tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86503989963906128152024-03-14T08:26:11.151-02:30Regency RisingVictoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-51613157032639688342013-04-06T19:15:00.000-02:302013-04-06T19:15:19.974-02:30The future is bright...Sorry for the long time without word. It just took me a while to be able to come to terms with my rejection from Avon. It was, without a doubt, a very awful moment. I took some time, did some soul searching about what I should do next, and then made a plan. I'm going to remain cryptic for now, because I have a lot of work to do.<br />
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This might be my last post on this blog. I'm working on a website, and will bring these posts over there. You'll see then how things are looking up.<br />
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Suffice it to say that I'm energized, excited, and hopeful that you'll all get to read my 10 day wonder child in the not so distant future!<br />
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Stay tuned for the website friends. And thanks for reading.Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-55836717381277875262013-02-25T22:21:00.001-03:302013-02-25T22:48:57.129-03:30First lines...I suppose I should have a better reason for blogging tonight other than I just downloaded the Blogger app for my iPad and wanted to check it out. I mean, I'm writing with the idea that someone out there will read this post, so I should come prepared with message in hand. Alas, I am not that well prepared. <br />
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Truth is, Reg and Rowan are sleeping, and I'm up drinking a cup of tea and having some toast from the last of the bread Reg made. (Sorry love... there may be no bread left for you tomorrow morning!) At the moment I have several choices. I could play some random mindless iPad game. I could work on a video project for work that I committed to doing today (despite being on mat leave, I just needed a little project). I could be working on an outline for my next book. Or I could blog. This seemed easiest, so here I am. Oh, and the random picture of my cup of tea is just so I can play with adding photos through this app. I should note I normally drink tea from a cup, not a mug, but it's my Nan's mug and I'm missing her tonight, hence the mug. <br />
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So to steer this post into some sort of writerly direction, I was just on youtube and found a video of Avon staff reading the first lines of various books... including Gone With the Wind! Here's the link if you want to watch: http://youtu.be/2vM32myrjvI<br />
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Anyway, that got me to thinking about how important the first line of anything you write is. When we are out book shopping and have too many books picked out, we often choose which ones make it home with us by reading the first line. Best first line novels get bought.<br />
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When I was writing "Heart's Ease" (that's the working title of the novel I submitted... still not sure if I like it so it may change if I get the chance) Reg wasn't sold on the opening line. I trust his judgement on so many things that now I'm wondering why I didn't go back and change it. If the book is rejected, I'm sure it will be for lots more reasons that the first line, but now I'm wondering if my judgement was off. Ugh. Just another reason to toss and turn while waiting. <br />
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Here's the first line: The one thing no one ever tells you about royalty, either of the Hollywood or Aristocratic variety, is that they all leave a hell of a lot of mess behind them.<br />
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Thoughts? <br />
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Oh. And as for this new app? Not bad as far as the writing side goes. Now let's see how it looks when I hit publish! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qagY46ntkAGXhaUELbOxKd1mCK2P2FgnMERlsEqxSkuB5uKjPPMdbnjPvvxwREdYrRLzccfYi15XH9voUtreMJuTFz4wZkOFLdKv08OeF9pUIxT8AqpQg8F0M1kPrHgkRoLliJ_1/s640/blogger-image-289079869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qagY46ntkAGXhaUELbOxKd1mCK2P2FgnMERlsEqxSkuB5uKjPPMdbnjPvvxwREdYrRLzccfYi15XH9voUtreMJuTFz4wZkOFLdKv08OeF9pUIxT8AqpQg8F0M1kPrHgkRoLliJ_1/s640/blogger-image-289079869.jpg" /></a></div>Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com1Conception Bay South Conception Bay South47.48375 -53.028804tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-83744949707761044442013-02-22T15:45:00.001-03:302013-02-22T15:45:19.599-03:30On the cusp of knowingForgot to mention this. Last week when I posted about the angst of waiting to hear for a reply, I also tweeted it. (You can follow me on twitter.... @vickibarbour). Anyhow, in my tweet I mentioned @Avonromance and lo and behold, their wonderful Director of Publicity Pam Jaffe replied to me. She said she'd see what she can find out. And sure enough, she did. As of last Monday (Feb. 11) they were reviewing submissions from December 1. Well, I submitted December 10. So I'm not sure how long it takes to get through them, but that's the latest. Now with week 10 drawing to a close I'm checking my email even more desperately. I've tried working on other books in the potential series, but my mind keeps wandering back to wondering. Let me tell you, folks, this waiting is excruciating stuff. I have a feeling in my gut that I'm going to hear something next week. Whether it's good news or bad remains to be seen, but it's certain to be in the next couple of weeks. All that waiting, and now I'm getting terrified to hear anything. What's with the human psyche? Anyhow, I suspect the next post will hold the answer.Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-64984879015453525572013-02-11T22:04:00.001-03:302013-02-11T22:06:38.048-03:30What's it all about?<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I just realized that while I've told you all about how I wrote a novel in 10 days, I didn't tell you what it was about. So here it is. A little sneak peek for you. This is the synopsis that I sent along with the manuscript. It's kind of like the blurb you'd find at the back of a novel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What do you think?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Thriving business? Check.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Sexual exploits with a rockstar? Check.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Complete independence. Check.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Elsie Walsh had it all. Or so she thought. Until Scottish hunk Campbell Scott showed up on the doorstep of her bed and breakfast. He’s making it pretty hard for her to stand by her one rule: No sleeping with the guests.She’s denied some of the world’s hottest actors, musicians, and even royals... but how can she keep Cam out of her bed, when he’s invaded her head and her heart?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Campbell Scott went to the wilds of Newfoundland with one thing on his mind: sketch some birds, and then get back to his playboy lifestyle in London. But one look at his sexy hostess and there’s a whole lot more in the air than sea birds. Rejection isn’t part of his vocabulary, and Cam sets out to not only convince Elsie that he belongs in her bed, but by her side at the Heart’s Ease Inn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Toss in a heartbroken rocker, meddling aunt, and a romantic romp in one of the most remote places in North America and you have a love story that’s brimming with banter, and simmering with sensuality. </span></div>
