The Writers Vineyard

Hello from Regan Taylor!

2008-10-11T16:23:00.002-04:00

Welcome to my first official blog day on the Writer’s Vineyard! It's one of my favorite kinds of days here in Northern California -- a bit on the chilly side and I'm snuggled in with an oversized sweatshirt, sweat pants and bunny slippers. Totally energizing weather!

Being with Champagne is one of those high points you want to get to in your life but aren’t too sure it’s ever going to happen. I’m thrilled to be with both Champagne and amongst these ultra talented authors.

My first book with Champagne is America’s Hero and is due for release in March 2009. Austin Quinn plays America’s Hero in his movies. Marine Corps Major Cass Winter IS America’s Hero. When Quinn, as Cass calls him, wrangles a ride in the Major’s F/A-18 the twosome end up with more than either ever bargained for.

I loved writing this book—as with most of mine it came to me in dream sequences which meant I spent my days writing about Quinn after dreaming about him through most of the night. I was also very fortunate that while writing it I met two F/A-18 pilots, MC and Razor, and they talked me through the take off, flight and landing scenes as well as just what my characters would find on an air craft carrier.

NanoWrite is coming up in 19 days – the annual November write in that is growing year by year – participants commit to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Two years ago I wrote Indentured Bride and last year was Mistaken Bride. This year I plan to write one of America’s Hero spin off books called Amazonia. Check back next month for an excerpt or two from the book I’m already dreaming about!

FAQ

2008-10-10T01:00:00.003-04:00

Michael W. Davis

Davisstories.com

Author of: Tainted Hero (1/08), Forgotten Children (7/08), Blind Consent (4/09), The Treasure (12/07)

Since my first novel TAINTED HERO was released, I’ve been fortunate to have readers ask me a series of questions about the fiction writing business. It’s fortunate because I love to chat with people (as my wife often reminds me). I though, why not post answers to some of the more frequently asked questions, maybe others that enjoy fiction would be interested, so here we go:

1. Q: What advice would you give to someone wishing to write fiction, and improve their chances of success?

A: Actually, I’ve been posting a series of related topics to this question, but I’ll summarize some things I’ve learned:

a. So you finished the manuscript, did ya? You’re about 30% there. Set it aside for a few months, then read it again, and again, and …. I’m not BSing when I say, I re-read my stories 15 to 20 times before I send it to my hit squad. Boy do you need a hit squad. Find someone, hopefully two or three, that will read your scripts and be brutally honest, I mean brutal. Then listen to their comments with an open mine, and don't make excuses why they aren't reading it right. Be prepared to learn and grow with each story. Listen to all per reviewers, editors, and the publisher. You'll learn a lot.

b. The big eight publishers and agents are interested in established commodities where their risk is minimal. A newbie doesn't fit that category, unless you're a politician, actor, or have major connections.

c. The small publishing houses are more open and can provide a higher probability entrance into the field, but it is still hard. The query letter and synopsis really makes the difference between success and failure. One small house said they received 23000 submissions a year. What does that mean to you? The query letter must absolutely shine if its going to float to the top of that pile of submissions so they'll even read the first page of your manuscript.

d. Two really good sources for small publishers are the Predators & Editors database and Duotrope's digest.

2. Q: How long does it take to write a story and get it published?

A: The time required to create the rough draft varies for me from between six weeks and 3 months, depending whether I lock myself away, or only work incrementally. In terms of the time to get one published, I’ve been very lucky. I’ve read that some well know authors required five to eight years for their first story to be accepted by a publisher. For me, it was 18 months from the first day I took pen in hand and when I got the call for my first novel. Funny thing is, got the call from two publishers on the same day. I was just a few months short of my self-imposed deadline before I had planned to quit. Yeah, I was very naive when I started.

3. Q: What’s the best thing about writing fiction?

A: I’d have to say when readers tell you they love your stories and your characters. That they were moved by something you created in your mind. Just doesn’t get any better than that.

4. Q: What’s the hardest point about writing fiction?

A: Before I got that first call, I’d say the waiting and the rejection letters. Once I became published, there were two areas I found difficult: The constant re editing process and reading the say story twenty times, and 2. Knowing the right blend of passion to include in the story. As a guy, I can deal with most any level, but surprisingly, woman are different (g). I surveyed about a dozen female friends and found that the level of comfort/interest in explicit scenes was all over the place. I decided to go with a level that I would be comfortable if my sister or granddaughter read the story.

5. Q: Do you feel pressure to live up to standards?

A: Yes, yes, yes. Pressure to get 90000 words that flow, stimulate, touch, and enrapture the reader. Pressure to tune, and polish, and adjust the story till it shines, and pressure to do better then the last novel. That’s a little scary for me. For each book, my reviewers have told me the last is my best. I sense pressure to do as good or better, and worry that at some point, just like what happens to most authors, I’ll pass the crest and start back down. My first review on my first novel received 5 stars out of 5 and a “Top Reviewer Pick” rating. My instant thought was “Wow, that’s awesome!.” A few seconds later I thought, “Wait a minute. How am I going to do that again? I can’t get 5 of 5 on each story, that’s impossible, just can’t be done. What have I set myself up for?” Now that’s an overwhelming challenge, and it haunts me each time I complete a story.

6. Q: What should men understand about women?

A: Yes, given I write suspense with a romantic core, I do encounter this question on the chat loops. Since no matter what I say, this one will get me in trouble, I’ll conclude this post with the best answer I can. First, lets look at the guys. We are very simple linear beasts. Feed us, share you many pleasures with us every now and then, and let us take an occasional nap, and we’re in heaven. Now lets consider the other side of the equation that reflects our prime motivation in life: women. I wish we understood anything. I've continued to expand my appreciation and adornment for women, my respect for there patience, their gentle ways, their gift of perception, and their tolerance for the macho side of the men in their lives. But I doubt I’ll ever understand what makes these beautiful complicated creatures function and why we men love them so dam much (I mean beside the physical of course). About once every year or so, I have an epiphany that opens up one of the confusing elements about women: their vulnerabilities, their communication differences, why God gave them control of the sex baton, etc. I figure that on the day I pass from this world, maybe I’ll know about 10%. But I can live with that. I can’t image a world without the mystery of the better half.

See ya in a month

Big Mike

Dead And Traveling

2008-10-09T06:00:00.034-04:00

Knowing no one else in the small community I was working in, I filled my evenings helping residents play bingo at the senior citizens home.

One of my favorite bingo partners was Elba. The north of ninety Elba was fascinated with my weekend bus ride to and from my hometown. She wanted to know everything - when the bus left, what the bus driver was like, who stopped off where. I spent hours with her every Monday recapping my trip from start to finish.

At the end of my Monday visits, she’d sigh and tell me how she always wanted to take a bus ride across the country. She would stay in the tiny little towns along the way, meeting the different people, eating the different food. It would be the grandest thing. “Once,” she slapped her wheelchair armrest, “I get out of here, I’ll go.”

