I'm So Excited...

I am finally back in the swing of things with my writing and it feels great. I've been doing a little preliminary work on my website and stuff, so some changes should be coming soon.

Thanks to Cole's encouragement I signed on to commit to writing a minimum of 100 words per day. That way, on days where I have plenty of time and creative energy I can write more, but on days where I don't, writing that 100 words will at least keep me in the story.

It's also time for our new classes at LRWA. February has 2 terrific courses. Here's the details:

February 2007 — Happy Hookers: Engaging the Reader from Start to Finish
Presented by: Terry Spear
Deadline: February 1

Course description:
Slow starts and sleepy endings to scenes and chapters can ruin a manuscript’s chance of being published. Conversely, solid hooks can make the sale - as workshop instructor Terry Spear demonstrates, with six publishers currently hooked for six manuscripts. Setting such practical matters aside, what author wouldn’t be thrilled to hear someone say, “I couldn’t put the book down”? Strong hooks are a vital ingredient in strong writing. In this online class, which features lectures, discussion, practical exercises, and handouts, she’ll teach students how to captivate readers with great openings, scene hooks, chapter cliff hangers, and intriguing back cover blurbs. Participants will master the hook in all its environments, from the query letter through the novel.

AND

February 2007 — Plotting Strategy – Put your Characters in the Driver’s Seat
Presented by: Sharon Mignerey
Deadline: February 1

Course description:
This is a 4 week workshop with 2 classes per week.
Characters, not plot, drive a story forward. If you’ve ever received a rejection to the effect of “this story seems contrived” or “your characters don’t seem real” you may have events rather than character motivation propelling your plot forward. This workshop includes the following modules, each with exercises designed to practice the skills and facilitate sharing among the participants.


If either peak your interest, you can check them out at LRWA's website.

edited to add: Well, looks like my OCD kicked in and I went ahead and started to work on the blog changes. It's a WIP and so is the new website. You can check it out here. Let me know what you think!

April