No Cookie for You, but a Peek at My Writing Process

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My Writing Process – Blog Tour

 

 I'm taking a brief break from Monday Fortune Cookies and am thrilled to be participating in the My Writing Process Blog Tour. Thank you, Tracey Livesay, for inviting me to play along. You can visit this amazing debut author at http://traceylivesay.com/ and her new novel is The Tycoon's Socialite Bride. 

What am I working on?

Currently, I'm working on a couple of projects. One of them is the second book in my Marant Clan trilogy, a romance involving Peter Marant, the eldest son of the Marant shapeshifter clan. The other project involves final revisions for Aces Down, another shapeshifter romance set in the same world as Collector's Item, but outside the Marant clan.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I'd like to think that while I adhere to most of what is expected for the Paranormal Genre, I give it all my own spin. For instance, I gave the animal sides of my shapeshifters their own personalities, complete with names. I've seen other authors including the animal side viewpoint upon occasion, but I wanted to go a step further. The animal personalities serve the purpose of the side-kick or advisor for my shapeshifters, sometimes helping my shapeshifters to pick up on things the human side might miss or stop over-complicating things. The back and forth between human and animal can often be amusing, give me the freedom to make observations that might be censored out of our human mental dialogue (or not).

Why do I write what I do?

I write paranormal and fantasy because that's what I love to read. I've written since I was a child, always exploring the "what ifs" and testing to see if I can add my own spin to the genres' tropes. All while trying to weave a story that I would enjoy reading myself.

How does your writing process work?

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I'm basically a pantser, meaning I write by the seat of my pants. Generally, my stories evolve from a character who steps onto the stage of my imagination demanding the spotlight. Together, we explore their world and generally get into mischief of one kind or another. Then, as a member of two wonderful critique groups, I am required to regularly inflict pages of my current projects upon them for feedback. This keeps me honest, believe me. I have to write so that I don't look like a slacker. Writers Endeavor and RichWriters have been invaluable to me for learning the craft and art of writing. If you don't have a critique group or critique partner, do yourself a favor and find one or both. 

Next week, February 24^th, I invite you to visit with three wonderful and diverse writers to read about their Writing Process. As anyone with a grain of experience in writing will tell you, there are as many ways to approach writing as there are writers, so I encourage you to visit with my friends see how they're navigating their paths.

Sofie Couch

Sofie Couch writes sweet romance with just enough piss and vinegar to make you spew your coffee and test your bladder control. With the help of 1,000 Typing Monkeys, (which also just happens to be the name of her blog), she cranks out romantic comedies and other literary mischief. You can find her at www.sofiecouch.blogspot.com

Alleyne Dickens

Alleyne Dickens was destined to be a writer the moment her parents named her. It's just taken her a while to get there. Pre-published, Alleyne writes historical romance, historical mystery and historical fantasy (aka steampunk). Discover her at http://alleynedickens.wordpress.com/

Leah St. James

Leah St. James writes stories of mystery and romance, good and evil, and the enduring power of love. To learn more about Leah and her books, visit her at http://leahstjames.com/blog/

Until next week, keep reading, writing, and smiling.

Belief, Writing, and Your Monday Fortune Cookie, 9/23/13

BELIEVING IS DOING.

SNARKY RESPONSE: Just make sure you've got that parachute before you take that leap of faith!

Believing is doing.

Back in 2000, I decided that if I really thought I was a writer, I was going to have to get serious and write! All the talking about that great story idea I'd been harboring, or that neat character who'd been haunting me wasn't getting me anywhere. I had to actually put my fingers to keyboard and start typing. Until I did, it was nothing but a pipedream.

I joined a critique group, listened, learned, wrote, and eventually began putting pages in front of them for review and critique. It was scary, putting my words in front of unbiased eyes. It was hard listening when flaws were spotted, mistakes corrected, plot holes identified, but I believed I could improve if I listened. If I remained open to learning new ways of seeing my writing. I kept at it, believing I could do it. I kept doing it, believing it was an evolving effort that would result in my becoming a better writer.

It's still true. Even now, discussing my newest idea with my critique groups is only so much hot air if I'm not putting it down on the screen. If I'm not putting words to screen, I'm not writing and I believe the only proof is in the pudding, or the writing. That's also why being in a critique group is so good for me. Not only must I believe in my writing and do the writing, but I have to turn in pages to the group, thereby holding me accountable for my dreams.

There's no getting around it, no short-cutting it, no foolin - if you want to be a writer, you have to WRITE!

And once you're doing that, YOU ARE A WRITER. Don't dismiss it, don't duck your head and scuff your shoe mumbling. Lift that head, meet the other person eye to eye and say aloud, "Yes, I'm a writer."

It took time, patience, effort, openness, and determination, but now I can truly say that I believe I'm a writer and because I'm a writer, I write!

MONDAY FORTUNE COOKIE, 2/17/13

LITTLE RITUALS WILL HELP YOU ACHIEVE SUCCESS

SNARKY RESPONSE:  But human sacrifice is frowned upon. Yes, I know some people are just asking to be sacrificed, but you must rise above it. Deep breath. Let it go. Just let it go.

