Friday, December 29, 2006

New Year Wishes

It's that time of year again, when talk of "New Year's resolutions" fills the air.

Instead of resolutions, I'm going to offer some sage words of advice:

"Write your hurts in the sand, carve your blessings in stone."

I don't know who said this first, and I did google to try to find out, to no avail. Whoever came up with this lovely thought to get through the rough spots of life, I thank him or her. It's not easy to overlook hurtful comments or actions, but this reminds me to get over it and focus on what's truly important.

Happy New Year, everyone, and I truly hope your blessings outnumber your hurts.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Casino Royale at last!

We finally got to see the new James Bond film, and yep, it got the thumbs up from us, too. Very entertaining and exciting, despite a few quibbles. Our friend tells me the book ends a little differently, and I think I would have preferred the book's ending, because most of our problems with the story concerned the ending.

It might also have helped if I knew more than the very basics of poker. Big blind, little blind, what the...? It reminded me of the Dr. Seuss A-B-C book: "Big B, little B, what begins with B?" Also, for such a sophisticated place, what was with that dealer's vest? It seemed a little...tacky?

However, Daniel Craig's certainly believable as a death-dealing secret agent, I must say! And there was an unexpected surprise with M. that was brief, but definitely fun and interesting.

In other news, I'm starting to get back into the swing of things, work-wise, in a non-writing-a-book way. Sorting through emails that have piled up, doing some work for our local RWA chapter, and starting to check handouts and prepare for a two-part, full-day workshop I'm doing in January. The morning part is Romance 101 -- the basics about romance writing, including terms we tend to bandy about that can be confusing for new writers. In the afternoon, I'm doing a little something called "Goose your Muse", on motivation and inspiration. That should be fun, and I hope people come away excited and hopeful about writing in general.

Because as jobs go? And despite all the complaining and whining? It's one heck of a great gig!

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Merry Christmas!

The cookies are baked, the napkins have all been found (one went missing), the presents are wrapped...

I wish everyone the very best of holidays -- full of good cheer, good company, fun, family and friends.

Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Night at the zzzzz......

So, having finished my revisions (kaloo kalay!!!), we went to the movies yesterday. Specifically, Night at the Museum. Now, I was originally skeptical about this one, because I sometimes enjoy Robin Williams' movies, but he can be kinda over the top. I was still on the fence about Ben Stiller -- is it him or is it the movies he's in I don't particularly enjoy? We read two local papers. One gave the movie a good review, the other not so good. I should have realized that the reviewer who liked it doesn't generally share my taste, because while the second half of the movie had a couple of laughs, the first half was one of the most boring film experiences of my life.

So I got to thinking about the whys and wherefors, because when you write stories for a living, you tend to think about these things.

I think the biggest problem was that they had a concept, but no story to go with it. They had "what if the exhibits in the museum come to life at night?" Okay, kinda cool, if not unique (shades of Toy Story, to name but one). And they came up with a couple of cute set pieces (the tiny Roman army) but otherwise? They seemed to flounder when it came to developing a story from that concept. The set-up was completely mundane -- divorced dad needs job. Sadly, they didn't make divorced dad particularly admirable. He's never had a job (it seems) and came up with some invention that was essentially a rip-off of something else (so he's not even a creative failure) and subsequently, he keeps having to move. There's no mention of child support, and although it seems obvious the mom doesn't need the money, it's clear he couldn't provide it even if she did. It apparently takes Dad 10 years (his son is 10 in the movie) and his wife's threat of terminating visitation for Dad to figure out he ought to get a "real" job with a "real" paycheck.

Okaaaaay. So far, not so good. This is not a guy I'm prone to root for, because it sounds like immaturity is his middle name.

Then he finally gets a job, and the first night, the exhibits come to life. Okaaaay. He's shocked. Well, duh. He wants to quit. Well, duh. The museum director is played by Ricky Gervais of The Office. I suspect the reviewer who liked the movie thinks anything Ricky Gervais does is hilarious, because this part? Wasn't the least bit amusing to me. It was also actually painful to see Mickey Rooney in this film.

Oh, the love interest in the film, such as she is, is doing a theses/writing a book about Sacagawea, who helped guide the Lewis and Clark expedition. There's a secondary love story between Sacagawea and Robin Williams' character which conveniently overlooks the fact that Sacagawea was married. So, let me get this straight. A movie that's also supposed to be championing history? Plays fast and loose with historical facts.

Sigh.

Anyhoo, History Babe, after spending six years on this work, decides to abandon it because Sacagawea is just not "coming alive" for her (or something along those lines). Now, it seems to me that a person who enjoys researching and writing about history is going to realize that the person she's writing about is, you know, dead, and it's sort of up to her to make the person "come alive" via her writing. But maybe that's just me.

The movie finally comes to life when something is stolen (and don't get me started on that) and it's up to the museum exhibits (and Ben Stiller and son) to get it back. That's conventional also, but at least there's some interesting activity and motion.

Basically, a gimmick alone is simply not enough to make a good movie. We also need a story and some characters to care about. To use another example of a comedy that did work that was also based on a gimmick: Galaxy Quest. In that movie, the gimmick was that aliens have been watching our TV, and they think everything they see is real, or "historical documents," even Gilligan's Island.

However, there were also characters who had problems and issues and through the course of the movie, changed. Tim Allen's character is forced to realize he's a loser to many people, and finds redemption by becoming the real "commander." Alan Rickman's character, the Spock of the show, has a moment that brought tears to my eyes (although yes, I laughed out loud many times) when he repeats the "catch phrase" that has plagued him for years in the most sincere, tender, determined way (and honestly, could anybody have done that better than Alan Rickman?). Sigourney Weaver's character gets to sound off about her character's "role" in the show, and there are more.

There was also a clear, admirable goal: to help the aliens defeat a Very Bad Bad Guy.

In other words, there was a gimmick plus a good story and interesting characters -- much more than the simple "hook" of the aliens believing TV shows were real life.

In the writing business, we hear a lot about "high concept," as if that alone is going to make you a successful writer. And sometimes, if the concept is unique and fascinating, that alone might be enough. However, more often than not, the real talent is coming up with a good idea, and -- and this is the big thing -- turning that idea into an entertaining story populated by interesting characters whom the readers come to care about. That's the real talent, and where the real hard work comes in. It's not just about getting an idea; it's about what you do with the idea once you've got it.

That's another thing that separates the people who only talk about writing, or dreaming about being a writer, from the ones who become writers.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Reading the Runes....

One of the biggest downsides of being a freelance writer is that I work in isolation. I get together with fellow writers with some frequency, but these aren't the folks who make the big decisions that could have a real impact on my career. What I'd really like to do is sit in on a marketing or editorial meeting. Since that is never going to happen, I find myself doing what I call "reading the runes," looking for indirect information. And then I drive myself bonkers trying to figure out if it has any bearing on my career.

The latest example:

Once upon a time, Nora Roberts wrote a historical romance for what was then the fledgling Harlequin Historical line.
REBELLION
was HH #4 and came out in 1988.

Recently, REBELLION has been reissued. Last week, it was #11 on the New Yorks Times paperback bestseller list.

I understand why a publisher would reissue a Nora Roberts book. Frankly, I believe somebody could publish a compilation of her grocery lists and have a bestseller. What does such a prolific, talented author eat? Is her secret to success in her diet??? (For the record, I don't think so!)

But here's where I start a-puzzlin' -- why a historical and why now?

Rumor has it that historicals are about to experience an "upswing." Why? No idea. Will it happen? No idea. I just do my thing and hope for the best. But does this say something about what my publisher (encompassing editorial and marketing folks) thinks about historicals? Do they think they're on the upswing? Is REBELLION a case of trying to catch the wave? Or is it a sign that the wave is already surging? Or is it an attempt to kick-start a wave?

Again, no idea. Will I ever find out? Highly, highly unlikely.

But now you know why authors sometimes walk around muttering to themselves.....

Monday, December 18, 2006

Survivor

Last night, despite the revisions, I had to watch the Survivor finale. I enjoyed it a lot. I was so sure Ozzie was going to take it, but was quite happy that Yul did. I knew Becky had no hope, but she gave it a decent shot. The fire-making? Hilarious! I had some major quibbles -- the jury antics were particularly annoying, when they were supposed to be silent -- but all in all, one of the best Survivor seasons in a long time, and a satisfying conclusion.

Now if only somebody will get Ozzie and Yul on The Amazing Race...

In other revision-related news, after losing 51 manuscript pages, I've added 18 and I'm on Chapter Ten of Revision Draft II: Electric Boogaloo. Yeah!

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Another Unusual Holiday Tradition

There are lots of holiday traditions that many people share. We have our unique tree decorating rituals, as mentioned previously. We also have a little something extra called "Cine-mass." This involves dinner (out) and a movie, usually celebrated on Dec. 23.

How did this start? One year, when my kids were little, we were driving to a multiplex on the 23rd, to see a movie after eating out. The cineplex had a bright neon sign saying "Cinemas."

"Look!" said my son. "Cine-mass!"

Thus, a new tradition was born.

One that does not involve me cooking, shopping or cleaning the house. Whoo hooo!

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Taking a break from snark

So Blogger has this new thing. I think it's SuperBlogger, or something. I've signed up, but it's kinda confusing.

Anyhoo, I've also realized it's time for me to take my annual Break From Negativity. I did this at the start of last year. Basically, I quit going to sites that have a tone that's more negative than positive, at least as far as I'm concerned. Review sites, blogs, what have you. I like to know what's going on in the world o' publishing, but I think that over time, all that snark kinda gets to me and makes me grumpy.

