How to draw out a story

Have you ever been writing a story and suddenly you’re at the end and only have a couple thousand words. You sit there going, “It seemed longer in my brain.” Well, it could be. This is when you open it back up and you read over it. Look at the descriptions. Have you given the read enough to imagine the place or the real character?

A lot of times we get the story down and forget that the reader can’t see it in their mind. We as writers have got to show the reader the story around the story. Meaning, if the story takes place in a small town and that’s significant, then let the reader know about this small town. Give it life.

If the character has a flaw, bring it out in descriptions, the reader won’t know unless you let them know. Remember this story that you can see clearly has to be brought out vividly to the reader. They can’t jump into your brain and see what you see. I had to learn this. My first couple of books needed more descriptions and one day they’ll get them.

So give your character a life, home and description, not only a name.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Still waiting on SYTYCW2013 decisions to be made. Keep fingers crossed and good luck to all entered 🙂

When stories fill your head…

It’s crazy how a writer’s brain works. Of course I’m working on a deadline that’s looming pretty quickly. As my vacation helped knock some of that out, I still need to finish the manuscript. The funny thing is another story is filling my brain.

I was watching a movie Saturday and suddenly I was inspired. No, I’m not going to write about the story that I was watching or copy what that show was about. It was someone in the movie, or rather the job that they held. As I watched the romance unfold on television, the story was unfolding in my brain.

What made it even worse, I had my laptop in my lap working on my manuscript with a deadline. My hands were just laying on the keyboard as I daydreamed about the story going through my head. So in the next couple of weeks I will fill you in on the story, but for now I’ll get back to the work at hand. Oh, and waiting to hear if I made it to the next level of the SYTYCW2013 Harlequin writing contest.

Hope you’re all having a productive Monday…

So, good writing and May God Bless You…

Cleaning out the cobwebs

Well today is the last day of my vacation. It’s been a great one. I’ve written over 12,000 words this week. Yesterday was spent getting all the winter clothes out of the attic and cleaning out the closets. That’s a job. I’ve cleaned out more cobwebs this week. It’s amazing how active the spiders are this year.

But that’s not the cobwebs for which I speak. I’m talking about those that cause that pesky thing call writer’s block. We’ve all had it at one time or another. You don’t even have to be a writer to have cobwebs crowd the brain. I was stuck a couple of times this week in the cobweb, but I worked my way out somehow. Sometimes our words get caught in the web.

Then you have the lovely editing cobweb. You’re reading along and bam there it is. It looms over you like a black widow waiting to pounce. You start to sweat, your heart races and then nothing. You don’t remember why you wrote a certain part, why you added a certain character. You know you had a reason at the time and it could have been a good one or so it seemed. I have that problem. If I don’t write down my characters as they’re added and their purpose, I have an issue either later in the story or when editing.

So, have you cleaned out the cobwebs in your brain. Maybe it’s as simple as stepping back. That’s what I did yesterday. I cleaned house, then shopped, and then had a nice yogurt will all the trimmings at the frozen yogurt shop. That’s enough to inspire you. It was yummy.

So, great writing and May God Bless You…

Getting lost in the story…

Have you ever been so into a story that you got lost? This could happen either when writing the story or reading the story. You know when you’re reading a story and get lost, well the author has done a good job. When you’re writing a story and get lost, well, maybe you’re doing a good job.

The story I’m working on now has me immersed in the story. I just love romance and especially the build up to a relationship between the characters in my mind. It’s funny the architecture of a story. First you have to build the characters to let the readers know a little about them. Then of course you have to work on the story. It’s amazing how into a story you can get.

I love the build up. Sometimes I get ahead of my fingers in my mind. I have to be careful when doing this. It’s difficult to slow down my brain when the story is pouring out. Yesterday as I typed my mind was overflowing. That’s a good problem to have when you’re a writer.

I hope all of you are lost in a story. It helps you to get out of this crazy world for a little while. As I finish this post I will open my manuscript and continue the story. The outline is clear and now we’ll just see how the story fills in the blanks. Have a wonderful Thursday and enjoy the crisp Fall air.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

2nd Cup of Coffee and Cool Fall Morning

I just love this time of the year. It’s so cozy curled up in the corner of the couch with my throw and coffee. I feel invigorated. The leaves are on the verge of change and the air is so clean. It’s amazing what God has given us.

I am nursing my second cup of coffee as I type this post. Yes, I’m still on vacation, so no hurry to shower and get dressed. I actually typed 4000 words yesterday. It was a very productive day. I have my outline beside me now and am pumped about today’s word count. If you’re a writer you know what I mean. It’s fun when the story is just spilling from your mind to your fingertips. The only problem I have is I want to get to the happenings of chapters ahead of where I am. Funny thing about a story is it unfolds sometimes in a crazy order. I can see the last act so clearly and it guides me through the middle story which leads you up to the final words.

