Everyday Woman Radio Show with Vicki Hinze

Important Note

Effective today, I will be posting my blogs on my website as follows:

Writing: Craft, Art, Business and Life: My Kitchen Table

Spirituality: Faith Zone

The "Vicki Hinze on Writing" blog will be incorporated into the MY KITCHEN TABLE blog.

The website url, should you have link challenges or desire to paste into your browser is:

http://www.vickihinze.com

Blessings,

Vicki

P.S. If you're viewing this via reader, you'll need to visit the www.vickihinze.com website to view any updates.

I apologize for any inconvenience, but I'm paddling as hard as I can, and I just can't keep up, so I'm having to consolidate where and when possible. Appreciate your understanding.

For your convenience, I will still notify you of new posts here.

Vicki Hinze
www.vickihinze.com

TAGS: Vicki Hinze, hinze blog, CREATIVE WRITING, feature article, writing craft, books, novels, readers, authors, emerald coast writers, novelists, booksellers, book reviewers, everyday woman radio, romance writers, thriller writers, suspense writers

WRITERS: MAKE MEMORIES

When you write full-time, you spend a lot of time alone with your thoughts. Sometimes that aloneness is spent in your office, sometimes under a tree, or daydreaming in a wheelbarrow or while staring out at the horizon on the beach--all of which can be peaceful or get your heart pounding, depending on the line of your thoughts--but it is still alone time. Still time where you’re generating fantasy and not living reality.

This is a real job hazard for writers, particularly full-time writers, because the work is never done. There is always a brimming list of to-do items screaming “Me next!” at you. And the only way you get time off to create real memories is to take it.

Some writers who have learned this the hard way feel that time off then must be a major production. Something significant must be done or it doesn’t qualify. And perhaps that’s true if you’re only interested in creating major memories. You know the kind I mean. Ones that require time to prepare and then more time to execute and then more time to recover from them--like our pending trip to Disney.

Here’s the challenge. We can get so locked into making those major memories that we neglect to realize we have countless opportunities to make little memories--and they can be even more important than the major ones--to us, and to others.

My angel (pictured above) and I have a tradition that makes for little memories. It started when I got the Mac computer that has photo booth. I showed it to her and she said with an endearing giggle, “Gran, let’s make silly faces.” Naturally, we did.

I didn’t realize it would become a tradition then, but it has. We routinely make our “silly face” pictures and have ever since that time. We both giggle and tease and come up with more and more goofy poses. It’s a special time for us. It’s fun. It’s little memories. Doesn’t take much time--probably fifteen minutes, if that. But it’s something precious to us both and something we’ll remember forever. That’s what making memories is all about.

Writers, take time to make little memories. They’re important to those with whom you make them, but they’re also important to you. We live in a fantasy world a lot of the time. Eventually, life intrudes and we’re firmly entrenched in reality. And if we lack little memories, reality isn’t a great place to be. Compared to the lush, rich lives we create in our minds, reality can be a dim substitute. And when that happens, we’re critically out of balance which isn’t good for us--the person or the writer. These memories ground us. Enrich us. And they remind us why we are driven to write.

The bonus is that when you’re alone with your thoughts, these little memories have the person and the writer balanced and more content.

Blessings,

Vicki

AUCTION TO BENEFIT DIABETES

My friend and fellow writer, Brenda Novak, has a son with diabetes and she’s determined to do what she can to help find a cure. I understand her passion for this; both my parents were diabetics and I have several dear friends who have this challenge.

Every year, Brenda sponsors an auction to raise money to help find a cure. Many writers, agents and editors participate. They auction everything from books to trips, dinners or luncheons with them, reads of your work, critiques and/or career strategy advice.

