Under Control

No, not really. I don't feel that way at all. It's been a very busy week in the writing department. I wasn't even sure I wanted to take time away from the current work in progress to blog. But blog I must.

Here's what's new:

This week I was able to finish two chapters in My Demonic Love. Pushing my total count of chapters finished to 5. I started another two chapters today. I have about 5-7 pages of each written right now. These two make up my goal for the week. Must finish them by Saturday.

Something else kind of cool: I've been thinking about stepping out of the Romance genre once I have My Demonic Love, My Mortal Eclipse and My Angelic Death written. I was actually able to outline at least half of the new idea yesterday. It wasn't planned. I was toying with the idea, but my subconscious made me do it. I woke up this morning and forced myself to get the ideas out on paper. The new book if tentatively titled Never Too Early. It is more a Sleuth, but may have some romantic elements. I'm not sure yet. My focus is still on the current paranormal project, but I did have to write out the prologue for Never Too Early before I could move on.

I was able to register for classes this week. So I am going to start my bachelor's program in a couple weeks. This will most likely take some time away from writing and blogging, but I will do my best to keep up with everyone.

Some bad news: I lost three pages of My Demonic Love. I don't know where they went. I opened up a finished chapter, and suddenly I remember that's not where my chapter left off! So I searched my backup drive and the chapter was on there, but a previous version and not the one I was looking for. Thank goodness it was only three pages. It was nothing compared to The Great File Loss of 2009 where I lost 150 pages of All Falls Down.I cried then. Really. So today was nothing. I was able to rewrite the three pages I lost. So no harm, no foul.

Hope you all have a good upcoming week. I have a friend coming in to town this week, so you won't hear from me probably until next Sunday. Happy writing!

Slowing Down

I've finished yet another chapter for My Demonic Love. That makes 4.5 chapters written now. It doesn't seem like much, but when the chapters are 30+ pages each...yeah. So I'm up to about 135 pages. I'm still trying to figure out a lot of my plot unfortunately. I have a big picture idea, but somehow I keep losing sight of it. When I'm writing, I just go.

In other news today. UNLV is off my list of schools to attend. I'm going to check out Nevada State College once more. It's closer to home, it's a smaller school and they aren't idiots. We'll see how it goes. I need to something soon...school starts in a couple weeks.

Are You Kidding Me? Oh Yeah, And An Update.

Wow. Reading this blog from BookEnds Literary Agency, LLC, really makes me feel better. How can people be so unprofessional? Check it out. Love the blog.

Query Red Flags

Oh, yes. And I guess I should do an update. My current writing goals for this week include:

1. Write the synopsis for All or Nothing.
2. Finish the piece for The Short Short Story Writing Competition.
3. Write 1,000 words a day for My Demon of Life.

And how am I doing this week may you ask? Well...I THOUGHT about writing the synopsis today. I TRIED TO THINK of a way my short story was going to end, and I HAVE BEEN writing at least 1,000 words a day for the new book. What is that? One out of three? The week isn't over, people!

Another Friend

Well I've been focused on writing these past three days since we last talked and a lot has been accomplished. I'm trying not to blog as much, because it takes time away from more important things, but I just couldn't not share this new blog I found.

How I found it: On Writer's Digest. Anne Gallager featured an article on writer's digest called The Five Stages of Querying. Of course, I read it cause that's kind of where I am at the moment. I don't have any new queries out in the world right now because both finished MSS are in the process of getting critiqued, but by the end of the summer (hopefully) I'll be back in the boat. The article is kind of funny, considering I remember the exact moment I went though all five stages with All Falls Down, then named All That I'm Living For. Read it.

The blog: Anne Gallager is an ASPIRING AUTHOR! Just like me :) She has a very optimistic view when it comes to writing and I envy her for it. Writing is hard some days and easy the others, but she keeps her amazing attitude throughout the blog. If you're new to the business, like me, check out her blog here. I'll be adding it to my "for writers" page. Plus you won't believe how many manuscripts she's working on.

Day Four

This no sugar thing is turning into a piece of cake. I feel SO much better. I'm not thinking about sugar at all. It's amazing, I can turn it down left and right now without temptation. Water goal is going well. I didn't really have a problem there. My creativity goal is coming along, keeping my drawing up and running. I find I like to sketch book covers. Not sure why, but all's good.

Still doing revisions on All or Nothing. Over half way through now. Getting so close! I've now added a new critic to my world and am loving her already. So many great tips coming my way for All Because of You.

I found a good article today, again for character development. See the entire article here.

