My local writers' group, made up of an mixed bag of ladies, meets once a month for good food, good conversation, and a little writing talk. We generally spend time in Jan. putting forth our writing goals for the year. In the past, I've zeroed in on my various obligations to publishers, and I suppose I'll do some of that if only to keep me reminded of who I owe what.
But I've decided to go deeper this time, to concentrate on personal challenges so hopefully I'll continue to grow as a writer. I've been in this business for a long time and suspect I've become complacient with regards to the basics of the craft. I believe I know how to structure plots, how to craft a 'can't put down' opening, how to show character. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately in terms of growth, I had a devil of a time meeting my last obligation with Kensington. Not only did I jump into the story without a clear goal in mind, I rushed my characters. Darn it, I know better. For me, a book needs time to marinade. I don't accomplish that by jotting down a few highlights and then set the story aside to grow on its own. Ain't gonna happen. What I've long done and should have done this time was fall back on my old trick of writing myself a lengthy stream-of-consciousness letter. No one will ever see those musings wherein I blather to myself about such oddities as character backgrounds and the directions the plot could or couldn't go. It's during that letter that I learn amazing things about the landscape I'm painting. So anyway, I didn't this last time, and my resolution is not to let that happen again. I hate jumping out of a plane without a parachute. That said, I'm not big on detailed synopsises, but I do need to have a solid idea where things are going to end up.
Here then is my resolution in a nutshell: spend the necessary emotional time with that blip of imagination that started the whole thing before writing Chapter One so it'll become a fully realized book.
I'm happy to announce that I'm off to a good start. I've begun a new novella I hope my Loose-ID editor approves of. Although I don't know everything about it, I have written that blithering letter to myself and it has become the map I need to reach The End.
And while I have your attention, come Tuesday, my latest Loose-ID story Devil Man will be available on the publisher's new and snazzy web site. I think the cover's fab. Anyone agree?
Vonna
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