Now, if any of you know me, you know I'm not so big on the plotting thing. I like the story to unfold organically and allow the characters lead me. I like to be in their head and let them do the talking so I can react the way they would. Sometimes it works...
But it's like pulling teeth, let me tell you. There are times they'll go halfway through the piece then dig in and say "no thanks, I'm done now". Is this because I'm not providing them enough stimuli or does it feel artificial? I know Jane must go with John, but she's a bit stubborn, a lot independent, and wants none of that. She's not going to act against her nature to make me happy, and when I force the issue, well, she gets stilted and doesn't give me much to work with.
John's worse, because, well, he's a man yes, but more important, he's an alpha man who has more important things to do than deal with some woman and her accompanying baggage. He's got his own problems (saving the world type of problems) and can't risk being distracted by Jane. Inevitably, he'll have to swoop in and save her from her own mistakes while the bad guy gets away. Are you kidding? No thanks, he's got better things to do.
(By the way, my character's aren't nearly this extreme in their views though it's kind of close.)
So the romance is about forcing them to make time for each other. It's about creating believable adhesion that will keep them with one another - whether emotionally or physically - without providing too many outs. Of course they'll want to refuse and scream and kick me, but I'm going to ignore them and do what I believe is best for them in the long run no matter how taxing the journey.
And therein lies the problem: the journey, the progress, the story within the story.
This probably seems like a silly statement, but the truth is a lot of effort goes into He meets Her, they spark, they fall apart, they come back strong, something bad happens, is resolved, and they live happily ever after. Yes, that's the gist of every romance (with a few more ups and downs in between) but what about the scenes are going to lead them to this place? What will make them confront their issues, not only with each other, but within themselves, as well?
Thanks to some wonderful girls at Savvy Authors, I stumbled upon Larry Brooks's site StoryFix.com, where I was provided the most helpful outline ever! Since I'm doing this rewrite - and of course second guessing everything along the way - I started filling out his checklist to esure I had all the parts to make the car run.
You know what? I think I have every nut and bolt in place this time, but it's nice to see the truth. Try this outline yourself, then tell me what you think. I'll probably never start something new without it again. No joke. I already saved it the computer. :)
~Hetal
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Etiquette?
Every cushion, mattress, and pillow has been overturned without any sign of the thumb drive with my most crucial MS. Perhaps it decided to sacrifice itself to the writing gods/muses/higher powers. I've started to rewrite the piece, which is coming a lot easier than expected, but now I have another dilemma.
What should I do about the request? If I let it sit for too long there's no doubt in my mind Deb will lose interest in the idea. I would like to send her a note stating my situation, but everything tells me to be professional. Excuses are not professional in my book, so I'm sitting on the fence.
I've read the submission guidelines at the Sourcebooks site, and they state when mailing sending the first four chapters is appropriate, but could I do the same electronically (when I've completed the first four) after a specific request for the full?
I'm about to write this off as a loss, no joke. My first request, and I have little more than nothing. I hope this doesn't brand me a tease in the world of writing. I don't need that kind of rep following me around. :P
~Hetal
What should I do about the request? If I let it sit for too long there's no doubt in my mind Deb will lose interest in the idea. I would like to send her a note stating my situation, but everything tells me to be professional. Excuses are not professional in my book, so I'm sitting on the fence.
I've read the submission guidelines at the Sourcebooks site, and they state when mailing sending the first four chapters is appropriate, but could I do the same electronically (when I've completed the first four) after a specific request for the full?
I'm about to write this off as a loss, no joke. My first request, and I have little more than nothing. I hope this doesn't brand me a tease in the world of writing. I don't need that kind of rep following me around. :P
~Hetal
Monday, May 24, 2010
Batman! The pigs - they fly!
Yep, that's how I felt right after I read, and reread, and then triple checked the request for my full from the pitch fest over at Casablanca Authors, and you know what made me hit dirt faster than you can say what?
I've lost the piece. Crap, crap, crap!
Let me explain. About three years ago, hubby gave me a brand new laptop for Christmas. It was shiny and pretty and had tons of snazziness that I loved - and then it crashed. When revived, all of my files were gone, sacrificed to the laptop gods. Over a year, it crashed three more times, which means I lost all documents in the notebook all over again. Thankfully, I learned a lesson in there somewhere and started to back up my files on a thumb drive.
What do you do when the thumb drive's gone missing? According to hubby: "should've loaded them to a place like Google docs".
Thanks hon, but that's not really helping at the moment. Right now, my head (my groggy, stuffed up head) spins with the possibility of writing over 90,000 words from memory - oh yea, and as soon as possible.
Now, I'm not pointing fingers, but Monkey, if you did something with mommy's stuff, will you please tell me?
Didn't think so.
~Hetal
I've lost the piece. Crap, crap, crap!
Let me explain. About three years ago, hubby gave me a brand new laptop for Christmas. It was shiny and pretty and had tons of snazziness that I loved - and then it crashed. When revived, all of my files were gone, sacrificed to the laptop gods. Over a year, it crashed three more times, which means I lost all documents in the notebook all over again. Thankfully, I learned a lesson in there somewhere and started to back up my files on a thumb drive.
What do you do when the thumb drive's gone missing? According to hubby: "should've loaded them to a place like Google docs".
Thanks hon, but that's not really helping at the moment. Right now, my head (my groggy, stuffed up head) spins with the possibility of writing over 90,000 words from memory - oh yea, and as soon as possible.
Now, I'm not pointing fingers, but Monkey, if you did something with mommy's stuff, will you please tell me?
