The Oscars

I'll be rooting for The King's Speech. What about you?

Tess Gerritsen/Empty Desk and James Scott Bell/Type Hard

My blog picks of the week! I think you'll like them. I was visiting the Murderati Blog because I'm a Tess Gerritsen fan. You can read it here >  Empty Desk Syndrome? I can't even imagine this syndrome because I've just finished up everything I think I can for now on Secrets of the Heart and am about a month out from turning in my next book in the Ravensmoore Chronicle Series that is currently titled, Chameleon. I am no where near having an empty desk. I don't even know if that's possible for me. I can appreciate the break time that Tess is talking about though. She's obviously far more organized than I can ever imagine becoming. Maybe, someday. :) But with an empty desk is going to come the next project.  That reminds me of another blog post I read this week that you might enjoy too. And that was James Scott Bell's post called Type Hard, Type Fast                 

                                                                                    

So can you see your desk? And how fast are you typing this weekend? Have a good one!

Timelines and Other Organizational Necessities

One of the first things my editor at Charisma House taught me during the edit of my first book was to keep track of my timelines. I'm now almost done with my second book and am doing a better job this time around. My editor, Lori, explained it this way.

TIMELINE (brief summaries of each chapter, with key events/timing noted. Not all dates are actually mentioned in text, but are given to help keep chronology and timing indicators accurate).

 

 

 

 

However, as I lengthen chapters and scenes or cut chapters and scenes I have to go back and look at the timeline to see where it needs tweaking. Timelines are important in your book. It's a  technique to help you keep track of what your characters are doing and when and where they are doing it.  Last week I read a post over at The Killzone that helps me to know that I'm not the only one that struggles with this issue. If you read through the comments section you will find some advice.

I've heard a lot about Scrivener lately. I don't think this will be new to any of you who own a Mac, but I don't. However, I have recently downloaded the Beta version. Scrivener for Windows  I think a newer version, also a free download is coming out February 25th. I'm hoping this will help organize me. I've also been using Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake Method. The Snowflake for Novel Writing 

Now when I write I put a date, time and place at the top of each of my chapters or scenes as needed. You'll also discover that it's important to keep track of your characters. I like Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake Pro for this. You can keep track of it on paper as well but this way you don't lose it.:)

Since I'm also writing a series, The Ravensmoore Chronicles, with Book One being Secrets of the Heart I have to keep close tabs on what characters are in each book, what they look like, and all those other character traits and flaws that are important. It's a daunting task but as I learn I'm getting better at tracking timelines.

So how do each of you keep track of all these necessities?  How do you organize your writing? What's worked well for you?

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

Blog Pick Friday/ Harry Kraus, M.D./Characters that Resonate

If you've never visited Harry's website and blog you should.  Grace from the cutting edge. How perfect for a surgeon who also just happens to be a missionary and author. Whatever you do, don't forget to click on the photos at his website. :)

Harry's Field Notes:

Characters That Resonate

Harry asks, "What causes readers to remember a story long after the last page?"

That is definetly something to think about. Have an awesome weekend.

Voice and Fear

Writer's, especially beginning writers, frequently want to know what voice is all about. What's my voice? How do I find my voice? How will I know it when I see it? Anyone who has written for awhile can tell you that voice is not something you discover right away. You have to write, alot! Even though I have a three book series contracted with the first one to be released in May, I'm still finding and defining my voice.

My hubby and I finally made it out this past Saturday to see The King's Speech. Everyone must have gone to the movies Saturday since it was Valentine's Day weekend. We had to sit in the second row from the front and I almost left during the previews because it was uncomfortably close. I'm so glad I stayed. If you haven't seen the movie yet, please go see it before it leaves the theaters. There's nothing like that big screen. I'd already preordered the movie on DVD even before we went to see it because everyone said it was so good.

