Elizabeth Boyle's Blog, page 36

Momentum

Sometimes writing can be described with one word: momentum. The process of continuously moving forward. What I've come to realize the most about momentum and writing is that it isn't just one big push at the beginning or one big leap at the end that gets a book done–it is the daily solid push forward, the continuous application of momentum that gets a book done.

Let me tell you, April was not about momentum. It held, not one, but two trips. One for business, one for fun. It had two spring breaks. One for parochial school, one for public school. It was the push-me, pull-you sort of month that is like a big boulder in front of whatever momentum you have built up–everything this month came to a grinding halt.

Sadly, once you come to a dead stop on a project it is difficult (at least for me) to get back into that rolling-along-feeling that momentum offers.

What I find with writing a book is that I need exactly what I described in the first paragraph– a continuous application of momentum.

I need to be inside that book, working the pages, pondering the scenes. It wasn't like I wasn't thinking about the project while I was traveling or trying to keep one child, then the other amused during their broken up spring breaks. But that wasn't enough. And I knew today, this Monday when I had my life back and several clear weeks (well, as clear as my weeks get) ahead of me to dive back in and work like a dog.

A dedicated dog.

But then this morning I ran into my current project and found it cemented to the desk. No matter how I tried to nudge myself, I couldn't get it to move.

Did you notice that–nudge myself–because it isn't the book that is stuck, it is me. I had every excuse in the book not to open up Scrivener and get working–I needed to check Ravelry, Facebook, compose something witty for Twitter. I think the tweet had to do with baking cookies. Which I also did. But I didn't get doing what I was supposed to be doing, what I had been longing to get back to doing–writing my book.

Don't get me wrong, I love writing, but like an athlete who's been away from the game for a while, the first day back is hell. But I know what I need to do, and how to get back into it, slowly, purposefully and doggedly.

And I'll write about that process later this week.

Once I get some pages in the hopper.

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Letting Go

I recently picked up an issue of Oprah's magazine. One of the recent ones on clutter and organizing. Sadly, this is always topical in my house. We've been doing a lot of that lately–cleaning out closets, whole rooms and my husband has been on a rampage to Get Rid of the Junk. It isn't like our house is ready for an episode of Hoarders, but we live in a small house and now that boys have gotten bigger, it has gotten a lot smaller. So being creative with the space is a necessity.

But there are sections of the house and my life that I haven't been willing to jettison. Same with my husband. Relics from our former lives–the ones we had before we were married, before we had kids, before we had our own house. We all have those things. At least I think we all have parts of our lives that we hang onto well past when they are a real and honest part of our daily life.

So as it often is with Oprah, I read this article: How Oprah Learned to Declutter, and had one of those "Aha" moments she likes to go on about. It was time to let go.

Diving into what we call the "Bob Cratchit" room, we began that painful process known as decluttering. This is supposed to be my husband's office, but it also houses (out of necessity) the pantry, closets with my knitting, my extra research books that don't fit in my office, shelves of pictures we haven't done anything with, and lots of junk. It was time to empty the room.

Out went my black leather pants and bomber jacket (stories for another blog!) which my son asked "who wore those?" and when my husband replied, "your mother," I thought the poor kid was going to need therapy. The old 60s ball gowns I used to collect. Out. Dresses I haven't worn in years. Books. By the boxes. And then we tackled the pictures–which were delightful, difficult and sometimes painful to look at. Your life flashing before your eyes in a series of images.

The final boxes went out this week. Some to my friend Anne–my kids' outgrown clothes that go perfectly to her son, a recycle that warms my heart. A box of worn shoes to the recycle box. Old school uniforms for the school uniform sale. And of course, the last of the clothes from the closet. I handed them over to the man at the Goodwill with a lighter heart, but got down to one last bundle and just couldn't surrender it. My grandmother's furs. I knew I should let go, I never wear them, but I do love them and the memories of her wearing them make me smile. Her dressed to the nines and going to church on Christmas Eve looking like a movie star. I tucked them back in the trunk of the car and brought them home, whispering to myself,  "perhaps next time."

Have you got anything in your closets that you just can't give up?

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Woe Am I: It's Chapter 7

I really, truly hate Chapter 7. In any book. Now don't all run out and check Chapter 7 in my books, because whatever finally made it into that section of the final version was definitely not what was bedeviling me while I was writing.

Let me explain.

Every time I head toward Chapter 7, I start to get really anxious. I finally know my characters pretty well. Have a good handle on the story, plot and all, but I just sort of bump into this mental wall when it comes to that point in the story.

In every story I write.

I hit this empty spot where I want more from my characters than I've developed in the previous six chapters. I've done every sort of trick to avoid this problem, including not writing in chapters at all–just one long document, but the muses know where it is and they get all stoked that they can rain on my parade of words.

And rain down they do.