Now, some snark is amusing, that I will grant, so if I laugh far more than frown, I'm still visiting (Television without Pity, I'm looking at you.)

But otherwise? There comes a time, at least for this writer, when it all gets to be too, too much. It seems like everybody hates every single historical romance being published. They all stink. Too many terrible books are being published (although who gets to decide what's good and what's bad is, curiously enough, left out of the debate). Publishers are all evil ogres hell bent on forcing this multitude of stinky books down the throats of readers.

Everybody's entitled to their opinion, of course, but I don't have to read 'em. So, for my own peace of mind and creativity, I take a break. I think the holiday season is a good time to focus on the positive, don't you?

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

A-revisin' I will go!

Ay yi yi. My life would be so much easier right now if I'd gotten the book right the first time! But alas, I did not, so I've....

Totally rearranged about two-thirds of the book. Chapter Eleven is now Chapter Four, that sort of thing. I've "roughed in" the new transitions, and written one new scene. I've moved some small bits around. I've emailed the first two revised chapters to my editor and got the thumbs up that I'm on the right track. I've also lost 51 pages. Gone. Vamoosed.

Sound like a lot of work? It is, but now comes the real heavy lifting, because I have to make sure the new romantic arc works. I have to smooth the transitions, and fix/expand the "roughed in" parts. I have to make sure I've addressed my editor's concerns. Piece o' cake, right?

HA!

But it's my own dang fault. See, in attempting to increase one element of the story (plot activity), I skimped on a little thing known as "the romance."

Ooops. Really. Not. Good. When you're writing a romance.

So I'm moving, rewriting, inserting and deleting to get that romance front and center, as it should be, while also keeping lots of that plot activity. Because it's not that I shouldn't have both; it's that I didn't have the balance right, and that's what I've got to fix.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Stop the Blog!

Or "stop the presses!" I have apparently been living under a rock (or working too hard plus getting ready for Christmas) BUT it is really true that next season's Amazing Race will be an "all star" edition. The teams are not confirmed...well, except it looks pretty certain that Rob and Amber of Survivor/TAR fame will be in it. Which, frankly, saddens me a little. I enjoyed them on Survivor and didn't mind them on TAR too much, but enough already.
However!!!! The speculation for teams has me giddy with excitement, because (a) they are some of my most favorite teams and (b) I've met some of them! If these teams are on, oh, baby, I am so there! Here they are, in no particular order, and I repeat that this is based solely on speculation.

Kevin and Drew, aka The Frats. Oh, how much I want to see them do the race again! They crack me up!

















Danny and Oswald, who have forever changed our travel habits. Now, if we start getting stressed, we say "Be zen. Be like Danny and Ossy..."









Team Guido! (That little dog? Is Guido.)










Mirna and Charla. That's Mirna. Charla? That girl was tough!


















The clowns! It seems doubtful, but I continue to hope!















Uchenna and Joyce. Also not on a lot of lists, but again, I'm hopin'!

Rumor also has it David and Mary from the most recent season will be returning. I like 'em! So that would be great.

Now off to more rearranging of the ol' manuscript. But there's a little spring in my step this morning thinking I could be seeing a great new season of TAR come February.

Monday, December 11, 2006

"Reality" Romance

Since last night was the finale of The Amazing Race, I'm poking my head up from renovating my manuscript (envision me in safety goggles, hard hat and plaster dust) to talk about the reality shows I watch, and one I don't.

First up, the best of the bunch, IMHO: The Amazing Race. After a very exciting season, including clues that were clues and not just directions, the finale was a bit of a let-down. No real suspense, no tough tasks (although you'd never get me jumping out of a plane). And Rob? Could you please stop whining about the sky-diving? It's not like that was your one and only chance.

Next, Survivor. Again, this season has been an improvement over several previous ones. If only they could unite a strong theme like they had with the whole pirate thing, and such an interesting batch of contestants, it'd be even better. But I've certainly been on the edge of my seat this season!

America's Next Top Model and Project Runway: My daughter got me watching both of these. Believe me, anybody looking at me? Would know fashion is not uppermost in my mind.

So what's the appeal? For one thing, that's as close to office politics as I get. And wondering about people and their motivations is a huge part of my job, so it's kinda fun to watch people put in stressful situations and seeing how they react (even if it's an edited version). My daughter and I have had many a conversation about choices people made, and why.

And there's been another bonus with the Amazing Race. Now, if I'm trying to get somewhere, and I'm having problems? I tell myself, "It's just like the Amazing Race! It's just like the Amazing Race!" Doesn't always calm me down, but it helps.

There's one "reality" show I never watch, though, and that would be The Bachelor. I suppose this surprises some people, given what I write, but to me, that show, like Valentine's, celebrates what I call the "props" of romance, not love itself. It's all about the exotic locales, the fancy dates, the candles, the flowers, the jewelry. None of those things has anything to do with love, as far as I'm concerned. Love is not about what gift you get, or how many candles and rose petals are cluttering up your place. Those are just set decoration. Love is about trust and affection and laughter and being together through the tough times, not just the good times. It's no surprise to me that none of those "reality" relationships last, because you can't manufacture real, lasting love, no matter how hard you try, especially on such a shaky foundation.

Now, speaking of shaky foundations, I must go back to fixing my book....

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Rebuilding

I've looked at my manuscript again, with my editor's comments in mind, and yep, I got me some rebuilding to do. It's as if I built a charming ranch-style bungalow with a deck, and I was supposed to do a two-story Georgian with terrace.

Oops. But I can use some of the same bricks. And maybe some of the shingles. I think part of the garden is okay.

Nevertheless, I've got a lot of work to do. First scene, gone. Another scene, gone. At least two more to add. Chapter Eleven's going to wind up approximately Chapter Three. And that's only the beginning.

However, once I'm over the shock of the less-than-completely-delighted editorial call and have figured out what to do? I'm good. Well, let me be honest. I wish my editor had called me, wildly enthused, and said, "It's great! Don't change a thing!"

Instead, poor woman got... dead air. Silence. I was trying to be professional when I really felt like curling up in a little ball and moaning piteously.

However, after I got off the phone and before two hours had passed, I had a long list of changes I could make to address her issues. I have a new blueprint.

Let the demo and rebuilding begin!

Friday, December 08, 2006

What? It's not perfect?????

So yesterday my editor called. Yep, I have revisions to do. Sigh. Sometimes, you try something new and/or different for you, and it doesn't work. Another sigh. Sometimes, you try something and you lose something else. Sigh again. So I've got some work to do.

This is when I'm glad I'm a big reviser of my own work. Because once I got over the shock (and it's always a shock to discover something you thought worked really doesn't), I began figuring out how I could fix it. And then all was well again. Well, except for actually having to do the fixing. But it could be worse. I have almost all next week "clear", so I can get a really good start on the work before the holiday gets well and truly underway.

In other news, there's an interview of me posted at Maureen McGowan's blog. It's a little dated (it was done last March), but some things, such as how/why I started writing, haven't changed.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Holiday Traditions

I have nearly finished my Christmas shopping, and thank goodness. That's probably my least favorite thing about the season.

One of the things I love most about Christmas, and probably my favorite tradition, is decorating the tree.

We have a lot of ornaments, in part because my mother gives us all a new one every year, and also because she saved the ornaments I made in nursery school and kindergarten (!), and I've saved ornaments my own kids have made. Some years, my mother was clearly a desperate woman when it came to selecting ornaments. How else to explain the Seven of Nine ornament? Our own family's choice of ornaments (because we buy them, too) tends toward the Three Stooges. Yes, I'm serious. My husband also really likes his Gordie Howe ornament.

We put on many lights, including the traditional bubble lights. Those are narrow ornaments with fluid inside that bubbles when it gets hot. My folks had their original string for, I swear, at least forty years. When I found one in a store? Oh, happy, glorious day!

We have many homemade ornaments. Before I sold my first book, or even considered being a writer, my younger sister and I had a craft show every November in my home. Since this is the sister I couldn't go shopping with without coming home in a snit, my parents were very concerned about us working together. Fortunately, it was fine, because she made her ornaments, I made mine and we only got together to sell them.

I'm glad we have several cloth ornaments, because with three cats? It could get messy.

The other thing we do that I'm sure has caused our neighbors to wonder if we're performing some kind of barbaric ritual in our living room involves dancing. When we're doing the tree, we put on the Bing Crosby Christmas album. When it gets to Jingle Bells, we do a sort of modified jive, until there's a pause in the music. Then we "freeze" until the music starts again. From the outside? Must look really weird. But we don't care. It's our "thing" and we're sticking with it.

To me, one of the great things about Christmas is the chance to make up your own fun, family traditions.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Keeping Burnout At Bay

Every so often I'll read a blog or hear about a "new" (as in previously unpublished author) who's made a rash of sales for books not yet written. They sound excited, and who wouldn't be? After being unpublished, submitting and collecting probably a few rejections, this is confirmation that they weren't wasting their time. It's also true that for a self-employed writer, the more you write, the more you earn. And there's always pressure to build a backlist, and develop name recognition.

Yet although I understand why new authors accept the contracts, I always have a moment where I think, "That way lies burn-out." I've been there, or perilously close to, and believe you me, it was devastating.

I wonder if these new authors realize that you have more to do than simply write the books, which is not so simple and plenty of work right there. There are the various stages of revising and editing and proofreading after you finish a book, and proposals and consultations on titles and art before you start the next one. So you'll be working away on Book II, to be interrupted by more work on Book I and then a question about Book III. There can be some mighty fancy footwork keeping to all the deadlines, especially if you're writing for more than one house. House A isn't necessarily going to care what you've got to do for House B. You signed the contract; you've got the obligations. And we won't even discuss publicizing each book.

