The Liars Diary and Patry Francis

I first read about this over on Patricia’s blog, which led me to this post. Although I missed yesterday being the day that over 300, yes you read right, over 300 authors put the book and story on their blogs, I wanted to put it up today.

Like Stephie, I do not know Patry Francis and have not read the book. However, you can bet I will be buying and reading it. Not only is her journey amazing, but the power of authors to unite and help out another author, who most do not know, well…frankly it blew me away.

Patry’s writing is amazing and drew me in completely. I laughed and cried in the same blog. One of the coolest things she said was what your Bliss number is. You’ll have to read the post to find out what I’m talking about.

Here is the thing. This incredible woman and writer has cancer. She is not at this time able to do her own marketing for her first book, due to the toll it is taking on her. So that’s what we are here for. To unite together and help someone who we don’t even know, yet has voice like nobody’s business.

Check out her blog and the links to the others above. On Stephie’s you’ll find the list/link to the authors who blogged about this yesterday. Amazing!!
Tomorrow I leave for the TARA retreat so I may be scares until Monday. Have a great weekend everyone.

Oh yeah, one more plug…check out the Mauscriptmavens blog. Tomorrow starts the next story where each day you will pick what happens next.

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Tuesday Check In and The Quiz Answers

Time to check in with last week’s progress:

New words this week - 742
Words cut - not sure

Synopsis - working on POS, true POS

Revising on the hard copy - through chapter 10

Looking up the words, 'as he', as she' - too many to count and working on changing bunches of them

Retreat – making 75 workbooks, name badges (thank you so much Laurie K for helping with this), movie for movie night, emails, talking with the hotel, and more stuff that has to be done just before the retreat

Next week: Synopsis POS finished, hard copy revisions entered into the manuscript, oh and maybe going back to page one after Michael Hauge's workshops. ;)

Now for the answers to yesterday’s quiz. This is the quiz that I found over on Bruce’s blog.

1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?

The correct answer is: Open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe, and close the door. This question tests whether you tend to do simple things in an overly complicated way.

2. How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator?

Wrong Answer: Open the refrigerator, put in the elephant and close the refrigerator.
Correct Answer: Open the refrigerator, take out the giraffe, put in the elephant and close the door. This tests your ability to think through the repercussions of your actions.

3. The Lion King is hosting an animal conference. All the animals attend except one. Which animal does not attend?
Correct Answer: The Elephant. The Elephant is in the refrigerator. This tests your memory.

OK, even if you did not answer the first three questions correctly, you still have one more chance to show your abilities.

4. There is a river you must cross. But it is inhabited by crocodiles.How do you manage it?
Correct Answer: You swim across. All the Crocodiles are attending the Animal Meeting. This tests whether you learn quickly from your mistakes.

According to Andersen Consulting Worldwide, around 90% of the professionals they tested got all questions wrong. But many preschoolers got several correct answers. Anderson Consulting says this conclusively disproves the theory that most professionals have the brains of a four year old.

Your turn. Did you know the answers to these? How was your writing week? Plotting, thinking about it, actual words on the page or cut from the page? Or are you working on the synopsis? Submitting?

The Pay It Forward contest is still going on. Leave a comment to be entered and on Feb. 8th I’ll pick two winners.

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

A Little Something to Wake up the Brain Power on Monday

It's Monday, it's chilly, and it was another busy weekend. Oh, and five more days, technically four more days, and the TARA retreat with Michael Hauge begins. WhooHoo!!! I can't wait.

Since it's Monday and early and lots to do to get ready for the weekend, I thought I'd do a question and answer to test our brains. Today will be the questions and tomorrow will be the answers. I read this over on Bruce's blog and have to say I didn't get them all correct at first. So, take a moment and think about them.

Also, don't forget about the Pay It Forward contest going on. The winners will be chosen on Feb. 8th. Check out the link if you didn't read it the other day.

Okay, here are the questions:

1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?

2. How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator?

3. The Lion King is hosting an animal conference. All the animals attend except one. Which animal does not attend?

4. There is a river you must cross. But it is inhabited by crocodiles.How do you manage it?

I'll be back tomorrow with the answers. And if you haven't checked out Bruce's blog you really should.

So, how was your weekend? And do you know the answers to the questions?

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Playing It Forward - I Won and Now it's Your Turn

I know I said I would start the contest again in February, but this one I needed to do now. I was one of the winner’s on Carolyn’s “Pay it Forward” contest last week. She of course, won from someone else. So much fun and such a cool idea. She won stuff for her blog, but since I’m not a techie I can’t offer that to anyone. :) I pretty much have to go with the standard stuff.

Now it’s my turn to in essence “Play it Forward” to you. So, from today until February 8th all you have to do is leave a comment to be entered into the contest. On Saturday I’ll choose two winners and make the announcement on Monday. The winners will need to contact me with which prize they would like.

