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     I have mad respect for anyone who can give an xxinstant chill-inducing picture with just one xxsentence. It takes skill, imagination, & incredible xxtalent to craft a few words into something that tells xxa much bigger picture.

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It’s all in the way you string those words together, unusual yet concise, visual and with style. Want some examples? Here’s a few great ones:

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Bad Guy from Season 3 Finale of Castle:

“You must’ve been bad if the devil sent a punishment like me.” 

Ooooooh…Heavens above! You just know this guy is about to inflict real pain. There’s going to be some serious scary happening real quick. And we’re glued to the screen to see what kind of creepy is going down.

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From Neal Caffrey on Season 3 of White Collar:

“You have judgment on speed dial.”

Neal, the handsome and charming art thief, is talking to Peter, the straight-laced FBI agent. How’s that for instant characterization? Only six words and yet there’s no doubt as to Neal’s assessment of Peter and how it applies to his  situation. Doesn’t it make you wonder what Neal has done to warrant that kind of expectation from Peter? Is it deserved? Is Neal up to something? That one statement opens up a Pandora’s box of questions that makes me itch to find the answers.

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From Drake Stone in the movie ‘Sorcerer’s Apprentice’: 

“I have prescription grade abandonment issues.”

Whoa. By his own admission, this dude is seriously messed up. Whatever craziness happens, we completely understand. He’s got major problems. From this sentence on, I’m expecting to see the guy go off the leash. I don’t know about you, but I want to keep watching to see what kind of mayhem is headed his way.

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All three of those dialogue pieces are short, but they pack huge punch. They’re mini sentences that deliver over-the-top imagery and strong characterization. 

The saying…Talk Is Cheap… well, its wrong on so many levels. Conversation and internal monologue shouldn’t be empty words to fill a page. They should be every bit as detailed, powerful, and visual as our imaginations. 

After all, it’s what makes the difference between a ho-hum scene to relay information, or something totally delicious that grabs you, pulls you in, and holds you there.

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xxFreakishly beautiful, isn’t it? Notice the layers. xxOne after the other, each building on the previous.

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Writing a book is like that. It’s a complex process that requires construction in stages. I’ve never heard of anyone that just sits down and writes a book in one draft. It takes many, many drafts. And with each one the story grows deeper and more defined. 

You start with the bones of the story, layer in plot points, foreshadowing, action, dialogue, and characterization. There’s research, world-building, and thousands of sensory details to weave together in a fresh and original way. Then there are surprises, twists you didn’t see coming when deep in your first draft. Ideas are like that sometimes.  You aim one direction and find yourself moving somewhere else entirely.  

But that’s the beauty of it. Creating quality and engaging fiction takes time. There’s nothing better than to be reading a book and be unable to put it down. And those surprise endings? The satisfying happy-ever-afters? That’s what happens when we writers have done our job well.

So yes, writing is like fungi. An idea sits in the forest of your mind, takes hold, and builds into a story layer by layer. It’s a fantastic business. I write for the challenge, I read for the pleasure, and when words take me to another place and time? I remember that great writing is what makes the read effortless. 

Creating that is astronomically hard. 

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He’s a very sweet boy and is happy to in from the cold, but he’s not to thrilled with the other inhabitants. As in…Sam Dog and Woggy Girl. Sam is happy as a doggy in mud and wants to be friends. Rudy flat out tells him to go take a hike! But he does so from the safety of the kitchen cabinet tops.  :~)

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Make connections.

Jobs once said that creativity is connecting things. (Awesome! The writer in me totally sees his point.) I think what he means is that people with a broad set of life experiences can often see things that others miss. He took calligraphy classes that didn’t have any practical use in his life — until he built the Macintosh. Jobs also traveled to India and Asia where he studied design and hospitality. Reach out. Don’t be complacent and don’t live in a bubble. Most importantly, connect ideas from different fields.

Broad Life Experiences.

I love that. As connections go, I equate this to my own mantra…Always Keep Learning. Same thing. The more you open your mind to, the more physical experiences you have, the more locales you wonder at, the more your life & spiritual center will expand.

This is important because what are we in the long run? We are the sum of our life’s experiences. Why not make that as big as you can? That way, when you head for your great reward you’ll have a lot to talk about!

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 This is my brand new Nook Color.

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I’m just so proud, and happy, and thrilled. The spending spree has begun. I’m buying and organizing into my digital bookshelves. I’ve checked my email, posted on Facebook, changed my settings, changed them back, and played with all the touch screen buttons for so long my hubby had to ask me about dinner.

What dinner?

