Confessions of a Plot Junkie

This is the title of an article in this month's Writer's Digest. It's an interesting piece that talks about the difference between "literary" and "genre" fiction. FYI, the first is usually considered to be more character-driven, with a focus on word choice and phrasing, and the second is considered plot-driven, with less focus on diction and more on conflict and storyline.

Which is better?

Well, of course, it depends who you ask. The "classic" works of fiction are usually considered literary, and MFA programs often feel that literary fiction is what "serious" authors should aspire to write.

Then, of course, you look at best-selling authors like Stephenie Meyer or J.K. Rowling, and the mammoth success of their books makes one think that popularity and sales trump all.

I don't know that I favor one over the other. I love certain works that would be considered literary fiction, and as an English major/teacher I probably lean in that direction when I think of my favorite authors. But then again, every once in a while I'll pick up a page-turner that definitely falls into the genre fiction category, and it will captivate me.

A New York Times best-selling author I met this past year said (more than once, because I heard this from her at 2 different venues) that she wants to be the author whose book you cannot put down, the author whose book makes you stay up until 3 am or call in sick from work to finish. She is a genre fiction author and proud of it.

In the interest of full disclosure, the Writer's Digest article concludes that genre fiction shouldn't corner the market on plot-driven stories, that literary fiction authors could learn a thing or two about writing stories that are beautifully crafted AND impossible to put down. So here's the question that concludes the article, and I'll pass it along to you:

Which do you think is more important in your writing: A well-plotted story, or a tale with less action and more robust language and meaning? Or is it possible to have both?

Writer's Digest: Random Tips and Stories

I mentioned the other day that I was making my way through the latest issue of Writer's Digest. Since I actually took some guilty pleasure time yesterday to lie out by the pool and read it cover to cover, I thought I'd share some interesting tidbits with you:

Jason Roeder shares a few pieces of advice, including this one: "If you're going to write, you'd better get used to the word 'no'" and the fact that if you're doing a public reading, "a typical audience slips into REM sleep at about the 35-minute mark" (35 minutes?! No way I could read that long...but I digress...)

In the great central article "Publishing 101," which attempts to explain everything an author should know about the publishing process, the #1 tip is that authors MUST be prepared to market and promote their own work. However, there's also a great gentle reminder to balance that: if you spend too much/all your time marketing that first baby of yours, you'll never write anything else...and continuing to write is your primary job/passion.

I also liked this piece of advice: when working with an editor, hold onto the things that are really important to you. I have learned WONDEFUL things about writing from all my editors; almost always, they are able to point out areas of weakness, sections that needed change or clarification, and the result was a better story. Occasionally, though, you might feel strongly about keeping a plot point/name/character/etc...and if that's the case, then don't give up too easily. Explain to your editor why you want to keep your plot point/name/character the way it is. She might agree. She might still ask you to change it. But don't ever be afraid to have that conversation.

And how cool is this: Marianne's friend Charity Tahmaseb, whose debut novel The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading I mentioned a few days ago, is quoted! She says, "The one thing that really stands out is how many times I ended up reading the entire book, in manuscript and page-proof form...As it stands now, the only book I've read more than my own is Pride and Prejudice." This is true as well, folks: by the time your book hits the shelves, you'll be so tired of reading through it, first for major revisions and then for minor edits and then again for typographical errors, that it's likely you'll never pick it up to read once it appears in print!

Finally, there's a great article on plot vs. prose, the debate between "literary" and "genre" fiction. More on this tomorrow...

Weekend Interview with Mary Stanton

Welcome to a special Writers' Weekend interview with mystery author Mary Stanton! Mary's new release is Angel's Advocate, and at the conclusion of this interview, we'll share info on how you can win a copy!

Mary Stanton has been writing professionally most of her adult life. Born in Florida, Mary grew up in Japan and Hawaii, and came to the continental U.S. to attend undergraduate school. She attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and received a B.A. in philosophy and literature from the University of Minnesota. She dropped out of law school and a master’s program in rehab therapies.

Before starting to write full-time, Mary held a number of jobs, including a nightclub singer as part of Sheik’s Singing Sextette, a medical examiner for Social Security, an insurance claims adjuster, and a copy writer. In 1985, Mary founded a marketing communications firm which was sold to Hutchins, Young & Rubicam.

A member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the International Association of Crime Writers, Mary is married to Robert J. Stanton, and has three stepchildren: John Robert Stanton, Harry Cole Stanton, and Julie Stanton Schwartz.

Mary Stanton divides her time between an 850-head goat farm in upstate New York and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Welcome, Mary! Can you tell us a little about your background?

I was born in Florida, and brought up in Japan and Hawaii. I moved to the continental United States when I was 18, to go to undergraduate school in Minnesota. I remember my first winter; after being raised in tropical and temperate climates, it was the first time I realized that weather could kill you.

When did you first begin writing? Was there an event or moment in your life that triggered your desire to write?

I always think of myself as a storyteller, rather than a writer. (a 'writer' is Faulkner, or Fitzgerald, or Margaret Atwood.) And i started telling stories early on--mostly to my two little sisters. My first 'novel' was a story about a girl and a horse, written in long hand, on those three hole punched lined notebook paper we all had in school. I was 12, I think.

How do you go about developing your characters?

My characters are a combination of people I know well, people I've met, conjecture about what people are like in news stories, and my own sort of fuddled imagination.

What advice would you give to new writers just starting out?

Write. You're not a writer unless you do it.

What kinds of books do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?

When I'm not working, I read 5 to 6 books a week. I try to read one of everyone new in the mystery genre, and that is proving to be difficult, since there's so much of it. And I read my favorites as soon as a new book comes out. Right now, I'm reading Steven Saylor, Jane Haddam, and Lee Child. But that will change next week. Reginald Hill, and Ton and Enid Schantz' re-issues of the old English classics are favorites, too. I also read The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly The Economist and the NYTimes, the Wall Street Journal and the local paper.

How do you balance writing with the rest of your life?

It's really hard. Somebody said you can write or have a life. Not both. Whoever said it, never said a truer word. We have 900 goats and 300 sheep here in upstate New York, and my 95 year old mother in law lives with us, and my youngest just had an adorable baby. Fortunately, we have a lot of excellent help.

Wow! That IS a lot going on! Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it? What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Garden, swim, hike, clean the horse stall, ride my horse, play with my goats, go to the gym, eat, and bake. And read. Reading is at the top of the list.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book(s)?

Surprising things? As far as writing itself goes, it's surprisingly hard to get people in and out of rooms with repeating yourself. As far as book creation itself--I was surprised how much background chat goes on in my head when I work. Bits of songs, old, half-forgotten poetry, that sort of thing. I finally started beginning my chapters with some of it.

When you write, do you use the computer or compose by hand, oral dictation, or some other method?

I handwrote my first novel--which was 140 thousand words--on legal-sized yellow pads. I rewrote it seven times.

Now I write on my lap top.

Mary, thanks so much for being here today!

Readers, Mary Stanton is giving away a signed copy of her book, Angel’s Advocate, to one lucky tour visitor. Go to Mary’s book tour page, http://mary-stanton.omnimystery.com/, enter your name, e-mail address, and this PIN, 9363, for your chance to win. Entries from Allie's Musings will be accepted until 12:00 Noon (PT) tomorrow. No purchase is required to enter or to win. The winner (first name only) will be announced on Mary’s book tour page next week.

Writer's Digest

"Work every day. No matter what has happened the day or night before, get up and bite on the nail." ~Ernest Hemingway

Does anyone else get Writer's Digest? They always have some great info: articles about the writing/publishing biz, bios of new authors, contests, etc. Just got mine yesterday and I can't wait to page through it. Interestingly, the very first piece of advice in the article "Your Publishing Survival Guide" is Stop reading the trades. That is, don't drive yourself crazy trying to keep up with trends/agent sales/etc. Just write. Not sure what I think about that. I mean, I agree with the "just write" piece, but so much of the industry tells you that you should know what's being bought and sold right now, so to just abandon it altogether...hmm...

