Writer Routine Wednesday: Rhonda Stapleton

Hey, all!

It's another week of my new blog segment:Writer Routine Wednesday, where every Wednesday from now until the end of August, I will host an author. We'll get to know them better and their books as well as hear them describe their usual writing routine.

Maybe you'll pick up an idea they use for yourself!Lots of great prizes are scheduled too!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, please welcome YA author Rhonda Stapleton today and hear about her writing routine!

BIO: Rhonda Stapleton is the author of a teen romantic comedy trilogy--STUPID CUPID, FLIRTING WITH DISASTER, and PUCKER UP. All are out now with Simon Pulse.

For more information visit: http://www.rhondastapleton.com/

Thanks for stopping by, Rhonda!

Please describe a “typical” writing day for yourself. Usually, I plan ahead what my goals will be: anywhere from 3-6 pages a day, 5 days a week (depending on the production schedule). I can get a book written in 2-3 months this way. I usually write in the evenings or when I can sneak time in during the day. It only takes me about an hour to write 3 pages.

Do you have another job outside of writing? (Being a mommie definitely counts!!) If the answer is yes, describe how you balance the two and how much time you devote to each.

I have a bunch of jobs, LOL. I'm an editor for a legal publishing company. I'm also a freelance editor for Carina Press (Harlequin's new e-publishing imprint). I teach first-year composition at a community college. I have two kids, and I also squeeze in time to write. Basically, I do a lot of time management--when I'm doing one particular thing, I focus on that thing only so I don't feel guilty about not giving it 100% of what I have.

Are you a laptop, PC, Alphasmart, or by hand kind of writer? Totally a laptop writer. I type way faster than I write out by hand.

Plotter or panster? If you’re a plotter, how much time do think you put into plotting before writing. Plotter all the way. I like to plot pretty much the whole book before I write so I don't feel like I'm diving in blind. I still leave room for creativity though.

Some writers make collages or listen to or create music soundtracks for their work-in-progress? Do you do any of those or have you thought about doing one of them? I don't have a soundtrack, per se--I just try to pick songs that evoke the mood I'm going for. I find it highly effective in helping generate that mood in me so I can try to capture it in my pages.

What’s your favorite book on writing? Oooooh I like Julia Cameron's book THE ARTIST'S JOURNEY. It's all about treating yourself well and nurturing the writer in you.

What’s your favorite fiction book you’ve read so far this year? Wow, this is HARD. Um, I don't know if I can pick just one, but I loooooved SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater.

What’s your favorite way to reward yourself after you’ve finished writing a book? Buy a book and go out to dinner. LOL. :D

Thank you, Rhonda, so much for sharing a little of your writing routine and life with us today!

Rhonda's new book PUCKER UP is out now on Amazon and a book store near you!

Here's a little bit about it:

Felicity can't believe her luck. Her longtime crush is now officially her boyfriend, and just in time for prom. Felicity isn't just smitten with Derek, she's head-over-heels in love. So when she learns that her boss at Cupid's Hollow used cupid magic to make Derek fall for her, Felicity is devastated. What will happen when the magic wears off? Felicity has only two weeks to win Derek's heart for real—no matter what it takes!

CONTEST: Rhonda has generously offered to give away a copy of her teen book PUCKER UP.

Please leave a comment below to be entered to win. The giveaway contest will run from now until Thursday 11:59PM (EST). I will announce the lucky winner this Friday!

Good luck and get into your writing routine!

For those on Facebook...

MOOD STATUS: "Thrilled". Family slept in and I had the morning to myself!
RECENT IPOD DOWNLOAD: "I Told You So" by Carrie Underwood


I love Facebook as much as the next person, but be safe and secure! Here's something you may not know:

Log in to your Facebook account and go to the top right hand corner "Account". Click "Edit Friends". It'll take you to your friends list. In the left hand column click "PhoneBook". Everyone's phone numbers are listed.

CHANGE THAT if you value your privacy.

Your phone number is there for the world to see. Go to your privacy settings and set your phone number and address to "only me" unless you want everyone to have it.


That is your public service announcement for the week.

You're welcome. :)

In Case You were Wondering...

I'm playing a little blog hooky (Hence the hook)

Be back next week.

In the meantime, I am writing and working on my tan.

