Glamorous Life of a Writer - By Connie Vines #RoundRobinBlog, #GlamourandtheAuthor

Glamorous Life of a Writer -  what do you like most/ hate/or both about being an author?

Thank you, Skye, for this month's topic. 

My first thought: It depends on the day, the project, and how many hours I've spent at the keyboard talking to myself.

Glamour? Yes, there is Glamor.

Book Signings, speaking engagements, and formal dinners during annual writers' conferences/workshops via flights to exciting/exotic destinations.

However, unless the author's book has "Best-Seller" status, all of these perks are out of pocket, including pre-purchasing books to be autographed.

I'm an introvert. Therefore, crowded airports and ballrooms filled with mostly strangers and chaos are not a perk for me as a published author.

There are also small writing groups that meet weekly or monthly to read and critique rough drafts of novels, short stories, and other works. Mentorship and the study of the craft of writing are why I love writing. 

What I hate about writing:

When I'm working on a story, I'm sleep deprived.  Not, by choice, mind you. (I shared in a prior post about the "music thing".) 

What is the music thing? 

When I was writing "Lynx" Rodeo Book 1, I could no longer shove the music issue aside. 

When I'm heavy into a novel, I hear music playing through my dreams.  Not soft music. It's music played at the volume of the theme music in a movie theater. All night long...on repeat, with the sound of pounding horse hoofs for emphasis.

I woke up with a pounding headache and the notes of the "William Tell Overture" by Gioachino Rossini still echoing in my brain.

Fortunately, the theme songs that followed were not as... shall we say, enthusiastic!

What do I love about writing?

Hearing from my readers.

"Lynx Maddox" whispered with a sprinkle of longing...

It seems the old adage is true: everyone loves a cowboy.  

Lynx, Rodeo Romance 

Available: as an ebook: Kindle/Nook etc.

Or as an audiobook @ audible

Members of this month's blog hop:

Diane Bator  https://escapewithawriter.wordpress.com/

Connie Vines  http://mizging.blogspot.com/  (me)

Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Sally Odgers  https://behindsallysbooksmark2.blogspot.com

Dr. Bob  https://wp.me/p3Xihq-3H8https://wp.me/p3Xihq-3H8

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

Chapter One --Hooking your reader and Setting the Tone for the story By Connie Vines #RoundRobin

The First Chapter – hook your reader and set the tone for the story.

Chapter One. Page One. Paragraph One.

And so the adventure begins!

For me, Dialogue and Action is my comfort zone. 

I introduce my main character and main conflict. I also set the tone of the story.

Chapter One, Paragraph 4:

Even though Meredith was on the best of terms with her sister, she couldn't help but feel a sharp nip of jealousy. It hadn't been so long ago that she'd had her own happy home. Unfortunately, she'd filed for divorce from Viktor, and then there'd been that bizarre little accident where she'd ended up dead, and then undead.

EBook and Audio

Chapter One, Paragraph One.

Charlene hadn't told Rachel that she'd fixed her up with a cowboy, much less Lynox Maddox, the "Wild Cat" of the rodeo circuit. Rachel signed. She should have known. After all, Charlene only dated men who wore boots and Sentsons.

English/Spanish Ebook

Prologue1868  

The Governor of New Mexico decreed that all Indian children over the age of six 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."

Chapter One, Page One

Prologue

1880 Apacheria, Season of Ripened Berries

Isolated bands of colored clay on white limestone remain where the sagebrush is stripped from Mother Earth by sudden storms and surface waters. Desolate. Bleak. A land is 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. We call ourselves N'dee, The People. The white man calls us Apache.

Chapter One  

I rose from my blanket and dressed in my favorite buckskins and moccasins.  After coming out of my wickiup, I stepped from my wickiup and walked toward the center of the camp. Women from neighboring Apache bands, dressed in their best clothing, squatted around their campfires, patting tortillas and fry bread...

 #

Every writer/author has a "voice".  The reader knows and complains when an author isn't true to their voice.  Staying true to your voice isn't as simple as it sounds.

It's the paragraph, page, or even chapter that doesn't mesh with the storyline. Or your main character refuses to utter the author's "perfectly" written dialogue, or, worse yet, goes completely off script.

Some may shout, "Writer's Block."

Others, "Sleep Deprivation." 😬

I brew another pot of coffee and peruse my library. 

The nuts and bolts of writing.

My reference books include. GMC (Goal, Motivation & Conflict) by Debra Dixon.

