Through some talk on the TARA loop, my local chapter, I started seriously thinking about this question. Only the question was actually Why do I write? The more I thought about the question, I realized some of you may wonder the same thing. Although I can’t answer that question for you here’s a bit about me and why I write.
I first started writing because I had to get the words out. I’d read Trixie Bleden or Nancy Drew and wanted to be just like them. One day I decided I could do that and so I wrote my own stories where I solved mysteries, sometimes being a part of a club and other times not. I guess I sort of blended the two together.
Just a small side note here, even at that early age I never once copied anything from any of their books. At that time no one had told me what plagiarism was yet still deep down I knew words were/are a precious thing and once someone wrote them in a book I could not use them the same exact way. Besides, I wanted to tell my stories not anyone else’s.
Flash forward: I’d written a couple of manuscripts, which now reside eternally with the dust bunnies, but never pursued it further. I joined my local chapter, TARA and RWA several years ago because I wanted to be among other writers. I didn’t know at the time I needed to learn more of the craft. I mean, I could write a story. Right? I knew all about the H/H meeting and falling in love and the conflicts that must arise until they could have the HEA.
The business side of writing? Not so much. I thought okay, write the book, send it off, and much like Emeril, Bam…in no time at all I’d see it sitting there on the shelf. In all it’s glory. You know, with the heavenly lights shinning down on it. Of course, it’s sell well. Of course, it’d would need to be reprinted. And yes, in many languages. After all everyone who knew me and loved me had read my work and they said the same thing. So it must be true. Right?
Okay, so the first thing I learned was I knew nothing about the business. Who knew that once the book was contracted it could take up to year to hit the shelves? Oh yeah, and that eternal heavenly light? Nothing more than a spotlight that only on rare occasions comes out to shine upon an author. The thing is I still want to write even after learned the difference. Even after I learned that unless you are our beloved Nora Robert’s you can’t really head-hop. I love to do this. Just ask my CP, she’ll tell you.
Which brings me to rules. Ugh! There are rules in this business of writing? But it’s my book. Why must I learn the rules? Answer: It makes you/me a better writer. Can the rules be broken? Oh yeah. You can’t break them though until you learn them well. Until they become second nature to you. Then and only then, when you know them can you learn how to break them correctly to work in your story.
It’s hard. No one ever said this would be an easy job. There is no magical wand to sprinkle the words onto the computer screen. We have to sit in the chair, put our hands on the keyboard, and type. And yes, even thought it’s our passion it’s also our job. We must take it serious in order for that to be the case. I know that life gets in the way. Okay, so take a PTO day from your writing when you have too.
There are days when all of us think “Can we really do this?” or “Why did we decide we could write?” Then I read on blogs of well-known, published many times over, authors who say the same thing. They say this now, not back in the day before they were published.
What I do know is yes, I can do this, and you can do this, if we’re willing to give it what it deserves.
Each of us has to decide what our career path is in this business. If our path is only filled with publication dreams then the road is rocky and it’s painful most times. Although we meet some wonderful agents and editors at conferences we also have to remember when they see that requested manuscript they many not want it. They may not even like it. Or it may just not work for their house. We have to be willing to let it go and move on.
For me, yes, I do want to be published. I do want to see my baby-sitting on the shelf. This is the job that I want with all my heart and soul. I work everyday on my current wip. I want to see my dream come to fruition and writing it is the only way to make that happen. But, there is one thing that I know. I have to write regardless of how long or how short the journey is, I must write. That is foremost in this passage. My characters want their story told. My muse wants me in the chair.
Therefore, I’m willing to give up time in the evenings when I’d like to watch TV. I’ll tape it and watch it later when I’ve reached a goal. I’ll take the time to do what my hearts desire is, not make the time. Take the time.
Beside, if you check out the stories behind stories of authors we love like, Sherrily Kenyon, JR Ward’s,and J K Rowling to name a few, you'll find their beginning journey was much like your own. They write because they must.
So what about you? Why do you write? Is it only to see your name on the shelf? Would you write regardless of publication? Does it burn in your soul? Do you wake up everyday with your wip in your mind and what’s coming next?
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Monday Check In and Weekly Contest
Have you ever noticed how some weeks fly by and some dragged, never seeming to end? Or have you had the week were both happened at the same time?
That was my week. Parts of it seemed to go on forever and then when it was finally Sunday it flew by.
At the ‘day job’, it’s been crazy. The new re-launch is tomorrow, which means anything and everything that has to be corrected is happening this past week and today. Thank goodness I enjoy my ‘day job’. Still I can’t wait until the day that I will be a full time writer. You know, staying home, writing in the pj’s, and not having what I consider two full time jobs.
Okay, here’s the word count for this past week:
AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 17,759
Ending word count for the week: 21,636
Total new words added this week: 3877
Now for the fun part of Monday’s. This week’s contest giveaway is Linda Lael Miller”s, McKettrick’s Luck.
In case you aren’t familiar with this series here is the back cover blurb:
Like his celebrated ancestors who tamed the wilds of Arizona, Jesse McKettrick's Indian Rock ties run deep. The Triple M Ranch is in his blood, along with the thrill of risk. But with his land at stake, Jesse won't get involved in Cheyenne Bridges' scheme-despite the temptation she brings.
Cheyenne grew up in Indian Rock and left its painful memories behind to become a self-made woman. Now her job is to convince Jesse to sell his property. Jesse's not the kind of man Cheyenne could ever forget, but he's too wild and dangerous for a woman committed to playing it safe. Yet sparks of attraction fly, tempting Cheyenne to lay it all on the line for the passion she sees in Jesse's eyes and the tenderness she discovers in his heart.
