Lorenda Christensen's Blog, page 3

Dear Firebirds: Finding A Critique Partner

We Firebirds are a helpful (and opinionated) bunch. When we received the below email from fellow writer Rue asking about critique groups, we were all too willing to offer some thoughts.

I just published my debut novel. The first book in a contemporary romance series. I want to continue to elevate my writing and grow as an author. So far I have not had much luck in the critique group dept. I am focused on treating the writing as my career – scheduling time to write every day, setting word count goals and trying to stay positive, regardless of daily sales. I don’t want to fall into a pity party group. LOL! Even though I may have a private one every now and then. Local writers groups have been a little disappointing – a lot of hobby-writers and not any “authors.” Where can I improve my search? What are the top three things you would ask a potential critique partner? – Thank you, Rue

Someone asking our opinion? Firebirds to the rescue!

From Firebird Lorenda Christensen: I certainly agree that it can be near to impossible to find a critique partner that is a perfect fit. I’ve had more than a couple over the years, and all have fallen by the wayside due to schedules or editing styles. Just based on my personal experience, I would say that the first “must” in a good critique partner is that they really GET your writing. They don’t have to think it’s perfect (and if they do, they aren’t a good critique partner), but they do need to understand what tone/style/voice you’re trying to hit, and help you get there. So the first thing I suggest is to trade a small portion of your work with a potential CP–maybe a chapter or two–and see whether the comments coming back (and the ones you’re sending) are truly helpful to you both.

The second “must” is a realistic understanding of writing pace. For a month or so, a fellow Firebird and I tried out a CP relationship, and I felt her comments were almost always spot-on and very helpful. The problem? I am an incredibly slow writer, and she is a machine…by the time I’d managed to finish EDITS on a manuscript, she’d already written a full book and started out on another. And while I was and still am terribly impressed, I simply couldn’t keep up with the output. Instead of a help, I’d become an anchor around her neck because she was always having to wait for me to catch up. And that wasn’t fair to either of us.

You mentioned the third in your question…it’s important that you find someone who treats their writing seriously. So I think I’d probably grill (nicely) a potential CP about their goals. Are they doing this as a hobby? How often do they write? How many manuscripts have they completed?

Someone once compared finding a CP to finding a spouse…sometimes it takes a lot of “dating” to find your perfect fit. But I feel like your chances go up if you look in the right spots. Writing conferences are a good place to start. The odds go up that a person is serious about their writing when they’re dropping serious money for a conference. Alternately, online chapters are filled with people who took the time to get plugged in. Fellow contest finalists (hi Firebirds!) or workshop attendants are another good
place to look.

From Firebird Kay Hudson: Something to consider when finding a critique group: You don’t have to stick to one genre.  My group currently consists of six writers, two independently published, one in academics, one in short stories, two (including me) unpublished.  Three men, three women. We have two romance writers (one historical, one humorous paranormal), one mystery & flash fiction writer, one novelist now working on a memoir, one biographer, one hovering somewhere between commercial and literary fiction.  But they are all good writers and bring different strengths to critiquing.  I met some of them through a general writers group, and some through the critique group itself.  My point is: don’t think your critique partners/group have to write what you write.  You can learn a lot from good writers in other genres.

And my (Firebird Jamie Wesley) own two cents: Lorenda and Kay have offered up some really great advice. I’ve never thought about a non-romance CP, but I definitely see how they could be useful.

When I first started writing, I, too, wondered how to find a CP. I don’t remember where I heard about the Rom-Critters Yahoo group, but I’m glad I did. You submit chapters and whoever wants to can pick it up for a critique. You’re expected to critique in return. It’s a great way to get a variety of opinions and see what kind of critique partner works for you. And if you find someone great, there’s nothing stopping you from forming a partnership outside of the group.

You didn’t mention if you are a member of RWA. Join if you aren’t! If you aren’t finding what you need locally, there are RWA members all across the world! I’m a member of PRO, which is a subgroup of RWA members. All you have to do to qualify for PRO is show proof of your professionalism like submitting a manuscript to an editor or agent. Since you’re already published, I think it’s safe to say you qualify for PRO. Once you join, you can subscribe to the PRO email loop. People are always looking for CPs on the loop. You are not alone, Rue!

A couple of other sites (although I can’t vouch for their veracity): Critique Circle and Ladies Who Critique.

Rue, I hope we’ve offered you some advice that resonates with you. Please let us know how the CP search goes.

Anyone else have any advice they’d like to offer Rue?

Also, if you have a question you’d love for the Firebirds to answer, please let us know it in the comments or send an email through the Contact link below. We’d love to hear from you!

A Different Kind of Storm

A raucous thunderstorm rolled through drought-ridden San Antonio, Texas last night. The wicked beast sat right on top of me while it dumped bucketsful of much needed rain. Lightning lit the room in sizzling flashes, and thunder boomed, not only rattling the windows, but literally shaking my bed and knocking out the internet (I am currently at a Starbucks trying to post this).

It’s been awhile since I’ve experienced a good ‘ole Texas-size storm. A fitting welcome to my return to town since, strange as it may sound, I’ve always found this sort of weather rather comforting. For me, it’s the best time to curl up with a good book and some delicious chocolates.

Speaking of books, there’s another wild storm about to roll into San Antonio next week, bringing with it a hail of authors, a downpour of books and some serious fun for the nearly three thousand attendees. Romance Writers of America’s thirty-fourth annual book conference will take place at the Marriott Hotel along the beautiful downtown Riverwalk July 22 – 27. I volunteered to hold court…ahem…work (this is called work?) the registration desk on Tuesday from 3-7. I get to meet and greet the attendees while handing out registration packets. I can hardly wait!

