Using My Powers for Good....

Does anybody out there understand how hard it is to start writing again after taking a break? I sure do. I don’t even have an excuse. After separating with a company I ADORED working for in August, I decided to go back to writing full time. After five months, my house is clean, carpets shampooed, closets cleaned out and this is the FIRST time I have sat down to do any serious writing…and it’s not even very serious, just me rambling on in my blog (mostly because I am bored out of my mind!).

Don’t get me wrong, I have loved spending time with my family and I can never get enough time with my husband (because he is the most awesome man on the planet). I just don’t feel productive. I miss immersing myself in a job I love. Maybe this isn't the time to start on the fifth revision of my completed manuscript. Maybe I shouldn't start on my exciting memoirs just yet.

I've certainly had time to do a lot of reading, probably a few dozen. Mostly books I wouldn't recommend, although I did get the latest Diana Gabaldon book in her Outlander series, Written in My Own Hearts Blood, for my anniversary (from the fore-mentioned awesome husband) which I devoured, because she is a brilliant writer.

I guess I need to get back out there and find another job I can enjoy and feel like I’m contributing my talents (because let’s face it, I have lots of talents…most of them can even be used for good instead of evil). Perhaps I’ll keep blogging, just so my writing ability doesn't get all rusty and stagnant. Maybe I’ll even find a job that can use my many talents (hopefully not my talent for cleaning, shampooing carpets or organizing closets).

Blog Chain Blatherskite

I’ve often wondered how everyone else comes up with their blog chain topic. As for me, it usually falls into the category of what’s foremost on my mind. With that being said, here's the question:




Do you focus on one project at a time, or do you have many irons in the fire at any given moment?



When I was working on my first MS, it was my sole focus. I didn’t worry about query letters, or writing a synopsis, or plotting out any other work. I finished it at 95,000 words. I had big plans to work on the second book, and even have a folder with notes for it and a third also. All relating to the first MS. Then I started revisions. Being my first work, it wasn’t really revisions, but a complete rewrite of the first half. Saying it was bad is an understatement. It was awful, the writing that is.




I got very frustrated, and I had many people suggest I start on another project and go back to revisions after a break.

So I wrote a few short stories that I was lucky enough to get published. I plotted and started on several new works. I have never been back to visit my original MS. Not once. I have started referring to it as “my sock drawer book” (thanks Don). The only problem is this…I can’t seem to stick with one idea long enough to make any headway.





I guess the reason for the question is to get different perspectives. I do know a few of the chain gang are always multitasking. I’m trying to find my way back from too long off, and am looking for suggestions with this question that can help steer me in the right direction (rather selfish way to come up with a topic, huh?).






I’m the first in this go around, but be sure you visit Sandra ( http://ulbrichalmazan.blogspot.com/ ), who’s up next.

Blog Chain Blatherskite

Annie(http://anniewritesaboutwriting.blogspot.com/) chose this two part topic. Cole

(http://colegibsen.blogspot.com/) went right before me in the chain and Sandra (http://ulbrichalmazan.blogspot.com/ ) will be next.

I took off a few months from the blog chain, so I’d like to say welcome to our new writers. If your link is not to the left with the rest of the chain gang, please let me know and I will be happy to add your link. And away we go…..

Do you ever get inspired by a real-life event or news story and fear you're ripping off the story too much?

Yes and no. On more than one occasion, while doing historical research, I have run across some fabulous tid-bit, and just run with it. I’ve never worried about ripping off a story, as I always put my own spin on events, so much so, that they often don’t resemble the initial occurrence. I have also read quite a few authors that not only bring up an event, but will it will be a pivotal part of their plot.

Do you ever get inspired by a song or poem or line from a book and worry you're stealing that original person's idea?

I wouldn’t say that I’m inspired by a song as much as it sets the mood. I have an extensive library of music that I listen to while writing. I could give you a soundtrack to my first completed work, a historical romance. There is a different song for almost every scene. From what I’ve gathered, I’m far from alone in this writing quirk.

One of my favorite songs for writing is The Gael, which is the theme song to The Last of the Mohicans. I looked and looked for just the right video and low and behold…Scottish scenes! Now, if you listen to the song, there are so many emotions that it can evoke.

I would love to hear what everyone feels when they listen to this song. I think it will enforce previous posts about giving a group of ten a topic for a story, and all ten stories would end up being very different. No cheating though, just post what emotions you felt and then go back and read what others have said.

Blog Chain Blatherskite

This go around is not only exciting for me, but I have great news to share! Elana, who was before me in the chain (http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/ ) is a quarter finalist in the Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award Contest! And guess what? So is another of our talented Blog Chain members, H.L. Dyer! Talk about being surrounded by talent! You can read an excerpt and leave a review (which can help them in the final judging) by following these links :

http://www.amazon.com/Control-Issues-Amazon-Breakthrough-Novel/dp/B001UG3BNG

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UG3AYQ

Okay, back to our blog chain. I was a bit over-excited this time around. Author of the soon to be released The Hollow, Jessica Verday (http://jessicaverday.blogspot.com/) started this chain and uber talented Mary (not sure how much I can say about her current project) Lindsey (http://marylindsey.wordpress.com/) will be the next link in this chain.