Didn't think so.
~Hetal
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Just remember to breath
Oh boy, I've really done it this time. For practice, I decided to post a pitch to Deb Werksman's pitch fest thinking no way in heck was I going to get the formula to attract the editor's attention. I've tried this pitch bit a few times with epic failure, but it seems I might have gotten something right this time. She asked for the full! Eep!
I know I shouldn't let this request cool for too long, but I really want to comb through some pages and make sure I've hit all the elements this time. After my light bulb moment a few days ago, I'm unsure I didn't totally foul up this piece. At a whopping 9 times longer than that short that tripped me up, there's more room for mistakes.
To do:
I know I shouldn't let this request cool for too long, but I really want to comb through some pages and make sure I've hit all the elements this time. After my light bulb moment a few days ago, I'm unsure I didn't totally foul up this piece. At a whopping 9 times longer than that short that tripped me up, there's more room for mistakes.
To do:
- Send Doubt on vacation. Yes, the little hag's still on my back.
- Get over this cold. For crying out loud, it's been a week! Go away.
- Read, edit, read, edit, read...you get the picture.
- Oh yea, eat, sleep, brush teeth, and all the rest of those little things.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Had an Epiphany Today
My current piece is not going to work. Why? Because, though I love the characters and premise, my hero is not going to grow in the most important way: he's not forced to sacrifice to save the girl. What I thought a big step on his part was diminished during editing last night, and I don't know how to fix it. Argh!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Back on the Horse
Ok, so after two months away, and my little whine, I kicked my butt into gear and got back into the swing of writing. I'm starting kind of slow by revising a novella I am absolutely submitting by Sunday no matter how much the demon Doubt nags me. She's such a bi-atch, don't ya know?
Oh, and if you've got a complete, single title length romance ready to go, check out http://casablancaauthors.blogspot.com/ where Deb Werksman of Sourcebooks is taking pitches today only. Hurry over.
~Hetal
Oh, and if you've got a complete, single title length romance ready to go, check out http://casablancaauthors.blogspot.com/ where Deb Werksman of Sourcebooks is taking pitches today only. Hurry over.
~Hetal
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Is This Thing On?
Hello world, how have you been in the, oh, almost two months I've been away? Working harder than me, or hardly working as I have been? I tried, I really tried to accomplish some things during my time off, but only succeeded in delaying and doubting my abilities more. You're probably thinking "well get over it", and I wish it were that easy, but my self-doubt has been reinforced more and more lately by none other then hubby.
He was very supportive in the beginning of my journey - when I supplied a supplemental income to the household - but the cheers have quieted down since then. For a year since the lay off I've been trying hard join the workforce, but it just seems Columbus, OH doesn't want to help me out. I know it's hokey, but I believe in forces outside oneself, and after the first few months of silence I thought, hey, maybe this means I should be pursuing this other thread. All well and good, if I didn't have someone breathing down my back about snipping it for the "more substantial" line. *sigh*
It's put me in a rut I'm not ashamed to admit. I don't think hubby doubts my abilities - though he's never seen one of my pieces - he just wishes that I'd be more focused on the job hunt. Hey, I apply to everything that appeals to me and I feel a good fit for, but he's trying to push me into arena's I have no interest in being a participant of. Let's just say the home fires aren't burning so cheerily right now and they're distracting me like no other.
I should've labeled this entry "dear diary", and forewarned of the pity party I was dumping on this page so you'd feel better about ignoring it. Truth be told, I just needed to tell someone of my woes, and throwing it onto the blog appealed to me.
Did you know the root of my name means "happiness"? Bet not, I didn't for about twenty one years of my life. :) Still, once I found out I thought of how appropriate it seemed. I'm generally a cheery person, always trying to look on the bright side of things, but haven't been able to get past my clouds lately. Maybe I need to get back to the root of things and not worry about the rest. Easier said than done, no? Well, I'll try to keep you posted.
Rambling over. Onward ho!
~Hetal
He was very supportive in the beginning of my journey - when I supplied a supplemental income to the household - but the cheers have quieted down since then. For a year since the lay off I've been trying hard join the workforce, but it just seems Columbus, OH doesn't want to help me out. I know it's hokey, but I believe in forces outside oneself, and after the first few months of silence I thought, hey, maybe this means I should be pursuing this other thread. All well and good, if I didn't have someone breathing down my back about snipping it for the "more substantial" line. *sigh*
It's put me in a rut I'm not ashamed to admit. I don't think hubby doubts my abilities - though he's never seen one of my pieces - he just wishes that I'd be more focused on the job hunt. Hey, I apply to everything that appeals to me and I feel a good fit for, but he's trying to push me into arena's I have no interest in being a participant of. Let's just say the home fires aren't burning so cheerily right now and they're distracting me like no other.
I should've labeled this entry "dear diary", and forewarned of the pity party I was dumping on this page so you'd feel better about ignoring it. Truth be told, I just needed to tell someone of my woes, and throwing it onto the blog appealed to me.
Did you know the root of my name means "happiness"? Bet not, I didn't for about twenty one years of my life. :) Still, once I found out I thought of how appropriate it seemed. I'm generally a cheery person, always trying to look on the bright side of things, but haven't been able to get past my clouds lately. Maybe I need to get back to the root of things and not worry about the rest. Easier said than done, no? Well, I'll try to keep you posted.
Rambling over. Onward ho!
