Sad for you that you are now forced to contrast my first entry with Laurie's. Between some personal life upheaval and a cold/flu bug my preschooler and I have been battling for more than three weeks now, I have just weathered my first extended writing drought in three years.
Action!
Actions we've taken as writers. Where are we? What are we doing?
The good news is I have been easing back into it and plan to seriously get down to business tomorrow. I too am sadly, sadly behind on my Ruby-Slippered Sisterhood Winter Writing Festival (WWF) goals. (Even sadly-er, I AM a Ruby-Slippered Sister!)
So, goal for tomorrow: Finish rereading the science book that helped inspire my first novel (Ghost Planet) in preparation for starting revisions. I get much of my inspiration from science books, and I tell you, Symbiotic Planet by biologist Lynn Margulis (who was once married to Carl Sagan) is a fascinating read. (By the way, the title similarity was just a fun coincidence!)
The Squeeze
Writers are sponges when it comes to soaking up writing tips and tricks. Here's where we squeeze out our sponges for the week.
This may be cheating a bit, but thought I'd point to a post I wrote for the Ruby blog in mid-January: New Year's Resolution for Pantsers. Having finally learned to embrace my own process (or lack thereof), I wrote this post as a sort of group therapy for pantsers. I shared some of my own tools for maintaining sanity while pantsing, as well as some quotes from a favorite pantser who presented a workshop at RWA. There was some lively discussion in the comments.
Also, an excellent post on high concept that Laurie called to my attention: Want to Get High (Concept)?. Very worthwhile.
And this, because I still laugh out loud every single time I read it (and we all need more of that):
Offended By Rank Objectification of Writers
Ping Pong
We'll comment back to our co-bloggers on things they've posted on their journals.
Terrific first journal entry, Laurie. I ALWAYS learn something from your Spacefreighters posts.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Mission Success Inaugural Post!
Laurie's Journal
Action!
Actions we've taken as writers. Where are we? What are we doing?
We’re coming up rapidly on our blog’s 25,000th Hit Bash! We’d like to make this an epic event--translate that prizes and surprises!--so watch for upcoming announcements.
I was pretty much being left in the solar dust on my Ruby-Slippered Sisterhood Winter Writing Festival (WWF) making only about half my point goal, but…the exercise helped me refocus on writing and my goals after lollygagging for a month coming off a wonderful St. Martin vacation. WWF did it’s job well. Now I need to get busy and do mine!
There's one thing I'm really looking forward to for some gourmet muse food. Firefly is coming back to Science channel on March 6! As if that's not great news enough, the episodes will include commentary on the technological aspects by Dr. Michio Kaku. Read more here. Love seeing his documentaries on Discovery channel (or is it History channel?) Either way, he’s awesome and this is bound to give me all sorts of twinkle-in-my-eye ideas for my novels. There’s also some major rumblings on the web about fans buying the rights to Firefly, and the possibility of new episodes or a new movie. Dare we dream? But of course! You can't take the sky from me. If you’re a Browncoat, be sure to check out Firefly Video Section (Shrine) on this blog's sidebar.
Discoveries
New authors, cool web sites, great resources, great workshops, great online sites!
New publisher! Black Opal Books opened its virtual doors in February 2011 and is currently seeking submissions. According to their web site, royalties start at 45% for both digital and print published books and “we’re accepting all romance genres, including paranormal and erotic, and also YA. In addition, we’re accepting novels and novellas that aren’t romances, but have strong romantic elements.” Their current offerings are priced at $5.99. Worth a look! [Disclaimer: We can not make recommendations concerning any publishers. As with all business pursuits, do your homework before signing a contract.]
In the Science discovery department: Our solar system may have a mysterious ninth planet! The news was all the buzz on the net since February 15th. Pluto was once considered the ninth planet, but was downgraded to a planetoid in recent years. This new ninth planet which, if it exists, is estimated to be four times the mass of Jupiter, has been named Tyche (pronounced Tie-key) and its existence could account for orbital anomalies in comets that may have caused mass extinctions in the past. If Tyche is really there, she lurks wayyy out in the Oort Cloud—which is made up of billions of comets at the very fringes of our solar system. In fact, Tyche would be so far away that the two Voyager spacecraft launched in the fall of 1977, and now traveling for almost 33 years, are not even a tenth of the distance to the Oort cloud. Our solar system is a big place! There are also other theories our Sun may have an invisible brown dwarf companion named Nemesis causing the orbital anomalies. In mythology, Nemesis and Tyche were sisters. Fitting names then, aren't they? Neither of these bodies would emit or reflect enough light to be visible on Earth, so proof of existence lies in mathematics. Scientists are awaiting more data that might prove if Tyche exists…or if it’s just a statistical fluke.
