Allison Knight's Blog, page 22
April 22, 2013
Rejections
If last week's topic was frustrating, this week's topic is downright discouraging.
Rejections are also part of this business, one I had to learn to handle. When my very first book was returned with that nice letter I mentioned originally, I was devastated. My year's work - rejected. They didn't want it. I had a hard time not shedding a few tears.
I never stopped to ask why, nor think it could possibly be my fault. Nay! They didn't see talent when it hit them in the face.
After I calmed down, I took another look at what I've done. Could there have been a reason they didn't want my book? Slowly, I realized I didn't know enought about what I was analyzing to make a proper judgement. So, I tramped over to the local book store and started buying how-to books. It didn't take long to figure out I had an awful lot to learn. More books, magazines, classes, by mail and at a local college, were part of my new writing routine. In the two years that followed, I learned, I wrote, I submitted and I kept getting rejected.
Finally, the call came. They wanted not one, but the three books I had written so far. Devastation turned to elation.
Since then, oh, yes, I've been rejected. Time and time again. Wrong timing, wrong story line, the line I was submitting to was being dropped, the editor was having a a bad day.
However, I've learned a couple of important points in analyzing rejections.
Read them carefully. If two or more editors find fault with the same problem/s i.e. point of view, story line, grammer mistakes, inconsistent motivation, maybe you should take a look at your manuscript.
If it's a form letter (and that's usually what you'll get) don't send a scathing letter off to the editor. It will mark you forever in the business. Don't rewrite the manuscript - yet. Take another look. Ask someone you know (not a close friend or relative) to read your story. I asked my lawyer, who I knew read romances, if she'd read my second book. She was going on vacation and took it with her. Her comments were invaluable.
And study the business. I failed to do that. If I had taken the time to see what was selling and what was in a downward spiral I would have noticed the gothics I'd started to write were no longer being published. I missed the boat there.
One other important point. Write what you are comfortable writing. The genre may be hot today, cold tomorrow and hot again next week, or in a month or a year. Historical romance and various time periods and locations come and go so you must know the business. But it's your book, your genre, your work. So write what you want to write and keep writing.
I guess the best advice I can give is rejection happens, it hurts, but it's part of the business. As one of my kids would say - "suck it up" and start in on another project.
Next week - what I don't know about contracts.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
"BETRAYED BRIDE" coming in May from Champagne Books
And in August - "Lynbrook's Lady" - a Regency Period Historical Romance
Rejections are also part of this business, one I had to learn to handle. When my very first book was returned with that nice letter I mentioned originally, I was devastated. My year's work - rejected. They didn't want it. I had a hard time not shedding a few tears.
I never stopped to ask why, nor think it could possibly be my fault. Nay! They didn't see talent when it hit them in the face.
After I calmed down, I took another look at what I've done. Could there have been a reason they didn't want my book? Slowly, I realized I didn't know enought about what I was analyzing to make a proper judgement. So, I tramped over to the local book store and started buying how-to books. It didn't take long to figure out I had an awful lot to learn. More books, magazines, classes, by mail and at a local college, were part of my new writing routine. In the two years that followed, I learned, I wrote, I submitted and I kept getting rejected.
Finally, the call came. They wanted not one, but the three books I had written so far. Devastation turned to elation.
Since then, oh, yes, I've been rejected. Time and time again. Wrong timing, wrong story line, the line I was submitting to was being dropped, the editor was having a a bad day.
However, I've learned a couple of important points in analyzing rejections.
Read them carefully. If two or more editors find fault with the same problem/s i.e. point of view, story line, grammer mistakes, inconsistent motivation, maybe you should take a look at your manuscript.
If it's a form letter (and that's usually what you'll get) don't send a scathing letter off to the editor. It will mark you forever in the business. Don't rewrite the manuscript - yet. Take another look. Ask someone you know (not a close friend or relative) to read your story. I asked my lawyer, who I knew read romances, if she'd read my second book. She was going on vacation and took it with her. Her comments were invaluable.
And study the business. I failed to do that. If I had taken the time to see what was selling and what was in a downward spiral I would have noticed the gothics I'd started to write were no longer being published. I missed the boat there.
