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Goal-less?

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I have no goals for 2014. How can that be? The new year rings in, and yet – not a one.

Oh, I could put down the obvious to eat better, lose that extra five (maybe 10) pounds I’ve gained post-40, be a bit more patient with my daughters! Writing-wise, I’d like to complete my two contracted stories- one a full-length novel, and a standalone short story – on time.

But what else?

Learn a foreign language? It’s hard enough to remember the day-to-day items these days. (Seriously, on our mini vacation, I nagged my daughters to remember their new iPad chargers, and forgot my own phone charger and fancy shoes). One year I vowed to learn to play guitar. After cutting my nails down super-super short and growing calluses, I decided maybe I didn’t like it so much after all.

One goal I really want to make is finishing the OCC/RWA Book in a Year challenge. I didn’t in 2013. I know, I know. I probably have about 40K written in the YA, with an estimated 50K needed for the first draft. I should be able to get it done. Since it’s my second year going for it, and the umpteenth year I’ve worked on it, you know I want it finished.

There’s also the matter of that publisher who has rejected two of my manuscripts. I need to decide if the third time’s a charm, or accept that maybe my voice is not what they’re looking for. (Plus, I need to submit those other two stories elsewhere. I know they’re good, and they deserve a home.)

As for our particular group of writers, how about a chapter goal? For the past few years, we’ve been flirting with just under 200 members. We’ve done well pulling in some new members, and I love seeing the growing camaraderie. Since I’m a bit of a numbers freak, I’d like to push past that marker.

So what about you? What are your goals for 2014? No matter what, let’s make it a fantastic year!

— Louisa Bacio

http://www.Facebook.com/louisabacio

http://www.Twitter.com/louisabacio

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Special Workshop: “Before You Hit Send” with Angela James

January 2, 2014 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as " Angela James, "Before You Hit Send, Carina Press, OCC/RWA, Special Workshop

Saturday, January 18, 2014

A One-Day workshop Sponsored by OCC/RWA

â€œBefore You Hit Sendâ€

Presented by Angela James

Where: The Embassy Suites â€“ Brea

900 E. Birch St. Brea, CA 92821

When: Saturday, January 18, 2014

Doors Open at 8:30 a.m.

Class Begins at 9:00 a.m.

Lunch* at 12:00 p.m.

Class Resumes at 1:15 p.m.

Class ends at 4:30 p.m.

What: A Self-Editing Workshop

The course, updated and enhanced with new material and information each time itâ€™s offered, will guide you from the basics of self-editing and grammar in a clear, conversational manner with examples, to more advanced topics such as show versus tell and passive voice. Through it all, Angela will be available for clarification and questions in order to help you on your way to a cleaned-up manuscript and understanding the basics of editing your manuscript.

Cost: $55 OCC Chapter Members

$70 All Other Attendees

*The cost includes lunch at the hotel. There is only one meal choice and if you have dietary restrictions, please email lunchorders@occrwa.org

Registration can be done by payment via Paypal. Please visit the OCC/RWA event page. You can also pay by check at the January OCC/RWA meeting.

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Calls for Submission — Happy New Year’s

December 31, 2013 by A Slice of Orange in category Writing tagged as Calls for Submission, Louisa Bacio, OCC/RWA, short story

Start your New Year with some new creativity. Here’s a sampling of recent calls for submissions.

Resolutions

How perfect is this new call from Loose Id? Sometimes, such a teaser causes the perfect stimulation, and my brain’s been tingling with this one.

Every year, millions of people make resolutions for the new year. Most of them fall by the wayside within a few weeks, but what about the ones that don’t? Resolutions is an open collection focusing on what happens in the wake of someone’s New Year’s resolution.

Did they resolve to be more adventurous and meet the hunk of their dreams finally going on that skydiving trip they promised themselves? Did they resolve to compliment at least one stranger a day, and pick the just right day to compliment a down-in-the-dumps billionaire? Did they resolve to buy at least one dress that isn’t black, or a pair of pants that isn’t leather? To try out for The Voice, or the local production of Grease? Did they take their artwork into a gallery? Put their profile on a dating site?

Resolutions features the commitment and the sexily ever after that somehow grows out of it. Anywhere and anyway that the tradition of making resolutions exists, even if it’s a place that only exists in your imagination, a Resolution story could take place. A Resolutions protagonist can be anyone. The sky’s the limit.

Specifics: stories must be at least 30K and preferably not longer than 80K; all genres you can work a New Year’s resolution into will be considered. To be considered for publication as a Resolutions title by the end of 2014, we must have your submission by no later than August 15th, but they can be submitted at any time before that for earlier publication dates. Follow the guidelines below for submitting a proposal, and include “Resolutions” in your email’s subject line.

For more information, visit Loose Id

Science Fiction – East of the Web

We’re seeking imaginative, idea-filled science fiction and fantasy short stories. Stories should be accessible, with strong plots and compelling characters, written with a good knowledge of the science fiction or fantasy canon.

