All About the Writing

The Heroism of Writing

Why are we so afraid all the time when it comes to writing?

I understand that writing is hardwired to a lot of emotional hot buttons. I know I'm not the only one who has experienced the crippling doubts, the angst of wondering if I've tapped myself out, the wailing at the injustice of having a desire to write and a skill that can waver depending on my confidence level.

Like others, I've felt the elation of a contest final or win, which had been preceded by fear of having my entry eviscerated by the judges. I've enjoyed the giddiness of getting a request for a partial or full manuscript, after the pain of getting yet another rejection on those same things from someone else. I've congratulated myself for getting closer to making my dream come true, while wondering if I shouldn't have picked an easier, more attainable one.

Fear often wins the battle, because it is sneaky, and insidious, going straight for the tender spots we've willingly exposed when we write. 

Yet we forget that our creative drive is powerful too. We need to stop tamping it down, and grab onto it so we can unleash it on the world.

What would we do if we read a book where the hero or heroine complains that it's too hard to go after their goal, or they're too afraid, or they don't have time to pursue their dreams? We'd break our arm hurling that book across the room. And then we'd pick it up with the bones poking through the skin to throw it again.

It's time to be the heroic one in OUR story. 

This is our only shot at it. We can't revise the past, or edit the outcome, but we can create the day-to-day aspects, deciding what it is we will do with our ration of 24 hours. It won't be easy, but what else in daily life is easy? I'll guess it's usually the stuff that bores the crap out of you.

You know you have heroic qualities, but so few opportunities to actually use them. But now you can. You can inspire those around you with your ability to do something that you fear, that you find challenging, yet you press forward anyway, not knowing if you will succeed, but determined to attempt it because of that powerful inner drive. 

I think of all the things I did that weren't easy when I first tried them. Was it easy to walk? Nope. It would have been easier to sit on my backside and have everyone bring me stuff. Was it easy to learn a second language? Heck no. I should have been content with the first one I learned. Was it easy to learn how to type? Yeesh. It was so hard, I was sure I would flunk out of my typing class, but now I type over 100 words/minute.

So why did I keep doing all these things? Because I didn't want to go through life knowing my tombstone would be etched with the words, "She was too afraid to try".

Today, let's get back to being the hero or heroine we want to spend time with, the kind of person who can do anything they set their mind to. We aren't those too-stupid-to-live creatures. We have talents, skills, abilities, and most importantly, a lot of opportunities available to us. We have a strong drive to succeed, and we can battle back the fears that try to keep us oppressed.

Let's go forth and conquer! 

All The Way to 50k?

I've been trying to decide whether to participate in this year's NaNoWriMo (aka National Novel Writing Month). This is where you spend the month of November writing feverishly, approximately 1667 words/day, so you can draft a 50,000 word novel in 30 days.  

Anyone who has participated will admit it's an audacious thing to write a 50k novel in 30 days. It borders on lunacy, which is why you will see so many bleary-eyed zombies walking around during November. Okay, and in December, while these insane writers are recuperating from this wild sprint to create a book.

No, it's not a polished novel. It's not even a finished novel. No one in their right mind would consider it "query ready" or even "submission ready".

But it is definitely a beautiful beginning.

Sometimes starting something is the hardest part of a project. It's easier to talk about starting. We all have ideas for books, but getting those ideas onto paper, and fashioning them into a coherent narrative. . .that's definitely the tricky part.

The goal of NaNo is to finish, of course, and I aim for that goal with all the ferocity I possess. All the way to 50k! But I don't consider it a wasted effort if I make it to the finish line with fewer words.

I finished NaNo the very first attempt, when I wrote Bad Sex Karma. It's how I learned about staying two steps ahead of that pesky Inner Critic. NaNo also helped me come out as a pantser, and it was a glorious thing to discover that 1667 words/day is actually a comfortable pace for me.

The most important lesson I learned? How to actually enjoy the writing process.

