Stuck in Your Story? Favorite Ways to Get Things Moving Again. By Connie Vines #RR, #RoundRobinBlog, #Writing Tips,

Ah, the universal problem for a writer.  

Favorite ways to get your story moving again! This month's topic: 

It (writers' block) often appears when the story is running smoothly....that is, until either your hero or heroine refuses to go along with your plotline. This is when 'storyland' begins to get ugly!  😕

What steps do I take? (Whining, crying, or insisting your characters conform, is pointless.--I learned that the hard way).

☕ Coffee, a brief break in my garden, or listening to calming music will often work. 

An idea 💭will pop into my head--or one of the 'characters will tell me what will happen next. 

Other times, nothing seems to work.

This is known as the "Dark Moment" when All Is Lost!

#

Since I write multiple novels simultaneously, I'll pull out another story to edit, work on a blog post, or simply leave the story alone for a day or two. 💻

I may leave the story alone, but subconsciously, I'm still thinking about it and dreaming.

 

I can't say I always come up with a way to complete a story, but I do most of the time.  

Please visit my other author friends and find out how they get their stories moving again.

An author's favorite moment? 

Typing "The End." 

Happy Reading, everyone!

Connie

XOXO

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Dr. Bob Rich --- https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2CG

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/

Rhobin Courtright http://rhobincourtright.com

 

Are You Reading for Pleasure? Or Reading to Write? By Connie Vines #RoundRobin, #WritingLife, WhatAreYouReading?

Topic: How much reading do you do, both for pleasure and for a work in progress? 

This month's topic required a bit of pondering on my part.

While I'd like to happily confess to reading only for pleasure, this is no longer true.

I read one or two books a week in genre fiction (not the genre of my current WIP) for pleasure. In years past the number of novels, I would read solely for pleasure numbered one or two each day. 

Sigh. 

Publishing has changed; authors have (sort of) adapted.

More and more of an author's day is spent on promotion via social media, developing book trailers, book covers, contests, and cross-promotion projects.

Egad!  

Unfortunately, this leaves less and less time for writing ✍ and even less time for sleeping 😴

🕵Here's the pondering I mentioned at the start of this post:  most of my reading falls into these categories: 

• Research for my WIP.

• The craft of writing. 

• Promotion, promotion, and more promotion.

All of my novels and novellas have recipes included; recipes that I have adapted from family recipes or are my personal favorites. Therefore, I have no one to blame but myself for this foray into kitchen time!!  🥣🥄🍲🍪 

Happy Reading,

Connie

X O X O

Visit the talented authors participating in this month"s Round Robin Blog Hop!  

Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/ 

 Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/ 

 Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog 

 Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/ 

 Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea 

 Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2BH   

 Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

Halloween Memories, Good, Bad, or Frightening? By Connie Vines #RR (89), #BWLAuthor, #MFRAurhor. #Halloween, #HalloweenTreats

This month's Round Robin topic: Your most frightening Halloween, or childhood memory. 🎃🍬👻

Well, as I've stated more than once, I enjoy Halloween without the gore and nightmare-making, fright-night events.

As a child, I dressed up in a homemade costume: I was a Zombie, a Genie, a Cat, but never a princess or a frightening monster.

Even as an adult, I would take my children, along with half-a-dozen or more neighborhood kids trick-or-treating, rather than sit on the porch and hand out candy.

Fortunately, my husband's favorite Halloween event was handing out (and sampling) candy from the witch's cauldron or large plastic pumpkin beside the wooden bench.

My favorite activities during the Halloween Season? I watched: "It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown", I also watched the Classic Universal Studios movies: "The Mummy", "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" ( in inspiration for the gory-updated version "The Shape of Water), "The Wolfman", and "Dracula". I also watched, "The Bride of Frankenstein". Once.  "The Bride of Frankenstein and Frankenstein," caused nightmares for me. As did Mary Shelley's novel.

In all deference to Mary Shelly, "Meerkat Manor" gives me nightmares, too.

universal studios classic monsters

meerkat manor

So, it goes without saying, my novel, Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow, is not The Walking Death type of novella.

