you haven’t said it, you’ve at least heard it.

People, almost everything Disney does and has done for over sixty years is fantasy: “Cinderella”, “Beauty and the Beast”. And, PLEASE give me a piece of the action Disney rakes in at its theme parks.

The stories you read to your children, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” “Jack and the Beanstalk” “Little Red Riding Hood” – speculative fiction.

Please don’t try telling me you didn’t watch any of the Star Wars movies because they were science fiction. And don’t kid yourself, “Pirates of the Caribbean” is fantasy. (I will grant that any movie staring Johnny Depp is a must watch.)

“Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas” is science fiction. So is “The Time Machine by H. G. Wells. I know you know the stories and suspect you liked them.

If you try telling yourself you don’t love everything Pixar does, I will call you a liar to your face. It is all speculative fictions.

(And, don’t get me started on that Romance you’re reading. IT’S A FANTASY.)

I’m not asking to be at the top of your reading list, but when it’s time for the family photo, may I please come out from behind the tree.

I Don't Write Paranormal...Right?

2011-05-10T13:21:00.003-04:00

So I'm sitting at the computer, editing my next novel (even though I haven't even sold the last two I worked on for what seemed like endless hours, weeks, years) and I just don't want to continue working on it.

It's not that the story is dull, lacks plot and conflict, or has banal characters. Nope. If that were the case, it would be a simple chuck everything and begin anew. Instead the problem is I started a novel a year (two years?) ago, and I can't get it out of my head.

Anyone else have this problem?

I reread it (I'd stopped writing it at page 56 last fall) and I'm still very drawn to it. I want to know what will happen next. I want to make it bigger, better. The problem? It's a paranormal.

I don't write paranormal.

At least, I don't usually write paranormal. It's sneaked up on me in the past...when I was fifteen I wrote an entire novel based on the Salem witch trials. I still have it. And I've written bits and pieces of stories with a supernatural element over the years since. But I've never much enjoyed reading paranormal because it seemed too farfetched to me. Ghosts? C'mon. Vampires? Puh-lease. Wolves that walk and talk, stalking and yet falling in love with their prey? Ridiculous. Nonsense, all of it.

And yet I'm curious about this story that keeps cranking the gears in my head. I suppose if I keep returning to a story I didn't think I was serious about writing, I should reconsider its place on my mental priority list. Maybe oil up those gears and keep going. I am, after all, the CEO of my company. I can do what I want within the limits of my capabilities.

Today I will work on the paranormal. Today I will enjoy myself and fall into the story and see where it takes me. Tomorrow I may discover I'm not cut out for the paranormal and maybe then I can pick up on the edits of the story I'd been working on for hours, weeks, years.

Or maybe this CEO will move this unfinished story up on the priority list so I can see how it ends. I don't write paranormal, so it should be interesting.

Write What You Know

2011-05-02T10:08:00.001-04:00

Having attended a number of writers conferences over the years, I've had the privilege to sit in on any number of workshops, the Craft Tract being a personal favorite. One which stood out the loudest came when Nora Roberts told the audience, 'write what you know.'

Coming from one of my writing heroes, the advice made sense―except I wondered how I, as a nurse [then] could ever turn a doctor into a hero. If you don't know where someone had their hands last, well . . . not an appealing thought as far as I was concerned.

Then came the day when I heard Tess Gerritsen speak at a New Jersey Romance Writers conference. She spoke about how her roots in writing dated back to her medical residency days in the ICU and observing what the nurses―whom she spoke of with great respect and affection―were reading: category romances. Wow. A physician who spoke of nurses with respect. I had to read one of her books. Let me tell you, after devouring “The Apprentice”, I was hooked. Tess Gerritsen writes what she knows!

As a teenager, living in a very rural area with little to do and no way to get anywhere, I read anything I could get my hands on. I discovered a book by Frank G. Slaughter in my parents' library, a Civil War story about a female spy and a male battle surgeon. Very bloody, lots of spilled guts, gore and suffering. Right up the alley of a fourteen year old with an over-active imagination and way too much time on her hands. Thoroughly hooked, I proceeded to sign out every one of his books from the school library as well as the library in a neighboring town. It wasn't until I later that I learned Mister Slaughter was actually a medical doctor. This man had the ability to put me in the moment of a battlefield hospital scene, suffering right along with the physician and his patients. One of Dr. Slaughter's contemporary novels, “Daybreak” featured the trials and tribulations of a physician working in the mental health system prior to the advent of effective anti-psychotic medications when pre-frontal lobotomies and electroshock therapy were considered last ditch efforts to treat intractable psychiatric problems. Very chilling stuff for this young woman who was about to head off for three years of nursing school in―you guessed it―a state psychiatric facility. By the end of my schooling, I'd passed more Thorazine and Mellaril than any ten nursing students―and no fresh lobotomies, thank you very much.

As a young wife with a graduate student husband and two small kids, money was tight. I lucked out when I discovered a second-hand book store which stocked copies of Robert K. Tannenbaum's legal thrillers featuring Assistant District Attorneys Butch Karp and Marlene Ciampi. With each book I learned about the steps in the legal process, evidence that can degrade over time or be lost by dumb luck or stupid accident, “eye witnesses” who don't see everything, and a how-to manual for criminals who want to beat the system. It came as no surprise when I learned this man spent many years in the Manhattan DA's office, prosecuting the worst of the worst. Writing with a sharp wit and biting sarcasm, after more than thirty years, Mr. Tannenbaum's books continue to hold my interest. Another instance of writing what one knows.

Lastly, I'd like to blow the horn for one of my nursing as well as writer heroes: Eileen Dreyer. After many years in category romance [writing as Kathleen Korbel], Eileen―an experienced ER nurse―was called up to the big leagues with a series of medical thrillers set in and around St. Louis, Missouri. Invariably her heroines are nurses with advanced training [such as Eileen herself] in forensic evidence collection, death examinations, and critical incident management. Using gut-busting humor, Eileen makes the everyday come to life and answers the question, “What if?”

In closing, I challenge any author to look at their everyday life and incorporate something they find there into his/her writing. Okay, so maybe you don't have an exciting job which includes passing bed pans or inserting suppositories, but do you have a volunteer job you really love, something that gives back ten times more than what you put in? I have a friend who volunteers at a soup kitchen, another takes calls on a domestic violence crisis line, a third takes an AA meeting into the county jail every week.

Do you have an Aunt Helen [like me] who retired from the Navy Nurse Corps at the rank of Lieutenant Commander after serving in World War II and Korea? Do you have religious connections you might tap for a secondary character? I know an author who pumped her priest uncle for the scoop on how to get around the priest-penitent privilege and the sanctity of the confessional―and yes, under certain circumstances, it can be done.

Where do you live or go for a vacation? Can that be turned into a setting so vivid readers want to move there? I am currently working with an author who set her story in the Adirondack Mountains―and believe me, she nailed it.

What turns you on? How do you fill all those empty hours in your life? Do you attend festivals or state fairs? How about protest marches? I edited a September 2010 release for a Wild Rose Press anthology which featured a protest march that turned into a riot. The author was a veteran of protests from back in the 80's and 90's; it was clear she knew what she was talking about. The description spoke to me as an editor as well as a woman.

As an editor and a reader, I have developed a second sense for what rings true and what comes from someone who took the easy way out when it came to doing his or her homework―and not all were unpublished. Do not depend on legal whodunits on the big screen or mystery illness of the week on TV for accuracy. If you want to know which shows portray accurate situations, ask someone who's already in The Biz. I myself DO NOT EVER EVER watch any of the “CSI” shows, “House”, “ER”, “Law and Order, SVU”. The shows earning the highest ratings do not always consider the truth because they would lose viewers.

Writing a query letter

2011-03-17T16:06:00.000-04:00

A couple weeks ago I had the privilege to attend a presentation on query letters by Kimberly Gore Wehner. Following are the notes I took. (Neither Kim nor I take any responsibility for the accuracy of these notes. Just because I heard it doesn’t mean she said it. :-) ) Kim's blog can be found at: http://www.blog.klgore.com/

General Notes:

According to an agent who spoke at the last conference Kim attended horror stories are on the rise, vampyre stories are on the way out.

Your manuscript must be completed for fiction submissions. For non-fiction, you are pitching an idea, with the promise to write the manuscript.

Go the web site to get the instruction for querying the agent/publisher. Follow them to the letter.

o Try to find the name of the editor or agent you are submitting to and address them by name. (Be formal: Dear Mr. Jerk Face, not Dear Jerk)

o Do not submit to another agent in the same company. They will know. And if they feel it would be a good fit for a different agent at the agency, they will take it to them.

If your manuscript is non-fiction, be sure to justify why you are qualified to write it.

Include a list of your published works.

Pitch only one manuscript at a time.

o You can mention you have others later.

Publishers/agents do not want you to put your work on the internet. If they want to see a sample they will ask.

The larger publishing houses may only want to be contacted by an agent. (Read those guidelines.) Some smaller houses will accept direct submissions from unagented authors.

If you are have a children’s chapter book, be sure there are a lot of places to stop. (Chapter breaks)

Query more than one agent at a time. (It may take a long time for them to get back to you.)

Interview your prospective agent. (Let the other agents you queried know you are interviewing an agent. Give them a deadline to contact you.)

o Ensure you are a good fit personally and that they represent what you write.

o Set up expectations for both sides.

o Ask for the email addresses of authors they represent.

Know your audience. You are writing your query letter for the agent, not the public.

A couple of publications to consider:

o 2011 Guide To Literary Agents by Chuck Sambuchino (Out in August 2012)

o How to Write Attention-Grabbing Query & Cover Letters by John Wood

(My idea: Rather than say “This is my first novel,” say “This is the first novel I have submitted for publication.”)

Mention that it may be similar to XYZ. (Some strongly disagree with this.)

Don’t say that your story would be good for ….

o Or that “Readers and listeners will be interested in ….”

Don’t say you are looking for representation. (Why else would you be contacting them?)

Unlike a synopsis, in a query letter do not capitalize the character’s name the first time you use it.

The Letter:

This is your only chance to make a first impression

o Your writing will be judged on the letter

o Write it in the style of your story.

o Be professional, not casual.

Format:

o Keep it to a single page

o Single space

o Don’t double space

o If querying via snail mail, include a SASE

Include the genre and word count – rounded to the nearest 100.

Keep your query in the tone of your book

Explain why you chose this agent/publisher for your book.

o If you have met them and they requested a query, mention that.

o A tip for finding the name of agent is to Google everyone in the acknowledgments.

Be brief with the story summery. (250 words or less for a novel.)

Do not tell the ending. (That goes in a synopsis.)

Keep your main character(s) the focus of your letter. If the story won’t work without them, they should be mentioned. Never mention a secondary character unless it’s crucial to the plot.

