Research and Pinterest

Researching books is one of the best time-sucks on the internet. I can get over-involved in finding the layout of a castle, information on medieval garb of Irish clans, and clan mottos. The list can be endless...but I've noticed the best one is the character search.

I have a strict limit on the character search - no more than 30 minutes per week. I'm not looking to cast my characters in a movie; rather, I'm trying to find a pair of eyes that match what's in my head, or the exact color of my heroine's hair when she's drying it by the fire. This is more difficult than one might think...matching up my mind with reality is sometimes incredibly frustrating.

This week, I've found two images. I was advised this weekend that a better way to gather all my images is to use Pinterest, instead of my hard drive...I'm going to try that out this week. It's one of those programs that I signed up for but never used; however, my Facebook feed is full of neat images (mostly food...my friends really love food) and ideas that I would never have thought of myself (but I'm pretty sure they'd eventually show up in my Martha Stewart Twitter feed).

Here are my two images. One of them is for the eyes of this guy, which isn't as grainy on my computer as it is here:

(I have no copyright information, but if anyone has some,
please send it along so I can post. It was from a Google search and the website no longer exists.)

It's not about the color...it's about the message they're conveying. Depends on your mood which message that is, so I'll let you play around with that one.

The second image is for my heroine's hair color. I have her hair portrayed as this:

(Copyright haircolors2013.us.)

And have the hair kind of looking the way this does - different colors, maybe a bit darker, though - when in firelight:

(Copyright haircolors2013.us.)

See how it still doesn't match up to my imagination? Frustrating. Do you use Pinterest? Does it help, or do you find it too distracting? Comment below!

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My Writing World

In a perfect, artsy, creative dream world, I'd be sitting in a quaint cottage, overlooking the Cliffs of Moher (yeah, I know there aren't any cottages that overlook such a huge, touristy cliff site, but it's MY perfect world, so it's there, and it's quaint) and it would be lightly misting.  The sea would be a little bit churny (new word!); my husband would be playing in the garden (I KNOW you can't have a garden there, let it go already) with our children, who would be wearing brightly colored raincoats. And, of course, my dog situation would remain the same, as they would slumber peacefully by my feet. 

In this dream writing world, I would also have a personal chef, chauffeur  and two house cleaners (again...my world).

My real writing world is very different. Monday through Friday, I get the children off to school (about an hour), then blog (about half an hour), then work a full day (usually nine hours). Then it's dinner time, then bath and/or bedtime...and then I can sit down to write, starting at about 8:30 or 9:00 at night. Weekends are whenever I can fit it in, but the goal remains the same: I write a certain number of words instead of free-flowing creativity. I like the idea of a muse, but she rarely works my hours, so I'm on my own during the day. But sometimes, she wakes me in the middle of the night. 

It happens more often than I like to admit.

Some people think I'm crazy, but the fact is, I'm a writer, and have been from an early age. The characters I create are real in my head; their lives play out like a movie, and it's my job to write down their thoughts and action; if I don't, they become more insistent. When I was 10, I remember getting so angry with myself because it felt like I would append every thought I had with "she said" or "she exclaimed haughtily." I couldn't control it - much like, if I wake in the middle of the night with a sudden resolution to chapter 14, I have to get it down. I don't write as fast as I type, and my thoughts go really fast when I'm in the zone, so I type. Which means I have to leave my bed, flip the computer on, and go.

My favorite time to write would distract me. I'd daydream, lollygag, and procrastinate. My real writing world pushes me to focus, plan, and finish. So I'll keep my reality, enjoy every minute, and save my dream for vacation.

You never know...someone might build a quaint cottage directly on the Cliffs of Moher, put a (fenced) garden in, and rent it for a reasonable weekly rate. Stranger things have happened!

