#Binge-watching with Christine DePetrillo

I consider watching television and movies research for writing. I thought I'd share some things I've been binge-watching recently. If you haven't seen some of these, you might want to take a peek.

1. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman - An oldie, but a goody. I love period pieces that transport be to another time and place. I've always thought the character of Dr. Mike was so well done. A true testimony to the strong female spirit.

2. Anne of Green Gables - Speaking of strong female spirit, is there anyone better than Anne? I simply adore Megan Follows as well. She is such a gifted actress and I first fell in love with her as Anne.

3. Black Mirror - A Twilight Zone-esque show but with a futuristic flavor. I'll admit some of the episodes are... unsettling. Mostly because they are not stretching the truth all that much. I'd just like to hang out with the writers of this show because they must be super interesting to have the ideas they have.

4. Everything Sucks - If you love 90s alternative rock, you'll like this show. The soundtrack is admittedly better than the plot, but you'll love the characters because you can no doubt find a little piece of yourself in at least one of them. It's also a good show to keep you entertained while you're waiting for Stranger Things to come out with a new season.

5. Cheers - Just because everyone needs a place "where everybody knows your name."

6. Bitten - I like to rewatch this to get in touch with my inner werewolf. And Greyston Holt is so nice to look at.

7. Hallmark Movies - Sometimes a night just needs a little love, you know?

8. Beauty and the Beast - Disney come to life? Yeah, count me in.

What binge suggestions do you have for me?

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a $50 Amazon Gift eCard! Visit my website and scroll down on the home page for the details.

Toodles,
Chris
www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com

Back on target, #amwriting still

I took some time off for hip replacement surgery, and while I was down for the count, I also took time away from writing.

It was odd; it was like my book was in suspended animation in my head. I didn't think much about it at all. But when I sat back down at the computer again and re-read what I wrote, I was ready to get going again. However, it took awhile to get the rhythm back. I was so accustomed to all that 'free' time, I had to get back into my routine.

I'm back, now, and back on track (aiming for a chapter or more a week). So far, so good. But it has been a bit of a struggle. This isn't like when I take a break after finishing a book. This was more like my brain just went on vacation. It wasn't particularly refreshing and I didn't get a burst of energy when I got back into it, not like when I take a break after finishing a book.

This tells me that I need to keep to a regular writing schedule whenever I can. It's a habit with me, this writing every day, and its one I need to keep up with. So much of what we accomplish in life is based on habits, isn't it? Diet, exercise, work -- most are habits that we've cultivated. Writing has become a habit for me and that little break showed me how that habit can slide off the tracks.

So yes, #amwriting with a bit more insight into my own personal writing routines. That medical break was good for me, in more ways than one!

J L
(jayellwilson.com)

Remember #lifehappens and it isn't always grand by Vonnie Davis

We all know without conflict, there is no story. Romance writers can use two types of conflict--internal and external. I tend to go with the external. Something or someone trying to keep the couple apart. Most writers go the route where differences in the characters' pasts, outlooks on issues, and their varying ways of reacting to problems are just a few examples of internal conflict on the way to their black moment.

But all conflict isn't bad.

It certainly isn't always an argument. And thank goodness for that. Conflict is anything that keeps the heroine or hero from attaining his/her goal. Linda wants to fly from Chicago to New York to witness the birth of her first grandchild. Thanks to a huge snow storm, all the flights are cancelled out of O'Hare. Getting to her daughter's bedside becomes her conflict. She catches a ride with a truck driver. He could have a great sense of humor, be going through a rough marital patch where Linda can advise him, or be an eight-handed Romeo.

Writing romance helped me realize some things about myself. For one, I don't handle real-life conflict well. Writing about it can put me in a bit of a depression. Another issue I have is either a pale gray dark moment or an over-the-top deep purple one that can make a reader roll her eyes and mumble, "For pity's sake!"

But life isn't always grand in romance--or in reality. As I write this, I'm watching a nurse clean Calvin. He went into a rehab facility on Sunday and this morning had a small stroke. He can't speak clearly; he mumbles and jerks his chin around to communicate. He can't raise his right arm. The doctor hopes these things are temporary. For a retired English teacher and radio announcer, back in the day, not being able to talk is doubly frustrating.

He can't say my name, but when I ask him if I'm his sweetest angel, his love shines in his eyes and in the small smile he can still make.

