Pacing Class On-Line

OKAY TO FORWARD

Online class: March 1-31, 2009
"Pacing: How To Create A Page-Turning Manuscript"
by Mary Buckham
Registration $30 at www.WriterUniv.com/

What keeps a book intriguing enough to have fans turn the pages and not set it down? How can one author's books have you riveted and another's leave you feeling ho-hum? Ever wondered if there are key craft tips and techniques to balance fast-paced conflict, tension, suspense or mystery, action and emotion? In PACING: HOW TO CREATE A PAGE TURNING MANUSCRIPT you'll learn:

* The ingredients of a page-turner
* What hooks are and how to maximize them
* The power of effective scenes: common pacing pitfalls to avoid
* The ten elements of strong pacing
* How to use subplots and secondary characters
* How to avoid a sagging middle
* What a beat is and how to use it
* Great beginnings & endings that have your readers wanting more!

Mary Buckham’s debut Romantic Suspense novel, THE MAKEOVER MISSION, was a Silhouette Intimate Moments release. Her second novel, INVISIBLE RECRUIT, was a May 2006 Silhouette Bombshell. A former magazine editor, she has written hundreds of free-lance articles and a non-fiction book. Currently she is a national writing-workshop presenter, both online and at conferences. Visit www.MaryBuckham.com or www.BreakIntoFiction.com for more information about the release of her Break Into Fiction book coming June 2009.

OKAY TO FORWARD

Chat Tonight

Wednesday, February 11, 2009, I will be taking part in the Valentine Soiree at the Writerspace chatroom from 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm EST. Sign up for the contest and win copies of my newest release! There will be a ton of other writers participating as well. To see a fill list check out: http://www.writerspace.com/valentine

Zero Words

I slept much of yesterday, instead, trying to fight off the inevitability of a cold / strep.

But the funny part was my mind must have felt guilty about it because I had at least two thoughts about the novel hit me while in a fevered state. So I'm hoping -- fingers crossed -- that I'll get some good writing in tonight. I have to say, though, I still don't have a clear vision of my final showdown. Hopefully it'll come to me during the day today.

House of Plague

On Saturday in the middle of our poetry/Imbolc party, Mason started acting sick. In very uncustomary style, he hid upstairs and read quietly to himself while everyone else enjoyed each other's poems, etc. He was very feverish by Sunday, and yesterday we went to the doctors just to rule out anything more serious than a virus.

Turns out that on top of a cold, he has strep throat.

My partner, who will catch anything anyone who even passes her on the street has, instantly also caught the cold. I seem to be the only one in the house left standing...

...so far.

But under the heading "silver lining," because my usually high-energy, high maintenance kid is in the mood for watching TV and reading quietly to himself, I've managed to keep up with the word count (so far!)