Poor Baby

What do these two words mean to you? As a”’mature’ woman of the South (although true Southern women would wag their momma finger at me because Texas isn’t considered ‘in the South!’), this is a phrase I grew up with, use on occasion, and get mixed reactions!  My grown son hates it when I tell him this, but I like it. Conveys a lot — sympathy, compassion, or if said quickly, disbelief, disdain.

Colloquialisms, regional sayings and dual purpose words don’t always work in our manuscripts. When I was a personal assistant for a published author, I reviewed her rewrites and some of the notes from the copy editor were strange, and laughable.  If you have to explain a word or phrase, then it has lost something in translation. And so has some of the wonderful color and flavor of that region. Poor baby! Bless her heart, she just doesn’t understand.

Should we as writers continue to use them, explaining the meaning in the following paragraphs, or not? I want to know, so chime in. Ya hear?

What’d They Get for Christmas?

If you’re like me finding the time and the inspiration to work on your current WIP has been tough over the Holidays. I’ve struggled to carve out the time to write since Thanksgiving. If it wasn’t for critique partners, I might not have written anything. Not only was time short, but so was my muse. It was almost as if my characters, knowing I had other things on my mind like shopping, cooking, cleaning, and wrapping presents, took a vacation. Now that the hustle and bustle is past, I’ve got the time to write. But my characters are still off playing somewhere else.

So to call them back I tried a little writing exercise sort of like the one Jackie Kramer gave us at our recent retreat. I pictured the hero and the heroine from my current WIP at midnight on Christmas Eve and asked myself, “What did they give each other?”

Mike, a musician, gave Car two gifts. The first, a heart-shaped box inscribed with a verse from one of his songs. Most importantly, he cleaned out his closet and chest of drawers to make room for Car in his life, literally and figuratively. You see Mike believed that in dream he’d seen his own death. Until he met Car, he was afraid to plan, let alone hope for, a bright future. Because of Car, he’s able to see beyond what might be to what can be.

When Car met Mike she believed in very little. The world was black and white. She thought the here and now was all there was. She had no faith and no hope for life or love everlasting. But the miracle of loving Mike is now all the proof she needs there is indeed a God. This Christmas, she gave Mike a cross inscribed with the words, “Because I believe.”

Think about your current WIP or about the book you just wrote (Remember, these are your characters not ones from a book you read) and tell us, what did your hero and heroine give each other for Christmas?

All My Romances Start Here

Tomorrow is a big day for me. Thirty one years ago, I started my own Happily Ever After with my DH. We were young, just out of high school, and everyone predicted disaster. My mother assures everyone that we stayed together just to make a liar of her.

In hindsight, I can see how my parents and his mother had to have been terrified to watch two 18 year-olds walk down the aisle. I can’t imagine how I would have felt if one of my kids made the same decision.  But at the time, we thought we knew what we wanted.  And today, we’re lucky that we still do.

Being married to my true love, and having worked through all the hard times gives me a solid basis for imagining a happily ever after for a fictional hero and heroine.  I truly understand the sacrifices required to make a couple successful.  Because if you think it’s easy, and someone doesn’t have to GIVE sometimes, then you’re truly writing fiction.

Conflict is life.  And conflict is what drives a reader to keep turning pages.  If the relationship is easy, it’s never worth it.

As writers, we draw from our own experiences to make our characters come to life.  We inject a little of ourselves, our family and friends into every character we write.  Every past boss becomes a villain (or dead body) and every mean chick who made us cry finds her comeuppance in print.  We can’t help but use all our life experiences to enrich our writing.

Since I’m trying to write romance, I can’t help but look at my husband when I’m creating a love story.  Every day, I’m living my happily ever after, and he’s the man who made that dream come true.  My heroes don’t look like him.  My heroes don’t act like him.  My heroes don’t even talk like him.  But what they do is love like him.  True love.  Constant affection.  And single minded determination to make the relationship work.

I have my happily ever after, now it’s time that my latest heroine gets hers.  So it’s back to work on my work in progress.  And I think I’ll kiss my hubby on the way to my computer.  Happy Anniversary Babe.  Here’s to 31 more years!!

–Sandee Wagner

Week Out Of Time

It’s over.  All the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Christmas.  The baking is finished.   The gifts are unwrapped and gift cards spent.  Hopping from one holiday party and/or family gathering is completed and we come to what I call the “week out of time”.  It’s the last week of the year, one where we all wait for the new year to dawn.  To me, it’s a time to reflect on the past year and wonder about what’s coming.

I have admit…I think last year was good.  Not spectacular, but good.  For the past few years, since my mom’s death, I’ve been kind of wandering around in a haze.  Sure played the devil with my writing.  But after getting my grieving under control and my health issues settled (as well as getting on a happy pill), my life settled down this year.  Enough so, I’m actually writing again.  Not a lot down, but I’ve regained my enthusiasm for my story and worked on some stories. 

As for the future year, I made some New Year’s resolutions already.  First, I WILL finish TEARS this year, even if it’s such a rough draft I’ll have to spend half of next year re-writing.  I also want to submit at least three short stories for sale.  I’d love to say I’ll sell three, but since I don’t have control over that, I’ll settle for submitting.  And I’m going to read and study at least one writing how-to book a month.  God knows, I’ve bought enough; most of them I’ve only skimmed.  Now, I’m really going to go in-depth.

