Taking my writing seriously...

At the Desert Rose meeting (the RWA chapter here), we chatted about a number of topics. Kris Tualla reviewed Goal, Motivation, and Conflict. She has a gift for condensing information into its simplest form, for those of us who need crayon drawings. Her concise explanation hit home as I mapped my next WIP. The concept and a bunch of scenes are written, and I've shuffled scenes back and forth, until I admitted to myself a proper outline is the goal for this week. I hadn't needed to explore it before now because I've been working mostly on rewriting and editing the books scheduled to be published first. Pulling out pen and paper, I wrote concise answers to the GMC questions for the hero and the heroine. The entire backstory for the hero unveiled itself. It always makes me laugh to learn so may things I didn't know about my characters.

Anne Gracie also had an excellent article on writing this week.

http://romanceaustralia.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/keep-writing-by-anne-gracie/

I've added her hints to my 30 minutes of writing to upbeat music. I haven't done the 30-min write lately because I'm still too deep in the mapping stage. I don't know my characters well enough to know what they'd do in some situations. For example, in my current WIP, I discovered my hero isn't quite what I expected, and my heroine is far more stubborn than I expected.

*whispers* I've seen a rough draft of my cover, which could change. I cried; it's so pretty.

Thank you, Jimmy Thomas...

Recently, he posted about the importance of using a professional cover. He is on over 3000 covers, so he's speaking as an expert, with a good grasp on the book market. I followed the discussion, curious about the different perspectives and reasons for doing a cover one's self, hiring a professional, and buying a professionally pre-made cover. I didn't actually have a horse in the race because my publisher hires their own cover artists. I have input, but it's mostly out of my hands.

This post isn't about that.

My sister was amazed to learn how inexpensive a professionally done cover could be, at places like Romance Novel Center. (Yes, a plug for Jimmy's site. By the way, he wasn't demanding everyone use his covers, only that they use a professionally done cover.)

This post isn't about that either.

I have to admit, I'm always a bit surprised when a professional gives free advice about their area of expertise, and it's dissed or ignored. Case in point, Chef Ramsey. I'm not a fan of reality television shows. Chef Ramsey is my exception to the rule. I didn't watch him, at first, because his abrasive treatment of others grated on me. I don't remember what I saw him in or if I simply matured, but it dawned on me he was truly passionate about cooking. I love cooking. I bit the bullet, and started to watch him. What surprised me the most? Amateurs ignored the advice of a world-renown expert.

What this post is about: Do I consider myself a professional or don't I?

If I don't consider myself a professional, then why am I spending so much time with my writing and not pursuing something more lucrative?

If I do consider myself a professional, then why am I not giving my career the professional attention it deserves?

I am a writer.

I've often joked that I'd rather write than breathe. This isn't true. It's a joke.

What is true: I would rather write than watch television, socialize, read, eat, or sleep.

Really. I've foregone each in favor of writing.

If it's that important to me, then why have I done a slipshod job of planning my career?

When I started writing I was very much a pantster - writing by the seat of my pants. I wrote when I felt inspired. I could go months without putting down a single word.

I realized this wasn't working for me. I tried being a plotter - writing from an outline. This didn't work either.

I'm a plotster. I start writing by the seat of my pants, then I need an outline, so I know where I'm going, but I'm willing to go where the story takes me. Re-arranging the outline does not throw me into a tailspin. Shuffle, and reset. No problem.

This past weekend, because of the discussion on being professional, for the first time in my life I made career goals, for farther than next week.

Sounds like I've been a flake all my life, doesn't it?

Why didn't I plan career goals before?

Every time I made plans, something would happen. Really. It was easier to take things as they came along, because I knew the surest way to mess up my life was to lay out a plan. I wondered if some minion somewhere spent its existence waiting to see what I would plan, so it could destroy it.

What's different this time?

I can't imagine doing anything else, so I might as well make plans.

Arizona Dreamin'...

This coming weekend is Arizona Dreamin' ~ A Romance Reader Event.

http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/

This year, I'll be attending as a reader. My plan is to attend as an author, next year. :-)

I'm looking forward to meeting a number of people I've met online, including a number of friends I've made through Facebook. I'm even picking up one of them at the airport.

It's a much smaller event than the writers' conference. I'm looking forward to it.

Memorial Day...

All gave some. Some gave all.

