Mary E. Thompson's Blog, page 26
November 27, 2016
Q&A Sunday: Getting Started
I’ve always loved to just write. I have ideas as to a mixture of things I could one day do. How easy is it to get into? How do you go about starting etc?
This is both an easy question and a hard question to answer.
First, the easy part…
Writing is simple to get into. Write a book. When you write a book, you’re a writer. It’s that simple. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not a writer until you’re published, or represented, or have a contract, or win an award, or anything else. When you write, you’re a writer.
Don’t ever forget that.
Being a successful writer is a bit different. Mostly because everyone has different views of success. If you won’t feel like you’ve made it until you have NYTimes Bestselling Author after your name, it might take a while. If you won’t feel like you’ve made it until you have a book commercially available, it’s going to be a bit easier.
Only you know what success means to you.
The hard part…
Getting started can be a bit of a challenge. Yes, you can just sit down and write. You have an idea. You love to read. You can write a book. You should, too. But do yourself a favor and do a little research too.
There are tons of books out there to help you write a good book. There are also tons of classes you can take. Join an organization that will help you as an author. Make friends with authors. Learn, research, learn some more. The better your grasp of goal, motivation, conflict and character arcs and story arcs and character archetypes and tropes the better your story will be.
I didn’t know any of that stuff when I started writing. Some of them I’m still not good at incorporating consciously. But I studied books I loved. I went through my favorite books and laid out how the story flowed, what the story was about, and how everything wove together. I was teaching myself all those technical things about the story that I didn’t know. I’ve read and learned more and don’t have to study other books to make sense of them, but I still read. A lot.
You need to do that too. Read. As much as you can. Study other books. Read the best books in the genre you want to write in. What makes readers love them? What do you love about them? What do you not love about them? I learn more from books I don’t like than books I do like. It shows me what doesn’t work, in my opinion.
My last piece of advice is to always be true to you. If you love books that have alpha heroes, or redheaded heroines, or athletes, or billionaires, or step-brothers, or live in your area, or live in small towns, or big cities, then write those. Trust me, if you write something that goes far off what’s natural for you, it will show! Be true to who you are. Write what you love.
One of my favorite quotes ever is from the last few lines of this letter from Ray Bradbury.
Be your own self. Love what YOU love!!
Don’t ever forget that!
Thanks so much, Georgia, for your question! If you have a question, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with Q&A in the subject, or post it in the comments below, and I’ll answer your question right here on the blog!
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November 25, 2016
Q&A not so Sunday: Favorite Places
What is your favorite place to visit? (park, store, etc.)
My favorite place. I have to confess, I have a lot of favorite places. It depends on what I’m looking for. But, there are a few that definitely top my list.
Office Supply StoreYou think I’m strange, right? I’m not even sure I understand it, but I am slightly obsessed with office supplies. I’ve always loved looking at office supplies. When I was little, I’d go with my parents to CVS, I’m guessing when they had prescriptions to fill. My brother would go look at toys, and my sister would go look at make-up. Me? I was in the office supply aisle. Now, I’ll wander around Staples or Office Max for hours, and can’t leave Target without taking a look at their office supplies.
Bookstore
Is that really any big surprise? Before we had kids, hubby and I would go to Barnes & Noble and wander for hours. We’ve always both loved to read and would buy books constantly. With the kids, we take turns sitting with them at the train table (boy, do I love that thing!) while the other one looks. Since there are so many more books available online than in the store, and I usually read ebooks instead of print these days, I don’t come home with books like I used to, but I still love wandering around the bookstore.
Movie Theater
I love watching movies. These days, most of the ones I go to are animated, but they’re still pretty good. Hubby and I also like to hang out at home and watch movies – mostly because it’s cheaper than a babysitter and doesn’t require me to wear a bra (I’m kind of opposed to them!). My kids have gotten better about sitting through a movie and we’ve even instituted movie night at home, complete with pancakes for dinner in front of the TV. We’re definitely a movie family.
