Friday Five for July 25, 2014

1. I managed to get some writing done this past week. I've also been critiquing stories. I have my local writers group meeting tomorrow. I dug out an old fantasy short story for them. I'd like to write something new, but I only have so much time.

2. I thought I'd create a few short stories from old novels that I wrote. My paranormal short, "Immaculate" in Mortis Operandi was originally a novel. Reading my old manuscripts, I cringed. The writing! Oh, the horror. And not in a good horror sort of way. It's amazing to see how far I've come with my writing. Do you sometimes go back and compare how your writing has changed over the years?

3. Yet I did find one of my NaNoWriMo novels full of possibilities. If I could rewrite it with more humor, it would be like a Terry Pratchett style take on fairytale tropes. But that's way down on my list of things to possibly do.

4. It's been a busy week. I helped clean up my son's preschool playground, getting it ready for when school starts again. Then we got the news that the church the preschool is in will be closing. We don't know the timeline yet, but it's already been a scramble to find a new location. I'm on the board and emergency meetings have been called. I hope we can keep our lease until the end of the school year. That will give us more time to find a new place. It's stressful and a bit crazy right now.

5. Reminder: Don't forget there's still six days to enter the awesome Untethered Realms 100 followers giveaway for a chance to win a grand prize pack of wonderful reads. In that same post, there's the links for all the books we have on sale this month at Smashwords. The 13th Floor Complete Collection is 50% off!

Have a great weekend!

Winners for the More Than Just A Kiss Blogfest and The 13th Floor Collection cover reveal giveaway

Thank you to everyone who participated in the MORE THAN JUST A KISS Blogfest. It was awesome. So many great entries. Even more so, each kiss was so very different. Some made me laugh, others had me sighing or fanning myself, and a few made my eyes watery. These were more than just kisses.

My most marvelous fellow judges - Cecilia Robert, Kyra Lennon, Laurelin Paige - and I had a tough time picking the winners. We all have different tastes, but there are three that stood out.

Here are our top three:

Our first place winner of a critique (not exceeding ten pages) from Cecilia, Kyra, and I is

L.G. KELTNER!

Our second place winner of a critique (not exceeding five pages) from Laurelin and I is

MICHELLE WALLACE!

Our third place winner of a one page critique from Cecilia and I is

ADRIANNE RUSSELL!

Congratulations, ladies! An email has been sent your way.

But wait! We have some bonus prizes to give out. Each of us judges have picked one entry to win our bonus prizes. Here they are!

Laurelin's pick to win FIXED ON YOU:

ROE!

Cecilia's pick to win TRULY MADLY DEEPLY YOU and REAPER'S NOVICE.:
ALEX TANNER!

Kyra's pick to win IF I LET YOU GO:

SUMMER ROSS!

My pick to win all six volumes of The 13th Floor series:

SHAH WHARTON!

Congratulations to you all!

And thank you again to every participant. Every single scene was great.

Now on to the winners of my cover reveal giveaway!

A huge thank you to everyone that helped introduce The 13th Floor Complete Collection to the world.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations to the winners!

Emails have been sent your way.

Join the More Than Just A Kiss Blogfest

Sweet, sizzling, fiery, awkward, mind-blowing. We want to read your kissing scenes.

 

The rules are simple:

1. Sign up on the linky list and post the badge on your blog.

2. On one of the days of the week of September 9th, post a kissing scene on your blog. It can be either fiction or non-fiction.

3. Please do not exceed 250 words.

4. This is a blogfest, so visit the other participants and have fun!

But wait! This is more than a blogfest.

We're offering prizes!

The scenes will be judged by these amazing romance authors: Cecilia Robert, Laurelin Paige, Kyra Lennon, and Christine Rains. (Hey, that's me!) We will choose three posts to win these awesome prizes.

Prize 1 - A critique of a kissing/intimate scene from your WIP (not exceeding ten pages). Critiques will be done by Cecilia Robert, Kyra Lennon, and Christine Rains.

Prize 2 - A critique of a kissing/intimate scene from your WIP (not exceeding five pages). This critique will be done by Laurelin Paige and Christine.

