Becca J. Heath

A release 23 yrs in the making

2012-01-04T08:08:00.005+10:30

Made for Marriage

This month another of my brilliant CPs hit the shelves (hope it's catching). Helen Lacey's Special Edition release, Made for Marriage is available at last. It's a great read... BUY IT!!

Equestrian Callie Jones was used to difficult parents at her riding school. But Noah Preston took the cake.
How dare he question her teaching abilities, after his headstrong daughter paid no heed to rules—her teacher's or her father's?
Single dad Noah was ready to apologize for overreacting. But he wasn't sorry for the way the stunning American riding instructor made him feel. And he soon learned that there was more to Callie than her smarts, sass and fire: a shattered heart that threatened to splinter even further. Could he make her see that he—and his family—were for keeps?

Buy Links: Amazon Amazon UK Book Depository

It's here... One Perfect Night Release Day!

2011-12-19T08:20:00.004+10:30

Completely thrilled to have an excerpt from the awesome and lovely Rachael Johns' new Carina Press release, One Perfect Night! It's a wonderful read so please follow the links at the foot of this post and BUY IT!!
=)

Excerpt from One Perfect Night

“Don’t look now, but Mr. McSexy just entered the building.”
“Blast.” Peppa Grant spun round and did exactly what her best friend and colleague Izzy had ordered her not to. Her breathing faltered at the sight of six foot plus of unadulterated male who now towered at the entrance to the company’s function room. An anxious hush fell over the previously buzzing room. As all eyes snapped to him, she tried not to quake in her costume’s fairy shoes.
Until half an hour ago, Cameron McCormac had meant nothing more to Peppa than the new name at the very top of the office food chain. Now he was the man who owned the car she’d sideswiped in the car park tonight.
The dangerously handsome man who was making her pulse spike simply by standing in the doorway. “Oh, God.”
As Peppa pushed her barely touched glass out of reach and let her head fall onto the table in front of her, Izzy giggled.
“It’s. Not. Funny,” Peppa declared when she finally looked up. Her eyes sought the company’s new CEO again and she felt her heart collapse into her stomach.
“You’re right,” Izzy said, reaching out and stroking Peppa’s hair like a mother over a sick child. “If I’d just put a prize-winning dent in the big boss’s red, convertible pride and joy, I’d probably be at Sydney airport boarding a plane or planning to hitch a ride with Santa back to the North Pole.”
“Hilarious.” Peppa shot her friend a sarcastic smile. “Please tell me McSexy has just vanished up a chimney?”
Izzy took a sip of her chocolate mocktail, her sea-blue eyes sparking with laughter as she peered theatrically over Peppa’s head. “No can do. Looks like he’s doing the rounds, handing out candy canes or something to all the children. Molly must have put him up to it.”
Molly, although old enough to be his mother, was Mr. McCormac’s personal assistant. Rumor had it when he did anything remotely human, she’d put him up to it. She’d been with the company longer than anyone and was the brains behind this event, the annual Christmas party for children of Lyrique Recordings’ employees. Peppa had a fleeting fantasy of leaving a message with Molly about her little misdemeanor in the car park but that wouldn’t be right. And she hadn’t been brought up to take the easy option.
“I’ll do it now,” she said, resting a hand on her queasy belly as she pushed herself off the stool and onto quaky feet. Although whether her shakiness was from trepidation or her gorgeous boss’s sexy gait and air-of-confidence, she couldn’t be sure. “Confess before I’m due on stage and then, if he has any sympathetic bones in his body, he’ll let me entertain the kids before the crucifixion.”
“You’re such a drama queen,” sighed Izzy. “The top job pays well. He has enough money to line his undies drawer in gold. You apologize. You give him the details of your insurance company. You get on with your life. Simple.”
Simple. Right. But Izzy didn’t know that Peppa had just switched to a budget insurance provider. As she had never needed to claim in seven years of driving, the switch had seemed a good decision at the time. The upside was low monthly rates. The downside? A mammoth deductible on claims.
Well, that faux-pas may not only have cost Peppa her car and her job, but paying back the damage to the boss’s vintage Lamborghini would seriously endanger her ability to pay her mortgage. Not to mention she’d have to put her plans for an overseas holiday on hold—a holiday that had been all about helping her mind and emotions recover from the battering of the past few months.
“I think he’s looking at you.”
Izzy’s words broke Peppa’s reverie. And of course she looked up, across the room, only to find her gaze colliding with the Head Honcho himself. Her heart hitched a beat. Despite the distance she could see the roguish tilt of his lips, the slight frown of his distinguished black brows and that his devilish licorice eyes were trained on her. Dark-chocolate hair, speckled with naturally sun-kissed spikes, framed a face so chiseled it could have been carved from stone. A man so in-control of his world he had no reason to question it. Heat flooded her cheeks and, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention, Peppa forced herself to break her gaze.

