Sometimes Life Gets In The Way ...

Just saying.

My plan is to post more this spring about writing.  I still have a heavy work schedule, however my goal is to do one tip per week.  Not too difficult?

Today's writing tip:

Characters always have a hidden fear (from their post) that can ripple their judgment at the worst time possible!


~R

Kharma, Thou Art Heartless

Losing a job sucks, especially contract positions that promise to end on a certain date.  You do the work plus extra that is needed, happy bosses smile, everyone loves the output, then you get shafted.  My husband was informed yesterday he has no job after this Friday, five weeks earlier than he we expected.  He had already updated his resume and put in a few applications to other companies. (fingers & toes crossed for good news soon!)

On to brighter things.  Editing is slow but steady.  I'm working on several projects, the main one being a story I finished eleven years ago and that took four years to write.  I still love this story and the SciFi/futuristic universe, and I want to continue creating stories here.

I also started another paranormal series two years ago about a fictitious town in Texas with Scottish Highlanders which I hope to get back to next year. (No, I won't reveal how the Highlanders got to Texas yet.)  I want to do NaNo this year too.  Last year I started but had to drop out due to time restraints.  I'll be better this year.

What else?  Not much accept... next week school begins!

Writing tip: play with unexpected occurrences to add spice to the plot and character development.  It can add conflict, dimension to characters, and interest to scenes.

Later,

~Raquel

So Much For the Weekend

I had good intentions last weekend.  Lots of them.  Since we usually have 'family' day on Sunday, Saturday is my family's work-around-the-house-and-yard day.  Weeding, cleaning up twigs, transferring compost to the garden, and any household stuff that got missed from the week.  So, no biggie, as things need to be done.

Wrong.  The temperature soared, and the A/C went wonky.  In short, were hot and miserable and didn't want to do anything.  This, unfortunately, included actual moving around or turning on the computer (this too generates some heat) to even sit quietly and do edits.  It took all day, but we got things straightened out, and it took all of that next day to recover from the stifling, humid heat.

I usually like summer, but this one has been tough.  It's usually okay when it gets hot and stays hot because we get used to it, however when it gets hot then cooler then hot again, it feels horrible as we don't have the normal acclimation.

I started thinking about this last year when we had a cool spell, about the acclimation process, and applied it in various ways to my WIP.  My characters were miserable, they suffered some, and generally had short tempers.  Good for me, good for story conflict, and great for my plot.  I can usually find ways to incorporate almost anything into my writing that provokes a character reaction, plus it helps the realism aspect because readers can identify.

So, Sunday was a bust.  I have laundry to do.

Later!

~R

Dedication

Hello Monday!  Well to be honest my day started reeeeaaally early.  And with this new week I've decided to carve out time every day again for my writing.  Life is just going to have to wait a little.  My goal is 1 hour per day, minimum.  I'll write, edit, play with cover designs, read writing articles or books, or whatever I can do that is writing-related.  I have a lot of first drafts that need revising, and I want to do NaNo this year (missed last year).  That calls for an outline and planning ahead.

So, I'm off to accomplish something during my hour of writing time.

Daily writing tip: if you think your main protagonist is in trouble, then double and then triple the problems for them to face and triumph over, then the reward will be so much sweeter because they have suffered.

Write on,


~R

Fodder for Writing

And so ends (almost) another week of romance, troubles, dilemmas and life's issues.  Okay, so today's Thursday rather than Friday, and I'm hoping nothing else crappy will happen by this weekend.  Solution?  Relax with a glass of wine or beverage of your choice and reflect for a few minutes.  I (and you) need this time to be able to decompress and relate to what is actually going on in life and reconnect with what is important.

Dog pooped on the floor?  Clean it up, put the puppy out, and relax that it's done.

Family forgot to help with the dishes (again)?  Designate someone to wash and someone to dry so you can have some "me" time.

Writing rejection (again!)?  File it in your "Future Office Wallpaper" file and grab that cool beverage.

Main character suddenly not talking?  Throw him or her a curve from left field to deal with (even if it does not make it into your WIP the activity of writing still keeps your brain focused).  And also, grab that drink and relax.

What is it about life that seems to get in the way?  Think about it.  Our lives are constantly filled with crossroads and barriers to make us make decisions about what to do. (See where this is leading?)  Yep.  The characters you write about also have the same life obstacles and decisions to make.  Life throwing curves at you?  Put them into your story.  Let your main character deal with them, and maybe you can gain some insight into dealing with daily life too.

