Go! And DON'T Come Back!

Last post of the year, looking back and forward, blah, blah. You know the drill. Here's my list of things and people that should stay in 2019 and never 'grace' us with their presence:

Photo courtesy of cottonbro, Pexels

1. Anything Kardashian. Seriously, we've ALL had enough. If you're going to law school Kim, hit the books and stay off TV and out of the media. And find something for the rest of your family to do.

2. Every. Single. Politician. We're tired (I'm speaking for a lot of people) of your bickering, backstabbing, lying, self-serving non-representation. All of you, out the door! We want fresh, new, unsoiled, eager representation (who won't bring half their family in to make money off ties with US gov). Clear both sides of the aisle.

3. Antonio Brown. You can't keep your hands to yourself or your mouth shut. (Disclosure: I am a very dedicated Patriots fan and he would have been great, but... ethics apply.) And, take all those other dirty players (and coaches, managers, etc., and I don't care if they are future Hall of Famers) with you. It's time the NFL cleaned house. There should be absolutely no room for players with assault and other criminal records. If they're cleared in court, fine. Until then, out! You are seriously angering female fans.

4. Twitter trolls. You know who you are. A person makes an observation, and you want to be angry, and butt hurt, so you jump all over them because your opinion is different. It's narcissistic and what I've read but can't remember the term, darn it, is the abuser blaming the victim. Hey, I think there are some real whacko opinions out there, but they are opinions and protected under the Constitution. Ok, you don't agree, you may even be horrified (I've been) but make your point and move on (unless there is a clear danger, like someone making a threat- different story). If you have to smear them, and continually harangue them, you need therapy. And another hobby.

5. Amazon screwing authors. Indie authors receive pennies for their books. Jeff Bezos, you have your billions (or is it trillions now? oops, forgot about the divorce...back to billions). Either way, your stranglehold on authors and the monies they don't get from Kindle Unlimited is cruel and soooo not fair. There should be no 'returning' an ebook after people have read it. A few pages to peruse, but if they buy it, they pay for it- no give backs. And the same thing goes for you, Audible. No returning audio books and then making the author pay. Seriously, I have some very bad words on my tongue...

6. Reality shows. Hint: they are scripted and therefore, that's false advertising. I'm glad Snookie and crew are gone, but take the housewives, the sister wives, and everything else fake back to oblivion.

7. Excess and unrecyclable plastics. Some things need to be plastic, like medical devices and car parts. But we don't need plastic straws every time we get a drink (what, are you 2?). Manufacturers, please don't wrap instruction booklets in plastic. It's ridiculous the amount of plastics used for silly things. Maybe plastics should be constrained (as much as possible, I understand chemicals and situations may call for something different) to only those which can be recycled. Lego bricks- why can't they be made from recycled plastics? And other toys? How about bricks which could be used for building houses? All public benches? We might be able to save trees if we can substitute recycled plastic products. It would be great if a brilliant scientist somewhere created a microbe that eats the stuff (I've heard rumors, is it a reality? If so, let's get on this and clear out landfills and the oceans...).

8. 'Designer' animals. With so many animals in shelters, waiting to be euthanized, I can't look at those designer dogs, which cost hundreds, if not thousands, and not think less of its owners as a person.

9. Idiotic prison systems. What good does it do anyone when prisoners are locked up with nothing to do? Let prisons run animal shelters. Teach prisoners how to train service animals. Just think of all the therapy and service animals that could come from overcrowded shelters and go to people in need of them. Prisoners would be busy performing a desperately needed service, and we all know animals reduce stress levels. Training a single dog could save thousands of dollars for people who need one, plus giving prisoners a real chance at a form of restitution. Think about it!

10.  I'm looking at you, Big Pharma. There is no justifiable or ethical reason why these companies get to charge Americans hundreds of dollars for insulin and other medications when Europeans get the same drug for pennies on the dollar. We are funding research, but don't gouge us! Same price for everyone. And shame on you- you have blood on your hands.

11. Those stupid Progressive, Geico, and Liberty Mutual commercials (to name a few). You've done them to death. We're sick of them. Goodbye Flo, Jaime, gecko, emu, etc.

12. Any more remakes of Spiderman, Batman, Superman, etc. Hollywood, there are mega tons of books out there- and don't forget the Indies- when you search for a new project. Not another Star is Born, or Tarzan, or even Dracula. I'm not saying don't do any movies based on those characters, or any which include the characters, but STOP remaking the original plot over and over and over.... If you're hard up, check out some books from the library. Talk to people. See what's a new trend.


Well, that's my list for now. More will come to mind as we wind down the last dregs of 2019. May 2020 be kinder to all of us- people, animals, Earth, and Fate.

See ya on the flip side....

Char

it's That Time of Year...

The holidays are here. So....

Photo courtesy of Mohammed Reza Fathian, Pexels

MERRY CHRISTMAS

HAPPY HANNUKAH

HAPPY KWANZA

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I wish all peace, contentment, health and success. I will see you next year! 

Char

Beware the Hole!

I was relaxing, in my jammies, with a cup of tea and a cat on my lap, watching one of my favorite Hallmark movies. In the first 10 minutes.... Plot hole!

Photo courtesy of Anthony DeRosa, Pexels.

And it wasn't the only one. By the time I got to the end, there were 8 plot/situation holes. How did all of them get past:

author

agent

editor

copy/film editor

producer

director?

Here they are:

1- A minor character, a soldier, tells main character that he and girlfriend set wedding date. He immediately gets killed. Main character gives dog tags to 'widow.'

2- As the camera pans through the picturesque town, sometimes there is snow, sometimes not- and sometimes it's the same place, like a main character's home, on the same day. (not a plot hole, but a situational/filming hole. Still, someone missed it.)

3- Main female character's hair is perfect when she is in the office. She goes outside for a brief scene, hair gets wet from falling snow and looks droopy. Yet, walks into the office and wa-la! hair is perfect again!

4- A supporting character has a horse drawn sleigh, and mentions he wants to put wheels on it. Camera pans across sleigh, and... it has wheels.

5- It's a Christmas movie, so there shouldn't be little green buds on the trees....

6- This is more an acting thing, but director should have caught it- female lead doesn't close her eyes when kissing the hot male character, so I'm not convinced of the attraction. (I would have offered to take her place.)