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Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-66522900736098011342013-02-10T21:47:00.002-03:302013-02-10T23:12:52.076-03:30Will history prevail?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76-S8zZq3nOMUALPMEY_fnDT5B_H1M5TiGceXsaoMYCdrXBk4Uqcko6pubNIxTXaogqJFFkoIcMM0jUWD3yC3Cim8UV0MkA05GRhckBDiMPIk3bufPBF2AgQNk-sWQJz9thf_POEy/s1600/DSC01664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76-S8zZq3nOMUALPMEY_fnDT5B_H1M5TiGceXsaoMYCdrXBk4Uqcko6pubNIxTXaogqJFFkoIcMM0jUWD3yC3Cim8UV0MkA05GRhckBDiMPIk3bufPBF2AgQNk-sWQJz9thf_POEy/s400/DSC01664.JPG" width="400" /></a>Nine weeks ago I submitted the novel (See the picture of Rowan helping push send?)<br />
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Nine weeks ago I was told, "<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';">Thank you for your submission to Avon Impulse. You can expect to hear back from us within eight to twelve weeks, however, due to the amount of submissions we receive, we are unable to respond personally to each query. Thank you again for your interest in Avon Impulse." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';">Eight to 12 weeks. Two to three months. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';">I told myself I wasn't going to start checking my email like a person with a very bad case of OCD. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';">I wasn't going to stay awake at night thinking of all the ways I would prepare for the inevitable rejection that's bound to come. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';">And yet, here I am. Counting weeks, and addicted to checking my email, and lying awake at night while my six month old sleeps peacefully through the night. I'm a new mother. I should be sleeping when he sleeps. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: American Typewriter;">But it's hard. Writing something and then putting it out there for others to read, to judge, to determine its worth is nerve-wracking. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: American Typewriter;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: American Typewriter;">Little known fact. 11 years ago I wrote a novel and sent it away to Harlequin. Yup. And I waited. And waited. And waited. Those were the days when you printed off your manuscript, stuffed it into a huge brown envelope, and sent it off with a bunch of stamps. I sent it in March. I got the rejection in September. Six months of waiting. When that big envelope came back with all the pages.... which in all honestly looked at if they hadn't been touched... and a little one page letter that basically said, "Nice story but not enough sex", well I wasn't surprised. It was a contemporary romance. I prefer historicals. And it was light on the sex. And I'd written it quickly. I wasn't shocked. And not even overly disappointed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: American Typewriter;">You would think I'd have learned a thing or two. After all, I'm a thesis away from a masters in History. I know to look to the past. And yet, here I am repeating myself. Because what have I done ? Written another contemporary romance in a very short period of time that has a little bit more sex than that first one... but not much. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: American Typewriter;">So perhaps what I should do, instead of obsessively checking my email, is get back to work on the regency that this blog was created to document. If I'm going to be keeping myself awake at night, might as well do something productive with the brain. </span><br />
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Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-29359003159560190492012-12-10T21:58:00.000-03:302012-12-10T21:58:02.027-03:30Novel submitted!Sorry I dropped off the blogosphere for a while. A nasty cold had my brain turned to mush so any writing time was devoted entirely to the novel.<br />
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If you don't know already, I did manage to get the 50,000 words in on time for the National Novel Writing Month event! See the pic! It was a hard slog that last day because I felt awful. Still, I did it. Then I put the book away and didn't look at it again until Thursday.<br />
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Today was the deadline to submit it to Avon so I spent my weekend editing, and today wrote the synopsis and query letter. The hardest part of the whole submission process was selecting the best scene (of a thousand words or less). Thanks to my friend Anne, hubby, and sister for helping narrow down the choices and helping me pick one.<br />
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Hitting submit submission was harder than I thought. All those doubts about if it's a good book, if Avon will want it, if... if.... if....<br />
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Finally, my husband brought the baby over and Rowan was the one who submitted mommy's novel. I took a picture which I'll post when I manage to pull it off the camera. '<br />
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So now I have an 8-12 week wait before I'll hear anything back. Lots of time to start brainstorming future books for the series that I pitched them based on this book. Not sure if I'll start writing anything until I hear back, but at least I'll start getting some ideas on paper just in case.<br />
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I also have to think about contingency plans if Avon rejects this. Things like, should I shop it around to other publishers or should I just go back to work on my regency and try and get that done. Now that I know I can finish if I put my mind to it, it seems a shame not to finish it.<br />
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Anyway, that's it. I celebrated with a lovely glass of 12 year old Macallan scotch. Because whether it gets published or not, I did something I didn't think possible. I wrote a novel in 11 days.<br />
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Phew....Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-8803250035271674082012-11-29T08:58:00.002-03:302012-11-29T08:58:51.232-03:3010,000 word home stretchWell, it's crunch time. Less than 48 hours till submission time. And while I once was the type of writer who could stay up into the wee hours of the morning writing, having a wee babe at home makes that impossible if I plan to be a functioning mom at all.<br />
