Work Habits of the Not So Rich & Famous

Back in the days when "work" consisted of the assignments teachers doled out and my bosses were my parents, I couldn't do homework unless the TV or stereo blared.

I stopped getting complaints about my dubious study habits when I consistently made the honor roll.

Now that I'm the boss, results are still important. It's OK to emulate extraordinarily productive writer Michael Bracken and work on multiple projects at the same time IF I actually finish and submit those projects on a timely basis.

I give myself permission to do a load or two of wash during working hours ... unless all I've accomplished at the end of the day is laundry!

Are you an easy going boss who doesn't grumble so long as the work is getting done, or a no nonsense boss with all sorts of rules like no e-mail until the day's quota of words is finished?

You're the only one who can decide what kind of boss you need to be to encourage yourself to get the job done.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Stopping and starting

by Maggie Toussaint

Summer is a jagged time for me to write. I start writing. Something happens. I stop. I do something else. I come back to my story. I wonder what I was thinking. I have to take time to reread what I wrote before I can move on. I start again.

Does this sound familiar?

Seems like I'm doing a lot of writing, but the effort is dispersed over several projects so that no one thing is getting finalized. This is hard for me since I am by nature a linear person. Once I start something, I like to stay with it until I'm done.

But I'm learning flexibility in all things; and really, isn't that what life is about? Adapting to meet our challenges?

Maggie Toussaint
romance and mystery author
www.maggietoussaint.com
www.myspace.com/maggietoussaint

Modern Technology Not Always Best

Even though I started writing in the Dark Ages (i.e. when only the very rich and famous owned computers,) I've become accustomed to going from first draft to submission ready manuscript without ever leaving the computer keyboard.

Almost. When it comes time to proof and polish a manuscript, the computer leaves a lot to be desired.

Spell Check can't tell the difference between "there" and "their" in the context of a sentence. It just knows both words are spelled correctly. Grammar Check seems to offer the wrong advice more often than the correct choice.

When I print out a hard copy, I swear I spot errors that I never noticed on the computer screen. I've learned the hard way that it pays to put that marked up hard copy in a drawer while I work on other projects for as long as possible without missing a deadline. Coming back with fresh eyes, I spot more things that need fixing (like using the word "hard" three times in the same paragraph!)

What tricks of the trade do you employ to be sure you only send out your very best work?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Critique - thumbs up or thumbs down

by Maggie Toussaint

In the beginning, I thought I knew how to write a book. But it wasn't until I joined a critique group (and began to swim with the big fish) that I learned how much more there was to book writing. I learned a lot from my first group, good stuff and bad.

First the good stuff: when a word/phrase/scene brought comment from more than one person in the group, it needed additional work. When I felt the need to explain a passage at our critique meetings, I hadn't done a good enough job in the book and it needed more work.

The bad stuff wasn't so bad. For me, the worst part was getting conflicting input. I had a tendency to want to please everyone and I spent a year rewriting a book to everyone's satisfaction. When I finished it, I hated it and there was no coherent voice.

Which brought home another lesson. I learned it was important for me to complete a book before I brought it to critique. Then I was certain of where the story was going and who the characters were.

I lost a year doing that group-pleasing book, but I gained back my focus. Critique is a good way to sharpen your work, a good way to check for repetitions, for craft essentials, and story.

Since that first group, I've had several online critique partners, and I believe we all learned from each other. Critique isn't for everyone, but it sure helped me. I give it a thumbs up!

Maggie Toussaint

a fresh new voice in Southern fiction

http://www.maggietoussaint.com/

The Magic of Romance?

My Roman historical romance, "Flavia's Secret", has no paranormal elements, but vampires were already sexy and seductive in the classical world. The ancient Greeks knew of a ghost-like creature called Lamia, who seduced young men and sucked their blood. Cute!

And who would be a husband in medieval Europe? There, a wife or partner might 'inspire' their lover by serving a meal laced with ground-up earthworms!


Best wishes, Lindsay
Please visit my blog at http://lindsaysbookchat.blogspot.com/

The Customer Is Always "Write"

There's an old saying in the retail trade, "the customer is always right."

