Musings of a Writer - Anita Joy

English Really is Crazy

2012-01-26T06:00:00.001+10:00

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,

But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, and three would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!

Let's face it, English is a crazy language! In closing:

If Father is Pop, how come Mother's not Mop!?

Motivational Monday

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000+10:00

When you are describing,
A shape, or sound, or tint;
Don't state the matter plainly,
But put it in a hint;
And learn to look at all things,
With a sort of mental squint.
~ Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll)

Believe in Yourself

2012-01-19T06:00:00.004+10:00

As I said last week, I've taken the leap and sent my submission into Mills and Boon. Now for the hard bit... waiting! I am terrible at waiting (as I have said many times before). It's impossible to not think about it. In fact, the more I try not to think about it the more it seems to weigh on me. The anything-but-a-rejection high versus the what-was-I-thinking low.

The only thing I do know is regardless of the outcome I am not going to give up. After all, imagine if these people had:

Harry Potter was rejected 8 times.

The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was rejected 104 times.

Stephen King’s Carrie was rejected 30 times.

Frank Herbert’s Dune was rejected 23 times.

Gone With the Wind was rejected 38 times.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull was rejected 18 times.

Watership Down was rejected 38 times.

M*A*S*H was rejected 17 times.

The Diary of Anne Frank was rejected 16 times.

Anne of Green Gables was rejected 4 times.

Catch-22 was rejected 21 times.

Chicken Soup for the Soul was rejected 140 times.

Twilight was rejected 14 times.

Motivational Monday

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000+10:00

If the sex scene doesn't make you want to do it - whatever it is they're doing - it hasn't been written right - Sloan Wilson

Magic

2012-01-12T06:00:00.001+10:00

I was at a birthday party for a 6 year old girl recently and her Mum had hired a magician to entertain the kids - and entertain he did. For *1 whole hour* 20 young children were entranced. For anyone who has anything to do with young children you will know that 1 hour of being entranced in front of anything that isn't a screen is amazing.

And it wasn't that he performed many magic acts. In fact, there were probably only about 6 tricks in the whole show. But what he did do was weave a story into the show that kept the kids spellbound. He talked for the whole hour, and the kids listened to every word. They laughed, squealed and held their breath as the story unfolded - the magic almost becoming the supporting act.

Words over a magician's tricks? For me that was the real magic.

Motivational Monday

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000+10:00

A story isn't about a moment in time, a story is about the moment in time. - W. D. Wetherell

The Year Ahead...

2012-01-05T06:00:00.000+10:00

I seem to have slid sideways from my goals for this writing year (which for me is September - August). I always take note in January to see how I am going and where I am aiming, and I seem to be on a detour, lol.

But that's okay.

I do have a clear view of what I am wanting, so I'll aim for that and see where it takes me. My biggest goal at the moment is to submit my wip. Sooner, rather than later, but better to have it shipshape than rush it. When I write "The End" I want to be sure it really is :-)

I'm still on track to attend conference, and I've made a conscience decision to hold back from contests for a while.

So my goals have reduced but I think that can only be a good thing (more focussed, right?). I guess time will tell.

Motivational Monday

2012-01-02T06:00:00.000+10:00

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.

~Edith Lovejoy Pierce~

Happy New Year's

2012-01-01T06:00:00.000+10:00

Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual (Mark Twain).

New Year's Resolution

2011-12-29T06:00:00.000+10:00

Every year I make New Year's Resolution/s - and this year is no different. For 2012 I resolve not to make a New Year's resolution! It isn't that I'm not striving to achieve something. I am. But I heard this quote by Henry Moore and thought it was one to live by. So this year I will:

...think in terms of the day’s resolutions, not the year’s.

What about you? To resolve or not? And do you succeed? Would love for you to share your thoughts.

Motivational Monday

2011-12-26T06:00:00.000+10:00

The measure of artistic merit is the length to which a writer is willing to go in following his own compulsions - John Updike

Wishing You All A Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T06:00:00.000+10:00

What I Want for Christmas...

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000+10:00

Guest: Author Rachel Johns

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000+10:00

Rachael Johns is an English teacher by trade, a mum 24/7, a chronic arachnophobic, a supermarket owner by day and a writer by night. She rarely sleeps.

As an active member of Romance Writers of Australia, Rachael has finaled and placed in a number of romance writing contests. Each success is uplifting and publication is her dream but even if none of this happened, she’d still write. It’s a much better option than ironing, which she refuses to partake in. Ever.

Rachael received The Call from Angela James telling her Carina wanted to publish her book on April Fools Day and, when she told her friends, half of them wondered if it was a big joke. Luckily it wasn’t.

Special days seems to be a theme for Rachael as her debut book (One Perfect Night) *released today* has a Christmas theme.

Below you'll find an excerpt from One Perfect Night, details of where to read more, purchase the book and enter to win a copy.

Thanks for visiting, Rachael.

Excerpt from One Perfect Night

“Don’t look now, but Mr. McSexy just entered the building.”

“Blast.” Peppa Grant spun round and did exactly what her best friend and colleague Izzy had ordered her not to. Her breathing faltered at the sight of six foot plus of unadulterated male who now towered at the entrance to the company’s function room. An anxious hush fell over the previously buzzing room. As all eyes snapped to him, she tried not to quake in her costume’s fairy shoes.

Until half an hour ago, Cameron McCormac had meant nothing more to Peppa than the new name at the very top of the office food chain. Now he was the man who owned the car she’d sideswiped in the car park tonight.

The dangerously handsome man who was making her pulse spike simply by standing in the doorway. “Oh, God.”

As Peppa pushed her barely touched glass out of reach and let her head fall onto the table in front of her, Izzy giggled.

“It’s. Not. Funny,” Peppa declared when she finally looked up. Her eyes sought the company’s new CEO again and she felt her heart collapse into her stomach.

