I'm facing a fear

I've entered a few contests but not one with my own branch of RWA (Romance Writers of America). I'm a member of Georgia Romance Writers and we have an annual conference every October. It's called the Moonlight & Magnolia Conference and we invite others in our craft to speak about tools to improve our skills. 

This group is my foundation for turning my hobby into a side career. I wouldn't be a best selling author without the people in this group. They gave me the boost to pull my manuscripts out of the closet and share them with publishers. It's my growth with them that got me to Secret Cravings Publishing, where I found a home in the publishing world. 

Most of you know that I'm busier than a mosquito at a nudist colony. Between school, a 40 hr a wk day job, family, and writing, I'm a hot southern mess. But, I am smiling :-). I have taken a few minutes to write (on days when the teacher isn't poking holes in my attention span) and currently have 2.3 finished manuscripts that I'm going to be submitting. But this hasn't left me much time to promote the two that are currently out there. I'm going to see what I can do about that.

Here's where the fear comes in.

I've decided to submit both of my novels to our local contest. YIKES! I know the talent that I'm surrounded by in this group but I'm throwing mine into the mix anyway. Yes, there's a big chance that I won't win as I'm in awe of the competition, but I'm doing it. It's like winning the lottery. You know that the chance is slim but you won't win anything if you don't actually get the ticket. Right?

So, I'll have months to wonder about it (like when we submit queries for our manuscripts) but my nerves are used to being strung tighter the the tightrope over the Grand Canyon. The fact is that I'm looking fear in the beady little eyes and seeing where I land. If nothing else, I conquered my thoughts on not being "Worthy Enough" as being published already shows that I hit that mark. It may even give me the boost to push other limits that are aiming for my comfort zone but those can't be faced until after I graduate. Fear isn't setting that line in the sand but my psych is too thin to push my luck. I have my goals and I'm smiling at them.

So what fear is hiding under your fictional bed? Do you need a hand to hold? Are you too worried about what others will think of your attempts? Does it matter, in the grand scheme of things?

Talk to me.

)))Corset Hugs(((

Ginny Lynn

Wench Writer

How I Unblock My Scenes

As a busy writer, I sometimes leave my scenes for weeks (months, cringe). This is because of  my working and attending college, so something has to give.

Once, I left a character bleeding and broken on the edge of her bathroom tub, for almost six months. Needless to say, she was not pleased when I found the time to get her curvy butt off of the fixture. I knew that I needed to get her out of there but she was giving me the silent treatment. I'm surprised she didn't lose her limbs from them falling to sleep quicker than Snow White.

After that, I learned a few tools to get myself back into the feeling of the manuscript.

1. I always try to leave myself a paragraph (or three) a the bottom of each manuscript so I know where I am in the story and where I need to focus.

2. When that doesn't help, or I'm fighting writer's block, once I have a spare moment to writer, I figured something else out. I start writing or typing every little thing that could possibly happen in the scene. Say that same young lady was not talking to me after I left her in that bathroom, go figure, I would then read the paragraph I left myself as a note. If she still isn't warming up to me, then I would start going over everything that I could possibly do to her, like: have a goblin run in, have the sprinkler go off on her, leave her with no towels, have someone walk in on her....etc. Then it becomes apparent what is the best, or worse thing (mwahahaha) to do to her.

Both of these have saved me on many an occasion, so I thought that while I further my writing tools, I can see if any of this helps my fellow writers.

Would you need something like this or do you have any tools that you could share that have helped you? Please let us know.

)))Corset Hugs((

                             Ginny Lynn

                           Wench Writer

Pros and Cons of being Me - body issues

Pros and Cons of being me

I've decided to do a list of these things as I take the year to feel better about being an individual. This one is about my self image.

I'm 42 years old and need to be happier in the body that I possess. If I had my way, I'd be built more like Kate Upton or Fergie, but I'm not. They have the money and lifestyles to have personal trainers, dieticians, and life counselors. Not me.

So, this blog is about the comments I have received about my body issues. Guys, I used to be anorexic and even though I am back to loving food, I still feel as if I'm too big. I didn't become anorexic because I thought that I was fat. That may surprise you but it's true. I have a nervous stomach and hate conflicts/stressful situations. I get physically sick if I'm plagued with too much negativity and this makes my sleep and hunger wane away.

 (me at 17)

At 18, I was wearing size 12 little girls jeans. I still have them, in my hope chest. Now, I'm 150 lbs at 5'5 and that's twice what I weighed at 18. Back then I was so upset about my life that eating a piece of bread with a glass of water filled me up for the day. Looking at food made me nauseous. I had to wake up from that and "fix" myself, as no one else could do it for me.

