Oh Mercury Retrograde, Are You Here Again? by Connie Vines
September 13, 2016 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as #Rodeo Romance #the writing process, astrology, Connie Vines, Here Today Zombie Tomorrow, Mercury Retrograde, OCC Blog
Oh, Mercury retrograde. You are here, AGAIN. You have arrived on our collective doorsteps in all your messy glory.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, here we go. The planets are swinging around at all times, and their movements affect us all in different ways. All planets go retrograde, but Mercury’s journey seems to impact people much more than any other. (Even people who “don’t believe in astrology†often “believe†in the crazy aftershocks of Mercury retrograde!)
Why is that? It’s because Mercury rules communication, clear thinking, truth and travel, so when the planet goes retrograde — which means that it looks like it’s going backwards in the sky — all those things go backwards. They start to get ugly and tangle up. Mercury isn’t really going backwards, it’s just hanging out by the sun, but from Earth, that makes it look like it’s in reverse. It typically runs for a couple of weeks, a few times a year.
Check out these dates below and put them in your calendar!
In 2016, Mercury is retrograde from…
January 5th to January 25th
April 28th to May 22nd
August 30th to September 22nd
December 19th to January 28th (2017)
January 5th to January 25th
April 28th to May 22nd
August 30th to September 22nd
December 19th to January 28th (2017)
Note: We sometimes start to feel the effects of Mercury retrograde a few days early. It’s nice to give yourself a bit of leeway on either side of the prescribed dates!
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MERCURY GOES RETROGRADE?
All sorts of things! It’s like everyone you know has suddenly gone mad! You might find yourself getting into bizarre arguments about nothing at all, being unable to finish sentences or barely even able to form a coherent thought. Your computer and other electronic equipment is more likely to go on the fritz. You could experience travel delays, too. Double-check your flights and take a book with you to keep you occupied while you wait for the train! We don’t tend to get all the information we need at this time, so it can be hard to make big decisions and it’s not always the best time to sign a contract, either.
Expect to hear super-loud complaining from your friends who are Gemini (me!) or Virgo, since both are ruled by Mercury! Mercury also rules a lot of industries like publishing, writing, editing, advertising, sales, public relations and anything to do with transport, like airlines, the post office and cabs! This means it can be particularly rough for Gemini train conductors and Virgo magazine editors, so be kind to any you know!
I often find that Mercury retrograde makes me want to go into hermit mode. I feel like half my brain is missing so I’m really not that interested in interacting with anyone, plus every conversation seems to go in an unusual, confusing direction. I feel much more irritable and frustrated and things just don’t seem to go how I want them to.
So that’s the bad news. Mercury retrograde can be a total kick in the teeth for those of us who normally pride ourselves on having our karmic shit together! The GOOD news is that Mercury retrograde provides us with lots of beautiful opportunities if we can just tilt our head and squint.
Mercury retrograde wants us to move back spiritually. It is providing us with a chance to re-examine various areas of our life which may need a little more work, so that we can move forward to a bright new dawn. Now, more than ever, the time is right to look at things with clear eyes.
It’s also a terrific period in which to tie up loose ends. So many of us have unfinished projects… Maybe that door just needs another lick of paint, or you’ll decide to put away your ex-boyfriend’s love letters once and for all.
One of the best ways to cope with it — as with anything, really — is to just “go with the flowâ€. When you fight Mercury retrograde, that’s when life gets really ugly. Just take some time, go slowly, be careful, don’t freak yourself out by expecting to be uber-productive-perfect right now. Be good to yourself and the people around you, now more than ever!
A QUICK GUIDE TO
SURVIVING MERCURY RETROGRADE!
