Julie Lence's Blog - Posts Tagged "julie-lence"

Hello:
I hope you all have had a Happy Holiday season. Ours was quiet and joyous and now I'm ready to get back to work. Actually, I've been itching to delve into my story since last week, but with school still on break, my time was not always my own. I did manage to get quite a bit accomplished around the house, and I'm happy to say that yesterday I was finally reunited with my characters and their world. The two weeks away from the keyboard have given me a much needed energy boost to greet 2011 and all I hope to accomplish with my writing. I haven't made a hard list of goals yet, but ideas are moving through my mind.

So, how about you? Have you made any writing goals for 2011? If not, you should. And they can be small goals. Finish 'x' amount of chapters in two months, sign up for interviews and reviews, or join a writing/critique group. Writing and critique groups are both excellant ways to jump-start your muse and get you writing again.

You can also start with steps smaller than these. Flesh out your main characters for a new book. Outline the first three chapters. Or world build your setting. You don't have to accomplish all of this in one day. Give yourself a few weeks to tackle these projects and by the end of that time, you'll be like I was last week; itching to write.

However you decide to tackle getting back into a writing routine, tackle it with honesty to your work and home life schedule. The more burdens you put on yourself, the less eager you'll be to write. And frustration will set in quick the more you stare at a blank page. Be true to yourself, pick up a pen or power on the computer and get started with the small stuff. By the end of January, you'll be glad you did.

Writing a novel from beginning to end is a long, rewarding journey. As the author, you must create characters, world build and develop a plot. And then you have to put them all together so that they interact well and make sense. But how do you know your characters are true to themselves? Or that your plot isn't flat? Or that your dialogue isn't stilted? Or that the situations you place your characters in are believable? This is where a critique partner comes in. She, or he, reads your work and tells you, honestly and as a neutral party, what is working and what isn't. She will catch your spelling and punctuation mistakes, and she will make you rewrite a scene until she feels it's believable, keeps the plot flowing and is at its absolute best. Sometimes she might change a word to something you don't like or agree with, but that's okay. You don't have to accept a minor change. But the best part about having her in your corner--she's always there when you need her.

I hit a snag in my current work and last night, Stacey came through for me. We brainstormed for an hour about what I could or couldn't do at this point in the story. I have to tell you, not only was this the most fun I've had in a week, it was the most creative. Stacey jump-started my muse and the ideas flowed--hers and mine. We bounced scenarios off each other, dissected the characters and their motives, and the plot and came up with something good, something believable and something that can work for the hero and heroine. I was so excited after we'd logged off for the night that today I sat down and outlined a chapter--something I very rarely do but the momentum and the ideas just wouldn't let go.

So if you've got a critique partner, count her as one of your blessings. She's like an angel sent from above to make your life that much better. And if you don't have a critique partner, find one. Not only will you have someone to catch those pesky little mistakes, you'll have a friend for life. I know I have a friend for life in Stacey.

Interviewers often ask if I do any research for my books. The answer is yes. I'm always looking for ways to add authenticity to my stories. Whether it's a town, an article of clothing or a stagecoach route, I want my work to reflect the true flavor and setting of the old west.

In Lady Luck, I researched the layout of the streets in San Francisco back in 1860. I wanted Missy's gaming hall located along the Barbary Coast, so I had to know for sure if that was possible. I also researched the color of the uniforms the policemen wore and how folks traveled up the bay to reach San Francisco. For my soon to be released novel, No Luck At All, the story opens with the hero marrying a Boston socialite after having earned his medical degree from a Boston college. Placing him in Boston was important because it related to his past, but before I could actually do so, I had to ensure Boston did have medical colleges back in 1874.

While researching both of these books, I found one common denominator; trying to prove one particular thing leads to the discovery of more interesting things. For example, with Boston, I happened upon some inventions related to the medical field during the 1870's. One was the use of ether, which I was able to incorporate into my story. I also enjoyed reading about two colleges in Boston banding together to become one large campus. In Lady Luck, I thoroughly enjoyed researching the Barbary Coast. One particular thing I learned was how some ships had sailed into the bay and damage they either had or undertook during docking caused them to become permanently dry docked; thus Missy's gaming hall went from a building to one of those ships.

The library and the internet are both great sources of information. I used a combination of both for San Francisco and the internet for Boston. Once I had the material I needed, I wrote down the books and the sites I used in individual notebooks I keep for all my stories. I do caution you; if you use the internet, make sure you verify your facts with a few sites. Don't rely on just one. And if you can't find the exact detail(s) you're searching for, (I had this problem when trying to find what the inside of a particular prison looked like) it's okay to add a little of your own imagination.

