Tuesday's Writer's Tip - Revision Organization #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Revision #Organization

 The final step in revision is in the organization. Do all the pieces fall into the right place? Do you let the readers know what's important for them to be aware of? How does one do this.

List all your important points in the story such as beginning, black moment, the middle, the end and major scenes. Are they complete and are they in the right sequence? I've been known in the rush of that rough draft to have things talked about happening before they happen in the story. These are things you need to be aware of .

Do the events happen in the right order? If they don't, you can confuse your readers. I remember when I was writing a story, it began with a short almost a prologue that happened a few years before the story began. I played it out in full and when I was revising the story, I realized part of the bits I told could come later. This was the first meeting with the hero and heroine but it had more impact when I put it in as a short bit of thought when they meet again after a few years. What happened was three or four thousand words ended up as around a hundred later in the story. Their meeting in the opening of the book wasn't' the information I needed to have there.

Once you've finished this bit of revision, go back and read for consistency and you're done with your revisions.

My Places

https://twitter.com/JanetL717

 https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f

bid=113639528680724

 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/

 

Buy Mark

http://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

 

Meandering on Monday with Janet Lane Walters #Reading, Writing, Thoughts

Meander 1 - Reading - This week my reading has been with several writers. One Is Katherine Pym's Begotten - a historical fantasy that gave me a lot to think about. I've known very little about the land she featured and I find the amount of research she had to do overwhelming but the book was read with enjoyment. I also read F. M. Meredith's forst book in her series featuring a native American heroine and the town where she lives and works as a county sheriff's deputy. Both books were wonderful.

Meander 2 Thoughts - Voting - Seeing the number of early voters amazes me and heartens me. I'm hoping and praying there will be a change. As to my voting, I will vote on election day and be on the alert for hecklers and those who want to disrupt the process. Would they happen in such a small town or village. I'm not sure but I decided not to do mail in or vote early but to stand up and do iton election day.

Meander 3 - Writing - The final revision is going well. What I really wish is that I could finish typing the last two chapters so I can finish the final draft and send it off. Not sure who will get it as editor but Jude will let me know.

My Places

https://twitter.com/JanetL717

 https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f

bid=113639528680724

 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/

 

Buy Mark

http://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

 

Sunday's Book Murder and Sweet Tea #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Cozy mystery #Hudson River #New York

 

Lars is her new husband. He loves Katherine but doesn’t understand why she’s always trying to protect her near and dear. Even though she saved his life while visiting him in Santa Fe, he often questions her involvement in other people’ lives.

Into their lives arrives a new neighbor, Sabrina Gates. Sabrina bought the house next door. She has had a phenomenal success as a new author but moes from her past and present threaten her peace and ability to write. There is the blogger who posts snide and not so nice posts about other authors. Sabrina’s former agent wants a share of the huge amount of money Sabrina has received for a trilogy. And there is her ex-husband, a needy greedy coward who wants money.

Above all there is Robespierre who makes his presence known.

My Places

https://twitter.com/JanetL717

 https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f

bid=113639528680724

 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/

 

Buy Mark

http://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

 

Saturday's Blurbs featuring Books by Edward Yatscoff #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Firefighter #rumrunner

Fire Dream

 Vancouver Fire Captain Gerry Ormond is inadvertently thrust into the spotlight while rescuing a child which results in more complications than he ever imagined.

Honored with a Governor General’s Medal of Valor, Ormond accepts the award in Ottawa and while in Ontario returns to his hometown to visit his elderly father. His presence unleashes a series of events that bring old crimes and deeds back into the light of day. Old enemies, old friends and family dynamics spin Ormond into a maelstrom of memories and emotions, some better left buried.

Add into the mix a vengeful arsonist and a fire investigator whose inquiries are coming far too close to the truth for Ormond’s comfort and he finds his obsessive need for control is sliding through his fingers. Fire, death and mayhem span the decades, time and guilt coalesces into a vise closing irrevocably on the decorated fire captain

Man on Fire

Ex-fire captain Gerry Ormond figures his new position as Niagara Falls Fire Chief will be an easy gig. He not only discovers a dysfunctional department, but a corrupt one as well. Winning each battle will be difficult, but the administration has taken away his bullets--he’s only a figurehead.

Karen, his partner, is savagely beaten by Branko, her estranged husband while Gerry is scapegoated after a tragic car dealership fire. Add to all that a disaster waiting to happen, as the brutal Red Mafya sinks its talons into an iconic hotel casino project. The criminals may be somehow linked to his administration. When he attempts to find a connection he is warned to back off. The Mafya sends their new enforcer Branko, to change his mind.

