Jill Kemerer

Monday, May 2, 2011

Fickle and Annoying

I'm on my nerves. Yes, me. I am on my own nerves.

I find my fickleness to be annoying. Less than a month ago, I wrote a short book summary and was quite pleased with it until I opened it last week.

The tight, pointed summary no longer read tightly or pointedly. In fact, it seemed to ramble. Had my memory failed me or am I experiencing momentary delusional periods?

I don't know.

This isn't a one-time occurrence. I often am certain I've written the best line/paragraph/book in my power only to review it at a later date and find it mediocre at best. Again, my fickleness annoys me.

Sorry, I don't have a lesson in this. Don't have a "this is normal and useful and makes you a great writer" slant.

I haven't learned to adore everything I've ever written. It doesn't matter if I wrote something five years ago or yesterday, my feelings on it change. Sometimes I'll read something, hate it, then read it a month later and love it again. I used to think I'll know I've "made it" when I can consistently go back to my writing and evaluate it as good. But now?

Now I think I'll always be this way.

If you're a writer, do you deal with this too? Do you find your fickle feelings about your writing to be annoying? Or do your feelings remain consistent when you review your work?

Have a fabulous Monday!

British Slang

In honor of the royal wedding--yeah, I'm pumped about Kate and William!--I'm sharing a fun link I ran across at Webster-Mirriam's website, Top Ten Favorite British Words. The words are fun, but you may have to navigate several annoying pages of pop-ups to get to each.

I giggled and secretly vowed to use these words as I read them. Here's a recap:

1. Prat (a foolish person)
2. Twee (adorable)
3. Knackered (tired)
4. Jiggery-pokery (nonsense)
5. Plonk (cheap wine)
6. Chunter (mutter, mumble)
7. Whinge (whine)
8. Gormless (stupid)
9. Boffin (scientific expert)
10. Pukka (authentic)

Naturally, I must create a sentence using one or more of these delightful gems.

Ah, the twee babe is knackered, not from plonk, but from all the jiggery-pokery whinging over the pukka, but gormless, boffin.

Are you watching the royal wedding? Care to create your own atrocious sentence using British slang?

Have a terrific weekend!

5 Easy Questions with Ralene Burke!

Every Wednesday, I ask a writer the same five easy questions. In an effort to support and promote fellow wordsmiths, I feature authors who write a variety of genres, from sweet inspirational to mainstream thrillers. The writers themselves may be aspiring, published, or a best-selling author--all have made an impact on my life.

Thank you for joining me in welcoming...Ralene Burke!!

Ralene and I met online a few years ago, and I was drawn to the fellow stay-at-home-mom's encouraging blog, her goal-oriented approach to writing, and her funny comments. Ralene writes inspirational suspense novels. I know it's only a matter of time before I can find Ralene's books on store shelves!

Let's get to it!

1. Beverage of choice?

Diet Coke. I'm addicted, it's sad really. I should drink something better like water, but well, I don't like water.

2. Any pets?

I'm allergic to just about everything under the sun, so we don't tempt fate by keeping animals around the house. Though, I've told hubby that we can get the girls some fish for Easter--as long as he takes care of them. :)

3. Dream vacation?

Italy. I've always been in love with the architecture, the history, the culture.

4. What are you listening to right now?

My girls are watching some cartoon on TV that I don't remeber ever seeing, and I'm listening to the sound of my sweet son's breathing thru the baby monitor.

5. What's for dinner?

That's up for grabs right now as I forgot to set something out last night. Hubby and I are on a diet...determined to lose weight before the unit ball in August. Go team!

Thanks, Ralene, for being my guest today! And your answer to what you're listening to now is, hand's down, the best--is there anything sweeter than the sound of a sleeping baby? I don't think so! I love Diet Coke too. And regular Coke. Bad me! My sister used to live in Italy and I've always wanted to get there. Maybe someday? Thanks again!

So, what's your weather like today? Sun and warmth appreciated!

Born a military brat, it is no surprise that Ralene married an Army soldier almost 8 years ago. Today, boring is an unrecognizable term in her vocabulary. With two feisty daughters and a baby boy, her days as a stay-at-home mom are full of fun, love, and never-ending energy (at least on the part of the kids). She also aspires to be a published author and spends many of her evenings plugged into her laptop, cranking out stories of suspense and Faith Without Limits. Each night, though, she takes the time to thank her Lord and Savior, not just for the blessings of a wonderful family and a passion for the ministry He's given her, but for the precious gift of life--something she knows not to take for granted.

To learn more about Ralene and her writing, head to Ralene's website, check out her blog, Faith, Hope, and Suspense, be friends with her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

Have a fantastic Wednesday!

Just Spreading the Love

Hope you all had a lovely holiday weekend! I certainly did! I'm keeping it casual here all week and wanted to spread the fantastic news of a few of my writing friends.

First, Rosslyn Elliot's debut novel, Fairer than Morning, releases this month! This inspirational historical romance, published by Thomas Nelson Publishers, is the first in the trilogy called The Saddler's Legacy. If you get a chance, stop by Rosslyn's website or her blog, Inkhorn Blue, to check out her book and congratulate her!