The Squeeze
Writers are sponges when it comes to soaking up writing tips and tricks. Here's where we squeeze out our sponges for the week.
The Rhubarb Replacement. Say what? This is a great trick I learned via word of mouth. When you're blazing through your first draft and you stumble headfirst into something you need to research or flesh out, don't let your internal editor put the brakes on your muse stampede. Just type Rhubarb (or some other key word that you're not likely to use in your manuscript) and continue making that keyboard smoke. After you've kicked out a first draft in record time, use the search function to find all those "Rhubarbs" so you can take all the time you need to plump up your manuscript with additional details. You can also give yourself cues what you need to focus on by adding a descriptor after each Rhubarb, such as: Rhubarb setting, Rhubarb weapon, Rhubarb costume, Rhubard...well, you get the idea.
Pssst!
The latest buzz. Submission calls. New publishers. Industry changes. Inspirational sayings or quotes for writers. And our take on them.
I am thrilled to announce that one of my (non Spacefreighters co-blogger) critique partners, Barbara Elsborg, had a free short story pubished by Ellora’s Cave-- Saying Yes -- hit #1 on Amazon’s Kindle’s Erotica Fiction list on Valentine’s Day! (And it’s still #1 as of this writing many days later!) I truly have talented, talented IPs!
Great quote: You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. - Maya Angelou
Bookshelf
Books we're reading and mini-reviews. Writers must read voraciously. Sometimes we find gems in the literary universe or sometimes certain elements of a book really speak to us (and our muses). Do we know about book giveaways? A big debut? We'll dish on those.
I’m reading ENEMY WITHIN by Marcella Burnard. A SFR, of course! It took about 50 pages before I was totally on the hook, but now I see why this book was an RT Top Pick and has garnered so many other kudos. Right now, I’m dwelling on a sightseeing opportunity in the story. So beautifully described that my head pictures are visually stunning.
Next up: Heather Massey’s ONCE UPON A TIME IN SPACE. One of the MCs is a decendant of Christopher Columbus. Earth is a scorched wasteland. What’s not to love? Heather's SFR novel debuts this week! Look for more about Heather--aka mission commander for The Galaxy Express--and her debut in a future post.
Happenings
Events, conferences, cons as well as Facebook, Twitter and blog events.
One of my peers, mystery and paranormal mystery author Connie Shelton, is giving away Kindle e-readers in random drawings each month--11 in all! All you need to do to be eligible is sign up for her newsletter here: http://www.connieshelton.com/. The next Great Kindle Giveaway is coming up this week! If you have friends who love reading, please forward this information on. (I'm one of Connie's subscriber and I can tell you she doesn't swamp your inbox with repeated mailings, just once or twice a month with news and announcements.) Connie Shelton is an Amazon.com bestselling author. Some of the titles in her Charley Parker series include Vacations Can Be Murder, Honeymoons Can Be Murder, and Reunions Can Be Murder.
And this via author Gail Koger: Whispers Publishing will be celebrating their five-year anniverary--with prizes!--today, February 28th. Click here to go to their site for the festivities.
Ping Pong
We'll comment back to our co-bloggers on things they've posted on their journals.
Since this is our first Mission Success post, there isn't yet a ping I can pong. Looking forward to my coblogger's journal entries later this week.
--Laurie A. Green
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Six Sentence Sunday Celebration!
Six Sentence Sunday is celebrating its one year anniversary in a big way! This weekly writing exercise, where participants post six sentences from a current novel or work in progress, has grown into a very popular event with approximately 70 participating members.
