Writing Marathons by Janice Seagraves

Writing Marathons

By Janice Seagraves

If you’re like me, you’re probably logging long periods of time on the keyboard getting your words down or maybe you’re patriating in the NaNoWriMo.

If so, here’s some helpful advice for keeping yourself healthy and comfortable during your writing marathon.

1. Remember to blink! Writing late into the night and staring at the screen for hours on end can dry out those peepers. So, don’t forget to blink.
2. Don’t ignore your body. That slight pressure now will build up to an intolerable pain later.
3. Drink water or some kind of fluid. Dehydration can be a real problem along with the other stuff I mentioned.
4. Wrapping your hands around a nice warm cup of tea or coffee can be very comforting.
5. Every so often get up and move around. Your back and legs will thank you later by not hurting so much.
6. Pace yourself. Rushing toward the ending can be an adrenaline rush, but it’ll make your back and neck hurt.
7. Get a massage. Night after night of long hours bent over the keyboard will make your back and neck hurt. Either pay for a massage at the mall or get a love one to massage your back and neck for you.
8. While getting the words down you might be forgoing sleep. That’s going to come back and bit you on the butt later, so try to get a few hours rest so you don’t look like a zombie and scare the kids.
9. Wear comfortable clothes. I recommend pajamas while writing long hours at the computer. They won’t bind you in the wrong places like Regular Street clothes will. Of course, if you’re writing at work your boss might be questioning your work attire, so be sensible and wear the PJ’s at home.
10. For Pete’s sake get a comfortable chair. I know some people’s funds are low, but your back will love you later if you just get the right chair.
11. Get a small stool to set a foot or both feet on. They also sell a slanted stool for computer use. I know I’m stressing back comfort, but I do have a chronic bad back, so take my lessons to heart if you’re having a similar problem.
12. If you like to nibble at the computer, try to find something that won’t clog up your keyboard with crumbs like popcorn or de-stemmed grapes.
13. If you like to listen to music while you write then I suggest using earphones, so you don’t bother your family and it’ll block out the endless whine of them asking you to rejoin the world of the living.

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

Windswept Shores Two Book Series

 

Blurb: The sole survivor of a plane crash, Megan is alone on a deserted island in the Bahamas. Then she finds a nearly-drowned man. Another survivor, this time from a boat wreck.
With only meager survival skill between them, will they survive these windswept shores and can they find love?
In trade paperback: https://www.createspace.com/4084680
And for the Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AS9NDNO

