Thursday's Children Blog Hop: A Turn For The Tough

Source: Laura on Pinterest

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." -Mahatma Gandhi

Since releasing All That Glitters into the wild, I've been doing a lot of thinking.

I know: uh-oh.

When I first got started on my writing journey, I knew I -Laura Oliva- was not just going to be a person anymore.  I was going to become a brand.  I also had more than just a general idea what I wanted that brand to be.   

Tender love stories, tough people.  

If you've heard that before, awesome.  That means I've been doing my job.

But lately I've had the nagging feeling my brand was getting somewhat diluted, at least on Writing In The Night.  Previously, I've centered my posts around various aspects of writing and business.  They've been great, it's been fun, but it hasn't really tied into my "brand identity".

The Thursday's Children blog hop has always been the exception.  The posts I write for my fellow hoppers are closer to my vision than anything else on my blog.  That's not to say they're contrived- far from it.  I've always believed the best brands derive their potency from a solid nugget of truth.  As it turns out, what inspires me fits right in with my professional "image".


That's why I've decided to make the rest of my blog more like what I do for TC.

What does "tough" look like?  I happen to believe "toughness" is a valuable quality.  It's a quality I've tried to cultivate personally, and it's a quality I admire in others.  It's a trait I seek out in plotlines, in dialogue, in setting.  It's the reason I choose to write the stories I do. 

But it's becoming increasingly rare in our modern, pampered world.  We've lost our mojo, guys, and it's tragic.  People don't know how to be tough anymore.  Maybe they've forgotten.  Or maybe they are, but don't realize it.  Either way, it's time we reminded ourselves just what we're made of.  

It's a tall order, I know, but I have a few ideas. 

Now when you come to Writing In The Night (and I hope you will), look for posts that explore what it means to be "tough".  I'll explore tough places.  Profile tough jobs.  Share ideas to get you out and exploring.  I'm planning more guest posts (if you have an idea and want to write one, hit me up!).

I hope you're excited about this.  I know I am!

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Burlesque Wednesday, Back In Glitter

Hey, better late than never, right?

And do I really need to say it?  Let's be responsible, people.  If you're under eighteen, I'll see you next week.

Everyone else, you're welcome.

Name, Age and Height, Please!: A Guest Post By Karen M. Hanks

I first met Karen on Twitter- yet another social media success story!  Supportive, funny, and engaging, I was excited and thrilled when she offered to "blog-swap" as part of my blog tour week.  You can find my post on self-editing on her blog here.  I know you'll be as enamored of her as I am...

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Whether I see it written by fellow writers online, hear it from the mouths of bestselling authors during seminars I’ve attended, or read about it in my studies, I keep hearing the same thing again and again: let your characters determine your plot, not the other way around.

If you establish well rounded and detailed characters from the get go, you should find that the pieces of your story will fall together beautifully, all because you will be well tuned with how your character would behave in every way, in every scenario.

So how do you take your characters from basic to dynamic? Here are some easy exercises that will help with their development:

Create a character profile
Think of a character profile like a patient form that you fill out at the doctor’s office; it’s a quick and easy way to write out many of the key and important details. Many writers will keep files on their characters and find these profiles a quick and easy reference throughout their writing. 

Some helpful details to determine could be:

·        Name

·        Detailed physical description

·        Ethnicity

·        Educational background

·        Family history

·        Personality traits

·        Flaws

·        Speech habits

Put your character in hot water
Has your character just been caught cheating on a test? Perhaps they’re receiving a parking ticket as they come out of a shop. Put your character in a situation of high stress and write out how they would react with those around them. This well help you see and hear them, allowing you to better understand and relate to them.

Conduct an interview with your character
Once you’ve gotten a feel for how your character interacts with others, sit down and conduct a full on interview with them.  I know, I know, you’re probably thinking “But,uh, how can I conduct an interview with a fictional character?” It’s actually quite a bit of fun to do. Create a scene where, if you were in your book, you would meet with your character for a chat; it could be a coffee shop, a bar, or wherever you see fit. Make note of the tone of their voice, the way they move their body, and how they show their emotions; anything that can lend to a better overall view of them as a character. 

Try asking questions such as:

·        What do you do for a living?

·        What is your greatest fear?

·        What would you change about yourself if you could?

·        What do you want out of life?

·        What is your favorite food? Why?

Remember to have fun with these and hopefully you will find yourself with characters that are not only dynamic, but that will help guide you along through your story.

Happy writing!

