I Love Ya's All!

Oh, I love you guy's. You know just what to say to make me feel good.
I feel tired but at the same time I'm so glad to help support my family financially.
Boohoo's for the hol's though, as I have watched DH take the kids off surfing the other day as i went off to work. Then today he took them and all our new camping gear out to Swans Crossing for a week.
I'm going out for a couple of nights hear and there but it's not the same.
But, you need to look at the glass half full, right now I have a house (dirty house) to myself. No kids or hubby! OMG!!!!
Tonight I'm internet banking, catching up on my blog and getting some much need house work done, but tomorrow night, I will take your advice and either catch up on reading or a book.
Well, I'm heading off feeling much better. Thank you guys!
If I don't catch up before then, have a fantabulous new year.

Love Kez

Diet v's Writing.

Trying to juggle writing with work, children-(including DH), pets and house duties is like trying to diet.
everyday i say, it's okay. you can start afresh tomorrow, and before you know it your ms is practically untouched or you've gained 20kg's.
I'm so depressed and tired. I haven't found my balance since i started in early November.
which also brings me to the fact i have neglected my friend- hi Suz.
so, i used to write in the early hours when my kids were home, then i had anytime when they went to school, now it's like i have no time at all. if I'm not working or doing the mother/wife things, i just want to sleep.
BOOHOO! my DH says, 'have a cup of concrete.... and toughen up'. Or you'll love this one, 'want a tissue princess'
huh, where is the sympathy?
i would love to hear how you busy writers cope with the juggle of life that takes us from our Passion.

Kerri

Mid North Coast Pink Ribbon Motorcycle Ride

Wow! What a day it was. Last Saturday We attended the Mid North Coasts first Pink Ribbon Charity Ride and raised $8000.00 dollars clear. How Fan-bleepin-tastic is that.
Approx 200 motorcycles in pink made the trip from Port Maquarie to Harrington all along the coast road. My DH and Brother and wife made it into the papers, and yes, the boys were in pink. It was soooooo great. I cant wait until next years ride.
The next charity run is the Christmas run for the salvation army where more than 300 bikes decorated in Xmas gear ride from Laurieton through Waughope to Port Macquarie deliver presents and for the needy children, if you can make it, it's worth it.
Some of the fun is simply going through the towns all deco'd up beeping and waving to the kids, their smiles are so large, they're so excited it makes your heat so full. Gosh, I cant explain it- a writer lost for words. hehe.
Speaking of which, I have been a wee bit lazy and should get back to it.
All the best and hope to see or hear of anyone else who wants to join in the fun.

Kez

Hectic!

Hectic is what my son describes as anything cool, well I can assure you when I say my life at the moment is sooooooo very hectic, I am surely not referring to it as cool.

I just started my new part time job, which means this is now no# 2 as things of late have been increasingly expensive. I'm soooooo tired and cripplingly sore all over, Boohoo for me.

DH says welcome to the real world and giggles considering my no#1 p/t job is very easy and sometimes fun and in the meantime I write, participate in school activities, have movie days with one of my best friends- can you see why he said this, I can. He'll ask me, 'what are you doing today?" I say, 'It's Tuesday, honey. It's movie day."

What a life, huh.

Although it will take me a little to get used to this new lifestyle of mine, I still intend to see Suz for inspiration, a good o'l chat and some wip swapping. I still WILL write- that one's a must and hopefully I can balance the rest out so I can have it all. Heheh.

Well, I'm off to check out how your all doing.

Happy Writing

Kez

Free Rice!

What the?
No, it's not a mistake. I did mean, free rice. Check out this web sit- http://www.freerice.com/
A great friend hooked me up, and I do mean hooked.
what are you on about, I hear you ask. Well, this web site is a vocabulary builder; and don't we all need some of that. so how it works is that it gives you a word with multiple choice answers and if you get the question right they donate rice to the third world needy. The key is, the more you learn and get right the more rice it builds in the bowl.
I hot hooked on it so be careful!! lol
Now all this being said, this is not where i have been for the last few weeks. I have been a little AWOL, naughty me, I know. But, I'm inspired again and ready to hit the keys of my trusty LP and get the romantic words flowing, hey I have some knew learnt vocab words to use. hehe
Okay, truth also be told, after some more research and the excellent help from Annie West, I had to tweak a little with my MS, but with this new knowledge I have realized where i went wrong all this time and it feels great to be on the right track.
Thanks again Annie!
Now, I promise you I will update as I have done in the past weekly or more, sorry.
Happy Writing and vocab building
Kez

