M.C. Vaughan's Blog, page 3

Visual of My Writing Process

Friends of mine are able to write a crisp, clean scene from the get-go. That ain't me. I tend to work in layers, like what you see in this video:



Outlining, drafting, revising, deepening the detail, revising more, detailing more, erasing, revising, detailing, repeat. So, if you're like me and you don't weave perfect words on your first, second, or fifth run through a scene, you're in good company! These are my typical passes:
Dialogue, with VERY rudimentary blocking.Better blocking.What are they wearing? (IF they are wearing clothes, *wink*).How do the characters notice each other?Add internal sensation/interior thought.Weed out filter words like thought, feel, heard, etc.Even then, I'm not really done. I still have to read through it from scene to scene to make sure it flows and that I've started and ended with punchy hooks. Do I want to tear my hair out sometimes? Hellz yeah! But translating ideas into fun prose and banter is hard, and I accept that. Plus, the end result matches what's in my head, and I'm happy with it. It's all worth the struggle.

Contest Thoughts

My darling husband often accuses me of burying the lede. So! Before I chuck a trowel full of dirt on top of this information--I'm a finalist in YARWA's 2019 Athena Contest!

How fancy am I?

via GIPHY
You might wonder... Why would a published, agented author enter a contest? Mainly, because I'm still pretty green in my publishing career. The learning curve is steep, and doubts kinda come with the territory. Validation is thin on the ground, and contests can give me a dose of it.

Here's the thing. I never 100% know if my creative output is good. After the million decisions I make while drafting, editing, revising, re-drafting, weeping, detecting plot holes, punching up hooks, and killing darlings, I ask myself... Is what's on the page now better than what it could have been? Dunno. Critique partners help with this, but even they can become biased. They're in the trenches with you and your drafts.

That's when I enter a contest. For me, the point of a contest is NOT to win it. (Although, again, full disclosure: it's fun when you do). Contests are a low-risk way of getting some independent feedback. The judges don't know you. They are readers who had your words handed to them at random, and they are under no obligation to love them. So, contests are a good way to figure out if your writing connects with readers in general.

via GIPHY
But... Not all contests are created equal. We know that, right? Here are the things I look for when entering contests...
Does the contest have a good reputation for inclusion and judges who understand the judging rubric? The point of entering is to see how you stack up against other authors, and the award is only worth winning if all the entries are judged fairly.Do they offer feedback? I prefer the ones that do. It doesn't mean I agree with everything a judge tells me, but if three different judges point out my conflict is as strong as cotton candy, welp, I have some work to do.Who are the judges? Chapter members? Industry professionals? A mix of both? It's an opportunity to low-key network. If an editor at a publisher you'd love to submit to is a contest judge, you could get your name/work in front of them outside of the slush pile. Win-win!Are the winners announced at an event you can attend? Again, this presents an opportunity to network in-person. Authors are readers, and connecting with readers is so, so important. The number one thing that sells books is word of mouth. The more ways you can get your book read by chatty cheerleaders, the better.How big is the contest's social media platform? Use it to interact with the contest--and therefore chapter members and other finalists.Do you get some sort of graphic/image you can plug into your website to signify your achievement?How much does it cost to enter? One last thing... Entering contest can be a bit additive. If you find you're entering contests more than you're actually writing, I'd advise you to step away from the entry forms and focus on creating new, wonderful stories.

Good luck to you and any contests you enter!

Predictability (Or, How I Learned to Write for Fun and a Little Profit)

Predictability. Such a boring word, right? But the truth is, we all want it. Predictability is an informed expectation, right? For example, cake (good examples always involve cake). If you beat sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, eggs, milk, oil and vanilla together and stick it in the oven at 350° for a half an hour, you expect cake. If you yank open that door and a puddle of cake batter greets you, well, that's disappointing.
 
Welcome to publishing!

Or any creative pursuit, honestly. You can pour your heart into your work. You can study up on the business side, and create all the right marketing materials... But ultimately? Success is a weird alchemy of producing the right thing, at the right time, and then *MAGIC* people notice. Problem is, I don't know what the magic is. If I did? I'd have like, a million followers and a blazing Amazon ranking.

(I'll get there some day.)

Here's the real truth: there is no predictability in a creative life. Hard work is absolutely required. But, you can do everything right, and still get a puddle of cake batter.