If you’ve enjoyed this excerpt, you can read the first chapter of ONE PERFECT NIGHT at Rachael’s website: http://www.rachaeljohns.com/pages/bookshelf.html

Or, you can buy the book at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/One-Perfect-Night-ebook/dp/B005Z1CF2A/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321790650&sr=1-1) or Carina Press (http://ebooks.carinapress.com/262D0727-23A2-4E9D-B75E-249FF29C76DF/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=5BB8BC4C-4898-4073-8306-FECF92B5DC5B)

And to celebrate her debut release, Rachael is blogging today at the following places, giving away a copy of ONE PERFECT NIGHT at each spot:
· Get Lost in a Story (http://getlostinastory.blogspot.com/_
· Chick-lit Central (http://chicklitcentraltheblog.blogspot.com/)
· Novel Thoughts (http://novelthoughts.wordpress.com/)

AUTHOR BIO:
Rachael Johns is an English teacher by trade, a mum 24/7, a chronic arachnophobic, a supermarket owner by day and a writer by night. She rarely sleeps. Rachael received The Call from Angela James telling her Carina wanted to publish her book on April Fools Day and, when she told her friends, half of them wondered if it was a big joke. Luckily it wasn’t. As an active member of Romance Writers of Australia, Rachael has finaled and placed in a number of romance writing contests. Each success is uplifting and publication is her dream but even if none of this happened, she’d still write. It’s a much better option than ironing, which she refuses to partake in. Ever.

Camping or make believe

2011-09-29T09:42:00.002+09:30

As I type, my littlies are camping in the lounge in the tents we made from their blankets. It started out, as these things often do, with Master Four wanting to go play outside. Small problem - it's raining. And windy. And freezing (ok, not literally but it's cold). He's not fussed, dressed as he is in shorts and t-shirt... pretty much standard dress for kid who doesn't feel the cold at all.

I negotiated them to camping inside and it's keeping him happy... for now.

Of course, the bonus of inside camping in the lounge in the middle of the day is what you can take with you. Seems pretty much anything goes. Lego is a necessity. Cuddlies. Cars. Books. Everything they might need. And if they change their minds, they run to their room and grab something else.

In other words a whole heap of stuff they couldn't have on hand if they were really in the middle of nowhere.

It's one of the great things, really, about any kind of make believe. Stories, songs, pictures.... you can put in what you want from everything you have in your mind. But like anything else, there are rules. A minute ago Princess nearly-3 tried to bring in a second pram for her doll. Master 4 declared that it wouldn't ever fit in a real tent.

He had a point. There wasn't really room. But at the same time he fit a whole box of lego in. After some crying she had to choose to live by his make believe rules or her own.

Something I decide when writing every day.

What about you? Played camping recently? Do you write/read by other's rules? Wanna bet what the Princess decided?
=)

In training

2011-09-21T12:48:00.004+09:30

There are exciting times in our house at present with little Princess 2-nearly-3 deciding she'll lower herself to toilet train. She's so stubborn and independent that the day she decided to try, she pretty much got it.

Here's the frustration... in the 'pretty much'.

Yes, i know I'm lucky (she's number 3 kiddo and by far the best at this... although a little older than the others were). Pretty much is very good. One accident per day is brilliant. But that one accident feels like a disaster. She gets all 'I can't do it' and I'm trying to be positive (while cleaning up... hard).

It's like learning to write.

Getting close is wonderful. Great feedback, maybe even some contest success, and stories I know are doing lots of the right things.

But still, there's that #$%@ on the floor and it's not quite there.

Like Princess 2 will hopefully get there one day so will I. And it's the same with learning anything. There are setbacks, it can seem impossible.

What about you? Toilet training? Learning something but not *quite* nailed it?

=)

Loose ends

2011-09-14T08:35:00.000+09:30

Last night I managed to get out with some friends and go to the movies. We saw 'The Help' and despite how long it was and how much of a cold I have (i had no voice much to my friends' amusement) I really, really enjoyed it.

Now this wasn't where the loose ends came in.

Before I left home my kiddos were still awake and I kissed them all and promised to come in when I got home (being little they were all nighs pretty early). You have to understand i am home most of the time. Mummy is the constant and while i did go in and kiss them all, they were in a deep sleep and didn't really wake.

But it must have been playing on their minds. All three woke up through the night. In each case Dad got there first (thanks to head foggy cold) and all were asking whether I'd come home. I reassured them and they settled instantly.

I was the loose end. They couldn't quite relax properly because they didn't know whether I'd come home.

I think it can be the same with a story. Even when the hero/heroine are all sorted it can leave me with a nagging unease if other threads aren't tied up (which can be great if it's deliberate and gets me reading book 2 in the series).

What do you think about loose ends?

Royal Sho...

2011-09-05T08:40:00.008+09:30

Yup, I'm too exhausted from yesterday's visit to the Royal Adelaide Show to finish the title. Taking a 2 yo, 4yo and 6 yo to a place full of showbags, amusement rides, hot donuts (mmm... donuts) and games was a tiring (and expensive) exercise.

And fun.

