Tuesday evening from The Cottage of Blog
Good evening from The Cottage of Blog.
So far, writing wise, this has been an unproductive day. I did finished Joanna Wayne's "Gentleman's Club," a romantic suspense I highly recommend. And, I read chapter 1 of Dwight Swain's "techniques of the Selling Writer," Then I read chapter 2 and followed up with chapter 3. The chapter that I marked up the most though was the chapter on building conflict. Then I took a nap.
Why do I write?
That title sounds like a student's 'going back to school' theme. "What I did on my summer vacation."
I write because I've had all these stories in my head since I was five, and if I didn't say I was a "writer" someone would probably think I had a bad bout of Schizophrenia.
I don't know if most people fantasize. I haven't stopped since I was born, I think. I've never done a study on the subject, but someone should. A novelist is a writer who puts those fantasies down on paper. Hopefully, in a well constructed and organized manner.
Writing is hard work. I'm not going to lie and say I do it because "it's like breathing." It isn't. It's harder than breathing. It drains me of all mental energies. I can see this vapor form around my brain cells and stream directly inside my computer, and zap life into some poor unsuspecting character. Sort of like transferring blood. Or Frankenstein.
I'm lucky. Very lucky. I teach and that gives me the summers and many weeks off during the school year. I may moan and groan about my lifeless body when I get home at night, but in reality, many writers have it a lot worse. I have a boyfriend (yes I do) who's supportive. He listens to those whines. Then he sat and LISTENED to me read every single word of "In the Arms of the Enemy." I don't know many husbands who would do that.
I'm also lucky to be living in a generation of computers. I can't see myself typing on an old manual typewriter with paper and carbon. How writers of the past ever got their manuscripts in decent shape for submission is beyond my wildest comprehension.
We live in the era of the "information highway." Information is but a click away. (If you know what question to type) But the best thing about the Internet is the people--other writers--you meet and the accessibility to writing workshops.
Unfortunately, that brings about problems too. There's lot more competition out there. Higher quality submissions. You have to be GOOD to get published. Damned good.
And you have to be lucky and politically oriented. In otherwords, you have to be able to work and play well with others.
I'll be honest. I'd like to make a decent living from my books. I want to have my stories published more than I even wanted to train dogs or ride my horse. I'm saying that because I have four collie helpers all clammering for attention. We compromise. I let them help me type and pet their heads, they sit on my feet and allow me to work(?)
I picked Harlequin because I believe there's a better chance for up-and-comers with that publishing house. Why? Because once writers are established they move on and up. Look at Nora Roberts, Linda Castillo, Joanna Wayne, and many others I can't begin to think of. There's always room for one more new author in the ranks. I picked the Intrigue line because I love mysteries and romance.
However, writing category was not the "easy write" I thought. Hah. Not by a long shot. You have to say an awful lot in 70-75,000 words. The old saying "Keep it simple stupid" or KISS applies. One mystery plot, one romance plot. Equal hero/heroine and a few supporting players. I haven't seen more than ten characters in any given novel and that is a lot for category. But that doesn't mean you can't be creative and have fun with your stories. And they usually are "gut wrenchers." (as opposed to "bodice rippers")
My genre is romantic suspense, moving into modern gothic and paranormal. My publisher? Could it be Harlequin? I'm not sure. The jury's still out.
Happy reading, writing and revising.
Pat
So far, writing wise, this has been an unproductive day. I did finished Joanna Wayne's "Gentleman's Club," a romantic suspense I highly recommend. And, I read chapter 1 of Dwight Swain's "techniques of the Selling Writer," Then I read chapter 2 and followed up with chapter 3. The chapter that I marked up the most though was the chapter on building conflict. Then I took a nap.
Why do I write?
That title sounds like a student's 'going back to school' theme. "What I did on my summer vacation."
I write because I've had all these stories in my head since I was five, and if I didn't say I was a "writer" someone would probably think I had a bad bout of Schizophrenia.
I don't know if most people fantasize. I haven't stopped since I was born, I think. I've never done a study on the subject, but someone should. A novelist is a writer who puts those fantasies down on paper. Hopefully, in a well constructed and organized manner.
Writing is hard work. I'm not going to lie and say I do it because "it's like breathing." It isn't. It's harder than breathing. It drains me of all mental energies. I can see this vapor form around my brain cells and stream directly inside my computer, and zap life into some poor unsuspecting character. Sort of like transferring blood. Or Frankenstein.
I'm lucky. Very lucky. I teach and that gives me the summers and many weeks off during the school year. I may moan and groan about my lifeless body when I get home at night, but in reality, many writers have it a lot worse. I have a boyfriend (yes I do) who's supportive. He listens to those whines. Then he sat and LISTENED to me read every single word of "In the Arms of the Enemy." I don't know many husbands who would do that.
I'm also lucky to be living in a generation of computers. I can't see myself typing on an old manual typewriter with paper and carbon. How writers of the past ever got their manuscripts in decent shape for submission is beyond my wildest comprehension.
We live in the era of the "information highway." Information is but a click away. (If you know what question to type) But the best thing about the Internet is the people--other writers--you meet and the accessibility to writing workshops.
Unfortunately, that brings about problems too. There's lot more competition out there. Higher quality submissions. You have to be GOOD to get published. Damned good.
And you have to be lucky and politically oriented. In otherwords, you have to be able to work and play well with others.
I'll be honest. I'd like to make a decent living from my books. I want to have my stories published more than I even wanted to train dogs or ride my horse. I'm saying that because I have four collie helpers all clammering for attention. We compromise. I let them help me type and pet their heads, they sit on my feet and allow me to work(?)
I picked Harlequin because I believe there's a better chance for up-and-comers with that publishing house. Why? Because once writers are established they move on and up. Look at Nora Roberts, Linda Castillo, Joanna Wayne, and many others I can't begin to think of. There's always room for one more new author in the ranks. I picked the Intrigue line because I love mysteries and romance.
However, writing category was not the "easy write" I thought. Hah. Not by a long shot. You have to say an awful lot in 70-75,000 words. The old saying "Keep it simple stupid" or KISS applies. One mystery plot, one romance plot. Equal hero/heroine and a few supporting players. I haven't seen more than ten characters in any given novel and that is a lot for category. But that doesn't mean you can't be creative and have fun with your stories. And they usually are "gut wrenchers." (as opposed to "bodice rippers")
My genre is romantic suspense, moving into modern gothic and paranormal. My publisher? Could it be Harlequin? I'm not sure. The jury's still out.
Happy reading, writing and revising.
Pat
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