Giveaway at the Sassies - His Unexpected Family

I can finally announce that Robyn's debut release for Entangled Indulgence is live on Amazon!  We're having a giveaway at the Sassies in celebration so do pop along and leave a comment to be in the draw.

I'm going to be having Robyn here on the blog with another giveaway in a few days so keep your eyes peeled for that one too.

Jackie's Little Checklist

Again, thousands of apologies for my lack of keeping this sorry excuse for a blog up to date. And also apologies for not doing my usual round of visits to other people's blogs. I've been keeping my social media distractions to a mimimum for the purposes of pretending that I am an NYT #1 bestselling author with millions of readers waiting for my next book. I'm kind of doing a series you see and that's a little risky for an unpublished author. So to minimise my risk, I'm pretending that I'm not unpublished. It's working so far...except when I happen to catch glimpses of my bank account....

Aaaaaanyway, moving right along....

I think in my last post I mentioned a little checklist of things I need to keep in mind whenever I start a new story and some of you suggested that I post it. This of course meant I had to think about it and actually list some those things. It was a lot of work I tell ya.. :-) It is by no means complete - there will be other things I don't know that I need to know to add - and also it is my list and designed to help me and my weaknesses when it comes to crafting a story. Some of the things on it you'll probably think 'WTF? She hasn't got that yet?'. Other things may make you get down on your knees and worship my genius (I'm not imagining this will actually happen but dreams are free).

Okay, this is complicated and actually, I'm wondering if this mightn't be better as a flow chart or mind map...yes, a freaking mind map!  But basically this checklist is a series of questions, since that's what works best for me. They're also all interelated which further complicates stuff.



1. Character: The most important part. Character should always come first IMHO.
Who is this person? How do they behave? What do they do when they're under stress?  How do they act when they're confronted or challenged?  What do they do when they're happy? How do they see themselves? What do they want most? How do they handle emotion? What are their opinions about: friends? family? love? work?  What annoys them? What makes them happy?  What makes them afraid? What emotion are they most afraid of and why?
  
2. Conflict: What was the event/thing/person that changed the course of the character's life?  What was the character like before it? How did the character change afterwards? Does the character think they changed in response or do they think it didn't affect them? What story do they tell themselves about this event and is it what actually happened? What fear did the conflict plant in the character? And how does the character hide this fear? What does the character do to make themselves feel better about their fear/conflict? How does the conflict relate to the character's view of love?

3. Goal: What does the character want? How does it relate to their internal conflict? Why is it important to them (conscious/unconscious)? How do they feel about it? What do they think it will give them? What are they prepared to do to achieve it? What lines will they not cross (and why)?

4. Motivation: Does the conflict affect the character's motivation (hint: it should)? In what way? What emotion is driving the character's motivation? Are they aware of it? If not, then what other reason do they give themselves for what drives them? Why do they deny the real reason?  

5. External conflict/set up: How does this relate to the internal conflict? Is the external goal reflective of the internal goal?

6. Character arc: I guess this should go up with character but what the hey! How does the character change? How is this reflective in their behaviour?  Who are they under the mask they wear to show the rest of the world? Why do they hide their true self? What do they discover about themselves that helps them overcome the problems of their conflict and drop their mask? How does the other character help them discover their potential? What is their true potential??

Now, I don't hold this list up in front of my computer screen and tick off each little box, nor do I have to have all the answers up front (but at least an idea is a good plan).  It tends to happen in a much more organic way and depends on how the idea came to me at the time. If the conflict idea comes first, I think about who this thing might have happened to and why it would have been so terrible for them. From there the character starts to form in response to the conflict. Or sometimes I'll have an idea for a character, then I'll try and think about what could have happened to them to make them who they are.

No doubt there are more things I need to think about that I haven't listed here and I'll probably add to it. When it comes to discovering these things, I don't do characters sheets or whatnot because I find them artificial and I end up with a robot, not an actual person. The best way for all this to come together is just good old-fashioned thinking about it. When I'm doing the washing. Or having a shower. Or yelling at the kids. :-) It works for the most part.