One other important point. Write what you are comfortable writing. The genre may be hot today, cold tomorrow and hot again next week, or in a month or a year. Historical romance and various time periods and locations come and go so you must know the business. But it's your book, your genre, your work. So write what you want to write and keep writing.
I guess the best advice I can give is rejection happens, it hurts, but it's part of the business. As one of my kids would say - "suck it up" and start in on another project.
Next week - what I don't know about contracts.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
"BETRAYED BRIDE" coming in May from Champagne Books
And in August - "Lynbrook's Lady" - a Regency Period Historical Romance
April 15, 2013
Monday's Helpful Hints (The Synopsis)
This is the one I suffer through, have suffered through, will continue to suffer through. But I've found a couple of things that have helped me to write the "Dreaded Synopsis"!
First, if you are a panster, you need to finish the book. You have to know what's going to happen at the end. Most pansters I know, have no idea until they get to the middle or sometimes close to the end.
I outline so writing a synopsis should be easier, right? To that I reply, HA!
But let us assume you have the book nearly finished and you know what's going to happen at the end. You do need to know that, for the editor is going to want to know. This "And the end is a surprise", won't cut it and won't help you sell a book. In fact, it may result in the editor refusing to even read your first three chapters. A sure fire rejection.
I've found if I break my synopsis down into sections, I can do a better job. Maybe this will help you as well.
The first paragraph of a synopsis needs to be a short description of where the story takes place. You aren't writing a novel here, you are going to give a summary so we need to know where this is happening, and maybe a hint as to what is happening, especially if you are writing a mystery, scfi, space romance, historical, be it fiction or romance. Not much description, that needs to be in the novel.
So a short paragraph telling (a synopsis is a lot more telling than showing) where, when, etc. at the beginning of your book. I think that's why they don't advise dialogue in a synopsis. Dialogue is a great way to show instead of tell.
Next comes motivation. I need to tell what is driving my characters, what they think they want and how they think they can get it, their goal. Cover the main characters, that is the hero, heroine, and the villain/s. I'll include only the secondary characters if they are central to the plot, that is if their goals will directly impact the central characters.
Next a summary of the story. I break this down into the first turning point, the result, the mid point, the second turning point, again, the result, the black moment and the conclusion. That's why I say you must know the ending.
In all, I try to keep the synopsis of a 75,000 to 80,000 word novel to around four or five pages, shorter for shorter novels, and longer if the novel is lengthy. Although I'm told that today, most publishers like a novel of around 100,000 words or less. People today say they don't have time for too big a book. (I'm only repeating what I've read! It's really up to you and your story)
Good luck and let me know if this is helpful. It works for me.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Watch for "Betray Bride" coming in May from
www.ChampagneBooks.com
First, if you are a panster, you need to finish the book. You have to know what's going to happen at the end. Most pansters I know, have no idea until they get to the middle or sometimes close to the end.
I outline so writing a synopsis should be easier, right? To that I reply, HA!
But let us assume you have the book nearly finished and you know what's going to happen at the end. You do need to know that, for the editor is going to want to know. This "And the end is a surprise", won't cut it and won't help you sell a book. In fact, it may result in the editor refusing to even read your first three chapters. A sure fire rejection.
I've found if I break my synopsis down into sections, I can do a better job. Maybe this will help you as well.
The first paragraph of a synopsis needs to be a short description of where the story takes place. You aren't writing a novel here, you are going to give a summary so we need to know where this is happening, and maybe a hint as to what is happening, especially if you are writing a mystery, scfi, space romance, historical, be it fiction or romance. Not much description, that needs to be in the novel.
So a short paragraph telling (a synopsis is a lot more telling than showing) where, when, etc. at the beginning of your book. I think that's why they don't advise dialogue in a synopsis. Dialogue is a great way to show instead of tell.
Next comes motivation. I need to tell what is driving my characters, what they think they want and how they think they can get it, their goal. Cover the main characters, that is the hero, heroine, and the villain/s. I'll include only the secondary characters if they are central to the plot, that is if their goals will directly impact the central characters.
Next a summary of the story. I break this down into the first turning point, the result, the mid point, the second turning point, again, the result, the black moment and the conclusion. That's why I say you must know the ending.
