Sunday Salon: Nanowrimo - writing, writing, writing

Getting all my tools together to start NaNoWriMo.  A fresh, clean notebook, sharpened pencils and a fat pen.  A new laptop computer arriving this week that hopefully won't totally distract me with wanting to explore all the new widgets the very minute it arrives.  The house is clean, the bills are paid, laundry is done, lessons have been planned. The decks have been cleared.  The family warned. Now if I can just psych myself out to getting up a couple hours earlier.  Wondering if the time change is going to help at all.  Hmmm!

James has chosen not to participate this year, but I can see those wheels turning and I'm sure he'll be disappearing into his room every night after dinner to write.  Father's been complaining about not having enough time to work on his mic preamp design and he really, really, really wants to finish it.  I've suggested he do his own version of nano.  What shall we call it?  NaMiPreDeMo - National Mic Preamp Design Month.  

What's my story going to be about?  So glad you asked.   *grin* 

Sabrina Carmichael is the Vice President of Carmichael Enterprises and their software financial security expert.  She's a genius and designed the financial software used by many banks, brokerages and governments.

Sabrina  

(yes, that's a wig manikin. The closest picture I could find that represented what she looked like)

Matthew Jordain, (left) one of the members of the board decides he wants to take over the company.  When the hostile takeover is thwarted, he kidnaps her and forces her to work for him and his brother Henry, (right) using her expertise to steal from his competitors.   She's constantly guarded and can't escape.  The only thing she can do is give Matthew what he wants It's the only way she can gain his trust and access all his secrets.  Perhaps she just may find a way to use it against him.



Jake Hunt and Richard Delasante have been deep undercover in the Naxsoft Conglomerate working for the crime family, Henry and Matthew Jordain.  They've worked their way up to trusted positions.  Jake is now Henry Jordain's 2nd in charge and Richard head of security for Matthew.   They are closing in on discovering their Asian and European connections, getting all the evidence they need to bring the cartel down. 

Richard (left) and Jake (right)  both know how ruthless the brothers can be and are concerned about Sabrina's safety.  They have a choice.  Rescue her and blow years of work or use her, without blowing their covers, to obtain the information they need to bring them down.  Little do they know she has an agenda of her own and may force them to make a choice when they least expect it. 




This story has been floating around in my head for years, but I wasn't quite ready to commit to it.  Of course, wouldn't you know while I was figuring it out, other ideas popped into my head for a series that would continue with characters from Eyes in the Ashes. *face palm*     Father says I need to quit coming up with new stories and edit and finish the other stories I've started.  I keep telling him, it's all practice and with each story, I'm improving.   Soon, I'll be able to decide which story has the most potential and edit the heck out of it.  Which is another learning process in itself.




I'm going into crazy writing mode for the month and will be posting once a week on Sundays.  I'll be attempting to avoid the internet (easier said than done) as much as possible which means not turning on the computer until I've reached the daily goal of 1667 words. Lots of neat things going on around the blogosphere for Nanowrimo.   Check out the forums on Nanowrimo and nano sprints on twitter for some writing blasts.    Last night I discovered the Facebook group created by Lia Keyes, NaNoWriMo Warriors which is almost 200 people strong.  Need advice or just want to chat - Be sure to check it out.

Posts to ponder while I'm in the midst of a planning, plotting and pondering

I'm in the midst of planning, plotting and pondering and thought I'd share a few posts discovered in my meanderings about the blogosphere.  Yep, we'll just call it research.  *grin*  


From my favorite group mystery author blog - Murderati, J.T. Elison's  If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It. Which is a lovely reminder I need right now, because my new laptop is about to arrive which has Windows 7 and lovely new widgets to explore. I'll have to restrain myself from playing and exploring until after I gotten my 1600 words written for the day.

Thanks to K.M Weiland, I found The Heart and Craft of Life Writing with Sharon Lippincott.   She has this nifty widget, Life Writing Tip of the Day that I've added to my sidebar.  But most of all,  many posts that make you think.   And also Amber Starfire (don't you love her name) Writing Through Life. Both well worth checking out.

Allison Brennan, you gotta love her.   As we all know THE election is coming up November 2nd and everyone is encouraging everyone to vote.  Amidst the mail fliers and computer generated calls and political commercials, she brings a bit of sanity with her post And First Do No Harm to the process.  Yes, it is important to vote.  But don't just blindly vote to vote.  Give it some thought, do your research and vote with confidence.

Do you follow the Lipstick Chronicles?  Another great group author site that I've discovered.  Diane Chamberlain's post about eavesdropping from her chair at Starbucks "Overheard At The Opium Den" makes me want to check out my local coffee shop.  

Three more days til NaNoWriMo.  Are you ready?  Let me know if you are participating and we'll cheer each other to the finish line.   My handle on the site - mytwoblessings.

