Angela Wilson's Posts - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T07:02:21ZAngela Wilsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/awilson400https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/60987223?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://crimespace.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=awilson400&xn_auth=noMarketing Blog for Authorstag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-11-30:537324:BlogPost:1694592008-11-30T16:12:50.000ZAngela Wilsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/awilson400
For years, I've been doling out free advice to authors on marketing, PR and promotions. Now, I've taken my knowledge to the blogosphere.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://askangelawilson.com">AskAngelaWilson.com</a> is a place where authors can ask questions - and get answers. There are columns on creating marketing plans, virtual tours and more.<br />
<br />
Check out the site. Visit <a href="http://www.askangelawilson.com">www.askangelawilson.com</a>. Support the site via the PayPal Tip Jar, or by shopping the Ask Angela…
For years, I've been doling out free advice to authors on marketing, PR and promotions. Now, I've taken my knowledge to the blogosphere.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://askangelawilson.com">AskAngelaWilson.com</a> is a place where authors can ask questions - and get answers. There are columns on creating marketing plans, virtual tours and more.<br />
<br />
Check out the site. Visit <a href="http://www.askangelawilson.com">www.askangelawilson.com</a>. Support the site via the PayPal Tip Jar, or by shopping the Ask Angela virtual store.<br />
<br />
Enjoy! Feedback encouraged.<br />
<br />
~ AngelaJoin the Pop Syndicate Virtual Book Tourtag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-13:537324:BlogPost:1238562008-02-13T15:14:05.000ZAngela Wilsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/awilson400
Hey writers!<br/><br/><a href="http://www.popsyndicate.com">Pop Syndicate</a> is now a virtual book blog tour host. I am incredibly excited to be able to introduce authors to the more than 210,000 monthly viewers of our site. Authors who would like to participate can contact me directly at authorangelawilson (AT) gmail (DOT) com.<br/><br/><br/>Thanks! And happy promoting!<br/><br/><br/>
Hey writers!<br/><br/><a href="http://www.popsyndicate.com">Pop Syndicate</a> is now a virtual book blog tour host. I am incredibly excited to be able to introduce authors to the more than 210,000 monthly viewers of our site. Authors who would like to participate can contact me directly at authorangelawilson (AT) gmail (DOT) com.<br/><br/><br/>Thanks! And happy promoting!<br/><br/><br/>Take the Marketing Polltag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-11-30:537324:BlogPost:989422007-11-30T00:21:20.000ZAngela Wilsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/awilson400
I'm currently working on a promotions book for authors. Part of the book will include a Q&A section with answers to author questions. <br/><br/>To supplement, I've created a marketing poll at <a href="http://www.angelawilson.net">www.angelawilson.net</a>. If you have time, check it out - and email your top three marketing questions.<br/><br/>Thanks!<br/><br/>Angela Wilson<br/>www.angelawilson.net<br/><br/>
I'm currently working on a promotions book for authors. Part of the book will include a Q&A section with answers to author questions. <br/><br/>To supplement, I've created a marketing poll at <a href="http://www.angelawilson.net">www.angelawilson.net</a>. If you have time, check it out - and email your top three marketing questions.<br/><br/>Thanks!<br/><br/>Angela Wilson<br/>www.angelawilson.net<br/><br/>Great booktag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-08:537324:BlogPost:533702007-07-08T03:15:28.000ZAngela Wilsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/awilson400
<p>Am reading <em>Open Me</em>, the debut novel from Sunshine O'Donnell. Oh man, is it great. O'Donnell tackles the cult of wailers - professional weeping women hired to "mourn" at the funerals of the rich and famous. She successfully pairs fact with fiction in a really great read.</p>
<p>Not everyone can do that.</p>
<p>This book is great for book groups. It's got incredible emotional abuse of children, legislative documents and quotes from wailing training manuals that will curl your…</p>
<p>Am reading <em>Open Me</em>, the debut novel from Sunshine O'Donnell. Oh man, is it great. O'Donnell tackles the cult of wailers - professional weeping women hired to "mourn" at the funerals of the rich and famous. She successfully pairs fact with fiction in a really great read.</p>
<p>Not everyone can do that.</p>
<p>This book is great for book groups. It's got incredible emotional abuse of children, legislative documents and quotes from wailing training manuals that will curl your toes.</p>
<p>This isn't my typical fair. I'm a crime girl, but something about this book reaches out and grabs you, ya know? There are elements in here that just stick with you - the abuse of these children, children abandoned because they couldn't cry on Q, cult-like isolation and goddess worship.</p>
<p>Check it out.</p>Want to review?tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-08:537324:BlogPost:533652007-07-08T03:10:16.000ZAngela Wilsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/awilson400
Searching for book critics. If you are interested, shoot me a PM, along with a sample of a previous review (could be something from Amazon.com).
