A little pick-me-up for new writers

Saw this blog post today, and had to share the link with you.

It was an interesting read now that I'm stuck in the middle of an ms that doesn't like being edited. I was going great guns yesterday, but today... well, it's not going so well.

There's always tomorrow *sigh*.

Btw, I just blogged over at the Bootcampers 109 blog, so please drop by for a visit.

Playing Catchup

Hello everyone in the blogosphere!

The school holidays are finally over, so it's back to writing, editing, blogging, tweeting etc. I have SO MUCH to catch up on, it's not funny. I already have a headache today, so that can't be good. Where's a hunky hero to massage my neck when I need it?! Lol.

Anyway, just a quick post to let you all know about the new Romance Writers of Australia blog which I'm involved with. It's at www.romanceaustralia.wordpress.com. Please drop by and make a comment/share your thoughts and ideas, as we'd love to hear from RWA members (as well as non members who are interested in the romance genre).

Take care,
:-) Mon

Feedback from Judging the VPA

Recently I was involved in judging the first round of the Valerie Parv Award. It was my first taste of judging (having entered a number of competitions), and it was an eye-opening experience.

I must say I was lucky enough to receive a broad selection of entries, each with their own strengths, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them. The standard was extremely high, and I may very well volunteer to judge again next year (if I'm needed).

Well, yesterday I received a note in the mail from one of the entrants I judged. I was such a nice surprise to see the anonymous note from the writer thanking me for the feedback I gave. I won't go into detail about what else they said (just in case the entrant works out who I am!) but I was honoured to receive such a nice note. It made my day.

If you're given the opportunity to judge a competition, I highly recommend it. Not only do you learn a lot about your own writing, but you can share advice and encourage another writer to continue following their dream. We all need encouragement and constructive criticism, so to be able to do that for someone is worth the effort.

Have a great day,
:-) Mon

Editing Update

Songs on my iPod: Magic by Olivia Newton-John (Xanadu Soundtrack) & Hopelessly Devoted to You by Olivia Newton-John (Grease Soundtrack)

I’ve been in a bit of an editing slump over the last week or so. You know, the kind where you can’t stand the sight of your manuscript, and no matter how much you try, you can’t get it look any better than a sheet of toilet paper (I won’t say whether I mean before or after use, but you get the drift).

Err… apologies for the bad imagery… anyway, I wasn’t getting very far. Going round and round in circles, words a big blur, blah, blah. Much like this blog post. ANYWAY, over the last couple of days, things have started to click. I’m suddenly starting to see things clearly, and what I’ve got isn’t half bad. It’s actually pretty good (if I do say so myself!), so I’m rather chuffed.

It makes me feel warm and fuzzy to have something workable that’s working well under the harsh cuts of editing. My biggest concern is that I’ve cut out a lot of back story, and I wonder whether I’ve chopped a little too much. I know the story, and the motivations of my characters. Will it translate well enough now I’ve sliced and diced the back story?

My hero is starting to appear more well rounded, and I’m not sure if my heroine still appears a little neurotic, but I’m working on her. I adore them both, and really want readers to do the same. If I can make that happen, I’ll have achieved my goal.

Btw, I must make a big confession. I can just picture the knowing looks on your faces as you read this, but having no internet connection for a large portion of the last couple of days has been a blessing. I haven’t been able to Google, Facebook, Twitter and do stupid quizzes like I usually do, giving me more writing time. Doesn’t mean I’ll give up those addictions now that Telstra have fixed the problem. Hell no! Procrastination rocks!

Take care everybody,

:-) Mon

Romance for Smart People

Just popped into blogland to paste this link to a Romantic Times article http://www.romantictimes.com/2009/07/is-romance-for-smart-people.php. It's well worth a read for those of us who are sick of defending the genre and our need to read/write it.

Romance writers and readers are not fools. If only some people out there would stop treating us that way!

Happy reading, writing and editing to all my romance loving friends :-)

A Month Until the Conference...

Today it's exactly a month until the Romance Writers of Australia's National conference. I just wrote a quick blog post about this at the Bootcampers 109 blog today http://bootcampers109.blogspot.com/2009/07/countdown-to-conference.html

Please check it out! Off to entertain the kids as it's school holidays...

:-) Mon

The correlation between writing and renovating

As some of you may already know, I’m 18 months into a fairly major renovation of my home. It’s a massive job, and we're undertaking it as owner builders. We still live in the house with our two children as the work goes on around us, so you can imagine it’s a tad stressful (I’m sure my blood pressure would be high if they tested me right now!).

I was thinking about the connection between writing and building. I’m a pantser, so my planning is a bit sketchy when I start a manuscript, but many writers I know (such as my CP) like to create detailed plans prior to beginning a new manuscript. It’s rather like designing the architectural plans and doing research before construction – you need to know where you’re going before you start, and where you’d like to be at the end.

When it comes to constructing the story, writers must be aware of publisher guidelines so they can target the right lines or publisher. Similarly, when it comes to building, there are council rules builders need to be familiar with before work begins. There’s no point designing elaborate plans without a solid knowledge of what is actually allowed in the council area you reside. And budget limits – like word count limits – dictate how the project can progress.

Manuscripts also have a way of taking unexpected detours when ideas begin to flow, and story development begins. That’s when editing or revisions comes in to play – it can all be tidied up at a later date. Even the most organised of writers can’t prevent modifications to their plot as the story develops, so some flexibility is required. Once building/renovation begins, it can get rather messy as well. In order to create something brilliant, the work site can become overloaded, or problems arise, despite attempts to keep things orderly. Builders/homeowners need to accept changes may occur to the original designs, and there isn’t much they can do about it.