Annie West- The Review

I just got my review of my first chapter from Annie West and I'm so excited.
Actually, I've learnt a few things from her comments as well.
Let's just say that it was the best thing I've done in a long time, apart from the Claytons.
Thanks, Annie!
I'm off to tweak with my ms.
Happy Writing everyone
Kez

Claytons Conference

A must do for all romance writers!
Before you go to the major confrences I think you should seriously consider doing this online Claytons Conference first.
You get to know other aspiring authors who have that problems you do and others who can help you with them.
There was great workshops, where personally I got a lot out of.
No wonder I have been published, I had neon signs flashing in my mind that 'This is the stuff to get me my dream!'
I actually won a review of my first chapter from Annie West for the best pitch on day one.
Yes, you read right- The Annie West!
Whoo hoo!!!
I can not tell you enough how much this conference has brought me out of my shell and others too I noticed.
It was more personal, even with the Authors who donated their time for chats and workshops. I don't think you would be able to be that personal at a major face to face conference.
Now I'm not beating them down, I know they offer a lot Claytons cant, ie, the the pitch to publishers and editors etc. But here I was able to practice them and see the differences with mine to others.
Oh, I could go on and on but this is just a quick update.
I also want to take a quick moment to say thanks to Rhian and Sandie for their time and organisation. Without them we would not have had such a great time. Ta, ladies.
I think you deserve some down time, by the pool maybe Rc. lol.
So, to sum it up- I had a great, fantabulous time, learnt heaps, would do it again and recommend it to everyone!!!

Now I have to go apply my new learnt tools to my ms

Happy writing

Kez

Busy Bee's

Holly cow. I can not believe how busy everyone is.
There's the conference in Melbourne, Claytons Conference for all us who cant make it to the other. Which by the way, I, myself am very greatful for. Thank you Sandie and Rhian.

Not to mention our day to day writing and lives.
I just read my Hearts Talk mag and love the two articles from Barbara Hannay and Nicola Marsh, but don't stop there. They have a huge amount of info on their web too.
www.barbarahannay.com
www.nicolamarsh.com

I have just joined ROMAUS and received a huge welcome, thank you ladies. And yes, I know, it was about time.
I joined Claytons Conference and I'm thinking of registering for an online crit partner. I have Suz at the moment and she's fan-bleemin-tastic, but fresh eyes are always a good thing.

All this being said, I haven't really done a heck of a lot of writing- editing, yes. Writing, no. So I thing it would be a good idea that I get to it.
Tsk, tsk. So much for routine writing. But the plan and intention is still there. hehe.
I'm going to write now.

Happy writing everyone
Kez

Must See Writing Rules!

Found this on the net, I thought it was brilliant. SUITS ME TO A 'T'!

Also check out Jean Drew's article on query letter, she did a great job.

Whats happening out there fellow writers, I've been surfing again and your AWOL.

Maybe your writing, which I should be doing.

Happy writing everyone.

Kez

Back to business

Holidays are over and it's time to get back to the biz of writing.

It's funny how you miss things, during the very quick two week period I missed writing.
After getting into the habit of writing at least two thousand words a day and not doing it, I started to get withdrawls. Yet now, a week out of the hol's and I need to dedicate myself to the challenge once again.

I absolutely loved every moment with all the kids, there were seven of them in my household this holidays plus us two parents, and it was fun!
No I'm not crazy.

Anyone ever seen the great family movie CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN? see it, it's crazy. Yet, I'd love it!

That being said, the excess children have all gone home and I'm left with youngest two and they are back at school and need a routine, I'm actually not far off that need. I need a routine!

So once again, with the experience of 50k in 30days, I have decided to routinely write at the same time of every day.

Hehe, I should have said, I hope to not I have decided. Life gets in the way sometimes. But overall I find I get a lot more done.

It turns out I work better under pressure and within a dead line- GO FIGURE!

Well, enough rambling, I'm off to check out how you all are doing and to write some more. I love this WIP, it's exciting.