I know you will love this book. It’s the first in a series which I think is way cool since it will start you out at the beginning. You know the drill, leave your comments this week and on Friday a winner will be selected and announced.
So, how did you do this week in the 100x100 or the 70 days of sweat? Are you doing either one of them? Does it help you to be a part of something like this? Keep you motiavated? Or does this make it harder for you to write?
Oh, and come back tomorrow for how bad do you want it. I don’t have a guest blogger tomorrow so it’ll be me. If you’d like to guest blog sometime send me an email at vickilanewrites at yahoo.com.
Writing Wishes and Plotting dreams,
Vicki
That was my week. Parts of it seemed to go on forever and then when it was finally Sunday it flew by.
At the ‘day job’, it’s been crazy. The new re-launch is tomorrow, which means anything and everything that has to be corrected is happening this past week and today. Thank goodness I enjoy my ‘day job’. Still I can’t wait until the day that I will be a full time writer. You know, staying home, writing in the pj’s, and not having what I consider two full time jobs.
Okay, here’s the word count for this past week:
AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 17,759
Ending word count for the week: 21,636
Total new words added this week: 3877
Now for the fun part of Monday’s. This week’s contest giveaway is Linda Lael Miller”s, McKettrick’s Luck.
In case you aren’t familiar with this series here is the back cover blurb:
Like his celebrated ancestors who tamed the wilds of Arizona, Jesse McKettrick's Indian Rock ties run deep. The Triple M Ranch is in his blood, along with the thrill of risk. But with his land at stake, Jesse won't get involved in Cheyenne Bridges' scheme-despite the temptation she brings.
Cheyenne grew up in Indian Rock and left its painful memories behind to become a self-made woman. Now her job is to convince Jesse to sell his property. Jesse's not the kind of man Cheyenne could ever forget, but he's too wild and dangerous for a woman committed to playing it safe. Yet sparks of attraction fly, tempting Cheyenne to lay it all on the line for the passion she sees in Jesse's eyes and the tenderness she discovers in his heart.
I know you will love this book. It’s the first in a series which I think is way cool since it will start you out at the beginning. You know the drill, leave your comments this week and on Friday a winner will be selected and announced.
So, how did you do this week in the 100x100 or the 70 days of sweat? Are you doing either one of them? Does it help you to be a part of something like this? Keep you motiavated? Or does this make it harder for you to write?
Oh, and come back tomorrow for how bad do you want it. I don’t have a guest blogger tomorrow so it’ll be me. If you’d like to guest blog sometime send me an email at vickilanewrites at yahoo.com.
Writing Wishes and Plotting dreams,
Vicki
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Blogging Tips - Another Meme
Yep, I've been tagged for another meme. This is a bit different though. Check out the links and then add yours along with your blogging thoughts and tips.
Instructions: When this meme is passed on to you, copy the whole thing, skim the list and put a * star beside the tips you especially like.
Add the next number (1. 2. 3. 4. 5., etc.) and write your own blogging tip for other bloggers. Try to make your tip general.
After that, tag some other people. It was originally 10 others but I don't know 10 people who would do this. So make it 5-10. I'm changing the rules. Haha.
1. Look, read, and learn. ***- http://www.neonscent.com
2. Be EXCELLENT to each other. **- http://www.bushmackel.com
3. Don’t let money change ya! *- http://www.therandomforest.info
4. Always reply to your comments. ******* - http://chattiekat.com
5. Link liberally — it keeps you and your friends afloat in the Sea of Technorati. *****-http://chipsquips.com
6. Don’t give up - persistence is fertile. *- http://www.velcro-city.co.uk
7. Give link credit where credit is due. ******- http://www.sfsignal.com
8. Pictures say a thousand words and can usually add to any post.***- http://scifichicki.com
9. Visit all the bloggers that leave comments for you - it’s nice to know who is reading! *****-http://stephaniebooks.blogspot.com
10. When commenting on others’ blogs, a few kind words go a long way. – ** http://shelflifeblog.blogspot.com
11. When you’re starting out, comment on all the blogs you like to read; that way the bloggers will know that you exist! ** http://astripdarmchair.blogspot.com
12. Make sure you check your links! http://superfastreader.com By way of explanation–when you cut & paste the text of a meme, you don’t get the underlying links. If you just see text, you need to turn the text into links manually. If you see hyperlinks, you can cut & paste from the Page Source to get the HTML code and preserve the links. In Firefox, you can use Command/Apple-U to see this. The whole point of a meme is to spread link love, but you need more than just the text to do that.
13. Give your blog a theme/focus; make a niche for yourself. **** http://www.theaccidentalnovelist.blogspot.com
14. Post on your blog daily and if not daily then at least 3 -4 times a week. Readers will not continue to come to your blog if there is not something new to read and comment on. And while you’re at it throw in a contest or two. - http://vickilane.blogspot.com
Thanks to Openchannel for the tag. I’m supposed to tag (up to) 10 people... here goes:
Anne-Marie Carroll
Diana Peterfreund
Julie Leto and the rest of the Plotmonkeys
Tawny Weber
Erica Ridley
Bill Clark If you aren’t checking out his blog you should be. As well as his wonderfully funny and insightful comments on others.
Patricia W.
Ava Rose Johnson
So sorry if you didn't want to be tagged...I did pick people who I thought would add great tips for bloggers. :)
Vicki
Instructions: When this meme is passed on to you, copy the whole thing, skim the list and put a * star beside the tips you especially like.