Excerpt:
His hand lingered on her shoulder. Her trembling vibrated up his arm. Blimey, she’s all shaken up.
“S’kay, she’ll be right.” He grabbed her sleeping pallet, pulled it over, slipping an arm around her waist.
Her body went rigid. “What are you doing?”
“Relax, mate, I’m not trying to get a leg over. You need a bit of comfort so you can go back to sleep. My mum would cuddle me when I’d have a howler of a nightmare. It’s nice to know you’re not alone.”
“So, I’m supposed to think of you like my mom or dad?”
“Or like yer husband if that’ll help?” He grinned in the dark, wondering what kind of reaction he was going to get.
“I think not.”
“I noticed you weren’t wearing a wedding ring. Is it because yer husband drowned?” His heart beat a little faster when he asked the question. He really wanted to know if he had a chance with her.
“No, he’s not drowned,” she snapped. “I lost my ring in the ocean, but I’m not sure when. I just looked down one day, it was gone.”
She’s in denial about her husband’s death. I reckon it’s too soon. A little disappointed, he decided to change subjects. “So, you got any ankle biters at home?”
“Two boys.”
“How old?” he asked. They must be missing their mum, poor little nippers.
“Joshua is twenty. He’s in college. Eli is eighteen and just graduated from high school.”
“Blimey, how long have you been married to your bloke?”
“Twenty-three years this January,” she said.
“How old are you?” He positioned his head where he could breathe in the scent of her hair, and inhaled a floral fragrance. How does she manage to smell fresh in a place like this?
Megan moved a bit forward. “Do you know that it’s considered very rude to inquire after a woman’s age?”
“Not where I’m from, so spill.” He scooted up some, placing his knees behind hers.
She pulled away. “Humph, well, okay I’m forty-two.”
“You’re still spunky.” He wondered how far she’d move until she ran out of room in her tiny shelter.
“Uh, spunky, thanks.” Megan rolled onto her back.
Blimey, she out maneuvered me. Seth was forced to move back, but kept his hand on her tummy.
“You got hitched when you were a young ‘un?” He quickly did the math. She’s a bit older than me. More of a challenge.
“Yeah, I got married at nineteen, but I knew what I wanted, or thought I did. Have you ever been married?”
“Got hitched once.”
“What happened?” she asked. Her bed rustled as she shifted position.
“We got into a blue, she told me to shove off, so I left. So that was the end of that.” His hand drifted to her rib cage.
“Any kids?” she asked, pushing his hand down.
“A son named Nick. He just turned six.”
“Okay, now you have to tell me how old you are.”
“I’m an old prawn. I just had my thirtieth birthday.”
“That’s not old, especially not for a man.”
“I’m starting to feel it when I surf,” he admitted, smoothing a wrinkle on her shirt.
“Oh, you’re a surfer?”
“Back in Uni I got caught up chasing the good breakers on Spring Break. I headed out from Cali to Baja, then from there to Florida. I became a Surfie. That’s what you’d call someone who surfs more than they work. Then I met this old bloke, Bill, in a pub. He’s from Oz too, or so I thought, but it turns out he’s an apple.”
“An apple?” she asked.
“He hails from Tasmania. I was broke doing odd jobs. Bill hired me to help on his fishing boat.”
“Wait a minute, Oz?”
“Oz, short for Australia,” he explained, moving his mouth toward where he thought her ear was, saying softly, “It’s in the sound Au`z-tralia—Oz.”
———————————
Trade paperback: https://www.createspace.com/4084680
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AS9NDNO
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/446101
Janice Seagraves’s website: http://janiceseagraves.org/

---

Windswept Shores Two

Blurb: Megan and Seth are finally rescued off their little island, but things are far from idyllic. Seth is arrested for murder, and Megan is order to return home to her philandering husband who is somehow still alive. Will they ever get back together again or see the life they envisioned?
Except:
“Megz, I thought you were going home?” Seth chided as she took the seat across from him at the old beat up wooden table.
“I have a flight in two hours. Time enough to see you before I leave.” She blinked back tears.
This is so unfair. This can’t be the last time I see him.
Megan folded her hands on the table. “We already checked out of the hotel, but I brought your luggage. The commissioner gave me the okay, so now you have a change of clothes for when you go in front of the judge. I also bought you a few necessities. Since soap and such are not provided, I was told it’s customary for family members to buy those items for the inmates.” She sat a white plastic bag on the table. “These have already been cleared for your use.”
He eyed the bag. “Did your boys pay for it?”
This is the last thing I can do for him, and he doesn’t want it? “Don’t you argue with me, Seth Dawson. You need these.” She fisted her hands. “I also put some money into an account here at the jail for anything else you might need.”
“Ta fer that, love. I’ll pay your sons back somehow.” Seth took one of her hands and uncurled her fingers. “I did want to see you one last time. I didn’t reckon with us parting this way. You to yer rotten bloke, and me here on charges.” He smiled. “Cuddling up on one of your siblings’ sofas sounded nice.”
“Crowded maybe, but we would’ve been together.”
“I heard you made a statement.”
“I did.” She sighed and looked down. I’m not sure what good it’ll do, Seth.
“Thanks for trying, love,” Seth murmured. “I don’t reckon on it being much since you didn’t know Bill before he died.”
“The commissioner said most of my statement is hearsay.” She shrugged. “The only thing I could really tell them was: Bill was dead when we found him and looked the same as the other drowning victims. Also, you never said a bad word about him and showed genuine grief at seeing his body.”
“Not much to go by.” Seth rubbed his thumb across her knuckles.
The slight touch sent a tingle through her, and she wanted to throw herself across the table at him. “The commissioner said he was going to contact the harbormaster where the Dinki-Di had been birthed to see if you two had gotten into any fights.”
“We didn’t.” Seth shook his head. “We got along.”
“Maybe he’ll make a statement too.”
“Gawd, I hope so,” Seth said. “I don’t have enough character references, being from out of town.”
“No, just me.” She tried to smile.
“And old Bill who’s gone.” He lifted her hand to kiss her fingers.
“Times up,” said a guard.
Megan stood and stared at Seth wanting to remember him. Not like this in the black and white jail clothes, but the way he was on the island, happily rumpled in his threadbare outfits.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/637092https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/637092
Buy Link: Amazon USA: https://www.amazon.com/Windswept-Shores-Two-survivors-story-ebook/dp/B01BPLNHTI/
Buy Link: Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.com/Windswept-Shores-Two-survivors-story-ebook/dp/B01BPLNHTI/

