The imploding middle

Larissa talked the other day about the process of revision. While I’m writing a book, I often take wrong turns. My gut starts to cringe with each new page and I realize then that it’s going off track. The problem is, knowing what and how to fix it. Inevitably it’s the characters’ feelings and motivations. In my first draft, I don’t develop those enough and then before I know it, I have a careening trainwreck on wheels, posing as a novel.:shocked: I have to keep slapping myself, saying, “It’s a romance, you idiot. You’ve, um, kind of left out the ROMANCE part!”

So tonight I’ve put on the brakes and I’m printing out what I have so far. Until I’ve fixed the first third, the second third isn’t going anywhere. :hissyfit: I’m hoping this won’t be too terribly painful. Otherwise chocolate in vast quantities will be consumed. Reality tv will be watched. And there will be much gnashing of teeth.

I was laughing at some of the other Harlequin Historicals authors. They informed me that I have Middle-of-the-Book syndrome. Which, they informed me, is not to be confused with:
1. What-Was-I-Thinking-When-I-Proposed-This-Book-Syndrome
2. Why-Do-I-Always-Back-Myself-Into-A-Corner-Syndrome?
3. I-Hate-This-Book-And-Want-To-Write-Something-Else-Syndrome.
and my favorite
4. You’re-Not-The-Hero,-So-Get-Back-In-Your-Own-Corner-For-Now-And-I-Swear-I’ll-Give-You -Your-Own-Book-Later-Syndrome

I have a secondary character who’s doing that right now, come to think of it. Which is probably why I tied him to a post and left him out all night.
(Yes, I actually did that.)

Have you got any book syndromes of your own, for those of you who are writers?

(P.S.–Today’s the last day of my January contest! Sign up for the newsletter below the menu bar on the left for a chance to win an Amazon $10 gift card.) :shimmy:

Daycare and Drama Queens

My youngest has officially earned the title of Drama Queen. For the past week and a half, she throws the most glorious tantrum ever when I drop her off at daycare. Because I’m Not Daddy. And it is Daddy’s Job to drop her off. Each day, she tosses a wicked smile and informs me, “I’m gonna cry.”

At first, I thought this would only last a day or two and then she’d be fine. Six days later, we are still going through the routine. I’ve tried to say a chipper, “Bye, honey! See you later!” But this is difficult when the aforementioned child is wrapped around your leg like a barnacle. :hissyfit: After much prying, I deposit her inside the door, only to have her launch her body across the threshold to prevent me from closing it. If I try to sit her down upon the floor, she throws her body backwards to give herself a concussion. Nothing like a few stitches to keep Mom from attending work. Hey, she thinks it’s worth it. :banghead:

Yes, she’s good. Meryl Streep has nothing on my girl.

I tried asking. “So what’s wrong? Why do you cry every day when I drop you off?” Her reply? “Mommy, because I NEED YOU.”

I thought about punishing her. After all, this has gone on long enough. But there’s no way to logically follow up on this until after daycare is over for the day. By then, it’s out of sight, out of mind. No connection to the problem.

Instead, I’ve decided to just deal with it for a few more days. When my husband gets back from his travel, I know we’ll be right back to the old routine where she waves goodbye to Dad and proceeds to start coloring. Kindergarten oughta be a blast.

Did your kids ever pull those sorts of games? If so, what did you do about it? If you don’t have kids, any suggestions?

Newsletters and such

In the next few weeks, I’m going to send out another newsletter announcing my 2nd and 3rd sales. I got to thinking about it, and honestly, when I get newsletters from other authors, I look at what titles are coming out and then I’ll delete the file. Unless there’s something really compelling about the e-mail, it’s just a quick glance.

In a way, I’d like to make my newsletters a little more interesting (maybe add a recipe or excerpt from the book, etc.). :popcorn: But perhaps that’s a stretch. I only send them out to announce the release of a book, because I don’t want to annoy people and clutter their in-boxes.

So, quick survey–if you get e-mail newsletters from other authors, what things do you find interesting? What puts you off? What’s your general opinion of them?

And speaking of which, there are still 3 more days to enter for a chance to win the $10 Amazon gift card. Just go to the For Readers page for details.

Movie deleted scenes

I was watching “The Devil Wears Prada” tonight and at the end, we viewed the deleted scenes. Normally when I watch deleted scenes on a DVD, it’s pretty obvious why they were cut from the movie. Often they’re redundant or they don’t add anything to the overall story. But for the first time, I found myself wishing they had left the scenes in. There were gaping holes in the story that were suddenly filled in by the deleted scenes. Crucial plot points were taken out (e.g. why the heroine got promoted–the motivation behind it.). I couldn’t believe it.

