Feng Shui for Writers

As part of my April A-Z blog challenge on all things mystical, here's the letter F...

Early in my writing career I was faced with the challenge of turning a tiny corner of my bedroom into an author's haven. While looking for help to tackle the clutter and lack of space, I stumbled across the concept of Feng Shui.

At first, I thought this ancient Chinese practice too mystical to be practical, but a bit of study revealed that its principles have a sound, logical base. Changes as simple and obvious as reducing clutter and applying proper lighting to the area are vital to Feng Shui. Emboldened by the logic, I used simple techniques to regain lost ground and transform chaos into a serene retreat where creative ideas beg to flow.

Feng Shui is the study of the effects of one's environment on various aspects of life, and its practitioners take the adage "Everything in its place" to a whole new level. Everything has a specific placement--even color and decor. The space to be changed is divided into eight sections: Career, Knowledge, Children, Family, Wealth, Fame, Marriage, Health, and Helpful People. This is using a BaGua octagon. http://architecture.about.com/library/nbagua.htm has an example of the BaGua. Specific elements and colors in each area enhances the aspect it represents. For instance, candles and bold reds or purples are useful in the writer's Fame area, to boost the vibrant fire of success. Fame and Career areas are also good spots for posting book covers, awards, and other tokens of success. To get money flowing, hang windchimes or place fountains in the Wealth or Career areas. A faceted crystal hung from almost any area can bring positive energy and change as well.

Does it really work? I believe the answer is a resounding yes. When entering the improved workspace, the bold inspiration of color on the walls, soft bubbling chatter of the fountain, and prismatic glitter from chimes and crystals provide an invigorating, yet peaceful place in which to let imagination stream onto paper. Needed work essentials are clutter-free and easy to access. My productivity grew better than ever, and the elusive door to becoming a professionally published author finally opened.

Once I started Feng Shui, I found it hard to stop. The rest of the house soon followed, and years later I still strive to refine and manage its practice, inside and out.

Whether my results are due to mystical forces or my own intention to improve my writing area, I cannot say. Either way, I'm convinced that the ancients had a leg up on managing modern daily living.

For more information, check out these sites:

FengShui.com
FengShuiSociety.org.uk
FengShuiNews.com

Are YOU an Empath?

As part of my April A-Z blog challenge on all things mystical, here's the letter E...

"Don’t be sad, Mommy. I believe you."
It took a moment for the words to poke through Glory’s thoughts and assemble themselves in a recognizable order. "Believe me?"
"About the things you see."
Glory stared at her, stunned. "H-how do you know about that?"
--Excerpt from VISIONS

In VISIONS I hint at the fact that the child character, Jade, has some intuitive abilities. In part, she is an empath--one who can read and sense the emotions of others.

Empathic ability is a common trait, and many have this talent in one form or the other. Being an empath, however, is not the same as having sympathy. Anyone can feel for the situation or struggle of another. Sympathy is a form of understanding. An empath, on the other hand, actually picks up--immediately takes on--another's emotions. For instance, you might be sitting happily after a satisfying day, then have a friend call in a foul mood. A sympathetic soul would probably stop smiling, but would retain their sense of self as they tried to hear out or cheer up the friend. An empath will suddenly find that THEY are angry as well, as if the other person's feelings were contagious.

Some empaths can also pick up on what someone else thinks about them that are not said out loud. This can create as stressful situation if the thoughts are negative.

Such abilities, obviously, can cause problems for the empath. Taking on negative emotions can mean a tougher day, sure, but it also means tossing those feelings back at others. Perhaps then I should add this ability can cause problems for those AROUND the empath!

Empath's abilities can be controlled, by a conscious effort to examine the "out of nowhere" feelings and attempting to push them aside. Easier said than done, perhaps, but a skill that can be attuned with practice.

Do you have any empathic abilities? Post about it here! If you’re not sure, take this quiz to find out http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=224770 .

...To Divine is Divine

...As part of the April A-Z blog challenge on all things mystical, here's the letter D...