Searching for book critics. If you are interested, shoot me a PM, along with a sample of a previous review (could be something from Amazon.com).CSI Miami: The Death of Realitytag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-03:537324:BlogPost:520952007-07-03T02:23:51.000ZAngela Wilsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/awilson400
<p><em><font size="1">Allow me to preface this post: I do not like Miami. It just happens to be on right now. Again. For the forth time. Or fifth. I've lost count. And how do I know since I hate this cheesy segment of the CSI series? I don't know. That's scary.</font></em></p>
<p>On the oft rerun episode of CSI MIAMI tonight (Boavista's sista is kidnapped), the lab had a DNA comparison in less than 60 seconds.</p>
<p>All I have to say about this is ....…</p>
<p></p>
<p><em><font size="1">Allow me to preface this post: I do not like Miami. It just happens to be on right now. Again. For the forth time. Or fifth. I've lost count. And how do I know since I hate this cheesy segment of the CSI series? I don't know. That's scary.</font></em></p>
<p>On the oft rerun episode of CSI MIAMI tonight (Boavista's sista is kidnapped), the lab had a DNA comparison in less than 60 seconds.</p>
<p>All I have to say about this is ....</p>
<p><font size="7"><strong>HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA</strong></font></p>
<p>That so does not happen. That is about as bad as when Vegas (which I LUV, thanks to Grissam) did a plaster of paris mold of a knife wound in a body.</p>
<p>The poor public thinks this is reality. Bless their pea pickin' little hearts.</p>Critique Me Updatetag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-03:537324:BlogPost:520902007-07-03T02:14:01.000ZAngela Wilsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/awilson400
<p>Critique groups are funny business. I've been in two, one successfully (well, at least at first), and the other, well, let's just say it didn't go so great.</p>
<p>I want to have a group of writers I can trust, but where to find them, I'm not certain anymore.</p>
<p>What makes a good group for writers? Well, maybe I should touch on the things that are not so cool.</p>
<ul>
<li>People you can't trust. I'm not just talking copycats. I'm talking about those people you meet that the pit of your…</li>
</ul>
<p>Critique groups are funny business. I've been in two, one successfully (well, at least at first), and the other, well, let's just say it didn't go so great.</p>
<p>I want to have a group of writers I can trust, but where to find them, I'm not certain anymore.</p>
<p>What makes a good group for writers? Well, maybe I should touch on the things that are not so cool.</p>
<ul>
<li>People you can't trust. I'm not just talking copycats. I'm talking about those people you meet that the pit of your gut tells you to stay away - for whatever reason. (Typically, it's a good reason. Don't stick around to find out.)</li>
<li>Mean-spirited turds who want to make everyone else believe they suck as writers. Yeah, I've dealt with some of those. If you want to get into the psychology of these people, it's the same as those you meet in the workplace who try to keep you from succeeding. They are terrified that you are better than they are, therefore, they must do all they can to sabatoge your confidence and purposefully give you bad advice. (In my humble opinion, of course.)</li>
<li>Age differences. In my last critique group, I found that age differences caused problems when people would read some work. (I personally experienced this on a romantic short story in written in the Bridget Jones vein.) Unaware of the Miss Brig generation, and still thinking in terms of story archs from 30+ years ago, these folks offered little in creative development and frankly, just didn't want to know what was new, different and exciting in the particular genre today. Yeah, like 21st century today.</li>
<li>Inconsistency. Irregular meeting times, people who don't get their online critiques done on time. (Sure, sometimes life happens, but it should not interfere every week. If it does, take a sabatical, K?) You must have consistency.</li>
<li>Wannabees. They lurk in every corner, at conferences, book stores, book signings, writing group meetings. These folks talk about being writers. They wannabe a writer when they grow up. They are 80 years old and, after 20 years, are still organizing their office to write. They can offer nothing significant other than their <em>woe-is-mes</em> on how they just can't seem to get their life together to finish that first novel.</li>
</ul>
<p>Now, I live in a rural area where people don't know the definition of "author." (No joke. The concept is so foreign to them, their eyes begin to glaze over when you mention visits to the library.) Where to find serious writers for feedback? Online. Been there. Done it. Willing to try again if I find the right mix of people.</p>
