is well underway.
I started my new project fully rested, refreshed and creatively recharged. I spent my "time off" cleaning, reading, playing with my kids, verbally berating the dog, you know, the typical activities of a SAHM. It was only after I had written the outline for this series that I started to want to write again.
For the first time in years, I hesitated to begin writing after my break. In fact, I was somewhat scared. I know that when I am writing, my responsibilities as a wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend, get pushed aside and all I can focus on is the book. This time is no different, hence the fact that I started this story a week ago and I am twenty thousand words down. Although, it's never been about how long it takes me to write a novel, I have found that it sure does help when I take the time to write a really good, detailed outline.
Kristin
Thursday
Friday
Cori and Micah ... I will see you soon.
THE ARC III - THE RECKONING is complete. Aside from book #2 of THE TRAIT series, this was the hardest book I have written, hard in the sense that it was research intensive and extremely complex. I am sure my heroine Cori and her hero Micah would agree, and are just as elated for their happy ending as I am.
I really am going to take a break now. I have a stack of brand new books I can't wait to dive in to while my right wrist participates in a little physical therapy.
When play time is over, I am debating whether or not to start a new series. I have outlines for two new series and multiple single title romance adventures. Once I am caught up on my reading, I'll decide what I am in the mood to write next.
Hey, I sent out a few query letters, too.
Kristin
I really am going to take a break now. I have a stack of brand new books I can't wait to dive in to while my right wrist participates in a little physical therapy.
When play time is over, I am debating whether or not to start a new series. I have outlines for two new series and multiple single title romance adventures. Once I am caught up on my reading, I'll decide what I am in the mood to write next.
Hey, I sent out a few query letters, too.
Kristin
Monday
ARC II - LEAKED ...
is complete! What does that mean for me?
TWO WEEKS OFF!
(My husband is standing behind me, shaking his head. He knows it won't be that long before I start the final book of this series.)
My goal - send out 25 queries before I start the next book. Oh, and keep the kitchen clean, too. Wait, I have a kitchen in my house?
We'll see how it goes.
Kristin
TWO WEEKS OFF!
(My husband is standing behind me, shaking his head. He knows it won't be that long before I start the final book of this series.)
My goal - send out 25 queries before I start the next book. Oh, and keep the kitchen clean, too. Wait, I have a kitchen in my house?
We'll see how it goes.
Kristin
Tuesday
What is the ARC?
My new fantasy series, THE ARC, is coming right along. The first book is complete at 90,724 words, and THE ARC II, which I haven't named yet, is at 46,000 words. I am in love with the characters of these books and can't wait to put in writing what happens at the end of their journeys.
ARC - Aquatic Rescue Capsule. Let your imagination do the rest.
Kristin
ARC - Aquatic Rescue Capsule. Let your imagination do the rest.
Kristin
Nobody's home.
Where have I been?
I am 56,487 words into my new fantasy series, the Arc.
I'll see you soon, say in a couple of months or so.
Kristin
I am 56,487 words into my new fantasy series, the Arc.
I'll see you soon, say in a couple of months or so.
Kristin
Monday
PPWC - part 2.
Finally, I have found five minutes to add to my Pikes Peak Writer's Conference review. I've been so busy synopsizing, I almost forgot to mention some of the fantastic people I met in Colorado a few weeks ago.
First, there's Julie S. Julie was one of the first people I talked to at the conference and we ended up spending a great deal of time at the conference together. She's got this really good story about vampires and werewolves, but it's like nothing I've heard before. She did a great job in our R&C and I can't wait to read her story someday.
Then I met Debbie A. I sat next to her during one of our noisy dinners, and I found her life story to be inspiring. She homeschools her four kids of all ages and still finds time to write. Debbie was so nice and I am glad I got to talk to her.
I met another awesome writer during dinner, Wendy P. She lives in southern California, has a great job and taught me how to "Café write". Where I am from, we don't have a lot of Cafés so I was reluctant to whip out my laptop in the Colorado Springs airport to attempt to concentrate on an hour of work. But Wendy told me that it's a great way to be social and to change the scenery up. After synopsizing right there in the airport, I have to agree with Wendy. "Café writing" is fun.
I met Diane (wished I could have gotten to know her better), Emily, Karen, Sheila, Donna and Doug. During a meal with Ginger Clark (Curtis Brown Agency), I was mistakenly and unpleasantly identified as a lady I think I talked to but can't remember her name. Turns out, it was a very good thing I wasn't her.
And lastly, I packed my camera around the entire weekend and took one pathetic photo ...
Yup, that's my bed in my hotel suite. So not glad I have a photo record of where I slept but didn't take a single picture of the awesome people I met ... not glad! Next year, I will be sure to take lots of photos ... along with more legible notes.