“You’re right,” Izzy said, reaching out and stroking Peppa’s hair like a mother over a sick child. “If I’d just put a prize-winning dent in the big boss’s red, convertible pride and joy, I’d probably be at Sydney airport boarding a plane or planning to hitch a ride with Santa back to the North Pole.”

“Hilarious.” Peppa shot her friend a sarcastic smile. “Please tell me McSexy has just vanished up a chimney?”

Izzy took a sip of her chocolate mocktail, her sea-blue eyes sparking with laughter as she peered theatrically over Peppa’s head. “No can do. Looks like he’s doing the rounds, handing out candy canes or something to all the children. Molly must have put him up to it.”

Molly, although old enough to be his mother, was Mr. McCormac’s personal assistant. Rumor had it when he did anything remotely human, she’d put him up to it. She’d been with the company longer than anyone and was the brains behind this event, the annual Christmas party for children of Lyrique Recordings’ employees. Peppa had a fleeting fantasy of leaving a message with Molly about her little misdemeanor in the car park but that wouldn’t be right. And she hadn’t been brought up to take the easy option.

“I’ll do it now,” she said, resting a hand on her queasy belly as she pushed herself off the stool and onto quaky feet. Although whether her shakiness was from trepidation or her gorgeous boss’s sexy gait and air-of-confidence, she couldn’t be sure. “Confess before I’m due on stage and then, if he has any sympathetic bones in his body, he’ll let me entertain the kids before the crucifixion.”

“You’re such a drama queen,” sighed Izzy. “The top job pays well. He has enough money to line his undies drawer in gold. You apologize. You give him the details of your insurance company. You get on with your life. Simple.”

Simple. Right. But Izzy didn’t know that Peppa had just switched to a budget insurance provider. As she had never needed to claim in seven years of driving, the switch had seemed a good decision at the time. The upside was low monthly rates. The downside? A mammoth deductible on claims.

Well, that faux-pas may not only have cost Peppa her car and her job, but paying back the damage to the boss’s vintage Lamborghini would seriously endanger her ability to pay her mortgage. Not to mention she’d have to put her plans for an overseas holiday on hold—a holiday that had been all about helping her mind and emotions recover from the battering of the past few months.

“I think he’s looking at you.”

Izzy’s words broke Peppa’s reverie. And of course she looked up, across the room, only to find her gaze colliding with the Head Honcho himself. Her heart hitched a beat. Despite the distance she could see the roguish tilt of his lips, the slight frown of his distinguished black brows and that his devilish licorice eyes were trained on her. Dark-chocolate hair, speckled with naturally sun-kissed spikes, framed a face so chiseled it could have been carved from stone. A man so in-control of his world he had no reason to question it. Heat flooded her cheeks and, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention, Peppa forced herself to break her gaze.

If you’ve enjoyed this excerpt, you can read the first chapter of ONE PERFECT NIGHT at Rachael’s website, here.

Or, you can buy the book at Amazon (here) or Carina Press (here).

And to celebrate her debut release, Rachael is blogging today at the following places, giving away a copy of ONE PERFECT NIGHT at each spot:

· Get Lost in a Story

· Chick-lit Central

· Novel Thoughts

My First Guest Author

2011-12-15T06:00:00.000+10:00

I'm very excited to announce that on Monday, instead of my normal motivational post, I have my very first guest author visiting my blog.

What a wonderful way to finish off 2011. I hope that it is the lead-in for many firsts in 2012 (maybe a first sale? *wishing hard*).

Back to my guest. To find out who it is, to read an excerpt, and to find out where you can win a copy of her new release, you'll have to visit Monday.

Motivational Monday

2011-12-12T06:00:00.000+10:00

A writer never has a vacation. For a writer life consists of either writing or thinking about writing.

~ Eugene Ionesco ~

Never Say to Writers...

2011-12-08T06:00:00.000+10:00

Motivational Monday

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000+10:00

Only a person with a Best Seller mind can write Best Sellers - Aldous Huxley

Christmas Shopping

2011-12-01T06:00:00.000+10:00

It's done! All my Christmas presents are bought and wrapped and hidden away. Such a relief. I start my Christmas shopping in July and usually like to have it squared away before December, so I've just squeaked it in.

I love giving presents, and love planning what to get everyone so I (hopefully) can give them something that makes them smile. So for me shopping in advance lets me contemplate each and every gift - no last minute rush.

This year I am giving lots of books - no surprise there. The Hub is the exception this year - he's getting some (very) expensive rope for his rock climbing instead. Probably the first time he won't have any reading material under the tree. But for everyone else, mixed in with the toys, cds, sporting gear etc are books.

Lots and lots of books.

Motivational Monday

2011-11-28T06:00:00.000+10:00

Plotting isn't like sex, because you can go back and adjust it afterwards. Whether you plan your story beforehand or not, if the climax turns out to be the revelation that the mad professor's anti-gravity device actually works, you must go back and silently delete all those flying cars buzzing around the city on page one. If you want to reveal something, you need to hide it properly first - Colin Greenland

Selling Synopsis Finalists

2011-11-24T06:00:00.001+10:00

Congratulations to Marilyn Forsyth, Clare Jude, Eloise Shannon (twice!), Christine Taylor and Allison Withers who made the final round of the Selling Synopsis contest. Their synopsis entries are now with Laura Bradford of the Bradford Literary Agency for their final judging. Best of luck!!

Competition was a lot stiffer this year - I entered the same synopsis I entered last year and scored an almost identical score but dropped 6 places in the rankings. Like my High 5 I seem to have split the judges with very high scores from two judges being counter-balanced by a low score from a third. Considering I would rather go to the dentist than write a synopsis (in fact, I remember setting aside 2 weeks where I set the goal of writing my synopsis, and it took me the full two weeks to do so), I'm pretty happy with that.