They're also apparently sponsoring a contest -- "The Business of Publishing" -- in NYC in September. Here's the website, if you're interested. Looks like they'll have some good info/speakers.

Random Ramblings...

"Sleep on your writing; take a walk over it; scrutinize it of a morning; review it of an afternoon; digest it after a meal; let it sleep in your drawer a twelvemonth; never venture a whisper about it to your friend, if he be an author especially." ~A. Bronson Alcott

I haven't written a word in a week, except my second installment of the Romance in the Backseat Short Story. Which, by the way, was intended to get the actual romance back on track. A couple of the other participating authors emailed each other to say, "Hey, what's up with all the secondary characters and ridiculous side plots...especially in a short story?" It's interesting to see that in a round robin, apparently, each author wants to up the ante and make her section a little crazier and more conflict-filled than the last.

But I think it was Anton Chekhov that said something about only needing 1 or 2 characters to tell a story. It's a good reminder.

Anyway, I did manage to get the 2 main characters in the round robin story alone together for a brief period of time. I haven't read yesterday's installment, so I think I'll venture over there now and check it out. Want to join me?

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Kathy-Diane Leveille

Welcome to Writers' Wednesday! I'm so happy that author Kathy-Diane Leveille is joining me today...enjoy!

Hi, Kathy! Can you start by telling us a little about your background?

I’m a former broadcast journalist with CBC radio. Seventeen years ago, when I was home on maternity leave with my youngest son, I dug out an old file of story ideas and started scribbling. By the time the date arrived when I was supposed to return to work, I had already decided that I didn’t want to keep putting my dream of writing fiction on the back burner. Since then I’ve done different jobs, including being a janitor and typing medical transcription, to give me the time and energy to pursue my passion. My first book, Roads Unravelling, a collection of short stories set on the Kennebecasis River where I live, was published a few years ago. '>Let the Shadows Fall Behind You released this spring is my first novel.

When did you first begin writing? Was there an event or moment in your life that triggered your desire to write?

I wrote my first poem when I was in Grade 1:

Oh Father Dear, I’m glad you’re here
So we can celebrate this day, with a Doran’s beer.

Of course I didn’t understand why my teacher’s eyes rounded with horror when she read it. That was my first lesson in discovering that not everyone will welcome the truth in what you write. My mother sewed paper together for me so I could write books when I played library, but I really didn’t have any desire to write until I was in Grade 6. I was secretly in love with our new teacher from Toronto, Miss Matthews. One day Miss Matthews glided to my desk, scarf fluttering, to tell me how much she loved the story I’d written, and how it would make a great radio play. I was stunned. I had had no idea that the words I scribbling like mad onto the page would actually elicit such a strong and positive response in someone else. It was my first inkling that words were powerful. I wrote and produced a few radio dramas that year, and also wrote and directed the class Christmas play.

Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

I had so much fun writing my new suspense novel. It’s fascinating to see how my initial idea has grown into the multi-layered plot of '>Let the Shadows Fall Behind You:

On a grey morning in Northern Ontario in 1978, when the first fat snowflakes drifted down erasing all the familiar landmarks, Nikolai Mirsky headed out the door of the haunted cabin he shared with his lover, Brannagh Maloney. And disappeared…

Brannagh, a Natural Science Illustrator, struggled to collate the data from their bird count through the long winter. By the time the icicles began to melt, she was filled with a growing dread that the infamous wilderness preservationist wasn’t returning.

When Brannagh left New Brunswick, ten years ago, she swore it was for good. But now her best friend, Annie, won’t stop worrying about her, and won’t stop hounding her to come back for a reunion of their childhood all-girls club The Tuatha-de-Dannans. Brannagh finally relents, but she refuses to go to her childhood home and face her irascible Grandfather. Instead, she hides out at her Grandmother’s summer cottage, even though it is far too close to the woods where her mother was murdered. As Brannagh struggles to put to rest the questions surrounding Nikki’s disappearance, she finds it impossible to ignore the family secrets circling the most tragic disappearance of all. Brannagh learns that nothing magical will ever change her past, but the fierce love of friends holds the power to transform the future.

How do you go about developing your characters?

I usually begin by simultaneously visualizing a situation that causes an upheaval in life, and hearing a character’s voice emote their reaction to it. It’s a very strange process and definitely has my husband worried some days; especially when he dusts the books on my research shelf: Handbook of Poisons and Crime Scene Investigation.

LOL! What advice would you give to new writers just starting out?

Rule number one: Write. Rule number two: Write. Rule number three: Write some more. I think it’s really important to exercise your true voice, test it, settle into its strengths and weaknesses, and learn to trust it BEFORE you attend workshops. If you attend how to sessions too soon, the tendency is to try and act on the information with the left brain and copycat what is being taught. If, however, you already write in your true voice, you will trust your gut instinct to take the information taught and adapt any parts of it to your style to enhance it, and discard the rest. How do you know if you’re writing in your true voice? The words catch fire on the page, the room disappears and you are humming along on that magic carpet ride in your imagination to a wondrous new land.

What do you find most difficult about writing? What do you find most exciting or rewarding?

The most difficult thing about writing is returning to the page when the initial excitement over a story idea has worn off and I’m riddled with doubts about my ability to translate the vision to the reader. However, I’ve learned through the years that I must keep going back, that eventually the doubts fade and something sparks and I fall in love with my characters all over again. It is that moment, ironically, that is the most exciting about writing for me, because I always learn something new from my character’s journeys.

Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?

Of course! I believe it comes with the territory. At first, I despair, convinced whatever I’m working on should be tossed. But usually after reflection, a long walk or a trip to the library, I realize I need a break from the writing. For me writer’s block comes because the well is dry. I need to get out and enjoy life. It usually takes 1-2 days before suddenly a window opens in the block (when I’m doing something totally mundane like having my tooth drilled), and suddenly I’m antsy to be set free to grab a pen and paper.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book(s)?

In Let the Shadows Fall Behind You I learned that to live fully in the moment you need to terms with the past and let it go.

Kathy, I'm so glad you joined us here today! Anything else you’d like to mention?

Thank you so much for inviting me to be your guest, Allie, and meeting all your readers. Please let me know what you think of '>Let the Shadows Fall Behind You at shadowsfall@kathy-dianeleveille.com. I’d love to hear from you.

Happy Reading!
Kathy-Diane

http://kathy-dianeleveille.com/
· Let the Shadows Fall Behind You
· Hardcover: 288 pages
· Publisher: Kunati Inc. (April 1, 2009)
· Language: English
· ISBN-10: 1601641672
· ISBN-13: 978-1601641670
Thank you!

Win a Copy of One Night in Memphis!

Hey, all: you can win an autographed print copy of One Night in Memphis today only, over at The Romance Studio's Book a Day Giveaway! Click right here to enter...

Cover for One Night in Napa!

Here is my beautiful cover for One Night in Napa (releasing in ebook around the end of July). Isn't it gorgeous? I just love it. And I linked it to the excerpt, so if you'd like a sneak peek, go ahead and read. Warning, though: for some reason the first few paragraphs are posted twice on the Samhain site -- it isn't like that in the book, I promise! The webmaster is supposed to be fixing it soon...

Check Out my Samhain Blog

Hey all, I have a short blog post over at Samhain today, celebrating the print release of One Night in Memphis, and I'd love it if you stopped by to leave a comment so I don't feel too lonely ;) If you've already read the story, even better...you can leave a "You have to buy this book!"comment to entice all those on-the-fence readers to hurry out and get their own copy.