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Karen M. Hanks is currently writing her first romantic suspense novel while working towards a certificate in Creative Writing at her local university. When she's not writing into the wee hours of the night, you can usually find Karen daydreaming about Paris, playing the piano for the small audience of her husband and dog, or curling up with a good book and a glass of wine. You can connect with Karen via Twitter at @KarenMHanks or read more of her ramblings over at www.karenmhanks.com

Writing In The Night Goes On Tour!

Hey crazies!  This week, I will be a guest on six different, equally awesome blogs.  I will be posting on everything from the mindset of an entrepreneur to writing a love scene to self-editing. 

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Here's the schedule:

Monday- "Living For Research", for Karen Y. Bynum.  How to live your life to enrich your writing.

Tuesday- "How To Boil Water (And Other Things)", for Joan Reginaldo.  How to utilize sexual tension to build strong characters.

Wednesday- "The Art Of Self-Flagellation".  The art of self-editing.  This is a blog-swap with Karen M. Hanks, whose post "Name, Age And Height, Please!" will be featured on Writing In The Night

Thursday- "Think Like A Boss", for Jeff McKown.  How to think like an entrepreneur.

Friday- "The Road To Perdition", for Rhiann Wynn-Nolet.  My journey through self-publishing.

Saturday- "Anatomy Of A Love Scene", for Nat Russo.  How to write hot, credible love scenes (hint: it's not just about sex!).

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I hope to see you guys there!
 

Day 7: Resources For Writers And Other Patients

Source: lourania.tumblr.com via Helene on Pinterest

"The greatest achievement of the human spirit is to live up to one's opportunities and make the most of one's resources." -Luc de Clapiers

Everyone needs resources.

I've had lots of help during this journey, in all different forms.  Books, people, websites.  There are a lot of resources available out there if you know where to look.  Of course, not everyone knows where to look.  

When I got started on my writing journey, I felt like I was adrift.  I knew there were resources out there, but I didn't know where, and I didn't know who to ask or how to find them.  I felt like I existed in a black hole, alone. 

So on the last day of my Launch Week series, I've compiled this list.  I've done a lot of legwork and found a lot of helpful resources.  Here are some of my favorites, for everything from writing to editing to building a business to staying motivated.  I hope they're as helpful to you guys as they have been to me.  

No trade secrets among friends, right?

Writing Resources
Sin and Syntax, by Constance Hale- grammar for the rest of us.  Funny and brilliantly helpful.
U.S. Dept. of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook (online)- unless your main character is an heiress, she's going to need a job.  Check out this site.  Seriously, like, now.
The Emotion Thesaurus, by Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman
Please Understand Me II, by David Keirsey- an in-depth guide to the Meyers-Briggs personality types, and how your type influences your reactions to people, situations, etc.  If you find you have difficulty creating breathing, realistic, well-rounded characters, this will really help you.
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover, by Robert Moore, Douglas Gillette- an invaluable tool for me when creating the hero of my book.  A Jungian view of the various parts and archetypes of the male psyche.
Women's Anatomy of Arousal, by Sheri Winston CNM. RN. BSN. LMT- especially if you're planning on writing romances, it's helpful to know just what it is that gets women aroused, and what that arousal looks like. Men are pretty straightforward- women are slightly less so.  This book does an excellent job of de-mystifying women's erotic responses.
How To Write Hot Sex, edited by Shoshanna Evers- an anthology of different topics related to writing sex in erotica or romance, plus a helpful little article on self-publishing in the back.
Be A Sex-Writing Strumpet, by Stacia Kane- originally a blog series, combined into a book.  An incredibly detailed tutorial to writing sex scenes (which can be difficult, to say the least) 

Editing Resources
Self-Editing For Fiction Writers, Second Edition, by Renni Browne and Dave King- if you don't buy any other books on editing your novel, buy this one.
Revision and Self-Editing, by James Scott Bell

Self-Publishing Resources
Smashwords
Successful Self-Publishing, edited by Shoshanna Evers- I love Shoshanna Evers (as I'm sure you can tell).  She's incredibly nice, always helpful, and is brilliant at knowing what information new writers need to succeed.  This anthology compiles some of the best self-pub advice out there. Definitely worth seeking out! 
Becoming An Indie Author, by Zoe Winters- a funny, intimate, well-written guide for writers just stepping into the self-pub pool.  Recommended by Shoshanna Evers in How To Write Hot Sex, which is good enough for me.  The first book on self-publishing I bought, and still a favorite.

