Recovering From A Conference

I just returned from a five day conference in St. Louis, MO. This is the third ACFW conference I have attended, and each year I meet more people, sharpen my writing skills, and have a great get away talking for hours with people who love writing.

Traveling to the conference was a little stressful. On the way to the airport we encountered a little traffic. A truck over-turned, leaving a load of cabbage and some diesel fuel on the highway. Thankfully, I made it to the airport with fifteen minutes to spare....thank you Southwest for allowing me to board!

My classes were all very interesting, and I was able to plot out a sequel to the book I was pitching. I had four meetings with agents and editors, and I was very encouraged by the response to my latest book. The picture included with this post was taken on the last night of the conference.(I'm the one on the right.) There is an awards banquet, the food is always excellent, but the highpoint of it all is hearing who won the awards.

If you haven't attended a conference, I highly recommend them. Which writer's conferences are you considering attending?

Getting To Know You...Part Seven

Today we are interviewing Colleen Scott

FF: How long have you been writing?

I have loved writing since elementary school. I started writing fiction about ten years ago. It started with an idea that woke me up in the middle of the night. Three novels later, I can comfortably say, I’m addicted.

FF: What genre do you write in?

I write for the CBA. Most of my books are romantic suspense, but the first book I wrote could is more of a romantic comedy.

FF: Tell us a little bit about your story in the anthology.

The title of the story is The “I Do” Blues. It’s about a woman who is engaged to marry one man, but is in love with another. She has lost her family, and will do anything to keep the family ranch.

When her first love comes to town to walk her down the aisle, she must make a crucial decision. Marry someone you don’t love and keep your family memories and property, or marry the man you love, and lose it all.

FF: Are you currently working on a novel?

Yes, and I’m having a lot of fun. The title of the book is A Matter Of Conviction. It’s about a woman who is thrown in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. When she escapes prison she unknowingly accepts help from a ex-convict out on parole. Together, they must evade the police and find out who really committed the murder she was convicted for.

FF: Best/worst advice you’ve received?

The best advice I’ve received is to write the nifty two-fifty. The first conference I went to I attended a class offered by James Scott Bell. He recommended writing at least two hundred fifty words a day. When I follow this advice I usually end up writing a whole lot more. The worst advice? That’s a hard one. When faced with negative comments or unhelpful advice, I try to see if I can learn from it. If not, I disregard it.

FF: Any other information you want your readers to know?

Currently, I don’t have a website or blog. But as things progress, that will be in the works. I am on facebook, and I also enjoy hearing from readers at cscott36@juno.com.

ePublishing - The Cover Image

As you all know we at Fiction Flurry have recently been working on publishing our first anthology of short stories. During this process we've learned quite a few things which we'd like to share with you.

Seven of us chose to write short pieces for inclusion in our first publication. During the conception of this project we batted around a bunch of ideas, carefully wrote out a to do list and bravely got started. Each author forayed into their own imagination to create a short story.

At our next group meeting we shared a short synopsis of our personal creations. Then we set out on the Herculean task of a cover concept. One author stepped forward and undertook the task of perusing sites that offer photos for publication use. Several eMeetings over email later we all agreed on the summer beach theme.

Introduce Jennifer Unruh, my wonderfully creative sister. Jen has worked in the advertising industry for several years. She has a natural eye for photography and an artistic sense of design. Frequently she will walk into our father's enormous farm shed and emerge with works of art worthy of any showroom. So, as sister's do, I begged a favor for our first self-publishing endeavor. And, well, she agreed.

Now, my sister is no stranger to the creative arts by any means. She has tackled multiple projects for my job that pays the bills at a real estate and mortgage broker. She has created commercials, videos, light shows and much, much more. So, this was a relatively easy assignment. True to form, she gave us a finished project more beautiful than we could have imagined.

Thank you Jen for the amazing cover you cobbled together from the ideas of seven creative individuals!

Please keep checking back for more details as we get nearer to publication in July 2011.

Fiction Flurry Announces Anthology

Big News! 

