The Bumpy Road to Love

I write romance, so even from the first word, I know my hero and heroine are going to fall in love, have a happy ending, and forsake all others forever more.  But to get there, I have to really make it worth it.  Torturing is the name of the game.

Probably the first thing I had to learn was that in order to make it worth it, I had to make my heroes and heroines likable.  That way, no one could doubt they deserved a happily ever after.  I struggled with creating an Alpha male without making him unlikable.  My first attempt didn't work.  I kept getting feedback that he wasn't likable at all.  Not good.  I figured out that even if my hero had a hard edge, he had to have a deep, dark reason that matters to the reader.  In other words, he had to have some internal conflict from the get-go.  With my stories since then, up-front characterization has been key to creating people I like and people readers like as well.

Once this important component is put in place, it's time to provide external conflict.  Time to make their lives miserable.  In order to do that well, I have to establish what the character really, really wants, and what would be the worst thing that could happen instead.  It can't be so horrible that it can't be overcome (no maiming, if possible), but it needs to be something that creates a bumpy road for the character.

In the end, the characters need to overcome all external and internal conflict and come together.  Their goals are either met or changed until they can be met to make everyone happy in the end--to make all the torture worth it.

My own path to love wasn't/isn't smooth, and although fiction can surely take leaps that reality doesn't, real life can give you ideas for possible conflicts in your stories.  I love to listen to other peoples' stories about falling in love, but I'll admit that I often use tidbits here and there (so be forewarned, friends, aquaintances, and strangers).

At any rate, as a romance writer, I have to make the happily ever after worth it, and that means creating a bumpy road to love.

Happy Writing!

How Do You Know?

How do you know when you're good enough?  When your voice is distinctive?  When you have an original plot or a new twist on an old one?  When people other than your mom, sister, spouse, or best friend like what you write?  Honestly, I don't have a clear-cut answer.

Some days I read what I write and think it's good stuff.  Other days, I'm sure I'm deluding myself.  Clearly, I'm not the go-to-girl to judge good enough.

Is a contract a validation?  For most, yes.  But there's always a bigger, better publisher to net.  Maybe it's the number of contracts that counts.  If that's true, the more prolific, the more successful, right?

Then there's the indie authors.  I know indie authors who are some of the most successful writers I've seen.  How do they know they're good enough?  Number of downloads?  Money earned?  Number of POD books sold?

The reality is there's no such thing as good enough.  Craft and skill only get you so far.  In my very humble opinion, you're good enough when you're brave enough to put yourself out there, whether it's to a crit partner or an actual submission.  Every step brings you closer to your goal, and if you get a publisher's nod or not, you're working toward your dream, and that's good enough for me.

Happy Writing!

Contests

Well, I went back into the contest arena, but this time, I went as a judge--again.  I feel a little more confident than the first time I judged, but it's still difficult to try to give constructive criticism without stepping on someone's dreams.  If I could, I would tell the writers who were brave enough to enter to never give up, no matter where they are in the writing journey.  Even if they don't final this time around, they're one step closer just by getting some feedback from people who aren't friends or family.  But, instead, I give them as many positive comments as I can, mixed with some constructive criticisms that I hope are helpful and not hurtful.

Anyway, I'll do my best to encourage these brave writers to continue to create.

Happy Writing!

Not the Best of Times Lately

I am so locking all my windows and doors and staying home for at least a day to try my best to hunker down until my luck changes.  Things have not been great this week.

I learned last month that due to my history with cancer, I would need to have a colonoscopy to investigate some concerns.  I wasn't looking forward to it, to say the least, but when the time came I ate my clear, liquid diet and drank the horrible colon scrubber they gave me and followed it all to a T.

The morning came and all was going well as my husband drove me to the office where the procedure would take place.  Out of nowhere, a barely-more-than-a-kid plowed into the back of our car when traffic stopped.  We careened into the car in front of us, but thankfully no one needed medical attention.  I was sore for a few days, but overall I'm thankful it wasn't worse.  Needless to say, I was late for the colonoscopy.  We still went through with the procedure because I was not going through that prep again, and the doctor found that everything inside was as it should be.  Yay, for another clean bill of health.

I was happy that my hubs got a chance to hang with the guys on a four day golf trip two states away starting the next day, but I had no idea just how jinxed I was going to be this week.

I thought my bad luck was over and ventured forth to play a little tennis with my minions...er...children.  It was their first time, but I played a little in college, so I was the on-site expert, much to their misfortune.

The kids did wonderfully for their first time playing.  They had a good time and might have learned a little too.  Toward the end, the teen kiddo and I were volleying just a few more when I chased a wild one until I lost my balance, regained it, then lost it again.  Heads don't mix well with concrete.  Next thing I knew, I was on the ground, my head was hurting and my legs were numb.  Scary, scary, freakin' scary.  Fortunately, my teen jumped into quick action and grabbed her phone out of the nearby car.  She desperately wanted to call 911, but I desperately didn't want to pay for an ambulance, so I opted for my sister instead.

She was there within twenty minutes, and we rushed off to the hospital.  By this time, I was feeling dizzy and nauseous, but my legs were no longer numb, so I could slack off of the panic button a little.  One examination and CT scan later, the doctor decided it was a concussion, but there was no internal bleeding in my brain, so I could go home.

Now, my hubby is on his way home.  It was the final day of his trip, so he didn't have to cut it short for me.  And I'm feeling happy things are not as bad as they could have been.

