Getting Back to Writing

Hello all! The last week or so I haven’t written a thing. My hub is all to blame!! He’s been on vacation and had a million things to do during the day. At night I find my laptop has been stolen so he can watch youtube. I swear him and the kids are addicted to watching youtube! But today things are back to normal and I’m trying to get back into writing.

My main problem is that I’m stuck between two books. One WIP I started two months or so ago and the other about a month ago. The first book I mentioned is a paranormal about true shifters. The plot is complex and the shifters are living amongst us in hiding. I’ve had a bit of trouble trying to get all the whys and why nots fleshed out. Also I checked my sales numbers for my paranormal books and then checked my cowboy books sales numbers and WOW! Major difference. Seems people are way more interested in my cowboys than my paranormals so I’ve gotten a little discouraged about my paranormals. My critique partner, the wonderful, but about to be harmed for teasing me with RWA information, Rebecca Zanetti believes that I should stick with this one and submit it at the Silken Sands Writers Conference in March.  I’m just not sure if I’m up to finishing another paranormal that I’ll have to shop around with the other millions of paranormals being shopped around.

The second WIP is a cowboy/motorcycle book. This one I am excited about because it’s kinda wanting to lean into a suspense. My first ever manuscript was a god awful written suspense. I still love the plot and characters but my writing really was awful. This new one is about a woman who lived on Camp Street in New Orleans as a homeless orphan. She sang in bars to earn money for food. At the age of 18 her and her boyfriend were attacked. She killed a man and fled the city. In fact, she ended up in a small town in North Montana. For ten years she’s tried to be a better person, tried to make a life for herself. But when one motorcycle riding cowboy shows up in town her life is sent right back to the days of Camp Street.  For Camp Taylor (yes, she named herself for the street she grew up on so she’d never forget how hard life was) her past comes barreling down on her when Reno Henderson brings his motorcycle gang buddies to town. One of his buddies was involved in the fight where she killed a man. Now she and Reno have to figure out if their sizzling lovelust is worth the pain and destruction sure to come.

I’ve only gotten about three thousand words written on this one but as you see I’ve got it plotted. BUT in my original plot it was not a suspense at all. It was just a love story with hot scenes. Now it seems it’s gonna have some suspense in it too.

 

So my question to you all is how do you decide between manuscripts. What makes you choose one over the other?

 

thanks all

Sayde

 

Writing Recharge — We Can All Use One Now and Then

Got out of the house and visited with Gothicdweller for a little while today. She’s working on an R&R, and I’m really proud of her.

We got to talking about how we both love New Orleans. It’s a personal recharge for me. There’s just something about the atmosphere and life –past and present– that pulses through that city like no other.

Every writer needs to have somewhere special to retreat and recharge. I don’t care if it’s a short trip to completely different surroundings, a walk in the woods or along the beach at sunrise or sunset, or to sink nose deep in a bubble bath. I have enough of a connection to New Orleans that it’s my retreat.

I can close my eyes and describe stepping down the two shallow grey stone steps into Jackson Square, the sun beating down so hard the umbrellas of the tarot and palm readers are a welcome oasis of shade. The height and facade of surrounding buildings, some with wrought iron witches wheels and harp-shaped shutters, some with columns. Jackson eternally mounted on his steed, mists drifting chill across your skin from the fountain, stately live oaks stretching gnarled branches overhead, all surrounded by wrought iron fences. The musicians and street performers on the lowest level, the flower cart lady, the water xylophone man, the metaphysical people, the artists.

The dull sheen of the stone steps and floor of the Square in the glistening rain, the glow of the street lamp globes shrunken and  muted by falling moisture.

Or a moon lit night walk, steps ringing off the slate pathway of Pirates Alley, deep in shadows cast by St. Louis cathedral. You can’t help but listen for disembodied murmurs and watch for the flitting ghosts of Jean Lafitte and his fellow pirates, men who kept the city alive by selling  their ill-gotten wares there. If the ghosts are uncooperative, it’s still entertaining to listen to the priests chastise the vampire wannabes and gothic youth from behind the cathedral gates. They ignore the admonitions, black-garbed figures darting through shadows between pools of light, their youthful laughter floating in the humid air.

I can tell you about the bustle of the French Market, the rich scents of cafe au lait and beignets from Cafe Du Monde, clanging trolley car rides through the Garden District. The clip-clop of a horse-drawn carriage ride, the droning voice of the driver regaling passengers with the city’s colorful history. Then there are the  freighters slipping like behemoths up and down the Mississippi Riverfront, sounding long mournful blasts as they prepare to pass on the one whistle or two whistle side of other ships. The haunting notes of the Calliope that announces the departure of the paddle-wheeler river boat. Savory burgers topped with cool slices of avocado at Yo Mama’s, a quick stop at Reverend Zombie’s for books, candles and incense or to start a Haunted History Tour, all near each other on St. Peter. The midnight opening of The Dungeon, the Vampire hangout on Toulouse, different crowds on multiple levels. I can tell you about getting off the beaten path, back to the wall and staring down would be muggers, knife held low in my hand; a friend swinging the hell out of the buckle end of a camera strap in a pretty respectable imitation of Jackie Chan.

