What's Your Choice? Outliner and/or Seat-of-the-Pants Writer?, A Gift for You, Save 25%

Gardener Ted and I heading for the beach!!

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story blog by J.Q. Rose!
As you can see from the photo above, I'm a bit giddy and silly. I have a good reason. I finished the manuscript for Terror on Sunshine Boulevard and sent it in to the editors at BWL Publishing. 

That doesn't mean the story is finished. The editor will return her suggestions/comments on the ms all red-marked in the Tracker program. So I will have even more editing to do before the final story will be ready for release. But having the story written is the first big hurdle. 

Soon I'll be ready to tackle another story. I usually outline the story first, but I'm open to changing elements to help me get to a satisfying ending. How about you? 

I'm sharing this previously posted article on the J.Q. Rose blog for you to consider how you begin your stories. I look forward to your comments.

Outliner or Pantser???

What's Your Choice? Outliner and/or Seat of the Pants Writer? by J.Q. Rose

When you begin your story or novel, do you use an outline to guide your writing or do you just begin and let the ideas/characters/plot take you in the direction of the story? Letting the words flow along with no pre-planning means you are writing by the seat-of-your-pants thus earning the title of a “pantser.”  We have lots of discussions at The Writers Chatroom among the newcomers and regular attendees as to the best method of writing a story or novel. Click here to join us at The Writers Chatroom . 

• Wednesday evening chats  from 8-10 pm ET,  
• guest authors on Sunday nights at 7 pm ET. 

In an article by Robert Campbell, Outlining,  in Writing Mysteries: A Handbook by the Mystery Writers of America, this mystery writer admits he never used an outline. He preferred William Faulkner’s method of setting his characters on the road and “walk beside them, listening to what they have to say.” Campbell admits writing without an outline causes him to start down paths that lead to dead ends, but he discovers a lot about a character spending time on pages upon pages that he may have to discard. However, he feels that at least, he exercised the writing muscles.

Later in his writing Campbell discovered outlining using his “word processor” or even hand writing a simple outline. He also makes up documents before starting the story such as Chronology, Cast of Characters, Address Book, Timeline of History, Notebook and Agenda which “sketches the goals, desires and probable actions of each principal character as I move through the body of the book.” He builds on each of these documents as the work-in-progress (WIP) evolves.  Campbell cautions that at no time is anything engraved in stone. He remains flexible with each chapter.

I have tried the pantser and not so strict outline process and discovered just like Campbell, my many paths lead to dead ends. I really don't like cutting a bunch of scenes or re-writing to fit that once-brilliant idea into the story when it really isn't necessary. 

Quote by Nora Roberts

It really makes no difference whether you need a map, guidelines, outline or just an idea to freely write a story. The important thing is to write. Don’t be paralyzed by constructing an outline, then never writing the story. With no outline, you may write paragraphs, pages, scenes, chapters, etc that will need to be cut for the final draft. But many authors incorporate those leftover pages into another future story or save them to share with readers on your blog to give them an extra treat to the behind-the-scenes editing you did to produce the finished product.

Pleeeeeezzzz…just write! It’s in you. What a shame if you don’t let the story inside you out on the page.

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A GIFT FOR YOU

A Gift for You

If you are editing now or will be in the future, I would like to share a valuable cheatsheet developed by my first editor, Karen McGrath. She titled it Villain Words because eliminating these words will eliminate passive voice writing. 

Please click here to link to the J.Q. Rose Author Page and like my page. I'll send you the sheet via Messenger. Thank you.

If you prefer, send me an email to let me know you liked my page and I'll email the sheet to you.

If you have already liked my author page, leave a comment below and I'll email the sheet. 

My email address is jqrose02(at)gmail (dot)com

BIG NEWS

My publisher, BWL Publishing is offering 25% off my mysteries when using the coupon for Smashwords. The sales price with the coupon is $2.24. Grab them for yourself or your friends! All formats are available. If you have a kindle, order the mobi file.

Click on the titles below to go to the Smashwords Sales Page. 
Also available for $2.99 at other major online booksellers. Thank you!

