BICHOK....But no Words??

I've thought about the topic of No-Fail Writing Tactics, and coming up blank. Of course, there are different forms of writing, and if you're not familiar with the acronym BICHOK, it stands for Butt In Chair Hands (or Fingers) On Keyboard. During my first NaNoWriMo, this worked. Sure, I wrote a bunch of idiotic words and endless descriptions, but I accomplished my word count. And sometimes the brain got tired of the the stupidity and inspiration would strike.

Lately, the only thing I've managed to accomplish are journal entries. I sit down to write my latest wip, but instead, I end up pouring my thoughts onto a blank document.

For a while, the word wars on Twitter jump-started the creativity, but lately I just can't seem to be even motivated to sign into the site. I'm not sure if it's depression, or laziness, but I open the document and the finger-brain connection just isn't there.

And another urge is getting stronger. Other characters who've been on the back burner for several years are beginning to demand attention. I've set the wheels in motion; I'll know in a week if it will work.

So at the moment I'm not the person to offer advice on how to write when the words aren't flowing, or the characters go on vacation without you. What works for me won't necessarily work for someone else.

And sometimes, all it takes is an email from an editor, reader, or simply time off to recharge. Whatever it takes, I'll be ready for the day when the flood of words return and I'll have to be dragged from the computer kicking and screaming.

Strange; I Hadn't Noticed....

When I first thought about the recurring themes in my books, I thought it would be easy. Romance, right?

And then I spent last week thinking about all the books I've written.

Drinking. Infidelity. Various social issues. Jumping to (wrong) conclusions. Trust issues, which ultimately lead to some sort of verbal or emotional abuse, be it past or present.

And then there's the current one.

I had a crit partner read the first three chapters, and he pointed out several things I hadn't noticed.

- I've got a lot of rivalry going on. Sibling rivalry; romantic entanglements; past teenage conflicts; competition.

- I also have an older brother portrayed as being stuck in small town, old fashioned values.

- And, yes, the heroine's past lover dumped her for someone 'more connected'.

Where do these come from?

I know the small town, prudish attitudes are due to living in one, plus the fact I'm currently watching past episodes of a favorite TV show, and the narrow-mindedness of my spouse's family.

I dated an alcoholic, plus witnessed a lot of drinking in college. I also have it in my family, so I'm careful not to overdo it when I drink socially. I know my limits, and stick to them.

I've been on both sides of the infidelity issue, so I'm well aware of the pain it brings, as well as the trust issues.

And I admit, I endured a lot of teasing while growing up, and dreamed of 'proving everyone wrong'. I'm sort of over that now, having proved that point the last several years.

So is my subconscious trying to tell me something? Or is this just an outlet for all the stress I've felt lately?

Hindsight, Pt 2....

Ahhhh....the one(s) which got away.....where do I start?

1) Friend D: He was my 'Sunday Night Date' all through my junior year of high school...but I was too stupid to notice him until it was too late. Of course, do a rewind, and at the tender age of 12, I was all set to settle into holy matrimony with his identical twin brother! Two years later, hormones and a bit of anti-social behavior kicked in, and I pushed him away for greener pastures. (Have you been paying attention to Molly's Flashback Fridays? LOL!)

2) My soul mate: I met him while dating his best friend. And being the stubborn cuss that I am, I didn't understand the jerk I was dating was also hitting on other girls in front of me. If I could do it all over again, I'd have grabbed T that night and never looked back. Or, fast-forward one year and never given up on him. Took us three more years and six years of separation to see we'd both made major mistakes in our lives. And I'm still being a stubborn cuss...and now he's the one who got tired of waiting. Now we joke we'll finally make things right again when we're in our 80's....

3) JF: The first guy to 'educate' me on the finer points of living with the opposite sex. Of course, in hindsight, we'd probably be divorced by now, but at the same time, it was my jealousy which did us in. I had a two month period in which we lived apart, and in the 2nd month, my over-possessiveness made him feel smothered. He married six months later, and she divorced him as soon as she got her degree. He's on wife #6 or 7 right now....I would have been #4. So maybe that was a good thing after all?

And since if I could really have a do-over and make major changes to my life in 1987, everyone I dated from then until 1990 would have been different.

On the other hand, my soul mate has been the hero in the majority of my books, so he's been the driving influence behind my books:)

And on a good note, I received a fan letter over the weekend:) Pam, who won Wild At Heart through the TRS Stay at Home party, emailed me and said, "Just a note to let you know I really enjoyed the story! thanks so much again!"

Made my day! Thanks Pam:)

Hindsight...

....is always 20/20. Gah...if I could have a do-over of last year! Soooo many things I'd change or at least do differently! Let's start with February.

-I would have sent the hubby out to move the car, instead of the oldest child. Cost us $900 to repair the damage to friend's car when he failed to see it in the dark and backed into it.

March:

-I would have held on to more of our tax refund; plus the minute the spouse complained about his sight, dragged him to the eye doctor.

-Picked a better date for oldest son's Eagle Ceremony, but as it turned out, nobody will ever forget that day, lol! (Palm Sunday, two days after hubby's eye surgery!)

July:

-Investigated potential publisher a bit more thoroughly.

Aug:

-Would have made a better decision, instead of keeping my 'WTHIGO' issues to myself.

-Bought oldest the College Care Package, even though he told me not to.

Oct:

-Attended signing in the MORNING, instead of the afternoon. Everyone was gone by then.

