A
funny thing happened on the way to The End…
As
a writer, I’m definitely a ‘pantser’ (as in, I write by the seat of my pants).
Don’t get me wrong, I know how my story starts and how it ends, but I’ve always
thought that the fun and creativity of writing was in getting from point A to
point B. It’s an adventure.
But
for my last book, I was paralyzed by writer’s block to such a horrific extent
that I *swore* I would plot out my next story down to the minutest detail.
After all, one of my critique partners insists “there is no such thing as
writer’s block, there’s just bad planning.” I’m not entirely convinced I
believe that, but of one thing I was sure: I never again wanted to stare at a
computer screen with one eye while staring down a publisher’s deadline with the
other. That was an awful time.
So
imagine my surprise two weeks ago when I started my newest erotic romance. I
happily shut myself up in my home office with a hot cup of tea, fired up my
computer, and pulled out my extensive plot outline.
The
first line came easily enough: “There
was a dead body in my pool.”
After
that… nothing. It didn’t seem to matter that I had the entire story sketched
out on six pages sitting next to my keyboard. It didn’t matter that I knew my character’s
names, their histories, their hometowns, their favorite color socks. In an
insane trick of the Muse, the fact that I had already written out an
abbreviated story of my story meant I couldn’t write my story!
I
was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
I
settled for a Captain Morgan Spiced Rum and tonic with lime instead. (Actually,
two of them.)
Once
I relaxed, I began to feel better about my book. I knew how it started and how
it was supposed to end, so I threw away the outline on those six sheets of
paper and just let the words flow from my fingers. The spunky heroine. The
uptight detective hero. The dead body that throws them together.
I’m
happy to say that the story (so far) has elements of humor, intrigue, suspense,
plot twists and sexual tension. LOTS of sexual tension. Oh, who am I kidding? I
write erotic romance. There’s a lot of actual sex in this story. (The result of
all that sexual tension.)
But
at least there’s a story. I’m writing pages. Day after day, the words are
coming. Maybe my Muse was trying to tell me that writing is a leap of faith.
It’s hard work, but if you show up for it every day, your Muse will, too. I
don’t need an outline, I just need confidence.
At
least that’s what I’m telling myself until the next time writer’s block
strikes.
What
about you? Are you a plotter or a pantser, and why? I’d love to hear about your
process.
Leigh
Court
www.leighcourt.com 
Oban is probably my favorite town in Scotland. I'm not sure why but I'm drawn to it and the whole Argyll area. It feels like home. What's great about staying near Oban is there is so much to see and do. The ferries go out to the islands. There are castles and neolithic sites. If you need to buy something or eat out, there are plenty of shops and restaurants.
Oban is known as the Gateway to the Islands and means "the little bay" in Gaelic. Archaeological remains say the place now known as Oban has been occupied since Mesolithic times.
Prior to the 19th century, few people lived in Oban. Its main industries were fishing, trading, ship building and quarrying. John and Hugh Stevenson were known as Oban's Founding Fathers. They established a boat building yard, a tannery and a brewery which became Oban distillery in 1794.
Click on the above painting to see what Oban looked like in 1889.
Oban is now considered a resort town. The general population is just over 8000 but during the high season, summer, the number of inhabitants can rise to 25,000.
To me Oban is like a little city or maybe a wee city. :) The first time I started driving through it, I almost panicked because it really looks and feels like a bigger city at first. But before I knew it, we were in the country again. I was shocked at how small it actually was in terms of the space it occupies. It isn't all that difficult to drive through, but more fun than that is walking through it and looking at all the beautiful historic buildings.
We stayed in a cottage about four miles from Oban. On our first day there, we decided to explore part of Oban. We parked on the side of a street and had breakfast in a tiny cafe. Great food! After that we walked toward the waterfront to do some shopping. Oban has several grand old hotels. Above is the Caledonian.
A nice view of the waterfront. Kayakers were out. It was a beautiful day.
The Caledonian Hotel was built in 1882. During World War II, it was used as a base by the Royal Navy. It has since been restored beautifully. It has 59 rooms and the waterfront location looks ideal.
This is a view of the bay from on board the ferry as we headed out to Isle of Mull a couple days later. It was a cold, windy, cloudy day.
When we returned it was around 5 pm. With the clouds, it wasn't very bright for my pictures, but I still enjoyed the walk. The temperature was pretty good and I was glad it wasn't raining.
McCaig's Tower a folly and prominent landmark in Oban was built in 1897 by local banker, councillor, and Chief Magistrate, John Stuart McCaig. His intention was to provide work for the local stone masons who had been unemployed and provide a monument for the McCaig family. We didn't have time to walk up to it but I intend to in the future. I understand there are gardens inside and it provides spectacular views of Oban Bay and the islands.
Oban was important during World War II and during the Cold War. The Transatlantic Telephone Cable came ashore at nearby Gallanach Bay. This was the hot line between the US and USSR presidents. Tourism is Oban's largest industry now. Oban also serves as an important port for the ferries going out to the Hebrides.
9.4% of Oban's population speak Scottish Gaelic.
