First or third?

I was over at Karin Tabke’s blog reading the entries in the first line contest again. The lines are great. And I’m starting to get into some of the stories. Round 7 is up now. I’ll have to keep tabs on the writers so I know when they sell. But I found myself liking some of the ones in first person. I don’t like first person. Never have. I like knowing what everyone is thinking (if the writer puts scenes in everyone’s P.O.V.). I did like Dean Koontz’s Twilight Eyes even though it was in first person. That book was a little different though. His main character could basically read the minds of others. So even though it was first person I still knew what the other characters were thinking.

I went to Chapters Sunday to pick up the many recommendations my FF&P chapter gave me for vampire novels. When buying books normally I read the back blurb. Check out the cover. Read the first sentence. Flip through to see if it’s third person and then decide if I’m going to buy it. Not so this time. I had my list in hand and just started grabbing books off the shelf. Good thing too because there was at least one I wouldn’t have bought if I used my usual method. The back cover blurb was good. It had an awesome first line. But the book is in first person. And I can’t wait to read it.

Anybody else have a preference? First person or third person?

Until next time…

Cindy

The countdown has begun!

Okay, so for me the countdown to Christmas began November 1. As soon as Halloween is over we start thinking Christmas in my house. The bonus for having Thanksgiving in October:smile: Although, my friends in the U.S. get this really long celebration it seems, with everything happening so close together. Christine’s festivities sound like a lot of fun. Happy Thanksgiving to my readers from the U.S.!

Once my deadlines are done - I decided to enter the Golden Heart this year - I intend to bake, shop and decorate. Who knew rewriting my book would be so hard? I mean it was already complete. I was just adding a suspense plot to it. I’ve been doing nothing but rewriting and homework for the past few weeks. My screenwriting class started in October and it’s awesome. But hard when I’m concentrating on two things at once.

In more writing news, I finaled in the Chase the Dream Writers Contest. My Scottish time travel was picked as the week 9 finalist. If you have a minute please click here and vote.

Until next time…

Cindy

Lots of good news!

Okay so maybe not lots but still really good news.

I made it to the second round of Karin Tabke’s first line contest.

And today I found out that both of my Supernatural scripts got honourable mention in the 76th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition! This year the contest attracted over 19,000 entries. I am so excited. I wasn’t expecting to place with my first two scripts ever so that part wasn’t a surprise. I would have been happy if I didn’t come in last. But to get honourable mention, I feel like maybe I did make the right decision when I switched gears to scripts.

I’m going to celebrate with a Pepsi! I know it’s not the most exciting thing but I haven’t had one all week so this is a good excuse.

Until next time…

Cindy

First line contest

I entered Karin Tabke’s First Line Contest. I never got a chance to enter last year. This year I was actually paying attention when she posted on one of the loops I’m on that the contest was open. There are some pretty good first lines in there. I don’t know how the judges will decide who moves on to the next round.

My entry is #57 from a romantic suspense I’ve been thinking about for a while.

Good luck to all the entrants. I’ll let you know if I make it to the next round.

Until next time…

Cindy

It’s all about focus

Getting story ideas has never been a problem for me. They come whether I want them to or not. I have dozens of folders started with ideas in various stages. For books, teleplays and movies. And I know I should finish working on the current WIP before starting one of the others. But then a new idea takes hold - like my vampire series - and I just want to write that. I start getting characters, plot points, motivations, twists for the new book and the current WIP gets forgotten. But only temporarily. I write down all the stuff for the new one. Create a folder for it. And then put it away. Now it’s back to rewrites for Silk Secrets. I think the story will be much better now. The conflict is definitely stronger. And it’s changed from being her story to being his.

So, in order to play in all my sandboxes, I am going to write one vampire book a year, one script a year and one “other” book a year. At least that’s the plan. Let’s just hope I can do all that.

Until next time…

Cindy

There be vampires here

Okay, so I’ve joined the paranormal crowd. Last weekend I got an idea for a vampire book. I have no idea where it came from. I don’t read vampire books. Never even thought about writing them. Even though I do like vampire shows and I’m fascinated with vampire lore. So by Monday the one book had turned into a series. By Wednesday I knew I needed help. So I joined FF&P, RWA’s answer to things that go bump in the night. This weekend I bought paranormal books galore so I can immerse myself in the genre to make sure I do it the same only different. Any recommendations out there for good vampire books?

Until next time…

Cindy