In non-fiction:

o Start with the purpose of your article.

o Then why you are the one to write this article/book.

o Show what the reader will get from the article/book.

o Ensure your slant is known.

Start with an opening sentence that will blow the socks off the agent. You want to hook them at once. (If you can include something you know the agent is interested in, so much the better.)

In as few sentences as possible:

o Show a little of ordinary life.

o Tell of an exciting event.

o Give your protagonist’s goal

o State what choices must be made

o Explain what will happen if those goals aren’t met.

Welcome 2011

2011-01-05T19:34:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year, friends. How will you start off the new year? I've been working on editing my manuscript. It's exciting to see the developments as I progress. The only problem I'm having is setting aside time to actually work.

With the new year, our group will be embarking on a new chapter as well. I think we all have high hopes for a successful and fruitful year. Fresh ideas, cooperation and understanding will be expected to this end.

I'm going to change the day of my blog because I've picked up a waitressing position Monday evenings. This is after hostessing for the lunch hour as well. Wednesdays will be better for me with my new schedule.

To start the new year off well, I'm asking everyone to bring their top five goals for 2011. By sharing our goals, the consensus may be helpful in guiding us toward completing these goals.

2010 Reflections

2010-12-27T22:08:00.003-05:00

Another year is coming to a close. For the first time, I'm aware of all that's happened in my life and can take the time to reflect on them.

One of the biggest changes has been the loss of over 100 pounds. By the elimination of flour and sugar from my diet, my mind is clearer and more focused than I can remember. Thank God I found a 12-step program to help me make this change.

Now that my focus is sharper, I've been writing more proficiently. One book has been completed and submitted not only to one publisher, but two. The first publisher requested editing and I'm currently working on that. It's very exciting and envigorating. I've also been working on two of the eight or so books I've got on the back burner.

All in all this year has been a good year for me. I've made new friends and have reconnected with old friends. My attention is clearer and I'm more present with these relationships. Such changes are amazing in their clarity. I'm happier than I've been in years.

Now that I've got my writing going in the direction I want it to, I feel more driven than I have in years. My goal for 2011 is to keep the drive going on finishing my books, submitting them for publication and working to help strengthen the LCRW group's presense.

So my wish now is for everyone to enjoy a happy and healthy New Year!

Resources

2010-12-13T21:38:00.003-05:00

What kind of resources are helpful to a fledgling author and how do you find them? I've stumbled upon some really great resources at the bookstore by accident. They are "Forensics, A Guide for Writers," and "Police Procedure and Investigation." My brother, the lawyer, almost salivated when he saw the title of the latter book and he works with corporate litigation.

Another book I've collected is "From First Draft, A Writer's Guide to Cohesive Story Building." I do have to admit I haven't used this book. It seemed too much work to me. Guess I'm learning there's more to writing than just putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.

I had two unexpected discoveries as I cleared out more clutter from my sunroom. The first was a book entitled, "RWA Online Presents 12 Steps to Publication." This book was a timely find as I needed to learn about writing a synopsis. There was a chapter on just that. The second discovery was a six-audio tape series, "Writing and Selling Your Novel, A Live Workshop with Jack M. Bickham." Imagine my dismay to find the first tape is missing from the set. Bummer.

So, armed with all these resources what do I do? Place them on my bookshelf until needed or start studying? Originally, I just put them away on the bookshelf. With the submission of a manuscript to publishers, I think I'd better make time to study some of these books along with time to continue writing.

Old Endings

2010-12-12T21:58:00.002-05:00

I was reminded of Patti's recent "incoming Presidential" message and, as we left yesterday's wonderful event at Kathy Schafer's lovely home, I was reminded of her grace and enthusiasm for leading LCRW into a new decade.

With that in mind, I would like to thank you all for allowing me to serve as president for these past 4+ years. We certainly had our moments, some good, some less than. I learned a lot and hope some of you did also.

I wish all the very best as you travel your individual paths toward your dreams, whatever they may be.
Kat Doran

Just call me Pinball Brain

2010-12-07T17:05:00.004-05:00

Does the title have you guessing? I hope so. Let me elaborate here.

Lately with the stress of life as the mother of three young adults who don't drive, part-time restaurant hostess and now waitress for two evenings, I feel my life's control slipping away from me. One case in point? I missed my blogging obligation yesterday.

Between taking a short morning nap, working the lunch hour and the returning to waitress the evening shift, I didn't get much of my planned work completed. I didn't have enough time to make dinner - it doesn't help when I don't plan it ahead of time. The laundry still sits (it's only mine and I'm not running out). The powder room didn't get its weekly clean either.

I can say that I've got a manuscript ready for submission to a second publisher - the publisher I've dreamed of writing for most of my life. My first try at a synopsis turned out to be the back-of-the-book blurb. Now, after confering with my critique friends, I've got a decent synopsis, a query letter and the first few chapters ready to go. Of course, I couldn't get my husband to understand the need to keep working on it. He thinks that since I have the work in one place, I can sit on my hands and wait for a response before working on anything else. EEKKKK!!! Do they ever get it? I think mine's only going to get it when I can show a sale.

To top it off, today's list hasn't been completed either. Maybe that afternoon appointment wasn't necessary today. Then again, it was and I do feel better for having it. So, the list piles up. With a commitment tonight, when am I going to get things finished?

Do you think it would help if I got to bed at a reasonable hour and didn't have a need to take that morning nap? Probably. Will I be able to do it tonight? It doesn't look like it. Have to drive all the way out to Charlotte and pick up my van from rhe repair shop.

I think one of the events that have tipped the scales toward the feeling of my brain being a pinball in my skull was the near misses I've had with deer for the past three days. Every day I have encounter a deer running in the path of my car, my heart stops beating and my nerves stretch tighter and tighter. My body feels so strung out it's hard to fall asleep.

Someone suggested I try not to drive at night. I responded, "How will I get home from work?" Answer - "Husband?" My response? "Yeah, right."

So you get the drift. I hope this blog is entertaining as well as a warning to others not to let their lives get to this point. Why do I want to stop the pinball?? The holiday season is upon us, my favorite time of year, and I don't feel festive. I want the season to go away. So NOT me. Thanks for letting get this out of my system.

Time

2010-11-29T21:55:00.003-05:00

Why is it when the days get shorter, my time seems to shorten as well? There seems to be no end to the list of things I need to do and no time in which to do it. Even my writing has suffered.

I started the NaNoWriMo challenge on November 1 with the full intent to finish. Things went well for the first two weeks. Now, according to the stats tab on my NaNoWriMo page, I won't finish the 50,000 challenge until Jan. 15. How sad is that?

However, many of the delays are of my own making. Parts of my life have gotten out of control and makes for difficult times at home. I need to take some time to sit down and re-evaluate what I want and what I need to do. This goes for my writing too.

My goal for January is to submit my current manuscript to one of the major publishing houses within the next month. I really don't want to have to put a buck in the kitty for not making that goal. HeHe. The one thing I will not do is overtax myself to achieve that goal. To that end, my head is beginning to ache. Must mean it's time to go to bed.

Movies That Have Changed My Life

2010-11-25T19:47:00.003-05:00

On this Thanksgiving night, feeling quite sorry for myself because I was unable to visit family due to the chest cold of the century that's left me sounding like Pat Butram from the old Gene Autry movies, I tried to recall the responses I made while recently guesting on an author's blog: List the movies which have changed your life.
In no particular order of importance, they are:
Veronica Guerin--an investigative journalist looking into a brutal gangster refuses to back down and pays with her life. Cate Blanchett is a wonder.
The Official Story--an Argentinian film which won the Oscar for best foreign language film in the late 80's, concerns a teacher who believes her 5 year old adopted daughter may be the child of one of Los Desparaceidos out of the Dirty War. The ending is sad and powerful and thought provoking.
Every Mother's Son--Helen Mirren pre-Jane Tennison and HRH fame, battling the IRA and domestic terrorist Bobby Sands for his legendary hold over Catholic youth in Northern Ireland. Shows the futility of hunger strikes against no-prisoners approach of the British crown.
Major League. Appreciated by baseball nuts everywhere, it got lost in the cracks when another little ditty known as Bull Durham was released soon after. This one showcases the early work of Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, Dennis Haysbert and Rene Russo--as well as the perennial thinking woman's hunk: Tom Berringer. Plus, it made me laugh.
The Stoning of Soraya M. Male Chauvinism is alive and well in many parts of the world.
The Killing Fields. There's a reason why this salute to courage and perseverance captured more than one Oscar--and John Lennon's Imagine only enhances its magic.
Defiance--starring Liev Schreiber and Daniel Craig tells the true story of two brothers in Belarus who saved hundreds of Jews, keeping them in the forests for years [literally] while carrying out their own campaign of terror against the Russians and Nazis.
The Sandlot. A coming of age flick about a group of boys playing sandlot baseball. Very funny, and very quotable as in for-evv-ver.
The Quiet Man.Who doesn't love John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara? I visited Cong and nearby Ashford
Castle where a few scenes were filmed and sat on a ledge of the monument across from Cohan's Pub [which really isn't a pub but a 'gift shop']. Ireland really is as beautiful today as it was nearly 60 years ago when this movie was made.

I hope your holidays were lovely and restful and hack-free.
Kat

No Thanks

2010-11-23T16:56:00.000-05:00

I know this is the time of year we are supposed to give thanks but . . .
Sometimes it’s best to say “No thanks.”
Common sense tells us to say “No thanks” to that second slice of pumpkin pie. And then, there’s that other plate called life. We tend to heap that one pretty high, too.
It’s hard to say no to the people we care about. Juggling family, work, and friends is not easy. Taking on too many commitments never ends well.
So this holiday, I hope you can find the strength to say, “No Thanks.” Carve a little time for yourself and enjoy.
Happy Thanksgiving!

New Beginnings

2010-11-21T21:09:00.003-05:00

As I take on the responsibilities as the new President of Lilac City Rochester Writers, I'd like to thank everyone for their support. I will work hard to be worthy of it.

To that effect, I'm making sure I get my blog in a little early. I'm presently in Philadelphia. My daughter has her quarterly medical-study check up at 8:30am tomorrow morning. We need to get back to Rochester before 5pm tomorrow because I have picked up the 5-8 shift waitressing at the restaurant where I'm the lunch time hostess. Needless to say, I'll be too beat after my shift to blog.

NaNoWriMo is almost over. I'm behind 15,800 words. According to my stats, I won't be finished with the 50,000 words until Christmas Day. Ugh! Didn't really want to know that. Oh well, I can't complain. At least I have 19,000 words written I wouldn't have had if I hadn't started the challenge.

How many of you who were at the meeting yesterday have taken what you learned from Chris Isaac and implemented it on Facebook? I have included the link to my new business page. It's slow going, but I'm suggesting my writer friends to it. Some of you may have already received the posts. It's different from friend requests. The link will bring you to the page and you may click 'like' and under the profile picture there is a link to 'add to my favorite pages.' This link should allow you to receive all the updates from this page.