My start of the conference will begin a bit earlier in the day, however—during the ten o’clock hour to be exact, when I’ll be a guest on The Living Show which airs on WOAI TV Channel 4, an NBC affiliate.

I had been a guest on the show for several years running where we talked about things pertaining to the wellbeing center I had founded right here in River City.

During this visit,  we’ll be discussing books and more books. When Shelly Miles, the show’s host, and I discussed the format, something felt missing. Suddenly, I knew what it was: San Antonio is a military town. There’s a military language school here, pilots are trained at Randolph Air Force Base, boot camp is conducted in another area of town, and Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), a level one trauma center is a renowned burn center where wounded soldiers are brought in from all over the world for treatment. Their families gathering around them seek shelter in places like Fisher House.

Since my Firebird sister, Heather Ashby, writes wonderful military romance, and donates part of her royalties to the Fisher House, it seemed only fitting that she be included as a guest author on the show as well. Our host, Shelley, a huge supporter of the military presence here in San Antonio, was delighted to have Heather as a guest.

So Miss Ashby, grab your books, your super-fun attitude, and get ready for a great time! If any of you happen to be around, we’d love for you to tune in to The Living Show on Tuesday morning at ten on WOAI TV, Channel Four. Cheer us on as we kick off the week. We promise you, things won’t be boring!

San Antonio, Here We Come!

 

The RWA National Conference kicks off next week in a city that’s near and dear to my heart—San Antonio, Texas!

 

My dad was born and raised there, so I have a ton of fun family memories in the San Antonio area. I’ve got cousins, aunts and uncles still living there, with others spread across the great state. In fact, I’m headed down on Friday for a family reunion weekend. Imagine this: great Mexican food, shoe-tapping/hip-shaking music, live mariachis, beverages flowing, laughter and grins, heartfelt hugs and more!

 Then, come Tuesday, I’ll head to the Riverwalk and immerse myself in the glory that is the RWA conference.

 

If you’re joining me, are ya ready? If not, let’s see if I can be a little help to you.

 

First, if you’re never visited San Antonio before, I hope you’ll find some time to explore. Our culture is vibrant, beautiful and inspiring. San Antonio has the perfect mix of big city life, cultural enrichment and fun!

 

Check out the San Antonio visitors website for more info: http://visitsanantonio.com

 

In case you hadn’t heard yet, expect hot and humid weather. It’s summer. In Texas. Enough said. J I recommend you take a page out of my Latina play book and tuck a fan in your purse. I’ll be whipping mine out from time to time. And I’m sure someone with historical romance knowledge can fill you in on the hidden language used to beguile men for centuries.  :-)

 Lots of RWA members will be talking about conference attire on their loops over the next week: Sensible shoes? Heels? Business attire? Cocktail gowns? It’s up to you. As long as you keep in mind that this is a professional organization and you only get one chance to make a first impression, you shouldn’t go wrong.

 

But in my mind, more important than clothes and makeup is the question: Have I thought about my goals for the conference?

 

There are a ton of activities to fill your calendar. And if it’s your first conference, I’ll warn you that the time flies by. If you’re not sure about everything that’s scheduled and you’d like to get a jump on planning, here’s the link to the schedule of events.

 

Schedule of events http://www.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=560

 

Is your goal attending presentations so you can learn as much as possible about craft, industry, and the writer’s life? Check out the list of workshops. Make note of the ones that spark your interest.

 

This year RWA came up with conference app you can download on your phone. Here’s the link for more info if you’re interested: http://www.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=1334

 

I’ve already started filling my schedule with events—either those listed on the app or those that I’ve personally scheduled. It’ll be a fast, easy way to keep track of where I’m supposed to be or would like to be during the hectic pace of the conference.

 

 Another important question to ask yourself might be: Am I prepared for my pitch? Do I know my characters inside and out? Is my elevator pitch so ingrained in my mind I’m mumbling it in my sleep? Or are my ideas swarming around in my head, making it difficult for me to hone an entire 400 page manuscript down to a measly 2-3 sentence blurb?

 

 

 One of the best perks about attending a conference is the opportunity to get in front of agents and editors to garner that important request for your manuscript or partial. Even if you don’t have an official editor/agent pitch time, you can still check the desk to see if they’re been any cancellations. And don’t forget, some of the best connections are made at the hotel bar, standing in line for an event, in the elevator, or countless other places.

 

If you’re not quite ready with your pitch, here are a few sites that might be useful for you. I haven’t read Michael Hauge’s book (yet), but I have friends who really found it helpful.

 

Pitch info:   http://www.writing-world.com/publish/pitch2.shtml

 

Michael Hauge’s 60 Second Pitch advice:  http://www.writersstore.com/the-8-steps-to-a-powerful-pitch/

 

Having a good pitch session is one of my goals, but I’ve also got another more personal one: practice approaching new people in social situations. As in, don’t be too shy to walk into the bar or lobby seating area if I’m on my own. Go up and make a new friends. That’s not the easiest thing for me to do. Okay, it’s painful for me to do. But being amongst my writing sisters at RWA National usually energizes me. Maybe that’ll give me a dose of bravery. :-) 

 

Whatever your goals are when you arrive in San Antonio, here’s to your success!

 

I’ll be there—pitching, soaking in all the knowledge, catching up with old friends, making news ones and coming up with my goals for the coming year.