Oh, and I finally downloaded "Telephone" by Lady Gaga for my IPod, in case you were wondering that, too. :)

Hope you all are enjoying your summer!

This, a Winner, and That Part 2

IN THE NEWS: Missouri pooper scooper finds $58 in doggie doo. Read more HERE.

Thank you to ALL of those who stopped by here for my Wednesday Writing Routine special.
Author Nicola Marsh was really feeling the love. :)

And now for the BEST part: the winner.

Thanks to random number generator, the lucky commenter who will receive Nicola's sweet romance Three Times a Bridesmaid is...

KELLIE

Congrats!!

Please e-mail me the address you want the book sent to and I'll let Nicola know!

As for the this and the that, my new blogger buddy Ezmirelda was kind enough to bestow an award on me:

This blog award is called The Versatile Blogger, and has a few rules that come with it:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award. check

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

1) I just painted my toenails in Purple Pizazz--which actually sounds more bold than it looks
2) My favorite ice cream is Moosetracks
3) I'm thinking about taking surfing lessons this summer although I've never been on a surfboard in my life
4) I once had high level of anxiety (and was really close to going to a doctor) because we had ants in the kitchen
5) My best feature is my skin (I know this because I've been told enough times) :)
6) My dad had blue eyes and my mom has hazel eyes, yet me and my brothers all have green eyes. Hmm...
7)I love to cook and try at least one new recipe a week

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In other "thats", I've started a new writing challenge. It's called a book in three months. It started over at the Harlequin eboards, but my crit partners and I have a little accountability going on privately. I wrote 5 pages Wednesday and 4 pages Thursday.

Woo-hoo! So far I'm on a roll!

That's all for me. But don't forget to check out the next Writing Routine Wednesday.
I'm going to host YA author Rhonda Stapleton and she's generously offered to giveaway a partial critique to some lucky commenter!

Have a great weekend!

Writer Routine Wednesday: Nicola Marsh

Hey, all! It's another week of my new blog segment:

Writer Routine Wednesday, where every Wednesday from now until the end of August, I will host an author. We'll get to know them better and their books as well as hear them describe their usual writing routine. Maybe you'll pick up an idea they use for yourself!
Lots of great prizes are scheduled too!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, please welcome author Nicola Marsh today and hear about her writing routine!


BIO: USA TODAY bestselling author Nicola Marsh writes flirty fiction with flare for Harlequin Romance and Modern Heat/Presents.
She’s had 24 books published and sold over 2 million copies worldwide. She’s a Waldenbooks and Bookscan bestseller, has finalled in several awards including the HOLT, Booksellers’ Best, Golden Quill, Laurel Wreath, More than Magic and won several CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Awards.
She was recently nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Harlequin Romance 2009.
A physiotherapist in a previous life, she now adores writing, raising her two little heroes, sharing fine food with family and friends, and her favourite, curling up with a good book!

For more info on my books and writing life, visit my website http://www.nicolamarsh.com/ and blog http://nicolamarsh.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by, Nicola!

Please describe for our audience a “typical” writing day for yourself. For example: Do you get up have your coffee, check e-mail, then write to a certain time? Do you have a set word or page goal when you write?

In the ideal world, I would write the whole day (what bliss!) Instead, I have a family to raise so my work ‘day’ starts at 8.30 pm when the little ones are down for the night. I write for a few hours, longer if I'm on a roll or facing a deadline. Sleep is a distant memory!

Checking emails and my social networking stuff happens in snatches, usually via my iPhone. Best invention ever for authors on the run with limited time!

Do you have another job outside of writing? (Being a mommie definitely counts!!) If the answer is yes, describe how you balance the two and how much time you devote to each.After working as a physiotherapist for 13 years, those years are behind me. I’m now a full time mum and part time writer. My kids always come first. That said, they know if I’m on a tight deadline because they’ll be clambering over me while I write on Alphasmart in the playroom, or telling me loudly to get off the ‘puter!

Are you a laptop, PC, Alphasmart, or by hand kind of writer? Usually PC but if I’m after speed, I always resort to Alphasmart. The words pour out when I use Alphie. I recently wrote the bulk of a mainstream novel in a month on Alphie, my trusty speed machine!

