tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post6911068333023740402..comments2024-01-14T02:19:22.761-05:00Comments on Have Your Cake & Read It Too: Forget Me NotErin Knightleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-81444151249645188302010-12-03T22:58:33.076-05:002010-12-03T22:58:33.076-05:00Aha - my competition! ;) Gina, I'm so glad y...Aha - my competition! ;) Gina, I'm so glad you decided to drop by, and that I could make you laugh. Indeed, Richard and Jane opened up a few days later and I was able to finish and get the whole thing off to the good people at the Golden Heart :) It was rather cathartic to write this letter - I highly recommend it!<br /><br />Good luck with the speed date! I'm heading over now to have a look at your blog, and see what I am up against ;) Cheers!Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-68633864286071543572010-12-03T00:24:37.600-05:002010-12-03T00:24:37.600-05:00LOL - this was hysterical...and something I think ...LOL - this was hysterical...and something I think we've all wanted to write to our characters. I hope they opened up again for you.<br /><br />I popped in to take a look at the "competition" from Deidre's speed dating contest. Good luck to you! I can already tell I love your style and would love to read one of your books someday. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04109677382274000163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-46987205450697678732010-11-28T10:46:02.155-05:002010-11-28T10:46:02.155-05:00Thanks, Jenny! I happily finished the manuscript a...Thanks, Jenny! I happily finished the manuscript and got my Golden Heart contest entry off this week :) Hooray!<br />So glad you stopped by :)Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-52451096478505582762010-11-26T20:20:54.611-05:002010-11-26T20:20:54.611-05:00Although these well wishes are too late by now, I ...Although these well wishes are too late by now, I hope everything worked out with yhour three. Good luck on your submission and thanks for the delish recipe.Jenny Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-43021452518217646952010-11-16T23:34:38.246-05:002010-11-16T23:34:38.246-05:00So glad you got a kick out of it, Heather :) And ...So glad you got a kick out of it, Heather :) And really, I feel better having vented. Today I went back a few chapters, and I think I may have pinpointed where things veered a little off course.<br />Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions - here's to finishing by tomorrow!Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-57856384057676046572010-11-16T23:33:06.775-05:002010-11-16T23:33:06.775-05:00I don't know Ryan, Bond-esque tactics may inde...I don't know Ryan, Bond-esque tactics may indeed be in order . . . <br />Thanks for the suggestion ;)Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-49848201331481999392010-11-16T21:26:00.681-05:002010-11-16T21:26:00.681-05:00I have no insight...I just wanted to pop in to say...I have no insight...I just wanted to pop in to say that was quite hillarious! <br /><br />Seriously, though...I read somewhere that everything you need to finish a book should be planted within the first 3 chapters...and in my experience, that has been true. When I was stuck on "Sweet Enemy" and I had finally reeled my characters back in (after letting the miscreants almost run our story completely off track), I wasn't sure how to end things.<br /><br />I went back and read the first 3 chapters and voila! The way to end it was right there, staring me in the face, and tying things up nicely, as well. Good luck!Heather Snowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16658143507115401865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-70530922596219812902010-11-16T17:52:47.990-05:002010-11-16T17:52:47.990-05:00Maybe you could have an Ian Flemming character swi...Maybe you could have an Ian Flemming character swing by to MAKE Richard and Jane talk? He'll have a sinister mustache and go by the name "The Surgeon". A nefarious table of twisted metal instruments and truth serum will get those two yapping like they've never yapped before! Then again, maybe the cookies will do the trick.Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08214165343272889832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-72776008508935385602010-11-16T15:03:33.031-05:002010-11-16T15:03:33.031-05:00All wonderful suggestions, Melissa! I'll give...All wonderful suggestions, Melissa! I'll give them a try, and see if I can report success by tomorrow :) Thanks, sweetie!<br /><br />I know, right, Kara? All wonderful thoughts. I won't be walking since it's raining, but I'll give the others a go :)Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-56177276097495236452010-11-16T13:43:54.041-05:002010-11-16T13:43:54.041-05:00It's so awesome you're getting such great ...It's so awesome you're getting such great suggestions!! I've never heard of the mirror technique, but I like it. I also love walking and plotting, that does work for me. And asking the hubby to act out -- well I can't wait to hear how that one goes! xoKara Holdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02546404485329277556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-90582956890923600862010-11-16T13:03:41.961-05:002010-11-16T13:03:41.961-05:00Okay Erin you don't have time to wait so liste...Okay Erin you don't have time to wait so listen up. This is un-blocking methods bootcamp. First you need to grab a piece of paper and pen. Yes no computers. Sit somewhere other than where you normally write. Outside works wonders. And start asking questions. Write the question down and then answer the question in thier pov. Real questions that pertain to the book. In the last scene pick the biggest turning point and ask why? How did she feel? What does she think she needs to do now. <br /><br />If that doesn't work then take a walk and plot in your head. <br /><br />The craziest suggestion but it works, get the hubby involved act out the scene and then let him ask questions and see what his brain comes up with. And you have to answer them. It totally works. Although my hubby loves to plot though lol. I hope yours does too. <br /><br />And then if that doesn't work you may need to take some out, step away and go read. I know you don't have time but take one night to read and maybe that will jar the creative side of your brain. <br /><br />Now get moving soldier! And I better hear great results by tomorrow night. LOL I am the queen of writing block Erin and if I can get out of them anyone can LOL. =)Melissa Dawn Hartehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15575722705716071350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-40512439907864528662010-11-16T11:39:35.931-05:002010-11-16T11:39:35.931-05:00Amen, Marquita! There is nothing like wanting to ...Amen, Marquita! There is nothing like wanting to throttle imaginary people, lol! So glad you stopped by — hopefully we can get together and commiserate over lunch soon :)Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-74715070544653282492010-11-16T11:33:04.831-05:002010-11-16T11:33:04.831-05:00I'm feelin' ya, Erin. My two characters in...I'm feelin' ya, Erin. My two characters in my second novel talk to me in spurts. Weird and crazy spurts. And...I. Am. Not. Amused!