Life also has a habit of ruining plans. In my busiest year, my mother got seriously ill. Fortunately, after some tense times, she recovered completely. But clearly, I hadn't planned for that, and if she'd passed away? I would have been completely useless for awhile, regardless of contracts.

That said, I do think that not everybody who has a lot on their plate is doomed to burn out. Exhibit A - Nora Roberts. However, I think there are some things that make it easier to avoid burnout.

First and foremost is positive feedback. If you're getting lots of in-house support, great reviews and winning awards, it's a lot easier to buckle down and work twelve hour days, if that's what's required at some points. If you're not? It's very, very difficult to justify that hard work and time. You feel like a hamster on a wheel, running and running and getting nowhere.

Family support is also crucial. If somebody in the family doesn't "get it," you've got trouble. Fortunately, most of my family members do. The ones that didn't? The less said about that, perhaps, the better.

You have to be really, really self-disciplined, and that doesn't just mean able to work every day. You have to be willing to sacrifice time from other things, including rest and relaxation. I made the mistake of thinking that since my kids were getting older, I could do more, not realizing that I really need downtime. I can't keep going at top speed without the imagination engine running out of fuel.

I also thinks it makes a difference where you are in your career. I suspect that in some ways, it's easier to start off at a faster pace because of all those ideas you've had simmering for a long time. Finally you get to write them and because you're now getting paid, nobody can say you're wasting your time (except for those who thinking writing genre fiction is itself a waste of time).

Which new writers will be like a falling star, bright and vivid for a little while, then burn out? Which ones will not just survive, but thrive?

Like so much in the writing life, it depends on the writer, her priorities, her needs, the market and a host of other circumstances that nobody can foresee or control. And sometimes, it takes nearly burning out to realize that not everybody can, or should, produce several books a year.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Better than a pony!

Whenever anybody asks my husband what he wants for his birthday or Christmas, he often says, "A pony."

This year for Christmas, I got him a donkey.

Sort of. It's not going to be living in a shed in our backyard or anything. (I'm pretty sure there's a by-law prohibiting that.) It will be going to a farmer in a Third World country, courtesy of Oxfam. To quote from their site,

"When you buy a gift from Oxfam Unwrapped your donation will be used to fund projects that involve the very item you buy. And this makes sure that your donation has the biggest possible impact on the lives of people living in poverty."

So my husband gets a donkey, my son gets a goat and my daughter four chickens. And I get to feel really, really good.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Seven Suggestions for Synopsis Success

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you'll know I'm not big on the whole "rules" aspect of writing. I firmly believe you should write what you want to write the way you want to write it, then worry about editing and marketing later.

However, I also know people who want to be writers have an insatiable longing for guides/rules/how-to's along the way. Since I happen to actually enjoy writing synopses, I decided to offer some suggestions that will, hopefully, make writing synopses less intimidating, more enjoyable and ultimately more successful.

1. For the first draft, just sit down and tell your story. Don't worry about making it perfect. Don't worry about language (I use slang all the time in first drafts). Don't worry about length. Just tell your story. I think this is the best way to convey a sense of your author's voice in a synopsis, and this is something you want to do. You don't want your synopsis to read like a dry laundry list of events.

2. When you edit, take out the obviously unnecessary first. Like adverbs. Make sure your verbs are doing a lot of work -- you don't have those adverbs anymore, after all.

3. Keep descriptions to a minimum. Unless a physical attribute of your characters is different enough to have an impact on your story (like, say, your hero has one eye), I wouldn't bother. Ditto the setting. I just say "castle," for instance, unless it's particularly large or small. If, however, the castle's on a cliff and somebody's going to fall off that cliff? I'd note that.

4. If you're writing a romance, the key thing to have in the synopsis is the development of the romance. Everything else is secondary -- your wonderful villain, your clever plot twists and, if you're writing historicals, the history. If you have to write a really bare-bones synopsis, this is especially important.

Be very clear about how the relationship develops. I've read far too many synopses where it just seems that suddenly, they're in love! Like Cupid's arrow got 'em. Unless you're writing a paranormal featuring Cupid? Not a good idea. I want to see the steps in that developing relationship, because that's going to determine whether or not I think the relationship will last.

5. Whatever you do, try not to water down/edit out your voice! This could be the only thing completely unique about your story. But that's not bad. Editors aren't thinking of one book; they're hoping to find somebody who'll write many books for the house, hopefully with growing sales, so it's your voice, not necessarily one particular book, that they're interested in.

So if you have some line or bit that you really like, keep it if you can, even if you might have to sacrifice elsewhere. In the synopsis I'm working on now, I mention a subplot romance thusly: "Cyne (the hero of the book) thinks they'll marry. Lizette (the heroine) thinks he's nuts."

Now, this doesn't sound particularly medieval-y, does it? But I like it because it implies conflict, the heroine's the cynic, not the hero (a bit different) and it also hints that this part might be a bit fun. I'm not particularly known, I don't think, for rollicking humor in my books (in real life? I wish I had a buck for everybody who suggested I become a stand-up comedienne). However, I do like to leaven the serious with some lighter moments, and if all goes as planned, this will be one of those lighter times. So I'm keeping it.

This also helps me avoid that "dry laundry list of events" feeling. It gives the synopsis some energy, in no small part because of the short nature of the sentences, in contrast to some longer ones that have gone before. I've had one word paragraphs in a synopsis when I wanted some dramatic impact.

6. Similarly, if I come up with a line of dialogue I think really works, in it goes. I know, I know -- most people say you shouldn't have dialogue in a synopsis. But I'm not talking a discussion. I'm saying, one, maybe two, lines, won't have an editor throwing up her hands in horror and declaring you Unfit To Be Published!

7. Have fun and let yourself get excited again by the idea that prompted you to consider writing that story in the first place.

Instead of thinking of writing a synopsis as some intimidating, horrible, yet necessary, chore, think of it as simply telling a story. Writers are storytellers, after all, so tell me your story -- which is surely a very exciting, fascinating story about a couple you really like, who met like this, who went on to have this really interesting, passionate relationship and you aren't gonna believe what happened ....

It's not so painful if you think of it like that. I hope.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

And so it begins....

Last night I dreamt my editor phoned me to discuss THE NOTORIOUS KNIGHT. She didn't sound happy. She sounded as if I needed to get lots of paper to write many notes. So I said, "Just a minute. Let me get some paper." And then the phone went dead.

Ahhhhhh!

In other news, I woke up to snow on the ground. It's beginning to look somewhat like Christmas! Last year at this time, I did what I always do: take a day to hit the mall and finish the shopping in one fell swoop. I made at least two trips to the car before my final pass through a big department store. I bought at least ten big candles -- and lemme tell ya, that was one heavy bag! I'd also bought a deep fryer that was too big to fit into a bag, so I had to carry it under one arm. And a rug, which fit on top of the deep fryer under my arm. I had to exit the store through the jewelry department, trying valiantly not to knock anything over. By the time I got to the door, I was really sweating.

Then I stepped out into a blizzard that had started while I was in the store.

So I get into my car and drive to the mall exit. To discover the traffic lights aren't working.

I finally negotiate my way out and turn onto the next major street on the route home. Construction. It's down to one lane. In a blizzard. I shake my head.

At last I arrive home. It's about four in the afternoon. I'm tired, disheveled, feel like something the cat done dragged in on a rough day.

To find a message from agent. About a new contract. And voila, I am not tired anymore.

This year, as I'm under contract, that won't happen. But it sure would be nice to get a call from my editor saying, "It's great. You don't have to change a thing."

Maybe I should write Santa about it....

Friday, December 01, 2006

Write what you know

This has been a rough week for me, with the one bright spot of finishing my book and sending it off to New York. Because the same day I finished it, the wife of a friend I went to high school with passed away, leaving my friend and two school-age children.

At the visitation, I embraced my friend and whispered something about epiphanies, because we used to joke about that all the time in high school. Then I stepped back and found myself completely overwhelmed with grief, so much so, I couldn't speak. The words would not come. My throat was tight, my body numb.

Yesterday, after a nearly sleepless night and then the funeral, when I was home and wrapped up in an afghan in my living room, I found myself trying to remember exactly how I felt when I was overcome by emotion. And then I realized this is probably something that separates writers from non-writers. I suspect non-writers want to try to forget those feelings. Or at least not dwell. But writers want to remember, not out of some ghoulish delight, but so the next time we have a character in a similar situation, we'll be better able to describe that feeling. To make it more real.

I know some writers like to think writers are more sensitive, more emotional and/or more passionate. That we feel things more deeply. I disagree, because I think that implies that other people don't feel things as deeply, or aren't as passionate. I'm sure they do, and are.

However, at its core, a writer's work is about emotions, whatever one writes. So part of our job is to try to figure out how to describe and relate emotions. How to show them, not tell them. How to make them sound true and real without being melodramatic.

As another writer friend of mine once put it, it's not that we feel more or more deeply, we just articulate it better.

Or we try to. I'll probably never be able to fully express what I felt standing before my friend that night.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

The Last Stages

Right now, I'm printing up the Final Version of THE NOTORIOUS KNIGHT. Oh, joy, oh, rapture!

Yesterday, I was going through the Final Stages, and some things never change.

I always reach a point, right near the end, where it suddenly occurs to me that my editor might hate the book. Not elements of the book, or some scenes of the book, the entire book. I try not to dwell on that one.

I always find that spell check, while a wonder, can only do so much. In this particular book, I have these big, hulking evil mercenaries who arrive at one part. I meant to say several of them are "scarred." What I had was, "scared," which immediately gave me a vision of these huge, tough guys suddenly shrieking like little girls and dancing around exclaiming, "Oh, I'm scared! I so scared!"

