tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-310792472024-03-14T00:48:28.141-04:00INSIDE THE WRITER’S MINDEleven Plus Years Later…Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.comBlogger914125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-34879713021187783962014-03-22T12:23:00.001-04:002014-09-30T10:13:49.589-04:00This blog has moved to a new location on <a href="http://www.carolannerhardt.com/" target="_blank">Carol Ann Erhardt's website.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.carolannerhardt.com/">www.CarolAnnErhardt.com</a>Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-56236942417338678322012-10-19T14:23:00.000-04:002012-10-19T14:23:29.086-04:00The Cat and The HairsprayVisited the hairdresser today for my monthly haircut. Rarely do I use hairspray, but today she sprayed a liberal amount after styling. Didn't think much of it until...<br />
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My cat, Charlotte, enjoys sleeping on the back of the sofa in the living room. When I sit there, she likes to nuzzle in my hair. I don't know why and can't seem to stop her. She purrs and nuzzles and sometimes holds my head between her paws to keep it where she wants it.<br />
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Today when I sat down to chat with hubby, she jumped on the back of the sofa and began her usual routine. She nuzzled, rooted, purred and rubbed...peeked over my shoulder and looked at me...then went back to nuzzling. She grabbed my head with her paws and suddenly I felt teeth on the side of my head! I pulled away and she meowed at me. I leaned back and she started in again purring and nuzzling...then suddenly, she grabbed a mouthful of hair and pulled! Ouch!!!<br />
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You should have seen the look she gave me when I scolded her. And the little vixen slapped my hand when I shook my finger at her. Not sure what kind of hair spray I have in my hair, but you can bet I won't be sitting on the sofa until I wash my hair!<br />
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Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-62292213186975426452012-02-25T15:53:00.001-05:002012-02-25T15:53:48.085-05:00When It's Time To Change...In an effort to improve our health, hubby and I have purchased several pieces of exercise equipment. Our latest purchase was a recumbent bike. That joined our elliptical machine and the Gazelle in our family room!<br />
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Our house is a bi-level and the family room is long and partially divided by the hallway, so it is difficult to arrange furniture around it. <br />
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Especially since we have a built-in corner fireplace and bookshelves on either side. And, I need to watch television when I exercise!<br />
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So, today I did my workout by rearranging things to put all the exercise equipment on one side of the room, preserving the tv watching area for relaxing. But, with the tv angled just a bit, we can work out and watch tv, too!</div>
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I'm very tired and doubt if I'll be using any of that equipment today! Well, maybe I'll use the treadmill which is in my office...but that's another story!<br />Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-1976245398935037262012-02-20T08:31:00.000-05:002012-02-20T08:31:39.296-05:00The Writer and The Muse"I need you to inspire me to write today, Muse."<br />
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"What you need is to put your hands on the keyboard and write. The inspiration will come once you remember that <em>writing is an action word</em>!"<br />
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"Yeah, easy for you to say. You don't have to stare at the blank screen."<br />
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"Neither would you if you would stop procrastinating and start writing."<br />
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"How can I write when I can't get the villain's motivation worked out?"<br />
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"Interview him."<br />
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"Funny."<br />
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"See, there you go. Every time I try to help you, there's an excuse. Why is that funny?"<br />
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"He's not real."<br />
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"That's your problem right there. If you don't think he's real, how will your reader believe in his motivation?"<br />
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Score one for the muse!Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-53645401903549294532012-02-15T07:35:00.002-05:002012-02-15T07:37:40.453-05:00Sweet Words to an Author's Ear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7oUnDTTNf_s/S_5jYv-MQTI/AAAAAAAAA-0/n35yz9C7po0/s1600/DSC00161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7oUnDTTNf_s/S_5jYv-MQTI/AAAAAAAAA-0/n35yz9C7po0/s200/DSC00161.JPG" width="200" /></a>Words heard while attending a Valentine's Day concert for U.S. Veterans last night: "I started reading one of your books and I can't put it down!"<br />
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Shortly after finding seats, hubby and I were pleasantly surprised when his pulmonary therapist and the oxygen coordinator from the Chalmers P. Wylie VA came and sat behind us. My hubby is one of my biggest promoters. He tells everyone I'm an author and raves about my books. He has read every one of them. Word of mouth continues to be one of the best marketing tools and one that doesn't cost a penny.<br />
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While participating in a six-week therapy exercise program, he "ratted me out" as an author...bless his heart! His therapist bought two of my books for her Nook, but hadn't yet begun to read them before the program ended. Her words last night gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling and motivated me to continue writing.<br />
