Writing Groups, Coffee & Belonging

Ten years ago, my wonderfully supportive husband set me up in the basement of our old house with a computer so I could finally stop talking about writing a book and actually sit down and right one.

Two years later with pages and pages of beginnings and no endings, I found my way online to the EHarlequin site, made a few online friends, discovered yahoo groups and the RWA.

Within a few short months, I was a card-carrying member of the national group and had found my way to a local Long Island chapter, the LIRW.

Before the year was out, I was secretary of the local chapter and I'd met two wonderful ladies online (Jennifer Shirk and Cynthia Selwyn) and together we formed an online critique group, The Passionate Critters.

 For a girl who didn't join a single club in high school, I'd somehow become a joiner! And loved it!

Over the years I've been a member of many online chapters of the RWA, groups either specific to my genre or simply online groups that offered interaction for a stay-at-home mom bursting to talk "shop" with everyone and anyone. (After all, no one understands a writer, like a writer!)

As my local friendships grew, so did my time away from home. Monthly meetings, weekend conferences, brainstorming sessions over coffee at the local Starbucks! I can't count the number of times we say, "let's have coffee and talk about that plot!" Or work out dialogue. Or straighten out a query letter...My Keurig at home gets a workout too when the ladies crash at my house for a night of twitter lessons or website basics!

I've been on committees, I've chaired committees. I've served on the board of my local chapter. I've helped create and grow a thriving online critique group that I'm thankful for everyday!

So, this year with finances in my house not in the best shape...I considered giving up the writing group memberships.
Groups that have been a lifeline for my writing persona for the last 8 years. I think I cried more than a few nights anticipating the void.

Although many of the friendships I have made over the years have transcended the memberships and the actual groups - those groups still pull me in. They offer shoulders, cheers and advice. The meetings and workshops always teach me something new I can use to create fresh work. They inspire me on a continuous basis to write and fight off the demons sitting on my shoulder telling me I'm no good!

I am fortunate, I have a VERY supportive family. But, no one understands a writer like another writer!

Over the last few weeks this girl who's become quite the joiner over the last 8 years, just couldn't quite kick the habit. I'm happy to say that even with finances being tight, I renewed and all my groups will be putting up with me for another year!

How about you? Are you a joiner?

52 Ways to Joy - Yes, Please!

I don't know about you, but I always notice little things like consistently has good manners.

Growing up, we didn't get anything we asked for unless we first said please.

Then I had my own kids and drilled the same thing into them.

One word. Easy to say. Sometimes makes all the difference in the world.

Yes, I'm talking about saying PLEASE!

Please can be a powerful word. It can show appreciation, respect and consideration. We teach our kids it's a 'magic' word, and as adults we should remember the truth behind what we teach them.

Last week at the deli counter of my local supermarket I happened to be paying attention to the people working frantically behind the counter to get the orders filled for the customers. Between calling out numbers and then taking their orders, they were busy and talking among themselves, doing their job.

I was pretty surprised at how many people added one simple word to the end of their order - NO ONE.

Customers barked out orders, "a pound of ham, sliced thin and a pound of white american."

"Give me 3/4 of a pound of the turkey on sale."

Everyone got their orders, the employees efficiently did their jobs.

When it was my turn, I asked for my order and said please when I'd finished listing what I wanted. Not because I was making a point, but out of habit. I always say it.

Now, you might think it's strange, but the person taking my order stopped for second and looked at me, then a small smile appeared on his face and he nodded at me.  Just by saying please, I acknowledged that I was asking him to do something for me and that I appreciated it.

To be honest, no one else in the line even noticed - probably because having manners these days seems to have fallen out of fashion.

It's a powerful word that makes you feel good using it and spreads a little bit of joy to others. Such a small way to show consideration to everyone around you! Why not spread a little warmth and appreciation for everyone you meet this week and remember to say please whenever you ask for something?

Wishing you joy and safe travels this week wherever your road leads!

