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Ritual Ink

I responded a bit on Twitter but I thought I’d post here too.  Christine was intrigued by the title of the short story I’m working on, “Ritual Ink.”  The idea came from an interesting/weird place…

The monsters love Wizards of Waverly Place on the Disney channel, and I have to admit, out of all the goofy shows they sometimes watch, Wizards is one of the least annoying.  If you’re not familiar with the show, Alex is the middle child and is always getting into trouble, breaking the rules, etc. (Gee, who does that sound like?)  She’s abrasive at times and doesn’t hesitate to tell it like it is.  As a result, her only “true” friend over the years has been Harper, a goofball character with a terrible sense of fashion but a heart of gold.

At some point, Harper comes to live with them, and is sort of the daughter the Russos never had — because Alex isn’t girly or sweet in any way.  Alex has no problem lying, even to her best friend.  I forget how the episode unfolds, but Alex decides to be a cheerleader with Harper, but the only way she can swallow down that much girly silliness is with a spell.  This one has to be painted on her skin.

With the spell, she’s actually…likeable.  She has friends, she’s popular, her parents are amazed.  Of course hijinks ensue and eventually the spell washes off, bringing back the abrasive but fun liar.

The episode is supposed to be funny, but I was left saddened by it.  Just think how it would feel if you could only be likable if you had a spell put on your skin.  If that was the only thing holding back your darker side.  That image has haunted me awhile but I couldn’t figure out the story around it.

Until Ritual Ink.

The general premise is a heroine carrying something very dark, even evil, inside her.  The only things holding that creature at bay are the ritual spells permanently stamped into her flesh as tattoos.  As the years go by, she has to get another and another, chains on the creature trying to break free.  Not just anyone knows the secret of these tattoos, though.  It’s not like she can just go down the street and have a regular artist do it, no matter how talented he might be.  No, it takes a very special warrior monk with the right magic and skill for this ritual.

Too bad he’s supposed to be celibate.

*winks* 

You do know me better than that, right? 

:lol:

This short story is planned for the All Romance E-Books Just One Bite PNR short story contest.  If it doesn’t get picked as a finalist (or goes too long, which is a distinct possibility), I’ll give it away here on the blog as a free read.

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June Update with July Goals

Not a stellar month but not bad either.  I even managed D&E every day this week so far, even though I’m only getting 5-6 hours of sleep a night.

  • Finished the first draft of The Bloodgate Warrior.
  • Firmed up the plot of Phantom.
  • Started Phantom, got about 3K so far this week.  Not NaNoWriMo pace but I’ll take it!
  • Wrote up several guest blogs (forgot how many!)
  • Celebrated the release of Return to Shanhasson!
  • Lost 6 pounds
  • Walked 13 miles.

In July, I’m shooting for the following:

  • First pass revision for The Bloodgate Warrior, with initial read thru and notes this holiday weekend.
  • Keep moving on Phantom with about 500 words a day.  I’d like to finish the first draft this month but the list is long.  I’ll be happy with August.
  • Make initial edit pass for Vicki with Editor Tera’s notes.
  • Write at least 3 more scheduled guest blog posts.
  • Write a short story that’s percolating, tentatively “Ritual Ink”.  Guessing about 3K.
  • Keep planning promo for Golden and print Victor in September. 
  • Walk 15 miles.
  • Start Tony Horton’s Power 90 strength portion only, shooting for 3x a week —> 12 workouts.  If I survive, I’ll add the cardio portion in August!
  • Participate in Romance Biggest Winner.
  • Keep losing weight – but I’m not going to say a number because it’s totally out of my control.  That’s like saying, “Get an agent this year.”  I can query x agents every month…but I can’t make one say yes.  I’ll work my plan and exercise — I’ll get to goal eventually.  I’m averaging about 1 pound a week right now, so if I lose 4-5 pounds, I’ll be happy.
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Committed or Interested?

Since I’m signing up for the Romance Biggest Winner competition, I’m going to be blogging a lot more about dieting and my weight loss journey (and unavoidably, those struggles). 

I’ve hesitated to say too much here, because I’ve failed so many times in the past.  I even had a weight loss blog at one time, that slowly slipped away and I’m pretty sure I deleted it.  If I start blogging about it HERE, the place I’ll never delete because it’s about Dreaming in Rhyme, my need to write, then it’ll be permanent.  I’ll have to stare those failures in the face the rest of my life.  But maybe that’s exactly what I need to do.