My deep and abiding gratitude to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice so I might enjoy the freedoms I do, and too often take for granted. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who must endure the pain of an empty place at the table. Thank you for raising and loving someone of honor and courage.

http://followevin.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/r-25-adam-olin-smith-snow-in-the-togwotte-pass-jenny-lake-to-dubois-wy/

Some of my favorite blogs... and sale at Amazon...

...from this week.

I love Beth's gift for taking me on a mini vacation. This time, it's to Charleston: http://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/2012/05/25/old-southern-recipes-from-charleston-receipts/

Celia Yeary talks about the importance of a satisfying ending. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who keeps a list of the books I've read and enjoyed.
http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/2012/05/endings-are-important-tooarent-they.html

I always enjoy Patty's posts, and wish I had more time. I stop in as often as possible.
http://pattyfroese.com/

The Balanced Writer is having a contest with Anne Patrick's book Trespasses as the prize, but only through May 27, tomorrow.
http://www.thebalancedwriter.blogspot.com/

Did you know Amazon was having a sale on Desert Breeze books? 99 cents. It's a great way to try someone new.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=to+those+who+wait+by+linda+swift

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058V6B9K/ref=cm_cr_thx_view

http://www.amazon.com/Voodoo-Bones-ebook/dp/B005R3TC8Q/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1337950679&sr=8-16

http://www.amazon.com/In-Manor-Ghost-ebook/dp/B003PDN7T0/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

http://www.amazon.com/Julian-Treasures-Book-One-ebook/dp/B0061Y79QW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338003372&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Temp-to-Permanent-ebook/dp/B0053GVF0K/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338003458&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/Something-Better-ebook/dp/B003AKY8CS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1338004063&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/The-Sisters-Callaway-Book-ebook/dp/B0067DE6L8/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1338003691&sr=1-7

http://www.amazon.com/At-Beach-Volume-1-ebook/dp/B00802OCWW/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1338003735&sr=1-5

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058UG9Q6/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

http://www.amazon.com/Innocent-Deception-ebook/dp/B005R3M8X2/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317427327&sr=1-6

http://www.amazon.com/Redemption-for-the-Devil-ebook/dp/B005CQ5VM4/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1337953897&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/Danger-at-the-Door-ebook/dp/B002JVY8D8/ref=sr_1_22?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1337951375&sr=1-22

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006LTLUE4

http://www.amazon.com/Sanctuary-Point-Book-One-ebook/dp/B0050PJSTY/ref=la_B0050ZD44O_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337980127&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Last-Resort-ebook/dp/B005CQ7JQK/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337934187&sr=1-9

Hope I caught everyone. So many choices... decisions, decisions...

The unseen hazards...

When I decided to start living boldly I knew it wouldn't be easy. I knew there would be struggles in overcoming old habits and endeavoring to find a new way.

I didn't expect to have my body rebel.

Struggling to sleep.

Unable to settle back into my healthy eating habits.

Gaining weight, despite doing the same things. Thank you cortisol. Not.

Deep breath. Breathe out.

The anxiety reminds me of the bugs under my skin feeling of too much caffeine. Chest tightening. Skin tightening on my scalp. Queasy.

What in the world was I thinking?

Despite all this, I am not giving up.

Each day is a new opportunity to try again.

Great.

Each day is a new round of gut twisting fear. Questioning my sanity. Doubting my decisions. Wondering when everything is going to blow up and crash in flames.

I'm living one day at a time.

Now is a good time for a breadcrumb.

The problem with living boldly...

You make mistakes like always, but now a whole lot more people know.

It could simply be a lack of sleep. I’ve managed to turn my days and nights around.

No matter.

It’s times like this when I really wish someone (preferably me) would be kind enough to do this (found on FaceBook):

I want to be bold...

As I explore who I am, who I'm willing to be...

Interesting. Hadn't thought of it quite that way before.

Does it really matter who you are? If you're unwilling to be that person?

I've spent my whole life trying to fit a mythical role. From time to time (more often than I care to think about), I slip back into the habit. It's familiar. It's easy.

Choosing the easy way was a habit, because my inner life was anything but easy.

An abuse survivor's inner world is a mass of chaos and turmoil.

This has me reviewing my early admonitions: Stop lying, especially to yourself.

Oh.

As I've struggled to become comfortable with myself, the professional writer, it has mostly been about being honest with myself. When I first created my author's blog/web presence, I felt a tug-o-war with wanting to be who I've fought so hard to be, myself, and yet knowing I needed to create a brand and please a publisher.

