B.I.C.H.O.K-- Butt In Chair Hands on Keyboard

I have fallen and I can't sit down!  B.I.C.H.O.K means Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard to those of you who might not follow the term many of us writers refer to when life gets in the way of writing.  Yes, it's difficult to sit down and write when life is going on around us.  There are a hundred things we need to do, whether it is work a full-time job, tend to family, volunteer in our community, chat on-line, blog . . .

Okay, you get the point! Yes! I've become an on-line junkie!

Recently, trying to put myself out into the 'electronic' world to network among other writers and people in our industry has tied another small knot in my rope of time.  I've found my rope has more and more knots in the 24 hours of length as I add another task to my day. Finding time to sit and work on my novels is less and less.  A few months ago I was writing in my novel every chance I got and I need to find that energy again. 

With the summer months though I have less desire to sit at a keyboard.  I need to move about. But what to do with my writing? Here is what I think I need to do:

• Sit down early in the morning and pump out at least 1,000 words.
• When I stop for a brief moment of coffee or that next glass of water (I've been trying for six glasses a day) try and get 500 words.  Even if I only get a chance to do so with 3 glasses of water it's still an extra 1500 words + the 1,000 already=2,500.  Not too shabby for a day.
• Go over notes in my head (for characters, plot, G/M/C, etc.) when I'm power walking outside or on my treadmill.

Here are some other tips I might follow (since lately my time on-line has been added):

• Limit my on-line time to a hour a day.(Facebook, Twitter, Blogs I follow, etc.)
• Only check emails once a day. (Mid-day so any blogs I need to catch in my on-line time, I can.)
• Blog on my sites twice a month (but check daily for any comments to respond to).

How did we get anything done before the Internet, cellphones and for that fact . . . computers?  Would love to hear any suggestions, comments or just stop in and say hello!

Hugs!

B.I.C.H.O.K-- Butt In Chair Hands on Keyboard

I have fallen and I can't sit down!  B.I.C.H.O.K means Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard to those of you who might not follow the term many of us writers refer to when life gets in the way of writing.  Yes, it's difficult to sit down and write when life is going on around us.  There are a hundred things we need to do, whether it is work a full-time job, tend to family, volunteer in our community, chat on-line, blog . . .

Okay, you get the point! Yes! I've become an on-line junkie!

Recently, trying to put myself out into the 'electronic' world to network among other writers and people in our industry has tied another small knot in my rope of time.  I've found my rope has more and more knots in the 24 hours of length as I add another task to my day. Finding time to sit and work on my novels is less and less.  A few months ago I was writing in my novel every chance I got and I need to find that energy again. 

With the summer months though I have less desire to sit at a keyboard.  I need to move about. But what to do with my writing? Here is what I think I need to do:

• Sit down early in the morning and pump out at least 1,000 words.
• When I stop for a brief moment of coffee or that next glass of water (I've been trying for six glasses a day) try and get 500 words.  Even if I only get a chance to do so with 3 glasses of water it's still an extra 1500 words + the 1,000 already=2,500.  Not too shabby for a day.
• Go over notes in my head (for characters, plot, G/M/C, etc.) when I'm power walking outside or on my treadmill.

Here are some other tips I might follow (since lately my time on-line has been added):

• Limit my on-line time to a hour a day.(Facebook, Twitter, Blogs I follow, etc.)
• Only check emails once a day. (Mid-day so any blogs I need to catch in my on-line time, I can.)
• Blog on my sites twice a month (but check daily for any comments to respond to).

How did we get anything done before the Internet, cellphones and for that fact . . . computers?  Would love to hear any suggestions, comments or just stop in and say hello!

Hugs!

New Book to Write . . . So . . . Save Me

I'm really excited to be moving on with a new series of books--Angels With Attitude.  So far I have ideas for two books and through inspiration based on a video, the first one took on form many months ago.  Until yesterday though, I wasn't sure how to plot it or what the G/M/C (Goals/Motivation/Conflict) were for my hero/heroine.  With the help of my Muse and (my live muse--my oldest daughter) I was able to piece together a plot.

