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Never lacking for something to say, Elizabeth shares everything from All My Children to Writing and all the life that's in-between . . .

Five Things about Carla Swafford

January 26, 2012 – 9:45 AM

Always fun to meet new authors, especially brand new authors. And Carla Swafford comes to publishing via the Avon Impulse line, which is a digital imprint that was launched last year. So I thought it would be fun to invite Carla over and let her meet all of you.

1. Did you have a nickname growing up? Yes. My granddaddy was hard of hearing, and we believed he misunderstood my name. He called me Polly.

2. Where is the most beautiful/romantic place you’ve ever been? My husband and I fell in love…with Denali, Alaska.

EB: I think we could be twins–I love Denali. So gorgeous. Have been twice now.

3. Do you celebrate when you finish a book and what you do? Yes. Eat chocolate and watch one of my favorite DVDs (A Knight’s Tale, Live Free or Die Hard, Pride and Prejudice, Fargo, etc.) and then start writing another book.

4. If you could go on a date with any superhero, who would you choose and why? Batman (played by Val Kilmer); he’s the bad boy hero, and Kilmer had the sexiest lips.

EB: No arguments there. I’ve always had that same crush on Val.

5. Most embarrassing song on your iPod. Ricky Martin’s Livin’ la Vida Loca. Really I’m not embarrassed, but my kids are every time I played it when we cleaned house. Talk about energizing!

6. If you were going to an island for a long time, name 5 things you would bring. Romance Book, romance book, Pen, paper, and chocolate.

Carla’s first book, Circle of Desire, has been garnering all kinds of praise and is available now in E-format and paperback. You can learn more about Carla at her website.

By Elizabeth | Posted in Friends, TV, Movies, & Good Reads | Comments (25)

Planning a Writer’s Retreat

January 24, 2012 – 7:57 AM

Or any old retreat for that matter. I’ve listened to friends go on and on about writing retreats for years. Holing up in a hotel for a weekend to escape family demands and meet a deadline. Taking off for a family cabin with a group and spending a weekend plotting. Finally it was time to dive in and here is what I learned:

1) Find friends who share your goal for the retreat. If everyone is on the same page (literally)–writing pages or plotting or critiquing–then things will most likely run smoothly–as no one is interrupting another’s pursuits. For our weekend, the four of us all had books in progress that needed to be jumpstarted after the holidays. So our goal was simple: Pages. Lots of pages. We wrote on our own, we used group sprints (1k words in one hour) and took breaks together to unwind, chat about road blocks, to share music tracks. Then it was back to the pages. Relaxed, yet productive.

2) Find a good space. Jane Porter and I lucked out at a charity auction last year and sprung for a big condo in Palm Springs. The place was amazing. Far more than we expected–it was so perfect. Two large bedroom suites, an individual bedroom, big living room, dining area, big patios. Perfect–because everyone found their favorite spot and hunkered down to write. We were not shy about moving furniture around to suit our mood–including taking the dining room table out on the patio so we could eat and write outside. I loved the patio off my bedroom–bright light, privacy and fresh air. Perfect.

3) Collaborate ahead of time. We had a flurry of emails the week before–on goals, expectations, food, groceries, and it all came together quite effortlessly. At least it felt that way. We shared cooking, making coffee and tea. We took turns with those chores and were respectful of each other’s time.

4) Clear your head and keep a clear perspective. Too much writing and togetherness, especially for writers–since we are usually solitary creatures–can be a bit stressful. Take breaks. I went for walks. I went to mass. Closed the door on my room. And bit my tongue a few times. Anyone who knows me, knows that is me showing huge restraint. In other words, it is only weekend. And if things bubble a bit, well, consider that is writers being writers and it is after all, only a weekend.

5) Come prepared to work and share and learn. I had my scenes all mapped out, my notes in order and my pages with me so I could take additional notes as needed. I had them all in one of my Levenger Circa notebooks. I tend to think this is the way everyone writes–only to discover that everyone of us worked so very differently. The coolest part of the weekend were the times we each shared our writing process and explained how we work. Fascinating and so amazing. And yes, I will share what I learned.

