Chasing the Dream

Me

2008-04-30T11:45:00.001+10:00

Moved!

2007-11-22T18:33:00.000+10:00

Find me here

Writing? What's that?

2007-11-11T01:25:00.002+10:00

Don'cha ust love life? The curve balls it throws a you.
Children down with Pneumonia and it's hot here. They want to go swimming but alas they can't. The coughing and breathing difficulties is driving me wild and I can't afford to ignore them with the ipod blasting. Through the day I am preparing for an important show and at night I am stuffed. But i will write not tonight though. I will try later in the morning.

Writing? What's that?

2007-11-11T01:25:00.001+10:00

It's Out It's Out

2007-11-01T15:19:00.000+10:00

Pretty slow reaction really, seeings it has been out almost a week now.
very embarrassing BUT i had a valid excuse.
No matter how much I like to pretend otherwise my girls are all important to me and thet have been sick not dreadfuly ill but enough to keep them whingey and wanting my attention. as well as a fete and a party and then anther 2 sick whingies it simply slipped my mind.
I have been waiting for this moment so long and then I FORGOT IT!!
I also missed chats due to ill health of the girls. i couldn't believe it.

I am so so stoked.

And here is the link to my book

Blood vengeance

And here is an excerpt

Prologue
She looked into his brown eyes. As his sharp teeth pierced her neck, she exultantly thought, So this is life, as it ebbed away, enveloping her in blackness.
Chapter One
She moved gracefully through the night as she followed her target. He was a big man with silver hair and should have been slow due to his size, but appearances were deceiving. This man could move as lithe as a dancer when he so wished. Looking at him caused her heart to constrict with the pang of loss, as if it were yesterday instead of years ago.
Mind on the job, Kayla. She clenched her jaw and sucked in her breath through her nose, unsure if she’d spoken out loud. Her target never stopped, and she let her breath ease out without a sound, shaking her head with disgust at her slip.
Relieved, she moved along the rooftops, feeling the changes under her feet as they moved from the main part of Brisbane into Fortitude Valley. The roof styles aided in keeping her hidden, and the shadows were extra deep since the new moon would not appear for another night.
Dan Givanni, her target, checked behind him at regular intervals, stopping his meandering route to listen, cocking his head doglike.
He’s good. She pursed her lips in reluctant appreciation. I’m better, though. She had the advantage of a hundred years of hunting practice, giving her an edge he’d never have.
She knew never to deviate from being careful; being silent and patient. If she did, it could cost her life. She had first-hand experience of what happened when the rules were ignored.
Givanni checked a little-used side street, looking behind the trash bins. Once satisfied no one was hiding anywhere, he stood on the path, waiting.
Kayla hunkered down so there was no a chance of him seeing her silhouette. She listened and scanned the area. With her sharp eyesight, she examined the wall below her and saw an old fire escape on which she could perch. It would give a better view and provide more cover. Keeping silent, she made her way to the escape, then carefully pulled her camera out of her pocket, focused it on Givanni, and took a couple of quick pictures. She had to get this right and, after so many months of waiting for this meeting, she didn’t want to mess it up. She wouldn’t get a second chance.
A few minutes later, she heard the quiet footsteps of another person arriving in the alley. She zoomed in the camera focus on the new arrival and started snapping photos in quick succession once he was in view, the night vision on the camera making the scene as clear as day. The second man checked the area just as thoroughly as Givanni had, scanning for intruders. Not once did they look up.
She’d learned over the years that people rarely looked up. And if they did, they weren’t really looking. They didn’t believe someone would be above them. Still, she made sure she was well disguised. Her clothes were dark, selected so they would blend her in. Her dark hair wouldn’t give her away, and she’d darkened her pale features to ensure they didn’t stand out. She didn’t want to risk anything.
The men approached each other. Her enhanced senses allowed her to hear their hushed voices.
“You got the money, Givanni?” The smaller man looked over his shoulder as he spoke. He was Aaron Jackson, second in command of a large cartel from overseas. It was more powerful than the Givanni family, and she knew Givanni was making a smart move. By getting in with the group, he would be able to maintain his control of what he saw as his turf.
“Yes. You got the goods?” He gritted the words as if this transaction infuriated him.
“Your position will be guaranteed once we start seeing results.”
They reminded Kayla of two dogs circling each other, wanting to fight but each wary of being hurt.
Two briefcases changed hands as Kayla kept snapping photos. The exchanged finished, and she slipped the camera into her pocket. She pressed a button on her cell phone to send the okay to her backup who’d been tracking her. After making sure everything was tucked safely away, she jumped from the fire escape.
She loved flying. Her blood raced through her, and heat flared in her core as the air swept past her body, caressing her like a lover as it skimmed over her breasts and face, tangling through her hair. She landed lightly behind the men and pulled out her badge. “Gentlemen, you are under arrest.”
Their bodies tensed as they swung toward her. Shock followed by anger chased across their faces. Their hands dipped into their pockets, dragging out guns, and they started to fire at her. She was already moving toward them. Her lithe body honed in its actions easily spun around their clumsy movements.
She grabbed Jackson and twisted her leg behind his, causing him to lose balance, and he tumbled to the ground. He tried to roll away, so she thumped her knee into his back.
“Fucking slut” he spat as she jerked his arm up behind him. Pulling his gun out of his grasp, she slapped a handcuff on and yanked his other arm behind him, securing it as well. “You’ll regret this, you whore. Do you know who you’re dealing with?”
She ignored him; his words meant nothing to her, and she’d heard worse.
She sprang up to face the man she’d been tracking for years. He had her lined up in his sights. She ducked and rolled onto the hard ground as he shot. The bullet whistled near her head, the heat from it warming her face where it flashed past. She came up under his arm, knocking the gun out of his hand. He was faster than she expected, and he was able to grab her round the neck with his other hand. Squeezing the breath from her, he brought her face close to his.
He frowned as his dark eyes bored into hers. “What are you going to do now, bitch?” His lip curled up, exposing his teeth “You’re no match for me.”
She smiled, and his brow furrowed further. His gaze moved from her eyes to her mouth, and she smiled a little wider, allowing her teeth to show. As he watched, she let them lengthen and sharpen into fangs.
He looked back up into her eyes, his complexion paled, and he dropped his hand from her throat as he backed away from her. She moved toward him, and he stumbled backward. His gaze never left hers.
“Nu uh, Mr. Givanni.” She raised one eyebrow, her tone low and threatening. “You can’t run from me. I am your world now.”
It gratified her to see him jerk at her uttered words. Words he’d used on people just before he dealt with them. He ruled his group with iron control, telling them he was their world when they joined. He also used it just before he killed someone.
He backed into a wall, his gaze transfixed on hers. She leaned in close and breathed on him. “I have you now.” Leaning in a little closer, she opened her mouth further, exposing her sharp fangs.
He moaned a sound full of fear, for he knew exactly what she was. The stuff of nightmares. A vampire.

Who AM I?

2007-10-23T09:33:00.000+10:00

B- Bold
R - resourceful
O - optimist
N - naughty
W - wicked
Y - youthful (E - enthusiastic for my real name)
N - nice

So Who are you?

Goal Setting - Lesson 6

2007-10-19T11:01:00.000+10:00

Time Managaement

This is where I find I fall down. My time management skills are very poor.
I try and set things and then find myself not following them which either means it isn't working for me or I just am not motivated.

I prefer to write at night.

I also like to watch TV and often night is the only time I get to spend with my partner. So I watch TV with my partner.
So what will I do?
K is an early sleeper. A late night for him is 9.30pm. So I should look at writing between 9.30 and 11.30pm. The video recorder is going to have to start getting a work out. Even better I may buy the series I wish to watch and do it that way (think I touched on this in an earlier post).

No adverts can be stopped when I want and I have them permanently.

I also have other commitments to keep. BUT the good thing with these are I can do them while watching TV. Strange I know but these other endeavours are important to me too. Each one balances out to keep me sane.

Through the day I tend to do research as I am able to keep an eye on my rugrats as well as the housework. I am unable to let it slide. I hate chaos I really do and so housework is a priority. K is happy, the girls are happy and I am happy. I have trained myself to complete tasks that need doing and so I know I can learn I just need to do the same with my writing.

The sneaky bits of time I have yet to utilise but to be honest I don't do a whole heap of waiting except when I pick up Miss C and then I generally use this time to get some adult chat. I also watch how people interact.

I am discovering the best times for me. As time goes on this may change but right now an hour or two a day is great!!

Goal setting - Lesson 5

2007-10-19T10:31:00.001+10:00

5. Take action immediately
6. Do something every day that takes you to your goal
7. Resolve in advance that you will never quit.

