I have an announcement to make, well a couple actually. Shh, I'm waiting for the drum rolls.
Okay, first, I'm hoping to have the sequel to Finding My Escape finished by mid April. I'm shooting for tax day, April 15. I don't have a title, yet. I'm thinking about My Way Out, but I'm not sure how that will work with the story line. It might be Finding My Way Back, which actually fits better. I'm looking for beta readers, so if you've read Finding My Escape and want to be one of the first to read the sequel, leave me a comment here. I'm going to choose one person from the blog to be a beta.
Second, I now have my own web page. It's a real hard one to remember. Just http://franveal.com. Check it out and leave a comment.
Well, I have to get back to writing.
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Best Book on Writing? 2k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love
As a mom, wife, business owner, and what was that other one again?...oh yes, writer, I am constantly looking for ways to be more efficient at whatever role I'm working on at the moment. Since I decided to become a novelist some three years ago, I've read countless books on the structure of writing, how to write with proper grammar, bird by bird, whatever, but I didn't come across anything that really helped me write more efficiently until I came across Rachel Aaron's 2k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love (hereafter referred to as 2k to 10k in order to keep me from going bonkers recopying the title over and over). And to be honest, I didn't stumble across it, it was recommended by my cousin and fellow author, Russell Elledge.
This book was absolutely one of those 'I could have had a V-8' moments for me. At the time I read 2k to 10k, I was 30,000 words into the sequel to Finding My Escape. And I'd been about 30,000 words into the sequel of Finding My Escape for almost a year. I just could not bring myself to finish the book. After reading 2k to 10k I realized why: I hated what I was writing. I was bored with it, and after letting my sister read a few chapters, I learned that what I was basically doing was regurgitating book one. I loved writing the first book because it was exciting and interesting. Writing it a second time? Not so much.
So I chucked the draft. All (well almost all) 30,000 words and, following the plan in 2k to 10k, wrote a detailed outline for the new book, taking the story in an entirely new and exciting direction. Here's the really exciting part. Are you ready for this? I wrote over 12,000 words in one week. And this particular week I picked up a new business client, had double my normal business meetings, took my fifteen year-old to get her learner's permit (and to practice driving, which I managed to do without having a heart attack), participated in a Pinterest Pinning Party (to be blogged about later this week), and had two events at church. I'm exhausted just writing about it.
Did I mention you can have this little gem for only 99 cents? Yes, the book is short, but let's face it, with time a factor, I'd rather have a short, succinct book packed with valuable information than read a how-to book that is 300 pages that I'm going to have a hard time getting around to read.
This book was absolutely one of those 'I could have had a V-8' moments for me. At the time I read 2k to 10k, I was 30,000 words into the sequel to Finding My Escape. And I'd been about 30,000 words into the sequel of Finding My Escape for almost a year. I just could not bring myself to finish the book. After reading 2k to 10k I realized why: I hated what I was writing. I was bored with it, and after letting my sister read a few chapters, I learned that what I was basically doing was regurgitating book one. I loved writing the first book because it was exciting and interesting. Writing it a second time? Not so much.
So I chucked the draft. All (well almost all) 30,000 words and, following the plan in 2k to 10k, wrote a detailed outline for the new book, taking the story in an entirely new and exciting direction. Here's the really exciting part. Are you ready for this? I wrote over 12,000 words in one week. And this particular week I picked up a new business client, had double my normal business meetings, took my fifteen year-old to get her learner's permit (and to practice driving, which I managed to do without having a heart attack), participated in a Pinterest Pinning Party (to be blogged about later this week), and had two events at church. I'm exhausted just writing about it.
Did I mention you can have this little gem for only 99 cents? Yes, the book is short, but let's face it, with time a factor, I'd rather have a short, succinct book packed with valuable information than read a how-to book that is 300 pages that I'm going to have a hard time getting around to read.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Why Not Me? (Or You Either For That Matter)
I've been thinking quite a bit about what it takes to be successful, and I've decided it depends on how you define success. Do you define success by fame? I think that may be how a lot of us define it. And I think that may be exactly what stymies us, too. How can we ever become famous for our (fill in the blank) talent, if no one ever knows who we are?
