Real world, made up stories

"Write what you know," is really great advice. Its easier to write what you know and doesn't require a lot of research. But, in the fiction world, writing only what you know puts limits on the stories you can write.

In fan fiction I have written, I did a little research but often I just faked it. Somehow I was able to get away with that. But if I want to get published, I can't fake anything.

I'm writing a story that has many things I don't know, so I have to research. Although its not quite as fun as the writing part, I have to say that I have learned some interesting things I didn't know before.

My goal now is to be able to effectively and accurately use what I have learned about the real world in my fictional stories.

Jenna

Commas...

I hate commas. I can't ever figure out where they go. Is it before "but" or after? Is it before "which" or after?

I'm told to put them where I naturally pause when I speak. I think I speak wrong because I don't pause where the comma is supposed to go.

I have Strunk and White's Elements of Grammar and Elements of Style. I have read Woe is Me. I still can't get it.

I hear publishers don't have time to line edit anymore. So when the time comes, I need to find someone who can. If I don't, I may annoy a lot of readers.

I can see it now. A reviewer writes, "Great story but the commas detract from reading it." Should there have been a comma after 'but'? Before it? UGH!

Jenna

Yeah... 50 credits ...

This is a new blog and while I have been writing away for all to see, I'm certain I'm the only one reading it. So I joined Blog Explosion. It took me awhile to get set up. For one, my link wasn't working for a time. Then, I didn't have enough logs posted to be accepted. But now, I'm in!

Blog Explosion builds traffic by viewing other blogs. This takes some time although I have come across some pretty interesting (and terrifying) blogs. After searching for a bit, I get a page that tells me I have earned a certain number of credits usually 2 or 3. But today, I got 50...yahoo. I just hope that people who are sent to my site read it:)

BTW Blog Explosion offers other great stuff like being able to Blogmark sites you like, adding your podcasts, and great blog resources.

Check out Blog Explosion!

Getting to know you....

My first venture into romance writing was through fan fiction. Readers of my work have sent me praise (I know, I know, friends don't know squat about publishing) and have given me the confidence to write for publication.

There are some big differences from writing fan fiction and creating something from scratch. One of those difference is the characters. In fan fiction, I as the writer know the characters very well. I don't have to think about what they would do or say as they have already been fully developed by their creators. The readers know the characters well too, so I don't have to elaborate too much about them, their motivations or goals.

But, creating my own characters involves developing every detail about them. At first, this seemed fairly easy. But as I began to write and move them around in a story, it become clear that having in depth knowledge of the characters is important. When I find myself stuck on what's happening in the story, its often because I don't know the characters well enough to know what to make them do or say. They are flat, with no depth. How boring.

I have filled out numerous character sheets to help me flesh out these people, but in the end, I just cover the surface. Even having the back story (which does help) isn't enough. What I need to is to get in their heads, and that is hard. I can't just sit and think, "What's in her head?"

The interesting thing (and thank goodness for it), is that eventually I have an epiphany. The stars line up or God takes pity and bang, the answer becomes amazing clear. (These come to me usually in the car or when I'm sleeping. See Downloading My Brain for more on this phenomenon). Even better, it fits with the rest of the story. I can't figure out if I'm talented (the roots where there the whole time) or just extremely lucky that everything comes together.

Whatever the reason, I'm grateful for these moments. I only wish they would happen when I needed them and not after days of anguish over a story that seems completely disjointed and fit only for the trash can.

Jenna

Another writer's journey to getting published

I've started this blog to chronicle my journey through authordom (is that a word?). Of course, all the time I spend on this blog, may prevent my successful completion of a book. But, I also hope it will keep me focused on my goal...to finish and publish a book.

It seems like a daunting task. And what if no one wants it? Many authors don't sell their first work. Can I skip the first work and move to the second? Or whatever one will get published?

As I procrastinated on writing by surfing the net, I came across this writer's journal . She shares her experience of writing but also the process of getting published. I found it inspiring. So now, I'm off to write.

Jenna

Word Count...behind already

My goal was to finish my book in a week. I needed to write 4830 words a day to get it done. Today I wrote less than 1000. My word count is now 24,185.

Well, I can't look at it as being behind. I did write and so I'm that many words closer to being done. I guess I'll just have to try for 5530 words a day for the next 6 days.

Jenna

2 Free Audiobooks

The first audio book I ever listened to that I really got into was High Five by Janet Evanovich. I think on my version I heard Lorelei King who did a tremendous job creating voices for each character from Lulu to Grandma Mazur. With that experience, I was hooked on audio books.