And then there's grammar check. Ugh. It doesn't take voice into account, which means I do a lot of "ignoring." There was one part, though, that had me scratching my head. Referring to some furnishings, I had written, "They were nothing like those used by the steward." Grammar check turned that into, "The steward nothing like those used them." HUH?

One scene was apparently being enacted by bobble-head dolls. He nodded, she nodded, they nodded. Ooops.

Likewise, I realized that throughout this book, there was a whole lotta knowin' goin' on. He knew, she knew, everybody knew. I took several of those out.

I found a few places for "bonus bits," little additional details or dialogue. Since I'd decided to cut a little love scenette that, while charming, didn't fit, this was good. I actually added five pages to the final count.

I had set myself a goal for this book, as I do for every one. I tend to write dialogue-heavy books, so I wanted to add more activity. I think I accomplished that. I'm also still trying to find the balance between describing the characters' emotions, either by dialogue, action, or narrative, and leaving it up to the reader to figure it out, since I think that adds to their involvement in the story. The jury's still out on that one.

But all in all, I'm pleased. Or to paraphrase Mary from The Amazing Race, "I like it!"

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Make yourself feel better...

So there I was, reading the NYTimes today, and I inadvertently discover a really good response to those people who want to denigrate what I do. It was in an article about Bryan Bennett, who came in second place in the World Rock Paper Scissors Championship, of all things.

The pertinent paragraph was this: "Mr. Bennett is enjoying his 15 minutes, though he says not everyone is totally taken with his achievement. 'You get some people who refuse to play, think it's stupid,' he said. 'If they want to make fun of me, fine. Make yourself feel better. I could care less.'"

I think one reason romance writers tend to get hot under the collar when people disparage our genre is that the censure seems to go beyond the writing itself. You like romance? You must be (a) stupid and (b) hard up for love and (c) if you like the erotic stuff? You're really beyond the pale. In other words, it feels like people are casting aspersions on not just our reading taste, but our intelligence and morality, and looking down upon us from a very high (and arrogant) horse.

Yet often when people cast aspersions, especially about something of which they're ignorant (i.e. people who criticize romance without having read one), it's not so much about the aspersion-inciting thing as it is about the people doing the casting. It's about their need to feel superior, to feel better about themselves. You can toss romance sales stats and examples at them all day long, but they will not budge from that high horse because they need to be there. It's a self-esteem thing.

So the next time somebody denigrates my genre to my face? I'll give 'em a big ol' "I'm rubber and you're glue and what you say bounces off me and sticks to you" smile.

And ask them if they feel better.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Nearly at the finish line....

The end is in sight! Last night, I started the final input of the changes on the hard copy of THE NOTORIOUS KNIGHT. Whooo hoooo! And then I'll print it up one more time, and it is out the door, safe in the hands of my good buddy, the FedEx Man.

And then...what will I do?

Well, for some wacky reason (actually, it's called not wanting a huge delay before getting the okay on the next book), I have a proposal due for the next book (KNAVE'S HONOR) on December 15. Not a whole lotta time there, but certainly doable. I've been ambushed by some ideas for that story lately, including one that I did not write down and now can't remember and it's driving me a little nuts. You know that "I've got it on the tip of my tongue!" feeling? It's like that.

I also have to get a start on the Mount Doom of Laundry. Clean clothes are good. When we were in Oxford University, England once -- we were staying in a dorm -- I went to use the washing machine. The instructions read "Put soap in dispenser." Now, in NA, my washing machine does not have such a thing. So I examined the washer, looking for the dispenser. I looked high, I looked low, I looked inside. I could see nothing that looked like a soap dispenser, or labeled as such. For about 15 minutes I stood puzzling and puzzling. And then I just gave up and threw the soap inside with the clothes (the way I do here) and started the machine. And then lo! From a panel at the front, water began to seep. And thus I discovered the soap dispenser. It was a drawer in the panel, like a secret drawer in some Victorian piece of furniture.

And thus I also realized if I ever went back in time? I'd probably just curl up in a ball and whimper at the unfamiliarity of, well, everything.

I also have to start buying Christmas presents. I actually have a couple already (yeah!), but there is much more to be done.

I have to clean my office. Many papers are strewn about -- notes, lists, various pieces of manuscript. I need to do some filing. I also have to gather up my research books and return them to the shelves.

I have several things to be mailed, so I have to get those ready and get to the Post Office.

I want to see the new James Bond movie. I'm not a Bond fan, but I thought Daniel Craig was really good as the priest-assassin in Elizabeth. I knew that guy wouldn't break under torture! He also has a great voice, and I love me a good voice. Unfortunately, my daughter has somewhat ruined it for me by saying Daniel Craig has "monkey lips." Which is, unfortunately, kinda true.

I will also start worrying that I have missed a Huge, Gigantic Plot Hole in THE NOTORIOUS KNIGHT and my editor will phone me up and say, "What exactly were you thinking?" Or worst of all, "I found this a little slow..." Aaaaahhhhhhhh! And it'll be back to the drawing board again.

But that's okay. I wrote it, I can fix it.

And then, it's on to KNAVE'S HONOR and my Irish hero (that's a new one for me) and the free-spirited heroine. I can see her befuddling the Knave a whole lot because she doesn't act like any noblewoman he's ever met. I can hardly wait!

Friday, November 24, 2006

Speaking of TV....

Today's blog features a round-up of my shows -- what I'm loving, what I'm not, and what I'm giving up on.

The Amazing Race -- always enjoyable (except the ill-conceived Family Edition. Staying the same country was a big part of the problem for me there). As much as I love the Cho Bros, they were not savvy racers, and frankly, their attitude toward the other members of the six pack -- that they would be gone without them -- moved into Arrogant Territory for me. But overall, I thought they were great guys. I'm sort of meh on the remaining teams, though. Don't really like any of them, but don't hate them, either.

Survivor -- oh, my wonderful Aitu, how do I love thee? I want them to be the final four. Ozzy the Otter - part man, part swimming marvel. And Yul... You know how guys have that sexy librarian fantasy, where she takes off her glasses, shakes out her hair and va-va-voom? I think for women, it's the nerdy accountant thing. Takes off his glasses, then his shirt and reveals six pack abs. So when Yul said he'd never get another date this week? Oh, Yul, how wrong you are!

Heroes -- still got my interest, but not enough Hiro this week. Next week looks Hiro-centric, though. Wheeee!

Lost -- As sexy as I find Sawyer and Sayid, they've lost me. Too much weirdness, not enough answers. And the love scene? I was totally distracted by the lack of hygiene. This may sound strange coming from somebody who writes romances set in medieval England, a time not noted for good personal hygiene, but I look at it this way: if that's what you're used to, you wouldn't notice, so if the people live in the past, unless somebody's really filthy or smells really bad, they just aren't going to notice. Lost is set in the present, though. After eating those fish biscuits? I don't want to think about their breath.... The fact that there were cameras, too? Eeeeuuuwww. Also, not nearly enough Hurley.

Ugly Betty -- boy, does this show get the concept of the wow episode ending or what? Also, Betty is wonderful. Smart, surviving in the barracuda tank...I like her! I also find Daniel somewhat endearing. And the new nerd accountant character? Oh, yes!

Prison Break - I just knew T-Bag was going to lose his hand again. YUCK! They do know how to keep the story moving, but I still say they shouldn't have killed Tweener. Also, is it wrong that I find Kellerman sexy? I keep wanting him to leave the Dark Side and profess his love for Sarah. Instead of, you know, trying to kill her.

Battlestar Galactica -- So much happier now that Apollo's out of the fat suit. I'm finding the Baltar stuff kind of a drag, though. I'm not finding the stories so compelling, I must admit.

The Nine -- I had a choice of working or watching The Nine. I went with working. I've decided that because of the way it's set up (the crisis has already happened), every episode feels somewhat anti-climactic.

The Office -- I came very late to this (like, this year) but I gotta say, the whole Pam/Jim relationship? Has me on the edge of my seat. I think one reason I enjoy that part of the show is not so much because I write romance, but because I can see actually having such people in a real office. They're less like caricatures and more realistic characters. Unlike, say, Dwight. Don't get me wrong -- Dwight's a hoot and I'm sure there are people like him in offices, albeit on a lesser scale. I just prefer the Pam/Jim kinda characters.

My Name Is Earl -- I started watching this after listening to my husband laughing out loud during some episodes. And I'm glad I did. The relationship between Earl and his brother is both funny and sweet, and I think it's one thing that makes this show stand out. I haven't watched sit coms in years, until this one.

And now, it's back to the book! Until my lunch/Law and Order rerun break. Ah, Lenny. How wonderful a character you were!

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Wherein I swoon

I decided, while taking a revising my manuscript yet again (391 pages. Number of pages without changes? One...sigh....), to check the website of the new Robin Hood series on the BBC. Even though I can't watch it (yet), I wander by sometimes. Turns out there's a preview clip for the episode on the 25th.

That had me swooning. Yep, if you wanna know why I write romance, watch this preview clip. Oh, baby, oh, baby! Marion, ditch that Robin kid and become Lady Gisborne! You can save him! And wouldn't that be exciting in a variety of ways????

Whew, between that, and Jamie Bamber in People? What a week for male pulchritude and intensity!

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Sometimes it goes well, sometimes it doesn't....

Now that I'm getting down to the wire on the current work-in-progress, and the story and characters are really coming together, I can say this book was...an okay writing experience. It wasn't my best (those would be the three books that pretty much wrote themselves, or so it seemed), but it sure wasn't my worst. Since I'm kinda busy this week, I'd thought I'd share with you what I learned from My Very Worst Writing Experience.