Princess 6's face when she watched some singers perform on the free stage was magic. Master 4's face on the pirate ship (little one) when he went really high and the way Princess and Ruler of the Universe 2 managed to convince the poor guy manning the bouncy castle to lift her to the top of the slide part she couldn't reach... 3 times (he tried to pretend he didn't hear her once when she asked but she was too persistent).

These are memories made.

It was a big day for them but it was the little things I'll never forget. I think the same is true of my fave stories. It's great to have action and big dramatic stuff but the little moments that catch you (and ones with kids always get me) can make a good book wonderful.

What about you, do you like the little moments?
=)

Stealing Time

2011-08-24T10:54:00.003+09:30

I'm getting ready to start a new story. There are lots of writerly stuff I like to do... but not yet. This time is all about the mindset.

I like to read.

I like to remind myself of why I love to read a romance and get lost in the journey to happily ever after. There may or may not be chocolate eating involved. It's a time for sneaking in a chapter here and there to race to the ahhhh moment.

This week I have to make Princess 6 a birthday cake too so there is much juggling. I'm sure I'll be able to sneak some good books in.

How do you make time to enjoy a good book between life, kids, work? Any hints gratefully received.

Conference Wrap Up

2011-08-19T16:12:00.013+09:30

On the weekend I attended the 20th (but only my 2nd) Romance Writers of Australia Conference. I had the best time. My brain hurts from all the new stuff i'm trying to cram in there. It started with a packed friday workshop by Bob Mayer and continued over other workshops and plenary sessions... and chats at breaks.

Some highlights:

From Bob Mayer

- Be ruthless... with yourself. It's the difference between ordinary and elite.

- Perserverence is more important than talent (yay, that I can do)

From YA (and adults) author Kelley Armstrong on pace

-skip the boring bits - go into scene late and get out early - make it so reader will read 'just one more chapter'

From a panel of wonderful authors/editor

-if the heroine cries, the reader doesn't have to

-changing POV makes the reader change teams... think about why you're changing

The social side was soul revitalising! From rooming with the brilliant Rach and having dinner with the lovely Jackie and her mum (!) to meeting new SE author (and awesome CP) Helen Lacey for the first time it was great to see friends as well as meeting so many new people. It's so great to talk writing for days on end (rambling AT my littlies doesn't count).

The cocktail party was great fun (see pic with me, Rach, Jackie and the lovely Chelsea) and three SARA (SA Romance Authors) members took out the prizes - i was super thrilled for them... especially Charlie 'Maggie' Chaplin.

The first sale ribbons were inspiring (see Rach and Helen with the wonderful Cathryn Hein) and the awards dinner a lovely evening.

Did you make the conference? What was your highlight?

Foodie Friday

2011-08-05T09:55:00.003+09:30

We have a tradition, of sorts, in our house. On Friday we have something really nice for dinner to celebrate surviving another week and the stretch of weekend ahead.

Usually that something is cooked by my hubby doing his best hero impression. I cook every other night so it seems fair to me. We give the kids easy dinner and sit down together once they are in bed.

Yep, enjoying something nice is that important to me.

It's kind of like a good book. Uusually hubby cooks one of my faves. I know how it's going to turn out... in that it will taste nice (my HEA) but exactly what he chooses varies, and then he mixes up the recipe a little everytime too. It keeps it fresh and creates a great food experience.

Now, if only I could nail my story so well.

What about you? Is a good meal like a good book?

Sweet Blog

2011-06-09T11:29:00.004+09:30

Thanks to Rach for this award. Anyway apparently what I have to do is share seven random facts about myself and then nominate ten other deserving blog friends. So, here goes...

- I studied science at university. Laser chemistry in fact. I know... how useful for a romance writer.

- I just rewarded myself with one Fruchoc (delicious choccie treat) for every 5 mins I wrote for

-To make up for the eating of bad food I run (slowly) three mornings a week. Doesn't seem to balance out though.

-I love giving and buying presents - when you get that perfect thing for someone it's the best feeling

-I got engaged in Barcelona

-I stage managed our senior production... and walked straight off the stage in the dark between scenes... ouch!

-Despite the fact Princess 2 is sure our red aussie terrier is a girl... he's all boy.

As far as deserving types... um... anyone who hasn't answered already.

AWESOME!!

2011-04-03T08:56:00.004+09:30

Bragging alert! Am so completely happy to share that my fab CP recieved the call email. She sold her gorgeous christmas romance to Carina Press.

Congratulations Rach!!

Raising many a glass to you, my friend! Wishing you even more success in the future! =)

jelly tip ice-creams and expectations

2011-03-15T12:19:00.004+10:30

When i was younger, sometime between ten and eighteen years old, there were these ice-creams. they were creamy vanilla on the bottom and then the top had a frozen jelly-like slightly chewy thing happening, all covered with crackly chocolate. i don't think i had many cos they were a limited time only kind of thing. But they were yummy. And special. And i knew exactly how delicious it would be as soon as I bought one.

In fact, half the fun was the expectation...

