Sometimes I wish I could live in a book. Wouldn't it be fun to explore new worlds, be another person for a while, or simple escape to another place for a period of time?
What I'd really like to do is be able to live on book time. Especially during the work week. In the real world, there's real time. I spend eight hours a day at my job. (Which is really stressful lately.) These days, those hours seem to drag. Not only that, but it leaves me with no time to do other things: like spend time with family and friends, write, promote, relax. And soon basketball season will be starting, which will take up even more time.
Book time is different, though. We don't want to bore our readers with the mundane details of everyday life. But rather since we want to keep the story moving along, and most importantly keep our hero and heroine together as much as possible, authors use phrases like, "The work day seemed to drag." or "Five hours of shelving books at the library passed quickly." or "Her mind wandered, and before she knew it, it was time to go home." or even "The days flew by so quickly, before he knew it, it was Christmas."
Ah, yes, making use of book time in the real world would be lovely. We can make hours, days, and even months fly by with just a few well placed words.
But alas, we live in the real world, and on that note, I need to get going, because I have a million things to do that I can't accomplish with one sentence.
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Trying Something New by DL Larson
The old adage, "if you want to stay healthy, expand your mind and try something new," is not only good advice, but can be fun as well. I ventured out of my comfort zone and took a two hour class on video game making. What a hoot! No wonder the young people of today are so addicted to their electronic toys.
The instructor is a high school teacher who teaches marketing and business classes. She pretty much ditched her books and turned her classes into real life situations in order for kids to apply what she teaches. Our video class was a watered down version of her class, but I came away with a better understanding of what makes a video game.
Guess what I discovered? Video making is not much different than book writing. Layer after layer is applied to the concept - whatever concept one has in mind. Miss Jenny kept saying, "in the event ..." and she would further explain we first had to build a room for the action to take place. Easy concept indeed. "In the event ..." something might happen, action and reaction concepts were explained. Individually we built a room, we clothed our sprites, which are little objects running around the screen or room created. My sprites were pieces of fruit and I decided how fast they would move, what would happen if they bumped into the wall or another bit of fruit. I had control, I made what was happening on the screen happen!
We added sounds, color, background, all tools we use in writing. Unfortunately, there was no scents to add, probably a good thing. But someday, somewhere, a gamer will realize one of our strongest senses, the sense of smell, is not being utilized in video games and a new revolution in gaming will begin.
I compared my video game building right up there with my basket weaving experience. It takes time to create something someone else might be interested in. Writing books is not easy and deserves our time and effort to get it just right as well.
I feel rather proud I succeeded in finishing my video game. I'm sure professionals would laugh at my attempt, but I also learned to appreciate a new venue. Right now, I'm wondering how to build another room. If I was writing a story, I would simply create the condept of another room, but in video making, "In the event..." my objects want to leave and enter another realm has me stumped.
But I'm learning ...
Til next time ~
DL Larson
The instructor is a high school teacher who teaches marketing and business classes. She pretty much ditched her books and turned her classes into real life situations in order for kids to apply what she teaches. Our video class was a watered down version of her class, but I came away with a better understanding of what makes a video game.
Guess what I discovered? Video making is not much different than book writing. Layer after layer is applied to the concept - whatever concept one has in mind. Miss Jenny kept saying, "in the event ..." and she would further explain we first had to build a room for the action to take place. Easy concept indeed. "In the event ..." something might happen, action and reaction concepts were explained. Individually we built a room, we clothed our sprites, which are little objects running around the screen or room created. My sprites were pieces of fruit and I decided how fast they would move, what would happen if they bumped into the wall or another bit of fruit. I had control, I made what was happening on the screen happen!
We added sounds, color, background, all tools we use in writing. Unfortunately, there was no scents to add, probably a good thing. But someday, somewhere, a gamer will realize one of our strongest senses, the sense of smell, is not being utilized in video games and a new revolution in gaming will begin.
