I hope you have a safe and happy holiday. Anyone doing anything fun???

Kay

Do you have a hidden talent? Are you sure???

I’m asking because our family seems to be full of people with hidden talents, some of them more socially acceptable than others! LOL

My son, for instance. Having not had an art class since, oh, fifth grade, I think? He’s taking art in high school–and can draw. Really draw! Unlike, ahem, his mother who draws might fine stick people.

My brother-in-law is a really good singer. But no one even knew he COULD sing (much less sing WELL) until a few years ago when he was asked to join a group at church.

So what about you? Any hidden talents you’d like to share with us? Come on, we won’t tell!

Kay

Yeah, the title isn’t great. I could be talking about anything today. But I’m talking about synopses–because that’s what I’m working on at the moment.

I have four upcoming releases and a special project I’m working on. The special project is nearly finished, I’ve written two-point-five of my four-book contract, and am working on synopses for yet another new series.

Already? you may be asking.

Yes. One, you gotta get the words down when they flow and here lately they’ve been flowing well. Must be all the rain we’ve gotten. Two, your agent (or you) can’t shop what she doesn’t have in hand.

So one of the questions I’ve been asked several times lately is:: how do I write something from nothing? How do I turn a kernel of an idea into a story, much less capsulize the story in a synopsis my agent can sell?

Well, the answer is: it’s not easy. (Hey, I didn’t promise a response you’d like! ) But if you’re interested in how I do it, keep reading.

My stories to come to me in pieces, like a puzzle. I usually get an image in my head, maybe a snippet of dialogue. And like any good puzzle worker who knows those pieces are important, I set them aside (write them down) for later and pray more come to me. Usually they do, just not as fast as I’d like them to. Eventually those puzzle pieces? They turn into a movie for me. Growing up I (as well as most writers if you ask them) could easily entertain myself. All I had to do was go play with the puzzles in my head. (Yes, as my parents will attest to, I was a strange child with my nose always buried in a book. Heh. I was researching even then, what can I say? )

What do the characters look like? Sound like? Where do they live? Those are the basic puzzle pieces and all those little bits of pieces I get eventually form scenes with setting, characters, and dialogue. Then come the inner edge pieces that’s a little more difficult. What do they want? Do they have goals? Conflicts? What’s keeping them from getting what they want?

Now we’re getting into the confusing middle of the puzzle, where several pieces could go this way or that (twists and turns???) and we have to decide whether or not to give up–or nibble a chip off and make things really interesting.

Every puzzle piece is a layer, one that takes you deeper into your story, into your characters, into their EMOTIONS. Heh. I love that word. Wanna make things complicated? Toss irrational, live-by-the-gut emotions into the mix and watch your characters struggle to work things out. Now you’re getting somewhere.

But what do you do with it? WRITE IT DOWN. The first draft might not make sense. The second draft, either, for that matter. But once you get those bits of the puzzle down on paper they will eventually begin to form the best of all puzzles–your book. And if those pieces are coming to you quickly and you’re typing away? Don’t stop. A lot of time that quick rush of writing will lead you to the best, most fabulously emotional writing. The kind I really, really like.

The difference between a writer and an author?

The author didn’t give up and quit when the puzzle pieces got confusing.

No one ever said writing would be easy. But for most of us, a calling is a calling. Have you received a lot of rejections? Well, so have the rest of us. You’re either in or you’re out. But only you can decide whether you’re a writer–or strictly a reader (whom we LOVE!) .

Kay

Anyone notice any changes around the ol’ website? Please take a look around, click on the links and report any problems or issues. We tried to clean things up, simplify the busy-ness of the site but still have lots of info for you. Some of the pages are the same but content will be updated soon.

Kay

Love free books? One of my lucky newsletter subscribers will receive a copy of J.D. Robb’s BIG JACK and Amanda Quick’s THE PERFECT POISON. Sign up before Aug. 31 (addies are not shared/current subscribers already entered) for your chance to win books by these awesome authors! Please share!

Kay