I've done some musing (was actually up most of the night), and I got to thinking, why not me? I grew up in Hendersonville, Tennessee, a bedroom community for music stars. In my first part time jobs I waited on Leon Russell, Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, Barbara Mandrell and others. Taylor Swift graduated from my high school (some years after me). My mama grew up with Buddy Holly, and I'm two degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon None of this name-dropping has anything to do with my writing, but bear with me. I promise I'm making a point here.
On a more personal note, an old friend of mine, Johnny Talbot is a successful fashion designer (Talbot Runhof). My friend Chambers Stevens (formerly Steve Chambers) is an actor, married to a producer, and my new friend, Sue Dent, is a writer. So what does any of this have to do with my success? Not one dang thing.
Except for this. If you look at each of these people, they have a couple of things in common. First, there is no denying that they are talented at whatever they chose to do. Second, and probably most important: they had a dream, and they did not give up on it. They kept on until they reached their goals.
I was reflecting on the two I grew up with, Johnny and Steve. Neither of them were voted "Most Likely to Succeed", and if I remember correctly, there was nothing about them that screamed "Future Success". Talented, yes, but lots of people are talented. What separated them from the crowd was the fact that they believed in themselves enough to keep going.
It took me a long time to pick up the pen and write. I spent years looking at all the successful writers thinking that there was no way I'd ever write as good a book as Stephen King or Nora Roberts or John Grisham. But you know what? I'll never know unless I try. My definition of success is not to be a best-selling author. My definition of success is to write the best book I can, put it out there, and have people read it.
After all, why not me?
I've done some musing (was actually up most of the night), and I got to thinking, why not me? I grew up in Hendersonville, Tennessee, a bedroom community for music stars. In my first part time jobs I waited on Leon Russell, Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, Barbara Mandrell and others. Taylor Swift graduated from my high school (some years after me). My mama grew up with Buddy Holly, and I'm two degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon None of this name-dropping has anything to do with my writing, but bear with me. I promise I'm making a point here.
On a more personal note, an old friend of mine, Johnny Talbot is a successful fashion designer (Talbot Runhof). My friend Chambers Stevens (formerly Steve Chambers) is an actor, married to a producer, and my new friend, Sue Dent, is a writer. So what does any of this have to do with my success? Not one dang thing.
Except for this. If you look at each of these people, they have a couple of things in common. First, there is no denying that they are talented at whatever they chose to do. Second, and probably most important: they had a dream, and they did not give up on it. They kept on until they reached their goals.
I was reflecting on the two I grew up with, Johnny and Steve. Neither of them were voted "Most Likely to Succeed", and if I remember correctly, there was nothing about them that screamed "Future Success". Talented, yes, but lots of people are talented. What separated them from the crowd was the fact that they believed in themselves enough to keep going.
It took me a long time to pick up the pen and write. I spent years looking at all the successful writers thinking that there was no way I'd ever write as good a book as Stephen King or Nora Roberts or John Grisham. But you know what? I'll never know unless I try. My definition of success is not to be a best-selling author. My definition of success is to write the best book I can, put it out there, and have people read it.
After all, why not me?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
I Got A Mention in Sue Dent's Blog
Okay, I'm so excited, I can't stand it. Sue Dent, author of Never Ceese, and I have been emailing back and forth to for the past few days. I've had so many questions about writing and publishing, and she has much wisdom to offer.
But I got a mention on her blog today. Me. My name. Fran Veal.
Click here to see: #links
Thanks Sue! And thanks for spending so much time with me this morning. You are a treasure!
By the way, if you are an aspiring writer and want some good free advice, check out the other posts in Sue's blog Thirsting For Blood.
But I got a mention on her blog today. Me. My name. Fran Veal.
Click here to see: #links
Thanks Sue! And thanks for spending so much time with me this morning. You are a treasure!
By the way, if you are an aspiring writer and want some good free advice, check out the other posts in Sue's blog Thirsting For Blood.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Gushing Over My New CP
Okay, guys, I've got to tell you: I have found the absolutely best critique partner in a wonderful young woman, Shannon Hill. (Props to you girl!) I had been struggling for the past few weeks trying to self-edit my YA work, Finding My Escape when Shannon sent me an email on Absolute Write, asking if I would consider trading work. Boy, would I.
A few days ago, I opened the email from Shannon containing her critique of my first twenty pages. She had to love it, it was great, brilliant writing...or so I thought. When I opened the email, I was floored! She'd found some problems with my work. But that couldn't be. After all my family loved it.