I’ve taken some advice from a fellow blogger and writer that has helped so much with this manuscript. I am so guilty of editing and proofing as I go. It’s a slow process when you do it that way. I’m bad about going back and rewriting parts or correcting spelling or grammer. As she said in her post, don’t do that until the first draft is complete. It does hinder your rhythm as you work. If you stop and go several times your brain gets in a fog. I typed yesterday continuously and refused to go back and edit even though at times I wanted to sooooooo bad.

How do you write? What’s the pet peeve of your writing? If you have a finished piece of work and need some help with the polishing, go to the Horseshoe Publishing tab at the top of my page and check out our polishing services. Your hard work needs to be out there, so get it polished and shiny and ready for the public to ooh and awe over it.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Good Morning! I’m Back and Raring to Write…

As I told you Friday I took a short social media vacation. I’m actually on a real vacation from my accounting job, but not my writing. I spent the last three days at my mom’s lake house with my hubby and son. It was so relaxing to get up and bring my coffee to the front deck. I sat every morning and watched the sun rise above the trees.

We had reservations at Mexico Beach for the weekend, but the threat of Tropical Storm Karen cancelled that. It would have been nice to go to the beach, but we still enjoyed our restful weekend. The boys were able to fish and I did manage quite a bit of writing. I was able to get in a little over 5000 words. That was a great thing. We arrived back home yesterday. Now I’m just lounging around in my pjs catching up on my sites. I did cheat a little this weekend. I was able to get a weak signal but not strong enough to do too much.

Friday Avon Romance sent me a special message. I was crowned with the Star Member Badge. For the month of October I’ll be listed as a Top Contributor on their front page. That was so special. As a writer and blogger I’m humbled to receive this award. Especially from Avon Romance which is one of my favs.

Now, today is the last day to enter the SYTYCW 2013 Contest with Harlequin. Since I entered the work in progress “Finding The Right Time” over a week ago I’m starting to sweat with anticipation. I’m so excited about this one. Some writers have blogged that someone called them even though they didn’t advance. Wouldn’t that be the coolest thing… I’ll keep you updated.

Well, it’s time to get back to work. No, not accounting… Not this week. I’m doing my fun work which is writing. I’m so pumped. Not to mention it’s so gorgeous here in the south. Of course I love Fall so that makes it even better.

As always good writing and May God Bless You…

Weekend on my mind…

At 4pm today I start my vacation. I’ve been so excited. Had planned a trip to Florida, but anyone that’s been watching the weather reports know why this has been cancelled. It’s going to be a writing vacation and a social media vacation.

I’ve entered my newest work in the So You Think You Can Write contest on Harlequin’s site. I’m really excited about this contest. The fun thing is the manuscript is not completely finished. Yikes, this means I’ve got to spend a lot of time finishing it up. I have it completed in my head, but unfortunately I can’t print directly from my brain. So, I’m taking a social media vacation to keep down distractions. I’m not going to check my sites or post on them for a couple of days, but I’ll be back up and running at full speed next week.

Do you have weekend plans? For me I’m planning a restful, writing excursion. Not sure where it might take me, but my laptop will be attached to my fingers. If you get a chance go over to this link: http://www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com/manuscripts-sytycw-2013/finding-the-right-time/ and read my first chapter submission. If you feel inspired write a comment and forward it on Facebook and Twitter.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and I’ll be back on here when I come out on the other side of this writing frenzy. I just hope I can stay away from my social media sites and book sites.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Social Media and writing…

I was a little leary about starting a lot of social media accounts. Then when I started publishing my books it was a must. My editor/assistant got me started with a blog, then came Twitter and after much anxiousness Facebook. I’ve never been one to push myself in anywhere.

Of course now I get up, drink a cup of coffee and look at all my many sites. It’s funny how many I have now. What’s really funny is when I tweet or send out my book links on any of my sites, the sales go up. What would happen if you didn’t do social media in today’s world? Would you sell a book? If you’re in book stores and various chain stores you would do alright, but people rely on social media and the internet to find books. It’s just part of life.

Make sure you keep your sites updated. Keep the posts going and don’t do anything that you don’t want the whole world to see. So go by and check out my sites. I have links on this page…

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Contests, New Releases, and just WOW…

Well, as promised in my blog last week, I jump. I entered the So You Think You Can Write Contest at Harlequin. This has been a year long process of do I want to or not struggles. Suddenly two weeks ago I started feeling the tug and coincidentally I saw a post that entries were being accepted. That was the sign I needed to jump. Here’s the link: http://www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com/manuscripts-sytycw-2013/finding-the-right-time/ So go over and read my submission and let me know what you think. I’m really excited about this entry.

