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

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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 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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Today we’ll start off with your main character. Please share.

Don’t they look great together? Well they are. Most of the time…but that another story.

So, from the advice of my sis, I created word docs with their bios. These really help keep things straight while writing.

Alexander Jack Snow
DOB: April 10 (22 y/o)
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 180?
Hair: shaggy, curls at ends, sandy color (not Tom Welling’s color)
Eyes: Steel blue
School/Occupation: Graduated from ? with Construction Management Degree/Home builder

Personality: Very reserved. Shy around girls. Keeps to himself. Loves family. Loyal. Caring. Witty, but only around those who know him.

Hobbies/Likes: plays football and basketball every now and then, loves animals and farming. Good with horses. Loves working with hands.

Dislikes: ?, people trying to hurt Rose

Identifying Features: scar on chin, uneven eyebrows, hair on face grows quickly

Rose Ella Conway
DOB: June 12 (20 y/o)
Height: 5’2″
Weight: 120
Hair: Dirty Blonde
Eyes: Blue (Darker than Jack’s)
School/Occupation: Texas A&M Vet Med/ works at local vet during summer

Personality: quiet, shy, outspoken at times, neat and organized, overdramatic sometimes,

Hobbies/Likes: swimming, reading, being outside, loves animals, sports in general

Dislikes: snakes

Identifying Features: scar above eyebrow

So that’s them. I left out their most important features of course. The ‘special’ things about them that make my story. You’ll just have to help me edit to find those things out…

Post or comment about your Main Character(s)!

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I found myself in a dimly lit room.

Beeping.

Tubes.

Darth Vader hissing sounds.

My eyes struggled to open and my mouth was too dry. I looked around slowly. Where was the water? Surely there was some here.

I spied Mom asleep in the corner, her head resting on her chest, slumped over in a chair. What time was it? I had no clue; the room was too dark and there was no window. I lifted my hand. It felt like it wasn’t even there.

Numb.

Freaky. I tried to wiggle my toes. I wasn’t sure if I did or not. It almost felt like my feet were just too cold to tell. I opened and closed my mouth. Had they stuck cotton balls in there? Where was my spit? I reached up to touch my lips.

Rose.

It all came rushing back. Like I was standing by train tracks. Hurtling towards me, flying past, too fast for me to make out each car. Only flashes. Rose walking to my car. My arms on her waist. Watching her across the table. Kissing her.

Kissing her.

Glancing at her across the car.

“What the—!!”

My mom shot up. “Aaron! You’re awake!” She rushed to my side.

My eyes were wide now. I couldn’t think. Where was she? Was she okay? I had to get to her.

Now.

I started to swing my legs over the side of my bed. Mom’s confused face was too close. I tried to push her away. She was speaking, but I couldn’t hear.

I kept seeing her face. Seeing her sitting next to me in the car.

What the crap? What was going on? I couldn’t get my stupid legs to move.

C’mon. I’ve gotta go.

Annoyed now. I reached down with my hand to tug at it. It was like lead. A dead weight. I looked up into Mom’s eyes, a question on my lips.

She was still talking. What was she saying? Didn’t she know I didn’t care? I wanted to scream Shut up! Get out of my way, woman!

Her hands on my chest brought me back. “—lay back. Stop struggling. Aaron!” Her forehead crinkled more than it already was. Her eyes searched my face.

“Now listen to me! Do you know where you are?” Her cold hands gripped mine.

She waited. For something. From me, I guessed. I thought I’d been paying attention, but apparently I hadn’t.

“What?” Why hadn’t she told me where Rose was?

“Do you know where you are?” Her tone softened. She leaned down closer to my face.

“Well, I guess I’m in a hospital somewhere. Where’s Rose?” I looked around the small room for someone else. This woman was getting me nowhere.

She nodded. “So you remember the accident?” Her eyes stayed on mine.

“Yeah, I remember. Where’s Rose?” I looked back to her, hoping she’d finally answer the question. I’d asked a hundred times already.