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Rowan is enroute to his Nan's house - my mother-in-law - for the day and now the parental guilt is settling in. Since last Tuesday I've been pawning him off on anyone willing to take him for a few hours so I can get in some writing. Now I've shipped him out for the day. With just 10,000 words or so left, I should be in the jubilant almost there stage. Instead I'm worrying about my baby. If this project works and I'm lucky enough to get published, I'll need days to write much more often, and that makes me sad because I miss having him around, even in his fussy stages.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Xh9kX-wv0P_zbbfH4etYYw21HrWExzUaSp78g86bTO7bkrIq4ZGaViqE1ydFNRHTKteuZu6_cN-A-NWX8TYppV8-fDti0EtwmpGeNESSiMH5uOM0RGpfSW5OjDYZdZW_Ps3cVNIk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-28+at+11.51.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Xh9kX-wv0P_zbbfH4etYYw21HrWExzUaSp78g86bTO7bkrIq4ZGaViqE1ydFNRHTKteuZu6_cN-A-NWX8TYppV8-fDti0EtwmpGeNESSiMH5uOM0RGpfSW5OjDYZdZW_Ps3cVNIk/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-11-28+at+11.51.18+PM.png" width="400" /></a>Time to suck it up. I'm doing this for him, really. So that we can see if Mommy can make it as a writer. If I manage to convince the folks at Avon that I'm the kind of writer that can appeal to their audiences, it would mean a world of difference for us. Not that I'll get rich doing it. That only happens to the mega-stars. I don't even know if my favourite romance authors are really rich. But if I could manage to at least make what I make as my salary now, I could stay at home, spending much more time with Rowan that I could if I had to go back to work full-time. So that's why I'm doing it. I might feel like a bad mommy this morning, but if it pays off, then in the end, won't I be a better mom?<br />
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Ahhhhhh. Life.<br />
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Anyway, the book is coming along fantastically. I'm basicially writing the lead up to the ending now. I'd love to get all 10 thousand written today, but I'll have to get into some kind of wild groove for that to happen. Instead, I'll aim for 7000 words. That will leave 3000 tomorrow, which I should be able to do with Rowan at home, and once daddy gets home from work.<br />
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I'm off to physio now, and then it's nose to the grind. I can't believe how close I'm getting to actually accomplishing this!Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-9780895597881503882012-11-28T14:37:00.000-03:302012-11-28T14:37:10.716-03:3015,932 words to go by midnight fridayJust a quick update... and an apology for typos, etc sice I'm typing one handed. Theres a sleeping baby in my other arm.<br />
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As of 11:55 last night, when I wrote my last sentence for the day I'd surpassed 34,000 words! Still a ways to go till Friday and Rowan has the sniffles and doesnt want to be out of my arms today. Its not likely I'll get much writing till daddy comes home at 5. Maybe I sshould nap with the baby...Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-72030011447993285312012-11-26T10:56:00.002-03:302012-11-26T10:56:54.318-03:30Half way there! It's amazing what you can accomplish when you finally get in the zone. The writing zone is a place that is sometimes hard to find. The littlest things can keep you from finding it. A sleepy baby. A headache from too much sugar and fun at a child's birthday party. A growing sense of doom when you realize it's 6:30 pm and you haven't written one single word for the day. <div>
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I started pecking at the key board, getting a sentence here, and a sentence there. But it wasn't flowing out of me the way it has for the past little while. One of the problems was that I had reached that point when I was going to have to write a love scene. Those are always the most difficult for me. So I decided to skip over it and return later. I rocked Rowan to sleep, handed him over to his dad, and got busy. By 11:55 I had crossed the 24,000 word mark. Grand total written for the day - 3424. Not my best writing day, but still respectable. I went to bed content.</div>
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This morning I packed Rowan up and brought him down to my mom's. When I left he was happily playing, with an attention nan and great-aunt ready to cater to his every need. </div>
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Now to put that time to good use. In an hour or so I should cross the 25,000 word marker. Half way there, and five days to make it. Still feeling like this is quite possible. </div>
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It's a good day to write!</div>
Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-89126795904228141532012-11-25T09:45:00.000-03:302012-11-25T09:45:05.357-03:3020,000 Words on Day 5Yesterday was an amazing day of writing for me. By 10:30 last night I had written 7000 words for the day. Most of the time I was averaging 1000 words an hour, although from time to time there would be slight setbacks.... lunch, supper, feeding Rowan.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4YispqYHUG0SWINRMEKvOTRgCVFgqgTfnMzmMddSimyQCi7jYPNJS27lWsPSwaUpKNLZ6LVqtvfQd0Zqquzcq93PWyDlcsyQizT1YRl5_3v19iSsprGCNMisUelIiY-9DIQja5tT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-24+at+11.06.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4YispqYHUG0SWINRMEKvOTRgCVFgqgTfnMzmMddSimyQCi7jYPNJS27lWsPSwaUpKNLZ6LVqtvfQd0Zqquzcq93PWyDlcsyQizT1YRl5_3v19iSsprGCNMisUelIiY-9DIQja5tT/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-11-24+at+11.06.29+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just look at that graph! What a jump!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Reg and the baby spent the better part of the day at the mall and didn't come home till almost 5:30. By then I think I'd reached 5000 words. It is harder to write when they are home, but I can't really expect my family to pack up and move out when I'm writing. I think yesterday I learned that with one or two fairly quiet days I can expect to get in 5-7 thousand words max.<br />
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Today I'm going to shoot to hit 25,000. Reg is making french toast, Rowan is hanging out in his mamaRoo, and I'm getting ready to write until Ethan's birthday party... or until my sister calls looking for help.<br />
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I'm really happy now with where the story is going. The characters are starting to take on personalities that are recognizable, and I've created a couple of secondary characters that I'm pretty fond of.<br />
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I tried to hit 21,000 last night. But only made it to 20,644. I wanted to push about her 350 words out of me but it was an important scene and I didn't want to write just for the sake of words. It needs to make sense, after all.<br />
