tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70309277911502480962024-02-08T05:35:39.546-08:00Sandra AllanParanormal and Science Fiction Romance WriterSandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-88357913440221921102013-07-13T21:59:00.002-07:002013-07-13T22:05:01.793-07:00Sunday, bloody SundayHas it been a week already?! I'm sitting looking out the window at the wind and the rain - thinking to myself - 'what a great day to write!' Winter in Oz - mild compared to our European and American counterparts.
And........ Yes, yes I am. LOL Curled up on the couch beside me is one very spoilt blue heeler.
She - trying to hog all the heat and use my lap as a pillow.
Me - fighting to maintain enough lap space to balance my laptop on.
I've started back with my fantastic supportive goal group. The divas are a wonderful, talented group of writers such as <a href="http://elvinapayet.blogspot.com.au">Elvina Payet</a> and Raewyn McGill both members of <a href="http://www.melbournerwg.com">Melbourne Romance Writers Guild</a>.
With another writing friend Michael we decided last year at RWA National in L.A. sitting around the pool drinking cocktails that we needed the kickstart and the support of a goal group. We dragged the effervescent and talented Jill Paige in a voila the Goal Divas were born!
We set weekly goals writing, reading and personal. We report on our progress or lack there of - the guilt trip does us good. LOL
Well - back into the writing.Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-4720373224812591932013-07-06T19:13:00.001-07:002013-07-06T19:13:30.720-07:00The shaming postWOW! I am so shamed. I just popped on to my poor blog and realised I've been one slack writer. Why did I visit my blog you may ask?<br />
It's because of another blog I just finished reading - thanks to <a href="http://ffnp.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/holding-line-by-laura-bickle.html#.UdjOXePZUik.blogger">Holding the Line By Laura Bickle</a><br />
<br />
I've been short changing myself. Life has got in the way. I've finished building and moving into my house and yeah - it's taken a fair bit of my time. I've changed jobs - several in fact and that has taken up some of my time - but not all.<br />
So - I thought I'd share this blog for any of you who are allowing other things to sway you.<br />
Good luck and get writing!<br />
Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-18926205190445872082011-05-20T23:36:00.000-07:002012-09-19T23:03:09.378-07:00The dreaded draftWell, I'm supposed to be in the middle of a lightning draft...... You guessed it, I'm not. I'm seriously stalled. I think because I feel that there are things I should know that I don't and that's what's stalling me.<br />
The class is going great but I'm just stagnant. Sort of like Homer Simpson humming the clown theme song in his head kind of stagnant. <br />
Don't get me wrong I've been working on this book, but for some reason I can't write. It's starting to seriously weird me out, but I've made a decision to sit down and type, hence this post. Remember the saying 'you can fix a bad page but you can't fix a blank page.' <br />
Onward and upward.Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-35901470300719943702011-03-06T00:42:00.000-08:002011-03-06T00:42:05.133-08:00The terror of small workshopsYou know them. Those small number workshops where you can't hide and you have to participate. Can you feel your palms sweating? Your pulse pounding?<br />
Well, I'm off to one next weekend and I can tell you - my throat is dry and I've still got a week to go. This could be a good thing. It could be the best diet I've ever been on. My stomach is so knotted I can't eat. <br />
I'm looking forward to this workshop. I really am. But - I'm not the most confident where my grammar is concerned. Plus my brain goes on a hiatus and I lose the ability to talk like a reasonably intelligent human being. The speaker is going to expect me to know something, anything about my proposal. <br />
So, this is where I am. A mass of insecurities - like all writers. I can't bluff it. I don't have the confidence to do that. I've been plodding for so long, well I feel like a failure.<br />
Then I run into people I've known for eons - and I get the 'Oh...... you're still not published?' Include the pitying look and there you have it. <br />
I know that's why myself and friends of mine, who have since gone on to become published stopped going to some conference because of that question.<br />
Don't get me wrong I love seeing my friends, but that question has the power of lowering my self esteem to levels that even a single cell organism would be able to glide over me.<br />
I think I need to take the attitude - who gives a shit. <br />
My hide after all these years still hasn't toughened up enough to be able to withstand that question. <br />
My tender pride and confidence wilts and I think that's a shame. <br />