<p>I had a great group once before, when I lived in southern Missouri. We had a consistent sked, honest feedback and trustworthy participants. Well, at least until the turds in #2 came along. Then, we had to dismantle because people did not want to share their work anymore.</p>
<p>Our group tried it online, but life got in the way, and the short vacation we took in December has taken on monumental proportions. (i.e., I doubt we can get it together again after all this time.)</p>
<p>I know there are some great writers out there - writers who could give me honest, edgy feedback on my work. Where to find them? Well, I'm still searching...</p>
<p><font size="2">Original post at <a href="http://angelawilson.typepad.com/wickedwordsmith/2006/11/critique_me.html">http://angelawilson.typepad.com/wickedwordsmith/2006/11/critique_me.html</a></font></p>Book Reviewstag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-23:537324:BlogPost:503032007-06-23T01:32:25.000ZAngela Wilsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/awilson400
<p>A few changes at PopSyndicate.com. You, your publisher or publicist can now send books directly to me for review on our site. Just shoot me a message and I'll get you my address.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for sending over your work!</p>
<p>A few changes at PopSyndicate.com. You, your publisher or publicist can now send books directly to me for review on our site. Just shoot me a message and I'll get you my address.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for sending over your work!</p>Intensity Part II: The Epiphany That Took Too Longtag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-13:537324:BlogPost:481702007-06-13T12:51:28.000ZAngela Wilsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/awilson400
<p>I was commenting on Amanda Stevens' blog about dolls when the windows of my brain finally clicked together into something that is so obvious, it's embarassing that it took me so long to put it together.</p>
<p>It's not so much that I didn't know what I was thinking. It was a matter of putting it into perspective - a good example to illustrate what I'm thinking.</p>
<p>Recently, I told you that many books I've reviewed have lacked the intensity expected in thrillers. I've been disappointed…</p>
<p>I was commenting on Amanda Stevens' blog about dolls when the windows of my brain finally clicked together into something that is so obvious, it's embarassing that it took me so long to put it together.</p>
<p>It's not so much that I didn't know what I was thinking. It was a matter of putting it into perspective - a good example to illustrate what I'm thinking.</p>
<p>Recently, I told you that many books I've reviewed have lacked the intensity expected in thrillers. I've been disappointed several times in the past - even before I added book critic to my resume - by books labeled thrillers that were a far cry from thrilling.</p>
<p>When I was little, I watched the <em>Twilight Zone</em> - both reruns on Sunday afternoons and the second generation show that lasted maybe half a season. I watched Tales from the Crypt and creepy movies like <em>The Omen</em>. I also watched Freddy Krueger cut people up during all-girls sleepovers when I was in elementary school.</p>
<p>Freddy was gross. Period. Oh, there were a few good bumps and thumps that had me jumping in my seat. But that's it. Once the movie was over, it was done.</p>
<p>Then, there was the TZ where a porcelain doll came alive at night to murder people. Never showed anything. No blood. No gore. Just close up shots of the doll's face with intense music reminiscent of a Hitchcock film.</p>
<p>Scare. Me. Silly.</p>
<p>It wasn't the lack of gore so much as the attack on my imagination. Without knowing details, my brain filled in the blanks with the most horrific things I could think of - and a few more after that.</p>
<p>These shows never gave away the twist until the final 30 seconds. The entire time these shows were running, my brain was batting ideas back and forth as to how things happened and who would die next and who might or might not be behind the craziness. I could not move from my seat until the very end. I couldn't miss a minute - I might miss something important.</p>
<p>Like in film, authors who withhold information from readers create intensity and tension. Engaging their brains in the mystery your character is in adds to the drama; the readers create their <em>own</em> suspicions and tension and conflict by trying to figure out Whodunit with the protagonist.</p>
