tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54229838977139069242024-03-12T22:25:42.820-07:00First DraftNadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.comBlogger459125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-85982248759280471792022-04-04T22:41:00.001-07:002022-04-04T22:41:51.365-07:00Talk is Cheap.<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just like adding spices to the pot bubbling on the stove-top
to add richness to the food, dialogue adds richness to fiction. Finding balance
between narration and dialogue is the mark of a skilled writer. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Putting narrative aside, dialogue can propel a story; it can
set any tone with a few exchanges between characters; it can ‘grow’ characters
into believable people.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The common problems writers can have with dialogue are over using
a dialect, especially if it doesn’t quite fit the character as they have been
described. Not using dialogue tags, ever. There is nothing wrong with simply
using the word, ‘said;’ Over using said substitutes, such as murmured, [that
always makes me think of a heart murmur], gritted [what the heck is gritted?],
coughed [huh?]. And finally, making the reader go back to the last time they
knew who was speaking and figure out who said what, is frustrating for the
reader and an obvious slip of the editor.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Using direct addresses can eliminate some of the need for
dialogue tags. The main error in writing direct addresses is omitting the
comma. Say it out loud. There is a comma in there. “Do you know where my car
keys are, Sid?” “John, I haven’t seen your keys.” It is that simple. The same
is true when using a word in place of a name, for example, Dad, Mom, Sir. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A good writer always—always—always reads their work aloud.
Reading it in one’s head on the screen will produce words that aren’t written
that should have been.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Talk is cheap. Have your characters talk with each other to
develop them and move the story forward.</span></p>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-20266974170690981192021-03-21T09:32:00.003-07:002022-04-04T22:43:34.400-07:00Write, Write, and re-Write<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Yesterday there was an article
posted on the Internet with tips on how professional writers get disciplined to
write every day. It was the obvious, eliminate distractions and write at
scheduled times -- just like any other employment. With a great deal of enthusiasm
it stated that professional romance writers write 3,000 words a day. The truth
is on a standard US page of 8.5" x 11.5", there are approximately 300
words of narrative in a work of fiction; dialogue is less dense. In actuality,
then, that is only 10 pages. Ten pages. Making the goal to write 12 pages a day
allows for later rewrites and editing.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After doing the math in my head,
I wasn't impressed with the article. However, it is true that to be a
professional writer it takes the same discipline as being an employee. Go to
work on time whether or not you feel like going, and actually work -- produce
results.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There are as many writing habits
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the planner, the perfectionist, and the organic writer.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
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It takes discipline not to think about the story, if they are not writing
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<![endif]--></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Each writing style still requires
knowledge of storytelling, scene and character development, dialogue writing, story
arcs, basic grammar, and much more. When professionals have written their
target word count, or when writer's block occurs, they are reading about the
craft or the industry. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">A book that I highly
recommend writers read and later review again is <i>The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them)*</i>
by Jack M. Brickham. Get your copy from your favorite book store. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">*Cactus Rain
Publishing is not compensated in any way for this book recommendation.</span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></span><p> </p>Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-45710234740314601562020-10-20T06:39:00.002-07:002021-03-21T09:33:37.072-07:002020<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Without a doubt, 2020 has been a curious and sobering year
with the broad strokes of the pandemic brushing across the earth. Observing
local, national, and international governments respond to the challenge of the
dreadful virus has caused many people to reevaluate their own priorities. It
seems newsworthy [not really] that celebrities are turning to new endeavors of
cooking, gardening, fine art, and writing the next Great American Novel. On the
newsfeeds that I monitor most of the publishing news has centered on a few
political tell-all works that came out this year.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I asked myself who would buy those books? Who would think
that one Washington person would be any more accurate or truthful than the
person they are spilling the beans on? In general, those books vilify the
subject and propose sainthood for the writer. I am particularly appalled that
anyone with moral fiber would write or publish a book claiming to be a former
friend. News flash to their current friends: You’re next!</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">RISE UP. We always told our children that the goal was to be
better than us, to move the family up: to be kinder, more compassionate, to
