Inspiration

Where do you get your plot ideas from?

Scarily enough, my Dad asked me this very question over the weekend. My Dad, who has never so much as picked up a romance novel in his life, let alone opened the page on one, wanted to discuss writing romance!

After I'd managed to get my jaw closed again I had to think about my answer. I mean, this is someone for whom the terms black moment and saggy middle have completely different conotations.

So before I could answer his seemingly straight forward question I had to explain the need to consider things such as conflict and GMC - and then from there could explain how an article in the paper may inspire a plot.

From this we moved onto discussing how I write. How I'm a plotter not a pantser. Showing not telling. The different lines Harlequin have.

Something really struck me while I chatted with Dad. How much I have learnt.

August 2008 was when I started to write romance, and to take it seriously to make my dream come true. In August I could rattle off some writing terms, but with only a vague notion of what they meant. But 8 months later I was explaining the writing process in-depth, in detail, logically.

So thank you to Bootcamp, to my fellow Bootcampers, my CP. Without you I could never have achieved so much.

Thanking Rachel and Nikki

The Bootcampers have been fortunate enough to have the ongoing help of the wonderful Rachel Bailey who writes for Silhouette Desire. Her first book will be out in February 2010. Rachel recently informed us of her new blog with a group of other Desire authors. Make sure you drop by and visit, and become a 'friend' of hers through the eHarlequin community. She's working on a new website as well, and we'll keep you posted about it when it becomes live.

Nikki Logan has also been a fabulous supporter of the group, working with us during Bootcamp and assisting the BootCats with a brainstorming session recently. She writes for Harlequin Romance and her debut novel will be out in January 2010. Her website is filled with some brilliant tips for new writers, so go and check it out. It's one of the prettiest websites I've seen and definitely worth a look.

I'm sure all the Bootcamp gals would agree that we'll be reading Rachel and Nikki's books come early 2010. I know I'm very keen to see their writing styles in print and find out what I can learn from their work. Thanks for your support and inspiration, ladies!

A Merry Moment Indeed

Ahhhh! Sunday late afternoon - my favourite time of the week. A chance to sit back with a nice wine and take stock of all things achieved. Tonight I raise my glass to a fellow Bootcamper -Sandie Hudson who is soon to be PUBLISHED in the Kiwi Writers' Challenge Collection. (Those Kiwis sure have good taste.)

This soon-to-be merry maid *hic* salutes you Sandie Hudson. (Hmmm - maybe given the genre I may possibly not be quite so 'merry' as your maid LOL.)

Enjoy the moment.

A Writer's Perfect Easter

For Many Australians Easter means camping and everyone wants fine weather. We travelled down to our weekender outside Stanthorpe for a weekend of basic bush camping and four days of hard work clearing the path to the river. Unfortunately this year the weather didn't really deliver and we were stuck in the shed watching the rain teem down.

So, what's a girl to do? Write of course. Hot coffee, plenty of chocolate, a cosy quilt and the laptop. Hubby settled down with a book and left me too it. 

So while most of the campers we saw this weekend were cursing the weather, I had a great weekend, having discovered the secret to the writer's perfect Easter.    

RWA Conference 2009

Have finally committed to attending this year's Romance Writers of Australia Conference being held in August in Brisbane. All being well in my world that is. It promises to be both highly informative, challenging and exciting.

I am looking forward to meeting up finally with my fellow foot soldiers of Bootcamp 109. This will be my first conference, so it will be a new learning experience for me.

Now all I have to do is choose which workshops to attend - a very hard decision as there are so many excellent options. I know - I'll sloth on the lounge and meditate my decision using that very helpful device - chocolate - of which the Easter Bunny was so very generous.
(We are now thinking of widening all doorways and hallways in our house! Thank heavens Easter is only once a year.)

And then, as its such a great day for dreaming, (ie overcast, drizzly rain, cool) will focus my attention on my ms.
Hope your Easter has been safe and satisfying.
Suzanne

The best text book ever!

Bronwyn Parry was probably surprised when I wrote to thank her for writing the best ever text book!
That’s right – text book.
As Darkness Falls is not just a fabulous story from a reader’s perspective, for a writer (especially those of us attempting single title romances) it’s the best darn ‘how-to write romance’ book ever.

Sure, there are many great writer resources that tell us how, but Bronwyn is showing not just telling (hmmm – show not tell – that rings a bell!!!)

Anyway, if you’re like me, struggling to put into practice all those things you’ve read and everything you’ve been told about honing your craft, I suggest you beg, borrow or buy As Darkness Falls. It’s a perfect example of 'what to do and how to do it', while keeping you intrigued from beginning to end with a great story and real characters. (What text-book ever did that?)

As Darkness Falls may be the title of the book, but for me it shone so bright, and gave me so many light bulb moments, that my head soon resembled a flood-lit football stadium.

Do yourself a favour and shed a little light on your own writing by checking out Bronwyn’s website and blog.

Thanks Bronwyn - we salute you.
http://www.bronwynparry.com/
http://bronwynparry.com/blog/

Thanking Tracey O'Hara

On Monday night the Bootcamp Betties were honoured to have Author Tracey O’Hara come and chat with us. Tracey was very generous in taking time out from her writing (she is on a deadline for a new novel) and chat to us about her writing experience.

Tracey is one of the many authors from RWAustralia that are happy to help aspiring authors let ourselves. Topics covered from the need for an agent, writing query letters to writing in general. Tracey also told us of her first sale call. Very interesting, very exciting and very motivating.
Tracey’s first novel ‘Night’s Cold Kiss’ will be released in September 2009, so watch this space for updates.


Please take the time to visit Tracey’s website or blog. Tracey can also be found on MySpace and Facebook.


Night’s Cold Kiss:

For centuries war raged between the humans and Aeternus vampires—until the efforts of the courageous on both sides helped to forge a fair, if fragile, peace.

But the rogue, vicious, and half-mad Necrodreniacs will never be controlled—addicted as they are to the death-high…and bloody chaos.

Tracey thank you for your time, help and encouragement.

The Bootcamp Betties.

Everyone Needs a CP

Over at the BootCats loop we've been discussing Critiquing and the benefits of CP's.

And I just had to share this with you all:

Let's celebrate the new RWA website!

The Romance Writers of Australia have launched a fab new website http://www.romanceaustralia.com/.

I'm really proud to say I'm a part of the wonderful web team (even though my contribution is teeny compared to the work of the awesome Kiki http://kikifu.wordpress.com/)

So, make sure you drop by the gorgeous new website, or better yet, if you aren't a member of the RWA, become one and enjoy the full benefits of membership!

In spirit of competition...

Well, the BootCats can't be outdone by the Bootcamp Betties!! So, in the spirit of competition, meet our new mascot...

Is he WolverCat? PussyVine? JackCat?! Lol.

Grrr, ladies, he has claws. Go the BootCats!!!!