I’ve been woefully absent

Wow, I haven’t posted anything new since July.  I really aim to blog more frequently than that and will try to do better in the future.  Quite honestly, I haven’t had any romance related topics to talk about…at least nothing that I thought would be very interesting.  I haven’t exactly been in a funk, but nothing around me has truly inspired the romantic side of me.  I haven’t seen any good movies lately (and there seems to be a serious lull in the romantic comedy genre – which is my fave).  I haven’t read any books that really made me sigh and want to pick it up again and again.  I have been writing though and I’m really excited about the new story I’ve started. 

I hate to admit it but I abandoned the western historical romance that I’d been working on even though it just needs revisions to be polished.  I love that story.  I love the characters and I love western romances.  But I don’t think western romances love me.  For one, I just don’t my writing talent/voice best fits that genre.  Secondly, the market isn’t really loving westerns which saddens me as a fan of the genre and frustrated me as I attmepted to pitch it.  One day I’ll come back and polish it up and give my characters the finished product they deserve, but for now I’m moving on.  I have a great contemporary romance idea and what I’ve written so far is going really well.  I’m very excited and I think if I can pull this story off as well as it deserves then it could be one hell of a story. 

For now I’ve joined April Kihlstrom’s Book In A Week class.  This is a class that I’ve wanted to participate in for a while, but was never at the right place in a project.  Now I have a shiny new manuscript that is ready to take off and I’m going to use this class to propel me forward.  My hope is by mid-November I have a rough draft completed and have it polished up by the end of the year.  Hmm, maybe I should reword that…my GOAL is to have a rough draft by mid-November and a polished manuscript by the end of the year.  Yeah, that sounds much better.

My New Guilty Pleasure

I’m not a big reality TV person and when I saw the previews for ABC’s Dating in the Dark, I laughed out loud.  Seriously, not another silly reality dating show.  But my curiosity was peaked and I found myself watching it last night.  I LOVE it! 

Let me tell you a little about the show.  Three men and three women are living in the same house though in different wings.  They meet in a completely dark room and “date” while never seeing each other.  First day it is a group date, all contestants in there at one time.  Then they get to pick who they want a one on one date with.  After that date they are paired up with the one they are most compatible with and have two steady dates as well as date the others they haven’t yet.  In the meantime, they are given clues in the light as a way for the contestants to get an idea of what their dates might be like.  For example, last night they had to exchange shirts so the the contestants got a taste of their style.  In the end, they are in the dark room and a light comes on to reveal them one at a time.  The other person’s reaction is hidden.  Then they have to decide if they would like to meet them and try truly dating or leave the house.

What I loved was that the dark made for instant intimacy.  It allowed for all their other senses to heightened.  What was fascinating was each couple handled the dark differently.  One couple touched faces and even kissed.  Another touched and cozied up to each other.  The couple that interested me most probably touched the least.  They sat close and held hands which I found the most intimate of all.  There is just something about holding hands – it has a built in trust and familiarity.  And there is such sensuality in the fingertips – the texture of the skin, how they touch each other, how they explore the hand.  My eyes were riveted to their hands.  That couple also seemed to connect the most.  The dark allowed them open up in a way they wouldn’t have in a more normal situation.  And though the man wasn’t as physically attracted to the woman as he would’ve liked, his connection to her was so strong that he still wanted to see her again.  When they met in the light of day there was this awkwardness between them as if they didn’t know what to do without the dark.  But once in the car to ride away, they were holding hands and that gave me hope that these two might have a chance. 

Now what would truly make this show perfect is if they give the viewers an update.  My romantic need for the HEA is dying to know if these couples make it past the first date.

Reporting From Duty

Goal:  Finish current WIP by July 1

Result:  In order to complete my goal I had 14 scenes to write in 9 days.  It was going to be hard, but not impossible.  Well, that is until I got sick and knocked on my rear for three days.  Though I lost writing days, 10 scenes on my list of 14 are now crossed off.  And I actually wrote about 4 scenes that I hadn’t planned on.  Now I’m giving myself to the end of next week to finish off all my loose ends and then it’s off to revisions.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July!

Buckle Down Time

Since I don’t have real deadlines to work with I have to settle for my self-imposed ones, which I’m notorious for breaking.  But this time I need to be strong thus I’m putting this one down for all the world to see (not that the world is looking).