Conflict in Writng by Janice Seagraves

Conflict in writing

By Janice Seagraves

Most writers know that to have an interesting story which draws the reader in, you must have conflict.

Conflict = story.

One way to have conflict is to make your main character an underdog.

Why an underdog?

Because people love to root for an underdog.

Example: Remember Charlie Brown, trying every year to kick that football? Didn’t you root for him, even though you knew Lucy would pull that ball away each and every time, he tried to kick it?

That’s conflict.

Let’s face it, no one wants to root for Ken and Barbie who live an idyllic life in the suburbs. 

In my short story, Cowgirls Don’t Cry, I have my heroine, Gwen have a bad day:

Cowgirls Don’t Cry:

Arthur helped Gwen into her jacket and sniffed her hair, getting a lungful of cherry blossom from her shampoo. “Your jacket does nothing for that sexy dress.”

She slipped her arms into the sleeves. “Sorry, but it’s all I have.”

He settled the coat on her shoulders. “I’ll have to buy you another one.”

“It never ends, does it?” Mr. Ortega shook his head before stepping through the doorway.

Gwen flipped her dark hair out of the coat and glowered after him. “Client of yours?”

“Yes. What are you feeling?”

“His disdain for women is like a throb in a bad tooth.”

A chill flowed up his spine. “What else?”

Gwen met his gaze. “Whatever he’s done, he’s guilty as hell.”

That left him stunned, but he had no reason to doubt her. Understanding emotions was Gwen’s talent. Feeling eyes on him his gaze met those of the secretary, Mrs. Blackstone.

Mrs. Blackstone tittered. “You got a clairvoyant there?”

“If you really must know, I’m empathic.” Gwen toss her purse over her shoulder.

“Do you see ghosts, too?”

“Sometimes.”

Gwen must be upset to share that bit of information. She was usually close-mouthed about her abilities.

“You’re good at reading people, then?”

“You can say that.”

“Maybe we should hire you for a lie detector.” The secretary laughed.

“Whatever.” Gwen rolled her eyes and darted out the door.

He grabbed his overcoat and briefcase then followed his fiancée. “Gwen, wait up.”

She stopped by a white, king cab truck and was in the process of digging out keys from her purse. “I don’t appreciate being laughed at.”

“I know.” He jogged the last few steps to her, still putting on his overcoat. “We should have discussed what you were getting from my client when we got outside.”

“You are representing him.” She clicked her key fob. The truck’s interior lights came on and the door clicked. The truck had the name ‘Clarkson Ranch’ on the door in dark-blue letters.

He stared. “When did you get a new truck?”

“Steve gave it to me today.” Her smile was equal parts sadness and pride.

“It’s official?”

“Yes, he saw his lawyer about his living trust and it’s a done deal. I’m officially my stepdad’s heir. He even introduced me to the hired hands. I also had to quit my waitress job and drop out of college.”