In all, I try to keep the synopsis of a 75,000 to 80,000 word novel to around four or five pages, shorter for shorter novels, and longer if the novel is lengthy. Although I'm told that today, most publishers like a novel of around 100,000 words or less. People today say they don't have time for too big a book. (I'm only repeating what I've read! It's really up to you and your story)
Good luck and let me know if this is helpful. It works for me.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Watch for "Betray Bride" coming in May from
www.ChampagneBooks.com
April 8, 2013
Monday's Helpful Hints
We've covered the basics, kinda, so today we look at what goes into a submission, what you mail (or e-mail).
First, I'll say it again, read the guidelines. Legitimate publishers, the big six and indies, will tell you what they want.
Here's the standard rule of thumb - in case they don't.
First the perfect cover letter. (We covered that)
Then a synopsis (Okay, many of us hate that word - me among them, but I've learned few tricks, if like me you do not like them)
Then the manuscript. It might be the first three chapters, over the first fifty pages, or the whole book. Don't send them bits and pieces. I don't care if you've written the world's greatest love scene. If it's not in the pages they want don't send it. Nothing marks you an amateur like that.
Guidelines will usually spell out what font they want and about how many words to a page, (we've covered fonts and we'll cover how to estimate the number of words if you don't use a computer with a word counter on it)
Again, as clean as you can make the copy. If it's on paper, print out a new copy and if "e" they will probably tell you how they want you to send. Follow their guidelines.
Don't forget to include you name (especially if you are writing under a pen name), and if you are sending a print copy to a publisher, be sure to include return postage. (That's another thing I didn't do, first time around. I don't remember what it cost Pocket to return it, but they did.)
And, whatever you do - don't send your only copy. I print out copies of my "e" submissions, and also save them on disk and flash drives.
In some cases, the publisher might want a marketing plan but if they do, don't worry, we'll take a look at marketing plans later, probably in May.
Send and WAIT. We'll get into that soon.
Next Monday I'll tackle that horrible thing the synopsis (Can you tell I don't like them?)
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Betrayed Bride coming in May from Champagne Books
First, I'll say it again, read the guidelines. Legitimate publishers, the big six and indies, will tell you what they want.
Here's the standard rule of thumb - in case they don't.
First the perfect cover letter. (We covered that)
Then a synopsis (Okay, many of us hate that word - me among them, but I've learned few tricks, if like me you do not like them)
Then the manuscript. It might be the first three chapters, over the first fifty pages, or the whole book. Don't send them bits and pieces. I don't care if you've written the world's greatest love scene. If it's not in the pages they want don't send it. Nothing marks you an amateur like that.
Guidelines will usually spell out what font they want and about how many words to a page, (we've covered fonts and we'll cover how to estimate the number of words if you don't use a computer with a word counter on it)
Again, as clean as you can make the copy. If it's on paper, print out a new copy and if "e" they will probably tell you how they want you to send. Follow their guidelines.
Don't forget to include you name (especially if you are writing under a pen name), and if you are sending a print copy to a publisher, be sure to include return postage. (That's another thing I didn't do, first time around. I don't remember what it cost Pocket to return it, but they did.)
And, whatever you do - don't send your only copy. I print out copies of my "e" submissions, and also save them on disk and flash drives.
In some cases, the publisher might want a marketing plan but if they do, don't worry, we'll take a look at marketing plans later, probably in May.
Send and WAIT. We'll get into that soon.
Next Monday I'll tackle that horrible thing the synopsis (Can you tell I don't like them?)
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Betrayed Bride coming in May from Champagne Books
April 1, 2013
Monday's Helpful Hint
I said we'd cover submissions to publishers today. But to explain everything, I'll break my word. I want to keep these hints short and concise. There a whole bunch of stuff to a submission. For an author without a list of other books to his/her name, you need to have a finished book before you begin the submission process.
First, there's your cover letter. That's tells the editor or reader, because your manuscript might go first to a reader, who you are, what you've written, what is included in the submission and something about you.
So, let's start with that. I'll get to the rest of the info in the next couple of Mondays.
It doesn't matter if this is an e-submission (going to an e-press and probably online) or if it's a print submission (which might be sent online). You still have to tell the reader what you've written. Check the guidelines (Usually there's a link to guidelines on the web page of the publisher. (Again, "e" or print)
Make sure they publish your genre. That's the only thing I did right with my first submission. At least Pocket published historical romance which was what I had written.
