Conversations with Barb and Jann
May 2, 2012 by Jann Ryan in category Jann says . . . tagged as Barb Delong, Conversations with Barb and Jann, Jann Audiss, reading, the writing process
What do you read during your WIP?
Jann: Barb, when you’re starting a new WIP, do you only read books in the genre you’re writing?
Barb: I like to read the genre I’m writing in because it gets me in that frame of mind, that contemporary world. I especially like reading humor, which I try to write. Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jennifer Crusie both know how to construct a laugh-out-loud scene. For category romance, our own Sandra Paul (aka Sandy Chvostal) has always tickled my funny bone. I still find myself pulling out her Reluctant Hero and Domesticating Luc to see how she incorporates animals in her stories, and Linda Johnston also, with her pet sitter and pet rescue stories.
Jann: Totally agree. You know I’m writing a series category romance, but I read anything and everything romance–historical, paranormal, urban fantasy, contemporary. But I find it’s easier to plot when I read only series romance for at least a couple of weeks before I work on a story idea.
Barb: Since we were discussing this subject, I asked the Orange County Chapter Pros what they read while they’re writing. Ottilia Scherschel, who writes suspense, is of like mind. She says, “I always read some suspense to get my juices flowing.†She also reads craft books, and interestingly enough, her husband’s magazine American Hunter. She likes the website artofmanliness.com for “anything a man does or ever wanted to do.†Gotta check that one out!
Joyce Ward also stayed within her genre when she started writing paranormals, but like you, enjoys a change of pace with other genres. Erin Pryor says, “I tend to read things that are related to whatever I’m struggling with while writing…so, if I’m working on a mystery element I’ll read full-on mysteries, if I’m working on an action scene I often turn to sci-fi/fantasy. Contemporaries for friendship and banter, 19th century novels when I’m worried about tone and manners.â€
Jann: Erin has a good idea mixing the genres to draw on their various strengths.
Barb: Now, Mary Kozlowski writes contemporaries, but loves reading Regencies. She says she can keep a pretty consistent voice, so is not affected by reading in another genre. And this reading your husband’s magazines must be catching on. She reads her husband’s VFW, American Legion and NRA mags because “they have lots of interesting articles about real heroes.â€
Roy (Griff) Griffis also reads outside his genre. As he says, “I don’t want to read anything in a
similar genre to avoid contaminating my vision and voice.†Research is the focus of Dolores Else’s reading, both for accurate historical information and to get a feel for the time period.
similar genre to avoid contaminating my vision and voice.†Research is the focus of Dolores Else’s reading, both for accurate historical information and to get a feel for the time period.
Jann: I have a couple of story ideas that require substantial research, and have put them aside for awhile. What I need to be doing is “writing what I know†for now. Research can be a lot of fun, but it can be very time consuming if you’re not careful.
Barb: I know what you mean. Been there. Researching is not writing.
Shauna Roberts, who I know would use her time wisely, finds herself so interested in some of her background research topics that she will keep reading about them after her book is finished. She also will read articles and how-to books on the craft of writing to reinforce her writing skills. She reads in different genres regardless of her writing, so I assume they don’t influence her voice.
Jann: The Pros have some great comments, and it’s interesting to see what others do. I better get back to my WIP. Remember those goals we talked about a couple of months ago? Well, I just set one with our critique group at our last gathering that I’ve got to make.
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February 2, 2012 by Jann Ryan in category Jann says . . . tagged as Barb Delong, Conversations with Barb and Jann, Jann Audiss, Kitty Bucholtz, Online Class, time management, writer's Life
by Barb DeLong and Jann Audiss
Jann: Well, Barb, how are you doing in Kitty’s on-line Time Management class?
Barb: Not so well. Can’t seem to find the time to get assignments done.
Jann: I know what you mean. I did my first two assignments and posted every day what I loved about my writing, then fell off the wagon on Sunday.
Barb: We’ll get back on track. What’ll help is when we get down to the nitty gritty and mark up our calendars.
Jann: Calendars? Last night I counted five: my Smart Phone, my Franklin, my day planner, my pocket planner and the cutest Mary Engelbreit calendar, if I could only find it. I want to settle on only one because it’s driving me crazy. I might miss a hair appointment if I’m not careful.
Barb: And we can’t have that. I’m afraid after I fill out the calendar or calendars with all my appointments, working full time, yada yada, there won’t be enough time to write.
Jann: That’s what we’re taking this class for, Barb. Where are your priorities? Is writing even among them?
Barb: Okay, mom. I am getting some writing done, but there’s only so many quality pages one can do in the bathtub.
Jann: Thanks for that picture. Seriously, it’s all in how you figure out your goals and prioritize them. You’ve got to take a hard look, decide what you really want.
Barb: Well, baths take a long time. I could cut them out, but showers will get my paper wet. Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m following the class. I’m working on Lecture Four.
Jann: Hate to tell you, but Kitty has just posted Lecture Five.
Conversations with Barb and Jann
January 2, 2012 by Jann Ryan in category Jann says . . . tagged as Barb Delong, Conversations with Barb and Jann, Jann Audiss
by Barb DeLong and Jann Audiss
We have been friends for what seems like forever and been struggling with our writing as well. So to start 2012 off with a bang, we have decided to blog on the Slice of Orange. What better place to get our mojo working. We decided to do a conversational blog between the two of us exchanging our thoughts and ideas about our writing.
Jann: Hi, Happy New Year. Yada, yada…been thinking about blogging again. What do you think about blogging together? I remember when we were doing it as a group several years ago?
Barb: Yes, I remember. I also had a Pro blog and my own blog for a while. But I stopped writing them, as it seems I do regularly with my creative writing. I plunge in, all excited about a new story, write feverishly, then more slowly, then I hit the skids. How can I make this year different?
Jann: I know what you mean. One problem I have is getting sidetracked with other obligations. Remember when we use to meet once or twice a month for critique group? We were actually getting pages out, why don’t we try committing to – oops backup and remove “try”, let’s commit to meeting twice a month to write for 2 hours or critique. If we critique, let’s set a page minimum – doesn’t’ matter if the pages are good, bad or ugly.
Barb: The goal is ACCOUNTABILITY!
Jann: Hey, what about taking Kitty’s Online Class for January. Going the Distance: Goal Setting and Time Management for the Writer?? Sounds like we could use it.
Barb: Setting goals, supporting each other – sounds like a plan, Jann! And hey, I think we just did our first blog! Blogging is writing, so we actually wrote something. I like this already.
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