July 25th Challenge

Hi it’s Christina –

Good Morning! WOW, lots to cover today, luckily I know where to start. Happy Birthday Dad! Love you!

Next, LOCAL AUTHORS (Belle Mead, Branchburg, Bridgewater, Flagtown, Flemington, Hillsborough, Manville, Montgomery, Neshanic, North Branch, Raritan, Rocky Hill, Somerville, Three Bridges), you only have SIX (6) DAYS LEFT to register for the First Annual HillsboroughLibrary Author’s Day. Initially there were only 20 – 25 authors who were going to be selected, but after some creative rearranging, there is room for more, but the slots are filling up fast.

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS EVENT. It’s a day for you to come out, sell some books, and network with other authors in the area.

The book signing will be from 1 – 4, but there is going to be a workshop, or possibly two, prior to the event (details are still getting hammered out). Also, during the signing, there are going to be readings done by the authors. (I think it will be a “pull names out of a hat” process.) Again, I will have more details for you as they become available.

Look, it’s going to be a great day. Click on the link above, and sign up. I can’t wait to see you there!

Now all NON-AUTHORS - if you happen to be in Hillsborough, New Jersey on Saturday, November 15^th, please stop by the event. We already have authors from numerous genres, both fiction and non-fiction (coffee table books, biographies, memoirs, poetry, children and YA, romance, mystery, and horror), so there’s a little something for everyone. Events like these are much more laid back than the ones held at the big name bookstores. You’ll get to meet and actually chat with the authors, not just get pushed through a line.

Hey, you can get a jump on your holiday shopping for the readers on your list. How great a gift is a signed copy of a book?

So, last night’s critique group went well. I was the only one who brought anything to share, so we spent most of the time talking about the Author’s Day event. I brought with me a chapter of Faerie Tale Queen that I was having an issue with; there was just something not quite right, and I couldn’t figure out what.

Now, I really don’t like just pulling a random chapter out of thin air. When I bring stuff to a critique group, I start with chapter one and then go chronologically, otherwise it takes forever to get folks up to speed so they have a clue what’s going on, but I was desperate. I couldn’t get the chapter to gel, and even though I pushed forward, it was still a big distraction, and I kept revisiting it.

Since I was the only one who brought something to share, the eight of us hashed it out for a good twenty minutes after I finished reading, and I think I can make it work now. I have one sentence to delete, one small dialogue exchange to add, and one cat reference to reflect change of mood and one food reference to mark passage of time to plop in, and I can move on. The fix was so easy, I just couldn’t see it, and it bogged me down.

I know I’ve said it before, but the benefit I get from these various writing groups I have joined is immeasurable. I have learned so much, and I have grown so much as a writer because of them. Their value to me is priceless. I encourage all writers to get involved with writing groups in their area. You won’t be disappointed.

Today I only have a few hours to write. Yeah, I know it’s Friday, a day I usually spend all day writing because I don’t have to go to work, but Dani laid a guilt trip on me last night. Summer is half over and she has only left the house three times. The poor child is bored out of her skull. So today we are going to catch a matinée.

At noon, we are going to see Lucy. If you haven’t seen the previews for the movie yet, you should check it out. It looks interesting. It’s the story about a woman, because of some incident, becomes able to use 100% of her brain’s capabilities.

Although the number 10% is thrown around a lot when they talk about how much brain function the average person uses at one time, more current research has shown it is closer to 16%. Regardless, the percentage of our brain we utilize at any given time is still a paltry amount. (In actuality, your entire brain is in use, just not all at the same time.) It’s reported that even geniuses, like Einstein, use less than 20% of their brains. Could you imagine what it would be like to tap into more of your potential? If you’ll excuse the pun, it’s mindboggling. Anyway, it’s a fascinating concept, and even though the movie is pure fiction, I am looking forward to seeing it.

Okay, I’m off to tweak chapter 42 of Fairy Tale Queen, and then hopefully be able to pound out chapter 43 as well. I hope you have a fantastic day, and happy writing!

Your Last Challenge was:

This ought to be good…

“This ought to be good.”

“Mmm Hmm.”

“Got the camera?”

“Yup.”

“So what do you think, America’s Funniest or Caught on Camera?”

“I’m thinking Ridiculousness.”

“Ouch, really?”

“Have you known any of Buddy’s ‘brilliant ideas’ not to be complete disasters?”

“Good point. Oh, there he goes.”

“I can’t believe he’s actually doing this. He’s such an ass.”

“No. No. NO!”

“Oh CRAP!”

“Put down the camera, and call an 911.”

Your Next Challenge is:

Fire lit the night sky…

You have ten minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count, and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.

