La-Tessa Montgomery

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

Hi all, I just wanted to let you know that I have actually made some tangible progress on my quest to pen my first novel.  Guess what?? (drum roll please……)

I finished my first chapter!!!  I can not begin to even tell you how excited I am to have accomplished this milestone, especially since I have been “writing” this one chapter since January ‘08, but I digress…  The important thing is I wrote it, submitted it to my critique group, and got very positive responses to it (as well as some excellent critiques that are sure to make it shine when I polish it).

My next step is to push forward with Ch. 2.  Hopefully soon, I will be done with my first 3 chapters, then I can REALLY celebrate.

Thanks for your continued blessings and encouragement,
~La-Tessa