Usually what happens is that I realize that I need MORE before I can continue forward. More relationship, more interaction, more depth. And if I try to drive around the chapter and continue on, like it is an accident scene, I tend to rear end into Chapter 8 and that just makes the entire situation worse. But the muses are clever creatures and I've come to realize and believe and have complete faith that I have the story–all the pieces–if I dig around a bit. Which usually means a couple of days of pacing about, handwriting new scenes and digging around in the pages I do have for clues for what is missing.

This story faith comes courtesy of Linda Lael Miller who explained this theory to me years ago. You have the entire story when you get an idea, she said. You just have to be archeologist and dig it all up.



When I started digging, I realized my hero and heroine need to have kissed before he finds out she is engaged to another. I love the build up to a good kiss–I mean, who doesn't?. Yeah! Take that Chapter 7. By the time I get this kiss all added in–where it fits perfectly in Chapter 2, isn't that funny how that works?–then re paginate all the chapters, you'll be history. Toast. Already completed and passed over for the truly fun scene in Chapter 8 at the park.

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Interview Alert

Since I didn't get a chance to schedule the link up on my Events page (the interview was supposed to go up in June), I thought I would share with you an interview I did with Sally Watts of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system. She was so kind to ask me to participate in their Meet the Author series.

So dash over here and read all about me.

Have I mentioned how humble I am? Probably not lately. Probably never. Probably never will. Just warning you. Giggle.

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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By the Way…

While at RT, I picked up a lovely award for Mad About the Duke. The 2010 Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Love & Laughter Historical. I tried to tell a joke as I accepted the award but it sort of fell flat. Way to go for the funny writer. Let me tell you, humor is a lot easier to write than execute before a live audience.

But I have to credit the Duke of Parkerton for being the real comic genius of this story. He arrived in This Rake of Mine, all stiff and proper and ducal, and I knew right there and then, I had to turn this man's life upside down. And was it a joy, from putting him to work birthing puppies in How I Met My Countess to his trying to help Elinor Sterling find a husband. Because as much as he kept trying to do the right thing, the more he failed–delightfully, romantically so. This is an award for a character who came from the story gods–just perfectly formed and ready for love. Thank you, James, for making me laugh as I wrote your story and for all the readers who've written me to tell me that they fell in love with you and your madcap misadventures.

If you haven't read Mad About the Duke, take a peek at the excerpt and see if it doesn't make you smile just a little.

The just as smile worthy award itself–a gorgeous glass panel–is now proudly displayed on my shelf. I wish I could share it as easily.

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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LA-LA-LA

Back from LA and RT and all those other two initial acronyms that elude me right at the moment. Had this sort of glorious time doing nothing. Well, I wasn't exactly doing nothing–my schedule was packed–but I had that sense of flitting from one thing to another and not really having to work all that hard. Plus, it was fun. Yes, I said fun.

I don't always find big conferences fun. Too loud. Too many people. Too many costume changes. Too much. But having made the decision to go to RT rather late in the game, allowed me to put only the things I wanted on my schedule and hang out the rest of the time. Like here is me in the middle of a perfectly good afternoon with a drink in front of me. Work should always be this difficult. But as my new BFFs Liza Palmer and Megan Crane assured me, I was working. Ah, California.

And to continue the theme of Authors Behaving Badly, I did have to work very hard at the Romance Live event, wherein I had to sit at a table and yak with five other authors about whatever popped into our moderator's head. This was fueled by a tower of cupcakes and wine, which made for a lively debate over Mr. Darcy. Alpha or Beta? Tessa Dare, my other new BFF, and I were in the same camp. Beta all the way. I am sorry, but Mr. Darcy is not some knuckle dragging Alpha. There, I finally got the last word in, as long as no one comments and argues with me. Which now I know someone will. Especially if Cathy Maxwell reads this. Actually I adore being around her–she's the most effervescent person I've ever met. Love her to death. But she's dead wrong about Darcy. When they get the video up live on their channel, I'll post a link, so if you missed the event you can watch the replay.

I ran into so many friends at RT–I just kept turning the corner and finding friends–Christina Skye, Delilah Marvelle, Celeste Bradley (always lovely to sit next to at a signing), the indomitable Cherry Adair, that rising star to watch Marcella Brunard. Now off to write my thank you notes, some pages and consider what else I should divulge. Or should I keep the credo, what happens at RT stays at RT?

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Packing Up, Moving Out

The closer a book comes to being released, the more I feel my life speeding up. I start writing faster, I panic faster, I get out of the house more. Which is probably a good thing–because then I can get a chance to see all of you. And in that, let's get outta here vein, I'm off to the Romantic Times Reader's Convention this week. Currently I am going through my usual, "what to wear, what to pack" panic but by the time I reach LA, I will have my SoCal vibe on and be quite mellow.

I hadn't planned on going, but then RT sort of twisted my arm and then my publisher sort of twisted a bit on the other. And since A) I only have two arms, and B) RT is on the West Coast and C) in the same time zone, I really have no excuses not to go. Of course the family is all bummed I am not taking them. They sort of have the Romantic Times convention confused with Disneyland. Yes, there are people in strange costumes and long lines. But sadly not a ride in sight, not unless you count the hotel elevator and the weird shimmy you usually have to do to get to your booksigning table.