Here's our task:

WRITE! I want a short story people. 100 words, 300 words, 500 words, 1,000 words - whatever you're comfortable with! The only requirement I have is that the theme of the story have something to do with HEARTS. Someone stealing someone else's heart. Someone pining away for true love. A thief of hearts... Go wild!!

So here is my contribution...

Lissette watched the couple walk down the lit path through the park. She could smell them; each human had their own distinct perfume. Hiding in the shadow of a large Oak she licked her lips. It would be nothing to take them both, to feed on their warm pulsing blood until their heart stopped pumping. She knew he would come then.

A thrill ran through her cold body. It was as close to being alive as she’d been for centuries. The mere thought of the Gede made her feel. She hadn’t felt anything, aside from the hunger for blood, in so long. It was foreign, yet not unpleasant.

Unsure why the council of elders had an interest in this particular Gede, a God of death and libido, Lissette knew better than to ask. She had not survived alone in the dark underworld this long without learning to watch and listen. She had made herself an asset to the elders, but she also knew they felt no loyalty to her or any other of their underlings.

Deciding on an easier kill that would draw far less attention, Lissette scanned the vast park for a random homeless person. In a far corner of the park, about two hundred yards away, she could hear a man’s voice. She listened intently as he bragged to his companions about beating a woman and leaving her for dead. She could hear the man’s heart race as he relived the violation that he had inflicted before the beating. Just retelling it excited him. His two companions didn’t seem to share his rapid pulse. She could actually smell the fear emanating from one of them.

“Nothing like a bit of street justice to make a girl feel better” Lissette murmured to herself. Not that she really cared about the woman he had spoken of, she had done worse herself. She knew that this would make for a very angry ghost, one that she could easily control to draw the Gede to her.

It was over before either of his companions realized what was happening. She had started to drain the man before he could even register her presence. The other two men ran without looking back. Warmth flooded down Lissette’s throat. She could hear the man’s heart pounding in his chest. She listened as she drank, waiting for it to slow.

Seconds before she completely drained him, forcing his heart to stop pumping, she reached down, shoving her hand through his shirt, entering his humanly frail skin. Reaching up behind his rib cage, her hand instinctively found his heart, her fingers wrapping around the moist organ. She gave a quick yank and the arteries tore away. Pulling it from his body, she held the heart in front of his face. Lissette spoke to the man looking into his dimming eyes, “You belong to me now”.

She would wait; wait for Gerard, the strongest of the Gede, to find her. She knew he would come and she wondered what his blood would taste like. She had smelled it. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced, the blood of a God. It made her light headed just thinking about it. Someday, she would grasp Gerard’s heart, beating and strong, unlike the slippery useless flesh still dripping in her fingers.

Environmental Writers Block

How many writers are so OCD, they can't possibly be creative unless everything is in place? Quiet, music playing, right frame of mind, etc.

Show of hands please?

Yeah, I raised mine. I have been giving writing, and the reasons that we don't, much thought of late. I have decided that, for me at least, there are two types of writers block. The conventional type that you often hear writers talk about, you see it in movies, you think about it when someone mentions dreaded writers block. NO IDEAS. Then there is what I have deemed environmental writers block. For whatever reason, your surroundings are just not conducive to the creative process. I'll break it down:

Conventional Writers Block-
*The voices went away
*The creative juices aren't flowing
*You can't seem to form a coherent thought
*No plot worth writing comes to mind
*Burning out due to revisions (AKA I want to hurl my PC out the window)

Environmental Writers Block-
*Kids always needing this, that or the other
*Phone ringing
*Laundry piled up
*House a mess
*Shopping needs to be done
*Dinner to be made
*Bills to be paid
*Shows to watch on the DVR
*American Idol is on (or insert your own reality weakness here)
*Any other thing that goes on in your daily life (illness, PC crash, school functions, etc.)

As you can see, the list for environmental writers block has plenty of room for you to add your own household detractors. I do know it's possible to want to write so badly, that you can block out anything. I have actually written a short story, that was published, at the playground inside Burger King amid the interruptions of my kids, and the squealing of the other rugrats there. It can be done.

I guess what I am trying to say here, more for myself than anyone, is where there is a will, there is a way. Period. Sometimes you have to take a step back, and only you can decide when that time comes, but when you really want to write, I am going to list things that I have found effective for me.

*Headphones (with or without music)
*Writing at night when everyone is in bed
*Wake up and write before anyone else is up
*Tell others when you are writing to only interrupt if the house is burning down
*Hyper-focus (if you are ADD/ADHD you'll be able to do this - trust me, I know)

If anybody else has a handy trick to keep environmental writers block at bay, please feel free to share!

As for me, I am going to get back to my writing...

Blog Chain Blatherskite

It's my turn to pick the topic on this blog chain round, even though I missed the last one, which Elana started ( http://www.elanajohnson.blogspot.com/ ) and ended with Abi ( http://bloggingexperiments.wordpress.com/ ).