1. How do you learn best? Observation? Participation? Trial and error? Rumination and cogitation? Consulting experts? Writing?
2. How open are you to new ideas and information? Do you change your mind frequently, based on what people have told you? Are you a traditionalist, deciding on the basis of what’s always been?
3. When you walk into a party, what do you notice first? The mood? The people? The decorations? The things that need to be fixed? The background music? The food on the buffet table? Whether or not you fit in?
4. Is one sense more highly developed than another? For instance, do you tend to take in the world primarily through vision? (“I’ll believe that when I see it!”) Or are you more auditory? Do you determine if a person is lying by the tone of voice? What about the sixth sense—intuition? How often do you rely on your “gut” and then have your feelings confirmed?
5. Do you usually notice problems around you? What is your response? Do you write an angry letter to the editor? Shrug and move on? Analyze what’s wrong and how to fix it? Take it as evidence that the world is falling apart? What about problems within yourself?
6. Would you say you are an optimist or a pessimist? Would your friends agree?
7. Are you more interested in the past, the future or living in the now? Are you one to keep holiday traditions? If you had to move tomorrow, how long would it take you to make new friends?
8. How do you decide if you can trust someone? By experience with this person? First impressions? Intuition? Do you test the person somehow? Or are you just generally disposed to trust or not to trust?
9. Are you a deliberate, careful speaker, or do you talk without thinking first? Do you use slang, or do you use diction your old English teacher would approve?

What I Learned Today: Part II

Here are my notes from my first meeting with the Cactus Rose Romance Writer's of America Chapter. Today our workshop was How To Write a Synopsis. They're very brief, but I think you'll get the point.

Catch the reader’s attention and keep it. Time and setting, evolution of the relationship, clearly define characters, clearly define the conflict that prevents them from being together.

If the happy ever after doesn’t happen in the first book it needs to be happy for now.

Every romance has two plots: the romance and the environmental plot. Have to fit together. Romance plot is foremost.

Too many characters in the synopsis will be overwhelming.

Concentrate on the hero/heroine/villain.

Don’t drown the agent/editor in too much irrelevant information.

Find balance between romance and suspense.

FIRST PARAGRAPH of Synopsis: Catch/hook. Time and setting. What’s the main problem for the two main characters?

Clearly define the romance in the synopsis to keep it Romance.

Clearly define characters, who they are, not what they do. Synopsis needs to be character driven, not plot driven. How does it affect people emotionally? Include growth of the characters.

Use an active voice, keep the language limited that matches the tone of the book.

Plot points are major turning points, use these instead of an outline.

Learning about writing: Reading, critiquing, judging contests.

WHEN THEY FALL IN LOVE AND ADMIT IT: BOOK OVER. What draw them together, why do these people fall in love?

Major turning points implicate the romantic relationship, make it grow or turn sour. Trust plays a huge roll in romance.

Suspense: want suspenseful and angst-like verbs.

Love triangle: feelings for one man need to be stronger than the other.

Capitalize all main character names, lets the reader know whose important.

Make readers believe they know my characters as much as I do in the synopsis.

What I Learned Today: Part I

Revisions aren't going very well with All or Nothing. I got up to about Chapter 2 and decided to start all over again then made the decision to leave it alone for a week. As you can imagine, it's now been two weeks and I haven't even thought about revisions or starting on my paranormal romance. Getting used to working again has its downside and for me writing is one of them. No worries though. As of two days ago, with the news of my membership in RWA, I've revived a little of my motivation. Starting Monday, it's back to revisions on All or Nothing, but today I worked on my paranormal. This is where my post title comes in. Today I learned a lot about my main character in Demon of Life. I knew little bits and pieces about her then turned to the character questionnaire I posted a few weeks ago. I've only toyed with the questionnaire AFTER my characters have a life of their own, but this time I started with it and was amazed by what I discovered. Not only does she now have siblings, she's had a miscarriage that burdens her every day. I didn't know either of those facts this morning. The novel is coming into view and I'm even getting some ideas on the second in the series. Yes, I plan ahead.
The reason this post is titled Part I is because this weekend will be my first meeting with the local chapter of RWA: the Cactus Rose. I'm a little nervous. I have no idea how old the local members are, whether they'll be interested in anything I have to offer or whether I'll like the group at all. Part II will come on Sunday and I'll let you know.

Good News!

My membership to Romance Writer's of America has been processed and I'm officially a part of the organization. Very exciting news for me. Another step taken in my writing career. Furthermore, I was accepted to Nevada State College's bachelors program, but am a little apprehensive about the fact that NONE of the classes I need to take are offered this upcoming FALL 2010 semester. I applied to another program, one at UNLV, and can only hope something will come of it.

A Little At A Time

I've slowly been working on revisions for All or Nothing. Up to Chapter 2 now. It's slow work, a lot of errors to fix in this MS. I did, however, finish the synopsis for All Because of You this week. Once my critic is finished reading it, I'll be submitting my work. Still waiting on my membership for RWA and to hear back from Nevada State College. I have a feeling I'll be waiting a couple more weeks.

Characters

When reading through a few writing articles, I came upon this list of questions that authors should be able to answer for their main characters, namely in the Romance genre. I found it very conclusive and thought I would share the list. When developing characters it's important to be able to answer every question you can about your imaginary friends.