Add the next number (1. 2. 3. 4. 5., etc.) and write your own blogging tip for other bloggers. Try to make your tip general.
After that, tag some other people. It was originally 10 others but I don't know 10 people who would do this. So make it 5-10. I'm changing the rules. Haha.
1. Look, read, and learn. ***- http://www.neonscent.com
2. Be EXCELLENT to each other. **- http://www.bushmackel.com
3. Don’t let money change ya! *- http://www.therandomforest.info
4. Always reply to your comments. ******* - http://chattiekat.com
5. Link liberally — it keeps you and your friends afloat in the Sea of Technorati. *****-http://chipsquips.com
6. Don’t give up - persistence is fertile. *- http://www.velcro-city.co.uk
7. Give link credit where credit is due. ******- http://www.sfsignal.com
8. Pictures say a thousand words and can usually add to any post.***- http://scifichicki.com
9. Visit all the bloggers that leave comments for you - it’s nice to know who is reading! *****-http://stephaniebooks.blogspot.com
10. When commenting on others’ blogs, a few kind words go a long way. – ** http://shelflifeblog.blogspot.com
11. When you’re starting out, comment on all the blogs you like to read; that way the bloggers will know that you exist! ** http://astripdarmchair.blogspot.com
12. Make sure you check your links! http://superfastreader.com By way of explanation–when you cut & paste the text of a meme, you don’t get the underlying links. If you just see text, you need to turn the text into links manually. If you see hyperlinks, you can cut & paste from the Page Source to get the HTML code and preserve the links. In Firefox, you can use Command/Apple-U to see this. The whole point of a meme is to spread link love, but you need more than just the text to do that.
13. Give your blog a theme/focus; make a niche for yourself. **** http://www.theaccidentalnovelist.blogspot.com
14. Post on your blog daily and if not daily then at least 3 -4 times a week. Readers will not continue to come to your blog if there is not something new to read and comment on. And while you’re at it throw in a contest or two. - http://vickilane.blogspot.com
Thanks to Openchannel for the tag. I’m supposed to tag (up to) 10 people... here goes:
Anne-Marie Carroll
Diana Peterfreund
Julie Leto and the rest of the Plotmonkeys
Tawny Weber
Erica Ridley
Bill Clark If you aren’t checking out his blog you should be. As well as his wonderfully funny and insightful comments on others.
Patricia W.
Ava Rose Johnson
So sorry if you didn't want to be tagged...I did pick people who I thought would add great tips for bloggers. :)
Vicki
Friday, July 27, 2007
Fun Friday Contest Winner
And the Winner Is…
This week’s winner is none other than Openchannel!!! Congrats! I’m sure you’re going to enjoy Kelly St.John’s book, Ghost and Roses. She’s a wonderful writer. Just a small plug here, this is the second in the sexth sense series and the third, Shiver and Spice comes out in September.
Openchannel email me at vickilanewrite at yahoo.com with your snail mail addy and I’ll send out your signed book.
Other great news that must be shared: Erica Ridley has an agent. Squee!!!! You can read all about it at her blog and the Manuscript Mavens Blog. She has worked hard to find not only a great agent but to find the right agent. Very important, but I’ll let her tell you all about it. Which means go read the blogs. Oh and if you’re not currently reading her blog on daily basis this is one that I highly recommend. You’ll find craft information, encouragement to writers, and just plain fun stuff too.
Now, for all of you who are doing the 100 words – 100 days, don’t forget to check in on Mondays with your word counts. If you’ve had a great week we’ll celebrate, if your week hasn’t been as stellar as you would have liked we’ll encourage. I know for me checking in helps keep me accountable. I know that I’m going to give my word count good, bad, or indifferent to you. So I write.
If you haven’t joined us yet then why not start today? If you’ve started and then fell off the writing wagon (like I did after conference), then jump back on. It’s a great motivational way to increase your writing habits.
So, how has your week been? Did you get to write or did life get in the way?
Oh yeah, and Monday there’ll be a new contest for the week. Now, leave a comment and go check Erica’s blog.
Happy Weekend Everyone!!
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
This week’s winner is none other than Openchannel!!! Congrats! I’m sure you’re going to enjoy Kelly St.John’s book, Ghost and Roses. She’s a wonderful writer. Just a small plug here, this is the second in the sexth sense series and the third, Shiver and Spice comes out in September.
Openchannel email me at vickilanewrite at yahoo.com with your snail mail addy and I’ll send out your signed book.
Other great news that must be shared: Erica Ridley has an agent. Squee!!!! You can read all about it at her blog and the Manuscript Mavens Blog. She has worked hard to find not only a great agent but to find the right agent. Very important, but I’ll let her tell you all about it. Which means go read the blogs. Oh and if you’re not currently reading her blog on daily basis this is one that I highly recommend. You’ll find craft information, encouragement to writers, and just plain fun stuff too.
Now, for all of you who are doing the 100 words – 100 days, don’t forget to check in on Mondays with your word counts. If you’ve had a great week we’ll celebrate, if your week hasn’t been as stellar as you would have liked we’ll encourage. I know for me checking in helps keep me accountable. I know that I’m going to give my word count good, bad, or indifferent to you. So I write.
If you haven’t joined us yet then why not start today? If you’ve started and then fell off the writing wagon (like I did after conference), then jump back on. It’s a great motivational way to increase your writing habits.
So, how has your week been? Did you get to write or did life get in the way?
Oh yeah, and Monday there’ll be a new contest for the week. Now, leave a comment and go check Erica’s blog.
Happy Weekend Everyone!!