My goal:  Finish current WIP by July 1

About two weeks ago I listed the scenes I needed to write and it came out to 15.  Not too bad though a lot more than I realized.  As I started writing though I would remember another scene to add.  My list grew.  Now I’m at 14. 

I can’t get ahead!! 

But I must move forward.  14 scenes in 9 days.  It isn’t impossible.  I can do it.  I can.  I will report back on July 1 with my results.  Wish me luck!

I know, I see, I do

I started writing romances about 5 years ago.  It wasn’t something I thought would be easy.  The technical aspect of writing was never a strong suit for me.  I was miserable when it came to the grammar part of English in school.  Of course the basics stuck, but some of the terms and rules just flew right out of my mind.  When I decided to try my hand at writing romance, it was all about the story in my head.  It was all for my love of romance.  And the actual writing of words was more of a mimic in style of what I read.

I joined RWA and my local RWA chapter not long after my decision to write and quickly found out I had a lot to learn.  I immersed myself in craft.  I got fabulous critique partners who helped me along the way.  And through the years my storytelling and craft improved.  But recently the light bulb came on.

My storytelling is finally clicking and working, but suddenly I’m getting pegged by contest judges and my critique partners about my actual writing.  Something I thought I’d finally gotten the hang of.  I would hear…think action – reaction and too much passive voice.  My reaction…okay, what’s passive voice again?  Yep, that’s right – one of those terms I forgot.  I actually had to look it up.  (Sad, I know)  With the action-reaction critique, I saw my mistakes and started to correct them, but it was after a workshop on Scene and Sequel that everything truly hit home.  The choir sang and the light bulb came on.  Not only do I see it, but I understand it.  It was all something I knew, but not something I truly understood how to do until now. 

These things seem so simple and I couldn’t believe it didn’t click with me sooner.  But as I’ve been reminded…everyone and everything has its process and you’re just going to get it when you’re ready for it.  Finally, I was ready. 

I spoke with Emily McKay about this and she said there was a Chinese proverb out there that resonated when the same things clicked for her.  Courtesy of Wikiquote I found the proverb:

I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I do and I understand.

It was also nice to learn that after Emily had the same kind of choir singing/light bulb moment, she got published.  Hopefully in the next five years of my writing career I’ll have that publishing contract in hand.

Movie Love Lessons

I came across this article on CNN’s site a couple weeks ago and I thought it was interesting.  From the title of the article, 8 Love Lessons you can learn from movies, I was a little surprised to see movies like Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Knocked Up among the list, but actually thought the Big Lessons made a lot of sense.

The first time I read the article and got to the Grease / Dirty Dancing lesson, I was disappointed.  I read it as only a woman with confidence will snag the guy–only she changes.  Though I do agree that a woman should have confidence (and not just to get the guy), but I thought it was unfair that they only seemed to concentrate on the transformation of Sandy and Baby than that of the men.  But then when I read it again and looked closer at this line

…relationship may help you discover a new side of yourself that you didn’t think existed.

Then I realized, though that does apply to Sandy and Baby, it applies to Danny and Johnny more.  They each found that they can be more than they ever thought they could be. 

I really do think Dirty Dancing is a true story of romance.  Not only do these two people find love with each other, but each of them grow as a person as well.  They discover themselves as well as love and though they are strong people by themselves, they are stronger together.  Ah, love.

Finding Inspiration

As a writer, I draw inspiration and ideas from just about anywhere.  Movies, Books, Dreams, Places, People…Celebrities. 

I think the interesting thing about celebrities are that they are so public and yet so private.  You get drawn into their performances, their characters.  Then you also get to see their “true” selves in interviews and talk shows.  And that small glimpse into both of their worlds is part of what makes them so fascinating.  That’s why the world is crazy to know more about them.

And I admit, I’m curious too.  I don’t buy tabloids or watch E! for the latest and greatest gossip, but I still can’t help but to be drawn into some of the glitz and glamour.  The latest celebrity to catch my eye (as the rest of the world’s) has been Robert Pattinson. So, yes, the whole Twilight craze is what brought on my interest in Rob, but discussing the movie and books is a post for another day.   What intrigues me is the man behind the character.  And most of that came into play after reading the GQ article featuring Mr. Pattinson (who also graces the April cover).

