Tidbits to Make my Story come to Life

My comfort zone is getting infringed upon with the next book I'm writing, Staking Claim. I've never been a fan of books set in England. I prefer the good ole U.S. of A. But I wrote myself into a corner. And the current WIP (work in progress) has to start in England, luckily they are getting on a ship, but I have two main characters who are British and therefore I need to learn a bit about the hierarchy and British words and customs.

I purchased the book What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew by Daniel Pool to help me get a bit of a gist of what the characters should act like and how they should respond to some or my American's actions. It also helps me to come up with ideas for scenes.  The book talks about more the first part of the 19th century and my book is set at the end of the century but I think some of what is in the book would still be the norm.

While reading through the book I came across Basic Etiquette for a gentleman and a lady. I found it interesting the men's etiquette had to do with courtesy toward the woman, while the lady's etiquette dealt more with how she showed herself as being proper.

Reading the gentleman's etiquette a scene was conjured up on how my hero, even though he's been living in Lancashire England for two years, knows nothing of the etiquette and my heroine who is British but grew up a factory worker and just recently became a maid in a Viscount's manor, also knows little of the correct etiquette, will find themselves schooled by the villain.

These are the little tidbits that get me excited about a story I'm writing. I've found several others that I've envisioned using in scenes and soon the book will practically write its self. ;)

Rawhide 'N Roses: A Western Romance Anthology - Carol A. Spradling

I'm pleased to introduce you to another western author in the Anthology with me. 

Please welcome, Carol!

Carol may have grown up on Florida beaches, but her heart has always belonged to the mountains. Last year, she and her husband finally fulfilled her lifelong fantasy. They moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains. YAY!!!!! If she can curb her endless mountain gazing from her front door, she might get some work done on her next book. She still can't believe she lives in an area she loves so much.

Short story writing:

When I was first approached to write a short story, I was excited and a little nervous.  I had the opportunity to be part of an anthology with a dozen authors that I admired and respected, but could I tell a full story within 2000 words?  All of my writing career, I've been advised to expand my scenes, add more depth, and express more emotion.  To keep a story brief seemed to go against everything I'd been taught.  Naturally, I viewed this exercise as a personal challenge.  It was time to prove I was worth my writing salt.

My next hurdle was to come up with an idea.  My stories are generally set east of the Rockies.  This anthology was to be true to the west.  No mountain settlers for this group.  I took another tentative step out of my comfort zone and settled on the Santa Fe Trail.  I'd seen enough cowboy shows to know wagon trains headed west all the time.  I now had the basis for my story.

As I began to place the "bones" of my story in place, I have to admit, it was difficult to not go into massive details.  But once I got past the desire to tell the reader every aspect of the story, I relaxed and the story flowed. 

It's my opinion that a short story is just that, a quick read that delivers a condensed version of a full-length novel.  And to be honest, every now and then, I think a short story is just what a reader wants, a good story without elaborate description.  Between you and me, I can't wait to be part of another anthology.

Where to find Carol A. Spradling

Website

Facebook

Blog

Other books by Carol A. Spradling:

Faithfully Yours (The Forever Time Travel Romance Series, Book 1)

Pursuing Honor (The Forever Time Travel Romance Series, Book 2)

The Highwayman's Grace (The Forever Time Travel Romance Series, Book 3)

Shades of Gray

For Mercy's Sake

Redcoats & Sleigh Bells

The Night Lamp

Friday Five- Agents

Yep, still working away on the five do's and don'ts from the agent cartel workshop at Nationals. Today, I'm posting Pam Hopkins five don'ts for unpublished authors.

1) Don't revise and rewrite forever
2) Once you finally let the manuscript go, don't stop writing waiting for the call.
3) Don't make entering contests a career.
4) Don't let critique groups stifle your voice.
5) If you get advice from an agent or editor, not listening to what they have to say.


I've known writers who have fallen in at least one of these categories. If you want to get published, yes polish your story, but you have to send it out the door before anyone can call you. And contests are good, but they don't always make a sale. I did #5 ( I took the advice an agent gave me) and hopefully soon it will pay off.

My Life is not My Own

I've had company for four weeks and this week I'm babysitting - in another town for my daughter. I haven't been home for a week and a half and I haven't written a word on any of my projects in four weeks. Do you know how that makes me feel? Like a bear!