7- People in the church are singing (really pretending) and their mouth movements don't match the words to the songs. At least the main characters seem to know the words. (The others have hymnals so they should have been able to fake it better....)

8- In the end scene, the main female character is chasing after the main male character, who's had a head start leaving town. And yet, she had time to run to a diner and get a chicken salad club with extra crispy curly fries to go, and bring it to him.

Don't get me wrong, I still love the movie, but careful editing is essential. I've read books where I stop and say, "Wait! That can't be!" It's even WORSE when it's my own book.

So Hallmark, call me, I'll be happy to watch and suggest edits. And, maybe, you could take a look at my manuscript....  ;)

Char

What Are You Trying to Write?

I not only host a critique group, but I do short critiques at SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) conferences and one day critique events. I give and get critiques. No matter how successful the writer, a critique by an objective person is essential.

There were a lot of good stories, and I was glad to offer a few helpful comments. One thing I noticed some writers struggled with: English was not their native language- and it showed. Now English is a challenge even for those of us born speaking it. It has so many ridiculous rules:

Hoof (singular) but hooves (plural).

Okay, loaf to loaves. Got the hang of it?

WAIT.

Roof to roofs.

I mean, like, what the heck?

Don't get me started on the 'i before e, except after c' rule because that works only half the time:

weird
forfeit
albeit
glacier
seize

Photo courtesy of Burst, Pexels. 

These are just two of the many exceptions. There seems to always be an exception to every English grammar/spelling/writing rule. Then, there are the issues of slang, metaphors, and multiple word meanings. I do not envy anyone having to learn English.

And this brings us to writing in English, which is even harder than speaking it. There are a number of native English speakers who can't write well, but for the English-learning group, it must be a nightmare.

Here are a few tips for those who struggle:

1-  Read your work carefully. Sometimes reading aloud helps, and unbelievably, changing the font. I know that I read aloud passages in my manuscripts when something feels just a little bit 'off.' Your brain tends to interpret your writing, skipping over mistakes, because it knows what you meant to say. Many times I've read some text, only to find I've left out words like 'to, and, for' and others. My brain unconsciously supplied the missing word in my head, but when you read aloud, the tongue only says what's actually on the paper.

2- You need a native English speaker to read the story. Whether you have a critique partner or friend who can read your manuscript (before you start getting outside critiques or submitting) this is practically non-negotiable. My husband spoke only Italian until grade school and even by the time he was doing post grad work, his writing skills were affected by being a non-native English speaker. I would read over his papers and help him with spelling, grammar, and flow.

3- Use Word features, like global search to see if you overuse certain words. I'm guilty of overusing 'just'. (It's frightening how often it appears in rough drafts.) Do you see those colored squiggly lines appear in a sentence when you write? That's Word telling you something may be amiss. The program isn't always correct, especially for the use of commas and other punctuation, but let it draw your attention. Read the line aloud; does it still seem correct? There are other programs, like  grammarly.com. which check grammar usage, the most difficult part of writing, but also spelling and punctuation. There are other programs, some of which are free, so do your homework and see which one fits your needs. Even if you have to pay for a subscription, it's worth it and will in the end save you time, money, and frustration, not to mention that you don't want to build a rep among editors and agents for being a poor writer. (Word does get around.)

4- Consider a professional editor. This can be expensive, especially if your manuscripts need a heavy editing hand. I would recommend you go through the above steps first, to reduce as many issues as possible. Then, check around with other writer friends if they use editors, what's being said about them in reviews, and what comes up when you Google them.

5- Take writing courses. Check grammar and author websites for helpful writing links. Shop around. This is time-consuming research, but vital. I have a degrees in English and journalism but I took writing classes which specialized in writing for children. Writing a chapter, middle grade, or young adult book is very different from writing for adults or a job. You have to be conscious not only of writing well, but of language usage; for example, not using college level words that your intended younger audience won't understand.

If I wanted to write a book in Spanish, it would be an onerous task because it's not my native tongue and what I learned in high school is not enough to produce a professional, polished manuscript. I admire anyone who attempts to take on the challenge of writing in a learned tongue. You have to work harder, but if you want your manuscript to get serious consideration, you must take the extra steps because editors and agents will simply reject any work that will require extensive editing. They simply don't have the time, and with so many hopeful authors out there practically tossing novel drafts at them, there's no need. There is always a slush pile, open submissions periods, and agented writers to supply them.

Good luck!

Char 

A New Arrival...

I got a new laptop.

I don't have everything up and running, and I'm bugging my sons. Somehow, my wireless printer is printing reverse- black page and white letters. It's very hard on the eyes, especially when I swam and the chlorine has me looking like a red-eyed demon. So, bear with me.

In the meanwhile, keep writing, take time to enjoy the little pleasures of the holidays, don't get discouraged, and do something good for you, and nice for someone else...

Photo courtesy Pixaby, Pexels. 

Char

Excuses and Thankfulness

I didn't realize how few posts I've done lately. As usual, I have several good excuses:

1- My husband retired so there were dinners and such to attend.
2- Spent 8 days in Los Angeles visiting our son.
3- Getting ready for Thanksgiving i.e. volunteering to clean up church grounds, practicing bell music for Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve services.
4- Working to finish a novel overhaul
5- Working on selling stuff out of garage so I can put my car in there before the snow (anyone need some great toys or bedroom furniture, check out Craig's List or comment me....)
6- Spending time with family because tomorrow is not guaranteed.

I'm taking the easy way out here and am just going to say:

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Photo courtesy of Fauxels, Pixels.

I'll sign off for at least a week by giving you 5 things I'm grateful for:

1- Family and friends.

2- To live in a country where there are opportunities for self, for others, for the world.

3- For health.

4- For the ability to make a difference, however small, in the lives of people, animals, the environment, the nation.

5- For my talents/skills either natural, limited, or learned that I can use on my life journey.

Wishing you all health, contentment, and peace.

Char

It's Veteran's Day. In my family, my father (Navy) and two uncles (Navy, Army) served. I salute and honor them and all who served.

Photo courtesy of Craig Adderly, Pexels

May God bless them and all who follow that tough road so that we may breathe free.

Char

Don't Use That Word With Me!

