Changing Genres, Blogs Revamps, and Contests--Oh My!

Notice any changes around here? Yep, I've got some new pages up, a new background photo, colors, etc. I hope you like it. Feel free to do some exploring.

While you're here, I want to announce my "Week of Book Love" giveaway February 15-20 right here and on my author Facebook page. I'll give you the details next week.

Finally, I'll leave you with a few thoughts on changing genres. I've been writing novel-length LDS scripture-based fiction for a while now, but recently I've begun a contemporary LDS romance novella. (Check out my PROJECTS tab.) You'd think it would be easier, but any kind of change sets those gear cogs into a different wheel slot, and we have to re-adjust.

Now I can use contemporary words and draw more from real-life experience. But I also have to keep the plot moving quickly. The pages I'm writing for this joint project take up one-fourth of the book and complete my characters' story. It's a different animal. What I'm finding is that the process goes smoother when I have at least jotted down the basic events I want to happen. And I can't forget that feedback and revisions are some of my best tools, especially when I've already scrapped a few paragraphs.

Oh wait. The need for those two things--advanced planning and doing rewrites--they never change. I might have to redirect my brain, but the writing process is basically the same. So, change? Yeah, we can do that.

Join me next week for contest time!

Scripture-Based Fiction: Finding that Happy Middle Ground

Fun Research: Maya Ruins in Tulum, Mexico

Purists who love the precious word of God may frown upon anything they see as a distortion of the scriptures. Scenes that alter/enhance what they’ve already imagined may cause them concern. On the other end of the spectrum, some LDS readers may feel guilty if they spend more time enjoying fiction than studying the scriptures. Is it possible to reach a happy medium? When considering Church productions like the Book of Mormon film The Testaments, the majority would likely agree that scripture stories can be told with appropriate creative enhancement to leave an inspirational, powerful message and impact.

 

As a writer of scripture-based fiction, striving for that happy middle ground has been a difficult learning process. My journey began with a love for certain scripture stories and the inspiration to tell them from authors such as Chris Heimerdinger and H. B. Moore. At first I figured it easiest to stick to and wanted to stay as true to the scriptural events as possible. My critique group told me it was too boring. I couldn’t simply retell a scripture story with added characters and events, I needed characters with goals and motivations that drove them to fulfill those goals. There had to be obstacles to their goals and something at stake if they should fail. Hence, it was necessary to add creative developments within the historical framework.

Another challenge was finding that delicate balance of credibility using research. Incorporating too much research drifts the story toward non-fiction characteristics, too little shows a lack of authority and authenticity in the setting and details. The reader must be kept in the world and time frame that has been created.

Feedback alerted me that I must not over-use scriptural language either. Fiction has to flow and sound natural. It was tricky, but I loved seeing the story develop and improve. Submitting into two first chapter contests garnered two first place awards in the Historical Fiction category, telling me that my scripture-based writing was engaging.

My target audience knows that a daily dose of searching and pondering the scriptures should top their reading list. Choosing scripture-based fiction can additionally inspire readers, be a way to bring the scriptures to life—with vivid characters and description that solidifies the portrayed events in our minds, or provide wholesome entertainment. It is always a good idea to compare the scriptures so that one knows fact from fiction. For this reason, I included a scripture reference list at the end of my novel, Secrets of the King's Daughter: A Book of Mormon Romance. Look for it's release in early March 2016. I hope you will give this genre a try. Enjoy!

My Writing Process or What a Manuscript Goes Through

A big milestone this week. I got my entire revised WIP off to my critique group for a final read. Whew! It's been a long road. They might find a few places that need a new coat of paint, but I don't expect any major rebuilding. Why? Maybe you'd like to know what my manuscript already went through, my writing process.

As scripture-based fiction, my outline for this sequel was taken from Alma's writings in the Book of Mormon. My main character is King Lamoni's daughter. I studied the chapters and knew what main points and events I wanted to include. Then I re-read the section for the current part of my story, filling in around it with what I imagined might happen or needed to happen for the plot. Sometimes the story had a mind of its own and sometimes it went as planned. When I sit down at the computer, I read over the last few paragraphs or more to kick start my memory and creativity. Once I pick my first idea or actual sentence, the words keep coming, at least in spurts. I re-read the end of the fresh part over and continue on.