And they never let me down.

Until yesterday. Fast forward a few (ahem) years and my hubby had bought some as a treat for the kids while I was away. i didn't even know they still existed. I opened the packet and...

Disappointment! From the first look. They were half the size, the choc was skimpy and when i had a taste the vanilla ice cream was blah at best.

I think that's the thing about series writing. The reader (and first an editor i guess) has an expectation about the book, based on the line and the promise it holds. And I need to deliver or I'll lose them.

Thoughts?

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T14:20:00.002+10:30

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful year ahead.

Be safe over the festive season and give your family lots of hugs. I will be mine.

For me, Christmas is most special in the eyes of my kids, the best example being Princess 5 and Master 3's faces two years ago when they woke up to find their new baby sister under the tree.

For us to be home after her afternoon Chrissy Eve birth... Now THAT was magic!

=)

December Challenge

2010-11-30T14:33:00.002+10:30

From Rach's blog:

The fabulous Marcy has issued a feel-good Christmas Challenge! I'm IN!

See the details below and pledge your committment on Marcy's blog.

So this holiday season I'm committing to doing one good deed, no matter how big or small, every day until Christmas. But that's not all. I'd like to spread the word, to see how many people I can get to join me in this challenge.

This doesn't have to be time consuming or expensive. Your deeds could be as simple of letting someone else take the coveted choice parking spot at the mall, returning a lost glove to an owner, or maybe baking cookies for a neighbour you know could use some cheering up. No matter what it is, it's sure to put a smile on someone's face. And chances are they'll be a little bit nicer to the next person they meet, and so on and so on...

So what do you say?

Are you up for the challenge?

Let's make this season the merriest it can be!

Pass it on...

Great news!!

2010-11-23T21:35:00.001+10:30

After um, shall we say quite a few, years of trying one of my fab CPs sold today.

Yep, she got THE CALL!

To Special Edition. And I am so, so pleased for her. It's been a long road but she's nailed the line she was aiming for and it has paid off big time.

Congratulations Helen Lacey!

=)

It is possible. It can happen!!

Starting Something New

2010-11-18T20:33:00.002+10:30

So I have some revisions I should be playing with but the lure of something fresh is hard to resist. I want a new project to get stuck into.

But what?

I am no good at decisions. It's the Libran in me, the whole scales thing. I can see advantages to every idea I'm toying with. Deciding which is best is a whole different proposition.

How do you decide?
=)

Rejection and the school run

2010-10-29T09:10:00.004+10:30

So I heard on a sub I've had out for nearly a year.... and it wasn't good news. I think i had all of 2 mins to process before I had to take Princess 5 to school. Today is her morning talk, so all the way we were deep in discussion on exactly how she could best present her fave beanie kid to the class and show them the book I made her on all her cuddlies.

Life goes on.

I've written nearly 4 full manuscripts since the one that was rejected. I'll take the great feedback on board and hope I've improved.

And maybe eat some chocolate.

=)

How do you stop rejection getting you too down? Or is that an impossible dream?

requests and re-writes

2010-10-01T09:32:00.002+09:30

It's been a while again but I've been busy. Not only reading all the fab New Voices chapters (big congrats to the top 10) but working on my own stuff - oh and Princess 5 needed more ear/throat stuff... sigh...

Happy days when i found out i won the TARA and the final judge requested a partial. Cue much excitement then some nerves. Nerves because she had suggestions/feedback from the first chapter she read. It means a real re-write but I'm hoping will add to the tension of the story. It was about creating questions and possibilities so the reader keeps reading rather than setting the story on an obvious path too early.

Fingers crossed i can manage all that.

And it helps that after a few days crying on my lap cos her throat hurt, Princess 5 is just about back to her usual attitude filled, sparkly self.

Anyone got any motivational re-writing your story (even when you know it will be better for it) isn't as HARD as it seems stories?

=)

the rain falls on me... not so much Spain

2010-09-03T19:43:00.002+09:30

Well, I'm not certain about that but with 33 ml here today we're kinda swimming to and from the car. kids loved the puddles though. I don't need to worry about Spain weather cos hubby got out of his trip. yay. For me more so than him I suspect.

I LOVED the conference. Such a brilliant buzz and met so many great people and caught up with good friends too. What a weekend. i came home with 2nd in the Emerald award too and was thrilled.

Have been editing madly to send away chapters from my pitch and now that's resting I have a new idea calling. i just need to work out how it starts...

Do you know your opening line before you open the file??

Sydney and Spain

2010-08-10T14:11:00.002+09:30

Am just about bursting with excitement. This time in two days I'll be in Sydney for the RWAus conference. It's my first and i can't wait. i feel like I know so many already thanks to the wonder of the internet. I'm looking forward to catching up with/meeting some great writing buddies. And I can't lie, I think there'll be some family missing too.... when I have time.

Less exciting, for me, is that hubby is out doing me on the trip front and might be off to Spain in a few weeks for work. I reckon Sydney is just as good!

