Bluebonnet Ballerina by Carol Kilgore -- book review

Bluebonnet Ballerina is not your average cops and robbers’ type of suspense.

Readers can expect characters, both live and the ‘gently deceased’, to appear on the pages of Bluebonnet Ballerina. The cast includes ex-CIA, cops – active to reassigned, a best friend complete with her guiding spirit, a couple of love interests, and even a few decades-old ghosts thrown into the mix. The hard hitting world of human trafficking, guns for hire, and genuine bad guys are counterbalanced by a healthy – and much appreciated – dose of the ‘woo-woo’ factor.

Bluebonnet Ballerina is filled with: a plot that MAKES sense – always a pleasant surprise in a suspense novel; characters that are intelligent; and enough Texas scenery to bring the favored destination spot, San Antonio, to life. Through the eyes and exploits of Agent Gracie Hofner, readers can enjoy the city street-by-street. In addition, author Carol Kilgore’s veracity of law-enforcement and criminal investigation research guarantees realism on every page.

As Bluebonnet Ballerina winds down the roads of South Texas, readers will be shocked by a murder or two and the harsh reality of the dark web, but they will enjoy vivid scenes deep with sultry evening air, condensation on long-neck bottles, and breathing a little fire from spicy tacos.

Bluebonnet Ballerina is the second feature in The Amazing Gracie Trilogy. Author, Carol Kilgore, allows frighteningly accurate criminal situations to fully develop, and just like investigations in the real world, readers shouldn’t expect easy answers or for the varied plot lines to wrap up by story’s end.

Other K.M. Saint James book reviews:

A Warlock Under The Mistletoe by S.S. Bazinet

Tempting Mr. Townsend by Anna Campbell

Grey's Lady by Natasha Blackthorne

Giving a Heart of Lace: Sweet and Clean Regency Romance

How to entice Readers . . . 5 Writing Tips to Building Book Teasers!

Writing . . . writing . . . and writing. The book is nearing its end.

NOW WHAT????

Before you go crazy considering ALL the things to do for a book launch, focus on something closer to your current writing mind-set.

Every writing day is about producing new words. But it is also about editing what's on page. You polish scene consistency, authentic characters, snappy dialogue, and just enough narrative to set any scene.

So, while completely enmeshed in the writing and rewriting, here is the perfect opportunity to search out book teasers for the upcoming book launch.

Remember, writing as a PROfessional requires authors to hone their craft, daily.

Teasers -- DO's and DON'T's

FIRST-- THERE is NOT a perfect number of words required to produce a great teaser. Don't believe that it must be one paragraph . . . or two paragraphs . . . or three paragraphs. The word count isn't important. The essence of the teaser -- what is revealed -- is, however, crucial.

My mother frequently used the Winston Churchill quote when I was in middle school. Oh, not the good speech part, but the short skirt part.

The concept of just long enough is what's important.

SECOND -- IF you lift text exactly from your WIP, the teaser may leave the reader scratching their head. Consider editing the text for dynamic purpose. Does a line or two need to be removed? Is this text section filled with 'he said/she said', but it doesn't really identify the characters? Is there NO scene setting in the lifted text and your characters have that 'floating in space' problem?

THIRD -- YOU will need more book teasers than you think so it's better to have loads in the hopper then sort through to cull out the best.

I start by sorting book teasers into short, medium, and long categories. If posting to Twitter, keep in mind the character count. If posting to Pinterest, keep in mind the pixel sizing. Consider where you plan to, initially, launch your social media blitz. Be clear on the perimeters to successfully and EFFECTIVELY target that audience. Very often, less is more. Heavy text even on the greatest artwork becomes too cumbersome for readers to scan. Think about movie trailers and how many scenes are flashed on screen in 30 seconds. Concise and poignant is often the best bet.

FOURTH -- INCORPORATE artwork into the teasers. The graphic artist is still hard at work on the final cover design for my second book: Chasing Destiny. In the meantime, I utilized basic concepts and it gives me a working backdrop. Depending on your skill set with 'artistically' based programs, you may build any number of options. The point is to consider the best written offering to attach to the artwork for maximum reader impact.

As I write romance, I select short, medium, and long book teasers that will emphasize sexual tension between my protagonists.

