tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71314884369682999572024-03-13T11:33:56.800-07:00romance and horses...throw in a good mystery and what more could a girl want?Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-56959308625488180532011-09-11T11:02:00.000-07:002011-09-11T11:02:44.832-07:00FIRST RESPONDERSThis morning I had the privelage of watching a cavalcade of hundreds. First Responders and Motorcyclers headed for the PEACE ARCH Border Crossing to attend a Ceremony in honor of their comrades.<br />
Tears in my eyes, a lump in my throat and a smile of pride in my heart. I took pictures to share with others. I know they can't convey the feelings that I had while I took them. But here they are anyways.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QrFj47zTdgg/Tmz0ELtP3JI/AAAAAAAAAFI/DQPealGlel4/s1600/911+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QrFj47zTdgg/Tmz0ELtP3JI/AAAAAAAAAFI/DQPealGlel4/s320/911+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tfgUYv-Zyg8/Tmz0wS5xpKI/AAAAAAAAAFM/AKKFXiCtNM8/s1600/911+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tfgUYv-Zyg8/Tmz0wS5xpKI/AAAAAAAAAFM/AKKFXiCtNM8/s320/911+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5JMK84x6rA/Tmz08ATwaVI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/bVXj3nJQWus/s1600/911+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5JMK84x6rA/Tmz08ATwaVI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/bVXj3nJQWus/s320/911+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M_GQh6_5ypE/Tmz1jPy2aII/AAAAAAAAAFU/ymAQi6_gkOI/s1600/911+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M_GQh6_5ypE/Tmz1jPy2aII/AAAAAAAAAFU/ymAQi6_gkOI/s320/911+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-azvvfAIf5yQ/Tmz2RV6OW0I/AAAAAAAAAFY/Grh3IVu9R1o/s1600/911+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-azvvfAIf5yQ/Tmz2RV6OW0I/AAAAAAAAAFY/Grh3IVu9R1o/s320/911+049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>What you're seeing in the distance is the Canadian Customs Building and just before it is an arch created by two firetrucks with their ladders extended and a flag hanging from each. The responder vehicles with lights flashing proceeded through the arch... then the Canadians drove down the hill to park at the acutal PEACE ARCH where they met up with their American conterparts for a Ceremony to Honor All.Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-50549952722879575642011-05-28T18:54:00.000-07:002011-05-28T18:56:23.309-07:00<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Inspiration.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia;">An afternoon surrounded by writers, all of us listening to Bob Mayer.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia;">Must turn off the internet now and write.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia;">thanks Bob.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia;">.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia;">.</span>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-27638615050101473932011-05-16T08:34:00.000-07:002011-05-16T08:35:21.208-07:00HELLO WORLD<div align="center"><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">well, what to say?</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">I'm finally finished all the craziness of school... what an experience. Eight months of immersion into a different world.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">I loved the new perspectives I was exposed to and I look forward to watching the young people begin their new adventures.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">It was hard for me to watch some doing things and making decisions that I was pretty sure were going to backfire on them.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">But, at their ages I would not have thanked some nosy old lady for </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">her unsolicited advice... so I kept my opinions and advice to myself and tried to cheer on their enthusiasm and blind faith.</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"> For a few, well, I'm afraid they will have some serious bumps in their road and I hope there are only bruises, no breaks. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"> For most, they have shiny futures with wonderful adventures to come.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"> For me, I hope they will stay in touch... </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"> maybe even let me be a surrogate old auntie... </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"> you know, the one they can talk to... </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"> laugh with... </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"> and trust with their secrets.</span></em> <br />
`<br />
`</div>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-16070836020966598872011-01-08T07:53:00.000-08:002011-01-08T07:53:12.966-08:002010 Grand Finale`<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wow, how lucky can a girl get! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thank you so much to the "South West Florida Romance Writers" and your judges.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Winning the Romantic Suspense Category of Hold me! Thrill me! was a fabulous Christmas Present and yet another exclamation mark to add to a year that was one heck of a ride.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Welcome 2011... I'm ready to rock...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Happy New Year everyone!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">~</span>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-71244572367910359952010-12-27T09:04:00.000-08:002010-12-27T09:04:29.688-08:00writer wisdom & life wisdomThis morning, while browsing the blogs I follow, I came across some words of wisdom that I'd like to share with my friends. So venturing forth, into the world of "links" ... check these out..<br />
