blog tour
Thank you for visiting my stop on the 1RomanceEbooks.com one year anniversary blog tour. This is Stop # 20. Your last stop should have been Elisa Rolle’s blog, stop # 19. If you missed it, here is the link: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/tag/about%20me
# # #
When I was very young I had it in my head that I would be a race car driver when I grew up (in those days I still thought that there was some point in life when you were finally and actually “grown up;” I know better now). One day I read an article by the legendary racer, Wilbur Shaw, in which he opined that no one should consider racing until he had at least 50,000 miles under his belt.
50,000 miles? I think I was about fourteen at the time and just beginning to drive. Why, I would be an old man—twenty-four, surely, maybe even twenty-five—before I accumulated that sort of driving experience.
I gave up my racing ambition. Somewhere in racing Heaven I am sure a choir of angels breathed sighs of relief. I turned to writing, blissfully unaware of the hundreds of thousands of words I would need under my belt before I drove that right.
When you start to drive a car, you have to think about each of the things that you must do: shifting gears, turn signals, clutch and brake. The day comes, however, when you do all that automatically, at a subconscious level.
So it is with writing. You need to practice those fundamentals – plot skeleton, of course, and all you can learn about characterization (which will never be enough), and all of the elements of grammar – until you no longer have to think about them, until they are absorbed utterly into your unconsciousness. It is not until the singer stops consciously singing that the music takes over.
And there really does come a day when you stop writing the book and the book starts writing itself. I have found myself in the middle of a scene, intending the character to step out a door and turn right, only to have her turn left instead and go off in some direction quite unanticipated by me. Oh, what a chase it is then, keeping the fingers flying while you wait to see what it is that she is up to. Yes, she will let you know—if you let her.
The book, you see, is already written somewhere inside you. Virginia Woolf likens writing a novel to walking through a dark room with a lantern; the lantern illuminates those things that were always there but which you did not see before the light.
Of course, if you are blocking the light you can’t see what is hidden there in the corner. In my opinion your most difficult task is not so much to find the book as to get yourself out of the way so that it can reveal itself. You can’t do that if you are consciously struggling with the rules of plot development or English grammar. Learn them and then learn them some more, until you can forget all about them.
That is when you begin to become a writer.
# # #
Now, as part of the anniversary celebration, I’m giving away an e-book copy of my novel, Deadly Nightshade. Please leave a comment to enter to win. The more comments you leave on the tour, the better your chances of winning the Grand Prize – a Sony E-reader !
But, please understand, you need to REGISTER to win prizes. Simply leaving a comment on my blog will not make you eligible to win. If you have not already done so, go back to 1RE’s website at: 1RomanceEbooks.com and follow the instructions for registering, including receiving a participant number, which is a number you will use in every
comment. This is how they will track all of the participants and tell you who the winners are.
The next stop on the anniversary tour is J.P. Bowie’s blog, # 21. Here is the link: http://wwwjpbowie.blogspot.com/
Have fun !
Adrienne Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 7:56 am
Tour Member #2564
Your conception of writing doesn’t really leave any space for amateur writers, though? I mean, there are people for whom writing is a hobby, and so we write more, and we continue to do it better, gradually, we hope, but because it’s an amateur thing, we don’t necessarily push at developing our craft the way someone who hopes to go pro does.
But I think just writing becasue one wants a particular story in the world, even if you’re not hoping to sell it to a thousand or a million other people and profit from it, should be more respected.
Kate Richards Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 8:36 am
Hi Victor. I was stop 12 so I’m just tagging along to see everyone’s blog. I love your interesting comparison to race car driving. Writing is indeed a learning experience isn’t it? But as to what the previous writer said, of course there’s room for amateur writers. Long before I decided to submit a book and become a ‘pro’, I wrote stories, and even posted them on my own blog and some other sites on the web. We all have stories to tell and I don’t think the way Victor described our craft lets anyone out who has a story to tell. Most published authors have day jobs and perfect their craft at night and on weekends, for the joy of it and the occasional ten or twenty dollar just covers the cost of electricity for the laptop.