Check out my new page at the top of of site menu--SAVE ME and I'll keep you updated on new things happening as I go.

New Book to Write . . . So . . . Save Me

I'm really excited to be moving on with a new series of books--Angels With Attitude.  So far I have ideas for two books and through inspiration based on a video, the first one took on form many months ago.  Until yesterday though, I wasn't sure how to plot it or what the G/M/C (Goals/Motivation/Conflict) were for my hero/heroine.  With the help of my Muse and (my live muse--my oldest daughter) I was able to piece together a plot.

Check out my new page at the top of of site menu--SAVE ME and I'll keep you updated on new things happening as I go.

Critique Groups--Where Talent Abounds--On the "Write" Path

So you've decided to take that leap and write the romance you've always dreamed of writing. Your mother, sister-in-law, husband and best friend all think it's wonderful--that's great! But while having them read your story might help with the kinks, your fellow writing peers are the ones who know what editors are going to look for. As it is, Editor X may not even like what you have, just because they did. That is where getting involved with a critique group is so important for a writer . . . on the 'write' path.

Being involved with a wonderful critique group (mine meets once a month and enjoys each other's company) is a blessing when you are serious about your writing career. Critiquing is taking the good with the bad with a touch of diplomacy and a lot of encouragement from others in the same boat as you. Some people prefer not seeing who they are critiquing with at first and building the personal relationships along the way. The internet is wonderful for those writers, where others are comfortable making the leap of faith right off the bat and meeting face to face.

A part of having a great critique group is having someone to run/moderate your group with an eye for regulations, ideals and morals to make everyone comfortable. I am thankful for our 'group leader' who is excellent with handling those issues and supporting our group.

Since our start up, we've recently had two of our members' books contracted to be published. There are others in our group who are already published within the romance industry and share in both giving and receiving ideas, comments and encouragement to help others in a positive role and to continue in their endeavors. Even published authors have a need for a readers view--from grammatical errors to character and plot flow.

If you are starting out in your romance writing career or path, check with Romance Writers of America or your local Romance Writers of America chapter to see if they have a critique group. Find a group you feel comfortable with but not so comfortable that they won't give you constructive criticism now and again when needed.

A couple of things to remember before joining a critique group:

• If you get a critique, you need to give a critique too (even if you’re not sure how--read it from a readers point of view until you can understand and see things within each other’s context--grammar, POV, plot and character development, etc. Not everyone sees the same things in all submissions. That is why many eyes are better than one.).

• Remember the golden rule--treat others with the same respect you would want to be treated. Give your opinions gently, recommend changes with an open mind, but remember it is still 'their' work, their brain child.

• Be able to take criticism with an open eye towards others but remember not everyone is going to see the same thing. If you get various points made on one detail from quite a few people in your group--look at it as maybe something that needs a change. But if it's a random thought from one individual take it with a grain of salt--it may be just one persons opinion but you know where you are going with your story.

• Also, if someone is an expert in a certain area dealing with your book (I've been blessed with a partner who is a history major and was able to point out historical situations for me in one of my books) take to heart who may be reading your story, you need realism. Ask them questions to help guide you in the right way. They may even read over your finished story to check for inaccuracies. Just remember to thank them in the long run.

• Encourage, celebrate and communicate! We're all on the same path. Even those who have been there, done that, and have the contracts--it doesn't end with one book. Celebrate each other's big and small accomplishments in their journey--you could be the next winner of a contest or the next one signing a contract with an agent or editor and will want to share the news with everyone.

Tell me about your critique group(s), tips or any questions you may want to share with others. I would love to hear from you.