The more I become acquainted with Desert Breeze Publishing, the more blessed I feel to have found a company where I feel I belong as an author. I've been working with my editor, and I'm grateful for her. She is bringing out the best in me, or at least I want to be my best. I'm working on it. There's so much to learn.

I've been making some changes the last few weeks, ever since the writers' conference.

Looking back, I'm able to see I'm endeavoring to be bolder.

Being bold is a trait quashed first thing in every abuse survivor. Predators loath boldness in their victims, which is why they have to crush it. It may present a challenge to some, but the end-game is to destroy it.

"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." ~ Thomas Jefferson

To question with boldness, one must also live with boldness.

Exploring who I am as a writer...

...and a Christian. For the next few posts, this will be my focus.

As a new author, I've been struggling with establishing my branding. I write Christian romance, both Regency and contemporary. Being Christian comes with expectations. Being a Christian romance writer comes with even more expectations. I've been posting this blog for over a year, attempting to create the brand that will be uniquely me. It's so much more difficult than I anticipated.

Of course, I checked out the websites of other Christian writers. Very, very sweet. My faith in God and Jesus hasn't created a sweet life but a savory one. Savory is not considered favorable in the Christian book industry. The standard in Christian romances requires chastity, a good thing, and yet it waters down the struggle to control desires God blessed us with so we would marry and have children.

The industry standard Christian heroes and heroines are not allowed to smoke or drink. I don't do either, but I know good Christians who do both. I could never write very much of it into my own stories because I have little experience with it, but I don't see cutting it out as realistic. My first Regency will reflect these standards, and in a way it disappoints me. It wasn't safe to drink the water. Coffee and tea were expensive. They had to be imported. The common beverage was ale or cider and served at every meal. Alcoholic beverages were sanitary enough to drink. I worked my way around it by mostly avoiding the topic all together. Having my characters wealthy made it a little easier. I could use tea and coffee and chocolate, and even lemonade. You had to have orangeries (greenhouses) to have citrus, and the wealthy did.

Wordless

Unexpected revelation...

A few days ago, Jimmy Thomas, creator of the Romance Novel Center, gave some very sound advice to independent publishers: Invest in a professional cover for your book. It sparked quite a conversation between two camps: It's-worth-the-investment and I-can't-afford-it.

I learned covers are available for between $45 and $100. When I was thinking of going indy, I hadn't been looking forward to dealing with creating my own covers and had worried about the cost. I hadn't made it as far as finding a professional editor when I chose to work with Desert Breeze Publishing. One of the smartest decisions I've ever made.

When I finally threw in my two cents, I think it was more for me than anyone else.

Why?

I learned something I didn't know about myself. I didn't know I felt this way, or at least, I'd never said it out loud quite this way.

Here's my reply:

Jimmy really needs to stop spouting good business sense. Actually, please keep it up. It's helpful. This discussion has re-affirmed several of my decisions. Thank you. What I've learned over the years: You invest in what you care about, time, energy, and money. Excuses are just that: Excuses. Each person must decide what their priorities are. It's okay to say, "My family is more important than my writing." No excuses about the cost. Writing is not cheap, and it isn't lucrative but for the very top earners. If you're writing for the money you're going to make, stop now. Find something you're passionate about and do it instead. If that something else is your family, awesome. I'm married to my writing, going on a year and a half, after a "courtship" of about nine years. It has been horribly difficult, but I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. If Jimmy's intelligent business advice, based on experience, is offensive to you, maybe it's time for a gut check. The writing industry is brutal. If you can't take a bit of tough-to-hear honest talk, how will you handle your editor telling you that your favorite passage in your book has to go because it doesn't move the story along? I freely admit: I'm a marshmallow, but I'd rather write than breathe.

Update: After the editing this week, I learned I cannot do without breathing. However, I truly would rather write than sleep, and did.

Feeling rejected?

A common problem for writers.

Patty Froese wrote a great post, including a picture that makes me smile every time I see it.

http://pattyfroese.com/?p=2235

A.R. Norris writes about being a superhero, which is a perfect follow up for Patty's post.

http://thewriterlimitsauthors.blogspot.com/2012/05/in-my-mind.html

Sadie of the Cuffe Sisters talks about farming, a fun read:

http://cuffesisters.com/2012/off-the-cuffe/y-by-sadie/

Stephanie Burkhart's "Voices of the Heart" blog shares the 10 Commandments of Writing. They're good ones.

http://voicesftheart.blogspot.com/2012/05/ten-commandments.html

Want to read interviews with a variety of authors? Try L McMaken's "Makenwords" blog:

http://www.makenwords.blogspot.com/

Blogs I couldn't resist...