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Thursday Thirteen
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1. 100 words for 100 days – I absolutely love this. It’s keeping me in the story and the pressure is off. Although I must write everyday 100 words takes no time at all. The best part is I almost always write way more than 100. 2. Post conference sleep – Boy did I need some. Conference is not a time for sleep. At least for me and my roommates it wasn’t. Even when we finally returned to the room it was another 30 – 45 minutes before the lights went out and the still the laughter rang. 3. Harry Potter is out and…I heard yesterday on my local radio that JK Rowlings said it is not the last book after all. Word has it that she is doing at least 2 more. One will be a Harry Potter companion type book if you will (I’m positive that is the title). With backstory on other characters and definitions to spells, language, and whatever else is in there. 4. JR Ward’s Brotherhood Books – The fifth one comes out in September. I highly recommend these books to everyone. I believe you will enjoy these whether you read paranormal or not. Also, while each can be a stand alone book it’s better to read them in order or at least read the first one first. 5. November Sherrilyn Kenyon releases a Dark Hunters Companion book. Whoo Hoo!!! Since I’ve very recently began reading this series I’m sure this will be a wonderful help to me. Her writing is phenomenal. 6. Shopping – Still I shop. It has something to do with the day job I believe. I really don’t need anything new. Really I don’t. And new books, nope, don’t need any of those either. I have so many in my TBR pile now. I love to shop. And yes there are times I don’t buy anything but I still love going. 7. Christmas – I can’t believe that it is 151 days until Christmas. For many of you reading this you’re saying that’s still a long time away but really guys it’s only 5 months away. I usually have part of my shopping down by now. Not this year. I’m too busy writing. 8. Tightening the wip for the partial request – I’m planning on sending it out the middle to end of August. My first thought was to come home and package the baby up and send it out. Then I realized that there could be many who do that. So now I’m making sure that everything is correct. That anything that happens in Chapter 10 makes sense from chapter 1. 9. Beta reader – I have one now. She’s extremely well read in all genres and very honest. She is a friend from the day job but as I said she is not the type to say, ‘Oh, I love everything about it. You’re the best.’ Nope, she’ll tell me exactly what didn’t work for her, if anything confused her or took her out of the story. I’m glad to have her. 10. Blog hopping – I absolutely love to read other blogs. Sometimes I comment and sometimes I don’t but I always visit my favorites and have found new ones through the comments. 11. Rain – I live in Florida. That really is enough said. In case you aren’t familiar with the summers in Florida. It’s hot and humid. We have these extreme lightening storms almost everyday. It cools things down for a bit and then the humidity takes on to new highs again. It’s pretty bad when you sit on your porch or patio at 7:00pm and still sweat. I don’t like sweating…not so much. 12. House hunting – I hate to house hunt. Our lease is up October 1st and we are not staying there. We thought when we first moved in that we might buy the house but after being there we’ve realize that while we love the old house style the cost to put in the upgrades would be, oh can you say, killer. So now I hunt again. Yuck! Shop, good, house hunting, bad. 13. Missing conference – Yep, I miss it. I met so many new friends and had a blast for my first RWA conference. The authors, agents, and editors that I didn’t know but met were/are great. And guess what? They are just like us. They have days that they wonder why they thought they could do this. Links to other Thursday Thirteen’s! 1. Alyssa Goodnight (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Don't forget to comment for this week's contest.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Wednesday Fun - Raymond and His Cheese
I love this video. It's froom 2002 but still makes me smile, well until the end anyway. Even then it's still a great video.
I'm hoping it will come through on the page but if not click the link below and it'll take you to it.
immortal3d
The clip is titled Raymond and His Cheese. You will need to scroll down to find the picture. It’s the eight one down.
I tried to put it directly on the blog but it wouldn’t let me.
Be sure and come back to comment on what you thought about the video.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Monday, July 23, 2007
Monday Check In and Contest
First, this past weeks word count, and then this week’s contest.
I have to be honest and let you know I haven’t jumped back on the writing everyday wagon again. It’s taking me all week to decompress from conference.
Not that I didn’t have a blast and can’t wait until next year, because I did and I can’t. The problem is I didn’t write at all while I was there and came home to major busy at the day job.
This week I wrote twice. That’s it, two times. Still I’m pleased with yesterday’s scenes and count. Thank goodness for Sunday writing and laptops. Sitting outside on the porch early in the morning seemed to inspire my muse.
My goal this week is to begin the everyday writing again. As I said in an earlier post it keeps me in the story and makes the words flow much easier.
So…this is the word count for the week:
AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 15,113
Ending word count for the week: 17,759
Total new words added this week: 2646
Okay, now for the contest. This week I’m giving away Kelley St.John’s
new book Ghost and Roses. Kelly signed the copy at conference. :) How cool is that.
Here’s a blurb from Kelley St.John’s website.
He’s never touched her but he’s made love to her.
He doesn’t know her, but he has to find her…
Before a killer does.
Gage Vicknair has been dreaming—incredible erotic visions—about a mysterious brown-eyed beauty.
Makayla Sparks has been dreaming about a strong, sexy man who keeps her safe-- and very, very satisfied.
When a spirit from beyond tells Gage he needs to rescue a stranger named Makayla, he never expects that stranger to be the same sensuous woman he’s enjoyed so thoroughly in his nightly fantasies. But Makayla is very real—and she’s living a nightmare. A vengeful murderer is determined to get her. And Gage is equally determined to save her.
Because the only way he and Makayla can have the love they’ve dreamed of is if they’re still around to live it…
You know the drill. Comment this week on the blog and on Friday a winner will be picked and posted. This is one book you’re not going to be able to put down until you reach the end.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
I have to be honest and let you know I haven’t jumped back on the writing everyday wagon again. It’s taking me all week to decompress from conference.