Long teaser:

“You could kiss me." Jaycee's whisper reflected the ache of her soul.
“I thought we didn’t have a relationship."
Uh-oh, maybe she’d misread the clues. It had been a long time since she’d wanted to seduce a man. Scratch that. She’d never wanted a man the way she wanted Garrick Shapiro. Striving for a lighter tone, Jaycee gave his shoulder a playful poke. “I’m talking a simple kiss here."
“There is nothing simple between us." He stroked a thumb across her bottom lip. “Timing’s not great. You’ve already had a roller coaster day."
“Don’t coddle me, Garrick,” she stressed. Reaching out, Jaycee took the initiative. He wasn’t immune to her, not if the fire in his eyes was any sign. “I’ve lived a lifetime with overprotective males. Assume I know my own mind."
“Full sail ahead and damn the reefs, is that it?" He lifted his head, turning his gaze to the distant horizon as if searching for answers. “So, all you want is a kiss?”
Eyes the color of molten steel and filled with every woman’s dream of pure passion turned her way, capturing her breath and holding her a willing prisoner.
This was the look she’d waited for a lifetime.
Jaycee nodded.

Medium teaser:

When Jaycee didn’t immediately take the proffered material, Garrick extended it further. “Go on. It doesn’t bite.”
“What about you?” Embarrassed heat rushed across her cheeks. Great. Smooth. She’d lost what was left of her mind. With a face that probably glowed like a bright red fire truck, Jaycee reached up, pulling down hard on the brim of her baseball cap. “What I meant was . . . you were in such a mood before. . . earlier.” She jerked at the offered folder. “Never mind.”
“On the contrary, Ms. Donovan. It’s a fair question.” His grip tightened, not releasing their paper tether until she lifted her gaze. Flecks of amusement glittered in his glance. “I will admit . . . I’ve been known to bite, but only when invited.”

Short teaser:

Wanting as never before, needing to be closer still, Jaycee slid into his warmth and melted into Garrick's embrace. She was certain, the world ceased to spin because nothing at that moment—his future or her past—none of it mattered.

FIFTH -- CONSIDER the audience for your genre. If writing fantasy, what teasers from your WIP best put the reader under your spell? If writing horror, what teasers from your WIP would scare the living bejesus out of them . . . and of course, make them want to turn the next page?

Finishing the book is a great and fabulous accomplishment. Be certain to celebrate the moment. But on the road to the end, gather a few of your written gems for use as Book Teasers

Be a Better Writer . . .
AT

Teaching an Old Dog (writer) New Tricks. Secrets to Better Writing.

Writing The Perfect Phrase -- studying the masters!

A Writer's Magic - as close as fingertips!

Harry Potter used a wand. Bewitched twitched her nose. Harry Dresden wielded a staff.
Writers come with their own special form of magic.
Whether it's pen to pad, stylus to tablet, or keyboard to PC . . . a writer's magic is as close as fingertips.

New writers often feel that they must pursue fiction writing as they don't carry a bag of non-fiction writing tricks.

Don't allow the concept of non-fiction writing to intimidate.

Consider the 3 easily defined categories:

Educating: How-to-manuals, directions, historical explanations, or scientific explorations fall into this category.

Influencing or persuasive: Every sales brochure, each editorial, even academic critiques are designed to persuade the reader to a certain conclusion.

Narrative: story-telling, but in the non-fiction circuit it is to be based on facts. Basic journalism to feature writing, and even biographies would fall under the Narrative heading.

Many authors not only cross genres, but modes of writing between fiction and non-fiction. A writing paycheck can come from a variety of sources and it is the wise writer who pursues all opportunities.

But, this is a cautionary tale . . . Fiction and Non-fiction are NOT the same writing beast, and must be courted differently in order to achieve successful results.

Be concise: get to the point. Getting to the point is crucial in non-fiction.

Know the point of your writing and get on with it.
A) There is some leniency in the narrative form, but study news stories – both print and online – to gauge the quick pacing of these pieces.
B) Educational writing varies wildly and while How-To-Manuals and Directions often taken on the bulleted-format, lengthy historical explanations and in-depth scientific explorations must still contain a very specific path from premise to conclusion. Be careful not to lose your way when working on the longer formats. Outlines can be a non-fiction writer’s best friend.
C) Persuasive or influencing: this writing can be as short as a tag line, a book blurb, a closing sales pitch or deal with weighty issues from politics to retirement planning. A clearly defined goal is the most certain way to achieve the end result of the writing.

Language choices: use power words and precision language.

