Last fall my website crashed and the time since has been a maze of dead ends regaining my domain name. For some crazy reason I do not comprehend, I have my domain name but can not retrieve it until August of this year. Since being notified of that information, I've received a notice through snail mail that my domain name dllarson.com will expire October 2012. The letter suggests I act today to preserve that name. Yet I still can't get to it.
This is where I want to throw my head back and bellow! I'm usually a lady, key word being usually, but how is this remotely sane? I've paid for over six months of use with no use of any kind. My dear daughter has come to the rescue yet again and found a temporary domain name to use. So the good news in all of this craziness is I'd like to share my temporary website with you.
Please visit http://www.dllarson.co// and leave me a message! I'd love to hear from you and re-establish a connecion with other writers and those who love the written word. I have yet to update some of the information, so please be patient with me, getting a site has been my primary concern and my daughter used material she had in her records.
Another goal of mine is to get my books in e-format so I can relay that information on my website. Now that I'm back in business, or toddling toward being in business, hopefully soon I will be able to offer my work in e-books.
Life is a challenge, and as as Roseanne Roseannadanna used to said, "It's always something!"
Til next time ~
DL Larsonhttp://www.dllarson.co/
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Ah....Summer
Well, it's here...with Memorial Weekend upon us, the official beginning of summer is upon us. Pools and beaches open, there's just a few days left of school, and the weather is definitely warm...make that hot.
I can't wait for summer this year. It's been a long year and last summer didn't turn out quite like I planned. This year I'm looking forward to vacations and concerts, but I'm also looking forward to doing a lot of reading (Last summer I read over 40 books, I'm hoping to top that this year!) and a lot of writing (I need to finish revisions on a full-length, and I have ideas for two novellas spinning in my head.) My laptop should get a great workout over the next couple of months.
I'm also looking foward to evenings on the porch with my hubby with country music playing in the background and time spent with friends.
I have a few projects I'd like to accomplish around the house...most revolve around organizing, and I need to catch up (as usual) on some scrapbooking.
What about you...any special plans on the horizon?
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
I can't wait for summer this year. It's been a long year and last summer didn't turn out quite like I planned. This year I'm looking forward to vacations and concerts, but I'm also looking forward to doing a lot of reading (Last summer I read over 40 books, I'm hoping to top that this year!) and a lot of writing (I need to finish revisions on a full-length, and I have ideas for two novellas spinning in my head.) My laptop should get a great workout over the next couple of months.
I'm also looking foward to evenings on the porch with my hubby with country music playing in the background and time spent with friends.
I have a few projects I'd like to accomplish around the house...most revolve around organizing, and I need to catch up (as usual) on some scrapbooking.
What about you...any special plans on the horizon?
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Sharing the Load by Morgan Mandel
Sometimes, though, sharing the load may resulting in greater glory. The BBT Cafe e-group, at the suggestion of its owner, Dani Greer, has taken on a project called The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories. Many of us belonging to that e-group have made contributions. My two are: The Closing of the Corner Cafe and What Nice Blessings.
It was fun to share the load for the greater glory. I'm curious to see how this experiment pans out. More to come on this very soon.
See http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com/ for Excerpts and Buy Links to My Four Full Length Novels.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Take a Break from Writing.... Peek into a bird nest...
Writers work too hard. Here's a neat little diversion - check out the progress of the baby Peregrine Falcons in their nest on top of a Wisconsin power plant.... See webcam.
The correlation to writing? Of course there is one! In one week, these birds have doubled in size. Hopefully we see that same kind of progress as we work on our latest project - seeing it improve, grow and move towards perfection!
The correlation to writing? Of course there is one! In one week, these birds have doubled in size. Hopefully we see that same kind of progress as we work on our latest project - seeing it improve, grow and move towards perfection!
Friday, May 18, 2012
Perfecting Your Synopsis! by DL Larson
Attending a writers conference is good for my writer's soul. It rekindles my interest in perfecting my skills. While at the RWA Spring Fling last month, I attended a session by Laurie Brown, "7 Steps To A Perfect Synopsis." I don't know of anyone who really enjoys the task of creating a synopsis, but Laurie's method seemed pretty straight forward. Even though I had heard and practiced similar steps before, absorbing her fresh approach inspired me.