She said that every time, sounding quite determined, but I knew it wouldn’t happen. Elba was very sick. She had some complicated illness I had never heard of. I was told she hadn’t long to live.

One Friday, the boss kept me later than usual and I barely made the bus. As I hustled to the back, I stopped suddenly in the aisle. There was a woman who looked so much like Elba, she could have been her twin. She was wearing an old fashioned coat. Her hair was perfectly curled in that prissy Bette Davis style, a tiny hat balanced on the top of her head. The light above her was on, making her skin glow.

A lady, arriving even later than I had, bumped into my back. “Excuse me.” When I didn’t respond fast enough, she pushed me with her carryon.

I ignored her, as a teenager I was very good at ignoring people, and glanced at Elba’s twin. Should I ask her? No. If she wasn’t related, I’d die of embarrassment. I’d simply ask Elba next week. It’d give us something more to talk about.

The bag dug into my spine. The lady behind me huffed impatiently. I moved back to a free seat. When I got off the bus, Elba’s twin was gone.

Monday, I walked into the senior citizens residence, eager to talk to Elba. I wandered to her room and peeked in. There was a new lady in Elba's bed. I double checked the door number. Yes, that was right but then why were all Elba's things gone?

“Where’s Elba?” I asked the nurse.

That was when I found out.

She had died.

On Friday.

Just in time to make the bus.

$

Kimber Chin is a cynical businesswoman who shouldn't believe in ghosts or true love. Somehow, she ended up believing in both. For more stories, visit http://www.businessromance.com

Happy Halloween - A Fun Game

2008-10-08T00:58:00.005-04:00

Here's a little stress reliever, or producer if you have a competative spirit. My aunt sent this game and I wanted to share it with you.

http://www.brandextract.com/catbowling/

Have fun and Happy Halloween!

Linda

Halloween

2008-10-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

My absolute favorite holiday of all time! To keep in line with the theme I’ll share this little tale with you. When we lived in Wisconsin I worked for Fashion Bug—for those who are unfamiliar with it, it’s a nice little string of shops that sells women’s clothes. And no, I never brought home a paycheck—I also worked for the local fire department as an EMT.

Anyway. One night I was working as the manager on duty. That night my husband, my children and I were to attend a Christmas party at some friend’s home.

All day I had a sense of dread. The later it got, the worse my feeling became. When we were getting ready to close one of my girls noticed that there was a car out front. It wasn’t anyone picking up an employee. The men in the car were just sitting there.

My feeling of dread was making it hard to concentrate or even breath. I walked to the front of the store, checked the lock and with the phone in my hand I faced the men. Someone climbed into the vehicle and they all drove away. They did not return.

I finished closing, took the deposit and dropped it off then walked my girl to her car. My husband was there so he kept an eye on us. I climbed into the truck and off we headed for the party.

The feeling increased with every minute. I told my husband that something horrible was going to happen. I just knew it. I was so sick to my stomach I had to have him pull over so I could try to cool down. He questioned my feelings but felt we could go ahead to the party, if I wanted to.

My kids were upset at the thought of not getting to see their friends or play with the iguanas so I said to go on.

We arrived and on shaking legs I went inside. I headed downstairs to the bar and got a spiced cider. With shaking hands I drank down the concoction in an attempt to relax. Suddenly I felt completely ill. Just at that moment a blood curdling scream came from upstairs.

I hit the steps running. I recognized my little girl’s voice. I passed some of the kids running down to get us for help.

My daughter had been running and playing with her little friends when she fell and she hit a glass top coffee table. She hit it just right and the entire thing shattered all around her. The blood made me nearly pass out. Here I was an EMT and I couldn’t get to my daughter. I was shaking and crying, ready to fall down.

The men pushed past me and carried her to the bathroom where they washed her down. They still wouldn’t let me near her. It was a stunning miracle that most of her cuts were more like scratches. There were some deeper cuts in her hands, but even they weren’t deep enough to require stitches.

After they cleaned her up and got rid of the blood I grabbed her close and rocked her. She had stopped crying and wanted to go back and play! I couldn’t believe it! It had looked so horrible but yet she was actually fine.

I still wanted to leave but between her, my DH and my DS, as well as our friends I agreed to stay for a little while longer.

My horrible feeling had disappeared. It just freaked me out that I had “known” something horrible was going to happen. I’ve always listened to my “intuition” but this was one time I ignored it. I paid, my daughter, paid for it.

Today she’s still got tiny little scared on the heel of her palm but they basically disappeared over time. She’s not the worse for wear to be sure. I did learn one thing from the event—NEVER, EVER ignore that feeling.

IN THE SPIRIT OF A MONTH OF SPOOKY TIMES

2008-10-06T07:00:00.002-04:00

Halloween conjures up ideas of scary things. I don’t have a Halloween story but in JEWELED SEDUCTION I have a scary scene in which I identified with the heroine so much I was tense the entire time I spent writing it.

To set up the previous events so you may feel the same unique sensation, let me explain that the heroine Val MacGyver has come home to attend her best friend’s wedding. Just before the service she is drawn to one of the ushers, Calum MacAlister, who appears overly interested in her as he carries out his duties. Later, at the reception, she finds herself seated next to him and it becomes obvious he knows too much about her. Their personalities clash and since she can’t bear to stay near him she abruptly leaves for a walk on the beach.

Excerpt:
Deserted, except for a small yacht bobbing on the gentle waves close to shore, Val remembered the fun she’d had at this beach as a child running barefoot in the sand. The isolation now was tranquil, not lonely, an opportune time to reflect on the ring in her pocket and upon a fading relationship. Adrift in her thoughts, she didn’t hear footsteps fall in behind her.

Until he spoke.

“It’s peaceful down here on the beach, don’t you think?”

Val stopped short and turned. “Calum!” It might as well have been the devil standing in front of her. She glanced both ways along the shoreline. Nobody in sight. Stepping back two paces, she stared at him a few seconds, then tried to regain her composure by agreeing with him. “It sure is.” Her heart pounded without mercy, her peace shattered with his presence.

Fast footwork slipped her past him. She intended to return to the reception--to Butch, her bodyguard. Calum’s long strides were more than a match for hers; he caught up. She stopped again and faced him. Exasperated, she spoke without thinking. “I guess that saying is true.”

“Which is?” He came to a halt closer than she preferred.

She hurried out her reply. “That there’s never a cop around when you need one.”

Calum grinned. “I don’t think you need one. I’m safe to be around.”

She didn’t know about that, but neither was she going to argue the point. Her best option would be a quick retreat.

“That’s my boat anchored there. Would you like to go out for a look, Valerie? I can carry you that short distance. The water is as calm as you’ll ever see it. You won’t get one drop of water on you.”

She saw him glance at her feet. He’d be sure to notice how her toes had curled into the sand, prepared to propel into flight. Jittery, and fearing it showed, she was unsure whether to attempt leaving in a trail of smoke. “I don’t like boats or being away from land.”