When I have ten pages--usually within two or three days--I finish the scene and stop (unless I'm really on a roll). It gets a careful look at this point for any sentence tightening or other revisions that I can spot on my own. If I have time, I let the speak text feature read it back to me. There is something about hearing it aloud that points out trouble spots. Then it gets sent off to my online critique group.

Critique partners read through and mark with comments or insert fixes into the manuscript. There might be a little or a lot that they catch in any given submission, but what really matters is having other readers who don't already have your story in their head. Their markings let me know what was not clear to them, parts that were awkward, even things that they especially liked.

My group of four holds a weekly meeting to talk about the bigger issues. We have used Oovoo and Google Hangouts, both of which allow us to see one another and pull up the document on the same screen. Sometimes partners catch the same things and sometimes they don't. That is why I like having 3 other readers. I gives a variety of perspectives without having to spend too much time critiquing for a big group. Sometimes we brainstorm what might come next or anything a member is stuck on.
When the session ends, we e-mail our marked critiques out so that we can incorporate the edits we choose to make. I typically take one day to make the changes. If there are a lot of new ideas or things to fix, we might send the same chapter out the following week for a second look with the rewrites. They might get an important chapter three or four times before moving on.

In summary, each of my pages has already been seen by three writers at least once. Add to that my own read through from start to finish, which always causes a few tweaks, and we have a mostly-polished draft. Yes, they will find new spots to discuss, but the markings will be fewer and farther between this time. I will then look over their comments and make final revision choices before sending the manuscript to the fresh eyes of beta readers. This may take a few months. If readers like it and I am satisfied, then it gets submitted to my publisher for review by their test-readers. In other cases, a manuscript might be sent to an editing professional or agent.

Then there are those who will start with a finely detailed outline and write an entire rough draft in one month. NaNoWriMo participants, I salute you! Whether you write ten pages a week or
50,000 words in a month, almost every writer needs there manuscript to go through a revision process of some sort and the fresh eyes of other readers.

Yep, it's a long road.

Give Writing Collaborations a Try

Climbing the mountain to success
is easier with switchbacks. 

As I near the end of revisions on my second scripture-based fiction novel, my mind drifts to the next project. Actually, there are two. I've already begun the third (and final?) Book of Mormon fiction in the series and want a small break from it. A novella feels perfect. Plus, there are benefits to seeing which trail works best for climbing the mountain to success. 

When one of the critique partners in my group suggested the four of us each write a romance novella to combine into one book, I took immediate interest. Sometimes it's nice to have an idea fall into your lap. I'm ready for a change, ready to develop the romance genre further, and I enjoy the ladies in my group.

Unlike an anthology where each writer has a theme but the story is independent of one another, this would be a collaboration. The characters continue into the next novella and the time frame may overlap, but is sequential. Each writer must use consistent character traits and know how the stories intertwine. Therefore, either one person hatches the entire basic plan, as in this case, or they get together to plot it out. My group knows the major plot points throughout, but we have freedom to do whatever else we imagine. Sounds perfect!

There are some pros and cons to collaborations. Consider the following:

• The team needs to be on the same page about what will happen in the story. Each member should be flexible, listen to other opinions, and not be afraid to kindly state their own. The member with the biggest head can ruin the plan.
• Saying yes to a collaboration means you expect to complete the goals and do your part. Some groups find it necessary to draw up a contract stating specifics about productivity timelines, and so forth. The member who is a flake can ruin the plan.
• Writers should have similar abilities in the craft so that all can be proud of the entire collaboration. The individual strengths and interests of each writer should still be celebrated and shine through. Members who support one another have more fun.
• Start with some ground rules or expectations. How will this be published, marketed? Will there be any costs? Will sales be split evenly? What will you do if someone can't complete their responsibilities?
• Collaborations often garner each writer greater exposure to new readers through their associated project. This alone can make the effort to be a team player worth it. Just be smart, flexible, and communicate.

I'm sure I haven't noticed every puzzle piece yet, but the timing feels good to me, and since I'm still waiting for my first published novel to release, I can afford the smaller investment into a novella. I'll let you know how it works out. In the meantime, if you have any collaboration tips, please share. Happy writing!

Unexpected Directions on the Writing Adventure Train

Switching Tracks - Commonplace?

