500th Blog Post Anniversary Celebration!!

Well, it is official I'm celebrating my 500th Blog Post today on Digging Out of Distraction. I started this blog with nary an idea of what I was doing. I did know that I wanted to develop my writing voice, and I wanted to connect with other writers in my world. Since that first post, I've been on a strange and wonderful journey. I've made new friends, I've grown as a writer, I've experienced many firsts. So for today, rather than go on and on about the journey, I figure the best way to share it is to show it to you via my retro blogs.

So enjoy my little trip down memory lane. If you discover a blog you never read, or you rediscover one that tickled your fancy, then please let me know! I would love to hear from you. And today I'm adding to the fun because I will have a prize for one lucky commentator.

Here is my first blog post from November 16, 2008. I kept it pretty short. I think I've gotten more verbose over the last three years.

I blogged about my favorite feline, the Dowager Feline Clancy here. Since her introduction to my cyber world, DFC has developed renal failure. She was diagnosed in August 2010. I thought she was not going to last long, and I was quite distraught. Once again, my feisty kitty has proved me wrong. Although she has had some tough days, she still has a lively personality and an incredible will to live. She's often curled up on my office chair waiting for me to show up and get to work. Every day is a bonus.

Writing is often a lonely pursuit, but my Romance Writers of America groups give all of us a lot of ways to connect. Since I began this blog I've attended the RWA National Conference twice, the Moonlight & Magnolia's Conference twice, dozens of local chapter meetings at the Heart of Dixie, Southern Magic, and Georgia Romance Writers of America writing groups. I've traveled with my writing friend and shared many adventures about my road trips. You can read about one of my favorite trips here.

In November, 2008 I had written three books. My third manuscript, SWEET SENSATIONS, finaled in the prestigious MAGGIE contest in 2009. It's gone on in various incarnations to win the Emerald City Opener contest in 2010. I have written two more books and completed an overview of a series of four books as well. My 4th manuscript placed second in the Emerald City Opener contest in 2010. So that was a one-two hit for me. While I am not published yet, I feel that I am edging closer to my goal.

Part of writing is learning to embrace one's process. Each book is a learning experience. I've written about my process here and here. At times I've doubted my abilities, but I've rallied and bounced back with the help of my friends, my family, and my own determination to beat the odds. I've written many blogs about how to stay focused and on task. I hope that in some way I have encouraged other people to keep reaching for the brass ring. I've written about how to beat the demons of doubt and despair here and here.

I've been fortunate enough to join two group blogs. Southern Magic's Romance Magicians and Georgia Romance Writer's Petit Fours & Hot Tamales. I love being part of the group blogs. The authors and writers who contribute to them are a blessing to me. Check them out some time by clicking on the links.

The new year meant the dawning of a new me. I am more focused than ever on my writing. I've had some serious interest in my manuscripts, and I'm determined to beat back the dark days of writing with the glowing memories of what has been and with the hope for what can be. I don't know WHEN I'll be published, I do believe in my heart that the operative word is WHEN. If I get down or discouraged, I remind myself that there is a bigger picture. I remember that WHO I am is more important than WHAT I am. You can read about those thoughts here and here.

Too often people get so focused on the end result of their pursuits that they forget that who they are when they get there is much more important. I'm determined to succeed, but not at the expense of my internal moral compass. I have a lot of examples of published writers who give generously of their time and who support those of us who are not published. I wish I could name them all, but that would take many blogs and many days. Those of you who have helped me, particularly with my agent questions and my revise and resubmit questions ;-), I give you my ongoing gratitude. I promise that when I make it into the world of publishing that I will pay it forward. I will strive to be the mentor that you have been to me.

And now, the fun part! If you have time to read or revisit any of the blogs I linked to for my 500th Anniversary blog, let me know which one was your favorite. I'd love to know. I'm drawing a name from the list of comments and giving a surprise to one lucky winner.

I hope you continue to join me on my journey toward publication. I hope each and every one of you reach your goals. And I wish that when you do that you will also continue to pay it forward with grace, dignity, humbleness and generosity.

You've Got to Play to Work

Last week I posted about finding your dream and going for it with no excuses. My first tip to pursuing one's dreams and goals was to make time to do it. There is no such thing as no time to do anything unless you are working three jobs and raising a family. There just isn't. If you have a half an hour, you've got time to work toward your goal.

Establishing a minimum time requirement per day is crucial toward reaching your goal. Even if all you do is research what it will take to accomplish reaching your goal, then it is still productive use of your time. As a writer, that half an hour might be about researching some facet of my novel. But if you're dreaming about becoming a doctor, it might be about researching what areas of medicine are best suited to your personality. Each step, even a baby step, is still a step forward.