This was originally written as a newsletter article, so if any members of an RWA chapter want to use it in their chapter newsletter, in its entirety, you have my permission. For anything else, please email at maggiejmoore@yahoo.com. (Copyright does apply.)

Working Through Writers' Block

By
Margaret Moore

Over the nearly fifteen years I’ve been a published author, I never had full-blown writer’s block until last year. I’d had what I called “writer’s hesitation,” meaning I’d get to a certain point in the story and be unsure exactly how to proceed to the next scene or plot point. Usually that meant folding some laundry until the answer came to me, or if I was really hesitating, doing an outline. That would take a day or two or three. Then I’d be back on track.

However, I finally and regrettably experienced real writer’s block – or at least as real as I ever care to experience. I got about one hundred pages into my book and then…nothing. Nada. Despite what I’d written in the synopsis, I didn’t really know what to do next or how to get to the next plot point. So I revised up to page 100 or so, and got maybe another couple of pages done and then…nothing. Nada. I started at the beginning again, revising, got to about page 110 and then…you get the picture. Nothing helped. I did an outline; I had many file cards that I poured over like they contained the secret of eternal youth, trying to see where I was going wrong. For the whole miserable month of March, I got nowhere. It was so bad, I even got snippy with my mother – believe me, this was a Very Bad Sign, as we usually get along very well. Bless her non-writing heart, she blamed hormones – and I daresay there was a little of that going on, too. Later, I realized there were a couple of other stresses weighing on me that no doubt contributed in a subconscious way, including having had to do a major revision on the previous book I’d turned it.

But at the time, and even when I figured out some of these contributing factors, I was still well and truly blocked.

So what did I do? Since I had a contracted deadline, I had no choice but to put my butt in my chair and work, whether I felt like it or not, and whether I felt like I was writing pure dreck or not. With much angst and worry, I got the book done, and in on time.

If I had not had a contract, I might have given up on that book. Worse, I could even see myself giving up writing entirely. In the darkest days, I honestly thought my career was over. I was done. There was nothing left in the well, and never would be.

Fortunately, I stuck it out. Even better, the book turned out…not bad. Not bad at all. In fact, my editor really liked it, and raved over parts. I did have to do revisions, but they were quite minor, especially compared to the many and various revisions I’d already done on my own. The reviews were some of the best I’ve ever had.

I learned that every writer who’s ever said you just have to keep writing through writer’s block was right. You can do it, if you just do it. To be sure, HERS TO COMMAND (February ’06, HQN Books) wasn’t the most pleasant writing experience I’ve ever had, but let me tell you, now that it’s over and the response proved to be positive, it has become one of my most personally satisfying.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

My "Typical" Day

One question I get asked with some frequency is what constitutes a "typical" writing day for me. This is a poser, because I really don't have a "typical" day.

For one thing, it depends on what stage of creation I'm at. If it's a first draft, I write at the computer maybe an hour or two a day. Then I wander around. Do some housework. Some laundry. Email. I've usually just finished a book, and it takes awhile for the ol' gray matter to get up to speed again. Also, there are a LOT of decisions with the first draft, and I need to contemplate them.

With every subsequent draft, I spend more time on the writing itself, either at the computer or making changes on hard copy. This time, I used a purple pen. I've used up one whole purple pen and am on #2. Also a whole pad of lined yellow newsprint paper for additions, although I also write on the back of my hard copy. Par for the course.

Some days, I don't get any writing done at all. I have other commitments. Sometimes, I'm waiting for the furnace guy, say, so I can't concentrate as much as I'd like to.

However, the closer I get to my deadline, the more I work, either at the computer or making notes. My aching back will attest to this. But it's also because I can get through more of the book before I feel the need to take a rest break.

I have to confess, though, that I really don't quite "get" this question. I don't understand why it matters to anybody how I organize my writing time. Unless we have exactly the same life, I'd expect you to organize your time differently. You have different obligations, different commitments, a different way of writing.

I suspect some people want to hear that I spend at least ten hours a day chained to the computer. Or get up at the crack of dawn and work through until dinner. They want to believe I can devote hours and hours to writing. They don't have that kind of time, so of course they can't write as much.

Here's the thing: now I can spend hours a day writing, if I so choose. However, when I began, I had one hour a day while my daughter was at pre-school. One hour a day. Nothing on weekends. I still managed to write books.

I don't think writers should pay any attention at all to how other writers use their time. They should just use the time they have.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Now comes the Giddy Stage....

I've reached yet another milestone in the writing process. There's still work to be done on my manuscript before it goes to New York -- what some folks would consider quite a bit, I suspect, but for me, it's par for the course, since revising is as much a part of my process as writing new material.

BUT oh joy, oh rapture! I didn't find a "Oh my word, this isn't working at all!" spot. Whew. Also, the very last scene works better than I recalled -- big relief there. So I'm feeling...giddy.

Despite waking up in a refrigerator because at some point in the night, our furnace stopped working. BRRRRR. I was having some Bob Cratchit moments this morning -- literally. I had a candle on the table to keep me warm until the furnace white knight appeared.

And then. And THEN! The Sexiest Man Alive issue of PEOPLE magazine arrived. I'm taking a break and, because I still have much work to do on the book, flipping through it rather quickly when I get to a page that makes me GASP!!! Out loud.

It's Jamie Bamber, who plays Apollo on Battlestar Galactica, and also portrayed the cute and doomed Mr. Kennedy on Horatio Hornblower.

Wow. Can all my heroes on all my covers look like him? Please? Pretty please?

And then I burst out laughing at my own reaction. Because really, it's just a picture, you know.

But I am now even more giddy.

Is this a good state, or a bad state, to be in as I'm getting down to the wire? you may wonder.

I'm thinking it's a heck of a lot better than being stressed out.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Seven Signs The End Is Nigh....

No, not the apocalypse. My book, THE NOTORIOUS KNIGHT, which is due on November 30.

1. I wander around in a semi-permanent state of distraction.

For instance, I make a whole lot of mistakes in exercise class. More than usual, I mean. I'll be going along (grapevine, step, step, step) and then I'll be in medieval England and then...whoops. What? It doesn't help that we have a new instructor who doesn't use the same routine from week to week. She "wings" it every class.

And any question posed immediately after I stop work to do something else (see below re dinner and laundry) is liable to elicit a blank look, the sort that once prompted my daughter to inquire, "Are you thinking again, Mom?"

2. The pile of laundry in the basement grows to Himalayan proportions. Undies and socks take precedence. For anything else, good luck!

3. Making dinner becomes a recreational activity. Because I'm not working on the book. But there's also a risk. See Number 1 about distractions.

4. I get ambushed by scenes for the next book while supposedly thinking of the current book. Back, you idea, back! Not yet! Not yet!

5. The stress dreams begin. You know, where you're late for something and can't quite get there? Or you've forgotten something.

6. My fingernails become very, very short.

7. Even my mother starts to ask me how the book is going. She knows better than to ask that any earlier, because it's generally too difficult to explain to the layman ("Well, I think I've got the consummation scene too early, and maybe from the wrong point of view. And I think I need a new name for the villain, possibly his henchman. And that whole thing with the money? It's not working...")

What she's really asking here is, "Are you going to get it done on time?"

Right now, my response is "I think so."

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Holy Spine Wrecker, Batman!

As the Christmas season approaches, the catalogues have been coming fast and furious. Today, we received a very glossy, fancy-smancy one for a bookstore. Okay, books are good. Books are most excellent presents. Bookstores want to make money.

But oh, my goodness, what brainiac decided to photograph the books open, text down? Yes, we can see the cover, but think of the spines, people! That's one fine way to wreck a book.

There's another picture where, in what appears to be an effort to raise the page for the camera, they've folded back pages. ARGH!!!!!

This is right up there with the fools who write in library books, and bend down the corners of pages of library books.

It's wrong, you people! Wrong!

(The hysterical nature of this post is brought to you by Chapters Nineteen and Twenty, and a looming deadline.)

Friday, November 17, 2006

Love is in the air...

Part of an actual conversation yesterday:

Me: "Well, I'd better go. I've just combined two love scenes and I'd better make sure everything makes sense and the hero doesn't sound like some kind of sexual gymnast."

Now, I'm sure there are readers who would be thrilled to death if my hero was some kind of bedroom gymnast, but what I was really getting at was that I didn't want the reader scratching her head and thinking, "What? Where? How in the world...?"

Speaking of love scenes, here's a version of a handout I use if I'm giving a workshop on this particular subject. If anybody wants to use this in an RWA chapter newsletter, or anywhere else, please email me at maggiejmoore@yahoo.com. I may want to, you know, revise it. (And copyright applies.)

Also, I'm not talking about sexual tension here -- that should be throughout the entire story, from the moment the hero and heroine meet. I'm talking about scenes of sexual intimacy.

AS IN ANY SCENE, a love scene should:

1. Move the story forward
2. Reveal character (and I'm not talking about their bodies)

How does a love scene move the story forward?

How has it upped the stakes in terms of the rest of the plot? The romantic relationship between your characters should be altered by the physical intimacy of making love. For instance, has it brought them closer together, made them more "us against the world?" Or has it added to their woes? (Possibly both!)

How does a love scene reveal character?

By demonstrating how your characters behave when they are alone with each other. There is nobody else to influence their behavior.

For example:
Does a supposedly arrogant, selfish man behave with unexpected tenderness? Does a woman determined to refuse his advances discover that all her preconceptions about a man have been wrong?

How many love scenes do you need?

There is no rule or formula for the number or placement of love scenes in any romance. It's up to the author to decide that, and then determine what publisher would be most likely to want that sort of story. If you really enjoy writing love scenes, try to think of characters and a plot that allow for more. If you don't, the opposite applies.