My dh learned a long time ago if I don't have writing time I become a rabid woman who isn't happy with anything. I have to have that creative outlet and get these people out of my head. I can't wait until Friday when I can submerse myself in my stories again. And hopefully get back on the writing track quickly. Usually when I've not been writing a while it takes some time to get back in the groove. Man I hope that doesn't happen. I have some tough goals I have to make that the last month and a half hasn't helped at all.

How about you? When you get off track in a goal you have set how do you get back on track?

Friday Five- More agent do's and don'ts

I can't believe it's Friday already! We are headed to two weddings this weekend. It will be a large gathering of my family. Looking forward to it and not looking forward to it. You know how that goes. All the prep to leave, then gone and wishing I were home getting work done, then coming home exhausted and feeling like we didn't have a weekend. LOL

Today are Agent Lucienne Diver's five things she looks for when considering to represent a writer.

1) Is it a fantastic novel
2) Great hook
3) Do you have a platform to promote
4) Your contest wins and awards
5) Personality and attitude

As you can see from previous posts some of the things the agents said are similar.

Friday Five- Agent do's and dont's

Since I am seeking an agent, while at RWA Nationals I attended several agent panels to see and get a feel for the various agents. My initial feelings toward them fall in three categories- too nonchalant; enthusiastic, savvy, fun; or all business. I'm not going to name names since they could find this site. LOL But let's just say I found more to be in the enthusiastic, savvy, fun category than the other two.

On one of the panels each agent did their own five things. Pam Ahern listed "Help the agent help you" These were her pearls of wisdom:

1) Keep expectations at your level - Don't expect to get a six-figure advance on your first book
2)Keep agent informed - let the agent know what is going on in your life and who has your work
3)Have honest, open communication - talk to your agent whether your happy or unhappy
4) Read in your field - Read the type of books you write to know the market
5) Remember agents are human too - agents can have family issues crop up too

Next week, I'll have Roberta Brown's five things to get unpublished authors noticed.

(The picture is out the window of the room I stayed at in San Fran for the conference)

Friday Five- Restaurant Observations

Last night my dh and I went out to dinner as soon as he got off work. I had a meeting to go to and this way he got fed before 9pm when I returned home. There were several things I observed while at the restaurant. And you let me know if these are only writer traits or if non-writers do this as well.

1) Out of the five waitresses and two waiters I studied (yes not just watched) I found one female heroine quality and no real hero quality in the waiters. What do I mean? The waitress I saw as heroine quality smiled and visited with everyone whether they were her table or not. She wasn't beautiful, but she had a sparkle in her eye that make people smile back and respond. Even an old man that only glared at everyone else.

2) There was an interesting couple in another booth. He was built and looked (short cropped hair, square facial features) like a football player. She was taller than the guy, and outweighed him by 50 pounds. The whole time she looked uncomfortable and sad. He appeared to be trying to lift her spirits. Were they a couple? Friends? Siblings? Their dynamic had me what iffing.

3) A couple in their late 50's perhaps early 60's came in, their arms wrapped around each others waist. He was a couple inches shorter than her. They were thin and dressed like they spent a lot of time outdoors. My mind raced as they held hands while following the hostess to their table. Newlyweds? Rekindled love? besotted with one another? Just dating?

4) The manager was waaaay too young. He moved from table to table asking how the meal was. He was dress in dark slacks, blue buttoned-down collar shirt and tie. He had an immaculate hair cut and looked like a life sized Ken doll- only younger. How did he get a job as manager at such a young age? Was it his fastidiousness? His IQ? His people skills? His connections?

5) And I did what I believe every writer does in restaurants- I spent more time listening to the conversations in the booths around me than to my dh. ~shrug~ I can't help it. I love hearing the way people talk and the topics of conversations.

How do you spend your time in a restaurant? Visiting with the person or persons you came with or scoping out everyone esle?

I'm Back

I made it through a fast and furious week. I'm sorry I didn't have any blogs up here for you to read.
This week is all about getting ready for the RWA national conference in San Francisco next week. Due to my loss of a week last week, I have stuff to get sent to the person putting together the HHRW literacy raffle basket and put together all the freebies I'm giving away at the conference.