One bit of amazing news that helped brighten the whole situation:  I finally took my comprehensive exam for school counseling.  It was tough, but in about two to four weeks, I'll know my score.  Cross your fingers and your toes, my long, long journey to becoming a school counselor is finally over.

Hope your luck has been better than mine lately.

Happy Writing!

It's About Time

It's about time to break forth with the rhythm and the rhyme...

Just kidding.  It is about time for a break though.  I have had a very busy year, and I have a feeling there will be more, not less, to come, so this summer, I need to make sure I take a break from the day job as much as possible.  The school year winds down this week (with a few extra days next week for professional development), and I am ready.  I have so much writing to do, and I have every intention of getting it done.  I have a novella that is plotted and well on its way, but I need to devote time and energy to it.  I also have another one that will write itself if I can ever get back to it.  It is an awesome story with great characters I'm so in love with.  Plus, I have a flash fiction story spinning around in my brain.

So, how can I do all of this in about eight weeks?  Writing time, every day.  I will be rising and shining each morning to get in a good three hours of writing time each day.  Coffee will get me through the tough times, and when I have accomplished all I want to this summer, I'll pat myself and know it was all worth it.  Just have to actually get to summer days.
Needless to say, I need room to move.  (I am so channeling the 80's/90's right now).  So, here's to the end of another school year and (cross fingers) the beginning of a fruitful summer.

Happy Writing!

Self-Pubbing

Saturday was an interesting day.  It was one of the best feelings to be surrounded by writing people.  They so know where I'm coming from without question, and I love that.  Being able to talk story people and the romance genre makes my day.  Some wonderful new writers joined us--Tina Michelle, who is a fount of paranormal knowledge.  Check her out at http://www.tinamichelle.com.  And we also met Kallypso Masters, who has the friendliest smile.

The meeting went off without a hitch thanks to our fearless leader-- JM Madden, who you can find at http://www.jmmadden.com.

Then the good vibe continued when Donna McDonald shared her experience with something I've been highly interested in lately--self-publishing.  She has ventured forth into the world of self-publishing and is doing very well.  She has three self-published titles released right now-- http://www.amazon.com/Donna-McDonald/e/B001K8PW86/ref=sr_tc_img_2?qid=1306281387&sr=1-2-ent  Her website is http://www.donnamcdonaldauthor.com

I've downloaded the first of her "Never too late" series, titled Dating a Cougar, and although I've yet to begin reading it, I can tell you that many are enthusiastic about it.

She explained to us the success she's had, and without giving details--yes, it's worth looking into.  But I'm not rushing into anything just yet.  First of all, I don't have anything I would consider ready to publish currently.  Second of all, I'm into promoting my soon-to-be-released story from TWRP.  Third, there are some upfront costs (editing, cover, etc.) that I'm not quite ready for.  Four, as I've said before on this blog, I'm a muller, and I've got some mulling over to do.

Like I said, I've been researching this old publishing phenomenon made new.  You see, I know that self-pubbing has been stigmatized for years, but that was when you needed trad. pub houses for editing, artwork, and distribution, and when you sunk money into it that you never got back.  Now, neither trad. houses nor excessive upfront money is necessary.  And everyone knows that with the popularity of e-readers, publishing is changing--like Middle Ages to Renaissance, possibly (too big?  Naaah).

Of course, there are other names to research if you are interested in self-pubbing.  One of the biggest self-pubbers right now used to be totally against self-publishing before he realized how much money he was losing by not going there.  Of course, I'm talking about J. A. Konrath.  If you are interested in reading about his experience, he has been really candid about his process-- http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/

What are your current thoughts about the changes in publishing?  Is self-publishing the way to go?

Happy Writing!

Bossypants by Tina Fey

I just finished Bossypants, by Tina Fey, and it is a real treat.  Huzzah!  Tina Fey, huzzah!

Seriously, this is a great, laugh-out-loud read that I hope to pass on to many of my friends and family. 

Around Easter, hubby and I were in the Target on the other side of town, and though we decided it wasn't as good a Target as the one on our side of town, we were still buying too much, as is the current duty of all Americans.  As we perused the DVD's which just so happened to be next to my favorite section--the books, I pointed out the hilarious cover of Tina Fey's book.  On the cover, she is looking demure and beautiful from the neck up, and from the neck down, she is a man.  Not just any man, she is a large, hairy-armed, watch-wearing, sausage-fingered man.  And it is hi-larious (emphasis on the Hi).  Next thing I know, it's Mother's Day, and I own the book.

She covers topics such as growing up with her Greek mother and German father, her start in Chicago with Second City, her move to Saturday Night Live and then to 30 Rock, and of course, her personal life journey through marriage and having a baby (possibly babies).  Needless to say, I loved every minute of it, and often laughed out loud (literally) around strangers until they felt compelled to ask, "Is that a good book?"  Duh!  Just kidding, strangers.  I didn't think it was a stupid question at all.  There are no such thing as stupid questions (my training as an educator forced me to say this last part).

Weird thing was though, I decided I was Tina Fey.  Not in a psycho, identity crisis kind of way.  More like an I can totally relate to her life kind of way.  She's so down-to-earth, and despite the being a celebrity and all, accessible in a regular way.  My point is:  You should read this book.  Borrow it, check it out of the library, download it at Barnes and Noble (I guess you can for free with the Nook, three chapters at a time), or break down and buy it.  It will totally be worth it.

Happy Writing (and Reading)!