Keeping in line with the Be Concise attitude, force each of your words to carry their weight. Know (and keep a list) of verbs that are effective and reflective on your subject matter. Equally important, know precisely how to describe the product, the ideal, the event.

Pronouns: the NO-NO for non-fiction writing.

Fiction writers often court pronouns like a torrid love affair. They, those tiny pronouns, can essentially disappear on page and not slow reading. HOWEVER, and it is a huge however for non-fiction writing, especially technical and legal writing, pronouns provide opportunities for confusion. The average fiction reader may not mind re-reading a sentence or even a paragraph if lost in a point-of-view. However, a judge reviewing a motion, brief, or filing will take a dim view of that necessity and however, the mechanic handling a brake job doesn’t want to re-read confusing installation directions due to pronouns. See, I told you it was a huge HOWEVER.

Grammar Rules: they are meant to be followed in non-fiction writing.

Fiction authors, novice to NY Times best sellers will routinely break grammar rules. Unfortunately, many novice writers don’t know they have broken the rules, but that discussion is for another blog post. Non-fiction writers must be intimate with books such as The Chicago Manual of Style; Essentials of English Grammar: The Quick Guide to Good English; and Basic English Grammar for Dummies.

Perhaps, you have read through this blog and questioned?????

But . . .

Aren’t these areas equally important for fiction writers?

Caught me.

I will confirm – GOOD WRITING SHOULD BE GOOD WRITING.

Great fiction writers will brain-storm, outline, and plot in order to begin stories at the most exciting moment and conclude with the perfect resolution. They’ll utilize story-boards, Post-it Notes, Trello boards and various techniques to start and end each scene, chapter, and novel with precision.

Great fiction writers will hone their language choices, then eliminate sentences, paragraphs and even scenes that drag the pacing. Their characters will always ask the right question, supply the most scathing rebuttal, and declare unfaltering devotion with a prose to rival Shakespeare.

Pronouns in fiction writing are more acceptable, and can, indeed, speed reading. But ONLY when done well. Great fiction writers pay careful attention to the use of dialogue tags, body blocking, and paragraph construction to guarantee that readers can easily follow along when pronouns are employed. In other words, these marvelous authors utilize precise language to lead the reader through any maze of pronouns.

Finally, fiction readers will forgive the occasional grammar break, but they depend . . . NO, I believe, they demand that their great fiction writers KNOW those rules and break with intent.

It’s worth saying again – GOOD WRITING SHOULD BE GOOD WRITING.

Whether you are starting your blogging career or completing your first manuscript, consider these writing tips to hone your Non-Fiction skills.
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Marketing Plan of Action - how to start simple and build to great!

Tim Grahl, author of Your First 1000 Copies and founder of booklaunch.com
believes that Marketing doesn't need to be a 'eew' prospect.

So, I've read over a few of his techniques and decided to break-it down into a Plan of Action.
New Year . . . New Goals . . . and all that.
More importantly, it's about finding a way to market that doesn't make the author in me cringe at the idea.

READ ALONG & SEE IF YOU AGREE

According to Tim, MARKETING is about creating long-lasting connections. I'd say this is sound business whether you're selling books, artwork or cars off the used lot. None of us want just the ONE-AND-DONE customer. We want repeat business. We want to develop long-lasting connections/relationships that will keep folks coming back because they're pleased with their purchase.

Tim breaks it down into three categories for connection.

1) Outreach – The act of moving people from not knowing I exist to knowing that I DO exist.

Here are my ideas:

a. Facebook
b. Twitter
c. Pinterest
d. Blog
e. Book-signings
f. Public readings
g. Carrying a business card with my books/blog listed AND handed those out.

i. Where can I leave these?
1. With every receipt/tip I leave on a table
2. Any bulletin board
3. Any clerk that I speak with and mention I'm a writer
ii. Order from Vista-Print

h. Get some print copies of books and carry them on vacation –

i. Look for independent book stores and ask if I can donate a few copies.
ii. Libraries

i. Interview on Podcast
j. Book reviews
k. Post a lot on Reddit

2) Content: Providing a way for people to get to know me and my writing.

Again, here are my immediate thoughts:

a. Blog writing
b. Book teasers
c. Samples listed on Amazon
d. Samples listed on my blog.

