Meeting Challenges

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

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?

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

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

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?

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

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?

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

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

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.