Not a rant, exactly, but there are some words I detest. Even as a writer. Strange, right? But it's like even though I'm a cat lover, I think hairless cats are ugly. I would never harm them, but I'd never get one as a pet. Same with these words. I'd never use them because we aren't friends.


1.  'drug' vs. 'dragged.'  I don't know, it simply sounds uncouth when I hear or read something like, "I drug the truth out of him" vs. "I dragged the truth out of him." Are you with me on this? It just sounds incorrect and ignorant.

2.  'bemused.' Webster's dictionary says it means "confused, or mildly amused." Well, which is it? Sometimes I can't tell if a character is amused or confused by the context. Don't tell me "she was bemused by his outburst" because that doesn't clarify the meaning. She could be confused by his outburst, as in he had no reason for such emotion, or she could be amused, because he had no reason. Which is it??? Pick a better word.

3. 'didactic' which in case you didn't know, means, according to Webster, "Instructive, or inclined to teach or lecture others too much." No one except academics and snobby writers use that word. Had a classmate who used it all the time to impress the prof. Hint: he wasn't impressed, and neither were we.

4.  Okay, not a word, but more of a colloquial saying. "I had went shopping." Sorry, that's just wrong. "I had gone shopping." Or, better, "I went shopping." Get rid of both 'had' and 'went.' And stop making me cringe.

5. The 'n' word. It seems to me, that if a word is a slur against a whole community of people, the 'cultural appropriation' of that word by the said affected community is NOT the thing to do. I hear POC calling each other that name, and I while I know it can be meant as a greeting, it's also derogatory. It's akin to calling a woman 'bitch' in a song, or women calling another woman a bitch. It can mean that she's badass (so say that!) but it also can mean that she's a terrible person, it's meant to put her down, the same way slave owners used the 'n' word. Both words (and a few others I won't get into here) should be eradicated from vocabulary altogether. Let's not glorify them, okay?

I think maybe I'll start a list of words I strongly dislike and see where it goes. 

Until then,

Char

Drawing the Line in the Blood...

Not writing a murder mystery, but there may be some scary stuff here. I'm going to list why I won't watch certain Halloween movies.

1. Halloween (2005 remake). The original was scary. The danger of doing a remake is that we know what's going to happen. Throwing in gratuitous sex, nudity (funny, only women were nude, you sexist jerks), and cursing doesn't improve the movie. You need to do better than that. And, while it's a nice idea to give us background on Michael Meyer's childhood, I felt the movie copped out: he was subjected to bullying in the home by his stepfather and sister, and by kids at school. He lived in poverty. His mother was an exotic dancer. The house was a slum. He kills little animals before moving onto the school bully. Serial killers, psychopaths, and sociopaths don't necessarily have these disadvantages. Think of Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, etc. It felt like the writers and producers wanted to give Michael an excuse for his psychotic behavior. Most of the time, remakes suck.

2. Leatherface, Texax Chainsaw Massacre, Saw, et al. These movies, while they achieve scaring the crap out of people, do it by pure gore. I know it's based on a true story, but the intense gore is totally nauseating, especially as special effects get more realistic.

3. Sequels 2,3,4.... I'm laughing at Jason and Michael after the second sequel. Ghosts, demons, vampires, and other supernatural characters can be hard to kill and/or can be resurrected. In the original premise, Jason and Michael are fully human. There needs to be an arc for them to move from human to supernatural. (Can anyone say PLOT HOLE?) At least Freddie kills in your dreams, which allows for sequels (even though they were pale ghosts of the first movie). And enough with the sequels. No one cares about Freddie, Jason, Michael, and other very tired villains. There are wonderful writers out there. PICK. SOMETHING. NEW. (Pssst, I have an idea....and a ms.)

4.  "Homemade" movies. While I thought the Paranormal Activity movies were excellent, Blair Witch was too shaky (looks like my hubs's videos at Christmas) making some people queasy. There was little tension because the camera bolts all over the place and it disorients the viewer. At least, I felt that way. And then they made a sequel? Didn't bother to watch that one.

Wanting to leave on a positive note, here are some of my faves and why:

1. Dracula (1979, with Frank Langella). It had suspense and no plot holes, and seriously, Frank Langella is the sexiest vampire. (no sparkles). He is the epitome of an alluring villain- he doesn't even have to use his 'come to me' mojo to get the gal. 
2. Paranormal Activity. In the style of Hitchcock, these movies kept you on the edge of your seat, just waiting to see a shadow- you never had to see a ghost, demon, etc. Just footprints crossing a barrier of powder on the floor scared you. And, NO GORE! They used the barest minimum special effects, but it felt realistic enough to make you sleep with the lights on.
3. My favorite Frankenstein movies are Victor Frankenstein (2015) with Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy, and the original b/w Frankenstein (1931). Not scary, but just so well done. Radcliffe and McAvoy bring freshness and twists to the original story. And the first is always a classic. Even over 80 years later, the purity of the original is unbeatable; Karloff is the best monster.
4. Although not scary, The Mummy (1999) with Brendon Frasier and Rachel Weisz had humor, a few made-you-jump scenes, romance, history, and was all around a fresh take- we see how he became the Mummy and the set up for his return.
5. The scariest movie ever- one that I will never watch again, is The Exorcist. If you've seen it, enough said. If you haven't, then you're afraid.....

Other faves: Blade series, The Mummy Returns, Alien, Jaws, Rosemary's Baby, Silence of the Lambs, Salem's Lot. While not all "Halloween" movies, these had tension and scenes that made you almost wet your pants. Non-scary movies: Practical Magic, Hocus Pocus, Young Frankenstein. 

I could list tons more, but you get the gist.

Wishing you Happy Haunts and Halloween!

Char

How to Procrastinate- From an Expert

We all do it. We procrastinate about doing things that maybe we don't want to, but have to do. Things that are complicated and will take over our lives. Things that may be unpleasant. Things that maybe aren't that bad, but well, we just don't feel like doing at the moment.

Sometimes writing and revising are like that. Have to do it, need to do it, don't want to do it. Writers come up with great ways to procrastinate. Here are some of my better ones...

