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Archive for August, 2009

PLOTTERS VS. PANTSERS

Monday, August 31st, 2009
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PLOTTERS VS. PANTSERS–a fun look at both sides of the issue from Eliza Knight and Renee Knowles…

The Plotter

by Eliza Knight

Plotting? Pantsing?

They both sound uncomfortable, and for those who have a preference, one can be quite painful. I’ve tried both and come to the conclusion I am a plotter, through and through. If I can’t be in control it makes me squirm! Probably part of my majorly Type A personality…

Today I thought I’d take you through my experience with the pantsing so you can see how painful it was for this here control freak to let go, (and secretly see why I think pansters are crazy! Just kidding…lol)

Monday 8:30am – wait! Scratch that I’m pantsing, make it 8:37…

They say pantsters fly by the seat of their pants, I’ve got my basic character sketches, and I’m hoping that my fingers will soar across the keyboard.

8:39am…Not so bad. I’ve written a whole paragraph.

8:41am…I’m starting to sweat. I want to know exactly what is going to happen…

8:45am…Biting nails and rapidly tapping foot. I’m only one sentence past my initial paragraph.

8:47am…I’ve ripped off my pants and tossed the computer! I can’t take it! I must plot my story from beginning to end, and while I do allow for some minor changes and character drivenness, I just can’t handle not knowing anything…

Seriously though, I have tried pantsing. It’s actually how I first started writing, and two years later I’d finished two novels. BUT, one of them I had to rewrite literally 6 times—doing the math on a 95K manuscript, that means I really wrote 570,000 words for one novel!!! The second novel was only 50K, and I’ve re-written it once, and tossed it into the deepest darkest corner of my hard-drive for a day I have more time.

For some, they don’t mind the rewrites, or maybe they are even blessed enough to pants it and get everything down in at least one or two shots, but not me, and I’m not talking just edits, we all do those.

Now I plot meticulously. I have my character sketches, my synopsis and my chapter outlines done before I start writing. Of course it’s not set in stone and I do make changes, but I’ve found with the way I plot, there are NO rewrites, and I only have to edit each chapter 2 maybe 3 times before I’m satisfied.

I hope you pansters find the humor in my teasing, and I hope you plotters feel like you’re not alone!!!

Cheers!

Eliza

The Pantser

Hello, plotters–this is how the other half lives!

by Renee Knowles

Eliza told you about the pain she endured trying to be a pantser. Oh, what she’s suffered. :)

I have to admit that I have suffered too. For a long time I was sure something must be wrong with me. It seemed every writer I knew was telling me about a new plotting system. One would advise me about how to make up a 60-page outline for a 250-page book. Another one just took a class at their RWA chapter and learned an entirely new system for plotting—she gave me books and worksheets and character charts. Some of which made great scrap paper for my grocery lists.

Don’t get me wrong. All these writer friends had the best of intentions. And I appreciated every one of them. But these systems confounded me. I would sit there staring at them blankly waiting for the same inspiration to strike me that my fellow writers were feeling. What was wrong with me? I wondered. What writing gene was I missing that everyone else seemed to have in spades? How on earth was I supposed to know all this?

That was it, I decided. I was defective. I’d never make it as a writer. I was doomed to simply sit on the sidelines as I had in gym class throughout middle school.

Then one day I gave up. I cleared my desk of all the plotting clutter. And I just began to write.

Viola! The words flowed from me. Heck, it was almost as if a dam had broken loose. This book became my first published book, Going Topless.

I realized I was a “pantser.” (Aha! There is even a name for it!) And the realization allowed me to finally relax and let the story play itself out. It was a revelation. An awakening. At least for me, “pantsing” is the only way to inspire my muse.

And I’ve never had cause to look back.

Hugs,

Renee

Bios:

Eliza Knight

Eliza is the author of multiple sizzling historical romances and Highlander time travel erotic romance novellas published by The Wild Rose Press. She is a freelance copy editor, Newsletter Editor for Hearts Through History Romance Writers, and President of the Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. Eliza is the author of the award-winning blog, History Undressed and has published numerous articles in various newsletters. She presents workshops on history, researching techniques and writing craft, to writing groups online. Visit Eliza: www.elizaknight.com, www.historyundressed.blogspot.com

Renee Knowles

Renee Knowles is an award-winning contemporary and historical romance author. She is also the author of the writing how-to series SAVVY BUSINESS SKILLS FOR WRITERS, covering everything from career planning to networking and promoting on a budget to no-fear public speaking. Available now at Wild Child Publishing. Check out Renee’s website at www.reneeknowles.com.