Plotter or panster? If you’re a plotter, how much time do think you put into plotter before writing? Used to be a plotter when I first started writing, these days I like my characters to show me the way.


Some writers make collages or listen to or create music soundtracks for their work-in-progress? Do you do any of those or have you thought about doing one of them? I prefer silence when I write (my quiet time of the day when kids in bed!) so no music. I got hooked on doing collages a few years ago but strangely, while I love doing them before writing the book, once I’m into the zone I barely look at them again!

What’s your favorite book on writing? Creating Unforgettable Characters by Linda Seger

What’s your favorite fiction book you’ve read so far this year? Barbara O’Neal’s The Secret of Everything. I adore her books!

What’s your favorite way to reward yourself after you’ve finished writing a book? By vegging in front of the TV at night for a week, something I don’t get to do usually. I grab DVDs of movies I’ve missed out on, scoff large amounts of ice cream and have a ball!

You're speaking my language by mentioning ice cream! Thank you, Nicola, so much for sharing a little of your writing routine and life with us today!

Nicola actually has two books out this month! Here is a little bit about both of them:

Three Times a Bridesmaid…
From geek…to chic!
Another wedding invitation has landed on Eve Pemberton's doormat. Determined not to attend alone again, Eve organises a date for the day! At such short notice she's ended up with billionaire Bryce Gibson - the guy who broke a teenage Eve's heart!

On the dance floor Eve and Bryce make a convincing couple - but she's in danger of falling for her first love all over again!

Available at Harlequin and Amazon.com.

Overtime in the Boss’s Bed

Penniless in her pencil skirt…
Desperate for a job, dancer Starr Merriday is forced to hang up her ballet shoes and accept a position as a P.A. in a new city - even if the last time she saw her new boss…she was naked in his bed! Her professional pumps and pencil skirt can’t hide her top-to-toe blush when she remembers their blisteringly hot night together!

But Starr won’t let that suppress her sassy spirit - after all, unbuttoning her blouse is next on her boss’s agenda. So she will switch on her out-of-office and go to a meeting - in the boss’s bed!


Available at Harlequin and Amazon.com.



*Overtime in the Boss’s Bed has hit the Waldenbooks Top 10 Bestseller list already!
Congrats, Nicola!


CONTEST: Nicola has generously offered to give away a signed copy of her Harlequin Romance Three Times a Bridemaid--which I bought and read. And loved!


Please leave a comment below to be entered to win. The giveaway contest will run from now until Thursday 11:59PM (EST). I will announce the lucky winner this Friday!


Good luck and get into your writing routine!

Public Speaking: Taking your writing on the road

Well, I mentioned on Friday that I had to speak at my church--on a topic I am NOT an expert on and really had no clue about: Intentional Living. (Fortunately my Women's Ministry leader gave me some great reading material on the subject so I was good to go!)

I was really nervous about speaking. I mean I've not spoken in front of an audience since high school! But people tried to encourage me by saying, "Well, you're a writer, so you'll do great."

Well, that was NOT encouraging!

Writing a book does not equal speaking well in front of people. Speech writers just write speeches. They don't give them. LOL

And I had NO PROBLEM writing my presentation. I easily put together about 25-30 minutes of material. I even had funny stories! But how I was going to deliver it without shaking like a leaf or my voice cracking? Would they even laugh or learn anything from what I was saying?

Why am I even talking about public speaking?

Because as a writer, you never know when you will be asked to give a presentation. Maybe you'll want to give a workshop some day.

And in order to do that you're going to need to establish some goals for your speech:

1) you may want to build credibility
2) you may want the audience to understand or learn something from you
3) you may want the audience to agree with you
4) you may want the audience to laugh

I had all those goals in mind, but maybe you won't. Maybe you'll just have one goal. (Those goals are from Public Speaking For Dummies by Malcolm Kushner--a book I found EXTREMELY helpful as I prepared to speak.)

You'll find--like I found-- that writing what you want to say is the easy part. We're writers after all! So I won't go into how I wrote my speech.
But remember, people don't want to be lectured. That's boring!

Think about what you like to hear when you go into a workshop. Usually it's the personal experiences mixed in with the information that you will remember and take with you after you leave the room.

