Fiction Scribe

I’ve been dragging my feet on this post and debating whether or not to even put it up, but I want to try to check in on a weekly basis, so here it is.

This past week has not worked out well for me in the writing arena. I have neglected my writing in favor of movies and computer games. Admittedly, that is my way of relaxing after dealing with various stresses, but I miss the time when I would always run to my writing to calm down.

On the plus side, I have worked out the beginning of another romance, this one in a different sub-genre than the work in progress. Coming up with new ideas is, strange as it sounds, my way of procrastinating. If I keep bouncing from idea to idea, then I get the thrill of an idea without ever having to do the work on the novel.

I know I shouldn’t whine in any way about having plenty of ideas coming through, but procrastination is procrastination no matter how you look at it.

My way of battling this little procrastination technique is to save each new idea with all the details and notes in a word document. That way I can plug away at it at any time if I feel the need, but it’s not bouncing around in my head when I want to work on something else.

Unfortunately, the past two nights have seen me start on my writing so late that I couldn’t stay awake to work on what I should be working on after I finished typing the notes for the new story idea.

That leaves me with ideas being plentiful but slacking off at the same time.

Do you have any strange ways of procrastinating?

Heading to the beach with nothing to read? Now you can head out in style with a book from one (or more!) of your favorite authors!

Pump Up Your Book Promotion is hosting our very first Summer Beach Reading Giveaway. Four great authors with 4 chances to win!

All you have to do is head on out to one of the blogs listed below and follow directions to win. It’s that easy!

As the Pages Turn is giving away a copy of Dorothea Hover-Kramer’s Second Chance at Your Dream!

This is the first book to apply the breakthrough insights of Energy Psychology to healthy aging. Energy Psychology is an exciting new healing method that changes the vibrational patterns in the energy fields to produce rapid emotional healing and a sense of well-being. With the help of the over fifty exercises for rebalancing yourself offered in this book, you can face the challenges and opportunities of later life to create a time of energy, abundance and joy.

You can visit Dorothea online at www.secondchancedream.com.

Click here to enter!

Fiction Scribe is giving away a copy of DCS’ Synarchy Book 1: The Awakening!

Thirteen bloodlines, The Brotherhood, fanatically loyal to their gods, the Anunnaki, have controlled the planet since his-story was written. In 1925 Stefano Vasco Terenzio, head of the Terenzio crime family makes a deal with the Anunnaki to solidify his control over the American Mafia. Clever and manipulative, Stefano’s true goal was to put his family in a position so one day they would be able to turn on their masters. Two generations later, the shockwave he ignited was still being felt. Now, as the world inches closer to 2012, time is running out.

The only thing in the Brotherhoods way is Terenzio, a family now divided as a truly epic battle begins that will determine whether mankind continues existing in a world of lies, or shatters the chains that have held it prisoner since his-story was written. Shocking yet hopeful, Synarchy slowly unravels the tightly laced reality we have created for ourselves. Blending the metaphysical with conspiracy, fact with fiction, debut author DCS has opened up a world that will force you to rethink everything you believe about your own. The knowledge within provokes the question; do you really want to know?

You can visit DCS on the web at www.synarchynovel.com.

Click here to enter!

The Book Stacks is giving away a copy of Dr. Ronald J. Frederick’s Living Like You Mean It!

So many of us long to feel more alive, connected, and secure in our lives, particularly now, in these challenging and difficult times. Why is it so hard? Part of the problem, says Dr. Ronald J. Frederick, has to do with a fear of our feelings—a feelings‐phobia—and the consequences of expressing our feelings to others. It’s this fear that keeps us stuck, detached from the wisdom inside us and distanced from the people around us. And yet positive emotional experiences can actually “rewire” our brain and free us up to experience ourselves and our lives more fully. LIVING LIKE YOU MEAN IT: Use the Wisdom and Power of Your Emotions to Get the Life You Really Want by Ronald J. Frederick, shows how we can overcome our feelings phobia in order to enjoy more satisfying lives.

You can visit Dr. Frederick on the web at www.livinglikeyoumeanit.com

Click here to enter!

