Saturday, January 26, 2008

Pitch Advice

Some of you know that I have a pitch scheduled in March with a Harlequin editor and an agent. I've been trying to come up with something constructive that doesn't make me sound like a complete idiot. A friend mentioned on eHQ that she was watching a DVD she ordered by Michael Hauge. I had no idea who he was. I found an incredible interview though where he talks about pitching. His book is How to Sell Your Story in 60 Seconds.

Interview at Writer Unboxed. It's a very interesting three part series.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Internal Conflict

One of the things I've thought about when I started revising/rewriting my ms...is what the editor said in her suggestions. I'm trying to focus on her comments. One of the things she commented on was the lack of internal conflict for my heroine. I could semi-understand (Is that even a word?) what she's talking about...I think. I mean, I think my internal conflict is great but I guess I didn't get it down the way it was in my head. Big difference between thinking it...and getting it conveyed on paper.

I thought about what internal conflict was and how to get it down so that the reader can see what's in my head. (Which could really scare someone;) It seems to be...putting the reader into the storyline. Making them feel what your heroine/character is dealing with - internally. An emotional POV because her conflict is what's driving her emotionally.

My character has a great motivation...which is also causing her conflict. How many times have we've been driving down the road...or doing dishes...taking a shower, and thought about our problems? My heroine's internal conflict is something we all deal with...doubt. In her situation it should be easy ~ because of what's causing the conflict. A teenager. If you're a parent, doubt goes hand-in-hand with the daily decisions we have in dealing with the drama a teen can create.

What drives your character's emotions...their motivation? Why? Question their reasons and reactions to conflict. And ask why.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Oklahoma Outlaws

What image does that conjure in your thoughts? That is the name of my local RWA chapter that I joined officially as of Saturday. I think I'll fit in well ;) I was really embarrassed Saturday because the room was FULL of talented, creative...published authors....and I had to introduce myself. I thought my face was going to catch on fire and explode. I can hold my own in a chat channel...but girls...I hate being put on the spot. I wonder what'll happen when I get published and have to sit at a table full of books and pray someone actually wants me to sign one. *sigh*

Anyhoo...our March meeting is going to be a mini-conference. We'll be able to pitch our mss to Miriam Kriss, an agent with the Irene Goodman Literary Agency and Margo Lipschultz with HQN. How cool is that.

Sooo...I'll be a little busy until then...maybe hit and miss for awhile. But, I'm here. Lurking and missing you guys.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Sharing

I'm going to share the love...

A good friend sent me an e-mail I just had to share with my writer buddies. Who else could understand our humor? LOL! Hope everyone is having a productive week.

MY LIVING WILL

Last night my sister and I were sitting in the den, talking, and I said to her, "I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle to keep me alive. That would be no quality of life at all, If that ever happens, just pull the plug."

So she got up, unplugged my computer, then threw out my wine. She' s such a bitch.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Cheat Sheet

My, what a bright and shiny new year it is. I have a good feeling about the direction I'm heading and I've met some really incredible people. 2007 overall was a great year for pursuing dreams.

Let's start the year out write/right and get this party started. Let's get some motivation cranked up on high. A favorite author of mine is also a fellow Oklahoman ~ Laura Marie Altom has a "cheat sheet" posted on her website that reminded me of where I am in my career. She gives some great advice! Enjoy!

Top Ten Ways to Get Published in Romance:

Friday, January 11, 2008

"Cassie-gate"

O.M.G.

A long time historical author has been accused of the unthinkable. This should shake things up a bit. Even La Nora has eloquently spoken. I was checking e-mail tonight and a RWA Alert was posted. It was a second notice about RWA's standing toward a recent scandal hitting the press but it sounds as if the internet and blogosphere is where it all began.

SmartBitchesTrashyBooks.com

In a succession of blog posts, you can see the controversy bud and then explode. Supposedly, even CNN, MSNBC, USA Today, New York Times and the AP have responded. SBTB details how they have compared passages from multiple books, multiple publishers written by historical romance writer Cassie Edwards, to identical passages she supposedly lifted from various published works. They've even tracked the plagiarism dating back to 1983. Apparently a big part of the controversy lies with the fact that Signet, the publisher, originally denied any illegal wrong doing and Ms. Edwards herself claimed to have done nothing wrong. The passages she copied were available for "fair use". But I guess now that Signet has had time to see the fallout from this, they've decided to investigate. In my case, the internet worked better than satellite. I hadn't heard anything of the debate until tonight.

SBTB notes that Signet has changed their POV. Hmmm. Really. La Nora even commented on SBTB with calm and class. But even I remember as far back as elementary school, it's considered plagiarism if you copy words verbatim and not site the source. Whether it's from historical research and non-fiction or fiction.

How does this affect us? Well...if people boycott Signet...what about the sales of innocent authors swept up in the tidal wave of bad press? What about Janet Dailey and her admission to plagiarizing Nora Roberts works in 1997...is Ms. Dailey still writing?

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Breathing!

Boy howdy! I've been a little busy...eHarlequin has been getting ready to roll-out the new boards and they had some of us doing a little tire-kicking to check for glitches in the system. So, the new hub went online and I sat patiently waiting...finally I had to go pick up kiddos and thought I'd missed it. I checked online and *voila* it was there...I sent a post to my favorite SuperRomance board and before long realized my signature line had changed. It said January Member of the Month! How cool is that! My picture is on the community hub front page. Ugh!!!

Which brings me to another reason I'm busier than normal ~ I joined a gym. I knew that I would make myself go if I was paying for it. I'm such a tightwad and really hate spending money on myself...this forces me to make it work. And yes, I've gone two days in a row. I signed up Tuesday...exercised and actually "wanted" to go back today. It's quiet when I go and only a handful of people were in there...no intimidating barbie dolls! I'm a little sore but not bad. Already down a pound but I think it's because I haven't had a Coke in a couple of days. But...I signed a year contract. Even when I lose weight, I'm going to keep it off!

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Wow!

Man stabs another man with pork chop bone

Jan 2, 2008 03:32 PM CST

NBC NEWS REPORT

ARDMORE -- An Oklahoma man was arrested after police say he stabbed another man in the neck with a pork chop bone during a food fight.

Police in Ardmore, Oklahoma responded to call of a fight outside a local business New Year's day. When they arrived, they found the victim covered in blood with a puncture wound to his neck.

Police arrested the suspect, 38-year-old Tony Willis a few block from the crime scene. According to authorities, Willis had blood on his clothes and they found the bone used in the attack.

The victim was treated at a local hospital and released.


(I read this online with a local news agency...it lends a whole new meaning to slapping someone who picks food off your plate. I wonder if the victim had eaten his black-eyed peas for the New Year?)