Motivational Monday

2011-11-21T06:00:00.000+10:00

Plotting is like sex. Plotting is about desire and satisfaction, anticipation and release. You have to arouse your reader's desire to know what happens, to unravel the mystery, to see good triumph. You have to sustain it, keep it warm, feed it, just a little bit, not too much at a time, as your story goes on. That's called suspense. It can bring desire to a frenzy, in which case you are in a good position to bring off a wonderful climax - Colin Greenland

High 5 Results and Finalists

2011-11-17T06:00:00.001+10:00

Firstly, congratulations to the six finalists: Anne-Louise Dubrawski, Bernice Greenham, Cornelia Kamp, Dorothy Martin, Melissa Smith and Jennifer St George. At the moment their High 5 entries are in the hands of Harlequin's Charles Griemsman who is judging the final placings. Best of luck to all of you!

Now for my results. Another mixed bag (seems to be the norm for me). For my current wip I received two very high scores, but the third was quite low so dragged down my overall score - I seem to have that happen a lot! I think (reading between the lines of the judges' comments) that I have a good story and voice, but perhaps there were some elements of craft that let me down. So two judges went with the story and voice (hence the high score) and the other pulled me up on the craft (hence the low score). But I am not disappointed. The craft issues were pointed out to me before the results came back so I was expecting it, and I am thrilled that my story was loved.

What more could you ask for?

Motivational Monday

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000+10:00

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it; Boldness has genius, power and magic in it - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

SYTYCW #2

2011-11-10T06:00:00.000+10:00

Harlequin are again running their "So You Think You Can Write" week. It started Monday - but it isn't too late to join in and catch up.

This year they have a dedicated website (here) for the event, so it is much easier to follow and participate. Best of all, this year the big contest can lead to a publishing contract (you just need a full manuscript by Dec 15th).

This is the place to learn all you wanted to know about writing series romance!

Motivational Monday

2011-11-07T06:00:00.000+10:00

To the composition of novels and romances, nothing is necessary but paper, pens, and ink, with the manual capacity of using them. ~ Henry Fielding ~

The Perfect Job

2011-11-04T10:23:00.000+10:00

I've heard it said that ...the perfect job is the one you would do for free... I guess that just proves that writing is the perfect job for me. After all, I am doing it for free. At least for the moment I am. I hope that one day I'll be paid to write the stories in my head - to me that really would make it the perfect job!

What job would you do for free?

Motivational Monday

2011-10-31T06:00:00.000+10:00

The ideal view for daily writing, hour for hour, is the blank brick wall of a cold-storage warehouse. Failing this, a stretch of sky will do, cloudless if possible - Edna Ferber

Your Man Reminder

2011-10-27T06:00:00.000+10:00

Now if that doesn't get you thinking about giving your breasts some TLC - nothing will!!

Motivational Monday

2011-10-24T06:00:00.000+10:00

There is no idea so brilliant or original that a sufficiently-untalented writer can't screw it up.

~ Raymond Feist ~

Contests so far...

2011-10-20T06:00:00.000+10:00

I've entered both the High 5 contest (the first five pages of any category manuscript) and the Selling Synopsis contest so far this year. I'll be very interested to see how these go, as I have put in two entries in both: a new story and an old one.

I think my newest story shows growth with my writing, so am curious to find out how they go with the judges to see if they agree with me. I'm also curious to see how my old story (which has been entered in these contests previously) fares with different judges.

Seemed like fairly logical reasoning at the time.

Motivational Monday

2011-10-17T06:00:00.000+10:00

At one time I thought the most important thing was talent. I think now that the young man or the young woman must possess or teach himself, training himself, in infinite patience, which is to try and to try until it comes right. He must train himself in ruthless intolerance--that is to throw away anything that is false no matter how much he might love that page or that paragraph. The most important thing is insight, that is to be--curiosity--to wonder, to mull, and to muse why it is that man does what he does, and if you have that, then I don't think the talent makes much difference, whether you've got it or not.

~ William Faulkner ~

guilt

2011-10-13T06:00:00.000+10:00

I love to write. But finding the time to write without the burden of guilt is really difficult. You see, at the moment it is hard to justify the time I want to spend writing - instead I should be spending time with the family, doing housework, working in a job that pays actual money.

But I want to write. So I see my goal of being published as a solution to that guilt. If it is a job, a paying job, I can justify spending my time writing.

What about you? Do you feel guilt? If not, let me in on your secret so I too can write guilt free!

Motivational Monday

2011-10-10T06:00:00.000+10:00

Nothing, not love, not greed, not passion or hatred, is stronger than a writer's need to change another writer's copy - Arthur Evans

Nature or Nurture?

2011-10-06T06:00:00.000+10:00

I've always thought it would be a combination of both and that was confirmed at a workwhop I attended recently. Dr John Barletta, clinical psychologist, presented the workshop which examined how both nature and nurture can influence the development of behaviour and personality.

I loved the following quote from Dr Barletta's presentation:

It doesn't matter where you plant a pumpkin seed, it will always grow into a pumpkin. But how big, hardy and tasty it will be depends upon...? As our nature is a type of genetic endowment, nurture is the experience we have during our life time.

How does this relate to writing? I see it as being very strongly related to a character's behaviour and personality - and quite possibly the basis for the formulation of the internal conflict: It is a fallacy to believe that any behaviour that is genetically inherited cannot be modified over a lifetime...

So what has influenced your hero and heroine throughout their early years, combined with their genetic inheritance, will be what forms them as adults. And it is this behaviour they have to overcome to reach their Happy Ever After.

I can now see the possibilities for my heroes and heroines through consideration of the psychological aspect of their character development. Dr Barletta has a book coming out next year 'The Home Therapist' - a practical, self-help guide for everyday psychological problems. I think this is definitely a craft book I will have to buy.