There are a ton of golden opportunities for writers in this auction, and for that reason, I wanted to share the current information I have on the auction. For the utmost latest, check out the diabetes auction section on Brenda’s website. www.brendanovak.com

I’ll be donating a bunch of books. Here’s the rest of what’s up at this time from Brenda:

Here's the list (so far) of "agent" items that will be available in my
upcoming on-line auction for diabetes research. Lots of great agents here, eh? (If
anyone has an agent who might be willing to participate, just let me know
and I'll ask them. :-))

1. Have lunch in New York City with historical romance author Kristina Cook
(author of Unlaced, Undressed, Unveiled, and To Love A Scoundrel) and her
agent, the fabulous Marcy Posner of Sterling Lord Literistic! Dish about
romance, writing, the publishing industry, or anything you like while you enjoy a
delicious lunch at the oh-so-trendy Manhattan hot spot, Five Points
(_http://www.fivepointsrestaurant.com/_ (http://www.fivepointsrestaurant.com/) ). Wine,
lunch, dessert (their sticky toffee pudding cake is to DIE for!), and
scintillating conversation included, along with a goody bag including autographed
novels and other fun stuff. Who knows, you might even spot a celebrity or two.
Date and time to be mutually agreed upon.
_www.kristinacook.com_ (http://www.kristinacook.com/)

2. Coffee or tea with multi-published Cathy McDavid (Harlequin American and
Dorchester author) and her agent, Michelle Grajkowski of Three Seas Literary
Agency at RWA National this summer.

3. Tea with Superromance Author Melinda Curtis and her agent Pam Hopkins at
RWA National this summer.
Award winning author Melinda has a passion for writing romance and
fast-paced action. RT gave her May 2007 Superromance, The Best-Kept Secret, 4.5 stars
and claimed readers "won't be able to put this one down". Recently “retired”
from the corporate world, Melinda is a part-time marketing consultant until
her writing career moves into full gear with the help of her agent, Pam
Hopkins. Melinda Curtis has her own hero, a man who makes her tremendously happy
while simultaneously driving her crazy - although he has help from their
three kids, two rambunctous labs and their bevy of relatives. Since 2003,
writing for Harlequin's Superromance line has been an enjoyable escape - although
you'll often find a spunky kid, beloved relative or ball-crazy dog in her
novels...she can't quite get away from her loved ones completely.

4. Nancy Yost with Lowenstein-Yost Associates Inc. – A Read

5. Caren Johnson – A Read

6. Elizabeth Pomada – A read, followed by a half-hour telephone
consultation.

7. Barbara Collins Rosenberg – A critique of the first three chapters of a
nonfiction proposal.

8. Scott Eagan, Greyhaus Literary Agency – A read

9. Eileen Cope – Trident Media Group (Represents a lot of NY Times
bestsellers in multiple genres.) – A Read

10. Randall Klein – Trident Media Group – Randall is an assistant at
Trident, who is also a freelance editor, and he is donating an edit of a partial.

11. Robin Rue, Senior Agent, Writer's House Literary Agency - Read of a
proposal (around 50 pages).
Robin Rue began her long and illustrious career as an editor at Dell but has
spent the last thirty years as an agent (10 of those years working for Writer
’s House). She represents such big names and Linda Howard, Lisa Jackson,
Mary Jo Putney, Joann Ross, Pat Rice, Laura Lee Gurke, Jacqueline Frank, Holly
Lyle, Lynn Vale, and V.C. and Andrews. She loves almost any kind of fiction
and represents it well: women’s fiction, historicals, young adult, middle-grade
fiction, fantasy, hard-core mystery, thrillers, etc. (As an aside, straight
erotica and chick lit are not among her favorites.)

12. Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary Agency — A read and an in-depth
written critique of the first 30-50 pages
Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary Agency, LLC
Kristin established the Nelson Literary Agency in the chic/hip urban setting
of lower Downtown Denver in 2002. In such a short time, she has sold more
than 50 books to such publishers as Random House, Hyperion, Harlequin, Simon &
Schuster, Hachette/Warner and the Penguin Group. She has landed several film
deals and has contracted foreign rights on behalf of her clients in all the
major territories, including Germany, Spain, Holland, Japan, and even into
Russia and Indonesia. Her authors are RITA-award winners and national
bestsellers. Several NLA titles have appeared on the Barnes & Noble and The Denver Post
bestseller lists.
She specializes in representing commercial fiction (romance, women’s
fiction, science fiction, fantasy, young adult) and high caliber literary fiction.
She also considers a few nonfiction projects that tend to be story-based, such
as memoir and narrative nonfiction. Kristin is a hands-on agent and strongly
believes in taking on clients for their whole career. She provides editorial
and marketing guidance as well as aggressive expertise in contract
negotiation. Member: AAR, RWA, SFWA. Please visit our website _www.nelsonagency.com_
(http://www.nelsonagency.com/) before submitting