I should be proud that I've survived. That I've kept that 'never say die' attitude. <br />
So. when I get asked that question on the weekend - I'm going to say - 'Yup. Do you want to see the scars?'Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-31476416337950210842011-02-17T21:58:00.000-08:002011-02-18T22:07:05.610-08:00The Fall Guy aka Underdog.Ever wonder whether you're the fall guy, the underdog? I think we all do to a certain extent. <br />
Are you the one that worked unimaginable hours at school to just pass where others sailed through and became dux / valedictorian? <br />
Are you the one who, wasn’t a champion sports star but a team player and even then spent time on the bench?<br />
Are you the one that couldn’t date because you had to work to keep food / roof over your head, while others lived the high life without a worry?<br />
Are you the person that picked up the pieces and kept on going even when the 'flash in the pan' dropped the (insert appropriate word here) like the proverbial hot potato, leaving you with egg on your face? (See I can add more than one cliché in a sentence - HA) <br />
That underdog moment is what builds character in a person. <br />
This is also what makes for a great character in a novel.<br />
Now channel that experience into your characters. Dredge up that pain, the tears, the anger and let it all go. Release it into your heroine or hero. <br />
We, as writers and readers love the underdog character. We sympathize with their lot in life. We cheer their successes. We cry at the seemingly unbeatable odds. And, when they finally win through, we punch the air - our hearts full.<br />
Think of Cinderella - she was the underdog. How sad was her life after her father died. Scrubbing floors for the wicked step-cow and the three heinous bitches. But when she went to that ball - we all sighed and wished that was us in that pretty dress and glass slippers, dancing with that studley guy. <br />
Remember how sad you felt when she went back to the drudgery of her life?<br />
The heart stopping moment when we weren't sure she was going to be tested with that shoe. <br />
And then the instant when she put that slipper on. <br />
We want that - will she, won’t she or will he, won’t he moment.<br />
So – if you’ve felt like the fall woman / underdog stand up shout, ‘I’m an underdog and damn proud of it!’<br />
Fall Princesses and Under Queens of the world unite!Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-18865206757795262582011-02-07T00:02:00.000-08:002011-02-07T00:02:11.490-08:00Voice - you've got it!Had an interesting conversation with fellow writer <a href="http://elijanakindel.blogspot.com/"> Elijana Kindel</a> today about voice. She's got it, I want it back. What prompted this discussion was that I am doing a fantastic critique course at <a href="http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/content.php">Savvy Authors</a> with the insightful <a href="http://tbodwell.com/">Teresa Bodwell</a>.<br />
How do you recognize voice and how do you protect it once you've found your voice?<br />
That can be tough. Some writers have a writing voice that projects loud and clear with tonal qualities that are uniquely their own. Others get lost in the wilderness, lost in a swirling maelstrom, victims of our own insecurities.<br />
Once you've found it, cling on to that sucker, like a junk yard dog over a bone. Stay true to yourself, but be willing to listen, think and learn. <br />
I think voice can change depending on what genre you're writing at the time.<br />
I'm feeling empowered.Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-58960138162691066712011-01-27T19:52:00.000-08:002011-01-27T19:52:20.839-08:00What did I learn in 2010?Yeah, that's what had me going. What did I learn. Well, I didn't learn how to herd cats - that's for sure - LOL. I've had an interesting few months,with some ups and downs, but over all I'd say it was a great year! People who know me are stuck dumb by that comment and say to me - but didn't you..... or wasn't it a bad year? To them I say nope I had a great year! Even with the rejections, the fractures, the never ending loop of doom I call medical trivia - I had a great year! The power of positive thinking and those yummy feel good endorphins.<br />
I learned a lot, writing wise, made some great new writer friends, met up with some older writing friends and went to a fantastic conference - the <a href="http://www.gsrwa.org/conference.php">Emerald City Writers' conference </a> If you only go to one conference -yeah you've all heard that old chestnut - honestly it's a great conference!<br />
I'm also doing <a href="http://tflac.com/">Cherry Adair</a>'s challenge <a href="http://www.gsrwa.org/ftdb.php">finish the damn book</a>.<br />