He took in her sad expression and hugged her. “I’m sorry. I know how much school meant to you.”

“I wanted so much to become a professional artist.” She shook her head. “I’ll never get the chance now.”

***

Another way to have conflict in a romance is to have newly divorced Ken, (Barbie ran off with G.I. Joe), have a miserable day—conflict.

Example: Say Ken’s Porsche breaks down on the way to work and he has to have it towed. As he waits impatiently for the tow truck driver, he’s mentally marking off all the things that went wrong that week (conflict). Just after he’s comes to the conclusion that he is alone and unloved the tow truck driver arrives. But a pretty woman steps out. It’s P.J. The baggy coveralls can’t hide her full figure and the grease smudges on her cheeks can’t cover up her lovely face or her Malibu tan.  Maybe P.J.’s father or uncle owns the business, or maybe she owns it herself.  Or maybe she’s not a tow truck driver, but a pick-up service for a car rental agency.

So, Ken thanks his lucky star that he’s spotted this beauty, but when he asks P.J. out she turns him down—flat.

Why? Conflict.  

No conflict—no story.

In Cowgirls Don’t Cry, I have Arthur’s father getting overly involved in his grown children’s lives.

Why? Conflict.

Cowgirls Don’t Cry excerpt:

His father, Ector Castel, had his back to him as he spoke to his sister. “I think you should marry Roger Clemens.”

Arthur frowned. Clemens is the senior partner at my law firm. The guy is way too old for Melissa.

Melissa crossed her arms and glowered at their father. “No, Dad. He’s white-haired and wrinkly. I have no desire to be saddled with a senile old man.”

“Your makeup business is not producing enough of an income. You’re pretty enough to be a second wife for someone of means. And Roger will provide well for you.”

“That’s a no, Dad. I’m not going to be a trophy wife.” When her gaze swept in Arthur and Gwen’s direction, Melissa’s sour expression changed into a grin. “Arthur, Gwen. You’re here.”

“Had to stay a little late today because of a meeting with a client,” Arthur said by way of a greeting.

“Now, that’s what I like to hear. My boy is going places.” His father slapped him on the back.

Gwen raised an eyebrow. She didn’t understand their relationship, so he let it go. If it came up later, he’d explain then.

“Dude.” Will, his little brother, walked over and offered his knuckles in greeting.

Arthur did a fist bump with him.

His stepmother Stephanie leaned into the kitchen. “Our guests have arrived. You can serve the meal now.”

The family took seats around the table. Soon one of the female servants brought out a huge bowl of salad and started to serve everyone.

“Son, you have something to announce?” Ector took his seat at the head of the table, and Stephanie sat next to him. “I know it’s too early to be offered a partnership. You’re still a junior associate at your firm.”

“Yeah.” Arthur hated how his father always rushed his plans. He waited until the wine and sparkling cider were served and took his fiancée’s hand. “Gwen and I are getting married.”

“How wonderful.” Melissa clapped her hands. “You two make a perfect couple.”

“That’s great!” Will grinned. “Welcome to the family, Gwen.”

Stephanie, as usual, said nothing and looked toward Ector.

Ector Castel grimaced. “Are you sure about this, son?”

***

Whatever your conflict is, you’ve got to either keep it going or bring in some new conflict. New conflict is great, especially if you overlay it with the old conflict.

Example: Charlie Brown gets depressed about not kicking the football and visit Lucy at her psychiatrist’s help booth to tell her all his troubles. Then she basically calls him a loser.

Why? For additional conflict.

Lucy is the antagonist; her job is to cause conflict.

Back to Ken. He’s finally got P.J. to go on a date with him. All’s great in Ken’s life, right?  But what if her business partner doesn’t like Ken and tells him so right to his face?

Why? For additional conflict. That partner is the antagonist for Ken’s story. He’ll keep poor Ken on his toes for the rest of the story.

In Cowgirls Don’t Cry, I have Arthur’s father disapproving of his choice in brides.