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So there you have it. Today is Sunday. I have until Friday to complete it. At this moment I'm feeling like this is a realistic goal. Hurrah!Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-4208642420430511262012-11-24T10:35:00.001-03:302012-11-24T10:35:16.119-03:30Day 4 tally - 13,046 words<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWj0ESQ28Eonoflg6YoFQXucxWNm6mawfr6wuJtCGYmf7aG19MQ-PMGkt4enuB80ppIan8wB-UBjtSKCA2xiX_BKINfj0WELxuLs-W1v9Am5uhXLuOJ5y-1KajSN5IIQwlEgnhVz0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-23+at+10.45.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWj0ESQ28Eonoflg6YoFQXucxWNm6mawfr6wuJtCGYmf7aG19MQ-PMGkt4enuB80ppIan8wB-UBjtSKCA2xiX_BKINfj0WELxuLs-W1v9Am5uhXLuOJ5y-1KajSN5IIQwlEgnhVz0/s200/Screen+Shot+2012-11-23+at+10.45.58+PM.png" width="190" /></a>Reg and Rowan are about to leave for the day, I have a strong cup of espresso brewing in the mocha pot, and I'm ready to rock the word count for today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cWewwQqVtXMQ5tyLVwf0fegU8WFtdiVKb9PLBnM8wcGm5OxhpuxWe0bN1r8wNihfSNJ1Ey0YUj0rhvuGM8sq3rmY734zuikwHgWlGRQ8j53Dt9zkXXpIMqhZyLkHmqqXU9JvS3N8/s1600/IMG_0619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cWewwQqVtXMQ5tyLVwf0fegU8WFtdiVKb9PLBnM8wcGm5OxhpuxWe0bN1r8wNihfSNJ1Ey0YUj0rhvuGM8sq3rmY734zuikwHgWlGRQ8j53Dt9zkXXpIMqhZyLkHmqqXU9JvS3N8/s200/IMG_0619.jpg" width="200" /></a>Yesterday was pretty good. See the stats. Almost got to 5000. Rowan was awesome. He snuggled next to me and napped for the greater part of the afternoon. Yesterday evening daddy and son went out for a couple of hours so i could keep writing. It was a great help and i ended up writing my favourite scene to date.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDK0zk55zdthKXQAMc8BZ4FMWsZYawSuvP8Wp-YTHbs6eiF5k8Vih78r_l89I1jE8qDndSM6dmEXubpJQKOpjIbtZgD7xLfIJlaPzqnyC4Jx7tDW39sZ7JHFPhz_OE66RdppKBNFS/s1600/IMG_0621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDK0zk55zdthKXQAMc8BZ4FMWsZYawSuvP8Wp-YTHbs6eiF5k8Vih78r_l89I1jE8qDndSM6dmEXubpJQKOpjIbtZgD7xLfIJlaPzqnyC4Jx7tDW39sZ7JHFPhz_OE66RdppKBNFS/s200/IMG_0621.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Today will be the only full day of writing uninterrupted I'll get. Tomorrow I have to pause for a very important birthday party - Batman turns 4! Or at least his alter-ego, Ethan, turns 4. :) On Thursday my mother-in-law is going to take Rowan for the day, so that will be the last push I need before the Friday at midnight deadline.<br />
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So enough blogging. Time to write.Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-8918003739402417782012-11-23T09:26:00.001-03:302012-11-23T09:26:07.260-03:30Almost 10,00 words in 3 daysI have to say I'm impressed that I managed a decent word count at all yesterday. The experiment of trying to write with a baby in the house did not go that well. When Reg got home yesterday I had a grant total of 0 new words. Yet between 5 pm and 12:30 am I managed to get the count up to 9261. My goal had been to get to 10,000. But some words are better than none.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpAlHsSw0b9c6PGTLOaNOyq3OLBKEJhyf_AzsqOenF466Y9_RVl4JpVtflWrLN1yNdAx7zxSVCENhDYK1CeqUdWYhOfg_wFoZRE5mZCl24n5W_zlKgt0bWZjbc7UohbEuzkgfmHnv/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-23+at+9.21.29+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpAlHsSw0b9c6PGTLOaNOyq3OLBKEJhyf_AzsqOenF466Y9_RVl4JpVtflWrLN1yNdAx7zxSVCENhDYK1CeqUdWYhOfg_wFoZRE5mZCl24n5W_zlKgt0bWZjbc7UohbEuzkgfmHnv/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-11-23+at+9.21.29+AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right now the 4th bar shows my total day 3 progress.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I don't have an update image for yesterday because I updated the word count after midnight, not knowing that the webpage resets itself. Instead, today I'll show you a bar graph of where I should be had I started this project on Nov. 1, and where I am. As you can see, I'm lagging. But right now Rowan is sleeping, and should stay that way till around 10:30, in which case I have to go to physio anyway. Hoping to get some words down in the next hour. Tomorrow Reg is taking baby on some Daddy bonding excursions (i.e. Shopping and visiting, I'd imagine) and I'll get one full day in.<br />
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So far I haven't exceeded 5000 words a day and I really need to be if I'm going to get this done. I also realized that when I started I had 11 days, not 10. So I'm still pretty optimistic.<br />
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Anyway, enough blogging. Time to write! And eat a scone. I'm starved!Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-74674009657697475842012-11-22T10:33:00.003-03:302012-11-22T10:33:50.971-03:30Day 2 completeI'm happy to say that even with yesterday's limited hours I managed to surpass the previous day's word count. The grand total now stands at 6081.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiyO4vjjhZ3RujzTQhDRfUUKFTIIEq7x1DBxgDFZkiOjVYUVXa5xC_IrWtyI_US3NI5aNOVRezuyR9nHhOtGAbjIoMAZylUDRqRqgoT8EGqyBMmyYHUmp89aPejvwg12txnyuZ2Hs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-21+at+10.47.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiyO4vjjhZ3RujzTQhDRfUUKFTIIEq7x1DBxgDFZkiOjVYUVXa5xC_IrWtyI_US3NI5aNOVRezuyR9nHhOtGAbjIoMAZylUDRqRqgoT8EGqyBMmyYHUmp89aPejvwg12txnyuZ2Hs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-21+at+10.47.10+PM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 Status</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today I have no plans, so this will be the real test of how much writing it is possible to get done in the daylight hours with a three month old. Should be fun! One indicator is that I began this blog post at around 9:50 am. It's now 10:30. Rowan woke, and then I realized we both needed to eat, so there's the first slow down. But now he's lying happily on the floor and I'm ready to roll.<br />
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Other good news to report: I have characters that I now understand, and the plot is coming together. You'd think 18 pages in I'd know where this novel is heading, but I haven't a clue. I am truly flying by the seat of my pants on this one. The only thing we can all be sure of, since this is a romance novel, is that they end up together in the end. But I'd like my novel to have a bit more meat to it than that. Maybe today I'll figure that out.<br />
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<br />Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-51015865273995861112012-11-21T09:53:00.000-03:302012-11-21T09:53:08.228-03:30Day 1 Update<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHG0ilb1L7BATMqKjZbPOxAQDMuumSH0GlXY7pbNxjKu71jw0aAQ0Ud3Ths6AEhJqBhQv-nbeCN2Gb8ztRrNK2sImcikEECrl3Rj5ZFC8USbNo36h_jqHDTRanaa8wf6lyN95zqN7/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-21+at+9.46.12+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHG0ilb1L7BATMqKjZbPOxAQDMuumSH0GlXY7pbNxjKu71jw0aAQ0Ud3Ths6AEhJqBhQv-nbeCN2Gb8ztRrNK2sImcikEECrl3Rj5ZFC8USbNo36h_jqHDTRanaa8wf6lyN95zqN7/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-21+at+9.46.12+AM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helpful website keeps me on track!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, the first day proved better than expected. I honestly didn't think I'd get any words down yesterday. After all, I don't really have a plot, or any idea where the story is going, but I still managed to write 2855 words. The contest has a neat little device that breaks down my progress into all sorts of facts. Like, if I continue to write at this pace I'll be finished on October 18, 2013. Eep!<br />
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On a good note, the folks over at Avon are aware of my endeavour and told me not to stress if I don't make the deadline. Still, I love a good challenge. So I'm not going to stress over this project. I'm just going to try my best to get it done.<br />