Happy Writing

Kez

Insane Asylum

Well, it's officially school holidays now. The kids are bursting full of energy and nagging for our attention.
Who else is in this boat?
My little gifts are still very tired from a long term of school and for some insane reason all our school sport events occur at the end of term, tiring them out until they are getting sick with every germ imaginable and crankier than a lion with a thorn in its pore with me as the poor scared mouse trying to help them. Help me!
All this being said I will announce a shocking truth: I LOVE THE SCHOOL HOL'S!
Yep, because we can sleep, relax and do what we please. parks, movies and I'm truly lucky to say, my children love reading days. We have the fire going and lay about reading, they tell me about each chapter and how what chapter they're up to. they are so proud of themselves with each chap. We're talking about 8 & 9 yr olds. the 15 & 16 yr olds aren't here yet. They arrive on Sunday for the week. I miss them.
anyone else in that particular boat?
needless to say, i probably wont get alot of writing done, but i think with last month being devoted to that, I'll give myself and the clan a break and devote myself to them.
I saw this quote and thought it suited me to a T.
'Being an author is like being in charge of your own insane asylum' by Graycie Harmon.
I wonder if she had kids too.

speaking of which, they are calling for their good night kiss, I'll do that then check out what you are all up to this hol's.

Happy writing

Kez

Oh Well and Congrats To All!

28,593 That's my total. I'm proud and it was fun.
Congrats to everyone who made and for that matter for everyone who didn't. it was a huge month.
I must say i lived all my moments and enjoyed them even though they took me away from a bigger word count. As you've probably read, I've been on rides and bought a new bike. yeehah!
DH and I are loving this time as it's the first we've had time to ourselves in twelve years.
Now, i love my babies with all my being, but I've really enjoyed the time with hubby. maybe next time i wont be out enjoying myself so much and actually get some work done. hehe.
Also i finally got my feedback from VP contest, yeeks would be an understatement. yep, it was my first ms and it apparently showed. oh well.
But don't worry, I've learnt alot and the wip i have been doing for the 50k challenge is my new and improved. this one is going to be good, no scratch that. It'll be GREAT!
Once again congrats to everyone, thank you all for your encouragement and thanks for the invite.
without this challenge i would never have written this much in this short of time. it pushed me more than suz does, hehe. luv ya suz.
anyhow, i have to go. i still have two sick girls to help get to sleep/
happy writing
kez

Boo hoo!

I should be far more ahead than I am, but alas, you guessed it. I'm not.
here's the number 25,020.
I cracked the half way mark and DH say's it's hump time.
No, not the dirty kind, get your minds out of the gutter. It's like wednesdays, they are hump days because it's all down hill, ie, easier. therefore it should get easier for me.
I dont thnk it works like that honey, I told him with love.
anyway, it turns out that this WIP feels like my best work yet. Go figure.
I wanted to tell you all about it but as you can see i'm behind the eight bal, but I will when the thirty days is up.
It would be great to see others WIP at the end. just something to think about.

Got to go
Happy writing and best of luck!
Kez

Day fourteen & plenty of excuses.

We're nearly halfway through the month and I should therefore be 25,000 wrds in, but alas I'm not. the quota for today is 13,206.
I haven't written in two days and I think i blame DH because he's been home since thur. I CANT DO ANYTHING when he's home. although it wasn't wasted, guess what?
we just ordered a new motorbike to do our trips on and don't I have some yummy plans. Oohlahla, kind of plans.
so with all this being said, I need to increase some numbers.
Thank you to every one for helping and encouraging me, and I'm still enjoying the ride.
happy writing
kez

Day Nine.

Thanks Rach, Sandie and Sussan.m for all your encouragement.
I'm up to 12,936, yipee!
I'm a bit freaked, as I soaked in the tub and thought about my numbers I realised things are happening rather fast.
We'll see how it goes towards the end. It's only day nine after all.
happy writing everyone.
kez

I'm Proud!

I'm proud at what I've achieved so far. I wasn't even sure i could get to my humble 8773 wrds, but I'm here and I'm having fun!
It was so funny, i thought i was all that, couldn't believe the words were flowing and I'd reached my number; although i haven't done any today yet. but there i was, swollen head and proud as punch and then i read how wonderful everyone is doing. check out wonder woman Sandie, 20 odd thousand wrds on day six. didn't that pop my fat head. hehe.
I'm now so proud of every ones contribution and i want to say thanks to everyone who helped me get this far.
i have to go and get some numbers up, happy writing.
kez

2 days in. YEEHA!

