Digging the RV Life
So far on this RV journey, my writing hasn’t exactly gone as planned, but I’m relaxing and “refilling the well”. I’ve always said that at the beginning of the school year, I’m full of plans and hopes for my students and great ideas, a plump and juicy grape of a teacher. By June, I’m a raisin, all of my creativity has been sucked out of me. Summer break is needed to refill my creativity.
Sometimes I forget that when I’m writing I can raisin out too. While I’m teaching, I’m not writing, but I’m thinking about it. When I finally get the chance to sit down and write, it pours out of me and I hate wasting my very precious writing time on other things.
Taking some of that time to have fun, go to the beach, relax and listen to music is important. I’m not that great at striking a balance, but I’m getting there. I sat at the beach the other day and listened to the waves (and the conversations going on around me) and the ideas just flowed. It’s amazing what can happen if you unplug a little and connect with nature.
Granted, I’m in an air conditioned RV with a shower and a toilet and WIFI, so I’m not exactly roughing it, but I am in the woods and waking up to birdsong. It helps.
Trying something new
Happy Monday
I’m trying something a little different today–I’m working outdoors. I am currently “glamping” with my husband, and he is working in the RV, so I went to the picnic table. We will see how it goes, I tend to get easily distracted. When my kids were little, our first house had a pool. I would sit with at a table out by the pool and write while my kids played for hours. Somehow, I managed to get things done and not let anyone drown. Again, I marvel at my younger self, because my current self absolutely couldn’t do that.
I’m hoping to get some writing in while still enjoying this vacation. My plan is to write in the morning, then hit the beach in the afternoon. We’ll see what happens…
The Importance of Friends Like You
When I first started writing in the early 2000’s, I discovered the Harlequin Publishing message boards. On there I learned so much about how to format and write, but more importantly, I met a whole community of people who thought like I do. I discovered the world of writing conferences where I met people who have become life long friends.
Last night I was on the phone with a fellow author who has become one of my best friends. We met because we were sitting next to each other at a Romantic Times Conference book signing and since we were newbie e-book writers, we were WAAAAYYYY in the back and didn’t see much traffic. We started talking then and haven’t stopped since.
I cannot emphasize enough how important my writing friends are to my sanity. In so many ways, writing is a solitary endeavor. Having a person who totally gets it when you say things like, “So if you’re in another galaxy, do you still have to use condoms? Like wouldn’t they have come up with something better if they could master space travel?” is absolutely the most amazing gift anyone can have. Also, having someone read your work and give their honest opinions without worrying about offending you is necessary to grow. I may not always like what the feedback is, but I know they’re giving it to me not to drag me down, but because they believe in my story and my writing and want it to be the best it can be.
I would have given up writing if it wasn’t for my friends who believed in me, even when I hadn’t written anything for over five years.
If you have one of these writing friends, send them a thank you today…and maybe some chocolate.
Have a great weekend!
Officially More Than Half Done!
It is July 10 and I am officially more than half way done with the first draft of Rogue Memory!
I would like to not only finish this book, but actually be able to edit it and maybe even send it off to my critique partners this summer. That would be incredibly satisfying. It would also be satisfying to start book 3, do some research on some other ideas bouncing around in my head, and, well, I still want to lose those 20 pounds.
Regardless, today I’m going to enjoy the win and try to get some more words down on the page. I know consistency is the key. I wish I could figure out a way to keep going during the school year. I always say I’ll get up an hour earlier and write, but that never works out. I say I’ll try to write after work, but that definitely doesn’t work. I’m sure there’s a way if I try hard enough…which is the problem, I really don’t have the energy to try that hard during the school year.
Ack! *Begone with you defeating thoughts* I’m going to revel in my progress today and not think about what I won’t be doing come Fall.
The Series Dilemma
I am sooo not a fan of the cliff hanger. When I am immersed in a world, I want to stay there. I hate waiting for the next book to be written, especially if the one I’m reading ends on a cliff hanger. I tend to wait for the series to be complete before I start reading it to avoid the issue of waiting for the next book to come out a year later.
I started this practice after reading the first 5 books of the Wheel of Time series. To say I was annoyed when I finished book 5 and everything was still up in the air would be putting it mildly. I continued reading the series for a few more books, but it is so complex that I would forget huge plot points and characters in the year or more between books.
I just figured out that the series I’m reading (Dark Shores by Danielle L. Jensen) is not a trilogy, like I had thought and I will have to wait another month for the conclusion. I’m really enjoying the series, but I’ve stopped reading my current book because I’m 80% done and I don’t want to finish it before the next one is out.
