No, this isn't about that song that Jasmine and Aladdin sing in the Disney movie; I'm talking about a whole new world of writing.
Let me explain...
One of my favorite authors of Regency and Historical romance has been Lisa Kleypas, but she just recently came out with her first contemporary (A heavy hardback book that my dearest, wonderfulest, friend Eli dragged back from Dallas for lil' O' me) called, "Sugar Daddy". Now, I thought there was no way she could do it. Lisa Kleypas I mean. I had strong doubts that she would be able to pull off such a tremendous switch. But she did and I absobloominlutely LOVE "Sugar Daddy". I could not put it down, that's why I was so tired at church today. LOL
But seriously, how do you feel about this subject? The subject of one of your favorite authors switching her writing from one way to another? Do you think it's possible for you to switch? Could you go from writing say, historical to contemporary and pull it off like Lisa did? Have you ever considered breaking away from your comfort zone and trying something new?
I know Paty has done this by breaking away from straight Western romance to paranormal elements, and then she's got her latest coming out that's a contemporary Western. But I wonder how much of struggle that was.
I have to say that yeah, I'm shocked, but very impressed Lisa Kleypas did this so well. So completely. I was entranced. If any of you get a chance to read it, do. :)
Thanks for sharing what you think and feel about this subject and happy Monday to you!
Showing posts with label Piper's Posts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Piper's Posts. Show all posts
Monday, July 23, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
A Fun Pun Blog
Sometimes we need to belly laugh. It cleanses the tear ducts, strengthens the stomach muscles, produces healthy hormonal stuff in the brain and body, and sometimes it can even make one wet ones pants; unless of course one is wearing a skirt, in which case it just runs where it may. What I'm getting at is, laughing is important and good for the soul and yes, it can get a little messy.
I'm cheating on today's blog post and using something my DH sent me via email. It made me belly laugh, (without the wetting of my pants thank goodness, but it was a close one, I mean come one, I've had five kids!) I felt so light and cheery after reading these I just had to share with you. May you be uplifted in the frivolity, and if you can think of any you'd like to add, please, be my guest.
It's a writer's job to entertain, whether through a story that is melancholy, scary, or funny, it's all entertainment. We seek out the best books and writings to give us what we're craving. I personally enjoy things that uplift and make me happy. The power to activate the human creature's emotions through the written word is pretty incredible. I'd like to grow up to do that someday. But in the meantime, here's something that someone else wrote and I hope it moves you, you human creatures. :)
Deja-Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.
A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything."
Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.
A dyslexic man walks into a bra.
A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm, and says: "A beer please, and one for the road."
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"
"Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home. " That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome."
"Is it common?" "... Well, It's Not Unusual."
Two cows are standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says to Dolly, "I was artificially inseminated this morning." "I don't believe you," says Dolly. "It's true; no bull!" exclaims Daisy.
An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.
I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day, but I couldn't find any.
A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident.
He shouted, "Doctor,doctor, I can't feel my legs!"
The doctor replied, "I know you can't - I've cut off your arms!"
I went to a seafood disco last week...and pulled a mussel.
What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says,"Dam!"
Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel, and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office, and asked them to disperse. "But why," they asked, as they moved off. "Because," he said, "I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer."
A woman has twins, and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt, and is named "Ahmal." The other goes to a family in Spain; they name him "Juan." Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also
had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds, "They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal."
(Oh, man, this is so bad, it's good)
Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little,which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath...This made him A super-calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.
And finally, there was the person who sent twenty different puns to his friends, with the hope that at least ten of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did!
I'm cheating on today's blog post and using something my DH sent me via email. It made me belly laugh, (without the wetting of my pants thank goodness, but it was a close one, I mean come one, I've had five kids!) I felt so light and cheery after reading these I just had to share with you. May you be uplifted in the frivolity, and if you can think of any you'd like to add, please, be my guest.
