It seems the easiest way for me to come up with stuff to post about, is to write about what I’m currently doing. Right now, The Girls and I are critiquing each other’s MS’s.

And let me tell you–I’m scared to death. I’m having a great time!

We’re each taking a turn feeling the stories out for flow and if everything really makes sense. Then we’re moving on to the more nit-picky stuff.

It’s hard putting yourself out there like this. Hard, but necessary.

So, I want to know how you edit. Of course we all edit our own work. We do that until we’re blue in the face and our butts are numb from sitting so long.

But, do you have others help you? What do you look for while you’re reading someone else’s story? What do you look for in your own? Are you a part of a critique group? What are your rules?

And maybe if you’re good…we’ll let you into our group…maybe.

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I have come to a point where I need to complete some research for my book to be believable. The MC has acute myeloid leukemia and I have no idea what that really even means. The symptoms looked feasible to fit in with the story, and I needed something for the other MC to help this MC with. Is that confusing enough?

So, I’ve been Google-ing the disease and reading up about bone marrow transplants.

My question is this- Do you have things in you WiP(s) that have required research? How do you find the information you need? How do you incorporate into your story?

And if anyone knows anything about this disease, I’d happily take all the info I can. Thanks!

Oh! And birthing calves. That’d be helpful, too.

Oh! And hospital procedure…I don’t know a thing about that stuff.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a site to go to for information on random things that writers need to learn about? Does anyone happen to know of anything like that?

Good luck in your research!

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This is your chance! Post your first 100 words of your WiP.

You never know when we’ll have another contest–so let’s get these first 100 words ship-shape!

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So we’ve hashed out our agonizing challenges. Let’s let some sun shine and share our successes.

What are some things that have just gone right?

Have you ever had things come to your mind so quickly, you can’t seem to type fast enough?

What are the things that make you feel- I should totally be getting paid for this? Character development? Writing steamy love scenes?

When I started writing this, I didn’t really have any successes to post. I thought about adding my favorite chapter. But that’s already on here. Then something happened this week… I started writing again!!

So, the success I wanted to share is the power of collective brainstorming. I’d been stuck for a while. Just didn’t have enough characters or conflict even. And I couldn’t get past a particular scene. That’s when Sarah and I put our heads together and just talked it out. As ideas started flowing, I knew what direction I wanted to take things.

Let us know what works for you, or something you’re particularly proud of- your successes.

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For me, writing can be really easy sometimes, and then excruciating other times. Like right now. I’ve been in a rut for…oh…four months? I am officially and undeniably stuck. So because of my stuck-ness, I thought I’d let everyone share their challenges with writing.

Is it plot? Need more characters? (Like me- three probably isn’t enough.) Do you have a fear of killing off the bad guy?

Is it worldly related like just not having enough time in the day? (Amen, sister!)

What is the hardest for you and how do you overcome it? (I really need some help here people!)

Next week we’ll focus on more uplifting thoughts and discuss your successes. So get those ready too!

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This week I wanted to focus on setting. How do you set up your setting? Is it a place you’ve been? Do you put yourself in place of your characters?

This is my first novel. I started by taking Sarah’s advice and just wrote. I wrote about what I knew and that is…being a girl growing up in East Texas. Creative, huh? For me, I had to just write about what was familiar. I changed the names of towns, but in my head, I picture where I grew up. That way I can accurately describe even the sounds and smells. All five senses are needed to portray a good setting.

This was the best scene of setting that I could find in my book. Remember-it took me a long time to find this and I even had to tweak it to put it on here. I’m no expert!!

Ugh. Hospital. The disinfectant stench wafted through my nostrils making my head spin and eyes fight to close again. My stomach rumbled and I put my hand over the worn blue fabric of the gown. At least I didn’t have to fix my own breakfast. The room was dim and I wondered if it was even morning. I forced myself to think about what I might order instead of the beeping machines and where I was lying.

Find a good example of setting in your WiP and post it in the comments along with your advice about the topic!

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