Brainstorming

I decided to give myself a break from Boneknapper over the weekend and glanced through some story ideas I had come up with over the last couple of years. Most were pretty lame and were shoved back into the Idea folder. But, one held my attention for more than five minutes, and that's all it really takes for me to begin fleshing out the basic story plot.

I love how one simple word or phrase can turn into a diamond of a story. I enjoy brainstorming with the who, what, where, when, and why. It's amazing all the possibilities I come up with. Just like how a grain of sand can turn into a beautiful pearl!

I start off with the 'what if' game (I really enjoy this part). For example, with Boneknapper: What if someone stole a finger from a grave to exact revenge through Voodoo?

1) a crazed lunatic who fed off of misery? (not revenge)

2)revenge because her son was accidentally killed and no one was paying the price? Much better as it pulls out more raw emotion in the story and readers might have a tiny bit of sympathy for my villian.

(I have arrows pointing in two different directions much like a family tree.)

And it just exploded from there. Ideas flew through my brain so quick, I had a hard time keeping up to jot them all down! My simple tree became a whippoorwill.

The same thing happened over the weekend when I allowed my brain to wander (of course I had to keep reminding myself it was okay to be completely open minded and anything was possible). I think I came up with a somewhat unique paranormal story with a spirit, and boy am I excited about it! Of course it'll be a suspense because that's what I write :)

And I am continuing with another story I began to flesh out some last year for the fast tracking of Harlequin's Medical line. I've become a busy little beaver.

So, I'm curious. What is your form of brainstorming?

The Dreaded List for 2011

Happy New Year Everyone! I don't know about anyone else, but I'm glad to put the holidays behind me. I'm not a bah-humbug. It can take a lot out of you, distracting me from my goals. Again, I'm glad to have spent Christmas with a part of my family (having children scattered and unable to come home for the holidays was the only bad part). But, now it's back to work!

So, as with tradition, everyone likes to make their list for the following year in hopes of sticking to it. I was never that good at it. Although, my goal last year was to quit smoking, and I did successfully quit in March. So, maybe it is possible to keep up with my list and hold myself to a higher standard. The following is mine:

1) Stop procrastinating. This is such a bad habit to break, but one I intend to succeed at.

2) To submit my WIPs, and with a little luck and a lot of my own creative writing, get published.

3) To give my critique partners better critiques on time.

4) To involve myself more over at Savvy Authors.

5) To continue in learning and growing within my craft.

6) To read more leisurely. I've missed out on a few of my favorite authors' books and need some me time in whatever far away world they have written about.

7) Blog regularly here :)

I think I'll keep the list short. This way I know I can keep to it.

What are your goals for the new year?

Break Time

I learned so much from participating in NaNo over on Savvy Authors. The first valuable lesson was focus. I, like a lot of people, procrastinate. You know, the 'oh, I can write that last paragraph later tonight'. And then, later tonight comes and *poof*-nothing. But, in NaNo, you can't do that. Well, you could, but what would be the sense in participating? I was able to complete Secrets of Jenkins Bridge (the last 8500 words) in a very short amount of time. So short, in fact, that I was able to spend the rest of the month editing it.

Which brings me to Lesson two: Do Not Edit Right Away. At first, it was fine. I slashed my first chapter apart and it so needed it. Unloaded lots of unneeded words and scenes and got rid of the prologue. It made for a much tighter beginning. But, I had to stop myself after that. I was starting to find myself slashing things that would change the course of my story. So, when it is said to set the story aside for at least two weeks before beginning the editing process, it's a wise decision.

So, I have given myself permission (Yes, this actually does have to be done at times) to walk away from it and move on to my next project, Boneknapper. I've managed in the last couple of weeks to plot out my scenes for the first two chapters. This is something new I'm trying. With Secrets of Jenkins Bridge, I just wrote by the seat of my pants. This time I'm trying to loosely plot. Boneknapper is about a doctor, who along with a judge, a DA, and a taxi driver, has been vexed by the father of a young boy who tragically died by a freak car accident. The doctor couldn't save the boy, and the judge and DA both agreed it was an accident-not charging the taxi driver with any crime. This lays the groundwork for curses on all of them-using deceased human bones. Yeah, I know. Voodoo doesn't use human bones. But, I came across a couple of stories (out of Africa) where it was suspected a couple of people were kidnapping and killing children for use of their bones in sacrifices, curses, and so forth. This is what made me choose my story. But I certainly didn't want to write about some crazy going around killing kids. Not my cup of tea.

I'm basically finding myself to be more of a plotter than a panster. What are you? And do you set aside your manuscript for a couple of weeks before editing or do you do it right away??

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I feel the need to write about everything I am thankful for this year and since it's Thanksgiving, now is the perfect time.

First and foremost, I am thankful for my husband and my kids who put up with my insane obsession at times concerning my writing. Especially at times when I'm suppose to be paying attention to whatever cartoon or show they are watching and I have my laptop with me :) Or while cooking supper. Not to mention my papers lying all over the house. And, at times, all over my desk at the motorcycle shop. Without their support and complete understanding, I wouldn't be writing right now. For example, I asked my daughter to straighten my hair today. While she is doing this not-so-easy chore (I have thick hair), I am sitting here blogging this. I'm sure she's enjoying yanking my head all over the place. Yup, she has a smile on her face. You don't get too many chances to torture Mom. I'm also thankful to all my extended family and friends who put up with my whining when things become unbearable at times of great upheaval. I'm sorry we don't get to talk as often as we should (without the whining:) of course).