Let's work together this coming year to promoting our group and ourselves.

Evolution

2010-11-15T20:33:00.002-05:00

Evolution. What does that word mean? To me it means re-creation, restructuring, rebuilding. My writing is undergoing a re-creation. Book number two and three are going off in a different direction than I originally intended. The changes are for the better, so much that when I finish writing a scene I get all excited. Chills run through my arms and I get that rush when things gel just right.

My writing has gone through a form of restructuring as well. I'm trying to go about my writing in a more formated way, instead of by the seat of my pants. What did I know about character development? Nothing! What is a turning point? Darned if I knew.

I was talking with my son last week about what I was learning about these two writing structures and he laughed at me. "We learned that in third grade,Mom," he says. Well, I don't know about you, but I don't remember learning it in third grade or any grade for that matter.

Maybe I'm a slow learner or a late bloomer, but at least I'm making progress. I'm pleased with what I'm creating now and can't wait to get to the endings. Who knew plotting could be so fun!

Rochester Children’s Book Festival 2010

2010-11-14T08:36:00.000-05:00

Rarely do writers of one genre get a personal glimpse into the professional lives of another, but that happened to me on Saturday. I was invited to attend the Rochester Children’s Book Festival because THE PERFECT FAMILY is geared to teenagers as well as women. Though the venue wasn’t right for me, I learned a lot about a genre of writing I knew little about.

First, this is a big deal! Forty-one authors and illustrators, representing a myriad of publishers sold books to about 4,000 people. That’s right, the big hall at Monroe Community College was filled with a steady stream of people from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The buyers were teachers—lots of them—and parents who happily brought their kids along. It was so much fun to see the little ones point out a book or rush over to an author they loved. They got stickers, hugs and personal drawings. The kids were in heaven. As a former English teacher, it did my heart good to see them so fascinated at a reading event. Also in attendance were sales representatives making invaluable contacts with the authors. Populating the tables were paper mache figures of characters in the book, big posters and smiling authors. Some people were walking around with puppets based on the books. Also offered were presentations and readings given every hour by the authors in attendance. Kids seemed to flock to these.

I was interested in the diversity of books, too. Some had hard pages with pull outs, some were thick tomes of fiction for middle grades, some curriculum supplements. I sat next to one author, Elizabeth Sullivan Falk, who was a fourth grade teacher and wrote her books on colonial America and the underground railroad because she couldn’t get that kind of material to use in her class. Then she found an educational publisher to put them out.

Second, the event was put on by the Rochester Area Children’s Writers and Illustrators, a group of 70 people, both published and unpublished. The former signed their books while the latter operated as volunteers. This is an active group who attracted authors for the event like Jane Yolen and Linda Sue Park. There were numerous Caldecott and Newberry winners, as well as those of other awards. The scope of the thing was so big, it took tons of work –one of the co-chairs told me the planning takes a year.

Last, I found several similarities among children’s books authors and those of my genres, romance and women’s fiction. Some were ecstatic about their publishers and agents, some had complaints about the same, some were looking for agents, some wanted to switch genres, all had stories about their path to publication.

I’m so glad I got a look at this special world of children’s books. It seems to be flourishing, too, as the sales had to be through the roof. So, kudos to the Rochester Area Children’s Writers and Illustrators!

Kathy Shay

Not Your Granny's Angel

2010-11-08T19:32:00.002-05:00

Author JR Ward has done it again--convinced this hard core romantic-suspense and political thriller reader, and sometimes writer, to pick up a fantasy in "Covet".
I actually set out to read "Crave", the latest release in Ward's Fallen Angel series, but realized to really appreciate the continuing hero, Jim Heron, I probably should read "Covet" first. Duh.
After about 10 pages, I'm thinking . . . maybe this series isn't totally fantasy. It is about angels, though these guys are not the guys with wings and built like Charles Atlas from my Baltimore Catechism days. These birds come with tattoos, multiple body piercings, drive Harleys, and drink beer like Prohibition is about to be reinstated. And a few of them, and the lost souls they are charged with saving from one of the seven deadly sins, have extrasensory powers.
Totally cool.
Filled with Ward's usual unremitting sarcastic humor, 'Covet' is real tough to put down.
I give it a hands up.
Kat

Meeting Challenges

2010-11-08T15:18:00.002-05:00

It’s hard to really keep to a writing schedule when life gets in the way. I went away to a conference over the weekend (not a writing one) and found too many distractions. However, I did find time to get caught up until I came home. The hardest part is making up time lost because of driving long distances. Those hours in the car were precious writing hours I lost.

Have I gotten back on track with my writing now that I’m home? No. I can’t seem to find my feet. The words I’m putting in this blog are in the hopes to get that spark back, to find my rhythm.

The best thing to come from participating in the NaNoWriMo is the new direction my third book is taking. It’s not a complete new direction, just a slight sway. I do like it though. Now I’m beginning to understand what other writers talk about. How their stories speak to them, keep them awake at night.

Even the title has changed. It’s something I have to accept. My books are not always going to come out the way I expect them to. They’ll be what they want to be, what they tell me they will be. How did I really think I was the one writing them? That’s a laugh.

On the drive home, my book wanted me to keep writing. It kept playing scenes in my head. Hopefully I’ll be able to get them down on the computer later tonight, after dinner. My competitive streak is itching to get up-to-date on my challenge if not further ahead to give me some wiggle room.

NaNoWriMo

2010-11-01T20:32:00.002-04:00

To write, or not to write, that is the question thousands of people have been asking themselves for the past month. Today started National Novel Writers Month. This is my first year trying it out.

Just getting set up is a little intimidating. Building a writing buddies list, reading and joining forums, getting encouragement for all quarters. My head spins thinking about it all.

I have been writing today. It's disjointed and sporadic. The goal of NaNoWriMo is to set a goal of 1,667 words per day. At the end of the month, if a person is diligent, they should have 50,000 words completed. That's enough for a full manuscript. What an idea - a book in 30 days!

Having the support and encouragement of other people in the same boat as you makes the endeavor more invigorating and exciting. Hope to find more of our group there. For those of you who are, please add me as your buddy - PattiMO. We also should be able to meet our goals for November doing this challenge.

Happy writing!

It's tuesday again?

2010-10-26T18:59:00.002-04:00

I've been very busy writing and can't believe how fast time goes by. It seems every time I turn around it is Tuesday and blog day. I am also surprised that each meeting the blog calendar is filled and when it actually comes to the appointed day few who sign up actually blog. I choose each Tuesday because I have a memory like a steel sieve. I retain only that which I do repeatedly. Thus Tuesday is blog day. Now if you can't remember any better than I can maybe you should either put it in your day planner or pick Thursday or the second Wednesday of every month. It's not a big deal. But if you say you are going to do it then dang it do it. Blogging is writing, no chosen research, no characters, no plot, just writing. If you
can't do that you aren't a writer. Now that is not to say, because I do blog that I am the best writer only that I do what I say I will. If this group is going to grow and be of service to its members the members who make commitment must honor that commitment.

Momentum

2010-10-25T14:28:00.002-04:00

My current dilema is how to keep my forward momentum now that I've submitted my first book. I had enough work getting the manuscript ready for submission, so my time was filled. Now, there are several books wanting my attention. How do I choose?

I also have two books started with two differnt critique groups. So my best bet would be to divide my time between the two (if possible) and get the important stuff done. What's the important stuff, you might ask?

It has been brought to my attention that I need to develop my stories in a more organized fashion using inciting incidents, turning points, climaxes and resolutions. What are those, I asked? I've heard of them but never learned how to use them. Even my eighteen-year-old son laughed at me on the drive to Philadelphia Friday. "Mom, we learned about all that in third grade!" (My only excuse is I don't remember much from grammar school except the boys I had crushes on.)

So, with the start of the NaNo looming, I'm going to really work on my plotting strategies and see how quick a learner I can be.

Meeting Readers

2010-10-23T15:58:00.000-04:00

I had the privilege of attending a ‘Romance Tea’ at the Ogden Library. Organized by The Wild Rose Press, the event brought authors and readers together.
Seven writers gained the opportunity to introduce their work to guests. Not only did the audience learn how we crafted, but we were able to ask questions also. We took a quick poll to find out what types of romance they read as well as their thoughts on e-publishing.
While most complained about small print in paperbacks, most did not own electronic readers. I believe they received valuable insight as to why the industry is going in that direction.
Overall, it was a huge success! Special thanks to Rhonda Penders for organizing the event. Sponsors stepped forward big time with flowers, beverages, and desserts.

What's in a domain?

2010-10-23T10:45:00.000-04:00

Recently, a friend of mine has talked me into revamping my personal blog... actually moving to wordpress. Must say the difference is huge. However, the huge question is do I get a domain or not.
From LCRW meeting early this year, I learned the longer the web domain is up and live the better your stats are. But the question is do I go with my personal name, a platform name, or product type?

I'm still waiting to be published, so how important is setting up the domain website now? Any suggestions?

Lately, I've been reading writeitforward blog, and at times warrior writer blog (caution, Kristen Lamb's blog has good stuff but her posts are long winded.) Both have been talking about platform, product and promotion.

Can't wait for next months meeting with a local Social Media Guru, hopefully by then I'll have and idea where to go form here. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm looking for guidence. Happy typing.

Book Clubs

2010-10-21T11:42:00.002-04:00

I want to post a little something on book clubs. My neighborhood recently started one, and I signed up in a jiffy. I read all the time. Why not have a lively discussion about books? I can pick other people's brains. See if they feel similar about the story. Maybe learn a new point of view I hadn't thought of before.

Another great thing...since every member gets to choose a book, I would be reading something I wouldn't normally pick up.

I quickly discovered that book clubs have their pros and cons. Sometimes the book club is more about socializing than about literature. And sometimes the book that is chosen is not my taste at all, and I struggle to chew and swallow it. But I am bonding with my neighbors, who seem to be very nice, intelligent women. And I am broadening my reading horizons, which will serve to make me a stronger creative writing teacher and a better writer.

I've wanted to join a book club for years now, and I'm thrilled to be a part of one now. We are in the infant stages, and I feel we don't have discussions on literature down to a science yet, but we are learning. So far the experience has been worth it.

How do you promote Goodness?

