Giving up Oprah

I don't watch Oprah any more. I don't have time. I had to give up something in order to accomplish my writing goals. So I don't watch a lot of TV. One hour max a week if it's a show I'm following during the season. Off season, during the summer, I don't watch any.

Anyway, I wrote down something Oprah said on April 18, 2005. She said, "One of the greatest lessons I've learned is every choice, every single choice you make either moves you forward or holds you back in your life."

What choices do you make in life that help you reach your dreams? Your goals? You want to write a best seller? Have you made the choice to write TODAY?

Want to lose twenty pounds? Have you made an effort TODAY?

What choices do you make every day of your life to reach your goals? Want an agent for your novel? How many agents have you queried TODAY?

If you want to walk a journey of a hundred miles, you have to take the first step.

To reach your goals, you must be proactive, not inactive. You have to find the time. It won't find you.

The Me Survey

I am: almost always content.

I think: about writing. A lot.

I know: Jesus aches when we ache.

I have: a beautiful family.

I wish: I didn't have diabetes.

I hate: false doctrine.

I miss: my parents.

I fear: too many to list.

I feel: too deeply, too silently.

I hear: Vince Gill

I smell: Dove Chocolates.

I crave: romance.

I search: for Vince Gill concert tickets. Or world peace.

I wonder: when my novel will hit the NY Times best-seller list.

I regret: not getting serious about writing sooner. Being in legalism.

I love: life

I am not: big on changes.

I believe: in trying to stay positive.

I dance: to the music of the words.

I sing: when I am moved.

I cry: when no one can see.

I don't always: share my heart.

I fight: injustice.

I write: faithfully

I win: the cheesecake wars.

I lose: the battle of the bulge.

I never: give up.

I always: get up when life knocks me down.

I confuse: the characters in my head. ; - )

I listen: when people talk to me.

I can usually be found: writing.

I am scared: 0f not being there for my kids.

I need: to write every day.

I am happy about: my life.

I imagine: my life after the NY Times best-seller lists my book.

I tag: Chris, Audrey, Debbie R., Marry, Judy M., Di, Melissa, Robin

AT HIS COMMAND

In her newest release, AT HIS COMMAND, author Brenda Coulter breathes life into fascinating characters.

One of the many things I loved about this book is the way the author gives the hero a problem that faces many of our military heroes today.

Set in Prairie Springs, Texas, the book is the story of former Army pilot Jake Hopkins, a hero injured in the line of duty who tries desperately to forget the life he once lived.

When we are brought low by pain, by disappointment, when things don’t turn out the way we’d hoped they would in our life, we often turn away from the very One who can give hope, restore joy and bring healing. This is exactly what Jake does.

He’s a man running away, a man trying to live life using his own strength.

AT HIS COMMAND is the story of heroine Madeline Bright and her unwavering determination to save the man behind the mission. She’s smart and funny with a side of spunk that makes her an engaging character.

I rooted for these characters from the very first page of the book. The author drew me right into Jake and Madeline's life with the very first sentence and didn't let go until the last one. I read a ton of books and pass many on to friends and family. But reserved for those special few that touch my heart, I have a keeper shelf and this one is going on that shelf.

AT HIS COMMAND is a wonderful reminder of the joy and hope God gives us when we run to Him during the darkest times of our lives.

AT HIS COMMAND will be available in stores August 26.

Order now from Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0373874960

Visit Brenda's blog, No ruless. Just write. http://brendacoulter.blogspot.com

You're Ugly. Will You Marry Me?

I read a story where the hero calls the heroine a bad name. Now I don't know about you, but that doesn't evoke warm fuzzies within me. If I were the heroine, I'd show the hero the door. Probably with my boot print on the seat of his pants.

I read another novel where the hero told the woman she was ugly. I checked to make sure I was reading a romance novel. Yep. I was. By a well known publisher too. Not only did the hero tell her she was ugly once but several times. And then she fell in love with him? Hmmm...anyone see therapy for emotional abuse in her future?

I forced myself to finish the book to see if the author explained WHY the hero acted like he'd won Jerk of the Year. Nope. He'd 'had much happen to him'. Like what? Being raised by wolves?

I hated it. The writer tried to make the hero come across as macho. Instead, he came across like a gorilla on steroids. One that failed anger management class.

Writing is a Road Trip

When most people go on a long journey, they consult a map to figure out the best way to get to their destination. They carefully pack a suitcase or two, make sure they have what they need to get from point A to point B.

Yet, some of those same people expect to write perfect prose the first time out and are stunned when they receive rejection after rejection. Writing is just like any other job. You have to learn to do it right.

It's been said, "Write what you know." Baloney. Why limit yourself? Explore what you don't know. Learn what you don't know. Plan your writing trip. Pack the necessary items through reading, through classes and workshops. Just make sure you don't fall into the trap some writers fall into...that of learning and never writing.

Writing is a road with a lot of detours and if you don't take what you need for the trip, it'll take you twice as long to arrive.

Exercise for the Writer

Do you write every day? Developing a daily writing habit will sharpen your abilities more than a dozen writing classes. More than reading a dozen 'how-to' books. You become good at what you do by sticking with it on a consistent basis.

For those days when you don't want to work on your manuscript (although my advice about that is to sit down and do it anyway) there are many ways to jumpstart your creativity without spending a dime.

Writing exercises:

1.) Your character is in the middle of a locked room. No windows. He/she can hear voices and by what they're saying, your character's every move is being observed. Why? What happened?

2.) Seconds before your character says 'I do', there's a commotion in the back. Your character's Aunt Bertha gasps and faints. What happened?

3.) Your character is framed for murder. The only way to prove his/her innocence is to run. Where?

4.) It's the 1800's. Your character was just gambled away in a poker game. What now?

A muse is a myth. If you're to achieve your writing dreams, it'll be because you were willing to work hard enough to get there.