Blanche Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 8:44 am
I really enjoyed reading your post!!
blog participant #2919
Susie AKA Susilien Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:32 am
Tour # 270
I am just a reader. I love to read. This has drawn me in. That is what I like.
Adrienne’s comment makes me sad. What ever happened to doing what you are doing well? What ever happened to wanting to do the best you can.
I think too many people are looking for the easy quick way of doing something. Yes you should write if you are being drawn to writing. Yes you don’t have to seek to be published in any way. No giving yourself an easy out is never worth while.
I believe if you are going to write and truly tell a story, you will not be satisified in your heart or mind or soul if you don’t work at making that story the best you can. Then once you have done your best, don’t become the over critical critic, let it go and move onto the next story that calls to you.
I may never write something, but having read since I was a small child and enjoying a deverse reading life I would not easily let a friend who likes to write as a hobby allow themselves to not reach for the best they can be. Just my not so humble opinion.
Thank you Mr. Banis for telling it like it truly is. I hope there are writers who will listen and learn.
Jody F Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:54 am
Tour participant #228
I like your comparison between car driving and writing. There’s similarities between who’s in control and finding inspiration along the way. However it comes about, I’m very grateful for your writing. I’ve enjoyed many of your stories and look forward to many more.
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 10:17 am
I’m not quite sure I follow your reasoning. First off, I don’t write anything hoping to sell it or with the slightest concern whether I sell it or not, I write for the pleasure of writing, and I have most certainly given away more short stories in the last several years than I’ve sold, by a wide margin. But even if one is only writing for the pleasure of writing, surely you would want to do it as well as you can. If not, why even bother? If you were making a quilt, not for sale but just for your own pleasure, wouldn’t you make it look as good as possible? Why on earth would you suppose I don’t respect someone’s amateur writing simply because I offer suggestions for making it better?
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 10:23 am
thanks, I hope I can just keep writing them, and you will keep reading them.
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 10:24 am
Kate, I’ve said elsewhere, if anyone is thinking of doing this for money, I suggest rolling drunks and sailors instead, it’s bound to be more profitable.
Wilma Frana Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 10:50 am
I enjoyed reading your post. My participation number is 8129
Donna Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 11:03 am
I am so glad I stopped in and read your blog. I love your analogy. It explains the magic moment of why the begining of writing is so hard, what the magic feels like and how we stop that magic from happening. I am going to refer the newer writers in my chapter to this blog.
Happy Anniversary 1RE
#5321
Tamara Shurling Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 11:11 am
I understand what you are talking about, there are some careers that are just so hard to break into. I am a photographer and while I have sold a few pictures I don’t see me becoming world famous, but at least I enjoy it. Looking forward to reading your book!
Blog participent #7975
Cathy M Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 11:27 am
Hi Victor,
Thanks for giving us a chance to read one of the books in this series.
blog participant #7923
Leni Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 11:34 am
I enjoyed this post and took it as a mix of a story, life-lesson, and encouragement to learn all you can, apply it, and experience it rather than always trying to direct something that might want to bend another way.
Thanks. They really are words of wisdom.
Blog Tour #2291
Maria63303 Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 12:03 pm
Thanks for the post, liked the comparison between writing and driving a car ….and yes we do learn to drive without thinking about all of the steps as we do them…of course I have also driven past the exits and turns that I need due to thinking of something else too…lol
My participant #4394
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 12:13 pm
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Yes, we get distracted – I’ve written right past my exit a time or two as well. And I suspect some think I’m driving aimlessly…
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 12:14 pm
Yes, it isn’t just about writing (or driving) – I have always believed that when we get to the end of the line, there is a special dispensation for those who can honestly say, “I did my best.” No one, not even your maker, can ask more of you than that.
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 12:15 pm
I think it’s a fun series, just because I really love the two guys – and, really, it’s more about them than anything else. I hope you all win – okay, impossible I know, but you know what I mean.