If you've been reading my blog this week, you'll know I haven't been working as much as I've been playing. In fact, I didn't even meet one of my big goals for the week because I preferred playing to sitting down and reading through my two requested partial manuscripts. I always like to do a read-aloud before I do my final tweak and send my babies out into the world.

Bad me! But not really. Why? Because I did  manage to meet my minimum goals every day this week. I also exceeded them more days than not. My minimum goal this week was to write 100 words a day about my new book which I am exploring, follow up on blog comments, write three blogs for the following week and schedule them, and continue working on my social media knowledge via Kristen Lamb's book, WE ARE NOT ALONE and my online courses. Yes, despite my deliberate hooky from serious work, I managed to accomplish quite a lot.

I could have accomplished more if I had hunkered down and forced myself to stop playing and work. But I know something important: my brain needs a break and this season is the one season I feel fully rejuvenated if I take the time to play. Every year in the autumn I slow down a bit to let my brain relax and enjoy the beautiful season. I need to.

Usually I've been working super hard and this year was no exception. I was working on my full manuscript's revision until September 29. On September 30, I immediately went to the Georgia Writers of America Moonlight and Magnolia's Conference and immersed myself in all things professional via pitching my manuscript, learning about writing from Michael Hauge, Allison Brennan and Kelly Stone, and celebrating my writing friends' victories at the MAGGIE Awards Ceremony.

There wasn't much time to breathe between that trip and our fall break with the family. I knew it would be pointless to undertake a large project so I stuck to my mini goals and gave myself some space.

This is my second tip: Understand your rhythm as you undertake pursuing your goal.

If you don't understand how you work and when it is best for you to work, then you will burn out. Everyone has a different rhythm. I tend to operate well on long jags of intense work with time out for good behavior breaks. I need my social time, my sun time and my time to relax if I am going to get the big tasks done. I've also learned that as a writer, I must touch or do something with my current work in progress everyday or I'll lose my connection with my story. Now that doesn't mean I write through major holidays like Christmas or New Years Eve, but I do write a bit every day through almost all the days of the year.

The trick is I know when to notch back my efforts and I don't beat myself up for not attaining major goals. I can make up for the loss during high work days. Giving myself permission to chill helps me to work harder when I am on full schedule. This can be true of students as well. I used to look at my schedules and I could see where my days were filled and not so filled. I made sure I cut back a bit, let myself play and regroup, during those slower days.

It's important to know when you're strongest creatively. Is it mornings? Nights? Afternoons? I tend to be super awake and creative in the mornings, lull in the afternoons, and then pick up a bit again in the 4PM-6PM time slot. Afternoon lulls are when I usually play more during my "off time" but if I am in full work zone, I usually use afternoons to catch up on the business and boring parts of my job as a writer.

Years ago I read a great book by Dr. Robert Arnot called THE BIOLOGY OF SUCCESS. I still have it in my bookshelf and refer to it regularly. Understand how you operate and you will optimize your chances of succeeding in your chosen profession.

Do you know your rhythm? Do you know your strengths? How do you relax? Do you have flex time built into your schedule?

If you are working toward a goal, writing or non-writing, share it with me. Share your challenges and your solutions with me. I'd love to hear about them.

Drum Roll & Recap Roll

This week, despite all the constant interruptions and distractions, I finished my second MAGGIE contest entry and sent it to the coordinator.

WOOT!! So relieved to get the entry completed and out of my hair.

Now my goals and tasks for the week are defined:

*continue revising & polishing with the new plot line in mind
*add scenes where necessary
*pull together my partial and send of the requested materials to the agent
*query two other publishing houses with my third MS

And I have some rewards to give myself for completing my arduous task:

*get my hair cut and highlighted *highly necessary*
*schedule some pampering time this week
*meet with a good friend who is also a writer and enjoy her company

When you finish a major task, do you reward yourself with something fun? I hope so! And if do, I'd love to learn how!

Emergency! Scene CPR

I managed to write for at least 3.5 hours yesterday. Well, writing is probably not the "right" word. What I did was start labeling my scenes in Scrivener. Oh yeah. That's a lot of fun (I did promise not to whine after having to do housework--this is me actively trying not to whine).

Any rate, why am I doing this? The first reason is I have a workshop to attend at Georgia Romance Writer's of America in Atlanta where I have to bring in different scene elements for critique and, yes, CPR. I know that Mary Buckham and Diana Love will apply major life saving techniques to my work because I have attended their BREAK INTO FICTION workshop and they are amazing teachers.

Note: If you see a workshop with their names as leaders, run, don't walk to the class. Their energy and enthusiasm and genuine desire to see YOU get to your publishing goal is outstanding. The cost, if any exists, is worth the price.

Here's what I am bringing to this workshop: four bits of my current WIP in Revision  scenes, primarily from the first 50 pages (the set up in Act 1). Why? Because if I can hammer out problems in the first 50 pages I will know what to do with the last 250 pages (give or take). And what does the first 50 pages bring to me? Oh yeah, do you see where this is going? Yes, three stars if you get this right.

