The Insanity is about to begin!

Yep, Every November 1st, thousands of people have pledged to write the great american novel. How? By joining NanoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month - www.nanowrimo.org

For 30 days, people of like minds (or out of their minds) will attempt to write 50,000 words over the course of the month. That comes out to 1,667 words per day and does NOT allow for Thanksgiving off. Writers write every day - right? Well... we're suppose to. Life (and lately in my case, illness) gets in the way. But November is suppose to be a No Excuse month.

Okay.. we'll see. I've charted my course, sent goody packets out to 5 of the many friends who join me on my thread - TheCauldronCafe - (you'll find us on the Forums page under Writers Groups and Clubs.) I've added my word count widget to the right side of the page so you can cheer me on. If you think I need a good swift kick - feel free to post a comment for that too.

I will have my granddaughter for 1 full week of Nano but by then I should be at least half way through the 50k and will be able to write a couple hours every night after she goes to bed. I can write six to eight pages in two hours, right? Sure!

Here's to what I hope will be my first SUCCESSFUL NanoWriMo!

Caridad Scordato

Caridad Piñeiro® is a multi-published and award-winning author whose love of the written word developed when her fifth grade teacher assigned a project – to write a book that would be placed in a class lending library. She has been hooked on writing ever since.

From the start, Caridad’s novels have received acclaim and have helped redefine the landscape of modern romance novels. In 1999, Caridad was published by Kensington as part of Encanto, the first line of bilingual Latino romance novels. In December 2006, Caridad helped Silhouette launch its successful Nocturne paranormal line. In recognition of her work, Caridad has received various awards and honors.

Caridad was born in Havana, Cuba, and settled in the New York Metropolitan area. When not writing, Caridad teaches workshops on various topics related to writing and heads a writing group. Caridad is also an attorney, wife and mother.

STRONGER THAN SIN is being released TODAY!

STRONGER THAN SIN has been getting rave reviews. You can check out all the reviews by visiting http://www.caridad.com/books/paranormal/stronger-than-sin/

Come visit www.caridad.com to find out about an awesome contest that starts running on November 1 featuring a SONY Pocket E-reader as the Grand Prize along with other goodies. Also check out the Second Chance Bonus Prize of a $25 gift card and how you can earn points to win that prize. Take moment to visit a blog on the ARE YOU STRONG ENOUGH Blog Tour for a chance to win one of the giveaways at each blog.

Thank You, Caridad, for joining us today!

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Thank you, Angela, for having me with you today. When I dropped by the blog, I realized that you had been writing about getting a rejection and it gave me the inspiration for this blog!

Rejection is never easy to handle. Writers put so much of themselves in a work that it feels very personal when someone says they don't want to acquire your work.

Here's the thing: Rejection is part of being both an aspiring and published author. You won't sell every book that you create (unless your Nora Roberts), but you won't sell a book that you don't send out.

So how do you deal with getting a rejection?

First: Ask yourself if it's a good rejection. A good rejection is one where the editor/agent offers you constructive ideas on how to improve the work.

Second: Ask yourself if you agree with the suggestions. If you're not sure about the changes suggested, take a moment and try them out. Rewrite the first scene or two and see if the changes make it a stronger story.

Third: Don't take it personally. Rejection is part of the life of an author and with each rejection your writing will get stronger. It may not seem that way at first, but trust me, it does get easier to deal with rejection.

Last, but not least: My mother always told me that nothing worthwhile was ever easy. So keep at it. It may be hard work, but the reward is worth all the hard work.

And the waiting begins... again

I've been reworking the first three chapters of Winter's Peace. They didn't need a lot. I just had to put Winter in more of a medical situation. The concept behind Harlequin Mills & Boon Medical line is that both the H/H should be in some form of the medical profession. Well, Dr. Tom is the youngest Chief of Staff at Denver Children's Hospital. Easy enough. Winter is a Remote Advanced Emergency Medical Tech. However, Winter is dealing with the first loss of a patient and isn't sure being an AEMT is what she wants to do with her life. While in Denver to help care for her ailing niece, she decides it's the perfect time to just take a break and soul search.

I didnt' want her in a medical situation for the time being. The editor felt it would up the conflict. So instead of Winter just accepting a job as a personal assistant to Dr. Tom's grandfather, she will also be there in a medical capacity. At 74 years old, Edward T. Canfield, Sr. is in good health for his age but some heart problems are creeping in and Dr. Tom would feel better knowing there is a 'qualified' person in the house when he's away should his grandfather develop complictions.

In my rewrite, I get to keep my stand and still give the editor what she wants as well. I love compromise.

