Some years I follow American Idol, some years I don't. Hubby and I started watching this year's competition after the top 24 were picked.
What I like most about American Idol is watching the singers strive to become the next American Idol. Each week, they try to pick the right song, they practice, they sing and perform. They do whatever they can to ensure that they can sing for another week. They give their all each week, every week.
And I find that inspiring.
We all have hopes and dreams and goals and desires.
Right now, my goal is to secure an agent. Then to get a book deal. And on and on. I also want to have 2 more children. I have goals for every aspect of my life.
For those of you who are also writers, I'll take the American Idol analogy a little further. Instead of picking the right song, we have to pick the right genre, the right title, the right characters, the right story to tell in the first place. We have to practice our craft, and sometimes even trunk believed stories. We write and edit and revise and polish. And we read - to learn, to escape, to have fun.
What are some of your hopes and dreams in your life? How are you going about following your dreams?
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Piss A Writer Off and You'll End Up in their Novel
My family means everything to me. My husband, my sons. Do anything to hurt them, and I will not take to it kindly.
Son #2 has rather severe eczema. The eczema first started after we visited a friend with a cat but since the eczema has never gone away completely despite using medicine and creams, we figure he is most likely also allergic to something I'm eating as well.
So we scheduled an appointment with an allergist. A week before the appointment, we would have to stop his creams so it wouldn't affect the testing results. Just before this magic week, the doctor's office called and said we had to reschedule the appointment. Unfortunately, we had to wait over a month for the next available slot, which we took.
Finally, the day of son #2's appointment arrived. I was about to drop off son #1 at his cousin's so he could be babysat (since the appointment was going to last 2-3 hours) when the doctor's office called and said we had to reschedule again.
Two hours before his appointment.
And why did the appointment have to be rescheduled? Because the doctor called to say he wasn't coming in today.
Remember, we had to stop his creams and medicine so son #2's eczema is really bad, worst it's ever been bad, and he is miserable and all he wants to do is scratch and itch. Son #2 also just turned 8 months yesterday.
To say I was livid is an understatement. It's not even as if the receptionist said that the doctor called out sick that day. No, just that he called out that day. And the next available appointment? May 31.
No way. Not gonna happen. We told them we would find another allergist, and we did. Son #2 is going to see the new allergist on the 18th.
So now I am thinking about writing a horror story about a doctor. Dr Wyne. Dr. Wyne is going to die. Maybe come back as a vampire. Die again. Come back as a zombie. And die again.
Mess with my kids and you'll end up in my novel. Trust me, you don't always want to be in my novels, they aren't always romances and they don't always have happy endings.
Have you ever wanted to rip your hair out over someone doing something unfair or unjust to your kids? Have you ever written someone you know into a story?
Now I will say that sometimes my writing someone I know into a story is a good thing. I always include at least one trait from my husband into my heroes, so I'm not completely evil.
Son #2 has rather severe eczema. The eczema first started after we visited a friend with a cat but since the eczema has never gone away completely despite using medicine and creams, we figure he is most likely also allergic to something I'm eating as well.
So we scheduled an appointment with an allergist. A week before the appointment, we would have to stop his creams so it wouldn't affect the testing results. Just before this magic week, the doctor's office called and said we had to reschedule the appointment. Unfortunately, we had to wait over a month for the next available slot, which we took.
Finally, the day of son #2's appointment arrived. I was about to drop off son #1 at his cousin's so he could be babysat (since the appointment was going to last 2-3 hours) when the doctor's office called and said we had to reschedule again.
Two hours before his appointment.
And why did the appointment have to be rescheduled? Because the doctor called to say he wasn't coming in today.
Remember, we had to stop his creams and medicine so son #2's eczema is really bad, worst it's ever been bad, and he is miserable and all he wants to do is scratch and itch. Son #2 also just turned 8 months yesterday.
To say I was livid is an understatement. It's not even as if the receptionist said that the doctor called out sick that day. No, just that he called out that day. And the next available appointment? May 31.
No way. Not gonna happen. We told them we would find another allergist, and we did. Son #2 is going to see the new allergist on the 18th.
So now I am thinking about writing a horror story about a doctor. Dr Wyne. Dr. Wyne is going to die. Maybe come back as a vampire. Die again. Come back as a zombie. And die again.
Mess with my kids and you'll end up in my novel. Trust me, you don't always want to be in my novels, they aren't always romances and they don't always have happy endings.
Have you ever wanted to rip your hair out over someone doing something unfair or unjust to your kids? Have you ever written someone you know into a story?
Now I will say that sometimes my writing someone I know into a story is a good thing. I always include at least one trait from my husband into my heroes, so I'm not completely evil.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Depth of Character
In addition to a pre-conference session, Donald Maass also did a worshop called Creating Depth of Character. I was only able to stay for about half of this session until I had to leave to get ready for my pitch session with Sarah LaPolla.