Who's coming to Sydney? Who would rather head off for Spain?

=)

Making Time

2010-06-25T08:23:00.003+09:30

Nope. Alas I don't have a secret to share about adding hours to the day. Sorry if I got you here under false pretences.

I have a hectic few days coming up with 6 couples and their 10 kids (all under 5) coming here for dinner tonight, party tomorrow and in-laws visit all day Sunday. usually I'd just give up on writing since it's impossible when the kids are awake and we're busy through their sleep times, but today I'm determined. Somehow over the next few days I'm going to make time.

For writing.
Really, for me.

Not sure how yet but I'm determined to write at least 1500 words.

How do you make time?

TARA and June Challenge

2010-06-19T11:46:00.003+09:30

Ok, so my excuse for the terrible lack of posting is that i have been busy trying to keep up with the June Challenge we down under types like to keep our winter warm with. So i signed up for 40k in June.... so not going to happen. But you know, some days I do reach target and it's great and it's 1334 words i wouldn't otherwise have.

I had a story planned and then the day before went for a different one. So I'm all about Kate at the moment. Perfect Kate who used to think she was, well that her life was perfect but turns out it really isn't. Could be a good thing too.

On a different note I found out I finalled in the TARA contest so am very happy with that news. Certainly brightened a glum week where hubby was snowed under with work and the kids were playing up cos they didn't get to see him. I find it hard to switch from being frustrated and trying to keep the kids from bickering to developing a love story...

How does real life affect your word count?
Oh, and do you like my new template thingamy?

=)

SENT!!

2010-05-19T13:02:00.005+09:30

So the requested full is on it's way to New York with lots of good wishes to help it on its way.

Now what to do?

I think some reading to refill the well and there's always some critting for my lovely CPs. On a different note my YA experiment finalled in the TOM contest so i should get stuck into that. And there's a new catagory idea i've mapped out.

Maybe i'll read while i'm deciding!

Last weekend i attended Romancing The Novel - a one day Romance workshop/conference here in Adelaide. it was wonderful (and exhausting) to talk writing all day. There was even dinner afterwards!

The workshops from the fab Anna Campbell and Yvonne Lindsay were lightbulbing and i learnt heaps just chatting to all the wonderful local SARA authors we have (Trish Morey, Anne Oliver, Elizabeth Rolls, Amy Matthews and Claire Baxter - who i sat next to at dinner and have already devoured one of her wonderful books that she signed for me.).

Bring on August and the conference!!!

Lovecats

2010-04-28T08:02:00.005+09:30

My dogs, Lion and Mat, are starring at Lovecats Downunder today. Please have a look, it's a part of Lion's plan to take over the universe!

The pic is from a few years ago. before we had kids we'd travel Australia and stay at places that were pet-friendly so the lads could come. It's a bit harder now but they're still adored family members.

Busy on the writing front polishing SIG after the Special Edition pitch. Gail was lovely and the other pitchers helped me keep the nerves under control, mostly. Still a bit stunned by the request cos it was about 2am my time and i'm scared the whole thing was a dream!

=)

5-5-5 Thingy and Emmy

2010-04-09T15:17:00.003+09:30

This is: 5 questions, 5 answers, 5 blogs to tag.

So here goes:

Question 1: Where were you five years ago?
1. Pregnant with Princess 4.
2. Living at our little yellow cottage that was almost falling down
3. Two dogs and no kids (well a half). Now kids outnumber dogs
4. Doing my teaching prac for the degree i hope never to use
5. Feeling sick (see point 1 - 9 months of it!).

Question 2: What is (was) on your to do list today?
1. Host my mother's group (4 years and we meet every friday!) - check
2. Survive 11 kids trapped inside cos of the rain - fail... I'm stuffed
3. Collect MIL new purple laptop (keep away Rach) - check (but since when is 11am between 2-5 pm?)
4. Crit some chapters - fail.... but there's still time
5. Write something - fail.... throat sore and head is pounding

Question 3: What five snacks do you enjoy?
1. nacho cheese rice thins (low fat!!)
2. Grapes - like them in a cup next to me while i write
3. Coke zero... my 'yay kids are napping treat'
4. Far too much of the Easter chocolate!
5. Custard (but maybe I only want that cos my throat is sore)

Question 4: What five (4) places have you lived in?
1. Seaview Downs, Adelaide
2. Somerton Park, Adelaide
3. Glenelg, Adelaide
4. Nth Plympton, Adelaide... That's it... all within 15km....

Question 5: What five things would you do if you were a billionaire?
1. Hire my MIL to nanny my kids
2. Travel
3. Look after my family - make sure they were all sorted
4. Donate to charity. There are sooo many good causes
5. Shop

Not sure there are 5 people who read this who haven't been tagged. If you are one, please consider yourself tagged.

On a different note, I was thrilled to final in the Emerald award. it means a lot. I know there were some excellent stories who didn't get through so I appreciate the luck involved and am thankful.