“She’s fine. I just got off the phone with Jack.” She kept talking, but I didn’t hear anything past the word Jack.

Jack.

It echoed in my brain. Please, no. Was I being punished? “Jack? What about him? I asked about Rose. Where is Rose?”

Her eyes avoided mine for a few seconds. She bit her lip and moved to pull a chair closer.
“Rose is in the hospital in Alexander. We’re in Rockdale. She’s fine. She’s got a broken leg, some broken ribs, and a cut on her head.” She sat and moved her hands to the rail on the bed.

I would’ve gasped at the description of her injuries, but I couldn’t. I wasn’t breathing. No oxygen entered my lungs. It was supposed to be an involuntary action, but my brain stopped functioning too.

And I was fine with that. If there was no chance with Rose, I was ready. Come and take me now, God. I’ll go.

I blinked a few times. Really concentrating on it. I forced myself to inhale. But, maybe I shouldn’t have. Did I want to hear the answer to my next question?

“But…you said Jack. Why did you say that?” I held her gaze with my eyes. They were on fire. No longer blue. I’d managed to turn them fiery red, I was sure.

“Well…Jack is with her. At the hospital.” And she kept talking again. Didn’t she realize I didn’t care? Did she just hear the words that left her mouth? They were a contradiction. It wasn’t supposed to be Jack and Rose. It was supposed to be Aaron and Rose.

Aaron. Not Jack.

Aaron. Got it? Remember it.

Her hands were on my chest again. Pushing. Why did she keep doing that?

“Aaron, you can’t get down. You’re hooked up to a catheter. You’ve got an I.V. You’ve been unconscious since you got here almost two hours ago.”

I closed my eyes and laid my head back. I didn’t want to hear anymore. I didn’t care. About anything.

Screw it.

Screw them.

Both.

Ok…so I’ve been editing and I came to this chapter again. I can’t help but love it. I can really feel Aaron here and he’s not even the MC. But…I know it can be better, so I’m open for suggestions.

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My eyes were glued to the hottie in uniform.
I fumbled around the door until I found the button, my eyes never left his. Holy Cow.
I kept my eyes down, too scared to look up.
His eyes penetrated mine.
His piercing eyes swam in that knee-weakening smile.
Andrew’s eyes shot daggers through me, as he looked me up and down.
His eyes still scaled my body, and he didn’t look discussed with what he saw.
He hasn’t taken his eyes off of you since he came in about five minutes ago.
His eyes longed for me.
I noticed several pairs of eyes on me.
“What? That call sucked. He was going for the ball. Eyes on ball means no pass interference you stupid refs.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, his eyes screening the woods.
He glared, looking at everyone, but his eyes settled on Vincent.
His eyes were troubled.
I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
My eyes locked to his, and I felt as if all the blood from my head pooled in my stomach.
His eyes smoldered.
His eyes studied my legs before finding their way back to mine.
He eased in front of me, his eyes softened.
His eyes locked on mine.
Turning slowly, my eyes shifted to him.
His eyes were back on me.
His black eyes were laced with danger and longing.
My eyes didn’t leave Andrew’s.
My eyes traced his muscular arms.
He lifted my face so my eyes would meet his.
Andrew’s eyes smiled at me.
His jaw flexed and his eyes burned. I couldn’t believe how sexy he was.
Her eyes became cold.
When he came to a stop, he finally turned to me, his eyes angry, scared.
I would’ve known if he had, my eyes never left him.
His eyes danced.
His eyes jumped around and he wouldn’t look at me.
The next day at school, all eyes were on me.
His eyes almost bugged out of his head.
His eyes sought forgiveness.
I looked at Vincent; his eyes danced with excitement.
James asked, his eyes smiled and his voice calmed me.
I shrugged, keeping my eyes on that car.
Andrew’s eyes bore into mine.
I couldn’t find it in me to take my eyes off her.

So back to the question at hand. Is this wrong? It can’t be taken literally, but since we know it’s figuratively, does it stand? You tell us.

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