It's a writer's job to entertain, whether through a story that is melancholy, scary, or funny, it's all entertainment. We seek out the best books and writings to give us what we're craving. I personally enjoy things that uplift and make me happy. The power to activate the human creature's emotions through the written word is pretty incredible. I'd like to grow up to do that someday. But in the meantime, here's something that someone else wrote and I hope it moves you, you human creatures. :)
Deja-Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.
A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything."
Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.
A dyslexic man walks into a bra.
A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm, and says: "A beer please, and one for the road."
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"
"Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home. " That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome."
"Is it common?" "... Well, It's Not Unusual."
Two cows are standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says to Dolly, "I was artificially inseminated this morning." "I don't believe you," says Dolly. "It's true; no bull!" exclaims Daisy.
An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.
I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day, but I couldn't find any.
A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident.
He shouted, "Doctor,doctor, I can't feel my legs!"
The doctor replied, "I know you can't - I've cut off your arms!"
I went to a seafood disco last week...and pulled a mussel.
What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says,"Dam!"
Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel, and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office, and asked them to disperse. "But why," they asked, as they moved off. "Because," he said, "I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer."
A woman has twins, and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt, and is named "Ahmal." The other goes to a family in Spain; they name him "Juan." Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also
had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds, "They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal."
(Oh, man, this is so bad, it's good)
Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little,which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath...This made him A super-calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.
And finally, there was the person who sent twenty different puns to his friends, with the hope that at least ten of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The Mind Wanders
There have been so many helpful posts on this blog site over the months. I've learned so much and gleaned such wonderful information from everyone; whether they offered advice through a blog post or left a valuable comment, it's all been bits and pieces of what I've needed.
One thing I've been pondering since Karen blogged on Jan 19th about "Minding My Business" is her question, "Where do you think you are right now in your career?" This really got me thinking. Where the heck am I in this writing career? Know what I found out? This...
My goal isn't to be published. Wham! It hit me just like that (Piper snaps her fingers) the other day. Right now, I just don't care about publication. Now don't gasp and fall over in a faint or anything. Truly, I don't want or need a "career" in anything. In fact, I didn't start writing with the intent to get published. Nope, I started writing to express my creative energy and because it's fun; but, somewhere along this path, I got derailed and skipped tracks; and I've realized something - I've not accomplished anything because I wasn't working toward a goal that I wanted for me, I was working on a goal I thought I was supposed to want for me.
How dumb was that?!!
What a waste of energy, worry and time. But no more! I'm going to be true to my inner self, the one that's reminding me that writing used to be fun and I used to look forward to it until it became a chore. A chore because I thought I had to have the same goals as all my best friends, the goal of publication. But that's just silly. So I smacked myself upside the head and knocked myself back onto the track of writing because, 1. It gives me pleasure, 2. I increase my knowledge, and 3. I accomplish what I want for me and not for someone else when I write just for myself. Before, when I was trying to make myself accomplish other people's goals that they set for themselves, I felt such utter disappointment and frustration, but then BLAMO, it all became clear. Write because you want to, not because you feel you HAVE TO! What a concept! (I know, I scare me too.)
The pressure is off now, and I love it. My goals are to write when the fancy strikes and not a word until it does. Write what's in my heart and head at the time whether it makes sense or not, is good or not, and finish it if I want, or NOT!
Right now, I would be an editor's/publisher's nightmare. Deadlines are not something I want to deal with at this time in my life. I have too many other things I want to do to be tied down to a deadline. I'd rather be free and broke than rich (or a little better off) and in a prison that I created for myself. And that's what I was doing, creating a prison for myself.
The plan I have is to live up to my expectations and mine only. Not what I'm assuming everyone thinks I should be living up to. Does this make sense? I pushed myself in the wrong direction for too long and now, I'm pulling back. It's been 100% my fault for not listening to my gut's reaction; but, I'm listening now! ;)
I've been listening to an audiobook called, "As A Man Thinketh" and it's been very empowering. Finally, I'm realizing that I'm the one holding me back from all that I want to do, and I'm pushing myself to do what I have no true heart for right now. So watch out self! There's a new girl in charge and she's ready to kick ass and choose her own destiny! (Ouch! Stop pulling my hair! You're not in charge anymore!)
