LEARNING THE CRAFT OF WRITING and my thoughts on Shadowfever...

Today I wanna talk about 1.) Shadowfever by Karen M Moning, and 2.) Writing.

First, if you haven't read Shadowfever, don't worry I won't give any spoilers here. I'd die if someone did that to me. I just want to prepare you that you won't get all the answers you are looking for when you read it. Second, I loved the book, I loved the series. My favorite to date. I wish I could write like her. But this last book left me feeling incomplete. Which was probably what the author intended to do so we will die waiting for her next series to come out - the series she hasn't written yet. Bites nails. Yes. I know she deserves a vacation. I know. I know.
But when you read it - comment here on what you think about it. No bashing her, because I love her books and she's a great lady. But what would you have done differently? Would you leave it as is? Maybe you figured out answers to things I'm confused about.

Now on to writing. After some really good feedback from agents I queried, I decided to revise my opening and tweek lots in the book. My characters will no longer be Psychics. They will be witches. I'm doing some research, but basically they are going to be unique to me and my world. I'm not writing non-fiction, so don't worry bout' it. lol

Now on to the craft of writing. As I write this I'll be perfectly honest. I'm a story teller at heart - not a true writer. I don't have great skills. My grammar lacks. But I am who I am. A story teller. So, now that the cats out of the bag I will tell you this - I've been taking several classes this year, and have a few more lined up. My head is going to explode with all this new knowledge. lol. But this is what I needed. I'm crossing my fingers all this educating myself pays off. (At least that's the plan) I can feel myself getting closer and closer to that contract. The contract that says "I want the entire series!" Oh-Yeah!

So, have you ever felt like you were almost there and did something that completely took your book from good to great? If so, what was that thing? I can say one thing I've done is take a class from Angela James and Shirley Jump. These class will help you polish up things that editors look for. Sure they look for a great story, but they look at the errors too. Errors that they may not have time to fix to get your great story out there. (Like mine.)

I hope everyone is having a great reading or writing day. Happy Friday, y'all...

Dawn
NOT AN ANGEL, OUT RIGHT NOW! LOL

P.S. SOLA'S FEBRUARY SPEAKER IS AUTHOR, VICKI LEWIS THOMPSON!

Spreading yourself too thin? Me. Me. Me.

After cooking dinner tonight I sat at the computer and headed straight to the Savvy Authors website where I'm taking two classes this month. It didn't surprise me that I have assignments to do in both of them tonight. While one assignment from Angela James is fairly simple (thank God!) because we are just beginning; the other editing class called "Editpalooza" is kicking my ass. Seriously. They want you to read your novel and go through everything. Plot, Theme, Character, Structure, and on and on...


I had no clue what I signed up for. I even asked Liz, the group owner if I should do both classes, and she said SURE. Laugh's on me, Liz...I know. I know. I'll be a better writer after it's over. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. (grin)

I am learning a lot, so I'm sure it will be all worth it in the end, that is if I make it to the end. I have a huge assignment due in a few days and guess what? This weekend is our monthly local RWA chapter meeting, and I'm the Co-Program Director which means I'm responsible for the speakers. This month our speaker is coming from Ohio and her name is Shirley Jump. After I took a few on-line classes from her I knew I had to book her for our local Sola group. She's awesome and I love her books. So, on Friday she arrives at the airport, Saturday is our class and then she flies out on Sunday.

Mean while another fab. author comes to New Orleans this weekend as well. Karen M. Moning. She is launching her latest Shadowfever book on Monday or Tuesday and she'll be in New Orleans for her Fevercon event. Yep. I'm attending that as well. (Vampire and Ghost tours, along with breakfast at Brennan's Restaurant, book signings and a book chat with readers) Can't wait to get my hands on my reserved signed copy of the latest Fever book. Moning left us on a very nasty cliff hanger. Not nice!