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Every weekend should be a P&P weekend

This weekend, I've got another AWESOME conference coming up, and I'm pretty excited. I'm taking a class from one of my most favorite authors (one of the only ones who can make me laugh out loud while reading, causing weird looks from my family) and I'm meeting some agents and editors I respect (from their work and client list).

Excited is too mild of a term for it.

I also think it might be a good weekend to break out my favorite movie - Pride & Prejudice. (I've been listening to the soundtrack all week, and really, it's been about a month since I watched it last. It's time.) What are your plans for the weekend?

I'll report back with my top ten from this conference, too...so do check back!

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You asked for it...

I am flattered (and secretly a little thrilled) that I've had so many requests for more first-look content! After much thought, I think I can share one of my favorite scenes in Mists of Fate. Enjoy :)

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     Slamming the solar door behind her, Brianagh threw her hands on her hips. "Might I remind you that you are not my keeper?" She took a step closer. "You offer me refuge, then abandon me to the walls of your castle. Then, because my teeth hurt, I search and search for you so I can fire your cook and get someone in here who knows what she's doing."

     "Teeth," he replied blankly. "Fire a cook?"

     "Don't play word games with me right now," she replied angrily. He blinked and took a step back; she closed the gap. Poking him in the chest, she continued, "You're ensuring that I live in absolute hell during this arrangement, and you think you can treat me like I'm one of your servants?" She glared at him, spitting fire and fury. "I have a newsflash, my laird. I am not your servant. You aren't making any effort to show your clan that we're anything but mortal enemies!"

     Nioclas was fascinated by the fullness of her bottom lip. Really, he shouldn't be; he was beyond furious when he'd learned Donovan had taken her from the castle walls with such inadequate protection. But her lips were there, and though she was spouting nonsense, her voice was familiar to him (even upset, as it were). Her tirade continued, each word accented by her small finger in his chest, and, without warning, Nioclas shoved his hands into her hair and covered her mouth with his. 

     It was as if he had come home. 

     Melting against him, the fight left her body as her arms lifted, settling on his shoulders as he continued his ruthless assault. He angled her head, deepening the kiss; she moaned into his mouth, and he felt a flare of triumph at her acquiescence.

     He smiled inwardly. She responded to him; it was enough to start with.

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Favorite Authors, Favorite Books

Favorite authors are such a blessing. You know you're in good hands when you pick up a book by an author you love; there's such a feeling of comfort in that.

My absolute favorite author has a new book releasing this weekend (April 28 - Lynn Kurland - Roses in Moonlight). I've been waiting since LAST April to get my hands on it; she releases one every year, and I find that I devour her stories in mere hours.

It's a reality check.

Spending so much time, effort and energy with a manuscript, it's easy to forget that the end result provides precious few moments of escapism for a reader. What takes two hours to write takes minutes to read...That's why every word counts.

If you're good enough, your readers will hunger for more, and re-read your existing works while waiting for your next release. The escapism has potential to last much longer than the short hours a reader initially spends with a novel.

What's your favorite book? How many times have you read it? And why do you keep going back to it?

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Gate Keepers...or Something More?

I've been following the publishing industry for a few years. I've seen some really popular agents fall off the radar, and other ones pop on. I've also watched as a couple have risen to near God-status (in the eyes of writers - not necessarily other agents!).

There are some truly approachable agents out there; really nice folks who are kind, funny, and entertaining. They offer intelligent conversation, a drink at the bar, tips on making a piece of writing better. They're up on the latest trend, can discuss the digital publishing copyright laws without sounding pretentious and have a handle on the lingo.

But when you ask some about their current clients or most-recent sales, they stop talking. The subject is changed - usually brought back to the writer. Tell me more about your story! Or, I'm really glad I bumped into you. You seem like a normal person, one I could really work with.

Many writers would fall all over themselves at this point, beyond excited that an agent - a real live gatekeeper-to-the-hallowed-publishing-house-halls - is interested in their work.

Newsflash: People aren't always what they seem. 

