New Novel for June

I'm starting a new novel for June, thinking to have it written by the end of the month. It's a cozy mystery called "The Finder's Touch".

Here is where I stand plotting wise. Wanted to share how I plot and brainstorm.


And this next picture is a mind map of the characters.

Southern Cross Novel Challenge 2009

The Southern Cross Novel Challenge (SoCNoC, pronounced "sock-nock") held in June, with a long weekend and wintry weather, is NaNoWriMo for the Southern Hemisphere.

http://kiwiwriters.org/my/challenge/site/socnoc-2009.html?

Details

Start: 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00
End: 30 Jun 2009 23:59:59
Type: Writing
Goal: 50000 words
Participants: 35

The Rules

The goal is to write 50,000 words of fiction.

Generally the rules of NaNoWriMo apply but we're a bit more flexible:
- the 50,000 words does not have to be on one novel
- you can work on an existing novel or multiple novels
- you can work on a compilation of short stories or even poems

However, for the best SoCNoC experience possible we recommend:
- you start a new novel on June 1st
- you aim to finish your novel at 50,000 words
- you aim to finish your novel by midnight on June 30th

Last, but not least, we ask that you log your word count no matter how close or how far you are from the 50,000 word goal. Every word counts towards our collective total!

Join this Challenge

Please sign in first if you wish to join this challenge.

Upcoming Online Classes

I thought I'd post a couple of online classes that will be offered...

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May 1-30, 2009
"Deep Editing: The EDITS System, Rhetorical Devices and More"
by Margie Lawson
www.WriterUniv.com

Margie Lawson, counseling psychologist, has developed innovative, psychologically-anchored editing systems and techniques that will show you how to write a page-turner. Deep Editing is not basic editing. It's post-graduate level editing. It's editing to hook the reader viscerally. In DEEP EDITING, participants will:

* Learn the EDITS System and take it deeper
* Learn the 25 rhetorical devices and practice using them
* Develop skills by using worksheets provided in each lecture
* Learn back story management, power lines, throw-away works
* Learn cliché twists, back loading, tautologies, and Emotional Hits
* Receive deep editing critiques from Margie on class assignments
* Develop a personal editing checklist from the Master Editing Checklist
* Learn to make FINAL EDITING PASS be your last pass

Margie Lawson, psychotherapist, writer, and international presenter-applied her psychological expertise to dissect over a thousand novels and analyze how authors write page-turners. A former university professor, Margie focuses her analytical skills on writing craft, developing innovative editing systems and deep editing techniques. Her deep editing tools are used by all writers, from newbie to multi-award winners. For more information, visit her web site at www.MargieLawson.com.

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May 4-29, 2009
"Grammar For the Faint Of Heart"
by Cheryl Norman
www.WriterUniv.com

Have you received critiques or returned contest entries that mention a need to improve grammar or writing mechanics? Do you struggle with punctuating the plural possessive of nouns and pronouns? Is the term “dependent clause” a vague memory from high school English class? Don't let poor grammar or weak writing hold back your riveting story from publication. You can be your own grammar cop when editing your manuscript by recognizing and correcting the top ten writing mistakes:

* Misuse of apostrophes and hyphens
* Noun-verb agreement errors
* Using the wrong word or spelling
* Lack of pronouns and antecedents agreement
* Excessive use of quotation marks
* Faulty comparisons and convoluted, wordy sentences
* Vague word usage and other weak writing
* Misplaced and misleading modifiers

Cheryl Norman graduated with a BA in English from Georgia State University, had a 25-year career with a major telecommunications company, then quit to pursue writing. She authored numerous articles and two cookbooks while building her romance fiction career. Her first mass-market paperback release earned her a mention in Publisher's Weekly as one of ten romance authors to watch, and her latest release is RUNNING SCARED. Visit her Grammar Cop blog at www.cherylnorman.com/blog.

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OPENINGS THAT PACK A PUNCH!!"

I took Mary Buckham's Pacing Class and it has taken my writing to the next level.

I wanted to share the information on her next class!