Until next year.
Kristin
First, there's Julie S. Julie was one of the first people I talked to at the conference and we ended up spending a great deal of time at the conference together. She's got this really good story about vampires and werewolves, but it's like nothing I've heard before. She did a great job in our R&C and I can't wait to read her story someday.
Then I met Debbie A. I sat next to her during one of our noisy dinners, and I found her life story to be inspiring. She homeschools her four kids of all ages and still finds time to write. Debbie was so nice and I am glad I got to talk to her.
I met another awesome writer during dinner, Wendy P. She lives in southern California, has a great job and taught me how to "Café write". Where I am from, we don't have a lot of Cafés so I was reluctant to whip out my laptop in the Colorado Springs airport to attempt to concentrate on an hour of work. But Wendy told me that it's a great way to be social and to change the scenery up. After synopsizing right there in the airport, I have to agree with Wendy. "Café writing" is fun.
I met Diane (wished I could have gotten to know her better), Emily, Karen, Sheila, Donna and Doug. During a meal with Ginger Clark (Curtis Brown Agency), I was mistakenly and unpleasantly identified as a lady I think I talked to but can't remember her name. Turns out, it was a very good thing I wasn't her.
And lastly, I packed my camera around the entire weekend and took one pathetic photo ...
Yup, that's my bed in my hotel suite. So not glad I have a photo record of where I slept but didn't take a single picture of the awesome people I met ... not glad! Next year, I will be sure to take lots of photos ... along with more legible notes.
Until next year.
Kristin
Tuesday
PPWC - part 1.
I've returned from Colorado Springs, unpacked, recuperated and taken the time to go through my paperwork from the conference. I went there not knowing what to expect and left feeling inspired, smarter and most importantly -- READY TO WRITE!
The first day, I was overwhelmed. This feeling diminished as I began talking to people, listening in on sessions and comparing my writing journey to the journeys of others. One of the most important lessons I learned while at PPWC is that I can play with other writers. I have completed many novels, they are good and I will sell them. I have had more success in the few short months of truly "shopping" my work around than some have had in the years ... YEARS they have pursued publication. I left with the resound resolution that I will never give up and I will never stop writing.
This is Margaret. I had the pleasure of sitting right next to her during dinner Saturday evening. She is an amazing woman with an incredible personal history. She is smart and witty, and I will never forget what she said during our "Monkey Business" session about the "F-word". I am glad I got to know her.
I also got to talk with Ginger Clark (Agent), Shelly Shapiro!!! (Editor) and Kevan Lyon (Agent). I had my work read by Leslie Wainger (Editor), I had lunch with Laura Hayden (Author) and I listened to A.C. Crispin (Author), Jeffrey Deaver (Author) and Laura Resnick (Author) speak. I sat through two incredible and semi-spooky sessions with Deborah LeBlanc (Author), and I pitched to Kirby Kim (Agent). I met so many great people ... I will tell more about them in part 2.
Kristin
The first day, I was overwhelmed. This feeling diminished as I began talking to people, listening in on sessions and comparing my writing journey to the journeys of others. One of the most important lessons I learned while at PPWC is that I can play with other writers. I have completed many novels, they are good and I will sell them. I have had more success in the few short months of truly "shopping" my work around than some have had in the years ... YEARS they have pursued publication. I left with the resound resolution that I will never give up and I will never stop writing.
This is Margaret. I had the pleasure of sitting right next to her during dinner Saturday evening. She is an amazing woman with an incredible personal history. She is smart and witty, and I will never forget what she said during our "Monkey Business" session about the "F-word". I am glad I got to know her.
I also got to talk with Ginger Clark (Agent), Shelly Shapiro!!! (Editor) and Kevan Lyon (Agent). I had my work read by Leslie Wainger (Editor), I had lunch with Laura Hayden (Author) and I listened to A.C. Crispin (Author), Jeffrey Deaver (Author) and Laura Resnick (Author) speak. I sat through two incredible and semi-spooky sessions with Deborah LeBlanc (Author), and I pitched to Kirby Kim (Agent). I met so many great people ... I will tell more about them in part 2.
Kristin
Thursday
Rebecca Shelley - LUW April meeting recap ...
Last night at our monthly league meeting, I had the pleasure of listening to and learning from a fantastic author, Rebecca Shelley. She is the author of the Red Dragon Codex and the Brass Dragon Codex, both books, "Super awesome!" in the eyes of my children.
I was excited to pick up autographed copies of both novels, but even more excited about the extensive knowledge, advice and encouragement I received from Rebecca's speech.