Something that keeps me calm when I'm working on a draft, loving it, hoping it will connect to readers, but knowing it might not... Is balance. Trite, but true. A day job, or a hobby, or a volunteer opportunity. Personal relationships. Something where you see your labor, your love, bearing fruit.


I guess what I'm saying to the writers out there is... Don't define yourself exclusively through your publishing success. That way lies a lot of second-guessing and angst. We'll get there, but it's not exclusively who we are.

Newsletter Goodness

Hey pals! Want hot, fresh, updates from me direct to your inbox? Sign up for my newsletter, wherein I recommend songs, books, wax a little philosophic, and occasionally run giveaways. Ooh, plus pix! I have a trove of mid-20th century Baltimore photos which I compare to the modern view (provided Google Maps cooperates).

You GUYS! The Reluctant Princess Was Nominated for Book of the Year!

My trad pub debut The Reluctant Princess was selected as The TBR Pile's Book of the Month, which means it's in the running for their Book of the Year! Go to their site to vote today! Um, perhaps even for me?

http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/

This is super-exciting because the last time I was up for an award was during my senior year in college for the the Mask & Bauble Dramatic Society's St. Genesius Award for Best Scenic Paint for 'Assassins.' It was stellar paint, natch, but I would also really enjoy this award. So go hence and vote!

'The Reluctant Princess" Release Week Re-Cap

So, it has been A WEEK, friends! My novel released, I celebrated a wedding anniversary and my daughter's birthday the next day, AND there was a mid-term election in there, too. Phew! Who wouldn't be exhausted by all that?

But, I couldn't let the sun set on this week without shouting a hearty "THANK YOU!" to those who have purchased the book, or reviewed it on Amazon and Goodreads, or sent me messages in private telling me how much they loved Zara & Brendan's story. (And for those who have done all three? Triple venti thank you!).

For those of you who are looking to pick up a copy for yourselves, the links are below. And for those of you who have read it, please consider leaving a review. Boring techie talk--the online booksellers are more likely to serve up my book as a recommended read to browsers. I've left the links below, should  you need them!

Now,  time to get gussied up to hit the town for my anniversary dinner / book release celebration!

Love & coffee & wine,

--M.C.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CbqKYX
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2D5wioi
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2yMTB3q
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42264361-the-reluctant-princess

Also, consider joining my newsletter for monthly updates on my latest & greatest shenanigans!
http://mcvaughan.blogspot.com/p/join-my-newsletter.html

The Relucant Princess Cover Reveal!

Why bury the lede, right? So, without further ado, may present the cover for the first book in my Charm City Hearts Series!


It hits booksellers on  November 5, 2018 , but you can pre-order today:
Amazon
Champagne Book Group
Or, add to your TBR list: Goodreads
What's it about, you ask? Well...

Nothing’s more important to twenty-five-year-old goth girl Zara Kissette than making her bones in the art world. When a fire destroys her paintings, she needs two things to fulfill the art gallery's contract for multiple masterpieces—a quick hit of cash for supplies, and a way to rekindle her creativity. Otherwise, she can kiss her career-making gallery spot good-bye. So she reluctantly returns to a lucrative gig as a fantasy princess/face painter, where she meets a hot, divorced dad who could bring a spark to her life…or ruin everything.

Brendan Stewart is doing all he can to keep the world a soft and stable place for his beloved little girl. While his ex breezes in and out of their daughter’s life, he’s determined be her rock. The last thing he needs is another relationship to balance with the rest of his life. That is, until a gorgeous princess shows up to paint faces at his daughter’s birthday party. Zara’s open heart and distracting curves tempt him to lower his defenses, despite having been burned before.

Their romance is all cake and bubbles—and lots of steamy sex—until Zara betrays Brendan's trust for her shot at the gallery, and Brendan takes her career into his hands and, well, screws it up. If they can’t make peace with each other’s mistakes, they risk losing the one person who loves them for who they truly are.

Check out the sweet book trailer below!

Remembering 9/11

Normally, I'm a pretty lighthearted person. But I'm in a reflective, somber mood.

Today, the Mid-Atlantic region is foggy. I am grateful for the gray mist because it matches my mood.

