Ever-changing

Brandy’s post yesterday has me thinking about how much everything changes over the years. Not just changes in our personal lives, but changes every where you look.

The cars today are completely different than the cars of twenty years ago. Some are much more fuel-efficient while others are guzzling more gas than ever. They’re much more sleek than they were in the 80’s.

Fashion is something that changes yearly, sometimes even seasonally. What’s “in” today will surely be a fashion faux pas by next year. Of course it all comes back around in due time. Some of it should have never been considered fashion, but we buy it and wear it, wanting to look hip and with the times.

Music has changed so much over the years that it now has me sounding like an old fogey with my “They call that music?” remarks. Every generation has their own sound I guess. I’m so glad I’m old!

But, in the music business, you have to keep growing and changing with the times if you want your career to sustain. You have to keep re-inventing yourself in order to stay on top. You need to be current.

Barb sent me an article not long ago about the changing trends in the publishing world. One thing they mentioned is how they expect sales for adult books to decrease while books for young adults will be on the rise. Young adult books are hot right now and they predict they will continue to be hot for some time.

As writers, published or not, do you think that you would change your writing style or genre to accommodate the changing times or do you think you’re better off to just stay with what works for you? Are you willing to re-invent yourself?

And for those of you who don’t write, would you be willing to change aspects of your life, either personally of professionally, in order to be considered hip and relevant?

SIS Bren

Change

OOOPS!! I almost forgot my post again. I have been so scatterbrained lately!!!

All I seem to be thinking about right now is how much change is coming in my life. Alot of it is very scary to me. I don't like the idea of pretty much starting over... and that's what it feels like I am doing.

As I wrote about last week, I need to make some career changes. What I am doing right now just isn't working. I need to focus on different ideas.

I will be moving soon. Don't know where or when but it will be soon. This house is way too big for us. It is too expensive... I can't do it anymore. I would like to move somewhere far away and really get a fresh start. There is a lot of hurddles to overcome for that to happen.

I even have to turn in my vehicle soon. The lease is up in less than 2 months! I like my ride and have no clue what I am gonna get to replace it. Things aren't so easy now in that department.

So here I am freaking out!! I just keep telling myself that change can be a great thing. Surely I will come out of all of it stronger, right?

What kind of change is going on in your life? What changes are needed?

I Think I'm A Man

Well, not really, but sometimes, I swear I think like one. A man, that is. What brought this on? My WIP. I had a phenomenal writing weekend. I kicked major butt as my fingers soared across the keyboard. My word count meter climb. Phew! I needed that. My inspiration? My hero. I click with him. I know him inside and out. His scenes are always super easy, well easier, for me to write and in my opinion, they are some of the best in the story.

This weekend I decided to channel that. I started out a scene writing in his POV knowing that would get my momentum going. I wasn't wrong. When I switched to my heroines POV, I still kept the hero in mind. Is that wrong? Quite possibly, but it really seemed to work for me. I was afraid that when I went back and read over it, Meera (heroine) would have developed some of Ghanem's (hero) traits. She didn't. I think I just used him to push me, make me want to get back to his scene, but I couldn't do that until Meera got her fair share.

By doing this I propelled the story forward. I need to go back and add a few "scenery" details here and there, but for the most part, the bones, organs and muscles are all there. I just need some pretty skin to cover them.

Which brings me to one of my favorite parts of writing. Adding flavor. Layering. It's amazing how just a couple of descriptive sentences here and there can really give the reader a better view into the environment I've created. Whether it be a mossy canopy of trees over a moonlit road, or a dumpster in the back alleys of Chicago. Those details set the tone, add the flavor for all the dialog and emotion we've sweat out. And yes, I do mean sweat. Writing is a workout. Not only for the brain, but for the soul. Writing takes every creative gene I have and wrings it out over and over again, extracting all the juices until I'm all dried up for the day. A break now and then, whether it be 5 minutes or overnight rejuvenates my entire system allowing me to get right back on the bull and ride the heck out of him. Hold on tight! This is one wild ride.

So what is your favorite part of writing? Reading? When is the last time you rode a bull?

SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi

Unsolved Mysteries

As a kid growing up, I can remember always liking a good mystery. I'm not talking
about the kind of mystery that the hero or heroine of a mystery novel or television show
solves at the end, but real life mysteries: Are we being visited by aliens from other
planets? What happened to the ships and planes that disappeared in the Bermuda
Triangle? Do ghosts, Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster really exist?

When it came to real life mysteries, I would leave no stone unturned in my quest for
answers, reading every book and news story I could get my hands on, and watching
every documentary that television had to offer. More often than not I came away
disappointed as the latest "evidence" was offered and easily dismissed. In the years
since I first started my quest for the truth, one mystery has consistently stood out and
piqued my interest: Who was 'Jack the Ripper'?

Of all the mysteries to latch onto, I still can't explain why this one. Sadly, there are
countless unsolved murder cases out there. Perhaps it's the Victorian London
backdrop, or the 'first modern serial killer' angle. Whatever the reason, I know that
I would feel a great deal of satisfaction if I were to somehow solve it. I would even
be satisfied if someone else did; just knowing the truth would be enough.

Is there a real-life mystery that captured your interest? If so, what about it interests
you and why?

Friday Frenzy

I can't decide on a topic. Probably because I have too much on my mind. 'Focus' is not in my vocabulary this moment, so instead you will get a peek into my chaotic brain. Behold a frenzy of thoughts.