So what action am I taking. I joined Sven and Nano just so I am accountable. I have a deadline. I can work towards it. I know I know I should be able to do so without a deadline. BUT I have always been one to work towards a deadline. I need a deadline. These deadlines are group imposed. After these are over I will set my own deadlines.
Actually the deadline for Porn Star for a wife is November anyway. I want to be able to do edits and send it off February.

I write everyday. I am actually going to have to go and do some research so that will count towards it. I will write at least 500 words a day. I am doing this fairly easily and really should put 1000 words but I don't want to beat myself up if life steps in and I can't do the 1000.

I won't quit. It is my vow that I will write. I can't not write so this is one I couldn't give up even if I tried. Even when I wasn't writing I was still thinking about writing. Stories were weaved in my mind and it almost killed me that I didn't write.

I am a writer. I will learn how to be a great author.

Right or Left Brained

2007-10-17T07:11:00.000+10:00

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22556281-661,00.html
An interesting link I could not get it the girl to move in the other direction not even a flicker. I am Right Brained.

781

2007-10-16T23:36:00.000+10:00

781 words. i didn’t think I would get any done. The day has been a lazy one for anything creative but I ended up doing it. It is nice to see the word count go up. I also did an authors chat at night owl. It was so busy and it great fun. a real eye opener I am glad Emma was there she ehlped me heaps and i was able to offer a copy of my book for a competition.
The next chat is the 17th of this month I will post more details really soon. I can’t remember who it is. Now that is bad
I have also set up my blog here at the present i am double posting because of my book launch but I will eventually be moving there permanently. I will let you know whn though.

Monday UnBlocker (well Tuesday for me)

2007-10-16T19:56:00.000+10:00

Apparently what you need to do is with the list of words write a 4 sentences that feels like a poem or story using the 4 words.
I don't know whether I will go for the poem but I will try and write something including the 4 four words.

Word Group:
forgotten
earth
time
love

Our time upon the earth is short and much lays forgotten.
Except the paths of hurt or love imprinted upon our souls.

Sven

2007-10-15T08:04:00.000+10:00

Sven starts today for me. Thing is my arm is now in a splint due to an annoying wrist. Good thing is it won't stop me from doing what I wish to do. Just slightly modified. I am thinking of moving to wordpress. I am comfortable here but wordpress offers extras I wouldn't mind playing with. The thing is I really like my banner so I will have to see if I can transfer at least part of it. It is really designed for Blogger but I will see what I can do.
So today I will need to write at least 780 words and hopefully will manage this for the whole 70 days. I am also still going to do NaNo and although the temptation to cheat is high I will do a separate story so a total of almost 2000 words each and every day.
Could be very interesting.

Lesson 4 - Goal Setting

2007-10-13T22:57:00.000+10:00

1. Decide what you really want
2. Write your goals out on paper
3. Determine the price you have to pay
4. Make a plan
5. Take action immediately
6. Do something every day that takes you to your goal
7. Resolve in advance that you will never quit.

Well I wrote my goals out in the previous post but now I am going to refine it.

In 2008, I will write a Blaze. I will participate on a few forums, including eHarlequin and submit it to an editor who seems to be requesting manuscripts.
I will purchase my domain name and build my website. My website will be updated once a month. I will set aside at least 1 hour a day to write my MS.

So the price I wil have to pay.
I am going to have to lose pc and tv time. No getting around it. i watch way too much of it (at present it is on in the room) I can't take time from the girls so I need to lose it else wheres and tv and pc time is it. I will look at programmes i can't bear to miss (Supernatural, House) and tpe them. I am thinking that I will be able to enjoy these programmes while I exercise on my treadmill.
I would be more likley to keep going if i have something to look forward to. I will have weekends off. I need to be able to have time with family.
PC will be harder to give up considering I am trying to promote my book for this month and do research. But i can limit checking my emails and blogs t twice a day. i rarely have anything urgent so I am sure waiting several hours won't be too terrible.

1) Write every morning I need to finish the frst draft 31/1
2) submit query to harlequin Blaze
3) revise manuscript
4) if requested submit poposal
5) if requested submit ms
6) if requested do revisions

Lesson 3 - Setting Goals

2007-10-13T22:36:00.000+10:00

My 2008 goals (nothing like getting a head start hey?)

1) Complete my current MS Porn Star for a wife.
2) Edit and send my MS in to harlequin Blaze
3) lose 10kilos (baby steps baby steps) and keep it off.
4) Walk 5 days a week on my treadmill
5) work on my bears and jewellery.

I find I am able to write better if I move and i wish to be healthy so I can work at my writing goals, because my jewellery and bears bring in money and I really love doing them I want to be able to spend time on these as well.

These are only small goals but I really don't want to overwhelm myself. I am going to join in Sven and NaNo but I am doing these to get moving and do something my main goal is the MS Porn Star for a Wife.

What motivates you?

2007-10-04T15:29:00.001+10:00

I recently joined a new yahoo group Motivated Writers, and after a cursory glance didn't do much else. I finally had a chance to read the posts a little more thoroughly and I know I am hooked. Well and truly.
It isn't so much a chat group as a group to get to what motivates you and some of the questions asked a doozies.
I have done well and come at the start of a new cycle.
So far i have answered what I need from life and what I want from life. And sometimes you can turn those wants in life to needs. for example I want to show my daughters that they can do anything they desire in life. that they don't have to do traditional things to be successful.
But is that really a want or a need? I can change it to a need. I need to suceed with my writing to be able to set the example to my daughters. no point in talking the talk if i can't walk the walk.
The second question is am I motivated by hope or fear? This one stopped me dead but as i though about it, the fear motivates me more. I have to list what I am afraid of and where it stems from and what will happen if I am successful.
I recognise that when I bcome a successful author i will be in the limelight a little more and my history of depression and running away from home at a young age will come to light. there now i have just done it given away my secrets. Not so bad really. I feel though, as i watch others coming into the limelight that "they" will twist it and turn it and try and make it something it wasn't.
That isn't a problem. Really. I ran away from home. I didn't do drugs, I didn't drink, I didn't even sleep around.
I am afraid of not being able to write and what I do write won't be acceptable. well I have my first attempt at writing coming out this month so obviously that isn't true either. I may need lots of practice BUT I can write and at this stage I have ideas tucked away so I don't dry up too quickly.

My biggest motivation to write and be successful at it instead of hiding them away like I used to is simply I do not want to go back to the 9 to 5 grind. I hated it. I hated it more then words can describe and even now the idea of going back to traditional employment can reduce me to a mess. My fear of having to go back to that way of life is what will keep me writing and trying to get published. Will drive me to be successful. Not just the hope and desire but that fear burning deep in my belly.

Cobblestone Press Blog Pary - You are all invited!!

2007-10-02T15:59:00.000+10:00

It’s October already and you know what that means…yes!
It’s time for Cobblestone Press’ 2nd Annual Octoberfest Celebration. Shifters, vampires, ghosts, and everything in between. Octoberfest is about celebrating all things paranormal and in celebration of their Octoberfest releases the authors of Cobblestone are having a MONTH long Blog Party.
You know what happens at parties, right? There are gifts and this party will be no exception. Stop by an author’s blog during thier week and comment and you’ll automatically be entered to win a copy of their Octoberfest title! Woot! And you’ll be able to read excerpts, some that may not be seen anywhere else. So let’s get to the good stuff.
Here’s the schedule for the first week. Starting us off with releases this coming Friday, October 5th are Sable Grey, Ericka Scott and Shelli Stevens.

So from October 1st to Friday, October 5th stop by their blogs and leave them a comment. The winners will be announced Friday, October 5th on the CP Blog and on each authors blog.
October 1st to October 5th, 2007:
Sable Grey’s Blog
Prize: ebook copy of Something Wild
Blurb: London is a city drowning in fear as a barrage of gruesome murders plague the streets in Whitechapel. Detective Baden Sikes is out to find the ripper but will his own secrets destroy him and those he loves most?
Ericka Scott’s Blog
Prize: ebook copy of Postcards from the Dead
Blurb: The dead don’t speak to her; they send her postcards. When Cassandra Moore receives a cryptic postcard from her dead husband, Drew Brinkman offers to help her discover the meaning of the postcard. But she doesn’t know he’s an investigative reporter out to prove the ghostly postcards are fakes.
Shelli Steven’s Blog
Prize: ANY ebook off of her backlist (Octoberfest release is titled: Primal Attraction)
Blurb: Old Centuron should have been a forgotten colony, but when Sarina arrives to do research, she confronts the brutal reality of how wrong she was. Now prisoner to a man who is both wolf and human, she faces a shocking truth and an undeniable passion.
The blog party invites will go out every Monday and the next one is scheduled on Monday, October 8th!
Don’t forget to go to Cobblestone Press for more great titles

Oh My God

2007-09-27T15:35:00.000+10:00

What have I done? Me the pantster sat down and did a plan. Unbelievable. It wasn't a detailed plan just 14 or 15 steps with 2 or 3 sentences in each one.
I want to try for a novel with this one of about 56000 words. So I carefully sat down and wrote what would be in each chapter (of course this could change I am a pantster by nature).
I would like to try and submit it to blaze and so I am going to concentrate on this for a few months. I would like to try for at least 1000 words a day so my goal is to have this book finished by the end of November. Edits done by January.
I want this really bad.
I will have it.