Not that I didn’t have a blast and can’t wait until next year, because I did and I can’t. The problem is I didn’t write at all while I was there and came home to major busy at the day job.
This week I wrote twice. That’s it, two times. Still I’m pleased with yesterday’s scenes and count. Thank goodness for Sunday writing and laptops. Sitting outside on the porch early in the morning seemed to inspire my muse.
My goal this week is to begin the everyday writing again. As I said in an earlier post it keeps me in the story and makes the words flow much easier.
So…this is the word count for the week:
AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 15,113
Ending word count for the week: 17,759
Total new words added this week: 2646
Okay, now for the contest. This week I’m giving away Kelley St.John’s
new book Ghost and Roses. Kelly signed the copy at conference. :) How cool is that.
Here’s a blurb from Kelley St.John’s website.
He’s never touched her but he’s made love to her.
He doesn’t know her, but he has to find her…
Before a killer does.
Gage Vicknair has been dreaming—incredible erotic visions—about a mysterious brown-eyed beauty.
Makayla Sparks has been dreaming about a strong, sexy man who keeps her safe-- and very, very satisfied.
When a spirit from beyond tells Gage he needs to rescue a stranger named Makayla, he never expects that stranger to be the same sensuous woman he’s enjoyed so thoroughly in his nightly fantasies. But Makayla is very real—and she’s living a nightmare. A vengeful murderer is determined to get her. And Gage is equally determined to save her.
Because the only way he and Makayla can have the love they’ve dreamed of is if they’re still around to live it…
You know the drill. Comment this week on the blog and on Friday a winner will be picked and posted. This is one book you’re not going to be able to put down until you reach the end.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Friday, July 20, 2007
And the Winner is...
The winner of this week's contest Sophia Nash’s A Dangerous Beauty is Patricia W. Please email me at vickilanewrites at yahoo.com with your snail mail info. Congrats Patricia. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.
On Monday I'll announce next week's contest and hopefully have the pics from conference on the site.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Thursday Thirteen
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1…Pre-shopping for conference. Did I really need new clothes? Nope, other than those from my chapter no one at conference has ever seen any of my clothes. Still this seemed like a good reason to shop. Okay, the sun is shinning, it’s pouring rain, today ends in the word day is a good day for shopping. Unlike my friend and wonderful author Julie Leto I love to shop. 2. Packing – try as I might I couldn’t fit everything into one suitcase. So I got the bright idea to pack two. Then when I came back I would be able to put my books into them and not have to ship. Not. This was my first conference. People told me about all the books I just didn’t actually understand their meaning. 3. Flying out with roommates – We all flew out together which was fun and made it easier once we arrived to check in. The flight was fine but I felt like a little kid. I kept looking at my watch and saying “When are we going to get there.” Just as we started to land on the tarmac I accidentally popped the lid off of the potato chips, which made a very loud popping noise and flew several seats up hitting a guy in the head. I knew that any minute someone was going to tackle me to the ground. They didn’t, thank goodness, everyone just laughed. 4. Arriving at the hotel – The usual check in, get to the room, choose beds, unpack and out the door to all the fun ahead. 5. The Literacy Signing – Can you just say OMG!!! So many authors, so many books, and so many lines. The first line we stood in was Sherrilyn Kenyon’s. She looked amazing in her Dark Hunter attire. Yes, I have pictures and I’ll post them soon. Some are on my camera and some are on Laurie’s camera. I met other Dark Hunter fan’s while waiting in line. I’m not normally star struck but this was Sherrilyn. When I walked up to her it was like I’d known her forever. She is amazing. We also stood in JR Ward’s line to have her autograph the hardcopies that we brought with us. She was also so wonderful to talk with. 6. The workshops – there were so many great workshops to attend and so little time. I went to the ones that I thought would best benefit me. Loved them all. 7. Harlequin PJ Party – So much fun. I met people that I talk to online, people from my TARA chapter, and met Brenda Chin. That was awesome. She talked with us about upcoming books and what she looks for when finding a new author. 8. Waiting in line for dinner – Waiting a long time in line for dinner. There are times when this can be a pain but at conference it gives just that much more time to meet new people. The first night Tawny Weber sat at our table. She is so very nice and her husband is a hoot. Of course he bought Heather a drink…it’s become a conference tradition for them. 9. Taking the Marta to where else…the mall. Since I’ve never taken the Marta anywhere this was an experience. One I’ll blog about later. Trust me I was not in my comfort zone. 10. Volunteering at the Editor/Agent appointments – I have to honestly say that once we arrived and looked at the agenda I didn’t want to do the volunteer thing. There were several workshops that I wanted to go to during the same time. I’m so glad that I did it. I was able to pitch and a partial was requested. 11. Sleep or the lack there of – Sleep is not something you do at conference. Drink lot’s of Venti Mocha’s from Starbucks? Oh yeah. We had a blast sitting around talking till 3 or 4 in the morning every night. 12. I met Nora Robert’s. Of course I got my picture with her. She is such a wonderful and gracious person. Talking with her was like talking to someone you’ve known for a while. 13. The Rita’s – OMG, it was fabulous. Everyone was dressed beautifully and my TARA chapter did quite well. Carly Phillips did amazing as our emcee. Afterwards there was a dessert party and everyone was able to congratulate the winners. There’s much more to tell but I’ve reached the end of the Thursday Thirteen so I’ll leave the rest to later. Links to other Thursday Thirteen’s! 1. Ava Rose Johnson 2. Patricia (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Wednesday Fun -Are You an Alpha Female
When I saw this one I immediately thought of Julie Leto. She is one of the best alpha female author I know. If you haven't already read Dirty Little Lies then trust me this is a must read.
