Converting my Pantsing/Can I plot my pantsing?

          I’ve been a pantser in my writing career and I’m looking to convert myself to a hybrid version of that as I move forward in my writing career. A pantser is someone who writes by the seat of their pants, as the story builds in their imaginative mind. A storyline, or character, comes to mind and you simply run with it.

          The other side of the spectrum is the plotters. I admire those people because they can rough draft, outline and story board until the path is crystal clear to anyone stepping into the mix. These are the people that can pinpoint the arc of the story without even blinking. 

          I’m learning tools from some of these plotters as I advance in my writing. I learned enough three years ago to actually plot out three pages of info that would comprise a ten book paranormal series. This was something for me as I’d never been able to do that before. I’d even done a full outline of the first book, so I could use it as a diagram for my synopsis. 

          I was impressed with myself enough to think that my mind was capable of being a hybrid between the two, as I know that I’m not programmed to be a true plotter. I’ve tried to be a sponge as I absorbed facts from Maggie Montgomery and Robin Perini with white boards and scene development. I’m far from their skills, but I’m seeing things that I’d never thought to add to my collective process. That’s why conferences and critique groups are so important to me, because that’s where the wealth of knowledge is. At least, for me it is.

 

So, I’m going to research the following, so I can share these things with others:

 

Outlining the plot                                                   Arc details

Synopsis pointers                                                    Character development
Archetypal characters                                             Story boards

 

          Let’s see what I can find because anything that helps me is a win/win for my readers as I fight to ensnare you all.

 

)))Corset Hugs(((

Ginny Lynn

Wench Writer

I'm branding myself and it doesn't hurt a bit

          Branding, some can do it and some can't. What celebrities come to mind when you think of this? I think of Beyonce with her glorious hair and unique fashion sense. I think of Betsey Johnson with her runway cartwheels and kaledescope of colors. What about Matthew McConaughey? He's known for his zest for nature with his tanned surfer good looks. Who else comes to mind? Or do you know of someone who tried and failed at this process?

                                               

          I decided last spring to come up with my own brand and I think that I did a pretty good job of it. Of course, I'm biased.:-) I've always loved corsets and used to get out my grandmother's old Sears & Roebuck catalog that sold waist cinchers, merry widows and garters. I'd even love having a framed replica of one of those pages, for nostalgia purposes, to hang above my sewing machine. I told myself back then that I'd make corsets for myself when I grew up and I did. I happily wear them anywhere that I can and especially while working for The Pirate Ship at the Georgia Renaissance Festival. Being a sassy red-head with curves doesn't hurt either. So, I took some of my loves and melded them together.

       
         I have a few friends who have no idea how to take this on, so I thought that I'd share what little I know. There are loads of websites that explain how to brand yourself and even lists that you can fill out in order to see where to look for your special niche. I think that I've even picked something that can follow me for several years, so I'm pleased with how well it's being received.
         
         I have wrapped myself in the concept of being a Wench Writer and I tend to dress the part when at writing meetings/events. I'm eventually going to make a few corset dresses that I can add to my collection and possibly find corset jewelry that I can wear when not in one of my creations. This vestment isn't for everyday, as it's not acceptable with my work dress code.

       The main thing is to find something that you adore and translate it into something comfortable that will span through your career. Make it tangible. Make it your own. Make it a part of yourself. Brand yourself and smile, because it doesn't hurt a bit.

       So, I'm a corset wearing, paranormal driven, pirate loving woman who happens to be a Wench Writer. I'm good with that.

)))Corset Hugs(((

Ginny Lynn

Wench Writer

WiP It

 
          I figured that I'd let you guys know a little bit about my latest work in progress, aka WIP. I've out done myself in regards to this project because it isn't some simple storyline. This has grown from a possible three book series, about four years ago, to now being a total of ten that I've already mapped out in a rough outline. This baby is going to be a labor of love and a true test of time with severe dedication.

          I've called it (drum roll please...) the Savage Series, as I wanted it to be about paranormals dealing with discrimination in the modern era. These characters are all different ethnicities and species, with their own zest for life. Some are cross breeds and some are simply the children of the foregone era of the genre. They all work at a bar outside of Hilton Head, South Carolina where new government laws are forcing them to accept humans into their midst. Hate groups and media frenzy are on the attack as the first night opening to mortals, a human is attacked and by a paranormal, no less. This leads them into a world of investigation and deeply hidden agendas, as they dig to uncover what dastardly creature has infiltered their lives.

