BookingIt

How do you view people? I didn't have much interest in people as a kid. Once I discovered books (kindergarten, guys), the life within them seemed more real than the bustle around me. I cared for and liked people but I didn't really see them as interesting. Until I landed a job at my local newspaper. As a freelancer, my editor expected a story on a person every two weeks to grace our Neighbors section, and it needed to be interesting. The story was supposed to focus on a local resident's unique skill or talent.  I was blind, not understanding, wondering how I could find these "special" people. My editor forever changed my perspective. He told me every person has something unique, something special about themselves, even if they don't know it. It was my job to find that slant and spotlight it.  Now everyone I meet I'm full of curiosity about. Who are they? What's their story? Where have they been and where are they going? If you were a story, what g...

One thing I've loved about my new job is talking books with one of my co-workers. She's a big reader who ranges from literary to all things Harlequin. The perspective of someone who reads but doesn't write is fresh for me. Now another co-worker started reading a book and was telling me how mad she was at a male character over how he treated the heroine. The depth of her immersion in the story was inspiring for me because last week she'd mentioned that the story was confusing at times due to an abundance of characters. Yet that didn't stop her from rooting for the heroine. How do I make a story like that? One that, despite its weaknesses, ensares a reader to the end? There are lots of rules on how to do it, but sometimes I think it comes down to voice. What was the last book you read that put you in tears or made you mad at a character? Any insight on how the writer did it? Do you talk books with nonwriters?

New Year's is a time for resolutions and goals, but what about dreams? After having kids and staying home for years, I'd forgotten how much I love learning languages but with a new job and traveling to Costa Rica, I unpacked that dream, dusted it off, and played with it. 2010 wasn't a good writing year for me. Writing became tiring to me, something to trudge after rather than something to cherish. My hope for 2011 is that in the same way I rediscovered my excitement for speaking Spanish, I'll rediscover my passion for penning a good story. What are your hopes for 2011? What dreams lay beneath your bed? Do they deserve a good dusting or are they gone for good?

Remember that movie Finding Forrester? Here's the trailer: What writer would you want to discover lurking next door? Would you let that author mark your work with a red pen? What do you think that writer could teach you?

There was a tree with a rope (and most of you probably know my weakness for trees)so I had to climb it and jump, along with other family members. Somehow I jammed my typing finger in a horrible way, so I'll try coming back to blogging next week, when I can actually make comments on your blogs. :-) What's the worst injury you've ever experienced? Was it your fault?

My sisters and I loaded up and drove down to Orlando for a fun night of rubbing shoulders with other writers. Well, my sisters are readers so they enjoyed meeting authors, I think. Anyway, I was able to see a bunch of bloggers! Sadly, somehow I missed seeing Amy and author Kristen Painter . Here are some pics. The lovely Ruth Logan Herne and sweet Sara Mitchell with me. :-) Another sweet Seeker, Debby Giusti . Me and one of my wonderful crit partners, Cheryl! The experience was amazing and I wanted to see so many other writers! Have you gone to a signing or literacy event before? Do you like being surrounded by writers?

It's faint, but there. Annoying thing. None of my heroines have one. Why do I? Genetics, Jessie. Remember great-grandma? We're told to torture our characters but there are some things that I just won't do to my peeps. What is the one "flaw" you'll never give your main character?

I SO appreciate all of your comments on my last post! I love reading about things you know or don't know. :-) Sadly, I was swamped so I'm just now, today, going to be able to visit you guys. See you in a bit! Oh, I waitressed last night and my feet HURT. That's one thing I forgot I didn't like about serving. What's one thing you don't like about writing? (Not the business of it, but the actual art)

Every story must have turning points, both in the plot and in the character. Turning points can be crucial to the pacing of a story. It isn't something I fully get, but from what I understand a turning point is when the character or the plot changes somehow.The best turning points, in my opinion, is when a change in the plot creates a change in the character. New information comes to light. Someone dies while the killer is in jail, thus causing the policeman to doubt his or her gut. The heiress discovers her hero is broke, creating an inner turmoil that he's only marrying her for her money. What do you know about turning points in fiction? Any advice? What major turning point have you experienced and how did it affect your life?

I stumbled across this ARTICLE that proposes women shouldn't change their name when they get married. The article is intriguing, but what really caught my attention was this statement: "When Helga shared her partner’s last name, both male and female [survey] participants perceived her as more caring, more dependent, less intelligent, more emotional and less competent – that is, the researchers say, more aligned with female stereotypes." It almost seems as if there's a line of thinking that says a caring nature and deep emotions equals a lesser intellect. Seriously? Do people really think that? What do you think about taking your spouse's name? Other than professional reasons (such as a name being a brand) is there a reason you would want to keep your own last name in marriage? Also, do you think intellect can be measured by emotional values? Does anyone else wonder who was surveyed for this article?

