Terry Odell's Blog, page 90

Turkey Tips

I ran this post last year, but thought it worth repeating for those who might be faced with cooking a turkey tomorrow.

For most, Thanksgiving means turkey. Years ago (but not as many years ago as in this picture!), when my brother owned a restaurant, he shared his turkey cooking technique, which we’ve used ever since.

My brother started cooking early on

The turkey cooks much faster than “normal” which is helpful in a one-oven household. It’s not a recipe, just a technique, so you can use your...

Gratitude – Not Just For Thanksgiving

Gratitude

Thanksgiving week already? I guess that’s what happens when there are five Thursdays in November.

Our yoga instructor reminds us—more than once in each practice—to give gratitude every day.

Here’s my gratitude story.

We were invited to a “Closer to a Cure” dinner celebrating achievements in the quest for a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. Many of you know, our daughter was diagnosed with MS a few years back, and we’re grateful that her condition is stable, that she remains active, that...

Readers, Characters and Word Choices – Part 2

Metaphors or Similes: Readers, Characters and Word Choices – Part 2

Last time, I talked about word choices and how they should remain true to the character, while still keeping the reader in mind.

I’m probably going to get in trouble for this, but another “writerly” thing that bothers me is using too many vivid metaphors or similes. Some writing instructors swear by them, telling you they have to be new and visceral. When I try, my editor and critique partners mark them as unneeded or “purple...

Readers, Characters and Word Choices – Keeping Them All in Mind

Readers, Characters and Word Choices – Keeping Them All in Mind

Last time, I talked about balancing your writing for yourself and your readers, and I discussed some reader “complaints” that authors have to think about.

Today, it’s about word choices and what your readers are bringing to the table. We all come from different backgrounds, have different life experiences, different knowledge in our “memory banks.”

On a very basic level writing is all about word choices. Writers are tasked with...

Readers and Characters – Keeping Them Both in Mind

Readers and Characters – Keeping Them Both in Mind

Characters are what connect me to stories as a reader. I want to be pulled into their world and forget about mine.

As a writer, I’m character driven as well. And, since I write in Deep POV, this means I have to “become” my characters while I’m writing. Since I write about characters who are usually very different from me, this can be a challenging task.

Right now, I’m dealing with a character who’s had major health issues, and he’s struggling...

NaNo? No No

NaNo?  No No

I tried NaNoWriMo back in 2014. The timing was right. I was starting a new book. I wanted to see what the fuss was about.

Did I do it again? No. Will I do it again? No. You can see my reasoning here. And my thoughts after completing it here.

What I am doing is more like a personal NaNo … Maybe it’s NaNoMYMo. On October 31st, I was 58,540 words into the current WIP, my 9th Blackthorne, Inc. novel. According to the official NaNo rules, you have to start a brand new project on Novem...

Blackthorne Set 1 – Release Day. Get 3 Books in 1 Volume.

Blackthorne Set 1 Release Day. Get Three Books in One Volume.

I’m excited to announce Blackthorne Set 1 Release Day! The Blackthorne, Inc. Novels, Volume 1, contains the first three books in the series: When Danger Calls, Where Danger Hides, and Rooted in Danger.

I summarized them on Monday so I won’t repeat that now, but if you missed that post, you can find it here. What I do want to point out is that once again, I’m going to be making a donation to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society f...

Staying Visible as an Indie Author

Staying Visible as an Indie Author

With over a million new books published to Amazon last year, staying visible as an indie author is critical. As James Scott Bell said over at The Kill Zone, it’s hard to stay afloat in the sea of publishing. His post is worth the read.

One of the tough things is keeping the content flowing. There are voracious readers who devour books on a daily basis. Most of these use subscription services such as Kindle Unlimited where they pay a nominal monthly fee and c...

Critique Groups and Feedback

Critique Groups and Feedback

I’ve belonged to a small (3-person) on line critique group for years. We’ve seen each other through many novels—more than I can go back and count. We might not fit the ideal definition of what you should be looking for in critique groups, but we’ve made it work.

Our system is to email a scene or chapter to the group. When we get a submission, we offer our comments in the text.

Personal note: I’ve been in critique groups where works were read aloud, and it doesn’t...

Plotter, Pantser, Planster, or Organic Writer?

A reminder – Deadly Places is on sale  for 99 cents until October 31st. You save $2. Get your copy here.

And on to today’s post. I’m a “Planster” not a Plotter or a Pantser. I’d say I fit more in the category of “Organic Writer.”

Based on my word count, I’ve reached the approximate midpoint of the first draft of my next Blackthorne, Inc. novel. I say approximate, because I don’t really know how long this draft will be. I’ve stopped worrying about it, because after writing 20 novels, I have f...