3) Permission: A way to stay in contact with people long-term.

a. Build an email list – remember that I'm looking for a way to stay in long-term contact with these folks so that every time I release a book they’ll know about it.
b. Gain readers for the blog – this is interactive: if readers come back to the blog and see the new releases, they'll be more likely to purchase. Readers can't buy what they don't know about.

i. Building readership to the blog is a way to not only introduce my writing, but to encourage folks to experience my voice, my style of writing. Ultimately, I want readers to be pleased with their purchase and feel like their funds were well-spent.

So a huge Thank You to Tim Grahl and his insight.

To me these are more than goals for 2019 -- this is a Plan of Action.

Do you have other ideas????? Other plans that have worked for you?????

Please feel free to comment, or send me a Twitter reply.


K.M.Saint James
@LoneStarMeander

Learn More! Additional Writing Tips . . .

A Writer's Magic . . . as close as fingertips!

6 Steps to Editing like a PROfessional!

Book Review - Magic Harvest by Mary Karlik

Magic Harvest (Fairy Trafficking) by Mary Karlik

Want to push aside the FAIRYTALE veil,

and see what really happens between the pages of Once Upon A Time and Happily Ever-After?

Then Magic Harvest is a definite read for you.

Author, Mary Karlik, has woven a wonderful tale that intertwines magical creatures with the human world. The story is filled with elves, trolls, dragons, a band of law enforcement Investigators, and a host of fey people. And just like real-life, some of these folks are good, and some, not so much.

Magic Harvest is a dedication to a sister’s love, and the sheer determination of sibling to let nothing keep her from affecting a dangerous and dimension-spanning rescue.

Mary Karlik has breathed life into these fantasy beings until the pages flutter like so many faerie wings.

Think you have read the best of ‘quest’ books? Then think again, because Magic Harvest reminds readers that each of us is filled with self-doubt when facing our enemies, fear is universal, and bravery can be found no matter what your size.

This story kept me up until the ‘wee’ hours of the morning, and will bring me back to Mary Karlik’s author’s page again and again.

Fairytales do exists and sometimes the ending is even better than Happily Ever-After.

Phrase . . . the true meaning behind the catch phrase: A fool’s paradise.

Pick a genre and you’ve probably read this catch phrase.

‘John thinks he’ll finally get the promotion, but then he lives in a fool’s paradise.’

‘Her fool’s paradise ended the day she caught her cheating lover in bed with her best friend."

Writing a historical and worried about the inception of this phrase?

Unless, your characters are pre-1462, you’ll be safe. This phrase first found its way on page in the Paston Letters, 1462.

But what exactly does a fool’s paradise mean?

Shakespeare embraced its usage in Romeo and Juliet, and certainly that was one couple that lived in happiness based on false hope.

Writing current fiction . . . or non-fiction?

The phrase – a fool’s paradise – is still as potent today.

Artist, Shohei Otomo, debuted his work in September 2012, entitling his exhibition: Fool’s Paradise.

The phrase shows its relevance in modern newspapers, as shown in The New York Times Opinion Section, October 6, 2008, article by Bob Herbert, A Fool’s Paradise, “We’ve been living for years in a fool’s paradise atop a mountain of debt.”

HolidayInsights.com has even determined that some wish to celebrate the day. July 13th is listed in their registry as Fool’s Paradise Day. Perhaps, it is just a day to
believe that anything is possible. Perhaps, a day not to worry about detrimental truth. And perhaps, it’s simply a day to assume that no matter the worst . . . it will all be over in a single day.

Whatever your take on the day, be careful not to live in a fool’s paradise.

Someday the truth will win out . . .
But then that’s a phrase explanation for another day.

Don't Bungle your Blogging (or Become a Better Blogger - Writer)

In my daily perusal – read – of a multitude of blog and websites, I’ve discovered some uh-oh moments. Despite the type of blog, the number of individuals involved with the blog, or the purpose of the writing, the mistakes exist. No Grammar Police hat worn here. But I will say that on-page mistakes threaten our reader's pleasure.

Good writing is hard work. More importantly, easy reading is harder work.

GOOD GRAMMAR -- Wait! Don't stop reading yet.

I know . . . I know . . .The word GRAMMAR should be issued in a whisper.
Ears snap closed like a gator before his midnight snack.
Patience, Padawan - this could be useful information.


I’m aware of the Kurt Vonnegut Tweet circulating that condemns the semicolon as a useless brush with higher education and writers would do well to exorcise (not quite Linda Blair in The Exorcist, but close) the tiny punctuation mark from their prose.