To celebrate, creator Sara Brookes has organized the participants to offer some fabulous giveaways, with a chance to win awarded to those who comment on their blogs this week. To access the Six Sentence Sunday site with a link list of participants, just click the icon above. To tempt you, here's a peek at the wonderful offerings.
eBook of choice from backlist - Sara Brookes
eBook copy of Healing Hearts - Taryn Kincaid
Print copy of The Doctor's Deception - Kathleen Grieve
Autographed copy of Not Without Risk - Sarah Grimm
$10 eBook Bucks from AllRomanceebooks.com & OmniLit.com - Jessica Subject
Choice of backlist - Rebecca Royce
Autographed copy of Damaged Cargo (see website for blurb) - Sandra Sookoo
$10 ebucks and an ecopy of When A Mullo Loves A Woman via All Romance - Joanne Kenrick
$10 Amazon Gift Card - Lisa Fox
$5 gift certificate at MuseItUp Publishing Bookstore - Marsha Moore
$5 gift certificate to MuseItUp Publishing's bookstore - Krista D Ball
eBook copy of Copy of Uniform Behaviour - Lucy Felthouse
eBook of Southern Comfort - Eve Cassidy
eBook copy of Stolen Dreams - Stacey Kennedy
eBook copy of Heart of Stone - Dee Carney
eBook copy of Blood Kin - Ashlynn Monroe
Autographed copy of 2011 EPIC Award finalist Ride the Lighting - Lex Valentine
Autographed copy of 2011 EPIC finalist, Picture This, and beaded book thong - Cate Masters
Book of choice from the Decadent Publishing Library - Ann Mayburn
eBook copy of Room 11 - Dawne Prochilo
eBook copy of Elora's Match - Liia White
eBook or paperbook copy of Rock Bound - Rochelle Weber
ebook copy of Lair of the Jaguar God - Marie Dees
Hot Spanish Nights Coffee Mug - Bianca Swan
eBook copy of Fine Print - Alanna Coca
Copy of Two is Twice as Nice by - Emily Cale
Copy of Goodbye Scrooge and Permanent Ink - Jaime Samms
eBook copy of Love&Chocolate Anthology - Charmaine Gordon
Two eBooks from Leigh Ellwood's catalog - Leigh Ellwood
eBook copy of Shades of Gray and Legacy of Ghosts - Joleene Naylor
Choice of backlist - Gem Sivad
eBook of 2010 New Asian Writing Short Story Anthology, THE RAGE OF A NEW ANCESTOR - J C Martin
eBook copy of Eostre's Hare - Arlene Webb
eBook copies of first two Blood-Vine series books - Christa Paige
eBook copy of Montana Belle or Forget-Me-Not - Linda Morris
Come join the fun! Six Sentence Sunday Anniversary Celebration.
Want to learn more about how Six Sentence Sunday works? Click here.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Announcing Our New Series
Introducing our new joint writers' journal--MISSION: SUCCESS!
Two heads are better than one, but a trio is 30% more!
As co-bloggers we're each following our own path to publication and authorly success. Along the way, we're info-magnets gathering a plethora of news, information, techniques, experiences and research sites we'd like to share with other writers and authors. Our mission plan is to post once a week on things we've learned, sites we've visited, workshops we've attended, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, as we journey from aspiring writers to published authors.
Join us on Monday for the kickoff. We also hope sometime next week we'll have some REALLY BIG NEWS! Really! Big! News! We're so excited!
Here are some of the topics we'll discuss. Just like a personal journal, our entries could be a couple of sentences or a 1,500 word dissertation. Topics may include (in no particular order):
Action!
Actions we've taken as writers. Where are we? What are we doing? What's in the works? Are we guest blogging? Participating in other authors booksignings, interviews or book launch events? Of course we may not be able to disclose career moves in detail (we'll save our thunder for big announcements!) but it's always fun to compare notes with each other and other writers.
Discoveries
New authors, cool web sites, great resources, great workshops, great online sites!
The Squeeze
Writers are sponges when it comes to soaking up writing tips and tricks. Here's where we squeeze out our sponges for the week. What's deep POV? What's theme? What's one great idea we heard in the last week? To be a writer is to be enrolled in one heckuva continuing education program. We'll share things we've learned.
Pssst!
The latest buzz. Submission calls. New publishers. Industry changes. Inspirational sayings or quotes for writers. And our take on them.
Bookshelf
Books we're reading and mini-reviews. Writers must read voraciously. Sometimes we find gems in the literary universe or sometimes certain elements of a book really speak to us (and our muses). Do we know about book giveaways? A big debut? We'll dish on those.
Happenings
Events, conferences, cons as well as Facebook, Twitter and blog events.
Ping Pong
We'll comment back to our co-bloggers on things they've posted on their journals.
Sound good? We hope so. And just as a bonus, we'll offer some random giveaways and free fun stuff from time to time.
Hope to see you here.
~*~
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