Writing Powerhouse Scenes

Just a quick heads' up for those who are interested! My alter-ego will ll be teaching a workshop on Writing Powerhouse Scenes at Savvy Authors in January.

Today's market requires that writers keep scenes immediate so readers can be "in the moment" with the characters in your book. Yet writing scenes that happen in the moment is often difficult to do. Too often, we end up with scenes in which there's a delay between the action and the page, or with scenes in which the author resorts to "telling" to explain what just happened.

In this workshop we'll talk about enhancing scene structure using its basic elements of goal, conflict and disaster in various ways that will keep the reader on the same page as the characters all the way through. The discussions and personalized feedback on your own work-in-progress will help you build powerhouse scenes that never leave the reader (or the editor) feeling left out -- even for a second!

WHEN: Jan 3, 2011 - Jan 31, 2011

COST: $15 for Premium Members

$25 for Basic Members

For more information or to register, click here to visit Savvy Authors

Talking about Conflict

My alter-ego is blogging about conflict at The Rockville 8 today. Stop by and say hello if you have a minute! http://bit.ly/c1PTQc

New Writing Booklet for Download -- and a Drawing to Boot!

Dancing On Coals Online Workshops The Booklet: Dancing on Coals workshop, Mastering Scene and Sequel. You've heard about scene and sequel, and the idea of using it makes sense—but can you use scene and sequel and still maintain the fluid style of writing you prefer? Will using scene and sequel box you in, or can you still fly by the seat of your pants? Learn how to use scene and sequel to create powerful scenes while maintaining your own artistic integrity. The Drawing: Purchase any workshop booklet on the Dancing on Coals website and we'll enter your name in a drawing for a free copy of "In and Out: Putting Characters in Conflict" coming in December. Your name will be entered once for each booklet you purchase. Please enter the code "conflict1210" in the "instructions to buyer" field as you check out through PayPal. Visit Dancing on Coals Online Workshops to purchase booklets or for more information ... and good luck!

Watch Out, J.K., Here I Come

There I was, hard at work on my current work-in-progress, when someone on the Sisters in Crime loop posted a link I just couldn’t resist! All I had to do was plug in a few paragraphs of something I’d written. Something more substantial than Facebook posts or Tweets from Twitter.

Since I was right in the middle of an actual novel and had text to spare, I clicked the link, pasted in a few paragraphs, and got my results.

It’s official, folks …

I write like
J. K. Rowling

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

 

Um. Yeah. I mean, sure! I can see that! Absolutely! And even if I can’t, it was good for a few seconds of fun. Looking for an excuse to look away from what you’re writing today?  Well, here you go!

Avoiding Author Intrusion

THERE'S NOT ROOM ENOUGH FOR THE TWO OF US: Back by popular demand! Author intrusion is one of fiction's deadliest diseases. it jars readers, slows the pace of your work, and puts a barrier between your story and the reader. Learn how to avoid contrived or impossible situations, and how to keep yourself off the pages of your novel.

In this workshop you'll also learn to identify and avoid:

• Ineffective point of view;
• The information dump;
• The elusive spy syndrome;
• Smoke and mirrors;
• Characters who can read minds, and much more.

This is one workshop you won't want to miss.

Update about the Candy Shop Series

Sorry for leaving this blog unattended for so long. Life’s been kind of out-of-control since late September and blogging hasn’t been high on my list of priorities. 

I’ve been getting lots of e-mail lately about the candy shop series. Thank you all for writing! I love getting your e-mails and appreciate so much knowing how many of you have enjoyed the series. Unfortunately, my publisher decided not to continue the series, so there won’t be a sixth book about Abby, her family and friends. 

On the good news front, we did go to contract on a new series and I’m hard at work on the first book which will be out in 2011. The new series features cake artist Rita Lucero and is set in New Orleans. Stay tuned for more info as it’s available.