Happy researching. May one interesting discovery lead to another.

I grew up on the east coast. Snow and cold temperatures were the norm for the winter months. Sometimes, if we had a really harsh snow storm, the school district would take pity on us and close. Most often, school was open and that meant bundling up in snow pants, coats, hats, scarves and mittens and walking to school. Or standing on the corner waiting for the school bus. But as kids, my brothers, sister and me liked the cold. We had a big back yard. One year we turned on the garden hose and made an ice skating rink. That was a lot of fun, but what I really liked was how the man next door had a plow on his pick up. He had a very long driveway and would push the snow all the way into the corner of our back yard, pile it as high as he could and then we'd go out and make snow forts. Nowadays, I prefer to stay inside where it's warm.

So, what does a writer do on these cold, snowy, stay indoors type of days? For me, I try to write--something. Even part of a scene. Or I work on promo. But by the end of the day, I can guarantee I haven't accomplished what I set out to. Why? Because school is usually closed, which means my son is home and bored. Translation--entertain me. To offset the feeling that I've accomplished nothing by the time bedtime rolls around, I make a deal with him: let me work until noon and then we'll do something together after lunch.

I have found this strategy works; sometimes. Usually, by the time I shut off the computer, he's doing his own thing and doesn't want to be bothered. Or, if I'm fighting for one last half hour to finish, he's more than ready for my attention. And that's when I have to remind myself family comes first. Scenes and chapters and promo will wait another day, but the time I spend with him is priceless, and slips away faster with each passing day. Your characters might be calling to your muse, or that last interview question needs to be answered and sent off, but these cuddle on the couch and watch a movie, play a game or bake cookies days won't always be here. Enjoy the cold and snow by spending time with your little ones and don't sweat losing time at the computer. You can always write another day, but you can't cuddle with an eighteen year old itching for the car keys so he can fishtail through the snow.

Cupid's day is fast approaching. Flowers, candy and cards disappear from store shelves in the blink of an eye as sweethearts rush to assure their significant others of their love. And then, before midnight, it's all over until next year.

When I was younger, I looked forward to receiving roses from the hubby and dinner out with him at fancy restaurants. I wasn't keen on candy, so not getting one of those heart-shaped boxes wasn't a big deal. As I matured, things changed. Instead of roses, I now prefer a bouquet of mixed flowers. And dining at home is much better than dining out. My husband is a great cook and always makes something delicious for Valentine's Day. Is he a true romantic at heart? The answer is no, but I wouldn't trade him for anything.

Stan is the type to keep his nose glued to the laptop and read the blogs he favors instead of cuddling on the couch. He'll ask me the same thing five times, is the true meaning of the word procrastinator and forgets to call when he says he will, but there are some things he does and does well. He always remembers birthdays, anniversaries and Valentine's Day. Actually he's quite talented at choosing gifts. He helps with the laundry, goes grocery shopping, runs errands and shovels the driveway. But more importantly, he's a tower of strength, dedication and support.

When my grandmother died, he was there to offer comfort. When I had my wisdom teeth out, he took care of me. And when I decided to embark on a career writing romance, he supported me. With each passing year, I am thankful to have him as my husband and soul mate. Without him, I'd truly be lost for he is the one who keeps me grounded. That's not to say he doesn't get on my nerves or try my patience, but those trials are what makes life with him fun. And when he smiles, or is excited for having been rewarded for something he's done, I'm happy, because I'm the one who gets to share his good blessings.

Happy Valentine's Day, Honey. You may not be a cowboy or ride a white stallion, but you are definitely my hero.

This is a short week for me. The hubby is having his wisdom teeth removed on Friday, so rather than trying to think of a good, writing related topic, I decided to do something different and tell you a little more about me.

I grew up in upstate New York. Summers were fun and winters were brutal. I went from wanting to be a stewardess to a teacher and some other odd choices before falling into a banking/accounting career when I was in my late teens. College didn't interest me at the time, mostly because I wanted to get married and be with my hubby as he embarked on a career with the Air Force. I remember walking down the aisle with my dad and him asking me if I was sure, 'cause if I wasn't, he and I could slip out the door and hightail it to the bar--he was buying. I declined.

The first six months of married life, I didn't work. We only had one car and the hubby needed it to get back and forth to work. I spent a lot of time reading mysteries and women's fiction. Jackie Collins was a favorite. I never really gave thought to writing my own novels back then. I just liked to escape to other people's worlds and problems. My friend, Renea, introduced me to romance novels in the late 80's. At first I was skeptical, but after reading a few, I was hooked. I really liked the characters, the locales and the happy-ever-after endings. The writing bug still hadn't bitten me until I read Double Standards by Judith McNaught. Her flawless writing style and memorable characters gave me such inspiration that I quickly bought a notebook and a package of ink pens.

