Happy New Year 2010

I am not one to keep or even make real resolutions. I think many people have good intentions but it goes out the window usually about January 3, and that's being generous. I don't really do resolutions but rather, I set goals for myself. I try to keep them small and doable, as in it can be achieved and/or measured. Last year I set one simple goal for myself, finish my manuscript. I am happy to say about six months into the year I achieved that goal. This year I intend to have much the same goal with a few additional. So here is my guide for new year non-resolutions:

1. Keep it reachable.
2. Don't set too many goals.
3. Can you measure your progress toward your goal?

Good luck and may you have a richly blessed New Year.
Florina Craven

Sarting another project

I didn't realize it would be so difficult to get on with my next project. The idea is there, floating around in my head, tapping on my skull to be let out. Yet, somehow, I have not found the motivation or the time. I think the biggest problem has been trying to adapt to the complete change of schedule and demands on my time. Nice as it is to have the family back together a whole new set of issues present themselves. Perhaps, the other problem is that I was a bit burnt out after completing that 120k manuscript. It was an intense time, trying to finish and revise it all on a tight schedule. I am glad I rushed t complete it, so I can wait to hear back. Sigh... I know it's just part of the fun. It's crazy to think that Christmas is almost upon us and I feel like it should still be July. The good thing is my life is settling down to a point where I feel a routine coming on. I need routine, with little monkeys running circles around the house I need to plan my hours so I can get those stories out. Christmas and New Year, then Lord willing, a better more productive schedule. Then another finished product.

My own hero retuns

So I took a break, actually it was a rather long one, from blogging. Life caught up to me and little time was left for fun. Alas, here I am returned. Speaking of returns my darling husband has returned from his six month stint in Afghanistan. Being a military wife is really not so bad and deployments aren't all gloom and doom. I for one don't mind them so much. I am sure the kids would say something different but that is a whole other topic. The spring and summer are my busy seasons. I keep a grueling schedule of 8am to 2:30am. I hate to sleep alone so this was no real hardship. Now that my beloved has returned, so too has a "normal" bed time. This means 1am, not too bad, but wow an extra hour and a half of sleep is really amazing. Then to have extra help is like having hired full time help. You would think I would be super productive, with extra time and sleep to fuel my brain. Sadly this is not the case, distractions abound. It is difficult not to want to singgle up to a nicely formed bicep instead of work. Did I mention that said bicep is significantly larger then before it left, which was pretty nice to begin with. Sigh...Next week this pleasant idle will be over and life will return to our pre-deployment schedule. Until then I am going enjoy his return and curl up next to my very own hero.

RWA Conference

It's been a few weeks since the Romance Writers of America conference. It was held in DC this past July. It was an amazing experience. I got to meet so many wonderful authors, agents and publishers. Granted there were a few sangs, such as a flood, car accident and even the death of a family member on the last night it was still great. I plan on going next year if at all possible. I learned so much about the industry it was mind boggling but in a way that got me very excited despite the many, and I mean many hardships writers face. My favorite part was hanging out and just talking to everyone, and there were lots of people to talk to. It was my first conference but I jumped right in. If anyone knows me that's how I am. I do not let the fact that I know no one deter me. As it turned out I knew quite a few people and had not expected them to be there. I had two friends up for awards and made several new friends. I encourage anyone who is thinking about going, or wants to know about the publishing industry to go. Aside from the great people, the workshops are amazing. As it turns out I got to talk to two very wonderful ladies, whom I admire very much. First off I got to meet J.R.Ward, her talk about being a writer was bluntly honest and motivating. Second, I got invited to Nora Roberts' pre-Rita party. She was just so gracious and has one of the coolest personalities. It was a real treat to attend. Now off to more work. After crazy events and more travel than one person should have to do in three weeks this MS is finally going out this week.

In case you are wondering that is a picture of my talented blond friend Sharon Wray, who won first place in the Kiss of Death contest for best Single Title with J.R.Ward in the middle and me in the black and white at the RWA literacy signing.

Working it out. Revisions

Revisions. I love revisions, no really I do I think they are great. I know many writers who hate this part but I love this way more than just blank white pages. Doing revisions is where you get to really add the depth and detail you generally are missing from a spew manuscript. Everyone starts with a spew, this is the version you first spit out then leave in the back corner of a closest for a while, let it simmer enough so you can forget some of what you have written. When it has fermented enough you get to go back and polish and turn it into something magnificent. I am now on round two of revisions of my manuscript but I won't start till Monday. I still need at least one more day away from it then back to the grind. I have a deadline you know and you don't ever want to miss those!

Reaching "The End"

I have finally done it. I have written two those two magical words many hope to achieve and never do. I am a writer, no really that is not a joke for those of you who know me when I first got started. Its official once you complete a full manuscript of over 90,000 words you have earned the right to be called a writer. For those of you who don't know, that's a full book, the kind you get to pick up at the airport, or grocery store for that matter. At the moment I am riding high on that euphoric feeling of completion. Awe, and amazement. I did it, and still it does not seem real. Many say 'I want to write a book some day'. Let me tell you about 'some day'. Today is some day and if you have a story in you get it out, breathe life into it. Don't wait to reach 'the end'.