Sporting Events
Since before I can remember, my family has been going to Buffalo Bills games. My dad doesn’t go as much anymore so we go with the kids. We’ve also gone to see baseball games, hockey games, soccer games, and are looking at going to a lacrosse game this year. Of course, my son plays baseball and soccer, so we’re always at something, but I really enjoy professional sports. If you ever want to go to a game, let me know!
Have you noticed I don’t do a lot of outdoor stuff? I’d prefer to sit inside, with the doors open and a screen between me and the bugs. I also prefer to be outside in winter to any other season. There’s something I love about the cold and the beauty of all the snow and knowing that you can be outside and all alone. Of course, I have to bundle up, but I don’t mind that either!
Thanks so much, Vicki, for your question! If you have a question, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with Q&A in the subject, or post it in the comments below, and I’ll answer your question right here on the blog!
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November 22, 2016
Wish For It, accidents happen
I absolutely adored Allison when she first showed up. She’s got some fire in her and she’s stubborn and determined and protective of the people she cares about. She’s also protective of herself and not willing to take shit from anyone, even if it’s an honest mistake. Don’t try accusing Allison of something she didn’t do. She’ll put you in your place in a hurry!
Excerpt from Wish For It
Cole looked at Clarence, both their eyes widened. “Why are you so upset?” Cole asked, confused and irritated at the same time. “I’m the one who wakes up in a stranger’s apartment and you’re pissed.”
She spun on him, her brown eyes wild and angry. Cole had faced more than his fair share of pissed off men with bats, but none of them terrified him the way the curvy blonde with the pursed lips did. “I don’t know what you think happened here last night, but my friends carried your drunk ass into my apartment, put you to bed in my sister’s old room, and then I walked out and didn’t see you again until you accused me of fucking you when you were too drunk to remember it. Who the fuck do you think you are that I’d be so desperate to have you?”
“We didn’t sleep together?”
“Not on your life, asshole. I like my men conscious. Apparently you don’t have the same consideration for people if you’re so afraid of what I did to you when you were passed out, so get the fuck out of my apartment before I call the police.”
Her voice was dangerous, like she not only meant it but might actually accuse him of exactly what he’d been afraid of. It was a knee jerk reaction that she’d taken him home, slept with him, and would demand money, but she was a unique woman. And didn’t that just irritate the shit out of him.
“We’re sorry to disturb you, Ms. O’Neill,” Clarence said, interrupting whatever Cole was thinking of saying. Her shoulders dropped slightly, the relief evident in her stance. She eased even more when Clarence picked up Cole’s bag and pushed him toward the door.
It wasn’t until they were outside the building that Cole turned to Clarence. “What the fuck just happened?”
Clarence shook his head. “Hell if I know. Not the first woman who’s been pissed off the next morning, but the first I’ve heard pissed off after you didn’t sleep with her.”
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November 20, 2016
Happy Holidays Giveaway
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I haven’t forgotten about Q&A Sunday this week. I’ll be answering a new question on Friday!
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November 18, 2016
Perfectly Unpredictable by Linda O’Connor
Mary, thank you very much for inviting me to visit! Hi everyone, I’m Linda O’Connor. I write contemporary romantic comedies. I started writing a few years ago when I needed a creative outlet other than subtly rearranging the displays at HomeSense. 
November 15, 2016
Round & Ravishing, First Look
It’s still a little over two months until Round & Ravishing comes out, but I couldn’t resist sharing a little more with you. Tara has a bit of a chip on her shoulder, understandably so. She doesn’t trust anyone, especially a cute guy who shows up unannounced, even if he seems innocent.
Excerpt from Round & Ravishing
”Can I help you?” I asked, biting back the sarcasm. He was cute. I hated when they were cute.
“Yeah,” he said with a mega-watt grin. His bottom teeth were slightly crooked and the top ones had a small gap, but his smile was perfect. It lit up his green eyes and made him even hotter.
Damn, I hated being nasty to the hot ones.
“I need to send some flowers to my mom.”
“Really?” I asked with more than a hint of disbelief.
He must have heard it in my tone, not that I tried to hide it, because he looked at me quickly and took half a step back.
“Uh, yeah, really. Is that going to be a problem? It said online you guys did those ship anywhere order things. My mom lives in Florida.”
