Got the second acceptance email of the day. My story with the hero with the best name ever got accepted for the debut/launch issue of a new Romance magazine. First issue will come out Sept 1, 2010 and my alter ego will be a part of it. I’ve chosen to use my pen name as that is the name I’ve chosen to use for romance work. So, this one, called One Night in Costa Rica, will be credited as Jillian Chantal.
Submitted a Halloween Story called The True Believers this week to here: http://whortleberrypress.com/ Just got the email that it’s in. Accepted. It was inspired by one of my favorite places, the Pensacola Lighthouse. I recommend a visit if you get the chance. Climb to the top and look out at the Gulf of Mexico. Awesome. I haven’t been to the top lately- they don’t go all the way up on the haunted tours- need to get back out there and do it.
across the access road from the lighthouse
Had a plan for a story for a Halloween anthology- had the first ten or so lines rattling around in my head for a few days. It was going to take place in New Orleans- or near New Orleans, I should say. At Oak Alley. But, little did I know, the trip to Pensacola Lighthouse with Cynthia Eden on the 4th of July weekend for a ghost hunt was still lurking in the old noggin.
Started the story and lo and behold, these characters were NOT at Oak Alley, they were at the lighthouse. Rascals. Didn’t let me in on that one til the writing process was underway. I always say I like to be surprised by my characters and they got me this time.
looking up the spiral staircase
Used the research I did for a full length manuscript that my alter ego is writing for a fun little short story. I decided to put the info to good use by writing something short to submit under my own name. I hope it will be accepted. I think it is a fun little story. Submitted it late this afternoon. The guidelines were under 6000 words, romance, jungle theme.
I have 5200+ words, romance and it occurs partially in the jungle of Costa Rica. AND I have the greatest, coolest name ever for the hero. The name alone inspired me. So, how could it miss??
Stay tuned for an update on the submission. As soon as I know yea or nay, I’ll post.
Trying to change is sometimes not worth it
books in a stack (a stack of books)
The best advice I ever received was to stay true to myself, especially as relates to my writing process. I’ve tried two different times to change the way I work based on advice from friends that are also writers. Friends who think the way I write is crazy- I usually write 4-5 chapters in order, then the ending comes to me and I write the last chapter, then the second to last chapter. AND, I might even write a scene that comes to me and insert it somewhere in the middle. I do not do an outline. I let the story lead me. New characters pop up and cause some havoc with the protagonist. If I planned ahead, I’d never have the fluidity to have the story “happen.”
The first time I tried to change, the joy was completely sucked out of my writing. I took an online class from a member of my RWA chapter. All the rules and instructions tied my brain in knots, so I had to let go of the teacher’s lessons and go back to my way. The other time I tried to change was very recently on the advice of another RWA chapter mate. She edits each chapter as she goes and then moves on. Tried that. Got bogged down at Chapter Two. Couldn’t move on. Edited the hell out of Chapter One.
That’s when I finally took that advice. Be true to your own process. So, I’m back to my wonky, wild, weird, writing style (How was that for alliteration?) and I am humming along again on my newest manuscript. Next time I’m tempted to change, someone please remind me that it probably isn’t worth it.
Don’t really have anything to say but I noticed this was post #100 and I wanted to memorialize the occasion by saying hi and reminding you all of the inspiration for most of the heroes in my fiction work.
Another just because picture
Alan- Just because
Alan as I picture him as Liam in "Redemption for the Devil"
Alan as I picture him as Angus in novella "Gray's Inn"
Alan as Alec in novella "Weekend at Upper Eaves"
Just got an email with the cover for the new anthology I’m in from Whortleberry Press. Check it out. I like it. My story is called Rumpelstiltskin’s Quest. A story about Rumpelstiltskin’s quest for true love.
I recently sold a story to LL Dreamspell for their Mystery Anthology. It is called Pimps and Hos. I have been added to their website as one of their authors. I hope to add more stories to my page soon. I am working on an idea for one right now. See my other blog: http://jillianchantal.wordpress.com/
check it out if you want. ttp://www.lldreamspell.com/SherryChancellor.htm
SOLD– Pimps and Hos, my short story, has been sold to Dreamspell Mysteries. Contract will be on the way soon. I’m happy to find a home for this story. It was a fun one to write and I was very happy with it so I’m glad someone else liked it! A good start to the day!
So, I had a mad dash- more like a sprint- the last four days as I added 15,000 words to one of my manuscripts. I now have to make a decision about what to do next. I have a chapter and a half on the new WIP that I have been ignoring lately as I wrote two short stories and then this craziness of 15,000 words. I didn’t even leave the house the whole of last weekend as I worked like a little beaver on the additions. 
Now, I need to decide if I’m gonna start that new story about a dream lover inspired by www.heligan.com and the lost gardens there or if I’m going back to Surfer Bride. Or perhaps I need to work on edits on the short story I want to submit to www.storysouth.com since their deadline is approaching. Decisions, decisions.
Ramblings of a Writer 