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"I started reading and I couldn't put it down."<br />
"I stayed up until two in the morning because I had to find out what would happen next."<br />
"Once I started reading, I had to keep going. It was so good!"<br />
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These are words I'm hearing from people who have read my Inspirational novels. Seems whenever I get a bit down and question the time I spend writing, God speaks to me through readers.<br />
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I may never be a New York Times Best-selling author, but that has never been my goal. My goal is to write stories that touch reader emotions and show how faith can move mountains without "preaching." I've been asked who my audience is and that makes me smile. Who? Everyone! Male, female, Christian, non-Christian...anyone who can read!<br />
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TRAPPED is my latest book and the one the Pulmonary Therapist was speaking about last night. I'm currently writing the second book in the series...one I'm enjoying writing and hope will continue to bring the same heartwarming feedback.<br />
<br />Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-90001436187059338162012-02-04T17:33:00.000-05:002012-02-04T17:33:42.251-05:00I'm Like a Trained Rat...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm a creature of habit. For the past five weeks, I've been carrying my iPad to the VA Clinic to write while my hubby is doing his exercise program. This gives me two and a half hours to do nothing but write. No distractions. I can't get up and head to the refrigerator, fix a cup of tea, check emails, read, play with the cats, or talk on the phone. I can't even check Facebook or Twitter. Horrors!<br />
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But I'm having a very productive two and a half hours to write. The time passes quickly and the words and pages flow. I'm energized and so immersed in the process of writing that I am sad when the time is up. I used to walk on the treadmill every day and write, but since I began using my iPad at the VA, the treadmill isn't working.</div>
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Is it the laptop? Could be. I cannot write at my desk on my desktop computer. That's for blogging, checking emails, twitter, facebook, research. The laptop used to be for writing. Now it's the iPad. Problem is...it doesn't work on my treadmill desk.</div>
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I'm like a trained rat who runs through the maze for the food when the bell rings. Once trained, I'm in a rut. Sigh. I must condition myself back to the laptop and the treadmill.</div>
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Writers are such weird creatures. Or at least, I am. Sigh.</div>Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-57899402785376738372012-02-03T07:56:00.001-05:002012-02-03T07:56:48.179-05:00Characters Can Appear Anywhere!Yesterday I met a woman in the veterinarian's office who had a bulky English bulldog on the bench beside her. He was so ugly he was cute. Had the typical scrunched face, was snorting and doing his best to get off the bench and get to me. So, I petted him. Adorable dog. The only problem...according to this lovely woman who was in one of my Bible Study groups, is that he's always horny! She says he humps everybody's leg consistently and she doesn't know what to do with him. Even the vet had no idea how to break him. All I know is I'm sure glad she was able to keep that huge dog under control!<br />
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On the way home, I got a great idea to use this to my advantage and include it in one of my books. I'm thinking it would make a great novella story...maybe something for Easter. Wouldn't it be great if the dog belonged to a Pastor's family?Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-33805521571271632862012-01-31T07:53:00.000-05:002012-01-31T07:53:05.678-05:00Everyone Likes "Free"<br />
Free seems to be the magic word today, especially when it comes to ebooks. I hear comments like "there are so many free books, you don't have to buy anything." It's a great enticement to grab as many free books as you can. Some of my friends have hundreds of books on their device and they haven't paid a penny for any of them.<br />
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I like free, too. Who doesn't? But the truth of the matter is someone spent countless hours writing, revising, and formatting that book so others could have it for free. Interesting. As an author, I have made some of my books free for a brief period of time hoping to get name exposure; and sometimes my book would appear free weeks after I had changed the price to normal. Thousands of copies of my book were downloaded onto reader devices at no cost whatsoever to them. While I would like to build up a readership of loyal fans, I didn't plan my writing career to be an unpaid volunteer position.<br />
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When I made a decision to be a writer and not hold a day job, my goal wasn't to continue making the same amount of money I had in the corporate world. I wanted to pursue my passion for storytelling and share it with others who enjoy escaping into a good book. I want to entertain, to touch a heart, to bring a smile, a tear, enjoyment to those who read my words.<br />
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Writing isn't easy work. It takes months of writing, researching, editing, and rewriting to get my book ready for the public. I spend money on ink, software, paper, computers...all to put out a quality product. I send my work off to editors and then take their input to make the book even better. My story and characters are in the forefront of my mind while I'm driving, cleaning, gardening, cooking, and even in my sleep. It takes me six months from the idea stage to the finished product. That's a lot of hours. I don't know anyone who would go to work for six months for no pay, do you?<br />