Be sure not to take things too personally. People will often say offensive things they didn’t mean around this time, because their thinking is clouded and their communication skills are on pause! If your best friend suddenly became the most insensitive person in the world, give her the benefit of the doubt. Back up your data! Don’t purchase any big ticket items, because they will often have flaws or issues that you weren’t aware of! Of course, life doesn’t stop just because of wacky planetary movement, so if you absolutely have to get that car, computer or iPhone, TRIPLE-check all the paperwork, and make sure you have a warranty! Take things with a grain of salt. Everyone is a bit confused, and people are much more inclined to change their mind once Mercury goes direct. Mercury can be a bit of a trickster — could it be that the next few weeks are a big karmic joke? Read the small print on any contracts. Ask lots of questions. Again, you can’t put your life on hold just because of some silly planet, but adapt your lifestyle a bit so that things run more smoothly. Communication can be a mess right now, but do your best to get as much information as you can. Finish things you started a while ago. Home improvement projects? Wardrobe re-organization? Short stories? Love affairs?! This is an excellent time to tie up loose ends and file things away forever. Get together with old friends, reminisce and laugh! Double-check any information you’re given, especially as relates to travel arrangements! During one particularly formidable Mercury retrograde, I actually caught a cab to the wrong airport! Check times, delays, baggage allowances, reservations… everything! Allow Mercury to nudge you in unusual directions. If you seem to find yourself “back to the futureâ€, don’t just try to wriggle out of it — look at what the universe is trying to show you. What can you learn from this situation? This is a fantastic time to re-examine, accept and move on. Use the things you’ve discovered in the past to create a dazzling new vision so that you’re ready to blast ahead when Mercury goes direct!Happy Writing,
Connie
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Structuring a Story by Connie Vines
August 14, 2016 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as #Rodeo Romance #the writing process, #writing, Structuring a StoryPlease excuse my late post–blame it on first week school overload!
As many of the readers know, I write in multiple genres of fiction as well as nonfiction. Therefore, it only goes to reason I have attended workshops, conferences, enrolled in extensions classes, and networked with other authors to discuss the topic of story structure.
So many ideas, so many strong opinions, but no fail-proof map to success. What I have discovered is that many authors (Note: my personal findings only), agree that there are thirteen basic plots.
The following are common plot motivations that have appeared in written literature for centuries. Of course, more than one of these plot motivators may exist side-by-side, affecting the story. Take your story idea, add one or more of these motivators to it, and, so I’ve been assured, you’ll have a plot and a storyline.
Catastrophe Vengeance
Love and Hate Persecution
The Chase The Quest
Grief and Loss Rivalry
Rebellion Betrayal
Survival Ambition
So, is this true in my own novels and fiction stories? I have three books published at Books We Love, Ltd., as well as an anthology featuring five stories to be released this fall. Let’s see if this is programmed into a writer’s psyche, or if it is a learned skill.
With my Rodeo Romance, Book 1, “Lynxâ€. I have added Grief and Loss into my basic storyline for my heroine. While my hero deals with Ambition, and one other (I don’t wish to give away too much of the story).
In Rodeo Romance, Book 2, “Bredeâ€, Survival, Vengeance, are added to my romantic suspense novel.
“Here Today, Zombie Tomorrowâ€, obviously, deals with Catastrophe and Survival (with a light-touch).
Not the result I was expecting. Why? Because, if you’ve been following my blog posts, you are aware that I follow Joseph Campbell’s “A Hero’s Journey†when plotting my stories. Joseph Campbell based his teachings/writing on the power of the ancient myth.
Of course, there is more to a story than just a great plot! So, using the accepted rule of thirteen, let us progress to adding another layer or two to our storyline.
These added layers to the story do not appear to be genre specific, though some are more commonly used in romance than, say, mainstream fiction.
Authority Conspiracy
Criminal Action/Murder Deception
Honor/Dishonor Making Amends
Poverty/Wealth Rescue
Mistaken Identity Searching
Suspicion Suicide
Misplaced Affection (or unnatural if it is a human and supernatural being)
I believe, for a story to be an excellent story, which of course, is every author’s goal. These plot motivators with the added layers to drive the characters in the story, result in the depth (landscape) and richness (emotion) we all crave in a good story.
Readers, do you agree that all the stories you’ve read and loved these plot lines and motivators?
I admit was able to spot many of these plotlines and layers in the works of Homer, Shakespeare, and may of the Classic Greek Myths.
What do you think? Are there certain plotlines that appeal to you more than others?