1. My desk is a mess! How can I work with it like that??? Which of course, once you start cleaning, there are papers to go through, dusting, reading scraps of paper with ideas for books that you want to keep because you intend to turn those notes into novels. There's that darn file, drawer, closet, etc. that now need to be cleaned... It's a deadly avalanche of distractions.
2. I need to go shopping because I have to have more... pens, paper, notebooks, cheesy fries, toothpaste, etc. Doesn't matter what it is, you MUST have it.
3. The kitchen I've been meaning to paint all summer... I HAVE to do it NOW because  Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming and I'm having guests, and with three boys, the walls are a bit scruffy looking, and smoke has darkened the color. 
4. I'm not wasting time on the internet, I'm researching for the next novel or two.... 
5. I can get the revisions done in almost no time, and I'm under no deadline. I have plenty of time. 

I'm sure you have your favorites, your good old standbyes. If you're procrastinating, maybe there's an underlying reason. Struggling with this manuscript, I've already gone through it, page by page, editing it on paper because it couldn't be done on my laptop because the revisions included moving chapters around, adding, subtracting, and reworking the entire story. (I wrote it before cell phones were commonplace.) All I have to do now is type in the changes. But as I look at all the edits, add-ins, cross outs, I'm afraid because it's such a mess.

What's weird is that I'm two thirds through; why can't I just buckle down and DO IT? I still love the story, and I love the freshness from the changes. Maybe I'm just tired of working on it.

But I need to get it done.

So, I will make yet another promise to finish it this week. (Yep, broke a few of those promises.) I hope to make it this time, but if I don't, I won't beat myself up. It will get done. And the sooner I get it done, I can start on that new #NaNo project (which I'm doing in January, I'm part of that rebel group I wrote about several posts ago). Finishing it means freedom to move on, to start that new book, to stop being critical of myself, and to send it to my agent.

Check back on Monday and I'll let you know how I did. Today's not over, so I still have time to get some pages done...

Char

5 Undeniable Truths About Life...

It's Monday, blog day. I'm keeping it short and maybe not so sweet with 5 truths that we all know:

1- If you have a front loading washing machine, to have to leave the door open to avoid that funky smell, mold, and mildew. (And they don't tell you this in product info or when you're going to buy it.)

2- The absolute BEST glass/window cleaner is a formula it took me years to figure out (without a degree in chemistry, but with simple, basic logic) - In a Windex bottle use this formula: 1/2 Windex, 1/4 white vinegar, 1/4 water. It takes a little longer for the glass to dry, but it comes out cleaner than anything I've found on the market. You're welcome.

3- Never wear any football jersey but an Eagles one if you're going to Philadelphia. You put your safety at risk.

4- No matter how many times you review/revise your manuscript, you always think you should do it 'one more time.'

5- I love Christmas but Christmas movies in July are just a big NO. You should be poolside, at the beach, hiking in the mountains, playing in the grass. There's enough time for Christmas and snow in November/December.

So I'm back to the revisions on my manuscript and praying that my laptop won't quit on me (it's been showing signs that it's end is near....)

Here's a nice pic of my front door to start your week that has nothing to do with anything I've written today, but I'm taking artistic license....

Welcome! Let's have a cup of tea!

Char

Another Golden Day!

It was that time of year- an October Saturday for the Collingswood Book Festival. I had one of my best sales day (parents and teachers loving my Evolution Revolution trilogy!), and except for having cold feet because I did not wear socks and was sitting in the breezy shade most of the day, it was a beautiful day.

I have to give a shout out to my Kidlit Authors Club colleagues. Every year some of us meet here and take group/solo pics, and reconnect. This group is amazing for supporting each other. Check us out at Kidlit Authors Club and see what's new! 

Mr. Dapper himself, MG author David Neilson

One of our newest members, PB author Kell Andrews

MG author Robin Newman, perky as always!

MG author, Darelene Beck Jacobsen  (we usually sit next to each other)

And to my left, YA author Jeffrey Johnston

Wearing my Rutgers jersey was safer than wearing my NE Patriots one!

I had the hubs helping me by taking pics, and sadly... some of my colleagues were in author panels, or attending to business and I didn't get pics of Jodi Moore (PB), Jennifer Robin Barr (PC, MG), or Hallee Adelman (PB). I'm sorry! 

I would be remiss if I didn't shout out to the wonderful organizers of the Collingswood Book Festival. In their 17th year, they have it down to a science. Besides that, I have to acknowledge that the organizers are truly egalitarian. Invited authors are both traditionally and Indie published, authors with brand new books out, and ones that are several years old, authors of fiction, non-fiction, adult, children, best seller, mid-list, and everything in between. They don't judge the book or the author, they open their arms equally to everyone. I don't know another large book festival that can make that claim. That's being SUPER pro-author. And I thank them! 

The people of Collingswood need a salute too! They show up rain or shine to buy books, talk to authors, and support reading and writing. One young reader wanted my Sirenz book, but didn't have enough money to buy it from the bookseller. The price was $7.99 plus tax; she had $5. The longing in her eyes was so intense, I sold her a copy for $5. The joy on her face to get the signed book reminded me why I write. I may not have sold as much as the featured more well-known authors, but this young girl made my day. I wish her joyful reading! 

Next year, I want to see YOU there! 

Char

Prepping For NaNoWriMo- or Your Next Book Whenever You Write It

It's that time. First day of fall. Pumpkin spice you-name-it. Closing the pool. Back to school.

Photo courtesy of Marina Sirazetdino, Pexels.

NANOWRIMO 

If you're going to do #NaNoWriMo, or even if you're simply getting ready for your next novel, here are 5 easy steps to do BEFORE you start writing.