I compared my video game building right up there with my basket weaving experience. It takes time to create something someone else might be interested in. Writing books is not easy and deserves our time and effort to get it just right as well.
I feel rather proud I succeeded in finishing my video game. I'm sure professionals would laugh at my attempt, but I also learned to appreciate a new venue. Right now, I'm wondering how to build another room. If I was writing a story, I would simply create the condept of another room, but in video making, "In the event..." my objects want to leave and enter another realm has me stumped.
But I'm learning ...
Til next time ~
DL Larson
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Can the Circle be Broken?
My husband and I decided to expand on the broadband experience by installing a router so we could be hooked up via wireless to his much faster cable, rather than the DSL I'd been using.
Everything started out fine. The installer came at the right time, hooked up the cable to the router, plus the phone service so we could get their discount, and the laptop computers easily connected to the new router, with a much faster speed than through the DSL.
Then I asked him to connect my other desktop through the router. It had a wireless card, so I figured it was worth a try. He tried, but since the new network didn't come up, he suggested perhaps my card was not strong enough, and he left.
Not wanting to give up I called Dell yesterday. I did the remote access thing with a very nice technician, but bottom line, he couldn't tell why it didn't work, and he ordered a new card, since my computer was under extended warranty. Someone came out this morning, installed the card, but the network still wouldn't come up, and he was afraid to go further, since he was only supposed to put in the card.
Everything started out fine. The installer came at the right time, hooked up the cable to the router, plus the phone service so we could get their discount, and the laptop computers easily connected to the new router, with a much faster speed than through the DSL.
Then I asked him to connect my other desktop through the router. It had a wireless card, so I figured it was worth a try. He tried, but since the new network didn't come up, he suggested perhaps my card was not strong enough, and he left.
Not wanting to give up I called Dell yesterday. I did the remote access thing with a very nice technician, but bottom line, he couldn't tell why it didn't work, and he ordered a new card, since my computer was under extended warranty. Someone came out this morning, installed the card, but the network still wouldn't come up, and he was afraid to go further, since he was only supposed to put in the card.
Still not wanting to give up, I called the cable provider. After spending too much time with them with no solution, I was informed I'd have to pay extra for router issues, since they'd supplied the router free and it wasn't really part of their services.
So, am I stuck with the slow DSL service on the desktop, unless I want to pay extra to them to hike up the speed, or can I somehow get the router to work for it? Can the Circle be Broken?
If you know how, let me know. If I figure it out, I'll let you know.
 |
| Morgan Mandel |
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Amazon vs. Tradition by DL Larson
I have been trying to get the attention of an agent for more than two years now, or even a publisher. I'm old school in most things, so I've stuck with the tradtional way of publishing my work. Frankly, I'm tired of the run-around by tradtional houses. I'm tired of being polite and waiting my turn - for months - only to receive a letter at how interesting my work is, but it's just not what they are looking for at this time. Six weeks ago I received an email from an agent, that yes, they had received my material and everything looked good and they would get back to me as soon as possible; the waiting time might be five months from this message.
Five months! I checked my records and realized it had taken them one month to respond to my query. So basically I have another three months to wonder if they have forgotten about my work, lost it or changed their policy and chose not to respond at all and simply deleted it. In three months, I'll have to decide what to do. I have the choice of looking, searching for another possible match for my book and begin the tedious process again, or I can go another route altogether.
So my question is, why oh why is the publishing world in such an uproar over Amazon taking over their business? They are not doing a very good job. Frankly they have been stuck in the same, slow, nonproductive methods for a long time and panicked when another business developed a better way of doing things. The publishing houses still refuse to turn from their slow-poke ways.
Amazon reminds me of Wal-mart in so many ways. I live in a small town, surrounded by other small towns. There are two huge Wal-marts within thirty minutes of my home. Between me and the Big W, most of the mom and pop stores have dried up. The grocery stores in most small towns have gone under, as well as the pharmacies, hardware stores and clothing stores. They simply can't compete with the big store. Amazon has done the same thing in the publishing world.