 

If you see me, I hope you’ll stop and say hi! Or wave me over like an old friend if you see me wandering around, trying to work up the nerve to approach someone and strike up a conversation.

Welcome Sharon Wray, a Firebird Sister and 2014 RS Golden Heart Finalist

2014 Golden Heart Romantic Suspense Finalist Sharon Wray  (and she’s a Firebird too!)

Happy Monday to all our wonderful blog readers. Today is an extra special treat in our “Meet the Dreamweavers” series. Sharon Wray is our finalist of the day. And it holds special meaning to be able to host her. I met her via the 2012 Golden Heart finalists group. She’s my Firebird sister. And I couldn’t be happier for her. This is her 6th final.

That is amazing–well, that’s no surprise because she is so sweet and amazing herself. It would have to filter into her writing as well.

So, without further ado, here’s a little bit of the 411 on our lovely Sharon Wray.

A librarian/archivist who also studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris, Sharon is a six-time RWA Golden Heart Romantic Suspense author repped by Deidre Knight of The Knight Agency.

As she waits for the “Call”, Sharon writes stories of adventure, suspense and love and blogs at some of her favorite romance sites. In her spare time, she snaps endless photos of her family and her garden while negotiating backyard territory rights with her dog Donut. Sharon lives in Northern Virginia with her three biggest supporters — her amazing husband and twin teenagers.

 

See-amazing!

Super congrats on your Golden Heart final, Sharon. I’m tickled pink for you. You’ve finaled six (count ‘em people–SIX) times. I love that one of your years was 2012 so we could become Firebird sisters. But what I’m wondering is, is the excitement of receiving that coveted phone call letting you know you’d finaled, the same this time as it was the first time? I was even more excited this year than in any other year because of the eight manuscripts I’ve written (five of which have finaled in the Golden Heart before), See Her No More is my favorite. It’s also the hardest book I’ve ever written. I was so excited that I can’t even remember who called me!

 I love the title and this book is so special to you. It seems like the book that moves us the most is the one that digs deeper into the emotions, drawing out more than we realize until the story is finished. Now, is this finalling entry in the same category as your previous finals? Or do you write in different genres? All of my finals, including this year’s, have been in Romantic Suspense. I also write YA (near-future adventure and romance), but I have never entered that category.
What is this year’s GH finalling book about? Do you have a blurb you can share?See Her No More is a sexy and suspenseful re-telling of Romeo and Juliet. When Juliet Capel, a woman determined to protect the life she’s rebuilt for herself, becomes the target of an arms dealer who believes she holds the key to a 14th century secret, her only chance to stay alive rests within the arms of Rafe Montfort, her ex-Green Beret husband who abandoned her eight years earlier.  I love the premise. You’ve combined the old by going back to the 14th century with modern life. Very intriguing.
You write some of the kindest and emotionally evocative posts on the Firebirds’ blog. How long have you been writing? Did you start out with the plan to be published? Or did that develop as you got more into your writing? And, how has your quest to be published altered with so many changed within the industry these past few years? You are so incredibly sweet. (me blushing here. ) I didn’t know I wanted to be a writer until after my kids went to Kindergarten in 2005. Since then I have written eight manuscripts (garnering over a hundred rejections) always with the goal of being published. It wasn’t until two years ago that I signed with my agent Deidre Knight of the Knight Agency who gives invaluable advice and feedback. In working with her, and revising this current manuscript, I realized that I was spending too much time on the stuff I liked (revising and writing emotion) and not enough on the things I didn’t like (first draft and story structure development). I’m hoping this current manuscript will incorporate all the skills I have learned in nine years and will sell. Although new roads to publication have opened up, I’ve been so consumed with learning craft and writing a manuscript my agent loves, I haven’t worried about the changes to the industry. I know I should, but I can only focus on one thing at a time and right now that’s writing the best book I can. As far as the blog posts, I take a lot of photographs and spend hours with my journal. The blog posts are usually triggered by a photograph or a journal entry or an emotional event. And since I live with fourteen-year old twins, there are a lot of those!
Where do you draw the most inspiration for your story ideas? This sounds lame, but I honestly don’t know. The stories usually come in dreams that I try to capture in journals.I write stories about a unit of ex-Green Berets who have been betrayed, dishonorably discharged, and caught in a war between two rival arms dealers. Yet I have never been a soldier or worked as an arms dealer or seen combat. Yet, for some reason, these were the stories I’ve been given and I am just faithfully trying to recreate them in words that readers will enjoy.  Not lame at all. My aunt is very into the interpretation of dreams. And I won’t pass up the chance to refer to your newest group of sisters–the Dreamweavers.  
What is your writing process like? I just wrote a Firebirds post on that called Beautiful Chaos. My process is agonizingly slow and incredibly messy. It starts with a warzone first draft, then moves to an outline where I can manipulate the plot, then goes through multiple, layered revisions. I don’t wish my process on anyone.    I thrive in chaos–and mine isn’t pretty. So, you’re ahead of me.
What do you have in the works right now? Can you share? I am currently revising See Her No More and hopefully my agent can submit in the fall. All fingers and toes are crossed!
Because you’ve finaled before, what one thing would you recommend to your fellow Dreamweavers—this year’s class of 2014 Golden Heart Finalists? The Golden Heart is a tremendous honor and offers opportunities that other contests don’t, including a shiny golden heart pin and being treated like royalty at the RWA National conference. But that’s not the most important thing about this contest. The Golden Heart sisterhood, especially my own year groups, is by far the greatest gift that comes with a GH final. My journey so far has been long and arduous, a test of perseverance and endurance. Having an amazing group of GH sisters to encourage me has been invaluable. And every year I final, my first thought is, “Who are my new sisters?”  I think people outside the writing world are surprised to see the bond that holds GH sisters together. I know we, Firebirds are a fiercely loyal and protective flock. We laugh, cry, growl and cheer on behalf of all our sisters.
Do you have a five-year plan for your writing? If so, where do you see yourself at the end of five years, when it’s time to make a new plan? I can’t do long-term planning because I am inevitably disappointed in myself. I do write out yearly and monthly goals which include daily and weekly word counts, classes I want to take, and craft books I want to read. I also decide in January which conferences and meetings I want to go to so I can budget for them. I rarely plan out blog posts. They just come to me and then I see if I can find a spot on the Firebirds blog calendar.
Is there anything you’re nervous about for this year’s Conference? Like if you’ll win. Or a pitch session. Or something else? I’m just focused on finishing this revision. That’s my only goal right now and I’ve tried to clear my calendar as much as a writer can who has twin teenagers, a needy dog, and a wonderful husband who likes to eat dinner. I am a bit nervous about possibly having to give a winner’s speech. But once I write it I’ll forget about it and then I’ll be incredibly happy for all of this year’s winners.