I have settled

2007-09-26T23:50:00.000+10:00

on Porn star for a wife. It intrigues me in this society that women who choose to do this are seen as victims. I have been to Sexpo in Brisbane a fw times and man meeting some of these women they don't seem like victims. One in particular was very savvy, her money was invested wisely and her MUM is her manager. When she was questioned about her choice she just laughed and simply said "Do I look like a victim?"
Now this isn't saying they are all like this there is a seedy side to the life as well but really what doesn't?
I think this has carried with me for a long while. and I wanted to have this strong woman fall in love but to make it even more difficult I wanted upstanding moral fibre. i want the conflict and the horror of dicovering what she is. i want her foundations shaken up when he doesn't give in in the way she thinks he should.
I am treading lightly at present as I am a pantster and I feel this story developing deep within.
So my hero is based on the younger Harrison Ford especailly when he played Indiana Jones

Neat and tidy. nice enough but nothing special. this is how she will see him.
but we know how this man can scrub down

I love Indy.

My heroine I couldn't choose any other then Jessica Alba

her sexiness just oozes from her pores.

Now I can visualise a little better. i think the match is good for the story.

My Muse

2007-09-26T12:11:00.000+10:00

has kicked into overdrive and now I have 4 books on the go.
We have Werewolf Running.
Vampire dreams
Porn Star for a Wife?
What happens when a porn start meets a man she can't have?
Sahsa is beautiful and is Australia's highest paid porn star. Robert is quiet and a christian. What happens when the attraction can no longer be denied. Will Sasha get what she wants and have him in her bed or will Robert get what he wants.. a porn star for a wife?

and Call Girl
Better names may come with them but at the moment that's it.

I typed out about 1000 on each last night without even thinking about it. The words flowed and I typed. It was good. Don't know how the last 2 will turn out but hey can only try. I mean they are people too aren't they. I don't even know if they would be looked at for publishing but they want to be written and who really denies their muse?

Official date

2007-09-22T00:41:00.000+10:00

i can't believe I didn't know my release date. Actually it makes me rather embarrassed as it makes me sound as if I don't care. It is far from the truth. I have let all my friends know. all their friends know. I have let everyone from every site I have been to know. I just hadn't registered about a day.

Anyway the official date is 26th October. It still seems kind of surreal. As if it is happening to someone else. Still I'm sure it will hit home eventually.

I was on the passionate Ink forum and someone had asked about journalling. Did we journal. Some replied that they found they whinged when they journaled and they didn't like it at all. I journal and I enjoy it. i do not necessarily journal each day but I think for me that it s a good thing. yep I whinge in the journal and heavy stuff often goes in there while other things come here and yet more stuff goes in my other blog.

I find that once the emotions are dumped and the whinge is out I am lighter and more likely to concentrate on what I want to do. if I do alot of whinging in the journal I will often make a point of adding other stuff to balance it abit. But often that seems to ahppen of it'sown accord, get rid of the rubbish and the good comes out.

So open those journals and start writing dumo the emotions and how you felt into it. yo never know you may want to use it in a future book. An idea of how you acted and felt never hurts.

Can you feel the excitement building?

2007-09-20T23:41:00.000+10:00

It is getting closer to October and altho I can't find my release date it will be around somewhere. *sigh* I really should have been up to date more but things happen and because at this stage the family sees my writing as "a sideline" it can be hard to make them understand that I need to do things to get everything out there.

I am going to print out some of my bookmarks and take a visit to the library. need to do it soon. Maybe omething i can do in the next few days. It will be something fun to do. i will be giving away copies of my book as well so stay tuned it could be you!

i am so nervous and excited the what ifs are flying through my head. the good thing is I know I can write i just have to put my head down and tail up and work through the second book. yes there is one. Another novella called werewolf running. Well that is what it is called so far. I have about 7000 words to go before the dreaded edits. the edits are the hardest bit. first i have to change it to America speak and then I have to read it. trouble is i seem to go blind when I look at my own work. Even when typing on firums i will check and hit send only to find out when i go back that everything I spelt looks like some sort of mangled english.

this time though I plan to print it all out and get the red pen onto it. have it in hard copy so I can glare at it. With any luck in another week I should have finished it and put it aside to give my brain a break.

Not long till Octoberfest starts at Cobblestone Press! Go check it out!

Bad girl bad bad girl I need a spanking

2007-09-19T17:33:00.000+10:00

Hmm an idea for a book maybe?
No right now writing as been very sparse. What I have written had annoyed me and I am refusing to think about it. I need to get going again. I have other commitments but I really want to write and produce books sometimes forget this as everyhting else piles on my plate.
Kids health my health, lack of sleep are all excuses but we can use them very effectively when we wish to. I whine about how tired I am and lack the energy. How sore my nose is and many other things.
Well I have tken little steps to rectify my time. I am slowly moving to polyphasic sleep. So instead of trying to sleep 8 hours and ending up with anywhere between 4 - 6 and feeling like crap I am going to sleep 4 hours and feel great.
Basically I will sleep 3 hours at night and take 3 naps throughout the day. this isn't actually as hard as it sounds. It didn't work so well when a sick bird took over the area where I work and couldn't be disturbed but it had been going all right till that point.
Once fully adjusted it is my intention to write at night when I won't be disturbed by fighting children and the forever "Muuuuum I need. I want, I....."
This time will be sacred to me a whole 3-4 hours where it will be me.
this means I can work the other stuff through the day.
I may have to take a leaf out of other authors books and just have seveall on the go at once.

Oh Dear

2007-09-02T22:41:00.000+10:00

It is September and my book comes out next month. Cobblestone, ,people, Cobblestone - Blood vengeance
I have had very little sleep and dealing with illness. Just when I think we may be ok we get another round and having 6 poeople to make its way through AAARGH.

Anyway no writing and no time to and no energy to change it.

BUT I have been looking at things to help me recharge my batteries. And if it works out I will be able to have more energy. I will be awake more hours and so have more time for me and no it does not involve drugs.

I am going to discuss it more once I figure out if it works!!

Busy times.

2007-08-16T12:57:00.000+10:00

I am managing to squeeze some writing in. At present though I am preparing for a show. My first bear show. That's right in my other life I create jewellery and Artist Bears.
So writing is slipped in here and there. I am writing though about 1000 words a day. The story will end up being about 30,000 words and I will either submit to eharlequin for their new line OR I will return to cobblestone.
I am about 2/3 of the way and I feel the story is rounding up nicely. We'll see how it goes though.
The artists way is proving interesting as well.
I have so much trouble trying to find time for an artists date. YOu would think 2 hours in a week wouldn't be so much to ask. I'm telling you 2 hours is terribly hard to find. My partner works long hours, 6 days a week. So on Sunday we like to spend time as a family.
I am seriously considering popping my youngest into daycare one day a week so I can do all those things I need to do and want to do.
The thing is next year A mere 4 months away she will be going to Kindy 2 days a week. So I don't think I will be putting her in daycare, not when she is growing so fast and next year will allow me that time anyway.
It is the juggling act most writers face. Family life, work life and writing life and more often then not writing is squeezed around other things. For me especially the fact I have these other things that are pressing me to complete them I wonder if I truly am a writer. MAybe I should give up sleep to write. But I sleep little as it is, and I need to function for my family. So I continue to juggle and I will write I may not be as prolific as some but I still write.
If I don't write I suffer.
Will return soon.

Naughty girl

2007-07-31T13:02:00.000+10:00

Who would like to smack me first?
I didn't write yesterday. working and the running after children with a really sore throat drained me and I just couldn't be bothered.
This morning though was a different matter. i sat for just over an hour and managed almost 2000 words. Not bad. Not bad.The idea is to keep writing and get it out of my head and then sort it all out.
I am impressed though. story is already longer then my first novella without any editing. When the edits are done is when the story increases in length for me. I tend to write sparingly a fault of mine with essays. Why say the same thing 10 different ways?
But with story telling I forget people are not in on the inside and so i leave things out.