Fighting back the tears (if you're reading this Shannon, just keep going), I downloaded the file and began to read the critique. It turned out that she really thought I had the bones of a good story, I was just leaving out something very important: description. (That and I had a little problem of using italics and elipses... every other paragrah.) My tears dried, and I became excited. Yes! Someone was finally being honest with me about my work.
Inspired, I began to make changes. Then I made a few more, and a few more, until finally, I'd finished re-editing the first 20 pages, which was, by now actually 25. Excited, and, with a little trepidation, I sent the pages back to her. About 24 hours later, I got a very animated email back from Shannon. She'd loved the changes and said so very enthusiastically. I was relieved to know that I didn't need to give up on writing (whew!), and now feel I have the amunition I need to finish my edit.
So what's the point of all this? I want to encourage all my fellow writers to please find a few critique partners that aren't connected with you in any way.
It's just like those early auditions of American Idol where the young hopeful is belting out a hideously off-key version of Proud Mary. The next scene is the family huddled outside the door. They think young hopeful is great, positive that inside the room is the next American Idol. The thing is, family and friends hear and see what they want to from us. Sometimes they can't even be honest with themselves about our shortcomings, much less with us. That's why it's important...no vital to find objective critiquers.
Since finding Shannon, not only am I able to look more objectively at my work when I'm editing, my new work reads better, too. So Shannon, if you're reading this, I just want to publicly say "Thank You!"
A few days ago, I opened the email from Shannon containing her critique of my first twenty pages. She had to love it, it was great, brilliant writing...or so I thought. When I opened the email, I was floored! She'd found some problems with my work. But that couldn't be. After all my family loved it.
Fighting back the tears (if you're reading this Shannon, just keep going), I downloaded the file and began to read the critique. It turned out that she really thought I had the bones of a good story, I was just leaving out something very important: description. (That and I had a little problem of using italics and elipses... every other paragrah.) My tears dried, and I became excited. Yes! Someone was finally being honest with me about my work.
Inspired, I began to make changes. Then I made a few more, and a few more, until finally, I'd finished re-editing the first 20 pages, which was, by now actually 25. Excited, and, with a little trepidation, I sent the pages back to her. About 24 hours later, I got a very animated email back from Shannon. She'd loved the changes and said so very enthusiastically. I was relieved to know that I didn't need to give up on writing (whew!), and now feel I have the amunition I need to finish my edit.
So what's the point of all this? I want to encourage all my fellow writers to please find a few critique partners that aren't connected with you in any way.
It's just like those early auditions of American Idol where the young hopeful is belting out a hideously off-key version of Proud Mary. The next scene is the family huddled outside the door. They think young hopeful is great, positive that inside the room is the next American Idol. The thing is, family and friends hear and see what they want to from us. Sometimes they can't even be honest with themselves about our shortcomings, much less with us. That's why it's important...no vital to find objective critiquers.
Since finding Shannon, not only am I able to look more objectively at my work when I'm editing, my new work reads better, too. So Shannon, if you're reading this, I just want to publicly say "Thank You!"
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Don't Go! P-L-E-A-S-E
My laptop is trying to die...I think. The wireless has been acting up, and recently, I found that my DVD drive had bit the dust. Ugh!
I wish I could say that I always back up my writing each time I sit down to work...but I don't. In fact, before I learned the laptop was experiencing difficulties, my back-up habits were, at best, extremely sporadic. I recently went online to a fellow writer's site and it appears that she recently experienced what we all secretly fear...a crash. So several days ago, I sorted my files into those that were vital and those that are expendable, and I 've beenmaking almost making a habit of backing up those important files.
The problem isn't with the writing files, which are fairly easy to copy over onto a thumbnail. The problem is with my accounting files (which I do in my other-non-writing-life), Quickbooks backups, etc. Those babies take forever to copy and download...at least on my system. Believe me, the last thing I need is to lose a client's files!
But I'm rambling (again). My real issue is a laptop that may be on its way out. It's only a couple of years old. How long are these things supposed to last, anyway? Surely one should be able to stretch three or (gasp) four years out of a piece of equipment. That's the real problem though isn't it? Nothing seems to be made to last anymore.
Well, at least I know what to ask Santa for. And while I'm at it, maybe an external hard drive, too...for backing up the system.
