 Mrs. Wells gave us "Plot Putty" My very first session at the RWA conference in San Antonio was "Blog Bites" by Lisa Wells -- hands down the most adorable speaker there! This tiny lady with a unique voice broke it down for us! Now I know this is Tuesday Tools day, and I will pass along several tools, but since RWA had some wise wisdom, I wanted to pass that along as well. These are the points needed to be made:
 ABOUT LISA WELLS
Author of “Dibs.” (Contemporary Romance / Series) http://www.lisawellsauthor.com/ Check out Lisa's ABOUT page for 9 Deep, Dark Secrets...
0 Comments
 On the plane ride home I had time to reflect and soak in—not just the lessons from the convention, but the love sent my way from my authors. As someone who constantly learns from big names in the writing and marketing industry, I heard much the same tropes (write good books, the best way to market your book is write another one, there is no such thing as a bad review, etc.). But this time I could listen and hear what these speakers were not saying and what they were saying and what they really meant. Language is funny that way, because you can get so much from inflection, tone and facial features. It helped me understand what I knew more. Meaning, I didn’t learn anything new, but I gleaned information and a higher understanding. I gained new tools while confirming the basics. My authors in turn kept saying how they appreciated me. Amazing in this new world of “I hate my publisher”. I’m overwhelmed by the gratefulness of those around me. I’m also inspired to keep doing what I’m doing—and do more. In the end this wasn’t a learning convention as it was a connecting convention to my own authors. I was told I was the rock in which the few authors that managed to wade through the sea and over to my solid platform (heh-heh author platform) clung to me because I was such a rock. Some might see that as a huge weight on one’s shoulders. I don’t subscribe to such thought. I’m here to tell you that a rock needs those who cling—otherwise their purpose is meaningless. 
May 27th, 2014, Donna Seebo had author ULRIKE on her radio show! They talked about the inspirations behind "Forever and 365 Days" and the story behind the cover! 
Read and Continue Your Spiritual Journey...
 ULRIKE is an inspirational writer/author and metaphysics teacher. She teaches the art of right thinking in a scientific, step by step program, that benefits all areas of your life; health, wealth and most of all happiness...
you can contact her at: Website Goodreads Books on Amazon YouTube  Photo Credit: SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget Matthew Flitton wrote about Writers for Life Conference and my most awesome boyfriend is sending me! Wow, what an awesome thing!
Both event and my superhero boyfriend are awe inspiring because while one whipped out his wallet and told me "go" the other is an event for charity for cancer research. Matthew's story and fundraising efforts are HERE. He gives the details of the conference HERE. So I'll be going to UTAH for the June 7th event. If you'd like to donate and go with me, I'll be driving from SoCal on Friday June 6th and returning Sunday June 8th. Freaking $35 (minimum) for the conference with authors donating their time: Lisa Mangum--So You Want to Be a Writer Josi Kilpack--Internal Versus External Characterization J. Scott Savage--A surprise, but his presentations are always amazing Larry Correia--Writing action Jenni James--Marketing secrets Brandon Mull--Creating Quality Stories Plus gas, food and hotel. Amazing. Try registering for the RWA for the price of a donation. Of course, if you ask why my boyfriend sent me, I have to reply: "Because my boyfriend wants me to write like Larry Correia--even though I'm a romance writer." Hmmm...combined it would be active romance. Fighting while...(you can finish). Yep--I look forward to applying ALL the lessons I learn from ALL the presenters (not just Larry--though I'm a fan). I'm excited! ACTION ITEM: Donate and come with me! Sean Platt explains how to use Scrivener for Story Beats in this 10 minute video. Story beats are what Sean calls a detailed story outline. You can get in-depth organization with Scrivener and can use it for so many types of novels that the $40 price tag (for me) was a no-brainer. I've been working with Scrivener for a year and am so happy with it that I don't consider other writing programs--even though I'm a Microsoft Word wizard. In this video you can get a glimpse of the power and detail Scrivener puts in your keyboard. Not only do you get to see the way a writer outlines his stories, but how he uses one of the most powerful tools in the writer-verse ever created. (Okay, yes I'm bias, can't you tell?) But it's a good video made by one of my favorite authors. ACTION ITEM: Watch the video!
