Heartland Writers Group

Retreat Payments

2012-01-02T13:12:00.002-06:00

Clearing Out the Cobwebs

2011-12-27T12:06:00.001-06:00

Winter Retreat

Clearing Out The Cobwebs

When :
January 13-15, 2012

High points of the weekend include the best of the best from the past, present and future:

 Workshops

 Collaging

 Brainstorming

 Writing Sprints

 Fun and camaraderie

 Casual discussions

 Our fabulous Awards Luncheon

 More info & schedule coming soon

Where:

Country Inn and Suites
11818 Miami Street
Omaha Ne
402-445-4445

Make your room reservation by December 13, 2011 for the special double room retreat rate of $91.00/night

What to Bring:

magazines, pictures, calendars, scissors, glue sticks, bling or whatever for collaging, writing tools, your writing calendar, comfy clothing, ideas and characters to brainstorm, snacks to share, your smile and laughter.

To register and pay the $35 fee for the retreat contact us today:

November - National Novel Writing Month

2011-11-07T11:18:00.003-06:00

A number of HWG authors are involved in NANO. Lizzie is also leading a mini NANO.

Here's to everyone meeting their goals. Write, Write, Write.

Even if you are not involved with one of these. As always, we encourage you to write.

2011-11-01T22:40:00.000-05:00

Some thoughts on group blogging

2011-10-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

"If you've ever been around a group of actors, you've noticed, no doubt, that they can talk of nothing else under the sun but acting. It's exactly the same way with baseball players. Your heart must be in your work." ~~Christy Mathewson (One of the first players admitted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame)

And so with writers... We can talk writing, study writing, write about writing until our faces are blue or our fingers grow numb. And in many different venues. Like blogs. Like group blogs.

Everyone and their family pet seems to have a blog. I'll admit to a couple myself. Okay, more than a couple. I'll post some pretty pictures or inane comments, a recipe, some chatty talk or the week's school lunch menu. The kind of things you really wonder if anyone does ever look at.

That brings me to the idea of group blogs. Hmm, what could be better than a crowd of fairly like-minded people getting together to share thoughts, ideas, joys and sorrows with others?

Group Blogs: Friend or Foe

I've thought a lot about this topic over the past couple of weeks, finding myself leaning too much into the Foe category. So let's talk about Friend first. A group blog is my friend--not food. (sorry, the fish staring at me reminded me of something else). Because there are others committed to regular posting, I don't have to come up with all the ideas myself. (A definite benefit when I'm trying a **100 blog challenge all by my lonesome.) Some days that's a great thing-either the idea well is pretty dry or the swirl and noise of too many ideas leaves nothing on the page.

Friend--An interesting blog might lead beyond new ideas to a new way of looking at your work in progress, or a new avenue of research, make you think or simply bring a smile to your face.

Friend--A group blog is simply a congenial place to be, a haven for expression and creativity.

That brings us to the Group Blog Foe. I believe most authors have a dynamic, forceful internal voice (be it editor, competitor or self). That voice loves to compare. Well, maybe not compare--perhaps it's more of a contrast. That contrast being... everyone else is so eloquent, their thoughts make so much sense. The wording is perfect and gets their ideas to the reader easily.

And what you write is pure dreck. (or whatever word your internal nag uses.) And the voice goes on. Who would ever want to read your thoughts. With so many clear thinkers out there, why would your rambles make anyone sit up and take notice. Nope, they'll just move on to a better blogger and never return. And on... why did you think you could keep up with anyone else in a group blog. See that great blog? Didn't you think about blogging about the same thing? Too late now, kiddo.

You know, being really prominent in my head right now, this voice is much too easy to write. So let me counter with a Friend thought or two...after I stow the nag in a locked box in the closet!

So, someone else blogged about a topic I'm interested in. Bet my take on it will be different. Maybe not hugely different, but worthy of consideration none-the-less. And no, maybe my topic isn't interesting to everyone... but as long as one person takes away a tiny thought or has a smile when they click their next favorites button--I'm happy. I write the way I write...which whether for good or bad, is kinda how I think. I can sit down and wax theoretical on a subject, appear learned and educated. But I don't wanna. I like to chat. And a group blog is a great place to do just that!

"That process by which you become a writer is a pretty lonely one. We don't have a group apprenticeship like a violinist might training for an orchestra." Anne Rice

Perhaps we don't have a true apprenticeship, but there is a place to practice and discuss our craft ... the friendly group blog. Like this one right here!

Composition--Books That Is

2011-10-23T09:55:00.000-05:00

Like so many authors I love paper, pens, and all sorts of office supplies. As evidenced by the variety of those items spread across the desk top at this moment. And no, I won't show you a picture!

But one of my favorites is the Composition Book.

In the past I've done a fair share of my writing by hand. And my favorite place to write is the lowly composition book. Sometimes when my thoughts don't seem to flow well at the computer, I'll return to handwriting. It's slower and my thought process is different. I like to write on the right hand page only. This leaves the left side for notes, ideas, additions, even the odd grocery list or two.

Don't worry, I don't waste paper! When I reach the end of the book, I turn it upside down and keep going on the now fresh right side pages. When I run into those notes made during earlier writing I skip that page, or if it's a small note, draw a circle and then I write around it. I hear you wondering what I do if I need to write out that grocery list or idea now... I'll enclose it in a doodled line and write around it.

Doodles. I'll do a lot of those too, while I'm paused in putting down words. Doodles are a great way to stimulate your mind and focus your thoughts. In school I listened better when I doodled. My 'talent' got so good while in paralegal school fellow students would give me suggestions then check to see how I used their ideas in my doodles. Did it help? I finished school with a 98, so I'd say so.

It does take a little time once a notebook is full, going back and recovering the notes and story ideas I may need later. But hey, that's a good use for another composition book!

Monkeying Around With Writing Prompts

2011-10-18T09:38:00.001-05:00

For todays **100 blog challenge**I'm offering you writing prompts in the form of pictures.

Pick one of these three pictures and write your 100 words about it. Fit it into your WIP if you can. :)

Then be brave... post your words in the comments.

Calendars Redux

2011-10-12T07:06:00.000-05:00

I'm taking the easy way out for today's **100 blog challenge** since I had no internet access at home. And, I wanted to write about calendars anyway. Those of you who have been with HWG and this blog for a couple of years will recognize this post. If you're new, here's some info and encouragement for using a desk calendar as a writing tool!

I’ve served as the Goals Guru for HWG for a number of years. We’ve experienced a whole slew of ideas designed to help Heartlandians meet their writing goals. But even though the writing derbies, challenges, visual representations and bookshelves have gone through a variety of changes, one goals idea has remained constant.

The calendar.

I don’t remember how many years ago I first brought up the idea of using a desk calendar for keeping track of goals. The concept has been successful for some, and not so for others (like any writing tool!). Let me explain a bit about the Heartlandian calendar concept.

First…find a desk style or engagement calendar that shows one week per page. Find one that has pictures that are meaningful for you. Doesn’t matter what makes your smile, or dream, or encourages you…find that calendar. For me, it’s a dachshund calendar. My brother bought me my first one, and had provided most of them since then. Last year, neither of us got the calendar, so I thought I’d try a different design. Along came Paula Deen. Now, I love Paula, and the calendar was great with recipes, stories and pictures, but it wasn’t what my creative mind needed for writing. And, my writing suffered. This year with my doxies, I’m more on track.

Now that you have a calendar, what should you use it for? Anything you want to.

Donna says... “I use my calendar to record time spent writing, editing or researching. I also record my page counts with times to give myself an idea of the productivity level I can achieve when I sit my butt in the chair and work at it. I also record any contests judged or entered, critiques attended or given on-line, workshops attended or taken on-line, meetings attended, etc. In the back of my calendar I keep a list of all of the books that I've read during the year (recorded as I read them). In the front of my calendar I keep a list of my writing goals for reference. My calendar always sits on my desk by my monitor, as a silent reminder that I need to sit down and get to work."

That covers a lot, doesn’t it? In my calendar I have my goals broken down into different categories, lists of editing I’ve done, contests I’ve judged (It’s so great to see when one of your entries makes finals--or more), contests entered, contacts made AND the books I’ve read. This list helps me see how much I have read, I make notations for favorite authors to look for again and whether the book is fiction or non-fiction. So, use the calendar in whatever way it works for you. Oh, and use it ONLY for writing!

Besides having the pictures or quotes for inspiration, using the calendar can be a remarkably visual for your progress. Stickers are a popular way to show you’ve met your daily or weekly goals. Take a look at Cheryl St. John’s writing calendar.

