C. Elizabeth's Blog, page 4
August 7, 2012
The New York Pitch Conference
Since I was invited to attend the New York Pitch Conference in September, I've been focusing on finishing my Paranormal Romance, Shadows to Eternity. It's the one I plan on pitching in New York.
This past weekend was spent doing what you all know I love doing.... not! The dreaded query/book blurb or as the conference calls it, the pitch that I will present to them the first day there and as alwasy, it never ceases to amaze me how sometimes the words can flow like melted butter and other times they... well they just don't like me that much. The latter is what happened this weekend -- I couldn't put a sentence together if my life depended on it, needless to say it was frustrating as hell. But then I realized, as always eventually do, that I had to change my thought process. You see, when writing you get so caught up in writing it one certain way that you lose sight of what it is you were actually trying to write and with that, I managed to get the first draft of the pitch written. I'll leave it for a couple of days, then go back to it and when I do... I'll hate every word and start all over -- ah! The life of a writer.
Have a great day.
This past weekend was spent doing what you all know I love doing.... not! The dreaded query/book blurb or as the conference calls it, the pitch that I will present to them the first day there and as alwasy, it never ceases to amaze me how sometimes the words can flow like melted butter and other times they... well they just don't like me that much. The latter is what happened this weekend -- I couldn't put a sentence together if my life depended on it, needless to say it was frustrating as hell. But then I realized, as always eventually do, that I had to change my thought process. You see, when writing you get so caught up in writing it one certain way that you lose sight of what it is you were actually trying to write and with that, I managed to get the first draft of the pitch written. I'll leave it for a couple of days, then go back to it and when I do... I'll hate every word and start all over -- ah! The life of a writer.
Have a great day.
July 29, 2012
It's Snowballed, coupled with another Article I wrote for Blogcritics
We all wait for our writing to snowball and that snowballing is different for everyone. Well, for me in some ways it has. Between waiting for the edits to come in for Absolute Obstruction, I've been working diligently on Shadows to Eternity for the New York Pitch Conference. It needs to be finished and not only that I have to write the pitch for it to present to them the first minutes we walk into the conference. Yet, the third in the Absolute Trilogy needs to be completed just as urgently. It's awesome. So while I work toward getting Absolute out there, as well as the others, here's another article I wrote for Blog Critics. Enjoy:
STORY TELLING: HOW IT COMES TO PASS.
A writer, for all intents and purposes, is and must be a storyteller. I’ve had the great pleasure to have readers tell me that, while reading a novel, they often wonder how the author ever came up with such an idea for a book. To understand where those stories come from, one needs to know a little about the source. To watch a writer, published or not, go about their daily business, working, tending to family matters, running errands, you wouldn’t see anything out of the ordinary. There is no sign with an arrow above their head saying “I’m a writer”, though I’m certain there are a few who wouldn’t mind such a display — they’re as normal as anyone else. Yet there is one decidedly different twist to them. It’s not something you can see, nor is it something you can touch and you will never know that distinction is there until you hold the pages of their book in your hands – it’s what is going on inside their minds. A writer can mentally multi-task, with the ability to stay focused on regular everyday things, as well as allow ideas to flow while doing it.
Extravagant, earth-shaking confrontations are not the norm to produce an idea for a writer. No, it’s mostly the world around them, maybe an encounter with a stranger who reveals a goofy quirk or a shift in the atmospheric barometer — okay, maybe not that – or perhaps seeing the tender moment between two people. Ideas come from everywhere, but it is usually the simplest things the writer takes and brings to life, building places, times, cities, and most of all the beloved characters, developing them as each word is written – unfolding the story so as to take you on a journey.
So if you’re one of those readers who often wonder where the ideas come from, remember while you’re out, you may be in the presence of a writer and you’ll never know if something you do or say will inspire a novel.
STORY TELLING: HOW IT COMES TO PASS.
