Let the story flow.

Funny how people seem to be on the same wave length some times. Recently was very tiered and trying to edit my book. Got a call then something to eat. After which I felt more like composing. Opening my next book I began stirring the creative juices in my brain and came up with things to embellish scenes and build characters. Yep you guessed it, only one paragraph farther into the story but what great strides I made in the 2500 words I added. Funny how the process works sometimes. Luckily, I did not cut out anything making it, a good thing in the end.

Ariving on the secene

A big shout out to Kristen Lamb for reaching me via her book We Are Not Alone and a thank you to Michel of Kind Critique for giving me the book. Writing adventure, and travel-romance books verging on paranormal, came to me naturally due to the 'wiled hairs' I have to get away. Couple that with an adventurous can-do attitude and I find all kinds of fun trouble to get into. Pictures to come of some of the places I write about.

Writing and editing

Some times I find it hard to spend time editing when I feel like writing. I want to launch a mass query this spring on a book that needs a little reworking/embellishing but I also love my new story. Time management can be hard for a lot of us. I like the fact that I am still in love with the book I'm editing, even though I know every line by heart. (self edited several layers now) I find myself addicted to the creative energy of writing and it's stopping me from putting in the hours needed to clean up the book for this spring. God help me focus. Do you have any helpful hints?

Where do you fit on the shelf?

Is there such a thing as an paranormal adventure romance? Or, how about an urban fantasy travel adventure romance? Yes there is. In fact most books are. Don't worry about this when you're writing, let your creative energy flow. There are different criteria between publishers as to where your book will land. Many books have been re-shelved at different times. I was asked what I write and I didn't have a candid answer but was commended for it. Diversifying is a good thing too, I have found. You might turn out to be a better fiction writer rather than the romance writer you thought you were. Have fun. Get addicted to your story and let it drive you.

Today I found my way to tell a story rather than Tell it. My little old stuffed elephant, which was my focus when I was in labor over thirty years ago, is now my listening buddy. Quite literally I'm telling him my new story, and "he" asks for qualifiers, which is helping me fill in my story as I write it. Strange maybe, but it's working; this stories ruff draft is much better than my others. This is also helping with structure of the subplot. Try it out, no one is watching.

I was sent to this article by Lee Child and found it very enlightening. Thought you would enjoy it. Keeping the suspense going in my novel and not just letting it become one big chase has been a hurdle for me, and now, I hope I have found a new bit of information to help. Happy writing and reading. 

An invaluable tool.

Hello, this is the first time I've sent my manuscript out to Kind Critique. Michel did such a fabulous job and I know I will use her again. The value of having an entire manuscript done professionally, outside the writer's group, has been immense.