You know how ideas snowball into something bigger? That's what has happened to my work in progress. Four months ago I typed a tentative THE END on the sequel to my Book of Mormon Romance, Secrets of the King's Daughter. As my critique group discussed a few loose ends, I wrote a prequel to better tie the two books together. After reading that, the snowball grew. A certain character took on a larger role, so I needed to add more scenes with him, fill new plot holes, and the prequel became the first chapter. Before I knew it, I'd passed the 100,000 word mark with not much to trim. I had some choices to make.

The good news is that, with the help of my critique partners, I realized that with a little tweaking, I already had a great place to end this sequel at 75,000 words, and the remaining scenes easily shifted into a third book. Looks like I'll have a series of three stand-alone scripture-based books. I feel better knowing I actually wrote the second book in less than a year instead of what felt like forever, and that I've already got a good start on the third.

The funny thing is that one of my partners pushed for my book to take this direction early on, but I wasn't mentally ready to hear about splitting the book in two. It felt like switching tracks near the end of a big project. It took the newly added scenes for my vision to align with hers. After some revisions, beta readers will tell me if it works for them as well.

Sometimes writers need a break from the genre or a set of characters. In fact, I plan to try my hand at a romance novella before going back to book 3. We don't always know what direction our writing will take us or when we'll choose an alternate path. It can get frustrating if you can't envision where the track leads. That's what makes it an adventure. Just make sure you have a plan, new or old. And perhaps a few good critique partners in your corner. Happy writing!

What Is My Manuscript Missing?

My work in progress is a sequel, a scripture-based novel that spans about fifteen years of time for one main character and her son as he gets old enough to serve in the army. Karlinah has goals and fears as she struggles with righteous living, love, and adventures that  follow Book of Mormon events. The characters are rich and the events are worth telling, but there has been something lacking to connect all the threads together. Such is the difficulty when writing from one historical or scriptural event to the next.

If you've spent a lot of time on your story and still believe in it but know it has problems, find out what it's missing. You need some kind of roadmap: the dedication to study plotting (or whatever the issue), a professional editor, or experienced feedback (not from a family member).

Critters Janice, Renae, Becky. Missing Melissa

Thank goodness for my critique group to spot problems and generate ideas. They are the ones who know my story almost as well as I do. We meet in a face-to-face online setting, so along with feedback on last week's submission, we ask questions or brainstorm about previous problems and what should come next. In mulling over their suggestions, I added a new first chapter from the villain's point of view. Now I am inserting small and infrequent scenes like this throughout the story to tighten those threads that lead to a bigger event near the end. It's always fun to write scenes with villains.

After my group critiques these scenes, I'll go over the whole thing once more before they get it all at once. They'll see if I've got it all together--pacing and flow, motivations and high stakes, no plot holes, etc. Once I tweak any last fixes they catch, it's on to beta readers. My goal is to be at/near that stage by the end of the year. It will be nice to have this one off to readers by the time its prequel, Secrets of the King's Daughter, comes out in January.

Have a great week reading or writing!

Proofreading, Speak Command, and the Final Product

Proofreading - How many Eyes are on your Copy?

With under four months to go before my book release, the time has come to proofread my final edited copy of Secrets of the King's Daughter. The one my publisher will send to press. Whoot! Getting closer.

Because my release date got put off for so long, I'm not sick of my story. Many authors have to proofread their entire book right after having done multiple edits/revisions, and they would rather shove it in a drawer somewhere and move on. At whatever point a thorough check occurs, it need one's full attention--eyes on the copy and either audio or your mind's ear listening. I've been given a week or two to do this.

Below you can see how to add the Microsoft Office Speak text-to-speech feature (TTS) to your Quick Access Toolbar. Mine uses the male voice to read text that I highlight back to me, and is quite handy for catching misspellings, omitted or unintended words, etc. The voice reads fairly well, not as flat as I expected. It may give you a different emphasis than how you would have read it, which can also be a clue for adding italicization. I've gotten used to it's short vowels instead of long ones for my odd Book of Mormon names.

A final proofread shouldn't have many tweaks. It is more a check for accuracy. I had a couple of accuracy issues. One was where I used dandelion leaves, but have since learned that dandelions are not native to the Americas. I took that out. Paying close attention allowed me to catch a formatting discrepancy where the first words of the chapter were not set in caps like the rest of the book. You never know what you will find. Ultimately, the final product is the responsibility of the author to make it as professional as possible. This is why self-publishers are encouraged to get more than their own set of eyes on their copy. Before you do, you might find it helpful to let the speak command be a second set of ears.