Fiction Flurry is excited to announce the publication of a very special e-book:  A collection of short stories that will warm your heart like a sunny day at the beach. Tales of falling in love and finding romance that mends the broken heart, romance that's just for fun, romance from days gone by, and romance that lasts forever.

Dip your toes into Tales of Summer Romance from the writers of Fiction Flurry with titles ranging from "The 'I Do' Blues" to "Washed Ashore" to "Full Circle," and featuring one short by our very own Susan Gee Heino (author of Mistress by Mistake, Damsel in Disguise and her new release, Temptress in Training)!

Summertime is heating up, so grab a cool drink, kick back, and get swept away by a flurry of summer romance

Check back for downloading options and more details...

arrival date July, 2011. 

Getting The Most Out Of Writer's Conferences

Recently, I've had the pleasure of attending the ACFW National conference in Indianapolis, IN. This was the third conference I've attended, and I must admit my most successful. Thinking back I can attribute this to focusing on three major areas.

Number One: Preparation. Prior to attending the conference I did my research. I checked the website on a regular basis to keep informed about what editors and agents would be attending. I also took the time to visit their websites and find out what they were looking for. I made photo copies of all of this information to keep it readily available at the conference.

Number Two: Writing down your goals for the conference. A few days before the conference I set aside a few minutes to think about what I wanted to get out of the conference. Top on my list was to improve my writing skills, do a little networking with writers further ahead on the journey, and make new writing friends. I found that when I wrote my goals down, I not only achieved them, but it helped me to relax.

Number Three: Look for opportunities. Not just for yourself, but for others. In one conversation with an editor, I found out that he was looking for a specific magazine article. Earlier that day I had a conversation with a woman who had just such an article. I passed this information on to the writer, and made a new friend in the process. If you tend to be on the shy side, the best question you can ask at a table full of people you don's know is, "What do you write?" Soon you'll find yourself relaxing, and enjoying the experience.

Writer's conferences are a great way to meet people and improve your writing. I feel they are an absolute necessity to take your writing to the next level.

BookMarks: What Our Writers Are Reading

We thought we'd like to share with you today what a few of our Writers are Reading...

Rachel Dilley: I am currently reading The Outer Banks House by Diann Ducharme. The title caught my eye because my family has vacationed on the Outer Banks of North Carolina since I was a kid. The novel is set in the post-Civil War and takes place in and near a vacation cottage in Nags Head, North Carolina. Abigail Sinclair is the 17-year-old daughter of the former slave-holding plantation master and his wife who have built the cottage for summer hunting and relaxation. Abigail is pressured into tutoring her father's hunting guide, who does not know how to read or write. Despite the pressures to fit into the "society" of her parents, Abigail finds herself drawn to her "unsuitable" student and learns of the ugliness of discrimination.

Michele Downey:   Deception by Jonathan Kellerman:  Lt. Milo Sturgis is assigned a sensitive murder case involving a teacher at the exclusive Windsor Preparatory Academy.The victim is found dead in in a bathtub full of dry ice and despite having left a DVD accusing three fellow teachers of repeated sexual harassment, there is no shortage of suspects. The investigation leads to a boyfriend, students, teachers, and administrators all of whom have secrets to keep—and who will stop at nothing to keep them. As usual, psychologist Alex Delaware is by Milo's side as they navigate the delicate politics of upper crust education and discover that in this world of the rich and powerful, a perfect grade is worth killing for.

Why I chose this book: I have read almost all of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware novels, so when I saw this at the library, it was a no-brainer. Kellerman tells intricate stories interwoven with psychological insights that make his stories compelling and hard to put down.

Colleen Scott:   I am reading (just started) She Walks In Beauty by Siri Mitchell. Here is a short bio from the book:  "Clara Carter knows her family's future and her marriage prospects depends on the reception she receives during her social debut. Her family wants her to pursue eligible bachelor Franklin DeVries, But Clara questions whether she wants a high society life - especially when she meets a man who loves her for herself. Will duty or heart prevail?"

I picked it cause it's her new title, and I love everything she writes!