Prizes:

1. One book and an author goody bag
2. Two books
3. Author goody bag – this one has more stuff in it than the one with the book

It’s pretty simple. Just leave comments along the way and you’re entered. If you live outside of the US and win you will need email as I will send a gift certificate to you in place of the books or goody bag.

I know there are three prizes to choose from, but hey we need choices here. Who knows, there could even be a surprise thrown in the mix.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Tuesday Check In and a Plotmonkey Check Out

Leslie Kelly's husband, Bruce, is blogging over at The Plotmonkey's today and it is a great post. He has his own blog as well.

If you are a regular reader of the Plotmonkey's, you have no doubt read his comments here and there. He comes out of lurkdom once in a while.

Since most of us write romance and I believe all of us read it, today's post is fabulous.

I'm checking in with 476 new words, two chapters edited but not in the laptop yet, and two paragraphs written of the synopsis. I know, two paragraphs is not much, but hey, it's a start. :) This weekend I had plans to move far into the revision land. Didn't happen. I had TARA board things to do and there was not time for anything else. Next weekend, I will have three more chapters completed and maybe even the synopsis. Yes, Laurie K., I hear you drumming your fingers on the desk. I promise to do my very best to have the first POS of the synopsis done.

How's your week been? Did you make your goals? Have you set your goals? And last, but certainly not least, did you check the Plotmonkey's blog?

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

I Am Officially in Barnes and Noble

WhooHoo, I’m in Barnes and Nobel! It may not be my book, but it is still pretty cool. :) If you would like to read it you can click on the picture.

I was sent the picture, minus the frame, several months ago and asked to come up with a story blurb for the back of the puzzle box. Nothing else was sent, not what they were going for, or any thoughts from the company, just the picture.

It only took a few minutes to write it and once I sent it back in the company loved it. Then it was sent for approval by BnN, who would say yes, they want to buy it or no, have it rewritten. They said yes, leave it exactly as is.

So, if you like to do puzzles, here’s the link to it. I Love You

It’s exciting to see it in the stores and online.

Happy Friday and I hope everyone has a great weekend!! We are off on Monday, gotta love the three day weekends. How about you? Are you off on Monday? Any plans?

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Thursday Fun - Normally on Wednesday's

Since life has been crazy between the day job, rewrites, and the upcoming writer's retreat, I thought today in lieu of a Thursday Thirteen, we would do a fun thing.

Your Intrapersonal Intelligence

Your Intrapersonal Intelligence Score: 78%

Your Intrapersonal Intelligence is High You have a great understanding of who you are, and your place in the world. You know what path you're on. And you are excited about your future. You're always deepening your inner knowledge and introspection. And enjoying it every step of the way.

How Does Your Intrapersonal Intelligence Rate?

So, how about you? What did yours say?

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Tuesday Check In

It’s time to check in with the week’s progress. It is not nearly as much as I would have liked it to be though.

Revised through chapter 8, cut words and added some more. According to my trusty spreadsheet the added words is 427, however, since I cut words as well it could be more.

My goal this week is to write my synopsis (thanks to the KITB from my CP, Laurie K.), revise at least one more chapter, and work on the upcoming TARA retreat.

If you aren’t already reading the Manuscript Mavens blog, check it out. This week they are blogging about workshops. Oh, and there is a poll where you can vote on the name of us who read the blog. Six days left to vote.

How did you do this past week? Meet your goals or come close?

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Awesome Weekend

This past weekend was our monthly TARA meeting and it was great.
The morning part of the meeting, June Bowen, spoke on goals and everyone raved about it. I missed that part since the board met to work on the by-laws. Yep, it’s by-law time in the wonderful world of RWA and our local chapters. Actually it is a good thing, just a little time consuming.

Our very own Erica presented the afternoon workshop on websites. She gave us fabulous information on what to do and not do on our sites, how to drive more people to the site, and more. Notes taken, questions asked, and answered. The only thing we needed was more time. :)

Check out her blog this morning, she posted about it as well. Oh and you might asked her about spider monkeys. (VBG)

We are gearing up for the first annual TARA writers retreat and it is going to be great. Our speaker for the retreat is Michael Hauge and this girl couldn’t be more excited! More to come on the retreat later.

Sunday I finished taking down the Christmas stuff. I know, really late doing that this year. The past couple of weekends just didn’t allow time for it. Although I wanted more than anything to work on AT&B revisions, the Santa’s and Snowmen had to go back to their dark cave (Rubbermaid containers) until next year.

My house looks so open and clean. I love putting it all up and enjoy it each and everyday, but when it’s time to go away…well, the house no longer seems clean. Instead it feels cluttered and not organized. Now it is back to normal. Yay!

So, how was your weekend? Did you work on your book or read a great book? If you haven’t made your goals for the New Year are you working on them? If you have, did you write them down and put them in front of you?

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

If you haven’t voted yet, I’m listed on the Preditors & Editors’ Readers Choice poll and yes, I’m promoting me. I’d love to have your vote. :)

Saturday Check Outs

Man, this has been a crazy week at the day job. To say I’m glad it is the weekend does not begin to cover it.