This could have been any doctor’s waiting room, or perhaps a medium-rent attorney’s office. There was no incense, palmist maps, or Tarot cards anywhere. Glory let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. --Excerpt from VISIONS

One of the themes of VISIONS is that neither of the primary psychic characters starts off with a positive view of their powers. Divination, crystal balls, Tarot...they consider such techniques parlor tricks, either to be openly mocked or rejected as vastly undesirable. Ironic, considering they both are able to divine future events.

What is divination? How is it done? Divination is the prediction of future events through a variety of means. Reading cards, swinging a pendulum, touch psychometry (clairsentience), scrying (looking in a crystal ball, mirror, or water for images)...these are just a few of dozens of methods by which people have claimed to be able to predict the future--or to see current events occuring in another location.

Some fear such "occult" practices, claiming those who succeed do so through the influence of spirits or demons. Most merely scoff, declaring such powers impossible and dubbing those who say otherwise frauds. But those who believe--both the doers and the receivers--have other theories to offer.

One possible explanation is that the subconscious has stores of knowledge that can be passed to the conscious. Divination simply contacts that "higher self" and requests the information. Science has also done work on mathematical probability--that is, the ability to predict outcomes or solve problems with specific algorithms. Divination techniques like numerology and the I-Ching use numbers to foretell probability.

As science has many mysteries in the galaxy left to explore, I think it entirely possible that mystical powers are nothing more than a fact science has not explained yet. I've experienced things that make no sense otherwise. How else can my toddler speak out loud what I am thinking, or know the moment a family member leaves the house no matter where she is?

Volcanoes were once thought to be angry gods (still are, in some cultures.) Then science came along and told us what they truly were. If you went back in time and lit a cherry bomb in a primitive culture, you'd be declared a wizard. Here and now, it's a science any school-aged kid can master. Same holds true, I suspect, with magic and psychic power.

Sure, charlatans exist. But many with hit-and-miss records are simply honing their talent. No one expects a ballplayer to hit a home run every time, after all. Diviners (soothsayers, fortune tellers, etc) shouldn't have to, either.

What do you think? Have you used any methods to "divine" the future? Do you believe it can be done?

You're a Clair-Who?

Part of my April A-Z blog challenge on all things mystical, here's today's letter, 'C'...

“So, Glory, you’re clairvoyant...and clairsentient,” Clarice said.
Glory shifted a bit in her seat. “I’m what?”
“You not only have premonitions of the future, but feel the emotions of others.
“Oh.” Great, so there’s an official name for what ails me, she thought. She realized that she’d never bothered to try and find out.
--Excerpt from VISIONS

When I was researching psychic phenomenon in order to write the main female character for VISIONS, I ran across an interesting twist to the typical 'mind reader' image...the power of clairsentience.

Clairsentience is the ability to know facts about a person by employing the senses, typically to touch the person or handle an object connected to them. This can also encompass a full sensory experience of a psychic vision, as opposed to simply having images of the future "come to mind." Clairsentients may also be able to detect spirits in the vicinity by noticing smells, or experiencing sensations of being touched or having their hair stand on end.

This was a fascinating concept to me, in that the power of touch is well documented by science. Orphaned infants, for instance, who are denied human touch grow weak, depressed, ill, and may even die. It made sense to me that clairsentience--touching someone for a greater access to their innate energies--would aid in psychic visions.

Clairsentients also can project their senses out around them, in order to hear, see, or feel things going on at a distance or another time. This prompted some "What if" thoughts of my own, and I wondered what might happen if a clairsentient inadvertently pushed out her SIXTH sense--her psychic ability--when contacting another person. It seemed to me that this could jump start that person's own latent abilities. Thus, the fictional concept for VISIONS was born.

In reality, clairsentient ability can be developed--but not simply by bumping into a psychic. It is believed that the skill is honed through meditation, chakra work, and various exercises in concentration and outward focus.

For more information on Clairsentience, here are a few sites to check out:
http://home.xtra.co.nz/hosts/Wingmakers/Clairsentience.html
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/your_intuition/47490
http://www.occultopedia.com/c/clairsentience.htm

The Psychic Power of...Bay Leaf??

Part of my April blog series on all things mystical from A-Z, here's today's letter, B...

