Reblogged from Lantern Hollow Press:

Every writer has dealt with that massive, invisible beast that plants itself squarely on our desks, preferably in front of our computer screens, and leers at us in a mocking sort of way, just daring us to get anything accomplished.  Sometimes this beast teams up with Facebook or another soul-sucking website and we lose hours without knowing where they’ve gone. And our story sits tragically abandoned. There are lots of ways to get around writer’s block.  We all have our tried and true methods, so I  …

I hate the ‘reblogging’ on wordpress, but I could not resist this. This post is just truly amazing, and I HAVE to try the chocolate cake, even if I hate using the microwave. I think I shall try some of this the next time my brain blanks. Oh wait, wasn’t that today? Hmmm.

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I’ve started reading things other than some of the mainstream authors.  Broadening my horizons, so to speak.  I was listening to Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Leviathan and Salinger’s Franny and Zooey was mentioned. I decided that even though I didn’t like Catcher in the Rye, (couldn’t get past the first page) I wanted to try this.

Along with that, I was watching Easy A last night and Sylvia Plath‘s The Bell Jar, was mentioned.  While I know who she is, more from a Joshua Radin song, I’ve never read any of her work. 

Sylvia Plath also brought to my mind the fact that I have never read any Virginia Woolf.  So, one of hers, or maybe two of hers are on hold with my library, along with the other ones I’ve mentioned.

From BookMooch I have On Being Ill by Virginia Woolf, in my wishlist. I actually wanted to read that after a blip in The Writer’s Guide to Writing.  I just wasn’t willing to spend the money on a copy, and there were no copies available through my library system. 

Rarely do I like to own books unless I’ve first read them, Harry Potter and the Twilight Saga being exceptions. (I purchased some of those before reading because I knew you couldn’t go wrong)  So, I don’t really want to go out buying Plath, Salinger, and Woolf unless I know what the book is actually about and whether or not I will read them.

For me, this is a big step in comfort zone.  I usually avoid ‘classic’ authors due to some really bad books I’ve tried. I don’t finish a book unless I enjoy the first 50 pages, or less, but I’m trying something new.

I think Louise Jacque’s post on How Austen Prejudiced Me, sort of spurred me to try some new things.  I want to try other works of literature. And not just the Dostoyevsky (which I really have no desire at all) or the Tolstoy. (no, I really have no desire for that either)  There are plenty of American writers I’ve never read, and there are plenty from other countries too.  People have been writing for ages. There are so many books out there.  So, I have to try to not be afraid to try something new.

And on one last note I have one other new author I’m trying. Maya Angelou.  I’ve seen little blips of her poetry from some of the blogs I follow and I’ve wondered about her writing.  Well, last week there was a copy of her poetry for sale at my library last week. I snatched it up and I couldn’t have been happier.  I am amazed at her depth of feeling you can read in her words.  There is pure magic in her poetry.  I think she may become one of my more favorite poets.  And I can’t claim to liking that many.  I like many poems by different people, but there are only a few I can say I love.  I look forward to reading more of her works.  In small sittings, but still.

So, stepping off the cliff to the unknown.  At least with this type I don’t need a parachute.

Writing on

~K.L.B.

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Little TAB key (Photo credit: Kai Hendry)

Makes me think of ‘Double double, toil and trouble…”  Ah Shakespeare coined the phrase well.

Well, this post isn’t about Shakespeare.  No, this is more about the being that I am trying to be published, I thought it prudent recently to find out what the format of a manuscript should be, if I ever need to send it off to an agent or editor.  I had first thought about it after reading one of Tim Kane’s post on what not to do when you  submit a manuscript.  I knew some of the things, like playing with fonts.  A big no-no.  And  changing page margins to fit more words on the page.  Uh, yeah, they are seriously not going to like that. 

However, I didn’t know about the not hitting the Tab button to indent, and the single space after a sentence, rules.  You wouldn’t think those would be big things, but I learned typing in the old manner of hit the tab to indent and hit two spaces after a sentence.  Even now, as I type this, I am double spacing.  I have it so ingraned in my head, I don’t know how I will ever get out of that.  And the thought of reformatting all my written things.  Pages and pages of double space after a period.  Egads, I shudder to think of what to do in that manner.  Does anyone have any suggestion to remove that little uh oh? 