<a href="http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2010/12/27">my first sale</a> by Keri Ford, reminds me not to get lost in the rules and forget to have fun writing and <a href="http://www.thedebutanteball.com/">Deb Elise - From the happiest place on earth</a> reminds me (in the words of Kermit) that <br />
<br />
"Life's like a movie<br />
Write your own ending<br />
Keep believing, keep pretending"<br />
<br />
On that note, with a smile on my face and a cat on my shoulder, I close this post and get back to my characters - to remind them that they are indeed.... having fun.<br />
.<br />
.Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-3108413331495808052010-12-25T07:29:00.000-08:002010-12-25T07:29:47.375-08:00............<strong><em><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Merry Christmas Morning</span> !</span></em></strong>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-66803874281153257522010-11-11T08:40:00.000-08:002010-11-11T08:40:00.729-08:00a day to REMEMBER<em><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">`</span></em><br />
<em><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wonder why now?</span></em><br />
<em><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why this year?</span></em><br />
<em><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been conscious of the purpose of REMEMBRANCE DAY for about forty-five years. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've made a conscious effort to think of the reasons behind those two-minutes of silence nearly every one of those years.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet this morning, as I watched the ceremonies from Ottawa, saw the faces of those who have served our country, I was moved.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really moved.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I wonder,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">why now?</span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So from me,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> late, yet in time, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to those who serve, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> have served, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and will,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I say from my heart,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for the first time, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> THANK YOU.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-3914781255283799052010-09-21T16:12:00.000-07:002010-09-21T16:12:34.818-07:00I'm still here... sort of<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~~~</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For those of you who may have noticed that I'm not posting or partcipating much lately, thanks!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've had to drop my twittering, facebooking and blog commenting to squeeze in time for writing. I still take a quick breeze through my favorite blogs most mornings and enjoy the vague feeling of staying in touch, I just can't take the time to say much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So at least until Christmas break I'll be one of those invisible lurkers in the blogosphere, quietly enjoying what everyone has to say.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">cheers!</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Katt.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and Mysteryhorse.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~~~</span>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-79212313932474700482010-09-19T06:30:00.000-07:002010-09-19T06:30:26.509-07:00Peer Support<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm here to say that although writing for me has been a solitary endeavour, I thrive on peer support.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As a member of the KOD-RWA (Kiss of Death chapter of Romance Writers of America), I have joined a subgroup that plays together for a week, four times a year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And what the heck does that mean?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Four times a year, the shout goes out on the KOD loop, for people who want to join BIAW (Book In a Week). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This then becomes a group of twenty to forty writers who are split into two teams with equal numbers of those who have committed to either write part time (less than 4 hours per day) or full-time (more than 4).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Each person reports to the team leader at the end of the day, with their word count.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The team leaders, who are actually writing for the opposite team, keep the tally and cheer everyone on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For one week, I write only new words, no editing is allowed. And each day, I try to beat my wordcount for the day before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Yes the team with the most words wins... the only prize, is praise from each other and a grand sense of accomplishment for everyone who played on either side.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This week, I have been so busy with my newly complicated life, that I would have written absolutely nothing... if I hadn't had the team waiting for my wordcount. So I got up at least an hour early each morning and wrote.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The over 5000 words in my brand new WIP (work in progress), would NOT have happened without the support of my peers.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Thanks!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">.</span>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-59641295963357531212010-08-25T12:30:00.000-07:002010-08-25T12:30:31.948-07:00contests.<br />
