Work In Progress Wednesday

Let's just say I'm a little overwhelmed with everything right now. I have all these fantastic goals that aren't working out and I'm frustrated. So, I won't be posting updates until next year (unless something incredible happens, like I manage to get time to work on my books). Adieu

Work In Progress Wednesday

Still working away. I have more critics coming in on Encoded Secrets and have had a blast getting back into The Black Orchid. I'm also working on some blog changes that should take place at the beginning of 2012. (Wow, that's weird to type). :)

Work In Progress Wednesday

Having a sick baby isn't conducive to getting much done. Needless to say, I haven't written anything more than in my journal. Sorry there's not more to report!

Work In Progress Wednesday

I was able to attend the Northwest Writer's Retreat this past weekend and finished another revision on Encoded Secrets. I'm really excited about it and am waiting to hear back from some fellow writer's on whether or not I made it work. So in the meantime I'm working on some critics and picking up where I left off with The Black Orchid and Anya's Trek. Stay tuned for more! I'm also going to be adding a tab with descriptions of my works soon.  Happy Writing! :)

Work In Progress Wednesday

 So, I've been messing with my blog settings and now I think my settings are crazy. Oh well. Work on Encoded Secrets is going really well. I'm almost through and have cut close to 13,000 of the 15,000 words I need to get rid of. Kind of an interesting process. Hopefully we'll be up and querying with it soon!

Work In Progress Wednesday

It's amazing what happens when you cut scenes from your work. Blood, sweat, and tears go into it and then with the click of a button it's gone. It may be better for the story, but it doesn't make it any easier. :)

Work In Progress Wednesday

Okay people, what do you think? Be honest. Did I get your attention or just confuse you?

Chapter 1

A metallic thump, thump came from the front door. I shot it an evil look, licked the bitter tang of pickle juice off my fingers, and switched the phone to my other ear. “Yeah sure Jake. More later. Gotta run.”

“But—”

I hit the end button, cutting off Jake’s protest and set the phone in its cradle as I slide the pickle jar in the fridge. I’d never understand Dad’s logic of hanging onto a landline rather than graduating to a cell phone like the rest of the universe. Too easy to track your location, he’d say. “As if a landline can’t be traced,” I mumbled.

The thump, thump, thump sounded a bit louder the second time. “I’m coming. I’m coming,” I muttered and quickly reset the tripwire on the fridge door. “No wonder I never have anyone over,” I told it and shut the door. “No one would survive.”

Three steps later, I peered out the hidden peep hole Dad installed just to the left of the door frame. The porch light illuminated a uniformed officer rocking on his heels. I squinted but couldn’t make out a partner. That’s strange, I mused. They usually come in twos. Then again it’s happened before.

The virtually silent door swung open and the officer froze with his hand extended. I opened the security door and waited for him to speak. “Georgina Blackinsworth?”

“That’s me.” I folded my arms, waiting for whatever news he had to tell me. A list of previous incidents similar to this ran through my head. I half wondered what Dad had set in motion again, hoping it might be something other than the usual and perturbed he would actually make me go through it the night before my birthday.

He scratched his head and shifted his weight a few times. “Uh, we just got word that your father . . .” He glanced at the ground and back up again, like he was trying to remember. “Kent Blackinsworth has been killed in a car accident.”

My heart sunk. Come on Dad! I thought. How about something different for a change. I’ve heard this one a million times already. I focused past the officer, into the too warm, dark night. No police car. No partner. Not the standard procedure for informing someone a family member had just been killed. It had to be another drill. I shifted mental gears to play along and shrugged, leaning against the door frame.

The police officer cocked his head. Apparently he didn’t expect me to react that way. I briefly contemplated breaking down in tears and wailing hysterically, but Dad would kill me if I responded that way. That’s not according to protocol, he’d remind me, and then I’d have to do it over again tomorrow night. Not something I wanted to deal with.

The officer cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m sorry to say we haven’t found his body yet. The fire was pretty hot and all, but we did manage to salvage his wallet.”

Work In Progress Wednesday

My baby slept and I got 2000 words written! Yes! :)

Work In Progress Wednesday

So, another idea has sprung that has insisted on getting put on the page. Since I'm at a stand still with my other works I figured I must obey or pay the consequences. The working title is Anya's Trek about a gal's experience on a pioneer trek for the youth. So if anyone has any experiences they'd like to share . . . I'm all ears. Happy Writing!

Work In Progress Wednesday

I really don't have anything to report. I seem to be stuck in a rut and when that happens, I turn to reading. So that's what I've been doing a lot of lately. Take a look at my buzzin' and reviews every Tuesday and Thursday. Also, if you know of something you'd like me to buzzin' and/or review, let me know. I'll put it on my list!

Work In Progress Wednesday

I think I might be taking a break on my writing to help critique some friends works. I always learn so much from others and have wonderful 'Ah-Ha' moments while doing it. An 'Ah-Ha' moment would come in very handy right now. :) Happy Writing!