When I gave my speech I would make key points from Scripture or from what I read in Christian books and then I would further illustrate my point with a personal story (sometimes a funny story), because that's what helps your audience relate to what you're saying. Plus, it's interesting. You're giving them a part of yourself.

And isn't that the reason we read certain blogs? Because we're not just lectured to. We feel and enjoy a personal connection with the writer.

Okay. So I had a sparkling, funny, heartfelt presentation. I had that part down.

STAGE FRIGHT was my concern.

Well, this is what Malcolm Kushner's had to say on the subject:

Stage fright is a very egocentric affliction. I'm scared. I'm nervous. I'm going to pass out. Me. Me. Me. It's easy to lose sight of your audience's interests, but the audience has as much at stake as you. In fact, your audience may be more scared than you. They may have to suffer from seat fright--the fear of wasting time listening to a bad speech.

Hilarious, but true!

That really helped me put things into perspective. You have to realize the audience wants you to succeed! They're not against you. Once I had that in my mind, I lost all my nervousness.

(That really helped and all the breathing exercises he listed in the book too!) :)

I really recommend that book. It was simple, gave great tips, and also helped me read my audience. And my public speaking debut was a success!

Are you comfortable speaking in front of others?
Do you plan to in the future?
What tips have you learned from your public speaking experience?

This, a winner, and that...

MOOD STATUS: "Nervous". Need to give a talk tomorrow on Intentional Living for my church's women's coffee. (At least I know it won't be a rough audience) LOL!

A big Thank You to everyone who stopped by and visited guest author Gina Ardito as she talked about her typical writing routine!

And now for the really good stuff--AKA the winner of her book.

Congrats to Terri Tiffany! Woo-hoo!

Please e-mail me and send me an address you would like the book mailed to!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In other news, my daughter's class is involved in a special project to raise money to help the manatees. I think her class raised enough money for each child to be able to adopt one. My daughter's drawing was chosen as the one to put on all the fundraising items, like tote bags and stuff.


Here it is:

Cute, huh?

Also, it was my 15th wedding anniversary yesterday, but the hubby surprised me with flowers on Wednesday.

Aren't they beautiful?

And that's it for me. Now I must rehearse my speech for tomorrow's church talk and then I'm going to totally VEGE the rest of the weekend.

Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Writer Routine Wednesday: Gina Ardito

Hey, all! Today marks the second week of my new blog segment:

Writer Routine Wednesday, where every Wednesday from now until the end of August, I will host an author. We'll get to know them better and their books as well as hear them describe their usual writing routine.

Maybe you'll pick up an idea they use for yourself!

Lots of great prizes are scheduled too!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please welcome author Gina Ardito today and hear about her writing routine!


BIO: Gina Ardito is the author of several light-hearted contemporary romances: The Bonds of Matri-money and A Run For the Money, both published by Avalon Books and A Little Slice of Heaven published with The Wild Rose Press. Under her alter ego, Katherine Brandon, she’s the author of several historical romance novels.

As president and co-founder of Dunes & Dreams Romance Writers (the eastern Long Island chapter of Romance Writers of America), she’s hosted multi-level workshops, booksignings, author talks, and mentor programs. Eventually, she’ll pencil in a nap on her calendar.
For more information visit: http://www.ginaardito.com/

Thanks for stopping by, Gina!

Please describe for our audience a “typical” writing day for yourself. For example: Do you get up have your coffee, check e-mail, then write to a certain time? Do you have a set word or page goal when you write?

Since my husband has a 2+ hour commute to work each day, he and I are both up early. By 6:30 a.m., I’m dressed and at the computer and hubby’s out the door. First I check email and handle any business I need to address. Then I open my document and review what I’d last written. For the next hour or so, I write and then head off to the day job with a printed copy of my most recent chapter of my story. During downtime at work, I read over that chapter, edit, and make notes for where I intend to take the story to finish the chapter. After work I come home, make my changes, and write until it’s time to start dinner.

Do you have another job outside of writing? (Being a mommie definitely counts!!) If the answer is yes, describe how you balance the two and how much time you devote to each.

I’m lucky that I work part-time—between 4-6 hours a day. Sometimes, it’s exactly the break I need to figure out what my characters will do next! Other times, it makes me crazy that I have to leave my scene at a crucial spot to go to work. But my scene is still waiting when I get home in the afternoon.

