Kick Up Your Creativity
(posted 9.14.04) Creativity and refilling the well are two things that go hand and hand. And while we sometimes feel indestructible as we are driving toward our writing goals, our mind and our creativity do force us to slow down and smell the roses.It's hard to decide when a break is needed to refill the well or when we are just procrastinating. By nature I'm a lazy person who likes short cuts so when I feel the need to take a break I am cautious. But I also know that refilling the well is the only way to stretch my mind, my creativity and my writing.Since I'm fond of lists, here are five things you can do this summer that will refill your creative well.

1. Move your office outside. This can be a very noisy choice so choose your spot carefully. Then set up shop. If you don't have a lap top computer or alpha smart then write on a pad of paper.
   
   Why this works--moving outside broadens your thinking outside of the four walls of your office. The sight, scent and feel of the outdoors are different too. When you feel the sun on your skin, the breeze in your hair and listen to the sounds of crickets, birds and cars you remember to bring these details to the page. Please note that this might only apply to those who are fortunate enough to live in lovely Florida or San Diego. For those of you in Oslo and New York and such, consider a quiet cafe, or even the library. A change does everyone good.
   Go to a movie. Pick something outside of your normal milieu. If you love romantic comedies, then check out the latest thriller or sci-fi flick.
   
   Why this works--seeing a movie that doesn’t have all of your favorite elements makes you more aware of story elements. And sparks new ideas for the type of story you like to tell.
   Read. It's something that we simply don't have time for any more now that we are pursuing a career in writing. But taking the time to read really challenges the writer in us.
   
   Why this works--it's always easier to spot flaws in the writing when it's someone else. But this is really helpful because you might read something that challenges you to become a better writer. You might end up reading a book that is so good it makes you realize where you want to go as a writer.
   Socialize. Getting out of your writing cave and talking to other people provides a great spark.
   
   Why this works--talking to other people gives you some ideas outside of the world of your own mind. It's interesting to get other's take on current events or even just daily life. **Try to do this with friends who aren't writers.
   
2. Stop reading email. Email is a great tool for keeping in touch with people in other parts of the country and for keeping up to the minute on all the news and gossip in our industry.
   
   Why this works--too much information is a bad thing too. Sometimes it can cause you to lust after things that aren't important to you or harm your writing confidence. Monitor your reactions to email and determine if reading on your loops makes you feel good or frustrated. If you feel frustrated then stop reading them for a while.

Romance in the Real World
(posted 10.09.03)

Recently one of my novels was the subject of an article titled "Sexual Harassment or Romance?" The article was very well written and brought up an important topic. When does romance and the fantasy we are portraying cross the line of what is acceptable? I'm by no means an expert in the field of harassment, but I wanted to take this opportunity to offer my thoughts.I read romance novels for the escape from the everyday stresses of my life,-job, children, car pool, church group, etc. Romance offers me the chance to meet someone exciting and new and fall in love all over again, figuratively speaking. I like the feeling you get when you realize that the hero of the book is going to break the heroine's heart and I love it when he gets down on his knees and apologizes for it later. In essence this is why I read romance. For that emotional punch at the end of the book.Specifically, my book "SOME KIND OF INCREDIBLE" deals with a boss/secretary romance. Now, I've been a secretary for 15 years. I've worked for both men and women, some of them very attractive, but never once was I tempted to put my career on the line for an office romance. I know a lot of people who have gotten together at work. I met my husband on the job, so the premise of a workplace romance was one that appealed to me. The thing is, in fiction, especially romance fiction where you are guaranteed a happy ending, you can take license with certain things that wouldn't be true in every day life. For example, I truly believe a man caught between the woman he loves and doing his job well would consider firing her. I had my hero think this very thing, not because he's a jerk, but because he's a man. For the record I think a woman in the same situation would entertain the same thoughts. The line between romance and reality is a fine one. The main difference is in romance you are guaranteed a happy ending. I personally believe we should have one in real life, but unfortunately, that's not always the way it works out.

Making the most of your Editor/Agent Appointment, by Katherine Garbera
(posted 7.07.03)

• Relax and smileIntroduce yourselfGive her your characters Goal/Motivation/Conflict (see below)Talk about the conflict (see below)Don't use their names, the editor won't remember instead use tags--single mom, Italian construction workerBe prepared to answer her questions about your writingRefer to your notes if you need toIt's okay to say, I'm nervous!
• Shake her hand and thank her for her time

What you need to know about your story before your appointment...

• For Heroine:
  • What does she want (GOAL)Why does she want it (Motivation)
  • Whycan't she have it (Conflict)
  For Hero:
  • What does he want (GOAL)Why does he want it (Motivation)
  • Why can't he have it (Conflict)
  For Your Plot:
  • Then how do they break apart?
  • How do they get back together?
  For AGENTS I'd also ask these questions:
  • What is your relationship with Silhouette (or whatever house you are interested in selling to)?What is your process with your clients? Specifically when do you return calls, how long does ittake you to turn around a project once it's submitted, do you give creative input?What can you do to "grow" an author?
  • What are your expectations of an author and what can she expect in return from you?

  These questions I would ask in a one-on-one appointment if I wasn't pitching a project.

  For EDITORS I'd also ask these questions:
  • Your tips sheet says that you like to grow authors (Silhouette's does) how do you do this?Though this project features a cowboy hero/romantic comedy premise, etc I have other projects that don't. Will this be a problem?I noticed Silhouette does a lot of special series in their lines. Are those closed to new authors or can I submit an idea to one of them?
  • I really love to read your line and these authors are my favorites (only say this if it's true and you've actually read a book recently that you can name title and author). This isn't a question more of a tip but it can really show an editor that you've done your research.
• Also if I was in a group appointment, I'd sit in the middle of the group. That way I can get an idea of what works for the agent/editor I'm pitching to. I can watch the way he/she reacts to the writer who has already pitched and adjust my pitch accordingly.

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