2010-10-19T15:00:00.002-04:00

I've been writing toward publication for some time now and have learned that sex and violence and mayhem all sell very well. I have several books published but would like to earn more than the price of a Happy Meal for my efforts. My books aren't about sex, violence, or mayhem of any kind. I promote helping others, the value of a work ethic, looking at the best of a person and tolerating others views. Trust me this does not sell well. And I fear that is what is wrong with the entire country. Violence is elevated to near worship. Why must even the simplest of things be about besting someone else? I fail to understand how someone's pain can better my life. And why does everything have to be a trial? If something bad happens and we all know it does, how about just trusting it will all work out in the end. Crying over spilt milk does not put it back in the bottle. Just go on from where you are and stop thinking that everything bad happens to you. Everyone has bad days and if we expect to have good times, we will. I am a firm believer in what you think about happens. Case in point? If you have a dog and think he will pee on the carpet, guess what he will. If you believe he will ask to go out he'll do that as well. Our minds are powerful things. You may not be able to control everything around you, but you can and should control the way you react to what is around you. I learned long ago that while competition may be good in some situations, that is not always the case. If it doesn't matter who gets the credit, the job is completed in a better fashion that if everyone is pulling against each other. So I ask again how do you promote goodness? How do I make someone want to read about evil being thwarted and goodness promoted? Your comments would be greatly appreciated.

Serenity

2010-10-18T08:04:00.002-04:00

How to find serenity when your world crashes? Beats me. Oh not a catastrophic crash, just the death of my laptop.

I'm in the middle of reading a manuscript for a publisher. Luckily I saved everything to a flash drive. My hard drive is also backed up to an external drive.

Yet, I'm lost at sea because I don't have access to any of it without a working computer. The ideal option would be to go buy a new computer. Doubt my husband would agree since we're paying a college tuition now and our credit cards have been seeing too much action.

So I must figure out what to do with this idle time. I'll use this iTouch as much as possible, but will also use this time to think quietly and calmly about my priorities. Haven't done that in a while. It might be just the next impetus in my evolving personality.

What Really Matters

2010-10-12T12:33:00.002-04:00

We all have things that are important to us, but most would say that people are more important than things. So it would follow that we place more importance on those we love, our family and friends, but if we are to improve our world should we not also place importance on the feelings of those who share the planet with us?
I am appalled at the stupid statements people who are in the public eye seem to make on a daily basis. Each day we are bombarded with so called slips of the tongue. To condemn someone/ anyone for their religious choice or their sexual preference, or whatever is different from one perspective is not only fool hardy but down right wrong.
Celebrities and those in the political arena, should always keep in mind, that their grandmother is watching. Never say or write what you would not want the dear lady to hear. Is there no shame? Let's call a moratorium on slander, curses and just plain hurtful remarks. They serve no purpose except to garner most likely unwanted attention. And while we are at it how about abolishing stupid behavior? No one is exempt from stupid, but the proliferation of the folks who continually draw from the same batch of stupid over and over, is not only amazing, but danged dumb. To start let's apologise to those we have maligned or unintentionally hurt and resolve to cling to what really matters. We are here to serve one another and no other reason is valid.

Balance

2010-10-11T21:10:00.003-04:00

This past week has shown me I need to have balance in my life to be a good writer. I heard back from the editor assigned my three chapter submission. She asked for the complete manuscript to make a final decision.

I panicked. The manuscript isn't finished. Scrambling, I hurried to edit and transcribe everything I have written. Then I talked with a couple of published author friends. Their kind words helped slow me down and think things through.

My family has been warned finishing this book is a priority for me. However, I'm learning I can still work in time for them as well as make time to write. As of last night, I've finished the transcription. I'm at the pivotal point in the suspense and need to see it through and write the ending.

My panic is subsiding, but it hasn't gone away. Should it? No, but now I know that I will get it done, just at the predestined time, not my time.

New Horizons

2010-10-09T11:40:00.000-04:00

Here we are almost a month out from the conference and I'm lovin' it. I finished editing a short piece and sent on to the Publisher...now I'm just killing time, doing the patience dance. Which consists of working on my WIP, plot( I know... weird huh.) and getting in touch with my writing side.
A first happened to me a few days ago I was having coffee with a few friends, when two of my characters demanded face time. A story I put away months ago because I worked myself into a corner and couldn't see a window to crawl out. And there they were with a proverbial window. Gotta love the way the subconscious works on ideas silently in the background.
So now I'm writing more and working more than ever. Thanks to the conference and the extra boost of writing energy.
Here I am with a schedule, some sparse outlines and creativity dripping from my fingertips. Write On, Write ON!

Critiquing using Microsoft Office Word

2010-10-08T14:15:00.001-04:00

Microsoft Office Word includes the option to edit and make suggestions to documents using a special editing too. It allows comments, strikethroughs and additions. If you are critiquing someone else’s work, I beg of you NOT TO USE IT.

On the surface, it is a phenomenal tool. However, it only allows the recipient an accept/reject option. Because the recipient cannot choose what portions s/he wants to keep or reject, it creates five times the work for the person receiving the critique than the simple options of normal a Word document.

I make the presumption that if you use this special feature you are familiar enough with Word to place a few important buttons on your formatting tool bar. If you do not have them there, you need to add: Highlight, Strikethrough, and Font Color. Right click on the tool bar, select customize, then commands, and finally format. Scroll down the list until you find the function that is missing, left click and hold, then drag the icon to the inside of the tool bar. It’s that simple. Now is also a good time to remove any icons you don’t use. Merely drag the icon from the toolbar to the open table. Don’t like the icon order, move them while the customize box is open. When you are done, close the box.

Now, when you want to strike out text, highlight it, and press the strikethrough button. Want to suggest text or make a comment, place the cursor in the appropriate point, select a new font color and type away. If you want to emphasize something, you can bold, italicize, underline, or even change fonts. None of this is locked so it cannot be changed by the recipient.

Fancy is nice, but when it creates more work, it’s just counter productive.

Changes

2010-10-05T11:13:00.002-04:00

As we near the end of this president's term, many changes have been suggested. Case in point critiquing, there is talk of having a early critique session prior to the meeting. This may work well for some, but I believe it should be put to the membership for a vote. To make sweeping changes without input of the membership is a great way to alienate people. Apparently this change will be tested this next meeting. Someone implied it would be easier to do some of the preliminary critiquing online. This may be so, but to create so much structure and rules in my opinion defeats the openness of the process. I scramble to write each day and to blog every Tuesday. I do not have time to look over a body of work of another writer as part of my work day. I hold a critique session every Wednesday and anyone is welcome. Just e-mail me you are interested.
But I digress. In view of the success of our conference, with so many stepping up to the plate I believe we need fewer rules and regs. We are here to help one another not to throw obstacles on the path of the writer's journey. This is of course just my opinion and as such should be taken only as a single view. I, for one, welcome more discussion on the subject before it is cast in stone.

Going With The Flow

2010-10-04T22:53:00.004-04:00

I've begun to feel more comfortable with the changes in my life. I can take frequent trips out-of-town with my son and still be productive and have unexpected fun.

Did a reading for a publisher while I was gone (have computer, will travel). I also had an opportunity to see a small production musical with short notice and had a great time.

Did I spazz out because I wasn't working on my book? No. Why? I knew that my time would be less structured away and allowed myself the break. I knew when I returned home to my (somewhat) normal routine, I'd have plenty of time to work on it.

My new M.O.? Take a deep breath and step away to look @ my options. If there's no actual deadline, I can get it done @ the pace I set. I'll continue to work steadily every day. When I get a request for my work, I'll be almost ready if not finished.

Why make myself sick with what if's? Not gonna happen! I know I'll be successful.

I Can’t Win For Winning, or, Too Much Of A Good Thing.

2010-09-29T16:45:00.002-04:00

Everyone who knows me knows that my fantasy “novel” is a work in progress – at best. While I have six or seven phenomenal scenes that will help make it a Nebula Award winner, I don’t have a tale epic enough for a novel.

Last week I thought of an additional, semi-major, character that excited me. I “outlined” the rules of his magic in my story. Wrote out his plot line, knew when he would enter the story, how to place him on hold until the epic battle (or whatever) and what his involvement would be.

I determined that his part would be 7,000 to 12,000, then transcribed my notes from paper to Word and brought it to a writer’s group yesterday.

With the exception of one person who didn’t understand it (but was okay that I could) everyone loved it. Loved the character. Loved the rules of his magic. Loved him as much as I did.

So, what’s the problem? Everyone loved him too much. “The rules I set for his magic are such a ‘game changer’ he can support his own novel.” “You have to be careful to limit his involvement. He has the potential to take over your story.” “He needs his own story.”

Just fantastic. I either have to severely limit a character who could add over 10% to my novel OR I have two unfinished novels without enough material for either.

Back to the storyboard. (I don’t draw.)

It is truly possible to have too much of a good thing.

finding your niche

2010-09-28T10:24:00.002-04:00

Many believe each of us has a purpose, and the tough part is finding what that purpose is. I've known since I was a small child (looooong time agooo) that what I wanted out of life is simply to make folks smile. If I were silly or serious did not matter, as long as someone smiled. To that end I've always tried to help folks and to make them think about some of the silly things I say. Such as (this one drives my grandsons nutz) sky blue pink. Okay you say, what's so wonderful about that? Well if you look at an evening sky and try to figure what I am talking about you will note even if you cannot find the sky blue pink you will see something beautiful. My books are an extension of this. I write fantasy and easily accept, that creatures can talk, fly or even disappear.
I'm not senile or demented I just think there is more than one way to achieve a goal. Yes, I believe in magic, the kind that makes us wonder at the wide eyed look of a child's first Christmas. The kind that makes us see the simplicity in life is really the true beauty.
My fox books are a kind of magic for me, a personal magic. I can sit in my office and go to Ireland, or Avalon or even Atlantis. Each of us has a personal magic and when you find it never let it go. Have faith in your personal magic. It will sustain you through the dark moments of life and if you cling tightly enough the dark will be only moments long.
I write what I want to read. Write what takes you away on angel wings, what makes your soul soar. If it isn't fun don't do it. We were put here to enjoy the bounties of life and to aid one another.

Panic Is Setting In

2010-09-27T10:41:00.003-04:00

I've heard from three persons at the publishers. The publisher stated I would hear back no later than 45 days. My editor just wrote I'll hear something by next Tuesday.

Right now I'm freaking out. I sit down to write and my mind goes off on tangents and I can't concentrate.

My question to my published friends is this - How do you structure your time to get your manuscript done? Is there any tried-and-true method or do I need to feel my way through this?

There's been a shift in the story line, and I've been working to make it seamless. However, I'm beginning to question it even if it's the right direction to move in. I guess I just have to have the faith in myself that my friends have in me. This is, after all, my dream.

The Conference, the conference

2010-09-22T15:47:00.002-04:00

Well, Sorry I forgot I was to blog on Tuesday, but I had a medium do a reading for me and the entire thing blew me away. Some very revealing stuff, anyhow that's my mea culpa.
So lets talk about the conference. I don't know what the monetary return was, but am quite sure I am aware of the learning experience. Our speaker was both highly entertaining and informative. The service at the hotel was very good. Jessica was a hoot from the get go to gone. I hope we invite her back.
If anyone did not have a good time it was their own fault, with the exception of Kat who unfortunately was ill and missed some of the festivities.
My final assessment of the conference? Let's do it again!