I know, I promised to explain... so here goes.<br />
<br />
Entering contests (for me) is as much about getting feedback and editor/agent exposure as winning a prize.<br />
I enter contests offered by various chapters of the Romance Writers of America. There are tons to choose from, so I look for the ones that can give me something back, win or lose.<br />
<br />
The contests I've entered, have both published and unpublished writers to judge the first round, then an agent or editor who will make the final decision.<br />
-If I don't make the finals, I still receive a score sheet and possible edit/critique comments and/or suggestions.<br />
-If my work makes the cut, it will be read by an agent or editor, and THAT is the goal most of us seek, for we can't sell if they don't read.<br />
<br />
Last year, I entered TOUCH ME in four contests and scored one win! The feedback was invaluable, especially the critical comments from the agent that gave me the win.<br />
<br />
And what was the actual prize? ha ha, the return of the entry fee. (most contests run at about $25.00 - 40.00)<br />
<br />
.Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-48681480792823231102010-08-19T20:20:00.000-07:002010-08-19T20:20:54.532-07:00onward ho!.<br />
<br />
UNDERCOVER COWBOY is officially finished, right? <br />
Yup. Polished and sent forth to my favorite agent.<br />
Is this the part where I sit back, sip something cold, turn my toes up and wait? <br />
<br />
Nope. I've already fired off three more query letters as well as three contest entries. Oh and did I mention my next project? ~~smiles mysteriously~~<br />
<br />
Quinn, the sexy younger brother from UNDERCOVER COWBOY, has stepped to center stage.<br />
He has a lovely, gutsy lady to play with, and together they have a mystery to solve... involving race horses.<br />
<br />
Quinn and his kick-ass heroine have most of my attention for the moment, but I will still be preparing UNDERCOVER COWBOY for more contests.<br />
<br />
hmmm there's that word again. Are you wondering about contests?<br />
<br />
Come back in a few days and I'll explain them to you.<br />
...<br />
..<br />
.Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-50510252903219179172010-08-12T19:57:00.000-07:002010-08-12T19:57:06.440-07:00colour / color... it done<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I made the move, the big bold move and pushed the 'send' button.</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My manuscript took a short trip through cyber space and landed on the far side of the US.</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It will likely rest in Ms. Agent's computer for a while because she is extremely busy selling manuscripts for the authors she already represents.</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">One day, when Ms. Agent has time, she'll pull up the file with my name on it and read. Then she'll make a decision whether she loves my book enough and if it is marketable enough to offer me representation. (major simplification of just one step)</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In the meantime, I'll put a printed copy in the hands of my beta readers, a special group of family and friends who have been cheering me on and hounding me for a new read!</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I love giving my stories these people so much, that I can't imagine how incredible it will feel ... someday... to have strangers enjoying the stories I've written.</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.... but I will confess to looking at the shelves in the bookstore and imagining my name alongside the authors I've worshipped for years.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">---grinning---</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></em>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-58903181696121213682010-08-09T18:25:00.000-07:002010-08-09T18:43:56.386-07:003rd draft... officially tired.<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, for an hour or two I wasn't sure I'd ever get this done.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it make me a writer if I can always find a different way to say something? </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Could I be making a big mistake by editing too much? </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have I lost the essence, the voice of the story?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And should it by Lay or Lie or Laid? hmmm, that's smile worthy.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I probably should've waited a couple of weeks and left this story alone. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But when there is an agent, (my number one choice of agents), waiting to read it, how can I wait? </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who knows if I've done right by this story, but I'm coloring it done... for now.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next one has already been fighting for my attention.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So Beta readers... start your engines... the printer is hard at work.</span>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-42771482813060088772010-07-29T12:42:00.000-07:002010-07-29T12:42:07.225-07:002nd draft complete...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another reason to celebrate! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finished the second draft of my manuscript today. What the heck - you say?