Jennifer Bray-Weber's Blog, page 58
January 14, 2015
Hump Day Kick Start – My Soda Pop Spilled, Someone Must Pay Edition
Hump Day Kick Start ��� for your muse, a writing picture prompt, or just a v isual treat.
This one’s for the boys. Sometimes I like going old school. As always, bonus points if you know who this beauty really is.
So, tell me about our girl. Who is she? Why is she in the diner? Why is the glass spilled? Who spilled it? What is her expression? Who/what is she looking at? Is she a girl jilted by her lover? Maybe he just asked her best friend to share a black cow with him. Ouch! Is she a crazed housewife plotting revenge? A��psychopath? Has she lost everything? Could this be the moment just before a dream of a man pulls up in his hot rod?
You tell me. What’s your take on this pic?
January 13, 2015
Link Of The Week- Where To Go When They Beat You Up!
Hello Musetrackers!
I finished my book and thought it was ready to send out. I’d edited it, had it edited, had a critique group and generally worked on it until I thought it was really good. I was right- it was good, but something wasn’t working. My scores in contests were all over the place. After awhile, I felt pretty beat up. I’m sure all of you have been there once or twice. :-)
Here’s some good thoughts and advice for the kick off of this new year.
The Very Best Articles on Writing for 2014 (on Positive Writer)
http://positivewriter.com/best-posts-on-writing/
January 7, 2015
Hump Day Kick Start – Nook and Cranny Edition
Hump Day Kick Start ��� for your muse, a writing picture prompt, or just a v isual treat.
What better way to start the new year than with a tasty Hump Day Kick Start. Bonus points if you know this Hottie Mc HotHot.
Tell me about today’s prompt. Who is he? Where is he? Could he be a craftsman taking a break��in an attic?��Is he a prisoner in an abandoned house? Who locked him away?��Why? Perhaps��while revisiting his��favorite hiding place in his childhood home the memories (good? bad?) begin��assailing him. His alluring��expression��suggests seduction. Maybe he has invited a lovely friend to join him. (Yes, I’ll come join you, Hottie McHotHot.) The view might be nice from there. Of course,��he may have somehow gotten trapped in the chicken coop he just finished cleaning.
You tell me! Love to hear your take on today’s prompt.
January 6, 2015
Link of the Week – Winter Writing Festival
It’s baaaack.��But that is a good thing! It’s time once again for the Ruby-Slippered Sisterhood Winter Writing Festival. Time to dive into a avalanche of writing productivity with goals and rewards you set, sprints, loads of encouragement, and prizes to gather along the way. It’s a super-charged writing challenge that has been wildly popular. And we are in it’s FIFTH year! How cool is that?
So what exactly am I talking about?
Through the bleakest part of winter���January 12, 2013 thru March 2���the much-anticipated FIFTH��Annual Ruby Winter Writing Festival will be here to keep your creative fires burning, with support, advice, inspiration, frequent live chats, fun prizes for participants, and as much virtual hot-chocolate (or virtual champagne or virtual cookies) as you please. ���Cause nobody���s Muse can resist a party!
Here���s the beauty part: unlike NaNoWriMo and other writing challenges that have a one-size-fits-all approach, the Ruby Winter Writing Festival is designed for you.
No matter what stage you���re at right now (brainstorming, plotting, free-writing, fast-drafting, slow-drafting, revising, layering, polishing���or any combination of the above) the Ruby Winter Writing Festival can help.
Check out the details at the Ruby-Slippered Sisterhood’s Blog here. ��Or better still, bookmark the Ruby Slippered-Sisterhood Winter Writing Festival website!
http://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/get-ready-for-the-winter-writing-festival-2015/
December 31, 2014
December 30, 2014
Link of the Week – Unexpected
I’ve mentioned this before here on MuseTracks. I’m a member of a group of historical romance authors, the Historical Romance Network, in a campaign to raise visibility to historical romance and show how exciting, adventuresome, and sexy (or steaming hot!) the books can be.
To help in spreading the love, 17 members of HRN have compiled excerpts of first encounters, ranging from the Vikings to the American West, in a FREE e-book. No, I’m not in this particular booklet. But some great authors are, from newer authors to best sellers.
Get your copy by clicking the link below.
http://historicalromancenetwork.com/downloads/
December 25, 2014
Happy Holidays!
December 24, 2014
‘Twas The Night Before Christmas – 2014 Edition
Song of the Day: Christmas / Sarajevo 12/24 by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Updated for your reading pleasure, I give you my annual rendition of the classic The Night Before Christmas. Enjoy!
‘Twas The Night Before Christmas
‘Twas the night before Christmas,
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even my wireless mouse;
The laptop glowed blank
With all creativity ka-put,
My Muse took a holiday
From inspiring my book;
The NaNo craze had ended
I’m in edits neck-deep,
While visions of “the end”
Dance out of reach;
Exhausted from writer’s block,
And with my satin sleep mask,
I had just curled into bed
For a short cat nap;
You say that like it’s a bad thing.
When out on the street
There arose such a thunder,
I sprang from my bed
To see what was the rumble.
Away to the window
In fuzzy slippers I sprang,
I stumbled and tripped
And drew back the drape.
The vapor lamps casting pools
Of pale light on the street
Gave the luster of mystery
To objects beneath,
When, what to my wondering eyes
Caught my sight,
But a red ragtop muscle car,
And eight Harley bikes,
With a super hot driver
His disheveled hair swept
I knew in a moment
It must be Johnny Depp.
More handsome in person
His buds they came,
And I whistled and squealed
As he called them by name.