One year we used colored sticky tags in a set of five colors. Each Heartlandian chose their favorite color and the least favorite. The fave color was obviously for achieving a goal. The least favorite--for those weeks when you didn’t quite reach that page or word count, or whatever your goal was for the week. Other colors of flags were designated for meetings, classes, any number of writing related things. Placed along the edge of the page, these flags show how consistent you are in meeting goals.

I encourage you to consider using a desk calendar for your writing. Post your own ideas here on the blog. Perhaps your idea will help another writer!

To close, Cheryl says…”My datebook is my lifeline. I keep track of deadlines, submissions, page progress, appointments, blog schedules, goals, my online class and just about everything. My goals are printed in the front, and the books I've read this year are listed in the back. I'm already out of sync because I don't have a 2010 datebook yet, and I have things scheduled into the new year. A new one is a must on my to-be-shopped-for list.”

Let’s go calendar shopping!

Steve Jobs--RIP

2011-10-06T07:02:00.003-05:00

Today we join the world in mourning the passing of Steve Jobs. Sure, I'm writing this on a Windows system, but where would the world be if not for his vision and drive? Just a simple listing of a few of his projects for Apple and Pixar, not to mention how we plug into our ipods, shows his amazing love of technology--and the ability to understand what folks are gonna want next.

It makes me wonder what new ideas may now have to wait.

Take a few moments with this **100 day challenge** blog and think about the good old days. Some of us remember pounding out stories on a manual typewriter ...erasing ...retyping ...oh, it took so much time and effort! Or think about that first big, clunky computer that had NO memory--everything revolved around a huge floppy disc. Or your Walkman... And be thankful for Steve Jobs and folks like him who constantly push the envelope to bring new ways and technology to the world.

I love this picture--can't you just see the future in his eyes?

As President Obama said..."There may be no greater tribute to Steve's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented."

What Gender Is Your Brain?

2011-10-04T06:47:00.001-05:00

Aren't there times when we're simply inundated with stupid personality quizzes? Sometimes they're fun to take, and can be actually fairly accurate. I did this one today then thought... what if. (Uh oh, the writer is wide awake already this morning!) What if I answered these questions like my characters would? This could be interesting. Does my hero have a male brain? That would probably be a good thing for an alpha hero. How would a kick-ass heroine's brain be divided? Is the sidekick a good mix allowing them to understand and help the main characters? Lots of possibilities.

want a jello brain? Go here.

I haven't done a character yet, but here's my result. Take a look, then follow the link below. Post your brain gender in the comments--let's see how brainy we are!

Your Brain is 73% Female, 27% Male

Your brain leans female
You think with your heart, not your head
Sweet and considerate, you are a giver
But you're tough enough not to let anyone take advantage of you!

What Gender Is Your Brain?

Blogthings: If Quizzes Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Take Quizzes

**Of course this is the 100 day challenge blog!

Where's the challenge today?

2011-10-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Today's 100 day challenge post is simmering away at

mz *lizzie cooks

stop by for a taste!

A writing prompt

2011-09-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

One way to use your 100 words a day is to explore. And something fun to explore is different genres. Perhaps you've wanted to try an historical, but don't have an idea that will carry an entire tale. Or, you want to see if you can up your writing heat level to an erotic level. Or could be a clan of shapeshifters has laid claim to part of your creative processes and wants to experience their world in a story. Maybe you've been writing sexy and you want to try inspirational. (Not that sexy can't be inspirational, mind you.) Steampunk, anyone?

So here's your challenge for today. I'm giving you some pictures. Not necessarily romantic pictures, but you can take your choice of the football we know here in the U.S.

Or the worldwide version...

Or even the more casual flag type...

Lingerie league anyone?

And write your 100 words today in a new genre or style--using football!

**This 100 day challenge post brought to you by... football!

Steps

2011-09-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

While I'm trying to pass on my own thoughts for my 100 day blog challenge (yep, folks. this is it for today!) sometimes I come across something interesting, wonderful, hilarious, that just needs to be passed on. And so today I send you to http://annemarienovark.com/?p=22 to where Anne Marie Novark shares her ten easy steps for getting back in the writing groove.

Groovy, man, groovy.

What Does 100 Words Look Like?

2011-09-23T07:21:00.000-05:00

**this is a 100 day challenge post!

Sometimes 100 seems like a lot. 100 miles when you're aching to get somewhere seems to take forever.

Spending 100 dollars at the grocery store--oh that goes way too fast!

100 words can come either fast, or slow. It depends on the day. On your writing mood. On the pace of your story. Whether the writing is habit or not. (Lay ya odds--if you're in the habit of writing every day, most of the time those 100 words will come pretty quick.)

So? What does 100 words look like?

one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred

one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred

one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred
one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred

Cut and paste these 100 words then replace each one with words of your own! That's not too hard now, is it?

Another 100 day Challenge

2011-09-21T18:12:00.000-05:00

One year ago, I challenged HWG (and anyone else who's listening) to write 100 words a day for 100 days. Why 100 days, and why now? Because Thursday September 22, 2011 marks the 100th day until the end of the year.

Anyone else wondering where the heck this year went? Whew, talk about some speeding by days.

Today, I'm offering another challenge. I like 100 days. I like 100 words. So...

Challenge yourself

and cheer on your fellow authors--

commit to writing 100 words a day

for 100 days.

Yeah, I can hear you now. But the holidays... but my kids' activities... but the Huskers are playing. Yeah. I use lots of excuses, too. HOWEVER--writers write. By definition, that's what we do. It's way too easy to fall out of the habit. Writing 100 words a day is a lovely way o reform that habit, and keep it going strong. Even if your moments seem overrun by demands (those you put on yourself and those piled high by loved ones, co-workers, the pets) take a deep breath, find a favorite pen, a pillow for your back, a inspirational beverage, and write 100 words.
Photo credit: tnichols from morguefile.com

I'm not asking that you necessarily write those words on your work in progress. Maybe you need to post a blog. Perhaps you are a journaler and use those words to keep pace with your thoughts. Maybe you need to write a presentation. Or be old fashioned and write a letter to a friend. 100 words can be used in oh so many ways.

Photo credit: jppi from morguefile.com

In the spirit of encouraging you to write, I'll even offer this suggestion. If you know you have an event or committment soon, write a few extra words leading up to that day. Aim for 700 words a week and you'll have 10,000 words on New Year's Eve. What a great way to start 2012!

The goals guru is upping the stakes for this 100 day challenge. She'll be posting on one of her blogs each day. (And hopefully, she won't count the posts giving next week's menus on the lunch lady blog.) Follow her around, and keep a list of which blog and what she talks about. (A tracker is available if you ask.) Keep me company for the rest of the year and wonderful surprises will be had at the January Heartlandian retreat! (Or around the second weekend of January if you can't make the retreat.)

100 words in 100 days!

Who's with me?

September Online Workshop: Conflict

2011-08-29T17:07:00.002-05:00

As I'm critiquing manuscripts, I'm seeing a common problem: Lack of conflict.
So I'm offering a month long workshop to cover the basics of plot structure and offer perspective.
The class is appropriate for writers of all levels.
My classes are usually $30. but I'm offering this one this month only for $10.

I know September is ACFW conference month--I'll be there, too. We'll work around that week. Don't worry that you won't have time or you'll be unable to keep up, because the lessons are all downloadable and you can study them at your leisure - or even at a later date. See all the information below.

Cher :-)

CONFLICT MAKES THE STORY WORKSHOP

DATES: SEPTEMBER 1 –30, 2011

INSTRUCTOR: CHERYL ST.JOHN

ENROLLMENT FEE: $10.

** Regularly a $30. class **

REGISTRATION VIA PAYPAL: http://cheryl-stjohn-workshop.blogspot.com/

REGISTRATION OPEN NOW

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

No matter what writing topicCheryl addresses, she hangs the most importance on characters. Conflict isdrawn from characters. It’s based on their goals, their backstory and theirmotivation. It is opposing forces that come from within the charactersthemselves.

Webster’s Dictionary definesconflict as “the opposition of persons or forces that gives rise to thedramatic action in a drama or fiction.” This definition is the essence offiction, and we need to keep it in mind as we develop characters and plots. Ifthere’s no conflict, there’s no story.

Conflict, of course, can beeither light or heavy. In a humorous story, the problem may not be lifethreatening, but it still must be important to the characters. The characters’motivations must be equally important to them. In suspense, the conflict isoften life-threatening. All well-developed plots stem from creative use ofconflict, and conflict is what keeps the reader turning pages.

In order to understand conflict and how to develop it, wemust first understand what conflict is, what conflict is not, and what conflictcan be. The elements that make up a story are so closely meshed that at timesit becomes difficult to dissect and make a firm delineation between them. In amasterfully developed story, characterization, plotting, and conflict are allintricately entwined.

