Everyone who has spent more than five minutes in the Lair knows that yer olde Aunty is NOT a morning person. Anything that happens before 10 a.m. West Coast Time is not something Aunty needs to know (unless, of course, it is a flight to a vacation destination)! You can imagine Aunty's chagrin when last Thursday, she was awakened from dreamland at 8:30 by someone pounding on the front door.NOBODY pounds on my door.
First, they must brave Aunty's stalwart protectors the Pug-wa-wa and the Yorkie Unholy Terrier (aka Scylla and Charybdis). Should they happen to
arrive when said obstacles are not in attendance, they will receive Aunty's Nasty Lecture Number 23B which references the "No Solicitors" sign in plain view on the front gate, IF Aunty deigns to answer at all.But last Thursday at the ungodly hour of 8:30 a.m. someone dared Scylla and Charybdis (who were barking like the hounds of Hades) to knock... LOUDLY! Figuring it must be something dire, I crawled out of bed, stumbled to the door, and peered through the security peep hole. I recognized the young man standing there in baggy shorts and flip-flops as my new neighbor who had introduced himself to the DH and me just last weekend. Scylla and Charybdis nipped at his bare ankles.
I opened the door just a crack and he reintroduced himself and said, "My wife locked me out. Can I use your phone?"I let him in. I figured if the poor guy was desperate enough to brave my dogs and to see me in my jammies with no make-up and bed-head, he deserved one phone call!
Later that afternoon, I met my wonderfully talented critique partner, Jo-Mama for brainstorming and going over chapters of our works-in-progress.
I've just started a new Irish tale that doesn't even have a title yet. Beginnings are always difficult for me. I never quite know where to jump into the story, and I don't know my characters as well as I will a few chapters in. Plus, I've been having separation anxiety ever since The Wild Sight hit bookstores. (Will people LURVE my baby? Will readers "get" me and my story? Will I sell more than a dozen copies?)
I truly was wandering around feeling like the new story had locked me out! Keyless and clueless.
THANK GOODNESS for talented and insightful CPs! I swear, many times they have more knowledge of my WIP than I do. In the course of our discussion last Thursday afternoon, it quickly became apparent to me that
Jo-Mama had done it again. She obviously had a far better handle on my new characters than I did! Then she made a comment, just ONE LITTLE DESCRIPTION of my heroine that made the proverbial light bulb go off inside my head!BOOM! The lock opened and I had a lot more insight into my character. (Have I mentioned lately how much I LURVE my CP? That she is worth her weight in GOLD? And no, I will NOT share her!) I went home and made some well-placed revisions on my chapter that I know made it and my heroine so much stronger!
Sometimes the smallest thing can make such a big difference. Ask my poor neighbor, who stopped me yesterday to thank me again and tell me, "You really saved my life the other day." I just said, "You're welcome."
No need to tell him that he provided the inspiration for my blog post, is there?
What about you? Ever been keyless or clueless? When was the last time something small made a BIG difference to you?
57 comments:
finally?!
Awe - I love the names - Scylla and Charybdis are so clever! Hopefully nicer than their namesakes :P
LOL as for being keyless and clueless... yes both. Yet somehow I manage to muddle through, I think.
So glad the lightbulb went off for you though, Aunty Cindy! :) And I feel the same way about mornings.
Woohoo! Congrats, Limecello! Enjoy the GR! ;) (Keep an eye on your keys, BTW--I still haven't found that second set of van keys...)
And AC, I'm often clueless and occasionally keyless. Once our family managed to lock ourselves out on our way to church because as my husband and I looked at each other to confirm that one of us had the house keys, our diligent children had quickly slammed shut the front door. Oops. We ended up having to be rescued by our local fire department. Ahem.
And yep, a small thing (a camera flash card, an earring back, a kind word...) can often make a big difference!
WTG Limecello!
The GR is yours at last. What plans do you have for him? You edged Fedora out by a scant 3 mins!
Actually I picked Scylla and Charybdis for my dogs because they have the SAME personalities as those mythological monsters. :-P Okay, only with strangers who come into their yard and possibly threaten their food dishes. I was actually surprised they didn't bite my poor neighbor. They've bitten repairmen, my best friend, and my sister!