~Hetal
Monday, March 15, 2010
Catching Up
You've no idea how many times I've started writing a new post only to quit one or two sentences in. My brain fizzled and fried on the pan that used to be the creativity of my mind. Not a very good sign, I'd say, except that my writings coming along quite smoothly. Granted I'm using a whole different approach - a pantser/plotter combo - so maybe this means I've found my stride. Nailing my "voice" however, eludes me. :)
My online friend Ferdous asked in a recent comment: how do you keep track of the story without plotting? Do you find yourself veering down a wrong path requiring rewrites of a previous chapter? Well, let me tell you, even when I plan, the characters often drag me a different direction. Despite the most in depth character sketch, the character might reveal quirks about themselves I never would've thought of. I think it's that organic bit I love most about writing, the constant learning, not only of mechanics, but also of each person we create.
Okay, and I know this is many days (weeks?) late, but I want to thank Kaily Hart and Ju Dimello for the Happy Cupcake Awards they passed onto me. And now, I must reach into that big bag of tricks inside me and list ten things that make me happy.
My online friend Ferdous asked in a recent comment: how do you keep track of the story without plotting? Do you find yourself veering down a wrong path requiring rewrites of a previous chapter? Well, let me tell you, even when I plan, the characters often drag me a different direction. Despite the most in depth character sketch, the character might reveal quirks about themselves I never would've thought of. I think it's that organic bit I love most about writing, the constant learning, not only of mechanics, but also of each person we create.
- Newly fallen snow
- My baby's smile. She does this scrunching of her entire face, wrinkly nosed thing...well, you prob have to be there.
- The hubby doing dishes without being asked.
- My baby's laugh, a rarity really, because even when tickled, she more grunts then giggles.
- A lazy Sunday morning.
- When the sister's and I get together because craziness ensues.
- When my mom and dad smile at one another. Really. Their marriage might have been arranged, but they are one of the lucky couples who really learned to love each other after.
- When baby girl tries to pull cranky cat onto her lap. She adores the fatty but the feeling's not so mutual.
- Pride and Prejudice. I literally smile every time this movie plays. Book's pretty good too. ;)
- Chocolate. The kind filled with caramel's the best!
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Slow and Steady Wins the Race
So says the tortoise, but I was really hoping to write more like the hare.
Every weeknight, after Monkey's down for the night, I am dedicating at least an hour to my writing. Now, so far, I've been pretty good about this. Other than a little hitch last weekend that threw off my schedule, I'm back on track, and though I'm managing at least 1500 words a night, I really wish I were going faster.
I don't think I've ever contemplated this much as I'm writing. I've reverted back to writing by the seat of my pants with the basic plot in mind after a short stint at trying to plot an entire piece. The words are flowing once more without any tooth pulling, but the output is pretty slow. I know, I shouldn't be discouraged, but I've always run slightly faster than this and it's disconcerting. My mind only wants to do one chapter a night and then checks out.
I'm going to try pushing past this wall...Tomorrow. Good night for now. :)
~Hetal
Every weeknight, after Monkey's down for the night, I am dedicating at least an hour to my writing. Now, so far, I've been pretty good about this. Other than a little hitch last weekend that threw off my schedule, I'm back on track, and though I'm managing at least 1500 words a night, I really wish I were going faster.
I don't think I've ever contemplated this much as I'm writing. I've reverted back to writing by the seat of my pants with the basic plot in mind after a short stint at trying to plot an entire piece. The words are flowing once more without any tooth pulling, but the output is pretty slow. I know, I shouldn't be discouraged, but I've always run slightly faster than this and it's disconcerting. My mind only wants to do one chapter a night and then checks out.
I'm going to try pushing past this wall...Tomorrow. Good night for now. :)
~Hetal
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Another Agent Pitch
Just ran across a fabulous pitch opportunity at the Guide to Literary Agent's Blog. Read the rules carefully and if you have a completed Para Romance or Urban Fantasy, take a second to enter.
~Hetal
~Hetal
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Back on Track
So I finally broke through my block and got some writing done last night. It wasn't my best, not even my "good", but it was a start I really needed to make.
And yet...though I was excited about the concept of this piece, I'm not enthusiastic about telling the story - yet. I don't know, maybe that will change with a little time, and I'm just going to write in the meantime and see if the kinks work themselves out. :)
And yet...though I was excited about the concept of this piece, I'm not enthusiastic about telling the story - yet. I don't know, maybe that will change with a little time, and I'm just going to write in the meantime and see if the kinks work themselves out. :)
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Falling off the face of the Earth
At least, that's what it's going to feel like. On any given day, I can be on the net - surfing, checking my groups or emails, killing time - for four to six hours. I don't understand this compulsion to digest useless info or join yet another group, and I came to a conclusion the other day: I'm avoiding my writing under the guise of research.
Hubby asked e the other night how my writing's coming along. Um...I haven't touched a MS in...going on two weeks now. I don't know what let all the steam out of me, but I just haven't been able to pen anything. I'm stuck in a loop of plot-construct-research-research some more-try to plot...
You get the idea :) I'm a natural pantser, mind plotting my piece along the way, and trying to actually plot this next piece has completely gummed up my mental works. In any case, this has made me realize that I need to cut back my web browsing time. I'm going to try to limit myself to surfing for only two hours a day and spend the rest of the time in front of the computer spitting words onto page.
This should be interesting.
~Hetal
Hubby asked e the other night how my writing's coming along. Um...I haven't touched a MS in...going on two weeks now. I don't know what let all the steam out of me, but I just haven't been able to pen anything. I'm stuck in a loop of plot-construct-research-research some more-try to plot...