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Readers might think writing is easy and perhaps that's why they don't think twice about that book they snagged for free. What do authors want from readers they have "given" their book to? Maybe an honest review from the place where they downloaded the book. Maybe a quick note to say "Thank you!" Maybe a recommendation to a friend.<br />
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As for me, I plan to "value" my hard work by putting a price tag on it. My books are currently priced at $2.99. What does that make the hourly wage? Less than two cents an hour. None of my friends or family would work for that kind of money. I'm happy to do so, and I hope readers will understand when I don't offer my services for free.<br />Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-9137373277571033202012-01-14T22:14:00.000-05:002012-01-14T22:14:06.867-05:00Mindless Eating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I must admit that I'm guilty of mindless eating. It's an addiction. If I have a bowl of grapes sitting beside me while I'm reading or brainstorming, I will eat them one by one and not even realize what I'm doing. Suddenly the bowl is empty and I have no recollection of the joy of eating them! Now If I could stick to eating grapes or something else healthy like that while I'm mindlessly eating I'd be okay with it.<div>
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However, my mindless eating includes a jar of chocolate covered peanuts, sugar coated pecans, or other equally high sugar and bad for me foods! I can inhale a ton of these without thinking and afterward feel like a huge slug.</div>
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What I need to do is keep all bad foods out of the house. They are like a magnet to me and once I eat one, I'm a goner. </div>
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Anyone else out there guilty of mindless eating? Have you come up with a miracle cure?</div>Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-54174636819722661422012-01-12T15:20:00.000-05:002012-01-12T15:20:12.802-05:00The Answer to What is More Annoying Than the Terrible Two's!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZxM1L-G_Ko/Tw8_v2kbE0I/AAAAAAAABMM/nKjik9_rgpw/s1600/templeton+tanner+emily+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZxM1L-G_Ko/Tw8_v2kbE0I/AAAAAAAABMM/nKjik9_rgpw/s320/templeton+tanner+emily+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My crazy cat, Templeton, has been going out of his way to annoy me today.<br />
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He's found the addition of a rag rug in front of the refrigerator to be a fun way to run, hit the rug, and slide across the floor! Today he banked off one of my grocery bags, hopped off the rug, and then jumped into the bag. Sigh.<br />
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The floor is also littered with cat-bite size pieces of the newspaper.<br />
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He started the day by taking his paw and opening the cabinet door beneath the kitchen sink. He pulled it open, then let it bang shut. Over and over and over while I was trying to enjoy a quiet cup of tea. In the summer he liked to go on the outside deck and open the cabinet doors there. Yesterday I found the doors to the printer cabinet open. I went to close them and spied his face staring at me! The bugger had climbed in and was perched on top of my mailing envelopes.<br />
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Whenever I yell at him, he curses me in cat language. I can tell it isn't very nice by the look on his face.Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-58675479331291982462012-01-07T10:02:00.000-05:002012-01-07T10:02:18.436-05:00Everyone Wants a Magic Pill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3PghjaI4-g/TwheV1h21fI/AAAAAAAABME/ZwTNUAiIOws/s1600/typing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3PghjaI4-g/TwheV1h21fI/AAAAAAAABME/ZwTNUAiIOws/s1600/typing.jpg" /></a></div>To be successful as a writer, forget the lure of a magic pill. There is no magic, except the magic within you.<div><br />
</div><div>When the idea of writing first draws us to tell a story, we get lost in the creation process. It's such a freeing and fun activity. Words follow words, paragraphs follow paragraphs, and before we know we have completed our first novel. How exciting! We dream of seeing our book in our favorite store, bright and shining, sitting on a shelf where people are scrambling to grab the last copy. Ah, the dream...</div><div><br />
</div><div>Then come rejections. What? Pain rips a hole in our confidence. Despair, depression, and self-doubt replace the excitement. If we're lucky, we join a writer's group seeking guidance and a magic pill to turn us into an "author."</div><div><br />
</div><div>We bury ourselves in craft books, attend seminars, workshops, and take online classes. We become addicted to learning, following the "rules," being perfect, editing, re-writing...and by doing so we lose the spontaneity of telling a story. We try to follow the "market," write what's hot, all the time stumbling around and seeking what we want to be when we grow up.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Maybe that's not you. Maybe not. Maybe pieces of what I've said apply to you. It happened to me. I became addicted to learning and in the process I found out...gasp...there is no magic pill! No magic formula! The writing process is unique to each of us.</div><div><br />