Work In Progress Wednesday

So I'm a little late on this post. I'm still working one paragraph at a time and riding the up and down roller coaster of life. I wish there was more to say other than my latest focus has been to try to eliminate most of the 'ing' and 'ly' words. It really does make for a stronger sentence. And now the baby's biting my knee. Guess it's time to go. :)

Work In Progress Wednesday

Still working away and being happy with the few paragraphs that are getting done in The Black Orchid. I went to a signing with Lisa Mangum and she said she only gets a few paragraphs written a day during the week so I figure I'm in good company. I've also figured out that I can spend the rest of the day plotting for the rest of the chapter that I'm only getting a few paragraphs done in. I think it's a relief to let myself realize that it's OK to just get a few paragraphs done and not the chapters I want to. Happy Writing!

Work In Progress Wednesday

You know, I'm learning to be happy with the time I'm getting to write. I'm also figuring out how to make it the most efficient writing. The book Writing Tools has really helped me do that. This week I've been focusing on 'ing.' The more of the 'ing' words I get rid of, the smoother and stronger the sentences are. The book explained the reasoning behind it is because and 'ing' ending adds an extra syllable to the word. It makes sense and I've had fun applying it. It's been fun to see that progress.

So Encoded Secrets is with readers now and I'm working on The Black Orchid one sentence at a time. Happy Writing!

Work In Progress Wednesday

I have to say, I'm really seeing the value in outlines. I'm also seeing the value of letting go of things I've become attached to in a story. If I had listened to some good advice awhile ago I would have been done with Encoded Secrets now, but I didn't. I couldn't see how it would work, but now I'm thinking I didn't want to see how it would work because I was too attached to what I had already written. It's been a good learning curve and hopefully I will continue to apply what I've learned. I'm still looking for a couple more volunteers for my alpha reading group for Encoded Secrets. Anyone interested?

Work In Progress Wednesday

So I think I'm finally back into the swing of things, hopefully. :) I'm figuring out how to get writing time in and making good progress on the revision for Encoded Secrets. In fact I'm to the point that I really should find an alpha reading group. Anyone interested?

I've also gotten some good plotting ideas going for The Black Orchid. Writing life is good.

Treasure Hunt/Work In Progress Wednesday

Well, I'm only getting about 10 to 30 minutes a day to work on my books. I guess that's better than nothing and I'm doing my best to keep a positive attitude about it. If anyone has any suggestions for how to make my little writing time more productive, I'd love to hear from you!

SUMMER TREASURE HUNT RULES:

You can send in one entry for each day’s prize, or only for those prizes that strike your fancy. The rules are simple:

(1) Go to the website or blog indicated for each day, find the answer to the question for that day, then email the answer with your name and AND MAILING ADDRES to jdipastena@yahoo.com. I promise you will not wind up on any mailing lists. This is only to facilitate the receipt of your prize. All entries will be deleted at the end of the contest.

(2) Please send a separate entry for each day and type the day you are entering in the subject line. (Such as: Summer Treasure Hunt, June 1; Summer Treasure Hunt, June 2, etc).

(3) Deadline for each day: Midnight PST

(4) The winner will be contacted and announced on the day following the deadline.

All winners will be draw by www.random.org.

You do not have to wait until the designated day to enter. You can start sending in your entries right now, or begin entering at any point along the way. And check back here each day between June 2^nd – July 1^st to read the names of the winners.

If you have any questions, please email Joyce DiPastena at jdipastena@yahoo.com.

And now…let the treasure hunt begin!

June 22

SPONSOR: Joyce DiPastena

PRIZE: Autographed copy of Loyalty’s Web (sweet medieval romance), by Joyce DiPastena

QUESTION: How do people win Joyce’s “Light Bulb Award”? (HINT: Answer is found in the right hand column of the blog)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://jdp-news.blogspot.com

OPEN TO USA

WINNER:

ANSWER:

Treasure Hunt/Work In Progress Wednesday

Well, I'm sort of at a stand still in my writing because time just isn't working on my side. However, we had our ANWA meeting yesterday and one of our members told us about a good writing book called Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark. I loved the chapter headings and the section she read from the book so I went out and got it. How's this for a heading, Turn Procrastination into Rehearsal (or something close to that). So if I can't be writing, I might as well be reading about writing!

SUMMER TREASURE HUNT RULES:

You can send in one entry for each day’s prize, or only for those prizes that strike your fancy. The rules are simple:

(1) Go to the website or blog indicated for each day, find the answer to the question for that day, then email the answer with your name and AND MAILING ADDRES to jdipastena@yahoo.com. I promise you will not wind up on any mailing lists. This is only to facilitate the receipt of your prize. All entries will be deleted at the end of the contest.

(2) Please send a separate entry for each day and type the day you are entering in the subject line. (Such as: Summer Treasure Hunt, June 1; Summer Treasure Hunt, June 2, etc).

(3) Deadline for each day: Midnight PST

(4) The winner will be contacted and announced on the day following the deadline.

