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On writing and running…

You know, every so often I hear someone say:

writing a book is like running a marathon.

Okay, I’m gonna stop right there. I don’t know if the people who say that have ever written a book, but I assume since they are giving writing advice, they probably have. I also don’t know if they have ever run a marathon, but I find that most people who have run marathons don’t compare other activities (even running shorter or longer events) to the marathon. So maybe they have, maybe they haven’t.

I’ve written a few books. I’ve run a few marathons (Grandfather Mountain, Chicago, Mercedes, and NYC). In my limited marathoning experience, I will say not even running a marathon is always like running a marathon.

So, I thought I’d distill this bit of simile down to the most important writing lessons we can take from running marathons.

It takes work. Lots of work. You don’t toe the line without training unless you really enjoy pain. Do the work, hurt less. (It still hurts)
It takes help. Your family and friends will see less of you. You’ll need someone to watch the kids/feed the dogs/etc while you eke out continually longer runs, one weekend after the other. By the way? You’ll probably be too tired on the weekends to do much more than eat. Ask for help.
The first one takes massive amounts of self-delusion. No, I’m not kidding. Until you’ve experienced the distance, you have no fucking clue what you’re about to do to yourself. And when you line up at the start line that morning, you’ll probably want to puke, cry, or hide.
You’ll reach a point where you want to stop. You don’t. Because you want to finish more.

Yeah, I guess writing a book is sort of like running a marathon. Work hard. Ask for help. Delude yourself. And don’t stop.

On that note, my lovely running partner and fellow LSB author, Becca Jameson, has a book releasing today! Lindsey’s Wolves is the sequel to Jameson’s paranormal menage romance Kara’s Wolves and will be available on www.liquidsilverbooks.com by 7pm EST. Happy release day Becca! I can’t wait to read it!

Thanks for reading everybody!

xoxo,
V

Updates from a slacking blogger

Good morning friends!

First of all, I’d like to apologize for not updating the blog more frequently, and letting my wonderful guests carry me for a few weeks. (They have been wonderful, haven’t they???)

School has started back, and while I would think that would mean more writing time, these first weeks back have been a bit of a challenge for all of us. However, we’re back in the swing of things now, and I’m hopeful that I won’t neglect my blogging duties like this again.

So… what have I been doing these past weeks when I haven’t been blogging? Here’s a breakdown. 🙂

I recently learned that my short story, “Storm Haven,” will be published as part of the Wild at Heart anthology to benefit the Turpentine Creek Wildlife refuge. I’m so thrilled to be a part of this project!

http://diamondstateauthors.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/wild-at-heart-anthology-selections/

Also, remember that little novella “Solomon’s Passage” I was working on about a million years ago? (Oh, was that just this past winter? huh…) Well, Solomon’s Passage has undergone a complete re-write, and it’s turned into something very different from the original story. I’m polishing it up now and hopefully will have more exciting news to share about this story soon.

And, in other news, you know that Wiccan Haus place I keep talking about?

There’s a new Wiccan Haus story coming out next week, this one by the wonderfully talented Nya Rayne! Unveil my Heart is the fifth installment of the Wiccan Haus shared world series. I’m totally planning on kidnapping Nya, dragging her here, and tickling her until she talks about this book. Until I make that happen…Go read the excerpt here:

http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25&products_id=366

Thanks for reading this little update! Have a great weekend everyone!

xoxo,

Guest Post: Rhea Rhodan “Spinning a Yarn – Knitting as a Writing Tool”

V here! Today we are welcoming my fellow Musa Calliope author, Rhea Rhodan, who is going to talk about knitting as a writing tool. Y’all may not know this, but I knit almost every day, so I was thrilled to hear about the subject she chose for this post! Welcome Rhea!

While thinking about how to write this blog (and knitting on a pair of socks), I kept coming back to metaphors. There is so much about life that reminds me of knitting. When it goes smoothly, all the little stitches line up on the needles like appointments on our calendars, steps to accomplishing our goals, sentences that make up stories. Then there are the tangled yarns: disruptions to our orderly schedules, mistakes that we can undo, and those we can’t (I dare you to try ripping back brushed mohair). And the projects we’re better off abandoning—think ponchos, and some marriages. You get the idea.

It’s not just the metaphors, though. The physical act of knitting (simple knitting, not to be confused with heirloom shawls or entrelac) engages one’s attention, but not their thoughts. It’s a soothing, rhythmic activity that has been called Zen-like. Which just happens to be the perfect state of mind to work out elements of a plot, a stuck bit of dialogue, the most satisfying—or most suspenseful way—to end a scene. Again, you can see where I’m going with this.