I nodded, going along with the lie. It had nothing to do with the way his light brown hair curled around his ears or the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. It definitely had nothing to do with the way my girlie parts sighed when he spoke. Nope. Not even a little.
“What are you looking to send her?”
The guy looked around like he was actually serious about choosing something for his mom. I followed him, pointing out options and waiting for him to start with the probing questions. The ones about the naked pictures of me that had been popping up all over the internet since my piece of shit ex had leaked them.
Fucking men.
“It’s her birthday,” Hot Guy finally explained. “She loves those flowers that look like stars.”
Was he fucking serious? How many flowers looked like stars?
“Okay, well, let’s look at a few and maybe you’ll be able to narrow it down a little.”
He nodded and gave me another blinding grin. Dammit. I could not let his hotness get past my walls. He was not going to get some exclusive story out of me.
We wandered through the flowers and I pointed out star gazer lilies, hibiscus, confederate jasmine, and pentas. He shook his head at all of them, further confirming he was angling for a scoop instead of an order.
“Look, if you’re not here to actually buy flowers then you can get the hell out,” I said, annoyed that I was still dealing with him.
“I’m sorry. I have no idea what they’re called. They’re white with yellow in the middle. I think she said they come in pink too, but there’s yellow in the middle. Maybe they’re tropical? She and my dad got married in Hawaii. Could they be from there?”
Shit. “Are you talking about plumeria?”
He shrugged. “I’m fairly certain I don’t know a thing. I’d recognize a picture if you have one.”
I sighed and pulled out my phone. The first page that loaded was the latest release of my nude pictures. I quickly opened a new one as the flower guy moved to look over my shoulder.
Shit, was he tall.
And holy Jesus did he smell good.
That exclusive interview was getting more and more likely.
Dammit.
Coming January 24
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November 13, 2016
Q&A Sunday: Family Opinions
What do your family and friends think of your writing or your stories?
Well, there are a lot of answers to this question. My parents are supportive, but have absolutely no interest in my books. My mom doesn’t read a lot of romance and my dad doesn’t read a lot of anything! My sister tried to read one of my books and said she couldn’t get past the fact that I’d written it. My husband doesn’t read my stories either, but again, he’s a huge supporter for me.
My kids, of course, don’t read my books, but they love to share what I do with people. I’ve told them I write love stories so that’s what they tell everyone. It works! Plus, it’s inspiring them to write and tell their own stories. Which I regret at times, especially when my daughter’s imagination runs away with her…
She told her kindergarten teacher, after she was home sick for a week, that she was out of school because her daddy had been shot and killed. She gave them a name and the teachers spent all day online trying to find an article about the shooting. When I picked her up that day, the teacher was understandably concerned and asked me about it. It became a joke for the rest of the year and even won her the “Whoppers Award” at the end of the year for the best whopper of a story.
I wish I was joking!
My friends though, well my friends are fans! I have a lot of friends who follow me on Facebook, read all my books, and are on my newsletter list. Of course, not everyone enjoys what I write, but many of them do enjoy my books.
I think the biggest thing for me is that whether my family and friends read my books or not, I know they all believe in me and are proud of me. That makes a big difference to me.
Thanks so much, Aliana, for your question! If you have a question, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with Q&A in the subject, or post it in the comments below, and I’ll answer your question right here on the blog!
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November 11, 2016
Chirp by Ann Everett
WRITER’S BLOCK—FACT OR FABRICATION???
Writer’s block, (noun) the condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing.
Frustrated young writer having writer’s blockThere are authors who refuse to acknowledge Writer’s Block calling it instead fear, self-doubt, distraction, or procrastination.
You say tomato. I say toe-mot-o!! Call it what you like, every author experiences it at some point in their career.
I recently recovered from a serious bout that lasted six-weeks! That’s not to say I wrote nothing during that time because I did…. just not what I needed to write, which was the final chapter in my current book. Bummer. Yeah, I’d written over 90,000 words of a good story and couldn’t end it!
I’d heard that if you can’t end a story, you probably didn’t know where the story was headed from the beginning. Okay. Sounds logical. But the problem with that is, even when I work from a rough outline, I’m not always sure where the plot will take me!
