Choose a setting

In my last blog, I wrote about the first question everybody asks me (why I write in English and not in my mother language German.) As both my novels are situated in the Seattle area, people often ask next: "How come you know Seattle so well?"

I have to admit something. I don't know Seattle all that well. I spent two wonderful days there twelve or fourteen years ago (I don't even recall the year), and decided on the spot that it was a city where I would love to live.

When I started to write, I had to choose a city, any city, and so I took Seattle in spite of all the instructions "write what you know". I simply couldn't imagine to write about the town where I lived because that was just the place I was trying to escape with my writing. The thought alone to write about my every day place made me dry up inside. Don't get me wrong; I wasn't unhappy. But I was bored. And I needed something else.

So I bought several travel guides, asked my mother to lend me her picture book about Seattle with huge scenic pictures, started reading Seattle newspapers online, googled everything from real estate to nurseries to hospitals, and, most important of all, I immersed myself in google maps. With my newly acquired knowledge, I decided where my heroine would live, determined where she had to go, and entered both addresses into google maps. Then I chose the satellite view and zoomed as close as I could. A bit scary, that, if you think about it. I could make out if there were many trees in the area, if the houses had gardens, where the cars were parked, if large streets in the area could make noise, and plenty of other things. I did miss the third dimension, though. Even a skyscraper looks kind of flat from a bird's eye view!

Next, I hunted up webcams in the area and made sure my heroine walked by just there, so I could include convincing details of the scenery. And when I was done, I gave the whole to a friend who lived in the area so she could check if I had made a huge blunder. So far, I haven't heard an outcry . . .

How about you? Have you ever decided to write about a place you didn't know well? I assume the process is similar if you write historical novels, only more difficult!

Show and tell--on a high school level

Whenever one of my books is published, my friend, a former and still missed member of my writing group, calls to ask if I will talk to her writing class, which is in a high school that ranks among the top in our state. I always say yes, and regret it until it’s over, when I decide it wasn’t so bad after all.


The first time I went I brought a box with me; evidence of what it takes to become a published writer. I had a folder full of rejection letters, displaying the range from a sloppily scribbled “No!” on my query letter, to a poorly photocopied form letter, to the best: faint praise with a “Sorry, not for us. Good luck.”


I also included in the box a print-out of the first forty-page version of the book. It had been printed on perforated computer paper with holes on the side to move it through the printer. The book came out in 2002, long after printers required such paper. To say the book took a while to get published is an understatement.


I brought with me some sample chapters marked up by my writing group and I explained the value of a critique partner. I showed an old copy of The Writers Market which their teacher had given me. She, too, is a writer, an excellent one, but not actively working on her writing. It was a choice she made when she went back to teaching.

I also pulled out from the box a small notebook that I used to write notes to myself of ideas that randomly came to me. I showed off my light-up pen, a present from my husband which was as much a gift to himself as to me. If I had something important to jot down during the night, I could do so without awakening him. Lastly, I pulled out the corrected proof of my first book, and admitted how embarrassing it had been to see my name on the top of every left hand page, like I had any right to brag so many times.


I don’t think I really wowed anyone during that first school visit with the tools of the trade, or the detritus from my efforts to get published. I didn’t bring the box a second time.
Over the years I have refined my presentation. Now I speak about my efforts to create characters people love, settings that feel real, and situations that keep people turning the page. I mention what fun I have when the characters surprise me and start doing their own thing. I talk about the long hours and never-ending task of editing and refining my work so it is the best it can be.


I think I am in a better position now to explain the process. Speaking about it this time, in reference to my newest book, Vengeance Runs Cold, the fifth in the Wally Morris mystery series, I could explain the inspiration for the book. It was as simple as water damage in the wall of my basement. All I had to do was imagine the who, the where, the what, the how, and, most importantly, the why (as aside from the obvious--a leak somewhere) and I had enough material for my story. Writing isn’t so easy, I told those young writers whom I’d been reluctant to face, but it is definitely worth the effort.