 Dialogue (How to get your characters talking to each other in a way that vividly reveals who they are, what they're doing, and what's coming next in your story) by Lewis Turco.

 Visit this month's Blog Hoppers take on opening chapters.

Bob Rich

Skye Taylor

Diane Bator

Sally Odgers

Helena Fairfax

https://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/

 

Blending Genres by Connie Vines #roundrobin #Writing Fiction #Blending Genres #AuthorTips #Romantasy

 Thank you, Sky, for this month's topic: Writing and Reading Blended Genres.

"What do you enjoy about blending them while writing, and do you enjoy reading the mix?"

Reading: 

Historical and Romance seem to be a comfortable blend. A gentle push-pull of attraction and the details of daily life. I'm more inclined to read a "western" setting because the plot is faster-paced.

Movies: My favorite movie: "Somewhere in Time" Starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. 1980 Romance/ Fantasy.  It is a film adaptation of the novel Bid Time Return (1975) by Richard Matheson, who also wrote the screenplay. 

My Writing: 

I'm comfortable with mixing "Romance and Paranormal." I don't know what this reveals about me... "Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow," and I'm working on novella 2 in the series. (Paranormal Romance).

"Romance and Suspense" Brede, Rodeo Romance, book 2. This is a genre I'm not comfortable writing in. I have nightmares during the process.  

Television:

Hits of the past: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Fargo". 

Shows of today: "Dark Winds". 

 

The latest mixes in novels:

Romantacy: Romantic Fantasy. A subgenre using elements and conventions of the chivalric romance genre.

Literary Horror: A mix of literary fiction and horror, focusing on character development alongside chilling narratives.

Dystopian Romance: Combines dystopian settings with romantic plots to explore love in oppressive societies.

Cozy Mystery:  Merges light-hearted cozy settings with mystery plots, appealing to fans of both genres.

Of the latest mixes, I find Romantacy and Cozy Mysteries, the ones I would most likely read and consider writing.

What are your thoughts on these new "genres"?  

Are there any genre mix-ups you read? Or would you like to see?

Happy Reading!

Connie

This month's Round Robin participants 🐦 🪺

Sally Odgers https://behindsallysbooksmark2.blogspot.com

Bob Rich  https://wp.me/p3Xihq-3ET

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

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Connue Vines  (you are here )

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

Are You a Member of a Critique Group? Or Do You Have a Partner#? #Round Robin #Writing Tips #Critique Groups

 Thank you, Skye, for this month's topic. 

"Are you a member of a Critique Group. Or do you have a partner?"

I, like most writers, find that our needs change as we evolve.

While my reading preference was historical (Ancient) fiction and non-fiction.

My first published works were magazine articles (fiction and non-fiction) and children's and YA short stories.

Of course, many of those articles featured Ancient Egyptian medicine and its influence on today's physicians, as well as the discovery of penicillin.

I also delved into the Salem Witchcraft Trials and completed a historical YA novel.  

Classroom presentation with Jaques Condor 

I'd found my niche (or so I thought). 

After a church potluck, a close friend encouraged me to attend Romance Writers of America meetings (her sister was a co-president of a local chapter). I hemed and hawed... and avoided committing. She reminded me I had a knack for humor. Which did not play well in historical novels. (Time was rather grim back then 😉). 

I mentioned RWA at a board meeting of the Pomona Valley Writers' Association. A fellow board member became so excited that she immediately called her best friend to carpool.

Not the reaction I expected. My friend, afterall, wrote gory crime novels.

I was committed. The local RWA chapter held monthly meetings in the back room of a restaurant. When membership expanded, the Fullerton Library housed us, and we required four rooms in a civic center. 

Guest speakers included screenwriters, best-selling authors, and our own members, now signing multi-book contracts.

However, to learn the craft of writing book-length fiction, I joined a 4-person weekly critique group. Each of us had a strength and also a weakness. My weakness was writing too short (the jump from magazine length to YA book length was difficult). My strength was dialogue and humor. 

The jump from YA to 55.000 words plus required by Adult fiction was painful.

Extremely painful. 

Thankfully, I acquired a "Big Sister" at RWA (my local chapter's mentorship program). I learned the ropes. While writing and rewriting were now routine, writing contests were "humbling".

At some point, I finally honed my skills. The form rejection letters were replaced with a phone call from Hillary at Kensington... and finally, my first book-length sale (no revisions needed) for the Precious Gems line. 

Within several months, I also signed a contract for a YA historical novel and an activity book. "Whisper upon the Water" became a "featured read" at public libraries and part of the G.A.T.E. (Gifted And Talented Education) program. 

