It's Been a Long Time...

Wanna know what's going on in my life? Read my latest interview here:

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-3098-Houston-Romance-Novels-Examiner~y2010m2d9-Emma-Sanders-Solves-the-Mystery-of-Love-and-Romance

Is Grammar Really All It’s Cracked Up To Be?

I appreciate grammar. I do. But my brain usually short-circuits if I have to filter through a bunch of colons, commas, and semi-colons to get to the true grit of the story.

My 81 year old grandmother is writing a story. She pitched it to me. I wish I could become an agent, because I’d buy it without even reading it, just by what she described to me. It’s like Nicholas Sparks vs. Catherine Anderson (and I wish I could explain my own book in such a way). Plus, imagine an 81 year old romance author! She’s got the mind, she’s got the experience, she’s got the charm! I believe in her! And I think an 81 year old romance author could charm the socks off most unbelievers.

I hope she finishes it. She’s one of my inspirations because she’s always WANTED to write, but never sat down and finished (along with my mom, who died before she had the chance). So I decided to actually finish one or two or three while I had the chance. And I hope she will, too.
Back to my point. She read this “how-to” book (not sure the title), that explained the importance of grammar and all the things you MUST do (i.e. don’t rewrite your story too much! (What? That requires another post)) It explained the importance of grammar. So her first sentence, which was actually really interesting but had three descriptive actions, were each separated by a proper semi-colon. Which was very intrusive to me, as a reader.

So my point of this blog post is...don’t apply every “how-to” to your own writing. Because maybe we’re all guilty of disrespecting grammar, but let’s face it: The world is changing, our attention spans are suffering a shortage in this action-infused world, and writing with too many proper punctuations is intrusive.

And you don’t have to be right all the time.

Why I Don't Like Horror...

It's Halloween month. I call it the Halloween month because it seems like Halloween lasts throughout the whole month of October. Every time you turn on the TV, a scary movie is playing. Now, when I was young I liked horror as much as the next person. I loved to wrap myself in my boyfriend's arms and let him protect me from all the pets who were buried and came back to life. (Pet Semetary, couldn't watch that again now!)

I'm sitting here at the computer and all I can hear is the show my husband is watching. Just the music and the words that I try to tune out. I don't ask what it is. I don't want to know. But it bothers me, and I hate that it bothers me but I can't help that it bothers me. I tried to remember growing up watching NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET and I suddenly remembered that's the last horror movie I ever watched!

So why do I hate horror? Well, it's because my mom died on October 26. Imagine seeing skeletons and ghosts everywhere you look (I was 15 years old, so no longer into trick or' treating, but still...) It was bothersome. We had her funeral a few days before Halloween. It was just eerie. It's been awhile now, so it's hard to explain, but it's also hard to block out those memories when you're walking down the street and see everyone celebrating death. That's how I saw it at the time. I remember many times walking down the street with my mom, and some of the people here went all out with their decorations. She loved it! Thought it was so cooll! I can't reemember trick or' treating without my mom because she's the one who always took my sister and me.

Even now, years later, I hate even hearing a horror movie noise.

So, that's why I yell at hubby to turn down the television when a horror movie is on. Just brings back too many memories...

a Bookmarked Blog

It's not every day I see a Blog I want to add to my favorites so I'll remember it. I'm busy, and I don't have a lot of time to read blogs (it'd be easier if I didn't have to sit down at my desk and read, but I could read it while I was waiting in line, at the red light, at the Dr.'s office, etc.etc).

However, I just came across this Blog by accident:

http://pimpmynovel.blogspot.com/

and I've got to say, this Blog interested me. First of all, he works in the sales department of a trade publisher (so he must know what he's talking about ) and next of all, he's interesting!

He suggests that all authors blog. I'm trying. I'm really trying...

Scheduling

I've been working on a schedule that was supposed to have me blogging this morning. Though I've been doing great with my writing schedule, I wanted to also start blogging again once a week.

But this morning I got up and worked on my story. And I won't let anything (blogging, emails, myspace, or computer games) get in the way of my writing. The only thing that has to get in the way of my writing is my real job. I like to eat!

Now I'm out of time because I have to get ready for work. I'd much rather stay home and work on my story. One day, I will. :)))) For now, here's a hope that I will continue with my schedule. Here's a start.

Going to Nationals!

The RWA National Conference, July 15-18, in Washington DC! It’s a huge deal for me and I can’t tell you how excited I am.

I submitted an application for a scholarship, and my story won! This is the first time I've been to Nationals!

Did I mention how excited I am?