1. Have a solid concept of your story idea. Don't say, "Well, it's about this guy who goes into space and meets an alien and they become friends." That's not detailed enough. Ok, you introduce your main character, he flies in to space and meets the alien........and then.....What? You have to have several conflicts and setting changes. Does he get caught in the middle of a galactic war? Does he find something that he shouldn't have? Does he develop a super power because he went through a wormhole? Write several sentences summarizing your novel. (You don't have to stick with it, but it gives you a good starting point.) Some people like to write one sentence per chapter- those are the plotters. Pansters- (I used to be one) writing whatever comes into your mind- you're putting pressure on yourself to remember where you were going every time you stop/start. 
2. Do a character sketch. Make sure you know what your character looks like so in chapter one when you say her eyes are a stormy blue, you don't write in the third that she has emerald green eyes. You should know hair color, ethnicity (or species), physical characteristics, personal traits and idiosyncrasies, etc. If you know them well enough, like down to their favorite food, you can choose one for interesting development. Say your character hates green foods. Maybe she goes to someone's house and all they eat are green foods. It makes for interesting dinner conversation, social awkwardness, and opportunities for conflict. Write a character biography, complete with a picture, maybe based on a celebrity you imagine your character resembles. Download the pic and put it into the biography for quick reference. (It's a good idea to do this for all characters, even minor ones.)
3. Set a schedule. It's harder to grab free time to write than it is to stick to a schedule. Got crazy, busy days? Maybe schedule writing time while your son is at soccer practice, or you're with your parent at physical therapy, or you're sitting at the airport. Work around your schedule beforehand so you're not in panic or guilt mode later on. Also, whether in NaNo mode or setting your own personal goal, look to see where you can block out some time for extra writing to get ahead (because Thanksgiving is in there....) or to catch up (hey, life happens). You won't beat yourself up and give up because you know there is time to catch up.
4. Make notes when you get an idea. If you suddenly get a brilliant idea, don't wait to put it into your writing; make some notes immediately. It could be hours or another day before you go back to writing and by that time, the idea could be gone. You'll be so angry with yourself. I don't care if you have to write it down on your arm. Or the bottom of your shoe (I have). Put it in your phone. Or ask someone to shush for a moment. It could be the stroke of genius you need to blaze through to the end of your novel. 
5. Do. The. Research. Don't wait until you start your story to find out you need to know how dogs are trained to be therapy animals to write your book. Know what your settings look like. If it's a real place, do both Google maps and Google Earth. If it's a made-up place, draw your own map with landmarks, rivers, etc. Know the technology if it's a space story. If it's history, find out what they wore, how the spoke. Trying to write the story without a good chunk of basic research done only makes your story harder to write, and even harder to revise. Plus, during research, you will glean information and ideas that may take your story in a fresh direction. 

So there ya go. If you're doing #NaNoWriMo starting on the first of November, you have ample time to accomplish all five tasks above. If you're like me and doing the rebel NaNoWriMo in January because that month has nothing going on (not even the Super Bowl), then you have time for a few more pumpkin spice whatevers. 

Wishing you luck-

Char

Revising NaNoWriMo

November is #NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month. You take 30 days and write 1,667 words a day to complete a rough draft novel of 50,000. I usually do it every year.

This year, I'm revising NaNoWriMo and here's why. On Saturday I attended the Albany Book Festival at SUNY Albany. Chatting with my tablemate, Johanna Spero (*waves) I found out there is an underground movement in NaNoWriMo: doing it in January.

Seriously, whoever conceived of doing 1,667 words a day in NOVEMBER, when we have the prep of Thanksgiving and teachers' conferences, and the prep for Christmas, obviously wasn't a person with schoolkids, or families who descend on them for an all-out holiday meal. It's just too insane. When Johanna told me about a renegade group who does NaNoWriMo is JANUARY, I was like, wait, what? AFTER the holiday rush? During the crappy winter when all you want to do is stay inside? When there are no holidays? When the college kids have returned to school and soccer/football is over? It's freaking GENIUS. I salute these brilliant people and am joining your ranks. Every year I burn the all-night oil to get at least several days ahead because who can write on Thanksgiving Day when you're cooking, and stuffed, and visiting? The day before- it's all prep. The day after, it's cleanup. Then starts the Christmas madness. It was insane, draining, and I came to dread trying to catch up before the 30th deadline. So many people gave up because they felt like failures. It was a Herculean task, at best.

Photo courtesy of Energepic, Pexels. 

No more! I am free! January is perfect. And while we're here, let's talk about #NaNoRevMo, or National Novel Revision Month. Again, who is this crazy person that thought revising your rough draft in JUNE was a great idea?? Oh, sure, the kids aren't in school, they are HOME, or you have to take them to camps. There are weddings, graduations, First Communions, etc. If you write your novel in January, the best time to revise it would be September. Kids are back in school, and yes, you have the sports to deal with, but it's easier to revise a few pages sitting in the car while the kids practice than it is to write.

So RISE UP! Revolt against the oppression of trying to write a novel in November! Free yourself! No disrespect to those who do it in November, I did it for a number of years, but this year, I take control of my own NaNoWriMo.

Join the Rebellion! 

Photo courtesy Pixabay, Pexels.

As long as you keep writing-

Char

How Am I Supposed to Have a Happy Labor Day?

Happy Labor Day!

Or restful.

Or lazy.

Or fun.

Or whatever. 

I'm taking the day off. I have to deal with the end of summer. I'm not ready for fall and dying flowers, cold days, less sunlight, and closing my pool.

I need to sulk. 

Photo courtesy of Flora Westbrook, Pexels. 

Char

Waste Not - Want Not?

I know a very talented artist. Won awards. Got scholarships for his talent. Sadly, he turned them down and studied Criminal Justice. And then worked in the food industry. He never seriously picked up a pencil or brush after high school.

Photo courtesy of Alicia Zinn, Pexels. 

And I think, 'what a waste.'

If I had that talent, I'd do so much... Besides writing, I would illustrate books. I'd make art not only for books, but for my house, heck, maybe even sell some next to my books.

But I understand why someone would not want to use their talent. It's draining. You're constantly bombarded with ideas and possibilities, and it drives you crazy when you can't bring those ideas to fruition. You spend so much time in your head; characters won't shut up, demanding to have their story told or drawn. Life demands a lot and there's only so much time, motivation, and opportunity. I'm reminded of artists who suffer for their art; little or no recognition or appreciation during their lifetime so they face not only frustration but economic hardship.

So be kind when you think someone is 'wasting' their talent/skills by not using them. There are many reasons why they don't. And, keep in mind when you're looking at someone's work, what went into creating it. Don't begrudge them the price of their hard earned work. Whether painting, novel, jewelry, or other craft, much time and effort went into it. Give artists their due.

They deserve it.

Char

Tech Update...

Okay, I was ranting about Amazon and the VAT (value added tax) certificate, which is just another form of taxation. Connecticut has it in that they tax your car every year.