It's a good idea to keep the letter professional. Publishing is a business and you want the publisher to know you realize this. Don't compare yourself to another author (Yeh, I did that), don't mention how great people think you story is (I didn't do that), anything else you've written (Not your seven year diary - or your letter writing ability 'cause it wont count). If your education gives you more credibility, mention that. (I mentioned mine and it didn't have anything to do with writing romance. - I told you I did everything wrong.) Keep it short, to one page if possible and keep it professional. Make sure there are no typo's! (At least I didn't do that.)
In your letter you also need to give an approximate number of words in the novel and mention the book is complete. There is no rule that says when you mention each point. That depends on you.
But, your letter will give the publisher/reader his/her first impression of you. Keep that in mind as you write your cover letter.
Next Monday we'll talk about the manuscript part of the submission.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Watch for Betrayed Bride coming next month.
First, there's your cover letter. That's tells the editor or reader, because your manuscript might go first to a reader, who you are, what you've written, what is included in the submission and something about you.
So, let's start with that. I'll get to the rest of the info in the next couple of Mondays.
It doesn't matter if this is an e-submission (going to an e-press and probably online) or if it's a print submission (which might be sent online). You still have to tell the reader what you've written. Check the guidelines (Usually there's a link to guidelines on the web page of the publisher. (Again, "e" or print)
Make sure they publish your genre. That's the only thing I did right with my first submission. At least Pocket published historical romance which was what I had written.
It's a good idea to keep the letter professional. Publishing is a business and you want the publisher to know you realize this. Don't compare yourself to another author (Yeh, I did that), don't mention how great people think you story is (I didn't do that), anything else you've written (Not your seven year diary - or your letter writing ability 'cause it wont count). If your education gives you more credibility, mention that. (I mentioned mine and it didn't have anything to do with writing romance. - I told you I did everything wrong.) Keep it short, to one page if possible and keep it professional. Make sure there are no typo's! (At least I didn't do that.)
In your letter you also need to give an approximate number of words in the novel and mention the book is complete. There is no rule that says when you mention each point. That depends on you.
But, your letter will give the publisher/reader his/her first impression of you. Keep that in mind as you write your cover letter.
Next Monday we'll talk about the manuscript part of the submission.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Watch for Betrayed Bride coming next month.
March 25, 2013
Monday's Helpful Hints
Today we start with what I've learned over the almost thirty years I've been in this business, because, it is a business.
I decided the best place to start is the beginning. Kinda like the alphabet song from the movie, Sound of Music.
Let's get one fact out of the way at the start! If you want to be published, and some people don't, then you have to submit your work. Just saying you could write a good book, doesn't mean you can get it published unless you are willing to submit it. And that means you have to know how.
I've told the tale before, but with my first attempt I sent a complete, poorly formated manuscript, all 650 pages to the president of St. Martin's Press. The only thing I did right was send the manuscript to a publisher of romance. Everything else was wrong, wrong, wrong.
So today, I want to begin with the Format of a Submission.
1. (And foremost) You might not want to send the whole manuscript to a publisher. And you don't want to do anything with that manuscript that screams rooky! They will usually tell you how much they want of your FINISHED work. Okay, I'll yelling. Unless you have a track record of publishing many books, most publishers, print or 'e' will not want to know about your unfinished book. Finish the book and then submit the amount they request. If they are interested, they'll ask for the rest.
2. Know the rules for submitting, which means you need to read the guidelines for the publisher to whom you are submitting. If they don't specify what format they want, then choose the standard format and yes, there is a standard.
3. Okay, here's the standard.
Margins - 1 inch all the way around, top, bottom, left and
right sides
Font - Nothing fancy. This is a business. Use a regular
computer font. Times New Roman, Arial, or Verdana
are always good. This will make you look
professional. Underlining and bolding your font
says you're a novice and you don't know anything
about the business.
Spacing - Unless the guidelines say otherwise, double spacing is
a good choice. Editors have a lot to read every day,
particularly submission editors. All they do is read.
Headers - Again, read the guidelines. Usually, Your Title/Your
name on the top of every page.
Numbering - Top right or bottom is always good if the guidelines
don't say.
Summing up! Read the guildines.
