So, it's definitely snowing out again! Yep, we're getting pounded on today - just love it! (not really, no.)
Anyways, something totally awesome happened to me today! One of my co-workers here at my crappy full-time job bought me a roundtrip ticket to Dallas for the RWA Nationals for FREE!!! Totally paid for the whole trip!! He used his airline miles to buy it for me, but doesn't want a single penny for it - just said that when I have my first book published, that he gets an autographed copy. Absolutely bud!! I'd give him the shirt off my back and run around in the snow in my bar for that!! Well, that might be a little extreme, but I don't know - this is serious stuff.
So that is definitely the highlight of my day! This is so cool!!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Going to Dallas!!
So, I'm very excited that my friend Holly and I are going to the RWA National Conference at Dallas, TX this year!! Woohoooo! I've never been before, but am really looking forward to going and attending the workshops. From what I've heard, it's an amazing time. I can't wait!
Holly and I are also going to try and check out this cool place that Holly found online called Medieval times. The website is http://www.medievaltimes.com/theshow.htm, and definitely looks worth the cost to go. We're hoping to check it out while we're there!
My writings been kind of slow lately - haven't really had the time that I'd like to have to write. Conal and Riane are back, and I've totally revamped the prologue to their story. Lots of changes that I want to do, and ideas that I want to get working on, but the time to do it just isn't there. Ugh. I really need a weekend alone with myself and my computer. That's it!
Holly and I are also going to try and check out this cool place that Holly found online called Medieval times. The website is http://www.medievaltimes.com/theshow.htm, and definitely looks worth the cost to go. We're hoping to check it out while we're there!
My writings been kind of slow lately - haven't really had the time that I'd like to have to write. Conal and Riane are back, and I've totally revamped the prologue to their story. Lots of changes that I want to do, and ideas that I want to get working on, but the time to do it just isn't there. Ugh. I really need a weekend alone with myself and my computer. That's it!
Thursday, January 18, 2007
REJECTED!!
Well, my story "Love Immortal" was rejected by the magazine editor I had submitted it too. I wasn't expecting it to be accepted, but actually getting the rejection letter after all this time really stung inside. Ugh - don't like this feeling. So, today has been a bum day for me, even here at work. I've received some great encouragement from the gals at CNYRW though, which has been nice. It's tough going through rejection - don't think I've felt that since high school (and even then I don't remember what it might have been!!).
Oh well - move on and get over it right? I'm working on another story that I like much better than I did that one, so maybe this will turn out. We'll see.
Oh well - move on and get over it right? I'm working on another story that I like much better than I did that one, so maybe this will turn out. We'll see.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Not much progress
Unfortunately, I haven't had much progress with my current WIP. I'm trying to plot it out, but keep running into blockades. Ugh! I've changed the storyline about 5 times now and am only finishing up Chapter 1! Beginning to get frustrating.
So, I woke up this morning to -3 below!! Yeah, talk about cold! The dog's definitely stuck inside today! Had to bundle the kids up like little puff balls, which they weren't happy about, but they didn't have a choice in the matter. Too stinking cold out.
So, I woke up this morning to -3 below!! Yeah, talk about cold! The dog's definitely stuck inside today! Had to bundle the kids up like little puff balls, which they weren't happy about, but they didn't have a choice in the matter. Too stinking cold out.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Plotting your way out of Writer's Block
Hi everyone - I just finished this great tape last night that a friend of mine let me borrow, and just thought that I would share some of the informative tidbits that I learned for any writers out there!
The tape is a recording of Carolyn Green's workshop at one of the RWA Nationals titled "Plot your way through writer's block"
Understanding Plot Structure
(read "The Hero's Journey" by Christopher Vogler - explains specific steps in a story)
1) Start with an inciting incident - (open the can of worms) - that draws the reader into the story.
Middle of story - reader expects that character(s) will already have overcome a series of obstacles.
End of story - give character(s) a dark moment and foce them to make a difficult choice which shows how strong the character has become throughout course of events in the story.
2) Plot out the "big points", then fill in - work toward big events in book.