You get the idea :) I'm a natural pantser, mind plotting my piece along the way, and trying to actually plot this next piece has completely gummed up my mental works. In any case, this has made me realize that I need to cut back my web browsing time. I'm going to try to limit myself to surfing for only two hours a day and spend the rest of the time in front of the computer spitting words onto page.
This should be interesting.
~Hetal
Thursday, February 11, 2010
I'm so Mad!
How did life manage to completely sidetrack me from a chat I was really looking forward to participating in? I missed "speaking" with two agents from The Knight Agency tonight and am now completely bummed. If I ever start querying for an agent, this company is one of my top picks, and I really wanted to get that invaluable info they provided tonight.
I don't even know if I can start the piece that's occupying my every thought - even though I figured out the opening scene tonight.
Silly Monkey. Mama loves you but really wishes you'd trip daddy sometimes instead.
I don't even know if I can start the piece that's occupying my every thought - even though I figured out the opening scene tonight.
Silly Monkey. Mama loves you but really wishes you'd trip daddy sometimes instead.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
When Ideas Take Over
For the last few days I've been researching and *gasp* plotting a series of new stories. I've had these particular mythical creatures in mind for months but couldn't find a way to create a story around their lives. Then, just reading up on backgrounds, I was smacked in the face, and almost every detail fell into place. The best part? I will finally be able to incorporate another set of creatures I love yet hadn't found a fit for.
Isn't it great when everything cooperates? Let's just hope my plot is compelling enough. I would love to let you in on my little secret, but I'll be guarding these men and women with my life. Paranormals are hard enough to make fresh and I might have just hit on something new. Not for sure, though, so I guess I'll be looking around some more.
~Hetal
Isn't it great when everything cooperates? Let's just hope my plot is compelling enough. I would love to let you in on my little secret, but I'll be guarding these men and women with my life. Paranormals are hard enough to make fresh and I might have just hit on something new. Not for sure, though, so I guess I'll be looking around some more.
~Hetal
Monday, February 08, 2010
Dust off that Manuscript
Knight Agency Agent Nephele Tempest is offering you the opportunity to pitch your complete, ready for submission MS for her "In the Mood for Love" submissions festival. If interested please visit her blog (click on name above) for all the details.
Also, Thursday, Feb 9th, two wonderful TKA agents will be hosting a chat to answer all of your publishing questions. Whether or not you're in the market for an agent, I believe they'll be providing valuable information to the masses.
Good luck!
~Hetal
Also, Thursday, Feb 9th, two wonderful TKA agents will be hosting a chat to answer all of your publishing questions. Whether or not you're in the market for an agent, I believe they'll be providing valuable information to the masses.
Good luck!
~Hetal
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Finding Your Fit
A question for writers...Or writer-wannabees like myself ; )
How do you balance your voice with a (very) particular line...or do you? Do you find yourself curbing your natural tendencies in the hopes of making an easy **ha! scoff!** sale?
This is the conundrum which has been tripping me up through edits and rewrites of my current WIP. I'm struggling to secure my "voice" amidst strict writing guidelines and am now up in the air about completing "Divine Deception" as it began. I have admitted that I don't do well with shorter pieces, but is there more to this than I originally thought?
Maybe it's not only the shorter word count tripping me up as much as it's the taming of my natural writing voice. I haven't perfected it yet, trust me, but trying to write for one specific line is making my mind vomit very formal - even boring in my mind. I'm not hoping to insert excessive cursing or anything like that, but I tend to think and first-draft write as I would talk to my sisters. We're a pretty vocal group and we tell it like it is, always with love and affection...yet I haven't stretched myself to try writing in this manner.
I think I'm going to have to set aside "DD" for now and focus on me: what I really want, the roller coaster a few new characters want to drag me on, and what I'm ultimately hoping to accomplish. Who knows, maybe I'll do something right.
Oh, and I've talked about them a lot, but here we are for your viewing pleasure: 1, 2, 3, and 4 - but not in that order. : )
How do you balance your voice with a (very) particular line...or do you? Do you find yourself curbing your natural tendencies in the hopes of making an easy **ha! scoff!** sale?
This is the conundrum which has been tripping me up through edits and rewrites of my current WIP. I'm struggling to secure my "voice" amidst strict writing guidelines and am now up in the air about completing "Divine Deception" as it began. I have admitted that I don't do well with shorter pieces, but is there more to this than I originally thought?
Maybe it's not only the shorter word count tripping me up as much as it's the taming of my natural writing voice. I haven't perfected it yet, trust me, but trying to write for one specific line is making my mind vomit very formal - even boring in my mind. I'm not hoping to insert excessive cursing or anything like that, but I tend to think and first-draft write as I would talk to my sisters. We're a pretty vocal group and we tell it like it is, always with love and affection...yet I haven't stretched myself to try writing in this manner.
I think I'm going to have to set aside "DD" for now and focus on me: what I really want, the roller coaster a few new characters want to drag me on, and what I'm ultimately hoping to accomplish. Who knows, maybe I'll do something right.
Oh, and I've talked about them a lot, but here we are for your viewing pleasure: 1, 2, 3, and 4 - but not in that order. : )
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Finding Reasons not to Write
It happened last pitch-time round, and history's repeating itself. Though I came away from the NB pitch with a "down but not out" attitude, I have yet to make significant strides in my edits. Instead I find myself surfing or reading, anything but writing.
Not good, Hetal. Get on with it.
