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Wow, I just realized I haven't blogged in a month...A WHOLE MONTH! Where have I been? It seems the time just slipped past...
I've been busy at work, non stop busy! Then at home I'm trying to do 60,000 words for the Liberty State Writers Mayke it Happen challenge. (I'm up to 27,000 so far) I'm using every spare minute to finish that story. It's about an angel.
Then there's my other creepy serial killer story I've been working on for the last few months.
From serial killers to angels....maybe I have a problem sticking to one subject? I think that's why I wanted to do this challenge. I'm hoping it gives me the sticktoitiveness (is that a real word??? lol) to finish something to submission status. I have lots written. A few completed books, some too long, one too short and some just right. Some I have no idea where to send it. (Know anyone looking for a refreshing story about a woman who makes a deal with God to be reincarnated as a petite blond but comes back as a long haired chihuahua? (well, she is a petite blond, isn't she?) I really like this story and wish I could find a home for it. Last year at the NJRWA convention I heard an editor speak and thought she might go for it...then I forgot her name...oops!
During the past month I've stopped by some blogs, read how peeps were doing and then just couldn't think of anything to say here. I try to keep this blog about writing and the pursuit of publication but sometimes I feel I'm repeating myself. And I don't want to say when I'm sending out cause I think I might jinx it. Ever feel like that?
So how's everyone else out there in blogland?

The Hero's Journey & Family Time

So I've been working on a story and trying to outline it by using the Hero's Journey. It's my mission now to understand the HJ inside and out. So I found an outline of the Hero's Journey for Star Wars and printed it out. Then I made a basic Hero's outline with blank spaces. Last night as the family sat down to watch Star Wars I passed out the papers and told them this movie was an assignment.
After they stopped laughing and making sarcastic comments they actually read the papers and started filling them in. We only had a few minor stumbling points.
Did the HJ have to go in the order it was outlined? Does the supernatural aid have to come BEFORE crossing the first threshold? In Star Wars was the supernatural aid the lightsaver or the force?
Who is Luke's soul mate? Leia? Obi-wan? Hans?
Is the "Over coming temptation" the fight in the bar?
We're still not in agreement.
Any answers out there?
How does the Hero's Journey fit your work?

There's a new magazine for Gluten Free Peoples!

I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2003 and in those few short years there's been an explosion in the availability of Gluten Free foods but this is the first magazine I've heard of that is dedicated to living gluten free. I'm soooo excited! Check out this amazing new magazine! "Delight gluten free" is a fun food & lifestyle magazine for people with Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance and food allergies. It hosts delicious gourmet recipes and easy semihomemade as well. Don't miss the Gluten-Free Meals on a Budget either. (And boy! Do we need that! Gluten free food can be sooo expensive!) Whatever your food allergy you should be able to find something that fits your household, in their February issue they offer gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, egg-free, soy-free and even some rice-free recipes. Not only that, this magazine has a travel section coming in May that will host lots of fun ideas and good advice for when you venture out on the road. Personal stories, inspiring articles on Autism, Q & A with the Doc are among the other features of this magazine. Subscribe to Delight Magazine!

What a Wonderful World....

Mayke it Happen Challenge

Liberty State Fiction Writers are having a "Mayke it Happen Challenge". The goal is to write 60,000 words by May 31st. Every one who does this gets a chance to win a read by an agent or editor.
:)
The best part about this Challenge is that they are offering support. Published writers and other Mayke it Happen participants will be part of a loop that you can turn to with questions or to ask for advice.
I've basically been dragging my feet in signing up. I have sooo many WIPs right now--do I really need to start another? But then again I haven't really been moving at the speed of light lately on any of them. More like the speed of snail. So maybe this would be a good way to light the fire.
Whatcha think? Wanna give it a try?
Liberty State Fiction Writers

Harlequin Celebrates

When life gets harsh I always like to turn to a good romance. Harlequin is celebrating it's 60th year by giving us presents! Free Books!
Check it out and get yourself some free reads.

When Bad Books Happen to Good People

Someone gave me a book by an author I've never read before and said, "This book was awful. Do you want it?"
Of course I took it. I wanted to disect it so I'd see what makes a bad book.
Was it just a matter of taste? Or something else.
Structure? Plot? Dialog?
So I'm reading this book and find it breaks all those rules I've ever been taught by critique groups and friends who are published.
Info dump.
Run on, stilted, useless dialog that does nothing for the story.
Too much tell instead of show.
And I hate the heroine because she says the stupidest things. Its like shes playing two different parts in the same movie. Hot/Cold, Hot/Cold.
Sometimes I'm not even sure where I am. She walks into a hospital room and "Joe" is asleep. She just starts talking and he answers her like he's been awake the whole time. I look back...yep, he was asleep. Wow, he woke up quick.
But the biggest problem I think is that everything in the book is like a bad soap opera (and forgive me, I actually I love ABC's soaps!). In this book, he is linked to she and oh, a coincidence! she slept with this other guy and now she's sleeping with him too.
Its supposed to be a thriller and the police come across as idiots and put all their faith in a probation officer to do their job. I have a friend who is a probation officer and she doesn't solve crimes. Its a real stretch. This character seems to do everything but her job. Very unrealistic.
Whew! Sorry for the rant but I think this bruised my brain.
My question is; How do books like this get published? Is it just that this author has nine other books out so everything she writes will get published? Where are the editors? How does this get pasted the gate keepers?
Opinions?