</div><div>We are individuals, each with our own thought process, ideas, idiosyncrasies. That's how God created us. Knowing that, how can we expect to follow in someone else's footsteps and achieve the same success? We can't. All we can do is be true to ourselves. Write the stories we want to write, not what we think will sell.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The process? Whatever works for you! But the most important thing to remember is that you have a writing voice. Yours is different from mine and from any other writer. If you seek critiques, read them and take what makes sense for your writing. Don't change your story because of what someone else says. That's their opinion, their "voice" speaking.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The best advice I can give? Read, read, read in the genre yow want to write. You'll know what that is. Then just write your story. Don't look for a magic pill to help you succeed. Just write.</div>Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-55695981778114231862012-01-05T12:15:00.000-05:002012-01-05T12:15:49.240-05:00The Cat and The Jewelry BoxMost of you who follow my blog know about my "almost human" cat Templeton. But not sure if you all know that Templeton has trouble deciding if he's human or a dog. He LOVES to chew on things. My hubby cannot read the daily newspaper without Templeton being right up front and in his face. And if he doesn't get the attention he desires, he grabs the newspaper and shakes it like a dog taking bite size pieces and tossing them.<br />
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A couple weeks ago, one of our daughters was visiting. She and I were visiting in the family room when I realized she'd left her "expensive" designer bag on the floor next to her feet. She didn't know about Templeton's chewing habit until she caught him gnawing away on the handle! Luckily, she rescued it in time. I wasn't so lucky when I first learned of his chewing tendency. I left a new bag on the sofa and when I picked it up to leave for work, the handle fell off!! He'd chewed completely through it. Mine wasn't an expensive one, thank goodness, so I replaced it. Now I know to keep all my purses hanging on a hook inside my closet.<br />
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So, now to the story of today's post. I have a velvet covered jewelry box on my dresser. I've had it for some time, but recently decided to put it on my dresser and fill it with small and "best" quality jewelry. When I went to open it this morning I noticed a hole had been gnawed through the velvet and "teeth" marks appeared all over the top!!<br />
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I kind of wish Templeton was a dog. Then he wouldn't be jumping to the top of things to get at items to chew on...well, unless he was a dog that thought he was a cat. But, that's another story.Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-80320179551459383852011-11-18T12:13:00.000-05:002011-11-18T12:13:46.785-05:00TRAPPED by Carol Ann Erhardt, Book One - Havens Creek Series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6uhP_FZVfQM/TsaQsfH1UOI/AAAAAAAABL4/GuS_JxbdpwE/s1600/trappedfrontfinalwborder72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6uhP_FZVfQM/TsaQsfH1UOI/AAAAAAAABL4/GuS_JxbdpwE/s320/trappedfrontfinalwborder72.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>My brand new release, TRAPPED, book one in the Havens Creek series is now available on Amazon and Smashwords.<br />
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My Christmas present to you is a drastically slashed price on the e-book from $3.99 to $.99 from today through December 25. Why? Because during this time we all have to count our pennies. This is a time for family and being thankful. I'm thankful to all of my faithful fans who have been patient during the time I needed to regroup after losing my mother and dealing with the illnesses my husband has faced.<br />
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Trapped is a book about family, trust, and forgiveness...and yes, it does have suspense as well. I hope you are blessed by meeting Summer, Jake, Becca and Jenny...and the adorable animals they love.<br />
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The print version of the book will be available on Amazon the first week of December.<br />
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Book two of this series will be released summer of 2012.<br />
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E-book Purchase links:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0066AEZX6" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/104117" target="_blank">Smashwords</a><br />
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Blessings,<br />
Carol AnnCarol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-88049388873636957422011-05-04T11:33:00.000-04:002011-05-04T11:33:03.393-04:00Writers Beware--Sitting Decreases Life ExpectancyI watched Dr. Oz today and he said that inactivity and sitting reduces life expectancy by 11%. Boy, am I glad I retired! I never realized my boss was trying to kill me! I wonder if the treadmill desk would ever catch on in the office environment? Think of how much room could be utilized by removing office walls and installing rows of treadmill desks.<br />
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As of yet, I haven't tried doing editing on my treadmill. Right now, I'm editing about 45 pages on paper, so today I'm going to give it a try. Beginning tomorrow, I'm going to track steps and word count. Exercise increases blood flow and also stimulates creative brain activity, so it's a win-win situation for me.<br />
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Since I haven't tried working on the internet while walking, it's time to get off this desk chair and back on the treadmill.<br />
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Are any of you doing exercise to stimulate your creativity? Feel free to share!Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-62052224931571968432011-04-28T07:36:00.000-04:002011-04-28T07:36:19.463-04:00Facing Down FearThose who know me, know I'm terrified of spiders. Especially huge spiders. This spring I've been seeing invaders in my house. How they get inside baffles me! The one I ran across last night in my lower bathroom was easily 2 inches with his legs not fully extended. *big shudder*<br />