AC
Sorry Fedora,
You missed your feathered lothario by THATMUCH! :-)
I locked myself out of this place shortly after I moved in also. That's why I had sympathy for my neighbor! I've locked myself out of my car two or three times as well. Each time, it was raining, of course!
Last time I locked my keys in my car, my secty Eric got the car door open with a slim jim. I did NOT ask where my secty WHY he CARRIED a slim jim... Some things are better left a mystery!
Now a rescue by a hunky firefighter doesn't sound too bad...
But do NOT get me started on earring backs! I probably have enough single earrings to outfit an entire pirate crew. Hmmm... that might not be so bad either....
AC
Aunty Cindy, what a VERY cute post. Love the sound of the hounds of hell protecting you. I want you to live long and healthy so you can write lots more great books! I know what you mean about that strange split personality when you've got a book on the shelves. I've got it a bit for Tempt the Devil at the moment - half my head is thinking about my baby going out into the big bad world and the other half is supposed to be thinking of a new story but that half is inclined to be thinking of TTD too! CPs are marvellous, aren't they? And you're very lucky having such a clever, insightful person as the wonderful Jo in your corner. My CP as most of you know is the wonderful Annie West who writes for Harlequin Presents. She's always giving me those lightbulb moments. Probably the most recent most significant one was about my heroine in the book that's just gone into Avon (which will be out next November). I couldn't get my heroine right. She is younger and considerably more naive than my other heroines. But Annie said she needed to be absolutely sideswiped by falling in love with my hero. And that gave me the key to her whole character! Bravo, CPs!
LOL AC - Loved the blog.
I'm one of those people who are forever losing their keys. So much so that a work associate gave me one of those beeper thingees. The idea is you attach it to your keys, and if you misplace them - you whistle and the keys start beeping. Sounds great, right? Trouble is - the frequency to get the keys to beep is exactly the same as that hit by whining children. SO you get the whines in the back seat of the car, and the keys beeping in the front. I quickly "lost" the beeper.
Love those lightning strikes innocently provided by CPs - definitely worth their weight in gold. I'm lifting my head from TWS to do this post. Can't wait to read the next one.
AC, I'm often clueless and have, on ocassion, been keyless as well *g* Such as when I locked my baby niece in the car (my sister's, I'd borrowed it since it had the baby's car seat). Did I mention when I locked her in the car it was the middle of February and a whopping 15 degrees? Luckily, the car was warm and the very nice police officer was able to unlock the door :-)
Often times Tawny will say something brilliant when we're brainstorming or in one of her critiques that gives me an Ah Ha! moment. I'd be lost without her and that's the truth ;-)
Congrats on getting the GR, limecello!
LOL Fo! If you could but see my hounds of hell. The DH calls them "Seventeen pounds of fury!" :-)
When newbies ask me for writing advice (I've actually had this happen a couple of time!), I always tell them to find a good CP or critique group. Someone else who "gets" your writing, but is far enough removed to give you objective observations is invaluable! I know I wouldn't get half my light bulb moments all on my own. :-P
I don't have to tell you what a jewel you have in Annie! I know you are as grateful to have her as I am to have Jo-Mama.
AC
who is counting down the days til TTD is on the shelf!
Donna,
I've seen those beeper things for keys. But what moron made them the same frequency as whining kids?!?! They need to have Scylla & Charybdis sicced on em! LOL!
So glad you liked The Wild Sight! As long as I have my wonderful CP, there will be a few more Irish tales coming down the pike.
AC
WonderBeth,
What a SCARY situation, accidently locking the baby in the car! That usually happens around here in the middle of summer when it is 105 degrees. SHEESH! And I get absolutely LIVID when I see dogs locked in cars! Even with the windows down a few inches it gets unbearable HOT within minutes. I've come VERY CLOSE to breaking a few car windows in parking lots.
Yes, I know you and the lovely Tawny Depp have a GREAT CP relationship! As do Kirsten and Smoov. We Banditas are lucky in so many ways!
AC
I do have my clueless moments and they're not pretty. Sometimes I just space out and can't comprehend what is going on. I'm proud to say that I've never been keyless. I have to lock the door with my keys so there's no way to leave the house without my keys.
Congrats on the GR, Limecello.
