tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:49:41 +0000Musings of a mystery writerhttp://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)Blogger371125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-6603569378310393050Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:53:00 +00002012-02-20T06:56:45.454-08:00Yes, it's true :DI am super excited and THRILLED to announce that I’ve been contracted by Penguin Books to write two more Ghost Dusters books!The new stories will be written for Penguin’s InterMix eBook line. I don’t have an official release date for the new books because I have to write them first!Thanks so much for your continued support!http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2012/02/yup-2-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-7986208420328854391Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:49:00 +00002012-02-19T19:51:17.070-08:00S & M = Synopsis and Manuscripts so get your mind out of the gutter!Today I’ll discuss the dreaded synopsis. Writers fear them.Agents devour them.Editors require them. There’s no getting away from the fact that you will have to condense your four hundred pages into just a couple if you want to make a submission to the powers that be. And, yes, I said a COUPLE pages. As in two.You may have heard http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-to-write-your-stupid-book-tip-7-s-m.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-8884727571044909413Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:16:00 +00002012-02-08T10:29:27.154-08:00First of all, the Oprah ship has sailed so forget that.Okay, let’s assume you finished your book. You gave it to friends to read and they all told you it was wonderful because they’re your friends and didn’t want to hurt your feelings. Or maybe it IS wonderful. Who am I to judge? My first book was a convoluted story about a cup of flour’s journey to be a birthday cake (seriously).So what’s your http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-to-write-your-stupid-book-tip-6.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-2614682394068113707Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:14:00 +00002012-01-03T10:35:32.327-08:00Since it’s been a while, let’s briefly recap how I’m writing my stupid books and notes from previous posts:TIP 1: was all about BICHOKing.TIP 2: IdeasTIP 3: plotting and pantsingTIP 4: internal editorsAll caught up? Good. Today’s post is about names. The name of your book. The names of your characters.I know writers who obsess about these things. I know writers who truly can’t write a single http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-to-write-your-stupid-book-tip-5.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-5120520192028599187Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:34:00 +00002011-12-21T14:58:59.654-08:00Click (or copy and paste) link below to view my fun with my dog, Bella, as well as Obama, Einstein and Oprah. Best people in the world to have a snowball fight with *snort*http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/LnFmYWqJUKQwpGg4Wishing all of you the very best Christmas and much joy in the coming year!I'll be back with more posts in the New Year!http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/12/snowball-fight.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-4008353163497922111Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:35:00 +00002011-12-07T16:59:07.693-08:00Most people who know me know that I don't enjoy shopping. It makes my eyes twitch and gives me cramps. This time of year is hell on a person like me. I do a lot of shopping online and in-store shopping gets done in November because I don't want to be trampled by crazed lunatics who've been imbibing in too much eggnog.This year, I'm very proud of a couple purchases I made for myself.Deadly serioushttp://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-to-get-for-author-who-has.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-7231434926486572397Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:16:00 +00002011-12-04T09:26:37.124-08:00Tell your internal editor to go to hell. You open your manuscript with the idea of writing a gazillion new pages and finally reaching that mid-way point in your two-gazillion page book. Except the minute you open Word you’ve gotta, just GOTTA, go back and check to see if the fact you mentioned about your protagonist liking chai tea is accurate to the story. I mean, what would happen if you said http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-write-your-stupid-book-tip-4.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-425601762440866972Sat, 26 Nov 2011 02:55:00 +00002011-11-26T08:29:26.764-08:00Plot if you have to but only if you have to.Many authors I know are extreme plotters. They will plot the living daylights out of their stories before writing the first chapter. They’ll have flow charts and colorful graphs and, yes, even point-by-point lists of what comes after what. Some even plot for 50 or more pages before writing a single word in their book. It works for them and they’ve http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-write-your-stupid-book-tip-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-5482267490440059657Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:35:00 +00002011-11-23T17:42:53.811-08:00The following for my American friends.Happy Thanksgiving.http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/11/when-good-turkeys-go-bad.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-4137629453031249039Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:03:00 +00002011-11-22T11:14:08.945-08:00But does it have legs?Everyone gets ideas. Some are better than others. For example, the other night I had a particularly vivid dream. Sometimes I get great book ideas from my dreams so when I woke up I quickly jotted notes. Then I let it simmer during the day. As the day wore on I mulled it over. In the end, I decided that using my nail gun on a certain delicate part of my ex’s anatomy might http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-write-your-stupid-book-tip-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-985711234415833328Sun, 20 Nov 2011 03:10:00 +00002011-11-19T19:24:10.378-08:00I get a number of emails from fans and writers and also a few from weirdoes. Assuming you’re a fan or writer, chances are good you’ve asked the question “When is your next book coming out?” Maybe you’ve shouted it in all caps or sent it in accusing mother-guilt tone (It’s been a long time since you wrote your last book and I’m patiently waiting). To that I say, I’m sorry. I am writing. I’m just http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-write-your-stupid-book-tip-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-2841525304164903085Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:45:00 +00002011-11-17T09:26:40.428-08:00 At least she ASPIRES to be an Ewok.Off to the groomers for a short-terrier cut and a new red coat. Don't know if you can see the green bow in her hair. She was not pleased.Sometimes this is how it is with my characters. They may have their own aspirations but it's my job as an author to wrangle them into how I need them for the sake of the story.Hey, I still aspire to be a rock'n roll star. We http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-dog-is-ewok.