Do it!

Darn it. I had a great opening line of a new book hit me while riding to Dallas last weekend. I pondered over it for several miles and thought I would remember it forever.

Wrong.

I can only “hear” bits and pieces from the character. She’ll come back, when she’s really really ready. I know this because she has a story to tell.

Someday I’ll learn to write things down. I had pen/paper in my purse, but, again, thought I’d remember because her questioning (yes, I remember she was asking a question) was so strong.

The older I get, the more notes and lists I should make. Life happens. The ole mind switches gears in a heart beat. Concentrate. Reach down and pull out that little spiral notebook. Use it for more than a Wal-Mart or Jo-Ann’s list.

Don’t wait, Lanetta!

Do it!

Do you make lists?

Friday Fun - Not!

Well, it's oops time around here! I've neglected to maintain accounting records on a daily or weekly or monthly basis for 2011! That side of the brain only works once a year! And, it's that "once a year" time over the course of the next SEVERAL HOURS! Poor me, I must stop being creative and do what's required!

(Photo by David Reber's Hammer Photography)

At least, my receipts are organized. I just need to record them in their proper place for the in-house tax man waiting not-so-patiently!

I'll be back at the sewing machine or on the laptop writing before too long...that's the game plan anyway!

Hope everyone has a fabulously fun-filled Friday, not an OOPS Friday!

Tuesday Tips - The Minute Details

The most daunting task of writing a novel is keeping up with the minute details. A reader will catch the slightest contradiction in a heartbeat! Besides pleasing your reader, keeping the minute details straight ~ and easy to find ~ is also a way not to waste precious time going back and searching for something!

After trying a variety of methods, I thought, why not try Microsoft Excel?! It has an unlimited number (I think it’s unlimited) sheets available and I could do one for each character, situation, place – whatever I need! Yes!

Using MS Excel as a way of keeping up with the minute details has been a lifesaver for me, especially because I have several works-in-progress and it keeps me straight! When the characters aren't sharing, I can stop writing on one and pick up where I left off on another. I know I have all the pertinent details needed within a couple of clicks with my mouse.

Example of sheets for WIP = Ella

When I begin a story, I gather images (usually of actors) of folks who my characters will look like and save the picture to MS Excel. Glancing quickly at a picture keeps me from having to "read" the details.



Example of Character for WIP = Ella

Because it's so obvious "Bo" (from Days of Our Lifes) has dark hair and eyes, I didn't waste time making a note. Dates and ages are the important details for his "profile". But when it's not clear, or I want to make a change from the actor for some personal reason, I make a note - like I did for "Patrick Jane, The Mentalist". I also add more details when needed.

Example of Character for WIP = The Next Time Around

 

Example for WIP = The Next Time Around



Then I find pictures on the Internet of their homes (outside and inside) and maybe an office space, if needed. Their animals are also important!

  

Example for WIP = The Next Time Around



The possibilities of what to store on the different sheets are ENDLESS! It's whatever you need!

I hope this helps with your tracking of the minute details!

Back Up and Catch Up

On Friday, September 30th, I did a first! As it worked out, if I was going to attend the State Fair of Texas this year, I had to go it alone. No problem. Rather than driving a vehicle, I rode the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Rail (transferring once) out to the fairgrounds and back. Fabulous! Only way to go in my opinion! While at the fair, I saw my ~ first time ever to enter ~ award winning entries! It was beyond thrilling. I stopped a lady and asked if she’d take a picture of me with my apron… she was almost as excited as I was!

Saturday evening was my 40th High School Class reunion… another event I had to go it alone. It turned out beautifully and I had a great time catching up with my fellow classmates.

Sunday, after a post-class reunion brunch event, I headed back to the country, to my family, and studio. It was great to be home.

The week flew by, preparing for the 17th Annual Herb & Art Fest on Saturday 10/8 in Lampasas, Texas. Well, that didn’t pan out like I’d hoped! Something unusual happened: it RAINED! I quickly (within the first hour!) realized that Aprons, Doll Clothes, Bags, and Books don’t mix well with rain and wind! But, we haven’t received any measureable amount of rain since May and parts of Texas had had horrible wildfires that destroyed almost 2,000 homes during the summer. So the blessed rain (almost 5” worth!) was much more important than any arts/craft show!

After everything thoroughly dried out, I packed away items for the next (indoor) arts/craft show coming up in November! I then created a coupon for my online ArtFire Studio… 15% off total purchase until the end of October! Coupon code is: RAIN (of course)!

Yesterday, I began working on a book I started back on 11/1/2009. I hadn’t touched it, not one word, in over a year. A romance, The Next Time Around, is about a woman whose husband has been missing for years – how she’s coped, what she’s done to help others with missing loved ones. Her sister convinces her to finally have him declared dead and move on with her life, persuading her the next time around will be forever.

This is the working cover (subject to change):

I hope to finish the book by the end of this year and get the story out to my beta readers before turning it in to my editor! It’s doable, if I stay focused! Some have said my writing style is an “easy read” and I like that description. Many have shared they couldn’t the book down once they started reading it! I always love hearing that from readers, too! Anyway... signed copies of my current books, Where Forever Begins (Historical Romance) and Finding Closure (Contemporary Fiction), are available here.

Click on the book covers to read a snippet!

I’m still sewing, too! I have several custom apron orders to create for Christmas! I’m always ready to accept more orders! Just send me an email!

Time certainly flies by quickly when you’re having fun!