Eight Tips for Writing Love Scenes

1. Where are the characters in terms of the overall relationship -- the beginning, the middle or the end?

2. How comfortable are the characters with each other?

3. How is making love going to change the direction of the relationship between the characters and where is it going to go afterward?

4. What's the mood of the characters at the beginning of the scene? What has just happened to them? Are they relieved, happy, anxious?

5. The setting -- where are they? What kind of place? Furnishings? Time of day? Lighting? Think of the five senses. Bring as many into play as you can.

6. Don't neglect dialogue.

7. Don't reach too far for interesting, new descriptions of body parts or sensations or you run the risk of sounding ridiculous and yanking the reader right out of your story.

8. Try not to envision your mother or other relatives reading your love scenes. You are a fiction writer creating a story about two people distinct from yourself and this is one part of the process.

How I wish interviewers and other people with the "nudge, nudge, wink, wink" reaction to discovering I write romance would realize that last point!

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Focus

So yesterday, I'm going along, thinking I've done the necessary "reshaping" of several chapters, when I realize that in adding a strand to the tapestry of the book, I've "dropped" another, relatively important one. Ooops. Which is why I was again working at 10:30 pm and not watching Day Break. Not that I was particularly interested in watching some guy relive the same Very Bad Day. Sounds too grim.

Anyhoodle, here's another of my articles about writing. As before, if anyone reading this belongs to a chapter of RWA and would like to reprint it in their chapter newsletter in its entirety, duly credited, you have my permission. Otherwise, for any other use, please email me at maggiejmoore@yahoo.com. Copyright does apply.

Focus, Focus, Focus!

By
Margaret Moore

It recently dawned on me – and by that, I mean in the Macaulay Culkin slap-on-the-cheeks-in-Home-Alone way – that I’ve been a published author for a long time. In fact, I’ve had the fifteenth anniversary of my first sale. Once I recovered from the shock, I realized I’ve learned a lot along the way -- some good, some bad, some distressing, some amusing.

One of the most important things I’ve learned along the way is, focus on the book you’re writing right now.

There are so many different romance sub genres, it’s easy and tempting to flounder around, trying out various ones, when you first begin writing romance. For one thing, it’s all so…new! It’s like you’ve just stepped into a department store with your first credit card. Where do I go first? What do I want to write? But until you focus on one particular sub genre, you’re going to wind up with a lot of partials, and not much else.

At any stage of your career, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with news about what’s selling and who’s buying. I’ve fallen into the trap of trying to write something simply because I thought it would be easier to sell. When I began writing, my heart was really in medievals but I heard that medievals were a tough sell, so I tried my hand at short contemporaries. There may be editors at Harlequin still chortling over those efforts. As it turned out, my first sale was a medieval. I’m still hearing medievals don’t sell and I’m still selling them.

Does this mean I’ve never tried to write in other sub genres since that first sale? I have, including one effort that prompted my agent to remark that she thought I’d lost my mind (not something one generally wants to hear one’s agent say).

As time has passed, I’ve figured out that I’m most tempted to switch gears when I’m stressed about my work or career -- if I’m having difficulties with the new book, or I hear something about the business that makes me think my writing days are numbered.

However, I’ve also (finally) learned that what I ought to do when that happens is simply focus on the story I’m telling right now. I can’t control what’s happening in the industry, and too often rumors turn out to be just that.

If I do get an idea for something really different, I make notes. If it’s strong, it’ll linger and develop. So far, nothing outside of historicals has done that, which I take as confirmation that I was wise to leave those projects withering on the vine.

You should be aware of what’s happening in the world of the business you’ve chosen. If you haven’t yet figured out which sub genre suits your voice and the stories you want to tell, you do have to keep “trying them on” until you find one that “fits.” Sometimes, it is time to switch gears, and you’re right to heed the urge.

But I’ve learned along the way that I have to think about what’s really going on in my head when I get the impulse to try something totally different. It might be a great idea, or it might simply be a reaction to stress. Time will tell, and in the meantime, I should focus on the book I’m writing right now.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

PR Pressure

As if writing a book isn't angst-ridden enough, I have now learned there is a new way to market your book -- trailers. Like movie trailers, only for books. On the internet, either at websites or YouTube.

Also, some folks feel that a place on MySpace is a good idea.

To be honest, my first reaction to these notions was "ARGH!!! Haven't I got enough to worry about? I have enough stress with the writing. Must I start worrying about a snappy trailer, too?"

The answer to this, really, is "no." I don't have to worry about this sort of thing. If I'm not comfortable with something, nobody is forcing it upon me.

But there is, in this business, a sort of PR peer pressure, even if much of it is self-imposed. You hear Annie Author has done this neat PR thing, and suddenly you think, "Oh! Should I do that?" And maybe Annie Author's book sells really well, so then you really feel like you ought to jump on that bandwagon. It isn't just about whether paranormals, etc. are hot or not, you see. There are all kinds of other things we writers can start wondering about when it comes to sales.

But the bottom line for me remains what it was when I wrote an article called "Not All PR is Good PR." Since I've discovered the back half of my book requires somewhat more work than I anticipated (ahem), I'm going to copy that article here. Please note that if anybody belongs to an RWA chapter and wants to use it in a chapter newsletter in its entirety, you may. For any other use, please email me at maggiejmoore@yahoo.com.

Not All PR is Good PR by Margaret Moore

It’s a popular saying that “all PR is good PR.”

After my years in the published author trenches, I’ve come to the conclusion that this saying was probably coined by some PR person whose client was upset with their work. Don’t worry! All PR is good PR!

I don’t buy that.

I don’t think it’s “good” PR if I’m left feeling humiliated and very sorry I took part in an article, interview or event. Unfortunately, I can’t always foresee such disasters. Something sounds wonderful and I’m flattered to be asked, so I do my best to be witty and entertaining and promote the genre in a positive light, only to find out later that the interviewer or writer had his or her own agenda, and it certainly wasn’t to make me, or my genre, look good.

However, there are other times when something seems good on the surface, yet I get a “gut feeling” that my interests and those of writer or interviewer are very, very different. Maybe it’s the flippant way they talk about romance novels in general, or the sorts of things they want to know about my personal life or background. Maybe it’s the obvious focus of the piece – zeroing in on book covers is a sure sign for me that the people involved aren’t really interested in what I actually write. The PR value for me is likely going to be minimal at best, and the cringe factor may be high.

I’ve learned to trust those internal warning bells. Now I turn down some “opportunities.” Perhaps I lose a few sales, but measured against personal humiliation in a public forum? Not a tough decision. To be sure, my agent and editors may not be terribly tickled when I say no to something, but it’s not their names in the paper, or their faces on TV. It’s mine.

Giving workshops and speeches can be wonderful PR – if you enjoy it. I do. But if you’d rather eat dirt than get up and talk about writing, this sort of PR may not be “good” for you. Stressing over a future event can be death to creativity and a really nervous speaker can be difficult to listen to, even if his or her words of advice are excellent.

Book signings sound wonderful and exciting before you sell. After you’ve done a couple where you sit by yourself giving directions to the bathroom or other areas of a bookstore, not so much. Now I weigh the time a book signing will take from my writing, the location of the store, and whether or not I think I can make good contacts with bookstore employees who’ll be shelving my books (preferably face out once they’ve met me) before I agree to participate.

Writing articles like this is the sort of PR that I think all writers should consider. After all, writing is what we do. All we need is a topic and a venue, and we in RWA have plenty of both. Articles that appear in RWA newsletters can be shared among chapters. PR doesn’t get any easier or less expensive than that.

Print advertising is a tougher one to call. It can be expensive, but I doubt an ad would ever constitute “bad” PR, unless it was very badly done or in poor taste. It’s more a question of, “Is it cost effective?” I have NO idea. Nobody I know has any idea. I would say an ad’s effectiveness depends on (a) how much you pay and (b) what kind of result you expect. Will lots of print advertising get your book on a bestseller list? Not on its own. Will it increase traffic to your website? Much more likely, provided you include your URL in the ad. I advertise in Romance $ells because the price is reasonable compared to other venues, they tell you how many people receive it and they include the price of the layout in the cost.

What about a website? In this day and age, I believe a published author should have a website. It’s a wonderfully easy, effective way to provide your backlist and promote your upcoming books.

If you’re writing for young adults, you should really have a website. As I discovered, teens and younger kids have no hesitation looking you up on the web and emailing you. And they are one enthusiastic audience.

How fancy should your website be, and how much money should you spend? Like most PR exercises, this is very much up to the author and I don’t think there’s a definitive answer. I design and maintain my website myself because it’s less expensive, I enjoy it -- it’s a pleasant creative change from writing -- and I have the time to update it frequently. If I didn’t enjoy it or didn’t have the time, I would either pay someone to do it, or I’d have a simpler website.

I was told early on that when it came to websites, I should “update everything, update often” to ensure that people came back. The “update everything” would be way too much work, unless I wanted maintaining my website to be my day job. Updating often, however, is relatively quick and easy to do. There are plenty of things I can add, revise or delete on a weekly basis. My blog has a similar function – to remind people I’m “out there,” to keep their interest in my work between releases.

Does an author need a blog? I don’t think so, especially if you’re uncomfortable with that sort of intimacy with your audience (and any stranger who happens to come by) and don’t have a lot of extra time to spend on the computer.

What about bookmarks and/or flyers? This is another one that’s a little tough to call. I suspect (and have heard this from others) that they’re more likely to wind up in recycling bins than making a lasting impression. If I’m doing a major signing, though, I may decide it’s worth the time and money. When I do order paper products, however, I make them “generic” rather than specific to one title. Then they’re never out of date, and if I have leftovers, it’s no big deal. After all, unlike real leftovers, they won’t go bad.