Well done Limecello have fun with him
Fun post Aunty Cindy I too love the dogs names and my dog Tootsie even though she is small makes lots of noise even when someone is just walking past our house she thinks she owns the street as well and has had a nip at a few people that have called in.
Clueless moments I have them all the time especially at work I work with a lot of money figures positives and negatives and everything has to balance and when someone makes a mistake and I need to trace back and correct it, it can send me clueless I find that if I walk away from it and go outside in the staff outdoor area talk to a few workmates not about the problem anything but the problem the answer will hit me as you say like a light bulb going on.
As for losing keys not me but my hubby does it all the time he can never remember where he put them LOL
I am glad Jo helped with the Heroine of the new book it is wonderful to have friends that can help well done Jo another Irish book to read way to go.
Have Fun
Helen
Aunty Cindy says Will people LURVE my baby? Will readers "get" me and my story? Will I sell more than a dozen copies?)
You sold a dozen copies just at the hospital here Aunty, I can vouch for that. We did have a disagreement with BAM about it. My copy was sent right to my door, when my buds were trying to get their copy though they couldn't find it. If anyone needs a copy of The Wild Sight you can probably still find a couple of copies at BAM in South Charleston, WV....LOL
What about you? Ever been keyless or clueless? When was the last time something small made a BIG difference to you?
I have been locked out of the car and the house a couple of times each now. I have back up for the car (AAA) the house is another matter. First time in the house I found an unlocked window and crawled in, after destroying my screen. The second time was fairly recent and thankfully when my son pulled the door closed he didn't "jiggle the knob" like I do, officially we were locked out, unofficially if you don't do that little knob jiggle you can finesse your way back in.
Little things mean a lot in so, so many ways. Just as Flchen says, a kind word is a little thing but it can mean so much.
Snorked myself silly at your post, AC! Don't you love those CPs who can look at your work afresh when you can't see the wood for the trees any more? They are worth their weight in gold.
Yay, Limecello! Be kind to our feathered friend, won't you?
Limecello, congratulations!! I hope the GR has fully recovered from his big Sunday with Joan. I can hardly think of it. Ouch, my mind's eye! *g*
AC, I wander the earth in a perpetual state of cluelessness. I often feel I know less about my characters than my cat. Of course, he always wants them to start a revolution, so he's no help whatsoever.
I have been SAVED by critique partners countless times. Sometimes they tell me things like, "I hate your heroine. She is horrible and completely unsympathetic." This is exactly what I need to hear, because then I can figure out what I have left OUT of the story.
I take it back. It's not that I don't know my characters; it's that I know them too well. I know them, so I "see" their soft side even if I haven't written it into the scenes. Other people don't have benefit of this knowledge, so they only see what is actually, you know, written. It's a hard thing to read for in your own work.
Deb Marlowe, my most trusted reader, is FABULOUS at spotting what I've left off the page. She is wonderful!!
Wow, AC, that scene with you and your new neighbor could be the beginning of a great sexy contemp book. Can't you see that? I sure can. Of course, neither of you could be married, but oh I see a story.
Glad to hear your friend helped you out. Isn't it wonderful to have girlfriends who do that for you?!
Oops, forgot to invite all the ladies here over to romancenovel.tv today for my Hottie of the Month blog. Come tell me what you think of him!!
http://www.romancenovel.tv/wordpress/2008/11/18/november-hotm-by-buffie-johnson/
Mornin' everybody {yawns big} Just crawling out of bed to a wonderful post. (Darn roofers have to start SO early in the morning...8 am is TOO early!)
I had just returned the night before from my first trip to Ireland. Also my first real case of jet lag. I decided to throw on my rattiest clothes, barely brushed my hair and drive to the Mickey D's for breakfast.
Hopped in my car with my travel bag...which did NOT have my house keys in it. Backed out and hit the garage door button and JUST as the door settled to the driveway remembered I did not have my entry key...or my cell phone.
Called my brother at work....clear across town....and had to drive there to get my key from him! I looked like CRAP, red bleary eyes, tattered rumpled clothes. Lovely first impression with his co-workers!
As to light bulb moments my CP gives me those all the time. And don't worry about your baby. TWS is a fabulous story that SHOULD be sold out...and often!
