Kelly had this posted on her site. I love it!
Monthly Archive for March, 2007
I’m in the middle of edits for my debut book The Bond That Ties Us. I’m learning a lot about myself as a writer and as a person as I go through this process. I thought I’d share some of these things with you. 
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2. Quiet and music. I also seem to bounce between needing absolute quite and wanting to have some music playing. I find if I’m editing an emotional scene, I need the silence. Action sequences need a sound track. 3. Obsessively check my email. I only seem to do this when I’m editing and not when I’m writing. It’s very strange, and I can’t seem to stop. 4. Random thoughts. I found myself quote weird facts I’d heard recently to my husband as I was working away. They seemed to come out of no where and popped out of my mouth. (Did you know the original Star Trek was the first TV show to use the word Hell on the air?) 5. Organize my desk. Okay so maybe I’m procrastinating a bit. At least I’m still by my computer. 6. Talk things out with my cat. She’s a really good listener and likes to sit on my lap while I edit. I think it’s her way of making me sit still. 7. Get excited about parts of my story. I love it when I read a paragraph and get an idea for the perfect fix. I read it over and over loving the way it sounds. 8. Day dream. I’m bad for this. I keep wondering what my cover is going to look like. I hope I get to find out soon! 9. Read. As I’m editing I find myself reading more. Not only for the enjoyment but to see how other authors handle things. When I have a comment by my editor that I’m not sure how to address, I pick up one of my favourite books and read. It usually helps me get my head around the issue. 10. Eat. Bad things usually. Cookies, crackers, rice cakes (the ones with chocolate and caramel!). I need to stop this habit before I gain 800 lbs! 11. Walk around. Busy mind, busy feet. I do this a lot at night if my husband isn’t around for me to annoy. The activity helps me work through problems. 12. Blog. If I’m really stuck, or simply need to recharge my batteries, I’ll visit some of my blogging friends. The support is always helpful. 13. Write! Eventually I get my butt in the chair and managed to get through it all. I’m a deadline kind of girl. Give me a date and I’ll procrastinate until the last minute, then I’ll plug through it all. I love the rush! |
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I was given a copy of Renee Field’s debut novella Love Me Wild this week. It will be available this Friday from Ellora’s Cave. Knowing the background for this story, and that it’s the first in a trilogy had me excited. I dove right in as soon as I got my cyber fingers on it.
Rowena is a scientist from a society of women known as the Maida. Here, women are in control of the development of society and men are there to serve. Due to a war generations ago, few women are fertile. Those few who discover they can have children also learn that they must have sex or else they will go insane and die. The catch is, the men they sleep with will catch the illness and die in the stead of their female mate.
Upon learning she is fertile, Rowena is forced to choose a mate by her mother, the head of the Elders. Hating the idea of trading her life for the life of her mate, Rowena reluctantly agrees. Her body though pushes her to make a lustful choice – Tulon.
Tulon has been outcast from his society of centaurs because he hasn’t learned how to control his magic. Unable to take his centaur form, Tulon is forced to choose between appearing as either a human or a stallion. Captured by the Madia guards, Tulon has all but resigned to the fact he will be used as a sex slave. That is until Rowena helps his escape. Through their journey through the ancient forest, both Tulon and Rowena learn that they can’t deny their sizzling attraction.
I loved the world Renee built with Love Me Wild. The history of the planet and the two different cultures play nicely off each other – science against fantasy. The tension between Rowena and Tulon is great as he tries to convince her a quick roll in the hay is exactly what she needs. And so you know love scenes are hot in this story! I’m very much looking forward to the second novella in the trilogy.
One of my biggest challenges with The Bond That Ties Us is building a believable world. One that draws you into the story without it hitting you over the head telling you it’s there. I think this is one of those writing skills that some people have naturally. Me? I have to work on adding layers.
I think this comes down to how I write. I like to start with a single scene. I can picture this very clearly, every detail with great clarity. I then take a step back and ask myself, what type of character would involve themselves in that situation. I spend a lot of time getting to know my characters, usually through dialogue. I can hear them talking, and that gives me a better idea of who they are and how they will react.
Once I get all that done, I usually realize I need to beef up my world building. And then I start to get picky. It’s hard to add in external elements when you are satisfied with how everything has fit together so far. I debate over whether or not I’m adding too much fluff, or if it’s not enough.
So my question to you is this, as a reader (or writer), what is it about a novel’s setting that draws you in? What do you look for, or what do you notice if it’s not there?
So I tried to do some edits last night on Bonds…yeah no. I have a terrible cold and I could barely keep my eyes open let alone come up with some additional elements to add to my setting. I also need to go back through my love scenes and add some emotional punch, which is not the thing to try and do when you can’t breathe.
So I’ve sent my husband on a mission to get me some Neo Citran to help clear my head. Tonight, I plan to self medicate enough that I can start going through the manuscript again chapter by chapter. My goal is to get through at least a chapter a day, really paying attention to small details.