Categories : Eliza Knight, Humorous, Renee Knowles, Uncategorized
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OPEN PROMO/BOOK DISCUSSION DAY!

Friday, August 28th, 2009
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Today it’s YOUR turn! Tell us about your new release or a great book you’ve recently read. We only ask that you keep the content PG and that you add a buy link.

Promo away!

The Mama Writers

Categories : Uncategorized
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Jealousy…The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Thursday, August 27th, 2009
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I admit it: I am a jealous person. Hmm, let me qualify that. I am a jealous person at times. When warranted (at least to me : )) and when I feel the emotion is worth it. I don’t mind admitting this. I am human, and envy, jealousy, is a fact of life. Nor do I think this makes me weak. In fact, I would say that jealousy—be it professional, personal, or romantic—has often helped me to strive to be a better person.

There is little satisfaction in simply being jealous though. At its best, envy or jealousy can make you work harder, try something new, expand your horizons and challenge your mind. It can make you strive to be the best you can be. It can turn from a pesky, hurtful feeling (or even hateful) into admiration.

Yet, at its worst it is a vengeful, sneaky monster that can sever relationships and make good people do bad things. It can make you tear down someone or lash out at a friend, spouse or lover. It can even cause wars.

What does this all have to be with being a mama writer? As a writer, I have often tried to ignore the pangs of envy that seep into my bones when I hear about a new, upcoming author hitting unheard of sales numbers or receiving a six-figure advance. Or perhaps a writer who consistently hits the top of the lists that perhaps I personally don’t find appealing. I didn’t want this jealousy to work into my writing, or worse to leave me so downtrodden I gave up.

The same goes for being a mom. I have had the privilege to meet some amazing and accomplished moms. A few leave me in awe. Sometimes I have to wonder if these women even have time in their lives with all they do to sleep and eat.

But in both these cases, I’ve felt it beneath me to admit to the jealousy. Until now. I’ve begun to realize that I am a better mom and writer due to these feelings. I have accomplished more because of this envy and in the end I have become a more complete mama writer.

In moderation, jealousy can be a good thing. While I’m not advocating finding something to be envious of, I am saying that if it happens, learn from it and turn it into a good thing.

After all, don’t they say when life hands you lemons, make lemonade? I say, when the green monster rears its head, let it lead you toward a positive, rewarding change in your own life.

Renee

SAVVY BUSINESS SKILLS FOR WRITERS
Available Now from Wild Child Publishing

COURTING TROUBLE–Nominated for Best Novella of 2008 by LASR!
Available Now  from The Wild Rose Press

www.reneeknowles.com

Categories : Coping, Encouragement, MamaHood, Renee Knowles, Similarities-Motherhood & Writing, Uncategorized
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Special Guest – Loucinda McGary

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
Comments (31)

MamaWriters are thrilled to have special guest Loucinda McGary with us today, AKA ‘Aunty Cindy” from Romance Bandits.  Her second release, an time-traveling romantic suspense, TREASURES OF VENICE, has just released, and it looks fabulous!

Please help us welcome Loucinda McGary, as she asks about the magic of your mother’s purse!

Loucinda McGaryBAG O’ TRICKS

A few weeks ago at the RWA National Conference, Linda Howard gave the keynote speech about the eccentric members of her family. One of the most memorable parts of her speech for me was her description of her mother’s purse, which held everything one would ever need to solve any given issue or handle any crises. My mother had a purse like that, too!

My sister, brothers and I laughingly called it “the suitcase” because my mother favored these large tote bags that were big, rectangular, and… Well, resembled a suitcase (back in the days before soft-sided luggage and wheels). And the things my mother carried in there! Okay, maybe not the foil-wrapped package of pork chops Linda Howard’s mother produced at an opportune moment, but my mother came close. Time and again, she would pull something out of her bag that turned out to be just what one of us needed – wet wipes, sunscreen, nail file, pliers, antibiotic crème, aspirin, and every size and shape of bandage and adhesive tape known to humankind!