Don't forget the contest is still going on until Friday morning.
Vicki
You Have Many Alpha Tendencies |
 You're not a total alpha female, but you certainly know how to - and like to - get your way. You're forceful without being intimidating. You're confident without being vain. A perfect mix. |
Don't forget the contest is still going on until Friday morning.
Vicki
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Guest Blogger Melissa Childs and Tuesday Contest
First I want to let you know about this weeks contest. I'm giving away Sophia Nash’s book A Dangerous Beauty. All you need to do is comment this week and you'll be in the drawing. I'll announce the winner on Friday.
Now without further ado I’d like to welcome my guest blogger Melissa Childs. If you do not already know this, she is my daughter. She teaches 3rd grade in Arizona. Not only is she an awesome daughter but a great teacher as well. Her love of books goes back to her first month of life when I would hold a picture book in front of her and tell her what the animal was and then show the sounds. Okay, make the sounds but show sounds better. :)
Welcome Melissa.
Hi bloggers! Thanks to my wonderful mom, Vicki, for asking me to guest blog this week! Now, I must begin by saying I am my mother’s daughter. This was intended to be much shorter, but well, as previously stated, I am my mother’s daughter. Here goes.
As a third grade teacher, I get the opportunity to lay the framework of writing for my students. When they come to me they know the basics of how to write a sentence and (on a good year) how to write a simple paragraph. I get the joy of teaching them how to really be writers.
It truly is amazing to see what these eight year olds can come up with. I remember once asking my students to write about a day in the life of a mosquito from the mosquito’s perspective. I had one boy write about how he went to get his lunch from the kindergarten students because they had the sweetest blood. He went on to describe how he had to avoid the middle school students because their blood had way too many calories and he had to watch his figure, he was getting fitted for new wings soon. Those responses are priceless. I am so lucky to be a part of these children finding their voice.
My favorite experience with my students is one that I think all writers can relate to. My state teaches writing through a “six traits” model. Basically, there are six traits of good writing that we teach and score kids on. One of those traits is word choice.
Have you ever been with a kid when they are talking about something and know just what they’re describing? Once they finish this grand explanation you just kind of raise your eyebrows, smile, and say oh, really? Well, that’s what I get to teach kids to recognize in their writing. To teach this concept of word choice, I described a simple monster. It went something like: It has a head, it has arms, it has legs, and it has hair, etc.
When I drew my monster, it did have a head, but it was a teeny-tiny head. It had arms, but it had 9 of them. You get the picture. My students were amazed that their monsters looked nothing like mine, yet I was completely correct in everything I said.
We then repeated the exercise, only this time my descriptions were full of detail and words that “showed” them my monster rather than just “telling” them what it looked like.
We all had pretty similar monsters, but they were quick to point out the parts that were different and tell me how I could have chosen better words so they would have drawn it correctly. J That’s when I know they have it!
For the rest of the year when they bring me papers to look at, I simply say “show” me this monster and they know exactly what I’m referring to. It’s really an inspiring process to partake in.
How about you? Do you find yourself “telling” rather than “showing”? What is hardest for you to show rather than tell?
~Melissa
Monday, July 16, 2007
Monday Check In and The Winner of Last Week's Contest
The word count for this week isn't all that great. I thought I might write during conference but nope. Too much to do. Too many new people to meet, hang out with, laugh, and of course the no sleep issue.
I had a great time and I'm excited to say that although I didn't have an actual editor/agent appointment I did get to pitch. I volunteered at the above-mentioned appointments and during that time was asked by two agents to pitch. Both liked the story but one wanted it to be longer. The other person asked that I send her a partial. Yeah!!! I'm not sure what will happen once it's sent but this is the stepping stones of the business.
AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 13,478
Ending word count for the week: 15,113
Total new words added this week: 1635
Since today is laundry and catch up on sleep day I'll blog more tomorrow on the conference.
Now for the winner of last week's contest for Diana Peterfreund’s new book Under The Rose. Crystalg!!! Crystalg email me at vickilanewrites at yahoo.com with your snail mail info and I'll send the book to you. Congrats!!!
Check back tomorrow for this week's contest. :)
Now off to laundry and a nap.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
I had a great time and I'm excited to say that although I didn't have an actual editor/agent appointment I did get to pitch. I volunteered at the above-mentioned appointments and during that time was asked by two agents to pitch. Both liked the story but one wanted it to be longer. The other person asked that I send her a partial. Yeah!!! I'm not sure what will happen once it's sent but this is the stepping stones of the business.
AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 13,478
Ending word count for the week: 15,113
Total new words added this week: 1635
Since today is laundry and catch up on sleep day I'll blog more tomorrow on the conference.
Now for the winner of last week's contest for Diana Peterfreund’s new book Under The Rose. Crystalg!!! Crystalg email me at vickilanewrites at yahoo.com with your snail mail info and I'll send the book to you. Congrats!!!
Check back tomorrow for this week's contest. :)
Now off to laundry and a nap.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Wednesday Fun and The Contest Continues :)
Since it's Wednesday and I'm flying out today I thought I'd put up another What are fun question.
Now off to unpack and repack. I've got way to many clothes in the suitcase. I thought I would take one suitcase only. After all it's that many days. The problem is what to wear during the day and what to wear at night. I know, I could wear the same thing but...nope, not really. I'm a choices kind of girl. I change my mind. I'm not one of those people who can pick what I'm going to wear the next day the night before. I've tried. Then the next morning I pick out a completely different outfit.