Thank you for stopping by today.
I hope to see you here next month.
Connie Vines
Purchase Links: Amazon.com
You Can Edit Your Own Work by Connie Vines
July 13, 2016 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as Connie Vines, editing, Kindle Unlimited. Amazon, OCC Slice of Orange, revision, Self-editing, Selling your novel, writing‘Do I really need to hire a professional editor?’
When you are busy writing your first draft, you can definitely edit your own work. An editor is usually brought in only when you have a complete manuscript. Whether you’re at an early stage of writing your novel or you can’t afford to hire an editor at present, you can learn to edit your own work. Begin these 6 easy steps:
1. Take a break
This break in between the time that you finish your novel and the time that you return to it for editing is essential for several reasons.
During the time that you are apart from your novel, your subconscious will still be working on it. You will be surprised at the types of connections that you’ll make on returning to the work. If you are a writer who edits as you go, taking small breaks between finishing sections like this can also help. Thus resulting in the growth of fresh story ideas.
Distance from the work allows you re-read with a fresh perspective. On returning to your novel, you will be surprised to find passages that you don’t remember writing; passages that affect you emotionally as though someone else were the author. I call this the ‘goosebumps’ factor (remember the scene in Romancing the Stone? If not, rent the movie).
With this re-read you will find weaknesses, plot holes, sentence structure that simply doesn’t flow, etc. Assessing your book realistically is easier after a break as well. While in the process of writing it, you probably experienced times when you thought you were writing an extraordinary novel as well as times of great self-doubt. Now your judgement will not be clouded.
Try not to think about your novel very much during your break (work on one of my other WsIP). If something does occur to you, make a note to come back to when you start your revision. Do not dwell on your new ideas. Calendar your re-read a week or two after completion of your novel.
2. Get organized
- When you sit down to do your revision, you must first get organized both physically and mentally.
Prepare your work-space. Have your writing reference resources within reach.
Make a schedule for your revision just as you did for writing your novel. Set a goal and stick to it. Do you need a tracking system? Sticky notes? Spreadsheets, a notebook with sections and multicolored pens/highlighters, or a filing drawer?
Whatever planning you did prior to writing your novel, when you revise you will need to track things such as structure, characters, scenes and plot points to ensure that they all fit together. During your revision, you’ll need to do things like examine each scene to ensure that it moves your novel forward and does what it sets out to do. Your system can be as formal or informal as you like. The most important thing is that any editing system you use is intuitive for you and helps rather than hinders you.
3. Develop a plan
You should make yourself a checklist for dealing with all the large and small issues you want to examine over the course of your novel. A romance novel, will have one thread showing the progression of the love story. A crime novel, will require clues are appropriately placed and reveal just enough to the reader. While science fiction or fantasy, will require world-building that is very solid.
4. Questions to ask yourself
· Does the book work structurally? If you followed some version of the three-act structure, did you maintain that structure and does it create a satisfying form?
· Does your plot make sense? What about the subplots? Are there any logical errors? Do the subplots work with the plot, or do they distract from it or make the book seem like too much is happening?
· Are your characters well-developed? Do they seem like they could exist as flesh and blood? Do they behave in ways that are plausible for them?
· How is your setting? Is it fully realized? Does it need more or less detail? Is it integral to the story?
· Are there places in the book where the narrative seems to drag?
· Do you deliver information to your readers in a way that is engaging?
· How is your prose? Are your sentences grammatically correct?
This is just a start; you will have your own questions you’ll want to consider. Once you’ve made your plan, it’s time to start the actual revision:
5. Make multiple passes
Editing is seldom a one-step process. First do a read through. Make notes, about problems, new ideas, structure, language problems. Don’t stop reading and begin revising. Just make notes.
Next, go through the book more carefully and address the major elements. (# 3) Use your checklists to look at plot, structure, character, setting and the other major parts of your novel. If you find that you are going to be doing major rewrites, you should work on those rewrites before you do any line editing.