give more effort, to do more, to be smarter. RISE UP. That is what comes to my
mind when I hear people complain about their lot in life. RISE UP. Life isn’t
without difficult challenges. RISE UP. Meet them head-on. RISE UP. Do it. Pass
it on.</span></p>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-63780803260598566382020-05-02T23:35:00.003-07:002021-03-21T09:35:57.589-07:00Getting Started<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 115%;">If you are thinking of writing
your first book or your fifth book, take a minute to jot down those ideas. But before
starting typing the next Great American novel, make sure your computer skills
are more than the bare minimum.</span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">
</span><br />
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 115%;">In general, most manuscript submissions, Cactus Rain
Publishing included, are expected to be submitted in Microsoft Word. If you use
another operating system than Microsoft Windows, find a Word comparable
software program. When in Rome…</span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">
</span><br />
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 115%;">All of us who took typing in high school have to adapt to ‘typing’
a document, and particularly a manuscript, on a computer.</span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">
</span>
</span></span><ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Rather
than use five spaces to indent a paragraph, use the TAB key.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Don’t set the program to automatically indent
or to add a space between paragraphs.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 115%;">For
centering a chapter title, use the CENTER key, do not TAB or space over and
eyeball the center. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 115%;">At
the end of a chapter insert a page break. Hitting enter to move down to the
start of the next page doesn’t work in the long term.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 115%;">One of the hardest habits to change is to only
put one space between sentences rather than two spaces.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">
</span>
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The importance of doing these things this way is that all of
these old ways of typing have to be fixed by someone. When it isn't done right
from the beginning, it wastes someone’s time to fix the manuscript.</span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">
</span><br />
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Now, you can type your manuscript and get that creative high
that comes from writing.</span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">
</span><br />
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 115%;">If you have questions, email Nadine@CactusRainPublishing.com.</span></span></span></span></div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-46857632087440363882018-02-25T19:16:00.004-07:002021-03-21T09:37:41.723-07:00Novella<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">A novella is a short novel or a long short story. </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Lately we have received quite a few (lots more than usual) submissions of Novellas.</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">While they have a place in the literary world, we can't afford to publish short works like novellas. The pay-through takes so long that I'll probably be retired -- or dead.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I noticed that our submission guidelines were unclear on novellas, so we will get that corrected in the coming days. </span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Write your best work and good luck to each of you. </span></span></div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-19218447990747870522017-12-16T09:18:00.004-07:002021-03-21T08:37:18.302-07:00BOOK REVIEWS<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Most of us remember book report writing in grammar
school. In addition to the obvious writing exercise, I thought that the real
reason for the book report was to prove to our teacher that we had read the
assigned book. Perhaps it was only a writing exercise.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Some people read book reviews before deciding to read
a book. For them, the information on the cover or the retail website isn't
enough. They want to know what others thought of the book.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Often books are sent out for review. That can be a
complicated process of who knows who on whether the book is reviewed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Friends of authors want to write reviews as a sign of
support. Some publishers ask their writers to review each other's books. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">First, it goes without saying that the book should be
read. It isn't always true that a reviewer reads the book. I have firsthand
knowledge of a review company that doesn't always read the reviews, because
they made assumptions about the character's profession and dared to put it into
print. After that, I have assigned no value to their reviews. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The novice reviewer should have a basic understanding
of the difference between a book report and a book review. Namely, do not tell
the story/plot in the review. Don't tell that there is a murder. Obviously, if
the book genre is a murder mystery, the potential reader will figure that out.
Certainly, don't tell who committed the murder. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Tell what was well done in the book. Did the author
capture the era or location so well that the reviewer found it palatable? Were
the characters appropriately developed to make the potential reader dispense
with reality and become submerged in the life of the story. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">If you hate the book, maybe it wasn't your cup of tea.