Until next, write on!

~R

I'm  baaaack!  Finally after a long absence I'm reintroducing myself to this website (hello old friend, long time no post...)

So briefly about the few months: holidays, online teaching, hours cut at work (yuck!), new boss (yea!), new year and a new character at the Ren Faire (loooong hours...), lots of cold weather & a delayed spring, delayed garden planting, car accident (I'm now fully recovered & car is repaired, thank you), family health issues, and I started taking a stage combat class once a week.

So, hopefully your last few months hasn't been too busy.

Writing tip: a couple years ago when my schedule was way too full, I read online somewhere about committing to writing only 100 words per day.  I did this, long-handed so I could take my little notebook everywhere and in 2, 5, or 10 minute bursts.  In almost 2 years from my start day, I actually completed that story's first draft.  I'm going to do this again, and if you're having trouble just focusing or can't face the computer one more minute, get a notebook and try the 100 words per day challenge.

Happy day!

~Raquel

Do I, Don't I?

I still haven't decided whether to do NaNo.  Yes, I know it's day 3 of the challenge, and I do have a story in my head brewing and that I started working on yesterday and this morning.  But I need extra time to write (other than my regular projects), and I don't know where to find it.


~R

Not This Year

I'm on the fence about whether to do NaNoWriMo this year.  November is always full, and somehow this year it's especially busy.  I'll decide in a few days.

Oh, and I forgot to post a THANK YOU to all who signed up and participated in my free writing class last month.   I appreciate all the questions and look forward to more workshops in the future, and it was a lot of fun.

In 2014 I will again be teaching at Savvy Authors and The Writer's Ranch, and I'll post my workshop schedule and information soon.

Okay, back to recovering from the big party from last weekend and planning my retreat in a few days.

~R

Writing & Halloween Update

Well, we're halfway through October, and I'm getting excited about Halloween!  I have a couple of events I'm looking forward to plus last weekend I got to work at a local Haunted House (which I haven't done it years).  It was fun seeing the looks of anticipation and trepidation on people's faces.  Of course the screams of fright after the folks were inside said it all.

My writing Retreat is also coming up, which I'm looking forward to.  Nothing big, just a few people getting together who want so much needed quiet time to just write.  I'm hoping to make lots of progress and maybe finish a first draft I've been working on and off of for a while.  Progress will be made!

~R

Sunshine, Daisys, and Writing For Chocolate

I survived the lovely weekend of cool weather and rain even though it wasn't long enough. lol.  Why is it when a little extra time rolls around it gets taken up by 'necessary' things in life that push away the relaxing plans we make?  I enjoy a challenge, so I planned around the necessary stuff with a few things I really wanted to do.

The result?  Not too bad.  I accomplished the 'stuff'' early then moved on to my fun, which has spilled over into today.  So... today's menu will consist of getting class materials together, posting online, concluding my first Halloween project of the season, and experimenting with a new writing idea.

What about the chocolate?  My reward for finishing and meeting my weekend goal?  To me writing is like baking or cooking.  Start with an idea, characters, an incident, then add a smidgeon of doubt, a lot of conflict, and a touch of tension (to be elevated appropriately in the future), etc.  Mix it all up and let it stew a while.

I'm almost to the final chapter of "Deceptions" and in the middle of writing the climax that leads to the ultimate Black Moment (when nothing seems it will work out for the protagonist).  Progress will be made, just like my chocolate recipe.  I'll keep you posted on how they both turn out.

AND ... there's still time to sign up for my FREE ONLINE WORKSHOP.  Send my a message from the box on right menu to subscribe.


 ~R

Upcoming Event

Heads up everyone,

This is my 10th year of teaching online and I am celebrating!  In honor of this milestone, I will be hosting a FREE writing workshop next week at The Writer's Ranch (Sept 30, to Oct 6).

The title is "Want To Write a Book?  Here's How."  This workshop is all about how to begin writing that story of your heart (or in your head screaming to get out, lol), characterization, settings, building tension, conflict, plotting (or not), turning points, and lots more information.  This will be a packed intensive week filled with everything I can think of, plus I will answer your writing questions.

