A Pen and a Phone

Today is IWSG day.  IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You can follow other IWSG members here  and on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have an active Facebook page.

Our purpose is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds.

I'm not feeling insecure, but I'm not accomplishing much in the way of writing since we've moved from Oklahoma back to Louisiana. Maybe I'm feeling a little weak. I can't really put my finger on why I'm not writing. I've turned in my assigned articles to Southern Writers Magazine simply because I always meet my deadlines. But when  it comes to sitting down and reading through two manuscripts for final edits before submissions, I haven't done it. I have two nonfiction books in various stages but so far, not motivated enough to finish them. Sure, when I sit down and force myself, I get excited about them all over again, but it's the actual sitting down to work that seems to be the problem. There are so many other things that need to be done.

I'm on the 2014 Bayou Writers Group conference committee, trying to line up speakers for approval, but that's like breathing to me. I don't mind researching speakers and sending invites.

It's the day to day stuff that interferes with my writing life.

We've been pulling wall paper off the kitchen and bathroom walls. Yeah, okay, I know, we're the only people in the country who still have wall paper; so we've been told. Anyway, we're starting the renovating process and trying to do some of the mindless, hum-drum work ourselves. Our contractor will oversee the new floors, baseboards, new showers, kitchen counter tops and appliances and paint throughout, along with a few other improvements.

Add to that ... daughter is engaged. We're planning an August wedding.

No wedding planner for us. I'm calling florists, venues, photographers, bakeries.
And, writing checks.
Yes, I have a pen and a phone and I'm using both.

Any tips on how to juggle writing, weddings and home renovations? Your thoughts are appreciated!

IWSG: Unwelcome Deadlines

Today is IWSG day-the first Wednesday of each month. IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You can follow other IWSG members here on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG.

Our purpose is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds. Join us!

After 16 months in Oklahoma, we're back in Louisiana. Full time. A couple of friends helped us load the truck and tie everything safely in place. Our Okie friends and church are sweet memories now. So far, I've received one phone call, several text messages and emails and visited on Facebook with them. They always make me smile. Hubby and I have never shared friends (as a couple), and I've never had many non-writing friends. I don't know why. Oklahoma was an unusual experience. A blessing in a number of ways. 

Hubby will be officially retired on Thursday. We'll embark on a different kind of adventure. A little scary.

I used to be very organized. I used to be able to multi-task. Since being home, I'm having trouble writing or even accomplishing more than one thing at a time. Deadlines loom and I'm having to force myself to write. Forced writing isn't good writing. I envy those writers who can whip out a story with no trouble at all and shoot it to their editor with so much confidence they never wonder if that story is good ... or even readable. I'm not that way. I struggle. I feel as though I always struggle to put one word after the other. I struggle with my characters' motivations and strengthening the conflict. I'll ask a question I've asked a hundred times: how do we know, really know a story is good, if it hangs together, is logical, plausible and ready to be sent to the editor? When we're satisfied with it, you say? What if we're never satisfied?

I have a Sept. 1st deadline for a  9,000 word Christmas story. I'm struggling. Any advice?

Release Date

I finally have a release date for The Last Daughter. All I can say is ... don't hold your breath! I don't want any followers passing out on me. The date is December 4th. Seems like a mighty long time to me, but it could work to my advantage. I can order some promo goodies for conferences. Is that done for ebooks? I'm totally uneducated when it comes to promoting my own work--and the manner in which it should be done. I hate watching the time and the calendar, scheduling blog tours and hops and give-aways, etc. {{sigh}}  All and any advice will be appreciated.

I do have some good news. I've signed a contract with a small press for a Christmas story. The theme is The Twelve Days of Christmas. My story will take place on December 15th--the tenth day before Christmas. Now don't get confused; that means, my hero and heroine will be living their lives on December 15th and their entire story will take place on that day.

My deadline is September 1st.
My release date is October 1st.

Whirlwind, right? I'm choosing photos for the cover and I don't even have a title yet! Or a completed story! Okay... not much more than a germ of an idea.

How do best selling authors with multiple deadlines do this?

The fun thing is that my Christmas story (about 9,000 words) will be released as a single ebook along with eleven others. And then ... and then ... we'll all be combined into a print book, an anthology. I guess what I'm most excited about is having my name on the cover of a book with multi-award winning writer Kathi Macias. Kathi has authored more than 40 books including those she ghosted.

Whatever made me think I could finish my novel before moving on the 27th? I seem to be running in place--ever so slowly adding to the word count. Seems I'm doing more cutting and editing than actual writing.

Tuesday is another long writing day at the library. I know I'll accomplish something there. Wish me luck, keep fingers crossed for me and/or send prayers. And offer any advice you think I need. My eyes and ears are open!

 

Chasing the Clock

I went to bed last night with that WHY word bouncing around in my head. As you know, I do that often--ask why after every sentence I write. Sometimes it helps; often it frustrates.

I’ve been holed up with an old unfinished manuscript, trying to breathe new life into it for a specific market. Easier said than done. Sometimes I think writing something new is easier than taking a piece apart and reconstructing it. In this case I’m cutting what was originally an incomplete Christmas novel to 15,000 words--yes, a Christmas story. I don’t think I had enough plot for a novel anyway. The deadline is Saturday. Yes, gulp with me: the deadline is Aug. 18th, tomorrow, and I’m not finished!

Here’s what I’ve done:

Taken a look at how I’ve introduced the characters. I’ve introduced two characters and the problem on the first page. Unfortunately, the hero is not one of those two.

I’ve tried to break it into a 3-act structure to get a better handle on it. This seemed hard; should have been easier since I had the book outlined.

I’ve pinpointed the setting and trying, TRYING to make it apparent throughout the story. I’m terrible at creating setting.

I’ve cut all the subplots, and made the plot more linear. No flashbacks either.

I’ve taken a look at my characters and, where I can do it, combined two into one. Double duty.

Layering that counts.

I’m trying to make every word count. (That should be a given, right?)

I have 14,188 words and still haven’t written the ending. I visualize at least four more scenes. Aaack! I see more cutting ahead.

Goal today: Cut. Write tighter. Finish.

Will I make the deadline? Doubtful, but at least I’m writing. Advice and writing tips welcome!

Louisiana Saturday Night -

As you can see, Louisiana Saturday Night is in a slump. My fault. I trusted authors to get their interviews to me on time and didn't assign specific deadlines. I wanted to accomodate their busy schedules by allowing them to choose their own deadline. I should have known better. Can you imagine what the publishing industry would experience if each editor told their authors, "Just get it to me when you can." A funny thought, huh? I've regrouped. I'm starting fresh. I have my calendar in front of me and I'm assigning deadlines. I have some interesting interviews coming up in the weeks ahead--so stay tuned.

By the way, how do you feel about deadlines? Are you loosey-goosey or do you appreciate guidelines and structure? Talk to me.