The more Chief Ormond investigates, the more men die, as forces he barely understands push back--hard. Out of his league and alone amidst the carnage, he declares war. Winning the war means dealing with the devil--Branko and the Red Mafya.

The Rum Runners Boy

Canadians are only too happy to supply liquor to thirsty Americans during U.S. Prohibition. Jarrod Hooker, 17, steps in for his injured father on a rum running crew smuggling liquor across Lake Erie. It’s a lucrative job they cannot afford to lose.

Jarrod’s young age is resented by the rumrunners and they set out to sabotage him and confiscate his father’s boat. Carving out respect for himself among rough men will take a mighty effort. But Ill winds begin to blow across the lake when money from liquor shipments goes missing and the U.S. Coast Guard steps up smuggling patrols. Worse yet, an American gangster, a rogue from the notorious Purple Gang, tries to seize control of the operation.

Whatever happens on the next run will change everything for everyone. Amid sabotage and bullets flying, Jarrod must put his trust in a very dangerous man. Although Canada is only a few miles offshore, it may as well be a world away.

Editorial Review
‘A wild ride with Lake Erie’s rumrunners. Guns, gangsters, smuggling, and a teen who gets thrown into the maelstrom. ‘A wild ride with Lake Erie’s rumrunners. Guns, gangsters, smuggling, and a teen who gets thrown into the maelstrom. The era of rumrnning comes to life!’ Bookus

Friday Edward Yatscoff is visiting and talking about Panster or Plotter #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Panster #Plotter.

 Panster or Plotter

 

Day 1

 

1. Are you a panster or a plotter or perhaps a bit of both?

A panster for sure.  I have 20 chapters already written with probably 3 more and I still don’t know how it will end. Next year’s release is FINAL RESPONSE and it’s the only one where I knew the ending from the get go.

 

2. Which comes first - characters or plot for you?

A vague plot beginning first, then is driven almost immediately by characters. My MG and YA novels are mainly plot then slower to be filled in with characters. Random thoughts, descriptions, imaging--everything that pops up out of the blue--are placed in just past where I’m at. As I write they get shuttled down along with the story. When I reach the point where I need them I’ll cut and paste them in. Sometimes they’re a line or two or even a few pages and I don’t want to lose them because they will go in somewhere.

 

3. What are you working on now? Is this a book in a current series or something totally new?

SERVICES RENDERED is a new hard-boiled crime fiction and the only adult novel I have with a firefighter somehow involved. Not sure if my publisher BWL Publishing  has any hard-boiled crime yet, or if they’ll want it. The characters are mainly taken from the tough guys I knew, and knew of, throughout my life. I may self-publish as I have with my Mexican crime novel and my 6 MG/YA novels

 

4. Do you have some kind of object or place that figures in most of your books? I use gems a lot, hospitals and caves.

I like road flares as they burn hot and fast and are the best for setting vehicles on fire.  Also police batons and brass/plastic knuckles because they can inflict a lot of damage and are great equalizers

 

5. Do you write everyday or just when the spirit hits?

If I can’t get inspired to write some new pages every day I’ll go back to the early chapters and edit.  This usually gives me a jump start.  As for the road ahead, the next chapters are always in my head rolling around for some time first before seeing paper.

 

6. Where can we find you?

In the new little city of Beaumont, Alberta.

 

7. Who are your favorite authors? What about a book you’ve enjoyed?

I have several favorites in the crime/thriller genre including Linwood Barclay who won the Arthur Ellis Award last year – I was a Finalist and am in good company. James Lee Burke, Dan Fesperman, James Hall, are just a few favorites.  Female authors Barb Nickless and M.A. Lawson write about real tough females yet haven’t lost their feminine side. I do enjoy historical fiction as well -  Robert Harris, Stephen Pressfield, and Ronald Wright. I read 40 to 60 books a year and review them all.

 

Thuesday's Fifth Scene featuring Murder and Herbal Tea #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Cozt mystery #Tea shop # wedding

 

 

When Dana knocked on the door, Joyce let her in. Unlike her mother, the young woman’s hair hung straight. She looked stressed. “Problems?” I asked.

“Bad day.”

“What happened?” Joyce asked.

“One of my students ended in the emergency room. Spaced out on uppers.”

“Will she recover?” I knew the toll amphetamines took on the body.

“I think so. Zach asked me questions about her and wanted me to talk to her."

“What did he want to know?” Joyce asked.

“About drugs on campus. I didn’t think they were prevalent. He said the student refused to say where she got them. As if she’d tell me. All I know is she decided to pull an all-nighter to finish a paper due tomorrow.”