I started Shoot Me If I Do at another NaNo session, but my work life at the time was too chaotic to get very far. I attempted to work on it the next year, but I couldn't finish then either. This really surprised me, because I hadn't had any troubles the first time keeping up, or catching up, with the word count.

Still, I don't consider either of those tries as failures, because an amazing hero and heroine LEAPT off the pages. I knew instantly how great they were, and I knew I was going to finish that book no matter what. I did complete it, and that book placed in several contests, got me my agent, and is on submission to editors.

Last year I wrote 50,000 words of Lord Wastrel, which has turned into the first book of an intriguing Regency historical series.

This year the work life is hectic again, and I'm debating whether to give NaNo another go. There are so many projects I am editing/revising/polishing, and the practical thing would be to devote my writing time to those WIPs.

But doing NaNo is such a rush. It's crazy and manic and unpredictable and, most of all, absolutely thrilling. It's a nice change of pace to write by the seat of my pants, watching the story unfold as I type excitedly to reach my daily goal.

Shouldn't writing be like that at least one month out of the year?

It looks like I might have talked myself into doing NaNo again this year. Any other NaNoManiacs out there? If so, let's hear it: All The Way to 50k! 

The WIP on the Side

Every writer has them. Those stories that tempt us to abandon the manuscript we're desperately trying to finish.

Even though we've committed ourselves to this particular Work-In-Progress, the siren song of that new idea can be irresistible. It sounds so perfect. It's fresh and flawless, and it promises to spill forth onto the page without needing any editing or revision. It flat out adores us, and understands our writerly needs, unlike that cranky WIP we've been struggling with.

No wonder we can't resist when this sweet thing beckons.

So we set the WIP aside, promising we'll be right back, believing ourselves when we say we're not serious about this new idea all dressed up in its most seductive manner.

Before we know it, we're sucked in, unable to return to the WIP waiting patiently on the hard drive for us to come to our senses. Even worse, the temptress idea reveals its true self, transforming into pure evil right in front of our disbelieving eyes. Scenes fall apart before they're even half-formed. Words that once crooned to us in such a melodic fashion now screech and clank and deride us for our lack of skill.

This WIP-on-the-side acts worse than the one we left it for.

Now we're caught between two manuscripts, both of them vying for our attention while we struggle to ignore yet another beguiling story idea crooking its finger at us.

What to do, what to do.

Some writers absolutely refuse to acknowledge a new story's presence. They block off their brain to anything new while steadfastly finishing the current work. I respect that philosophy. It does not work so well for me, however. The more I ignore a potential WIP-on-the-side, the more it will keep poking me, like a little kid that keeps yelling "Mommy" until Mommy gives him her attention. I just scribble notes about the new idea in its own Word doc and that usually quiets it down, allowing me to remain faithful to the work-in-progress.

Other writers choose to devote themselves to the new idea, leaving the pesky WIP stranded on the roadside. Again, I can understand that choice. I've even advocated it in order to get the WIP to cooperate. Nothing like a little healthy competition to get the characters to start working as a team again.

But it can also be a slippery slope. Chasing after the shiny new idea, while blaming the old WIP for your tendency to stray, can leave you with a string of half-finished projects.

Sometimes it's best to remember you and the WIP are in it "for better or for worse". It can keep you going during the tough writing and revising times, and it allows you to celebrate when you finally make it together to "The End".

That's when you can give your undivided attention to the WIP-on-the-side, free of guilt, and filled with the promise of a happily-ever-after ending.

The "Oh No!" Chapter Ending

"Oh no!" is exactly where you want to end your chapter. 

You want readers to feel nervous, agitated, and completely mental about finding out how the character is going to handle the bombshell you just dropped.

Don't drag it on and try to wrap things up. It's not a speech, where you need to tell everyone what you just told them. It's not the end of the book, where you have to make sure all the loose ends are tied up tightly in a pretty bow.

From their experience with previous chapters, the reader can be pretty certain your resourceful character will handle this new complication. The fun part, what you want them salivating to find out, is HOW they deal with this new calamity.

