I don’t know about you all, but whenever I’m feeling ‘trapped’ by something I tend to want to make ‘extreme’ moves. (Like donate all the clothes in my closet.) Right now, this particular sensation is attempting to manifest itself in my hair. LOL! (The closet may be next.) I think it’s because I can control my hair when everything else seems beyond my grasp.
I’d like to be able to say this is a fluke occurrence, but it’s not. I’ve gone through this particular transition period several times throughout my life. The last time I ended up with blue tipped spiked hair. Yes, it was as pretty as you’re imagining right now. (wg)
I think it’s easier to face the little things like hair when the bigger things are bothering you. Somehow it seems less daunting. (I say little, but my hair has a mind of its own and doesn’t like to cooperate.) Dh says the only reason I’m feeling this way is because I haven’t decided what direction I want to go in. (Have I mentioned how much I hate it when he makes sense? 
Do any of you do weird things when you’re feeling stifled?
Archive for May, 2005
My dh asked me this question in 2001. This was right before 9/11. He said I was not to take money into consideration or location. I think it’s an interesting question because it cuts through all the ‘excuses’ we as people tend to use when we think about changing direction in life.
How many times have you thought you’d like to do something, but you don’t have the time, money, energy to do it? I used to be this way when I worked for the airline, then 9/11 occurred. Suddenly time took on a whole new meaning to me and so did my dreams. When was I going to start pursuing them? I always assumed I had plenty of time…so did the people in those three planes and two towers.
I no longer felt satisfied to wait for what I wanted to do. I needed to act. I went back to the original question my dh asked. The answer that came both times (pre and post 9/11) was the same. I wanted to write. I’ve always wanted to write. Up until then, I’d dabbled in it by taking classes on and off throughout the years. That day ended all of my procrastination when it came to following my dreams.
I’m sure this entry has a point and I’m trying to get to it. I have friends and strangers tell me they don’t know what they want to do with their lives. I always ask them the above question. The answers vary in degrees of waffling. In my mind, I wonder what they’re waiting for. So I’m going to ask you all the same questions. If you could do anything, what would you do? What are you waiting for?
Whether you’re trying to form a new RWA chapter or changing writing genres, we all go through growing pains. I’m not sure why pain proceeds growth, but it does. Darn it. It’s been brought home to me again, as the newly forming chapter tries to find its feet.
In every organization there are a group of people that fight progress every step of the way. I always wonder why these individuals want to be part of a group. I’m not talking about differences of opinion here. I am talking about arguing EVERY point made. Sigh. The mind boggles and the head hurts.
I think it’s doubly hard for me right now, since I feel so much upheaval in my writing. I have ‘less’ patience for nonsense these days. As opposed to before, when I practically oozed patience out of my pores. Snort! All this strife and sudden growth does give me a better understanding and appreciation for PBW’s plight. No wonder she gave up being part of groups.
If you haven’t noticed, I love naming blog entries after songs. Most of the time it’s just a line in the song that sums up my entry, but sometimes it’s the whole song. That is not the case this time. LOL!
I’m currently sitting here waiting for the cleaners to show up. They were supposed to come between 9-12. I think they’ve missed that deadline. Kind of wondering if they’re going to show up at all now.
Lately, I’ve been feeling overly restless. Normally, for me, that means I’m about to shake things in my life up big time. I know I mentioned my dh saying that I’m an adventure writer in my last post. That’s been eating at me. Not in a bad way, but in a contemplate the universe sort of way. I’m seriously considering reinventing myself. Hell, it works for Madonna. Why not me?
Have any of you started out on one path, only to reinvent yourself and continue down another?
This information comes directly from Cindi Myers Newsletter. If you haven’t subscribed, what are you waiting for?
Harlequin Blaze will be releasing six books a month beginning in July 2005. They’re having a contest to find new writers for the line. No guarantees of publication, but the first and second place winners will receive a critique of their manuscript and a year’s subscription to the Blaze series. From the contest ad: “Take the same brash, bold heroines, but take them in a NEW direction. Is there a secret twist? A unique fantasy? A storyline you’ve never see before, but has Blazing potential? Is your voice seductive? Suspenseful? Laced with attitude? Or hopelessly romantic? They’ll all work! Just remember to include a high level of sexual chemistry and, of course, steamy sensuality.”
To enter, submit a first chapter (maximum length 25 pages) and a synopsis (no more than 5 pages). The contest is open to both published and unpublished authors. Please include a cover letter telling your publishing experience, contest wins, etc. Entries must be postmarked by August 31, 2005. Winners will be announced October 15, 2005. Send your entry to:
Kathryn Lye, Editor and Contest Coordinator
Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd.
225 Duncan Mill Road,
Don Mills, Ontario
Canada, M3B 3K9
On the ERWA list there is a lot of talk about defining the chapter. (erotica writer vs erotic romance writer) Is one ‘definition’ better than the others? Hmm… This got me thinking. How do I define my writing?
To be honest, I DO NOT consider myself an erotica writer, mainly because my definition of erotica does not have to include a happily-ever-after or a loving relationship. (Of course, some erotica stories do include these elements.) Before anyone jumps on me here, realize I have NOTHING against erotica or the writers of erotica. I wish I could be included in that group. I just can’t seem to write erotica (as defined by me).
