• This Writer’s Journey–Lynda Hilburn


    Writing is a journey, one I truly love and enjoy, but it can sometimes feel rather lonely. Hour after hour, alone, at the computer, pouring your heart and soul into each word. But I’ve learned I’m not alone, in fact, I’ve been blessed to be in contact with some amazing people, both writers and non-writers.

    I want to share a bit of that with you. Each week I’ll be spotlighting someone I’ve come in contact with during my journey. Thanks for stepping along side of me-all of you-during this exciting time!

    ~~~~~

    Lynda Hilburn

    I met Lynda a while back through an RWA group. She happened to be looking for a critique partner and I liked the premise of her work. Plus, I figured, I have a psych degree so maybe that could help since the character is into that.

    I mean, she writes Vampires, how could I not be interested, right? But hers are very different than the ones I write about in ,my Violet Night Trilogy, but still. *wink*

    When I was at the Romantic Times Readers Convention back in April, I got the chance to sit down at talk with Lynda. She’s as nice in person as she is online!

    I’m super glad Lynda has stepped along side of me on my writing journey!

  • This Writer’s Journey . . .


    Writing is a journey, one I truly love and enjoy, but it can sometimes feel rather lonely. Hour after hour, alone, at the computer, pouring your heart and soul into each word. But I’ve learned I’m not alone. In fact, I’ve been blessed to be in contact with some amazing people, both writers and non-writers.

    I want to share a bit of that with you. Each week I’ll be spotlighting someone I’ve come in contact with during my journey. Thanks for stepping along side of me-all of you-during this exciting time!

    ~~~

    I met Kendall Grey through the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter of RWA. There’s this critique group called The Mud Puddle. A bunch of us writers hang out there and critique each others work.

    I had posted some of my pages to be reviewed and Kendall grabbed hold of it. Let me tell ya, I sure learned a lot from her. She’s an awesome writer. Her critiques are balanced with brutal honesty, sprinkles of humor, and great suggestions for improving the craft.

    EXACTLY what I look for in a crit partner!

    What I love most is her personality and zest for life. She’s wicked funny and loves her family. I’m so glad to know her.

    ~~~

    Previous weeks on This Writer’s Journey . . .Nicole Baart,Coleen Coble,Diana Sharples,Michelle Sutton,Christian Miles

  • This Writer’s Journey


    Writing is a journey, one I truly love and enjoy, but it can sometimes feel rather lonely. Hour after hour, alone, at the computer, pouring your heart and soul into each word. But I’ve learned I’m not alone, in fact, I’ve been blessed to be in contact with some amazing people, both writers and non-writers.

    I want to share a bit of that with you. Each week I’ll be spotlighting someone I’ve come in contact with during my journey. Thanks for stepping along side of me-all of you-during this exciting time!~~~

    ~~~

    I met Michelle Sutton back in September 2008. I was attending an ACFW chapter meeting and she was the guest speaker. Social Media was the topic. She has a busy blog-er-a busy FEW blogs and was active on Facebook and Twitter.

    She was funny, knowledgeable, and really engaging. I absorbed every word she said. It was then that I jumped in-feet first-with the blogging, Facebook, and Twitter.

    What I remember most is how encouraging she was. Patient, too, because I had more than a couple questions to ask since I was such a newbie.

    It’s been fun to watch her as her career has begun to take off. She’s written tons of books and it seems like she’s got a new one coming out every time I turn around. LOL. I’m glad our paths crossed. Thanks for your support, Michelle.

    ~~~

    Previous weeks: Nicole Bart, Coleen Coble, Diana Sharples

  • This Writer’s Journey . . .


    Writing is a journey, one I truly love and enjoy, but it can sometimes feel rather lonely. Hour after hour, alone, at the computer, pouring your heart and soul into each word. But I’ve learned I’m not alone, in fact, I’ve been blessed to be in contact with some amazing people, both writers and non-writers.

    I want to share a bit of that with you. Each week I’ll be spotlighting someone I’ve come in contact with during my journey. Thanks for stepping along side of me-all of you-during this exciting time!

    ~~~

    Previous Weeks:Nicole Baart ,Coleen Coble.

    Today we haveDiana Sharples.

    Remember when I’d mentioned I joined ACFW and jumped into a critique group? Well, Diana Sharples got to be the first writer to read my work.

    Poor girl.

    I look back now and shake my head wondering how she made it through that dribble. While reading my first chapters, she had to be thinking, “Oh my, this girl is clueless.”