Well, you caught me. I did go to university. I did study English (English Composition minor). So, I’m guilty of exercising - not exorcising - advanced punctuation. However, if you don’t know the difference between a semicolon (;) and a colon (:) and when to use each, then you have a writer's duty: learn it.

WHY? Is that your writer's duty?

Q: How can you possibly break grammatical rules if you don’t know them?
A: You can’t.

Kurt might have hated the semicolon, but the man knew how to use it before tossing it out of his literary realm.

Brief explanation –
Use a semicolon to bring together two complete sentences (related sentences) without a conjunction.

**The hard-drinking party girl closed down the bar; her next day was spent hugging the ceramic throne.**

Two related sentences. Same subject in both sentences. Second sentence demonstrates the result of the first sentence.

The much-maligned semicolon certainly sports more uses than the one above, but to strengthen writing without sending the brain into grammatical shock – pick out one aspect of a semicolon and develop the habit.

Painless? Not necessarily.
Guaranteed writing growth? Probably.
Stronger reader comprehension? Absolutely.

And if you’re taking the time to share your thoughts, advice, information with readers, make it worth their reading while.

I’d planned a short discussion on comma and phrases and clauses and then realized . . . there is no such thing as a short discussion for the comma.

Lengthy subject: The Chicago Manual of Style, 7th Edition, dedicates fifty-five (55) pages to the use of the comma.

Please, if your version of the manual style has a different page count on the ubiquitous comma, don’t notify me. I’ll take your word for it. Suffice it to say, the comma covers a great deal of written ground. If unfamiliar with the comma, consider some of the suggested reading listed below.

However, grammar lessons isn’t over – in this knock-out round, let’s discuss,

Subject – Verb VS. Subject - Predicate

I chose this picture because I’m envious of anyone with this conditioning. Ring-side managers would need to call out paramedics/chiropractors if I even managed to get my leg in this position.

Yet, the picture is accurate for many of us (I’ll include myself here, thank you very much) in readily knowing and understanding the difference between Subject – Verb and Subject – Predicate.

For bloggers, who venture to amazing places, enjoying delicacies I can often not pronounce or engage in hang-gliding, sky-diving, rock-climbing that I’d not be brave enough to try; for the newbie writers finding their literary feet; for the article innocents preparing for the world of submission and rejection, I beg you to learn the basis of sentence structure for Subjects & Predicates.

Simple sentence:
She jumped.

She is the subject.
Jumped is the verb. (A verb that shows action.)

I said it was a simple sentence, but now it gets a bit trickier.

What if the verb didn’t show action? What if the verb was one of those sly ‘state of being’ verbs?

Forms of to be

be, am, is, are, was, were, been, being

Other Linking Verbs

appear, become, feel, grow, look, seem, remain, smell, sound, stay, taste, turn

Simple sentence:
She tasted.

What? What did she taste? Isn’t taste an action? I always thought so, but if it’s an action verb, why doesn’t the sentence seem complete?

Because taste is a tricky linking verb and now needs a predicate to modify – to complete the sentence.

She tasted the sweet flavor of the season’s first apple.
She tasted the bitterness of defeat.
She tasted salty. (Tasted salty? Who would think that, much less write it?)
As he nibbled her neck, she tasted salty.

Don’t wrinkle your nose. If you’ve read a handful of romance books, you’ve encountered something similar.

The point is:
What comes after ‘tasted’ is vital to sentence comprehension, which means ‘tasted (verb required for a predicate) the sweet flavor of the season’s first apple’ is in fact a PREDICATE.

A PREDICATE or better known as that which modifies the subject of a sentence. In this case, the subject is ‘she’.

All right, before your brain explodes from grammar TNT, I’ll remind you that as a writer, you must possess – and actually – read grammar HOW TO books.

A few healthy examples : The Chicago Manual of Style

English Grammar for Dummies

Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips.

If you want to be considered a Professional Writer, even a semi-competent writer, then EARN IT!

Homework doesn’t end just because you are an adult. If anything, it’s a more serious form of homework.
Whether Ms. Smith gave you an A on a writing composition isn’t nearly as important as if your readers enjoy the stories you share, the information you impart, or the wisdom you reveal.

Don’t bungle your blogging.

Oh, and if you've been paying attention, you'll have a read a number of colons (:) in this blog: find them.

Summer is in full 'steam' on the back porch. Do drop by again.