An Auction That Helps

For five years, Brenda Novak has run an auction to raise money for diabetes research. She has a son with diabetes so most of the money goes to research for type 1 diabetes. But many of us who have type 2 diabetes pitch in as well in the hope a kid can someday eat a couple of sliced of pizza with lots of meat and tons of cheese—and his blood sugar won’t zoom up. That a girl could drink a milk shake without worrying that her heart or her vision will be harmed.

I’ve participated in the past four auctions and attempt to put together a better basket every year. I started with a few of my Avalon books, then added books written by my friends. This year, my generous friends came through with enough books for two baskets: one with inspirational from my friends at Steeple Hill Love Inspired. The other basket is a FEATURED item—perhaps because as well as books and chocolate and beauty products, the winner gets a personal poem that I will write for them, based on the information she gives me. The books in this basket range from sweet to HOT and many in between, something for every taste. One of the books is Roni Denholtz’s terrific Avalon novel Negotiating Love.

Please drop by http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/ and browse. To find my baskets, just put PERRINE in the search box and they’ll pop up. That is our shy cat Maggie on the bottom shelf of one of the pictures. You’re lucky you get to see her. She hides from guests.
But please browse through all the pages. There are so many great things: books, jewelry, other baskets, trips, food, editors and agents who will read your manuscript—on and on. And everything goes to research on diabetes.

Hope you’ll find time to bid on one of my baskets or to wander around and find something you’d enjoy having. When you bid, you know you’re helping kids. The bidding ends at the end of May.

Do you have a charity or organization you’ve volunteered for? What have you done? How does volunteering make you feel?

Jane Myers Perrine janemyersperrine.com

Jane Myers Perrine

The Glamorous Life of a Writer (Not!)

At a recent writer’s workshop and book signing a lady commented that because I was a writer I must lead a very glamorous, exciting life—you know shades of Hollywood. She was virtually twittering—no not twittering as on Twitter, more like gushing with excitement.

Oh, if she only knew. Evidently she’s watched way too many television movies that extol the writer as lolling about in a flowing silk robe, lounging on a chaise while savoring chocolate dipped strawberries, sipping champagne, and dictating the next best seller to an overworked, underpaid secretary. Hah!

I really didn’t want to burst this poor lady’s bubble, nor do I wish to discourage any reader of this blog who aspires to be the next great NY Times best-selling author. But, alas and alack, my real life is boring. Honestly. My day is filled with many of the same activities as anyone else’s life. I still do laundry, cook dinner, balance the checkbook, and buy groceries. Okay, I see your eyes glazing over, so I’ll stop there.

I can’t speak for all authors, just me—I’m not glamorous. While some writers go down to the local coffee shop or library to write, I find those atmospheres to distracting, so I converted a spare bedroom into my office. Because my writing is done at home, my lifestyle revolves around pajamas, or over-sized, ultra-comfortable housecoats. Forget bedroom slippers. In the summer time, I prefer bare feet and in the winter, plain ole socks will do. Occasionally, I don jeans and a t-shirt. And make-up? Yeah, right! Who’s going to see me besides my computer screen?

The characters in my books lead far more interesting lives that my own. That’s why I write. In truth, I hate to travel. Don’t get me wrong. I love experiencing new adventures. It’s just that I dislike traffic, and would rather suffer through a pap smear than experience the rudeness of airport security. Now if I were Genie and could fold my arms and blink myself to exotic destinations or wiggle my nose like Samantha the witch, then I’d be happy to whisk myself off to destinations unknown.

In my writing life, the heroes never wail because supper isn’t ready or wants to know why he can’t find his socks (because he’s looking in the wrong drawer). The heroine never has to vacuum or mop floors, put gas in the car, or scrub the bathroom sinks and commode.