 Movies are recommended for skittish people: (Pumpkin = I watch/ Ghost = I can't watch)

1. Hocus Pocus 👻

2. The Addams Family (classic and updated) 🎃

3.  It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown 🎃

4. Ghostbusters (original) 🎃

5. Frankenweenie 👻

6. Halloweentown 🎃

7. The Nightmare Before Christmas 👻

8. Little Shop of Horrors 👻

9. The Munsters (classic) 🎃

10. Practical Magic 🎃

11. Casper 👻

What move do I always watch?  It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.  I love, love this movie.  Snoopy in the pumpkin patch always makes me smile.

The crazy thing is, I can read and re-read the novel Dracula by Braun Stoker and watch the 1990’s movie version of Dracula and I am fine.  (Dracula, like The Phantom of the Opera, falls under the umbrella of tortured hero and love story).

Please visit these "spooktacular- blog hop participants.  What Halloween Tales are They Spinning??

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2sc

Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

After visiting the other participants in this month's Round Robin Blog Hop,

Stop by CTR and sign up to win a gift certificate!

Happy Halloween,

Connie

Does Writing Change the Author? By Connie Vines #RR

 Does writing change the author? Do you think your writing has changed you in any significant way?

 Thank you Rhobin for this month's topic.

Writing can teach us lessons, and make us think differently. Writers can choose to use their writing to teach valuable lessons, to give new perspectives and make us see the world and the behavior of people in a different light. Writing can inspire, motivate, and bring about change.

As for myself, and for most authors I know, self-doubt is something we’re all too familiar with.  It’s unavoidable.  Whereas most careers (or the author's day-job) are built on  a clear end goal for each day, authors goals are driven by a mysterious voice that sometimes chooses to speak to us… and sometimes doesn’t.

After all, a professional fiction writer is someone who gets paid to make stuff up.  It’s a thoroughly exhausting job that takes a long, long time, and usually offers the writer very little financial reward.  

By writing a novel, the writer acts to keep their era alive for future generations, so that our children and grandchildren can understand who we really were, and what we stood for-- or as in my YA historical novel "Tanayia--Whisper upon the Water" focus on a moment in history which hasn't been portrayed truthfully in the past.

By nature, writers are teachers.  Again, writers write because they have something to say to the world.  They have a lesson to teach, a lesson so important to them—whether it be moral, intellectual, idealistic, or cynical—that they’ve sculpted an entire story for the sheer purpose of teaching that lesson.   

Romance novels promise a Happily Ever After which is something we all want from life. Happiness, joy, and the hope for a better tomorrow. 

Westerns/ Space Travel/  promise an Adventure, a glimpse into a new/different world.

Mysteries allow you to expand your thought process, search for hidden clues, or over look the obvious.  This is why children and adults a like love 'treasure maps'.

How does my writing change me?

It keeps 'child-like' hope, discovery, joy, and sheer fun alive in my soul.

And, often, a review or a comment posted on my blog or Facebook site, will validate my story held meaning and, perhaps changed his/her life for the better--even if only for an hour or two.

Please visit the wonderful authors posting on this month's topic.  

Happy Reading!

Connie

NEW RELEASE

KINDLE UNLIMITED 

FREE KINDLE UNLIMITED May 30 & 31

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2jz

Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/

Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog

Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/

Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

Making a Story Real for your Reader by Connie Vines #RR87 @connievines_author

 What elements do you include in your stories to
make a story seem and feel more realistic to the reader?

The challenge of every fiction writer or non-fiction writer creating a fictional story, is to craft a fictional story that is believable. This challenge is taken to new levels for writers of realistic fiction. These stories, which are woven around real events that have taken place, can be formed around memoirs, historical moments, and even horror stories if desired. It is just important to remember that realistic fiction doesn’t blend well with other fictional genres. It must stand on its own.

That’s why it’s important to know how to write realistic fiction in a way that can relate to the reader, be realistic, but not include fantasy elements that drive readers away. Here’s how I keep it real for my readers.