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 12:17 pm
It’s funny, I’ve been at this so very long – there was a time when I was in the big leagues – major NY publishers, big advances, rave reviews, the works. And I hated it. I felt that those people owned me, and I had to dance to their tunes. I dropped out of it all for 20 years, but I couldn’t stop writing, so when I got back into it, I vowed I would only write for myself, what I wanted, when and how I wanted. And I’ve been drunk on the magic of writing ever since. If you’re not doing it because you love it (and this is just as true of your photography as anything else) you might as well be selling shoes at Macy’s.
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 12:19 pm
Thank you for stopping in, and for your kind words. I certainly don’t pretend to know everything, but after nearly 50 years, I’ve learned a thing or two. (or else I’d have to be very, very dense. Of course, I have no doubt some would vote for the latter.)
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 12:20 pm
thanks for stopping by and good luck with the drawings.
Amber Scott Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 1:33 pm
I wholeheartedly agree with you! “Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”
— E.L. Doctorow
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 1:58 pm
a great quote – It’s interesting that writers are so different. Some want to know where the story is going to end before they start (I generally do, but not always) and some just write a page or so at a time. James Lee Burke says he never knows more than a chapter or so ahead where a book is going (though I have to say, sometimes his books read that way.) However, let it be said, I spend a great deal of my time these days in a fog.
Amber Scott Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 2:01 pm
#8247 :}
Amber Scott Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 2:02 pm
A beautiful fog? I’m going to reference this post for my Motivational Monday post. It was timed perfectly for me.
Marcieo Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 2:22 pm
I loved your blog! I have joined several author groups, and it is hilarious to listen to them grumble about how their characters are not cooperating at any given time. This always fascinates me, because I write non-fiction, so I can’t really relate. I think someone could make an excellent movie about an author and his/her interactions with the book characters, just because it is so fascinating. In the end, that is what makes the books so good! Maybe the more real the character is to the author, the better it comes out in the book. I tend to like *really* wacky books. As long as it has a sense of humor, and great character definition, I am completely sucked in.
#5532
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 2:35 pm
I write lots of whacy books – Drag Thing is so silly it’s ridiculous. But I never tire of stressing the importance of character. First off, it’s just more fun to write a book where the characters are like friends, and second, if you get them right, they do all the rest of the work for you. But they do take on a life of their own. I just let them go, and follow meekly along.
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 2:36 pm
I’m in a fog, not sure how beautiful. But use it if you can. Kenneth Clark said (he was talking about Raphael’s clearly purloined angels, but it applies all over the place) “The artist takes what he needs where he finds it.”
Amy S. Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 3:01 pm
Great blog post! Deadly Nightshade sounds good! Blog participation # is 8038.
Victoria Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 3:20 pm
I really enjoyed your post and your follow up comments. I’m just a reader but it makes sense to me that no matter what you’re writing character developement is critical. Thank you. I’m #8060
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 3:22 pm
Well, I am prejudiced, but I love the Deadly mysteries – okay, not so much as mysteries, I have always said, I am not really a mystery writer. The best of them – P.D. James, Agatha Christie, et al (interesting, isn’t it, that the first two names to pop into my mind were women) – specialize in great plots. I do plots, but my strength is in the characters, and I think the two guys in the Deadly books – Tom and Stanley – and their ongoing relationship – are fascinating. They continue to fascinate me, at least, and readers write me all the time to tell me the same –
Thanks for stopping by.
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 3:26 pm
You know, it’s funny, I never feel as if I am developing a character, but rather as if I am getting to know them. When I wrote my cowboy novel, Longhorns (and I wrote it in two weeks!) the boys took me over, I was literally possessed, as in an old voodoo movie. For two weeks I stumbled around in that fog we talked about earlier. All I did was lie in bed listening to them argue, and get up in the morning and stumble downstairs and start typing. It was so bad, that at one time we had a thunderstorm in West Virginia (oh, I must explain, there’s a cattle stampede in the book) and I sat up in bed and said, “oh no, the cattle will stampede.” Of course, I live in town and don’t have any cattle. But, the boys had taken me over so completely…
Brandy B Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 3:29 pm
Hi Victor. You are a new author to me. I’m going to have a look around. My # is 6997
brandyzbooks@yahoo.com
Stacey Smith Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 3:34 pm
I would love to get a chance on reading one of your books.