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In the past, I would have screamed until my hubby could get downstairs and "save me." But, I've had to give up that luxury. The only way to get rid of the spiders now is to kill them myself. I CANNOT bear the thought of feeling something smoosh beneath my feet. I can tell you that bug killer sprays might slow down these huge arachnids, but they do keep on moving.<br />
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I knew if I walked away, he might disappear, but he would also still be in the house. I would be fearful of seeing him again...maybe crawling up my pants leg. This is the WORST fear I have about spiders.<br />
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I had to face down my fear. I did it wearing my clunky, heavy waterproof snow boots. I tromped that big guy, actually picked up the carcass with a wad of toilet paper and flushed him away.<br />
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Facing our fears helps reduce that fear exponentially each time we do it. However, my fear of heights is another matter. I don't imagine I'll be doing any bungee jumping in the future.Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-37473613645403597062011-04-26T09:22:00.000-04:002011-04-26T09:22:38.931-04:00Motivation for SuccessMotivation is required for all successes in life. That includes writing. Today I'm working hard on getting in touch with my villain. I need to understand his motivation in order to write the best book I can.<br />
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I also need motivation to keep on my weight loss journey. How easy to fall off the good practices and forget about the good lifestyle changes required. I need motivation to get on the treadmill or do do other aerobic exercise.<br />
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So, not only do I need to focus on what makes my villain such a villain, but also on what can motivate me to reach my weight loss goals. It takes more than just a will. It takes perseverance and drive.<br />
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What about you? Are you motivated to achieve your goals? Have you reached deep inside to get in touch with that motivation?Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-41505490663157712322011-04-23T08:43:00.000-04:002011-04-23T08:43:47.127-04:00Breaking Through Zombi-itis!More rain forecast through Thursday. Storms and flooding.<br />
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While I love rainy days for writing, I'm already getting a bit of cabin fever. These days zap my energy. Another thing that zaps my energy is not having my house in order. When things are dusty and cluttered, I begin to feel depressed and lethargic.<br />
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Does that ever happen to you?<br />
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So, today is my "cleaning" day. I'm sure once I have a clean and uncluttered house, I'll find lots of energy and also give myself permission to take an afternoon off to read. Easter will be a day of rest and then Monday I'll be back in the office writing.<br />
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Wishing each of you a blessed Easter weekend!Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-44392549611392958682011-04-22T08:47:00.000-04:002011-04-22T08:47:04.978-04:00Contrasts - A Good Writing ToolContrasts. What are they? How do they impact our writing?<br />
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I look out my window at the rain, the beautiful green grass, the leaves on the trees, plants rising from the red mulch in the garden outside my window...and listen to the sound of my furnace running. A contrast.<br />
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When writing, it is good to look for "contrasts" that can be used for foreshadowing. It's a subtle way of instilling a subconscious mood for the reader. Igniting a spark of what's to come. Building anticipation. Building tension.<br />
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While writing a scene, think of ways to use the setting as a way to add a contrast. Use your built-in senses to envision the scene. Embrace the sights, sounds, smells, touch, tastes that surround you. Focus on your goal...what you are trying to convey with the scene. Now, using that tap into something you can use to build a contrast.<br />
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This is not a tool that you would overuse, but one that can be very effective when used correctly in a manuscript.<br />
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Good Friday is here. Words cannot express my emotions. No other gift can compare to the one given on the cross. Yet, this was the darkest day in history, to be followed by the most glorious day of hope and promise--The Resurrection on Easter Sunday morning. What a contrast! What a blessing!Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-36250618310112151292011-04-21T07:29:00.000-04:002011-04-21T07:29:11.924-04:00New Look for Website Coming Soon...Working on launching a new look for my website and will install a blog directly on the site.Not sure how I will handle that blog yet. It may just be for writing information, while this one will take the more personal slant, much as it does today.<br />
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Decisions, decisions! Today,I'm looking forward to getting my front flower gardens mulched. And, to finishing the new first chapter. Progress, progress!Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-26983578138212160312011-04-20T08:59:00.000-04:002011-04-20T08:59:00.828-04:00Just a Morning Brain DumpWoke up at 2:45am with thunder rolling, flashing lightning, wind, and tornado sirens. The storm was intense, but moving very rapidly. No damage in our area, but I hear many areas around us did not fare as well.<br />
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Today was weigh-in day for Weight Watchers. While I didn't lose anything this week, I did drop more inches. I'm so thrilled that since I began 3 months ago, I've lost 4.75" in my waist, 5.5" in my hips, 4" in my bust, 1.5" in my arms, and 4" in my thighs. Woo hoo!!<br />
