BookingIt

I think I'll be taking a blog break too. My dad and brother, who I haven't seen in over two years, might be coming to my house soon so I'm really excited! I'll probably still be visiting blogs on my free time. I am an addict, after all. *wink* What family did you see this year? Was it stressful or fun? Are you ready to go back to the comfortable insanity of normal life?

Isaiah 9:6-7 (New King James Version) 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Here's the last part of Rachel's post! I hope you all find it helpful. You can find Rachel at her website , blog or at My Book Therapy . Here she is: Already have an agent? 1. Pray. Seriously, pray for your agent, the agency and the other clients. 2. Ask for a call once in awhile to keep communication open. If you’re not working on a project, or needing help, schedule a short call just to touch base. But make it brief. 3. When going into a contract negotiations, schedule a call with your agent to set expectations. Talk through all the possible ramifications of your deal. Ask for a marketing plan as part of the contract. 4. Ask for advice on marketing and promotions outside the publishers plan. 5. Ask your agent to be in the loop with your publisher on book covers, promotional plans, editorial ideas and issues. 6. If there are issues you believe your agent should’ve handled and did not, schedule a call. Don’t fester over it. And pray! Have an honest talk about your needs and ex...

This Mistletoe Day was thought up by Katie and Sherrinda . Thanks ladies! Two of my favorite characters, kissing it up! Later, Prue would blame her actions on her vulnerable state. She might even blame them on his vulnerable state, but in the second before she kissed him, she thought she might be in love. She leaned forward, on tiptoes, and pressed her lips against his ferocious anger. At first he was unyielding, but she didn’t give up. She needed the contact, and if she was being too bold, she didn’t care. Death did not wait, it came when it pleased, and she would have this kiss. She wasn’t quite sure how to do it, but she moved her lips against his, needing him to respond. When he did, it was as though she’d unleashed something she couldn’t control. His mouth slanted over hers, warm and smooth. He pressed her against him, his hands spreading across her back, his fingers burning through her shirt to sear the skin beneath. He wasn’t gentle, but that did not shock her. She kissed him f...

To read part one, go here . And now Rachel: Here’s my advice on finding or working with an agent. 1. Ask God to direct you to the right agent. After talking with other writers, and watching the publishing world, it’s possible that some agents are wonderful for launching your career, but another agent will take you the rest of the way. I’m not sure how to recognize this with any particular agent, but go into your agent relationship with full confidence and faith that you’ll be together forever while keeping your ear to the heartbeat of Jesus. He will let you know if change is required. Pray for your relationship with your agent. 2. Be professional. Do your homework. Follow agent sites like Gardner’s and MacGregor’s . Thomas Nelson CEO, Michael Hyatt gives advice on how to find an agent. Meet with agents at conferences. Talk to other authors about agents or agencies. Look at agent or agency web sites. 3. Who does your potential agent represent? Look at their client list. Is this a good ...

Author Rachel Hauck was kind enough to offer some advice about finding and working with literary agents. Thank you so much Rachel! Here she is: I wasn’t looking for an agent when an author and friend called after reading the opening chapter of my first chick lit. Enthusiastic, (don’t you love those calls?) she suggested I submit the work to her agent. After learning of the agent’s reputation and client list, I whole heartily agreed. Up to this point, I wasn’t confident I was ready for an agent. I had one Heartsong published and wasn’t working on anything bigger, like a trade book. Then I started writing a chick lit in late ‘03. There’s a tendency to get in a hurry. Seeing other authors pick up agents, sell trade books out of the gate, win awards. “What, am I wood? Am I standing still?” you may ask yourself. Don’t be in a hurry. My prayer has always been and remains, “Lord, You’re my editor, agent and promoter.” I signed with my first agent in early ‘04. She really challenged me to go...

The other day I read a post by a fellow blogger and in it she mentioned Tupac and put up a video. I had never heard his songs but knew my husband used to listen to him all the time, so together we looked up some old videos. As we sat and watched old videos, it became apparent to me that each of these big-time, famous rappers have a very unique voice. After watching only a few videos, I'm sure if I heard these rappers on the radio, I'd recognize their style. Funny thing is that over ten years later, Hubby still knows the lyrics to Snoop Dogg, Tupac and Dr. Dre songs (and I was a little horrified his parents let him listen to them, lol.) I'm still trying to sort through what this means for our writing. What does it mean to have a unique voice? Will it get us published faster? Do you think the more you write the more your voice will shine through? Or do some people have it, and some people don't?

Jeannie tagged me! Now for some info on my writerly habits, etc. : 1. What's the last thing you wrote? What's the first thing you wrote that you still have? I still have a short story I wrote on a little pad of paper when I was in seventh grade. It was a suspense with a happy ending. :-) The last thing I wrote were notes in my WIP about where I want the story to head next. 2. Write poetry? Not really. 3. Angsty poetry? I don't really know. What's angsty? Feel free to leave an example in the comments. LOL 4. Favorite genre of writing? Historical and Contemporary romance; Romantic suspense 5. Most annoying character you've ever created? My first heroine. I love her, but about half the people who read her (contests, critters, etc) hated her and said she was really annoying. Heh. 6. Best Plot you've ever created? Not sure yet. :-) Maybe the one that sells? LOL 7. Coolest Plot twist you've ever created? The hero is two people in the book, but the reader doesn...

I'm a little behind in reading posts because I've (horror of horrors) been having to share MY internet with Hubby. Back in the day, the computer was all mine. But now Hubbalicious has decided to create a fishing show, so my internet time has been limited. Thanks to a friend, I was able to install a router for my laptop and now I'll be able to jump on and read blogs whenever I want. No more bowing to my ambitious, innovative and computer-hogging man. :-) How do you handle computer time in your family? Ever find yourself trying to hog the internet?

Many writers listen to music while writing. Although I never have, some songs do remind me of my stories and characters. This one, in particular, always made me think of one of my heroines. Do you have a certain song that characterizes your WIP? Which artists do you find the most inspiring? My dear friend Anita has a wonderful, heartwarming story up at Pix 'N Pens. If you have time, a comment on her story counts as a vote to be entered to win a box of books. ( sorry, had the details wrong when I first posted )

even if it's hilarious.

I'll admit, this is my favorite kind to write. It's in-your-face, don't-mess-with-me dialogue. It's what most of us are afraid to say in real life. In a scene, this kind of dialogue can be refreshing and exciting. I also think this kind of dialogue often forces truths and hidden conflicts to the surface of the scene. Stein gives an awesome example of this type of dialogue. On page 111 he shares an excerpt from a NYPD Blue scene. A cop just saw a killer let loose on a technicality. The cop makes a stink and the judge says, "We govern by law, not your whim." Then the cop gets confrontational. He replies, "Don't tell me how you govern. I work your streets. I clean up after how you govern. The way you govern stinks." I just found an interesting post about adversarial dialogue over at Novel Dog . How are you with confrontations? Do you like to write them?

Have you checked out my word meter? NO??? Well, don't feel bad. It hasn't moved because I'm stuck. There are various reasons for this pause in my writing and as I mentally sludge my way through this WIP torture, I read. Mostly historical romances. When you're stuck, what do you do? What's your favorite form of procrastination?