Office instructions:
Add Speak to the Quick Access Toolbar
You can add the Speak command to your Quick Access Toolbar by doing the following:

1. Next to the Quick Access Toolbar, click Customize Quick Access Toolbar.
   
2. Click More Commands.
3. In the Choose commands from list, select All Commands.
4. Scroll down to the Speak command, select it, and then click Add.
5. Click OK.
6. When you want to use the text-to-speech command, click the icon on the Quick Access Toolbar.

First Chapter Revisions and My Writing Journey

I'm pleased--more like ecstatic--to have a big project out of the way and submitted to my publisher. After three years of collecting for my "Missionary Stories" compilation, I can forget about it for the next three months or so while it goes through the review process. Phew!

So what's next? (There's always something, isn't there?) It's revision time for my Book of Mormon fiction sequel. (Another milestone in my journey!) It took one year to write the draft and make some revisions suggested by my critique group. Now I'm going through it again on my own. There's a few things I've learned from various classes or blogs, that I want to make sure I have included.

So far, I've only focused on that all-important first chapter. I like my first line as both a hook and a nod to a traumatic past experience. I believe I've given a good opening image of Karlinah's world. Some books start with a bang, but I agree with those who let us see the normal world and the main character's life briefly before we see them in a life or death situation, so that readers care what is happening to them. At least for my genre. I want the reader to connect with my MC. I also like where I started--hopefully close enough to the inciting event, where Karlinah makes decisions and goes in a new direction. Later, I'll need some beta reader feedback on this and so much more.

I was reminded that along with showing this Book of Mormon world and the character who lives in it, I need to show something that is flawed. This sets up the story to show what needs to be fixed in this world or with the character, something the reader can expect to see remedied at the end. Still thinking about that. I did go ahead and insert some hints at a theme, or the MC's inner conflict.

This time through, I will set up a spread sheet for me to identify things in each scene or sequel. (For more on the difference to these and the following terms, see this link to the snowflake guy.) My data will include the point of view (POV) character, the scene's goal, the character's goal, the conflict, the disaster, the setting, the motivation and reaction. For sequels, I need to list the POV character's reaction, her dilemma, and decision. If I can't ID these within a scene or sequel, I could add them, shift where the chapter ends so that it's in the right place, or scrap the scene. This data will help me see if I have all the needed elements and variation in things like having the setting in the same place for too many scenes in a row.

Revisions are eye-opening. Some parts are bound to become frustrating, but mostly I love how it makes a story better. Here we go!

 

Six Month Countdown - My Safe Zone Before Publishing Panic?

6 ...5 ...4 ...3 ...2 ...1 ...
The countdown has begun! Six months until Secrets of the King's Daughter, my Book of Mormon fiction debut book, releases. I'm straddling the safe zone between excitement and panic, where it starts to feel real but I'm not in stress mode.

Before I'm too gung-ho on the book release, I really want to finish up my inspirational non-fiction, LDS Missionary Stories, and not have it nagging me. A few months ago I predicted it would take me a month to finish, but my fiction sequel took precedence. Now the time is right and that feels good.

Still within that "safe" zone, I enjoyed the occasion to watch Julie and Julia--the movie where Julie blogs about cooking every recipe from Julia Child's The Art of French Cooking. Loved the possible parallels to my life. Julie gets a little publicity and suddenly there are 65 messages for her to do interviews or to publish. Then she is crushed by one message that essentially means Julia Child hates her. The story cuts to rejection for Julia Child, who states that Houghton-Mifflin hates her and eight years of her life has turned out to be "something to do". She later is accepted by another publisher and sees success. Ah, the publishing roller-coaster! 

It's fun to dream, isn't it? For a couple hours, I reveled in the roller-coaster thrill alongside Julie, hoping for my own personal success. Today I'm feeling grateful that I can once again chip away at this one big project before it's time to dive into my book release checklist. I'll keep you posted on both those things if you'd like to join me on the ride. Bon appetite, I mean, "Enjoy!"
 