Post Conference Euphoria

2010-09-20T09:02:00.003-04:00

Kudos to the LC_RW Conference Committee. I have to admit I had some concerns as to the feasibility of holding a conference at the time. Much to my delighted surprise, the whole event went smoothly and in my opinion, was a success.

The intimacy of the setting with under 25 people made the workshops very enjoyable. With pitches to a local publisher as an added draw, my time at the conference was worth every penny.

Now the conference is over. What to do? My pitch garnered me a request to submit the first three chapters of my book. Not a problem, they're polished and ready. The rest is not so ready, so I've got to plan my days with plenty of time to work on my book. I don't anticipate it to take long because the creative juices are bubbling over.

Thankfully (sorry dear) my husband just left this morning for a business trip. What does that mean? Uninterrupted time to work at my computer. The kids (23 and 18) have been told they'll need to help more as I get things moving. My goal? To be finished with latest draft by next week.

Who else has the new impetus to create as a result of the conference?

Write On Rochester Kicks off!

2010-09-18T07:57:00.000-04:00

Last night was So you wanna meet an Author... The room was full, the people were engaged and the speaker...charismatic. Jessica Andersen brought the attendees into a world of publishing and craft. Exploring the possibilities and rationalities of why author's write. Seeing old friends, making new and networking, networking, networking. The pitch sessions went off well, Rhonda Penders from the Wild Rose Press made the experience simply and enriching. If you are still on the fence about what this conference can offer you think again, come down before 9 am Radisson RIT, Rochester, NY for the all day workshop today. www.lcrw.org. I can't wait to get into the workshops. If they are half of as interesting as last nights getting to know you, then today with be mind blowing.
Write On Rochester!

A writing contest

2010-09-17T14:07:00.001-04:00

A friend of mine found this writing contest. I think it would be a lot of fun if a bunch of us entered. An opportunity to put into use all the knowledge we acquire this weekend. (At a 600 word max we might even take the time at a meeting to read them.)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105660765

Your story must begin with the following line:
"Some people swore that the house was haunted."

Plus, your story must end with this line:
"Nothing was ever the same again after that."

The MAXIMUM length is 600 words.

Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 26, 2010.

Conference

2010-09-14T15:08:00.003-04:00

Well, we are down to the wire now. Only a few more days. If we all remember this is a learning experience, we will get more out of the conference than we expect. I am really looking forward to the experience. I'm not the shy type (surprise!) but when it comes to pitching I am a basket case. I've done it countless times, yet always get my foot in my mouth. And the worst thing is the story I was hoping to pitch, is lost. I cannot find it anywhere. Wrote it several years ago and put it on a floppy disk. Do I know where I put it? Noooo. So instead I will pitch a contemporary I have partially written. More than half, so not to worry.
Ya know what gets me about pitches? I don't know about other folks, but I just want to get through it. I rush and I know I shouldn't, but I do anyway. And it doesn't seem to matter how well I know the person I am pitching to. I've pitched to Wild Rose press on several occassions and have always been asked to submit, but as every story I've written is in the same vein, I have to submit to WingsPress first. This tale is different from any other I've written as it takes place in LasVegas in the present time. While it does feature a fox and a dragon it is vastly different as I introduce goddesses, flying dragons and a town planning board. Think that might be considered a departure.
In a different mode of thought, let's set ourselves to expect the best and we'll get it. If you are down, thinking down will bring you down further, but if you think up, the higher you will soar. Hope to have the best weekend ever, join me!

The Perfect Family

2010-09-13T07:58:00.000-04:00

Thanks to my sister and fellow LCRW members for the opportunity to tell you about my new work, coming up in September.

To blog readers who don’t know me, first, let me introduce myself. I’m Kathryn Shay and I’ve been published by Harlequin and The Berkley Publishing Group for the last fifteen years. THE PERFECT FAMILY, released from Bold Strokes Books, is my thirty-seventh book. My work has been characterized by reviewers and readers as highly emotional, poignant and heart wrenching.

Those adjectives certainly apply to THE PERFECT FAMILY. The story follows the Davidsons: they’re an average American family with a good life and they consider themselves lucky to have each other. Then their seventeen year old son tells them he’s gay and their world shifts. They have no idea what they will go through after Jamie’s disclosure: Jamie's father Mike can't reconcile his religious beliefs with his son's sexuality. His brother Brian is harassed by his jock buddies and angry at Jamie for complicating all their lives. Maggie, his mother, fears being able to protect her son while struggling to save her crumbling marriage. And Jamie feels guilty for the unhappiness his disclosure has caused. The book is full of both conflict and love, ending on a redeeming note.

I’m frequently asked why I wrote this book. When my own son came out gay, I decided I wanted to tell a story around that issue. THE PERFECT FAMILY is fiction, but touches on some of the things my own family went through. I wished then I’d had a book like this to help me understand that a family’s struggle when a teen comes out is okay, but he deserves love and support from them, too. I was also a high school teacher for many years and I know teenagers. I know how they react to people who are different from them, how sexual orientation can freak them out and how they can be cruel. But they can also be unbelievably loyal and supportive. I tried to show all this in the book.

Having raised kids of my own, I’m also aware of how a child’s problems can affect the whole family. I originally wrote the book in first person narrative from the mother’s point of view (it was called A MOTHER’S STORY) because I knew what Maggie, the mom, was going through. I’ve also experienced the pain when spouses disagree on what’s best for their children. However, it wasn’t long before I realized this book was more than Maggie’s story; it was each family member’s journey. On the first of many revisions, I put in the viewpoints of Mike, Brian and Jamie. I think this expansion enriched the book and made it more relevant. After several revisions, I also added a secondary storyline to mirror the first which gives the book an added dimension.

The character of Jamie is based on my own son, Ben. He read the manuscript twice, the beginning draft and the last one. I was amazed at the insights he had into the characters. His comments led me to make some further revisions. And we have a gift for my readers. Ben is a singer/songwriter and made a CD in high school about “loving a boy” and other adolescent issues. We’re offering it free at the publisher’s website when you order a book from them http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/products.php?product=Perfect-Family%252C-The-%25252d-by-Kathryn-Shay and it will be also be offered on my website, www.kathrnyshay.com while copies last.

I’m sure you can tell from my comments that this is the book of my heart and a labor of love. I hope readers enjoy it.

Kathryn Shay

PS—If you’re interested in reading my other books, I’m working on new projects now so check my website for that. I’m also making plans to put nine single title novels up on Kindle and Smashwords by the time THE PERFECT FAMILY is released.

Crisp Breezes, Blue Skys and a Sprinkle of Puffy Clouds

2010-09-11T09:33:00.000-04:00

It's in the air, all around us. Fall is approaching fast on the horizon and it feels decadent. For me, this is the season for writing. Probably a throwback to school days and such. But this week, creativity was like a tidal wave which gobbled me up and plopped me on a surf board to ride the wave. Seven thousand words I wrote and I have the itch to glue my butt to the seat and get lost in the story today, at this moment.
So thank you Crisp Breezes, blue sky and puffy clouds for heralding in the wave of creativity because I'm loving it. Hope each of you get swept away in your stories as well.

Counting Down

2010-09-10T16:41:00.002-04:00

Tick, tick, tick . . .
Time is running out . . .
September 17 & 18 . . .
Jessica Andersen . . .
Mayan prophecy . .
2012 . . .

So many questions
Will the world come to an end?
Can Jessica's Mayan warriors defeat the demons?
Get the the scoop from Jessica herself.
See you at Write On Rochester!

The Conference, the conference

2010-09-07T10:51:00.002-04:00

I never imagined our group would have a conference. Yet, we are and I am the first to support it. The work the committee has done is nothing short of amazing. I would never have known what had to be done, let alone do it. These people have worked tirelessly for the success of "Write On Rochester", so let's make this the very stellar event it can be. I know many have time constraints and I understand in some cases money can be an issue, but if you truly want to be an author, novelist, or even a essayist, you must support this event. This is part of the package, to be part of a support group that buoys you up when you think you are stuck, also requires you support the group as well as the other writers.
The location is convenient in a very good neighborhood, the time of the event does not interfere with any holidays and by now all the crumb crushers are back in school, so dad can watch them for a couple of days. Do this for yourself and you will marvel at what you will learn. I expect a full turnout, please don't disappoint me. Come on "Write on Rochester!"

To Dream Or Not? Is It Worth It?

2010-09-06T21:28:00.002-04:00

As you can tell by the title of this post, I'm enduring some frustration. My pride and joy is writing, whether it be blogging, creating business documents or working on my manuscript.

But what do you do when someone close to you believes what you do is trash? Not 'trashy' but absolute garbage. In their eyes, the only publications of worth are NON-fiction. How do you get past the resentment, the pain and discouragement?

I've talked with a few friends today about this matter. In answer to their advice, one thing I'm going to do is commit to journaling every night. Once I make a commitment, I'm bound and determined to keep it, so this is a good task.

Second, now that school is starting and my days start just as early as everyone else in the house, I will devote my mornings to writing my manuscript. This way, it won't take time away from the family.

Of course, I could take advantage of the fact the someone close to me is going away on a business trip tomorrow until late Friday. However, to be fair, I'm going to try and plan my writing for the long term - which means the mornings after the others go off to school and work will be best for my creativity.

Then during the lunch hours I'll be back at my paid job of hostessing. Once I arrive home, I can devote my time to doing the household chores and family time.

I have to admit, I never learned to manage three kids at once, plus my husband. I do best when it's one-on-one. One is off at college (my most time-consuming child because he was so active in school), the other is still away with his girl-friend's family in Colorado. He is coming home at the end of the month. I have missed him every day, as he is my best friend. My third child is entering eleventh grade, yet is not so active in school. When she comes home at the end of the day, she likes to relax and unwind. This year, however, I'm going to enlist her in the planning and executing dinners in preparation for some day living on her own. (Should have done this with the oldest too, LOL)

Enough of my ranting. The moral to this blog? If you have a dream, you'll find a way to make it come true. Is it worth it? Without a doubt. What's life without dreams to propel us forward?

Another Reason

2010-09-02T17:25:00.001-04:00

Yet another reason I can’t wait for Write On Rochester! The Wild Rose Press will be taking pitches. My novella is finished. Granted, it’s far from polished, but I’m going to be pitching.
This will be my first time sitting across from an editor and trying to sell my writing. Though I’m on pins and needles, this is a huge opportunity. Imagine instant feedback instead of waiting and waiting.
Maybe, just maybe, the editor will give me a genuine smile and say, “Send me the first three chapters.”

I missed it again!!