My friend Robin Kramme was interviewed at Plot Mamas, on Wednesday. She wrote a 10-minute play, which will be put on stage tonight. How cool is that?

http://plotmamas.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/please-give-a-warm-welcome-to-robin-kramme/

Delores Goodrick Beggs shares a post titled "The Inspiration of Horses." How could I possibly resist? I couldn't.

Patty Froese blogs about Pantsters, Plotters, and Plotsters.

http://pattyfroese.com/?p=2209

I'm a plotster. I start every book as a pantster, writing by the seat of my pants. It isn't long before I need to know where I'm going, and I shift to plotster, outlining the story. I do have one story where I wrote the first two chapters, then wrote the rest backward, from the last chapter moving forward.

Linda Swift is spotlighted at Rosemary Gemmell's blog "Reading and Writing.

http://ros-readingandwriting.blogspot.com/

Debra Parmley is visiting Lynette Endicott. I want to read both of her books.

http://www.lynetteendicott.blogspot.com/2012/05/debra-parmley-on-western-fiction.html

I need more time.

Have fun reading.

I'm gradually settling into where my life is headed. It's exciting and scary. Changes are coming.

Blogs to visit, today...

My preference is to be flexible. Today is not that day.

Laurie Schnebly Campbell is visiting Romancing The Genres, today.

http://www.romancingthegenres.blogspot.com/2012/05/power-on-alpha-female.html

I wanted to make sure I remembered to visit and had an easy way to do so, which means posting the link here.

Twysted Writer has an intriguing post on body language.

http://www.twystedwriter.com/2012/05/flirting-body-language-guy-thing.html

Wish I'd know about a lot of this a lot sooner. Would have saved me some trouble.  If you aren't comfortable with blunt language and anything that hints at going beyond the bedroom door, you might want to skip this link.

Maria Hammarblad shares "Research and Science Fiction Reports" over at Night Owl Reviews.

http://www.nightowlreview.blogspot.com/2012/05/maria-hammarblad-research-and-science.html

The Writer Limits interviews Gail R. Delaney, who's latest book Janus is now out. More Sci-Fi.

http://thewriterlimitsauthors.blogspot.com/2012/05/gail-delaney-attack-of-interview.html

Then there is Celia Yeary's post "How Physics Helped Me Become an Author," and every time I look at the title I find myself intrigued.

http://www.celiayeary.blogspot.com/

Those should keep you busy for a while. Well, they kept me busy for a while.

Blogs to visit...

Yesterday, Beth shared a charming post on planting a fairy garden...

http://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/planting-a-fairy-garden/

I feel like I was deprived. I'm determined it isn't too late to believe in the fanciful.

Nike Chillemi is a Desert Breeze author and won a Grace Award! Well done!

http://graceawardsdotorg.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/grace-awards-2011-winners-in-faith-based-fiction/

And here's her website:

http://nikechillemi.wordpress.com/

Regina Andrews is hosting Anne Patrick: www.reginaandrews.wordpress.com

June Foster has Marie Hammarblad stopping in for a visit about her book Kidnapped.

http://junefoster.blogspot.com

Me? I'm editing.

Sharing blogs....

A few days ago, author Beth Trissel shared a wonderful post on herb.

http://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/herbs-of-early-america-and-colonial-williamsburg/

Lots to read and learn, so give yourself a little time to explore. She includes some great links. Then check out her more recent posts, too. She has a lovely memoir she's sharing.

If you like Westerns, Lynette Endicott is offering a variety this week.

http://www.lynetteendicott.blogspot.com/

Interviews and snippets with five guest writers.

Rose of Prose shares posts from a variety of writers.

http://rosesofprose.blogspot.com/

A little bit of something for everyone. The last post was a short and sweet bit about gardening, which I enjoyed.

Shaunna Gonzales shares her space, introducing her followers to a variety of authors and books.

http://shaunnagonzales.blogspot.com/

Enjoy exploring the possibilities.

Abby Gaines...

Moments ago, I finished reading Abby's latest contemporary That New York Minute.

Here's her website: http://www.abbygaines.com/

The first book I read by Abby was Married by Mistake. She instantly hit my Must-Buy list. Her NASCAR romances fed my budding interest in the sport.

Every book I've read has had laugh out loud moments and breathtaking attraction between the hero and heroine. Putting one of her books down is an exercise in extreme self-discipline, usually exercised at two or three in the morning because I can't keep my eyes open anymore.