Are you a laptop, PC, Alphasmart, or by hand kind of writer?

I use both a laptop and a PC. I have a private Yahoo group where I keep my manuscripts. Before I log off the computer, I upload the most recent version of my document to that Yahoo group. This way, no matter which computer I access, I can download a copy of my story and work. I can write anywhere and on any device, provided I have Internet access.


Plotter or panster? If you’re a plotter, how much time do think you put into plotting before writing.

I’m a total pantser. If I even suspect how the story will end, I get bored, rush through it, and wind up scrapping the entire story. That lady you see talking to herself in the car every day? Yeah…that’s me. And the conversation usually goes something like this, “Okay, what’s next? I’ve left my heroine in the sand dune with a plastic shovel and a flock of seagulls. What’s she going to do?” And then I begin running dialogue, playing all the character’s roles by myself. If I come up with a particularly scintillating piece of dialogue or scene idea, I’ll just keep repeating it over and over until I can stop somewhere and write it down.

Some writers make collages or listen to or create music soundtracks for their work-in-progress? Do you do any of those or have you thought about doing one of them?

I am sooooo not artistic, but I love music and can usually lose myself in particular CDs or playlists when writing. I once wrote an entire book with one song from The Pretenders (where I got the original idea) and The Best of Simon and Garfunkel playing on a loop over and over and over for months on end. I know…weird combination. But it worked!

What’s your favorite book on writing?

Honestly? I don’t have one. I’ve read several, but I’m not a by-the-book kinda writer. Occasionally I’ll get an aha moment, but I firmly believe many writers read so many books, they wind up too confused to finish a story—or they steal the passion right out of their work because they’re worried about “doing it right.” If I have to pick a favorite research book, though, it’s called The Secret Universe of Names by Roy Feinson. An awesome, awesome little find that gives in-depth analysis of any person based on the syllables in their name. To help draft my characters, it’s a must-read before I start a story.

What’s your favorite fiction book you’ve read so far this year?


Can I choose more than one? I absolutely loved Suddenly Last Summer by Barbara Freethy, which spurred me to go out and buy the rest of the Angel’s Bay series (currently we’re up to Book 3) and Nora Roberts’s Vision in White, which had the same effect on me. (Also currently we’re up to Book 3—Coincidence? I think not!) Only Nora can make a nerd sound so danged sexy, you melt just reading about him!

What’s your favorite way to reward yourself after you’ve finished writing a book?
After I announce I’ve finished it to everyone I know, I send it off to my beta readers and then catch up on real life: a little alcohol is nice--wine, champagne, even a decent beer; a fabulous dinner with the hubster; some movies or television; and lots of family time. This lasts about a week, tops, before I start getting antsy. Then it’s back into the process for the next story!

Interesting! Thank you, Gina, so much for sharing a little of your writing routine and life with us today!

Here's a little bit more about Gina's recent Avalon book A Run For the Money.

Blurb: Nicole Fleming and Dante LaPalma have nothing in common except an old man's legacy. Joe Corbet has promised them a great treasure awaits them--if they're clever enough to solve his riddles within a six month time frame. According to Joe's will, Nicole and Dante must participate in several excursions. After each adventure, a new clue will be presented and another requirement awaits. Only when they've completed every task in their journey will they discover the treasure meant just for them. Along the way, Nicole and Dante will be forced to share their secrets and place their faith in one another. But if they can learn to work together, they'll discover what's truly important in life. And maybe, just maybe, they'll find the greatest treasure of all: love.

Sounds great, doesn't it?


Well, it's up for order on Amazon.com now! Or leave a comment below and try to win a copy for yourself!


CONTEST: To some lucky U. S resident commenter, Gina will give away an autographed copy of A Run for the Money.

If you win and live outside the U. S, Gina will send you an electronic copy of her book A Little Slice of Heaven. Both are fantastic so it's a win-win! :)


Please leave a comment below to be entered to win. The giveaway contest will run from now until Thursday 11:59PM (EST). I will announce the lucky winner this Friday!


Good luck and get into your writing routine!

I Have a Cover!

IN THE NEWS: Florida beekeeper stole bees from rivals. Read more HERE.

