I Write with Cats.

{Blogs the Word}

§28 · April 29, 2009 · Tips · (No comments)

If you are reading this blog, then you’re probably better versed about the whole thing than I was when I first began building my platform. (See platform in earlier post-Ready to launch)
If you are failry new to the blogging game (like I still am) let me save you a few learning curve undulations.
There’s Blogger and there’s Wordpress. They won’t support each other’s content, so have one of each. (At this point I’m just cutting and pasting from one to the other. I’ll let you know if I learn how to do it better!)
Or you can tell me. I’m always open to suggestions, since everybody’s an expert at something.
Next, list your blog in what are called “blog directories.” Here are a few…
blogcatalog.com
blogflux.com
bloghub.com
You may get sent to something like Google to set up an account to use some of these. I just went for it and used the same password so I wouldn’t get completely confused.
So now you see my blog in two places. Another step toward being published. EVERY day is another step.

Write well,

Suza

Tags: Tips

{Query–Quality Over Quantity!}

§26 · April 27, 2009 · Tips · (No comments)

Okay..done. I’ve officially sent out my first query letter.

Here’s what I would say to those of you who have yet to do so. Research, research, research. Be specific. Use that research to discover the agent’s name and make your letter personal, even include a comment about one of the authors they represent.

Type you query, sleep on it, and re-read it the next day.

Take your time. You spent how long on the book? A bad query letter could make sure the first page of your manuscript never sees the light of day.

Hook ‘em. Don’t waste your words on drivel. Get to the point eloquently, and sell your book idea. (Imagine the back of a novel and those couple of paragraphs that make you want to read it.)

In case I missed anything, (which I’m sure I did) buy a book on writing query letters and read the WHOLE THING.

With love and murder,

Suza

Tags: Tips

{The Most Terrifying}

§22 · April 22, 2009 · Ups n Downs · (No comments)

I’ve managed the first hurdle, a pretty big one, and that is the actual writing of a book. Good or bad, it’s thrust me into the smaller percentage of would-be authors by the act of having completed not one, but two manuscripts.

So…what’s so terrifying? The hard part is over, right?

When I am done with this blog, I am going to go eat my sister’s leftover chicken pasta, then I am going to start planning how to write the most horrifying piece of work I have done to date. Horrifying for me, that is. I am about to start drafting my first query letter.

After all the time spent imagining, researching, writing, revising, critiquing, receiving of critiquing (ouch), and changing the number of spaces after EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE IN THE WHOLE BOOK…if my query letter isn’t good enough, the agents may never read the first paragraph of the book itself.

Yes, I am terrified.

I keep telling myself that if the letter doesn’t grab an agent by the throat, at least there’s the law of averages. For every 10 nos there will be one yes. Or, it’s always a no until you ask. Or….some other inspirational cliche. (And where is the thing that goes above French words found in Word?)

Okay…Fannie Mae is rubbing her face against the monitor to comfort me. She can sense fear.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Suza

{Introductions}

§20 · April 18, 2009 · Cats · (No comments)

It occurs to me as Loki paws at my leg wanting to be allowed up in the computer lap (what I call it when I’m working. For some reason the boy cats love the Indian style lap)…so it occurs to me that I write with cats who have had no proper introduction.

What I mean by, “I Write with cats,” is that they are all around me whenever I sit still and become an easier target. When I am at the computer there is always one sneaking from the windowsill to my desk,then into my lap. Still another is by my side reaching needle-pointed claws into my leg as means of begging a way into the lap. And often there is one at the side of the monitor keeping an eye on the cursor and an ear to my speakers, waiting for some excitement.

Therefore, it seems I always…write with cats.

On to the introductions. I have already mentioned O’Malley and Fannie Mae, my twins, as I call them. Both of the same litter, O’Malley is a big yellow tom and Fannie is half his size, a gray tortoiseshell pattern. They are 14 years old and shelter babies.

Next is daisy, a black tortoiseshelle who was a pregnant stray when I found her. Her litter got good homes and so did she. She’s mean as hell and tough to boot. Maybe 10 years old.

Next came Loki, my white and gray gentleman flirt, 6 years old. He was also a shelter save and came with a friend. Two boy cats for the price of…two cats. But we lost Sydney St. James two years ago and still miss his fluffy white tail.

Last but not least is Lily, my last shelter save about 5 years old. Sweet little black tortoiseshell who is a real nutcase but loving all the same. She wants to mother everyone and gets to do so with all of the cats except Daisy, who is having none of that. Daisy and Lily (my flower girls) are almost identical in appearance, but exact opposites in personality. Sweet fluff versus mean muscle.

So that’s the cast of the show. Maybe you’ll be better able to envision my crazy writing life now.

Even now, Loki is mentioning that he might like to have his picture posted on the website. Maybe next week.

With love and murder,

Suza

Tags: Cats

{Yes…out loud}

§19 · April 12, 2009 · Uncategorized · 3 comments

Out loud? What could I mean by that?