Breaking a habit like that seems impossible.   Hitting the tab key I think I can fix, so long as I figure out the auto tab setting.  Which for those of you who are interested, it’s five spaces.  Tab seems to indent about, oh, ten.  Or more.    I can understand why an editor wouldnt’ like that because it really does take up lots of extra spaces. 

I don’t even know why I indent when I write.  Habit again, I suppose.  I was drilled on indenting for every new paragraph.  It’s stuck there.  But it isn’t even really that necessary when I type.  And going back to indent is a whole lot easier than un-indenting.  Trust me, I’ve played around with it.

Well, it’s been interesting to read what to do and what not to do, because it isn’t set in stone.  Sure, like I said about margins, fonts and tabs, seem to be pretty much universal. Oh, so is double spacing the lines.  But then there are others that supposedly are a bit more fluid.  All depending on who you send it to.

I’m just not enjoying this habit breaking I’m going to have to do.  See, there I double spaced again. I dont’ even think about it.  Personally, I don’t like single spaced anyhow, or hwo it looks.  I don’t see enough of a break.    Well, I guess I have to conform, but I think  the double space is a dumb rule.  I don’t even quite get what kernaling is.

Any thoughts?  Any suggestions on breaking the habit?  I never though I could change my cursive ‘T’, but I have.  So I guess things are possible.

For those interested, I found this site, Kleine Editorial Services, and this post, Standard Manuscript Format, helpful.

Writing on
~K.L.B.

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Which way do I go?

I am going in a new direction with some of my writing.  Okay, it’s not really a new direction, but I’m stepping back from the two picture books that I have been working and working on.  I feel like I have invested so much time and effort into them that I am bogged down with all that I need to do.  One story needs some refinement, and another, my first picture book written, is just weighing me down.  Never mind the fact that a publishing company (albeit one I had to pay for) wanted to publish it and liked it.  I just have invested so much time into it I need a break.

"Some go this way, and some go that way. But I prefer the shortcut"

I wish things were easier and I could take the Cheshire Cat’s ‘Shortcut’ to the land of published author.  However, since that is impossible….

So, as of a couple of days ago, I am focusing on a story I wrote this last August after going shopping for a hat.    I  felt for a while that it was just ‘cute’ and not that great, but thinking about it again, it wasn’t so bad.  I am not fully stoked on it, but enough that I can view it with a slightly more judgemental eye.  The past couple days I’ve gone over it, and that old writer’s adage of putting it aside for a few months, is brilliant.  I was able to go back over it and find areas that need to be reworked and changed around.  Wording that I couldn’t see at the time.  Now I feel much better about it. 
I also have to trim it down some. I haven’t even fully typed it up and I’m at 1000 words.  Picture books need to be a bit less than that.  I hate the trimming part the most because I never feel I know what needs to come out and what needs to stay, but then, rarely will the story stay exactly as it is when it get edited.  So, I don’t have to super stress about it.

Finally, I feel confident enough to send this off to two agents I have had my eye on.   Both of them have represented authors with whom I love their work.  I actually feel I should write a review on these books.  (for those interested, I don’t write very good reviews)  So I may or may not write a review. 

Well, all I can say is that I’m not so stressed this week.  Ask me next, I might have a different answer for you.
Writing on
~K.L.B.

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And what is BookMooch you ask?  Well, my dear reader, let me tell you.  BookMooch is a place where you can list books you want to get rid of, and in turn, for ever book you send out, you earn a point.  For each point, you can have a book you want sent to you.  At no cost.  Pretty much the only cost is sending out the book.  You get points for adding books to send off, and you get points for sending a book to a ‘moocher’.  You spend points by ‘mooching’ a book from another member.

So far, I have sent off two books, and I have received one.  I have two others that should be coming soon, and one I will have to send off this week.  It’s amazing.  It was a blast to send off two books I didn’t want, which is a miracle in itself, as I keep most of my books.  And it was even more delightful to receive a book in the mail today. 