Stacey 8156
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 3:36 pm
Good luck with the drawings. If it doesn’t happen, touch base with me later, and I’ll find you something to read.
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 3:37 pm
Good luck with the drawings, and thanks for stopping by. If it doesn’t happen for you, contact me later, and I’ll fidn you something to read.
Anna Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 5:25 pm
Okay so I am am not a writer and have no aspiration to be one, even though I am a reviewer. I have found that I really enjoy what some people call Gay fiction and one of my favorite series is the Deadly series, I love Stanley, I am not sure why but he is a great character, the way you write him and his thoughts is great, he just gets better every time and even Tom is starting to grow on me. I really hope you don’t stop writing them anytime soon. I haven’t finished Deadly Silence yet, but I hope that you find someone for Inspector Bryce. I always feel bad for him. Keep up the great work.
Blog Participant 2602
Tracey D Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 5:36 pm
Hello, Victor.
I placed Angel Land in my shopping cart the other, just waiting for payday! I look forward in reading your other works.
Thanks!
Blog number 240
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 6:41 pm
I’m so glad you enjoy the Deadly books. I love Stanley, but I confess, I’ve always had a thing for Tom. But, he is a bit of a stick – still he keeps trying. Bryce – that’s an interesting thought. Maybe I should revisit him…
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 6:42 pm
Oh, Angel Land is a personal favorite. I hope you enjoy. Thanks for coming by, and good luck with the drawings.
Yadira A. Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 7:11 pm
Hi Victor,
Thanks for sharing the fundamentals of writing… makes sense. And thanks for participating in the blog tour.
Blog Tour Participant #: 8153
yadkny@hotmail.com
Teresa Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 7:11 pm
Love the post. I think any one can continue to learn and grow, no matter what field they are in. I grow as a reader each time I pick up a new book, find a new author or try a new genre. Thank you for being a part of the tour, it enabled me to find you. I will be checking out Longhorns after the comment you left about them taking over.
Teresa
Blog #5354
Deb H Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 7:32 pm
Happy anniversary 1RomanceEbooks.com. Interesting blog but I have to say that I’ve never had the desire to be a writer/author. I do love finding new books and authors to follow. Thanks to this blog tour for the opportunity to meet new authors, books and blogs.
deb ;0)
#7940
Gabrielle Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 7:42 pm
First time visiting your blog interesting post.
Gabrielle #8226
Melissa Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 7:46 pm
Interesting blog. I think I will tour your site a bit. There are quite a few new to me authors on this tour.
Blog Participant #2197
Lisa Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 7:50 pm
I’ve really enjoyed looking around your blog and website. It is the best part of the tour, getting to know new (to me) authors. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the Deadly books and I’m really looking forward to checking them out!
Tour Member (Participant Number) #5002
Christine London Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:01 pm
Victor—you are so right!! It is not until something comes as second nature that the creator/participant can let go and let it happen. Sometimes I will re-read my last day’s entry in my work in progress and be well and truly amazed that I wrote it. It is as though one is a conduit to the universe when the words are flowing. Magic, mystic, blessing.
Thanks for the great blog and nice to ‘meet’ you.
Regards,
Christine London
http://www.christinelondon.com
participant #7683
Mary McCoy Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:09 pm
Thanks for an interesting stop on the blog tour. Your post reminded me of a famous sculptor (Michelangelo, I believe) who claimed that he did not carve his statues, just remove the pieces of marble that were hiding the work of art inside the block of stone.
Mary M.
#765
Larena Wirum Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:23 pm
I really enjoyed reading your comments. Very interesting.
#294
Beth C. Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:29 pm
That is a great post. Loved reading it.
participant #8001
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:38 pm
glad you enjoyed it – thanks for stopping by.
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:38 pm
Thanks for dropping in – and I’m glad you found the comments helpful
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:39 pm
I think you’re right, it was Michelangelo. Gosh, that’s the first time anyone’s ever compared me to a genius. I guess he’s probably less flattered. thanks for stopping in.