Her head down, Val started walking, picking up her pace, but he remained at her elbow. Why did I come here alone? Her eyes focused on the beach ahead. Keep yourself together. Don’t let him know you’re frightened. “You’ve rented the house on the bluff, haven’t you... the one that’s an old winery?” Her steps increased, almost to a run.

“Yes. Its panoramic view of the ocean is magnificent.”

“Are the vats in the cellar still in use?”

“You’re familiar with the place?” His eyes gleamed with more interest than she thought the question warranted. What was going on behind his raised brow?

“I don’t know it well,” she replied, then consciously forced her breath to a more regular flow. “I was in there once as a child. It was dark and dank and just plain spooky!”

He smiled. The tension drained from his face.

Val glanced at the cellar windows as Calum held her elbow and guided her past the winery’s entrance. The shadows of twilight had darkened the interior. She remembered how creepy she’d felt when inside once long ago. Of course, she had been a teenager then, but she still hated to be in dark places. She exhaled and breathed in fresh sea-swept air. The washing of soft, frothy waves blended with the distant dance music drifting from the wedding celebration. Calum’s compelling presence striding beside her and his firm grip on her arm dispelled any hope for a pleasant stroll. Her nerves had braced for trouble the moment he touched her. She quickened her pace. Her fear came to fruition when he transferred his strong hands to her shoulders. Val struggled to free herself from his grasp, but his vise-like grip twisted her around, forcing her to face him. “Calum, what is going--”

“Don’t put up a fuss, Valerie, and you’ll get through this all right. Cause trouble and there’ll be a problem.”

She opened her mouth to scream but only an ummm came out when he clamped his hand across her mouth. “I told you not to try anything. There’s little chance anyone could hear you above the music and reception merriment. Save your breath. You’ll need it.” The husky pitch of his voice sent shivers through her, yet she didn’t dare show weakness. She stilled. He removed his hand from her mouth and put it back on her shoulder.

“Get your hands off me!” She glared at the storm brewing in eyes whose blue coloring no longer appealed to her. “What’s this about, Calum?” In an attempt to lessen her panic, Val planted her feet firmly, estimating her chances to outrun him. Although she wanted to hide her fright, she couldn’t control the quivering of her lower lip.

“We’ll discuss it inside.” He glanced around, then grabbed her forearm and hustled her into the winery, bolting the door behind him.

“Let me go, you pathetic bastard!” she yelled, then jerked her head away from him lest she feel the hard press of his hand against her lips again.

Strong, smart, sensuous heroines; heroes to die for.
Carol McPhee: http://www.geocities.com/carolmcphee2003

October - a month of contrasts

2008-10-04T01:27:00.005-04:00

I love October - the leaves are changing, thanksgiving - for those of us north of the border - is at hand, and then we have halloween.

Yep, Thanksgiving is in less than two weeks - our Turkey day! as we've pegged it. Baking sugar cookies shaped like leaves, and mashing potatoes. Dressing, and all the trimings - what's not to love?

Then in a few weeks we have All's Hallow Eve - the celebration of the winter solstice. And a day when kids get to dress up and go out trick or treating. Ooh the fun!

Growing up, we girls weren't allowed to go trick or treating so I never really understood the logic behind it. Now I do, when I dress my son up and go from door to door and see people's expressions as they look at this little boy in a costume. Of course half the time folks don't understand him - but that's okay, they don't need to.

I've also started to really develop a fondness for the ghosts and goblins aspects of the season. Researching different traditions associated with the night I've picked up trivia tidbits that would make my head spin. This time of year also lets me expand on my writing.

Using the influence and inspiration of the Hallo's eve, I'm looking at trying my hand at a ghost/goblin/shape shifter story.

Halloween Trivia by Angela Ashton

2008-10-03T06:22:00.003-04:00

Thought I'd share some interesting trivia about Halloween I found.

Did you know...

* The first "Jack-O-Lanterns" were not pumpkins - they were hollowed-out turnips and originated in Ireland.

* The Salem Witch trials of 1692 are known for burning so-called witches at the stake. In truth, not one of the accused died by burning; most were put to death by hanging. One unfortunate man was “pressed” to death and several died in prison of natural causes.

* One of the "most filmed" movie characters (if not the most filmed) is Dracula.

* The next full moon on Halloween night will be October 31, 2020

*48 percent of us believe in ghosts.

*Twenty-two percent of Americans say they’ve seen or felt a ghost.

* Many historic events have happened on Halloween Day – such as:

834: The first Halloween (All Hallows Eve) is celebrated

1876: A cyclone hits Bengal, killing about 200,000

1918: Spanish flu kills 21,000 people in the U.S. in one week

1922: Mussolini becomes the Premier of Italy

1926: Harry Houdini dies in Detroit

1941: Mount Rushmore is completed

1952:The first thermonuclear bomb was detonated in The Marshall Islands

1968: President Johnson issued a “cease all bombing” order in North Vietnam

Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween.

Until next time,

Angie

http://www.angelaashtonbooks.com/

http://www.champagnebooks.com/

Corsair Cove, now available in print!

Also available:

Amulet of Fate

Once A Rebal

Bad Hair Day

2008-10-02T07:00:00.000-04:00

My Dad calls me Witch. Not because I'm crabby or less than average-looking. My nickname has been Witch since I was about seven years old, when my hair grew to unmanageable lengths.

I hid behind my hair. No matter how much my mother brushed, braided or sprayed, within minutes it would look like it had been through a combine. I let it fly free in the wind as I rode my bike, climbed trees or crawled under the porch.

Once in a fit of impatience Mom took the scissors to my bangs, right up to my hairline. I was furious. I yelled at her and hid in my room. I couldn't stand the fact that now everyone could see my unibrow, but that's another story.

Even today my hair takes on a mind of its own. I plead, beg, cajole and sometimes wrestle it into submission. I have to cover the grey every two weeks because I refuse to give in to the misguided theory that silver tresses are elegant. Maybe in a few years, but not now.

When my hair finally behaves, it makes my whole day better.

Hair determines our mood, our outlook on life, our self-esteem. Hairstyles and lengths pinpoint a particular decade like the long hair of the seventies and the mullets of the eighties. People judge other people by their hair. Your hair may determine whether you get that big promotion or are doomed to linger in the copy room.

In novels, there seems to be a lot of emphasis on hair. Heroines have long, flowing tresses and the ultimate hero has close-cropped, curly black locks, perhaps with a touch of distinguished grey at the temples. Damn men, they can have grey hair but we can't...

But I digress.

How much do you notice hair or write about hair in the novels you read or write? Do the main characters have long hair or short? Red, brunette or steely grey? Is there too much hair? Do we realistically depict hair on our heroes and heroines?

In the world of Happily Ever After, does everyone have a good hair day?

2008-10-01T11:47:00.004-04:00

It's the first of October and from what I've heard we are all going to write with a scary or spooky theme this month...I'm fine if others want to do that. However, I don't like scary things. I don't like anything that can vaguely be labelled scary. And, as sad as it is, Halloween is my least favorite holiday.