When I had maxed out all the audiobooks at my library, I researched some other options and found Audible.com. At the time I joined, I paid $15.95 a month for 2 audiobook downloads. They even gave me a free player (that also plays MP3) to listen to the books. I can run or I can plug into a cassette and use in the car. Some of my favorite books including Envy by Sandra Brown and Match Me If You Can, I didn't read... I listened to them:)

Audible books can be used on iPods and other players. You can burn to CD. Or you can stream or download to your computer. Plus, it has more than books. It has newspapers, NPR shows and more.

I highly recommend audiobooks and the Audible program.

Listen to two FREE audiobooks RISK-FREE from Audible

Jenna

More free books...paperback book exchange

I discovered this resource a few years back. It was a great way to unload books I knew I wouldn't read again, and pick up books I hadn't yet read. Its how I got all the Louisiana Gentleman Series by Jennifer Blake.

If you have a lot of books you won't read again, The Book Cart will credit you $2.00 for every one that is requested from another member. You pay about $1.59 to ship it. If there is a book you want, you can request it, and your account is debited $2.50. The difference goes to help support the exchange.

Check it out:

The Book Cart

Get free books

As a stay and work-at-home mom, I have to watch my budget. Books are my weakness so I have had to find ways to get books cheaply. Here are some great resources:

You can get 2 free books from Harlequin:

This is from the Desire line which is where I'm hoping to sell my first story. But there are other options:

Like "Chick Lit" (that's not my term), try the Red Dress line:



Not sure what you want...mytery, fantasy, sweet, hot....? You can view all the lines and still get 2 free books.




Jenna

Book in a Week

I have 23, 185 words written on the book I'm currently working on. I need to get to at least 57,000 to pitch the publisher I'm thinking of (Sillouette Desire). That's 33,815 words to go. I'm eager to get this thing done and move to the next step but 33k...that's a lot of words. I'm not even half way done.

I came across a website about writing a book in a week. I think I'll give it a go. The difficult part for me is feeling like what's being written is pure crap... 'cause it is. The book in a week advocates just writing, getting it all down without letting the inner critic speak, without rereading. That's really what I need. Just to get it all down. Then I can go back and flesh out the scenes, improve the quality of the writing, and fill in missing pieces.

So, by May 1, I need to have the bones of the book done. That's my goal. That's about 4830 words a day. Wow! Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Jenna

All time best romances...According to Jenna

For women, books are like purses; choosing them is very personal. Not just any old purse will do. And not just any book, even just any romance book will do. So I know that my list of favorites will vary greatly from yours.

I have always been particular about what I read. In fact, unlike most writers, I was not an avid reader as a child. I was a latch key kid so the television is what occupied my time. I read Stephan King and that was about it. My sister introduced me to romance fiction. I read Tami Hoag's Cry Wolf and was hooked (you'll see it on my list). My first Nora Roberts book was The Reef, not on the list but a good book. But I don't like all romance fiction. I don't much like historical romance. I don't usually like a pregnancy or babies unless its on the last page or epilogue. I prefer those that show everything ... if you get my drift as opposed to the "sweet" books.

What do I like? I like romantic comedy. I like stories with angst. I like dark brooding hero's although I enjoy the light hearted men as well.

How does a book get on Jenna's Best Romance Book List? It has to be a book I'd read again or at least read parts of again. I don't reread my books in general. In fact, I give many away. So if I keep it with the intention of reading it again, its on the JBRBL (Jenna's Best Romance Book List). By the way, these are in no particular order:

1) Cry Wolf by Tami Hoag - Tami writes crime fiction now but as she made the transition from romance to mystery, she wrote several great books. This is one of them. Jack Boudreaux is THE romantic lead...tall, dark, brooding, haunted. Tami has wonderful description that greatly adds to her stories. This story takes place in Louisiana and Tami does a tremendous job at immersing you in the Cajun language and life.

2) Lucky's Lady - Tami Hoag. Like Cry Wolf this takes place in Louisiana. Etienne "Lucky" Doucet is a great romantic lead too.

3) The Return of Rafe MacKade - Nora Roberts. This is one of Nora's category romances. It is part of a four book series that includes stories about Rafe's brothers Jared, Shane and Devin. All the books are good but Rafe's story is my favorite. Rafe is the bad boy who returns home. I also really like the female protagonist, Regan. This story has a few ghosts which I thought would be dumb but actually adds an interesting element to the story.

4) Mr. Perfect - Linda Howard. I have read several of Linda's books and enjoyed them but this was my all time favorite. Both protagonists are interesting and likeable. The book is witty and fun. The qualifications for "Mr. Perfect" are great and are made even better when Jaine sees her annoying neighbor in the buff and discovers he comes close to meeting at least one of the criteria. Can you guess which?

5) In Death books - JD Robb. Technically, these are not romances. These books are found in the mystery section of book stores but I love Eve and Rourke for their intensity. Unlike traditional romances that end with the couple getting together, the In Death stories follow Eve and Rourke's relationship's complete with ups and downs but always intense and hot. I recommend reading them all but if you have to pick a few (I can't pick just one) I suggest Naked In Death (first book), Glory In Death (second book), Conspiracy In Death and Portrait in Death .