I'm supposed to be writing, but I have too many irons in the fire right now. I get our taxes done tomorrow. Someone baked into my rental car Allstate arranged while ours is being repaired. And a lens popped out of my glasses.

Life happens and it "ain't" always grand.

Follow me on www.vonniedavis.com and stay well.

#amwriting From a Slightly Different Perspective by Margo Hoornstra

Lately on these pages, my fellow Roses have discussed the writing process from their perspective. The struggles to get a book just right before it’s presented to the public. Several things to be sure of include:

1. The main characters are properly fleshed out and believable
2. Keep point of view true and constant throughout
3. Close all story arcs
4. Tie up all loose ends
5. Provide a clear and satisfying ending
6. Once finished, make sure every word is right and punctuation is absolutely perfect

The only way to guarantee a product readers will flock to and buy. Right?

Well, I just finished a block buster, made into a movie, best seller by an amazingly prolific author. In paperback format, by the way. My thinking was to get some insight in to how it’s done correctly as I embarked on my latest effort. The book I read was written in the nineties, and still today ranks right up there in block buster bestsellerdom.

So, it stands to reason each and every item of the above checklist would have been strictly adhered to. Right?

To my surprise, not necessarily.

Here’s my humble opinion on how this book fared when compared to the above checklist test.

1. Main characters’ believability. This was done to a point, but more through the actual telling of their preferences rather than showing them react. Plus they were always in adrenaline mode. Never really acting human. And, half way through an otherwise smart heroine became TSTL, and almost didn’t.
2. Consistency in POV. Not hardly. Some first person, some third. Lots of omnipresent head hopping. Hard to follow at times.
3. Completed story arcs. While passably done, quite a few character actions were left hanging. Put there, IMHO, more for shock value than story substance.
4. Tie up loose ends. Again. A lot of shock value chapter endings with storylines that were never heard from again.
5. True and satisfying ending. While the ending was a real, well, ending that rang true; it wasn’t in the least bit satisfying. Again, IMHO. It was as if the whole build up of so many previous chapters was crammed into the last few pages as almost a series of after thoughts.
6. Perfect on the page. While, of course well done in this aspect. There were errors. A few periods and commas that were missed. Some passages that could have used another content edit. Certainly not perfect.

What does this tell us? In my opinion, again, it tells us that the books we write don’t have to be flawless, they just have to be…good.

How about you? Any books you’ve read recently that, while memorable in their own right, weren’t exactly perfect in each and every aspect?

As you ponder this deep and deliberate question, here's my latest effort, Book 1, in the Brothers In Blue series On The Surface

Maybe not flawless but, the best I could do in making it memorable.

My days to blog here are the 11th and 23rd. For more about me and stories I write, please visit my website

Horrors! #Amwriting a Blurb by Rolynn Anderson

*#!@&^!
All of us swear when we write blurbs.  Some of us have blurbs thrust upon us by publishers (and commence swearing at first sight). We indies get to swear at ourselves for every wooden phrase or hackneyed term. Since we're all trying to use the same keywords, it's no surprise our teasers sound alike. After we place the polished blurb on the back of the book, we're still growling and groaning over this or that word choice.

I come begging for feedback on the blurb below. Many of you read my Christmas short story about Sable and Carter, so you have more insight about FIRE IS NICE than anyone else I know.  So have at this draft...even if you just tell me the phrase/idea you like and/or the phrase/idea you don't like.  My skin is thick and I need your objectivity.  Thanks!

Giant redwoods crave a scorching forest fire to release their seeds. What kind of heat will smoke poachers out of Sequoia National Park?

***

Criminals are stealing 11,000 year old animal bones from the caves of Sequoia. Ranger Sable Chisholm, assigned to collar the thieves, brings along her donkey and pig. Sable is a former L.A. Agent, recovering from a brain injury, which took away fear but intensified her other emotions. Ranger Carter Glass, devoted to applying logic and statistics to park problems, is Sable’s reluctant partner in crime-solving.

Then the bone-robbers start shooting rangers, deepening the mystery and pushing the stakes sky-high.

If Sable can’t control her fearlessness to team with Carter, her career is over.

For the ancient Sequoia tree, fire is nice, but Sable’s fiery personality could reduce two reputations to ashes.

Journey or Path to the #Editing Insane Asylum by Brenda Whiteside

I've shared a couple of Journey of a Novel tales with you. The word journey implies to me a bit of work, but a path of joy and satisfaction at the end...my experience until now. I'm here to tell you, today, that ever so often the journey is more of a treacherous trek.