You don't want readers to finish the chapter smiling and saying, "Oh, that was nice" while they skip off to make a cup of tea. You want them wild-eyed, chewing on their fingernails, their stomach churning with worry--because the reader knows what this new state of affairs means to your character.

The reader is a sort of emotional co-pilot.  If they care about your character, they want to be right by their side the entire way, yelling encouragement like a birthing coach. The reader should be mentally pacing like the old-school dads outside the delivery room, trying to appear calm while agonizing over how to deal with this life-changing event.

So take a look at your current chapter endings. Is there a question left in the reader's mind? Is it compelling? Or is it more like a commercial, an excuse to put things on pause so they can go to the kitchen and rustle up a snack?

If that's the case, then go back up a couple paragraphs. Is this where you should have ended things? Don't worry. The paragraphs after that won't go to waste. They can start the new chapter, because the story flow is already there. It just needs to be broken up to heighten the tension and suspense, effectively increasing the "Oh no!" factor.

Your chapter endings shouldn't be a rest stop for a weary traveler. Instead, they should be like a shot of adrenaline, spurring the reader on until the next one, and the next one. . .all the way to the very end, until the reader closes the book and says, "Oh no! I want more!"

Let's Make Writing Fun Again

Recently a tweet buddy mentioned she was working on her latest WIP, and hoped it didn't act up like it did the previous day. I suggested it be put in timeout, or made to stand in the corner, and added the #badmanuscript hashtag.

Another friend joined in, and for the next several minutes, we tweeted as if our manuscripts were horrible children, and we used all the famous phrases parents use to corral miscreants.

It made us laugh, it sparked some great ideas, and it really kept the creativity going.

I got excited about how the words were dancing around, and it made me want to go work on my WIP.

All because it was FUN.

That's how writing should be. Too often, though, we focus on how hard writing can be. Don't get me wrong. It is hard work. That's what makes the effort worthwhile. And if it were easy, everybody would be doing it.

But sometimes we need the reminder that we got into this writing biz because we LIKED it. We got so caught up in our characters and their fun adventures that it didn't feel like work to us. In fact, it was a release from the workday travails. We were like giddy little kids making mud pies when we got to muck around with our manuscript.

Now we trudge around thinking what a mess that mud is making, and how we're going to have to spend all day cleaning things up. We've pretty much sucked out all the joy of writing. Is it any wonder our characters hide from us when we view our stories in this way?

So let's make mudpies today. Let's get excited about writing again, returning to those days when drafting our stories was the best form of enjoyment around. Starting today, let's have fun when we put those words on the page, and quit thinking of it as a chore to check off the To Do list.

After all, if we consider our work drudgery, how can a reader not feel that way too?

Seduced by Autumn

Autumn is when New England gets to show off, and it does so in a glorious fashion. It's one of the reasons I was tempted to move here from the dreary, rainy, grey Pacific Northwest. Autumn is a celebration of colors that seem garish at any other time of the year. What other month but October could have orange everywhere and not feel self-conscious?

These lovely things are called "Cinderella Pumpkins", and if you're fanciful enough you can see how a fairy godmother could work some magic and turn them into a coach fit for a woman on her way to meet Prince Charming.

I am always amazed at the numerous varieties of pumpkins and squashes. Have there always been this many and I wasn't aware? Very possible. Or do they keep creating new ones so I'll have something else to wonder about? Mmm. . .

For instance, when did Jabba the Hutt become a pumpkin? And the person who hoisted him up onto that bale of hay--are they still collecting worker's comp, or are they resting comfortably at home now?

New England is also known for its apples, and until I moved here I thought there were only about four varieties, and two of those had the word "delicious" in them. Apple orchards are everywhere here, which makes it too easy to take them for granted. And no, that "one bad apple" wasn't there when I snapped this picture yesterday. I have no idea why it wants to try to spoil the whole bunch.

"An apple a day". . .this ought to keep you going for a few weeks. Just don't look at that one apple. What? You can't see it? I'm not gonna point it out then. You'll just have to find it yourself.