Here's to another 5000 words by the end of the week!

Weekly Update

2007-07-29T09:02:00.000+10:00

well the first week of The Artist's Way has passed by.
I have written my morning pages every day except this morning but like the other day I will write them tonight. I have mixed feelins about the pages. I don't mind them although i can find them a chore. I have to fight for the time fo them. I have made some discoveries about myself and working things through.
I have also realised that if i can write 900 words long hand every morning in under an hour then i can definately manage to type 1000 words a day.
I can also move between stories to get those 1000 words. They don't have to go on the same story each day especailly as i have a few stories running through my head.

So if I set aside and hour a day then at the end of the week one story could be up 7000 words or several stories can have more words... not abad better then what has happened this past week.

I haven' done an artist date this week and unless it happens today ince again I am going to miss out on doing them. These were the hardest part of doing this 12 week course. The artist date. 4 Kids, Hubby who works long hours 6 days a week just aren't conducive to spending time alone.

I may even just try for 1/2 hour find a $2 shop and go stare at the stuff. Touch and think what I may like to do.
That sounds nice.

Being any form of artist whether author or other means you need to dedicate time to it and time to yourself.
It does feel strange doing the course again. but surprisingly or not different answers occur for the same questions and of course the same questions can get the same answers.

Stilled

2007-07-28T21:33:00.000+10:00

Not because I have no ideas but because of other interests raising their heads.
I am moving back to a different mode and deciding that I will write 1000 words a day. Doesn't matter what book I do it for but 1000 words. they don't have to be good or even grammatical but I need to get them down.
Now according to how I type and write long hand i should be able to do this in about an hour each day.

So by the end of a week I will be 7000 words up no matter in which novel.
This equates to about 16 words a minute my typing speed is faster but this will allow for thought gathering as i think things thorugh.

I will update tomorow about my artist way week!

No writing

2007-07-22T23:04:00.000+10:00

Well no 'real' writing done in the past week. i went away on holidays to the gogeous fraser island camping.
No electricity, no internet, no writing in fact the laptop didn't even go.
I thought i would take a break, HA
no chance. I spent quite a few minutes every day jotting down notes for upcoming books. i was surprised how easily it all welled up and flowed onto the page.
So I came home today but unpacking and the like made sure no writing was done then either. And now, now I am too sleepy to really concentrate on such things.
I am going to do the 12 week course for the Artists Way. I have the book and did the course about 2 years ago. I found it enlightening and now it is time to bring it out againas I have noticed old habits are trying to shout down things I do. So i will do it again and see how I go this time.
I may even check in here every weel to let you know how it goes.

Story lines - ife lines

2007-07-12T22:08:00.000+10:00

No writing done today. The story ideas have been tumbling around so I have been jotting things down. Instead today I did other creating you can read a bit here or here.
I am thinking of stepping my way through the artist's way again.
I do know that I will never be happy doing one thing BUT I do believe that I am able to be very happy doing the three things for my life and adding other things here and there for fun.
I am having trouble working my time for it all.
I get involved and don't want to stop.
The computer gets in the way too. i have unsubscribed from quite a few things to cut down on my email. i have changed my subscriptons to certain things to get digests instead of all throughout the day.
I have closed down a stack of email addresses (did i really need 7) and others are directed to my one address. i keep them sepearate for a reason but i don't need to check them everyday.
i am going to close down one more very soon and try and set it up a little differently to the way it is.
I am doing this so I can concentrate on what I want to do. writing being one of the most important.
I plan to do a lot of writing while I am away not on the computer but on my alphasmart.

The Muse calls

2007-07-10T17:11:00.000+10:00

The writing muse was busy this week. She summoned me and I could not refuse the call. I have writen well but she is overloading me. I have an idea for a young readers book so may have to lay down the big novel and write this other one. Where to turn I am not used to working on several at a time I feel odd doing it.

How do you know which one to write. how do you spread your time?
The werewolf story is shaping nicely now just to figure out what is going to happen LOL.

Migraines

2007-06-28T13:46:00.000+10:00

Who needs them. Migraines drain you and you do't wa to do anyhting but hide.
I don't normally get them at this time of year but they are occurring and it is driving me batty. When it eases I start doing things mady to try and get it done but the problem is the computer is the enemy. i can only stay on it for short periods and normally attack the emails. Writing? writing what's that.
The good thing is I have completed my third edits and have my final draft. it is soooo exciting. I think I have learnt alot and as I was reading my next book untitled as yet I picked up on things that I would never have previosly. This book is taking longer to write but I may send in a quetion to my editor to see if they are interested.

Hmm which means i may actually have to think about where the story is going. LOL

I shall see I may just see what I need to do.

My Loss

2007-06-13T14:28:00.000+10:00

I lost my snake today. She was three years old and as pretty as a picture. Docile enough so the girls could carry her around and tolerant so when she was at the schools they could pet her without fear.

I am sorry Shanina that I didn't know you were ill. I am even sorrier that I could not get anyone to look at you, noone wanted to come in on a long weekend to treat a snake. I hope it wasn't too painful for you as you slipped away in my hands as I tried to find someone who would help you. My friend, my pet Shanina.

The Dream

2007-06-06T21:02:00.000+10:00

The dream came and haunted me last night. It is the third time I have dreamt it in the past week. Unlike most of my dreams this one fades too quickly as I wake to be able to remember it but it leaves an after sensation in my mind.
I do know that one day I will be writing and a story will form and write itself and it will be familiar. As I write I will close my eyes and it will replay and I will remember.
Who else dreams their stories?
Who else wakes knowing that something has just been created. Who else dreams the looks, the dialogue the scenery. I am curious who else?

Silly me

2007-06-04T18:23:00.001+10:00

Silly Me
Silly silly me
I have had to change all my address *NOT GOOD*
But I suddenly realised that everything as wrong. Everything had an 'e' instead of a 'y'
D'oh.
so now I have to let everyone know. *sigh*

Third Edits

2007-06-04T15:15:00.000+10:00

I am up to my third edits. I have learnt that my grammar for writing leaves so much to be desired. I am willing to learn but the amount of errors I have it is so daunting. Will I ever get there? Will I be able to get up to scratch?

The answer of course is yes. It will take time and I will have that plenty of time.

Good intentions

2007-05-31T22:52:00.000+10:00

Well yesterday I sat and worked out a timetable. really worked it out. Decided the hours I could devote through the day to my endeavours and set them out in a timetable.

I got up this morning all gung-ho only to realise that I had to leave the house and atend my girls school.

Aside from that I think I did pretty well. I worked for so long and then took a break spent time with other daughter or cleaned house and then changed what I was doing. It worked pretty well. I even set aside some time this afternoon to do some craft for myself and craft with all the girls. Only half hour on each but it will make sure I switch off for the girls for a few hours. It won't stop me from typing on here till all hours once everyone is asleep but I want to spend that time with my family as hard as it is to turn off the pc.

If I set the routine then my brain ill react automatically eventually. All ready my brain knows that the laptop is for working and the pc for fun. It likes the distinction and so do I. I sent off my second round of edits today. added things in noticed some things didn't go as well as it could have done and reworked those. Now to wait and see if they are all right.

I am doing research on how to improve my writing skills. Imagination good, skills errr well ick.

I have such a woderul editor and I really want to make life better for her.

Any ideas from the public?

Hey wanna see my cover?

My very first cover have to immortalise it.

I am so pleased that my dream is coming alive. The thing is I have about 6 others sitting in the background waiting to start.

yey. i shouldn't have writers block for a while.

Blind

2007-05-30T13:32:00.000+10:00

I typed till I was going blind last night and then slept. Today I will finish the edits BUT I will take one more day to make sure the edits make sense. Ya know how it is late at night typing sounds good reads find. Turn off the pc turn it back on the next day (or whenever) and the sentences read something like the following sHe smled it was pretty and he thoght she was hot.
Well maybe not that bad.... maybe.
It is hard when you get out of the rhythm of writing to slide back into it. I love the writing that's not a problem but like everyone else sometimes it is hard to think of it as a real job when the kids are tugging at you and the other 1/2 wants you to run errands while you are at home, implying you are doing nothing and having fun.
So to try and get back into that rhythm I am going to cut down on the internet time. This is hard as at present I am also trying to set up a website. BUT I think I need to control the other things that I do. Like browse, a lot, for hours.
I am going to cut down on T.V sorry Oprah and Dr Phil, I just gotta do it. As for night TV well certain shows I WILL NOT miss out on. But I will give up the repeats of my favourite shows unless I genuinely haven't seen them and there a few of those.
I am gong to time table my day into periods like at school. In my school we worked for 40 minutes on a subject before moving on to your next class. Well in my case it will be 45 minutes. Then the 15 minutes will let me move. Play with my daughter, do the necessary house work (Thank goodness for FlyLady). Wednesdays will be shopping and errand day. I do not need to go to town everyday.
I will alternate between writing and my other business so neither get neglected. I am unsure whether I will alternate days or just time slots. Hmmm what do you think?