Remember a synopsis is a "selling tool," much like the backcover blurb of a book. Subplots are not needed, the shorter and most direct works great. Use present tense and try to avoid the characters names. As for length, one page for 10,000 words is a good marker to use. Now for Laurie's 7 steps in a Romance Synopsis:
1. GMC of the Heroine.
2. GMC of the Hero.
okay, I bet you're wondering what is GMC. Think about the basics of the story. Decide what is your heroine/hero's Goal, Motivation and Conflict. List them, get them clearly established in your head and on your paper, keeping in mind Internal Conflict as well as External Conflict.
3. The Meet: when/how the two main characters meet; the conflict they find in each other; the change it will take to overcome the obstacles before/between them in a meaningful manner; the resolution must be worthy of the conflict.
4. Stuff Happens: Be brief, using phrases "as a result of ..." Explain internal feelings and how they have found common ground to allow their relationship to grow or further their problems in reaching their goal.
5. Things Change: Briefly explain the action that takes place. "Because of .... (action) this happens.
6. The Dark Moment: What happens to convince one or both of them they can not be together.
7. Resolution: What action brought them together? What have they learned? How have they grown in their relationship together?
Other techniques I have used in the past, especially with a lenghty book with multiple subplots:
- follow the main characters, let the others go unless it is elemental to the storyline.
- highlight each chapter to find the main thread of a story. I've gone so far as to write out the main theme in each chapter and from there create one or two sentences that moves the story along.
- Not using names feels awkward, but by keeping minor character nameless creates a smoother read.
- Always follow the development of the realtionship, and/or the conflict to reach the resolution.
- Keep a list of external conflicts to be sure the major ones end up in your synopsis.
Remember a synopsis is the bridge to having someone read your manuscript. Make it exciting and emotional in order to gain interest in the book.
Good Luck and Thank You Laurie for sharing your expertise at SpringFling!
Til next time ~
DL Larson
Remember a synopsis is a "selling tool," much like the backcover blurb of a book. Subplots are not needed, the shorter and most direct works great. Use present tense and try to avoid the characters names. As for length, one page for 10,000 words is a good marker to use. Now for Laurie's 7 steps in a Romance Synopsis:
1. GMC of the Heroine.
2. GMC of the Hero.
okay, I bet you're wondering what is GMC. Think about the basics of the story. Decide what is your heroine/hero's Goal, Motivation and Conflict. List them, get them clearly established in your head and on your paper, keeping in mind Internal Conflict as well as External Conflict.
3. The Meet: when/how the two main characters meet; the conflict they find in each other; the change it will take to overcome the obstacles before/between them in a meaningful manner; the resolution must be worthy of the conflict.
4. Stuff Happens: Be brief, using phrases "as a result of ..." Explain internal feelings and how they have found common ground to allow their relationship to grow or further their problems in reaching their goal.
5. Things Change: Briefly explain the action that takes place. "Because of .... (action) this happens.
6. The Dark Moment: What happens to convince one or both of them they can not be together.
7. Resolution: What action brought them together? What have they learned? How have they grown in their relationship together?
Other techniques I have used in the past, especially with a lenghty book with multiple subplots:
- follow the main characters, let the others go unless it is elemental to the storyline.
- highlight each chapter to find the main thread of a story. I've gone so far as to write out the main theme in each chapter and from there create one or two sentences that moves the story along.
- Not using names feels awkward, but by keeping minor character nameless creates a smoother read.
- Always follow the development of the realtionship, and/or the conflict to reach the resolution.
- Keep a list of external conflicts to be sure the major ones end up in your synopsis.
Remember a synopsis is the bridge to having someone read your manuscript. Make it exciting and emotional in order to gain interest in the book.
Good Luck and Thank You Laurie for sharing your expertise at SpringFling!
Til next time ~
DL Larson
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Perspective by Morgan Mandel
As a child, everything and everyone looked big to me. Then I grew older, and the world appeared normal-sized.
When I was growing up, I used to live next to a park. It seemed like an ideal location, because I could play on the monkey bars and making pretend cakes in the sand. Now, I'm glad the park in our neighborhood is a few blocks away, so I don't have to worry about the noise, or the older kids who hang around there at night.