13. Nadia Cornier - Critique of a proposal, and a second Short Critique
followed by breakfast at RWA National this summer

14. Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency – A read
Christina Hogrebe is a literary agent with the Jane Rotrosen Agency in New
York City. She is actively seeking commercial fiction--with a particular
interest in Southern settings, Latina lit, generational stories, suburban lit,
coming-of-middle-age stories, cozy mysteries, and legal thrillers—and food
memoirs and travelogues

15. Annelise Robey, Jane Rotrosen Agency—A read
Annelise Robey is a Literary Agent with the Jane Rotrosen Literary Agency in
New York City. She is actively looking for writers of all genres – both
published and unpublished authors.

16. Daniel Bial, Daniel Bial Agency –A read
Daniel Bial has been a literary agent, book packager and book doctor for 14
years. Among his clients is Yossef Bodansky, author of OSAMA BIN LADIN: THE
MAN WHO DECLARED WAR ON AMERICA, a number 1 New York Times bestseller. Dan
was also an editor for 14 years. Besides two years each at Holt and Longmeadow
Press, he spent 10 years at HarperCollins, where he acquired several
bestsellers just as Hank Aaron's I HAD A HAMMER and Ralph David Abernathy's AND THE
WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN. In addition, he is the author of four books of his
own, and translated another.
As a literary agent, Dan is primarily interested in biography, business,
cooking, entertainment, history, humor, Judaica, language, popular reference,
popular science, psychology, sports and travel.

17. From award-winning author and Ashley Grayson Literary Agency agent, Lois
Winston, a read and critique of the synopsis and first 50 pages of a
manuscript, plus signed copies of TALK GERTIE TO ME and LOVE, LIES AND A DOUBLE SHOT
OF DECEPTION.

18. Steven Axelrod, The Axelrod Agency – A Read

19. Deidre Knight, The Knight Agency – Breakfast with Deidre Knight and a
thirty minute career consultation at RWA National.

20. Lucienne Diver, Spectrum Agency – A Read followed by a 45-minute coffee
or tea with the winner at RWA National.
BIO:
Lucienne Diver is a long time book addict who went to work for Spectrum
Literary Agency fourteen years ago to feed her habit. She now represents over
forty authors of commercial fiction, primarily in the areas of romance, fantasy,
mystery/suspense and erotica. Clients include Marjorie M. Liu, Susan
Krinard, Roberta Gellis, Rachel Caine and Claudia Bishop. Her alphabet soup of
memberships includes AAR, RWA, MWA and SFWA. Further information is available
on the website: _www.spectrumliteraryagency.com_
(http://www.spectrumliteraryagency.com/)

21. Mary Sue Seymour, The Seymour Agency—The read of a proposal of women’s
fiction, along with a follow-up tea at RWA National in Dallas.
Mary Sue represents all types of romance, mysteries, inspirational books and
also nonfiction written by credentialed authors. Some publishers in which
she has sold books are: Warner Books, Harlequin, NAL, Berkley/Jove and Bantam.
She is a member of the AAR, WGA, RWA and The Author’s Guild and has movie
industry contacts and aspires to sell her clients work for film. She enjoys
traveling to conferences and meeting with authors. Recent conferences include
Prepare to Pitch in Silicon Valley, Spring Into Romance in San Diego and the
Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention in Daytona Beach. For current sales and
upcoming conferences, consult Mary Sue’s web site at _www.theseymouragency.com_
(http://www.theseymouragency.com/)