I think the biggest reason for my change in perseverance is this: I'm not writing to my strengths. I love portraying the artistry of fight scenes, looking up cool weaponry, imagining the fantastical in ordinary places, and twisting the H and h in my web until they cry uncle. Plopping my H and h and in bed for the sake of time doesn't appeal to me one little bit. Even with a shared history - as in the novella I was pitching - my H and h were giving me a hard time about hitting the sack together.
Looking back to every short I've written there is one blatantly obvious trend: I write fantasy more than romance. I've suggested as much to my sisters, my original CPs, and they were pretty on board with my process, except I felt something was lacking in my writing that other fantasy author's nailed.
World building (love Wikipedia). Maybe my imagined venues weren't intricate enough, the locals not flavorful, the paranormal played out...
And then it hit me a couple of days ago. Some of my favorite UF authors manage to thread the unreal through the everyday, connecting two schools of mind with little effort. Yes, I still enjoy getting lost in made up settings, but I am personally more interested in threading what I know with the unimaginable.
Eureka!
So what now? Well, I promised myself that I would send in this NB, so I need to knock it out and send it in by Feb 10th. That's it, I will hold onto it no longer. Then the fun can begin. Two potential fantasies = two new worlds to explore!
~Hetal
Not good, Hetal. Get on with it.
I think the biggest reason for my change in perseverance is this: I'm not writing to my strengths. I love portraying the artistry of fight scenes, looking up cool weaponry, imagining the fantastical in ordinary places, and twisting the H and h in my web until they cry uncle. Plopping my H and h and in bed for the sake of time doesn't appeal to me one little bit. Even with a shared history - as in the novella I was pitching - my H and h were giving me a hard time about hitting the sack together.
Looking back to every short I've written there is one blatantly obvious trend: I write fantasy more than romance. I've suggested as much to my sisters, my original CPs, and they were pretty on board with my process, except I felt something was lacking in my writing that other fantasy author's nailed.
World building (love Wikipedia). Maybe my imagined venues weren't intricate enough, the locals not flavorful, the paranormal played out...
And then it hit me a couple of days ago. Some of my favorite UF authors manage to thread the unreal through the everyday, connecting two schools of mind with little effort. Yes, I still enjoy getting lost in made up settings, but I am personally more interested in threading what I know with the unimaginable.
Eureka!
So what now? Well, I promised myself that I would send in this NB, so I need to knock it out and send it in by Feb 10th. That's it, I will hold onto it no longer. Then the fun can begin. Two potential fantasies = two new worlds to explore!
~Hetal
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
The Results are in
But I unfortunately did not win this round. I wish all of the pitchers, including my CP Ju, the best and hope you get request for fulls from Anne Leslie Tuttle. As for me, I'm going to finish this story and send in through slush - with a whole new blurb.
I realized my fatal error when I read through it again today. If you read only the blurb, my story sounds more urban fantasy than paranormal romance. I knew it was kind of leaning this way, and I thought I fixed the problem, but I didn't. Instead of focusing on the love story, my blurb highlighted the plot which drives the romance.
Why didn't I catch this sooner! Aargh!
Oh well. Like I said, I'll finish, but I'm waiting until after the editor chat with ALT (Feb 9th at 1 pm) to make sure I've covered all of the points she's looking for. Onward!
~Hetal
I realized my fatal error when I read through it again today. If you read only the blurb, my story sounds more urban fantasy than paranormal romance. I knew it was kind of leaning this way, and I thought I fixed the problem, but I didn't. Instead of focusing on the love story, my blurb highlighted the plot which drives the romance.
Why didn't I catch this sooner! Aargh!
Oh well. Like I said, I'll finish, but I'm waiting until after the editor chat with ALT (Feb 9th at 1 pm) to make sure I've covered all of the points she's looking for. Onward!
~Hetal
Return to Reality
This weekend was spent cheering on baby sis at a dance competition, eating A LOT of crappy-for-me food, some laughs, some bad moods, with cold drinks (gotta have those), and family. It was nice to take a break from my writing after agonizing over a two paragraph pitch blurb or an entire week. I even bounced it off of my non-romance reading brother and sisters - thank goodness too, they pointed out ambiguities I hadn't even noticed - and finally sent off what I thought was a pretty concise, action & romance packed blurb.
I managed to keep it at 178 words, no small feat for me as I tend to overthink and therefore overwrite, and I was fairly happy with it. In a moment of "I just can't look at this anymore" I sent it off, now it's time to play the waiting game.
I really need to get back to the MS now, but having just got home means catching up after the weekend. Oh well, as always, writing comes after life. Usually, late at night after baby's down for the day...
Speaking of Monkey, she's trying to play peek-a-boo with me, which means she covers my eyes instead of her own, so I've got to go. Mommyhood calls.
~Hetal
I managed to keep it at 178 words, no small feat for me as I tend to overthink and therefore overwrite, and I was fairly happy with it. In a moment of "I just can't look at this anymore" I sent it off, now it's time to play the waiting game.
I really need to get back to the MS now, but having just got home means catching up after the weekend. Oh well, as always, writing comes after life. Usually, late at night after baby's down for the day...
Speaking of Monkey, she's trying to play peek-a-boo with me, which means she covers my eyes instead of her own, so I've got to go. Mommyhood calls.
~Hetal
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Pitch Sent
I'm actually out of town but wanted to say:
My NB blurb has been sent...let the wait begin!
~Hetal
My NB blurb has been sent...let the wait begin!