Too Much to Swallow - Plotting

However great the storyteller, however well published the author – one truth remains constant. Plotting, beast that it is, can never be side-stepped, shortened or eliminated. Short story to novel, fiction to non-fiction, romance to suspense, each writer must face the daunting task of basic plotting.

Breaking the process of plotting down into specific bites can make the entire process more palatable.

Who . . . What . . . When . . . Where . . . and Why:
basic questions guaranteed to cook up plotting

BRILLIANCE

Who – be specific, which character is the target of this plotting session.

1) One of the protagonists?
2) The villain?
3) A secondary character who’s crucial to plot development?
Tami Hoag's, The 9th Girl, is expertly plotted, with twists and turns that actively involve the reader throughout the story. If we take Ms. Hoag's female protagonist, Detective Nikki Liska from a plotting standpoint, this is an established character, secure in her life choices - or so it seems on the surface - who is embroiled in the hunt for a serial killer.

What – be specific about the goal of the plotting.

Not necessarily which scene or chapter; that’s actually irrelevant. Much more important is the character arc. Will this session deal with tricky external plot points? Or the deeper, more emotional internal conflict layers? Or the difficult task of intertwining the external with the internal? Always think of bite-sized pieces no matter how complicated the plotting goal.

Supersized may be wonderful at your favorite fast-food restaurant, but it’s likely to lead to difficult digestion with plotting. With internal (emotional) conflict, the character will grow (arc) through more than one learning experience. Knowing and truly understanding what the character must absorb in order to aid this growth will greatly enhance the writer’s ability to slice the character’s education into morsels for the reader to devour.

REMEMBER, those kiddie plates for our little ones?

Sectioned off so their peas didn’t roll into mashed potatoes? Capture those slots in your mind. If the character must learn to trust, spoon out the ‘life’ lessons into smaller parcels until the plate (or the lesson) is complete. While most characters transition over the course of the story, understanding that multiple bites will be necessary for this process, keeps the writer truer to the process. And helps alleviate that worst of worst: the disappointed reader.

We’ve all encountered books that left us wanting more. That frustrated because those plotting steps that allowed us, as readers, to grow, to stretch, to learn right beside the character from beginning to end were somehow incomplete. Something of that ‘real’ process was missing. Plotting . . . at least, doing it well . . . will prevent those missing steps.

In The 9th Girl, Nikki Liska is overtaxed mentally and physically. As the job of hunting the killer cuts into sleep hours, parenting time with her two sons, even sitting still for a decent meal, single mom Nikki finds her personal life in turmoil. Fighting the age-old conflict between home and career, millions of single moms, moms with demanding careers, and women who find themselves often alone in raising their children, can and will identify with the character of Nikki Liska. What appears to be early story filler turns out to be plot-driven necessary information. Ms. Hoag sets up her protagonist as an in-the-dark overworked mom of a 15-year-old son. Through the choice of a reserved, hard-to-understand teenager as a secondary character, Ms. Hoag offers nibbles of insight into the internal conflict that Nikka Liska is experiencing, but also weaves a complicated external plot to the ultimate necessity to catch the killer.

Who and What belong to the story, to the characters, to the plot.

When – belongs to the writer. A writer should focus on his/her body rhythms.

When are ideas freshest? Most open to new twists and turns? Daydreaming? During the day, is there allotted time to actually let go and allow imagination free reign? Identifying those times, scheduling quiet hours, a secluded walk and hitting the time-frame when it aligns with our body will inherently equal more successful plotting.

Where – not quite as simple as the question implies, also belongs to the writer.

1) Is plotting time better at home with a white board/chalk board/stack of sticky notes?

2) Perhaps being AWAY from home with a recorder? Is plotting better in motion like on a walk, or in a swing, or rocker? Does the motion literally force your brain into forward motion? OR perhaps a drive down country lanes?

IMPORTANT **If so, consider how to best accomplish a good recording of these imagination trips. I often work with the recording app on my phone and a Bluetooth. But I’ve checked the recording quality in different environments so I know when I can literally hear myself think . . . and when there’s just too much background noise.

3) Perhaps as a plotter, you work better in stillness, calm surroundings, in a space specifically designed and designated for writing?
4) Or is this process better completely away from home? A writer’s retreat with critique partners? Or a mini-vacation with a spouse or significant other? If so, make certain to set clear partner perimeters. What you expect to accomplish and when you’ll be available for them. Same goes with critique partners. How much time is allotted to each partner? Make a schedule. And always allow for quiet time then to flesh out the plotting that you’ve accomplished together. The quiet is as important as these great brainic sessions.
5) Learn to avoid those places that are mental drags. I cannot plot in my breakfast nook even though I love the furniture. Why? Because when I look up, my glance is constantly drawn to something else that needs to be done.