“Victoria” was officially released today. That’s an exciting thing also. I tried out the preorder with Smashwords.com, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and Apple iTunes. We will see how that goes because as you know those sales won’t show up for a little while. It you get a chance go over and check out this book. It’s also available on Amazon, CreateSpace and Allromanceebooks.com.

As with everything I do, I stay busy. Late last week “With All My Heart” was released in audio form. That was exciting, but what was really exciting was Apple iTunes picked it up immediately upon release. You may be saying, well iTunes is affiliated with Audible. The exciting thing is my other audio book that is out has not been picked up yet by iTunes, so this makes me wonder at the picking process.

I had another author ask my opinion of audio books and my opinion is they’re great. My sales have been good and I’m excited about the rest of the books that are in production even as we speak.

As Rosie Amber and I wind down our Romancing September Across The World Blog Tour, I sit to ponder the results. We were able to meet 30 talented authors in 30 days. As bloggers and readers alike we were able to see a small part of their lives and books for a moment. It went really well. If you haven’t check them out, just go through my last 30 days posts and you can see my side and the link to Rosie’s side.

So as I leave you today, think about the day. It’s Monday, a new week to make a better you. God made you in His image and that means do your best at everything you do.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Day 28 of the Romancing September Across The World Blog Tour

Welcome to Day 28 of the Romancing September Across The World Blog Tour. The question I put out to all of these authors was “What challenges do you face in writing romance in today’s society?”

Don’t forget to go over to Rosie Amber’s page and check out her page too. I’ll put the link at the bottom of this post.

Today my guest author is Alison Morton and I want to thank her for blogging with me today. Here is a little about Alison and her book Inceptio.

What Challenges do you face writing romance in today’s society?

Romances are defined by a central love story and a happy or hopeful ever after ending. But the stereotype ‘sweet young thing’ waiting to be rescued doesn’t cut it these days. Readers of contemporary romance like a more independent worldly-wise heroine who earns a living and takes on responsibilities of her own. Heroes are no longer universally masterful super-beings who know everything and can do everything while she flutters her eyelashes.

Respecting the genre conventions is very important, but writing needs to be fresh and original to succeed in a competitive writing market. Today, we see many sub-genres: paranormal, historic, fantasy, sci-fi, mystery and suspense. A survey conducted by the Romance Writers of America in 2005 found that nearly 50% of readers liked a side order of mystery with their romances. This can range from dark and edgy to cozy and lighthearted.

A romantic relationship can develop gradually or be the legendary coup de foudre. It can be tentative or intense – that’s something that doesn’t change – but readers like to see both hero and heroine change and mature during the story.

A heroine or hero who realizes they are falling in love has two choices: to accept it and revel in it, or refuse it. This is the challenge today: people don’t have to get married or partnered. They may not only be torn between so many other choices, but also struggling with pressures falling on them. They may think of sacrificing their potential emotional satisfaction for their career, their cause, to pursue education, new experiences such as living overseas or just for their own self-respect if they doubt their love interest is trustworthy.

This happens to my heroine who although in love with the hero cannot be with him because of his deception. But as she matures, she realizes she may have made the most colossal mistake of her life…

Biography

Alison Morton grew up in the United Kingdom. A historical fiction lover and ‘Roman nut’ since age 11, she has visited sites throughout Europe including the alma mater, Rome. But it was walking on the mosaics at Ampurias (Spain) that triggered her wondering what a Roman society would be like if run by women. Always enjoying well-written romantic suspense and thrillers with a twist, ‘what if’ alternate history fiction had particularly intrigued her.
So when she came to novel writing in reaction to a really dire film, alternate history thrillers featuring a strong female character in a Roman themed world weren’t so unlikely!
Before starting the Roma Nova thriller series, Alison published a history ebook, Military or Civilians? The curious anomaly of the German Women’s Auxiliary Services during the Second World War in March 2012.

New York, present day, alternate reality. Karen Brown, angry and frightened after surviving a kidnap attempt, has a harsh choice – being eliminated by government enforcer Jeffery Renschman or fleeing to the mysterious Roma Nova, her dead mother’s homeland in Europe.

Founded sixteen centuries ago by Roman exiles and ruled by women, Roma Nova gives Karen safety and a ready-made family. But a shocking discovery about her new lover, the fascinating but arrogant special forces officer Conrad Tellus who rescued her in America, isolates her.

Renschman reaches into her new home and nearly kills her. Recovering, she is desperate to find out why he is hunting her so viciously. Unable to rely on anybody else, she undergoes intensive training, develops fighting skills and becomes an undercover cop. But crazy with bitterness at his past failures, Renschman sets a trap for her, knowing she has no choice but to spring it…

Go over and check out Alison and Inceptio…

Here’s the link to Rosie’s side of the tour: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2u4