Newsletters

Romancing the Ozarks

The Official Monthly Newsletter of Ozarks Romance Authors (Established 1987)

Starting the New Year is like sitting down to a blank computer screen to write. It’s a blank page waiting to be filled. It’s full of possibilities. Although we start off with determination and good intentions, most of our resolutions fall by the wayside by mid-February. How do we keep motivation high enough to overcome discouragement and procrastination?

I’m a lister. Each day I make a list of everything I want to accomplish that day in order of importance. I must confess that there are times I cheat and bypass a couple of the least exciting items on my “to do” list, and they do get moved to another day. If you looked inside my refrigerator, you’d know how high on my list of priorities cleaning it is. But for the most part, I get a lot accomplished in a day. I gain great satisfaction in checking off each item on my list. I can point at it and know I did it!

So I’ve compiled a “Writer’s To Do List” to help us eat the elephant one bite at a time.

Writer’s “To Do” List

I will write something everyday. Put this on your list of “things to do today.” Make it as much a priority as the other duties that demand attention on a daily basis.

I will attend as many Writers’ Conferences as I can afford. You will pick up valuable writing tips, make connections and the association with other writers reminds you that you are not alone. You will come away motivated and energized.

I will join/attend a critique group. The accountability of a critique group is a great way to keep us pounding on that keyboard, and their input is invaluable.

I will listen to their suggestions. A good critique partner hears our stories with fresh ears, so they catch errors we might have missed. We need to weigh their advice, but the decision to changes is still ours.

I will finish my work in progress. See number 1.

I will create/update my website. A web presence is important for a serious writer today. Your web address is one of the first requests an agent makes, and is a great way to create visibility and a following. Build excitement for your work in progress by involving your readers in the process. Blog about your story and characters just enough to make your readers anxious for more.

I will learn the query process and find an agent. It’s vital to understand this business side of your writing career. Look into online websites for samples of query letters, and lists of agents.
Don’t procrastinate! Although it’s important to research, create outlines and write a synopsis, take writing classes, and read good how-to books on writing, don’t use this as a means of procrastination. Write!
I will not get discouraged! Let your critique partners encourage you. Allow yourself to trust their praise. Haven’t you read some published works and told yourself you could have written that better? If they got published, you can too!

Read a well-written novel. There’s nothing more inspiring than to read beautifully written prose. It gets your creative juices flowing.

Armed with your Writers To Do List should keep you on-track in your writing career, eliminate procrastination, and keep discouragement at bay. And what satisfaction you will have when you check off each item!

I wish for each of you a Happy New Year, and, Keep Writing!

Kathy Mullens

In This issue:

Upcoming Events 2

Congrats 2

January meeting Info 3

January Birthdays 3

Upcoming Contest Deadlines 3

Buck Up Sissy Girl 4

Meeting Information

Saturday, January 2, 2010

The Library Station

2535 N Kansas Expwy

Springfield, MO 65803

Frisco Room

10:00 AM – Noon

Critique Session

Bring at least 10 copies of 5-10 pages that you would like critiqued. Or – just bring yourself. Your opinion matters.

1:00 - 3:30 PM – Speaker Terry McDemid aka Tessa McDermid - Revisions

January 2, monthly meeting

JANO – sponsored by Sleuth’s Ink

Beth Carter – Six word memoir will be published in Smith's newest book: IT ALL CHANGED IN AN INSTANT.

Lisa Wells – Her paranormal entry, HAND PICKED, placed 2^nd in the Southern Heat competition.

Ozark Romance Authors Rock

Hurrah! You completed a manuscript during NaNo. Or over the summer. Or last week.

What happens next? Come to the Saturday, January 2, 2010 meeting of ORA and hear tips that can help you prepare those pages for submission. No matter how long - or short - you've been writing, revising is a necessary step on the writing journey. If you can learn to self-edit your own writing, you can better present a professional looking manuscript to an editor or agent.

Terry McDermid, also writing as Tessa McDermid, will share ideas she's used to publish seven novels, two resource texts, and hundreds of articles and short stories.

www.tessamcdermid.com

January Birthdays

Lisa Wells – 1

Shirley McCann – 19

Sharon Holman – 25

Kathy Mullen - 27

----------------------------------------------

Upcoming Contest Deadlines:

You can’t take the prize if you’re not playing the game– Contests are a great way to get your work in front of agents and editors.

Weta Nichols – ORA’s Writing Contest - 1^st ten pages, double spaced. $10 entry fee. See ORA’s web page for details. www.ozarkromanceauthors.com

Jill Myles kicks off the “Agent Holly Root” contest – now until January 26^th http://faeriality.blogspot.com/

The Marlene Awards - Washington Romance Writers - Received before midnight January 15, 12010 - Beginning and synopsis (five pg limit) total not to exceed 35 pages.

http://www.wrwdc.com/ee/index.php/marleneawards/

Chase the Dream Contest - starts January 1^st http://chasethedreamcontest.wordpress.com/

Buck Up Sissy Girl

JANO

Sponsored by Sleuths’ Ink

Write a 50,000-word Novel in 31 days

Jano is Sleuths’ Ink’s take on NaNo, the popular National Novel Writing Month held every November. Since several of our members were unable to participate in NaNo, Sleuths’ Ink has decided to kick off the new year with a built-in resolution. We’ll adopt many of the same rules but will write during the month of January. We’re calling our special month “Jano.”

Here are the rules:

Write a 50,000-word novel in one month (31 days)
This equals 1,613 words per day
Don’t take time for edits (just quick, simple corrections, if anything)
You may plot or outline your novel in December
You may start a biographical character sketch in December (think of characters’ names, professions, traits, quirks, hobbies, family, pets, etc.)
BUT there can be NO ACTUAL NOVEL WRITING UNTIL Jan. 1, 2010
Start your coffee machines

EXCEPTION: Rather than beginning a new novel, some Sleuths’ members preferred adding 50,000 words to their WIP. We decided that was acceptable as long as their current word count is posted up front and deducted from their ending total. Only new words beginning January 1, 2010, will count during Jano.

Shirley McCann has set up a dedicated Yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/janowriters/ Please sign up if you wish to participate.

At the regular Sleuths’ meeting on January 9, participating writers will report their word count to date, as well as the premise of their story. Writers may also read their first page and/or ask for guidance if they’re having difficulty with a plot point or character. Writers who aren’t participating are welcome to attend and will most likely find inspiration.

At the end of the month, we’ll set up a meeting to report our individual progress--and to celebrate! This will hold each of us accountable and motivate us to write daily. Sleuths’ Ink will decide where to hold this last meeting and will post it on the appropriate loops. We’ll report our progress, drink coffee, eat and toast our achievements!

Hope everyone joins in the fun. What a great way to kick off 2010. Happy writing, everyone.