As I was reading 100 Days of Weight Loss by Linda Spangle, one thing that really struck a chord with me is her chapter on “Interested or Committed?”  She says if you typically start and stop over and over, unable to stick with the plan, then you should look at the difference between being interested and being committed.

Immediately, I thought about my determination to write.  In 2003 I committed (yes, I used that exact word) to My Beloved Sister that I would finish Shannari’s first book.  I’d been writing on it off and on for years, at least five, if not ten years, off and on, dreaming, letting it fade away.  But once I told her, “YES, I will finish this book by Christmas” it lit a fire under me.

I finished not just the first book but also the second.  (Let’s not get into the quality of those first drafts, shall we?  :oops:)

I told her I’d do it, and I did.  It was like a switch went off in my head.  This isn’t playing anymore.  This is serious.  I’m going to do this.  No matter what.

How come I’ve never looked at dieting that way?

I guess I was interested in losing weight…but not committed.  As long as I saw results on the scale, I could stick to the plan, whatever that was.  I’ve done several incarnations of Weight Watchers, both online and at work (not to mention the first time I informally did WW with my mom as a young teenager).  I’ve tried both Atkins and the Rice Diet, two drastically opposite philosophies!  I’ve lost 40-50 pounds on both of those diets, but inevitably, I fell off the wagon and unfortunately gained it back.  And then some after having three kids.

If only I had more time to exercise…

If only I had a personal chef!

If only I had the money for a personal trainer…

If only I could find the right combination…

While all along, the problem has been me.  I wasn’t committed.

I’m busy with a full-time Evil Day Job (that I actually love but when I’m in the middle of a really good scene, it really is evil when I have to stop and go to work!) and three kids.  I have a house to keep up.  I have to cook dinner, do laundry.  All the things a mom and wife has to do.  It’s hard to find time to write, but I always manage, even if I have to get up at 5 AM to do it.  It’s that important to me.  It’s never going to get any easier, so I have to find a way.  Period.

Why should my health be any less important?

A committed person isn’t going to let a little thing like a bag of potato chips or pepperoni pizza stop her.  A committed person isn’t going to quit with the first wobbling slip up or “unfair” gain.  She isn’t going to sit on the couch all weekend watching football when the weather is nice outside and there are two dogs and three kids perfectly eager to go on a walk. 

A committed person is going to stick to her guns in any situation, no matter how stressful.  She knows what healthy is and she’s going to fix her own food if she has to.  She’s going to put on the tennis shoes and do something, anything, even if it’s only walking the stairs a few times, because nothing and nobody is going to get in her way.

The way I was committed to finishing that first book.  No matter what.

That’s the key for me, I’ve realized.  I have to do it.  Nobody’s going to help me.  Nobody’s going to prepare my food or say, “Hey, let’s go for a walk!”  Or even more amusing, “Let me cook you dinner!  What’s the healthiest thing in the kitchen to fix?”  Instead of “Why don’t we have anything sweet to eat?  Fruit?  Yuck.”

Oh, the kids might nag me to play Wii with them, but I can’t count on that to be my motivation.  It has to come from within me and I have to nurture that flame, the same way I nurture my determination to write.

Nothing and nobody is going to keep me from fulfulling my dream.  Now it’s time to dream about being at a healthy weight.

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Giveaway: Handcrafted Journal

How better to celebrate Return to Shanhasson’s release than giving away a gorgeous journal handcrafted by my new editor, Lisa?  She kindly stepped in during Deena’s illness and put the final polish on Shannari’s grand adventure.  Without her, Mykal would still be lurking in Keldar and you’d never learn about Shannari’s greatest test of all, and yes, her greatest sacrifice.

I adore paper products, all sorts.  From colored index cards, sticky notes, journals, notebooks, reams of stock paper…  It’s physically impossible for me to go into an office supply store like Staples or Office Max and walk out without picking up some new paper product.  I’d probably be up for Hoarders if the monsters didn’t so kindly assist me in using up my paper goods.  *sobs – I’ve actually considered putting my notebooks and ink pens under lock and key!* 

Most especially, I love journals, especially unique, handmade ones.  My only problem:  I “save” them for something really good…  Which means they don’t always get used.  I keep them on a shelf and admire them.  I may not fight the blank page syndrome too much when writing a book, but when it comes to my own thoughts, I do often hesitate to put such “trival” matters down, especially on “nice” paper.  But you know what?  Those thoughts are just as important.

So I’m ordering one for myself and one to give away here on the blog.