Yes, autumn is a beautiful moment in this part of the world. My only complaint is how quickly it fades into the next season, which is fast becoming my least favorite of the four choices each year. Winter is way too eager to shove autumn out of the way, as if it's greedy to dispel the spicy scents of apples and the poetry-inspiring foliage of oak and maple trees. Knowing that the bitter cold of winter is hovering nearby is what gives autumn a bit of a melancholy air, so it's a good reminder to savor all its beauty.

After all, in a very short while, this is what will be here. . .

 

(Don't worry -- that crazy chair actually prefers winter.)

Autumn is taking its time this year, veering between too-hot summer weather and too-cold winter temperatures. Until it brings along the beautiful colors and scents of the fall season, these pics from last year can remind us of its splendor.

Why I Write Romance

I started reading romances when I was in high school, but after college, I felt like I had to put them aside. I was an ADULT, after all. So I primarily read mysteries. I liked solving puzzles, and I was fascinated by fictional people's motivations, much as I found deciphering real-life people's motives a little too exhausting.

But then my mom was diagnosed with cancer, and I couldn't bear to read about people dying, even if it was a fictional death. I needed a respite from the grimmer aspects of life weighing me down, so I returned to romance novels. I craved a happily-ever-after ending, at least for a few hours each day, since the real world wasn't able to provide me with one.

About a year after my mom passed away, I decided to go to my first romance writers' convention. It was in another state, and I was nervous at first, since I didn't know any of these people, but it was like finding long-lost relatives. Not only did I not have to hide my interest in romances, I got to carry on like a fan girl with other romance-loving women while we discussed our favorite books and characters and authors.

The most exciting part was discovering that *I* could actually write a romance. All by myself. The kind of book I wanted to read. I could create my own sexy, witty heroes, and delightful, clever heroines. I could immerse myself in whatever world I chose to make, simply by putting my ideas and words onto paper.

I've been doing it ever since.

Still, I've spent plenty of time trying to explain my writing preferences. It's always puzzled me how it's perfectly fine to express emotions about falling in love if it's in a song, or in a movie, but mention the words "romance novel" and it's like you've just confessed to dropping out of school in the fifth grade.

For the record, I have a Bachelor's degree, and a law degree, and I've owned my own business. I'm blonde, but it doesn't mean I'm brainless. It means I have a great hairdresser.

Writing romance is one of the hardest things I've ever done. It's also one of the most satisfying of my accomplishments.

I'm happy there are plenty of people who love romances, and who don't need to be persuaded that it's a wonderful way to spend their day or evening. My goal is to provide myself, and other like-minded readers, with an enjoyable experience, engaging characters, and a story that makes us laugh while we set aside the things in life that are too much for our hearts to bear right then.

Romance writers made it possible for me to endure the biggest heartbreak of my life, and I'd like to provide the same ease to someone else's heart one day.

That's why I write romance.

A Pinch of This, A Pinch of That

I don't always start out in love with my characters. Generally they present me with an intriguing scenario—a literary proposition, if you will—and I say, "Okay, let's see where this takes us."

During the initial test drive, they usually make me chuckle, but too often they exasperate me. Usually it's when I can't figure out where they should go next, and they stand there, shrugging, as if to say, "You have the story GPS. You figure it out."

This is the situation I found myself in with my current WIP. I had come up with the hero and heroine a long time ago, and I felt like I knew them pretty well. The heroine had starred in several important scenes in a different book, one in which her brother is the hero. But I had never seen her interact with the man who is her hero in the current manuscript.

So I had a basic premise for the hero and heroine, and they dutifully played their parts as I racked up the daily word count for NaNo.

Unfortunately they weren't doing anything to make me fall in love with them. That worried me. Every writer-mama loves her ugly babies to pieces, but the real trick is to make readers fall in love with these same characters.

Yet how could I manage that if they weren't really tickling MY fancy?