Prize 3 - A critique of a kissing/intimate scene from your WIP (not exceeding one page). This critique will be done by Cecilia and Christine.

BONUS PRIZES:
Cecilia, Kyra, Laurelin, and I will each choose one of our favorites to give out some fantastic ebooks.
Cecilia – TRULY MADLY DEEPLY YOU and REAPER'S NOVICE.
Kyra - IF I LET YOU GO
Laurelin - FIXED ON YOU
Christine – All six volumes of the 13th Floor series.

 

SIGN UP HERE!

 

My kiss today comes from 1302 - THE ALPHA.

“You did it without a thought of yourself. That’s what a pack truly does for each other. You might be a lone wolf, but you’ve done more for me than anyone in a long time.” Her thumbs ran along his jaw, feeling the light growth of stubble.

A rough yet quiet sound reverberated in his chest. James' hands remained by his sides. Body tense and eager under her, he made no move to turn this into something more. He wanted to, she had no doubt about that, but he held himself back. His control and respect amazed her.

“It was the right thing to do.” He swallowed. His nostrils quivered and his lips parted slightly.

Stefanie couldn’t help herself any longer. Her mouth mashed to his. No sweet first kiss. She was never that type of girl. She was fire and passion, hot right from the start.

Her hands held his head in place, but slid up so she could play with his hair. Soft and thick, reminding her of silken down. Tongues twined and teeth clinked. Her hips pressed down and his answered, rubbing up. Too many layers of clothing between them for her, but they couldn’t contain the heat from the friction as it seared up through her body.

James murmured her name as he ran his hands up her thighs to rest on her rear. Fingers dug in and pulled her harder against him. She growled her approval and nipped at his lower lip.

Join me tomorrow for the 13th Floor Collection cover reveal!

Wicked Wednesday - Critiques (part 4)

This is the final part of my critique series. I'm talking about critiques because we're giving some away to the lucky winners of the MORE THAN JUST A KISS blogfest on September 9 - 15. You can win some awesome ebooks too! You can check out the other posts in this critique series here: part 1, part 2, and part 3.

Once I've gone over the details, I look at the overall story. All the chapters could be fine on their own, but everything needs to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. A story can have all the technical parts correct with everything in its right place and still fall flat.

Here are some of the things I take into account:
- does the story engage me and hold my interest?
- are all the loose ends tied up neatly at the end?
- am I satisfied with the ending, or does it need something more?
- is the voice consistent throughout the manuscript? If there is more than one POV, does each one have a unique voice?
- does the tension build realistically and reach its height at the climax?
- the plot should have its ups and downs, but are there any places it drags? Or perhaps goes too fast?
- does the conflict(s) add to the plot or are they there simply to entertain?

Remember that critiques are subjective. Everyone is going to feel differently about the various aspects of the story. I've had my critique partners tell me two different things about the same part of a story. In the end, it's up to you to decide what you want to change if you want to at all. The critiques make suggestions. They are not follow-by-the-letter orders. You are the author. You must do what feels right for your story.

How do you wrap up your critiques?

Nutschell's Wednesday Writer's Workspace and Wicked Wednesday - Critiques (part 3)

I'm so excited to be over at The Writing Nut's blog today with Nutschell for Wednesday Writer's Workspace. Please stop on by and take a peek into my office.

This is the third part of my critique series on Wicked Wednesday in preparation for the MORE THAN JUST A KISS blogfest in September. Click on the links to read part 1 and part 2 of the series.

After giving a thorough critique of the first chapter, I settle in for two more read-throughs of the manuscript.

The first one is for the details. This is the part where I make technical notes as I go along. It keeps me from reading too quickly. I'm not a professional editor, but I check spelling, grammar, and missed punctuation. If I'm not certain about something, I'll still make a note.

These are the types of details I look for:

- ones that need explaining (an observation or memory that needs clarification)

- ones that are unnecessary (a description or an added word or two that adds nothing to the sentence or plot)

- ones that are wrong (something that is anachronistic or an accent that doesn't sound right)

- ones that are missing (a more obvious clue to the mystery; if you're too subtle, the reader might miss it)

- ones that are brilliant (always point out the good things in a critique too)

The second read-through is for pacing, connection of plot points, and characterization.