After addressing any major issues and completed your line editing, take a look at your prose. It’s now time to read your book out loud. This may seem time-consuming, but nothing compares to reading a piece of fiction out loud for finding clunky phrasings, repetitions and other things that just don’t work (if I’m not careful, my characters spend too much time drinking coffee).
6. Get feedback
The final step in your revision is having others read your work. You may already have writing friends or belong to a writing group. Some writers(I) find it useful to ask my reader(s) to focus on certain aspects of the book. Remember readers who are not writers notice things, both views are valuable.
The value of having others look over your work is that they will spot mistakes or inconsistencies you might miss because you are so immersed in the craft of writing.
Editing and revising are not separate from the process of writing. They are just as important as writing drafts. Editing and revising will sharpen and strengthen your novel. After all, we want our novel to be ‘exactly’ a publisher has been waiting to acquire.
Happy Writing,
Connie Vines
Brain Food for Writers by Connie Vines
June 13, 2016 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as #Cowboys, Brain Food, BWL Ltd., Connie Vines, OCC Blog, OCC Slice of Orange
It wasn’t until I completed this blog post that I realized that my title, well. . .carried an unintended double meaning.
My featured novella this month — Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow– is a Zombie story. And today’s topic is brain food. Well, brain food for writers, anyway.
On deadline? Obsessed with your current storyline? Forfeiting sleep, exercise, and nutrition to reach the moment you can type the words The End on the final page of your novel?
Here are a list of grazing foods that you can keep on hand. High in protein, easy prep, and tasty.
Single serve, or 5 ounces of nonfat cottage cheese. 3 grams more protein than a typical serving of Greek yogurt.
Hard boiled Egg. No longer shunned due to claims of too high cholesterol, we can enjoy in moderation. You can boil yourself or purchased peeled and packaged at the market.
Peanut butter. Scoop your own or purchase in single packets, smear on a banana or apple slices.
Roasted chickpeas ( I love hummus and falafel). 120 cals per serving, 5 gram of protein and fiber.
To prep yourself rinse and drained chickpeas in a bowl with olive oil. Add chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Oven bake at 425 degrees for 45 mins.
Greek yogurt
Turkey roll ups. Nitrate free deli turkey breast with a squirt of mustard, a slice of tomato, and some lettuce. Add red pepper slices and baby carrots. Roll and store in a plastic container or foil.
Hummus. Made from chickpeas, tahini, and olive oil, hummus is a healthy mix of protein and fiber. Use it as a dip for carrots, tomatoes, red pepper, and cucumber slices,
100-calorie almond packets.
String cheese.
Happy Writing & Reading.
Connie
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Upcoming Round Table Chapter Meeting
June 6, 2016 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Writing tagged as Berkley Prime Crime, Linda O. Johnston, Silhouette Nocturneby Linda O. Johnston
Did you realize that today is 6/6/16? That’s right–sixth day of the sixth month of twenty-sixteen. Lots of sixes–which are hopefully good luck despite their possibly bad reputation when grouped in sets of three. I like sixes anyway. And in addition to my romances and other mysteries, I happen to write the Superstition Mysteries.
But, boy, this year is certainly going fast–nearly at the halfway point.
As I mentioned last month, I missed several OCC meetings early in the year. I did attend the one in May–and now I’ll be there for the June one, too. A bunch of published authors have been recruited to lead discussions at various tables at the afternoon meeting, and I’ll be at the one where we’ll talk about traditional publishers.
Yes, I’ve been at this a long time, and although I’ve done a bit of self-publishing, including republishing some of my earliest backlist as e-books, mostly those published by Dorchester , I still remain mostly traditionally published.
And enjoy it.
For my mysteries, I’ve written for Berkley Prime Crime and am now being published by a smaller publisher, Midnight Ink. I’m fortunate, since both have worked out well for me.
For romances, I’ve had a long-standing relationship with Harlequin series romance. In fact, my next published novel, due out in August this year, will be COVERT ALLIANCE, a Harlequin Romantic Suspense.
I guess I’m qualified to talk about traditional publishing! And I hope those of you who come to the meeting will join me at my table, along with Tara Lain, so we can talk about the pros and cons of it.
See you there!
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