Right back at you, beloved CP!! Sometimes I think being a good CP is as simple as having a fresh take on the story or characters. But, hey, I'll definitely take the compliment!
I've always found it highly ironic that writing, which is basically a solitary occupation, almost demands having a good critique partner. We writers get so close to our stories that we often can't "see" the parts of it.
And, hey, I'm the dictionary definition of clueless and keyless. Can't say how many times I've locked myself out of the house or car.
I'm so bad, in fact, that I now have a frig, swing, and book on my back patio. Hey, I can hang out there for a couple of hours until Boyd comes home from his golf game.
"Hmmm, locked out again?" he says.
"Yep."
"So, how far did you get in the book?"
"About a hundred pages."
"Good for you. Maybe you'll finish it next time."
After I left my daughter at church one day, I had to start doing head counts on the kids LOL.
Not sure I know how to answer that question. Usually those things just pop into my head if I leave it alone. Other times I'll see something that might inspire me, but most of the time I just have to be patient!
Of course, someone pounding on my door at an ungodly hour MIGHT give me some ideas...none of them good!
Yes, I have been keyless. While locked outside my dorm room in nothing but a towel. I had to carefully navigate down some stairs (it was a short towel) and retrieve an RA to let me back in my room. They were laughing so hard they didn't bother to charge me.
Something small that made all the difference. I'm sure there have been a hundred instances. I mean, I know them when they happen. *LOL* I can't think of any off hand. If I don't write crap down, I forget pretty quickly.
When I finaled in a contest, my friends sent me some flowers (I never get flowers so this was a big deal), and it was a bigger thing because it was just a reminder of just how much my friends, even my non-writing friends (which these were) have my back when it comes to my writing. All successes are important to them, not just the publishing...so that was cool.
Nice parallel.
I wonder if Mrs. Neighbor knows you're an author and she might turn up as an evil tertiary character some day?
I have to admit I'd have been a bit curious as to *why* the wife locked him out. LOL! How does that happen?
CPs are so great for bouncing thing off of and I almost always have lightbulb moments. Really, just plotting with any other writers can make this happen. The simplest thing can trigger something great. I love that about writing. And CPs. LOL!
Is it morning already?!?!
(Aunty's fingers stumble over the keyboard.)
Jane, you were up LATE! Or was it early? Either way... UGH! My old place was like yours, had to physically turn the key to lock the front door. That's why I locked myself out when I first moved here, and I suspect that was Mr. Neighbor's plight as well. :-)
My car now makes a hideous sound if the key is in the ignition and the driver's door is open. Of course, that does not preclude dropping said key as one is exiting the car. :-P
AC
who tries not to be clueless but too often is anyway
Helen,
I'm grinning ear-to-ear thinking about your ferocious Tootsie. As I told you, she looks very much like my Pug-wa-wa (aka Charybdis because she runs in circles). These little dogs do NOT know their own size! The DH is convinced that Charybdis would fight to the death to defend me. Personally, I think it is more about defending her food supply. ;-)
Like you, I find it helpful to distance myself from a problem and not think about it. This is why I get many good story ideas driving to and from lunch with my friends. That's my excuse anyway, and I'm sticking with it!
AC
Dianna,
BLESS YOU and your Co-workers! It is still mind-blowing to think of people so far away reading my book. We don't have Books A Million here in Nor Cal, so I'm happy to know that they do carry my book even if sporadically.
If you send me your snail mail addy cindymm18 at gmail dot com I will send you some autographed book plates to stick inside your copy of TWS and for co-workers too. Same goes for any of you BBs. I LURVE signing!
AC
Mme D-W,
After meeting your CP Denise Rosetti I can see why she is definitely worth her weight in gold. Plus, she has the KEWLEST SHOES this side o' Tawny & VA!
AC
Darlin' Posh,
Of course you're NOT CLUELESS! One must have clues and a few other things to swing on chandeliers as fearlessly as YOU! :-)
Lucky you to have Deb and your other CPs to tell you when they just aren't feeling the lurve with your characters. And LOL about your cat wanting to start revolutions. Aren't all cats subversives at heart?
AC
LOL Buffie, M, and Terrio for turning my rude awakening into the opening of a novel!
Is it any wonder we Banditas LURVE our Buddies who comment, give us great ideas, keep our cabana boys occupied.....