Since I missed the last chain entirely, I was stupid enough not to go back and see what the topic was (Homer Simpson "Doh" could be heard as I slapped my head).

***Unfortunately, it was pretty dang close to the one I picked, so there will be an alternative question for the members who don't want to just copy and paste their last post in their blog.

Have you ever had anything cause you to step back from writing? If so, what was the cause and how long did it take you to get back into the swing of things? If not, do you have any advice for other writers about not letting life get in the way of writing?

Oh dear God, where to start? I have neglected my writing on many occasions; here lately it’s gotten really bad! I think I should just make a list of issues of late, much like you would a grocery list.

1. Two of my daughters were diagnosed with a genetic birth defect which causes a Mal tracking Patella. The oldest is in a full leg brace, and between fights with the insurance company, Doctors and pharmacy, it’s been very emotionally draining.

2. My 13 year old son just got his first car (yes, I said 13), a 1976 Camaro. It’s a fixer-upper and he has done nothing but pester me to go to this store looking for this, that or the other for the car.

3. My husband has been laying off people at his work. Unfortunately, two of the men are disgruntled and have decided to lay in wait for my husband outside our house once that we know of so far.

4. My PC crashed and I lost about 7 years worth of pictures, documents, songs, etc.

5. We had an ice storm that caused my kids to be home for 3 days cooped up in the house.

6. I’ve had a viscous sinus infection that doesn’t seem to want to go away.

7. My cat got out and almost sliced his foot off (no idea how) so got to spend two days at the vet.

8.I had another BIRTHDAY (yuck) and turned 39.

9. Oh yeah, did I mention I have five kids???

This is just the last month. I have neglected my blogging, my writing, pretty much anything that I do for myself, because I have been so mentally taxed. I refuse to write more until I get a new PC. Even though I was able to wipe mine and reinstall Windows XP, there are still issues, and I think it’s only a matter of time till it quits working all together, so I haven’t even uploaded my writing folders back to it.

I often wonder how writers can keep it up even when life happens. I know many say that it is an escape, but I haven’t been able to take advantage of that escape for a few months now. Hopefully getting a new PC will light a fire under my butt, till then, I will just have to cheer on my fellow writers! YOU GO GIRLS! Check out Leah's ( http://leahclifford.livejournal.com/ ) post next!

*** Alternative question: Do you brainstorm with a friend when you are plotting, or do you prefer to be the only one who knows what your characters are going to do?

Blog Chain Blatherskite

Abi started this chain, which you can find here:

http://bloggingexperiments.wordpress.com/

Elana was before me ( http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/ ) and she is going to be a hard act to follow, what with her interviewer being a hot guy from EW and all....lucky dawg!

Leah follows me here: http://leahclifford.livejournal.com/

Abi's Topic is:
1. What writing related things have you done in the past?
2. What WIPs are you working on now?
3. Do you have anything brewing for the future?
4. Are you setting any writing goals or resolutions for 2009?

She was also thoughtful enough to let us choose what questions we answered, all of them, or just the ones we wanted to. Since my brain has been on an extended vacation for the holidays, I figured I'd jump into the deep end and go for it!

1. I have had several short stories published. I would say they were paranormal romance. I have also finished (operative word) a 95,000 word historical romance and promptly shoved it into a sock drawer. I also have several WIPs, in fact, I have a total of four that I have either outlined, actually started writing, or just loosely plotted. ADD is a BAD thing at times!

2. At the moment, I am working on a paranormal mystery/romance, although I have been a slacker since school has been out for the kids. They go back Tuesday...YEA!

3. & 4. Since the last two questions are future related, I'm just gonna lump them together. I, like most people, thought long and hard about the things that I would like to achieve in the upcoming year. I think the smallest goal for my writing is to finish my current WIP that I just labeled "Ghost MS", since it is currently untitled. The largest goal is to sign with an agent in 2009. I could say that I'll blog every day, or even every other day, but I always tell my husband that I am "consistently inconsistent", so I have no delusions that I could stick with that. I do, however, feel that finishing a WIP, revising and polishing it, and then querying isn't something that is unattainable for the new year, so there you have it folks. I must now be held accountable because it's IN MY BLOG!

So how about you guys, New Year resolutions abound, tell me about it!

Boomer Sooner Baby!

I have mentioned before that in our house we "bleed Crimson and Cream". What that means is that we LOVE our Sooner football. In fact, when my husband and I got married, we had to schedule our trip around OU football.

It was a great weekend to be a Sooner fan. We won the Big 12 championship game, set a new NCAA record by scoring 60+ points in 5 consecutive games, and we will be playing for the National Title.

This is what I posted back on September 9, 2008:

"For those of you who don't follow NCAA football, OU (the University of Oklahoma) is going to have a banner year. My husband predicts (and I do concur), that we will play for the National Title this year. Yes, people, OU is just THAT good!" (http://terrirainer.blogspot.com/2008/09/unexcused-absense.html )

I had forgotten about that, but hubby reminded me tonight, so I had to go hunt that post down. Of course it also mentions a diet (ahem), which I failed miserably, and revisions to my historical romance that I have since thrown in the proverbial sock drawer.