=)

The chop

2010-03-10T21:54:00.002+10:30

I had some feedback from a comp that after the first chapter SIG read a little slow. It came up twice so I decided they might have a point and set about seeing what I could cut...

1250 words gone over two chapters. Oh, it hurt, but I hope it reads faster. And better. And i hope it still makes sense.

What about you? Taken the scissors to anything recently?

=)

Success of a kind

2010-03-08T21:06:00.003+10:30

I think it's only fair when challenging myself I'm allowed to modify the rules.
=)
I discovered day 7 of my 7k in 7 days challenge would be a write off. We had to go to the in-law's farm for a family function. As today is a public holiday here i decided to have my day 7 today. Incidentally I didn't write at all on Thursday but that was more a choice thing, i did have time available.

Anyway, i made it. 7k in what turned out to be 8 days.

It helped with the NTA life stuff and plus I'm much further into the WIP.

Do you like to modify the rules?

Distraction

2010-03-03T09:24:00.003+10:30

Life has been a bit of a distraction for me for the last few weeks. Things have happened that made creating nearly impossible.

And then this week it's all changed. I knew having a funeral and some other things on I could find myself wallowing but i decided in the best NTAI tradition that keeping busy would help. So I started a 7k in 7 days goal.

Do you know what?

It's working.
I'm too busy to think much and I'm having that virtuous 'i wrote some words (who cares if they're rubbish) today' feeling. I love that feeling.

Have you been too distracted to write?
Have you found writing to be a distraction from other things?

=)

Sizzling New Year and Goals

2010-01-11T10:11:00.004+10:30

Here in South Oz it's been hot. Really, really hot. With kids home and trapped inside life has been a little crazy. Not to mention Joy baby turned 1 and learned to walk - uh, oh!

Our short holiday on a little island off the coast had lighthouse-keeper ideas springing to mind and lots of time on the beach to think about the WIP. Now I'm keen to get stuck in and get the re-write done and sent
.
Had some good contest news with an Emily final a few days ago so am thrilled and excited about that. Came 4th in each of the other contest so I'm hoping there's some improvement left in me. Will read through the feedback and try to apply it.

Cool change is due tonight...

Have been thinking about my goals for the year ahead. Most of them are writing related (other than enrol Princess 4 in school and get Master 2 out of nappies). I want to have my re-writes sent by the end of January. I'd like to polish HDP and SIG more and write two new stories. Sub something else before the end of June and enter 3 contests.

I can do all that!?!

I hope.

How's your year looking? Is it 42 deg celcius where you are?

=)

Fresh Start and Finals

2009-11-27T19:45:00.004+10:30

Have had some good contest news lately with a final in a US contest (Launching a Star) and an aussie contest (High 5) with two different stories. Have my fingers crossed as I await the results.

I finished Stand In Groom in my own version of NaNo and i am completely in love with Ryan, such a tortured hero. So glad to give him the woman that allowed him to heal and makes him happy at last.

Now am working on revising Mummy Makes Three for Richmond. After the Emmy the judge expressed interest in seeing the revised story. I'm hoping I can do it justice. I wonder though if re-writing from scratch is better than changing bits and bobs here and there?

Oh, and my hero came up with 'Peaches and Cream' cupcake flavour, inspired my the lovely skin of my heroine...

Cupcakes

2009-10-28T11:07:00.002+10:30

My heroine makes cupcakes and I'm thinking i need some more research into this very important topic.

So far in my story there's been a cheery choc creation, and one with coconut and apricot. The latest is the Vanilla Dream, a simple but beautiful cake with a surprising centre of rich, creamy custard.

What I need is another idea. Something a man might think of as a cupcake special. And it can be delicious or even a bit of a disaster.

Any thoughts?

Conflicted about conflict

2009-09-30T13:17:00.003+09:30

Rach (who visited on the weekend - I had the BEST time, except for the toilet seat incident) posted recently about making the conflict clear in the first page for catagory... GULP! That's not really happening here for SIG.

The discussion was interesting. I think we all agreed we need to see on the page why these two are going to have a rough time getting to that HEA. If not on the first page then as soon as possible.

I'm thinking I don't have it as clear as I'd like early enough for my heroine.

Change it then - i hear you think.

Yea, well, it's the how that's got me wondering. Is it ok that she's, apparently, not as conflicted as him at the start? Can it be a lightish layer there, eg she's just broken up with someone and doesn't want to rush in, and then BANG it gets LOTS worse a chapter in?

Thoughts?

Prologues - good, bad or just plain lazy??

2009-08-26T15:32:00.003+09:30

I've been playing with my story that did well in the Emmy, Mummy Makes Three. It has a prologue and I've been debating cutting it. I've read that prologues are lazy writing and they generally don't help the story.

In this case we have a lovers reunited story. The prologue is the dramatic birth of their child nine years before the story starts. All the crits I've had, only one person has disliked the prologue. Most feel immediate empathy with the mother giving birth.

What do you think?

Prologues - are they a waste? Is it a sign of laziness? Is it just the worst kind of info dump?

