I am no longer a virgin.

What. You assumed that? You assumed three sons [by the way I now have three grandprincesses!] rather revealed that fact?

I am speaking of a literary virginity.

I have committed SHORT STORY.

And it is published in a wonderful steampunk anthology which makes me very proud.

Clockwork Souls, A Steampunk Anthology, edited by Phyllis Irene Radford & Brenda W. Clough.

I knew the collection would be wonderful because I've read the previous two. I am thrilled to be part of it because at this point in this world's progression, we join the American Civil War, and not only is there a fight to free slaves, but also to free enslaved souls that have been used in the creation of automatons.

I'm very proud of my story, which was originally intended to be a bit playful, until my character revealed things to me I hadn't known before, and there ya go. Some things can't be playful, or at least, she wouldn't allow it to be.

My story is, "A Need for Expanded Abilities of a Discreet Nature."

What are these 'discreet abilities?' Oh dear, I really couldn't say. [Fluttering fan, reaching for smelling salts, swooning.]

Right now the ebook is available at Book View Café for only $3.99. You can download a mobi version for Kindle, or an epub version for all other devices and apps. It's safe and easy, and if you decide to do that and don't know how to get it onto your device, let me know and I will talk you through it, or put you with someone who can. [Which makes it sound hard. It's not. But anything can be daunting if you've never done it before, and so many of us just his 'buy' and have it show up automagically on our machines so have never had to do this little maneuver before!]
Or, you can buy the print version from Amazon. Let me know you did.

I'll send you an autographed book plate for it!

 

Jennifer Blake's Outlining System

On Facebook this morning, Jennifer Blake shared her plotting process, and it's so simple and efficient, I asked for permission to share it with you.

And because she's awesome and gracious and a wonderful Louisiana lady, she said, "By all means."

~o0o~

I made a fair start on TRISTAN ON A HARLEY yesterday, about 1000 words of the first scene. People have often asked how I know how to begin. Well, the answer is a bit murky. Being a plotter (instead of a pantser, as writers who start without a plan are called), I create a story outline first. This is done by brainstorming at least 5 crises/major changes that can take place within the parameters (time, setting, situation) chosen for the story I intend to write. Using an arbitrary 20 chapters, I place the crises more or less evenly throughout the story, but always start with the first in Chapter 1. For instance, in TRISTAN, things are kicked off by the arrival of a movie company in town -- and a challenge to the heroine to become an extra during filming. With these elements in mind, I usually wander around doing all sorts of other things -- shopping, cooking, gardening, etc.,-- while waiting for the first scene to take shape in my mind. The murky part of this process is that it actually does that! When I "see" the scene clearly, and have the first sentence with its hook, I sit down and go.

~o0o~ 

Isn't that great? 

It certainly works for her, as her many awards attest.

If you try it, let me know!

It's a Mystery!

Where have I been, you might ask...? Well, writing and dealing with life and still writing, and now doing the rewrite/editorial note thing. So in case you missed the memo which you could have found out through my newsletter or my website, The Dead Shall Live did not make its 2015 pub date for Various Reasons, all good. It will not be out until later, and there will be more news on that.

But as you also might know for the above reasons, we do have a fabulous cover, and I am in LOVE.

Watch for chapter one coming to a newsletter or website near you!

But that's not the mystery I referred to. I found a wonderful list of

25 Things You Need To Know About Writing Mysteries

and you need to read it. Even if you don't write mysteries you'll find a few jewels of advice for your hoard!

Let's have a great 2016. Now go forth and write!

Chuck Wendig on Outlining

Wendig, as always, entertains and illuminates.

Today's topic is outlining during nanowrimo, which I'm certain--because you are most intelligent and perceptive--you are aware is not of use only in November, nor is it only for those who are writing 50,000 words in one month.

How to Help the Art Department

If your book gets picked up by a major publisher with an art department, you may get asked to give some info for the art department to use when designing your cover.

You may get asked the same by smaller publishers, or by a cover designer you hire.

Different ones will approach it in different ways. But it is common to be asked for some kind of input. I found this particular example of an author--award-winner Mary Robinette Kowal--influencing her cover to be very interesting, and think you might, too.

I also love her headshot/pr photo.

Writing About Characters with Disabilities

I hope you all read this. It's got really valuable insights on this subject, and even if you aren't writing about characters with disabilities [and if not, why not?] it will probably ping some things for you, and the way you approach your characters.

Plus, Sherwood and Rachel are simply awesome people and writers. They always have so much to offer.

Nanowrimo Is Right Around the Corner!

And the Sachse Public Library in Sachse, Texas is doing some fun and useful things to help participants get started and stay on target to win this year's nanowrimo!

First up, I'll be speaking on October 13 to help this year's crop of writers get started early--legally! Nope, you can't start writing ahead of time, but you can do some fun things to get organized, inspired, and ready to go at midnight on November 1.

 

Click to get a bigger copy to read. 

I hope to see you there! Are you nano-ing this year? Have you nanoed in the past? How'd it go for you?