*52 Ways to Joy is a weekly post to celebrate the simple ways to bring joy into your life and those around you. It's about the small moments that makes memories and give us all a sense of contentment in the crazy world we live in. If you're joining me here for the first time, by clicking on the label  "52WTJ" you can read the previous posts!

Sunday in the kitchen: Apple Pecan Loaf

It's been frigid here on Long Island this past week and for me, that means nothing is better than a warm slice of bread!

I found this recipe online yesterday from Cooks.com while looking for a new recipe to use up the chopped pecans I have left over from Christmas.

It was awesome and smelled great in the oven.

More important, the kids all liked it too.

I made a few changes to the original recipe (because of the ingredient amounts I actually had on hand and it was very tasty.) The kids said to definitely make this one again...so I guess that makes it "blog worthy!"

Apple Pecan Loaf

2 Apples, raw, peeled and diced (I used red delicious because that's what I had)

3 Cups Flour

2 Eggs

2 Cups of Sugar

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 Cup Oil

1 tsp. Salt

2 tsp. Vanilla

1 Cup Pecans, chopped (I think I'd use 3/4 next time)

1 tsp. Cinnamon

Put the diced apples in a bowl, add sugar and let stand for 20 minutes. Add remaining ingredients (except nuts). Mix well. Add nuts. Pour into standard size loaf pan (greased). Bake at 350 for 1 hour (The recipe says 1 hour - but it took almost an hour and half for mine to be cooked through since it was a very thick dough!)

Happy eating!

Fun Friday

Make an entrance on page one!

When I first created stories in my head and then on paper - a long time ago - I had no idea there were any "rules" for writing a novel that would sell.

Then I met other writers, I went to conferences, met agents and editors and joined critique groups...then I was introduced to the rules of writing. (Wow, what an eye opener for a newbie!)

One of the first things I did as a new writer was to go out and buy books on learning the craft of writing. Yup...we all do it (and I still do!)

Robert's Rules of Writing - 101 unconventional lessons every writer needs to learn was one of my first purchases. It's not a guide, and it doesn't really teach the craft of writing, what it does do is dispel a few myths and shares a few facts on writing for publication.

My tip today is Robert's Rule #42: Make an Entrance.

Or as most of us have heard countless times, "start in the right place!"

Such an easy thing to say, sometimes such a hard thing to do. It's hard to filter out the backstory. But to get the reader engaged from page one, you have to start with something that's going to make them want to read more - not a frolic through the woods picking daisies along the way and them WHAM the real action starts three pages in (or worse, in chapter two!)

With attention spans what they are today - how many people are going to stick with your meandering through perfectville long enough to get to the action? And you can forget an agent or editor making it that far either.

The truth is that while everyone wants peace and happiness in their own daily lives - they don't want to read about it. Peace and harmony don't make for good fiction!

And here's where your grand entrance comes in.

Start with a first line that captures attention or at least grabs the readers attention and makes them think.

And since I don't believe in telling and not showing (haha, a little writing humor...) I've got a few examples from my own work, both published and a work-in-progress:

A Fistful of Fate
Copyright 2010
Lyrical Press

William Montgomery stood in the shadowed doorway and watched the woman he’d waited two hundred years for kiss another man. But Reginald Merriweather wasn’t just any man. He was the man William blamed for Rebecca Beauregard’s death all those years ago, a crime Will had been accused of and paid for. With his own life.

**

Surrender to the Sheriff

WIP

It's time.

Two simple words.

Written in the familiar handwriting of Grandma Rose on a single sheet of pale pink paper and delivered by mail exactly two years after her death.

**

Are those few lines enough to convince you to read on?

Have you considered your first few lines and if taken all alone, are they enough to grab the reader to at least get them to finish the page, to turn the page and hopefully keep going?

 

Have a great first line you'd like to share?

 

52 Ways to Joy - The Hug

"Every day you should reach out and touch someone.  People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."  ~Maya Angelou


THE HUG

Basic contact with another person, an embrace that can say so much that no words are necessary.

A hug can be warm and loving. It can be healing and compassionate. It can be a simple greeting or a way of sending a loved one on a fond farewell until you meet again.