          Constance Marie Parrish shouldn't even exist, let alone have to deal with someone digging their human nose into her skeleton lined closet. Who cares if the detective is sexy and the bar is under heavy scrutiny? This southern gal has to fight the predator within herself before she can fix anything else in her life. You see, she's half vampire half witch and her parents went to great lengths to conceive her. With her daddy being one of the top five most powerful warlocks in the United States, her powers were ingrained into her DNA. Sadly, so was her mother's vampiric thirst for blood, which she wished wasn't such a curse upon her existance.

          Her co-workers and friends include a bi-sexual vampire bartender (Leilei), bartender boss and a Jamaican necromancer (Cayman), a lone werewolf bouncer (Silas), a siren waitress (Vanna), a wraith waitress (WIllow), and the goblin bar owner (John Smith). Each one of them has a side that isn't shown to their best friend, let alone to the misguided minister that hounds them outside of the media filled parking lot.

          Nothing is as it seems and monsters are pulled out from under the bed, for all to see. This bar may be a haven where you can bring your inner beast but be careful of the darkness that lurks past your drink. Friendships, betrayals, lust and blood abound in this old warehouse as the inhabitants feed on more than the food served in it's stainless steel kitchen. This is the bar that could most certainly take a bite out of you, as you silently beg for more.

)))Corset Hugs(((

Ginny Lynn

Wench Writer

 

 

First time publishing

         From time to time, I'm going to give you updates on how things are progressing on my publishing debut this year. This is a whole new world for me and I'm learning along the way. It's always amazing how you never know all of the small details that go into something, until you're knee deep in it. I know that I've had to get some answers from people in the industry and I'm sure I'll be lining up more things to research as I get further in this new venture.

             

         Andromeda will be the first one to release and is set to happen this March. This is actually the second book that I have written, so it feels strange stating that it's my "first book". I've already gotten a few people confused on this and just have to laugh when it happens. This book is a paranormal romance about a 400 year old psychic vampire who falls in love for the first time, just as her maker comes back to claim her. Her loved ones are in jeopardy, but so is her body, when the rogue pirate enlists black magic to possess her.

            

        I'm at the stage where I've been assigned an editor (boy, is her job cut out for her) and I asked what things an author needs to look for in this process. Because I'm releasing in e-book first, then you have to have it formatted to fit and e-book. Not owning a Kindle or Nook (sad, huh?), I wasn't knowledgeable about their setup needs. So, I've completed that part, as of this past weekend. I was also told to look out for any name brands (Ex: cars, hotels, songs) and list them out so they could get proper credit. I was leery of using too many big names in my first two books, but I know songs were in my third and fourth book. We'll see what the rules are for lyrics and such, so I can correct any of that.

 

 

I'll get back to you guys once I have more to share. It truly is a whole new world out there and I've got my path to walk. Well, like the mouse said - back to work. I'm going in. :-).

 

)))Corset Hugs(((

Ginny Lynn

Wench Writer

 

         

About me, Squirrel!

           I figured that my followers/fans needed to know a little bit about me, so here is the randomness that I can provide. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask.
           I'm 41, with two kids plus 2 grandsons. I've been married for over 20 years, and yes, to the same man. I know, send me my award. I live and work in South Atlanta, plus attend college around here. College, sigh. I call college my Elective Surgery. I've signed myself up for this set of procedures, in order to better myself. Going back to school is painful but a way to improve my way of life, as I didn't go to college when I graduated from high school. I've been at it for a little over a year now and still have to do my clinicals in order to get my certificate. That entails night school, four nights a week (yikes), for four hours each night. Lord, give me strength. Once the "anesthesia" wears off and the "bandaids" have been ripped away, then I can start the "rehab" portion of the improvement. I think the "rehab" will be next semester. Wish me luck.
           Besides working 40 hours a week for a place that gives me on the job training, I have a busy personal life. In my "off time" I like to sew, knit, dance, crochet, read, and of course write. I'm hardly ever bored and my To Do List has been known to give on-lookers an anxiety attack. I've even posted once (or twice) about my list filing neglect charges on me. It's true. When I sit at home to watch a movie, I actually feel guilty about sitting idle. It's like I have to be knitting, or something, while I enjoy the movie. I'm terrible. My husband fusses at me for this obsessive trait and he has a right to. Shhh, don't tell him that I admitted that :-).
           Let's see, I've been writing manuscripts (books) since I was seventeen but have been writing poetry since maybe fifth grade. I still have some of the old stuff in a folder at home, with my Ziggy drawings. (If you don't know who Ziggy is, google him.) My first book was Just to be Left Alone and was written after my own idea of a Harlequin Intrigue, without even knowing what their guidelines where back then. Yes, that was ambitious. It was 90,000 words and had way too much back story. Thanks to my old writing group (Southside Scribes), and several rounds of revisions, this will be released as an e-book this May.
           My second book, Andromeda, is being released on e-book this March. Wow, about two months from now. I'm still in shock about all of this. (So Taylor Swift of me) Hey, I've only considered myself as a serious writer for about three years now, so I've got plenty enough time before I become even close to being jaded. This book is about a 400 year old psychic vampire that meets the man destined to be her first love but her maker has come back to claim her body, and power. I'm in love with her brother, Perseus, as well and will make sure to write his story in a year or so.
          I have other books, believe me, so this is far from over. This is just the beginning of my saga. This wench writer has wondorous tales to spin and imaginative boundaries to push. Because, that's what I do.