*I finished the line edits on INTO THE WILD and turned them in on time. I have to say I had a fabulous time writing that story and though I don't like to name favorites when talking about my stories, ITW is one of them.

*Though the official release isn't until April 1, OUT OF EDEN is already on sale (subliminal message: buy your copy now) at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com

*Over the last couple of weeks, more fabulous reviews have rolled in for OUT OF EDEN. Here's the latest from Romance Junkies!

"OUT OF EDEN is a sexy and charming story that held me enthralled from the very start. Author Beth Ciotta has definitely caught the pulse of life in a small town with all of its quirks and characters. The story flowed quickly and I really enjoyed every moment, particularly the interaction between Kylie and the other residents of Eden. I can’t wait until September 2010 and Ms. Ciotta’s next book, INTO THE WILD, which is about Kylie’s older, and very adventurous brother, Spenser." -- 4.5 Blue Ribbons, Cheryl McInnis, Romance Junkies

Excuse me a moment while I happy dance.

Back now.

*Although I'm hard at work on promotions and creating new story proposals, I'm not on deadline and therefore have been able to catch up on a few movies.

The Ugly Truth -- Although it got horrid reviews, I thought it would be worth it simply to see Gerard Butler (who I adore) in action. I was wrong.

Inglorious Basterds -- Brilliant. Yes, I had to close my eyes during a couple of disgusting, violent parts, but the acting was top notch and the writing--imaginative and well-crafted. As a writer, I was inspired!

State of Play -- Thumbs up! A political thriller that had me hooked and intrigued from beginning to end. Kudos to actors Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Robin Wright, and Rachel McAdams. Impressive.

9 -- Charming! I'm not sure I understood it 100%, but it didn't matter. I was mesmerized by this imaginative and tender story. A rag doll that awakens in a post-apocalyptic future holds the key to humanity's salvation. I mean, come on!

*Barb/Elle invited some powerhouse guest bloggers to SIS. Not to be outdone, I followed her lead. Stay tuned for posts from dynamic authors, M.J. Rose, Terry Spear, and Julia Templeton! Coming in April and May!

*And lastly... Barb/Elle turned me onto a post that I have to share. If you're a writer, no matter where you are in your career, The Things You Choose is a must read. (Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Laura Resnick!)

Thus ends my Friday Frenzy. What about you? Thoughts on my thoughts? Thoughts of your own? The floor, er, blog, is open.

SIS Beth

POETRY

I have stated before that I would like to have at least one poem published this year. I have been writing many poems. Some okay, some very bad. None of them are great. After reading many poems from on-line poetry mags, I realize that I have a lot of work to do. The other day while I was at the book store, I made it to the poetry section in search of how-to books. The poetry section was very small. I was able to find only one how-to book.

The Complete Idiot's Guide To Writing Poetry by Nikki Moustaki. For a guide for idiot's, the book is full of helpful information. There are many fun exercises and a lot of good advice on how to write and not write poetry. There is a chapter that tells you the best way to get a poem published.

I am hoping that this book helps me out. I am on the look out for more how-to books that might prove to be more helpful. Do you use how-to or self-help books? Do you find them to be helpful?

SIS BJ aka Aleena Ravenwood

Undisputed Passion

My husband and I watched a show not too long ago about Scott Hamilton. You know, the figure skater who won gold at the Olympics and is known for his back flips on the ice. What a great and talented guy he is…and inspirational too.

He was adopted at six weeks and at two years old “contracted” a disease that kept him from growing. He wore a feeding tube up his nose as other children might wear head gear for their braces. The disease was never correctly diagnosed, but at a very young age, he began to skate and suddenly began to grow again. He only grew to be 5’ 2 ½ “ tall but was a very healthy man.

In 1997 he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and successfully beat it. He continued to skate professionally until 2001. Soon after his retirement, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I don’t remember what they called it exactly, but it had something to do with his pituitary gland which controls many things, including producing growth hormone for normal development of height.

In Scott Hamilton’s words, when he found skating, the disease went away. When he stopped skating, it reared its ugly head again. He beat that cancer too, and went back to skating and performed that back flip at the age of 51 (I think). I’ve never been able to do a back flip.

I think we all have something in our life that is healing. I mean a passion, something that gives you pure joy. Something that makes everything okay. Something that you can totally lose yourself in for hours and hours. For some it may be photography, or antique collecting, or sailing, or gardening, or writing. In my case, it’s singing. When I sing, I am at peace.

I started singing professionally when I was 19 and continued until around three years ago. At the time that I quit, it was a good decision. I no longer found that peace in singing. Several different circumstances had sucked the joy and fun right out of it. It became a chore rather than an outlet for my creativity and passion.

But, I am happy to say that I have started a new venture with an incredibly talented pianist (keyboardist) friend of mine. We’ve worked together in the past and I am thrilled to be working with him again and once again enjoying that “something” that brings me pure joy.

I was a little nervous at first, just because I’m a little rusty. If you don’t use your voice in a singing capacity for a time, well, you have to whip it back into shape just like you would any other muscle that you might neglect. I’m still whipping away.

We have our songs, we have our business cards, we have our web-site, and we almost have our demo. Now it’s time to get out there and start shopping it around. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

My question for the day…What is your passion? What makes you forget about everything? What can you totally immerse yourself in and come out feeling like a million bucks?

SIS Bren