Beth Zellner:  Asleep by Molly Caldwell Crosby: In 1918, a world war was raging, and a lethal strain of influenza was circling the globe. In the midst of all this death, a bizarre disease appeared in Europe. Eventually known as encephalitis lethargica, or sleeping sickness, it would spread across the world, leaving millions dead or locked in institutions. Then, in 1927, it would disappear as suddenly as it had arrived.

I am a great believer in the adage, “truth is stranger than fiction,” and I read tons of non-fiction. I find it to be highly entertaining! I actually picked this title because it is a subject that just fascinates me. Also, I thought it would be a great backdrop to someday write a fictional piece about!

Contest Tuesday - Book Giveaway

One thing I love about writing is other writers. Since I've started this journey to publication, I am amazed at the willingness of others to share their experience and knowledge with less experienced writers.

Todays contest is simple. Simply leave a comment telling what the best writing advice or tip is that you have received. You must be a follower to be eligible.

The prize? I'll send a copy of Always Watching by Brandilyn & Amberly Collins. It's a great read filled with suspense. Brandily Collins is known for her trademark "Seatbelt Suspense."

I'll announce the winner on Saturday....good luck!

Snippet Sunday - First Lines

Go to any writing class, and they tell you have one page to grab your reader. Some will even advise that it is the first line that tells whether or not your reader will continue reading. That's a little intimidating....or challenging, depending on how you look at it.

Fiction writing books will tell you that the first line must introduce the character, and action, and emotion. One of my favorite first lines comes from a novel by Julie Lessman entitled A Passion Most Pure. It begins, 'Sisters are overrated.' That's a fantastic first line, and the rest of the book didn't disappoint.

Feel free to leave the first line from your current work in progress, or a favorite first line from a novel you are reading in the comments section.

Happy Writing!

Time For A Little Fun

I must confess that I got the idea for today's posting from one of my favorite blogs. Rachelle Gardner, a literary agent has an excellent blog for writers called Rants & Ramblings. She is an agent with WordServe Literary agency, and I find her website to be both informative and fun!

On Friday, she relayed a few of Jeff Foxworthy's "You might be a redneck if..." At the end of the post, she challenged her readers to fill in the the following statement, "You might be a writer, agent or editor if...."

So readers, I challenge you to do the same, I'll get the ball rolling.

You might be a writer if you hear the cashier at the store say to the person in front of you, "That's a beautiful name." And you can't resist asking what it is because it could be a great name for a character : )

To Plot Or Not?

Are you a plotter? When you sit down to work on your novel do you pull out your carefully written plot, check where you are, and write? Or do you sit down and let your characters and story take you where they will?

In James Scott Bell's book Plot & Structure, he has a test in the appendix to find out which type of writer you are. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. If you plot out your whole novel you are less likely to leave any loose ends. On the other hand, to let your story and characters take you where they will is very nourishing to the creative mind.

Me? I'm actually a little bit of both. With my first novel, I had a chapter by chapter outline. My second novel, I used what I like to call a "plot-line". I laid out a long piece of paper horizontally, and put in major points and events. Somehow, the characters always made it there, and even surprised me along the way. With my current work in progress, I am letting the story unfold as it will. I have a general idea where it's going, but even I am surprised by what is happening.

How about you fellow writers?

Miscellaneous Monday - Craft Writing Books

How many books on writing fiction do you own? Do you read them? I must confess, I have acquired quite a collection, thinking that each will possess that little secret needed to push my writing to the next level.

The truth of the matter is, books on writing are meant to be a help in your writing, not replace it. I have been writing fiction for a little over eight years, and the best tip I have ever received on writing from a writing book is......well....to write. We can improve our writing skills by simply writing. Even if it's only one page a day, it will keep your skills sharp.

That being said, here is a list of my top five favorite writing books. Please comment back and share a few of yours.

Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell

Writing For The Soul by Jerry Jenkins

On Writing by Stephen King

Self Editing by James Scott Bell

Hooked by Les Edgerton

Happy Writing!

Friday Review: Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz

If you are looking for a great summer read...look no further. Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz is a Historical romance set in the Kentucky. The author has an amazing way of drawing the reader in both with deep characters, and settings so beautifully described you feel as if you are there.