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:41 pm
Yes, it’s funny how that happens, isn’t it? Sometimes I read something later and I think, I wrote that? But, yes, it’s about connecting to a higher power, and you can’t get in touch with the infinite when you’re wrestling with the finite.
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:41 pm
OH, I hope you enjoy the Deadlies as much as I do, and I’m glad you took the extra time to look around here. Thanks for coming by today.
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
I hope you enjoy poking around here – I haven’t kept this up as well as I should, but I am resolved to stay at it. Thanks for visiting today.
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:43 pm
Glad you could make it, and hope you come back again.
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:44 pm
Well, Deb, I can assure you that writers love to meet readers. I hope you found lots of new “favorites” this tour, and I hope you find something of mine you enjoy.
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:45 pm
I’ve been doing this nearly half a century, and I’m still learning. I hope you enjoy Longhorns. I do love those cowboys, although they drove me crazy when I was writing the book
vjbanis Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 9:46 pm
Thank you for coming by to visit. I hope the tour has introduced you to loads of new writers.
Becca Dale Said,
July 24, 2010 @ 11:44 pm
I agree with the idea that writing a novel is like getting out of the way so it can reveal itself. Interesting blog. #8047
saruby Said,
July 25, 2010 @ 12:34 am
Interesting post. I always enjoy hearing how writers perceive the process of writing.
#8332
Kathrin Said,
July 25, 2010 @ 1:23 am
Hallöchen Victor,
great to meet you here on the blog tour. Haven’t read anything of yours yet but I’ll surely check it out. If it’s written like you write your blog I’m sure gonna love it.
I like your analogy and what it implies. I’m not a writer although I love to tell stories, play with words, rhyme… I’m more a story teller in the sence of telling – writing it down makes it work and less fun for me – probably because it’s not “automated”. I love to write and comment on blogs etc. but I’m a perfectionist and tweak words and sentences until I’m sure I got them right and I’m happy with them – esp. in English, since it’s not my first language. I could work more on automating the tools but I don’t think I will – I kinda love the tweaking part. And in my profession (I work in childcare) I need writing skills only in small doses, but story telling every day
I’m sure to read you soon again, ’til then take care
Kathrin
#109
vjbanis Said,
July 25, 2010 @ 3:59 am
interestingly enough, so do I. You’d think since we’re all working with the same words, the same plot skeleton, etc., that we’d all do it alike, but writers are so infinitely varied in their approaches to writing and their methods. I still learn from other writers.
vjbanis Said,
July 25, 2010 @ 4:02 am
I started out telling stories to my siblings when I was little, and as a writer, I’ve always thought of myself as just a story teller – I believe writing should entertain as well as edify, which puts me at odds with much of the publishign “establishment,” who think it must all be deadly serious and, in the case of gay fiction, tragic. And I love that you tell stories to children. Television is such a big part of children’s lives today, and it is so passive. Radio, reading, hearing stories, all help children to develop their imaginations. Thanks for sharing.
Carol L. Said,
July 25, 2010 @ 8:59 am
I enjoyed your post Victor. You are a new to me Author and I look forward to reading your work.
My # is 6916
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
Uncle Moose Said,
July 25, 2010 @ 11:17 am
Hey Victor!
A race car driver?
Hmmm. I’m kinda glad you took a left at Albequerque…(it always worked for Bugs Bunny) and decided to become a writer.
Even though you got me in trouble in my Junior year of highschool.
Aha! Never you you got me in trouble, did you?
It was in 1981, a class D school located in the small, farming community of Hillman, Michigan.
I did a book report on one of your books from the late 70′s – and got suspended for THREE days because I
a. refused to back down from my position of free speech
b. my choice of reading material – showing gays in a positive light.
c. Apologise for who I was or to the English teacher who made it clear we could choose to do our book report on anything we wanted.
Alas – They still bring the event up at class reunions – tho this time it’s to either congratulate me for having the balls to stand up back then, or to help parents deal with their own budding homosexual children.
