La-Tessa Montgomery

Today when I got home, my autographed copy of LOVER AVENGED by JR. Ward was sitting on my desk. 

Can you say “Woo- hoo”, because I know I did.

I’ve been waiting on this book’s release for more months than I care to remember.  I sooo want to tear into this book right now, but I know me.  The Black Dagger Brotherhood series is like the Harry Potter series for me in that whenever a new release comes out, I just have to devour it.

The problem, I have a whole list of things I’ve got to do in order to stay on target for the year.  And putting my energy into this book is just not the most prudent use of my time.   (And believe me,  it hurts me to have to say this.)

Now, I really need to finish the first draft of  my manuscript by July.  This goal has been made a bit tough because I’ve had  to scrap my first 2 chapters, and  do a new outline for the first 3.   So, I’ve decided to try a new method on myself.  Inspired by Jerry Oltion’s article, I’ve begun to embrace the fluidness my muse needs in order to be productive.

So here’s the deal, for each writing goal I accomplish by Sunday midday-ish, I get read a chapter of LOVER AVENGED.  I have 3 specific goals for the next 2.5 days, so that’s 3 chapters up for grabs.

I will continue, (ok let me amend that, I will try my hardest), to reward myself with a chapter for each goal, specific to my current wip, I accomplish.  Now, these books usually suck me in, and I’m done with them in a day or so.  So only being able to read a chapter at a time should be proper motivation for me to get through my rough draft.

Now, if only I can stick to this when I am about 4+chapters in, and it really starts to get good- LOL.

OK, I’m off to get a jump on my writing goals.

I got the contest results back this morning from the RSJ Aspiring Authors contest, and…

I didn’t place, but I scored much better than thought I would.  In fact, the feedback was very encouraging.  I’ve recently been battling writer’s block with this story, and the judges’ feedback, along with my CP’s, have helped spark the muse.

So I’m off to increase the word count. 

Author: Claudia Mair Burney
Genre: Inspirational Suspense
Rating: 4 Stars

The 3rd installment in Ms. Burney’s Amanda Bell Brown Mystery series is out & I had the pleasure of reviewing it for RomanceInColor.com.  DEADLY CHARM is full of the same slightly dark, yet humorous spirit as the first 2 . I find this series to be an intriguing combination of the  inspirational, mystery/suspense, and romance genres. 

Click here  for the full review of DEADLY CHARM.

Ok, it’s the 4th month of the year and a great time for me to post my Qtr 1 progress. 

So far I have 7,538 words for my current wip, which is about a 13% completion rate.  Not bad considering all the things I have to juggle in order to write, but a definite far cry from where I wanted to be at the end of March.  I was shooting for something closer to 50%.  So needless to say, I’m running a little behind on that one… 

On a postive note, I did enter 3 different contests during the first quarter, which means I can totally cross that goal off my list.  Not to say I will not enter anymore contests this year, but still… An accomplished goal is an accomplished goal I say.  One was a relativly no stress contest where I entered my first 1,000 words each week in hopes of being a weekly winner.  I didn’t place in that one, but no worries.  I found quite a few little issues with my opening and I have since made some edits which makes it stronger.  

The next two were a bit more stressful to say the least.  I entered the Duel on the Delta contest, sponsored by my local writing chapter, River City Romance Writers, and the Aspriting Authors contest, sponsored by Romance Slam Jam.  I haven’t gotten any feedback from either of them yet, but I should here something within the next couple of weeks,. 

I don’t expect to final in them, but I will say they experience of preparing for and entering a writing contest has really showed me a lot about myself.  So regardless of what the results are, I am proud of myself for reaching this milestone in my writing career: producing something worthy of being judged–which is harder that you would think, believe me.

Ok, the second quarter has already started, so I will continue to work on my wip.  Hopefully, I will be closer to being 100%  done with it by the end of June.  I’ve also started brainstorming my paranormal, and I’m VERY excited about it.  I am currently in the worldbuilding phase and so far, so good.  My world is a bit complicated, as I have to work out the social structures, culture, and magic  for several species, as well as put my own twists on a couple of well know lores out there.   

So I am pumped for Qtr 2 and look forward to all I will accomplish.

Oh, and a special shout out to one of my critique partners for finaling  in a contest, and to another for completing her manuscript- WAY TO GO!!!

‘Till next time

and sometimes you just need a hug.

This is the predicament I found myself in this weekend.  As you know, I am working on my wip (work in progress) and writing is much harder than I ever thought it would be.  I have a WHOLE NEW RESPECT for all authors, whether they are published or not. 

Sitting down to a blank computer screen everyday is more than a little daunting.   Especially when you have the added pressure of trying to create something that will invoke a positive response in an editor, publisher,  and/or agent.

So, like most people, I have a lot going in my life right now.   I know I’m not the only person on this planet juggles a full time job, a family, a household, & personal interests/hobbies.  I’m usually pretty good at handling the day to day stress of my life. 

However, this weekend was NOT one of those times.

I got so frustrated with my lack of progress on my wip and the lack of creative inspiration that I had my first crisis of confidence this year.  Late Saturday night, as I stared hopelessly at my blank computer screen– a screen that was just begging for some words, any words, to grace it’s presence– I thought about just chucking the deuces at my attempt to complete a manuscript.  One of my favorite song lyrics is “Someday I’ll fly, someday I’ll soar” from John Mayer’s Bigger Than My Body.  I’ve adopted this line as a mantra of sorts, as I work towards becoming a published author.  And for the first time this year, it did nothing to for me.

Thankfully, my critique partner stepped in this morning with words of encouragement and some good advice & helpful tips on staying productive (http://www.sfwa.org/writing/strategies.html). Then  she nonchalantly requested  my writing goals for the week and sent me hers.  As though I did not just pour my little heart out to her in my Benadryl-influenced, sleep deprived,  ”swan song to the writing game” email. 

It was a spiritual hug of sorts and soothed those wayward doubts of mine, allowing me to refocus my efforts.   So I have a new writing plan this week, one that does not consist solely of me churning out another chapter.  Instead, I have varied my goals to allow me to work on different aspects of my writing, so that if the devil (that is doubt) raises his head, I can either laugh in his face and power through, or I can turn my attention to another aspect of my wip that will get me another step closer to completing it.

So for any of you who experience the sames highs and lows on the road to accomplishing your dreams, in the words of Tupac I urge you to “Keep ya head up”.

~La-Tessa
Someday I’ll fly, someday I’ll soar

I had the pleasure of interviewing two very lovely ladies, up & coming Christian author, Sherri Lewis and Genesis Press author, LaConnie Taylor-Jones, for this month’s Rising Star feature over at Romance In Color.   Both ladies share their journey to author-hood, how personal tragedy and challenges affected their writing, as well as, some great advice for authors.

Also, we are hosting a great book giveaway this month, featuring goodies from our April Rising Star authors. One lucky reader will receive:

An autographed set of Sherri Lewis’ published works, to include:

1. Soul Cries Out (July 2007)
2. Dance Into Destiny (January 2008)
3. The List (March 2009)

An autographed set of LaConnie Taylor-Jones’ published works, to include:

1. When I’m With You (November 2007)
2. When A  Man Loves A Woman (April 2008)

Plus, to top it all off, LaConnie is throwing in a $50 Amazon gift card, so you can pick up a few additional titles .

So head on over to www.RomanceInColor.com to read the interviews and to get the contest details. 

And while you’re visiting, check out the new reviews & vote for your favorite authors and books from 2008 in our Reader Favorite Awards.