Cheryl will explain opposing goals and how to createconflict that will sustain a story. She’ll give practical advice on:

Motivating characters
Creating characters with built-in conflict
Revealing emotion through conflict
Internal and external conflict
Simple and complex conflict

INSTRUCTOR BIO:

Among her achievements, which include forty published booksin both contemporary and historical genres, Cheryl St.John has receivedmultiple Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and four RITA nominations. Indescribing her stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewersuse words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believablecharacters and real life situations.” She has taught writing on local andnational levels, and is in demand as a motivational speaker.

FORMAT:

The class will be conducted via subscription to a privateyahoogroup, two lessons per week, followed by questions and answers. Briefexercises pertaining to the participant’s current work in progress may beincluded. Archived class will be available for one week after the ending date.

ENDORSEMENTS:

Cheryl St. John's classes are full of insight and wisdom. Her lessons help me understand what'smissing in my story and offer alternative ways to to approach my writing.Cheryl's willingness to share her experience and expertise is greatlyappreciated by this aspiring writer. -- Susan Kapost

In July 2010, I received my first personalized rejection: My story had too much external conflict, and not enough internal conflict. For my next book, I took Cheryl St.John's class on conflict, crafted my plot using her proven methods to balance both external and internal conflict, and sent off the manuscript with fingers crossed. In August of 2011, Harlequin Love Inspired Historical bought my book, Winning the Widow's Heart, for release in June 2012. I truly believe Cheryl's class propelled my manuscript out of the slush pile and into an editor's hands. -- Sherri Shackelford

Cheryl St.John
Marrying the Preacher's Daughter, LIH 6/11
Her Wyoming Man, HH 7/11
Snowflakes and Stetsons, HH 10/11
The Wedding Journey, LIH 4/12
Visit me on the web: http://www.cherylstjohn.net/
From the Heart: http://cherylstjohn.blogspot.com/

Learning Annex

2011-08-23T09:33:00.002-05:00

Hey, everyone if you haven't heard, HWG is starting a new yahoo group called the Learning Annex. This is a great way to learn something new between meetings.

Our awesome inspirational leader, Lizzie has even setup a survey of possible items to cover.

check it out http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QMJTP3V

and join today.

The ICRS Announces the Carol Awards

2011-07-13T08:21:00.000-05:00

Our very own Mary Connealy is nominated under Historical Romance!!

(Atlanta, GA) At ICRS, in a press conference hosted by ACFW and CBA, ACFW proudly announced the finalists in the Carol Awards. The Carol Awards evolved from ACFW’s Book of the Year Awards to honor the highest achievement for published authors of Christian fiction. The 2011 Carol Award winners in each category will be announced at ACFW’s Awards Gala on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the annual conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

Honoring excellence in Christian fiction of all genres, American Christian Fiction Writers announces the Carol Award finalists:

Debut Author:

The Preacher’s Bride by Jody Hedlund (Bethany House)

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes (Tyndale Publishers)

Rooms by James L. Rubart (B&H Publishing)

Long Contemporary:

The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Revell)

Red Ink by Kathi Macias (New Hope Publishers)

Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate (Bethany House)

Long Contemporary Romance:

Plain Jayne by Hillary Manton Lodge (Harvest House)

Anna’s Return by Marta Perry (Berkley)

Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)

Long Historical:

Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs (Waterbrook Press)

Petra: City in Stone by T.L. Higley (B&H Publishing)

Sons of Thunder by Susan May Warren (Summerside Press)

Long Historical Romance:

The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy (Barbour)

Love Finds You In Homestead, Iowa by Melanie Dobson (Summerside)

Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz (Revell)

Mystery:

Mirrored Image by Alice K. Arenz (Sheaf House)

Muslin Mystery by Vera Dodge (Guideposts)

The Camera Never Lies by Elizabeth Goddard (Barbour)

Novellas:

The Prodigal Groom by Vickie McDonough (Barbour)

Ride With Me Into Christmas by Rachael Phillips (Barbour)

A Trusting Heart by Carrie Turansky (Barbour)

Romantic Suspense:

The Silent Order by Melanie Dobson (Summerside Press)

Don’t Look Back by Lynette Eason (Revell)

Pursuit of Justice by DiAnn Mills (Tyndale Publishers)

Short Contemporary:

The Wedding Garden by Linda Goodnight (Love Inspired)

A Father for Zach by Irene Hannon (Love Inspired)

Winter’s End by Ruth Logan Herne (Love Inspired)

Short Contemporary Suspense:

Night Prey by Sharon Dunn (Love Inspired Suspense)

Legacy of Lies by Jill Elizabeth Nelson (Love Inspired Suspense)

Firestorm by Kelly Ann Riley (Love Inspired Suspense)

Short Historical:

Her Healing Ways by Lyn Cote (Love Inspired)

Promise of Tomorrow by S. Dionne Moore (Barbour)

The Columns of Cottonwood by Sandra Robbins (Barbour)

Speculative Fiction:

The Wolf of Tebron by C. S. Lakin (AMG Publishers)

Rooms by James L. Rubart (B&H Publishing)

König’s Fire by Marc Schooley (Marcher Lord Press)

Suspense/Thriller:

Predator by Terri Blackstock (Zondervan)

Fear No Evil by Robin Caroll (B&H Publishing)

Medical Error by Richard L. Mabry (Abingdon Press)

Women’s Fiction:

Beaded Hope by Cathy Liggett (Tyndale Publishers)

They Almost Always Come Home by Cynthia Ruchti (Abingdon)

Beyond Summer by Lisa Wingate (NAL)

Young Adult:

Anything But Normal by Melody Carlson (Revell)

Healer’s Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson (Zonderkidz)

Katy’s New World by Kim Vogel Sawyer (Zonderkidz)

Creativity!

2011-06-20T11:44:00.000-05:00

Creativity for Happy Endings

A new blog focusing on…

Creativity!

Visit by pressing

Here!

Texas Passion Released

2011-06-13T14:38:00.001-05:00

I plotted this book while attending a HWG critique group. Thank you Ladies for all your help.

Texas Passion

by: Anita Philmar

Blurb -

After a long cattle drive to Abilene, Trent McCall just wants to unwind. But in his absence, his father's been making wedding plans...for Trent. The last thing he needs is a spoiled and pampered socialite for a wife. What he needs is a hard drink and a willing woman. An uncomplicated woman who understands a man’s need for release after a hard ride. Good thing he’s got one waiting for him.

Four years back East haven’t changed Catherine Turnberry’s mind. Her heart is set on neighboring rancher, Trent McCall. When an end-of-the-trail party threatens to put him in the arms of another woman, Catherine grabs the bull by the horns. Taking the place of the whore hired to pleasure Trent, she intends to give him a welcome he'll never forget and show him what Texas passion is all about.

Excerpt:

“Well, now, did you think I’d ever arrive?” He shut the door and tossed his hat onto the table by the door. Dark curly hair circled his head, and his dark brown eyes met hers.

“I had no doubt you’d get here eventually.” Her hands shaking, Catherine laid her book on the rocker and tried for a more seductive tone. “But I’d like to know what delayed you.”

One corner of his mouth turned up in a crooked grin, he stepped forward, and then paused. “Wait a second, don’t I know you?”

Catherine nodded and toyed with the knot holding her robe together. Should she shed her robe and try to seduce him first? Or just tell him her name?

He tilted his head slightly, and a frown formed on his lips. The subdued lighting of the lantern didn’t mask the lines marring his brow.

Apprehension slithered over her skin, and a lump the size of Texas grew in her throat. “I…uh…”

“Catherine?”

More of an accusation than a question, her name echoed in her head. “Yes, I…” She edged closer.

He shuffled backward until his back hit the door. “What the hell are you doing here?” His gaze dropped to swell of her breasts, and the cattywhumped expression on his face registered. Clarity filled her head. The man might deny it, but the heat in his eyes proved he found her appealing. Energy pulsed through her, and she untied the knot at her waist. “I decided, since we’re practically engaged, I didn’t want you sleeping with another woman.”

“Whoa, don’t even think about removing that robe.” He held out his hands to stop her, but his tongue slid over his parched lips and the blaze in his eyes sparked higher. Catherine’s confidence grew, and the doubt that had plagued her for the last few hours faded. He might resist, but she’d show him this was what they both wanted.

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=829

Review for "Texas Passion"
From Vicky at Sizzling Hot Books.