<br /><br />Here's hoping they all start talking again.Marquita Valentinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-58166042567581583642010-11-16T10:44:12.727-05:002010-11-16T10:44:12.727-05:00Aww, thanks Petrina! I felt much better for havin...Aww, thanks Petrina! I felt much better for having written the letter :)<br /><br />Wow, Catherine, your characters gave you a <i>really</i> hard time, didn't they? Great insight on what the problem was. That may have something to do with it—after all, things did get awful bad for poor Miss Jane... <br />Thanks for thougths, and for stopping by!Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-12978166260534919572010-11-16T10:40:22.916-05:002010-11-16T10:40:22.916-05:00Clarissa, you are so sweet, and genius at that! I...Clarissa, you are so sweet, and genius at that! I love your mirror technique, and will give it a go today!<br /><br />Yes, Donna, I like to think that, like a kid who pouts when it's time to leave the party, J & R are just sad to see it come to an end. Me? Not so much. I want it done! <br /><br />PS - Clarissa, you should write a blog about the technique on <a href="http://www.ladyscribes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Lady Scribe's</a>blog!Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-22121723179029216342010-11-16T10:33:42.129-05:002010-11-16T10:33:42.129-05:00LOL, Kara, I guess it was a necessary step to bein...LOL, Kara, I guess it was a necessary step to being a true writer :) And believe me, if all else fails, I will most certainly resort to jealousy!<br /><br />Amy, that's hilarious. <i>Jane, you no talk? I no let you make cookies!</i> I love it :) And I can tell you one thing, Richard's mother would *not* be pleased to hear that he has been misbehaving ;)Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-24400997956512070182010-11-16T09:47:41.485-05:002010-11-16T09:47:41.485-05:00Oh, Erin. I know this feeling SO WELL. I was about...Oh, Erin. I know this feeling SO WELL. I was about 2/3 of the way finished with Twice a Rake this spring, and suddenly: crickets. That was all I was getting.<br /><br />I thought maybe I had pushed my characters into doing something they wouldn't have done, so I read back through and tried to figure it out. That didn't work. I tried journaling. I tried skipping ahead. I tried just about everything that anyone could suggest.<br /><br />It was driving me INSANE, because my usually very outspoken heroine, in particular, was silent. She wouldn't say a word. Finally, after a couple of weeks of agony for me, I came to the realization that silence was her response to what she was going through. She'd lost her voice because of all of the crap I put her through (she had a hand in it too, though. I refuse to take all the blame). So, with that realization, I was able to move forward.<br /><br />I don't know what it will take for you. Each circumstance is different. I only hope you can sort it out with Jane and Richard soon.Catherine Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05830640955594808304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-2412655676997031632010-11-16T09:19:47.946-05:002010-11-16T09:19:47.946-05:00Far as I'm concerned, this post should win the...Far as I'm concerned, this post should win the GH. I can hardly wait to read the book. <br /><br />PetrinaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-50845758376591473012010-11-16T09:13:38.084-05:002010-11-16T09:13:38.084-05:00Erin, I completely sympathize! I think maybe your...Erin, I completely sympathize! I think maybe your characters don't want their story to END, so that's why they've pulled this disappearing act. :)<br /><br />I would leave them alone for a bit, and I use the "jealousy technique" too--it works very well. I'm intrigued by Clarissa's mirror scene technique. I might have to get more detail from her to use on my own characters!<br /><br />Hang in there, and good luck in the GH!Donna Cummingshttp://www.allaboutthewriting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-66474771669325853842010-11-16T08:44:43.739-05:002010-11-16T08:44:43.739-05:00Great post, Erin. When my characters shut up, I lo...Great post, Erin. When my characters shut up, I look for mirror scenes. I make them do the same thing they have done before, only change it to show character development. But don't sweat the GH. Your entry is delightful and you only have to finish it. No one is actually going to read the full at this point. Good luck!Clarissa Southwickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07999713155443152791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-91639997653795440062010-11-16T07:48:52.892-05:002010-11-16T07:48:52.892-05:00When my characters go quiet, I just wait for them ...When my characters go quiet, I just wait for them to come back while I move onto to a couple who does want to talk. However, I am sure I wouldn't be so calm about it if there was a deadline looming. They sound like a couple of spoiled children to me. Maybe if you threatened punishments such as no cookies or cupcakes for a week, if they don't come back right now.Amy DeTrempehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04785965181851533070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-47234878378743442652010-11-16T03:06:54.726-05:002010-11-16T03:06:54.726-05:00Ha! Love love love this! You are a real writer n...Ha! Love love love this! You are a real writer now that you have experience this dreaded but oh so necessary milestone. It's a good thing, really, the characters just need you to know who's boss. And the most important thing is that you don't force them. Be ready to listen and when they're ready, they'll come back to you. Thankfully your characters WILL eventually start talking again -- they need you as much as you need them. Like the yucca moth and the yucca plant. Yep, I'll inject a little biology lesson into this writing lesson:) This letter was an awesome step in the right direction, I'm sure they won't be able to help but respond. And the cookies are extra clever. Can't WAIT to read that book when it's finished...I know it will be soon. And if those characters are being extra stubborn, just put them away and work with some new characters....jealousy is a great motivator!Kara Holdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02546404485329277556noreply@blogger.com