I'm excited because I finally--yes FINALLY--have a cover for my October Avalon release: Georgie on His Mind!

You know most publishers will ask for an author's input on their cover. And Avalon Books was no exception. So here's what I submitted to them as far as my idea for a cover:

I was thinking since the story primarily takes place in a pharmacy (where they both work), it might be cute to have the title written in a handwriting font on a prescription pad. Maybe even put some “heart” doodle drawings on the pad, too.

Also since a prescription pad is just black and white, if the color background of the book could be a bright or contrasting color, it would make it pop out more.

Thank you.

I know. But that's the best I could come up with!

But obviously that's the best Avalon could come up with too--or I'm really great at designing covers--because here's my cover:

Maybe I'm missing my calling. :)

So word to the wise: Give careful thought when a publisher asks you for cover art advice. They just might listen to you! LOL

But isn't it a cute cover?

Friday Happenings

MOOD STATUS: "Peppy". Have had a lot of energy in the mornings lately.


Two Major Happenings this Friday:

1) winners from my Wednesday Writing Routine contest
and
2) online pitches from Literary Agent Scott Eagan today


Here are WINNERS-- I drew four names for the four fabulous prizes that Love Inspired author Stephanie Newton was kind enough to donate.

The winners of Stephanie's new book, FLASHPOINT are

Harper
Lynn
Erin

And the winner of a partial critique from Stephanie is

Ju Dimello

CONGRATS!
And thanks to ALL of you bloggers for visiting and commenting on Stephanie's writing routine!
You really made it so much fun!

Book winners: please send me an e-mail with the mailing address that Stephanie can send your book out to.

Critique winner: please contact Stephanie here and you two can work out the details of the critique.

Thanks.

Here is the Online Pitch Info:

The RWA Dunes and Dreams chapter is hosting literary agent Scott Eagan from Greyhaus Literary Agency. He will be looking at online pitches at their blog today. FYI: He only represents romance and women's fiction--but YA romance accepted too.

Check out the Dunes and Dreams blog for more info.


Whew!

Also be sure to check out next Wednesday's Writer Routine. We have another great author lined up!


Have a great weekend!

Writer Routine Wednesday: Stephanie Newton

Hey, all! Today marks the first day of my new blog segment:
Writer Routine Wednesday, where every Wednesday from now until the end of August I will host an author. We'll get to know them better and their books as well as hear them describe their usual writing routine. Maybe you'll pick up an idea they use for yourself! Lots of great prizes are scheduled too!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, please welcome author Stephanie Newton today and hear about her writing routine!

BIO: Stephanie Newton’s first book for Love Inspired Suspense hit the shelves in March 2009 and won the Romantic Times’ Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Love Inspired Suspense. She’s currently working on Point Blank Protector, Book 6 in her Emerald Coast 911 series, an April 2010 release.

Steph will be speaking with USA Today bestselling author Catherine Mann and Sr Editors Melissa Endlich and Krista Stroever on tightening tension using the five senses at the RWA National conference.
FMI: http://www.stephanienewtonbooks.com/

Thanks for stopping by, Stephanie!

Please describe for our audience a “typical” writing day for yourself. For example: Do you get up have your coffee, check e-mail, then write to a certain time? Do you have a set word or page goal when you write?

I’m laughing a little to myself at the thought of a typical writing day (just not so loud that the other people here in the café at Borders will think I’m crazy!) Really, I’m constantly trying to figure out ways to fit together the pieces of my life in some kind of coherent pattern. My latest experiment, one that seems to be working really well, is to power write a couple of hours at a time. I have a partner that I’m working with who also had some immediate writing goals. We check in by instant message at the beginning of the writing time and after each hour. I’m not an extremely fast writer in any case, but I’ve been able to plow through some pages. I think it helps knowing that I’m going to have to report my progress!
When a deadline gets close, I write all day and it’s every man for himself (or herself) at our house.

Do you have another job outside of writing? (Being a mommie definitely counts!!) If the answer is yes, describe how you balance the two and how much time you devote to each.

I’m lucky that writing is my full-time job. I have two teenagers and I love that I’m able to have a job and be home when they are home. My youngest is home-schooled, so she keeps me company during the day and even critiques for me occasionally.

