Today was a bad writing day. It was like carving the words into granite. Chip, chip, chip. Wow, I got half a letter T. Chip, chip, chip. And there's the rest of it. On and on it went all day long until I got all of two hundred words written. Awful words at that. I'm certain I'll scrap most, if not all of it tomorrow (technically today, as it is 3:20 in the morning).
So what's my point in revealing this to you? I'm so happy that you asked. Because after spending all day forcing the words out with a sledge hammer, I decided to call it a day and go to sleep. Unfortunately, as soon as my head touched the pillow my mind was suddenly full of ideas. Now I have two hours (if I'm lucky) until the wee one wakes up and I still can't turn off my mind. On the plus side, I've written four thousand words tonight plus outlined my next book.
My question today is this: Where do you get your ideas? And, perhaps more importantly, what do you do when the ideas stop flowing?
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Three Books For The Price of One
I certainly can't be the only one who has a serious she-crush on Charlaine Harris. Imagine my delight at hearing that she was coming out with a new book (along with Maggie Shayne and Barbara Hambly). Granted, it isn't a new Sookie Stackhouse or Harper Connelly book, but still exciting. I haven't read it yet, but it is at the very top of my list to start...well...as soon as I have the time. I have no doubt that I'll love it. I'll let you know what I think, but here is the blurb from Harlequin's website:
Dancers in the Dark by New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris
Dancer Layla Rue Le May's childhood prepared her to handle just about anything, including her aloof partner, Sean McClendon, a three-hundred-year-old redheaded vampire. Even so, when she somehow acquires a stalker, Layla Rue is surprised to find that Sean is the only one she can trust….
Her Best Enemy by USA TODAY bestselling author Maggie Shayne
Kiley Brigham refuses to believe there's a ghost in her house, but when an unseen hand leaves a bloody message on her bathroom mirror, she's forced to turn to local psychic Jack McCain. As the two work to uncover a long-buried secret, Kiley finds that she's haunted not by spirits, but by thoughts of Jack….
Someone Else's Shadow by Locus Award–winning author Barbara Hambly
Maddie Laveau worries about her young roommate, Tessa, when she stays late to practice ballet in the old Glendower Building…and when Tessa goes missing, Maddie enlists mysterious tenant Phil Anderson to help. But is Phil the white knight she needs, or the predator she fears?
And in case you want to read an excerpt, you can find it here:
Dancers in the Dark by New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris
Dancer Layla Rue Le May's childhood prepared her to handle just about anything, including her aloof partner, Sean McClendon, a three-hundred-year-old redheaded vampire. Even so, when she somehow acquires a stalker, Layla Rue is surprised to find that Sean is the only one she can trust….
Her Best Enemy by USA TODAY bestselling author Maggie Shayne
Kiley Brigham refuses to believe there's a ghost in her house, but when an unseen hand leaves a bloody message on her bathroom mirror, she's forced to turn to local psychic Jack McCain. As the two work to uncover a long-buried secret, Kiley finds that she's haunted not by spirits, but by thoughts of Jack….
Someone Else's Shadow by Locus Award–winning author Barbara Hambly
Maddie Laveau worries about her young roommate, Tessa, when she stays late to practice ballet in the old Glendower Building…and when Tessa goes missing, Maddie enlists mysterious tenant Phil Anderson to help. But is Phil the white knight she needs, or the predator she fears?
And in case you want to read an excerpt, you can find it here:
And may I just say, that is one kick-ass cover.
Five on Friday
To the woman at the express checkout with fifty-two items
1. I have no problem with you using the 10 items or less lane when you have fifty-two items. Honest, I don't. But when the four people behind you who have abided by the 10 item or less rule have graciously allowed you to get away with having fifty-two items, please don't argue with the cashier for ten minutes over an expired coupon for twenty cents off your cereal.
