TMONIQUE STEPHENS

Hello There

2011-04-17T11:40:00.002-04:00

Hi Everyone,
Stop by my website, TmoniqueStephens.com and check it out. It's a work in progress.

New Year

2011-01-07T23:17:00.000-05:00

It's a new year and I'm dedicated to my writing career but I don't have enough time in the day to do everything I need to do for my family, myself, my writing, etc. How can I balance everything and keep my sanity? I have no idea.
But on a positive note, I am nearing the end of my upteenth editing of The Eternal Dance and I'm getting closer to changing the name.

Name Change

2010-12-28T19:07:00.000-05:00

I'm thinking about changing the name of my manuscript. How about 'Claimed'. I think I like it better than The Eternal Dance. I have some other ideas. I need to keep a list. I will keep everyone posted.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-26T11:46:00.000-05:00

I got a Kindle from Santa! I'm so excited. I've already downloaded a bunch of free books, classics, and I bought Tom Clancy's latest at half the price I would have paid for the hard cover. It will take a moment to get use it but I very, very happy with my Santa ;)

Gotta Love Husbands

2010-12-20T14:26:00.000-05:00

I love my husband and I will tell you why. Why! Because ten minutes ago, he walked into the bedroom where I'm diligently editing my manuscript and shows his Army Regulation Survival Textbook. He stands in front of me ranting because he found exerpts of this book in the public library where anyone, aka Taliban, can find it. I wisely withhold the information about the invention of the internet and listen and agreed with him as a dutiful, supportive wife should.
While he rants I take the book from him and exam the content page and discover that all the information I ever needed on aything dealing with surviving in any condition; desert, tropical, what not to eat, how to hide, etc is in that book. I ask how long he's had the book and he says five years. FIVE YEARS. Do you know how much time that could have saved me in research!

But, better late than never. And as a good wife. I never said a word. I just smiled and patiently waited for him to finish his rant. Ahh, Gotta love men.

Classics

2010-11-14T18:38:00.000-05:00

What is a Classic?

In my bookcase, with its own separate shelf, are the books I had to read in college.

THE CLASSICS.

I have Shelley, Bronte, Wilde, Melville, Steinbeck, O’Neil, Chekov, Dickens, Rousseau, Kafka, Chaucer, Plato, Homer and lots of Shakespeare.

A collection of classics I kept for my children. I figured I would keep them so that I wouldn’t have to buy them again because a classic never goes out of style. Like a little black dress, you will always need it.

20+ years later, I look back at my dusty collection and I can honestly say that I hated 50% of the books I had to read in order to get a degree. Out of my classics collection there is only one author I would willingly chose to read in my leisure, Shakespeare. The stories and plots he wrote about centuries ago are still relevant today, and he is still as funny as hell.

Lower on my bookcase are my personal collection of classics. Authors, whom I would buy anything they wrote or books that have touched me so deeply that I re-read them when I need a good cry, a good laugh, inspiration, a diversion, or an escape from reality. These are the books that made me want to write as good as I possibly could, not to be better than but to rise to the level of intensity emotional bonding I had with their works.

I want my reader to feel the way I did when I read my first Stephen King novel ‘Cujo’ (it scared the shit out of me) or Beatrice Small'snovel ‘Skye O’Malley’ in the ’80 or my very first harlequin in the ‘70’s. I can’t remember the name but I still remember the story. It was about a desert prince and his captive. No foreplay or sex, only one kiss at the end but it will always linger in my memory.

Classic.

Do each of us have it in us to write a classic? Probably not. Not according to industry standard, whatever those obscure standards are.

I just want to reach one person, who will kept my book on their shelf for the next 20+ years, re-reading passage and chapters because they were that good, that moving, to her or him. For that person to put my book in their personal collection of CLASSICS. That would make me very happy.

And I would like that to happen while I'm still alive .

NaNoWriMo

2010-11-01T20:22:00.000-04:00

I have started NaNoWriMo. My first time. Today, I made my goal. I hope I make all of it. It would be nice when the agent calls to say she loves my work I can tell her the second book is half way completed. Hope springs eternal.

Done

2010-10-21T23:34:00.000-04:00

I am done. Truly done. I have finally finished editing the full manuscript. Can you tell I'm tired? Cause I am. This process was not fun. Nothing about it was fun but it was necessary. I feel stronger for having done it and I feel my manuscript is a stronger more concise work. I have to thank everyone at Savvy Authors for all the timely workshops and Gramma Divas. I know that have and will continue to make me a better writer.

Moonlight and Magnolias

2010-10-04T19:48:00.000-04:00

I pitched at Moonlight and Magnolia and two agents requested my manuscript. I'm so high that I'm floating! This month I have two contest to enter and two agents two submit too. I also met Allison Brennan and she was great. Everyone was great! Can you tell I'm smiling? Because I am! Ok, now I got to go to work.

