Loathsome Characters

You know a writer has done a truly fine job when he or she has created a character that you well and truly HATE. Jane Austen mastered this quite well.

It is my sincerest hope that Lucy Steele (later Ferrars) and Caroline Bingley are rotting in hell together.

Review: Write. 10 Days to Overcome Writer's Block. Period.

I recently bought Write. 10 Days to Overcome Writer's Block. Period. by Karen E. Peterson, Ph.D. ecause my muse has been difficult as of late. I don't mean a little difficult, either. This has been an out-and-out war for about two months.

I felt validated from the first moment I opened this book and learned that Dr. Peterson has been an English teacher, psychologist, and workshop facilitator. I must admit, I was a bit wary when I first saw the words "bi-vocal approach to conquering writer's block," (xi). My eyebrows shot dangerously close to my hairline, but I decided to hang on for the ride and find out what Dr. Peterson was talking about.

I'm not going to blow the surprise. If you want to find out what it is, go out and buy this brilliant book. I can tell you that I learned more about the inner workings of my own mind while reading this book than I ever did when I was in therapy.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not knocking my therapist, and therapy was infinitely helpful to me. What I mean is that Dr. Peterson's way of looking at writer's block really spoke to me.

I've always been a creative person, and the two sides of my brain always seem to be at war with one another, but this book taught me how to tame the beast and get the muse back on track.

I highly recommend this book to any person suffering from writer's block.

Fun Idea to Help Conquer Writer's Block

Ever heard of the game Apples to Apples?

I happen to be in love with it, and I've found some really great ways that it helps me get the creative juices flowing.

There are a couple of ways you can play with this.

1. First, shuffle the decks, pick five red apple cards at random, choose the one that inspires you most, and run with it!

OR

2. Choose a green apple card at random (or roll the green apple die if you have the Mod version), write down the first adjective you draw (or think of if you're using the die), pull five red apple cards at rancom and find a way to use the adjective with each noun you've drawn. There should be at least one sentence per noun.

I'm fairly certain that I will come up with more variations on this, and I'm open to any ideas you all have.

Let me know what you think.

Makeup = Women's War Paint

What do we do when we feel bad, afraid, angry, determined, or ambitious? We put on our war paint. It makes it easier to face the world when you've got your makeup on. Is it the process or the outcome that inspires the confidence?

Doesn't matter.

I have a serious case of writer's block today. I'm sitting at home on the couch in sweats, but I just did my makeup and now I feel like I can tackle this business.

Feeling Guilty

I've really been slacking on this blog and I feel bad about it. Life has been a little crazy, but it'll make for good literature later.

I've decided to do NaNoWriMo this year, and I'm really nervous. Having published one book, you'd think I'd be over the nerves. I'm not. I decided to work on my favorite brain-child for this, and I sincerely hope it doesn't end up going awfully.

By the end of November, I'm hoping to have finished Poisoned Apples.

I Write Like for Infidelity

I just put the following piece of flash fiction, Infidelity, onto I Write Like.

"You know, it doesn't take a detective to see that you've been screwing around behind her back."

Andrew looked his accuser over and sneered. "Let me guess, because you are a detective, you had me pegged from the beginning. Is that about right, Beauchene?"

"Something like that. I'm going to tell Diane the truth about you, Mr. Russell." Marcus Beauchene's eyes had a steely, unforgiving look about them. The look clearly stated that he meant business. Unfortunately, Andrew Russell chose to ignore the gravity of Marcus' statement. He scoffed, laughing at the detective.

"Go ahead and tell her! Dian will never believe it. It's your word against mine."

Marcus decided not to burst the cocky businessman's bubble. So, he left with nothing more than a cryptic smile at Mr. Russell. There was no need to warn the man that Marcus was in possession of photographic evidence that could probe his accusation correct. Marcus had plenty of evidence, two copies of every photo, to be exact. One set was for Diane, and he was going to keep the backup set, just in case.

For this piece:

I write like
Margaret Atwood

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

I Write Like...for I've Never Loved

I recently started a romance novel called I've Never Loved. I submitted the following chapter to I Write Like.

“I don’t care what excuses they’re offering, we’re finalizing the takeover.” Chase Rutherford’s face was entirely indifferent as he responded to the message his assistant, Lucy Bartlett, had brought him. Smart and Sweet was going under, and trying to weasel out of the business negotiations they’d begun. The chain of bakeries needed a serious overhaul, and Chase needed a tax break.

Lucy nodded. “Yes, sir; I’ll call and tell the owner that he doesn’t want to risk bringing lawyers into this business.”

A cold smirk twisted Chase’s lips and Lucy forced herself not to shudder. He had a dangerously sensual mouth, and Lucy was very careful not to think about it too often. “That’s what I like about you, as an executive assistant, you’re eloquent and to the point.”

The petite brunette gave him a polite nod. “Thank you, Mr. Rutherford.”

Chase’s gray eyes darkened like an approaching thunderhead, and Lucy had to steel herself to hold eye contact. His irises were almost black, and it sent a shiver of apprehension down Lucy’s spine. A sense of dismay made her stomach clench. She knew that Chase didn’t miss the fear creeping into her wide, innocent baby blue eyes. “Lucy, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”

“What is it?” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, and he sighed.

“You’ve been working as my executive assistant for three years; don’t you think it’s time you outgrew calling me ‘sir’ and ‘Mr. Rutherford’?”

Shock registered on Lucy’s graceful features, and a blush crept up her high cheekbones. “I’m sorry.” She lowered her dark lashes and made a point of studying the tips of her black sling-backs intently. “I thought you’d consider it to be impertinent and unprofessional for me to call you by your first name.”

Chase chuckled and ran a hand through his golden curls. “I would prefer it if you called me Chase when you address me. There’s no need for such formality when you’ve been working for me this long.” Lucy gave another nod, hugging an appointment ledger to her chest. Chase’s hawkish features hardened as he frowned. “Look at me, Lucy. Why are you so uncomfortable?”

“It’s a long story.” Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips, wondering why they were so dry all of a sudden. His piercing eyes glared out at her from the golden tan of Chase’s face. This is like being interrogated by a Grecian god, she thought.

“Tell me.” Panic flooded through Lucy. She didn’t want Chase to know about her past, afraid that it would ruin the dynamic of their professional relationship. He was attempting to open Pandora’s box, and she was determined to keep it shut.

By some miracle, his phone rang before she could answer. Lucy could feel Chase’s eyes boring into her. “We’ll talk about this later.” She realized that it was an order, not a suggestion, and her heart sank. How am I going to get out of this? She retreated to her desk in the reception area as he picked up the phone and collapsed into her leather computer chair.

I Write Like told me that, in this piece of my work:

I write like
Jane Austen

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!