Did you guess contest entries? You're right. Did you guess partial? Right again? Did you guess framework for synopsis? Yup.

A lot of talk and bandying about lately regarding the Golden Heart scores amongst those of us who didn't final and what I want to talk about is getting ready for the next contest. You see, I never entered the GH to final. I entered it to get a partial and synopsis ready. I don't care about my scores because they are meaningless to me. Why? Because I know that a person with a 3 book deal didn't final and got a 2 and a 9 on her tally. She was upset. Why? She's published. Who cares about the scores? They don't even matter if you DID FINAL. I know a finalist who got a 4.5 on her finaling manuscript (you can read about it on ROMANCE MAGICIANS blog) and she never won a Golden Heart but she's a NYT bestseller two years later and has a contract with Harlequin Presents!

But will knowing the scores don't matter and knowing that to final in the contest stop me from entering? Heck no! I want to play that roulette wheel and see if the magic combination of cool story and 5 judges who connect with it occurs. Talk about a JACKPOT! And I want to get the ball rolling that direction NOW. Because I am not going to be putting this puppy together in November again. No way. I want both my entries out the door, both with new titles and one in a new category, no later than October 31, 2010. It is NEVER too early to start preparing. You never know what curve balls life will throw at you.

So there you have it. I am mining my workshop mentors for serious CPR on my current WIP because I want to have 50 solid pages to enter in the GH (I'm entering two MS's again). I also want to have 30 solid pages and a new direction for my synopsis by the end of May. Why? The MAGGIES. I entered them. Now that's a tough contest to final in. I managed to do so once. I was thrilled. I got a lot of amazing feedback from the authors who judged my entry. I also got a lot of amazing feedback the year before on the same book (earlier version) and I utilized almost 95% of their suggestions.

Do you see where I am going with this? Oh yeah. The GRWA MAGGIE contest is, in my honest opinion and based on experience, one of the TOP contests to enter both for feedback and prestige. And when you enter, if you don't win or final or whatever, PAY HEED TO THE AUTHOR'S WORDS. They spend a lot of time critiquing your unpublished MS. They want to see you get published. They KNOW what sells. Their intentions are for good.

Note: If you have never entered the MAGGIES, get to the GRWA website NOW and enter. This will force you to write a partial and synopsis that will be judged by PUBLISHED authors. Their advice will help you. This is money well spent!

Now, yesterday I didn't pull together my scenes. I was still a bit in brainstorm mode about a cool idea I have for the current WIP and I also wanted to label my scenes in Scrivener because I need to see which ones will work in the new revision, where they really belong according to the tried and true Acts of story structure, and hunt for my pivotal plot points and where they might fall. I'm about half way through the process. As I went through the first half, I wrote a bit, made annotations thanks to my friend Gwen's wonderful Scrivener Tech Tuesday blog, and shifted some stuff around. Not much more than that.

Note: If you have a Mac, I highly recommend the SCRIVENER program for your writing needs. You will LOVE IT. Trust me. And it's cheap, too. Something we poor and struggling writers need to hear.

So that's what I'll be doing most of today (when I'm not running around with my Mom Hat on and getting forms signed for my DD's upcoming trip--I loathe errands--I am transferring all future whining to boring household duties and diets).

What contests have you entered? Why? Are you going to enter the Golden Heart again? How do you feel about getting started on the next big contest? Are you preparing for the RWA National Conference? It's in July. We have 3 months now to get a partial, query, synopsis and pitches ready for the conference. Now is the tine to get focused! These contests aren't about winning. Yeah, winning is nice. But what's more important is they force YOU, the writer, to get BICHOK (Butt in Chair, Hands on Keys) and to get serious about your writing.

Ripping Out Word Weeds

The hardest part about revising is wanting to add words and having to wait. Yes, wait. Sure, I've got the first global pass on the total WIP and I've managed to fix a couple of big picture problems more easily than I had anticipated which is a relief. I've even got some fabulous ideas about how to make this a bigger, lighter book with the depth it needs to go to a single title.

But I can't act on the ideas because I'm not finished weeding out the words I don't need. I am editing out the darker elements I had in the book and layering in lighter touches and/or marking the scene to do so at another time. I am also noting where I need to add scenes, and I am writing down all my brainstorming ideas into my trusty notebook. I have to be patient as I work through the scenes I've already written otherwise a good idea might not be useful OR I won't know where to place my new scenes and my revised scenes.

It's like gardening. First you have to pull the weeds, plow the dirt and add the fertilizer before you can plant the seeds for new growth. That's what I am doing. Some writers give up at this point and move on to writing a new MS because the task is overwhelming. Then they might return to their WIP in revision and be able to work on it, but I can't work that way. To me that would be like planting seeds for a new garden next to a weedy patch. And then the weeds in the old garden might overrun my new garden. 