My Favorite Writing Advice

Red And Blue Pencils

ID: 180553

My critique group dished it out hard last week. Two major things received negative feedback: First, I introduced a new viewpoint--that of my main character's son. It was a small scene, and a small amount of multiple viewpoints had occurred, though not recently. I wanted readers to get used to Samuel's voice once in a while, because he would later be in places his mother couldn't go. I imagined some good internal dialogue in getting Samuel to transition into a warrior. It's usually best to show a scene from the character who has the most to lose. So, basically I was convinced it was a good move.

Their reaction took me by surprise. "No, this is Karlinah's story. It doesn't feel right," they said. At first I thought that they didn't connect with the scene because of choppy interruptions in our submissions. If they could adjust to it, they would see the wonderful ending I have planned in connection to the multiple viewpoints. (Note to self: A reader won't get to the end if the middle turns her off.) 

The second thing I did wrong was to "skip over the good parts so I can get to the good parts". This is a standard joke we have whenever someone rushes through an event that readers want to see in more detail, just so the writer can get to another good part they want to focus on. It happens most when I am skipping a chunk of time so that the book doesn't get overly long. 

When the feedback I get isn't as I'd hoped, I find it best to toughen up and listen. Why? 

• I've learned that most of the time they are right. I've seen them improve my manuscript in big or little ways every single week. If you trust your critiquers, don't suddenly change that. 
• If it's an early draft, expect lots of changes. It goes with the territory, no matter how seasoned the writer.
• Ignore those instant defensive reactions and give the suggested corrections a little time to percolate. Time helps take emotion out of the equation.
• If having a wonderful book takes top priority over your feelings, you will come to the best conclusions for your book.

My favorite writing advice for all stages of the writing process is to grow a thick skin (be tough) and keep writing! You can do it!

My Writing Journey 2014 Highlights

This blog has seen four birthdays and I've worked at becoming an author for at least five years now. It's a slow process, yet each year in my writing journey seems better than the last. I've had some significant highlights and I hope you will reminisce with me.
2014 Highlights:

• An article published in the Liahona put me into instant international publication status. (Yes, I'm calling it that.)
• Posted an author Facebook page.
• Attended LDStorymakers Conference 2014 in Utah.
• Joined an awesome critique group that regularly submits.
• Finished Bishop Stories. Will submit after Missionary Stories.
• Signed a contract with Covenant Communications to publish Secrets of the King's Daughter. (Publishing date delayed until January 2016.)
• Received wonderful back cover reviews from noteworthy authors.
• Doing final revisions on Missionary Stories. 
• Writing a draft of the sequel to Secrets of the King's Daughter.

In other words, I'm further along the path, seeing success, and staying busy. I've met some wonderful people, and I hope I have inspired or helped a few of you. May the year 2015 be your best writing year yet!

Dreams: My Writing Journey to Success, Part 2 of 2

How I wrote and submitted my Book of Mormon fiction was discussed in the previous post. Well, the condensed version anyway. Let's start at the point of me moving on to other projects (because, yeah, I'm serious about this and that's what writers do) while playing the waiting game to hear from publishers. I get beta reader feedback from a new source during this time, and it's significantly thorough. Great suggestions that I both begin to implement and regret not having the publishers see. I'm feeling like the copy I sent out is not good enough, so I gear myself up for rejection. I still figure I will improve upon this manuscript and self-publish if need be. After all, I believe I have a worthwhile story to share and I can get it to the level it needs to be.

One publisher sent back a rejection. Two weeks later after a long day, I remembered I hadn't checked my email. I quietly slipped into bed and grabbed my phone. My husband needed to get up early and had already gone to bed. Scrolling through the emails, I see one from the publisher that I most hoped would accept my book. My breath caught with excitement before I remembered to expect rejection. To my surprise, the publisher loved my character and wanted to publish the book! Hooray! 

If I had been on my feet I would have done the happy dance and let out a squeal. But I was flat on my back, trying to be quiet, and stunned. My tired mind wondered whether to wake hubby. My energized body didn't want to relax. A minute or two of indecision went by, and then hubby rolled over. I whispered, "Are you awake?" He was now, and I shared the good news. Not the way I imagined this milestone.

The book was slated for about fourteen months out. More waiting while working on other things. I'm beginning to realize how new authors may have their second books ready to come out shortly after the first. During this time, I see the actual contract and wonder if this is really best for me. I'll start with requesting a few changes. More time passes as the request may or may not have been sent to the correct person. They finally let me know they are working on a new company contract. 