We pay for selected stories starting at $0.05 per word or a mix of an advance and a royalty. Stories should be at least 7,000 words. Stories will be published under a new electronic imprint from East of the Web, one of the world’s leading publishers of short stories.

We encourage the submission of previously published as well as new stories. If you’re looking for a way to make some money from your back catalog or to get those stories in front of new readers, we would like to hear from you.

For more information, visit East of the Web

Love Me Tender

Scandalous Submission call for stories from the 1950s

As you probably know, our regular submission guidelines stop at 1949. We thought it might be fun to see what you creative types could do with some pomade, pencil skirts, and rock-n-roll music, so we invite you to submit a story that takes place anytime from 1950-1959.

Word count 15-20k

Heat level: any

Happy Ever After- please!

Submissions end March 31

For more information, visit Entangled Publishing

Any of these calls sound good? Have one you’re working on?

Until next time,

Louisa Bacio

http://www.Facebook.com/LouisaBacio

http://www.Twitter.com/LouisaBacio

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IT’S NOT PERSONAL, BUT IT SHOULD BE

December 15, 2013 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as business, Craft, the writing process, Writing Goals

This morning I received three emails.

One was from a lady who in Scotland who read one of my books and joined my fan page. She wanted me to know how much she appreciated waking up and finding that I had responded to her messages.

The second was from a man in Australia who sent me a list of things he liked about Silent Witness. He highlighted sentences that he particularly liked, but at the end of his note he said â€œthank you for making Hannah so intelligent.â€

The third was from the woman who wrote me my first fan letter. Weâ€™ve been pen pals for 28 years. Now we communicate on the computer, but every once in a while we still send one another a card, remember birthdays, the holidays and share information on grandchildren (hers since I only have a grand dog).

The point is that what authors do is extremely personal. It begins with our characters. If we donâ€™t feel them in our souls and translate that feeling into words on the page, our books will be enjoyed but not treasured. When we do make that magic happen and a reader reaches out, opening a personal dialogue with them will make a reader into a fan. In some wonderful instances our efforts also create a friend.

Here are my top five rules of engagement:

1) Know the personal history and habits of every character in your book and write as if you live and die with them.

2) When a fan writes, write back with more than a thank you. Acknowledge that you appreciate the time they took to write to you. I am always excited when someone takes the time to read my work; that they go the extra step is like having a cheerleader in my corner. I want them to know that.

3) Start a personal dialogue slowly. There are those fans that would like more of your time than others and those who wish to have a more personal relationship than you might be willing to enter into. It is up to you to set the parameters. For the most part, though, these relationships will be casual, fun and fulfilling for both sides.

4) If a reader contacts you about something in your book that touched them, expound on what got you to that place. For instance, Hostile Witness was inspired by a case my husband handled. As a criminal judge, he sentenced a sixteen-year-old boy to life in adult prison. The character, Hannah, and the plot of that book were based on this experience. It is a bit of personal information that is not too intimate but is interesting to readers.

5) Truly enjoy your interaction with readers, other authors and reviewers. Never look at it as a chore.

We are, perhaps, the luckiest people in the world. Despite the fact that our profession is solitary, the result of our labor is a book that reaches hundreds and sometimes thousands of people. When they reach back, that is the hallmark of success. Embrace real life dialogue; it is part of the joy of writing.

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A Soldier’s Italian Christmas Video Debut by Jina Bacarr

December 11, 2013 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as Amazon, Christmas, Christmas eve, holiday, Italian, Italy, Kindle, military, novella, soldier, sweet romance

UPDATED: A full 11:32 minute excerpt from Chapter ONE of A Soldier’s Italian Christmas!

A Soldier’s Italian Christmas: Excerpt from Chapter One from Jina Bacarr on Vimeo.

A web debut: I just finished this video trailer for my holiday novella. I’m debuting it here!!

â€œA Soldierâ€™s Italian Christmasâ€

Oâ€™Casey Brothers in Arms 1

December 1943

Italy

He is a U.S Army captain, a battle-weary soldier who has lost his faith.

She is a nun, her life dedicated to God.

Together they are going to commit an act the civilized world will not tolerate.

They are about to fall in love.

A Soldier’s Italian Christmas from Jina Bacarr on Vimeo.

Making videos is a labor of love…choosing the photos, the music, editing, cutting, transitions, effects. This one is filled with visuals that I believe bring the story to life in a different way. Giving you a sense of place but it’s the emotion that tells the story…

Words or video. You gotta feel it.

Writers write to tell a story. At Christmas, that story can make you laugh, sigh, or wish you had that hunky Santa coming down your chimney.