This was my first attempt at writing multiple POVs so I had a lot of threads to tie up. I have two main characters and their love story. A secondary romance which involves a brother and girlfriend. Also, a private investigator’s story line as he searches for the main character.
After a few weeks of obsessing, where it was on my mind 24-7, I decided to just write… something… anything… total crap. I had to start somewhere, or I’d never finish it.
I belong to an online writing site, which I recommend to all authors, so I knew if I posted even ca-ca, I’d get help. After my readers there weighed in on what they liked and didn’t like, I rewrote, reposted and rewrote again. Now it was only semi-poop, so I was making progress.
Two more rewrites, and six beta readers later, I’m happy with the ending. So let me share what the problem was and how I fixed it.
The wrong POV. I’d started in my heroine’s point of view and it didn’t work. I didn’t know why, I just knew it didn’t. So, I switched to the hero. Still not right. And me, still clueless as to why it felt wrong. Finally, I opened with the stepmother’s POV because this chapter is the big showdown where her search for the heroine comes to resolution.
Why didn’t I think of that from the beginning? Because I’d only been in her POV two times during the story and for me she didn’t seem the natural choice. But those betas’ got me on the right track! They wanted to know what was in her head before the confrontation took place… and it worked! Dang! I am so lucky to have such good betas’ willing to be brutally honest in telling me when something stinks.
There are many tricks you can use to overcome writer’s block. Walk away from the computer. Exercise. Listen to music. Brainstorm with fellow authors. Change your writing habit.
Many times I get stuck with the first line of a chapter. If I can get an opening, I can go from there. So when that happens, I randomly flip through novels stopping here and there to read a few sentences.
Here’s an example of what I mean. After doing the flipping pages exercise, I came across a line about a dog thumping his tail against the floor. That sparked my brain, and I started my chapter with… By now, all over town, tongues were wagging.
Another trick I use to break the stress is to look at my email spam folder and take words from there and write about them. Usually a stupid or silly paragraph or two. What else can I write with choices like Christian Mingle, male enhancement free trial, free lobster, vaginal mesh patch recall, power bills, and burn fat?
Boy, if using those words can’t lighten a mood, then nothing can!
Whatever you do, don’t wallow in self-pity. Just put words on a page. Even if they are stinky!
Remember:
Writing about writer’s block is better than not writing at all. ~~Charles Bukowski
Man, why didn’t I think of that weeks ago?
Here’s a short excerpt from Chirp, the book that gave me the case of writer’s block. It is due for release in December.
Nothing seemed disturbed. Actually, the place appeared neater than he’d ever seen. Housekeeping wasn’t one of Dessie’s strong suits. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he noticed more changes. When did his grandmother get a big screen TV? And computer?
A sappy love song played from the other end of the house. He grabbed the baseball bat Gran kept in an antique milk can by the hutch, then edged down the short hallway and stepped to the open bathroom door.
A girl who didn’t look more than fifteen lay in the tub with her eyes closed. Mostly nipples and areolas, her small breasts flattened against her chest. Bubble clouds floated over her spindle-thin body.
Shame thickened in his throat. He shouldn’t be staring at her, but he couldn’t turn away. He didn’t know if it was the shock of seeing a stranger here, or that the intruder was a teenager. Whatever it was, he found his voice.
“Who the hell are you?”
*****
Blaze recognized Rance Keller from the stack of pictures Miss Dessie kept in a leather box on the mantle. But he looked different in the flesh. An unkempt beard and mustache surrounded full lips. Long dark hair fringed beneath the edge of a knit beanie. Menacing blue eyes stared back.
Blaze rose from the water, reached for the towel hanging on the rack, and wrapped herself, tucking in the corner to secure it.
“Did you escape?”
He blinked like it was a stupid question, but it wasn’t. Letters she’d read said he’d been denied parole twice because he wouldn’t admit guilt.
“I’m asking the questions. Who are you?”
“Blaze Bledsoe.”
He half-grinned as if her answer was a punch line, then snarled. “Blaze? I don’t think so.”