Maybe someday I'll want the goal of being published, but for now, with my attitude and life the way it is, I just want to have fun and enjoy the ride of learning how to become a great writer and I want to continue to hang with my best girlfriends in the whole world and watch them achieve their own true-hearts goals.
May your muse be kept happy and chatty, may the words flow out your fingertips like Niagara Falls, may the publishing faeries whack you on the head with their "get published now" wands if that's your career goal!
Thanks for all the tremendous support you all give freely, and thanks for sharing your wisdom and experiences on this public forum. The women in this chapter are the best friends and writer pals a girl could ask for! And that's sayin' something! *BIG OL' HUG*
One thing I've been pondering since Karen blogged on Jan 19th about "Minding My Business" is her question, "Where do you think you are right now in your career?" This really got me thinking. Where the heck am I in this writing career? Know what I found out? This...
My goal isn't to be published. Wham! It hit me just like that (Piper snaps her fingers) the other day. Right now, I just don't care about publication. Now don't gasp and fall over in a faint or anything. Truly, I don't want or need a "career" in anything. In fact, I didn't start writing with the intent to get published. Nope, I started writing to express my creative energy and because it's fun; but, somewhere along this path, I got derailed and skipped tracks; and I've realized something - I've not accomplished anything because I wasn't working toward a goal that I wanted for me, I was working on a goal I thought I was supposed to want for me.
How dumb was that?!!
What a waste of energy, worry and time. But no more! I'm going to be true to my inner self, the one that's reminding me that writing used to be fun and I used to look forward to it until it became a chore. A chore because I thought I had to have the same goals as all my best friends, the goal of publication. But that's just silly. So I smacked myself upside the head and knocked myself back onto the track of writing because, 1. It gives me pleasure, 2. I increase my knowledge, and 3. I accomplish what I want for me and not for someone else when I write just for myself. Before, when I was trying to make myself accomplish other people's goals that they set for themselves, I felt such utter disappointment and frustration, but then BLAMO, it all became clear. Write because you want to, not because you feel you HAVE TO! What a concept! (I know, I scare me too.)
The pressure is off now, and I love it. My goals are to write when the fancy strikes and not a word until it does. Write what's in my heart and head at the time whether it makes sense or not, is good or not, and finish it if I want, or NOT!
Right now, I would be an editor's/publisher's nightmare. Deadlines are not something I want to deal with at this time in my life. I have too many other things I want to do to be tied down to a deadline. I'd rather be free and broke than rich (or a little better off) and in a prison that I created for myself. And that's what I was doing, creating a prison for myself.
The plan I have is to live up to my expectations and mine only. Not what I'm assuming everyone thinks I should be living up to. Does this make sense? I pushed myself in the wrong direction for too long and now, I'm pulling back. It's been 100% my fault for not listening to my gut's reaction; but, I'm listening now! ;)
I've been listening to an audiobook called, "As A Man Thinketh" and it's been very empowering. Finally, I'm realizing that I'm the one holding me back from all that I want to do, and I'm pushing myself to do what I have no true heart for right now. So watch out self! There's a new girl in charge and she's ready to kick ass and choose her own destiny! (Ouch! Stop pulling my hair! You're not in charge anymore!)
Maybe someday I'll want the goal of being published, but for now, with my attitude and life the way it is, I just want to have fun and enjoy the ride of learning how to become a great writer and I want to continue to hang with my best girlfriends in the whole world and watch them achieve their own true-hearts goals.
May your muse be kept happy and chatty, may the words flow out your fingertips like Niagara Falls, may the publishing faeries whack you on the head with their "get published now" wands if that's your career goal!
