What I've Learned So Far

Last weekend, I was at a writers' retreat with my writing group, Heartland Romance Authors. We stayed at a nice hotel and spent a lot of time intensely focused on our craft. I learned more about the technical tools of the trade, using the most effective point of view for the story, storytelling that features criminal minds and hunting criminals, using better dialogue, marketing and building a brand as a writer, and understanding the male viewpoint. 

Basically, I have to ask myself one major question when I work on my writing. Will what I'm doing make me a better writer? I've decided that having a web presence is important. I have this blog and I post my stories online for the wonderful people who help me out by critiquing my chapters. I’m lucky to have them in my corner.

I met Claire Ashgrove, who is an amazing writer and editor. Her company, Finish the Story, works with authors to help get their stories ready for independent online publishing.  You can find out more about this company by going to the website at: http://www.finish-the-story.com/index.html. Ms. Ashgrove will also be appearing at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival during the last weekend of September to promote her historical romance “Immortal” books. Yes, I realize that this is a plug. I promise that she is experienced at her craft. She was an editor at Wild Rose Publishing before striking out on her own. Feel free to check out any of her stories at: http://www.amazon.com/Claire-Ashgrove/e/B0040UFCR2.

I have learned quite a bit about budgeting my time between work, family, and writing. This is hard considering that I’m still working more than one job. I do spend a lot of time jotting things down when I can and a lot of time thinking about my characters and story for the chapter that I’m working on. This helps things to flow better when I sit down in front of the computer. I have a lot mapped out by that point.

I have a link with information to help my fellow writers. I want to thank all of you for your support by offering a resource. The article is called The Essential Invisible Thing by Molly O’Neill at: http://writeoncon.com/2012/08/the-importance-of-craft-by-editor-molly-oneill/.

Last weekend was also special because my friend, Angela got married. She is living her own real-life romance story. She has written a story titled An Unlikely Friendship that would make a wonderful novella. I hope that she considers developing it for Amazon through the Kindle Singles program.

For more information about this program, check it out at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_354802082_7?ie=UTF8&docId=1000700491&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=browse&pf_rd_r=0MN2R9G1T8VT52YD4XND&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1387185262&pf_rd_i=2486013011

As you know, I am working on finishing Come Back to Me. I am on chapter nine and halfway through writing the book. That is really exciting. I also have another story called Dreamscape that I am excited about, but I am working on that very slowly. I want to get Come Back to Me and Welcome to Cambridge House finished first. I will get back to working on Welcome to Cambridge House when Come Back to Me is sent off for editing.

So that’s where I am in my writing process so far this year. I will try to continue to provide updates and resources in this blog in new monthly entries.

Distraction Is a Beast Of a Challenge

Finally, creative writing class is over. I've written seven chapters of Come Back to Me so far. I haven't worked on Welcome to Cambridge House all summer. I will work on that when I have time after the regular school year starts in August.

Unfortunately, I was hit by the ailment that most writers suffer from at one point or another, distraction. Distraction is difficult to overcome. I got a new story idea that wouldn't let go of me until I got it down on the page. You must be thinking that I'm crazy. How can I get my other two stories finished and published if I procrastinate and start new stories? My answer to that is a promise to only work on this other idea when the distraction monster hits. I finally got it on the page and the monster is quiet for now. The distraction is gone. If you are interested, please check it out. The story is called Dreamscape. I posted it on my sites on FictionPress and Wattpad.

If you are interested in reading any new chapters for my stories, please check out my sites at:
http://www.wattpad.com/user/LaurieMills

and

http://www.fictionpress.com/~writersdream72

As always, your reviews and support means so much to me. Thank you!

My inspiration

My creative writing class had a discussion about writer's block. How do you overcome it? I shared some great techniques that I learned in my previous writing class. The thing is that my answer is so simple. For me, I just watch an episode of my favorite TV show, watch a favorite movie, read one of my favorite books, or listen to music. I often listen to music when I write. I'm hooked on that feeling that I get when I'm lost in a story.

Songs tell a story, just like books, TV shows, and movies do. I get lost in those stories. It helps with the creative flow. I stick to books by my favorite authors, sometimes I re-read the same book twenty times. A good story makes you fall in love with the characters. I want to keep turning the pages. I hope to inspire that same feeling in readers when people read my stories.

