A Work in Progress

The idea that being a good writer takes lots of determination is not new to me. It’s only since I’ve made the decision to call myself a full-time writer instead of a wannabe writer that I’ve begun to understand just what this means.

Having a career writing stories has been a dream of mine since adolescence. But there was always something to keep me from doing it. On reflection, however, I realize that all of my reasons—even having a full-time job—were excuses. I could have found an hour or two a day to write if I had made the effort to do so. So why didn’t I?

Fear of failure. 

What if my writing isn’t as good as I think it is? What if nobody ever wants to publish it? What if I’m just wasting my time? If I don’t try, at least I won’t be devastated if I don’t succeed.

I knew when I embarked on this new adventure that eventually I would have to submit my work to others for critique. But when I rather miraculously discovered the ideal critique partner sooner than expected, I found myself panicking. Just do it and get it over with. So I did. And it wasn’t dreadful. It was helpful to see my story from the eyes of someone who hadn’t created it.

Although I revised the next installment rather extensively, I still had a feeling of doom when I sent it off to Desi. When she responded with a suggestion that I rethink the characterization, how did I turn that into “This really sucks and you might as well give up”? 

The good comments she wrote—and there were many—might as well have been invisible because all I could see was that my characters sucked—and that is a major issue.

After the initial shock faded—admittedly weeks, not days—I could finally accept that having to go back and rewrite the novel is not the end of the world. It is, in fact, a great help to me to be able to put my finger on the problem. I think perhaps I am now beginning to fully appreciate the value of having a good critique partner. 

When I finally confessed about my total freakout, she said, “Writing is such a personal act and we don’t always know how deeply our comments can wound. As a veteran of two creative writing degrees, I had years of returned torture to build up my alligator skin. I think the deal is that you’ll have to accept the positive things I say about your writing if you are going to accept the negative things. Either what I think has value for you or it doesn’t.”

Much like any other craft, writing is hard work and requires great effort and a willingness to learn. Skillful writers are made, not born. They write and rewrite many times over. It takes a certain ruthlessness to discard words that were so painstakingly put together when they turn out to be utterly wrong for the story. 

If I am serious about making writing a career and not just a hobby, I have to be able to see each project as a work in progress. If Hemingway rewrote “A Farewell to Arms” 39 times before it was published, what makes me think I’m a failure if I have to rewrite mine more than a few times?

My partner has helped me understand that as a writer, I am a work in progress too. Thanks, Desi, for holding my hand along the way.

When Words Fail

There have been many times in my life when the words to say what was in my heart wouldn’t come easily. I can think of three offhand: the first time I met my sweetie, when my grandparents died and I had no words for my parents in their grief, and when I came out to my family.

Somehow, in each of those moments, I muddled through and found the words to use. Whether they were the “perfect” words didn’t matter in the end. They were the best words I had at the time.

You’d think as I writer I’d have more days where I find the right words than where I don’t. Some days I do. Some days it’s like pulling teeth to get one sentence down, especially when writing a first draft.

It’s not that I don’t have ideas. I’m a plotter so I usually know where I’m heading in a story. In fact, the ideas come so quickly, it can often be difficult to get down exactly how I want the scene to sound. I know what I want to have happen, I know how I want the characters to react, I know what they are feeling, but when I start to write it, the words just won’t fit what I’m picturing.

So what do I do?

What works best for me is to plow through. Get all the ideas down, no matter how simple or redundant the language and descriptions I’m using, so that I don’t lose the picture. Once I have the basic scene laid out, I can play with words and phrases and descriptions and characterizations to find new ways of describing actions, settings, character details, and reactions. I can give more life to the story.

All that layering doesn’t always come second nature. I’ve found revising takes longer than plotting or writing the first draft. But I’ve also found that revising is where magical things happen, where character details and twists in the story pop up out of nowhere.

It’s after that level of layering and revising that I hope the story and characters shine through, and the writing and words disappear for the reader.