Mrs. Smith brings back an obviously used item and demands a refund saying she's changed her mind and purchased another brand elsewhere. She's been a good customer for years so the shop owner swallows hard, pastes on a smile, and "cheerfully" hands over the money.

I couldn't help thinking of those words this week as I struggled to please a particularly picky editor.

Most of the time, an extra set of eagle eyes spots mistakes I wish I'd caught myself. I appreciate the opportunity to polish my work before it's published so readers see only my very best work.

Most of the time.

"The customer is always right," I reminded myself as I agonized over the requested revisions. "The customer is always right," I repeated as I gave the piece a final proof before hitting "send."

The editor returned the piece with another full set of requested changes. I couldn't manage to paste on a smile as I grumbled "the customer is always right" over and over again. Finally, I finished and sent it off confidently believing it would prove satisfactory.

No such luck. It bounced back in record time with still another litany of changes.

Not even bothering to repeat the sacred mantra, I somehow managed to force myself through the motions and sent it off for the third time. Luckily, the third time was the charm.

I'm not sure the finished product was superior to what I initially submitted. There's not a shadow of a doubt that the payment won't begin to cover all that extra time and effort.

Maybe, just maybe, I learned something from the agonizing process. Ultimately, the customer (editor) IS always right.

Taking the time to satisfy that customer instead of giving up and sacrificing the sale may well be what separates wannabe writers from published authors.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Poetry

I haven't written many poems, but I do find they are a great source of release when going through troubled times. The first one was written when I woke up one morning after being married for over ten years, and realized...the man lying next to me had become a virtual stranger.

Nothing More

Whispered in my ear
Three small words spoken many times before
My heart does not flutter like the first time
A moment of disbelief
Nothing more

A note left on the table
Signed in the same way as always
I look for some uniqueness in the words
A tear escapes
Nothing more

A letter in my mailbox
Words of endearment as if copied
No unpredictable gesture of kindness
A heavy sigh
Nothing more

A night of lovemaking
Hurried motions without meaning
No shudder reaches my lips
Cry into my pillow
Nothing more

Suitcase ready to depart
Filled with regrets of time lost
The words I love you have no meaning
When they are just words
Nothing more

Adelle Laudan
Copyright 2007

This poem was written during a period of time in my life where I lost one too many friends to the disease of alcoholism. I remember writing this the night of the funeral.

Rebel Child

Rebel child
Beautiful baby
Born into a life of abuse
Born destined to abuse her life

Rebel child
Always on the run
Not knowing where you are headed
Not knowing where you came from

Rebel child
Such a beauty
Using her smile to find acceptance
Using her smile to accept her reality

Rebel child
Silently weeping
Trying to understand her past
Trying to forget her memories

Rebel child
Easing the pain
Drowning her sorrows in a bottle
Drowning in an ocean of guilt

Rebel child
Always searching
Looking for love in all the wrong places
Looking for a place to call home

Rebel child
Is missing
No one is looking for her
No one knows she is gone

Rebel child
Finds peace
Escape was at the bottom of the bottle
Escape caressed her, took away the pain

Copyright 2005
Adelle Laudan

I don't want you to think my poems are only of sadness and heartache, so I will throw this one in the mix. I think the passion is very obvious.

RIDING IN THE RAIN

Some folks ride in the rain
To wash away their tears
Yearning for days of yesterday
Never shifting gears

They always ride the same old roads
Never venturing into the unknown
Cursing their life for opportunities missed
Crying as they head home

I don’t dwell on days gone by
I took a different route
I look forward to the open skies,
Riding free is what it’s all about

So, I bring to life my iron beast
As quickly as can be
I don’t want to miss a moment in time
There's still too much left to see

I want to feel the winds of time
Blowing in my face
I want to find many new roads
Not happy to be just taking up space

I want to see what's up ahead
Not where I should have turned
Life's too short to have regrets
Just long enough to learn