Ethnic foods from so many cultures, Voodoo shops, swamp tours, Cemetery Tours and Marie Leveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. The Louisiana Museum, the Cabildo, the Mardi Gras Museum, and Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, the oldest bar in the U.S.. Rich in history, there’s something in this city for everyone.

For a writer, it’s a paradise of fact, fiction and nuance. I’ll be headed there next weekend. Visit with my metaphysical friends, indulge in multiple culinary delights, absorb unique insights and landmarks to use in my next book.

You now know my secret getaway. I’d like to know yours. What do you do and where do you go to recharge?

Badurday-December 11, 2010- The TSO Edition

Al Pitrelli

I just got back from my annual trip to New Orleans for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert.  I love them- I’ve turned several friends of mine on to them and made them fans for life.  This was my eighth time to see them.  The first time I went, I didn’t think they could ever get any better. It was at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans and the crowd was less than 1,000.  Now, they are in the Arena next to the SuperDome  and there were over 8,000 people there.  And they DO get better every year. How they keep topping themselves, I have no idea. All I can say is wow!

One of the things they do that I love is that they give $1.00 per ticket back to each community where they play.  After Katrina, they didn’t come to New Orleans for two years and one of those years, I saw them in Birmingham and one year in New York City. They also gave funds to those communities.  Local charities. That’s awesome.  I do have to say that when I saw them at Madison Square Garden, it was the East touring group and not the West touring group.  I love the guys of the West the best.  Here are three of the “Boys in the Band.”

I would love to interview these guys for some information to use in a novel. I think a guitarist as a hero would be awesome. I have a son that is a musician but as he’s only 16, he has no experience with the touring aspect. LOL!  AND Andrew Ross with his dimples could be a cover model, in my opinion. 

Angus Clark

Andrew Ross

Pushing Limits

Okay, usually when you think of pushing limits in books we all think of sexual limits. Today I’m not talking about that, instead I’m talking about religous limits. I was discussing a topic on the way to New Orleans and one or two of the riders got upset with me for my “opinion” on a certain topic. Now is it blasphemey to question what we “know”?

The topic is simple, In some religions Adam is believed to have had a wife before Eve. She was made from the earth just as Adam and believed they were equals. Lilith would not bend to his will and left Eden. Adam complained to God about her and God sent angels to inform her either she would come back and follow Adam’s orders or a hundred babies a day would die because of her.

She didn’t come back, so God created Eve from Adam’s rib. Later Lilith decides to make Eve see she is equal no matter what Adam says. She is believed to be the snake who tempted Eve.

Now as I said this is all information based on various religous beliefs. I find it interesting and am using Lilith in my YA book I’m writing. BUT is this morally and religously right? What are your opinions??

My perfect Angel. Picture taken at St. Louis Cemetary Number One:

 

Sayde’s New Orleans Trip

Hellow everyone! As SfCatty said,  I was in N A’wlins yesterday! A group of ladies from our local RWA chapter got together and spent the day walking around the French Quarter. First let me say it was a lot of fun and Paula you rock! Between you knowing so much about New Orleans and your husband on your phone filling in the blanks we found out so much wonderful information.

 

So Sayde is taking a break from writing steamy or sexy for a while. I’m focusing all my attention on editing and writing a Young Adult book. The YA takes place in N A’wlins.

Here are some of the sites we saw. I’d love to go and ride the trolley to the garden district and spend the day there. But that’s next time.

 That’s right, a horses’ ass is what I saw! Thanks to Cynthia Eden who wanted to ride the carriage so bad I got to sit up front to be the first to get poohed on!

 Marie LaVeau’s daughters’ tomb. HOWEVER, rumor has it that Marie is actually in there and her daughter somewhere else.

Marie Laveau’s tomb. Later in the day we were told that her family moved her body to another location after having the tomb vandalized. Only the family, Marie, and a select few of others know for sure. It is said the tomb and her daughter’s tomb are fake and that Marie lives on, roaming Bourbon street today.

 

Marie Laveau Voodoo shop. I **think** this was either her home at some point or the home she used to practice Voodoo in. Don’t hold me to that, I was ready to eat by this time!

 

The trip was wonderful. I learned so much and got so many wonderful tidbits to use. Now I just have to talk the hubby into going and spending the night there so I can take a haunted tour! I’d love to do that. Hmm, maybe that can be my Christmas present!