So if you suffer from procrastination choose to do something about it. Either do something like finish the damn book or even one of the 100 words a day loops that are around. All of them will get you focused and get you into a habit, pick your time, choose your goal and go for it. You never know you may just get a book out of it. <br />
Write on peeps!Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-20787155679359872902010-09-03T02:26:00.000-07:002010-09-03T02:26:45.699-07:00A case of PMS or poor me syndromeI'm having a PMS day or poor me syndrome day. Yup, got a rejection from an online query. As queries go this was pretty good rejection considering it wasn't just the standard thanks but no thanks. <br />
Still, after 20 something years of rejections I'm sick of getting thanks but no thanks rejections. They still hurt, no matter how tough / thick you think your skin is - ALOT. I think I must completely suck as a writer if I can't even get past that stage. I think I suck big time if I can't even get past the partial stage.<br />
But I'll still keep on going. <br />
Still feel embarrassed when someone who's been writing for shorter periods final in contests, get an agent and / or picked up for publication. <br />
Still keep cheering those people on, because they have worked <b>very</b> hard to get to where they have.<br />
Still hold my head up when I go to conferences and writer friends ask kindly if I'm published yet.<br />
Still make self deprecating jokes about myself to make them feel better when they get embarrassed. <br />
I've decided that this year I'm going to try for a rejection more detailed than - not suitable for us, good luck with your career blah blah blah. Kindly meant, still a metaphoric knife to the chest.<br />
Other than that it's been a pretty good couple of months. I've gotten submissions in for a contest, which I don't think completely suck and blow, but I'm not a judge - so who knows. I'll get the same love hate scores. At least my work is eliciting some kind of emotion.<br />
Rock on.<br />
Writers can't not write.Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-22097544392690116972010-07-13T17:01:00.000-07:002010-07-13T17:01:53.250-07:00If you crossed Mr Spock with my cat you'd get....................Hell if I know. But the possibilities are there when you're developing new characters.<br />
Just think about it for a minute.<br />
What a bizarre mix! The logic and coldness of Spock mixed in with the ruthless, killer instincts of a cat.<br />
What a hero!<br />
What a villain!<br />
How about the deeply hidden passions of Spock mixed in with the passionate affectionate qualities of a cat.<br />
What a heroine!<br />
What a villain!<br />
Just think of what genetics could come up.<br />
The possibilities are out there. Just jump on the imagination super roller-coaster and hang on for the ride of your life.Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-63901957490762325052010-06-18T04:32:00.000-07:002010-06-18T04:32:08.295-07:00Procrastination thy name is SandraSo, we all procrastinate. Hands up............. Come on - be honest. That's better.<br />
I'm a good one for it, especially after the standard, single paragraph of thanks but no thanks rejections.<br />
It takes a day and then I get back up on that pony and go for it.<br />
Will I succeed?<br />
I don't know at times I think I'm wasting my time. I've been at it for a while now, but it's a case of finding the right editor, agent on the right day and the right minute. It's true. I believe that. How many times have we bought a book, picked it up to start reading it and then thought - 'why did I buy this?' Only to pick up the same book a month later and devour it.<br />
Don't feel bad. Feel determined. Feel hopeful. Feel that all the blood, sweat and tears are worth it and you will be rewarded.Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-21368433767474033602010-04-04T16:55:00.000-07:002010-04-04T17:11:20.812-07:00I think the Easter Bunny may be sabotaging my writing!So, we've all had a massive sugar rush courtesy of the Easter Bunny. I know I'll be living at the gym 24/7 for the next year....<br />
I've had a reasonably productive time since my last blog post. Reasonable isn't good enough. I'm in the process of trying to get another book plotted. I know my god - I'm a pantser and I'm plotting. Ah, this is no ordinary plotting it's also pantsing albeit pantsing with a difference. I'm using <a href="http://www.breakintofiction.com/">Break into Fiction</a> which has a series of templates. It takes a couple of days and then I put the turning points onto a spreadsheet. I can look at the spreadsheet and see if the timeline and plot flows or if I need to stick any more pins into my characters. I've found it invaluable and this is from someone who has looked at A lot of different writing tools and gone to few workshops. <br />
What was turning out to be a productive weekend has gone south. I find myself drawn to the dark side. The lure of a good book, dvd, sitting in the sun and eating chocolate doing all of the above. Yes, the Easter Bunny is evil.<br />