None of these things get me down, because I am currently working on a new paranormal romance/mystery WIP that I have outlined and am so excited about, my laundry is almost caught up (that's a big deal when you have five kids), and my wonderful hubby gave me the most beautiful diamond necklace for Christmas.

I will admit that it was a total Hallmark moment when he gave it to me, and I actually teared up. My hands were shaking when I tried to put it on. Even I get emotional sometimes!

Today life is good...tomorrow I'll fight the battles that life throws at me, and on Wednesday, I am starting an all new Hunky Hump Day post that you girls won't want to miss!!!

Blog Chain Blatherskite

Yes kiddos, it’s that time again! I feel lucky to have been invited to become a member of the blog chain with this multi-talented group of writers. Some may even have super powers, just go check out Elana’s blog (http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/ ), she posted before me. And H.L. Dyer will be next (http://hldyer.wordpress.com/).


The topic for our blog chain posts is different each time, and we take turns coming up with a question. As Elana said before me, we are getting closer to the time when we will have to pick, but luckily, she’s gonna have to come up with something brilliant before I do (but not too brilliant….then I’ll just look bad when I have to choose a topic).


Sandra (http://ulbrichalmazan.blogspot.com/) started this one, and she gave us a super hint. It was a video clip from The Princess Bride (check out her blog, it’s there). “As you wish.” Is definitely something that every woman would LOVE to have their man say to every simple request. So here’s the question:


What is the role of wish fulfillment in fiction? What personal wishes do you want your stories to fulfill? Are they the same ones you want to read about? How do our fictitious wishes affect our everyday wishes?


Now, I must admit (not for the first time) that I am a bit impulsive. I also have an imagination with a mind of its own. When I read the question the first time, I just skimmed it and then my imagination answered in lots of visuals. There was Gerard Butler doing my laundry, next he was mopping the kitchen floor, then he was cooking dinner. Each time I asked him to do something he would reply in his lovely Scottish brogue,

“As ye wish, Princess.” (okay, I threw the “Princess” in just so that I could imagine the “r’s” rolling off his tongue).

Now what does it say about me that I would fantasize about Gerard Butler doing my laundry or cleaning my house? Sad, isn’t it?

But then I read the first post by Sandra. Oops, I misunderstood the question.

Okay, I’m sure that most people agree that they read fiction as an escape from their life; being able to imagine yourself in a different time period, a different location, maybe even hob-knobbing with super natural beings. Whatever genre you read, or write for that matter, it’s usually because that’s what or where you’d like to be, at least for a few minutes of your day.

I think one wish for my writing would be that it takes the reader to another place. Whether you journey with Margaret to eighteenth century Scotland, get inside the head of Kathryn who is haunted by a young boy, or travel through the Veil with Gerard the Gede (***sorry Voodoo Priestess if that reference offends you), I want my readers to relate to my characters and experience emotions right along with them. I want readers to care about what happens to my characters. I think I want what most writers want. What do you think?


***

http://terrirainer.blogspot.com/2008/09/open-apology-to-vodou-priestess.html

Blog Chain Blatherskite

Yes, it's time for another blog chain post, and this go around was started with Michelle http://www.michellemclean.blogspot.com/ . Elana was before me: http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/ , and Leah comes next in the chain:
http://leahclifford.livejournal.com/ .

When I met Michelle, we were instantly awed by the similarities to our historical romance novels...thank God they were both completed BEFORE we met, or there could have been questions about how those similarities took place.

I really liked her....until now! I have been procrastinating for days about writing this post. In fact, in an attempt to avoid this post, I have outlined and started rewrites on the ghost/paranormal romance, and even started trying to decide how to start my next historical romance (which has been outlined for a while). All this has taken place in the last three days.

What could be so bad about this post? Well, according to Michelle, who is in the process of unpacking from a move, this would be a "fun post"... fun like a root canal?
Let's just move onto the dreaded question:



Share a favorite poem, quote, joke, anecdote, or anything of the sort that deals with writing, writers, the publishing industry, or the other strange and unusual tidbits that belong to our little world.

I don't do poems, and I usually only quote myself, my kids, or my grandmother (she told me the day before she died "Be good...if you can't be good, then be good at it!"). Jokes seem to lose the finer nuances when you read them, opposed to hearing them, so I guess anecdote is what you guys are going to get.

I mentioned in a previous post that I got to meet my favorite author, Diana Gabaldon, at a sci-fi convention this summer ( http://terrirainer.blogspot.com/2008/07/diana-gabaldon-and-time-displacement.html ).

What I didn't mention, was my reaction when I saw her! Um, I came across as the crazy fan from hell. I ran up to her, and said,

"I'm here! I told you on your blog I'd be here, and here I am!" To which she smiled that tolerant, oh dear God it's a stalker, get me out of here, smile. My friend Lisa was mortified. I just chalked it up to me and my big mouth and shrugged it off.