For a short time we let her talk. Dana was only a few years older than her students, but being a teacher kept her out of their loop.

When she wound down we went to the kitchen and ate pie.

“Thanks for bringing me a piece.”

“Wouldn’t have been fair if we hadn’t.” Joyce turned to me. “Where are you and Lars going to live?”

“We bought a house on the river.”

“You’re giving up that magnificent Victorian?”

“My apartment was too small and his house too large.”

She grinned. “You’ll love the river view.”

“Definitely. The house is on the left side of my favorite viewing place. It’s across the road from the doctor’s huge house.”

Dana leaned forward. “Where are you honeymooning?”

“That’s under consideration and one of the reasons I bolted. We’ll eventually reach a compromise.

 

My Places

https://twitter.com/JanetL717

 https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f

bid=113639528680724

 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/

 

Buy Mark

http://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

Shattered Dreams #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Romance #Cancer #Here #Heroine #Medical

 

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here  http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com  for some great excerpts. Mine is found at http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com and features a Cancer hero and heroine and a reignited love.

Torn apart years ago by lies and threats, Rafe Marshall returns to town and confronts Manon Lockley. She has been told he died on the night he stood her up for their senior prom.

When she faints, Rafe catches her and realizes he hasn’t stopped loving her. Manon carries anger and now grief that wasn’t real. Rafe wants her in his life, but she doesn’t want to talk about what happened in the past. She can’t be sure if her father or someone else told lies about Rafe and she doesn’t want to know. Can Rafe persuade her to listen? Not without a battle.

Excerpt:

“Manon!” Rafe Marshall leaped from the examining table in time to catch her before she hit the floor. He cradled her against his chest. “Didn’t mean to scare you,” he whispered. Why did she think he was dead? He knew news of his accident had been kept quiet because the police believed he’d been deliberately forced off the road. Who had told her? Had the informant been the driver of the dark car his rescuer had seen speeding from the scene?

The citrus aroma of her shampoo brought memories of years ago when he had buried his face in her sunlit hair before they made love. His body responded to her presence and the sensual recollections. Thank heavens the gown was cloth. The urgent rise of his cock would have punctured paper.

Carefully, he placed her on the table. He stroked her face with his fingers and brushed his lips over hers. Any anger remaining from the past vanished beneath the heat of desire.

Manon was beautiful and his. The knowledge rung true. Even if she wouldn’t admit the strength of the bond, he knew. How could he explain why he’d taken so long to find her? Would she believe that any trace of her had vanished in Europe three years after she’d begun touring with her father?

He stepped back from the table. He had many things to tell her. Some of the revelations would cause anger, denial and pain. At this moment, he didn’t know where to begin. She wasn’t the teenage girl who had loved him. Had her love morphed into hate? He could handle that but not indifference.

Why hadn’t she answered the letters he’d written after the amnesia had cleared enough for him to remember her? Those notes had been sent months after her eighteenth birthday. Had she received the messages? That was one question he intended to ask. He needed to clear the past so he could move forward.

He had to tell her about the accident, the multiple injuries, the surgeries and the months of rehab. He wanted her to know though he’d left on their prom night, he’d decided to come for her after her eighteenth birthday.

Those days after the accident had been filled with frustration, especially after he remembered who he was and why he’d left Fern Lake. After discharge from rehab, he’d stayed for several months in his step-grandmother’s house and then her vacation cottage. No one had known he was in town. The suspicions surrounding the accident had forced he and Gran to keep news of the accident a secret. Besides, Manon had left for Europe. He wondered how she had escaped her father’s plans for her life.

Manon opened her eyes. Blue-gray like the waters of the lake on a cloudy day. As she sat up, a flush spread across her face reminding him of a younger Manon.

Rafe watched her slid from the table. Her dark blue skirt slid over her thighs. He held in a groan of regret. Shame to cover those incredible legs. A moment of memory of her legs wrapped around his hips flared. He couldn’t repress a groan.

“Did you hurt yourself catching me?”

My Places

https://twitter.com/JanetL717

 https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f

bid=113639528680724

 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/

 

Buy Mark

http://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

 

 

Tuesday's Writer's Tip -- Revision - Length #MFRWAuthor #BWLAuthor #Reviaion #Length

 The length of a novel is important in several wasy. When you've finished your rough draft or first draft checking for length is important. Too long and the reader may get bored. I once read a novel for a contest and was ready to scream. The author literally put in every instant that happened in the story. The story took place over a month. I read about 30 breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Since I had to score the story for the contest, I had to read but I'll admit after a couple of meals, I skimmed those scenes hoping to glean something that was important to the story. Another book I read had a description of a drive along a California coastal road that went on for one chapter of 50 pages. Too much scenery and little story. This was the opening chapter of the book.