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-3763817375911027590Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:53:00 +00002011-11-14T18:40:46.400-08:00Every single morning I walk downstairs with one thought on my mind: COFFEESo important is that first morning cup that I intentionally get up earlier than anyone else in the household so I can enjoy it in peace and quiet. There's just something simple and wonderful when it's just me and my java while I check emails to see if anyone from THE-GREAT-WORLD-OF-PUBLISHING has good news for me (NYC is 3 http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/11/everyone-wants-piece-of-me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-492792147455023058Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:15:00 +00002011-11-06T15:19:51.088-08:00This guy acts out exactly how I think I look when I'm starting a new book :)Right now I'm doing research for a new book. It's not nearly as exciting as it sounds but I'm hoping I'll get to the exciting writing part soon!http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/11/busy-writing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-1529264503949544441Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:11:00 +00002011-10-25T10:29:17.968-07:00Many wonderful things happened this weekend at the Surrey International Writers' Conference.My workshops seemed to be well received by the crowd and I was impressed with the caliber of participants. They came prepared to not only take notes, but pepper me with thought provoking questions. It made my job even more fun!Speaking of fun, the amazing Robert Dugoni made the conference a hoot for all. http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/10/sometimes-you-gotta-take-it-all-off.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-1408640171146988462Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:59:00 +00002011-10-18T08:04:12.575-07:00Woo hoo! This weekend I'll be at the Surrey International Writers' Conference.I'll be presenting two sessions:Writing Wickedly Wonderful VillainsandTalking to the Dead and other Paranormal ActivitiesDoesn't that sound fun?Wish you could all come!http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/10/surrey-international-writers-conference.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-4750727595858574455Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:14:00 +00002011-09-22T15:16:34.936-07:00Random House, Inc. Important Awareness Campaign - Join the movement I just LOVE this picture and had to share it!Personally, I don't watch Jersey Shore but I know a lot of fans :)http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/09/save-books.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-5332687684879148937Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:15:00 +00002011-08-10T09:19:42.123-07:00 My newest work contains a lot of one of my favorite things .... COFFEE! I love coffee. Love the smell. Love the sound of the beans grinding. And, of course, lo-o-o-ove the taste of a good cup of coffee. I had to research how to make coffee in a French Press. Simple and delicious! What have you been drinking lately :)http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/08/coffee-yummmmmm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-441639944742371372Mon, 04 Jul 2011 20:44:00 +00002011-07-04T13:47:58.079-07:00I'm off to Thrillerfest!If you happen to be in New York, come on down. I'll be chatting about "How to Make Readers Come Back for More?"So, as a reader, what's make you come back?http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-thrill.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-1859646123225583489Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:01:00 +00002011-06-02T07:11:23.069-07:00Sometimes I reach a point in a story where I'm not sure whether or not I'm keeping a character around because I've become attached to him, or if he really play a crucial role in the rest of the plot. Like Joe in my current work in progress (name has been changed to protect the direction of the story he he). Should Joe live, die, or just be horribly maimed?As someone who writes by the seat of my http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/06/to-kill-or-not-to-kill.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-2230899962970319865Mon, 02 May 2011 22:47:00 +00002011-05-02T16:00:54.058-07:00I just finished reading a book (that I won't name) that used the term "my jaw dropped" and then a couple pages later "her jaw dropped" and then a chapter later "it made my jaw drop". It made me think seriously about my own tendency to repeat. It is probably the number one thing caught by my editor. If she stopped me from sounding like the book that will remain nameless, then I owe her big http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-jaw-dropped.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-5431166162522732365Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:17:00 +00002011-03-15T08:38:33.262-07:00Tackling my "to be read" pile lately:Breathless - Dean KoontzWicked - Janet EvanovichDon't Cry - Beverly BartonCharade - Sandra BrownLove Me To Death - Allison BrennanThere are more I've read lately but I'm too lazy to run upstairs and look at the pile on my night stand!I'm also busy, busy writing. Thanks to all who keep asking about Ghost Dusters but, yes, it's dead ... pun definitely intended http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2011/03/working-my-way-through-my-tbr.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-5810468089551477295Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:06:00 +00002010-12-20T08:15:42.078-08:00I have a coldand it's making me feel all discombobulated. You know that feeling when you're light headed and everything you say sounds like you're talking in a tunnel? Never fails that I pick up a bug at this time of year when I'm running around like that ol' chicken without a head. Basically I'm ready for the holidays. There are a few small exceptions. Like I woke up in a cold sweat in the http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2010/12/feeling-upside-down.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24155887.post-1493077374072018535Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:00:00 +00002010-11-29T07:17:08.855-08:00Well, it's done. The decorating that is. Every year I say the same thing: "I'm NOT putting up ALL the decorations." Every year my children smile and nod knowingly as ALL and sometimes more than ALL (the extras bought on sale after Christmas the previous year) manage to crowd the house. Yes, it's true. I'm an excessive holiday decorator. I've found a way to crowd the house with items from all the http://wendyroberts.blogspot.com/2010/11/feeling-little-grinched.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Wendy Roberts)6