"Texas Passion is a hot quick read. There are several sexy scenes that scorch the pages they are written on. The chemistry between Trent and Catherine works so well that one wonders why Trent is surprised by her pursuit of him. The little touches Anita Philmar includes to place the setting, like the heat or the dust storm later in Texas Passion, reminds me enough of the Texas to make me home sick for my childhood. (I haven’t lived there for decades, but one never forgets Texas weather!) And the heat of the story matches the heat of Texas, so make sure you are near a cooling device (sweet ice tea is always a classic for a southern setting) when reading this one!"

To read the rest of the review visit -

http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/2011/06/texas-passion-by-anita-philmar.html?zx=4b32c15c970ff69d

Hope you like the story,

Anita

A 'Charming' Article for Heartland Writers Group

2011-06-12T11:17:00.003-05:00

The local newspaper took some beautiful photos of my charm bracelet (Sherri Shackelford) for an article in the Sunday paper. In our group, we give charms for achievements such as contest wins, editor requests, agent requests, etc. We also give charms to celebrate events including our annual writers retreat and Christmas party.

Members Cheryl St.John and Mary Connealy contributed to the article.

I adore my charm bracelet and it's been super fun to see it print!

Read the whole article here:

Literary Sisterhood

Drum roll please...

2011-05-16T13:27:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, the Mother's Day Committee sponsored a Kindle raffle. The drawing was held on Saturday and winner of the kindle is:

*lizzie Starr

Woo Hoo! Congratulations, *lizzie. And thank you to everyone who participated in this wonderful fundraiser.

Thank you to our generous authors who donated books. And thank you to the Mother's Day Committee for sponsoring the drawing.

Genesis Finalists 2011

2011-05-16T08:48:00.002-05:00

Genesis Finalists 2011

ROMANCE:

Sarah Ladd

Naomi Rawlings

Sherri Shackelford (Member, HWG)

Congratulations Finalists!!

Duel on the Delta

2011-05-16T08:47:00.002-05:00

River City Romance Writers proudly present the

20th Annual Duel on the Delta Contest

Inspirational Category Results

Winner: Winning the Widow’s Heart* (Member, HWG)

First Place: Her Journey’s End*

Second Place: The Key to His Heart

*Additional chapters requested by Publisher

Making Time to Write

2011-04-28T19:48:00.004-05:00

The most important thing to remember is that it's not about making time to write, it's about making time for yourself.

As a stay-at-home mother, I was dedicated to proving my worth. Any moment I spent on myself felt like a betrayal to the sacrifices my family had made because I didn't work outside the home. After seven years, I was burned out and unhappy. I also worried about the message I was sending my daughter.

I had never written anything longer than an e-mail when I decided to write a book. For the first year, I dabbled in writing, afraid of spending too much time on a 'hobby'. Gradually I realized that if I wanted to grow and learn, I needed to put in the effort. When my youngest child started preschool, I claimed that time for my writing.

I average six to eight hours a week on writing, and manage about 3000 words in that time. Because I respect my writing time, my friends and family respect my writing time. I don't schedule lunches, volunteer, or run errands during that time. Even though I'd dearly love to grocery shop without a five-year-old in tow, I'd rather be a published author more. Next fall my youngest son goes to kindergarten, and I'm hoping to double my output.

I'm not taking time 'from' my family, I'm taking time 'for' myself. I don't resent my husband's secondary career in teaching, my daughter's dedication to her book club, or my son's acting lessons. And my family doesn't resent the time I spend on writing. We're a family, but we're also individuals with individual hopes and dreams. We support and encourage each other to grow.

There are times when I wish I had chosen a less difficult career, but the truth is--the career chose me. The road to publication has been slow and difficult, but there are nuggets of encouragement on the way: A contest win here, help from a generous published author there, and the wonderful relationships I've built along the way.

Here are my two best tips for finding time to write:

1. You never 'find' time to write, you 'make' time to write. Most people have all the time in the world to watch Survivor, play solitaire on the computer, and putz around the house. Don't expect anyone else to carve out the time for you--making time is your responsibility. If that means waking up at 4am, then set your alarm and prep the coffee maker. As a very smart woman (Cheryl St.John) once said, it's not what you're willing to do to achieve your dreams, it's what sacrifices you're willing to make.

2. Get a good group of like-minded friends and support each other.

By following these steps, I look at the lessons I'm teaching my daughter now, and I know I made the right decision:

Old message: When you become a mother, your needs don't matter anymore.

New message: The time you spend on yourself is important and necessary.

Old message: Your dreams are not as pressing as having a clean toilet.

New message: Dreams are as vital to your existence as breathing.

Old message: If there's a chance you might fail, don't try.

New message: Failure is a good. It's a sign that you're pushing outside your comfort zone.

Old message: If the task is difficult, quit.

New message: If the task is important to you: Never give up, never surrender.

Old message: Friendships are a drain on your time and energy.

New message: Friends remind you that you're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Christopher Robin

Mills & Boon Author Jean MacLeod Dies

2011-04-28T11:25:00.000-05:00

Author of 103 romance novels for Mills & Boon, author Jean MacLeod died on April 20th at the age of 103--proving that love keeps you young at heart.

There's a lovely article about her in the Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/books-obituaries/8478548/Jean-MacLeod.html

An excerpt:

"Mills & Boon always had a champagne tent on Ladies' Day at Ascot for their authors," Jean Macleod remembered. "One year Barbara sauntered over and dismissively asked: 'Wearing the same outfit twice, Jean? Are things really that hard?' I didn't dignify it with a response – she was known for her sharp remarks."

Here's to one classy lady!

Quote of the Day

2011-04-05T10:16:00.000-05:00

I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. ~Eartha Kitt

Bad Review? You Are Not Alone!

2011-03-30T09:49:00.000-05:00

Everyone--and I mean everyone--I know who writes books has received a bad review at one time or another. It's part of the business. This week, an author exploded onto the web with her rant against a negative review. While I can appreciate her frustration, I think we can all agree that short-term publicity is not worth the long-term headache.

In honor of lukewarm reviews, vicious critiques, and poorly-worded insults, here's a gift for the writer in your life:

My Writing Is Fine Coffee Mug *Click here to see image

HWG, RITA Finalists: Mary Connealy and Cheryl St.John

2011-03-27T09:10:00.002-05:00

Mary Connealy is a finalist in the Inspirational Category for Doctor in Petticoats

Buy Doctor in Petticoats now!

Doctor Alex Buchanan is a wanted man--a deseter from the army stalked by a bounty hunter--but he'd rather be dead than inflict any more pain on his patients. Beth McClellan is idealistic, believing the nursing training she received will be enough to help her serve as doctor to her home town in West Texas. When Alex and Beth meet in a stagecoach accident, they find that they work well together. But are his demons and her dreams too deeply rooted for either of them to pay the price required for a future together?

Cheryl St.John is a finalist in the Novella Category with Mountain Rose.

Purchase the anthology, To Be a Mother, Now!

Mountain Rose by Cheryl St.John
Teacher Olivia Rose knows what it's like to grow up alone and unwanted. But convincing reserved rancher Jules Parrish he can give his orphaned niece a real home won't be easy--unless Olivia seizes the chance of love and motherhood she never expected....

Congratulations, Ladies!!!!!

Where would we be without them?

2011-03-09T19:34:00.002-06:00

International Women's Day was yesterday, but the sentiment of this post from Google Books Blog is still the same:

Five Female Trailblazers in Literature You May Have Never Heard Of:

"Though it's impossible to compile an exhaustive list, we're highlighting a few individuals who went places no woman, and sometimes no man, had ever gone before in the world of words. These woman made history with their pens, quills and ancient stone tablets...Without the pioneering work of Enheduanna, Hrotsvitha, Lady Muraski, Aphra Behn and Selma Lagerlöf (not to mention: Virginia Woolf, Jane Austen, Margaret Atwood, Toni Morrison, Doris Lessing, Emily Brönte, Charlote Brönte, Willa Cather, Edith Wharton, Pearl S. Buck, Frances Burney, George Eliot, Amy Tan, Eudora Welty, Gloria Steinem, Louisa May Alcott, Agatha Christie, Flannery O'Connor, Emily Dickinson, Anne Frank, Mary Shelley, Sylvia Plath, Alice Walker, Harper Lee, Danielle Steel, J.K. Rowling and many others), who knows where we might be?"

On Contests and Critiques by Allison Brennan

2011-03-09T09:26:00.000-06:00

Reprinted with permission from Allison:

Ann, I LOVE LOVE LOVE both of your mantras***. I've said both many, many times. I say it about bad reviews too--they are not my reader. Especially those who pick up one book then give ALL my books 1-star reviews because they claim I don't have any romance in them (I write romantic suspense.) I write what I love to write. I could be better, and I work hard on making every book better, but if someone picks up my book and expects a hot and heavy sexually charged romance, they will be disappointed. The romance is important, but it's secondary to the suspense plot. Or the reviewers who identify one "major problem" when I've never been told that by my editor or fans. Some people just aren't going to like my books. That's okay. My other favorite mantra is "You can't please all the people all the time."