And...drum roll...tomorrow I'm posting the gorgeous cover for One Night in Napa right here! Ooh, I can't wait. The art department has really outdone itself this time!!

All the Other Stuff

"No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance." ~Confucius

I was just over admiring Marianne's new blog template when I realized that I haven't updated my website in, hmm, about 5 months. I try to balance all the other little stufff, the promo jazz, the communicating with other writers, blogging everyday, etc etc with writing too and sometimes I let things slide. Oh, and there's the day job, of course. Finding balance with it all is an on-going struggle. Thank goodness the school year is almost over...I've never looked forward to summer vacation so much!

This weekend's goals are working outside if the weather cooperates (I'm REALLY behind on all my planting/landscaping), cleaning inside if the weather doesn't, and trying to write another chapter of One Night in Savannah. My goal for that WIP is actually to finish it by the end of the summer (goal WC 85,000), let it sit for a few weeks while I go back to Entwined and figure out what I'm doing with that, and then submit ONIS (not sure where yet) before the end of 2009.

So I guess I'd better get going! Happy weekend...

The Geek Girl's Guide...

"It's the friends you can call up at 4am that matter." - Marlene Dietrick

Hey all, there's a fantastic new YA release you should check out: The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading. And to kick off the release, the authors are hosting a BFF contest (that's Best Friends Forever, for those of you out of the current teen lingo loop). Check out what you can win!


Two bags, one for you, one for your BFF which include:


An autographed copy of The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading
The new iPod Shuffle
A mix tape (CD) of songs about friendship
DeBrand’s Chocolates
Matching T-shirts
And a few geeky surprises...



That's right, two prize bags!! So what are you waiting for? Here's the link - go on and enter!

Running Late!

Boy, I'm running late today, so just a quick post.

I've managed to write about 6000 words on my new project, One Night in Savannah, and it hasn't been too bad so far. What's challenging, though, is that I have all these "secrets" that unfold during the course of the story, and some characters know more and less than the others and find out parts of the secrets at different times. So it's tough to know how much to reveal, and when.

As I was working through this yesterday, I realized that this is also exactly why you should get through a rough draft (of anything, no matter how long) before you try to really revise it. Polishing the first few chapters over and over again is futile if by the very end of the plot, things have changed (and they do change, don't they?!).

Happy writing, friends...

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Christina Phillips

Welcome to a (rainy) Writers' Wednesday! Today I'm chatting with Wild Rose Press author Christina Phillips. Enjoy!

Thank you for having me on your blog today, Allie. I'm thrilled to be here!

And I'm glad to have you! Can you tell us a little about your background?

I moved to sunny Australia from the UK ten years ago with my very own hero and our three adorable children. Over the last few years as I’ve actively sought publication for the romances I love writing, I’ve tried my hand at category romance, chic lit, paranormal and now dark erotic romance for the Scarlet Line at The Wild Rose Press.

When did you first begin writing? Was there an event or moment in your life that triggered your desire to write?

I've always loved writing. When I was a child I used to write plays, then as a teenager I wrote long angsty poems and tragic space operas. It wasn't until we moved to Australia that I finally decided to get serious about my writing, and aim for publication.

Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

My current release is Touch of the Demon, a Scarlet Rosette from The Wild Rose Press. Here's the blurb:

Dark angel Rafe travels back in time to destroy the woman who is fated to bring untold chaos to the cosmos. Instead, he finds Celeste, a child of the Earth Goddess, who is sworn to protect the one Rafe seeks. He mistakes her for his quarry but an irresistible attraction prevents him from taking her soul. And although Celeste holds the one weapon capable of banishing Rafe from Earth forever, she's unable to deny the overwhelming desire to possess this creature from hell. They come together in a frenzy of passion, each believing they are changing destiny by their actions. But when the Earth Goddess appears they discover her plans are more far reaching than either had imagined.

Excerpt:

“I’ll beg you for nothing.” It was a lie. If Celeste thought begging could get her anywhere, then she would already be on her knees before him. She kept that knowledge locked deep in her heart.

Rafe took a step toward her and her heart hammered in her breast. He was taller than any human she had known over the years. But then, he wasn’t human. Beneath the long leather coat he wore against the night’s chill air, his broad shoulders all but blotted out the rest of the world.

She sucked in a suddenly panicked breath, and his evocative scent of other worldly essences, meshed with hot, heavy male enveloped her. Against every principle she stood for, her nipples strained against the fabric of her bodice, peaking with desire and disgust and pure, animal heat.

A mocking smile twisted his full sensual lips. “I could make you beg, human.” His finger traced the outline of her face and she shuddered, hating the way she reacted and yet unable to help herself. “I might even listen to your pleas.” His smoky whisper shimmered along her senses, searing with words unsaid.

Great excerpt!! Now, what advice would you give to new writers just starting out?

I have a couple of mantras - the first is a quote from Galaxy Quest: "Never give up! Never surrender!" It took me over nine years before I sold, and I was close to chucking it in on several occasions. Only the fact I become bad tempered and totally witchy to live with when I don't write kept me going back to the keyboard. Well, and the fact my wonderful CPs would never allow me to throw in the towel!

The second thing I'd like to share is this - Never Say Never! A couple of years ago it hadn't even occurred to me that I could write erotic romance, never mind sell in that genre. But when I sat down with the specific intention of writing erotic romance, something just clicked and I discovered I absolutely adored it. The weird thing is, up until I wrote Foretaste of Forever, my writing leaned towards romantic comedy.

Sometimes it really can pay to try something completely different, even something you've always maintained you'd never want or be able to tackle, just to see if you can do it!

When you write, do you use the computer or compose by hand, oral dictation, or some other method?

I use the computer to write. Always. I have tried writing longhand when I've got stuck, but it doesn't work for me. However, having said that, I find it easier to hammer out a blurb using pen and paper, rather than struggling for hours at the computer! Very weird, but true!

Christina, thanks so much for being here today. Readers, you can find out more about this author and her work in any of these places on the web. And have a great day!

Christina's Website
Christina's Blog
To buy Touch of the Demon from The Wild Rose Press, click Here

Trailer for Touch of the Demon

I Don't Usually Read This Genre, But...

"I am returning this otherwise good typing paper to you because someone has printed gibberish all over it and put your name at the top." ~English Professor (Name Unknown), Ohio University

Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day, complete with a moment or two of remembering all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Our local paper ran the Gettysburg Address yesterday, and I'll confess, it gave me goosebumps. What a wonderful speech. Here's the link, in case you haven't read it in a while.



*****


And interestingly enough, I received 2 emails in the last week that began, "I don't usually read this genre, but..." One was from a former student; the other was from a cyber-friend. Both had just finished Lost in Paradise.

My favorite excerpts: "...while reading your book I could feel the built up passion and romance between the two characters. I also became completely involved in the book and found myself yelling at the characters sometimes. Another true sign I became immersed in the book is even though I had to get up very early for work the next morning and my eyes were burning I had to keep reading..."

and "I got into the characters and forgot I was reading, I escaped, and there is no better compliment that I can give. I understood Ashton and wanted Eddie...".


I wish there weren't still such stereotypes about contemporary romance. I wish I could tell people I wrote love stories without the inner cringe of wondering if they'll smirk. I wish my royalty statements were bigger LOL...

Happy Memorial Day

For love of country they accepted death... ~James A. Garfield

Greetings from Indianapolis!!

I'll give a full-blown report of the Indy 500 when I'm home (and can hear myself think). In the meantime, have you read today's installment of the Round Robin story??

Romance in the Backseat

Today's the second installment of the Round Robin story, so make sure to pop on over and read the latest! I also wanted to mention the main page of Romance in the Backseat, though, because there are some terrific promo opportunities for published and unpublished authors alike.