In the end, my choice was to sign the new contract and go with the publisher. The current target date could be as early as February 2015. Covenant is attempting to push it through the channels as fast as they can. We shall see how the round of edits goes, but at least my editor will start with my current changes. Don't worry, I'll keep you updated. It's an interesting process.

Where are you in your writing journey to success?

Dreams: My Writing Journey to Success, Part 1 of 2

Expect your dreams to come true, but the road is not always as expected. It will be longer and harder than first imagined. It will also be worth it. 

Once upon a time I read a certain book and thought, I can write something that good, so I took on the task. I had always enjoyed creative writing back in my school days. My new project fulfilled me creatively and I spent several months until I had a completed manuscript. That in itself gives a great sense of accomplishment. Was it any good? I really didn't know. It was time to risk sharing it with others.

Parts were interesting, but it was in no way refined. A close relative really liked one of the chapters. This, I learned later, was where the greatest conflict lay. I had much to learn. Imagine that. A big goal was completed and the next phase set aside for a busy year of building a home.

Once settled in our new home, a neighbor found out of my interest in writing and asked me to join a critique group. I didn't realize how much this would teach me. It is stimulating to see your writing grow by leaps and bounds--fueling my desire. I started a new project and attended a few writer's conferences. My eyes were opened wider.

I entered the polished first chapter (meaning several tweaks and critical eyes had scanned it) into two contest, winning first place in both for my category. More fuel. I could do this! I worked to get the rest of the story, then titled The Seventh City, into shape. It had a problem in the climax that I didn't know how to fix, but I figured I had done my best. Finding very few beta readers to give feedback, I grew impatient and submitted my story to a few publishers. It came back REJECTED.

This would be an easy place to give up. But I loved writing and felt I had something to offer, so I went on to another project. After a break, I came back to the award-winning story and worked through a fix to the climax. One beta reader was especially helpful and I revised a bit more. I submitted again, including the best fit for my LDS audience, telling the publisher that changes had been made.

I received two rejections and then ... an acceptance! Doing the Happy Dance. The new title is Secrets of the King's Daughter: A Book of Mormon Romance.

How long did it take for my dream to come true? I should have kept better track, but I'm going to guestimate here. Keep in mind that your schedule will be different.

• Writing the first draft had to take 1 1/4 years with sending my critique group pages nearly every week.
• Revisions would take another few months, say 1/4 year.
• Waiting for readers to complete an entire read-through took another 1/4 year.
• Miscellaneous time ignoring the book and later readying for submissions, 1/4 year. 

The dream of writing a complete novel worthy of publication took me at least 2 years. You could be a faster/slower writer, have less/more writing time available, or need less/more craft development. But hey, time is going to pass by anyway, so go for it!

That was 1.5 years ago. Find out what happened next in the next post.

A Writer's Summertime Musings & Book Releases

For a few more days, I'm leaving up a quick survey from the previous post (scroll below) in case you didn't get a chance to VOTE for my book title. My thanks to those of you who did (or will).

So...how did your summer go? Hopefully you enjoyed a few seasonal activities or a vacation. I enjoyed relaxing reunions o both sides of the family, seeing all my siblings at once. Fun stuff.

I'm wondering how many writers or readers out there keep up on their goals during the summer or if the kids being out of school make you put off those plans. Also, do you venture more into the pool-side light reads during summer and something more academic or substantial during autumn? How did summertime affect your habits and goals?

I took some vacation time, but apparently my muse did not. Writing went well for me this summer, jump-started with the fabulous LDStorymaker conference. I've been working on the sequel to my Book of Mormon fiction--the one where you can vote for the title--and gathering/completing stories for my narrative non-fiction, Missionary Stories. Having my adult son home for the summer made for a few adjustments--especially because I like silence when I write. Sometimes I reordered my priorities, sometimes I shut the office door. It all worked out.

Okay Jane Austen and romance fans, look for Rebecca Jamison's latest book out now! Click for her blog tour schedule.

From the back blurb: As if it wasn't bad enough to be getting food from Church welfare, I had to meet one of the Ferreros--a good-looking Ferrero, at that.

   Elly Goodwin, a brilliant programmer, is so desperate for a job that she takes one from her ex-boyfriend--the same man who put her family out of business. Then she meets Ethan Ferrero, who seems too good to be true--especially for her ex's brother-in-law. At the same time, she must help her sister Maren recover from a severe case of depression. Elly is far too busy for love, especially not with Ethan Ferrero.