What would be the point? I'd have another weedy garden to fix.

Oddly enough, I had hoped to play with my new YA idea this week, but by the time I finish working all day on my revision, I have nothing left to draw from my creative well. All my energy is going into the revision. I'm not fighting it. I believe that if I do have a spark for the other idea, then I'll run with it. My brain will know when it is ready to work on something different. 

I've been down this revision path before. It's murky at times. MS #3 took over a year to wrestle into shape. The book did get better with each revision, but the revising didn't get easier. Even at the very end of #3's revision, I went through it and picked out details that needed strengthening or finessing. Now I can play around with it to change the minor details and keep my mind focused on the 4th MS, but I don't think I could work on a first draft of a new story without draining my creative energy. And I need my creativity to stay true to the task at hand.

I imagine published authors work on more than one book at a time, but I wonder if that is after they've really gutted a story and revised it. Line editing and tweaking is not revising. Revising is getting into the heart of the story and rearranging the way the story is pumped out.

I know I can't revise this 4th MS forever. I need to get it to a point where I can say I'm as done as I can be and move on. I've given myself till the end of June. Maybe I'll finish earlier. Maybe I won't. I do know that I need a partial and a synopsis by June 1 for the MAGGIES, regardless of where the rest of the MS stands. Afterward, I need to know that the book I'm pitching has a solid plot. That the bones and muscles of this book are set and grounded. Then it'll be easier to fine tune the story should an editor or agent request the full. 

What do you think? Or are you able to juggle two manuscripts when one is major revision? And if you do juggle two manuscripts, do you feel you're giving both stories the same level of effort? Or do you feel you're short changing one of the stories?

WIP Whack

Yesterday I barreled through the first 150 pages of the WIP. I tried to focus on the global changes and not on the micro changes. I managed to do so for the most part. How? I used my handy dandy "insert comment" button in WORD.

When I am writing on a big scale, I don't work in Scrivener. It's a fabulous program for individual scene work, but a bit wieldy for me for large scale tracking of changes and comments. Right now I have a huge document on WORD that has lots and lots of tracking blood and blue comment blood. I don't want to stop and make small editorial changes yet, so I'm marking the areas with those changes along with the page numbers in the MS they are located in.

Sometimes I want to fix the scene right away, or make notes straight into the document. That slowed me down a bit yesterday as my goal was to move through to the end. I was also baffled by the fact that 100 pages of edits I had saved were gone for moment. A FRIGHTENING MOMENT. But I found it almost immediately and saved again under a new title just in case.

It's important to save a lot during this process or all those brainstorming moments will be lost. The moments where free writing is occurring and grammar be darned. Yeah, I had a few of those yesterday and that is a great time for a writer. I like to work fast and quick so I don't over think my creative bursts of energy or my inevitable cutting of scenes.

I haven't lost too much as far as word count is concerned. I started at over 68,000 words. I'm down to 67, 211 now. I am sure I will lose more today as I head into the last act of the book. But that's okay. I have TONS of ideas about how to add more delicious words to the document.

I have about 120 pages left work through for this part of the revision. I also have the real world pressing in: calls to make for the darling FIL and handymen coming to the house. I am structuring my workday to write first, call during the "hurry up and wait for us to show up" time period this afternoon.

This is the part of the revision that I love cause it is quick. Generating new ideas and writing them is fun for me as well. Finesse work? Not so much. But I will do it. I've got less than two weeks before I have to bring bits and pieces of this MS to a writing workshop. Good times. I have less than a month before I have to start reworking the synopsis and the first twenty-five pages for the MAGGIES.

Having a wee fire under my behind works wonders for my motivation to get the job done. Perhaps that's why I procrastinated so much.

What helps motivate you to write and get the job done if you don't have an editor hanging over your head? I use contests and writing workshops to give me deadlines. Learning to write as if one has a deadline is vital if one wants to survive the post "call" period of one's career.

Repairing the WIP

I've groaned about revising this WIP long enough. I've procrastinated and creatively avoided the WIP for almost three weeks. Other than reading through my printed pages and blogging about how to avoid working on this POS, I've done nothing to begin the long process of yet another revision.

I'm ready.

I cleared the decks, literally, on Monday with a huge re-organization of my office. I played a bit more. I read through all my contest entries and judged them. Now they are in the coordinator's capable hands. I organized my future online coordinator files and got in touch with the instructors. I went to the library and signed out a bunch of books written by authors who have been recommended to me based on their tone and style. I've brainstormed new ideas for the current revision's direction. I've spoken to one CP long distance about the future of the book and what to look for as she reads my pages. And I spent the morning going through another CP's critique.

Now I've saved my WIP under a new document in Word.

I'm ready to tear into this and start my revision.