For me to write a blog, my first blog, on something spooky isn't realistic. I did write a Halloween book for Champagne Books and guess what, my heroine didn't like Halloween either. "Ghoulish Love" was a fun book to write because I could add all my fears and neuroses into the story.

For me every day like contains things that make me nervous. Having a police officer in the family, I worry about his safety every day. The stories I hear about the crime in the city and the blatant disregard for others shock me and make me wonder how long it will take those traits to reach people in my town.

Watching the nightly news, we hear about fires, natural disasters, murders and the desperate situation our economy is in. As authors we don't need to write horror novels, we only need to look around our everyday life.

As an author, I know that I don't write anything that I might scare myself with. I want people to pick up my novels as an escape from the reality of everyday life. Hopefully readers will laugh, cry and lose themselves in the story. I think all authors hope this.

I keep a quote from my fellow Maine author Stephen King next to my desk. It sums up how I want people to feel about my books. He said, "I don't want to just mess with your head. I want to mess with your life. I want you to miss appointments, burn dinner, skip your homework. I want you to tell your wife to take that moonlight stroll on the beach at Waikiki with the resort tennis pro while you read a few more chapters."

Isn't it odd that a romantic comedy writer and a horror genius can have similar philosophies and common goals for our readers? I think it is.

For the rest of the month my fellow authors will have to delight you with ghost stories and chilling tales to make your skin crawl. I will be doing my best to ignore the Halloween hype. How do you feel about the impending holiday?

Michelle Libby

www.michellelibby.com

Just One More Month!

2008-09-30T09:56:00.005-04:00

In just one more month my novel, Forever Faithful, will be out with Champagne Books. I can't tell you how thrilled I was to receive a contract from J. Ellen and become a part of this fine group of authors. "The Call" came while my husband and I were on vacation last November. We were touring the west end of route 66 and were in a motel in Amarillo, Texas. Like many of you, even on vacation I have to check my email several times a day. And there it was, the email, the contract. It was an exciting day.

Here is a blurb and excerpt.

Love is like a flame, some days it burns bright and others it dwindles. Faith is the forge upon which love is strengthened to steel.

For four years, Lucas and Gail Johnson have lived the idyllic life. He has his ranch and a loving wife whom he adores. She is an accountant with her eye on a partnership, and her husband is the love of her childhood dreams.
The one thing they want but don’t have is a child created from their love.

On a hot Texas day in June, a car containing two skeletons is pulled from nearby Possum Creek, both with bullet holes in their skulls. One is a salesman from Houstonwho disappeared over twenty years ago. The other is unidentified.

Gail attends a conference with her boss, Alex Guthrie whom Lucas despises. Distraught and depressed over her father’s illness, it’s easy for Alex to get her drunk and seduce her. Thus begins a series of events that shatters Lucas’s faith in Gail and drives the two apart.

***************

Gail lay on the bed, a grin stretching her face as she listened to Lucas sing in the shower. She felt tempted to run into the kitchen and turn on the hot water so she could hear his yelp as the cold stream hit him. Nope, better not this morning. She was taking a week of vacation to do some things around the house and wanted to be in town by nine. Last time she’d done so he jumped out, chased her down, and pulled her in the shower with him. It would be fun to see her handsome husband run wet and naked through the house again but.... She rolled off the bed and dressed in shorts and a tee shirt.

When Lucas entered the kitchen, Gail lifted slices of crisp bacon onto a paper towel to drain. He caught her around the waist and drew her backside up against him while she poured pancake batter into the old iron skillet atop the stove. His lips nibbled across her neck making her shiver.

“Mmmm, you taste good,” he said.

She turned in his arms and put her head on his chest. God, she loved this man. They’d been married four years, known each other a lifetime and the sound of his voice still made her heart lurch. Squeezing his waist, she shoved him back a step, smiled up at him, and teased. “You smell mighty fine to be working with horses all day.”

He laughed and started filling their mugs with coffee. “Well, a man never knows when his favorite filly might visit him at the stables.”

*******************

Author comment

A wonderful and heartwarming tale of love, betrayal and finding that deep within, there is always room for forgiveness. Linda LaRoque has done an excellent job of bringing all of these feelings across the page and is sure to bring smiles, tears and hope along with them.

Liadan Brodie

Highland Caller - Available now from The Dark Castle LordsReunited By Murder - Champagne Books 2008Website- www.liadanbrodie.comYahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/liadanbrodie

Thanks for stopping by.

Linda

www.lindalaroque.com

Critique Partners

2008-09-29T11:14:00.009-04:00

Nancy posted this morning on writing seriously. I thought I'd follow that up with my experience with Critique Partners. If you're going to write seriously you will need to have some type of critique of your work. And the best way for this is through a critique group or a partner.

About a year after I decided writing seriously was what I wanted, I knew some type of formal instruction was needed to help me continue. I took a creative writing class that Community Education offered, instructed by our very own Champagne Author, Sara Fitzgerald. In this class I learned about a wonderful concept: ‘A Critique Group’. This is a group of writers who have the same hopes and dreams; they support each other, cry over rejections and cry with happiness over successes. No matter who’s! I wanted to join! Where could I sign up?

At the end of class one night two young people (I say this because I was old enough to be their mother) asked me if I would be interested in joining the critique group they were organizing. I told them I was very interested. That group was my first experience with the concept of critique groups. I learned a lot from that group, good and bad.

Eight months in, I realized I really needed to be involved in a group, but that particular one was not the one. By that time there were five members, two women who wrote romance, and three men, one wrote paranormal, one wrote poetry and one wrote fantasy. While all the writers were good people with the same goal, to be published, there was too much diversity of genres in the group. Most of us did not understand poetry and the poet did not understand romance, or fantasy for that matter. One member had a tendency to over analyze a sentence to the point of redundancy. On top of that, was so harsh the poor recipient of his critique would leave feeling battered and bruised.

We would meet at someone’s home and each would take turns reading out loud. Then the rest of the group would have time afterward to critique or brainstorm ideas. This sounds like a good format for a group. However we got in the habit of bringing food and the first half-hour tended to be socializing, that could sometimes turn into a party instead of focusing on the intent of the gathering. It became harder to pull ourselves back to the seriousness of reading and critiquing our work. As the time dwindle, most weeks only one person had time to read and then receive suggestions. Some felt self-conscious to read their work out loud and would find excuses not to read and only one or two people were constantly reading their work and the others were left out. It was time to move on.

I turned to research, both on the Internet and books. I found several wonderful articles on how to form and conduct critique groups. I decided to organize my own. I found some women from the local RWA® who were interested and two from my first group. I also formed an online critique group with four other writers that I met through the National RWA® site.
I wanted to take what I had learned from the first group and combine it with the knowledge that I had found from my research. I sat down and made a list of things that needed to be addressed when critiquing someone’s work. I took pieces of information from the two best sources I had found in my research and from personal experience.