Just because YOU didn't like it doesn't mean that it isn't a good book. Even
industry professionals disagree on books; that doesn't mean they are right --
it is only their opinion. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Reviews drive Amazon [and other's] ranking. That's a
good thing. However, the true value of a review is the quality of the content.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Check out this: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/RSR97ZUWCJWGH/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0996281258" target="_blank">Book Review UK</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="http://www.cactusrainpublishing.com/" target="_blank">Cactus Rain Publishing.</a> </span></span></div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-42261952767451759492017-10-06T21:17:00.001-07:002017-10-06T21:18:04.934-07:00Be Original...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During the last U.S. presidential campaign season there was talk about plagiarism
in speeches. I read an article that Dr. Martin Luther King plagiarized his dissertation.
Maybe both are true statements, maybe they are not.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Speech writing and dissertations aside, there is a code among fiction writers that you write your own stuff. If you read it or heard it, then don't use it. Use your own voice and imagination. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Be original. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Be authentic.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Readers deserve no less than your best.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cactusrainpublishing.com/submissions.html" target="_blank">http://www.cactusrainpublishing.com/submissions.html</a></span></span></div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-63122215101512417992017-05-07T09:49:00.004-07:002017-05-07T10:05:48.952-07:00Re-Writes<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's inevitable that the time will come when re-writes are requested. It is
a fact of writing life. Your head gets into the story so much that you can't see
the trees for the forest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My friend's big-time publisher asked her to fully remove one character from
her manuscript. Imagine the thought of that task. Like a true professional
writer, she faced the task and did it without complaint.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We get a variety of reactions when we request changes to the story line in a
manuscript. We've requested to delete the final chapter -- the story had ended,
stop writing. We've requested that the last two chapters be swapped with each
other. And of course, we often request that the vulgar words be eliminated or
reduced to one character's dialogue and greatly diminished.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes it is as simple as changing the title that the author has
embraced for years of writing the piece. Failure to be adaptable is the wrong
move. Most of the time, the writer knew in their heart of hearts that there was
something amiss and welcomes the guidance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is important to remember that you're writing for the reader, not for
you. If that isn't true, then put the finished manuscript in a drawer and let
them sell it at your estate sale.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You're not alone. Read the article below. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://booksbywomen.org/six-top-tips-on-writing-characters/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=socialnetwork">http://booksbywomen.org/six-top-tips-on-writing-characters/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=socialnetwork</a> </span></div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-9264041136069847672017-04-02T12:01:00.000-07:002017-04-02T12:01:42.790-07:00Self-publishing<div style="text-align: justify;">
When should a person self-publish their work?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anytime they want to, of course.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here are some specific situations when self-publishing might be the best option for a writer:</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">When the writer wants complete control over the title, content, layout, and cover. (Most pay-to-publish companies do not waver from their process and allow customization, so this may not be the best route for someone who MUST have total control over the production of their ms into a book.)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">When the work is to be used for seminars on a topic that the writer is deemed an 'expert' in the field. These books are usually non-fiction and the price is higher than fiction because the value added by the author's expertise.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">When the work is to be used to accompany another product, similar to a manual for the user of the product. Have fun with this if there are lots of schematics to add to the text.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">When the writer can afford to hire experts to create an industry quality book or is competent in the required skills and doesn't care whether it bears the stamp of approval that comes with being vetted and published by a traditional publisher.