Zensanity is giving away a copy of Richard Aaron’s Gauntlet!

Six hundred sixty tons of Semtex is detonated in a massive explosion in Libya – the last of a deadly stockpile. The operation seems to have gone smoothly, but within minutes of the explosion, CIA agent Richard Lawrence discovers that one shipment of the explosive was hijacked en route to the destruction point. Days later, a glory-seeking “Emir” broadcasts to the world that he is planning a massive terrorist strike against a major U.S. landmark. And he gives a timeline of one month.

You can visit Richard online at www.richardaaron.com.

Click here to enter!

Four great authors, four chances to win! Hurry before contests end!

Attention to aspiring Canadian Authors!

NewFoundSpecFic has reopened for submissions and is looking to hear from you!

Submissions are currently being accepted for future editions of NewFoundSpecFic.

Deadline for submissions is July 6th, 2009.

We are mainly looking for undeveloped and aspiring writers who need a stepping stone in the writing world. If you aren’t sure if you fall under this category, just ask!

We are an anthology of short stories in the speculative fiction genre, ranging from science fiction, alternate history, fantasy, and beyond.

NewFoundSpecFic aims to highlight the creativity the many undiscovered writers of Canada for others to enjoy.

General Fine Print You Should Pay Attention To

You must be 14 years of age or older to submit work to NewFoundSpecFic. If you are 13 years or younger, you may submit work with permission of a parent or guardian. You must have the right to submit this work for possible publication. You must be a resident of Canada. Notification of acceptance or rejection will not be given until after the submission closing date.

Accepted literary pieces will be paid $0.01/word, for up to 4500 words. For peices longer than 4500 authors will be paid a flat fee of $45. All accepted authors will also be given a copy of the edition their work has been published in.

For more information including information on formatting your submissions, please visit http://www.NewFoundSpecFic.com

***Disclaimer: Please note that I have neither the time nor the resources to fully investigate every contest/call for submissions that get posted here. Use your best judgment when submitting your work to anyone.

Spring/Summer 2009 Contest Theme: Short Fiction in Varied Genres
Submit Your Stories Now!

The Warren Adler Short Story Contest is fast becoming the most prestigious online short story contest thanks to the extraordinary literary quality of our submissions. We are pleased to announce our next contest. The theme is simply short fiction in all of its varied genres.

We are looking for original, imaginative pieces featuring compelling characters and creative plots. Whether you specialize in mainstream fiction, romance, horror, fantasy, science-fiction, satire, mystery, or any of their subcategories, we want to read your work.

Entries must not exceed 2,500 words. Stories from all the points of the globe will be considered provided that they are written in English. Mr. Adler will select which story will be awarded the Grand Prize of $1,000.
Although Mr. Adler will have already chosen the winner, the five finalists’ stories will be posted on the Warren Adler website in July. The People’s Choice winner will be determined by public voting.

Submissions will be accepted from April 13, 2009 to July 13, 2009. The entry fee is $15. Five cash prizes will be awarded.

Prizes:

- 1st Prize: $1000
- People’s Choice Prize $500
- Remaining finalists receive $150 each

Authors retain worldwide publishing rights.

Contest Rules:

- Contest is open for worldwide entries from April 13, 2009 until July 13, 2009
- A $15 fee in advance is required for each story submission.
- When you are ready to submit your story, make your payment below to proceed to the story submission form.
- Each story can be no longer than 2,500 words and must be written in English and previously unpublished

To submit your story please visit www.warrenadler.com

***
***Disclaimer: I have neither the time nor the resources to fully investigate every contest/call for submissions that get posted here. Use your best judgment when submitting your work.

If you do submit your work to any of the contests or calls for submissions that I mention on this site, please let me know. Especially if you are published! I always enjoy featuring successful authors. Best of luck in all your submissions.

Hello, Ms. Storm! Welcome to Fiction Scribe.

By way of introduction, tell us five words that words that describe you as a person.

Wow, five words. I like that. Lessie: schizophrenic, loud, easy-going, adventurous, story-teller.

You’re currently on virtual tour with your book , Synarchy. Can you tell us about the book?