A writer, for all intents and purposes, is and must be a storyteller. I’ve had the great pleasure to have readers tell me that, while reading a novel, they often wonder how the author ever came up with such an idea for a book. To understand where those stories come from, one needs to know a little about the source. To watch a writer, published or not, go about their daily business, working, tending to family matters, running errands, you wouldn’t see anything out of the ordinary. There is no sign with an arrow above their head saying “I’m a writer”, though I’m certain there are a few who wouldn’t mind such a display — they’re as normal as anyone else. Yet there is one decidedly different twist to them. It’s not something you can see, nor is it something you can touch and you will never know that distinction is there until you hold the pages of their book in your hands – it’s what is going on inside their minds. A writer can mentally multi-task, with the ability to stay focused on regular everyday things, as well as allow ideas to flow while doing it.
Extravagant, earth-shaking confrontations are not the norm to produce an idea for a writer. No, it’s mostly the world around them, maybe an encounter with a stranger who reveals a goofy quirk or a shift in the atmospheric barometer — okay, maybe not that – or perhaps seeing the tender moment between two people. Ideas come from everywhere, but it is usually the simplest things the writer takes and brings to life, building places, times, cities, and most of all the beloved characters, developing them as each word is written – unfolding the story so as to take you on a journey.
So if you’re one of those readers who often wonder where the ideas come from, remember while you’re out, you may be in the presence of a writer and you’ll never know if something you do or say will inspire a novel.
July 22, 2012
Absolute Obstruction
Well, it's happening, Absolute Obstruction is going to be published and it's slated for release in October. I am so excited about it. It's been a long wait, but it has finally come!
Now I've run into another problem. I have posted the cover and the book blurb. The blurb is getting rave reviews, yet mixed reviews on the cover. Some people are expressing that the "model" portraying Rose is not how some they pictured her. Now I originally thought she should be obscured as well, but, this book is more about Rose and I wanted her to be seen. My thought is, if this was the first book, then I would be sure to obscure her face more, so as not to impress upon the readers what she looked like, but because it is the second; you will see the cover, start reading and how you pictured her in the first book will be again, so I'm not going to change it. How you've seen Rose is how she'll return to your mind when you start reading... I promise. Let's just rejoice that we get to read more about her. Yay! I'm beside myself about it. Thank you to all. :)
Now I've run into another problem. I have posted the cover and the book blurb. The blurb is getting rave reviews, yet mixed reviews on the cover. Some people are expressing that the "model" portraying Rose is not how some they pictured her. Now I originally thought she should be obscured as well, but, this book is more about Rose and I wanted her to be seen. My thought is, if this was the first book, then I would be sure to obscure her face more, so as not to impress upon the readers what she looked like, but because it is the second; you will see the cover, start reading and how you pictured her in the first book will be again, so I'm not going to change it. How you've seen Rose is how she'll return to your mind when you start reading... I promise. Let's just rejoice that we get to read more about her. Yay! I'm beside myself about it. Thank you to all. :)
July 16, 2012
Writing and Reaction: The Turn of the Tide
Another article fist published by Blogcritics. Enjoy.
We all have a plan, regardless of how big or small, and we make decisions in an effort to set those plans in motion while we ponder “now if I do that, then it will get me here?" However, we often neglect to take into consideration, while laying out our plan, that reactions from other parties could ultimately redirect us. Maybe someone reacts sourly to one of your ideas, so you in turn revamp that idea. Or maybe someone laughs at a prospective endeavor you’ve created, and you in turn put it aside for a rethink — or you run with the wind, trying to find something, and you find yourself. It may take weeks, months, or years for you to discover that you are now wandering down a completely different path. What do you do? Well, some would be happy with the detour, others not so much, looking back trying to see where they were misled.
All of the above is also true in writing. Our characters struggle with those everyday decisions as well. As in real life, an author doesn’t always know when our stories have headed down a forgotten trail. It all seems fine until, as in life, we are presented with a different outcome than what was planned. There have been many a book on the cusp of being finished, when the author realizes that the story preceding it doesn’t, in any way, lead to the ending that was perceived. And usually the turn of the tide happened somewhere deep within the novel, where one of our characters reacted differently than what was in the script. Now we can go back and rewrite the reaction so as to give us the outcome we want. Or we can leave it… Life doesn’t give us that choice: what is done, is done. However, as it is writing, you have the free will to change the ending.