Things are a changing and while change can be a good thing, it also stirs the pot. Sometimes what comes up from the bottom is not so much fun. Sometimes it brings up something that is fabulous and you didn’t even know it was there.

We had both happen, so in one respect it is exciting and in the other…not so much.

Today is “Saturday Check Outs”, and I think you’ll love this new blog. Writers at Play, or as they might be known to some of you as the Playground is a not a new group, they have been together for about three years. The blog, however, is new.

It’s entertaining, fun, and they share their experiences as writers. The talent in the group is amazing. Many of them are published, have won the Golden Heart, and/or contest finals and wins.

Sue Kearney is guest blogging over at The Plotmonkeys today. Her topic? Agent hunting. This couldn't come at a better time. With the year still very young, many of us will be querying agents and she has some fabulous advice. Check it out!

So, go check them out and then come back and let us know what you think. My guess is you will LOVE them.

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Tuesday Check In

Tuesday Check In

I know, I normally check in on Monday’s, but it is a new year. Since I check in on Tuesday’s with my TARA group, I thought it might be easier to do it on the same day here as well. The excel spreadsheet won’t be as pretty (yellow for Monday’s and pink for Tuesday’s), but it will be easier to keep track of. :)

I’m still in revision land and can I say that this is not my happy place. I like the changes I’m making; however, it’s long a tedious to get through them. Since I need to have the hard copy in front of me to write on, it takes twice as long. Write on the hard copy and then go to the computer and put in the changes.

So, here is the word count for the week. 582, yep, that is it. Which is okay, since I’ve cut words, rearranged some scenes. I finished with chapter six last night, actually putting it in the computer. I have chapter seven done on the hard copy and will work on it tonight.

My goal for this week: Finish four more chapters (7 – 11), work on the synopsis (yuck), and write the query letter. Oh, and also work on the upcoming writers retreat, my local chapter is having the first week in February and finish working on the by-laws. Yep, by-laws for our chapter according to the new ones sent out by RWA. We have to make sure ours reads accordingly.

Add that to changes happening at the day job and life is busy.

How about you? Have you started your goals for 2008? Did you write this past week? Think about it? Plot out your new book? Or are you in revision land as well?

In February I will start the contest again, so if there is a book you would like to see offered let me know.


Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

PS. Check out the Manuscript Mavens this week. They are doing tips for writers all week. Yesterday was Maven Erica and it was fabulous.

PSS. Over on Predators and Editors, Predpoll, they have poll and not only are the Mavens there, so am I. How cool is that. If you haven’t voted, go over and take a look and vote. :)

Goals - Wants - Goals - Wants...No, it's Goals

I’ve been thinking about goals and what mine are for the coming year. When does it become a goal or when is it really a want? Are the two the same thing? I don’t think so.

A goal is something you write down and purpose to work hard to achieve. A want is just that, something you want. Oh you might work for it a little, but if it becomes hard to get will you continue because you want it, or will you stop, saying, didn’t really want it all that bad anyway?

For me, the one of the biggest differences is the wants are usually the things that are not so easily obtainable. Not only do I want to have my book published, I want it to go to auction, and I want it to make the NYT best sellers list. Whew…I don’t know about you, but that made me tired just writing it.

It is not that any of those, or for that matter all of those things above could happen. Will they all happen first time out the gate? Probably not, but they could. The bigger thing here is; what am I willing to do to make them happen.

Okay, I can not make editors go to auction over the book and I can not make the book hit the NYT list (unless I want to fly all across America and spend lots of money). So, those are wants, not goals.

What I can do is this. Write everyday or at least almost everyday. Work on the edits of the current book, like I have a deadline with an editor. Send it out to the requested agent and editor (from back in July at conference). Then start on the next book. Again, write everyday until it’s finished and then edit and do it again.

Learn something new about the craft or business each month this year. And read more books than I did last year.

Those are goals, those are things that I can do and not fail at. OMG, did I just say that. My goal needs to be something I can’t fail at? Yes, it does. Does it need to stretch me? Oh yeah, you bet they should, but if they are so hard that I quit, then what was the point of making it.

Now, that I’ve said all of that, here is the other thing. Write them down. Type them, it doesn’t matter, just get them down and in front of you. Speak them out loud, at least once a week. And don’t just speak them. See yourself making them happen.

No, this isn’t some crazy mumbo jumbo, for those of you who think it is. This is believing in yourself. The words said out loud have power in them. More than you think. If you can believe it…you can do it. Yeah, I know, there is a song sort of like that, but it’s true.

Here’s the thing. My mom always told me to reach for the moon, because if I didn’t make the moon, I would make the stars.

So, my 2008 wish for all of you is that you will stretch yourself, writing, editing, and sending it out. That you will read your goals and believe you can do them. But you will also, realize that to make the wants a possible reality in your life you will have to work to do the goals. That and lots of moon and star landings!!

How about you?

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki