I’m always in the market for a new way or an improved way to create characters. I love seeing all these tips this week (and I’m making notes, LOL)
Most of my characters just come to me complete with a story idea. Then I have to put the thumbscrews to them to make them tell me enough about them to know what their real problems and goals are. Let me tell you, these folk have very high pain tolerances. Trust me on that :D
So basically, I’d start with a name and a short physical description. Most of the time, they’d tell me what they do for a living, who their friends are and who their enemies are. But when I’d ask about their goals, dreams or aspirations, they’d get all close mouthed and tell me that the idea for the story was what they wanted. Ooookay.
That brief look at an external conflict just wasn’t making it for me. So I had to get tough, er, tougher. (You have to let them know who’s boss, right?) I started digging but in a round about manner (sometimes being sly works better than being mean--sometimes)
All our good characters have to have some positive quality, something that makes us either admire the hero or wish we were the heroine (or maybe vice versa depending on your gender, lol) But one positive personality quality isn’t quite enough to make a rounded character. And while they might tell me they’re honest, you’d have thought I was asking for their first-born when I wanted to know what other positive personality qualities they might have. Good characters, the kinds we willingly follow for 300-400 pages, have several. I try to go for at least 3 but no more than 5 (more than 5 just seems to put them in the Dudley Do-Right category)
Next, I try to find at least one negative personality trait because none of us are perfect, are we? Here’s the funny part. They always come up with namby pamby negatives like ‘I eat too much chocolate’.
I mean, really, can there be too much chocolate?
Well, okay. If the character is diabetic or trying to lose weight, a fondness for chocolate is a negative. Anyway, I have to keep digging, forcing the answers out of them until I latch onto the negative that personifies that character. Truthfully, one to three negatives is enough for a ‘good’ character, More than three and we start wondering if this character is an antihero or maybe the bad guy. Obviously, we don’t want the reader to mistake our hero for a villain (antiheroes are a whole ‘nother subject) so we don’t want to go overboard on negatives.
The main thing we as writers have to remember is too enlarge those positive personal qualities, those things that make our heroes and heroines larger than life. They’re not just brave, they’re courageous. They’re not just honest, they’re the Abe Lincoln of honesty. Before you start worrying about Dudley Do-Rightism, don’t forget we’re tempering those positive qualities with the few negative ones. That makes them human and far more interesting to us.
After I’ve got a handle on their appearance and personality, and knowing what the kernel story idea is, I’ve got a good starting place. I usually begin to write the story here (I think I mentioned that I’m a pantser) but sometimes I find that I need a bit more.
Generally, I’ll start with a brief paragraph about them in their current, normal life. That’s easy because it’s pretty much superficial and going to change as soon as the story starts. I realize I need to know more about them so I begin a biography. It’s generally sketchy at first and I’ll add to it as I go along, pulling the information from the characters (I’ve found toothpicks under their fingernails is very helpful when they’re being recalcitrant). When I have enough of their biography done, I can see how they’ll act or react to the different stimuli of the story. And, even if they haven’t told me in words, I’ve got a handle on what their inner wants or goals might be, what their deepest fears (besides me LOL) are, and how those wants or fears will impact the story and the other characters they meet.
I do this for my protagonists (both the hero and the heroine since I write romance) and the villain. The only real difference is the villain gets a few less positive qualities (he or she has to have at least one to keep from being cast as the Evil Overlord type bad guy and to build just a little reader empathy) and maybe a few more negative qualities than the heroic pair who are my protagonists. The good guys and the bad guys are a balancing act after all...but that’s a subject for another day :D
Hope this helps explain some of my techniques for building characters.
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Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
"What If Wednesday"
Good morning,fellow writing geeks. This week I'm starting a new Wednesday feature, a repository of potential ideas to stretch your imagination :D These ideas are solid science facts.
1. Robots Arm Race
We're currently in a Arms Race...to develop robots capable of doing battle for us. While we haven't reached 'Terminator' status yet, we do have remote controlled reconn devices capable of lethal attack. Currently, there's always a human operative who makes the determination of how lethal that attack should be but there's a huge movement to make the robots fully autonomous.
So...what if these warbots become autonomous? What if they inspire the ultimate robot vs human war? (Eeek, Terminator!) Ah, but that's been done. So...what if their artificial intelligence makes them decide that war is illogical (Spock, anyone? :D )and they simply refuse to fight? What if they decide, like Ferdinand the Bull, they'd rather be...farmers?
What other 'what ifs' can you think of?
2. 'Noah's Ark Seed Vault
February 26 saw the inaugural opening of a global seed vault on a remote Artic island. This project started by the Norwegian government, received shipments of 100 million seeds from around the world. The project is seen as an unprecedented effort to preserve the genetic diversity of agricultural plantings (a very good idea, IMO)
So what if...global warming destroys most of our ecology? What if we need those seeds to begin anew on another planet?
What other 'what ifs' can you think of?
Mmm, I seem to be on a 'destroy the world' kick this morning, don't I? Well, perhaps some of you can think of some less cataclysmic what ifs.
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1. Robots Arm Race
We're currently in a Arms Race...to develop robots capable of doing battle for us. While we haven't reached 'Terminator' status yet, we do have remote controlled reconn devices capable of lethal attack. Currently, there's always a human operative who makes the determination of how lethal that attack should be but there's a huge movement to make the robots fully autonomous.
So...what if these warbots become autonomous? What if they inspire the ultimate robot vs human war? (Eeek, Terminator!) Ah, but that's been done. So...what if their artificial intelligence makes them decide that war is illogical (Spock, anyone? :D )and they simply refuse to fight? What if they decide, like Ferdinand the Bull, they'd rather be...farmers?
What other 'what ifs' can you think of?
2. 'Noah's Ark Seed Vault
February 26 saw the inaugural opening of a global seed vault on a remote Artic island. This project started by the Norwegian government, received shipments of 100 million seeds from around the world. The project is seen as an unprecedented effort to preserve the genetic diversity of agricultural plantings (a very good idea, IMO)
So what if...global warming destroys most of our ecology? What if we need those seeds to begin anew on another planet?
What other 'what ifs' can you think of?
Mmm, I seem to be on a 'destroy the world' kick this morning, don't I? Well, perhaps some of you can think of some less cataclysmic what ifs.
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Monday, February 25, 2008
Regency Miscellany: The Fascinating world of England in the early 19th century (1798-1822)
I've taken a few of Nancy Mayer's classes and all I can say is if the Regency era is one you're interested in, you'll want to look into this -- Lynda
Class:
DATE: March 3 – April 4, 2008
TITLE: Regency Miscellany: The Fascinating world of England in the early 19th century (1798-1822)
INSTRUCTOR: Nancy Mayer
LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
COST: $15 Outreach Member/Others $25
Deadline to receive application and payment: March 2, 2008
Course Description:
Though some of the basics of the period, England in the early 19th century (1789-1822), will be covered, new material will also be presented as well as a new perspective on some older material. The workshop will also include the use of Google books.
Questions are welcome as are suggestions as to what subjects would be of most interest.
Bio:
Nancy Mayer has been studying the Regency world for more than a decade and always finding more and more interesting facets to be uncovered.
Nancy was invited to give a talk on Regency Marriage at the BeauMonde Convention in 2005 and expanded the talk into a work shop on getting into and out of Marriage Across the ages which was presented by HHRW chapter. She has given other workshops for both BeauMonde and HHRW including Regency 101, WHO's who and what's what of Regency England, Errors to Avoid in writing a Regency, Food in the Regency,.
Nancy owns many books on the Regency period as well as some published in the years from 1800-1824. She also owns a dance book and several newspapers.
CAMPUS workshops encompass the RESEARCH and CRAFT aspects of writing.
The workshops are conducted via email only, no real-time or live chats, on a private list. Participants will be subbed to the list for the month of the workshop then unsubbed when it's over. Each workshop includes lectures and Q & A sessions. You don't have to be an RWA member to take these workshops; they are open to everyone with email capability who wishes to participate.
INTERNATIONAL registrants, please send US BANK/PAYPAL TRANSERS ONLY. No checks.
PLEASE MAKE PAYMENT OUT TO: OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL
PayPal details and sign up information is available on our web site http://www.oirw.net/ .
PayPal payments should be sent to email address: oirw2004@yahoo.com
(this info also on the web site). A completed form is required, but can be sent via email if paying through paypal to Amber Wentworth at awentworth@austin.rr.com.
Please cut, paste and print the form below then complete it and send with your Check or Money Order to:
Amber Wentworth
606 Greenwich Place
Round Rock, TX 78664
awentworth@austin.rr.com
REGISTRATION FORM
Please register me for the following CAMPUS workshop:
for (month)___________ (title)_______________
Check one: I am ______ I am not _____ a current member of OUTREACH
Name:______________________________
Email address:___________________________
Payment enclosed:_____________
I understand that admission to the workshop depends on receipt of this form and payment fee before the cut-off date for the workshop chosen. If the payment fee is received AFTER the cut-off date, the payment fee will be returned or applied to another workshop of my choosing.
ON RECEIPT OF YOUR PAYMENT AND REGISTRATION FORM YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL CONFIRMING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN REGISTERED FOR THE WORKSHOP. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL, YOU NEED TO CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE WORKSHOP CO-ORDINATOR BEFORE THE WORKSHOP BEGINS.
CAMPUS REFUND POLICY--
No refunds will be given for withdrawing from a workshop. In the event a workshop is canceled by the instructor CAMPUS offers the option of taking another workshop or the return of payment check. In the event the class member misses the cutoff date for a workshop, the payment check will be returned or another workshop can be selected.
Check out the OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL website at
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Class:
DATE: March 3 – April 4, 2008
TITLE: Regency Miscellany: The Fascinating world of England in the early 19th century (1798-1822)
INSTRUCTOR: Nancy Mayer
LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
COST: $15 Outreach Member/Others $25
Deadline to receive application and payment: March 2, 2008
Course Description:
Though some of the basics of the period, England in the early 19th century (1789-1822), will be covered, new material will also be presented as well as a new perspective on some older material. The workshop will also include the use of Google books.
Questions are welcome as are suggestions as to what subjects would be of most interest.
Bio:
Nancy Mayer has been studying the Regency world for more than a decade and always finding more and more interesting facets to be uncovered.
Nancy was invited to give a talk on Regency Marriage at the BeauMonde Convention in 2005 and expanded the talk into a work shop on getting into and out of Marriage Across the ages which was presented by HHRW chapter. She has given other workshops for both BeauMonde and HHRW including Regency 101, WHO's who and what's what of Regency England, Errors to Avoid in writing a Regency, Food in the Regency,.
Nancy owns many books on the Regency period as well as some published in the years from 1800-1824. She also owns a dance book and several newspapers.
CAMPUS workshops encompass the RESEARCH and CRAFT aspects of writing.
The workshops are conducted via email only, no real-time or live chats, on a private list. Participants will be subbed to the list for the month of the workshop then unsubbed when it's over. Each workshop includes lectures and Q & A sessions. You don't have to be an RWA member to take these workshops; they are open to everyone with email capability who wishes to participate.
INTERNATIONAL registrants, please send US BANK/PAYPAL TRANSERS ONLY. No checks.
PLEASE MAKE PAYMENT OUT TO: OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL
PayPal details and sign up information is available on our web site http://www.oirw.net/ .
PayPal payments should be sent to email address: oirw2004@yahoo.com
(this info also on the web site). A completed form is required, but can be sent via email if paying through paypal to Amber Wentworth at awentworth@austin.rr.com.
Please cut, paste and print the form below then complete it and send with your Check or Money Order to:
Amber Wentworth
606 Greenwich Place
Round Rock, TX 78664
awentworth@austin.rr.com
REGISTRATION FORM
Please register me for the following CAMPUS workshop:
for (month)___________ (title)_______________
Check one: I am ______ I am not _____ a current member of OUTREACH
Name:______________________________
Email address:___________________________
Payment enclosed:_____________
I understand that admission to the workshop depends on receipt of this form and payment fee before the cut-off date for the workshop chosen. If the payment fee is received AFTER the cut-off date, the payment fee will be returned or applied to another workshop of my choosing.
ON RECEIPT OF YOUR PAYMENT AND REGISTRATION FORM YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL CONFIRMING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN REGISTERED FOR THE WORKSHOP. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL, YOU NEED TO CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE WORKSHOP CO-ORDINATOR BEFORE THE WORKSHOP BEGINS.
CAMPUS REFUND POLICY--
No refunds will be given for withdrawing from a workshop. In the event a workshop is canceled by the instructor CAMPUS offers the option of taking another workshop or the return of payment check. In the event the class member misses the cutoff date for a workshop, the payment check will be returned or another workshop can be selected.
Check out the OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL website at
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Saturday, February 23, 2008
Cinescopic Personality Test
Here's a fun way to find out what the movies you like say about your personality. My movies were The Princess Bride, The Time Machine, Zulu, Star Wars IV-A New Hope, A Walk in the Clouds, Serenity, Blade, Lord of the Rings, The Ghost and the Darkness, and The Mummy Returns (not necessarily in that order, lol)
Get your cinescope here.
Now...here's mine.
You are the Chosen Adventurer
Chosen Adventurers are open-minded individuals who seek to know as much about the world as possible, whether by traveling or simply trying new things daily. Thriving on mental and physical challenges, they're at their best when faced with a seemingly impossible obstacle. Chosen Adventurers love movies about heroes who are plucked out of their ordinary existence to go on an epic quest that will ultimately save the world.
Well, can't complain about this analysis, lol, though it doesn't mention that passionate love that I like my heroes to find, does it? Perhaps the authors consider that the heroes reward?
Let me know how you're rated :D
Get your cinescope here.
Now...here's mine.
You are the Chosen Adventurer
Chosen Adventurers are open-minded individuals who seek to know as much about the world as possible, whether by traveling or simply trying new things daily. Thriving on mental and physical challenges, they're at their best when faced with a seemingly impossible obstacle. Chosen Adventurers love movies about heroes who are plucked out of their ordinary existence to go on an epic quest that will ultimately save the world.
Well, can't complain about this analysis, lol, though it doesn't mention that passionate love that I like my heroes to find, does it? Perhaps the authors consider that the heroes reward?
Let me know how you're rated :D
Friday, February 22, 2008
Writing Encouragement
Before I get into the post...I just wanted to let everyone know that my friend, Linda Wisdom, says her book '50 Ways to Hex Your Lover' is available now. You can get it here.
Hemingway said -- Writing, at its best, is a lonely life.
Of course, things were a little different back then. Communication with other writers is a whole lot easier nowadays especially if you write any of the romance genres. Between national writing associations, local chapters and internet groups, there’s a wealth of experience to be shared and learned from. A writer no longer has to eat beans and live in a dusty, dark attic to be worthy of her craft. She no longer has to be lonely.
But I sometimes wonder if all this contact might not be detrimental to actually getting a book written. In today’s electronic age, it takes bare minutes to get online and check the email that fills our inboxes. Not that I’m willing to ignore my email (see Bernadette’s post from yesterday, lol) but it does take time and energy to scan through, read or simply delete. Time that would be better spent finishing a writing project or starting a new one.
For some of us, email can be detrimental. But, for others, it may just be the proverbial boon. How so? It can lead to a camaraderie, a feeling of belonging, with others who share the same passion to create with the written word and that’s no small thing. Non-writers just don’t get our compulsion to sit in front of a computer screen waiting for the exact right word to burst out from amongst all the other words clamoring for our attention. They don’t understand how elated we feel when we manage to work our way through a particularly difficult scene or the sense of accomplishment we get from finally, finally, understanding why our hero or heroine is balking at taking that next step in the plot we’ve so laboriously created.
I suspect most of the time they think we’re...crazy.
They might not be entirely wrong.
Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia. ~E.L. Doctorow
We writers become inspired by snippets of dreams or movies or even books. We watch the leaves turn, flipping their bellies skyway in the wind and find ourselves diagramming a scene with an impending rain. We talk to our cats or dogs or birds and create characters that might not be very human. We hear voices. We weep when our characters weep, hurt when they hurt, grow enraged when they’re enraged.
But most of all, we write. Day in, day out, we write. Illness, personal problems, troubles with the day job may slow us down, may even throw us into a bout of writer’s block. But before long, we creep back to the keyboard and we write.
I’m going to leave you with two more quotes I found that just speak to today’s world of writing. I hope you find them as encouraging as I do.
Successful writers are not the ones who write the best sentences... They are the ones who keep writing. ~ Bonnie Friedman
You're not going to be a writer someday. You're a writer today. Discipline yourself to write and take time to enjoy writing. Do it a lot. Have fun with it. Begin now. ~ Jack Heffron
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Hemingway said -- Writing, at its best, is a lonely life.
Of course, things were a little different back then. Communication with other writers is a whole lot easier nowadays especially if you write any of the romance genres. Between national writing associations, local chapters and internet groups, there’s a wealth of experience to be shared and learned from. A writer no longer has to eat beans and live in a dusty, dark attic to be worthy of her craft. She no longer has to be lonely.
But I sometimes wonder if all this contact might not be detrimental to actually getting a book written. In today’s electronic age, it takes bare minutes to get online and check the email that fills our inboxes. Not that I’m willing to ignore my email (see Bernadette’s post from yesterday, lol) but it does take time and energy to scan through, read or simply delete. Time that would be better spent finishing a writing project or starting a new one.
For some of us, email can be detrimental. But, for others, it may just be the proverbial boon. How so? It can lead to a camaraderie, a feeling of belonging, with others who share the same passion to create with the written word and that’s no small thing. Non-writers just don’t get our compulsion to sit in front of a computer screen waiting for the exact right word to burst out from amongst all the other words clamoring for our attention. They don’t understand how elated we feel when we manage to work our way through a particularly difficult scene or the sense of accomplishment we get from finally, finally, understanding why our hero or heroine is balking at taking that next step in the plot we’ve so laboriously created.
I suspect most of the time they think we’re...crazy.
They might not be entirely wrong.
Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia. ~E.L. Doctorow
We writers become inspired by snippets of dreams or movies or even books. We watch the leaves turn, flipping their bellies skyway in the wind and find ourselves diagramming a scene with an impending rain. We talk to our cats or dogs or birds and create characters that might not be very human. We hear voices. We weep when our characters weep, hurt when they hurt, grow enraged when they’re enraged.
But most of all, we write. Day in, day out, we write. Illness, personal problems, troubles with the day job may slow us down, may even throw us into a bout of writer’s block. But before long, we creep back to the keyboard and we write.
I’m going to leave you with two more quotes I found that just speak to today’s world of writing. I hope you find them as encouraging as I do.
Successful writers are not the ones who write the best sentences... They are the ones who keep writing. ~ Bonnie Friedman
You're not going to be a writer someday. You're a writer today. Discipline yourself to write and take time to enjoy writing. Do it a lot. Have fun with it. Begin now. ~ Jack Heffron
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Monday, February 18, 2008
Promo: Guest Ashlyn Chase
Good morning! This week we welcome author Ashlyn Chase to our small corner of the universe. Ashlyn Chase describes herself as an Almond Joy bar. A little nutty, a little flaky, but basically sweet, wanting only to give her readers a scrumptious, satisfying, reading experience.
You can read Ashlyn's article at Star-Crossed Romance
You can read Ashlyn's article at Star-Crossed Romance
Saturday, February 16, 2008
No More Diet Soda
This is beyond scary. I seriously doubt I'll ever drink/eat anything
with aspartame again.
http://www.myaspartameexperiment.com/index.php
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with aspartame again.
http://www.myaspartameexperiment.com/index.php
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2008 Four Seasons Contest
Windy City Romance Writers
2008 Four Seasons Contest
Only a couple of weeks left to send in your entries to Windy City's
Four Seasons Contest. A limited number of entries are accepted to
increase your odds of winning!
Last year's finalist in the Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal category,
Angie Fox, sold her book to the editor who judged her entry!
Enter the first 25 pages of your manuscript. (No synopsis required)
All entries are judged by three judges and the lowest score will be
dropped to determine final rankings.
Save on paper, ink, and postage - only send three copies of your
entry and an electronic version of your entry on CD. (In the event
you final, we will print a copy of your entry to go to the final
judge.)
First-round judges: Experienced critiquers and published authors of
the Windy City Romance Writers. (Only Windy City members judge this
contest, and Windy City members are not eligible to enter.)
Final-round judges: One editor and one agent for each category.
Scores from both judges are averaged to determine the winners:
Single Title Contemporary: Lindsay Nouis, NAL
Danielle Egan-Miller, Brown & Miller
Short/Long Contemporary: Diana Ventimiglia, Harlequin
Jennifer Schober, Spencerhill Associates
Historical: Rebecca Vinter, Penquin/NAL
Kristen Nelson, Nelson Agency LLC
Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal: Leah Hultenschmidt, Dorchester
Kelly Harms, Jane Rotrosen Agency
Winners in each category will receive an engraved plaque. All
finalists will receive certificates and will be mentioned in the
RWR. All contestants will receive a score sheet from each judge. In
addition, judges are encouraged (but not required) to write comments
on the manuscript.
Entry Deadline: March 1, 2008 (postmark date)
Cost: $30
Questions? Visit our Website: windycityrwa.com or Contact Wendy
Byrne, Four Seasons Contest Chairperson, _WTByrne@sbcglobal.net _
(mailto:WTByrne@sbcglobal.net )
Denise Swanson
President--Windy City RWA
Chicago
MsSleuth@aol.com
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2008 Four Seasons Contest
Only a couple of weeks left to send in your entries to Windy City's
Four Seasons Contest. A limited number of entries are accepted to
increase your odds of winning!
Last year's finalist in the Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal category,
Angie Fox, sold her book to the editor who judged her entry!
Enter the first 25 pages of your manuscript. (No synopsis required)
All entries are judged by three judges and the lowest score will be
dropped to determine final rankings.
Save on paper, ink, and postage - only send three copies of your
entry and an electronic version of your entry on CD. (In the event
you final, we will print a copy of your entry to go to the final
judge.)
First-round judges: Experienced critiquers and published authors of
the Windy City Romance Writers. (Only Windy City members judge this
contest, and Windy City members are not eligible to enter.)
Final-round judges: One editor and one agent for each category.
Scores from both judges are averaged to determine the winners:
Single Title Contemporary: Lindsay Nouis, NAL
Danielle Egan-Miller, Brown & Miller
Short/Long Contemporary: Diana Ventimiglia, Harlequin
Jennifer Schober, Spencerhill Associates
Historical: Rebecca Vinter, Penquin/NAL
Kristen Nelson, Nelson Agency LLC
Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal: Leah Hultenschmidt, Dorchester
Kelly Harms, Jane Rotrosen Agency
Winners in each category will receive an engraved plaque. All
finalists will receive certificates and will be mentioned in the
RWR. All contestants will receive a score sheet from each judge. In
addition, judges are encouraged (but not required) to write comments
on the manuscript.
Entry Deadline: March 1, 2008 (postmark date)
Cost: $30
Questions? Visit our Website: windycityrwa.com or Contact Wendy
Byrne, Four Seasons Contest Chairperson, _WTByrne@sbcglobal.net
(mailto:WTByrne@sbcglobal.net
Denise Swanson
President--Windy City RWA
Chicago
MsSleuth@aol.com
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Friday, February 15, 2008
The Laurie Contest
Good morning, everyone. I'm passing on the info for this contest -- Lynda
**********************************************************************
The Smoky Mountain Romance Writers of Knoxville, TN proudly announce the
Laurie Contest for unpublished authors. Deadline February 29, 2008.
Participation is open to all unpublished authors not contracted in novel
length romantic fiction 40,000 words or more at the time of the contest deadline.
Previous finalists and winners may not re-enter the winning entry, even in
edited format. They may, however, enter another work.
Guidelines
• Send a title page, the first chapter (not to exceed twenty-five
(25) pages), and the synopsis (not to exceed five (5) pages) via e-mail as an
attachment, along with the entry form to the coordinator for the category you
are entering. The total number of submitted pages for chapter and synopsis is
not to exceed 30 pages. Do not “borrow” pages from the synopsis to add more
pages to the chapter.
• Use Microsoft Word format (.doc) or rich text format (.rtf).
• The title page should be a separate attachment and include the
manuscript title, author's name, address, e-mail, telephone phone number,
category, target publisher and line, and if the manuscript is complete (this is for
our information only).
• Each page of the manuscript shall have one inch margins, be double
spaced and have the title, category, and target line in the upper left hand
corner, and a page number in the upper right hand corner in the form of a
header. Do not put your name; you will be disqualified. Font face should be Times
New Roman 14 pt., Courier, or Courier New 12 pt. Not to exceed twenty-five (25)
lines per page. The margins, number of lines, font and size will be checked.
The first page of the manuscript shall begin 1/3 of the way down the page
(about 8-12 single spaced lines).
Deadlines
• The entry, entry form and fee must be received February 29, 2008
. NO EXCEPTIONS. Use the PayPal link on the webpage to pay the entry fee. If
you prefer to send a check or money order, please contact Deborah Brent at
LaurieContest@gmail.com
• Finalists will receive notification of the final round status by
approximately March 31, 2008.
• The winners will be announced the end of April or first of May
2008.
- Short and Long Contemporary Series (40,000 - 85,000 words)
- Historical (Includes Regency):
- Single Title Contemporary (90,000 - 110,000 words) (includes
romantic suspense and mainstream)
- Paranormal/Fantasy (Includes Sci-Fi, Time Travel, Fantasy, etc.)
- Manuscripts entered in the incorrect category will be
disqualified. Contact the contest coordinator if you are unsure of the category to enter.
Entry fees will not be refunded for disqualified manuscripts.
Authors may enter as many submissions as they like. Each submission must be
on a separate entry form and must be accompanied by a separate registration
fee. The same manuscript cannot be entered in more than one category.
CATEGORY COORDINATORS
Questions should be directed to Deborah Brent Submissions should be sent to
the attention of the following Category Coordinators at:
lauriecontest@gmail.com
- Short and Long Contemporary Series: Cheryl Hutton
- Historical (including Regency): Petrina Aubol
- Single Title Contemporary: Teresa Delaney
- Paranormal/Fantasy: Stacie Webb Keller
- Members Entries (All Categories): Deborah Brent
FINAL ROUND JUDGES
Historical – May Chen, Avon
Single Title – TBA
FF&P - Chris Keeslar, Dorchester
Short and Long contemporary – Keyren Gerlach, Harlequin
Judging & Scoring--Please Read
BE AWARE THAT THIS IS A TOUGH CONTEST. Judges are required to go through an
intensive judging workshop. Judges are encouraged to write positive and helpful
comments on the manuscripts and comment sheet. Remember all comments are
subjective. Three judges will read each entry. Judges are encouraged to be
constructive and positive. A detailed comment sheet is required to be filled out by
each judge and returned to the entrant. The top five manuscripts in each
category will go to the final round. The score for finaling is 80% of the total
score available. Only those that score 80% and above will go to the final round.
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**********************************************************************
The Smoky Mountain Romance Writers of Knoxville, TN proudly announce the
Laurie Contest for unpublished authors. Deadline February 29, 2008.
Participation is open to all unpublished authors not contracted in novel
length romantic fiction 40,000 words or more at the time of the contest deadline.
Previous finalists and winners may not re-enter the winning entry, even in
edited format. They may, however, enter another work.
Guidelines
• Send a title page, the first chapter (not to exceed twenty-five
(25) pages), and the synopsis (not to exceed five (5) pages) via e-mail as an
attachment, along with the entry form to the coordinator for the category you
are entering. The total number of submitted pages for chapter and synopsis is
not to exceed 30 pages. Do not “borrow” pages from the synopsis to add more
pages to the chapter.
• Use Microsoft Word format (.doc) or rich text format (.rtf).
• The title page should be a separate attachment and include the
manuscript title, author's name, address, e-mail, telephone phone number,
category, target publisher and line, and if the manuscript is complete (this is for
our information only).
• Each page of the manuscript shall have one inch margins, be double
spaced and have the title, category, and target line in the upper left hand
corner, and a page number in the upper right hand corner in the form of a
header. Do not put your name; you will be disqualified. Font face should be Times
New Roman 14 pt., Courier, or Courier New 12 pt. Not to exceed twenty-five (25)
lines per page. The margins, number of lines, font and size will be checked.
The first page of the manuscript shall begin 1/3 of the way down the page
(about 8-12 single spaced lines).
Deadlines
• The entry, entry form and fee must be received February 29, 2008
. NO EXCEPTIONS. Use the PayPal link on the webpage to pay the entry fee. If
you prefer to send a check or money order, please contact Deborah Brent at
LaurieContest@gmail.com
• Finalists will receive notification of the final round status by
approximately March 31, 2008.
• The winners will be announced the end of April or first of May
2008.