Motivational Monday

2011-10-03T06:00:00.000+10:00

Every novel should have a beginning, a middle, and an end - Peter De Vries

Changes in Time

2011-09-29T06:00:00.000+10:00

A little over 3 years ago the twists and turns of life meant I was given a window of opportunity to focus seriously for the first time on my writing. With the fabulous support of my family my dream of being an author sparkled with a glimmer of hope.

In the intervening years I have learnt a great deal about the craft of writing and (hopefully) my writing has grown to reflect this.

Following from this I thought I'd share with you the openings of two stories - the first I wrote in September 2008 and the other which was rejected by Mills and Boon in May 2010 (my more recent writing is still being entered in contests so cannot be posted):

SHERIDAN glanced around the almost empty room, sighed, and wondered again over the events that had pushed her to this life. Running a speed dating agency in the backwater of Garagula was a far cry from the affluent lifestyle she had led as a Prescott in Brisbane. She missed the Café lifestyle, the designer clothes, partying with the rich and famous. The easy life, she reminded herself.

It was her impulsive nature that had got her into this, and her pride that was stopping her from returning home. It had all come to a head a month earlier, when she’d had another fight with her soon-to-be-husband Richard. He was so unreasonable, just because she’d wanted Cooktown Orchids for her bouquet. Alright, it was out of season, and it was going to cost three times as much – but surely a girl should be able to have the best for her wedding day? Their relationship had become more and more hostile of late, but this time it just got ugly. The memory of those last bitter words that had been hurled by her fiancé… ex-fiancé, still hurt, it panged her to admit. She wasn’t a spoilt little rich girl and she didn’t need Richard Delaney telling her she was.

PRINCESS Brigitta Von Vasa’s stomach churned as she glimpsed the dark suited man striding down the aisle of the Boeing 737. Peering between the seats in front of her, she tried to see his face, but the gap gave her nothing but a view of his torso. Even so, familiar broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist were enough to cause her worry.

He was almost upon her.

She buried herself behind her glossy magazine, oblivious to the words, but well aware of every movement behind the pages.

The footsteps stilled beside her. Flicking her eyes to the aisle, she could just make out gleaming leather shoes below sharply creased black trousers. Had her uncle already discovered her ruse? With heightened senses, she felt the cold chill of air-conditioning on her sweat drenched body. Heard the muted chatter of her fellow passengers, and smelt the spicy cinnamon fragrance of cologne.

Motivational Monday

2011-09-26T06:00:00.000+10:00

If procrastination was a religion, I’d have been discovered by village monks at age 3 and raised as a demigod, in seclusion, by monks.

Sara Hess

Juggling Life...

2011-09-22T06:00:00.000+10:00

School holidays again. Anyone with a better idea please let me know!

Motivational Monday

2011-09-19T06:00:00.000+10:00

Read, read, read. Read everything—trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the most. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out the window.

~ William Faulkner ~

My Hero and Heroine

2011-09-15T06:00:00.009+10:00

Thought I'd share pictures of the people who inspired the hero and heroine of my latest manuscript:

Eric Christian Olsen

Jillian Michaels

Motivational Monday

2011-09-12T06:00:00.004+10:00

The Contest Season is Here

2011-09-08T06:00:00.021+10:00

The first RWA contest closes in just 2 days. High 5 is for category writers and requires just the first 5 pages of your mansucript - after all, if these don't capture an editor the rest of the pages won't matter.

Not for you? RWA also has the STALI (single title and loving it), Selling Synopsis, Emerald (judged by readers), First Kiss and Valerie Parv Award. Amongst that mix there's a contest for everyone.

Why enter? There are a number of reasons to enter contests... getting your manuscript in front of an editor/agent if you final, anonymous feedback on your writing and incentive of the deadline.

If you want to know more, visit the contest page of RWA's webpage.

I'm going to be entering some contests again this year - wish me luck!

Motivational Monday

2011-09-05T06:00:00.000+10:00

The Six Golden Rules of Writing: Read, read, read, and write, write,write."

~Ernest Gaines~

Spring is HERE

2011-09-01T06:00:00.000+10:00

I've done it, survived another winter.

I understand why the birds are preening and chirping like crazy... I feel a little bit that way myself.

Motivational Monday

2011-08-29T06:00:00.000+10:00

The story I am writing exists, written in absolutely perfect fashion, some place, in the air. All I must do is find it, and copy it.

~Jules Renard, "Diary," February 1895 ~

Writing Goals

2011-08-25T06:00:00.005+10:00

September looms and with it the start of another writing year.

For the year just gone I didn't achieve all I set out to - but sometimes life throws curveballs you just don't expect. Even so, taking into account those curveballs, I am happy with what I have done. I entered 3 contests, submitted to Harlequin, completed a manuscript and started another. Not bad for a year with more ups and downs than a frog with hiccups.

What for the year ahead? The next twelve months are already shaping up to have a number of life challenges, but even so I'm determined to keep my writing steaming ahead. I may be reaching for the stars but I'm going to do my darndest to get them:

complete my wip (#1) and write a second manuscript (#2)
enter #1 in at least four Aussie contests
enter #2 in one contest
enter #1 in at least one US contest
submit #1
attend conference and pitch #2

In addition, should Harlequin run SYTYCW or Mills and Boon another New Voices I'll join in.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

Motivational Monday

2011-08-22T06:00:00.000+10:00

Post-RWAus Conference 2011

2011-08-18T06:00:00.000+10:00

Me in my Roaring 20's costume for the cocktail party.

Conference is over for another year, and what a weekend it was. There are so many amazing moments from the weekend it is hard to pick my favourites. From a non-writerly perspective it was so nice getting all my meals prepared and cleaned up for me, my bed made and linen washed and no-one to concern myself about except me. Definitely the icing on the cake as far as the weekend was concerned.