If you are not a writer this movie may be a motivator for overcoming something you fear. If you are a writer this movie might just help you find your voice. You will find it through the courage to seek it. I can't help but think of Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. I don't think this is easy. True seeking and knocking is a process and one that doesn't usually lead to the door opening fast or easily. And then sometimes we still need the courage to walk through the open door.

Did you see The King's Speech? What gives you the courage to face your fears and walk through the open door?

The Prayer for Your Valentine

Blog Pick Friday/Voice/eBooks/Tin Man

The Kill Zone's Kathryn Lilley blogged about Voice this past Tuesday. Read her post at: Finding Your Voice As A Writer Voice always seems to be that mysterious thing that new writers struggle with and just not new writers. I think it's something that takes awhile to discover and, at least for me, doesn't show itself clearly until you've written many words.

I'd love to hear what voice means to you personally, whether reader or writer. 
How many books do you think it takes for a writer to convey to a reader what their voice is? Readers, you know this. Some books can hook you in for multiple stories. What is that? Please step up to the microphone so everyone can hear YOUR voice. :)

Oh great. I found two more blog posts I just have to mention. There's so many good ones out there I just can't help myself. Here you go: Must read Jordan Dane, also over at The Killzone Quirky Ramblings On e-Books and then if you haven't read Rosslyn Elliott's blog this week you must go visit her as well. Tin Man, Scarecrow Novel  AND for those of you reading this I'm also blogging over at Just The Write Charisma Have a great Friday and an Awesome Valentine's Day weekend.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT/JUST THE WRITE CHARISMA BLOG

In case you missed this report about Strang Communications making some changes, including its name, here's your chance to catch up. Strang Communications Rebrands As Charisma Media

Enter into the world of Realms Fiction with nine authors you might know and some you might not know yet but will soon. Join us every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Just The Write Charisma for
Historical Romance, Intrigue, Mystery, Suspense, and Out-Of-This-World Stories.

Andrea Boeshaar came up with this idea to blog together and I think it's going to be great. Besides Andrea and I you'll also be connecting with Conlan Brown, Mike Dellosso, Mike Duran, Linda Rios Brook, Lena Nelson Dooley, Greg Mitchell, and Martha Rogers. This should shake up the Blog-O-Sphere a bit. :)

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

Okay. It's Super Bowl Sunday. My guess is no one will be reading this post because they'll be getting ready for the football game. I'll root for The Steelers because I grew up near Pittsburgh. Predictions I live in Bengals territory now.

But really, I'm looking forward to the commercials. I especially love the Budweiser Commercials because of the Clydsdale horses. So what's your favorite commercial and who do you think will win the game?

Blog Pick Friday/Shelli Johannes-Wells and Audra Harders

Here's a gold mine for anyone interested in marketing strategies and organizing your first book signing.

I couldn't pick just one blog for this week. Wow! There were and always are some great posts out there, but for all the reason's you'll read about I had to pick two of the awesome women over at Seekerville again this week. First off you have got to meet and get to know Shelli Johannes-Wells, The Biggest Marketing Bang For Your Buck and secondly I loved Audra Harders post called, Are You Ready For Your Book Signing. I'm preparing for my first book signing in the spring, so of course both Shelli's post and Audra's were necessary for me to read and glean as much inspiration from as possible. I got so much help and you will too. Check it out!

The Moral Premise

Stanley D. Williams, Ph.D. is going to be presenting the Early Bird at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference on September 22, 2011 in St. Louis, MO. I ordered his book, The Moral Premise and have just started reading it. I wondered if he might have something on You Tube and sure enough, here he is in Part One. Love the tie.:) I never could locate Part Two so maybe he didn't make it. Whether you are going to the ACFW and the Early Bird or not you may want to check this out.

I also found several sites that came up when I Googled. I loved the movie Amazing Grace and have the poster hanging in my office. Check this out. Amazing Grace and The Moral Premise

So are you planning on going to ACFW this year? I want to but not sure I can make it yet. Have you read The Moral Premise?  Have you ever attended one of his workshops? What did you think about it if you did? Have you put his strategies into place?