And again

2007-05-29T22:53:00.001+10:00

I know I should be editing, but I have done 5 hours straight so need a break.
I was reading this post here and I really have to agree. often writers put everything away while "real life" comes forward.
Unfortunately for those who don't write they can't understand the compulsion that takes hold to write. They can't grasp the concept that withou this we shrivel up and part of us dies.
My mother summed it up the other day. For my romance and erotica I have decided to use a pseudonym simply because I want my writing separate. I am wanting to write childrens books as well and will use another name for them simply so when a search is done on my name these hot books don't jump out ad scare little ones or ther parents.
i am not ashamed that I write romance and adult novels they are every bit as hard to write as childrens books and other type of books. But my mother made the comment oh you are keeping your real name for when you do real writing.
Yeah thanks mum.
What I do is real writing. A valid a form as any other and in some ways harder, with romance you tend to know that they will get together. So you need to make it exciting. how many genres of writing do you know that has that expected outcome where the end of the story is already set. I know there are different romance genres as well HEA & HEAFN but it still is the basic thing.
So don't let anyone tell you it isn't real writing. romance taps into the core of emotions in our readers we have extra hurdles to overcome tell them if its so easy they sit down and write one.

Bah Humbug

2007-05-29T22:21:00.000+10:00

It has been a frantic month, scarily so. I had my second edits for Blood Vengeance and my girls once again got sick on me. Not happy because this time i went down with them too. One was in hospital with a terrible lurgy (a viral infection was how they describe it) that affected her tiny body worse then the others. She is tiny tiny tiny and so when she gets ill there are jus n reserves.
She is well now and to look at her wouldn't even know that she had been so down. Unfortunately after several weeks of little sleep, ill kids and trying to work through it all no writing got done. my energy died for writing and anytime I tried to spend on the pc ended with migraines. I also became ill to be expected really hey?
But my editor as been fantastic and my health has improved I can look a the pc withou my brain feeling as if it is going to escape my head. So the edits began in earnest today. I am not working for a few weeks if ever and by tomorrow i should have them done.
I also received the cover for my book.
I am so excited.
Now to figure out how to work it all. LOL
for those who emailed thankyou. Danielle especially i should have thought to let you know I am so sorry.
Hmmm
Wow it is great to feel normal.
How long will it last?

Real Life Interrupted

2007-04-11T13:50:00.000+10:00

Unfortunately I had to go out and earn some money and then sick kids came and kicked me around some.

LAst night I finished editing my chapter for my WWR group only to find everything crashed. Disaster, I couldn't access it to send it and when I did access it I couldn't email it.

So at One in the morning I finally was able to get the email to function on another section and emailed it off.

Trouble is I am no longer sure which copy I sent. *sigh*
It disappeared from the pc and I can't find the email to say I sent it.

Oh well they will let me know. I am just on a different pc at the moment and won't be able to check properly for a while. I am going to write today, well tonight anyway. I really do prefer to write at night. I find it easier and I have no interruptions. I am just going to have to live with out sleep. 4 - 6 hours will do for a while. At least until I can get these 2 books out of the way.

Writing Writing

2007-03-31T22:09:00.000+10:00

The rhythm found me again last night and I typed. The weekend being the weekend writing has been interrupted. But I am enjoying myself. I have yet to set a timetable for my writing and I know I really should but I enjoy writing when I feel like it. I will finish this book and another is calling me. The one that is calling to me in a seductive tone is a light hearted short story. It is begging to be written and I can notdeny my muse even if it isn't something that will bring me in money. i write what I am directed to and that is that although looking at it i may submit it to mojo castle just for fun.

Goal for April

2007-03-30T10:59:00.000+10:00

Not much writing done this week which has annoyed me no end.
No ones fault but my own I have not been getting enough sleep and through the day I have been vegetating in front of the TV.
Easter is coming up which means holidays as well.

So lets see my goals for April

By 30th April I plan to have Werewolf Running finished. I am not even a quarter of the way through it , from the way it is panning out I think it will end up being about 40,000 words but I will not put that down as a written promise.

Which means I need to write at least 1000 words a day.

So there's my goal a thousand words a day on Werewolf running.

I will no doubt have editing to do on my other book before then and I am really excited about it. Really really excited about it. I am looking forward to fine tuning my skills with writing. I want to learn editing may be hard but I want to know it all.

Phew

2007-03-23T08:14:00.000+10:00

Well the week has been full of ups and interesting moments.

The show that put my writing on hold last week was a success. I came away sunburnt despite sunscreen and sensible clothes. Really I am much better suited to nights rather then days.
I worked Sunday and tried to get the house back in order Monday.
Tuesday I couldn't be bothered doing anything so I reclined to read a magazine and stopped and stared a picture of a girl was in the magazine and it could have been the sister to my youngest. They look quite a bit alike. I stopped and read the article and my heart leapt into my throat as I read my own daughters story (to a degree) so today I am off to the Dr to make sure that she is fine. I will be requesting DNA tests to make sure she is fine.
Now does DH know about this? No he would be furious if I thought her less then perfect. It is VERY rare this particular disorder and up until the article they only knew of one in Australia and 110 throughout the world. Well a woman in Perth contacted the lady who wrote the article and her child has also been diagnosed now, so my chances of my girl being fine are pretty good.

I started writing again Wednesday and then found an email in my inbox.
My novella has been accepted by Cobblestone Press and although it needs to have some work done to it they have accepted it. Woohoo I have been dancing on clouds since.

So we have been changing things, reorganising, signing and getting thoroughly excited. I'm going to be published in October!!

Breathe Breathe who can remember to breathe?

Yey.

Double booked

2007-03-10T11:25:00.000+10:00

I have double booked myself and it is heart wrenching for me.
I have to put aside my writing and concentrate on other things which is driving me crazy.
I have to sew and make jewellery my friend a few months ago booked us in for a market day. I have other talents that have been in hiding for a while. Well said friend came over today and reminded me it is next week. NEXT WEEK and I have done nothing for it.
Crap crap crap.
So I will not be on line much, very little writing will be done and various craft materials will dominate. *sigh* so goodbye to Werewolf Running and hello to beautiful creations.
Wish me luck.

Restarting

2007-03-09T11:48:00.000+10:00

I have a werewolf novel in the works, now it started off in first person but I was informed by someone that first person sucks and rarely sells and I should move it to third person. Which I did. Wrote quite a few chapters on it and all. But I let it slide. Why? Because I couldn't get it to run as smoothly as I wanted to. It was stilted and the flow didn't exist.
I stopped writing it.
Fast forward a few weeks. I am glaring at this book while waiting for a reply to my submission. This book had me excited in the beginning I know the story can be good in fact I know it can be great but I just can't grasp it.
In the past few weeks I have read quite a few stories from successful novelists and guess what I find quite a few of them are in first person. It may not be a popular choice but I have made my decision I will go back to writing this book in first person. If they tell me they love it but move it to third person I will deal with it then.
So last night I started editing the story BACK to first person. I am smiling as I did so and the story is flowing better , I can get inside of my heroine and show how she sees the world why she is the way she is. My muse is happy now, this story is meant to be first person. Its a first draft it can be what ever it wants. I can fix it later.
I rarely write in forst person but I learnt a valuable lesson if the muse wants it let her have it.

Submission

2007-03-08T13:46:00.000+10:00

I edited my manuscript over and over. 5000 odd words were added to the finished piece as I continued to read blogs and realise things were missing from my story.
like descriptions,
descriptions of characters, descriptions of places descriptions descriptions descriptions.
It drove me up the wall when I realised what I had done. Its a good thing this is what first drafts are for.

I am nervous as I hit the send button on the email I really wanted to retract it, but I also knew if I didn't send it then I wold most likely end up hiding it somewhere and become a bitter about my lack of courage.

So it's done for better for worse it is done. I don't know of any compelling reasons why it would be rejected but even if it is it will be a learning experience. Now to try and concentrate on my other WIPS

Draft 2 & news

2007-02-28T16:05:00.000+10:00

Completed.
I picked up quite a few mistakes and a couple of others were pointed out to me. With my overuse of certain words and the rewriting to allow the sentences to be formed without the use of those words well my word count jumped up by about 4000.
I also tried to show the story instead of tell the story but how successful I have been remains to be seen.