The Deep Well of Love and Murder, the fifth and final book of my Love and Murder Series, is a hard fought labor of creation. I think I posted about the deep well of funk I wallowed in during the writing of it. When I finally, with great effort, wrote the end, and sent it off to my editor I received back what is now a funny response. "Brenda, are you okay? Don't take this wrong, but after reading the first three chapters, I have to ask if there's anything wrong." Yeah, that bad.

But I was able to plunge in and do a rewrite which resulted in kudos from her. "Now, that's the Brenda I love to read."

Still, there were edits to do. And edits, and edits. For some reason, every time I read this book, I find more. I thought I did my last (and third round). My editor sees it differently. Her email today said since I found so many needed corrections, I'll need to read it again. That sound is me banging my head on the wall.

I'm going to share a few of my last finds with you. Keep in mind, I had already read the book four times, and I still managed to find these. And this wasn't all I found. How is that possible??!

Page 87 line 23

Ah hell, who knows? I’ll wring the son of bitch’s neck when I find out who he is.” 

Left out the word a. 

Ah hell, who knows? I’ll wring the son of a bitch’s neck when I find out who he is.”

Page 205 line 8

Nearly as still as a statue, only his chest moved with a shallow breath, he studied her. 

The word while left out and no need for comma. 

Nearly as still as a statue, only his chest moved with a shallow breath while he studied her.

Page 298 line 13

Another buck of her hips took her breath away from the pain. 

Words in wrong order. 

Another buck of her hips and the pain took her breath away. 

Page 337 line 28

fingers across his chest, and reveled in his thumping heart beating their rhythm on her palms. 

Their should be the. 

fingers across his chest, and reveled in his thumping heart beating the rhythm on her palms.

So...I'll be getting another galley to read. I'm beginning to think this book will never get published. On the other hand, I'm glad I have a patient yet hard-nosed agent behind me.

You have time to check out the first four books in the Love and Murder Series: CLICK HERE

An #OxfordComma Worth $5M

Back in the Dark Ages,  I used to teach English Language at college level in the U.K.  Yes, an American teaching English to the English may sound funny, but when I was handed papers that actually had “ad” instead of “had” and knew not the first thing about grammar, well, I had found my calling.  So you can imagine that I’m a pretty strict grammarian. Even now, in this Age of Enlightenment, I like my commas—especially the Oxford Comma. I even like semi-colons, and I always got a laugh when I opened one class for scientists with: “Thompson found, after being submerged in the solution for nine hours . . .” Ah, the misplaced modifier! But I digress.

Most of us have now seen the famous duo of sentences, ‘Let’s eat, Grandma,’ and ‘Let’s eat Grandma.’  The difference in meaning is glaringly obvious.  But with an Oxford comma, which comes at the end of a list, it might not be so obvious.  Someone working for Oakhurst dairy in Maine didn’t think that comma made any difference, but it did—to the tune of a $5M settlement.  Three truck drivers read that overtime would not be paid for time spent “canning, processing, preserving, freezing, drying, marketing, storing, packing for shipment or distribution of . . .” produce.  No comma at the end so it means one or the other, whereas the Oakhurst people had thought it meant both.  Smart truckers for noticing this!  The first court ruled in favor of the dairy; the appeals court ruled for the truckers and the above settlement has been reached.

Some authors now seem to think they can do away with commas altogether.  It amazes me because Word comes up with those squiggly green lines when you leave one out. Word doesn’t seem to have any mark to tell you when a semicolon is due—a semicolon separates two halves of the same thought in a sentence—but nowadays most authors seem to just write a separate sentence.  I regret that, but I understand I’m probably alone in this moan. The Chicago Manual of Style gives them a small section saying, “Though the semicolon is less frequently employed today than in the past, it is still occasionally used . . . ”

And what does the Chicago Manual of Style say about my beloved Oxford Comma?  Well, we’re in the United States and it says nothing.  Nothing! Yet there, at point 5.60, discussing lists, the Oxford comma is sitting pretty. “The carpenter’s saw, hammer, level, and so forth were found.”

If you’d rather listen to books than worry as you read about whether they have commas in the right place, hop over to either https://www.amazon.com/Lawless-Love-Lawmen-and-Outlaws/dp/B078KH5WPS/ 

or https://www.amazon.com/Dearest-Darling-Love-Letters/dp/B075D9M43X/

and give these two novellas a listen.