I wish I could say that I always back up my writing each time I sit down to work...but I don't. In fact, before I learned the laptop was experiencing difficulties, my back-up habits were, at best, extremely sporadic. I recently went online to a fellow writer's site and it appears that she recently experienced what we all secretly fear...a crash. So several days ago, I sorted my files into those that were vital and those that are expendable, and I 've been
The problem isn't with the writing files, which are fairly easy to copy over onto a thumbnail. The problem is with my accounting files (which I do in my other-non-writing-life), Quickbooks backups, etc. Those babies take forever to copy and download...at least on my system. Believe me, the last thing I need is to lose a client's files!
But I'm rambling (again). My real issue is a laptop that may be on its way out. It's only a couple of years old. How long are these things supposed to last, anyway? Surely one should be able to stretch three or (gasp) four years out of a piece of equipment. That's the real problem though isn't it? Nothing seems to be made to last anymore.
Well, at least I know what to ask Santa for. And while I'm at it, maybe an external hard drive, too...for backing up the system.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Rambling
I've had this idea for a story rolling around in my head for the past few months and finally sat down today to start blocking out the plot, character sketches, etc. I love the process of developing my characters, getting to know them...their histories, likes/dislikes, personalities...
The hard part is writing everything the way I see it in my mind. Will the scenes play out the way I've pictured them? Will the descriptions be as vivid, as sharp? I guess my fear is that what I envision in wild, crazy technicolor will come across as boring black and white. My characters deserve depth...will I give it to them?
I used to think I was the only one who felt this way until I recently read a wonderful book The Writer's Book of Hope by Ralph Keyes. What was so encouraging about this book? I learned that I am not alone! I'm not the only writer who fears that what she put on the page isn't going to live up to what she sees in her head. Whew!
And sometimes (like now, trying to finish this blog post) I don't always like what I write and that's okay, because I can always hit delete and start again...which is probably what I should do with this post!
Oh, by the way, I just found a contest to link to if you want to win a free edit from C. A. Marshall. Go for it! (I told you this post was random!)
The hard part is writing everything the way I see it in my mind. Will the scenes play out the way I've pictured them? Will the descriptions be as vivid, as sharp? I guess my fear is that what I envision in wild, crazy technicolor will come across as boring black and white. My characters deserve depth...will I give it to them?
I used to think I was the only one who felt this way until I recently read a wonderful book The Writer's Book of Hope by Ralph Keyes. What was so encouraging about this book? I learned that I am not alone! I'm not the only writer who fears that what she put on the page isn't going to live up to what she sees in her head. Whew!
And sometimes (like now, trying to finish this blog post) I don't always like what I write and that's okay, because I can always hit delete and start again...which is probably what I should do with this post!
Oh, by the way, I just found a contest to link to if you want to win a free edit from C. A. Marshall. Go for it! (I told you this post was random!)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
November Blog Chain
I'm participating in my first ever blog chain through Absolute Writers and I'm nervous, nervous, nervous! The assignment this month: a drabble, which is a piece of fiction of exactly 100 words. For the sake of NaNoWriMo, we were allowed to go +/- 5 words. (I'm over by 2)
So why the nervousness? One hundred words doesn't seem that hard, right? Well, I've decided to put up one hundred words of my YA WIP, Finding My Escape for my fellow writers to see and comment on. It had to happen some time, letting professionals view my work. Enough procrastinating, here it is:
I walked through the door. It was dark…almost pitch black, and I had this uneasy feeling. Everything was wrong somehow. It was so quiet. I shut the door slowly and started into the living room, tripping over something that shouldn’t be there. My hand fell into something sticky.
I heard a sound in the kitchen.
So why the nervousness? One hundred words doesn't seem that hard, right? Well, I've decided to put up one hundred words of my YA WIP, Finding My Escape for my fellow writers to see and comment on. It had to happen some time, letting professionals view my work. Enough procrastinating, here it is:
I walked through the door. It was dark…almost pitch black, and I had this uneasy feeling. Everything was wrong somehow. It was so quiet. I shut the door slowly and started into the living room, tripping over something that shouldn’t be there. My hand fell into something sticky.
I heard a sound in the kitchen.
“Mom?” I called barely able to breathe.
“Don’t come in here honey, RUN!”
The sound of a voice being muffled, a struggle, a crash, one feeble whimper and then…
My eyes began to adjust to the dark and I found myself staring into my father’s dead eyes.
