The Pen Fatales were kind enough to invite me to guest blog over on their blog this past Friday. The way it works is they have a word every two weeks and that's the topic. I got the word "blood." And had a momentary freak out. What was I supposed to say about blood? Well, I came up with something. Check it out: http://pensfatales.com/2009/10/monica-thinks-blood-is-gross.html#comments
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
the constant insecurities of a flaying writer
A memory snakes through my cloudy mind of an author I highly respect and admire asking me, “Is it good?”
She was referring to my writing. I’m pretty sure I stared at her, perhaps with my mouth hanging open. I may have said: “Ah, I think…I mean, I’m new at this, I was an English major…” My voice trailed off after a few attempts at answering such a blunt, straight-forward question. And the one thought that ran around my head in circles since this conversation was the daunting question: Am I any good at this writing business?
About a year ago, I had thought I was good. After all, my writing group, mother, and even grandmother had all said so. Why, even when the subject matter wasn’t what they’d prefer (I like writing about sex, after all.) they’d wax lyrical about my sentence structure: “The way you put words together,” dramatic pause, “simply amazes me.” Thank you very much, grandma, I love you too.
Or, “Um, honey…it was a little, how do I say, racy, vulgar, but maybe that’s just because I’m older and from a different generation.” That one’s from my mom. She continues, “the way you write the characters, though—my!”
So, I had thought I was good. (But telling a multi-published, award-winning author I was good, seems slightly pompous.)
Of course, I know my problem areas. Plot seems a foreign concept, often not realizing I even have a plot until after the first draft is written. And grammar errors always feature big in my critiques. Always the bane of my English teacher, I took to using double negatives in my everyday language to irritate her. Ah, the antics of middle children. So, yes, my writing was not perfect, maybe it was even sloppy, especially the first time around.
Did this make me a bad writer? Or just a sloppy first draft writer? Or…something else?
This question made me think, perhaps way too much. But it doesn’t change the way I think about my writing. I sit down at my computer and when I ask myself: am I good? The answer varies. Sometimes I say, “Nope, you suck ass.” Or “Kinda good.” Or “Damn good!”
Whatever answer pops out, I stay seated and keep pounding out those words. Because if I’m not good today, maybe I’ll be good tomorrow.
She was referring to my writing. I’m pretty sure I stared at her, perhaps with my mouth hanging open. I may have said: “Ah, I think…I mean, I’m new at this, I was an English major…” My voice trailed off after a few attempts at answering such a blunt, straight-forward question. And the one thought that ran around my head in circles since this conversation was the daunting question: Am I any good at this writing business?
About a year ago, I had thought I was good. After all, my writing group, mother, and even grandmother had all said so. Why, even when the subject matter wasn’t what they’d prefer (I like writing about sex, after all.) they’d wax lyrical about my sentence structure: “The way you put words together,” dramatic pause, “simply amazes me.” Thank you very much, grandma, I love you too.
Or, “Um, honey…it was a little, how do I say, racy, vulgar, but maybe that’s just because I’m older and from a different generation.” That one’s from my mom. She continues, “the way you write the characters, though—my!”
So, I had thought I was good. (But telling a multi-published, award-winning author I was good, seems slightly pompous.)
Of course, I know my problem areas. Plot seems a foreign concept, often not realizing I even have a plot until after the first draft is written. And grammar errors always feature big in my critiques. Always the bane of my English teacher, I took to using double negatives in my everyday language to irritate her. Ah, the antics of middle children. So, yes, my writing was not perfect, maybe it was even sloppy, especially the first time around.
Did this make me a bad writer? Or just a sloppy first draft writer? Or…something else?
This question made me think, perhaps way too much. But it doesn’t change the way I think about my writing. I sit down at my computer and when I ask myself: am I good? The answer varies. Sometimes I say, “Nope, you suck ass.” Or “Kinda good.” Or “Damn good!”
Whatever answer pops out, I stay seated and keep pounding out those words. Because if I’m not good today, maybe I’ll be good tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Best. Birthday. Ever.
It was one of those things you never thought would happen...a live TV appearance. And then it did--on the eve of my birthday. It was magical.
No, not me, silly. My debut novel, Hot on Her Heels. That's right, my very first book flashed across the small screen in all its shiny, sexy glory. It was a birthday to be treasured.
I never thought it would happen, but it did and there were fireworks...in my head.
Did you miss it on TV? Check it out on-line! My book is part of a box set with a few other novels.
http://electronics.hsn.com/escape-with-romance-exclusive-6-book-collection_p-5700283_xp.aspx?web_id=5700285&ocm=sekw
Monday, October 12, 2009
New Author Crush: Kristan Higgins
Most times when authors use a first person voice, I have trouble connecting with the main character, sometimes not even bothering to finish the book. The heroine seems so self-centered, since the reader gets the whole story from one character. Writing a book like this offers a definite challenge to bring the reader in, rather than alienate her.
But KH’s heroine, Grace, is plain endearing, completely flawed, and I want to be her new BFF. The book, Too Good To Be True, read quick and hilarious, often making me laugh out loud, garnering my share of strange looks. But I didn’t care; I wanted to be submerged forever in this quirky world.
If you like a book with a quick, clever, engaging voice paired with sexy neighbors, dumb dogs, and one big crazy family, go pick up Kristan Higgins' book Too Good To Be True, and let me know your thoughts.
But KH’s heroine, Grace, is plain endearing, completely flawed, and I want to be her new BFF. The book, Too Good To Be True, read quick and hilarious, often making me laugh out loud, garnering my share of strange looks. But I didn’t care; I wanted to be submerged forever in this quirky world.
If you like a book with a quick, clever, engaging voice paired with sexy neighbors, dumb dogs, and one big crazy family, go pick up Kristan Higgins' book Too Good To Be True, and let me know your thoughts.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Sue Grimshaw: awesome bookseller
I love Sue Grimshaw! She is the romance buyer for Borders and she actually loves romance! Just hearing her talk about every romance writer under the sun with enthusiasm and passion makes me want to one day be on her shelves. Not to mention she super nice and knowledgeable. Check out her blog at http://bordersblog.com/trueromance/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