May 23rd Challenge

Hi it’s Christina –

Good Morning! As predicted, I did get a panicked call yesterday from Lys. She got to the LIRR platform at Penn Station just as a train was pulling away, and she thought she had missed her train. I told her to relax and breathe. She still had eleven minutes before her train was supposed to be there. She insisted her ticket said 11:14, and I tried to reassure her the train wasn’t supposed to leave until 11:26, and she’d be fine. Then I told her to go ask someone.

She tried asking one of the cops, but he just grunted and pointed to the platform. I thought this was very strange, because whenever I have asked any NYPD for assistance, they went above and beyond to be helpful. Maybe she just happened to find the one cop who was either having a bad day or wasn’t feeling well, because, at least from my experiences, the response was totally out of character.

Then, teary eyed, she asked a train conductor, and he was very nice, and very helpful, and she was able to calm down. The poor thing was on the verge of a full blown panic attack, and there wasn’t a dang thing I could do to help her. Trying to stay calm and reassuring over the phone, when all I wanted to do was be there to help her, was a challenge, but we both survived.

She arrived, safe and sound, on time, to the Hicksville Station, and Tyler was there to greet her. Now that’s not to say he didn’t tease her mercilessly when she arrived. She was a little annoyed when she told me that, but I laughed, which I’m sure annoyed her more. Then I told her to shake it off, the first time for anything can be a bit overwhelming, but by the end of the summer, after she has done it a dozen times, it will be no big deal anymore.

As you know, I was a little apprehensive over attending last night’s writing group at our local library, and to be honest, when I got there and found out it was a critique group and we were supposed to bring something to critique, I was a little miffed. There had been nothing on line, and since I had missed last month’s meeting, I had no clue. Then again, there were four other new people who had come unprepared, and the two who had been at the first meeting, didn’t bring anything either.

So, instead, we spent the time getting to know each other. I did also find out why I never received a call back about starting the group. It seems the Library’s policy is a staff member needs to run the different functions sponsored by the library. Okay, fine, that makes perfect sense, and if they had just told me that, I wouldn’t have felt slighted. Am I wrong to think a phone call would have been common courtesy? Whatever, water under the bridge.

The moderator of the group liked the idea of a writing prompt group, and he is going to bounce the idea off the board. He works one Wednesday night a month, and as long as he’s there, in the building, if needed, I’d be able to have the group. So, I guess he’ll find out in the next few weeks, if I’ll be busy one Wednesday a month.

I also told him I had suggested and Authors’ Day, like the one they have in Princeton, and he said one was in the works. It’s slotted for end of October – beginning of November, and – of course – I told him I’d be more than willing to help him out. It is going to be opened up to town authors first, and then to authors in the surrounding towns. Space and logistics all need to be hammered out, and the planning is in its infantile state at the moment, but I’m excited about it.

This would mean I am helping out at two major events in town in roughly a two week period, and then, right on its heels, I’ll be jumping into NaNoWriMo. I seriously need my head examined!

Today I am turning off my phone, locking my doors, putting my blinders on, and editing. I have four solid hours I can devote to the book, and I should be able to make a serious dent in that time. I also plan on spending a majority of this weekend, locked away in seclusion. There’s only one week left in the month, and I HAVE TO FINISH! Then I will be hanging up my editing hat for a good long while (until another friend needs my help that is).

In June I plan on focusing on completing Faerie Tale Queen. July will be another Camp NaNo project. What do you think of “My Brother’s Best Friend” as a title? Ugh, NO, that won’t work. I just Googled it and there are several out by the same name. Okay folks, suggestions will be most welcomed. I’ll give you the recap of the story in a few days, and I’ll let you guys come up with a title. Dang, I can’t use “This Book Has No Title”, that’s taken too. LOL.

August through October, I am going to submerse myself in Simply By Chance. Y’all have waited long enough for the third book in the series, and its time I put on my big girl pants and kill the character already, so I can get on with the story.

Oh, by the way, I just reduced ALL my Kindle books to $2.99 – the lowest price they would allow in KDP. This is NOT a sale. This is their new every day price. I will run $0.99 sales whenever allowed by KDP, but I think a lower price will generate even more sales than I have been having lately. I can’t lower the cover price of the hard copies, but I can save my readers some on the Kindle copies.

At three, I’m taking Dani to get her eyebrows done, and then at four, she’s getting her hair cut; all in preparation for her Confirmation on June 8^th. This will give her eyebrows time to heal after being abused, and time for her to get used to the hair cut.

Okay, if I want optimal time to spend editing, I need to boogie. I hope you have a great day, and happy writing!

Your Last Challenge was:

Use the following (chosen from a random page, from a random book on my shelf) in a story:

“So that’s it, then? Nothing I say is going to change her mind?”

“So that’s it, then? Nothing I say is going to change her mind?”