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Today is going to be a hard one to get much done in the daylight hours. I have physio at 11, have to take my Mom to an appointment at 1, and Rowan has a photoshoot with his cousins at 3. But after that, when daddy gets home, I'm hoping to make a good dent in the word count.<br />
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It's also noteworthy that I haven't felt this excited about writing since I found out Rowan was on the way. This is the kick in needed.Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-80860201576572310002012-11-20T14:30:00.002-03:302012-11-20T14:30:58.548-03:30A Novel in 10 daysOk. So I've either completely lost my mind, or I'm about to embark on some brilliant plan that I should have stumbled on a year and a half ago.<br />
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Here's the story in a nutshell. I'm lying on the bed at physio this morning, thinking where I'm going to go shopping this afternoon, while wasting time on twitter. Lo and behold, I see a tweet that catches my interest from Avon publishers (you know, the crowd I'm hoping will buy my regency when it's done.) The tweet says <a href="http://www.avonromance.com/post/news-avon-books-issuing-a-call-to-new-writers-narowrimo-avonbooks" target="_blank">"NEWS: Avon Books Issuing a Call to New Writers - NaRoWriMo!" </a>(National Romance Novel Writing Month)<br />
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Well, it turns out that theres a writing contest held every year that challenges people to write a novel of at least 50,000 words in the the month of November. It must be a new book, not one you've been working on. Anyhow, the fine folks at Avon's e-book publishing division figure this is a great way to find themselves some new writers, and will be accepting the output of this contest for consideration. A bit more research and I find out that they are really looking for some contemporary romance novels. Well, that's a far cry from the regency book I'm writing, but if it means a shot at having someone read my work and possibly publish it, then sign me up.<br />
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Of course, my darling Reg is all for it, and is already trying to find ways to keep Rowan occupied so mommy can write. I'm very lucky to have him.<br />
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So my friends. For the next 10 days (until November 30th) I am going to do my best to write a novel. From start to finish. 50,000 words. That' 5000 a day. And given that it's 2:26 pm here in Newfoundland, I doubt I'll get 5000 done today. But for anyone that knows me, I tend to do well with deadlines. Grad school, copy writing and journalism makes that a perfected skill of mine.<br />
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I'm going to update this blog daily so you'll know how I'm making out.<br />
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I'm not truly crazy....... I think.<br />
<br />Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-56755524383113848482012-11-09T15:15:00.001-03:302012-11-09T15:15:08.709-03:30I had a baby! Remember that time I started a blog and said this is the year I'm going to finish a novel? Yea. That was a great year for me. Because what I wasn't blogging about was that my priorities in life followed in this order:<div>
1) Have a baby</div>
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2) Write a novel</div>
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3) Everything else</div>
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I wasn't blogging about having a baby because I'd been trying for five years and it still hadn't happened and to be honest, it was getting downright depressing. But then guess what happened about a month after I wrote that last post? My doctor said I'd finally been a good girl and had lost all the weight I was supposed to and that we could finally try fertility treatment. So our fall became all about trying to get pregnant! </div>
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I'm thrilled to say that after just two months of treatment I was able to pee on a stick and see that ever elusive plus sign. And in August our little boy came out all perfect and happy and life has been a whole new experience ever since. </div>
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So I didn't finish my novel last year. And I don't feel guilty about it because I accomplished something much bigger. But that's not to say I've given up. I'm hoping that as I get used to motherhood I can find some time to write. In fact, a few weeks ago while baby slept and daddy slept, I did manage to get in a few new paragraphs. It may take a little longer now, but on the plus side, next to being the best mommy I can be, writing a novel now moves up the list. </div>
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Oh, and just so you know, I did try writing while pregnant, however everytime I sat down in front of the keyboard I kept wanting to make all the characters pregnant. And I hate novels where the characters are either forced into marriage because they're pregnant, or have sex for the first time and get pregnant. That wasn't the book I wanted to write. </div>
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So when I do manage to find a moment, and some inspiration and sit myself down and do some writing, I'll blog about it and let you know. Now back to the baby... </div>
Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-89539938643725864012011-08-12T23:53:00.003-02:302011-08-13T00:03:46.996-02:30Tall talesOnce upon a time there was a lady who thought, "I'm gonna write a blog about writing a book." And she did, for a little while. Until one day an evil hag came to her castle and tied her up in miles and miles and miles of rope. "Now," cackled the weathered old crone, who just happened to hate romance novels, "no more writing for you." Until one day, the fair writer was freed by...<div>
<br /></div><div>Ok. You're not buying it are you. I bet you're sitting there reading saying, "Right Vicki. You were held hostage by a regency-repulsed retiree. If that's the best excuse you have for not writing, then I'm logging out." </div><div>
<br /></div><div>You're right. No need for excuses. Cause I don't have one. The summer came. Long evenings. Long cold evenings with rain, drizzle and fog, perhaps, but still ok to sear meat to on the open grill and consume wine. And I just sort of forgot that I was writing a book. Or a blog. And that's not a good thing, is it. I mean, how the heck am I supposed to finish a novel, when I just kept forgetting to write the bloody thing. And as for the blog, well, I convientently forgot that too. And then, last night as I sat at my computer, frustrated with work because I've been working a lot lately, goofing around posting pictures of my cats and fish and mom's dog and the birds from last winter on Facebook - which I never do because I hate Facebook most days - I thought, "Why the hell am I not writing?" </div><div>