Again, I know. It's four days. I keep telling myself to get a grip and get rid of some of the clothes. My inner self keeps saying you'll need them.
Check out the questionaire below and leave who you are in the comments.
Don't forget to check back this weekend as I'll post who the winner is for Diana's Book.
What Superheroine Are You?
Now off to unpack and repack. I've got way to many clothes in the suitcase. I thought I would take one suitcase only. After all it's that many days. The problem is what to wear during the day and what to wear at night. I know, I could wear the same thing but...nope, not really. I'm a choices kind of girl. I change my mind. I'm not one of those people who can pick what I'm going to wear the next day the night before. I've tried. Then the next morning I pick out a completely different outfit.
Again, I know. It's four days. I keep telling myself to get a grip and get rid of some of the clothes. My inner self keeps saying you'll need them.
Check out the questionaire below and leave who you are in the comments.
Don't forget to check back this weekend as I'll post who the winner is for Diana's Book.
What Superheroine Are You?
You Are Buffy the Vampire Slayer |
 "We saved the world. I say we have to party." |
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
The Babies
With everyone getting ready to leave for Nationals(I'm leaving tomorrow) I don't have a guest blogger today. So, I thought I'd share a few pictures of my babies with you.
This is Meisha and Sassy. Can you guess which one is which? They are one week a part in age and have no idea that they aren't the same size or same type dog. :)
They were a b-day present and both weighed 2 lbs when I got them. Now Sassy weighs 5.5 lbs and Meisha weighs in at 16 lbs. Although they are both purebred Meisha is our rescue dog. The people who were selling her didn't feed the puppies much so that they would stay tiny.
As you can see they love paper. Of any kind. I have to watch were I sat a book or they want to read it. Only with their mouth. :)
Don't forget to leave a comment as a winner will be drawn on Friday for Diana Peterfreund's newest book Under The Rose.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
This is Meisha and Sassy. Can you guess which one is which? They are one week a part in age and have no idea that they aren't the same size or same type dog. :)
They were a b-day present and both weighed 2 lbs when I got them. Now Sassy weighs 5.5 lbs and Meisha weighs in at 16 lbs. Although they are both purebred Meisha is our rescue dog. The people who were selling her didn't feed the puppies much so that they would stay tiny.
As you can see they love paper. Of any kind. I have to watch were I sat a book or they want to read it. Only with their mouth. :)
Don't forget to leave a comment as a winner will be drawn on Friday for Diana Peterfreund's newest book Under The Rose.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Monday Check In and A Book to Give Away :)
First I need to apologize. I told you on Monday to check back on Friday that I’d be doing a giveaway and then totally forgot to put the post up.
This week I’m giving away Diana Peterfreund’s new book Under The Rose.
The only thing you have to do is comment. One of my roomies will pick the winner on Friday. I’ll send out the book once I’m home from Dallas.
Is it Monday already? Yep, so that means it’s time to check in with the weeks word count. So far so good. I’m still writing everyday with at least 100 words. Most days are more and those are my favorite days to be sure.
Since this is the week I leave for nationals this will be short and sweet.
I still plan on writing everyday and the laptop will be going with me. I’m hoping to do the Thursday Thirteen from Dallas but just in case I don’t I’ll be back the following week. With I’m sure what most of the Thursday Thirteen’s will be about. Nationals, what I loved.
So here’s the weeks count.
AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 10,414
Ending word count for the week: 13,478
Total new words added this week: 3064
So how did you do this week? Did you write everyday?
As Always Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Thursday Thirteen
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1. Bugs, yes you read that correct. I said bugs. You know it’s true. Out you go to see fireworks and those pesky little no-see-em’s start biting away. Hence the reason I choose the green pattern this week. It has a fly on it. 2. Hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill. Please burn my hotdog a bit please. I love them that way. 3. I get an extra day off from the day job. WhooHoo!! Even if it is in the middle of the week. 4. Fireworks. Can you say oohh…ahhh…look at all the pretty colors. They scare the mess out of my doggies though. I love to watch them. Not so big on the crazy crowds but love the way they explode in the black night sky. Makes me think of that first kiss thing. 5. Family, well for most people it’s family. Since my daughter lives in another state to far to drive down for the weekend much less the day I don’t get to see her. My parents and sister do live in the same state but way at the top. My son did come by for a while and that was great. 6. Friends. I love it when you have lots of friends together for any type of cook out. That didn’t happen this year but most years that’s what happens. 7. Ice Cream!!! I love ice cream so any reason to have some is good for me. 8. Chilling - I can read, sleep, write, cook, clean or watch TV. I choose write and read for my 4th of July. Thank goodness Science Guy loves me and lets me do that. He cooked on the grill. 9. Watching the shows on TV. There are so many 4th of July specials that it’s fun to see favorites on the shows. Of course we Tivo everything so that we can watch commercial free. 10. Spending the day with Science Guy. That’s always something I love. No matter what we do or don’t do. 11. Writing since I’m doing the 100 x 100 thing. I still did my word count (505) for today. 12. Swimming in the pool. Okay we don’t have a pool but my cp does and I can swim in her pool. We’ll have one once we decide which house to buy. 13. Okay this last one isn’t really about the 4th of July or what I did/do on the 4th but I have to put it anyway. One Week Till I Leave For Nationals. You noticed I only capitalized the first word. I didn’t want to scream, well I do but you know be PC and all. I’m so excited about going and now it’s only a week away. So what’s your favorite thing about the 4th of July? If you do the Thursday Thirteen be sure an leave the link in the comments so I can add you. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Openchannel 2. Alyssa Goodnight 3. Spyscribbler 4. Sarah 5. Patricia (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
A Bit Of Fun For Wednesday
I love these things. Answer a few questions and they tell you what kind of drink you are. :) I'm not sure mine is right even if I did answer the question truthfully. No one is afraid of corrupting me.