***

And in other, unrelated news, hubby and I are going to the Indy 500 this weekend! I'll try and blog the next couple of days, but if I don't, you'll know the reason why...my head is spinning from watching cars go really, really fast in circles!

Happy weekend...

Round Robin Story!

"Our best thoughts come from others." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hey all, here's a really fun little project I've been involved with...a Round Robin story that's being passed around between a few published authors. I've done one or two of these in the past, but always as writing exercises, never with the end goal of being published somewhere (even online), and never with best-selling authors. Gulp...it's a little intimidating!

Anyway, nerves aside, the story begins today with the uber-talented and lovely Kristan Higgins. Here's the link - don't forget to go back each day and read the latest installment! (ok, I'll remind you, so you don't really need to remember ;)

And happy weekend!

The Magic of Starting from Scratch

"If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood. I’d type a little faster." ~Isaac Asimov

So the other day I gave in to my itch to start working on a new One Night... book, One Night in Savannah. I have a basic outline (of course I do, I'm a plotter) and I really just wanted to tackle the first chapter and see what might happen. I think I'm getting better at figuring out where a book should actually start (don't laugh, it's taken awhile), and I thought I'd give you a peek at what I came up with.

Of course, this will probably change significantly by the time I finish (do you like the positive intention here?), but I liked what came out on the page, so here's part of it, just for kicks...

10:00 am

Ivy stared at the growing crowd of protesters six floors below the high rise’s window. “Shit.”
“Told you.”
“I didn’t think there’d be so many of them. So soon.”
“Would-a been better if we could have gotten you a spot on the morning news. In and out before seven.”
Ivy turned and wrapped both hands around her elbows. The air conditioning blasted through the green room, raising gooseflesh. “We didn’t want the news. The Hot Spot has the best ratings of all the talk shows. That’s what you said.”
Henrietta Clausen, literary agent, publicist, and one of Ivy Mandolin’s closest friend since college, grinned. “I know what I said. And that’s why they’re here. Those people down there wouldn’t bother unless you were the biggest name in the news right now.”
“I didn’t want to be big. That wasn’t why I wrote the book.”
Henrietta shrugged and stood to pour them both a second round of coffee. “I know. But it’s too late now.”
Ivy took another peek at the knot of people milling around 54th and Broadway. Some held signs. Others clutched small dolls. She knew if she looked closely, the dolls would all have blonde hair and blue dresses, symbolic of Katie-Ann Pierson the night she died.
“How worried should I be?”
Henrietta blinked bright green eyes and passed her client a mug. “Leave worry to me. And to Thomas.”
Thomas Manson. Fitting name, Ivy supposed. Outside the door of the green room stood her bodyguard as of last week, six-foot five and scowling. All muscle. All meanness. And the only thing that stood between her and a crazed protester.
“Think I have any fans down there? Or just haters?”
“Of course you have fans. Lots of people love your book.”
“I don’t know about ‘love.’”
“Well, they think you’re doing the noble thing, bringing out the truth after all these years. That’s close enough.”

I love the excitement of starting a brand new book. I love the magic, when the plot seems perfect and the characters spring to life and you have all kinds of energy to write your fingers off...until the sagging middle hits, of course.

But no thought of sagging middles today! Just the magic of starting from scratch -- as long as I can hang onto it, anyway...

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Miss Mae

Welcome to a beautiful May day, and an interview with author Miss Mae...

Hi there! Can you tell us a little about your background?

I'm married, live in Georgia on a small parcel of land where our home faces a blue-gray line of the Appalachian mountains, and I'm an animal lover.

Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

My historical story, "It's Elementary, My Dear Winifred" is now out with Class Act Books. I'm excited about this book because it was such fun to write. Here's the blurb...

"Schoolmarm Winifred Merryweather guards her identity as the daughter of one of London's most notorious villains. To separate her life from his, she spends her lonely existence with her cat, Theodore, and meets twice monthly at the estate of Lord Nelson Chatham. Losing herself in the pages of a mystery story shivers Winifred's spine -- until the day that she’s forced to live through one. Kidnapped and thrown together into a chaotic adventure, newspaper reporter Remington Hawthorne’s flirtatious charm thaws Winifred’s icy reserve. But can they uncover the meaning of the clues, and survive, before the tale reaches the page that reads The End?"

This is my fourth published book. I hope more are coming!

Oh, I'm sure they are! Now, what do you find most difficult about writing?

Trying not to fall asleep. I'm serious! I come in here all excited and fired up to get the keyboard burning with words and it seems after about thirty minutes of staring at this lighted screen, I start yawning and nodding. I think the computer hynotizes me.

What do you find most exciting or rewarding?

Typing "The End" and breathing in that great sense of accomplishment of knowing I stayed awake long enough to beat this confounded machine!

Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?

Yes! I take two aspirin and call myself in the mornings...Seriously, I give myself some space. I back off from writing and do other things like take a walk, read things totally different from the subject matter in my manuscript, and spend time with my husband. That's the part he likes best!

Describe your writing space for our readers.

Space? What space? I live in a four room mobile home, so my "office" is one of the bedrooms. This I share with my hubby's closet, piled up shelves, a coat rack...and three dogs whenever they feel like barging in!...LOL...

When you write, do you use the computer or compose by hand, oral dictation, or some other method?

I type it out on the computer. I used to do it long hand with paper and pen. Can you imagine the mess I had with all the black-outs, corrections, scribbling in margins, etc.?...LOL...The computer certainly makes all that much neater! :)

Miss Mae, thanks so much for being here today...is there anything else you’d like to mention?

Yes, I'd like to share the news about my books listed with The Wild Rose Press. "See No Evil, My Pretty Lady" has received outstanding reviews since its release January 2008. "Said the Spider to the Fly" will be released February 2009, and "Dove Island" is a free read available for download. Also, trailers and excerpts can be viewed at my website and I'd love for folks to visit my blog... http://missmaesite.blogspot.com

Thank you, Allie. It's been a blast!

One Night in Memphis Releases in Print!!!

May 19, 2009...it's the official release date for One Night in Memphis!! I know, I know: it's been out in print (from Amazon and other bookstores) since the beginning of the month. But today it's offiical. I should have run a contest to celebrate, but I've been overwhelmed with schoolwork. So...in early June, The Romance Studio will be running another Book a Day Giveaway for the print version. I'll make sure to give you a heads-up so you can enter!

And just to celebrate today's release, here's the trailer for One Night in Memphis:

Another Positive Review for One Night in Memphis

Got a really nice email over the weekend from a fellow author I met at the CT Fiction Fest who read One Night in Memphis. Here are 2 recent entries from her blog:

May 16: Right now, I’m in the middle of reading “One Night in Memphis” by Allie Boniface. When the story begins, the heroine is learning a hard lesson about falling in lust. Will she find love?

I became fascinated with this book when I was at a conference and heard Allie talk about how a person’s life could change within one 24 hour period. ”One Night in Memphis” explores the concept of love at first sight. Excuse me, I need to read more...

May 17: What is the mark of a great book? A book that keeps you up all night reading it. That book is One Night in Memphis by Allie Boniface. This book keeps moving with all hell breaking loose when waitress Dakota flees her deranged ex-boyfriend and meets the sweet and chivalrous Ethan. I couldn’t put it down until I knew the whole story. I love chivalrous men, who focus on love instead of danger. I recommend this thrilling, edge of your seat, contemporary romance.

Thanks, Susan!!

The book officially releases in print tomorrow...are you ready to get your copy?