<br /></div><div>So that's a good question. And there's no good answer other than, " Right. Back to it." So there you have it. I'm not making any blog promises now that I might not keep, but if I get all my work done this weekend, then maybe I'll get back to writing. After all, there's three months left to the year. And I said this was the year I was going to finish my novel. So stay tuned, friends. Because as the fall approaches, I expect so will the words. </div>Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-56195597642289837962011-05-19T20:13:00.002-02:302011-05-19T20:22:13.226-02:30A long weekend on the horizon...Do we want to take bets about whether I'll manage to get a sentence, let alone a paragraph written over the Victoria Day weekend? <div><br /></div><div>Let's see. Saturday morning I might get some writing done. Unless I drink too much wine while celebrating my sister's 30th birthday at a fancy downtown restaurant. </div><div><br /></div><div>The rest of Saturday will likely be a write off. I'm heading to my parent's cabin for the night, and I have a feeling my darling 2 year old nephew will not stand for Auntie hiding away and trying to write. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday. Gone again. Off to the hubby's parents cabin for a 40th wedding anniversary party. </div><div><br /></div><div>If we can manage to get up and on the road Monday morning, then there's a slight chance that I can manage to hunker down at home and write. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now you might wonder why I'm not taking this nice long weekend to write. Where's the dedication? Unfortunately, the May 24th weekend has never been one where relaxation is on the agenda. Between birthdays and cabin trips, and the unofficial start to a good Newfoundland summer -never mind that quite often this weekend late in May is peppered with snow-well, there are things that must be done. And writing doesn't seem to be one of them. </div><div><br /></div><div>Happy long weekend to everyone in Canada. And happy regular oh-so-short weekend to everyone else. </div>Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-21502811261157205142011-05-17T21:21:00.002-02:302011-05-17T21:26:02.161-02:30DefinitionsIs it a bad thing to tell your boss that on your list of priorities in life, this is the lay of the land?<div>1. Starting a family</div><div>2. Writing novels</div><div>3. Doing my job</div><div><br /></div><div>I honestly don't know. But I figure there are times to fudge the truth, and times to be honest, and that moment just seemed like the right time to set it straight. That doesn't mean that when I'm at work, I'm not committed. I am. It's one of the reasons it's so hard to write in the evening. I'm too busy checking emails, thinking about my projects, reading up on how to do my job better. But when it comes down to it, my job is just my job. It doesn't define who I am. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm trying hard not to let the things I want define who I am either. After all, I'm not yet a mother, nor a novelist. But that doesn't keep me from trying to become both. So new rule. I'm going to try harder when I'm home in the evening to think like a novelist, and less like a marketer. </div><div><br /></div><div>Let's see how it goes. </div>Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-85590812403491268802011-05-16T19:44:00.003-02:302011-05-16T20:09:06.653-02:30Know thy enemy. Know thyself.Today I received a copy of the Romance Writers Report from the nice people at Romance Writers of America. The cover was lovely. A woman (in much better shape than I am) sat resting peacefully on a rock, water behind her, and a laptop perched on her... well, lap, of course. And there it was. The headline. "Defeating your own worst enemy-yourself." <div><br /></div><div>Did everything <a href="http://www.shirleyjump.blogspot.com/">Shirley Jump</a>, the article's author, say apply to me? Of course not. We all have different issues. And her point-of-view was from that which I wish I was, an author able to stay home all day and procrastinate. I, on the other hand, need to fit my procrastination in to my weekends and evenings. Still, it was timely. And some of her advice seemed written just for me. Here are my favourite take-aways from her article:</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Bribe yourself: She uses candy, or a lunch with friends. I think I'll use wine. Or that lovely 12-year-old <a href="http://www.themacallan.com/the-range/sherry-oak.aspx?r=true#/story/">Macallan</a> Reg gave me for Christmas. </li></ul><ul><li>Find extra time: Ok. The person who can get up at 4 am to write, wow. Good for her. I don't think I can do that. But maybe I can get up by 5:30. I can try that. Or commit to two nights a week. I'm going to give it a go.</li></ul><ul><li>Make a list: Oh boy. I'm the queen of making lists. You should see my desk. And my notebook. And even the Things app on my iPad. I make great lists. But I don't follow them that well. But... if I combine making the list, with the bribery, then I might be on to something. </li></ul><ul><li>Stop bad behavior by doing something different: My bad behavior (I'm talking that behaviour that keeps me from writing, here, not those bad things I've done in the past!) is telling myself I need to feel inspired to write. As in my current mindset, which is, I can only write when I have lots of time and freedom and am hidden away in the woods. If that's what it takes, then I'm never going to finish this book. So what should my something different be? Thoughts? </li></ul><div>And finally, this didn't come from the article, but from my dear husband, who never stops being supportive. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>"Write something on that blog of yours everyday. Even if it's just two sentences." He's right. If I can update twitter, I can write a little post. </div><div><br /></div><div>So there we have it. Think I can pull it off? Stay tuned tomorrow. </div><div><br /></div><div>PS: I had no idea who Shirley Jump was, so I googled her (did you know Google doesn't want to erode their brand by turning their search engine into a verb? Silly google. It's too late for that. We all go googling.) Anyhow, turns out she has a blog, and I like it. At least the first few posts I've seen. She writes about writing, and food, and drinks. I think I'll like her blog a lot. I linked to it above. So if you click on her name, you too can read about food and drinks. </div>Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-41426704945323468132011-04-10T10:11:00.008-02:302011-04-10T10:39:49.200-02:30Out of the woodsGood news all. After a week in the woods, I have emerged with six chapters written.<br /><br />What I need to do now is keep up the momentum I've created and not let work take over again. It's back to the grind tomorrow, and I hope that it won't end in another three month long dry spell. I think the hubby and I have created a plan though to prevent it. Every second weekend we'll try and slip away.<br /><br />Yes, I said we. Because the only downfall of my week was the realization that I don't like spending nights alone in the wild anymore. Before I met my hubby I was quite the independent lady. In fact, I once went to my parent's cabin alone for almost two months! Then I fell in love, got used to having him with me wherever I went, and Voila. Eight years pass and I find myself alone in the woods, terrified at the slightest creak and shimmy. Needless to say, the remedy for this was to have Reg come up to the cabin every night. Good for me. Bad for him. I'm a very lucky woman to have a man like him in my life.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7mxCx2L-lz6k1e-lQiHpg3677Wy5uiwO_oxF_ivJyWM8cyjb0MV68D1yjm-Z7BKnM9MCdM2pPhbOLPpZ4ttycO3ka4QIO48jtsoj2ADXwKZJHBBSNNmIxLl_otH5PgPYbox0Door/s1600/ducks.