I came up with a checklist to use and guidelines to keep the group focused. The two groups run very similar, although the meetings are a little different. They are invaluable for the information that the group gives to each other. Both groups send, via email, up to 10 pages a week before the meeting. The local group meets at a coffee shop and each person takes a turn to go through the checklist of suggestions and comments for the writers. Being in a public place cuts down on chatting and socializing. We do have fun, but it is easier to stay focused.

Because we email in advance, no one is on the spot to read their work and it takes the stress out of the group. Because we do not take the time to read, everyone has a chance to give their critiques and to hear the critiques on their own work.

The online group is similar with the exception of the meetings. Once a week each member emails their work, then right before the meeting one of the members who is having a hard time on a scene or chapter emails a list of questions to the others. Then on Sunday evening we all log on to a messenger group and chat back and forth. We have the members list of questions in front of us and we brainstorm until we have resolved our issues.

Having someone who not only understands the genre you are writing but loves to read it is priceless. I’ve found that my groups point out things in my work that I never would have found on my own. There are always new ideas being suggested and small minor errors being found. The copy that you as the writer can read over a thousand times and never spot, another reader may find at the first glance.

That is not the only benefit of a critique group. Everyone has had different experiences, and members share those with each other. I find myself constantly learning new ways to do things. As I said before, the members of the group are made up of fellow writers; they have the same goals as you do, so each member is a source of encouragement for the other. If one of us goes to a workshop or class and gets valuable information, it is always shared with the group.In conclusion, I wanted to let everyone who has never joined one to know how beneficial a critique group can be, especially to a new writer. But before you do, do your homework. In order to be beneficial you need to have the right combination.

Here are the guidelines that I've composed for a good critique group:
Read the article on this website: http://www.crayne.com/howcrit.html
This is a very good article with a lot of examples of critique techniques.

Set Rules:
1. Every member must submit work
2. Miss only for a good reason
3. Don’t be late
4. Pick a schedule that everyone can make so that no one gets cheated
5. Don’t turn in the same chapter over and over.
6. Don’t invite a guest to join without permission from the other members

How a on-line critique group can operate: (Example)
1. Each person will email 1 or 2 chapters to the other members every Tuesday.
2. Make suggestions on the pages of the document sent to you. (Track Changes is good for this)
3. At the end of the document, add any comments or suggestions about plot etc.
4. Email the critiqued document back the following Monday night.
5. As you critique use your checklist to make sure you hit all the points.
6. Always give positive with the negative.
7. Write on a regular schedule, so you’re not frantically composing the chapter on critique day.
8. Celebrate your successes. Feel proud when a member succeeds, because you helped.
9. Discuss writing techniques. Each member has strengths and weaknesses; each member can learn from the others.

How to Critique:
1. Critique is more than grammar and punctuation.
2. Examples of areas to watch are inconsistencies, character development and growth, motivational problems, repeats, stilted dialogue, purple prose, point of view problems, logic, passive sentence construction, tying up loose ends, telling rather than showing.
3. Write all y our comments on the manuscript, so the author can refer to them later.
4. Although good writing should be recognized along with suggestions for change, a critique group is not a mutual admiration society.
5. Hook – Did it grab you? Did the story fulfill its promise?
6. Conflict - Was it strong? Did the hero/heroine work toward the resolution? Was it significant enough for you to care if it was resolved?
7. Resolution - Was it satisfying? Was it achieved by the hero/heroine?
8. Characters - Were they interesting and believable? Did you care what happened to them?
9. Setting - Was it appropriate for the story?
10. Conversation/Dialogue - Was it entertaining and realistic? Did it move the action of the story along?
11. Plot - Did it make sense? Has it already been done to death?
12. Pace - Did it drag in places? Was it too fast? Did it move evenly?
13. Other - Was there something NEW in this story? Was there a lot of"telling" and not enough "showing"? Was the concept interesting?
14. Red Flag - Did something confuse you or just totally not make sense?

Presenting a critique:
1. Go through the manuscript page by page. You can learn from someone else’s errors or by hearing another member’s solution to a problem.
2. Emphasize the positive as well as the negative. You may want to put a star beside a good piece of writing. We all need encouragement included in a critique.
3. Don’t go off on tangents. Focus on the manuscript.
4. Be professional. Don’t defend yourself on every point questioned.
5. Keep the discussion short. Don’t waste time and end up shortchanging someone else.
6. If you see a problem in someone’s work, offer a solution.
7. Brainstorm to help the author solve a problem.
8. If the author still disagrees with you after the problem is discussed, go on. The decision to make any change belongs to the author.
9. Remember only criticize the story, never the author.
10. Write a paragraph or two on what you liked about the chapter. Even if the story seems very bad to you, TRY to find at LEAST one thing the author didn't do wrong. Saying something nice in the beginning helps to cushion the blow of the criticism to follow, and it sets up the author to be predisposed to listen to what you say. If all you have are bad things to say, the author may feel that you are hostile towards her, perhaps for personal reasons of your own.
11. Then, write a paragraph or two on each *MAJOR* thing you believe could be improved. Remember, telling the author what is wrong is only half the critique; you must be able to suggest what she might do to improve it.

EXAMPLES:
Wrong: I thought the characters were dumb and I didn't like them.
Right: There were many very obvious clues that should have tipped George to the fact that someone was trying to kill him (list clues). The fact he couldn't see something that was so obvious to me made him seem stupid. Either make the clues a lot more subtle or have George know he was in danger. If he knew and took steps to try and escape, it would heighten the tension and the villain would have to be cleverer.

Wrong: The part where they were talking in the garden was boring.
Right: The conversation they had in the garden had no story movement. All they did was talk and the talking didn't produce any real reactions in either of them or change anything in the story. Its only purpose seemed Tobe to tell the readers that there was a rebellion going on (the dreaded Background Disguised as Conversation trap). I'd suggest dropping it out and coming up with a more interesting way to tell the readers about the rebellion. Maybe a wounded soldier rides up and George overhears him gasping out his story to the gate guard.

Wrong: The ending was obvious.
Right: When he saw the snake in the garden and was so afraid of it that was a dead giveaway as to the end. Having the rustling noises was just overkill. I think if you dropped the snake in the garden, the rustling would become a lot more mysterious and intriguing, and the ending not so obvious.

Wrong: The whole story was boring. Nothing happened.
Right: It's a lot harder to come up with a "right" for this one. Try to focus on what elements a story ought to have. If a story is boring, it is probably lacking in conflict. It may also be that the characters are unlikable, so that readers don't care what happens to them. It is much better to comment on specific elements of the story than to give an all-over rating to the story.

Writing Seriously

2008-09-29T06:26:00.001-04:00

When I started out writing, I considered it a hobby. Writing was something I’d done in periods of time where I didn’t have anything else to do. As the writing bug grew and my desire to become published gradually turned to obsession, I realized I would need to treat my craft as more than a hobby.

First and foremost, writing is a business. I believe this realization is the first mindset needed to taking your writing seriously. Publishers are in the business for one thing only: to make money.