What makes for deeply engaging chracters?
Their jurney, their arc, their transformation.
What makes people interesting?
What they think
What they feel
emotionally unexpected
Something new to us, a fresh perspective
How can this be accomplished?
Through opinions, especially the strength of those opinions
Try to provoke the reader through the character's strong opinion so as to connect and engage the reader.
Consider you protagonist and his/her sidekick or best friend. Think of someone that the protagonist hates about the other person. At the end of the story, turn around the opinion through acceptance and tolerance.
And that's all the notes I have on creating depth of character. What do you think best creates depth of character?
What makes for deeply engaging chracters?
Their jurney, their arc, their transformation.
What makes people interesting?
What they think
What they feel
emotionally unexpected
Something new to us, a fresh perspective
How can this be accomplished?
Through opinions, especially the strength of those opinions
Try to provoke the reader through the character's strong opinion so as to connect and engage the reader.
Consider you protagonist and his/her sidekick or best friend. Think of someone that the protagonist hates about the other person. At the end of the story, turn around the opinion through acceptance and tolerance.
And that's all the notes I have on creating depth of character. What do you think best creates depth of character?
Monday, April 4, 2011
Creature Mondays and Winner
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| Credit for picture |
From German folklore, the Kobald are household spirits. Kobalds look like a little old man. "Kobe" means "house" and "hode" means "beautiful" or "good."
A Koblad helps to make a house beautiful. As long as he is givin food to it, a Koblad will complete any household task that has been left unfinished one the family goes to sleep.
One legend tells of the Kobalds in the city of Cologne. They did so much hard work at night that the citizens grew lazy. A tailor's wife became so curious to see the Kobalds at work that she scattered peas onto the floor to make them slip and fall. Infuriated (and rightly so!) the Kobalds disappeared, leaving the people of Cologne to do their tasks and chores themselves, without magical help.
I wish I had a Kobald to help me clean my house!
Ok, I made you all wait long enough. It's time to announce the winner of my Fool for Books contest.
Nightly Cafe!
BK, I'll be emailing you shortly.
For those of you who didn't win, don't worry. The Fools for Books giveaways pushed my follower count to over 400, and you know what that means!
Another contest!
I'll post the details of the contest on Friday, so be sure to stop on by.
And congrats to Nightly Cafe!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Fool For Books Giveaway Hop!
Welcome to the Fool for Book Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and The Bookish Snob!
The Hop is a 2 day event from April 1 – April 2.
There are 200+ Blogs Participating! Please visit I Am a Reader, Not a Writer for the entire blog list!
So what am I giving away?
An ecopy of Woman of Honor, Knight of Glory, or an ARC of Champion of Valor! Also some signed postcards and magnets.
Despite the mockery of the other pages, and the disdain of Prince Caelan who also trains to be a knight, Aislinn commits herself to her dreams and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and bravery. Through the years, Aislinn and Caelan grow from sparring classmates to good friends. They both know that someday Caelan will marry for the sake of the kingdom, but even that cannot keep them from falling in love.
The threat of war with the Speicans is a constant threat, and one that grows more frightening as she and Caelan train toward their eventual knighthood. Aislinn has committed herself to serving Arnhem, and has promised herself as King's Champion when Caelan claims the throne. She is willing to give up everything... her childhood, her life, even her heart for Arnhem. No matter the pain it brings.
Knight of Glory - Sir Geoffrey, along with some companions, has been sent away from Arnhem, entrusted by Queen Aislinn for a special mission, and has to leave behind the mysterious lady Celestia. On his journey, he uncovers seeds of a sinister plot, learns a horrible secret, and makes a new friend in exile Jenanna. Their mission completed, Geoffrey and his companions rush to two different kingdoms to ask for aid. Danger and betrayal lurks around every corner, and even allies have secrets that could prove deadly. Geoffrey's feelings for Celestia grow and wane. After learning some of Celestia's secrets, he begins to have second thoughts about his love for her and is even drawn to Jenanna.
Rumors abound that the Speicans have enlisted a mage of their own, to work unspeakable, forbidden magic. The war between Speica and Arnhem has just begun. Will Geoffrey survive the battle to live another day and discover which woman he truly loves?
Champion of Valor is the thrilling conclusion to the Kingdom of Arnhem series and will be published May 1st.
To enter, you must be a follower and leave a comment. (+1)
To enter, you must be a follower and leave a comment. (+1)
For additional entries:
follow me on twitter (+1)
spread the word (through your blog, FB, or twitter) (+1 for each, leave a link in a comment)
like me on facebook (+1)
Easy, huh? Now check out the other great prizes on the Fool for Books Hop!
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