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before submitting a query to a publisher or literary agent, a writer should be able to affirm within their heart that they have done the best they could and they are now willing to let it go and let someone else take it to the next level.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For some people, letting go of their work is difficult. If that is the case, the writer should consider self-publishing the work or simply remain a writer and never become a published author. I'm not sure that this is a bad thing. It depends on each person's goal or vision of the future for their works.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-2991250063969326112017-02-20T15:06:00.002-07:002017-03-06T16:59:53.717-07:00Sample Chapters<div align="justify">
Your manuscript is finished. It is no longer a first draft. You've gone over it a couple of times. Your friends and family have gone over it. Together you toast the thing and proclaim that it is ready.</div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
Hopefully, that is true.<br />
Just to be sure PRINT it and read it ALOUD. </div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
The internet is full of literary agents, small publishers, pay-to-publish outfits, and do-it-yourself sites. There are print directories to buy, should one choose. Just like we will do with your submission, sort through them and find the 'best fits' for your work. </div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
Whatever method you use to develop a list of places to query, the main thing to do is to follow the submission guidelines completely.</div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
What we are expecting for sample chapters at Cactus Rain Publishing:</div>
<ul>
<li><div align="justify">
Manuscript format</div>
</li>
<ul>
<li><div align="justify">
full page - 8.5" x 11"</div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
double spaced lines</div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
standard font -- I'm going to change it to Tahoma, because that is more readable for me (remember that I'm dyslexic?)</div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
standard form for fiction -- no space between paragraphs, that is for non-fiction. Fiction indents each paragraph. Start a new paragraph (with quote marks) for dialogue. We accept the non-American single quote marks or the American double quote marks -- be consistent throughout the sample.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<li><div align="justify">
No front matter -- you are way head of yourself doing this</div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
No cover -- you are way head of yourself doing this</div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
ONLY the first three chapters</div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
A prologue is not a first chapter, don't send it to us.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="justify">
The fastest route to a rejection letter is to stand out in a bad way. We don't advertise. We don't need to advertise. If we published all of the queries we have right now, we have enough for the next 5 years. It is truly survival of the fittest, not the quirkiest.</div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
Send us something that meets our submission guidelines and you are highly likely to see a request for the full manuscript. </div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
<a href="http://www.cactusrainpublishing.com/submissions.html">http://www.cactusrainpublishing.com/submissions.html</a></div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-16622696504435012832017-02-12T11:18:00.002-07:002017-02-14T02:42:45.682-07:00First Impression<div style="text-align: justify;">
Because of the agreeable weather, Phoenix frequently hosts car shows.
Unofficial previews are available on the road, whether the car is driven or
trailered. Singularly, they are impressive. At the show where they are parked next
to each other a pecking order of quality emerges.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The same is true of submission packets. While friends and family [usually]
shower the writer with praise, at our end of the process where they are lined
next to each other is where the quality differences is obvious.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is only one opportunity to make a good first impression. One. Late at
night with a glass or two of wine or whisky is not the time to decide the work
is ready for the light of day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For Cactus Rain Publishing the three elements of the submission packet are: 1) a query letter; 2) a synopsis; and 3) the first three
chapters of the ms.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We see query letters that range from ridiculous to amazing. A query letter
is a business proposal. It needs to sound professional, pitch the project, and
include any specific information the publisher has listed on their submission
page.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Attitude speaks volumes. Sending a query email that says, "Here you go.