(Feedback solicited and appreciated!)
My chain partners
Bettedra http://bettedra.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/bus_ride/
FreshHell http://freshhell.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/dribs-and-drabbles/
CScottMorris http://cscottmorrisbooks.com/2010/11/03/november-blog-chain-nanowrimo-tribute/
AuburnAssasin http://clairegillian.wordpress.com/2010/11/03/november-blog-chain-drabbling/
Ahelia http://thewriteaholicblog.wordpress.com/2010/11/06/aw-blog-chain-drabble-edition/#comment-2439
Bibbo http://blakemp.wordpress.com/2010/11/11/quickfic-inter-office-memos/
hilaryjacques http://hillaryjacques.blogspot.com/2010/11/aw-blog-chain-dear-john-letter.html
Orion_mk3 http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/2010/11/12/from-deep-daybreak-by-john-sullivan/
Proach http://desstories.blogspot.com/2010/11/aw-november-blog-chain-to-be-maria.html
jonbon.benjamin http://jonbonbenjamin.blogspot.com/2010/11/november-dabble.html
rmgil04 http://writersinprogresswip.blogspot.com/2010/11/aw-blog-chain-drabble-into-light.html
PASeasholtz http://paseasholtz.com/?p=1253
Regypsy http://regypsy.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/november-blog-chain-drabble/
My chain partners
Bettedra http://bettedra.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/bus_ride/
FreshHell http://freshhell.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/dribs-and-drabbles/
CScottMorris http://cscottmorrisbooks.com/2010/11/03/november-blog-chain-nanowrimo-tribute/
AuburnAssasin http://clairegillian.wordpress.com/2010/11/03/november-blog-chain-drabbling/
Ahelia http://thewriteaholicblog.wordpress.com/2010/11/06/aw-blog-chain-drabble-edition/#comment-2439
Bibbo http://blakemp.wordpress.com/2010/11/11/quickfic-inter-office-memos/
hilaryjacques http://hillaryjacques.blogspot.com/2010/11/aw-blog-chain-dear-john-letter.html
Orion_mk3 http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/2010/11/12/from-deep-daybreak-by-john-sullivan/
Proach http://desstories.blogspot.com/2010/11/aw-november-blog-chain-to-be-maria.html
jonbon.benjamin http://jonbonbenjamin.blogspot.com/2010/11/november-dabble.html
rmgil04 http://writersinprogresswip.blogspot.com/2010/11/aw-blog-chain-drabble-into-light.html
PASeasholtz http://paseasholtz.com/?p=1253
Regypsy http://regypsy.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/november-blog-chain-drabble/
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Review: Smart-Self Publishing: Becoming and Indie Author
Note: I realize not that self-publishing is not for everyone. If you are considering self-publishing, read on:
I just read the absolute 100% number one BEST book on Indie/Self-publishing ever written. (Can you tell I liked the book?)
If you are new to the idea of self-publishing, thinking about self-publishing or ebook publishing, remotely curious about ebook publishing, then go online to Amazon or Barnes and Noble and buy Zoe's book. I've spent weeks researching the Internet for epublishing info and didn't come up with a third of what Zoe gave me in one book.
So what do you think about the idea of epublishing? Would you do it?
I just read the absolute 100% number one BEST book on Indie/Self-publishing ever written. (Can you tell I liked the book?)
If you are new to the idea of self-publishing, thinking about self-publishing or ebook publishing, remotely curious about ebook publishing, then go online to Amazon or Barnes and Noble and buy Zoe's book. I've spent weeks researching the Internet for epublishing info and didn't come up with a third of what Zoe gave me in one book.
Let's cut to the chase - here's why I think the book is so good.
- It's thorough. Extremely thorough. The book covers everything from writing to marketing to editing to setting up a business plan. It even explains in simple layman's terms (and I get giddy here just thinking about it) how to format your book for Smashwords, Kindle, and Nook. That alone makes it worth the buy.
- It's written in easy-to-read, conversational style, plain English. I sat down and read it in a couple of hours - all 334 pages. I could format a book right now...seriously. (Not that my book is ready for that...yet.)
- It includes many hints for troubleshooting the entire process. Zoe is very generous with her trial and error mistakes and does not mind explaining what not to do and why.
- It's cheap. At $2.99 it is a steal.
So what do you think about the idea of epublishing? Would you do it?
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