Today feels manic, but I’m not sure why. Things are in control family-wise, work is pretty much caught up (though I have more to do), and the next book is starting to take shape. Somehow, though, today still feels a little out of control. Maybe I’m forgetting something? Ack. I wonder what?

Remember weeks and weeks ago, I talked about that beeping we couldn’t find? Well, we found it a while back. Tucked behind a shelf in my back room was a carbon monoxide detector that had reached the end of its life…so it was beeping sporadically to tell us. It was an electric detector, and apparently they only have a 4 to 5 year lifespan (this model, anyway). We replaced it and no more beeping. So now, when I’m up late at night working/writing, it’s to the blissful sound of quiet. Thank goodness!

Okay, off to figure out what I’m forgetting/supposed to be doing/etc before it drives me nuts. Everyone have a great Monday!

Don’t Forget!

Today is my Monday at the Ohio Romance Authors MySpace blog. Check it out!

Today is ALSO my day at The Novel Girls. This week we’re talking about inspiration and brainstorming. Stop in and visit for a while!

Happy Friday!

This weekend I plan on officially starting my next book. I’m excited. I’m inspired. I’m ready to roll up sleeves and dig right in. I won’t actually start writing the manuscript itself this quickly, though. I have other things that need to be done first. What do I do at this stage?

Well, a lot of it is thinking, making notes, and trying to get a firmer idea of character, motivation, and yes–plot. While I am not a heavy plotter (as I’ve said many times before), there are some basics I definitely need to know. But I always, always start with characterization.

My first task this weekend is learning more about my heroine and my hero. Once I do that, I should have a better idea about the plot itself. So then, I’ll move on to my least favorite part of the process: the synopsis. At this stage, I’m extremely happy with just a short synopsis. Something that will evolve over several days, if not weeks, that will give just a basic overview of what I think will happen over the course of the book.

This synopsis will likely change several times. That’s okay! Because each draft will open a few more doors for me to explore. When I finally settle on what I’m fairly sure I’m going to write, then I develop a chapter by chapter breakdown. I estimate how many chapters I think will be in the book, I figure out my opening, my first turning point, my mid point, my second turning point, and then my conclusion–and then I jot those in at the appropriate chapters.

Then, using my short synopsis as a guide, I do my best to fill in the blanks. This early on, I probably will leave many of the later chapters blank, as what needs to happen there will more fully evolve in my brain as I write the first portion of the manuscript. 

What I definitely won’t know is the exact steps and details that will take my characters from one place to another. Those come to me as I write, as I learn more and more about my characters and my story. What I will know is what realization and/or questions and/or turning points need to occur at different places within the story–and those I’ll mark.

Once I have the chapter by chapter breakdown done (which will continue to evolve throughout the entire book), I’m finally ready to begin actually writing. But even with the pre-planning, getting the first chapter–heck, the first line–right will not happen immediately.

It took me four weeks to get the first three chapters just right in A Stroke of Magic. In A Taste of Magic, I completely rewrote the first two chapters after the book was complete. Beginnings are fun and exciting, but I’m also a perfectionist…so if I think it’s not quite there, I’ll keep at it until it is. OR until I realize I need to move on to learn more before I can make them just right.

But still. I’m at the beginning again, and I love beginnings! So I’m excited to get started and see what develops.

Don’t Forget!

This week we’re talking about recipes at The Novel Girls. Yesterday was Jillian Cantor, today is Lesley Livingston, and tomorrow is Carolyn McTighe.  

In my head, it’s still August. Seriously. I so can’t believe it’s almost Thanksgiving. It’s only a little over two weeks away! I’m not even sure what we’re doing for Thanksgiving yet…and yet, it’s almost here. Scary!

Even scarier, we’ll barely get through Thanksgiving and it will be Christmas. Normally, I’m a huge Christmas fanatic…but this year, it seems like it’s coming so fast, I don’t think I’ll be prepared for it.

Usually by this point, I’m already quizzing the kids on what they “really” want for the holiday, and I already have some of my shopping done. This isn’t so much about organization as it is dealing with the mobs at stores after Thanksgiving. But somehow, this year, I’m betting I’ll be shopping in December. And facing those mobs.

I also know that from now until February will likely fly by just as fast. I mean, my book is coming out in February! A date which once felt like it was soooo far away now seems just around the corner. Am I excited? Yep! But it’s also very nerve-wracking. I have to think about reviews, promo, and a whole lot of stuff that has nothing to do with actually writing a book.

So yes, the next several months are going to speed by even faster than the last several. What else will I be doing in this time frame? Starting my next two books! I love starting a new book…learning who my characters are and what the story is they want to tell. It’s hard work, but it’s also a ton of fun.

What about you? What do the next several months hold for you? Besides the holidays, of course. Do you have anything exciting looming just around the corner? 

Don’t Forget!

This week at The Novel Girls, we’re talking about Recipes. Come say hi and see what Lisa Patton has to say!  

Go vote for the first line you like the best at American Title V!

Remember when I talked about the American Title contest and how a group of unpublished authors would be judged, and one by one voted off, until the one remaining author wins a publshing contract from Dorchester Publishing? No? Check out my original post and then come back!

Back? Yay! Well, the contest has officially rolled up its sleeves and begun. Yesterday, in fact. The first round is all about first lines, and runs until November 24th. You can read the first lines and vote by going HERE.

In other news…I’m recovering from a whirlwind of writing, kids, Halloween, and getting back to work. How’s everyone else doing?

Don’t Forget!

Over at The Novel Girls this week, we’re talking about recipes. Stop by and say hi!

Today, I am sharing my blog with romance author Jeff Rivera. His book, Forever My Lady is a Warner Books/Grand Central Books release. He contacted me not that long ago, asking if I’d share his story here…and because I loved what he had to say…he sent me this interview to post!

Question: When you were growing up as a welfare and food stamp child in Oregon, did you always know you were going to be an author?

Don’t Forget!

Today is my day at The Novel Girls. This week we’re talking about recipes! Come say hi.

And I’m really sorry for the long absence. A combination of getting the book finished and in fighting form, plus a bought of illness had me barely functioning. But all is well now, and by next week, I’ll be back every day. The rest of this week still might be a little hit and miss with my daughter’s birthday and a few other last minute things to tie up.

Yay! I missed posting.