I don't plan to start at the beginning. No. I learned a few good methods about revision from a great online class I took about a year ago. In a nutshell, besides the whole procrastination part, I revise my messes by doing the following:

*let the MS sit for at least two weeks, longer if you can (but not for six months)
*quick read through of the hard copy pages with a pencil in hand bearing in mind the WIP's new direction
*mark micro changes as I catch them
*mark global changes throughout the MS based on earlier brainstorming and critiques
*go through CP's comments and grammar check (TG she is so good at the technical side of writing)
*make minor changes and answer some questions immediately in the document
*add my own comments to the doc as I look at CP's work based on WIP's direction
*save the document with stored comments on WORD with a new title reflecting upcoming round of revisions (TFC7)

Now that the new document is stored in WORD, I plan to do the following:

*macro changes first--no point in fine-tuning something that might be cut due to big changes
*cut the scenes that no longer work and shift to a cut scenes document in WORD
*micro changes in scenes I plan to keep
*address all comments after scenes are cut or shifted
*any brainstorming or old scenes that might work are checked for possible use in next draft
*save the doc

After I complete Part A of my revision, I will move my document back into Scrivener's writing program and break all the scenes into separate documents. Then I will will begin the process of adding new scenes, shifting other scenes and fine tuning the story's timeline. I will focus on the revision throughout the month of April.

During the first part of May, I need to step back and work on the contest entry for the MAGGIES Contest run by the GEORGIA ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA.  I will write a new synopsis and fine tune the first twenty-five pages for the contest. I'll probably have other contest feedback to look at and will consider incorporating some of that feedback into my MS.

Once I have that contest entry ready to roll out the door, via electronic transmission, I will go back into the MS and continue revising until the end of June (or hope against all odds that I am finished earlier). Then it's time to put this MS on the shelf and let it percolate while I begin working on a NEW project (yay!) and spend time with my family.

I have a plan. I have an end in sight. I have a bit of hope that I can wrestle this one back from the brink. And that is why I am beginning to feel a bit of a rush, a high and a thrill.

Onward ho!

Moving Past a Lovely Rejection

Dear Writer--your writing voice is very compelling, but your tone is more like romantic comedy, not a spicy read (if only I could have sent one sex scene--say I). And now the beat begins--what to do when the rejection isn't about the writing, but the tone being wrong for the line I specifically targeted?

*First, I call my CPs who encourage me to zip the puppy out and query it to at least 6 other agents--the writing is strong--let an agent find a home for it. Fish for an agent... okie doke.

*Second, plan on the GH submission for said novel. Perhaps if it finals, more interest will be generated in it

*Third, throw a personal pity party complete with 80s music and red wine

*Fourth, wake up super early and hit the office hard

*Fifth, make a plan of action for the next 6 weeks

*Sixth, throw off the mantle of disappointment and remind myself that many very successful authors have suitcases full of rejections

*Seventh, develop a plan to make my blog more exciting (stay tuned)

*Eight, make time to read a writing friend's MS

*Ninth, remind myself that I am in the water, the waves will find me and carry me to where I belong with my writing. I am NOT chasing trends. I must continue to search for the elusive, "something more."

*Tenth, make time to send notes/emails out to the wonderful GRWA people and new friends I met at the MAGGIES/M&M conference

It is time to crack my mental whip and get rolling.

M&M MAGGIES 2009

I'm finally coming up for air after a weekend of learning, laughing and playing at the MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS conference in Atlanta, GA. I got an honorable mention as did my CP for the MAGGIE. And I was thrilled. To final was huge. And the feedback I received from my judges and the published authors I met at the conference validated me as a writer.

The judges loved my writing voice. They loved my writing style, and they were very helpful with suggestions about how to tweak the front end to make it even stronger for future submissions to agents and editors. I'm also reentering the new version in the GOLDEN HEART when I return from the beach.

I have a lot of work to do when I get home next Monday, but I am resting my head until then. No major attempts at revisions while I am at the beach! I'd rather give my brain a break, continue absorbing all I've learned, and come back with my racing shoes on ready to write again.

Before I leave, I'm recapping the conference--hazy memories at best. Was it really a week ago that I was getting ready to put my party shoes on?

Thursday: I arrived in Atlanta at the same time as my CP's flight. I checked into the Hilton, got concierge privileges (thanks to Diamond member DH), and then zipped to the train station to fetch CP. It was so good seeing her again. We registered for the conference, got our cool goodie bags filled with books and promo items, and slipped on our badges with the ribbon flagging the fact that we were MAGGIE FINALISTS. Woot! That flag was a conversation starter everywhere we went. People were impressed. People wished us luck. By the time the award ceremony night arrived, I felt like a winner for life, regardless of the outcome. Later that day, we ate pizza and tried to watch the movies, but we were so tired, we went to the room and crashed. Well, we talked and talked and talked and then we fell asleep.