In my novel VISIONS, Trenton Dane gets a strong jolt from a psychic that jumpstarts his own latent paranormal abilities. But did you know that the secret to pumping up your sixth sense is likely sitting right inside your kitchen cupboard?

Bay laurel leaf has long been lauded for enhancing psychic abilities and dreams. To aid sixth sense anytime, prepare a small sachet to wear around your neck, particularly during meditation or relaxation. This sachet can also be dropped into bathwater for a prophetically enhanced soak. You can increase the psychic effect by burning the leaves.** One easy way to burn bay leaf is to simply drop one or two small leaves inside a burning jar candle. Watch carefully.

Want to increase the likelihood of prophetically-linked dreams? Scatter a few bay leaves under your pillow or make an herbal "pillow." Include a tumbled amethyst stone under your pillow and/or white, purple, and/or silver in your bed linens to enhance the effect.

Bay leaf is also said to ward off negativity when planted around your house, and can be burned to break curses. Some less "mystical" medicinal uses for bay leaf are pain relief, aid for colic and digestion, and to treat sprains or bruises.

For more info on herbs and their "mystical" properties, check out these sites:

http://grandpasgeneral.com/bosinrec.html
http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/kindlethef...lproperties.htm
http://web.ndak.net/~tarna/mysticrealms/herbs/bay.html

**CAUTION before ingesting or burning any herb, be sure to read up carefully to make sure it isn't toxic. "Bay" laurel leaves are the only members of the laurel family that are safe, for example. Also, note that bay leaf when prepared as an essential oil is mildly narcotic. It is also wise to avoid herbal remedies if you are pregnant or nursing, except under the recommendation of a physician.

Auras: Not Just for Breakfast Anymore

My publisher challenged all their authors to blog on 26 topics during the month of April, one for each letter of the alphabet. In keeping with my novel VISIONS, I will be doing a series on all things mystical.

With no further ado, here's my installment for the letter "A"...

Auras

"You can find her," she'd said, "through her aura."
New Age, here we come. "What do you mean, look for some pulsing neon arrow over her head?"
--Excerpt from VISIONS

In my novel, actor Trenton Dane is instructed to seek out the seductive psychic haunting his dreams by feeling out her aura. Needless to say, he is skeptical of such "New Age" talk, as many of us would be.

But is it "New Age" mysticism? The existence and relevance of auras are found throughout many cultures and spiritual beliefs. In Christianity, for instance, the aura shows up as a pure white or golden "halo" around saintly beings or deity such as Christ. Eastern religions also depict auras as halos in artistic renderings of holy figures.

What is this mystical-sounding entity? Most of us know auras refer to an invisible light around us; some claim to be able to see and "read" auras. Auras are generally thought to be magnetic fields or vibrations surrounding all things--even nonliving things. Rocks, crystals, water, etc have auras, though they are generally unchanging. A living being's aura changes with time and experience. What's more, the color and brightness of one's aura is a key to the type of energy they put out--in terms of personality and character.

This might sound like a load of hogwash, but did you know that scientists are studying this phenomenon and have effectively captured images of auras on film? Using a technique called the Kerlian effect, exciting the electrical field around a being or object produces an electro-photonic glow that can be photographed. Examples of this "Kerlian" photography can be seen at http://www.auraphoto.com.

Okay, so science has discovered auras exist. Who cares? Why is it important?

Since the quality of a person's aura holds hidden clues to the "real" person within, reading these can offer insight into the motives of others. I don't know about you, but I sure could have used the ability to see through someone on one or more occasions in my life. This ability could be especially useful in choosing business and romantic partners, mentors, and spiritual gurus. And the good news is, this ability can be acquired by most anyone through a series of concentration and focus exercises.

If you're interested in learning more about auras and learning to see them, check out these sites:

http://www.thiaoouba.com/seeau.htm
http://www.meaningoflife.i12.com/Auras.htm
http://www.geocities.com/cheyenneskyeforest/bos/auras.html

Good luck!

TheOnlineFair Rocks!