Now moving on to my next "I don't care what you think about me" story. This just happened today. I pulled up to get gas at the local station. As I got out, a motorcycle police officer pulls up at the pump next to me. I instantly see this as a research opportunity, since the hero in my paranormal romance is a police officer. Here's how that went:

"Excuse me, but can I ask you a question?" I said, while peeking around the gas pump.

The man looked up suspiciously, and answered warily, "Sure".

"How long would it take an officer to become a Lieutenant?"
He just looked at me, so I went on, "I'm writing a book, and I made my main character a Lieutenant, but I'm worried he's too young for it to be believable."

"Oh, okay." He responded, like he was asked questions like that every day.

"About fifteen years, depending on whether there is an opening."

Well, that doesn't work for my book...."What if it's a small town? Is it the same?"

"Oh, that's a whole different story. It could take a whole lot less time, if officers move or retire, could be as little as eight years."

"Cool! Thanks, that's perfect. Small town it is!"

So there you have it, not only do I have a thick skin, I'm not afraid to look like an idiot. In fact, I think I look like an idiot on a regular basis! It's how I roll.....

A Must Have for Writers on the Elusive Agent Hunt!

Authoress, the anonymous champion of all aspiring writers, has done it again! Her latest endeavor is a no nonsense guide to starting that agent hunt and the tools to avoid pitfalls that so many of us fall into.

Many of you are familiar with her blog http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/ and her Hook the Agent contests. She also has many crit opportunities for her blog followers.

Over-all, she's just one of those really helpful people that try and make a difference by sharing her time, words of wisdom, and giving other's a chance to get a leg up in the elusive agent hunt. That being said, her new e-book release is now available:

This can be purchased for $9.99 on Authoress's blog (the link is above). It is an e-book, so talk about instant gratification!

The resources that she gives you are priceless. You could spend months and months researching these things on the web, read books on getting published (which are certainly not going to be cheaper), and would still be left wondering where to start.

Authoress has given you the tools, the lists (I so love lists), and the places to go so that you can too can find an agent, and then how to go about getting an agent that is right for you.

If you have written, are writing, or even thinking about writing something, this is a tool that you NEED. Go visit her blog, look around, and order her book. I promise you won't be sorry!

Oh yeah, and tell her Terri sent you...not that I get a kick-back, but I have a secret fantasy that maybe she's Nora Roberts, or JK Rowling, or Diana Gabaldon and I'd like to have brownie points!

Blog Chain Blatherskite

Some people argue that creative people need “angst” to produce good work. Do you? What emotions drive you as a writer?

Do I need angst to produce good work?

That seems a bit subjective to me, since most writers would like to think that every time they pen something that it will be considered good at the very least. I will say that had it not been for angst, I would not have started writing again (it was a very hard time in my life). Now whether what I wrote was good...let's just say it was, um, a start.

This question came at such an interesting time for me. October is my favorite month of the year. I get so excited, and by the end of the month, I was riding high http://terrirainer.blogspot.com/2008/10/happy-halloween.html . So many good things happened last week, that it was inevitable that once November started, it would be a supreme let down.

Enter my fall state of depression. So many people say that fall is their favorite time of the year. In Oklahoma fall comes late. The leaves are just now turning. November marks the beginning of a melancholy period for me. I wouldn't say that I journey into a downward spiral of depression that requires medication, I just tend to become far more subdued than normal.

That being said, it is about as close as I come to having a serious case of angst. And NO! I don't write anything well while in a mood that tends to lean towards gloomy. I get complacent, I have to use my energy to function at a normal level. It's as if some of my spirit drains along with the green in the leaves and the grass. I hardly feel creative.

What emotions drive you as a writer?

Hmmmm, this is a head scratcher for me. I never thought of any emotion driving me. The creative juices start flowing so fast I had to have an outlet. I controlled the emotion that I was pouring into my work by my song selections. As so many before me in the chain have admitted, listening to certain music often sets the tone of the written work. Whether it aids in the mood or makes those emotions stronger using auditory stimulation is anybody's guess. That is only one tool that a writer can use.

Drawing on a past experience, or an emotional scene from a movie, even feelings evoked from a favorite book, are all things that a creative mind can draw on. I do try and feel the same emotions that a character is feeling. It makes it easier to share that with a reader if you are putting yourself in the character's own mood.

This question has been my favorite so far. It came at such a great time. To be able to reflect on the swing of emotions that we all feel from time to time has been an eye-opener. It also forced me to write, which I haven't done at all this week.

Even though October is over, I still have ghost stories that I could share, and I will try and round up a few for my next post. Until then, you should really go to the beginning of this chain and follow it. The members of the blog chain are all far more talented at conveying their thoughts on this subject, and I must say that it really sucks to have to follow them!

The chain started with Archy http://archetypewriting.blogspot.com/ , Elana was before me in the chain http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/ , and Leah follows my post http://leahclifford.livejournal.com/ .