By Elizabeth | Posted in Adventures & Travel, Friends, Writing | Comments (1)

I Blame the Snow Day

January 16, 2012 – 7:43 PM

So nothing got done around here. Because it snowed. Truly, life comes to a grinding halt in Seattle when it snows. And that is my excuse and I am sticking to it.

I did though get a bunch of stuff done over the weekend, including cleaning out my office closet, wherein for a while it appeared my office had exploded. But do know that everything found its way back to where it belongs and I know I need to do some fun prizes that include bookbags. I have a plethora of bookbags. LOL. And penchant for buying notepads from Levenger. Some women buy shoes. I buy office supplies.

And apparently cart home every bookbag from every conference I attend. Sometimes more than one.

But most importantly, I need to let one of you know you’ve won a fantastic prize. A $100 gift card to Amazon. And the winner is: Lauren McIntyre, who Tweets as @lady_lauren.

So, Lauren, please contact me with your email address and I’ll shoot you your prize.

Now, back to the regularly scheduled days. Of gray skies and Seattle rain. Please.

By Elizabeth | Posted in Giveaways, Freebies, & Contests | Comments (7)

Feeding the Muse

January 10, 2012 – 2:46 PM

I wrote last week about welcoming in 2012 with grand enthusiasm and my desire to make this “My Best Year Evah” continues by seeking out the books and teachers who inspire and motivate writers and non-writers alike.

To that end, I polled a bunch of friends, tweeps and writers from all over and asked them: What writing books do you love? What has done the most for your creativity and career?

What I was looking for were books to fuel a year of creative growth, gaining and honing my skills and perhaps learning a few new tricks. Who doesn’t like new tricks?

So I present this recommended list of writing books. I have read some, some are now on order based on the marvelous writers who swear by them. A sort of Writer’s U at home. A staycation of self-improvement. So if you are game, consider picking one from the list each month and joining in. I’m going to be blogging about one book a month and sharing my own experiences and hope you can join in.

Even if you have no desire to write, creativity is not unique to writers, it resides in all of us. My hope is to inspire each and every one of you to find your own place to blossom and grow.

Making a Literary Life by Carolyn See. I have not read this one, but when I asked Liza Palmer her favorites, this title was out of her lips without any hesitation. Now on my TBR.

On Writing by Steven King. This is the audio version, because face it, it is Steven King reading Steven King.

How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat. Another book on Liza Palmer’s must read list. As she explained, “Don’t we all want elements of suspense in our novels to make them page turners.” True that!

Bird by Bird by Annie Lamont. This was Megan Crane/Caitlyn Crewes first choice out of the gate, and she’s picked a true classic, one that is on everyone’s list. But have to admit, I have never read it. Time to change that.

Save the Cat by Blake Synder. I love this book. It helps you see fiction through a screenwriter’s focused eye and keeps you on target. Love it!

The Courage to Write by Ralph Keyes. Another book on Megan’s list. Another for my TBR.

Writing from the Inside Out by Dennis Pulumbo.

The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell. I adore this book. The perfect pick up and read a short chapter for your daily kick in the pants. JoAnne Ross says it is a perfect book for “quick encouragement.” Can’t we all use that from time to time? Keep this book within reach.

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. Another one of those books that is always on the top of writer’s lists of inspiring and helpful books.

On Writing Well by William Zinsser

The Writers Journey by Chris Vogler. If you haven’t read this book, make this the first one you pick up. The best book on novel writing out there. And as Christina Dodd said, (and rightly so) “Not boring.”

Reading like a Writer by Francine Prose.

If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland.

Writing Dialogue for Scripts by Rib Davis. Lori Wilde recommended this book and called it an “eye opener.” Another for the list.

Walking on Alligators by Susan Shaughnessy. This book is another one for quick inspiration and daily affirmations and exercises.

The Writing Life by Annie Dilliard.