Signing Recap

"Success doesn't come to you…you go to it." ~Marva Collins

Thanks to everyone who made my Borders signing yesterday a terrific success! I ended up selling 31 books (26 of One Night in Memphis, 3 of One Night in Boston, and 2 of Lost in Paradise). Tip: always, always bring extra books with you if you can. The store only ordered 10 copies of Memphis, which sold out in the first 1/2 hour, so I was lucky to have another 20 in the trunk of my car.

Of course, this was my local bookstore, and my first book out in print since 2008, so lots of friends and family showed up. The other authors with me sold only a couple of books each. Still, it was pretty cool to know that I have a small fan base around here :)

And here's my fave pic from yesterday, with 3 former students (notice how proudly they are holding their autographed copies!)...

Book Signing Today!

"I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with age, the true old man's milk and restorative cordial."- Thomas Jefferson

I'm so excited...today is my first book signing with One Night in Memphis in print...and at my local Borders, so I'm hoping lots of friends and family will be stopping by. Who else will be there? Among the regulars I usually sign with (Stella Price, Bianca D'Arc, Cat Johnson, and Tilly Greene -- love ya, girls) will be best-selling author Jacquelyn Frank. Don't know her or her work, but I'm looking forward to meeting her.

Updates here tomorrow!

One Reader's Review of One Night in Memphis

Just a quick note today:

The Romance Studio held their Book a Day Giveaway last weekend, and the woman who won an e-copy of my novel One Night in Memphis read it in one day (!) and emailed me this lovely note yesterday (with permission to use it as a review):

Hi Allie,

Thank you for sending me the book. I can't believe I won it, and I have to say, I just finished reading it and it's excellent. Lots of action, emotion and just the right amount of chemistry involved to make it almost realistic. I adore Mike, and wonder if there is a story surrounding him. There is lots of hints with more to come with all your characters. Ethan is a true inspirational kind of man I hope to meet in my future.


Aww...now don't you want your own copy?? It's releasing in print next Tuesday...mark your calendars!!

A Million Little Pieces

"If you don't get everything you want, think of the things you don't get that you don't want." ~Oscar Wilde

I just liked this quote...

*****

So apparently Oprah apologozed to James Frey for lambasting him on her show after it was revealed that his best-seller A Million Little Pieces was not, in fact, a memoir. Why did she feel the need to apologize? I didn't read the book because as an author, I shared the feeling of betrayal...sure, I could market my novel as a memoir to get a publishing contract. But I didn't feel like lying to an agent/publisher/the general public.

*****

Did you see this article about men in Saudi Arabia who can slap their wives for exorbitant shopping? Yet another reason I'm glad I live in the United States...

*****

Turns out President Obama has a sense of humor. Did anyone see his speech at the White House Correspondents' Dinner? Not too bad at delivering his jokes. Here's a recap:

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Linda Banche

Welcome to Writers' Wednesday! Before I forget to mention it, I'll be looking for authors to feature right here for interview spots, starting in July. Interested? Email me at allieb@allieboniface.com for more information.

And now, help me say hello to Wild Rose Press author Linda Banche!

Linda, can you tell us a little about your background?

I'm a brand new author with two published Regency novellas so far. Although my stories are by and large historical, some fantasy and paranormal creeps in. And everything I write contains humor. I like a funny story at any time, and with the current economic climate so dismal, everyone can use a laugh.

Sounds like a great combination! So when did you first begin writing? Was there an event or moment in your life that triggered your desire to write?

I never had a life-long desire to write. I love romances, and for a long time I was happy to read others' books. But about four years ago, I went on a romance reading binge. I read romance after romance after romance. But after I had wallowed in romance for a while, (and did I have a good time wallowing), I ran out of books. Panic! What to do? Why, write my own. Almost at once I discovered how hard writing is. But did that revelation stop me? No. I tell people I'm persistent. That's French for "too stupid to quit".

LOL...now, tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

My very first book, Lady of the Stars, is the story of a woman who sees a man she thought forever gone through the back door of a gazebo. Little does she know that back door is a time portal that whisks her back to 1817. Culture shock abounds on both sides, as she and the man she literally runs into adjust to each other. But as they fall in love, the hero's family legend awakens. Will it bring them together, or tear them apart forever?

Pumpkinnapper, my second story, is a Halloween comedy. Long-separated childhood friends rediscover love as they join forces to catch the thieves who try to steal the heroine's pumpkins. Complications arise in the form of hero and heroine's skewed expectations of each other, as well as from the heroine's jealous pet goose. Both novellas are with The Wild Rose Press.

What kinds of books do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?

My favorite books are historicals, mainly Regencies. I don't find the modern world romantic. For me, romance comes from the past, in a world that is unlike ours, but at the same time has similarities. The Regency, that period in England about two hundred years ago, fits the bill. That time was different from our own, but not too different, as the era was the very beginning of the modern world.

So many authors are favorites; I have a hard time picking and choosing. I'll start with the Regency romance superstars, Mary Balogh, Mary Jo Putney, and Loretta Chase. But my absolute favorite may be Barbara Metzger, who writes wacked-out comedies, which my stories also tend to be.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Why, read romances, of course. While I mainly stick to Regencies, I do read the occasional Georgian, Victorian, or earlier era. I've even been know to read a contemporary (gasp!) or two. I like something in addition to the romance, so I prefer stories that add mystery, adventure, or suspense.

Finally, what advice would you give to new writers just starting out?

Keep trying! Lady of the Stars was a loser in The Wild Rose Press's Through the Garden Gate contest. But they saw enough there to ask me to resubmit. I resubmitted twice before TWRP accepted the story. And keep learning and practicing. The more you write, the better you become, and the reward will be a contract.

Want to know more about this author?? Visit her on the web at any of the addresses below:

http://lindabanche.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/lindabanche
http://www.facebook.com/people/Linda-Banche/1059787652
http://twitter.com/LindaBanche

This Writing Stuff is Hard Work

"Do not wait; the time will never be "just right'. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along." ~Napoleon Hill

Uh oh...it's happening...that awful moment where you get pulled away from your WIP because it utterly frustrates you for the temptation of the new, shiny story idea waiting in the wings.

I haven't written anything for a couple of weeks, mostly because May is a CRAZY busy month with school and I've been doing promo stuff for other books. But Entwined is still 60K words in, waiting for me to figure out the ending. Which I can't manage to do. Oh, I have a general idea of what I want to happen. But the last few times I've tried to tackle it, nothing's really worked, and all I have is this voice inside my head saying, "Well, that's not going to work. Readers will see right through that. And how are you going to get 30K more words with that plotline??" Sigh.

Meanwhile, the other day I tinkered with the outline for my next planned 24-hour novel, One Night in Savannah, and thought, "Oh, yeah. Really like this idea. 4 and 5 am are still a little rough on my outline, but I can work through it. Maybe I should start the first chapter..."

Then I slapped my hand and closed the document. I know other people work on multiple stories. Heck, so do I. But I also know it's a dangerous thing to scurry away from a WIP that isn't, well, working when you have a new story begging to be told. Here's the thing: that new story will soon give you just as many problems as the others, mid-way through. I know that. So I'm doing my best to hang onto writer's discipline and finish Entwined, tough as it may be.

What about you? Are you one of those that bounces from story to story? Does it help your creative juices? Or do you find yourself 3/4 of the way through more than one WIP, unsure how to finish because it's hard?

Yeah, it's really hard sometimes...

Weekend Recap

"Success is where preparation and opportunity meet." ~Bobby Unser


Two more book signings for My Mom is My Hero this past weekend, and while I'm tired now, I gained a couple of valuable insights:


1. Networking is key (like we didn't know this already??) At the signing Friday night, I discovered that the manager of that particular Waldenbooks is a huge romance fan. Not only did she introduce me to a fellow fantasy author who haunts their bookstore, she invited me back for a signing of my own books, later this summer!