    Yeah, well, I was. Heck, I didn’t even know what Point of View (POV) meant let alone how to do it.

    But you know what I’m most thankful for? That she took the time to read my work and make all the comments she did. It was the best critique I could have ever asked for.

    Goodness that girl knows the craft!

    Anyway, she was so supportive in her suggestions and feedback. But the fact that she stepped up to the plate and told the truth is what I respect.

    I won’t lie. It stung. I’m not a cyborg, impervious to pain, but her words spurred me on. I could have chosen to walk away thinking, “Oh, this is too big. I’m not supposed to be a writer. I can’t do this.”

    But I didn’t.

    I still have that crit to this day. I’ll never trash it, because it shows me where I’ve come from. And I’ve come a long way. I get better and better with each novel, and I’ve always kept Diana’s first critique in the back of my mind. When I help new writers, I often share my experience with them to let them know they, too, can move forward. Just need to be open to feedback and suggestions-well, and learning more about the craft!

    I thank Diana for her honesty and her wisdom. She’s so smart and talented. I’m happy our paths crossed.

  • STRANGE Award


    I got a fun award from Amber Scott the other day.

    We writers have a common understanding. . . we’re all a bit strange.

    I mean, think about it–some of the stories we come up with . . . But still, we’re strange in a good way!

    Anyway, back to the award. . .

    This award is based on the release ofCate Gardner’s short story collection, Strange Men in Pinstriped Suits. The book is available forpre-order and at a discount of $1.99 off of the cover price. To help celebrate this release, Cate and Strange Publications have a contest with two prize packages to choose from.

    The ‘Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits’ award is given to only the strangest of folk, and as the recipient of such I am deemed very strange indeed.

    Now I must go forth and celebrate the strangeness of friends (and strangers – strangers are always allowed) by nominating blogs run by strange folk. *Beware, some people don’t like you to refer to them as strange…Try to avoid them if possible.

    Some rules for nominees:

    1. Add the logo of the award to your blog post.
    2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you (don’t mess with strange people).
    3. Nominate seven other blogs telling us why you think the recipient is strange enough to deserve the award.
    4. Leave a message for those nominated on their blogs.
    5. And, if you email catephoenix(at)gmail(dot)com and tell her you’ve received the award for your strangeness, she’ll enter you in the biggest kick-ass Strange Men competition ever. Details over atstrangemeninpinstripesuits.com (click on the award link on the home page)

    My nominees are:

    Sean Poindexter because he’s a dragon king.

    KM Wilsher–well, she’s guilty by associating with me!

    Michelle Sutton–because of her ability to read a zillion books a month and WRITE a zillion books a year!

    The Good Twin–because of his strange but hysterical sense of humor.

    Kat Heckenbach–because of her strange ability to find the coolest pictures for her blog–and titles!

    Brooklyn Ann–because of her vast knowledge of cats.

    Christian Miles–because of his unique amount of motivation as a young person. If I had had half that while growing up–oh, that’s another post…

    ~~~

    Now, for the FUN part! The motivation! Today, I dare you to embrace your own individual strangeness and odd-erificalities (that’s toatlly Amber’s word, I couldn’t think up that to save my soul–LOL!) today.

    Here are three strange things about me:

    1. I’ve never had a pedicure–and if I have my way, I NEVER WILL!

    2. When I have the radio on in my car, I have to have the volume set on an odd number . . .

    3. I hate sticky hands. Yeah, I’ll obsess about them until I can wash them off. Like to a fault. . .

    HAVE FUN!

  • The Chase for a name. . .


    Okay, take a gander at the list of potential HERO names on white poll in the left sidebar here.

    <——

    <—— See it?

    <——

    I know, there are a lot of names to choose from.

    Have you voted yet?

    If not, please do.

    I need a name for the hero of my newest WIP (Work In Progress for the non-writers reading this post.)

    The story is so raw right now, I don’t even have a working title, let alone a nice little blurb to tell you about it.

    But, the characters are in their early twenties and in college. It’s a paranormal romance so obviously I’m gonna hook these two up (and throw a few obstacles in, ripping them apart–oh, then maybe getting them back together **insert EVIL laugh here**)

    So far, Chase is in the lead, and, so far, he’s my favorite choice.

    So weigh in, okay? Or maybe you think all of the choices stink. Leave me a comment. I’d love to hear from ya!

    Maybe soon the story will be polished enough to post a blurb about it–course then I’d need a title. Who knows, you might see another poll up later helping me decide which title I want. **smile**