Meet and Greet

2010-09-27T16:21:00.001-04:00

I went to a meet and greet on Friday and had a wonderful time. I met a very nice agent but since I have already sent my manuscript to a publisher I was under the impression that I couldn't have her read it. I am wrong. So, I'm planning on mailing my manuscript to her and see what happens. I have an agent appointment on Friday at the Moonlight and Magnolia conference in Atlanta. Am I ready for it? No! Am I nervous as hell? Yes! But this is all I have wanted to do sent high school so I am going to approach this meeting as a job interview that I know I am qualified for. What is mine no one can take from me. So whatever happens I will be fine and nothing will stop me.
Also, I joined ACRWA and can't wait for the first meeting. They are a great bunch of people, many already published with years of experience and knowledge. I should learn a lot from them.

Meet and Greet

2010-09-24T23:05:00.000-04:00

I went to a Meet and Greet tonight at the local chapter of RWA. My daughter and I had a wonderful time. This was my first Meet and Greet and though I was nervous the agent I meet was pleasant and gracious. I didn't make a pitch appointment with her during the Acrawa Boot Camp because I email my manuscript to the publisher. I know I have to wait to hear my acceptance or rejection but I wish I could.

Short Story

2010-09-11T18:00:00.000-04:00

Writers Digest has a short story contest I'm considering entering in November. The only drawback is...I don't have anything written!!!LOL.
I do have a story in mind but at only 4,000 words max that is a tight noose around my neck. I have NEVER written a short story but I have been tossing an idea between my ears for the past few months. I don't know. Time is of the essence and if I do, I don't have a second to waste.

Heroe's

2010-09-05T14:21:00.000-04:00

What do we like in our Heroe's? How tall, smart, wealthy, arrogrant do they need to be to satisfy your readers? What is that perfect balance of perfection and imperfections that make up the man that your readers want to follow. What qualities do the men in your life have that you have stolen and used in your stories.
I'm asking these question because I need help with creating memorable male characters that linger in the readers mind.

Tired

2010-08-31T15:42:00.000-04:00

How long is too long? I'm writing my butt off trying to finish this Manuscript. I pray the publisher is still interested. I refuse to send in a manuscript that I know is flawed. I can and have agonized over this hoping I'm not taking too much time. In the end, it's out of my hands. What is promised to me is mine. I can't worry about the rest.

Been A While

2010-08-28T19:13:00.000-04:00

The past few weeks have been busy. My husband's best friend was killed by a drunk driver. This is the one guy he spoke to frequently while on deployment. He was agreat guy, full of life and love. Only 46 years old. It is a complete tradegy. My husbands is taking it coping. Being there for his friends family and wife has helped alot.

On a happier note, A publisher requested my MS!! I've been editing like a madwoman and I'm still working on the ending but God willing I will be finished in the next few days. I'm very excited! Wish me luck!

Tracy

Writing

2010-08-09T19:31:00.000-04:00

In the past few weeks I've taken a Plotting class, a Social Networking class a Grammar class and the summer symposium with Savvy Authors. All the classes were great! I feel like I'm accomplishing so much and learning the craft that I have always loved. I know this will pay off in the end.

Not Writing

2010-07-27T21:54:00.000-04:00

I haven't written anything in a few days. My husband has returned from deployment in Europe so writing has happily taken a back seat to my hubby. After all, I write better after some good loving. The romance scenes are so much better when I have real life reference material that has nutured my inner muse/slut.

2010-07-24T17:08:00.003-04:00

oute.

2010-07-24T17:08:00.001-04:00

Ok. Am I the only one tired of Vampires and Werewolves? How flooded does the market have to get before the tide turns? Sink or swim, I'm not going that r

My Kid

2010-07-15T21:57:00.000-04:00

My 17year old daughter has written a story about an axe murderer. It's soo damn good! Her teacher wants her to edited it and submit it to magazines. I know I have passed on my writing genes but I wonder who inspired whom?

Stupid!

2010-07-13T21:48:00.000-04:00

How stupid can I be? I will tell you! I ordered business card with a freakin' TYPO!!! That's how stupid I can be. It's a small typo...but still. I forgot the 'c' in com. I just forgot it! Oh, well! I hope some of you are blind or sympathic, hey both. So when I pass you a business card, have pity on me!

Tracy 'can't edit' Stephens

Not the End

2010-07-11T17:47:00.000-04:00

Ok, I'm a slacker. I got distracted by work, life, critiquing the works of others ( which I love). I haven't had any time to write or edit. I need to post chapter 6 on my yahoo loop but I haven't had the time to do that also. I'm so busy, I've taken so many workshop that are overlapping that I'm missing homeworks and I feel like I'm not getting the most out of it.

Am I whinning? Yes, but I love being busy. For the first time I feel alive and I am living the dream. I'm writing and doing it well and...I'm happy. God, it's a weird feeling to be happy about writing. Have I found my niche? I pray I have because I have been on this journey since I was 15. This is my time to shine.

Future's so bright I gotta wear shades.

The End

2010-07-05T00:30:00.000-04:00

I am aproximately five pages from the end of my book. I don't want it to end because if it ends, then what do I do. How do I proceed forward. Rejection is a part of life for a writer. I thought my skin had become thick enough. I hope it has. Here I come world. I hope you're ready for Tracy 'Tmonique' Stephens

The Pitch

2010-07-03T22:37:00.000-04:00

I survived the pitch class. On completing the class the instructor informs all us students that she will take submission to an agent and we will get feed back. One week later I get an email from the instructor with feedback on my pitch. My pitch was one of 3 that she actually like and she said that mine had potential. POTENTIAL!!!! YAY!! Go Tracy. I did the happy dance for an hour! Then went back to writing. Got to finish my editing and the ending.