In their quest to dominate the world, a powerful crime family, the Terenzios, discovers who the real players are that control the planet, and just how far they’re willing to go to keep their hold on humanity. Because of sheer arrogance, and the fact that they may be the only ones who can, the Terenzio family decides to fight back. Now, they’ve got until December 21st, 2012, to stop a sinister, centuries old plan and give Earth a choice it was never given before.

What got you started on writing this book?

Synarchy was the culmination of a very personal journey for me, and that urge every writer has whose got a story to tell that just has to come out. I don’t just want to entertain, I want to mix in what I think are some important concepts for our times. Ideas that take us out of the mundane and into the possibilities of the fantastical.

It is my intent that someone will read Synarchy, find something in there that perks their interest, go look it up and it will be the catalyst that starts them on their own journey of awakening.

If you were a character in your novel, what would your character be like?

My character would be the investigative journalist; knows everyone, mildly manipulate, busily putting the events taking place onto paper.

Who was/were your biggest influence(s) in your early writing life?

I actually didn’t have anyone that really influenced me. I’ve just generally always had the urge to write something, and I’ve stuck with it, even when I didn’t know I wanted to seriously pursue this as what I’m going to do with my life.

What do you feel is the most important thing for a writer to remember?

First thing’s first; tell an awesome story.

What are you working on now?

The big project right now in between marketing and promotion for Book One, is getting Book Two finished. I also want to write Stefano’s story but I want it to be a graphic novel so I’m starting to collaborate with a comic artist who is a good friend of mine. We’ll see what comes of that.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

On an island, juggling a small publishing company and an online RPG that rivals WoW (World of WarCraft), in between lots of traveling. I love to travel.

When you’re not writing, what are you doing?

Playing with my dog, reading, meditating, or out and about in the French Quarter and Marigny causing trouble.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I want to thank you, JM, for giving me the chance to swing by and chat with you! And I hope your blog visitors enjoy reading Synarchy as much as I did writing it.

Thank you for your time. I wish you great success with Synarchy.

________________
Would you like to win a copy of this book? Leave a comment telling me what kind of character you would be if you were in a mafia family style novel.

*Winner will be announced July 2nd.

Heading to the beach with nothing to read? Now you can head out in style with a book from one (or more!) of your favorite authors!

Pump Up Your Book Promotion is hosting our very first Summer Beach Reading Giveaway. Four great authors with 4 chances to win!

All you have to do is head on out to one of the blogs listed below and follow directions to win. It’s that easy!

As the Pages Turn is giving away a copy of Dorothea Hover-Kramer’s Second Chance at Your Dream!

This is the first book to apply the breakthrough insights of Energy Psychology to healthy aging. Energy Psychology is an exciting new healing method that changes the vibrational patterns in the energy fields to produce rapid emotional healing and a sense of well-being. With the help of the over fifty exercises for rebalancing yourself offered in this book, you can face the challenges and opportunities of later life to create a time of energy, abundance and joy.

You can visit Dorothea online at www.secondchancedream.com.

Click here to enter!

Fiction Scribe is giving away a copy of DCS’ Synarchy Book 1: The Awakening!

Thirteen bloodlines, The Brotherhood, fanatically loyal to their gods, the Anunnaki, have controlled the planet since his-story was written. In 1925 Stefano Vasco Terenzio, head of the Terenzio crime family makes a deal with the Anunnaki to solidify his control over the American Mafia. Clever and manipulative, Stefano’s true goal was to put his family in a position so one day they would be able to turn on their masters. Two generations later, the shockwave he ignited was still being felt. Now, as the world inches closer to 2012, time is running out.

The only thing in the Brotherhoods way is Terenzio, a family now divided as a truly epic battle begins that will determine whether mankind continues existing in a world of lies, or shatters the chains that have held it prisoner since his-story was written. Shocking yet hopeful, Synarchy slowly unravels the tightly laced reality we have created for ourselves. Blending the metaphysical with conspiracy, fact with fiction, debut author DCS has opened up a world that will force you to rethink everything you believe about your own. The knowledge within provokes the question; do you really want to know?