Vulnerable, Lonely, Uncertain, Funny, Confident.  These were just a few things about him that came to mind as I read.  I’m sure as uncomfortable as the man is in his newfound fame, he’s probably enjoying it as well.  But my writer’s mind was only drawn to the darker aspects.  I am, after all, a romance writer and what romance hero doesn’t have a bit of darkness to him? 

I’ll never know Rob Pattinson personally.  And I truly don’t pretend to know or understand him now.  But I do have a way to take these characteristics that I find so intriguing and answer all the questions in my mind myself…I have my writing.    

My mind can’t seem to help itself from constantly creating something out of things I read or see or encounter.  I’m always finding some nuance interesting and looking as to how I can make that into a story or character.  Creating characters is one of the hardest things for me.  Because the writer really has to dig deep and flesh out this character and make them a real person in the reader’s minds.  Though it is the hardest for me to do, it is also what I love most.  When I read a book, it isn’t the plot that truly pulls me in, it’s the characters.  Characters that touch my heart and steal my breath.  Characters that are unforgettable and real.  That is really all a writer can hope to create, at least that is what I hope for in my writing career.  

Any other writers out there want to fess up to any celebrity inspirations?  Or you can just enjoy the Robert Pattinson photos from the GQ shoot.  They’re certainly inspiring as well. :)

Shouting Out!

Congratulations to the fabulous Jenna Stuart for finaling in RWA’s Golden Heart Contest.  Her nominated historical, Highland Honor, will be a best seller in the not so distant future, mark my word!

A huge congrats to other writer pals, RITA finalists: Sherry Thomas who is double nominationed for Private Arrangements and Julia London for her novella, A Snowy Night with a Highlander.  And Katie Graykowski for her Golden Heart nom with, Summer in Austin.

Good luck, ladies!!

Ahh, Love…

When I was looking for quotes for motivation, I also came across some love quotes that put a smile on my face and made my heart go pitter-pat.  Enjoy!

Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you.
Loretta Young

For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.
Judy Garland

Men always want to be a woman’s first love – women like to be a man’s last romance.
Oscar Wilde

Where there is love there is life.
Gandhi

The most eloquent silence; that of two mouths meeting in a kiss.
Unknown

There is no remedy for love but to love more.
Thoreau

The most precious possession that ever comes to a man in this world is a woman’s heart.
Timothy Titcomb

Love doesn’t make the world go ’round; love is what makes the ride whorthwhile.
Franklin P. Jones

There is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved.
George Sand

The writer in me fell in love with the quotes below:

Talking of love is making it.
William G. Benham

Love and desire are the spirit’s wings to great deeds.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze.
Elynor Glyn

The Tricky Thing About Motivation

Personally, I love to be motivated and inspired – especially when it comes to writing.   The Romance Writers of America has a national conference every summer and after each one I’ve attended I feel so rejuvinated and excited about my writing.  That lasts about a month…or two, if I’m lucky.  Like a dieter a month after New Years, I fall off the wagon.  The sad thing is, I know what I’ve done and I don’t jump back on.  It usually takes months or some other motivational moment to get me back on track. 

As my self-imposed deadline of February 28th approaches, I found myself looking for motivation again.  I ended up seeking out quotations and found a couple that spoke to me:

Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly.
Stephen R. Covey

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.
Jim Ryun

I am not igniting the fire within and I’m not keeping it lit.  I know I won’t change overnight, but I’m going to try to keep the fire burning.  My plan is simple - I’m going to put Jim Ryun’s quote in my calendar and have it remind me everyday that my writing is a habit that I can’t let go.  My hope is that one day I won’t need the reminder anymore.

Here are more quotes that I found and loved.  Enjoy!

In my experience, there is only one motivation, and that is desire. No reasons or principle contain it or stand against it.
Jane Smiley

Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence.
H.L.Mencken

Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.
Ella Fitzgerald

Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can.
Lowell Thomas

Nothing happens until I make it happen.
Scott Wilson

People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.
Zig Ziglar

First say to yourself what you would be;
and then do what you have to do.
Epictetus