To subscribe, send an email to me from the "contact" block in the right menu and include your name and why you want to take the class (to get rid of non-human bots who want to send spam).  I will subscribe those who are genuinely interested when I review your contact information.

Hope to 'see' you next week!

~R

What Now My Love?

I finally decided what to do for our Halloween costumes.  Because my brain works overtime a lot, I even got a feel for one and stopped by the store on the way home today and got a few things to complete that outfit.  Yes, I said complete!

One down, two to go.  Components and such are in the mail coming to me as I write (with the help of online shopping -- love it!).  I'll keep you updated.

Speaking of updated ... okay I admit to being a wimp about formatting.  I'm behind where I want to be, but in my defense I did pull extra work the last couple of weeks which cut into my computer time and more importantly, my focus.  See, the way I work is that I immerse myself in the project at hand and work toward that vision I have in my mind.  If I have only a little time the project may suffer, which I don't want to happen.  Next week will be better.

Later.

~R

Happy Friday the 13th (the day NOT the movie)

I really like Fridays, and to me the "13th" is just a number.  At the end of the week I get to relax a little and catch up on "stuff" I've neglected around the house and at my computer.  I'm starting on the new ideas I want to implement into my next release.  Yeah, the story's been done like *forever,* BUT it needs tweaking to make it better.  I was fortunate last year to have a critique of a few pages and was given some really great advice.  That advice has brewed, and now I'm going to act on that advice.

So, #1. attitude change for a secondary (supporting) character, #2. that change will add conflict to an already conflicted main character (cue evil laugh and rubbing of hands together...), #3. change the ending to reflect the first two.

Back into my cave I go.

See ya.

~R

To The Finish Line ...

Things are beginning to calm down a little now that the school frenzy is waning.  I'm finished editing MLE, and now I get to figure out formatting in so many different forms...  Okay, I'm dreading this.  But I did have a few resources to help and a couple of writers who have answered my beginner questions.  Maybe it won't be so bad ...

I also need to think about Halloween costumes.  What to do this year??


~R

Busy, Busy, Busy Writing Too!

Quicky post:  More editing.  Great new conflict to write about (yay!).  Garden to weed and water.  Fall is coming soon to hopefully end this sweltering heat.  So many things to do before school begins next week.

Have a good week everyone.


~R

Re-Dos

Well, re-editing hit a small snag but is almost complete.  I've spent so much time on this project to get it ready, I haven't really even gotten into what to do for promo yet.  I'll figure it all out, and then I'll do it again with my next release coming (hopefully in October).

So, with my Timeline Series book one, My Loving Enemy, about to hit the shelves again, I probably should think about editing book two before the end of the year.  I'll have to learn how to juggle my series' and get the all the stories done that are swirling in my head.  And of course I want to participate in NaNoWriMo again in November (what better time than this for another book?).

Lots to think about, edit, have fun with, and write about.


~R

Summertime & The Heat is On

August is here, and there is lots to do.  I'm halfway finished with the re-edit of my upcoming re-release, and I'm working on ideas to update my website and a new writing workshop for 2014.  I also want to complete my WIP and start final edits on my next planned release (I'll post the title later, but here's clue #1: the story is near and dear to my heart and I completed it ten years ago).

So, yeah, lots to do.  And I need to profile out a new hero for my Texas Highlanders series, set in Texas of course.  With heroes in kilts.  And lovely Scottish accents.  And hunks in kilts.  Did I mention they're in kilts?  Yummy!   ;-)

~R

Hot today with a chance of ... more heat ... especially with the re-release of "My Loving Enemy" coming up in early August.  Check out the new cover in the right side menu done by Safari Heat.  Exactly what I wanted.

And I'm scheduling workshops workshops for 2014, also in the side menu, if you are interested in writing.

Finally last but definitely not least (fingers crossed) I will have another book release in late Sept or early Oct.  Check back to learn the title and about the story!

~R

MLE Finds New Cover

After getting my rights back to my story a few months ago, I'm almost ready to re-release it!

I'm also looking the coolest book cover from Safari Heat: http://safariheatbooktoursandauthorservices.blogspot.com/p/pre-made-covers-for-sale.html

So excited, love it! :-)

~R

After waiting more than the required time and having to re-send my request, I finally have the rights back from my former publisher to MY LOVING ENEMY!

Celebration time!! :-D

~R