Okay, we are two days in and I'm still rolling. It's been great checking out how every ones doing, and guess what? I thought I didn't have it in me but I'm proud to say I have written 4,880 wrds. YEEHA!
I have to tell you all, 200kms on the back of the bike was an advantage. I did a lot of plotting, oh and the weekend was FAN-BLOODY-TASTIC! Cant wait to go on the next one.
Any way, I'm busting to get back to it all.
Happy writing
kez
p.s check out rach's blog, I think I'll give you all a sample next time. hehe

Guilt.

Firstly, this blog maybe the last big entry for a month with the 50k in 30days starting on Sunday, but I will give updates on the progress.
Before that i would love to share some pics of last weekend at Dingo Flats. the whole family, inc, brother inlaws family and grandparents alike, we all trecked out in our 4x4's for the day out. It was beautiful and bleeping FREEZING!
The whole day was hilarious as no one contemplated how cold it actually was going to be.
Let me tell you, there was ice in those winds.
But all in all, the day was magnificent and the small waterfall that fell in to this picturesque lagoon was something out of, well, you know. It was out of one of our books.
It's places like these that give you inspiration and ideas. Heck, I actually want act out some of the ideas that had conjured in my mind. Whoo Whoo!
I've been surfing the blogs of our fellow writers and it seems as though some of us are feeling the guilt of either spending too much time with our families and not enough time on our writing, or visa versa.
And don't think i haven't been guilty of these thoughts, because i have. But I've come to the conclusion that it's a blessing to have our families and i think you would regret the time you didn't have with them if they were suddenly taken away from you. Writing is a part of you, i enfesise, a part of you. Not all you are, and yes, thinking this way may take you longer to get to your goal of being published. But i assure you, when you are published and successful and then look around you to see your children have grown so much or your husband is feeling neglected or you realise how little time you have left with the elders of your family (no matter how annoying they may be at times) you will regret missing out on life with them.
I'm not saying back right off, but I'm saying give some time back to your loved ones, they need your attention too.
This all being said after i said, sorry honey but no telly time with you for the next month. hehe.
Actually we're going on a motor bike ride out to Dorrigo and staying out there for the night, this is the first night in a motel without children for us. Holy cow.
Any how, think about what I've said and i hope it helps all those that are struggling with the passion of writing and their families.
Love to you all and happy writing.
kez

Time, time, time. where can I buy some.

Times running out!
I cant believe it, there's so much to do and I'm nervous as hell. I havent been getting much of my work done at all. Life is like this fog that blankets itself around me and I'm still on high beam trying to figure out why i can't get any of it done.
Boo bloody Hoo!
I must admit it's also due to laziness, i hear you gasping in shock. But alas, it's true.
But you know what? it's people and news like Suz that keep me going or trying at the very least. also my RWA mags. Bless their hearts.
I hope I'm up to the challenge of 50k in 30days. I do believe I'm mad enough for it. After all, writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia. That's a quote from E.L.Doctorow
Whether it be true or not, it explains alot. lol
Hopefully i will hear how i went in the VP contest to boost my confidence.
any way, i wish you all well
Happy writing
kez

Congratulations!

Firstly, lets do some congratulating.

Congrats to Suz with the progress her book 'Passion In Paradise' is going. Check out the new cover on her web. (I'm green with envy. boohoo)

And Congrats to Rach and expecting. It's always so beautiful hearing about another life coming into the world.

I'm so sorry about disappearing for the last couple of weeks. With the kids home I love spending the time with them. We had a Harry Potter Day where my ten yr old was shocked that i could make popcorn without a popcorn maker or a microwave. She thought it was old fashioned to make it on the stove, BUT did say that it was the best popcorn she'd ever had.
We also had a reading day. We are all big readers, where i read a new thriller and my ten yr old read The Big Big Big Book Of Tashi and my eight yr old read every care bear book she could find.
We made a digital life photo album for my mum for mothers day, starting from her wedding day right through to now. It was beautiful. We put great music in the back round. It put a tear to all our eyes. I'm sure she'll love it.
But apart from those we just pent time together. The other two couldn't make it but we missed them greatly. Sigh.

Sadly, i didn't get much writing or editing done. Dont tsk tsk though, I did think of a good idea for my ms for the 50k in 30day challenge.
Oh dear, that's fast approaching too. Eek!

I better get to it

Happy writing all

Kez

How to?

Lately there's been alot of talk of how one manages time to write and what their strategy is in the process of writing.

So I thought I'd better add to the list.

One- Time management.