22. Elaine P. English—The read of a proposal of women’s fiction, including
all types of romance and mysteries.

23. Amy Moore Benson, AMB Literary Management – A read

24. Meredith Bernstein, Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency – A read

25. Kimberly Whalen, Trident Media Group (my agent) – A read followed by
Lunch at RWA National

26. Donald Maass – Maass Agency - A read

27. Michelle Grajkowski – A read followed by a lunch at RWA National
Bio:
From the moment Michelle Grajkowski first opened her doors to the 3 Seas
Literary Agency in August of 2000, she has been living her dream. (What could be
better than surrounding yourself with great authors and their exciting and
imaginative books?)
Since then, she's successfully sold more than 200 titles to major publishing
houses including Harlequin, NAL, Berkley, Dorchester, Kensington, Avon,
Pocket, Random House (both here and in the UK), Knopf, Andrews McMeel, Warner and
HarperCollins.
Currently, she is looking for fantastic authors with a voice of their own.
Michelle focuses on romance, women's fiction, Chick-Lit young adult and
middle grade fiction.
Michelle is listed in the Diamond Edition of Who's Who in America
publication for 2006
28. Kelly Harms, Jane Rotrosen Agency – A Read
Here's to making a difference!
Brenda

May this be the year a cure is found!

Blessings,

Vicki

WINDSHIELDS & REARVIEW MIRRORS

As many of you know, I’m taking care of my daughter’s newborn while she teaches, so my schedule has had to undergo radical changes. Well, I got this brilliant idea to finish a first draft on a new suspense novel over the holidays--what was I thinking???--and so I’ve been pulling some marathon days.

I started at 2:30 A.M. and worked through until my darling hubby called me for dinner. I felt great. Not only had I edited pages 100-200, I had also produced 32 new pages. What a fantastic writing day. On a roll from beginning to end.

The second time he called me, I rushed, and promptly saved the old document over the new one--the one with 17 HOURS worth of changes THROUGHOUT the manuscript and those 32 new pages.

I knew the moment I’d goofed--just as I knew done was done and there was no going back. I was not happy.

And that’s why you’re getting this post rather than the one I’d planned for today, because this too is a mistake we make that we don’t want to make. I’ve now changed procedures so that I have two backups and save intermittently on 2 different jump drives as well as the hard drive so this doesn’t happen again.

But that doesn’t change the fact that I screwed up and lost all that work.

I was . . . emotional.

But within two hours, I accepted the fact that I’d just have to redo it all, and the credit for that largely goes to Joel Osteen. In a lecture he gave just a few days ago, he was talking about the mistakes we make and how some of us get stuck and can’t let go of them and that keeps us from moving forward.

I know, it sounds like what we’ve been discussing in the MISTAKES WE MAKE SERIES. And while I knew that, I admit I was tired and cranky and I just needed to wallow a little.

Then I remembered a cute saying (you all know how I love sayings) that he shared..

There’s a reason cars have big windshields and little rearview mirrors.

I just loved that. Totally loved it.

We can’t change what’s behind us, so once we look at it, accept it, we’re done with it. We have to look at the bigger vista and that’s before us.

And so I changed my attitude and my view--from rearview to windshield.

I’m not yet back where I was on the book--end of year duties just insist on being done. But you know, I’ve gotten enough distance from the setback now that I know when I get past the editing and back to the writing again, the book will be stronger because now I clearly envision the places and conversations and events I created then. Now, I’m starting out with attitudes in place and a sharp focus rather than that nebulous getting acquainted fuzz.

Please note the photo above was on realizing what I had done. Made a mistake.

The good news? I survived and am pressing forward again--but without the jump drive inserted and with the new procedures in place!!!

I hope you’re off to a fantastic start this New Year’s Day and that sharing this faux pas helps.

May you never have one like it. :)

Blessings,

Vicki

Vicki Hinze

MOST EFFECTIVE PROMOTION

Warning: this is a no-edit zone...

I was asked today to review all the promotions I've done and to name the one I felt had been most effective.

I did, and hands down the best thing was a DVD. On it were two interviews, targetinng different groups, and a book short (trailer).

As well as having the video streams on my website, I had 1,000 DVDs that were all masters, so they'd run on 99% of all computers. They were terrific for events, mailings--you name it.

Writers-in-Motion did the one on BODY Double, and they did a terrific job.

Here's a URL to the book short:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4nUtjAXT4E

It wasn't the most or least expensive campaign I've done. But it was hands-down the most effective.

Blessings,

Vicki

Vicki Hinze
www.vickihinze.com