I always tell my kids there are two kinds of people in this world: learners and nonlearners. I'm betting the publishing world is on one side of that equation and Amazon is on the other. It is also the first time there is no "middle man" between authors and readers. Direct connect is a new concept for writers; perhaps that is why it has taken me this long to step out of line that feels like a slush pile and realize I too can do this on my own.
I'm terrified in a giddy kind of way to take this step, but it's time. I've waited around for a train that is not coming. I need to move on.
Any advice?
Til next time ~
DL Larson
Five months! I checked my records and realized it had taken them one month to respond to my query. So basically I have another three months to wonder if they have forgotten about my work, lost it or changed their policy and chose not to respond at all and simply deleted it. In three months, I'll have to decide what to do. I have the choice of looking, searching for another possible match for my book and begin the tedious process again, or I can go another route altogether.
So my question is, why oh why is the publishing world in such an uproar over Amazon taking over their business? They are not doing a very good job. Frankly they have been stuck in the same, slow, nonproductive methods for a long time and panicked when another business developed a better way of doing things. The publishing houses still refuse to turn from their slow-poke ways.
Amazon reminds me of Wal-mart in so many ways. I live in a small town, surrounded by other small towns. There are two huge Wal-marts within thirty minutes of my home. Between me and the Big W, most of the mom and pop stores have dried up. The grocery stores in most small towns have gone under, as well as the pharmacies, hardware stores and clothing stores. They simply can't compete with the big store. Amazon has done the same thing in the publishing world.
I always tell my kids there are two kinds of people in this world: learners and nonlearners. I'm betting the publishing world is on one side of that equation and Amazon is on the other. It is also the first time there is no "middle man" between authors and readers. Direct connect is a new concept for writers; perhaps that is why it has taken me this long to step out of line that feels like a slush pile and realize I too can do this on my own.
I'm terrified in a giddy kind of way to take this step, but it's time. I've waited around for a train that is not coming. I need to move on.
Any advice?
Til next time ~
DL Larson
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Romance Writers, Want a Reasonably Priced Conference? Spring Fling Early Registration Closes Oct 31
If you can't afford going to RWA National's Conference or just like going to writing conferences, you may wish to consider going to this one, very reasonably priced, with Editors, Agents, Bestselling Authors, and tons of workshops. I'm not just saying that because I'm doing a workshop there on Blog Book Tours.(G)
** Permission to Forward Granted and Encouraged **
2012 SPRING FLING WRITERS' CONFERENCE - EARLY REGISTRATION CLOSES OCT. 31ST
April 27-28, 2012
Hoffman Estates, IL
Chicago-North Romance Writers of America is pleased to announce the
line-up of headlining speakers, editors and agents for the 2012 Spring
Fling Writers' Conference:
FEATURED SPEAKERS
New York Times best-selling authors:
Sherrilyn Kenyon, Mary Balogh and Simone Elkeles
EDITORS
Tessa Woodward (Avon Publishing)
Shauna Summers (Ballantine Bantam Dell)
Megan Long (Harlequin)
Martin Biro (Kensington Publishing)
Tera Kleinfelter (Samhain Publishing)
AGENTS
Ginger Clark (Curtis Brown LTD)
Cori Deyoe (3 Seas Literary Agency)
Scott Eagan (Greyhaus Literary Agency)
Sara Megibow (Nelson Literary Agency)
Paige Wheeler (Folio Literary Management, LLC.)