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On the agenda for today is typing the new first chapter of my WIP. Yesterday I sketched out the scene. Now I'm really excited to begin typing and fleshing it out.Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-16553847531062373912011-04-19T08:41:00.000-04:002011-04-19T08:41:17.541-04:00The Dreaded Perpetual Wheel of EditingSo, I'm adding a new beginning chapter to my WIP. But, while in the "thinking" mode, I come up with a way to make the story even more suspenseful...I think.<br />
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Writers have so many choices. We are in control of the worlds and characters we create. In a few clicks of the keyboard, we can change fate. What a powerful tool!<br />
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The problem is to make sure the changes made are beneficial, not just useless rewriting and editing.<br />
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What I'm going to do is use the old pen and paper method to write down all the different scenarios before I begin making major revisions. I'll sleep on it a few days, and the "right" scenario will surface.<br />
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My suggestion to new writers, don't get caught up in revising with all the ideas that pop into your head. If you do, you'll spend all your time working on the same book for years and years and years. Yes, I do know writers who are caught in this "perpetual wheel of editing."Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-43535274159113310372011-04-18T08:30:00.000-04:002011-04-18T08:30:59.986-04:00Writing as a Visual ProcessApril showers bring May flowers. And weeds. I thought I had all of them dug up, but this morning when I opened my curtains...<br />
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But, I'm happy to see the overcast skies and rain today. I will be writing a dark scene today, so the weather will help to set the mood. Writing for me is a solitary, meditating, and visual process. If the scene I'm writing is different from the view from my window, then I close my eyes to visualize. I believe that's why I can't write with music or other noises distracting me. I need absolute quiet. Scenes for me play out like a movie in my head.<br />
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On Saturday, I attended a meeting with my writing group and the speaker presentation, by Sandy James, was entitled "Are You Insane?" She explained the various nuances of mental illnesses like schizophrenia, personality disorders, and anxiety illnesses. One thing she made very clear was not to trust what you see in the movies or on television. While sometimes they get it right, more often they don't. The villain I'm writing now, I wanted to make sure to "get right" and her talk gave me some great insight to forge ahead.<br />
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So, now it's time to close down the internet and get busy writing!Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-28339626732626567072011-04-14T21:54:00.000-04:002011-04-14T21:54:33.808-04:00Gardening, Sunburn, and Weeds...Oh, My!Yesterday, I mowed the lawn, put down Scott's turf builder plus weed killer, trimmed back the ornamental grass around the pond, and sprayed home guard to let the spiders know they are not wanted in the house!<br />
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Today, I spent the afternoon picking up the spiny balls the sweet gum tree continues to drop. Clearing these from the flower gardens among the bark mulch was a killer! I looked very strange with my hubby's knee pads over my jeans, my "Welcome to My World" Elvis t-shirt, tan and black leather gloves, my once white-now green tennis shoes, and a black baseball cap. I crawled around in flower beds like I was looking for a lost contact. I did fill one of the large lawn and leaf bags with those sticky, spiny balls. I must say the garden area looks good. When I finished, I sprinkled Preem to detract any weeds from growing.<br />
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I've never been a gardner. I do NOT like crawly things which always seem to be on the attack when I'm outdoors. But with my full armor and leather gardening gloves, I'm getting braver. Just hope this early start on the gardens will help me keep them in good shape this year.<br />
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So, I have gotten my exercise big time the past two days...and I also received a nice sunburn on my arms! Not bad for mid April.<br />
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Now, I need to get caught up on my writing! We're looking at three days (at least) of rainy weather, so I can get back to work on my manuscript.<br />
We've had two beautiful days in my area of the world. Sunshine, 70 degree temps. I just couldn't resist spending as much time outdoors as possible. I needed to get exercise, too, so I decided to begin weeding and preparing our flower beds for spring. Some of the hostas are already growing nicely. Also, when cleaning the front beds, I could see shoots for the cone flowers coming up as well. We have a number of knock-out rose bushes, and they are already growing and looking fantastic!Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-74952244735453523112011-04-04T06:00:00.002-04:002011-04-04T06:00:03.738-04:00Author Interview with Pamela S. ThibodeauxThe Blog Studio is alive with music, and hand clapping as the band plays "He's Alive!" The curtain opens showing a screen with Dolly Parton singing this uplifting gospel song. The audience is on their feet singing along. Finally, the band notes fade away and the curtain closes. The audience quiets and sits. All is quiet for several seconds, and then the Blog Studio theme song begins and Carol Ann walks on stage.<br />
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"Good morning!"<br />
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The audience answers with a resounding, "Good morning!"<br />