So even though words fail me sometimes, I do believe the better a story is written, the more the words stop mattering to the reader. They are so engaged in what is happening, to whom, and with what emotional impact. It’s only when the writing fails that they are pulled out of the story and are reminded they are reading a book.

So the hard work of pushing through moments where words fail can really pay off.

Anyone else have some aspect of writing (or any other activity in life) they feel they sometimes fail at but are so glad they stuck with it and kept on going?


Sloan Parker has been writing and playing with fictional characters for years but finally found true passion sharing stories about two men (or more) falling in love. Sloan loves to explore the lives of people who are growing as individuals while falling in love. You can learn more about Sloan and her work at www.sloanparker.com

Where is Your Momentum Taking You?

Momentum is a funny thing. It works just as well when you're going down hill as it does when you're headed up. It doesn't matter which direction you roll a snowball, it accumulates white powder. It grows bigger.

And it's the same way in everyday life. When we're running our race--whatever that may be--a single misstep can lead to a stumble. Once we're out of contention for first place, the reason you began running begins to blur out of focus. A single event can break your momentum...or more precisely send you tumbling in the opposite direction.

When you think about momentum being the force at work, then all you have to do when you find yourself off track is take a single step in the opposite direction. That driving force that pulled you away, will push you back toward your goals.

One step in a positive direction can lead to two, and before you know it your back in the race.

Of course, momentum is not the only determining factor in whether or not you reach your goals. You can't coast on it. Hard work, a bit of luck and many factors that are out of your hands are often at play. What momentum can do is fuel your fight. It can keep make obstacles look miniscule and prompt you to work a little harder or longer.

So, the next time you begin a journey and you're hesitating at taking those first steps. Remember they are the hardest. With each subsequent one you'll pick up the momentum that will carry you to the finish line.

Constance Phillips spends all of her spare time spinning paranormal and contemporary romantic tales. You can read her observations on life as a writer, mother and wife at her blog, friend her on facebook and follow her on twitter.

Vitamin D Anyone?

The end of January. A time for residents of northern Ohio to moan about the never-ending grayish white sky, the brittle temperatures, and the way our skin turns translucent, like a strange breed of vampire.


Photo by dennisharper

Yes, January gets tough around these parts. Even if we have faithfully kept up with our resolution to exercise, we yearn for chocolate-covered donuts and thick, creamy soups. Our bodies crave extra, comforting calories just to stay warm.

Our winter clothes get burdensome. Who wants to wear two sweaters and a thick coat? The gloves, hat, and scarf do not improve our mood. We haven't seen our toenails for more than three seconds in weeks--without socks, we're in danger of losing toes.

Exaggeration aside, we've enjoyed one of the mildest winters I remember. I love the fact I haven't gotten stuck trying to navigate our road--not once!--this winter. Squirrels are able to pop out and enjoy their stores of nuts on a regular basis. Geese are hanging out in the river. It's nice.

Still, I'm spending more time with my old friend HGTV. I'm taking more vitamins, leafing through inspirational magazines, and telling myself I should work out. Really, I should.

The heavy clothes won't last forever. But then, the scary pale skin will linger...

Do you get the January blues? Can you blame it on the weather? No? Pick anything else then. I'll support it!

Jill Kemerer writes inspirational romance novels. Coffee fuels her mornings; chocolate, her afternoons. A former electrical engineer, she now enjoys a healthy addiction to magazines, fluffy animals, and her hilarious family. She is a member of ACFW and RWA and also serves as vice-president of MVRWA. Jill is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Agency.

To learn more about Jill, check out her website, stop by her blog, find her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Pass It On

I inherited my love of romance novels from my grandma.

From as far back as I can remember to present day, there has always been a 'bodice-ripper' sitting on the end table next to her easy chair--usually with an old playing card tucked into the spot where she left off.