Networking Resources
Twitter- if you're a writer, especially if you're planning to self-publish, you should be on Twitter.  If you aren't, stop reading this, go over, and sign up. Now.  Then say "hi" to me- I'm @writermama 
World Literary Cafe- great resource for authors, readers, and bloggers.  Lots of networking opportunities.  Helps you find a support system and get in touch with the right people. 

Business Resources
How To Build An Author House, by Matthew Turner (a.k.a. Turndog Millionaire)- easily the best, most complete resource on author branding/marketing I've found yet.  Oh, yeah, and it's free!
What To Do Before Your Book Launch, by Randy Susan Meyers and M.J. Rose- originally meant for traditionally published authors, this book is a goldmine for the traditionally-published and the self-published alike.
Publicize Your Book, by Jacqueline Deval- referred to as the "marketing bible" in What To Do Before Your Book Launch.  How do you ignore a plug like that?

Personal/Motivational Resources   
Making A Literary Life, by Carolyn See- this book made me start to believe I could actually make a life and a living as a writer.
Women Who Run With The Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola-Estes- food for the soul; obviously geared towards women, but a good read for anyone interested in Jungian psychology and getting in touch with their inner curandera/curandero.

Miss A Day Or Two?
Day 1: Lessons From The Cave
Day 2: Set Your Compass
Day 3: Don't Schedule, Manage
Day 4: You Gotta Hustle
Day 5: Feed The Current
Day 6: The Zen Of Balance 

Excerpt from All That Glitters:

 

Ava felt oddly jumpy as she headed back to the yurt, guitar in hand.  Ethan would be looking for her.  She hadn’t been prepared for the crushing desire that had taken over her thoughts.  Her body.  She didn’t know what to do about it.

Give in.

She stepped into a small side alley, heart pounding.  This was ridiculous.  She needed to get a grip.  She sagged against the side of a building and massaged her forehead.  What had she been thinking?

“You realize I know all the good hiding places in this town, right?”

Ava jolted.  Ethan stood at the front of the alley, a teasing grin on his face.  She glared at him.  “I wasn’t hiding.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”  He sauntered closer, hands in his pockets.  “Because the way I remember it, we have a gentleman’s agreement to settle.”

Ava stepped back.  She needed to keep some distance between them.  It was the only way she could think clearly.  “I’m not a gentleman.”

Ethan shrugged, still moving closer.  “I’m not, either.”

###

Available for purchase on Smashwords and Amazon  

Day 6: The Zen Of Balance

"We come into this world head first and go out feet first; in between, it is all a matter of balance." -Paul Boese 

I am the worst person to write about balance.

When I'm in the heat of writing, things disappear.  Things like meals.  Things like clean clothes.  Things like downtime.  My life begins to revolve around my work.  

To an extent, this is par for the course when you're trying to start your own business.  Every waking moment is spent, if not working, than thinking about working.  Especially when you don't see an immediate payoff, there's that incessant voice in your head, telling you you could be- should be- doing more.

But balance is important.  I don't want to turn into one of those brilliant, bitter authors who takes their morning coffee and evening nightcap alone, and spends all the time in between wrestling literary demons.  Okay, so maybe part of me does, but that's just not my life.  I have a family.  I have friends.  I have things I need to do.

So how does a writer manage to have a life?

I've narrowed it down to two things.  This ain't rocket science, folks.

1) Be present.  Whatever you're doing, do it completely.  When you're writing, write.  When you're socializing online, socialize.  When you're cooking, notice the nuances of smell and flavor.  When you're spending time with your family and friends, be there.  Don't be anywhere else.  Don't be that person who wakes up one day and realizes everything they've missed out on.

2) Be grateful.  You're alive.  You're doing something you love.  That's a lot to be grateful for right there.  What else do you have?  Good weather?  Food on the table?  People who love you?  A book deal?  Big or small, cherish and appreciate all of it.  Don't get jaded, and don't get entitled.  It's bad for your creativity.

Miss A Day Or Two?
Day 1: Lessons From The Cave
Day 2: Set Your Compass
Day 3: Don't Schedule, Manage
Day 4: You Gotta Hustle
Day 5: Feed The Current

Excerpt from All That Glitters:

Ava stared off to the side for a moment.  When she looked back at him, her gaze washard.  “And just when were you planningon telling me all this?”

Ethan balked.  “What?”

“You heard me.  You’veobviously known this- or at least had your suspicions- for a while.  Why the hell didn’t you tell me?”