- Pacing: I look for hooks and hangers with the chapters. I also keep track of the story highs and lows, making sure there are no lulls. Typically with romance, the story plot highs and lows should alternate with the romance plot highs and lows until they both come together for the climax. (Yes, I just set myself up there, didn't I?)

- Plot points: usually they follow along with the pacing. Something happens here that leads to this, the characters react and create this new something. One thing must logically lead to the other in the context of that world with those characters.

- Characterization: characters must be consistent with who they are and grow as the plot progresses. So much goes into the creation of characters, and sometimes the writer can be a bit biased. We sometimes hear the characters so clearly in our heads, we forget that others don't. The characters must be as vivid on paper as they are in our minds.

How many read-throughs do you give a first draft? Do you have a specific list you follow when doing a critique?

Wicked Wednesday - Critiques (part 2)

This is the second part of my Critique series. On how I do critiques. It may not be the way anyone else goes about it, but hopefully I can offer a few tips that you might find helpful. You can read the first part of this series here.

After the initial read and the narrowing of the genre, I start a second read and focus on the first chapter. This is the most important chapter. If you can't keep your readers' interest, they aren't going to keep reading. I look for the hook, the setting, the backstory, the inciting incident, and the overall story problem.

Hook: hopefully it's right in the first line or at least in the first paragraph. This grabs the reader's attention with usually a dramatic action, thought, or desire. It sets the mood for the entire book. (Example: the opening line to THE DRAGONSLAYER: Xan missed the shot.)

Setting: the reader must know when and where they are. Not the exact time and date, unless it's key to the plot. But if we're in modern times, the past or future. If it's a fantasy world, it could start off in a barn or a cave. Don't leave the reader in limbo.

Backstory: You want enough to get the story going, but not too much to overload the reader. People are tempted to tell a lot in the beginning of the story, but readers only need to know enough to support what's happening in that moment.

Inciting incident: This is the event that turns the protagonist's life upside-down, or at the very least, the incident that leads to the chaos. It could be a letter from a distant relative or an assassination attempt. Big or little, it must propel the plot forward from chapter one.

Overall story problem: This isn't the hero's goal of killing the monster. What I'm looking for here is the protagonist's key internal problem. A flaw or weakness, something that she struggles with and that she needs to overcome in order to be victorious. Even if it's not obvious in the first chapter, I need to see a sign of it.

The first chapter is usually where I end up making the most changes in my manuscripts.

What do you look for when critiquing a first chapter?

Wicked Wednesday - Critiques (part 1): the beginning

In case you haven't heard yet, the lovely Cecilia Robert and I have revealed our surprise blogfest: MORE THAN JUST A KISS. Sign up and share with us a kissing scene. Along with two marvelous guest judges - Kyra Lennon and Laurelin Paige - we'll be judging the scenes and picking three to win. We will then critique a kissing scene from your latest WIP.

No one does a critique the same way. There are those that pick up on details that others do not, and critics that manage to find plot holes where everything seemed tied together so nicely. Some have a system and order to their critique, and others just dive right in with everything. This is why it's important to have more than one critique partner.

I've learned a lot from my critique partners and from critiquing other writers' stories. I have a system of sorts. I always read it first as a reader. Just for the pure enjoyment of the tale. That way I won't get distracted by the story as I'm critiquing.

The first thing I keep in mind when I'm starting a critique is the specific genre. All romances must have the relationship central to the plot. I'm going to use various sub-genres of romance as examples:

Paranormal romance - must have elements of the paranormal central to the plot

Romantic suspense - the mystery must drive the plot along with the romance

Historical romance - the accuracy of the historical setting and how it affects the romance

Contemporary romance - the romance and how it's affected by the other modern issues the author weaves into the plot

The genre identifies your target audience. You don't need to stick to a specific formula, but if the story is lacking in the key elements of its intended genre, it will fail. If I'm critiquing a romantic suspense, and the mystery limps along as a subplot, I'm going to suggest ways to bring it to the forefront, make it stronger, and integrate it into the central plot. In another manuscript, the mystery of how the hero traveled back in time might not be as important as what's happening in the time period he did end up in, and I won't suggest spending time on something that's mysterious yet not integral to the central plot.