I was pretty young when curiosity and the lure of those enticing covers got the best of me one Saturday morning after I'd spent the night. Sure that Grandpa (who slept on the couch) was sound asleep, I picked up the book and started browsing. My progress was almost immediately brought to a screeching halt by Grandpa - the king of playing 'possum, by the way - saying, "Don't you think you're a little young for that?"

So, years after the effect of my beloved grandfather catching me doing something I shouldn't have been doing wore off, I started checking them out from my local library instead--sandwiched discreetly between my more age-appropriate selections, of course.

Even if Grandpa didn't approve of a young me reading Grandma's books, the seed was planted. I've been reading them - category to single title, squeaky clean to four alarm fire hot - and proud of it, ever since. Grandma and I even exchange favorites as much as we can.

The love of romance skipped the generation between my grandma and I. My pragmatic mother is a mystery/suspense lover of epic proportions, though. My daughter, on the other hand, loves a good love story--preferably of the paranormal variety.

Do you pass on the love of romance - or whatever your read of choice happens to be - as often as you can?

Have a terrific weekend.

Life Lessons From Romance Novels

I recently came across an article from Woman’s Day magazine and wanted to share the highlights with you. Essentially, the article pointed out important lessons we can learn from romantic reads.

1.       Never tell your heart, your gut or your instincts to be quiet. Usually, your intuition is right.

2.       Relationships are more satisfying when you start out in love with who you are on your own, not who you are as part of a couple.

3.       Much of the sex in romance novels is the woman’s ideal. Let this inspire you to take charge of your own sex life, ensuring all your needs are met.

4.       Remain authentic to who you are. Until you believe in yourself, no one else will either.

5.       While your life is filled with obstacles and can be intense at times, dig in, persist and move on.

6.       If you make mistakes and hit roadblocks, keep going, change tactics and redefine your goals until you get there.

7.       Find your own white horse and rescue yourself.

I was very impressed by this article. There’s a reason that romance novels have been popular for decades. They have stood the test of time, changing from bodice rippers to reading about characters who struggle with many of the same issues we do. They end up happy and deserving of love.

So the next time someone scoffs at romance, give them an earful of some of these life lessons they can learn!

Jenna Rutland
   Writing stories of love, laughter 
          and happily ever after

Kisses, Cherries & Stars!

I have never been the type who takes a compliment well.

Why? Who knows, except maybe being in businesses with daily super-critical appraisal tainted me, I've heard so much more 'negative' than 'positive' when it comes to my professional life as a whole.

But on occasion, I'm surprised.

Total strangers telling me (as one would hear in a Dale Carnegie course) 'You did good!'

I just write stories---they pop in my head and if the people running around up there cooperate, sometimes those stories actually get written down.

That happened with The One He Chose.

While I thought it was a nice little story, with characters who really (thankfully!) spoke to me, people I don't even know raved about it.

TwoLips Reviews gave it five kisses: This story is about love and loss, and finding love again; it was just an emotional ride. I know this is one of the stories I won’t forget any time soon.


Whipped Cream reviews (now Long and Short Reviews) Ms. Burke did a wonderful job creating this moving story in such a short read and I highly recommend The One He Chose to you, especially if you’re new to this series.

And, Manic Readers gave it five stars!

It's all very strange getting pats on the head from people I've never met. I'm glad the reviews are what they are. I'm not quite sure, however, how I would handle a stranger telling me, 'Oh, by the way, your book sucked!' I'm sure that will happen someday, but hopefully, not too soon!

Wendy currently has two works on the Decadent Publishing shelves (Respite and The One He Chose), a third in editing (Haste Ye Back) and 274 more stories which she hopes DP will be interested in! Find her on Facebook, Twitter and lurking about the internet. You could send her a nasty email-wendyburke1994@bex.net. When not playing with the people in her head, she has silly life with her way-too-cute chef husband and two furry feline kids in the Great Lakes area of the Midwest.