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7mxCx2L-lz6k1e-lQiHpg3677Wy5uiwO_oxF_ivJyWM8cyjb0MV68D1yjm-Z7BKnM9MCdM2pPhbOLPpZ4ttycO3ka4QIO48jtsoj2ADXwKZJHBBSNNmIxLl_otH5PgPYbox0Door/s320/ducks.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593937195848993602" border="0" /></a><br />So aside from the scary nights, here's a quick rundown of how a day progressed.<br /><br />I'd get up around 8, make coffee and have some grapefruit. Take a quick scroll through what I'd written the day before. If it wasn't snowing or raining I'd walk down to the pond with the camera to see if I could spot the two ducks that had holed up in the little bit of the pond that wasn't frozen.<br /><br />Back at the cabin, I was working at the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZSsBGC21bnYJK9g7y0pD1hvBJFDxLyoLIP0CJ6N22bRiZB57te84W52FWh_gaIIdB8hUI2sDQ9oNVEAzHzpOgoQ_rvve_98CV3XSZeo-FMQi6arN_QVcwX3ez3iVuHULhDab92cl/s1600/tulips+out+the+window.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZSsBGC21bnYJK9g7y0pD1hvBJFDxLyoLIP0CJ6N22bRiZB57te84W52FWh_gaIIdB8hUI2sDQ9oNVEAzHzpOgoQ_rvve_98CV3XSZeo-FMQi6arN_QVcwX3ez3iVuHULhDab92cl/s320/tulips+out+the+window.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593938030342899746" border="0" /></a>kitchen table. One thing I discovered was that a lack of distraction is wonderful. No TV. No internet. Just me, some music, a vase of tulips and a lovely view. I'd sit and write, whole scenes jumping out of my head, onto the page. One thing I didn't do was sit and stare at each sentence, reworking it over and over.<br /><br />My goal for this trip was to get as much of the story out of my head as possible. There'll be lots of editing and tweaking to come, I assure you. But now at least I have a clearer idea of what's happening, who my main characters are, what makes the chemistry between them work, why they care for each other, what is the primary obstacle that they need to overcome. With each day came new ideas, whole chapters coming alive.<br /><br />It was a heavenly week. I proved that I can make progress on this, and I have a better idea of what's happening next. I need to stay out of the over-thinking pit, at this stage at least. There'll be lots of time for that once I have a complete draft in front of me. For now, I'm just going to write whatever comes to me. It seems to be working that way.<br /><br />All I need is some peace and quiet, a pretty view, and a good husband not too far away come night fall.Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-15710599239976186732011-03-27T09:29:00.002-02:302011-03-27T09:44:02.871-02:30Preparing for a week of writingFirst of all, thanks so much for all the questions and advice that you guys sent to me. I really appreciated them all. When the book is done, you'll find some answers in there. And my next post will address some of them. I promise to post at least once before I go away. Which leads to the big news: there's just one week left till I head to the woods for two weekends with the whole week in between to make a big push towards "gettin' er done", as we say at work.<br /><br />My last blog post resulted in lots of great offers of places to go, and each one of them would be perfect. In the end, my in-laws cabin has won out for three good reasons: it's within an hour of home so the hubby can come visit me; it has a spectacular view of a pond and I can already envision early mornings sitting at the table by the big kitchen window that overlooks the water, drinking my coffee and getting my head together; and finally, it has heat. And a woodstove. So I can get the best of both worlds. For those of you readers not familiar with Newfoundland, which is where I live, we just had a snowstorm two days ago and everything here is covered in ice and snow. Heat is important! Also, I must confess, it's not as secluded as my parent's cabin, so I know that if I get starved for company, there's bound to be a stray aunt or uncle in law nearby. And did I mention no internet? Which is ideal. Clearly not because I'd spend more time blogging than writing, but because I can escape both curses that plague me: the curse of wanting to research more; and the curse of checking my work email, even when I'm off. I bet this week is going to seem endless as I count off the days till I get away. <br /><br />I would have dearly loved to go to my Nan's cabin. Honestly, that would have been the ideal place. It's where she read all her romances, it's where I used to read in the rocking chair across from her, and it's just one of the most beautiful places in the world. But it's five hours away, I haven't been there since she passed, and I would be there all alone. My fear is that I'd spend more time missing her than accomplishing anything at all. But maybe this summer the hubby will have time to come with me and we'll go for a visit.<br /><br />Stay tuned for the promised post before the week is out.<br /><br />Thanks everyone!Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-67858454844252373462011-03-03T20:11:00.004-03:302011-03-03T20:35:04.813-03:3020 QuestionsYesterday I received a tweet. For those of you not familiar with Twitter, that's what you call a little post someone makes. Anyhow, this tweet said, "I'll post something new if you will." That was my cousin Ken's way of saying, "We are bad bloggers. Get back at it, lady." Well, I think that's what it means. My cousin lives in Ottawa and I don't see much of him, but I figure that's the general gist of what he means. So here I am, blogging. <div><br /></div><div>The other part of his tweet, well, that's the part I don't really want to write about. He asked, "Any progress with the writing?" Should I hold a poll to see what you all think the answer to that is? You got it. It's a big no. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Vicki!", I bet you're wondering. "The last time you posted you were all ready to embrace the inspiration of the morning and write and write and write." And I did. I wrote about six pages, which is pretty good. But then I got on twitter, and created an account for <a href="http://www.chessfishandchips.ca/">Ches's</a>, and tweeted for that, and then I had supper, and then I turned around and it's two or three weeks later and here I am with no blog, no new writing, and a derelict twitter feed for the family business. I suck. </div><div><br /></div><div>To be honest, I should have inspiration to write all over the place. The hubby is supportive, the family is supportive, I even had that kick in the pants from a real romance writer. And still, I'm approaching another weekend with no idea what I can produce this weekend. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've done all kinds of "sort of" work. I sent in my membership to the <a href="http://www.rwa.org/">Romance Writers of America</a>, a writer's organization for people like me. I almost booked a research trip to England, but then hubby realized he was too far behind in his work for us to go. I re-read a book about regency era fashions. I even read a couple of new romance novels including <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Lady-Most-Likely-Novel-Three/dp/0061247820">"A Lady Most Likely"</a>, which has two of my favourite authors together! But no writing. So I need your help. I gotta get my head back in the game. So I'm asking you to ask me a question, something for me to ponder about the story. Like "Is your main character allergic to grass?" or "Why is your main hunk a Duke?" You can ask it either in this blog, or on twitter, or on facebook, or to me directly. Maybe I'll blog some answers. And even better, maybe it'll get me thinking a little differently and get me past this hump I'm stuck on. I'd really appreciate the gentle prod. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just so you know, it's not that I don't think about the story. Yesterday, for instance, I told a co-worker I was going to make a crotchety, curmudgeon character and model it after him. Sorry JMR. We made up after, and now he can be much more dashing. And I've also booked a week off work in April so I can disappear somewhere to really get some writing done. That works for me, the hiding away in the woods. So I'm going to do it again. And it would be great if I'm back in fighting form when I do it. </div><div><br /></div><div>So please, friends. Help a struggling storyteller out. Ask me a question. </div>Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-44559608466456082442011-02-12T08:30:00.002-03:302011-02-12T08:50:06.947-03:30A morning fit for writingThere are some days I just don't want to write. Days when the very idea of sitting down in front of my computer and tap-tap-tapping on the key to form even one sentence is the very last thing I want to do. I've felt this way for the past week or so. It's not that I haven't been excited about the book.<br /><br />Nope. My head is full of scenes, and I can describe my hero right on down to the scar on his... well. Never mind. You'll need to read to find that out. Sometimes I think I can even hear the voice of my heroine, although I'm wondering how upper-class British a woman who's been in St. John's for most of her life during the the first decades of the 1800s would sound. There'd likely be a large mix of Irish and lower-class British dialects tossed around in her world. But I suspect she had a very strict and proper governess. Her father likely wouldn't have sacrificed that. Regardless, I've been thinking about the book. I just haven't done anything to get it down on paper.<br /><br />If I wanted to come up with excuses, I certainly could. But the real reason is sheer burn-out. The past few weeks at work have been exciting, lots of new projects on the go, quick deadlines, high expectations, etc. And since the majority of what I do at work is write, you can see why writing more at home hasn't really been tops on my list.<br /><br />But then yesterday morning (Friday) I walked into the sun-lit kitchen. The combination of the bright sun, amplified by the snow, and the welcoming sight of a tidy dining room table, made me want to call in sick and plop myself down at the table and just write away. Of course, I didn't. I went to work. But I spent all day wishing I was at that table writing. Last night I sent myself to bed early just so I could have a chance at wanting to wake this morning. And here I am.<br /><br />And you know what? The sun is just as bright. The table looks just as inviting. And I feel a scene or two coming on. What do you know. It's time to write again.<br /><br />I really am a get up in the morning and write kind of writer, which is surprising since I'm a notorious non-morning person. When I was at Kilmory at the writing retreat back in October it was the same thing. I'd wake up, make coffee, and go for a walk. In the sun. In the drizzle. In the pouring rain. Didn't matter. A quick little jaunt through the woods, and I was ready to go.<br /><br />The separation between the real world and the writing world also helped, and I think I might need to escape for a bit once I really get into the meat of this book. Of course, we're planning a trip to England very soon, but that's fact finding. I'll likely write (and I'll blog, of course) while there, but I think by the summer I'll be taking weekends and hiding in whatever cabin I can manage to borrow. I'm lucky between my parents, my in-laws and my aunt, there are three.<br /><br />So now I'm off to grab a coffee, and a bagel, and see what happens next.<br /><br />And sorry for the 11 day blog break. I won't let it go this long again.Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650398996390612815.post-11130562543296081082011-02-01T19:26:00.005-03:302011-02-01T19:50:24.927-03:30Seven novel accomplishments on SaturdayA.K.A : I may not have written the chapter (or even a paragraph) but Saturday was still a good day for the novel<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. I now have two family trees for the main characters. </span><br />You may wonder why it's important that I know that the heroine's grandmother was born in 1741? After all, there was a lot of "if this character had that character when she was 18 then that character was born in 17XX" going on during this process. But this really helped me figure out who's who, and why they're relevant in the story. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. I found maps of Somerset for the time period I'm writing about</span><br />Now I know where they live, and how far apart the two family homes are from each other. Sure, these homes are fictional, but they're near real places.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. I know how long it takes to get from one house to another on horseback, and in a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaeton_%28carriage%29">Phaeton</a>.</span><br />You see, I should know how they get back and forth, and just how much of a jaunt it is. I should add it took considerable time to decide on which type of carriage best suited my character.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. I know a great website for village inn's in England</span><br />Ok. I admit it. This has nothing directly to do with the novel. But it's essential for hubby and I for when we go to England this spring. For research. So a novel accomplishment it shall be.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. I'm pretty sure I know enough about dying of syphilis. </span><br />When you read the book, you'll know why this matters. And no. This is not a spoiler.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. My heroine's brother has a name, and I now like him</span><br />Again, important, since in the beginning, I wasn't sure how I was going to make him. But he's an alright fella, once you get to know him.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. I almost have a song for a critical part of the book decided on</span><br />Yes, this sounds like I'm stretching for accomplishments just so this list could be about 7 accomplishments instead of 6, but really, I've been obsessing about this since August. Seriously. And now I think I almost have it decided. Big step.<br /><br />So there you have it. I didn't write a word for the book, and yet managed to write pages of backstory, build some pretty charts, and in general, figure out some things. Because writing a novel isn't just about writing the book. There's a whole lot of thinking, and rethinking, and figuring stuff out. And that was Saturday. All in all, a decent day. This Saturday I'm getting my done, but other than that, no plans other than to soldier on.Victoria Barbourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13716889613251210381noreply@blogger.com3