 One of my writers asked me the following about the edits for her manuscript:
I love the edits suggested for HS (working title). I think many/most of the suggestions for HW (working title) are good also, but there are some minor things that concern me. The editor has added a few 'that' s, 'to be's , and 'was's to the manuscript. Words I've been told to avoid unless necessary. I'm reading from various sources that writers and publishers are becoming especially disenchanted with 'that'. How do you feel about it? My answer to this specific author: I totally understand that your first novel you want it to be perfect! I would look at the edits closely and decide if the word "that" if taken out, would be confusing. Really what editors mean is if you have one of those words "that", "to be" and "was" are within the sentence you should rewrite the sentence so they are constructed without those words. Make sense? However, there are times when those words are necessary. This is the writing curve and you will get better when you do your second drafts. My first drafts are still crap and horrible. Do you know how many times I used "really" and "just" in Dr. Vampyre? I was embarrassed. 102 times in a 37,000 word novella -- enough to make a reader throw the book across the room. I'm now down to 4 "just" and 7 "really" -- I found them necessary. So...you do have to decide how many of "those" words you want. You are not going to be able to toss the important connectors: He green, doesn't sound the same as: He was green. Connectors convey important things. He green-- He was green? He will be green? What tense are we talking? Help me out! ACTION ITEM: Check out your latest and count how many times you use "was", "that", and "to be".  Picture by Donald Weller Article Written by ULRIKE I’ve had this plan for a long time. When I would go to metaphysics class, starting in my 20’s, and listen to my teacher, I thought: “That’s what I’m going to do when I retire.” And yes, it took thirty more years… I originally started teaching after several years of studying the works of William W. Walter – The Walter Method/ Eschatology. There was a specific, rigorous plan to this study, step by step and it was very methodical. The group was, and still is, a closed society and newcomers are not approached. ‘They’ had to find us. Advertising was out of the question. “When the time is right, the teacher (or student) will appear”, I was told. It felt special at the time. I had found this private study and I was eager to find out what it was all about. The concepts of ‘all is mental’ and ‘all is good’ were intriguing, and the promise that this was not a religion or cult appealed to me even more. There were books, booklets, and masses of papers to read and ponder, keeping me busy for a long time. However, the most intriguing and best work of Mister Walter’s writings is certainly his collection of the metaphysical diagnosis, which had been added to and rewritten by several of the Board’s Directors. In class, the reading of other materials from other metaphysical writers was strongly discouraged. It was explained to me, that the reason for this was ‘not to be deterred’ from the straight path of finding the Truth; we were not to be confused by too many varying concepts and ideas. I, however, wanted to hear, listen and learn and I wanted to read all there was to be read. In hindsight this constraint was a good thing for beginners. It gave the student a solid foundation. With this basis of a serious and sincere study, I continued to read everything I could get my hands on in the world of ‘thought is causative’. There was an abundance of good reading materials and I was sifting, reasoning and chewing on the ideas until they made sense, and conformed to my proper mental attitude. I also discovered Eastern philosophies and absorbed all teachings of New Age thinking with a hunger that was incredible. I was a living sponge. Teaching ‘Right Thinking’, no matter what the study or lessons are called, is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had and still have. Learning about the Truth and to realize that all religions, teachings, the writings of the ancient wisdoms and New Age ideas, are in principle the same, was a great awakening. They are all grounded in the searching for Spirit, Higher Power, Universe, God, Consciousness, or the other names given to this all-inclusive limitless Power. The essential concept is that we are Souls, spiritual beings, and that our thoughts, conscious awareness, beliefs, and life attitudes shape our experiences. We are all striving to go ‘up’ in the scale of being. Being a teacher also means being a student. You must be open to new ideas and concepts. You must to act as a mental receiver, absorbing all that is presented to you every minute of your waking hours. Take it in, reason about it, sift the right from the wrong, stay on the good side only, and make sure that your feelings are kept on the right side at all times. Writing is part of this awakening. Putting the thoughts down on paper and reading them over and over again, clarifies the picture and allows you to make the necessary corrections. It teaches you patience and diligence. How blessed am I, and sharing my experience will only add to this blessing!  ULRIKE is an inspirational writer/author and metaphysics teacher. She teaches the art of right thinking in a scientific, step by step program, that benefits all areas of your life; health, wealth and most of all happiness...