I've sent my fiction novel for you to publish," is not a good idea. First off,
"fiction novel" screams that the person is clueless. Novels are ONLY fiction. If
it isn't a fiction, then it is non-fiction, poetry or who knows what.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A synopsis is a one page summary of the story, single spaced, and written
in third person. The synopsis summarizes the story's main character's transit
through the story. It is not the back of the book tease. It is
the whole story, including the ending.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The last piece of the packet is the first three chapters of the manuscript; nothing more or
less than what has been requested. Sending different chapters and telling us that the first three chapters
don't show the awesomeness of the manuscript should tell the writer that those
chapters need reworked or deleted.<br />
<br />
Not following the instructions on how many
chapters (or some publishers want the first 50 pages) tells us that the writer
doesn't follow instructions. Whether they are simply arrogant and don't think
rules apply to them equally or they are special [for some unknown reason]. It tells us "This person is going to be difficult."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The sample chapters should be in manuscript format: Full size page (8.5 x 11 inches) -- not a simulated book-size page; it should be double spaced; it should contain computer functions (use the center button to center things like the title, end the chapter with a "page break" command, not several "enter key" strokes); and dialogue should start a new paragraph and have quotation marks.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Compared to 50 other queries, how strong is yours? It is easy to weed out
the ones we aren't interested in. Sometimes I won't read the sample chapters if the query
letter and the synopsis are bad. What would be the point?</div>
<br />
<div>
First impressions are a one time occurrence.</div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.cactusrainpublishing.com/submissions.html">http://www.cactusrainpublishing.com/submissions.html</a> </div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-44391755617551702742016-12-23T22:08:00.001-07:002016-12-23T22:08:40.114-07:00'Hallelujah'Those of you who know me, know that I know quite a few amazing people who have autism. Though I do not know this young lady, she is truly amazing.<br />
<br />
Please enjoy:<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfAwXDWThlo" target="_blank">Kaylee Rodgers</a><br />
<br />
I'm sure that Leonard Cohen is smiling at this little angel.<br />
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-58474871953915762632016-12-04T12:16:00.001-07:002016-12-04T12:16:44.796-07:00Read To Learn To Write!Brilliant idea! I drive, so that makes me a mechanic. Right? <br />
<br />
Who comes up with this stuff? <br />
<br />
There is an element of talent required to write, but even more important is the skills of writing. The way we read fiction isn't done in a way that directly teaches writing. We may pick up a few things about style, but overall, I want to see YOUR style.<br />
<br />
The reason professionals attend training and are required to have continuing education credits is so they keep their skills fresh and improve upon them.<br />
<br />
Read fiction for enjoyment. Read about writing to improve your writing skills.<br />
<br />
Here is a book that covers the basics of writing. It is good for beginners or as a refresher for seasoned writers. <br />
<br />
Writing Genre Fiction: A Guide to the Craft by H. Thomas Milhorn.<br />
Check it out and let me know what you think.<br />
(I am not compensated for mentioning this book.)Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-28829993352553408052016-11-19T12:26:00.001-07:002016-11-19T13:05:17.578-07:00Telling vs Showing<div align="justify">
Telling vs Showing is a basic skill that the beginning writer should strive to master. Too much telling is boring. It drons along in a monotone voice and doesn't have the momentum to keep the average reader engaged.</div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
One of the best examples of telling a story through showing is <a href="http://www.cactusrainpublishing.com/passengers.html" target="_blank">Passengers</a> by Diane Keziah Robertson. Diane brilliantly tells the story through the life events of six people who first meet on the coach. She created the setting against the backdrop of the plague in England. Passengers is almost like theatre with the characters coming and leaving [the stage] in a way that advances the overall story.<br />
<br />
One way to self-monitor whether you're writing in Telling Mode too much is to look at how much dialogue you've written. Are the characters telling the story through their actions and words? Or is the writer narrating the story in their own voice?<br />
<br />
Characters are defined by their words and deeds. When the writer tells who the characters are, it is almost like gossip. Let the characters tell who they are rather than the writer telling about them.<br />
<br />
There are times that I call, "Meanwhile, back at the ranch," when the writer needs to tell some short bit that transitions the characters to a different setting or introduces benigning information that will be important at some later point.<br />
<br />
Here is a benign piece of information: He reached for the handrail when step unexpectly gave under his weight. <br />
<br />
Basically, who cares? I don't, unless that loose step or handrail plays a role later in the story. Don't go on and on about how many times he had planned to fix the step. Who cares? Not me. <br />
<br />
What I will care about is later, when he pulls up the end missing nails and stashes something under the step tread while someone is pursuing him. In this case, the broken step needs to be in the setting earlier so it can be used later. Please, please don't introduce it when you need it by saying, "He <u>suddenly</u> <u>remembered</u>..." It feels like a cheat.<br />
<br />
Read your work out loud so you hear it out loud. Reading to yourself in your mind allows for skimming and self-correcting words in your thoughts, but not in the ms because you didn't notice them.<br />
<br />
Reading aloud also shines a bright light on long rants of telling. It will scream "BORING!" as you drone along reading it out loud.<br />
<br />