(Oh – and there are a few community members that would still like to burn me at the stake, but that’s for another topic on another day!)
Anyway, sir, I loved what you posted on writing and I want to thank you for all your years of writing your hearts desire – even the cheesey stories! (Yes, we all have them…) George Allwynn/Uncle Moose 7991
Alma Said,
July 25, 2010 @ 11:19 am
Enjoyed your blog, keep on writing.
Blog#8019
vjbanis Said,
July 25, 2010 @ 12:23 pm
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for stopping by. Good luck with the drawings.
vjbanis Said,
July 25, 2010 @ 12:27 pm
George, what a great post, thank you, that really made my day. It’s nice to sell books and make some money and everybody loves a good review, but nothing could be dearer to my heart than to know that I made a difference in someone’s life. I’m glad you refused to back down, and I’m glad you had the courage to report on gays in a positive light; hooray that you didn’t apologize. Oddly, all these years later, I ran into much the same thing here in West Virginia – the granddaughter (15 at the time) of my friend, Jane, did a report for her civics class on AIDS and its impact on the gay community, and her teacher refused to accept the paper. La plus ca change…
Oh, there are a few community members who would like to burn me at the stake, too. One thing that has never changed, I’ve been a target for flak all my life. Kind of take pride in it now.
Thanks again for sharing that story with me.
Ashley Said,
July 25, 2010 @ 3:47 pm
Virginia Wolfe is one of my favorite authors. I had to read “A Room of Her Own” for a lit course and just loved her.
Participant #695
Cynde L. Hammond Said,
July 25, 2010 @ 4:57 pm
Hi, Victor!
Wow! What an amazing blog you have. Everything that you wrote in this posting is “right on”! By the way, my “Blog Tour Participant” number is: 8032.
Thanks for making the “Blog Tour” even more fun by offering us all a chance to win a copy of your ebook, “DEADLY NIGHTSHADE”. I sure hope I’m the one that wins it; it’s probably a great book and for some reason, I am really anxious to find out.
It was nice “meeting” you.
Sincerely,
Cynde (Cynde’s Got The Write Stuff)
http://cyndes-got-the-write-stuff.blogspot.com/
Armenia Said,
July 25, 2010 @ 11:19 pm
Victor, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Great post.
#2251
Kim S. Said,
July 26, 2010 @ 1:14 am
Interesting post, at first I was wondering where you were going with it, but then you tied the racing and writing together nicely. Hope you continue having good luck in your writing adventures!
Have a sunny summer everyone!
My number is #7936.
vjbanis Said,
July 26, 2010 @ 3:31 am
thank, it seemed an apt analogy – glad you could stop by.
vjbanis Said,
July 26, 2010 @ 3:31 am
Thanks, and thank for taking time to look around here.
vjbanis Said,
July 26, 2010 @ 3:32 am
She also offered great advice to other writers. I am always interested in what the masters have to say.
vjbanis Said,
July 26, 2010 @ 3:34 am
Thanks for stopping by and good luck with the drawing.
Ellie Said,
July 28, 2010 @ 9:32 am
I just registered for the prizes. Good luck to all! Blog Participant #6848
Vonnie Alto Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 1:16 am
I finally figured out how to post to your blog. I liked your analogy of comparing writing to driving: Driving your novel or letting it drive you. You’re so right. If we force our words into a certain plot, it won’t work because the novel isn’t writing itself. We’re driving it. Once we let go and let the story unfold, magic happens and the story’s light is illuminated.
Blog Tourist #8432
vjbanis Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 4:42 am
I always have a hard time figuring these things out – For the longest time the blog was closed to comments because I didn’t know how to fix the spam – luckily, someone else did it for me. Thanks for stopping by, glad you enjoyed the post
Tanya Henwood Said,
July 31, 2010 @ 3:26 am
Enjoyed reading your post can’t wait to try one of your books
Tanya #4335
vjbanis Said,
July 31, 2010 @ 4:59 am
thanks for stopping by – I’d recommend one of the books but they’re so different. I love Lola Dances. And if you like cowboys, Longhorns, but it’s pretty steamy.