Buffie, I'm off to check out your Hottie coz as your avatars prove, you have exquisite tastes!
AC
Other times I'll see something that might inspire me,
Ok, Cheryl this begs the question....what did you see to inspire your hero's um, ANIMATED um, talent?
:-)
OH MY, Buffie!
That is ONE HOT MAN! And I love the fact that he is 40. Aunty KNOWS she is a dirty old lady, but some of those young hunks make me feel like an absolute cradle robber! YIKES!
AC
ROFL Joanie T. over your jet lagged, locked out story! Isn't that always the way?
When I first started traveling to Europe and beyond, my office mates quickly learned not to trust anything I said or did the first day or two I was back in the office. :-) Usually at about 2 pm they would find me with my head on my desk passed out from jet lag.
And thanx again for your kind words about TWS! Coming from a HUGE FAN of all things Irish like you, the praise is doubly nice!
AC
HUGS!!!! To my ever-lovin' CP, Jo-Mama!
LOL on having your own "emergency" area on the patio in anticipation of being locked out.
I think because writing is such a solitary activity, we NEED that fresh pair of eyes, that different perspective a CP brings. As Caren mentioned, we know our characters so well we forget to SHOW the readers. We are so close to our stories that sometimes the bigger picture escapes us.
Then having READERS makes the work all worthwhile!
AC
Cheryl said: "Of course, someone pounding on my door at an ungodly hour MIGHT give me some ideas...none of them good!"
My thoughts EXACTLY! Not to mention Scylla & Charybdis'. :-)
I'm with Joanie, I wanna know what inspired certain anatomical uniqueness in your characters? Is this a nurse thing?
And I can't WAIT to see what going to Las Vegas inspired for your future stories!
AC
What a great and fun post, Aunty Cindy! I love it!
Congrats on the GR, limecello. He's a wily one.
I absolutely love my CPs. Not only are they the Oracle to my writing but they're also supportive and great friends.
I lose things all the time. I think my biggest gaffe was last Spring when I was driving from work to the bookstore (for some therapy shopping) and heard a clunk of something sliding off my roof to the road. Thought nothing of it, went to the bookstore and couldn't find my Blackberry; it wasn't in my car. And then it dawned on me what that clunking sound was. Drove back to the spot and there was my Blackberry (intact) but sadly . . . dead.
I did get a new Blackberry---pink, of course! But god, that just caused a you've got to be kidding me moment.
Oh Hellion!
Isn't it everyone's nightmare to be locked out with no clothing?!?! How many funny scenes in books and movies have used just that scenario? Only I'm sure it was NOT funny in real life.
What a GREAT bunch of friends you have! Getting flowers is so uplifting! My CP Cathy brought me flowers to my launch party and I almost blubbered. ALMOST!
AC
Nah, getting locked out of your room in only a towel is pretty funny, even if it's happening to you. I mean, I could appreciate it...maybe not on their level of guffaws, but I admit it was funny.
Not so much the second time it happened a couple years later. You'd think I'd stop wondering around in towels without keys, but I never learn.
I did blubber at the flowers. I do have a great group of friends; they're the best mates in the world.
An evil tertiary character???
M, I LIKE the way you think! :-)
Actually, had I been fully awake, I would have pressed a Wild Sight post card in Mr. Neighbor's hand to pass along to the Mrs. I always keep a few of the cards/bookmarks close by to give to people in line at the supermarket, the doctor waiting room, everywhere I go! And yes, just email me if YOU want one for your very own.
(shameless plug over for now)
AC
Is this a nurse thing?
Oh, don't we wish!
AC, great blog topic. I love the image of your "big" dogs biting the guys ankles.
I owe so much to my critique partners. It was Kathy Love who wouldn't let me give up on ENIY. She kept telling me this was the one until I finally believed her. They all are great at helping me see what really needs to be fixed.
Aunty Cindy -- so glad you enjoyed the hottie blog! I think he if knocked on my door (at any hour of the day) I would gladly let him in to my lair!!!
Hellion -- I think it is so great that your non-writing friends sent you flowers. That is a true friend!
Terrio,
I think Mrs. works days and Mr. works evenings, or some equally logical explanation like that. NOTHING like all our creative writers' brains can conjure up! :-P
AC
BIG OOPS, Ely on leaving your blackberry on top of the car!