2. Meeting fellow authors is a great way to spend an afternoon. Saturday I signed with a guy who had a story published in the Mom book as well. Not only are we both writers, we're both public school English teachers, so needless to say, we had a lot to talk about. It's always fun and refreshing to talk to someone else who's trying to balance grading papers with fleshing out a storyline. (And we're good-looking besides, right??)

Special Writers' Weekend Interview with Barb Meyers

Welcome to a special author interview! Fellow Samhain author Barb Meyers is here to chat about her latest release...enjoy!

Hi Barb! Can you tell us a little about your background?

Originally, I’m from Southwest Missouri, but I moved around a lot growing up. I’ve lived in Southwest Florida for thirty years. I’m married and have two grown children. Since 2003, I’ve worked part-time as a Starbucks barista. It’s a nice way to break up the lonely life of a writer and it’s given me at least one interesting story idea as well.

When did you first begin writing? Was there an event or moment in your life that triggered your desire to write?

My first attempt at writing novel-length fiction was in the late 1980’s. The event that triggered it? Not terribly original, I’m afraid. After reading a horribly written romance novel, I threw it across the room when I’d finished it and declared, “I can write better than that.”

LOL...sounds like the same way many an author has been inspired! So tell us about your latest writing project or published title...

My romantic comedy, A MONTH FROM MIAMI, came out in print in February. I’m currently working on a sort of whimsical urban fantasy—the story idea inspired by working at Starbucks as well as another romance featuring the twin brother of A MONTH FROM MIAMI’s hero.

What advice would you give to new writers just starting out?

Read. Read. Read. Then read some more. Study the books you read to see how stories develop. Analyze them for characterization, goal, motivation, conflict, style, etc. It takes a while to develop your own voice. For a long time no one could explain to me exactly what “voice” was. When you develop your own voice, you’ll know it. It’s more than a writing style. It’s the unique way you convey a story that is yours and yours alone. Beware sabateurs which can come in the form of critique partners, family, friends, writer’s groups, sometimes even yourself. Not everyone wants you to succeed. In the end remember it’s your story and no one else’s. Listen to your gut.

What kinds of books do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?

I love well-written romantic suspense and a lot of women’s fiction. Not sure I have a favorite author, but a few that spring to mind are Susan Elizabeth Phillips (no one does romantic comedy as well); Isla Dewar; Patricia Gaffney; Elizabeth Berg; Lisa Gardner; Tami Hoag. I just read Karen Robards’ GUILTY. She is one of my all-time favorite authors.

What do you find most difficult about writing? What do you find most exciting or rewarding?

I’ve always been challenged by the business end of writing. I’m not focused enough and I tend to jump from one project to another when a new idea presents itself. A new idea is exciting to me and I can’t wait to get started and strike while the iron is hot, and often before I’ve completely thought it through. I don’t recommend this to anyone. It’s entirely frustrating.

Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?

I don’t call it writer’s block, but if I’m struggling with something writing-related, I walk the beach which is 3-4 miles from my house. Or I walk my dog or bike ride. Get up and get away from your computer or notebook and do something entirely unrelated to writing. Personally, I think exercise pumps the blood back to your brain and not having any other distractions allows your mind to wander and/or focus on the block and helps you come up with a solution or a new direction.

I think if the beach was 3 miles from my house I might not have writers' block either!! What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book(s)?

That the characters become real to me. I recall an idea I had for a book I’ve not yet written. The heroine was a songwriter. I composed lyrics for a song and tried to explain to my daughter that I hadn’t actually written them. The character had.

What is your favorite movie? Did it inspire your writing in any way?

It’s hard to pick one movie. As Good As It Gets is a wonderful example of “show don’t tell.” It demonstrates phenomenal character growth. I loved Something’s Gotta Give. So clever and fun. Terms of Endearment, Beaches and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off come to mind. The first two because they can really touch me emotionally. Ferris because it’s just pure fun. I think that’s what good writing does—entertains and touches the emotions. Moonstruck is another one of my favorites.

Barb, thanks for being here today. Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

Only that my goal as a writer is to write the absolute best book I can write and never to offer anything to my readership that I am not personally satisfied with. I stand behind my books and would personally offer a money-back guarantee to anyone who is disappointed in my work.
Thank you!

A Friday Quickie

Just a quick post today:

2 signings for My Mom is my Hero this weekend:

Friday night from 5-8 pm at Waldenbooks in the Oakdale Mall, Binghamton (NY)

and

Saturday afternoon from 12-3 pm at Waldenbooks in Rye Brook (NY)

Also...

I'm giving away a signed print copy of One Night in Memphis this Sunday, over at The Romance Studio. It's easy to enter, so swing by and leave your name if you'd like a copy (before it even officially releases to the rest of the public!!)

Happy Friday!

Do You Twitter?

"It has become exceedingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity." ~Albert Einstein

Twitter is the new Facebook.

So I hear, anyway. I don't Twitter, mostly because I can barely keep up with my blog and my Facebook page and - oh, yeah - my day job that pays the bills.

But a friend sent me an invite to Twitter the other day, and at the conference last weekend, one author said she had met Angela James (Executive Editor at Samhain) on Twitter. Hmm. I suppose I'm missing yet another promotional opportunity...but really? Do I have to Twitter now, too?

I'd like to hear from anyone who does: what do you/don't you like about it?

***

And I had to share this link with you: it's an article by best-selling author Lisa Gardner about her anal retentive approach to outlining. It's pretty hilarious. Enjoy!

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Craig E. Chaffin

Welcome to Writers' Wednesday! Today I'm chatting with poet C.E. Chaffin, a well-known poet, (especially on the net) who has been publishing for 40 years! His new book, his first since 1997, includes a section of over 20 love poems, based on the miracle of his falling in love at 45. He's been in love ever since—almost ten years!

Welcome, Craig! So tell us, why did you call your book “Unexpected Light?”

In a fallen world where we're often surrounded by darkness, as if in answer to prayer unexpected light often leaks through just at the moment when we fear we can no longer go on. It can be sunlight on a leaf or a late phone call from an old friend, but that's how most light comes in my life.

Furthermore the actual title is mentioned in the last line of the poem, “Prayer to la Virgen,” detailing how Christ was lucky enough to receive a donated grave. But more so, when I fell in love at 45 for the first time (and it has continued ever since), I was shocked out of my mind. It was truly unexpected light! Trained as a medical doctor, I had always been rational about love, thinking (in C. S. Lewis's words) that love should be the result of, not the reason for, marriage. All that changed when I met Kathleen. And right after I met her my second wife e-mailed me that she was leaving—such synchronicity!--leaving me a perfect opportunity to experience romantic love for the first time, a gift I wish for everyone.

How did you come to write “Unexpected Light?”

I've been publishing poetry for 40 years, and this is my second book. My first was published in 1997. This book was 12 years in the making. It deals with many themes, including the usual four in poetry: God, Death, Nature and Love. The last section of the book, in fact, is devoted to love poems. And that was a main impetus for the book. I had compiled a manuscript entirely of love poems but no publisher showed interest, so I limited the love poems to my very best 20 or so and added poems on other themes, and voila! I had a publisher go all the way for me, including royalties—for poetry, imagine!

Terrific! So as an English teacher, I have to ask: Who are your major poetic influences?

T. S. Eliot, Robinson Jeffers, Robert Frost, Theodore Roethke, Mark Strand and Pablo Neruda, to name a few. None of these except Neruda is truly a love poet, and he has been the most influential on my romantic poetry. One of the poems in the volume is entitled, “To Kathleen, after Neruda,” for instance. As for poets in English, I like John Donne's love poems bests, though they are so intellectually dense one must assume the object of his love was some kind of a genius to consistently unravel his metaphysics.

LOL...Does poetry have a chance in this day and age?