• Some use every minute they have. A minute here and a minute there. Me, I cant do that. It takes me a good ten minutes to get back in the flow. I find when the kids are at school and hubby is at work is the best. If you are not as fortunate to get these things then I find the tv or give them a book to read is a great baby sitter- for hubby and kids, hehe.


• Try getting up before they do or staying up later than them.


• If you are a lucky one who can write with the 'mum, she's looking at me meanly' calls from the kids or the 'Go Eels!' calls from the hubby. Then well done, you're better than me and can probably get more work done.

Two-Writing Strategies. (these work for me most of the time)

• You have ideas in your brain or on a note pad, grab it and find the idea you want to base your ms on.


• Get an exercise book and leave a dozen or so pages for character info. Then write the beginning, only the beginning. Even if its in point form. Make sure it has the characters meeting or re-meeting and the base of the story ie, conflict etc. What ever your target line requires.


• Then the middle of the ms. What needs to be in the middle, the progression of relationship, on the border of something tragic about to happen that effects the characters and their relationship.


• Remember this is a very brief line of your ms.


• Then write your ending, point form is fine remember. How they got through their ordeal and the moment, you know the one. The moment when it all fits together and they realise they are one.


• Now with this done, you should have even more ideas than when you started and you can fill in the gaps.

Please remember, this is a brief description of how i can get my ms done. It will not fit for all and I don't believe I'm the best example of the how to in the writing department.

I hope this has helped someone out there as this is why we put ourselves out in the world- to share.

With this all being said, considering its the school hol's, I haven't gotten very much done and my ms needs more editing and i have to prep for June.

Good luck everyone in your journey and happy writing

Kez

50k in 30 days!

I did it, I joined the 50k in 30 day challenge and looking forward to it. (Shudder)
This will be my first challenge. I haven't even done the BIW challenge and I've jumped right into the big one. Eeek!
I just told my husband and his response was not very helpful, something along the lines of, 'I guess we wont see much of you in June.' But he quickly added the don't worry because when you make it and sell one, I can buy a new motorbike.
Sigh.
You have to love him. He is very supportive and with out him I don't think my romance knowledge would be as good as it is.
A friend once asked me, 'are you settings or scenes all fiction or have you experienced them?'
I blushed as I recalled some of the scenes she had read in that ms and could only reply, 'a little from collum-a and a little from collum-b.' He he.
Anyhow, I hope to talk to you all again soon.
Happy writing
Kez

Road to success...

I believe there is a long road to success in our profession, but it doesn't have to be a lonely one. Get out there, meet people like yourselves; even if it's only in cyber space.

Don't hide from the world, we want to hear from you even if you haven't finished your first ms. I know how hard it is, I'm with you experiencing what you are.

Gene Fowler once said, 'writing is easy: all you have to do is sit in front of a blank sheet of paper and wait until blood forms on your forehead'

Jeez, I can sometimes relate to that, and I'm sure most of you out there does too.

Once apon a time I believed that it was truly easy. Eek!

I though, yeah, I finished writing it. My first finished ms after dabbling with the idea of writing for years.

It seemed great to me, it was my baby, surely HQ will love it too. With in the year maybe I could be published.

I know, I can hear you all laughing at my naivety.

I gave it to a couple of my teacher friends to have a look and they loved it. Looking back at the original now, I want to kick them for lieing. Well I don't think they were lieing as such, but they could have at least let me know my grammar and what not was atrocious to say the least.

It was no where near up to the standards of publication and yet at the time I sent it out to HQ.

Well you can guess the result. Boohoo.

But its rejection was well deserved but still embarrassing and heart breaking.

I still have this rejection notice to remind me.

So five years on; yes, i said five. I have realised how hard the business is to crack and how unbelievably naive i was.

But I will tell you all something right now.

The day will come for all of us who don't give up!

When Suz called me and told me her fabulous news, i was crying in joy for her. She had cracked it. She did not give up!

Now, with this joy of course -being the human I am, I did feel a little of the green monster trying to bring me down into the negative dungeon of doom.

But I realised that I had to use this joy and this eagerness to have what she has accomplished and put it to good use.

Get back to that computer and keep pouring you blood into your work and one day someone will notice!

Since I have started I have grown and I have tried to help others where I could.

I want to also add a congratulations to Suz as she deserves all the success in the world. I hope we are all as lucky as she.

And please remember, DON'T GIVE UP!

Happy Writing

Kez

It's Done!

Yes, it's done. I took Rach's advice and left my ms alone; after a little more tweaking. Hehe.

But I sent it on its way to Vic for the VP contest.