~Hetal
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Blurbing
It's harder than it looks. Though I tossed out a couple of pretty good resources in a previous post, they sadly aren't helping me. Want to know why? Because while composing this blurb, I haven't nailed down my hero's emotional motivations/hindrances. My lady has no problem hollering all her issues - and there are many - straight into my head, so is too much to ask the same from my leading man?
On the Harlequin's community site there was an awesome pitch workshop held by author Winnie Grigg. If you haven't checked it out yet, I highly recommend you do. She breaks down a pitch piece by piece, and gives some great examples to ponder on when creating your own parts.
So, going back to my original problem. Part three of the outline is to nail down his and her motivations. Umm, I know what these things are, but I can't succinctly articulate them. Overall, I'm trying to write a blurb with less than 200 words, but I'm hoping for it to be less and still have impact.
Think about it, some of the most intriguing back covers you read are short and sweet yet convey just enough of the story to make you want to take it right home, sit down with a cup, and ignore the real world for the provided fantasy. This is what I'm aiming for; this is what I've been working on for two days with no end in sight.
*sigh* Men!
~Hetal
On the Harlequin's community site there was an awesome pitch workshop held by author Winnie Grigg. If you haven't checked it out yet, I highly recommend you do. She breaks down a pitch piece by piece, and gives some great examples to ponder on when creating your own parts.
So, going back to my original problem. Part three of the outline is to nail down his and her motivations. Umm, I know what these things are, but I can't succinctly articulate them. Overall, I'm trying to write a blurb with less than 200 words, but I'm hoping for it to be less and still have impact.
Think about it, some of the most intriguing back covers you read are short and sweet yet convey just enough of the story to make you want to take it right home, sit down with a cup, and ignore the real world for the provided fantasy. This is what I'm aiming for; this is what I've been working on for two days with no end in sight.
*sigh* Men!
~Hetal
Friday, January 22, 2010
Write or Die weekend
Well, I am without Monkey this weekend which should give me ample time to finish my novella and the dreaded blurb. I've had all afternoon but have spent most of it critiquing other people's pieces. Hey, while I'm in a writing rut, others should benefit I say.
I'm more than halfway through both the piece and the blurb, so this should be a piece of cake, no? Well, yes, if only thoughts of Monkey weren't running through my head...
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Thursday? Really?
How did I miss Wednesday? I recall editing a bit and realizing my chapter three will not actually be a great chapter three but a better chapter four, so now I'm mind-plotting a new chapter three without compromising my word count. Hmm, maybe I should try plotting before I write to avoid such snags.
Nah!
Did I lose you above? Sorry about the ramble, but hey, it's what I do. Ask (sister) number three, she'll tell you. :)
Anyhow, back to losing my Wednesday. I surfed, took care of Monkey (my 18 month old), cleaned house, checked email, checked group sites, checked blog...accomplished nothing, yet it's now Thursday night and I have nothing to show for it. I should really get on with this writing thing...
Started to work on my pitch "blurb" late today. It's so hard to condense a story to two paragraphs, much harder than a full snyopsis, and I'm worried I'm not getting the right tone. Because the line I'm targeting is "dark and sensual", the blurb - as well as the story - should portray this. I don't think I have it yet.
And Ack!, it's due Feb 1st. Not to mention I have to finish this short by then as well (because I want to submit it whether or not my blurb is chosen).
Maybe I should lay off the internet, excepting research, until then...
Nah!
~Hetal
Nah!
Did I lose you above? Sorry about the ramble, but hey, it's what I do. Ask (sister) number three, she'll tell you. :)
Anyhow, back to losing my Wednesday. I surfed, took care of Monkey (my 18 month old), cleaned house, checked email, checked group sites, checked blog...accomplished nothing, yet it's now Thursday night and I have nothing to show for it. I should really get on with this writing thing...
Started to work on my pitch "blurb" late today. It's so hard to condense a story to two paragraphs, much harder than a full snyopsis, and I'm worried I'm not getting the right tone. Because the line I'm targeting is "dark and sensual", the blurb - as well as the story - should portray this. I don't think I have it yet.
And Ack!, it's due Feb 1st. Not to mention I have to finish this short by then as well (because I want to submit it whether or not my blurb is chosen).
Maybe I should lay off the internet, excepting research, until then...
Nah!
~Hetal
Monday, January 18, 2010
Tighten and Tone
My current work-in-progress that is. Don't even get me started about working out; the treadmill and I have an agreement to not discuss my big butt no matter how many times I walk by on the way to the laundry. ;)
Anywho, back to the subject.
I'm preparing a new piece for the Nocturne Bites line. Specifically, I'm trying to complete it in time for the pitch contest. If I recall correctly, there were a little over sixty pitchers last year. That's some fierce competition, and I expect no less than year.
To really polish my drafts I'm taking advantage the Auto Critter. It's such a great little tool, I don't know how I edited without it. Using the basic (and free) "overused words" analyzer, problem areas of entire chapters are highlighted for me.
I use too many "that's" and "knows" it told me, delete at least four occurrences of each. I gladly did so. Too many words with -ing, delete some. Grudgingly, I did. I happen to think they show more movement than the standard -ed prefix so incorporate them often - apparently a lot.
My first and second chapters have really benefited from this online gizmo. I benefited from it. If you find yourself with a little time today, check it out, you might learn something about yourself. ;)
~Hetal
Anywho, back to the subject.
I'm preparing a new piece for the Nocturne Bites line. Specifically, I'm trying to complete it in time for the pitch contest. If I recall correctly, there were a little over sixty pitchers last year. That's some fierce competition, and I expect no less than year.