Cowgirl’s Don’t Cry excerpt:

“Gwen is still a poor college student.” His father slammed his fist down on the table. “She has nothing to offer you.”

“You’re wrong.” Arthur turned toward his fiancée. “Tell him.”

Gwen had flinched at Ector’s show of anger and, being empathic, probably felt it, too. She stared down a moment at her untouched salad. “As of today, I’ve withdrawn from college and quit my job. I’m officially Steven Clarkson’s supervisor at his ranch. He’s teaching me how to manage a huge estate, so when I inherit it I can run it.”

“It’s a million-dollar property, Father.”

“Um, no.” Gwen glanced over to him. “It’s been recently reevaluated for his living trust. It’s actually worth four million.”

“So, you see, Father, Gwen is worth four million dollars. Isn’t that something to offer?”

“Where are you going to live once you marry?” Ector’s voice took on a sarcastic tone. “At the farm or the condo?”

“Steve has already given me a three-bedroom, two-bath house on the ranch.” Gwen cleared her throat. “It’s being updated.”

“Updated?” Ector echoed. “You mean renovated?”

Gwen nodded. “With hardwood floors, granite counter tops, new cabinets, and a larger master bedroom with a bath that’s connected to it.”

“That’s called an ensuite,” Melissa said in a low voice.

“Um, yeah.” Gwen nodded. “My mom has really good taste and she’s picking out the furnishings.”

“I’m sure you think so.” Ector switched his stern gaze to his son. “Steven Clarkson is a healthy fifty-year-old. He probably has another twenty years in him at least. Are you willing to wait that long, or longer, until her inheritance comes in? No, Arthur, she isn’t for you. You need a wealthy woman, or one who will help you politically. Not a child with more dreams than brains.”

See, conflict. Now, hopefully, you feel for my heroine and hero and want to know what happens next and will want to read on.

I hope this helps you with your own writing.

Hot Fun in the Summer Time, our summer antho, releases 25 June.

Amazon preorder link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RRRZP2Q

The weather is heating up, but it’s not just the sun and the sand which will keep you hot.

This summer anthology brought to you by the authors of Romance Books 4 Us will bring temperatures to your eReader that will set unheard of heat records, scorching the tips of
your fingers as you turn the pages.

Sultry temperatures.
Passionate couples.
Unbelievable desire.

#writingtips #writinghelp #passivewriting Turning Passive Writing into Active Writing By Janice Seagraves

Turning Passive Writing into Active Writing

By Janice Seagraves

Since I’ve been seeing a lot of passive writing in the critiques I’ve been doing here lately, I thought I’d do a vlog on passive writing.

What do I mean by passive writing?

Have you ever heard of show and don’t tell?

Passive example: Rose was mad.

What’s wrong with the above sentence? Not much really. It does what it’s supposed to do, it tells us Rose is mad. But it doesn’t show us that Rose is mad.

Active writing example: Rose slammed the door closed then stomped through the room. “That jerk!” Picking up a flower filled vase, she hurled it against the wall where it shatters.

Not a real great example but you get the idea. Notice I used the words: Stomped and Hurled. These are active verbs. I wanted to show action and anger even in my word choice.

Passive writing is that, passive. It doesn’t show the reader anything.

Have you noticed while watching a movie that when an actor portraying a character that is mad, he doesn’t just frown. He stomps, shouts and will nearly always breaks something. He’s showing us he’s angry. And in writing, we need to show it too.

Another example: Rose was sad and wanted to cry.
Again, there is nothing wrong with this sentence, but it’s still telling up and not showing us how the character Rose feels.
Active writing example: She closed the door and leaned on it. A tear worked its way past her control. She rubbed the wetness off her face with an impatient swipe of her fingers.
You can see here that I’m conveying the feeling of sadness without telling you she was sad.

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




Blurb:

Morgan isn’t expecting romance when she accompanies her friend for a week of skiing, but when she meets Jared all bets are off.