And last but not least I signed up for a brand new Candace Havens class. With all these classes I should be selling books by the dozen. (grin) I also agreed to do a book review, judge the Golden Heart, do a few interviews and blogs for a few authors, etc.

Plus I have to find time to write, edit and make time for the hubby, kids and day job. So do you think I'm spreading myself too thin? Are you doing the same this year? How do you manage to stay sane?

Sola Writers January speaker is Shirley Jump.

Come and visit Sola's next author speaker on January 15th 2011 @ 10am:





New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shirley Jump spends her days writing women’s fiction and romantic comedies (Vegas Pregnancy Surprise, July 2010) to feed her shoe addiction and avoid cleaning the toilets. As AJ Whitten (www.ajwhitten.com), she also writes horror young adult novels for Houghton Mifflin’s Graphia imprint with her daughter (The Well, September 2009). She cleverly finds writing time by feeding her kids junk food, allowing them to dress in the clothes they find on the floor and encouraging the dogs to double as vacuum cleaners. Visit her website at www.shirleyjump.com or read recipes and life adventures at www.shirleyjump.blogspot.com.

For info on location please visit: www.solawriters.org

Thanks and I hope to see you there.
Dawn Chartier
www.dawnchartier.com

New Year Goals ~ Do you have one, two or more?

I'm sitting here thinking about my goals for the new year, and my first goal is to continue learning the craft on writing by taking more classes this year. I signed up for a class on editing. Yep, I want to learn how to edit my own work. I want to know how to fix those pesky things that editors look for. Don't need any simple reasons for editors/agents to reject you.

Another goal is to read more. Yes. It's very important to keep up on the current trends and I haven't been reading as much as I'd hoped for 2010. 2011 will be the year I read lots and lots of new books and new authors. Let me know of any new books out there that you love.

And last, my next goal is to work on eating healthier this year. I've been picking at food all year instead of actually eating a good balanced meal. I'll grab whatever when writing or on the road not realizing how much unhealthy food is going into my system. I know when I eat better I feel better and I think I actually write better???? Maybe. LOL.

I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND WILL HAVE A AWESOME NEW YEAR!
HUGS,
DAWN

Today I'm over at E.H. on Books and More! Please come join me!

Over at E.H. on Books and More! Lots of great author interview's there! Come check it out. I'm there today....



Stay warm,
Dawn
NOT AN ANGEL, OUT NOW!

Blogging at Savvy Authors today...

Today I'm over at Savvy Authors blogging about something I've blogged about before, but this something is sooooooo important.....

http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/content.php?732-PERSISTENCE-By-Dawn-Chartier

Have a great weekend!
Dawn

Thanksgiving and Nano goals

I sure hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving day. I held up pretty well, better than I thought I would. Most of you know my mom passed away in May this year so these holiday moments are tough. Really tough. But I found if I talk to her (in my mind) then I feel a little better. You know, I say things like how much I miss her, and how I wish she were still here. I'm guessing this is normal, I don't know, but if it makes me feel a little better then that's what I gotta' do.

My daughters are in Georgia this Thanksgiving with their dad and relatives, so it was a little lonely without them too. However, I did spend time with the hubbies family and then later that night with my sister and her kids, my aunt, cousins and my dad. Everyone seemed to be holding up pretty well under the circumstances.

Today has been a lazy day for me. Yes, I did write a lot of words, but not much else. Oh and to update you on my Nano count - I ran into a road block and ended up taking a detour on a short story just to keep my writing going. I'll detour back once I find the right fork in the road.

And to all of you Black Friday shoppers --- you can have it. I've seen the insane crowds crush people trying to get into those Target doors. No thank you! I'll shop in the safety of my home from the internet or early on week day mornings.

One last note - Sola-RWA will not have a meeting in December, (we have a party instead!!!) and our speaker for January is the very talented author, Shirley Jump. If you are learning how to write, you should attend the January meeting.

Have a great Thanksgiving week.
Hugs to you all,
Dawn