I had a different post planned for today, but this one seems anxious to be written, so I am obliging.As most of you know, I've been working on the sequel to All Fall Down. I drafted the novel last year and was working on revising it. I was excited to workshop it with my critique group this month. But then in January, things started to go awry.First, the more research I did on the Witness Protection program, the more I knew it wouldn't fit in my story. The facts are, when the witnesses do what they're told, the U.S. Marshals...
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
I am so excited to post that I wrote 4652 words this week. I nailed down a lot of my ending, but I still have a little ways to go. The problem is, this book isn't exactly as long as my other books. I've been mulling over a few ideas, like adding a secondary plot, adding a character, you know, the usual, but then I've also been thinking about making this a novella. So today I have two questions for you. First, what do you think about novellas? Do you always want more, want it to be longer? Or do you like them?Second,...
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Where do I even start? Let's start at the beginning. My fave moment in the beginning? Kate trying to comfort Castle in that hallway, holding hands. The despair in his voice. Then the tiny bit of hope when the kidnappers have terms. The ransom exchange. Boy I thought they were going to shoot Achmed right there, but then when he showed up with Sara I was right there with Castle going, "where's Alexis?" I know I've said it before but Nathan Fillion is an incredible actor. The way he handled his daughter's...
Monday, 25 February 2013
I know I'm supposed to review a book on Mondays, but this week I'll be doing a special review on Thursday, so I've postponed my book review until then.Today I'd like to talk about one of my favorite mini-series of all time, North and South. They've been playing it every Sunday night for the last few weeks and I admit, it drew me again like it always does.It's about a man from South Carolina who meets a man from Pennsylvania at West Point and they become best friends. The story follows them and their families through the years of the Civil...
Friday, 22 February 2013
This week there was an article published about what agents are looking for in a novel opening/first page. If there was any clearer reason why First Page Friday is needed for writers, then I don't know what it is. Several agents mentioned what Ms. Shreditor and Angela Eschler have been telling us for over a year and a half---have an opening that immediately draw you in, an opening that has clean copy, one with beautiful writing and a great voice to name a few things. (If you'd like to read for yourselves more of what agents said they...
Thursday, 21 February 2013
The inspiration for this post came because I recently read a book that had a very silly name for the villain and every time I read it, I laughed. It ruined the book for me because I couldn't get the tension from the plot that was needed because I was busy giggling or rolling my eyes. I was very surprised that the author's editor let them get away with naming a character that, because it would so easily take someone out of the story, and usually those things are the first to go during revisions.But that got me thinking to how I name...
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
I think I should have named this day, hold-on-it's-going-to-get-reaaalllly-busy day. But I am so thrilled to report I wrote almost 3000 words this week. Probably because I'm trying to nail down these revisions and write a decent ending, but I am so excited about this story. Thank you to everyone who sprinted with us last Wednesday. Anybody up for another sprint tonight at 8?How did you do on your word count this we...
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
There was so much awesome about last night's Castle. The opening scene with Castle and Martha and the pancakes was adorable. Probably because I miss my college kids and do the same sort of thing. (Although I can't make pancakes well. Me and Martha? *likethis*) And I did chuckle at Castle's, "It was acceptance until you started applying your fiendish logic." Haha. Boy, I want to remember that line so I can use it myself. I really do love protective Castle. But there was definitely a twist...
Monday, 18 February 2013
Today I am kicking back and passing time with novels until Castle starts tonight. (Happy Presidents' Day to me!) Is anyone else as excited as I am for Castle? The sneak peeks and spoilers look sooooo good. Poor Castle. :(But in order to distract myself, I read two books and started a third, but today I'd like to share my thoughts on A Timeless Romance Anthology Spring Vacation Collection. It's six novellas by six different authors---sort...
Friday, 15 February 2013
Because most of the readers of this column are either published authors or aspiring writers, Julie and I thought it would be a fun idea to do a piece on the bookmaking process. Writing a book is a grueling process, no doubt, but many writers don’t realize that finishing a manuscript is only the beginning. Once your manuscript has been accepted by a publisher, your work has only just begun.AcceptanceNever forget when you sign your contract that your book has beaten the odds. The hardest work is ahead of you, but take comfort in the knowledge that...
