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Corks and Conversation #1: Cindy Callaghan

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We’ve started a new series on the GOB podcast – Corks and Conversation!  This week we had the pleasure of talking with Cindy Callaghan. Since she writes for ‘tweens, we opted for some cocoa instead of her favorite bottle of wine.  We talked about her writing process, road to publication with her 2 series, Just Add Magic and Lost in,  and 2 stand alones,  plus her uber-successful Amazon series, her upcoming projects and her thoughts on marketing for writers.  Fans of Cindy’s work, as well as writers from all genres, will want to listen!

Join GOB the discussion on Facebook or Twitter!

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Episode 15: Champagne, Insidious, and Two Can Keep a Secret

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Episode 15 was an extra-fun podcast – we were finally together in Florida!

We enjoyed a bottle of Barefoot Bubby Pinot Grigio Champagne while discussing two great reads!  Catherine Coulter‘s Insidious is #20 in FBI series.   Karen M. McManus’s Two Can Keep a Secret is her second young adult thriller, following her first bestseller One of Us is Lying.

In the Writer’s Perspective, we talked about writing in past versus present tense.  It was an interesting conversation and we’d love to hear from other writers on the topic!  Join the discussion on Facebook or Twitter.

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Comparables, revisited.

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I pitched my WIP last summer. Despite  my ever-present companion, FEAR, joining me, it went ok. I had two comparables ready to go, both well known and good matches. One related to my MC and the other to plot themes. Most agents liked them, and got the idea of where I was going, or they were being nice and not commenting further.   But one of the agents, who I greatly respect and truly enjoyed talking to,  specifically suggested that I needed current comparables, because knowing where your project fits in the current market is more important to agents and publishers  than well known, but older comparables. It was true, my comparables weren’t published within the last three years.

Skipping several months later (to be honest, so many more months than I anticipated),  I’m finishing my revision and moving on to editing/polishing stage. And as the process is progressing, I’ve been thinking about revisiting my comparables.

This time, to make sure I focused on current comparables, I spend a few hours at Barnes and Noble. I scanned both the mystery and fiction section (on a side note….does anyone understand how BN organizes their store? Catherine Coulter, in mystery, but Harlan Coben and Lee Child in fiction?? Just curious).

A library is a great place, too. They’re some of my favorite places, but for current works, book stores are really helpful. The stacks are full of books, but the recent ones have the hard covers often facing outward, so you can easily focus in on an author’s recent works.

Since I’m writing a thriller, Iperused nearly every newer release in the mystery section and probably half in the fiction section.  I walked away with a huge TBR pile to be sure, but I also walked away with several very recent books to add to my potential comparables list.

Just a thought, fellow newbies, as you’re ready to compile the comparables for your WIP.

Any other tips for the comparables task?

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Episode 13: The Seven Deadly Zins, Death by Breakfast, and A Case of Syrah, Syrah

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Episode 13 kicked off with the bestselling Seven Deadly Zins wine   We both thought it was a great accompaniment to our mysteries and our discussion.

Some highlights:

Christie might need to be enjoying a little more wine than usual, with the addition of her newly adopted dog, Layla!  Hopefully, she’ll share a picture here soon!

My mystery this week was the first in Nancy J. Parra’s Wine Country Mystery Series:  A Case of Syrah, Syrah.  Christie shared Beth Gutcheon’s Death at Breakfast.  Both include great locations and even better food and wine.  And guess what Nancy J. Parra’s second in the series is called?  The Seven Deadly Zins!

The Writer’s Perspective segment is in our third week and this week we discussed pacing. We’d love to hear your thoughts on creating the right pace in your WIP. Let us know on Twitter or Facebook – @gobwriters.

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Small Goals, Month by Month

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It’s the last day of January. Wait, what? And, itt’s been a cold, Polar Vortex end to the month.

I’m ending this month, looking forward to a 66 degree increase in temperature this weekend, and taking stock of the first month of the year. January is a long month, but one in which I struggle to really get going after the Holidays. I know the upcoming months will go by even faster, so I’m starting my year review now, one month at a time.

So, on February 1, I’ll be making a few notes on the back of my January calendar. What went well? What didn’t? What did I accomplish toward my 2019 goals? And what specifically am I going to do in February to get even closer to those goals? Small steps, I’ll remind myself. But, also, consistent, daily action.