I’ve never been as good as my mother about pulling something out of my purse just when it was needed. But then, I don’t carry a “suitcase.” However, as a writer, I do have my own particular ‘bag o’ tricks’ that I use. I have dialogue tags, character arcs, plot points, and deep point-of-view. Anything that will keep my reader invested in my story and characters, I will try!

I especially like to use small details. I throw in a sight, sound or smell that triggers a memory for me, and hope that it does the same for my reader. A memory can then produce an emotional response that makes the reader identify more closely with the character, at least that’s how it happens for me! When I read a book, I want to feel what the character feels, experience the events in the story right along with the characters. And that’s what I strive to create for my readers in my books too. Whether it is a pair of pliers, or a funny saying I remember treasures-of-venice-lgfrom my childhood, I’ll pull it out of my ‘bag o’ tricks’ and hope that it was just what my story needed.

A few of the details I used in my newest romantic suspense The Treasures of Venice included a reference to The Chronicles of Narnia, particularly the book The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, several quotes from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and the phrase “No way, Jose!” (Nope, sorry, I’m not going to tell you the context. You’ll have to read the book and see! LOL!)

What about you? If you are a writer, what sorts of things do you keep in your ‘bag o’ tricks’ to make the reader keep turning the pages?

If you are not a writer, what is the strangest thing you, or your mother ever pulled out of your purse at just the right moment?

I’ll be giving away an autographed copy of The Treasures of Venice to one lucky commenter.

Categories : Craft Topics, creativity, Kris Kennedy, special guests
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Momma’s Got a Brand New Plan

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
Comments (13)

I love this video:

Maybe it’s because I love to sing and dance (privately, of course). Maybe it’s because I love to watch groups of unconnected people come together. Whatever it is I watch it a lot, whenever I need a little pick-me-up…which I’ve needed a lot lately.

I’m coming off of a week of being sick, and let me tell you the stomach flu and pneumonia are NOT good bed fellows. Anyway, I did get a lot of time in bed, and during my drug-induced fog I had some interesting realizations:

1. I don’t handle stress well.

2. All I’ve been doing is working.

3. I haven’t had playtime with my kids in…well, so darn long I don’t remember when it last happened.

4. My husband has become this person with whom I simply cohabitate.

5. Maybe it’s not stress that Idon’t handle well, but guilt.

#6 (and most important, hence the reason it actually has a number sign) Work will never end. I’ll never get to the last item of my to-do list. I’ll never have a glorious, sunshiney, music playing in the backgroud, ”I’m done for the day” moment. It simply isn’t going to happen. There’s no such thing.

7. So, since I can’t change the way work works, I’m going to have to change how I work.

My drug-induced fog was pretty insightful, eh? Figures.

So, I’ve decided that – once I actually get back to work (apparently recovering from two things at once, especially when one is pneumonia, is a looooong process. And no, patience is not a virtue to which I am predisposed. Go figure.) - I’m going to give myself a finite amount of time to work. It’s up to me how productive that time is. I’m going to have to master the process of prioritizing and get things done, not all at once like I prefer, but in bits and pieces. And when that clock hits 3 p.m. I’m done. It’s family time. I envision a special snack for the kids, homework, cooking dinner, etc.

Sounds glorious, huh? Bets on how long I’ll be able to make it work? Bet away, sisters! Unlike my other plans, this one is manageable, doable, will not require superhuman powers, endurance, or strength. Look out world! Here I come!

As soon as I can walk up my stairs without having to stop, sit down and breathe. :0)

So, I’ve got a plan…What’s yours?

Categories : Uncategorized
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Hey, all Writing, motherhood, trying to do it all has shown me that sometimes plates have to drop, and marketing and support -- ESPECIALLY during the summer months, is the thing that slips. Just b/c I've been gone doesn't mean I don't think of you and often. HUGS to everyone... and keep writing! Ash
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played in the garden. Now to spend the day with kids sports and outside play.
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