It's my Process and I'll Cry if I want To

Did you miss me? I've been... 'defining my process' - don't want to have to burn the book. I've heard the term for years but only recently have I discovered how it applies to me. How did I suddenly wind up with so many manuscripts in need of revision? You know how you set wips aside to work on much later (or bury them in your neighbor's backyard) then you have some epiphany that causes you to start thinking of ways to resurrect it?

I just finished the first pass through TR, my paranormal/romance/ mystery/ psychological crime thriller. Just kidding! Though it does have all those elements. Last week I mentioned that I've been listening to some great workshops on re-writing, revising, replotting, by any name, you get the gist.

Having arrived at a certain point in my writing - a few finished manuscripts under my belt, a couple contests entered, some submissions, (and um, rjs) I was looking for the next step. How to make those stories stronger before resubmitting to another publisher or agent. With the Moonlight and Magnolias conference coming up in October, I want to make the best of my opportunities. Some process besides just reading it and re-reading, doing line-edits, hoping for some inspiration to hit.

Writers have different ideas about rewriting the rough draft or revising stale manuscripts. Some go right at the plot, tweaking the story, scene by scene, looking at Goal, Motivation and Conflict. Some think the gramatics (is that a word?) or the prose is the key. But no matter the genre - romantic suspense, fantasy, screenwriting, inspirational - or the writer, Anna DeStefano, Michael Hauge, Jim Butcher, Lisa Gardner, Linda Hall, or Bill Kirton, I found threads of wisdom running through each of their processes and advice.

Characterization makes the plot sing. My words but that's essentially it. Anna DeStefano calls the re-working of the rough draft re-CRAFTING. 'Planning the characters in advance allows the writer to know how the characters will live the plot'. She says the secret to re-crafting the rough draft lies in understanding the characters better. 'Re-craft the heroine.' She suggests going through the manuscript for one or two features at a time like POV of the Protagonist. Read just those scenes. Do you understand the entire story through the Protag's viewpoint? She should either be in a scene or reacting to another character's scene.

Bill Kirton said 'stories rely on credible characters'. Donald Maass' book The Fire in Fiction is a study of character motivation.
Hauge talks about the Desire of the character driving the story forward and the five stages of the plot. Lisa Gardner looks at turning points, making sure the story is progressing at each point. Linda Hall says 'the story boils down to one line - The Heroine (Protagonist) has a problem.' ( CREATE MORE OBSTACLES. Know your characters' internal conflict.)

This all reflects my own gut feeling about my manuscripts - I need to know my characters better. So I'm delving back into the character work via the little Snowflake program which has a great character questionaire. Then I'll re-readn to see what other paths they take with my new understanding of their desires and motives.

One of the most encouraging things Ms. DeStefano said was, "It's all part of the process. Even a cruddy first draft. Get used to it." She said if you don't love your baby, you won't want to spend the time with it required to make it great. Again, the re-writing should be creative and not a chore - you are still in the imagination phase of the project. I like that.

Besides all That

This morning, Bill Kirton mentioned some of the hazards of being a writer. If you need a laugh, read this most surprising and thought provoking blog on having a relationship with your vitamins and toilet paper. You won't be sorry. I'd love to experience more of that particular hazard - a soaring imagination.

For the last couple of years I've had a different issue. That of the writing/typing arm hurting and going to sleep. Between, writing, using the computer, playing the guitar and delivering the mail, my write arm hurts all the time and goes to sleep very easily, staying asleep most of the night. Numb, not just nighty night. I'm using my left arm when I remember, for like, drinking coffee, brushing my teeth. It seems odd.

I asked my supervisor if the postal service would pay for me to go to the doctor because it's been much worse since the holidays. He said, nah, they will just say you can't do the job anymore, 'maybe you should quit'. I said, "Remind me again why anyone would want this job? No benefits, lots of the heavy mail days, extreme wear and tear on the personal vehicle, the necessity to be on call 24 hours a day, and very little chance of going full time (especially now that they are considering a five day work week).

I finished my manuscript Sunday handwriting approximately 15,000 words so I sat down today to start typing them into the computer. My arm went numb while I was typing so I had a brainstorm. I pulled out my Dragon Naturally Speaking program, reprogrammed it and began dictating. I will have to spring for the newer and Mac version of this software but I think this will be the solution to my problem of writing the MS twice. And for transcribing my dictated notes from my digital recorder. I'll let you know how it goes. I should have the upgrade tomorrow and will get back on the MS Friday.

Mammy's Cupboard, a Natchez attraction on my route.

Fun news! I have another singing gig Friday at a B&B in Natchez, MS across the river. Natchez has a month long event called Pilgrimage which draws tourists from all over the world. Years ago I had a tour guide job at this fabulous antebellum home decorated with antiques from all over the world, including wall paper on the dining room walls saved from some cave in Europe. They extend the March pilgrimage season with music festivals, art festivals, and tours of the antebellum homes. I'm the entertainment for one of them Friday afternoon. It should be fun!

Longwood
An unfinished octagonal multi story home is one of the favorite homes on tour.

Natchez, Mississippi - a wonderful place to visit. It will remind you of a smaller, cleaner, cooler New Orleans. Come see us!