Here is a writing exercise that helps with too much telling. Write a hundred or so pages in first person. It forces you to only write what the person knows, experiences, thinks, or says. If the main character is telling the story, that is all the writer can use. No magical fixes. <br />
<br />
Honestly, if I can't get through the three chapter submission, then I won't ask for the full ms unless Judith wants it. Submit your best work, whether it is to us or someone else. You owe it to yourself and your story.<br />
<br />
Passengers is here:<br />
<a href="http://www.cactusrainpublishing.com/passengers.html">http://www.cactusrainpublishing.com/passengers.html</a></div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-60256313274313400972016-11-13T23:39:00.000-07:002016-11-13T23:39:22.215-07:00Facebook<div align="justify">
It isn't normal for me to make two posts in one weekend, but it isn't normal behavior that we would create a facebook page, either.</div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
Check out our page and contribute if you like.</div>
<div align="justify">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cactusrainpublishing">https://www.facebook.com/cactusrainpublishing</a><span style="color: #400040;"> </span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="color: #400040;"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="color: #400040;">True confession: I didn't do this, it was dreamed up by our authors and executed flawlessly by Joyce, our web designer. There is yet more to come. Check it out.</span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="color: #400040;"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="color: #400040;">What do you think?
</span></div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-76666008612755161872016-11-12T18:59:00.004-07:002016-11-14T18:31:59.894-07:00I suddenly love Janet Reid<div style="text-align: justify;">
Janet Reid is a literary agent. We have never met and are not likely to meet. However, on her blog she said read your submission <u>aloud</u>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
How many times have I said that? A bazillion. <br />
<br />
It is even better if you print your ms, and read it aloud to someone who has not read it yet. I usually give a copy of the ms to the listener to follow along. That way, they can catch when you read it different from what is written.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Of course, what you read is better than what you wrote, so make changes on your copy and fix the ms when you finish reading.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm 100% serious about this. How can you not want to use the paper when it can make the difference of someone picking up your ms or not? Reading on the monitor is simply not the same as seeing it in print.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After all the hours put into writing do not skimp on the final polish. Cactus Rain sometimes will make recommendations and give a second chance to get it right, but most people in this industry do not give second chances so make sure you are querying with your best product.<br />
<br />
The other issue Janet lists is not following the submission guidelines. This industry, like most others, has expectations, norms, and 'rules of conduct.' Otherwise, it would be pure anarchy. If you don't think that you need to follow our submission guidelines, think again. We won't read what you sent, if you didn't send the right stuff. Don't waste our time. You aren't that special that the rules don't apply to you. Prepare for a ton of rejection letters.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cactusrainpublishing.com/submissions.html">http://www.cactusrainpublishing.com/submissions.html</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2016/11/six-reasons-i-didnt-request-your.html">http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2016/11/six-reasons-i-didnt-request-your.html</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-19353253196967808692016-10-23T11:10:00.002-07:002016-10-23T11:14:10.534-07:00Staying Published<div style="text-align: justify;">
While staying current on the blogs that I follow is not a high priority, I did see something this morning that seems worth repeating from Janet Reid's blog. Janet Reid is a literary agent.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The post is:<br />
<a href="http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2016/10/can-publishers-see-my-sales-numbers.html">http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2016/10/can-publishers-see-my-sales-numbers.html</a>. In one of the comments someone wrote, "It is one thing to get published and another to <em>stay</em> published."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just like anything else we jump into, looking at the big picture is essential to 'correct' first steps. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Writing is on a spectrum, although some people see it as an end point. While writing itself is satisfying to most of us, beyond that euphoria we need to have a serious conversation with our self about where we want to go with this 'writing stuff.' </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bang away on your laptop with the TV blaring, take writing classes, walk the isles of the bookstore with glazed over eyes, but find a bit of quite time to think of this craft as a business.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The only way to succeed in any business is to do your homework and understand the industry inside and out. Plus, to some extent understanding the ebb and flow of the economy helps build a strong business.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The point is, of course, identify your goals, and then develop a plan on how to achieve those goals. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is a lot of advice, mine included, on the Internet and in print books. The work is to distill all of that into a working model that fits YOU.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Write your best work and make time to understand the industry. Cheers!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-54750452917859769252016-10-02T15:36:00.002-07:002016-10-05T18:56:12.212-07:00What We Like<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is a lazy
beautiful day in Arizona, USA. The drizzle of the monsoons tap a soothing sound
on the patio cover above me as I think about the mystery of Cactus Rain
Publishing. A few years ago, a close friend told me that CRP would never work. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It does work.