That's it for this week. Next week we'll look at how to send a manuscript to a publishing company.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
I decided the best place to start is the beginning. Kinda like the alphabet song from the movie, Sound of Music.
Let's get one fact out of the way at the start! If you want to be published, and some people don't, then you have to submit your work. Just saying you could write a good book, doesn't mean you can get it published unless you are willing to submit it. And that means you have to know how.
I've told the tale before, but with my first attempt I sent a complete, poorly formated manuscript, all 650 pages to the president of St. Martin's Press. The only thing I did right was send the manuscript to a publisher of romance. Everything else was wrong, wrong, wrong.
So today, I want to begin with the Format of a Submission.
1. (And foremost) You might not want to send the whole manuscript to a publisher. And you don't want to do anything with that manuscript that screams rooky! They will usually tell you how much they want of your FINISHED work. Okay, I'll yelling. Unless you have a track record of publishing many books, most publishers, print or 'e' will not want to know about your unfinished book. Finish the book and then submit the amount they request. If they are interested, they'll ask for the rest.
2. Know the rules for submitting, which means you need to read the guidelines for the publisher to whom you are submitting. If they don't specify what format they want, then choose the standard format and yes, there is a standard.
3. Okay, here's the standard.
Margins - 1 inch all the way around, top, bottom, left and
right sides
Font - Nothing fancy. This is a business. Use a regular
computer font. Times New Roman, Arial, or Verdana
are always good. This will make you look
professional. Underlining and bolding your font
says you're a novice and you don't know anything
about the business.
Spacing - Unless the guidelines say otherwise, double spacing is
a good choice. Editors have a lot to read every day,
particularly submission editors. All they do is read.
Headers - Again, read the guidelines. Usually, Your Title/Your
name on the top of every page.
Numbering - Top right or bottom is always good if the guidelines
don't say.
Summing up! Read the guildines.
That's it for this week. Next week we'll look at how to send a manuscript to a publishing company.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
March 22, 2013
Something Brand New!
After too long an absence, I've decided I need a better blogging plan. Instead of rambling about this and that, which I will continue to do occasionally, I intend to share what I've learned over the years in this business of publishing, specifically publishing romance novels. I'll leave the 'short story' business to someone else.
So starting Monday, I'm going to be offering MONDAY'S HELPFUL HINTS DAY! That blog will be available all through the week.
Each week, I'll tackle some aspect of what I've learned, either from a lot of reading, researching the markets, or from my many, many mistakes as I pursued this road to my publishing career.
I make the claim to having learned something because I've being doing this for nearly thirty years, but also because I was published in print, by a New York publisher, Kensington Publishing Company, along with several e-publishing companies, two companies now defunct. I am currently publishing with Wings ePress, Red Rose Publishing and now CBG. (Champagne Book Group) I have book # twenty (20) coming in May or June, with another book awaiting a decision on my editor's desk, book # twenty-two (22) in process (which will be the last of the 'song' books) and two more already started, one taking place in England and one out West both in the mid 1800's. Believe me when I say I've learned a lot about this business.
I promise not to offer pages and pages of do this and don't do that. I'll keep it short and each week, tackle just one little subject. If the subject of the day doesn't interest you, you won't have to read through pages of examples, thinking you might miss something. (I've done that a lot lately. Read through long treatises, hoping to read something new and different.) I won't promise to be different, but I will be short. Count on it.
Please, if I help you, let me know. If there is simple you want clarified or want to ask a question, fire away. As a retired teacher, I've never lost the need to impart knowledge. (sighing) Guess it's in the blood.
See you Monday!
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
So starting Monday, I'm going to be offering MONDAY'S HELPFUL HINTS DAY! That blog will be available all through the week.
Each week, I'll tackle some aspect of what I've learned, either from a lot of reading, researching the markets, or from my many, many mistakes as I pursued this road to my publishing career.
I make the claim to having learned something because I've being doing this for nearly thirty years, but also because I was published in print, by a New York publisher, Kensington Publishing Company, along with several e-publishing companies, two companies now defunct. I am currently publishing with Wings ePress, Red Rose Publishing and now CBG. (Champagne Book Group) I have book # twenty (20) coming in May or June, with another book awaiting a decision on my editor's desk, book # twenty-two (22) in process (which will be the last of the 'song' books) and two more already started, one taking place in England and one out West both in the mid 1800's. Believe me when I say I've learned a lot about this business.