Sharon, I have totally enjoyed having the chance to host you today on our blog. Thank you for spending time here on the Firebirds blog. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you. But I’m going to be very tortured. One of your Dreamweaver sisters is a friend and local chapter mate, Connie Taxdal. But I promise to be as noisy for you as I am for her when they are naming the nominees. And I’ll cheer the loudest for either one of you if they announce you the winner.  I can’t wait to see you in San Antonio.

Okay readers. Take your pick from these 2 questions Sharon is posing to all of you. 

How do you feel about writing contests now that new roads to publication have opened up?     OR
I struggle with anxiety and often have trouble getting myself to sit down and write. How do you endure or persevere when the negative thoughts start eating you alive? 

Please leave a post saying, “Hi” and congratulate Sharon on this terrific honor and share your feelings toward contests or battle against the negative thoughts that try to creep their way into your thoughts, robbing you of your assuredness and faith in yourself and your work.

Happy Monday.

 

WELCOME TO JOANNE LOCKYER’S DEBUT BOOK LAUNCH!

We’re here today for the launch of Joanne Lockyer’s multi-Golden Heart® finalist debut novel, The Last Light of Dusk, a sweeping regency romance. Here is the description:

She’s the brilliant granddaughter of England’s most infamous privateer

When Rachel Cavanagh is rescued from drowning by English seafarer Jonathon Lecky, her life is irreparably changed. Despite the briefness of their meeting amidst the chaos of the wreck, a bond of trust is formed between her and the rugged, unconventional boat captain. Lauded for her survival, her family and indeed all of England would have her marry Britain’s most eligible bachelor. Still, her dreams of exploring faraway places and the storm-gray eyes of a handsome seafarer call to her soul….

He’s the adventure she’s been longing for

Returning to England’s shores with wrongs to redress after eight years in North Africa, the shadows that have chased Jonathon Lecky across continents allow no place in his life for romance. Yet when he again meets the woman he rescued but can’t forget, he knows someone has to show the captivating shipping heiress that it’s right to want something different….

 

Hi, Joanne.  Thanks for joining us on the Firebirds blog today.  Your book just released on Wednesday 9th July in the USA. It must be a busy time for you. 

Hi Catherine! This is such a blast! I’m so delighted to have my fellow Brisbane Golden Heart® finalist hosting my launch. Thank you! You’re absolutely right: the last two months have been extremely hectic, but happy too! I still don’t think it’s truly hit me that The Last Light of Dusk is out in the world!

No worries. I’m enjoying living vicariously through you :-) And having read an earlier draft of The Last Light of Dusk, I personally think this book had been ready to publish months ago! Now, I know how fabulous your book is, but, in your own words, what makes this novel different from other regency romance? 

I’ve long been drawn to unconventional heroes and heroines. Men and women of different backgrounds, rich in life experience. There were so many incredible events occurring in the world in the early nineteenth century, I love to bring that texture into my writing.

Well, I think you’ve definitely done that in this book.  One of the things I really like about The Last Light of Dusk is the seamless way you blended research into the writing.  It felt very authentic.  Which part of the writing process do you enjoy the most? 

Thank you so much for saying so! I really am just thrilled, because I do love weaving in history in a way that adds depth to my characters and their world. To answer your question, I think I’m most happy when I’m able to capture a character’s feeling or emotion subtly, in the perfect words.

I can vouch for that subtlety.  Your characters read like real people.  Plus, your description of the senses really bring them to life.  Where else do you get your ideas from?   And how does your writing process work? 

Normally, my ideas come from reading snippets of history. Traveling is a trove for me as I’ll visit a historical site and a pamphlet or information board will trigger an image in my mind, and suddenly I’ll be thinking: Oh, wow! Who was there? What put the person in that moment? Who are they?? What is their story?

Saying that, The Last Light of Dusk was different. The hero, Jonathon Lecky, appeared one Thursday in May 2009 as a secondary character in another manuscript. I can remember it distinctly: I knew that very day, if not for certain by the end of the weekend, that here was a man who needed his own story.

Isn’t it great when our characters do that?  And how interesting that it’s Lecky’s book that you’ve decided to be your debut novel.  What made you decide to self-publish?

