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| Stella Cameron Writing Workshop 02/15/01 |
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Lynn - Bye everybody that is leaving
Go back to Part 1
ascribe - 
- 2/15 at 10:02pm EST
kamy - yes, very much...nice to see old familar faces
Morgan - i'm still here.
I BarbHicks - Im still here 
kamy - only wish it were longer
pushpen - Me, too, Morgan
Mac - I'm here, too.
pushpen - I didn't help anything by getting late tonight.
kamy - there is a real knack for making the charactes so real.....how did you get to that point?
pushpen - Hi Mac
LisaL - What's the balance between the suspense and the romance? Is it keeping the focus on the romance, while building the suspense?
I BarbHicks - logged on. - 2/15 at 10:04pm EST
Mac - Howdy, Stella. I sent an entry in to the contest......I'm so happy. 
Morgan - i'm glad Stella .
I BarbHicks - it wasnt your fault you were late the roads were bad
LisaL - I guess I want that magical formula: 3 parts romance 1 part suspense!?
I BarbHicks - glad you just got here safely
pushpen - I think the simplest answer is that the big balance if building a big, tense suspense at the same time as you build a big, tense romance! You can't lose sight of either element.
pushpen - Congratulations, Mac (or Dani ) good for you. Last year two finalists were taken on by a New York agent.
pushpen - thank you, Barb.
Beverl - In a single-title, contemporary are there any taboo plots and if so could they be used as subplots?
Morgan - Ack! i didn't enter. 
Morgan - Ack! i didn't enter.
pushpen - Lisa--I don't think there are magic proportions. Each story demands a different weighting system.
Mac - That's cool. I'm hoping something will come of it. I worked very hard on it, and Ronda and MadelineH helped me get my synopsis right....gave me fits.
Lynn - I didn't either Morgan 
pushpen - Beverly--didn't you get my answer to that question?
LisaL - You know it when you see it, right?
Beverl - No, sorry - I'll pull up the transcript : )
Mac - I wrote 11,000 words in two days inorder to get the entry ready to be mailed....I was 
big time.
pushpen - Synopses are tough but I'm sure you've got a good one. I need to make sure everyone knows I don't read the entries. The people who do this are, however, extremely well qualified.
kamy - i like the depth of characters...to me that's most important. Doesn't that come from writing experience?
pushpen - Beverly--I said I didn't think there were any taboo subjects but that some topics are better dealt with through subplots.
Beverl - Thanks
Ophelia - logged on. - 2/15 at 10:09pm EST
Lynn - Dani, I'm sure you are going to do fabulous!
Mac - I knew from reading all the info that you wouldn't be reading it, you probably have enough things on your plate as it is....
pushpen - Kamy--Experience makes these things eaier, but I've seen first time novelists write fantastic characters. I like then to really pull me in, too.
LisaL - Bravo to Mac. Wow! Take a bow 11,000 words is awesome. What's your record, Stella...How long does it take you to write an entire book, idea to polished manuscript, BTW?
kamy - hello ophelia
pushpen - It isn't only that, Mac. I just don't like judging books or manuscripts. In my desperation to be encouraging, I'm sometimes not objective enough.
Lynn - Hey ophelia
I BarbHicks - hi ophelia
Ophelia - Hi, room.
pushpen - Hi Ophelia
Beverl - Gotta run - Quick Quills Everyone and Thanks Stella!
pushpen - Good for you, Lisa.
pushpen - Bye, Beverl
Mac - I have always worked better under pressure....I tend to put things off if I don't HAVE to get it done........I don't think that I would like that job, either, Stella.
kamy - my biggest problem is I can't seem to get out of my own way. Much to much of a perfectionist. I keep re-writing over and over again. Any advice?
pushpen - What is quick quills?
Lynn - Bye Beverly
kamy - fast writing
kamy - quills as in pens
kamy - bye beverly
LisaL - Yep, that's why I ended up a journalist. Now, I self-impose deadlines. Write, finger, write!
pushpen - Kamy--the re-writing complex isn't a bad thing. It comes from the perfectionist writer and that only means you have a drive to do your very best.
pushpen - Lisa--I like deadlines. Sometimes I kick at them, but I wouldn't try to keep on track without them.
kamy - yeah, but if I can't get out of my own way, where does that leave me. Going 'round and 'round like being trapped in a rotary
LisaL - Re-writing can also be the dreaded procrastinator virus, too, not?
pushpen - We've got some quiet souls here!
Lynn - Stella, have we done a workshop on how to format an Outline??
pushpen - True, Lisa--if you let it.
kamy - Lisa, i thought of that also, but I'm just seem to feel I'm not doing the characters justice
pushpen - Lynn--what exactly do you mean by "format an Outline."
LisaL - I truly would like to know what your diea-to-manuscript timeline is
pushpen - Do you mean how to write a synopsis?
Lynn - I always try to do the outline part before I start, but I have no clue how to set it up
kamy - feel i could do better by them
pushpen - About six months, Lisa.
LisaL - That was IDEA
Lynn - Did that make better sense?
pushpen - So you're really talking about manuscript prep.
kamy - i understood lynn
Lynn - Ummm....yeah...I think LOL
Lynn - Thanks Kamy
pushpen - We can run through all that one evening.
LisaL - I've also found that, getting to later in the book, I've learned more about my characters and can do a more effective rewrite after I've gone further in the book. Sometimes you just have to get on with it, call it good 'nuf.