Truth is I love my life, unglamorous as it may be. Being a writer allows me, each and every day, to visit new places, meet interesting people, face down outlaws, and reward my hero and heroine with their ultimate desires. It doesn’t get any better than that, right? Well, maybe the offer of a movie contract, with Ron Howard as the director and Benjamin Bratt or Brad Pitt playing the hero in one of my Westerns would (as Clint Eastwood would say,) Make my day!

Is your life as a writer or reader as glamorous as the heroines in the novels you write or read? Leave a comment and your name will go into a pool to possibly win a copy of my Western, The Twisted Trail. The winner will be notified by email. Thanks for participating.

www.lorettacrogersbooks.com

Catch Words

Zelda Benjamin

Every generation comes up with new terms. Some stick around for decades, while others become quickly dated. Should writers use catch words?

Sierra's blog referred to a not so nice catch phrase - bodice ripper. No doubt the phrase refers to submissive heroines of the past.

Our heroines have changed, but do the ideas or feeling associated with modern catch words always evoke a pleasant image? Some are nicer than others. An attractive woman has been called a foxy lady or hot. A strong woman might be said to wear the pants. A not so nice female ... Oh well, I can't mention those words in an Avalon blog.

What about catch words for men? Metrosexual is the first one I can think of.  The phrase refers to a man who uses products and pays close attention to men's fashion. Then there's the sensitive new age guy, a contrast to the alpha male.
Would James Bond in his tailor made suits and perfect hair be considered a metrosexual? What about David Beckham, a rough soccer player who looks like a cover model? I like to think of them in old fashion terms like hunk or drop dead gorgeous. 

When the Writing Gets Tough, the Tough Start Writing

This month, I’d like to focus on a few tips you can use when the writing gets tough.

As every writer knows, there are successful days, and those when you just can’t force yourself to write.  Then there are those submissions you were certain the editor was going to love.  You know, the story you worked on an inordinate amount of time, you submitted it, you waited for months to hear a response—and then you receive that dreaded piece of paper, or that phone call saying the editor doesn’t like it as much as you.   Yeah, those are the days that feel as though the breath has been sucked right out of you.   I refer to those as the tough sledding days.

Having your work rejected doesn’t have to mean it isn’t good.  It only means you found one way it didn’t work.  More importantly, it may mean you just didn’t find the right editor or agent to love it. 

Did you know Casablanca was rejected well over seventy times?  I’d say we’re in pretty good company.  Get back on that horse, my friends, there are better days ahead—I promise.

Okay, so now you’ve allowed yourself a few days to lick the wounds, consumed a huge amount of chocolate, and it still hasn’t worked.  Eat more chocolate, and try some of these tips:

·      See a funny movie.  Nothing better than a good old romantic comedy.

·      Do a writing exercise to regenerate your enthusiasm.  Focus on what got you excited about writing in the first place.

·      Interview one of your characters—seriously, it does work, and it’s fun to boot.

·       Brainstorm character names and plot points with a writing friend. 

·      Do anything that gets your fingers dancing over those keys every day, even if it means writing one sentence.  

·      Pick up a book written by your favorite author.  

No matter what you do to get out of that funky mood, remember that the literary world is filled with battered writers who gave up on their dream because of someone else’s opinion.  Don’t allow yourself to be one of them.

And above all—don’t be so hard on yourself.  There are no perfect people, and certainly no perfect writers.  Ask any NY Times Best Selling Author—they’ll tell you. 

I recently read an email on one of my loops where a famous author, who has over fifty books published, still gets nervous about her new releases being reviewed.  This just blew my socks right off!  What does that tell me?  We are not alone, my friends.  It’s all about putting yourself out there.

 By now, I’m certain you’ve all seen the new singing sensation, Susan Boyle.  I call her a diamond in the rough.  She may not have the exterior features our society focuses on, but her voice soars as high as her confidence.  She’s a fighter, and there's little doubt she won't succeed. She has chosen to focus on the positive rather than the negative, and despite the naysayers, this woman is living her dream--I hope you will too.