If you happen to be going to the conference, I'd love to have you stop by and say 'hi' at the literacy signing on Wednesday night. I'll even have chocolate! If you signed up to attend the Historical conference on Wednesday I'm teaching a class at 11:10 am and will be helping with the literacy signing the rest of the day.

I have my clothes for the conference decided on and have started packing the freebies and books. I'm glad I bought my airplane ticket so early because I can take two bags! Yes!! I need one just for books!

I have to mail some packages today and get copies of my handout for my class. This is a busy week! But I will be here both on Wednesday and Friday with blogs, and I'm hoping I'll be able to blog from Nationals!

What kind of plans do you have for this week?

Friday Five- things I've discovered this week

My FREE READ , Standoff For Love is available at www.thewildrosepress.com Hop over there and download a copy!

This has been a week of enlightenment and disappointment. Several of my RWA chapter mate's blogs on our blog, has got me to thinking and incidents that have occurred personally have been a disappointment.

So without further ado, here is my list-

1. I've discovered I can make it through a week with little to no writing getting done (due to outside influences) and not go entirely insane! I have been edgy wanting to write, but due to company, meetings, promo, and work related things, I've not written a single sentence on any WIP. Though I have done some research and made some connections for that.

2. While I am enjoying going to the gym and working out- it is taking away some writing time. Not sure if I'll stick it out after my two months- we'll see.

3. I'm having a milestone birthday next week, but I can't do what I want because my dh says we have to go to our other property and water the barley.

4. On the upside- one of the blogs this week on the chapter loop made me step back and rethink the next two Halsey brother books.

5. And Alice Sharpe's blog on Wednesday about how much is left on the cutting room floor from a movie and how we as writers need to bite the bullet and cut. Though if I cut too drastically, I'd have nothing left! LOL But it made me think harder about some scenes I had playing out in my head for the WIP. Are they necessary or are they just filler?

Did you have any AHA moments this week about yourself, work, family, writing, the weather??
If so share.

Friday Five- Things on my To Do list

It is beautiful here this morning! I'm so glad summer decided to come see us. I was getting tired of temps in the 40's and icicles under the sprinklers in the morning. I have a lot on my plate now and I seem to just keep adding to it! Both in my writing life and my normal life.

I had two successful chats this week! The Romance Book Junction chat on Wednesday night was fun. The ladies who joined me asked good questions and as always we got to talking about cowboy hunks! LOL Pretty much across the board we all swooned when talking about Sam Elliott's voice and Tom Selleck as a cowboy. Then on my all day chat yesterday with Brenda Williams Romance Party, we again got on the subject of cowboy hunks. Several mentioned Viggo Mortensen (sp) I don't go to or rent movies. All I ever see of movies these days are the trailers on TV so I haven't a clue who this guy is, but several ladies thought he was a hunk. So who do you think is or could be a hunky cowboy?

Well onto my five things- to do list.

1. Get the workshop I'm presenting at the Historical conference at RWA Nationals finalized. (Need to get it put in a power point)

2. Make more book thongs to give away with the books I donate to the Literacy signing. I bought ribbon with my name and website printed on it- but the beads I already had have too small of holes for the ribbon. ~sigh~

3. We (my dh and I) need to get a room finished we started. I'm tired of the mess!

4. Get busy on my latest WIP. I wrote 5,000 words this week, but I didn't have the chance to stay full throtle because of all the promoing this week . And my dad will be here all next week. I'm hoping he'll work on the above mentioned room and I can get some writing done!

5. Get my book trailer finished. Well it is but for some reason there is streaks in it when I play it. I think I need to redo it, then it should be ready. My brother and his son composed the music and I can't wait to get it looking good so I can put it out there for people to see.

Is there anything pressing in on you that you feel you need to get done? Is it something that will make you smile or leave you grunting and sweating while trying to accomplish the task?

Glorious Monday

Yes, for a brief time this morning the internet is working so you will get a blog from me today! Yeah!

I had a prolific weekend! I wrote over 3000 words on the WIP and wrote a 2500 word short story to submit to my publisher The Wild Rose Press for their Free Reads project. And today I am off to interview Bobby Mote a National Finals Champion bareback rider to get myself into the head of my hero for my next contemporary.