Yes, I realize I’m not being logical, but I can’t seem to help myself.
I’ve also started thinking about a new book to write, but am forcing myself to focus on the series I started TWO YEARS AGO and am only on book 2. The new and shiny is always a temptation for me. I MUST RESIST. This book is going along really well though, and the next book is germinating in the back of my mind as I write this one, which is great.
Are there any series that you are waiting for the next book with bated breath?
Everyone Needs a Vice
Good morning and Happy Tuesday!
One of my favorite moments of the day is when I crack open my morning Diet Coke and take that first, fuzzy sip. I am not a coffee drinker, so DC is how I get my caffeine, and yes, I know it’s an addiction. My dad, God rest his soul, used to joke that everyone needed a vice. I tend to agree with him. I have more than one, but I’m something of an over-achiever…
When I first began writing, I made the rookie error of making my characters perfect. Luckily, no one ever saw those first efforts. I’ve never taken a writing course. I was part of a writing group, but shortly after I joined, my youngest got cancer and I had to quit, well, pretty much everything in my life, to focus on her. (She’s 23 now and very healthy.) I have gone to writing workshops, and I’ve listened to many successful authors, have had excellent editors, and great critique partners, but I’ve never done a course on how to write romance. I do have a degree in English, but it was focused on teaching English, not writing.
Everything I’ve learned throughout this 20+ year journey in writing has been on-the-job. I write, I make enormous mistakes, I re-write, I throw away never to be seen again stories, I start and don’t finish stories, and I listen to what other people have to say. That is probably the hardest lesson I’ve learned; how to accept criticism without getting defensive.
Actually, I ALWAYS get defensive, but I don’t react on it. That is where the real learning takes place. When an editor or critique partner makes a comment on something, I give myself one minute to feel defensive, then I think about it. Does the comment make sense? Will it make the story stronger? Does it show another side to the character that I didn’t expect? I don’t always agree, but I always, always think about the criticism.
In the end, I’m not writing the books so I can read them, I’m writing so other people can read the story I’ve downloaded from my overactive brain onto the page. If someone else is reading the story and it doesn’t make sense to them, then I need to fix it. Arguing over every nit and pick defeats the purpose of having a critique partner in the first place.
Which brings me back to vices. Characters should not be perfect, because there is no such thing as a perfect person. Since there is no such thing as a perfect person, we should allow ourselves to make mistakes and learn from them. Sometimes you have to lean into your vices.
With that said, I think I’ll get another Diet Coke and keep moving on Rogue 2
I’m baaaaaack!
I’ve just spent a week in San Antonio and it was fabulous! I was there for a teaching conference, and I learned so much, my brain is full. The city of San Antonio was amazing, we had great food, listened to good music, had many wonderful beverages, and the people, without exception, were friendly and just incredibly nice. I mean EVERYONE we ran into, from the hotel and conference staff to the store clerks, restaurant and bar staff to the cops on the street were beyond helpful and kind. Even the homeless people were non-aggressive. It was very different from just about every other city I’ve been to, and I’m not just saying that because I’m from the Northeast. It’s kind of a given that we’re a bit…let’s go with standoffish, but I’ve been to many other cities in the South, Central, and West Coast, even other cities in Texas, and this was noticeable the nicest city people-wise. I really liked it.
In other news, I have almost completed my trim-painting project, so I can check that summer goal off the list, probably today. We’re not going to discuss the weight loss goal…The food in San Antonio was REALLY good…
Now, I need to get back to writing. My goal for this week is to get to 30K, which is absolutely doable, even though I have a million errands to run after being away for a week. None of which are going to get done if I don’t get off my butt and get writing.
Have a fabulous day!
Playlist
Usually when I write I try to listen to things without words, or at least without words I understand like Celtic music or Enya. Since this series of books is about a rock band, I’ve found myself listening to rock. I ended up making a playlist for writing, creatively titled Rogues. (I’m a wordsmith, what can I say?)
The first song on the playlist is Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ I Hate Myself for Loving You, which is very much a theme in Book 2. I also have The High Kings Irish Pub Song which is also a big theme in this book. I’ve found that many times when I’m listening to songs, it sparks a story idea.
I’d like to say it’s because I’m so in tune with music, but I’m tone deaf and have not one iota of timing or rhythm. I’m incredibly jealous of people with musical ability. I can read music and play the penny whistle or flute as long as I have music in front of me, but without it, I’m lost. One of my husband’s friends from college can pick up any instrument and play something if not beautiful, at least easily recognizable. That is like a superpower to me.