One of the highlights was meeting all my cyber-writing friends in the flesh - whether it was the first time or catching up again. I also met some absolutely lovely people I hadn't known before conference, but am very glad I have now. This may be part of the reason I have returned home with no voice!

My brain is swirling with all the new information I'm trying to absorb from the sessions I went to. For the first time I didn't automatically go to all the craft sessions and so have taken away from conference a lot of new information on other aspects of writing (but I did buy 4 new craft books...).

Overall, I think I loved conference because, like everyone says, it's the chance to be in a room full of people who get you.

See you all on the Gold Coast next year!

Motivational Monday

2011-08-15T06:00:00.000+10:00

Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.

- Jane Yolen -

RWAus Conference 2011

2011-08-11T06:00:00.000+10:00

Today is the official first day of my 2011 conference experience. Yippee!!

I actually arrived in Melbourne yesterday, but today it begins. I get to register, attend my first workshop session and start to catch up with all my writing buddies who spend most of the year existing only in the cyber world.

The workshop session is "Taking the terror out of pitching" (and if you read last week's post you'll know I'm really hoping this session will prepare me for my pitch).

I've chosen not to do the Warrior Writer workshop tomorrow (motivation I don't need - more hours in the day, yes... but I don't think the workshop will provide that, lol). The decision also stems from the fact that towards the end of conference my brain starts to fry - am hoping that this will help me pace myself. I am doing the slush pile session though, and of course tomorrow night is the cocktail party (which I am looking forward to).

Then the Sat/Sun workshops (and that was a difficult choice when deciding between sessions) and of course the awards dinner Sunday night.

This is also the first year I have stayed at the conference hotel (very exciting) and I hope this will make things a little more relaxing.

Before I know it conference will be over for another year, but I intend on enjoying every moment of this one!

Motivational Monday

2011-08-08T06:00:00.000+10:00

Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow -

Pitching At RWAus Conference

2011-08-04T06:00:00.000+10:00

In 6 days I fly to Melbourne for RWAus conference where I am pitching. Even though this is my 3rd conference it will be my first official face-to-face pitch. In 2009 it was an e-pitch and last year I elected not to pitch as I had just completed 5DI (RWA's intensive 5 day mentoring program) a few weeks earlier and conference was much too close for me to be ready to pitch.

So far my experiences have been very positive. Following my pitch submission in 2009 I was asked for rewrites before getting the dreaded rejection, and in 2010 I ended up talking with an agent at the cocktail party and being given their card and a request to submit upon completion of my manuscript (so much for not pitching, lol).

But I think the reality of a formal face-to-face pitch is going to be very different. I'm going to the bonus Thursday pitching session - I'm hoping it will help to get me over the line.

Good luck to anyone else pitching next week!!

Motivational Monday

2011-08-01T06:00:00.000+10:00

All the information you need can be given in dialogue.

- Elmore Leonard -

Melbourne in Winter - I Must Be Crazy!!

2011-07-28T06:00:00.000+10:00

I don't do cold.

It's that simple. I spend my entire winter trying to get warm. Be that as it may I am going to Melbourne in winter. I must be crazy!! I'm not worried about being indoors (in fact, indoors in Melbourne is probably warmer than indoors in Brisbane as our houses are designed to stay cool in hot, humid summers - and also have no internal heating). It's the outdoor bits I'm worried about. Mind you, I can probably keep them to a mimimum. Even so...

I have stood looking at my wardrobe and am certain I don't have the right sort of clothes. I've never been to Melbourne so have no idea what others wear. Anyone got any suggestions on what I should pack?

Motivational Monday

2011-07-25T06:00:00.000+10:00

You may be able to take a break from writing, but you won't be able to take a break from being a writer...

- Stephen Leigh -

My Virgin RWAus Conference

2011-07-21T06:00:00.000+10:00

I attended my first RWAus conference in Brisbane in 2009. I'd only been a member of RWA for a year and was both nervous and excited.

There are so many fabulous memories of that weekend (I don't think you ever forget your first *grin*) but one experience in particular stands out for me. I'd entered my first RWA contests in the lead up to the conference, and while not a finalist, was eagerly anticipating the announcements of those who were.

That night opened my eyes. There was a writer who not only placed - but placed with multiple manuscripts in multiple contests. Kylie Griffin managed 3rd and 4th in First Kiss, 2nd, 3rd, 4th in the Emerald and 1st and 3rd in the Valerie Parv award. With only 1 manuscript behind me, and little experience, I was amazed and determined.

The next day Kylie walked past me between workshop sessions. I gathered up all my courage, tried to hide my awe and said congratulations. As everyone says before you go to your first conference, don't worry, everyone is friendly. Absolutely true for Kylie. She stopped, smiled and said thanks. After that I have no recollection of a word of our conversation, lol.

Of course since then Kylie has continued to move onwards and upwards in the world of writing. Last year she came to conference with a new necklace - her prize for taking out a Golden Heart at RWAm's conference. This year she will be receiving her first sale ribbon (the cover of her first book with Berkley is pictured). Kylie still leaves me amazed and determined, but at least now I'm not terrified about saying congratulations.

Nearly two years on and I am no longer a newbie. I can't wait for the next conference in a few weeks time - I know what to expect and can't wait to catch up with everyone, including Kylie.

Motivational Monday

2011-07-18T06:00:00.000+10:00

It's better to write about things you feel than about things you know about.

- L. P. Hartley -

Writing in My Sleep

2011-07-14T06:00:00.000+10:00

Motivational Monday

2011-07-11T06:00:00.001+10:00

To Be Read...

2011-07-07T06:00:00.002+10:00

Recently I mentioned how big my TBR pile was. I thought I should take a photo of how it fills a bookcase!! Since the photo I've also filled the space on the bottom shelf.

The top two shelves are new romance books (top: category, second: single title), the third shelf mystery and Jane Austen's complete works and the bottom shelf a combination of romance single title and category (this is the shelf of books on loan).