The prospect of self-publishing excited me! I love sweeping stories and unconventional characters, and having my own creative control over all aspects of the publishing process, being in charge of my own timeframes and the ability to know precisely how my books are doing all appealed. This felt like the right fit for me.

Well, you’re definitely tech-savvy and business-savvy enough to do it!  What’s next in the works for you?

Ah! I’m heading back to a book that has been inside me for the past eight years. The book that the hero of The Last Light of Dusk first appeared in, and that I’ve spent several years working on already. I’m hoping to release Before Come Light of Dawn in early 2015.

I’m looking forward to that!  Well, we better hand over the questions and comments to our readers.  Thank you so much for your time, Joanne.

Thank you Catherine! And thank you to everyone who pops by the blog! Hope you enjoy Jonathon Lecky and Rachel Cavanagh’s story. My question for you is: What other unconventional regency or historical stories have you loved?

Dream A Little Dream

Kathleen Bittner Roth is a 2012 Golden Heart Finalist who writes Victorian romance.  Four of her books release in 2014, the fifth in 2015.

 

Dream researchers report that our dreams might be our greatest untapped resource connecting us to our subconscious and inner knowing. Think of nightmares as an overblown shout-out from your subconscious screaming at you to pay attention.

Elias Howe, inventor of the sewing machine, couldn’t figure out how to get the threads to lock together. He had a nightmare that his bedroom door opened and in marched a cadre of soldiers dressed in crisp red uniform jackets, white slacks and tall fur hats. They paraded single file to his bed carrying a long, thin sword, and in rhythmic precision, proceeded to stab him. Terrified as he was, he noticed a hole at the end of each sword. He woke up in a cold sweat, but excited. He had his answer! The needles for the machine he’d been trying to invent required a little slit in the tip for the thread to go through, thereby locking one thread with the other. The nightmare with all its horror was his subconscious screaming the answer at him.

He’s not the only one who’s dreamed solutions to a problem. The young scientist responsible for unlocking the secrets to the latest HIV medicine dreamed the final quotient.

Dream researchers say people who experience déjà vu most likely experienced a precognitive dream which is why whatever they currently confront seems familiar. These researchers say there are certain symbols that indicate a person is experiencing a precognitive dream (one of them is if the dream contains three round circular objects of some kind). I started paying close attention to those symbols thereafter, and since I keep a dream journal, I can recount three precognitive dreams that led to my move to Europe.

Everyone dreams, even though some think they don’t. They simply don’t recall. However, they can train themselves to remember. One night, I dreamed The Seduction of Sarah Marks in its entirety. It was like watching a movie. Although I’ve dreamed bits and pieces of other stories, I’ve never before or since had the pleasure of having an entire story unfold. Thus, when Sarah’s story ended up being my debut novel, it held a special meaning to me. Was it destiny? I don’t know, but it’s fun to think it was. I once read that Danielle Steele often dreams her books.

I happen to be particularly interested not only in my dreams, but in those of others. Having spent years teaching a dream recall seminar in a wellbeing center that I founded, I’m used to paying close attention to my dreams, and do so in a particular manner that I’ve taught others with some good results.

We dream in symbols, some archetypal, others personal interpretations that we have to learn to decipher, so if you want to start paying attention to your dreams and how your subconscious is speaking to you, the first and most important thing to do is keep a journal and pen by your bed because you only have about ten minutes to recall everything correctly. You may want to keep a small flashlight as well. In your journal, quickly note the colors, symbols, feelings, and content.

After a while, you’ll likely notice a recurring theme. Also, when you slip off into that space between wakefulness and sleep, it’s an indication that your brain cycle has dropped into what’s called the theta level. Here is where your conscious and subconscious overlap; the perfect time to repeat an affirmation or “send a message”, if you will. Twenty-one days is how long it takes to create a new habit, so if you use a simple affirmation like, “Easily and effortlessly, I remember my dreams. My dreams give me insight into the direction of my life,” and keep a daily journal (even if you think you got nothing) something is bound to happen. After the twenty-one day period you can give yourself other directives. I like to start with, “Show me what I need to know about such and such.” I get lots of answers to various questions that way.

I do not plot, I write by the seat of my pants, and often use this method for helping me write my stories. When I wrote A Duke’s Wicked Kiss (due to release August 26th) which has a lot of conflict in it, I would often go to bed and drift off with affirmations something like: “Show me what happens next to Ravenswood.” Or, “Is now the time for such and such to happen?”

Learning to trust yourself is a vital aspect of dream recall. Your intuition is always 100% correct, it’s never wrong. You just have to learn the difference between intuitive feelings and human emotion. Like building a muscle in a gym, you don’t go in the first time and expect to walk out pumped up. It takes time, effort and consistency, but there is always a payoff.

What about you, do you recall dreams? Or have you had an experience or result by following the directive in a dream? I’d love to hear from you.

 

 

 

 

“Writing Process” Blog Hop

“My Writing Process” Blog Hop
 
I was tagged to go next in the “Writing Process” blog tour by the lovely Laurie Sanchez, whose debut book, THE RED BIKINI, just released July 1st. (It’s a fantastic book people, you’ll love it!) The blog tour consists of only four questions, and should’ve been something I could knock out in a few minutes before I pass the baton on to the next writer. But when answers to these simple questions refused to magically reveal themselves to me, I read the posts from a few of the authors who have bravely gone before me, starting here: (http://tinyurl.com/q8l9oyp) If anything, I learned we all do things a little differently to end up with the same result—a finished manuscript.

 

So let’s get to the questions:
 
What am I working on?

