National Speak in Complete Sentences Day

May 31, 2015May 25, 2015

Today we observe National Speak in Complete Sentences Day.

In this age of Twitter, chat, and other forms of instant communication, proper grammar–whether in speaking or writing–is a vanishing skill.

Example: A recent conversation I had went something like this:

“Oh, my sister’s all toody.”

I thought, Too much information. Your sister’s intestinal problems aren’t of interest to me.

“I said leave the baby sleep, and she just got this tude and went toody and I was like, you know–.”

Ah. Attitude. Right.

But who am I to talk? When I work on guest blogs, I have to be very careful to answer the questions in complete sentences.

Example: An upcoming blog asked, “What aspects of the writing process do you find most difficult?”

My initial response was: “Getting back into the flow of the story after a break.”

The editor in me took one look at that and donned her Grammar Police hat.

The response now reads, “Getting back into the flow of the story after a break is probably the most difficult part of writing for me.”

See the difference?

WIP Wednesday: The Plotting Game

May 27, 2015May 25, 2015

“I thought you said you were working.”

I get that a lot when people peer over my shoulder to my computer screen. There might be words there, or there might be a game of Free Cell or Spider Solitaire in progress. And yes, that means I’m working.

I do my best plotting over a game of solitaire. When I was a teenager–long before the age of personal computers–I would sit on my bed for hours and play solitaire.

I would also tell myself stories as I played. Whether I was writing “Monkee Stories” (fanfic about the TV show/pop band) or my own “gothic” mystery (a la Mary Stewart), my best ideas came as I manipulated a deck of playing cards.

Old habits die hard, and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Getting Caught

May 24, 2015May 15, 2015

May is National Get Caught Reading Month.

If I’m going to get caught doing anything, reading would be right there at the top of my list.

Other things I wouldn’t mind getting caught doing:

random acts of kindness
laughing
cuddling a cat
enjoying a meal
listening to music
being with my friends

What would you like to get caught doing?

Writing Wednesday: My 1st Book Signing

May 20, 2015May 17, 20152 Comments

I had my first book signing this past Saturday.

When I received the author copies of my first book, Moonlight Serenade, I dashed to my local library branch and donated a copy. The Adult Services Librarian asked me if I’d be interested in doing an Author Spotlight and Book Signing. Well, duh! That was a no brainer. We settled on a date.

The library set up a lot promotion. I was on the front page of the county library system website. My appearance was announced in the local newspaper’s events section. The front page of the branch newsletter carried a feature about the book. And there were postcards available at the checkout desk.

Lovely posters were made up and hung.

(Yes, this poster now adorns the door of my office.)

I had read a great blog about what an author should have at a book signing. That was a blessing. (Thank you Ryan Jo Summers!)I purchased clear plastic stands for signage, a business card holder, a postcard/brochure holder, and individually wrapped berry-flavored candies for a heart-shaped glass dish I have. I packed business cards for my local RWA Chapter, as well as membership brochures. I made stickers about my new release, Summer Fling, for the back of my werewolf book postcards. I had a bottle of water and a pack of tissue. I had my books.

I had a nice turn out. One of my critique partners showed up with a small vase of lilacs and “Local Author” stickers for me. The audience asked great questions.