February Sunshine

Here in Hampshire it has been a lovely sunny weekend with morning hard frosts and glorious star filled nights drifting into warm bright sunshine. Snowdrops, early primroses and daffodils. A taste of spring.

The early salads have germinated in the unheated greenhouse [ which reached 19C yesterday according to the greenhouse thermometer] and the first of the Spring insect life has emerged in my garden.

Red Admiral and Brimstone butterflys. A bumble bee - probably a queen from overwinter.

I can only hope they survive on the few flowering plants and early ornamental cherry blossom.

Of course once you are in the garden you start to notice the huge amount of clearing and clipping that needs to be done before the real Spring push starts. And did I mention the ground Elder?

I am always amazed the difference a little sunshine can make to the world- both external, and internal? We are stoking the fires of new energy and drive.

Jazzed up about YOUR work yet?

Triumph of the Unconscious?

Billie Mernit - author of 'Writing the Romantic Comedy' and blogger extraordinaire, also teaches screenwriting.


His blog today http://www.livingromcom.typepad.com/ is linked to a course he is running with guest of honour Nick Kazan -


'Perseverance was a theme in our discourse: working sometimes for years on a story to get it right, with the particular kind of stubborn will-power that's central to the modern storyteller's craft and career survival.

Simultaneously what struck me as a through-line in our conversation, surfacing in different contexts as we discussed how a story takes shape and develops on the page, was how much of the screenwriter's method is intuitive.
When he starts to write a scene, Nick favors literally closing his eyes and letting the images flow.

"Just watch what happens in the scene, don't try to force it," he said, "then write down what you see.

Then close your eyes again.

You're tickling the unconscious... If you let the movie happen, let the characters speak, then what you get is more visual and cinematic."

And we talked about how film operates like a dream.'



















I have heard romance authors speaking about how they work in a similar way.

Maybe it is something I should try for myself? Give the girls in the basement something to work on during the night? Could be...










What's playing on my YouTube right now? Guys from Roswell to Toxic. [Yes, I know, I have no time to watch TV shows like Roswell.]
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KqDFWKCeYHs&feature=PlayList&p=CB2A008B473B9A92&index=8

Know your Brand

CJ Lyons is a new Medical Thriller Writer to me, and there are some interesting articles on her website http://cjlyons.net/articles.shtml .


One in particular struck home - in 'Birth of a Book' she writes;


' You already know what kind of book you wrote and what kind of books you want to write. Now you need to consolidate that into a brand.


A brand is a subliminal promise to your readers—that any book written under this
author's name will promise this type of emotional experience.


For example.... every book I write has a theme central to my life: they're all about
making a difference, trying to change the world. For me, once I realized this fact, the tagline came easily: No One is Immune to Danger
Note that is an emotional concept, not a promise of specifics.'

This is a familiar concept to writers of Romantic Fiction, and most authors have a form of Tagline on their websites and promotional material.

But this article did make me consider one aspect which was new to me.


In ALL of the books I have ever written. Ever. Was there one common theme?

Was there one common element which was important to me and central to my life?

One common Tagline which has been there for the last 10 years and will see me through the next?

Well, working that one out should keep me busy for a while.

Second Item - I am thrilled to have been presented with a Blog award by both Liz Fenwick and Debs - thank you so much ladies. It makes me feel that this is not only a fine form of procrastination. http://www.lizfenwick.blogspot.com/,

http://debcarrs-daydreams.blogspot.com/.

What's Playing on my YouTube today? Power Wake-up Music. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1260qaj1Hc8&feature=PlayList&p=5505018970D42764&index=8&playnext=4&playnext_from=PL

Off to a Fast Start

Down to the Starting Blocks

I have now cut three full chapters - about 7000 words - from the start of my Romantic Suspense in order to increase the pace and get to the inciting starting point earlier.

Totally scary. I admit it. Better for the story and for the reader, but oh boy, does it hurt. THIS IS GOOD STUFF I AM CUTTING OUT HERE!!

Yes, I have kept it in another file, but now, all I have to do is weave all of the plot and character details from the cut chapters into the remaining text. Seamlessly.

Sigh.

Shoulders back, head high. Beaker of tea at the ready.

I am going in. And I may be some time.

No YouTube this morning. Listening to Harpsichord music on BBC Radio 3.

An Overnight success

David Baldacci has created some fantastic thrillers over the years - although my favourite is still 'Absolute Power' - but I came across this article in the New Statesman which reflects his humility, and amazement at the way fiction writers are perceived.

http://www.newstatesman.com/199905100048

'Most sane people don't believe they can play basketball like Michael Jordan or wear the Yankees' pinstripes like Babe Ruth did, or paint like da Vinci or Pollock, or sing like Kathleen Battle or Celine Dion, or act like Olivier or De Niro. Yet most people, sane or mad, believe they can write fiction. Writing is probably the one creative endeavour that everyone believes they could do, if they just had the time.'

Very apt considering the recent press on Category Romance.

What's Playing on my YouTube at the moment? Madeleine Peyroux -I'm all right. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YfJrwLJJp3A&feature=PlayList&p=10960FB742FA50ED&index=40

Spring Clean with a new broom

Checklist:

1. Submit Short Category Romance and prepare to be patient. DONE

2. Clear desks. Back up work onto DVDs and hard drive. Clean up files on PC and Internet Favourites. DONE.

3. Attend RNA lunch and meet pals new and old, and chat for hours AND see Kate Hardy be presented with her award. DONE with a wide grin. Fabulous!

4. Start new romance story. Or not.

I have been working for the last 12-18 months on a number of short category romance titles, reading and writing exclusively in that genre, and have come to the conclusion that it is now time to step back, and spend the next few months reading and writing other fiction which I enjoy and love to write.

Medical Thrillers and Romantic Suspense.

Time to get the 'girls in the basement' into fitness training and fired up on something fresh.

So. Two new items to be added to the list.

a. Read and revise as necessary the synopsis and first 3 chapters of the Romantic Suspense novel I wrote 3 yrs ago. This was the one which had a second read on the RNA New Writers Scheme and had terrific feedback. It was originally marketed at the Silhouette Bombshell series and includes exploding yachts, motorcycle chases, handsome Greek coastguards and a deeply wounded heroine. Who can kick ass when she needs. In designer clothing.

b. Submit Romantic Suspense to selected agents and editors.

THEN back to my Medical Thriller. Tune in later.

Away from the desk

Since Mr Ray-Anne has a few days holiday, we took ourselves off to London yesterday for a spot of lunch – French Bistro – and an art gallery where we could both enjoy Victorian painting.

Shame about the lashing rain and howling wind, but it was worth it.

We have seen the fine examples in the Tate, but there are a number of places in London where you can see Pre-Raphaelites, and I have never been to the Guildhall in the City and the area around St Paul’s Cathedral and Bank of England.

http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/trlout_gfx_en/TRA18181.html

Although the Guildhall does charge £2.50 for non London residents, the Victorian collection is well worth going to see. Especially the Alma Tademas, and original photographs of Victorian artists at work, including a very handsome Burne-Jones.

Added bonus? They found the remains of a Roman amphitheatre when excavating the extension and you can go to the basement and see it.
The building is clean, very well lit and quiet. Almost like having your own art gallery.

http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/leisure_heritage/libraries_archives_museums_galleries/guildhall_art_gallery/

We finished the day off with a trip to see the refurbished St Pancras Station before heading back to the sticks.

I had forgotten how tiring walking around the city for 5 hours can be! Even in trainers. I suspect the tube and black cabs will be much in use on Monday for the RNA lunch.