When you're checking for length, look for repeated scenes, repeated events and lengthy descriptions. These can be condensed or completely omitted.

Now we come to too short. I am guilty of this. I'm working on a novel that will be 50,000 words but my rough draft came to 19,000 words. There were scenes I had to write in full and other scenes that weren't complete. I often forgot to put in scenery details and other things. Several times I didn't include information the reader needed to know because it was evident to me. 

When you're checking for length, be sure to make sure all the reader needs to know is in the story. An editor in my very early days of writing wrote that while she liked the characters and the idea for the story "Characters do not exist in a vacuum. Show the reader where they are." I try not to forget this but at times I do when I'm in a rush to get the story down.

My Places

https://twitter.com/JanetL717

 https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f

bid=113639528680724

 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/

 

Buy Mark

http://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

 

 

Meandering on Monday with Janet Lane Walters #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Reading #Writing #Thoughts

 Meander 1 Reading -- Read Dean L. Hovey's latest mystery Went and reviewed this book and the others I've been behind on doing. Now reading Mary Jo Putney's Rogues Redeemed series and am enjoying re-reading them. Am excited knowing I have a new one in this series to read. May she write amny more stories. My favorite Regency writer.

Meander 2 - Thoughts -- Steroids - Only once was I on heavy sterioid and believe me this is no picnic. Sleep was non-existent. I think I may have averaged an hour a night. The energy I had was unreal and also there were some strange thoughts. Similar to ones I've recently seen on line. Sterioid are nothing to fool around with. Sure theyhelp, but I would rather have other ways to reach for treatment.

Meander 3 - Writing _ Am almost finished with the last of the complete re-writes of Nilos and will soon be on the draft where I re-write sentences and also paragraphs. I know there's a fight scene I need to extend so there is still work until it's finished. Another story is beginning to slowly form.

 My Places

https://twitter.com/JanetL717

 https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f

bid=113639528680724

 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/

 

Buy Mark

http://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

Sunday's Book Murder and Herbal Tea #MFRWAuthor #BWLAuthor #Cozy mystery #Herbs #Tea #Katherine's wedding

 

Katherine’s wedding day has arrived and she and Lars make their vows. When she notices one of her best friends hasn’t arrived, she begins to worry. Her friend owns a shop where tea and accompaniments are sold. Her friend’s partner is a micromanager. Katherine’s friend has wanted to dissolve the partnership. A call to the New England town brings the dreadful news of a murder. Kate’s protectiveness factor takes hold and she leaves a note for Lars and heads to rescue her friend. Though she has promised to leave murders alone, she feels she has no choice. Lars follows to help her solve another murder.

Susan

5.0 out of 5 stars Mrs. Miller reels in another culprit

Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2017

Verified Purchase

Murder and Herbal Tea by Janet Lane Walters
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Books We Love
First Sentence: During the second week of June, Lars arrived in the Hudson River village where I live and where he had a home.
Review: Katherine, aka Kate, Miller is finally marrying Lars Claybourne. They barely tie the knot and Kate’s off to clear her friend, Joyce, of any wrong doing…even though all fingers point at her. (Without giving up any spoilers)
It’s serious charges against Joyce, and Kate’s all into figuring out what the authorities seem to be missing. Following her process of elimination down a twisty path of possibilities kept me on my toes, enjoyably so.

I read Ms. Walters’ book out of sequence, (this is book 5) not that you should read the Mrs. Miller Mysteries books out of order, but I was able to follow along with the story and character relationships flawlessly.

A happy ending always makes me smile, and Ms. Walters delivers. I recommend this book to anyone who’s into cozy mysteries where the story-star sleuth comes packed with personality plus; )
Susan

eileen charbonneau

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner!

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2017

Verified Purchase

Who leaves her groom on their wedding day to solve a murder? Mrs Miller-Claybourne, that's who! And her readers are all the better for it! A tolerant and helpful new husband, a friend in need, cooked books, suspects galore, lots of delicious food, tea, and Victorian homes and shops settings make this a welcome addition to this delightful cozy mystery series. And policemen? When are you going to learn that condescending: "Leave detecting to me" remarks are just NOT WISE in the presence of our super sleuth??

My Places

https://twitter.com/JanetL717

 https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f

bid=113639528680724

 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/

 

Buy Mark

http://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/