Where does the time go?

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


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

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

Check out LCRW.org for more information.

Scenes that inspire you.

How many everyday scenes, or situations, have inspired your writing?

I can think of a few.

Once at work I saw a couple in the parking lot. Young, probably high school.
The boy had his hands on her waist, facing her, and she was talking. And it didn't look like a boy trying to touch a girl in whatever way he could. It looked like he cared about her. Was completely absorbed by her and what she had to say.

And it struck me. I wanted to write a book that starts with hero and heroine as young kids but with the instant 'attraction' or completeness. That was my inspiration for a book called 'Soulmates'.

I read an article about a cellphone bomb that didn't go off as it was supposed to and a soldier held it up to be photographed and on it - it said, One Missed Call.
That led me to a story called 'Forever Love'.

I heard a song on the radio (country music always inspires me). The song is called in Telluride (I think) but before I knew that, I thought the guys was singing, Until your eyes. Wow, I was so inspired to write about a guy who was haunted about something in his past, barely living until he meets the woman, and in her eyes, he sees his salvation. (Very vague at this point) I did write the beginning of a book about a troubled bartender but I don't know if it's the one.

In my past I've had experiences with overly religious almost cult-like people which have inspired a lot of writing, some of it not fit for anyone else's eyes, but I've used some of it in Soulmates.
My experiences have made me extremely sensitive about extremists, especially when it comes to religion (doesn't it always?) and women being treated poorly, whether in relationships or religion.
That inspired me to write a novel called Worlds Apart. I wrote that one for the Write a Novel in a weekend contest. It's a parallel story about a girl here in America who finds out she's pregnant (at 16) and a woman in Afghanistan same age, but married and just had her third child.

So, everyday life can inspire you. Just keep watching. :)

oops

Sorry I missed my blog day. My new puppy was having surgery and I forgot about the blog. Mea Culpa. Other than the dog my life is pretty much the same. I have very nearly finished the book I am writing about my husband. I am going to self publish it as I don't think people who didn't know Bill will be interested.
My critique partner Donna Collins has a wealth of ideas for the group. I think it might be a good idea to poll the members and see what cool ideas all of the membership have. This group has had many ups and downs and I am more than pleased to see the cream rise to the top.
All of the officers are doing a great job and the group itself is far more welcoming than it had been in the past. This LCRW is the best one yet and I've been through several.
I am more than mid point in my current wip and am attending a small press signing in August at Barnes and Nobel at Greece Ridge Center. Will update as the date gets closer.
Again I am sorry I missed the proper day and will endevor never to have it happen again.
Dee

LCRW is blogging!!

We're blogging! We're really, really blogging!! I'm so glad this chapter has finally moved into the 21st century!