To really polish my drafts I'm taking advantage the Auto Critter. It's such a great little tool, I don't know how I edited without it. Using the basic (and free) "overused words" analyzer, problem areas of entire chapters are highlighted for me.
I use too many "that's" and "knows" it told me, delete at least four occurrences of each. I gladly did so. Too many words with -ing, delete some. Grudgingly, I did. I happen to think they show more movement than the standard -ed prefix so incorporate them often - apparently a lot.
My first and second chapters have really benefited from this online gizmo. I benefited from it. If you find yourself with a little time today, check it out, you might learn something about yourself. ;)
~Hetal
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Getting it
I'm slowly - very slowly - paring down my long drawn out intro's and bringing the reader right into the action. It's hard for me as I tend to reveal the backstory from the get go. In one big chunk.
A big no no.
I've actually known this for some time. The tendency to give every single detail from the get go is a classic newbie mistake, and one I've often tripped on. No matter how much I try, I'm always a few steps away from the ideal.
Such as the MS I'm working on for the Noc Bite pitch. I'm really close to the perfect start but still inserting an unnecessary second character for the benefit of revealing backstory. I need to cut him. Really, he needs to...go.
You thought I was going to say die, didn't you? Haha, have to admit, I tried leading you that way.
In any case, I'm really excited for this first chapter which has taken me four iterations to get just the way I want it. Let's hope the rest of the novella flows.
~Hetal
A big no no.
I've actually known this for some time. The tendency to give every single detail from the get go is a classic newbie mistake, and one I've often tripped on. No matter how much I try, I'm always a few steps away from the ideal.
Such as the MS I'm working on for the Noc Bite pitch. I'm really close to the perfect start but still inserting an unnecessary second character for the benefit of revealing backstory. I need to cut him. Really, he needs to...go.
You thought I was going to say die, didn't you? Haha, have to admit, I tried leading you that way.
In any case, I'm really excited for this first chapter which has taken me four iterations to get just the way I want it. Let's hope the rest of the novella flows.
~Hetal
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
I Received an Award
Not for my romance writing, but for the entertainment value my blog provides the masses. The "masses" being the (maybe) five or so people who stop by and visit, no doubt. LOL. :)Last week the very lovely Kaily Hart, an aspiring writer and blogger addict like myself, awarded me a Kreativ Blogger Award. We're both struggling down the waiting-to-be-published path, (she's a little closer to the end than myself) and her words often lift me up when I need a laugh. Thanks Kailey. :)
So now it falls on me to do a few things to honor this little award that has made many rounds around the net. First, thank the person who gave this token to me. Second, reveal 7 interesting things about myself. And third, pass on this award to seven other bloggers.
So, check mark against number one ;). Onto the next...and this could be a little difficult to fulfill. I don't feel I'm an interesting person, but I'll try coming up with some things.
- I am the oldest of four girls. I joke that the four of us are unwanted because my parents were really trying for a boy, a goal it seems every older generation of East Indian strove for. But no, they do love us and wouldn't return any of us to Kmart (though numbers 2 & 3 & I did threaten to take the youngest back - often).
- I read my horoscope almost everyday. From many different places: the paper, the net, an email. By far, my favorite comes from Astrology Zone. I'm a sucker for what the stars have to say, and remain faithful to the dream even though none of those predictions have panned out.
- I was incredibly saddened by a visit to the Taj Mahal ten years ago. Not only because it is a beautiful interpretation of love enduring death, but also because of the state of the grandiose structure. The dazzling white marble of my youth is now streaked with gray, and no amount of meticulous cleaning seemed to be washing away Agra's pollution. Silly, I know, to be affected by the state of such a thing, but there it is.
- I adamantly refused to be a stay at home mom before my marriage, but now I selfishly, and secretly, hold onto the title. Not that I don't miss working, I do - you just can't get adult interaction with a 1 1/2 year old - but it gives me more time to be a struggling writer.
- My unofficial title has become "the baby maker" of our bunch. I only have one girl so far...the fam's waiting impatiently for another.
- I'm psychic...kind of. Ok, not really at all. But I have had some very insightful moments that have come true.
- I have completed a dozen novellas: submitted zero. They just aren't good enough, I say, and I am not putting less than my best out there. But that's all changing this year. 2010 will be the year I come out of my shell. :)
Whether it's for light reading or writing advice, I often spend a minute at these blogs. I do hope you enjoy them as well.
~Hetal
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Fresh Face
After much harassing from my dear husband, I'm simplifying my blog page and ask that you bear with me as I tinker with this new look.
Will you, please? Pretty please?
Sorry for changing things up as often as I do. I will make a concerted effort to curb further renovations until I am published.
We'll definitely be waiting for some time. LOL.
~Hetal
Will you, please? Pretty please?
Sorry for changing things up as often as I do. I will make a concerted effort to curb further renovations until I am published.
We'll definitely be waiting for some time. LOL.
~Hetal
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Upcoming Pitches
If you're an aspiring writer but are feeling intimidated to put yourself out there, see if your work qualifies for any of the "Open Call" I've listed to the left. This is a chance to avoid a slush pile and go straight to the editor. Who wants to pass that up?
The pitches are geared towards well established lines within the house of Harlequin and ask for some very specific elements. Beware, if you don't achieve all of these elements - and then some - you won't stand a chance. I've heard it happen, I swear. If any of these openings make your antenna stand at attention, be sure to read the writing guidelines and adhere to them. It's not easy molding your stories towards predefined requirements - trust me, I've been trying to do it for over a year - but with practice, anything's possible.