- Short and Long Contemporary Series (40,000 - 85,000 words)
- Historical (Includes Regency):
- Single Title Contemporary (90,000 - 110,000 words) (includes
romantic suspense and mainstream)
- Paranormal/Fantasy (Includes Sci-Fi, Time Travel, Fantasy, etc.)
- Manuscripts entered in the incorrect category will be
disqualified. Contact the contest coordinator if you are unsure of the category to enter.
Entry fees will not be refunded for disqualified manuscripts.
Authors may enter as many submissions as they like. Each submission must be
on a separate entry form and must be accompanied by a separate registration
fee. The same manuscript cannot be entered in more than one category.
CATEGORY COORDINATORS
Questions should be directed to Deborah Brent Submissions should be sent to
the attention of the following Category Coordinators at:
lauriecontest@gmail.com
- Short and Long Contemporary Series: Cheryl Hutton
- Historical (including Regency): Petrina Aubol
- Single Title Contemporary: Teresa Delaney
- Paranormal/Fantasy: Stacie Webb Keller
- Members Entries (All Categories): Deborah Brent
FINAL ROUND JUDGES
Historical – May Chen, Avon
Single Title – TBA
FF&P - Chris Keeslar, Dorchester
Short and Long contemporary – Keyren Gerlach, Harlequin
Judging & Scoring--Please Read
BE AWARE THAT THIS IS A TOUGH CONTEST. Judges are required to go through an
intensive judging workshop. Judges are encouraged to write positive and helpful
comments on the manuscripts and comment sheet. Remember all comments are
subjective. Three judges will read each entry. Judges are encouraged to be
constructive and positive. A detailed comment sheet is required to be filled out by
each judge and returned to the entrant. The top five manuscripts in each
category will go to the final round. The score for finaling is 80% of the total
score available. Only those that score 80% and above will go to the final round.
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Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Erotic Language
I’ve been reading an erotic novel (and loving it as it’s from one of my favorite writers). But it just struck me that this particular writer uses much more…lurid language than I’ve seen in other erotic books. I’ll admit I don’t read a steady diet of erotics but I’ve read enough to be familiar with the words.
Now before you get your panties/shorts in a twist, let me just say that I’m no wilting flower when it comes to strong language. However, I recall a certain publisher, who shall remain nameless even though they’re no longer in business, who defined an ‘erotic’ book by the language it used. This always struck me as funny because, for heaven’s sake, you could make the old nursery rhyme ‘Jack and Jill’ erotic if you used words from the ‘erotic’ word list. (I’m reminded of George Carlin’s famous list, LOL) And we won’t even mention Mary and her little lamb (though come to think of it, that would be bestiality and most publishing houses frown on that. Thank goodness.)
To me, erotic writing doesn’t need a splattering of racy or four-letter words to be, well, erotic. Not if I’m drawn into the story, not if I like the characters, not if I worry about the plot (and, yep, there should be a plot, IMHO) and how it will affect the characters. And I love hearing the strong, earthy language when the characters are in the deep throws of lust :D Most of the time. But there are a few words that just stop me in my tracks.
I’m afraid Blogger would come stomping down on us if I listed the words here so I won’t and you don’t need to know the ones I don’t like. You probably have your own short list (or maybe it’s a long list). As for me, after that one moment of squicky unease, I keep on reading. I’m sure those of you who read erotics do as well but…
Are erotic books defined by their language? If you cut the racy words out, can the book still be erotic?
What are your thoughts?
-- Lynda
Now before you get your panties/shorts in a twist, let me just say that I’m no wilting flower when it comes to strong language. However, I recall a certain publisher, who shall remain nameless even though they’re no longer in business, who defined an ‘erotic’ book by the language it used. This always struck me as funny because, for heaven’s sake, you could make the old nursery rhyme ‘Jack and Jill’ erotic if you used words from the ‘erotic’ word list. (I’m reminded of George Carlin’s famous list, LOL) And we won’t even mention Mary and her little lamb (though come to think of it, that would be bestiality and most publishing houses frown on that. Thank goodness.)
To me, erotic writing doesn’t need a splattering of racy or four-letter words to be, well, erotic. Not if I’m drawn into the story, not if I like the characters, not if I worry about the plot (and, yep, there should be a plot, IMHO) and how it will affect the characters. And I love hearing the strong, earthy language when the characters are in the deep throws of lust :D Most of the time. But there are a few words that just stop me in my tracks.
I’m afraid Blogger would come stomping down on us if I listed the words here so I won’t and you don’t need to know the ones I don’t like. You probably have your own short list (or maybe it’s a long list). As for me, after that one moment of squicky unease, I keep on reading. I’m sure those of you who read erotics do as well but…
Are erotic books defined by their language? If you cut the racy words out, can the book still be erotic?
What are your thoughts?
