SUSAN LUTE

Stories For Today's Woman

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Thanks Darla! I'm so glad to see you here :)

Hi Sweetie! Great blog! Like you, I don't often visit blogs, but you've got some great ones listed! Love you!! Darla

Okay, so I'm blogging at RCRW Author's blog on Wednesday, and we're discussing our favorite romance blogs, which is a bit of a sticky wicket for me. You see, I don’t often visit many blogs. For me, it’s a time management issue. I either get to spend time on the internet, or time writing :)

That being said, it turns out my favorite blog is Rose City Romance Writers Author's Blog. I laugh often, learn new things, and get to catch up with my fellow authors. I also really like Delilah Marvelle’s blog. She only posts twice a month; good planning I’d say from a time management point of view, and I love her sassy, historical references. I’ve visited Jane Porter’s blog more than a few times. She’s always interesting. Look where her writing has taken her. ODD MOM OUT is being made into a movie in which she has a cameo role. Very cool. I have on occasion been known to spent some time at agent Jessica Foust’s blog. There’s a woman who knows her industry and doesn't mind sharing. If you catch the Knight Agency's blog during the Sundance Film Festival, some exciting stuff goes on there.

If you notice that I often only blog here once or twice a month, you'll know it's because, while I'd love to be a blog connoisseur, I'm probably really busy with the writing.

Until next time, chiao!

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RWA's annual National Conference is coming up in less than two weeks. This year it's in San Francisco. It's always a wonderful event, filled with book signings, luncheon speakers, appointments with agents and editors, Publisher spotlights, workshops, catching up with old friends, and making new ones. Every year, I come back renewed and ready to dive back into whatever project I'm working on.

This year, I need it. After having my most recent women's fiction novel rejected, I'm waiting to hear if we'll be sending a proposal for a contemporary romance on to the editor. Keeping a positive attitude is the biggest challenge in this industry. Having someone not love your story can bring you to your knees, but then you just have to hoist yourself up by your five inch stiletto sandal straps, re-evaluate where you are, where you want to go, and then make new goals. Jumping down the rabbit hole, though very appealing, is not an option.

One of the questions an author has to ask herself at times like these is not only why is she writing, but who is she writing for? At some point the answer has to be, for herself. Yes, for the reader, but also for that moment when the story she's telling is the only one she can tell. It's not the one that the industry may or may not buy, depending on what's hot right then, but the one that comes directly from her heart, the one that is an extension of her voice, her very fiber.

So, I find myself a little uncertain, but looking forward to a week of like minded authors, who all have the same dream. Currently, I'm forging ahead on a non-fiction book, titled MY GARDEN, and a long contemporary romance. I'm heading back to my roots.

Be sure to check out Rose City Romance Writer's Author Blog at http://rosecityromancewriters.blogspot.com/. This month we're talking about our favorite conference moments.

Until next time...

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We're having a bit of technical difficulties, so you can't reply. I'm sorry about that, but I'm assured it will be fixed soon.

Today I'm blogging at Rose City Romance Writers about where I like to write. Check out ANYWHERE at http://rosecityromancewriters.blogspot.com/

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I found out something interesting about myself this week. When it comes to writing, I'm not a multi-tasker. I lose my rhythm and focus when I try to do more than one project at a time. I have to put most of my energies into one main project to stay on task, and believe me when I say, when I don't, me floundering is not a pretty sight. I become a whiner. I don't like that about myself.

Okay, so here's were I am now. I'm revising at least two chapters of FFP, four days a week. I added a new scene today that really made me feel like all the hard work is worth it (never believe writing isn't hard work, and especially romance, which this novel is in a backwards women's fiction kind of way). Needless to say, I'm pleased.

When I get some spare moment's, I'll work on ZOE (that's what I'm calling the romance for now), but today, I got to work in the garden, weeding and clean up mostly. I planted a new pot of flowers, one my Mom gave me for Mother's Day. Gardening for me, is a lot like writing. I absolutely love it, don't get enough time to do it, find it challenging when I actually dive into it.

What will I be doing this week? Revising, maybe taking a picture or two, definitely gardening, if I'm lucky, finishing up one character study for ZOE.

Oh, I forgot to mention, I'm just finishing up THIS RAKE OF MINE by Elizabeth Boyle. This is such a delightful story. I'm so enjoying the main characters. She's painted them perfectly.

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You know, a writer's life is different for every writer. For me, I work a day job, and plan my writing hours around those days, my family, traveling, gardening, and reading. On the days I write, I like to exercise first thing in the morning (I wake up usually between 5am and 5:30am, and can be off to Curves by six). I wish I had time to walk too, but it's easy to run out of writing hours if I don't come back and get right to work. I also only let myself have 30 minutes to quickly check email.

I hand write all original manuscripts, and the first round of revisions is done on hard copy. My goal each writing day is to spend three hours either writing hard copy or revising an already finished novel. Then, I spend an hour putting what I've done on the computer. For FFP, I'm trying to revise one chapter a day, put that on the computer, then spend the rest of my time brainstorming the new story.

I have lots of coffee along the way (can you have too much?), and every day hope I can get to the gardening, or change my mind and read whichever book currently has me hooked. The latest is...NATURAL BORN CHARMER by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Excellent, excellent story. This is the second time I've read it.

Next time, I'll talk about where I am in my process and where I plan to go from there. Until then...

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The Readers' Luncheon was a hoot and a total success! So many authors and readers to catch up with. The speaker, Suzanne Macpherson was wonderfully hilarious. Over $2,000 was made for Oregon Literacy. And of course, The Governor is the perfect venue for this event.

So, with the luncheon under our belts, it's time to get back to the writing. Had great response from my agent regarding FFP. Needs some more layering, which actually excites me. I love the layering/revision process. And, I have a new idea for the next project.

How do writers get their ideas? From all kinds of places. The news, from magazine articles, the radio, real life around them. This particular idea came to me after spending a weekend with my Mom and daughter in Central Oregon. I'm hoping to have the proposal finished in six weeks, and two-thirds of the book written by the end of July, just in time for the RWA Conference in San Francisco.

Next time I'll post something about "the writers life" and what that looks like. I'll also post a little bit about the steps and stages I go through as I write this next novel. It'll be interesting to see if I can write this book as quickly as I'm hoping. Until then, I'll be writing.

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I finished Dana's story and put the manuscript in the mail to my agent. When she gives me the thumbs up, we'll be on our way. I decided to take a little R & R. Kristen Hannah recently said, she
spends her time between writing projects, reading her to-be-read (TBR) pile. I thought that was an excellent idea, so I finished my part of the taxes (that was for the dear hubby), and started reading. Finished Susan Wiggs', SUMMER AT WILLOW LAKE, and Kerrelyn Sparks', THE UNDEAD NEXT DOOR. Both are fabulous books.

I've been working extra at the day job, played out in the garden and took a picture or two. Now I think I'm getting to the end of my R & R. Family and friends who know me laughed when they heard I was going to take the rest of April off. I guess I'm not so good at that. And, for sure, it didn't last long. I'm already starting to work on the next project. Currently, I'm reading the third book of Lisa Kleypas' "Wallflower" historical romances. Wow! Wonderful books, each one of them.

The countdown begins for this year's Rose City Romance Writers Readers' Luncheon, a benefit for Oregon Literacy. Being able to read the fabulous books that are published every month, I can't think of anything better, except to help others find the same joy.

-Susan

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