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first draft is the one where the story is born but the writing sucks. So for the second, I begin with a hard copy (on paper), sit down, read it from beginning to end and make a gazillion notes in ugly green ink (fine point sharpies are fabulous for this kind of scribbling). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I discovered funny stuff like Wesley's hair and eye color changing between chapters, Cassandra walking out of a room she wasn't in, a cat with two names and person who must have three hands. oops. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course there were the usual gramatical and spelling errors, and the words that suddenly repeat themselves over and over and over again.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the work is done on the hard copy, it takes a few days to update the manuscript on the computer. (and mine is overheating and shutting down these days which scares me spitless.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finished that portion today and printed another hard copy. This one, I won't look at for a few days so that my 'eyes' are fresh. Hopefully I'll sit down and read it through one day next week. This time I'll have a red pen in hand, getting ready for the 3rd draft!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">off now to celebrate! ...going to the bookstore to by the latest new one from my top five favorite authors, Christine Feehan.</span>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-83916414469943728062010-07-24T06:19:00.000-07:002010-07-24T06:19:36.022-07:00excitement and reality<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two requests! Much happy dancing at my house, scared my cats clear under the bed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two of the agents I would most love to have represent my work, like what they've seen so far and have requested that I send more for them to read!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, I was quick to send off what one asked for, the first three chapters and a synopsis. As it was already set up and ready to go.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now I'm preparing the other agent's request for the FULL manuscript. I'll be up to my neck in pages and pages of editing for the next few days, making sure that my work is polished and shining before I send it to her.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This will be the first time that anyone has read the whole story. So I'll be on pins and needles. Oh, did I mention that it sometimes takes up to six months to hear back from an agent? The jeopardy theme song could get very old by then. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In the meantime, I'll get this baby out to my patient, kind and loving beta readers. You know who you are so get ready to read by the end of the month!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">back to work ....</span>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-727806152705942542010-07-16T12:32:00.000-07:002010-07-16T12:34:28.472-07:00another step<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another step... Having just finished an online course - query writing with C.J.Redwine - I'm off and running!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This morning I sent out query letters to four 'to die for' Literary Agents. That means, that now, I will be checking my inbox every two or three minutes for the next couple of hours, looking for a reply. After a while, I'll become resigned to reality, and only check once an hour.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Tomorrow, I'll hold my breath while turning on my computer and going straight to email. When I find no AMAZINGLY FAST REPLY, I will slap myself upside the head and get on with my life, only stopping to check mail about six times a day.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This is good for a body, right? Yes! Anticipation is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately it's often folowed by disappointment, but hey, this is real life... so anything is possible.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'll keep you posted and share any exciting news.</span>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-22803893784095306362010-07-07T16:20:00.000-07:002010-07-07T16:20:54.893-07:00SummerWell finally, summer has arrived! July 4th, I was wrapped up in three layers of clothing and still too cold to stay and watch the parade. <br />
14 Celcius = 58 Farenh.<br />
<br />
July 6th, the cats and dog are all lying around limp like noodles, oh yeah, me too, because it is so hot out! <br />
28 Cel. = 86 Far.<br />
<br />
Thanking my lucky stars we live so close to the ocean so there's at least a breeze while we adjust to the rapid change.<br />
<br />
Writing you ask? not much today. Up to my armpits in edits and an online course.Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-7737639859535174402010-07-04T09:20:00.000-07:002010-07-04T09:21:33.463-07:00guest blogging<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Hi folks</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Today, I am a guest of the very interesting and funny blog group, Petit Fours and Hot Tamales.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Please stop over and take a look!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><a href="http://petitfoursandhottamales.com/">http://petitfoursandhottamales.com/</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">ps. never mind me.... but it's a great blog to check out on a regular basis.