• What is this character’s name?
• What is her age and birth date?
• What does she look like?
• What is her astrological sign? Does it matter to her?
• What are her parents like?
• Does she have brothers and sisters?
• How important are her family relationships?
• Where does she live? (Urban? Small town? Rural?)
• Why did she choose to live there?
• Does she live in an apartment? House? What type or style? Did she choose the residence, and why?
• Does she live by herself? With others?
• What are her important material possessions?
• What are her hobbies?
• What is her education?
• What is her job? How does she feel about her work?
• Is this a long-term career or just a job?
• What does she want to be doing in 20 years?
• If she has unexpected free time, what does she do?
• How does she feel about the opposite sex?
• What is her relationship status? Single? Divorced?
• Does she have children?
• Who is her best friend? Why?
• Who is her worst enemy? Why?
• How would a former date describe her?
• What one event has made her who she is today?
• How does that turning point in the character’s life relate to the other main character in the story?
• What trait does she have that she wants to keep secret from the world?
• What does she like most about her life?
• What does she dislike most about her life?
• What would this character die to defend?
• What are her most likable and unlikable traits?
• As the story begins, what is her main problem?
• What does she do that makes this problem worse?
• Who is this person’s love interest?
• What qualities in the other main character are most attractive to this person?
• What is her ideal happy ending?
• What reaction do you want readers to have to her?
• Why should the reader care about her?

On With The Show

I've submitted a query to the last agent on my list for All That I'm Living For. There won't be any more after this one. I'm moving on with my next projects and am leaving this novel behind. Today, I ran into a "real life writer" as I like to call him. I hadn't seen him in a couple months and updated him on all things Natascha. I told him I'd just finished my second novel and was about half way through the third. I informed him that this fall I'll be going back to school with a change of major: English Literature. I had the application filled out, just needed to submit it with payment to the school of my choice. Well, after talking to my writer friend, who suggested that I go for a MFA once I have a bachelors, I came home and submitted my application. I'm not sure what I was waiting for. I think I may have been nervous, but with the program I have in mind I've made the right choice. I'm getting more excited as the time moves closer. I think I'm finally ready to plunge headfirst into the industry.

Editors' Intensive

I'm going to this conference in September :) http://writersdigest.com/events What I'll be doing:

* a full day of hands-on workshops, in a small-group setting, designed to help you understand why you might be getting rejected and how to improve your pitch and your manuscript
* plenty of time for interaction and questions relating specifically to your work and your experience
* information on how to get your book published, either traditionally or on your own
* insider advice on how to approach and query literary agents, editors, and publishers
* how to build your own site or blog—as well as use the newest online tools, including Facebook & Twitter—to build your career
* step-by-step information on building an author platform
* a community of like-minded writers to share information and experiences with (we are proud to say that our attendees continue to stay in touch with each other after the event!)
* a free subscription to WritersMarket.com, plus a list of potential markets for your work

This summer I'm applying for a membership with RWA and in the fall will be going for my Bachelor's degree in English Literature. I'm very excited to get my career going this year!

Updates

I haven't posted in a while and thought I would share some updates as well as post this great quote of Ms. Evanovich's from her "Questions About Writing" on her site.

Q. What if I send my book to a lot of agents and none of them wants to represent me?


JANET: If being a writer is important to you, keep at it, keep improving, and don't give up. I wrote three books that were never published. I sent the first one out to everybody. I went through every agent and publisher in New York, twice. The only positive letter that I got back was from an agent, but it was written in purple crayon on a bar napkin, so I didn't follow up on it. Then, presto, ten years later I was a published author.

First, I haven't entered into the RWA Golden Heart contest. I didn't realize in order to enter you had to be a member of RWA. I am more than willing to become a member of this prestiges group, but lack the money to do so. Some day it will happen.

Second, I haven't been writing AT ALL. It's bad, I know. Good news? I'm still planning out my second novel in my head. I've even fixed a few chapters up there, but haven't written them yet. As for my first novel, I don't know what to do with it. For the people who've read it, the end is a bummer. It doesn't really end as a happy story, and they think I need to rewrite. Some days I agree, but am not sure how it will work out with the sequel.

Third, I am rethinking my titles. Any thoughts (if you've read the book)? If you haven't any titles that you think would be suited for a romantic/suspensful novel? And if you want to read it, just ask.

And last, I have decided to go back to school, but in a different program. I feel good about a my writing and would like to get the credentials to help me out. Currently, I'm trying to get program information about UVU's English department and we'll see where it takes me. Wish me luck :)

Guess What? It's Finished.

Yes, the synopsis for Novel #1 is finally done. Hopefully I can keep it that way. I have an annoying habit of rewriting and rewriting and rewriting even when it's fine. I have purchased the book above to help me submit my manuscript and shop it around to agents. Ugh, the drama. Wish me luck :)

Webinars

Webinars are great resources if you want to learn more about getting your writing noticed. Click here for some of Writer's Market's new sessions. I plan to register for the Query Letter Makeover and I'll let you know how it goes.

Guide to Query Letters

Want to get your writing noticed? Get The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters. I learned so much more about pitching my novel to agents from just a few paragraphs in this easy-to-read helper. It also gives you step-by-step instruction of the publishing process and amazing tips on how to write your synopsis (if you need one). I have a copy you can borrow or you can buy it here.