So when the rain is upon us
When you hear the thunder crack
Go for a ride and cleanse your spirit
Get your life back on track

It's all right to walk down memory lane,
That’s part of who we are
But, today is for the living
To chase a shooting star

The thrill is in the mystery
Not what you already know
In the wind is where it’s happening
Not knowing where you go

Life is riding all the twists and turns
Even when it starts to rain
It’s living in the moment
Ride on or go insane

You can’t see what’s around every corner
Sometimes you have to make a change
The world is yours for the taking
Even when it means riding in the rain

Adelle Laudan
Copyright  2004

I'd also like to share a Sqeeeeee!! moment in my house. My youngest daughter, soon to be 14 years old, graduated grade eight this week. She won two awards. One , Excellence in Visual Arts...and, The Award for Literacy! Was a very proud moment in my life.

Summer Fun & Summer WORK

Writers who have kids home from school for the summer and writers whose only "kids" have four feet and fur have something in common. Most confess that it's hard to work while the house is full of creatures who don't!

Is noise the primary distraction? Try earphones and your favorite music.

Are you jealous of the splashing in the pool or other summer fun? Try staying up an hour later, getting up an hour earlier (or both) to work and then take a well-deserved break to join in the summer fun.

Keeping lots of low calorie cold drinks handy (like iced tea/herbal fruit infusions, iced coffee, or fresh lemonade/limeade made with artificial sweetener) will help your fingers fly over that keyboard.

And if all else fails ... put those creatures to work. The youngest of children can probably handle a simple task with a bit of guidance. How about those repetitive chores that waste valuable writing time like putting address stickers on query/manuscript envelopes or straightening up the to be read mountain? Older children might enjoy doing some market research (or other research) on the internet.

Those furry "kids" can help too. My dog cocks his head and listens intently when I read my work aloud. I know it's time to revise when he treats me to a bored yawn and walks away!


May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Author signing June 20th!

Saturday, June 20, 2009
Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Hastings
Street: 917 Hwy. 80
City/Town: San Marcos, TX

TRUSTING DELILAH

Roman Aiza is the second born son of the Aiza clan. He also owns and operates a private security company and has an ongoing contract with one of Florida's most influential residents. He is patrolling at a party when he encounters a woman who will haunt him. A woman who at their first meeting, manages to walk right out of his hands when he follows her for trespassing. She manages to do this without giving Roman a single reason why she is in the depths of the house he is protecting. When he does finally locate her days later, his goal is to prove that his instincts are wrong. She is not the woman that all of his senses are clamoring for.

Yet when the daughter of Roman's largest and closest account is kidnapped and held for ransom, will they be able to build a trust between them? Or will their own secrets keep them apart?
~~
Read a full excerpt here!

Trusting Delilah kept my attention from first word to last. This is a story that grabs all the emotions and the senses.
Judith Rochelle, Author of Cutter's Law and Redemption.


A TRUST EARNED

Selene Aiza is a very compassionate woman by nature, and fiercely protective of those she cares for. A renowned doctor with gentle patient skills, she prefers the wild country of western Oregon and the secluded hospital where she can help the people who truly need her assistance. And in the depths of those wooded wilds she can keep her secrets well hidden.

She is safe until the man she encounters by pure chance becomes the hospital's first choice as co-administrator. Her secrets and her very life fall into jeopardy, and only he can save her. He could also destroy her.
~~
Read a full excerpt here!

fast paced, tightly packed with emotion, mystery and suspense
~Jackie, PNR

Visit my site for more about this book and my work here.

Available now at Barnes & Noble and other retailers near you.

Blogging blues

Sorry to leave you hanging out here in cyberspace so long, Susanne. I'm between releases and hoping I'll have some good news one of these days. I've got a new agent and an invitation for a resubmission from a publisher. Crossing my fingers that both of those things work out for me.

This summer is a stay-at-home time for us. We traveled to see family in the spring and will do so again in the fall. For now, we're staying put, enjoying the air conditioning.

Maggie Toussaint
a fresh new voice in southern fiction
www.maggietoussaint.com