6) Envy - Sandra Brown. This is one of the few books that had me saying "oh wow" at the end. Most books, even when they have a great ride, you pretty much know where you are going to end up. In Envy, you get there too but there is a fantastic twist that has you saying, "All right!".

7) Welcome to Temptation and Bet Me - Jennifer Crusie. I have enjoyed most of Jennifer Crusie books I've read. Her characters are regular people. In Crazy for You, the protagonists are a teacher and a mechanic. Here characters also end up in some interesting predicaments. In Getting Rid of Bradley, the female protagonist ends up with green hair and still gets the guy. Its actually hard to pick a favorite so I chose two...because I'd read them again! I really liked Bet Me because the female protagonist is carrying a few extra pounds and still gets the guy!

8) Too Much Temptation - Lori Foster. Rumor has it that the Blaze line at Harlequin was created for Lori's books. They push the envelope so if you don't like explicit intimacy, you'll want to stay away. If you are looking for a quick read, Lori's "Bad Boy's" books are great too. I chose this one because we have a woman who is overweight and sees herself as frumpy who gets the guy!

9) Match Me If you Can - Susan Elizabeth Philips. This is actually the latest of her books that involve a professional football team. I like this one about a sports agent and a match maker because the characters are interesting and in the end, when he's lost because she won't believe he loves her and the moment she does realize that he does, is really great. I can read that scene over and over. Other good choices are Ain't She Sweet and Breathing Room.

10) Roan - Jennifer Blake. This is the third book in Jennifer's Louisiana Gentlemen series (Benedict clan). Unlike her other books, these books take place in modern time. This was the first in the series I read and probably why I like it best. It also has a great opening in which Sheriff Roan Benedict shoots Tory.

11) Absolutely Positively - Jayne Ann Krentz. I have enjoyed all the books I have read by Jayne. This is my favorite. Again, its Harry the hero that makes the story for me. Other good choices are Trust Me and Sharpe Edges. What makes Jayne fun is some of her protagonist have very unique names like Desdemona and Eugenia.

12) Every Waking Moment - Brenda Novak. I listened to this one on audio tape and found myself coming up with reasons to go somewhere so I could finish listening to it. It offers a suspenseful, edge of your seat read.

I think I'll stop there although there are many more great books. These are the few that stood out. Sometimes it was a single scene that made the book one of my favorites. Sometimes it was the characters. But all of them had great stories.

Leave me comments on your favorites!

Jenna.

There's a Word for It

The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug. - Mark Twain

Sometimes finding the right word is impossible. Until I started writing, I didn't understand the importance of correct wording. It not only conveys the thought more precisely, it can add impact and power.

There are many resources to help find the best word. My word processing program has a thesaurus to help. I have the standard Roget's Thesaurus as well. But, my favorite books for finding the exact word to express my thought is Flip Dictionary Barbara Ann Kipfer. Not only do these books help me choose accurate words, but they help me use a variety of words as well.

Jenna

Downloading my brain

The best time for planning a book is while you're doing the dishes. ~Agatha Christie

I find I come up with some of my best "writing" while I'm driving or falling asleep. Of course, these two activities are not conducive to writing. I finally put a small recorder in my car so I could dictate these great ideas and lines of dialogue. Unfortunately, the muse hasn't ridden in the car with me since then. I have a notebook by my bed but by the time I get up, go someplace where there is light (I don't want to wake the hubby), the brilliant combination of words is gone.

I'm wondering when Bill Gates or the government is going to invent something that will allow me to plug my brain into my computer kind of like Keanu Reeves in The Matrix only with a better outcome. If I could simply download my brain onto my computer, this writing thing wouldn't be so hard!

Jenna

Writer Wannabe

How often have you said, "I wish I could do..." or "It would be nice to..." I say it frequently. One of the things I'd like to do is write a fiction book AND have it published. Last month I decided to stop paying lip service and actually take steps to reach that goal. I have signed up for a writing course. I have downloaded the form to apply to the RWA. The only thing I need to do now is ... write.

I have started my book, a short romance. But I find that I'm not writing daily as all writing experts suggest. My excuse is that I have little time. But the truth is, I have the time, I just don't always have the inspiration. Actually, my real problem is that I think my writing sucks. I know I'm not supposed to let the inner critic get in the way, but I can't help it.

I have read enough about writing and talked to enough authors to know that everyone goes through this. I just have to work through it and write. I thought by blogging my journey, it would help me stick to my goal. If I have to write about my process, I need to keep working on the process, right? Or maybe I'm just coming up with another thing to keep me from writing.

So, I'm going to post this and get back to my story. Well, first I'm going to customize this blog and then I'll get to work....

Jenna