As far as judges critiques--I've received some critiques that were fabulous, and others that were mean and not useful. I know how to discern what helps and what doesn't (hence having Fredericka's mantra of "use what works for you and disregard the rest.")

I posted earlier that I had been a contest slut in 2003. True. In 2004 I entered 7 contests (I sold in March of 04 and stopped entering!) and didn't final in ANY of them, either though one of them was the manuscript I ended up selling and one was the manuscript that ended up being my second book. It's that book, THE HUNT, that made me understand that I had an audience, and not all readers would be in that audience. I still have one scoresheet somewhere . . . but can't find it. I remember much of what she wrote, however:

** She gave me a 1 for formatting because she claimed I "cheated" and used 11 point font in order to have an unfair advantage (I didn't. What I did do, which perhaps I shouldn't have, was changed the leading and had 26 lines per page rather than 25 lines.)

** She told me that no one read prologues and I needed to incorporate the prologue into dialogue later in the book because "it was all backstory." (My editor loved that prologue, which takes place ten years before the book starts, and is the major turning point that sets my
heroine on the path where she is in chapter one. It was pivotal, powerful, and I loved it. And my heroine would never in a million years talk about what happened exactly as it happened. showing it was the best way to show my heroine.)

** She took issue with introducing the sheriff (strong male character not the hero) before the hero. I chose specifically to do that because I wanted the reader to see the hero and heroine through the eyes of a character who cared about both of them. Otherwise, Quinn could have come
off as an asshole and Miranda would have come off as cold, hard and obsessed. Seeing them through Nick's eyes (particularly Miranda) put the sympathy on her. It would have been almost impossible (without changing her character) to make her sympathetic to the reader with both the
prologue and Nick's viewpoint. When I sold the book, my editor loved the first 50 pages--but basically said the rest had to be rewritten. The prologue and first two chapters were practically the only scenes that were barely touched in editorial.

** She didn't like the violence of the scene, she questioned my research, and she circled every time I used "was."

The woman should not have been judging. I don't say that lightly. Everyone is entitled to a different opinion. But it wasn't a helpful critique though she wrote extensively on the manuscript and scoresheet. I was being lectured to.

I'm not a tough critiquer. I judge very few contests now--the Golden Heart and the Daphne. In the Daphne, I know whether someone has "it" and will sell but not final, and twice I've signed my scoresheet. Once was for Jordan Dane, and the entry ended up being her second published
novel. I wrote that the opening was fantastic, I loved it, and not to change anything before she sent out to agents. I also wrote that she wasn't going to final because she had broken too many rules. She didn't final, she did sell, and she now has six or seven books out. I did give
her a couple points that I thought could be improved, but they were minor things and I didn't mark her down for them.

When I judge (and I'll admit, I judge much, much differently than most judges)--I don't give 1s. I know I can, but why? A 2 says pretty much the same thing, so I figure I'm giving them an extra point for having the courage to submit their work.

The easiest entries to judge are great stories that make me want to read more, where I grab the synopsis because I want to know how she was going to resolve the great set-up. I don't care if there are a couple typos or if there are minor problems--and neither will an editor. And what I
think might be a problem might not be for an editor or agent. If the voice grabs me and I wish I had the rest of the book, they get high scores. Maybe not perfect, but very high. I also tend to mark up those manuscripts a lot focusing on small details that I believe will make the
manuscript better. I also usually write that I think it's ready or near ready for submission, and that I marked it up because I think it's so good.

The next easiest entries to judge are those that will never sell. You know it in your gut, the author doesn't have the storytelling talent at this point. What I usually do in those situations is find at least one thing they do well and praise it, then find one or two things that I think are their biggest obstacles, and give a critique on those. It might be too much backstory, or I remember one entry that there was no conflict between the hero and heroine because the writer was so scared that her characters would be mad at each other that she resolved every conflict from the beginning of the chapter to the end. I wrote her a
long critique about the need to torture your characters, to make the conflict real, to let them be angry with each other (if they had a good reason) etc. I don't want to kill their love of writing, because I know how much happier I am as a person when I started seriously writing. So I want to give them something to focus on. I do remember one story where the writing was very good and the characters terrific, but the plot so .. . bizarre, for lack of a better word . . . that I read it twice (I never do that) to figure out what the problem was. It was structural. I was so lost I couldn't give her a high score, but I did think she had a lot of potential and told her so and identified what I felt the problems were.

The hardest entries to judge are those that are perfect . . . but have no life. Either the voice is dull, or the story is over-edited and has no magic, or there's no real conflict or the pacing is off or you don't like the characters (usually because they are Ken and Barbie perfect or so stereotypical that my head aches -- usually because their "flaw" is not a real flaw or a stereotypical flaw) . . . but you can't really pinpoint WHY I don't like it. It's usually flat and lifeless. What do I say? I can't give 5s because it's ho-hum, but I can't give 3s because I don't know what to tell them.

Judging is subjective. Reviews are subjective. Just because I don't like something doesn't mean it won't sell. Contests have value when approached with a clear-head and confidence; but by the same token, then can kill the dream of writers who don't have a thick skin. One of my friends (who is now multi-published) had a judge who told her it was "obvious that English is your second language" -- that was not only inaccurate, but flat-out insulting.

__________________________
Allison Brennan
KISS ME, KILL ME out now!
www.allisonbrennan.com

***Ann Macela's Mantras:

Everyone who judges/critiques your work will be telling you, one way or another, how THEY would write YOUR story.

This person is not my audience. They will never like what I write, and there's nothing I can do about it.

New Member Release! Her Scottish Groom, Ann Stephens

2011-03-07T08:04:00.000-06:00

Proud Scottish Lord Kieran Rossburn doesn't relish the idea of a marriage of convenience, but he'll do what he must to preserve the family estate. Worse, the bride he's been saddled with - the daughter of a crass, unrefined, American merchant - is far too weak-willed for his tastes. Or so it seems at first. After a lifetime under the thumb of her domineering parents, Diantha Quinn can't believe she's being shipped across the ocean to be locked away yet again. Now, to gain any sort of power in her life, she must resist Kieran's seductions and keep the marriage in name only. Yet how can she keep from falling in love, when she is to wed the most tempting man in all of Scotland?

Skills That Can Transcend One Task

2011-02-22T10:22:00.003-06:00

As a writer I use a number of techniques to help me stay focus and to motivate myself to keep working at the daunting task of finishing a book.

What I find interesting is that others use these same skills – say to lose weight or achieve a difficult task. Why I thought I was unique I don’t know.

Am I as good as others at these skills--probably not, but it drives home the point I have more to learn. Not only about writing, but positive self-talk, visualization of the dreams I want to achieve, letting go of bad junk and holding on to the good.

Here’s to achieving the dream and helping others achieve theirs.

Not one perfect draft, but many imperfect ones

2011-02-16T09:00:00.009-06:00

From my evening's reading last night (boldface is mine):

Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers: More than One Draft: "Do you understand that writing a novel, memoir, screenplay involves not just writing one draft but many?...Get your ego out of the way. The more you are able to tolerate imperfection, the more quickly you can finish a draft and every draft makes the story better."

How true. As much as I think I "know" that the first, second, maybe even the final draft down the road won't be perfect, something in my head digs in its heels knowing I have to get words on the page imperfectly in order to make progress. I think this is why I did so well on NaNoWriMo in 2009 - I had permission to write a messy first draft.

I need to remember to give myself permission to write imperfectly on a daily basis or I'll never get anywhere. Just in case you need it: I give you permission, too.

Cross-posted at Mary's Ramble

Quote of the Day

2011-01-24T20:27:00.000-06:00

I can live for two months on a good compliment.

Mark Twain

Say something nice to someone today! You might just make their month.

For 2011, Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone to Success

2011-01-23T11:33:00.000-06:00

Failures are milestones on the success journey. Each time you plan, risk, fail, reevaluate, and adjust, you have another opportunity to begin again, only better than the last time. As sixty-seven-year-old Thomas Edison said as his laboratory burned to the ground, "Thank goodness all our mistakes were burned up. Now we can start again fresh."

Quoted from Failing Forward, John C. Maxwell

Today, make a fresh start.

Talent and Creativity

2011-01-17T08:38:00.000-06:00

"People who follow their joy

discover a depth of talent and creativity

that inspires us all."

~~Dr. Robert Holden

Discover joy today, and follow where it leads.