“Can you blame her Chase, after all she’s been through?”

“That’s just it. She’s been through so much. She shouldn’t be making big decisions at a time like this.”

“Oh, and I suppose you think she should be consulting you first. Is that it?”

“Damn right it is.”

“Why? Because you’ve always been there for her? Because you’ve always had her best interests at heart? Please.”

“Fine! I screwed up in the past. Is that what you want to hear? But for Christ’s sake Darla, that was fifteen years ago. I’ve changed. Amanda’s changed.” Chase raked is fingers through his hair. “I just wish I could get her to see that.”

Darla studied the dejected man as he stared unseeing toward the setting sun. He had changed. She realized that now, and she also realized he still loved her little sister. She blew out a breath, “Look. If you really want her see the new you, then go to her. Listen to what she has to say. But, whatever you do, refrain from trying to fix it. She’s a big girl now, and the last thing she needs or wants is you riding in on your white charger to save the day.”

Hmm, another one which could go further… You may be seeing this dialogue pop up in one of my future books.

Your Next Challenge is:

It looked so much nicer in the brochure…

You have ten minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count, and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.

March 12th Challenge

Hi, it’s Christina –

For the first time since my daughter started going to college in Vermont, I’m a wee bit concerned. Okay, I’m a mom; I’m a whole lot concerned. Snow started up there early this morning and it’s not supposed to stop until six tomorrow night. Between four this afternoon and seven tonight, they are supposed to get a foot of snow. Yeah, do the math, that’s four inches an hour. When all is said and done, they may end up with around two feet of snow. Holy Moses!

I can’t remember, but I’m hoping she doesn’t have a late class on Wednesdays. They have already cancelled classes once this year because of the weather, so hopefully they will do the same today, and possibly tomorrow. True she only has a few hundred yards to get to just about anywhere on campus from her dorm, but in a blizzard, a few hundred yards might as well be a few hundred miles. I hope she calls today to let me know how she’s doing.

So, last night’s speaking engagement went well…I guess. It was a little strange speaking to a group when my mom, my mother-in-law and three other ladies who have known me since I was a teenager were in the audience. I talked for about twenty minutes or so and answered questions about writing and publishing, and how I was still learning all the ins and outs of this insane profession.

Based on listening to what the ladies were saying, I was able to determine a good many of them also enjoyed reading mystery novels as well as romance novels; so I was able to give my friend, Linda Rawlins’ books a plug too. I was happy to see them all right down the titles of her three books right along with my books. I know I have said it before, but if you like mysteries, you really should read The Bench, Fatal Breach, and the newest in the series Sacred Gold. I’m not saying this because Linda and I are friends, I’m saying this because they are truly amazing.

You’ll be happy to hear, just because you won’t have to hear me complaining anymore, my taxes are finally finished. All that remains to be done is for my husband to sign our state return so I could mail it in. I did find it annoying that because my return required a Schedule C, I was not able to file it electronically unless I paid an e-service to file it. Hmm, a buck and a quarter for postage or fifteen bucks to send it electronically. I’m thinking that’s a no-brainer. I’m also thinking that since it was my business’ fault I couldn’t file for free, then postage to mail my taxes is a justified business expense. (Not that I think the IRS would disallow or even bother taking the time to look at $1.25 charge.)

With my taxes finished, I can now get back into my routine. Today I plan on finishing up the edits on Corporate Blues. Then, as one final set of eyes before it goes to print, I am going to send the file over to my mom to review. She has caught typos missed by my editors in the past, so this time I’m giving it to her BEFORE it goes to print. Hopefully the edits won’t take all day and I can also finish the dreaded blurb for the back of the book and get it and the ISBN# over to Matt so he can finish the cover. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to get everything finished and have printed copies in hand buy April 12^th so I can have my new book with me at the PPL Author’s Day. If I finish, then tomorrow and Friday I am going to completely devote to the other book I'm editing so I can give the author another installment this weekend for him to work on. (I ended in a preposition, shoot me.) :)

Alright, if I don’t get going, I’ll never get finished. I hope y’all have a fantastic day, and happy writing!

Your Last Challenge was:

When will it ever end…

When will it ever end? I’m sure I’m not the only one asking this question this winter. We have now had six months of winter weather, and with the latest band of storms coming through, it doesn’t look like we’re quite finished yet. Oh sure, Mother Nature has teased us with a few mild days, but then she immediately slaps us back down with frigid temperatures and frozen precipitation.

This never-ending winter is starting to affect everyone. Have you noticed how short tempered folks are lately?

Yeah, that was really short. I just couldn’t think of anything more to write. See, this winter is affecting me too. When will it ever end?? LOL

Your Next Challenge is:

Scratch that, reverse it…

You have 10 minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.