I know there are others I'm forgetting; these are just the big ones. The best decision of last year, it seems, was doing the Farmer's Market every weekend. It got me noticed by the Christmas Parade planners, and as a result, myself and five other authors were made the Grand Marshals. I enjoyed it, and was thankful the weather cooperated.

What about you? Do you have anything you'd like to change about the past year? Or was 2010 pretty good?

Whips and Chains

Maybe it was all those spankings as a child. Or being teased by my peers from the 4th grade until high school. At any rate, I most likely will not write a BDSM, or any psychological horror/thriller stories.

Don't get me wrong; I enjoy reading them from time to time. And in fact, several of my favorite authors write these genres. But I just can't wrap my head around anyone who would enjoy being 'punished', spanked, whipped, or even treated like a child, and then being told 'I love you,' and being made love to. In my head, those elements just don't go together.

The closest I can get to writing anything like this would be mild bondage. When tying each other up is viewed in playful ways, and not causing any pain. I do, however, have a wip which wants to veer into this genre, and another which wants to take a peek into the lifestyle. But neither of these are grabbing my attention, so I may just turn the concept over to Brynn and see if she can work her magic:) I'll take my payment in free books, ha ha:) Then again, she may insist I do it myself.

Another genre I doubt I'll ever write is M/M. Again, I have read some of this genre, and thanks to Kaenar Langdon, there is a video saved in my email which I think is pretty hot! I think I'll leave this to the ladies who write it best; Dakota Rebel, Kaenar, Carol Lynne, and Mia Watts. I had enough problems writing my one and only F/F, in which all of the sex scenes take place 'behind closed doors'.

Menage: I like to read it; however, I tried to picture myself as the adored object once, but always, the 2nd guy managed to fade away. Guess I'm just an old fashioned, one man-at-a-time-woman.

Fantasy/SciFi: In two words, World Building. Enough said. If I have trouble visualizing my setting, how can I expect to write it? If I attempted either of these, I'd end up looking like a sad copy of Harry Potter, Tolkein, or Star Wars. I again refer you to my ending of Star Wars. Pitiful.

I admire anyone who can create other worlds and make them sound exciting! Jae Roth, Anny Cook, Vicky Burkholder...these ladies have imaginations!

I know there are several of my friends who don't like unhappy endings, and others who can't stand romance. It all comes down to personal preference. What's yours?

And never say never; I'm collaborating right now with what may end up being my one and only horror/transgender/zombie story. The other two authors need to write their scenes and finish what I started!

Shock!

"Dear Kenzie,
" After reading your book, I have decided not to set it out for my customers. Frankly, I am appalled at the language and sexual situations depicted, even though I am fully aware of today's environment. I do, however, choose to discourage such behavior among today's teenagers and young adults, and therefore would invite you to put your talents to better use.

" I would also like to invite you to meet my Friend who died on the Cross. Finding a wholesome, God-fearing community might help cleanse your vocabulary and create stories more tailored to promoting God's glory.

"Sincerely,"
Name Withheld,
First customer repelled by my first book, June 2007

In my defense, I TOLD her the book had some language and mild sexual situations. She chose to buy it anyway. And a week or so later, her note arrived in the mail.

My first impulse was shock, and I wanted to write her back, explaining yes, I AM a Christian, and attend church on a regular basis. But then common sense prevailed; I did not want to engage her in a pissing contest, and let the matter drop. I don't even think I'd recognize her if I ever ran into her again.

You've undoubtedly heard of the author who had no such qualms about confronting one of her reviewers, who gave a not-so-steller-review. I don't know if this will hinder her further efforts; I think she definitely needs a 'think before you speak/type' attitude. Jumping in someone's face because they've expressed an opinion of your work is not professional behavior. Remember; our work is highly subjective and we're not going to please everyone we meet. Develop a thick skin and let the bad reviews go; enjoy the good ones and strive for your best work.

First Impressions

"Oooooh, you're an author? What do you write?"

"Adult Contemporary Romance."

(Eyebrows lift) "Ohhhhh..."

I'm up front with what I write; however, I tend to omit the 'erotic' part, preferring to call it 'adult'. If anyone wants to know more, and I can't judge their age, I ask how old they are, and if they're younger than eighteen, I steer them toward my alter-ego's books.

I'm still new enough that I've not had a whole lot of reactions; I have been prayed over (basically, for the Lord to help me clean up my language); I've had someone write me a letter inviting me to 'Meet my friend who died on the cross' (I already have a very good relationship with Him, thankyouverymuch!); and I've even had former classmates say they've read excerpts and fall off their chairs. "Sweet, innocent YOU wrote THAT?" (Sweet, innocent me went to college and grew up, heh heh heh!)

But I suppose the best reaction I ever received was two years ago at our local Wine and Art Festival. Apparently, one of the workers at one of the wineries had stopped by my table earlier, and had heard me refer to my writing as 'Adult Smut'.

I went up for a taste of one of their wines, and as I was tasting, he asked me, "Do you really write smut?"

"Yes, I do."

"Good for you!" He poured me another larger taste, free of charge!

And another winery owner gave me two bottles of Blueberry Wine, because we'd sent many customers to his booth, and, "My wife really enjoyed reading your book last year. When is the next one going to be available?"

Unfortunately, this past year, that particular winery did not make it to the festival; their truck broke down. So I have high hopes this coming June, when I get to tell him Wild At Heart is out, and two more will be on the way:)