How are you inspired?

The Wrap Up...

2011-01-10T18:10:00.000-06:00

Hi All,
Well, we're all safe at home snug in our jammies and comfy clothes as the snow continues to fall over the Heartland.

The final word count for our 2011 retreat was: 52,372!!! That's a category length book!!!

CONGRATULATIONS, Ladies!! We all worked really hard and had a very productive weekend.

The workshops were all very interesting and informative. I know I learned a lot - I even learned from comments made during the workshop I gave. :)

I hope everyone is ready and raring to go in 2011 to Finish The Damn Book!!!
Eve

After Dinner Mints....

2011-01-08T19:02:00.000-06:00

Hi all,
We just got back from dinner. The group split up for a couple of hours to indulge our palettes with some of Omaha's best food. It's 7pm now and we're back for our last session of timed writing tonight. Our word count is growing by leaps and bounds! Some of us already have 19 pages while some of us only have 4 or 5, but EVERY word counts!

Keep up the good work, HWG!
Eve

Going PRO

2011-01-08T14:55:00.000-06:00

Mary Karen and Anita received their PRO boa scarves. Congratulations, Ladies!

The paper fondler strikes again!

2011-01-08T14:51:00.000-06:00

Ann Stephens has corrupted us with her paper made of stone. Here she is showing just how much she loves the bestest paper in the world.

Halfway through the day....

2011-01-08T13:53:00.001-06:00

Hi all,
We just finished a terrific lunch catered by our own Barb H and her mom. THANKS, Darlene!!! The potatoes were huge and so tender they just melted. And the toppings?? Everything you could think of. I especially loved the marinated artichoke hearts on the salad. (Personally, I was just glad to be able to eat at all!!)

We also had our awards presentation.
Mary Karen won the Sunshine Award.
*lizzie won the Give Till It Hurts Award.
We had quite a few contest finalists and winners and four people who completed their NaNO goals.

There's been brainstorming and lots of timed writings. We just finished session #5 and the total word count was: 7529 words. The Heartlandians are flying high!!! Total for retreat so far: 28,328 words.
Eve

The first night

2011-01-07T23:22:00.000-06:00

Hi all,
We've had two timed writing sessions and a great program by Kim Louise about starting our books in the right place. I think we were pretty productive! Check out our numbers!!
Session #1 - 5857 words.
Session #2 - 4340 words.
Eve

And Away We Go........

2011-01-07T19:29:00.000-06:00

The Heartland Writers Group's Annual Retreat is starting right now! 17 of us are gathered together to conquer our writing fears, gather new techniques and put words on the page. Wish us luck.... Eve

Day 1--can you believe it?

2010-12-31T14:19:00.000-06:00

Today is the last day of 2010. And if you've joined the challenge I offered 100 days ago, and wrote 100 words a day each of these past days, you'll have added 10,000 words to your WIP. That's no small chunk of word change, folks!

It's been a challenge for me to present a blog to you every day. But I loved finding all the quotes and pictures of those who said or wrote such inspirational words. Straining my brain to fill other days with some sort of interesting chatter was, for the most part, fun as well. I hope you've enjoyed.

If anyone's stopped by every day for the last 100--thank you. Let me know how you've liked the chatter.

Here's to a great 2011!

Have a happy and

prosperous New Year!

Write well!

Day 2--Reflection

2010-12-30T08:26:00.000-06:00

Only two days left in 2010. How amazing is that? Use these days to reflect on this past year as you prepare your goals for 2011. Did you accomplish what you had set out to do? How did you overcome those inevitable roadblocks and creative lulls? What will you do differently in 2011?

Give yourself due credit for your accomplishments, even if you don't feel as though you've moved in your right direction. Remember each step builds upon the one before. Take the lessons you've learned--or ignored--and start this new year strong in determination and courage.

I like that--strong in determination and courage. A successful writing career--in fact any goal--requires both. Because achieving a goal requires change. As Cheryl St. John says, "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you always got."

So, what changes do you plan for 2011?

Day 3--Robert Cecil Day-Lewis

2010-12-29T08:03:00.000-06:00

First, I do not sit down at my desk to put into verse something that is already clear in my mind. If it were clear in my mind, I should have no incentive or need to write about it. We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand.

day 4--smarT goals

2010-12-28T07:17:00.000-06:00

T for Timely, Time-based, Tangible and Trackable.

When you create a goal, there needs to be an end point to give a clear target for you to work towards. If you don't have a Target (hey, another T word), your goal is no longer SMART--it becomes vague. Why is this? Because without an ending, you can start any time. There is no built in urgency, so why start now?

When choosing a time frame, use many of the same aspects of a SMART goal. Your time must be measurable, attainable--and realistic. It would be great to start and finish a novel by the first day of spring, but how realistic is that for most of us? Is it attainable--oh, perhaps--if I don't go to my day job, interact with family and friends, or take showers. However, it is a reasonable, stretching goal for me to say I will write one chapter a week to take to critique.

One of the more difficult aspects of the T is striking a balance between having enough time to achieve and giving yourself too much time. Planning for too much time has the same result as not setting a time frame at all. Take my weekly chapter. Doable. I've done it before--just not consistently. But what if I change my goal to say I'll do one chapter a month for critique. How much you wanna bet I wouldn't even start that chapter until the last week of the month? There's no urgency until then. And, such a goal wouldn't stretch my abilities at any time--except that one week.

day 5--smaRt goals

2010-12-27T07:12:00.000-06:00

Lots of Rs today: Realistic, Relevant, Reasonable, Rewarding, Results-oriented.

Much of what I said yesterday about Achievable goals is Relevant today. Your goals should fall within your personal resources, knowledge and time and should push you--your skills and knowledge--but not be so unReasonable that it breaks your writing spirit.

Having Realistic goals, doesn't mean you've made easy goals. If you aim too low, or don't frequently review your goal success and build upon it, you are sending the message to your subconscious that you aren't capable. It is difficult to reach a balance though, since making your goals too difficult is a simple set up for failure. Review your goals, over and over. Weekly is excellent, but take the time at least monthly for some serious goal review and consideration.

Continually set the bar high enough to give yourself the satisfaction of achievement.

Day 6--smArt goals

2010-12-26T10:57:00.000-06:00

Attainable, Achievable, Action -Oriented

First you create goals that are important to YOU, then you figure out the ways needed to make them happen. In writing, this means you develop the attitudes, abilities and skills needed to reach those goals. One good way to do this is to make one of your goals each year a concentration on one aspect of your writing. Maybe you need to work on transitions so the reader will easily understand how much time has passed. Or you need to work on your layer of adding the five sense. Or using action verbs instead of writing passively.

Each goal should stretch you. If you've consistently written 100 words a day this past year (theme alert) then your stretching goal could be 125 or 150 words a day. Then each day when you meet that goal, you give yourself a mental pat on the back and the encouragement to do the same thing tomorrow.

But if you've been writing 100 words a day then decide your goal needs to be 1000 words a day--you may be reaching too far. If your goal seems out of reach, will you really commit to it? Your subconscious will constantly remind you that the goal is out of reach (hmm rather like our internal editors, huh) and those reminders will undermine your goal by keeping you from doing your best.

If you do want to build to 1000 words a day, make smaller goals. Perhaps you will writer 150 words a day for two weeks. Once you discover you can do that easily, reevaluate your goals and set a new goal for 250 words a day for two weeks. Success will build upon success and keep you motivated.

As with so many things we put on our goal lists-- decluttering, losing weight, reading a certain number of books--building our writing career is best taken in small, manageable steps. Once you're used to taking those steps, you'll be amazed at how much faster you find yourself moving forward!

Day 7--Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T11:04:00.000-06:00

Day 8--What do you want for the Holidays?

2010-12-24T11:32:00.000-06:00

I love this song because I've been collecting hippos for years! If you don't like this version featuring the original music by Gayla Peevey, you can find youtube versions sung by everyone from the Chipmunks to the Jonas Brothers to folks you've probably never heard of.

Enjoy!

Day 9--sMart goals

2010-12-23T08:49:00.000-06:00

M stands for measurable, meaningful and motivational.

"If you can't measure it--you can't manage it."

In order to measure a goal you need to know if what you set out to accomplish is obtainable, as well as how far away the completion is. Otherwise, how will you know when the goal has been achieved?

One of the pitfalls of goal setting is making your goal too vague. For instance, your goal states 'I want to finish the damn book'. Sounds overwhelming doesn't it? When is the book considered finished? How will you see the changes that occur, the progress you make on the FTDB challenge?