Second, Julie Jarnigin's debut novel, Canyon Walls, comes out through Heartsong Presents this month! Julie writes inspirational contemporary romance novels, and you can check her books out at Julie's website. If you have a minute, stop by her blog, Julie Jarnigin, and congratulate her!

Third, Cynthia Herron just signed with agent Mary Keeley of Books and Such Literary Agency!! Congratulations, Cynthia!! Please stop by her blog, Cynthia Herron, and congratulate her!

Do you have any good news to share? I'd love to hear it!

I'm guest posting at Maumee Valley Romance Writers of America today. If you're a reader and have ever been intimidated to contact a favorite author, be sure to check out my post, "3 Benefits of Reading Author Blogs."

Have a delightful Monday!

Good Friday

Wishing you all a restful Good Friday and a Happy Easter!

5 Easy Questions with Jody Hedlund!!

Jody and I met online a few years ago--she was one of my first followers, and she generously helped me feel welcome to the blogosphere. We're fortunate to live in the same state and, trust me, she's as inspiring in person as she is online. In fact, this weekend we were able to catch up at the debut meeting/conference of Great Lakes ACFW, a new chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers. What a blessing!

Let's get to it!

1. Beverage of choice?

Most definitely Starbuck’s Dark Roast coffee. Very strong. No cream. No sugar.

2. Any pets?

Pets by choice: 2 enormous, over-fed but very friendly cats

Pets because I love my kids and I’m too weak to say no: a Golden Retriever & 2 hamsters

3. Dream vacation?

England and Germany to visit castle ruins. And of course to do research for future books!

4. What are you listening to right now?

Pandora. I have several stations that match my moods. And I usually land upon a new station for each new book that I write.

5. What's for dinner?

Whatever my husband or daughter decide to cook! No, really I’m not a gourmet cook. In fact I tend to make rather simple, kid-friendly meals in large quantities. Tonight: A double batch of tacos.

Thank you, Jody, for participating today! I'm shaking my head in horror at the thought of not adding a healthy dose of cream and sugar to coffee, but I'm nodding in complete agreement with your vacation choices. I would love to head to England and tour the countryside. We could road-trip it and stay in any number of cool castles on the National Registry! Oh, and on the pet front, we have a guinea pig for the kids' sake--what's the average life span again? :) Thanks again, Jody!

Jody's award-winning, debut novel, The Preacher's Bride, is available now, and her next book, The Doctor's Lady will be available in September!

So tell me--what are your Easter plans?

Jody Hedlund is a debut historical romance novelist who was a double finalist in the 2009 ACFW Genesis Contest. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in Social Work. Currently she makes her home in Midland, Michigan, with her husband and five busy children.

She’s represented by agent Rachelle Gardner and her debut book, The Preacher’s Bride, released in Oct. 2010 and is available online and in most bookstores. Stop by her blog, Author, Jody Hedlund, where she chronicles her journey to publication and dispenses more of her two-cent writing wisdom. Also, for more information about Jody and her books, stop by her website, find her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

Nurturing the Fragile Writer's Ego

Most writers have dual egos about their writing--the "I'm writing a best-seller" side vs. the "this book swam up the sewage river" side. When we query or submit our work, another side erupts--the vulnerable one. As much as we want the agent or editor to fall madly in love with our words, all too often we deal with silence or rejection.

Continuous rejection can damage our fragile writer's ego--if we let it.

I believe it's vital to find and utilize methods to strengthen our vulnerable ego, or the danger to quit presses too closely. Instead of focusing on our writing, our brains jot off on tangents. "Maybe my query stunk?" "I know there was an extra comma in that paragraph." "Is it the character? The writing? The concept? Me??"

Instead of letting my mind whirl on a merry-go-round of useless what-if's and why's, I evaluate why I'm doubting. If it's because I got a rejection, I study the letter to see if there are any clues as to what went wrong. If an editor gives advice, I give a lot of thought to what is said.

Sometimes I grow doubtful for no reason or for weird reasons. Usually, I'm just scared that it will never happen for me--that I've wasted years and hours and tears and brain cells for a poof in the air. That none of my writing will be available for others to read--a devastating thought.

Whatever the reason, when my ego plunges and doubts swirl, I force myself to focus.

Focus? Great! That helps...not at all. How do I focus when my skin feels paper thin? I'm already focusing too much--on what went wrong. What do I focus on?

Focus on your writing. Focus on your work-in-progress. Focus on improving your grammar, tightening your prose, nailing your characters. When we put our focus on the actual writing, the doubts slip away because we're having fun again. The career side of writing pales with the sheer pleasure of creating.

Never let a blow to your ego kill your dreams. Focus.

How do you nurture your fragile ego?

On a let's-hear-it-for-good-news note--Julie Musil landed an agent!! She's now represented by Karen Grencik of the Karen Grencik Literary Agency! Pop over to her blog, Julie Musil, and congratulate her!! Congratulations, Julie!!
Also, Tess Hardwick's debut book, Riversong, is now available! For more details, head to her website, Tess Hardwick. Congratulations, Tess!

Have a fabulous Monday!