 

I’m a debut author, and after selling a book to Montlake a few months ago, I am now learning the joys of EDITING! You’d think if the book were good enough to sell, then edits should be no problem, right? Nope, not the case. At least for me, and please refer back to what I said earlier about all of us writers getting to the same end point in our own ways.
Now, when I panicked after seeing my three page edit letter, I was told by a few fellow authors that my edits were NOTHING compared to theirs, so I should just suck it up! I was also reminded that there is NO CRYING IN WRITING! (But my dear husband, who is not a writer, felt sorry enough for me to cook dinner until my edits were done, so I might have to whine the next time as well, just for form.)
Perhaps my edits were harder for me because I’m a little…goofy. I love to laugh and be entertained when I watch movies, or read books. Don’t get me wrong, I like a good old- fashioned love story that makes me cry as much as the next person, but sometimes I tend to forget to dig for emotion in my own books. My agent told me that any book I write, funny or not, doesn’t have to make her cry, but at least make her get teary-eyed at the end. So I was thrilled when she told me my story did that for her, but alas, my job was not done. I still had the beginning and middle parts to work on.
While I sighed, loudly, at some of my editor’s comments, I knew she was right.  So I combined equal parts of pondering and sweat, FORCING myself to dig deep down into that scary, vulnerable, shy part of me, and get those edits done. (The sweating part actually occurred, by the way, because I did most of my edits on my new treadmill desk!) And now, with legs a little more toned than when I started, I’ve just finished the second round of the three edits they do at Montlake before copyedits. (I worry about copyedits too, ‘cuz me and the grammar police aren’t always the best of friends! I’d like to blame my so, so, grammatical skills on moving all around the country as a military brat, but it’s basically just because I talked to my neighbor way too much in school. ;0)
I’m also working on the second book in this series and eager to get back to having fun with those characters. And yes, I have learned my lesson. I will add more emotion to this book, but probably after I type THE END but BEFORE edits next time, just to be a rebel.
 
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
 
This is a deceptively hard question. Genre fiction has certain basic rules one must obey in order to sell. The book I just sold, Best Kept Secrets, (title to change soon) is a small-town contemporary romance, and there are a ton of really good ones already out there. But, this is a question we need to ask ourselves as writers so we can stand out amongst the crowd.
If you’d asked me this question about my critique partner’s stories, I could have rattled off the answers without thought. So, of course, I wanted to ask them about my book, but then that’d be cheating. I refused to take the easy road and ‘call a friend.’ But, believe me, I was TEMPTED!
I’m sure my struggle with this question is also based a little bit in basic humility. I was brought up not to be boastful, talk about money, religion or politics. So for me to tell you my story is funny, which I highly admire in other authors, is difficult for me. I choose to use the term light-hearted, because I know many authors who make their readers laugh out loud. (Like the writer who is up next, Colette Auclair) My humor is more subtle. And when my agent suggested I write this book, she said to give it something unique. Perhaps by making the town a character.
So, I combined many tropes and made my heroine a former bad-girl returning home and ready to get it right this time, but hiding from the hero. Then I added a messed up family with a few characters who are pretty far out there. I set them in a fictional resort town in Colorado the heroine’s family runs/controls, but I made the town a celebrity hide-out. The two main clans in town can’t stand each other, a little in the vein of the Hatfields and McCoys, but in order to keep their town thriving, they all agree to keep the celebrity presence a secret from the outside world. And from the hero, who clearly sees the movie stars lingering about, but no one admits it’s really them. The townspeople make a gallant effort to hide the heroine as well, but had to fail, or I’d have a romance novel with the hero and heroine never on the same page. That’d make for a challenging love scene, no?
Then I added a few twists, turns and BIG juicy secrets that slowly become revealed before my heroine can learn to trust again and finally admit she still loves the man who’d deserted her while she was pregnant. (He had a REALLY good reason for leaving her, but can’t tell the heroine why—quite yet) You may rest assured that a happily ever after will ensue!
 
Why do I write what I do?
I write contemporary romance because I love to read this kind of story. Some call romance predictable, cliché, or formulaic, but I find comfort in knowing if I am going to take the time to know and care about characters, they will have changed for the better by the end. I really get annoyed when I go to a movie, or read a book that is teased as funny, then it ends in tragedy. That just sucks up all my joy, and life’s too short to pay ten bucks for that!
 
How does my writing process work?
I am a pantser (write by the seat of my pants) who uses a three act structure based on Michael Hauge’s teachings. I wish my process were more efficient and prolific, but I’m working on that. I have a day job, and would love nothing more than to be successful enough at writing to hand over my shares in the company to my partner and write full-time. But then, I wonder, would I get more done? Or would I just play more Candy Crush and fiddle around on the internet because I could? It’d be nice to find out.
Right now, I generally write in big stretches of time on the weekends. My kids are newly grown and MOSTLY self-sufficient, so weekends are when I have the most time to write. I’m addicted to reality shows like the Housewives of Anywhere, Survivor, and American Idol. I generally do light editing and tweaking while watching these shows on week nights after a long day at work. Due to the wonders of the DVR, if I miss a table-toss because I’m so lost in thought, or some looney-toon who throws all the rice their tribe has left into the fire, I can always rewind and watch those parts again. I don’t know people like these in my everyday life, so I enjoy seeing how the other half lives. I may or may not have stolen personality quirks of some of the most outrageous people I watch and weaved those traits into my favorite characters. Like a magician, writers never tell! ;0)
 
So that’s me. Next up is the always entertaining, Colette Auclair, whose books I thoroughly love. She’ll post on July 14th , here on the firebird blog and here: http://www.coletteauclair.com/  I hope you’ll enjoy learning about fellow authors and their processes as much as I have.
 