I love having so many books on hand to read - but hate that I rarely get time to indulge. It also makes it difficult choosing the next one *grin*. Not sure what I'm going to do with all the books I'm bound to come home with from RWAus conference. I guess I'm just going to have to find more time to read.

Motivational Monday

2011-07-04T06:00:00.000+10:00

In science there is a dictum: don't add an experiment to an experiment. Don't make things unnecessarily complicated. In writing fiction, the more fantastic the tale, the plainer the prose should be. Don't ask your readers to admire your words when you want them to believe your story.

- Ben Bova -

Roaring 20s

2011-06-30T06:00:00.023+10:00

This year the theme for the RWAus conference cocktail party is the Roaring 20s. I'm very excited as I love the fashions of the twenties - although I don't actually own any and am still yet to organise a costume for myself. I love the idea of going as a flapper, although I think there will be quite a few there!

But I'd happily go with a dress of the times, the funky hats they wore with them and a few sets of beads.

Don't know what they wore back then? Here is a still from a great movie set in the early 1920's "Thoroughly Modern Millie", and a sketch of one of the dresses worn by Julie Andrews during the film.

Motivational Monday

2011-06-27T06:00:00.006+10:00

When I let go of what I am I become what I might be.

~ Lao tzu ~

Tick Tock

2011-06-23T06:00:00.027+10:00

Time just slips through my fingers. I'm not sure where it goes - I wonder if I have goblins lurking in the shadows stealing a second here, a minute there.

At the start of this month I joined in RWA's 50k in 30 Days. Like I do every time, I set the goal posts high (50k) and like every other year it seems I'm not quite going to make it. There's still one week to go, so I need to make every second count... and to keep out of the way of the goblins. Tick tock.

Motivational Monday

2011-06-20T06:00:00.004+10:00

“Don't get it right, just get it written”

James Thurber

Sweet Blog Award

2011-06-16T06:00:00.033+10:00

This award was given to me by one of Carina Press' latest and greatest finds, the gorgeous Rachael Johns.

Now I'm sure I only got it because I've promised her an irresistibly sweet chocolate cake recipe *wink*, but I'll gladly accept in full oscar style *grin*.

All I have to do is share seven random facts about myself and nominate other wonderfully sweet blog friends...

I don't do cold weather.
My 'to be read' pile is now so big it has its own bookshelf.
I love lists.
I'm a combination of a plotter and scener.
My favourite colour is green.
The first book I ever subbed was a children's book.
I love eurovision and watch it every year.

Now to the fun part, nominating some fab blog friends for the award (to participate if they so desire):

Motivational Monday

2011-06-13T06:00:00.000+10:00

Novel in a Month

2011-06-09T06:00:00.043+10:00

Once again I am participating in Romance Writers of Australia's 50k in 30 Days. Like Nanowrimo, the object is to write 50,000 words in 30 days, except during the month of June.

I've got off to a dismal beginning. The starting gun went bang and I'm still lingering near the start line. It's not that I haven't tried writing, it's that my characters were hiding in the back room with the light turned off. I just couldn't see them. I knew a bit about my story and had worked out the conflicts, had an idea for the black moment... even so, I couldn't get a word down. Talk about pulling teeth!

Then, in one of those 3am epiphanies that have you reaching for pen and paper in the dark, it came to me. I needed to shift one little thing in my story and suddenly my characters were happy. It was like in the movie Labyrinth and I could suddenly move past the brick wall that was in my way.

The reason I hadn't been able to write was because subconsciously I knew what I was writing wasn't what my story needed. It really did feel like a wall inside me came crashing down. I feel calmer, enthused and excited - even though the daily word count I need is now a little scary.

Now my characters are happy to play and the words are flowing. I might be starting behind the eight ball with my word count, but my characters are as eager as me to get the words down. Who knows, I may make the 50k after all.

Motivational Monday

2011-06-06T06:00:00.010+10:00

The reason 99% of all stories written are not bought by editors is very simple. Editors never buy manuscripts that are left on the closet shelf at home.

- John Campbell -

Trust yourself

2011-06-02T06:00:00.002+10:00

One of the hardest things I find with writing is trusting myself. I have learnt so much about the craft of writing, but often I find myself worrying when I write because I know I'm telling not showing, or using too many adverbs, or not keeping the conflict strong.

To be successful you need to trust yourself. Trust that what you can do will get you there. This was brought home to me this week when I was sent a link to a you tube clip from Australia's Got Talent 2011. The bloke in this clip trusted himself utterly - and while not a conventional approach, he won the day.

I need to remember this.

Motivational Monday

2011-05-30T06:00:00.006+10:00

If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor.

~ Edgar Rice Burroughs ~

Grammar

2011-05-26T06:00:00.007+10:00

The way texting and the like has afffected people's use of grammar gets up my nose, and when this landed in my inbox I had to share...

In the world of hi-tech gadgetry, I've noticed that more and more people who send text messages and emails have long forgotten the "art" of capitalization.

Those of you who fall into this world, please take note of the statement below. I cannot stress enough how grammar is very important to it.

Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off his horse and helping your uncle jack off his horse.

Motivational Monday

2011-05-23T06:00:00.009+10:00

The difference between the impossibile and the possible lies in a person's determination.

~ Tommy Lasorde ~

Love to Write

2011-05-19T06:00:00.017+10:00

This is what I am doing again now that life has settled down and I can focus on my writing. I missed writing for pleasure but it still took a little to climb back on, to realise the thrill of putting my story down - it's hard to get back into the groove - but now that I have I've truly rediscovered the love affair I'd had to put on hold.

I'm whole again.

Motivational Monday

2011-05-16T06:00:00.007+10:00

Get it down.

Take chances.

It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good.