)))Corset Hug(((

Ginny Lynn

Wench Writer

Ta-Da!!

Well, here I am and this is my new blog. And about time, in my opinion. Some of you followed me from my previous group blog and I not only thank you but I hope to see some new faces here.

For those of you who don't know me, I'm a sassy red head who loves to write paranormal fiction while I attend college and keep a 40 hour a week job.  I start night school this summer as I travel the stressful road to getting two certificates in the medical field. I’m a vampire lover who married a werewolf and our hybrid kid makes us laugh every day, almost.  I'm also a pirate wench at the Georgia Renaissance Festival where I work for The Pirate Ship. As a hobby, I make fully laced steel boned corsets and wear them as much as I can get away with. That’s one reason why I have a tag line of: Support A Wench Writer. Corsets are a long time love and I’ll wear them until I’m too old to muster the strength to lace myself up.

I love all things paranormal, from rank fighting werewolves to vampires with souls, even sirens that feed on emotions instead of old sailor bones. I research other writers and see what’s out there so I can still show you guys something that hasn’t been seen before. My favorite authors are Laurell K. Hamilton and Sherrilyn Kenyon. I've met Sherrilyn, through a book signing at the 2011 GRW M & M Conference plus at the Southern Magic Luncheon this past November. This woman is even more remarkable in person than several of her fictional Dark Hunter characters combined. Now, I just need to shake hands with the creator of the Anita Blake series so I can scratch that off of my Bucket list.
  

Being a writer, I have so many voices in my head that if I sought out a psychiatrist he’d immediately put me on medication, if not several.  This would not bode well for my writing career so I gave all of my voices a serious "talking to" about not tattling on each other when I’m in meetings or studying. (Because that never ends well.) I have to keep paper by my bedside and in the console of my car for when the voices whisper good ideas to me, since they can be very persistent. I'm even wacky enough that I named for my muse Vivien, which  you'll hear about her from time to time. 

I have two books publishing through Secret Cravings Publishing this year, and it's still hard to believe that I can take that off of my aforementioned list, truly surreal. I'm even more lucky that this publishing house has the feeling of a true writing family. The first e-book is a paranormal romance, Andromeda, that comes out in March and then in May, I have Just to be Left Alone releasing as a romantic suspense. I'm currently doing my first touch of edits on Andromeda, which is a wonderful learning experience for someone who's only been a "serious" writer for about three years. They have the potential of both being in print by the end of the year, which would be a dream come true for me as I've always wanted to see my very own book on my bookshelf.

My most recent work in progress is a paranormal series based in Hilton Head, SC, named the Savage Series. I currently have ten books roughly outlined for this series with book one, Animal Management, already being finished. I wanted to have book two, Ravaged, completed by the beginning of 2013 but school and other things have me behind schedule. That's okay as I have it started, and waiting for me, while I get my other "babies" prepped for there debuts. I've had this series described as a paranormal Cheers, but with sex. I'll take that but it also has issues of discrimination, pieces of self growth and the moral to always be true to yourself plus your friends. This series is going to be a huge investment of my time, but she's worth every agonizing moment as I know that she'll see me into my future.

So, here I am. I’m dysfunctional, witty, sexy, sassy, and ready to make you laugh with the double dose of laughter that I always carry around with me. I'm random and eclectic, so there aren't any rules for me to break on this site. Keep tabs on me and I’m sure you won’t be bored, my imaginary friends never are.

)))Corset Hug(((

Ginny Lynn

Wench Writer