I highly recommend this site to anyone who has a ton of books they don’t want to keep.  Now, I’m all for giving used books to my Friends of the Library, but at the same time, most of the books I’ve done that with, seem to be in the book sales over and over.  I know at least that a book I send off will probably stay with the person who ’mooched’ it from me.  Isn’t it great?  

Plus, then I can look for books I want or need.  The book I had come to me today is one I needed for research in my never-ending quest for writing the perfect query letter.  And all it cost me, was to send off a book. Yeah, I could have probably found it via amazon, used.  But it probably would have cost me more.  Besides, it’s a community type thing. You get to meet other readers this way.

Well, I think any reader would appreciate this site.  Check it out.

Writing on

~K.L.B.

Ms. Anderson’s post relates to a ‘writer’ who claims that

“Romance novels are inexplicably among the best-selling of all genres. The fact that we have nearly a 50% illiteracy rate in this country might be partly to blame. Many people don’t have the reading skills to rise much higher than children’s books or romance novels. Because romance novels do sell so abundantly in our day, I’ve noticed more and more articles about, and interviews with, romance writers where they are as often as not put on a pedestal—as though they somehow belong in the same class as authors of much higher standing.

What the modern reader needs to understand is that romance novels by their very nature are meant to be inferior.

Now, his post, you can read HERE, though like Ms. Anderson, (May I call her Isabella?) I am hesitant to even link to him, due to his lack of , well, brains.  (Trust me, after you read his heading, there is no way you could say this man has any…)  (and yes, I am dissing the man)

Read his post first, then go on to a rebuttal by Romantic Fiction News, HERE.

I was bouncing in my seat after reading this “author’s” opinion on romance fiction.  In defence of romance writers, what the heck is science fiction and fantasy?  Does anyone ever think that any of that will ever be classified as great fiction? 

Now, science fiction writers, I am not dissing you, I’m just stating that like romance fiction, it really won’t be classified as super great fiction, unless you are talking classics like Isaac Asimov.  But even him, I don’t really get.  Sure, I enjoy science fiction and fantasy, but really, how is it any different.

I don’t know if I’m getting my point across properly.  This author claims that romance fiction is why there is such a great illiteracy in this world.  Excuse me?  Now while some romance fiction is pretty bad, much of it has been researched up the wazoo.  The writers do not just spit out random words. 

The writer also claims that Jane Eyre might be classified as classic romance fiction. At the time these books were published, these style of books were considered more romance novels.  Same as Jane Austen.  However, those books are held in some of the highest regard.  They are classics now.  Who is this man to say that the books of now will not be considered classics?

I find that highly insulting.  As a romance fiction writer myself, and one who enjoys a good story. I’m sorry, but Mr. McCaskey, as the writer calls himself, is in search of his own worth, clearly. 

Okay, so this is more of a rant than anything.  Please read all three posts.  What is your opinion?  Tell me what you think.

Writing on

~K.L.B.

Eating a well balanced meal is crucial for brain function

Now where was I?  Oh yes.  A writer actually needs three things that are quite important for the health of the writer.  Correct eating, sleeping, and fresh air.   A writer needs to make sure they eat healthy so that their brain functions properly.  Personally, they should drink plenty of water as well, because, well, we all know we are made up of mostly water.

Sleep.  Now that is something I have become really terrible at.  I have not been getting enough sleep.  Staying up till past 2 in the morning is not a healthy way to live.  I’m not partying, but just being up that late is not good. I can’t possibly get enough sleep doing that.  Because I have been bad about that, I have been paying for it with being exhausted in the day and not being all with it.  It does not help if you need to focus on writing and you get tired looking at the screen. 

And lastly.  Fresh air.  Now, I actually meant exercise, but as I’m not too great in that department, even twenty minutes of sitting in the sun and getting Vitamin D, is important.  A nice walk would be good too, and I have been working on that.  Yoga?  Well, that’s a nice low impact exercise that can limber you up to sitting in a chair and writing. 

Breath deeply and get some fresh air.