I'm always looking for good, unique ways to do online book promotion, and I recently came across a site called http://www.theonlinefair.com. Every month, the site hosts an online vendor Fair with games, prizes, and a variety of products. Sounded interesting, so I signed up to talk about my novel VISIONS.

Well, I did the Fair yesterday and I just had to post how great it was! Many thanks to hosts Joe and Robin for an an amazing and well organized event. Close to 70 people attended the Fair, and these folks were great. Vendors showed some awesome products like chain mail jewelry and aromatherapy/bath products, as well as some of the "biggies" like Discovery Toys, Tupperware, and Melaleuca.

There were plenty of games throughout the course of the Fair, with prizes including Avon jewelry and Princess House crystal. (Man, I was THIS CLOSE to winning the crystal oil lamp!) During my segment I gave away a miniature purple glass bottle filled with perfume oil, talked about my book, and quizzed attendees to see how psychic they are. It was great fun, and I made quite a few new friends while selling copies of VISIONS!

The Fair was such a blast, in fact, that several folks stayed on for an after party that lasted into the wee hours. I definitely plan to make the monthly Fair a regular stop on my virtual book tour, as well as just to hang out. Hope to see you there!

Dances With Ghosts

Since my first novel deals with psychic phenomena, I am often asked whether I pulled any of my tale from real life experience. Do I consider myself psychic? Do I believe in ghosts? Does magic exist?

Of course.

Case in point, I'm guest blogging over on blogspot's Raven Vampire Club this week about a ghostly encounter I had on the job about a year ago. Love a good ghost story...or wondering whether they really exist? Then check out my guest blog, detailing one of many 'tales outside the crypt' to which I've been privy over the years.

Ghosts come in different flavors--some are sad; others are vicious. Some are downright mischievous (somehow I get the feeling this will be my lot in the afterlife)...and others are just plain confused. Find out which flavor tailed me around work at: http://ravenvampireclub.blogspot.com/

Happy Hauntings...

Can a Christian Mom Write Naughty Romance?

Guest Blog: A Christian Mom Writes Dialogue (and Characters) That Scares Off Sailors

I asked friend and fellow author C.S. Engeron how she addresses the issue of writing a secular romance/paranormal mystery while attending the local Bible Study in a traditional Christian setting. Here's her take on the subject:

The next time I receive one of those e-mail questionnaires that ask everything from, "What is your favorite restaurant?" to, "Where is the most exotic place you've been on vacation?" I'll have to think long and hard about my answers.

You see, these quizzes that instruct readers to copy, fill in the personal answers and then shotgun your responses out to your e-mail list so your friends can get to know you better inevitably contain the question: "What is the one thing you MUST do before you die?" Up until now, I have always answered with the same reply: "Get My Novel Published."

Now this poses a problem...Considering the fact that my new novel "In Her Dreams" was officially published on February 22, 2007, I'm fearing for my life. Should I start planning my funeral now?

The concept of my (potential) impending doom kicks up a whole other batch of questions. For instance, as a Christian, is the content of my book going to get me barred from Heaven? Seriously -- I'm concerned here.

The characters (both men and women) of "In Her Dreams" use language that would make a truck driver cringe. They also have no issues about having sex out of wedlock. One character seeks advice from a fortune teller, another practices Native American faith healing, one woman briefly considers having an abortion and one of the men is a womanizing alcoholic who sleeps in the local jail more often than his own bed.

So imagine my recent hesitation to share the great news of my book being published with my Bible study group! I attend a huge church and I can assure you that you won't see me running around telling the pastors to check out www.outskirtspress.com/InHerDreams to purchase a copy of my new book. (Shameless plug, I know).

On one hand, I am over the moon with joy. On the other hand, I find myself warning people about the "spicy" and "racy" content of my book. Will people think I am hypocritical, or think of it as a study in duality of conscience, morals and literary tastes? I could, of course, blame it on the muse who visits me regularly at the keyboard. I could protest that, "It wasn't my fault! It is the characters talking...not me!"

At this point, it makes no difference. "In Her Dreams" is complete, published and out there for all the world to see, criticize or adore. (Preferably the latter, thank you). And the next time someone asks me what must I accomplish before I die? I'll have to adjust my standard answer to: "When I publish my 100th book."

