IN THIS ISSUE:
My monthly column update
Romance Happenings
Q & A Time

“Turkey Day” isn’t very far away…

With Halloween under our belts, it’s time to get psyched up for the next big celebration, Thanksgiving. After Americans feast on the turkey and cranberries, we “officially” start the holiday shopping season... I’ve noticed the number of toys and games commercials on television has increased tenfold already. My youngest has started in on her Christmas list, too.

But before I deal with holiday shopping and cooking, I’m going on a trip. In fact, I’m going to the Music City itself--Nashville, Tennessee. You can read about what I’ll be doing there along with several thousand other Sweet Adelines in this month’s “Every Day Is Mother’s Day” column, “Watch out for the Dancing Queens.” Check it out online at my site:

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna/momsday_index.html
(You may have to copy and paste the above URL into your web browser in order to get the link to work.)

If you’d prefer to receive my column in the Miscellaneous Ramblings e-newsletter along with other funny, fascinating essays, hop on over to the publisher’s web site below and sign up for it today.

http://www.jeannibrosius.com/miscramblings.html

And, as always, I appreciate your comments.

ROMANCE HAPPENINGS

In October I gave a presentation at the monthly meeting of the Missouri Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. The title of my Halloween-inspired talk was “The Curse of the Manuscript-Eating Slush Pile Monster” (and other ghastly tales of how NOT to become a successfully published author). Drawing on my experience as a manuscript evaluator, I shared tips and pointers that can increase the chances of a submission becoming noticed, thereby escaping the ever-hungry jaws of the “slush pile monster.” I dressed up for the “eerie” occasion in basic black, from the top of my spider web veiled head to my long black robe and black loafers… Sounds like I should have been talking about writing horror novels and not romance, doesn’t it?

Avoiding rejection is a constant battle for writers of all kinds and so my talk has attracted the interest of other area writers’ groups. Currently I’m making plans to give my presentation to a group in Quincy, Illinois, sometime in January. Don’t worry--I’ll skip wearing my Halloween costume. :)

I’m still in a “holding pattern” in regards to the final fate of my comedy-romance, BEAUTIFUL DREAMER. It’s been hard waiting, but I haven’t been sitting idly twiddling my thumbs--I’ve been querying agents. I figure whenever I do receive “the call” I’d like a professional to handle the business end of things for me. This month I also participated in a “Book-in-a-Week” challenge (see Q & A below), finishing the first draft of a novel that I’ve entitled, “Preachin’ to the Choir.” (After re-reading and revising, it could very well have a completely different name!) That’s the beauty of the art of writing. To misquote a famous author (whose name I can’t recall) “Writing is a craft; the art is in the re-write.” Nowadays, it could be said that the art is in the selling and marketing of your writing, too!

If you are interested in purchasing an autographed copy of either one of my contemporary romance novels currently in print, please send me an email request at cynthianna@hotmail.com . If you like ordering online from Amazon, just click on the direct links below:

COUNTRY BOY, CITY GIRL (ISBN 1-58851-918-X) Publish America Inc. (trade paperback)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158851918X/qid%3D/002-6033692-2832836

THE FIXER-UPPERS (ISBN 1-59088-984-3) Wings ePress (trade paperback and electronic editions)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590889843/qid=1006548284/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_10_6/103-8760945-2902229

(You may have to copy and paste the above URL into your web browser in order to get the link to work.)

Q & A TIME

Q: What is the “Book-in-a-Week” (BIAW) challenge?

A: “BIAW,” as it’s known by its participants is exactly what its name suggests—the writer sits down and tries to write an entire book (first draft) within the period of one week. Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? I’ve not been able to quite write an entire manuscript in one week’s time myself (I have children and a day job to distract me) but many other writers have reported that they have been able to do so. The trick is clearing your calendar of any outside distractions and interruptions and then making yourself sit down at your keyboard every day and write… and write… and write some more! You need to “turn off your internal editor” that tells you to stop and re-write what you’ve just written or, worse yet, tells you that you can’t write at all. The secret is to simply get words down on the page(screen) and convince yourself, “I can fix this part in the re-write, but I’m going to keep going with what I’m writing now.” It’s amazing how much “good stuff” you can actually produce when you think you’re only putting out “garbage.” At the very least, you’ll have added another chapter (or ten) to a manuscript and be that much more closer to finishing your book.

For more info, check out the Midwest Fiction Writer’s web site page on BIAW:
http://www.midwestfiction.com/Main_stuff/book_in_a_week.htm#What%20is%20BIAW?

If you have a question--any question, related to writing, romance writing, publishing or whatever--email me at cynthianna@hotmail.com (Do not hit "reply" to this newsletter--your email will bounce.) Results guaranteed or double your money back. :)

Until next time, I wish you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy the friends and family members God has blessed you with… and don’t forget to thank Him!

Cindy aka Cynthianna Appel
MY WEB SITE: http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna

P.S. Feel free to forward this newsletter on to an email friend or ten. You'll be glad you did. :)