What is the secret? It is hard to say, and it is probably more than one thing that works. We don’t advertise – at all. Maybe we have passed on some
mss that we shouldn’t have passed. However, we have done well with those we
selected. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think that
Irene Watson nailed it when she wrote about my novels that, “Nadine produces
works of social relevance.”</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That is also true
of the novels we publish. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course, we
look at writing ability and style. Though, the social message of our books is
what speaks to me as I read the submitted manuscripts. For me, it is probably the tipping point. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What does
anything matter if we don’t continue to evolve into better people, better
societies? Though there are many others who do more and larger than our small
voice, I believe we quietly and gently contribute to the betterment of all of
those who read our books, without being preachy and forceful.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our books, and
those under contract, speak to critical issues and in the end, good wins over
evil in the characters. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check out what Steve Mwase says in this
interview. </span><a href="http://www.cactusrainpublishing.com/dunia.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">http://www.cactusrainpublishing.com/dunia.html</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
or here <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOSXZIfrIbw"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOSXZIfrIbw</span></a>
</span></div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-21571351504374731502016-09-23T21:49:00.001-07:002016-09-24T08:39:43.114-07:00Banned Book Week<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, it is true, there is a special day, week, month for everything and September 25th to October 1st is banned book week. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My friend, writer Jeannine Garsee (Bloomsbury -- buy her books), says that writing a banned book is an excellent way to land on the Best Seller list somewhere -- not her exact words maybe. The real goal is to write a great book, banned or otherwise. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here are a few of the "subversive books" that have been banned: The Great Gatsby, The Catcher in the Rye; The Grapes of Wrath; The Color Purple; Lolita; Of Mice And Men; Catch 22; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; The Scarlet Letter; To Kill A Mockingbird; Where The Wild Things Are (yes, that children's book with great artwork -- sheesh); Moby Dick; For Whom The Bell Tolls; and many more. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Remember in 2011, when someone had the idea to make Mark Twain's works politically correct? That is a great way to erase history, so we don't remember and are doomed to repeat it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are quite a few discounts on banned books next week. Do a little research and grab one or several of the many banned books.</div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-60402101096837179522016-08-23T18:14:00.000-07:002016-08-24T11:30:03.419-07:00Scene Break<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In the throes of
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">inspiration,</span> it is easy to get caught up
in the action and write a 150,000 paragraph. Okay, that isn’t actually likely
to happen. However, I have seen some long chapters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s make this simple. We used to say, “Back
at the ranch …”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Think of this: A
chapter change occurs when the location, time, people changes. Granted there is
some license taken with this. But, start there.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">What about scene
breaks? I put in scene breaks when the rhythm of the read changes by ONE of the
above factors; location, time, person. Think of it like a big comma, the story continues, but there is
a signal that there is a change. Whereas, a chapter break is more like a full
stop (period) in my analogy.</span></span><br />
</div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve said this
before, but the absolute best writing book that I have read is a scriptwriting
book. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Complete Book of Scriptwriting</i>
by J. Michael Straczynski should be in your library. My copy has underlined sections,
notes in the margin, and stickies popping out from the edge of the book. The
single most important lesson, I think, is the section on camera angles. Get the
book. Read it. Thank me later.</span></span><br />
</div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">For a reliable
place to visit for writing tips and lessons check out: </span><a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">http://www.writersdigest.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">. </span></span><br />
</div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I recently found
