Recommended Writing Class:Patricia Kay

I've known Patricia Kay for a number of years, and every time I've heard her speak, I've come away impressed. Friends who have taken her online classes rave about them, so I wanted to take a moment to recommend her latest. Check it out while space is still available.

Also, keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming announcement on my own upcoming online class for RWA University this June, titled "The Marathoner's Guide to Writing: Staying in It for the Long Haul without Losing Your Patience, Your Persistence, or Your Mind."

"Make 'em Laugh, Make 'em Cry, Make 'em Wait"
by Patricia Kay
May 1-25, 2012
$30 at www.WriterUniv.com

Great books are about more than good plotting, likable characters, lots of conflict, and skillful writing. For a book to really grab a reader, the author must make an emotional connection with that reader. Otherwise, even though the reader may enjoy the book, it won't be one he'll remember. It won't be one he'll talk about. And it won't be one he'll recommend to to others. In this class, you'll learn various dramatic techniques that will help you stir your reader's feelings and make him feel he has an emotional stake in the story's outcome.

* Making your reader care: the dramatic journey
* Crafting powerful scenes that accomplish what you envision
* How sequels help you involve your reader
* Psychic distance: one of your most powerful tools
* Suspense and tension on every page
* Various emotional responses and ways to elicit them
* Building your own emotional palette

Patricia Kay is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 50 novels of romance and women's fiction. An acclaimed teacher, she formerly taught writing classes at the University of Houston and has given workshops all over the country. She now limits her teaching to online classes. You can learn more about her on her website at www.patriciakay.com.

Here's Peepin' at You, Kid!

This made me laugh so hard, I had to share it. Happy Easter!

My Rule: Make Love, Peace & Joy Whenever Possible

I have a strict rule in Words With Friends: Make LOVE, PEACE and JOY whenever and wherever possible, even if you don't score a lot of points for it.

Emily Dickinson's Advice to All You Dreamers

"Finite to fail, but infinite to venture..."
-Emily Dickinson

Have you strayed lately from the surer path? If not, what are you waiting for?

We're given only so much time to take chances. Are you wasting yours?

In the Company of Walt, Beatrix and Benjamin (Session on Self Publishing with Dorothy Hagan)

For those of you who are Houston area residents, I just wanted to give you a heads up about an upcoming professional development session at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. The session is with self-pubbed novelist and teacher Dorothy Hagan about "self" and "indie" publishing. Something that strikes me about what she says in this video is the sentence "the changes in technology have made it virtually possible for anyone to see their work published professionally now." I know that we've discussed the options available for writers now and the pros and cons of epublishing versus other types of self publishing, as well as traditional or "legacy" publishing. And as Joni has said before, just because someone has a story, doesn't mean that they will automatically have the skill to tell that story. So then the question becomes, just because it's possible to see your work published professionally, does that mean it's ready to be published professionally, or that readers will actually want to read it? In this video, Hagan does say that she will discuss the concept of making sure the work is as polished and professional as possible before putting it there, which I think is good. But I must admit that I'm a bit skeptical about the "gold rush" of self publishing in general. I think it's great for both readers and writers to have options, but what does it mean to be a professional writer now? What will it mean in the future?

If you're interested in meeting Hagan and having breakfast with her and hearing more of what she has to say, her session is part of UHCL's "Small Talk, Big Ideas" series on Tuesday morning, April 17 from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. at the University of Houston's Clear Lake campus. The session costs $12 for UHCL students, alumni and staff, and $15 for the greater Houston community. Seating is limited, so you'll need to RSVP by next Tuesday (April 10). You can reserve a seat at the breakfast table either by calling Kris Thompson at (281) 283-2040, or by visiting http://www.uhcl.edu/smalltalkbigideas.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012
7:30-9 a.m.

Metallica "Nothing Else Matters" from S&M

Every book I write has "anchor music" that takes me back to a specific vision of a character, place or moment. This one works for all three, evoking the lonely longing of the protagonist in my forthcoming novel, a crime scene cleaner entangled in a complicated love affair and an even more complicated struggle with his own sanity.