“Well, I don’t care what you think. That’s my name and I live here because Miss Dessie said I could.”
“New owner. New rules. Get your shit and get out.”
His lips barely moved, and she thought of all the villains she’d seen on Perfect Crime, but despite his demeanor, he didn’t scare her because Dessie had shared plenty of stories about him.
She dried off, folded the towel and laid it on the commode, then pushed past him into the bedroom where she took panties from the dresser and stepped into them. Next, she pulled a faded Madonna tee-shirt over her head. “No.”
“This is my house and you’re trespassing.”
His voice was low-pitched, and when she faced him, his mouth clamped into a thin line. A muscle in his jaw worked. She reminded herself this was a man just out of prison, yet she still didn’t feel threatened. Not after Dessie’s tales of how he’d cared for injured animals, and his eagerness to help with any chore. Blaze folded her arms under her breasts. “It’s almost one o’clock. I have work tomorrow. We can talk in the morning.”
At first, he said nothing, just scanned the full length of her body, and she felt more naked than she’d been minutes ago. He locked his eyes on hers, and his gaze darkened. “I’m twice your size. I can throw your scrawny ass out the front door and you can’t do anything about it.”
“I know. But you won’t.” Turning down the covers, she switched off the lamp, and crawled into bed.
Stay in touch with Ann on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Amazon, and Goodreads!
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November 8, 2016
Go For It, getting daring
Molly pushes herself, and Owen, too, with one last stunt their first night in Vegas. Thankfully, he’s a good sport about it!
Excerpt from Go For It
“Will you go skinny dipping with me, Owen?”
When that sweet voice asked him, Owen knew there wasn’t a damn thing he could say no to.
“Of course, Molly.”
He could see the apprehension in her eyes so he stripped his shirt first. She gasped when he tossed his shirt at her, then giggled. He kicked off his sneakers then pulled off his socks. With one last glance around, he stripped his shorts and boxers down in one swift movement.
“Are you sure you won’t sleep with me tonight?” Molly asked with a slow lick of her lips, her eyes locked on his package.
Owen chuckled and hardened. “Not unless you’re sober, Mol.”
“I’m definitely sober,” she argued. She surged to her feet and nearly fell over. “Or maybe not. Fine. You’re right, but we’re going skinny dipping. Right now.” She stepped closer to him and shoved, catching Owen off guard. He toppled backward into the pool at his heels, making a huge splash.
He came up sputtering and determined. “You better get your cute ass in here, Molly. Or I’ll toss you in wearing that sexy dress.”
“My sister would kill me.”
“Then take it off and join me. The water feels great,” he teased, splashing the cool water onto her feet.
Molly giggled again then slowly pulled her dress off. Owen knew she wasn’t trying to drive him insane, but she was. The slow strip tease was doing things to him that he wasn’t sure he’d be able to handle, especially since he couldn’t even go back to his room and jerk off. She’d be there, too. Making him even harder.
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November 6, 2016
Q&A Sunday: Daily Goals
Wow, with a sometimes hectic lifestyle and trying to be a full time writer, do you have daily goals such as completing a certain word count per day?
I have all kinds of goals, yes! At the beginning of the year I set lofty, and some not so lofty, goals. I break those down into quarterly goals and concentrate on them little by little. At the beginning of each quarter, I look at what I need to do in the next three months and start plotting things on my calendar.
The biggest thing for me is always writing. My goal is 5000 words each day. I don’t always hit it, but I try! When I have other things that I want to do, I finish my writing first.
November is National Novel Writing Month and I’m pushing myself. I have plans to write 97,000 words this month. If I make my goal, I’ll have written one novel, one novella, and finished one other project. I’m tired just writing it out!
But I have my plan. I know what I need to work on each day. I have my appointments and my days off and my schedule. I’m not sure if I’ll write 97,000 words this month or not. If I write half that many I will almost win NaNo. I know I’ll win this year (which means writing 50,000 words). But I feel like I win every day because I get to write for a living!
Thanks so much, Jeannie, for your question! If you have a question, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with Q&A in the subject, or post it in the comments below, and I’ll answer your question right here on the blog!
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