Some people think I am silly. But usually, I don’t care. I love silly songs. I love singing anytime. Anywhere. And I really do mean anywhere. I was standing in line at cafeteria singing songs in Portuguese from my Capoeira class. Yeah, I get funny looks. But I feel good.

I can’t dance, but I [...]]]>

Some people think I am silly. But usually, I don’t care. I love silly songs. I love singing anytime. Anywhere. And I really do mean anywhere. I was standing in line at cafeteria singing songs in Portuguese from my Capoeira class. Yeah, I get funny looks. But I feel good.

I can’t dance, but I wish I could. I try to. I make others laugh at me just because it makes them feel good.

I’m an entertainer.

Of course, I want to entertain in print too. Is that so wrong? But more than that, I want to evoke. I want you to take the journey with me. I want you to enjoy yourself and get wrapped up in the trip that you didn’t notice you were falling in love/hate with the characters. It would be devastating to me if you didn’t react at all. If it’s a laugh or groan at my expense, it’s okay. I’d love it if you cried when she finally kisses him. I would be thrilled if the surprise was on you, as well.

It really goes to show that the kid in all of us wants our picture on the fridge. We just want to be noticed. Right?

And I don’t mean in the theological way. We all have dreams, desire and the ultimate goal. So I’m going to just post this photo for inspiration and as a Wordless Wednesday.

~Leigh

I have been writing the same book for too long. I am now in the midst of the third version of it. I won’t say draft, because each incarnation of it only barely resembles its predecessor. However, with each pass, it feels stronger. I’ve cut the necrotic tissue from the decaying pages, removed the [...]]]>

I have been writing the same book for too long. I am now in the midst of the third version of it. I won’t say draft, because each incarnation of it only barely resembles its predecessor. However, with each pass, it feels stronger. I’ve cut the necrotic tissue from the decaying pages, removed the chaff from the wheat and fine tuned what problems arose from before. 

Yet, I’m looking into grafting some of the older and better passages into this current amalgamation. Is that giving up? Is it smart? I feel that so much was done on the last try. (150 pages!) I really would hate to not be able to use it. I think, to use the words of a fellow author, I can fold some of it in. There were some really good parts. It would mean more editing. The old version had different GMC in it for the hero, he’s now on a completely different team, and his discovery of HER *insert secret here* is found in a different way. In fact, they meet in an altered manner. I mean, the heart of the story is still them fighting for freedom from opposite sides and she freeing herself and he from their own fetters, but I digress. It’s different. It just is. So if I really want to trudge through the pages and pages of prose to use it, it will mean many rewrites. But for the better, I think. 

I’m just hoping it’s not a lazy way to add to it, because it seems better than coming up with 150 new pages. (which I’ll have to do; I’ve discovered that these changes I’ll have to make are already giving me new plot. Go figure.)

So, we got a new puppy last week. He’s a cutie, a yorkie-shu (yorkie/shih tsu). Introducing him to the family was easy. The three year old poodle, not so much. He’s having to learn to share. Attention, toys, you name it. And I’m having to learn to cope with twice the duties, doody duty, [...]]]>

So, we got a new puppy last week. He’s a cutie, a yorkie-shu (yorkie/shih tsu). Introducing him to the family was easy. The three year old poodle, not so much. He’s having to learn to share. Attention, toys, you name it. And I’m having to learn to cope with twice the duties, doody duty, bath duty, walking, feeding, doody and bathing. Four times as much hand washing. Egads. He doesn’t act like a normal puppy. Except that he’s playful. I think he thinks he’s a cat. He slinks in a feline manner, but he nips like a dog. My sweet miniature poodle doesn’t share well. His favorite toy, a black and orange bone that used to squeak, is now a source of teasing by the 5 month old. The baby will grab it, prance in front of the poodle and when the poodle sees it, there’s a chase. Then play fighting commences. 

It’s all rather entertaining. 

So how do you manage when a new character comes into the story. You may have anticipated the arrival, or maybe not. I’m not talking secondary characters that are only in a few scenes. I’m saying characters that seemed innocuous at first but suddenly you need a new book for that character. (Take Cager Abrams, who shows up in Constance of the Carolinas only to be the hero in Genevieve of Georgia. [another aside, i hope the publisher likes the names of each of my colonial series, 13 in all.])

Have you had this happen to you? A character be more than meets the eye?