2010-09-01T16:27:00.002-04:00

I am so sorry to have missed my date with the blog. Again.
I have to stop signing up for the last and first days of the month because I tend to switch to the new page of the following month too soon, without copying over all pertinent assignments.
Drats.
I have no excuse.
Except for having to spend large parts of my assigned day to blog getting poked, prodded and scanned. I wouldn't put my worse enemy through an MRI, though it would be a great plot point for a mystery or thriller. "Gee, Doctor Feelgood, could you ask me that again? My hearing is permanently damaged from all the noise in that tube I was shoved into the other day."
Plus I started back providing child care yesterday, fighting a war of wills with a 4 year-old who claims I am not her boss and if she chooses to run around in only SpongeBob Squarepants panties it's her business.
I don't like 4 years old.
Like Kathryn Shay, I'm blogging my butt off to introduce Those Who Wait, my new story with Decadent Publishing which was released over the weekend. This is the publisher I found through Romantic Times Book Club. The story went from submission to release inside 30 days.
And my next book with Wild Rose Press comes out in three weeks so I'm promoting that also.
Maybe I need a larger calendar?
Kat

Passages

2010-08-26T23:29:00.002-04:00

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 . . .

2010-08-26T11:52:00.002-04:00

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

Utalize all Talents

2010-08-24T09:30:00.004-04:00

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!

What are you reading?

2010-08-20T17:50:00.000-04:00

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?

Old Dog New Trick

2010-08-17T21:31:00.002-04:00

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!

2010-08-17T20:19:00.001-04:00

#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

Welcoming New Possibilities

2010-08-16T16:13:00.002-04:00

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.

Idle Thoughts

2010-08-15T12:02:00.002-04:00

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.

Save it for all time

2010-08-14T18:01:00.001-04:00

“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?

2010-08-14T12:43:00.000-04:00

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.

Support LCRW

2010-08-10T12:03:00.002-04:00

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.

Where Does The Time Go?

2010-08-09T23:40:00.002-04:00

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.

Wow!

2010-08-06T12:34:00.000-04:00

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?

Makes You Think

2010-08-04T20:55:00.000-04:00

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.

Our Conference

2010-08-03T18:33:00.002-04:00

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.

You Never Know. A Dollar and a Dream

2010-08-01T14:59:00.004-04:00

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.

Getting Back on Track

2010-07-30T21:01:00.002-04:00

It's been some weeks since I last worked on my manuscript. What blocked me? Me! I got too tired or too busy to find the time to sit down and create.

Yes, I was taking care of my son after his surgery. However, that didn't stop me from working, There were many occasions I could find to slip away for an hour or so to set up my computer and get down to business.

The change happened when even that schedule was interrupted when we went to Tennessee. Staying in a hotel room with 4 adults, and all my son's medical paraphernalia cluttering any flat surface, it was hard to work. Also, we were at a conference, so there were many people we knew and visited with. Needless to say, I was very busy, just not on my manuscript.

Once we arrived home, it's been difficult to get back to normal. Only home two weeks, and was off again for a post-surgical visit in Delaware. Have been home a week now, and really need to get back to my manuscript. It's nagging me and making me cranky. (Of course, if you call me on that, I'll deny everything! :D)

So, to get started, I put myself on the roster for reader at TWRP. I do need to finish that prelim tonight! After that, I'll bring a notebook with me tomorrow when I take my daughter to Stonybrook near Dansville for a few hours with her friend. I can insert a few chapters to my working story. It's taken a different direction right now, so I need to see where it's going to take me.

Here I am again

2010-07-30T19:30:00.000-04:00

First off, yes I've been writing, but slowly and sporadically. My story has turned this way and that, but I have maintain my original idea, just my characters have become younger and younger. Throughout this process I have found my voice, my thoughts and myself... now I must write my story. I'm going back to what I found works through the Warrior Writer by Bob Mayer. Starting August 2nd, I am dedicating 1000 words per day to myself. I know I can do it, have done it. Now is retraining myself to do it.

The only person I can truly let down is myself, this time it won't happen. Time carved out is hard when balancing family, kids and life, especially when there is no cash flow, but when it is something that your passionate about, it comes down to just doing it. So here it goes, five months into my journey of writing a successful novel has come down to six months. Six months to have it query and submission ready. At least I know the story line, the characters, the quirks, now I must write the day to day words. I must be a warrior writer. I have my goal, the process. It's on me to get it accomplished.

I know I have say it time and time again, but this time. I will finish this book, Sometimes a Witch.

Some accepted truths just need to be looked at differently.

2010-07-17T16:24:00.000-04:00

A linguistics professor was lecturing to his class one day. "In English," he said, "a double negative forms a positive. In some languages though, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative. However," he pointed out, "there is no language wherein a double positive can form a negative."

A voice from the back of the room piped up "Yeah, right."

To Share or Not to Share

2010-07-13T13:40:00.002-04:00

Recently was reminded of the fragility of peace on open public forums. I posted a new profile picture with the lyrics of a song as the caption. Was it unfitting for someone my age? I didn't think so.

We have to remember when we participate in such public forums everything we post, whether it be pictures, links or words, it's there for all to see and comment on. One negative comment was posted and all my other 'friends' jumped all over the person. So NOT the intention of posting the picture.

So what has this meant to me? Do I need to think more carefully about what I'm going to post? Maybe. Is this incident serious enough to really worry about? I don't know. I'm upset my friends are at odds over it, but the act itself was an innocent way of celebrating my weight loss and being able to be happy to have pictures of myself seen again.

I would like to know your opinion. Should we be more careful of what we post, or am I'm worrying over nothing?

Home Sweet Home

2010-07-01T08:09:00.002-04:00

Those words never meant more to me than they do now. I've been away from home almost as long as I was two years ago, but it will be even longer when we head off to a conference. What does this mean to me?

All those little things I was able to do without preparation are a luxury right now. Everything I do has to be scheduled around strut turns, medication times and mobility availability. Taking everyday life for granted is no more. The care and attention my son, Stephen, needs is more important than anything frivolous, unnecessary trip or errand I want to take.

That's right. I said 'want.' All those little trips to Walmart, Goodwill or the mall were essentially frivolous. There was nothing I really needed, or wanted even, to necessitate the frequent trips. They were all reasons to get out of the house.

I've been 'out-of-the-house' for over a month and will be out for another ten days or so. Yes, we do come home today, but only for 24-36 hours. Then it's load up the car for four people to stay in a hotel for ten days, travel for fourteen days. There's no room in the van now for two of us, with the wheelchair and all the paraphernalia we've accumulated to care for Stephen in the last month.

I miss my meetings, my friends, even work. I miss work because it gave me a place to be without family, yet still be out in the world for a more constructive purpose. This summer will be less enjoyable without being able to do all this, unless I learn to accept my life as it is now and embrace all the quality moments with my family.

YOU KNOW MORE THAN YOU KNOW YOU KNOW

2010-06-27T15:25:00.002-04:00

“Write what you know.” “Write what you read.” I bet there is not a person reading this who hasn’t heard those words. I’m here to tell you, you know more than you know you know.

If you read romance, it has created a comfortable nook in your mind where you can go to escape. You know where everything is located in your cubbyhole and can pull it out whatever you need. It is your place and you know it well.

If you read science fiction, you know what a believable alternative world is. You read it – you know it.

I read fantasy almost to the exclusion of everything else. Therefore, I must write fantasy. When I started writing, I knew I was a fantasy writer. What else could I be?

Along the way, something went wrong. Three and a half years into my writing “career”, I don’t have a single completed work of fantasy. (To be fair, the fantasy story I am “working” on is a novel. I have six “scenes” written, but that is as far as I have gotten.) I have written romantic-adventure. A shape shifter story. A serial killer story. I have a Zombie, two life transition/redemption stories and a science fiction story. I have written a non-fiction piece about my tour on a submarine. I have a gangster story. Most shocking, I have written nine poems. (I have no idea where they came from.)

It is easy to see that some of the above are loosely related to fantasy. But, what about the others?

It turns out, I know more than I knew I knew.

I have been receiving Newsweek and US News and World Report for years. I receive two computer magazines. I have been reading non-fiction that includes tight, concise writing.

The others, (the gangster, romantic-adventure, serial killer, and the redemption stories) come from TV and MOVIES. I firmly believe that if you watch it, you know it.

You know what makes you laugh – you had to choose between Frasier and Home Improvement. How many SVU’s have you seen – hundreds?

You say you don’t watch romantic adventure. Didn’t you love Mr. and Mrs. Smith or the Star Wars series? How about Burn Notice? (Yes, Burn Notice.)

I do NOT read romance. I loved The Notebook movie.

The point is, when it comes to your writing, you know more than you know you know. Use it to write anything you want.

Recovery III

2010-06-23T22:19:00.002-04:00

What's new with me? Steve is doing much better now that they've taken out the k-wires near his knees. Enough to let me leave and come home for a few days. My brave boy is an inspiration to me and everyone around him.

The legs are still not as straight as the doctor wants them to be, so we're still cranking those struts until next Tuesday. This is done to two struts per leg in the morning, another two in the afternoon and the last two before bed.

Got great news tonight. He went twelve hours without getting another pain pill. For someone who was constantly checking with me for when his next dose was due, this is a tremendous feat. Today was not as good for my husband. His phone sent Steve's call to voice mail while he was checking his voice messages. Steve was so worried, he called the desk at the house for someone to go look for his dad in the dining room. LOL!!

I have to understand my boy is feeling more vulnerable than we've ever experienced with him. This is hard to grasp and we sometimes tend to take it lightly. However, it's a serious issue with Steve and we have to be very careful to keep the lines of communication open when we're not in the near vicinity.

Obsessed, written by Sandy Istvan

2010-06-22T05:52:00.001-04:00

My husband thinks I’m glued to my chair, and I understand that. Almost daily I spend five hours or more writing. Call me obsessed. My characters are more familiar to me than friends and neighbors. I tell them what to do and save them from disaster; help them fall in love and console them when their relationships fall apart. Must be how God feels about His misguided flock.
In the past twelve months I’ve submitted two manuscripts to two publishers. And you guessed it; both were rejected. Ah, but rejection doesn’t daunt me; at least not for long. I just guzzle coffee and begin the hatchet job. Words that end in ‘ly’ are taboo. Can’t use the words was, were, had, has. If you search for such inappropriate wording and highlight it, an amazing crazy quilt of color enhances your pages. So it’s hack and substitute; hack and substitute. Sometimes it’s helpful to invert a sentence here and there. Why write ‘she was a beautiful young woman who had a lot to learn’?? After all, ‘men remained a mystery to the gorgeous babe’ says the same thing – doesn’t it?
After a time, the substitutions come automatically. But then the writer runs across the limited selection of replacement words. Say ‘had’ for example. She had a headache. Try ‘her head pounded like a trip hammer,’ or maybe ‘her head hurt so much she couldn’t see straight.’ More colorful, right? More interesting. Also more wordy, and therein lies the rub. Oh it’s a great pastime, this word folly.
I imagine seasoned authors spend a lot less time with word play. They’ve learned all the right words – even the proper off-color phrases their salty detectives and floozy females speak so well. As I said, I have a lot to learn. Gotta go – my lovers are waiting for me to send them to bed.