We all have a plan, regardless of how big or small, and we make decisions in an effort to set those plans in motion while we ponder “now if I do that, then it will get me here?" However, we often neglect to take into consideration, while laying out our plan, that reactions from other parties could ultimately redirect us. Maybe someone reacts sourly to one of your ideas, so you in turn revamp that idea. Or maybe someone laughs at a prospective endeavor you’ve created, and you in turn put it aside for a rethink — or you run with the wind, trying to find something, and you find yourself. It may take weeks, months, or years for you to discover that you are now wandering down a completely different path. What do you do? Well, some would be happy with the detour, others not so much, looking back trying to see where they were misled.
All of the above is also true in writing. Our characters struggle with those everyday decisions as well. As in real life, an author doesn’t always know when our stories have headed down a forgotten trail. It all seems fine until, as in life, we are presented with a different outcome than what was planned. There have been many a book on the cusp of being finished, when the author realizes that the story preceding it doesn’t, in any way, lead to the ending that was perceived. And usually the turn of the tide happened somewhere deep within the novel, where one of our characters reacted differently than what was in the script. Now we can go back and rewrite the reaction so as to give us the outcome we want. Or we can leave it… Life doesn’t give us that choice: what is done, is done. However, as it is writing, you have the free will to change the ending.
July 9, 2012
Another as read on Blogcritics - The Author: The Master of Mindreading
An author doesn’t only listen to his or her characters while writing a novel. We also delve into the deepest, darkest depths of the new minds that stand before us, seeing them for who they really are, whether it be friend or foe. There are no templates for one certain hero, heroine, or supporting character; each are as individual as you, with their own quirks and identity and each will be defined when they enter the stage. It is one of the most exciting aspects of the writing journey — however, it can also be the most frustrating. One by one the cast will step forward. Some will easily be read as they wear their most inner thoughts and feelings on their sleeves, allowing us to pluck their personalities off with ease and write their story. Then there are those who seem willing enough, at first, to give us a glimpse of who they are, but only enough to get us started. Then when we’re in full writing swing, they will make an executive decision to stop us in our tracks while they consider whether or not they’re going to allow us into their heads.
Sooner or later they do let us in, but not without further complications. You see, more often than not, they’ll start throwing out their side of the story during the most inopportune times, such as while we’re driving or in the middle of a concert or… well, anywhere that we are unable to write it down. One of my heroes was like that and for the longest time it drove me crazy, but then I realized: that was him, in a display of one of his quirks, and because he was such a challenge he was and still is my favourite.
For an author to pass on a clear picture to you as to whose life you will be exploring, we have to be skilled enough to switch personalities on a dime, even if it means chasing them down so the novel will get written. The true fact is, those co-operators, trouble makers, and jokesters, would never hold back for long – they want their story heard just as badly as we do.
Sooner or later they do let us in, but not without further complications. You see, more often than not, they’ll start throwing out their side of the story during the most inopportune times, such as while we’re driving or in the middle of a concert or… well, anywhere that we are unable to write it down. One of my heroes was like that and for the longest time it drove me crazy, but then I realized: that was him, in a display of one of his quirks, and because he was such a challenge he was and still is my favourite.
For an author to pass on a clear picture to you as to whose life you will be exploring, we have to be skilled enough to switch personalities on a dime, even if it means chasing them down so the novel will get written. The true fact is, those co-operators, trouble makers, and jokesters, would never hold back for long – they want their story heard just as badly as we do.
July 3, 2012
An Article First Written by me on Blogcritics - Writing a Picture
A painter tells their story on a canvas, actors tell theirs on a stage, both of which, as with many others, induce different emotions depending on the audience.
