Catch Up

Hi All,
Wow...it's been a busy few weeks in my part of the world.
At the beginning of November, my family and I packed up and took off for a sunny vacation in Disney World! We had an awesome time, but it's definitely not a relaxing vacation. Between running from ride to ride, character dinners, and swimming, I'm still tuckered.  But it was worth it. I think the kids are still smiling and have memories that will last a lifetime.

Just before we left, I found out that my New Voices entry was selected to receive a critique by the Mills and Boon staff. Colour me excited! I wish I could have been here when it posted (mine was in the last group of critiques--you can read it here.), but I was internet-less while cuddling up with Mickey. It was exciting none-the-less to read the critique when I got home. They had some wonderful things to say about my writing (yay!) and provided some helpful tips for improving my entry (which I completely agree with).  It was just the boost to my writing ego that I needed.

So now that the end of November is fast approaching, I have my daughter's birthday party to plan, Christmas plans to make, baking to do, the regular day job, and writing to fit in. Does anyone know where I can get a couple more hours in the day?

Any tips on fitting writing into an already overflowing schedule?

Kristan Higgans is my idol!

I was feeling the need to read a feel good book, so I picked up Kristan Higgans' All I Ever Wanted. All I can say is she does not dissappoint! I'm only a few chapters in, but I''ve already laughed out loud more times than I can count.

Between Susan Wiggs and Kristan Higgans, I am having some serious envy issues. These ladies are fabulous writers! Why can't they teach classes? (Hint, hint, ladies in case this post shows up in your google alerts *g*)

I did it!

I finally hit send on my New Voices entry. Yippee!
Here's the link. Or you can also access using the handy dandy New Voices badge on the right (thanks Lacey Devlin). I'd love it if you'd stop by and give it a read (maybe even leave some comments, pretty please?).

Now that it's off my plate, I may venture in and read some of the other entries. Hopefully I don't get too jealous of all the talent out there.

Real Life Motivation

A few weeks ago I encountered a situation which made me realize that it's our instinct to seek to understand motivations...not just in books but in real life. We want to understand what makes people do the things they do.  Because without motivations, their acts are just...random. And that's scary.

Although I'm Canadian, I live close to the border and sometimes go shopping in the U.S. On this particular day I was shopping In Niagara Falls New York with my sister. My sister normally does the driving, but I wanted to drive her in my first ever BRAND NEW car. And we were having a great time until our last stop...

Returning to my car, I discovered that someone had taken a key and scratched up and down BOTH side of my car. Why? Why would someone do that? I figured it was probably some kid with nothing better to do, but still I searched for answers. The desire to know was so great that I called the police and had them go through video surveillance to see who would do such a thing.

Let me tell you...the answer shocked me. The culprit was a woman in her mid to late twenties! A woman? Right away the police officer started asking questions. Had I cut her off on the way into the store? Did I park too close to her car? Did I say something to her in the store. Even he wanted to explain the behaviour because there HAD to be a reason. But the answers were all no, no, and no. Then my sister started hypothesizing. Maybe it was the Canadian plates. Maybe it was the foreign make of my car. Unfortunately we'll never know because we weren't able to get a good look at the licence plate of the car she drove away in.

But at least I can say that the incident made me realize how important it is to get the motivations right in the stories we write, because without the proper motivation, our characters' acts feel random. And that will leave the reader feeling unsettled, like something is missing.

Just like me and my poor scratched car : (

Contests

I recently re-entered the contest ring entering the Where the Magic Begins contest with a new ms I've been working on. The final judge is from Special Edition, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed I get that far. If not, I hope to get some constructive feedback. I'm thinking it may be wise to wait for feedback before entering New Voices if timing allows. I'd hate to make the same mistakes in 2 contests.

Anyone else entering any contests? Planning on entering New Voices?

New Voices is Returning!

I just saw this post on Kate Walker's blog about the return of the Mills and Boon New Voices competition!
It was so exciting I had to share!

Will you be entering?

Milestones

So, yesterday was one of those milestone birthdays for me (ick, boo, ugh), which got me thinking about my writing goals. When I started writing 9 years ago, I never would have imagined that I'd still be unpublished at this age. Then again, I never would have imagined that if I was still unpublished, I'd want to keep trying for that brass ring.

I mean, what's wrong with me? Is it some sort of sickness, or am I just a glutton for punishment? You'd think I'd be tired of the rejection by now, lol.

Either way, yes, that drive is still there. So I'm going to keep at it. Keep writing. Keep submitting. Keep pulling out my hair.

Cause that's what us writers do...no matter what the age.