Yes, for man does not live by bread alone, but by every word... There may be a smaller audience for poetry today, given the competition, and more poets publishing than ever. The 'Net has caused a proliferation of literary journals that is more democratic and participatory. There are probably more serious poets writing than ever before. And poetry is the miner's canary of the culture, in my opinion. It records the travails of the time and tries to connect them with eternity and history. Love is one of the four enduring themes of poetry and one of the most difficult topics to undertake.

Where can readers get a copy of “Unexpected Light?”

It's available through Amazon.com and all the usual suspects and any bookstore will order it for you. Best to order it directly from the publisher. There's a page on my website where you can do that: http://cechaffin.com/light.html

It comes in hardback for just $20 and paperback for $12. Seven reviews have already been published, and I can say without embarrassment that they have all been glowing.I

If you join the Facebook group, “Unexpected Light,” you will automatically be updated regarding readings and new reviews.

Here's a short excerpt from one of the love poems, “Valentine 2008,” where the speaker imagines his love as a waterfall:

Inside the moss-lipped haven of your granite
I hide behind your thundering skirt of water.

Your clarity dissolves all self-deception.
I would not recognize myself without you.

The shelter of trees is never so generous
As your pouring and thinning of yourself

Into the forest air. I kneel and drink
And like the alder rise up satisfied.


C.E. thanks so much for being here and sharing your story today! Readers, you can find out more about this author at his website.

Weekend Recap, Continued...

So after a busy Saturday, it was nice that Sunday's book signing was pretty low key. It was a small Waldenbooks in a pretty large mall, but there weren't a ton of people in the mall as a whole (sort of weird for a rainy Sunday, but oh well).

I made flyers up and sent them to the store ahead of time, and the manager had them hanging up in a few places, which was nice. She set me up at a table right by the entrance, so everyone literally had to walk right by me. I sold/signed 6 books -- not a lot, but I put my One Night in Memphis bookmarks and excerpt booklets in every single one, and most people seemed interested. One woman said, "Oh, I love romance! I'm going to get your book as soon as it comes out!"

Interestingly enough, though, the majority of shoppers in the store were women, most with kids -- so they weren't really looking for a Mother's Day gift. One actually said to her kids, "Oh, this book looks nice. Tell Daddy about it." But she didn't buy one, of course.

Overall the day was more about networking than anything else, since I don't get royalties from this book (just a check once they accepted my story) but hey -- if it gets my name to a few more people, I'll spend 3 hours sitting in a bookstore. I have 2 more of these signings coming up this weekend, and every little bit counts!

Weekend Recap

"We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

(This is one of my top 5 all-time favorite quotes, by the way)

So here goes...


Fiction Fest 2009 on Saturday was a terrific experience! There were about 100 attendees, I'd say, mostly unpublished authors and many who were quite new to writing in general. There was a continental breakfast with 2 speakers (a "life coach" who talked about keeping balance in your life, and a book doctor who talked about the common errors she sees in manuscripts). Then 2 Breakout Sessions with 2 workshop choices each.


I went to "Creating Unforgettable Characters" with Kristan Higgins (I knew her from a book signing back in the winter, so it was nice to see her again). She talked a lot about how to give your characters history/hobbies/scars/jobs/past relationships/etc to make them "pop" off the page.


Then I went to "Avoiding Common Manuscript Errors" with Toni Andrews. She focused on issues with POV/head hopping and poor character development/dialogue as keeping new writers from getting contracts/agents. She has a great, "larger than life" personality and is quite funny to listen to...but she stood in front of the screen during her entire Power Point presentation, which was a little frustrating.


Then lunch, during which we heard "cold reads" from people who had sent in pages and listened to what the agents and editors had to say about them. (click here to see who was there). Over and over again, we heard the same thing: too much backstory and too much irrelevant description when there should have been conflict and forward movement in the opening pages. I tell you, though, those people were really brave to send their pages in! It was anonymous, but still. A couple of the agents/editors got kind of snarky by the end of it, which wasn't really cool in my book.


Then the 2 afternoon Breakout Sessions: I went to "Getting on the Query-Go-Round" which was given by Jackie Kessler. She showed us her query letter which get 11 requests for fulls and 5 offers of representation. She shared a lot of good info, though I'd say she downplayed the difficulty of finding an agent (though for her I guess it wasn't difficult, so...).


Then my Workshop, last session of the day: Cutting Deadwood:Trimming and Tightening Language. It turned out to fit in really well with all the luncheon discussion, and I used a lot of examples that the agents/editors had pointed out. Mostly, though, I shared my own experiences with One Night in Napa, and the revisions I had to make before Samhain would accept it.


It seemed to go really well (I was nervous at first, but I got over it). Afterwards, quite a few people came up and told me they really liked it, including one woman who said it was "the best of the day" for her because I seemed really genuine and shared my own frustrations and difficulties, which gave her hope.


Afterwards there was a cocktail hour and book signing, and I ended up selling 8 copies of One Night in Memphis, all to people who had been in my workshop! So it was a really great day and a terrific opportunity to network and also give back to people who are newly navigating the writing/publishing biz.


Phew...I'm worn out from typing, so I'll share the Sunday book signing tomorrow. Less to say, but I still learned a couple of things, so... see you back here Tuesday!


Oh, and here's a picture of me and my author friend Stella Price, at the signing on Saturday:

Book Signing Today

Still on the road...today I'm doing a book signing at the Waldenbooks in the Danbury Mall (Danbury, CT) today -- specifically for My Mom is My Hero.

Details about the signing and yesterday's conference coming up tomorrow...

Fiction Fest 2009!

Hey all, I'm at the Connecticut RWA's Fiction Fest Conference today, presenting my first-ever workshop...wish me luck!

And just a reminder: the Brenda Novak Auction is up and running full-steam. Stop by and place a bid or two!

I Hate Endings

"Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand." ~George Orwell

Endings. In a really good book, or a really good movie, I hate when the ending rolls around. My favorite books as a child always left me with a sense of loss, because I was saying goodbye to characters and a world I'd come to love. Maybe that's why I read most of them more than once!

On the other side of the coin, though, as a writer, it's a little different. Sometimes I know exactly where I'm going, so the ending is easy to write. Sometimes I don't, and it surprises me. But sometimes I don't, and it frustrates the heck out of me. That's the case with my current WIP, Entwined. I have an idea of the ending -- I have since I started -- but now that I'm close, it's more of a mess than I imagined. Blech. I can't get it straight. I'm having the trouble getting the main plot and subplot worked out the right way. I thought taking a few days off for perspective would help, but it hasn't.

So...any suggestions when it comes to writing endings?

Taking a Day Off

"On the occasion of every accident that befalls you, remember to turn to yourself and inquire what power you have for turning it to use." ~Epictetus (Greek philosopher)

Hey all, I'm taking the day off from official blogging today, mostly because 2 days ago 2 of my students were involved in a serious car accident (nice weather + good friends + the freedom to drive to school + winding back roads + speeds over 80 mph = nothing good). One girl is OK; one boy is in very critical condition with internal injuries.

Sometimes I wonder how much more the universe will give me to deal with this year...

Anyway, I'll be back tomorrow...and by the way, if you haven't signed up for my e-newsletter (over there on the sidebar), go ahead and do so. The May issue goes out tomorrow!

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Liana Laverentz

Welcome to Writers' Wednesday! I'm happy to welcome back my first-ever repeat guest, Liana Laverentz, who has so much going on with her writing she just had to share it with us. Enjoy!

Liana, I know you've been busy in the last year. Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

My next release, a murder mystery romance titled Ashton’s Secret, was also my first published book, only now it’s a lot better and different.

I loved revising Ashton’s Secret. When I first submitted it to The Wild Rose Press, it was rejected, because it was out of date regarding the writing, the relationship dynamics between the hero and heroine (me man, you woman), and a few modern conveniences, like video games and cell phones.