When a story presents itself in the mind of a writer, all five senses engage so as to be in tune with the characters and their world. Colors come to life, so do the bumble bees as they dance on the head of a flower, a quiet spoken word from a passerby will whisper on the breeze, the grass will tickle between our toes with each step we take, and the bitter sweet taste of red wine will flow over our tongues.
We also feel the fear walking through the dark alley as someone follows, we feel the pain of a lover’s loss and the elation of a lover found – we as writers embark on a journey that is just as uncertain for us, as it will be for you when you turn the pages.
However, a writer doesn’t get the use of taste, touch, smell, visual or verbal to arouse those emotions in you. How do we show you what is embedded in our mind so as to bring you along with us on every twist and turn? How do we make you cry, laugh, giggle, hurt, love, lust, be afraid, when using those other senses is an impossibility to persuade you to follow?
Taking you on our journey is not an easy task. It all has to be presented in such a way that you feel as we feel, see what we see, including all the little details that explode on the scene to make it real… The beat of the heart as it pulses against our heroine’s ribs, the taste of salt in a tear as it slides down the hero’s face, as well as the ache that, at first, is a slow burn, only to explode into every crevasse of his body. However, when it comes to scenery, we can’t go on and on with so much detail that it becomes boring, leaving nothing to the imagination.
We’ve all seen pictures of famous paintings, people, and the like, none of which really trigger grandiose excitement. However, to stand in front of the original is a whole different story.
That’s one of the wonderful things about being a writer, we don’t depend on the five senses to spark self-indulgence, we have a fairly simple tool that is powerful enough to stimulate not only those senses, but every emotion there is under the sun – it’s called words. They bring our characters and their world to life in your mind, igniting the imagination.
Our words have the same effect whether they’re read on computer, Kindle or novel. They pack the same punch wherever they are, however they are read and you, the reader…always have an original in hand.
When a story presents itself in the mind of a writer, all five senses engage so as to be in tune with the characters and their world. Colors come to life, so do the bumble bees as they dance on the head of a flower, a quiet spoken word from a passerby will whisper on the breeze, the grass will tickle between our toes with each step we take, and the bitter sweet taste of red wine will flow over our tongues.
We also feel the fear walking through the dark alley as someone follows, we feel the pain of a lover’s loss and the elation of a lover found – we as writers embark on a journey that is just as uncertain for us, as it will be for you when you turn the pages.
However, a writer doesn’t get the use of taste, touch, smell, visual or verbal to arouse those emotions in you. How do we show you what is embedded in our mind so as to bring you along with us on every twist and turn? How do we make you cry, laugh, giggle, hurt, love, lust, be afraid, when using those other senses is an impossibility to persuade you to follow?
Taking you on our journey is not an easy task. It all has to be presented in such a way that you feel as we feel, see what we see, including all the little details that explode on the scene to make it real… The beat of the heart as it pulses against our heroine’s ribs, the taste of salt in a tear as it slides down the hero’s face, as well as the ache that, at first, is a slow burn, only to explode into every crevasse of his body. However, when it comes to scenery, we can’t go on and on with so much detail that it becomes boring, leaving nothing to the imagination.
We’ve all seen pictures of famous paintings, people, and the like, none of which really trigger grandiose excitement. However, to stand in front of the original is a whole different story.
That’s one of the wonderful things about being a writer, we don’t depend on the five senses to spark self-indulgence, we have a fairly simple tool that is powerful enough to stimulate not only those senses, but every emotion there is under the sun – it’s called words. They bring our characters and their world to life in your mind, igniting the imagination.
Our words have the same effect whether they’re read on computer, Kindle or novel. They pack the same punch wherever they are, however they are read and you, the reader…always have an original in hand.
June 25, 2012
A recap because characters have taken over my mind.
I am going to repost the articles that I wrote for Blogcritics, as I am deep in the throngs of another world, that has moved in, taking up all my mind's time. Please enjoy!
My article, as first presented by Blogcritics.
There's facts afloat and a bounty of books about finding passion. No, I’m not referring to the passion between two people. What I’m referring to is the passion that one gets when doing something they love.