Are you a laptop, PC, Alphasmart, or by hand kind of writer?

I work on a laptop and carry it everywhere with me--you never know where inspiration will strike! (Or a guitar lesson runs over or soccer practice goes an extra thirty minutes and I’m in the car with time on my hands…) The bad thing about hauling a computer everywhere is that it significantly shortens the life span of said computer. I’ve gone through three laptops in four years. I finally bought a major life insurance policy for the last one. The guy at the store said it would cover anything except falling into the pool with the computer. Personally, considering my luck, I think it should cover that too.

Plotter or panster? If you’re a plotter, how much time do think you put into plotting before writing.

I’m a pantser who has to plot to sell on proposal. I write three chapters which takes me a month or two and then write a synopsis, which takes a week or two. My synopses are pretty detailed, around 15 pages. To my surprise, it actually turns out to be pretty helpful to have. As I’m writing one scene, I check the synopsis for what should come next and I’m mulling that over in my mind while I’m writing. I jot ideas down at the end of the manuscript and delete them as I write them.
Sometimes things completely change from the synopsis while I’m writing. For instance, when I was writing Smoke Screen, I got about halfway through it and realized the villain I thought was the villain really wasn’t. Fortunately, I have an editor who understands writers.

Some writers make collages or listen to or create music soundtracks for their work-in-progress? Do you do any of those or have you thought about doing one of them?

I make a soundtrack for each book when I’m writing the first three chapters and learning about the characters. Most of the time, the songs I pick are reminders of who a character is, what their heart conflict is. Sometimes a song evokes the tone of the book that I’m going for and sometimes it’s just a song that I’m loving at that point in time, one that brings out an emotional response in me (which makes it easier to write). The last book I wrote (which comes out in Nov), I listened to the Lady Antebellum song Need You Now about a million times as I was writing, not because it meant anything for the characters, but because I loved it so much! My daughter refuses to listen to it. Ever again.

What’s your favorite book on writing?
My all-time favorite is the Vogler book, The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Storytellers and Screenwriters. I like to use it as I’m plotting a synopsis. A writing friend gave me another book recently that has lots of great little gems of advice: The Writer’s Little Helper by James V Smith. It’s a Writer’s Digest book with colorful pages and short snippets of advice, perfect for someone with attention issues like me!

What’s your favorite fiction book you’ve read so far this year?

Oh, wow, that’s a hard question. I’m trying to read a variety of fiction and am keeping a list of books that I’ve read this year on my blog--it’s the first time I’ve done that. I do read reviews in some cases before I pick a book (Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas and Something About You by Julie James). Some are auto-buys (Brenda Minton, Ally Carter, Catherine Mann, Nora Roberts) and some are lucky surprises (Ingrid Weaver’s Her Baby’s Bodyguard). The one that I was glued to for five hours, all the way home from a soccer trip, in which we could’ve had a wreck and I wouldn’t have noticed, is Laura Griffin’s Untraceable. Since I started this little reading experiment, I’ve been encouraged at the really good fiction in all sub genres that I read. I love a good book!

What’s your favorite way to reward yourself after you’ve finished writing a book?
Cupcakes!

Too funny! Thank you, Stephanie, so much for sharing a little of your writing routine and life with us today!

Here's a little bit about Stephanie's new book, Flashpoint, her Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense due out July 2010




BLURB:

With his first major case, fire-cop-in-training Matt Clark finally has the chance to shed his image as the Clark family’s goofy youngest son. Then an explosion lands Matt and his partner, Lara Hughes, in the hospital. As the investigation--and the fires--gain momentum, Lara’s now a witness, needing all the protection Matt can give…if she’ll let him. Lara’s worked hard to keep her distance from Matt, but a desperate choice to save the investigation leaves her with nowhere else to turn.

Sounds great, doesn't it?

Well it's up for pre-order on Amazon. com but if you don't want to wait, Harlequin has up for sale in their ebook store and print book store now.

CONTEST: Stephanie has generously offered to give away not one, not two, but three copies of her book Flashpoint AND a partial critique for this Writer Routine Wednesday special.

Please leave a comment below to be entered to win. The giveaway contest will run from now until Thursday 11:59PM (EST).

I will announce the 4 lucky winners this Friday!



Good luck and get into your writing routine!