You can visit DCS on the web at www.synarchynovel.com.

Click here to enter!

The Book Stacks is giving away a copy of Dr. Ronald J. Frederick’s Living Like You Mean It!

So many of us long to feel more alive, connected, and secure in our lives, particularly now, in these challenging and difficult times. Why is it so hard? Part of the problem, says Dr. Ronald J. Frederick, has to do with a fear of our feelings—a feelings‐phobia—and the consequences of expressing our feelings to others. It’s this fear that keeps us stuck, detached from the wisdom inside us and distanced from the people around us. And yet positive emotional experiences can actually “rewire” our brain and free us up to experience ourselves and our lives more fully. LIVING LIKE YOU MEAN IT: Use the Wisdom and Power of Your Emotions to Get the Life You Really Want by Ronald J. Frederick, shows how we can overcome our feelings phobia in order to enjoy more satisfying lives.

You can visit Dr. Frederick on the web at www.livinglikeyoumeanit.com

Click here to enter!

Zensanity is giving away a copy of Richard Aaron’s Gauntlet!

Six hundred sixty tons of Semtex is detonated in a massive explosion in Libya – the last of a deadly stockpile. The operation seems to have gone smoothly, but within minutes of the explosion, CIA agent Richard Lawrence discovers that one shipment of the explosive was hijacked en route to the destruction point. Days later, a glory-seeking “Emir” broadcasts to the world that he is planning a massive terrorist strike against a major U.S. landmark. And he gives a timeline of one month.

You can visit Richard online at www.richardaaron.com.

Click here to enter!

Four great authors, four chances to win! Hurry before contests end!

I wasn’t really planning on doing a ‘What I’m Reading’ post this week, but I’ve come across so many good and interesting posts that I can’t help myself. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

*My lovely friend Susan at West of Mars is having a bit of Thursday Thirteen block, so stop by and say hello. She doesn’t bite, but I would keep an eye on Trevor.

*Paperback Writer (can you tell I’ve become a big fan recently?) put up a post I love called The Seven Deadly Writing Sins. And no, it’s not like the other ones you’ve seen that have things like, “dialogue tag addiction.”

*Ecataromance has put up a lovely post welcoming new visitors that is filled with links to interesting things on site and so on. As they say, they are “pro ebook, pro romance” so you should check them out - especially if you are interested in those areas.

*There is a great post by author Marta Stephens at Murder by 4 called Grammar Made Easy… Believe me, it’s not quite what you’re thinking.

*The awesomely awesome (she gives away books every Monday!) Katrina Stronoff has guest posted at Happy Endings with excellent thoughts on figuring out your characters’ motivations. This could very well be exactly the advice I’ve been needing lately…

*Rather than mentioning a specific post, this is a link to a blog: The Intern There is absolutely no way I can put it better than she does:

“THE INTERN is the unpaid toiler on the publishing house floor, licking stamps, reading slush, and copy-editing your train-wreck of a manuscript (for free) because the “real” copyeditor is down with the genital crabs. THE INTERN wears mismatched socks, clunky glasses, the same shirt she wears every day and jeans she found in the dumpster. No bra—bras are expensive, and THE INTERN is unpaid. THE INTERN sees all, hears all—the tense phone calls, the well-oiled editorial meetings at which your manuscript is used as a receptacle for pretzel crumbs, the wheeling, dealing, and long hours of apathy that make publishing publishing. THE INTERN knows everything about—your ambitions, your secret shames. She knows you pee in the shower. Basically, THE INTERN has you dialed.

And—lucky you—THE INTERN is about to tell you everything she knows.”

Enjoy!

Have you ever started writing something that you intended to be short (a short story, a novella) and you come to this point in your writing when you realize that what you’re working on isn’t going to be as short as you originally planned?

I hit that mark last night at nearly 12,000 words and realization that I hadn’t even gotten to the climax of the story yet.

Now, I’m a novelist by nature, so this isn’t exactly a bad thing. However, it is certainly not what I planned.

I already know that this piece is going to need some heavy editing because I just plain didn’t know enough about my main character when I started writing the piece. I have since done a lot of world with fleshing her out, but I don’t want to start editing now or the editor will crush the creator like taking a hammer to a thumb tack.

