A revision on the WIP.

After going over my WIP, I realized that it needed a rewrite. I am going to add a new chapter at the beginning and have rethought the plot some. This will give more depth to my characters, create more believability to the story, and possibly push the word count into the novella range. If it doesn't, I'm not really worried about it because a long short story is fine too.

You know, I never really write anything here about my personal life. I suppose this is because this blog is about my writing, the dilemmas and trials of the writing life, and an escape from my otherwise mundane world. My life is no more exciting than any one else's. Probably less so than most. Although, we do take a month vacation once a year when school is out of session. We need that break. This year, we are still contemplating on where we want to go. What with gas prices eating into our vacation funds, this year may not be as exotic. (sigh)

So, let's see if I can write a new blurb for the WIP. :)

Kit

For Michelle. (grin) Because she demanded it. LOLOL

The WIP is going well. I have added a couple thousand words to it and have somewhat mapped out where the rest of it is going. I am aiming for 12K words. Not much to some of you people who are verbose, but for little old me, this is some feat. LOL

I was noticing the other day while responding to Kristen Painter's blog post regarding character names that I had several that started with either "s" or "m". I wonder if that means I am into S&M and I don't know it. (grin) Could it be Freudian? If it was, wouldn't there be a penis mixed in there too? (grin) Yeah, I know I'm awful.

I am thinking I will try submitting it to Freya's Bower again. They were so wonderful with LC that I have become the loyal author. LOL Or maybe I just know a good thing when I've got it.

Anyway, here's a little blurb about the new WIP, tentatively named "The Whispering House":

Looking for a quiet place to grieve the death of her mother, Eleanor Brown buys a house on the outskirts of Fresno and gets more than she bargains for. Four weeks in, the whispers begin. She doesn't believe in ghosts, but someone, or thing, keeps calling her name and she hears giggles. Then a mysterious cowboy named Michael appears, a man she can't seem to resist nor forget. Strange things are happening at her house. And the more involved she becomes with Michael, the more things seem to happen. Is he the cause? Or is he her soul mate?

Not the best blurb, but I'm afraid to give too much away. I want to leave some surprises. :)

Can someone tell me how to write a good, no, an incredible blurb? I've done some searching, but most just tell you what they think is good not how to do it. Why? Because, they don't know how to do it.

Kit

Awake and soon to be at work.

Sigh! LOL

It's always coldest at sunrise, it seems.

Yes, random thoughts this morning. Maybe it's because there is actually sunshine instead of rain. I will have to adjust. LOL Today is forecasted to be 73. Woo-hoo! No rain in sight, baby! That is good. Tomorrow is 80. I will take these temps. However, my kids will probably be squirrely, wanting outside instead of in. I don't blame them. I want to be outside instead of in. LOL

No progress whatsoever over the break on my WIP. (sigh) I had such good intentions, but the days flew by and before I knew it, I was back working again. I wish I could say that I was productive, but I can't. I did nothing but squander my off time. I suppose that was exactly what I needed to do, right? Still, I should have finished that novella -- for a novella it would be as I doubt I am capable of finishing a full-length novel. My attention span, you know. LOL The stories are good, but I am ready to work on a new project about a quarter of the way through a novel. I have one sitting at about 25K words right now. Friends keep prodding me to finish it, but I can't seem to get motivated to do it.

Does anyone else ever have this dilemma?

Kit

Alive

Yes, I am here. LOL We've had some thunderstorms in my area, which didn't make me want to sit at the computer, so I've been away for a few days. This means, I've done very little writing, but I've enjoyed time with my fiance. We don't do this very often. We are usually running ninety miles a minute. So, it's been nice.

Today was gorgeous... finally. We needed the break from the rain. Our reservoirs are full, and if the weather turns warm, the snowmelt could overwhelm us. (160% of our average snowpack this year.) Cross your fingers that I don't float away. LOL

My novella Last Chance is available at Freya's Bower for purchase.

Sorry if I'm a bit quiet tonight. Just enjoying these moments of downtime.

Kit

How do you write?

I find that I write best late at night. The house doesn't have to be quiet as long as it's after 9 pm. LOL Yeah, I'm a night owl. However, the downside to writing this late is that sometimes what I am writing seeps into my dreams. So, for instance, right now, my WIP is a paranormal with some unsettling elements in it. (I'm stuck because I am trying to decide which way to go with it.) The result is that when on I work on it, some nights I have nightmares about ghosts. The dreams don't necessarily have anything to do with the story, though. The only common demoninators between my WIP and my dreams are that both have ghosts in them. LOL

Does anyone else find this to be true? Do portions of your stories invade your dreams?

First day of spring break and my plans are to relax. I haven't had much time for that since the beginning of the semester. Although I enjoy being a teacher, it is a very demanding profession. The second graders wear me out by the end of the day. LOL They have so much energy. But their enthusiasm is a joy to see. I know I couldn't teach older students, especially 5th grade and older. Too mouthy and rambunctious for me. LOL Some of my co-workers love the older kids. They love the challenge and really enjoy them and wonder how I can teach such young children. LOL Well, I guess that's why we teach the grades we do.

Do you ever speak to your parents about their lives before they were married or had children? My mother's story is fascinating. Perhaps one day, it will find its way into one of my romances. It certainly could be one.

All right. It's a beautiful day here and the garden beckons.

Kit

Excellent Author Chat at eBook Love

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to let all of you know that my author chat at eBook Love, the Yahoo group, went really well. The ladies are really nice and friendly. They loved my book excerpts and were fun to chat with. If any of you can, you should definitely decide to join there and set up a chat. Should you do that, here are some things you might want to know:

1. Consider a Saturday date, even if you have to wait. If not Saturday, then later in the evening after dinner time (EST). Yes, I know this sounds silly, but I started after I came home from work... way too early.
   
2. Choose your excerpts before you start the chat. And if you have a second book not published or that you aren't promoting at that time but is contracted, choose a couple from that book too. They will ask about your other books, so be prepared.
   
3. Keep water and food on hand and be sure there is some for the family too.
   
4. Give away at least one copy of your e-book that day. If you give away more than one, I would suggest you hold one for an overnight contest so those unable to attend will read your excerpts and enter too. You don't have to give away just books either. You can give away other things, like spa accessories, etc., that people will like too.
   
5. If you can, give another copy of your book to the eBook Love group moderators to include in their author giveaway a few weeks later. What does this do for you? You can come back and input a promo either about that book the week they give away your book or promote a new one coming out. It's an easy reminder.
   
6. Know what questions you are going to ask for the contests, make sure these questions can be easily found within the excerpts, but don't tell them which excerpt they'll find the answer. They'll be forced to read all of the excerpts that way. Also, be explicit about the directions of how to enter. Example: I had them email the answer to me with the subject line: "First Contest -- eBook Love". The answer had to be in the body of the email. Whoever emailed me first won.
   
7. Enjoy yourself! These are nice people who love romance.
   

I want to thank Nell Dixon for her advice. It was truly helpful.

If anyone else has more advice on this, please feel free to add. I know this sounds simple, but I know a lot of you have ebooks coming out and thought you might be interested in this.

Author Chat April 5th, 2006 2-6 pm PST

Yup, it's true. I am doing an author chat. Wow! I feel like a celebrity. LOL It's on Yahoo groups eBookLove. You must be a member to join the chat. It's pretty easy to sign up. I am holding a contest and giving out a copy of my erotic romance ebook "Last Chance".

So, come by and check it out. I would love to see a few friendly faces. :)

Kit