So, because I’m a little crazy (or OCD?) about certain things, I’ve ordered 2 trip books about DC. Just reading about it is fun, though I’ll enjoy experiencing everything there is to experience. It’s not that I have to have everything planned, but I like to have an idea of what to expect.

D.C. ... it’s not a top State of states I had on my list to visit, but I’m ultra excited now. I hear there are so many things to do, and seeing our nation’s capital will be something I will never forget.

Did I mention I hate flying?

I'd definitely rather drive, but since we own a business, we hate to close it up for a week, and the trip would take longer. We have to budget, too, and turns out it is cheaper to fly, at least for now. I have the vacation time at work, but when you own your own business...well, it makes things difficult. But I'm leaving it up to hubby, who is going with me.

Turns out he already knows his way around DC. At least, that's what he told me. (He likes to play his video game, Fallout 3, LOL, based in DC)

Would You Say I'm a Fan?

Hubby and I were cleaning out a kitchen cabinet and came across a bunch of coffee canisters we had saved. We saved them because they make great canisters for grease, his screws, nails, etc, but we didn't realize we had so many!

We have storage room again...

No...I'm in no way advertising Folgers (actually I prefer the Organic Coffee Company, but they are hard to find and ultra expensive for a couple who drinks coffee like hubby and I do). However, Folgers should give me a discount for advertising, don't you think? :)))

We attemped half decaf once, as you can see, but that didn't make the cut for me. I like my coffee STRONG.

BOOKS

I love them! I can’t get enough of them! Every time I tell myself I’ll stop buying them, I’ll do okay for awhile, then go crazy and buy a bunch at once. I have storage boxes full of them and if I had the space, I would set them on shelves and have a library room I could walk into and have them surround me.

Maybe I should have been a librarian? Unfortunately in my small town, the library isn’t that great and doesn’t carry as many books as I would like. The librarian has been there going on thirty years or so and will retire in probably in another thirty or more.

That’s okay. I can still browse the bookstore, the online stores, the library, and when all else fails I can come home and enjoy the ones I have shelved. It’s always fun to go through boxes of books. Some of them I browse through but never read and some of them I read more than once.

Should I feel guilty that I am not contributing to a greener earth by having all these books?

I love all genres, just like I love all genres of music. Sometimes I love to curl up with a good romance, mystery or thriller and other times I need an inspiration self-help to see me through a daunting week. I don’t know what it is about the written word, but I’ll read cereal boxes if that’s all there is. And trying to catch the meaning of lyrics excite me.

Books. Words. Language. Poems. Lyrics. Novels. It all excites me. I like to stay open to and read others’ ideas, though I will always keep my own.


Art...such as books, music, dance, paintings, movies (etc etc)...is a universal language. Maybe that's why it's so intriquing?

Goal, Motivation and Conflict

GMC. You know the term. Every main character (hero/heroine) must have one in your story to make their actions ring true. Even if your character doesn't understand why she wants what she wants, your reader will want to know, so YOU must know. Ah, so what does a character do when conflict gets in her way? Push through that conflict so that the character can have a happy ending. (Of course, you don't want it to be too easy, and boring, so the reader stops reading).

As I contemplate my character's GMC, I'm also contemplating mine:

GOAL: finish ms

MOTIVATION: to be published (and because I love to write!)

CONFLICT: life, full time job, business partnership with husband (I do the financials and tax season is upon us)

HOW TO OVERCOME: make a schedule and stick to it

***

GOAL: to attend the DARA conference

MOTIVATION: to meet other authors and have a chance to pitch my novel

CONFLICT: money (I have a tooth problem that is going to cost $1000!)

HOW TO OVERCOME: save, make extra money, get loan or don't go

***

GOAL: to get my website back up and running

MOTIVATION: because all authors should have one

CONFLICT: lack of knowledge

HOW TO OVERCOME: learn all I can and get help where needed

***

I've had my head down in editing my current WIP and in plotting my new novel. You probably won't hear from me except sporadically for now, but I am going to try to get back into a routine. Still, my writing is most important and so things like blogging are put on the back burner. :)

A Writer's Symbol

A few years ago, with the advent of new ebook and print on demand publishers, I published 2 novels within months of each other, fulfilling my dream of publication. But fame didn’t prevail, and the stress of publicity along with self-promotion got the better of me. I overextended myself mentally, physically and financially as I continued to work full time, start a new business with my husband, and try to pursue my dream of writing. An emotionally draining job left (and still leaves) little energy to continue writing when it seemed my writing career wasn’t going to take off. Plus, I felt I had to keep my writing a secret from my boss and thus separate from my life. This made it hard to keep it a part of my life at all. I was discouraged with my publisher and the publishing world in general and thought about giving up many times. I prayed and ranted to God, wondering why He would put this dream in my heart if I was never going to be successful. Mere publication wasn’t, IMO, success. I wanted more.