All winners will be draw by www.random.org.

You do not have to wait until the designated day to enter. You can start sending in your entries right now, or begin entering at any point along the way. And check back here each day between June 2^nd – July 1^st to read the names of the winners.

If you have any questions, please email Joyce DiPastena at jdipastena@yahoo.com.

And now…let the treasure hunt begin!

June 15

SPONSOR: Valerie Ipson

PRIZE: $15 Gift Certificate for Vinyl Lettering (http://vinylsignsanddesigns.blogspot.com)

QUESTION: What is Valerie's writing goal for 2011? (HINT: Look in the right hand sidebar)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http:// valerieipson.blogspot.com

OPEN TO USA

WINNER:

ANSWER:

Treasure Hunt/Work In Progress Wednesday

Wow. I think I've written a total of a chapter in the last week. Somehow I need to get a grip on time and scheduling. Hopefully the summer will slow down enough for me to be able to do that. Ha, ha, ha. :) Happy Writing and Treasure Hunting!

SUMMER TREASURE HUNT RULES:

You can send in one entry for each day’s prize, or only for those prizes that strike your fancy. The rules are simple:

(1) Go to the website or blog indicated for each day, find the answer to the question for that day, then email the answer with your name and AND MAILING ADDRES to jdipastena@yahoo.com. I promise you will not wind up on any mailing lists. This is only to facilitate the receipt of your prize. All entries will be deleted at the end of the contest.

(2) Please send a separate entry for each day and type the day you are entering in the subject line. (Such as: Summer Treasure Hunt, June 1; Summer Treasure Hunt, June 2, etc).

(3) Deadline for each day: Midnight PST

(4) The winner will be contacted and announced on the day following the deadline.

All winners will be draw by www.random.org.

You do not have to wait until the designated day to enter. You can start sending in your entries right now, or begin entering at any point along the way. And check back here each day between June 2^nd – July 1^st to read the names of the winners.

If you have any questions, please email Joyce DiPastena at jdipastena@yahoo.com.

And now…let the treasure hunt begin!

June 8

SPONSOR: Cheri Schmidit

PRIZE: Autographed copy of Fateful (YA paranormal romance), by Cheri Schmidt

QUESTION: Who is the prince of darkness? (HINT: Click on “April” under Blog Archive in the left hand sidebar and read the April 12, 2011 post)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://cherischmidt.blogspot.com/

OPEN TO USA ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

Summer Treasure Hunt/Work In Progress/Mary Kay Sale

This is a triple post! First off, revisions for Encoded Secrets are going really well. I think I've come up with a better hook for my query letter. "When Georgie's dad disappears yet again, she

is determined to find him while treading through a deadly family legacy." What do you think? Anyway, I'm still plotting out The Black Orchid too. I'm hoping my little one will give me some longer naps soon so I can really get working on them.

Second, this month's Mary Kay Sale (I know, I haven't done them in awhile, but I'm asking for forgiveness *grin*) is anything to do with the sun. On my website there is a tab marked Body and Sun. Anything under Sun Protection is 20% off. Now, if you're a follower of this blog, you get 5% off your entire order. Order by the 5th of the month for an additional 10% off your sun protection items. Order by the 15th for 5% off. So you have to potential of 35% off the Sun Protection and a guaranteed 5% your entire order just for following my blog.

Now here's the summer treasure hunt info: Don't forget, each participate would love you to follow their blog. :) Have fun and happy digging.

SUMMER TREASURE HUNT RULES:

You can send in one entry for each day’s prize, or only for those prizes that strike your fancy. The rules are simple:

(1) Go to the website or blog indicated for each day, find the answer to the question for that day, then email the answer with your name and AND MAILING ADDRES to jdipastena@yahoo.com. I promise you will not wind up on any mailing lists. This is only to facilitate the receipt of your prize. All entries will be deleted at the end of the contest.

(2) Please send a separate entry for each day and type the day you are entering in the subject line. (Such as: Summer Treasure Hunt, June 1; Summer Treasure Hunt, June 2, etc).

(3) Deadline for each day: Midnight PST

(4) The winner will be contacted and announced on the day following the deadline.

All winners will be draw by www.random.org.

You do not have to wait until the designated day to enter. You can start sending in your entries right now, or begin entering at any point along the way. And check back here each day between June 2^nd – July 1^st to read the names of the winners.

If you have any questions, please email Joyce DiPastena at jdipastena@yahoo.com.

And now…let the treasure hunt begin!

June 1

SPONSOR: Canda Mortensen

PRIZE: A $25 Amazon gift certificate

QUESTION: What is the title and artist of the Princess song on Newbie's playlist? (HINT: Scroll to the bottom of the blog and read “Newbie Teaser”. Match the number of “Princess” with the same number on the Playlist box (you may have to scroll down the playlist to find this, too). It will give you the title and artist.)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http:candamortensen.blogspot.com

OPEN TO USA ENTRIES

WINNER:Melissa Brockett of Utah

ANSWER: "With You" by Chris Brown