10,000 WHAT?

Read on an agent's blog that editors like an author to have 10,000 fans of their facebook page. Really? That's insane. I'm up to 266 and have no idea how to get more. So, tell all your friends to "like" me.

On the writing page...I sent in my 1908 Romantic Suspense to my agent, so the waiting game starts on A GILDED PROPOSAL. I started researching a story idea for LOVE FINDS YOU IN LOVELOCK, NEVADA, and wrote a few words on my newest historical, CLAIMING THE LUMBERJACK'S HEART.

I've been told by a few multi-published authors that an author should always be working on three stories. The one you're getting a proposal ready for, the one you're editing, and the one that is contracted. Well, I don't have a contract as we speak, so will work on writing a complete. Most likely the lumberjack story. If one of the proposals out there get contracted, then I will switch over.

WRITING WORLD QUESTIONS

I'm in a holding tank on my submitted work and totally baffled as to what project to focus my attention on. Do I finish one of my submissions? Focus solely on my fourth cozy? Send in the first book to a new cozy series? I feel like pulling my hair out. I know a writer is supposed 'write always' but write on what? This is where I am today.

WRITERS' WORLD ANOTHER WEEK

I REALLY need to be consistant with this blog!

Last Friday, I had a tooth pulled, or rather, cut out, and have stitches in my mouth. Ouch. Needless to say, I haven't done much writing. What I have done is continued with my plotting for number four in the adventures of Summer Meadows. The title to book four will be MAUI MACADAMIA MADNESS. Funny, right? Fits right along with FUDGE-LACED FELONIES, CANDY-COATED SECRETS, and CHOCOLATE-COVERED CRIME. Let's pray I can write this within a reasonalble amount of time and that it is as well received as the first three books.

One thing I've learned in comparison between mysteries and non? You can not rush a mystery. NO seat-of-the-pants writing here. As in historicals, there needs to be a fair amount of preparation before you put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard.

Writing World Day 2

Cozy Mystery progress: yesterday I plotted out my cozy mystery, brainstormed with a friend to make sure my character's motive for solving the crime is plausible, came up with my lists of suspects, and determined who my killer would be, and why. Today, I'm staring at my screen wondering what to write. Good grief.

1908 Romantic Suspense: Did some editing from a received critiqued and basked in her words telling me it was the best story I'd written yet.

Now, don't get me wrong, words of affirmation are good, especially to us writers, but the words don't come often. Critiquers need to be brutally honest, and writers need to be able to "take" it. The thing to remember is to encourage and not batter. To build up, and not tear down.

A WRITER'S WORLD

I've been thinking and praying about what direction to take this blog in 2012, and feel led to take you on my publishing journey. I have set a goal of three books contracted, and want to share that journey with you. I'll be brutally honest, and hopefully, will help other aspiring authors.

After a disappointing month of January, when I was basically told that my writing stinks and I'll never get another contract, I put my keys to the keyboard, and typed up another proposal. This one is a 1908 Romantic Suspense. I'm having alot of fun writing the story and pray it finds a home.

Readers of my Summer Meadows series have been clamoring for a fourth book and will start plotting out a honeymoon mystery as soon as I hit send on this blog post. I hope you will join me a couple of times a week as I take this crazy journey called writing.

I will keep you posted on my progress and will post helpful links that will help you on your own journey.

A RANGER'S TRAIL By Darlene Franklin

A Ranger's Trail by Darlene Franklin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A Ranger's Trail is a wonderful story of family values, revenge, forgiveness, and following God's plan. When Leta Denning's husband is murdered, she vows to seek revenge, not realizing that her words and actions set her family on a destructive path of vengeance. When handsome Texas Ranger, Buck Morgan arrives, Leta has no idea of his personal stake in the Hoodoo war, and accepts his help around her decaying ranch. When she finds out how close he is to the Mason County War, she must choose between love or vengeance. A page-turning story that brings history to life.



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