I debated whether to set them aside, although it would have been tricky since I'd written about 15k words, so starting over with something else would have made it difficult to finish NaNo. And I was determined to finish NaNo no matter what happened.

Luckily I discovered there's a reward for dogged persistence, which is a good thing, because I have a ton of dogged persistence in my system.

I was about to start writing a scene where the heroine is waiting, with her brother, at the hero's house. She is planning on presenting him with a certain solution to his current problem, which is also something she wants quite desperately. All of a sudden the heroine surprised me by being nervous at seeing the hero. 

She is never nervous. NEVER. He is her brother's best friend, and she's known him forever. Yet, in this particular situation, she completely loses her resolve. (To be honest, I thought she should have done so a few scenes previously, and when she didn't, I couldn't help but admire her tenacity.)

When the hero enters the room, he sees her start to falter, and he rushes to help her. That was definitely nice of him, since up to this point he's treated her more like an annoying little sister who is thwarting his plans (which truly are important).

He is used to seeing her handle every kind of calamity with aplomb, so he teases her, and instead of continuing to fall apart. . .she pinches him. 

And the hero laughs. 

It's something they've gone through with each other many times while growing up, and they have this whole history I'd kind of overlooked, because I had focused on where they were going rather than where they've been. They had a fun, playful relationship that hadn't really exhibited itself until this scene, and it showcased their individual personalities as well as how they meshed with each other.

That is when I fell in love with them. 

Maybe it was because they revealed a certain vulnerability or a spark of humanity I hadn't glimpsed before. Or maybe it was that intimate moment when they let down their guard about the pinching episodes that let me know they cared for each other and always had.

They had moved from an intriguing premise to people whose future I cared deeply about. Now I wanted to know how they were going to take this shared history and lifelong relationship and combine it with new challenges on the way to their HEA. 

All it took was one little pinch. 

When do you fall in love with your characters? What did they do to make you feel that way?

Fighting for Your Characters

Most of us don't like conflict, and do our best to keep it to a minimum.

Some people enjoy a good wrangle, though, and they willingly go into battle for a host of different reasons. It's possible they like the adrenaline surge that results. Or maybe they enjoy the frenetic exchange of words with a worthy foe.

But for the person who doesn't like to fight or argue, when they do clash with someone, it demonstrates what they value, or even what they fear. Since they will fight only when pushed to that point, or when their usual dispute resolution methods are no longer keeping the peace, it's clear this is something very important.

So when characters do fight, and we know why, the next thing we learn is how.

Do they flare up? Do they smolder, biting their lip to keep hurtful words at bay? Do they shout, speak quietly, mumble under their breath? Perhaps sarcasm is their weapon of choice, or getting in the last word in every argument. Or maybe they refuse to engage at all.

Also, as the character's romantic relationship progresses, there is more at stake if they fight and lose, or if they fight and rupture the growing trust between them and their beloved. Does this change how they argue? Or when?

All of these things give us a great deal of insight into the characters. It reflects their history, as well as areas of potential growth, and even possible conflict in the future. It provides an important piece of the personality puzzle, knowing how characters will react in certain situations, especially highly-charged emotional ones.

I was re-reading one of my manuscripts recently, and I realized my characters didn't yell and carry on like a lot of folks do when they disagree. The hero and heroine are hurt by the untenable situation they're in, and one of them even feels betrayed by the other's actions, but it would not be true to their personalities if they raged or did something dramatic. They use their words to express their feelings, and try to advance their position, but without deliberately wounding each other.

Characters with other fighting styles might disagree with this method, but this is how my hero and heroine responded to the threats to their happiness and well-being. Some disagreements were more easily resolved, while another heated discussion led to the black moment in the story.

I learned a great deal about my characters by watching how they disagreed with each other. I plan to throw new characters into the ring to see how they square off against each other. They may not like this strategy, but I'll just have to convince them how beneficial it is, for them, and for me.

How could they possibly argue with that?

What makes your characters fight? What do they find worth arguing about? How do they respond in an argument?