That rich, luscious chocolate winking at me from across the room from its shiny colorful wrappings, is too hard to ignore. My gaze drawn with ever increasing frequency until I have no choice but to go over and visit - for a while. Yep, the Easter Bunny has a lot to answer for. I think the Easter Bunny is sabotaging my writing!Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-40723083788520385072010-03-12T00:10:00.000-08:002010-03-12T00:10:58.004-08:00Submission done and dustedWell... my sub is done and dusted. I can't hold it anymore. I can't procrastinate anymore. It's amazing what I can procrastinate over. But it's time to let the baby go and see if she sinks or swims. It's time for the empty nest.<br />
I hope that she LOVES me or that she see something she likes and asks for something else.<br />
I've worked hard on this sub and I've had some great writers read it for me. I can't thank them enough.<br />
Now I need to start an edit on the rest and polish this puppy up. Plus polish another partial sub just in case.<br />
Gotta think positive. It's a crushing enough business as it is.<br />
Gotta be realistic. Not everyone likes your work and that's okay.<br />
Gotta be professional. Get things ready on time. (I'm one to talk for this one - LOL)<br />
Gotta write. It's who I am.<br />
Gotta go.Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-59327601332137465302010-03-06T17:34:00.000-08:002010-03-06T17:34:15.474-08:00Writing, Writing, Writing.....Yep - I've been a bit slack blogging.<br />
The upside is that I've been very productive with my writing. I've finally finished my submission and it is now in the hands of my trusty critters. Notice the word 'TRUST', that is very important. I like the blunt no nonsense - this sucks approach. I like to be told - 'What were you thinking! or 'Are you thinking?' or 'What book is this?!'<br />
Anywho - the sub is pretty well done and dusted. I've found some tweaks. The favorite words that get used over and over and over again. Lazy words, the old favorite words. The characters are settling down and I'm settling down. The only major worry that I have other than 'she'll hate it' is this is primarily my hero's story and my heroine doesn't really come into it very much at the start. But that's the way it is. It can't be any other way and my hero is really very pushy. <br />
I did get some good news and that is primarily why I haven't posted. I got a request for a partial from my 'DREAM' editor. That has been the impetus to push me forward.<br />
So, I'm getting ready to send out my baby and furiously going over the rest of the book tweaking and tightening. Wish me luck. <br />
I gotta go. <br />
Bum to seat, fingers to keyboard.Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-18527019142242979112010-02-18T19:00:00.000-08:002010-02-18T19:00:08.741-08:00Help - my book is being hijacked.Day ____ (I won't say) of getting a submission ready. <br />
Yep, my submission is being hijacked by my characters. I'm happily editing along when the plot takes a lefty, then a righty, then a u turn. What the...! Now, I have to go back and re-think this sucker.<br />
I REALLY need to get this submission ready. I'm feeling the pressure to have it GONE! But I can't let it go until I think it's good enough for my beta readers to check over. As I've previously stated I seriously suck at grammar. I think it's the fact I'm an Aussie trying to write in the US market and I'm doubting myself at every turn.<br />
But the story has some twists and turns and hidden agendas that are creeping out - thanks Warden! Yeah, you know who you are - just because you are the controller of my hero doesn't mean you can twist me to suit your needs. No sir'ie ma'am. I'm gonna take back my power and pull you into line!<br />
I sound insane and yes, you would be correct. But I need to write this down - to trigger my mojo to overpower 'Gina hard-face beeatch' as I've started calling the Warden. To tell my brain to get on with it.<br />
I'm back!Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-1559597874827384552010-02-09T16:39:00.000-08:002010-02-09T16:54:19.996-08:00The dreaded BLANK page‘I can fix a bad page, but I can’t fix a blank page.’ These sage words were spoken by Nora Roberts at a RW Australia conference in Sydney I attended a number of years ago. <br />
Then not so long ago I attended a workshop with Barbara Samuel and she showed me another trick. Write in long hand, for a short period of time, on something from your childhood. No stops, no pauses. You finish and read and think, well, yes I can produce. <br />
The words and the sage advice these women spoke are almost a mantra to me now and I find myself saying them when I stare at that blank page.<br />