Am I just asking this question to avoid editing?

Crazy Busy

2009-08-24T09:35:00.003+09:30

I've been busy!

The RWAus awards night was fun. picture me sitting in front of the laptop, madly checking twitter while chatting in the Clayton's chat room. I was thrilled with 2nd in the Emmy and want to congratulate Rach for her 4th in The Valerie Parv Award.

My attempts to get back into the writing went astray with Princess's 4th birthday. It's all done now and i have two weeks until we have visitors from Japan. Am planning to finish the partial for SIG and then some editing for HDP.

Editing seems so full of potential. Can I do the story justice? With time away I can see some ways to improve I just hope I can make it work like the vision I see in my head. I'm not sure where to start...

Slowly, slowly

2009-08-13T15:12:00.002+09:30

Am making some very slow progress on SIG. Have had great excuses - cold, kids sick, waiting on a crit for HDP and most recently am nervous about the Emmy results sat night.

Wish I was going to the conference. Would be so exciting to be completely immersed in writing for days... bliss!

Claytons it is for me and some cyber nervous drinking and checking Twitter for the contest results. Good luck to Rach too!

=)

Starting again... INSPIRED!

2009-07-28T14:02:00.003+09:30

So I've been struggling to get back into writing. I'm still ignoring HDP - wanting to let it sit - but despite loving my new characters I couldn't seem to get started.

Fortunately I received the inspiration I needed.

A goal... to finish (or write a big chunk of) Stand In Groom before a very special event on my writing horizon. On the 3rd of December 2007 i received an email from someone from the ROMAUS eloop who was doing the same online course as me. We discovered lots in common (except an ability to final in the same contest). At the end of September we will meet in real life for the first time.

Yup... Rach is coming to little old Adelaide.
How cool is that?!

Better get writing...

Research of the delicious variety

2009-07-16T20:06:00.003+09:30

I have been playing with my new idea, Stand In Groom, and the heroine is a maker of fine cupcakes. This has involved much research on the net and drooling over many mouthwatering recipes.

My research went further today when hubby surprised me with a delicious chocolate with chocolate butter cream icing cupcake from a place near where he was working for the day. He'd listened to me tell him about my heroine - definite hero behaviour!

I think I'll have to make some of the delicious recipes I've found... just what my diet needs.

Anyone been forced to eat yummy food in the name of research?

Edits

2009-07-08T14:06:00.004+09:30

I've finally finished His Dark Past (happy dancing).

My question is how long to leave it before I start the edits? I'm thinking as long as possible. But at the same time i want it in shape as soon as possible.

Anyone have any fail-safe editing techniques? I'd love to hear how you go about it.

Fortunately while HDP is simmering my next story is calling. I need to have a bit of a break and refuel the well but I don't want to lose the habit of writing that the June challenge got me into.

I've decided to try my hand at a MH (with the contest in mind) but i suspect it will morph back into a Super/SSE since that's where I think I fit best. I think just approaching my idea as a MH has given me some different things to think about - a sexier opening for starters!

Anyone played outside the square? Success? Failure?

Done!

2009-06-30T20:01:00.003+09:30

I did it. 44097 words added to HDP in June.

I'm thrilled.

Thanks to the organisers of the June Challenge. I know I would never have written that many words without it.

I was reading an article yesterday on the website of brilliant New Zealand author, Karina Bliss, where she talked about writing every day. I think that's what I'm happiest about. I wrote every day for a month, even though one day my total was only 82 words. And it might never happen again!

Now for a celebratory sundae!

End in sight...

2009-06-29T13:14:00.002+09:30

So, there's about one and half days left in June. Which means there's that long to go in the 50k in 30 days challenge. I wasn't ever mad enough to think i could manage 50k but i did set myself the nearly as ridiculous 44k goal (roughly how long to get to 55k of the WIP).

Last night i arrived home at 7:30pm after a day at the in-law's farm with the kids and had a zero count. I was on target overall. I didn't want to give up with three days to go, but it was such a struggle to try for the 1467 words i needed. Somehow the lure of a sundae reward and some procrasitnating emailing with Rach made me start. And after a while the words flowed. VERY SLOWLY. But at 11:51pm i finished with 1468.

Now I have 2900w to go to reach 44000 words for the month of June. The end is in sight.

Must type more words...

Heroines

2009-06-25T11:05:00.010+09:30

I've been thinking a lot about my hero recently. He's a loner. Is he too dark? Is he too in touch with his feelings? As my first 'bad boy' I've worked hard to achieve a balance.

But it seems to me the heroine trips us 'pre-published' up in a lot of cases. Can she be strong and likeable? Can she have vulnerability but not be weak?

It seems to me that for catagory our heroines have to be particularly aspirational. In HDP i have a heroine who didn't tell the hero that she was pregnant because he'd left town. Some contest feedback from another story and a friend's feedback on hers has me thinking that I'll need to work very hard to make sure her choice is justified. Did she try hard enough? Did she have a good enough reason not to hunt him to the ends of the earth?