What Flavor Margarita Are You
Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
What Flavor Margarita Are You
You Are a Strawberry Margarita |
 You're so sweet it's a little overwhelming, and people are a little afraid of corrupting you... It's a little difficult to imagine you with a margarita. And you're truly a different person after you've kicked back a couple! |
Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Monday, July 2, 2007
100 Words for 100 Days
Before I check in this week there’s a couple of things I wanted to tell you.
One – if you are not all ready checking out Erica’s blog she is did some great mini All about conference blogs last week. I can’t wait to read this weeks blogs. If this is not one of your daily reads you should add her to your list.
Second – On Friday there will be a give away here. You’ll have to come back to find out what it’s going to be and how you can win it. (Comments, always comments).
Okay now for the check in.
Monday morning. Time to check in with this past weeks word count for the 100 words – 100 days.
It’s been a crazy busy week for me. Between the day job which started on Sunday celebrating its 30-year (big party all month long) and getting ready for Nationals I’ve not had the extra time that I would like for my writing.
Does that mean I fell off the wagon and didn’t do at least my 100 words? Nope. The wagon is still rolling. Not quite as fast as I would like it to be and there are a few bumps in the road but on she rolls.
Thanks to my muse (Seren from Serendipity) words are coming even when I only have a small amount of time to sit down in the front of the computer. Yep, Seren is staying with me. In fact she’s taken me on a couple of turns in the road that I didn’t expect. She very much likes to explore the area when we’re traveling together. Most times on her side road trip we find things that totally changed my character interviews (a different blog all together.)
This past week I wrote several new scenes and revised several chapters. It wasn’t until I was in chapter 7 that Seren decided to tell me that Mallory’s parents died when she was young. I didn’t know that. It makes so much sense now but I didn’t know that in the beginning. So changes had to happen. You know what it makes the story line tighter. What’s happening now works better. No, I didn’t go back and do a bloody death scene for her parents. They just died. It’s more referenced then anything thing.
Okay enough about that. My word count goes from Monday to Sunday on here. In other words the count does not include any words that I’ll write today.
Here are this past week’s totals:
AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 6872
Ending word count for the week: 10,414
Total new words added this week: 3542
Oh and just for fun blog words this past week: 1340
I had a guest blogger on Tuesday so those words are not in this total.
Several on my TARA Book challenge loop are doing this for two books at the same time. Since I do have the romantic suspense as well I’m thinking about doing the double as well. I’m going to try it anyway this week. I’ll let you know on next weeks check in if it worked for me.
So how about you? Are you still writing at least 100 words each day? Is getting ready for Nationals getting in the way? Check in and let us know how you’re doing. Here we’ll cheer with each success and encourage all who need it. There are no wrong or right answers only friends helping friends.
As always I send writing wishes and plotting dreams,
Vicki
One – if you are not all ready checking out Erica’s blog she is did some great mini All about conference blogs last week. I can’t wait to read this weeks blogs. If this is not one of your daily reads you should add her to your list.
Second – On Friday there will be a give away here. You’ll have to come back to find out what it’s going to be and how you can win it. (Comments, always comments).
Okay now for the check in.
Monday morning. Time to check in with this past weeks word count for the 100 words – 100 days.
It’s been a crazy busy week for me. Between the day job which started on Sunday celebrating its 30-year (big party all month long) and getting ready for Nationals I’ve not had the extra time that I would like for my writing.
Does that mean I fell off the wagon and didn’t do at least my 100 words? Nope. The wagon is still rolling. Not quite as fast as I would like it to be and there are a few bumps in the road but on she rolls.
Thanks to my muse (Seren from Serendipity) words are coming even when I only have a small amount of time to sit down in the front of the computer. Yep, Seren is staying with me. In fact she’s taken me on a couple of turns in the road that I didn’t expect. She very much likes to explore the area when we’re traveling together. Most times on her side road trip we find things that totally changed my character interviews (a different blog all together.)
This past week I wrote several new scenes and revised several chapters. It wasn’t until I was in chapter 7 that Seren decided to tell me that Mallory’s parents died when she was young. I didn’t know that. It makes so much sense now but I didn’t know that in the beginning. So changes had to happen. You know what it makes the story line tighter. What’s happening now works better. No, I didn’t go back and do a bloody death scene for her parents. They just died. It’s more referenced then anything thing.
Okay enough about that. My word count goes from Monday to Sunday on here. In other words the count does not include any words that I’ll write today.
Here are this past week’s totals:
AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 6872
Ending word count for the week: 10,414
Total new words added this week: 3542
Oh and just for fun blog words this past week: 1340
I had a guest blogger on Tuesday so those words are not in this total.
Several on my TARA Book challenge loop are doing this for two books at the same time. Since I do have the romantic suspense as well I’m thinking about doing the double as well. I’m going to try it anyway this week. I’ll let you know on next weeks check in if it worked for me.
So how about you? Are you still writing at least 100 words each day? Is getting ready for Nationals getting in the way? Check in and let us know how you’re doing. Here we’ll cheer with each success and encourage all who need it. There are no wrong or right answers only friends helping friends.
As always I send writing wishes and plotting dreams,
Vicki
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