How to Write Your Best Story by Philip Martin. This and the Annie Dilliard book both came with the recommendation: “Good advice, well written.” What more could you ask for?

Goal Motivation & Conflict by Deb Dixon. I will be honest. This book has never sung to me. But on the other hand, I know so many writers who rave and love it. I mean LOVE it. So I could hardly leave it off.

Break into Fiction by Mary Buckham and Dianna Love Snell. Love Mary Buckham–and her workshops are so popular. So if you can’t get to a workshop, then the book is the next best thing.

Scene and Structure by Jack Bickham. The quintessential and essential nuts and bolts book for every writer. Love this book.

Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass. One of my all-time favorite books–a great nuts and bolts read for honing and making your novel standout.

Are there books that are missing from the list? Add your own in the comments and enter for a chance to win $100 Amazon gift card.

DRAWING TO WIN:

Rules:
This is how you can enter for a chance to win:

1) Leave a comment below and tell me which of these books you love, or what book does inspire you, or which one you want to read first.

and/or

2) Tweet the following: Feeding the Muse: All time best writing books. http://elizabethboyle.com/blog/?p=1908 Enter to win $100 Amazon gift card. @ElizBoyle #writingbooks

Do both and you are entered twice! I’ll give you all until midnight, PT, Saturday, January 14th to get your entries in.

Make sure to check back here Monday January 16th to find out if you won. You’ll have a week to claim your prize.

By Elizabeth | Posted in Elizabeth's Favorites, Friends, Giveaways, Freebies, & Contests, TV, Movies, & Good Reads, Writing | Comments (56)

Five Things about Cecilia Grant

January 5, 2012 – 1:19 AM

I always love meeting debut authors. They have that starry-eyed glow about them. And of course, it gives us all a chance to discover a new favorite author. So let’s start the New Year off right with debut author, Cecilia Grant and Five Things:

1. Where is the most beautiful/romantic place you’ve ever been? I once journeyed by bus from Aberystwyth, on the Welsh seacoast, to the inland mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. I was traveling alone, and didn’t know anybody in either place (I’d sort of picked them off the map), so it was just me and the craggy, impossibly green Welsh hills and the little towns where the bus would occasionally make a stop. I’ve never seen another landscape with that combination of grandeur and intimacy.

2. Do you celebrate when you finish a book and what do you do? Oh, heck no. The few weeks after a book is finished are some of the most stressful in the process, because that’s when I send it off to my editor and wait to hear what she thinks. And it always seems possible, in those weeks, that her response is going to be, “Oh, my god, reading this manuscript has made me realize you really can’t write at all! What were we thinking, signing you to a contract?”

3. What blogs do you visit? Dear Author and Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, for generally keeping up with the Romance world. History Hoydens and Word Wenches for fascinating articles about historical detail. ReadReactReview for thoughtful, accessible analysis of the genre. And Gossamer Obsessions, because AnimeJune can make me laugh just as hard with a good review as with a bad one.

4. If you were not writing, what job would you have? I wish writing were my only job. But as long as I’ve got dependent kids and a mortgage, I’m going to be pretty wedded to the health benefits and steady income of my day job – I’m just cautious that way. So if I weren’t writing, what I’d have is my same not-very-interesting day job plus more free time. Minus a lot of fulfillment.

5. Most embarrassing song on your iPod? It’s possible there might be some Journey on there. In fact it’s altogether possible that Journey singer Steve Perry’s solo hit, “Oh, Sherrie” is on there, for sing-along purposes. “You’d be better off alone!/If I’m not who you/thought I’d be-EE-ee!”

If anything, the cover for her debut, A Lady Awakened, makes me pea-green with envy. Quite literally! Isn’t this the most gorgeous cover you’ve ever seen? And thus begins Cecilia Grant’s career. You can find out more about her at her website, CecilaGrant.com. Make sure to get your copy of A Lady Awakened, and be on the lookout for her second book, A Gentleman Undone, coming June 2012 from Bantam.

By Elizabeth | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (2)