I worked full time and wrote in the evenings and on weekends. I carried that tradition with me until I had my son in the late 90's. We were newly arrived in Virginia and didn't have family nearby. My husband worked shift work and was going to college. It was up to me to take care of the baby, the house and two dogs. Something had to give--writing. For five years, I didn't pen anything. I did meet an author during that time who I admired greatly. Ms. Criswell told me about RWA and local romance writing groups. When my husband retired from the Air Force and we settled into our present home, I joined RWA and my local romance writing group. The wonderful ladies at PPRW taught me how to write in the romance genre. They also taught me how to write cover letters and a synopsis and they provided helpful hints for promoting my work. I thank them and my husband for their support and encouragement. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today.

Through the years, some things have remained the same and some things have changed. I don't wear 4 inch heels anymore; my back no longer can take the strain. I don't wear Wranglers every day as I swore I would when I was in my 30's. I prefer being in comfy sweatpants when sitting at the computer. Purple and grey are still my favorite colors. Traditional country music will always triumph over pop country music. My fondness and respect for horses, cowboys and all things western is here to stay. Veal and sauerbraten are still my favorite foods. I'm like my mom in that when I'm home, I'm always in slippers. I hate a messy house, and this could simply mean that coats and shoes aren't put away. Patience has never been my strong point and probably never will. I've come to dislike the cold and the heat. Spring and autumn are better suited to me. I'd rather spend the night at home instead of out on the town like I did when I was young. John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara remain my favorite actor and actress. And the one thing I've learned--never say never. You just don't know what the future will bring.

Have a great week everybody.

Half the Fun

My critique partner, Stacey, has just typed 'The End' on the first draft of her current work-in-progress. Knowing Stacey, I'm sure she's in a state of euphoria and breathing easy before she tackles the second draft. But as rewarding as it is to have finally finished the first draft, half the fun in getting to the end is the road your characters take you down.

I usually begin a novel having a small inkling of what I'd like the story to be about. Sometimes, I have scenes playing out in the back of my mind or an exchange of dialogue between characters that I write in a notebook so I don't forget. Some of this may or may not end up in the book. If it does, chances are my original thoughts have been altered, because the characters have taken over the story and made it their own. They guide me in directions I hadn't previously thought of. This can be frustrating, but more times than not, it's interesting and the story is much better when the characters take the lead.

My soon to be released, No Luck At All, was exactly like this. Originally, I intended for the bulk of the story to center around the hero. I wrote it that way many years ago, but when I went back to the story to begin rewrites, the heroine took over. Even if she wasn't in a scene, her presence was still there and that made the story all the better. The same sort of happened in my current WIP. While the hero and heroine share the story, the original premise of them trading barbs and disliking each other changed right from the get-go. In a desolate, nowhere town, they needed each other more than they had reason to argue.

Let your characters speak to you. Give them control and see where they take you. I bet you end up in places you never dreamed of. Places that will strengthen your story and make it all the more fun in reaching the last line.

And a Big Congratulations to Stacey for typing 'The End'. This latest work is sure to be a keeper on book shelves of romance fans everywhere.

The Kindle, the Nook and the IPad are some of the devices used for reading books. They fit in your hand so you can curl up on the couch or relax in bed as if you were holding an actual print book. Through the last few years, flaws have been acknowledged and upgrades have been made to make your reading time that much more enjoyable. Prices vary for each brand, but the cost of Ebooks is much less than the cost of print books and you can store a vast number of books in one reader. As neat as these gadgets are, I have more of a soft spot for them than just reading a book.

Ebooks are what jumpstarted my writing career. I had submitted queries to editors and agents for the big publishing houses. Most of the time I was met with the same response; nice story but it doesn't fit our needs at this time. I was to the point where I thought maybe a writing career wasn't for me, that maybe I should be doing something else. Then I remembered that a couple of the women in my writing group were E published. At the time, I wasn't sure what that meant, so I asked and was introduced to the world of electronic publishing.

I was still a bit skeptical. For so many years, all I'd heard was a writer had to get a contract and be published by a big NY house to be considered published. But then, around this same time, I also found out that some electronic publishers also offered their books in print format. Another woman in my writing group took the time to regularly update her website with new agents and publishing house. By chance, she had just posted something about Asylett Press; they were new a house looking to publish in a variety of genres and one day planned to have their books available in both electronic and print formats.

