Focus

I have this picture on both my laptop and my work computer for a reason: my mind tends to wander. I find this happens most when I'm doing something I don't want to be doing (i.e. writing a paper or a scene that isn't jam packed fueled with action and suspense or being at my day job).

But, as always, things need to get done. So what are the best ways to keep your focus?

1. Make a To Do list every morning with things you would like to accomplish. For me, this means M-F I make a list of what I need to get done at work. On the weekends, it usually consists of errands, but I also keep a separate list for my writing and school goals. My major goal in writing is to be published (as with most of us). Therefore, I need to have the sight of BEING PUBLISHED with smaller steps of getting there. The day-to-day would be things like, "finish Chapter 1", "write synopsis", or "rework this scene". These change every day and I feel really good about crossing things off my list once I've accomplished them.

2. Organize. Sometimes it's easier said than done. Clean your desk, office or house so you won't be so distracted by those things while writing. When my house is clean, I find I can relax a bit more and my eyes aren't wandering toward those dirty dishes while I'm trying to rewrite that scene. At work I make dozens of notes a day on Post-Its for my current WIP, when I get home, I combine them all into one easy and manageable check list when I get to those points in the MS. This makes my life easier most days. Unless I lose those Post-Its...

3. Take a walk or a run, whichever you prefer. Exercise clears the mind. "Sound body, sound mind" thanks to Asics. When I'm having trouble with a particular character or scene, I grab the iPod and run. The music keeps my muse alive while the running releases my stress. Less stress = more gets done on my To Do list.

What keeps you focused? What are some of your To Dos?

MC Damnation

Working hard on The Next Suspense, but one of my MCs is pissing me off! Meet Taigen Banvard - twin brother to Adelaide (my MC of LET ME OUT).

Taigen is so complicated! He's making my life in revisions hell because he wants soooo many things. Grrr.
Debra Dixon advised in her book Goal, Motivation and Conflict (my bible) that novice writers should stick with one goal, one motivation and one conflict. This is my third novel, but I still consider myself a novice writer since I haven't been published, ok, maybe intermediate. So when I tell Taigen to keep it simple, he just laughs at me. No. Right now, he wants THREE external goals, motivations and conflicts and TWO internal goals, motivations and conflicts. I didn't think he was so complicated when I wrote this book a year ago. Now, I'm stressed that I won't be able to comminicate all of his GMC because there's so much of it.

And believe me, I've tried to change his mind.

Do you have a character like this? Do you usually stick to Debra Dixon's advice or is this when I should subside into thinking I'm growing as a writer and just take it on?



Are You in Love?

It's that time of year again - Valentines Day is around the corner!

I'm absolutely in love with my book right now. I actually wrote/finished it about a year ago, but something was missing for me and for two readers who BETAd for me a few months back. It wasn't keeping my attention and both readers said they couldn't connect to my characters. So I left it alone until a couple months ago. I've already posted a little about GMC, but for the first time ever, I'm in love with my book. My characters have purpose, they are multi-layered, they are REAL for me because of the revisions and the detail I gave them. I'm so excited to see what my current BETAs will think at the end of this month and I'm actually EXCITED to query.

 

So when it comes to our WIP, are you in love? Are you excited to sit down at your computer to bang out another 2,000 words? Do you love your characters as much as I do? Confidence is everything!

Blasted GMC

Goal, motivation and conflict. As writer's we've all heard it, but what does it really mean?

If you're a fiction writer and you haven't checked out Debra Dixon's book Goal, Motivation and Conflict, go do it. Now. This book completely changed my MS, making it stronger, clearer and believable.

Isn't that what we all want in our work?

So what is GMC? Well, the simplest way to explain is to show you first.

Having a GMC chart for each character, no matter if they are your main or secondary characters, is a MUST. This screen shot is for my secondary characters in my novel ALL BECAUSE OF YOU. Understanding every character's GMC will save you time, frustration and bring your plot across clearly.

Your character's goal is what they are working toward. What do each of your characters want emotionally and physically (internally and externally)?

Next, is motivation. Why do they want to achieve their goal? You should be able to answer this question with "Because...". What drives them toward their goal internally and externally?

And finally, conflict. Why can't they achieve their goals? What is holding them back? Emotionally, your own character is holding themselves back in some way. But why? Physically is simple. For your protagonist, what is your antagonist doing to thwart their goals?

It seems simple, but in my experience, I had more trouble deciphering my character's GMC than plotting my novel!

One last element of my GMC chart is the Dominant Tag (highlighted in pink). Debra Dixon suggests using this to keep your GMC simple. Using an adjective + an adverb will keep your character in focus. For example, my main character is Adelaide. Her brother, Taigen, only wants the best for her, no matter what he has to do. He constantly worries over her and therefore, the tag "Overprotective brother" fits him nicely. 

I really recommend finding a copy of Goal, Motivation and Conflict. Not only will it help you get a better reign on your characters, it stresses the importance of each element in order to make your story believable and enjoyable to your reader.