<p>If you get stuck, watch some incredibly suspenseful films and TV shows and see if that sparks some creativity in the intensity department. If you do film, best ones are the old ones - before Hollywood wowed us with their Hershey's chocolate blood baths. (I still can't believe chocolate looks like blood on screen.) Vincent Price, Bella Lagosi (probably spelled wrong). Go to Universal Films' Web site. They have all the old Draculas and Frankensteins and Mummys. Find creepy movies that don't show a thing. Get recommendations from friends and sites like Flixster.</p>
<p>And have a Hitchcock library handy. He was the ultimate storyteller. Read up on what he believed made a good story.</p>Intensitytag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-12:537324:BlogPost:477562007-06-12T00:40:25.000ZAngela Wilsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/awilson400
<p>I keep receiving thrillers for review that lack intensity. You know, that spark, flare, flash, heart-stopping, nail-biting, can't-stop-turning-the-pages feel of a great thriller novel.</p>
<p>It's not that the books aren't good. They are. (Well, for the most part.) But they lack that fundamental element that makes a thriller, well, thrilling.</p>
<p>I'm seeing a lot of POV shifts - too many within a scene that causes confusion. I'm seeing stabs at omniscient POV. Unfortunately, the…</p>
<p>I keep receiving thrillers for review that lack intensity. You know, that spark, flare, flash, heart-stopping, nail-biting, can't-stop-turning-the-pages feel of a great thriller novel.</p>
<p>It's not that the books aren't good. They are. (Well, for the most part.) But they lack that fundamental element that makes a thriller, well, thrilling.</p>
<p>I'm seeing a lot of POV shifts - too many within a scene that causes confusion. I'm seeing stabs at omniscient POV. Unfortunately, the fly-on-the-wall perspective keeps emotional distance between the reader and the characters. I recently read a book labeled a legal thriller where you knew from the get-go who was behind what and where. It was kind of disappointing.</p>
<p>What's up with publishers and editors? I know there are great thrillers out there. Koontz is (for the most part) a home run in that department. Stephen White, Ridley Pearson... Even Janet Evanovich creates suspense with Stephanie Plum's will-she-or-won't-she romances and hilarious plots.</p>
<p>It's possible to create suspense and tension and <em>intensity</em>. But I'm just not seeing it in the majority of books sent my way. Has there been a fundamental shift in the thriller genre of which I'm not aware? (OMG. Is that proper English in a blog?!?!?!?!?!?!?!)</p>
<p> </p>Excuses, Excusestag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-05:537324:BlogPost:461632007-06-05T14:27:24.000ZAngela Wilsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/awilson400
<p>I haven't written a word on my novel in nearly four weeks. Oh, I've thought about said novel. I've written down twists and places that need reformatting. But I have yet to tackle the dreaded scene that haunts me.</p>
<p>I got hung up on POV based on some comments from a critique group. Now, all I can see is POV. I can no longer see the story.</p>
<p>Then, I started a new job. I work weird hours, but the character generation potential is awesome. I broke a tooth, and I mourn the loss of Cape…</p>
<p>I haven't written a word on my novel in nearly four weeks. Oh, I've thought about said novel. I've written down twists and places that need reformatting. But I have yet to tackle the dreaded scene that haunts me.</p>
<p>I got hung up on POV based on some comments from a critique group. Now, all I can see is POV. I can no longer see the story.</p>
<p>Then, I started a new job. I work weird hours, but the character generation potential is awesome. I broke a tooth, and I mourn the loss of Cape Cod Veggie Tortilla chips and pineapple/peach salsa. I piddle with rearranging furniture and searching for odds and ends in the closet to have something appropriate to wear to work (men have it so easy with a tie and black slacks).</p>
<p>But it's all excuses. I need to sit my butt down and write. I was really going when I was with a critique group in SPFDMO. But then I moved and got with an online group that didn't quite do it for me. I miss the interaction with other writers - in person, with java and chocolate and sushi afterward. I'm feeling deprived.</p>
<p>Still, not an excuse.</p>
<p>So guys, kick me in the patootie and get me in gear again. This thriller ain't gonna write itself.</p>You Can't Help But Laugh...tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-01:537324:BlogPost:452332007-06-01T01:20:15.000ZAngela Wilsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/awilson400