3) Make a little storyboard that has chapters broken down / goes through each scene in the chapters - (Carolyn only plots roughly 3 scenes per chapter)
Each scent - know "what is the emotional significance? " / meaning what is the character going through emotionally that leads them to the next chapter. (If you don't know what the emotional significance is, perhaps that scene does not belong.)
4) Plot events that grow from the characters - have 3 traits to describe each character
Example - 2 adjectives and 1 noun
List positives and negatives of each trait.
List ways that you can show character traits in your story.
Example: Disorganized - character has notes stuffed in her pockets / strings tied around fingers / ect. - using that trait in story - she drops stuff on the floor.
Using these can help to give ideas of things that can happen in your story which are "believeable" .
5) Give the character an irony (quirk) - something that doesn't quite fit the character traits.
Example: Disorganized - maybe character is that way at home, but at work, he/she may be the most efficient secretary.
Doesn't fit, but makes them seem real.
6) Idea to Use - Linda Lael Miller's & Debbie MaComber's "LIST OF 20"
List 20 things that can happen in your story - (80-90% will probably be dumb / cliche stuff, but after some silly ideas, really dig in - you'll see twists appearing and ideas that can be used).
List 20 things to show your hero being heroic / heroine being adorable / villian being crafty.
Think about what you want your characters to do and ways that you can show that.
List ways you can show characters oppositeness - (good for romantic conflict).
List ways characters can fall in love. Think of ways characters can fall in love based on four areas: Physical, Intellectual, Social, and Spiritual
Examples:
Physical: outside in park, starts downpouring, characters are running / falling in the mud, and kissing in the rain.
Intellectual: hero has security system, he takes heroine on a tour of building explaining what he does in his job, trusting her with info, etc.
Social: see him interacting with classroom full of kindergarten students - heroine believes him to be wonderful one-on-one, but at a party, he's a flop. Shows heroine something about him with children.
Spiritual: heroine never kills anything (not even a bug). Characters having a picnic, ants walking by - hero realizes there's an ant in her hair, takes ant and puts it with rest of ants. Shows her a bonding on one type of level with him.
9) Coming up with scenes beforehand:
write up a scene card the night before of what you want to write the next day
(On card: working title, place, time, date, and weather - chaper & scene #, paradim element (middle, end, dark moment, etc.) and scene catalyst (link that carries your scene from one to the next).
10) POV Character - pick and describe who you start with.
Scene goal - (what is the character's goal? What's the prize if he/she achieves the goal? What's at stake if he/she loses it? What does he/she have now that he/she didn't have at the beginning of the scene? How does this character feel about it?)
Switch to next character POV for next scene - (see questions above) - end with a decision that carries you into the next scene or a future one.
11) Conflict is falling flat? Tips:
A) Raise the stakes / Increase the risks for the characters
B) Increase the price of failure (make bad thing even worse)
C) Increase the price for success (what could be better?)
D) Set the clock ticking - give character a reason that it has to be done NOW.
Carolyn Green's website is www.theplotdoctor. com.
Thanks,
Shannon
The tape is a recording of Carolyn Green's workshop at one of the RWA Nationals titled "Plot your way through writer's block"
Understanding Plot Structure
(read "The Hero's Journey" by Christopher Vogler - explains specific steps in a story)
1) Start with an inciting incident - (open the can of worms) - that draws the reader into the story.
Middle of story - reader expects that character(s) will already have overcome a series of obstacles.
End of story - give character(s) a dark moment and foce them to make a difficult choice which shows how strong the character has become throughout course of events in the story.
2) Plot out the "big points", then fill in - work toward big events in book.
3) Make a little storyboard that has chapters broken down / goes through each scene in the chapters - (Carolyn only plots roughly 3 scenes per chapter)
Each scent - know "what is the emotional significance? " / meaning what is the character going through emotionally that leads them to the next chapter. (If you don't know what the emotional significance is, perhaps that scene does not belong.)
4) Plot events that grow from the characters - have 3 traits to describe each character
Example - 2 adjectives and 1 noun
List positives and negatives of each trait.