So. In order to make money for yourself and for your publishers, you need to carve out a set number of hours to put into your business, which is what you are: a business.
When not on deadline, I need to write a minimum of twenty hours per week. I do this one of two ways. I work full time, but my nights are generally free, so I usually reserve 7:00 to 11:00 pm for writing time. That’s four hours Monday through Friday. Of course, things happen, so I can’t always keep this commitment, but I’m flexible enough that I can write on the weekends to at least get my twenty hours in. And most weekends I’m writing anyway, so I’m usually working over the set twenty hours each week. Sundays I reserve for my slug time when I flop on the couch, usually reading for pleasure or for research needed for a book I’m working on.
Another way to take your writing seriously is to have a writing space. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, just a spot where you come to write every day and your are free to leave your mess as is and call it your own. For years, I worked at the kitchen table. I now have a separate writing room. It’s cluttered and disorganized, but it’s my space. My cave where I can escape to my own little world. Or big world, depending on what I’m writing at the time. Going there forces me to take my writing seriously. I’m not quite sure how, but it does, so I go with it because it works. Don’t get me wrong, I also write in other places like the library, the local coffee shop (I don’t have the luxury of living near a Starbucks.) or even in my car on lunch hours. This is all fine. As long as it’s somewhere you can work. That’s what’s important.

I also set weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. There are constantly changing, depending on what I’m working on. I constantly go back and revise them too. This helps keep me on track so I can see where I’ve changed, if I’ve gone a new direction, etc.

These are some of my own ideas for how I take my writing seriously. You can probably come up with ones that work for you.

~ Nancy
http://www.nancyhenderson.com
http://www.nancyhenderson.blogspot.com

Change Happens!

2008-09-27T07:14:00.001-04:00

Every author has experienced it. You’re happily galloping down the trail of your latest manuscript, and then have a revelation somewhere along the way.

What if?

What if a minor character wasn’t so minor? What if my hero and heroine didn’t get along as well as they do? What if I added a whole sequence of scenes where the hero actually meets the villain unknowingly?

So, what do you do in these cases? Make the change immediately and see what happens? Jot down some notes and think about them later after you’ve finished the first draft completely? Toss the idea aside as useless gibberish meant to distract you from reaching the finish line?

A fact of life is that change happens. This is no different for writing. Whether you choose to think through the change right at that moment or wait for later, the fact of the matter is when it comes to ideas, every single one is valuable. Once you begin tossing out ideas, your brain is going to become hard-wired to reject them before they even make it into the judgment hall. And one of those ideas you come up with may just be the change which propels your manuscript to the top of the slush heap. Would you really want to take the chance on throwing THAT away?

So, the next time you get an idea for how to change your manuscript, remember to take it very seriously. Whether you consider it then or jot it down for later, every change has the ultimate potential to make your manuscript the diamond in the rough agents and publishers are looking for.

***

T. M. Hunter (posting under his ever-popular Aston West moniker) is the author of Heroes Die Young, the latest science-fiction (space opera) sensation from Champagne Books. His Aston West short stories have been featured in the e-mag Ray Gun Revival with his short story "Little White Truths" a top ten finisher in the 2007 Preditors and Editors Readers' Poll. He (and Aston) can often be found over at AstonWest.com.

Blog Block

2008-09-25T17:45:00.003-04:00

Similar to writer's block but with less fanfare. Symptoms? 1. Staring at screen for more than thirty minutes without writing a word. 2. Playing solitaire, hoping an idea with come to you. 3. Staring at screen for another thirty minutes without writing a word. 4. mulling over old ideas. 5. writing inane gibberish and calling it blog block.

Yah, I think I have a serious case of blog block. But I have a great excuse - sorta; I procrastinated which basically means I didn't start thinking about what I should write until an hour ago and I should have posted this morning.

Maybe I should have titled this managing time because the truth of the matter is that I forgot it was my day to post until just a few minutes ago. And - I did have a reminder. I've been forgetting a lot of things lately but it's because I'm doing so many things. I just need to manage time better. Three jobs can be overwhelming at times. Anyone else feeling overwhelmed? I'm thinking we need an overwhelmed shout-out day. (or evening since I'm posting late) Yep, that's the ticket. Let's hear from the rest of you overworked folks. LOL.

Why I can't write!

2008-09-23T07:00:00.004-04:00

The only thing this has to do with writing is – I can’t! For anyone who has adopted a new pet, you might understand my problem. We kinda inherited our first cat when he was three years old. However, when our son found this tiny ball of fur, starving and deserted by his mother and siblings, in the storeroom where he works, he brought him home, and of course, being the romantic sucker I am, we took him. Now, I can’t write.

Why? You ask. Simple. This little bundle of black fur has
decided he likes me and especially my keyboard. He also likes to be petted and sets up a howl if you don’t stop everything and start petting the little thing.

He also seems to love the monitor. After a violent struggle trying to get him off the computer desk, he usually manages to duck and run before he bounces back and sits in front of the monitor screen blocking my words. Okay, I could have given him to our humane society, but what if someone else didn’t want the little one.

Our original cat is huge and needs the exercise he gets chasing the new kitten around the house. Yes, he is entertained; he now has a buddy, but he also likes to be petted and when the kitten demands attention so does the big guy. Consequently, I have to pet both cats, the kitten, then the cat, and on and on. I’m not getting any writing done.

The new kitten has also managed to bounce on the delete key for my keyboard more than once. He hit the off button for the satellite dish. That eliminated the TV, causing my poor husband endless amounts of trouble. And when he’s in trouble, he insists I stay at his side, while he programmed everything – once again.

I was under the impression cats sleep at lot, but the new addition to our household doesn’t sleep at night. Nope, he sleeps in late afternoon, with occasional cat naps during the day. That presents another problem. By bed time – he’s ready to play. He’s also discovered that he can jump onto our bed and feet covered with a blanket make great toys. Ever try to sleep with a two or three pound bundle jumping all over your feet. That means, I don’t get my full night’s sleep, so during the day I’m dragging.

I can only hope this little guy won’t be a typical kitten for much longer. I really want to write. I’ve posted pictures of both cats on my web page. Take a look. www.AllisonKnight.com They are posted under 'New Kitten'.