An agent is, first and foremost, a business partner. He must believe in your message (that's the book) and be willing to work with you to smooth that message out until it's crystal clear. She must be willing to mentor you, the new writer, in a rapidly-changing publishing world. He must be able to show a track record. She must be willing to tell you when something isn't going to sell, and to move on to the next book.

When an agent offers representation, I really believe that the only way it'll work out is if you have done your due diligence. Check out the sales - specifically, check out the book's acknowledgements. (If there is a gushing tribute to the agent, that's a pretty good sign the agent worked hard for the author, although no mention at all doesn't mean the opposite.) Talk with the agent - if possible, meet in person. See if you click, if he gets you, if she understands you. 

For some, agents are the gate-keepers to the publishing world. But for others, agents are the people who can handle the business side of writing while you concentrate on the creative side of it. 

Recently, I met an agent who was fantastic. I was so excited; I thought she would be a great person to represent me. I was pretty shocked to find out that even though she's been a full-time literary agent (according to her) for almost 10 years, she's only sold 4 books. Four in her entire career. And none of those four were to big-name publishers - small presses only (that's a red flag - small presses are great, but shouldn't be everything an agent submits to).

How does she make a living on one book every 2.5 years? And if she can't sell more than four books in a decade, how in the world is she going to sell my book in a tough market? When I asked her these questions, she - you guessed it - started to wax lyrical about my writing.

I should mention that 10 pages of my writing is not enough for anyone to wax lyrical.

Anyway, my point is this: Please don't get so caught up in a person's title that you risk your career. You've spent weeks, months, sometimes even years with your manuscript...why would you want to hand that over to someone without being 100% confident that person is the one who will rep your book as if it is his own?

You don't. I believe that when you query an agent, you're essentially asking for an opportunity to interview him. Once the agent is interested in your work and thinks you might be someone he can represent, then it's your turn. Ask a million questions. Follow @RubenAgency and @mushenska on Twitter to see the #askagent sessions they run (there's an #askagent session tonight, where you can ask questions and a literary agent will answer as best he can - this is a great way to get some great information about submissions, the author/agent relationship, and much more). 

So be careful, and if you get rejections from lit agents, keep querying. And keep interviewing. Good luck!

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Writer's Block? No Thanks.

Maybe I'm just fortunate, or maybe it's mind-over-matter. Either way...writer's block doesn't affect me. It can't; I don't have time to waste with sitting in front of a blank screen.

I hate wasting time.

I don't wait for my muse. It's great when she visits - I get lots of great story ideas from her. But when she's off visiting others, or on a well-deserved vacation, it's up to me to get that story written. Two thousand words per day is something attainable for me. Sometimes I'll double it, and rarely will I miss it. But I always get something written if there's a blank page in front of me.

Writing is a joy, but I'm also trying to turn it into a career. I expect more of myself than ever before. I am the only one who can write these words, I am the only one trained in the workings of my mind. 

What about you? Have you ever experienced a form of writer's block? If so, how'd you get through it?

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It's All In The Words

Once upon a time...

It was a dark and stormy night.

The phone rang.

These beginnings are classic...and using them in a current novel is the kiss of death. I have read so many blogs, articles, books and tweets that advise against using any form of these. I've been to workshops that promise these lines will push a manuscript to the slush pile. And I keep wondering: Why, if these opening lines are so classic, wouldn't they be something you would use?

I think that almost every story, at its heart, has been told before. Recurring themes (think back to high school English class: good vs. evil; man vs. self, etc.) are present in every book out there; it must be identifiable to the reader if the author has any shot at reaching him (or her). The originality of the story lays in the characters, the plot, the setting.

Romance books follow a very specific set of guidelines. Ensure the characters are likable; ensure there are redeeming faults of both hero and heroine; give the happy ending. If all romance books are written with the same arc, why are they the top-selling adult fiction genre?

It's all in the words. 