You'll be up against some stiff competition, so to help us both out, here's an article I ran across just now that will give some insight to writing the perfect pitch (and be sure to scroll down and check out the accompanying articles on the bottom left specific to romance).
As for the open calls, well, those are a little more flexible to interpretation. Either way, be sure to check them all out. I'll update the list as deadlines pass by and other opportunities open up.
~Hetal
The pitches are geared towards well established lines within the house of Harlequin and ask for some very specific elements. Beware, if you don't achieve all of these elements - and then some - you won't stand a chance. I've heard it happen, I swear. If any of these openings make your antenna stand at attention, be sure to read the writing guidelines and adhere to them. It's not easy molding your stories towards predefined requirements - trust me, I've been trying to do it for over a year - but with practice, anything's possible.
You'll be up against some stiff competition, so to help us both out, here's an article I ran across just now that will give some insight to writing the perfect pitch (and be sure to scroll down and check out the accompanying articles on the bottom left specific to romance).
As for the open calls, well, those are a little more flexible to interpretation. Either way, be sure to check them all out. I'll update the list as deadlines pass by and other opportunities open up.
~Hetal
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Getting started with a BANG
I didn't mean that dirtily, for shame! Get your mind out of the gutter. ;)
What I mean is that I think I've finally accepted that each of my stories doesn't start off fast enough. I've known for some time that I tend to write a lot of exposition in the start, believing that the set up should include pertinent historical details - historical to the characters, not actual history. But it tends to slow the pace down, something I've long ignored and assumed people would overlook due to my exceptional writing (I know, I'm laughing too).
I'm fighting my own nature here, trying to write action interspersed with the internal drama first, then following with the back story. I even wrote a new first chapter last night. Over 3000 words of drama and action...where the hero and heroine have yet to meet. Not good. In fact, if I kept my original script, they would now not meet until the third chapter - a big, huge, glaring no no in the romance industry.
I've read it time and again: have your hero and heroine meet as soon as possible. There are very few editors and agents who will hang on until chapter two or three for the life altering meet, even if the writing is that good.
So now I'm contemplating a brand new chapter one while preserving the rest of the piece. I seem to be working backwards, here, where I should be working forward. I had already mind-plotted (because I'm a pantser not a plotter - much to my own detriment) chapters to insert between chapters, but redoing the beginning was not on my original agenda.
As a result, I'm revising my original "submit MS by end of the month" to "submit partial by end of month". I think I'm breathing a sigh of relief on the inside. I have every intention of completing (after all, what if they like it? I want it ready to send off), while temporarily concentrating on the first three chapters.
I've already decided to target Silhouette Nocturne, but am keeping Dorchester and various epubs in mind, you know, "just in cases".
~Hetal
What I mean is that I think I've finally accepted that each of my stories doesn't start off fast enough. I've known for some time that I tend to write a lot of exposition in the start, believing that the set up should include pertinent historical details - historical to the characters, not actual history. But it tends to slow the pace down, something I've long ignored and assumed people would overlook due to my exceptional writing (I know, I'm laughing too).
I'm fighting my own nature here, trying to write action interspersed with the internal drama first, then following with the back story. I even wrote a new first chapter last night. Over 3000 words of drama and action...where the hero and heroine have yet to meet. Not good. In fact, if I kept my original script, they would now not meet until the third chapter - a big, huge, glaring no no in the romance industry.
I've read it time and again: have your hero and heroine meet as soon as possible. There are very few editors and agents who will hang on until chapter two or three for the life altering meet, even if the writing is that good.
So now I'm contemplating a brand new chapter one while preserving the rest of the piece. I seem to be working backwards, here, where I should be working forward. I had already mind-plotted (because I'm a pantser not a plotter - much to my own detriment) chapters to insert between chapters, but redoing the beginning was not on my original agenda.
As a result, I'm revising my original "submit MS by end of the month" to "submit partial by end of month". I think I'm breathing a sigh of relief on the inside. I have every intention of completing (after all, what if they like it? I want it ready to send off), while temporarily concentrating on the first three chapters.
I've already decided to target Silhouette Nocturne, but am keeping Dorchester and various epubs in mind, you know, "just in cases".
~Hetal
Friday, January 01, 2010
Happy New Year!
I don't know about you, but I can't make resolutions - at least, none that I've ever been able to keep. The typical has always made my list: eat better, exercise more, cut back on the chocolate, find a better job, be closer to my family, etc. Always, I seem to come close to, then utterly fail all my goals.
So no resolutions for me. Nope, I'm going to live as I write: by the seat of my pants.
Speaking of, finally managed to add some words to the MS I'm reworking and was able to add another 1000 wds. Woo-hoo! Unfortunately, they only tacked onto my first chapter which means I have many more to go. Slow and steady and I'll hopefully accomplish something big: submission of a partial by the end of January.
I'm squeaking on the inside, both in fear and excitement. Fingers crossed that I don't chicken out this time.
So no resolutions for me. Nope, I'm going to live as I write: by the seat of my pants.
Speaking of, finally managed to add some words to the MS I'm reworking and was able to add another 1000 wds. Woo-hoo! Unfortunately, they only tacked onto my first chapter which means I have many more to go. Slow and steady and I'll hopefully accomplish something big: submission of a partial by the end of January.
I'm squeaking on the inside, both in fear and excitement. Fingers crossed that I don't chicken out this time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)