Thanks for all the tremendous support you all give freely, and thanks for sharing your wisdom and experiences on this public forum. The women in this chapter are the best friends and writer pals a girl could ask for! And that's sayin' something! *BIG OL' HUG*
Thursday, January 18, 2007
I've learned to say NO, and mean it.
As of the first of this new year I decided to start taking time for me. To sort of "set my house in order" and all that great crap.
Let me tell you, it's been a treat that's better than smooth dark chocolate.
I've eliminated several things from my life that kept me so wrapped up I thought for sure I'd blow up if I continued slaving over them.
So now I'm a free woman. Giving myself permission to say NO has been the biggest hurdle I've ever cleared. It's funny how people nag you and try to make you feel guilty for changing things in your life and having the gall to tell them no. I'd like to have smacked a few of them, but I didn't. Instead, I said it nicely and decided to never put the pressure on someone else to do what they really don't want to do. It shouldn't matter what it is you want to say no to, others should never try to guilt you into feeling bad for learning how to say no and sticking to it. And let me tell ya that little word has been so liberating!
I've been doing more free writing than ever before because I now have the time. I've been working on character sheets, a "dreaded" synopsis, and reading writing basics and helps for the last few weeks.
This is my year. I'm clearing my plate, my head and my heart all at the same time; and it only took a two letter word.
What do you need to say NO to so you can be free to write, read, study writing basics, and generally spend time doing things to improve yourself and your life, instead of cluttering it up with what everyone else thinks you should be doing? You don't even have to make a list here. Perhaps you'd like to make it at home and tape it to the wall by your desk instead. You don't have to share your list, but take a minute to ponder if there are some things you'd like to put on it, then you go for baby! More power to ya!
Do you have the courage to JUST SAY NO?!
Let me tell you, it's been a treat that's better than smooth dark chocolate.
I've eliminated several things from my life that kept me so wrapped up I thought for sure I'd blow up if I continued slaving over them.
So now I'm a free woman. Giving myself permission to say NO has been the biggest hurdle I've ever cleared. It's funny how people nag you and try to make you feel guilty for changing things in your life and having the gall to tell them no. I'd like to have smacked a few of them, but I didn't. Instead, I said it nicely and decided to never put the pressure on someone else to do what they really don't want to do. It shouldn't matter what it is you want to say no to, others should never try to guilt you into feeling bad for learning how to say no and sticking to it. And let me tell ya that little word has been so liberating!
I've been doing more free writing than ever before because I now have the time. I've been working on character sheets, a "dreaded" synopsis, and reading writing basics and helps for the last few weeks.
This is my year. I'm clearing my plate, my head and my heart all at the same time; and it only took a two letter word.
What do you need to say NO to so you can be free to write, read, study writing basics, and generally spend time doing things to improve yourself and your life, instead of cluttering it up with what everyone else thinks you should be doing? You don't even have to make a list here. Perhaps you'd like to make it at home and tape it to the wall by your desk instead. You don't have to share your list, but take a minute to ponder if there are some things you'd like to put on it, then you go for baby! More power to ya!
Do you have the courage to JUST SAY NO?!
Friday, January 05, 2007
A Brand New Year
***Note: We seem to be having problems with people posting to blogger. I'm posting this for Piper. If you're having problems, please let me know and I'll try to get things fixed for all of us.***
It's January 2007 and we have a brand new year ahead of us. I look at it as a clean slate for all of my life. A time to renew old goals that haven't been accomplished, and a time to make new ones. A time to reclaim life and let go of things that have bogged life down for the past year. Usually I'm pretty pessimistic about the new year when it rolls around. I think of all the things I didn't accomplish and I generally beat myself up and feel all sorts of guilt. But this year is different for some reason and I'm feeling quite positive I tell you! No, really, I am. But, like a muscle, I need to exercise this whole positive notion thing to make it stronger so it can withstand the negative that tends to want to creep slowly back around to quash all this positive thinking. Kind of like eating too many sugary treats after building up the muscle a little and thinking it's going to be there forever now that you've got it. Does this make sense?