A head's up, you will be hearing a lot about my publisher this month because it is Cactus Rose and Yellow Rose lines month to promote. Since I have books published in both lines, I'll be passing along most of the events they have planned. the first being- A new series will be launched this month in the Cactus line. It's called "Earth Songs". Basically they are looking for stories 40,000 words or less with Native American hero, heroine or both that are set between 1870 and 1890 in the U.S. I've had a few ideas bouncing around in my head, but they will have to wait until I finish the first book of the western series, the next contemporary western and the next Halsey brother book. Whew! That made my tired just writing that! LOL

Besides my own onslaught of promotion this month to kick off the release of Outlaw in Petticoats, I will have a guest blogger on this blog on June 27th. I'll give more details as we get closer.

If one of my writing friends would like to guest blog here, just shoot me an e-mail. I'd love to have you!

My weekend was a flurry of yard work, cattle work, and not feeling 100%. But I'm better today and ready to get cracking on my writing.

How was your weekend and how is your June shaping up?

Friday Five- EDACE

Something I've discovered about myself- I can't write a blog or a book until I have a title! Silly I know, but that seems to be how my brain works. I was having trouble getting started on my current WIP until I came up with a title- one that most likely will change, but I had to have that title on the document and first page to be able to really sink into the story. Same goes when I blog. If I sit down and don't have any idea what I plan to blog about I can't just wing it and then title the blog. I sit there and stare at the blank screen until I put a title in the title box. Spooky. I'm not an anal person, so this has me perplexed.

Anyhoo, on to today's blog! I learned a new acronym last night during Eric Witchey's talk to my local writing group. It is something I have always done when writing, but it is always fun when you learn something new and can then pass it on to others.

EDACE- And the letters stand for:
E- Emotion
D- Decision
A- Action
C- Conflict
E- Emotion (new)

This is how every scene in a story should play out to keep the reader reading and the story moving toward the final climax. Depending on how large of a work you have, this repeats over and over again.

Like I said, I do this and have known about the format, but I learned the acronym last night and thought it was a fun way for people to remember how to put a story together.

Looks like we'll be headed off for the weekend after all. So Everyone have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

Friday Five- Things I learned about online chats

Yes, I missed the Wednesday blog. Traveled with my daughter and her three so she could fit the wedding dress she is making for her cousin. I was the designated driver and child entertainment while she worked.

I was a guest author on two reader loops this week. While I didn't mind doing them, I picked a poor week for it. When I scheduled the chats I didn't realize how much time my company would take up. I figured I could pop on and off during the day. But that didn't happen. Especially on Wednesday when I was out of town.

So my list of five things that I need to do before and during my June chats:

1) Make sure to let the loops I'm affiliated with know about the chats sooner than the day of. Due to my company I completely forgot to let people know where I was going to be.

2) Decide ahead of time what topics I plan to discuss.

3) Get my excerpts in a file so I can just copy and paste and not hunt, copy, and paste. :)

4) Have a give away per chat

5) Make sure my website is updated. My webmistress was visitng and tried to get my website up to date from here, but for some reason my computer wouldn't add the changes. So once she gets home it will be up and ready for next month's chats.

Have you participated in chats as either a guest or a reader? If so what made you ask questions and stay at the chat?

Promo Wednesday- How to write a bio

Writing a bio is a lot like writing an article for a newspaper, only the subject is yourself. Thinking of it as a newspaper article is easy, I've done several newspaper articles. But putting myself out there and not sounding like I'm bragging is hard. After perusing several different websites on the subject this is the info I've gathered that has helped me write a bio.

The very first thing you have to decide is: are you writing this bio because you are going to speak somewhere, you need a bio for your website, or to add to an article about your upcoming book signing or release?

If the bio is for a speaking engagement, you don't want it more than 2 or 3 sentences.
For an article, book signing, or press release, one paragraph 3-5 sentences is about right.
A bio for your website can be 3 or 4 SHORT paragraphs.

Always write a bio in third person. Like someone else has written it about you, using your name in place of I. Use your full name the first time, after that it's up to you whether you want to use your first name or your last name.