And finally, Why – this step reinforces the ‘What’. And is back to characters, story and the basics of plotting.

1) Why does your character need to learn this particular ‘What’ task?
2) Why does this ‘What’ internal conflict need to be resolved at this part of the story? The ‘Why’ is crucial to on-going plotting.

*Ever-so-often, this one piece of the puzzle will lead to further plotting. Internal conflict resolution must take place in a logical and often linear manner. For writers, this can be taxing. Our brains have a tendency to jump from Point A to Point M, skipping over everything in between: mainly because we don’t know our characters or the story well enough at this point to fill in each individual phase.

**However, through the ‘why’ stage, a writer can boil it down to the bare bones. Then the writer is free to explore and open the character up to each point of the ‘conflict resolution’.

*BONUS*

Through this process, the writer will often discover exact scenes for character enlightenment, whom (which other characters) must be on page at the time, where the discoveries will take place, and exactly how much the character will learn at that precise moment.

Early in The 9th Girl, Detective Nikka Liska's shy and reserved, but good student son is suddenly in big trouble at his private artistic school. Nikka is forced to breach the proprietary walls of the school and her own son's privacy in order to first, protect her child, and second, to hunt a killer. While a limited amount of information is released to Nikka at this early juncture, the groundwork is set for several necessary school and school friend scenes. From the initial conflict at her son's private institution, Nikka is firmly entrenched on this path. And what turns out to be the twisted path to find the actual killer of The 9th Girl.

Almost done, but not quite.

For the final and easy to overlook step – don’t forget to capture all this greatness in useful format. If it’s a recorder, make certain to transcribe notes. If it’s a white/chalk board, take a picture and upload to your ‘progress of plotting’ file. Sticky notes get added onto the greater plot board. (I’ve used a corkboard, divided up into the appropriate number of chapters then added the sticky notes to the correct chapter.) As I can type (and delete) faster than hand-writing, I currently use a Trello board app. With its cut and paste, drag and drop, highlight and illuminate features, the Trello app covers all the bases for me. It’s also available on my phone and tablet. I can connect anywhere with this app and upload my momentary brilliance.

Spooning out plotting into manageable and thoughtful bites can make the task of gnawing through this often overwhelming process of writing so much easier to swallow.

Writing . . . Margie Lawson . . . agent appointments

Wow! It's been a busy time. For the past few weeks, I've been rushing to get projects completed for a local writing event. North Texas Romance Writers hosted their first Two-Step Conference. Margie Lawson was the guest speaker, along with Cori Devoe from 3 Seas Literary Agency and Melissa Jeglinski from The Knight Agency, who took a full-day worth of agent appointments.

Simply said, "Two-Stepping was great!"

Many of the conference attendees were experienced. Me . . . I was a virgin in the ways of Margie Lawson. Believe me, it's a total immersion in writing. The woman is high-energy and she drags her student into the thick of learning with a smile.

I understand her website is a wealth of information, and Margie mentioned she produces a monthly e-zine in which she analyzes a passage with her techniques -- a mini-lesson. On her blog, she also interviews an author of a 'writing' book each month. I can't wait to become the newest Lawson groupie.

Both my agent appointments went well -- partials to each. Disappointing news about the Romantic Suspense market, however. If you're a writer or reader of the genre, beware! New releases will be hard to find. It appears the market has been saturated and new acquisitions are few and far in between. It doesn't mean I won't sell my recently completed Trickle of Lies, it just means the sale will be sweeter when it happens.

I'll be working like a storm trooper the next two weeks in order to complete my synopsis (need a shorter version) and to revamp my work -- thanks to boot camp, Margie Lawson.

One of Margie's specific technique is called: backloading.

How it works? Look for the word that has the most impact in a sentence, especially those sentences at the end of the paragraph, page, scene, and chapter. Consider rewriting the sentence to add 'power words' AT THE END.

Here's an example:
(Before)
She swallowed once, then again. He watched the smooth movement of her throat. Pale skin covered the graceful curve of her neck. A man could get lost kissing skin like that, if he'd been inclined to speculate on such things. But he'd given up those insane notions about the same time he'd kicked his lying, conniving wife out. For good.