2. I have a toddler, so I understand that they have minds of their own and sometimes will just behave badly. But please please PLEASE do not allow your toddler grab the candybar that my daughter has painstakingly spent twenty minutes picking out from her hand, bite her hand when she tries to get it back, then go running down the aisle screaming at the top of his lungs.
3. If your child does do this, please don't look at me with a little smile that says "kids will be kids". Unless your purpose is to seriously piss me off.
4. Also, please don't comment that "someone needs a nap" when my daughter is sobbing uncontrollably on my shoulder after your son bit her and ran off with her candybar.
5. For the love of God, make sure you have enough money to cover your bill. Dumping out the entire contents of your purse and rummaging through them to find the eighty-two cents that you still owe the cashier will just make the already irate customers behind you vow to create voodoo dolls of you and stick needles in them once they finally get through this hellish line!!!!
1. I have no problem with you using the 10 items or less lane when you have fifty-two items. Honest, I don't. But when the four people behind you who have abided by the 10 item or less rule have graciously allowed you to get away with having fifty-two items, please don't argue with the cashier for ten minutes over an expired coupon for twenty cents off your cereal.
2. I have a toddler, so I understand that they have minds of their own and sometimes will just behave badly. But please please PLEASE do not allow your toddler grab the candybar that my daughter has painstakingly spent twenty minutes picking out from her hand, bite her hand when she tries to get it back, then go running down the aisle screaming at the top of his lungs.
3. If your child does do this, please don't look at me with a little smile that says "kids will be kids". Unless your purpose is to seriously piss me off.
4. Also, please don't comment that "someone needs a nap" when my daughter is sobbing uncontrollably on my shoulder after your son bit her and ran off with her candybar.
5. For the love of God, make sure you have enough money to cover your bill. Dumping out the entire contents of your purse and rummaging through them to find the eighty-two cents that you still owe the cashier will just make the already irate customers behind you vow to create voodoo dolls of you and stick needles in them once they finally get through this hellish line!!!!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Id, Ego and Super Ego
Super Ego: C'mon, Jaime, get up. You should take a shower and get dressed, it's nearly noon.
Id: Naw, think of how much easier it is just to stay in your pjs all day
Ego: Id, you are genius, I tell ya. Pure genius
The End
Id: Naw, think of how much easier it is just to stay in your pjs all day
Ego: Id, you are genius, I tell ya. Pure genius
The End
Have you met my friend Dotty?
Dorthea Benton Frank is one of my all-time favourite authors. Imagine my surprise when I heard she was having a book published by Avon, my favourite publisher. The Land of the Mango Sunsets is a beautifully written journey of self-discovery that more than meets the high expectations set by Ms. Frank's previous books. It has been on my to-be-read list for over a year now, and I am so glad I finally took the time to read it.
Her love of the low country and her knack for expressing the unique color of the locals shines through in this latest book. With a protagonist who you can't help but empathize with (her husband not only traded her in for a younger model, but a lingerie model at that...really, who wouldn't feel for the poor woman?). As I watched her morph from the shrewishly uptight New York Miriam to the laidback, want-to-tell-her-all-your-secrets Mellie, I felt as if I was right there with her.
I loved how Ms. Frank melds the world of New York with the world of South Carolina. I fell in love with her characters and her descriptions. Some day I would love to sit down and have a glass of wine with Ms. Frank. She seems like my kind of people. Plus, we share a love of the low country. I just hope I bring it to life in my Savages series as effortlessly and beautifully as she does.
Oh, and in case you'd like to read a sample of the book (and purchase and download it when you fall in love and have to finish it), you can find it here:
Her love of the low country and her knack for expressing the unique color of the locals shines through in this latest book. With a protagonist who you can't help but empathize with (her husband not only traded her in for a younger model, but a lingerie model at that...really, who wouldn't feel for the poor woman?). As I watched her morph from the shrewishly uptight New York Miriam to the laidback, want-to-tell-her-all-your-secrets Mellie, I felt as if I was right there with her.