There are other self-promotion tools out there. Newsletters, mailings, having contests and entering contests are a few that come to mind. Like many examples of self-promotion, their effectiveness is hard to measure, and they can be time-consuming and/or expensive. On the other hand, plenty of readers love them.

This is why PR remains, for me, one of the more mysterious and uncertain parts of the publishing business. Like writing, it’s not an exact science, and it’s very difficult to determine if one particular type of PR is more effective than another. Nevertheless, self-promotion is something most authors consider, and many do at least a little.

If a particular sort of PR works for you and doesn’t add a lot of stress to your life, then I’d consider that good PR. But if you find promoting yourself stressful, if it seems to be eating up a lot of your earnings and writing time, maybe you need to rethink its value. Perhaps it would be more worthwhile to put that time and effort into the book you’re working on. Because the one thing that’s definitely going to make a difference in your sales? Is writing a really good book.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Tag, I'm it!

One of my fellow Harlequin writers, Cheryl St. John, tagged me. I'm supposed to add my own list of "Five Things You Don't Know About Me" to my blog. And then I get to "tag" somebody else. I'm tagging fellow Harlequin authors Sharon Schulz and Michelle Styles.

So here goes, Five Things You Don't Know About Me:

1. I played Puck in our high school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

2. I am terrified of frogs and toads.

3. The first record I ever bought was of film scores written by Erich Wolfgang Korngold . He did Errol Flynn's The Adventures of Robin Hood, Captain Blood and The Sea Hawk, among others.

4. I don't like coconut.

5. My parents almost named me Judy.

And now, having hit one of those "What the heck?" places in the manuscript, it's back to work!

Monday, November 13, 2006

How do I know when I'm done?

People who know I revise my work a lot from start to submission will often ask me how I know when I'm done. How do I know when it's time to stop revising?

The simple answer now may be "Because it's due." But that isn't the only answer. If I felt a book still wasn't the best it could be, I'd ask for an extension on the deadline, and in all likelihood, given my long history with my publisher, I'd get it. I'm not talking more than a couple of weeks here, and I've only done that maybe once or twice in several years, so it's not something I exploit, but that possibility does exist.

So how else do I tell?

I can get through a chapter in less than half an hour. That means I'm making very few changes. I may actually have more than one page in a row where I don't make any - always a delightful surprise.

I start changing things back to what they were before.

Every scene feels in the right place, at the right time.

The pacing of every chapter, every scene, every paragraph, feels right.

I'm so familiar with the book, I can remember the location of individual sentences in other parts of the book. That also means I'm so familiar with the book, if there's a problem, I'm probably not going to see it. It's time for fresh eyes.

So I input the final changes, print the manuscript off, and it goes to my editor. I'm not sure what a "beta reader" is, but I'm assuming it's a friend/colleague who supplies "fresh eyes." I don't have one and never have. Nor does it go to my agent first. I represented myself and worked with my editor before signing with her so while we do discuss my career, etc., the writing is pretty much between me and my editor.

And then I wait, with somewhat bated breath, for my editor's opinion. Being Rosie Revision means I don't fear revision notes as much as some. I don't get offended. I may think, "HUH? That's just so wrong!" But I also know that my editor's usually right. That's what the "fresh eyes" do -- find the flaws I can't, and I wouldn't have if I worked on the book for another year or two. If I think she's wrong, it's my job to be able to articulate why and convince her otherwise. If I can't, then there is indeed a problem I need to address, and a-fixin' I will go.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Risky Business

I've said before that writing for a living is a not for the risk-averse. We gamble with every book, every proposal, every plot, every character -- sometimes it feels like every word. 'Cause if your editor and your readers don't like it? Your career is going to suffer.

But there are varying levels and kinds of risks you can take in the writing biz, some more risky than others.

There's the Big Risk. This is the one where you really go out on a limb. You try something totally different from what you, or anyone else, has done before or is doing. Why would anybody do this? To stand out. To break out. To move up. To sell. Or because you feel compelled -- the story and/or characters have grabbed you and won't let go. Sometimes it's a combination.

Sometimes this works (you sell and sell big-time), sometimes it doesn't (you get rejected or your book flops). Sometimes the result if a mixed bag. It gets your foot in the door, but then the general public isn't so willing to try something new, or the journey between great, innovative idea and execution of said idea falters along the way.

We hear about the big successes, the gambles that paid off. The writers who did this and got the brass ring are there to remind us. We don't hear about the flops, because those writers don't talk about it (and why would you?) or they go on to a different career.

Then there's the calculated risk. You try something new, but not too different as to make readers unhappy or dissatisfied. This can be called "putting a new spin on the tried and true" or perhaps you take a chance with a different kind of character, or maybe it's simply your unique voice that people like.

This is my usual brand of risk-taking. It keeps things interesting for me and hopefully my readers, but doesn't put my career in jeopardy.

Unfortunately, I think too many unpublished readers try for no-risk-at-all. They imitate the best-sellers, and try to figure out exactly what the market is doing and where it's going. If only they can find that magic combination that other writers have used, they'll sell. Either that, or they go WAY out on a limb, writing the "book of the heart" which is all well and good for satisfying one's creative ego, but may mean the book appeals only to a very select audience.

If I had to advise an unpublished author on one of these two approaches? I'd say go out on the limb, because if nothing else, you'll have satisfied yourself. And on a more practical note, I think your "writing voice" will be the stronger for it, so if you go to the Calculated Risk, you'll have something "extra" right from the get-go.

How much risk a writer is comfortable with is one of those things every writer has to come to terms with over the course of his or her career. And like so much else, there's no right or wrong. It depends on a whole host of factors unique to every writer. The one thing we all have in common is that we're willing to risk sending our work out into the big wide world in the hopes that it will (eventually) get published.

Friday, November 10, 2006

What did you do in the war, Dad?


Here are some of the stories my dad has told about being in the navy during World War II:

Spending an entire watch (that's four hours) chipping ice off the deck.

Nearly falling off a bosun's chair while painting the ship. (A bosun's chair is one of those things that looks like a swing -- seat's about four inches wide.)

Sleeping in with the torpedoes rather than in the mess because it was more quiet.

Going to the Wardroom to inform the Officer of the Watch that the mines they'd just loaded had no firing pins and the guy in charge of the loading hadn't noticed.

Some big wig's daughter shooting off a mine. In the harbor.

Stealing booze that somebody else had stolen from the Wardroom for VE Day celebrations.

Waking up on a park bench in Edinburgh after said celebrating. With his face painted. How, why, who? It remains a mystery.

Walking several miles home, taking all night, while on leave because he'd missed the last bus.

Having to get a note from his parents to sign up because he was only 17.

Am I proud of my quiet, stoic dad? You better believe it.

In-Your-Face Rejection

So, who else was watching Ugly Betty last night, and cringed when she got the in-person rejection of her article? I was, and boy, it makes you appreciate getting "impersonal" rejections by letter or email, or even a phone call, where the person doing the rejecting can't see your dejected face.

Here's the situation for those of you who missed it: Betty got the nod to write a review of very chic hotel, the kind of place I would hate to stay in -- I could certainly relate to the snooty person at the check-in desk, having encountered one of those in New York. Such people make me want to put on my best "rube" accent and ask questions like, "So that underground railroad thingamajiggy, how d'ya get on it?"

So Betty tries to write the review, in a style consistent with the (equally snooty) fashion magazine she writes for. She gets frustrated and rewrites it to sound more like herself. Unfortunately, while her boss thinks the piece is well written and does indeed "sound like her," it doesn't sound like the magazine. She gets the verbal equivalent of "While your writing has merit, your book isn't right for us at this time." In person. Youch!

The closest I've come to this is what I call The Book Club Experience. A friend of mine has a friend who belongs to a book club. Friend of Friend was apparently excited to discover Friend knows a writer of books. Friend of Friend asks Friend if I'd like to be a guest at her book club. Sure, says I, thinking if nothing else, it'll get me out of the house and perhaps I might even join, on the idea that it would be good not just to get out of the house, but also to meet some new people. Who like books. Cool. I even supply the books.

I get to the book club. Nice group of women. Chit chat ensues. Then they ask me questions about publishing (as usual they are shocked -- shocked! -- that I don't have cover approval) and impressed by how many countries my books are sold in, and various other aspects of publishing of which the public is generally ignorant. Once again, I'm reminded of just how much I know about publishing.

But then...but then...the woman who was apparently forced to hold her nose while reading my book, it stunk so bad, pipes up. Oh. My. Word. Now, I can take some criticism. Well, let's say I've been forced to get used to criticism over the years, but it's quite different reading a less-than-glowing review in the privacy of my own home, where I can then phone up my mother and snark to my heart's content until I feel better, wander around muttering under my breath to the cats and anybody else unfortunate enough to be home, and have some chocolate chips (just the chips, mind you, sans cookie) compared to getting the sneering treatment in person. Squirmalicious!

One thing that salvaged the savaging for me was that it was clear I could have written the best romance in the history of the world and this woman would have hated it. Because it was a romance.

Don't get me started.

The other was that Friend of Friend was absolutely mortified by Critical Reader's lambasting of a person's work when said person was, in essence, a guest. It was rather like going to a party and having somebody announce that they hate your clothes, your haircut and the way you talk, too. But hey, unless everything you write is universally adored by all, you learn how to get over these things.

But I didn't ask to join the book club. There are limits.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Stranger than Fiction -- you betcha!

I see Emma Thompson is in a new movie called "Stranger than Fiction," playing a writer suffering from writer's block whose thoughts/writing are suddenly in Will Farrell's head, while he's apparently a character in her book.