Using the 'backload' and 'rhetorical' and 'power word' techniques:
(After)
The woman swallowed once, then again, the dim lamp light flickering on the curve of her throat: smooth and pale and provocative. A man could get lost kissing skin that tempting. Good thing he'd given up those insane notions when he'd kicked out his wife -- the lying, conniving, two-timer.

As simple and as complicated as that.

Since my blogging is generally stream of consciousness -- I typed in What Fun! then rethought. These exercises are NOT fun. They require serious concentration, and for a newbie, like me, they take time. Why bother? Because deep edits are crucial to better writing. Better writing means more sales! That is FUN!

We're a bit hazy on the back porch today. Leaves are falling -- not that it's really cold -- but it looks like Autumn. The chill seems trapped behind the clouds, ready to sweep in and change our weather for good. Perhaps this week, I'll finally get sweaters out of storage.
Do drop by again.
Until then
~Sandra

First page

NTRWA is hosting a conference in a few months. As one of the early entrants, I've been given the opportunity to submit my first page -- for review -- to the great Maggie Lawson. She'll analyze -- probably to pieces -- the writing, then offer suggestions for making it better.

Okay, I'm a little nervous to have Maggie Lawson read anything I've penned to paper.

I'm posting it.

Tell me what you think. What works . . . what doesn't. This is actually the prologue tugged and tucked into one type-written page, so I may have deleted so much, it doesn't make sense. Let me know, please, before I'm read in front of a room full of conference goers, who collectively say, 'Huh?'

TRICKLE OF LIES

“So this is Hell,” Kyra Malone muttered to the circle of funeral vultures.

Not the literal type with flapping wings and scraggly beak – but dressed in their Polo basic black and pasted with simpering Botox smiles – the Austin elite was close enough to count for the bone-picking birds. Disgusted, Kyra turned from the flock’s annoying presence and toward the weeping pewter sky.

That one heavenward look was as close as she’d ever come to singing angels and golden streets. People who killed their best friends . . . or at least, got them killed wouldn’t be welcomed among harps and fluffy wings.

"Anna would want you to have this.”

The voice jerked Kyra back to the graveside and the older woman in front of her. Shrouded in mourning black and tears, her best friend's mother pressed a token into Kyra’s hand.

"A gift from her father. You should take it, now that she can't wear it . . . anymore."

The antique coin, surrounded by tiny diamonds, blinked up at Kyra. The cold metal seared her hand as forcefully as the suppressed tears scalded her throat. Long seconds ticked by into a harsh minute before she could force the words free.

“It's time for you to leave.” For an instant, she focused on the tiny, auburn-haired child nuzzled against the hem of her skirt. "You and Kendra must go now." The girl snuggled her delicate fingers inside Kyra's grip. It was a trusting touch. She released the child's hand -- she'd betrayed them all.

“I don’t like leaving you.” The older woman looked prepared to battle the point again. “Promise me, Kyra, not to do anything foolish. . .”

There wasn’t a need to say more. What she had planned for the men responsible would be considered rash on the best Sunday and blatant career suicide come any Monday morning. It didn’t matter. The moment Anna had been murdered they’d given her no choice. A debt was due, and she would make certain it was collected.

Bending, Kyra kissed the child then glanced between the faces of the two people she truly loved and did the only thing possible – she lied.

Thirteen Thursday

What I learned since signing my publishing contact . . . in no specific order!

1) Take time writing your book blurb.
2) Share your good news with everyone you know.
3) Order business cards -- flashy and have them ready to pass out.
4) Start a blog or journal on your website. Keep people posted on what’s ahead.
5) Don’t be afraid of re-writes -- tightening with the help of your editor is priceless.
6) Join Yahoo groups.
7) Ask questions of fellow authors, where do you get the gold ‘Autograph Copy’ stickers, did you host a book-signing? What worked? What would you do differently?
8) Order some of your books in print when they become available.
9) Ask your CP and friends to post reviews on your website, Amazon.com, the publisher’s website.
10) Keep writing. Some editors do want the next book.
11) When you set up a book-signing, mail your own reminder cards for the event.
12) Determine your author brand and develop a slogan that captures the essence of your writing style. In a few words ONLY, what sets your writing apart from all others.
13) Post excerpts of your book everywhere on the Internet! Okay, maybe not everywhere, but research which sites allow excerpt posting then surf the site for a few days and see if excerpts along the lines of your book are posted there. Yeah, they are? Then post away.