this program, which I haven’t fully tested, grammerly.com – I’m testing the
free version. Let me know if you try it and what you think.</span></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-41354584436238891842016-07-21T22:32:00.000-07:002016-07-22T06:05:38.093-07:00Ellipses<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is no nice way to say this, so here is the blunt truth <span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">— stop using so many ellipses! Seriously, stop it! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Either write what you left out with the ... or use a normal punctuation mark, such as a full stop (UK) also known as a period (USA).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Creative punctuation is distracting to read and if you overuse it, it is plain annoying. (I bet you can tell that I'm reading an ms with this issue, right?)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The last several mss that I've read have a half dozen ellipses per page. Let me tell you what I'm thinking while reading that craziness. I'm thinking that I have to go through and fix that mess. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">You can bet that the next ms without ellipses is going to be my favorite, even if it has other issues. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">People, I'm over the ellipses. Just stop using them. If you do use them, then use them correctly and sparingly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Thank you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="http://www.thepunctuationguide.com/ellipses.html">http://www.thepunctuationguide.com/ellipses.html</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/ellipses.asp">http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/ellipses.asp</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-45304840214441135882016-07-11T19:38:00.001-07:002016-07-11T19:38:07.954-07:00One more...<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoKzCff8Zbs">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoKzCff8Zbs</a><br />
<br />
Please watch.Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-37545253642146888442016-07-08T19:46:00.003-07:002016-07-08T19:53:17.766-07:00Only this...<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhANTymDIYk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhANTymDIYk</a><br />
<br />
I hope this link works internationally. Please share.Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-20079648256670237692016-06-21T04:02:00.001-07:002016-06-21T04:02:40.931-07:00Great New Website<div style="text-align: justify;">
Joyce finished several weeks of a major overhaul of the Cactus Rain Publishing website. You must see it. The results of her work are awesome! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love the process each time Joyce and I do this to the website. Wouldn't it be wonderful to simply other aspects of our lives in this way?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Check it out! It is cleaner, simpler, more packed with easily accessed information. Let me know what you think...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.cactusrainpublishing.com/">www.CactusRainPublishing.com</a> </div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422983897713906924.post-21437951495959193422016-06-02T10:16:00.003-07:002016-06-07T10:59:27.774-07:00carpe momentum<div style="text-align: justify;">
My close friends know not to expect a once-a-year-gift on their birthday, though sometimes I do deliver. What is important is the daily gift of respect, encouragement, compassion, and love. I do random acts of kindness and, yes, sometimes gift things simple or grand that I see along life's journey.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have a terrible time reconciling the intent of people who will be awful throughout the year, then give gifts for birthdays or Christmas. I can't help pitying such people because they must be hurting to be so unkind. Pity isn't a gift and I do try to come up with a different emotion, but sometimes one just has to go with what they have.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some people meditate or practice yoga daily. I practice 'appreciation' of the people around me, and those I've known. Sometimes the simplest act by someone has been life changing for me without their knowing. I'm not embarrassed to tell them how much I appreciate them or what they did, and what it meant to me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Life is short. I used to have a dance bag that had on it, "Life is not a dress rehearsal." It goes beyond <em>carpe diem. </em>Maybe <em>carpe momentum</em> is a better fit; seize the moment.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I look back over the journey so far with Cactus Rain Publishing, I think of the people I've met. In this video are some who have passed, but all touched my life profoundly.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsPHmAxRYJA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsPHmAxRYJA</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Nadine Lamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709289434339532281noreply@blogger.com0