   Meanwhile, Elly’s dramatic sister, Maren, has recovered enough to fall in love, and when she falls, she falls hard. Elly must intercede before Maren's passion clouds her common sense. Together, Elly and Maren must learn that a mixture of sense and sensibility is the perfect recipe for love.

Fans of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility will love this modern retelling of the classic romance novel.

Another great romance is coming our way. Lisa Swinton's Ring On Her Finger will release September 3rd. Here is the cover reveal and tagline: What happened in Vegas should stay there,not follow Amanda home wedded to the man who broke her heart.
The Blurb: After celebrating college graduation with her friends in Las Vegas, Amanda St. Claire wakes up with a terrible hangover and a ring on her finger. Her day gets worse when she finds out she's married to rich playboy Blake Worthington--the guy she loathed the past four years. Amanda convinces Blake to legally termintate the marriage and they both return home like nothing ever happened. That is, until Blake shows up on her doorstep and Amanda has to come clean with her family.
Together for better or worse while the legalities are cleared, Amanda reluctantly plays along, but then the unthinkable happens--she finds herself falling in love with Blake.
Can they overcome the past? Or will it end their future before it even starts?

The new-to-me website of the week is www.writershelpingwriters.net. You can easily lose yourself in looking through their tools and resources for writers. Wonderful stuff from the authors of several good thesaurus books. 

Persistance in Writing Takes More Than Luck

Is luck with you, are you marching forward with enthusiasm? If so, congratulations. Keep it up as long as possible. Eventually, most writers hit a wall at one point or another. The ideas don't flow and neither does the writing. Life may have taken them out of the writing loop for a while and riding the roller coaster again seems daunting. Writing is not for wimps. But there is hope. Most of those writers get back on track.

Over the past few months, I've had moments of feeling a bit off-track. Probably because I'm not in a stage of writing every day. Final revisions with small tweaks are not as stimulating to me as writing fresh scenes or major rewrites. I put off getting back to my sequel novel because I was stuck in the storyline. Looks like I have an online critique group about to start up, so that will spur me on. Once a week I work on gathering and rewriting missionary stories and find that enjoyable, but it's not practical for every day. Sometimes I read blog articles or play at connecting on Facebook. What it comes down to is doing things that make us feel like a writer while putting off writing! Sound familiar?

Here's some things we can do about it now:
1. Remember what you love most about writing and spend part of every day/week doing that stage.
2. Take a short break. Just keep in the back of your mind that you will return to it and estimate when.
3. Make a change. A change in routine, priorities, work on a different story, try a new outlining method. Change can stimulate.
4. Just do it. Sit down at the computer (or in long hand) and write a throw-away paragraph or a page of anything to get you going. Or try whatever writing exercise you like. Sometimes we just have to get back on the bicycle and start peddling.
5. Reward yourself. Make simple goals with small rewards and bigger rewards for the completion of ten simple ones.
6. Take all the positive encouragement you get from family, friends, critique groups--anywhere it is found--and use that energy to keep moving forward. 

Persistence does pay off and so does attitude. I'm calling today my lucky day because Bishop Stories is finally going off to submission land! Wish me luck!
What helps you persist at your writing goals?

The new-to-me blog of the week is a popular one from writer Janice Harda: blog.janicehardy.com  With a name like Fiction University in her blog, you can guess she is a writing teacher. This blog offers more than a thousand helpful articles. I know she has one or two in there that will help me unstick my plot problem. Have a great week!

My Non-Sugarcoated Writing Journey

I'm sitting here thinking it's time for an update of my writing journey and I'm stumped as to what to say. The little devil on one shoulder whispers in my ear, "Lie a little. Sound impressive. Gloss over how little you've actually accomplished and make it all sound fabulous." My other ear hears a scoff. "You can't do that! You'll give the wrong impression that writing is easy and life never gets in the way." I brush the imps from my shoulders like they were dandruff. Half the year has slipped past and I'm ready for a clean start. 

This has been a rough year of distractions, mostly related to changing residences. My online critique group fizzled. I'm stuck in getting from point B to point C in my YA suspense story--probably just need to do some what ifs and thinking it through, but those distractions have been the easier route. I've seen progress too. I do have a Book of Mormon novel in review for publication, another novel started, and I'm finally collecting enough stories for my inspirational nonfiction, Bishop Stories. But it feels like I've been picking at this and that. I need to FOCUS.