I'll start the countdown on my personal website www.publishmydamnbook.com
(Yes that is my real website and yes that is another shameless plug.)

Happy writing and reading,
Charlene


Thanks, Charlene. So, what about you folks? Comments? Thoughts on your "Must Do" list before you hit the far beyond?

The PC EZ-Bake Oven!?

This was just too funny to keep to myself...

For those of us who are too busy with Email, blogs, and discussion groups to extract ourselves from the computer, help has finally arrived!

It's no joke, ladies and gents...with the advent of the latest handy dandy computer add-on accessory, it is now possible to enjoy all of life's necessities without ever having to step away from your PC!

What, you ask, is this life-changing gadget? Feast your eyes:

This is not a gag! For a mere $29.99 you can experience the wonders of hot baked goods, fresh out of your own PC! The PC EZ-Bake oven fits into a standard drive bay and works off your computer's power supply. Imagine the enticing aroma of chocolate chip cookies swirling around YOUR PC tower while you read the latest witty blog entry! Not just for cakes and cookies, this wonder of wonders also allows you to toast PopTarts, mini pizzas, and other culinary goodlininess.

This latest gadget joins the accessory pantheon necessary for die-hard computer users intent on ne'er straying from their desks again! For maximum convenience, you will also need the following classics:

*"Commode" Chair

*Mini-Fridge

*Credit Card (for ordering grocery delivery and other necessities)

*Travel-size toiletry kit and spray bottle of water (for webcam appearances)

*Spitoon

*Automatic electrical muscle stimulator

So there you have it! A big thanks to Rida at Draumr Publishing for discovering the PC EZ-Bake Oven, in response to my comment about the wonderful on-board cup holder on my PC that my husband keeps insisting is something called a "CD drive."

If you're wondering where to order this little baby, no worries...you needn't leave your chair to do THAT, either! Simply visit ThinkGeek and order right from your commode, er, CHAIR: http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/ezbake.shtml .

So what do you think should be next? I vote for a PC autowash with blow dryer attachment.

Get a FREE kick butt book trailer!

...by making it yourself!

I've just added a new section to my website at http://lisalogan.net ... Workshops. Workshop #1 is a DIY tutorial on how to put together a book trailer/video presentation that will have people talking. It's easier than you may think, and what's more, it's based on software that Windows users already have on their systems!

Whether you're a writer looking for cutting edge ways to promote your work, make trailers already and are interested in tips on how to make them even better, or simply want to take photos or home movies and create a jazzy presentation like no other, the DIY Book Trailer Workshop is just the thing for you!

The self study course contains a wealth of information, including:
1. Why you need a trailer
2. What goes into an effective presentation
3. Common mistakes to avoid
4. How-to's for producing a trailer, including timing your piece to a musical score and adding special effects
5. Where to showcase your trailer once it's finished

A brand new forum has been added for discussion and questions along the way.

So don't hesitate! Visit http://lisalogan.net today and click the new Workshops link to get started! Oh, and for those who have or will be making book trailers, stay tuned for information on a trailer CONTEST that MysteryAuthors.com will be sponsoring early this summer.

Happy "Trails!"

Dr. Seuss Wrote...My Book??

Just when I thought I've seen it all...

A mere twenty-four hours into riding the high a new author experiences when debuting their first novel, I received a complaint from a Borders in Illinois. Seems they tried to order copies of Visions for their store, but couldn't find it. Curious, I did a little recon on my listings. It went something like this:

Publisher site....CHECK.

Amazon.com.....CHECK.

Barnes&Noble...HUH?

What's wrong with this picture:

Seems that my book was actually published and illustrated by none other than Theodore Seuss Geisel, aka "Dr. Seuss!"

I wonder what fans would think to know that the author of The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs&Ham switched to paranormal romance...

fifteen years after his death!

Thought I'd share this to give you all a laugh. It's not every day that a world famous writer tries to take credit for a newcomer's work...posthumously!

I've contacted my publisher, who is working with the distributor to fix the error. Meanwhile, Visions is available on Amazon, or my publisher site: Draumr Publishing.

