Cat Schield: February 2008

Never stop learning.

One of my goals this year is to spend each month learning some new aspect of writing. January I took an on-line class on Defeating Self-Destructive Behaviors, but I fell so far behind on the posts that I decided I would do a self-study for February. Because a contest judge gave me credit for having read Deb Dixon’s Goal Motivation Conflict (and I hadn’t), I thought this would be a great time to tackle the book.

And what a wonderful book it is.

Although none of her concepts were new to me, I loved the way she used movies to illustrate GMC. For some reason, I have an easier time seeing the structure in movies than I do to books. I think it’s because they’re shorter and it’s easy to see the plot points. In fact, after hearing Michael Hauge at National, I now go to movies and break them apart as I watch.

My writing process is a work in progress. Before starting a book, I make sure I address GMC, the character’s enneagrams and character arc. Today I realized that I’m missing the growth of the romantic element. Specific, ever escalating moments where the characters appreciate more than just the sexual attraction they feel for each other.

Since one thing I took away from Deb Dixon’s book is the why/because statements, I’m going to add these two questions to my preparation.

Why does the hero love the heroine?
Why does the heroine love the hero?

If I can’t answer these questions, why am I writing a romance?

Today’s Goal: Work on Ch 3 (still/again/finally)
Yesterday’s Accomplishments: Finished Deb Dixon’s GMC book and had a couple Ah-ha moments (love those).
What I’m Grateful For: The opportunity to learn from people much smarter than me.
Today’s Quote: “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind.” --William Shakespeare

Winter Blahs

I need a vacation from my life. Could someone arrange that for me? It was eleven below zero when I woke up this morning, the windchill a bitter twenty-six below. I think 99.9% of Minnesotans are sick of winter by now. We should have temps averaging in the 30’s. At least by the weekend we can look for some relief.

My best friend called me about cruises yesterday, but leaving town isn’t going to help what ails me. When I get back, it’s still going to be winter. My house will still be messy. My to do list will still be long. I’ve been fantasizing about hiring a personal assistant, maid, cook, and nanny. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have nothing more to worry about than getting out of bed, taking a shower, getting dressed, and go work out, or have lunch with the girls?

I submitted my entry to Harlequin’s Big Finish 2 contest last night. If I was a judge, I wouldn’t pick it. The entry isn’t particularly creative, but the work that went into it is solid. I probably wouldn’t have submitted, but they’re going to select a winner by the end of February so, at least I won’t be in suspense long.

I don’t like writing endings. I can’t seem to finish the story. I go on and on with conversations, waiting for that ah ha moment that puts the sprinkles on the cupcake. As an exercise, it was valuable. I approached the 3000 word entry as if it was the end of a book. I created GMC for each of the characters, but didn’t delve into their backstory. There’s the basis for a conflict, but a lot more work would have to be done to flesh it out into an entire book. Since I’m usually all about openings, it’s weird to have no idea how the hero and heroine met.

Okay, enough about my winter blues. Here’s my quote for the day.

Today's Goal: Do 2 pages on new WIP
Yesterday's Accomplishment: Submitted Big Finish entry
What I'm Grateful for: Winter doesn't last forever, even if it seems like it does.

Happy Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Yeah!!! I finished my revisions right on time. I don't feel stressed or overwhelmed or exhausted. I'm ready to tackle my next manuscript. Considering how I felt like I'd given 3 pints of blood after the last book, I couldn't be more thrilled to be on an even keel. Now, I need to take a couple days to shift gears and reacquaint myself with my characters from the new book and their story, and I'm off to the races again. The tone of this book is completely different. It's darker and much more intense. I can't wait! I fell in love with the characters ten years ago, and they continue to interest me. I only hope I can do them justice.

Today's Goal: Work on the eharlequin Endings 2 contest entry
Yesterday's Accomplishment: I finished my revisions.
What I'm Grateful For: I finished my revisions.
Quote: "It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." --Confucius

Tagged

Thanks to Stephie Smith , I've been tagged.

I've seen this on various other people's blogs, but never thought it would happen to me. But it has. And it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy that I've got friends in cyberspace. Here are the rules.

