Tag Archives: Writing

Through Heart Shaped Glasses

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This is a new group blog where eleven very talented ladies who write in different genres of romance come together to share stories, successes, and trials. The blog idea was hatched in my critique group, The Passionate Critters, and it is now live as of … well yesterday.

Each month we will have a theme in which our posts are centered around. To kick off our first month at THSG, we are rolling with the ‘First’ theme. My blog day will be on the 5th of every month and every other day there will be a post from one of my fellow lovely crit partners or even a guest spot. You will want to stop in often to see what craziness we are up to or what we are sharing, but better than that, you will want to stay in tune with the blog because there will also be a monthly give away sponsored by one of our members.

We all see the world a little differently, but we see it through…

and in the end, we are more than just critique partners, we are friends who come together from different walks of life and share a common passion for the written word, coffee, chocolate, and cupcakes! Just click on the little button and be whisked away to a new blog and new adventure. I promise you won’t be sorry!

 

Glass~

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I’ve had a contemporary western story that I’d been working on for the better part of a year. It was a give and take book on so many levels. Last night I had the pleasure of typing ‘The End’ and feeling quite pleased with the story I wrote. Now comes the fun part. The polishing and subbing process. Trust me, I will keep you posted of what happens to Wallace’s story and where he ends up. In the meantime, enjoy one of the songs that provided a little inspiration to this tale. Glass by Thompson Square. There is a scene in the book where Cheyenne is listening to this very song and I love the lyrics. And stay tuned because Wallace has three other siblings with stories that need to be told. Hope you enjoy!

On Top of the World~

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Imagine Dragons has a couple songs that my little zombies love to hear. Radioactive of course tops the list, but this is another that they enjoy and ask me to play quite frequently. As I am getting ready to kick off the month of April with a little Camp NaNoWriMo, I needed a little push and a smile before I bury myself in words. So for the little zombies in my life….and for all those who may need a Monday pick-me-up. Let’s all be On Top of the World together!

Carry On!

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Today, I’m sending out a very simple message…Carry On. That is my mantra for the year thanks to the band Fun. From the first time I heard the chorus, it was stuck in my head. Have a listen.

More importantly, have a great Monday, a great week, and a great month! Carry On! I know I will as I continue to push through my first draft of Wallace McGregor’s story, and get ready to knock out a few more manuscripts that are sitting on my desktop.

 

Who Stole My Swing?

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arboles, beautiful, broken, broken swing, color, fun

 

You know, the one that was a little weathered and beaten down, but helped me stay in the ‘swing’ of things? It kept me tethered to the place where reality and fantasy collide. The one place I could escape into the worlds where my stories took shape. I desperately need it back.

There is a favor I must ask if the swing happens to be in your possession. Please do not repair it. The state it was in at the time of it’s disappearance is the state I would like it returned in. The rope is a little rough against the palms of my hands, and the seat will leave a splinter in your arse if you slide too quickly from it. It is falling apart and not worth much, but in my eyes, it was the most perfect swing I could ever ask for. If you see it, please be kind and return it, so I may fall back into the swing of things.

I would post a reward for the safe return of my swing, but alas, you know the old saying about starving artists….

Sincerely,

Photo

A Nod to the Masters~

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There is just something about the works of the past. Greats like Edgar Allan Poe, William Blake, Oscar Wilde, along with countless others. Their words draw you in, painting pictures that leave a lasting impression. For this Monday, since my brain is tired and I’m steeped in research, I thought I would share a few of my favorite lines from those who came before us.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before. ~ The Raven, Edgar Allan Poe

Cruelty has a human heart, And Jealousy a human face;
Terror the human form divine, And Secrecy the human dress. ~A Divine Image, William Blake 

Ambition, love and all the thoughts that burn, We lose too soon, and only find delight, In withered husks of some dead memory. ~Desespoir, Oscar Wilde

Most of the themes of the past seemed steeped in darkness. Morbid…I think that was the word one of my friends used when I was discussing some of the above quotes. I guess I can see where one would see that as a commonality between them. Still, the words paint a picture. There is a poetic beauty to them regardless of their tone that really appeals to me. So tell me, who are some of your favorites from the past and are there any particular lines that really stick out to you?

Zombies Ate My Plot

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I’m not kidding. There’s a big chunk missing. It’s the only realistic explanation to this problem. That’s right. I said ZOMBIES! Other people may call them plot bunnies, however I think zombies is a far more appropriate label. After all, you know they are there. Waiting in the wings for you to demolish them. And if you aren’t quick enough at offering up zombie destruction on a silver platter…well then it will be too late because the zombies will be sucking the remaining juicy morsels of your plot right from your brains.

Luckily, I might have caught this one in time. Or I’m hoping I did. Seems so simple that I’m slapping myself for not recognizing it sooner. So as I set back to work sending plot zombies back to the pits of hell, I must ask my fellow writers how in the world do you deal with the moments when zombies attack? (And yes for those who are wondering, I am a bit delirious right now)

Mid-Week Meltdown?!

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You ever have those mornings where you wake up and think…there is something that I need to do – or that I forgot! I’m having one of those moments now. School? Nope. I checked the website, class is up and available a week ahead of schedule. Promo spot? Nope. Have interviews still to respond to and a few other things in the works, but nothing due this morning that I know of and I’ve scoured my email to be sure. Lil zombies? Did I leave them somewhere? Ah no, they are sleeping safe and sound in their beds. Fall asleep with the stove on? Forget to pay a bill? Nope and double nope.

I ran through everything I could possibly think of and I still have this nagging feeling that I am missing something. Guess I will have to let it go and put this obsessive focus on more productive pursuits like writing. Yes I did do that last night. Between plotting and writing I added a few words to my contemp western. Big goals for that to be finished soon. Thanks P.G. for the 1k in 1 hour marathon. Are you ready to go again tonight? We both have deadlines/goals that we need to meet. That is the beauty of connecting with authors. When you need a push, there are usually a handful out there willing to stand behind you and shove. I have quite a few I can rely on at any given time. Maybe they will help me remember what I’m having my mid-week meltdown over? Well, for what its worth, have a great Wednesday!

School, Party Planning, Edits, and Self Publishing… Oh My!

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Yes that about sums up my life at the moment which is why I’ve been so scarce here on the blog. I’m slowly working my way toward my bachelor’s degree. On top of that I am planning a 40th wedding anniversary celebration for my folks because why should we not celebrate a couple truly living out their happily ever after? Let’s add into the mix that I am in the midst of final round edits on Blood and Moonlight that will be releasing next month. Then I get to tackle the fun, exciting, and nerve wracking task of self publishing. Thankfully, I am not the first to travel down this road and I have a lot of support from a very helpful editor and critique group.

So what’s next? What am I working on? Isn’t that enough? Well hardly. If my hand isn’t in fifty different pots, stirring up the cauldron, or adding unnecessary ingredients, then I’m likely under the weather. On top of all of the above items that are in the mix for the next month, I’ve started working on a contemporary western series, began drafting the second book in the Moonlight series, and have made a good attempt at organizing and planning which books I will write for the next oh…five to ten years? Yes the list is long my lovelys but it is full of goodness, hope, and promise of magic and mayhem waiting to be discovered and put onto paper. Stick with me folks. I have a feeling that the next month or so is going to be a rough but exciting ride!