I finished my third novel, yet couldn’t seem to get it published. I once envisioned this wonderful booksigning event where I would feature a moose, which was a huge symbol in my book, and I told myself if I ever published this story, I would have to find me a stuffed moose to put with my book. I already had the image of this moose pictured in my head and how I would take him along with me on my booksignings. This stuffed moose was almost like a character in my book.

After a year of having my third story written and about 40 rejections later (I wasn’t ready to submit to my current publisher yet), and many months of on again, off again writing, I was ready to give up, or at least “give myself a break without beating myself up”. I cancelled my website (I was having problems with the webhost anyway) and I thought about doing away with everything related to my writing.

One day during my lunch break, I went to a gift shop with a (non-writing) friend of mine and there, sitting on the shelf, was the moose—almost exactly as I had pictured him in my story and in my dreams. Just one moose, for sale, amongst many other items. I didn’t buy him, but kept looking and thinking about him. I told my husband about him because it was so close to Christmas I thought if my husband bought him, fine, but if not, then it wasn’t meant to be.

The next morning, I was reading my “writer’s devotional” (Julia Cameron’s FINDING WATER). It was the very last chapter and, I thought, my last hurrah with writing for awhile. If I decided to take it up again, fine, but it wouldn’t be that important to me. I had way too many other things to worry about and I was just one person. Whether or not I published another book was obviously not going to make an impact on anyone else, so why should I let it impact me?

In this “devotional”, Julia spoke of a writer’s symbol. She explained why it was so important to have something that means something to you and your writing (whether it’s a bracelet, necklace, etc). I knew then that I had to go back and get that moose. It was like a symbol to me, calling out to me. I knew it when I saw it, yet I kept trying to ignore it and push it out of my mind. When I went back to the store, the owner’s little girl said, ‘finally someone is buying that moose. He has been staring at me all this time.” This was affirmation that this moose was my sign.

If I hadn’t read that little chapter the very next day, I may have ignored that moose (though I hadn’t been able to get it out of my mind since I saw it the day before). Reading that chapter was like I had been sucker-punched. If I ignored that message, then I had no one to blame but myself.

With renewed vigor and zest (and thanks to Margie Lawson’s DEFEATING SELF DEFEATING BEHAVIORS), I am revamping my third novel and waiting for the right time. Now all I hear about is how bad the economy is and how hard it is for unknown writers. Yet, I still write, but I write with a lot more energy and enthusiasm now. My moose sits along beside me as I work on my story (now a series), watching over me even as I sleep. He is my writer’s symbol, a reminder that I am heading down the right path no matter how difficult the journey.

The Twelve Tales of Christmas

If you are looking for a nice gift for yourself or someone else, I highly recommend THE TWELVE TALES OF CHRISTMAS by my dear friend, Miranda Koerner. I'm not biased because she's my friend! I had the joy of reading these stories and I loved them all! Filled with short stories that will warm your heart, make you smile and even bring tears to your eyes, it gives me that magical, whimsical Christmasy feeling I love so much. It's also full of good stories to read to the special people in your life, because you will want others to enjoy it, too. Click on the title to go to the order page.

Water For Elephants

It's been awhile since I've posted a book review, but this was one of those I felt deserved my attention. I didn't expect to like it. Too much hype. I hate hype and will usually avoid books or movies with too much hype (okay, except the Pirates movies, superhero movies and...I could go on). Still, I normally read thrillers, suspense, and romance and normally avoid hype, though not always. You can't publish enough romantic suspense for my taste. This was none of those.

I confess that I decided to read WATER FOR ELEPHANTS because of an article in the Poets and Writers magazine by Sara Gruen's agent and because I thought reading outside my normal genre might help inspire me.

I was not disappointed. I started it on Wednesday before Thanksgiving and only read for the hour and a half long trip it took to get to my destination. Then I read it going home that Friday (didn't get a chance during the Thanksgiving holiday) and I couldn't put it down, even after the drive. (Thank goodness I was only a passenger, huh?) All in all, it took me 2 days.

There was something about the writing that just drew me in to the story, as if I was actually reading the man's account of his time at the circus. Even when he was brought back into his present reality (a 90 year old man in a nursing home remembering his time in the circus during the great depression) I didn't feel like I was being jerked out of the story.