It’s a reference to a tip I learned in a book about publishing and proofreading. At first, I thought it was ridiculous, the suggestion to proofread your work by reading it out loud.

Now, I know better.

Not only is it worthwhile to read your work out loud, but it is also VERY important to have somone else read it. Why?

Because you won’t believe how many mistakes you made then missed on the re-read. I was shocked to see how many times I misued its/it’s and whose/who’s, even though I know the difference. My mind just saw what it intended to write instead of what was actually on the paper.

Even if it hurts to have someone else critique your work…and sometimes it does…the benefits far outweigh the stinging of your pride.

Lesson learned by me…passed on to you.

With love and murder in mind,

Suza

Tags: Tips

{What to do first?}

§18 · April 9, 2009 · Uncategorized · (No comments)

Well, Key West was awesome, and some networking there paid off. I got an excellent idea for the next “Your Story” installation. Should be up in a few weeks.
Now I am back at my computer…deleting the gibberish that just resluted from Fannie Mae’s paws as she decided to take a stroll across the keyboard. Anyway, I’ve got a vacation day left and am planning to write, write, write…but what?
Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty to do. I am working on two new books and now the short story. The problem is, whenever I decide to devote time to one of them, I feel guilty about the others.
This is a new problem for me, so I have no advice. I guess I’ll just have to set myself a schedule…or will that cramp my creativity? Okay, so I’ll just go where inspiration leads me…and have portions of 3 things done, none complete.
I’m sure I’ll figure it out. For now, I’m going to go have some spaghetti and then run/walk at least one mile. The bathing suit in Key West was hard on my ego!

With love and murder in mind,

Suza

{So where are these books?}

§17 · April 3, 2009 · Uncategorized · 2 comments

Another sunny hour in Savannah, and I sit at the computer with hummus painted bread and a “slenderizing” fruit drink at my side. By another sunny hour, I’m implying that the weather here changes about that quickly. From monsoon to twittering birds in 15 minutes flat. Oh, how I long for a good three-hour-Alabama thunderstorm with a tornado siren tossed in for comfort.

And why is O’Malley, my 14 year old yellow tom, trying to cover my hummus as if it’s in the litter box? It does not smell that bad. Damn carnivore.

Okay, on to the topic. I had planned a different blog for today, but changed my mind after reading a post from an old friend. He, along with a few others, have asked where my books can be bought.

Cringe. Evidently my website and the mention of books has been misleading.

I’m sorry that’s been the case, so hopefully this will explain things a little bit better. In short, my understanding of how to get published involves the following sequence of events…

Book written-get your name out there-query an agent-hopefully get an agent-agent tries to push book to a publisher-hopefully publisher accepts-publish book-hopefully people BUY THE BOOK…see it’s this last part that is causing all the trouble.

If I write a great book…that’s good. If I write a great book and can say that I already have people (many people) interested in buying my writing, then that’s exactly what a publisher wants.

Before I created my website, I did look the word “author” up in the dictionary. I didn’t want to toss the word around if it didn’t fit. Do you have to be published to be an author? Well, according to Mr. Webster, an author is, “the writer of a book.” A few other definitions, too, but this is the one that covers me, so I’ll take it.

I would love to see my books in the stores one day. One step at a time. Evidently in the new millenium, that also means one blog at a time. So thank you for your continued support.

Love and Murder,

Suza

Tags: Platform

{Hello, Hemingway?}

§13 · April 1, 2009 · Uncategorized · 11 comments

No, unfortunately not that writer. However, I am a writer and have multiple cats. I’m also going to Key West next week for the very first time. Did you know there’s not much beach? Hmmm…..a little spoilage.

So, new to the blog world, I read a few informational pieces on what makes a blog readable and realized I was BOOOORING. I knew I needed a change. A transformation. Too dramatic to say rebirth, especially since I’m only a few days old. However you put it, I needed a little shot of playful in my blog.

But what about me is interesting? What do I laugh about most often?

Ever been to an orientation or seminar where everyone has to go around introducing themselves and disclosing one interesting fact? Well, I’ve lived in Europe, I’m 36 and single with no children, have been a teacher and a nurse…now a writer. But do you know what shocks people the most? What they find most interesting?Get ready for it……

I have 5 cats.

Yep. That’s enough to make most people gasp or groan. Others shake their heads at me and tsk as if I’ve lost my mind. In general, though, they are fascinated by the concept.

So when I’m low on lessons learned in the world of writing, or even if I have plenty, I’ll throw in an occasional cat story. I know some of you out there will appreciate it, others may only want the tip. Either way, I hope you come back and comment often.

Sorry the post was long, but I felt the change in format needed an explanation. It might have been even longer…if I weren’t having to type around Loki’s back.

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I Write with Cats.

Unique writer’s trivia with some humor thrown in the mix.

{Blogs the Word}

{Query–Quality Over Quantity!}

{The Most Terrifying}

{Introductions}

{Yes…out loud}

{What to do first?}

{So where are these books?}

{Hello, Hemingway?}

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Archives

Blogroll

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