</span>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-66857232699020662742010-07-02T05:45:00.000-07:002010-07-02T05:45:51.982-07:00literary agents<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last post ended with a hypothetical situation... an agent requesting pages to read, maybe a whole manuscript etc and a writer, getting pretty darned excited. Why the happy dance?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because without an agent to market your books to publishers, you are like the pretty girl waiting tables in Hollywood, hoping to get noticed. Not much chance of that. Lots of pretty girls waiting tables.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a writer, I am one of thousands of writers with books sitting in my computer. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unless I can attract the attention of an agent, my chances of being published by a major house are slim to none.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">YES there are many self-publishing options and with Electronics, there are even ways to upload your book and offer it to readers with minimal effort. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BUT ... AT THE MOMENT in the publishing world, do-it-yourself is frowned upon, sort of like those movies that feature the Hollywood waitress. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once that pretty girl has been seen in a dozen B or C movies, are the big companies going to rush to offer her a contract? Maybe. Would they rather offer a contract to a FRESH face? Probably.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So at the beginning of my writing career, I'm hoping to go through the expected steps, figuratively knocking on doors, to find a Literary Agent to represent me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What exactly does the Agent do?</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lots of things. Just like a sports agent, movie agent etc. They represent the client by: SHOPPING their talent; looking after CONTRACT issues from the dollars to foreign and movie rights; READING manuscripts; making suggestions on CURRENT WORK; work with their clients on everything from SOCIAL NETWORKING to getting to the next deadline. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Agents and writers work together to get books published. Most reputable agents work on straight commission so they work VERY hard to get their authors published. This of course makes them pretty darn picky about what and who they represent.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So. Sounds simple right?</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nah, I just gave you a simple outline. Like any job description, there's a WHOLE lot more to it!..</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a personal note, I have found about a half dozen agents that I REALLY like and they are the ones I will target with my Queries, and probably faint! if they are ever interested in representing me and my work. </span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These agents are mostly New York based and receive upwards of 100 Query letters every single day! </span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They have lots to choose from and the only way you can get their attention is to have the BEST, MOST INTERESTING AND MARKETABLE work that crosses their desk.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For now, I will get back to work making sure that my manuscript is so well polished that it will positively shine!</span>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-29004719229240889562010-06-28T19:14:00.000-07:002010-06-28T19:27:28.143-07:00... THE END ... now what?Yup, got it done, typed those words yesterday!<br />
<br />
I finished the first draft of my latest book, called, UNDERCOVER COWBOY. <br />
<br />
Now the work begins. In the writing world, I'm what they call a Pantser or Organic Writer, which means, I don't write copious notes, outlines or even character sketches prior to writing my first draft.<br />
<br />
Nope, what I have is a character or two or maybe a single scene kicking around in my head. Then I sit down and let the words and story flow. The process is sometimes exciting, sometimes scary and always consuming.<br />
<br />
I occasionally get up at four in the morning and write non-stop until noon, and other times start late and write through until two am. The difficult days are the ones when no words seem eager to jump out and I'm not certain what the characters are up to. This is often because I've made a wrong turn. So I go back a ways and try to change a scene or how a character reacts to something and poof, the fingers are flying over the keys again.<br />
<br />
The nice part about pantsing is that I pay no attention to grammer, repeated words, etc etc. That's where the rewrites begin. For the next few weeks I'll be whipping my story into shape. Then it will go out to my critique readers and they'll find a bunch of things that I hadn't seen. And I'll rewrite again.<br />
<br />
Then I send it to my beta readers - friends and family who love me and don't want to hurt my feelings so they are really kind in their responses.<br />
<br />
From there, I will begin sending query letters to literary agents. These letters have to be no more than one page long, with enough about my book to interest them and if I'm lucky, they'll ask to read a PARTIAL.<br />
<br />
A partial is usually the first few chapters, up to fifty pages.<br />
<br />
IF I'm lucky enough to have partials requested, then I will hold my breath and wait, making random promises to gods I've never met, hoping they like it enough to request a FULL.<br />
<br />
If that happens, first I would be speechless - yes me! Then, I'd happy dance for a while before I shipped a full manuscript off to the agent who I now think IS god.<br />
<br />
That's when the waiting gets longer because when you think about it, How many books can <em>you</em> read in a week? Agents have to read A LOT.<br />