The characters were real, even written from a first POV. Actually, they were made more real in that way. I was disappointed to finish it, because now I feel I have nothing to read. You know how it is when you're finished with a good story and nothing seems to compare. I'll have to let it sit in my brain for a few days before I can get into another one.

So if you love to read and haven't yet read this one, I highly recommend it. WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen.

Black Friday

With all the ads promising sales galore, Black Friday seems to be an event many shoppers don't want to miss.

Except me.

I've done done it, though I have thought about experiencing it just once. Still, I haven't seen that there are any deals worth the fuss of getting up that early and missing out on the time I'm usually spending with family. Besides, I caught the early sales before the holidays, so my Christmas shopping is taken care of and I got a good deal on things. It's not like the Black Friday sales are saving me 50% off the video game my hubby wants, and I found 50% off many wonderful things at Hobby Lobby before Thanksgiving, and I didn't have to fight the crowds.

What's your favorite part of the day after Thanksgiving? For me, it's spending time with family and eating leftovers. We play games, watch football, and visit. Then I go home and put up my Christmas tree!!!

13 Reaons to Be Grateful

As we sit around the meal table with our family and wonderful food, let’s not forget all the reasons we should be thankful. Here’s 13 reasons I am grateful.

1. I’m grateful I’m able to feast like this with people who love me.
2. I’m grateful for my family.
3. I’m grateful for my life.
4. I’m grateful for a husband who loves, cherishes and understands me.
5. I’m grateful for my friends.
6. I’m grateful for my creativity.
7. I’m grateful for the things I take for granted.
8. I’m grateful for a beautiful flower growing wildly on the side of the road.
9. I’m grateful for my pets.
10. I’m grateful for my health.
11. I’m grateful to be able to follow my dream.
12. I’m grateful to own a successful business.
13. I’m grateful this world isn’t all about me.

Thursday 13: 13 Things My Cat Likes to Get Into

No, these pictures aren't staged. She really does just climb in and make herself comfortable. Here are 13 pics of what she likes to get into; later, I'll share what she likes to get on.

How to Craft an Album with absolutely no sewing!

With Christmas just around the corner and the economy the way it is, there is nothing more special than creating a gift for a loved one. I enjoy creating this for myself, but it makes a great gift too! They are so easy and a lot of fun. You can make a journal, a photo album, a binder notebook, or a business card album, just to name a few.

First, find the album you want. A binder notebook, an uncovered photo album or, in this situation, I used a business card album. This also works with notebook journals.

Figure out your theme. There are cheap fabrics and left over fabrics you can use, or maybe you have your own stash somewhere. For this theme, because it is a business card album that I place business cards in, thus sharing information with others, I used a pendant that, to me, looked like the earth. I used jewelry pieces that say "wish", "believe", "inspire", "share" and "create". For another photo album (see below), I used red beaded fringe, red fabric, and lady accessories such as shoes, a hat and a handbag. Choosing a theme is the funnest part, and your options are endless.

I could go crazy at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, or any other craft store. You can use iron on transfers or glue your own accessories from wood, jewwels, or anything. If you can sew, you have even more options! (Unfortunately, I don't/can't sew).

The materials you need will vary. A low-heat glue gun works best. Find fabric you like and some decorative accessories, like iron on patches and trims. You also need some kind of poster board (I use thick stock paper) for the inside of your album.

Measure the fabric around the album and cut to where you have a half inch to an inch of spare fabric.


Glue the fabric using a low heat glue gun.



Trim any excess pieces.



Measure, cut, and glue any trim pieces, fringe or ribbon you want to use around the album.



Take a piece of poster board or stock paper and measure the inside of the album. Cut the poster board so you will have just enough space to cover the inside, without it overlapping the outside.




Measure, cut and glue your fabric around the poster board. One side doesn't need fabric, since it will be face down on the inside of your album.



With your low heat glue gun, glue your covering to the inside of your album. This goes on top of your trim work, so as to cover the fringe or ribbon you used.



Adorn the outside with decorative pieces.



Admire your finished work.


Here are other albums I've done. They aren't perfect by any means, but they were fun, and that's the beauty of art.

About my love of reading and writing...

As a reader, I’m looking for a story that makes me fall in love. As a writer I’m looking to reveal tension that grows until readers can’t wait another second to see what happens but hates the thought it’ll be over soon if they do keep reading. I write what I enjoy reading-romance, tension, profound characters, and suspense- and I write with a sense of purpose: to entertain, to make a reader feel emotions they didn’t know they were capable of feeling for a mere story, and to so enchant the reader that they will trust any new book that follows with my name.