Now, wacky as this scenerio sounds, that's not what got my attention during the commercials. It's the fact that the writer is still using a typewriter.

I don't know a single writer who uses a typewriter, and in fact, unless she pays somebody to input her manuscript onto a computer disk, I don't know any writer who could use just a typewriter. My publisher requires a diskette. In fact, people are shocked to discover I still send in a hard (paper) copy of my manuscripts along with a diskette. Believe me, I wish I didn't have to. That's a lot of paper to FedEx, and costs accordingly. Many people are also gobsmacked to learn I don't submit electronically. To them, publishing is still in the Dark Ages, one step away from monks with quills.

Also, our gal Emma is apparently a social nincompoop. Ah, yes, we writers are a weird, lonely, anti-social bunch with bad hygiene. Volunteering at our kids' schools, working as nurses, lawyers, teachers, etc., going to writers' groups meetings and conferences, having booksignings... Doesn't happen. Nope, we sit in our offices fighting writers' block all day. Then we imbibe to excess while feeling sorry for ourselves.

Writers in movies also never make typing mistakes ever. They are all keyboard whiz kids! Not this writer, let me tell ya. And I've been making a living using a keyboard for nigh onto 15 years.

About the most realistic depiction of a writer's life I've ever seen in the movies is in Sunset Boulevard. Granted, William Holden is using a typewriter, but that's because PCs were a long way from being invented yet. I just know, if his character were alive today, he'd have a laptop. Also, when he's revising Gloria Swanson's manuscript, he has an editing pencil behind his ear, and he uses it. It may not be his own work he's editing, but at least he's editing. He doesn't just sit and type perfect prose the first time through. Yes, some authors do only one draft, so no, they don't edit on hard copy, but this is closer to my writing experience. Also, William Holden has friends and goes to a party, very nattily attired, too (albeit on Ms. Swanson's dime). Even at his most down and out, it looks like he cares about personal hygiene. He gets together with other writers at Schwab's to gripe about his career, or lack thereof. Anti-social? Not a bit.

The other fantasy about life as a writer is that writers can/must go off somewhere isolated to write. They rent a cabin in the woods (Misery) or a hotel suite somewhere and become hermits as they work on their magnum opus, presumably because they can't handle the interruptions/distractions of life and write at the same time. As one of many writing mothers I know, I believe the appropriate response to this is a snort of derision. Many writers I know have families, full time jobs and successful writing careers.

Generally, I find movies and TV shows depicting writers pretty much play into the happy fantasy that writers are glorified typists. We sit, we type out a perfectly drafted novel first time through, then drink ourselves into oblivion because...life sucks? Trust me, if I could just sit down and type out a perfectly drafted story the first time through? I wouldn't be sitting around drinking. I'd be out celebrating.

Either that, or the writer has such terrible writers' block, it's hard to imagine they ever wrote anything ever. Maybe if the writer didn't have to write a perfect draft the first time, with no typos, they could relax and then bye-bye, writers' block.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

I like it!


So there I am, rewriting the first scene of Chapter Ten after dinner. New setting, new beginning, new character, while salvaging some bits from other (now deleted) scenes. It's a Franken-scene!

I've also introduced, a few chapters back, a character based (visually) on Ray Stevenson, pictured here as his character Titus Pullo in Rome. I loved his character Pullo, and think ol' Ray's mighty easy on the eyes, too.

As I was working away, I thought of a nice little thing to happen to Robb at the end of the book. It came almost totally out of the blue (or my subconscious), and it's the kind of idea that makes writing exciting, even when I'm revising and my back is getting sore and I'm starting to get a little dazed and confused.

What exactly do I do when I revise? - Revised Version

Since I'm in revision mode of my work-in-progress -- that is, my revisions before the manuscipt is submitted, not revisions based on editor's suggestions -- I thought folks might be wondering just what I do when I revise.

I cut out the boring parts. I'm reading along, "La-la-la-la-la," and then "CLUNK!" Yawn.

How do I know it's boring? I can't really say. I just do. And by that, I mean it's boring/slow reading to me. What may be slow to me might be lyrical prose or emotional depth to another, so it's pretty much a matter of taste, honed by years of reading books I enjoy. I knows what I likes, and what makes me yawn, and if I'm bored, it's gone.

I add missing parts. Sometimes, I'll have jumped from Point A to Point C and realize I need Point B. This is best done at this stage. I once did that very late in the process and I gotta tell ya, I was beyond thrilled my editor let me do it. The thing is, it'd been nagging me but I kept telling myself the addition wasn't really necessary, and nobody said it was, but I continued to feel the lack. I was much happier when I made the addition.

I cut out repititions. When you're writing a book over the course of months, you can forget you've already said something (in my case, usually about backstory/motivation) already, and wind up saying it, oh, maybe ten times. So some of those have got to go. I also don't want my readers feeling like they've been hit over the head with a sledgehammer on a particular point.

The downside of this is, sometimes I think I'll have said something a gazillion times because I've read it what seems a gazillion times in the various drafts, so I take it out all ten times. Then a reader or reviewer will make some comment, and I'll be thinking, "But I said why!" Sometimes it's still there, sometimes...whoops, my bad.

OTOH, sometimes if I explain a thing only once, it's not enough, because people who read in a hurry miss the one part where the point's made clear.

I try to make the prose smooth and not "choppy." Unless it's a battle scene. Or other scene of high drama. Then I go for short sentences.

I try to make every character sound unique. One thing that totally fries my bacon is when a copy editor "corrects" my characters' dialogue. I personally don't speak with perfect grammar, and I certainly don't expect many of my characters to (see? I've ended a sentence with a preposition! Oh, the horror!). Copy editors are all about good grammar; I want my people to sound like people.

I try to get the grammar in narrative correct, watching for things like "it's" when it should be "its", etc. (as I had in this post earlier. D'oh!)

I cut out adverbs. Not all of them, because sometimes you need the modifier. But a lot of them.

So then I get hung up on dialogue tags (said, replied, declared, announced). A lot of times a lot of them go or get simplified to something less noticeable.

I try to ensure that it's clear who's speaking.

I look for continuity boo-boos. For instance, in the current book I'm working on (THE NOTORIOUS KNIGHT), my hero has an issue with the heroine over something in Chapter Eight (or it may be Nine now -- I've moved a scene or two). Anyhoodle, he's upset and doesn't want her to do something. However, there was another part earlier on where she does something not dissimilar and he says nary a word.

Ooops. That argument has now morphed into more of a discussion, and I went back and added something to the earlier scenes to address the issue.

I add details -- clothes, setting, lighting, scents. I do some of this the first draft, but add more as I revise.

Sometimes I move whole scenes. I realize I've got something happening too early or too late, and I have to move it. If it involves the hero or heroine, this is a lot more work than if it's a secondary character scene, because moving a scene with the hero or heroine involved is going to alter the whole emotional structure of the book. But if it's not where it works best in terms of the development of the relationship or plot, moved it is. I think of my scenes as building blocks, and sometimes, I've got them in the wrong order and my structure is not as strong as it could be. So I move the blocks. And then repair.

Sometimes I'll change the point of view character in a scene. If that happens, I'll "strip" the scene -- take out all the internal narrative, leaving just the original dialogue and "blocking" (that's a theater term for actors' movements on the stage). Then I'll rewrite with new internal narrative for the different point of view character. Of course that isn't all I'll do -- I'll probably add or delete dialogue, and all the other minor changes I do to any scene.

I'll double check historical details. Or realize I've mentioned something, but haven't really made it clear what it is. I can't assume my readers will know what I'm talking about. "Quintain" comes to mind as something I realized I ought to describe more fully. It's one of those training dummies with a crossbar with a shield at one end and a bag of sand on the other that spins if the shield's hit. If I just call it a "quintain", lots of people will know what I mean, but likely some won't. I don't want anybody scratching their head wondering what a quintain is during what should be a fairly exciting/dramatic scene. I want them worried about what's going to happen to the person with a lance charging the quintain.

I think about individual words. Is that the best one? Is there some way to say a thing more clearly? Have I used the same word, especially adjective or adverb, really close together? Do my metaphors and similes make sense?

I'm not about fancy; I don't write to call attention to my style. I didn't become a writer because I love words. I became a writer because I love to make up characters and tell stories set in the past. So I'll sacrifice a metaphor or simile if I think it's too "pretty" or otherwise calls attention to itself, rather than clarifying the character's mood, for example.

I try to make my chapter endings interesting/suspenseful enough that the reader will want to continue. Every scene has its own dramatic arc -- inciting incident, rise to a climax, denouement. Generally, I try not to end at the end of the denouement, because that's not a really dramatic moment. Sometimes I'll end a chapter just before the climax of a scene. Sometimes just after the inciting incident of a scene. Sometimes during the build-up, before there's some exciting action. Sometimes during the exciting action.

However, because writing is not an exact science, sometimes I will end a chapter at the end of the end of the denouement. But if that's the case, I'm liable to do a little foreshadowing. Or at least hint at the inciting incident in the next scene to come. One thing I try never to do is end a scene with somebody falling asleep. Fainting, yes, nodding off, no.

I want to make sure it's clear what attracts the hero to the heroine and vice versa. Why do they fall in love with each other, and not anybody else?

I want to ensure my characters' actions make sense, given what I've said about their histories and their desires/goals, and the time in which they live.

There are probably a few more things I do that I'm not recalling right at the moment (woke up at 4:45 a.m. -- bad dream about a serial killer (!!!) probably because I watched Prison Break last night), but now you know why it can take me a day to revise one chapter, or sometimes -- alas! -- just a single scene.