Ending

2010-07-02T14:39:00.000-04:00

Ok, I'm over my funk.
I'm at the end. Actually, I wrote the last line of the book. It just came to me. It a run-on sentence, summing up the climatic changes that have just happened. I leave the reader with a thought "What is going to happen tomorrow?" I desperately want this to be a series so I'm hoping that a cliff hanger will draw the reader back for the second book. When I read CL Wilson, I was hooked at the end of every book, panting for the next one. Same with Karen Marie Moning and her Fae series.

I'll post it on my website and see if anyone like it.

CRASH!!

2010-06-30T23:29:00.000-04:00

My laptop has died with all my work on it. I took it to bestbuy and the good news is they can get all my documents off and put them on an external hard drive. The bad news, it could cost as much as $400. If it does, I may as well get a new one.
Ok, enough of the pity. I'm writing on old Betsy write now. My faithful desk top of 5years is still chugging along. I'm down but not out.

POV

2010-06-29T23:20:00.000-04:00

Ok, I have gone through my MS and corrected all my POV issues (I hope) Now I'm back on the ending. In the home stretch I hope. One pitch contest posted the winners and I wasn't one of them. The agent wasn't looking for anything paranormal so, I'm okay. On to the next challenge.

Edits

2010-06-27T07:57:00.000-04:00

I understand now why critiquing is so important. I've been working on my WIP for close to 3 years and you can get so close that its impossible to see the little things and sometimes the big things too. I have to thank my critique partners at FFnP a chapter of RWA. They are invaluable and a really nice group of people. I've edited half the book, concentrating on POV. It's hard. I think its a stupid rule, done properly you should be able to have more than one POV in a scene but until I'm an established author, I have to follow the rules before I can break them.

I've entered two pitch contest and I think I have a better than decent chance. I'll now soon. I've also joined Creativity Cauldron on yahoo. TTyl
Tracy

The Ptich

2010-06-24T17:51:00.000-04:00

The EternalDance:

Curse for 2000 years, Roman Marius has tracked his lovers’ soul through each reincarnation only to lose her horribly every time. The last thing Stella Waker saw was the deep blue eyes of the man trying to kill her and the first thing she saw when she woke from a coma are the same blue eyes in the man hired to protect her. Is it fear she feels when he touches her or the memory of something sweeter, she’ll have to put aside her suspicions to find true love and fight a killer that’s closer than she ever expected.

POV

2010-06-23T15:54:00.000-04:00

Having just read the previous blog on Rejection. I've had my own problems with POV. I'm in a critique group and I certainly understand why POV is so important but there are times when having more than one POV's enrich the meaning of a scene more. Am I crazy or does anyone else feel that way?

Reality From Fiction

2010-06-22T16:14:00.000-04:00

When Im frustrated or angry, I can't write a happy scene. When I'm happy, I can't write an angry scene. When I'm in love, how can I get motivated to kill off a character. And when I'm not, don't ask me to write with tenderness and longing. Right now, Im neutral. Neither happy or sad.

Tracy 'Tmonique' Stephens

Why I write

2010-06-22T10:34:00.000-04:00

Puberty: I attended an all girl H.S. so I would create the perfect hero modeled after the latest teen heart throb. He was perfect and he loved my imperfections. That was how my first novel came about. I was 15 and I fell in love with Hockey after the 1980 Olympics. Hockey star marries ordinary girl that happens to look like a super model (me).

I still write for the same reasons. My life isn't perfect and neither are my characters but when my life is out of control, the one thing I can control are my characters.
Men come and go, children pack up and leave for college, friends unexpectedly desert you but your character are yours alone.

Brother, sister, Friend, enemy, co-worker, ex, potential, wife, husband, my character are all that to me.
That's is why I write.

Naming

2010-06-21T18:05:00.000-04:00

I am addicted to Dateline ID and 48 hours. Real life is scarier that fiction. Maybe I should write mysteries? Nah, my brain doesn't work that way.
I'm taking a class on Savvy Author on naming your characters. It's interesting and informative. Usually, I get the name for the main characters first, then I suffer through the naming process for the lesser characters.
I think I will try it differently now.
Tracy

2010-06-21T17:59:00.000-04:00

I'm finally getting the hang of pitching. I think I have a good one. Im excited!

Critiques

2010-06-20T01:39:00.001-04:00

Having you work critiqued is painful but necessary. For decades I couldn't take rejection in any form. Over the past twenty years my skin has grown thick enough, I have grown wise enough to withstand the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and survive. Shoot, in the past two years my skin has grown so thick I could stroll Alaska in a bathing suit.

FFnP!

2010-06-19T12:57:00.000-04:00

I am loving FFnP. I joined two days ago and have nothing but good things to say. The critique group and the professionalism of their yahoo loop is wonderful. I would recommend it to anyone.