Establish concrete criteria to measure your progress. How about something like... 'I will write X words a day (sense a theme here?) to complete a chapter each week to take to critique.' You can measure this easily by the words you write. This is a meaningful goal--you're working on your career. Motivational? Of course. When you measure your progress, it's easier to stay on track to reach your target completions. And, don't you feel good when you review your goal and see you wrote that weekly chapter? That excitement and exhilaration can carry you forward into the next week. And the one beyond that.

Before you know it, you've reached your major goal!

How cool is that?

Day 10--Smart goals

2010-12-22T08:34:00.000-06:00

The S of SMART goals stands for specific, significant, stretching.

Your specific goals should be well-defined, straight forward and emphasize what you want to accomplish. It's where you want to focus your efforts.

Specific is the What, Why, and How of your goal.

What: easy--what are you going to do? Use action words. Hmm, that's rather like showing rather than telling, isn't it?
Why: why is this goal important to you?
How: how are you going to accomplish the goal. Here is where you really need to be specific by giving a timeframe. Having a 'finish by' date helps further along in the SMART goal process, so you might as well be ready for it.

As an example--instead of making your goal to finish a book in 2011 (which only really generally gives a hint of what you want to do and by when...) a SMART goal might say something like : I will write X number of words a day (Hey! That sounds familiar!) to complete name of manuscript by this date.

Significant? That's pretty simple, too. If your goal wasn't significant to you, you probably wouldn't be thinking about it.

Stretching? Don't make your goal too easy. If you normally write, oh, say, 100 words a day--stretch to 150 words a day. Stretching isn't always easy (in either the mental or physical sense). Maybe you'll be a little sore, but the end results will be well worth the stretch.

So have a good stretch and start thinking seriously about your SMART goals.

Day 11-Joyous Yule

2010-12-21T15:30:00.000-06:00

It's the first day of Winter. Some parts of the country are probably already tired of snow and wintery weather, but here in Nebraska it's been pretty pleasant. Sure, we've had some icy times and snow here and there, but nothing to keep folks in their houses. Snow is in the forcast for later this week, so a white Christmas is a good probablility.

Doesn't it just seem more like Christmas if there's at least a little snow for the reindeer to leave tracks in?

Use your 100 words today (you are still writing them, aren't you?) and write about a favorite holiday memory. This could be your memory--or one of your characters. What a great way to get to know a little more about your story people!

Day 12--Are Your Goals Smart?

2010-12-20T09:14:00.000-06:00

Go to your favorite search engine.

Type in something like goals, or goal setting, or goals worksheet.

Become overwhelmed by the number of sites devoted to goals.

How do you know which is best? What works? Should I pay for that book/download/podcast? Why even bother?

I'm not going to answer any of those questions for anyone but myself. Nor should I even try. Like our goals are individual, so are our ways of decision making, creating, listing and sharing. And sometimes it takes a few trial and error moments to find what works.

There are, however, some constants in good goal setting. One of the best ways is to make your goals SMART goals. Here are some of the meanings for the acronyms.

S - specific, significant, stretching
M - measurable, meaningful, motivational
A - agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented
R - realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented
T - time-based, timely, tangible, trackable

I think, perhaps I'll talk about these further in the next few days. That sounds like a good way to finish up some of these last 100 days posts.

Fay 13--Written in Stone

2010-12-19T09:48:00.000-06:00

Along with oft mentioned Chocolate, writers have a touchy-feely love relationship with paper. In fact, at our group's Holiday party, paper was the star of the show. And not just any paper. Paper made from stone!

Kim Louise wrote about the moment in her blog here.

And not long after that moment, a number of local writers headed to Target for stone paper.

The next week at critique, Eve handed out pages taken from her stone paper notebook. And not just so we could once again ooh and ahh over the silky smooth texture. These pages are for us to write out goals for 2011.

So... our goals are...

I'd take this permanence a step further by using one of Sharpie's new liquid graphite pencils. Erasable at first the lead becomes permanent in 24 hours. Perfect for writing your goals... in stone.

Day 14--Focus and Goal ADD

2010-12-18T12:49:00.000-06:00

I was asked last night what my writing goals for 2011 are. My honest answer--I haven't really thought that much about them yet. I need to do the review work I talked about here a few days ago.

One thing I do know...it's really easy to make this long list of goals, both professional and personal. But then, when you look at that list, it can look daunting. Scarey. Overwhelming. OMG, I can't do all this.

Take a long, serious time of consideration when you look at your goals for the coming year. It's fine to have a detailed list, but how do you focus on the whole thing!

You can't. Goal ADD doesn't work. Choose two or three goals--no more! Put your focus, your full attention on these objectives until you've completed them. Look at them every day. Even better, write them down every day. There is something in the act of writing something down that makes it real. Seriously considered these goals--every day. Every day!

Taking the simple action of consistently focusing on just a couple goals will inspire you to success!

So. Make your list of goals. Choose the two most important. And Focus!

Day 15--John Jakes

2010-12-17T07:17:00.000-06:00

Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.

Day 16--Chocolate Covered Anything Day

2010-12-16T07:05:00.000-06:00

Isn't it great? A day to celebrate chocolate covered anything. (wink)

Writers and chocolate just go together. The melty goodness is inspiration, assistance, celebration and consolation.

I know there are those who don't care for chocolate or understand the deep love affair some of us have with Hersheys/Godiva/Dove/etc... Sometimes, I feel sorry for them. But then again, if they don't want the chocolate, then there's more for the rest of us.

I haven't prompted for your 100 words in a long time. (Hey, remember when all this started--almost 100 days ago. You know, the Power 100--write 100 words a day for 100 days?) So here ya go...

There's been a series of programs on what life would be like if the entire population of this planet just disappeared--Life after People. (Great shows, btw) So my challenge to you is to write at least 100 words on Life After Chocolate!

Day 17--Grateful for another day

2010-12-15T07:22:00.000-06:00

I love lists, and have a fresh one nearly every day filled with what I want to accomplish. And I use this list as well to make notes of interesting tidbits I want to remember, places I've been online, a great quote, an idea for an upcoming blog/story/whatever. There are times, however, I think I need to make a list of my lists so I can keep track of all those slips of paper.

But, that's not the list I want to mention today. Yesterday I wrote about making a list of your accomplishments, great and small. Today, the attitude is gratitude.

At the end of each day, take a few moments to be thankful. Some days, when nothing is going right, finding something to be thankful for can be difficult. Really? No, not if you take a deep, calm breath and think. Writing down that first thankful moment will open your heart and mind to gratitude, and another will fill your mind.

Don't worry about how silly or trivial your gratitudes may sound (I'm thankful I found new Sharpie pencils that are fun to write with). Each breath of thanks (Wow, I'm thankful for a second place 'win' in a contest) will have you breathing in another. You'll smile (I'm thankful for friends who share beautiful pictures of their families) and the day will fall into place. (I'm thankful my helper showed up for work today)

And with that smile, and a peace-filled attitude of gratitude, how can you not write the best of words, and share the greatest of stories?

Day 18b--Celebrating Accomplishments

2010-12-14T15:20:00.000-06:00

It's important to acknowledge each little step you take on your way to achieving your goals. Whether slowly or quickly, these small accomplishments add up. And, isn't it easy to build upon each success?

Add up your accomplishments. Even something that seems so insignificant--like buying that needed ink cartridge--pushes you toward a completed goal. How can you have your weekly pages to show off at critique if you can't print them?

Use your calendar, or keep a journal handy, and each week take some time to think about your accomplishments--large and small. Then write these moments down. Yep, do it each week! Continue to build your list of 'I did it' s.

Because...

There will come a time when you need a boost. Writing is hard work. You'll get tired. Discouraged. You'll wonder why. At those moments, pull out your calendar, journal or list and read. Re-Discover the joys and successes of your small accomplishments... you may find just the bit of encouragement you need to go on.

Who better to cheer you on--than yourself?

Free MySpace Animations!

Day whatever--I keep losing track

2010-12-13T08:38:00.000-06:00

Whether you believe in Santa or not, what bit of joyous writing fun do you hope to find in your stocking?

Day 18--Collaging Goals

2010-12-12T09:49:00.000-06:00

Many of us have cut and pasted and created amazing collages to help us plan our stories. The simple act of taking pictures, arranging them with other found objects then stepping back to see what your subconscious has brought to the party is a remarkable act of creativity in itself. Then to use what you've discovered to bring your story to life... wow.

And many folks create vision boards that encompass the broader spectrum of their entire life...financial, career, daily living, places they want to go... and so much more.

Have you ever considered making a collage for a specific goal? Like finishing a manuscript and sending it off to agents and publishers? Think of this as a map leading to where you intend to be. Cut out pictures and words that express how you'll feel when you have achieved this goal. Take some time and write out scenerios as if you already have completed this goal. Fantasize! Like with your writing, engage all your senses! Keep this map active and moving in the right direction--just like your manuscript.