• first names are friendly and informal
• last names are formal and more distant
• consider where the bio will be used to determine which usage is best
• whatever you decide on, keep it consistent in that bio

Briefly highlight your main acheivements as they relate to the usage of the bio. Your achievements demonstrate your credibility. Don't over kill with a list like a resume. Only cover the high points.

A bio should address four points;

• who you are
• your expertise
• how your expertise relates to the usage of the bio
• contact information

Personal information is optional. Let your personality show. Bios don't have to be boring.

And that's what I've learned about writing bios and to tell the truth- I was going to post one of my bios and they are all too long! LOL So you see even while I used this information, I didn't follow the directions very well.

When was the last time you needed a bio and were you long winded?

Critique Partner's Book Released!!!

My long time Critique partner and online Bud has her first full length book available. Nicole McCaffrey's "The Model Man" is available in ebook at The Wild Rose Press.

As her CP I've read this book and told her it would be a hit. It came out on Friday and has already hit #1 at The Wild Rose Press list and has garnered two awesome reviews. You can see these reviews at: Simply romance Reviews and Coffee Time Romance

Way to go Nic!!!

Friday Five - Dialogue

We had an editor from Harvest House attend the Central Oregon Writers Guild meeting last night. He gave a talk on dialogue. Though I do most of what he was talking about, I thought I'd put down a few of the things that resonated with me.

1) Would the dialog be interesting enough for an eavesdropper to wonder about what is being said?

2)Let dialogue show the emotions.

3) Characters should talk to each other and not the reader.

4) Use "beats"* to show actions, define character, or vary the rythm of the dialogue.

5) Resist the urge to explain the dialogue. If you've written it well, there is no need to explain it in narrative. RUE

* A beat is a bit of action mixed in with the dialogue that you use rather than tags like he said.

The thing I like best about belonging to a writing group is no matter what the topic the speaker discusses I always either pick up a new little kernal of knowledge or I reinforce what I already know and do.

Promotion Wednesday

I decided to start making Wednesday the day I talk about promotion. I attended three workshops at the EPICon two weeks ago and I still have only implemented about a quarter of the things they said to do. There is only so much time in a day. The easy ones were the items relevant to my website. I just sent an e-mail to my webmistress. (my much smarter than me daughter).

I did start a facebook, though I'm at a loss of how it really works. I've been friending authors and readers at Romance Book Junction. Now I need to start being a guest on blogs and try to put together a virtual book tour for my June release.

These are just a few of the things I learned at the workshops. Next week I'll talk about making a book trailer. Something that I plan to do also for my next release.

As a reader how much promotion really draws you to an author or their book? As an author how much promotion do you feel is necessary to promote your books?

Lots to do

I'm doing revisions on Miner in Petticoats, readign through my CP's comments and tigthening that story so it will be ready to send to my editor when she's ready. I'm also putting together a new contemporary story and brewing a historical series idea in my head.

On thing I can say, I never lack for something swirling in my head! LOL As ideas, thoughts, and snippets of dialog come to me I let them ferment and if they are good, I write them down so I have them when I start writing. I have the first chapter written for the contemporary and I found my starting point for the historical.

I also have to get an online class put together for the Hearts Through History RWA online chapter I belong to and offered to do a class on different Characters of the West.

That's what's on my agenda for this week. Hope you all have a good one! What are your plans for the week? Anything exciting? Or the same old routine?

Friday Five - My book process

Hmmm... I had several ideas last night and now this morning- I'm running blank. I thought about my five book series, but you all are probably bored to tears over me talking about my books. So instead I'll talk about the process of writing a book.

1) The first thing I do is either come up with a character or characters or a situation. Then I do what I like to call stew and brew. The characters start moving around in my head, having conversations and the plot(situation) starts forming in my head as well.

2) I do a simple GMC (goal, motivation, conflict) chart outlining those items for each character and I write down all the pertinent information that has been gathering in my head.

3) Then I start the research. If it's a historical I gather books about the time, place, and other things pertinent to the story. If it's a contemporary, I gather the needed information.

4)With all the stewing and brewing, I figure out the best place/way to start the book, and then I begin writing when that scene comes to me.

5) This is the new process for me. I'm going to write a synopsis before the book is finished. It's something I need to practice and have decided now is the time to do it.