- William Faulkner -

Hug O'War

2011-05-12T06:00:00.004+10:00

Had a bit of a rough time of late and found this poem which really resonated with me so I wanted to share...

I will not play at tug o’war.
I’d rather play at hug o’war,

Where everyone hugs

Instead of tugs,

Where everyone giggles

And rolls on the rug,

Where everyone kisses,

And everyone grins,

And everyone cuddles,

And everyone wins.

by Shel Silverstein (from Where the Sidewalk Ends)

Motivational Monday

2011-05-09T06:00:00.007+10:00

The trees that are slow to grow bear the most fruit.

~ Moliere ~

Back to Writing

2011-05-05T06:00:00.032+10:00

This year I had to return to study. If I'd had the choice I wouldn't have, but unfortunately it was necessary to keep my job. It has been a challenge trying to juggle work, home life, writing and study - something had to give and unfortunately it was writing.

I didn't stop writing, but it slowed to a crawl. I've been plotting. In fact I tried out a few different storylines until I found the one that felt *right* for me at the moment. I haven't started writing, but that is about to change as I have just submitted my last assessment item.

It is going to be a challenge getting my head back into non-technical mode. Hopefully it won't take long. I am so very much looking forward to writing again. To try and make up for the delay in starting my new ms I am aiming for between 5k and 6k per week. We'll see. The progress bar on the side of my blog will let you know how I go.

Motivational Monday

2011-05-02T06:00:00.003+10:00

Write freely and as rapidly as possible and throw the whole thing on paper. Never correct or rewrite until the whole thing is down. Rewriting in process is usually found to be an excuse for not going on.

~ John Steinbeck ~

Back up, back up, back up!

2011-04-28T06:00:00.022+10:00

I've been doing an editing course run by Angela James (fantastic by the way). One of the things I've learnt during this course is about using clouds as a back up method. If you are like me you think clouds are only found in the sky, but apparently not.

At the moment I use DVD's, flash drives and windows live office to back up my work. But it was a bit ad hoc. I wouldn't do it every day. I was definitely putting too much faith in my laptop.

But now I don't have to worry. I'm using a cloud back up system. There are a few around that are free (DropBox, and the one I've chosen SugarSync). SugarSync gives 5MB free space and you select the folders you want to be backed up. Then every single time you save a file in a folder that you've added to SugarSync it backs it up *immediately*. It runs in the background all the time - so if you lase your hard-drive, you don't lose any information.

Even better, you can set up your tablet, smartphone or another computer with SugarSync which means you don't have to worry about transporting files. You can log into your SugarSync account and access them straight away - no confusing your current version or accidently saving over something.

I feel much better knowing my work is automatically being backed up the minute I save it.

Motivational Monday

2011-04-25T07:43:00.000+10:00

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Lest We Forget.

Happy Easter

2011-04-21T06:00:00.008+10:00

Motivational Monday

2011-04-18T06:00:00.005+10:00

Never give up! Never surrender! ~ Galaxy Quest

Music... or Not

2011-04-14T06:00:00.060+10:00

I create in silence, I analyse to noise.

This strange fact hit me this week while trying to write a major uni essay. It just wasn't working for me and I couldn't work out why. Then I thought back to my early uni days and realised I did all my study to music.

You see, in the time I have been writing romance I have learnt I work best when I listen to music before I start to write (for inspiration) but once I start to write I need quiet!

Yet to write an academic paper I listen to upbeat music while doing research, then music without lyrics (or I find myself singing) while writing the paper.

I guess it's that right brain/left brain thing again.

Research music example

Academic writing music example

Creative writing inspiration music example

Motivational Monday

2011-04-11T06:00:00.009+10:00

You must want it enough.

Enough to take all the rejections, enough to pay the price of disappointment and discouragement while you are learning. Like any other artist you must learn your craft

-- then you can add all the genius you like.

~ Phyllis Whitney

No Such Thing as a New Plot

2011-04-07T06:00:00.021+10:00

Take a plot and put your own unique twist on it... I've heard that time and time again.

The best example of how doing this works that I think I've come across is by comedians Axis of Awesome - not exactly where you'd think to look but their "Four Chord Song" really does demonstrate it beautifully. I'll leave it to them to explain...

Motivational Monday

2011-04-04T06:00:00.011+10:00

You may be disappointed if you fail,

but you are doomed if you don't try.

~ Beverly Sills

A Moment on the Lips...

2011-03-31T06:00:00.005+10:00

One option for Thursday's tours at RWAus conference in August is a chocolate tour *drool*. That could have been made for me. A few hours of chocolate tasting - Lindt, Cacao, Haighs and Koko Black - is my idea of heaven.

But (there is always a butt when it comes to chocolate) I am flying down early to allow myself time to settle in and write and prep for my pitch. My first conference session is straight after the tour. Can I be strong and focus on my writing, or will the urge to indulge win out?

I don't know right now. Maybe I need to think about how 2 hours of chocolate indulgence is going to look at the awards dinner on Saturday night. I don't really need the lifetime on the hips.

Motivational Monday

2011-03-28T06:00:00.003+10:00

Brain Meltdown

2011-03-24T06:00:00.041+10:00

This year I have had to go back to uni. Not because I have any deep-seated need to study, but because if I want to keep my job I have to do this.

I'm finding it very difficult to write my assignments. Not the word count. Those piddly little numbers, eg 2000 words, are but a blink now I'm used to writing 50-70 thousand words. It's the writing style.

I'd forgotten what it was like when I started writing seriously and had to switch off my scientific brain and switch on my creative one. I think that was much easier to do than switching the other way. Possibly because I am still *trying* to keep my creative writing flowing all the while trying to write academic reports. Talk about brain meltdown.

The father of the brain dominance field is Ned Herrmann. In essence his work showed the left brain controls analytical and sequential thinking and the right brain controls interpersonal and imaginative. So to effectively write my univeristy assignments I need to activate my left brain - all the while keeping my right brain functioning for my creative writing.

