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Notes from Val’s Desk

March 4, 2009 by in category Archives tagged as ,


I forgot how to spell commitment.

So, I’m just writing along the other day and came to a screeching halt when I had to spell the word “commitment.” I stopped and stared at the line I was typing and the blinking cursor waiting for me to continue the entry. Next I stared at my fingers hoping that they would just magically move on their own and finally, I stared at the ceiling expecting those elusive letters to be glowing like a neon sign, but nothing happened. One “t” or two “tt’s.” Nothing. I simply couldn’t remember.

For crying out loud, how could I forget how to spell? I was once a spelling champ. I know that commitment is hanging out somewhere in my brain along with judgment. They are both sitting back and laughing at me and just too lazy to get up anymore.

This happens more and more often than I care to admit. I get annoyed (and rather distressed) at all the little things that seem to be difficult to do—mentally and physically. Actions and thoughts that used to be so easy and second-nature are now becoming past history. Oh well, it’s not like I’m the only gracefully-aging person on the planet that this is happening too. I happen to know I’m in very good company. I plan to grin-and-bear it and move along.

And then there is the definition of commitment (which is what I was thinking about in the first place):

–noun
1. the act of committing.
2. the state of being committed.
3. the act of committing, pledging, or engaging oneself.
4. a pledge or promise; obligation
5. engagement; involvement
…and 6 more definitions.

Origin:
1605–15 (Oh, Lord.)

I intended to write this blog about commitment and how important it is for success in any of life’s endeavors. I have made a commitment to write this year and finish my book. I know I can and will do this. I’m just having a little problem with words that don’t want to come out and play anymore.

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Chapter Meeting Information for March

February 28, 2009 by in category Archives tagged as

General Meetings are held the second Saturday of the month at the Brea Community Center, 695 E. Madison Way, Brea, CA 92821. For a map and directions, click here. Meeting fees are $10 for Members and $20 for Non-Members.

Meeting Schedule for March 14, 2009:

9:30 am: Doors Open / Ask an Author

10:30 – 10:45 am: Announcements
Morning Speaker: MARK HASKELL SMITH, screenwriter and novelist–“Embracing Probability”
11:50: Lunch Break (Lunch Orders available)

1:00 – 1:30 pm: General Meeting and Achievements
Afternoon Speaker: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, SUSAN ANDERSEN—“Self-Editing for the Most Impact”
3:00 pm: Meeting Adjourns

Volunteer Ask an Author for March: Jennifer Apodaca

And for OCC Members Attending the Meeting–Monthly Critique Drawings!
Volunteer Critique Author for March: Debra Mullins

2009 Dates to Remember:

March 14–OCC Monthly Meeting (Brea CC)
March 16–March Online Class: Layering a Story Concept with (For information click HERE)
April 11–26th Annual Orange Rose Contest entries due.
April 11–OCC Monthly Meeting (Brea CC)
April 13–April Online Class: Show & Tell: An Interactive Workshop with Shannon Donnelly (For information click HERE.)
May 9—OCC Monthly Meeting (Brea CC)
May 11—May Online class: Writing the Synopsis with Camy Tang (For information click HERE.)

For current Online Class Schedule and registration information, please visit http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclasses.html.For more chapter meeting information http://occrwa.org/meetings.htm

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A Fantasy Life

February 28, 2009 by in category A Fantasy Life by Janet Cornelow, Archives tagged as ,

By Janet Quinn Cornelow

Meet Kisho and Kaisha. Loki, my son’s girlfriend, drew them. They are teenage, twin snow leopards. Their mother, the ruler of their land, has sent them to America. Kaisha, next in line for the throne, has been sent to manage their assets. Kisho has been sent to join her because rebels have threatened his life.

Kaisha has magical powers. Kisho has some, but not as strong as his sister. With them are some servants, of other animals species, who have some type of magical ability. The twins are alone in America, with no supervision, so they off on an adventure.

Loki came to me a month or so ago and wanted to know if I want to write a graphic novel with her. She’ll do the graphic part and I’ll do the writing part. She has part of the world developed, but really not sure of what the story should be.

Writing a graphic novel has to be sort of like writing a screen play. As a writer, I do not have to do all that description, which I tend to leave out if I can get away with it anyway. Who cares if the characters change clothes during the book. Also, I do not have to explain the action. That is shown in the drawings. I mostly have to write the dialogue and then explain what they should be doing, but I can do that in notes or talking to her.

Of course, every good story needs a love interest. Kisho has one with a fox. Kaisha doesn’t as of yet.

Manga seems to be very popular with the younger generation, so it seems like a worthwhile project. We still have to come up with names for the countries and a reason why the land where Kisho and Kaisha come from doesn’t have the technology that America does. Plus, it is back to figuring out what type of magical powers everyone has.