Allison Knight

Newbie Blogger

2008-09-20T13:38:00.003-04:00

Hello,
My name is Jennifer Bokal and this is my first time posting a blog in The Writer's Vineyard. My first novel, Celtic Heart, was a August 2007 release from Champagne Books. I am sure that I am not alone when I say that having a novel published was dream come true.
Like I said, this is my first time blogging at TWV, so I asked Kimber what other authors usually say in their blogs. She told me the first blog was easy. Most people introduce themselves and chat about why they write. It is hard to ignore good advice, so here goes...
Like I said, my name is Jennifer, but most people call me Jen. Aside from being a writer, I am a maternal goddess. My husband and I live in Upstate New York with our three daughter, one dog and two cats. The cats are really quite kind in living with us stupid people (even thought I am deity) and allowing us to cateer to thier every whim. I enjoy reading, skiing, yoga, once a week I take a dance class and every so often I get a full night of sleep. In June of this year I enrolled in an MFA program for Creative Writing at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Even though my first semester is not yet complete, I can already see an improvement in my prose.
There are two ways that I can chat about my writing. I can either tell you why I sit down at the laptop and create stories or I can talk about what inspired me to write Celtic Heart. Since my ideas about why I write are changing as a result of my studies, I am going to tell you why I wrote Celtic Heart.
Being Scottish by heritage, I knew that I wanted to write a story set in Scotland. I wasn't crazy about a kilt-wearing Highlander. (I know, shame on me!) So what's a girl to do if she wants to write about Scotland, but not a Highlander? I started reading books about Scotland's history, hoping that some creative lightening would strike. In one of my books, I discovered that in the early 1st Century, the Roman Army invaded Scotland. Because the Celts would attack and flee, the Roman's never really had any permanent settlements.
Now there is some conflict.
A huge military machine versus a rag-tag band of warriors.
After doing more research, I began to see that the Roman and Celtic cultures were polar opposites. More conflict.
At that point, I knew that I had a setting.
The characters came to me soon after I decided to pit the Romans against the Celts. My hero, Antonius, is a Roman Legionnaire and my herione, Maeve, is a the daughter of a Celtic Druid. It was loads of fun making up trouble for both Maeve and Antonius and the book is something I am especially proud of. Feel free to visit my website www.JenBokal.com to read some excerpts.
Thanks for reading my blog and I will see you next time!
Jen

Anything For a Sale

2008-09-19T11:55:00.004-04:00

Candace Morehouse

Author of Golden Enchantment

www.candacemorehouse.com

We have a wonderful used book store here locally.

Every square inch of it is filled with bookcases and thousands of tomes stacked haphazardly on the shelves. I’d previously asked the owner, a lovely older man with a thatch of snowy white hair and a most friendly, helpful attitude about the possibility of carrying my book. Although it would be a new book in a used book store, I was a local author. Shouldn’t that give me some sort of clout?

He said he’d be happy to keep a couple on consignment, with pride of place atop the checkout counter. In my best Arnold Schwarzenegger imitation I told him I’d be back.

Since the store is located a good 30 miles from my house, I waited until I was returning home from meeting fellow author Mike Davis in a northern Arizona town (you can read his account here) before stopping in again.

The route is a scenic one which moves from tall pines to scrub piñon and mesquite, leveling out onto wide plains dotted by rock formations in the high desert, back through dense forest, ski area, and pine-studded mountains. On this day it had just hailed and piles of what looked like rock salt on steroids had accumulated alongside the road.

I was wearing my typical northern Arizona gear of red cowboy hat, jeans and boots. I walked into the deserted book store with books in hand.

Then I got down to business.

Our negotiations were not what I expected, however. Not that I have a great deal of experience with selling my books, but this was almost like an Abbott and Costello routine.

Me: “Hi. You said you would take a couple of my books on consignment and I’ve brought them by.”

Store Owner: Picks up book and reads back blurb. “Oh, yes. What kind of book is it?”

Me: “A western historical romance.”

SO: Raises eyebrows suggestively. “Ahh.”

Me: Leaning across the counter. “So, do you want me to leave them here? Can I fill out a form? Give you my information?”

SO: “Sure.”

Me: “I’m sure you would like a cut of the profits. Tell me what percentage you charge.”

SO: “Tell me how much you want me to charge.”

Me: “I don’t know. Tell me how much you would normally charge.”

SO: “How much do you want?”

This went on in a back and forth manner for some time. Finally, he said he would pay for the books outright rather than taking them on consignment. He looked happy as he took a couple bills out of the cash box. He had a big smile on his face.

Me: Winking. “Let me give you a business card with my phone number in case these sell like hot cakes and you need more.”

SO: Suggestively “Are you going to provide syrup with that?”

Me: Blinking and trying to think fast. “Of course. And a cherry and hot chocolate sauce on top, too. Anything can be on top. After all, it is a romance.”

SO: Eyes lighting up and a blush creeping over his cheeks. “Oh, yes, yes it is.”

Anything for a sale. Next time I sell my books, I’ll bring along a can of whipped cream.

Thoughts on Hurricane Ike

2008-09-18T22:27:00.001-04:00

As I watch television daily I’m amazed at the devastation Hurricane Ike has caused along the coast of Texas and other areas. The debris washed up, even between houses still standing, is astounding. One has to wonder whose home has piled up in their yard.

The loss of life is tragic; the suffering of those who have no place to live, and those with homes without air and water is incomprehensible, yet the misery doesn’t end there. Additional problems include financial ruin for many, time off work without pay, waiting for help from FEMA and insurance companies to pay on claims, and then finding contractors free to make repairs.
All of these issues are stressful enough, but what about those people who have young children, or are caregivers for the elderly, or have family members with special needs? I can only imagine the stress they’re experiencing and admire their dedication to family along with their ability to cope.

My cousin and her family were here from Willis, Texas, for four days this week. Fortunately, their house didn’t receive much damage, but they were without electricity and water. Her father, my uncle, is ninety-four years old and has dementia. Being in a new environment further confused him. Every time he had to go to the bathroom, he had to be shown again where it was located; the same for his bed at night. It wasn’t so bad during the day, but he has to get up often during the night. When they first arrived, he kept trying to leave thinking home was a block away. He couldn’t understand why they couldn’t go home and why it was taking so long to get the electricity back on. He worried about his sister on the coast who died eight years ago. My uncle is one of the luckier elderly. I worry about those who don’t have full time caregivers to help them during this stressful time.

Her son with autism, he’ll be thirty soon, managed fairly well. Though away from his familiar space, he found a way to release some of his energy by working around the house. My washer and dryer ran more in four days than it has in the past month. He cooked breakfast, washed clothes and dishes, and emptied the trash. He was a big help around here.

I admire my cousin and her husband for the fine job they do caring for their loved ones. While we’re praying for those who need help during this tragedy, let’s not forget to ask for additional blessings for those with special needs and those that care for them.

Interview

2008-09-15T03:55:00.002-04:00

There were no local newspapers in the small prairie town of Storkesville, Nebraska in 1868. If there were, the biggest story would have been the soon to be opened public library. The interview preceding the grand opening may have started out like this:

A young man patted the pockets of his lightweight wool suit jacket until he located his small notepad and pencil. He knocked on the library door before opening it and stepping inside.

A slightly disheveled young woman sat on the floor surrounded by various stacks of books. "We're not open for business yet, sir."

The reporter smiled and glanced around the spacious room. "Yes, miss, I know. Mr. Pepperdine sent me over to do an article for the grand opening. I'm the new reporter, Ronald Johns. Is the librarian here?"

The woman scrambled to her feet and dusted off her skirts. "I'm the librarian."

In the midst of scanning the room once again, he snapped his head toward her. "I beg your pardon."