No matter the time of day or the reason, the hug is gesture of caring and support.

Human contact, the feeling of being wrapped in someone's arms can light up a moment, and the best thing is, when you give a hug - you get one back!

A hug is free, it's the universal feel good bandage to anything that ails you.

So why not spread a little joy today and give someone a hug!

Have a joy-filled week my friends!

*52 Ways to Joy is a weekly post to celebrate the simple ways to bring joy into your life and those around you. It's about the small moments that makes memories and give us all a sense of contentment in the crazy world we live in. If you're joining me here for the first time, by clicking on the label  "52WTJ" you can read the previous posts!

Sunday in the Kitchen: Bloody Mary and the Reality Award

In celebration of my birthday, the hubby and I will be going to one of my favorite restaurants for their wonderful brunch. Although this is the first time I'm going to enjoy this brunch since I've had to change to a dairy-free diet, I know they have so many dishes to choose from there is NO chance I'll leave hungry.

And they make a great Bloody Mary.

When I'm serving brunch at home, here's my Bloody Mary recipe - it serves 4.

Bloody Mary

3 1/4 Cups no salt added tomato juice (I like a tomato veggie blend like Knudsen's)
2 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tsp worcestershire sauce
1 Tsp prepared horseradish
1/2 Tsp celery salt
1/2 Tsp hot sauce

1/2 Cup vodka

Combine the ingredients in a shaker, shake well and chill (or add ice if you desire)
Garnish each glass with a celery stalk or a lime curl.

Enjoy (and always drink responsibly!)

* * * * * *

I've been given a blog award!

Thanks to Donna Coe-Velleman for the honor of nominating my blog for the Reality Award.

Now, according to the rules of the award, I need to share 7 facts you might not know about me... (and probably don't care to know, but rules are rules)

1. I hate coconut, but love Pina Coladas and coconut shrimp.

2. I won't watch medical dramas or horror movies.

3. I love to sit on the beach, but won't go in the water.

4. I take such hot showers, when I get out I resemble a lobster.

5. If I could leave my flannel sheets on all the bed all year, I would (but hubby protests and make me take them off by April.)

6. My dream vacation would be to spend a night in a haunted old castle. (The older the better!)

7. I hate to wear shoes. I love to buy them...hate to wear them. I'm usually found barefoot or in slippers at home.

And now the rules say I must nominate other worthy bloggers because they inspire me with their ideas, their creativity and their positive words!

Bethanne Strasser at http://bethannestrasser.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Shirk at http://jennifershirk.blogspot.com/

Robin Delaney at http://robindelany.blogspot.com/

Sutton Fox at http://suttonfox.blogspot.com/

Julie Jarnagin at http://juliejwrites.blogspot.com/

And because every award comes with a few rules, here's the rules of the Reality Award:

1. Thank the blogger who gave you the award.

2. Post the award on your blog.

3. Share 7 little-known facts about you.

4. Nominate 5 bloggers to bestow the award upon.

5. Contact them and let them know to come pick up their award at your blog!

Have a wonderful day, my friends.

Happy Scribbling

52 Ways to Joy - #2 See the Sunrise

"There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope" 
~ Bern Williams

Welcome back to week two of celebrating the small moments in life!

This week I'm asking the question, "Have you seen the sunrise?"

Opening your eyes in the morning to look out the window and see the sunrise doesn't count!

I mean, have you ever purposely been outside and watched the sun rise on the horizon?

Sunrise over Orient Point, Long Island. Summer 2012

 As the night gives way to a new morning, we're renewed with the sense of hope.

Every day, whether we can see it or not, the sun rises, leaving behind the dark of the night and proving that each day is a new beginning.

Each day is about a new chance to experience a little bit of joy.

But like many of the simplest things in life, we forget it's there, we take it for granted that everyday the sun will rise. And it does. Every morning. Without fail.

As the sun begins its journey toward the west, shimmers of pink and orange splash across the horizon, casting hues of warmth and hope - if we take a moment to get up and see it. Winter, summer, spring, and fall, the warm gold rays reach out to light the sky and wrap us in the promise of new beginning.