Over the next month, I'll be talking about various parts of my critiquing process. Please feel free to tell us how you go about critiquing in the comment section below. I'd love to hear if you have any tips or tricks!

How do you begin the critiquing process?

Saturday Six for July 7th

1. I've been without air-conditioning for a week. We might have it fixed on Sunday. Maybe. IF what the guy says is wrong with the unit is the only thing that's wrong. I can't think in the hot weather. I can't write. I'm barely tolerable. So no writing was done. It's incredibly frustrating. I'm so far behind where I want to be. Please excuse me that I didn't do much commenting or emailing this past week. Sitting at the computer drains me in the heat.

2. I haven't finished my steampunk short story. I'll have to pick something else to submit to my writer's group for critique this month. I might send in the first chapter of my newest project and get their opinion. Though I'm very nervous about doing so because I don't know if I'm living up to my standards writing from the male POV. Yes, perhaps I will send it in. The more nervous I am, the more it says I need to get it critiqued.

3. Don't forget I'll be interviewing M. Pepper Langlinais on Monday. She has a gift for all my awesome readers. Please join us!

4. We're having a garage sale with some friends today. We brought over a load of stuff to sell to their house and priced them. Then one friend dared to ask if we'd be selling any books. (Because everyone thinks our house has too many books! HA!) My husband and I looked at each other and laughed. Sorry, we're never selling any of our books.

5. Yesterday I took my son to McDonalds for the first time. The first time I've been in one in decades. (I kid you not!) I decided to go there because it's the only place in town with an indoor AIR-CONDITIONED playground. Not much of a playground, and it was more for older kids, but the boy had fun. He got nuggets, ice cream, and playtime in a nice cool place. We did spend an equal amount of time at the library before we went, so I think that makes up for me taking him there!

6. My husband, son, and I had a fun Fourth of July. We took the boy to his first parade. At first, he was put off by the crowd and wanted to go home. Yet the moment he got his first piece of candy, he was hooked! He loved the marching bands most of all. We all then napped, spent two hours at the pool, and met with friends in the evening for ice cream. Yum!

Finally Friday update

It's been a busy week. The Origins blogfest was so much fun. We need to start our own League of Justice Writers. I'm following a bunch of a new blogs. Welcome to my new followers too!

In case you missed the post yesterday, I'm celebrating reaching 200 followers with the Learn Your Craft Giveaway! Free books. I don't care where you live in the world. Free books because I adore you all.

I revised two and a half chapters of my current WIP this week. I'm at the point that I need to rewrite a foretelling/prophecy. I'm horrible at doing those things. Why can't mystics or oracles just bluntly say what they mean? I feel my protagonist's frustration in trying to figure out what the vague references and strange symbolism mean.

I critiqued three stories for my writers' group. We meet tomorrow. I submitted my Steampunk Cthulhu story to be critiqued. I wonder if any of them are familiar with the Cthulhu Mythos. Once I have their critiques, I will edit and revise again, send to my CPs, and then revise again before submitting it to the anthology.

I also revised a short noir story I wrote a while ago and submitted it to a site that features stories of that flavor. One extra submission for me this month!

I cut my son's bangs today. Toddlers don't sit still. You can imagine what it looks like. I think I ought to consider not cutting his bangs myself any more. At least he's happy not to have his bangs in his pretty long eyelashes any more.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mutant immune system

There's my little guy intensely concentrating on a Curious George counting game. He can count to twenty and that's his favorite number right now. He's occupied most of my week because he's sick again. I swear, I think he's going for a record for most viruses caught in one winter. I've been puked on every day for two weeks. I must have a mutant immune system, because I don't even have a sniffle. *knocks on wood* Took him to the doctor today and the prognosis: ear infection and possible chest cold. My son is very particular about his ears and has not been a happy boy these past few days. He hasn't been taking any naps and he's been waking up in the middle of the night. That's something that hasn't happened since he was an infant. So no writing time for Mama. I did manage to get the stories for today's writers' group meeting critiqued, though. At least I did something productive.