I sent a query, believing they would send a rejection. But they replied back and asked to read the whole manuscript. I sent it, again believing a rejection would soon follow. To my shock, Asylett came back with an offer to publish. My first book was released about six months later in Ebook format. About a year or so later, my second book was released in Ebook format. Then both books were released in print format and I'm happy to say I am grateful that I didn't turn a deaf ear to electronic publishing.

For all you writers struggling to find a home for your book, try an electronic publisher. The houses aren't as big as the ones in New York, but they are every bit as professional and dedicated to their authors. You have nothing to loose and everything to gain. And for the readers, thank you for supporting Ebooks and the authors who write them. Without you and your willingness to move into the electronic age, I probably would have called it quits by now.

I absolutely hate when my weekly schedule is tossed to the curb. This usually happens on a Monday with the ring of the telephone or an unexpected email that leads from one thing to another. I like structure and balance to my routine. I like knowing that by the time I sit down to watch Castle on Monday night that I will finish writing a chapter on Wednesday and this blog on Thursday. Dull, boring, tedious; yeah, it's true, but it's how I manage to write one book per year, keep up with chores and family and enjoy the summer.

Such was not the case these past two weeks. Mother Nature threw a bad curve ball in my direction. Thirty minutes before school let out for the weekend my little one called from the nurse's office. He wasn't feeling well. I picked him up, brought him home and figured he had a cold. No problem. He had the weekend to rest, until the flu took over that night. I spent the weekend tending to him. We watched movies, played cards and snuggled on the couch. Monday came and he seemed to feel a little better so I decided to get some writing done. And that's when it all went south.

He developed a cough that kept him and me up most of the night. I swore he was going to hack up a lung, but somehow he didn't. That in itself was a miracle, but the four hours at the clinic the next day wasn't. Not only was he sick, so was the hubby. The hubby didn't complain, but just having him home and underfoot for the day wore on my nerves. By Wednesday morning, I was tired from two sleepless nights, but determined to crank out my chapter for the week. After staring at the words I had written on Monday and trying to jumpstart my muse with a good dose of caffeine, I realized I felt no connection to the story or the characters. That really irked me, because it was Wednesday and I had nothing worthwhile in the form of writing accomplished. And then I made an executive decision. Since the muse had no desire to work, I'd let it rest and turn my attention and energy elsewhere while I continued to take care of the little one.

Spring cleaning seemed to help relieve the tension of not completing a chapter for the week. And it gave me the opportunity to cuddle with the little one in the afternoon. We watched television--in my opinion, afternoon television stinks--and ordered out dinner since the hubby and I didn't feel like cooking. By Saturday, my son seemed to be on the mend. And then Sunday greeted me with a visit from the allergy witch. The congestion was terrible. Worse was my stupidity to go outside and work in the sage garden. Monday was more of the same. Yesterday, I began to make some headway in the breathing department. Today is even better. Now, if the weatherman could make all this wind we've been having disappear, I'd be happier than a pig up to his ears in slop.

You might be wondering what my jibber-jabber is leading up to. The answer is simple. Listen to your body and your muse. When life throws you a curve ball in the form of not feeling well, or ideas not flowing easily, it's time to take a break. As I have frustratingly learned last week, that break may be longer than a day or two. You may think you're wasting time, but in reality, you're not. When you sit back down at the computer, you'll be looking at your work with fresh, rested eyes and discover you and your muse are ready to get back to work. I recommend you take a break a few times during the year. Afterall, we're human and good ideas need a chance to formulate and blossom before we can get them correctly from our minds to paper.

Happy Spring everyone!

Can you believe the school year is almost over? It seems the year goes faster and faster with each passing grade. August begins a new year, and before I know it, the holidays are upon me, then spring and the start of the baseball season, and then it's May and school is out for the summer. I just looked outside and I see buds blooming on the trees. Which got me to thinking about summer goals.

We all want summer to last longer than three months. We have vacations to take, barbeques to attend and days to spend splashing in the pool or flying a kite at the park. With the kids running in and out, it's easy to lose sight of your writing goals. But it doesn't have to be.

Take a look at your regular writing schedule and see where you can tweak it for a few months. If you're home all day with the kids, like me, it's not that hard. If your children like to sleep late, plan to write in the morning. If they take a nap, use that time to write. If you work all day, shoot for a half hour in the evening. It doesn't have to be every night as long as you find some time to dedicate to your craft. I advise against weekends, unless you're by yourself. Husbands, wives, children, family; these are your two days to relax and spend time with those dear to your heart. And if you're not currently working on a story, use your allotted writing time for promotion work, or to draft your next novel, or to keep up with what's current in the genre you write by reading other authors in that genre. But most of all, enjoy the long, warm days with your family and be good to yourself.