While participating in this challenge - despite some complications preventing writing every night - has been an excellent tool for me, I have apparently come to the stage when the doubts are rushing in.

I usually have different niggling doubts for different stories. When I’m not writing, it’s the general, “You suck.” When I am writing, it’s something more particular to the story.

Given what I’ve talked about with the length, my niggle monster has started bothering me about how boring I am. How nothing ‘real’ has happened yet. So on and so forth.

I’m doing pretty well with ignoring it, confining the monster to the same cage as the editor, but it’s going to be an interesting time keeping it there until I finish…

*If you are taking part in this or any other writing challenge, feel free to talk about how you’re doing in the comments section or leave a link to update posts on your blog.

Spring/Summer 2009 Contest Theme: Short Fiction in Varied Genres
Submit Your Stories Now!

The Warren Adler Short Story Contest is fast becoming the most prestigious online short story contest thanks to the extraordinary literary quality of our submissions. We are pleased to announce our next contest. The theme is simply short fiction in all of its varied genres.

We are looking for original, imaginative pieces featuring compelling characters and creative plots. Whether you specialize in mainstream fiction, romance, horror, fantasy, science-fiction, satire, mystery, or any of their subcategories, we want to read your work.

Entries must not exceed 2,500 words. Stories from all the points of the globe will be considered provided that they are written in English. Mr. Adler will select which story will be awarded the Grand Prize of $1,000.
Although Mr. Adler will have already chosen the winner, the five finalists’ stories will be posted on the Warren Adler website in July. The People’s Choice winner will be determined by public voting.

Submissions will be accepted from April 13, 2009 to July 13, 2009. The entry fee is $15. Five cash prizes will be awarded.

Prizes:

- 1st Prize: $1000
- People’s Choice Prize $500
- Remaining finalists receive $150 each

Authors retain worldwide publishing rights.

Contest Rules:

- Contest is open for worldwide entries from April 13, 2009 until July 13, 2009
- A $15 fee in advance is required for each story submission.
- When you are ready to submit your story, make your payment below to proceed to the story submission form.
- Each story can be no longer than 2,500 words and must be written in English and previously unpublished

To submit your story please visit www.warrenadler.com

***
***Disclaimer: I have neither the time nor the resources to fully investigate every contest/call for submissions that get posted here. Use your best judgment when submitting your work.

If you do submit your work to any of the contests or calls for submissions that I mention on this site, please let me know. Especially if you are published! I always enjoy featuring successful authors. Best of luck in all your submissions.

Hello and welcome to Fiction Scribe Ms. Stacy-Deanne!

Thanks for having me! I’m honored and I am a fan of the site!

What are five words you feel define you as a person?

Kind, loving, sensitive, talented, dreamer

Tell us briefly about your books.

My first book, “Divas of the New Millennium” was published in 2005. It’s a compilation, biography music book showcasing some of today’s hottest female singers.

My second is the novel “Everlasting” published in 2007 by Simon and Schuster. It’s the Romeo and Juliet of today centering on two Latino teens falling in love despite their families being connected to rival gangs.

My third is “Melody” (2008) is a mystery/suspense and thriller about a young woman who sets out to prove that her sister’s new boyfriend is dangerous. Simon and Schuster also published it also.

Why write? What does creative writing mean to you?

I write because I have to. It means everything to me. Writing is who I am. It’s my entire world. If I didn’t write I might as well not be on this earth.

When/where do you write best? What is your ideal environment?

I write in my den. That’s the best place for me and where my computer is, LOL! The environment is messy around my station because I have all my papers and notes everywhere. But that’s how I like it!

What would you say is the most difficult thing about being a writer?

That once you’re published and have obtained readers and recognition, your work is open to any and everybody to be criticized or loved.

What would you like writers to take away from reading your books?

I’d like them to see that I am a writer who does not compromise my style or my beliefs. I stand by my writing and would not sell out any of my ideas for anything. I think all aspiring writers should never be ashamed to be themselves and not think they must write like someone else. Being unique, as well as talented is the key.