Friday morning I was nervous. I had to see the agent I'd pitched the book to in July at the National Conference. I had seven minutes to review the fact that she'd requested the full, tell her about the MAGGIE, and pitch the next book!! I want her as an agent very much. She's well-regarded and knows category romance. And I think she'd be a delight to work with as she's always so personable whenever I see her.

The pitch session went very well. She remembered the story as soon as I told her the title. No. She had not read it. She's been traveling for her job, overseas, and is behind on her reading. I asked if I could send an email to her about the book, reminding her about its MAGGIE FINAL, and she said yes. Then I pitched my next book. She is very interested in the story. I was honest. I told her I wrote the book in a week. I am in revision. I'll have a partial and synopsis ready before the end of the year. No problem. Send it when you are ready. And believe me, I will. Whew. That part over. Then she asked me a few questions--very good for me.

The rest of the day we learned, ate, met other authors and published authors, played, talked, wrote, and planned for the following day. My CP had two pitches to prep so we huddled in the concierge lounge and worked in privacy (thanks DH!).

Saturday and my CP had two successful pitches, we were nervously awaiting the awards ceremony, and we were cramming in more learning. Every workshop I attended was beneficial to me. There were so many options, I had difficulty choosing. Then we had the keynote speaker during lunch and let me tell you, Sherrilyn Kenyon's story is poignant and inspiring. If she can forge through fourteen years of disappointment and real pain, we can do it, too. I will never give up my dream, and I will never try to chase a writing trend either. Sure, it would be wonderful to have a bevy of vampires to write about, but I can only read the wonderful books written by paranormal authors. I am not one of them.

We put on our party clothes, our fancy finery, and fun shoes and went to the awards ceremony. First we presented to the published authors. I presented the award to the author in my category. That was fun! I hope I can do it again (and final in the MAGGIES again!). I didn't trip on the stage, and I managed to keep my mouth from seizing in panic. No. I didn't win, but afterward three authors spoke to me and said I was already a winner because I finaled. I feel like a winner. I am validated as an author. I am going in the right direction. I've been writing for four years, and only became a PRO this year (due to my severe allergy to filling out forms--could have done this a lot sooner!). I've come a long way in short time. I plan to get a lot further by the end of 2009. And I know 2010 will be a banner year for me in production of new stories and my active pursuit of obtaining an agent and/or editor who will promote my work.

Sunday we were all tired, but we went to an amazing workshop run by Mary Buckham and Dianna Love. If you have a chance to learn from them, do it. The information they impart is invaluable to writers. My head is spinning with their advice and knowledge. Then it was time to load up the car with four writers' baggage and head to the airport to drop of darling CP, and two new writing friends. We almost didn't get out of the parking lot. Someone backing up out of a space nearly rammed into my front end, but my CP saw it, I braked, and then blared the horn. I think we're all pretty much space cadets after a weekend like the M&M, so my only thought was I hope her heart isn't beating as fast as mine is right now. Whew. We were off. I dropped everyone off at the busy airport. Then it was on route to home and hearth. Four hours later, I returned to my casa and to reality.

Here are my tidbit takeaways from the M&M/MAGGIE experience--if you get the chance to go, here's why you should even if you're not a MAGGIE finalist:

1) GWRA is a fabulous chapter. The people are the best around, and there is a genuine desire by all to make sure you are having a positive experience. Published authors are warm and inviting. They remember the BEFORE WE WERE PUB stage of writing. They understand the hunger. The drive. The hopes.

2) The contacts you'll make are tremendous. More happened in hallways and during luncheons than anywhere else. This is an easy conference to network in. It's a great conference to cut your teeth on before hitting the NATIONALS.

3) Before you go, enter the MAGGIES. If you final, your experience will be magical. But even if you don't, you'll get AMAZING feedback from the judges. It's a fabulous contest.

As soon as I got home, and dropped my luggage in the bedroom, I joined GWRA. I can't wait to get to know this fabulous group of people.

And now.... off to the beach!

Driving to Hotlanta for M&M

The big day has arrived and I am awake and ready to go at 4:45AM!!! Argh. I need my rest. But never mind. I'll muddle along and things will be fine. I'll rest up at the hotel after I arrive in Atlanta.

We got yucky news yesterday about Darling Hubby's dad. He had prostrate cancer, but it was contained. The military vet docs said something else would kill him before prostrate cancer would so they had a wait and see attitude. Well, his PSA numbers jumped, and the cancer has spread. If they'd taken care of it two years ago, he'd be fine today.

I am so angry for him!