Turns out, it was a spoof- made to look like Amazon Britain was sending this, along with Amazon Germany. (Those countries have even more taxes than we do- so not like it looked suspicious right away).

Being so-so on tech savvy (ok, maybe a little less than so-so), I knew enough not to give out any personal info or passwords. From now on, whenever I get anything that asks me to do something, I'm going to double check with the company directly.

Lesson learned.

Now, I'm busy with getting ready for a party for the hub's work associates, working on my YA revisions, doing physical therapy, and so much other stuff. But here's a nice picture of a squirrel. Because I love squirrels...

Photo courtesy of Pixabay, Pexels Inc.

Enjoy the rest of summer.

Winter is coming...

Char

It's The Little Things...

That drive you the craziest. Like, "Fill out this form." Okay, sounds simple enough.

Except when it's in German. Okay, Translate function!

Except when Amazon.UK (Britain) is sending you the message about a tax certificate in Germany. Okay, contact Amazon and talk to them.

Except when you go to fill the forms, Amazon won't recognize the email that you've been using for sooooo long (like forever) for your books, but wants to use the family email that you use for Amazon Prime when you BUY things, not when you SELL your books. Okay, Amazon tells you to clear out your cookies.

Except even though you know what cookies are, where they hell are they? Okay, get son to help clear out cookies.

Except thanks to Amazon for that stupid advice, now I can't access ANYTHING- like Twitter, Facebook, Author Central on Amazon... OKAY, so son helps me load in ALL NEW FREAKING PASSWORDS.

Except I STILL CAN'T ACCESS THE DAMN TAX FORM TO FILL OUT BECAUSE AMAZON GERMANY WON'T RECOGNIZE IT ME.

Honestly, I don't think I've sold any books to Germany, so F it.

Take that, stupid European Union.

Photo courtesy of Pexels

Some days, I need something stronger than chai lattes to deal with this stuff.

And Amazon wonders why authors hate it (besides the fact that they squeeze every last penny out of us that they can).

Onto revisions while I wait for someone who may/may not show up to buy a bed I listed on Letgo, and then want to chew the price down to like $5 and pay with a check that could bounce and then I get stuck with $35 in bank fees like ten other people previously, because I haven't SUFFERED enough.

Char

Rutgers, Here I Come!

I am excited, thrilled, joyous, flipping out happy that I have been selected to be a mentor at the Oct 2019 Rutgers One on One Conference! This conference, which is put together by the Rutgers University Council on Children's Literature, is celebrating its 50th anniversary! Not only is that special by itself, but I attended two of these conferences at the beginning of my writing journey, and I'm a Rutgers alumna! It's almost like giving back.

So if you're an aspiring writer, I'm sorry you've missed this year's deadline, but I will be taking notes and pics, so stayed tuned. I'll pass on news and helpful hints from the conference.

For now, I've got to go shopping- I have NOTHING TO WEAR!  JK. But I've gotta start thinking now about getting ready.

*Sings:  I'm so excited....

So stay tuned, and I can't wait to meet all those fresh-faced, energetic attendees! (I think I'll bask in their aura of hope and determination to give myself another kick in the butt to get through these revision blues.)

Tools of the Trade

Or rather, tricks.

Every profession and hobby has little secret ways to do something, a shortcut unknown to the amateur. We on the inside like to keeps these tricks to ourselves- it makes us feel like we're in on the 'know' while others aren't, and it's a big help that we hope gives us an edge.

When I was a house painter (a very short career), I worked with my mom and stepdad in his business. He had all these little tricks that the average homeowner didn't know that helped him be a better painter than they were, which is good for business. Nothing a lay person does looks as perfect as when the pro does it.

One of those tricks was to tint the primer as close as possible to the paint color. Back then, primers and paints were separate- first the primer, then 2 coats of paint were required for a perfect finish. But tinting the primer usually meant you could skip the second coat of paint.

One of my tricks that I'm going to share with you is how to stop in the middle of a writing run, and be able to pick right up when you get back. You've been there; you're writing up a storm, the muse is dictating faster than you can type and you don't want to lose the momentum.

But life intercedes.... Gotta make dinner. Have to go to work. Must take care of kids/parents/pets etc. Some say stop in the middle of a sentence. Sorry, but that just doesn't make sense. How are you to know where you were going in that sentence? It might be obvious if you're in a situation like where the lookout on the Titanic spots the iceberg, or your characters are in the middle of a love scene. Or, if the previous sentence was something like, 'She pulled the gun and aimed right between his eyes.' All these examples pretty much set you up for when you return. However, unexpected breaks in writing sometimes leave you in unexpected places and you won't remember where the plot was marching.

Trick of the trade: First, finish that sentence. (I don't know too many authors who can stop in mid-sentence anyway.) Second, jot down a few sentences about where you're heading on that page. (Sometimes sticky notes get lost or pushed off, so put these notes on the page where you'll pick up.) I think 3 or 4 are good, and you can write them in shorthand like: she shoots, misses. they grapple over gun. gun goes off, him dead. Twelve words, and it feels like at least one chapter. No more guess work, or trying to wrack your brain (what was I thinking here? where was I going?). This is especially helpful during NaNoWriMo when you're attempting to write a whole book in 30 days and you have to get words down whenever you can to stay on track. If you get interrupted numerous times, it's hard to get back in the zone and that's why a few notations on where you're going can be a life/story saver.

Photo courtesy of Start Up Stock Photos by Pexels

Back to revisions... Now where was I....

Something Writers MUST DO....

It's summer, but I'm still working on books and revisions. But it's the time for vacations, relaxing, doing fun things too.

So I'm chilling a bit. Working, but at a much slower pace and with frequent breaks to the pool and hammock. Writers need to step away at times to recharge not only their bodies, but their creativity. Constant creation, like constant running, working, or even writing, is draining. I need, and deserve, some time for recharging, refilling, and plain ignoring 'chores' for 'me' time.

I recommend you do the same. Summer, beautiful days, and easier schedules don't last forever...

Char

You, You, YOU BLOG TROLL!

It's not nice to call people names, but sometimes insulting someone is better than wishing evil things on them.