My brain is at war with itself and I'm not sure what the outcome will be.

Motivational Monday

2011-03-21T06:00:00.010+10:00

There's no such thing as writer's block.

That was invented by people in California who couldn't write.

~ Terry Pratchett

Understanding Men - an Online Course

2011-03-17T07:05:00.000+10:00

Do you wish you had a better understanding of men? Now is your chance to improve your real-life relationships with men and enhance your male characters all through taking the same course.

In this class, Dr. Debra will considerably expand on the workshop she has given at the 2001 National Romance Writers of America Conference and around the country to various Romance Writers of America chapters and conferences. (She will give the workshop again, at the Romance Writers of America conference in 2011.) Although this class is geared to writers, non-writers will also find the class helpful in improving their relationships with men.

In the five-week online class, you will learn how the male brain and hormones makes a man think, feel, and behave, especially in relationships. We will also discuss how men are portrayed in romance novels versus how men are in real life.

Dr. Holland has also added a segment covering the anatomy and physiology of male sexuality, as well as male sexual responses, attitudes, and behavior.

Costs: RWAust Members US$25, Non-members US$35

Course: Monday 2 May 2011 - Friday 3 June 2011

Registration is open and closes 22 April 2011. Click here to register.

Motivational Monday

2011-03-14T06:00:00.004+10:00

Books aren't written, they're rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't quite done it...

~ Michael Crichton

Dreaded Synopsis Time Again

2011-03-10T06:00:00.004+10:00

I'm starting a new manuscript and have been in the early stages of planning. I'm about to embark on the next stage of my plotting process - the DREADED SYNOPSIS. I've decided it helps with my plotting, keeps me focussed on the hero and heroine and their conflicts, and to be honest, gets the icky bit over with so I can relax and enjoy the writing *grin*.

I just hope synopsis writing gets easier with practice, although I have a sneaking suspicion it doesn't. Just how difficult it is to write a synopsis is obvious by the software I found (see image). If they were easy people wouldn't have seen a market for the software. Mind you, if the software was that good I think it would be embraced and talked about in hushed and worshipping whispers everywhere.

I guess there is nothing for it but to dig in and write (with a good supply of chocolate at my elbow *grin*).

Motivational Monday

2011-03-07T06:00:00.004+10:00

Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.

- E. L. Doctorow

Law of the Garbage Truck

2011-03-03T06:00:00.013+10:00

My Dad sent this to me and just lately it's been appropriate:

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.

We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.

As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.

Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so ...

Love the people who treat you right.

Motivational Monday

2011-02-28T06:00:00.011+10:00

Make everybody fall out of the plane first, and then explain who they were and why they were in the plane to begin with.

Nancy Ann Dibble

The Mathematics Behind Conflict

2011-02-24T06:00:00.098+10:00

Conflict between characters is one of the pivotal elements that keep a reader turning the pages. I was thinking about this during the week and it came to me that conflict reminded me of the fractal poster my brother had on his wall when we were kids.

If you aren't familiar with them fractals make great artwork - not only the man-made kind, but the sort nature makes as well.

As a side note - hopefully when finished our stories are also a work of art. But it's not the art work I was thinking of.

A story needs an over-reaching conflict. The *something* that keeps the hero and heroine apart. And the *something* that makes the reader wonder how it can possibly work out - and turn the page.

So how does all this relate to maths?

According to wikipedia, fractals are: a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts, each of which is (at least approximately) a reduced-size copy of the whole.

In otherwords, fractals are a complicated mathematical formula.

Like fractals, the conflict between our hero and heroine is always complicated. Our story is split into parts (scenes) each of which includes (at least approximately) a small part of the conflict.

And like fractals, the conflict starts out big, but finishes as a tiny piece of nothing - the moment of the happy ever after.

So thanks to my brother's poster, I now see fractals as the mathematical answer to conflict.

Motivational Monday

2011-02-21T06:00:00.019+10:00

Forget all the rules.

Forget about being published.

Write for yourself and celebrate writing.

Melinda Haynes

Musings of a Writer - Anita Joy

English Really is Crazy

Motivational Monday

Believe in Yourself

Motivational Monday

Magic

Motivational Monday

The Year Ahead...

Motivational Monday

Happy New Year's

New Year's Resolution

Motivational Monday

Wishing You All A Merry Christmas

What I Want for Christmas...

Guest: Author Rachel Johns

My First Guest Author

Motivational Monday

Never Say to Writers...

Motivational Monday

Christmas Shopping

Motivational Monday

Selling Synopsis Finalists

Motivational Monday

High 5 Results and Finalists

Motivational Monday

SYTYCW #2

Motivational Monday

The Perfect Job

Motivational Monday

Your Man Reminder

Motivational Monday

Contests so far...

Motivational Monday

*guilt*

Motivational Monday

Nature or Nurture?

Motivational Monday

Changes in Time

Motivational Monday

Juggling Life...

Motivational Monday

My Hero and Heroine

Motivational Monday

The Contest Season is Here

Motivational Monday

Spring is HERE

Motivational Monday

Writing Goals

Motivational Monday

Post-RWAus Conference 2011

Motivational Monday

RWAus Conference 2011

Motivational Monday

Pitching At RWAus Conference

Motivational Monday

Melbourne in Winter - I Must Be Crazy!!

Motivational Monday

My Virgin RWAus Conference

Motivational Monday

Writing in My Sleep

Motivational Monday

To Be Read...

Motivational Monday

Roaring 20s

Motivational Monday

Tick Tock

Motivational Monday

Sweet Blog Award

Motivational Monday

Novel in a Month

Motivational Monday

Trust yourself

Motivational Monday

Grammar

Motivational Monday

Love to Write

Motivational Monday

Hug O'War

Motivational Monday

Back to Writing

guilt