La-Tessa Montgomery

After a couple of weeks of preparation where I completely reevaluated by contemporary romance. Once I thought about what it was I wanted to do and the general direction I wanted to take, I tucked in and: redefined my characters (I had a lot to learn about them apparently), reshaped their GMC’s, drafted out a timeline, then worked on my W Plot. 

Once I got these 4 things done, I had the foundation I needed to do my synopsis.  The synopsis took a lot of work, even though I told myself to keep it high level and to concentrate on just moving the story from beginning to middle to end.  So 4 hours and 7 pages later I had the complete synopsis in my hand.  (And yes, it took me 2 hrs longer than I’d planned to finish it).

So today, I woke up with a plan.  A plan to get through at least the prologue and first chapter of the new & improved draft.  Silly me, I went into this little challenge  thinking this would be a breeze since I already had (in theory) the prologue through chapters 7 already done (from the previous draft).  Let me tell you, small changes to an outline can have a huge impact to the actual chapters.  So about 6 hrs later (probably more, but I refuse to acknowledge that I have now been sitting on my butt in one spot for over 6 hrs), I have my new prologue and chapter 1 down in the books.

CHA-CHING!!

I had to do a fair amount of deleting (painful), re-writing & tweaking of old words (time consuming) and addition (which was flowed much better than I’d thought).  I produced 4.895 words today, a personal best for me; yet one I don’t think I will ever try to do again.

You may or may not know, but I have been actively working on my first contemporary romance novel.  I spent some time getting my characters and plot together, then I hit the ground running.  I ran into a few snags here and there, but I pushed through it because that’s what writers do.  Then I got to the halfway mark and felt I was pushed into a corner.  Things were not moving along fast enough for me, I wasn’t feeling a particular element of the plot and I was far more interested in working on a new project I’ve been brainstorming.  Not a good sign.

So last week while chatting with my CP, I told her of an earlier version on my story and something clicked.   I turned away from an idea in favor of what I thought was a better plot point.  Now, 12 months later, I’m going back to my original idea because apparently that new idea was NOT the way to go.

So I’ve started over by rethinking the plot and doing some indepth character development.  I must say, I am really feeling a better energy surrounding this project now so I am beginning Worth Fighting For anew.  My goal is to complete my first draft within the next 4 to 5 weeks.  I know I can do it, I have fresh energy & motivation on my side, plus I have close to 50,000 words from the first draft that can be salvaged in some way, shape or form. 

I’ve reset my word counter, untied myself from the current draft (which was much harder than I thought) and now it’s time for me to get busy.  Today is Day 1 on my new journey with this project.

Yes, I know it’s December 29th, and technically I still have 3 more days of working on the current wip in my mad dash attempt to finish if by the end of the year.  I can do it! (Do I hear crickets…)

Anywho, my CP (the best one in the world) spent pretty much all day Sunday brainstorming and sludging through my idea for my Urban Fantasy.  I now have a loose outline for all 3 books in this series, better character defintion, and he backstory is gelling a bit.

Oh, I still have miles to go before I sleep on this one, but I have a good starting point.  Now, if I can only NOT work on this one while I strive to finish up the contemporary…

Decided to do a NaNo check in today, so here goes.  It’s Day 6 and I’ve not written today yet (but I plan to, no worries.) 

And I will admit, Day 1 & 2 were more than a bit rocky.  For one, I’m still actively writing and polishing up my contemporary romance (Worth Fighting For), so that keeps me busy.  But determined to get a good, more than good actually, start on my Urban Fantasy, I decided to challenge myself this month and give working on two manuscripts a chance.

It’s also been slow going because I decided to undertake this challenge without a plot overview/outline or character sketches.  Apparently, just jumping in feet first is soooo not my style. 

Now, I knew this going in, but I am always trying to make myself a better, more productive writer; and that means I have to challenge my established procedures from time to time to make sure I’m not bogging myself down with unnecessary processes.

So I decided to spend time during my lunch break this week to work on character profiles for my main characters.  So far, I have 3 out of 5 done, and the story opens up more and more each time I complete one.  Yesterday, I had my best day yet, clocking 700 words on my NaNo project. 

Yes, is far below the daily word goal of 1,667, but I’m very encouraged by it.  Now that I have I clearer view on my story, I know longer have to wonder around in wide circles, waxing poetic about nonsensical things.  (Because trust me, I have.  If you could only see some of what I’ve written thus far-lol) 

I’ve been rolling along nicely, and I hope the trend continues.

After a hard & very distracting weekend, I think I finally got a hold of my mojo again. 
(Excuse me while I do the happy dance.)

