At the recent Academy of Country Music awards, Carrie Underwood sang a “Walk This Way” duet with Aerosmith’s Steve Tyler. What a contrast, you know? Young, blonde, beautiful, seemingly innocent Carrie Underwood jamming with long time, hard core rocker from the ‘70s, known for his drug abuse, partying and sexual exploits. They sang Aerosmith’s most famous song, “Walk This Way?” Pardon me while I post the lyrics. backstroke lover always hidin’ ‘neath the covers till I talked to your daddy, he say he said “you ain’t seen nothin’ till you’re down on a muffin then you’re sure to be a-changin’ your ways” I met a cheerleader, was a real young bleeder oh, the times I could reminisce ’cause the best things of lovin’ with her sister and her cousin only […]
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Drop and Give Me Twenty! Okay, One.
All right, writers. I’m going to say a word most of you will hate: exercise. Yeah, I know, the excuses are long and many. “I hate it.” “I don’t have time for it.” “It’s too cold.” “It’s too hot.” “My legs hurt. My arms…” “I sprained my eyelashes.” Okay, I get it. But as writers, we need to take care of our bodies as much as our hearts and minds. Sitting all day is hard on writer. A few years ago I realized my entire body hurt. I was starting to think I was going to have to life with pain in my shoulders, hips and back the rest of my writing life. While I wasn’t happy about it, I wasn’t sure what to do. Other than hot baths. And […]
Read the RestThe I’s have it. But should they?
Ever listen to a conversation where “I” was the predominate word? I did this, I did that, I went here, I went there… I, I, I, I. After awhile, the picture is etched that the person talking is really into themselves. The same idea applies to writing in first person. As the writer and storyteller, it’s easy for us to get going in the first person narrative and forget to not let the “I’s” have it. When I started working with editor Ami McConnell, she warned me. “Watch the overuse of I.” “Hnnm, in first person?” I thought, but answered, “Okay, I’ll do that, very good idea.” Yes, it’s way easier said than done. It takes time, rethinking and rewriting to avoid the over use of I, or starting every […]
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Yet Another Tip On How to Write A Great Novel
Do you ever weary of all the do’s and don’ts of writing a novel? I do. Sometimes I get so bogged down with the “rules” and guidelines I end up writing something that doesn’t work. But in the end, it all forms together to create the novel I do end up sending to my editor. Nothing written for a novel is never wasted. Every word becomes a layer and texture of the ultimate story. On my latest novel, I learned a valuable lesson. Reading. Shocker, right? Y’all are rolling your eyes, moaning, “Gee whiz, Rachel, and you have fifteen novels published!? Where’s the justice?”Simmer down. I know reading is important. I’ve always read. Let me be more specific. Reading for research. I do a ton of research for my novels. […]
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