May 16, 2008 | Business, Conference, Fun, Writing |
I am an introvert, as many writers tend to be (not all, it's true), though I'm pretty good at putting on the public face and socializing. I'm not shy, I don't get tongue-tied (much), and I can meet and greet like a professional. Not sure where I acquired these abilities, though I think it comes from being married to an extrovert and watching him in action. It's also a function of age — realizing that it doesn't matter what someone thinks, I'm me and that's that. 🙂
But, I always DREAD the start of these socializing events. Today is the start of a busy two days for me. The Heart of Dixie Readers' Luncheon is tomorrow. Today, there are preparations to make — bags to be stuffed, dinners to attend, and a party for a friend who sold to Mills & Boon a couple of weeks ago.
And yet, I always always dread it, even when I want to see everyone and have fun. (I feel this way about conference too, even when this year I have a lot to look forward to.) I hate the preparation — the thinking, planning, packing (it's one overnight in a hotel 15 miles from home and yet I stress), the schlepping, getting situated, etc. I know I'll have fun when it starts, but it's the getting to the start I hate.
Some people are naturals at this kind of thing. I am not. At conference last year in Dallas, I got so overwhelmed at one point I went back to the room and was grateful my wonderful roomies were still out. I sat, drinking wine by myself (uh-oh, look out Hemingway), and tapped out the beginning of a new story on my AlphaSmart. I seriously needed that decompression time. If I could afford it, I'd spend the entire conference in a room to myself. But at $225 a night, that ain't happening. 🙂
OTOH, like I say, once I get there this afternoon and start chatting and celebrating and talking writing with people who GET IT because they are writers too, I'll be as happy as a pig in mud. If I could just figure out how to stop the stressing stuff beforehand, I'd be all set.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Have trouble with socializing? Any tricks you use to prepare yourself? I don't have any, but like I say, once I get started, I'm fine. It's the getting there and getting into that frame of mind — and for longer events, like Nationals, some alone time.
May 15, 2008 | Revising, Writing |
You know that saying that inspiration is 90% perspiration? (Hope I'm not mixing my sayings up!) Well, I sure do know something about that right now. Two books in the works. One is a revision for a full request. After I chopped out 72 pages, I darn near cried. Then I set to work rewriting them. Now, the end is in sight. HOT PURSUIT is almost done with the 3rd rewrite. I will not rewrite this book again without direction. I finally feel at peace with it. If an IP tells me I need to do something to it, I will. But the revisions for me are over. Well, almost over — have to finish first. 🙂
Secondly, I'm working on my Harlequin Presents. I love these characters!! They are so much fun in a delicious, angsty way. 🙂 Who knew that I'd find such a natural fit (or so it seems to me as I write) in Presents stories!? I thank Harlequin Mills & Boon daily for having the Instant Seduction contest. Without that incentive, I'd still be talking about how I was going to write a Presents someday. You just never know where you'll find yourself, where your voice will want to go. Don't ignore that voice when it speaks to you, that tingly feeling you get when you just *know* something is right. It's there for a reason. 🙂
This weekend is the 11th Annual Heart of Dixie Readers' Luncheon in Huntsville, Alabama. I'll be there, hanging with my chapter mates and other visiting authors, having fun and meeting new people. I believe we're partying Friday night for a certain chapter mate who just sold to Mills & Boon. Woo hoo!
Next Wednesday, I'm guest blogging over at The Last Word, a blog by my fellow Golden G8r, C.J. Redwine. And throughout it all, I'm writing. Because writers write. Right? 😉
Any moments of perspiration to share? Triumphs at the keyboard? Favorite inspirational sayings?
May 13, 2008 | Contests, Promotion, Writing
The Golden Heart finalists' pictures can be viewed with their book titles now! I think it's wonderful to put a face with a manuscript. Click over and see the Golden G8rs. And, if you're interested in some feedback, click over to Brenda Novak's auction and bid on a critique from 5 Golden Heart finalists in each of three categories. Five finalists will critique your 55 page mss/synop combo (just like you'd enter in the GH) — but unlike the contest, we'll give you feedback along with the score we'd have given you in the contest! The proceeds go to a good cause.
May 10, 2008 | Uncategorized |
The adventures of a time-traveling romance-reading housewife. See, this is why romance heroines rock — they kick ass.
Thanks to hubby for finding. Hope you enjoy. 🙂
May 8, 2008 | Fun, Writing |
I occasionally look at my horoscope because it can be fun. This one blew me away. How did he know?
My songwriter friend Darius has created some fine music, but he periodically goes through phases when everything he produces sounds contrived. It's not writer's block he suffers from. During his bouts with bad composing, he's often teeming with ideas. The problem is that he gets caught up in a vortex of too much thinking. He can't stop his mind from tinkering endlessly with every raw impulse that wells up. Recently he joined the Immersion Composition Society, an organization that helps “talented basket cases” and “tortured geniuses” cut through their tendency to over-analyze and thereby reconnect to their pure inspiration. One technique: Musicians agree to take on firm deadlines that compel them to create songs wicked fast. I hope you find the equivalent assistance for your own field of expression, Virgo. The time is ripe for you to dissect less and build more. [emphasis mine]
Dissect less and build more. OMG. This is so me. I get caught up in a whirlwind of ideas and can't seem to distill them. And then I practice avoidance while I figure it out. But, apparently I need to give in and write in a flurry — I can always fix the bad stuff, but at least I'll get a true narrative unencumbered by too much thinking.
If you like this kind of thing, check out this site.
Have you ever gotten a horoscope (or another prescient piece of advice) that was so right on the money you were amazed and grateful for it? Please share!