What a pleasure to see Morrow change from a frightened young woman into the confidant woman you see at the end of the novel. Red Shirt is a hero that you won't soon forget. Rugged, brave and a man of action. I found myself rooting for the unlikely couple right from their first meeting.

Packed with adventure and romance, I found this book hard to put down.

Laura Frantz's ancestors followed Daniel Boone into Kentucky, and she still has family that resides there. Her debut novel The Frontiersman's Daughter is also set in Kentucky.

Snippet Sunday - Children's Market Snippet

Typically I write Inspirational fiction, leaning towards the Romantic Suspense genre. Today however, I am feeling a little young at heart. I thought I would share a children's piece that I had written several years ago. It is one of three that I have in my writer's file, waiting patiently to be published.

Hope you enjoy it.

When A Dog Does The Dishes

When a dog does the dishes
He'll make quite a mess.
He'll get suds on the ceiling
and sauce on your dress.

He'll lick the spoons and the
the bowls till they shine.
So you'll think they're clean
the next time you dine.

Then he'll drink all the water
so you'll think he is done,
but that is really when
your work has begun.

You need to redo all the
word he has done.
Re-doing the dog's work
is never much fun!

So next time your dog
says, "I'll do the dishes."
Just let him outside to
avoid all the messes!

Rejection Thursday - Face-To-Face Rejection

Last week I shared with you a copy of a rejection letter I received for my first novel, Come As You Are. (See last weeks post if you missed it.) Honestly, it took a little time to recover from that one, but in the end, I looked at what I could improve, and learned from that rejection.

Today I want to talk about face-to-face rejection. Sitting in front of an editor or agent, presenting them with your "elevator" pitch, only to see that look in their eyes that says they have absolutely no interest. While this experience is uncomfortable, resist taking it personally. Instead, turn it into an opportunity to ask questions.

Questions like, What projects are you currently looking for? Could you give me a little feedback on my writing? And most importantly, Do you know anyone in the industry who might be interested in this project?

While getting rejected in person is more difficult, use every opportunity you have as a learning experience.

Happy Writing!

Snippet Sunday - First Pages

We've all heard it...when writing a novel your first page must grab the reader (or editor) if they're going to read on. Today I'm going to be posting the first page of my novel Healing Springs. I entered this piece in the ACFW Christian fiction contest, and did not final, but the good news is, I did get two requests for the full manuscript from different publishers.

Feel free to leave me your feedback.


Chapter One

Breaking and entering, Jackie Stevenson knew it was against the law, but the risk would be worth it. She just had to get her laptop and flash drives. Although her women’s safety advocate had advised against it, she didn’t care. Her soon to be ex-husband Nick had something that belonged to her, something he knew she would come looking for.
Law or no law, she was breaking into his home. She had been waiting for the perfect opportunity, a time when Nick would be gone for a long stretch of time. He would never expect it. Bet he thought she didn’t have the courage.

He was wrong.

Nick’s shift at the Chicago Police Department started at three o’clock. The afternoon sun was warm on her shoulders. She had been watching the house from a distance, just waiting for him to leave. She took her eyes off the door for a brief second to check her watch. Two-fifteen, he should be leaving any minute.

No sooner than the thought formed in her head, she looked up, and saw him. Tall and lean in his police uniform, he looked so handsome. It was what had attracted her to him in the first place. Little did she know the ugliness that lay deep within his soul.

She shuddered.

Rejection Thursday - Holding Nothing Back

Today I am going to share a copy of a rejection letter that I received for my first novel Come As You Are. I have removed the publisher/editor information. Although this rejection is a little harsh, I was able to learn how to improve my writing, and I hope you will find it helpful as well.


I have read COME AS YOU ARE and am sorry that I must pass on this project.
We have saying in romance, SHOW, don't TELL. Much of Mary's story is told to the reader, which distances them from getting to know the characters. By showing us Mary's feelings and emotions, the reader can identify with her character more and learn to love her, which makes them want to read more and more of her story. Reader's are escorted through Mary's day from start to finish, without any development of the relationship between the hero and heroine.