She sighed loudly. "No need to poke your finger in your ear, Mr. Johns. You heard me correctly. I'm the librarian, Miss Hampton."

"But...but..."

"But what, sir?"

"It's just that librarians are usually old m... older," he stumbled over his words and felt his face grow hot from embarrassment.

Folding her arms over her chest, she blew a lock of bright yellow hair out of her velvet blue eyes then demanded, "Older than what?"

Ronald's Adam's apple scraped his stiff collar as he searched for a way to pull his foot out of his mouth.

"Oh, don't mind me," the lovely woman fluttered a hand as she dropped her arms to her sides. "I'm a bit out of sorts trying to get everything ready in time." A shrill whistle came from the teapot atop the wood burning stove. "Ah, tea. Just what I need. Would you care for a cup?"

Stunned by the impish off-center smile, Ronald nodded. As she prepared the tea, he forced himself to focus on the questions he should ask instead of her graceful movements. Why would anyone so young and beautiful wear such a dowdy, old lady's gown?

Carrying two teacups and saucers, she said, "Let's sit over here," indicating the desk in the center of the room with the cup and saucer in her right hand.

Ronald felt more in control now that he had his questions ready... until she stumbled and yelled, "Oh no!"

He rushed forward but it was too late to prevent what was going to happen. He had two choices; jump to the side to avoid the steaming liquid already arching from the cup through the air, or be the gentleman he was raised to be and leap forward to halt Miss Hampton's headfirst collision with the corner of the desk.

Yeee-eeow! The silent scream reverberated behind his clenched teeth as scalding tea plastered wool fibers to his inner left thigh.

Rose Lerma
www.roselerma.com

First Contact

2008-09-12T01:00:00.001-04:00

Michael W.Davis
Davisstories.com

Author of:
Tainted Hero, Forgotten Children, and Blind Consent

Ever meet someone online and you really enjoyed their personality; yet never expect to meet up face to face? No, I’m not referring to one of those hookup sites. I mean a person you liked as a human being. I recently had the chance to meet eye to eye with one of the many authors I established respect for from the cadre of talented writers associated with my publisher, Champagne Books.

I had to take a business trip to New Mexico, and decided to bring my wife, you know, kind of make a vacation of it. I mentioned the trip to Candace Morehouse, a fellow author that lives in Arizona, and she demanded we meet (she can be forceful for such a little thing.) Given we just started a collaborative relationship to write fiction together, seemed like a reasonable “request.” I asked the boss (no, not Candace, my wife). She approved the six-hour excursion through the scenic vistas of the Southwest deserts. We decided to have lunch at a place called Blue Java. I was really excited, I mean, after all, I was going to take two beautiful ladies to lunch myself, what a high.

The day came and true to form, in walks an attractive female with a bright red cowgirl hat. We exchanged a big hug, a few gifts, and sat down to a great meal with two wonderful ladies. What a lucky guy. I had the opportunity to observe two bubbling personalities drinking in life. It was well worth the extra six hours drive. Sadly, after a terrific hour at lunch, and half a day collaborating on our next book, DOUBLE EDGE, we had to say goodbye.

Candace suggested we shoot over to a town called Greer, in the Apache National Forest. It was twenty miles from the motel so we decided, what the heck. OMG, what beautiful scenery, and such an unbelievable little town tucked away in a valley. We had a terrific dinner in a log cabin restaurant called Molly Butler’s. It was a bit chilly but you couldn’t tell it outside on the patio by the giant fireplace. That’s right, a fireplace outside. As twilight approached, we sat and watched the wildlife (elk and mule deer) come out to graze. What an experience.

The next morning we drove three hours back to Albuquerque so we could arrive early enough to go shopping in Old Town (this was part of the negotiations for the side trip.) Yeah, the big guy did his duty and took his wife shopping, but this time, it was kind of fun. The style and flair of Old Town was enjoyable, even for a guy.

So what did I do while she shopped? I socialized with the friendly people in the shops. Made a new friend named Kay Sawyer in the Hanging Tree Gallery, and another named LaVerne Zubia in the Desert Corn Gallery. What terrific stories they shared.

Finally, we decided to have dinner in a very unique restaurant called the Monte Carlo Steak House, yeah, the one featured on Drive ins, Diners, and Dives. The whole trip was a great memory I’ll store away in that special place I revisit when I examine the positive events in my life, especially meeting up with my Cowgirl buddette, Candace. Oh, almost forgot. Ask Candace to show you her new T-shirt, if she dares.

See ya in a month

Big Mike

September Writing Prompt

2008-09-11T06:00:00.003-04:00

Is your muse on holiday?
Well, every month, I'll post a photo to entice her back.
Share your story starter in the comments
Or, if you're shy, keep them to yourself.

I'll start…

$$$

Betty hurried, head down, along the sidewalk, the streetlights throwing spooky shadows on the concrete. Why was she bothering to go home? It was well past ten o'clock. The laptop tucked in her tote held at least three hours of number crunching that, according to her boss, had to be done for the board meeting tomorrow. She might as well sleep at the office.

A blast of light punctured her gloomy thoughts. Betty looked up. A lady stood in front of her, wings of fire protruding from her back.

What the…

"I am Sól, goddess of the sun," a voice boomed.

A crazy person. She didn't have time for this. "Nice to meet you. I'm Betty, underpaid wage slave."

A finger pointed at her. Flames licked around the extended hand. This crazy person had some spectacular special effects. "I have a quest for you, Betty, underpaid wage slave."

Great, that was all she needed. More work.

$$$

Surely, you can do better than that!

$$$

Kimber Chin's first novel Breach Of Trust is now available from Champagne Books. Every week, she shares a new short story with readers.

Hello again!

2008-09-09T13:05:00.004-04:00

Usually I have my blog post all typed out and proofed in a word document before I post it. Well, I'm having issues and to be honest I'm almost worried sick. My word program has gotten to where it freezes every time I try to access it. I lose stuff and get kicked off. That sort of thing. The problem started yesterday shortly AFTER I joined Facebook.

I had put off Facebook because I have enough things to keep me busy. But my SIL emailed and asked if I'd join so we could share pix and stuff. Okay fine. I joined. Suddenly I'm getting hit with invites and requests and etc.etc.etc. The positive I've seen as far as joining: I've found people from high school that I haven't spoken to in ages. I share files with my SIL and one of my friends--who wasn't able to get my emails before--is now getting my mails. All great things.

But, having my computer issues pop up immediately after joining--not so great. Maybe it's a coincidence, maybe it's not. Whichever it is, it's frustrating!

One of the things that has been keeping me busy is the edits on my October release, Dragon's Angel. I received the cover last Tuesday. Isn't it AWESOME???

Shortly after I received the cover I was told that when the book releases in October it will be ebook AND print release. I was so excited! I'm clear over the moon!

A little bit after that I learned that Tides of Maryna's Love is in print NOW as well! I'm so thrilled and excited I can't even tell you how much!

I hear those pesky edits calling for me again. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...I don't think it's a train...

Hugz

Donica