So, how about you?  Any resolutions you would like to share?

Merry Day after Christmas

The tree is empty of presents, bits of wrapping paper litter the floor, the kids are busy with their toys, and the refrigerator is full of leftovers. It is the day after Christmas, so whatcha gonna do?

For those avid die-hard shoppers, are you going back out for the sales, or battle the lines to return those not quite right presents? As the self-proclaimed queen of shopping, I’m staying home. NO returns for me to make, and I’m not buying anything for a while. I had a wonderful Christmas with a perfect day. 

That hasn’t always been my luck. I can remember how hard I would work to make things “perfect” only to burst into tears by the time I washed the dinner dishes. No matter how hard I would try to make everyone happy, I just could NOT do it. (I have a BIG phobia about not selecting the ‘right’ present for anyone–sometimes I can calm things down, but I’m always sure that whatever I get is wrong or not good enough–you can put in whatever string of words that fit.) Except for this year.
With Don’s accident, I’ve let go of  “perfect.” I did what I could, scaled down what I had to do–like Christmas dinner and decorating the house–and counted my blessings.

My writing has changed from the first of the year. I’m no longer than same person who greeted 2009–and I like this one better. It took a major upheaval in my comfort zone for me to change. I’ve let go of “perfect.” I am not going to write my first draft without errors. I’m not going to think about writing a tome,  just a story. If the first round is a little bare, I’ll add a bit more.

And I will count my blessings that I am back to writing.

And not standing in line somewhere.  

The Big Day

It’s here. The day kids look forward to (and Santa dreads) all year long. Were you ready?

I am–by the skin of my teeth!

And it’s a white Christmas. I hoped we’d have one, but now that we have it, I’m not so sure I like it. Record breaking snow depth. Record breaking temperatures. And if the kids don’t get here, a record breaking Christmas for the Shays.

Last night was the first Christmas Eve DH and I’ve ever been alone together. Always before we’ve gone to my grandmother’s or his parent’s or had our kids at home for a fabulous feast. This year, because of the sleet, snow and a sick DIL, we decided to wait for Christmas Day for our big deal meal.

CE was just DH and me. Rather than the prime rib I’d planned, we had left over chicken and noodles. (I call them chicken and poodles, DH calls them chicken and needles. We rarely call anything by its correct name, but they were delicious.) We watched IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (with commercials) and exhausted from my day of last minutes preparations, I dozed.  

We awoke to a yard full of snow–about eight inches deep. DH battled his way out to break the ice off the bird feeder so our friendly entertainment wouldn’t starve. Then noticing the hungry ground feeders hopping about, he found a clean board and dumped Wild Bird Feed on it for them.

I figure they’ll soon be joined by Rocky the Flying Squirrel, who can still get up to the protected bird feeder by leaping from a tree, about 6 feet away. But when DH leaves a great snack on the ground, why bother?  

Just got the first call. BB can’t make it this morning. He’s stuck in his driveway. again. The other two, as well as DIL–who’s still not feeling well–are on their way. I’ve got my fingers crossed the snow clearers have done their job and the way is clear!

So while it’s not a perfect Christmas, even though it’s white, it’s here. DH is fixing breakfast and I’m heading for another cup of coffee while we wait with baited breath to see which of the kiddos will make it.

Did you get snow? How much?

How are you going to celebrate?

The Eve

It’s Christmas Eve and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

My cats are all snuggled deep in their beds

With visions of fat rats dancing in their heads.

The black Labs patiently wait for the snow.

Their noses make great snow plows. Didn’t you know?

Packages are wrapped and under the tree

Waiting to be opened with delight and glee.

But let’s not forget why we celebrate the season

The Christ Child, our Lord, is the reason.

Rejoice and be grateful for all He has given us.

              Merry Christmas everyone!

2 days and counting

2 days until Christmas.

Are you ready?

I’m pretty much ready. I have a few grocery items to pick up, and I’m impatiently waiting one 1 gift that was supposed to already be here…and then I’m ready. We should have the usual house full of about 30 people Christmas day. But it’s always fun. We play dirty santa…and our family is never very nice.

For instance, the gift I got…a dog cone. Yes. The one you are thinking of that goes around a dog’s neck so they won’t lick their sores or bandages. Whoever gets it I’m going to tell them it’s so they won’t lick themselves so much. LOL Yes, we are all that evil!

I can’t wait to see my kids faces when they open their presents Christmas morning. We did good this year– and they have NO idea. That’s always the best.

I always find that I’m more excited to see other people open their presents than opening my own. I love to give rather than receive.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New year!

Romance Signing

On Sunday, December 13th, I took part in a book signing at Barnes and Noble in Tulsa, and boy! Did I have fun. To be honest, I was quivering in my Spanx on the way to the store. Would anyone show up? Would I sell any books?

Would I be a book selling wallflower?

I sent out several postcards before hand, mentioned the signing on Facebook and bribed my kids to be there. At least with the kiddos, I could pretend someone came to see me.