Creativity in any form is a constant work in progress. As a writer, you must continue learning. Some writers say they don't read beause they don't want to be accused of taking over someone else's voice or stealing their idea. I say how sad. Reading helps me grow. I believe we are all individuals, and thus what we write will be unique.

Thanks to my friend, Duckie, I have been awarded this:

Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciate the award, but what I dislike is picking 5 people to award it to next. That's the tough one. I have writing friends and colleagues, but how do I choose 5 out of the ones I do know?

So, because I don't always like to follow rules and I thrive on being "different", I'm not going to link to anyone else. With the holidays fast approaching, I know it's a tough time for those I would choose to link to. Instead, I'm going to rave on the person who sent me this award. Duckie is an amazing woman. If you haven't read her blog, you don't know what you're missing. I find myself envious at times of the things she comes up with. I wish had that much creativity and mind sparks. She posts funny pictures of her animals, different short stories everyone can follow, and other fun things almost every day! I don't know how she does it! As her blog becomes more and more popular, I know she's going to fulfill her dream soon, and I'm very excited for her.

Because I was curious about the blog featured on this award, I visited it (aren't links like this a great way to find new blogs?). What I saw there broke my heart, because it turns out one of her blogging friends has gone missing. I pray for this woman and her family.

13 Ways to Feel Happier

1. Find yourself a hobby you are passionate about and stick with it. Even if you can’t do it everyday or every week, if this hobby gives you pleasure, try to do it when you have extra time, or make extra time for it.

2. Create something, even if you don’t feel like you’re a creator. Color a picture, paint by number, or hum a song in your head. Start that scrapbook you’ve always wanted to start or cut out pictures in a magazine and collage. There’s nothing more fulfilling than creating.

3. Make memories. I’ll never forget building Barbie houses with a cardboard box and making glue out of flour with my mother. Those are the kind of memories to leave with your children, and yourself.

4. Exercise. Exercise stimulates endorphins, exercise puts you in a good spirit. Exercise has so many benefits that there are millions of books written about it. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t take time to exercise daily. Even a small walk around the block would do wonderful things for your emotional, as well as physical, well being.

5. Chew gum. Smack. Blow bubbles. Who cares if it’s annoying? Chewing has been proven to release endorphins, which is better than taking a happy pill. There’s nothing better than chewing a big wad of bubble gum and then popping it all over your face. Give it a try!

6. Breathe. I know you’ve heard it lots of times, and you probably say you already do it. After all, if you weren’t breathing, you wouldn’t be here, right? Well, that’s right, but breathing can do so much more for you than keep you alive. Exhaling releases wastes and toxins out of your body, while inhaling carries more oxygen, which is vital to your body’s function and carries more energy to your cells. It isn’t always easy to take slow deep breaths every single part of the day, but try to at least a few times a day throughout the day. Think about your breathing and it can become a habit. Make your breathing a more important part of your life.

7. Find a confidante. Talk about your frustrations with someone you can trust. Be careful, though, that this doesn’t get out of hand. I’ve vented frustrations out on people I thought were trustworthy and would understand, only to have them turn on me. Be sure you can trust this person not only to hold your confidence, but also to understand that your venting doesn’t make you any less of a person.

8. Accept each person as an individual. No one is going to be perfect, and no one is going to be what you want or expect them to be. Everyone makes mistakes. Don’t cast judgments on others, when you yourself do things to irritate them. We will all irritate each other at one time or another. When this happens, instead of becoming angry or resentful, distance yourself from this individual but let them know you still love them.

9. Take time to get to know yourself. You’ve heard it before, but this time I really mean it. Really get to know yourself and what makes you angry. Next time, you may be better prepared when something happens to make you angry and you’ll be better able to deal with your feelings.

10. Pet a furry animal.

11. Sing loudly to your favorite song in the privacy of your own home (or in public if you want).


12. Dance with a mop if you don’t have a partner.

13. Remember that joy is ultimately up to you. You are in control of how you feel. Nobody else can make you happy, even if the man that sent you those roses made you happy at that instant. You can choose to be angry or you can choose to be happy. You can choose to react to a situation badly, or you can choose to react to a situation with self-control. Don’t let your emotions control you. You have to learn to control your emotions.

The Beauty of Art

You don't have to have a Masters
or be a graduate of Julliards.
Art comes in all shapes and sizes
and some may even be awkward.

You may not be able to draw a straight line,
and you may not be able to hold a note.
Your art may only be a seed of an idea
or it may only be something you promote.

But that's the beauty of art, you see
even if you don't sing or paint.
Art is around us everywhere
and our world was created to create.