Wednesday Writing (W)Prompt

In 250 words or less: try to sell me your first car.

The Big Conference Question

Which one do I attend?

Nope, that's not the question.

How many do I attend?

Nope, not that one either.

How formal is the banquet?

No. Sheesh...I'd better put you out of your misery ;)

Here's the question that has plagued me: Did they really mean it?

You know who I mean - the authors, publishers, agents, and instructors who said "Call me", "email me", etc.

Did they really mean it?

And if they did mean it, in what capacity did they mean it? Can I email to find out if they got that problem in the front yard fixed? (I was at two conferences with one guy - I heard all about it. How did it turn out?) Is it okay to find out how things are going with them even if I'm not talking about writing?

And if I have writing (publishing/editing) questions, how much can I ask? When have I overstepped my boundaries? What are those boundaries?

This is a serious problem for someone like me. Trust me, you know (or knew) someone like me. I was the girl in school who never had a boyfriend, so anytime a guy talked to me I thought he was interested. It took me a long time to make friends because I over analyzed EVERYTHING people said to me and was never quite sure if a girl invited me over because she wanted to be friends or because she wanted me close for easier harassing.

With a past like that you can see why I've struggled with this question - do I, or don't I?

What do you think?

Transitional Writing

Well, it's official - we bought a house!!

It's a great house. Almost 500 sq. ft. bigger than where we've lived. It doesn't have mold. It needs some work, but that means we can decide on the flooring, paint, and light fixtures. It's an unbelievable bargain for the neighborhood, too. We're really excited!

And while I'm very excited to have my own place, my writing is already suffering. Our whole purchase-to-closing experience was horrible. I've been in Vegas on vacation for two weeks, but worrying and upset about if/when we'd even get the house. And when I get home I'll have the packing, painting, and moving. Yippee! But oy.

So how do I fit in my writing? I'm already subbing 3-4 days a week (it was only supposed to be 2-3 days), plus writing for papers, plus doing the homemaking thing. Now I have the new house to add to my novelist dreams?

Sigh. I think I'm going to set a new, low, goal for myself - two hours a week for my novel.

That seems so pathetic to me. I want to write more, and I know that I need to write more, but it took me months to figure out how to fit my noveling into my current schedule. Adding one more element makes me tired (and I haven't even started it yet!).

I've also decided to get organized with my blogging. I love the freedom of writing whenever I feel inspired, but when I'm busy, blogging doesn't get relegated to the back burner – I'm lucky if it makes it to the stove!

So here's the new plan: (new ideas in italics)

Monday and Friday – junk from me (I don't specific ideas yet, but that's when I'll post)

Wednesday – Weekly Writing (W)Prompt

1^st of the month – book giveaway

Last two days of the month – interview before next giveaway

15^th of the month (or closest day that isn't a M-W-F) – guest blog! I'm going to try to make it a monthly thing to have an author stop by to share his/her story about his/her journey to publication (like I did for September, but only once a month)

So that's the new plan. And now that I understand how to write a post in advance and save it to Blogger, I think this could work!

What do you think?

Wednesday's Weekly Writing (W)Prompt

Here it is - this week's writing prompt: tell the story of this picture


Have fun!

And the winner is...

Lee!!

Please email me at kvbwrites(at)gmail(dot)com.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by! There were a record-setting 120+ hits to my blog during this interview - woo hoo!

Thanks again to Cara (I-so-sorry-I-spelled-your-name-wrong) Putman for your time. It was great to have you here :)

Check back again at the end of the month for another chance to win!

Meet Cara Putnam (and win her book!)

Introducing: CARA PUTNAM!! (Don't forget to leave a comment to win!)
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Tell us a little about yourself:

I’m an honors graduate of University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!) and George Mason Law School and an attorney licensed in Virginia and Indiana. After law school I clerked for the Honorable Loren Smith at the Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. before following my husband to Indiana.

In 2005 I attended a book signing at a local Christian bookstore. At the book signing my husband told Colleen Coble that I wanted to be writer. I’ve been running ever since to keep up. Barbour's Heartsong Presents has released five of my books, including Canteen Dreams, a WWII historical set in Nebraska that won the 2008 ACFW Book of the Year for Short Historical. I also write romantic suspense for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense and the Complete Idiots Guide to Business Law.

I am an attorney, wife, mom to three, homeschool teacher, occasional professor at Purdue, women's ministry leader, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, my husband and my kids that is.

What is your writing day like?

My writing day is very kid focused during the day. Then as we wind into the afternoon, I may work on a small project or two, but the bulk of my writing is done in the evening after the kids are in bed or one or two afternoons a week when I have a babysitter come play with the kids.

How do you organize your writing? (outlines/note cards/post-its)

I create a pretty detailed 5-8 page synopsis. I’ll also create detailed character charts for the hero and heroine. I may do the same for the antagonist as well. Then I research the details I know I’ll need and pull it together. It’s not quite Susan Meissner’s pre-plotting approach, but similar.

What's the most surprising thing a character has “told you”?

That she’d had a baby out of wedlock. I remember sitting there when Dani told me that, and looking at the computer screen saying “Seriously?” But it so totally worked. And it fit with the journey she was on as a character.

Do you have a list of characters that you're saving for future use? What kind of information do you keep on these characters?

I don’t, though that’s a great idea. I have some secondary characters who’d love their own books, but not ideas of characters who are waiting in the wings for a book.

What does your work space/office look like?

Chaos when I’m in the middle of a book. I have a desk with a hutch, and a bookshelf. It overflows with books and notes. And the further I get into the writing the deeper the piles get. Then I’ll reach a point where I can’t handle the chaos and clean only to have it explode again. And I’m generally a pretty clean person! Really!

What is your go-to snack when writing?

Almonds, wheat thins, and sweet tea or water.

If you could only recommend one NOVEL, what would it be? Why?

What a tough question! If someone could only read one. Really? Only one. I don’t know if I can choose one. There are too many great books out there. One I finished last night that I didn’t expect to like was Thirsty by Tracey Bateman. It’s a vampire book and I don’t do vampires – it’s the first I’ve read – but I really liked it! I also really enjoyed Leaving Carolina by Tamara Leigh – but that’s a light romance with some spiritual meat. See, I just can’t narrow down to one. I read too much for that.

If you could only recommend one CRAFT book (writing, no crocheting), what would it be? Why?

Definitely Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. I think it’s the most approachable craft book for beginning novelists yet filled with meat for writers with several books under their belt.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Thank you so much for hosting me, Karin!

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And thank you, Cara, for stopping by!

Please post your questions/comments/recipes for Cara here and get entered to win a FREE copy of her latest novel - winner will be picked on November 1st!!

Writing Prompt - so excited!!

I've already written my first writing prompt - and I can hardly wait to post it! The blog is written and saved...look for it on November 4th (the first of my Wednesday Weekly Writing (W)Prompts)!