Critique Groups--Where Talent Abounds--On the "Write" Path

So you've decided to take that leap and write the romance you've always dreamed of writing. Your mother, sister-in-law, husband and best friend all think it's wonderful--that's great! But while having them read your story might help with the kinks, your fellow writing peers are the ones who know what editors are going to look for. As it is, Editor X may not even like what you have, just because they did. That is where getting involved with a critique group is so important for a writer . . . on the 'write' path.

Being involved with a wonderful critique group (mine meets once a month and enjoys each other's company) is a blessing when you are serious about your writing career. Critiquing is taking the good with the bad with a touch of diplomacy and a lot of encouragement from others in the same boat as you. Some people prefer not seeing who they are critiquing with at first and building the personal relationships along the way. The internet is wonderful for those writers, where others are comfortable making the leap of faith right off the bat and meeting face to face.

A part of having a great critique group is having someone to run/moderate your group with an eye for regulations, ideals and morals to make everyone comfortable. I am thankful for our 'group leader' who is excellent with handling those issues and supporting our group.

Since our start up, we've recently had two of our members' books contracted to be published. There are others in our group who are already published within the romance industry and share in both giving and receiving ideas, comments and encouragement to help others in a positive role and to continue in their endeavors. Even published authors have a need for a readers view--from grammatical errors to character and plot flow.

If you are starting out in your romance writing career or path, check with Romance Writers of America or your local Romance Writers of America chapter to see if they have a critique group. Find a group you feel comfortable with but not so comfortable that they won't give you constructive criticism now and again when needed.

A couple of things to remember before joining a critique group:

• If you get a critique, you need to give a critique too (even if you’re not sure how--read it from a readers point of view until you can understand and see things within each other’s context--grammar, POV, plot and character development, etc. Not everyone sees the same things in all submissions. That is why many eyes are better than one.).

• Remember the golden rule--treat others with the same respect you would want to be treated. Give your opinions gently, recommend changes with an open mind, but remember it is still 'their' work, their brain child.

• Be able to take criticism with an open eye towards others but remember not everyone is going to see the same thing. If you get various points made on one detail from quite a few people in your group--look at it as maybe something that needs a change. But if it's a random thought from one individual take it with a grain of salt--it may be just one persons opinion but you know where you are going with your story.

• Also, if someone is an expert in a certain area dealing with your book (I've been blessed with a partner who is a history major and was able to point out historical situations for me in one of my books) take to heart who may be reading your story, you need realism. Ask them questions to help guide you in the right way. They may even read over your finished story to check for inaccuracies. Just remember to thank them in the long run.

• Encourage, celebrate and communicate! We're all on the same path. Even those who have been there, done that, and have the contracts--it doesn't end with one book. Celebrate each other's big and small accomplishments in their journey--you could be the next winner of a contest or the next one signing a contract with an agent or editor and will want to share the news with everyone.

Tell me about your critique group(s), tips or any questions you may want to share with others. I would love to hear from you.

Another Great MRW Meeting Last Night!

Wow!  I can't tell you how great it is to be involved with Romance Writer's of America (RWA) and their local chapters.  You meet some of the greatest people with similar goals and dreams (speaking on my past comment yesterday), and the support and activities are always so informative.

Last night was a great example.  We were blessed with the talented and inspirational Rosemary Ellen Guiley who's one of the foremost experts on paranormal and the supernatural.  Her recent book on Djinn's, "The Vengeful Djinn--Unveiling the Hidden Agendas of Genies" in which she co-authored with Philip J. Imbrogno is a fount of information on the mystical creatures. 

Now days with the continued rise of paranormal romance in our writing world,  it's always imparitive to have resources on some of the most unique creatures we write about to make our fictional worlds ring with a bit of authority and knowledge.  I can see her book being a great asset for those working with the elusive Djinn.  I wish to thank the people who make our meetings so informative and inspirational.  To everyone who have a hand in the MRW meetings--Kudos!  Keep up the Great work!

To those of you out there exploring your interest in romance writing--check out our local RWA chapters for the one closest to you.  Go to  http://www.rwa.org/  for more information.

All the best!