I'm talking specifically about Blog Trolls. You know these types of people; they leave comments to get free advertising. When I did a post about finding the right chair to work at my desk, I got a number of 'comments' thanking me for my post- and then listing their business which happens to be selling chairs. Of course I delete them. Sorry, if you don't buy my book or give me free advertising, you can't ride my blog coattails for your stuff.

But the worst are those trolls from other countries. When they respond in poor English, followed by a message in a foreign language, I get the feeling they are up to no good. Between all the phishing scams, hackers, and just crazy people out there, I'm taking no chances and blocking you.

And yet, they still keep trying to post.

A recent spate concern me; they are written in Arabic and with the world situation, last thing I need is the FBI or CIA or Homeland Security showing up at my door demanding to take my laptop. I'm already on their radar (or I was) when I did research for my Blonde OPS novel about guns, the First Lady, the Secret Service, Italy, and poisons (well poisons were for another novel). So you can see why I might be of interest to them. (And especially since I had my browser shut down more times than I could count.)

You can call me paranoid, and maybe you might call me racist, but if a reader responds- multiple times- in a foreign language, I'm taking the extreme precaution of deleting and blocking them. So whoever you are, you might as well STOP TROLLING ME. Stop wasting my time and pissing me off, or I will ask karma to find you and set your computer on fire (better yet, I wish for YOU to get hacked and have it held hostage so you have to send gift cards to get control back).

(Photo courtesy Pexels, Pixaby)

Internet trolls are uglier than gargoyles. 

And, nobody likes you. (If your mother knew what you were doing, she'd pull your ears.) So leave me alone, go to your room, and find more constructive ways to live your life. 

Rant over. 

Char

It's National Clerihew Day!

What the heck is a clerihew?

Wikipedia describes it as: 

A clerihew is a whimsical, four-line biographical poem invented by Edmund Clerihew Bentley. The first line is the name of the poem's subject, usually a famous person put in an absurd light, or revealing something unknown or spurious about them. The rhyme scheme is AABB, and the rhymes are often forced. 

So here's one I wrote about me:

Charlotte Bennardo
Doesn't know what to do.
She keeps on writing
So why aren't editors biting? 

Be clever and write your own- it's a lot of fun! (Just don't be mean, 'k?)


Char 

A Clean Slate...

I missed my Monday post because frankly, I was exhausted. I cleared out my attic and my basement. I needed to bask in the joy of EMPTY space....

This room was PACKED, stuffed up 5 feet with twin bedroom sets, tables, books, etc. Now just these two couches plus the foosball table so my son and his friends can chill. The other half of the basement has empty plastic bins which I'm going to use when I go through all my Christmas stuff, which will then be neatly stacked on shelves. Then my attic will be truly empty.

Why am I telling you this? Because the clutter was a constant nuisance. Repairmen had a hard time getting around to service the furnace, A/C, read the water/gas meters, etc. I couldn't focus on writing and revising because every time I went in the basement for supplies, or a vase, or whatever, I had to navigate the maze of STUFF.

There are times when distractions, even seemingly minor ones like too much stuff, make you realize you need to do something. Obviously if it bugs you, like the clutter bugged me, you can't ignore it. So that means do something about it.

I cleaned out. Then with the 4th and parties and BBQs, and cleaning up from them, I'm exhausted. This weekend I'll chill, enjoy the pool, read a book (!) and not even think about my writing. (Right now I'm thinking about a nap in the hammock....) But come Monday, when the boys and hubs are at work, it's right back to the laptop and the revisions.

Now it's time to clear the clutter of unfinished writing projects.... And that will be my summer.

Stay cool, stay focused, and stay in touch

Char

Summer Writing

I'm swamped with family things, getting ready for a huge yard sale to clear out the clutter, and I've got several writing projects that I want to get done this summer, so this post is going to be short and sweet- (not to mention that I've temporarily run out of ideas for posts.. something will come to mind by next week when everything calms down).

Here are my thoughts:

I'm crazy busy. I'm taking today off. Enjoy cute pic.

Photo courtesy of Pixels, Inc, Pixaby

Char

How the Writing Magic Happens

A lot of writers are asked how they write their novels; are they plotters, where they outline the entire story first, or are they pansters, where they sit down and just write, letting the characters and action dictate the story? Do they have a schedule or write all day? Do they complete all their research first, or only the basics before they write? Do they know the ending before they begin?

The easy answers: I always know the beginning and the end, but not all the middle stuff. I write in between yoga/swimming in the morning, and afternoon around housework. I rarely write at night because by then, I'm done mentally.

Now the hard part: All writers have their own unique routine (or lack thereof). Here's how I wrote Sirenz 3: A New Trend:

First, there were several things that had to be addressed:

1- I resolved to write the third book, even though it was going to be a solo effort.
2- Certain things had to change; since I was writing solo, I did not feel comfortable writing the character Meg that my former co-author created. So Meg had to be cut out.
3- Of course Hades had to figure prominently in the story, but there had to be a twist on the too-suave, all-powerful, intensely-smug Greek god.
4- I wanted to keep the alternating viewpoints.
5- It had to flow from the first two books, but be able to (mostly) stand alone.
6- I might have to self-pub because the first two didn't make the NYT bestseller list.

Second, I had to determine what were the basic plot points:

1- There has to be trouble brewing among the Greek pantheon and Sharisse has to be caught up in the middle.
2- Persephone is the prominent antagonist.
3- Hades is going to need a favor from Sharisse- the tables are turned on who works for whom...
4- Let's humble Hades- take away everything that makes him who he is...
5- Sharisse and Hades come to a romantic understanding.

After listing these plot points, I was really excited to start writing. In order to produce a fast draft, I did a rough outline, one or two sentences per chapter. When I hit a snag, not knowing which direction to go in, I did a little more research into the Greek pantheon, NYC landmarks, Persephone's background- and I'd always find a little fact gem to spark ideas on how to proceed. Sometimes, it mean backtracking to add additional chapters between the beginning and where I was.

After the rough draft, I had some people look at it and offer basic criticisms on plot, pacing, and characterization. Several more revision run throughs and off it went to my agent. Now I hold my breath to see if an editor will love the chemistry between Hades and Sharisse. I don't know how anyone could resist him... Right, Sharisse?