Crafting a sentence for some is an absolute nightmare. Thinking of the subject, then the predicate; the direct objects, or should it be an indirect object; hyphen or ellipses points - it's easy to get bogged down in the grammatical details. 

I'm different. (Bite your tongue.) I love these things. I made it my goal in high school, then in college, to understand the intricacies of our language. I have an unwholesome love for grammar that, if I really told you how much I love it, I may frighten you. I enjoy commas and (my personal favorite) semicolons. I live to have spirited (yes, spirited!) discussions about the ways in which punctuation really can make a difference (Let's eat, Grandma! vs. Let's eat Grandma! is one of my most favorite Facebook pages). 

All this incredibly interesting stuff aside, at the heart of it, I love words on a page. Or a screen. Or spoken. Or, or, or - I love them all. Even swear words (hey, there's a time and place for all words). This love of words is what compels me to write every day. At work, I'm blessed to be able to do just that while expanding my mind in technical ways. At home, I can help my children write an essay or book report. And for me, I am more than blessed to have these characters develop in my head, then turn around and surprise me when I put them to paper. 

All those words must follow specific guidelines of my chosen genre, and they must be my own. They must reflect my voice, which must come through each line, loud and clear, without any undue influences.

 That's why those classic lines are a kiss of death for an emerging writer. They've been done numerous times before. You miss who the author is, or what the story was really about. All the voices were the same. 

After such hard work and dedication to my language and imagination, why would I want to use anyone else's words? I think that's the lesson all those blogs, articles, books, tweets and workshops ought to be teaching.

What is it that you love? Share in the comments below! But, full disclosure...

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Good vs. Evil

Good triumphs over evil.

This isn't something that only happens in stories. It happens every day, all over the world. Why? Because (I believe) people are inherently good creatures. If we were inherently evil, wouldn't we have killed ourselves off by now?

What we have done, especially as Americans in our post-9/11 world, is triumph over evil. This is a recurring theme in books, movies, folklore, and fairy tales for a reason. We want to live in a happy, peaceful place. We want to know the children of the world are safe. We want good to win Every. Single. Time.

It may not happen overnight. But it will - and does - happen. This is a long war, that started at the dawn of time and shall continue until its dusk. For all those touched by evil, outshine it with your good. Today, secretly, do something kind for someone else. No recognition, no glory, no gold...just because you are inherently good.

Good. It's a great word.

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What is sexy to you?

When writing, it's sometimes difficult to tell what makes a hero so sexy. Really, there are two types of heroes:

Some women love the alpha type - the strong, capable, in-charge, take-no-prisoners type, in the form of warriors, law enforcement, or other protective roles. Usually, these men are leaders, and can sometimes be a bit hard-headed or set in their ways. These are great in stories where you want to see the alpha man fall from his perch and admit that he really, truly, 100% cannot live without the love of his (one and only) woman.

My example of a well-known alpha male is Booth (David Boreanaz) from the TV show Bones. (You're welcome.)

Others like the beta type - kind, gentle souls, sometimes in the form of pediatricians or teachers. They help kids with homework, volunteer with the Big Brother program, change tires on the side of the road...these types are great when the woman is the one who needs a bonk on the head; it's gratifying to see a heroine take that fall. Especially if she's convinced herself that men like that don't exist anymore...and is presented with it at almost every turn.

My example of a well-known beta male is Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfayden) from Pride & Prejudice. (Again...my pleasure.)

Some books can successfully combine the two. Those are the hardest to write (in my opinion) because the alpha bit of the character can easily overtake the beta bit. And really...for a successful crossover character, you really needs to have all the bits in equality. Again, because I'm in a pictorial mood (and you're loving this post)...Thank whatever agent discovered this man - the quintessential alpha/beta mix. (No character name necessary. *fanning myself surreptitiously*)

(I know. I'm a giver.)

Show your love in the comments below - what's YOUR idea of sexy?

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