A Little Late...But Amazing

Some good new first...the article I wrote, "5 Steps to a Perfect Submisson", was submitted and accepted by the editor of my Romance Writer's of America chapter here in Las Vegas. And in turn, was posted on EditorLink and accepted by the Wisconsin Romance Writer's of America chapter for use in their newletter!

Yes, this is just something small, but also an accomplishment for me. So I'm pretty happy right now.

You may have noticed a change in the web address above. I changed it so my name isn't included in the address. I have problems using my real name on the Internet sometimes. So until I come up with a psuedo, I'm just The Las Vegas Writer. :) Thinking of using my grandmother's married name with my first ititial, but haven't decided.

Now, onto the meat of the post!

Last year, I only had two goals. They were small and manageable and I completed both.

1. Read 50 new books (ones that I've never read before).
2. Finish a short story.

Done and done. Yep, it's time to make a new list.

1. Pass my classes (that's what takes up most of my time now days).
2. Submit/query my second novel, ALL BECAUSE OF YOU.

I'm keeping the list short. With school, it's hard to tell how much reading I'll be able to accomplish or how much writing I'll be able to tackle. I know I want to try to revise and edit my third novel, ALL OR NOTHING, but it's not going on the list just yet.


What are your goals this year? Are they more writing-related than mine?

Goals...What Goals?

August's goals:
1. Reach 50% completion with current work in progress, My Demonic Love.
2. Finish synopsis of All or Nothing.
3. Work on short story for Chapbook competition, Relief.

Accomplishments in August:
1. 50% completion with My Demonic Love.
2. Finished synopsis of All or Nothing.
3. Worked on Relief

Yep, August goals have come and gone. Yay! For September, the goals include:
1. Finish Relief for competition deadline of September 30th.
2. Reach 75% completion for current work in progress, My Demonic Love.
3. Final read through and start of querying for All Because of You.

A New Day, A New Month

It's a new day, a new month even. Time for some updates.

First, a mini book review. Right now I'm reading Eat. Pray. Love. by Elizabeth Gilbert. I've only read up until about page 79 so far, her time in Italy, but am loving this book. It makes me inspired to follow my dreams, to do things because I want to do them and let nothing hold me back. I believe we all should take a chapter out of her book, literally, and try to live more like ourselves. Stop worrying about work, stressing from day-to-day. Just live. I'm looking forward to finishing this book, a true story mind you, and living my life on my dime, not someone elses. I recommend this book to all women, maybe some men, and would be happy to let you borrow my copy.

Now, for writing updates. I haven't been posting much because I've been writing! Yay. About time huh? My Demonic Love is coming along well. I'm still sticking with my goal of 1,000 words a day, but some days, like yesterday, I wrote 1700. Right now, I'm in the mind of my antagonist, who will be getting a new name because the character I'm basing her off of is also named the same. I made it that way at first so I could relate the two, but now that the story is coming along and she's developing her own personality, I have to change her name. My antagonist is a power hungry, evil, masochist who will stop at nothing to rule. What kind of name can explain in a single word that type of person? Any ideas?

So far I have about 3.5 chapters written, each totaling around 30 pages, but my entire novel is outlined so I knew exactly what I want. Of course, it never stays that way. I'm always changing this or that as I go, forgetting what I originally wanted in favor of the way the story wants to run.

I haven't had any trouble with my characters as of late, not since last week when I didn't want to write a particular scene. I did write that scene and with a clear head even. I just had to take a step back and analyze the emotions I was feeling then try to get those exact emotions down on paper. I'm confident I was able to do so and as a bonus, without tears.

Other works in progress are stirring around in my head. Even though I moved My Angelic Death to the end of the series, I have a feeling I will actually be writing that one sooner than planned. Since I'm currently in that character's mindset with My Demonic Love, it's easy to get new ideas and plan out her book while I'm working on someone elses. It's driving me nuts.

Since it is a new month, I believe some goal setting is in order. I STILL haven't written the synopsis for All or Nothing. I'm not sure why I'm putting it off or what I have against writing it, but My Demonic Love is in the forefront of my mind and apparently causing other writing problems. So that is one goal for me to get with this month. Another would be to have My Demonic Life 50% written by the end of the month, praying, if I'm going to school this semester, that I can spend that kind of time with it. I've written two novels this year already. Three would be great, but it's not a priority for me.

What are your summer goals?

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!

2010 Game Plan

Now that The First Romantic Suspense is complete and ready for review it's time to start thinking about 2010 goals. I generally have the same New Years Resolutions every year. My main one is reading 50 NEW books a year. I made my goal for 2009 and have created my list for 2010 already. See my Goodreads page for the books I plan to read.
When it comes to my writing I have a lot of plans. January is a time for me to work on some short stories. The First Short Story had been put on the back burner when the "Great file loss of 2009" took place and I think January is a perfect time to pick back up on it. I'm giving myself until January 31st to get that one done and then it will be time to continue work on The Second Romantic Suspense.
It's been a crazy year, but I'm happy to say a good one.