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"I loved the Dolly Parton and band rendition of 'He's Alive', didn't you?"<br />
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Loud applause follows.<br />
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"Well, since you loved that, I just know you are going to love my guest author for today. Pamela S. Thibodeaux is multi-published in fiction and non-fiction. Her writing has been tagged as “Inspirational with an Edge!” and reviewed as “Steamier and grittier than the typical Christian without decreasing the message.”<br />
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She is the Co-founder and a member of the Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. As a former member of American Christian Fiction Writers (formerly ACRW), Golden Triangle Writers Guild, Coeur de Louisiane and RWA, Pam won Coeur’s 1999 “Diamond In The Rough” as well as their 2000 “Ruby” Award and received her RWA Pro Pin in 2001.<br />
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A committed Christian, she firmly believes in God and His promises. God is very real to her and she feels that people today need and want to hear more of His truths wherever they can glean them. Although her writing is Inspirational, she does her best to encourage readers to develop a personal relationship with God.<br />
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The deepest desire of her heart is to glorify God and to get His message of faith, trust and forgiveness to a hurting world. Her hope is that all of her stories will touch the lives of everyone who reads them and – in some way – bring them a truer knowledge of God and urge them into a closer walk with Him.<br />
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Please join your hands together to welcome Pamela to the stage!<br />
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The audience applauds as Pamela walks onstage and joins Carol Ann in one of the two wicker cushioned chairs.<br />
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CAE: Pam, I'm so delighted that you have agreed to come to the Blog Studio for an interview.<br />
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PST: Thanks for having me.<br />
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CAE: Let's get started by my asking you to share a bit about what you’ve written in the past and what is available now.<br />
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PST: My past is checkered with fiction and non-fiction. To date I have 5 full-length novels (4 part Tempered series <a href="http://amzn.to/97hRxU">http://amzn.to/97hRxU</a> and The Inheritance<a href="http://bit.ly/d6O6eA"> http://bit.ly/d6O6eA</a>) published. My debut women's fiction novel, The Visionary is due out Nov 2011. I also have 6 short stories available through White Rose Publishing <a href="http://bit.ly/f2RNF2">http://bit.ly/f2RNF2</a> as well as countless articles and essays to my list of publishing credits. <br />
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CAE: With all your releases, you've certainly got a bright future ahead. Have you ever experienced writer’s block? If so, what did you do to overcome?<br />
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PST: Is there a writer alive that doesn't? LOL! Usually when I experience that dreaded malady, it is because I'm either working too hard or I'm trying to write the story my way instead of the way God wants it written. To overcome I take a break and of course pray and often repent :-)<br />
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CAE: I really don't like the phrase "writer's block," becaue you are right. It isn't a block, but actually God whispering in your ear that you've gotten it wrong somehow. Let's suppose we are sitting in a restaurant enjoying a nice conversation and lunch and a reporter appears and shoves a microphone in your hand and says you have one minute to tell the world something important. What would you say?<br />
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PST: Life is meaningless without Jesus and He loves you more than anything or anyone else in the whole world - may I introduce you to Him?<br />
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CAE: I love that! As authors, we spend a lot of time alone with our craft. Sometimes we get to feeling lonely or a little down. When that happens, who can make you laugh?<br />
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PST: We've all heard the old adage "out of the mouths of babes" well that is so true when it comes to the young ones in my life...grandchildren and great nieces & nephews who have the corner on making me laugh.<br />
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CAE: I can relate to that! My grandchildren have given me so much joy and so many funny stories. I'm really good with family gatherings, but I shy away from other ventures where I might be in a crowd of people I don't know. I consider myself an introvert because of that. Are you an introvert or an extravert? How does that play into your writing life?<br />
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PST: Extravert - I love people! Being around & observing folks helps tremendously in writing as I never know what snippet of conversation I'll over hear or behavior I'll notice that will round out a character in any given moment or scene.<br />
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CAE: Oh, I wish I could be like that! I know I miss many opportunities to get tidbits to help my writing by observing others. If you are like me, you have a large collection of books. Besides books, do you have any collections?<br />
PST: Not really. I love horses and have quite a few on my shelves. I also love angels but to pinpoint one thing I honestly would collect had I the time, money and space, I'd have to say anything that has to do with Jesus, especially depictions of the Nativity, the Last Supper and crosses--I could go BROKE collecting crosses!<br />
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CAE: We’ve all had one of those “embarrassing moments.” Would you share one of yours with us?<br />