There are a couple of important considerations which happen to mirror each other (like knit and purl). Getting caught up in the knitting won’t further your story, so the project has to be something that can be picked up and dropped frequently, and without worry. Which is exactly the kind of knitting that is conducive to writing. For myself, this is socks knit on two circular needles, two at a time, toe up. I work on another pair when the first pair needs heels or toes, because that part of it requires more concentration. For you, it might be a stockinette scarf, or any project with a large swath of mindless knitting. It’s also a great excuse to have multiple projects on your needles, as you’ll always need to have simple knitting available.

The first story I wrote developed while I was knitting. I finally had to put the needles down and write the story before we all starved to death and I ran out of yarn. It’s no accident that a large number of my heroines are knitters, either, including the one in my recently published, slightly paranormal romance, Finding Grace.

If you’re more of a reader than a writer, you might enjoy knitting to audio books, bearing in mind that they are as different from the written word as movies are. For example, slower passages are difficult to skim (as are gory details), and love scenes that read great in print may sound painfully cheesy on audio. Much depends on the narrator and your tastes. I listen to different genres than I read. Mysteries, thrillers, fantasy, sci-fi, and young adult stories are my cup of knitting and listening tea. For print, I prefer mostly romances (of many genres), an occasional horror, a rare book of “literature,” and regular doses of non-fiction—not that I don’t mix it up now and then just for fun. Of course, you can make the knitting more challenging when listening than writing (and definitely more challenging than when watching TV), but be careful. A really good audio book can make for some severe knitting disasters.

Rhea Rhodan resides in Minnetonka, Minnesota and has been telling herself stories since long before she could write. She attended the University of Minnesota with a focus on Journalism, then Brown Institute for Broadcast Journalism. After many adventures, misadventures, and a couple of short marriages, she found the love of her life in Regensburg, Germany, and has been living happily ever after since.

She welcomes feedback and fan mail :>). You can join her on Facebook, too. Rhea is always happy to meet new friends.

http://www.rhearhodan.com

http://www.facebook.com/rhearhodan

Her current release, Finding Grace is available from Musa Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance ebooks, and other fine e-tailers. You can find an excerpt of the first chapter on her web site.

Finding Grace by Rhea Rhodan

Guest Post: June Kramin introduces Amanda’s Return!

Good morning friends! Today I’m welcoming June Kramin to the blog to talk about the sequel to Hunter’s Find, Amanda’s Return, which releases today. Welcome to the blog June, and happy release day!

Thanks for having me, Vanessa!

I’m very excited to announce the release of the sequel to one of my favorite novels today!
Amanda’s Return is the sequel for my first thriller – Hunter’s Find. I had no intention of making this a series – I simply do as I’m threatened! 😉
One of my best friends (and Beta reader extraordinaire) and I share a love for thriller novels. Hunter’s Find was by far her favorite. I was told to “Stop with the romance & give me more thrillers like this!” I really loved the banter of the characters, so I gave it a shot. I started working on it before Hunter’s Find was released, hoping to be able to announce the sequel at the end of the first one. We made it happen! I was thrilled to get reactions from people about how they liked the book & were excited to see there would be a part 2.

I had a different editor for this one. My first reaction was a few choice swear words and the fear of: *sniff* “But they don’t know the story!” *insert pouty face here* Buuut, you quickly learn that’s a good thing! When your editor hasn’t read the 1st one, they will make you add to parts that they don’t understand. The result is some great detail! This has happened to me on 2 sequels now and I have to say, I am very happy with the outcome. I might even dare say – this is the way to go.

Although marketed as thriller/suspense, there are enough romantic elements to keep the romance lover happy as well. I don’t know what it is with me letting my characters bully me, but you think I’d be able to stop Hunt & Mandy from having sex all over New York. But noooooo… Running with the mob and trying to stop a vigilante didn’t do a thing to these 2. If you’ve read a post by me before, you’ll know I’m always bullied by my characters. I won’t lie that I don’t love it. One of us should know what they’re doing. 😉

Is there a #3 in the works? Not as of yet… but I never say never.

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

With today being the actual release day, the only link I have is for Musa. I always support the publisher’s site when I can. All formats are available there!! If you give it a day, it’ll be at Amazon if that is your preference. In a few more days, it will be at Barnes & Noble.
Thanks for stopping by! As always, Happy Reading!!!

June’s Bio:

Wife, Mother, Writer, Lunatic. Not necessarily in that order.