I loved how Ms. Frank melds the world of New York with the world of South Carolina. I fell in love with her characters and her descriptions. Some day I would love to sit down and have a glass of wine with Ms. Frank. She seems like my kind of people. Plus, we share a love of the low country. I just hope I bring it to life in my Savages series as effortlessly and beautifully as she does.
Oh, and in case you'd like to read a sample of the book (and purchase and download it when you fall in love and have to finish it), you can find it here:
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Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Why Are Revisions so Difficult?
Seriously? Writing the first draft is always easy. I can churn out an 90,000 word first draft in about three weeks. There is a certain measure of satisfaction I feel every time I write those two delightful words: The End. But really, it isn't the end. It is the begining of the dreaded revisions.
What's even worse about it is that I actually find revisions fun. Honest. I love reading through and making a novel as perfect as I can. But for some reason it takes an act of God to get me to start on them. Why? This is where I am now with my new book. I think that the reason I am finding it so hard to start the revisions (I finished the first draft on Sunday) is because part of my mind els the book should be finished as soon as I write the words "The End". I'll work through it, it just always takes a moment for my rebellions subconscious to get over it. Just a matter of kicking my own ass, I guess ;)
Time to stop procrastinating and get revising. Hopefully I'll have this new manuscript polished by the end of next week. Woohoo!!! Have a wonderful wednesday
What's even worse about it is that I actually find revisions fun. Honest. I love reading through and making a novel as perfect as I can. But for some reason it takes an act of God to get me to start on them. Why? This is where I am now with my new book. I think that the reason I am finding it so hard to start the revisions (I finished the first draft on Sunday) is because part of my mind els the book should be finished as soon as I write the words "The End". I'll work through it, it just always takes a moment for my rebellions subconscious to get over it. Just a matter of kicking my own ass, I guess ;)
Time to stop procrastinating and get revising. Hopefully I'll have this new manuscript polished by the end of next week. Woohoo!!! Have a wonderful wednesday
Writing As a Hobby v. Writing As a Profession
What is the difference between writing as a past time and writing as a job? If you go into novel writing thinking that it is something you can do in your spare time between carting the kids to soccer, cleaning the house and catching spa appointments, you may as well quit right now. If that sounds harsh, I apologize. But no matter how much I love my job, I never forget that it is a job. A job that I absolutely adore, but a job nonetheless. I have to make the time to sit in front of my computer for five to eight hours a day, six days a week, rain or shine, and do nothing but write. Before I've gotten one book polished, I am well into the next one. But you know what? It's never boring. It's hard. But I can deal with hard when it is something I enjoy doing this much. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.
I'm not saying that you can't be a successful writer until you quit your day job and devote every waking moment to writing. In fact, I think that is an awful idea. You just have to be motivated. I know you've heard it before, but you have to set aside time everyday to write. Some days it comes easily, and those are really great days. But sometimes it is like trying to carve the words on the surface of a pond. Those days I'd like nothing better than to go enjoy the sunshine or take my daughter to the pool. But you have to write on the hard days as well as the easy days. It won't always be the next great American novel that you churn out, but it doesn't matter. Even if all you can use it for is toilet paper, you have to keep writing. You can fix a poorly written page. You can't fix a blank one.
I'm not saying that you can't be a successful writer until you quit your day job and devote every waking moment to writing. In fact, I think that is an awful idea. You just have to be motivated. I know you've heard it before, but you have to set aside time everyday to write. Some days it comes easily, and those are really great days. But sometimes it is like trying to carve the words on the surface of a pond. Those days I'd like nothing better than to go enjoy the sunshine or take my daughter to the pool. But you have to write on the hard days as well as the easy days. It won't always be the next great American novel that you churn out, but it doesn't matter. Even if all you can use it for is toilet paper, you have to keep writing. You can fix a poorly written page. You can't fix a blank one.
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