WORKSHOPS ON CRAFT AND BUSINESS PRESENTED BY PUBLISHED AUTHORS, AGENTS AND MORE
Amy Alessio, Sarah M. Anderson, Mary Balogh, Barbara Binns, Sherrill
Bodine, Laurie Brown, Wendy Byrne, Ginger Clark, Gretchen Craig,
Dyanne Davis, Scott Eagan, Simone Elkeles, Barbara Caridad Ferrer,
Susan Gibberman, Blythe Gifford, Ruth Kaufman, Megan Kelly, Keena
Kincaid, Maureen Lang, Carrie Lofty, Lindsay Longford, Morgan Mandel,
Sara Megibow, Susan Meier, Courtney Milan, Allie Pleiter, Terese daly
Ramin, Tiffany Reisz, Patricia Rosemoor, Denise Swanson, Julie
Wachowski, Margaret Watson, Sheri Lewis Wohl
PITCH PERFECT WORKSHOP
Perfect your pitch the day before your agent/editor appointment.
HOT NIGHT CRITIQUES
Bring a love scene--no matter how sweet or steamy--for small group critique.
PUBLISHING SPOTLIGHTS
Avon (Tessa Woodward)
Ballantine Bantam Dell (Shauna Summers)
Kensington (Martin Biro)
Samhain (Tera Kleinfelter)
Sourcebooks (Danielle Jackson)
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION RATES END OCTOBER 31ST
Chicago-North RWA Member: $144
RWA Member: $164
Non-RWA Member: $174
RATE INCREASES TO $184 NOVEMBER 1ST
For more information about Spring Fling 2012 and to register, please
visit: http://www.chicagospringfling.com/
For more information about Chicago-North Romance Writers of America,
please visit: http://www.chicagonorthrwa.org/
Questions? Contact us at: conference@chicagonorthrwa.org
If you do show up and you see me around, please say hello!
Killer Career is 99 cents on
Kindle and Smashwords, also
in print for $13.95.
Forever Young-Blessing or
Curse is almost ready.
Two Wrongs will soon be
re-released on Kindle and
Smashwords.
** Permission to Forward Granted and Encouraged **
2012 SPRING FLING WRITERS' CONFERENCE - EARLY REGISTRATION CLOSES OCT. 31ST
April 27-28, 2012
Hoffman Estates, IL
Chicago-North Romance Writers of America is pleased to announce the
line-up of headlining speakers, editors and agents for the 2012 Spring
Fling Writers' Conference:
FEATURED SPEAKERS
New York Times best-selling authors:
Sherrilyn Kenyon, Mary Balogh and Simone Elkeles
EDITORS
Tessa Woodward (Avon Publishing)
Shauna Summers (Ballantine Bantam Dell)
Megan Long (Harlequin)
Martin Biro (Kensington Publishing)
Tera Kleinfelter (Samhain Publishing)
AGENTS
Ginger Clark (Curtis Brown LTD)
Cori Deyoe (3 Seas Literary Agency)
Scott Eagan (Greyhaus Literary Agency)
Sara Megibow (Nelson Literary Agency)
Paige Wheeler (Folio Literary Management, LLC.)
WORKSHOPS ON CRAFT AND BUSINESS PRESENTED BY PUBLISHED AUTHORS, AGENTS AND MORE
Amy Alessio, Sarah M. Anderson, Mary Balogh, Barbara Binns, Sherrill
Bodine, Laurie Brown, Wendy Byrne, Ginger Clark, Gretchen Craig,
Dyanne Davis, Scott Eagan, Simone Elkeles, Barbara Caridad Ferrer,
Susan Gibberman, Blythe Gifford, Ruth Kaufman, Megan Kelly, Keena
Kincaid, Maureen Lang, Carrie Lofty, Lindsay Longford, Morgan Mandel,
Sara Megibow, Susan Meier, Courtney Milan, Allie Pleiter, Terese daly
Ramin, Tiffany Reisz, Patricia Rosemoor, Denise Swanson, Julie
Wachowski, Margaret Watson, Sheri Lewis Wohl
PITCH PERFECT WORKSHOP
Perfect your pitch the day before your agent/editor appointment.
HOT NIGHT CRITIQUES
Bring a love scene--no matter how sweet or steamy--for small group critique.