For those looking for romances that don't go beyond the bedroom door, Abby is a great pick. There's plenty of spark between the couples, without it being overt for those who don't want books to go so far. (There's frequently a secondary couple.)

She's written her first inspirational, a historical. The Wrong Sister. It's in my TBR pile, part of a series, which means I'll probably wait until the other books come out before I read it. Yes, I like to read my series all at once.

One of my favorite things Abby does is provide little extras. Almost every book has added material on her website, under her "For Readers" section. It includes short stories, book connections, and "After The End," which includes an extra scene of some the stories not included in the book, when you simply can't have enough.

Patty Froese on ratings...

Yes, I've added post by Patty over on my page on ratings. This time she shares specific books, all available through Desert Breeze Publishing.

http://pattyfroese.com/?p=2076

I've added several these books to my wish list. I've read several Anne Patrick, and she's on my must read list, though I'm terribly behind in my reading. I added Patty to my list after reading Perfect on Paper. So many good books, so little time.

Exploring the senses...hearing

The wind chattering in poplars is captivating to both the ear and the eye, as the leaves twist back and forth between their light and dark sides.

When I write, my preferred music is Christmas music. I know, it's a bit eccentric, but then again it shouldn't be a surprise. I love Christmas and Easter, if I prepare for them, and music is part of the preparation process for me. I've also discovered that music with a good beat is helpful. Diana Duncan, a paranormal writer, suggested turning on something with a faster beat for a half hour, turning off the internal editor, and writing, ignoring everything else. I chose my Pandora Styx station. It worked. Now, I need to learn to make it a habit.

Music  is able to lift me up or pull me down. It has inspired and left me feeling degraded. I've learned to choose carefully. Yes, there are those who would think my choice of Styx a poor one, which is their right, and for them it may be, but for me it's an energizer. I tap my foot and sometimes sing along, or even wiggle in my chair. I come away feeling uplifted.

In fact, it's how I judge most things in my life: If I come away feeling uplifted, then it's a keeper. If I come away feeling uneasy or unworthy or "less," then out it goes... whenever feasible.

Other sounds I love: I miss my dog "talking" to me. You know the sound. It isn't actual barking. I also miss my horse "talking" to me. It isn't a neigh, but a series of vocalizations, and my horse had this gorgeous baritone... I figured if I ever met anyone who talked like my horse I'd marry him. I'm still single. :-D

Birds, streams, a mud pot, rain, ocean lapping at the shore, a friend's voice, a baby laughing...

A little extra: Anne Patrick's newest release is out, today. She's on my must-read list. This is her website:

http://suspensebyanne.blogspot.com/2012/05/trespasses-wounded-heroes-series-book.html

And this is an interesting interview with her over at A Pen For Your Thoughts.
http://apenforyourthoughts.blogspot.com/

Anne asked: What book have you read that you wish you wrote? Or non authors, what book have you read that touched you the most?

My answers:
I haven't wished I'd written another writer's book, but I do wish I'd pull myself together enough to write everything in my head. :-)

The fictional book that has touched me the most would have to be Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. With my BFF, I re-wrote the end for a HEA for Frodo, which landed me on the path of writing my own stories.

Exploring the sense...taste...

Thursday is my day to visit my favorite eatery, P.Croissant. I'm slowly but surely working my way through the menu. I usually meet a friend or two there, and we chat over delicious food about a variety of subjects. I always leave feeling centered and looking forward to the day and what's coming.

The croissants are crisp on the outside, and tender on the inside, exactly like I remember having in Paris. The hot chocolate is smooth, and not too sweet, even with the cool whipped cream piled on top. Even thinking about it whisks me back to Paris, eating a croissant for breakfast, dipping it in chocolate milk. This is better. :-)

My favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe, compliments of Joanne Fluke's recipe found in her book Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, is decadent, fresh from the oven. There is the smell of baking cookies, the golden cookie, with warm chocolate chips melting throughout, and the chewy texture compliments of the Chex I use in place of oatmeal (to which I'm allergic) and Corn Flakes, which I didn't have on hand. I make my own brown sugar, with white sugar and molasses, which gives it a slightly richer flavor.

Spring is here, and my blackberry bushes are bearing. I trimmed them back because they were out of control, so the crop will be small this year. This means there will be no blackberry jam, but I'm enjoying a bowl of berries for breakfast, every morning. The glistening black berries are actually a deep, dark purple, with a juicy flavor that is sweet and little tart.

Enjoy the flavors of the day.