Book Reviews

2010-06-16T12:34:00.003-04:00

Several years ago, for a short period of time, we had a regular spot on our meeting agenda for book reviews. Newly published or years old, it didn't matter, as long as the book was "new" to the LCRW reviewer.

I'd like to revive that agenda item here on the blog. There are a couple reasons for this. All are personal: I don't have to worry about a blog topic and it gives me an excuse to read for pleasure or research. Anything to get away from editor work.

For my first effort, I offer John Sanford's "Heat Lightening" a police procedural set in Minnesota, the second in the Virgil Flowers series. I learned about B.C.A. officer Flowers while listening to the audio version of Sanford's latest Lucas Davenport "Prey" story. Virgil is a younger, handsomer version of Lucas--to quote Mr. Flowers.

I had feared I might find myself cuddled up with a clone of Lucas, but soon realized that Virgil is a character all his own, and vastly different from the smart mouth, sarcastic Davenport. Don't get me wrong, Virgil's got a mouth on him, too, particularly when he discovers the next in a long line of ex-wives. Not yet 40 he's been married 3 or 4 times; must be the influence of his minister father [marry them before you ____ them]. Rather than a former hockey player, he's an outdoorsman who quotes Virgil, Camus, and Proust and is better known around Minneapolis and St. Paul for the naturalist articles he writes for magazines which attract fans who hunt, fish, trap etc for fun, profit, and relaxation. Plus, an occasional quote from the Bible.

Add to all that an interesting mystery that has me turning the pages. I appreciate a book that you can't put down, don't you?
Kat

Recovery II

2010-06-15T18:56:00.000-04:00

My son, Steve, is slowly recovering from his bilateral tibia/fibular osteotomy with application of Taylor Spatial Frames. This is his opinion. The opinion of the medical professionals - his orthopedist and physical therapists - is that he's moving along rapidly and with great improvement. His recovery speed is up to him.

I, myself, see improvement in his walk, his ability to maneuver between the chair and bed, as well as his mental state. He's holding up pretty well, but is upset when he encounters what he considers set-backs. These would be the temporary inflammation of the pin sites, or stiffness of his knees. This is to be expected with this type of surgery. However, Steve wants to be well and on crutches NOW. He's beginning to see how 'human' he really is.

The hardest part of all this is learning to hold my tongue. Steve's feeling things he's never felt before, and not just physically. He's feeling vulnerable. With vulnerability comes harsh words, snapping and general crabbiness. In such close quarters, it's hard to not react or respond back with equal venom.

We stop turning the struts on the frames Saturday night. That would be twenty days of turning 6 struts. Hopefully as the bones knit together, he'll be in less pain and find his mental equilibrium again.

More again next week.

2010-06-10T00:24:00.002-04:00

For the last six months I have been taking a Creative Writing course at Monroe Community College. I have been reading non-fiction, literary short stories and poetry. On my own I read The Help by Kathryn Stockett – a wonderful summer read – and a book a friend recommended. (Twice I tried to finish it. Twice I failed. She is still a friend, but is no longer allowed to make recommendations to my reading list.)

There were numerous handouts and assignments in the assigned text – Metro, Journey’s In Writing Creativity. The point is, I had not been the Captain of my reading list in a very long time.

A couple weeks ago, with ten poems ready for submission, I picked up The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

What I found shocking was the physical reaction I had within the first ten pages.

I can only describe it as how I felt on a Thanksgiving leave from the Navy. I was sitting in the living room, my dad in “his” chair, my nephew playing with Match Box cars on the floor. Mom was in the kitchen whipping up a feast and the smells where overwhelming me.

The feeling of being home is a physical thing as well as emotional. Fantasy is my home.

Let's start a collection of "You could be a writer if."

You may respond to this blog and I will collect them and send them out. (Credited or non- you're option.)

To get things started, I have included one of my "IFs"

You could be a writer if:

• When stopped at a traffic check-point, rather than ask what is going on, you ask for the back-story.

Recovery

2010-06-07T10:04:00.002-04:00

Recovery comes in many forms. It's the healing of the mind, body and spirit. My son, Steve, is recovering from surgery on his legs. This will be a long process, as we adjust the struts holding the bones to either lengthen them in one direction and shorten them in another. All this to make his legs straight so he can walk, run and play without pain. The recovery isn't and won't be without its share of pain.

We have intermittent times of pleasure when he's feeling fit and without much pain. Our time together is enjoyable. Then there are the days where the pain sets in, and it's hard to walk or even move. These are the days when prayer is all that gets me through them. When he's in pain, he lashes out and I'm usually the closest target. What I need to remember is he's in pain and really doesn't mean it. I need to let it go and stay calm and not react.

Not reacting is the hardest thing. Every action has a reaction. We've been taught that all our lives. Yet, reacting is not necessarily the best thing to do in some cases. Sometimes we need to think and decipher if a reaction is appropriate. What a hard lesson.

So far, Steve's progress is good. He's impressing the physical therapy staff with his achievements. However, some of these achievements come with a price of soreness and stiffness the next day or two. Today we start our second week of therapy with the pool session. He really likes that because he can usually walk without assistance.

Post-Surgery Blues

2010-06-03T19:44:00.000-04:00

It's been a little over a week since my son's surgery. He's doing wonderfully, making great strides in his recovery. There are some drawbacks, however. The pain medication made him sleep all the time, so he decided to back off on the dosage. This was great at helping him stay awake, but sitting for long periods of time were never his strong suit.

He's impatient to get up and moving, but the long periods in bed, in the wheelchair or in the arm chair tend to make his knees stiff, his legs sore and swollen. Naturally, this frustrates him and he lashes out. The target usually is me, his mother. I try my best to help him move, but if he snaps at me, I may move too quickly or with jerky motions. This causes pain and he talks as if I'm intentionally hurting him on purpose.

I know intellectually he's just venting, but with the stress and strain of longs days keeping him company and pushing his wheelchair up and down the steep walkway between the Ronald McDonald House and the hospital, my nerves are strained as well. All I can do is pray to God and his best friend to help him through his frustration and to keep us both sane. It hurts when he tells me he's scared for what'll happen when his dad goes back home for a few days. He's afraid I'll just keep hurting him and put all his hard work in physical therapy back weeks, not days.

So I want to thank all my friends for all their support and ask that you bear with me through this. I'll be making more phone calls than I have lately, you can be sure of it. It's so heartbreaking I'm almost tempted to talk with the RMH social worker about finding someone for me to talk things over with. My husband isn't much help in that department.

Poetry

2010-05-29T20:56:00.002-04:00

I was impressed at how many people came up with such wonderful word choices at our last LCRW meeting where my mother was the guest speaker.

Even though I'm already awed by the talent in our group, I was amazed at how quickly pen flew to paper and images came flooding out. (And Kat, if you're reading this, you really need to send that poem out somewhere!)

In fact, I urge all of you who feel you've made great headway with fitting words into poetic structure to continue working on what you've begun, and perhaps find a place for it. Many literary magazines take poetry. There are poetry anthologies to break into.

Sometimes working on something new and different helps us become stronger writers in our tried and true. We begin to think out of the box more. And it's a nice diversion when we're stuck on our manuscripts and need to set them down for awhile.

Steve Walked Today

2010-05-28T23:10:00.003-04:00

My son, Steve, had surgery on both his legs this past Tuesday. He's been getting up into a wheelchair since Weds. Today he was fitted with a walker. What that boy has been putting up with, I don't know where he finds the strength.

The morning session with the walker was a wash because it took too long to fit it properly. It should have been done before his feet hit the floor. He struggled through a lot of pain better than most people in his position would. Needless to say, he took a long nap after that.

This afternoon, he said his goal was to walk to the bathroom. He did it! It took forever, with me crying inside at his grunts and groans. Yet, when Steve is determined, he gets it done. I'm so proud of him and envy his conviction to see this through with as little complaint as possible since it was his decision to do the procedure.

He is an inspiration to his nursing staff, physical therapy staff and family of another patient having the same surgery. Thank you God for blessing me with a great kid.

Testing...

2010-05-28T11:28:00.001-04:00

Hello LCRW,
I am testing the system to see how a new member gets going in all this schtuff.
:)

Almost Time to Edit

2010-05-26T16:50:00.001-04:00

For nearly a year, I’ve been pouring my heart and soul into my WIP. As a writer, I’m supposed to have control, but the characters I created had other plans. They threw in their own plot twists, seemed like I was continuously updating my outline. I had to save my heroine from a hit and run and an attack by a madman. When my characters got so discouraged with life, I had to give them a kick in the butt.
In the past year, these characters have invaded my thoughts, consumed my time, and touched my heart. All that’s left is putting the final chapter down on paper. I’m going to miss them.
Oh wait, I still have to edit.

My Son's Surgery

2010-05-25T13:48:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to update everyone on my son, Steve's, progress on his surgery. As I write this, the doctors are putting a frame on his second leg. The first leg surgery went well and was completed before noon. We were given a timeframe of approx. 6 hrs. So far, so good.

He was excited to get this done. I think he was surprised at the effectiveness of the "happy juice" they gave him to relax him before the anesthesia. He was sooo funny! I can only pray he keeps his sense of humor when the surgery is over.

Thanks for all your support.

Turning into a Hallmark Commercial...

2010-05-24T10:24:00.003-04:00

Lately I've been plowing through boxes of Kleenex. Some of the tears I expected. A song on the radio that reminds me of my recently deceased mother sends a river pouring from my eyes. These moments I embrace. It's a constant reminder of how important she was and still is to me.

Other moments catch me off guard. A little over a week ago my oldest celebrated the sacrament of First Holy Communion. In the middle of the Mass, as I watched him on the altar doing a reading, I started to cry. Everyone around me was smiling, while I pressed the heel of my hand under my eyes to stem the flow of tears.

It's to the point now where my two sons no longer react beyond grabbing a box of tissues. That made this weekend all the more amusing. Friday night my left eye was red and visibly swollen. A flow of steady tears fell through the weekend. This time my boys took notice. Everywhere we went - flag football, lunch, a birthday party, Church - my eye weeped. They were clearly embarrassed (In my defense I did wear sunglasses wherever I could get away with it). I finally explained I was under the seige of allergies. Now my eyes are so red and uncomfortable that I can't cry. Boo hoo!!! I miss my Hallmark moments!

Invisible Fences by Kathy Shay

2010-05-20T09:05:00.000-04:00

As many of you know, I have a Yorkshire terrier named Hattie. She’s the sweetest little thing, except when she gets out of the yard. Then she runs, faster, harder and more exuberantly than I believed possible. (This is a canine who sits on our laps when we watch TV and has to be touching one of us as she sleeps on our bed.) So I was surprised, and a bit hurt, that she’d take off so easily away from me.

