Kay

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

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

Kay

I don’t like authors who bash other authors’ books, movies etc. I want to write a positive review, yet be constructive with criticism. So here goes…

The scenery/setting in the movie is spectacular. If you’re an armchair traveler who dreams of faraway places but can’t afford the plane ticket (like me!), pay the movie fee, sit in the air-conditioned theater seat with a bucket of yummy popcorn and enjoy not having your baggage lost. Italy (a place I hope to return to one day) was gorgeous. Bali spectacular. India peaceful. And let’s face it, Julia’s character’s male counterparts in the movie weren’t at all bad to look at. Julia even meets another woman searching for herself in Italy and they have some fun moments involving ‘muffin tops’ any gal can laugh at and appreciate no matter her age.

Cons? Well, I’m the practical sort. If you’ve read my blog you know that about me. So my dislike of the movie? Had her character (based on a real book) not made certain choices etc, grown up, and just been an adult, none of the story would have taken place. Nuff said.

Despite the air-conditioning and the fantastic popcorn (of which I ate entirely too much and added to my own muffin top *sigh*), I found myself very aware of time and anticipating the moment I could get up and leave. That’s not a good sign. But the female character wasn’t someone I wanted to hang out with. She was too immature and too indecisive, making all the wrong decisions despite the impact those decisions had on her. Yes, some might argue she needed her one-year trip to grow up–or she could’ve used the money to hire a good shrink and sworn off sex or relationships until she wised up as a 30-40 something woman really ought to.

Julia Roberts? She’s fantastic. The scenery–unbelievable. The guys? HOT. The movie? Eh. If it’s really hot outside and you have a couple plus hours to kill, go for it. Otherwise, save your money. It’ll be on Lifetime soon.

Or as I overheard one lady say to her friend as they left the theater, “The book is always better.”

Kay

Anyway, I was thinking of my work schedule, time, kids, family, household chores etc and wondering if sitting down and actually marking off a time-lined calendar would increase my productivity. Granted, I’d have to stick as close to the time alloted as I could but… Hmm…. For those of you who work at home, have you tried this method before? Does it work for you? With school getting ready to start and me being able to have a normal routine again, I’m all up for trying to make the most of my time. Yesterday was proof I could write in a loud, distracting place. I should certainly be able to do it in a quiet one like my home.

Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter for your chance to win two awesome books by two awesome authors! See below for titles.

Kay

Kay

I spent the day alternately running my fam here and there to appointments and practices and plugging my plot points into Scrivener. I’m sooo ready to dive into a new story. Scarlet is ready, too. Can’t you tell?

But I also want to READ. I miss reading and don’t get to do nearly enough of it.

So, question of the day-what are you reading right now???? How many books do you read at a time? One? More?

Kay

During the literacy signing the beautiful and talented Nalini Singh stopped by to say hello. I met Nalini a few years ago when we kept running into each other at a conference and finally introduced ourselves. She is such a nice lady!

Before the signing started, I ran out to snag a pic. This is a very, VERY small portion of the line waiting outside for the official opening of the doors.

A pic of yours truly at the lit signing.

Here’s a pic of the literacy signing from my side of the ballroom. Those sitting are authors, those standing readers!

But then we get to Nora Roberts’ line, which like the Energizer Bunny, keeps going…

And going…

Hope you enjoyed the pics. More to come later!!!

Kay