List ways that you can show character traits in your story.
Example: Disorganized - character has notes stuffed in her pockets / strings tied around fingers / ect. - using that trait in story - she drops stuff on the floor.
Using these can help to give ideas of things that can happen in your story which are "believeable" .
5) Give the character an irony (quirk) - something that doesn't quite fit the character traits.
Example: Disorganized - maybe character is that way at home, but at work, he/she may be the most efficient secretary.
Doesn't fit, but makes them seem real.
6) Idea to Use - Linda Lael Miller's & Debbie MaComber's "LIST OF 20"
List 20 things that can happen in your story - (80-90% will probably be dumb / cliche stuff, but after some silly ideas, really dig in - you'll see twists appearing and ideas that can be used).
List 20 things to show your hero being heroic / heroine being adorable / villian being crafty.
Think about what you want your characters to do and ways that you can show that.
List ways you can show characters oppositeness - (good for romantic conflict).
List ways characters can fall in love. Think of ways characters can fall in love based on four areas: Physical, Intellectual, Social, and Spiritual
Examples:
Physical: outside in park, starts downpouring, characters are running / falling in the mud, and kissing in the rain.
Intellectual: hero has security system, he takes heroine on a tour of building explaining what he does in his job, trusting her with info, etc.
Social: see him interacting with classroom full of kindergarten students - heroine believes him to be wonderful one-on-one, but at a party, he's a flop. Shows heroine something about him with children.
Spiritual: heroine never kills anything (not even a bug). Characters having a picnic, ants walking by - hero realizes there's an ant in her hair, takes ant and puts it with rest of ants. Shows her a bonding on one type of level with him.
9) Coming up with scenes beforehand:
write up a scene card the night before of what you want to write the next day
(On card: working title, place, time, date, and weather - chaper & scene #, paradim element (middle, end, dark moment, etc.) and scene catalyst (link that carries your scene from one to the next).
10) POV Character - pick and describe who you start with.
Scene goal - (what is the character's goal? What's the prize if he/she achieves the goal? What's at stake if he/she loses it? What does he/she have now that he/she didn't have at the beginning of the scene? How does this character feel about it?)
Switch to next character POV for next scene - (see questions above) - end with a decision that carries you into the next scene or a future one.
11) Conflict is falling flat? Tips:
A) Raise the stakes / Increase the risks for the characters
B) Increase the price of failure (make bad thing even worse)
C) Increase the price for success (what could be better?)
D) Set the clock ticking - give character a reason that it has to be done NOW.
Carolyn Green's website is www.theplotdoctor. com.
Thanks,
Shannon
Saturday, January 13, 2007
I went baby clothes shopping on Saturday at Babies R' Us for my girlfriend who just had a girl. Seeing those little clothes and all the pretty decor that you could purchase for an infant room just made me think about having another one. But then I came home.
Yep - my 2 young bundles of joy were at it again. Ahhhh, the bliss of screaming at each other and trying to beat the crap out of one another. Just gotta love it. Yeah - after that, there's no freaking way that I'm having another one!!!!!
Writing's been going okay. I wrote a whole bunch Friday night, and then deleted most of it Sunday night. Decided to change the direction I was heading in. I'm not upset about that - it's actually coming along better now.
Not much else to say today. So I'll chat later! :)
Yep - my 2 young bundles of joy were at it again. Ahhhh, the bliss of screaming at each other and trying to beat the crap out of one another. Just gotta love it. Yeah - after that, there's no freaking way that I'm having another one!!!!!
Writing's been going okay. I wrote a whole bunch Friday night, and then deleted most of it Sunday night. Decided to change the direction I was heading in. I'm not upset about that - it's actually coming along better now.
Not much else to say today. So I'll chat later! :)
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Still a little mad
Okay, so where the heck are my other posts that I did before switching over to the new Google blog or whatever this is!! And it changed my blog to a pukey green color instead of my pretty pink! OHHHHHHHH!! Gotta go figure this out - later!
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