Once the writer begins to breathe life into the characters, things begin to click into place. The story unfolds in such a way that the picture begins clearer, and the bones of the story are fleshed out to the point it becomes interesting. Likewise, when the frame of a house goes up, and then the bricks (or similar façade) are added, you begin to see the potential of the home – the builder/architect/homeowner’s vision is being realised.

As writers, we are constantly told our ‘voice’ is what makes up unique. The way in which we express ourselves and tell our story is what makes us stand out from the rest – we can be inspired by others, but need to strive for our own style. Similarly, when it comes to building or decorating, homeowners can make their homes different and unique during the design, construction and fit out phases of the project. The result is their home is a statement of who they are and reflects their personality and tastes. Whether others like it or not is another matter entirely!

As you can see, there are many connections between writing and building/renovating. I’m sure there are more I haven’t considered, but I need to go off and confirm an order of cornices in preparation for the plasterers this week. Writing has to take a back seat at the moment, but I’m hoping next week will mean more time for editing my current WIP.

Ciao, for now!

:-) Mon

Hunky and a humanitarian!

I've been very slack of late when it comes to reporting on the hunkalicious Hugh Jackman. I know I have a reputation to uphold when it comes to delivering news about Australia's hottest export, and I haven't been delivering. Naughty, naughty me!

Well, news just came in yesterday that Hugh is now joining the fight against poverty by becoming a representative for Australia at the UN. Hugh has pledged support for the Global Poverty Project, and people are being asked to make a pledge in the fight to end world poverty.

I'm fulfilling one of my pledges by letting you all know about this. So go ahead! Make a pledge :-)

Enthusiasm!

I found this article on enthusiasm, and thought I'd share it with you all.

Nine Characteristics of Enthusiastic People

Author: Ineke Van Lint

Enthusiasm is passion. Enthusiasm is living your dream. Enthusiasm is a divine energy you will feel as a reward for pursuing your dreams and staying on your own path.

Someone who is earnestly looking for his mission, discovers it and lives it, will organize his entire life around this divine assignment. This person offers his talents to the world, betters his environment, adds his personal value to it, and ends up happy and satisfied.

The characteristics below help you recognize this person (or become one yourself!) :

1. Enthusiasm is the most obvious feature. This person lives live fully, enjoys every moment, and lives in the present, radiating a lot of self-confidence. He knows he is valid part of the universe and feels appreciated and guided.

2. This person possesses a special driving force that guides her through the roadblocks. He has access to an endless source of energy that lifts him above the masses. His energy level is much higher than average. People can notice he is being lifted up by a kind of light beam. He is very engaged, travels lightly and makes a delicate impression. He is convinced that any roadblocks can be overcome. Nothing stops him.

3. This person easily makes choices. There is something guiding the course of his life, namely his mission, which he uses as a road map to find out where to go next and with whom. He can tell good company from bad company, unimportant matters from important matters. He doesn’t lose himself in irrelevant details but remains focused on his mission. He is guided by his inner voice, his intuition.

4. He dares to take risks. He has the courage to finish the projects he started. He has the energy and wisdom to concretely manifest his ideas.

5. He possesses an extraordinary creativity, inspiring those people around him. He has the ability to create and produce. He is capable of manifesting his thoughts: what is an idea today will become real within a few months or even earlier. He makes full use of his resources. He fully realizes his psychological and spiritual potential.

6. This person has a mysterious charisma. People like to be near him, enjoy his high energy level and feel invigorated afterwards. People pick up some wisdom from him and feel better after meeting him.

7. He has an unwavering faith in the universe and in himself, as he too is part of this universe. He is aware of spiritual law and lives according to them, consciously or unconsciously. He understands how his dreams and passions are the engine of his evolution and he knows the universe is organized such that it meets his needs. First and foremost he listens to his heart and follows its directions with faith and conviction.

8. This person exhibits a high level of dedication, gets fully engaged, and knows the universe to be his biggest and best partner. He has a clear vision of his goal, does not get distracted, and uses his energy entirely towards the manifestation of his dreams. When he experiences fear, it does not paralyze him, but doubles his devotion. He knows fear is something you have to go through, he focuses on what is more important than his fear, and for this he can count on his inner strength and guidance.

9. He is original in his approach and experiences total freedom while fulfilling his mission. He is aware of the fact that he is the co-creator of his life. He is not being lived, not warming the bench, not being afraid of what’s going to hit him next. On the contrary, he reflects about his future and takes all necessary action to effectively realize his desired future.

Someone who has found his mission and takes it to heart is someone who has deciphered the secret code of the soul. And he receives the corresponding gifts: a great deal of enthusiasm, an extraordinary creativity and deep satisfaction. He accepts these gifts gracefully and gratefully, and generously offers them to other people who cross his path. He is a shining light in the life of those who are so happy to have met him.

Join the enthusiastics yourself! Become a person happy to get out of bed in the mroning, ready to go on with your mission. It’s all about finding your passion and living it out! Get out of this life of misery, do what you like, do what feels good, have faith and start finally living your real life!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/nine-characteristics-of-enthusiastic-people-106285.html

About the Author:
Written by Ineke Van Lint, psychologist. Find your passion and boost your life with enthusiasm. Live your life your way, full of joy and abundance . A brand new free ebook on htpp:// www.theenthusiasm.com