#1. Don’t go crazy with your characters. Most people in real-life don’t have crazy names, (though spelling names phonetically is the latest craze.)  If a parent wishes his/her child going though life 'spelling his/her name' that's their business.  However, i don't give my characters crazy names. Sometimes a guy named Joe, Jacob, or Chris is good enough for realistic fiction.

#2. Give your story a good structure. Realistic fiction needs to involve the characters in a comprehensive way. People like to see what happens to them because realistic fiction puts the reader into the character’s shoes.

#3. Create a good introduction. You want your readers in realistic fiction to begin developing relationships with the characters immediately. This will help to draw them into the story. Let the first couple of pages be the setting where your readers develop a dialogue. Then let the events of your story begin to unfold for your characters. This will lure the reader in so they don’t want to put the book down.

#4. Make sure your settings are realistic as well.

#5. Create conflicts that are part of the character dialogue. Even close friends are going to have conflicts from time to time. In realistic fiction, these conflicts must also have a touch of realism to them.

#6. Build to a solid climax. The most common error that is seen in proposed realistic fiction is that the entire story builds up to a climax at the very end of the story. Remember to have plot-points, dark moments, and mini-resolutions to subplots.

#7. Create a conclusion with a twist. Have you ever worked hard for something only to have something unexpected happen?  Sometimes the conclusion of a realistic story is predictable and that’s a wonderful thing. Readers love it when everything works out as it should. For some characters, life might throw them a bit of a twist.

By keeping things real, you create stories that will help readers relate to your characters in a very personal way. There is no better method to create a story that people won’t want to put down until they’ve finished it.

I don't wish to give too much away in my works in progress, or my published stories.
But here's are a few teasers and hints of what is to come in my novels:

Current (Limited Time) Release:

"Paradise Perfume" a short romance story which is part of a box-set, Last Chance Beach, Summer's End. "Fragrance and love cannot be hidden."  My teaser gives hint at the theme.

My blurb tells a bit more:  Tempest Javid returns to Last Chance Beach to begin a new life.
Sam is a single dad on vacation with his pre-teem daughter. He's worried his daughter may become too attached to her, but maybe he's the one whose heart is at risk.

"Gumbo Ya Ya" an anthology for women who like Cajun romance, is my next release.
Each story has a 'Cajun main character.  And, of course, food is also part of the realistic slant of each story.

Please stop by and see what each of these talented authors have to say about "making a story" real!

Happy Reading!

Connie


Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Dr. Bob Rich https://bobrich18.wordpress.com/2020/08/22/elementary-my-dear-rhobin/
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com


Last Chance Beach, Summer's End (14-new stories!)
Still 99cents:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CV3GN3R/











Free!   Companion to Last Chance Beach:

https://www.amazon.com/Cocktails-Last-Chance-Beach-Reeves-ebook/dp/B08DR4K3YX/

True Life Humor in Your Writing--Yes or No? by Connie Vines @connievines`author

"Have you ever incorporated a true life humorous event in your writing?  How easy or difficult is it to do so?"
Thank you Skye for this month's topic.

Normally, I would say it was extremely easy and that I always include humor (not always events from my life).  However, since we have begun self-isolating, I find it more challenging.

@connievines_author

I also find it challenging to keep track of the day of the week and the date.  Hence, my late posting (I didn't realize it was Saturday).

I'm not one for adding slap-stick humor, even though I have plenty of personal events to draw upon (a tumble off a horse, getting trapped between the front door and screen door, my lip frozen to iced freezer. wearing pumps (one navy, one black to work. . .)  Anyway, back to topic.

My person sense of humor does appear in the way my character's live life.  Lynx Maddox, shares my dry sense of humor.  While Rachel Scott pokes fun at herself.

While Meredith, being a Zombie and all, finds dark humor in her current, and unchangeable, course of events.