You’ve all heard, writing isn’t easy, if it was, my cat, whom I’m sure can talk, would be pumping out NY Times bestsellers.<br />
A lot of things can contribute to you not being able to write.<br />
I don’t call it writer’s block I think stress block may be a more appropriate term to use. Daily stresses like work, home, family and kids are big hurdles that put road blocks in your mind. <br />
Another is self induced stress, the stress to succeed, the stress to produce, to meet deadlines. These things can stop you. They’re like devils, pixies or gnomes, sitting on your shoulders whispering in your ears to the point where you can’t concentrate enough to produce anything.<br />
Yep, I’ve been there, but I remembered that advice and I found myself doing something else. I may not have produced much during that time but I edited and got the ‘girl’, aka my muse, to cooperate. <br />
Yep, I’m free to write crap for however long it takes for her to start taking the hint.Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-86671475752848983342010-02-02T19:03:00.000-08:002010-02-02T19:15:00.096-08:00The benefit of critique groupsI don't admit that I know everything - I think I should quote the immortal words of Sergeant Schultz, 'I know nothing, nothing, nothing!' These words would be closer to the truth. <br />
Critique groups - love them or hate them? It's a mixed bag. I think we should all go into critique groups fully aware that you may not fit. It's nothing against you as a person, or as a writer, sometimes the dynamic isn't there or our expectations are a little different.<br />
I belong to a genre specific critique group because of what I write. I find the members are a mixed bag of skills and knowledge and that's great. But beware the dreaded 'critique group voice', sounds dire and it can be. What can happen is that your voice changes to a blending of voices from the various crits from your critique group. Keep that in mind and your 'voice' won't change. No, not your singing voice, although come to think of it mine could do with a little changing, hmmm. I digress. I mean your writer's voice - your own special way of how you put your words together. But voice can be a lot of other things as well.<br />
The benefits of a good critique group can be immeasurable - I’ve learnt to be a better writer. Although my grammar still sucks to the power of 10 and that’s not my critique groups fault - that's mine. I've learnt so much about plot, character, pacing, emotion, pov and the list goes on, I've experienced the truly wonderful writers of <a href="http://www.rwanational.org">RWA</a> and the <a href="http://www.romance-ffp.com">FF & P Chapter </a>who give, give, give of their time and expertise.<br />
I submit critiques to my critique group and ask them to rip it up and then help me put it back together again. There's nothing personal about it – it’s business and I want to be a better writer. And they've made me a better writer by being able to point out things I can't see because I'm too close to the work.<br />
We share in our triumphs and disappointments. There is always a shoulder to cry on and then a smack over the back of the head when we've wallowed in our pity party long enough. Then there's the hand that reaches out and helps us to get back up and put bum to seat, hands to keyboard and write.Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030927791150248096.post-37962325890388206612010-01-27T20:38:00.000-08:002010-01-27T20:38:23.240-08:00What have I done?!This is one of those insane acts that you question only after the fact. 'What have I done?'<br />
My initial answer to myself was - I thought it was about time that I started blogging. <br />
Why? <br />
That is the question I'm suddenly asking myself. How about - it seemed a good idea at the time. <br />
No, what really made me jump in with both feet, damn the torpedoes, was the amount of time I was spending on Facebook.<br />
So, began the idea. I'm starting the blog at a strange time to most of you - but for me it's a pivotal time - you see, my birthday is in a few days and I want to show myself - where I am. Yes, I know geographically where I am, what I mean is where I am in my writing career. <br />
I need to write. I love to write. I am a writer.<br />
I may be a light blogger but I hope to use this as a diary for the coming year and see where I am at the end. <br />
My plan is to have an agent and if the gods are good to me - an editor by the end of this year. I will use this forum to bare all - metaphorically speaking - you really don't want to see me naked. (I'm blind!) <br />
The ups and downs and what I'm doing to achieve this dream / goal. The operative word is DOING. Bum to seat, pen to paper, fingers to keyboard.<br />
There I've said it. It's in the public domain. Now to go forth and work.<br />
<br />
Welcome to my nightmare......<br />
Sandra Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051141305402272081noreply@blogger.com2