Favorite Reads of 2009

Leah Braemel's blog reminded me that I have read some fantastic books this year, several that I'd like to mention here. First, the one that I am currently listening to on audiobook (and dragging it out as far as I can) is Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind, a fantasy about a storyteller told by a brilliant storyteller. I was captured from the first page. Honestly, I might not have ever found this book if Michael M hadn't suggested it. I absolutely hate for it to end. So much so that I'll probably go buy the hard back now and re-read it until book two comes out. Read an excerpt or find out more here

I simply cannot do this book justice so I'll give you a blurb from his publisher.

Told in classic high fantasy style, THE NAME OF THE WIND is a masterpiece that carries a fresh and earthy originality all its own. It transports the reader to the interior of a wizard's mind and to the world that helped create him. It is the story of a legendary hero and the truth that lies behind his legend. But Rothfuss also shows us how a hero can become ensnared in the very mythology he himself has brought to life.

To find a writer of great craft and breathtaking vitality is a rare occurrence. Patrick Rothfuss is that rarity. He will capture you with the power of Kvothe's story and the robust beauty of his writing. Join me in welcoming a writer who will rank with Tad Williams, George R. R. Martin, Terry Goodkind, Robert Jordan, and Terry Brooks. Exciting and rousing, intimate and personal, THE NAME OF THE WIND doesn't just describe what it is to be heroic, it is heroic.

Book Two - I hope - will be out before the August 2010 date on Borders. It's called The Wise Man's Fear.

I blogged last month about the fourth book in my favorite fantasy series, Queen of Song and Soul by C.L. Wilson. Please, if you love fantasy, pick up the first book - Lord of Fading Lands - and give it a go.

Last year I found several new authors - new to me.

Jim Butcher - I started with the latest which is still the best, then started back with number one. The Harry Dresden series.
Jeaniene Frost - Night Huntress, a different sort of vampire.
Charlaine Harris - the Sookie books and her Harper Connelly series

Bill Kirton - Material Evidence, really excellent crime fiction by a erudite Scot who knows alot about writing. If you don't believe it check out his blog I plan to look for book two in that series on my trip to D.C.
Keri Arthur the Riley Jensen books

I mentioned the trip. As soon as I'm done with work on Monday, I'll finish packing and Tuesday I'm off to my hometown, the burbs of D.C. I'm packing nothing but sweats since it's supposed to be cold the ten days of my visit.

So stay warm, stay safe, be a little bit ridiculous, and have a very good start to 2010!

Cool, an Award!

My Award..
Thank you, thank you. I appreciate it, Michael. Though I'm not supposed to -I notice there's been some variation in following the rules - I must plug your blog again. I'm looking forward to checking out the blogs on your site and Bill's.

May Contain Nuts the place for witty, touching, scathing, and often enlightening posts, news-worthy pictures, and insights on fatherhood. 'kay, that one doesn't count as a nominee.

The fine print that came with the award:

1. Thank the person who nominated you.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting – or that they don't know.
5. Nominate 7 Kreative Bloggers. (Two of them new to you.)
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

7 things about me...

1. I can shoot the head off a snake.
2. I once sang to actor/singer Kris Kristofferson and boxer, Muhammed Ali at a casual picnic near here when they were filming Freedom Road. Boyfriend whose hero was Ali thought it was a setup so he didn't go. They sent him an autographed note, "Thanks, CFM, we sure enjoyed your girlfriend's singing." LOLOLOL
3. I wanted to be the first woman astronaut or at least an F-14 tomcat pilot.
4. I love sports, especially Football!!
5. My favorite trip was to Scotland. It felt like home.
6. I believe everyone should be treated with respect until they demonstrate they don't deserve it. Then...
7. I lived in a penthouse overlooking the skyline of Atlanta for three months. AWESOME!

My choices for the Kreativ Award.

Watch how it's done in living color at Chickens in the Road. Even if you could care less about farms or cooking, check out writer Suzanne McMinn's Farmhouse Table beautifully photographed 'how-to cook it' on each recipe as well as Suzanne's awesome photographs and videos of her life on the West Virginian farm and her intimate relationships (with chickens, goats, cats, kids) This particular link has pictures of a castle and her scone recipe. She's obviously part farm animal.

Mystery author, Bill Kirton, who's blog I recently discovered. Living, Writing and Other Stuff See that one doesn't count either cause he's already been Kreativvvved.

A couple new ones, both from the UK and very entertaining. Guys, check out this one - Gary Davidson's blog. Then answer this question: Do guys really like that 'look' er, uh, build? (I think I know the answer.)

And The Witty Ways of a Wayward Wife, Funny stuff.


Danielle Baer is a writer who lives in Texas. She has a busy job but still manages to post a couple times a week, better than I've done lately.

Cadence Denton, my friend and CP, has an entertaining blog. As soon as she finishes her manuscript (next week I'm sure) you'll have to give hers a spin.

DaydreamLily This is one of the most artistic blogs I've seen - by a young woman in Melbourne.

Leah Braemel, blogs about living in a houseful of men and has guest writers once a week..

Now to go contact these KRE ATE iv bloggers.