September 11, 2001 was a thick, bright blue, the kind of day that begs you to play hooky.
 I lived in the same town as some of the hijackers. They rented rooms in motels blocks away from my apartment building. They may have used computers at the library where we borrowed books. Had we run into each other? Brushed past each other while grabbing a burger or buying milk? Had I held a door open or unwittingly offered some other kindness to men in the midst of a terrorist plot?

One of the flight attendants who died that day was the mother of one of my summer interns. The project for which we hired the interns had dissolved by the end of July, so I'd lost touch. I mourn for her every year, as I do for all the people lost and left behind that day.  The death toll didn't end on 9/11, though, did it? The first responders who became ill; the survivors with PTSD whose depression ultimately claimed them; the soldiers sent off to war...

That day changed all of us. Even those who were not yet born, because they have only known our country while we've been at war. What does that do to a generation?

More personally, September 11, 2001 permanently altered the trajectory of my family of creation. Immediate educational and career changes. Service. Service. Service. Because what is the point of anything if you aren't using your gifts to serve, to educate, to help, to lighten someone's load?

That motivation manifests in different ways, but that's what I strive for in my relationships, in my volunteerism, in my writing.

Thanks for allowing me a brief ramble.

In Praise of RWA Nationals, Pitch Wars, and Immersing Yourself in the Writing Community

Ah, RWA Nationals, how do I love thee? This will be my fourth consecutive RWA. My writing career, she has evolved in leaps and bounds over those four years, and I'm compelled to stroll down memory lane. Now, bear in mind that throughout all of this, I've been regularly attending workshops, looking for contests and pitch opportunities, retreats, and regularly exchanging my work with my local critique group (love you, Stoni Alexander, Andy Palmer, and Magda Alexander!). But this is what working a conference, taking advantage of the learning, and leveraging that learning--and the networking lessons--throughout the year looks like. These contacts and social networking opportunities, though? These people become your friends, your cheerleaders, your confidantes--and I couldn't be happier about it.

I'm not sure if this is helpful to anyone else, but I felt compelled to document the progression...
2015: New York. My first conference made me feel like a sophomore-year transfer into a really awesome high school. Meaning, I could tell that I would love these folks, but I needed the opportunity to get to know them (and let them get to know me). An introvert at heart, I pushed myself to chat, and be friendly. I started with some Maryland Romance Writers buddies with who I'd ridden the Bolt bus from Baltimore, and I'm so very glad I did! Toward the end of the conference, I sat in the Marriott Marquis bar area with M.D. Waters and Tracy Dawn, word-sprinting, and finished a manuscript I loved but knew needed some polish. I ended up entering that manuscript, "The Reluctant Princess," in Pitch Wars. It was selected! And the polishing began in earnest, under the guidance of my mentor, now-friend, Lynnette Labelle.  I also started to exchange messages with my Pitch Wars 2015 peer group, and we cheered each other on, commiserated with each other, and generally enjoyed each other's company. Too many novels to count have come out of my cohort, and many writers I respect and adore. 2016: San Diego. I had been querying "The Reluctant Princess" since November, 2016 (the Pitch Wars agent round), and had gotten some great bites, but hadn't landed with an agent yet. During RWA week, over email, I started chatting with an agent, Barbara Collins Rosenberg, who struck me as savvy, kind, and good-humored. Still, I pitched to agents and editors to see what might strike a chord, and found that the second novel in my intended Charm City Hearts series struck a chord. I also met a bunch of the Pitch Wars mentors, who were all outrageously smart, witty, and so very generous with what they'd learned about publishing. Again, being in the company of that many like-minded people who were all open to sharing, and learning, and having a good time together was inspiring. Plus! I roomed with my pal Lynnette, who is a master at networking and bringing people together for social occasions.  2017: Orlando. By this time, I'd signed with Barbara Collins Rosenberg, and we'd gone on submission. We hadn't heard back from all the editors yet, and I used this conference as an opportunity to learn a bit more about these particular editors. Chatting with some of the other authors represented by my agent (squee! always such a thrill to say!) was lovely, and assured me I had found the right agency home. I roomed with Lynnette again, and my wonderful friend had been nominated for a Golden Heart in Romantic Suspense for her fabulous manuscript, "The Fire Beckons." We attended the Golden Heart luncheon together, and I got to know some of the other nominees. I also spent several workshops seated next to my local writing date buddy, Christi Barth, who has become a friend. I mean, we watched the Royal Wedding together before 6 a.m.... She's seen my in my PJs, folks (and dispenses invaluable advice). Lastly, I volunteered to help with the Literacy Event and ended up chilling with Kristan Higgins and a load of other lovely authors.2018: Denver. I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS CONFERENCE! I am officially a writer with a publishing deal, and Champagne Book Group is publishing my first novel, "The Reluctant Princess," in September of THIS YEAR. While some of my pals can't make it, I have the chance to meet some of my Pitch Wars 2015 pals! (Shout-out to Suzanne Baltsar, Laura Elizabeth, and Lissa Linden!). There are lots of other events and social soirees I'm planning to attend, but there's also So. Much. Learning. to be done.So, I'll let you know how it goes, but if history is any guide, I'm marching forward in this career o'mine, and RWA 2018 in Denver will open up new doors.

