Dreaded Synopsis

I don't know of many people who enjoy writing a synopsis - I certainly don't. However, I've discovered that  for me writing a synopsis (no matter how good or bad) is something I have to do as part of my plotting process.

So to find out I've finalled in Romance Writers of Australia's Selling Synopsis contest is a huge thrill. The entry is now in the hands of the finals judge (Emily Sylvan Kim, Prospect Agency).

Best of luck to the other finalists:  Marnie Griffith, Kylie Kaden, Cassandra Pennington, Ruth Sutcliffe and Christine Taylor.

Motivational Monday

 

Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable. 

~Francis Bacon~

Big Bang Theory Flash Mob

I am a huge fan of the show Big Bang Theory. It seems the actors on the show have a sense of fun away from their scripts as well. Watch the following flash mob that Kaley Cuoco (Penny in the show) organised and got her sister to choreograph. They sprang it on the audience during filming in November 2012 - and surprised showrunners Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady and Steve Molaro (if you're a fellow fan make sure you watch all the way to the end).

Motivational Monday

  Would-be writers can be easily intimidated by professional writers describing rituals and tools, whether simple or sophisticated. It’s simple: You sit down and you write. Just do it. The chair should be comfortable enough to support you for several hours. If you can’t think of what to write, look out the window and write about what you see–get going from there.

 ~Jacqueline Winspear~

This Should Explain All...

(for more fab work from Debbie Ohi visit her here)

Motivational Monday

Failure is just another way to learn how to do something right.

~Marian Wright Edelman~

  

My 2013 goals

Last week I talked about my writing goals, which really had nothing to do with the fact it is the beginning of the year and everything to do with the fact the dramas of the last 6 months are over.

Now normally I don't do New Year Resolutions, but Heckle decided the family needed to sit down and each set some for 2013. So we did. We wrote them and then shared them. The Hub has resolved to do more outdoor family activities (like camping), Jeckle wants to play everyday with his big brother, while Heckle wants to have a set daily routine (his mother's son *grin*) and improve his behaviour (which is actually pretty good anyway, but I wasn't going to dissuade him).

As for me, I was careful to set two resolutions I'm pretty sure I can meet without too much drama. The first was to spend more time having fun with my family. Not that I haven't but the last couple of years have been pretty full on, and I feel I haven't done as much with them as I have wanted to.

The second was to make time for me. Again, with the craziness of the last few years I've pushed myself to the bottom of the pile. 2013 is going to turn that around.

To be honest, it's been a few years of total chaos, finishing with a complete change of life for us in late 2012. But I really believe that change heralds the start of a much more peaceful time in our lives (and I am going to hang onto that belief for as long as I can!!). I guess only time will tell.

What about you? Did you set any resolutions for 2013?

Motivational Monday

Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness.  One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.  

~George Orwell, "Why I Write," 1947 ~ 

My Writing Goals

My writing goals usually run from September through until August (based on Romance Writers of Australia's contest year). Unfortunately, the day after the annual RWA conference was the day we discovered we were packing our bags and moving 1,600km south for The Hubs work.

So rather than thinking about goals (or writing, for that matter) I was readying our house to sell, packing, house hunting and moving. Then followed the resettling of Heckle and Jeckle into a new school, sports etc. Follow that up with Christmas and the last 4 months have slid by without any resemblance to the routine I was used to.

Finally I seem to have some time to me again. So here are my goals for the rest of my writing year:

1. finish editing my Emerald entry in case it makes round 2
2. finish the first draft of the manuscript (and edit) started back in mid-2012
3. submit manuscripts

Not extensive, but achievable.

What are your goals for 2013?

Happy New Year

Wishing you a year of success and infinite reasons to smile.

Happy New Year.