Secondly, I'm incredibly thankful for my critique partners. They have taught me a lot in the short time we've been together. They've helped with my confidence in myself and pushed me to become a better writer. They are very talented writers and I couldn't ask for any better. They are my cheerleaders and my friends. Thanks Twinkies :)

I am thankful to Melinda, in particular, for showing me the way to Savvy Authors. The members there are wonderful and encouraging. The wealth of information here has helped make me a better writer. The workshops are sensational and informative. I've begun modding some of the workshops and am meeting some incredible and talented authors along the way. Thank you Melinda.

I'm thankful to God for all things, even when I don't understand why whether it's good or bad. It's good enough for me to know that everything happens for a reason and it's leading to wherever I'm suppose to be going in this crazy world.

There are plenty more reasons I'm thankful. Just too many to list here.

So, tell me, what are you thankful for?

For free clip art: "Free Gifs & Animations" http://www.fg-a.com

I'm Thankful For The Heroic Firefighter

The firefighter. Dangerously hot with a smoking body. Add in the picture of him standing only in his helmet and boots. Whew! Did I say HOT?? Now, add in the hose, and….well….you get the drift. Fanning myself J

We writers at CBC would like to present our blog fest Heroes We Are Thankful For in time for Thanksgiving!

The hero I’m thankful for: the firefighter. He risks his life everyday, every single time the alarm goes off in the station or a call comes over the scanner, regardless of the time-day or night. He drops everything and races to save a building, a forest, and/or lives. A small part of him is afraid, but he pushes the fear down and moves forward with determination, regardless of his own life. He will put others ahead of himself. And he will have his fellow firefighter’s backs. They are a family and treat each other as such.

For example, Joaquin Phoenix plays firefighter Jack Morrison in Ladder 49. The movie does end badly (sorry for the spoil for those who haven’t seen it yet), which ripped my heart out, but Jack’s the epitome of your everyday firefighter who risks his life to save another. His fellow buddies work to rescue him, but Jack knows it’s hopeless. He doesn’t want any others to die, telling them to get out of the warehouse, and he accepts his fate. Talk about a powerful punch, and that’s only a movie.

There are the firefighters from the 9/11 tragedies, who went in to help anyone they could, and some didn’t make it back out. All of them, the ones who died and the ones who lived, are heroes I’m thankful for.

The local firefighters in your own backyard are as much heroes as any others, carrying the burden of risk at whatever cost, including death. HEROES!

And, let’s not leave out the fact-they’re HOT in their uniforms. A nice perk.

Who couldn’t fall in love with a man who takes risks, puts his life on the line everyday for everyone else? This type of man would move heaven and earth to keep you safe, would put you first (outside of his responsibilities with firefighting), and hell, the added bonus? Donning only the helmet and the boots for your own private showing! YUM!

Now, go on and check out my fellow CBC writers’ blogs as they talk about the heroes they are thankful for.

http://ella-dane.blogspot.com/

http://lcchase.blogspot.com/

http://calisa-lewis.blogspot.com/

http://allysoncarter.blogspot.com/

http://www.kristinaknightauthor.com/applications/WebBlogManager/inc_webblogmanager.asp

http://chrisbwritin.blogspot.com/

http://writingnotwhining.blogspot.com/

It's done!

Yay me!! My manuscript is done! Now for the title, lol. And some major editing. Arg. Such is life.

A well deserved thank you to my fellow Twinkies over at CBC. Y'all have taught me so much and have helped me grow as a writer. Each one of you are truly the world's best critique partners a girl could ask for!

I'm just glad to finally be done with the first draft. (Actually, I felt like I've edited a few times, but learned through wise ones that it definitely needs an overhaul.) I'm figuring that maybe I could accomplish this by the end of NaNo (November). Maybe.

Then I can move on to the next one screaming out to me-even while I sleep. Crazy you say? Not for us writers. It seems our characters speak to us, wanting us to write their stories-some quietly, others rather loud. Some even kicking and screaming. I know, it does sound pretty nutty. Hell, I thought so too-until it happened to me. It's all good. And unless you're a writer, you'll never know.

Don't miss out on Monday's blog as my fellow Twinkies and I blog about The Heroes We are Thankful For. Yummy heroes!!

It's been quite awhile

Way too long in fact. I've been working and playing catch up.

I've been modding and taking some workshops over at Savvy Authors. Some great workshops and awesome people over there. I'm learning so much, and it's definitely helping to improve my writing.

My current WIP's first rough draft is almost done, thanks to NaNo. I've never tried it before, but it works for me. It's pushing me along, but it is hard not to go back and edit anything. As a matter of fact, it's driving me crazy, but that's how NaNo works.

Someone had given me an awesome idea on how to shut up my editing side (trust me, it needs to). I just need to buy some headphones. While working on my current WIP, I need to put on some music, "crank that sh*t up", and let my brain's right side take control. I'll let you all know how that goes.

After NaNo, I'm putting away my current WIP for a month and will begin my next one-Boneknapper. This one is going to be lots of fun to write with some black magic going on and one HOT stingy doctor who needs the love of one equally HOT female detective. They will have to travel to Jamaica to get to the bottom of the crimes and to reverse the doctor's curse that was placed upon him. Stay tuned....(Yup, I'm going on vacation in December to Jamaica! Yay!) It's been at least 5 years since the last time we went.

Next Monday, my fellow Twinkies and I will be blogging about Heroes We Are Thankful For, and I promise these are going to be some HOT heroes! Yum Yum!

As far as keeping up with my blog, I make no promises. Every time I do, something crazy happens. It's called LIFE, lol.

See y'all next week for our blogfest!!!