That is my process when I begin writing a book. With the latest one I have skipped around. I still need to do more research, but I'm waiting for a person I need to interview to get back in my area. Once he's here, and I can pump him full off questions- I can sit down and start writing this book. That's something I can't wait to do! In the meantime, I'm polishing "Miner in Petticoats" so it will be ready to go to my editor when she asks for it.

So how are your plans shaping up? Are you getting ready for Spring Break, or just looking forward to warmer weather and more time to do things outside? If you are a writer, what is your process to start a book?

Perfectly Good Nanny - EPPIE WINNER!

I attended the EPICon - Electronic Publishing Industries annual conference this past weekend. My contemporary western book "Perfectly Good Nanny" had been chosen as a finalist in their contest. But I had already signed up to attend the conference, since it was only a 3 hour drive from my home , before I found out I was a finalist.

I arrived in Portland, OR at 9 am on Friday morning, set out my books in the book store and sat in on the end of the annual meeting. Then I attended an awesome workshop by Penny Sansevieri, owner of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. She had lots of great information about using your websites and blogs for marketing and how to "use" the internet to capture more readers. Then we had lunch where I met up with two of my RWA chapter members, Jim and Barbara and sat with a Wild Rose Press Editor, Rene Stephens. The keynote speaker was the owner of Powell's Book store in the Pearl District in Portland. He was entertaining and had some interesting statistics. That afternoon I taught a workshop on "Looking For Romance, what you need in your book to keep an editor and a reader turning the pages". Jim and Barbara attended, giving me moral support and someone to take some pictures! The day ended with a gathering of TWRP authors and editors.

Saturday started with a leisurely continental breakfast, then a class on how to make a book trailer, which I found interesting and believe I could tackle. Then another class from Penny which again was very beneficial. In the afternoon I attended a Publisher panel and then walked through the Lloyd Center Mall. I purchased two belts for a whopping $3.98! I love when there are sales on top of sales! But I was suckered in by a nice young woman who was at a kiosk in the mall. She used a product on the underside of my wrist that left my skin soft and smooth. She offered me the product at an ungodly price and I flat out told her I wasn't worth it. She didn't like that answer. As we had already discussed she couldn't take off my fingernail polish because it was there to go with my outfit for the awards ceremony, she told me her boyfriend was a screen writer and had her back reading again. She wanted to know about my books and took down the titles and my name and I ended up buying her product at a reduced price. ~sigh~ But I was radiant at the awards ceremony just like she promised! LOL

After dressing up, I headed down to the area for the before the dinner/ceremony champagne and hors dourves and met up with Genene and Chris from my chapter. Then Jim and Barbara showed up and we had a nice little gathering. Chris was also a finalist in the contest. So she and I stood there sipping champagne and sparkling cider hashing out how many times we'd been finalists and never won. And come to find out it was her first final, but I'd finaled quite a few times and never won. When they opened the doors for dinner, Jim commandeered a table close to the door and the stage. Which got us the food first and made it easy to hear the hilarious emcee they had. Genene giggled all night!

I was lucky, my category came up third on the program. When the announcer walked up to the podium with two trophies everyone was whispering, "A tie, must have been a tie". And my heart hammered thinking, More of a chance! She read off the finalist and then The Winners are: Paty Jager and Liana Laverntz. I stood, handed Jim my camera and went up on the stage. Now I know what people mean when they say it felt like a dream. I thanked the judging committee for all their work on the contest and made a comment about the proof of the talent at The Wild Rose Press with two of their authors tying for the award, and walked off holding my trophy. I sat at the table and the butterflies left my stomach. I still couldn't believe I'd won, but was relieved the wait was over. We laughed some more and waited for Chris' category, she didn't win, but was happy to have finaled. The owner of All Romance eBooks, Barbara Perfetti, was at our table. After the ceremony she handed me a bottle of champagne to celebrate with. Since we still have bottles in our barn from our wedding, 29 years ago, I gave the bottle to Chris.

Even as the award sits on my desk, I still have to pinch myself, then I grin like a kid in a candy shop. I still can't believe it, but it makes me feel like I'm finally legitimate.

Thank you everyone who along the way has encouraged, helped me out when my stories were going no where, and believed in me. It was all of you who kept me writing! This award is for you too!