He's always been a great supporter of my writing. More so than my own parents. Even my dad, who was a good man, flat out told me that it was too late for me to be a writer 7 years ago. Well, I proved him wrong. My mom, well, let's just say that anything I have attempted has been denigrated, and if I do accomplish something (like graduate Summa Cum Laude from university at the top of the Dean's List), I don't really deserve it. I no longer adhere to her opinions one way or another. About the only good thing that comes out of that kind of lousy parenting is great angst and emotion to put into my novels. I'll be churning them out till I'm 102, God willing.

But my DH's Dad is another story. He's always asking about my writing. And bless him, he can't wait to have a copy of my book on his shelf when I am published. Now I doubt he'd read a Contemporary Romance with a lot of sizzle, and I believe he would be scandalized by my sex scenes, but what a darling man for wanting to display my work. He believes it is attainable. And that makes me love him all the more.

Argh. Mad for him again.

So now this weekend takes a sad turn. But it's still going to be a great weekend. I am happy to go to Atlanta and see my friend again. I am excited about the conference and learning more about this crazy industry. And I am looking forward to the big awards night.

If I win this one, I am calling my father-in-law and sharing the good news. But even if I don't, he'll still be cheering me on.

One More Sleep!!!

I leave tomorrow--it's about a four hour drive and I am picking my CP up at the train station as well. I can't wait to see her!! And she's a finalist in her category. I am praying she wins. She soooooooo deserves it and I hope she gets a serious bite for publication. She's an amazing writer--I'm lucky to have her in my critique corner.

Calling for TAMIFLU prescription as a precaution, but I refuse to get sick. Absolutely refuse!

Just about ready to be seen in a cocktail dress. Hair's colored, highlighted, and styled. My hairdresser is awesome, and she showed me a quick way to make my hair look MAGGIE Night gorgeous. I'm heading to Icing to get a few sparkly things to put in my hair as well. Chin, upper lip area and brow line are waxed and prettified. Today I get a mani/pedi.

I'm also going to the grocery store to stock up on wine, goodies, and water.

And I'm getting phone numbers inputted into my cell phone. This time, as opposed to Nationals, I will not be caught without them.

My work bag is almost loaded and good to go. I have my business cards ready, with blurbs on the back. I rewrote my pitch for The Fantasy Contract to reflect the changes. I have my index card with people's names on it ready to keep me on track should a miracle occur and I actually win the MAGGIE. Would be awesome, but I'm happy either way. And I have my Presenter intro ready to go as well.

Just have to pack and load up the car. OMG OMG... this is so exciting!!

Three Sleeps till Moonlight & Magnolias

I have only 3 sleeps to wait till I hope in my SUV and drive to Atlanta for the Moonlight and Magnolia's Conference. What I hope to accomplish before I load the car with luggage is not monumental having scaled back on my personal expectations.

First, make my scene cards and hit the revision a scene at a time to reflect my new thoughts about the WIP. I've given up trying to come up with something to submit for the homework in my SEX BETWEEN THE PAGES on-line workshop. There simply isn't time. And I need to focus on the overall MS. I know what I need to do to fix the stages of intimacy, but now I need to get the inner-critic out of my head and just write.

Second, get the car ready for the road. I have a wonderful little place with lovely he-men who take excellent care of me and my truck. I'll go there tomorrow and top off the fluids, make sure the tires have lots of air, and give it the once over. On Tuesday, they run a special for the ladies. Used to be ladies' specials meant drinks with the girlfriends, and, if we were lucky, Chippendale dancers. Now ladies' specials means a tune-up and getting the tires rotated at a discount.

Third, go through the in-box and get my life in order. Temporarily.

Fourth, laundry. No amount of wishing makes that deed go away.

Fifth: hair and nails done.

Sixth: a detailed to-do list regarding the care and keeping of a teenage girl during Homecoming Weekend so that the hubby keeps his head on straight. Now I ask you, why do men need this information when we travel and why do we need nothing? Whether we work outside the home or not, this is a universal problem. We just KNOW what to do. They don't pay attention and assume it's seamless. Ha.

Seventh: organize travel package and travel work bag.

Eighth: make packing lists.

Ninth: pack.

Tenth: get wine and goodies ready for the trip. I may even bring champagne. Even if I don't win the MAGGIE Award, I already feel like a winner. This is a fantastic event and I am seriously looking forward to it!

Contests and Formats and Yikes What a Day!

I finally sent off my Maggie entry today. We'll see how that goes. Not holding my breath, but the feedback is excellent. Maybe it will fare better after all the changes I made to the beginning of the MS. I hope so. 

After I sent the Maggie off to places far away and in GA, I worked on gathering my entry pieces together for REVEAL YOUR INNER VIXEN. There are all these rules for how to submit online--and it's driving me crazy. I can put all the RTF parts of the entry in a folder and send the folder as an attachment, but I can't put all the pieces of the entry on ONE document and have it turn out right in the HEADER section. There are too many different elements. Argh.