Winner of Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students by Christine Fonseca

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway for Christine Fonseca's Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students.   I plugged all the names into Random.org and the winner is.

John Ross 

Congratulations, John.  Please email me your address and Christine will personally send you a copy of her book.  

For those who would like a copy of the book, you can order it directly from Prufrock Press.

Stumbling on other people's dumbness

"I know. I'm just like a chair you stumble over in the dark." Elizabeth said. "It isn't the chair's fault, but you kick it anyhow."

Nat blinked.  "What are you talking about?"

"Your brain. It's too fast.  So you stumble on other people's dumbness.  And - you want to kick something." 

Nat felt his face get hot.  "But I shouldn't."

Elizabeth agreed.  "No you shouldn't, because even if people are dumb, they aren't chairs, are they?  They do have feelings."

Carry On Mr. Bowditch - Jean Lee Latham (pg 82-83)

Bouchercon 2010 - Declan Hughes Play "I Can't Get Started"

One of the major highlights of Bouchercon 2010 was the reading of Irish Playwright and mystery writer Declan Hughes play "I Can't Get Started  by Hughes and an all star cast of authors.   The cast included Declan Hughes, Martyn Waites, Alison Gaylin, Brett Battles, Megan Abbott, Christa Faust and Mark Billingham.  I wish I could have recorded the whole thing because found out later that they didn't arrange to have the reading recorded.  And it was a memorable event.  All the authors put their hearts and souls into the reading.   It was touching, hilarious, entertaining, and educational.  I managed to catch a few snippets with my digital camera

Martyn Waite and Alison Gaylin




Brett Battles and Declan Hughes



Mark Billingham


Mark Billingham, Christa Faust, Martyn Waite and Alison Gaylin



Brett Battles and Megan Abbott


The reading was the brain child of writer Ellen Clair Lamb and you can see the whole story here on how it came to fruition. 

Bouchercon 2010 - Day Three

View from the window at the end of the hallway from the 11th floor

After a completely filling breakfast down in the Eclipse restaurant where they served cowboy proportions of delicious food, headed over to Grand Ballroom Foyer.   I had volunteered to work for two hours in the Registration area.   Turned into more of an information, pointing out where to go person than registration, since most folks had registered by Saturday. However they did end having over 100 walk-in's come in for day passes.  According to Karen, a most wonderful hard working volunteer, there were over 1400 people pre-signed for the conference, 200 walk-in's on Friday and 100 on Saturday.  Lots of people.  Had a blast helping folks out, and if I ever do another conference will volunteer more time. 

Walked down to the Port of San Francisco with Laura of I'm Booking It where we feasted on taco's from Mijita Cocina Mexicana and then wandering through Ferry Building Marketplace and explored Book Passages and picked up some delicious chocolate from Scharffen Berger.  

Headed back to the conference to the Grand Ballroom where Jacqueline Winspear interviewed Guest of Honor Lee Child.   Among many things, Child talked about his research and writing process. He mentioned how folks thought the ending of 61 hours was a cliff hanger and it really wasn't. He assumed people would be able to use their imagination and figure it out without him having to spell everything out. The answers are all right there in the book.  When he decided to write The Killing Floor and have the setting in Georgia, he didn't have the money to go to Georgia, so what did he do. He watched My Cousin Vinny, which even though it was set in Alabama was close enough. He said it didn't matter whether he actually went to the locations his books were set in, because he received complaints that he hadn't gotten it right.  

After listening to Lee Child, went on to sit in on a Continuous Conversation about the Business of Books with a large group of panelists including Seth Harwood, Elizabeth Sims, John Goodwin to name a few.  Then moved on to a 30 on the 30 which was a 30 minute presentation by Dennis Palumbo on How to address writers' block, procrastination and other perils.   

I could have listened to Dennis for a couple hours.  He was a screenwriter for the first two seasons of Welcome Back Kotter back in the 70's and is now a licensed psychotherapist for screenwriters, authors, directors, etc.   His viewpoints on writers block made a lot of sense.  In a nutshell:

Writer's block is an inevitable developmental process for writers.  A block general happens before a big growth spurt. It is that tension between stages.  Once you have gotten past the block, you have grown as a writer.  Are you a worse writer after that. No, you are a better writer.   Whatever is blocking you, write about it. If it is fear or worry, then write about your character fearing or worrying about something.  If you feel like you are drowning, then write about the character drowning, figuratively or literally.  Don't give writers block a negative meaning.  It only means something if you let it.   Dennis has three cosmic rules of writing.

1st cosmic rule:  "You are enough."   Quit with the if only's.   Everybody thinks the party is happening somewhere else.     You have everything in you to be the writer you want to be right now.

2nd cosmic rule:  "Work with what you are given."  Use who you are, your personal voice, your experiences and emotions.