Every day is a new chance to change something in your life. It's a new chance to greet your day with a small joy.

When was the last time you got up to see the sunrise?

Sunday in the Kitchen: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Loaf

There's just something about chocolate and peanut butter than makes me want to lick my lips and say, "YUM."

Last night I made this little loaf cake because we were expecting a few people over after dinner and I wanted to make something that wasn't too gooey, but I still wanted something with chocolate in it (okay, I always want something with chocolate in it!)

And let me tell you it smelled soooo good in the oven too! I'm happy to say it was big hit with everyone - not too sweet, but just enough chocolate to keep those with a sweet-tooth happy.

So, as I promised on twitter when I popped this loaf in the oven, here's the recipe.

Enjoy your Sunday with a little lovin' from the oven!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Loaf

1 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 Cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

A handful of chocolate chips for garnish at the end

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray one standard loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Sift flour, baking power, baking soda and salt into a large bowl.

3. In another large bowl, beat peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and butter with an electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Beat in milk and vanilla. Gradually add in flour mixture. Beat on low until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips.

4. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool pan on wire rack for five minutes. Remove from pan. Place a handful of chocolate chips on top of loaf and allow to melt as the loaf continues to cool on wire rack. When the chips are melted (should only take a few minutes) spread the chocolate across the top of the cake with the back of a knife. Cool the cake completely on the wire racks.

Enjoy!

He said, she said

What I'm reading: The Lawman by Lily Graison

 Latest on my iPod: Zac Brown Band

Oh, the dreaded dialogue tag.

"I'm going to the store," he said.

"Don't forget the cookies," she said.

So boring, right?

Sure you might be tempted to open your handy thesaurus and find a better, more exciting word to replace "said" - but should you?

It's so tempting when facing the same word over and over to think about getting creative. After all, as writers, isn't that what we strive to do? Aren't we told to keep the repetitive words to an absolute minimum?

Not so fast..."said" IS hands down your best choice for a dialogue tag (and you don't always need a tag anyway, but that's a whole blog post on it's own!)

Why? Because it's invisible.

My big blue thesaurus gives me plenty of options. It says I can exclaim, declare, or announce. I could also disclose, comment or utter. And if it fits your character and your dialogue, these words would all be perfectly correct. Too bad, being perfectly correct isn't always what works best in fiction.

Every time you search for a new, more interesting word to replace "said," you run the risk of pulling your reader from the story, you run the risk of that one word standing out in the middle of your sparkling dialogue. And if your reader pauses to think about your word choice - you've lost the momentum of the scene.

Your dialogue is what needs to shine, not your dialogue tag!

As a new writer, I admit this was a tough nut for me to crack (before I found critique partners, I honestly had no idea this was even an issue.) Once it was pointed out to me that not every bit of dialogue needs to end in something more creative than the last one - I took notice of the books I was reading. And low and behold, my favorite authors slipped in the word "said" all over the place. Wow, I'd never even noticed...which is exactly the point!

It's the one place in your story being boring is your best choice.

(Confession: I love to use uttered, muttered, yelled and shouted in my first draft for only my eyes to see, then I edit them all out before my lovely critique ladies ever see them!)

Have some thoughts on the word "said?" I'd love to hear them!

52 Ways to Joy - #1

Most years start off with a list of new goals and hearts full of inspiration and hope. Of course, we all want to focus on the brass ring we've set for ourselves, that ultimate goal that we think will bring success or happiness. But while we're traveling the road toward the ultimate goal, are we missing the little things that bring joy along the way?

Over the next year, I hope you'll join me in celebrating the small joys, the small ways we can bring happiness to those around us. Let's celebrate the moments that really do matter, the little moments that put smiles on faces, spread warmth through hearts and just simply make us feel good.

This is week 1 of "52 Ways to Joy."

Now, I thought long and hard on what would be my first choice. Every morning over the last week, I've woken up and stared off into space, warm under the covers and still a little groggy from being in that "half-awake" stage. Then it hit me. First up is starting your day with a smile.

