0 Learning in Canyon

Tomorrow I'll be leaving for a five day, intense work shop in Canyon, Texas. The Writer's Academy is sponsored by West Texas A&M University and Jodi Thomas, Writer in Residence. I went for the first time last year and knew on the first day that this would be one educational opportunity I would strive for each year.

Last year I was in Jodi Thomases class. We worked on the first 30 pages of our manuscripts together. I received 13 critiques and discussion. We all did. The novel I took "Dianne's Destiny",is now under contract. I couldn't be more pleased--and, a bit terrified, of the work after the contract. It is daunting for a debut novelist.

This year my instructor will be Alexandra Sokoloff. She's doing a workshop using screenwriting tricks for novelists. Her workbook is available. The link to her blog is www.screenwritingtricks.com

We will be using index cards and plotting our current works-in-progress to outline and plan the entire book. The participants who were in Alex's class last year had nothing but praise. Some are returning.

 

 

Enjoy your week. Write as much as possible. Read as much as possible. I'll be catching you on the flip side with knowledge I'll be eager to share. In the meantime, allow your mind to wander and wonder with words.



Detail: Learning in Canyon

0 Contracts and Moving Forward

My goodness! I've received my first contract. It is for a novella I've written as part of a series 'Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll' for The Wild Rose Press. The title is "Dianne's Destiny".  Receiving that contract in my e-mail thrilled me like few things ever have. I wonder if others have felt that excitement that makes the heart beat faster, smiles and laughter to erupt unbidden followed by the feeling that this just can't be true. But, it is. I feel better able to write more, to finish the works I have in progress.

"Dianne's Destiny" began as "Hearts and Horses". Much of the book takes place in an arena for equestrian therapy. The names of the main characters had to be changed because they were too close to another book in the series.

I'm learning to write an author bio. Choose a graphic artist from the talented group at The Wild Rose Press. The beginnings of successful marketing and social media. It is all confusing but I have a wonderful editor, Ally Robertson and friends who are successful authors. And, next year I will be able to attend the TWRP writer's retreat at the Silver Spur Ranch in Bandera, TX.

Visit www.thewildrosepress.com for a full list of the novellas waiting to be purchased and read. Learn about the scrimshaw doll that carries a curse only broken by true love. I've read them all and think one of the best thing readers will find is that each book is a stand alone story. The voices of each author is clear. The talent is astounding.

The Scrimshaw Doll authors are part of the Oklahoma Romance Writers of America www.OKRWA.com We call ourselves Wild Okies. The books available in the series include:
"Trail of Hope' by Heidi Vanlandingham
"The Bone Bride" by Tamrie Foxtail
"Skinbound' by Anna Kittrell
"Thicker than Water" by Alicia Dean
"Tessa's Treasures" by Callie Hutton
"The Color of Betrayal" by Kathy L. Wheeler
"Pirate's Proposal" by Diana Layne and
"Home" by Calisa Rhose

Share with me and my followers how you felt when you received your first contract? If you are self-published how did you feel when you saw that first cover? Share your experiences. I would love to start a thread on my blog about the feelings, fears, and faith involved in writing. In the meantime, keep writing . . .

Detail: Contracts and Moving Forward