Open up the chest, stretch the arms.  Loosen up the back.  Come on, you are going to be sitting in a chair, probably with bad posture, because who of us sits up straight when we are writing. Oh, you do?  Well good for you.  I don’t.  I slouch, which is really bad.  Heck, I don’t even write in a chair half the time.  Right now I’m sitting on a stool, in my room which subs as a place to put my laptop at night.  Sort of a mini table.  Because Why would I write at a desk with a chair?   

But get out and get some fresh air.  Breath deeply.  Stretch a little.  While your at it, eat an apple, or some fresh fruit of some sort.  Drink a glass of water.  Water is good for you. Oh, and if you didn’t get enough sleep the night before…. Take a nap.  It might do you good. 

Because, who wants to be one of those sallow writers with deep-set eyes?  They were not healthy.  I want to be healthy and have pink skin, and no baggy eyes. 

Writing on
~K.L.B.

Well, fortunately these two have the voice of reason, and the next half hour discussion really helped me tone my mental thoughts down. 

See, I have another agent in my arsenal that I have hopes of querying.  However, I haven’t been able to do a ton of research on him, and I would like to.  Problem is, most of the authors he has represented, do not seem to have books in my library system.  (Turns out I was wrong and found at least one of the authors he represents)  I feel like I should read some of the things he’s represented so I know what his style is.  Then I know whether or not I should go with him or not. 

 I am not a believer in just submitting query letters to random agents.  You are going to be working closely with this person, and good chance they will be with you through your writing career.  Besides, I want someone who wants to work with me like that. I want someone who will also help me with my manuscripts.  This agent sounds like someone who would like that.

So, for the next few months, while I will continue the heart-clenching-boy-I-hate-this-letter query letter, I will also work on researching this other agent.  You all might find it interesting that both agents I like, are named ‘Stephen’.  And yes, that spelling.  It’s sort of weird. 

Well, I’m still sort of panicking.  I am good at the panicking.  However, I am less stressed.   Now if I could lose the self-doubt that my books are just mediocre.  I wish I had more faith in my children’s books like I do with my flash fiction.  Oh well.

Writing on

~K.L.B.

The Blues of a Writer

Maybe it’s the new year, or maybe it’s that proverbial moment a writer feels like they will never make it, but I’m fighting the writer’s blues.  Ooh, I like that.  Can I coin that phrase?  Or has someone else already done that?  Okay Bing, do your work….  Nope, there doesn’t seem to be an actual definition for ‘Writer’s Blues’.  I’m taking it for my own.

I’ve started looking up a new agent or two, because I’m feeling that  sticking with just one, is slightly foolish.  I’m also feeling like my work is just not up to par  for sending out.  Which is crazy, because I’ve read some of the books published out there, and I am not impressed by a lot of them.  I know that is terrible to say in this world of publishing. 

So, now I’m working on a couple other agents I had my eye on a year or so ago before I ‘fell in love with’ another agent.  Which means more research.  More and more research.  I actually don’t mind the research, it’s the letter writing and unknown I don’t like.  The wondering if I really have anything worth publishing.

The writer’s blues.

And while I’m bemoaning all of that, I’ve been busy writing haiku over on Kate’s Bookshelf.  I’m tackling WordPress’ 365, by writing a haiku a day.  I’m not sure why I’m tackling this, but since I received a set of Haikubes for a Christmas present, I’m kind of hooked on them. Along with that I’m trying to write more flash fiction, which I am also posting on Kate’s Bookshelf.

So, I guess I am busy.  Now if I just felt like I was getting somewhere.

Writing on

~K.L.B

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I thought I would take the time to review the year and the progress I’ve made, as the final post of 2011, and also of my Post A Week 2011.  So here is a review of Escaping the Inkwell which started one year ago. 

First off, I must say, SHEESH!  I never thought I would post this much this year, nor be quite so satisfied with the results.  One hundred posts is pretty amazing since I started out expecting to only do around 52.  I’ve managed to post more than I thought I would, just on this blog.  I posted nearly that much over on Kate’s Bookshelf as well.  I’m quite pleased with the results.