Rebecca spoke to us about Researching and Submitting to the National Market. The tips, tricks and avenues she talked about did two things for me; one, I will submit all my queries via e-mail, and in batches. She offered a template that she uses with a really good success rate, and as soon as I return from CO, I will begin to implement a similar query process. She also alleviated my doubts of submitting solely to agents and avoiding editors. Aside from Thrillers, a genre which I haven't written in nor do I plan to ever attempt to break in to, editors in most other genres don't always require an agent to receive and review a submission.
So there you have it. It was an awesome meeting ... I left feeling completely inspired and I thank Rebecca immensely for her encouraging words and most valuable lessons.
Now, on to the BIG writer's conference. I am so excited! I don't know how much sleep I will get tonight, but my flight takes off early, so I am off to bed.
Kristin
P.S. On a funny side note, I got to read a pretty graphic (Yes, even graphic for me!) short story from a fellow leaguer, one that made me blush ... I think I was taken off guard when he unexpectedly handed it to me for review, and when he stood to read it during open mic ... I blushed again!
I was excited to pick up autographed copies of both novels, but even more excited about the extensive knowledge, advice and encouragement I received from Rebecca's speech.
Rebecca spoke to us about Researching and Submitting to the National Market. The tips, tricks and avenues she talked about did two things for me; one, I will submit all my queries via e-mail, and in batches. She offered a template that she uses with a really good success rate, and as soon as I return from CO, I will begin to implement a similar query process. She also alleviated my doubts of submitting solely to agents and avoiding editors. Aside from Thrillers, a genre which I haven't written in nor do I plan to ever attempt to break in to, editors in most other genres don't always require an agent to receive and review a submission.
So there you have it. It was an awesome meeting ... I left feeling completely inspired and I thank Rebecca immensely for her encouraging words and most valuable lessons.
Now, on to the BIG writer's conference. I am so excited! I don't know how much sleep I will get tonight, but my flight takes off early, so I am off to bed.
Kristin
P.S. On a funny side note, I got to read a pretty graphic (Yes, even graphic for me!) short story from a fellow leaguer, one that made me blush ... I think I was taken off guard when he unexpectedly handed it to me for review, and when he stood to read it during open mic ... I blushed again!
Friday
Where have I been?
I've been preparing for the big Writer's Conference I am attending in a few weeks. Oh my! There is too much to do, and NOT enough time each day. I have been working on pitches, and yes ... I am pitched right out. I am in pitch-overload and quit pitchy! 7 out of 11 of my pitches are to a point where I feel I can send them to my proofreader, but the other four are giving me a serious case of indigestion. Seriously ... how many times can one use the when formula without sounding like a broken record? (Only one of my perfected pitches is a true-to-form when formula. The others are very good variations.)
Anywho, I am excited to go. I can't wait to hear the speakers, sit in on readings and pitch my novels. I hope to get some good feedback at the conference. I also want to send a quick shout out to these and this (in diet) and plan on living on the two/combination of the two until my plane lifts off the ground.
Kristin
Anywho, I am excited to go. I can't wait to hear the speakers, sit in on readings and pitch my novels. I hope to get some good feedback at the conference. I also want to send a quick shout out to these and this (in diet) and plan on living on the two/combination of the two until my plane lifts off the ground.
Kristin
Thursday
Last night ...
at the LUW chapter meeting, I had the opportunity to listen to a fantastic speaker, Angela Eschler. An author and freelance editor, Angela shared with us her knowledge of marketing. She sent us, via e-mail, a fantastic packet of information including lists of websites to check out, books to read and podcasts to listen to. I found her information most helpful, and not only that ... she's incredibly inspiring!
I gained plenty of very important points from the meeting, but two topics that were exceptionally applicable to me stand out in my mind. One, she spoke of being patient. She spent a good deal of time on this and it was just the reminder I've been needing.
She also said that if you plan on writing in more than one genre, a pen name is good idea to consider. So, this back and forth, pen name/no pen name game I've been playing is now official over. I will use a pen name for my romance novels, my real name for my fantasy and if I ever get around to publishing my children's books, I will use yet another pen name for those books.
On a side note, my proofreader, who is also a Marketing expert, is very support and inspiring to me and I don't know what I'd do without her.
Kristin
I gained plenty of very important points from the meeting, but two topics that were exceptionally applicable to me stand out in my mind. One, she spoke of being patient. She spent a good deal of time on this and it was just the reminder I've been needing.
She also said that if you plan on writing in more than one genre, a pen name is good idea to consider. So, this back and forth, pen name/no pen name game I've been playing is now official over. I will use a pen name for my romance novels, my real name for my fantasy and if I ever get around to publishing my children's books, I will use yet another pen name for those books.
On a side note, my proofreader, who is also a Marketing expert, is very support and inspiring to me and I don't know what I'd do without her.
Kristin
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