<br />
Okay, so now, the agent thinks they can sell your book so they CALL you and make you wet your pants... oops, did I say that? sorry. I mean you are so excited that you can't breath.<br />
<br />
At this point I'll pause for a day... and say ...to be continued.<br />
<br />
I'm going to let you chew on these steps for tonight and continue this loooong story tomorrow.Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-77136347364831505662010-06-28T12:42:00.001-07:002010-06-28T12:42:57.591-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NZdTCxzralQ/TCj7Jrczt3I/AAAAAAAAADI/0fWkLkd24Gs/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NZdTCxzralQ/TCj7Jrczt3I/AAAAAAAAADI/0fWkLkd24Gs/s320/018.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-52615708294933988592010-06-27T18:47:00.000-07:002010-06-27T18:47:51.092-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NZdTCxzralQ/TCf-P7cZXgI/AAAAAAAAAC4/8BQQjU-IJZE/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NZdTCxzralQ/TCf-P7cZXgI/AAAAAAAAAC4/8BQQjU-IJZE/s320/022.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NZdTCxzralQ/TCf-4Ck-ydI/AAAAAAAAADA/9YFk5BB344g/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NZdTCxzralQ/TCf-4Ck-ydI/AAAAAAAAADA/9YFk5BB344g/s320/019.JPG" /></a></div>This big eagle watched as I walked to within about twenty feet of him. I talked to him and explained that I only wanted a picture ... or ten. <br />
<br />
Kinda cool, the white object in the distance, right over his head, is the PEACE ARCH, at the US / CANADIAN border crossing.Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-66867725853803311922010-06-14T09:18:00.000-07:002010-06-14T09:18:27.919-07:00THRILLING FINISH!<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...In my lasst blog, I wrote about perseverance and mentioned a filly I'd once trained. INISH GLORA was something of a problem child at the beginning of her career. But after a bumpy, temper tantrum, bucking adolescence, she went on to earn nearly a million dollars! ($977,618 to be exact.) ... and she was named CHAMPION TURF MARE of CANADA, twice.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;">Yesterday, I watched INISH GLORA's daughter race at Woodbine, in the Canadian Oaks - for those of you unfamiliar with horse racing, the Oaks is the most prestigious race in Canada, restricted to three year old fillies born in this country.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;"><strong>ROAN INISH</strong> ran with the heart of a true champion yesterday, proving that she was indeed her mother's daughter.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;">From behind the two front runners, ROAN INISH took aim on the wire... her ears flat, her neck stretched out and every muscle in her body straining to get her head out in front of the others. With guts and determination she raced through the opening in spite of the close quarters and proved that she was indeed, the best!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;">To quote her trainer, Carolyn Costigan after the race, "what a fighter!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;"> And there lies the rest of the story. A story of daughters to be very, very proud of. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;"><strong>CAROLYN COSTIGAN</strong> is the trainer of Roan Inish, and the daughter of Robert and Nora Costigan, the horse's owners.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;">When I began training for Bob some years ago, he told me that his daughter was part of the deal. If I couldn't handle having a teenaged horse lover hanging about sometimes, then I wouldn't be the kind of trainer he needed. I grinned. I'd been that teen at one time and I got it. No problem.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;">Carolyn was there for all of the highs and lows of our racing, as well as Bob's wife and son. They are one heck of a family.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;">So, cutting to the chase, flash forward past my retirement, the Costigan's horses relocating to Toronto, Carolyn going through extensive hard work including the Darley Flying Start program and apprenticing with a famous Irish trainer.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;">....And there they are, In the winner's circle. Two daughters, two determined young ladies with guts, talent, good sense and just enough precociousness to put them at the top of the class.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;">I feel blessed to have watched a good deal of their journey. I am so incredibly proud of them both.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;">To the Costigans, I can only say, again, thank you. I still feel like part of the family. I was crying happy tears when the filly crossed the wire and when the four of you walked to the winner's circle with her.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;">Congratulations to all of you, including your jockey David Moran.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;">Job Well Done!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;">check out Carolyn's website!.... <a href="http://www.arravaleracing.com/">http://www.arravaleracing.com/</a> </span>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-46231201616969686702010-05-30T08:00:00.000-07:002010-05-30T08:00:46.404-07:00Perseverance<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Friday and Saturday, I attended a writer's conference called Write-On Vancouver.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">For those of you in the Race-Horse world, this is rather like attending a Sale. A day and a half in the company of your piers, slightly outside your normal racetrack setting, wearing your other clothes, working hard to get it right.