I'm 'Spacing Out

Though I stoically resisted for a variety of eccentric reasons, after a year of watching my husband have all kinds of jazzy fun on MySpace I succumbed to the lure of my own page.

Just a few weeks after setting up my account, all I can say is WOW. What a great networking tool...and way to make friends. The learning curve is minimal, and while a bit of effort is necessary to build and maintain a presence, the results have been quicker and greater than any other online promotion I've tried. Coming from someone who's worked on Internet author promotion for a decade, that's saying something. Traffic to my personal site--and signups to my mailing list--have gone way up since joining. It's worked so well, in fact, that I'm debating whether to shuck this blog altogether and link lisalogan.net straight to my MySpace blog.

Are you 'spacing too? Check out my page at http://myspace.com/authorlisalogan. Then Add me as a friend! If you haven't launched yet and are looking for a good way to increase your online exposure, sign up and spend a few minutes a day for the next three weeks getting yourself established. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Do YOU Tube?

Well I did it...joined the ranks of the not-so-rich-or-famous at YouTube.com, where I can view and share free streaming video. What a great site! Those ready to fly on over to check it out should be forewarned, though...watching the clever, shocking, and hilarious footage there can quickly become addicting.

My favorite YouTube selection is the Clerks-genre ripoff, "Chad Vader." Well, that's not entirely true. My FAVORITE selection is the awesome, sultry, and stylishly short trailer for VISIONS (if I do say so myself). Another recommended short: G4TV's Star Trek Karaoke spoof.

If you're a reader, there are plenty of book trailers aside from mine on YouTube. Pop "book trailers" into the search box and you'll find enough streaming fiction to keep you entertained for some time. And if you check out my trailer, drop me a comment (and rating) there and let me know!

Do YOUTube? I'd love to hear about your favorite video--or the one you made yourself. Post it in comments and I'll take a look.

So start Tubing...and have fun!


Lisa.... Writing in My Wildest Dreams at http://lisalogan.net
**Pssst...mention BLOGGER When preordering VISIONS at lisalogan.net and get 10% off your purchase!**

At this time of year, New Year's resolution blogs abound. Endless lists of things people vow to do over the coming year can be found at every turn. I confess that there is something quite compelling about examining the corners of one's life as the calendar comes to its final page. Perhaps it is mere habit, or the need to keep up with the Joneses--who, after all, are busy resolving to lose weight and take that vacation they've talked about for years. Either way, come New Year's one is hard pressed not to take stock of the three hundred days behind--and ahead.

Last year I blogged about my NON-resolution for 2006, and that is where my mind drifts when running a mental abacus of how the year went. What's a non-resolution? For those not inclined to read the blog in question to find out (which, I suspect, represents most), I resolved to NOT do anything.

To that end, 2006 was a wild and smashing success. As suspected, it was easier to do nothing about resolutions than to do something. Thus, I did not bother with any fad diets (and still gained and lost the same ten pounds three times over), I was not too busy to stop and play with my toddler, and was partly successful in not worrying over things I have no control over anyway. The only hiccup on my non-resolution list: the promise not to get angry when cut off on the highway. Fate saw fit to help me with this goal by leaving me without a car for over half the year. Lesson learned, filed under the category of, "Be Careful What You Wish For."

Granted, this doesn't mean I accomplished nothing all year. I changed religions, adopted a child, got a novel contracted for publishing, had two other pieces of writing published, judged two writing competitions, and became editor for a new flash fiction publication (MysteryAuthors.com's Minute Mystery, a quarterly webzine). Most important, I became a happier person. I suspect many of these accomplishments were made possible by none other than my non-resolution; by vowing not to worry, fret, or belittle myself, this opened the door for personal energies to fund my life's pursuits.

That being the case, I've decided to vow my non-resolution for 2007. I can't wait to see what doing nothing brings to my life for the coming year.

Twelve Steps to Writing, Fast-Draft Style

Ever hear of NaNoWriMo? It's National Novel Writing Month. Yep, there is such a thing, and it's held every November. The point? To write a novel (or 50,000 words) in thirty days. Why on Earth would anyone want to attempt such madness? To light a fire under those of us who love to write fiction.