Mary also comes across as passive, in allowing others to tell her what she is feeling and only wanting to please Paul. A heroine is just that - heroic. She should be more proactive in her own life, expecting much of herself and others. She has not given any clue what she wants from life. Her life revolves around attracting Paul, up to and including changing her body type in case that is what is so displeasing to him (although he's not said anything). The reader is invited into Mary's quest to capture Paul with details on how she plans to take on a new diet and exactly what food she can eat.

There are issues with points-of-view. I realize that many modern writers head-hop in their novels, but I am an editor who prefers one POV per chapter. It allows the reader to get to know the character very well.

The secondary characters, unless they are important to the developing relationship, do not need to be mentioned by name. I was confused as to why Mary was attending a Singles church meeting, when she is in a committed relationship. Unless Paul goes, too? However, she doesn't go with Paul, nor is there a mention that Paul will be there. I would expect them to attend together, if at all. During her thoughts, the reader is informed of all Mary's good ideas concerning what the Singles plan to do...yet nothing about Paul, who is her almost-fiance.

If Steven is the hero, the story should being there. There is no need to go into Mary's past history with Paul. Romance is about the developing relationship between two people who will eventually work their way to a Happy Ever After. There is no need to tell the stories of the people in their past, except as a paragraph, at most.

Although I was quite disappointed when I received this, I can honestly say I have grown quite a bit from the process. How about you reader? Are you letting rejection hold you back, or are you learning from it and moving forward?

Writing Tip Wednesday - Keeping Motivated

Today is writing-tip Wednesday. The day of the week where we offer a bit of writing advice. Although we are all on various parts of our writing journey, we have all found that we can learn from each other.

Today I am going to focus on motivation. Sometimes it's hard to sit down everyday and complete an entire chapter, or write that synopsis. Whatever large project that might be hanging over your head, the task becomes easier if you break it down into small segments.

I received this writing tip at a writer's conference that I attended in Philadelphia. It's called the nifty-two-fifty! Each day write 250 words. When you break it down, it's really only one page. Multiply your nifty-two-fifty by the number of days in the year and you will have a 365 page novel completed in one year.

Good Luck, and happy writing!

Welcome To "Snippet" Sunday

Each Sunday one member of our group will be posting a little "snippet" of their writing. I am going to launch Snippet Sunday with a copy of the one-page that I prepared for a writer's conference I attended last September.

A one-page is a sheet that you can easily present to an agent or editor that gives a brief summary of your novel. Think of it as what would appear on the back of your book cover.

Healing Springs

To embrace her future Jackie Stevenson must forgive her past. That is, if she can survive it.

Jackie Stevenson is on the run from her abusive ex-husband, a Chicago police officer. Nick will stop at nothing, including murder, in order to find Jackie. Not only did Jackie humiliate him by leaving him, when she left she took with her information that he desperately needs.

When Jackie's car breaks down in the small town of Healing Springs, Virginia, she is immediately welcomed by the town's friendly citizens. One person she wants nothing to do with is Blake Carson. Jackie instinctively knows he's a cop, and to her all cops are dangerous.

Blake is taken instantly with Healing Springs's new arrival. Problem is, Jackie turns down all his attempts to get to know her better. A former police officer, blake is curious to find out just what she may be hiding, so he starts an investigation.

What he uncovers releases a chain of events that could prove deadly for both of them.

Rejection Thursday - Handling Rejection

Today is once again, rejection Thursday. The jury is still out as to whether or not it is a compliment to post on this day. If you are a writer, chances are you have received your share of rejections. The question is, how do you handle that rejection?

I believe that rejection is actually encouraging. It signals that someone took the time to read your work, and offer you feedback. The challenge is learning from the rejection. If you consistently receive the same comments (i.e. POV is inconsistent) then learn from your mistake. Get your hands on a great writing instruction book, and try to improve your craft.

Another way to grow as a writer is to join a critique group. Honest feedback on your work is a tremendous help, and stretches your ability as a writer.

Whatever you do, don't stop writing. When you receive that rejection...and you will, have your moment of disappointment, learn from your mistakes, revise your manuscript, and send it out to another agent or editor. I also try to remember this quote from author James Scott Bell, "Rejection isn't personal unless it's accompanied by a punch in the nose."