   Dangerous Sanctuary                                             Deadly Undertaking

      Coupon Code KW65J                                           Coupon code AS94U

Presidents Day USA, Florida, Writers Chatroom Writers Challenge

Mt. Rushmore--Image courtesy of samandale / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Presidents Day is today, February 17, 2014. Officially it is known as George Washington's birthday, (which is actually February 22, but the federal government wanted a 3 day weekend, so the Monday close to his birthday is his day now.) 

Growing up in central Illinois, the Land of Lincoln, I think Abe Lincoln's February birthday on the 12th gets overlooked. Do you share a birthday close to a holiday? Like my aunt's birthday was December 24, so she usually got a Christmas gift OR a birthday gift or ONE gift to cover both the holiday and her birthday. I always felt bad for her. Or how about the person who was born on December 31? One party for New Years AND her birthday just doesn't seem fair.

I doubt Abe is bothered by the federal birthday holiday for George. Afterall most folks call it President's Day  recognizing those who served as presidents or at least honoring the office of the President of the USA.

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Weeki Wachee River at Linda Pedersen Park near Spring Hill, FL

My brother-in-law visited over the weekend. He was happy to get out of the freezing Northern regions of the USA and kind of warm up in Florida. We had cold nights and mid 60's days while he was here. The day we took him to the airport, it finally hit the 70's and was a gorgeous day. Isn't that the way it goes? We had a great time together and enjoyed giving him a glimpse of the snowbird life. 

Hopefully a few of these photos will warm up your fingers and toes in the snowy areas of the country. 

Anclote Gulf County Park near Tarpon Springs, FL

Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico

 

I've been pretty faithful in working on my Work in Progress during the Writers Chatroom Writers Challenge of writing 1500 words a day, well that is, until this long weekend... I have not reached the 1500 words a day, but I'm still happy to have revised scenes and then work on from there. Every hundred words means I have more of the story down than I had at the beginning of the month. Plus I am finding my way now that I have written the 15th chapter. It's exciting to see the story take shape. 
Go to the TWC discussion board/forum for more info on the TWC Writers Challenge.

Wishing you all a fantastic week! What are you all up to this week?

Insecure Writers Support Group Post, The Writer's Chatroom Writers Challenge, Word Count

It's the first Wednesday of the month so it must be time for a post from all the folks in the Insecure Writers Support Group. (IWSG)

What is IWSG? Founder of IWSG and author Alex J Cavanaugh explains the group's purpose is

"to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!"

After visiting here, please take time to hop over to other blogs and hear their voices. You can find the list of participants at Alex's IWSG page.  

Check out the new IWSG Website for great writing tips.  

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Word Count or Scene Count?



I am very aware of my daily word count this month because the first Writer's Chatroom Writer's Challenge has begun! During the entire month of February, Audrey Shaffer and the gang at TWC challenge writers to pen 42,000 words by the end of the month. That's 1500 words a day. It's not a novel writing challenge like Nano, but rather writers can work on all kinds of projects to get their word count. Of course writing stories, novels, poems are at the top of the list, but a writer can also revise pages and count that writing as well. One page of revision equals 100 words. Book reviews and more can be included. Lots of stuff that we writers do every day, but probably don't think about it as actual writing. (No, sorry no grocery lists allowed.) If you're interested in joining it's not too late. Go to the TWC discussion board/forum to find out more.

I never base my productivity on how many words I get down on the page, but rather how many chapters or scenes I have completed. I don't care if it takes me 600 words or 1200 words to complete the picture in my head.

If I dwell on making it to 1500 words, it would drive me crazy. I just write till the story or the scene is told. How about you?

If we don't make the 42000 words by the end of February, I don't think our laptops will lock up or our hair fall will out, but we may appreciate our daily job as writers a little more and flesh out that story idea or work-in-progress. And wow, what a great excuse to eat more chocolate!!

Thanks for stopping by today. Come back tomorrow when award winning author and guru for writers, Carolyn Howard-Johnson, will be here to share about "Editing is Marketing" and give away her e-book, The Frugal Editor, to one commenter.