Use this map like you would any book collage. Put it somewhere you will see it often. Then look at it. Often. Visualize yourself on this path--taking the last steps to find the treasure of a completed manuscript in the hands of your target editor--or whatever your goal may be.

Got a goal? Make a map. And get there.

**This blog thanks creative coach Anisa Aven.

day 19--Scott Adams

2010-12-11T20:14:00.000-06:00

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.

Art is knowing which ones to keep.

Day 20--Goal Reflection

2010-12-10T00:01:00.002-06:00

The end of this year approaches, and of course, that means a new year beginning. And for those who set goals (and that should be everyone!) the new year means new goals written in the back of our desk calendars. Or on a sheet tacked to the bulletin board. As long as they're written down somewhere you can look at them and be reminded.

Now is a really good time to review your 2010 goals. Seriously consider those goals, the actions you took to achieve them and how they compare to what you envisioned as the result. Look at each goal separately. What did you do well? What could have been done better?

Most importantly, consider what prevented you from accomplishing an incomplete goal. Is there a price you weren't willing to pay or changes you weren't willing to consider to make the goal happen?

Are your goals still important to you? We are constantly and continually changing beings. What we want, or think we want, changes along with us. Do you continue to put a goal on your list because you think you should--or is it something you really want?

Use these last days of December to reflect on this year's goals. Then when you turn your calendar to the first of January, you'll be better able to achieve your new goals.

Day 21--Leo Burnett

2010-12-09T00:01:00.000-06:00

When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either.

Day 22--So you want to write a novel

2010-12-08T00:01:00.000-06:00

Day 23--Natalie Goldberg

2010-12-07T00:01:00.000-06:00

The muscles of writing are not visible, but they are just as powerful:
determination, attention, curiosity, a passionate heart.

Day 24--Ralph Waldo Emerson

2010-12-06T00:01:00.002-06:00

Day 25--Leslie Nielsen

2010-12-05T00:01:00.001-06:00

Doing nothing is very hard to do...
you never know when you're finished.

Day 26--249,671

2010-12-04T07:40:00.000-06:00

249,671! That's the number of words reported from eight Heartlandian writers during NaNoWriMo 2010. What a great accomplishment. Brilliant work, ladies!

Special CONGRATULATIONS to our NaNo winners!

Barb B

Anita

Julie

Kim

Day 27--Truman Capote

2010-12-03T00:01:00.001-06:00

To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the inner music the words make.

Day 28--Russell Lynes

2010-12-02T00:01:00.000-06:00

(More quotes? Yep--I still have some on my list to share with you.)

No author dislikes to be edited as much as he dislikes not to be published.

Day 29--NaNoWriMo is over! Ray Bradbury

2010-12-01T00:01:00.007-06:00

(So... how did your NaNo go? Did you meet your goals? Or were you like me, discovering this isn't the way I feel comfortable writing at this point in my life? Or did you simply fizzle? I admit I did a lot of that too. No matter! If you wrote 100 words a day for the month of November, you have 3,000 more words now. If you made a goal, NaNo or not, take a deep breath, congratulate yourself and begin again. There's a few more busy days left in 2010. Write those Power 100 words. Keep going.

Follow the advice of today's celebrity...)

You only fail if you stop writing!

SHIRLEY! AIRPLANE! We'll Miss You, Leslie Nielsen

2010-11-30T09:01:00.000-06:00

Day 30--John Steinbeck

2010-11-30T00:01:00.001-06:00

Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.

Day 31--Mary Anne Radmacher

2010-11-29T00:01:00.001-06:00

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.

Day 32--William Blake

2010-11-28T00:01:00.000-06:00

There is no mistake so great
as the mistake
of not going on.

Day 33--Hart Crane

2010-11-27T00:01:00.000-06:00

One must be drenched in words, literally soaked in them, to have the right ones form themselves into the proper pattern at the right moment.

Day 34--Francine Prose

2010-11-26T00:01:00.000-06:00

Like most--maybe all--writers, I learned to write by writing and, by example, by reading books.

day 35--Pearl S. Buck

2010-11-25T00:01:00.000-06:00

I don't wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work.

day 36--Stephen King

2010-11-24T00:01:00.002-06:00

If you don't have time to read,
you don't have th time
or the tools
to write.

Day 37--Colette

2010-11-23T00:01:00.000-06:00

Put down everything that comes into your head and then you're a writer. But an author is one who can judge his own stuff's worth, without pity, and destroy most of it.

Day 38--Margaret Atwood

2010-11-22T00:01:00.000-06:00

We have all been little pitchers with big ears, shooed out of the kitchen when the unspoken is being spoken, and we have probably all been tale-bearers, blurters at the dinner table, unwitting violators of adult rules of censorship. Perhaps this is what writers are: those who never kicked the habit. We remained tale-bearers. We learned to keep our eyes open, but not to keep our mouths shut.

Day 39--Gloria Steinem

2010-11-21T00:01:00.001-06:00

Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else.

Day 40--Muriel Rukeyser

2010-11-20T00:01:00.000-06:00

The universe is made of stories,

not atoms.

Day 41-- Katherine Ann Porter

2010-11-19T00:01:00.001-06:00

Most people won't realize that writing is a craft. You have to take your apprenticeship in it like anything else.

Day 42--Steve Martin

2010-11-18T00:01:00.000-06:00

Writing is one of the most easy, pain-free, and happy ways to pass the time in all the arts. For example, right now I am sitting in my rose garden and typing on my new computer. Each rose represents a story, so I'm never at a loss for what to write. I just look deep into the heart of the rose and read its story and write it down through typing, which I enjoy anyway. I could be typing "kjfiu joewmv jiw" and would enjoy it as much as typing words that actually make sense. I simply relish the movement of my fingers on the keys. Sometimes, it is true, agony visits the head of a writer. At those moments, I stop writing and relax with a coffee at my favorite restaurant, knowing that words can be changed, rethought, fiddled with, and, of course ultimately denied. Painters don't have that luxury. If they go to a coffee shop, their paint dries into a hard mass.
From Pure Drivel, Hyperion Press, 1998

Day 43--H.G.Wells

2010-11-17T00:01:00.002-06:00

No passion in the world

is equal to the passion

to alter someone else's draft.

Day 44--Rita Mae Brown

2010-11-16T00:01:00.001-06:00

A deadline is negative inspiration.
Still, it's better than no inspiration at all.

Day 45--Theodore Geisel

2010-11-15T00:01:00.000-06:00

It has often been said

there's so much to be read

you never can cram all those thoughts in your head.

So the writer who breeds

more words than he needs

is making a chore for the reader who reads.

That's why my belief is

the briefer the brief is

the greater the sigh of the reader's relief is.

Day 46--Annie Dillard

2010-11-14T00:01:00.000-06:00

A work in progress quickly becomes feral. It reverts to a wild state overnight. It is barely domesticated, a mustang on which you one day fastened a halter, but which now you can't catch. It is a lion you cage in your study. As the work grows, it gets harder to control; it is a lion growing in strength. You must visit it every day and reassert your mastery over it. If you skip a day, you are, quite rightly, afraid to open the door to its room. You enter its room with bravura, holding a chair at the thing and shouting, "Simba!"

Day 47--Flannery O'Connor

2010-11-13T00:01:00.000-06:00

Everywhere I go, I'm asked if the universities stifle writers. My opinion is that they don't stifle enough of them.

Day 48--Edna Ferber

2010-11-12T00:01:00.001-06:00

Only amatures say that they write for their own amusement. Writing is not an amusing occupation. It is a combination of ditch-digging, mountain climbing, treadmill and childbirth.

Writing may be interesting, absorbing, exhilarating, racking, relieving. But amusing? Never!

Day 49--Erica Jong

2010-11-11T00:01:00.002-06:00

Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark places where it leads.

Day 50--Goethe

2010-11-10T00:01:00.002-06:00

The most orginal of authors are not so because they advance what is new, but more because they know how to say something, as if it had never been said before.

Day 51--Judy Blume

2010-11-09T00:01:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I think I don't want to write anymore; it's too hard, it's too painful,
but I'm happiest when I'm locked up in that little room inventing characters...

Day 52--Elie Wiesel

2010-11-08T00:01:00.000-06:00

Write only if you cannot live without writing.
Write only what you alone can write.

Day 54--Willa Cather

2010-11-07T00:01:00.002-05:00

If a true artist were born in a pigpen and raised in a sty, he would still find plenty of inspiration for his work. The only need is the eye to see.