Blog Chain Blatherskite

Sorry for my absence, I promise there are more ghost stories coming soon!

Until then, it's that time again! My turn on the chain gang...

The chain started with Kate ( http://katekaryusquinn.blogspot.com/ ) and the last post was Elana ( http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/ ). Be sure you check out the writers on the chain, cause let me tell ya, writer or not, they have some very insightful posts!

So, here's the question this time around:

How, as a writer, do you find the balance between having too much or too little confidence in your work?

As with so many writers in the chain before me, I have that ego swelling, that self-importance when you write. That "Aha!" moment when you say to yourself, "Damn, that's good stuff!".

You read it again, and you send it off to your crit partners. Then with each small suggestion, correction, and truthful comment, that initial, "Damn I'm good" turns into "Well crap, I thought it was good, but I see where they are coming from..."

You move on to revisions....endless revisions it seems. Here, you ride the confidence roller coaster.

I learned early on that criticism in any form is hard to take. In the end though, it only helps to make you a better writer. It's true what they say..."If it doesn't kill ya, then it will make ya stronger".

I will admit that anyone who has rejection issues should NEVER try and get published. The confidence level drops even further when those rejections come in for your phenomenal work that you just know is the best novel ever written.

I think the same should apply to those with a super-ego...no need to make excuses when you get rejected...LEARN from it...GROW as a writer.

Until this chain question, I really hadn't given my confidence level much thought. I know there are writers out there with far more education, far more talent, and far more tools to succeed in publishing, but it has never intimidated me. I want others to succeed. I get excited when one of my crit partners gets a request for a partial, and even more so when it's for a full. Someone else's success should only boost your own confidence, never deflate it.

I suppose I should pass the chain on over to Leah ( http://leahclifford.livejournal.com/ ) , but never fear, I'll be back this week with another ghost story, I'm just waiting on some pictures to go with it...it's about my trip to an old abandoned hospital with a REAL paranormal research team!!!

Ghostly Blog Chain Blatherskite

It's that time again, time for the blog chain to commence! This group of writers is fantastic! You will find most have messy desks (which makes me feel so much better about my own), and they have some quirks that I share, and some that I just shake my head at! Here's the question this time:

What kind of quirky habits or rituals do you have regarding your writing? (or regarding anything else, if that is more fun.)

After following this chain from Mary http://marylindsey.wordpress.com/ , who started it (BAAAAAA BAAAAAAAAA), all the way to the last one to post, Elana http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/ (the only one WITHOUT even a desk to mess up), I have to say that YES, I have a messy messy desk, but no sheep like Mary. The only real quirk I have while writing is that I MUST be listening to music. Each major scene in The Crichton heir has a song that I played over and over while writing it. I called it “my mood music”.

I also have ADD (I dropped the “H” years ago, with so many kids, I don’t have the energy to be hyper too). The way my brain works is CRAZY. I start one thing, then another, then another, often forgetting what I was doing to begin with. I have to make lists if I have a lot to do, and I have to stick to them. The only way that this helps when I am writing, is that if you know anything about ADD, then you know that another "quirk" is hyper-focusing. YES, I will hyper-focus until my eyes feel like they will pop out of my head. Whether it’s research (I will spend HOURS and HOURS researching one thing.) or reading a book, or even writing. When you get in the “zone” everything else disappears.

Now, in keeping with my October theme, this post wouldn’t be complete with out a little ghostly tid-bit. Here’s where I start to get REAL quirky (my daughter just calls it WEIRD). Ghosts don’t scare me. Oh, they used to, as you can see from my previous stories. However, once you realize that fear comes from the unknown, and you spend hours and hours researching paranormal topics, not only on the web, but interviewing people, and even speaking to psychics (yes, I believe in them too, but not all…another post would require my thoughts on the charlatans that defraud grieving people), you realize that REAL people pose a far greater threat than the dead ones.

My beliefs would be considered quirky I suppose. I KNOW that ghosts exist, without a single solitary doubt. I’ve seen too much, heard too much, and felt too much to ever doubt the existence of them. Now here’s where things get subjective. I believe that ghosts are individuals who have died, but have not “crossed over”. They are stuck between this plane of existence that we live in, and the next, the one that our spirit moves on to (most people would call it heaven).

There are many things that keep a person “stuck”. Some die suddenly and often tragically. They are not even aware that they are dead, and become trapped. Others know they are dead, but led such a “sin-filled” life, that they are afraid to cross over, afraid of what may await them. Then you have the ones who just loved life so much, that they refuse to move on, clinging to a world they are no longer a part of.

Whatever caused the ghost to remain trapped, there are times when they can and do interact with the living. Oh, and they CAN travel. That I do know for a FACT, which I will go into a bit in my next post. I have even HEARD them speaking. NO, the voices in my head are my characters, I actually heard one on a tape recorder that was VERY loud, and VERY clear, and kind of attitudal, if you ask me. Again, that story will be coming up this month too.