-- Lynda
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Cordova Ice Worm Day
I saw this date listed as a weird holiday and just had to say...huh? Ice Worms? Almost immediately, I started thinking -- hey, neat idea for a SF story. But first I needed to satisfy my curiosity about what the devil an ice worm is, does it really exist, or is this someone's idea of a practical joke (ahem, it's not April Fool's Day, ya know).
So I did a Google search (and lol on Microsoft wanting to purchase Yahoo so they can compete with Google). First listed was the Cordova Iceworm Festival Apparently, this is the Alaskan town's attempt to enliven the dreary winter weather but it doesn't really answer what an ice worm is. So I checked with another result...on Wikipedia. Right off the bat, I was a bit leery of this article. I mean, when it says This Animal article requires clean up to conform to a higher standard of quality and This article does not cite any references or sources, it does raise doubts. There was a link to an amusing ice worm ballad though.
And a link on that page led to a tiny bit of info that proclaims ice worms to be real! Apparently these little worms are annelid worms (class Oligochaeta). Some further links claim they live only on glacial ice and come to the surface only when no longer threatened by harsh sunlight. Otherwise they stay deep inside the ice.
So...definitely cool. And you may just see an ice worm in one of my future stories. I suspect I'll make 'em bigger (they're little, about 3/4 of an inch if the sources I read are correct) and more threatening. Heck, I might even give them a pivotal role in the story.
A writer's imagination is a wonderful thing :D
Enjoy your Superbowl Sunday.
-- Lynda
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So I did a Google search (and lol on Microsoft wanting to purchase Yahoo so they can compete with Google). First listed was the Cordova Iceworm Festival Apparently, this is the Alaskan town's attempt to enliven the dreary winter weather but it doesn't really answer what an ice worm is. So I checked with another result...on Wikipedia. Right off the bat, I was a bit leery of this article. I mean, when it says This Animal article requires clean up to conform to a higher standard of quality and This article does not cite any references or sources, it does raise doubts. There was a link to an amusing ice worm ballad though.
And a link on that page led to a tiny bit of info that proclaims ice worms to be real! Apparently these little worms are annelid worms (class Oligochaeta). Some further links claim they live only on glacial ice and come to the surface only when no longer threatened by harsh sunlight. Otherwise they stay deep inside the ice.
So...definitely cool. And you may just see an ice worm in one of my future stories. I suspect I'll make 'em bigger (they're little, about 3/4 of an inch if the sources I read are correct) and more threatening. Heck, I might even give them a pivotal role in the story.
A writer's imagination is a wonderful thing :D
Enjoy your Superbowl Sunday.
-- Lynda
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Saturday, February 02, 2008
Win an ARC of 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover
My pal, Linda Wisdom, is offering--ow! Fluff! That was my ankle! What? You want to talk to the readers? Now listen--Hey! Puff! Get out of the candy jar! That's my dark chocolate! Okay, okay. You two go ahead and tell them about the deal. I'll just sit here...and guard my chocolate.
&@&@&@&@&@&@
Fluff and Puff here. Have we got a deal for you?
Wanna win an ARC of Linda's 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover? There's a lot of good stuff about us in there!
Cuz we managed to snag a copy and we'd love to give it away along with a variety of witchy inspired goodies.
All you have to do is comment to this post and your name goes in the hat (bunny slippers wear hats on special occasions) and on Valentine's Day we'll choose a name and have Linda send the book and goodies out to you.
So comment away and by the way, we are open to bribes.
Bunny slippers unite!
Fluff and Puff
&@&@&@&@&@
Okay, me again. I've read 50 WAYS TO HEX YOUR LOVER and it's fabulous, so don't miss your chance to win the free ARC these two little, um, cuties are offering. Fluff! Puff! What did I tell you about the candy jar?
I sure hope my wonderful readers make a comment or two 'cause I don't know how long I can keep these ravenous bunny slippers out of my chocolates...hey, give me that! Ouch! Puff, that was my finger! Sheesh, doesn't Linda ever feed you two?
-- Lynda
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&@&@&@&@&@&@
Fluff and Puff here. Have we got a deal for you?
Wanna win an ARC of Linda's 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover? There's a lot of good stuff about us in there!
Cuz we managed to snag a copy and we'd love to give it away along with a variety of witchy inspired goodies.
All you have to do is comment to this post and your name goes in the hat (bunny slippers wear hats on special occasions) and on Valentine's Day we'll choose a name and have Linda send the book and goodies out to you.
So comment away and by the way, we are open to bribes.
Bunny slippers unite!
Fluff and Puff
&@&@&@&@&@
Okay, me again. I've read 50 WAYS TO HEX YOUR LOVER and it's fabulous, so don't miss your chance to win the free ARC these two little, um, cuties are offering. Fluff! Puff! What did I tell you about the candy jar?
I sure hope my wonderful readers make a comment or two 'cause I don't know how long I can keep these ravenous bunny slippers out of my chocolates...hey, give me that! Ouch! Puff, that was my finger! Sheesh, doesn't Linda ever feed you two?
-- Lynda
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