(me at 19) 

I was 134 lbs at 26 when I was pregnant (pic below) and I'd like to be that size again, even if my mind is screaming for 12 lbs less than that. I have to be realistic. I'm curvy, like eating, have little time for exercise while I work and attend college. Looking in the mirror hurts but the last six months I've been taking selfies so I can prove to myself that I am nowhere as big as my mind tells me that I am. I do have some very fit friends who still encourage me to focus more on diet and fitness. I love them but if I were to push too hard then I could see myself as becoming obsessed with being a size 3/5. That scares the crap out of my husband as he was with me when I was anorexic.

 ( me 3 wks pregnant)

Well, with new years resolutions in the air and people being more focused on their own self image, I have to look at mine with better eyes. Yes, I need to stress less and work out more. I'm already on track with this and I pray to stay on track. But this is my body. This is what is getting me through the next 50+ years, if I'm lucky. I need to love it, in any way that I can.

Last month I was reminded by some people that they don't see the same thing that I do. I get this as no one is more critical of their own body than themselves, unless you're a modeling agency and that is a whole other story to tell. I need to start looking in the mirror, at all of my flaws, and say Hi to them. acknowledge they are there but that they don't add up to the sum of my parts. Yes, I have cellulite, stretch marks, scars, bulges, and wrinkles. I can hide them with makeup or clothes, even take better care of myself but they're still mine. I can't take them off and trade them in for something that I like better.

I will try to smile at the trim people who think I'm too large, and the overweight people that think I need to shut up. No one needs to love me better than I do. Right? I mean, I want love, but I need to work on myself and what I'm made of. It's hard after also being told that I was "damaged", "unwanted", and "ugly" for more than half of my life. But, I have enough time to fix this, as I'm not planning on going anywhere for a very long time.

)))Corset Hugs(((

Ginny Lynn

Wench Writer

February Firsts - My very own blogsite

It was this time last year that this site was started. Noelle Pierce had been working on the website for hours and she made it look great.

I had decided to do Firsts as the post for the first week of each month and have been trying to keep up with it. Now the site is it's own blog post.

I started this up when I was no longer a member of a group blog post. I won't get into those details other than I saw it as a way to branch out. I'm glad that I pulled the trigger.

I don't like Mondays and decided to call them Moandays. Does anyone actually like Mondays? It was the whole reason that I decided to make that the morning that the blogs went live. It was a way of getting my work week started and hopefully on a good note.

I went with Wench Writer as that was my designated brand and it was one of my better decisions. This was almost called something else and I won't say what as I may use it at a later time.

Wanting this to be primarily paranormal was good for me as I've only written one non paranormal manuscript. It was Just to be Left Alone.

Angela Simpson took the great picture of me for the header and then Noelle added the fangs plus the headstone that I'm sitting on. No, the pic was not actually taken like this. Through magic photoshop skills it was possible. Those who really know me would know that I would never sit on a tombstone as I have respect for the dead. Besides, I'm way too big to even try that. Did you guys even know I had fangs in that pic?

I've been trying to mix a little bit of everything into my blogs as I'm too off the charts to talk about a limited number of topics. I admire the people who only type about writing skills or their travels as I'll never be still enough to stick to a normal regimen. At least I know what my limits are.

A few times, I've asked you guys what you wanted me to blog about. I had gotten requests for info of my first experiences (like pitching and book contracts), plus the people who love to read about my corset making skills.

I try to keep it real as that's the only way I can make it these days. I've even gotten wise enough (giggle) to do some of these posts a month in advance as I have so much homework going on these days. Thank God for technology!

So, is there anything you want me to share on my blog? Are there any topics that you want me to check out for you? Do you want to guest blog on here? Tell me what you're thinking because you are my audience and I love you for that.

)))Corset Hugs(((

Ginny Lynn

Wench Writer

Little things to get my curvy butt into shape

If you don't want to hear about exercise, then I apologize.

I'm a curvy gal and I have no problem with having said curves. What I do have a problem with is when those curves seem to expand the lines of my wardrobe. This being said, I started Zumba Core a year ago and loved it. I've always been a dancer but this was exercise made fun.

As the months rolled by, I noticed how I was tightening up those curves and loving it. I'm over 40, so anything this simple makes me a happy cougar. Haha. Then I started night school while I kept my day job....see the downhill coming? I had people tell me that since I don't eat much when I'm nervous that'd I'd easily keep weight off while I stressed through the time as I ran from place to place. If this was true then I call FOUL on all of you. I didn't lose anything and as I got busier, I had to chose between time to sleep and time to workout. The workout lost and the weight gained. Ouch.

I'm back to what I was before I started Zumba and I used the break between semesters to get back into it. I still love it. I really missed it. What I have to figure out now is how to fight the battle of the bulge when I'm fighting to keep my sanity. School is back in and there is still no time to workout as I'm now doing externship, day job, and night classes. Did anyone notice that sleep wasn't on that list???

