Writing

12.14.2013 First Line, In The Zone Series, Writing

First Line This Morning – Alex’s Story (IN THE ZONE 3)

Clarence S. Campbell Bowl

I’ve officially begun writing IN THE ZONE book three, Alex Sullivan and Claire’s story. (Hm. I just realized I don’t have a last name for her. Her sister’s maiden name was Collier, but Claire was married and divorced and I never gave her a married name. LOL)

I spent over an hour this morning skimming through both of the first two books and jotting down any character traits I mentioned and actual things they did in those stories. Alex appeared a lot, often as comic relief.

Right after I woke up today–spontaneously at 3:55 a.m.–I thought of the first line of the book. Who knows if it’ll stay? Usually my first first lines don’t, but you never know.

Alex Sullivan was totally fucked up. And not in that “I just drank eight gallons of champagne because my team won the NHL Northwest Division title” way.

06.29.2012 Hockey, Quotes, Writing

Favorite Quotes #6 – Write, write, write

I learned never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it.
Ernest Hemingway

I’ve started a new book. I was inspired by my team’s win of the STANLEY CUP. I sort of got obsessed with hockey players. They’re so darn virile. Like modern day gladiators. The last two stories I wrote were for men, so I want to get back to writing something for my own sex.

I chose this quote because I write pretty slow. I need every trick I can find to help me produce more quickly, so this quote reminded me of something I used to do…stop in the middle of a sentence, where I know exactly what was going to come next. Then, when I start each day, I can really START.

P.S. I never really did enjoy reading Hemingway, but maybe someday I’ll give his stuff another chance.

08.03.2011 Be-Wished, Writing

Back to the Drawing Board

I wrote the end. I really did. But it didn’t work out right. It didn’t feel right. So I’m writing another ending.

I feel a little badly about that, especially considering my very patient editor has been looking forward to reading this for months now. But on the other hand, I truly think the story will be much the better for this extra attention and it’ll be worth it in the long run.

On a side note, in my snippet file, the place where I dump all the big sections I can’t bear to delete completely, I have almost 16,000 words. LOL. I’d post a chunk here, but I just looked at the last part I pasted there and it sucks. So never mind!

06.22.2011 Be-Wished, Ellora's Cave, Writing

Davina’s Book

Good news. I have finished the first draft of Davina’s story. Some of you may remember her as the wacky wish fairy from the first three Be-Wished books. My critique partner is hard at work reviewing it and after I do everything she says (LOL) I’ll be sending it to my editor, Grace at Ellora’s Cave.