Fabulous Fungi, anyone?

With all the talk of free and 99 cent ebooks, I thought it would be fun to post this link from ABE books about their most expensive rare books sales. I'm not sure what strikes me the most, the first edition of Moby Dick, or the $13,916 17th century Dutch study of mushrooms.

And yes, I am still alive! :)

Birth of a Book

This blows! Amazing storm footage of flying semi trailers

I've been a little obsessed with storms for the last several years, pretty much since the epic hurricane season of 2005, which sparked the story in my latest novel, The Hurricane Lover.

My husband and I volunteered with relief efforts here after Hurricane Katrina and watched agog as the Houston metroplex was strangled by the biggest evacuation debacle in US history as Hurricane Rita threatened the city.

In 2008, Hurricane Ike roared up I-45 like a colonoscopy, doing all the damage we narrowly escaped during Rita. During the height of the storm, my curiosity got the better of me. I went outside so I could experience it. I couldn't have written about it if I hadn't seen, heard, smelled and tasted it. Incredible.

Anyway, this today outside of Dallas. Holy flying 18-wheelers!

 

Material World: the difference between Big 6 and indie, brought to you by Madonna and Nicki Bluhm

One of the things I love about indie publishing is the feeling that I'm getting a more intimate experience of the story.

A lot of Big novels in recent years felt overly edited to me. As I gain more experience as an editor, I can see another editor's handprint more clearly. The book has been produced to an extent that most indie authors frankly can't afford, and (I would hope) would resist, even if money was no object.

To illustrate: "The Material Girl" is a great song. Catchy as hell, tons of mass audience appeal, and as you're about to see, it holds up both fully produced and in the raw. Here's the classic version we know and love: Here's the same song by Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers. Intimate, raw, unfiltered, not glossy. Suddenly, the lyrics are conversational and accessible, the tone is between you and me. Two ways to deliver the same story. I love them both, but I've kinda had enough of books that are slickly produced and sanitized for my protection. As a reader, I'm ready to connect with authors more intimately. And as an author, I'm comfortable connecting with readers in jeans and tee shirt instead of my fancy pink dress.

Material World: the difference between Big 6 and indie, brought to you by Madonna and Nicki Bluhm

One of the things I love about indie publishing is the feeling that I'm getting a more intimate experience of the story.
A lot of Big novels in recent years felt overly edited to me. As I gain more experience as an editor, I can see another editor's handprint more clearly. The book has been produced to an extent that most indie authors frankly can't afford, and (I would hope) would resist, even if money was no object.
To illustrate: "The Material Girl" is a great song. Catchy as all get out, tons of mass audience appeal, and as you're about to see, it holds up both fully produced and in the raw.
Here's the classic version we know and love in all its high-polished glory:

Here's the same song by Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers. Intimate, raw, unfiltered, not glossy. Suddenly, the lyrics are conversational and accessible, the tone is between you and me.

Two ways to deliver the same story. I love them both, but I've kinda had enough of books that are slickly produced and sanitized for my protection. As a reader, I'm ready to connect with authors more intimately. And as an author, I'm comfortable connecting with readers in jeans and tee shirt instead of my fancy pink dress.

Fill the Well Sunday

After months of being basically housebound as I struggled to meet a pair of tight deadlines, I decided it was time to get out in the world again and refill the well with images, experiences, and enjoyment. Today's foray was classic Texas all the way: longhorns and bluebonnets in the sunshine, barbecued brisket in a family diner sort of spot, and long hours of meandering talk with the man in my life, the kind of drive to remind us when and where and how we fell in love all those years ago.

So what's your favorite way to recharge your creative batteries? And when's the last time you indulged?

If it's been too long, make a date with yourself. Life's definitely too short to work 24/7, and anyway, your work will be far sharper for the fresh new images and ideas you will bring back to it.

Not a half-bad Sunday, one that's left me freshly energized for a good week writing.

Dylan Thomas recites "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night"