"Sounds impossible," you say. "No one can write that fast." For sure, when I first heard about NaNo last year I was one of the naysayers. After all, my own first book, Visions, took eighteen months to complete; the second, Twelve Steps to Murder, was only 2/3 complete after four months.

Well, HA! Not only are people finding this doable, I'll go you one better. Enter Candace Havens' Fast Draft Workshop. The author of several books including Charmed and Dangerous, Candace has devised a class that not only matches NaNoWriMo's goal--it attempts to exceed it by more than HALF. That's right--her course teaches participants to pound out a 70,000-word first draft in TWO WEEKS.

I stumbled across this course by accident and was intrigued. With revisions for Visions still due back from the publisher, I'd already decided to resume work on other projects while waiting. Perhaps, I thought, this workshop could help. If nothing else, it probably wouldn't hurt. With as many story ideas as my brain likes to conjure up, my snail's pace execution definitely needed a boost.

As it turns out, Fast Draft might just be the jet pack my writing needed. After signing up and learning the method, I set to work and managed to accumulate 74 pages on Twelve Steps to Murder with three days of writing effort--hopefully eighty by the end of tonight. That brings my MS within close sight of its major climax and ending sequences.

Not that the process is all sunshine and lollipops. Two things are evident with speed writing. First, even more fleshing out will be required in revision than my former (also known as neanderthal) method entails, which is already a substantial amount. Second, it's darn hard to pound out twenty pages every day, even if you're committed to succeeding. Still, pound out pages I have, and my hats off to folks like Ms. Havens who have used this method to produce numerous published works.

For anyone wondering, Ms. Havens also has a follow up course titled: Revision Hell and How To Get Through It. I suspect this will be the perfect companion piece to the rapid-fire writing extravaganza currently underway. If nothing else, this adventure will help greatly with my upcoming NaNoWriMo project, a chick-lit titled A Grand Seduction that is outlined and ready to rocket out of the gate come November 1.

For more information on NaNoWriMo, visit http://www.nanowrimo.org. If you'd like to know more about the Fast Draft workshop, visit Candace's site at http://www.candacehavens.com and click the "Workshops" button.

Happy writing!

Visions and Dreams

"With the contract for her first novel signed and safely tucked into the mail, the satisfied writer sits back with a cup of tea (Lipton, brewed in the sun with sugar and a sprig of fresh mint), shoves the keyboard aside to put her feet up, and revels in the wonder of a job well done. After all, she's been working toward this moment for almost a decade--she's earned a rest." Right?

Wrong! Now that Visions is set for publishing, the REAL work of a writer begins. Revisions, edits, cover art, galleys, and, of course, marketing must now commence in earnest. Not to mention that work on the next novel, Twelve Steps to Murder, must get back underway as well. Each part of this process spins another strand of raw silk into the cocoon a writer must step inside in order to emerge an "author."

It's an exciting and busy process that will ensure you won't find me browsing eBay for the best deal on laurels to rest upon! You will find me posting updates on the book's progress as it moves closer to release, however...so stay tuned!

Call for Entries: Writing Contest

Here's the skinny on the writing contest I'm helping organize and judge on mysteryauthors.com!

Do you like to write mysteries and/or flash fiction? Enter MysteryAuthors.com's Dead Giveaway Flash Fiction contest for a chance to win a cash prize, and have your work published on a popular mystery site!

Tell us your best mystery in 1,000 words or less, but there's a twist! Your story MUST begin with one of the following sentences, each taken from an existing published mystery:

That looks more like human sacrifice than a wedding ceremony.
--(taken from Driven to Death by Carolyn Rose)

He fought for breath, his heart pounding fast.
--(taken from Cock of the Walk by Wendy Laing)

It lay in wait, blazing eyes of amber piercing the inky darkness.
--(taken from A Kink in the Tale by Lisa Logan)

Amelie would never forgive them for murdering Mathieu.
--(taken from Beneath the Morvan Moon by Courtney Mroch)

Contest opens for entries June 15, 2006. Deadline for entries is August 1, 2006. First prize is 1/2 of total entry fees received and the entry published on mysteryauthors.com. Honorable mention will also have their story published on the site. Entry fee: $5.