I was a dabbler of sorts, such that I dabbled in photography, sewing, drawing, painting, etc. and eventually my interest would fizzle out – me getting bored with it. Now I don’t know if I was looking for a passion in those meagre endeavours, but back in November, 2009, a passion found me and revealed itself in such a way, that it rendered my ability to ignore it, useless.
It was on a weekend and I was puttering around the house, doing nothing particularly important, when a pattern of words began to construct into a sentence, then another, then another, until it was a complete perfect paragraph. I tried to push those words to the back of my mind, but they always resurfaced to the forefront, insisting they be revisited over and over again. It wasn’t until the end of that week that I finally understood what that simple paragraph was… It was the last chapter to a story that had yet to be written and the moment I came to realize it, was the moment the real craziness began.
I had never written a word in my life, nor thought about, yet I found myself in a different world of sorts, surrounded by characters who were telling me their stories and how their lives intertwined. As the words burst forward into my mind, it became clear that the story was not going to unfold through the normal course. It began at the end, then continued working its way back until the beginning was the last to be written. Not only that, the chapters presented themselves backwards as well, revealing the outcome prior to how that outcome came to be. Though it was an unorthodox way to write, my characters somehow knew that if they had introduced themselves in a different way, I wouldn’t have listened and their story would never have been told and I most certainly would never have embarked on this wonderful journey of self-discovery.
The story unfolded quickly in the opposite direction until it was completed in my mind. Then and only then, was I finally able to light up the keyboard and let their story flow. No, I didn’t physically write it backwards, I did start from the beginning. However, I wouldn’t have been able to start there, if I hadn’t let the story consume my psyche for the time that it had. The words swept across the computer screen easily, causing me to get more and more excited with each chapter written, wanting the world to read it and upon completion, it became apparent that their story wasn’t over. Another ending materialized, a continuation of the first story, again presenting itself in reverse. It seems my creativity defies normalcy, because there are others now and so far all are entering the stage from the back end.
It took a cast of characters insisting that I write their story backwards for me to discover that passion does exist, it can be found in the most unlikely of places and even sometimes it finds you. There are numerous definitions for passion in the dictionary, however for me, the definition for passion… is writing.
My article, as first presented by Blogcritics.
There's facts afloat and a bounty of books about finding passion. No, I’m not referring to the passion between two people. What I’m referring to is the passion that one gets when doing something they love.
I was a dabbler of sorts, such that I dabbled in photography, sewing, drawing, painting, etc. and eventually my interest would fizzle out – me getting bored with it. Now I don’t know if I was looking for a passion in those meagre endeavours, but back in November, 2009, a passion found me and revealed itself in such a way, that it rendered my ability to ignore it, useless.
It was on a weekend and I was puttering around the house, doing nothing particularly important, when a pattern of words began to construct into a sentence, then another, then another, until it was a complete perfect paragraph. I tried to push those words to the back of my mind, but they always resurfaced to the forefront, insisting they be revisited over and over again. It wasn’t until the end of that week that I finally understood what that simple paragraph was… It was the last chapter to a story that had yet to be written and the moment I came to realize it, was the moment the real craziness began.
I had never written a word in my life, nor thought about, yet I found myself in a different world of sorts, surrounded by characters who were telling me their stories and how their lives intertwined. As the words burst forward into my mind, it became clear that the story was not going to unfold through the normal course. It began at the end, then continued working its way back until the beginning was the last to be written. Not only that, the chapters presented themselves backwards as well, revealing the outcome prior to how that outcome came to be. Though it was an unorthodox way to write, my characters somehow knew that if they had introduced themselves in a different way, I wouldn’t have listened and their story would never have been told and I most certainly would never have embarked on this wonderful journey of self-discovery.