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/70735680?profile=original=?width=300"/></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/70735680?profile=original=?width=300"/></p>Dos and Don’ts of Chatting with Book Reviewerstag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-05-29:537324:BlogPost:447772007-05-29T13:18:38.000ZAngela Wilsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/awilson400
<p>Being a book reviewer is tough work.</p>
<p>At least for me.</p>
<p>Not only am I an avid reader, but I also write fiction. When I go into a story, I’m searching for not only what works as a reader, but what works as a writer. And when dealing with authors, I’m thinking as a reviewer as well as a writer.</p>
<p>Writers are notoriously sensitive, so when I have to give a harsh review, it’s not easy. But it has to be done. Writers must have thick skins in this business. After all, the biz is…</p>
<p>Being a book reviewer is tough work.</p>
<p>At least for me.</p>
<p>Not only am I an avid reader, but I also write fiction. When I go into a story, I’m searching for not only what works as a reader, but what works as a writer. And when dealing with authors, I’m thinking as a reviewer as well as a writer.</p>
<p>Writers are notoriously sensitive, so when I have to give a harsh review, it’s not easy. But it has to be done. Writers must have thick skins in this business. After all, the biz is filled with rejection from agents, publishers and, sometimes, readers. That’s why I don’t charge for reviews. You must show you are objective and accepting cash from a writer just doesn’t work. (Critiquing is a different story, but that is a topic for another day.) I think, overall, I have a pretty thick skin. I worked as a journalist for 10 years before hitting the marketing/PR market and freelancing as a writer, reviewer, blogger and podcaster. That helped. A lot.</p>
<p>But not everyone has that experience. And not everyone understands the "proper" ways to communicate with the people who will pen views on their work – just like many people don’t know the proper, professional ways to talk to journalists. (Like the woman who breast fed her baby while I interviewed her. Nice boob, lady. Too bad I didn’t have a photograph of it for the article.)</p>
<p>And that is where I truly begin.</p>
<p>Recently, I reviewed a book for PopSyndicate.com. Hidden within the pages of this novel was a fantastic idea. But it was difficult to find in the misspellings, poor grammar, clichés and awkward structure. I felt terrible, because I really saw the potential in this novel, but I had to write the review true to the book. I’m writing for the readers as well, and avid readers can smell a cranked up review. I made certain to give the novel kudos for the things done right before really hitting it hard. The author emailed me with a very nice letter thanking me for my honest review. He said he was putting the second part through the editorial process and was very pleased with it. He asked if I would review that installment as well. I accepted. I truly cannot wait to see what happens – and I’m eager to see his style evolve with some guidance. This gentleman was amazingly graceful in his email. I was so thankful the review did not put him off course, but instead strengthened his resolve to learn the craft. It was a fabulous exchange.</p>
<p>That same week, I received an email from someone who approached me about reviewing their work. They mentioned that if it is a bad review, they hoped it would not appear on the Internet. And this is not the first time that has happened.</p>
<p>Uh, hello, I am a reviewer. I have to tell it like it is. I did not respond to this email, because I didn’t know what to say. I understand this author’s trepidation, but again, you must have thick skin to be in this business.</p>
<p>I once saw an author refute a particularly nasty review of her work on Amazon.com. Now, I’m not saying that she didn’t have a point to make, but it’s better you leave it be instead of starting a slam fest. People who don’t know your work will remember the bitter exchange of words, rather than the true nature of your novel. Call a friend or fellow writer and vent your frustrations at this dope head to who obviously had zero appreciation of your novel. (I’m sure some do that to me. In fact, I can feel my ears burning right now.)</p>
<p>I’ve had people become impatient when their reviews don’t appear in what they deem a timely fashion. The fact is, I have a backlog of books and have to reprioritize every time I receive a mailing. I put the pre-reviews first. Books already published go to the backburner until all premies are completed. Since that never happens, I try to squeeze in something already published in between dates.</p>
<p>That’s the nature of the beast – at least for me. Some authors have been great about simply asking what’s up, but others are pushy, antagonistic, and down right rude in their emails. Think that kind of attitude makes a reviewer want to get to your work with eagerness?*</p>