I have had a blow to my system which has led to discord in the household.
My dad has to go in for tests to see if he has cancer, there is a good chance (I am willing it to be so) that it is a benign growth but even hearing the dreaded word makes me tense.
Now my partner hates my parents (lots of history) and I don't expect sympathy for my dad from him what would have been nice is "How are you?"
I got nothing and decided not to worry about it but I must have been quiet for DH pursued it.
When I tried to tell him I didn't care about how he felt for my dad but I would need his support over the next few weeks I must have worded it wrong as he took offence "so now its all my fault" and hasn't spoken to me since.
I was stung by this comment because it wasn't about him and how he felt about my dad it was about me and how I felt about my dad being sick.
Aargh I should have just stuck to my guns and not said anything.

Anyway today has been a loss for writing. I am putting aside the story once again so that I can look at it with fresh eyes in a couple of days and who knows may even end up adding another 4000 words.
I would like to get back to my other stories in the works so tomorrow I am going to haul out one of them and take a better look at it and see if I can get in the rhythm. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are my best chance at writing and I wasted one today although it may have given me an idea for a story. Life is like that with me something happens and I think about a story from it.

To pen name or no to pen name

2007-02-27T08:05:00.000+10:00

I really am wrestling with this.
What do I call myself? Do I get a choice?
Is it worth the effort, will it just be a cover or DEEP cover?
The thing is I write in 2 totally different areas and I don't want to have them mixed up. I mean Bronwen romance writer is different from Bronwen children's author.
I don't want to be written off as a children's author because I write romance novels .... I know it shouldn't happen but it does people don't seem to believe you can mix the two.
And if I do take on the pen name should I just have it as a cover or should I really try and seperate the two?

Hmmm questions questions I am going to have to find out what others do and decide from there.

Tagged

2007-02-26T08:14:00.000+10:00

10 random things about me.

hmmm

1. I love frangipannis really love frangipannis with gardenias a close second.

2. I have odd pets rats, snakes and lizards along with the traditional, cats, dogs, birds, fish

3. I have an exceptional memory (not photographic) especially for useless facts.

4. I believe in magic, not abra cadabra stuff but stronger.

5. I wanted to be a vet until I discovered it meant putting down animals that weren't sick

6. I love forensics, loved it before it was popular

7. I am a scanner until I read her book Refuse to Choose I felt like a failure.

8. I do not know HTML but can make changes I need to in any programme to get the view I want.

9. I am strange, to the point my mother calls me eccentric. If you knew my mother you would know what a master of understatement she is.

10. I am odd handed. I am not quite ambidextrous. I write right handed 99.9% of the time BUT I do other things left handed that would normally be right handed. Sometimes I have to sit and think if I am doing a new task to see which hand I have to use.
It got me into trouble at my first job. They showed me a task right handed and I could not do it. After a week of tears and frustration and abuse, I changed hands and did it straight away. Needless to say I didn't stay in that job long.

I don't know many people and the ones I do tagged me LOL so who ever reads this let me know.

An exercise

2007-02-24T11:36:00.000+10:00

I ended up not finishing the cinderella exercise I want to but I have been side tracked as it could end up quite lengthy.

Danielle started another one in regards to a port-a-potty I set the timer for 10 minutes and managed to do a little although many interruptions just halt the flow

Anyway her is my effort unedited

I can’t believe it! Of all the rotten luck I am stuck in a port-a-potty. What was I thinking trying to avoid the red tape I needed to go through to see Mr. Dale?

Actually I knew exactly why I was trying to avoid the red tape, I had been waiting weeks to see the infamous Mr. Dale and I had almost started to believe he wasn’t real. Phone calls, security checks, rescheduling appointments for crying out loud he wasn’t the pope!

I slapped at an annoying mosquito, great I was not only going to be trapped in here for a weekend I was going to be eaten alive. Well at lease I wasn’t going to suffocate if I mosquito could get in so could air.

How long could I go without food or water?

I looked into the bowl but retched at the thought of drinking that poison, I would rather die.

I sat down on the seat and started kicking trying to push as hard as I could against the door. There wasn’t much point as far as I could tell my loo face against a wall or something.

The plan had seemed so easy. Mr Dale was meant to be at his site today and they were setting it up for the workers to come in. I had slipped into a potty and taken a ride. When they had moved the potty I thought I could just walk straight out but the door wouldn’t open. It felt jammed against something else.

I gave it one last vicious thump and started to curse under my breath. I heard a voice outside “Hello?”

Oh thank god! I jumped up again and started yelling and thumping on the sides of the pot “Here I’m in here”

½ an hour later I was standing sheepishly in the dusk with a group of men snickering at me. One even had his phone taking pictures.

She has another exercise posted and I will most likely try and give it a go. Why not the brain needs to be stimulated.

Where do you write?

2007-02-23T22:11:00.000+10:00

I got myself a laptop to allow for convenience of typing. I wanted to be able to pick it up and do this whenever I wished. The laptop allows me the freedom.
My laptop has not been internet enables it lies there waiting to be released but I know what I am like and refuse to put it on at this stage.
I do believe one day I will have internet on my laptop but not yet I am just too much of a junkie.

I digress.

Anyway this thought of being able to type anywhere at anytime is tougher then I thought. I like to type snuggled in my bedroom curled up on my bed. Most likely leading to all sorts of problems with posture and RSI but I DON'T care.

I am comfortable and able to concentrate more in this room.

I figured out why the other day. The room isn't a busy room, calm colours very little on the walls, very little clutter. The room doesn't lead to anywhere else in the house and I can stop the kids running through it.

It is my space and always has been (hubby just sleeps there LOL) so it works for me.

Where do you write?

Talking of umbrellas, my word count has increased while revising my story, limiting the use of my favourite words has forced me to rethink sentences and dig deep into the vocabulary that does reside somewhere in my mind.

I have settled into revising and am enjoying padding things out and reorganising other bits. Trying to get sentences to flow without it being stilted is a challenge but one I intend to rise to and overcome.

I also lost some of my inhibitions and added descriptions so hopefully that will entice the reader more.

Woohoo.

Revising part 2

2007-02-21T19:08:00.000+10:00

What an absolute eye opener.
I printed it out, started reading confident that it wouldn't be too bad.
1st chapter one million red lines and notes later I hop back on the laptop and start rewriting.
First chapter mind.

I am not being too harsh I just didn't realise how much detail can be left out, when you think it's all in there. I didn't know that I was such a fan of the following "and", "then" followed by my favourite "and then".

I have also been informed that thoughts should be in italics. I always thought this is what ' ' were for. Where is the secret little handbook that I am missing? What other little things should I know?
I want to write, I want to be be published why is it looking scarier by the moment?

The rose glasses are coming off and reality has decided to take up residence.

So tell me why do we do this to ourselves? Why does this wake up call make me just dig in harder wanting it more?

I'm a writer, a wordsmith and there is nothing that can be done to change it.

So I will pull down my visor, tilt my lance and charge at windmills.

Revising

2007-02-20T07:12:00.000+10:00

Revising is painful. Truly gut wrenching as whole sections get replaced. My word count has gone up which makes me happy but the detail I missed the first time round annoys me. Why didn't I do the descriptions properly?
An answer that is really easy, in my mind I see everything, I dream it I am aware of it and as I write I forget my reader isn't in my head and the descriptions are needed.
So I am going back and glaring at it.

Pen names and hiding your writing

2007-02-19T07:29:00.000+10:00

A question or two
Do you or will you write with a pen name?
Are you dead set against anyone finding out your write with a pen name if you write under different names or is it more of a convenience for you, to keep your "lives" separate?
I am debating about pen names. I think I will have one for one area of writing but not for another. I just don't know.

Do you hide your writing?

I do. The idea of my young impressionable girls getting mixed up in a spicy paranormal sex scene well, I just don't think they are ready for it even if Miss9.5 disagrees with me.
'Oh but muuuum'
No you will not read it

I have taken to closing the laptop when she is around and I am in a certain seat, its password protected and I know she won't get in. Not even she is that good.
But I have to be aware if I sit in the wrong seat I have found her trying to sneak a peek over my shoulder. Snap the laptop is closed and one child stalks off muttering under her breath.

At that point I realise just how much she is like me and know that I am in big trouble.

I am going to start editing my novella today. I think it will be having a major overhaul. What is the name of this story you may ask I have NO IDEA. How sad is that? The name I gave it just doesn't sit right with it at all. So I will refer to it as Stephen and Kayla S & K for short.