I took this picture the next day when the weather was too windy and rainy to do more than shop late in the afternoon. It was so bad the ferries couldn't run. Still, it wasn't a bad day because we got to shop for goodies and souvenirs.
Hope you've enjoyed this brief visit to Oban. :)
P.S. I donated a Scotland Basket to the Brenda Novak Online Auction for Diabetes Research. It has lots of Scottish goodies in it, some of which I bought in Oban. Click the below picture to make it larger.
Click here to check out the auction or bid!
Thanks!!
Vonda
www.vondasinclair.com
 |
| Wikimedia Commons. View of Oban from Druim Mor. Photographer: Dorcas Sinclair |
 |
| Dunollie Castle |
Prior to the 19th century, few people lived in Oban. Its main industries were fishing, trading, ship building and quarrying. John and Hugh Stevenson were known as Oban's Founding Fathers. They established a boat building yard, a tannery and a brewery which became Oban distillery in 1794.
In 1847 Queen Victoria described Oban as "one of the finest spots we have seen." The railway followed in 1880 and Oban became a popular tourist attraction. Over a million people visit each year.
 |
| "Oban Bay, Skottland", painted by Hans Gude in 1889 |
Click on the above painting to see what Oban looked like in 1889.
Oban is now considered a resort town. The general population is just over 8000 but during the high season, summer, the number of inhabitants can rise to 25,000.
To me Oban is like a little city or maybe a wee city. :) The first time I started driving through it, I almost panicked because it really looks and feels like a bigger city at first. But before I knew it, we were in the country again. I was shocked at how small it actually was in terms of the space it occupies. It isn't all that difficult to drive through, but more fun than that is walking through it and looking at all the beautiful historic buildings.
We stayed in a cottage about four miles from Oban. On our first day there, we decided to explore part of Oban. We parked on the side of a street and had breakfast in a tiny cafe. Great food! After that we walked toward the waterfront to do some shopping. Oban has several grand old hotels. Above is the Caledonian.
A nice view of the waterfront. Kayakers were out. It was a beautiful day.
 |
| Boats and islands on the opposite side of the bay. |
 |
| A grand Victorian hotel, the Columba Hotel. |
 |
| The Iona Shop and Caledonian Hotel |
 |
| Another shot of the Caledonian. |
 |
| More waterfront buildings. |
 |
| A lovely boat or yacht and the islands beyond. |
This is a view of the bay from on board the ferry as we headed out to Isle of Mull a couple days later. It was a cold, windy, cloudy day.
 |
| Clocktower outside Oban Station |
 |
| View of Oban, near the harbor with McCaig's Tower in the background. |
 |
 |
| The Royal Hotel and the Commonwealth flags in Argyll Square |
 |
| The Royal Hotel |
 |
| Bossards Patisserie |
I took this picture the next day when the weather was too windy and rainy to do more than shop late in the afternoon. It was so bad the ferries couldn't run. Still, it wasn't a bad day because we got to shop for goodies and souvenirs.
Hope you've enjoyed this brief visit to Oban. :)
P.S. I donated a Scotland Basket to the Brenda Novak Online Auction for Diabetes Research. It has lots of Scottish goodies in it, some of which I bought in Oban. Click the below picture to make it larger.
Thanks!!
Vonda
www.vondasinclair.com
Sun. Surf. Sand. Shopping. And daily walks on the beach. We have two more days at the Outer Banks of North Carolina and then will be making our way back home.
Sitting on the deck overlooking the beach at our campground. Our campsite is close enough to see the water and hear the surf.
We've been really lucky with the weather. But even when the skies weren't clear blue, the clouds were beautiful.
Footprints in the sand - human and dog and bird.
I love the dunes.
Beneath Rodanthe Pier.
Standing in front of the pier, my feet in the water, wearing my new hat.
We'll be back home before we know it, but I'm relaxing and having a great time. I'm not writing, but I'm soaking up the atmosphere and taking lots of pictures. Don't be surprised if I have a few stories in the future set on the beach.
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com
Sitting on the deck overlooking the beach at our campground. Our campsite is close enough to see the water and hear the surf.
We've been really lucky with the weather. But even when the skies weren't clear blue, the clouds were beautiful.
Footprints in the sand - human and dog and bird.
I love the dunes.
Beneath Rodanthe Pier.
Standing in front of the pier, my feet in the water, wearing my new hat.
We'll be back home before we know it, but I'm relaxing and having a great time. I'm not writing, but I'm soaking up the atmosphere and taking lots of pictures. Don't be surprised if I have a few stories in the future set on the beach.
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com
Texas style stones! :) And I love the flowers. Down below is a creek...a LONG ways down below.
I love water, so any time I find it, either natural or man-made, I gravitate toward it.
Beyond visiting the Carleen Bright Arboretum, I signed another narrator, this one for Lady Caroline and the Egotistical Earl!
I'm just waiting for the narrator of Highland Rake to audition for Taming the Wild Highlander. She's finished with the other book and it should be ready in about a month. :)
The Deadly Fae is in production also. Too much fun picking great actor voices to narrate the stories!