Ghosts can be found in many places. Of course, there are cemeteries, you can pretty much bet that somebody is hangin around there (I have a really good picture of a guy that was doing just that….he was dead of course, and we didn’t SEE him when we took the picture, he just ended up in it), then you have hospitals. Now, I can tell you that OLD hospitals can be an interesting place to visit. I was invited on an investigation that I will post about later that was in an old abandoned county hospital, and let me just say that it’s hard to duck and dodge things that someone throws when you can’t see the person throwing them! Ghosts can also be found where they died (like a hospital), could be a house, a street where an accident took place, pretty much anywhere, but they do have the ability to “hitch a ride” so to speak. So you just never really know if you have a ghost looking over your shoulder while you grocery shop, or watch a movie, or even typing at your computer.

I will continue with my own personal experiences soon, but be sure to check out the next to post in the blog chain, Leah http://leahclifford.livejournal.com/ .

And I also wanted to thank David McMahon http://david-mcmahon.blogspot.com/ for featuring me TWICE now on his blog! He's got a great blog with some really great people that have stopped by. Go check him out (okay, I meant his blog, not actually HIM)!

Blog Chain Blatherskite

H.L. Dyer started this blog chain, to follow it start here: http://hldyer.wordpress.com/ .

Elana Johnson posted before me, here's her link:
http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/ .

The question this time is:
How do you as an author choose or create your story-world and give that setting authenticity?

Now, when this chain started, I thought, "Cool! this will be easy."
Uh, not so much now. After following all of the wonderful writers that are members of the "chain gang" (listed to the left on my blog), I realize it's true....YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE SMARTER AND BETTER THAN YOURSELF.

Boy have I done that, and now the pressure is on. These writers are all further along than I am (good for me, huh?), in both the writing process, and the understanding of how that process works. Okay, I suppose I should quit procrastinating and answer the dang question, so here goes.

I didn't choose Scotland. I simply SAW a location that my character stood in. I saw the surroundings, the green sloping hills, the steep cliffs that led to a sea inlet. Waves capped in white foam crashing against the rocks. The constant wind blowing inland. And of course the castle to her left. I saw how it seemed to balance on the edge of those cliffs, looking rugged and weathered. The one tower rose above the structure, a winding staircase visible through the dilapidated walls. I knew this had been the home of Margaret, although it was merely ruins now. The crescent shaped cove that it over-looked became the name for her home, Crescent Cove.

Then started the research. I looked and looked at castles. All over Europe. I found some of the most beautiful, fairy tale castles in Germany and Austria, but that was not what she had showed me. I searched Ireland, knowing it had been on the coast. I looked at castles in England, and still no luck. Then I moved to Scotland. I found a few that were close, but just not right.This went on for weeks. Then I found it...Girnigoe Castle.

Now, if I had had any doubts, which I really didn't, as to whether this had been the home of Margaret Sinclair, my "fictional" character, those doubts would have been thrown from the high cliffs onto the sharp jagged rocks below as soon as I found the history on the castle.

The castle was built by a Sinclair, and had remained a Sinclair holding, even to this day. Since Margaret was a Sinclair, I knew I had found my location.

In the last three years, I have bought and read any books, fiction or other-wise, that I could on Scotland. I have fallen in love with the land and people there. Their history is a troubled one, but yet they remain a proud people. The Scots even helped form a lot of traditions here in the states, some good, some not so good.

Now, as far as my book, I couldn't make my time period work if I had used Girnigoe Castle, seeing as how it was destroyed BEFORE the 1700's. I know, I know, creative license and all...but when writing historical romance, you can only use that license every so often, and it better not be too far off the truth. Therefore, Crescent Cove was born (but it's really Girnigoe Castle).

I will also admit that I am forever learning Scottish terms (see my post about Scottish curse words), and descriptions of the locale. My goal is to one day visit Scotland, so that I can do research on a whole new level. There is a lighthouse about a mile from Girnigoe that houses a Sinclair genealogy museum...how cool would that be????

I suppose that I have rambled on enough for now. Leah Clifford is next, you can find her blog here:
http://leahclifford.livejournal.com/

Diana Gabaldon and Time Displacement

Look what I did yesterday! Not only did I get to meet my all-time favorite author, Diana Gabaldon, but I attended classes all day that she was either on the panel or taught! How great does she look? Ms. Gabaldon is almost 20 years my senior, but she looks better than I do! See what writing GREAT novels can do?

She is not only a gracious person, but humble and down to earth. The first class was an interview with her. At the end, questions were taken...that's when the weirdness began! This guy asked:

"Do you believe in time displacement?"***

Okay, if you know anything about this author, she is also a scientist. She replied to him about having written a paper for a scientific journal about it.

OMG! This guy raised his voiced and said:

"They've proven it! IT'S A FACT. Time displacement is real!!!!"***
He then went into a detailed description of the experiment and "proof".

Ms Gabaldon smiled and politely nodded, much like you would to a child telling about an imaginary friend, or the crazy person you see walking through a parking lot talking loudly to themselves. I'm not sure how she kept from rolling her eyes (I had my hand firmly locked over my mouth to prevent the snort from breaking free). This just goes to prove that this woman is a class act, and I feel privileged to have met her.