<p>Then there are technical difficulties. Sometimes they keep blogs or podcasts from appearing in a timely fashion. Some podcasts I did in February are still not posted simply because they refuse to go up. A few of them worked, but the rest? Blah! Technology at its finest, right? But as soon as whatever the problem may be is fixed, those will go up. Promise. And sometimes reviewers – like me – get bogged down in the details and it’s difficult to follow up. I still have interviews to mail out to authors from a February conference, but it just has not happened. I moved, started a new gig and, on the few days I remembered, simply forgot. Totally not like me, but it all fell in a time when life was in flux. Did I remember to buy CDs to burn the interviews? Nope. I certainly did not. If it ain’t on a Post It, it ain’t happenin’.</p>
<p>All this to say, give reviewers a break. And before you send snarky emails, or a missive that shows your insecurities, type it in Word and save it to your computer. Turn off said computer until the next day, when you should read it. See if you really want to send it off. If so, then do. If not, be thankful you didn’t the night before. Remember: Not everyone is going to love you. It’s simply not possible. There will always be those out there who are not happy with anything, who compare your current work with the most impressive of your past, or who are just tired of the genre and your book happens to be the last one they get to before changing up their reading patterns.</p>
<p>Believe in yourself. Know that you rock. Take reviews in stride. Look at them objectively – have friends do it, too – and see what you learn from them. You never know when something will strike you in a way that makes your next work even more powerful.</p>
<p>*This is not to say that it is inappropriate to ask if the reviewer has received the book, or send an initial email about what the reviewer thought about the book, or when the review might appear. I don’t mind these emails at all. They are perfectly acceptable to me. You can even send a few if it’s been a few months. Just keep it cool and professional and understand that priorities change.</p>
<p><em>I hope I don't come as a snob in this post. I really want to writers who just need some gentle guidance. Of course, gentle isn't much in my nature - which is probably why I'm still single. =0)</em></p>The Newbie Speakstag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-05-27:537324:BlogPost:442802007-05-27T22:18:36.000ZAngela Wilsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/awilson400
<p>I started a new job a few weeks ago, so I cut myself some slack on writing. During my lunch break - <em>typically at Wendy's since the 99 cent menu is all I can afford thanks to gas-gauging</em> - I have some time to focus my thoughts on my characters and plot and where it's going.</p>
<p>Of course, those notes are great when I sit back down at the computer, but time away takes its toll - especially on a story like mine. I have a lot of twists I want to pack into the pages to give readers a…</p>
<p>I started a new job a few weeks ago, so I cut myself some slack on writing. During my lunch break - <em>typically at Wendy's since the 99 cent menu is all I can afford thanks to gas-gauging</em> - I have some time to focus my thoughts on my characters and plot and where it's going.</p>
<p>Of course, those notes are great when I sit back down at the computer, but time away takes its toll - especially on a story like mine. I have a lot of twists I want to pack into the pages to give readers a punch to the gut that they don't see coming. I have to mentally kick into high gear when I sit down at the computer to get into it. Of course, about that time the story takes an unexpected twist - <em>those darn characters going their own way again</em> - or those wonderful Missouri thunderstorms suddenly appear and I have to hurry up and shut down and unplug before lightning takes away my precious, wonderful laptop, which has a battery that only lasts three seconds so I cannot work through the storm.</p>
<p>It's been a bit of a trial, but I must plug away. I must, I must, I must. I have a goal to have the final draft ready by December. I'm nearly half way finished right now, but it's first blush. You know what <em>that</em> means. Lots of editing in store.</p>
<p>But you know what? It's all good. The story is moving along. I'm surprised by some of the twists that are coming up. That is, twists that will come up if the story keeps moving in this direction. I'm excited about the project and I know it has potential. I can't wait to pitch.</p>
<p>Now, if I can just get it finished...</p>