Little rituals will help you achieve success

Everyone has little rituals to ensure good luck. Spill some salt, throw a pinch over your shoulder. Beware of that much maligned black cat who might saunter across your path. Find a penny, pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck. The list goes on and on.

Athletes are notoriously superstitious. Pre-game rituals abound from lucky pieces of clothing to fortuitous meals to specific actions.

And writers can be just as superstitious. That new journal every New Year's Day. The special pen. The same space at the coffee shop. But I'm not here to discuss our personal good luck routines. I'm digging into the harder stuff. The actual work rituals that will get a writer ahead in this world.

First and foremost - write every day. Drilled into every writer's head by every teacher, workshop leader, critique group, writing manual. Set aside a time every day to write. The ritual of writing is required if you plan to achieve any level of success. You can't publish that fabulous idea sizzling on your brainpan unless you put it down on paper/screen.

Set ground rules about your writing time. Make sure that everyone in the household understands that you are unavailable when you are writing. I've heard quite a few full-time writers laughingly admit to telling their families that unless there is blood involved, they are not to be interrupted while they are writing. And you must refrain from jumping up to check on this, intervene in that--you're writing.

Stop before you reach the end of a scene/chapter. By leaving you and your characters hanging you can make the next day's jump start that much easier. It will also get you back in that chair because your brain is just dying to finish that piece.

Timed writing. It's so easy to fritter away that precious writing time, doodling, researching, clearing your desk, busy work. However, creating a little ritual of timed writing will help you focus on quality writing time. When you've got a deadline, a designated period, it's less likely that you'll dither off. Borrow that kitchen timer or use my favorite website - eg.gtimer.com - and commit to a short period of time - 30 or 45 minutes work best. Fifteen minutes is hardly enough time to work up a slight roil in the creative juices. You want a full head of steam and 30 or 45 minutes work best. BUT if all you have is fifteen minutes, then do it! Set the timer and start banging out the words until it buzzes, beeps, or shrieks.

Listening to music is a kind of ritual for some writers. The perfect playlist can help to pump up the creative muscles. Just be careful that you don't pick anything too distracting. Getting up to bust a few moves can break the creative flow unless you are one of those folks who moves to muse. In that case, shake it but don't break it.

Join a critique partner/group & participate. Writing is a solitary endeavor, but to hone your writing, nothing is more helpful than a good critique partner or group. Not only do you learn from them, but participation forces you to be accountable. The critique group ritual will dictate that you produce pages to submit, and those pages need to be quality pages.

Attend workshops/conferences/classes. Build on the foundation laid with your critique partner/group by attending writing workshops/conferences/classes. Not only for the craft of writing but also for the business of writing. The landscape of publishing is shifting like the coastline in a hurricane and you need to keep a weather eye on the horizon.

So, those are a few suggestions from me. Now, let me open it up to the floor. What are some of your writing rituals? What do you do to help you focus on the work? How do you lure your muse out of hiding?

MONDAY FORTUNE COOKIE, 2/11/13

NOTHING DARED, NOTHING GAINED

SNARKY RESPONSE: Exactly what I said about dessert the other day! But I ordered it anyway.

Nothing dared, nothing gained

This week's Fortune Cookie works surprisingly well for me. About time! And speaking of time...


Over at NPR, they're running a little writing contest called Three Minute Fiction.


Writers are asked to write and submit a short, and I mean short, piece of fiction that can be read on air in three minutes, roughly 600 words. Entries had to be submitted by midnight last night, February 10th.

They choose a theme for the entries and this year the story has to be in the form of a voice mail message.

The fearless leader of my science fiction and fantasy critique group, Bud Webster challenged us earlier this year to participate in the next contest. He wanted us to step outside of our current WIPs and comfort zones to meet a challenge and a deadline!

Short or Flash Fiction is mucho hard for me. I'm a novella gal. Though I have had two short stories published, it's not my medium. However, I agreed with Bud that we should stretch ourselves. So when I heard about this year's contest, I decided to do it.

There were so many different ways to approach the voice mail concept, but I settled on a basically tried and true one. With a little twist to make it more interesting.

It's the "I'm sorry. I don't really want to break up" call. The "I take it back" that may or may not be welcome words after the recipient of the break-up has been up all night attempting triage on a broken heart and dreams.

My twists were to (1) set a time-limit on the response, (2) show that the deadline is missed, and (3) hint at a darker problem at issue in this relationship or with this apologetic soul.

I set up my time limit with the "unnamed" caller being in the airport leaving for an unavoidable trip. He wants the recipient, Maria, to call him back before he leaves as a sign that she'll take him back.

However, in this day of cell phones and international coverage, why would such a deadline be necessary?

It wouldn't, UNLESS my person will be incommunicado or have to "go dark" for some reason. Heading into the depths of the Amazon or onto the frozen tundras of Antarctica  Or is it something more nefarious? Something involving "contracts," per se.

Well, that's where I went and that's what I sent. If it never makes it past the first round, I'll be posting it here later. Fingers crossed. 