Thanks to Wendy and Jeanette for your Question posts. If you've already asked this in the past, I'm sorry for taking your question! Today I was thinking about art and how writing compares. That's another post. For this one, I was wondering about all of you. What medium for a painting would you choose? Watercolor, acrylic or oil? What would your main character choose? Why, and what do you think this preferences says about you or your character?

It was nerve-wracking to let my mom read my manuscripts. When she read the second one, I waited and waited to hear what she'd say. Then she called and told me she cried. I was floored. What a compliment! I know she's my mom and that her viewpoint is going to be different than a more objective reader, but I was still flattered and I still smiled. Who do you let read your work? What kind of comments make you smile?

Here's a fascinating breakdown on how e-books are affecting the publishing industry's bottom line. The article includes a thought-provoking ending quote by Anne Rice . How much would you pay for an e-book? Will you ever own an e-reading device? If you do own one, does it "work" as well as a "real" book?

Apparently muses can have names. I always hear funny stories on how to deal with the muse, but I've never heard of the uppity muse naming itself until Amy's Hilarious Post on how she discovered her muse is a guy. Do you have a muse? Do you blame things on your muse? What do you think about naming your muse, and if you did, what would that name be?

Ever thought of your blog as you...selling yourself? Elana did an awesome POST about this and it reminded me of a blog I'd just read. I'd linked over because I saw this blogger's somewhat rude comment on an agent's blog. The blogger had a decent amount of comments so I checked them out. It was a little shocking to read mostly anonymous, troll-like comments. But it makes sense. What you sell attracts a certain type of buyer. This angry guy had tons of angry, mean comments. Ever known an angry, divisive person? Having an opinion is way different than being rude. As Elana asked, what are you hoping to accomplish with blogging? What kind of You are you selling?

As I was cleaning my bathrooms yesterday, it struck me how thankul I am that I no longer have to use my hands to clean the toilet bowl. I remembered how as a kid I hated sticking my fingers into that cold, nasty water. But now I have my trusty toilet brush. Swish, swish and I'm done. No mess, little effort. Thanks to computers, writing is easier too. No more whiteout in the typewriter, just a beautiful delete button. Then there's control F. And most recently I discovered page breaks. I'm sure there's lots of other cool tools. What's your favorite word processing tool? House-cleaning tool? What do you wish would be invented?

Here's a link to One Very Brave Heroic boy who I think is completely awesome! Here's a link to the new word on the block (and it cracks me up). Shug . If you were going to combine two words to make a new one, what would they be? Do you think you could do what that boy did? Why or why not?

I'm guilty. Guilty of reading my sisters' diaries. Guilty of listening to strangers' conversations. Guilting of putting my ear to a wall and trying to hear what's happening in the next room. My heart galloped in my chest when, in my high school years, I discovered I could listen in on my mom's phone conversations via the radio. Yep. Turned it to the right channel with the antenna pointed just so, and I could hear every word. But my curiosity always battled my conscience. Now, instead of eavesdropping on others, I write characters who do it. Have you ever eavesdropped? Heard something you shouldn't have? Did you regret it or enjoy it?

The biggest, most wonderful part of the conference was meeting all my writing friends. My feet still hurt from walking in heels and my heart is still happy from bonding with these lovely women. It was cool to see who these ladies are, and hear their voices, outside the cyber world. Left to Right: Eileen , Jeannie , Jaime , Me, Katie , Jody Done anything lately that was somewhat painful but you didn't care because you were so happy? Ever met other writers? Or someone who had a similar passion to yours? How'd it go?

I didn't get my teeth as white as I wanted, but I've been working on other things. Here's what every writer needs to have in their arsenal when heading to a conference (if they've completed a manscript): Fiction Proposal : Harder sounding than it actually is. The toughest part for me is the comparable books section One-Sheet : Kind of fun to make, actually. Here's some examples . Pitch : Blech. You know how I feel about this. Flash Drive : Just in case anything weird happens, like my beautiful papers get soaked, or an editor wants to read the full, ASAP. (lol) Folder: Buying one at Wal-Mart on Sunday, to hold all my stuff in. Business Cards : Not sure who will keep them but from what I gather, they're a good idea. Maybe you've gone to a conference, maybe you haven't, but have you needed any of the above? Created any? What's the hardest part for you? On Monday the fourteenth, I have a guest posting about a new, very cool writing opp...