One main difference between the first version and this new, much improved version (I am so excited about this…it was a real eye-opener to see how much I had grown and changed as a writer) is the hero’s occupation, which is another secret in the story and is not revealed to the heroine the end of the book. Astute readers, I am sure, will catch on quickly. His former occupation is now his hobby.

But his new occupation makes much more sense and adds a lot of tension to the story. She knows he has secrets, but he’s not saying, and that makes it hard to establish trust between them, which heightens the conflict. I also changed the ending. Not the happily ever after part, but how they got to it, and this time gave a glimpse of their future through their dialogue.

How do you go about developing your characters?

I start with an external conflict, and try to imagine what kind of person would be involved in that conflict, try to figure out what kind of past or emotional baggage would lead them to be in that situation, and build from there. I am fascinated by why people do what they do, so all my stories deal with issues stemming from my characters’ childhoods, and all my characters are built in layers. They don’t come fully formed, and they continue to surprise me with little details about themselves until I send the manuscript in to production.

What kinds of books do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?

I love to read romantic suspense, or just plain suspense. Some of my favorite authors are Lisa Gardner, Rachel Lee, Erica Spindler, and Eileen Dreyer, who also writes romances as Kathleen Korbel. She has an obvious love for the written word and knows how to use it. When I read her books, it’s like looking forward to checking in with old friends at the end of the day. She makes her characters that real for you. In her book Sinners and Saints, she even made the setting, New Orleans just before a hurricane hits, a character in the book. You can tell she does her research. But she weaves it into the story so skillfully you don’t even realize you’re learning something as you read. And that there’s more going on than just the story, here. It’s a story written on several levels, and you can read it at any level you choose and still be satisfied at the end of the book.

How do you balance writing with the rest of your life?

That’s a tough one. I’m still working on it. I find that when my life is balanced, I don’t get enough writing time in (and I get irritable), and when I am writing, my life veers completely out of balance. Just recently, an agent asked me to send her two proposals for non-fiction books I’m working on, and I dropped everything to start writing the first one. For nine days I did nothing else. Didn’t go anywhere, see anyone, barely went to the store and the house did not get cleaned. Sent the first proposal off and got to work on putting my house and life back in order. Now that that’s done, it’s time to start the second proposal. I want to, but I also know how I am…so I have to make sure the fridge is stocked and bills are paid and the house is reasonably clean before I start.

I do make sure to get to the Y at least five times a week to exercise and do something besides sit at my computer. And I balance that out with yoga, Tai Chi and cardio work. I’ve recently taken up salsa dancing, because it’s an excellent workout and gets more parts of the body moving than just the cross-trainer. Another important thing I started doing was shutting down the computer each evening around 8:00 p.m. to watch a DVD with my son and get my mind on something besides what I’m working on.Watching something on DVD (I don’t watch television—hate commercials) allows me to both relax and think about something else before I go to sleep. We usually watch comedies, so that helps to put laughter in my day.

This has become such an important goal and topic for me that I now host two day long chats called Balance With Liana—one the first Thursday of the month at Long and Short Reviews, and another every Tuesday at The Bookspa, where writers get together to talk about all things related to writing. At The Bookspa, we break it down into Mind, Body, Heart, and Soul, and each week tackle a different area of balance in our lives. I then take the best of what we’ve discussed at The Bookspa and present it at Long and Short Reviews. It’s great fun, and the exchange of ideas seems to help everyone who participates to create a little more balance in their lives. Anyone is welcome to join us at either http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LongAndShortRomanceReviews or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thebookspa/

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

I don’t suffer from writer’s block. My biggest problem is finding the time to put all the stories I have in my head and heart onto paper. Writers write. It’s what we do. We write because we can’t not write. But every word doesn’t have to be written for publication. So if you find yourself stuck, just start writing, even if it’s stream of consciousness, and it may take a while, but once you get started, you won’t want to stop. Even if the first thing you write has nothing to do with what you’re currently stuck on, just opening yourself up to the flow of creativity in your brain and enjoying the moment will eventually bring you to where you want to be. Something you write will undoubtedly spark an idea that you can tie back in to your WIP.

Either that, or pick up a book in an area that is different from the one you are trying to write. That works a lot, too. It shifts your conscious mind to something else, so that your subconscious can work out the problem. In a sense, you’re getting yourself out of your own way.

Or you can do something mindless, like the dishes, or folding laundry, or even take a walk. Slow down enough for your creativity to catch up to you again.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

My favorite activities are reading, writing, watching movies on DVD, making soup from scratch, martial arts, road trips, and all things spiritual. I’m a huge fan of self-improvement, and am always looking for ways to keep my life balanced between writing, working, and being a Mom.


What is the best and worst advice you have ever received?

Worst advice…that category romance was the only romance worth writing. I was never going to fit into the category romance mold. It was like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, and I lost a lot of years trying to write something I wasn’t suited for.

Best advice…never give up. If you don’t write the books in your heart, no one will. No one will even know they exist except you, and they will die when you do, never having been released into the world. Never having even had a chance.

What would be the best way for readers contact you? Do you have a website? MySpace site? Blog? Message Board? Group?

www.lianalaverentz.com
www.polkadotbanner.com
http://lianalaverentz.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/authorlianalaverentz

How can readers find out more about you and your books?

Just stop by my website www.lianalaverentz.com and sign up for my newsletter, or check my blog every now and then. http://lianalaverentz.blogspot.com/

Readers, look for Ashton's Secret releasing June 26th - and another hearty thanks to Liana for being here today!

Tales of Cover Art

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." ~Scott Adams

So last week, my editor sent me a first draft of the cover for One Night in Napa, with the caveat in her email, "I'm not particularly happy with it..."

I agreed. Without going into detail, the cover really didn't take any of my suggestions/points about the story into consideration. Plus the color was...well, odd. My editor and I tossed around some suggestions, and the next day I got a new cover. This one I loved -- it seemed a much better fit and really suggested "sensual love story set in a sensual place."

It isn't approved by the publisher yet, so I can't post it here, but I do hope the second version is the one they go with!

One thing about small presses/e-publishers: from what I've heard and experienced, those authors have much more input with cover art than those with New York publishers. Now, don't get me wrong: I certainly wouldn't turn down a NY publisher! But be prepared: you probably will have minimal say on the cover.

And if you haven't heard this funny story about a cover-gone-wrong, here's the classic Three-Armed Heroine that appeared on a major romance novel a few years back.

Hope to share my cover with you soon!

Susan Boyle, Instant Super-Star

"Judgements prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances." ~Wayne Dyer

I'm sure you know the story of this overnight sensation, from the Britain's Got Talent TV show. Frumpy, 47-year old Susan Boyle, who lives alone and occasionally goes to the local pub for karaoke night, wowed the judges (including the ever-persnickety Simon Cowell) with her amazing rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream."

It's a great feel-good story, and if you haven't watched the YouTube clip yet, here's the link. The judges' reaction alone is worth the view...

I Need Your Help

"Public speaking is the art of diluting a two-minute idea with a two-hour vocabulary." ~John F. Kennedy

OK, fellow writers, I need some input:

Next Saturday, I'll be presenting a workshop at the Fiction Fest 2009 conference on "Tightening and Trimming Your Prose."

My question is, if you were planning on attending, what kinds of things would you like to see covered/included in that workshop? I have an hour, and I do already have a brief outline/idea of what I'm going to discuss. But I'd love some suggestions as well. What would you expect from a breakout session with that title? If you've gone to conferences in the past, which workshops did you most enjoy, and why? Handouts, or not? Self-promo, or not?

I'm looking forward to the experience, despite the nerves...I figure it'll be good for me :)