And I'm waiting to hear auditions for The Shadow Elf and for The Trouble with Demons, two YA fantasies. :)
Have a super great wonderful weekend!
Terry
www.terryspear.com
I'm going to be pretty vague in this blog since I'm not ready to reveal what the heroine of my third Love to the Extreme novel does for a living. You'd think I'd be shouting it from the rooftops since it's something I've personally never read before, but to say I worry I've bitten off more than I can chew is an understatement. Am I up for the challenge? Absolutely. Am I scared crap-less? Oh, hell yeah.
I've always wanted to write a main character who does this for a living. I'm fascinated by it. But being fascinated by it and being able to bring it to life on the page are two totally different things. I've started doing some research between blogging for my blog tours and trying to finish my last Awakening's book, and, man, there is a lot to this. I'm going to end up reaching out to professionals in the field to see if they would be willing to answer some of my questions.
I do have this giddy excitement about starting this book. It's going to be an adventure. Unfortunately, I do know my writing schedule is about to become sporadic. Yep, summer vacation. LOL. Kids and writing just don't mix. So I'll be down to writing only on my "daddy weekends." Which is significantly less than the time I spend writing per week now. My plan is to try and get a rough draft written in the ten weeks the kids are out. And it will be very, very rough. That way when they go back to school and I get my mornings back, I can spend the first couple of weeks back in my writing mode, putting the finishing touches on the MS.
So, authors, have you ever written a career field that you worry will fall flat when you try to write it?
Abby
I've always wanted to write a main character who does this for a living. I'm fascinated by it. But being fascinated by it and being able to bring it to life on the page are two totally different things. I've started doing some research between blogging for my blog tours and trying to finish my last Awakening's book, and, man, there is a lot to this. I'm going to end up reaching out to professionals in the field to see if they would be willing to answer some of my questions.
I do have this giddy excitement about starting this book. It's going to be an adventure. Unfortunately, I do know my writing schedule is about to become sporadic. Yep, summer vacation. LOL. Kids and writing just don't mix. So I'll be down to writing only on my "daddy weekends." Which is significantly less than the time I spend writing per week now. My plan is to try and get a rough draft written in the ten weeks the kids are out. And it will be very, very rough. That way when they go back to school and I get my mornings back, I can spend the first couple of weeks back in my writing mode, putting the finishing touches on the MS.
So, authors, have you ever written a career field that you worry will fall flat when you try to write it?
Abby
My friend and I visited Biltmore on May 2. The main reason for our visit was to see the 15 acre Azalea Garden which is spectacular at this time of year.
I loved this little bridge (above). This is the largest garden at Biltmore and it contains a thousand azaleas of all sorts of varieties, including native and hybrid.
This garden was mostly planted by Chauncey Beadle, a Cornell University graduate and horticulturist who was hired "temporarily" as a very young man in 1890. He once said that he "came to Biltmore for a month but stayed for a lifetime." He worked here for 60 years. He and his azalea hunters traveled the country looking for unique and different azalea cultivars. In 1940 he donated his huge collection of azaleas to Biltmore.
This garden has a few of these precarious crossings. This serves as a bridge across this stream. :)
I didn't get the names of any of these azaleas but I thought this one was especially lovely.
I loved this bridge and stone bench beside the little stream.
A nice collection of various colors near the woods and exit drive.
When we left the Azalea Garden, we strolled down to the bass pond. It looks more like a lake to me, it's so big.
The walk along the bass pond is nice and relaxing. It leads down to a dam and a man-made waterfall. There are benches here and there along the way so people can sit, rest and enjoy the view. Above and below are opposite views. Below you can see the top of the boat house, which looks like a big gazebo.
After leaving the Bass Pond, we again passed through the Azalea Garden, no hardship with all the beautiful flowers and other interesting sights, like this crooked tree and a stone bench.
I hope you enjoyed today's garden stroll! :)
Thanks!
Vonda
www.vondasinclair.com
Beautiful and fiercely protective of those she loves, Lady Seona Murray captured Keegan MacKay’s attention when she first set foot in Dunnakeil Castle. Though she is a chief’s daughter and forbidden, Keegan has fallen in love with her from afar and burns to possess her. But so does the clan traitor, Haldane, an obsessive outlaw bent on murder and kidnapping.
Sinfully handsome, Keegan MacKay is a fearsome guard as well as the chief’s cousin, but Seona’s father would never consider him a worthy husband for her because he is not a titled laird. Seona has secretly watched the sensual, tawny-haired warrior from across the crowded great hall for months, but when he is tasked with escorting her across Scotland, back to her home, their simmering attraction flames into sizzling passion with just one kiss.
Though she fears she is endangering Keegan’s life, Seona cannot resist his seductive charm or his spellbinding kisses. Keegan sets fire to the memories of her sad past and shows her what it means to truly live. But her father has other plans. He’s arranged for her to marry a wealthy Lowland laird. Is Keegan daring enough to steal her away? Or will the vindictive Haldane snatch her first? Buy My Daring Highlander at Amazon,B&N, iTunes and various other sites.