3rd cosmic rule:  "Writing begets writing."   Quit thinking and worrying about it, do it, write.  If you get to your computer and along the way, stumble over the cat in the morning, and then sit there and can't think about what to write.  Start with the cat.   

He gave us all quite a bit to think about.  I'm looking forward to reading his book:  Writing from the Inside Out: Transforming Your Psychological Blocks to Release the Writer Within.   

From there, I headed over to the Grand Ballroom for a reading of a play by Irish playwright and mystery author Declan Hughes called I Can't Get Started with an amazing all star author cast of Megan Abbott, Brett Battles, Mark Billingham, Christa Faust, Alison Gaylin, Martyn Waites and Declan Hughes.  Highlights of the play to be continued in the next post.  

Bouchercon 2010 - Day two

I was awakened by room service delivering my breakfast which is better than a wake up call any day. The first night, Hyatt had a neat door hanger thing you could circle what you wanted for breakfast and what time you wanted it delivered, hang it outside your door before midnight and wallah, breakfast delivered.  Plus, when I looked out the window  I was treated to this beautiful sight.  What a way to start the day. 

My first panel of the day with one of my favorite authors - Michelle Gagnon. I've been wanting to know what happened to Kelly ever since I read her last book "Gatekeeper."  Her newest book "Kidnap and Ransom" answers that which is coming out November 1st.   But guess what, I got a copy. Yeah!  The panel Runaway discussed the use of horror and violence as plot points with authors April Smith moderating and Michael Ayoob, Jonathan Woods, Michelle and Shane Gericke.  I unfortunately forgot my pen so don't remember a whole lot of things they said. It's all a blur except yep you guessed it. More authors to add to my want list.

Next stop - an unscripted conversation between Hank Phillipi Ryan and David Baldacci.  David's newest book "Hell's Corner" will be out November 9th.  Interestedly enough he said he doesn't know the ending of any of his books when he starts them.  Writing for him is a totally spontaneous, creative process.  His best advice - "If action doesn't help the characters or the enhance the plot, leave it out."  And Scholastic has asked him to write the very last book in the 39 Clues series.  When he asked them what made them think he could write a young adult novel, they said they were impressed by his character Willa in First Family.  

From there, I sat in on the Interlude Panel talking about a story is more than just action with authors Chris Knopf moderating, Robert Gregory Browne (one of my favorite murderati blog authors), Michael Dymmoch, Bill Crider and Todd Ritter.  These guys were quite humorous, played off each other quite well and Bill Crider has a delightful Texas accent which reminded me of when I used to live in Texas.   Lots of talk about intuitive writing, emotional action, and the quiet times in the book between moments of action and how to handle it.  Bill Crider's favorite - have your character play with their dog.  This seemed to come up quite a bit in panels. Animals are favorites.

After lunch and taking a short nap, went to Mulholland Books (the new imprint of Little, Brown and Company)  Murder By Proxy presentation introducing marketing director,  Miriam Parker (just as bubbly and nice in person as she is on the blogosphere including squeals and hugs on both our parts when we met) and editor John Schoenfelder.

Miriam Parker and John Schoenfelder 

They introduced the authors who will be writing for Mulholland books including Mark Billingham, Marcia Clark,  Duane Swierczynski,  Daniel Woodrell, and Sebastian Rotella

 

Mark Billingham and Duane Swiercynski Both men are just hoots and I'm looking forward to reading and reviewing their books.

Marcia Clark.  Yes, the prosecutor from the infamous O.J. Trial.   Her debut crime thriller novel "Guilt by Association" will be out in 2011. 

Then I was the unofficial water girl, official bearer of name badges for the Crossfire Panel about putting your protagonist in jeopardy.  

 The panel included professor Randal Brandt moderating for authors Lori Armstrong (squee), James Rollins (double squee) and Dianne Emley, Karen Olsen and James L. Thane.  I've read most of their books except for Dianne and headed right down to the bookstore to buy "The First Cut."  

Randall and Diane

Lori Armstrong And James Rollins

I lurved Lori's Julie Collins Mysteries and she now has a new series, the Mercy Gunderson Mysteries with the first book out "No Mercy."   Can't wait to read it.  They talked about the cost to characters for escaping jeopardy whether it is physical or emotional.  James Rollins also talked about the sympathy builders. He has a list of 7 things - he shared two but then made available the link to his website with the list. 

(1) Have the character demonstrate exceptional skill at his/her profession or some other task.
(2) Have the character be funny/humorous.
(3) Have character treat others well.
(4) Have the character demonstrate kindness to pets/kids/elderly.
(5) Have the character afflicted or suffering from undeserved misfortune.
(6) Show other people demonstrating affection for the character.
(7) Give the character some physical/mental/educational handicap, or make them a massive underdog.

After all those panels, I was pretty much wiped out for the day.   Had dinner and retired to my room and watched a movie, Knight and Day, then passed out.