When I walked in, a woman was looking at my book. She glanced at me, then back at my book. “Hello!” I greeted her. “Hi,” she answered as if she knew me.

I knew right away I was in trouble, so I decided not to try to fake it. “What’s your name?”

She answered, “Mary Hendricks.” My friend who set up the blind date that introduced me to DH.

This is Mary, on the left. She does embroidery in Tulsa. I can’t wait to learn more about her business! She hasn’t aged or gained an ounce since I saw her the last time.

We chatted a few minutes, then Mary had to leave. My fellow signers were there by then.

These are my signing buddies. Jaci Burton’s the pretty redhead next to me. If I hadn’t sold a book, I learned so much from Jaci that it was worth going! Check out her blog. Jaci’s blog. You’ll learn a ton.

The next redhead (wearing purple feathers) is Jackie King and in the green boa is Peggy Fielding. These ladies are the Foxy Hens. Talk about a fountain of knowledge! Seeing them in action is a school all in itself.

 

This is a pair of soon-to-be-published RWI sisters who came to be supportive. Kira Daniels and Linda Trout. Kira has a blog with a feature she calls Screaming O Friday. Check it out. It always opens my eyes and puts a grin on my face.

 These girls were wonderful, hanging out and keeping us from feeling lonesome. Gave me some great ideas about how much help friends can be at a signing.

Here’s my brother and his wife. (Notice Jeff and I have the same smile.) They brought along a little friend from church, who immediately took over the signing. She showed us how a model walks (put on hand on her little hip and strutted across the room)and explained to us all about the modeling class she took.

Sadly, I don’t have a picture of me with all my children. I’m hoping to get one at Christmas with all of us wearing Santa hats. LOL!

My dil’s mother came, as did my dil2b’s mom. I love these women! And not just because they bought multiple copies of my book.  <g>

Old friends came by, too. Margaret Golla, an RWI past president and former critique partner, was there to give her support and see how the book she helped critique turned out.

What I learned:

1- Send out postcards ten days before the signing, telling friends and family about the signing.

2- Twist arms with your postcards. (ie-Brother, since you didn’t come to my signing at home, maybe you can make this one.)

3- I’ve noticed that, for some reason, people are often shy around authors. (Go figure!) So greet everyone with a smile and (like Jackie King) offer them a kiss. She uses the chocolate ones, but you can give out the kind you want. Or be like Jaci and offer your bookmarks or other giveaways. “Everyone can use a bookmark.” It gives you something to chat about and you just might say something that interests them in your book.

4- If you have friends there to support you, give them a stack of bookmarks (and/or other giveaways) and station them at the front door or send them around the store to chat up customers and send them your way. (Only if it’s okay with the establishment.)

5- Be sure to thank whoever organized the signing–and dispose of your trash when you leave.

Make your signing as pleasant as possible for everyone involved. Readers will come back, booksellers will invite you back, and everyone will smile when they see you coming.

Authors, what tips do you have for a successful signing?

Readers, what’s your favorite signing story? Any suggestions?

Baby Steps

The road to become a published author is paved, not with good intentions, but with a good number of rejections.

Like Cinderella, I live in the sooty squalor of my own unfulfilled dreams. My story is different only because the evil snooty step-sisters have been replaced by my own bi-polar writing conscience, which tells me from hour to hour, either, how great my story is or to sweep my work into my computer’s recycling bin and empty it.

Like Prince Charming, I’ve scoured the countryside searching for a career that was the right fit. I’ve sold toys, shoveled snow, collected debt, created debt, cleaned poop and finally, after an endless hunt, my glass slipper is filled, but the fit is a little pinched. I’m an untried writer.

The incident

One night after a grueling night at work and one too many bottles of the Dew, I came home and faced my completed manuscript all hopped up on caffeine. In my post-caffeine laced buzzed, I convinced myself that I had worked on my manuscript enough to send it out and that I was ready to submit my story because I had more than earned my shot at a HEA.

Yeah. Riiiight!

Too chicken to actually send out my unsolicited manuscript to any accepting Houses, I fired off a round of query letters to a few handpicked agents and a couple of e-publishers.

The kicker

The next morning, I bravely sat in front of my computer and opened my e-mail account to find a mailbox full of eager responses to my zealous querying—all of whom categorically shut me down with an enthusiastic form rejection:  “Thank you for your interest in us, but no thank you to your lame story. But, do keep trying.”

My slipper fits a little more comfortably this morning because of those dismissals.

See, I am no longer an untried, untested writer. I have tried.  Now, I can say, I put myself out there and they told me my work wasn’t ready, but to keep trying.  And so I’ll take their advice.

I will strut around in my uncomfortable six-inch stiletto glass slippers that I have lovingly named “Dark Thirty” and I will walk until I break these puppies in.  And then, once I’ve proven that I can go the distance, I’ll bandage my feet, put on that frothy, fluffy blue dress and ecstatically accept my first writing contract,  because I will have walked the long rejection road and finally earned my HEA.

So, how about it, all you pubbed and unpubbed author’s—those traveling and those who have safely navigated the bricks—what do you think about the rejection road?

RD