I've left a drink on the roof over the driver's door a couple of times, only to take off and SPLASH! It's raining Diet Pepsi!
I've also gone through the drive-thru at McD's, paid for my order and driven right on out without picking up my food. (embarrassed shuffle) They should only have ONE WINDOW at those things!
Oh and thanks for contributing to the allusions to Greek mythology by calling your CPs your Oracle. ;-)
AC
MsHellion said: "Not so much the second time it happened a couple years later. You'd think I'd stop wondering around in towels without keys, but I never learn."
Well, obviously you needed a towel with a POCKET! :-P
Last time I visited my niece, she was bathing her 2 1/2 year old and she had the cutest towel. It was pink (of course) and one end was gathered into a princess "crown" to fit on the toddler's head.
I think YOU need one of those towels, Hellion! Xmas is coming, so you might wanna alert Santa.
AC
Hey Christie,
Obviously your CP Kathy knows a good story when she reads it! And the judges of the Golden Leaf do too! WTG on your well-deserved WIN!
Also, you need to get your NEW COVER up on the sidebar! Don't make Aunty drag out the crop or sic Scylla & Charybdis on your ankles. :-)
AC
Oh YEAH, Buffie!
If I knew HE was waiting on the other side of the door, I'd answer in a flash!
AC
Hmmm, I'm getting concerned that we haven't heard from Limecello since the GR arrived at her place. I hope that troublesome fowl hasn't left her keyless or clueless!
Think we need to send out a search party?
AC
Hey Cindy!! Great post.
I have to tell you that I think CP's are the best for finding the clues we need as writers. When I or my partners get stuck, the best thing is to chat about the story...where it's been, where the author wants it to go and what the problem is. Like Jo did for you, often times the CP can see the things we as authors have already built into the story but forgot about.
As for the hounds protecting you, Rocky the-wonder-dog is great for making all salesmen, repairmen, kids with backpacks and the occasional stroller-weilding mom to back away from the sidewalk. 80#'s of male dog barking tends to get some respect! hehehe
Great post, Aunty. That poor boy has no idea the risk he took, does he? Fortunately, the riding crop was at the dry cleaner. Can you ask him to do a day as a cabana boy here with the Banditas to make up for his transgression?
Love your light bulb moment. Had one myself the other day when my romantic suspense was feeling a little stuck. Suddenly, I remembered something I read that Nora once said: when you RS is stuck, someone must die. So off I went on a killing spree that has breathed new life into my WIP. YAY Nora! Yay light bulbs!
AS to keyless...uhm, that's DH's job. He loses his just by walking in the door...sigh. I'm the one who has to find EVERYTHING!
My daughter did lock her keys in the car, while it was running. DUH...like father like daughter?
Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said... If you send me your snail mail addy cindymm18 at gmail dot com I will send you some autographed book plates to stick inside your copy of TWS and for co-workers too.
Woo hoo!! It's a done deal Aunty Cindy, the e-mail is out to you right now. Tawny sent me some and I almost didn't make it to the little book store with them! The ladies at work can resemble a swarm of locusts on occasion. LOL
Hey Suz!
I'm LOL about your daughter getting her keyless tendencies from her father. Who'd have guessed such things were genetic. :-P
And I know that you and your CP Jo Davis have taken some GREAT research trips. Ah, research.... LURVE me some research!
AC
Hi Marie!
(Aunty waves madly at another Casa Sister) I haven't heard that piece of advice, but hey, if it works for La Nora, who am I to argue? We RS writers don't mind a few dead bodies, right Jeanne, Jo-Mama, Suz?
I got a big LOL from my hairdresser, who reads all my manuscripts and is incredibly supportive. He once asked me how the current WIP was going and I said I was up to Ch. 13. He said, "Ch. 13? Uh oh, somebody must be in the hospital!" He was right, in my 2 previous books somebody WAS in the hospital in Ch. 13!
AC
who is no more blood-thirsty than any other romantic suspense writer
LOL, Dianna!
Actually, I rather like "swarm of locust" when used in conjunction with my book. ;-)
Thanx a BUNCH for your support!
Our Bandita Buddies are THE BEST!
AC
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