I’m busy! Have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

He buys me the coolest birthday present ever, then worries about food? Seriously. This is the best toy I’ve received in a long while, so I deserve a little play time.  :~)

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Nook? Or Kindle?  

Two weeks. That’s all the time I have left to make this major decision.  

I’m here to tell you that’s not easy. Though I’ve toyed with wanting an ereader for well over a year, I hadn’t seriously stepped up to buy one. It was a ‘someday’ kind of thing. Then my birthday loomed on the horizon and Mr. McCabe said…’I know you want this ereader thing, so pick one out.” What? He knows I’m not the type to make this kind of purchase on the fly. Oh no. I’ve got to research to the ‘nth degree. Plot it, chart it, spreadsheet it, then stew on it. You should see me try to buy a car. I’m a salesman’s worst nightmare.

But that’s a decision for another year. Right now I had work to do… 

I’m on about a hundred different writer loops (seems like anyhow). If an ereader is mentioned, I’ve studied every posted word. I’ve even tossed a few questions out there myself. I’ve read Consumer Reports. I’ve Googled all available devises. I’ve poured over breathtaking comparison charts that made me gasp in admiration. I’ve even accosted strangers on the street when I’ve spotted them ereading and peppered them with questions. The result is that out of the many ereaders out there, I’ve boiled my decision down to two…Nook or Kindle. 

I’ve decided that I want both. “Not happening,” hubby says, “can’t afford both.” We’re still paying on that little termite problem at our house, you see. Who knew those rotten ratfinks could be so expensive to eliminate?  

So…not both then. I must decide. And I’ve only two weeks to do it. Which means I made a list. 

KINDLE PRO’s – simplistic, easy to use, attractive price, no outdoor screen issues, longer battery life with the black & white pearl e-ink display, 3G, 4G, & WiFi capable, easy navigation, 4GB space holds 3,500 books.

KINDLE CON’s – Limited to Amazon purchases only, no library sharing, need a lighted case for nighttime reading, black and white display, mini keyboard instead of touch screen.

NOOK PRO’s – attractive color display, backlit for easy reading, can purchase material at a variety of locations, can borrow from the library, slightly larger screen with touch navigation, SD card slot for additional storage, WiFi capable, runs apps & can access email.

NOOK CON’s – higher price, slightly less storage (not a real con though as it still holds a few thousand books and there’s that SD card thing), less battery life because of the color display, slightly heavier (though we’re only talking ounces here), backlit screen tiring on the eyes, WiFi only with no 3G or 4G capability (only a factor for power users).

Result? Either would work for me. But in the end, I’m being seduced the Nook Color’s lovely display. And the apps. Not that I need them, but they are there and that’s cool. But check back tomorrow, I’ll probably have changed my mind by then. 

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Very informative article on Fast Company ezine written by Irin Carmon. It’s about the delightful Ms. Angela James of Carina Press, the popularity of ebooks, mentions digital publishers, and I’m thrilled to say - it also features Music City Romance Writers (MCRW)!!

Ms. Carmon attended our April meeting because Angela James graciously flew in to give us a presentation on the world of digital publishing. It was a very enlightening meeting, which you’ll see when you read all the info in this article. And the icing on the cake? Two MCRW members (and friends of mine) are quoted in the write up. Sweet!

Check it out > > > LINK > > >  FAST COMPANY ARTICLE!

I was also lucky enough to sit next to Ms. Carmon.  She had a Mac laptop and I kept sneaking peeks. As a PC user it was the first time I’d laid eyes on the workings of Apple (no, I don’t have an iphone, or an ipad, though I’d like both!). It looked most awesome. Sadly, the one thing Ms. Carmon didn’t mention in her article is what a friendly and witty table companion I am. Had to be because she’d hit her word count. I mean, I’m awesome too. Just ask anybody…honest…

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      LINK  ALERT!!

     http://jodywallace.com/books/fieldtrip.htm

     This takes you to her website where there’s a coupon to  xxdownload the book for FREE! She’s just awesome like that.

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I am also proud to say that military service runs deep in my family too. Their service has been, and still is, the hallmark of patriotism.  

Dad – Aaron Brooks, Army

Brother – Marc Brooks, Army

Brother – Mike Brooks, Marines

Brother – Philip Brooks, National Guard

Sister - Mystique Maldonado, ROTC

Aunt – Kayelle Allen, Navy

There’s more, but there’s not enough room to name all the cousins, aunts, uncle’s, grandparents, and extended family and friends who deserve recognition. But I want to let you, and every single person who serves, know that I always respect what you do. And say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. May God Bless each one of you and keep you safe.

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