BMG

 More Vampires…

Brit Blaise

Cavecreek Cowboy Kama - November Amber Quill Press
Slayers Inc - Vampires and Werewolves - Amber Quill - October bestseller list
Jax and the Corporate Giant - December - RT Website
Cave Creek Cowboy Menage - Coming Jan
The Blood Club - Coming Jan
Lady in a Box - Coming April AQ
A Sure Thing - Coming April AQ

www.britblaise.com

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Okay, last week I posted my goals for 2008. Now it’s time for a progress report.
Goal 1. Was to drop 20+ pounds and get myself back into shape. - This is for health reasons as well as no longer fitting into my clothes. I had a body fat index reading done and was astounded when I was told I was in the “health risk” range. This did not bode well with me since heart disease runs rampant in my family. So I’ve started to change my eating habits and will start working with a trainer at the gym twice a week come Monday.
Goal 2. Submit 3 proposals a month. - I’ve written the query letter, first 3 chapters and submitted them to my critique group. (the BMG’s) Still need to do some more work on the synopsis and will then send it off to them too. Once I get their feedback I will make revisions and send off my packets.
Goal 3. Directly tied to goal 2. Get that NY publisher to notice me and my writing!
Anyway, that’s what is happening with me. Thanks for letting me share.
Ciao,
Kayla Janz

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This is too cool, considering… I wrote the story in the final hour and proofed it, which my critique partners are probably cracking up over. I’m the queen of missing what’s right under my nose. Without so much a whisper of a second thought, I sent it off.

Then I had the computer crash from hell. So while I’m hopeful I’ll final, there’s an overall sense of uneasiness in the coming weeks after the crash. When I finally get to read my submission, I remembered cookies, and snow, and coming face to face with the last person my heroine would want to see…but not much else.

After reading it, I had to wonder what was happening that day. Could I have given my poor Carly a more depressing start?  It seems rather emotional. And what’s with the “C” names?  My heroines are either C’s or J’s.  

Nor did I put a lick of sex into it…and I really like to get my characters in bed together within the first five pages if possible…if not bed, then flagrant acts of passion. So even though I have two stories to edit, and one to write…Carly is waiting in the car, hot and bothered.

This is the man she’s obsessed over for seven years. Before that…she simply loved him with her whole heart. She’s like a monkey on my back. Only she knows where this will go and she wants to take me along for the ride.

Here she comes now and she won’t be denied.

Brit Blaise

Cavecreek Cowboy Kama - November Amber Quill Press
Slayers Inc - Vampires and Werewolves - Amber Quill - October bestseller list
Jax and the Corporate Giant - December - RT Website
Cave Creek Cowboy Menage - Coming Jan
The Blood Club - Coming Jan
Lady in a Box - Coming April AQ
A Sure Thing - Coming April AQ

www.britblaise.com
www.butterscotchmartinigirls.com

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Critique groups are like finding the right pair of jeans - look for that perfect fit. I’ve been involved with several groups and some fit just right and others are too long, too short or my ass would never fit into them.

The 1st one I belonged to had all newbe writers. This would have been great, except I didn’t feel like I was adding value. My feedback (and not just some of it) was falling on deaf ears. I also got feedback (this is great with a few grammer marks). Nothing deep and meaningful, which could have pushed my writing to get better.

The 2nd one I had joined, had a great mix of different writing experience. But one of the critique team members wanted to change all of our voices. Definately, not fun. And then it fell apart because no one could make the meetings or do the critiques. I think we just didn’t quite fit together.

Then I joined the Butterscotch Martini Girls. It’s a great mix of writer experiences and personalities. I enjoy going to the meetings, I feel heard, and I love the feedback from the others.

Don’t hesitate to change if a group isn’t working for you. Sometimes, everyone clicks right off the bat and it’s great. Others, just don’t fit like a glove.

Recently, I was able to attend another critique group meeting. They asked for some help with some compuper stuff. But I was also able to see the dynamics of how they work together. If I could offer some advice for critique groups, here it is:

* Establish how communication would be handled. Do you wait until you meet to give feedback? Can it be sent online? I’ve found that getting the feedback as soon as possible allows the person to think about the information. In their own time, they can take what they want and leave the rest. Sometimes going through each of the critiques in person can be overwelming for some people. Also, evaluate how communication is going and change them as the team grows in experience.

* How often will you meet and where? Make sure you pick something that is conducive for all involved? My current group meets every Tuesday when there isn’t a chapter meeting. We even meet when there is nothing to do in person. This helps us keep our bond and we always know this time has been set aside if we have last minute brainstorming to do or talk about market news, or go over previous feedback we didn’t understand, etc.

* Talk about what you want from a critique. Maybe you write too fast (I wish) and you need people to look out for missing action or dialog. Maybe you need someone to check for the right emotional reaction? They can always check for area’s they are good at, but make sure it’s also helpful to you.