The time between classes, Lisa and I sat in the lobby and people watched. WOW...it was interesting. A Sci-Fi conference certainly brings out the characters. All in all, it was a good time, and I am glad that I went!

*** The quote may not be EXACT, but close enough for you to get the picture.

:) Terri

Conestoga Convention and Sex

This time tomorrow, I will be in Tulsa, listening to Diana Gabldon lecture about writing sex scenes! Now this could come in handy, since I am seriously considering throwing my hat into the Erotica arena.

Hmmm, that sounded bad, didn't it? Let me clarify. There is a short story contest that I am entering. The publisher of the magazine I write for wants me to submit something. I have my Gede story, that I could write an ending for, but I also have a short story I wrote during my writing class. It was more of a "let's dare the old married lady to write about sex"...HELLOOOOOOOO, I have 5 kids...do ya think I'm clueless?

Needless to say, it made most who read it blush. Then there is the problem of the author's name to use...I am so not going to take credit for THAT! I mean, I would, but only a select few would know it was really ME that wrote it.

Okay, let's get back to Conestoga. It is going to be my first writer's convention. It is geared towards Sci-fi/Fantasy/Paranormal. My Gede stories certainly qualify me to attend without feeling like too much of an idiot. Although my first complete MS is Historical Romance (big difference), my only published work is fantasy/paranormal.

When I get back, I will have to post some pics and tell everybody how it went. I am getting psyched!

:) Terri

Cool Shirts and ADD...Random? I THINK NOT.

Okay, how many out there are totally ADD? I start one thing, and end up doing something completely random. I do have the ability to hyper-focus, which I sometimes do when I SHOULDN'T!

Case in point: While doing my daily blogging (on everybody else's blogs), I happened to click on the wrong link from my favorites list. It took me to cafepress.com. Okay, if you've never been there, don't go unless you are a stronger person than I.

I consequently spent a few hours perusing shirts/mugs/caps, etc.

Some of them are now on my "must have" list. How great is that notebook?????

And check out the mouse pad...when you send out queries, I swear you check your bulk/spam box twenty times a day!

Now, as you can see, I wasn't just looking, noooooo, I was preplanning this blog. I was on a mission to share all these great finds with you, my blogger friends...(cough cough).

I know this sounds like it borders on child labor/abuse, but I would SO make my kids wear this shirt! I might even give 'em the quarter for wearing it!

Okay, so I wasn't quite expecting the snicker when I showed my husband this shirt! He could have just played along and agreed! But he did laugh at the next one I showed him...I guess THOSE benefits were more to his liking!

So there you have it. My research for the day, to bring you all this great stuff.

I am such a sharing person , aren't I?

:) Terri

GOOD NEWS!

On the home front, it's been chaotic to say the least. The baby is home now (MY home...my husband and I are kinship foster parents to both daughter's, the baby and ten year old...not by choice, but necessity...long story there), and seems to be doing good.

Stacy is now out of the drug induced coma and off of life support, but she has brain damage. They are not sure what the extent of the damage is. She is also showing stroke-like symptoms, which the Dr's said was to be expected following the grand mal seizures brought on by Eclampsia. Only time will tell on her recovery, and she is not out of the woods yet.

On a brighter note...

I GOT MY FIRST CHECK IN THE MAIL FOR MY WRITING!!!

I have started on the second Gerard the Gede story, and it is soooo cool! When I finish, I will post it!

I also want to thank everyone for their kind words and prayers. I hope to get back to my blogging soon, but I am just too dang old to be staying up all night with a newborn and still functioning!

:) Terri

Scotland Obsessions and Belly Button Piercing

Do you see what my husband has to put up with?

My den is where I write, so I have been slowly adding all things castles, Scotland, and now my cute little Arthur. He is my 3 feet tall knight in shining armor! If you are like many others who have seen him, you just rolled your eyes....

I decided to also show you some of my other acquisitions. I actually found a black velvet oil painting of a castle (Elvis or the poker dogs just wouldn't go with my decor).

I have a gorgeous roll top desk that I had every intention of using to write, HOWEVER, you can see my monitor sits on my tiny computer desk next to my book shelf.

Moving onto to other topics, this weekend has been another crazy one. My oldest, Tiffany, turned 14 and we had a sleep over.

Dear God....I have turned into my mother! Their music gives me a splitting headache after only a few hours. In spite of their choice in music, I think it was a success. We decorated tote bags (thanks Mrs. 4444!), they munched on veggie, meat & cheese trays, then we had chocolate and caramel fondue (thanks again Mrs. 4444). The last thing that we did that night was roast Starburst using tea lights (once again, thanks Mrs. 4444).

The following day, I loaded up Tiffany, my niece Alisa, and their friend Sam, picked up Sam's mom, and all the girls had their belly buttons pierced. That was what my daughter wanted for her birthday. My husband was none too happy that I agreed! I think it's cute though.

:) Terri