If you are interested in seeing a Manga romance, ask Maureen Child. She had one of her romances come out as a Manga. It was interesting. I really liked the sex scenes. They are just up my alley.

In the meantime, I have to finish Sam’s story while we build a new world. He’s out of bed, but now he is in the yard arguing with Jubilee. I don’t think he’ll be happy staying there for long.

Art work by Loki – http://loki-rei.deviantart.com

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OCC RWA March Online Workshop – Layering a Story Concept w/ Sylvie Kurtz

February 26, 2009 by in category Archives

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Hi everyone! Check out the exciting online classes offered by the
Orange County Chapter of RWA!

Layering a Story Concept
With Sylvie Kurtz
March 16, 2009 – April 11, 2009

Enrollment Information at http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclassMar09.html

COST: $20 for OCC members, $30 for non-members
Enrollment deadline: March 14, 2009
If you have specific questions, email occrwaonlineclass@yahoo.com

ABOUT THE CLASS:

Use the seven elements of story concept to put together a blurb that
is complete, conflict-filled and concise enough to use as a selling
tool.
TOPICS:
1. Introduction
2. Story Concept
3. Flaw
4. Backstory
5. Redeeming Quality
6. Journey
7. Enabling Circumstance
8. Goal
9. Opponent
10. Ally
11. Ally’s MO
12. Lifechanging Event
13. Jeopardy
14. Objective Line/Subjective Line
15. Blurb
16. Conclusion

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:

Flying an eight hour solo cross-country in a Piper Arrow with only
the airplane’s crackling radio and a large bag of M & Ms for company,
Sylvie Kurtz realized a pilot’s life wasn’t for her. The stories
zooming in and out of her head proved more entertaining than the
flight itself. Not a quitter, she finished her pilot’s course,
earning her commercial license and instrument rating. Since then,
she’s traded in her pilot’s license for a keyboard, where she lets
her imagination soar to create fictional adventures that explore the
power of love and the thrill of suspense.
Her first Harlequin Intrigue, One Texas Night, was a 1999 Romantic
Times nominee for Best First Category Romance and a finalist for a
Booksellers Best Award. Her Silhouette Special Edition, A Little
Christmas Magic was a 2001 Readers’ Choice Award Finalist and a
Waldenbooks bestseller. Remembering Red Thunder was a 2002 Romantic
Times Nominee for Best Intrigue. She was a 2005 and 2007 Romantic
Times nominee for Lifetime Achievement for Series Romantic Adventure.
Ms. Longshot has been optioned by Twin Star Entertainment as a
possible TV movie. She has written twenty novels. Visit her at
www.SylvieKurtz.com

Enrollment Information at http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclassMar09.html
COST: $20 for OCC members, $30 for non-members
Enrollment deadline: March 14, 2009

Coming in April – “Show and Tell: an Interactive Workshop” with
Shannon Donnelly
“Show, don’t Tell” is a cliché that has almost lost its meaning.
But “showing” and “telling” are both valuable tools for any writer.
In this workshop, we’ll use writing examples to figure out the truth
hidden in this tired phrase.

For a full class roster, go to
http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclasses.html. Check out our full 2009
list of workshops.

Want to be notified personally two weeks before each class? Be sure
you’re signed up for our Online Class Notices Yahoo Group! Sign up at
the bottom of http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclasses.html or send a blank
email to OCCRWAOnlineClassNotices-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Inspiration

February 25, 2009 by in category Archives tagged as ,

By Lori Pyne

When in need of some inspiration, a different perspective, an attitude adjustment, I seek out one of my role models. Marty is 85 year old and has been my favorite lunch date for over 10 year. During that time, I have rarely heard him mention an ailment, unless it is a humorous tale or a workaround to a problem caused by an ailment. After catching up on our family news, I listen to his latest projects: a theater production celebrating the First Amendment, the latest artist that foundation he oversees is sponsoring or maybe the status of an exhibit he is coordinating for a friend.

I have only made the mistake once of expressing my concerns about a man of his years embarking on an undertaking which would take at least half of a decade to complete. He glared at me from across the table. Did I think he should just give up and die? Flustered, I mumbled an apology, saying that I just worried about him overextending himself. He explained that one of the reason he enjoys working with the young artists is that they look eagerly towards the future. Many of his contemporaries only exist in the memories of their past or resentfully in the discomfort of their present. Few look forward with any anticipation. As long as he has breath in his lungs and the energy to rise each day, he will work towards his interests. He has lots of projects he wants to tackle and was thankful for each dawn he was given.

After each lunch, I return with a renewed commitment to my hopes, dreams and passions.

Who or what is your inspiration?

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