Also, I’ve realized some of my stories aren’t really romances, erotic or otherwise. My writing is evolving into something unexpected. I asked my dh how he’d define my writing and he said he was worried that he would upset me if he told me. LOL! I assured him I wouldn’t hold a grudge. (wg) He reluctantly agreed. (This man knows me far too well.) Dh said I’m an adventure writer. Wow! I didn’t see that one coming, but it makes sense as I review my books. I do write adventures. Some of them include strong romances, while others only have romantic elements. When did that happen? When did I go from a romance writer to an adventure writer? Has this happened to any of you?
Well the ERWA list is going like gangbusters. Glad that the spicier romance writers have finally found a home. Tons of sales were announced today. One of my critique partners, Julia Templeton received THE CALL from Avon, telling her they want her to write for them. Woo Hoo!!! Way to go, Julie!!! To make the day perfect, she also landed an agent. It could not have happened to a nicer woman.
I have my head down and my nose to grindstone. A few things happening behind the scenes, but not enough known to share yet. I’ll keep you posted.
I got my new contacts yesterday and low and behold I can see again. Wow! Just to make a point of how bad my old prescription was the eye doctor took the setting back three until everything blurred. He then turned to me and said, “This is what your current prescription is and this is your new one, how in the world could you see before?” If I wouldn’t know any better, I’d say that was a trick question. ;-P
Sylvia tagged me yesterday. I’m embarrassed to say I had to look up what it meant. *blush* Yes, I can be a little on the slow side.
Total Number of Books I Own:
Gulp! I ‘think’ it’s just short of 1000 books.
Last Book I Bought Non-fiction:
Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Deb Dixon.
Fiction:
Just bought ‘Dead to the World’ by Charlaine Harris, ‘Blue Twilight’ by Maggie Shayne, ‘Mr. Impossible’ by Loretta Chase, ‘Storm Front’ by Jim Butcher, ‘The Stand’ by Stephen King, ‘If Angels Burn’ by Lynn Viehl, ‘To Tame a Wolf’ by Susan Krinard, and ‘Red-Hot Cajun’ by Sandra Hill. Yes, that was all in one day. :-O
Last Book(s) I Read Non-fiction:
Word Painting by Rebecca McClanahan
Fiction:
Still reading ‘What Rough Beast’ by H. R. Knight
5 Books That Mean A Lot To Me(because they taught me what I liked about romance)
A Rose in Winter by Kathleen Woodiwiss
Heart of Thunder by Johanna Lindsey
Hawk and the Dove by Virginia Henley
Desired by Virginia Henley
The Dark Series by Christine Feehan, who showed me what paranormal romance could be.
I’m tagging:
I am currently looking for my next book deal. I have finished my Brava obligations and am now technically unemployed. A typical position for a writer to be in. I’ve written eleven books since 2001–and that doesn’t count the six partials sitting in my file cabinet, some of which are over 200 pages long. I know that’s not very many compared to some, but much more compared to others. Of those books, eight are published and two are waiting for release dates. All these stories vary in length from 12K to 86K. Why am I bringing this up? Because lately (I say lately, but it’s been since last year.) I’ve heard from various parties that my work doesn’t count. Keep in mind, these people were not being mean in any way, shape or form. They were giving me their honest opinions.
It started with my editor at Kensington, who is direct, dedicated, and extremely hard working. When I mentioned my EC books, she said they really didn’t count for much in NY. Fair enough. You can’t fault someone for speaking their mind. That sentiment carried over to my agent, who’s kickass at his job. He said that none of the NY publishing houses would count my work at EC as having finished product under my belt. (This conversation stemmed from whether I could sell on a partial and synopsis rather than a finished book.) I’d accepted their opinions, because they know a hell of a lot more about the publishing business than I EVER will.
That brings me to today. I contacted a writer’s organization about their membership requirements. Apparently, my EC book (they don’t count my ebooks, only paperbacks) is the only one that counts, not my Bravas.
Sheesh.
This is why I got so upset the other day over the RWA’s upcoming changes. I’m sick of having no place to fit in. And I’m mad at myself for caring about it in the first place.
So I ask again, when do I count? How many books does it take before I’m actually considered an author? 15? 20? 100? Do they have to be specific types of books? Obviously, since that’s what everyone is telling me. Last night Linda Lael Miller told me you have to have a sense of humor to survive this business. Boy, she wasn’t kidding.
I was talking to Sylvia yesterday (as you can see from my previous blog entry). We were lamenting about how hard it is to write single title books. I know not everyone has a problem with reaching 400 pages. If you’re in this category, go away I don’t want to talk to you right now. ;-P No! Wait! Actually, I do want to speak with you.
Anyway, she asked me if I ever tried adding a subplot involving other characters in the book. I’ve considered this, but so far have not applied this OBVIOUS tactic to my writing. DOH!!!
So last night as I drifted off to sleep I considered secondary stories for two of my books. The one was actually pretty easy to come up with since I’d already considered adding it to AQ4. Of course, if I go for it that means my book won’t be finished by the end of this month. Grr… The other story wasn’t as easy. I have an inkling of what the secondary story should be, but not sure exactly how to add it to the book. Also, if I do, it won’t be wrapped up at the end of the novel. It’s only the beginning of that particular problem. I guess I’ll have to give it some more thought.
For now, I’m back to writing the end of AQ4. I decided to skip to the end and write it to shake things up. I do have a few questions for those of you who whip out 400 pages without blinking an eye. Do you use secondary stories to lengthen your work? How much description do you throw into your books? And finally, if a secondary story is added to a book, that is the first in a series, would you be angry if it wasn’t wrapped up in the end?