Deleting scenes, for me, is a painful process. On the first draft, no page comes easily. In fact, I’m beginning to see why writing more books makes you a stronger author. You can’t use the same pet phrases in book after book. Each time you have to reinvent your descriptions, find new ways to make a scene come alive, and tap into the emotions. After a time, it forces you to reach deep inside and pull even more out of yourself. Chocolate helps.

It’s much easier for me to delete pages after the first draft is done. At that point, I know I’m ready to start fleshing things out, and it always comes out right. Hack out 20 pages? No problem. Drop in the bucket. But when you only have 116 pages, 20 pages is like cutting off your arm. So often I’ll make notes to myself–cut xyz scene later.

I’m still learning how to cut out redundant information. And on that first draft, I have caught myself doing an information dump or even what many affectionately term: “As you know, Bob…” (Example: A character reveals their backstory to another character….”As you know, Bob, I lost my first wife in the battle, chased after her, and ultimately she was burned to a crisp in a fire…”) :blahblah: One of my favorite ways to reveal information is through an argument. At least then, the information is active and can be used as ammunition. That’s fun.

I hit page 122 on the new book today. It’s getting there, 3 pages a day. Sometimes more if the story’s cooking. I like to cut off in the middle of a sentence, so it gives me a good place to get started the next day.

At the moment I’m enjoying a new author, Lyn Randall. If you get a chance to check out Warrior or Wife, it’s a great read. I haven’t finished it yet, but she writes a fast-paced Roman-set historical. Great characters, twisting plot, and a female gladiator. Lots of fun!

Hooray, a title!

Looks like my second book will end up being titled: The Warrior’s Touch. I like it because it has the double meaning of both the warrior’s hand injuries and also a sensual element. Works for me! :dance:

On a good friend’s recommendation, I rented “The Lake House.” Happy sigh. I figured out the ending within the first five minutes, but it was great to see the journey. One downside of being a writer is that it raises your awareness of each little scene, each little plot device. Nothing is random–everything is planned. So you tend to obsess over the details, but that’s the fun part.

How about you? Are you a good movie guesser or do you just enjoy the ride?

P.S.–I’ve given up on “Troy.” Eric Bana is wonderful, but Orlando should have been skewered in his fight scene. I made it to the halfway point when Achilles seduced the priestess and just about threw a pillow at the tv. If there’s one thing I can’t STAND it’s the trite–”Oh, I hate you, I hate you, you rotten beast, now throw me down and let’s get it on.” Ugh. :blahblah:

So what did you spend your advance money on?

I’m in love. Today, something new arrived in my life. Something wonderful, purchased with my book advance money.

Are you ready for it?

Introducing my new baby:

Only mine is black. I was tired of having frozen salads. Ever try to slice a frozen cucumber? It doesn’t work. So I am thrilled to now have my very own slide out trays, a shelf that I can crank up and down, and yogurt holders! Doesn’t every refrigerator need yogurt cup holders? :shimmy:

My previous refrigerator came with the house and I have no idea how old it was, except that it was a minimum of 10 years old. That puppy was on borrowed time. Not anymore, baby. It’s gone to that big refrigerator heaven in the sky. The new refrigerator is mine, all mine! Wooo!

Yes, I am a sad and pitiful author. Yes, I clearly need to get out of the house more. I am aware of this. But honestly, isn’t it the most amazing refrigerator EVER? :worthy:

So what appliance in your household desperately needs replacing?

The winner is…

Comment #4! Missie, e-mail me your address, and I’ll send you an autographed copy of Her Irish Warrior just as soon as I get my author copies. It may be another month or two, but don’t worry, I’m keeping track of who I owe copies to. (Gee, that last sentence sounded awkward.)

Everyone’s ideas really helped. I ended up sending the following possibilities to my editor:
Wounded Warrior
A Warrior’s Heart
Warrior’s Seduction
The Warrior’s Touch
Warrior’s Vengeance
In Your Eyes
Healing the Warrior
His Irish Healer
To Save an Irish Warrior
To Heal an Irish Warrior
One Stolen Night

If any of those (to quote my husband’s favorite phrase) “blow your skirt up,” let me know. Not that I have a great deal of say in the matter, but I’d like to know if certain titles sound better than others. After a while, I’m very tempted to take Tori’s suggestion and just name the book The Wounded Irish Warrior’s Secret Baby.