I somehow managed to stay awake for 24 last night. It was good in my opinion for two reasons. First, I liked seeing Jack’s softer side. His whole demeanor changed when he was talking to Brady. Second, THAT KISS OF MILO’S!! Wow. Completely sexy the way he went up to her so fast, only to pause an inch from her lips, giving her that intense look. And then BAM! Best kiss I’ve seen on TV in a while. Way to go Milo!
Well, not really. But I want to stay optimistic!
Today I got my second round of edits from my editor for The Bond That Ties Us. I took a quick peek at her comments and I have to agree. I really love the fact that I’m learning a lot from her, and that my story is growing and becoming better than before. So tonight I will be focusing in on adding more setting elements to the story and adding emotional heights to my love scenes.
This means that my Halloween story will have to wait tonight. I’ll try and get chapter one finished today at lunch (actually as soon as I’m done this blog entry) which will let me focus on the edits. It sounds like everyone else is really busy too.
I also finally got to see Casino Royal this weekend. I really loved Craig as Bond. He took the role in a different direction from the other movies, and I think the franchise really needed that. I can’t wait to see him in the next one. As long as he promises to wear the Speedos again. *drool*
This week proved to be an interesting one. Despite my day job being crazy busy, I managed to finish the first draft of Perfect Match, did three critiques, and managed to get a start on the Halloween story. My editor didn’t get back to me with the second round of edits on Bonds, so that helped. Now I feel like I’ve been able to get caught up. I even got some reading time in.
My goals for this week are going to be straight forward.
- Get through the first two chapters of the Halloween story
- Second round of edits for The Bond That Ties Us (I hope)
I’m not going to worry about a word count, but I’d like to aim for around 5000 words written. Might be a bit unrealistic as I won’t be getting much in the way of lunch hours again this week. We’ll have to see.
I’m also going to be posting a review of my friend Renee Field’s novella that is being released this Friday from Ellora’s Cave. Be sure to stop by on Wednesday to check it out!
What’s everyone else up to?
Okay this has been a bad writing week for me. Other than finishing the first draft of Perfect Match on Monday, I haven’t written a word this week. I’ve managed some critiquing (and I’m glad I did because my poor friend has been waiting forever for it (Pete tell Tammy this weekend!) and I need to get it to her) but that’s been about it.
Today I’m hoping going to get a lunch break. I need a lunch break. Actually any break would be awesome. If When I do I’m going to sit down read over the outline of the Halloween story I’m writing with Renee Field and start my first chapter. I love what we have planned and love my characters. I can’t wait to get going with it, I just haven’t had much in the way of energy recently.
But this weekend I’m going to get it done. Or mostly done.
What are your plans for this weekend?
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2. Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank- This one came to me via the Wicked Writers chat group. The flip side to Jaci’s world, the demons here are the good guys…and really sexy. Couldn’t put this one down at all! And I’ll be first in line for Gideon which is coming out this summer. 3. The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason - I really enjoyed this book and totally want to have Max around my house. If you like Buffy The Vampire Slayer, I think you’ll enjoy this. Not your typical romance, but a great story. 4. Rogue Angle: Forbidden City by Alex Archer - I bought this last night on the recommendation of SciFi Chick aka Angela. Its officially on my TRB pile 5. Lover Revealed by JR Ward 7. Eragon by Christopher Paolini - Loved this book! I hadn’t read a straight fantasy novel in quite sometime. This was a great treat. Next up I’ll have to rent the movie. 8. Angel With Attitude by Michelle Rowen. Fellow TRW member Michelle’s book. It’s next on my TBR pile and I can’t wait to get to it. Michelle has a great sense of humor and I know that will be in her book as well. 9. Pleasure Prolonged by Cathryn Fox - The second book in Cathryn’s pleasure series. If you are looking for a hot read and some chuckles, this is the book for you. Plus the covers are beautiful!! 10. Surender To a Scoundrel by Julianne MacLean - I love historicals! They are what originally brought me to the world of romance and I’ll always love them. Julianne’s book is a very smart, enjoyable read that takes you into the world of yacht racing. Highly recommend it. 11. Storm Front by Jim Butcher - The first in the Harry Dresden books. Another one I’ve come to via Angela. I’m a big fan if the show and can’t wait to read this book. 12. The Dark Tower by Stephen King – The end of this series was a long time coming. I’m anxious to read the end and find out what happens to Roland. But I’ve decided to re-read the entire series first. It’s been so long I’ve forgotten what’s happened! lol 13. Eternally (Nocturne) by Maureen Child - This was my first introduction to Harlequin’s Nocturn’s line. It is a Highland type idea, where they are demon hunters. I enjoyed Maureen’s book and would read the next one in her series…if there is a next one. I’ll need to find out. |
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Fellow TRW member Maureen McGowan made a wonderful post today on the Drunk Writer board about how writing is an art form. An excellent read!
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