A few years ago I took an online editing workshop. The main point I took from it was that when writing, I should turn off the internal editor until I finish the manuscript and then edit. The lovely lady even suggested I change the font to white so I’m less tempted to read it [...]]]>

A few years ago I took an online editing workshop. The main point I took from it was that when writing, I should turn off the internal editor until I finish the manuscript and then edit. The lovely lady even suggested I change the font to white so I’m less tempted to read it as I go. This was the lovely Rhonda Stapleton. (more on her at her site: http://rhondastapleton.com ) And she’s successful. But that method didn’t work for me. Maybe it was lack of discipline. I don’t know. I’d hate to take good ideas but not be able to implement them.

Maybe it’s the inner pantser in me, but I feel I can’t move forward if a chapter is not quite right. I just got back my first chapter and want to fix it before I write the next. December Gephart (http:decembergephart.blogspot.com ) is my fantastic critique partner and has given me invaluable insight into that chapter. And it’s a beautiful relationship. Very much tit for tat, in my humble opinion. (yeah, i don’t want to abbreviate it.)

The whine of it, though, comes in trying to edit this while still writing. A few aspects of it stall me. First, the physical logistics of it. I could open up her marked up document and minimize and shrink the screen, putting that window up next to my screen of the current wip. Doing so makes it hard to read. I really can’t print it out right now and look at the copy and compare to the original. And it’s quite tedious to toggle between screens.  Another niggling factor is how much do I change. She has great suggestions. Am I to take them all to heart and take it? Well, only if I agree. (which mostly, I do.) Regardless of her input, it will serve only to improve the work. What I take from it or don’t is entirely up to me. But again, this is an invaluable service. And so much appreciated. Having a critique partner allows me to see things that I would have missed. 

But the edits won’t end there. Even if I do manage to edit as I go, when I’m done, I would need to have a beta, and then another full edit. Then ONE more before I send it off. Sounds like a lot of work to just send it off. But the competition is so stiff and rejections can certainly outnumber acceptances. 

So, share, what are your editing tales? Thoughts?

So there are only so many original ideas and ways to tell those stories. That’s a pretty depressing thought. Why then do we write if we are only reiterating the same old love story.

Because we have to. I mean, I do. I can’t NOT write. It’s in me. I’m always writing something; a poem, [...]]]>

So there are only so many original ideas and ways to tell those stories. That’s a pretty depressing thought. Why then do we write if we are only reiterating the same old love story.

Because we have to. I mean, I do. I can’t NOT write. It’s in me. I’m always writing something; a poem, a song, a story. Lately, it’s been songs. But I’ve not strayed far from the literary world. I’ve got ideas I jot down, scenes that will not go away. And that’s a good thing. I don’t want my fount of creativity to go away. It’s part of who I am. I truly identify myself as a writer/singer/lyricist.

That being said, on another forum, someone posted a question about how to handle the similarity in her work and another’s. I was one of the ones included in saying, ‘move on, it’s not exact, you’re work is different and in your voice.” Nontheless, I was nonplussed when two days later I received my copy of “The Art of Sensuality” by Jax Cassidy (thanks hon!) and realized that she and I have similar affection for a name.

At first I was trepidatious about continuing my character with that name. But I remembered my own advice: Move on. It’s different. My voice. Plus…my genre is different from that of Miss Cassidy. Mine is historical; hers, contemporary, erotic romance.  So, the french name starting with a G? Yeah, I’ll own it. And the last name, while similar, is not the same. I’ll own it.

That is regarding my WIP #2. The ‘oh-no-what-to-do’ with WIP#1, I read an author whom I adore, Woodiwiss, and realized that a book of hers, which I’d never read until 3 years after I started Constance, bore similar plot lines. But I didn’t give up. Similar, but the characters’ motivations are different. Not even the same time frame, although, both are in America. (how’s that?)

The bottom line: There are an infinite possibility of ways to share and to show a love story. The only limit is our creativity. We seem to have a collective conscience though, and when we tap into it, we get something remarkable that while apparently similar, will be dissimilar in closer comparison.

So, write on, author, write on!

I think I’ve titled previous posts the same, but simple pleasures really are the best. My intention of writing related posting today was to discuss how an article I received in my e-mail affected my thinking on writing. It was about ‘getting messy with your first draft,’ as put forth by Writer’s Digest. 

But as [...]]]>

I think I’ve titled previous posts the same, but simple pleasures really are the best. My intention of writing related posting today was to discuss how an article I received in my e-mail affected my thinking on writing. It was about ‘getting messy with your first draft,’ as put forth by Writer’s Digest. 

But as I typed in my name and address for a subscription to that magazine, which I didn’t fulfill, because I’ll get it another time, I remembered when I got my mail the other day I noticed something neat. (Yes, I’m a bit of a nerd.)