I'm not sure. More thinking required. I think.

Words, Spiders and Sick Kids

2009-06-15T08:34:00.007+09:30

I've been plugging away at the June challenge and despite having a day last week where 82 words was my only achievement i'm at 19708 for the challenge - only about 1k behind.

I'm not sure about the quality alas, but that surely can be helped in the edits. Am finding i picked a good story to try this with. Lucas and Gemma want to share their story with the world it seems. I've not been stuck too badly yet and i have ideas for the next scenes.

I had lots of distractions yesterday.

I have three sick kids (pretty sure it's not swine flu) and Princess nearly-Four is a puddle of woe wanting Mummy. She NEVER wants Mummy.

Then hubby casually mentioned there's a massive spider living somewhere in the car. Am I alone in being deathly afraid of spiders? The thing is, it was living on our gates and hubby refused to evict him from the property cos he wasn't harming anyone. (!)

AND he is still on the car cos hubby tried to 'shepherd' him away in peace. Not hero behaviour.

This is not time for peaceful negotiations!

So hubby is in the bad books and has been told it is time to find the spider and remove it. It's his 'save the cat' moment.

How i hope he comes through...

For the love of a good... Laptop

2009-06-04T14:44:00.003+09:30

Over the last few days I've been reading about Anne McAllister's new love, Charley and it's got me thinking about my laptop, Ender, and how much I adore him. He was new last year when I complained that if i wanted to write in the evenings I had to hide away on the desktop (hidden from kiddy fingers).
Now, with the help of Ender, Hubby and I can sit side by side working on our laptops (he's in IT and has geek stuff to do most nights).
Ender is also banned from the internet which means i'm not distracted by email or facebook. It's with Ender's help I've managed 5000 words already off the 44k I've aimed to do in June. I'm hoping the trend continues!

50k in 30 days

2009-06-01T15:26:00.002+09:30

Yup, I'm giving this a go.
Aiming for the 44k needed to finish His Dark Past.
I was going to try last year but all day morning sickness saw me wimp out. I shall be stronger this time, i hope.
To everyone else trying this, welcome to the insanity and GOOD LUCK!

Emmy

2009-05-19T15:33:00.003+09:30

Had some great news this morning while changing Miss 5 month old's nappy (ah the glamour), I finalled in the RWAus Emerald award in the category section.

Will have all my fingers crossed.

Thanks to the lovely Rach for her last minute reading/critting when i made the second round. Mwah!!

=)

Harley forums

2009-05-18T15:13:00.002+09:30

This week, in the name of research, I joined a Harley Davidson appreciation forum. 'The Read Between The Rides'. My hero recently had a terrible accident on his Harley and I was looking for what his experience might do to his love of his bike.

General concensus was he'd never give up his bike.

I'm not so sure. I guess i can write him however I like but it was interesting to hear the passion of these bikers.

I know Jackie went above and beyond to ride in a helicopter for her heroine. Anyone else done some interesting research recently?

Doubts

2009-05-09T12:02:00.002+09:30

I have bucketloads. I've started something new since i'm not thinking about the mss with SSE and i have no idea whether the chapter i've just written works at all.

You'd think at some point little things like this would become a tad clearer.

When?

I have my best writing buddy lending her wise eye to it as i type but until I have her verdict I'll be questioning everything. The opening. The end chapter hook. Does it work that they don't actually speak until the end of the chapter.

Doubts, doubts, doubts.

Anyone else got some?

Karma and Writing

2009-05-02T13:04:00.006+09:30

So, when it came time to send my manuscript snail mail to SSE I researched madly and questioned Rach (who'd had the same issue) about how to actually package it. Eventually it lead me to using 2 rubber bands and some card backing and popping the whole thing in an envelope.

BUT i had no rubber bands.

So off to the nearest shops (the only ones in walking distance which means they get a work out cos 3 kids are easier contained in some kind of pram device) I went. Found a bag of rubber bands. And some kid clothes. And a new book each. And a TVD... yup it's a dangerous place to go.
When i got home, with 3 fractious kids by that point, i discovered I DIDN'T PAY FOR THE RUBBER BANDS. A complete oversight but terrible nonetheless.

Now, i couldn't head back immediately (the trip having taken 2 hours) and they only cost 49 cents. But i kept thinking and thinking and thinking. Then I used 2 of them on my submission. What's the chance of a positive response if i didn't pay?

Not likely... at least in my paranoid head.

So this morning i finally got back to the shops, two weeks after I sent my manuscript, and paid for the rubber bands. Phew, at least that's one obstacle overcome.

Anyone else as superstitious as me?

First blog

2009-04-27T16:13:00.003+09:30

So here goes. I have joined the land of blogging. Not so sure i have anything to say.

Maybe a bit more about me - I'm currently waiting on a requested full with Special Edition. I entered the eharl online pitch comp and the lovely Susan Litman requested the full of Playing House. Much mad editing and polishing later i sent it on it's way to New York.

Fingers crossed.

It's probably not even there yet...