If you could pick any author to collaborate with, who would it be?

Kay Hooper! She’s my favorite author.

Do you have any interesting writing habits/quirks?

I guess a habit would be that I like to write mainly in the wee hours of the morning. It’s best for me because this is when everyone’s in bed and it’s so quiet.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers out there?

Develop a VERY thick skin, research the industry and realize that writing the book is only a small part of becoming a published author.

When you’re not writing, what are you doing?

I’m a homebody and I write-full time so usually I’m always writing. I stay around the house. When I’m not writing, I’m watching television, brainstorming about book ideas, reading, searching the net or listening to music.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers here?

I would like anyone who hasn’t read my work to read it! LOL! I would like my current fans to know that the detectives in “Melody” are getting their own series so look out!

Thank you very much for coming by this blog. I wish you great success.

Thanks so much for having me!

http://www.stacy-deanne.net
http://www.myspace.com/stacydeanne

*Reposted from Paperback Writer

“Once again it’s time to begin planning PBW’s Fourth Annual Left Behind & Loving It, a series of virtual workshops I’ll be holding here at the blog this summer from July 13th through the 20th.

For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, this summer event is something I started doing back in 2006 for writers like me who don’t attend RWA National. We spend a week together online talking shop, sharing ideas, discussing writing and publishing and doing all the stuff you do at a writer’s conference except wait in long lines for bathrooms, elevators, coffee and official pins and ribbons. We don’t infect each other with anything but ideas, nor are we forced to eat bad mystery chicken, wear panty hose and heels, or arm wrestle some large chick in stretch pants over gratis Linda Howard hardcovers. It’s pretty much pure bliss.

Last year I offered an open invitation to any blogging writer to join in and hold their own virtual workshops on their blogs or web sites, and I’m repeating that again this year. If you’re willing to teach a writing or writing-related workshop(s) of any variety online at any time during that week, I’ll be happy to link to it every day I hold mine. I’ll give out more details on this later down the road, probably in mid-June.

Now it’s your turn — what sort of workshops would you like to see for LB&LI this time around? Let us know in comments.

(Update)

The details:

1. It’s open to all — anyone can hold a workshop; it doesn’t matter if you’re unpublished, published, agent, editor, employed, unemployed, student, retiree, whatever. If you’ve got something related to writing or publishing that you want to workshop, you’re in.

2. You run the show — you can do a single workshop or as many as you like, and hold them at any time during that week.

3. Linkage — if you hold your workshop on your blog during the week of July 13th through July 20th, I will link to it here on PBW for the entire week while I’m running mine.

My suggestions (all optional):

1. Keep your blog comments open so your visitors can discuss the topic of your workshop, ask questions and add their own ideas. The real fun of a virtual workshop is always the visitor participation.

2. If applicable, put together worksheets, outlines, or other helpful materials related to your topic for your visitors’ use. You can post these online as part of your workshop or have them available for downloading elsewhere (I recommend Scribd.com if you don’t have a website and/or need a place to park them; I’ve used it for the last two years to publish e-book versions of my workshops.)

3. Link to articles, web site pages and other sources on the internet that are relevant to the topic of your workshop. I especially like to find links to writers who have a different perspective than mine because they offer second opinions on the topic.

4. Consider having a giveaway(s) for your visitors. Published writers, if you’ve got some extra author copies sitting around and you can swing the postage, have a drawing for a signed copy or two. Unpublished writers, if there’s a how-to book, magazine or other resource that has helped you, consider giving away a copy of it during your workshop. Or think up your own unique giveaway — whatever you do, it will be appreciated.

Along with my usual goodie bags, this year I’m putting together some surprises. Since these are still in the works I’m going to keep quiet about them for a bit longer, but stay tuned for more details.

I’ll be posting my workshop schedule as well as another reminder on July 1st, and a call for participating bloggers to send me their workshop links beginning on July 12th (I’ll also accept links whenever you all send them to me, up through July 20th.)

Does anyone have any questions about LB&LI? If you do, please post them in comments.”