A friend recommended a YouTube music video to me today that I've never seen, "Sweep the Leg" by No More Kings. It's got tons of great 80's movie moments in it. The actor who played Mr. Belding from Saved by the Bell is in it. It made me laugh. I went in search of Matthew Broderick Super Bowl Commercial again. Matthew Broderick will always be Ferris Bueller to me. I have these moments that made me smile and inspire my creativity.

A device that inspires my creativity is my transmitter. It allows my iPod music to play through my car stereo. I use it all the time. I have playlists for scenes that I'm getting ready to write. My characters have favorite songs. I make playlists for all of these and play them back when I need a little extra boost to keep momentum going. I'm getting to the point where I know my characters so well that they each have a favorite movie. For example in my latest story, Come Back to Me, the main character, Lexi McKenna's favorite movie is Romancing the Stone. Mike and Lexi's song is "Forever" by the Beach Boys.

My favorite author is LaVyrle Spencer. Ms. Spencer based most of her books in Minnesota, which is where she was born and raised. I recently had the honor of meeting Kansas City author, Dyann Love Barr and discussed her work with her. Her most recent novel, A Perfect Bride For Christmas, is based in Kansas City. My main character, Lexi is from a small town in LaPorte County, Indiana. I'm setting my stories in places where I have been so there is a real feel to the story. I want to make my story locations come to life.

I'm choosing to write about places that I know. I hope that it will give my stories a more real feeling. I've never been to Minnesota, but thanks to LaVyrle Spencer, I feel like I have. I want my readers to have that experience. I hope that I will be able to write characters that are real to my readers. That all starts with inspiration. Due to my various sources of inspiration, I'm starting to get to know each one of my characters and my story is moving right along a little bit each day. Thanks for allowing me to share them with you.

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

A friend referred me to an editor. The editor is nothing short of amazing, but expensive. I'm going to have to decide what needs to be submitted, and what doesn't. Everyone has been so encouraging. I'm amazed every time someone compliments me on my work. I did not grow up in an encouraging atmosphere. I had a working class family who wanted to ground me in reality and told me to work hard to support my family.

So, I worked hard at a regular job and spent years writing stories in notebooks. Thanks to the Internet, I finally found the courage to post some of my stories. The response was so pleasant and unexpected. I've never had anyone tell me that they enjoyed my writing before. Okay, I did in high school. I was on the school newspaper. I wrote stories that my friends read. It was fun. To be honest, it's been a long time since high school.

It's nice to have a creative outlet that I enjoy and have people tell me that I can make money from my writing. I've always dreamed of becoming a published author. The people in my creative writing class have been so supportive. I've had lots of helpful hints. The most helpful hint is to keep writing. Write, write, write- edit later. I just to thank all the wonderful people who have given me feedback and been so supportive. Thank you. If I don't get published, I will consider self-publishing on Amazon. I promise that everyone who reads my stories will be able to read the finished product.

A New Beginning

This is day one of my new blog. I'm not used to creating blogs or webpages, so bear with me. I wanted to use my name in my blog address under blogspot, but the system wouldn't allow it. I want readers to be able to find this blog, so I came up with the idea to add the word writer along with  my name. Hopefully, it's not too cheesy or redundant. I can imagine people saying, "Yeah, we know that you're a writer. Are you trying to convince us or yourself?" The answer is neither. I just wanted something identifiable with my name because I am a new writer and I want people to find this blog easily.

So far, my writing experience has been limited to writing on sites like Fictionpress and in my Creative Writing classes. I won two honors in my last creative writing class. One of the judges wrote that he or she wanted to read more of my work. That comment really motivated me to continue writing. I signed up for two more writing classes. I'm in my third one now. We were doing the activity, Two Truths and a Lie. I mentioned my awards as one of my truths. I'm really proud to have my writing recognized.

A classmate in my new class commented that she thought that statement was the lie. She also commented that I must not really be that good of a writer if I'm still taking creative writing classes. Yes, she really wrote that. It really woke me up. There is a time to learn through practice, and there is a time to learn through experience. I'm realizing now that it is time for me to learn through experience, trial by fire. I received a couple more comments like this from classmates and realized that I may not be in the best place to grow as a writer.

It may be time for me to leave the safety of the classroom and enter the world as a serious writer. I decided to join Heartland Romance Authors this week. I went to my first meeting yesterday. From the moment I sat down, I knew that I was in the right place. I felt like I belonged. These men and women are experienced and serious about their craft. It's a step in the right direction. What a relief! I sat down to the computer today and felt better than I have all week.