Developing as a Writer

Lately I've found myself somewhat uninspired. True Surrender is still at the publisher (which means it's "done" unless they say they want it and ask for changes). And nothing has really jumped out at me in recent weeks saying "work on me, work on me!"

So today I opened a rather OLD writing file - some of my very early writing from 2002-2003. I was curious if any of it was decent.

The verdict is still out on that ... this piece has a lot of bouncing from one head to another (one of the big issues I had to work on when I got serious about writing) that would need to be re-flowed. Some of the scenes have merit but the plot would need a whole lot of revision (which may render the scenes moot), and in fact, might not be as plausible as I'd prefer. (It IS fiction, but I do like a certain level of believeability - it's why I've done things like air medical ride-alongs and interviewing search-and-rescue personnel.)

What I did like: the characters (although a bit stereotypical and stilted at times). And that might just be what resurrects this piece some day. Or, I may "borrow" a a character (or two) and place them in another story. Or "break it up" and use parts of it differently.

At any rate, it was an interesting exercise!

My Real Name Is...

I don't do much writing this time of year (too busy with the motorcycle biz and summer activities), but I did sit down tonight and jot out some ideas that have been floating around in my head for a week or so.

The heroine isn't who she seems to be. She's got a big secret. When he falls for her, he thinks he knows her ... but he can't possibly. Hmm, the possibilities!

Singing Gig this Weekend

I'll be singing with the Mark Cameron Band on Friday, May 27 (starting at 9pm) at Neumann's (2531 East 7th Avenue in N. St. Paul). This will be my second appearance with the band and should be a good show. Hope you can come out!

BTW, Mark's second album (which I sang back-up vocals on), titled "Built to Bust," is finished and will be available soon. I will put some snippets on my music page when I get 'em!

The Rose (Surrender Version) - Music MP3 Completed!

This is something I have wanted to do for nearly three years - ever since I went back to the music studio with my friend's band in April 2008. We finally completed one of MY songs: an upbeat and slightly bluesy take on "The Rose."

It has inspired my husband (whose did the harmony/duet parts) to look into getting our own mixing software - especially since he plays guitar.

Special thanks to Mark Cameron and Scott Lundberg for their help with the song. "The Rose (Surrender Version)" is dedicated to my friends Paul and John, who believed in my ability even when I didn't, and to my husband Tim, who believes in everything about me.

Listen to The Rose (Surrender Version)

Ex FBI Analyst Becomes my Newest SME (Subject Matter Expert)

This week I had lunch with an ex FBI analyst. It was fascinating, and I confess that the phrase "truth is stranger than fiction" applied to some of our topics. On a personal level, I found it difficult to imagine working in that environment (I think it would depress me!).

After an hour and a half of hashing through some of the finer points of "True Surrender," I was gratified to realize that my creative self had not been too far off the mark. Only a few minor edits were required (which have now been completed). Special thanks to my new SME ("Subject Matter Expert") Tina.

What does FBI stuff have to do with "True Surrender," you ask? Well, I don't want to tell you so much that it ruins the story. Suffice it to say that Major Aaron Bricewick has a job change during the course of the novel that takes him into new territory...for the rest, you'll have to read the book!

Rejection Letters

I suppose rejection letters should bother me more. Maybe I'm just too busy to think about it. (Maybe I don't WANT to think about it!) Or maybe it's because people in my life - people I am close to - are going through really crappy stuff, and this is such small potatoes compared to that.

Maybe I'm arrogant ... or just a control freak ... but why wait around for other people to "approve of" my writing? Especially when things have changed so much in the book publishing and selling world. Time is slipping through my fingers so fast it makes me light-headed. And True Surrender is a GREAT story. What should I do?

The Damn Synopsis ... Again

When I 'extended' the True Surrender story in late January, it meant that I now had to re-write (or, more precisely, 'update') the synopsis.

Which is definitely NOT my favorite type of writing!

So I might have put it off just a little.

But now the synopsis has been 'done' (again) and I'm reading it out loud to myself (sometimes that helps, sometimes it doesn't), and I think ... "what a great story this is!"

It's very nice to read something after you've let it sit awhile, and realize that, by God, it's quite good. It gives me warm fuzzies.

So why isn't it in the hands of agents yet? The answer: it's the damn synopsis. It's so crucial and I'm so perfectionistic, and I think I'm just going to have to let it go. They'll either like it or they won't ... right?