There are two ways to enter.

  1. Comment here and tell me about your own journaling habits or simply throw your name in the hat.
  2. For extra entries, rate or review any Shanhasson book (Rose, Road, or Return) on any review site (Goodreads, personal blog, formal review site, even facebook) or online retailer (Amazon, B&N, etc.) and send the link(s) via email to joelysueburkhart AT gmail DOT com.  I’ll put your name in the magic hat again for each link you send me. Pre-existing reviews are okay and eligible, but please do send me the links if you’d like an extra entry.  I don’t have time to hunt them all down and I don’t want to enter someone who may not be aware of the giveaway going on (and I won’t be able to track them down if they win).

*cough* Notice that poor Road has NO Amazon ratings?  *sobs*

This giveaway is open to anyone on the planet, even if you’ve won something from me before.  I do not retain your name or email addresses after the giveaway is over. 

Comments and links will be accepted through midnight July 8th CST and the winner will be announced on the blog July 9th.

Reviewers who’d like a copy of any Shanhasson book, please drop me a note to the same email above with your desired format.

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Good News Monday

All kinds of good news this week!

  • I finally started Phantom!  My goal:  finish the first draft by the end of August, hopefully giving me plenty of time to work on The Bloodgate Warrior first round of revisions in July.
  • The wait for Return to Shanhasson is finally over!
  • I’m planning an awesome giveaway to celebrate Return’s release – details later this week.
  • I received word last week that Lady Doctor Wyre’s Lord Regret is going to have the opportunity to participate in Summer’s Hottest Hero sponsored by All Romance E-Books!  Details about voting, etc. will be coming.
  • I’m *this close* to losing 40 pounds since Jan 5th!  (39.6)
  • I’ve walked 11.25 miles of my 12 mile June goal.
  • My July exercise goal will be 15 miles and restarting the strength training portion of Tony Horton’s Power 90. 
  • To keep my momentum going, I’m joining Ashley March in the Romance Biggest Winner competition.  I’ll blog more about it as we get closer to the start date (7/5/2011).
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The Perils of a Writer’s Imagination

Last night I was cooking dinner when Middle Monster casually stepped into the kitchen and said, “Hey, Mom.”  (Drawing out the Mom part.)

I finished shaping the hamburger patty and immediately washed my hands.  Something was up.  Definitely.  “What?”

“Did you know there’s a suitcase in the middle of the street?”

Ugh, still washing my hands — I hate raw meat.  More soap, but I’m hurrying, because I have a very bad feeling about this.  “You didn’t get close to it.  Did you?”

“Uhhhhh…..”

Crap.  “You didn’t touch it, did you?”

“Uhhhhh….  There’s only gloves and stuff inside.”

Taking deep breaths, I tried to remain cool and collected.  “You know there could have been a bomb in there or something.”

Cheerfully, Middle Monster replies, “Nope.  I didn’t hear any ticking.”

While I lectured her on all the horrible nasty things that could have been in that mysterious bag (yeah, we live in “safe” suburbia in a relatively small town, but you just never know), I headed out to investigate.  From a safe, boring distance.  It wasn’t a suitcase, but a duffel bag.  Now I’m imagining drug money, dirty needles, weapons….

In the end, the bag belonged to the neighbor across the street.  They have a truck, and I suspect it might have fallen out the back when he pulled into their slightly sloped driveway.  Anyway, I was just starting to recover from the “bomb” scare when we watched the news last night.

Evidently there was an attempted abduction of two girls on the street that is THREE HOUSES AWAY from us.  *dies*  My girls play outside with the neighbors all the time.  They walk down that street each day to come home from summer school.  Needless to say…

I’m having a very hard time letting them out of their locked rooms right now.  I know they have to live and not be afraid, but that’s just too close to home.  Literally.

P.S. As far as the attempted abduction, the man never got out of the van, but when he tried to get the girls to come over to him, they smartly ran to a neighboring house.  I have no idea how old the girls were but it’s very scary with three little girl monsters in this house. 

P.S.S. And no, the suspect has not been apprehended.  *deep breaths*

But at least the mysterious duffel bag wasn’t ticking.

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More Plotting Fun

As promised, here’s a little more detail about the plotting wall I did for Phantom.  I made it D&E this morning, despite not getting to sleep until after 11 PM again.  Sigh.  Please don’t ask how many cups of coffee I drank today!  Only 700+ words but openings are hard, and I completed the first scene.  It’s rough but down.  Moving on.