After a close call on a busy street blocks away from our house, we finally put in an invisible fence. This entails a barrier around the perimeter of our very large yard, as well as an electric collar around her neck. She bounced out of the house as soon as the fence guy had it installed, ready to play with him. However, she got zapped as she went for the road and yelped loud and long. The second time she tried to escape, she started to shiver. The third and final time she was jolted that day, she tried to crawl up my legs. For the next two days she wouldn’t go into the yard without being forced. She’d whimper and yank at the leash I was supposed to keep her on. It was awful. Finally, my kids took her off the leash and played ball with her outside. Alas, she was a whole new dog, running as fast as she wanted, but staying well within the flags placed around the yard. We had a whole new life together and I’ve played with her for the past three weeks like this.

Then today, she went after a ball that passed through the barrier—and she did, too. Of course she ran. I managed to chase her down at the house next door. But she bolted away, back into our yard, back through the barrier and raced into the house. I was devastated. The fence was working but it didn't keep her safe, after all. No more days outside for us. When I calmed down, I decided we had to up the barrier voltage and maybe put some of the flags back in around the yard. I’ll call the fence company tomorrow.

I was originally going to put up a post and use invisible fences as an allegory, along the lines of “What invisible fences do we put up for ourselves, or do others erect for us?” I was going to relate it to writing, and propose that writers limit their creativity by fencing themselves in to a certain type of story. I was even going to brag, maybe, that I’d broken my own invisible fences in writing THE PERFECT FAMILY.

After today, I’m not so sure invisible fences aren’t a good for us. I’m wondering if, like Hattie, we ruin things when we do away with parameters we've set for ourselves. Given my liberal leanings, this idea doesn’t set well, but as my doggy sleeps next to me while I write this, (her body touching my leg, of course), it’s a new thought I’m pondering.

What do you think?

Kathy

Never Thought I'd Be Doing This

2010-05-19T21:17:00.002-04:00

In 4 short days, I'll be on my way to Philadelphia with my 17 yr old son, Steve. My husband, Joe, will be coming along later in his own vehicle. Steve is scheduled for surgery Tuesday in Wilmington, DE which is only 45 minutes from Philly.

The past two weeks have been crammed with getting people lined up for an emergency call list (I'm leaving my 23 yr old son, his 22 yr old girlfriend [and only driver] with my 17 yr old daughter). The kids will be on their own, but will feel more relaxed if they know there are responsible, older adults available if needed.

Next, it's been a mad week of laundry, cleaning and major scrubbing of bathrooms. The house will look like it hasn't for over a decade. Wow, I can't believe it took my husband and I to leave for 6 weeks to get the house in order. I even got the over fixed, it's been broken for a year. Now Mike and Leann will be able to cook with a full working range.

Normally, if something this monumental was going to take place, I'd be a crazy wreck. I'd be stuffing my face with chocolate and bags of chips. Thank God I don't do that anymore. Now, my head is clear and I can calmly plan and execute actions that will be successful. I can plan what I need to bring for an extended stay in a Ronald McDonald House (never been to one before) and pack accordingly.

Steve and I have gotten much of the cleaning and straightening up done. Now we have the basics left to do - vacuum and dust and washing bed linens. Hopefully we'll get some help from Sandy. It would help her to feel useful in this tense time.

Luckily, times are so advanced I'll have all my tools with me to continue writing, as well as bringing things to read when I can't be at the laptop. I'm confident I'll be able to be productive when there's downtime available.

Lastly, I want to thank all my friends for all their support and encouragement. I'm counting on you to answer my phone calls and send emails. You all are important to me and I value your friendship. I love you all.

I'm signed up to blog again next Thursday. Don't worry, I'll do it, with good news I hope. Until then, good night.

Write What You Love

2010-05-18T08:24:00.002-04:00

Steve Yates posted on his personal blog about the saying "write what you know," and how we know more than we think we do.

I'd like to add here that we also need to write what we love.

I think sometimes people get into writing to make a name for themselves or for the money (hey, some types of writing pay well after all). Some people write novels they think will sell well because they're the subject du jour (think YA vampire novels or MG wizard novels). Some write to please others (memoirs to leave for their children) and some people write to get their frustrations out (angst poetry).

There is no terrible reason for people choosing to write. Expressing thoughts and ideas through artistic media deserves accolade. Especially when it is done so well we don't even notice the message being delivered, its subtlety like dew on a rose.

But I think, too, it's important to write we what enjoy writing, even if it will never be seen by anyone's eyes but our own. Even if the subject matter is "overdone" or "badly done." Like watching television or reading a book, it's an enjoyable escape. A privilege, really. Because when we have a moment of time to ourselves, why should we waste it on just anything? Why not write what we love and see where it takes us?

My turn to blog

2010-05-15T00:22:00.000-04:00

And I don't know what to write about.

Seems to be a pattern in my life. I have tons of great ideas for novels, I have a strong desire to write them. I'm excited about them. So why don't I?

This is going to be a short blog because I'm pretty brain dead right now.

What is your biggest stumbling block as a writer?

I think mine is - with everything else I have to do, I don't have the stick-to-it-tiveness to sit on my butt and write.

I get tired, and distracted.

So...tell me your blocks and how you surpass them...

And on my next blog day...I'll do better. :)

Back in The Office

2010-05-11T12:36:00.001-04:00

I've gotten my computer fixed and backed up and have started to really dig in and make this office work. My wireless keyboard just bit the dust. Put new batteries in it and it still doesn't want to type all the letters I press. Bummer.

I usually don't like to type directly on the laptop because I always rest my hand on the touch pad and strange things happen or I post before I'm finished. However, with the laptop on a stand and at a steep angle, I can type with my hands in the air and not be resting on that danged touch pad.

Two weeks is all the time I have to get this office in the condition I want it Then it's off to Delaware where my youngest son will undergo surgery on both his legs to straighten them. My goal is to have a fresh place to work when I get back in late June.

So far, things are looking up and the last hour went so fast I almost missed my lunch time. What an amazing event. I can assure you it is not a common occurrence. So it's off to make lunch, return a pair of jeans and pick up middle child for a hair cut. Can't believe I'm having such a productive day.

Writer's Slump

2010-05-09T20:54:00.002-04:00

The Writer Slump has caught up with me.

I'd thought I'd evaded it...sneaking into my office during the toddler's nap time, arms full of snack food, ready to hit the keyboards. But no. It found me. Instead of typing, I sat berating myself, wondering whatever possessed me to begin this fool novel in the first place. I felt talentless. Dull. And then I thought: maybe I simply needed a new pair of shoes to cheer me up.

An hour later I'd found a pair of boots I loved yet couldn't afford, read my spam emails, and knew which celebrity wore what horrible ensemble out in public, but no new sentences graced my word document.

And then I realized I had dishes to do.

Computer went off. Dishwasher went on. I'd work on my novel later. End of story...right?

But it's not, because I still can't seem to become motivated enough to write anything. Even as I punch away at the keyboard this very moment, I'm looking at the clock going, "When will I end this tiresome tirade? Why can't I stop writing about this horrible writing slump I'm in?" Which is actually kind of ironic, don't you think?

("Yeah, I really do think," I say to all the Alanis Morissette fans out there.)

Anyhow, I'm certain at some point I'll want to continue writing. Perhaps some encouragement will come my way, or a friend will take me aside and slap me silly, telling me to get back in the ring and fight.

Until then, the Writer Slump has got me good. I guess I'll take this time to get some housework done. Answer emails. Maybe find a pair of boots I can afford.

Inspiring Scenes--Part II

2010-05-07T09:45:00.003-04:00

A few days ago, Christine wrote about being inspired to write by something she saw. Within the past few months, paying attention to the advice of 'write what you know', I've begun to create characters who are children, four years and younger. I am writing what I see and hear every day.
Several months ago, I told grand-daughter to put on any pair of underpants as long as they were clean and they fit.
Horrified, she retorted, "I'll go naked if I can't find my Kai Lan panties."
To which I responded, "It's against the rules to go bare-assed, Meredith."
Her brother, who at that moment was wearing the MIA Kai Lan panties on his head, tugged on my hand and asked, "What's bare-assed, Nana?"
Too priceless to ignore when writing a scene for Raising Kane which featured a harassed single dad who is struggling to get the kids off to school while running late for work himself.
Later, different day but same children are scarfing down pasta salad as if it were their last meal, one asks, "This is good stuff, Nana, what's it called?"
"Orzo salad. Do you like it?"
"It looks like Mason [pre-school classmate]'s worm farm but it tastes lots better."
Only an innocent could say something like that, and get away with it.
The moral: use what's right in front of your face.
Siochain!
Kat

My Hero

2010-05-04T17:10:00.000-04:00

A few years ago, I did the Pink Ribbon Run on Mother’s Day. While waiting for the event to begin, I struck up a conversation with an older woman. I had an immediate respect for this tiny lady in an over-sized T-shirt and black tights. It was pretty gutsy for a woman her age to run a 5k.
Remember, there was a time when girls could not participate in sports in school and were discouraged from running. Title IX was signed in 1972 granting equality for girls and women in federally funded education, especially athletic programs. I graduated in 1971.
I lost track of my new friend at the start of the race, but sought her out afterwards. “If you don’t mind . . .” Curiosity made me forget my good manners. “How old are you?”
She was in her seventies, twenty years older than me. Later, I checked stats on the internet. She’d kicked my butt by ten minutes.
Sunday, I’ll be at the Pink Ribbon Run. I’ll be looking for that old woman. And, I hope she kicks my butt again!

Frustrated

2010-05-03T22:19:00.002-04:00

I'm really frustrated today. I want to give up on all my dreams because someone said I'm the cause of our computer problems.
Last weekend, my computer froze. I told my dh the computer kept giving me notice there was no more disk space. Instead of giving me the external hard drive I'd asked for as an anniversary gift, I was told to document what all was taking up the space.
In the mean time, an automatic download crashed the system.
On Weds last week, I downloaded some work from TWRP on my dh's computer and now that's acting up. I only used the computer one day, and someone else used it pretty much non-stop til today. So, of course, it's my fault it's acting up.
Sorry if this post turned into a rant. Came back late last night from a weekend trip with my parents to CT, then working 6 hrs more than my normal 2. Getting blasted when you're tired and frazzled leaves one feeling raw.
Don't know how I'm going to finish my work for TWRP, maybe the library. Can you download PDF's on the library computer?
And how am I going to find a job if I can't use the computer? My resume wad on my dead computer, but luckily Bryant & Stratton has a current copy. I'll ask if they'll snail mail me a copy. But most companies only accept online applications. Of the twenty I've applied to in the past three to four months, there had been no responses. No one takes paper applications any more.