PUBLISHING SPOTLIGHTS
Avon (Tessa Woodward)
Ballantine Bantam Dell (Shauna Summers)
Kensington (Martin Biro)
Samhain (Tera Kleinfelter)
Sourcebooks (Danielle Jackson)
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION RATES END OCTOBER 31ST
Chicago-North RWA Member: $144
RWA Member: $164
Non-RWA Member: $174
RATE INCREASES TO $184 NOVEMBER 1ST
For more information about Spring Fling 2012 and to register, please
visit: http://www.chicagospringfling.com/
For more information about Chicago-North Romance Writers of America,
please visit: http://www.chicagonorthrwa.org/
Questions? Contact us at: conference@chicagonorthrwa.org
If you do show up and you see me around, please say hello!
 |
| Morgan Mandel |
Killer Career is 99 cents on
Kindle and Smashwords, also
in print for $13.95.
Forever Young-Blessing or
Curse is almost ready.
Two Wrongs will soon be
re-released on Kindle and
Smashwords.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Just Perfect by June Sproat
My YA short story, Just Perfect, is out on Kindle. Here is the back cover blurb…Caroline Jane Edmonds, CJ to her friends and family, has the perfect summer planned. She calls it the TSL summer: tanning, swimming and love, and not necessarily in that order. As a matter of fact, she’ll take it in any order, just as long as it comes.
When the first day of summer rolls around, CJ’s on top of the world. But that world gets pulled out from beneath her feet when her father decides, without consulting CJ at all, that she needs a summer job. He even picks out the job: working at the miniature golf course and driving range for the park district where he is the director. Now all she has to do is combine her ideal summer plans into her new job and she’ll have a hole in one, otherwise her whole summer will be way below par.
Perfect, just perfect!
Have a great week!
Best,
June
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Cloning
Other than an addiction to "Star Wars" in which entire story lines revolve around cloning, I've never given it a whole lot of thought. It was interesting when Dolly (Wasn't that the name of the cloned sheep?) came about. But the idea of trying to clone humans seems creepy and macabre.
However, lately, I've given it some more thought. Not seriously. Not that I think ethically it's okay. Not in any real sense. But rather, I have so much to do and not nearly enough time to do it that I thought if there were more of me, things might get done.
I could use a clone (or two or three) at work. To help keep up with paperwork, planning, and supervision.
I could use a clone at home to make sure the house gets cleaned: really cleaned, not just the 'wipe down the bathrooms on the weekend so they're not gross' kind of cleaning. The windows need to be washed, the yard needs to be cut down, the ceiling fans and the baseboards and the crown molding need to be dusted...
I could use a clone for my writing career. I have a novella coming out in a couple of weeks (Yikes.) and have a ton of blogs to write for my tour. I haven't actually done any new writing in ages. And I can't keep up with fellow authors who have blog posts. It would be nice to be able to connect with them.
Yes, a clone or two or three of me would be awfully nice right now. Just to help me keep up and get back on track.
Until next week,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
However, lately, I've given it some more thought. Not seriously. Not that I think ethically it's okay. Not in any real sense. But rather, I have so much to do and not nearly enough time to do it that I thought if there were more of me, things might get done.
I could use a clone (or two or three) at work. To help keep up with paperwork, planning, and supervision.
I could use a clone at home to make sure the house gets cleaned: really cleaned, not just the 'wipe down the bathrooms on the weekend so they're not gross' kind of cleaning. The windows need to be washed, the yard needs to be cut down, the ceiling fans and the baseboards and the crown molding need to be dusted...
I could use a clone for my writing career. I have a novella coming out in a couple of weeks (Yikes.) and have a ton of blogs to write for my tour. I haven't actually done any new writing in ages. And I can't keep up with fellow authors who have blog posts. It would be nice to be able to connect with them.
Yes, a clone or two or three of me would be awfully nice right now. Just to help me keep up and get back on track.
Until next week,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
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