Happy reading!
 
 
 

 

Independence Day

Independence Day. It’s a day of celebration. For our freedom, for our country, and for the gifts of friends and family. A good portion of us will be pulling out the lawn chairs and cold drinks, ready and willing to take a day to breathe deep, and relax away from the daily grind of life. 

And I’ll be doing the same. But this year, Independence Day is just a little more special. Because not only do I have the usual things to be thankful for, I also did something awesome. I turned in my third book to my editor. Yes, I still have some rounds of edits to go, and it’s not DONE done, but it’s close enough that I don’t feel guilty thinking about what I’m going to write next. 

Let me tell you…for me, that’s the best part of writing. The endless possibilities. I’m at the shiny part where there are no plot holes, no frustratingly silent inner muse, and no characters who just won’t act how I want them to. And I love this feeling.

So while you’re out enjoying the sun, I encourage you to do what I’ll be doing. Daydream. Whether you’re an author or not, it’s a wonderful feeling to let lose of the daily grind, and dream a little.

Happy 4th!

Lauren Christopher’s Launch Party

Hi everyone, thanks for joining me and Lauren as we celebrate the release of her debut novel, The Red Bikini!
 

 

Beautiful cover, right?
Here’s the blurb:
For the last five years, Giselle McCabe’s life has been about sippy cups and playdates. But when her husband suddenly leaves her, Giselle flees to her sister’s California beach house for a two-week getaway. Out of her element, she’s surprised to receive such a warm welcome—especially from gorgeous celebrity athlete Fin Hensen. …
Fin is escaping his pro tour for a season, trying to lay low until all the hubbub over a huge mistake in his past blows over.  And when he sets his sights on Giselle, he realizes that the beautiful good girl just might be his ticket to success. 
But Giselle never expected romance to enter the picture again—especially with a hot twentysomething from a completely different world. And even though it feels like Fin is everything she’s trying to run away from, she can’t help coming back for more…

 

Congrats, Laurie! I loved this book full of beautiful beaches, gorgeous sunsets and super-hot professional surfers. Was the research just torture for you?
Oh, yeah, torture for sure.  All those sunsets and margaritas I endured at San Clemente pier in the name of research … deep sigh … it’s a wonder I got through it all. Here’s a picture of one of my research days:

You poor thing. So it must’ve taken you hours of staring at hot surfer dudes before you came up with your hunky hero, Fin, right?

Ha, ha! Well, there’s certainly no shortage of hot surfer dudes in Southern California, that’s for sure. The idea of Fin came to me all at once. I knew I was writing about Giselle first, and I knew she was this uber-responsible, oldest-child, divorced mom from Indiana. And I just thought, who would she least likely want to fall in love with? And I thought … hmmm … a California surfer. I thought she’d have all kinds of stereotypes about surfers, and I thought it would be fun to put one in front of her and let all the stereotypes fall away. Surfing isn’t at all what it used to be in the hippie  ’60′s. It’s a multibillion-dollar industry now, a lot of it centered in Orange County, where I grew up. So I had Fin represent the modern, “new” professional surfer, and he helps Giselle break down her stereotypes. He was inspired a little bit by Kelly Slater, if anyone wants to look him up!

And next there’s the poor heroine, who attracts the attention of a *gasp* younger man. Giselle is actually a reluctant cougar, but what a fun problem to have. Did you enjoy writing her character, or was it kinda difficult, seeing as you’re a long-time married woman? (I loved that you dedicated this book to your hubs BTW)

Well, my husband teases me all the time about being a “cougar” (but I’m only older by two months and 18 days)! But to get into the mindset of the “real” reluctant cougar of Giselle, I talked to other women about it — single women in their 30s who are dating. And I asked what they thought about dating a guy in his 20s. I was surprised at how many of them were averse to the idea. Many felt like a guy in his 20s was just light-worlds away from them emotionally. (And I heard some hilarious stories about dating younger – so many that I might have to write another book with this scenario so I can use some of the horror stories.) So I gave a lot of that mindset to Giselle at the start of the book, along with Giselle’s constant worries about what others will think of her. But, again, she has all of her stereotypes broken down one by one. Everything she thought was true at the beginning of the book gets kind of turned upside-down by the end. I really like stories about people and situations turning out to be not what you think they are.

Is the hero faced with this same situation – things turning out to be not what he thinks?

Yep. The theme runs through the whole book. Here’s a scene where they’re driving together, told from Fin’s POV. As you can see, they both have very different perceptions:

“It’s because I’m too old, right?” Giselle said softly.

Fin set the tie in his cup holder and frowned. “What?”

“You don’t want to bring me tomorrow night because I’m too old and matronly.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, I mean, I’m a decade older than you, and—”

“You are not.”

“I am.”

“You are not. How old are you?”

“Some fiancé you turned out to be.”

He smiled, despite himself. “Yeah, I suppose I should ask some of these things beforehand, like your last name and general decade of birth. But really, how old are you? You’re not forty.”

“You’re not thirty.”

“I’m twenty-nine . . . almost.”

“I’m thirty-five . . . already.”

Fin shook his head. “Well, math was never my thing, but I’m pretty sure that doesn’t add up to a decade.”

“It’s close enough.”

“It’s not close at all.”

He watched her turn  away, toward her window, allowing the now-setting sun to illuminate the side of her face in goldenrod as they sped down the freeway.