1. Link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post these rules on your blog.
3. Share six unimportant things about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your blog entry.
5. Let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Six unimportant things about me:

1. I used to breed Burmese cats.

2. I love watching professional ballroom dancing. It's a guilty pleasure. Especially the latin numbers.

3. When I was in third grade I played Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz for our school play.

4. I'm a electronic gadget junkie. I bought my 4th iPod yesterday.

5. I'm an only child.

6. I have a terrible time making decisions. Then when I finally do make one, I am never satisfied that I did the right thing.

Okay, now I'm supposed to tag 6 random people. Lexi, Annie, Kelly, Melissa, Carol, Rita. You are all it.

Instincts and where they getcha

Rhonda Byrne of The Secret says to follow your instincts. I’ve been thinking about that advice a lot. If something feels right, it probably is. If you subscribe to the Law of Attraction, you’re supposed to ask and let go of the process. Now, Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup books) will tell you to let go of the outcome. I’m not ready to do that. But letting go of the process is probably a good plan for me. See, I’m a bit of a control freak. I come from a long line of control freaks. So, you see, it’s not really my fault.

In the spirit of doing something when it feels right, I’ve embarked on an agent hunt. I have avoided this task for months, because it didn't feel like the right time. I don't know what has changed recently, but I'm no longer resisting this next step. Now, I've heard that it's harder to get an agent than to get published. And I'm unpublished AND writing category which knocks out about ninety-five percent of the agents out there. So, I figure with equal talent and determination, I'm probably less likely to interest anyone than someone writing a historical, erotica or paranormal romance. But my attitude is what the hell. And that is probably the single biggest change. Wow, maybe I have let go of the outcome, after all.

Today's Goal: Get back on track. I didn't write yesterday and now I'm behind.
Today's Accomplishment: Sent out an agent query.
What I'm Grateful For: Having a sense of humor.
Quote: "We are what we repeatedly do." --Aristotle

Two steps back, one step forward

So, I was cruising right with my edits, until I hit the last two chapters of my book. This is a rewrite, not an edit, and lots of elements have changed throughout the story. I got stuck until I realized that the reason I'm stuck is that the last two chapters no longer work. ARG! So, out they go. Or at least 90% of them. I'm now in the process of rewriting my ending, and I hate writing endings, so this is frustrating. On the other hand, I'm sure the new ending will be better for the book. But where I figured I'd be coasting to the end, I'm not. My goal for the rewrite is Valentine's Day (also my heroine's deadline in the story so it's appropriate), and that's 8 days away. I have approximately 12 pages to write. If I manage a page and a half a day, I can make it, and I'm determined to make it.

How did your day go?

Today's Goal: Figure out where do I go from here.
Yesterday's Accomplishment: Made a good decision for the book.
What I'm Grateful for: Friends who inspire me.
Quote: Visualize the desired result and the "How" will open up

Gone and done it

Well, I just sent off my second Harlequin Presents Instant Seduction contest entry. I'm debating whether I'll send a third. I've had great luck with multiple entries in the past, often finaling and having the second entry a place or two out of the finals. The first one I sent was from a completed manuscript. This one was simply an idea that hit me in the middle of my work day. I quick spun a 1000 word scene and when that fateful question came up, save yes or no, guess what, I selected no. Ask me how awful that was. But the story was still there, so I started again from a different POV and got back into the flow. I don't think what replaced those lost words was quite as good, but it turned out pretty well.

This year I'm cutting back on the number of contests I enter. I spent a lot of money last year and learned a great deal about how my writing comes across. As the Mastercard commercials go: priceless. But I only have 1 book that I can shop around to contests. I'm not going to throw in first chapters that have no book behind them this year. That leaves me with too much pressure. However, I realize I need that adrenaline rush of polishing a story for a deadline and the challenge of pitting myself against all the other great writers out there. And since my enneagram personality is a three, an achiever, I have to admit I love seeing my name in print. It gives me a silly rush and keeps me smiling for days.

Earlier in the week I discovered that on eharlequin there are these writer challenges. They offer contests (best secret, best conflict, etc.) of a couple thousand words in length. The current one is an endings contest. They give you a vaguely descripted scene and you have up to 3000 words to write the ending. Of course, I don't need the distraction of developing yet another story when I've got books to finish and edit, but I love to meet new characters and figure out their story. So, during my downtime (driving, exercising at lunch, etc.) I came up with the ending for the story. It's good enough that if the story doesn't win (if it does, Harlequin gets the copyrights), it will make a heck of a great book. So, I win either way.