Mr. Mojo, not to be confusesd with The Muse, was been elusive the past few weeks, escaping me at every turn.  Taunting me with quotes, ala Capt. Jack Sparrow, like  ”You will always remember this day as the day you almost caught Mr. Mojo”. 

LOL– seriously, it’s been like a bad super hero comic book.

But anywho, I got a great start on my chapter 1 re-write,  although due to some unforeseen issues, I did not make all 3 of my writing goals for the weekend.  But with my CP’s blessing (I think) I did earn 1 chapter from LOVER AVENGED. 

 Woo-hoo!! 

But I’m going to hold off until I’ve earned at least 3 chapters before I crack it open.  Only being able to read 1 chapter would drive me up the wall.  JR Ward is always leaving those chapters with some sort of hook and I wouldn’t be able to take it.  Although, just reading the 1 chapter would probably inspire me to push through my goals for the week though.

So I have 2 goals for this week, with 3 LOVER AVENGED chapters up as grabs as the reward.  I will report in next week on my progress.

‘Til then, lata

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.

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 just started a new workshop titled Empowering Character’s Emotion that Margie Lawson is teaching this month.  I raved about two of Margie’s workshops when I got back from the Moonlight & Magnolias conference last October.  I was soooo impressed , and taken aback with, the information she presented, that I immediately began to apply some of my new found knowledge to my wip that night.  

I also realized that I could use a bit more “face time” with Margie, so I registered for her Empowering Character Emotions workshop this month.  Just let me tell you, we’ve only had 3 lesson so far, and the sheer amout of info I’ve learned is astonishing, and a bit overwhelming.  But I know that when I start the polishing phase (the last step in getting my manuscript ready for pitching to editors), that I will be ready.  With the things I’ve learned, I’ll be able to put my best foot foward by making sure my manuscript conveys the essence and soul I want it to.

So, for any writers out there, published or unpublished, I highly recommend you check out Margie’s website and sign up for one of her online workshops, or get one of her lecture packets.  It will be an investment in your writing that you will be able to see immediate returns on, in the way of stronger, fresher writing.
I’ll be back soon to post an example from my work.

’till then,

~La-Tessa

February was a good month for me, I am very proud of the progress I made. At the end of month I had a completed prologue and chapter 1 and half (2 complete scenes) of chapter 2 done. Woo-hoo!!

I also made good on one of my writing goals by entering two contests–The Duel on the Delta, sponsored by my local writing chapter (River City Romance Writers) & RSJ’s Aspiring Authors Contest, sponsored by the Romance Slam Jam.  I am a bit nervous about these, since they are the first real contests I’ve entered.  The Duel on the Delta called for the first 25 pgs of my manuscript, while the Aspiring Authors contest called for a submission packet consisting of a query letter, a 3 pg synopsis, and the first 20 pgs of the manuscript.

These two contests represent my first time really putting myself out there for others to see.  I’m more than anxious to see how I fared in both of these, however regardless of the results, I am very proud of myself.  I now have  have close to 6,000 words on my wip and (more importantly), I’m officially in the ”writing groove”.  I hope to knock out at least half (6-7 chapters) of my wip by May.

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

Hi all & thanks to all of you for your positive comments and emails you sent me in response to my first post of year, detailing my writing goals for 2009.  Some of you have been wondering (or just flat out asking me daily -LOL) how my progress is going.  So I decided to do a quick update on my progress.

Write for a hour a day, minimum

Ok, I have NOT been writing for a minimum of one hour a day–  with my hectic schedule this is just not always feasible.  BUT I do think I average close to an hour a day  since I’m able to write for several hours a few days a week.  Does that count? 

Ok, ok, I won’t start the year out with excuses– I’m actively working on getting that minimum hour a day, promise.  In fact, I’m currently trying out a few things that make it pretty simple for me to get this hour in a day.  But more talk on that later in the upcoming months.

Enter at least one contest this year

CHECK.  I entered a contest this month, yea!!!.  

It’s a weekly contest that ends in March, so I have until then to see if I am one of the weekly winners.   

I’m not resting on my laurels, though.  I do have at least more contest I want to enter and I’ll need 3 polished chapters for this one, so this one is the biggie.  The weekly contest was the “dip my toe in the pool”, slow introduction to the contest game.

Cycle through my craft books

I am currently about 15% through with Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass.   So far, it’s  excellent and full of key writing exercises that are proving very useful during my current project– the complete outline revision for my wip.  (I will spare you the details, but the story was just not working , so I had to institute some sweeping changes)

Thanks again to everyone for your support and encouragement.  So far, so good.

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