It's January 2007 and we have a brand new year ahead of us. I look at it as a clean slate for all of my life. A time to renew old goals that haven't been accomplished, and a time to make new ones. A time to reclaim life and let go of things that have bogged life down for the past year. Usually I'm pretty pessimistic about the new year when it rolls around. I think of all the things I didn't accomplish and I generally beat myself up and feel all sorts of guilt. But this year is different for some reason and I'm feeling quite positive I tell you! No, really, I am. But, like a muscle, I need to exercise this whole positive notion thing to make it stronger so it can withstand the negative that tends to want to creep slowly back around to quash all this positive thinking. Kind of like eating too many sugary treats after building up the muscle a little and thinking it's going to be there forever now that you've got it. Does this make sense?This year I'm looking forward to writing. Not just writing a novel either, but all sorts of writing. Keeping up my personal blog, contributing to this chapter blog, writing down goals to keep with my family and making sure to take time to write my ideas and dreams down for myself. Writing clears ones head, as I'm sure you already know.I've had some wicked awesome dreams lately, and I've been writing bits and pieces of them down to add into a novel that's been spinning in my head. Over the last few weeks I've had many of you tell me that my voice lends itself to YA; I've taken this into consideration as I've been writing down ideas and figuring out where I want to go with this whole writing gig. It's very exciting to have my head whirling with thoughts in such a different direction than I've ever dared ponder.
(I'm also thinking that writing YA will make it so I don't have to write the dreaded love scenes. They make me panic just thinking I may have to write them someday. Love scenes are not my forte, heck, I don't even enjoy reading them most of the time. They have to be done really well to suck me in, otherwise I skip them and get back to the meat of the story. It's like yeah, yeah, been there, done that, let's move on people. LOL Okay, getting off track, which seems to be quite easy for me to do, unfortunately.)
It was suggested to me that I take an idea from a dream I had and turn it into a YA. Thanks Danita. :) Now my brain won't stop whirling with this idea and I've got a great start. But I'm scared. I'm a total chicken shit writer, and it's no fun either. (Piper folds her arms, sticks out a pouty lip and stomps her foot. Yes, she's very mature.) This, however, is the year to overcome all this feathery poopness. I will conquer the demons who tell me I suck and I should run in the opposite direction of my hearts desire. This year I will slay those evil dragons! It's funny how powerful our minds are and how much we can accomplish or avoid because we either shut out or embrace those doubt mongers that scream at us. ("Please tell me I'm not alone," Piper pleads as she struggles to free herself from the straight jacket.)
So, do any of you have doubt mongers that whisper or scream in your ears about your writing abilities? Or, do you feel confident and like you're headed in the right direction with this writing thing? (lucky) Have you ever been overwhelmed by fear, doubt, guilt, etc., and it's pa
ralyzing effects, thus making you stifled in your writing? What are your best weapons for slaying the doubt mongers and their hateful fears they put in your way? How do you keep from being trodden down? How do you stay positive in this competitive field of writing and getting published? ("Wow," you're thinking, "What the hell is wrong with Piper? She's really screwed up." LOL) But seriously, share your weaponry with me and others who may feel this way. Help us overcome these fears and doubts in our abilities by telling us how you've conquered and won. I'll even say the magic words. Please and Thank You. :)
ralyzing effects, thus making you stifled in your writing? What are your best weapons for slaying the doubt mongers and their hateful fears they put in your way? How do you keep from being trodden down? How do you stay positive in this competitive field of writing and getting published? ("Wow," you're thinking, "What the hell is wrong with Piper? She's really screwed up." LOL) But seriously, share your weaponry with me and others who may feel this way. Help us overcome these fears and doubts in our abilities by telling us how you've conquered and won. I'll even say the magic words. Please and Thank You. :)
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