Can you hold my tarantula for me please?

However. (and yes, this is how you know I’m going to say something profound)

However, I wrote a synopsis today. And while it wasn’t as much fun as a margarita on a hot summer day, neither was it as non-fun as a UTI.

As a matter of fact, what was to be a short synopsis, of only 2-3 pages, became 10 pages long. And now, not only do I have the synopsis written, I also have the entire layout of my story, the internal and external conflicts and how they get resolved, as well as the HEA. (which made me cry, but don’t tell anyone I said that.)

Frankly, it was one of the best plotting/motivational/conflicting tools I’ve used in the two years since I’ve decided to “become a writer.”

There is however, two main questions that beg to be answered. One, can I write the story the way I’ve outlined it. Two, how the hell am I going to cut this down to two pages?

Back to work!

hi ho hi ho

=)

carrie

Carrie Spencer Author - Smart Ass Romance

When I first starting writing, it was always in first person POV. Everyone loved the story, everyone hated the first person POV.

I couldn’t believe it. My idol, Janet Evanovich writes in first person! But, bowing to those who know better, I wrote my second story in third person POV.

Much better, they said. Now do third person deep.

Pardon?

So, I took a class on POV. Holy moly. Who knew? I deepened my POV in spots, sometimes hitting it on the head, sometimes wandering a bit into left field, but overall giving my stories a much better and personal feel.

AND THEN….

Toni McGee Causey posted a few weeks ago on Romance University.

And I realized I knew nothing.

There’s point of view and there’s what Toni calls persistence of vision. I won’t go into it here, but go read the articles (there’s two of them). It will change how you write.

There’s so much more to POV than first or third, omniscient or deep. You’re actually writing FROM THAT PERSONS point of view.

Again, go read the article. Your eyes will pop wide open. Ahhh….you’ll say. Wow.

Go ahead, jump on over to Romance University. I’ll still be here when you come back and thank me for changing your writing style for the better. Feel free to bring back chocolate. I promise to share with Toni.

Honest.

=)

carrie

Carrie Spencer Author - Smart Ass Romance

I’m a workout-aholic. I know you can’t tell by looking at my pudgy thighs, but I do a minimum 20 minute workout every day.

Every single day.

And some days I work out for up to 60 minutes.

Sometimes, it’s just to stay warm of course, this being winter and Iowa. But its something I’ve always enjoyed doing.

And it makes my brain work as well as my muscles. Believe it or not, I get a lot accomplished mentally while I’m walking in front of the TV, playing Wii games or zoning out while doing jumping jacks.

I’m sure there’s technical terms for it, endorphins and so on. But really, while the body is working, the brain is free to roam. So to speak. =)

This past week, I’ve put a BUNCH of hours walking …trying to brainstorm my book. I’m about halfway to where I want to be with it, so I’ll keep swinging my virtual tennis racket, walking and kickboxing in an attempt to come up with the rest of it.

For me, working out isn’t just for the body, it’s work for the brain too!

=)

carrie

Carrie Spencer Author - Smart Ass Romance

So I’ve been writing like a madwoman.

And I sent off my Mills and Boon first three chapters and a synopsis yesterday. And I’m working on my SYTYCW synopsis and chapter one today to send off on Wednesday to Harlequin. AND I’m trying to finish up my MG for a contest on December 30.

Things have been a wee bit crazy.

Oh, and I started a new story, a Christmas one. =)

So, what do I do in my spare time? lol…I seem to have become the door person for the cats. Let them in, let them out. Rinse, lather repeat.

Although, I do have to say I’m quite thrilled to be writing as much as I am. I belong to a group where you post your daily writing totals. When you get to 100 days of writing with no days off, you win a virtual tiara. As of today, I am at 150 days straight of writing over 100 words a day.

When I did nano, I wrote in the thousands every day. Now, I’m back down to less than 500, but still attacking the keyboard on a regular basis. On my days off, I generally get 2K or more.

For me, it pays to hold me accountable to a group. My writing level has gone up, I’m finishing projects and starting new ones. And my writing skills have improved. Um, my crit partners might not agree with that….lol…but I feel they have.

Guess I just need someone to kick my in the rear every day.

=)

Thanks Club100 for being the kicker!

carrie

Carrie Spencer Author - Smart Ass Romance

Agh. So I got the flu. In August. What’s up with that?

And you’d think (and you’d be wrong) that I would use that time to sit at home, curled up in bed, plotting literary masterpieces.

Instead, I went to work.

What’s up with that?

Well, everyone has the flu. Seriously, it made the rounds of the town in less than a week. It lasted about 24-36 hours, made you feel quoozy and then it went away. But, I still went to work.

So I have a wonderful work ethic. Nothing comes before work, no disease/surgery/knee dislocation is strong enough to keep me from my work.

Now, why can’t I apply that same work ethic to writing? Is it because I consider it to be a hobby? A part-time job?

Both, actually.

Which is too bad, because until I change my mindset about writing and how important it is, I won’t be pushing out 4-5 books a year. I won’t finish the 4 manuscripts I’ve got sitting on my hard drive.

So, slap me upside the head, and help me change my way of thinking.

writing. is. important.

there.

=)

carrie

Carrie Spencer Author - Smart Ass Romance