The story unfolded quickly in the opposite direction until it was completed in my mind. Then and only then, was I finally able to light up the keyboard and let their story flow. No, I didn’t physically write it backwards, I did start from the beginning. However, I wouldn’t have been able to start there, if I hadn’t let the story consume my psyche for the time that it had. The words swept across the computer screen easily, causing me to get more and more excited with each chapter written, wanting the world to read it and upon completion, it became apparent that their story wasn’t over. Another ending materialized, a continuation of the first story, again presenting itself in reverse. It seems my creativity defies normalcy, because there are others now and so far all are entering the stage from the back end.
It took a cast of characters insisting that I write their story backwards for me to discover that passion does exist, it can be found in the most unlikely of places and even sometimes it finds you. There are numerous definitions for passion in the dictionary, however for me, the definition for passion… is writing.
June 4, 2012
A Secret...
You could analyze one's brain for years and not know what makes them tick, but if they were to write their thoughts down, we could discover a plethora of information.
From one end of the spectrum to the other, from all walks of life, what you allow the world to see is up to you. How much are you willing to reveal about who you are? Some prefer to stay reserved, only revealing what is required and others throw their whole selves out there, even putting things down on paper.
Being a novelist, I'm able to take those things that I prefer to keep hidden, and mold them into a character who will easily put those things out there for the whole world to see. Me staying a "silent partner" through it all.
We all orchestrate our lives by keeping control of which bits and pieces we allow to show through and I'm no different. However, for me, letting my characters take on the little quirks and hidden thoughts I have, makes me a better a person, a better human being and isn't that what most of us strive for? Besides, what's even cooler... you'll never know which are my traits and which are theirs.
A secret is a secret only if you refuse to let it be known and what one does with it, is again, up to them.
Have a great day and week.
From one end of the spectrum to the other, from all walks of life, what you allow the world to see is up to you. How much are you willing to reveal about who you are? Some prefer to stay reserved, only revealing what is required and others throw their whole selves out there, even putting things down on paper.
Being a novelist, I'm able to take those things that I prefer to keep hidden, and mold them into a character who will easily put those things out there for the whole world to see. Me staying a "silent partner" through it all.
We all orchestrate our lives by keeping control of which bits and pieces we allow to show through and I'm no different. However, for me, letting my characters take on the little quirks and hidden thoughts I have, makes me a better a person, a better human being and isn't that what most of us strive for? Besides, what's even cooler... you'll never know which are my traits and which are theirs.
A secret is a secret only if you refuse to let it be known and what one does with it, is again, up to them.
Have a great day and week.
May 14, 2012
Mother's Day
We all have different ideas of what a perfect Mother's Day is. For some, it would start with breakfast in bed, then gifts, complete with a bouquet of flowers, then the rest of the day would be spent lounging about, being waited on hand and foot while reading a book or writing or sewing or nothing at all -- doing whatever you wanted. Unfortunately for most of us, the above isn't feasible, yet we do manage to make the most of what we are given.
For instance, my day started off with the news we were going to hit 25 degrees Celsius (yay!), along with a happy Mother's Day note left on the counter by my youngest daughter before she rushed off to work. Then it was off to the gym for my Zumba class and after that, I went shopping for my garden. Once all my purchases were safely out of the car, I spent the rest of the afternoon getting my pond going and putting some flower pots where I wanted them. My son dropped by with roses, along with a quick hug and kiss. I got a call from my middle daughter and a text from my oldest daughter and then my day was topped off with our friends eating pizza and drinking big people pop.
That was the perfect day. I hope you all had your perfect Mother's Day.
Have a great day.
For instance, my day started off with the news we were going to hit 25 degrees Celsius (yay!), along with a happy Mother's Day note left on the counter by my youngest daughter before she rushed off to work. Then it was off to the gym for my Zumba class and after that, I went shopping for my garden. Once all my purchases were safely out of the car, I spent the rest of the afternoon getting my pond going and putting some flower pots where I wanted them. My son dropped by with roses, along with a quick hug and kiss. I got a call from my middle daughter and a text from my oldest daughter and then my day was topped off with our friends eating pizza and drinking big people pop.
That was the perfect day. I hope you all had your perfect Mother's Day.
Have a great day.
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