I believe creative writing classes and your instructor's input provide a strong foundation. There are online writing classes and workshops that are vital in honing your craft.  

However, having a writer's group of 3 or 4 people is the best way to adjust to a career of 'deadlines'. You are required to produce material. Missing components are pointed out, and ideas are shared. (After all, your partners are your readers. If they don't understand where your scene is headed...your readers won't either.)

I also found it helpful to have an assortment of genre writers in your critique group. Red herrings are required in all forms of fiction. 

Sadly, COVID put an end to all in-person gatherings. 

 

Writers, as a rule, are introverts. I haven't gone back to hosting a writers' group or searching for one to join. 

I do, however, have several writing friends who will read my final draft and offer "Pearls of Wisdom". ( RR blog, hoppers included). I also belong to OCRW (Orange County Romance Writers), which hosts monthly online meetings and writing workshops.

To respond to this month's question. Yes, interacting with authors in a critique group (online or in-person) is helpful and motivating.

However, when you are contracted and on a deadline, a critique partner is a better choice (because you have specific input requests.

(new audio release!)

https://www.audible.com/pd/Lynx-Audiobook/B0FK6K51HF?srsltid

Please visit this month's participants :) 

Bob https://wp.me/p3Xihq-3Ee

https://victoriachatham.blogspot.com/

Sally Odgers
https://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Diane Bator
Skye Taylor

 

Happy Reading, 

Connie 

A Christmas Gift for My Readers: It's a Gingerbread Christmas! By Connie Vines #Round Robin, #GingerbreadCookies , #Free Read, Christmas

This month's post is a gift to our readers (Thank you, Skye).  A short story, poem, or essay.  

I, as usual, am standing on my own island, located between a short story and an essay.

As I've mentioned, frequently before, I love gingerbread. I have a special fondness for gingerbread cookies.    

In the case of the cookies, it is more about the process. Of course, the cookies are delicious. 

A Chef might describe gingerbread cookies as: A complex and comforting symphony of flavors: warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves dance with a subtle sweetness, creating a unique taste profile that is both festive and deeply satisfying. The molasses, a key ingredient, contributes a rich, slightly bitter note that balances the sweetness and provides a distinctive depth of flavor.

I notice: the spice blend. Ginger provides a sharp, pungent bite that is both warming and invigorating.  Cinnamon adds a sweet warmth, while cloves contribute a substantial aromatic complexity. Nutmeg has a subtle nutty undertone. The exact proportions of these spices vary, resulting in a diverse range of gingerbread cookie flavors. A heavier hand with ginger yields a spicer, more intense cookie, while a more generous amount of cinnamon creates a milder, sweeter cookie.

Molassas Magic.  Molasses, the dark, viscous byproduct of sugar refining, is crucial for the characteristic gingerbread flavor. Its deep, slightly bitter taste adds complexity and richness, preventing the cooking from becoming overly sweet. The type of molasses used: light, dark, or blackstrap (my grandfather's favorite), significantly impacts the final flavor. Light molasses offers a mild sweetness, while dark molasses contributes a more robust and slightly bitter taste.  Blackstrap molasses, the most intense, adds a distinct, almost burnt caramel taste that can be overpowering if used excessively. 

Sugar, typically brown sugar, adds sweetness and moisture, contributing to the cookie's soft texture. The sugar also impacts the overall sweetness and crispness. Butter or shortening provides richness and tenderness, while influencing the cookie's texture. Butter adds a buttery flavor, while shortening makes the cookie more tender and crumbly.

The texture of gingerbread cookies further enhances the tasting experience. The cookies can range from soft and chewy to crisp and snappy, depending on the recipe and the baking time. A slightly chewy gingerbread cookie allows the flavors to linger on the palate, while the crisp cookie provides a satisfying crunch.

My Q and A  

What is the difference between gingerbread cookies and gingerbread cake?

Yes, I love gingerbread.

Ready for the oven :)

My kitchen table has a custom tablecloth.

Do you have a favorite gingerbread recipe?

Are you a gingerbread lover or a gingerbread hater?

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Connie

For more Holiday Adventures, please stop by and visit the talented authors posting today. 

(and in a bit of self-promo) My rodeo romance "LYNX" is available in audio (Amazon)

Blog Hop:

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

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com (Graham)

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/ (you are here )

Diane Bator https://escapewithawriter.wordpress.com/

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

Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

Sally Odgers https://behindsallysbooksmark2.blogspot.com