In my neighborhood, each mail box has a small plastic card holder on the inside of it’s door. Within this card holder is a card stating the names of the resident(s) of that address. Leigh Royals is my pen name. So I was pleasantly surprised to find Royals added to my RL surname. Ha ha! There is another person here. It’s for real! Nothing like being validated by the government. At least Ms. Royals doesn’t have to pay taxes, yet. But that’s going to come. 

I intend at this time next year to have Leigh Royals entrenched on the grid, so to speak. That means that I’ll sell, and that I’ll have to file taxes for my sales. It’s coming. oh, yes, just wait and see. 

…simply because you’re near me.

Well, that can be true. But what of desire for one who is away? The following poem I wrote in August of 2005. I was missing my love: \

His kisses like wine intoxicate me

I’ve been sober for too many days.

This thirst can be quenched by no other,

I desire his amorous [...]]]>

…simply because you’re near me.

Well, that can be true. But what of desire for one who is away? The following poem I wrote in August of 2005. I was missing my love: \

His kisses like wine intoxicate me

I’ve been sober for too many days.

This thirst can be quenched by no other,

I desire his amorous ways.

I need the touch that stops my breath

That quickens my heart and need

Like a man with much money

I horde those memories

For such ardor I have much greed

For Him to come to me and smile

To offer his love unto me

I’d gladly share such delight and more

And to him would I give freely

Surely he pines, as I do, for pleasures

       that make us one.

Has he not grown heavy for want of me

     with each passing of the sun?

He smiles at me and shows his love

     in less tangible though still lovely ways.

But this sobriety cannot endure

     for very many days.

*sigh* He’s a good man, and great lover.

Who inspires your mood?

As the title suggests, this post is going to be about sharing. But I don’t mean philanthropically. I mean, giving a part of yourself that is so precious and so sacred that you protect it and guard it like a precious child. I am speaking, of course, of my passion for writing.

I have just [...]]]>

As the title suggests, this post is going to be about sharing. But I don’t mean philanthropically. I mean, giving a part of yourself that is so precious and so sacred that you protect it and guard it like a precious child. I am speaking, of course, of my passion for writing.

I have just recently started a new paying job, one which I enjoy. But I’ve been reluctant to share my ‘hobby’ (not my term) with others. It’s not because I’m ashamed of it, absolutely not! It also is not because I fear/dread other’s rejection or negative reaction. I just have overstayed my writing welcome with acquaintances and coworkers in the past, and it was perhaps not the most prudent thing. 

But when I’ve been on break, or it has been particularly slow, I would pull out my notebook and write. To everyone’s query of “What’s that?,” or “Whatcha doin’?” I would just reply, “Doodling.” I wasn’t ready to bare myself to these relative strangers. But I felt guilty at hiding it. I also felt I was being dishonest. 

So, the night before last, I let three people read my first published story. (A very short short on a free online magazine. It’s a fair piece, not my better work, but cute in a kitchy way; It’s goal for publishing was Woman’s World Weekly.) And the feedback was good. Ok. Fine, thanks! One of the girls wants to read more. 

So  I guess I need to get busy. She has only skimmed the page I was working on. So raw and unrefined. (redundant much?) But she seems interested. As much as I want to indulge her, and her seemingly sincere eagerness to be my fan, (I have a fan!) I am still wary of giving of myself too much. It would not be good if that became the focus of my identity at work. 

I’ll tread carefully, wish me luck, and as we begin the new year, may we all be blessed. BTW, the short short is First Love First Aid on http://magnoliamagicmagazine.com .

So many times it is easy to let life get in the way of any of your pursuits. Our wishes and dreams go by the wayside while we strive to survive real life in the pursuit of happiness. Tribulations come, in many forms, some small, some tragic, but usually, none too trivial to let [...]]]>

So many times it is easy to let life get in the way of any of your pursuits. Our wishes and dreams go by the wayside while we strive to survive real life in the pursuit of happiness. Tribulations come, in many forms, some small, some tragic, but usually, none too trivial to let go. (Because really, let the trivial go.) My mother likes to say, “Don’t sweat the petty stuff, and don’t pet the sweaty stuff.” Yeah, ew.

Sometime and place during your whirling dervish lives, I know mine is, stop. Just stand, breath and see. Hear. Smell. Maybe taste and certainly touch. Consider yourself and where you are compared to what you desire. Evaluate your place on your goal ladder. (Yeah, there’s such a thing.) Are you really trying to make the next rung? Are you self sabotaging?

There are excuses and there are reasons, legitimate ones, to get in the way. Rise above it. But overall, make the goal to assess your surroundings (physical and more) to not feel bad about being where you are but to appreciate where you are.

Happy Wednesday!

Leigh