If it Scares You...

There are times when I am tempted to play it safe, take the path most traveled and lean toward the conservative side when writing; and then, I stand up at my desk, jump up and down three or four times and shake it off.  When I feel this stagnation coming on in life, I jump from a plane, skinny dip or do something else exhilarating to liven things up.

I try to make a conscious effort to live on the edge on paper and in life.  That doesn't mean live dangerously, but purposefully.  It doesn't mean to live carelessly, but care-freely.  I think it means to embrace every chance you're given and whenever you can, choose the path less traveled and leave a piece of yourself on the trail.  That is to say, pour a little bit of yourself onto the pages even if it's scary. 

Writing my novels has taken me into some dark places.  For the Just Call Me Angel series I studied the Mafia and for House of Lies I studied cult groups, past and current.  Writing The Candy Shop took me to a new precipice, as I studied the psychological profiles of serial killers.  It was uncomfortable and, at times, downright creepy.  I dove in nonetheless and I'm thankful I did.  The newly found knowledge I embraced added a depth to each story that otherwise would not exist.  It scared me, but the positive reviews have made those fearful moments worthwhile.  :) 

Trying something new or looking at something from a new perspective can cause trepidation.  Those feelings are normal.  If it scares you a little... you're on the right path.  ~

Summer Writing Contest

Vanilla Heart Publishing is offering a 2013 summer contest and the winner gets their book published.   If you're a writer who has been seeking a publisher, this is a wonderful opportunity to submit your work. 

Visit the website today for submission guidelines.  Just click on the picture below.

 

 

Or, you can copy and paste the following link into your browser:

http://www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com/2013_Summer_Contest.html

 

Good luck!  :)

Every-Day People with Great Stories

I am currently working on a suspense story about a forty year old woman who finds herself overwhelmed by the prospect that her life is half over.  With her children now in college, her wonderfully warm home has become an empty nest…a place where her big-shot attorney husband comes only to sleep, shower and change his clothes.  She’s lonely.  For eighteen years her life has revolved around her children, their interests, their activities, and their dreams.  Somewhere along the line she lost herself in them and now that they are gone, she wonders if life is even worth living.  Her lavish home in an upscale neighborhood feels like nothing more than a million dollar shroud of loneliness.  Her hopes and dreams have all but been forgotten until an old friend reminds her of a passion once pursued, now lying dormant, but still very much a part of her heart.

If you are in this age group and have felt this empty nest syndrome…I would love to hear your story.  How did you handle it?  How is your life different today?  Email me at:  AuthorSRClaridge@gmail.com

Behind every great novel are the great stories of every-day people. ~

Readers ROCK!

Whenever I complete a manuscript and head into the editing process, my blogging slows down, which is what has been happening these past two weeks.  Editing is not as much fun as the creative process of writing, at least not for me; though I will say that I don’t despise it altogether.  It is a necessary evil, but the outcome is good.

So, please bear with me these next few days as I attempt to fine tune my manuscript.  After which, I will resume blogging regularly and will share some very funny letters I’ve recently received from readers. 

As always, thank you for reading my blog and my books.  Readers ROCK!  J

That Much Closer to Success

I've had many writers contact me, asking the same question:  "Now that my book is finished, how do I get it published?" 

The first step is to decide what path you want to take.  Do you want to seek representation with a Literary Agent, who will then attempt to sell your book to a Publishing House?  Do you want to solicit your manuscript directly to a Publisher?  Or do you want to self-publish your work?

If you choose either of the first two options, you will need to know how to write a query letter, a synopsis, an outline (if your book is non-fiction), write a proposal and develop a short pitch.

There are many books available to teach writers these very skills.  My advice is to buy one and use the examples to help you as you draft your own query, synopsis and pitch. (I recommend "The Writers Guide to Queries, Pitches & Proposals" by Allen, Moira Anderson)

Once you feel like you have perfected your entire proposal package, research agents or publishers and determine which one is a good fit for your book. (I recommend picking up a copy of "The 2013 Writers Market Guide").  Each agent and/or publisher listing will tell you their submission guidelines, as well as they type/genre of books they are seeking and accepting.  Follow their guidelines.   If you don't, you are only wasting their time and yours.

The most important thing to remember is that the process of seeking representation can take time and can be a pathway riddled with rejection letters.  Don't let them discourage you or cause you to give up.  Keep writing, editing, re-writing and putting your work out there.  Every so-called failure brings you that much closer to success. ~

A Writing Assignment

I needed to go to Wal-Mart for some bulk shopping.  Our home was bare, which happens every time I am deep in the throes of writing another novel.  I needed to replenish just about everything.  Toilet paper, Kleenex, paper towels, detergent, cleaning supplies, not to mention bulk food items.  As usual I was on a tight schedule so I told my 9 year old and 11 year old, who I was dragging with me to the store, that we were not stopping to look at clothing, toys, video games, books or anything else remotely exciting.  We were on a mission.  Get in, get what was on Mommy’s list and get out…quickly.  The key word:  Quickly!  As we walked toward the front doors I reiterated, “we are only buying what is on my list and nothing else.”  The underlying message in that sentence was:  DON’T ASK ME TO BUY YOU ANYTHING! 

We entered the store and my 11 year old daughter made an immediate beeline for a blouse, meanwhile my son jetted off toward the chocolate chip Poptarts and the begging began.  “Pleeeeaaase?”  Their eyelashes bat and the pouty lip came out.  “I neeeeeed it!” They said in unison.   I re-stated my original stance that we were in a hurry and NOT looking at things that weren’t on my list.  The begging continued.  “Well, if I can’t have pop tarts, can I have an action figure?”  Negotiated my 9 year old son.   

By the time we made it out of the store, I was flushed with frustration and anger; convinced that I had raised the most spoiled children on the planet.  Driving home I resolved to fix my poor childrearing skills by giving them the spiel every mother gives on how there are other children in the world without toys and video games and who have never tasted a pop tart; and how they should be thankful for all they have.   

As we pulled into the garage I turned to my children and announced they were grounded for the next thirty minutes, during which time they would each go to their rooms and write me a one page essay on the difference between needs and wants; and they would write about how richly they have been blessed. 

I lectured them on how, as their mom, it was my job to provide for their needs, namely to give them food, water, clothing, shelter and to let them know they are loved and cherished, to support their dreams and help them achieve their goals.  It was NOT my job to buy them everything they wanted every time they wanted it. 

Thirty minutes of writing didn't un-spoil my children, but it did give me a half an hour of peace and quiet; not to mention two adorable little letters I have tucked away to use one day as instruments of blackmail, or at the very least, for a good laugh.  :)