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PST: No LOL! Honestly life is full of little moments we wish we could go back and redo but I can't think of one that would be interesting or funny enough to share.<br />
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CAE: Do you have any phobias? Afraid of heights, spiders?<br />
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PST: Snakes....I despise them - in fact every one is a Cobra LOL!<br />
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CAE: Have your phobias, collections, or embarrassing moments come to play in any of your books?<br />
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PST: Yes, in 2 of my Tempered books, the heroine is confronted by a rattle snake.<br />
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CAE: I know you suffered the tragic loss of your beloved husband. Have you been able to release some of your emotions in your writing?<br />
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PST: Yes. I wrote an essay titled "Pillow Talk" in which I described my need to have his picture on his pillow/case - something tangible I could hold on to during those long, dark nights of the soul. This has been submitted to a couple of places but not accepted as of yet. I've also started working on a story/novel titled "My Heart Weeps" which will depict one woman's journey from wife to widow to individual and through grief into new life and possibly new love. I also often write my thoughts, feelings, fears, hopes and emotions in my prayer journal.<br />
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CAE: Can you share with the readers what we can expect in your next book?<br />
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PST: I'd love to! A Visionary is someone who sees into the future; Taylor Forrestier sees into the past but only as it pertains to her work. Hailed by her peers as “a visionary with an instinct for beauty and an eye for the unique” Taylor is undoubtedly a brilliant architect and gifted designer. But she and twin brother Trevor, share more than a successful business. The two share a childhood wrought with lies and deceit and the kind of abuse that’s disgustingly prevalent in today’s society. Can the love of God and the awesome healing power of His grace and mercy free the twins from their past and open their hearts to the good plan and the future He has for their lives? Find out in The Visionary coming November 2011 from Five Star Expressions <a href="http://bit.ly/hvEDGS">http://bit.ly/hvEDGS</a> <br />
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CAE: Pamela, that you so much for allowing me to interview you. It has been my great pleasure. Audience, be sure to check out Pamela's website at <a href="http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com/">http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com/</a> to learn more about her and her books. And don't forget to watch for the release of THE VISIONARY in November of this year.Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31079247.post-40217999806649905622011-03-29T08:20:00.000-04:002011-03-29T08:20:55.185-04:00Analyzing The Lincoln Lawyer for Plotting TipsHave you ever analyzed a book that kept you riveted to the pages to see how the author did it?<br />
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Last January I attended a workshop with Kara Lennox and one of the handouts was a Three-Act Structure. While this is nothing new to most authors, I've never been one who could actually "plot" a novel before I write. It's always seemed to "get in the way" of letting my creativity flow. It's something I have always struggled with, and also the reason I get bogged down when I hit the middle (or Act II).<br />
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After seeing previews of The Lincoln Lawyer, I decided to read the book. I never like to see a movie before reading the book behind it. The book always goes into much more detail so I know what really drives the characters (and let's face it, movies don't always follow the book). Having never read anything by Michael Connelly before, I didn't know what to expect. The book in a nutshell is about Mickey Haller, a defense lawyer with a well-deserved bad reputation. He cares more for money than he does about his clients, always looking for loopholes in the system to free his clients even though they are guilty. When approached to take a case for a very wealthy man, he chooses not to question too deeply why the man wants him. All he sees are dollar signs. As the plot twists and turns, Haller grows in grace and character as he begins to refocus on many things in his life. When he finally realizes that his jaded mind missed seeing "an innocent man" he helped railroad into jail, he knows he has to find a way to free him. But, at the moment, he's caught in a trap to defend a man who is pure evil, while Haller looks over his shoulder waiting to be arrested for a murder he didn't commit. And, oh yeah, he needs to stay alive while doing all this! It's a riveting character-driven book.<br />
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After reading the last page, I sat and pondered how in the world Connelly had pulled off writing such a great book. I've always been taught to chase your heroine up a tree and then throw rocks at her. Connelly not only chased Haller up a tree, he tossed huge stones, knocked him down in a briar patch with lethal thorns that ripped at his flesh as he tried to free himself.<br />
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I decided to pull out the Three-Act structure and compare that with The Lincoln Lawyer and much to my surprise, the book followed the structure to a "T." I've decided to spend time analyzing further into the book and see how each layer of the book falls into this type of plotting. And, yes, I'm definitely going to apply this to my newest book. I'm determined to learn how to do this right!Carol Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01785763553860442948noreply@blogger.com0