What? We are almost in May???

Say it isn't so! I feel like I haven't stopped since Christmas. It's been one holiday after another, then on top of that there was the kiddo's birthdays; the grandbaby (Gigi) arrived in February; my anniversary trip in March, and I also submitted not one, but 2 books this year already. Woot!

I hate to confess that it took me a few years to write the last full novel, but that's because I rewrote it like almost 4 times. (Because I doubted myself. I had to put a stop to that "they won't like me crap", and ask an editor to give me a firm deadline. Yes. I did. She gave me 3 weeks. Holy crap! But it worked. Yay! (Thanks, CH!) I had to learn a hard lesson with that book. Write what you love. Don't change the "entire" book because 1 person suggest you do so. Go with your gut.)

However, I did write several novella's in between that time, and took lots of classes, attended several conferences, so it wasn't like I wasn't writing or learning. ALWAYS LEARN! (Which means you have to do a lot of reading too.)

Anywho...I can't wait for May to be over. My youngest daughter is graduating from H.S. I know right....Exciting! I'm so proud of her...Then there is the RT Convention in New Orleans. Right smack in the middle of Graduation time. Oy. We'll get through it. I can't wait though, there will be over 700 authors attending. (Not all of them are signing, but you'll get to see sooooo freakin' many that your head will be spinning. Plus I have a few friends staying with me. All at different times, so it's going to so much fun! :-) I think Thursday night is the pub crawl. I'll be at Bourbon Heat with the Entangled Peeps. Come find me.

I hope to meet you all at RT. Please come say hi, and if you see me hiding in a corner please come drag me out. I'm a little shy and need people to drag me from my shell sometimes. For more info about RT go to www.RTconvention.com  I think the Saturday book fair is $5.00  Be prepared for long long long lines.

Have a great weekend,
Dawn Chartier

(p.s. Please excuse any typos. I haven't had my coffee yet. :-)

3rd Day of Revision Hell

Well my total for 3 days of revisions (drum roll..................) 78 pages!!

Tonight I'm aiming for 30 pages.......(just because I want to take Sunday off)...

I'll be able to get this novel out hopefully in two weeks.....yes!

Dawn Chartier
Voodoo On The Rocks!

Writers Contest - 3rd Annual Dixe Kane Writers Contest

If you are a writer and want feedback on your writing
there is a contest you can enter just for that. If you win the contest your entry will go to Agent Pamela Ahern of Ahern Agency. --- This a terrific way to know what your skills are and maybe where you can improve them...
New Orleans RWA local chapter is full of talented authors/members who will judge this contest...

And if you are a local, why not come to our meetings in Metaire, the first two are free. Check out the website below for more info on our SOLA RWA group, and our contest.

You send 5 pages /1 page synop (synopsis is not judged) . (Deadline May 17th, I think?)
The information is at http://www.solawriters.org/

Dawn Chartier

Fast Draft starting today for me

Well, if you've been reading my blog, you are aware that my story GENUS was born from Fast Draft. Fast Draft was introduced to me by Candace Havens. It is a challenge where you write 20 pages per day for 2 weeks. (I know you are laughing or your eyes are bugging out, but it does work..I've done it.) 280 pages, a book!!! (after FD is over, then you can join in on Revision Hell, I've not done it the proper way, but next time I will) -- go to Candace Havens website (see right column for her web site if you want to join the fun)

This time though I'm starting a week early. My girls are with their father all week, which means I'll be very lonely (boo-hoo), so this is a great time for me to start. My fellow writers are starting next week. Okay, this will give me 7 extra days so when I do get my girls back, I'll be able to give them extra love and attention and take time off of fast draft and still be on track. (Am I cheating, well. . . yeah!) But, as long as I get er' done...right? Right!

Fast Draft is more to me than just writing a book in two weeks, it is a freedom of writing what ever the heck pops into my brain, I already know my story, but this will take me on journey of writing high or is that High Writing? Anywho, Fast Draft is more than just freedom to write, it is when our writer friends join together and keep each other accountable for our daily goals. We cheer each other on and then crack the whip when needed. (yahpow)...(look out slackers!)

Wish me luck! Lets hope Voodoo Style first draft will be completed in two weeks, ah that sounds awesome!!

Dawn Chartier

Websites for unpublished writers

Should you have a website if you are not published?
Well, that is a question that I think would depend on your situation.
If you are a writer, and feel you want to put your name out there because you are going to write until someone publishes you, then I'd say "yes" get a website.
Even if it's a cheapy site on that cost a few dollars a year for one little page, why not?
I think it shows you are serious about writing. I think it will be easier if someone does want to search you like most people do today.

I wouldn't spend more money than you can afford, but you know you will need to spend some.
I did a yahoo one page template it cost maybe $3 per year. That's it.... Now the page is plain and simple, but being that I hadn't finished a book yet that is why I went that route. And now, I finished a book and I'm serious about finishing more, I'm paying someone to do a professional one. One that represents who I am, and what I like. (which is fantasy, mysterious, spooky & some romance)...

So it's up to you. But if you are serious then you need to put your name out there. The website is the best place and the cheapest advertising I know other than being on writers groups.

Writers groups are another way to promote yourself for free. I see authors doing it everyday and no one minds if they play by the rules.

Hope this blog helps,
Happy writing,
Dawn Chartier
www.dawnchartier.com
Fantasy on the Rocks!!!

POV Point of View

POV ~ I never knew what it was until a few years ago when I joined a critique group. "POINT OF VIEW"...Well, I shifted my POV in one scene, which is also called headhopping....

I was told I headhopped. Huh? What was that I asked? Then someone was nice enough to tell me that I shifted from one character to another without any real reason other than to do it. They said I was confusing the reader and that editors don't like it. Well, I guess I need to figure out how not to headhop. So, I printed out a scene and highlighted with a marker every time I shifted my Point of View. Then I went back and took out the person that I really didn't need to be in their mind and used the one that gained the most from the scene.

I still kept the dialog of course, but just stayed in my hero/or heroine's mind through out that one scene, sometimes more.

Makes since? Not as easy as it sounds. But, I've trained myself not to do it anymore. Thank goodness for dialog, it helps! Just stick with one POV for each scene and you'll be better for it, unless your Nora Roberts, Sherriyln Kenyon and a few others that can do it without you even realizing. If you are new, I'd suggest don't headhop.


That's just a little thing I learned the hard way. I'll share others later.

Good day,
Dawn Chartier
Fantasy on the Rocks!

Character Profiles

I've been thinking a lot about character profiles.
I was on this group who gave me a character profile chart to fill out for all my characters and I was stunned at all the questions it asked. It was very overwhelming.

I had no clue all this stuff was important to know.... then it dawned on me... It wasn't really all that important. Especially if it wasn't the Hero or Heroine. Of course it's good to know the basics, and a few tidbits, but really do you know everything up front? No, I think the characters reveal themselves a little at a time. At least mine do. I get to know them as I'm writing. Sure I can pick out their hair color, body features, favorite colors, but to truly know them is to put them in situations and watch them squirm, thats how I figure out what "type" my characters are.

Now this is just my thoughts on the subject, everyone has their own style, this is just what I'm learning as I go along. And, I haven't been writing very long, less than two years. But I pay close attention to what works for me and you should do the same... Don't force yourself to know your characters before the story has taken place or you'll have them do what you want, and not what they want. Understand?? Now if only I can grasp grammar (comma's) I'd feel much better.

Happy writing ya'll,
Dawn
Weather in New Orleans today: Got 8 inches of rain...(I'll post pics of my flooded yard on monday)
Fantasy on the Rocks!