As I’ve said in the past, quoting a quote that is somewhere in the chaos of my desk, you have to make time for things because you’ll never ‘find’ time. Well, I’ve made time for more blog reading, and I have come across some interesting posts.

I’ve also decided to add an ‘E-Publishing’ category, as there is no doubt readers here will consider e-publishing as a possible publication route just as much as they consider traditional publishing or self-publishing.

On to the good reads!

*InkyGirl has a fantastic category on her blog called Rejections, which features famous authors and how many times they were rejected before getting published. This is a sure category to help build the confidence of aspiring writers.

*Paperback Writer touches on the subjects of writer superstitions and rituals (a subject I’ll probably post on later), and things she avoids putting in her stories. Are there any things you avoid writing about in your stories?

*Nice Mommy~Evil Editor has put out an informal call for submissions, so if you have a holiday-themed story, head over to this post for further details.

*Dear Author has a poll regarding e-publishing and the results may surprise you. How many readers have bought an e-published book?

*EcataRomance asks if ebook publishing is a bad career choice…

*Have I mentioned Query Shark before? If you’re looking to submit a query any time soon, I highly suggest you go through the Query Shark archives - run by an actual agent - and give your query a professional polish before sending it in.

Last week I decided to take part in InkyGirl’s 500 Words a Day Challenge. 1000 Words a Day sounded like a little too much to start with for a daily word count, so I figured 500 would be perfect for me.

So far, it turns out I am right.

While I have made it over 500 words a night (I work better at night), I’m not at the point where I feel inclined to increase the challenge to 1000 words a night. Even so, over the past week - with the exception of Saturday night - my novella has grown from about four thousand words long to just over nine thousand words long.

As you can imagine, that makes me very happy.

I am planning to have my novella completed by early to mid-July and have edits finished by the end of August at the latest. For a long time, I thought adopting a business-like attitude to my creative writing would kill it. However, I seem to be flourishing rather than wilting under these loose deadlines.

Hopefully before the end of this year, I can celebrate being published again - this time for my own body of work instead of being part of an anthology.

I hope you all are having a wonderful time with your writing and/or editing.

*If you are participating in this or any other writing challenge, please let me know so I can check it out and direct other Fiction Scribe readers there. Also, feel free to check in with your personal or other challenges when I post about my progress.

Group encouragement is a good thing!

*I usually keep book reviews on The Book Stacks, using this blog to focus more on the writing process than books, but when I come across a book about writers or for them, I can’t resist putting up a review here.

About the Book:

Four best friends, four writers, four lives, four families, four backgrounds, four women getting together to create something wonderful…

Under pressure to meet her next deadline, Kendall holes up in a mountain cabin to confront a blank page and a blanker future. But her friends won’t let her face this struggle by herself. They collaborate on a novel none of them could write alone – using their own lives as fodder, assuming no one will discover the truth behind their words.

No one is more surprised than they are when the book becomes a runaway bestseller. But with success comes scrutiny and scandal. Now all bets are off as these four best friends suddenly realize how little they truly know each other.

The Review:

One of the things you learn early on as an aspiring writer is that you don’t write books about writers. Given this is a book – a published book – about writers, I knew it had to be good.

The novel starts out at a point I didn’t expect: the slow demise of Kendall’s writing career. However, this proved to be exactly the right place to start because I was taken in and hooked right from the start. Even a few hundred pages in I felt like Lacy – absolutely unable to put the book down until absolutely necessary.

One of the things I love the most about this book is the layers Wax gives it. She writes this story of the writers writing this story, if that makes any sense at all. At points you can’t help but wonder just what is and what isn’t biographical when it comes to this book.

Wax has proven herself a master when it comes to creating characters you can empathize with. While I’m not at the levels of any of the four ladies in regards to my own writing career, I still felt for them on the human, female levels. I cheered for Kendall when she met the real estate agent in her robe. I felt sick to my stomach when Faye was about to reveal her secret to her husband.

All of this together added up to an incredible read that I highly recommend. I’m not sure non-writers will enjoy it quite as much, but I recommend it all the same. Wendy Wax is a wonderful writer, and I’m looking forward to reading her future works.