MONDAY FORTUNE COOKIE, 10/29/12

LET SOMEONE KNOW HOW SPECIAL THEY ARE TO YOU

SNARKY RESPONSE:  Awww, I didn't realize Hallmark owned stock in fortune cookie companies. You know, they've got a card for that!

Let someone know how special they are to you.

It's amazing how many people touch our lives and how those touches, no matter how small, contribute to our experience. Don't miss any opportunity to let folks know how much you appreciate them. It makes them feel good and it makes you feel good. Win/Win

So, here's my attempt to do just that - say a little "Thank You" to some of the folks who have helped my along my writing path!

JRW Contingent & Local NaNoWriMo Liaison

As an aspiring writer, I was fortunate to become involved in several wonderful groups which led to friendships that have become stronger with time.  As a member of the James River Writers, I've met (and continue to meet) such a wonderful diverse group. Some of them were at the NaNoWriMo Kick Off Party last night and posed for a little group shot.

My W3 Avatar

Virginia Romance Writers has brought me into contact with a great group of women. In fact, I've joined with seven of them to create a fun group blog entitled, Words, Women, Wisdom (W3 for short). You can visit us through the link. We're a diverse group of writers and I think we offer something for everyone. Please drop in and then come back to visit, often!

Most influential on my growth as a writer have been the two critique groups I was blessed to find and join - RichWriters and Writers Endeavor. These two groups have done more to help nurture my craft and my confidence in my writing than I can every repay. The members, ranging from aspiring to published, non-fiction to popular fiction, have given so freely of their time and thoughtful consideration and I never fail to thank my lucky stars for every one of them.

This is FAR from a complete list and I hope those I didn't include in this post will understand. It would take pages and pages, but these are the ones I felt driven to THANK today.

As John Donne said, no (wo)man is an island and for me, this is my opportunity to show exactly how true that has been for me.

Now I encourage you to take a moment to recognize and thank those who have helped you along your path. None of us can do this alone.

JRWC12 Tidbit #3 - The Value of Critiques & Self-Editing

When looking back at my choices of what panels to attend at the 2012 James River Writers Conference, I began to see patterns and one of them was on editing/critique.

My first session selection - Don't Fight the Feedback: Making the Most of Critiques and Self-Editing - made that point clear. The panel consisted of Cherise Fisher (The Scribe's Window), Lana Krumwiede (author, Freakling), and J.M. Tyree (writer), and moderated by JRW's own Constance Costas.

Wield Thoughtfully The Powerful Red Pen

Critiques are like advice--easy to give, hard to accept. However, when you receive a honest, insightful, and constructive critique, it would be foolish to ignore. The trick to giving and receiving critiques is to remember to be CONSTRUCTIVE. These pages/words were labored over by the author and are as dear as a beloved child. Treat them and the writer with respect, giving them your best in both content and delivery.

The panel offered so much valuable advice that I'm certain to have missed many points, but these made it onto paper:

• Don't self-edit while composing that first draft. Pour it all out and then go back to edit
• Be a developmental editor - evaluating character, pacing, plot, and voice - not just grammar
• Don't skimp on the fact checking (was there really a full moon on January 6, 1995?) and don't rely strictly on the web (unvetted and notoriously unreliable). Librarians are priceless resources.
• When considering a professional editor, especially for those going the route of self-publishing, carefully vet your choice. Some resources suggested: The Editorial Freelancers Association and Professional Editors Network

Sadly, I had to leave before the session was finished (hosting duties), but I was very happy I sat in on this one for as long as I could. Those editor association links alone will be invaluable IMHO.

MONDAY FORTUNE COOKIE, 9/17/12

Never judge a work of art by its defects

SNARKY RESPONSE: Yeah, everyone's a critic and you know what they say about opinions.

Never judge a work of art by its defects.

This fortune cookie made me think about critique groups.

Are you in a critique group or have a critique partner? In my humble opinion, writers can benefit greatly from a well-chosen critique group. I've been blessed to have discovered two wonderful groups. They've taught me a lot about my writing, but also they've taught me a lot about doing a good critique.

Being part of a critique group means that you offer and receive constructive criticism of each other's work. It's neither easy to hear nor easy to offer. However, if you're in a group, it's important that you take part and that you understand the key word is "constructive." To simply say that something doesn't work for you is not enough. You need to be able to explain why and hopefully offer a suggestion or two of what you feel would make it better. This is not to say that you will dictate how another person writes, you can only share what you feel would help. You are not there to write their story for them, simply to let them know if you see anything that needs work.

That's where our fortune cookie comes into play. Do not "judge" their work by any "defects" or mistakes, help them improve it. Offer suggestions for changes, give examples, and pose questions if something is unclear to you. Finally, and something that often gets lost in the mix, remember to comment upon what you liked, what you enjoyed, what you felt was done particularly well.

I would suggest you use the "Oreo cookie" method. I don't know precisely where I heard this used first, but I think it was at work. I've always understood it to mean to place a hard criticism between two compliments. I suppose if you're going to take the cookie analogy literally, you might be squeezing one compliment between two hard criticisms, but I prefer the first method when possible.

So remember, when offering critiques, read with a positive eye and critique with a positive tone. You wouldn't want your writing judged purely on its defects, would you?