My darling son took a spill today. Nothing strikes more fear into a mother’s heart than a phone call with the words, “Your son was in an accident.” All I could think of was broken bones or any other form of disaster. He took a face-plant onto the concrete parking lot and split his lip open. Thankfully that’s all that happened. It could have been much worse. Then I went through the whole–Do I take him to the doctor and look like a moron or do I put ice on it and risk infection? I went with the paranoia. He didn’t need stitches, but the doctor gave him Industrial Strength Bacitracin and some antibiotics to ward off any issues. That works for me. Mouth bacteria can be some nasty stuff. The poor boy was a big bag of miserable tonight, and I’m afraid it’ll be worse tomorrow.

The new book is starting to take shape. It’s funny how your perception changes after you’ve written more than one book. I’m not as scared of length any more, because I know that I add anywhere from 40-60 pages on my second draft. Layering in the emotions and descriptions makes such a huge difference. And even though I have 110 pages so far, the romance is just getting started. Just the way I like it.

So, did any of the titles grab you? Or which ones would you definitely say no to?

My kingdom for a title . . .

The editorial team is still trying to figure out a title for my second book. Here’s the basic blurb:

After saving the life of former lover Connor MacEgan, healer Aileen Ó Duinne isn’t about to lose her heart to the handsome Irish warrior again. But within her secluded walls, a deeper healing takes place, and not just to Connor’s wounded hands.

Connor MacEgan once dreamed of becoming a chieftain and protecting his people. Now he centers his life upon vengeance against the enemies who destroyed his ability to wield a sword. But as his wounds begin to heal, he’s torn between destroying his enemy and building a life with a woman from his past . . . a woman who bore him a child he knew nothing about.

The working title is Her Irish Lover which ties into the whole Irish Warrior theme. But the editors don’t feel it conjures enough of the healing story.

So, I’m recruiting help. If you have any suggestions for titles, shoot them my way! Or even words or word combinations that help pull together the theme. To sweeten the deal, I’m offering a signed copy of Her Irish Warrior to a random commenter who posts some ideas.

Thank you!!

Swimming lessons and cover models

I’m hearing a vast majority voting for Viggo. :dance: But, I have started watching “Troy.” It’s a little slower than I’d like, and I feel like Orlando Bloom is reprising his Pirates role. But we’ll see how it plays out. Helen doesn’t have a whole lotta personality going on at the moment. This may or may not improve.

My hubby is on travel at the moment which means I am having a Chick Flick Extravaganza. Last night I rented “Troy,” “The Lake House” (on Beth’s recommendation), and “The Devil Wears Prada.” I am putting the children to bed at 6:30 in order to get my movie-watching in. Ha! Take that! :batman: No, really, I’m serious. They do go to bed at 7:00 p.m. usually. Hey, they’re four and two. It’s not like I give them any choice in the matter. And how else would I get any writing done? (Yes, they pay me back by getting up at 5:30 in the morning. Oh well.)

I do have my priorities, though. After the kidlets are in bed, I have to do my nightly pages. The past few days have been a little weird because I had to delete a 6-page prologue :hissyfit: and weave all that information into the first chapter. Ow-ow-ow, that hurt. It’s caused some backward progress, but I *think* I have the opening on the right track now. I am adding more character details, much deeper point-of-view for the hero, and as much intensity as I can muster.

So, back to the other topic. Swimming lessons. My son has been enrolled at the YMCA swim classes for the past year. Still can’t swim. He’s a wonderful kid, but in his heart, I think he believes he can’t do it. I’m beginning to believe the approach of tossing him over the side and letting him work it all out may be the only solution. Of course, then I’d probably be arrested for attempting to drown my kid. Sometimes I wonder what’s the best way to help him. I’ve tried to sign him up for private lessons, but I haven’t had anyone call me back in the past several months I’ve requested it.

Any thoughts? How did you learn how to swim? If you have kids, how did they learn?

The contenders…

Thanks to all for your suggestions on cover heroes. You know, I’m actually leaning toward Val Kilmer now. I found a photo of him that just might work. What do you think? Some of his photos, I’m not a fan of, but this one’s not bad.

Then folks suggested Brad Pitt in “Troy.” I haven’t seen that movie yet. Is it any good? Anyhow, here we go:

I found this picture of Viggo Mortensen. I still like him in Lord of the Rings, best, though. Here he looks a little “prettier” than I’d like. I looked at the Hidalgo photos and it just didn’t quite fit.

Not that I will have much of a say of who goes on my cover, mind you, but I like to throw ideas out!

On another note, my son has been watching the Schoolhouse Rock videos. Specifically the Adverb song. I caught him wandering around the upstairs singing, “Lolly, lolly, lolly, get your fat birds here.”

No, honey, that’s “adverbs,” not “fat birds.”

Anyway, if you had to pick between Val, Brad, or Viggo, who would you go with?