“Now Bradley! Now Gosling!
Now Downy Jr. and Tatum!
On Hunnam! On Hemsworth!
On Franco and Beckham!
To the edge of the curb!
To the end of the way!
Now pull over! Pull over!
Pull over here, I say!”
As the growl of engines
Revved and roared,
Testosterone oozed
From their very cores;
Yes, please!
So up to my house
The hotties they drove,
With Johnny in the lead
Of this tasty treasure trove.
And then in an instant,
I heard them out front,
The back-slapping and laughing
Of each manly hunk.
As I wiped the drool
And raced to the den,
In sauntered Johnny
A true perfect Ten.
He was dressed all in leather
From his head to his boots
Just like in my dreams
He was lip-smacking good.
A bundle of goodies
He’d flung on his shoulder,
With his smooth swagger
He simmered and smoldered.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
His eyes – how they seared!
His lips, how inviting!
His jaw line so strong,
His smirk too enticing!
His russet goatee
Was trimmed just right
And his dark tousled hair
Gilded in the firelight;
The butt of a cigarette
He held tight in his teeth,
And he took off his jacket
And rolled up his sleeves;
Leather wristbands and tattoos,
And flawless firm rear,
Completing the package
All but brought me to tears.
He was lean and fit,
A right sexy heartbreaker,
And I fanned my face,
As ideas struck my story-maker.
A wink of his eye
And I nearly swooned,
Naughty or nice?
My thoughts lampooned;
He spoke not a word
But went straight to his work,
And left festive presents
As I giggled and lurked,
Johnny wishes you Happy Holidays!
And smiling to me
My Muse had more than awaken,
And giving a nod,
Johnny left me a-quaking.
He hopped in his convertible,
Gave a whistle to his team,
And away they all drove,
Leaving me to scheme.
But I heard him exclaim
Ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas Writing to all.
And to all a good night.”
December 23, 2014
Link Of The Week- No Link, It’s Right Here!
I posted this a few years ago and decided it was worth another shout out. The holiday season is hectic and full of fun, but it’s important to keep those writing skills up. Here are some suggestions I hope will inspire!
The 12 Elves of Christmas
Elf 1 says- Find a holiday writing prompt and write a scene about 500 words. I borrowed this one from Writer’s Digest: Christmas Ghost
While hanging up your Christmas lights, you are flagged down by a neighborhood kid who offers to help. As he helps you, he tells you about the Christmas ghost that haunts his house. What’s odd is that you’ve noticed the same things happening around your house. Write this scene.
Elf 2 says- What is your voice? Do you like to write in short staccato sentences or are you more flowing? Are you spontaneous? Or more methodical? Our voice is ultimately what comes out of us. Do you have a writer that you really admire? Do you like their voice? Take a few pages from your book and try to re-write it using their voice, their style. You might be surprised at what comes from this exercise.
Elf 3 says- Take an emotion that is commonly written about- let’s say “gut wrenching”. Now dig deeper and create a list of different, deeper, ways of making this emotion tangible. (Thank you Donald Maas for this one.) Take a trip out of the surface emotions into unchartered waters. Your writing will be better!
Elf 4 says- Create 5 new titles for your current WIP. What elements will you choose to highlight? How does it “color” your book differently?
Elf 5 says- Write the top ten things that must happen in your book before you put in the final period. Even if you are a pantster like me, you should be able to make this list. Use it as a road map or a check off list. (Thank you Will Graham for this brilliant idea.)
Elf 6 says- Read two chapters out of a new craft book. Write down 3 things you just learned. Post it by your computer, and try using those items the next time you write on your WIP.
Elf 7 says- Get your writing buddies on board and do a page swap. No editing, no rewriting to prepare it for others to read. Just swap the last page you all wrote for FUN- only for FUN!!
Elf 8 says- Take an experience your character will have and try to experience it yourself. If they are eating oatcakes from a medieval feast, then prepare some yourself. If they are in a rain forest, try going into a steam room fully clothed and do some kind of activity. If they are going to shoot a gun, go to a firing range and try it out. Use all of your senses!
Elf 9 says- Use a timer (There are several free ones online or a simple kitchen timer will work!) and do a 5 minute brain storming session on finding a $1000 poker chip from the 1960s behind a loose board in a boarding house you just bought to remodel into a B and B. (Again- thanks Will Graham.)
Elf 10 says- Take 5 chapters and search for comfort words. Start off with “just” and “that”. You can highlight all of them with the push of a button and try eliminating as many as possible. Easy way to improve your chapters!
Elf 11 says- Read a book. That’s it- just read a good book.
Elf 12 says- Press the power button on your computer, scoot your chair away from your desk and walk out of the room. Never, never forget this is a time for celebrating family and friends. Enjoy them. Revel in your time together. Find peace and contentment in this season. The book will still be there next week.
May your Christmas be happy, healthy, and full of wonder.
December 17, 2014
Hump Day Kick Start – Pin-up Roadster Rage Edition
Song of the day: Down by Lit
Hump Day Kick Start – for your muse, a writing picture prompt, or just a v isual treat.
Going fun and flirty today. Well, it’s flirty to me. Might not be for the poor fella in the trunk.
Tell me about today’s prompt. Who is our couple? Are they rival hot-rod racers, and she’s ensuring a win? Is this a form of road rage? Could she be upset with him for not paying the bill for her long hours repairing his dragster? Was he caught cheating? Or maybe she’s done waiting for him to make it official. Clearly she taking matters into her own hands.
You tell me. Love to hear your take.