Alas though, it was sent with minor booboos.

I can hear you all gasp from here.

Let me explain- I originally wrote my fist ms- targeted for Desire, on my old computer which at the time was called 'Old Trusty' let me just say, it was anything but trust worthy. Ask Suz. Actually one day it blew up and silly me hadn't saved fresh hard copies. I can hear you tsk tsking. I know, I've learnt my lesson. Anyway it had xp programed on it and since then my husband brought me a laptop which I call my 'sidekick'. But to my disappointment, my laptop isn't equipped with Microsoft word, it only had works.

Well, they don't coinside, do they. So my book which is word compatible cant be edited on my laptop which is also formatted with my new printer.

I have downloaded word viewer from the net but this doesn't allow me to edit. But I thought to myself, no worries. I'll edit it on one and print from the other.

Ha! I had it all set out with 2.5cm all round, bla bla, but when i transfered it over to print- it moved everything about and wouldn't let me fix it! Ahhhhhh!

So I called my bestfriend for help, her son had word and a fast printer and we put it through that.

But God want on my side this day. It ran out of ink after making only 3 copies, VP want 5.

I turned in defeat and decided either I was going to not send it at all or send it not formatted properly.

Are you on the edge of your seat yet? My friend darted back over and said "come on, we'll duck into town, get more ink, come back and print and then go back and send it." At this point I should tell you, we're 30min from town. Add it up.

Anyway, with it all printed; 250 pages, I noticed a few problems.

• the first 3 copies, their numbers didn't print properly; I think it prints so fast it missed it. Hehe


• then I noticed the last 2 copies back page was two lines different from the first 3. I wanted to scream.But at that point I said lets go. Send it before I think it's all an omen and I shouldn't send it to anyone.

So there it is. The melodrama of trying to send my ms and I know if I purchase word these problems wouldn't exist, but sometimes all the wishing and need can't compete with $.

I hope I don't lose too many points. But I'm keen to get some feed back, it's not about the winning.

Am I the only one who has melodramatic problems with this stuff?

But thanks to the encouraging words of support from Rach, Amanda and my bestfriend/sister, WE got it out there.

I guess in the end you realise your friends are another necessary key to success!

Happy Writing

Kez

Merry-go-round...

Still here,, still writing and always editing; or so it seems.

Does it not feel like a merry-go-round sometimes?

VP wants first fifty pages and how many times can I possibly go over my ms?

Well, let me tell you; every time I go over it I find another spelling mistake or a paragraph that is too long, etc etc.

Fresh eyes, I've heard. Yes I have done this also, but we learn more every day and with this new found knowledge, we find more booboo's. Sigh.

I once said, life is like a fun park full of rides.

Roller coasters- for the ups, downs full of different emotions. Think about that ride and what emotions you feel.

Then there's the merry-go-round, where it feels as though your not getting anywhere.

The bumper cars, you're trying to get out of the rut your in, but some thing's always getting in your way.

The tunnel of love; one of my favourites. Intimate, the world seems to disappear and it's just the two of you.

I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

I love my life. I know right now I feel like I'm not getting anywhere, with my dream of becoming an author, but I'll trudge on.

Determination is the key.

I guess the moral is to keep writing, huh.

Happy Writing, everybody.

Kez

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

I had just visited Annie Doyles blogspot where she was talking about romantic setting and what she had perceived as the perfect romantic setting was not shared by all.
It made me think of numerous times where I had been reading and either the 'romantic setting' is not what I would picture as the perfect setting for the scene, or where the author had described the character with clothes or features I myself felt like gagging over.
Have you not encounted this before, I unfortunately have. So I then have to stop mid read and try to imagine the scene/ character differently. A little annoying but when it's a good read you get over the little things.
So, the trick is, and I'm sure you've all heard it before.... If it's a good story anything can be overcome!
But this leads me to another annoying tidbit- Names.
Ah huh, you say. I know where you are going with this- Have you started reading a great book where all of a sudden you are stuck by a pronunciation of a name. AHHHH! It happens to me all the time, once again I have to stop mid read and believe me, I do try to stick with it. But alas, I end up thinking of a name that I can actually say, let alone, understand.
Never the less, once again- due to the book being a compelling story I loved it and kept reading on. I only hope the stories I write, even if they seem perfect and beautiful to me but may not be so to others, will still be compelling enough for the reader to enjoy it.