I promise not to offer pages and pages of do this and don't do that. I'll keep it short and each week, tackle just one little subject. If the subject of the day doesn't interest you, you won't have to read through pages of examples, thinking you might miss something. (I've done that a lot lately. Read through long treatises, hoping to read something new and different.) I won't promise to be different, but I will be short. Count on it.
Please, if I help you, let me know. If there is simple you want clarified or want to ask a question, fire away. As a retired teacher, I've never lost the need to impart knowledge. (sighing) Guess it's in the blood.
See you Monday!
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
December 30, 2012
Yikes! It's all I can say!
I'm sitting with my family on Christmas Day. We've just finished a big
ham dinner with all the trimmings, none of which I cooked. They are
all watching our traditional Christmas movie, Galaxy Quest.
(Silly, I know, but it's the tradition).
My two granddaughters are sitting on the floor playing with my new
great grandson. Since I'd seen the movie maybe ten times, I was on
my computer, reading emails. All of a sudden, here was a message
that made me yell out loud.
They all looked at me like what's wrong now. After all, this has not
been the best of health years. But all I could do was look at the
computer and chant, I've been nominated, I've been nominated.
There are several awards which I consider outstanding.
Recognition from my Publisher comes to mind. That's happened
to me twice now. Both times I was shocked and more than pleased.
It meant my publisher considered me a company asset.
Another award, which I never expected, was to be nominated for
the CAPA Award. You don't enter these awards, you can't pay to
enter, these are done on merit. So, I'm up for the best historical
romance of 2012 along with fifteen other excellent authors, some
I read every chance I get. To be in such company is a thrill.
Valentine's day, they will announce the winner. Whoever is
chosen I wish them well. Just to be nominated is good enough for
me!
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
ham dinner with all the trimmings, none of which I cooked. They are
all watching our traditional Christmas movie, Galaxy Quest.
(Silly, I know, but it's the tradition).
My two granddaughters are sitting on the floor playing with my new
great grandson. Since I'd seen the movie maybe ten times, I was on
my computer, reading emails. All of a sudden, here was a message
that made me yell out loud.
They all looked at me like what's wrong now. After all, this has not
been the best of health years. But all I could do was look at the
computer and chant, I've been nominated, I've been nominated.
There are several awards which I consider outstanding.
Recognition from my Publisher comes to mind. That's happened
to me twice now. Both times I was shocked and more than pleased.
It meant my publisher considered me a company asset.
Another award, which I never expected, was to be nominated for
the CAPA Award. You don't enter these awards, you can't pay to
enter, these are done on merit. So, I'm up for the best historical
romance of 2012 along with fifteen other excellent authors, some
I read every chance I get. To be in such company is a thrill.
Valentine's day, they will announce the winner. Whoever is
chosen I wish them well. Just to be nominated is good enough for
me!
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
December 23, 2012
Too Much Sharing Is Not Good!
Over a month since I've had a chance to offer a bit of insight
into what life is offering at the moment...
As I've noted, in June I had to have open heart surgery because
the main artery was blocked.
In December, my DH went to the hospital for a stress test. He was
so tired, just couldn't move around without getting winded and
being so exhausted he felt useless.
So.... you guessed it. Open heart surgery, with a block in the main
artery, and in about the same place as mine. His blockage wasn't
as extensive, however, where I had two, he has four, one large
block and three much smaller blocks in smaller arteries.
So you understand why I say "too much sharing is not a good thing."
I'm recovering quickly, because now I have to care for him.
I'll get back to at least two or three time a month, in a couple of
months. My goal for the new year is once a week with a concentration
on passing along some of the things I've learned in my twenty plus
years in this business.
I'm still trying to finish the fourth of the 'song' books. But it is coming
along. This one has a real twist. More later.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
into what life is offering at the moment...
As I've noted, in June I had to have open heart surgery because
the main artery was blocked.
In December, my DH went to the hospital for a stress test. He was
so tired, just couldn't move around without getting winded and
being so exhausted he felt useless.