This is my plan and we'll see how far I can carry it. I love to dance. And in that love is exercise. So I've already started playing beat heavy music (techno, house, belly dance) at work so I can sway, shimmy, and do moves that don't require my rear in a chair. Yes, I work in full view of the clients so I have to time this little routine butt (giggle) it's doable.

As I wait on the microwave to heat up my coffee, I do squats or knee bends to keep me moving. I do leg lifts and varieties of ballet moves as I stand on hold with insurance companies. I'm cleaning off my stationary bike so I can ride while I study. I even wear my ear buds while doing housework so I can do a few moves while I straighten up the house. None of these require money for the gym. Thank heavens above. And if Shakira can look a-freaking-mazing as a mom who belly dances, then why can't I?

What can you do to increase your workout possibilities? Even sitting at your desk can give you ways of nudging your muscle mass into some sort of shape. Seriously, if someone can do Kegels while in the line at the bank then you can do lunges in the break room. Wink.

                                       )))Corset Hugs(((  

Ginny Lynn

Wench Writer   

I like my opening lines like I like my men - strong & memorable

An opening line in a novel should be better than any pickup line you have ever heard or any one liner joke that tickled your funny bone. In my opinion.

 

Here's some that struck me.

 

 

The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel. —William Gibson, Neuromancer (1984)

 

Every summer Lin Kong returned to Goose Village to divorce his wife, Shuyu. —Ha Jin, Waiting (1999)

 

It was a pleasure to burn. —Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 (1953)

 

He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad. —Raphael Sabatini, Scaramouche (1921)

 

All children, except one, grow up – J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan (1902).

 

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit (1937).

As I've only written a few manuscripts, I've learned from the Georgia Romance Writers that this is an opportunity to grab the reader by the fictional collar. If you can nab them at the first line then they'll keep reading.

I'm someone who admires a jaunty one liner and I've learned to carry them over into my writing. It doesn't matter if it's sexy enough to melt the ink on the page or funny enough to have you wanting a bathroom break, I try for it.

I learned with the first two books that were published that I opened with good scenes but they needed some lightening struck into them. So, upon talking to other authors, I saw that I wasn't putting some of my sense of wit into the first few pages. In hindsight, I was leading you by the hand as I coaxed you into liking my story. Now, I'm grabbing that same hand and just putting the words into your warm palms. I'm slamming it there for you to see that I'm worth your time.

So, in the learning curve that is my life, I redid the opening lines on those books and then ran a few exercises to come up with several lines that would yank me into awareness of a storyline. The results were eye opening. Some people may not get my wicked sense of humor but they got what I was portraying.

The next thing that I did was that when I came up with new plot ideas, I instantly wrote down one or two opening lines that fit the genre, voice, and suspense level of the idea. It carried through where I could then do a small paragraph that I used as a guideline for the tone of the book. It may not work that way for you guys but it helped widen the creative tunnel for me.

So Authors, do you open with a line or paragraph that has your mouths watering? Readers, do you want that first taste to be the bite that makes you fall in love with a writer?
I hope so.


)))Corset Hugs(((


Ginny Lynn
Wench Writer

My Vices

vice¹

vīs/

noun

noun: vice

1. 1.

   immoral or wicked behavior.

What vices do you have?

 

I drink coffee. I may not add all of the sugar anymore but I still love coffee.

 

I interrupt people when I have to say something. It's sad and I'm working on it. I'm a middle child in a big family plus have an awful memory so I had to fight to be heard (before I forgot what I wanted to say). I apologize.

 

 

 

I'm a figit. If I'm sitting somewhere, with nothing to do, (like watching a movie or sitting through a lecture), then I restlessly move my legs or hands. I have to get the energy out somehow.

 

I may not be seen actually eating a candy bar but when I crave chocolate, I have to have it.

 

 

Sweet Tea. Yes, sweet. Yes, strong. I'm southern and don't need an excuse.

 

 

 

 

I am constantly thinking if things in a dirty way. But at least I'm good at it.

 

I need items with actual sugar in them, not that fake crap. I honestly think the altered sweetners are worst for you in the long run.

 

I have a thing about vampires. I know, DUH!

 

 

Vanity, thy name is woman. I can not stand going out with some type of makeup on as I don't like how I look without it.

 

Impatience. My words have been "Patience? Never met the chick."

 

I'm stubborn. I stick to my guns until after I'm hit over the head with one. I'm part Indian and part Scottish so I have no choice in the matter.

 

 

Tell me some of your vices. I'd love to see what you run up against every day.

 

)))Corset Hugs(((

 

Ginny Lynn

Wench Writer