So I write erotic romance...

I'm doing companion posts this week. This one relates to the post on my regular blog, where I asked if it's wrong to like erotic romance. Here I ask a different question. If you do write it, do you admit it? Sure, some people hide their clinch covers on the subway, but what if the clinch covers are yours? Then what? Do you make up excuses or do you tell the truth without embarrassment?

I'm working on being honest. I've admitted I write romance to certain work colleagues, but I haven't said exactly what. I write all over the map...the few genres I haven't written in yet, I want to try (much to my dear CP Tara's consternation, LOL) But right now, most of my WIPs would be considered erotic romance. Not all, but most. And I nicely tiptoe around that subject with many of the people in my life.

How about you? Do you wear your writing identity with pride? It doesn't have to be erotic romance. Maybe you write inspirationals. Or fan fiction. Or any number of other genres that I'm sure have some silly stigma attached. And if you don't write, is there another area of your life you keep under wraps? Inquiring minds want to know. ;)

Oh What a Feeling

So...I received word back from my very first contest. I entered the Indiana's Golden Opportunity contest. The entry deadline was July 1, 2009.

I really wasn't sure what to expect with the two professional judging replies that were reported. I knew I wanted some feedback from an outside source. I've always been very lucky with people supporting my work. Then, through kismet, I ended up with a rockin' CP that also has some editing background. But there's always a part of me that wondered what a stranger would think.

Part of me wondered how my work would sound to someone that had no former knowledge of my personality from the internet, or through friendship. It's a nervy thing, really. I wanted it, that was for sure, but when I actually got the response in my email, I was frozen solid. I couldn't open it.

On top of that, I was already online with Cari talking about another project, so she got to see me go crazy first hand. Lucky girl. LOL

Thank God for her, that's all I can say. She immediately wanted to see the results and let me babble about it. Then, after I read everything, she celebrated with me. I wasn't a finalist, but I did end up at the top of the pile.

There were 25 entries and I came in 6th. Pretty exciting for me, considering the level of help the story needed. I've changed so much, even since this summer. The feedback was phenomenal. Both judges were forthcoming with praise and constructive criticism. One judge was more thorough than the other with feedback.

I got what I wanted from the contest. I knew the story itself needed work and didn't deserve to final, but the judges did score high on characterization, dialogue and professional look. Conflict and plot needed work, but those things were already on my list to change.

All in all, I think it was very good experience.




POSITIVE:

Does the presentation of the setting add depth and/or conflict to the story? Yes! Wild crowds, clamoring fans, flashing lights, a hard-drinking, itinerant lifestyle make a terrific backdrop for a paranormal!

CONSTRUCTIVE:

Does the romantic conflict challenge the hero and heroine to grow into love? I’m not sure what the impediment to Sophie and Jake getting together is. They seem to have much more in common than in conflict. He thinks his vision tells him she wants to kill him, but it almost seems he doesn’t believe that himself.





Has anyone else entered a contest? What are your thoughts on them?

A Journey Of A Thousand Steps...

For my first WW post, I'd like to share a brief list of my own.

1) How many years I've been writing: 18...seriously, about 4
2) How many contests I've entered:  4
3) How many I've won: 1
4) How many books I've written (completed an entire draft): 4
5) How many books I've contracted: 1
6) How many books I've had rejected: 1, though it wasn't a traditional submission
7) How many times I've contemplated quitting writing and taking up igloo building? 489895

But most importantly...

8) How many times I've actually quit? Never.

I've contemplated it, of course. What writer hasn't? It's no fun being rejected and reviewed and dissected. Or worse, ignored. But it's part and parcel of a writer's life, and if you are one, you eventually realize that the downs are so worth the ups. And if they're not? Well, igloo building is always a viable choice, especially if you're a New Yorker like Tara and me, LOL

I should also list another number.

9) How many critique partners I've had: 3

All 3 are very different, with unique skills and personalities and writing styles. I know some people tell horror stories, but I've gotten so lucky with mine. And really, having people who "get it" to ride the wave with you - or drown in the surf, depending on the day - is what makes all the difference.

Tara was my first CP. When I wrote to her that first time, I almost talked myself out of it. I didn't really need anyone to read over my work. I was fine. Then I got back her first crit where she commented, "Well, I have to say it's not perfect yet..." and we were off.  ;)

I'm still not a perfect writer yet, and that burns my ass. Every time I think I've learned what I need to, I see that I'm not even close to getting where I want to go. Big ambitions mean a big learning curve. And as Tara always says, I'm harder on myself than anyone else could ever be.

But I haven't fallen off the mountain yet, so I guess that's a victory in itself. And I hope to update that list with some good news soon...

Taryn's Twisted Ramblings #1

RHAPSODY SONG: Never Coming Home - Crossfade

Hmm...so, this is one of those One Hit Wonder bands that let out a really cool song. It came out a few years ago---Cold. But their Sophomore album really blew me away. They changed their style a little and found their writing niche.

I can so relate.

See...these posts do have a rhyme and a reason. VERY important first blog post, right? LOL But it's something Cari and I have been talking about a lot. So much has changed in both of our writing styles in the last year that we figure either:
a.) we totally rock as CP's and have revolutionized each other's writing
b.) we've actually been working so hard that we HAD to get better eventually.
c.) all of the above.

I'm actually going for C, to be honest. Because...well, when in doubt go with C. LOL And seriously, we've come so far in such a short time. That first email was a year ago in June. Now I can't imagine my life without her. (We often have these mutual admiration society moments, btw. Hurl quietly, please.)

So, because of my illustrious CP, I've managed to nail down a few key points. ('tis list night obviously)

• I'm inherently lazy.
• I love writing.
• I hate writing.
• I love blogging.
• I hate blogging.
• I love building a story.
• I love building a story but love to make excuses about not working the story.

Sense a theme here? Ahh, the love/hate relationship. I know it and live it so well. After much lamenting...all summer, actually...stumbling through the dark a bit, and driving Cari (and my other friends) nuts, I think I've finally evened out a little.

And because I'm only happy when I'm crazy, I'm in the middle of a new project. LOL

I was hell bent for Para fiction there for a bit. I had this ridiculously huge story arc put together with world building that would do Tolkien proud for God's sake. I built it up until the story was so huge I couldn't wrap my head around anything, let alone things like--oh, stringing a usable sentence together.

So...I took a step back, pared down, and decided to go with a more simplified story. I still couldn't manage to keep it to a single title. LOL But a trilogy is much easier to deal with.

And all my peeps are without extra sensory powers. Well, unless a rockin' sex drive counts as extra sensory powers.

Emma's (current MFC) all right with that.


So Sebastian and Emma, Nick and Lexi, & Francesca (Frankie) and Jason have invaded my poor brain. And I've promised my CP that I will focus on one story and finish it--NO EXCUSES!

Emma and Bastian are my focus through October. I want to start querying agents. God, did I just actually type that? Yes, I want to think about working with an agent.

November...well. I haven't decided what's in store for my NaNoWriMo. *pants* just breathe, Taryn...Breathe, Cari.


*-*




So....here's my first blog post on Word Wenches. I spilled out all my little ugly bits. How about a few of yours? Had any aha moments lately?