My holiday novella takes on a different tone. It’s a sweet romance filled with the spirit of Christmas in a time when soldiers paused to remember the night of the birth of the Christ Child in a time when they wondered if they’d be home for the next Christmas…

Captain Mack O’Casey is one such soldier. You’ll meet him in my video and in this excerpt. He first met Sister Angelina dressed in men’s clothes when she was on a mission to steal food from the Nazis. This is the first time he sees her in a nun’s habit:

He never spoke about it, how sometimes he didnâ€™t want to keep going. Keep killing. And then they stumbled into this place, giving him the chance to renew his spirit, get back the faith in God heâ€™d lost. He felt whole again, believing there was still good left in the world. That knocked the hell out of him. Heâ€™d even whistled a tune this morning he heard in the canteen back in the States about carousels and wishing wells.

Damn, it wasnâ€™t right for a man to feel these things in the middle of a war. It tore at his gut. Men were getting killed or wounded, groveling through mud and booby traps for every foot closer to victory. And him thinking about home and apple blossoms and the smell of spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove. Rich tomatoes and oregano sifting up to his nose until he couldnâ€™t stand it any longer. His younger brothers fighting over who got the first taste from the smooth wooden spoon.

Mack ached to go home, to sit by the fire and warm his cold feet and have a beer, but that wouldnâ€™t happen until this war was won. Hell, since coming here, he felt like he could win it single-handed. Thanks to Sister Angelina. He felt a bond between them that could only happen in wartime. He wanted to tell how he felt, but when he awoke this morning, Sister Benedetto told him sheâ€™d gone to the chapel to pray. He couldnâ€™t leave without seeing her again.

The rustle of heavy skirts alerted him to her presence as a gentle waft of roses tickled his nose. Yellow roses. He sucked in the clean, fresh smell deep into his lungs, praying it would kill the smell of death heâ€™d lived with for so long. A wild anticipation made him sweat and set off feelings he had no business admitting to in a place of worship.

For her.

He uttered a prayer of contrition. He needed forgiveness for what he was thinking. His mind and body scarred and wracked with pain, all that changed when he first saw Sister Angelina that night. Daring, beautiful. An angel with invisible wings. Her presence filled him. Mack felt a stirring in his groin. He prayed heâ€™d be strong enough to resist temptation.

â€œI assure you, Captain,â€ he heard her say behind him. His chest expanded, his lips curved at hearing her voice. â€œThere are no Nazis here.â€

â€œHave you checked the rat holes?â€ he said, turning around. A wild, blinding light hit him in the eyes. My God, who was this saintly creature? He didnâ€™t expect her to, well, look like a nun.

She wore the black habit of her order with the long veil trailing down to her knees, wide white collar, full black sleeves, and skirt down to the floor. A stern white band hugged her forehead, bringing out the beauty of her dark upswept eyes. A rigid tightness locked every bone in his body. The sight of her holy state hit him hard, as if someone had dumped him into a cold river.

He must look like a fool standing here, staring at her.

â€œThey wouldnâ€™t dare enter the house of our Lord without His permission,â€ she responded in a serious tone. If she noticed his surprise, she gave no indication. â€œThat includes the four-legged ones.â€

He grinned. A nun with a sense of humor. He liked that.

Rain pounded on the roof giving him a moment to collect his thoughts. Deal with the insanity that had overtaken him. And, in spite of himself, smile. â€œYouâ€™re right, Sister. No man can compete with the will of God. You taught me that.â€

His words made her take a step backward, grab onto the pew. She understood and nodded, though slowly. His heart broke when he saw an amber light in her eyes flicker wildly. Then, as if by sheer determination, the light dimmed.

â€œYouâ€™re a strong man, Captain,â€ she said, â€œeven if you profess to be a pagan.â€

Her words surprised him. Was that what she thought of him? Had he grown so hard that no humanity was left in him?

â€œYouâ€™re the one who is strong, Sister Angelina. This pagan is made of flesh and bone,â€ he said, keeping his voice calm. â€œI donâ€™t have your courage.â€

He swore her hands trembled before she hid them in the deep pockets of her habit. But it was her face that held his attention. Clean and untouched, her cheeks flamed. She bowed her head, her long eyelashes fluttering. â€œI have little choice. I must obey His will.â€

â€œIs that the only reason you hid the sergeant and me in the orphanage?â€ He had to know the answer. Then he could hide his feelings away in the shadows of war and not feel the pain of wanting her.

â€œNo,â€ she said softly. â€œMy vows prohibit me from saying more.â€ She stared at him, daring him to cross the line they both knew couldnâ€™t be crossed.

Telling him what he wanted to know, but that nothing could come of it.

======================

A Soldierâ€™s Italian Christmas (Oâ€™Casey Brothers in Arms 1) is the story of a soldier and a nun who discover forbidden love in war torn Italy during the winter of 1943.

It is a sweet romance 35,000+ word novella and is now available as an e-book on Amazon…

Happy Holidays!!
Jina

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If your Christmas reading is on the spicier side (as in erotic), check out A Naughty Christmas Carol about a modern day Scrooge named Nick Radnor. A New York Wall Street hottie who has it all…except the woman he loves.