Char  

Just Another Manic Monday... *evil laugh

Monday. Time to figure out another blog.

Time to take an opposite viewpoint to stir some trouble. (Relax, no politics.)

Author Barbara Delinsky wrote a piece called 5 Rules of Writing. I have to disagree with her on one point:

Create Likable Characters

Here's her advice (paraphrased): Create likable characters. The reader has to care to move on. You need a sympathetic character in an untenable position to hook the reader. I've had editors and agents say this to me, and so if people in the business are saying it, it's probably true? Sure, if you want to follow the crowd. There is a perk for stepping out of the box, away from the herd. To that advice, I say au contraire...

Honestly, I'm tired of all the 'nice' characters. I know a lot of nice people. I like to think I'm a nice person. Maybe that's why I'm drawn to bad boys/girls. It's easy to love the hero, but few love the villain/unlikable character who is a necessary part of the story and without them, we'd be bored. So I say let's salute the 'unlikable' character.

Did people like Snape before we found out his secret? No. We loved to hate him, comparing him to some of our teachers.... Other characters- Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. While she's not a villain, to me she's unlikable because she's hard and cold. But then you learn her story... What about Dracula? He's killing people and in some versions of this story, there is no redemption. Raise your hand if you'd like to have a chat with Hannibal Lector - (no hands up). Let's go classic; does anyone really like Miss Haversham in Great Expectations? She wastes her life, pining for some jerk who stood her up on her wedding day. There is no liking Charles Manson, unless you're as weird as him. And Frankenstein? I don't think anyone has shown him the love.

How vanilla if we didn't have these characters! But one thing that we forget is that even unlikable people have their story, and unlike Snape or Lisbeth, not all of them have redeeming qualities. There is nothing noble about Manson, or Lector (okay, he didn't eat Clarice, but it's only because he's enjoying a game of cat and mouse, not because he's a gentleman). How about Mean Girls (2004 movie)? How could anyone like the characters played by Lacey Chabert and posse? And what about Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Yeah, he changed later on, but initially we loathed him. And what about Darth Vader? That menacing breathing, that black cloak... He was way more interesting than a young 'nice' Anakin.

Unlikable characters fascinate us. They add spice. They have stories from a different perspective. So I'm not going to make all or even important characters 'nice' because I want to see things from the other side. I love stories where you have an unlikable character who draws you in and fascinates you before you learn the how/why he is like he is. And sometimes you don't learn why they are like they are- like Stephen King's evil clown Pennywise in It or Alien. How about Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta in Pulp Fiction? You never want to run across them, but yet... you secretly are drawn to them.

Photo courtesy of Vijay Putra, Pexels, Inc.

Embrace the darker side, the unlikable person. They will enthrall you...

Muahahahahahahhaa...

Char

No Plastic Is Possible...

A little break from all the writing stuff-

When I visited my son in California, I ordered takeout from the local restaurant. ALL the utensils, EVEN THE BAG THEY CAME IN, WERE BIODEGRADABLE. It's called PotatoWare.

I LOVE that it says, "We're the solution, not the pollution." There is NO REASON every restaurant can't use these. (Please make this happen, all you food industry big wigs....). Check out http://www.earth-to-go.com/. Let's STOP using plastic and thinking it's the only way.

I'm big into conservation and recycling and saving the planet- and everyone doing SOMETHING. I believe in it so much, it's been a sub-theme in my books- both the Sirenz series and the Evolution Revolution trilogy. I'm trying to use recyclable bags and avoid using plastic ones, I don't use straws, I support causes like 4Ocean. When you buy a 4Ocean bracelet, not only are you supporting an organization that HIRES local people, but they clean the ocean AND the plastic is recycled- into the bracelets! Each bracelet represents 1 pound of trash cleaned from the oceans and shores. It's a win-win-win situation.

And the bracelets look cool. They come in a variety of colors depending on what 4Ocean is highlighting- the ocean, its creatures, etc. Check them out at https://4ocean.com/.

It's organizations like these, and the people behind them, that give me hope we can stop the destruction to our earth. Now go buy a bracelet, volunteer to clean up trash, and spread the news!

Char

Ok, I'll Tell You....

I was interviewed by NFreads- this is a blog with interesting articles on all subjects: art, people, history, government, health, etc. Take a peek:

https://www.nfreads.com/

And if you're interested in what I have to say (well, you're here for that, right?) go to:

 https://www.nfreads.com/interview-with-author-charlotte-bennardo- and see/read my thoughts on writing, being an author, what quirks I have. I'm going to be lazy and just post the link....

But here's a pretty picture of my cat:

Mink

And no, I didn't photoshop his eyes (that is so beyond my skills set). They look different colors depending on light and his mood.

Till next Monday-

Char

Trying to Find The Words...Or, the Letters...

I type a lot. No, A LOT. Like millions of keystrokes a year. As an author, I spend hours writing and revising on my laptop. After a year, this is what it looks like:

As you can see, some keys I've completely worn off the letters, and some the textured surface. It's cool because no one can use my laptop because the missing keys frustrates them (especially the hubs because he was never taught the proper way to type; he uses the hunt and peck system and well, good luck hunting on this keyboard. Normally, not a problem, unless I have a problem with my laptop and he's trying to fix it.).

I usually replace the keyboard because I get a 3 year warranty. But this laptop passed the three year mark and no more warranty. If I pay Geek Squad, not only will it cost a bundle, but my laptop will be out of commission for probably 3-4 WEEKS. I can't live like that. So, the youngest son had an idea....

Why not simply paint on new letters? So he bought me these. They are permanent silver markers. Brilliant! So that is what I did.

Hey, it looks pretty good! I'm not anal-retentive enough to be bothered that some keys looks different. It works and in 2, 3 years, I'll get another laptop because this one will be totally exhausted and begging for the sweet release of death.

Only.....

After using it for less than half an hour, this is what happened....

The keys got all smudgy-smeary and started to wear off even though I let the marker dry for over an hour (they are supposed to dry instantly).

Sigh.

And my fingertips are silver. A friend suggested stickers, but they wouldn't last and I'd have sticky keys. Back to square one where the eldest son is checking for a new keyboard and will put it in (he's good at stuff like this, when he has free time to do it.).

Such is a writer's life.

Char