That being said brings me to the ms I intend on entering the VP comp. Yes, it's getting close. I will get it there on time! But after not looking at it for so long and re-looking over the rejection letter and the last comp comments i have realized the work that it needs.
I'm enjoying the process.
I saw a quote some where on the web once and i shamefully don't know who it was from but it's my motto.

Writing is a process not a product!

Happy Writing everyone.
Kez

What's New?

Okay, so it seems that it's official. I am the last female to see the Notebook.

I can hear the gasps and whispers from here.

I know, I know. But I hate sad anything, I like to live with my rose coloured glasses on. That being said, it took a beautiful friend of mine to push me to branch out and experience the delight in this marvelous movie.

Well, I dropped my children off at school, shut all the doors, turned the air-con on and grabbed a box of tissues and curled up on the lounge.

The first part of the movie- the falling in love part- I couldn't stop beaming with delight. Oh, how i wanted that passion. Don't get me wrong, I do have that passion with my husband after 12 years, but I wanted that passion right then- I wanted to be her!

So, from that emotion came the hatred for the mother, man didn't you want to rip her hair out. Then it was her new love, you wanted to hate, but he was too nice. And of course there was the reunion. Yes-sir-ee, it was undeniable , irresistible passion- and I wanted to be her again. When they shared that kiss in the rain, my toes curled.

Now, all through this I understood she had Alzheimer's and yes, I understood he was her husband that she could not remember but at this point in the movie i was starting to doubt myself and my intuition. The question arose in myself- Is the husband Noah? Dumbo! Of course he is!!!

Then unfortunately came the sad part- the end. But at the same time- through my tears- I was surprised to find myself happy in a way. After all, dieing together in your sleep at a ripe old age. I think that's the most lovely way to go, being that we have to go some day.

What do you think?

Another thing I loved about this movie was the structure was a lot like the guideline of a romance novel. Up-down-Up-down continuously until the happily ever after. I was eager to get back to my writing in hopes of achieving an alike greatness. Material that gets girlfriends to urge each other to " You have to read this book" Don't we all want this.

Any way, i best get back to my editing. I want to send my first ms to the VP contest. Eek! I'm getting there though. Wish me good luck.

Happy writing

Kez

A Word Of Encouragement.

Well how exciting, i got my first two hits the other day. Thank you Rachael and Annie. It makes me feel like it is all worth posting my own blog even though I'm regrettably un-published. (Not for the lack of trying i can assure you!)
Just visiting sites is certainly helpful, there is a great wealth of information from published and un-published writers out there. It took a great pal (hi again, Suz) to encourage me to take the plunge, stop being a chicken and put your name out there.
If you are still considering constructing your own blog, but feel you are technology challenged. STOP IT RIGHT NOW! I had a couple of hiccups, and yes i ended up phoning in the infantry to help, but it was all worth the trouble. I'll tell you a secret... i had to delete my whole account- yes, i said whole account, three times. Lol. But i got there.

So, here I am, and my message today is to encourage non blogger's to have a go. If i can do it, so can you!

I received my new Hearts Talk mag yesterday and still have not had the chance to read it all and i need to take the advantage of the rest of the family being peacefully mesmerized by the Simpsons.

Happy writing

Kez.

Welcome to my first blog.

Well, I thought i better start with how and when i first found my love for romance writing.
It started like many others- It was 1995 and my then-boyfriend's mother handed down her beloved collection of romance novels like they were a secret family recipe. The first romance novel i ever read was published by Harlequin Mill&Boon. It was the most riveting book i had ever read. It took me on the most hottest, most sensual romantic journey, and i was hooked. Maybe she was giving me some kind of hint , most likely, since i married some one else- but that's another story.
So, two years on and an ever growing collection of romance novels, i got the writing bug. I was just seventeen.
Which brings me back to my gorgeous husband, who i have been with since i was sixteen. He has supported my dream through four children, one cat, four dogs, two fish and of course me.
He has been my rock. (love you honey)
But my support squad does not stop there, as i have a great writing pal , Suzanne who is an inspiration to me and great a butt kicker when i need it. Thanks suz.
Together we met when Mid Coast Critique Group was formed with the backing of Romance Writers Australia of which I'm a proud member, they are a wealth of information.
Well, i think it would be time for me to get back to work. I have a ms (my baby) that has been sitting for months that i now feel i can edit it with honesty and harshness and fix my mistakes. Eek, there are many.
So, I'll say goodbye for now.
happy writing
Kerri