Jared has secrets that he doesn’t mind sharing with a special lady, and he hopes Morgan is that special someone. When his past and present collide it’s worse than he imagined, and he’s forced to fight for his life.

A Sad Excerpt:

“Morgan, open up.” The woman pounded on the door again.

Unlocking the door, Morgan stepped back so her mother could enter. “Mom, this is Jared. The man
I’ve been seeing. Jared this is my mom, Alice Brookhaven.”

“Good day, Mrs. Brookhaven.” He held out his hand.

Instead of shaking his hand, she scanned him up and down. “No belt or tie.”

“Hardly anyone wears a belt and tie anymore.” Morgan snorted.

“What’s with his hair?” Alice stared. “Did you dye it that color?”

He ran his hand over his mane. “This is natural.”

“Orange?”

Morgan frowned at her mother. “It’s a type of red, Mom. Lots of Scotts are redheaded.”
Alice gave her a sharp look before turning back to Jared. “Did one of your parents have hair that
color?”

“I donna remember.” His heart twisted at the thought of his parents.

“Are you an orphan?”

“Aye.” As the deep emptiness filled him, he slumped against the wall staring down. “That I am. I have not even a photo of me mum and da to know which of them had red hair.”

“Oh, sorry to hear that.” Mrs. Brookhaven stared at his bare feet then checked her daughter’s, too.

“Were you both naked when I called?”

“Huh?” Surprised at the accuracy of her guess, he baulked. He didn’t want to tread on dangerous ground with this woman. Jared glanced at Morgan for assistance.

Morgan threw her hands in the air. “Oh, Mom, you didn’t give us much notice.”
----------------------------------------------------------

 Year of the Cat: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0748CP9JH

#writinghacks #writingadvice Writing Hacks by Janice Seagraves

Here’s are some ideas that might make writing a little easier. I know they’ve helped me with my writing, and I hope they can help you, too.

*One scene one POV. This simple reminder has helped me to keep from head hopping, especially when I was a new writer. (Not that you do that.)

*You should sprinkle in backstory like cookie crumbs. A little goes a long way.

*Make sure all your threads are tied up by the end of the story in one nice neat bow.

*Avoid adverb abuse in dialogue tags and use said instead. It is nearly invisible to the reader.

*There are times when you don’t need or want to use said, so use an action tag instead.

*Be careful not to use duplicate words. Too many looks, stared, arched eyebrow or frowns etc., catches the writer’s eye and pulls them out of the story.

*Don’t say your character blushed. Say his or her face heated since they can’t see their own face.

*This is one of mine: Avoid a saggy middle by using the middle of your story for the big reveal. That means a sudden death, a body found, or something scary happens, or if you're like me and write romance then you can use the middle for the first kiss, first sex scene, etc.

*And my new favorite and one that I learned from a revision work shop: When working on revisions, if there is a favorite scene or sentence that you’re not sure if you want to delete, open a file and name it deleted scenes, then saved that scene or sentence. If your story reads better without that section then leave it out, but if your story needs it then nothing is lost, and you can add it back in.

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

Alien Heart, the first of a whole new SF series.

https://www.amazon.com/Alien-Heart-Chronicles-Arcon-Book-ebook/dp/B01N0N73OF/

Blurb: Divorcee and single mom, hardworking Audrey Westberry is the host of a cable TV show called Miz Fixit.
Romance was the last thing on Audrey’s mind when two handsome extraterrestrials join the audience of her show.
Soon Audrey finds out a single word “mated” has different meaning when you are born a galaxy away. After a wonderful night of passion, Audrey finds herself far from home, impregnated and her life turned upside down.
Will she ever be able to leave the alien compound, see her son again, or get home in time to film the fall season of her Miz Fixit show?
But what’s a girl to do with two aliens that smell like candy, and their kisses taste like it, too?

Janice's website:  https://janice-seagraves.org/

Janice's Twitter: https://twitter.com/janiceseagraves

Janice's FaceBook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JaniceSeagravesAuthor/