“It’s six years,” he said gently. “How is this making sense to you?”

“It just matters.”

Thirty-five? Didn’t bother him in the least. And obviously other parts of his body didn’t care, either. …

Great excerpt! So, now we want to hear the call story behind this book and what you did to celebrate. Was there dancing around in yoga pants, or were you at work, forced to dance around in a professional and HR appropriate way?

 (Oooh, is there a professional and HR-appropriate way to dance in a cubicle? I’ll have to try that. …) I was at work when I got the email from my agent saying “Call me.” And, since you and I have the same agent, Jill Marsal, we both know that when Jill says “Call me” it’s something huge and important. So I saw that, and my heart kind of flipped a little, because I’d been on submission for a few months and knew certain editors were reading the book. So I rushed home on my lunch hour and called her, and she told me Berkley had offered a 2- book deal! I kind of zoned out for a second from disbelief, then began peppering poor Jill with all the stupid newbie questions in the world, then hung up and did a little Snoopy dance in my work shoes before I wolfed down a frozen burrito and zoomed back to work to live my double life. …

This book and the series is set in a fictional place called Sandy Cove, but loosely based on your stomping grounds in the OC. I am addicted to the Housewives of Orange County (The housewives from all the cities, actually. They make for good character studies, or so I tell my husband when he runs from the room when they’re on.) What percentage of ladies are really that outrageous in your neighborhood?

Ha! Well, I love the show, too, and those particular ladies are in my neighborhood! The show originated in Coto de Caza, which is about an eighth of a mile up the road from me. (But I live in the “normal” part, of course – the “other side of the tracks,” if you will.) But a lot of the OC housewives do their grocery shopping, dining, clothes shopping, gym hopping, and everything else in my neighborhood because Coto doesn’t have any commerce. So I ran into Tamra shopping for Halloween decorations in Target once. She was with all her kids, and Simon. I kept staring at him, thinking he looked so familiar, wondering if he was a dad on my son’s soccer team, then all of a sudden it hit me: Ohmygod, that’s Simon from the show! Then I saw her up the aisle a little and knew for sure. I’ve also seen Vickie driving through the parking lot of Pier 1 and Lowes, and my husband used to see Jeana at the grocery store all the time. We love watching the show and pointing out all of our favorite haunts – our favorite restaurants, our lake, our streets, our stores. It’s a kick. The newer women live closer to the beach – in Newport or Laguna – but we still see them filming around here all winter. But man, the women are outrageous! I assure you, Orange County has mostly real women like me, who are scrubbing toilets and trying to get their kids to soccer practice every week!

So tell us how you do it? Work full time, write books, shuttle kids around and stayed married?

Well, it’s a lot of juggling for sure — as we all know. But I keep telling myself this is what I always wanted. I stood in my kitchen eight years ago, washing dishes, watching Oprah, and when she asked what “we” the audience would be if we could be anything, I thought “a novelist.” It had been a long-dormant dream — kept dormant since college, while I got married, had kids, and worked a newspaper job — but suddenly I just decided I wanted to do it. So I started then, and here I am. It’s a ton of work (and much harder than I thought it’d be), but I thank my lucky stars every day that I am where I am, and doing what I always wanted and what I love. I’m going to give it my all for as long as readers will have me.

Good plan! So, what’s next? When does the next book come out?

The next book comes out April 2015. It’s called Ten Good Reasons and features Giselle’s sister Lia. It’s got a workaholic heroine, a hero who looks like a pirate, some serious tanned forearms, a whale named Valentine, some Cinderella imagery, and a whole lot of fun! I hope readers will come along for another ride. And I’m writing the third book, for the youngest sister, now.

Congrats and thanks so much for sharing your big day with us today. Here’s wishing for many sales!

Thanks, Tammy! 

Okay, now let’s talk hot heroes and make this fun confession time. Have you ever dated, or are you currently dating, a younger man?  Nosey authors (me and Laurie) want to know…. if you leave a comment below, or just say hi, you’ll be entered in the drawing for a $10 Amazon Gift Card and a “Sandy Cove” souvenir gift pack! (US only)

 

Here are some buying options :

Amazon.com (paperback)

Amazon.com (Kindle)

Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom)

BarnesandNoble.com (paperback)

BarnesandNoble.com (Nook)

iBooks (for download to iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Mac)

BookDepository.com (free delivery worldwide, to Australia, Switzerland, Philippines and more)Cabrera

 

 

We’re Taking a Field Trip to USA Today–Grab a Snack for the Road

Happy Monday to all.

Tomorrow begins the second ½ of this year. Can you believe we’re finished with six months of 2014 already? I can’t. I have lists, or schedules or plans staring back at me from Post-It notes or index cards, taunting me with their lack of permanent horizontal markings aka done tattoos.

I needed to create a blog post for the Firebirds today since I signed up and what I intended didn’t work out because I have lost my ability to correctly schedule multiple tasks and then complete them on said schedule. I’m working on that. Really, I promise I am.

So, I’m cheating and promoting some fellow Firebird sisters who are off visiting the USA Today Happy Ever After blog and talking about their repeat greatness as 2014 Golden Heart finalists (aka The Dreamweavers).

Sheri Humphreys and Marni Folsom

Check them out via this link: http://tinyurl.com/khzcx87

 Sheri                     Marni                     

 

Show them some love by wishing them congrats on being awesome multiple times and wishing them luck next month in San Antonio.

Enjoy your week and especially the upcoming weekend.

Karen