Why does it need a major overhaul I think I am telling the story rather then showing it. This will take some effort to correct on my behalf. SO today I will be wielding the red pen and noting things.

Why?

2007-02-18T22:42:00.000+10:00

Walking around a shopping centre today with my daughter I received a comment. My daughter who is 6 was very excited and jiggling around and doing a little dance on the spot. Her hips were swinging side to side with anticipation of what was going on.
She accidentally bumped into a woman who almost trod on her and stepped awkwardly almost falling over. This woman spun on her and said "If you weren't so busy wiggling your bottom LIKE THAT it would never have happened"
The tone implied that the wiggling of her bottom was disgusting in some manner.
The life drained out of my daughter.
Now under normal circumstances I would have made a comment to the woman who hurt my daughter so.
Normally I would have defended her right to move around, maybe asked her to tone it down a little so she didn't get in anyone's way.
But I didn't say anything,
Now why didn't I say anything?
Because it was my mother, and although she doesn't control me quite like she used to I still feel awkward and useless around her.
And now not only am I mad at myself for letting her get away with it. The comment she made will ring in my ears every time my sweet little girl does this dance.
We all have one I am sure, one person in our lives that we allow to have power over us although we shouldn't. Why do we let this happen? Why do we do it to ourselves?
I live over 1200km away from her and even then sometimes that is too close.
I love you mum but get off my back and don't hurt my kids because you won't like the end result.

Anyone brave enough to stand with me while I say it?

An exercise in writing

2007-02-18T10:12:00.000+10:00

Reading here has pushed me into a different mood. I have visitors at present and I am just not in the mood to write my book. This could be light hearted and fun.
We'll see how I go and I'll post it later.

I'm Alive

2007-02-17T13:15:00.000+10:00

or more accurately She Survives.
IT appears to be a 12 hour thingy going around now I just hope that it misses the rest of the house hold. I haven't eaten in since tea time Thursday night so I appear to be on a crash diet not one I would advise anyone to go on.
I suspect once it is ok to eat my body will let me know.
Now its a toss up
Rest
or
Write
I want to write but I am still foggy and suspect all that I write will be tossed out the window. As it is the automatic spell checker I have is having a field day.

pfft who cares
Hi ho Hi ho it's off to write I go......

Double Ick

2007-02-16T20:54:00.000+10:00

Question: What is even more unromantic then your child making friends with the loo?

Answer: When you are making friends with the loo.

Seeya when I feel better

Way Hey

2007-02-15T15:30:00.000+10:00

Man the past 10 days disappeared.
I found myself writing and didn't shift out of the groove until the story I was writing finished. It was an odd feeling because my first novel turned into a novella and I am not sure whether it will change or not.
The story moves along nicely and I think if I tried to add more then it may drag it out too far. I have sent it out to a group I trust to critique it and one came back with compliments on it and that it really had moved her.
She liked the fact that the past was explained but not lingered over too much and slotted into the right spots.
I was happy with her review but it is only one. I haven't looked at it although I printed it out.
I will give it to the end of the week and then I will sit down with pen in hand and start revising. I already know there is a part that needs tweaking but I will not touch it until I have had the break from it.
Was I disappointed that the novel turned into a novella. Maybe at first and then as I got to know people I learned there is a while world of successful novella authors out there and publishers. So I take heart from that and I take heart that I am writing. I am getting something onto (virtual) paper.
On anther front I submitted a short story to a critique group and after some interesting critiques the story is back on the drawing board having a major make over. Nothing wrong with the story premise and the idea but how I wrote it was all wrong.
So in the next little while I will look at it again.
My first reaction when I was told it wouldn't work was "That can't be right it will only work that way."
Then when I went back and had another look I realised it would work the way it was suggested to me. I was really happy that I was able to look at it and overcome my denial.
I have another book in the works right now I already know this one will be longer, I don't know how much longer but it will be longer.
Unlike the first one which is vampire this one is werewolf.
I have another one in the works that is just waiting for me to step back into it. It is an interesting one so we will see how it turns out.

My poor dear daughter is ill today and I only managed about 300 words. I know I can normally type about 2000 words in 2 hours today though what with my girl down I haven't been in the groove. The vomiting interruptions is just a killer for passion, can anyone tell me why that is?

Oh John she murmured as he touched his lips to her
(blurgh sound of vomit hitting toilet.)

his kisses trailed across her face
(Mum how do I get the taste of spew out of my mouth? Toothpaste dear lots of it)

his tongue swept the inside of her mouth..... meanwhile images of vomit and vomit breath is on my mind.
ICK
not a chance.

Hope your day is vomit free.

Annoyance

2007-02-05T19:27:00.000+10:00

I am a little disappointed. I contacted my local writing groups and although they sound like lovely people I don't think they are what I am after.
The words hobbyist kept cropping up with distressing frequency, as did the comment we doubt we will get published or something along those lines.
Not what I want to hear. I want support and critiquing and the rest of it.
So hopefully my membership to the RWA will come through soon.
I am a serious writer. I will be published. I do not want to deviate from the path at all and I do not need to be with people that don't have the same mind set.

Best laid Plans

2007-02-02T19:55:00.000+10:00

of mice and men often go awry.
So here I was today, ready to clean house and settle down to some serious writing.

{{{RING}}}

Hello?

HI Bronwen This is John I was wondering whether you can work today?

Uh sure John what time do you want me to start? (me thinking later on in the day)

Now.

Oh shoot give me some time to find a baby sitter, I'll be there as soon as I can (why did I say yes?)

That'll be good.

So here I am racing to find a sitter, get ready for work and do a few minutes of house work so it isn't a total disaster.

That said, I did manage to get writing done today. I am 2000 words short on the 8000 word target I set myself this week but it will need to be reevaluated because as of next week I am working more regularly. Shoot there goes that lovely timetable I did up.

Just throw it in the bin as I have no idea how I will manage it.

If Kyle goes to work early I may be able to slip some time in, I may also be able to slip time in after return from work and the girls get home and maybe I can push things around in the evening and steal a little more time. I would like 2 hours to write in 2 hours I seem to be able to punch out 2000 words. Maybe not brilliantly but as a first draft it will do.
I can edit and polish it later.
I do have to admit I love being able to add scenes when I realise I have missed something. I just go to where I need it and add it in.
These are important parts to the story not little things but stuff that has to be included otherwise the story won't make any sense.

SO the word count is over 9000 now not too bad not too bad at all

9,408 / 70,000
(13.4%)

Bugger!

2007-01-31T23:08:00.000+10:00

Bugger bugger bugger.
I know I said I was not going to do any editing till later but I have left very important information out. I have no real descriptions of my hero or heroine and I need to have that realtively soon in the book when they make their appearance.
I have a stack of post-it notes so I may just jot these things down and keep forging ahead and then edit it but it feels wrong to just leave them like that. I knew what they looked like in my head but forgot to let you the reader know in words.
What a fool
Oh well no harm done just whether to leave it for now or to keep going.

Inspiration for Vampire Nights

2007-01-31T15:36:00.000+10:00

This is Kayla, sultry and confident, not quite as tanned though. Being a vampire has that drawback. Intelligent with super human powers.

Stephen the hero, human, strong and intelligent what the heck has he gotten himself in for, falling for his partner. How will he cope when he finds out her secret?

Kaylas' favourite place to sit and think. The Story Bridge.

Click here to see more of the area the story is based.

I think this can really work for me. O may not have written today but I did some research into buildings, structures and the history.

And I did it

2007-01-29T23:03:00.000+10:00

Highly impressed with myself I am.
Well pretty happy anyway.
I managed to write about 2000 words today in a period of an hour. The words flowed wasily and although it may not make the final cut at least I am writing them.
I am just absolutely thrilled with the way it happened today. Tonight I need to sleep and think where to go from here. I have a murder on the side to solve and also the disappearance of the main villain.
We need to deal with the attraction between the two the discovery of her secret and his overcoming it. In the mean time lots of attraction happening between them.
Ach I don't if I can manage it really but it will be fun to do so.
If I can get 8000 words written in a week in about 9 weeks I should have the book finished, the first draft anyway.
That is a dream of course things always will happen to try and deter me, BUT I have a couple of hours that I can utilise each day and use it to my benefit.
I dream that I will get published with my first book. I know the odds are against me but I can't help the dream. I know the ideas are sound but I worry that my putting together of the tale will let me down. The thing is I have to try, it is no longer a pipe dream it is something that I can do. That I must attempt to do.
I also think that doing the course online with harlequin will help me. If I follow the steps and work through things follow their advice, surely this must reflect well upon my writing?
The agony of it all trying to sort through it and let it flow.
The story has twists in it and the end of it excites me as well. I haven't needed to take the advice and write the parts I have, the story is flowing pretty easily still, when I get to a troublesome spot I will take the advice and write what already exists in my head.
I may even take the advice and switch to the other book that is floating in my head partially on paper and partially transcribed to the pc. That would give me a space if I need it.
For now I will dream the book I have settled on and check the facts in the morning. Facts are important in a book if it is to appeal there mustn't be any loopholes that are too blatant that can be annoying.
Fact finding in fiction is just as important as other elements to the story.
There is a lot more to it then I thought originally or I refused to acknowledge actually. I will have to work on it more.