Swoony Moments Play List

Do you have those moments in movies and television where one viewing is NOT enough? I've watched the clips below an embarrassing number of times. (GIFs and/or YouTube links provided for your enjoyment).
On each view, GUARANTEED I cheer, my belly fizzes with happy, or the hair on my nape prickles (sometimes all three). Some of these are goofy, some are hot, but I turn to this list when I need inspiration for capturing the moments that add up to ULTIMATE SWOON in romances. 
Disclaimer: I am 100% certain I am forgetting some of the feels-inducing clips.
Crazy, Stupid, Love. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o_Kxx36cvg Jacob (Ryan Gosling) realizes David Lindhagen (Kevin Bacon) has arrived. Despite being in the middle of a fight with his friend Cal (Steve Carrell), who does not approve of Jacob dating Cal's daughter Hannah (Emma Stone), Jacob has Cal's back FOR LIFE, and immediately knows what needs to be done. Skip to 2:35 to see THE moment I love, but the whole scene is fantastic.
Bridget Jones' Diary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7cYf7GaXgY Mark (Colin Firth) has shown up at Bridget's (Renee Zellwegger's) and clearly wants to devour her. She insists on a moment to, ahem, prepare. The way he keeps going in for the smooch, and she dodges...gives me the woozies every time.
New Girl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82sLUG6DXB8 Jess and Nick's first kiss. I can't tell you how many times I've watched this scene (skip to :50). There may actually be some kind of Weird Alert surveillance on me right now.
Superman II  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRbenFBoPwAMy little girl heart beat hard when Lois discovers Clark Kent is Superman and confesses her love to him. Christopher Reeve was my first celebrity crush. Much as I loved Tom Welling's depiction in 'Smallville,' Christopher Reeve will always be my Superman. Look at how he changes into Krypton's favorite son with body language and voice alone. You can tell he's been wanting share this secret, with this woman, for so long and is grateful it's finally happened.
Batman Returns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_yN85I4YOYContinuing the theme of "superhero reveals his identity," this scene was fraught with tension. This was the first flick I saw characters completely hot for each other, and completely wrong for each other. The moment they each realize who the other is is priceless--but you can tell they still want each other.
Atonement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoMk6LzOMUEThings don't exactly work out for this two, but this scene. Oh man, this scene. Their coupling goes from urgent to tender on a dime, and I am here for it.
Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls http://tylerperry.com/tyler/archive/film/daddys-little-girls-2/ Who doesn't love Idris Elba? When Julia (Gabrielle Union) flings herself into his arms in the bar, you're rooting for them all the way. If you love rom-com and single dads, this is right up your alley.
Clueless https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_ArO8UCfykWhen Josh (Paul Rudd) tells Cher (Alicia Silverstone) that she's gorgeous? I died inside. In a good way. Total aside, and I know this has been said a million times, but is Paul Rudd bathing in the blood of virgins? How does he look the same?
Call Me By Your Namehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntwQgNleNTcThe way Elio (Timothee Chalamet) jumps on their first kiss, pauses, then GOES for it with Oliver (Armie Hammer) is something I'm super in-touch with. It's sweet, and tender, and drips with the first love enthusiasm.
Dawson's Creek https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q44Xk-ylNwNot technically Pacey & Joey's first kiss, but the first spontaneous one after a truthy bicker session. Which is classic Pacey & Joey...
Somewhere In Time  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paizqxkYKJ4I TOLD YOU I had a Christopher Reeve crush. LOOK AT HIS ADORATION. The hands on the face, the respectful, breathy approach. It just could not be more perfect.