Anyway, that's my checklist for you. It's kind of random. I might see if I can mind-map this though it may be waaaay too complicated. Anything anyone else wants to add? 

Alternatively, if you don't want to read this post, head over to the Sassies site and see some pictures of moody men. :-)

Peek of the Week - With Ink

See the inspiration for my new hero - and be afraid. Be very afraid!

Master Class at the Sisters

Naturally since I am the WORLD EXPERT at pitching, I am doing a post on pitching at the Sisters today. Here in fact. Of course, when I say world expert, I mean that term very loosely. Exceedingly loosely. In fact, I'm actually no expert (shock, horror), more of an enthusiastic amateur. And it's basically a post I wrote about the route I took when pitching. If you're interested...or you could have a look at this picture instead. Who is the inspiration for my blue-eyed Sheikh...

More Novella Love

I am boring for New Zealand about writing something different on the Sisters' blog today. I'd like to say you might win something if you do. But sadly all you'll win is my excellent regard for your good taste. :-)

The Dog Ate My Blog Post

Because school holidays have ruined my career as a wanna-be romance novelist, not to mention keeping this blog up to date, I'm taking the easy way out post-wise and directing your attention to the Sisters' site where I have a post about emotion up there. It's one I was going to do for here but since I forgot it was my turn to do a post and considering that dogs can't really eat blog posts (I don't have a dog anyway), I had no excuse but to sacrifice it to my Sisters. It's on emotion in conflict and also has a totally gratuitous picture of Magnum PI.

If that doesn't float your boat and music is more your bag, then go here where, for your veiwing pleasure the lovely Maisey Yates covers an Adele song. She can write, she can sing...Is there anything this woman can't do?? :-)

The Rules

I've got some Rules to follow over at the Sassy's site if you're interested. All about how to include alien motherships in Presents. (not really).

Jackie's Year of Surviving Rejection

I've done a post on the Sisters' Blog in celebration of our blog's first birthday. It's on...drum roll.... surviving rejection! If you're keen for a bit of Chumbawamba, then head over. If you're still in denial about the possibility of being rejected then keep away... :-)

A Very Sassy Correspondent

Hey everyone, just thought I'd let you know that we have a new feature on the Sisters' blog - the Sassy Correspondent. Jo Dixon is our correspondent and every Friday at the end of the month she will be doing a guest post. Today is her first post so do pop over and say hi. She is awesome and finalled with me in the RWAus High Five contest. She also has excellent taste in men. :-)

Oh and for those of you looking to achieve mastery in your writing, here is exactly how to do it (link courtesy of the most excellent Trish Wylie. Follow her on Twitter!).
The 30 Steps to Mastery.

For the record, I am at step 18.

Still Waiting....

I'm still waiting to hear back re SYTYCW. It's like waiting for the firing squad to get to you. They've shot everyone else, there's only you left. Groan! And it's worse for me because normally my news comes while I'm sleeping due to the difference in time zones between the UK and NZ. Yay for sleeping! This time it looks like the news is coming from Toronto and the difference in time zones is different. I'm awake during their work hours and it's horrible! Wish I was still asleep.

Alright, so, while I am waiting, pull up a chair and share your SYTYCW stories. Got an R you want to vent about? Some feedback you can't understand? Still waiting like me? Share! I'll get Hoo to mix some drinks...

And while he's at it, check out the Sisters' blog and the awesome post Maisey has written re strengthening that first chapter.

The Closet and Some News

This is just a quickie post to say I'm over on the Sister's blog talking about coming out of the closet. And no, not that particular closet in case you were wondering. :-) Just a small post about being loud and proud of your work.

And now for the news - I've been handed on to another editor following my High Five win. Weirdly I am left in the same position I was in when I came runner-up in the Feel the Heat contest. Then I was handed over to another editor who then looked at the two subs I had in and picked the one with most potential. That sub got to the second revisions on a full stage. So here I am again with two subs in and yet another editor looking to see which has most potential. Dejavu!

I'm hoping at least one of them does actually have potential and I finally do one poor editor proud. It's amazing I haven't been ditched yet really. To lose one editor may be regarded as a mistfortune, to lose both looks like carelessness....:-)

I shall endeavour not to be careless this time.