Tootin MY Own Horn at the Writers Chatroom Blog

 

I am a guest on The Writers Chatroom blog this week--Tootin' Your Own Horn is
the topic. If you are looking to be a published author or are newly published, this may be a cautionary tale for you. I bet you could add some advice for writers in the comment section at
http://writerschatroom.blogspot.com/

The Writers Chatroom offers chats every Wednesday night from 8-10 pm. During the
first hour we discuss a topic, then watch out for the next wild and crazy hour
after that. A well-known guest author is featured every Sunday night 7-9 pm.
You're all invited to drop in anytime.

Writing Friends and Family

Muse It Up Publishing

I just read a fantastic post on Gail Branan's blog, Flowers on the Fence.  She begins one  post with

Flowers on the Fence Country is big. It expands to include anyplace wherein resides one of my special flowers. It encompasses Malta, New Jersey, California, New Zealand, Canada, Scotland, England.

This talented writer is telling us how her world has expanded by meeting so many writers through her journey of writing and publishing.


This is exactly how I feel. My world is so much bigger after I turned to writing full time. I have met people from all over the world on writer's blogs, forums and chats. What marvelous technology brings these folks together. Amazing close relationships, sharing and caring occur between strangers who have never physically met, and yet their hearts join across the miles. Without even hearing them speak...only through their words online, they become important to us.


The clever, caring, intelligent authors and staff at Muse It Up Publishing are members of a very special sorority/fraternity who are helpful and generous. I am amazed at each of their talents, not only with the gift of painting word pictures and meaningful thoughts, but with their sense of humor and unselfish support of each other. I am proud to be associated with them and thrilled to call them my friends. 

The Writers Chatroom

Every Wednesday and Sunday evening I have the opportunity to connect with writers at the Writers Chatroom. Audrey Shaffer is dedicated to offering this platform for writers to learn about the publishing, marketing, ins and outs of this complicated industry. (Watch out though, she gets out the whip to keep this rowdy bunch in line.) We laugh and commiserate through fast-paced remarks and thoughtful comments. The page rolls fast when we are on a Wednesday night topic 8 pm- 10 pm Eastern. Audrey showcases a published author every Sunday evening 7 pm-9 pm Eastern. Joining in here is like being part of a family...yeah, including those bratty big brothers and wild and crazy sisters. You're invited to join in on the fun and learn a LOT about the writing business.


My life has been enriched by the folks I have met through these opportunities. What a delight to be a writer!

Sound the Trumpets! Sunshine Boulevard Releases Today!!

Sound the trumpets! Sunshine Boulevard marches onto the world-wide stage of e-books today! Muse It Up Publishing releases this mystery/horror with humor e-book March 1, 2011, along with a great line-up of books full of interesting stories sure to intrigue and tantalize all readers.

I want to thank so many people who have helped me along this journey to reach the title of "published author." From my grandmother, Ma, to my sister-in-law, Sandy, who encouraged me to write as far back as when I was in high school. After selling our retail floral and greenhouse business, I screwed up my courage to ask our regional newspaper editor, Rich, if he would be interested in some ideas I had for articles for the paper.  When I turned in my first one, he actually ran it in the paper with my byline. Thanks, Rich, and the staff at the Times-Indicator! 

Through the years editors, my writing group who meets at the library, and writers online such as Audrey Shaffer and the gang at The Writers Chatroom and Lea Schizas' free Muse Online Writers Conference have provided valuable information and encouragement. The welcoming, warm authors and editors at Muse It Up Publishing have shepherded me through the process of editing and answered so many questions from this newbie novelist with patience and humor. I am blessed to have my daughters and husband walking this new path with me. Thank you Sara, Lee Ann, and Ted.

It is my pleasure and great honor to offer you, my readers, this entertaining, quick read for you to enjoy. Thank you!

Sunshine Boulevard is available at Muse It Up Publishing bookstore, amazon.com, bn.com, and e-book retailers online.