Thankful Friday

Though I believe my writing will drive me insane, I'm thankful I'm strong enough not to resort to drugs or alcohol. Check this out.

What Guys Think

I found this interesting article through a link on YAHOO's group page. Click Here. I swear I wasn't looking in YAHOO's personal pages. I swear!

Analyze This

I’ve discovered a new author (to me) recently. Her books are packed with strong emotions, delightful humor, and layered characters. Those layers astound me with the brilliance she used in crafting a novel I could only aspire to. Her most recent novel had a heroine who was SO NOT the typical woman I would root for or expect to admire. But with each layer she deftly made me wish to be in the heroine’s shoes as she stood strong and faced her enemies and got her man. All without being a bitch.

I love to read a book that surprises me and since that first book, I’ve read two more from her backlist and haven’t been disappointed. I plan to take each book and tear them apart and analyze how she made me tear up and then laugh out loud. How she made me sympathize with her characters and ache for their pains. How she made me blush during the love scenes and sigh when it was over.

Few authors have that type of talent. So it’s time for me go back to the book and start breaking it down and maybe, just maybe, I can improve my own.

Oh, you want to know who I’m talking about? I mentioned her recently. Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Wow! What an author!

Published Authors' Friends

I was reading a buddy's blog today and remembered something Lyn Stone said during a speech she gave my writers' group. That when you become published, you find out who are your real friends. She had "friends" say things like "When are you going to write a real book," "Since you're home all day, why don't you volunteer for this and that," and ask "How much money did you get paid?" Others said she'd become stuck on herself while others snubbed her. It's amazing how stupid people can be. If you ever have the opportunity to meet Lyn, be sure to say hi. She's a darling sweet lady and talented too.

People like that are not true friends. Friends celebrate milestones good or bad. Sure, there are probably authors who let their first or hundredth book go to their head, but they're rare. Thank goodness.

I know I'm not always a good friend to my published buddies. Sometimes that ugly mean green-eyed monster (envy) gets the better of me. Then I try my best to do something extra nice for them or I stay away. The only problem with staying away is letting too much time to pass without keeping in contact with that friend. Even published authors need their friends from the days before. I just make sure I don't use them. You know. Like asking them for critiques or introductions to agents/editors. If they offer without me asking, of course, I would most likely accept but never ask. That's putting a strain on your relationship with them, placing them in an uncomfortable spot.

Having a friend is more important. Considering how much I want to be published that says a lot.

It doesn't mean you can't name drop in a query. And I don't mean like telling an editor or agent the author told you to send a manuscript to them when she didn't. That's a no-no. Plus the editor/agent is most likely to ask the author if they did. You can imagine what the editor/agent would think of you to find out you LIED! Not counting you'll lose a friend.

What I'm talking about is like "I've heard of the good things you've done for AUTHOR..." Or "It was fun sitting at the table with you and AUTHOR at the conference." You get the idea.

Well, I better email my buddy. I've neglected her lately.

Writing Tips

I'm trying to add to a manuscript I started a few years ago. I've deleted the ending and plan to double the word count. The danger of writing on an old book is that our voice changes as we improve and editors can tell if we piece together a book over time. You know the beginning may have a lot of editing but plain, while about halfway your voice flows and have texture.

The funny thing about this one book is it's the one to help my voice to change for the better. It's my only first person story so far. I found writing in first person freeing me from worrying about deep point of view. As in first person you automatically add that to the story. Hey, it is your heroine/hero's thoughts, feelings, opinions and visuals you're putting to paper.

With it being a book I've written, I had to work hard on remembering what had already happened. So I reread the book and changed a lot of scenes. Making them fuller and more emotional - I hope. Along the way, I wrote a short synopsis of each chaper. Then I wrote a sentence or question for each "string" of plot. They aren't the main plot between the heroine and hero. Those are easy to keep up with. They're the subplots I can't forget as they will most likely affect the main plot. For example, "Phillip: He found out Larisa is a Precious One. What part did he play in her kidnapping? How did he know where the demons and Fallen had taken her?" As you can tell, it's a paranormal.

This way, as I finish the book, I won't forget to answer these strings.

That's just one of the things I've learned to do.

Ha! It's Only Fair!

I use to gripe about the Viagra commercials. With their warning of "If you have an erection lasting more the three hours, consult your doctor." Of course, most guys I know would say why ruin a good thing.

Now women have a product (commercial) to smirk about. Check it out.

Thankful Friday

I didn't post yesterday as I was too tired and tonight is not much different.

So in keeping it short and sweet, I would like to say I'm thankful to know the talented author, Jennifer Echols. Check out this video. I gave her a hard time, but she's such a good sport.



Sitting to the right of her (to the left of you watching) is Christy Reece. Another talented romance author I'm thankful to know.

And, yes, that's my voice you hear.

Blogger

Had a little problem with my blog but as you can see all fixed now. It all started with me wanting to fancy it up. I've tried before and it never worked quite right. The same thing happened again. Ended up being more of a time waster than anything. So back to old faithful. Gray on black. LOL!

Oh, check out something I found. FISH! Put your mouse over them and they will follow. Click and you'll feed the fish. LOL! Whoever did the code on this is so smart. Yes. I'm easily impressed.

Need To Relocate?

On the way home this evening, as I exit I-65 and drive down the on-ramp to I-59, I have a great view of metro Birmingham. It's dark and all of the street and building lights are glowing. On top of one building is a huge LED sign that flashes messages. In this case, I saw the words "Vote for WILLIAM BELL" and then "For Mayor." The next words were "Want to relocate?" LOL!

[The building is advertising office space. But I wonder if Mr. Bell liked having that question after paying for advertising in a prime location. Makes it sound like once he's mayor everyone will want to leave Birmingham. LOL!]

New Author

This author has been around for a while, but I finally decided to give her a try. LOVE HER! Susan Elizabeth Phillips's WHAT I DID FOR LOVE is wonderful. Yeah, yeah. I know I'm slow, but for some reason...I won't get into it. She's an excellent writer and I should be ashamed of myself for waiting so long to read her books.

Now to check her backlist.