“Damn it, that’s not the point!”  Ethan started to pace, something he’d neverdone.  “Don’t you get it?  I’m…” He blew out a breath.  He waswhat?  Worried?  More like terrified.  He met her eyes again.  “Just say you’ll stay with me,” he said.  “Please. I can keep you safe.”

Ava stared at him. “You can keep me safe?”

Instantly, he realized what a mistake that had been.  “Sweetheart…”

Ava jabbed a finger into his chest.  “Don’t ‘sweetheart’ me, cowboy.  ‘Keep me safe’, my ass.  I’ve been keeping myself safe my entire life.  If you really wanted to ‘keep me safe’, you’dhave told me to watch my back!”

Ethan twisted.  So shehad a point.  That didn’t change a damnthing.  His mind raced.  He had to convince her somehow.  Badgering her wouldn’t work.  She was too stubborn for that.

He kissed her.

Ava’s hand flew up reflexively to brace against hischest.  Her shocked protest vanishedunder his lips.  She should pullaway.  She needed to pull away.

His hand trailed up her neck to cradle the base of her skull,and he angled her head to sink deeper. She groaned.  God, she wantedhim.  Needed him.  Damn him. Damn her.  Damn everything. 

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 Available for purchase on Smashwords and Amazon

 

Day 5: Feed The Current- A Thursday's Children Special

“Write about what you know and care deeply about. When one puts one’s self on paper- that is what is called good writing.” -Joel Chandler Harris

It happens to the best of us.

Things are going so well.  You can't type fast enough for the words tumbling from your brain.  You barely remember to eat, bathe, or use the bathroom- after all, there are more important things to worry about right now.  Who knows, if things keep on like this, you could be finished- finished!- in a matter of days!

And then your muse packs her bags.  The flow dries up.  The word count stagnates.  You try to push through it anyway, but deep in your gut is the horrifying thought: what if this is it?  What if I never get it back? 

Creativity is a lot like a water table: deep, rich, capable of sustaining us through many a long, dry summer.  But at some point, if the winter rains don't come, it will run low.  You recognize it when it happens.  That yearning for something you can't quite name, that hollow tug at your chest.

Don't panic.

There are plenty of things you can do to replenish the well.  Take a walk.  Go for a long drive through the back country.  Treat yourself to a fabulous meal.  Take in some street music.

But occasionally the problem runs deeper than all that.  Sometimes it's not a crisis of creativity, it's a crisis of purpose.  In which case you have to ask yourself: are your dreams big enough for you?

We need to travel scared sometimes.  A pinch in the soft places is good for creativity.  If you're just humming along through the doldrums, then rest assured, your writing will start to read that way.  First it will sound flat, then uninspired, then eventually, it may stop all together.

If, on the other hand, your goals scare the bejeezus out of you, everything you touch gets charged with that electricity.  Including your writing.  Your words hurtle off the page, your passion, your enthusiasm, captured in every one. 

So what do you want?  What do you want even more than that?  It doesn't matter if it sounds ridiculous or impossible.  

In fact, if it doesn't, you're probably not reaching high enough.    

Miss A Day Or Two?
Day 1: Lessons From The Cave
Day 2: Set Your Compass
Day 3: Don't Schedule, Manage
Day 4: You Gotta Hustle

Excerpt from All That Glitters:

“You’re not really going to climb up there, are you?  That’s thirty feet!”

“Thirty-five.  And unfortunately, I don’t have much choice.” He hesitated, then laid a hand over hers.  “Just wait. It’ll be done and over with before you know it.”

Ava squeezed it. “Just… be careful.”  She could tell by the look in his eyes that he wanted to say something, but with the rest of his crew there, he kept his mouth shut.

Roo handed him the replacement cord.  His dark eyes were troubled.  “Safety harness wasn’t where it usually is,boss.  Fact, I couldn’t find it anywhere.”

Ethan’s jaw tightened. “I’ll just have to do without.” He looped the end of the spare cord over his shoulder, and started up the gantry.  The climb was hand-over-hand, the narrow ladder wet with ocean spray.

He made it to the top, straddled the cross-beam, and scooted out to the damaged cord.  Carefully, he threaded the spare through the pulley. He blew out a breath.  “Okay, I’m coming back down!”

Just then, a ferocious gust of wind blew past him.  His hand slipped on the slick surface of the gantry.  He felt himself slide sideways.

Ava’s hands flew to her mouth to stifle a scream.  Raw terror pounded through her veins.  If he fell…

She pushed the thought from her mind.  He wouldn’t fall.  He couldn’t fall.

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Available for purchase on Smashwords and Amazon