For this post, let’s break down a well known romance plot to see where the story beats are going. This is an exercise I’d really recommend for authors of any genre. Take your favorite story, or movie, and break it down to see how they made everything work. You’ll be surprised how much it helps you break down your own story! And yes, this is the movie I’m turning into plot points, but it still translates to novel form. Beauty…
AKA my favorite summer reads Also I may have been misleading you a tad with the ‘little’ in the title. Buckle up, bookworms. Tis the season for some hot, hot stuff. Please be advised that every single series on this list would be classified in the erotic romance genre, and carries the accompanying level of spicy scenes. This is the perfect weather to sit sipping a cold drink and reading all about abductions, mail-order brides, cute hybrid babies, forced proximity,…
This month’s group is being co-hosted by Joylene Nowell Butler, Jacqui Murray, Sandra Cox, and Lee Lowery! As always, we are grateful for the gift of their time. The IWSG is all about connections, so stop by, skip from blog to blog, and leave a trail of comments behind you. Like Hansel & Gretel, with less murdery confectionary and more digital breadcrumbs. February’s optional question goes: is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn’t around anymore? Anyone you miss? At first I…
Let’s talk books outside your usual genre We all know I’m a romance reader. It’s definitely not a secret that I’m all about lots and lots of smushy fluff. When I need a break from that I generally turn to my *other* source of bodily fluids, which is horror. Yes. I know that seems strange. In the midst of this chaos of conflicting reads, certain genres are neglected. Like nonfiction. I don’t often pick up that genre and it has…
What I thought it would be like: Writing retreats full of discourse, stimulating discussions, plotting, and lots of other authors. What it’s actually like: #You’reTooPoor #SillyAuthor #RetreatsAreForBestSellers What I thought it would be like: Ideas lining up, falling neatly into their places, everything is flowing and glorious and ticking along like pure, perfect, writing clockwork. What it’s actually like: EVER HEARD OF SLEEPING, Ideas? GIVE ME A BREAK. What I thought it would be like: Editing, DONE. Polishing? This baby…
We’re starting out with the first, basic baby-steps to independent authoring. Well, no. The actual first step is to finish a book. Truly finish not just hit 60K, write “the end”, and shove that sucker out of the nest all bare-assed without even pinfeathers. Your book must hatch: cheep loudly demanding brainworms until you think you may well lose your mind: require hand-fed edits and critiques to grow: regurgitate some re-writes: and get a few more edits just to be…
Or; Thoughts I have while working on the 2nd/3rd/multiple draft
It’s the first Wednesday of the month, which means it’s Insecure Writer’s Support Day! Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit around the group and connect with your fellow writers – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Also check out the handles @TheIWSG and #IWSG on your social media. The co-hosts keeping us on track today are Louise – Fundy Blue , Jennifer Lane, Mary Aalgaard, Patsy…
The stages of accepting constructive criticism, as told through gifs. We all can agree that beta reading is crucial to the success of a story. Having other eyeballs touch your story, pre-publication, is one of the necessary steps a book goes through. Whether it’s a kind friend who volunteers, a writing group, or a professional editor — the link goes to a good post by author D.E. Haggerty on why she uses editors vs. beta readers — you will be…