One of my small-step goals in February is to expand my podcast listening library. I just read this article about doing just that. Another small February goal is to do a better job of spreading the word about the GOB podcast! If you haven’t joined us for wine, mysteries, food, and writing conversation, we’d love to have you. Join us!

What are you small February goals? Let’s make it a great month!

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2019: Paying Attention to Signs

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I’m about to start something that I didn’t anticipate for the New Year. And, I’m fighting the temptation to back out.

I went to a fantastic yoga class in December and came home resolved to make sure I made more time for yoga. I logged on to my yoga studio’s website to book more classes and there it was – a 200 hour teacher training opportunity. Shivers.  This is what I need to do, I thought.   A true gut feeling. I told my husband and daughters. They agreed.  I was feeling great, excited, determined.  Then, of course, I showered and got back to my To-Do list and realized the 200 hour yoga idea was crazy.  To many other things to do.  But an hour later? I saw the yoga studio owner while running errands.  Shivers again.  A sign. With my throat in my mouth, I mentioned I was thinking of about the teacher training.

Here’s the thing – when you ask for the signs, you can’t ignore them. It’s one of my rules for the year. I’m going to work on paying attention.

That was two months ago.  Teacher training starts this weekend.  And I don’t have the time.  I  have two sizeable deadlines looming.  I’m not even close to the shape I wish I was in to begin this.   Can’t do a full boat and do Chatarunga on my knees.  I’m not even sure I want to teach yoga. I  have every reason to back out and stay home. It’s what I would normally do.  But, guess what? I’m going.  I’m going to stop ignoring the signs.

What are you doing differently this year?

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Episode 11 – Josh Cab, The Last Mrs. Parrish, and The Edge of Normal

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In Episode 11 of our Game of Books podcast, we enjoyed a great bottle of Josh Cabernet and talked about the Marie Kondo concept of organizing.  My mystery selection was from the joint writing team of Liv Constantine — The Last Mrs. Parrish.    Christie shared a food scene from Carla Norton’s The Edge of Normal.  We had a great talk about the role of biscuits in South.  You never know where these conversations will take us – starting with wine, on to mysteries, and always food.  Join us and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

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2019 Resolution Possibilities

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I love fresh starts.  I love planning. But, I don’t love the crushing feeling of having made plans and not following them through.  This is the very reason, I suspect, that so many people are hesitant to set any resolutions at all.

In an effort to circumvent the whole soul-crushing thing so soon after the New Year, I’m looking at a couple of alternatives to the resolution concept.

First, a really cool concept I found on A Cup of Jo.  The idea is to make lists (she’s speaking my love language) of what you want to see more of in 2019 and less of in 2019.  Doesn’t that sound like a kinder way to think about the year ahead?  For example, this year, I’d like to see more of:  gratitude, kindness to myself, consistency, and avocados; And less of:  bad sleep, stress, rushing, and regret.  No hard lines, just a little more of some things, and less of others.

Second, a theme.  The is the year of __________.  I love this concept.  I’m still debating my theme (I’m close, though) and debating whether I want to share it.  It might just be more magical to be quiet about it.

I’m adding that to my list, too.  More quiet this year. Love it.

What kind of resolutions appeal to you?

 

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2019 Goals: A Reading Log!

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On our podcast this week (Episode 10), Christie and I discussed New Year’s goals.  I’m working hard to avoid to BIG, unrealistic goals, and instead trying to create small, new habits that can lead to bigger things.  But, I’m still tempted.  For example, I wanted to set a reading goal this year.  100 books?!  Why not?  We’ll for sure read at least 52, thanks to the Game of Books podcast (Have you subscribed yet?  If you’re new to podcasts, Christie explained them  in her latest blog).  But, I know even setting a number is setting myself up for a less than preferred outcome.

Instead, for the first time, I’m going to track my reading.  If you’re interested in tracking yours, I’m sharing my Reading Log template below.  In addition to tracking, I’m going to read heavily from my already-purchased To Be Read pile (or shelves).  I love books and never regret buying them.  But, my TBR shelf is starting to sag.  The solution?  Read from it and slide those read to the library shelves.  Another reading-related goal? Organize those shelves! That might be going too far.

What are you reading goals for 2019?

Game of Books 2019 Reading Log

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