Lynn - Thanks Stella //smooxh
Lynn - or 
Diane W - Can we talk about the difference between a synopsis and an outline? Please!
pushpen - ABsolutely. Getting to know the characters is fascinating and you're bound to have to make changes in them later.
kamy - well i've heard other authors say, just forge ahead...then as you get a better handle on the characters, you'll be able to go back and fix it in re-writes. I just have to get that thru my head
Morgan - i'm constantly goin back, so i can add things to further the story.
pushpen - Diane--Yes. Why don't we plan on dealing with Synopsis/outline/manuscript preparation next month>
Lynn - That sounds great Stella
pushpen - Me, too, Morgan.
Morgan - sounds good Stella, One of us can let Cissy know if you like.
pushpen - Okay--who volunteers to let Cissy know this is our topic?
pushpen - Hah, great minds...
Morgan - hahhahaha, never mind, someone 'll tell her, and she'll read the transcripts. LOL
pushpen - Let Sara know also.
Lynn - I will Stella
Morgan - i can do it.if you like.
Lynn - Second thought, you do it Morgan 
I'll forget
pushpen - Thank you, Lynn--if you would let Cissy know that would be great, and maybe Morgan will contact Sara?
kamy - logged on - 2/15 at 10:20pm EST
Lynn - Okay, I'll take Cissy. Morgan, you get Sara That I know I can do
kamy - oops....that was some boot
Morgan - i cxan do that Stella. No problem.
pushpen - My word, have we dealt with next month all on our own? Wow! Imagine that
Beverl has timed out.
Ophelia has timed out.
kamy - stella, what are you working on now? or is that top secret?
Diane W - Gotta run now. Gotta format my manuscript for the contest.
Lynn - LOL Go us!!
pushpen - I'm revising Tell Me Why--a contemporary novel.
kamy - bye diane
pushpen - bye diane
kamy - do you have a release date yet?
Lynn - Stella, I just bought I do. Did I hear you say that it was part of a series?
kamy - nothing like being pressured eh? hehehe
Morgan - Lynn, i'll contact Cissy too. LOL. MY post never went through. LOL.
pushpen - The story is about a jazz musician, Carolee Burns, who was tricked by her husband then trapped into an ugly divorce in which she lost primary custody of their daughter.
Lynn - Or WE DO....UGH, my fingers!!
pushpen - Tell Me Why won't be out until September.
Morgan - bye, Diane.
kamy - love jazz music......!
pushpen - You mean, WE DO! in Married in Spring.
Lynn - Yeah, that is the title 
My fingers won't cooperate
pushpen - Me, too Kay. Carolee has all the problems of a single mom trying to do what's best for her child while people judge her negative
pushpen - Kamy
kamy - just keep in mind we'd love to read about that tall, goodlooking SEAL you know.
I BarbHicks - Im gonna go, my brother wants on, I will see you guys later. Stella you are too cool to help aspiring writers
Lynn - Is WE DO part of a series?
pushpen - She meets Max Wolfe, an ex wide reciever with the Brocos who was injured in a car accident--fluke.
kamy - just a suggestion .....hehehe
kamy - just a suggestion .....hehehe
Lynn - Nite Barb
pushpen - Love ya, Barb--take care.
Morgan - bye Barb
I BarbHicks - nite Lynn, Morgan we have to try and coordinate our online times more
kamy - amen to that barb
I BarbHicks - love you too Stella,
kamy - nite
Diane W - - 2/15 at 10:25pm EST
Lynn - LOL No kidding Barb
pushpen - Kamy--WE DO! pulls in characters from three other novels. Sheer Pleasures, True Bliss, and Guilty Pleasures.
pushpen - 7B--historical--is due out in about three weeks.
Lynn - Thanks Stella!!
pushpen - And my next book (to write--already started) is another historical set in York. A real rompy thing
Morgan - i've been waiting patiently. LOL.
Lynn - rompy sounds good
kamy - i can go for rompy
pushpen - What are you waiting for, Morgan?
LisaL - Everyone needs a good rompy thing once in awhile!
pushpen - It's called, A USEFUL AFFAIR
kamy - i enjoyed WE Do very much....wish it had been longer. Love those characters
Morgan - 7B
pushpen - I'm glad, Camy--I really enjoyed writing the story.
pushpen - Ah, I see Morgan. Won't be long--really like the book. It's about Sibyl Smiles and Hunter Lloyd--and the baby Sibyl wants, with or without a husband.
syn - logged on - 2/15 at 10:29pm EST
pushpen - I've talked long enough. You all have places to go.
Lynn - Hi syn
pushpen - Maybe you'd like to be thinking of questions for next month--on the topic. Or off the topic.
pushpen - Hi syn.
Mac - HOwdy, syn How's the writing going???
kamy - thank you so much Stella...for the great stories as well as the patience and time you give...it's much appreciated
syn - hello
LisaL - Thatnks, STella. You're a goddess! 
Morgan - i can't wait! It's around my birthday, My friend already got me Finding Ian, SO i'm hoping mom will pick up 7B. Otherwise, i'll use my Gifet Cert from B&N. I've been hangin onto that baby. LOL.
syn - hey mac...REALLY well...at least I THINK so 
how about yours?
Mac - Chapter 6 and going strong.....
pushpen - My thanks to all of you (plead with 'em Morgan ) Whine if necessary.
pushpen - Happy writing to all of you. Bye.