So.... you guessed it. Open heart surgery, with a block in the main
artery, and in about the same place as mine. His blockage wasn't
as extensive, however, where I had two, he has four, one large
block and three much smaller blocks in smaller arteries.
So you understand why I say "too much sharing is not a good thing."
I'm recovering quickly, because now I have to care for him.
I'll get back to at least two or three time a month, in a couple of
months. My goal for the new year is once a week with a concentration
on passing along some of the things I've learned in my twenty plus
years in this business.
I'm still trying to finish the fourth of the 'song' books. But it is coming
along. This one has a real twist. More later.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
November 21, 2012
Giving Thanks
Tomorrow, hopefully the citizens of this country (USA) will gather
together and be thankful for what we have.
Statics tells us, most people have cell phones and TV here in this
country, and many people living west of the coast have a roof over
their heads. I feel so sorry for the poor people in NJ and NY who
have lost everything. If you can contribute to a charity of your choice
give as much as you can, because a lot of those people have nothing
now.
But for those of you who are enjoying reasonably good health and
have food to eat. although it may be less than you'd like, at least
we are alive. I feel that keenly this Thanksgiving. When you almost
don't make it, being alive suddenly is something in itself for which
to be extemely thankful. And I am. I'm still breathing, my heart
is still beating and I can move around without much help. Guess the
changes are all part of the aging process.
I'm thankful for so many things. As the song goes, "Every night I
count my blessings". May you also have many blessings to count.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
together and be thankful for what we have.
Statics tells us, most people have cell phones and TV here in this
country, and many people living west of the coast have a roof over
their heads. I feel so sorry for the poor people in NJ and NY who
have lost everything. If you can contribute to a charity of your choice
give as much as you can, because a lot of those people have nothing
now.
But for those of you who are enjoying reasonably good health and
have food to eat. although it may be less than you'd like, at least
we are alive. I feel that keenly this Thanksgiving. When you almost
don't make it, being alive suddenly is something in itself for which
to be extemely thankful. And I am. I'm still breathing, my heart
is still beating and I can move around without much help. Guess the
changes are all part of the aging process.
I'm thankful for so many things. As the song goes, "Every night I
count my blessings". May you also have many blessings to count.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
November 3, 2012
Finally, writing!
Finally, after weeks of procrastinating, I got started on Lovesong. Why did it take so long, you ask? Simple. The story hadn't jelled in my mind. I had the basics, the hero, the heroine, some of the characters. I knew where the story started, or thought I did, and where it ended, but I'm not one of the pansters (writing by the seat of my pants). I have to have a vague idea where I'm going and how I'm going to get there, the later being the more important.
Oh, that's not to say things don't change as I go along, but I have a pretty detailed framework before I start. And with Lovesong, the framework was missing.
One afternoon as I sat waiting for one of my many doctors, ideas came out of nowhere and suddenly the story began to grow. That's also why I never go anyplace without a notebook and a pen. As I waited I wrote. I now knew not only where I was going but why.
So I'm off to work on Lovesong. And I can hardly wait for y'all to meet Catherine.
Of course, I gotta get pages written before the game today. This is Saturday and that means college football. I guess I got the love of the game from my dad who never missed listening to a game on the radio. His team is not my team. And in the south and in Alabama, you either root for Roll Tide or the Tigers (Alabama or Auburn). I feel sorry for my friends who have kids who attend or have attended both schools. They kinda have to root for both.
Not in the household. We're for Alabama all the way. Roll Tide!
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Oh, that's not to say things don't change as I go along, but I have a pretty detailed framework before I start. And with Lovesong, the framework was missing.
One afternoon as I sat waiting for one of my many doctors, ideas came out of nowhere and suddenly the story began to grow. That's also why I never go anyplace without a notebook and a pen. As I waited I wrote. I now knew not only where I was going but why.
So I'm off to work on Lovesong. And I can hardly wait for y'all to meet Catherine.
Of course, I gotta get pages written before the game today. This is Saturday and that means college football. I guess I got the love of the game from my dad who never missed listening to a game on the radio. His team is not my team. And in the south and in Alabama, you either root for Roll Tide or the Tigers (Alabama or Auburn). I feel sorry for my friends who have kids who attend or have attended both schools. They kinda have to root for both.
Not in the household. We're for Alabama all the way. Roll Tide!
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