So as the old year rings out, one of my goals was completed.  To blog as much as I was possibly able to.  And to maintain my goal.  I might have fudged a bit towards the end, and not keep it to exactly one post every week.  As in, I post on Monday, I must post by or on next Monday.  Yeah, I realized I was being a little picky there.  But it made it so I actually posted instead of just thinking about posting.

I started off 2011 hoping to get my query letter off in January.  Well, January flew right out the window, along with February, March, April, May, June, July, and August.  Fortunately I got my butt in gear and got my letter sent off in late September.  By October my first rejection letter had come to me.  I have yet to find a frame for it.  Yes, oh yes, this letter is going to be framed and hung on the wall.  As a reminder that at some point I shall be accepted.

It was hard to read that rejection letter.  I will admit I cried a bit, (yes, I’m a girl, do not say a thing), but I set forth to succeed.  I’ve not managed my December 1st deadline of sending off the new letter…..  Somehow I failed my goal of while everyone else was NaNoWriMo-ing, I’d be QUERY-ing.  I’m planning for this coming January.

While  the query letter was being formed all year, I spent the rest of the time working on various stories, from half started children’s picture books, to finishing one for certain.  While it’s not in my category of favorites, I do love it and hope that someday I will be able to publish it as well.

I’ve worked on Oscar storylines, adding a new character of Geraldine.  Who are Oscar and Geraldine, you ask?  Well, Oscar was my second attempt at a children’s book and it is the one I am now querying.  Oscar is  a dachshund who has adventures with his owner, or on his own.  As I happen to own a dachshund, as well as my parents, I have plenty of inspiration.  Geraldine is the newest doxie, and I have added her just because, well my own dogs are the inspiration.  For those of you interested, my baby(he is 8 going on 9) is named Rugburn, and he’s all mine, as the lump on the bed beside me proves it.  My parents have Heidi, a doxie who came into our lives only one year ago, and since has sort of taken over the household.  She’s in love with Rugburn, no we won’t have any puppies as both are fixed, but wow, we know who rules this house. 

Along with writing children’s books, I’ve worked on adult things as well, and in the process met my lovely editor, George.  Whom, if you’ve read my blog lately, I rave about.  I can see why authors always go on and on about their editors.  I so get it.  I can see how you could totally fall in love with your editor.  They make your work brilliant. They see things you don’t possibly get, and oh, to see something spelled and punctuated correctly.  It is SO Tinsel! (for those of you wondering, Tinsel is my new catch phrase. I was inspired by Lanny from Disney’s Prep and Landing) (I’m also quite inspired by ‘frostbite’ as my new swear word.  From the same thing)

Well, I may continue to rave about George.  I don’t know what I would do without him.

Lastly, I’ve sort of plunged into the world of flash fiction.  While I don’t post it all that often, I do have my notebook filled with tons of paragraphs that are the starts of flash fiction.  Some I hope to finish and post, and others are just ideas for random bits of things I see.  I’ll be walking and see something I like and just have to write about it for the heck of it.  Whether to practice, or just to remember the scene to use later on.  Thank goodness I write most of it in notebooks, otherwise I would lose it, as it has no specific spot in my binder that is full to the brim with written things.

I still dabble in poetry, and right now I’m very inspired by Keats’ works, as I am watching Bright Star.  He is a brilliant poet.  (okay, was, as he is dead)  I’ve yet to read much of his, but every bit of it is quite beautiful.  And to think I used to make fun of his odes.  Never again.  Such a shame he died young.  I wonder what this world would have been like had he lived to a normal old age?  Well, poetry is not at the top of my writing world, but it’s definitely a part.

So, wow, what a year.  I’ve written so much this year and it feels good. Now if only I could get better at managing my time so that I don’t feel rushed to accomplish all my writing in one day.  I plan to continue this Post a Week thing, even if WordPress doesn’t sponsor an event like it this year.  I think it is good for me.  And I hope my loyal readers will prompt me to continue in that strain if they see me fall off the writing wagon.  I am hopeful  WordPress will have some prompts like this again though, because it’s been fun.

Writing on into 2012
~K.L.B.

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