Then there's the matter of age. Wow, 30 used to be awfully old, and 70 was ancient. Now I'm twice 30, so 70 is getting closer and not as old as before.
When it's winter and I'm freezing, 60 degrees seems warm. During summer, 60 degrees feels cool.
I used to work in Downtown Chicago, and thought nothing of joining the herds of commuters who got on the train, then off to march down the street to offices and other places of employment.
Now I'm retired, and going Downtown seems a big deal. Not only that, I wonder how I could have put up with all those people all over the place, getting in my way.
There are countless other examples I could give, but you get the picture. When crafting your characters, take into consideration such factors as age, physical characteristics, background, environment, and family.The more layers you can add to round out your characters, the more their perspectives will make sense to the reader.
Morgan Mandel writes romances, thrillers and mysteries. Her current release is the romantic thriller, Forever Young: Blessing or Curse on kindle at http://amzn.com/B006MO28CQ and Print at http://amzn.com/146815771X
For Excerpts and Buy Links to Morgan's 4 books, available on all electronic medica, go to http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com/
 |
| Morgan Mandel Too Many Years Ago |
When I was growing up, I used to live next to a park. It seemed like an ideal location, because I could play on the monkey bars and making pretend cakes in the sand. Now, I'm glad the park in our neighborhood is a few blocks away, so I don't have to worry about the noise, or the older kids who hang around there at night.
Then there's the matter of age. Wow, 30 used to be awfully old, and 70 was ancient. Now I'm twice 30, so 70 is getting closer and not as old as before.
When it's winter and I'm freezing, 60 degrees seems warm. During summer, 60 degrees feels cool.
I used to work in Downtown Chicago, and thought nothing of joining the herds of commuters who got on the train, then off to march down the street to offices and other places of employment.
Now I'm retired, and going Downtown seems a big deal. Not only that, I wonder how I could have put up with all those people all over the place, getting in my way.
There are countless other examples I could give, but you get the picture. When crafting your characters, take into consideration such factors as age, physical characteristics, background, environment, and family.The more layers you can add to round out your characters, the more their perspectives will make sense to the reader.
For Excerpts and Buy Links to Morgan's 4 books, available on all electronic medica, go to http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com/
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Seedlings
Yesterday, even though it was drizzly for part of the day, we worked in the yard. We trimmed bushes, cut lower limbs from trees, and made plans to move a few perennials to new locations. I also planted my annuals in their pots. (Hopefully it wasn't too early to do this, but I'm out of town next weekend and wanted to get it done.) Now, over the course of the spring and summer, I'll need to nuture those little plants to make sure they bloom and grow and stay healthy.
Of course I made the inevitable comparison to writing.
You start with the germ of an idea: the seedling. You plant it by making an outline (if you're one of those kind of writers) or simply putting your fingers to the keys and beginning. As your idea grows, your story begins to bloom and take shape. Given the right amount of nurturing, and over time, it turns into a full-fledged novella or novella. When it's 'finished', the pruning begins. Cutting out the things that don't work. Perhaps moving scenes from one part of the story to another.
I'm looking forward to a productive summer of watching my plants and my stories grow.
Until next time,
Happy Writing!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
P.S. In regards to those goals from last week, I'm giving myself a two and a half out of four. I mailed off my query and synopsis to Harlequin, and sent the prize books on their way as well. I'm pretty well organized to jump into actual revisions on my novel, but I only wrote about three paragraphs for my novella revisions.
Of course I made the inevitable comparison to writing.
You start with the germ of an idea: the seedling. You plant it by making an outline (if you're one of those kind of writers) or simply putting your fingers to the keys and beginning. As your idea grows, your story begins to bloom and take shape. Given the right amount of nurturing, and over time, it turns into a full-fledged novella or novella. When it's 'finished', the pruning begins. Cutting out the things that don't work. Perhaps moving scenes from one part of the story to another.
I'm looking forward to a productive summer of watching my plants and my stories grow.
Until next time,
Happy Writing!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
P.S. In regards to those goals from last week, I'm giving myself a two and a half out of four. I mailed off my query and synopsis to Harlequin, and sent the prize books on their way as well. I'm pretty well organized to jump into actual revisions on my novel, but I only wrote about three paragraphs for my novella revisions.
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