I sent an email to the contest coordinator to ask if I can submit the entry in a folder with the four documents. I hope so or I've wasted my time on this--other than the revising part of the scene. It's changing and evolving -- and I like it. Hey--I just checked my email and the contest coordinator said I can send it in a folder and just explain my "header challenged brain" to the contest person I email it to! Hallelujah!!!!

I need to put the new changes into the Scrivener Document--I revised in the Word Doc after I revised in Scrivener... argh again. That's the only thing I don't like with Scrivener. It's hard to move back and forth in the saved folders. I have to export and input all changes or do it manually.

This afternoon I went to the APPLE store for my tutorial. I really didn't have much to ask--simple fix questions. And I told the dude after half an hour I was ready to leave. I don't need weekly sessions anymore. I think I will use that time, one hour per week, to build my web page and work on my business side of writing (probably more than one hour a week). If questions come  up as I work on the web site, I'll jot them down and schedule a session. I have a year's worth of onetoone sessions paid for. One thing that jerks my chain is that I paid to have classes with the APPLE SPECIALISTS. But the past three classes have been with the next tier down because the specialists are overwhelmed. I don't mind too much, but it's the principle of the matter. I feel shuffled aside. The next time I go in, I am making my appointment on-line and I am putting in the notes box that I want a specialist to help me.

After I went to the APPLE STORE, I hit B&N and got DD her required reading book for 10th Grade Honors English. Then I drove to the Mall and fetched her Powder Puff T-shirt. After I retrieved said shirt, I high tailed it to STAPLES to get four black ink cartridges. Two for her and two for me. We run out of ink here FAST.

When I got home, I worked on the RYIV Entry, and now I am fried--nothing left to give. I'll read through the entry and edit it tomorrow morning. Thankfully, I'll be able to send it all off in a folder.

And I got three scenes revised as I prepared for this contest (only putting in 2 and a bit). Of course, the book is never done. It'll never be finished until it is sold and on the shelves! I decided that I will revise this one through for the RWA Conference. Then I'm pitching it. I'll line edit and check it over with a fine tooth comb if I get a request for a FULL. If not, I am done. I'll park it, and move on to the fourth book. I want to get that MS ready for the GH in November. 

I will pull number 3 out of park after I've got the fourth book revised and on its way out the door via the GH. I'm sending the 3rd book out to the GH again if I don't get the "call" before November.

Now the goal is speed, building back list books, and getting my business side of writing running.

Mother's Day

I usually don't write much on the weekends--at most an hour a day. And this weekend I did zip as I am celebrating Mother's Day and fritzing around chasing down other things. But I did spend some time talking about writing with my two CPs in Fairfax yesterday.

My first CP called with questions about her plot and just to talk in general with me. We discussed my plan for the MS and querying it. And we discussed how to get an external Story Goal going for her women's fiction novel. I was glad I could help her brainstorm as she's been so generous in reading my queries, fixing them, and reading my BLAZE style novels (she isn't typically a category romance reader LOL). 

My second CP called to share her GH scores. Three 9s and two 5s! I get the 9s--she's fantastic--but the 5s? Weird. Any rate, she missed finaling in the GH by 1 point. I was fine with my middling scores cause I expected worse and I know this MS can be reentered in its current version. Will it final? Who knows? Maybe I'll have it on an editor's desk at that point and the question will be moot. But I understand her frustration. Here she has finaled in the Dauphne and the Sheila, but she receives two 5s alongside three 9s? That's tough to understand. I just said it's a done deal, she's a fabulous writer, and now we must move on after I sympathized. 

I wonder why I am so *shrugging shoulders* about my scores? I guess I didn't attach too much emotion into the results. I had already figured out I wouldn't final after I got my comments back from the Linda Howard Award of Excellence. I got great feedback, and I got honest feedback. My scores for that contest were high (in the 90s) and I almost finaled, but the feedback indicated to me there was a major flaw in my heroine/hero's first meeting and I needed to address that flaw. I knew then I wouldn't final in the GH so I was pretty much resigned to it. And I was happy to score anything above a 5 on the score sheet. TG I got at least two decent scores (7, 8.7). And the novel is changed now. It's fixed.

As CP number 1 says, "It's all fixable." 

Now I am preparing to sign up for my editor/agent appointments tomorrow morning (wahoo!). I am nervous and excited about it. I hope I get into the chair facing my targeted category HQN editor! I'll be online early tomorrow to sign up. 

Monday afternoon I will prep my two contest entries for the June 1 deadline and send them off on Tuesday. 

Goals for the week are basic:

*continue revision in mornings

*sign up for editor/agent appointments at RWA Conference

*prepare two contest entries: Maggies and Reveal Your Inner Vixen

*research agents

*order business cards with pseudonym, order pens with my info on it, order postcards with my info on it

*encourage my new writing buddy in her goal to finish her first draft by June 30th.