I know what you're thinking. Put a smile on your face BEFORE you even get out of bed?

Well, yes...that's what I'm saying.

Smile because you opened your eyes and are alive.

Smile because someone loves you and they're depending on you to get up and make them breakfast (and those cats and puppies waiting for you count!)

Smile because you are bigger and better than any problem you're going to face today!

So there you go - a way to start your day with just a little bit of joy before things go haywire, before the kids start fighting and your boss gets on your last nerve.

Try it for a few days. I dare you to smile before you get out of bed!

Six Sentence Sunday - Surrender to the Sheriff Teaser

Welcome to Six Sentence Sunday!

Today I've got a little teaser from Chapter 2 of my current WIP, Surrender to the Sheriff.

The setup to this scene:

After his bullet grazes her arm, Sam Harden, sheriff of Prosperity Creek in 1851, has just reminded Lilly how he plans to clean up the town and make it a safe place...

A slow smile appeared on Lilly's face, the smile that showed the crescent dimple in her left cheek. The smile that won his heart the moment he'd first seen it. Dreams of waking up to that smile kept him going when he might otherwise have given up on this town. That crescent dimple was the reason he was still wearing the star on his chest and not off mining with his brothers.

She touched his arm and nodded. "I know you'll do it, Sheriff."

He wanted to remind her to call him Sam; he needed to hear his name on her lips. When it came to Lilly, he needed a lot of things, but he couldn't focus on any of those selfish things now.

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you enjoyed the teaser, I know I have quite the soft-spot for Sheriff Sam already.

What brings you back to the blog?

When it comes to blog traffic, even chocolate isn't going to help.

Part of my "forward" motion plan for 2013 is being a better blogger. I know it's something most of us bloggers say every year...yada yada.

So, while sitting with my coffee and my half-eaten chocolate bar last night, it occurred to me that being a more consistent blogger isn't my problem.

Writing posts that people want to read IS the problem.

I've decided to leave it to YOU, the reader of this illustrious blog (haha, you can stop laughing now!)

Please take a moment to vote in the poll right at the top of the sidebar. I welcome your comments - because just like when I write my books - I'm writing with all of you in mind.

Here's your chance to tell a blogger what you want to see on her blog this year.
Don't be shy.
Anything and everything reasonable will be considered blogger-fodder in 2013!

The Tools of Accountability

Welcome to 2013!

This year my one and only resolution is to move FORWARD. Which means no looking back on 2012 (which wasn't a great year at our house, so this won't be a difficult task!)

Part of moving ahead with any goal is holding yourself accountable, because at the end of the day it's how you used the 24 hours we get everyday to your advantage - isn't it?

First you have to know what works for you. For me, it's my daily planner, my task list, and some kind of progress meter.

It also helps to have a support group of people working toward a challenge together.

So, here's my quick rundown of my "tools of accountability!"

(1) Everything goes on the calendar

(2) Important tasks go on a post-it note on top of my Moleskine agenda that goes EVERYWHERE with me. (Yes, I have a smartphone with plenty of calendar/to-do apps, I do use them - but I am a paper girl and it's just the best way for me.)

(3) Progress Meters and spreadsheets! Oh, I am soooo a visual girl. I love graphs and charts and anything that shows progress. I've always got a progress meter here on the blog with my latest word count for the current WIP and I love my spreadsheets with daily word counts, cumulative word counts, etc.

(4) By far the BEST way to keep me motivated and moving forward is to surround myself with people who can poke, prod and remind me about my goals. Those people nudge me back onto the track when I run off in a new direction, they cheer me on when I'm hitting my goals and they offer shoulders when I hit a wall. I've been blessed to have a great group of supportive writers to call my friends and critique partners! (And the group has two open spots right now! Click the link to read more about us.)

Today I hang the new calendars on the wall, open the new planners and update the spreadsheets to 2013. Do you have a favorite tool of accountability that's going to help you achieve your goals in 2013?