If you are going (or even if you aren't going to the whole conference, but live in the greater LA area), do try to drop by and meet me at the Gi-normous booksigning Saturday, April 9th. This is open to the public and chock full of authors and fun people to meet. Details over on my Event page.

And if you can't get to LA, consider tuning in Wednesday, April 6th at 6pm PDT for Romance Live, a streamed event that allows you to ask me and other Avon historical authors questions and even buy autographed books, which we will personalize for you and then have them magically delivered to your door. Think Mother's Day presents, think, "well heck, I can't get to LA, and I deserve an autographed book from Elizabeth Boyle." Your pick. The powers that be are so excited about this event, they sent me this fancy dog .gif. you see flashing to the right. Of course, I've broken it somehow and it is refusing to flash, but click on it and it will take you right to the Romance Live page where you can wait patiently until Wednesday to meet me via the magic of the internet.

For those of you who are going to RT, make sure you find me and give me a big shout–not too loud, I frighten easily–because if you do, and you are one of the first 100 people to tell me you read my blog, love my books, have "Liked" my Facebook page, I have a little commemorative Lord Langley is Back in Town gift for you. Something cool, something handcrafted by this very cool friend of mine, and something that only 100 people will have. Just saying, find me. Again, my RT schedule is over there on the Events page if you feel an urgent need to track me down.

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Contest Winners

A real quick update for everyone: here are the names of the winners from my last contest–each of whom will/or already has received a gift certificate from the online bookseller of their choice: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, or Borders.

With the appropriate drumroll and fanfare, the winners are:

Christina S of Tonasket, WA

Margaret R. of Grand Rapids, MI

LaQuita P. of Alma, AR

Patricia A. of West Miami, FL

Judy B. of San Diego, CA

Vanessa O. of Hanslett, MI

Sharon D. of Abbeville, LA

Miranda O. of Hamburg, NY

I've notified everyone, but not everyone has claimed their prizes yet. So please make sure to get a hold of me in the next two weeks to claim your prize. And if you haven't noticed, there is another Contest up and running. Enter today, because next time the list will have 20 names. Yes, you read that right. 20.

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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I Hate Excerpts

Okay, I make no bones about this. I hate excerpts, sneak peeks, previews, look aheads, whatever you want to call them. I don't like them. I want to be surprised, amused, delighted as I turn the page of a book, watch a movie, check in on All My Children or lately, One Life to Live. I don't want to know what day Angie's baby is going to be born. I want to tune in and be part of the story, then and there. No Cassandras allowed in my life. I don't want to know.

Sadly, I have had to come to the begrudging realization that I am nearly alone in this loathing. We live in an age where everyone wants to know, and they want to know it well ahead of time. I call this the playdate mentality. Too many people have grown up with their lives completely scheduled from the day they were born that we as a Society have lost/or never discovered the delight that is not knowing. But there it is.

So without further ado, and plenty of protests from my inner self, who is currently shouting, "Don't let them look inside! Don't give them even a glance!", I give you an inside sneak peek at Lord Langley is Back in Town. If you can't live without reading it, be my guest. If you would love to be utterly surprised when it comes out May 31st, I offer you a better place to go: Order it Now. You'll be one step ahead of all the lookie-loos.

Do tell: Excerpts? Love them? Avoid them? Does it lesson the reading experience when you sit down to read the book?

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Getting the Ball Rolling

Sometimes getting a book started is easy. Other times it takes a lot of what would appear to most people as a lot of screwing around. But sometimes that screwing around is just what is needed to get the story all shaken out before you really jump into the writing.

But don't expect your husband to be happy when he asks you how your day was, and you reply: "Great. I had to spend an hour looking at photos of hot guys."

Working playlist for Along Came A Duke

I know, rough job, but someone has to do it. To be fair, I did share the love, posting my top three hot guys with my Facebook peeps. Truly, I am not exclusive with these sort of practices. I think everyone should have a job like mine.

Another thing that helps me along is finding the right playlist to listen to while I write. A good playlist will put me right into that story world I am creating faster than nothing else–not even a steaming latte. Yet like starting a book, sometimes finding that right playlist is just as elusive as nailing down the first three chapters. That was the case this time–the music just eluded me–I had two songs and nothing else, so I enlisted my husband to fill the list out. He came back with a bucket of music, some 45 songs, which is way too long, but I was able to pare it down to this and I think it will work–with only a tweek or two along the way.

Working notebook for Along Came a Duke

And finally, I have to get my working notebook(s) organized. I know I should have one system for organization and that is how I always put my books together, but for me writing is an organic process and one that grows, changes and evolves the longer I do it. This time I am using Levenger's Circa system to keep my pages, research and notes together. I like the way the pages go in and out so easily–and I can add notes and other things quickly.

Finally, I never feel like I have it all together until I have my own working cover for the book, the chapters plotted out (at least Chapters 1-7) and enough pages under my belt to have a sense of the characters.

And now it is all together–and I am off and running.

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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