Ready Steady Write

2007-01-28T17:28:00.000+10:00

Today is the last day of my excuses. The girls are off to school tomorrow and my story is waiting to be written. I have spent time with my daughters these few weeks as I know that there will come a time they will not be spending time with me. It is natural but it can be scary.
We went camping and several conversations were overheard, noted and filed for future use. I have started listening more to conversations going on around me.
I am also going to set up my inspiration board. Photos of what my heroine and hero look like. Photos of where the story is based so I can visualise where they are.
I am also going to write. I am going to write for more then 10 minutes.
Well maybe, but at least I will be able to get back to it more easily.
I did more craft work this way so I can apply it to writing as well. I will be able to share my time across what I want to do each day.
Writing is my number one prerogative. But I need to share it with my children.

Almost a week

2007-01-19T09:53:00.000+10:00

since I posted that is a very poor showing. I have no excuse just been disinclined to do so. I managed to write 500 more words in the past week and am getting very anxious for when my darling children to return to school. As it stands I just seem to be unable to get going.
Nights I have been tired my darling partner who normally drops off by 8.30pm hasn't been doing this deciding that my company is infinitely more appealing.
Awww Bless him.
Why now? But bless him all the same.
The days are a mess as the girls won't let me settle. The 2 younger ones are understandable but the older ones are worse, Mum what are you doing? Mum can I help?
Mum can I read this? Mum will you read to me?
So I rein in my impatience and keep thinking one day the girls won't want me around, enjoy this!
It's hard but it is true. I also keep in my mind that I am encouraging my daughters in the love of words, whether they are reading or creating their own it is satisfying to see.

The Course

2007-01-13T08:51:00.000+10:00

I have enrolled in a journalist course. Although it has nothing to do with romance writing it will still give me basics in writing and also a job to do while I get my novelist career on the way. There are about 4 courses involved in it and although I had hoped to get the course knocked over in a few weeks I know that having the daughters home will impede this as I have realised having the daughters home means I can't type.
At least when they are school (the older 2 anyway) I will be able to spend 15 minuted here and there writing while when they are home I rarely get time to sit once they are up.
I haven't written at night or early in the morning yet. And feel pretty annoyed that I have allowed this. Maybe this afternoon? Maybe.
I have to be careful about the time I spend writing in the evenings as well. Kyle works long hours and I love to spend some time with him and he bitterly resents any time on the PC as he wants my time. Highly flattering after all this time but frustrating when I want to do something once the girls are in bed.
Balancing balancing the whole way.

Housekeeping

2007-01-11T21:25:00.000+10:00

Yep a change of name. I realised I need to start this properly instead of in fun. I want to project an image of professionalism and as I want to be seen, my name needs to be known. So a tidy up has occured.
The things you do for the love of your art.

The pain

2007-01-11T13:45:00.000+10:00

Now I have decided to write I am champing a the bit. I read how it took some people take years to get published writing book after book after book.
ANd others well others do it more easily.
I reckon if I do this right and learn as I go. I will have a better chance then some. I have joined the Romance Writers Association of Australia.
And picked up a few blog sites that I will alos track. I ahve found a writer that writes in the genre I am heading into and will watch with interest. I will get there.

Submission and joining a writing group

2007-01-10T08:50:00.000+10:00

I made another submission today, an erotic short story; The Beach. I still haven't heard back about the other one but I may as well write and submit rather then leave them sitting moldering. I will be glad of any feedback I eventually get from them. To see if I am on the right track.
I have joined an online writing group and hope to also check out some other writing groups that may be close to me so I can go to meetings. I am also hoping that find a real life group will find me a critiquing partner. Someone I can have discussions with and be able to question them.

I haven't gotten back to the novels which may have disturbed me aside from the fact I am still writing the short stories. The novels need dedicated time and at present the girls are not supplying me with dedicated time. In fact I am lucky to be sitting here typing now. The TV can be a godsend sometimes.

As I write in forums and blogs I have noticed that my style has changed a little as if I were practicing how to write things correctly, previously I would always hit the submit button and then have to edit. Now I find that I am checking everything, a much better habit to get into. I am tightening my writing and watching my grammar. I am not perfect by any means but I think it is improving.

My spelling has also moved back to an acceptable standard, I would get frustrated with myself as I would type in chat rooms and hit enter only to see that what I had written made no sense due to the spelling errors. Now my typing has slowed and I am actually checking as I go. Much much better.

On with the quest to find a writing group.

My first knockback

2007-01-08T10:59:00.000+10:00

Woohoo
I have my first rejection letter
Why am I happy?
Because it means I actually made an attempt to do something instead of just thinking about it.
They rejected me as my style wasn't what they wanted and as it was for a freelance writer I didn't have the experience either.
That's ok I am practicing and the more I do the more skills I get.

Catchy Headings

2007-01-04T14:55:00.000+10:00

Just aren't happening for me. Doesn't matter though this journal is just as much for me as anywhere.

I made my first submission today, a short story just over 800 words which was good as that was the minimum. I didn't want to dedicate too much time t o this site as I have novels in the sidelines waiting to be done. Unfortunately my writing time disappeared this morning and will not be recouped tonight.

These things are expected to happen in the workings of life so we just keep on going for now. To submit I had to sign a contract first stating that all work submitted will become the property of the group I submitted to. That was a hard one relinquishing rights but I get continuing funds from story it should do something fabulous and the byline was mine too.

It was a hard thing to do as I said and I did it as upon further investigation this normally happens anyway. You retain the byline continue getting royalties but the book or story is no longer yours so I let it go in good faith.

I also submitted 2 articles (here and here) to Helium and am plannig a few more. Tell me what you think as I need critiquing. The more I am picked to bits the better I will get. I may ignore some of what is said but everything will be read and dealt with.

Getting out there

2007-01-03T20:46:00.000+10:00

Today after much exploration I joined a few sites. Helium and myLot I joined them for different reasons but mainly to get writing. Both provide renumeration for writing but in different ways. myLot is about posting and making replies they are wanting to get built up and are will ing to pay for it. Don't ask me how much I wasn't really sure and once again I joined mainly to try and get my writing skills honed.

Helium is a different type of site. You get paid once again not very much for articles. These articles compete against different ones in the same category for example Christmas decorations. The best ones stay at the top getting more hits and generating more income, they are rated against each other. The more articles you do the more exposure you get and the more funds come in. These sites will not make you rich but it will improve your skills as you want people to read your stuff so that you have a chance at money.

We'll see how it goes there are critics of course but doesn't everything.

I also joined an erotica site. You can get paid for your submissions, once again not much but I'm in it for the experience. Why erotica you say? Well romance novels certain styles are erotica and I want to learn to titillate and tease as well as see what people like. Writing erotica is just as demanding as any other form of writing its just not dinner conversation, 'Hi honey how was your day?'
"Well dear managed to write 3 pages of lustful looks, hot wet sex and climaxes that would blow your socks off"
I have no problem with it but my daughters and my parents may choke a little.
With these sites I plan to use to see what happens I want to stretch my wings and try different things and these three sites allow me to try different areas. I'll keep you posted on how they go.

Starting a second Blog

2007-01-02T09:54:00.000+10:00

I am moving across to blogger for my second blog. I am hoping in this way to keep it entirely separate from my personal blog. THis blog although personal will focus on my writing. My attempts at writing, trying to get published and all the agonies that go along with it.

I have set up a work plan for writing. Because I have commitments I need to make sure the time that I do have is put to good use. I need to work out the best time for me to write. And although I have set to do it in the morning, the only thing is that I tend to be more of a night person so there may be a change.

I have set myself up to write elsewheres then on the pc as the pc and the lure of the internet is too much for me. So I have a nice little laptop that hasn't any connection to the internet and I am set to go. I find I like writing in my bedroom I feel good in there, the rest of the house is too busy. Although once Kyle is back at work I will be able to motivate myself a little better. need to get the laptop into an easily accessible place within easy reach but out of the way of children, harder much harder then you think.

But it will be done and the trip begins.