“There is a fine line between genius & crazy. I like to use that line as a jump rope.”

June, who prefers to go by Bug, was born in Philadelphia but moved to Maui, Hawaii when she was four. She met her “Prince Charming” on Kauai and is currently living “Happily Ever After” on a hobby farm in a small town in Southern Minnesota.

She enjoys riding her Paint horse, Ringo, around the small ghost town they are playfully reestablishing with the neighbors and playing in Photoshop. Her son and daughter are her greatest accomplishments. She takes pride in embarrassing them every chance she gets.

Being hopelessly addicted to 80′s music is her super power.

Returning to help the mob was not what Mandy had in mind when she joined witness protection with Hunt.

Amanda’s Return by June Kramin

Click on the cover or follow this link to buy Amanda’s return. http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=338

Blurb: After a move and name change, Amanda thought her days with dealing with the FBI and Mob were over. Her past comes back to haunt her as Eddie, the right hand man of the kingpin himself, tracks her down, claiming to need her help. Amanda’s instinct is to refuse, until she discover what it is he needs. The return of the kingpin’s son, Angelo.

Vince Menusco’s men are being killed off with no explanation of who is behind it. Learning of Angelo’s disappearance is enough for Amanda to agree return to the streets of New York and help find him. Against her wishes, Hunt goes along to help.
Even after getting Angelo to safety, Eddie refuses to free Amanda from their deal. Threatening her family, he insists she puts an end to the killings. Finding out who is causing them and why was more than Mandy was prepared to deal with.

Catch up on the previous book, Hunter’s Find!

Helping your prisoner is one thing. Falling in love with her is another all together.

Hunter’s Find by June Kramin

Hunt is a small town Sheriff who finds himself in for more than he bargained for when he discovers Mandy beaten and unconscious. After repeated attempts of escaping him, he finds himself now her captive instead. Mandy convinces him she’s after her husband who has kidnapped their daughter and will stop at nothing to find her.

Although his instincts tell him differently, Hunt becomes involved with her and agrees to help. What he doesn’t know is there is no child. Mandy is hiding her involvement with the FBI and the mob, and after revenge. Hunt is in over his head tracking her husband to the isolated cabin and the backlash it causes a year later.

Hunter’s Find: Musa – http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=181

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hunters-Find-ebook/dp/B0074WDRY8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1328282243&sr=8-3

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hunters-find-june-kramin/1107217689?ean=2940033032839&itm=1&usri=hunter%27s+find

Want more June?

http://www.junekramin.com/

http://www.facebook.com/JuneKramin

https://twitter.com/junekramin

June also writes Middle Grade Fantasy: http://www.beforehappilyeverafter.com/

The glamorous writer’s life

This week, many of my fellow romance writers are out in Anaheim, California for RWA Nationals. Lucky ducks.

Me? I’m still living the glam life out here in Northwest GA, which means: four loads of laundry, two screaming (for joy, y’all, for JOY) children, two shedding dogs, not enough coffee in the house, and…

Outlines.

I just finished a rewrite of a sci-fi romance novella which will hopefully be out on sub sometime next month, so it’s time to start outlining/plotting something else. I’m still sort of stuck in the heads of the characters I just finished writing, so I need a buffer before I just dive into another project.

You may have heard writers taking sides in the great Plotter vs. Pantser debates: Which is better? Or not, because it’s really not that much of a debate. Different people work in different ways. Me? I’m pretty solidly a plotter these days, and I can blame THAT on Two in Winter. You see, Two in Winter is a retelling of an ancient Norse myth. I wanted to stick pretty closely to the mythology, so I did THAT by writing an outline and sticking to it. I also found it made the writing process easier: “What am I writing today? Oh, sex… Got it.” It made it easier for me to budget my limited writing time.

So now that I’ve finished rewriting the as yet untitled novella, I am plotting the second of the First Blood books. (I will not call it Second Blood, no matter how tempted I am.) The three First Blood books will be concurrent stories telling of three different romances featuring Queens from three different hives. The first book is already plotted but the other two stories need to be plotted as well, as there will be intersections in all three books since their timelines are concurrent. So, it’s caffeine, outlines, and laundry for me today. (and vicariously following the hashtag #rwa12 on twitter, because yeah… I wish I were there!)

Next week, I’ll be hosting the fabulous June Kramin on the blog, so I hope you’ll drop in with a hello for her! Also, the boy-children go back to school, and I will be celebrating my birthday! To get updates by email, follow the blog!

Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend!

xoxo,

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