Okay, so this is a close up of the first three sections I plan to work on: 

The yellow stickies just have the information I need to figure out. Blue is the hero, Erik. Pink is the heroine, Christel.  The opening scene sticky doesn’t really give the details of what I wrote this morning — that’s actually on the back.  *wg*  But it was important that I set the scene correctly.  Atmosphere is so important, and I’m definitely going to need to revise what I have so far.

To compare and contrast, you might find it interesting to see what the outline looks like.  I’ve never written an outline before, not exactly.  This more resembles “the Block” I used to do but got away from because it was too involved and technical for me personally.  This is the opening section only.

Act 1

1.1       Opening Image:  In the Tunnels (Erik)

Set the mood:  dark, creepy.  Main character (Erik) is hiding, spying on Rafe.  Rafe always takes the same route each day to his car in the parking garage.  Today, Erik is eavesdropping on what seems to be an important and extremely frustrating and possibly dangerous conversation that Rafe is having with an unknown person.  “I’m working on it.  I’ll get the money somehow.  The sale will be final…”  [Meaning the sale of the family estate, but Erik doesn’t know that – he believes it to be an arms deal]

Erik has been texting Gerri “tips” from the “Phantom.”  He receives an incoming text:  I’m calling in reinforcements.  My daughter will get to the bottom of this once and for all.

Emotions:  Slow burning fury to glee that Christel is coming.  He’ll use her to defeat his enemy once and for all.

Conflict:  Erik wants to prove Rafe’s guilt and punish him severely for killing his family.  Rafe seems to have everyone fooled about what a great guy he is.

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Plotting: An Evolving Process

Since I had the day off from the Evil Day Job yesterday, I set a goal of finishing the plot for Phantom.  I’ve been struggling with it, so I decided to try a new approach.  My friend Jenna Reynolds had recommended Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat months if not years ago, and I finally got around to reading it.  A lot of it really resonated with me.  I thought, hey, what do I have to lose?  I’ve got to figure out what’s wrong with this story.

The story in question:  Phantom.  It has a great premise.  I know it fits my brand.  I’m excited about it.  Yet something… just wasn’t right.  I couldn’t get started.  I “knew”  (I’m putting that in quotes because I obviously didn’t) the plot – it was all in my head.  (Not always a good sign)  Yet instead of unfolding in my mind like a movie, it kept skipping around, jolting here and there.  Painfully.

So I used some paper and jotted (while driving to my dad’s this weekend) out what I thought the beats might be using Blake’s charts.  It still wasn’t working.  The plot was as flat as the paper.  I decided I was going to have to get serious and do something I haven’t done since The Bloodgate Guardian.

Put the plot on the wall.

I bought some sticky notes while I was at Wal-Mart.  First, I laid out the beats using simple yellow (picture).   This is different than how I envisioned structure in the past.  I’m not used to a horizontal row for each act.  The last yellow sticky on each row is a major turning point (I drew an arrow in the upper RH corner than you can’t really make out).  That’s all I got done, unfortunately, because I had to leave for my hair appointment.  When I got back, I started laying out the major plot scenes I’d come up with between my original spreadsheets and my jotted beat notes. 

I quickly realized that my OPENING IMAGE wasn’t right.  I’d started in the wrong place.  The scene I had thought to open with was good (and I’m still using it) — but it didn’t set the tone and mood.  It didn’t mirror the ending.  I quickly realized I needed an entirely new scene.

Suddenly, finally, I found that the story was rolling in my mind.  *whew*

This is the plot wall after another 2.5 hours of work (picture).  The pink is my heroine, the blue is my hero, the yellow is the main beats.  Voila.  The story laid out perfectly.

Later last night after dinner, I typed up an outline (not a synopsis, not yet) and added the emotion changes and conflict information that Blake talks about.  I’ve never thought of my sections quite that way and it was a very useful exercise.  It feels sooooo good.  I’ve got my theme crystal clear in my mind.  My characters all have static traits.  A central image reflects the theme and is used over and over subtly to support the theme.  I don’t want to jinx myself and say more, but I’m very excited to start this story.

Excited enough to get up at 5 AM to work on it.

Let the Dark & Early summer phase commence!   I just pray my wrists hold up.  After 3K of outline last night, they’re pretty sore. 

[I actually wrote this post last night and scheduled it.  If my morning session goes well, I’ll write a new post with a close up of some of the sticky notes so you can actually see what some of them say!]