Humor makes life enjoyable.  Humor keeps depression a arm-length, especially when on is experiencing less socialization.  I manifests in many ways (Dr. Bob is more qualified than I to delve into this information). In my case, carrying on full-conversations with a hairy-little-co-worker (everyone wave at Chanel).

I find, like many others, today's current events and 'unending--24-7' coverage by the media overwhelming.  I listen to news briefs and the morning news.  Otherwise, I find it impossible to have any daily routine.  Of course, others are in my thoughts and prayers and I practice self-distancing when I do venture from my home.

The ground is too cold to plant seeds in my flower bed, but do like to spend time out on my patio.

Thursday was a beautifully sunny day in the high 70s; today it's overcast, predicated to rain, and  cold and breezy 51 degrees--not may favorite writing weather (being cold makes me cranky).  I'm brewing a pot of coffee and wearing a robe over my jeans and long-sleeved shirt to help me focus.

I've also redesigned my new website: https://connievines-author.com/  and added a new Author Facebook page, so I am staying busy. My books are 60% OFF - Give back to my Readers Promo!

Take care everyone and Stay-Safe.

Please visit the members of our Round Robin Blog posts and discover new takes on 'humor'!

Connie

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1Tb
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Margaret Fieland http://margaretfieland.wordpress.com/
A.J. Maguire  http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com

What Draws you into a Story? by Connie Vines #Round Robin @connievines_author

What draws you into a story?

What draws me into a fictional story novel?

The characters are what bring me into the story and keep me involved in, and through, the whole novel or even the entire series.

The writing style (author voice) and the plot do add to the story.  However, since my stories are character driven rather than plot-driven, I assume this is why I find that style of writing so appealing.

While the opening paragraph catches my attention, it doesn’t always sell the novel. I will read the first three pages and the back blurb before making the purchase.  Of course, I usually complete an entire series by a author.  However, I have found a number of best-selling authors co-writing his/her series as of late. I am able to tell that something is 'off' in the plot and 'voice' .  I do not enjoy the stories as much.  And, unfortunately, I find myself in no hurry to pre-order or download the story upon release.

To get back on topic.

As a child, I read Nancy Drew mysteries and any story which centered around ancient Egypt, Greek myths, legends and, of course, horses and dogs (my favorite being Poodles).

One opening hook in a children’s book, that I still recall today, was from Charlotte's Web.

"Where is Papa going with that ax?"

Another opening is from I Capture the Castle.

"I write this sitting in the kitchen sink."

We all have our favorite type of opening paragraph.  What is your favorite?  Action? Dialogue? Narrative?

Here are several of my opening paragraphs:

Charlene hadn't told Rachel that she'd fixed her up with a cowboy, much less Lynx Maddox, the "Wild Cat" of the rodeo circuit.  Rachel sighed.  She should have know.   After all, Charlene only dated men who wore boots and Stetson.  Lynx, Rodeo Romance, Book 1


Audralynn Maddox heard her own soft cry, but the pain exploding inside her head made everything else surreal, distanced somehow by the realization that someone had made a mistake.

A terrible mistake.  Brede, Rodeo Romance, Book 2


Prologue, 1868

The Governor of New Mexico decreed that all Indian Children over six to be educated in the ways of the white man.

Indian Commissioner, Thomas Morgan, said: It is cheaper to educate the Indians than to kill them.

1880, Apacheria, Season of Ripened Berries

Isolated bands of colored clay on white limestone remained where the sagebrush was stripped from Mother Earth by sudden storms and surface waters. Desolate. Bleak. A land made of barren rocks and twisted paths that reach out into the silence.

A world of hunger and hardship.  This is my world.  I am Tanayia.  I was born thirteen winters ago. My people call ourselves "Nde" this means "The People".  The white man calls us Apache.

Tanayia--Whisper upon the Water, Native American/First People Series, Book 1


"You and Elvis have done a great job on this home," Meredith said as her older sister led the way downstairs toward the kitchen where to tour began.  "Sorry I couldn't get over, until now, but I've been sort of...well, busy."  Slipping her Juicy Couture tortoise-shell framed sunglasses into a bright pink case, Meredith crammed them into her black Coach handbag.  She hoped her sister didn't ask her to define busy.  Becoming a zombie, and dealing with the entire raised from the dead issue over the past six months, was not a topic easily plunked int casual conversation.

Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow,  A Sassy and Fun Fantasy Series,  Book 1


Remember my books are 60% at Smashwords!
Big, Big Sale!



Visit the other member's of our Round Robin Blog hop.  They have exciting stories to tell!

Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog

Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1RR

Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/

Marci Baun  http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/

Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

How Can Contemporary Fiction Cope with the Changes of Today? #RR, #RoundRobin

Thank you, Dr. Bob, for this month’s blog topic. 

How can contemporary fiction cope with the rapid changes of today’s world?

First, I’d like to define what I believe defines a contemporary romance. 

·         A bone-deep sense of hope that true love is possible. 

Books that show Love is the way to everything that’s good.

·         Before the HEA there must be character growth and endings can also aim at a broad moral good.

·         A romance doesn’t have to solve the world’s problems.  Sometimes you want to witness the power of love.

 How Contemporary Romance Can Cope with the Rapid Changes of Today.

What trends do I see so romance novels can keep pace with today’s world?

·         Becoming more inclusive (though I have witnessed this trend over the past several years).  Everyone needs to be experiencing his/her happy ending.

·         This means people over 40, people of color, same-sex couples, disabled people, the list goes on. 

Redefining Motivating Factors.

·         Uphold/subvert capitalism.  In so many romance novels, the two seem inextricably tied (more so in historical novels). Marriage and romance over the centuries have been connected.  Therefore, it isn’t easy to liberate romance (Cinderella, Jane Eyre, etc.) from this narrative.

·         Or individualism in the romantic arc, “I need to complete this project so I get a big promotion.”

What do I expect to see in 2020 and in the hear future?

·         Narratives of belonging.

·         The arts

·         Community spirit

·         Family gathered at the dinner table giving thanks for the meal delivered by a ‘home-chef service’ but prepared by all.

What changes to you expect to see in contemporary romance novels?

What plot is your favorite?

What do you believe defines a modern day contemporary romance?

List of this month’s participants:

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1OK

Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/

Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/

Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/

Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

Connie

Plots--Personal, Imagination, or Research? by Connie Vines #RoundRobin

Topic: In designing your plots what do you rely on most: personal experience, imagination, or research? 

Thank you Robin for another great topic!

I'm unable to select only one choice.  I must conclude that
I add all three choices into the my plotting when I am writing.

Obviously, when I am am writing an historical novel, short-story, or article my plot line will be heaving in the area of research.  However, odds are I've also visited the area, visited a museum, etc. so I can claim personal experience.  Where does the imagination fit in?
My characters' personalities and how he/she would react in a situation would be a product of my imagination.

The same could be said of writing a sci-fi or fantasy.  Science fact is Science fact.  However, the facts can be stretched or discarded (to a degree) in a fictitious universe or in a time-travel novel.  As for fantasy.  You must state the 'new' truth as to why you vampire can stand in sunlight and not dissolve.  Or as in the case of my zombie novel, Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow, Why my zombie (Meredith), a former vegan, only consumes chicken, etc., instead of human brains.


As for my romantic fiction/suspense/Gothic novels, my stories rely heavily on my imagination. My characters may have traits of people I have known (remember, not everyone has a positive influence in your life), or traits that work well with my plot-line.  I strive to make all of my characters to be living, breathing people with faults, challenges, and successes.  I have also discovered that true facts are not always believable in a novel.  Even if it is true, if it seems like a 'convenient plot-device' toss it out and start over.

Please visit the other wonderful writers who are part of this month's Round Robin Blog.

Please click on the side-bar to purchase or read snippets of my novels.
You will find by works on BookBub, Amazon.com, , Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iBooks, Walmart, and your other favorite online ebook stores.

Margaret Fieland http://margaretfieland.wordpress.com
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1dm
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com