After letting the editor's comments swirl around in my head, I made the decision to email her. I thanked her for the fast track opportunity and for her suggestions. I also asked that based on her comments, I have the opportunity to resubmit.

So now the wait begins... again.

And the Balloon Pops

You know what happens when you get pins and needles too close to balloons? They have a way of popping. I've been riding around in this balloon of anticipation for eight days. There was no question I'd hear from Mills and Boon. The questions were WHEN and WOULD they want more of Winter's Peace.

Well the wait is over. I received an email kindly rejecting the story. Their comments about my writing were favorable. In fact, they liked the way I write. Their only problem was how I brought Tom and Winter together.

Is that something I can fix? I don't know. One thing I have learned over the years is not to jump right into everything an editor says. Rejection or Acceptance... either way means you let the letter or phone call sit for a bit. Give the editor's comments time to gel. Sometimes we don't always SEE or HEAR what they are really saying. So for the time being, I've forwarded the letter over to my critique partner. Kitty will see things differently than I do. From there I'll decide my next course of action.

In the mean time, will I give up on Winter and Tom? Not hardly. I know it's a good story. I also know from past experience that if an editor sees something, it's worth taking a second look at... after it's had time to breathe.

And right now that sounds like good advice. I'm just going to take a step back and...

breathe.

Pins and Needles

I've often dreamed of the day when I'd be waiting anxiously to hear from an editor. It happened once before in my publishing pursuit. But this time is different. I know Sheila Hodgson of Harlequin Mills & Boon Medical romance is looking for new authors.

I met Sheila about eight years ago. She told me if I could write a romance, I could write a medical romance. So on the drive from Denver, story ideas formed in my mind. For some silly reason I knew my Heroine's name had to be Winter. Well... you can't have a Winter without incorporating the other three seasons, so The Seasonal Sisters Series was born. However, I failed to recognize one little detail. Both the Hero AND Heroine had to be in the medical profession. I wrote Winter as a park ranger. When I realized this little snag, I wasn't sure I wanted to or could change her profession. So instead of finishing her story, I closed the binder and moved on to a new story. Amazing things can happen when a request comes down the pike.

I heard from a dear friend that M & B was looking for new authors. Not only were they looking but they were responding within in the same time frame they requested the submissions. Opportunities like that are almost unheard of in this business. I couldn't let it pass without at least trying. So Winter's Peace came out of storage. In eleven days I rewrote most all of the story, polished the first three chapters and revamped the two-page synopsis. They were long 10-12 hour days spent at the keyboard. I'm happy with the way the story is shaping up. I think the conflict is stronger so that's always a good thing.

It's been a week since I submitted the first three chapters. Now I wait. I'm suppose to hear something by month's end. I'm glad there isn't much of the month left. LOL

Welcome Constance O'Banyon

I am so very pleased and honored to have Historical author Constance O'Banyon with us today.

After you've had a chance to chat with Constance, please visit...

http://brendagaylesreviews.webs.com/ for a great review of Wolf Runner.

Thanks for being here, Constance. :-)

Hello to everyone,

It is really hot here in Houston today. Luckily I am stuck at the computer writing the third book in an Indian series. Several people wanted me to write Firethorn's story. Firethorn is Wolf Runner's best friend, and came alive in Wolf Runner's book.

At this time, I am selling my house here in Houston and moving back to San Antonio. For those of you who do not know, my husband, Jim, passed a month and a half ago--we had been married for 54 years. If any of you have ever tried to write while a realtor is showing the house, you will know what I have to look forward to. Thank goodness for my career. It has helped me through a difficult and heartbreaking time.

Wolf Runner is one of my favorite characters. I love a tortured hero, and he was confused because he had to walk with one foot in the white world and the other in the Indian world.

My favorite part of writing is the research. Sometimes I become so submerged in research I find myself pulling stacks of books out of my bookshelf and curling up for a whole afternoon. I am interested in so many subjects, which is probably the reason I have written everything from mysteries, suspense, westerns, England, Scotland and Egypt, etc. Of course, my second favorite part of putting a book together is visiting the site I am writing about.

Last summer I poked around in Santa Fe, NM a part of Wolf Runner takes place there. I would love to set down with each of you, for nothing inspires me as much as talking to kindred spirits--those who love to read as much as I do.

By the way, how many of you have the Sony or Kindle readers? Although my books are sold to that market, I still like to have a book in my hand, dog-ear the pages, lay it face down. No doubt I will acquire one before long. I am always late catching up with electronics.

Thank you Angela for inviting me to your blog.

Holding Pattern

We are still having Constance O'Banyon as a Guest Blogger today. Constance and I are experiencing some technical difficulties but we're almost there. Make yourself comfortable, help yourself to refreshments and she'll be here soon.

Thank you for your patience :-)