I’ve always felt there’s a diva living inside of me, waiting to belt out a tune and break out in dance. Unfortunately, she’s very deeply buried under layers and layers of inability. I actually saw on Ancestry DNA traits that people with my DNA were less likely to be able to carry a tune. I’m not lying. I took a picture of it and sent it to my sisters, who have the same musical ability as I do, and we all had a good laugh over it.
I know if everyone had all the same abilities and talents, the world would be a boring place, but that doesn’t do much for my inner diva. I guess I’ll just have to live vicariously through my characters.
Have a great weekend!
What’s Up With The Haters?
I recently went back onto X after an extended absence from social media. For a very long time going onto any social media made me anxious AF. I just wanted to see who had new books, funny memes, and maybe cat and puppy videos. Instead, it felt like everyone was either attacking or being attacked. I have to admit, it really didn’t bother me to be away from social media. It’s kind of a time sink and I don’t seem to have good enough posts to interest anyone in responding so it was like shouting into the dark.
Anyway, as I was scrolling through yesterday, I saw someone post something to the effect of does anyone read straight up romance, because the poster thought it was boring on its own.
What the absolute fuck?
Now, this could be click bait or rage bait or whatever, but seriously? Why would you purposely alienate an entire group of readers? I’ve been reading romance in its many forms for 40 + years. I think I’ve read every sub-genre of romance except for maybe Quaker. There are definitely some I like more than others, but after reading I’d say 90% of them, I’ve come away with new knowledge and a feeling of contentment.
I read other genres of books. I’m an English and Social Studies teacher. I read A LOT of fiction and non-fiction. I also got my doctorate, so I had to read a metric ton of journal articles and seminal works. I choose to write romance because that is what feeds my soul. Why would someone shit all over people for reading something that makes them feel GOOD? There’s so much angst and anger in the world, what is wrong with reading something that highlights love?
If you personally don’t like romance, that’s fine, we all have different tastes, but don’t disparage a genre because it’s not your cup of tea.
Now I’m going to go write more on my non-boring rock star romance.
Pax
The Kindle Unlimited Dilemma
A few years ago, my friend introduced me to Kindle Unlimited. I’m not sure if I should thank her for that or curse her for handing me Pandora’s Box.
I love KU. A lot. I think Amazon actually loses money on me because I am definitely reading more than $12. worth of books a month. I love the convenience of it and being able to explore new authors without risking my book budget on something that’s not so great.
At the same time, it often feels like I’m at a thrift store, sifting through castoffs to find the designer handbag. I get incredibly overwhelmed by all the sponsored adds, and sometimes I fall for the splashy book cover only to be disappointed when I start the book. I really hate it when the premise sounds awesome, but the execution doesn’t match up.
The fact that someone could say that about my books keeps me up at night. Yes, I know that there is no book that will please everyone. I’m aware that there are haters who will enjoy tearing down anything I write, just because they can. I’m also aware that even after almost 20 years of doing this, working with a number of publishers, and some really awesome editors, I still have a lot of room for improvement.
I still don’t want to be the cheap-ass, cast off, disappointment. I really, really, want to be the Coach bag someone finds that brightens their day and makes them feel like the search was worthwhile. I think that’s what every author is really looking for. Someone to read the story that has been birthed into the world, through blood, sweat, and tears, and love it just as much as we do.
I will never (I hope) trash a book publicly. No matter how bad I might find it, that author worked his or her ass off to get that story out into the world. I may not talk it up, but I won’t call anyone’s baby ugly. That being said, if I ever do talk about a book publicly, you can be sure I mean what I say.
Back in the “stay home mom/part time teacher” days, I was a book reviewer. The site I worked for had a policy of not trashing books. If you couldn’t write an honest, positive review, you’d pass the book on to someone who could. The idea being that if the book was good enough to get published, there would be someone out there who found the book more to their taste. This was in the days before self-publishing when it was reasonably certain that if a book was for sale, it had gone through several rounds of editing and vetting. It didn’t mean it was necessarily great, but it would be free from most errors.
I kind of miss those days.
Admittedly, I’m an English teacher and grammar is my thing. It makes me nuts to find major grammatical errors in the first chapter. I’m not talking about misused commas, I’m talking about capitalization and tense and spelling errors. Yes, mistakes slip through, we’ve covered that, but if you’re going to pay the money for a great cover, you should also pay for an editor to catch a majority of the errors.
I may end up being a disappointment to a reader (should I actually get my books on KU at some point) but, by God, it will not be because I have a ton of grammatical errors in the first chapter. I hope whoever takes a chance on my stories will come away feeling happy and satisfied after finishing the book, but if they can’t, I hope at least they aren’t tempted to throw it across the room.