Great Comments Award and Nicole Zoltack's Generosity

Thank you to The Golden Eagle for this awesome award:

I try my best to make time to comment on all the blogs I follow.

I'm also very thankful to all of you who follow my blog and comment.

You make the whole blogging experience worthwhile.

I am happy to pass on this award to my 20 most recent commenters:

Alex J. Cavanaugh

Sarah Ahiers (Falen)

Briane P

Cherie Reich

Sylvia Ney

Michael Offutt

Stephen Tremp

Tasha Seegmiller

The Blogger Girlz

Nicole Zoltack

James Dorr 

Janel

Grumpy Bulldog

Lorelei

Joshua

Prerna Pickett

Tania Walsh

Farawayeyes

cleemckenzie

Ninja Girl

The generous Nicole Zoltack has put out the offer of critiques. All you have to do is follow her blog!

You can choose a query, synopsis or first page critique.

Just email her one of the above. First come, first serve!

Thank you, Nicole!

Cherie Reich's holiday giveaways

My generous friend and critique partner, Cherie Reich is having two holiday giveaways.

She's giving away SIX critiques on her author blog!

Yes, you read correctly. SIX critiques!

1 - 25 page, 2 - 10 page, 3 - 1 page

She's also giving away books on her review site.

Any book from those she reviewed.

Awesome.

I'll be having a special guest and a holiday giveaway here very soon.

(Hopefully we'll have things sorted out and ready by Monday! *knocks on wood*)

Asking advice on critiquing something good

I finished Smokin' Seventeen last night and I finally got my copy of A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin. Oh, I've been waiting years for this. In terms of fantasy, grit, world building, characterization, and breaking all the rules, Martin is my idol.

I have to set the book aside for the moment and focus on critiquing a few short stories for my writer's group. We're meeting this Saturday. Sometimes it's hard to critique stories. I'll find a few technical errors, but the story is sound. I offer my compliments. Then that's it. I feel like I'm not doing my job as a critique partner. Yet I don't know what else to say! Any advice?

I got one of my short zombie stories short listed yesterday. It's a medieval zombie story from a zombie's point of view. It would be cool to get published.

My first writer's group experience

Well, I guess I can't say it's my first time. I did meet with writers doing NaNoWriMo for a few years every November. Yet most of them weren't serious writers and, as the month progressed, it turned more into a knitting circle. I don't knit.

I have a bunch of writer friends online and two great critique partners, but it's not the same as meeting face-to-face. I've been to conventions and attended workshops. Yet a regular writer's group is invaluable if you can find a good one.

Only three other people showed up to the meeting. Summers are slow. I was greeted warmly. They are super nice people. That helped put me more at ease. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be. We critiqued two other short stories before we got to mine. These folks are experienced at story critiques. Wow. My critiquing skills pale in comparison. There's a lot I can learn from them in that aspect. Being able to critique someone else's story well helps you to better do so to your own.

They didn't hold back. They gave me the truth about my story. I wanted an honest and unbiased opinion, and I got it. If I were the same person I was ten years ago, I wouldn't have been able to take the criticism. It could have been seen as brutal. As I've gotten older, my skin has thickened. I hope I took the criticisms with grace. I listened to everything they had to say and asked for advice. My story will be much improved because of this.

Here are the basics:
- I was trying to be more show than tell in the story and it made the story fall flat. (I was experimenting with this story because I've been accused of too much telling in the past.) I have to do a little telling: get into my protagonist's head so her motivations are clearer, add in some background, and display more emotions to make her more likable.
- The change in the protagonist needs to be bigger at the end or else it doesn't seem like she's changed at all. She has to earn her happy ending.
- The blocking wasn't clear in the climatic scene.
- A few parts are overwritten and a few others are cliche.