OKAY TO FORWARD

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Online class:  May 10 - 23, 2009

OPENINGS THAT PACK A PUNCH!!"

by Mary Buckham

Registration $35
at www.MaryBuckham.com/  click on ONLINE CLASSES  

Most writers understand the importance of a 

compelling and powerful opening, but not all grasp 

how to turn a ho-hum opening into a strong hook that 

engages a reader, including an editor and agent, into 

turning that first page.  In this very interactive 

workshop, you’ll not only learn the power of hooks but how 

to apply them to your first line, your first paragraph 

and other key areas of your manuscript.


Mary will be working one-on-one with all class participants to power 

up YOUR openings—first page, chapters and more!

In OPENINGS THAT PACK A PUNCH! you'll learn:

* The ingredients of a page-turner

* What hooks are and how to maximize them

* Great beginnings & endings that have your readers wanting more!

* How to rework YOUR openings

Mary Buckham

Bio: Mary Buckham is an award-winning romantic-suspense author who, before becoming published in book-length fiction was a freelance article writer, selling hundreds of articles to local, regional, and national publications as well as editing a regional magazine. Mary is a sought-after speaker and writing craft teacher for both online and in live presentations throughout the United States and Canada . Her non-fiction plotting book BREAK INTO FICTION® with author Dianna Love is currently available for pre-order and will hit the shelves June 18, 2009. For more on Mary go to www.MaryBuckham.com or www.BreakIntoFiction.com

Reviewed By The Long and Short of It

The Victory of Lugh was reviewed by The Long And Short of It!
and received 4 out of 5 books...I'm doing the happy dance!


Dacien’s forced restraint and Hymnia’s eager approval set the reader up for intense emotions and passionate moments, only to be thwarted over and over... A definite must-read for anyone who enjoys a good old-fashioned love story with a bit of a twist.


The Victory of Lugh can be purchased from The Wild Rose Press here!


Thank you LASR!

How-to Author Interview! Margie Lawson’s High Energy Interview Series

How-to Author Interview! Margie Lawson’s High Energy Interview Series

Wednesday, March 25th -- Features Lee Lofland, author of:

POLICE PROCEDURE & INVESTIGATION: A Guide for Writers, 2007

n Writers Digest Bestseller

n Macavity Award Nominee for Best Mystery Non-fiction

Drop by Five Scribes Blogspot on March 25th, read the in-depth interview, and ask your police and crime related questions: http://fivescribes.blogspot.com/

Lee Lofland's fact sheet includes:

n Former police detective

n Nationally acclaimed expert on police procedure and crime-scene investigation

n Consultant for bestselling authors, television, and film writers

n The Graveyard Shift, Lee’s uber-popular, informative and entertaining blog -- www.leelofland.com/wordpress

Beware – Lee’s blog is addictive!

Post a comment on the Five Scribes Blog for a chance to win:

-- A signed copy of POLICE PROCEDURE & INVESTIGATION: A Guide for Writers
-- A Lecture Packet from Margie Lawson.

Questions? Want to recommend a how-to author to be interviewed?
E-mail: Margie@...

See you Wednesday, March 25th, on the Five Scribes blog: http://fivescribes.blogspot.com/

All smiles...............Margie
www.MargieLawson.com

Online Workshop

There are two great workshops being held the month of March.

Mary Buckham's Pacing: How to Create a Page-Turning Manuscript. Click here for details!
http://www.writeruniv.com/march_09_Buckham.htm March 1- 31st

and..

Margie Lawson's Empowering Characters' Emotions. Click here for details!
http://www.margielawson.com/ March 2- 27th

Good bye, Daniel

Your family, your friends and classmates all will miss you. But you are with God.
And while you are missed, we all know we will be with you again.

Peace be with you.

A dragon of My Own

My Secret Santa from my crit group, Passionate Critters sent me my very own dragon.
Thanks Silke!

Bitten by Books Review of The Victory of Lugh

The Victory of Lugh has been reviewed by Bitten by Books

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=1298

Review by Sarai

I enjoyed Hymnia’s personality, her interaction with the deities was priceless and I loved that she can be quite the spitfire. Of course, that trait makes her all the better a match for a dragon....this story and series has brought Greek mythology to life in a wonderful way and I highly enjoyed the addition of Celt and Irish myth to this tale.

4 RIP Gravestones out of 5!