Dealing with the Whataboutmes

Trying to haul myself out of the blahs with a post over at the Sisters about how to deal with a bad case of the 'whataboutmes'. And if you want to know what they are, here's the link:

What about me?

If you don't, here's a picture of Andy Whitfield from Spartacus instead. Are you not entertained? ;-)

Sexy Octopus

Yes, you heard. I said sexy octopus. Right now Hoo is over on the Sisters' site being Peek of the Week. So go say hello - if you can stop drooling over his knitted blue hotness long enough. ;-)

BTW, re New Voices, can I just send out a huge woohoo to the wonderful Lacey Devlin who has been a fabulous cheerleader for all NV entrants. She's got the Wall of Fame, the badges, the cheese. People, that lady's got everything. So big round of applause for her!
Oh and you can go check out her rocking chapter because I'm not sure that lovely lady is going to put herself on her own wall (though she should 'cause she rocks!).
Misbehaving with the Retail Magnate.

Three cheers for Lacey!

Extra Special Treat for Lovers of Modern Heat

Very excited to say that Natalie Anderson, Modern Heat writer extraordinaire and USA Today bestselling author, is guesting on the Sister's site, like, RIGHT NOW!

So if you want to hear about her favourite hero, her upcoming release, plus some hot writing tips, trot along to the Sisters site. And if that isn't enough to get you there, she's also going to be doing a giveaway for one lucky punter.

Go Natalie!

New Voices!

I have a short post over on the Sister's blog about the New Voices competition. Think I actually may have talked myself out of it! Anyway, there's cyber drinks for all those entering and hand holding if required. Hoo is buying the drinks and offering tentacles if you need something to squeeze while you hit that send button.

Meanwhile, I'll just sit here and contemplate my chapter a while longer....sure is looking shiny....

POTW - Angry Young Man

Marlon Brando. At Seven Sassy Sisters. Nuff said.

The iPad and NTAI

I did a little post about NTAI and the iPad on the Sisters' blog if you want to know about how I'm coping with my wait on the NES. And yes, still waiting. :-)

www.sevensassysisters.com

The Glory of the 80s

I'm over at the Sisters blog today with my very own Peek of the Week. It's a theme so prepare yourselves for...

Peeks of the 80s!

It's a festival of hair folks so you have been warned.

Here's a Johnny Depp teaser anyway...

Happy Hoo-ness

I'm talking about Hoo, knee high stockings and not giving up at the Sisters blog. Check it out if you're interested. If not then as you were. ;-)

Jackie is Climbing the Mountain

Chapters 2 and 3 are now in the hands of the editor. So is my sorry excuse for a synopsis. I'm not very good at them I've decided. I hope it was better than my last one - I think it is. I concentrated entirely on the emotional growth of the romance with barely any external stuff going on, so that's the important thing. It's going to be quite an emotionally complicated story though I think. The heroine is thinking her problem with the hero will be one thing, but really that's just a cover for something that's going on underneath. There will be a deeper issue for her that she refuses to see until it all goes horribly wrong. Hmmm, usually it's my heroes who get the complicated stuff. Not this time apparently.

Anyway, the one good thing I do know is that the editor liked the conflict. She thought it was realistic, consistent and believable. Big yays for me. Apart from the fact that the emotional barriers are quite large ones. Not so big yays.

Which brings me to the part about the mountain. I'm feeling now I'm at the bottom of it and it's a very long way to the top. If the ed wants more, I have to write the rest of the story and that's feeling like a mammoth task. Maybe the pressure's getting to me, I don't know. Maybe I just need to start writing and get myself enthused. Maybe I need to refill the well a little.

Whatever it is, I'm going to leave you with a personal favourite video of mine (courtesy of Miss Maisey Yates). Please note that I actually do not want to make love to the mountain (unless it looks a lot like my hero in which case I could be persuaded).


BTW, if you want to know more about the Modern Heat winner of the last Mills and Boon contest, visit www.sevensassysisters.com. Miss Jilly Aston is in the house.