For complete rules, information on our judges, and entry details, visit MysteryAuthors.com. Good luck!

My New Year's Non Resolution

Though I've never been big on the concept of the New Year's resolution, I'll admit that this time of year does seem to force enough self reflection for me to have given in to this tradition on a number of occasions. As is the case for many fellow resolvers, I start off with utter dedication, progress to halfhearted boredom, and end with full blown resolution amnesia. This process takes anywhere from three weeks to four months.

So I've decided that this year, while others are vowing to lose that five (or fifty) pounds, be a better person, and earn more money, my resolution would be about not doing anything. My vow of "Non" resolution will hopefully be simpler to achieve than previous years' goals, as it is often easier to do nothing than something. I speak from experience.

Now, this isn't to say that I've decided to shut myself inside a time capsule in suspended animation and emerge victorious (and no doubt stiff and sore) in 2007. Rather, I have compiled a list of things I will NOT be doing this year. For instance, I will not get angry (or possibly vengeful) when cut off on the highway. I will not bother with fad diets that may or may not work--temporarily. I will not be too busy to stop and play with my two-year-old, her teddy bear, and her Lamb Chop puppet. And, I will not worry about people, places, and things that I have no control over anyway.

In 2005 I spun my wheels, putting in nineteen hour days and more to make sure I was doing enough to get ahead, to make up for my medical leave, to make up time and money to people who really couldn't have cared less about my sacrifice. Perhaps this new policy of NOT will prove to be the missing board I need under my wheels to gracefully move ahead, rather than sinking deeper in the mud every time I step on the gas.

Idea Overload: Adventures in (trying to finish) Editing

Well, as further proof that I am perpetually too excited by ideas for projects to stay focused on just one, I've been working on an article when I should be editing my fiction manuscript, Visions.

People often ask writers, "How do you get ideas?," not understanding that once one learns to think like a writer this is never an issue. Inspiration tends to strike around every corner--the hazard is in trying to juggle the overstock. These I hastily jot into a trusty four-inch spiral notepad--I have a Palm Pilot but typically stick to pen and paper lest fleeting ideas leave before I can switch the PDA on and try to remember the Graffiti equivalent to the letter K.

The inspiration now competing with my book for shotgun seating began as a conversation with a coworker. Both of us being film buffs, we were lamenting the endless smorgasboard of leftovers Hollywood has been dishing up in the form of remakes, sequels, prequels, and spinoffs. Neither of us had any hard facts to this effect, but we FELT it. Suddenly I decided this sixth sense warranted further investigation, and the idea for an article was born.

The first draft of Visions had just been gingerly tucked in for a pre-editing hibernation period when the idea hit, so I felt I had spare time (after a fashion) to undertake the new project. Makes a good story, anyway. Days stretched into weeks, then we picked up and moved, and suddenly the manuscript began whining for attention from its lonely box in the corner. So now my writing personality is split into fiction/nonfiction components, with research, interviews, and queries fizzing away part of the day, the fiction manuscript suffering brutal strokes of my editing pencil the rest.

Then there's my recent arts and crafts binge, which I blame on idly clicking a Netscape.com Cool Site of the Day...crafster.org. Saw a tote bag made out of woven magazines and have gone purse crazy making these out of family photos as well as magazines for fun, family, and posterity. I need a crafting intervention, and I need it now.

In any event, though my desk looks like a paper mill exploded and the dining area has enough fabric, magazines, and supplies to warrant an entire crafts fair, the work progresses on all fronts. The book is fifty pages into its second editing revision; research for the article is complete, the query written, and interview questions being undertaken; my newfound craft will help solve the dilemma of what to get the womenfolk on my Christmas list.

And I swear that once this article's finished I won't start anything new until after the book is finished and query sent out. Except there's this neat window hanging from dried orange slices I need for my kitchen. And the other day I had a fun idea for a story about a haunted clock. And then there's that great idea I'm going to have tomorrow. ack.