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Yes. I'm that tired! But like a good Sale, it was well worth it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Published Authors gave workshops on honing the craft of writing. Editors shared Industry News such as what the publishing 'Houses' are looking for, or not. And there was lots of socializing - think several hundred trainers at the Sale.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">For me, the best part of the whole thing was the Keynote Speaker. Laura Resnick is a multi-published author who has bumped her way through numerous potholes on the road to success. The key word being SUCCESS. Listening to Laura's stories of ups and downs and how perseverance is the only way to succeed as a writer, was inspiring - on steroids. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I already know and understand the value of perseverance - insert picture of Kathy paddock schooling a two year old delinquent filly that went on to win nearly a million dollars!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So along with a picture of the filly - Inish Glora - Laura's book, 'Rejection,Romance&Royalties' will sit close to my keyboard for those moments when I wonder if I will ever get published.</span>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131488436968299957.post-90310795954195247322010-05-27T09:36:00.000-07:002010-05-27T10:12:52.256-07:00contest win<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Well, it's not that I've been putting this off, exactly, it's just that I keep writing it, then pitching it out as not good enough. sigh... You see that's the problem when you're a writer. It is NEVER good enough and always needs to be tweaked - or so it seems.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">So today, before it's really OLD news, I'm going to just tell it once, to heck with perfection, the right tone, etc etc.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">On Monday, on the blog <a href="http://www.mysteriesandmargaritasblogspot.com/">www.mysteriesandmargaritasblogspot.com</a> there it was! MY name, at the top of the page, announcing that I was the winner of their 'Hook, Line and Sinker' writing contest. And what does that mean? Happy Dancing! Fist pumping! Giggling, jump up and down, scare the cats excitement! I felt like Sally Fields, "they like me!" not the exact quote but you get my drift. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It means, that the work I submitted was judged and determined better than the other entries. How many you say? </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Step one:</strong> The contest began with 50 writers submitting the opening line for their story. These entries were read by 3 or 4 judges and 20 entries/writers were cut.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"> <strong>Step two</strong>: the remaining 30 people, submit the last line of their first chapter. This line is what draws the reader into the next chapter. (you know, the one that makes you keep the light on for a little longer because you just need to know what happens.) A new set of judges, and they cut another 20.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Step three</strong>: The remaining 10 writers submit their 'blurb'. That is... using only three sentences, tell what the book is about, in a way that makes a person REALLY want to read it. This last round was judged by a very successful Literary Agent, Christine Witthohn.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">As winner, I now get to send Christine my entire first chapter which she will critique for me. That in itself is a HUGE deal. But, there's room for more because if she happens to LOVE my chapter, she may want to read more and then, if the planets align just perfectly while I'm sleeping on a bed of shamrocks, under a rainbow, with a bunch of lucky horseshoes shoved.... well, you get it.... maybe she would offer to represent me.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Here's the important part to know, securing the representation of a good agent is almost the ONLY way to get a novel published.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">And of course, if I get published one day, (fingers and toes crossed), then I can share my stories with all of you!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Here's my winning entry.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Opening line: </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"> <span style="color:#000099;">Friggen appropriate, the bathroom door opens and my life goes down the toilet.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Chapter 1 - closing line:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#000099;"> My real life -- the one in which I live simply, work hard, and don't sleep with strange men --is about to come apart, ugly.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The blurb:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"> <span style="color:#000099;">He's in the business of helping people disappear and she's making a lifework out of finding them. He plans to shut her down using trickery and seduction but she twists him up like a pretzel and he can't derail her from her mission. Their battle of wills is put on hold when another player rudely steps between them and starts shooting.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"> Yes, I've already sent the requested Chapter off to New York. Now I have to wait for a month probably before I get a response. (Literary Agents have huge waiting lists and although I've been bumped up a long way, I don't expect to be at the very top... yet.)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">cheers!</span>Katthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501145978550034341noreply@blogger.com2