Well, we have finally run out of submissions for First Page Friday. Ms. Shreditor was kind enough to say she'd write a writing advice column for us after work today, and I am excited to see what she's going to tell us. However, if you or your writing friends would like a national editor to critique your first page, please send your 12 point font, double-spaced first page to juliecoulterbellon@gmail.com with First Page Friday in the subject line. It's a valuable resource for writers who want to improve their first pages and leave an...
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Well, I had critique group last night and it was my manuscript under the microscope. It wasn't too bad, really, and we had a lot of laughter and good food to go along with the critique so that made everything better. This book I'm working on is the sequel to All Fall Down, so I assumed that everyone would remember the characters from that book, but it is clear to me now that I need to add a little backstory so this could be read stand-alone as well. And I also need to add some more layers of funny to the characters---to flesh them out...
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
I'm just not sure how I feel about last night's episodes. There were some cute moments, but also some huh? moments. And for the first time ever, I fell asleep in the middle of Castle. *sigh* It was only for a few moments, but still, that sort of says something to me.I loved the way Castle and Beckett were bantering about the Valentine's Day gifts they'd gotten each other and how they were so sure the other person was going to love it. So cute! But then I was disappointed that Castle got her such an unimaginative...
Monday, 11 February 2013
Rachel Nunes book, Line of Fire, continues the Autumn Rain adventures. This is by far my favorite series of hers.Autumn has found her biological father, who happens to also be a suspect in the disappearance of a young girl. She consults with her sister, Tawnia, and decides to help in the investigation to find out if he's guilty or not. Of course, her detective boyfriend, Shannon Martin, accompanies her and before they even make...
Friday, 8 February 2013
I am happy today to bring you our first ever non-fiction critique. I am grateful to Ms. Shreditor for all the time and effort she goes to in helping aspiring authors, when she has a full load at her day job. And thank you to all our authors for their courage in submitting.If you would like your first page critiqued, send it double-spaced, 12 pt. font, with First Page Friday in the subject line to juliecoulterbellon@gmail.comSee you next week!The EntryFight, Flight, or Hide The Guide to Surviving a Mass Shootingby John ForsytheAt the...
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Well, it's been a morning of highs and lows. I've been wrestling with my first chapter. Just when I think I have it pinned down, I think of another layer I could add, or something that it needs to really impact my readers as I introduce them to the characters.After publishing eight books, though, there are three things I've learned about writing the first chapter.1. Don't bother revising the first chapter until you have the ending. Your first chapter will always change until that end is written because until you know the...
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Well, I've got my lucky writing shirt on and I'm ready to do some serious revising today. I'm preparing to send this puppy to my beta readers and I want it to be my best work. It's been a difficult week for getting any writing done so I'm really looking forward to having some time today to just sit and write.How did your week go? Have you been able to set any writing time aside? Did you get any word cou...
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Holy macaroni, where do I even start with last night's shows?Castle was awesome. It was tense and even though we were beating the dead mother storyline again (isn't that horse dead yet?) Stana Katic blew me out of the water with her acting skills. The moment where she's trying to decide whether to suppress that evidence, or where she knows she's let a man go who could potentially hurt innocent people, even the interrogation room scene, it was all amazing. Katic says everything with her facial expressions. It is truly amazing...
Monday, 4 February 2013
I've hesitated to write this book review, mostly because I don't know what to say. This book is intriguing, annoying, thought-provoking, and unbelievable all at the same time. There are points where the author seems presumptuous in his presentation of a fictionalized version of Jesus Christ and many passages made me uncomfortable because they didn't conform to my own thoughts and impressions of the Savior. There were parts that really made me think through what I know and believe to be true, and there were parts that were insightful...
Friday, 1 February 2013
It seems fitting to end this week off with a First Page Friday entry called Relative Evil. HahaHere's to the month of February. May it be a wonderful writing month.As always, thank you to our authors and amazing editors. See you next week!The EntryRelative Evil by Ryan Albert WilliamsThe air felt thick, heavy, like when a tornado was about to touch down. Claret Abney watched her dad, a widower of only a year, hold hands with a pretty woman sitting next to him at the restaurant’s dining table, and smile. Twenty-five-year-old Claret...
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