Deciding where to place my focus and in what increments of time is making sense. If I schedule Tuesday morning to unpack boxes and the afternoon gets devoted to begging requesting bishop stories, then I have a PLAN. Being SPECIFIC gets me further than asking myself, "What do I feel like doing today?" I've done way too much of that lately. And you know what? I'm ready to change that.

I hereby declare that for the remainder of June I will focus on completing Bishop Stories. (Notice I didn't say it would be completed. Keep goals realistic.) That's where the journey is taking me right now. If you have a humorous or inspirational story to share involving a LDS bishop, shoot me an e-mail and I'll give you the deets. Like the fact that identities are kept private.
Happy journeying this week!

What's Cooking on my Computer

Last week I announced the sending off to publishers of The Seventh City, my Book of Mormon fiction novel. What am I working on now? Glad you asked. I have two completely different projects going. 1) The first is an inspirational non-fiction I'm calling Bishop Stories. These are a collection of experiences involving Mormon ecclesiastical leaders called bishops. Some of the stories are written by bishops themselves and some by church members, but all the stories involve a bishop in a positive light. I expect the stories to make readers laugh, cry, and have their hearts warmed. 2) The second writing project is a contemporary YA fiction for the national market called Perception. The premise is about a high school boy whose senior project turns more criminal than expected. Lots of fun relationships while dealing with making a difference among students and car thieves alike. Both these projects have been stimulating and a challenge to my creativity. 
That's my update. What writerly things are you cooking up?

Celebrating Read Across America Day?

I'm not celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday today or participating in any kind of reading (beyond box labels). Why? I'm hanging out with the movers who are packing me up to a relocation spot in Northern California. Squee! Excitement and butterflies! But I hope you get to spend time reading something you love.

Kids are not the only ones reading across America today. Teens and adults are too. If you are reading my blog then you are one of them. (Good trick, huh?) But you probably already love to read and know that reading expands knowledge and lets us experience that secret world of wonder limited only by imagination. 

More big news, if you haven't heard, is that my LDS fiction, The Seventh City, is off/submitted to publishers! More excitement and butterflies. It feels so good to have that goal checked off and I've noticed my time a smidgen freer. Now I'm only working on two things at a time. Ha ha.

Ya'll have a great week enjoying a book, and I'll leave you with a link to something brand new from Tristi Pinkston to put on your to-read list. I'm giving her a shout. Sounds like a fascinating story!
http://frankiemaio.blogspot.com/

 

Book Giveaway and The Write Way of Life

Hey, folks, there's still a couple more days to enter the hardcover book giveaway with one quick entry just for following my blog. Simply scroll down to the previous post below for details.

Have you ever considered the importance of good writing skills for those of us beyond school years? You might be surprised at the ways (and amounts of time) you use them. My husband, an engineer, swears that his most useful college class was Technical Writing with all the reports and memos he frequently writes. As for me, I just wrote a letter to persuade a homeowner to choose my offer on a house out of multiple offers. The relator informed me that sometimes a personal mention of what buyers liked about the home can sway the seller in their favor. Who new? There is a write way of life.

How have you used writing lately besides your work in progress?

Nearing the Finish Line

A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people. – Thomas Mann

That’s what my revision process feels like. One tweak affects another and so on. It's not a race, but I have to keep working to get where I want it to be. (Imagine that!)

I’ve been trying to make my full manuscript, The Seventh City, the same quality as my award-winning first chapter and it’s taking FOREVER. But it’s all good. Wouldn’t want it to be anything but my best. “My best” has changed since a year ago as I have learned more and am trying to execute and implement those skills.

I actually like revising, but it does take me a long time. The only difficult part is knowing every place that need edits. Some of these are obvious. Some are discovered with a good comb-through. There are lists and helps to revising. Beside what I find on my own, I rely on my critique group. They’ve been invaluable.

This is their second time reading through my story and they’ve had some great comments and suggestions for a few changes that make the story stronger. But since they only see ten pages nearly every week, the process is slow. I’m a few chapters ahead of them and my goal is to finish by the end of the month. Then I’ll turn it over to some beta readers while I work on my nonfiction Bishop’s Stories. Getting so close I can taste it!

That’s what’s going on in my little corner of the universe. What’s up in your writing world?