you can contact her at: Website Goodreads Books on Amazon YouTube  Photo by: Donald Weller Article written by ULRIKE I’ve had this plan for a long time. When I would go to metaphysics class, starting in my 20’s, and listen to my teacher, I thought: “That’s what I’m going to do when I retire.” And yes, it took thirty more years… I originally started teaching after several years of studying the works of William W. Walter – The Walter Method/ Eschatology. There was a specific, rigorous plan to this study, step by step and it was very methodical. The group was, and still is, a closed society and newcomers are not approached. ‘They’ had to find us. Advertising was out of the question. “When the time is right, the teacher (or student) will appear”, I was told. It felt special at the time. I had found this private study and I was eager to find out what it was all about. The concepts of ‘all is mental’ and ‘all is good’ were intriguing, and the promise that this was not a religion or cult appealed to me even more. There were books, booklets, and masses of papers to read and ponder, keeping me busy for a long time. However, the most intriguing and best work of Mister Walter’s writings is certainly his collection of the metaphysical diagnosis, which had been added to and rewritten by several of the Board’s Directors. In class, the reading of other materials from other metaphysical writers was strongly discouraged. It was explained to me, that the reason for this was ‘not to be deterred’ from the straight path of finding the Truth; we were not to be confused by too many varying concepts and ideas. I, however, wanted to hear, listen and learn and I wanted to read all there was to be read. In hindsight this constraint was a good thing for beginners. It gave the student a solid foundation. With this basis of a serious and sincere study, I continued to read everything I could get my hands on in the world of ‘thought is causative’. There was an abundance of good reading materials and I was sifting, reasoning and chewing on the ideas until they made sense, and conformed to my proper mental attitude. I also discovered Eastern philosophies and absorbed all teachings of New Age thinking with a hunger that was incredible. I was a living sponge. Teaching ‘Right Thinking’, no matter what the study or lessons are called, is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had and still have. Learning about the Truth and to realize that all religions, teachings, the writings of the ancient wisdoms and New Age ideas, are in principle the same, was a great awakening. They are all grounded in the searching for Spirit, Higher Power, Universe, God, Consciousness, or the other names given to this all-inclusive limitless Power. The essential concept is that we are Souls, spiritual beings, and that our thoughts, conscious awareness, beliefs, and life attitudes shape our experiences. We are all striving to go ‘up’ in the scale of being. Being a teacher also means being a student. You must be open to new ideas and concepts. You must to act as a mental receiver, absorbing all that is presented to you every minute of your waking hours. Take it in, reason about it, sift the right from the wrong, stay on the good side only, and make sure that your feelings are kept on the right side at all times. Writing is part of this awakening. Putting the thoughts down on paper and reading them over and over again, clarifies the picture and allows you to make the necessary corrections. It teaches you patience and diligence. How blessed am I, and sharing my experience will only add to this blessing!  ULRIKE is an inspirational writer/author and metaphysics teacher. She teaches the art of right thinking in a scientific, step by step program, that benefits all areas of your life; health, wealth and most of all happiness...
you can contact her at: Website Goodreads Books on Amazon YouTube  Photo Credit: paulcoxphotography via Compfight cc Article written by Marilyn Lakewood E-musings … star date 01.24.14 I write erotic romance, some with elements of dominance and submission. It’s fiction, and not meant to be a guide or manual, in any way whatsoever. My stories are not real life. They are about consensual fantasy situations—romantic and sexual fantasies—with sexy alpha male heroes. They are meant to be fun, an adventure and entertaining escape. No matter what type of romance you prefer, passion is a key element. Taut sexual tension between lovers remains the gold-standard for exciting romance. Readers love that strung-out, wiggle in your seat, heart-pounding, breathless excitement. The hotter, the better. Foreplay increases sexual tension. Drawn out glances, touches, starts and slows, the ‘just barely’ makes everything about the dance of courtship foreplay. One of the things I love about D/s romance is the way it takes foreplay to a higher level. Foreplay on steroids. A scene between a Dom and his subbie isn’t just about the cuffs or floggers that increase the physical intensity of foreplay—a Dom playing with his lover can also increase the duration of foreplay. Who doesn’t like that? And then there’s the way a Dom lavishly bestows attention on his sub before, during, and afterwards. Wildly romantic, right? And ultra responsible. Romance readers can find passion in many sub-genres. Fantasy romance, paranormal romance, ménage romance, sci-fi romance, western romance, and D/s romance—to name just some—and within each there are more choices. I enjoy all kinds of romance with Alpha heroes—the majority are M/f and M/f/M*, but whatever your preferences, there’s a vast spectrum of choice in erotic romance. Happy reading, Marilyn *I’ve noticed some D/s stories have tags that use a capitol ‘M’ to denote a dominant male, and small ‘f’ to denote a submissive female. So if I see M/f, I not only know it’s about a man and woman, I also know it’s a dominant male and a submissive female. By the same short & sweet method, if I see M/f/M, not only do I know the story is a ménage where both men make love to the woman, I also know she’s submissive and the males are dominant. It makes sense to me. I liked this post by Kim Dare defining some acronyms used in erotic writing. The article was written in 2008, but I think these terms are still in use. http://totalebound.blogspot.com/2008/10/kinky-code.html  Marilyn Lakewood is our latest UP and Coming author! Diving into Sugar Kink Ink, her debut novel "Chase's Hard Wear" is expected to be released December 2014. This new series revolves around light bondage and BDSM themes that tantalize until you scream! "Chase's Hard Wear" will be the first of three and maybe more in the series.
Marilyn writes stories with hot, alpha males to inspire her during the long Northwest winters. She loves creating XXX romances with protective, hard-lovin' heroes and sexy fantasies. |
Dear Reader,
My efforts are to make this a learning blog where writers can see the flip side of publishing. If you have comments that will improve your experience or have a certain topic you'd like discussed, please contact me through email - HERE. ~ Sincerley, Your Editor Stephanie McKibben Head Troll Troll River Publications Books on Kindle
Categories
All
Blog Roll
Archives
January 2017
|
RSS Feed
